WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.480 grew up in, and he's been the lead pastor since 2002. 00:00:07.240 --> 00:00:14.720 His church is very effective, very influential in terms of their missions and their reach, 00:00:15.439 --> 00:00:22.679 and Kyle's a gifted preacher, and he's an anointed preacher because he doesn't speak 00:00:22.679 --> 00:00:30.079 of theoretical things that he has learned from seminary, but he speaks of reality that 00:00:30.079 --> 00:00:37.439 he lives because of his vital relationship with Jesus, because of his character, his life, 00:00:37.539 --> 00:00:39.700 and so I'm really eager to hear from him. 00:00:40.000 --> 00:00:42.739 Please come up, Kyle, and preach for us one more time. 00:00:42.799 --> 00:00:43.420 Let's welcome him. 00:00:43.420 --> 00:00:44.420 Thank you. 00:00:44.420 --> 00:00:56.140 This has been a wonderful joy these days. 00:00:59.359 --> 00:01:07.000 I've prayed for you as a church for years, pray for you regularly, love, and pray for your 00:01:07.000 --> 00:01:08.799 pastor regularly. 00:01:08.799 --> 00:01:19.179 And we'll still continue to pray, but now we're friends, not just sister churches, which 00:01:19.179 --> 00:01:26.579 means when I pray for you, I will now see faces, and what a joy that is. 00:01:27.500 --> 00:01:38.519 I've been encouraged by the visible love for the Lord, by the intentional desire to know 00:01:38.519 --> 00:01:41.339 and to grow and to grow and to lean into. 00:01:42.060 --> 00:01:43.479 What does that look like? 00:01:43.560 --> 00:01:44.679 What does that mean? 00:01:45.659 --> 00:01:51.060 I've been encouraged just hearing you and your stories and getting to know you. 00:01:51.299 --> 00:01:56.159 So very grateful, Sean, for this opportunity. 00:01:58.500 --> 00:02:07.340 Before we jump in, I want to recommend a book that speaks to the prominent topic of 00:02:07.340 --> 00:02:12.420 joy in hard things, trusting God during hard times. 00:02:13.300 --> 00:02:15.200 I meant to bring it up yesterday. 00:02:15.340 --> 00:02:17.319 It's called The Insanity of God. 00:02:17.980 --> 00:02:19.860 The Insanity of God. 00:02:20.539 --> 00:02:32.319 It is, I read a lot of books, and this is in the just very top tier of powerful books, 00:02:32.319 --> 00:02:40.199 written by Nick Ripken, which was a pseudonym because when he wrote it, his identity couldn't 00:02:40.199 --> 00:02:40.680 be known. 00:02:41.599 --> 00:02:47.780 A man, a believer who worked with humanitarian aid in hardest parts of the world, who watched 00:02:47.780 --> 00:02:56.719 the most horrible things happen to God's people, and then in his own life, and began to just 00:02:56.719 --> 00:02:58.840 struggle with where is God. 00:02:59.460 --> 00:03:07.340 And so he spent the next couple decades going to the hardest places of the world and interviewing 00:03:07.340 --> 00:03:14.780 believers in the hardest places of the world and just asking, how do you do this? 00:03:15.139 --> 00:03:16.319 How do you stay faithful? 00:03:16.500 --> 00:03:17.599 Why do you still believe? 00:03:17.599 --> 00:03:18.479 Why do you still believe? 00:03:18.479 --> 00:03:26.459 So the book is more of the story of that, and he prominently shares from Soviet Union, 00:03:26.819 --> 00:03:28.740 from Middle East, and from China. 00:03:29.979 --> 00:03:40.539 So it's a book that is impactful and stirring our hearts to be faithful. 00:03:40.539 --> 00:03:45.419 As we see, our hard times are not as hard as they could be. 00:03:47.500 --> 00:03:54.579 We move in a little bit different direction this morning as we've been looking at surpassing 00:03:54.579 --> 00:03:54.939 joy. 00:03:55.979 --> 00:04:04.840 We've been looking at how joy surpasses our uncertainties, how it's greater than our hardships, 00:04:04.840 --> 00:04:12.060 how God is working in us, even through hardship, so we can take joy in that. 00:04:12.659 --> 00:04:21.100 This morning we will be in Philippians chapter 1, and our theme is rejoicing over God's people, 00:04:22.540 --> 00:04:27.240 rejoicing in one another within the church. 00:04:28.300 --> 00:04:32.220 This letter is one of Paul's prison epistles. 00:04:32.220 --> 00:04:43.440 So he is writing it from the chains of prison to a church that has been faithfully engaged 00:04:43.440 --> 00:04:45.860 in ministry with him. 00:04:46.620 --> 00:04:52.840 When I was a freshman in college, I grew up, I'd never been far from home, ever. 00:04:54.660 --> 00:05:00.280 Went out to Indiana, never been out there to go to school, to Taylor University. 00:05:00.279 --> 00:05:05.839 And I can remember at one point during the first semester, you're far from home, I didn't 00:05:05.839 --> 00:05:07.079 know anyone there. 00:05:07.379 --> 00:05:13.779 And I received a card from a couple in the church that I knew very well. 00:05:14.479 --> 00:05:17.479 And they quoted this passage. 00:05:17.639 --> 00:05:25.699 I'd read it many times, but it was in that card as they were writing it to me that just 00:05:25.699 --> 00:05:31.180 spoke to my heart and said this passage has always been in my heart and mind as one meaningful. 00:05:31.899 --> 00:05:33.360 We'll pick up in verse 3. 00:05:33.360 --> 00:05:44.000 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you. 00:05:45.280 --> 00:05:54.660 Always in every prayer of mine for you, making my prayer with joy because of your partnership 00:05:54.660 --> 00:05:58.500 in the gospel from the first day until now. 00:05:58.500 --> 00:06:05.500 And I'm sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion 00:06:05.500 --> 00:06:07.339 at the day of Jesus Christ. 00:06:08.259 --> 00:06:14.800 It is right for me to feel this way about you all because I hold you in my heart. 00:06:16.199 --> 00:06:24.699 For you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and 00:06:24.699 --> 00:06:26.279 confirmation of the gospel. 00:06:27.339 --> 00:06:33.839 For God is my witness how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 00:06:34.839 --> 00:06:41.740 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more with knowledge and all discernment 00:06:41.740 --> 00:06:48.879 so that you may approve what is excellent and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 00:06:48.879 --> 00:06:56.680 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God. 00:06:57.480 --> 00:07:05.920 Our Heavenly Father, we ask that your spirit would engage our hearts and minds in ways that 00:07:05.920 --> 00:07:15.519 are rooted in our soul, that are not quickly passing, that we might be people who are honoring to you, 00:07:15.519 --> 00:07:21.680 well used by you, taking joy in you and in one another. 00:07:22.439 --> 00:07:24.740 In Jesus' name we ask this. 00:07:25.620 --> 00:07:26.000 Amen. 00:07:27.939 --> 00:07:33.279 Paul begins by sharing why he is thankful for this church. 00:07:33.459 --> 00:07:38.319 And we can see how meaningful this is to him. 00:07:38.479 --> 00:07:42.259 His heart is in this sharing of gratitude. 00:07:42.259 --> 00:07:48.759 He is thankful for their partnership with him in ministry. 00:07:49.459 --> 00:07:53.920 Verse 19 tells us that this church prayed faithfully for Paul. 00:07:54.599 --> 00:07:58.620 In chapter 4 we see that they gave faithfully to him. 00:07:59.599 --> 00:08:05.000 Chapter 4 also speaks of how they shared his troubles with him. 00:08:05.000 --> 00:08:12.060 So their hearts were with him in a way that he knew that they were committed to him. 00:08:12.259 --> 00:08:16.360 And they were involved deeply in his ministry. 00:08:16.360 --> 00:08:22.740 In chapter 2 it describes how Epaphroditus, who was a co-worker with Paul, 00:08:22.839 --> 00:08:26.899 had been sent to him from this church. 00:08:27.899 --> 00:08:34.779 This was a church that recognized why God establishes local churches. 00:08:34.779 --> 00:08:41.079 That we are people pulled from the world, then gathered together. 00:08:41.079 --> 00:08:48.480 That we might grow together, helping one another, deepen our relationships. 00:08:48.480 --> 00:08:53.600 That we would then fulfill gospel mission together. 00:08:53.600 --> 00:09:05.600 We want to do something important in life. 00:09:05.600 --> 00:09:12.960 We all want to be part of what is meaningful. 00:09:13.600 --> 00:09:17.759 We want to do something important in life. 00:09:17.759 --> 00:09:25.279 Gospel mission makes small things meaningful. 00:09:27.279 --> 00:09:31.740 And gospel mission makes big things worthy. 00:09:33.100 --> 00:09:35.939 It makes small things meaningful. 00:09:35.939 --> 00:09:46.039 A word to a fellow believer that you're passing and you just sense maybe the day is difficult. 00:09:46.039 --> 00:09:50.419 Just to ask them or just to pray for them. 00:09:50.419 --> 00:09:59.879 Or a note, a text to someone because they are in your heart and mind expressing gratitude. 00:10:00.679 --> 00:10:14.519 Small things when it comes to gospel mission are very meaningful because God is in them. 00:10:14.519 --> 00:10:28.679 And God is so wondrous that the smallest touch of God in anything makes it wondrous. 00:10:29.960 --> 00:10:38.899 And the big things that at first may seem hard, intimidating, those things are all worthy. 00:10:38.899 --> 00:10:42.439 God's worthy of the big commitments. 00:10:43.699 --> 00:10:48.840 Big sacrifices for who in eternity will ever be saying, 00:10:49.759 --> 00:10:51.939 Oh, I sacrifice so much for God. 00:10:54.039 --> 00:10:57.759 Think, telling people the big things we did. 00:10:58.039 --> 00:11:05.340 How small it all will seem when we see him. 00:11:05.340 --> 00:11:12.000 We have now the fruit of the gospel. 00:11:14.040 --> 00:11:16.040 We have justification. 00:11:16.560 --> 00:11:18.180 We're being sanctified. 00:11:18.500 --> 00:11:19.580 We are adopted. 00:11:20.100 --> 00:11:22.879 The Holy Spirit does dwell in us. 00:11:22.960 --> 00:11:24.360 We are citizens of the kingdom. 00:11:24.540 --> 00:11:29.540 The fruit of the gospel is already a part of us. 00:11:29.620 --> 00:11:31.920 It is being produced. 00:11:31.919 --> 00:11:38.799 And so for us who have so much from God, 00:11:38.959 --> 00:11:46.459 how can we not commit ourselves in partnership with one another for the sake of the gospel? 00:11:46.899 --> 00:11:54.179 How can we not pour ourselves into what it means to serve the kingdom of God? 00:11:54.179 --> 00:11:57.939 Which means to be serving one another. 00:12:01.019 --> 00:12:05.419 Gospel work is to love Christ and so to love what he's doing. 00:12:06.759 --> 00:12:09.179 And we know what he came to do. 00:12:09.639 --> 00:12:11.439 To seek and save the lost. 00:12:11.699 --> 00:12:13.639 To gather people for himself. 00:12:13.639 --> 00:12:17.399 To give hope to those who had no hope. 00:12:17.659 --> 00:12:22.220 To lift up the poor and the helpless and the maimed and the blind. 00:12:24.139 --> 00:12:25.879 To minister to them. 00:12:30.000 --> 00:12:34.980 Gospel work is to love Christ and what he's doing and those who need what he's doing. 00:12:36.879 --> 00:12:40.159 Gospel work is our comprehensive job. 00:12:40.159 --> 00:12:42.379 It's not a component. 00:12:42.659 --> 00:12:45.139 It's not a category in life. 00:12:45.939 --> 00:12:48.079 It is not so much what we do. 00:12:48.179 --> 00:12:48.959 It's who we are. 00:12:49.679 --> 00:12:51.980 We are gospel people. 00:12:52.679 --> 00:12:58.339 We are people who literally have been transformed. 00:12:59.059 --> 00:13:00.240 Born anew. 00:13:00.759 --> 00:13:02.059 We are the citizens. 00:13:02.559 --> 00:13:05.299 The Bible doesn't tell us to be ambassadors. 00:13:05.480 --> 00:13:06.639 He just says you are. 00:13:06.639 --> 00:13:11.100 That's who we are in the world. 00:13:13.659 --> 00:13:21.600 Gospel work is things that we do because that flows out of, more importantly, who we are as the people of God. 00:13:21.600 --> 00:13:29.320 Paul is thankful for their partnership in ministry. 00:13:29.740 --> 00:13:31.100 What they understood. 00:13:31.980 --> 00:13:33.840 And so what they pour themselves into. 00:13:34.040 --> 00:13:37.680 And he's thankful for God's ongoing work in them. 00:13:38.680 --> 00:13:39.440 Verse 6. 00:13:41.019 --> 00:13:43.860 What a great encouragement to all God's people. 00:13:43.860 --> 00:13:45.919 I am sure. 00:13:46.379 --> 00:13:49.580 Going back to the language of our first session. 00:13:49.919 --> 00:13:51.700 What can we be certain of? 00:13:52.560 --> 00:13:54.960 I am certain of this. 00:13:55.960 --> 00:13:58.080 He who began a good work. 00:13:59.080 --> 00:14:01.600 Will bring it to completion. 00:14:02.200 --> 00:14:05.019 At the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:14:05.019 --> 00:14:13.460 God is working to make us a people who are fit for an eternity with him. 00:14:16.100 --> 00:14:18.399 So God is committed to our completion. 00:14:18.860 --> 00:14:22.100 That we might be what scripture says. 00:14:22.100 --> 00:14:31.460 If any theologian was just to bring up this idea on their own. 00:14:31.460 --> 00:14:35.120 Do you know one day you'll actually be like Jesus? 00:14:35.600 --> 00:14:37.759 How heretical that would be. 00:14:38.000 --> 00:14:39.220 How heretical it sounds. 00:14:39.500 --> 00:14:41.040 The problem is it's actually in the Bible. 00:14:42.580 --> 00:14:48.860 Otherwise, you can't say a believer is actually going to be like Jesus. 00:14:49.340 --> 00:14:51.400 That's taking it a bit too far. 00:14:52.580 --> 00:14:55.240 And yet, that's what the Bible tells us. 00:14:55.240 --> 00:14:58.100 When we see him, we will be like him. 00:14:58.159 --> 00:14:59.840 Not that we will all be little gods. 00:15:00.940 --> 00:15:03.120 But we will be like Jesus. 00:15:03.379 --> 00:15:07.860 The perfect man whose love for God is complete. 00:15:10.100 --> 00:15:13.220 And we're told that is sure. 00:15:13.460 --> 00:15:15.759 We know that will happen. 00:15:15.940 --> 00:15:18.560 If it's begun, it will end that way. 00:15:18.559 --> 00:15:25.339 This sure result should have impacts in us. 00:15:25.799 --> 00:15:33.619 One, it gives us fresh joy in the daily striving to be what God wants. 00:15:33.719 --> 00:15:35.199 To not be half-hearted. 00:15:35.459 --> 00:15:37.399 Because we can be worn down with it. 00:15:38.299 --> 00:15:41.519 We can be discouraged as we see ourselves. 00:15:42.519 --> 00:15:46.219 And the enemy, just working, you'll never be. 00:15:46.220 --> 00:15:48.740 You'll never really change. 00:15:49.180 --> 00:15:57.480 Just poking and prodding at us to be more aware of our sins and failures than God's grace. 00:15:57.820 --> 00:16:02.120 And here, Paul wants us to be more aware of God's grace than our failures. 00:16:03.060 --> 00:16:11.759 And so we can take fresh joy in even ongoing struggles with habitual sins and with patterns. 00:16:11.759 --> 00:16:17.039 And things that we thought we had kind of gotten away from and then just erupted in our life. 00:16:17.139 --> 00:16:18.639 And where did that come from? 00:16:18.819 --> 00:16:23.319 We have fresh joy just to dig in, just to push it beside. 00:16:23.659 --> 00:16:26.399 Not to dwell in guilt. 00:16:26.559 --> 00:16:28.480 To confess it and move forward. 00:16:28.480 --> 00:16:32.779 Because we know we will be perfected. 00:16:32.779 --> 00:16:43.139 And if we can have fresh joy in our striving, that means we can have fresh patience with fellow believers because it's true of them too. 00:16:44.179 --> 00:16:45.860 They will be perfected. 00:16:47.639 --> 00:16:54.799 Their annoying sins will be purified. 00:16:54.799 --> 00:17:07.039 Confidence in our completion is part of our motivation for mission. 00:17:09.619 --> 00:17:14.220 Because verse 6 tells us the day of the Lord is coming. 00:17:15.299 --> 00:17:16.419 There is a king. 00:17:16.420 --> 00:17:30.539 This past Wednesday, I was teaching in our church on the statement of faith, which our beloved brother, Sean, was such a significant part of developing. 00:17:31.440 --> 00:17:43.100 And the section, I had a very plumb section that I was teaching on, which is the efficacy and exaltation of Christ. 00:17:43.099 --> 00:17:55.240 And if there's any two sections that you could be excited and are fun to teach, it's his efficacy, his effectiveness, and his exaltation. 00:17:55.639 --> 00:18:01.279 His exaltation that he is raised, ascended, and reigning. 00:18:02.480 --> 00:18:10.199 And as I was working through this, I pointed out we have two pictures of Jesus that we celebrate, rightly so. 00:18:10.200 --> 00:18:13.600 The beautiful baby in the manger. 00:18:14.880 --> 00:18:17.019 Jesus humbling himself in coming. 00:18:17.519 --> 00:18:21.660 The sacrificial Savior on the cross. 00:18:22.279 --> 00:18:25.140 And we rightly exalt them and speak of implications. 00:18:25.600 --> 00:18:33.980 There's a picture the Bible gives us that you rarely hear believers speak about or think of, but we should celebrate it as well. 00:18:33.980 --> 00:18:38.059 Revelation 19, Jesus on the white horse. 00:18:39.019 --> 00:18:45.779 The one who comes in power and majesty and makes all things right. 00:18:50.380 --> 00:18:52.299 The day of the Lord is coming. 00:18:52.299 --> 00:19:05.419 And the day actually will be soon when the day of the Lord's coming will be an historical event. 00:19:05.819 --> 00:19:08.599 We will speak of it when that day happened. 00:19:09.440 --> 00:19:10.919 And you will see it. 00:19:10.920 --> 00:19:19.759 Either you will be plucked out of the ground and your body joined to your soul. 00:19:20.140 --> 00:19:23.740 Or you'll be standing there watching that happen. 00:19:25.220 --> 00:19:31.580 One way or the other, your eyes will see it. 00:19:31.579 --> 00:19:41.319 And on that day, everything will be made right. 00:19:42.399 --> 00:19:45.000 In the world and in us. 00:19:47.399 --> 00:19:51.220 Paul's thankful for their partnership and mission. 00:19:52.220 --> 00:19:56.099 He's thankful for God's ongoing work in them. 00:19:56.099 --> 00:20:07.139 And thirdly, he's thankful for his thankfulness results in then a heart filled with affection. 00:20:08.079 --> 00:20:12.879 Because he's so grateful for what God is doing and how they are serving. 00:20:13.879 --> 00:20:17.259 Affection flows forth from him. 00:20:17.359 --> 00:20:19.059 His true love for them. 00:20:20.240 --> 00:20:20.779 Verse 8. 00:20:20.779 --> 00:20:22.359 For God is my witness. 00:20:22.539 --> 00:20:24.559 How I yearn for you. 00:20:25.180 --> 00:20:28.500 That he would say that God is my witness. 00:20:28.799 --> 00:20:32.180 Means that as he was starting to write, I yearn for you. 00:20:33.000 --> 00:20:36.059 He felt that they might just pass over. 00:20:36.160 --> 00:20:38.319 He wanted them to truly know it. 00:20:43.119 --> 00:20:45.319 He declares it's right. 00:20:46.319 --> 00:20:49.200 That he has joy and thankfulness over them. 00:20:49.200 --> 00:20:51.940 It's the appropriate response. 00:20:52.460 --> 00:20:58.819 The appropriate perspective he should have for these fellow believers is affection. 00:20:59.220 --> 00:21:02.200 The appropriate attitude is joy over them. 00:21:02.519 --> 00:21:05.340 For what God has done in them. 00:21:05.880 --> 00:21:07.920 For what God is doing. 00:21:08.299 --> 00:21:09.819 And what he has for them. 00:21:11.440 --> 00:21:15.460 Because they shared the gospel with him. 00:21:16.180 --> 00:21:18.420 They shared Christ with him. 00:21:18.420 --> 00:21:20.580 They shared ministry with him. 00:21:22.580 --> 00:21:25.680 And we need to take these realities. 00:21:27.259 --> 00:21:31.820 And make them central in how we interact with one another. 00:21:32.240 --> 00:21:34.019 In the church at large. 00:21:35.019 --> 00:21:37.680 And in the church gathered locally. 00:21:37.680 --> 00:21:49.080 The central realities of the same blood has covered our sins. 00:21:50.519 --> 00:21:53.700 The same eternity that we will share. 00:21:54.060 --> 00:21:55.360 The same mission. 00:21:55.359 --> 00:22:01.359 We can be frustrated with fellow believers. 00:22:04.099 --> 00:22:06.479 We can be annoyed at those locally. 00:22:08.979 --> 00:22:10.859 At some points just want to say. 00:22:11.099 --> 00:22:13.779 Just get over it and move on. 00:22:13.979 --> 00:22:14.339 Please. 00:22:14.339 --> 00:22:14.659 Please. 00:22:17.859 --> 00:22:19.939 Not saying that's ever in my church. 00:22:20.000 --> 00:22:21.799 I've heard in other churches that happens. 00:22:21.799 --> 00:22:33.940 We can be so disappointed in the church at large by what we see. 00:22:33.940 --> 00:22:46.259 Not just teachers teaching what is obscene before God. 00:22:46.259 --> 00:22:52.180 But then throngs of people following them. 00:22:54.519 --> 00:22:56.660 To the way we disagree. 00:22:57.460 --> 00:22:59.539 There are things worth disagreeing over. 00:23:00.420 --> 00:23:02.079 The way we disagree. 00:23:02.079 --> 00:23:07.159 And yet. 00:23:07.819 --> 00:23:09.419 If they are in Christ. 00:23:10.819 --> 00:23:15.039 I think we all have faith to believe. 00:23:15.159 --> 00:23:19.500 In heaven none of us will be disagreeing or angry with each other. 00:23:19.500 --> 00:23:25.119 What Christian in this world honestly thinks. 00:23:26.039 --> 00:23:27.480 When we get to heaven. 00:23:27.980 --> 00:23:30.740 The believers that you struggle with so much now. 00:23:30.839 --> 00:23:32.460 That we'll have anything but love for them. 00:23:33.119 --> 00:23:34.420 If we know that. 00:23:35.920 --> 00:23:39.799 Then there's a responsibility to labor toward that. 00:23:40.180 --> 00:23:40.599 Now. 00:23:42.420 --> 00:23:46.920 And so whenever we enter the assembly of God's people. 00:23:46.920 --> 00:23:48.240 Like we do this morning. 00:23:49.500 --> 00:23:50.000 To. 00:23:52.799 --> 00:23:53.319 The. 00:23:54.319 --> 00:23:57.200 Either bringing in the busyness of the week. 00:23:57.400 --> 00:23:58.740 Or bringing in. 00:23:58.980 --> 00:24:00.079 I serve in this way. 00:24:00.200 --> 00:24:00.619 So you know. 00:24:00.680 --> 00:24:01.559 I've got to get this done. 00:24:01.640 --> 00:24:02.480 I have to show up here. 00:24:02.619 --> 00:24:04.140 To make sure. 00:24:04.839 --> 00:24:06.079 We're realizing. 00:24:07.240 --> 00:24:09.119 The preciousness of. 00:24:09.660 --> 00:24:10.660 Who is here. 00:24:10.740 --> 00:24:11.740 And what is happening. 00:24:11.880 --> 00:24:12.940 What we share together. 00:24:14.539 --> 00:24:16.079 Part of what I pray. 00:24:16.700 --> 00:24:18.240 Every Sunday morning. 00:24:18.740 --> 00:24:19.099 Early. 00:24:19.099 --> 00:24:19.899 I'm asking. 00:24:19.899 --> 00:24:20.339 Lord. 00:24:20.799 --> 00:24:21.819 As we gather. 00:24:22.059 --> 00:24:23.599 And when we see each other. 00:24:24.039 --> 00:24:26.199 May just affection fill our hearts. 00:24:27.159 --> 00:24:28.159 As we're reminded. 00:24:29.000 --> 00:24:30.639 That we love each other. 00:24:30.839 --> 00:24:32.079 How good it is. 00:24:32.359 --> 00:24:33.319 To be together. 00:24:33.740 --> 00:24:35.000 May that fill us. 00:24:36.279 --> 00:24:38.119 We are to rejoice. 00:24:39.000 --> 00:24:39.599 Over. 00:24:40.000 --> 00:24:41.019 God's people. 00:24:41.019 --> 00:24:42.019 God's work. 00:24:42.019 --> 00:24:44.259 Because of God's work in them. 00:24:44.759 --> 00:24:46.879 Because of what we share together. 00:24:48.200 --> 00:24:49.980 So Paul shares how he. 00:24:50.639 --> 00:24:51.240 Joyfully. 00:24:51.920 --> 00:24:53.319 Prayers for the church. 00:24:53.400 --> 00:24:54.460 Verses 9 and 11. 00:24:54.460 --> 00:24:57.000 He already. 00:24:57.000 --> 00:24:58.620 Told us in verse 4. 00:24:58.620 --> 00:25:00.180 That he makes his prayers. 00:25:00.180 --> 00:25:01.240 With joy. 00:25:02.240 --> 00:25:02.920 Verse 9. 00:25:03.400 --> 00:25:03.700 It is. 00:25:04.100 --> 00:25:04.840 My prayer. 00:25:04.840 --> 00:25:05.680 That your love. 00:25:05.759 --> 00:25:07.059 May abound more and more. 00:25:07.220 --> 00:25:07.799 With knowledge. 00:25:07.900 --> 00:25:08.900 And all discernment. 00:25:10.340 --> 00:25:11.680 He prays first. 00:25:11.680 --> 00:25:12.720 That their love. 00:25:12.720 --> 00:25:14.240 Would keep growing. 00:25:14.519 --> 00:25:15.880 Abounding more and more. 00:25:15.880 --> 00:25:21.180 The increase of love. 00:25:21.180 --> 00:25:23.060 Is the essential mark. 00:25:23.060 --> 00:25:23.760 Of maturity. 00:25:24.640 --> 00:25:25.400 You cannot. 00:25:25.660 --> 00:25:26.620 Grow maturity. 00:25:26.620 --> 00:25:27.660 If you're not growing. 00:25:27.660 --> 00:25:28.740 In love. 00:25:29.060 --> 00:25:30.360 And the apostle Paul. 00:25:30.360 --> 00:25:31.500 Makes that very clear. 00:25:31.700 --> 00:25:32.860 You can grow. 00:25:32.860 --> 00:25:33.680 In theological. 00:25:33.680 --> 00:25:34.600 Intellect. 00:25:35.200 --> 00:25:36.720 And not be mature. 00:25:36.900 --> 00:25:37.620 You can do. 00:25:38.020 --> 00:25:39.280 Big things. 00:25:40.780 --> 00:25:42.220 And it means nothing. 00:25:43.240 --> 00:25:43.600 Love. 00:25:43.880 --> 00:25:44.980 Is part of. 00:25:44.980 --> 00:25:46.519 What makes those things. 00:25:46.740 --> 00:25:47.660 True maturity. 00:25:47.660 --> 00:25:48.940 And pleasing to God. 00:25:48.940 --> 00:25:49.680 Whether it's. 00:25:50.039 --> 00:25:50.420 Works. 00:25:50.420 --> 00:25:51.660 Or understanding. 00:25:51.819 --> 00:25:52.720 Love must be. 00:25:52.920 --> 00:25:53.759 A part of it. 00:25:54.460 --> 00:25:55.839 That it's abounding. 00:25:55.960 --> 00:25:56.420 More and more. 00:25:56.539 --> 00:25:57.960 It continually grows. 00:25:58.099 --> 00:25:58.220 The. 00:25:59.220 --> 00:26:00.400 In Corinthians. 00:26:01.059 --> 00:26:02.900 Where it describes. 00:26:03.460 --> 00:26:03.940 Love. 00:26:04.220 --> 00:26:05.460 And then it ends. 00:26:05.519 --> 00:26:06.779 With just a statement. 00:26:07.220 --> 00:26:08.460 And love never fails. 00:26:10.299 --> 00:26:10.940 The. 00:26:11.460 --> 00:26:12.700 The word there. 00:26:12.940 --> 00:26:14.380 The most literal. 00:26:14.380 --> 00:26:15.440 Way. 00:26:15.980 --> 00:26:17.080 To read it is. 00:26:17.520 --> 00:26:18.860 Love never falls. 00:26:19.220 --> 00:26:19.740 Off. 00:26:20.140 --> 00:26:21.140 It's the picture of. 00:26:21.600 --> 00:26:22.540 A flower. 00:26:22.640 --> 00:26:23.260 The blossom. 00:26:23.260 --> 00:26:25.160 That never wilts. 00:26:25.800 --> 00:26:26.420 The blossom. 00:26:26.620 --> 00:26:27.380 Never falls. 00:26:27.500 --> 00:26:28.180 Off the plant. 00:26:28.260 --> 00:26:29.340 It just remains. 00:26:29.840 --> 00:26:30.240 And so. 00:26:30.320 --> 00:26:30.900 It's translated. 00:26:30.980 --> 00:26:31.780 It never fails. 00:26:32.060 --> 00:26:32.820 It's the idea of. 00:26:32.940 --> 00:26:33.960 The beauty of it. 00:26:34.020 --> 00:26:35.160 Just keeps going. 00:26:35.400 --> 00:26:35.780 And so. 00:26:35.860 --> 00:26:36.980 Whenever we have loved. 00:26:36.980 --> 00:26:38.120 Someone really well. 00:26:39.560 --> 00:26:39.840 I think. 00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:40.680 Wow. 00:26:40.680 --> 00:26:41.420 I was so good. 00:26:41.420 --> 00:26:42.320 To my wife today. 00:26:44.320 --> 00:26:44.799 I mean. 00:26:45.400 --> 00:26:46.700 I took care of things. 00:26:46.779 --> 00:26:47.600 I knew she wanted. 00:26:47.680 --> 00:26:49.140 Without her asking. 00:26:49.560 --> 00:26:51.720 And I didn't really feel like it. 00:26:52.900 --> 00:26:54.220 I'm such a good husband. 00:26:54.620 --> 00:26:55.140 I think. 00:26:55.279 --> 00:26:56.000 For the rest of the night. 00:26:56.000 --> 00:26:56.880 It should be about me. 00:26:58.779 --> 00:26:59.779 The Bible says. 00:26:59.900 --> 00:27:00.060 No. 00:27:00.059 --> 00:27:02.399 We always have. 00:27:02.740 --> 00:27:04.379 As Paul describes it. 00:27:04.500 --> 00:27:05.460 In Romans 13. 00:27:05.460 --> 00:27:06.980 We have a debt of love. 00:27:07.179 --> 00:27:07.579 Meaning. 00:27:07.960 --> 00:27:09.099 We've never loved enough. 00:27:09.220 --> 00:27:09.940 No matter how. 00:27:10.720 --> 00:27:11.859 Much we've loved someone. 00:27:11.980 --> 00:27:12.839 The very next moment. 00:27:12.980 --> 00:27:13.919 You owe more love. 00:27:16.139 --> 00:27:17.799 That's how we're to think of love. 00:27:17.919 --> 00:27:19.700 As if it's a debt. 00:27:19.960 --> 00:27:20.799 That we must. 00:27:21.119 --> 00:27:21.799 Always pay. 00:27:22.679 --> 00:27:24.519 Love is not only the great mark. 00:27:24.519 --> 00:27:25.299 Of maturity. 00:27:25.859 --> 00:27:27.279 It's a great motivator. 00:27:27.279 --> 00:27:27.859 For it. 00:27:27.859 --> 00:27:30.299 Love for God. 00:27:30.299 --> 00:27:32.839 Is what pushes us into it. 00:27:32.979 --> 00:27:33.639 It's interesting. 00:27:33.639 --> 00:27:34.339 How love. 00:27:34.539 --> 00:27:35.139 Is. 00:27:35.379 --> 00:27:36.639 The great fruit. 00:27:36.719 --> 00:27:38.039 And evidence of maturity. 00:27:38.039 --> 00:27:39.839 It's also what motivates it. 00:27:40.039 --> 00:27:41.659 What causes us to keep. 00:27:42.500 --> 00:27:43.479 Pressing in. 00:27:43.559 --> 00:27:44.839 Because we really do. 00:27:45.259 --> 00:27:45.539 Love. 00:27:46.059 --> 00:27:46.439 God. 00:27:47.119 --> 00:27:48.439 And so he's praying. 00:27:48.779 --> 00:27:49.759 That this. 00:27:49.899 --> 00:27:51.059 Which is so fundamental. 00:27:51.459 --> 00:27:52.879 The most important thing. 00:27:52.879 --> 00:27:53.339 For them. 00:27:53.339 --> 00:27:54.199 Would keep. 00:27:54.679 --> 00:27:55.079 Growing. 00:27:57.859 --> 00:27:59.379 He mentions two ingredients. 00:27:59.379 --> 00:28:00.599 Of that growing love. 00:28:00.719 --> 00:28:00.939 What. 00:28:01.079 --> 00:28:02.339 What is in growing love. 00:28:02.419 --> 00:28:02.599 And. 00:28:03.419 --> 00:28:04.000 You might not. 00:28:04.439 --> 00:28:05.439 First think of these. 00:28:06.019 --> 00:28:06.219 But. 00:28:06.979 --> 00:28:07.559 It's what. 00:28:07.759 --> 00:28:08.759 We're told by Paul. 00:28:09.459 --> 00:28:10.819 Knowledge and discernment. 00:28:11.799 --> 00:28:12.919 It requires. 00:28:13.079 --> 00:28:14.079 Knowledge and discernment. 00:28:14.179 --> 00:28:14.599 Knowledge. 00:28:14.979 --> 00:28:15.079 I mean. 00:28:15.779 --> 00:28:16.899 What is love. 00:28:17.579 --> 00:28:17.779 And. 00:28:17.779 --> 00:28:18.019 And. 00:28:18.019 --> 00:28:19.660 People think they know about love. 00:28:19.700 --> 00:28:20.619 We talk about it. 00:28:20.680 --> 00:28:20.879 And. 00:28:20.879 --> 00:28:22.559 There are aspects of love. 00:28:22.680 --> 00:28:23.619 That come naturally. 00:28:24.259 --> 00:28:26.180 We naturally love our children. 00:28:27.059 --> 00:28:28.259 But there's parts of love. 00:28:28.359 --> 00:28:29.220 We don't get. 00:28:30.180 --> 00:28:30.500 Hence. 00:28:31.599 --> 00:28:33.200 Paul's description and list. 00:28:34.059 --> 00:28:35.259 Of what's needed. 00:28:37.180 --> 00:28:39.079 We mix in our emotions. 00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:41.139 And can think it's love. 00:28:41.639 --> 00:28:43.480 We mix in our expectations. 00:28:43.480 --> 00:28:47.160 We mix in our selfishness. 00:28:47.960 --> 00:28:50.380 We need biblical clarity. 00:28:50.900 --> 00:28:52.000 About love. 00:28:52.960 --> 00:28:54.099 So that's what he says. 00:28:54.160 --> 00:28:54.860 He prays. 00:28:55.000 --> 00:28:55.599 For knowledge. 00:28:55.680 --> 00:28:55.799 That. 00:28:55.799 --> 00:28:57.799 You would truly see and understand. 00:28:58.740 --> 00:28:58.920 What. 00:28:59.279 --> 00:28:59.759 Is. 00:29:00.480 --> 00:29:00.880 Love. 00:29:02.319 --> 00:29:04.240 And that you would have discernment. 00:29:04.779 --> 00:29:05.319 Meaning. 00:29:05.599 --> 00:29:07.220 How do you use this love? 00:29:07.500 --> 00:29:09.000 How does it play out? 00:29:09.460 --> 00:29:10.440 Right now. 00:29:10.440 --> 00:29:11.660 In this situation. 00:29:11.660 --> 00:29:13.960 What does it mean to love this person? 00:29:14.240 --> 00:29:16.180 Sometimes what it means to love someone is. 00:29:16.620 --> 00:29:17.440 Easy and obvious. 00:29:17.519 --> 00:29:18.519 Other times it's. 00:29:18.880 --> 00:29:20.100 Hard to figure out. 00:29:20.539 --> 00:29:22.140 How do I love this person? 00:29:22.200 --> 00:29:22.680 We need. 00:29:23.600 --> 00:29:24.080 Discernment. 00:29:24.140 --> 00:29:24.299 When. 00:29:24.720 --> 00:29:26.220 Friends or family frustrate us. 00:29:26.259 --> 00:29:28.100 When a co-worker misuses us. 00:29:28.200 --> 00:29:29.059 What does love do? 00:29:30.740 --> 00:29:31.039 And. 00:29:32.480 --> 00:29:33.460 The help is. 00:29:33.660 --> 00:29:34.519 To always go back. 00:29:35.039 --> 00:29:37.039 To a gospel centeredness. 00:29:37.279 --> 00:29:37.759 Somehow. 00:29:38.480 --> 00:29:39.759 Whatever the answer is. 00:29:39.759 --> 00:29:41.180 Of what love would do now. 00:29:41.180 --> 00:29:43.220 It has to be tied to. 00:29:43.740 --> 00:29:44.799 Gospel agenda. 00:29:45.339 --> 00:29:46.299 It has to do with. 00:29:46.660 --> 00:29:47.660 What Christ's intention. 00:29:47.940 --> 00:29:48.879 For the world. 00:29:49.019 --> 00:29:50.019 Is his intention. 00:29:50.019 --> 00:29:50.859 For this person. 00:29:51.200 --> 00:29:51.539 Love is. 00:29:52.160 --> 00:29:52.720 Thinking of. 00:29:52.980 --> 00:29:54.119 Someone's eternal best. 00:29:54.240 --> 00:29:55.379 What is the most important. 00:29:55.579 --> 00:29:56.099 For them. 00:29:58.680 --> 00:29:59.420 So he. 00:29:59.480 --> 00:30:00.279 He prays that. 00:30:00.579 --> 00:30:01.640 Their love would keep growing. 00:30:01.839 --> 00:30:02.019 And. 00:30:02.279 --> 00:30:02.900 He prays. 00:30:02.960 --> 00:30:03.839 That their godliness. 00:30:03.839 --> 00:30:04.859 Would keep growing. 00:30:04.859 --> 00:30:05.599 In verse 10. 00:30:05.759 --> 00:30:07.039 So that you may prove. 00:30:07.059 --> 00:30:07.779 What is excellent. 00:30:07.920 --> 00:30:08.720 And be pure. 00:30:08.720 --> 00:30:09.660 And blameless. 00:30:10.019 --> 00:30:10.960 For the day of Christ. 00:30:11.039 --> 00:30:11.980 That they would be a. 00:30:12.220 --> 00:30:12.700 Godly. 00:30:12.940 --> 00:30:13.839 Holy people. 00:30:14.720 --> 00:30:15.279 A people. 00:30:15.640 --> 00:30:16.000 Fit. 00:30:16.680 --> 00:30:17.539 For communion. 00:30:17.539 --> 00:30:18.299 And life. 00:30:18.420 --> 00:30:19.019 With God. 00:30:19.720 --> 00:30:21.279 These are lofty prayers. 00:30:22.460 --> 00:30:23.660 This is what Paul. 00:30:23.779 --> 00:30:24.680 Is praying for them. 00:30:26.220 --> 00:30:27.100 His prayers. 00:30:27.240 --> 00:30:27.920 Not dominated. 00:30:28.420 --> 00:30:28.839 Lord. 00:30:30.100 --> 00:30:30.720 Make them. 00:30:30.900 --> 00:30:32.100 Stop doing this. 00:30:33.100 --> 00:30:33.740 Make them. 00:30:33.900 --> 00:30:34.900 Give more to me. 00:30:34.900 --> 00:30:35.000 He. 00:30:37.400 --> 00:30:38.140 He's praying. 00:30:38.140 --> 00:30:39.300 For who they are. 00:30:43.300 --> 00:30:44.080 And because. 00:30:44.080 --> 00:30:45.000 These were. 00:30:45.000 --> 00:30:46.540 So lofty prayers. 00:30:46.540 --> 00:30:47.519 That were at the heart. 00:30:47.519 --> 00:30:48.040 Of God. 00:30:48.140 --> 00:30:48.580 For them. 00:30:49.240 --> 00:30:50.320 These prayers. 00:30:50.680 --> 00:30:52.040 Kept stirring up. 00:30:52.320 --> 00:30:52.759 Affection. 00:30:52.920 --> 00:30:53.440 More and more. 00:30:54.280 --> 00:30:55.140 It kept his heart. 00:30:55.360 --> 00:30:56.280 Bound to them. 00:30:57.280 --> 00:30:58.360 So as we are. 00:30:58.720 --> 00:30:59.100 Praying. 00:30:59.300 --> 00:31:00.019 For one another. 00:31:00.640 --> 00:31:01.220 For what. 00:31:01.220 --> 00:31:01.880 God would. 00:31:02.160 --> 00:31:02.920 Have happened. 00:31:03.799 --> 00:31:04.759 It is uniting. 00:31:04.759 --> 00:31:05.440 Our hearts. 00:31:05.660 --> 00:31:06.299 To one another. 00:31:08.460 --> 00:31:09.600 Our views. 00:31:09.600 --> 00:31:10.339 Of each other. 00:31:10.720 --> 00:31:11.620 Need to be based. 00:31:11.620 --> 00:31:12.400 On the gospel. 00:31:12.579 --> 00:31:14.299 Not our experience. 00:31:15.200 --> 00:31:16.000 And that's. 00:31:16.200 --> 00:31:17.319 Rather revolutionary. 00:31:20.019 --> 00:31:21.519 When we see people. 00:31:21.700 --> 00:31:22.900 We have an impression. 00:31:25.240 --> 00:31:25.720 We. 00:31:25.900 --> 00:31:26.920 We think certain things. 00:31:26.960 --> 00:31:27.380 About them. 00:31:27.480 --> 00:31:27.720 People. 00:31:28.019 --> 00:31:28.880 We don't even know. 00:31:28.880 --> 00:31:30.900 You're in line. 00:31:30.940 --> 00:31:31.480 At Starbucks. 00:31:31.480 --> 00:31:32.160 And you're having. 00:31:32.360 --> 00:31:33.240 All kinds of impressions. 00:31:33.240 --> 00:31:33.740 About who. 00:31:33.840 --> 00:31:34.760 Who's in the line. 00:31:35.640 --> 00:31:36.900 What they look like. 00:31:37.360 --> 00:31:38.160 What they're wearing. 00:31:38.980 --> 00:31:39.820 How they order. 00:31:40.180 --> 00:31:40.880 What they order. 00:31:41.100 --> 00:31:41.960 Are you kidding me? 00:31:43.420 --> 00:31:44.760 How they interact. 00:31:45.260 --> 00:31:46.120 With the server. 00:31:46.360 --> 00:31:47.420 Or with other people. 00:31:48.100 --> 00:31:48.700 We're creating. 00:31:48.840 --> 00:31:49.720 All sorts. 00:31:49.900 --> 00:31:50.220 Of. 00:31:51.140 --> 00:31:51.660 Opinions. 00:31:52.980 --> 00:31:53.900 How slow. 00:31:54.000 --> 00:31:54.260 They are. 00:31:55.360 --> 00:31:56.080 You're waiting. 00:31:56.180 --> 00:31:56.600 To now. 00:31:56.700 --> 00:31:58.020 To get your money out. 00:31:58.019 --> 00:31:59.519 We've been in line. 00:31:59.579 --> 00:32:00.680 All this time. 00:32:01.160 --> 00:32:02.059 You're supposed to have. 00:32:02.119 --> 00:32:02.879 Your money ready. 00:32:03.440 --> 00:32:04.099 You don't start. 00:32:04.299 --> 00:32:05.339 Fumbling now. 00:32:06.539 --> 00:32:07.500 Things like that. 00:32:08.379 --> 00:32:08.819 Wow. 00:32:10.259 --> 00:32:10.740 Again. 00:32:10.759 --> 00:32:11.559 I'm not speaking. 00:32:12.500 --> 00:32:12.940 Myself. 00:32:13.740 --> 00:32:15.460 I'm speaking of the confessions. 00:32:15.460 --> 00:32:16.859 I hear from God's people. 00:32:18.160 --> 00:32:19.500 But we have all these. 00:32:20.079 --> 00:32:20.559 Impressions. 00:32:20.559 --> 00:32:21.460 That come from our experience. 00:32:22.799 --> 00:32:23.359 Versus. 00:32:23.879 --> 00:32:25.319 What we think about people. 00:32:25.319 --> 00:32:28.039 Is what the gospel informs us. 00:32:28.039 --> 00:32:28.599 Of. 00:32:29.139 --> 00:32:30.579 If they're a fellow believer. 00:32:31.279 --> 00:32:33.359 Or there's someone who doesn't know Christ. 00:32:34.599 --> 00:32:35.119 Now. 00:32:35.279 --> 00:32:37.159 Our experience is part of the reality. 00:32:37.679 --> 00:32:37.899 And. 00:32:38.439 --> 00:32:39.779 It rightly informs. 00:32:40.139 --> 00:32:40.539 Us. 00:32:41.079 --> 00:32:42.859 But there's something more fundamental. 00:32:42.859 --> 00:32:44.299 Than our experience with them. 00:32:44.879 --> 00:32:45.419 It is. 00:32:45.879 --> 00:32:47.059 Christ's agenda. 00:32:47.220 --> 00:32:47.480 For them. 00:32:47.539 --> 00:32:48.240 What the gospel. 00:32:48.720 --> 00:32:49.759 Says about them. 00:32:49.759 --> 00:32:52.460 So how do we apply. 00:32:52.660 --> 00:32:53.460 Paul's joy. 00:32:53.460 --> 00:32:53.839 Over. 00:32:54.140 --> 00:32:54.859 God's people. 00:32:56.059 --> 00:32:57.019 Three common. 00:32:57.359 --> 00:32:58.019 Simple things. 00:32:58.079 --> 00:32:58.319 Really. 00:32:59.059 --> 00:32:59.400 Or. 00:32:59.579 --> 00:33:00.500 Straightforward things. 00:33:01.039 --> 00:33:01.359 Perhaps. 00:33:01.420 --> 00:33:02.119 Not always simple. 00:33:03.680 --> 00:33:04.319 First. 00:33:05.000 --> 00:33:06.000 Be more careful. 00:33:06.000 --> 00:33:07.019 How you think about. 00:33:07.140 --> 00:33:07.740 Fellow believers. 00:33:10.700 --> 00:33:11.960 If there's something. 00:33:11.960 --> 00:33:12.960 That needs to be. 00:33:13.200 --> 00:33:14.099 Written in the sky. 00:33:16.299 --> 00:33:16.900 Be. 00:33:17.299 --> 00:33:17.740 Careful. 00:33:17.740 --> 00:33:20.680 How you think about. 00:33:21.079 --> 00:33:21.400 Fellow. 00:33:21.920 --> 00:33:22.359 Believers. 00:33:24.819 --> 00:33:25.960 Because someone. 00:33:26.579 --> 00:33:28.359 Who loves them so much. 00:33:29.319 --> 00:33:30.339 He entered the world. 00:33:30.720 --> 00:33:31.940 And shed blood for them. 00:33:32.559 --> 00:33:33.519 Is overhearing. 00:33:35.319 --> 00:33:36.539 What we think. 00:33:37.319 --> 00:33:38.240 And what we say. 00:33:39.900 --> 00:33:41.099 Guard against. 00:33:41.359 --> 00:33:42.000 Seeing them. 00:33:42.099 --> 00:33:42.680 Without. 00:33:42.960 --> 00:33:43.480 Gospel. 00:33:43.680 --> 00:33:44.279 Eyes. 00:33:45.339 --> 00:33:46.279 Seeing them. 00:33:46.279 --> 00:33:47.579 Just as the world. 00:33:47.579 --> 00:33:48.200 Sees them. 00:33:48.980 --> 00:33:50.160 They do this. 00:33:50.259 --> 00:33:51.160 They say that. 00:33:51.279 --> 00:33:52.259 They act this way. 00:33:52.440 --> 00:33:53.920 We just see them. 00:33:54.420 --> 00:33:54.960 By. 00:33:55.339 --> 00:33:56.619 The externals. 00:33:57.059 --> 00:33:58.299 Of our senses. 00:33:59.960 --> 00:34:00.960 That's how the world. 00:34:01.059 --> 00:34:01.599 Sees people. 00:34:01.720 --> 00:34:01.859 We. 00:34:02.000 --> 00:34:02.940 We need to see them. 00:34:04.099 --> 00:34:05.339 More thoughtfully. 00:34:05.460 --> 00:34:05.660 Than. 00:34:05.940 --> 00:34:06.920 The world does. 00:34:07.319 --> 00:34:07.599 Through. 00:34:07.940 --> 00:34:08.460 God's. 00:34:08.699 --> 00:34:09.259 Eyes. 00:34:09.260 --> 00:34:10.620 If. 00:34:10.640 --> 00:34:11.200 The church. 00:34:11.200 --> 00:34:12.240 If. 00:34:12.240 --> 00:34:12.400 The church. 00:34:12.400 --> 00:34:12.460 If. 00:34:12.460 --> 00:34:13.180 2020. 00:34:13.180 --> 00:34:13.840 Did. 00:34:14.360 --> 00:34:14.700 Something. 00:34:14.940 --> 00:34:15.780 For the church. 00:34:16.140 --> 00:34:17.600 It showed us. 00:34:18.000 --> 00:34:18.200 That. 00:34:18.640 --> 00:34:19.400 The cracks. 00:34:19.780 --> 00:34:20.840 Beneath the surface. 00:34:22.280 --> 00:34:23.880 More than we had thought. 00:34:24.740 --> 00:34:25.580 We thought. 00:34:25.680 --> 00:34:26.600 We were more united. 00:34:26.760 --> 00:34:27.640 We had more common. 00:34:30.160 --> 00:34:30.380 And. 00:34:30.720 --> 00:34:31.060 I mean. 00:34:33.120 --> 00:34:34.740 These became a thing. 00:34:35.860 --> 00:34:36.420 There are people. 00:34:36.540 --> 00:34:37.240 Who left churches. 00:34:37.239 --> 00:34:39.000 Because of these. 00:34:40.119 --> 00:34:41.139 Imagine that. 00:34:42.879 --> 00:34:43.859 The gathering. 00:34:43.859 --> 00:34:44.459 Of the people. 00:34:44.459 --> 00:34:45.099 Of God. 00:34:45.899 --> 00:34:46.619 The people. 00:34:46.739 --> 00:34:47.199 In the world. 00:34:47.359 --> 00:34:47.619 Who are. 00:34:47.879 --> 00:34:49.019 Our forever. 00:34:49.319 --> 00:34:49.799 Family. 00:34:50.639 --> 00:34:51.839 And we actually. 00:34:52.839 --> 00:34:54.199 We had fights. 00:34:54.479 --> 00:34:55.419 Over these. 00:34:56.739 --> 00:34:58.159 People left churches. 00:34:58.839 --> 00:34:59.299 Over. 00:35:00.119 --> 00:35:00.719 These. 00:35:01.399 --> 00:35:01.779 Now. 00:35:01.979 --> 00:35:02.159 I. 00:35:02.759 --> 00:35:03.079 Hate. 00:35:03.359 --> 00:35:03.739 These. 00:35:05.000 --> 00:35:05.839 Never thought. 00:35:05.879 --> 00:35:06.479 I'd say it. 00:35:06.480 --> 00:35:07.360 Never thought. 00:35:07.400 --> 00:35:08.039 It'd be a thing. 00:35:09.900 --> 00:35:11.119 Things have been revealed. 00:35:11.119 --> 00:35:11.740 To us. 00:35:12.360 --> 00:35:13.340 About what's beneath. 00:35:13.340 --> 00:35:14.099 The surface. 00:35:15.099 --> 00:35:16.519 How we need to. 00:35:16.840 --> 00:35:17.360 Reaffirm. 00:35:17.519 --> 00:35:18.039 How we think. 00:35:18.139 --> 00:35:18.860 About each other. 00:35:20.000 --> 00:35:21.039 Do we see. 00:35:21.199 --> 00:35:21.800 Fellow members. 00:35:21.800 --> 00:35:22.880 For their weaknesses. 00:35:22.880 --> 00:35:23.820 And their offenses. 00:35:23.820 --> 00:35:24.740 Against us. 00:35:25.119 --> 00:35:26.360 Which can be real. 00:35:27.219 --> 00:35:28.179 And the pain of it. 00:35:29.820 --> 00:35:30.840 Do we see. 00:35:30.980 --> 00:35:31.440 One another. 00:35:31.440 --> 00:35:32.460 Simply as people. 00:35:32.599 --> 00:35:33.940 Passing through our lives. 00:35:33.940 --> 00:35:34.059 Yes. 00:35:35.420 --> 00:35:36.940 The bigger a church is. 00:35:37.119 --> 00:35:38.639 The easier that can be. 00:35:39.139 --> 00:35:39.440 Yeah. 00:35:39.579 --> 00:35:39.760 Yeah. 00:35:39.760 --> 00:35:40.460 I kind of see them. 00:35:40.579 --> 00:35:41.500 Maybe I know their name. 00:35:41.579 --> 00:35:41.700 Or. 00:35:42.360 --> 00:35:42.500 You know. 00:35:42.500 --> 00:35:43.760 They go to our church. 00:35:43.940 --> 00:35:44.059 And. 00:35:46.539 --> 00:35:47.800 Pass each other Sunday. 00:35:48.179 --> 00:35:49.320 And if we're good Christians. 00:35:49.420 --> 00:35:50.179 We'll even say hello. 00:35:50.179 --> 00:35:50.339 Oh. 00:35:52.539 --> 00:35:53.399 What became. 00:35:54.399 --> 00:35:54.960 Embarrassing. 00:35:54.960 --> 00:35:55.599 And difficult. 00:35:56.319 --> 00:35:57.759 When you grow up in a church. 00:35:57.759 --> 00:35:58.539 For decades. 00:35:59.539 --> 00:36:01.319 And everyone knows who you are. 00:36:02.019 --> 00:36:03.039 You've lived in the church. 00:36:03.039 --> 00:36:03.679 All your life. 00:36:03.739 --> 00:36:04.659 Now you're a pastor. 00:36:05.159 --> 00:36:05.299 You. 00:36:05.619 --> 00:36:06.639 And I engage. 00:36:06.699 --> 00:36:07.440 Before the service. 00:36:07.440 --> 00:36:08.119 I'm going around. 00:36:08.259 --> 00:36:08.899 Saying hello. 00:36:09.239 --> 00:36:09.599 To people. 00:36:09.719 --> 00:36:11.099 As many people as possible. 00:36:11.500 --> 00:36:11.919 Talking. 00:36:12.099 --> 00:36:13.259 And then you get married. 00:36:13.719 --> 00:36:14.579 Which means. 00:36:15.659 --> 00:36:16.359 Oh Debbie. 00:36:16.480 --> 00:36:17.179 This is. 00:36:17.619 --> 00:36:18.559 I have no idea. 00:36:19.759 --> 00:36:20.719 All these people. 00:36:20.879 --> 00:36:21.460 Who I know. 00:36:21.539 --> 00:36:22.019 And talk to. 00:36:22.079 --> 00:36:22.599 I have no idea. 00:36:22.659 --> 00:36:23.419 What their names are. 00:36:24.759 --> 00:36:25.859 Which you can hide. 00:36:25.940 --> 00:36:27.319 Until your wife is with you. 00:36:27.359 --> 00:36:27.919 And you have to. 00:36:28.119 --> 00:36:28.899 This is Debbie. 00:36:28.960 --> 00:36:30.219 And you hope they pick up the cue. 00:36:30.659 --> 00:36:31.579 And you are. 00:36:32.699 --> 00:36:33.739 And why don't you say it. 00:36:33.759 --> 00:36:34.819 So I know who you are. 00:36:37.879 --> 00:36:38.960 Can be easy. 00:36:39.099 --> 00:36:39.819 Just believers. 00:36:39.980 --> 00:36:41.480 Or people that pass through our life. 00:36:41.579 --> 00:36:41.739 No. 00:36:41.739 --> 00:36:41.980 They're. 00:36:42.899 --> 00:36:43.139 They're. 00:36:43.299 --> 00:36:44.179 They are. 00:36:44.440 --> 00:36:45.719 Our forever family. 00:36:45.819 --> 00:36:46.940 And we can't love. 00:36:46.940 --> 00:36:48.579 And be engaged with everyone equally. 00:36:49.720 --> 00:36:51.159 But how we're thinking of them. 00:36:51.320 --> 00:36:51.980 Who they are. 00:36:52.099 --> 00:36:52.820 In our lives. 00:36:53.800 --> 00:36:55.220 Paul saw fellow believers. 00:36:55.380 --> 00:36:56.860 Through the lens of the gospel. 00:36:58.980 --> 00:37:00.679 I am sure of this. 00:37:00.780 --> 00:37:02.780 That he who began a good work in you. 00:37:02.900 --> 00:37:04.320 Will bring it to completion. 00:37:04.900 --> 00:37:07.340 And it's right for me to feel this way. 00:37:07.340 --> 00:37:08.180 Because. 00:37:08.180 --> 00:37:08.340 I am sure of this. 00:37:08.340 --> 00:37:09.340 I am sure of this. 00:37:09.340 --> 00:37:09.780 I am sure of this. 00:37:09.780 --> 00:37:10.340 I am sure of this. 00:37:10.340 --> 00:37:10.820 I am sure of this. 00:37:10.820 --> 00:37:11.220 I am sure of this. 00:37:11.220 --> 00:37:11.780 I am sure of this. 00:37:11.780 --> 00:37:12.300 Because. 00:37:12.300 --> 00:37:13.440 I hold you. 00:37:13.820 --> 00:37:14.700 In my heart. 00:37:15.600 --> 00:37:17.500 For you are all partakers. 00:37:17.500 --> 00:37:18.820 With me of the gospel. 00:37:22.400 --> 00:37:25.039 If we're not looking at believers this way. 00:37:25.200 --> 00:37:27.380 Then we're looking at them like the world does. 00:37:27.480 --> 00:37:29.100 It's the only other alternative. 00:37:29.099 --> 00:37:30.339 Secondly. 00:37:30.519 --> 00:37:33.079 How do we apply Paul's joy over God's people. 00:37:34.039 --> 00:37:37.219 Commit to being prayerful for your church. 00:37:37.239 --> 00:37:38.839 Which means the people in it. 00:37:40.679 --> 00:37:43.839 We need the prayers of God's people for us. 00:37:43.840 --> 00:37:47.539 When people tell me they're praying for me. 00:37:48.100 --> 00:37:49.360 It never gets old. 00:37:50.720 --> 00:37:52.760 Every time someone says it. 00:37:53.620 --> 00:37:56.380 It is deeply meaningful. 00:37:59.900 --> 00:38:01.380 There have been some people. 00:38:01.519 --> 00:38:02.840 I can think of one couple. 00:38:03.260 --> 00:38:04.160 They're an older couple. 00:38:04.340 --> 00:38:06.039 All kinds of physical problems. 00:38:07.180 --> 00:38:07.420 You know. 00:38:07.480 --> 00:38:09.720 They're simple in their view of life. 00:38:10.000 --> 00:38:11.180 And of God. 00:38:11.179 --> 00:38:14.019 And they've been around a long time. 00:38:14.519 --> 00:38:15.859 And we hadn't seen them. 00:38:16.379 --> 00:38:17.179 For months. 00:38:18.099 --> 00:38:18.699 And you wonder. 00:38:19.699 --> 00:38:20.899 Are they watching? 00:38:21.119 --> 00:38:22.019 Are they here? 00:38:22.919 --> 00:38:25.519 And the first time I ran into them. 00:38:26.199 --> 00:38:27.359 Was recently. 00:38:28.819 --> 00:38:29.799 And she said. 00:38:33.319 --> 00:38:34.919 Every night. 00:38:35.440 --> 00:38:36.960 My husband and I. 00:38:37.559 --> 00:38:39.579 We pray for you. 00:38:41.179 --> 00:38:42.739 Every night. 00:38:44.919 --> 00:38:46.759 And I immediately thought of. 00:38:47.039 --> 00:38:47.199 You know. 00:38:47.319 --> 00:38:48.960 How I was thinking of them. 00:38:50.019 --> 00:38:50.219 You know. 00:38:50.339 --> 00:38:51.219 Fringe people. 00:38:52.719 --> 00:38:54.219 Wondering how much they've grown. 00:38:54.339 --> 00:38:55.279 How much they get. 00:38:56.759 --> 00:38:59.179 They get enough that they pray for me every day. 00:39:00.019 --> 00:39:01.379 I'd say that's getting a lot. 00:39:01.380 --> 00:39:07.619 We not only need the prayers. 00:39:08.019 --> 00:39:09.160 Of God's people. 00:39:11.079 --> 00:39:12.640 We need the attitude. 00:39:12.640 --> 00:39:13.420 And the heart. 00:39:13.680 --> 00:39:15.180 That praying for them. 00:39:15.420 --> 00:39:16.420 Will bring to us. 00:39:17.720 --> 00:39:19.240 We need to have a heart. 00:39:19.240 --> 00:39:20.519 Shaped by. 00:39:21.180 --> 00:39:22.200 What happens in us. 00:39:22.200 --> 00:39:23.740 When we pray for one another. 00:39:24.300 --> 00:39:25.800 Versus just be annoyed. 00:39:26.519 --> 00:39:28.099 Or praying at them. 00:39:28.099 --> 00:39:31.219 Praying for them. 00:39:31.500 --> 00:39:32.059 Affects. 00:39:32.339 --> 00:39:33.099 Our heart. 00:39:33.239 --> 00:39:33.860 We need. 00:39:34.279 --> 00:39:34.500 That. 00:39:36.019 --> 00:39:36.819 Affecting. 00:39:37.279 --> 00:39:38.099 Of our hearts. 00:39:38.900 --> 00:39:40.380 If it's not your habit. 00:39:40.539 --> 00:39:42.159 To pray for your church. 00:39:43.559 --> 00:39:45.360 Please begin that habit. 00:39:46.339 --> 00:39:47.159 Make it something. 00:39:47.759 --> 00:39:48.319 Specific. 00:39:48.579 --> 00:39:50.039 Do not ask. 00:39:50.159 --> 00:39:51.259 Lord bless our church. 00:39:51.739 --> 00:39:52.420 That's wonderful. 00:39:52.420 --> 00:39:55.559 But would you know what that means. 00:39:55.599 --> 00:39:56.420 Or what it is. 00:39:56.960 --> 00:39:58.619 What is it that you want him to do. 00:40:00.139 --> 00:40:01.039 And third. 00:40:01.360 --> 00:40:02.700 And we finish with this. 00:40:04.220 --> 00:40:06.920 We share Paul's joy over the church. 00:40:09.820 --> 00:40:12.380 One of God's gifts to me. 00:40:13.960 --> 00:40:14.440 Was. 00:40:14.820 --> 00:40:17.519 To give me a love for the church. 00:40:17.760 --> 00:40:18.599 Early on. 00:40:18.599 --> 00:40:20.639 When people ask. 00:40:20.759 --> 00:40:21.400 When did you. 00:40:21.639 --> 00:40:23.259 Know you wanted to become a pastor. 00:40:24.759 --> 00:40:26.460 My honest response is. 00:40:27.799 --> 00:40:29.299 I can't remember. 00:40:30.019 --> 00:40:33.319 Not knowing and wanting to be involved in the life of the church. 00:40:33.440 --> 00:40:34.519 There was never a moment. 00:40:34.920 --> 00:40:35.099 That. 00:40:35.480 --> 00:40:36.579 It came to me. 00:40:36.719 --> 00:40:37.440 A revelation. 00:40:37.920 --> 00:40:38.639 Or a call. 00:40:38.779 --> 00:40:39.719 I just grew up. 00:40:39.900 --> 00:40:40.039 And. 00:40:40.539 --> 00:40:41.440 The church was. 00:40:41.759 --> 00:40:42.199 Always. 00:40:42.400 --> 00:40:43.739 Where my heart and life was. 00:40:43.819 --> 00:40:44.119 I just. 00:40:45.079 --> 00:40:46.679 Never even thought of life. 00:40:46.679 --> 00:40:48.139 Not being. 00:40:48.659 --> 00:40:49.819 Right there involved. 00:40:49.899 --> 00:40:50.639 In the center of it. 00:40:51.759 --> 00:40:52.199 That's. 00:40:52.679 --> 00:40:54.159 A grace and goodness of God. 00:40:54.659 --> 00:40:55.359 For me. 00:40:57.579 --> 00:40:59.799 So the love for the church. 00:41:00.319 --> 00:41:00.839 The love. 00:41:01.359 --> 00:41:01.779 For his. 00:41:02.460 --> 00:41:03.339 His people. 00:41:03.460 --> 00:41:04.559 The idea of his people. 00:41:04.659 --> 00:41:05.659 I've had to grow in love for. 00:41:05.879 --> 00:41:07.059 The actual people. 00:41:11.579 --> 00:41:13.480 Because each believer represents. 00:41:13.599 --> 00:41:14.799 A wondrous work of God. 00:41:14.800 --> 00:41:16.940 Each believer. 00:41:16.940 --> 00:41:18.440 Is a display. 00:41:19.580 --> 00:41:21.680 Of how big God's grace is. 00:41:23.160 --> 00:41:24.320 And each believer. 00:41:24.500 --> 00:41:25.920 Is becoming a person. 00:41:27.080 --> 00:41:29.019 Of magnificent beauty. 00:41:31.380 --> 00:41:33.440 For how else can you describe. 00:41:33.440 --> 00:41:35.000 Someone who will be like Christ. 00:41:35.980 --> 00:41:37.940 Other than they will be a person. 00:41:37.940 --> 00:41:39.100 Of magnificent. 00:41:39.900 --> 00:41:40.220 Beauty. 00:41:40.219 --> 00:41:44.159 Christ. 00:41:44.480 --> 00:41:46.099 Takes joy over the church. 00:41:46.459 --> 00:41:47.939 So we should as well. 00:41:49.139 --> 00:41:50.559 So I'm going to close. 00:41:50.739 --> 00:41:53.000 By reading from Isaiah 62. 00:41:54.579 --> 00:41:56.059 Verses 3 to 5. 00:41:57.799 --> 00:41:59.099 Isaiah 62. 00:41:59.299 --> 00:42:00.059 3 to 5. 00:42:00.059 --> 00:42:03.940 You shall be. 00:42:03.940 --> 00:42:05.779 A crown of beauty. 00:42:06.320 --> 00:42:07.960 In the hand of the Lord. 00:42:09.579 --> 00:42:11.579 You shall no more. 00:42:12.340 --> 00:42:14.500 Be termed forsaken. 00:42:15.500 --> 00:42:17.940 Your land shall no more be termed. 00:42:18.579 --> 00:42:19.199 Desolate. 00:42:20.199 --> 00:42:21.380 For the Lord. 00:42:21.380 --> 00:42:25.260 Just take in these words. 00:42:27.340 --> 00:42:28.740 For the Lord. 00:42:29.740 --> 00:42:30.380 Delights. 00:42:31.019 --> 00:42:31.780 In you. 00:42:33.960 --> 00:42:35.660 As the bridegroom. 00:42:36.519 --> 00:42:38.119 Rejoices over the bride. 00:42:38.660 --> 00:42:41.900 So shall your God. 00:42:42.940 --> 00:42:44.200 Rejoice over you. 00:42:44.199 --> 00:42:47.199 If God is rejoicing. 00:42:48.019 --> 00:42:48.199 And delighting. 00:42:48.980 --> 00:42:49.480 In someone. 00:42:50.219 --> 00:42:51.559 Then we should too. 00:42:53.079 --> 00:42:53.719 Love. 00:42:54.119 --> 00:42:55.039 The church. 00:42:56.199 --> 00:42:56.879 Love. 00:42:57.639 --> 00:42:58.699 Your church. 00:43:00.079 --> 00:43:00.619 Love. 00:43:01.139 --> 00:43:01.839 Each other. 00:43:02.579 --> 00:43:03.519 And part of that. 00:43:03.919 --> 00:43:05.119 Is taking joy. 00:43:05.399 --> 00:43:06.039 In one another. 00:43:06.819 --> 00:43:07.399 Let's pray. 00:43:10.039 --> 00:43:11.439 Our Heavenly Father. 00:43:11.440 --> 00:43:11.519 Father. 00:43:14.320 --> 00:43:15.360 How sweet. 00:43:15.500 --> 00:43:16.619 These days have been. 00:43:16.720 --> 00:43:17.920 That you have given us. 00:43:23.119 --> 00:43:23.679 May. 00:43:24.559 --> 00:43:26.260 May each truth. 00:43:26.260 --> 00:43:27.340 That is from you. 00:43:27.940 --> 00:43:28.880 Be absorbed. 00:43:30.340 --> 00:43:32.079 May it find fertile ground. 00:43:32.079 --> 00:43:33.340 In our hearts. 00:43:35.159 --> 00:43:36.280 We ask. 00:43:37.280 --> 00:43:38.220 We ask. 00:43:38.740 --> 00:43:40.280 That you would do this. 00:43:40.280 --> 00:43:41.600 In each of us. 00:43:42.800 --> 00:43:43.880 We ask. 00:43:43.880 --> 00:43:44.720 That you would. 00:43:45.519 --> 00:43:46.060 Carry out. 00:43:46.260 --> 00:43:47.460 The full desire. 00:43:47.620 --> 00:43:48.380 Of your heart. 00:43:48.519 --> 00:43:48.760 For us. 00:43:49.880 --> 00:43:50.880 Whatever is. 00:43:50.980 --> 00:43:51.900 The full measure. 00:43:51.900 --> 00:43:53.240 Of what we should take. 00:43:53.460 --> 00:43:54.560 From this weekend. 00:43:55.240 --> 00:43:56.200 That is what. 00:43:56.740 --> 00:43:57.840 You would bring to us. 00:43:59.340 --> 00:44:00.460 That you would. 00:44:00.600 --> 00:44:01.300 Encourage us. 00:44:01.380 --> 00:44:02.519 By helping us see. 00:44:03.180 --> 00:44:04.900 Some early impact. 00:44:05.560 --> 00:44:06.360 That our hearts. 00:44:06.660 --> 00:44:07.700 Would be able to. 00:44:08.200 --> 00:44:08.800 Take joy. 00:44:08.800 --> 00:44:09.960 In seeing. 00:44:09.960 --> 00:44:11.440 That you are helping us. 00:44:12.280 --> 00:44:13.860 What seems hard. 00:44:14.860 --> 00:44:16.580 May we just keep looking at you. 00:44:16.680 --> 00:44:17.840 And that you would help us. 00:44:21.840 --> 00:44:22.940 And Father. 00:44:23.080 --> 00:44:23.820 I ask. 00:44:25.400 --> 00:44:26.720 That you would meet. 00:44:26.720 --> 00:44:29.000 This precious congregation. 00:44:29.000 --> 00:44:33.840 That you would build in them. 00:44:34.639 --> 00:44:35.840 Deep rootedness. 00:44:36.840 --> 00:44:37.480 Maturity. 00:44:38.659 --> 00:44:39.800 Broad love. 00:44:40.840 --> 00:44:42.380 And then bring to them. 00:44:43.320 --> 00:44:44.280 Not a few. 00:44:46.480 --> 00:44:47.679 But many. 00:44:48.159 --> 00:44:48.800 Whom you. 00:44:49.199 --> 00:44:50.239 Would save. 00:44:51.380 --> 00:44:51.860 Bring. 00:44:52.480 --> 00:44:53.380 So many. 00:44:53.840 --> 00:44:55.760 That they would be able to. 00:44:55.760 --> 00:44:56.880 Give birth. 00:44:57.320 --> 00:44:58.220 To other. 00:44:59.080 --> 00:45:00.240 Beautiful churches. 00:45:00.740 --> 00:45:01.340 Of people. 00:45:01.480 --> 00:45:02.140 Who love you. 00:45:03.740 --> 00:45:04.660 Protect them. 00:45:04.780 --> 00:45:05.700 And build them up. 00:45:06.180 --> 00:45:07.220 In the name of Jesus. 00:45:07.420 --> 00:45:07.880 We pray. 00:45:09.160 --> 00:45:09.540 Amen. 00:45:11.740 --> 00:45:12.280 Thank you. 00:45:12.340 --> 00:45:12.500 Kyle. 00:45:12.540 --> 00:45:13.380 If you would stay up here. 00:45:13.540 --> 00:45:14.020 For a little bit. 00:45:14.160 --> 00:45:15.000 I am just going to. 00:45:15.380 --> 00:45:16.040 Thank you. 00:45:17.700 --> 00:45:18.100 Kyle. 00:45:18.099 --> 00:45:20.619 I was really eager. 00:45:20.779 --> 00:45:21.299 For this pairing. 00:45:21.759 --> 00:45:22.719 And for you to come. 00:45:22.779 --> 00:45:23.500 And be our speaker. 00:45:23.699 --> 00:45:24.940 Because I love our church. 00:45:25.360 --> 00:45:25.699 And. 00:45:26.299 --> 00:45:27.539 Wanted them to be served well. 00:45:28.819 --> 00:45:29.219 And. 00:45:29.480 --> 00:45:30.440 But also because. 00:45:30.739 --> 00:45:31.219 I love you. 00:45:31.380 --> 00:45:31.519 And. 00:45:32.000 --> 00:45:32.659 Wanted you to meet. 00:45:32.900 --> 00:45:33.619 My church family. 00:45:33.960 --> 00:45:34.119 And. 00:45:34.519 --> 00:45:34.920 And. 00:45:35.199 --> 00:45:35.799 And I. 00:45:36.639 --> 00:45:38.339 Thank you for serving us so well. 00:45:38.599 --> 00:45:40.259 Reminding us of the surpassing joy. 00:45:40.360 --> 00:45:41.119 We have in Christ. 00:45:41.299 --> 00:45:41.480 And. 00:45:41.980 --> 00:45:43.659 I can attest to the fact. 00:45:43.759 --> 00:45:44.839 That speaking at retreats. 00:45:45.239 --> 00:45:46.000 Is not easy. 00:45:46.679 --> 00:45:47.639 For a number of reasons. 00:45:48.099 --> 00:45:50.019 Because even when you speak on passages. 00:45:50.019 --> 00:45:51.259 You preached on in the past. 00:45:51.879 --> 00:45:53.179 Because you grow as a preacher. 00:45:53.420 --> 00:45:54.159 Over the years. 00:45:54.359 --> 00:45:56.319 And because it's a new context. 00:45:56.319 --> 00:45:57.559 And different groups of people. 00:45:57.739 --> 00:45:59.299 It takes significant reworking. 00:45:59.599 --> 00:46:01.079 And doing four sermons in one weekend. 00:46:01.159 --> 00:46:01.679 Is not easy. 00:46:02.599 --> 00:46:03.039 And. 00:46:03.039 --> 00:46:03.519 And two. 00:46:03.619 --> 00:46:04.759 Because you don't know the people. 00:46:05.420 --> 00:46:06.299 They don't know you. 00:46:06.619 --> 00:46:07.599 It's hard to. 00:46:07.839 --> 00:46:08.679 Preach with. 00:46:09.480 --> 00:46:10.000 Affection. 00:46:10.319 --> 00:46:11.199 And love. 00:46:11.579 --> 00:46:12.339 And passion. 00:46:12.920 --> 00:46:15.299 The same way you do with your own local church. 00:46:15.480 --> 00:46:15.599 But. 00:46:15.719 --> 00:46:16.799 But here in this case. 00:46:16.900 --> 00:46:17.460 It was clear. 00:46:18.119 --> 00:46:20.019 That you have prayed for our church. 00:46:20.019 --> 00:46:20.619 And. 00:46:20.920 --> 00:46:21.519 And. 00:46:21.639 --> 00:46:23.099 And you love our church. 00:46:23.460 --> 00:46:24.039 And. 00:46:24.299 --> 00:46:25.119 And even in. 00:46:25.960 --> 00:46:26.359 The. 00:46:26.579 --> 00:46:27.259 Between times. 00:46:27.400 --> 00:46:28.199 When you're not preaching. 00:46:28.199 --> 00:46:29.839 You are ministering to our church. 00:46:30.099 --> 00:46:31.319 Counseling different members. 00:46:31.519 --> 00:46:31.900 And so. 00:46:32.359 --> 00:46:33.000 Thank you for. 00:46:33.679 --> 00:46:34.480 For that. 00:46:34.480 --> 00:46:34.539 That. 00:46:34.539 --> 00:46:35.900 I'm profoundly grateful. 00:46:35.900 --> 00:46:36.860 For how you cared. 00:46:36.860 --> 00:46:37.980 For the church family. 00:46:37.980 --> 00:46:38.500 That I love. 00:46:38.659 --> 00:46:39.380 This weekend. 00:46:39.559 --> 00:46:39.719 So. 00:46:39.980 --> 00:46:41.240 Here's a small gift. 00:46:41.760 --> 00:46:42.240 Thank you. 00:46:42.420 --> 00:46:43.320 Thank you so much. 00:46:43.519 --> 00:46:43.659 Yeah. 00:46:43.740 --> 00:46:44.800 Let's give a round of applause. 00:46:44.800 --> 00:46:45.060 Thank you. 00:46:45.420 --> 00:46:46.920 Thank you. 00:46:46.920 --> 00:46:47.760 Thank you. 00:46:47.760 --> 00:46:47.780 Thank you. 00:46:51.120 --> 00:46:51.980 Thank you. 00:46:52.060 --> 00:46:54.220 Thank you. 00:46:54.240 --> 00:46:55.180 Thank you. 00:46:55.180 --> 00:46:55.860 Thank you. 00:46:55.960 --> 00:46:56.280 Thank you. 00:46:56.500 --> 00:46:57.060 Thank you. 00:46:57.060 --> 00:46:57.260 Thank you. 00:46:57.260 --> 00:46:57.840 It's an excuse.