WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.240 Open your Bibles, if you would, please, to 1 Timothy chapter 3. 00:00:09.240 --> 00:00:13.160 If you're using the Pew Bible, it's on page 992. 00:00:15.300 --> 00:00:20.120 I don't know if you are the kind of person that likes to read instructions 00:00:20.120 --> 00:00:20.120 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:34.000 I like the picture, I don't really like to read through the instructions, 00:00:34.000 --> 00:00:41.000 and so if the pictures are good, then the finished product will generally look the way it's supposed to. 00:00:42.000 --> 00:00:45.000 Maybe you're a picture kind of person too. 00:00:45.000 --> 00:00:49.000 The truth is that God has made us picture people. 00:00:49.000 --> 00:00:55.000 God has made us the kind of people who respond well, remember good pictures. 00:00:55.000 --> 00:01:02.000 You've heard the saying or the phrase, a picture is worth a thousand words, right? 00:01:02.000 --> 00:01:08.000 And there are probably instances in your life where you've been at certain places 00:01:08.000 --> 00:01:12.000 and you've seen the majestic sunrise or a sunset, 00:01:12.000 --> 00:01:16.000 or you've stood at the base of a mountain sea and you're like, 00:01:16.000 --> 00:01:19.000 wow, this spectacle is just incredible! 00:01:19.000 --> 00:01:23.000 Or like for our family, one of the most memorable times for us is 00:01:23.000 --> 00:01:28.000 is being out in California in the Sequoia National Park 00:01:28.000 --> 00:01:31.000 and kind of elevated on the top of this cliff, 00:01:31.000 --> 00:01:37.000 looking at the stars and just the majesty of the stars in the Milky Way. 00:01:37.000 --> 00:01:39.000 It was just breathtaking. 00:01:40.000 --> 00:01:47.000 And to try to describe such scenes in words shows the limitations of those words. 00:01:47.000 --> 00:01:53.000 Really, the only way to even come close, it's still limited, is to take a picture. 00:01:53.000 --> 00:01:55.000 You can't just take it for me. 00:01:55.000 --> 00:01:57.000 You've got to see it for yourself. 00:01:57.000 --> 00:02:02.000 Well, you realize that God has made us picture people. 00:02:02.000 --> 00:02:11.000 And God, by His grace, has provided good pictures for us to communicate about Himself 00:02:11.000 --> 00:02:14.000 and to communicate the Gospel. 00:02:14.000 --> 00:02:17.000 So that, in Psalm 19, we read, 00:02:17.000 --> 00:02:20.000 the heavens declare the glory of God. 00:02:20.000 --> 00:02:24.000 The sky proclaims His handiwork. 00:02:24.000 --> 00:02:32.000 All that we see about God in creation testifies to the wonder of who God is 00:02:32.000 --> 00:02:38.000 and provides a picture, as it were, of who that God is. 00:02:38.000 --> 00:02:44.000 We see in creation His power, His beauty, His care for creatures. 00:02:44.000 --> 00:02:49.000 We see His wisdom, His design, His sovereignty, His tenderness. 00:02:49.000 --> 00:02:58.000 All comes through so that in Romans 1, we find that we are able to witness all of the divine attributes of God 00:02:58.000 --> 00:03:02.000 that are clearly seen in creation. 00:03:02.000 --> 00:03:04.000 But pictures are limited. 00:03:04.000 --> 00:03:09.000 Pictures of God in creation only tell about this power. 00:03:09.000 --> 00:03:13.000 They don't communicate the message of who this God is 00:03:13.000 --> 00:03:16.000 or how to engage Him in relationship. 00:03:16.000 --> 00:03:22.000 So God sent us a picture of Himself through His Son, Jesus. 00:03:22.000 --> 00:03:28.000 This Christ figure who came in the flesh, who dwelt among us, 00:03:28.000 --> 00:03:34.000 and who provided an accurate, telling picture of God in the flesh. 00:03:34.000 --> 00:03:38.000 When Jesus came to earth, He became man and dwelt among us. 00:03:38.000 --> 00:03:41.000 And He came in physicality. 00:03:41.000 --> 00:03:42.000 He was accessible. 00:03:42.000 --> 00:03:43.000 He was present. 00:03:43.000 --> 00:03:51.000 This portrait of God that was clearly seen in the person and life in ministry of Jesus Christ. 00:03:51.000 --> 00:03:58.000 And His unchanging message was communicated through the power of His words. 00:03:58.000 --> 00:04:04.000 Even when Jesus taught, the truths that He taught were always connected to pictures. 00:04:04.000 --> 00:04:09.000 These illustrations or parables that Jesus would use, drawn out of culture 00:04:09.000 --> 00:04:17.000 so that people could see in their mind's eye these complex truths drawn out even from the surroundings. 00:04:17.000 --> 00:04:20.000 So Jesus would talk about the birds of the air. 00:04:20.000 --> 00:04:23.000 Or He would talk about the flowers of the field. 00:04:23.000 --> 00:04:26.000 Or Jesus would talk about the sower in the seed. 00:04:26.000 --> 00:04:29.000 He would talk about the vine in its branches. 00:04:29.000 --> 00:04:31.000 Or the fig tree in its fruit. 00:04:31.000 --> 00:04:33.000 Or the shepherd in the sheep. 00:04:33.000 --> 00:04:38.000 And as you can almost imagine, as Jesus is walking His way from one place to the other, 00:04:38.000 --> 00:04:44.000 He's drawing out these truths, even in the pictures that He sees around Him. 00:04:44.000 --> 00:04:51.000 Each of these pictures, of course, was meant to point to something greater, deeper, and better. 00:04:51.000 --> 00:04:59.000 It was meant to illustrate this restored life with God and all that God offered through Jesus Himself. 00:04:59.000 --> 00:05:03.000 These pictures were meant to be memorable and tangible. 00:05:03.000 --> 00:05:07.000 But of course, that greatest picture was Christ Himself. 00:05:07.000 --> 00:05:12.000 Jesus, who came as a man, fully man and fully God. 00:05:12.000 --> 00:05:18.000 This perfect portrait of one who had deep intimacy with the Father. 00:05:18.000 --> 00:05:29.000 This one whose union was possible and allows us to enjoy union with God as well through Christ's death and resurrection. 00:05:29.000 --> 00:05:31.000 Forgiveness of sin. 00:05:31.000 --> 00:05:36.000 Cleansing over because of the brokenness of our life. 00:05:36.000 --> 00:05:41.000 The fellowship that is now restored back to God because of what Christ has accomplished for us. 00:05:41.000 --> 00:05:46.000 And a new life that we can enjoy because of the resurrection life of Christ. 00:05:46.000 --> 00:05:49.000 Christ's life was this picture. 00:05:49.000 --> 00:05:52.000 But something that Jesus said that was profound. 00:05:52.000 --> 00:05:55.000 Something maybe even a bit surprising. 00:05:55.000 --> 00:06:00.000 The night before He was crucified, He's speaking with His disciples in John 16, verse 7. 00:06:00.000 --> 00:06:01.000 And He says this. 00:06:01.000 --> 00:06:02.000 He says, 00:06:02.000 --> 00:06:05.000 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth. 00:06:05.000 --> 00:06:08.000 It is to your advantage that I go away. 00:06:08.000 --> 00:06:13.000 For if I do not go away, the Helper, the Holy Spirit, will not come to you. 00:06:13.000 --> 00:06:17.000 But if I go, I will send Him to you. 00:06:17.000 --> 00:06:25.000 Somehow, the disciples would be in a better place, a better condition, when Jesus was gone. 00:06:25.000 --> 00:06:34.000 Because now the Holy Spirit would not only indwell them and help them to communicate, empower them for the work. 00:06:34.000 --> 00:06:39.000 The Holy Spirit would help guarantee their salvation. 00:06:39.000 --> 00:06:42.000 Would help sanctify their spiritual life. 00:06:42.000 --> 00:06:51.000 Would help them be the kind of gospel picture that now Jesus was calling every believer, every follower of God to engage in. 00:06:51.000 --> 00:06:54.000 They were to engage the world with a message. 00:06:54.000 --> 00:07:01.000 But they were to engage the world not only with a message that they say, but a message of life. 00:07:01.000 --> 00:07:08.000 A life that showed this transformation of the Holy Spirit working in them and changing them from the inside out. 00:07:08.000 --> 00:07:13.000 So that Paul will say to the church of Philippi in Philippians 1, verse 27. 00:07:13.000 --> 00:07:14.000 He says, 00:07:14.000 --> 00:07:15.000 He says, 00:07:15.000 --> 00:07:20.000 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ. 00:07:20.000 --> 00:07:27.000 So that whether I come and see you or I'm absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, 00:07:27.000 --> 00:07:33.000 with one mind, striving side by side for the faith of the gospel. 00:07:33.000 --> 00:07:38.000 That gospel message was punctuated by a worthy walk. 00:07:38.000 --> 00:07:44.000 It was the work of the Holy Spirit in their life that would show this portrait of the gospel coming through, 00:07:44.000 --> 00:07:50.000 that was accompanied by words that supported the life that was seen. 00:07:50.000 --> 00:07:52.000 So our life is a picture. 00:07:52.000 --> 00:07:57.000 A life is a picture of either the gospel for good or for bad, 00:07:57.000 --> 00:08:03.000 depending upon how consistent our life demonstrates that picture. 00:08:03.000 --> 00:08:09.000 This morning as we turn our gaze to 1 Timothy 3, beginning in verse 14, 00:08:09.000 --> 00:08:19.000 really, I want to focus on this passage to help draw out for us the beauty of this gospel life that God has called us to. 00:08:19.000 --> 00:08:26.000 And we're going to see the life and message of God's church here in verses 14 to 16. 00:08:26.000 --> 00:08:29.000 The life and message of God's church. 00:08:29.000 --> 00:08:31.000 Let me read for us, beginning in verse 14. 00:08:31.000 --> 00:08:40.000 I hope to come to you soon, but I'm writing these things to you so that if I delay, 00:08:40.000 --> 00:08:44.000 you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, 00:08:44.000 --> 00:08:49.000 which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 00:08:49.000 --> 00:08:52.000 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness. 00:08:52.000 --> 00:08:57.000 He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, 00:08:57.000 --> 00:09:03.000 proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory. 00:09:03.000 --> 00:09:11.000 We're going to see the two-fold way in which the church will powerfully portray the gospel. 00:09:11.000 --> 00:09:16.000 First, let's look to the church as pointing to God by our behavior. 00:09:16.000 --> 00:09:20.000 Pointing to God by our behavior or by our conduct. 00:09:20.000 --> 00:09:22.000 He says that here in verse 15. 00:09:22.000 --> 00:09:27.000 If I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God. 00:09:27.000 --> 00:09:33.000 The instructions in this letter that Paul gives come with purpose. 00:09:33.000 --> 00:09:35.000 He uses this phrase, so that. 00:09:35.000 --> 00:09:42.000 He wants Timothy to understand that God has a beautiful design for the church. 00:09:42.000 --> 00:09:46.000 The purpose clause provides this clear instruction. 00:09:46.000 --> 00:09:49.000 And Timothy is not without this instruction or design. 00:09:49.000 --> 00:09:56.000 And as Paul has given now this instruction to Timothy, this instruction is also for us. 00:09:56.000 --> 00:09:57.000 So why does this church exist? 00:09:57.000 --> 00:09:59.000 What are its priorities? 00:09:59.000 --> 00:10:04.000 How does the church carry out God's mission? 00:10:04.000 --> 00:10:08.000 Well, one way in which it does this is by behavior. 00:10:08.000 --> 00:10:10.000 To live, to conduct themselves. 00:10:10.000 --> 00:10:12.000 This way of life. 00:10:12.000 --> 00:10:17.000 This present pattern of behavior that marks us as people. 00:10:17.000 --> 00:10:23.000 This transformed life that shows a consistency with the standard that God has set. 00:10:23.000 --> 00:10:28.000 And the evidence of the Spirit's work in our life to help us obey. 00:10:28.000 --> 00:10:32.000 Our lives illustrate the truths we believe. 00:10:32.000 --> 00:10:38.000 We have said throughout our times together, you are what you believe. 00:10:38.000 --> 00:10:45.000 Not just what you say you believe, but your confession, the things that you actually believe, 00:10:45.000 --> 00:10:49.000 will bear itself out as you put them to practice. 00:10:49.000 --> 00:10:53.000 Our life illustrates the truths that we believe. 00:10:53.000 --> 00:10:57.000 And so it becomes a picture of the gospel to the world. 00:10:57.000 --> 00:11:04.000 So we see Paul addresses several ways in which the church's behavior points to God. 00:11:04.000 --> 00:11:07.000 First, it is the household of God. 00:11:07.000 --> 00:11:11.000 So our behavior points to the fact that God is present. 00:11:11.000 --> 00:11:13.000 That God is present with us. 00:11:13.000 --> 00:11:21.000 This concept of God's presence among his people would have blown the first century mind of the Jew. 00:11:21.000 --> 00:11:29.000 Because every concept that they had of God's presence among his people would have been in the temple itself. 00:11:29.000 --> 00:11:37.000 And the idea that God could dwell among his people is maybe captured for us well in Isaiah 66, verse 1. 00:11:37.000 --> 00:11:39.000 Where the prophet says this, 00:11:39.000 --> 00:11:41.000 Thus says the Lord, 00:11:41.000 --> 00:11:44.000 Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. 00:11:44.000 --> 00:11:47.000 What is the house that you would build for me? 00:11:47.000 --> 00:11:50.000 And what is the place of my rest? 00:11:50.000 --> 00:11:59.000 The house of God was so unimaginable because of how great and distinct and all-encompassing God was. 00:11:59.000 --> 00:12:05.000 And yet, this house of God, this temple that the people of Israel got to enjoy, 00:12:05.000 --> 00:12:10.000 was a picture of that reality of God's presence among his people. 00:12:10.000 --> 00:12:18.000 But even the temple, the structure of that temple, its ornateness, its separateness, its holiness, 00:12:18.000 --> 00:12:28.000 it was inaccessible to outsiders, and even in the places of the temple were distant to the normal Jewish person, 00:12:28.000 --> 00:12:30.000 the people of Israel. 00:12:30.000 --> 00:12:35.000 The Holy of Holies and the holy place being set apart from the people of Israel. 00:12:35.000 --> 00:12:40.000 It was a rigid reminder of the standards that God had set for his people. 00:12:40.000 --> 00:12:44.000 The separation of God, the holy standard of God, and being distinct. 00:12:44.000 --> 00:12:46.000 But with the death of Christ, 00:12:46.000 --> 00:12:51.000 the veil of separation in the Holy of Holies was brought down. 00:12:51.000 --> 00:12:57.000 And accessibility in the presence of God was made possible for every believer. 00:12:57.000 --> 00:13:02.000 So that in Ephesians 2, verses 21 and 22, 00:13:02.000 --> 00:13:06.000 the Apostle Paul will communicate to this church of Ephesus this truth, 00:13:06.000 --> 00:13:07.000 and saying, 00:13:07.000 --> 00:13:12.000 In whom the whole structure is speaking about the body of Christ, the believers, 00:13:12.000 --> 00:13:17.000 being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 00:13:17.000 --> 00:13:25.000 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. 00:13:25.000 --> 00:13:33.000 It is this truth of God's presence among his people residing in them and with them, 00:13:33.000 --> 00:13:36.000 that demonstrates that the church belongs to God, 00:13:36.000 --> 00:13:43.000 but also as his temple, as the household of God, that we belong to each other. 00:13:43.000 --> 00:13:48.000 There is something quite amazing about the work of God on the cross, 00:13:48.000 --> 00:13:53.000 in drawing us into fellowship with him, but also drawing us into fellowship with one another. 00:13:53.000 --> 00:13:55.000 We are the household of God. 00:13:55.000 --> 00:14:00.000 We demonstrate the presence of God among his people. 00:14:00.000 --> 00:14:03.000 Something unimaginable to the first century. 00:14:03.000 --> 00:14:06.000 Second, it is the church of the living God. 00:14:06.000 --> 00:14:08.000 The church of the living God. 00:14:08.000 --> 00:14:10.000 So it demonstrates that God is active. 00:14:10.000 --> 00:14:13.000 It shows that God is active among his people. 00:14:13.000 --> 00:14:22.000 We saw this identity or phrase or title used of God throughout the book of Daniel. 00:14:22.000 --> 00:14:27.000 The fact that he is constantly pointed to as the living God, 00:14:27.000 --> 00:14:32.000 which demonstrates his position of authority, his engagement with the world, 00:14:32.000 --> 00:14:36.000 his activity among his people, that he is not only present with them, 00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:39.000 but he is involved in their life. 00:14:39.000 --> 00:14:40.000 He is the living God. 00:14:40.000 --> 00:14:41.000 He is active. 00:14:41.000 --> 00:14:48.000 It is this quality of God that Peter will address when asked the question, 00:14:48.000 --> 00:14:50.000 Who do men say that I am? 00:14:50.000 --> 00:14:53.000 And in Matthew 16, 16, Peter says, 00:14:53.000 --> 00:14:59.000 You are the Christ, the son of the living God. 00:14:59.000 --> 00:15:04.000 Not the dead God, but the living God who is active and present among his people, 00:15:04.000 --> 00:15:06.000 engaged in their affairs. 00:15:06.000 --> 00:15:12.000 And then in Hebrews, the writer of the Hebrews says in chapter 10, verses 30 and 31, 00:15:12.000 --> 00:15:15.000 For we know him who said, Vengeance is mine. 00:15:15.000 --> 00:15:17.000 I will repay. 00:15:17.000 --> 00:15:19.000 And again, the Lord will judge his people. 00:15:19.000 --> 00:15:24.000 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 00:15:24.000 --> 00:15:27.000 God is the creator of life. 00:15:27.000 --> 00:15:31.000 God is the giver of physical and spiritual life. 00:15:31.000 --> 00:15:34.000 We owe every part of our being to him. 00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:38.000 And because he is the living God who imparts life to his people, 00:15:38.000 --> 00:15:42.000 He is thus over all and supreme. 00:15:42.000 --> 00:15:46.000 This living God is present with his people, dwells with them. 00:15:46.000 --> 00:15:52.000 And we, as God's people, have the privilege and responsibility of representing 00:15:52.000 --> 00:15:57.000 that living, active, engaged God to the world. 00:15:57.000 --> 00:15:59.000 He is present in our life. 00:15:59.000 --> 00:16:01.000 He is an active God. 00:16:01.000 --> 00:16:04.000 And so when the people see the church, 00:16:04.000 --> 00:16:08.000 they should see a picture of God in the gospel. 00:16:08.000 --> 00:16:13.000 This portrait of what God has intended to do among his creation from the beginning. 00:16:13.000 --> 00:16:19.000 And that is to create living souls, living subjects that are worshiping him and following after him. 00:16:19.000 --> 00:16:23.000 Third, it's the pillar and buttress of the truth. 00:16:23.000 --> 00:16:27.000 So the church will demonstrate that it shows that God is truth. 00:16:27.000 --> 00:16:28.000 He's present. 00:16:28.000 --> 00:16:29.000 He's active. 00:16:29.000 --> 00:16:30.000 He's truth. 00:16:30.000 --> 00:16:35.000 Of course, Jesus will say this of himself in John 14, verse 6. 00:16:35.000 --> 00:16:36.000 Jesus said to them, 00:16:36.000 --> 00:16:38.000 I am the way and the truth and the life. 00:16:38.000 --> 00:16:41.000 No one comes to the Father except through me. 00:16:41.000 --> 00:16:48.000 Jesus is the one way to God through the truth of the gospel, 00:16:48.000 --> 00:16:51.000 the truth of what Jesus came to accomplish. 00:16:51.000 --> 00:17:01.000 The truth that Jesus communicated about our brokenness and that we are all sinners and separated from the glory of God. 00:17:01.000 --> 00:17:05.000 And only through faith in Christ can we have access. 00:17:05.000 --> 00:17:08.000 Our world needs to hear this truth. 00:17:08.000 --> 00:17:15.000 Our world needs for the church to be the repository, the preserving agent of truth. 00:17:15.000 --> 00:17:21.000 The truth, the church or the group of individuals who not only preserve it but defend it. 00:17:21.000 --> 00:17:28.000 Who are willing to boldly speak it without compromise, without distortion, without fail. 00:17:29.000 --> 00:17:37.000 The truth is the only means by which the world will enjoy forgiveness of sin and fellowship with God. 00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:46.000 If the church will fail in this mission of truth telling and truth preserving, how will the world ever hear? 00:17:46.000 --> 00:17:55.000 Next, not only does the church point to God by our behavior, the church points to God by its message or its confession. 00:17:55.000 --> 00:18:02.000 Verse 16, great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness. 00:18:02.000 --> 00:18:11.000 He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory. 00:18:12.000 --> 00:18:16.000 This message we have been given is essential. 00:18:16.000 --> 00:18:17.000 It's essential. 00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:21.000 It's only message that leads to true godliness. 00:18:21.000 --> 00:18:28.000 Fellowship with God, power to obey, a future hope of salvation in heaven. 00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:33.000 But this mystery, what is this mystery that the apostle Paul is referring to? 00:18:33.000 --> 00:18:41.000 Paul speaks about this mystery a number of times throughout his letter to the church of Ephesus. 00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:48.000 And perhaps the best summary definition is found in Ephesians chapter 3, verses 3 to 6. 00:18:48.000 --> 00:18:49.000 It says this, 00:18:49.000 --> 00:18:53.000 The mystery was made known to me by revelation. 00:18:53.000 --> 00:19:00.000 As I have written briefly, when you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ. 00:19:00.000 --> 00:19:09.000 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 00:19:09.000 --> 00:19:19.000 This mystery of those who had once been alienated, had once been strangers, had once been separated from the covenant of Israel, 00:19:19.000 --> 00:19:24.000 and cut off from fellowship with God because of the work of Christ. 00:19:24.000 --> 00:19:29.000 As John read from Ephesians chapter 2 earlier this morning, 00:19:29.000 --> 00:19:33.000 Because of Christ's work on the cross, he gave us peace. 00:19:33.000 --> 00:19:45.000 Through his person, through his death, through his resurrection, we can enjoy peace with God, fellowship with him, forgiveness of sin. 00:19:45.000 --> 00:19:52.000 Christ opened the door, as it were, not only to the Jews, but also to Gentiles. 00:19:52.000 --> 00:20:04.000 To everyone who walks in every corner of the planet, every nation and tribe and tongue and language can come to Christ the same way, through faith in his Son. 00:20:04.000 --> 00:20:10.000 Paul will summarize this mystery in verse 16. 00:20:10.000 --> 00:20:13.000 We find here his incarnation. 00:20:13.000 --> 00:20:16.000 He was manifested in the flesh. 00:20:16.000 --> 00:20:19.000 Jesus became a man and dwelt among his people. 00:20:19.000 --> 00:20:23.000 We find his confirmation as it were. 00:20:23.000 --> 00:20:30.000 We find the Holy Spirit was a special agent of help throughout his ministry. 00:20:30.000 --> 00:20:34.000 We see the Holy Spirit showing up at Jesus' baptism. 00:20:34.000 --> 00:20:44.000 We see the Holy Spirit taking Christ away and helping him and proving him and testing him through the wilderness experience of temptation. 00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:55.000 Jesus, who through the power of the Holy Spirit, worked great signs and wonders among people, testified to the work of God in his life. 00:20:55.000 --> 00:21:04.000 It was the Holy Spirit, as we find in Romans chapter 1, who was essential and vital power to raise Jesus from the dead. 00:21:04.000 --> 00:21:12.000 The confirmation and validation of the Spirit's power was seen throughout the ministry of Christ. 00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:14.000 His celebration. 00:21:14.000 --> 00:21:17.000 Angels who announced his birth. 00:21:17.000 --> 00:21:18.000 The angels who announced his birth. 00:21:18.000 --> 00:21:20.000 They were there with the shepherds. 00:21:20.000 --> 00:21:25.000 They're on that silent hill out on the outskirts of Bethlehem saying, 00:21:25.000 --> 00:21:30.000 Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will towards men. 00:21:30.000 --> 00:21:35.000 It was the angels who ministered to Christ after the wilderness experience. 00:21:35.000 --> 00:21:39.000 It was angels that ministered to Christ in the garden of Gethsemane. 00:21:39.000 --> 00:21:49.000 It would be angels who would sit on top of the empty tomb and would share the message with the women that Jesus was risen from the dead. 00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:58.000 It's angels who are in heaven, even now, giving honor and glory and praise to the resurrected and exalted Savior. 00:21:58.000 --> 00:22:00.000 We see his proclamation. 00:22:00.000 --> 00:22:03.000 He's proclaimed among the nations. 00:22:03.000 --> 00:22:06.000 The work of this gospel will go forth. 00:22:06.000 --> 00:22:09.000 It will have its way in hearts and lives of individuals. 00:22:09.000 --> 00:22:11.000 It will draw them to faith. 00:22:11.000 --> 00:22:13.000 We see the invitation here. 00:22:13.000 --> 00:22:14.000 Believed on in the world. 00:22:14.000 --> 00:22:18.000 Speaking of the work of the gospel in the nations. 00:22:18.000 --> 00:22:21.000 As this invitation of salvation is made among the peoples. 00:22:21.000 --> 00:22:25.000 And people come to see and know the truth and the work of the Spirit. 00:22:25.000 --> 00:22:29.000 And opening blind eyes and drawing them to faith in God. 00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:32.000 And finally, his exaltation. 00:22:32.000 --> 00:22:34.000 He's taken up in glory. 00:22:34.000 --> 00:22:36.000 Now he's seated at the right hand of God. 00:22:36.000 --> 00:22:40.000 Angels and authorities and powers being subjected to him. 00:22:40.000 --> 00:22:45.000 Could this be a chiasm? 00:22:45.000 --> 00:22:48.000 And I can't speak on this authoritatively. 00:22:48.000 --> 00:22:56.000 But as you look at chapter 3, verse 16, you can almost begin to see how the lines of this hymn 00:22:56.000 --> 00:23:01.000 or the lines of this song, as it were, are kind of parallel to one another. 00:23:01.000 --> 00:23:04.000 So that the first and last and the second and second to last. 00:23:04.000 --> 00:23:08.000 And the two middle phrases seem to be parallel to one another. 00:23:08.000 --> 00:23:17.000 We see there at the beginning his humiliation that is followed by his exaltation taken up in glory. 00:23:17.000 --> 00:23:22.000 This work of God who will exalt those who are humble. 00:23:22.000 --> 00:23:24.000 Vindicated by the Spirit. 00:23:24.000 --> 00:23:29.000 I think of Peter's message on the day of Pentecost where he says, 00:23:29.000 --> 00:23:33.000 A man attested to you by signs and wonders which God did among you. 00:23:33.000 --> 00:23:42.000 And because of the attestation of the work and message of Christ, it led to believing in the world. 00:23:42.000 --> 00:23:49.000 Which would mean that these two middle phrases would stand as kind of the climax or the summary, 00:23:49.000 --> 00:23:52.000 kind of the main statement of this little hymn. 00:23:52.000 --> 00:23:57.000 Sent or seen by angels proclaimed among the nations. 00:23:57.000 --> 00:24:02.000 Angels, as we know, the word angel means messenger. 00:24:02.000 --> 00:24:04.000 These are the messengers of God. 00:24:04.000 --> 00:24:09.000 Connected to the proclamation of the saints of the gospel around the world. 00:24:09.000 --> 00:24:17.000 And so drawing to this center, it could be that really the Apostle Paul is staking another claim to say, 00:24:17.000 --> 00:24:20.000 You are the pillar and buttress of the truth. 00:24:20.000 --> 00:24:26.000 With a mission and a priority to proclaim Christ among the nations. 00:24:26.000 --> 00:24:30.000 Of course, we know that from other parts of scripture. 00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:32.000 Direct attention that is given. 00:24:32.000 --> 00:24:34.000 This priority of proclamation. 00:24:34.000 --> 00:24:37.000 Not only through the message of the gospel. 00:24:37.000 --> 00:24:41.000 But especially through the changed life. 00:24:41.000 --> 00:24:44.000 The behavior of God's people. 00:24:44.000 --> 00:24:50.000 Of course, this mystery is the message of Christ's saving work. 00:24:50.000 --> 00:24:56.000 This morning, have you come to a place of enjoying and experiencing Christ's saving work in your life? 00:24:56.000 --> 00:25:02.000 Have you come to a place of recognizing your distance in sin away from God? 00:25:02.000 --> 00:25:05.000 And because of your sin, you are deserving. 00:25:05.000 --> 00:25:06.000 I am deserving. 00:25:06.000 --> 00:25:10.000 We are all deserving of God's judgment and discipline. 00:25:10.000 --> 00:25:18.000 But because of the mercy of God in sending his son Jesus to take the punishment for our sin on the cross. 00:25:18.000 --> 00:25:20.000 Dying in our place. 00:25:20.000 --> 00:25:25.000 We have the joy and privilege of being able to lay those sins at Jesus' feet. 00:25:25.000 --> 00:25:29.000 And he can pay that price for sin for us on the cross. 00:25:29.000 --> 00:25:35.000 And offer and extend to us the joy of forgiveness and cleansing. 00:25:35.000 --> 00:25:38.000 And a new life with God because of the resurrection from the dead. 00:25:38.000 --> 00:25:40.000 New life we can enjoy. 00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:42.000 Victory over sin. 00:25:42.000 --> 00:25:44.000 The power of the spirit. 00:25:44.000 --> 00:25:47.000 Now join together not only with Christ. 00:25:47.000 --> 00:25:49.000 But join together as the people of God. 00:25:49.000 --> 00:25:55.000 With the mission of taking that message to the world. 00:25:55.000 --> 00:26:03.000 The joy that we have of representing, illustrating this portrait of the gospel in the world in which we live. 00:26:03.000 --> 00:26:15.000 So it should be no surprise or no wonder that the leaders in the church also need to demonstrate some measure of consistency with that kind of transformation. 00:26:15.000 --> 00:26:21.000 Their commitment to the truth will show up in how they live. 00:26:21.000 --> 00:26:26.000 And so to kind of finish off where we started last week. 00:26:26.000 --> 00:26:29.000 I want to just wrap up our time this morning and looking back. 00:26:29.000 --> 00:26:39.000 Kind of reaching back a bit to see now how the deacons will represent and describe this gospel picture in the way they live. 00:26:39.000 --> 00:26:42.000 This gospel life of a servant leader. 00:26:42.000 --> 00:26:47.000 Let me read verses 8 to 13 as we draw our time to a close. 00:26:47.000 --> 00:26:48.000 It says, 00:26:48.000 --> 00:26:49.000 It says, 00:26:49.000 --> 00:27:17.000 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife. 00:27:17.000 --> 00:27:20.000 Managing their children and their households well. 00:27:20.000 --> 00:27:30.000 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also a great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. 00:27:30.000 --> 00:27:43.000 Now it should have been clear as we read through that passage that the gospel life and message is what's coming through in the ministry, servant ministry of these deacons. 00:27:43.000 --> 00:27:44.000 We see it twice. 00:27:44.000 --> 00:27:45.000 First we see it in verse 9. 00:27:45.000 --> 00:27:49.000 They are to hold fast the mystery of faith. 00:27:49.000 --> 00:27:53.000 The mystery of the gospel that is showing up. 00:27:53.000 --> 00:28:01.000 This picture of transformation in gospel life as they are committed to the truth of who Christ is. 00:28:01.000 --> 00:28:02.000 And then in verse 13. 00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:12.000 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. 00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:18.000 These deacons show through their lives that they are true believers. 00:28:18.000 --> 00:28:22.000 They demonstrate a commitment to who God is. 00:28:22.000 --> 00:28:28.000 And they demonstrate through their life a love for God and a love for people. 00:28:28.000 --> 00:28:32.000 Which is this gospel picture of transformation that is happening inside. 00:28:32.000 --> 00:28:40.000 We saw last week as we looked at deacons and we tried to describe their ministry and compared them with elders. 00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:41.000 I used this phrase. 00:28:41.000 --> 00:28:43.000 I think it's there in your notes this morning. 00:28:43.000 --> 00:28:45.000 Elders serve by leading. 00:28:45.000 --> 00:28:46.000 Elders serve by leading. 00:28:46.000 --> 00:28:49.000 And deacons lead by serving. 00:28:49.000 --> 00:28:56.000 We recognize there are 15 characteristics that are given about elders in the first several verses. 00:28:56.000 --> 00:29:02.000 And there's about nine characteristics that are listed in verses 8 to 13. 00:29:02.920 --> 00:29:09.960 Five of those characteristics that we see have pretty direct correlation between elders and deacons. 00:29:10.799 --> 00:29:12.160 First, they're above reproach. 00:29:12.799 --> 00:29:14.619 They're being a one-woman man. 00:29:15.099 --> 00:29:16.059 They're not a drunkard. 00:29:16.559 --> 00:29:18.119 They're not a lover of money. 00:29:18.599 --> 00:29:20.420 They're managing their house well. 00:29:20.859 --> 00:29:28.039 So what we see in these men, and I'm not going to go through every single one of these qualities or characteristics, 00:29:28.039 --> 00:29:32.779 but just drawing attention to the fact that as dignified men, 00:29:33.420 --> 00:29:39.500 they're men who have this majestic quality of character that makes people stand in awe. 00:29:40.240 --> 00:29:45.500 And not stand in awe of them, but stand in awe of their Savior. 00:29:46.420 --> 00:29:48.799 They've been so marked by Christ. 00:29:49.139 --> 00:29:51.839 The imprint of Christ is on their life. 00:29:51.839 --> 00:29:57.940 So when people see these men, they say, ah, they must be spending time with Christ. 00:29:58.299 --> 00:30:01.440 The Holy Spirit is doing a work in their life. 00:30:02.279 --> 00:30:03.299 They're blameless men. 00:30:03.359 --> 00:30:08.359 They're not sinless men, but blameless men in that they have nothing against them. 00:30:08.940 --> 00:30:10.819 They're free from accusation. 00:30:11.559 --> 00:30:16.460 The kinds of men, when there is an offense, they will keep short accounts. 00:30:16.779 --> 00:30:22.539 There's a humility about them, a desire to live in a way that is pleasing to the Lord. 00:30:25.119 --> 00:30:27.399 They're those who are not greedy for dishonest gain. 00:30:28.039 --> 00:30:33.799 For elders, the word is not a lover of money, but for deacons, the word is a bit different. 00:30:34.460 --> 00:30:39.859 It's similar, but different in that this is a much stronger position, 00:30:40.299 --> 00:30:44.879 much stronger word than that's used of elders in chapter 3, verse 3. 00:30:44.880 --> 00:30:52.140 This is a person, the person who is greedy for dishonest gain, a kind of person who is eager 00:30:52.140 --> 00:30:56.380 to gain even if it degrades his moral character. 00:30:57.140 --> 00:31:03.100 He's so interested in the prophet, he's so interested in what he might be able to get 00:31:03.100 --> 00:31:09.200 or filter off the top of the distributions that are happening, he doesn't care how it affects 00:31:09.200 --> 00:31:13.960 his personal character or how it affects his personal testimony. 00:31:14.960 --> 00:31:16.900 So what is the safeguard for this? 00:31:17.880 --> 00:31:23.400 In 1 Timothy chapter 6, verse 6 and 7, we find Paul encouraging Timothy, 00:31:23.400 --> 00:31:27.460 Godliness with contentment is great gain. 00:31:28.220 --> 00:31:32.160 For we brought nothing into the world and we cannot take anything out of the world. 00:31:32.460 --> 00:31:38.940 One of the safeguards for us in relation to money and keeping ourselves from the love of money 00:31:38.940 --> 00:31:43.040 is to grow in contentment, to learn to be a thankful people. 00:31:43.039 --> 00:31:50.960 Not to be envious, not to be jealous, but to learn to have a posture of praise, a posture of thanks, 00:31:51.379 --> 00:31:55.700 a posture that says, God, whatever state I am therewith, I will be content. 00:31:55.859 --> 00:31:58.339 That's what Paul says in Philippians chapter 4. 00:31:59.319 --> 00:32:04.639 But he will also have a posture, not just of contentment, but a posture of generosity. 00:32:05.579 --> 00:32:09.579 Generosity will help also preserve him from this love of money. 00:32:09.579 --> 00:32:12.819 As Christ will say in Matthew chapter 6, 00:32:14.179 --> 00:32:19.740 Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, 00:32:20.179 --> 00:32:25.819 where thieves do not break in and steal, for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 00:32:26.059 --> 00:32:30.779 You see how even something as simple as our posture towards money 00:32:30.779 --> 00:32:35.939 is a way for us to shine a light of the gospel into our world. 00:32:36.539 --> 00:32:37.619 What do we prioritize? 00:32:37.619 --> 00:32:39.819 What's important to us? 00:32:40.019 --> 00:32:41.859 Where are we laying up our treasures? 00:32:42.939 --> 00:32:45.679 What kingdom are we seeking to build? 00:32:45.979 --> 00:32:48.059 Our kingdom or the kingdom of God? 00:32:49.099 --> 00:32:51.599 He is thinking about the needs of others. 00:32:52.239 --> 00:32:55.559 He is not interested primarily in the needs of himself. 00:32:55.979 --> 00:32:59.419 He is the quintessential Philippians 2 kind of man. 00:33:00.479 --> 00:33:02.019 Philippians 2 verses 3 and 4 says, 00:33:02.019 --> 00:33:21.700 He is the kind of man who is content, the kind of man who is generous. 00:33:21.700 --> 00:33:25.240 We see there are some differences as well. 00:33:25.860 --> 00:33:29.319 He is not a gossip, not a double-tongued kind of man. 00:33:29.620 --> 00:33:34.900 He is not the kind of person who says one thing to one person and a different thing to a different person. 00:33:35.100 --> 00:33:43.160 He is a truth teller, which should help us understand if as the pillar and buttress of the truth, 00:33:43.160 --> 00:33:48.980 the leaders of God's church need to be those who put to practice the things they believe. 00:33:49.640 --> 00:33:50.779 Being a truth teller. 00:33:51.720 --> 00:33:53.279 They don't just say what people want to hear. 00:33:53.740 --> 00:33:56.800 They speak with integrity, honesty, tenderness, 00:33:56.799 --> 00:34:01.559 in a way that's consistent from person to person in the church. 00:34:02.500 --> 00:34:07.279 We saw this holding the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience there in verse 9. 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:14.300 Basically, this is their service to the body resembles the service of Christ. 00:34:15.300 --> 00:34:18.500 When people see the service and life of a deacon, 00:34:19.279 --> 00:34:22.300 they say, God is at work in this individual. 00:34:23.019 --> 00:34:26.039 This is the way Christ must have served his people. 00:34:26.039 --> 00:34:31.119 This is the self-sacrificing kind of love that I need to aspire to. 00:34:33.360 --> 00:34:36.340 Then we find in verse 11 something about their wives. 00:34:37.519 --> 00:34:38.279 In verse 11 it says, 00:34:38.420 --> 00:34:41.099 Their wives likewise must be dignified, 00:34:41.800 --> 00:34:46.139 not slanderers but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 00:34:47.380 --> 00:34:49.519 Such a qualification is not given for elders. 00:34:50.119 --> 00:34:52.099 There in the first seven verses of chapter 3. 00:34:52.099 --> 00:34:57.679 For some reason we find this qualification only coming for deacons. 00:34:58.380 --> 00:35:01.460 It's not that the wife of an elder doesn't matter, 00:35:01.619 --> 00:35:04.860 but I think it points to the fact that there's something special, 00:35:04.980 --> 00:35:10.099 there's something unique that deacons' wives do to enhance the ministry of their husbands. 00:35:10.980 --> 00:35:17.079 The Greek word that's used here in verse 11 for wife is also able to be translated woman. 00:35:17.079 --> 00:35:23.779 So there are several commentators that would wonder if this is a new role, 00:35:23.980 --> 00:35:28.679 a new class of leaders and servant leaders in the church, like a deaconess, 00:35:29.179 --> 00:35:32.239 or if it's truly speaking about wives. 00:35:33.239 --> 00:35:36.860 On the table in the back, 00:35:37.259 --> 00:35:40.799 there is a book that I have had out there for the last couple of weeks. 00:35:40.920 --> 00:35:43.440 It's called Men and Women in the Church by Kevin DeYoung. 00:35:43.440 --> 00:35:45.039 I would commend it to you. 00:35:45.340 --> 00:35:51.300 It kind of works through the biblical role of manhood and womanhood throughout the scriptures. 00:35:51.440 --> 00:35:53.079 It's really helpful. 00:35:53.880 --> 00:35:56.440 And when Kevin DeYoung addresses this subject, 00:35:56.880 --> 00:36:03.000 there are several reasons why he believes that it's best to understand this as being translated wives. 00:36:03.380 --> 00:36:04.519 Let me just give you a couple of them. 00:36:05.380 --> 00:36:06.099 First, he says, 00:36:06.099 --> 00:36:12.000 It would be strange for Paul to introduce another office in the middle of his instruction for deacon. 00:36:12.819 --> 00:36:14.960 If verse 11 is not about their wives, 00:36:15.319 --> 00:36:19.099 Paul confusingly changes topics twice in two verses. 00:36:19.739 --> 00:36:21.519 Beginning in verses 8 to 10, 00:36:21.699 --> 00:36:24.339 talking about deacons and their qualifications, 00:36:24.679 --> 00:36:26.599 then picking up in verse 13, 00:36:26.960 --> 00:36:29.259 to speak about some more of 12 and 13, 00:36:29.360 --> 00:36:31.299 speaking about more of qualifications for deacons, 00:36:31.300 --> 00:36:38.500 and now somehow inserted in the middle of that is this qualification for this other office of a woman deacon. 00:36:40.019 --> 00:36:40.820 Kevin DeYoung would say, 00:36:41.000 --> 00:36:43.780 That just doesn't seem to fit the flow of the passage. 00:36:44.519 --> 00:36:46.019 Second argument he gives is, 00:36:46.140 --> 00:36:49.700 The requirement to be the husband of one wife in verse 12 00:36:49.700 --> 00:36:56.400 makes sense on the heels of the qualifications for the wives in verse 11. 00:36:56.940 --> 00:36:58.019 We're speaking about the family. 00:36:58.019 --> 00:36:59.500 He's introduced their wives, 00:36:59.559 --> 00:37:03.219 and now he's carrying it through to speak about his management in the home. 00:37:05.039 --> 00:37:10.460 This may suggest that a deacon's wife was greatly involved in her husband's ministry. 00:37:11.199 --> 00:37:13.759 And those of you who are deacons, 00:37:14.159 --> 00:37:19.980 and those of you who have enjoyed the benefit of the ministry of deacons, 00:37:20.059 --> 00:37:24.460 will know their wives are vital to the success of their ministry. 00:37:24.460 --> 00:37:28.860 And there are ways in which a wife, a woman, 00:37:28.940 --> 00:37:33.679 will be able to engage and strengthen her husband's ministry, 00:37:33.800 --> 00:37:38.740 especially to women that would be inappropriate for a man to engage in. 00:37:39.420 --> 00:37:41.900 So it makes sense that this would be wives. 00:37:44.000 --> 00:37:50.659 We find in our passage this morning two great examples of a gospel life. 00:37:50.659 --> 00:37:53.940 And next week we'll turn our attention to chapter 4, 00:37:54.420 --> 00:37:58.019 and we'll see the same gospel picture show up in how we live, 00:37:58.259 --> 00:38:01.359 through our behavior and through our commitment to the truth. 00:38:02.359 --> 00:38:07.779 We have the joy in responsibility of being a picture. 00:38:08.839 --> 00:38:10.559 Through the power of the Holy Spirit, 00:38:11.500 --> 00:38:14.139 through the message of God's word on our lips, 00:38:14.139 --> 00:38:20.199 through the transformation that God loves to bring to every believer, 00:38:20.920 --> 00:38:22.980 as we are engaged in the world, 00:38:23.059 --> 00:38:25.079 we have the chance through our conduct 00:38:25.079 --> 00:38:29.239 and through our message to show that the gospel is true. 00:38:30.099 --> 00:38:33.859 And especially as it relates to how we engage one another, 00:38:34.039 --> 00:38:35.319 how we serve one another, 00:38:35.480 --> 00:38:37.000 how we're unified with one another, 00:38:37.099 --> 00:38:40.359 how we overcome and forgive one another of offenses. 00:38:40.360 --> 00:38:44.599 We demonstrate the power of the gospel working through our life 00:38:44.599 --> 00:38:48.559 to a world who desperately needs a Savior. 00:38:50.200 --> 00:38:51.599 Wherever you are this week, 00:38:52.420 --> 00:38:53.860 wherever you find yourself, 00:38:54.000 --> 00:38:56.360 whatever conversations you have, 00:38:57.099 --> 00:38:59.500 whatever difficulties you may be experiencing, 00:38:59.660 --> 00:39:04.200 whatever conflicts there might be in your workplace or in your family, 00:39:04.800 --> 00:39:09.360 challenges that you might face in the various locations 00:39:09.360 --> 00:39:10.700 locations that you are, 00:39:11.099 --> 00:39:16.140 allow the gospel message and gospel life to come through. 00:39:16.880 --> 00:39:18.960 Be a picture of Jesus this week 00:39:18.960 --> 00:39:21.400 so that when people see your life, 00:39:21.579 --> 00:39:22.260 they say, 00:39:22.760 --> 00:39:27.140 ah, that's what it must mean to be a Christian. 00:39:28.079 --> 00:39:31.460 That's what it must mean to have a relationship with God 00:39:31.460 --> 00:39:34.200 as God transforms us and changes us 00:39:34.199 --> 00:39:39.379 and gives us the joy of shining the gospel picture to this dark world. 00:39:39.779 --> 00:39:41.239 May God help us to do it faithfully. 00:39:42.619 --> 00:39:45.039 Lord, we praise you and thank you 00:39:45.039 --> 00:39:48.299 not only for the pictures that you provide 00:39:48.299 --> 00:39:50.879 of your greatness through creation, 00:39:51.019 --> 00:39:55.119 but especially through that perfect picture of your son Jesus 00:39:55.119 --> 00:40:00.519 who not only came to show what life with God was like, 00:40:00.519 --> 00:40:03.199 but came to speak about that life. 00:40:04.239 --> 00:40:05.259 And Lord, we understand 00:40:05.259 --> 00:40:10.639 that for any of us to enjoy the benefits of that life, 00:40:10.860 --> 00:40:12.199 we need to know the truth. 00:40:12.940 --> 00:40:14.460 That faith comes by hearing 00:40:14.460 --> 00:40:16.219 and hearing by the word of God. 00:40:16.300 --> 00:40:18.280 May we be people of the word. 00:40:19.139 --> 00:40:21.079 May we be people who are engaging 00:40:21.079 --> 00:40:23.179 in regular fellowship with you 00:40:23.179 --> 00:40:25.960 through your speaking to us through the scriptures 00:40:25.960 --> 00:40:28.440 and us speaking to you through prayer. 00:40:29.599 --> 00:40:30.480 May that communion, 00:40:31.119 --> 00:40:31.780 that fellowship, 00:40:32.000 --> 00:40:33.559 that intimacy that we experience 00:40:33.559 --> 00:40:35.340 with you in those ways, 00:40:35.480 --> 00:40:36.159 those places, 00:40:37.079 --> 00:40:39.480 may they spill out into the world around us. 00:40:40.079 --> 00:40:41.820 May they affect the people 00:40:41.820 --> 00:40:43.579 that you have allowed us to engage. 00:40:44.380 --> 00:40:45.619 May we have the joy, Lord, 00:40:45.659 --> 00:40:48.980 not only of sharing the truth of the gospel, 00:40:49.599 --> 00:40:51.619 but seeing many come to faith in Christ. 00:40:52.220 --> 00:40:53.400 This work of God 00:40:53.400 --> 00:40:56.200 to change them from death to life. 00:40:58.280 --> 00:41:01.139 Thank you, Lord, for this joy and privilege. 00:41:01.860 --> 00:41:03.220 I pray that you'd help us to be faithful. 00:41:03.660 --> 00:41:04.880 In Jesus' name, amen. 00:41:05.700 --> 00:41:06.400 God bless you. 00:41:06.460 --> 00:41:07.119 Have a great week.