WEBVTT 00:00:00.140 --> 00:00:03.320 Let's pray for the reading and preaching of God's Word. 00:00:15.679 --> 00:00:21.120 Heavenly Father, we humble ourselves before You again, 00:00:22.580 --> 00:00:23.839 before Your Word. 00:00:25.699 --> 00:00:27.820 We incline our ears to You 00:00:27.820 --> 00:00:30.280 and open up our hearts toward You. 00:00:32.939 --> 00:00:39.460 Because we know that we often sin and err, 00:00:41.299 --> 00:00:45.240 and we need the constraining power of Your Word. 00:00:46.879 --> 00:00:48.840 We are often downcast. 00:00:50.200 --> 00:00:53.620 We need Your Word, which rejoices our hearts. 00:00:53.619 --> 00:00:57.039 We are often blind, 00:00:57.519 --> 00:00:59.339 and we need Your Word, 00:00:59.579 --> 00:01:01.259 which illuminates, 00:01:02.039 --> 00:01:03.439 enlightens our eyes to see. 00:01:10.019 --> 00:01:11.000 So God, 00:01:11.739 --> 00:01:13.939 open up Your Word to us this evening, 00:01:14.659 --> 00:01:17.939 as we humble ourselves before You. 00:01:18.140 --> 00:01:18.700 Amen. 00:01:18.700 --> 00:01:22.859 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:01:23.700 --> 00:01:24.040 Amen. 00:01:24.040 --> 00:01:24.140 Amen. 00:01:27.820 --> 00:01:30.620 Please turn with me to Proverbs chapter 16, 00:01:32.219 --> 00:01:34.160 verses 16 to 30. 00:01:34.160 --> 00:01:34.240 Amen. 00:01:34.240 --> 00:01:34.280 Amen. 00:01:34.280 --> 00:01:34.320 Amen. 00:01:34.320 --> 00:01:34.360 Amen. 00:01:34.360 --> 00:01:36.280 Amen. 00:01:36.280 --> 00:01:38.280 Amen. 00:01:38.280 --> 00:01:38.320 Amen. 00:01:38.320 --> 00:01:40.280 Amen. 00:01:40.280 --> 00:01:42.280 Amen. 00:01:42.280 --> 00:01:44.280 Amen. 00:01:44.280 --> 00:01:46.280 Amen. 00:01:46.280 --> 00:01:48.280 Amen. 00:01:48.280 --> 00:01:50.280 Amen. 00:01:50.280 --> 00:01:52.280 Amen. 00:01:52.280 --> 00:01:53.280 Amen. 00:01:53.280 --> 00:01:54.020 Amen. 00:01:54.019 --> 00:02:00.179 Amen. 00:02:02.420 --> 00:02:04.640 Amen. 00:02:04.640 --> 00:02:05.079 Amen. 00:02:12.359 --> 00:02:16.340 Amen. 00:02:18.280 --> 00:02:18.780 Amen. 00:02:22.240 --> 00:02:23.180 Amen. 00:02:23.180 --> 00:02:23.359 Amen. 00:02:23.359 --> 00:02:23.719 Amen. 00:02:23.719 --> 00:02:23.780 Amen. 00:02:23.780 --> 00:02:23.979 Amen. 00:02:23.979 --> 00:02:24.000 Amen. 00:02:24.000 --> 00:02:26.620 Whoever guards his way preserves his life. 00:02:27.939 --> 00:02:32.039 Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. 00:02:33.319 --> 00:02:38.400 It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoiled with the proud. 00:02:39.860 --> 00:02:45.740 Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord. 00:02:46.360 --> 00:02:53.300 The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness. 00:02:54.919 --> 00:03:01.639 Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly. 00:03:03.400 --> 00:03:09.400 The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips. 00:03:11.199 --> 00:03:17.000 Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. 00:03:17.000 --> 00:03:24.580 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. 00:03:24.580 --> 00:03:31.580 A worker's appetite works for him, his mouth urges him on. 00:03:32.680 --> 00:03:37.900 A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. 00:03:38.900 --> 00:03:44.240 A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends. 00:03:44.240 --> 00:03:50.860 A man of violence entices his neighbor, and leads him in a way that is not good. 00:03:51.780 --> 00:03:55.219 Whoever winks his eyes, plans dishonest things. 00:03:55.860 --> 00:03:59.060 He who purses his lips brings evil to pass. 00:04:00.140 --> 00:04:02.260 This is God's holy and authoritative word. 00:04:02.259 --> 00:04:10.199 Just a couple chapters later, in Proverbs 18, 21, it says, 00:04:10.899 --> 00:04:17.819 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. 00:04:17.819 --> 00:04:26.500 We know from experience that words have the power to heal, to hurt, to affect good or evil. 00:04:27.779 --> 00:04:34.339 And for this reason, a significant portion of the book of Proverbs is devoted to the topic of human speech. 00:04:35.339 --> 00:04:40.980 And wise, winsome speech, the way, manner of speaking, the kind of things we say, 00:04:41.019 --> 00:04:43.439 it's a hallmark of the mature Christian. 00:04:43.439 --> 00:04:48.420 And our passage, Proverbs 16, 16 to 30, is also devoted to that topic, 00:04:48.540 --> 00:04:53.319 and it teaches us that those who trust God's word give thought to their words. 00:04:54.180 --> 00:04:57.240 Those who trust God's word give thought to their words. 00:04:57.319 --> 00:05:00.699 And first, we're going to talk about listening to God's word in verses 16 to 19, 00:05:01.480 --> 00:05:04.519 and speaking good words in verses 20 to 24, 00:05:04.959 --> 00:05:09.519 and then speaking evil words in verses 25 to 30. 00:05:09.519 --> 00:05:16.379 First, in order to speak good words, it says we must first listen to God's word. 00:05:17.279 --> 00:05:19.479 And that's what verses 16 to 19 are about. 00:05:19.659 --> 00:05:20.899 It begins in verse 16, 00:05:21.459 --> 00:05:24.060 How much better to get wisdom than gold? 00:05:24.759 --> 00:05:27.839 To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. 00:05:28.639 --> 00:05:30.000 And it ends in verse 19, 00:05:30.519 --> 00:05:36.399 It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud. 00:05:36.399 --> 00:05:40.019 So both verses speak of it being better, right? 00:05:40.079 --> 00:05:43.079 Of the superiority and desirability of wisdom. 00:05:44.060 --> 00:05:51.379 And the word better in these verses are the exact same Hebrew word that's translated as good in verse 20 and verse 29. 00:05:52.039 --> 00:05:54.659 Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good. 00:05:55.459 --> 00:05:58.579 And a man of violence leads a neighbor in a way that is not good. 00:05:58.579 --> 00:06:04.279 So verses 20 to 24 are about speech that does good to others. 00:06:04.719 --> 00:06:08.719 And verses 25 to 30 are about speech that does not do good to others. 00:06:09.180 --> 00:06:16.719 And the difference between the two outcomes is determined by whether or not we acquire that which is good. 00:06:17.439 --> 00:06:19.639 Which in this context is the wisdom of God. 00:06:20.620 --> 00:06:21.259 Understanding. 00:06:21.740 --> 00:06:24.079 Which is better than gold and silver. 00:06:24.079 --> 00:06:26.699 If we want to speak well. 00:06:26.939 --> 00:06:28.879 If we want to do good with our words. 00:06:28.959 --> 00:06:32.379 We need to acquire the wisdom that is good. 00:06:33.959 --> 00:06:38.639 And gold and silver were the medals that were most highly prized in the ancient world. 00:06:39.199 --> 00:06:40.939 And if you want the good life. 00:06:41.060 --> 00:06:43.799 This passage teaches us forget gold and forget silver. 00:06:45.039 --> 00:06:47.259 Seek wisdom and understanding. 00:06:47.799 --> 00:06:49.479 That comes from God's word. 00:06:49.480 --> 00:06:55.860 A little sparse this evening maybe because of. 00:06:57.379 --> 00:06:58.620 Definitely because of COVID. 00:06:58.840 --> 00:07:00.340 But I think maybe also because of the heat. 00:07:02.240 --> 00:07:02.439 And. 00:07:03.140 --> 00:07:04.800 But I could guarantee you. 00:07:05.220 --> 00:07:07.819 If I were giving away gold and silver this evening. 00:07:09.100 --> 00:07:10.540 This place would be packed. 00:07:10.540 --> 00:07:17.819 But this verse teaches us that God's wisdom. 00:07:18.560 --> 00:07:19.220 His word. 00:07:19.840 --> 00:07:20.420 Is better. 00:07:27.000 --> 00:07:31.520 Do we approach the reading and preaching of God's word with a special expectation. 00:07:31.759 --> 00:07:34.620 That the God of all creation will speak to us. 00:07:36.500 --> 00:07:39.720 He will impart his infinite wisdom to us. 00:07:39.720 --> 00:07:40.720 God's wisdom. 00:07:44.300 --> 00:07:45.220 I'm grateful. 00:07:46.780 --> 00:07:49.700 That we have a church that's eager to hear God's word. 00:07:50.440 --> 00:07:55.540 And this is a comment that I received from all the guest preachers that come to preach for us. 00:07:55.720 --> 00:07:57.980 That you have a very attentive congregation. 00:07:58.960 --> 00:08:03.500 And I know that though many people are not able to make it in person because of the circumstances. 00:08:04.260 --> 00:08:05.740 Many are listening right now. 00:08:06.300 --> 00:08:06.740 Online. 00:08:07.020 --> 00:08:07.800 Virtually as well. 00:08:07.800 --> 00:08:11.840 But there are millions of people out in the world. 00:08:12.180 --> 00:08:14.379 Who are not listening to God's word. 00:08:14.460 --> 00:08:16.000 We're not paying heed to God's word. 00:08:16.060 --> 00:08:16.340 Because. 00:08:17.180 --> 00:08:19.280 They don't know that it's better than silver and gold. 00:08:19.960 --> 00:08:22.379 They don't know that it's better to seek God's wisdom. 00:08:22.920 --> 00:08:23.980 Than these things. 00:08:24.660 --> 00:08:26.340 And we are the ones who are to tell them. 00:08:26.339 --> 00:08:30.839 Do we really believe that it is better to get wisdom than gold? 00:08:32.720 --> 00:08:35.000 Verse 17 continues this exhortation. 00:08:35.079 --> 00:08:38.139 The highway of the upright turns aside from evil. 00:08:38.819 --> 00:08:41.259 Whoever guards his way preserves his life. 00:08:41.259 --> 00:08:44.580 According to archaeological evidence. 00:08:44.580 --> 00:08:48.960 Ancient Israel during the time of Solomon had highways that would run by cities. 00:08:49.080 --> 00:08:50.700 But not through cities. 00:08:51.439 --> 00:08:56.179 And so the way you enter into these cities would actually be by turning aside from the way. 00:08:56.639 --> 00:08:57.600 In order to go in. 00:08:57.600 --> 00:09:02.360 And so the point that he's making here. 00:09:02.480 --> 00:09:06.300 Especially since the word upright in Hebrew also means straight. 00:09:06.899 --> 00:09:09.259 He's making the point that the upright. 00:09:09.480 --> 00:09:12.680 The righteous should stay on the straight path of the Lord. 00:09:12.759 --> 00:09:14.759 Without turning aside to the left or to the right. 00:09:14.759 --> 00:09:19.100 And this is something that takes vigilance. 00:09:19.100 --> 00:09:21.700 When I first started driving here in Massachusetts. 00:09:23.080 --> 00:09:25.200 I learned very quickly. 00:09:25.840 --> 00:09:28.519 That my GPS's direction to keep straight. 00:09:28.720 --> 00:09:30.360 Is actually not very straightforward. 00:09:31.159 --> 00:09:33.679 Because when you're driving on highways here in New England. 00:09:34.299 --> 00:09:36.279 You know you could be driving very straight. 00:09:36.480 --> 00:09:40.019 And then it could veer off into an exit to the right or to the left. 00:09:40.179 --> 00:09:41.279 And it just changes on you. 00:09:41.340 --> 00:09:42.319 The roads diverge. 00:09:42.799 --> 00:09:44.259 And so in order to keep straight. 00:09:44.259 --> 00:09:46.759 You actually have to pay attention and be very vigilant. 00:09:48.139 --> 00:09:51.899 And similarly keeping to the highway of the upright takes vigilance. 00:09:52.460 --> 00:09:54.439 We must turn aside from evil. 00:09:54.879 --> 00:09:56.240 We must guard our ways. 00:09:56.340 --> 00:09:58.019 We must follow God's word carefully. 00:09:58.460 --> 00:10:00.720 In order to preserve our lives. 00:10:01.919 --> 00:10:04.319 Are you being vigilant in your spiritual walk? 00:10:05.259 --> 00:10:06.559 Or are you coasting? 00:10:08.039 --> 00:10:09.480 Or are you on autopilot? 00:10:10.980 --> 00:10:12.419 Are you on cruise control? 00:10:14.259 --> 00:10:19.399 Are you paying attention to ensure that you are keeping on the straight path of God's wisdom? 00:10:19.399 --> 00:10:26.659 And the primary obstacle to keeping straight on this highway of the upright is pride. 00:10:27.600 --> 00:10:29.019 Verse 18 says, 00:10:29.340 --> 00:10:30.899 Pride goes before destruction. 00:10:31.899 --> 00:10:34.059 And a haughty spirit before a fall. 00:10:35.399 --> 00:10:38.039 Pride makes a person deaf to correction. 00:10:39.360 --> 00:10:42.600 Pride convinces a person that his way is always right. 00:10:42.600 --> 00:10:44.779 And figuratively speaking, 00:10:44.779 --> 00:10:49.159 The prideful driver ignores the honking cars around him. 00:10:49.480 --> 00:10:56.120 And does not pay attention to his car vibrating as it crosses over the rumble strip into danger, into an accident. 00:10:56.720 --> 00:11:01.139 He thinks that he cannot possibly be heading toward a fatal accident. 00:11:01.139 --> 00:11:07.519 And likewise, the prideful person does not pay attention to the exhortations and warnings of God's word. 00:11:08.100 --> 00:11:13.819 He assumes that since he is in the right, God's word must be in the wrong. 00:11:14.919 --> 00:11:16.460 Pride goes before destruction. 00:11:17.039 --> 00:11:18.740 And a haughty spirit before a fall. 00:11:19.860 --> 00:11:23.819 This doesn't mean, however, that every prideful person will be destroyed immediately. 00:11:23.820 --> 00:11:31.120 In this upside-down world, justice sometimes isn't served until God's final judgment. 00:11:32.640 --> 00:11:36.800 So verse 19 serves to qualify verse 18. 00:11:38.100 --> 00:11:44.000 It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud. 00:11:45.400 --> 00:11:49.260 In this upside-down world, the proud sometimes divide the spoil. 00:11:49.259 --> 00:11:56.240 Meaning they conquer and exploit others and divide the plunder among themselves. 00:11:57.159 --> 00:11:58.259 That's the reality. 00:11:59.000 --> 00:12:04.759 In this upside-down world, the humble who should be exalted are sometimes found among the poor and the afflicted. 00:12:05.980 --> 00:12:09.139 They don't have much material wealth or social prestige. 00:12:10.659 --> 00:12:13.080 As Bible commentator William McCain puts it, 00:12:13.080 --> 00:12:15.879 Poverty and humility are natural allies. 00:12:16.360 --> 00:12:19.360 And impious pride goes with ill-gotten gain. 00:12:20.480 --> 00:12:23.160 But still, verse 19 says, 00:12:23.320 --> 00:12:30.480 It is better, it's better still to be humble among the poor than to be rich among the proud. 00:12:31.420 --> 00:12:32.960 Because as verse 16 said, 00:12:33.200 --> 00:12:35.879 How much better is wisdom than gold? 00:12:36.920 --> 00:12:41.980 Being wise and poor is better than being foolish and rich. 00:12:41.980 --> 00:12:46.259 Being humble and poor is better than being proud and rich. 00:12:46.779 --> 00:12:51.519 And this is because, like water, the grace of God always flows downward. 00:12:52.539 --> 00:12:54.899 As Jesus said in Matthew 23, verse 12, 00:12:55.000 --> 00:12:57.080 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, 00:12:57.720 --> 00:13:00.000 and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. 00:13:01.000 --> 00:13:06.700 Though we might not see this reality, this God's reality yet in our upside-down world, 00:13:07.420 --> 00:13:10.600 it will ultimately come true at God's final judgment. 00:13:10.600 --> 00:13:14.120 Because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. 00:13:16.360 --> 00:13:22.560 This is why those who wish to speak good words must first listen to God's word. 00:13:23.820 --> 00:13:27.139 Best-selling author Stephen King once wrote that, 00:13:27.379 --> 00:13:33.080 If you don't have time to read, you don't have the time or the tools to write. 00:13:33.540 --> 00:13:34.519 Simple as that. 00:13:34.519 --> 00:13:41.460 In a much more profound way, it is true that if we don't have time to listen to God's word, 00:13:42.059 --> 00:13:48.559 we have neither the time nor the resources with which to speak the good word that brings life to people. 00:13:50.439 --> 00:13:53.319 So let me ask you, what is most often in your ears? 00:13:54.360 --> 00:13:58.319 Who are the people, the voices that are most frequently in your ears? 00:13:58.320 --> 00:13:59.440 Is it the voice of God? 00:13:59.940 --> 00:14:01.220 Is it the word of God? 00:14:02.460 --> 00:14:04.980 We must pay a heed to God's word above all else. 00:14:07.060 --> 00:14:11.780 And verse 20 serves as a transition to the next section about speaking good words. 00:14:14.540 --> 00:14:17.940 Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good. 00:14:17.940 --> 00:14:26.180 The first half of this verse is intentionally ambiguous. 00:14:26.640 --> 00:14:28.580 What does Solomon mean by the word? 00:14:29.300 --> 00:14:33.380 Usually in Proverbs, the word refers to a wisdom saying, a proverb. 00:14:34.440 --> 00:14:40.600 So for example, chapter 1 verse 6 says that the purpose of this book is to help people understand a proverb and a saying. 00:14:41.120 --> 00:14:43.540 The words of the wise and their riddles. 00:14:43.539 --> 00:14:51.839 Chapter 13 verse 13 says, whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded. 00:14:52.339 --> 00:14:59.399 So if that's what word means here in verse 20, it means that whoever gives thought to the word of God will discover good. 00:15:00.059 --> 00:15:06.639 Whoever contemplates and heeds the word of wisdom contained in the Proverbs will discover good. 00:15:07.459 --> 00:15:09.539 And that fits the parallel line well. 00:15:09.839 --> 00:15:11.539 Blessed is he who trusts in the Lord. 00:15:11.539 --> 00:15:14.639 To trust in the Lord is to give thought to his word. 00:15:15.959 --> 00:15:24.219 If this is what the verse means, it's continuing the theme of verses 16 to 19, that we should pay, humbly pay attention to God's word. 00:15:24.419 --> 00:15:25.539 Give thought to his wisdom. 00:15:26.659 --> 00:15:28.579 But it could mean something else also. 00:15:28.759 --> 00:15:32.799 In many other places in Proverbs, the word could also refer to a person's speech. 00:15:34.019 --> 00:15:35.579 So chapter 15 verse 1 says, 00:15:35.579 --> 00:15:40.139 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. 00:15:40.139 --> 00:15:42.939 Similarly, chapter 15 verse 23 says, 00:15:43.019 --> 00:15:48.039 To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season how good it is. 00:15:48.519 --> 00:15:52.759 So if word here in verse 20 is a reference to a person's speech, 00:15:53.419 --> 00:15:58.899 then verse 20 means whoever gives thought to what he says will discover good. 00:16:00.399 --> 00:16:03.779 Whoever is thoughtful in his words will discover good. 00:16:03.779 --> 00:16:11.839 In this case, verse 20 would fit well with the theme of verses 21 to 24, all of which is about speaking good words. 00:16:12.639 --> 00:16:17.419 So then I think the ambiguity here is intentional, and the word is doing double duty. 00:16:18.000 --> 00:16:22.240 So it serves as a transition from verse 16 and 19 to 21 to 24. 00:16:22.240 --> 00:16:28.360 It's saying that only those who give thought to God's word will give thought to their word. 00:16:29.320 --> 00:16:34.600 In other words, those who trust God's word give thought to their word and speak good words. 00:16:36.200 --> 00:16:40.879 And then verse 21 to 24 describe what that good word, the good speech, looks like. 00:16:41.840 --> 00:16:47.159 Verse 21 and 24 bracket the section, and both speak of the sweetness of good speech. 00:16:47.159 --> 00:16:54.860 The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness. 00:16:56.719 --> 00:17:01.939 Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. 00:17:03.299 --> 00:17:08.599 Wisdom in the heart is evidence in the sweetness of speech, which increases persuasiveness. 00:17:09.119 --> 00:17:11.079 This is corroborated by verse 23. 00:17:11.079 --> 00:17:16.579 The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips. 00:17:17.160 --> 00:17:21.960 So first, the sweetness of speech makes one's words persuasive. 00:17:23.200 --> 00:17:28.300 The gracious words of the wise are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul. 00:17:29.180 --> 00:17:35.120 So words of the wise then are not only sweet in its character, in the way it's communicated, 00:17:35.480 --> 00:17:37.240 but also in its effect. 00:17:38.500 --> 00:17:41.200 It's sweet in both its beginning and its end. 00:17:41.680 --> 00:17:45.080 It's persuasive to one's ears and instructive to one's soul. 00:17:45.079 --> 00:17:47.259 That's what God's word is like. 00:17:47.579 --> 00:17:49.000 Those who speak good words are like. 00:17:50.179 --> 00:17:54.859 And this is to be contrasted with the sweet speech of the strange woman that we saw earlier 00:17:54.859 --> 00:17:56.740 in Proverbs chapter 5 verse 3. 00:17:57.699 --> 00:17:57.939 It said, 00:17:58.059 --> 00:18:02.899 For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil. 00:18:03.279 --> 00:18:07.220 But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. 00:18:07.220 --> 00:18:14.960 The speech of the forbidden woman also is sweet and persuasive, but her speech is only sweet 00:18:14.960 --> 00:18:15.579 in the beginning. 00:18:16.140 --> 00:18:17.400 It's bitter in its end. 00:18:19.039 --> 00:18:23.019 The forbidden woman's speech is sweet in order to get people to swallow poison. 00:18:23.960 --> 00:18:31.120 But the wise person's speech, in contrast, is sweet in order to have people swallow medicine. 00:18:31.119 --> 00:18:37.479 God's healing is sweet both in the way it's communicated and in its effect. 00:18:38.739 --> 00:18:45.179 So we should ask ourselves, is our speech persuasive, and is it edifying? 00:18:45.699 --> 00:18:46.819 Is it instructive? 00:18:48.559 --> 00:18:53.319 If what we say is instructive and good in its context, but we are not persuasive, we are not 00:18:53.319 --> 00:18:56.359 winsome, we are not gracious in the way we say, we are not being wise. 00:18:56.359 --> 00:19:01.539 But likewise, if we are persuasive in what we say, but what we say is not good and edifying 00:19:01.539 --> 00:19:03.919 and true, that is not good either. 00:19:05.639 --> 00:19:10.639 The sweetness must have both, like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul, health to the body. 00:19:11.559 --> 00:19:17.359 So honey was a precious commodity in the ancient world because it was prized both as a sweetener 00:19:17.359 --> 00:19:18.679 and as medicine. 00:19:19.559 --> 00:19:23.839 Because people didn't discover how to crystallize sugar until the 4th century AD. 00:19:23.839 --> 00:19:30.379 So honey was really rare and it was a coveted sweetener that you can add to all kinds of 00:19:30.379 --> 00:19:31.000 foods and drinks. 00:19:31.839 --> 00:19:35.959 Not only that, honey in the ancient world was used often for medicinal purposes. 00:19:36.839 --> 00:19:42.939 Because it contains just the right amount of hydrogen peroxide and because it lacks moisture 00:19:42.939 --> 00:19:48.059 and it sucks out moisture, honey was great for sanitizing and healing wounds. 00:19:49.259 --> 00:19:51.779 Even today, you can actually buy this thing called Medi honey. 00:19:51.779 --> 00:19:54.500 I think they use it for medicinal purposes. 00:19:55.399 --> 00:19:55.940 It's a... 00:19:55.940 --> 00:19:59.759 And gracious words, it says, are like a honeycomb. 00:20:00.539 --> 00:20:05.000 Not a drop of honey, but like a full honeycomb dripping with honey. 00:20:06.079 --> 00:20:09.039 Sweetness to the soul and health to the body. 00:20:09.720 --> 00:20:14.720 So the word soul is the same word that's sometimes translated appetite in Hebrew. 00:20:14.720 --> 00:20:18.120 So it's a double meaning, has a double meaning. 00:20:18.259 --> 00:20:22.860 Just as honey is good for taste, it is good for the soul, sweet to the soul. 00:20:23.720 --> 00:20:27.180 And gracious words are both good for the body and the soul. 00:20:28.720 --> 00:20:31.059 Verse 22 elaborates on this truth. 00:20:31.180 --> 00:20:36.660 Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly. 00:20:36.660 --> 00:20:44.680 To the person who has good sense, his wisdom becomes for him a fountain of life, nourishing and prospering him. 00:20:45.160 --> 00:20:48.620 But for the fools, even their instruction is folly. 00:20:49.740 --> 00:20:52.660 The fool should not presume to instruct anyone. 00:20:52.660 --> 00:20:58.320 But precisely because they are too prideful and foolish to know this, they instruct others in their folly. 00:20:58.820 --> 00:21:01.040 And their pride goes before destruction. 00:21:02.600 --> 00:21:06.540 The wise person's good sense, on the other hand, brings life. 00:21:07.380 --> 00:21:10.940 He humbles himself and heeds the word of God, which brings life. 00:21:11.660 --> 00:21:13.940 And that's what it looks like to speak good words. 00:21:15.300 --> 00:21:21.060 And then verses 25 to 30 teaches what it looks like to speak evil words that we should avoid. 00:21:21.059 --> 00:21:24.139 Verse 25 introduces the section this way. 00:21:24.240 --> 00:21:28.639 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. 00:21:29.279 --> 00:21:34.359 This is a word-for-word repetition of Proverbs 14, 12, which we looked at a few weeks ago. 00:21:35.519 --> 00:21:42.339 It teaches us that it's not always wise to follow our own hearts, because our hearts can be deceptive. 00:21:42.980 --> 00:21:49.559 It's not always wise to obey what you think is right, because our consciences can misfire. 00:21:49.559 --> 00:21:54.960 But the fact that the way seems right to us does not mean that we are right. 00:21:55.519 --> 00:22:03.599 No matter how right and true and good a way of life might appear to us, if it is not the way of the Lord, it leads ultimately to death. 00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:10.720 This is why the humble listening posture that verses 16 to 9 call us to is so important. 00:22:10.720 --> 00:22:17.120 Those who do not humble themselves and trust in God's word will stumble headlong into destruction. 00:22:18.680 --> 00:22:23.559 But in this section about evil speech, we find a curious digression in verse 26. 00:22:25.460 --> 00:22:28.100 A worker's appetite works for him. 00:22:28.819 --> 00:22:30.960 His mouth urges him on. 00:22:30.960 --> 00:22:36.279 Ecclesiastes chapter 6 verse 7 says something very similar. 00:22:36.740 --> 00:22:41.600 All the toil of man is for his mouth, yet his appetite is not satisfied. 00:22:42.620 --> 00:22:44.420 It's a very realistic proverb. 00:22:45.140 --> 00:22:51.400 It's saying that all the work that human beings do, ultimately we do to satisfy our own appetites, 00:22:51.779 --> 00:22:55.039 to fulfill our desires, to satisfy our hunger. 00:22:55.039 --> 00:22:57.559 But what is the connection? 00:22:57.700 --> 00:23:01.899 What is this proverb doing here in the middle of a section dealing with speech? 00:23:04.599 --> 00:23:13.159 Earlier in chapter 10 verse 15 to 22, we saw the connection that Solomon made between storing up wealth and storing up words. 00:23:13.839 --> 00:23:19.920 He wrote that we should be busy bees, working hard, not busy bodies, meddling in the affairs of others. 00:23:19.920 --> 00:23:25.140 We should occupy ourselves with work rather than occupy ourselves with talk. 00:23:25.600 --> 00:23:26.320 He taught us there. 00:23:26.360 --> 00:23:29.920 He wrote that when there are many words, that there is little wisdom. 00:23:30.420 --> 00:23:31.860 Because words are like money. 00:23:31.960 --> 00:23:35.460 The more you print into circulation, the less value it has. 00:23:36.060 --> 00:23:40.100 The more you speak, the less weight it has, the less wisdom it has. 00:23:40.600 --> 00:23:47.460 Because when words are many, many are the premature, sinful, imprecise, impartial, out-of-turn words. 00:23:47.460 --> 00:23:52.460 And so he taught us there in chapter 10 that we should work diligently and speak sparingly. 00:23:53.660 --> 00:23:55.100 And in so doing, store up wealth. 00:23:56.120 --> 00:23:58.960 And similarly, chapter 14 verse 23 and 24 said, 00:23:59.079 --> 00:24:03.920 In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty. 00:24:04.759 --> 00:24:08.900 The crown of the wise is their wealth, but the folly of fools brings folly. 00:24:09.440 --> 00:24:13.779 So quite simply, if you're busy talking, he's saying you're not busy working. 00:24:13.779 --> 00:24:19.940 And if instead of working with our own hands, we only speak and run our mouths, 00:24:20.039 --> 00:24:22.359 instead of reaping wealth, we will reap folly. 00:24:22.460 --> 00:24:25.279 That was the wisdom teaching of Solomon in the earlier chapters. 00:24:25.940 --> 00:24:29.039 And he's making that same logical connection here in verse 26. 00:24:29.859 --> 00:24:32.599 So if we read verse 26 and 27 together, he says, 00:24:32.680 --> 00:24:34.920 A worker's appetite works for him. 00:24:35.379 --> 00:24:37.240 His mouth urges him on. 00:24:37.680 --> 00:24:42.299 A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. 00:24:42.299 --> 00:24:43.859 So there's a contrast. 00:24:44.500 --> 00:24:49.500 A worker applies himself to useful work, but a worthless person plots evil. 00:24:50.639 --> 00:24:54.159 Our mouths should make us put our hands to the plow, 00:24:54.519 --> 00:24:57.859 rather than being used for plotting and for arson. 00:24:59.220 --> 00:25:04.079 The wise person puts his mouth to the service of diligent work and doing good to others, 00:25:04.279 --> 00:25:06.240 not for uselessness and evil. 00:25:06.319 --> 00:25:07.619 That's the contrast that he's making. 00:25:07.619 --> 00:25:15.000 And verse 27, 28, and 29, in turn, each provide us with an example of evil speech. 00:25:15.819 --> 00:25:18.539 Each verse in the Hebrew begins with the word man. 00:25:19.239 --> 00:25:22.419 So verse 27 is about the man of worthlessness. 00:25:23.099 --> 00:25:26.539 Verse 28 is about the man of dishonesty or perversion. 00:25:26.959 --> 00:25:29.419 Verse 29 is about the man of violence. 00:25:29.639 --> 00:25:32.639 And there's an escalation, a progression of these descriptions. 00:25:32.640 --> 00:25:39.980 So let's first look at verse 27, which is about the man of worthlessness, the rabble-rouser. 00:25:40.920 --> 00:25:41.300 It says, 00:25:41.380 --> 00:25:45.220 A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. 00:25:45.759 --> 00:25:49.620 This is an agitator, a rabble-rouser, a troublemaker, 00:25:49.720 --> 00:25:56.400 a person who incites discord and disunity against God and humanity. 00:25:56.400 --> 00:26:01.640 His words are inflammatory, like a scorching fire. 00:26:02.840 --> 00:26:06.280 And as the fictional character Alfred Pennyworth puts it, 00:26:06.840 --> 00:26:10.480 Some men aren't looking for anything logical, like money. 00:26:11.440 --> 00:26:14.140 Some men just want to watch the world burn. 00:26:15.600 --> 00:26:21.940 The man of worthlessness sows discord, incites hatred, and promotes anarchy. 00:26:21.940 --> 00:26:27.460 Those who trust God's word should give thought to their words and not speak in this manner. 00:26:28.380 --> 00:26:30.900 We should consider whether or not our words are inflammatory 00:26:30.900 --> 00:26:37.779 and speak words that promote peace and unity, not discord and division. 00:26:39.039 --> 00:26:42.720 And second, verse 28 speaks of the man of dishonesty or perversion. 00:26:43.440 --> 00:26:48.380 A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends. 00:26:48.380 --> 00:26:55.100 Now, this is describing a schemer, a slanderer, a double-crosser, a gossip. 00:26:56.900 --> 00:27:01.720 Such a person sows suspicion between friends through his whispers. 00:27:02.660 --> 00:27:06.540 He uses his words to spread strife and separate close friends. 00:27:08.940 --> 00:27:11.920 Third, verse 29 and 30 speak of the man of violence. 00:27:12.860 --> 00:27:17.740 A man of violence entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good. 00:27:17.740 --> 00:27:23.839 Whoever winks his eyes, plans dishonest things, and he purses his lips, brings evil to pass. 00:27:24.279 --> 00:27:32.160 This is describing a murderer, someone who hates his neighbor and plots to lead him in a way that is not good, 00:27:32.759 --> 00:27:36.220 who makes designs to bring evil to pass on another. 00:27:37.859 --> 00:27:41.019 It says he winks his eyes, which is a mark of deception. 00:27:41.019 --> 00:27:47.319 Winking your eyes when you say something, to say one thing while implying another, meaning another. 00:27:49.160 --> 00:27:51.420 It says that he also purses his lips. 00:27:52.099 --> 00:27:54.319 I'm not exactly sure what that looks like. 00:27:54.599 --> 00:28:03.160 Maybe the meaning of it is not entirely clear, but the verb means to compress or to pinch one's lips closed. 00:28:03.160 --> 00:28:10.380 So maybe like it could refer to withholding, maybe pertinent information that can deliver or help a neighbor. 00:28:10.380 --> 00:28:15.600 Purcing his lips and acting like he has no idea what is going on, 00:28:15.820 --> 00:28:20.620 when in fact he has been knowingly misleading his neighbor to death, to evil. 00:28:22.480 --> 00:28:26.100 So then in verses 27 to 30, there's an escalation of evil speech. 00:28:26.200 --> 00:28:30.400 It first describes the rabble rouser, and then a slanderer who separates close friends, 00:28:30.460 --> 00:28:34.100 and finally a murderer who entices his neighbor toward evil. 00:28:34.099 --> 00:28:40.179 And all of these descriptions are contrasted with the person who we saw earlier is wise of heart, 00:28:40.319 --> 00:28:45.599 who has good sense and speaks gracious words that are sweetness to the soul and health to the body. 00:28:46.319 --> 00:28:50.799 And this battle between those who speak good and those who speak evil 00:28:50.799 --> 00:28:56.000 play out in the cosmic scale in God's salvation history as well. 00:28:57.079 --> 00:28:59.500 If we come to a passage like this in Proverbs, 00:28:59.500 --> 00:29:03.459 and we walk away with a few self-improvement tips, 00:29:03.460 --> 00:29:07.180 thinking, well, I better be a little more careful with how I speak and what I say, 00:29:07.799 --> 00:29:09.840 that's not good enough. 00:29:10.380 --> 00:29:12.700 That's not what this passage is ultimately about. 00:29:13.360 --> 00:29:17.819 This passage ultimately points to this cosmic battle and this redemptive history 00:29:17.819 --> 00:29:22.079 that God is writing and that he brings about for us in Jesus Christ. 00:29:22.900 --> 00:29:28.400 Because Satan, our nemesis, is called Belial in 2 Corinthians 6.15. 00:29:28.400 --> 00:29:33.759 That's the same Hebrew word that is used to describe here the man of worthlessness. 00:29:34.820 --> 00:29:37.820 Belial, the rabble rouser, in verse 27. 00:29:38.700 --> 00:29:42.180 Satan is also described as the accuser of our brothers. 00:29:43.240 --> 00:29:44.900 In Revelation 12, verse 10, 00:29:45.780 --> 00:29:49.240 his name, Satan, means accuser or slanderer, 00:29:49.620 --> 00:29:52.940 like the slanderer who separates close friends in verse 28. 00:29:52.940 --> 00:29:59.200 And finally, in John 8.44, Jesus says that the devil was a murderer from the beginning 00:29:59.200 --> 00:30:02.400 and that he is a liar and the father of lies. 00:30:02.980 --> 00:30:05.920 His purpose is to steal, kill, and destroy. 00:30:06.559 --> 00:30:11.539 And Satan came to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden in the form of a serpent 00:30:11.539 --> 00:30:15.460 and he whispered lies into the ears of Adam and Eve, 00:30:15.860 --> 00:30:17.220 slandering God to them, 00:30:17.680 --> 00:30:21.259 sowing suspicion that God was withholding something from them, 00:30:21.259 --> 00:30:22.920 something good from them, 00:30:22.940 --> 00:30:24.500 and he separated close friends. 00:30:25.200 --> 00:30:27.119 And his intention was murder 00:30:27.119 --> 00:30:30.259 in order to lead them to sin, which leads to death. 00:30:31.119 --> 00:30:33.779 And we have all, to varying degrees, 00:30:33.960 --> 00:30:35.960 followed our forefathers' path to sin. 00:30:36.339 --> 00:30:37.359 We have all lied. 00:30:38.240 --> 00:30:40.619 We have all slandered and gossiped. 00:30:41.480 --> 00:30:44.920 We have all harbored hatred in our hearts toward our neighbors 00:30:44.920 --> 00:30:45.859 and spoken ill, 00:30:46.920 --> 00:30:49.680 which Jesus says in Matthew 5, 21-22, 00:30:49.680 --> 00:30:52.580 that's tantamount to anger in our own hearts. 00:30:52.880 --> 00:30:54.060 Murder in our own hearts, I mean. 00:30:55.340 --> 00:30:56.980 And as Proverbs 16, 18 said, 00:30:57.140 --> 00:31:00.840 Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. 00:31:01.380 --> 00:31:04.539 Due to our sinful pride, due to our haughty spirit, 00:31:04.740 --> 00:31:08.259 we were destined for destruction and eternal damnation. 00:31:08.259 --> 00:31:13.160 But our God, who had every right to punish us, 00:31:13.220 --> 00:31:14.160 to reject us, 00:31:14.539 --> 00:31:16.519 instead had compassion on us, 00:31:16.839 --> 00:31:19.339 and he sent his only son, Jesus Christ, 00:31:19.420 --> 00:31:20.299 to deliver us. 00:31:21.579 --> 00:31:23.799 And the Gospels frequently comment 00:31:23.799 --> 00:31:27.279 on how gracious Jesus' words are, 00:31:27.559 --> 00:31:30.480 how persuasive Jesus' words are. 00:31:30.599 --> 00:31:32.180 Luke 4, 22 says, 00:31:32.180 --> 00:31:39.259 John 7, 40-52, 00:31:39.380 --> 00:31:41.880 described when the chief priests and the Pharisees 00:31:41.880 --> 00:31:43.660 send their officers to arrest Jesus, 00:31:43.759 --> 00:31:45.400 they come back without arresting him. 00:31:45.860 --> 00:31:46.759 And when they ask him, 00:31:46.820 --> 00:31:48.200 why did you not arrest Jesus? 00:31:48.299 --> 00:31:48.860 They respond, 00:31:49.019 --> 00:31:51.340 no one ever spoke like the man. 00:31:52.440 --> 00:31:54.279 In Matthew 7, 28-29, 00:31:54.400 --> 00:31:54.660 it says, 00:31:54.660 --> 00:32:07.440 Satan was the liar, 00:32:07.620 --> 00:32:08.320 the slanderer, 00:32:08.360 --> 00:32:08.860 the murderer, 00:32:09.040 --> 00:32:11.380 and Jesus is the Word of God. 00:32:12.080 --> 00:32:13.259 Jesus is the truth. 00:32:13.940 --> 00:32:15.360 Jesus is the giver of life. 00:32:16.019 --> 00:32:17.880 And it was believing Satan's lies 00:32:17.880 --> 00:32:19.019 that plunged humanity 00:32:19.019 --> 00:32:21.120 into this downward spiral of sin and death, 00:32:21.680 --> 00:32:24.360 and it's by believing the Word of Christ 00:32:24.359 --> 00:32:25.899 His good news, 00:32:26.259 --> 00:32:27.939 that we are rescued out of it. 00:32:29.119 --> 00:32:31.500 Jesus says in John 11, 24-25, 00:32:31.740 --> 00:32:34.240 I am the resurrection and the life. 00:32:34.879 --> 00:32:36.500 Whoever believes in me, 00:32:36.559 --> 00:32:37.299 though he die, 00:32:37.879 --> 00:32:38.959 yet shall he live. 00:32:39.399 --> 00:32:41.819 And everyone who lives and believes in me 00:32:41.819 --> 00:32:43.019 shall never die. 00:32:46.279 --> 00:32:47.619 Have you believed this? 00:32:50.099 --> 00:32:52.759 Verse 22 of our chapter of Proverbs 16 said, 00:32:52.759 --> 00:32:54.680 Good sense is a fountain of life 00:32:54.680 --> 00:32:56.599 to him who has it. 00:32:56.740 --> 00:33:00.339 Jesus is the one who possesses good sense. 00:33:00.480 --> 00:33:03.220 Jesus is the one who possesses divine wisdom. 00:33:04.980 --> 00:33:06.200 Romans 16, 27, 00:33:06.319 --> 00:33:08.420 described God as the only wise God. 00:33:08.619 --> 00:33:11.099 Jesus is the son of the only wise God. 00:33:11.379 --> 00:33:13.579 He's described as the wisdom from God. 00:33:13.980 --> 00:33:15.339 And he invites us, 00:33:15.980 --> 00:33:17.379 in John 7, 37, 00:33:17.380 --> 00:33:19.220 If anyone thirsts, 00:33:19.220 --> 00:33:20.560 let him come to me and drink. 00:33:21.000 --> 00:33:22.980 Whoever believes in me, 00:33:23.060 --> 00:33:24.240 as the Scripture has said, 00:33:24.340 --> 00:33:27.680 out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. 00:33:29.300 --> 00:33:31.060 Jesus is the one who becomes 00:33:31.060 --> 00:33:33.080 the fountain of life in us, 00:33:33.420 --> 00:33:34.360 for us. 00:33:35.280 --> 00:33:35.800 Paradoxically, 00:33:35.860 --> 00:33:38.080 he did this by dying on the cross 00:33:38.080 --> 00:33:39.260 for our sins 00:33:39.260 --> 00:33:41.440 and being raised from the dead. 00:33:41.440 --> 00:33:43.180 Jesus, 00:33:43.180 --> 00:33:44.840 who never sinned 00:33:44.840 --> 00:33:47.299 in anything he had ever said, 00:33:48.180 --> 00:33:50.440 died the death of a liar, 00:33:51.460 --> 00:33:52.400 a slanderer, 00:33:52.900 --> 00:33:53.680 a perjurer, 00:33:54.220 --> 00:33:54.880 a murderer. 00:33:57.880 --> 00:33:59.580 All the harsh things 00:33:59.580 --> 00:34:00.860 we've ever said, 00:34:01.580 --> 00:34:02.960 all the judgmental things 00:34:02.960 --> 00:34:03.480 we've ever said, 00:34:03.559 --> 00:34:04.559 all the dirty things 00:34:04.559 --> 00:34:05.180 we've ever said, 00:34:05.259 --> 00:34:06.559 all the hateful things 00:34:06.559 --> 00:34:07.680 we've ever said, 00:34:07.740 --> 00:34:09.179 all the false things, 00:34:09.300 --> 00:34:10.539 all the vain things, 00:34:10.539 --> 00:34:12.039 all the selfish things 00:34:12.039 --> 00:34:13.420 we have ever said. 00:34:16.659 --> 00:34:18.259 How many unfitting words 00:34:18.259 --> 00:34:18.779 have I spoken 00:34:18.779 --> 00:34:20.039 just even this day? 00:34:21.139 --> 00:34:22.400 And all these things 00:34:22.400 --> 00:34:23.460 that we have done 00:34:23.460 --> 00:34:24.860 against God 00:34:24.860 --> 00:34:26.739 were laid on his shoulders, 00:34:26.860 --> 00:34:27.880 on Christ's shoulders. 00:34:29.179 --> 00:34:30.239 And when people brought 00:34:30.239 --> 00:34:32.059 false accusations to Jesus 00:34:32.059 --> 00:34:33.619 at his trial, 00:34:33.900 --> 00:34:36.360 it says he didn't speak a word. 00:34:37.279 --> 00:34:38.679 He was led like a lamb 00:34:38.679 --> 00:34:39.599 to the slaughter 00:34:39.599 --> 00:34:40.900 and he was silent 00:34:40.900 --> 00:34:42.079 before his shearers. 00:34:42.420 --> 00:34:44.259 He didn't open his mouth. 00:34:46.219 --> 00:34:47.460 We have sinned 00:34:47.460 --> 00:34:48.599 in countless ways 00:34:48.599 --> 00:34:49.500 with our speech. 00:34:50.980 --> 00:34:52.920 So in order to pay the penalty 00:34:52.920 --> 00:34:54.599 for the sins of our mouths, 00:34:55.659 --> 00:34:55.980 Jesus, 00:34:56.199 --> 00:34:57.219 who had every right 00:34:57.219 --> 00:34:58.659 to protest and resist, 00:34:59.199 --> 00:35:00.940 died in silence. 00:35:00.940 --> 00:35:09.720 He was raised from the dead 00:35:09.720 --> 00:35:10.480 by his father. 00:35:11.539 --> 00:35:12.980 The curse was broken. 00:35:13.659 --> 00:35:14.800 Jesus was vindicated 00:35:14.800 --> 00:35:16.760 and raised from the dead. 00:35:17.300 --> 00:35:18.480 He humbled himself 00:35:18.480 --> 00:35:19.400 and so the father 00:35:19.400 --> 00:35:20.380 exalted him 00:35:20.380 --> 00:35:22.200 to the highest place. 00:35:23.059 --> 00:35:24.539 And it's by believing 00:35:24.539 --> 00:35:25.360 this Jesus 00:35:25.360 --> 00:35:28.900 that the fountain of life 00:35:28.900 --> 00:35:29.680 begins to flow. 00:35:30.380 --> 00:35:31.360 And it's by believing 00:35:31.360 --> 00:35:31.960 this Jesus 00:35:31.960 --> 00:35:32.760 and being indwelled 00:35:32.760 --> 00:35:33.579 by his spirit 00:35:33.579 --> 00:35:36.640 that we begin to change, 00:35:37.260 --> 00:35:37.940 that our words 00:35:37.940 --> 00:35:38.720 begin to change, 00:35:39.660 --> 00:35:40.300 that they begin 00:35:40.300 --> 00:35:41.340 to take on the character 00:35:41.340 --> 00:35:42.539 of the graciousness 00:35:42.539 --> 00:35:43.160 of our Savior, 00:35:43.800 --> 00:35:44.480 Jesus Christ. 00:35:44.480 --> 00:35:50.400 Please take a moment 00:35:50.400 --> 00:35:51.639 to think about that 00:35:51.639 --> 00:35:54.039 and ask yourself 00:35:54.039 --> 00:35:54.800 what it is 00:35:54.800 --> 00:35:55.480 that God's 00:35:58.159 --> 00:35:59.900 calling you 00:35:59.900 --> 00:36:00.539 to imitate 00:36:00.539 --> 00:36:01.059 our Savior, 00:36:01.179 --> 00:36:01.760 Jesus Christ, 00:36:01.860 --> 00:36:01.960 in. 00:36:09.699 --> 00:36:10.800 And let the gracious 00:36:10.800 --> 00:36:11.619 words of God, 00:36:11.699 --> 00:36:12.500 the good news of Christ, 00:36:12.599 --> 00:36:13.300 minister to you. 00:36:15.159 --> 00:36:16.139 After a few moments, 00:36:16.260 --> 00:36:16.860 we'll respond 00:36:16.860 --> 00:36:17.599 by praying out loud 00:36:17.599 --> 00:36:18.579 together as a church.