WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.599 In 1966, John Lennon said this, quote, Christianity will go. 00:00:11.500 --> 00:00:18.559 ! It will vanish and shrink. I needn't argue about that. I'm right and I will be proved right. 00:00:18.559 --> 00:00:26.800 ! End quote. Here we are at the start of a new year, almost 60 years on, and in some ways, 00:00:26.800 --> 00:00:30.380 it feels like John Lennon's prophecy was just about right. 00:00:32.880 --> 00:00:38.659 What we've witnessed recently, over the passing of the time since he said that, 00:00:39.260 --> 00:00:44.820 is a steady rejection of Christian morality, laws that have been consistently passed that 00:00:44.820 --> 00:00:52.600 flatly reject the law of God, and this year, over the last couple of years really, it has taken a 00:00:52.600 --> 00:00:59.679 sharp turn into the fast lane. 2024 was the year that our elected leaders voted to legalize 00:00:59.679 --> 00:01:09.180 assisted suicide. Plus, we're also in the middle of a spectacularly destructive game of let's pretend 00:01:09.180 --> 00:01:15.099 on the question of what it means to be a man or a woman. Even though everyone knows what a boy is 00:01:15.099 --> 00:01:21.280 and what a girl is, the political agendas around the issue are so strong that people don't feel able to say that 00:01:21.280 --> 00:01:26.079 because of the costly backlash that will inevitably follow. 00:01:28.319 --> 00:01:35.479 However, alongside this structural and institutional rebellion and decline, 00:01:35.480 --> 00:01:43.100 the past year has seen what I would describe as a low-level spiritual awakening. High-profile people 00:01:43.100 --> 00:01:48.520 who were once opponents of the Christian faith have changed their tune. They've dialed back their rhetoric. 00:01:49.500 --> 00:01:55.680 Joe Rogan, Louise Perry, Tucker Carlson, especially Jordan Peterson, even Richard Dawkins 00:01:55.680 --> 00:02:02.240 described himself this past year as a cultural Christian. Now, he was obviously quick to clarify that 00:02:02.239 --> 00:02:08.460 it's cultural. He said nothing more than appreciating what Christianity has given to him. 00:02:08.859 --> 00:02:14.539 But it is inconceivable to think that Richard Dawkins, the most famous atheist this country has 00:02:14.539 --> 00:02:20.519 probably ever produced, would have used that language only a few years ago. And there have been 00:02:20.519 --> 00:02:26.439 others who've gone even further. They've publicly converted to Christianity. Iyan Hersey Alley, 00:02:26.599 --> 00:02:29.780 James Dellingpole, Russell Brand has had plenty to say about it all. 00:02:29.780 --> 00:02:37.020 So, on the one hand, we see the decline. On the other hand, there seems to be this spiritual life. 00:02:39.219 --> 00:02:44.139 This tension was really stark to me in the Christmas edition of The Spectator. 00:02:44.639 --> 00:02:49.280 There were two articles side by side. You open it up on one page. Here we have A.N. Wilson. 00:02:49.979 --> 00:02:52.960 He'd written an article titled, The End of Christendom is Nigh. 00:02:52.960 --> 00:02:56.379 And he looks at Britain and he concludes this, quote, 00:02:56.439 --> 00:03:00.659 For those of us who believe, the everlasting gospel will go on being true. But the end of 00:03:00.659 --> 00:03:05.719 Christendom is not only inevitable. In northwestern Europe, it has already happened. If you don't 00:03:05.719 --> 00:03:12.000 believe me, go to Scotland. If that doesn't persuade you, go to Sweden. I suspect we in Britain are nearer 00:03:12.000 --> 00:03:18.060 the equivalent of 529 than we realize. And that in less than 50 years, those in charge of such matters 00:03:18.060 --> 00:03:22.659 will decide that the Gothic cathedrals of Europe will be allowed to become like the temples of 00:03:22.659 --> 00:03:29.939 Pestum, bare ruined choirs of a forgotten cult, end quote. That's on the left-hand side. On the 00:03:29.939 --> 00:03:35.280 right-hand side, on the opposite page, we have Ayaan Hirsi Ali with an article titled, A Christian 00:03:35.280 --> 00:03:42.280 Revival is Underway. She says, quote, Christmas isn't just crass commercialism. It is vital to 00:03:42.280 --> 00:03:48.659 Western civilization and revival. Celebrating is more important than ever, end quote. 00:03:50.539 --> 00:03:54.539 Now, I would prefer that we waited a little longer with some of these high-profile figures before 00:03:54.539 --> 00:03:59.539 giving them a voice on a topic that they're only starting to understand. But the sense of spiritual 00:03:59.539 --> 00:04:06.740 awakening is undeniable. So the question is, which is it? Is it the end of things or is it the beginning? 00:04:06.740 --> 00:04:15.000 Well, I think the answer is both. We have a growing opposition to the Christian faith and we have a 00:04:15.000 --> 00:04:22.600 growing spiritual hunger. It is both harder to be a Christian and God's kingdom continues to advance. 00:04:25.400 --> 00:04:31.480 And this takes us into our passage this morning. Please turn it up, page 876, Luke 17, beginning of 00:04:31.480 --> 00:04:40.920 verse 20. At this point in Luke's gospel, we know from our perspective that Christ's ministry is 00:04:40.920 --> 00:04:46.860 perfectly on track. We know that He is going to Jerusalem where He will conquer decisively Satan, 00:04:47.140 --> 00:04:56.580 sin, and death at the end of this story. We know that everything is unfolding exactly as God has planned 00:04:56.579 --> 00:05:04.139 in the ministry of His Son. And yet, the experience of His followers, the disciples, is getting harder. 00:05:05.039 --> 00:05:11.060 When Jesus enters history, He begins His ministry by announcing Himself as God's King who has come to 00:05:11.060 --> 00:05:15.899 bring in God's kingdom. And here, verse 20, the Pharisees, the religious establishment, 00:05:16.060 --> 00:05:21.240 come with questions about it all. Verse 20, can you see? Their question is this, well, where is it? 00:05:21.240 --> 00:05:27.420 When is this kingdom that you're supposed to be bringing in coming? Where is it? And their tone 00:05:27.420 --> 00:05:31.960 and their demeanor is hostile as it is with the Pharisees' interactions with Jesus throughout the 00:05:31.960 --> 00:05:39.160 gospels. But on one level, it is a reasonable question to ask, is it not? It actually might be 00:05:39.160 --> 00:05:45.420 a question that you're asking yourselves. You've been told about Jesus Christ. We made a big old fuss 00:05:45.420 --> 00:05:50.600 about Him at Christmas, about His coming into the world as God's King and Savior. But you look around and 00:05:50.600 --> 00:05:57.379 all you see is the opposition bit. All you see is the decline. All you see is the opposition and the 00:05:57.379 --> 00:06:03.020 difficulty. It doesn't really look like this King that we talk about is reigning. Quite the opposite. 00:06:04.820 --> 00:06:12.160 But the kingdom of God doesn't all come at once, but little by little. Jesus Himself likens the way 00:06:12.160 --> 00:06:18.620 that the kingdom grows back in chapter 13 of Luke's gospel to the way yeast spreads through a loaf of bread. 00:06:18.620 --> 00:06:22.639 Slow and steady, but eventually filling the hole. 00:06:25.579 --> 00:06:30.540 Now, we might wish that the progress was a bit quicker, but if we think about it for a moment, 00:06:30.840 --> 00:06:35.160 actually this slow progress is a good thing. Because at the very most basic level, 00:06:35.639 --> 00:06:40.800 at the most selfish level, if God had brought everything at once in the first coming of Jesus, 00:06:41.240 --> 00:06:42.579 none of us would have been included. 00:06:42.579 --> 00:06:48.639 And the opportunity for people to keep entering the kingdom would not still be open. 00:06:48.639 --> 00:06:57.439 Jesus is clear. His kingdom has come. But we await the fulfillment of that kingdom when He comes again. 00:06:57.539 --> 00:07:02.319 And we live in a tension between those two days, between the decline and the progress, 00:07:02.659 --> 00:07:08.519 between what appears to be the end of things and what is very clearly also the signs of life. 00:07:08.519 --> 00:07:13.439 And so the question for us, the question for the church in our day is this, 00:07:13.699 --> 00:07:15.719 how do we live well in that tension? 00:07:16.459 --> 00:07:19.699 How do we live well between kingdom come and kingdom coming? 00:07:20.939 --> 00:07:25.659 Well, the passage that we have in front of us this morning makes two points. 00:07:25.959 --> 00:07:27.560 The first is this, how do we live well? 00:07:27.639 --> 00:07:29.139 Number one, don't get distracted. 00:07:29.939 --> 00:07:30.919 Don't get distracted. 00:07:30.920 --> 00:07:38.780 And the first word really on that point is to those of you who aren't sure about the Lord Jesus. 00:07:38.960 --> 00:07:41.840 Those of you who aren't convinced that He is who He says He is. 00:07:42.120 --> 00:07:44.720 Those of you who haven't yet given your lives to Him. 00:07:45.400 --> 00:07:48.120 Because Jesus' first words here in verse 20 are to His critics. 00:07:48.259 --> 00:07:52.240 Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them. 00:07:52.639 --> 00:07:55.259 The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed. 00:07:55.620 --> 00:07:58.040 Nor will they say, look, here it is, or there. 00:07:58.040 --> 00:08:02.000 For behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you. 00:08:05.879 --> 00:08:11.980 The kingdom is in the midst of the Pharisees because the king is in their presence. 00:08:12.920 --> 00:08:14.460 He's within their grasp. 00:08:14.580 --> 00:08:15.480 That's what it literally means. 00:08:15.560 --> 00:08:17.360 The kingdom of God is within your grasp. 00:08:18.920 --> 00:08:24.400 And Jesus is saying that to this group who are still outsiders to Him and to His kingdom 00:08:24.399 --> 00:08:28.179 to urge them to enter His kingdom and to do it now. 00:08:30.299 --> 00:08:33.860 And the truth is, even in our day, that urgency remains for us all. 00:08:34.919 --> 00:08:43.240 Jesus came that first Christmas and He is still within the grasp of all and any who will reach out and receive Him. 00:08:43.240 --> 00:08:49.580 Now, perhaps you've been drawn to Jesus, but you're not sure. 00:08:50.560 --> 00:09:00.299 There's something about Him that you find compelling, magnetic, interesting, but you're not sure. 00:09:01.600 --> 00:09:08.259 Well, let me say, don't get distracted from that draw, that magnetism. 00:09:08.259 --> 00:09:12.120 Don't get distracted by the busyness and the ordinariness of life. 00:09:12.360 --> 00:09:14.340 Don't get distracted by anything for that matter. 00:09:14.720 --> 00:09:15.360 Come to Him. 00:09:15.679 --> 00:09:16.500 Keep exploring. 00:09:17.120 --> 00:09:18.779 Keep coming back to church on Sundays. 00:09:19.019 --> 00:09:20.240 We're delighted that you're here. 00:09:20.360 --> 00:09:21.259 You're always welcome. 00:09:22.279 --> 00:09:23.240 Don't get distracted. 00:09:23.539 --> 00:09:24.720 Come along to Hope Explored. 00:09:24.819 --> 00:09:25.799 Paul mentioned it earlier. 00:09:26.319 --> 00:09:32.879 Three weeks, this month, Wednesday evenings, when you can come along, explore more about who Jesus is. 00:09:33.100 --> 00:09:34.039 Ask your questions. 00:09:34.500 --> 00:09:35.480 Don't get distracted. 00:09:36.220 --> 00:09:37.340 Don't let it pass. 00:09:37.340 --> 00:09:43.580 But then, verse 22, Jesus turns to a different group of people, to His disciples. 00:09:44.180 --> 00:09:46.580 And He says to His disciples, those who do follow Him, 00:09:47.040 --> 00:09:50.940 the days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man. 00:09:52.220 --> 00:09:58.160 He's saying in the future, the persecution of the current religio-political establishment will be so hard to endure. 00:09:58.920 --> 00:10:01.120 You will so long for the kingdom to come. 00:10:01.720 --> 00:10:06.460 You will long to be vindicated for following the Lord. 00:10:06.460 --> 00:10:12.320 And you will love His enemies to be judged in the way that has been promised when His King is due to come again. 00:10:12.320 --> 00:10:18.520 But He says when you feel that pressure, don't get distracted. 00:10:19.520 --> 00:10:20.920 Don't take your eye off the ball. 00:10:21.020 --> 00:10:24.400 And He points to two possible ways that this could happen. 00:10:24.660 --> 00:10:26.680 We could say the first one is theological. 00:10:27.420 --> 00:10:28.340 Look at verse 23. 00:10:28.340 --> 00:10:44.259 Don't be misled about what the work of God looks like. 00:10:45.620 --> 00:10:46.420 Verse 23, 00:10:46.419 --> 00:10:58.679 We're the true people of God doing God's work our way. 00:10:58.679 --> 00:11:01.000 But Jesus says, no, don't follow them. 00:11:02.359 --> 00:11:05.399 You'll not miss it when I come to bring in my kingdom. 00:11:05.519 --> 00:11:07.859 It'll be like lightning on a dark night. 00:11:09.879 --> 00:11:15.620 And we often hear stories of cranks who tell the world that they know what God is doing and when He's doing it. 00:11:17.419 --> 00:11:21.779 A while ago I discovered a chap called Chris McCann of something called E-Bible Fellowship. 00:11:21.779 --> 00:11:24.959 He predicted Christ's return on the 7th of October 2014. 00:11:26.199 --> 00:11:28.860 And it's easy to say, you know, well, okay, where is it, Chris? 00:11:29.059 --> 00:11:30.319 Huh, that kind of thing. 00:11:31.839 --> 00:11:33.519 But when things are hard, 00:11:34.199 --> 00:11:38.639 the truth is that we can be distracted by theologies that promise other things to us. 00:11:38.639 --> 00:11:43.819 Look, they say, this is where the work of God is. 00:11:44.059 --> 00:11:46.919 Over here, they say, this is where the work of God is. 00:11:47.340 --> 00:11:52.019 The so-called prosperity gospel is very attractive to people who are poor. 00:11:53.399 --> 00:11:57.620 The no-cost gospel, where we just live the same as everyone else, 00:11:58.159 --> 00:12:02.860 unwilling to bear the sacrifice of refusing to bow the knee to the gods of the culture, 00:12:02.860 --> 00:12:07.019 is very attractive to all of us when the pressure is on. 00:12:08.639 --> 00:12:12.379 When we live at a time and people are saying, 00:12:12.639 --> 00:12:15.419 look here, that's God at work, 00:12:15.639 --> 00:12:18.480 but actually what they're pointing to is some sort of compromise 00:12:18.480 --> 00:12:22.879 in order that we don't have to stand out when we name the name of Christ. 00:12:24.059 --> 00:12:25.379 We've gone off course. 00:12:26.620 --> 00:12:28.860 And the Lord Jesus says, don't get distracted. 00:12:29.179 --> 00:12:31.399 Don't get distracted by cultural compromise, 00:12:31.399 --> 00:12:33.600 even if it has a theological veneer. 00:12:33.600 --> 00:12:39.940 And, he says, don't just get your head down either. 00:12:41.139 --> 00:12:44.019 That's where he goes next with the distraction of, 00:12:44.120 --> 00:12:45.940 it's not so much a theological one, 00:12:46.019 --> 00:12:47.879 it's the distraction of ordinary life. 00:12:48.639 --> 00:12:51.159 He makes this point with two examples from Israel's history. 00:12:51.159 --> 00:12:52.699 Verse 26, 00:12:52.699 --> 00:12:54.319 Just as it was in the days of Noah, 00:12:54.719 --> 00:12:56.839 so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. 00:12:57.419 --> 00:13:00.539 They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage 00:13:00.539 --> 00:13:05.039 until the day when Noah entered the ark and the flood came and destroyed them all. 00:13:06.179 --> 00:13:08.579 Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot, 00:13:08.659 --> 00:13:11.259 they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. 00:13:11.679 --> 00:13:13.600 But on the day when Lot went out from Sodom, 00:13:13.719 --> 00:13:17.039 fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. 00:13:17.039 --> 00:13:20.219 So will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed. 00:13:21.919 --> 00:13:27.039 These examples emphasize how unexpected and devastating his coming will be, 00:13:27.139 --> 00:13:28.839 particularly for those who aren't ready. 00:13:30.179 --> 00:13:33.599 The example of Noah is looking back to Genesis 6 and 7. 00:13:33.939 --> 00:13:37.799 Noah believed the promises of God that he would destroy the earth by flood. 00:13:38.139 --> 00:13:40.719 So he started building an ark. 00:13:42.699 --> 00:13:44.599 And the people were going about their ordinary lives. 00:13:44.599 --> 00:13:46.679 They were eating and drinking and marrying and so on. 00:13:47.039 --> 00:13:51.019 Noah, in that case, would have been the laughingstock of his neighborhood. 00:13:52.419 --> 00:13:57.740 He was building this huge seafaring construction miles away from any sea. 00:14:00.699 --> 00:14:02.139 And then the rains came. 00:14:03.139 --> 00:14:04.159 And they came. 00:14:04.819 --> 00:14:05.500 And they came. 00:14:06.019 --> 00:14:06.620 And they came. 00:14:07.199 --> 00:14:08.559 And everyone was washed away. 00:14:08.559 --> 00:14:12.139 The same was true with Lot. 00:14:12.239 --> 00:14:14.059 That story is in Genesis chapter 18, 00:14:14.179 --> 00:14:17.919 when Sodom was so unjust and inhospitable and immoral 00:14:17.919 --> 00:14:21.639 that God brought a devastating judgment on the city. 00:14:22.539 --> 00:14:25.259 People were eating and drinking and striking deals 00:14:25.259 --> 00:14:27.359 and building new homes and cultivating commerce. 00:14:27.360 --> 00:14:31.879 And in the midst of it all, fire and sulfur fell from heaven and destroyed them. 00:14:32.399 --> 00:14:33.840 It is a terrifying image. 00:14:36.340 --> 00:14:39.019 Jesus says the same thing will happen when he comes again. 00:14:39.399 --> 00:14:42.000 People will be so distracted with their ordinary lives 00:14:42.000 --> 00:14:44.340 that they'll be completely taken by surprise. 00:14:47.019 --> 00:14:50.300 Now, it is so important to keep this in mind when we face persecution. 00:14:50.299 --> 00:14:53.399 As we feel the sense of that opposition rising. 00:14:53.639 --> 00:14:57.199 As it bites for us in the cut and thrust of our lives. 00:14:58.059 --> 00:15:01.819 Because the temptation to allow ourselves to be distracted 00:15:01.819 --> 00:15:04.620 and to retreat into the regular things of life. 00:15:05.039 --> 00:15:07.519 Just the regular things that occupy the chat 00:15:07.519 --> 00:15:11.759 and the kind of discourse of everybody around us. 00:15:12.759 --> 00:15:14.599 We just are absorbed into that. 00:15:15.139 --> 00:15:17.039 That temptation is really powerful. 00:15:17.039 --> 00:15:21.379 We can so easily throw ourselves into the same things as everyone else. 00:15:21.759 --> 00:15:23.039 Weddings, verse 27. 00:15:23.659 --> 00:15:25.000 Business, verse 28. 00:15:25.419 --> 00:15:26.759 Mortgages, verse 28. 00:15:27.799 --> 00:15:29.860 And we just step back from faithfulness. 00:15:32.639 --> 00:15:34.120 Well, Jesus sounds the warning. 00:15:34.240 --> 00:15:35.120 Look at verse 32. 00:15:35.399 --> 00:15:37.740 Remember Lot's wife. 00:15:39.199 --> 00:15:41.740 Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it. 00:15:42.439 --> 00:15:44.379 But whoever loses his life will keep it. 00:15:44.379 --> 00:15:49.360 In the process of being rescued from the burning wreckage of Sodom, 00:15:49.480 --> 00:15:51.340 Lot's wife looked back and was destroyed. 00:15:52.299 --> 00:15:54.000 Not just because of a backward glance. 00:15:54.080 --> 00:15:56.720 It wasn't just that she heard something and turned around and that was it. 00:15:56.840 --> 00:15:57.059 No. 00:15:57.620 --> 00:15:59.639 It was because of what that glance represented 00:15:59.639 --> 00:16:01.379 about where her heart really was. 00:16:01.480 --> 00:16:02.480 She was longing 00:16:02.480 --> 00:16:06.740 to go back to everything the world had to offer her. 00:16:07.299 --> 00:16:08.860 She wanted what was back there. 00:16:08.860 --> 00:16:12.860 She wanted to preserve life on her terms. 00:16:13.860 --> 00:16:15.000 And when we cut it back, 00:16:15.100 --> 00:16:15.919 when we think about it, 00:16:15.980 --> 00:16:19.259 that is actually a really attractive option to all of us 00:16:19.259 --> 00:16:20.860 so we can have life on our terms. 00:16:21.539 --> 00:16:22.440 We love comfort. 00:16:23.279 --> 00:16:24.419 We hate hardship. 00:16:25.220 --> 00:16:25.899 We hate being, 00:16:26.039 --> 00:16:27.740 well, there are some people that hate being 00:16:27.740 --> 00:16:29.519 the person that stands out, 00:16:29.620 --> 00:16:31.840 but most of us don't. 00:16:32.259 --> 00:16:32.759 Those people, 00:16:33.639 --> 00:16:35.039 tricky company, let's be honest. 00:16:35.039 --> 00:16:37.339 There are people that just love a fight. 00:16:37.419 --> 00:16:38.480 They'd have a fight in an empty room, 00:16:38.559 --> 00:16:39.860 but most of us aren't like that. 00:16:41.019 --> 00:16:42.079 We hate hardship. 00:16:42.279 --> 00:16:43.000 We hate opposition. 00:16:43.419 --> 00:16:45.240 And we just love to hold on to 00:16:45.240 --> 00:16:48.379 the way things were when life was easier. 00:16:49.899 --> 00:16:51.139 And Jesus says to us, 00:16:51.659 --> 00:16:52.899 don't be distracted. 00:16:54.740 --> 00:16:55.759 Don't be distracted. 00:16:58.480 --> 00:16:58.919 Now, 00:16:59.919 --> 00:17:01.740 all of this talk is really clear 00:17:01.740 --> 00:17:04.059 about the judgment aspect. 00:17:05.720 --> 00:17:07.339 But I think we need to be here. 00:17:08.220 --> 00:17:09.240 I think we need to see 00:17:09.240 --> 00:17:11.119 that Jesus is primarily here 00:17:11.119 --> 00:17:12.579 reassuring the disciples. 00:17:14.420 --> 00:17:15.099 You see, 00:17:15.159 --> 00:17:15.920 His coming judgment 00:17:15.920 --> 00:17:17.759 is to be a source of strength 00:17:17.759 --> 00:17:18.659 and encouragement 00:17:18.659 --> 00:17:19.980 for His people. 00:17:22.000 --> 00:17:23.279 A day is coming, you see, 00:17:24.039 --> 00:17:25.960 when everything will be put right. 00:17:28.539 --> 00:17:29.619 Now, this happened 00:17:29.619 --> 00:17:31.240 for this generation 00:17:31.240 --> 00:17:32.879 when God judged the old order 00:17:32.879 --> 00:17:34.039 and the destruction of the temple 00:17:34.039 --> 00:17:34.879 in AD 70. 00:17:35.619 --> 00:17:36.639 What that means for us 00:17:36.639 --> 00:17:37.480 all these years later 00:17:37.480 --> 00:17:38.359 is that we can be sure 00:17:38.359 --> 00:17:39.319 that God keeps His word 00:17:39.319 --> 00:17:39.960 on these things. 00:17:40.519 --> 00:17:41.599 But what it means is 00:17:41.599 --> 00:17:43.379 that when we face injustice 00:17:43.379 --> 00:17:46.099 and when we face hardship 00:17:46.099 --> 00:17:47.379 for being faithful 00:17:47.379 --> 00:17:48.720 to the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:17:49.720 --> 00:17:51.619 we know that He's going 00:17:51.619 --> 00:17:52.480 to put things right. 00:17:52.839 --> 00:17:53.839 There is a day coming 00:17:53.839 --> 00:17:56.039 when justice for that hardship 00:17:56.039 --> 00:17:57.319 will be done. 00:17:57.319 --> 00:18:00.960 So as you look ahead 00:18:00.960 --> 00:18:02.700 in this year, 2025, 00:18:03.379 --> 00:18:04.899 whatever persecution 00:18:04.899 --> 00:18:05.980 you are facing, 00:18:07.700 --> 00:18:08.700 whatever struggles 00:18:08.700 --> 00:18:10.779 for naming the name of Christ 00:18:10.779 --> 00:18:11.700 you come up against, 00:18:11.799 --> 00:18:13.539 in whatever tricky context 00:18:13.539 --> 00:18:14.519 that might be, 00:18:15.200 --> 00:18:15.759 hold on. 00:18:17.659 --> 00:18:19.200 Don't take your eye off the ball. 00:18:19.200 --> 00:18:22.180 Jesus will one day 00:18:22.180 --> 00:18:23.140 sort it all out 00:18:23.140 --> 00:18:25.539 and you will be vindicated. 00:18:27.180 --> 00:18:28.680 And your faithfulness, 00:18:29.220 --> 00:18:32.680 even in small and hidden ways, 00:18:32.920 --> 00:18:34.279 will be seen as good 00:18:34.279 --> 00:18:35.059 and right and true 00:18:35.059 --> 00:18:35.680 on that day. 00:18:35.680 --> 00:18:36.960 And on that day, 00:18:38.920 --> 00:18:40.799 your faithfulness now 00:18:40.799 --> 00:18:42.480 will be worth it. 00:18:43.299 --> 00:18:44.560 And you will reflect 00:18:44.560 --> 00:18:45.440 on that faithfulness 00:18:45.440 --> 00:18:46.100 and be grateful 00:18:46.100 --> 00:18:47.740 that you persevered. 00:18:48.299 --> 00:18:50.060 When the Lord smiles at you 00:18:50.060 --> 00:18:50.460 and says, 00:18:50.720 --> 00:18:51.039 well done, 00:18:52.539 --> 00:18:53.180 everything, 00:18:53.420 --> 00:18:54.880 every moment of struggle 00:18:54.880 --> 00:18:56.440 for the name of Christ now 00:18:56.440 --> 00:18:57.259 will be worth it. 00:18:57.480 --> 00:18:58.900 So don't get distracted. 00:19:01.220 --> 00:19:02.500 But the Lord's well done 00:19:02.500 --> 00:19:03.400 is a great motivator 00:19:03.400 --> 00:19:04.080 for faithfulness, 00:19:04.120 --> 00:19:04.600 that's true. 00:19:04.599 --> 00:19:06.000 But standing against opposition 00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:06.779 is still tough. 00:19:07.319 --> 00:19:08.159 It's still hard. 00:19:08.539 --> 00:19:09.679 As the temperature rises, 00:19:10.019 --> 00:19:11.079 continuing to be faithful 00:19:11.079 --> 00:19:12.139 is more difficult. 00:19:14.159 --> 00:19:15.339 Jesus knows this, 00:19:15.659 --> 00:19:17.159 which is why he then goes 00:19:17.159 --> 00:19:18.299 where he goes next 00:19:18.299 --> 00:19:19.899 in the passage. 00:19:20.899 --> 00:19:22.000 So here's the second point. 00:19:22.079 --> 00:19:22.639 The first is, 00:19:22.859 --> 00:19:25.779 don't get distracted. 00:19:26.199 --> 00:19:26.899 The second is, 00:19:27.099 --> 00:19:27.959 don't get disconnected. 00:19:28.579 --> 00:19:29.779 Don't get disconnected. 00:19:30.240 --> 00:19:30.919 That's the point 00:19:30.919 --> 00:19:31.519 about the story 00:19:31.519 --> 00:19:32.500 of the widow in 18, 00:19:32.579 --> 00:19:33.559 1 to 8. 00:19:33.559 --> 00:19:34.639 And he told them a parable 00:19:34.639 --> 00:19:35.339 to the effect 00:19:35.339 --> 00:19:36.879 that they ought always 00:19:36.879 --> 00:19:38.899 to pray and not lose heart. 00:19:39.039 --> 00:19:40.079 That's our temptation, 00:19:40.240 --> 00:19:40.500 isn't it? 00:19:40.599 --> 00:19:41.599 We lose heart. 00:19:42.259 --> 00:19:43.579 Whether it's the world around us 00:19:43.579 --> 00:19:44.179 that have been talking 00:19:44.179 --> 00:19:44.919 about the opposition, 00:19:45.059 --> 00:19:46.419 or even just our own sin, 00:19:46.740 --> 00:19:47.559 even our own struggles, 00:19:48.240 --> 00:19:49.179 the fact that we fall 00:19:49.179 --> 00:19:49.919 into that pattern 00:19:49.919 --> 00:19:50.859 again and again, 00:19:51.740 --> 00:19:52.519 losing heart 00:19:52.519 --> 00:19:54.259 is a constant temptation. 00:19:55.179 --> 00:19:55.839 But here we are, 00:19:55.899 --> 00:19:56.419 this parable, 00:19:56.500 --> 00:19:57.019 this woman, 00:19:57.559 --> 00:19:58.339 shows us 00:19:58.339 --> 00:19:59.119 how it is 00:19:59.119 --> 00:20:00.139 that we won't lose heart. 00:20:01.619 --> 00:20:02.059 Dependent 00:20:02.059 --> 00:20:03.739 and persistent prayer. 00:20:06.439 --> 00:20:07.219 That's the means 00:20:07.219 --> 00:20:07.759 through which 00:20:07.759 --> 00:20:08.599 God sustains 00:20:08.599 --> 00:20:09.539 and builds His church 00:20:09.539 --> 00:20:10.539 in the face 00:20:10.539 --> 00:20:11.319 of opposition. 00:20:11.719 --> 00:20:12.119 Dependent 00:20:12.119 --> 00:20:12.939 and persistent 00:20:12.939 --> 00:20:13.899 prayer. 00:20:14.279 --> 00:20:14.459 Now, 00:20:14.559 --> 00:20:15.219 it's a parable, 00:20:15.619 --> 00:20:16.659 so there are limits 00:20:16.659 --> 00:20:17.559 to what we're supposed 00:20:17.559 --> 00:20:18.539 to draw from the story. 00:20:18.639 --> 00:20:19.479 Just because the judge 00:20:19.479 --> 00:20:20.679 is unjust and grudging 00:20:20.679 --> 00:20:21.219 doesn't mean 00:20:21.219 --> 00:20:21.779 that we should think 00:20:21.779 --> 00:20:22.519 of God like that. 00:20:22.619 --> 00:20:23.000 Obviously, 00:20:23.259 --> 00:20:24.500 He draws the contrast. 00:20:24.500 --> 00:20:26.980 That's not the point. 00:20:27.079 --> 00:20:27.519 The point, 00:20:27.640 --> 00:20:27.759 though, 00:20:27.779 --> 00:20:28.380 is this. 00:20:29.039 --> 00:20:30.519 If an unjust judge 00:20:30.519 --> 00:20:31.460 would give justice, 00:20:31.880 --> 00:20:32.680 how much more 00:20:32.680 --> 00:20:34.200 the perfectly just Lord 00:20:34.200 --> 00:20:34.839 who hears 00:20:34.839 --> 00:20:35.839 and answers 00:20:35.839 --> 00:20:36.480 the prayers 00:20:36.480 --> 00:20:37.279 of His people. 00:20:40.059 --> 00:20:41.339 Back in chapter 11, 00:20:42.400 --> 00:20:43.099 Jesus has taught 00:20:43.099 --> 00:20:43.700 His disciples 00:20:43.700 --> 00:20:45.200 how to pray. 00:20:46.039 --> 00:20:47.119 Our Father in heaven, 00:20:47.500 --> 00:20:48.440 hallowed be Your name. 00:20:48.940 --> 00:20:49.880 Your kingdom come. 00:20:50.440 --> 00:20:51.359 Your will be done 00:20:51.359 --> 00:20:51.759 on earth 00:20:51.759 --> 00:20:52.579 as it is in heaven. 00:20:53.160 --> 00:20:53.980 Give us today 00:20:53.980 --> 00:20:55.319 our daily bread 00:20:55.319 --> 00:20:56.700 and forgive us 00:20:56.700 --> 00:20:58.079 our sins. 00:20:59.059 --> 00:20:59.900 For we ourselves 00:20:59.900 --> 00:21:00.579 forgive everyone 00:21:00.579 --> 00:21:01.640 who is indebted to us 00:21:01.640 --> 00:21:02.519 and lead us not 00:21:02.519 --> 00:21:03.200 into temptation. 00:21:03.500 --> 00:21:04.779 It is a pattern prayer. 00:21:05.180 --> 00:21:06.339 It covers all the areas 00:21:06.339 --> 00:21:07.019 that we should bring 00:21:07.019 --> 00:21:07.980 to our Heavenly Father 00:21:07.980 --> 00:21:09.019 from His glory 00:21:09.019 --> 00:21:10.319 to our provision. 00:21:10.799 --> 00:21:11.360 It is the means 00:21:11.360 --> 00:21:12.299 through which we express 00:21:12.299 --> 00:21:13.380 a vital and meaningful 00:21:13.380 --> 00:21:14.880 relationship with Him. 00:21:15.599 --> 00:21:16.380 And this is essential 00:21:16.380 --> 00:21:17.339 when the pressure is on. 00:21:17.519 --> 00:21:18.660 And that's why we pray 00:21:18.660 --> 00:21:19.220 this prayer 00:21:19.220 --> 00:21:20.299 each Lord's Day 00:21:20.299 --> 00:21:21.039 as a congregation. 00:21:22.940 --> 00:21:23.220 In fact, 00:21:23.279 --> 00:21:23.720 did you notice 00:21:23.720 --> 00:21:24.339 it is the means 00:21:24.339 --> 00:21:24.759 by which 00:21:24.759 --> 00:21:25.660 when He returns 00:21:25.660 --> 00:21:27.259 Jesus will gauge 00:21:27.259 --> 00:21:28.420 the spiritual temperature 00:21:28.420 --> 00:21:28.940 of His church. 00:21:29.039 --> 00:21:29.720 Look at verse 8. 00:21:30.319 --> 00:21:31.000 Chapter 18, 00:21:31.100 --> 00:21:31.539 verse 8. 00:21:32.579 --> 00:21:33.559 When the Son of Man 00:21:33.559 --> 00:21:34.000 comes, 00:21:34.160 --> 00:21:35.360 will He find faith 00:21:35.360 --> 00:21:36.420 on earth? 00:21:39.579 --> 00:21:40.500 Chapter 17, 00:21:40.680 --> 00:21:41.180 God will do 00:21:41.180 --> 00:21:41.860 what He has promised 00:21:41.860 --> 00:21:42.160 to do. 00:21:42.220 --> 00:21:42.819 He will judge 00:21:42.819 --> 00:21:43.259 His enemies 00:21:43.259 --> 00:21:43.980 and vindicate 00:21:43.980 --> 00:21:44.799 those who are His. 00:21:46.000 --> 00:21:47.120 The question is 00:21:47.120 --> 00:21:47.700 when He comes 00:21:47.700 --> 00:21:48.420 to do that, 00:21:49.160 --> 00:21:49.980 will He find us 00:21:49.980 --> 00:21:50.380 faithful, 00:21:50.920 --> 00:21:51.500 trusting Him 00:21:51.500 --> 00:21:52.740 even through 00:21:52.740 --> 00:21:53.400 the hardships. 00:21:54.039 --> 00:21:55.119 When He comes 00:21:55.119 --> 00:21:56.180 as He promises 00:21:56.180 --> 00:21:57.279 in chapter 17, 00:21:57.599 --> 00:21:58.440 will He find us 00:21:58.440 --> 00:21:59.140 depending Him 00:21:59.140 --> 00:21:59.799 as He asks 00:21:59.799 --> 00:22:00.619 in chapter 18? 00:22:04.759 --> 00:22:06.059 When things are tough 00:22:06.059 --> 00:22:08.279 for you personally 00:22:08.279 --> 00:22:09.019 and you feel like 00:22:09.019 --> 00:22:09.559 giving up, 00:22:10.200 --> 00:22:11.180 prayer is the first 00:22:11.180 --> 00:22:12.099 step you should take. 00:22:14.240 --> 00:22:15.220 When we look around 00:22:15.220 --> 00:22:16.220 at the spiritual state 00:22:16.220 --> 00:22:16.779 of our city 00:22:16.779 --> 00:22:17.539 or our nation, 00:22:17.960 --> 00:22:18.880 prayer is the first 00:22:18.880 --> 00:22:20.020 instinct we should have. 00:22:21.260 --> 00:22:22.200 When we consider 00:22:22.200 --> 00:22:23.100 the proposed end 00:22:23.100 --> 00:22:23.700 of Christendom 00:22:23.700 --> 00:22:24.440 on the one hand 00:22:24.440 --> 00:22:25.420 and the spiritual hunger 00:22:25.420 --> 00:22:25.960 on the other, 00:22:26.560 --> 00:22:27.900 prayer is how one 00:22:27.900 --> 00:22:28.880 will grow 00:22:28.880 --> 00:22:29.800 and the other 00:22:29.800 --> 00:22:31.020 will be turned around. 00:22:32.440 --> 00:22:33.360 And it will be 00:22:33.360 --> 00:22:33.880 turned around. 00:22:35.940 --> 00:22:37.240 It will be turned around. 00:22:37.320 --> 00:22:38.140 When Jesus said 00:22:38.140 --> 00:22:39.240 these things, 00:22:39.280 --> 00:22:39.880 He had about 00:22:39.880 --> 00:22:40.740 a dozen followers. 00:22:41.040 --> 00:22:42.160 Today He has billions. 00:22:42.340 --> 00:22:43.320 The kingdom is growing. 00:22:43.600 --> 00:22:44.480 He keeps His word. 00:22:44.720 --> 00:22:45.680 He keeps His promises. 00:22:45.680 --> 00:22:48.140 But as we look ahead 00:22:48.140 --> 00:22:48.920 to 2025, 00:22:50.519 --> 00:22:51.640 here is an encouragement 00:22:51.640 --> 00:22:52.700 to lean on the Lord 00:22:52.700 --> 00:22:54.299 and know His sustaining grace. 00:22:54.600 --> 00:22:56.160 And it is a challenge 00:22:56.160 --> 00:22:57.140 to depend more deeply 00:22:57.140 --> 00:22:57.560 on Him 00:22:57.560 --> 00:22:58.700 in an active 00:22:58.700 --> 00:22:59.500 and persistent 00:22:59.500 --> 00:23:00.840 and faith-filled way. 00:23:04.400 --> 00:23:06.140 Which father among us here, 00:23:06.400 --> 00:23:07.140 if you've got children, 00:23:07.340 --> 00:23:08.600 which one doesn't love it 00:23:08.600 --> 00:23:10.320 when your child comes to you 00:23:10.320 --> 00:23:10.620 and says, 00:23:10.740 --> 00:23:11.620 can I talk to you? 00:23:11.940 --> 00:23:12.279 Dad, 00:23:12.340 --> 00:23:13.279 can I talk to you? 00:23:13.279 --> 00:23:16.899 How much more 00:23:16.899 --> 00:23:18.779 does our perfect 00:23:18.779 --> 00:23:19.480 Heavenly Father 00:23:19.480 --> 00:23:21.039 delight when we talk to Him? 00:23:23.259 --> 00:23:23.660 See, 00:23:23.740 --> 00:23:24.259 that's the thing. 00:23:24.359 --> 00:23:25.639 When we come to talk about prayer 00:23:25.639 --> 00:23:26.819 in a context like this, 00:23:27.399 --> 00:23:28.700 it's easy, 00:23:29.180 --> 00:23:29.579 isn't it? 00:23:29.579 --> 00:23:30.579 Because we all struggle. 00:23:31.460 --> 00:23:32.500 And it's easy to say, 00:23:32.579 --> 00:23:32.660 oh, 00:23:32.700 --> 00:23:33.599 you should try harder. 00:23:34.700 --> 00:23:35.859 But the fact of the matter is 00:23:35.859 --> 00:23:36.740 when we come to think 00:23:36.740 --> 00:23:37.440 about these things, 00:23:37.500 --> 00:23:38.700 we need to see prayer 00:23:38.700 --> 00:23:40.299 as the gift that it is. 00:23:40.299 --> 00:23:42.399 And we need to recognize 00:23:42.399 --> 00:23:43.859 that it is something 00:23:43.859 --> 00:23:44.980 we get to do. 00:23:45.819 --> 00:23:47.359 We get to speak 00:23:47.359 --> 00:23:49.200 to the Creator 00:23:49.200 --> 00:23:50.000 of the universe. 00:23:51.480 --> 00:23:51.799 You know, 00:23:52.279 --> 00:23:53.159 it is a struggle. 00:23:53.319 --> 00:23:54.680 Here are three things, 00:23:54.779 --> 00:23:55.240 I hope, 00:23:55.779 --> 00:23:56.940 to encourage us in this. 00:23:56.980 --> 00:23:57.819 And the first is that 00:23:57.819 --> 00:23:58.720 it is a privilege. 00:24:00.940 --> 00:24:01.960 Prayer is a privilege. 00:24:02.079 --> 00:24:03.299 We get to pray. 00:24:04.119 --> 00:24:05.220 Because you are in 00:24:05.220 --> 00:24:05.839 the Lord Jesus, 00:24:05.960 --> 00:24:07.240 if you put your faith in Christ, 00:24:07.319 --> 00:24:08.379 you are in the Lord Jesus 00:24:08.380 --> 00:24:09.720 and you are given full 00:24:09.720 --> 00:24:11.100 and free access 00:24:11.100 --> 00:24:12.260 to the one who holds 00:24:12.260 --> 00:24:13.380 the whole world in His hands. 00:24:14.720 --> 00:24:15.860 And He is pleased 00:24:15.860 --> 00:24:17.340 to hear your voice. 00:24:19.260 --> 00:24:20.540 And He is pleased 00:24:20.540 --> 00:24:21.300 to have you 00:24:21.300 --> 00:24:22.500 coming back to Him 00:24:22.500 --> 00:24:23.460 with the same requests 00:24:23.460 --> 00:24:24.200 again and again. 00:24:25.560 --> 00:24:26.460 And He is pleased 00:24:26.460 --> 00:24:27.340 to hear your voice 00:24:27.340 --> 00:24:28.780 and to answer your requests. 00:24:30.400 --> 00:24:31.340 Prayer is a privilege. 00:24:32.580 --> 00:24:33.860 When we think about it like that, 00:24:34.700 --> 00:24:35.920 it reframes, I think, 00:24:35.980 --> 00:24:36.940 so much of how we think 00:24:36.940 --> 00:24:37.440 about prayer. 00:24:37.440 --> 00:24:38.860 Prayer in general. 00:24:39.700 --> 00:24:40.320 The second thing, 00:24:40.740 --> 00:24:41.539 the second encouragement 00:24:41.539 --> 00:24:42.580 I want to say is this, 00:24:42.680 --> 00:24:43.640 make use of the church 00:24:43.640 --> 00:24:44.220 prayer meeting. 00:24:45.160 --> 00:24:46.080 The first Wednesday 00:24:46.080 --> 00:24:46.559 of the month, 00:24:46.640 --> 00:24:47.820 if you find prayer difficult, 00:24:48.519 --> 00:24:49.380 all of us do, 00:24:49.660 --> 00:24:50.600 on the first Wednesday 00:24:50.600 --> 00:24:51.080 of the month, 00:24:51.279 --> 00:24:51.940 there is a time 00:24:51.940 --> 00:24:52.920 that we have set aside 00:24:52.920 --> 00:24:53.460 for the church 00:24:53.460 --> 00:24:54.279 to join together 00:24:54.279 --> 00:24:55.580 to pray through things 00:24:55.580 --> 00:24:56.279 that you haven't had 00:24:56.279 --> 00:24:57.080 to prepare or think 00:24:57.080 --> 00:24:57.740 through beforehand. 00:24:58.660 --> 00:24:59.900 How many of us think, 00:25:00.460 --> 00:25:01.600 oh, we sit down to pray 00:25:01.600 --> 00:25:02.180 and we start, 00:25:02.320 --> 00:25:03.480 we make good intentions 00:25:03.480 --> 00:25:04.460 and we make a start 00:25:04.460 --> 00:25:06.360 and we run dry 00:25:06.360 --> 00:25:06.920 pretty quickly 00:25:06.920 --> 00:25:07.579 because we haven't 00:25:07.579 --> 00:25:08.140 really thought 00:25:08.140 --> 00:25:09.160 about these things. 00:25:09.279 --> 00:25:10.380 What should I pray for? 00:25:10.579 --> 00:25:11.740 How do I go with this? 00:25:11.860 --> 00:25:12.759 I need to make a list. 00:25:12.880 --> 00:25:13.600 We lose the list. 00:25:14.120 --> 00:25:14.660 All of that. 00:25:15.079 --> 00:25:15.840 Well, here it is. 00:25:16.400 --> 00:25:17.340 There are things 00:25:17.340 --> 00:25:19.160 that we are putting before us 00:25:19.160 --> 00:25:19.799 as a congregation 00:25:19.799 --> 00:25:20.700 to pray for 00:25:20.700 --> 00:25:21.640 and to think through. 00:25:21.720 --> 00:25:22.500 It's all given to you. 00:25:22.559 --> 00:25:23.720 We lead you through the prayers 00:25:23.720 --> 00:25:24.759 of praise to God, 00:25:25.140 --> 00:25:26.380 petition for things 00:25:26.380 --> 00:25:28.220 that are all kinds 00:25:28.220 --> 00:25:28.920 of good things. 00:25:28.920 --> 00:25:31.180 And when we come together 00:25:31.180 --> 00:25:31.779 to do that, 00:25:32.420 --> 00:25:33.220 when we do it together, 00:25:33.320 --> 00:25:34.200 it deepens our bones 00:25:34.200 --> 00:25:35.279 as a fellowship. 00:25:36.720 --> 00:25:37.519 Then the third thing 00:25:37.519 --> 00:25:38.400 to try to kind of 00:25:38.400 --> 00:25:39.720 recalibrate your prayer life, 00:25:39.900 --> 00:25:41.080 pray the prayers in Scripture. 00:25:42.600 --> 00:25:43.400 Open your Bible, 00:25:43.580 --> 00:25:44.640 particularly the Psalms, 00:25:44.880 --> 00:25:45.920 and pray the prayers 00:25:45.920 --> 00:25:46.340 that are there. 00:25:46.400 --> 00:25:47.580 It's a great place to start 00:25:47.580 --> 00:25:48.420 if you've dried up 00:25:48.420 --> 00:25:49.720 and it will help you 00:25:49.720 --> 00:25:50.539 in tons of ways. 00:25:50.660 --> 00:25:51.039 Not least, 00:25:51.120 --> 00:25:51.800 you'll pray in a more 00:25:51.800 --> 00:25:52.460 biblical way, 00:25:52.560 --> 00:25:53.820 a more God-centered way, 00:25:54.019 --> 00:25:55.180 and you'll pray in ways 00:25:55.180 --> 00:25:55.740 that express 00:25:55.740 --> 00:25:57.340 the real experiences of life. 00:25:58.920 --> 00:25:59.779 That's what happens 00:25:59.779 --> 00:26:00.440 when you take up 00:26:00.440 --> 00:26:01.440 the psalmist's words. 00:26:05.360 --> 00:26:06.840 I know that it's really easy 00:26:06.840 --> 00:26:08.039 to find something else to do 00:26:08.039 --> 00:26:08.880 rather than to pray, 00:26:09.000 --> 00:26:10.580 rather than to depend on God. 00:26:11.920 --> 00:26:12.440 But if, 00:26:12.940 --> 00:26:14.279 here's the bottom line, 00:26:14.420 --> 00:26:15.400 if we will, 00:26:16.360 --> 00:26:18.160 not just endure, 00:26:18.700 --> 00:26:20.320 but flourish spiritually 00:26:20.320 --> 00:26:21.060 in the year ahead, 00:26:21.120 --> 00:26:21.779 that's what we want. 00:26:21.860 --> 00:26:23.039 We don't want to just make it. 00:26:23.140 --> 00:26:23.980 We want to flourish. 00:26:24.460 --> 00:26:25.340 We want to grow. 00:26:26.740 --> 00:26:28.080 If we're going to persist 00:26:28.079 --> 00:26:29.139 with joy 00:26:29.139 --> 00:26:30.579 in the face of opposition, 00:26:31.240 --> 00:26:33.139 we must not get disconnected 00:26:33.139 --> 00:26:34.500 from the source of that joy. 00:26:37.559 --> 00:26:38.039 So, 00:26:39.039 --> 00:26:41.359 our King has come. 00:26:42.839 --> 00:26:43.639 That's Christmas. 00:26:44.759 --> 00:26:45.859 He is coming again. 00:26:47.199 --> 00:26:48.119 And on that day, 00:26:48.299 --> 00:26:49.679 justice and joy 00:26:49.679 --> 00:26:50.919 will link arms. 00:26:51.819 --> 00:26:52.960 But while we wait 00:26:52.960 --> 00:26:53.839 for that day, 00:26:54.099 --> 00:26:56.199 we have to battle on today. 00:26:56.200 --> 00:26:57.740 So, 00:26:57.840 --> 00:26:58.620 don't get distracted 00:26:58.620 --> 00:27:00.440 and don't get disconnected 00:27:00.440 --> 00:27:02.360 because the victory 00:27:02.360 --> 00:27:03.039 is assured 00:27:03.039 --> 00:27:05.640 and so we're battling 00:27:05.640 --> 00:27:06.680 on a winning side 00:27:06.680 --> 00:27:09.000 and we're battling 00:27:09.000 --> 00:27:09.580 in the strength 00:27:09.580 --> 00:27:10.340 that He provides. 00:27:11.960 --> 00:27:12.819 Let's pray together. 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.259 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.259 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.259 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.259 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.259 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.259 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.259 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.259 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.259 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.259 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.259 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.259 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.259 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.259 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.259 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.259 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.259 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.259 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.259 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.259 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.259 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.259 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.259 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.259 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.259 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.259 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.259 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.259 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.259 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.259 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.259 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.259 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.259 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.259 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.259 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.259 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.259 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.259 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.259 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.259 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.259 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:43.240 Thank you.