WEBVTT 00:00:00.120 --> 00:00:02.100 What have you been praying about this week? 00:00:03.940 --> 00:00:06.960 I'm going to assume that just about everyone in this room, 00:00:07.780 --> 00:00:11.419 we have prayed at least once this week. 00:00:12.859 --> 00:00:17.519 Well, what specifically have you asked God to do in your life 00:00:17.519 --> 00:00:21.339 or in the life of the people you pray for? 00:00:23.260 --> 00:00:26.460 Now, from my observation, 00:00:26.460 --> 00:00:31.500 from what I've heard as a pastor for many years, 00:00:31.760 --> 00:00:33.859 and I'm going to say a lot of you know this, 00:00:34.079 --> 00:00:37.660 being in prayer meetings, being in Sunday school, 00:00:39.260 --> 00:00:42.880 most Christians make physical health, 00:00:44.000 --> 00:00:48.260 physical needs their top priority in prayer, 00:00:48.740 --> 00:00:51.420 or at least their top priority when it comes to 00:00:51.420 --> 00:00:55.859 making a public prayer request or praying publicly. 00:00:56.460 --> 00:00:57.920 Why is that? 00:00:59.939 --> 00:01:04.159 Why do we mostly pray about, at least publicly, 00:01:05.760 --> 00:01:07.280 physical things? 00:01:08.159 --> 00:01:11.200 Well, sometimes it's very obvious 00:01:11.200 --> 00:01:15.219 that we need to pray about physical health and issues. 00:01:15.840 --> 00:01:17.359 COVID-19, for example, 00:01:18.079 --> 00:01:21.799 that has been a central focus of many people's prayers 00:01:21.799 --> 00:01:24.299 over the last 10 months. 00:01:26.479 --> 00:01:28.200 And if you haven't prayed about this, 00:01:28.259 --> 00:01:29.679 I don't understand you. 00:01:30.719 --> 00:01:34.000 I cannot imagine how any Christian has not 00:01:34.000 --> 00:01:37.620 been praying that God would bring about 00:01:37.620 --> 00:01:38.799 an end of this pandemic. 00:01:38.799 --> 00:01:42.120 I know a lot of you are like me. 00:01:42.480 --> 00:01:45.319 I have prayed that my family members 00:01:45.319 --> 00:01:48.479 and this church family would be spared, 00:01:49.479 --> 00:01:52.099 that we would not come down with it. 00:01:52.519 --> 00:01:54.420 If we did, we would not, you know, 00:01:54.479 --> 00:01:58.459 have any serious or long-lasting effects from it. 00:01:58.459 --> 00:02:05.979 It's natural for us to pray about some physical health issues, 00:02:06.139 --> 00:02:10.699 matters, physical needs at times. 00:02:11.819 --> 00:02:13.639 I mean, who wouldn't? 00:02:15.060 --> 00:02:16.959 But at the same time, we need to understand, 00:02:17.819 --> 00:02:20.879 that is not the biblical focus of prayer. 00:02:20.879 --> 00:02:25.159 The Bible does not make physical needs 00:02:25.159 --> 00:02:27.819 the priority of prayer, 00:02:27.919 --> 00:02:31.539 either by instruction or by example. 00:02:32.699 --> 00:02:35.479 Jesus taught us about how to pray. 00:02:36.759 --> 00:02:39.859 Matthew chapter 6, Luke chapter 11. 00:02:41.159 --> 00:02:43.639 When Jesus taught, this is how you should pray, 00:02:44.539 --> 00:02:46.819 He said, in effect, that our priority 00:02:46.819 --> 00:02:49.620 should be to focus on God, 00:02:49.620 --> 00:02:50.920 to honor Him, 00:02:51.780 --> 00:02:53.580 to seek His will, 00:02:54.640 --> 00:02:55.819 and to ask for help 00:02:55.819 --> 00:02:58.580 to live in a right relationship with Him 00:02:58.580 --> 00:03:00.700 and other people. 00:03:01.700 --> 00:03:03.379 That's why there's such a strong emphasis 00:03:03.379 --> 00:03:04.800 on forgiveness, 00:03:05.680 --> 00:03:07.460 and especially on forgiving other people. 00:03:08.580 --> 00:03:10.819 Now, when you read the prayers of the apostles 00:03:10.819 --> 00:03:12.560 in the New Testament, 00:03:13.340 --> 00:03:15.300 and I'm thinking specifically of Paul, 00:03:15.300 --> 00:03:18.340 their top priority 00:03:18.340 --> 00:03:19.920 is for Christians 00:03:19.920 --> 00:03:22.300 to honor God 00:03:22.300 --> 00:03:25.340 and seek to grow spiritually 00:03:25.340 --> 00:03:28.719 in their prayer requests. 00:03:29.800 --> 00:03:32.039 Now, I want to reemphasize. 00:03:33.319 --> 00:03:35.560 I am not in any way saying 00:03:35.560 --> 00:03:37.120 that it's wrong, 00:03:37.240 --> 00:03:38.199 that it's unimportant 00:03:38.199 --> 00:03:41.480 to pray about physical needs. 00:03:41.680 --> 00:03:42.560 It is not. 00:03:42.560 --> 00:03:45.539 In fact, Jesus did teach us 00:03:45.539 --> 00:03:47.960 to ask for our daily bread 00:03:47.960 --> 00:03:49.460 in that model prayer, didn't He? 00:03:50.420 --> 00:03:51.719 And when He was talking about 00:03:51.719 --> 00:03:54.539 praying for our daily bread, 00:03:54.719 --> 00:03:55.800 He wasn't talking about 00:03:55.800 --> 00:03:57.479 literally just bread, 00:03:57.640 --> 00:03:59.699 but daily necessities. 00:04:01.400 --> 00:04:03.060 Paul sometimes 00:04:03.060 --> 00:04:04.920 asks Christians to pray 00:04:04.920 --> 00:04:06.379 for His safety 00:04:06.379 --> 00:04:09.060 or for His deliverance. 00:04:09.060 --> 00:04:11.120 So, 00:04:11.599 --> 00:04:14.979 don't take what I'm saying here 00:04:14.979 --> 00:04:15.900 at the beginning wrong. 00:04:16.860 --> 00:04:18.240 It is not wrong. 00:04:18.379 --> 00:04:18.980 It is good. 00:04:19.060 --> 00:04:19.680 It is healthy. 00:04:19.819 --> 00:04:20.379 It is normal 00:04:20.379 --> 00:04:21.399 for you to pray 00:04:21.399 --> 00:04:24.459 for physical situations, 00:04:24.800 --> 00:04:25.259 health, 00:04:25.579 --> 00:04:26.139 needs, 00:04:26.220 --> 00:04:26.980 in your life, 00:04:27.040 --> 00:04:27.939 in the life of people 00:04:27.939 --> 00:04:29.180 that you know and love 00:04:29.180 --> 00:04:29.759 and care about. 00:04:29.759 --> 00:04:32.839 But most of what we see 00:04:32.839 --> 00:04:33.659 in the New Testament 00:04:33.659 --> 00:04:35.740 about prayer 00:04:35.740 --> 00:04:38.420 is that spiritual needs 00:04:38.420 --> 00:04:40.139 take priority 00:04:40.139 --> 00:04:42.459 over physical needs. 00:04:43.579 --> 00:04:45.139 And we need to apply that 00:04:45.139 --> 00:04:45.959 to ourselves 00:04:45.959 --> 00:04:46.959 and how we pray 00:04:46.959 --> 00:04:48.719 and then how we pray 00:04:48.719 --> 00:04:49.560 about other people. 00:04:50.500 --> 00:04:51.279 Paul provides us 00:04:51.279 --> 00:04:52.019 with a great example 00:04:52.019 --> 00:04:52.939 of this kind of prayer 00:04:52.939 --> 00:04:54.879 in Philippians chapter 1. 00:04:55.300 --> 00:04:56.300 I want you to turn with me 00:04:56.300 --> 00:04:56.719 if you would 00:04:56.719 --> 00:04:57.639 because I'm not going to put 00:04:57.639 --> 00:04:58.659 all of these verses 00:04:58.660 --> 00:05:00.080 on the screen at this time. 00:05:00.380 --> 00:05:01.260 We will look at them 00:05:01.260 --> 00:05:02.880 individually 00:05:02.880 --> 00:05:03.860 a little bit later on. 00:05:04.480 --> 00:05:05.100 Let's look at 00:05:05.100 --> 00:05:06.560 Philippians chapter 1 00:05:06.560 --> 00:05:08.560 verses 9 through 11. 00:05:08.980 --> 00:05:10.220 I only referred 00:05:10.220 --> 00:05:12.300 to this last week. 00:05:13.420 --> 00:05:15.000 We didn't get into it at all. 00:05:16.040 --> 00:05:16.560 We're talking about 00:05:16.560 --> 00:05:17.260 how to make the best 00:05:17.260 --> 00:05:18.260 of the bad situation. 00:05:19.580 --> 00:05:20.220 And one of the ways 00:05:20.220 --> 00:05:20.800 we need to, 00:05:21.220 --> 00:05:21.860 one of the things 00:05:21.860 --> 00:05:22.700 we need to do is pray. 00:05:23.080 --> 00:05:24.200 Well, now we're going to look at 00:05:24.200 --> 00:05:25.800 how we should pray. 00:05:26.300 --> 00:05:26.940 Look at this. 00:05:26.939 --> 00:05:29.060 Philippians 1, 9. 00:05:29.759 --> 00:05:31.100 And it is my prayer 00:05:31.100 --> 00:05:32.480 that your love 00:05:32.480 --> 00:05:33.800 may abound more and more 00:05:33.800 --> 00:05:34.639 with knowledge 00:05:34.639 --> 00:05:35.839 and all discernment 00:05:35.839 --> 00:05:37.480 so that you may approve 00:05:37.480 --> 00:05:38.459 what is excellent 00:05:38.459 --> 00:05:40.240 and so be pure 00:05:40.240 --> 00:05:41.120 and blameless 00:05:41.120 --> 00:05:42.319 for the day of Christ, 00:05:42.879 --> 00:05:44.000 filled with the fruit 00:05:44.000 --> 00:05:44.879 of righteousness 00:05:44.879 --> 00:05:46.319 that comes through 00:05:46.319 --> 00:05:47.279 Jesus Christ 00:05:47.279 --> 00:05:48.759 to the glory 00:05:48.759 --> 00:05:49.860 and praise 00:05:49.860 --> 00:05:50.680 of God. 00:05:52.420 --> 00:05:53.540 I want us to look at this 00:05:53.540 --> 00:05:55.340 as an example 00:05:55.340 --> 00:05:57.700 of the kinds of things 00:05:57.700 --> 00:05:59.280 that we need to be 00:05:59.280 --> 00:06:00.800 asking God for 00:06:00.800 --> 00:06:02.760 for ourselves 00:06:02.760 --> 00:06:05.319 and for the people 00:06:05.319 --> 00:06:06.520 in our lives 00:06:06.520 --> 00:06:07.220 that we really 00:06:07.220 --> 00:06:09.360 are concerned about 00:06:09.360 --> 00:06:11.120 and praying for 00:06:11.120 --> 00:06:12.200 on a regular basis. 00:06:12.740 --> 00:06:13.560 I'm talking about 00:06:13.560 --> 00:06:14.480 your family members, 00:06:15.379 --> 00:06:16.300 your friends, 00:06:17.580 --> 00:06:19.240 this church family. 00:06:19.240 --> 00:06:21.280 Let's look at it. 00:06:21.420 --> 00:06:21.800 First, 00:06:22.759 --> 00:06:23.540 pray for yourself 00:06:23.540 --> 00:06:24.120 and others 00:06:24.120 --> 00:06:26.319 to grow in love. 00:06:27.199 --> 00:06:28.379 First prayer request, 00:06:28.800 --> 00:06:29.500 pray for yourself 00:06:29.500 --> 00:06:29.860 and others 00:06:29.860 --> 00:06:31.220 to grow in love. 00:06:31.300 --> 00:06:32.379 Look at it in verse 9, 00:06:32.439 --> 00:06:33.040 the first part. 00:06:33.519 --> 00:06:34.519 And it is my prayer 00:06:34.519 --> 00:06:35.420 that your love 00:06:35.420 --> 00:06:36.300 may abound 00:06:36.300 --> 00:06:37.620 more and more. 00:06:37.620 --> 00:06:40.160 We need to 00:06:40.160 --> 00:06:42.220 make it a practice 00:06:42.220 --> 00:06:43.899 to ask God 00:06:43.899 --> 00:06:44.579 to help us 00:06:44.579 --> 00:06:45.399 to grow 00:06:45.399 --> 00:06:47.199 in our love. 00:06:47.879 --> 00:06:48.259 Now I want you 00:06:48.259 --> 00:06:48.920 to know that Paul 00:06:48.920 --> 00:06:50.100 does not ask 00:06:50.100 --> 00:06:50.740 for us 00:06:50.740 --> 00:06:52.660 to develop love 00:06:52.660 --> 00:06:54.600 and there's a reason 00:06:54.600 --> 00:06:55.040 for that. 00:06:55.699 --> 00:06:56.240 He's writing 00:06:56.240 --> 00:06:56.879 to Christians. 00:06:57.780 --> 00:06:58.439 He knows 00:06:58.439 --> 00:06:59.139 these Christians. 00:06:59.759 --> 00:07:00.379 You can read 00:07:00.379 --> 00:07:02.840 verses 3 through 8 00:07:02.840 --> 00:07:04.360 and see that 00:07:04.360 --> 00:07:05.240 he has a good 00:07:05.240 --> 00:07:06.079 relationship with them, 00:07:06.620 --> 00:07:07.500 he loves them 00:07:07.500 --> 00:07:08.519 and they love him. 00:07:09.040 --> 00:07:10.019 But Paul knows 00:07:10.019 --> 00:07:10.579 that people 00:07:10.579 --> 00:07:11.379 who are Christians, 00:07:12.519 --> 00:07:13.639 they've been born again 00:07:13.639 --> 00:07:14.740 by the Spirit of God. 00:07:15.319 --> 00:07:16.019 The Spirit of God 00:07:16.019 --> 00:07:16.879 lives within them. 00:07:17.339 --> 00:07:18.420 And the Spirit of God 00:07:18.420 --> 00:07:19.060 when he comes 00:07:19.060 --> 00:07:20.639 to indwell us, 00:07:21.579 --> 00:07:22.399 he plants 00:07:22.399 --> 00:07:23.500 what we could consider 00:07:23.500 --> 00:07:26.139 seeds of love 00:07:26.139 --> 00:07:27.459 within our heart. 00:07:27.459 --> 00:07:29.699 If you are a Christian, 00:07:30.920 --> 00:07:32.920 there is love 00:07:32.920 --> 00:07:33.519 within you 00:07:33.519 --> 00:07:34.620 by virtue of the fact 00:07:34.620 --> 00:07:35.300 that the Holy Spirit 00:07:35.300 --> 00:07:36.120 lives within you. 00:07:37.500 --> 00:07:37.980 So we don't have 00:07:37.980 --> 00:07:38.540 to pray 00:07:38.540 --> 00:07:40.040 for love 00:07:40.040 --> 00:07:40.899 if we're Christians. 00:07:41.360 --> 00:07:42.459 It is there. 00:07:43.720 --> 00:07:44.439 But what we do 00:07:44.439 --> 00:07:45.160 need to pray for 00:07:45.160 --> 00:07:47.300 is that it will grow 00:07:47.300 --> 00:07:48.639 more and more 00:07:48.639 --> 00:07:49.240 every day, 00:07:49.839 --> 00:07:50.439 abounding 00:07:50.439 --> 00:07:51.199 more and more, 00:07:51.860 --> 00:07:52.939 that it will mature. 00:07:53.899 --> 00:07:54.060 Now, 00:07:54.860 --> 00:07:55.459 note that Paul 00:07:55.459 --> 00:07:56.180 does not specify 00:07:56.180 --> 00:07:56.920 the object 00:07:56.920 --> 00:07:57.740 of our love. 00:07:58.839 --> 00:07:59.519 He doesn't say, 00:07:59.980 --> 00:08:00.240 you know, 00:08:00.319 --> 00:08:00.660 pray for, 00:08:01.139 --> 00:08:02.060 that we'll love God, 00:08:02.139 --> 00:08:02.699 love people, 00:08:02.800 --> 00:08:03.220 or whatever. 00:08:03.560 --> 00:08:04.120 He just says 00:08:04.120 --> 00:08:04.980 that our love 00:08:04.980 --> 00:08:05.339 will abound 00:08:05.339 --> 00:08:05.919 more and more. 00:08:06.619 --> 00:08:07.099 And so we can 00:08:07.099 --> 00:08:07.799 apply that, 00:08:08.060 --> 00:08:08.939 at least initially, 00:08:09.399 --> 00:08:09.839 broadly. 00:08:11.239 --> 00:08:11.979 We need to pray 00:08:11.979 --> 00:08:12.459 that we'll love 00:08:12.459 --> 00:08:13.019 God more. 00:08:14.500 --> 00:08:15.179 We need to pray 00:08:15.179 --> 00:08:15.719 that we'll love 00:08:15.719 --> 00:08:16.839 other Christians more. 00:08:17.959 --> 00:08:18.799 We need to pray 00:08:18.799 --> 00:08:19.579 that we'll love 00:08:19.579 --> 00:08:21.060 people in general 00:08:21.060 --> 00:08:22.079 more. 00:08:22.079 --> 00:08:23.059 You know, 00:08:23.139 --> 00:08:23.759 love is to be 00:08:23.759 --> 00:08:25.039 the defining characteristic 00:08:25.039 --> 00:08:26.139 of us 00:08:26.139 --> 00:08:27.079 as followers 00:08:27.079 --> 00:08:27.679 of Jesus, 00:08:27.859 --> 00:08:28.279 isn't it? 00:08:28.739 --> 00:08:30.079 It is the essential 00:08:30.079 --> 00:08:31.459 Christian quality. 00:08:32.179 --> 00:08:32.839 There's a strong 00:08:32.839 --> 00:08:34.100 emphasis in the New Testament. 00:08:34.100 --> 00:08:36.220 especially 00:08:36.220 --> 00:08:37.240 that we will love 00:08:37.240 --> 00:08:38.159 our brothers and sisters 00:08:38.159 --> 00:08:38.720 in Christ. 00:08:39.120 --> 00:08:39.860 I really believe 00:08:39.860 --> 00:08:40.460 that's what Paul 00:08:40.460 --> 00:08:42.980 is specifically 00:08:42.980 --> 00:08:43.759 thinking of 00:08:43.759 --> 00:08:44.700 as he writes this. 00:08:45.139 --> 00:08:45.820 There were some 00:08:45.820 --> 00:08:47.139 problems in this church, 00:08:47.820 --> 00:08:48.720 a lack of unity. 00:08:48.879 --> 00:08:49.620 There was some division. 00:08:49.960 --> 00:08:50.519 And we'll see 00:08:50.519 --> 00:08:51.200 some of that 00:08:51.200 --> 00:08:52.360 as we go through 00:08:52.360 --> 00:08:52.940 this letter 00:08:52.940 --> 00:08:53.500 over the next 00:08:53.500 --> 00:08:54.259 several weeks. 00:08:55.639 --> 00:08:56.980 This is surprising. 00:08:58.040 --> 00:08:59.379 But in chapter 4, 00:09:00.379 --> 00:09:01.340 Paul calls 00:09:01.340 --> 00:09:02.080 two women 00:09:02.080 --> 00:09:03.040 by name 00:09:03.040 --> 00:09:04.540 and basically 00:09:04.540 --> 00:09:05.360 tells them 00:09:05.360 --> 00:09:06.860 tone it down. 00:09:08.759 --> 00:09:09.920 Now you can imagine 00:09:09.920 --> 00:09:12.800 church gathering. 00:09:14.259 --> 00:09:15.180 There's two women there. 00:09:16.860 --> 00:09:18.220 And Paul calls them out 00:09:18.220 --> 00:09:20.540 for their lack of, 00:09:21.100 --> 00:09:21.700 for a better way 00:09:21.700 --> 00:09:22.460 to express it right now, 00:09:22.620 --> 00:09:23.500 loving one another 00:09:23.500 --> 00:09:24.120 as they should. 00:09:24.460 --> 00:09:25.360 They don't get along. 00:09:25.360 --> 00:09:28.440 You think you've had 00:09:28.440 --> 00:09:29.480 your toes stepped on 00:09:29.480 --> 00:09:30.680 by some preacher before? 00:09:32.000 --> 00:09:32.480 Never, 00:09:32.759 --> 00:09:33.539 most likely, 00:09:34.000 --> 00:09:34.779 have you had your name 00:09:34.779 --> 00:09:35.580 called 00:09:35.580 --> 00:09:37.240 and say to stop 00:09:37.240 --> 00:09:38.300 sinning like this 00:09:38.300 --> 00:09:39.539 publicly. 00:09:40.060 --> 00:09:40.600 But Paul did. 00:09:40.700 --> 00:09:41.840 So there are some problems. 00:09:42.840 --> 00:09:43.320 But overall, 00:09:43.440 --> 00:09:44.480 this is the best church 00:09:44.480 --> 00:09:46.580 that Paul has 00:09:46.580 --> 00:09:47.399 a relationship with. 00:09:48.060 --> 00:09:49.200 It's a positive letter. 00:09:49.360 --> 00:09:50.279 There's a lot of gratitude 00:09:50.279 --> 00:09:51.620 and love expressed. 00:09:51.620 --> 00:09:54.120 But he is emphasizing here 00:09:54.120 --> 00:09:55.960 our love 00:09:55.960 --> 00:09:57.419 for one another, 00:09:58.220 --> 00:09:59.100 brothers and sisters 00:09:59.100 --> 00:09:59.679 in Christ. 00:10:00.220 --> 00:10:01.659 It should be growing. 00:10:02.240 --> 00:10:03.039 Our relationship 00:10:03.039 --> 00:10:04.480 should be deepening 00:10:04.480 --> 00:10:05.879 is what he's talking about. 00:10:07.419 --> 00:10:08.179 Jesus said 00:10:08.179 --> 00:10:08.960 this kind of love 00:10:08.960 --> 00:10:10.379 would be the distinguishing 00:10:10.379 --> 00:10:11.320 mark 00:10:11.320 --> 00:10:12.480 of his followers. 00:10:12.620 --> 00:10:13.000 Look at this 00:10:13.000 --> 00:10:13.980 from John 13. 00:10:14.580 --> 00:10:15.700 By this all people 00:10:15.700 --> 00:10:16.039 will know 00:10:16.039 --> 00:10:17.100 that you are my disciples 00:10:17.100 --> 00:10:18.899 if you have love 00:10:18.899 --> 00:10:19.759 for one another. 00:10:20.220 --> 00:10:20.899 Now think about that. 00:10:20.899 --> 00:10:23.199 Jesus told his disciples 00:10:23.199 --> 00:10:24.539 all the things 00:10:24.539 --> 00:10:25.759 that he had taught them 00:10:25.759 --> 00:10:29.100 about how they should think, 00:10:29.179 --> 00:10:30.000 how they should believe, 00:10:30.120 --> 00:10:31.159 how they should live. 00:10:33.620 --> 00:10:34.779 The thing that should 00:10:34.779 --> 00:10:35.659 set you apart 00:10:35.659 --> 00:10:36.939 as uniquely 00:10:36.939 --> 00:10:38.039 as being my disciple 00:10:38.039 --> 00:10:40.480 is your love 00:10:40.480 --> 00:10:41.639 for one another. 00:10:42.639 --> 00:10:43.259 Your love 00:10:43.259 --> 00:10:43.819 for your brothers 00:10:43.819 --> 00:10:45.000 and sisters in Christ. 00:10:46.000 --> 00:10:46.600 John, 00:10:46.799 --> 00:10:47.439 the apostle, 00:10:47.699 --> 00:10:48.799 emphasizes this 00:10:48.799 --> 00:10:50.559 in his first letter. 00:10:50.559 --> 00:10:51.119 Look at it. 00:10:51.500 --> 00:10:53.000 And this commandment 00:10:53.000 --> 00:10:53.959 we have from him, 00:10:54.739 --> 00:10:56.099 whoever loves God 00:10:56.099 --> 00:10:58.399 must also love 00:10:58.399 --> 00:10:59.439 his brother. 00:11:00.839 --> 00:11:01.619 Now think about that. 00:11:03.519 --> 00:11:04.639 Sometimes we might think 00:11:04.639 --> 00:11:05.339 to ourselves, 00:11:06.739 --> 00:11:08.159 well I truly do love God. 00:11:08.239 --> 00:11:08.959 It's people I have 00:11:08.959 --> 00:11:09.659 problems with. 00:11:09.759 --> 00:11:10.699 I can say that too. 00:11:10.700 --> 00:11:13.960 But we can't 00:11:13.960 --> 00:11:15.400 accept that. 00:11:18.100 --> 00:11:19.160 John is issuing 00:11:19.160 --> 00:11:19.860 a command. 00:11:20.000 --> 00:11:20.360 Look at it. 00:11:20.420 --> 00:11:22.280 And this commandment 00:11:22.280 --> 00:11:25.240 we have from him. 00:11:26.040 --> 00:11:27.520 Whoever loves God 00:11:27.520 --> 00:11:28.640 must also love his brother. 00:11:29.220 --> 00:11:30.400 By describing love 00:11:30.400 --> 00:11:31.600 as a commandment, 00:11:33.340 --> 00:11:34.100 he's talking 00:11:34.100 --> 00:11:35.720 about it being, 00:11:36.020 --> 00:11:36.780 about love as being 00:11:36.779 --> 00:11:38.000 more an act 00:11:38.000 --> 00:11:39.139 of the will 00:11:39.139 --> 00:11:41.240 than a, 00:11:41.319 --> 00:11:41.839 what you'd call 00:11:41.839 --> 00:11:43.039 feeling of the heart. 00:11:44.519 --> 00:11:45.600 Christian love, 00:11:46.600 --> 00:11:47.699 when you think about 00:11:47.699 --> 00:11:48.360 what it is, 00:11:49.019 --> 00:11:50.120 it is not 00:11:50.120 --> 00:11:51.220 hallmark 00:11:51.980 --> 00:11:53.199 kind of love. 00:11:54.799 --> 00:11:55.339 It's not 00:11:55.339 --> 00:11:55.559 the, 00:11:55.559 --> 00:11:56.360 you know, 00:11:56.439 --> 00:11:56.980 the fuzzy, 00:11:57.220 --> 00:11:57.839 warm feelings 00:11:57.839 --> 00:11:58.399 that you see 00:11:58.399 --> 00:11:59.799 on the hallmark channel 00:11:59.799 --> 00:12:01.439 or in hallmark cards 00:12:01.439 --> 00:12:02.299 or anything like that. 00:12:02.299 --> 00:12:04.359 Now hopefully 00:12:04.359 --> 00:12:05.199 we have some 00:12:05.199 --> 00:12:06.379 healthy, 00:12:07.019 --> 00:12:08.639 appropriate feelings 00:12:08.639 --> 00:12:09.819 of love 00:12:09.819 --> 00:12:10.339 for people. 00:12:11.179 --> 00:12:12.120 But this 00:12:12.120 --> 00:12:13.500 is a commandment. 00:12:14.059 --> 00:12:14.500 We're talking 00:12:14.500 --> 00:12:15.740 about how we act, 00:12:15.899 --> 00:12:17.339 how we treat people. 00:12:18.519 --> 00:12:18.979 One of the best 00:12:18.979 --> 00:12:19.639 definitions I've ever 00:12:19.639 --> 00:12:20.559 heard of Christian love 00:12:20.559 --> 00:12:21.919 is seeking 00:12:21.919 --> 00:12:22.479 to meet 00:12:22.479 --> 00:12:23.819 people's needs. 00:12:25.359 --> 00:12:25.579 Now, 00:12:26.579 --> 00:12:27.379 that's why 00:12:27.379 --> 00:12:28.179 Paul prays 00:12:28.179 --> 00:12:28.639 that the Philippians 00:12:28.639 --> 00:12:29.399 love will grow. 00:12:32.299 --> 00:12:33.699 we need it to. 00:12:34.579 --> 00:12:35.219 It's an act 00:12:35.219 --> 00:12:36.000 of the will. 00:12:37.740 --> 00:12:38.639 It's not always 00:12:38.639 --> 00:12:39.439 how we feel. 00:12:40.620 --> 00:12:41.139 But I want you 00:12:41.139 --> 00:12:41.539 to note, 00:12:42.079 --> 00:12:42.959 it's not open-ended 00:12:42.959 --> 00:12:44.399 about our love 00:12:44.399 --> 00:12:45.439 growing more and more. 00:12:46.159 --> 00:12:46.799 He says that 00:12:46.799 --> 00:12:47.839 our love should grow 00:12:47.839 --> 00:12:48.419 in knowledge 00:12:48.419 --> 00:12:49.479 and discernment. 00:12:49.559 --> 00:12:50.059 Look at this. 00:12:50.559 --> 00:12:51.319 Ask God to help 00:12:51.319 --> 00:12:51.839 your love 00:12:51.839 --> 00:12:53.279 to grow in knowledge 00:12:53.279 --> 00:12:54.479 and discernment. 00:12:54.740 --> 00:12:55.279 Verse 9, 00:12:55.620 --> 00:12:56.399 it is my prayer 00:12:56.399 --> 00:12:56.899 that your love 00:12:56.899 --> 00:12:57.419 may abound more 00:12:57.419 --> 00:12:57.779 and more 00:12:57.779 --> 00:12:59.719 with knowledge 00:12:59.719 --> 00:13:01.679 and all discernment. 00:13:02.299 --> 00:13:03.039 Our love 00:13:03.039 --> 00:13:03.599 needs to be 00:13:03.599 --> 00:13:04.799 an informed love. 00:13:05.919 --> 00:13:06.579 We need to be 00:13:06.579 --> 00:13:08.000 growing in knowledge. 00:13:08.740 --> 00:13:09.779 James Boyce, 00:13:09.979 --> 00:13:11.000 the pastor 00:13:11.000 --> 00:13:11.799 and commentator, 00:13:11.919 --> 00:13:12.699 says that the word 00:13:12.699 --> 00:13:13.719 translated knowledge 00:13:13.719 --> 00:13:15.219 here always means 00:13:15.219 --> 00:13:16.979 spiritual knowledge 00:13:16.979 --> 00:13:18.199 when it is found 00:13:18.199 --> 00:13:18.859 in the New Testament. 00:13:20.199 --> 00:13:20.639 So here's what 00:13:20.639 --> 00:13:21.179 we need to pray. 00:13:21.859 --> 00:13:22.699 We need to pray 00:13:22.699 --> 00:13:23.339 for ourselves 00:13:23.339 --> 00:13:24.099 and for other people 00:13:24.099 --> 00:13:26.099 that we will grow 00:13:26.099 --> 00:13:27.079 in our knowledge 00:13:27.079 --> 00:13:27.779 of God, 00:13:28.379 --> 00:13:29.299 who He is, 00:13:30.019 --> 00:13:30.839 in our knowledge 00:13:30.840 --> 00:13:32.040 of His will, 00:13:33.320 --> 00:13:34.920 knowledge of His ways 00:13:34.920 --> 00:13:36.300 so that we might 00:13:36.300 --> 00:13:37.720 be able to obey Him, 00:13:37.899 --> 00:13:38.680 please Him, 00:13:39.100 --> 00:13:39.780 serve Him. 00:13:40.780 --> 00:13:40.980 Now, 00:13:41.740 --> 00:13:42.320 how are we going 00:13:42.320 --> 00:13:42.800 to acquire 00:13:42.800 --> 00:13:43.720 such knowledge 00:13:43.720 --> 00:13:44.360 of God? 00:13:45.100 --> 00:13:46.060 It's not that you 00:13:46.060 --> 00:13:47.560 strain and pray, 00:13:47.720 --> 00:13:47.960 Lord, 00:13:48.139 --> 00:13:48.960 help me to know 00:13:48.960 --> 00:13:49.399 You better. 00:13:50.120 --> 00:13:51.240 We study His word. 00:13:51.620 --> 00:13:51.720 See, 00:13:51.780 --> 00:13:53.120 God has revealed Himself 00:13:53.120 --> 00:13:54.379 as He wants us 00:13:54.379 --> 00:13:55.280 to know Him, 00:13:55.759 --> 00:13:56.460 His ways 00:13:56.460 --> 00:13:56.980 and His will 00:13:56.980 --> 00:13:57.960 in the Bible. 00:13:57.960 --> 00:13:59.259 And so if we're 00:13:59.259 --> 00:13:59.580 going to grow 00:13:59.580 --> 00:14:00.639 in our knowledge 00:14:00.639 --> 00:14:01.820 of God, 00:14:02.980 --> 00:14:04.120 of spiritual things, 00:14:04.379 --> 00:14:05.120 we've got to 00:14:05.120 --> 00:14:06.200 read and study 00:14:06.200 --> 00:14:07.240 the Bible. 00:14:08.120 --> 00:14:09.500 We should pray 00:14:09.500 --> 00:14:11.620 that God will help us 00:14:11.620 --> 00:14:12.440 through His indwelling 00:14:12.440 --> 00:14:12.840 Spirit, 00:14:13.120 --> 00:14:14.320 help us to understand 00:14:14.320 --> 00:14:15.280 what we read. 00:14:15.660 --> 00:14:16.200 It's not enough 00:14:16.200 --> 00:14:17.019 just to read the Bible. 00:14:18.120 --> 00:14:18.240 You know, 00:14:18.280 --> 00:14:18.860 if you do your, 00:14:19.420 --> 00:14:19.879 if you're doing, 00:14:20.639 --> 00:14:21.560 it is good to read 00:14:21.560 --> 00:14:21.940 through the Bible 00:14:21.940 --> 00:14:22.360 in a year. 00:14:23.019 --> 00:14:24.000 It is good to have 00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:25.500 a planned reading program. 00:14:25.639 --> 00:14:26.400 Don't misunderstand. 00:14:26.399 --> 00:14:29.439 But never open 00:14:29.439 --> 00:14:30.399 your Bible in the morning 00:14:30.399 --> 00:14:31.899 and just read it 00:14:31.899 --> 00:14:33.019 so you can say, 00:14:33.240 --> 00:14:33.879 I read it. 00:14:35.019 --> 00:14:36.019 Read the Bible. 00:14:36.840 --> 00:14:37.959 If you don't have time 00:14:37.959 --> 00:14:38.500 but to read 00:14:38.500 --> 00:14:39.360 a verse or two, 00:14:40.759 --> 00:14:41.579 read the Bible 00:14:41.579 --> 00:14:42.240 with a prayer. 00:14:42.399 --> 00:14:42.579 Lord, 00:14:42.639 --> 00:14:43.819 help me to understand 00:14:43.819 --> 00:14:46.819 what You are saying 00:14:46.819 --> 00:14:47.779 in this passage 00:14:47.779 --> 00:14:50.419 and how I can apply it, 00:14:50.480 --> 00:14:51.620 how I can do it, 00:14:52.480 --> 00:14:54.860 how I can obey You 00:14:54.860 --> 00:14:55.399 in it. 00:14:56.399 --> 00:14:57.819 So let me just ask you. 00:14:58.639 --> 00:14:59.279 Pause right here 00:14:59.279 --> 00:14:59.559 for a minute. 00:15:00.340 --> 00:15:01.100 Are you praying 00:15:01.100 --> 00:15:02.220 such prayers 00:15:02.220 --> 00:15:03.079 for yourself? 00:15:04.379 --> 00:15:04.639 God, 00:15:04.699 --> 00:15:05.100 help me grow 00:15:05.100 --> 00:15:06.019 in my love 00:15:06.019 --> 00:15:07.559 for You, 00:15:07.679 --> 00:15:08.179 for people. 00:15:09.539 --> 00:15:09.939 God, 00:15:10.199 --> 00:15:11.139 help me to grow 00:15:11.139 --> 00:15:12.620 in my knowledge 00:15:12.620 --> 00:15:13.699 of You 00:15:13.699 --> 00:15:14.439 and Your ways 00:15:14.439 --> 00:15:15.100 and Your will. 00:15:15.579 --> 00:15:16.179 Help me to know 00:15:16.179 --> 00:15:16.759 You better. 00:15:16.959 --> 00:15:17.279 Help me to know 00:15:17.279 --> 00:15:19.600 how to please You 00:15:19.600 --> 00:15:21.840 in just 00:15:21.840 --> 00:15:24.139 my everyday living. 00:15:24.139 --> 00:15:25.860 Are you praying 00:15:25.860 --> 00:15:26.559 such prayers? 00:15:27.879 --> 00:15:28.600 Are you praying 00:15:28.600 --> 00:15:29.559 those kind of prayers 00:15:29.559 --> 00:15:31.480 for the people 00:15:31.480 --> 00:15:31.759 that, 00:15:32.419 --> 00:15:32.799 let's just say, 00:15:32.860 --> 00:15:33.939 you pray for every day 00:15:33.939 --> 00:15:35.539 or you pray for regularly? 00:15:36.580 --> 00:15:37.159 Is that the kind of prayer 00:15:37.159 --> 00:15:37.620 you're praying 00:15:37.620 --> 00:15:38.559 for your children, 00:15:39.559 --> 00:15:40.460 for your grandchildren, 00:15:41.139 --> 00:15:42.539 for your parents, 00:15:43.480 --> 00:15:44.960 for good friends? 00:15:44.960 --> 00:15:47.540 don't just pray 00:15:47.540 --> 00:15:48.200 that they won't 00:15:48.200 --> 00:15:50.300 get sick. 00:15:51.920 --> 00:15:52.639 Don't just pray 00:15:52.639 --> 00:15:53.580 that they won't die. 00:15:55.139 --> 00:15:55.920 Pray that they will 00:15:55.920 --> 00:15:56.920 truly grow 00:15:56.920 --> 00:15:58.080 if they're Christians 00:15:58.080 --> 00:16:00.379 in their love 00:16:00.379 --> 00:16:01.960 and in their knowledge 00:16:01.960 --> 00:16:02.500 of God 00:16:02.500 --> 00:16:03.460 and His ways 00:16:03.460 --> 00:16:04.600 so that they can 00:16:04.600 --> 00:16:05.300 live their life 00:16:05.300 --> 00:16:05.740 in such a way 00:16:05.740 --> 00:16:07.019 as to please God. 00:16:07.019 --> 00:16:07.100 God, 00:16:07.740 --> 00:16:10.139 that's what all of us 00:16:10.139 --> 00:16:11.319 need to be doing 00:16:11.319 --> 00:16:13.079 on a regular basis 00:16:13.079 --> 00:16:13.980 when it comes 00:16:13.980 --> 00:16:15.000 to how we pray. 00:16:15.639 --> 00:16:16.139 We're also, 00:16:16.279 --> 00:16:16.819 notice here, 00:16:17.079 --> 00:16:17.539 we're to pray 00:16:17.539 --> 00:16:18.159 for ourselves 00:16:18.159 --> 00:16:18.519 and others 00:16:18.519 --> 00:16:19.460 to grow in our ability 00:16:19.460 --> 00:16:22.419 to express Christian love 00:16:22.419 --> 00:16:23.799 in our relationships 00:16:23.799 --> 00:16:24.159 with others. 00:16:24.259 --> 00:16:25.039 I'm just throwing this in. 00:16:25.100 --> 00:16:25.819 This is not actually 00:16:25.819 --> 00:16:26.500 a part of the text. 00:16:26.720 --> 00:16:27.079 What I'm doing 00:16:27.079 --> 00:16:28.039 is applying this. 00:16:29.860 --> 00:16:30.740 I sort of got ahead 00:16:30.740 --> 00:16:31.159 of myself. 00:16:32.679 --> 00:16:33.840 God is not impressed 00:16:33.840 --> 00:16:35.360 with us just having knowledge. 00:16:35.360 --> 00:16:38.940 It's not enough 00:16:38.940 --> 00:16:39.759 to read the Bible 00:16:39.759 --> 00:16:41.980 to be able to quote it. 00:16:44.360 --> 00:16:45.279 God wants us 00:16:45.279 --> 00:16:47.399 to be able to understand 00:16:47.399 --> 00:16:49.379 and put it into practice 00:16:49.379 --> 00:16:50.220 in our lives. 00:16:51.120 --> 00:16:51.279 Now, 00:16:52.060 --> 00:16:53.879 we're talking about love. 00:16:54.879 --> 00:16:56.960 In 1 Corinthians chapter 13, 00:16:58.100 --> 00:16:59.080 Paul describes 00:16:59.080 --> 00:17:01.139 what love looks like 00:17:01.139 --> 00:17:03.379 when it's practiced 00:17:03.379 --> 00:17:04.279 among Christians. 00:17:04.279 --> 00:17:05.559 I want you to look at this. 00:17:07.500 --> 00:17:08.700 Love is patient and kind. 00:17:09.579 --> 00:17:10.680 Love does not envy 00:17:10.680 --> 00:17:11.660 or boast. 00:17:12.299 --> 00:17:13.319 It is not arrogant 00:17:13.319 --> 00:17:14.119 or rude. 00:17:14.839 --> 00:17:16.359 It does not insist 00:17:16.359 --> 00:17:17.539 in its own way. 00:17:18.160 --> 00:17:19.420 It is not irritable 00:17:19.420 --> 00:17:20.639 or resentful. 00:17:21.359 --> 00:17:23.119 It does not rejoice 00:17:23.119 --> 00:17:24.200 at wrongdoing, 00:17:24.700 --> 00:17:25.660 but rejoices 00:17:25.660 --> 00:17:26.480 with the truth. 00:17:27.139 --> 00:17:28.579 Love bears all things, 00:17:28.799 --> 00:17:29.960 believes all things, 00:17:30.259 --> 00:17:31.339 hopes all things, 00:17:31.819 --> 00:17:33.420 endures all things. 00:17:33.420 --> 00:17:36.700 Are you asking God 00:17:36.700 --> 00:17:37.080 to help you 00:17:37.080 --> 00:17:39.019 to love like that? 00:17:41.600 --> 00:17:43.019 Are you asking God 00:17:43.019 --> 00:17:43.460 to help you 00:17:43.460 --> 00:17:44.840 to be more patient 00:17:44.840 --> 00:17:46.800 with certain people 00:17:46.800 --> 00:17:48.200 in your life? 00:17:49.340 --> 00:17:50.340 Are you asking God 00:17:50.340 --> 00:17:50.980 to help you 00:17:50.980 --> 00:17:53.620 to not be irritable 00:17:53.620 --> 00:17:55.720 and a grouch 00:17:55.720 --> 00:17:58.200 and just a negative person? 00:17:58.200 --> 00:18:01.259 Are you asking God 00:18:01.259 --> 00:18:04.559 to not gloat, 00:18:05.299 --> 00:18:06.980 to not feel good 00:18:06.980 --> 00:18:08.160 when someone 00:18:08.160 --> 00:18:09.660 that you really don't like, 00:18:09.740 --> 00:18:11.019 something bad happens to them? 00:18:13.160 --> 00:18:14.140 Do you ask God 00:18:14.140 --> 00:18:14.660 to help you 00:18:14.660 --> 00:18:16.420 to rejoice 00:18:16.420 --> 00:18:18.039 with those who rejoice? 00:18:19.480 --> 00:18:21.319 People who get a promotion 00:18:21.319 --> 00:18:23.039 even above you. 00:18:23.720 --> 00:18:24.980 People who excel 00:18:24.980 --> 00:18:26.559 at sports. 00:18:27.939 --> 00:18:29.039 Are you asking God 00:18:29.039 --> 00:18:29.819 to help you 00:18:29.819 --> 00:18:31.220 not to be resentful, 00:18:31.899 --> 00:18:33.159 not to be jealous, 00:18:34.039 --> 00:18:36.500 but to genuinely rejoice 00:18:36.500 --> 00:18:38.159 with the good fortune 00:18:38.159 --> 00:18:39.960 of your brothers 00:18:39.960 --> 00:18:41.240 and sisters in Christ? 00:18:42.439 --> 00:18:43.439 That's the kind of love 00:18:43.439 --> 00:18:44.019 we need to be praying 00:18:44.019 --> 00:18:45.319 that we will be growing in. 00:18:45.319 --> 00:18:48.200 If we really understand it, 00:18:48.639 --> 00:18:49.939 if we have this kind of knowledge, 00:18:49.940 --> 00:18:51.759 we need to be putting it 00:18:51.759 --> 00:18:52.460 into practice. 00:18:53.299 --> 00:18:54.160 Are you helping 00:18:54.160 --> 00:18:56.140 your children, 00:18:57.480 --> 00:18:58.680 people you have influence over, 00:18:58.720 --> 00:18:59.559 are you helping them 00:18:59.559 --> 00:19:01.140 to develop and grow 00:19:01.140 --> 00:19:02.200 in that kind of love? 00:19:02.440 --> 00:19:03.380 Are you modeling, 00:19:03.700 --> 00:19:04.279 look at it, 00:19:04.700 --> 00:19:05.860 are you modeling it, 00:19:06.980 --> 00:19:07.779 putting forth the effort 00:19:07.779 --> 00:19:10.840 to help your children, 00:19:11.039 --> 00:19:11.320 whoever, 00:19:12.680 --> 00:19:13.600 people in your home, 00:19:14.019 --> 00:19:15.320 people in your Sunday school class, 00:19:15.460 --> 00:19:16.420 people you work with, 00:19:18.039 --> 00:19:19.440 are you helping them 00:19:19.440 --> 00:19:19.860 to see 00:19:19.859 --> 00:19:21.339 this is what Christian love 00:19:21.339 --> 00:19:22.399 looks like? 00:19:23.500 --> 00:19:24.399 Our love needs to be growing 00:19:24.399 --> 00:19:25.439 in knowledge, 00:19:25.839 --> 00:19:26.919 practical knowledge, 00:19:27.019 --> 00:19:27.859 we put it into practice, 00:19:28.139 --> 00:19:29.000 and our love also needs 00:19:29.000 --> 00:19:29.359 to be growing 00:19:29.359 --> 00:19:30.459 in discernment. 00:19:31.359 --> 00:19:32.639 That means we need to know 00:19:32.639 --> 00:19:33.859 how to apply love 00:19:33.859 --> 00:19:34.919 in different situations. 00:19:36.079 --> 00:19:38.139 Sometimes discerning love 00:19:38.139 --> 00:19:41.379 will require us 00:19:41.379 --> 00:19:43.719 to exercise tough love. 00:19:45.279 --> 00:19:46.279 You know, being loving 00:19:46.279 --> 00:19:48.979 is not just having a smile 00:19:48.980 --> 00:19:49.660 on your face 00:19:49.660 --> 00:19:50.259 and just thinking, 00:19:50.519 --> 00:19:52.019 don't rock the boat. 00:19:52.839 --> 00:19:53.940 Whatever goes, goes. 00:19:56.240 --> 00:19:58.240 If I came in here 00:19:58.240 --> 00:19:59.039 one Sunday morning 00:19:59.039 --> 00:20:00.700 and I said, 00:20:01.120 --> 00:20:02.519 we've been making 00:20:02.519 --> 00:20:03.460 too much of the Bible. 00:20:05.460 --> 00:20:06.339 It's really just 00:20:06.339 --> 00:20:07.200 an old book 00:20:07.200 --> 00:20:07.900 written by a lot 00:20:07.900 --> 00:20:08.759 of old people. 00:20:09.620 --> 00:20:11.339 There's some good ideas here, 00:20:11.339 --> 00:20:12.939 but mainly 00:20:12.939 --> 00:20:15.799 it needs to be updated. 00:20:15.799 --> 00:20:18.799 Let's just forget it. 00:20:18.799 --> 00:20:22.259 As a member of this church, 00:20:22.819 --> 00:20:24.720 you need to exercise 00:20:24.720 --> 00:20:26.619 tough love and fire me. 00:20:26.619 --> 00:20:29.819 If a Sunday school teacher 00:20:29.819 --> 00:20:30.319 does that, 00:20:31.359 --> 00:20:32.679 they need to be fired as well. 00:20:33.739 --> 00:20:35.659 It is not loving 00:20:35.659 --> 00:20:38.679 to just let anything go 00:20:38.679 --> 00:20:40.399 as a parent. 00:20:43.579 --> 00:20:44.779 It's not loving 00:20:44.779 --> 00:20:46.319 to allow your young child 00:20:46.319 --> 00:20:47.059 or teenager 00:20:47.059 --> 00:20:49.479 to be disobedient, 00:20:50.299 --> 00:20:51.159 disrespectful 00:20:51.160 --> 00:20:53.519 to you 00:20:53.519 --> 00:20:54.259 and your home. 00:20:56.120 --> 00:20:57.480 Christian love 00:20:57.480 --> 00:21:01.100 should compel you 00:21:01.100 --> 00:21:03.620 to take action, 00:21:04.620 --> 00:21:06.700 to not allow it. 00:21:07.700 --> 00:21:08.800 Take control. 00:21:10.160 --> 00:21:12.120 Exercise discipline. 00:21:13.060 --> 00:21:13.880 That's part of your 00:21:13.880 --> 00:21:15.080 God-given responsibility. 00:21:16.300 --> 00:21:17.140 That's what God 00:21:17.140 --> 00:21:18.019 wants you to do. 00:21:18.019 --> 00:21:19.799 And in the long run, 00:21:19.879 --> 00:21:20.740 that'll be what's best 00:21:20.740 --> 00:21:22.079 for your child. 00:21:23.900 --> 00:21:24.500 Sometimes, 00:21:24.900 --> 00:21:27.059 Christian love 00:21:27.059 --> 00:21:28.740 requires 00:21:28.740 --> 00:21:31.839 us to do hard things 00:21:31.839 --> 00:21:34.819 because tough love 00:21:34.819 --> 00:21:35.420 is needed. 00:21:36.299 --> 00:21:37.379 But then on the other hand, 00:21:37.980 --> 00:21:39.119 if we're going to be discerning, 00:21:39.319 --> 00:21:40.019 sometimes 00:21:40.019 --> 00:21:42.299 our love 00:21:42.299 --> 00:21:43.519 is going to be real, 00:21:44.859 --> 00:21:45.779 give that person 00:21:45.779 --> 00:21:46.720 the benefit of the doubt, 00:21:47.240 --> 00:21:47.599 gracious. 00:21:48.019 --> 00:21:50.660 We're not going to take, 00:21:51.339 --> 00:21:51.859 we're not going to be 00:21:51.859 --> 00:21:52.799 easily offended. 00:21:55.019 --> 00:21:56.079 We're not going to take 00:21:56.079 --> 00:21:56.920 what somebody says 00:21:56.920 --> 00:21:57.359 or does 00:21:57.359 --> 00:21:58.240 to some kind of 00:21:58.240 --> 00:21:59.160 slight, 00:21:59.720 --> 00:22:00.299 whether they meant 00:22:00.299 --> 00:22:01.680 for it to be or not. 00:22:02.680 --> 00:22:03.779 Sometimes Christian love 00:22:03.779 --> 00:22:04.519 just requires us 00:22:04.519 --> 00:22:05.660 to keep our mouth shut, 00:22:06.660 --> 00:22:08.139 to not say anything, 00:22:08.599 --> 00:22:09.700 to not do anything, 00:22:09.900 --> 00:22:11.200 just to go on, 00:22:11.480 --> 00:22:12.200 give them the benefit 00:22:12.200 --> 00:22:12.779 of the doubt. 00:22:12.779 --> 00:22:14.980 That helps 00:22:14.980 --> 00:22:15.519 some 00:22:15.519 --> 00:22:16.779 many situations 00:22:16.779 --> 00:22:17.519 many situations 00:22:17.519 --> 00:22:18.799 among your friends 00:22:18.799 --> 00:22:19.339 at school, 00:22:19.440 --> 00:22:19.980 at work, 00:22:20.160 --> 00:22:21.119 in a church, 00:22:21.299 --> 00:22:22.559 even in the home. 00:22:22.559 --> 00:22:26.339 It's not always easy 00:22:26.339 --> 00:22:27.519 to know how love 00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:28.299 should respond. 00:22:28.559 --> 00:22:29.079 That's why we need 00:22:29.079 --> 00:22:29.419 to pray. 00:22:31.179 --> 00:22:31.940 That's why we need 00:22:31.940 --> 00:22:32.779 to pray that our love 00:22:32.779 --> 00:22:33.440 will be growing 00:22:33.440 --> 00:22:35.839 in discernment 00:22:35.839 --> 00:22:38.519 and that we will be 00:22:38.519 --> 00:22:39.200 willing to 00:22:39.200 --> 00:22:40.379 do what needs 00:22:40.379 --> 00:22:40.859 to be done. 00:22:41.379 --> 00:22:42.059 Sometimes the most 00:22:42.059 --> 00:22:42.879 difficult thing to do 00:22:42.879 --> 00:22:43.859 is to say something. 00:22:44.079 --> 00:22:44.700 Sometimes the most 00:22:44.700 --> 00:22:45.399 difficult thing to do 00:22:45.399 --> 00:22:46.200 is to not 00:22:46.200 --> 00:22:46.980 say something. 00:22:46.980 --> 00:22:49.380 So, 00:22:49.640 --> 00:22:50.360 this is how 00:22:50.360 --> 00:22:51.240 Christians should pray. 00:22:52.640 --> 00:22:53.440 Are you praying 00:22:53.440 --> 00:22:54.000 like this? 00:22:54.200 --> 00:22:55.099 For yourself. 00:22:57.339 --> 00:22:58.339 For your children. 00:23:00.220 --> 00:23:01.180 For other people. 00:23:01.660 --> 00:23:02.480 Maybe you know 00:23:02.480 --> 00:23:03.000 some people. 00:23:04.579 --> 00:23:05.420 They really need 00:23:05.420 --> 00:23:05.880 to have a more 00:23:05.880 --> 00:23:07.039 discerning love. 00:23:09.440 --> 00:23:10.120 Pray for them. 00:23:12.259 --> 00:23:13.500 Ask God to help 00:23:13.500 --> 00:23:14.640 them to see the need 00:23:14.640 --> 00:23:15.240 and to be able 00:23:15.240 --> 00:23:17.480 to grow. 00:23:19.000 --> 00:23:19.640 Paul's prayer 00:23:19.640 --> 00:23:20.300 requests in these 00:23:20.300 --> 00:23:21.980 verses really 00:23:21.980 --> 00:23:23.640 build on one another. 00:23:24.640 --> 00:23:25.140 The most important 00:23:25.140 --> 00:23:25.759 Christian quality 00:23:25.759 --> 00:23:26.340 is love. 00:23:27.020 --> 00:23:27.300 And so, 00:23:27.640 --> 00:23:29.120 Paul prays 00:23:29.120 --> 00:23:29.340 that it will 00:23:29.340 --> 00:23:30.420 always be growing. 00:23:30.980 --> 00:23:31.860 Growing in knowledge 00:23:31.860 --> 00:23:32.640 and discernment. 00:23:32.640 --> 00:23:34.240 And then the next 00:23:34.240 --> 00:23:34.740 request, 00:23:35.520 --> 00:23:36.660 build on that. 00:23:37.100 --> 00:23:37.460 Number two, 00:23:37.800 --> 00:23:38.620 pray for yourself 00:23:38.620 --> 00:23:39.380 and others 00:23:39.380 --> 00:23:40.300 to develop 00:23:40.300 --> 00:23:41.540 Christ-like character. 00:23:42.759 --> 00:23:43.480 That's sort of 00:23:43.480 --> 00:23:43.880 the heading 00:23:43.880 --> 00:23:44.320 for everything 00:23:44.320 --> 00:23:45.120 he says now 00:23:45.120 --> 00:23:46.300 in verses 10 00:23:46.300 --> 00:23:46.720 through the first 00:23:46.720 --> 00:23:47.460 part of verse 11. 00:23:49.720 --> 00:23:50.540 It seems 00:23:50.540 --> 00:23:51.040 that there are 00:23:51.040 --> 00:23:51.580 Christians 00:23:51.580 --> 00:23:53.260 who think 00:23:53.260 --> 00:23:53.700 that the purpose 00:23:53.700 --> 00:23:54.440 of salvation 00:23:54.440 --> 00:23:55.420 is to keep us 00:23:55.420 --> 00:23:56.100 out of hell 00:23:56.100 --> 00:23:56.560 and get us 00:23:56.560 --> 00:23:56.960 into heaven 00:23:56.960 --> 00:23:57.580 when we die. 00:23:58.740 --> 00:23:59.500 That's not true. 00:24:00.860 --> 00:24:01.840 God saves us 00:24:01.840 --> 00:24:02.840 for much, 00:24:03.080 --> 00:24:04.040 much more 00:24:04.040 --> 00:24:05.920 than rescue 00:24:05.920 --> 00:24:06.600 from hell 00:24:06.600 --> 00:24:07.640 and getting us 00:24:07.640 --> 00:24:08.180 into heaven. 00:24:09.580 --> 00:24:10.680 God saves us 00:24:10.680 --> 00:24:11.260 for the purpose 00:24:11.259 --> 00:24:12.140 of making us 00:24:12.140 --> 00:24:13.279 like Jesus. 00:24:13.940 --> 00:24:14.339 And we've looked 00:24:14.339 --> 00:24:14.779 at that 00:24:14.779 --> 00:24:16.359 and how many times 00:24:16.359 --> 00:24:17.000 over the years. 00:24:17.279 --> 00:24:17.720 It's in Romans 00:24:17.720 --> 00:24:18.700 chapter 8, 29. 00:24:19.519 --> 00:24:20.319 God is working 00:24:20.319 --> 00:24:20.759 in us 00:24:20.759 --> 00:24:21.460 to conform us 00:24:21.460 --> 00:24:21.940 to the likeness 00:24:21.940 --> 00:24:22.660 of his son. 00:24:23.500 --> 00:24:24.400 I want to read 00:24:24.400 --> 00:24:24.920 something. 00:24:26.519 --> 00:24:27.599 It's from Ephesians 00:24:27.599 --> 00:24:28.299 chapter 1. 00:24:28.379 --> 00:24:29.200 It's not on the screen 00:24:29.200 --> 00:24:29.920 because I didn't think 00:24:29.920 --> 00:24:30.720 about putting it in 00:24:30.720 --> 00:24:31.460 until it was too late. 00:24:31.599 --> 00:24:32.740 Ephesians chapter 1 00:24:32.740 --> 00:24:34.039 is in verse 4. 00:24:34.579 --> 00:24:35.379 Remember last, 00:24:36.019 --> 00:24:36.879 two weeks ago, 00:24:37.279 --> 00:24:37.759 we looked at 00:24:37.759 --> 00:24:39.000 Philippians 1, 6. 00:24:39.740 --> 00:24:40.379 And I referred 00:24:40.379 --> 00:24:41.299 to this verse 00:24:41.299 --> 00:24:42.119 and talked about 00:24:42.119 --> 00:24:43.180 how if we're Christians, 00:24:43.299 --> 00:24:43.940 that means God 00:24:43.940 --> 00:24:45.119 has chosen us 00:24:45.119 --> 00:24:45.900 to be his children. 00:24:46.779 --> 00:24:48.079 God chose us 00:24:48.079 --> 00:24:49.180 because he wanted 00:24:49.180 --> 00:24:50.099 to choose us. 00:24:51.099 --> 00:24:52.019 All within him, 00:24:52.119 --> 00:24:52.859 nothing about us. 00:24:53.180 --> 00:24:53.940 He chose us 00:24:53.940 --> 00:24:54.759 before the foundation 00:24:54.759 --> 00:24:55.379 of the world. 00:24:56.379 --> 00:24:56.980 But I want to read 00:24:56.980 --> 00:24:57.559 this verse. 00:24:57.559 --> 00:25:01.079 Even as he chose us 00:25:01.079 --> 00:25:01.759 in him 00:25:01.759 --> 00:25:03.720 before the foundation 00:25:03.720 --> 00:25:04.579 of the world 00:25:04.579 --> 00:25:06.059 that we should be 00:25:06.059 --> 00:25:08.159 holy and blameless 00:25:08.159 --> 00:25:09.839 before him. 00:25:12.119 --> 00:25:13.319 God's intent 00:25:13.319 --> 00:25:15.299 when he saved 00:25:15.299 --> 00:25:15.960 you and me 00:25:15.960 --> 00:25:17.919 was to so work 00:25:17.919 --> 00:25:18.379 in us 00:25:18.379 --> 00:25:19.799 throughout our lives 00:25:19.799 --> 00:25:22.299 that we would grow 00:25:22.299 --> 00:25:22.919 and develop 00:25:22.919 --> 00:25:24.099 in Christ-like character. 00:25:25.500 --> 00:25:26.879 And as time goes on, 00:25:26.919 --> 00:25:27.419 we become more 00:25:27.419 --> 00:25:28.199 and more holy 00:25:28.199 --> 00:25:30.079 and blameless. 00:25:30.179 --> 00:25:30.500 That doesn't mean 00:25:30.500 --> 00:25:30.939 perfect. 00:25:30.940 --> 00:25:33.660 It means that we 00:25:33.660 --> 00:25:34.500 live a life 00:25:34.500 --> 00:25:35.680 above reproach. 00:25:37.039 --> 00:25:38.539 We seek to obey God. 00:25:39.340 --> 00:25:40.600 Those kinds of things. 00:25:42.480 --> 00:25:43.259 We need to think 00:25:43.259 --> 00:25:43.779 of God as being 00:25:43.779 --> 00:25:44.360 like a father 00:25:44.360 --> 00:25:45.559 who has many children. 00:25:46.900 --> 00:25:47.700 He's happy 00:25:47.700 --> 00:25:49.059 that he's got each one 00:25:49.059 --> 00:25:51.920 but he's not just content 00:25:51.920 --> 00:25:52.580 just to have 00:25:52.580 --> 00:25:53.259 all those children. 00:25:54.519 --> 00:25:55.519 He wants each child 00:25:55.519 --> 00:25:56.160 to grow, 00:25:56.920 --> 00:25:57.640 to mature, 00:25:58.299 --> 00:25:59.059 to be a good 00:25:59.059 --> 00:25:59.680 and productive 00:25:59.680 --> 00:26:00.860 member of society. 00:26:00.940 --> 00:26:02.940 God, 00:26:04.180 --> 00:26:04.880 our Heavenly Father, 00:26:06.400 --> 00:26:07.019 he wants 00:26:07.019 --> 00:26:08.039 each one 00:26:08.039 --> 00:26:09.000 of us 00:26:09.000 --> 00:26:10.860 to grow 00:26:10.860 --> 00:26:11.440 and mature, 00:26:12.440 --> 00:26:14.100 to grow 00:26:14.100 --> 00:26:14.940 and develop 00:26:14.940 --> 00:26:15.480 holiness, 00:26:16.080 --> 00:26:16.640 purity, 00:26:17.559 --> 00:26:19.480 and to 00:26:19.480 --> 00:26:21.500 be a fruitful 00:26:21.500 --> 00:26:21.940 member 00:26:21.940 --> 00:26:23.000 of his family, 00:26:23.080 --> 00:26:23.799 of his kingdom. 00:26:25.180 --> 00:26:26.420 We need to pray 00:26:26.420 --> 00:26:28.320 to that end 00:26:28.320 --> 00:26:29.019 as Paul does 00:26:29.019 --> 00:26:29.519 in these verses. 00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:30.080 Look at this. 00:26:30.079 --> 00:26:30.960 Number one, 00:26:31.119 --> 00:26:31.799 ask God 00:26:31.799 --> 00:26:32.679 to help you 00:26:32.679 --> 00:26:33.639 and others 00:26:33.639 --> 00:26:35.379 discover what is 00:26:35.379 --> 00:26:36.059 excellent. 00:26:36.859 --> 00:26:37.539 That's the first part 00:26:37.539 --> 00:26:38.119 of verse 10 00:26:38.119 --> 00:26:39.159 so that you may approve 00:26:39.159 --> 00:26:39.859 what is excellent. 00:26:40.099 --> 00:26:41.579 There's two key words here. 00:26:41.879 --> 00:26:42.519 The word approve 00:26:42.519 --> 00:26:43.019 means 00:26:43.019 --> 00:26:45.019 to put to the test, 00:26:46.019 --> 00:26:47.539 to find out, 00:26:48.039 --> 00:26:48.319 say, 00:26:48.359 --> 00:26:49.240 from experience, 00:26:50.000 --> 00:26:51.539 to discover. 00:26:52.339 --> 00:26:53.099 The word excellent 00:26:53.099 --> 00:26:53.879 literally means 00:26:53.879 --> 00:26:55.039 things that differ, 00:26:55.399 --> 00:26:56.179 things that make 00:26:56.180 --> 00:26:57.060 a difference, 00:26:57.060 --> 00:26:57.080 make a difference, 00:26:58.080 --> 00:26:59.600 the best things. 00:27:00.360 --> 00:27:00.860 The NIV 00:27:00.860 --> 00:27:02.400 translates this phrase 00:27:02.400 --> 00:27:03.240 so that you'll be able 00:27:03.240 --> 00:27:03.940 to discern 00:27:03.940 --> 00:27:05.580 what is best. 00:27:08.400 --> 00:27:09.480 What's your real 00:27:09.480 --> 00:27:11.180 desire for yourself 00:27:11.180 --> 00:27:12.279 as a Christian? 00:27:13.400 --> 00:27:14.880 How are you praying 00:27:14.880 --> 00:27:16.460 and asking God 00:27:16.460 --> 00:27:17.480 to work in your life? 00:27:18.240 --> 00:27:18.400 Now, 00:27:18.440 --> 00:27:19.440 you would never say this, 00:27:19.560 --> 00:27:19.980 none of us 00:27:19.980 --> 00:27:20.860 would ever say this, 00:27:20.859 --> 00:27:24.299 but do your prayers 00:27:24.299 --> 00:27:25.459 sort of sound like 00:27:25.459 --> 00:27:27.419 your goal 00:27:27.419 --> 00:27:28.679 is just to be mediocre, 00:27:30.259 --> 00:27:31.939 stay out of trouble, 00:27:33.299 --> 00:27:34.659 stay healthy, 00:27:35.459 --> 00:27:37.919 and don't go 00:27:37.919 --> 00:27:39.199 overboard 00:27:39.199 --> 00:27:41.179 with excitement 00:27:41.179 --> 00:27:41.679 about being 00:27:41.679 --> 00:27:42.659 a follower of Jesus. 00:27:44.099 --> 00:27:45.500 The way you pray, 00:27:45.979 --> 00:27:46.419 the kind of things 00:27:46.419 --> 00:27:47.000 you pray for, 00:27:47.699 --> 00:27:48.799 could it be 00:27:48.799 --> 00:27:51.119 that's what 00:27:51.119 --> 00:27:52.139 it really boils down to? 00:27:52.899 --> 00:27:53.339 Or, 00:27:54.240 --> 00:27:54.819 do you pray 00:27:54.819 --> 00:27:55.779 that you will grow 00:27:55.779 --> 00:27:56.440 in your relationship 00:27:56.440 --> 00:27:57.019 with God? 00:27:58.740 --> 00:27:59.559 That you will really 00:27:59.559 --> 00:28:01.039 develop Christ-like character? 00:28:02.659 --> 00:28:03.299 Do you pray 00:28:03.299 --> 00:28:03.839 that you'll have 00:28:03.839 --> 00:28:05.700 a strong Christian influence 00:28:05.700 --> 00:28:06.960 on other people? 00:28:10.259 --> 00:28:11.180 And are you praying 00:28:11.180 --> 00:28:12.159 that for your children, 00:28:13.159 --> 00:28:14.500 for your grandchildren, 00:28:15.500 --> 00:28:17.200 for your friends, 00:28:17.200 --> 00:28:18.519 for the people 00:28:18.519 --> 00:28:19.000 that you really 00:28:19.000 --> 00:28:19.559 do care about 00:28:19.559 --> 00:28:20.600 and you do pray for? 00:28:22.720 --> 00:28:23.420 You pray that 00:28:23.420 --> 00:28:24.039 for our church, 00:28:24.100 --> 00:28:24.860 our church family. 00:28:26.720 --> 00:28:27.559 We need to pray 00:28:27.559 --> 00:28:28.279 that we 00:28:28.279 --> 00:28:29.539 will discover 00:28:29.539 --> 00:28:31.019 from experience 00:28:31.019 --> 00:28:33.160 that the best way 00:28:33.160 --> 00:28:34.180 to live in this world 00:28:34.180 --> 00:28:35.500 is to love 00:28:35.500 --> 00:28:36.400 and serve God, 00:28:37.299 --> 00:28:39.279 to love 00:28:39.279 --> 00:28:39.900 and serve 00:28:39.900 --> 00:28:40.840 other people, 00:28:41.840 --> 00:28:43.319 and not just enough 00:28:43.319 --> 00:28:44.019 to get by, 00:28:44.220 --> 00:28:45.360 but to excel 00:28:45.360 --> 00:28:45.960 at it, 00:28:45.960 --> 00:28:47.279 to seek 00:28:47.279 --> 00:28:47.779 to do 00:28:47.779 --> 00:28:48.640 our best 00:28:48.640 --> 00:28:49.980 to please 00:28:49.980 --> 00:28:50.460 God, 00:28:51.019 --> 00:28:52.079 to impact 00:28:52.079 --> 00:28:52.940 other people. 00:28:54.400 --> 00:28:55.200 The next thing 00:28:55.200 --> 00:28:55.759 Paul teaches 00:28:55.759 --> 00:28:56.279 about prayer 00:28:56.279 --> 00:28:56.799 is this, 00:28:57.140 --> 00:28:57.579 ask God 00:28:57.579 --> 00:28:58.100 to help you 00:28:58.100 --> 00:28:58.460 and others 00:28:58.460 --> 00:28:59.340 become pure 00:28:59.340 --> 00:29:00.120 and blameless. 00:29:01.279 --> 00:29:02.059 The phrase 00:29:02.059 --> 00:29:02.740 in the last part 00:29:02.740 --> 00:29:03.259 of verse 10, 00:29:03.420 --> 00:29:04.000 and so be pure 00:29:04.000 --> 00:29:04.480 and blameless 00:29:04.480 --> 00:29:05.120 for the day 00:29:05.120 --> 00:29:05.740 of Christ. 00:29:07.180 --> 00:29:07.579 To be pure 00:29:07.579 --> 00:29:08.019 and blameless 00:29:08.019 --> 00:29:08.559 is really talking 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:08.960 about 00:29:08.960 --> 00:29:11.600 the inward 00:29:11.600 --> 00:29:12.059 and outward 00:29:12.059 --> 00:29:12.759 parts 00:29:12.759 --> 00:29:14.259 of our lives, 00:29:14.340 --> 00:29:14.940 our character. 00:29:14.940 --> 00:29:16.120 pure 00:29:16.120 --> 00:29:16.660 is something, 00:29:17.559 --> 00:29:18.140 a word 00:29:18.140 --> 00:29:18.380 that can be 00:29:18.380 --> 00:29:18.720 translated 00:29:18.720 --> 00:29:19.460 as sincere. 00:29:20.360 --> 00:29:20.860 It refers 00:29:20.860 --> 00:29:21.320 to what we are 00:29:21.320 --> 00:29:22.039 on the inside. 00:29:22.559 --> 00:29:22.980 Blameless 00:29:22.980 --> 00:29:23.500 refers to what 00:29:23.500 --> 00:29:23.920 we appear 00:29:23.920 --> 00:29:24.259 to be, 00:29:24.980 --> 00:29:25.799 how others 00:29:25.799 --> 00:29:27.320 perceive us, 00:29:28.320 --> 00:29:29.480 both inward 00:29:29.480 --> 00:29:29.960 and outward, 00:29:30.039 --> 00:29:30.240 is what we're 00:29:30.240 --> 00:29:30.799 talking about here. 00:29:31.740 --> 00:29:32.140 Another way 00:29:32.140 --> 00:29:32.580 to describe 00:29:32.580 --> 00:29:33.039 being pure 00:29:33.039 --> 00:29:33.559 and blameless 00:29:33.559 --> 00:29:35.220 is to be real, 00:29:36.820 --> 00:29:38.140 be genuine, 00:29:40.019 --> 00:29:41.400 be on the inside 00:29:41.400 --> 00:29:41.980 what you are 00:29:41.980 --> 00:29:42.840 on the outside, 00:29:42.839 --> 00:29:45.059 be on the outside. 00:29:57.699 --> 00:29:58.799 Or put it another way, 00:29:58.959 --> 00:29:59.699 Paul's teaching us 00:29:59.699 --> 00:29:59.959 to pray 00:29:59.959 --> 00:30:01.139 not to be hypocrites. 00:30:03.099 --> 00:30:03.359 You know, 00:30:03.379 --> 00:30:04.199 we pray for God 00:30:04.199 --> 00:30:04.859 to help us to have, 00:30:05.859 --> 00:30:06.659 we need to pray 00:30:06.659 --> 00:30:06.980 that God 00:30:06.980 --> 00:30:07.279 would help us 00:30:07.279 --> 00:30:08.500 to have right motives 00:30:08.500 --> 00:30:11.259 and then act 00:30:11.259 --> 00:30:12.740 on those motives. 00:30:15.619 --> 00:30:16.619 I need to pray 00:30:16.619 --> 00:30:17.000 that God 00:30:17.000 --> 00:30:17.539 will help me 00:30:17.539 --> 00:30:18.940 to prepare 00:30:18.940 --> 00:30:19.460 and get up here 00:30:19.460 --> 00:30:19.980 and preach 00:30:19.980 --> 00:30:21.339 for the right reasons. 00:30:22.220 --> 00:30:22.779 You don't know 00:30:22.779 --> 00:30:24.160 why I'm here. 00:30:25.539 --> 00:30:26.660 Brian needs to pray 00:30:26.660 --> 00:30:28.420 before he gets up here 00:30:28.420 --> 00:30:28.900 and leaves 00:30:28.900 --> 00:30:29.940 and sings like he did. 00:30:30.400 --> 00:30:30.759 God, 00:30:30.839 --> 00:30:31.519 help me do it 00:30:31.519 --> 00:30:32.879 from the right 00:30:32.879 --> 00:30:34.000 kind of motives. 00:30:34.900 --> 00:30:35.599 You don't know, 00:30:35.660 --> 00:30:36.039 I don't know 00:30:36.039 --> 00:30:36.839 what his motives are. 00:30:37.740 --> 00:30:38.920 But God does. 00:30:39.819 --> 00:30:41.720 And we do as well. 00:30:43.680 --> 00:30:44.619 So we need to pray 00:30:44.619 --> 00:30:45.039 that way. 00:30:45.379 --> 00:30:45.559 God, 00:30:45.619 --> 00:30:46.319 help me to be 00:30:46.319 --> 00:30:47.619 pure, 00:30:48.759 --> 00:30:49.339 sincere, 00:30:50.440 --> 00:30:50.980 genuine 00:30:50.980 --> 00:30:53.240 on the inside 00:30:53.240 --> 00:30:54.319 and on the out. 00:30:55.400 --> 00:30:55.559 You know, 00:30:55.559 --> 00:30:56.420 another way to say this 00:30:56.420 --> 00:30:57.259 is we need to ask God 00:30:57.259 --> 00:30:57.639 to help us 00:30:57.639 --> 00:30:59.240 to hate hypocrisy 00:30:59.240 --> 00:31:01.620 and never 00:31:01.620 --> 00:31:02.920 allow ourselves 00:31:02.920 --> 00:31:05.440 to be hypocrites 00:31:05.440 --> 00:31:07.839 who don't practice 00:31:07.839 --> 00:31:08.519 what we 00:31:08.519 --> 00:31:09.720 profess. 00:31:10.700 --> 00:31:11.000 And you know, 00:31:11.039 --> 00:31:11.759 by being here 00:31:11.759 --> 00:31:12.400 this morning, 00:31:12.720 --> 00:31:13.420 by being a member 00:31:13.420 --> 00:31:14.220 of this church, 00:31:15.079 --> 00:31:16.359 by coming to a worship service, 00:31:16.799 --> 00:31:18.000 we are making 00:31:18.000 --> 00:31:19.519 some kind of profession 00:31:19.519 --> 00:31:21.559 that we're Christians. 00:31:22.180 --> 00:31:23.160 We're God's people. 00:31:23.759 --> 00:31:24.480 We've been born again 00:31:24.480 --> 00:31:25.500 by the Spirit of God. 00:31:26.180 --> 00:31:27.220 We need to live like it. 00:31:28.180 --> 00:31:29.160 But we need God's 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:30.360 help to live like it. 00:31:31.120 --> 00:31:32.080 So we need to pray 00:31:32.080 --> 00:31:33.980 for ourselves 00:31:33.980 --> 00:31:35.220 and for the people 00:31:35.220 --> 00:31:36.840 we care about 00:31:36.840 --> 00:31:39.740 that we will 00:31:39.740 --> 00:31:41.220 grow in our love, 00:31:42.300 --> 00:31:43.320 in our knowledge, 00:31:43.440 --> 00:31:44.519 in our discernment, 00:31:45.460 --> 00:31:46.340 and that we'll be 00:31:46.340 --> 00:31:47.160 the real deal. 00:31:48.740 --> 00:31:51.060 We'll grow inwardly, 00:31:51.200 --> 00:31:52.660 develop in Christ-like character. 00:31:53.060 --> 00:31:54.860 And we'll display that 00:31:54.860 --> 00:31:56.900 in all of our relationships. 00:31:56.900 --> 00:31:59.100 There's one more 00:31:59.100 --> 00:32:00.660 Christ-like character, 00:32:00.780 --> 00:32:01.240 quality, 00:32:01.580 --> 00:32:02.420 we need to pray for. 00:32:02.540 --> 00:32:03.000 Look at this. 00:32:03.380 --> 00:32:04.580 Ask God to fill you 00:32:04.580 --> 00:32:05.100 and others 00:32:05.100 --> 00:32:05.840 with the fruit 00:32:05.840 --> 00:32:06.660 of righteousness. 00:32:06.920 --> 00:32:07.759 The first part 00:32:07.759 --> 00:32:08.320 of verse 11. 00:32:08.840 --> 00:32:09.440 Filled with the fruit 00:32:09.440 --> 00:32:10.060 of righteousness 00:32:10.060 --> 00:32:10.680 that comes through 00:32:10.680 --> 00:32:11.700 faith in Jesus Christ, 00:32:12.040 --> 00:32:12.440 what comes through 00:32:12.440 --> 00:32:13.160 Jesus Christ. 00:32:14.000 --> 00:32:15.540 We need to pray 00:32:15.540 --> 00:32:16.680 that God would help us 00:32:16.680 --> 00:32:17.460 to produce 00:32:17.460 --> 00:32:19.019 the kind of fruit 00:32:19.019 --> 00:32:19.660 that comes 00:32:19.660 --> 00:32:21.060 from having 00:32:21.060 --> 00:32:22.259 a right relationship 00:32:22.259 --> 00:32:22.980 with Him 00:32:22.980 --> 00:32:25.220 that is through 00:32:25.220 --> 00:32:25.940 faith in Jesus. 00:32:26.940 --> 00:32:27.619 Now the first thing 00:32:27.619 --> 00:32:28.180 that might come 00:32:28.180 --> 00:32:28.720 to your mind, 00:32:28.779 --> 00:32:29.400 it does me, 00:32:30.259 --> 00:32:30.759 the first thing 00:32:30.759 --> 00:32:31.119 that might come 00:32:31.119 --> 00:32:31.680 to our minds 00:32:31.680 --> 00:32:33.079 when we say that word 00:32:33.079 --> 00:32:33.519 fruit, 00:32:34.240 --> 00:32:34.879 it's something like 00:32:34.879 --> 00:32:35.940 the fruit of the Spirit. 00:32:36.140 --> 00:32:37.059 Love, joy, peace, 00:32:37.160 --> 00:32:37.980 patience, kindness, 00:32:38.279 --> 00:32:39.319 goodness, faithfulness, 00:32:39.420 --> 00:32:39.700 gentleness, 00:32:40.059 --> 00:32:40.700 self-control, 00:32:41.059 --> 00:32:42.599 those kinds of qualities. 00:32:42.599 --> 00:32:47.000 This prayer is not really 00:32:47.000 --> 00:32:49.039 that we will develop 00:32:49.039 --> 00:32:50.500 such fruit, 00:32:51.339 --> 00:32:53.099 but that we will 00:32:53.099 --> 00:32:54.419 demonstrate, 00:32:55.859 --> 00:32:57.959 put it on display 00:32:57.959 --> 00:33:00.240 in our lives. 00:33:01.879 --> 00:33:03.219 We, you and me, 00:33:03.639 --> 00:33:04.539 we need to ask God 00:33:04.539 --> 00:33:05.319 to help us 00:33:05.319 --> 00:33:07.899 to put love and joy 00:33:07.899 --> 00:33:08.339 and peace 00:33:08.339 --> 00:33:09.019 and these things 00:33:09.019 --> 00:33:09.619 that are mentioned 00:33:09.619 --> 00:33:11.500 into practice. 00:33:12.599 --> 00:33:13.459 in the way 00:33:13.459 --> 00:33:14.119 that we relate 00:33:14.119 --> 00:33:14.899 to the people 00:33:14.899 --> 00:33:16.539 in our homes, 00:33:16.779 --> 00:33:17.279 at church, 00:33:17.559 --> 00:33:18.019 at work, 00:33:18.099 --> 00:33:18.419 at school, 00:33:18.559 --> 00:33:19.299 every place 00:33:19.299 --> 00:33:20.119 in our lives. 00:33:21.619 --> 00:33:23.079 We need to specifically 00:33:23.079 --> 00:33:24.059 ask that God 00:33:24.059 --> 00:33:24.859 will help us 00:33:24.859 --> 00:33:26.459 where we fail 00:33:26.459 --> 00:33:27.240 the most. 00:33:28.480 --> 00:33:29.379 Just think about it. 00:33:31.219 --> 00:33:31.519 You know, 00:33:31.539 --> 00:33:32.439 sitting here right now 00:33:32.439 --> 00:33:34.240 or sitting at your home 00:33:34.240 --> 00:33:35.359 reading the Bible 00:33:35.359 --> 00:33:35.899 yourself, 00:33:37.279 --> 00:33:37.859 you think about 00:33:37.859 --> 00:33:38.799 the fruit of the Spirit 00:33:38.799 --> 00:33:39.539 is love, 00:33:39.719 --> 00:33:40.099 joy, 00:33:40.339 --> 00:33:40.740 peace, 00:33:40.919 --> 00:33:41.339 patience, 00:33:41.579 --> 00:33:42.079 kindness, 00:33:42.599 --> 00:33:43.519 and when you 00:33:43.519 --> 00:33:44.579 sort of mellowed out, 00:33:44.719 --> 00:33:45.319 chilled out, 00:33:45.399 --> 00:33:46.019 just sort of sitting 00:33:46.019 --> 00:33:46.779 back and reading 00:33:46.779 --> 00:33:47.480 and thinking good 00:33:47.480 --> 00:33:48.039 thoughts, 00:33:48.639 --> 00:33:50.779 it's not hard 00:33:50.779 --> 00:33:51.359 to be patient 00:33:51.359 --> 00:33:53.659 in my room 00:33:53.659 --> 00:33:54.319 by myself. 00:33:55.899 --> 00:33:56.819 It's not hard 00:33:56.819 --> 00:33:57.299 to have, 00:33:57.500 --> 00:33:57.819 you know, 00:33:57.819 --> 00:33:59.119 some kind thoughts, 00:34:00.119 --> 00:34:01.899 be self-controlled. 00:34:03.959 --> 00:34:05.279 People mess it up, 00:34:05.339 --> 00:34:05.679 don't they? 00:34:05.680 --> 00:34:08.639 people just bring out 00:34:08.639 --> 00:34:09.420 the worst in us. 00:34:09.420 --> 00:34:09.619 No. 00:34:12.619 --> 00:34:13.180 People, 00:34:13.480 --> 00:34:14.519 stressful situations 00:34:14.519 --> 00:34:15.300 just help us to see 00:34:15.300 --> 00:34:16.400 what's really on the inside, 00:34:17.200 --> 00:34:18.500 how mature we are. 00:34:20.440 --> 00:34:21.599 If you have a problem 00:34:21.599 --> 00:34:22.619 with patience, 00:34:23.360 --> 00:34:26.360 ask God, 00:34:26.360 --> 00:34:27.280 Lord, 00:34:27.280 --> 00:34:27.300 Lord, 00:34:27.400 --> 00:34:27.880 help me. 00:34:28.460 --> 00:34:30.660 Help me to desire this more, 00:34:30.980 --> 00:34:32.240 to work on this more. 00:34:33.920 --> 00:34:34.720 If you have a problem 00:34:34.720 --> 00:34:35.620 with self-control, 00:34:36.980 --> 00:34:37.800 pray about that. 00:34:38.480 --> 00:34:39.460 Ask God to help you. 00:34:40.559 --> 00:34:41.099 Now, 00:34:41.180 --> 00:34:42.039 the people in your life 00:34:42.039 --> 00:34:43.780 that you love, 00:34:44.480 --> 00:34:45.640 that you know well, 00:34:45.760 --> 00:34:47.220 you know where they struggle. 00:34:47.219 --> 00:34:51.919 don't beat them up, 00:34:53.079 --> 00:34:54.159 but pray 00:34:54.159 --> 00:34:56.819 where they are weak, 00:34:57.299 --> 00:34:58.639 where they struggle. 00:34:59.779 --> 00:35:01.519 Ask God to help them. 00:35:02.599 --> 00:35:04.059 Do what you can do 00:35:04.059 --> 00:35:05.839 to help them. 00:35:07.939 --> 00:35:09.519 We need to 00:35:09.519 --> 00:35:11.439 ask God to help us 00:35:11.439 --> 00:35:15.399 display the fruits 00:35:15.399 --> 00:35:16.879 of righteousness. 00:35:18.139 --> 00:35:19.159 And we need to be praying this 00:35:19.159 --> 00:35:19.819 for other people 00:35:19.819 --> 00:35:20.719 in our lives as well. 00:35:21.739 --> 00:35:22.439 The final part 00:35:22.439 --> 00:35:23.259 of Paul's request 00:35:23.259 --> 00:35:23.699 is really 00:35:23.699 --> 00:35:25.219 the end result 00:35:25.219 --> 00:35:26.419 of everything else. 00:35:26.500 --> 00:35:26.959 Look at this. 00:35:27.399 --> 00:35:28.379 Pray for yourself 00:35:28.379 --> 00:35:30.059 and others 00:35:30.059 --> 00:35:31.919 to glorify God. 00:35:32.399 --> 00:35:32.919 For the glory 00:35:32.919 --> 00:35:33.679 and praise of God 00:35:33.679 --> 00:35:34.259 this outends. 00:35:35.299 --> 00:35:35.959 This is the ultimate 00:35:35.959 --> 00:35:36.879 purpose of our lives, 00:35:36.919 --> 00:35:37.199 isn't it? 00:35:37.199 --> 00:35:37.919 We know that. 00:35:38.519 --> 00:35:39.079 It's the goal 00:35:39.079 --> 00:35:40.079 of everything that we do 00:35:40.079 --> 00:35:40.859 to bring glory 00:35:40.859 --> 00:35:41.919 and honor 00:35:41.919 --> 00:35:43.219 and praise to God. 00:35:44.199 --> 00:35:44.719 That means 00:35:44.719 --> 00:35:45.239 this should be 00:35:45.239 --> 00:35:46.279 the ultimate request 00:35:46.280 --> 00:35:47.340 of every prayer 00:35:47.340 --> 00:35:47.820 we pray 00:35:47.820 --> 00:35:49.580 for ourselves 00:35:49.580 --> 00:35:50.660 and for 00:35:50.660 --> 00:35:52.140 other Christians. 00:35:53.300 --> 00:35:54.080 Doesn't mean 00:35:54.080 --> 00:35:55.080 it's always easy, 00:35:56.080 --> 00:35:57.200 but it's what we should 00:35:57.200 --> 00:35:57.660 pray for. 00:35:58.500 --> 00:35:59.500 Are you praying 00:35:59.500 --> 00:36:00.100 like this? 00:36:01.440 --> 00:36:02.480 When you face 00:36:02.480 --> 00:36:03.600 a major decision 00:36:03.600 --> 00:36:04.340 in life, 00:36:04.880 --> 00:36:06.019 do you pray 00:36:06.019 --> 00:36:07.080 among other things, 00:36:07.760 --> 00:36:08.060 Lord, 00:36:08.580 --> 00:36:09.380 bottom line, 00:36:09.380 --> 00:36:11.300 I want you to do 00:36:11.300 --> 00:36:12.360 what will enable me 00:36:12.360 --> 00:36:14.640 to most glorify you? 00:36:16.519 --> 00:36:17.440 As you think about 00:36:17.440 --> 00:36:18.300 serving the Lord 00:36:18.300 --> 00:36:19.300 here in this church 00:36:19.300 --> 00:36:19.880 or somewhere, 00:36:20.920 --> 00:36:21.660 do you pray, 00:36:22.119 --> 00:36:22.340 Lord, 00:36:22.980 --> 00:36:24.420 it's not about me. 00:36:24.920 --> 00:36:25.800 What people say 00:36:25.800 --> 00:36:26.740 or think about me, 00:36:27.000 --> 00:36:27.720 help me to do 00:36:27.720 --> 00:36:28.440 what I do 00:36:28.440 --> 00:36:29.940 in a way that 00:36:29.940 --> 00:36:31.000 will honor you, 00:36:32.260 --> 00:36:33.740 bring glory to you. 00:36:33.739 --> 00:36:36.039 and when you pray 00:36:36.039 --> 00:36:36.319 for people 00:36:36.319 --> 00:36:36.879 who are close 00:36:36.879 --> 00:36:37.299 to you, 00:36:38.659 --> 00:36:39.399 do you pray 00:36:39.399 --> 00:36:39.979 that God 00:36:39.979 --> 00:36:40.799 will use 00:36:40.799 --> 00:36:41.719 them 00:36:41.719 --> 00:36:44.239 for his glory? 00:36:45.519 --> 00:36:46.239 Whatever that 00:36:46.239 --> 00:36:46.859 may mean 00:36:46.859 --> 00:36:47.619 and that may mean 00:36:47.619 --> 00:36:49.259 that your child's 00:36:49.259 --> 00:36:50.219 looking for a job 00:36:50.219 --> 00:36:52.099 and if you pray, 00:36:52.239 --> 00:36:52.399 Lord, 00:36:52.539 --> 00:36:53.759 will you not just 00:36:53.759 --> 00:36:55.119 let them have the job 00:36:55.119 --> 00:36:56.000 but let them have the job 00:36:56.000 --> 00:36:56.899 if that's what will most 00:36:56.899 --> 00:36:58.359 enable them to serve 00:36:58.359 --> 00:36:59.019 your purpose. 00:36:59.599 --> 00:37:00.119 If that's what 00:37:00.119 --> 00:37:01.159 will bring glory 00:37:01.159 --> 00:37:02.099 to you the most. 00:37:02.099 --> 00:37:03.360 See, 00:37:03.420 --> 00:37:04.139 it's not always easy 00:37:04.139 --> 00:37:05.179 to pray such a prayer 00:37:05.179 --> 00:37:08.599 but it's how we're called 00:37:08.599 --> 00:37:10.079 to live and pray. 00:37:10.759 --> 00:37:11.039 Now, 00:37:11.380 --> 00:37:12.079 in light of what we see 00:37:12.079 --> 00:37:12.900 in Paul's prayer, 00:37:14.500 --> 00:37:15.219 do you need to make 00:37:15.219 --> 00:37:15.880 any changes 00:37:15.880 --> 00:37:16.539 in the way 00:37:16.539 --> 00:37:17.559 that you pray? 00:37:19.779 --> 00:37:20.279 Let me say it 00:37:20.279 --> 00:37:20.779 one more time. 00:37:20.880 --> 00:37:21.539 Don't misunderstand. 00:37:22.480 --> 00:37:23.339 We all need to pray 00:37:23.339 --> 00:37:24.559 all kinds of prayers. 00:37:25.019 --> 00:37:26.099 We need to be praying 00:37:26.099 --> 00:37:27.259 about things related 00:37:27.259 --> 00:37:28.079 to the coronavirus 00:37:28.079 --> 00:37:29.699 for people to get well, 00:37:29.779 --> 00:37:30.380 for the pandemic 00:37:30.380 --> 00:37:31.019 to end. 00:37:31.380 --> 00:37:31.920 We need to pray 00:37:31.920 --> 00:37:32.720 for our country 00:37:32.720 --> 00:37:34.559 especially this week 00:37:34.559 --> 00:37:35.500 that there will be 00:37:35.500 --> 00:37:36.200 a smooth, 00:37:36.680 --> 00:37:37.840 peaceful transition 00:37:37.840 --> 00:37:38.680 of power 00:37:38.680 --> 00:37:39.820 on Wednesday 00:37:39.820 --> 00:37:42.820 when President-elect 00:37:42.820 --> 00:37:43.519 Biden 00:37:43.519 --> 00:37:44.579 takes the oath 00:37:44.579 --> 00:37:45.099 of office 00:37:45.099 --> 00:37:46.139 and becomes actual 00:37:46.139 --> 00:37:47.519 President Biden. 00:37:48.579 --> 00:37:49.240 We need to pray 00:37:49.240 --> 00:37:50.460 for widespread 00:37:50.460 --> 00:37:51.380 repentance 00:37:51.380 --> 00:37:52.940 in this country. 00:37:54.280 --> 00:37:54.840 Reconciliation. 00:37:56.039 --> 00:37:57.619 We need it. 00:37:57.619 --> 00:37:58.619 prayer for our prayer. 00:37:58.619 --> 00:38:00.519 But both the teaching 00:38:00.519 --> 00:38:01.500 and the examples 00:38:01.500 --> 00:38:01.980 in the Bible 00:38:01.980 --> 00:38:04.000 clearly show us 00:38:04.000 --> 00:38:06.420 that when we pray, 00:38:06.619 --> 00:38:07.759 spiritual needs 00:38:07.759 --> 00:38:09.579 need to take priority 00:38:09.579 --> 00:38:12.239 over the physical needs. 00:38:14.139 --> 00:38:15.559 We need to work on that 00:38:15.559 --> 00:38:16.699 privately 00:38:16.699 --> 00:38:18.019 in our private prayers, 00:38:18.380 --> 00:38:19.719 but also publicly 00:38:19.719 --> 00:38:22.319 as we pray in groups 00:38:22.319 --> 00:38:23.199 here at church. 00:38:23.199 --> 00:38:23.299 church. 00:38:24.199 --> 00:38:25.139 There's no doubt 00:38:25.139 --> 00:38:25.779 that praying 00:38:25.779 --> 00:38:26.719 such prayers 00:38:26.719 --> 00:38:27.939 will make a difference 00:38:27.939 --> 00:38:28.960 in our lives 00:38:28.960 --> 00:38:31.039 and it will make 00:38:31.039 --> 00:38:31.339 a difference 00:38:31.339 --> 00:38:31.819 in the lives 00:38:31.819 --> 00:38:32.960 of the people 00:38:32.960 --> 00:38:33.599 we care about. 00:38:35.599 --> 00:38:36.799 And when we pray 00:38:36.799 --> 00:38:37.739 the way Jesus 00:38:37.739 --> 00:38:38.419 taught us, 00:38:38.939 --> 00:38:39.480 the way Paul 00:38:39.480 --> 00:38:40.299 models here, 00:38:41.299 --> 00:38:42.460 it will make 00:38:42.460 --> 00:38:43.059 a difference 00:38:43.059 --> 00:38:44.539 in the number 00:38:44.539 --> 00:38:45.119 of prayers 00:38:45.119 --> 00:38:46.639 that we see 00:38:46.639 --> 00:38:47.099 answered. 00:38:48.059 --> 00:38:49.099 Let's pray together. 00:38:49.099 --> 00:38:51.219 Dear God, 00:38:52.059 --> 00:38:54.279 help us to see 00:38:54.279 --> 00:38:55.019 right now 00:38:55.019 --> 00:38:58.460 what changes 00:38:58.460 --> 00:38:59.880 need to be made 00:38:59.880 --> 00:39:03.099 in our prayer lives. 00:39:04.000 --> 00:39:04.579 Father, 00:39:04.639 --> 00:39:05.380 for some people, 00:39:06.940 --> 00:39:07.759 convict them 00:39:07.759 --> 00:39:09.420 of their prayerlessness, 00:39:10.619 --> 00:39:11.759 of their failure 00:39:11.759 --> 00:39:13.839 to pray regularly, 00:39:14.839 --> 00:39:15.940 of their failure 00:39:15.940 --> 00:39:17.940 to really believe 00:39:17.940 --> 00:39:19.820 that prayer matters, 00:39:20.659 --> 00:39:21.360 that it makes 00:39:21.360 --> 00:39:22.079 a difference. 00:39:25.679 --> 00:39:26.119 Father, 00:39:26.220 --> 00:39:26.500 for people 00:39:26.500 --> 00:39:27.019 in this room 00:39:27.019 --> 00:39:29.119 who just about 00:39:29.119 --> 00:39:31.240 exclusively pray 00:39:31.240 --> 00:39:33.280 for physical things, 00:39:34.460 --> 00:39:35.119 help them to see, 00:39:35.360 --> 00:39:35.380 Father, 00:39:35.480 --> 00:39:37.300 that their priority 00:39:37.300 --> 00:39:37.900 is wrong. 00:39:41.360 --> 00:39:42.179 Help them to see, 00:39:42.280 --> 00:39:42.639 dear God, 00:39:42.740 --> 00:39:44.679 that while they may 00:39:44.679 --> 00:39:45.240 need to continue 00:39:45.240 --> 00:39:46.400 to pray about everybody 00:39:46.400 --> 00:39:46.800 and everything 00:39:46.800 --> 00:39:47.240 they're praying 00:39:47.239 --> 00:39:47.939 about right now, 00:39:48.939 --> 00:39:51.679 they need to, 00:39:51.819 --> 00:39:52.500 first of all, 00:39:53.379 --> 00:39:54.319 focus on you, 00:39:55.939 --> 00:39:57.099 your way and will. 00:39:58.779 --> 00:39:59.399 They need to focus 00:39:59.399 --> 00:40:02.419 on true Christian love, 00:40:03.799 --> 00:40:04.859 growing in it, 00:40:06.579 --> 00:40:07.579 becoming more knowledgeable 00:40:07.579 --> 00:40:08.419 and discerning. 00:40:10.319 --> 00:40:10.719 Lord, 00:40:10.779 --> 00:40:11.259 help us all 00:40:11.259 --> 00:40:12.159 to see that we need 00:40:12.159 --> 00:40:12.859 to be praying 00:40:12.859 --> 00:40:13.939 about the development 00:40:13.940 --> 00:40:15.300 of Christian character 00:40:15.300 --> 00:40:18.860 and that all things, 00:40:18.980 --> 00:40:20.139 in all that we do, 00:40:20.980 --> 00:40:22.240 we seek your glory. 00:40:23.619 --> 00:40:24.039 So, 00:40:24.119 --> 00:40:24.220 Father, 00:40:24.280 --> 00:40:25.059 just show us, 00:40:26.059 --> 00:40:27.740 help us to leave 00:40:27.740 --> 00:40:28.220 here today 00:40:28.220 --> 00:40:30.500 better equipped 00:40:30.500 --> 00:40:32.659 to pray in a way 00:40:32.659 --> 00:40:33.360 that will truly 00:40:33.360 --> 00:40:35.380 please you 00:40:35.380 --> 00:40:37.960 and make a difference 00:40:37.960 --> 00:40:39.119 in our lives 00:40:39.119 --> 00:40:39.960 and in the lives 00:40:39.960 --> 00:40:40.940 of people we pray for. 00:40:40.940 --> 00:40:42.740 let's just now, 00:40:42.860 --> 00:40:43.340 all of us, 00:40:43.400 --> 00:40:44.220 in attitude of prayer, 00:40:45.519 --> 00:40:46.420 let the Lord speak, 00:40:46.639 --> 00:40:47.039 listen, 00:40:48.200 --> 00:40:48.820 obey Him 00:40:48.820 --> 00:40:50.920 and respond to Him. 00:40:50.920 --> 00:41:00.860 whatever you who 00:41:00.860 --> 00:41:01.800 you or not. 00:41:01.960 --> 00:41:02.760 I think you 00:41:02.760 --> 00:41:03.639 willfox 00:41:03.639 --> 00:41:06.440 verses 00:41:06.440 --> 00:41:08.059 but in the 수가 00:41:08.059 --> 00:41:08.760 of Israel 00:41:08.760 --> 00:41:10.920 high 00:41:11.659 --> 00:41:12.240 until man 00:41:12.240 --> 00:41:13.720 vive 00:41:13.720 --> 00:41:16.720 ganz 00:41:16.720 --> 00:41:17.840 .