WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:00.800 Amen, church. 00:00:02.200 --> 00:00:05.540 We, as you know, live in Dublin, Ireland. 00:00:06.060 --> 00:00:09.980 And so we, before that, we were in England for 17 years. 00:00:10.160 --> 00:00:12.759 We've been in Ireland for a little over a year now. 00:00:13.019 --> 00:00:16.820 And part of my responsibilities with the International Mission Board 00:00:16.820 --> 00:00:20.359 is I'm privileged to go and speak at churches, 00:00:20.359 --> 00:00:24.539 both in Europe and then all around the United States, 00:00:25.039 --> 00:00:28.660 to share a little bit about what God is doing in our part of the world. 00:00:28.660 --> 00:00:34.480 And can I just say, from that experience of getting to speak at churches quite often, 00:00:35.000 --> 00:00:37.159 there is a sweet spirit in this church. 00:00:38.640 --> 00:00:42.320 There is just a sweet spirit in this church. 00:00:42.439 --> 00:00:44.340 And that is not always the case. 00:00:45.260 --> 00:00:47.219 I don't mean in this church, I mean in other churches. 00:00:47.659 --> 00:00:49.700 That is not always the case. 00:00:50.460 --> 00:00:54.060 Sometimes I turn up at churches and I leave going, good Lord. 00:00:54.600 --> 00:00:57.260 And sometimes I leave going, ah, good Lord, right? 00:00:57.259 --> 00:00:59.939 And this is the latter, not the former. 00:01:00.140 --> 00:01:02.960 So there's a sweet spirit in this place. 00:01:03.199 --> 00:01:04.539 And we know that's because of Jesus. 00:01:04.719 --> 00:01:04.900 Amen. 00:01:05.759 --> 00:01:10.920 And so when we are part of the family of God, 00:01:11.000 --> 00:01:13.079 when we're part of a local church, 00:01:13.099 --> 00:01:17.579 we have the great privilege of loving one another and serving one another. 00:01:17.680 --> 00:01:20.500 And there are loads of ways that we can do that. 00:01:20.640 --> 00:01:23.439 God has given each of us different gifts and talents and abilities 00:01:23.439 --> 00:01:26.120 that we can use to serve Him and to serve the body. 00:01:26.120 --> 00:01:28.760 But one thing we see throughout Scripture, 00:01:29.020 --> 00:01:30.460 and particularly in the New Testament, 00:01:31.040 --> 00:01:37.660 is that one of the ways historically that the church expressed its love for one another, 00:01:38.020 --> 00:01:39.719 that the church served one another, 00:01:39.840 --> 00:01:42.680 was by praying for one another. 00:01:43.060 --> 00:01:44.700 In fact, did you know that in our Bible, 00:01:44.920 --> 00:01:49.100 there are around 650 prayers in the Bible? 00:01:49.680 --> 00:01:51.200 Around 650 prayers. 00:01:51.200 --> 00:01:53.240 And when we look into the New Testament, 00:01:53.439 --> 00:01:55.020 what we see over and over again, 00:01:55.420 --> 00:01:57.780 particularly in the writings of the Apostle Paul, 00:01:58.140 --> 00:02:02.939 is Paul is clear that one way we love one another in the church 00:02:02.939 --> 00:02:05.659 is by praying for one another. 00:02:06.020 --> 00:02:10.240 And so I want us to spend just a few moments in God's Word this morning 00:02:10.240 --> 00:02:15.000 looking at an example of one of these prayers that Paul provides 00:02:15.000 --> 00:02:19.319 and how you and I can learn from that and better pray for one another. 00:02:19.460 --> 00:02:26.960 Now, let me say right up front that sometimes I think we over-spiritualize prayer. 00:02:27.860 --> 00:02:29.699 And what I mean by that is sometimes we think, 00:02:29.819 --> 00:02:30.819 oh, well, you know, 00:02:30.900 --> 00:02:34.800 prayers for those who are like the Green Berets of Christianity 00:02:34.800 --> 00:02:36.560 or for those who are super spiritual. 00:02:36.920 --> 00:02:38.780 And, you know, I could never do that. 00:02:38.780 --> 00:02:42.819 But the reality is intercessory prayer is a big fancy word. 00:02:43.319 --> 00:02:46.840 It simply means talking to God on behalf of other people. 00:02:47.699 --> 00:02:50.599 Talking to God on behalf of other people. 00:02:50.680 --> 00:02:52.939 And let's just simplify prayer to mean that. 00:02:53.439 --> 00:02:56.039 That when we use the word prayer this morning, 00:02:56.120 --> 00:03:00.219 what we simply mean is you and I talking to our loving Father 00:03:00.219 --> 00:03:03.340 about other people that He loves and that we love. 00:03:03.580 --> 00:03:04.620 And so with that in mind, 00:03:04.639 --> 00:03:07.500 I want to invite you to turn to the book of Philippians chapter 1. 00:03:07.500 --> 00:03:10.599 Philippians chapter 1, we'll begin in verse 1. 00:03:11.259 --> 00:03:14.520 And we're going to spend just a few moments looking at intercessory prayer 00:03:14.520 --> 00:03:18.580 and how we can use that as a way to express our love for one another. 00:03:18.860 --> 00:03:22.639 Philippians chapter 1, beginning in verse 1. 00:03:23.460 --> 00:03:24.920 And the Apostle Paul writes this. 00:03:25.039 --> 00:03:25.319 He says, 00:03:25.479 --> 00:03:28.920 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, 00:03:29.420 --> 00:03:33.060 to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi 00:03:33.060 --> 00:03:35.360 with the overseers and deacons, 00:03:35.360 --> 00:03:40.260 grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:03:40.860 --> 00:03:43.780 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 00:03:44.120 --> 00:03:50.000 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy 00:03:50.000 --> 00:03:55.260 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 00:03:55.259 --> 00:03:57.359 And I am sure of this, 00:03:57.359 --> 00:04:03.560 that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 00:04:04.280 --> 00:04:06.579 It is right for me to feel this way about you all 00:04:06.579 --> 00:04:08.840 because I hold you in my heart 00:04:08.840 --> 00:04:12.639 for you are all partakers with me of grace, 00:04:12.979 --> 00:04:17.480 both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 00:04:18.079 --> 00:04:19.480 For God is my witness, 00:04:19.599 --> 00:04:23.599 how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 00:04:23.600 --> 00:04:25.600 And now in verse 9, 00:04:25.720 --> 00:04:27.900 He tells us what His prayer is. 00:04:28.500 --> 00:04:28.900 He says, 00:04:29.160 --> 00:04:30.600 And this is my prayer, 00:04:31.220 --> 00:04:34.680 that your love may abound more and more 00:04:34.680 --> 00:04:37.200 with knowledge and all discernment 00:04:37.200 --> 00:04:40.300 so that you may approve what is excellent 00:04:40.300 --> 00:04:44.220 and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 00:04:44.680 --> 00:04:46.600 filled with the fruit of righteousness 00:04:46.600 --> 00:04:49.400 that comes through Jesus Christ 00:04:49.400 --> 00:04:52.920 to the glory and praise of God. 00:04:52.920 --> 00:04:54.379 Let's pray together. 00:04:54.540 --> 00:04:57.319 Lord Jesus, we thank you for your word. 00:04:58.020 --> 00:05:00.100 We thank you that it's alive and true. 00:05:00.480 --> 00:05:04.400 And Lord, we pray in these next few moments as we study your word, 00:05:04.540 --> 00:05:07.300 we ask Holy Spirit that you would open our minds, 00:05:07.879 --> 00:05:09.900 give us understanding of your word. 00:05:10.660 --> 00:05:13.600 We pray, Holy Spirit, that you would soften our hearts, 00:05:13.800 --> 00:05:16.900 that we would be changed and transformed by your word. 00:05:16.899 --> 00:05:20.739 And we humbly pray that you would be at work in and through your word, 00:05:21.120 --> 00:05:23.139 in us, your people, this morning. 00:05:23.279 --> 00:05:27.279 For your glory and for our good, we pray in Jesus' name. 00:05:27.919 --> 00:05:28.159 Amen. 00:05:28.160 --> 00:05:28.300 Amen. 00:05:28.300 --> 00:05:28.300 00:05:30.500 --> 00:05:34.500 So Paul, as we know, writes many letters to churches 00:05:34.500 --> 00:05:35.960 that we have in the New Testament. 00:05:36.400 --> 00:05:40.720 And there's something special about this letter to the church at Philippi. 00:05:41.220 --> 00:05:43.840 It's the only letter that he writes to a church 00:05:43.840 --> 00:05:45.660 that does not contain a rebuke. 00:05:45.940 --> 00:05:48.500 He's not writing to correct them of something. 00:05:48.600 --> 00:05:52.220 In fact, the key word to the book of Philippians is joy. 00:05:52.640 --> 00:05:54.140 And he uses it over and over. 00:05:54.139 --> 00:05:58.680 This is a local church that has brought joy to him personally 00:05:58.680 --> 00:06:00.519 and to his ministry we see later. 00:06:01.060 --> 00:06:04.139 And so Paul, it almost reads like a love letter, does it not? 00:06:04.219 --> 00:06:06.800 Where he just kind of gushes over them. 00:06:06.879 --> 00:06:07.680 Look at verse 7. 00:06:08.060 --> 00:06:08.399 He says, 00:06:08.620 --> 00:06:11.279 It is right for me to feel this way about you all 00:06:11.279 --> 00:06:13.819 because I hold you in my heart. 00:06:14.139 --> 00:06:14.339 Right? 00:06:14.779 --> 00:06:15.699 And he says, 00:06:16.060 --> 00:06:18.539 For God is my witness how I yearn for you 00:06:18.539 --> 00:06:20.300 with all the affection of Christ Jesus. 00:06:20.479 --> 00:06:22.439 He loves this church. 00:06:22.439 --> 00:06:23.480 And he says, 00:06:23.879 --> 00:06:25.000 This is my prayer for you. 00:06:25.079 --> 00:06:28.000 And I want us to take just four very simple takeaways 00:06:28.000 --> 00:06:31.279 about how you and I can better pray for one another. 00:06:31.759 --> 00:06:32.500 Pray for our neighbors. 00:06:32.879 --> 00:06:34.040 Pray for those at work. 00:06:34.240 --> 00:06:35.259 Pray for those in our schools. 00:06:35.399 --> 00:06:36.240 Whoever it may be. 00:06:36.660 --> 00:06:40.519 How we can pray as an act of love for one another. 00:06:40.639 --> 00:06:41.500 Just four simple things. 00:06:41.600 --> 00:06:42.899 Number one, we see this. 00:06:43.000 --> 00:06:43.860 That like Paul, 00:06:44.259 --> 00:06:48.459 I can pray for others to grow in their love for Jesus. 00:06:48.459 --> 00:06:50.219 Like Paul, 00:06:50.560 --> 00:06:55.739 I can pray for others to grow in their love for Jesus. 00:06:55.939 --> 00:06:56.680 Look at verse 9. 00:06:57.079 --> 00:06:57.419 He says, 00:06:57.620 --> 00:07:03.319 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more. 00:07:03.779 --> 00:07:04.180 He says, 00:07:04.240 --> 00:07:08.279 I'm praying that you'll love Jesus more and more. 00:07:08.379 --> 00:07:10.500 That you'll abound in your love for him. 00:07:10.679 --> 00:07:12.799 And it's a beautiful word here in the Greek. 00:07:12.800 --> 00:07:13.660 The word abound, 00:07:13.980 --> 00:07:16.300 it means to grow in excess. 00:07:16.900 --> 00:07:18.060 To have more. 00:07:18.240 --> 00:07:19.960 To just pour out. 00:07:20.240 --> 00:07:20.340 Right? 00:07:20.680 --> 00:07:21.900 But he means this. 00:07:22.319 --> 00:07:26.000 It means in quantity and quality. 00:07:26.740 --> 00:07:27.439 Now think about that. 00:07:27.740 --> 00:07:29.800 I want to love Jesus in quantity. 00:07:30.040 --> 00:07:30.160 Right? 00:07:30.180 --> 00:07:31.580 I want to love him more. 00:07:31.879 --> 00:07:32.300 Right? 00:07:32.620 --> 00:07:34.580 But I want to also love him better. 00:07:35.040 --> 00:07:36.120 And that's the idea here. 00:07:36.379 --> 00:07:40.540 That we're loving Jesus in quantity and quality. 00:07:41.220 --> 00:07:42.560 Now, how is that possible? 00:07:42.560 --> 00:07:44.860 Well, it's possible because the Bible says, 00:07:45.420 --> 00:07:46.680 Before we ever loved Jesus, 00:07:46.819 --> 00:07:47.280 He what? 00:07:48.220 --> 00:07:49.280 He first loved us. 00:07:49.699 --> 00:07:51.839 Before we ever loved Jesus, 00:07:52.079 --> 00:07:53.280 He first loved us. 00:07:53.319 --> 00:07:54.259 Look at your neighbor and say, 00:07:54.339 --> 00:07:55.040 Jesus loves you. 00:07:55.079 --> 00:07:55.340 Go ahead. 00:07:55.399 --> 00:07:55.740 Tell them. 00:07:56.959 --> 00:07:57.220 Yeah? 00:07:58.899 --> 00:08:01.199 Now that didn't make anyone grouchy, did it? 00:08:02.019 --> 00:08:02.579 Right? 00:08:03.100 --> 00:08:03.939 We're all smiling. 00:08:04.360 --> 00:08:07.819 There's something quite lovely about being reminded 00:08:07.819 --> 00:08:12.199 that we love Jesus because He first loved us. 00:08:12.199 --> 00:08:15.240 Before you took your first steps, 00:08:15.379 --> 00:08:16.159 Jesus loved you. 00:08:17.659 --> 00:08:19.079 When you committed your last sin, 00:08:19.199 --> 00:08:20.219 Jesus still loved you. 00:08:20.819 --> 00:08:22.719 When you read your Bible really good 00:08:22.719 --> 00:08:24.240 for two and a half days in a row, 00:08:24.360 --> 00:08:25.779 He loved you. 00:08:26.439 --> 00:08:27.339 Are you with me? 00:08:27.800 --> 00:08:28.599 Think about this. 00:08:28.959 --> 00:08:30.300 There's nothing you can do 00:08:30.300 --> 00:08:32.360 to make Jesus love you any less. 00:08:32.360 --> 00:08:34.600 And there's nothing you can do 00:08:34.600 --> 00:08:36.379 to make Jesus love you anymore. 00:08:37.379 --> 00:08:40.779 His love was fixed on you at Calvary. 00:08:40.899 --> 00:08:41.120 Amen? 00:08:41.980 --> 00:08:43.279 For greater love has no man 00:08:43.279 --> 00:08:44.620 than he lays down his life. 00:08:45.039 --> 00:08:45.139 Amen? 00:08:45.279 --> 00:08:47.259 Jesus loves you. 00:08:47.759 --> 00:08:49.000 Whether you're a prodigal 00:08:49.000 --> 00:08:50.180 or whether you're a priest, 00:08:51.019 --> 00:08:52.779 His love is fixed on you this morning. 00:08:53.200 --> 00:08:56.620 And that releases us then to love Him. 00:08:56.620 --> 00:08:58.480 And we want to pray for one another 00:08:58.480 --> 00:09:00.460 that we'll grow in that love, 00:09:00.759 --> 00:09:05.539 that we'll love Jesus more and more each day. 00:09:05.940 --> 00:09:06.139 Right? 00:09:06.480 --> 00:09:08.039 Do you remember the old gospel song, 00:09:08.200 --> 00:09:10.039 every day with Jesus is what? 00:09:10.799 --> 00:09:12.340 Sweeter than the day before. 00:09:12.980 --> 00:09:13.279 Right? 00:09:13.700 --> 00:09:18.679 We have a wedding coming up in our family in two weeks. 00:09:18.740 --> 00:09:19.440 Is that right, Kayla? 00:09:19.700 --> 00:09:20.500 My daughter's here. 00:09:20.899 --> 00:09:21.159 Yep. 00:09:21.299 --> 00:09:22.620 It's still on as of this morning? 00:09:23.000 --> 00:09:23.759 Okay, good. 00:09:23.759 --> 00:09:25.860 Because a lot of it was non-refundable daughter. 00:09:26.120 --> 00:09:28.580 So that wedding is still on. 00:09:29.080 --> 00:09:31.580 And so we've been talking a lot about love around our house. 00:09:31.580 --> 00:09:33.620 Everybody's in love right now around our house. 00:09:33.700 --> 00:09:33.899 Right? 00:09:34.379 --> 00:09:36.360 And I'd imagine it's quite funny 00:09:36.360 --> 00:09:38.059 to watch our daughter and her fiance 00:09:38.059 --> 00:09:39.960 around the house 00:09:39.960 --> 00:09:41.840 who are about to get married 00:09:41.840 --> 00:09:44.139 and to watch me and mom 00:09:44.139 --> 00:09:46.659 who have been married for over 30 years. 00:09:46.899 --> 00:09:49.600 And I'm hoping that we're still a bit giggly in love 00:09:49.600 --> 00:09:50.559 like they aren't. 00:09:51.700 --> 00:09:52.159 Are we? 00:09:53.759 --> 00:09:54.019 Yeah. 00:09:54.679 --> 00:09:55.379 It's okay. 00:09:56.259 --> 00:09:57.679 We're going to be married either way. 00:09:57.740 --> 00:09:57.960 Amen. 00:09:58.299 --> 00:09:58.480 Right? 00:09:59.519 --> 00:10:01.139 I meant that in a good way, Christy, 00:10:01.200 --> 00:10:01.980 not like in a bad way. 00:10:02.279 --> 00:10:02.519 Right? 00:10:04.379 --> 00:10:04.740 Love. 00:10:04.980 --> 00:10:05.179 Right? 00:10:05.419 --> 00:10:06.759 But that is the goal, isn't it? 00:10:07.159 --> 00:10:09.600 Like, I don't want to max out after 10 years. 00:10:09.779 --> 00:10:12.039 Like, I want to grow in my love. 00:10:12.419 --> 00:10:12.700 Right? 00:10:13.039 --> 00:10:15.759 And so when it comes to our relationship with Jesus, 00:10:15.759 --> 00:10:17.259 we want to grow in our love. 00:10:17.319 --> 00:10:18.519 So we want to pray for one another. 00:10:18.519 --> 00:10:22.299 Yeah, Lord, help me love you more tomorrow than I do today. 00:10:22.299 --> 00:10:26.339 Lord, help me to understand more who you are, 00:10:26.479 --> 00:10:28.059 to see your beautiful face, 00:10:28.159 --> 00:10:29.500 to see you at work in creation, 00:10:29.740 --> 00:10:32.479 and help me to grow in my quantity 00:10:32.479 --> 00:10:34.419 and quality of my love for you. 00:10:34.659 --> 00:10:36.539 What a beautiful thing to pray for one another. 00:10:36.639 --> 00:10:36.839 Amen? 00:10:37.679 --> 00:10:40.099 What a beautiful thing to pray for those 80 boys and girls 00:10:40.099 --> 00:10:41.000 who will be here tonight. 00:10:41.859 --> 00:10:43.859 Lord Jesus, would you be with these boys and girls, 00:10:43.979 --> 00:10:45.959 and would you be working in their heart 00:10:45.960 --> 00:10:48.139 that whether it happens this week 00:10:48.139 --> 00:10:49.000 or one day in the future, 00:10:49.100 --> 00:10:50.259 that they would love you 00:10:50.259 --> 00:10:52.400 with all their heart, mind, soul, and strength. 00:10:52.500 --> 00:10:53.820 What a beautiful thing to pray 00:10:53.820 --> 00:10:56.180 for your boss, for your neighbor. 00:10:56.759 --> 00:10:59.879 Lord, I pray that they would grow to love you. 00:11:00.560 --> 00:11:02.780 We see, first of all, that like Paul, 00:11:03.000 --> 00:11:05.740 I can pray for others to grow in their love for Jesus. 00:11:05.940 --> 00:11:07.320 But then secondly, we see this. 00:11:07.820 --> 00:11:10.320 Like Paul, I can pray for others to grow 00:11:10.320 --> 00:11:13.120 in their understanding of Jesus. 00:11:13.120 --> 00:11:15.740 I want to pray that others would grow 00:11:15.740 --> 00:11:17.799 to love Jesus more every day. 00:11:18.240 --> 00:11:20.060 But I want to pray that each of us 00:11:20.060 --> 00:11:22.980 would grow in understanding who he is 00:11:22.980 --> 00:11:25.560 and understanding his word every day. 00:11:25.639 --> 00:11:27.500 Look what he says there at verse nine again. 00:11:28.019 --> 00:11:28.399 He says, 00:11:28.539 --> 00:11:32.580 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more 00:11:32.580 --> 00:11:35.899 with knowledge and all discernment. 00:11:36.279 --> 00:11:38.299 He said, I want you to grow in your love. 00:11:38.539 --> 00:11:40.759 But then he says, I want you to grow in your knowledge. 00:11:40.759 --> 00:11:42.840 It means to understand. 00:11:43.840 --> 00:11:46.799 To grow in your understanding of who Jesus is. 00:11:46.899 --> 00:11:49.379 To grow in understanding of his word. 00:11:50.100 --> 00:11:52.139 I don't know if you've had this experience, 00:11:52.460 --> 00:11:54.700 but I was reading my Bible earlier this week 00:11:54.700 --> 00:11:56.840 and I came across a verse in the Bible 00:11:56.840 --> 00:11:59.820 and I just was convinced it was not there before. 00:12:00.759 --> 00:12:01.799 You ever just been reading something? 00:12:01.879 --> 00:12:03.019 You read something in your Bible and you're like, 00:12:03.299 --> 00:12:04.560 has that always been there? 00:12:05.019 --> 00:12:06.419 Like, when did they put that in? 00:12:06.480 --> 00:12:08.000 Because I've read the Bible several times. 00:12:08.080 --> 00:12:09.139 That feels new, right? 00:12:09.139 --> 00:12:10.740 And it just leaps off the page. 00:12:11.060 --> 00:12:12.740 Have you ever had the experience of reading your Bible 00:12:12.740 --> 00:12:15.720 and you read a verse that you've read a hundred times before, 00:12:15.720 --> 00:12:19.779 but it leaps off the page into your heart in a way that it never did before? 00:12:20.659 --> 00:12:23.720 This book, this Bible is a living book. 00:12:24.519 --> 00:12:27.519 It's sharper than any two-edged sword, the Bible says. 00:12:27.519 --> 00:12:32.399 And we want to grow in our understanding of the word of God, 00:12:32.720 --> 00:12:35.539 of understanding who Jesus is. 00:12:35.699 --> 00:12:36.579 But watch this. 00:12:37.120 --> 00:12:39.539 It's not just about head knowledge, right? 00:12:39.799 --> 00:12:42.579 It's not about learning facts and figures. 00:12:42.819 --> 00:12:44.240 You can, don't miss this, 00:12:44.319 --> 00:12:47.659 you can know all about Jesus and not know Jesus. 00:12:47.659 --> 00:12:53.199 You can know all about heaven and never step foot into the place. 00:12:53.639 --> 00:12:56.319 See, it's not simply about knowing the information, 00:12:56.819 --> 00:13:00.319 but it's about knowing the man, Jesus Christ, right? 00:13:00.360 --> 00:13:04.179 The Bible says that the demons believe and tremble. 00:13:04.279 --> 00:13:06.839 They understand, they know, right? 00:13:07.379 --> 00:13:10.039 So it's the difference between knowing information 00:13:10.039 --> 00:13:12.980 and knowing someone relationally. 00:13:12.980 --> 00:13:17.100 I know a lot about the King of England, right? 00:13:17.159 --> 00:13:18.720 His name's Charles, he's the third. 00:13:18.940 --> 00:13:20.399 I know a little bit about his mom. 00:13:20.840 --> 00:13:22.800 A couple of years ago, a friend of mine, 00:13:23.200 --> 00:13:26.879 we went to London for a celebration of the Royal Air Force. 00:13:27.259 --> 00:13:29.680 And we were there and the Royal family came out on the balcony 00:13:29.680 --> 00:13:31.680 and we waved at them and they waved at us. 00:13:31.899 --> 00:13:34.259 I like to believe the Queen said, hey, there's Kenny. 00:13:34.379 --> 00:13:36.580 And they all waved down at me, right? 00:13:37.539 --> 00:13:41.639 I know a lot about the Royal family, but I don't know them. 00:13:41.639 --> 00:13:46.419 See, I know a lot about King Charles, but I know King Jesus. 00:13:47.919 --> 00:13:53.139 I know about King Charles, but I know King Jesus. 00:13:53.539 --> 00:13:54.080 Why? 00:13:54.759 --> 00:13:56.480 Because I spoke to him just this morning. 00:13:58.120 --> 00:13:59.439 He walks with me. 00:14:00.220 --> 00:14:02.939 He talks with me along life's narrow way. 00:14:04.100 --> 00:14:04.899 I know him. 00:14:05.460 --> 00:14:07.519 Let me ask you, do you know Jesus 00:14:07.519 --> 00:14:10.340 or do you just know about Jesus? 00:14:10.340 --> 00:14:14.060 It's the difference between joy and sorrow, 00:14:14.280 --> 00:14:15.800 light and darkness, heaven and hell. 00:14:16.759 --> 00:14:17.680 Do you know him? 00:14:18.519 --> 00:14:20.360 What a beautiful thing to pray for one another. 00:14:20.519 --> 00:14:24.040 Lord, I pray that we might grow in our love for Jesus. 00:14:24.320 --> 00:14:27.420 Lord, we pray that we might grow in our understanding 00:14:27.420 --> 00:14:29.960 of who Jesus is and his word. 00:14:29.960 --> 00:14:31.259 But then thirdly, we see this. 00:14:31.879 --> 00:14:35.259 That like Paul, I can pray for others to grow in their love, 00:14:35.680 --> 00:14:36.980 to grow in their understanding. 00:14:37.139 --> 00:14:39.040 But then thirdly, I can pray for others 00:14:39.040 --> 00:14:42.060 to grow in spiritual discernment. 00:14:42.460 --> 00:14:44.759 To grow in spiritual discernment. 00:14:44.820 --> 00:14:45.639 Look back at your Bible. 00:14:47.120 --> 00:14:48.100 Look at verse nine again. 00:14:48.100 --> 00:14:52.220 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more 00:14:52.220 --> 00:14:55.580 with knowledge and all discernment 00:14:55.580 --> 00:14:58.720 so that you may approve what is excellent. 00:15:00.200 --> 00:15:03.899 We grow in knowledge, but we grow in discernment, 00:15:04.040 --> 00:15:04.980 spiritual discernment. 00:15:05.060 --> 00:15:05.300 Why? 00:15:05.680 --> 00:15:09.639 So that we may approve what is excellent. 00:15:10.500 --> 00:15:12.680 Discernment there literally means 00:15:12.679 --> 00:15:16.559 the ability to decide between truth and error, 00:15:17.099 --> 00:15:17.819 right and wrong. 00:15:18.439 --> 00:15:22.899 The ability to choose between truth and error, 00:15:23.519 --> 00:15:24.839 right and wrong. 00:15:25.419 --> 00:15:27.319 And the reality is you and I know 00:15:27.319 --> 00:15:29.019 that we live in a world now 00:15:29.019 --> 00:15:32.639 where knowledge is accessible in ways 00:15:32.639 --> 00:15:34.419 it's never been accessible before. 00:15:34.839 --> 00:15:38.539 We have more access to knowledge instantly 00:15:38.539 --> 00:15:41.019 and yet knowledge and discernment 00:15:41.019 --> 00:15:42.019 are not the same things. 00:15:42.019 --> 00:15:42.720 Think of it this way. 00:15:42.799 --> 00:15:44.480 I had an old deacon tell me one time, 00:15:44.539 --> 00:15:46.659 he said, well, preacher, discernment simply means 00:15:46.659 --> 00:15:49.199 you can be really smart, but act really dumb. 00:15:50.819 --> 00:15:51.379 Is that true? 00:15:52.379 --> 00:15:55.000 Right, knowledge is not discernment. 00:15:55.899 --> 00:15:58.139 It's been a couple of years ago now there in England. 00:15:58.620 --> 00:16:01.100 I was on eBay one night. 00:16:01.439 --> 00:16:03.279 You should never be on eBay late at night. 00:16:03.360 --> 00:16:07.519 I'm on eBay and I see a set of world book encyclopedias 00:16:07.519 --> 00:16:10.679 from 1989 and I'm like, yes, I'll take those. 00:16:10.740 --> 00:16:11.480 Thank you very much. 00:16:11.480 --> 00:16:12.940 And so I'll order them. 00:16:13.060 --> 00:16:15.120 They come to the house in these massive boxes. 00:16:15.500 --> 00:16:17.159 My family's like, what have you bought? 00:16:17.560 --> 00:16:21.060 And I'll pull out this set of world book encyclopedias 00:16:21.060 --> 00:16:23.360 from 1989 and I'm so proud of them. 00:16:23.779 --> 00:16:26.340 I bought a special bookshelf to put in the garage. 00:16:26.440 --> 00:16:28.980 We put the encyclopedias in there and I'm so excited. 00:16:29.680 --> 00:16:32.519 And I have an unveiling of the encyclopedias. 00:16:33.060 --> 00:16:35.180 And so I call Christy, Kayla, and Max. 00:16:35.240 --> 00:16:37.399 I'm like, come out, the unveiling. 00:16:37.519 --> 00:16:38.700 And so they're like, do we have to? 00:16:38.700 --> 00:16:39.140 I'm like, yep. 00:16:39.440 --> 00:16:41.960 And so we all go into the garage and I'm like, there they are. 00:16:42.580 --> 00:16:46.000 And so our son Max says, well, what do they do? 00:16:46.840 --> 00:16:47.700 What do they do? 00:16:48.500 --> 00:16:51.040 I said, well, give me the first word that comes to mind. 00:16:51.280 --> 00:16:51.820 First word. 00:16:52.160 --> 00:16:53.040 And he says, dog. 00:16:53.220 --> 00:16:53.920 And I said, all right. 00:16:54.220 --> 00:16:56.240 And so I go over and I pull out the D. 00:16:56.900 --> 00:16:59.980 And I flip and I flip and I get to the dog. 00:17:00.060 --> 00:17:02.820 And just beaming with pride, I hand it to him. 00:17:03.540 --> 00:17:04.420 He looks at it. 00:17:04.460 --> 00:17:05.500 He scans the page. 00:17:06.200 --> 00:17:07.019 He closes it. 00:17:07.460 --> 00:17:08.620 He puts it back on the shelf. 00:17:08.940 --> 00:17:13.220 And he says, so it's like Google, but much slower. 00:17:15.680 --> 00:17:16.880 I said, get in the house. 00:17:17.080 --> 00:17:19.600 You're not going to disrespect my encyclopedias. 00:17:20.180 --> 00:17:21.680 Just not going to do that, right? 00:17:22.180 --> 00:17:23.340 Now, think about this. 00:17:23.539 --> 00:17:29.600 For those of us of a certain age, if we wanted to learn something, we had to go to a library 00:17:29.599 --> 00:17:31.019 and pull out a book, did we not? 00:17:31.679 --> 00:17:33.539 Or we had to talk to someone who knew about it. 00:17:34.099 --> 00:17:40.659 Now, though, in the palm of our hand, we have instant access to knowledge that was unthinkable 00:17:40.659 --> 00:17:42.179 30 years ago. 00:17:42.879 --> 00:17:48.240 And yet, when it comes to making decisions, the world seems no better off. 00:17:48.240 --> 00:17:52.940 See, we need to pray for one another that we grow in our love for Jesus. 00:17:53.220 --> 00:17:55.460 We grow in our understanding of his word. 00:17:55.559 --> 00:17:56.339 But watch this. 00:17:56.759 --> 00:18:01.299 It's not only understanding, but it's then taking what we know and applying it with the 00:18:01.299 --> 00:18:01.700 gospel. 00:18:01.960 --> 00:18:04.299 And that's spiritual discernment. 00:18:05.519 --> 00:18:08.220 Sometimes it's easy to choose between good and bad. 00:18:08.319 --> 00:18:11.359 The harder decision is between good and best, right? 00:18:11.359 --> 00:18:16.439 And so discernment is, Lord, help us choose what is best. 00:18:16.559 --> 00:18:19.619 Help us to know truth from error, right from wrong. 00:18:19.859 --> 00:18:22.979 I can't fathom what it's like being a high school student these days. 00:18:24.099 --> 00:18:25.379 I mean, I just can't. 00:18:25.479 --> 00:18:30.959 Middle school, even elementary school, being bombarded with the things, the online and social 00:18:30.959 --> 00:18:34.500 media and all the things, all the temptations. 00:18:34.859 --> 00:18:39.939 And Lord, would you help this next generation not to simply grow in knowledge, but to grow in 00:18:39.940 --> 00:18:44.120 discernment that they would be able to choose between what is right, what is wrong, what 00:18:44.120 --> 00:18:46.460 is truth and what is error. 00:18:46.620 --> 00:18:47.380 Amen, church? 00:18:48.279 --> 00:18:53.720 And so we pray for one another to grow in love and understanding and spiritual discernment. 00:18:53.799 --> 00:18:55.039 But then lastly, we see this. 00:18:55.140 --> 00:19:01.820 Number four, that like Paul, I can pray for others to grow in holiness and purity. 00:19:01.820 --> 00:19:08.720 Like Paul, I can pray for others to grow in holiness and in purity. 00:19:08.960 --> 00:19:09.640 Look what he says. 00:19:09.940 --> 00:19:14.860 He says, and it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more with knowledge and 00:19:14.860 --> 00:19:18.299 all discernment so that you may approve what is excellent. 00:19:18.420 --> 00:19:19.180 Now watch this. 00:19:19.820 --> 00:19:27.140 And so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness 00:19:27.140 --> 00:19:30.420 that comes through Jesus Christ. 00:19:31.180 --> 00:19:35.920 Paul says we want to grow in our love, our understanding, our discernment. 00:19:35.920 --> 00:19:44.900 But then lastly, we want to grow in holiness and purity, that we might be pure and blameless 00:19:44.900 --> 00:19:46.380 for the day of Christ. 00:19:46.539 --> 00:19:53.300 The choir opened our worship gathering this morning singing about the return of Jesus. 00:19:54.259 --> 00:19:55.400 And he is coming back. 00:19:55.480 --> 00:19:58.580 Listen, the Old Testament said he would come the first time and he did. 00:19:58.579 --> 00:20:01.460 The New Testament says he will come again and he will. 00:20:02.319 --> 00:20:02.480 Right? 00:20:02.720 --> 00:20:03.279 He will. 00:20:03.919 --> 00:20:10.879 And so when he returns, Lord, may you find us, your people, living lives that are pure 00:20:10.879 --> 00:20:14.159 and blameless at the day of Christ. 00:20:14.699 --> 00:20:22.359 Now, I don't know about you, but I quickly know that the ability for me to live any day 00:20:22.359 --> 00:20:25.699 pure and blameless is a real challenge. 00:20:25.699 --> 00:20:26.099 Right? 00:20:26.819 --> 00:20:27.519 It's a real challenge. 00:20:28.159 --> 00:20:29.000 So hear me. 00:20:29.339 --> 00:20:31.879 What we're not saying is work harder, do better. 00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:33.079 We're not saying that at all. 00:20:33.500 --> 00:20:38.619 But what we are saying is that the gospel at work in us and through us, through Christ, 00:20:39.059 --> 00:20:40.179 we can do all these things. 00:20:40.240 --> 00:20:40.439 Amen? 00:20:41.279 --> 00:20:48.379 And so to be pure, to be holy, to be blameless, it's the work of God in us and through us as 00:20:48.379 --> 00:20:48.839 his people. 00:20:48.979 --> 00:20:50.459 But it's all connected, is it not? 00:20:50.460 --> 00:20:54.920 As I love him more, I don't want to sin against him. 00:20:55.240 --> 00:20:55.360 Right? 00:20:55.400 --> 00:20:59.340 I don't want to give in to that temptation because I'm loving him and spending time with 00:20:59.340 --> 00:20:59.539 him. 00:20:59.819 --> 00:21:04.460 As I'm growing in my knowledge of scripture, I'm better equipped to fight off the temptations 00:21:04.460 --> 00:21:05.920 that come at me. 00:21:06.140 --> 00:21:12.180 And so, in fact, this word blameless in the Greek, it literally means to not trip up. 00:21:12.960 --> 00:21:14.279 To not trip up. 00:21:14.539 --> 00:21:14.819 Right? 00:21:15.500 --> 00:21:20.299 And we know that the Bible says that we have an enemy, the devil, and he has come to 00:21:20.299 --> 00:21:22.940 steal, kill, and destroy. 00:21:22.940 --> 00:21:28.099 That he roams about like a lion, seeking whom he may devour. 00:21:28.579 --> 00:21:34.500 As we set out for school and for work and wherever it is we go, it is as if there are 00:21:34.500 --> 00:21:37.399 spiritual landmines all around us. 00:21:37.940 --> 00:21:42.879 And it's like, Lord, would you guard us and would you give us the ability to not be tripped 00:21:42.880 --> 00:21:43.160 up? 00:21:43.160 --> 00:21:47.440 I don't know if you're like this, but maybe there's that sin that you've been struggling 00:21:47.440 --> 00:21:52.440 with for decades, maybe years, months, and you just feel hopeless. 00:21:52.620 --> 00:21:59.400 Listen, don't give up because Jesus at work in you and through you is working to make you 00:21:59.400 --> 00:22:01.000 blameless and pure. 00:22:01.200 --> 00:22:03.060 And notice what he said earlier. 00:22:03.480 --> 00:22:06.280 He said, he who began a good work in us is what? 00:22:06.520 --> 00:22:07.860 He's faithful to complete it. 00:22:07.900 --> 00:22:10.840 That's kind of the big picture, what Paul is saying here. 00:22:10.839 --> 00:22:15.740 He says in verse six, and I'm sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring 00:22:15.740 --> 00:22:17.779 it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 00:22:18.339 --> 00:22:18.480 Right? 00:22:19.019 --> 00:22:21.740 It's frustrating to not be this person today. 00:22:22.519 --> 00:22:25.079 But praise God, hopefully we're not the people we used to be. 00:22:25.139 --> 00:22:25.319 Amen? 00:22:26.279 --> 00:22:27.459 We're not the people we used to be. 00:22:27.919 --> 00:22:33.159 And God is molding us and shaping us and forming us to be pure and to be blameless that 00:22:33.159 --> 00:22:35.480 we would not be tripped up. 00:22:36.500 --> 00:22:38.159 It's God at work in his people. 00:22:38.160 --> 00:22:40.759 What an important prayer for one another. 00:22:40.920 --> 00:22:42.040 Lord, keep us holy. 00:22:42.880 --> 00:22:44.320 Lord, keep us sharp. 00:22:44.420 --> 00:22:48.640 The word holy means to be set aside, to be set apart and to be used. 00:22:49.440 --> 00:22:52.540 I used to have an old, when we lived in America, I had an old snapper lawnmower. 00:22:52.620 --> 00:22:54.180 I don't even know if they make snappers anymore. 00:22:54.680 --> 00:22:56.840 I had this old snapper from like 1965. 00:22:57.259 --> 00:22:58.000 I loved it. 00:22:58.519 --> 00:23:02.500 And, but every spring I would have to take it to a local guy. 00:23:02.880 --> 00:23:06.360 He would take all the belts off and he would oil it and he would try to sell me a new one. 00:23:06.359 --> 00:23:07.619 And I would say, is it broke? 00:23:07.679 --> 00:23:08.419 And he would say, no. 00:23:08.500 --> 00:23:10.019 And I'd say, fix it and give it back. 00:23:10.240 --> 00:23:15.279 And he would put a new blade on it and he would get it ready to be used. 00:23:15.839 --> 00:23:16.159 Right? 00:23:16.419 --> 00:23:17.599 He would take it apart. 00:23:17.759 --> 00:23:18.719 He would clean it. 00:23:18.819 --> 00:23:20.939 He would prepare it to be used. 00:23:21.159 --> 00:23:22.899 That's really what the word holy means. 00:23:23.219 --> 00:23:27.259 It means that God takes us and he breaks us down. 00:23:27.439 --> 00:23:28.519 He cleans us. 00:23:28.779 --> 00:23:35.059 He does a work in us so that we then can be used for his glory and the good of the gospel. 00:23:35.059 --> 00:23:37.659 How do we pray for one another? 00:23:37.799 --> 00:23:40.339 We pray that we would grow in our love. 00:23:40.619 --> 00:23:43.159 We would grow in our understanding, our spiritual discernment. 00:23:43.460 --> 00:23:44.819 But then we would grow in holiness. 00:23:45.679 --> 00:23:49.159 And I pray that, those things regularly for my kids. 00:23:49.599 --> 00:23:50.759 So I'm laying in bed at night. 00:23:50.919 --> 00:23:52.159 If I can't sleep, I'll pray that. 00:23:52.460 --> 00:23:54.319 That's actually the acronym LUSH. 00:23:55.220 --> 00:23:56.259 L-U-S-H. 00:23:56.759 --> 00:23:59.039 When I think of a lush garden, I think of an English garden. 00:23:59.319 --> 00:24:01.279 There were amazing gardens where we lived in England. 00:24:01.700 --> 00:24:04.519 Something that's healthy and growing and producing fruit. 00:24:04.519 --> 00:24:07.160 And what a lovely way to pray for one another. 00:24:07.299 --> 00:24:12.819 That we would be healthy and growing and producing fruit for the glory of Jesus. 00:24:13.920 --> 00:24:18.519 When I think of praying for one another and loving one another this way, 00:24:19.160 --> 00:24:21.019 I think of Ms. Alma Gunner. 00:24:22.160 --> 00:24:28.039 Now, Ms. Alma Gunner was a member of the church that I pastored in the Raleigh-Durham area of North Carolina. 00:24:28.440 --> 00:24:31.779 We were there 13 years before we left to move overseas. 00:24:31.779 --> 00:24:35.279 And Ms. Alma shows up at the church office one day. 00:24:35.359 --> 00:24:37.079 She was about 75 at the time. 00:24:37.559 --> 00:24:39.119 She comes in and we're chatting. 00:24:39.279 --> 00:24:43.079 And she says, Preacher, do we have an extra church directory anywhere? 00:24:43.279 --> 00:24:44.859 And I said, Well, I'm sure we do. 00:24:44.920 --> 00:24:45.700 Asked the secretary. 00:24:45.879 --> 00:24:47.379 I'm sure she can lay hands on one. 00:24:47.579 --> 00:24:50.019 And sure enough, she found one and gave it to Ms. Alma. 00:24:50.079 --> 00:24:52.019 And I said, Well, Ms. Alma, tell me what's going on. 00:24:52.200 --> 00:24:53.680 Because aren't you having surgery tomorrow? 00:24:54.339 --> 00:24:56.619 And she said, Preacher, I am having surgery tomorrow. 00:24:56.619 --> 00:25:01.500 She said, But they've notified me that they can't put me to sleep for the surgery. 00:25:02.179 --> 00:25:03.619 And so they're going to give me local anesthesia. 00:25:04.339 --> 00:25:07.039 I won't feel any pain, but I'll be awake the whole time. 00:25:07.500 --> 00:25:10.619 And the doctor told me that it's going to take about three hours. 00:25:11.679 --> 00:25:15.939 And I was thinking, Well, what am I going to do for three hours while they're cutting on me? 00:25:16.459 --> 00:25:19.879 She said, And then I thought, I'm going to get a church directory 00:25:19.879 --> 00:25:24.699 and I'm going to pray for every person in the church while I have my surgery. 00:25:24.700 --> 00:25:27.759 She said, So I called my doctor and told him, 00:25:27.920 --> 00:25:32.819 Could they have an extra nurse in the operating room to hold the church directory for me? 00:25:34.200 --> 00:25:36.580 I said, Well, Ms. Alma, what did they say? 00:25:36.860 --> 00:25:41.840 She said, Well, they came back to me and said, Yes, but then my insurance would not cover it. 00:25:43.720 --> 00:25:45.319 I said, Okay, what are you going to do? 00:25:45.860 --> 00:25:47.200 She said, That's what I'm going to do. 00:25:47.200 --> 00:25:57.100 And little Ms. Alma Gunner, 75 years old, laid on that operating table for three hours. 00:25:58.039 --> 00:26:01.259 And she would periodically say, Turn the page. 00:26:02.059 --> 00:26:05.340 And there at Duke University Hospital, that nurse would turn the page. 00:26:06.180 --> 00:26:09.720 And by the time that surgery was over, Ms. Alma had prayed for about 600 people. 00:26:09.720 --> 00:26:13.059 I think of Brother C.O. Smith. 00:26:14.140 --> 00:26:15.539 C.O. Smith was retired. 00:26:15.660 --> 00:26:16.600 He was in his 80s. 00:26:17.299 --> 00:26:19.660 And he invited me over for lunch and we had a sandwich. 00:26:20.019 --> 00:26:22.660 And he said, Preacher, have you ever been in my woodshop? 00:26:22.740 --> 00:26:23.600 I said, No, I haven't. 00:26:24.500 --> 00:26:25.279 And so we went back. 00:26:25.339 --> 00:26:26.799 He had a woodshop behind his house. 00:26:26.940 --> 00:26:30.000 And he made chairs and benches and different things as a hobby. 00:26:30.079 --> 00:26:30.860 And we go in the woodshop. 00:26:30.940 --> 00:26:31.900 He cuts the lights on. 00:26:31.900 --> 00:26:37.580 And what immediately stood out was on every wall in the woodshop were names written on the wall. 00:26:38.080 --> 00:26:40.519 Not on paper, but literally written on the walls. 00:26:41.500 --> 00:26:43.340 And I said, Brother Smith, tell me about this. 00:26:43.360 --> 00:26:47.060 And he said, Well, I started that about 40 years ago. 00:26:47.259 --> 00:26:50.540 And whenever I meet somebody and I know they need prayer, I write their name on the wall. 00:26:51.200 --> 00:26:57.940 He said, As I build my chairs and my benches, as I go from saw to saw, I pray over the names on the wall. 00:26:57.940 --> 00:27:03.340 He said, It takes me twice as long to make a bench, but a lot of people get prayed for. 00:27:05.440 --> 00:27:08.180 How do we express our love for one another? 00:27:08.320 --> 00:27:09.840 Simply by talking to Jesus. 00:27:10.700 --> 00:27:12.799 Like Miss Alma, like Brother Smith. 00:27:12.900 --> 00:27:14.660 It's just talking to Jesus for one another. 00:27:14.759 --> 00:27:14.960 How? 00:27:15.960 --> 00:27:16.380 Why? 00:27:16.580 --> 00:27:17.860 That we would grow in our love. 00:27:18.039 --> 00:27:20.660 That we would grow in our understanding, our spiritual discernment. 00:27:21.039 --> 00:27:22.740 That we would grow in holiness. 00:27:23.200 --> 00:27:26.580 All for the glory of Jesus and the good of the gospel. 00:27:26.580 --> 00:27:27.380 Amen, church? 00:27:27.940 --> 00:27:29.080 Let me pray for us. 00:27:29.140 --> 00:27:29.960 Lord, we love you. 00:27:30.400 --> 00:27:31.580 We thank you for your words. 00:27:32.759 --> 00:27:35.400 And Lord, we thank you for this beautiful gift of prayer. 00:27:37.279 --> 00:27:38.600 It's not complicated. 00:27:40.059 --> 00:27:44.660 It's just simply talking to you, Jesus, about others. 00:27:46.980 --> 00:27:53.980 Lord, I pray that for each of us that you would renew in us a passion to pray. 00:27:53.980 --> 00:27:57.799 Pray, Lord, that it wouldn't be driven by guilt. 00:27:57.940 --> 00:28:02.320 Not only by shame, but simply by our love for you and for those around us. 00:28:03.039 --> 00:28:09.640 Give us a renewed heart, a renewed passion, and a renewed discipline to pray for one another. 00:28:09.820 --> 00:28:11.039 To pray for this church. 00:28:11.039 --> 00:28:16.960 For your glory and for the good of the gospel, we pray in Jesus' name. 00:28:17.960 --> 00:28:18.299 Amen.