WEBVTT 00:00:00.960 --> 00:00:04.820 Well, very good evening to you. It's lovely to be with you. I've heard a lot about you 00:00:04.820 --> 00:00:07.919 guys as a church family. All good. I know it's nervous when you hear that sort of thing. 00:00:08.419 --> 00:00:12.140 But it's been great getting to know Graham over the last couple of years at ETS. From 00:00:12.140 --> 00:00:16.940 St. Andrews, a big hello. We love our partnership in the gospel. We have with you guys as a 00:00:16.940 --> 00:00:20.620 church family, even though we're a little bit distant, separated by the water, we were 00:00:20.620 --> 00:00:24.400 praying for you at our last church family prayer meeting. So a range of people say hi 00:00:24.400 --> 00:00:28.940 and it's a joy to be with you here. Not least to be thinking about this wonderfully 00:00:28.940 --> 00:00:36.320 important, central, foundational topic of preaching. But because it's so important, 00:00:36.399 --> 00:00:40.020 because we're coming to God's word, let's pray again and ask for his help. Let's pray. 00:00:42.359 --> 00:00:47.579 Our great God and heavenly Father, we come before you this evening, Lord, and are very 00:00:47.579 --> 00:00:53.680 conscious of the wonder that you, the one who spoke all things into being, the creator 00:00:53.680 --> 00:00:58.400 God of the universe, all that is visible and invisible, that you would speak to us. 00:00:58.939 --> 00:01:06.079 That not only have you made us, but that you address us. That you haven't left yourself 00:01:06.079 --> 00:01:12.640 hidden behind clouds and darkness, but have spoken supremely in your Son, wonderfully and 00:01:12.640 --> 00:01:17.140 ongoingly in your scriptures and in our hearts by your Spirit, that we might understand what 00:01:17.140 --> 00:01:23.400 you say. Lord, please, we pray, would he be at work in us this evening? Would your Holy Spirit 00:01:23.400 --> 00:01:30.460 grant us light, might see, soft hearts that we might receive the good seed of your word, 00:01:30.540 --> 00:01:39.520 ears to hear, and lips and hands, feet and faculties ready and willing to obey, to put into practice 00:01:39.520 --> 00:01:46.800 that which you say to us? Lord, be with us, we ask it, not for any sake other than the glory of your Son, 00:01:46.799 --> 00:01:53.780 that he would be exalted, and that we would grow more like him, both individually, but also as a church 00:01:53.780 --> 00:02:00.280 family here at Brunsfield, and in your service. For we ask it in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:02:00.280 --> 00:02:08.599 Well, I wonder who you are this evening. It's quite nice when you're a visiting speaker and 00:02:08.599 --> 00:02:13.599 preacher, because I know very few of you well at all. So I'm going to trade on my anonymity and ask 00:02:13.599 --> 00:02:19.939 you an impertinent personal question. What do you think of preaching? What do you make of preaching? 00:02:20.039 --> 00:02:23.460 Not, what do you think of John's preaching, or what do you think of Graham's preaching? Come and tell 00:02:23.460 --> 00:02:30.300 me that afterwards if you'd like to. But what do you make of preaching itself? What place does it hold 00:02:30.300 --> 00:02:37.840 in your own life? And also in how you think the life of a church should be ordered? You see, my hunch 00:02:37.840 --> 00:02:42.159 is that there's probably a range of different positions among us, just speaking from, I guess, 00:02:42.260 --> 00:02:47.460 my own experience at home and around the place. There'll be those who are fully persuaded that 00:02:47.460 --> 00:02:53.420 preaching is absolutely central to the healthy life of a healthy church, that it's something 00:02:53.419 --> 00:02:59.539 that you need, that it's something that is non-negotiable. And yet, in such a high view, 00:03:00.199 --> 00:03:05.060 can come an element of assumption. The possible danger is that we come week in, week out, and we 00:03:05.060 --> 00:03:10.579 take for granted what we hear. We take for granted what goes on, Lord willing, as we're hearing God's 00:03:10.579 --> 00:03:17.259 word spoken. And so our own relationship to preaching might start becoming a bit distant. So theoretically, 00:03:17.719 --> 00:03:23.279 preaching's great. But myself, as I sit under the preached word, well, I start receding a little bit. 00:03:23.280 --> 00:03:29.840 That might be you sitting there. It may be that you're someone who loves church. You love the 00:03:29.840 --> 00:03:35.120 people. You love the worship. You love the community aspect. You love the preaching. But it's 00:03:35.120 --> 00:03:41.219 one amongst many different things. And you don't quite get why people bang on so much about preaching. 00:03:41.560 --> 00:03:47.680 Maybe you're new to Edinburgh or to the different places that you find yourself. And everyone's saying 00:03:47.680 --> 00:03:51.840 as you look, as you look for a church, find somewhere where the preaching is good, where it's clear, 00:03:51.939 --> 00:03:59.200 where it's central. You're not quite sure why that is such a big deal. Maybe, again, you are someone who 00:03:59.200 --> 00:04:05.020 is here tonight who is thoroughly unpersuaded about preaching. This might be a minority of us here 00:04:05.020 --> 00:04:11.379 tonight. But it may be that you always have wondered, well, what all the fuss is about? Surely, actually, 00:04:11.379 --> 00:04:19.180 in our day and age, sitting and listening to something for 25, 30, 40 minutes is passé. That actually the time 00:04:19.180 --> 00:04:25.120 has come to set aside a monologue delivered by someone nearer to a university professor than a real 00:04:25.120 --> 00:04:33.719 person. And just get on with living life as God has called you to live. Why all the instruction? Well, hopefully, 00:04:34.019 --> 00:04:39.199 whoever you are here this evening, there is going to be something for you as we dig into this question, 00:04:39.199 --> 00:04:46.899 why preaching? My hope and prayer is that together we would come up with a renewed and deepened love 00:04:46.899 --> 00:04:53.060 for the Word of God. Not only the Word of God out there, but the Word of God as declared in the 00:04:53.060 --> 00:04:59.579 preaching of Scripture in our local churches and in any context that we find it, such that wherever we 00:04:59.579 --> 00:05:06.980 are on the spectrum, we're going to be more attentive listeners to God's Word, more attentive students 00:05:06.980 --> 00:05:14.120 under God's Word, and I sincerely hope, more attentive speakers of God's Word one to another. 00:05:14.720 --> 00:05:19.540 Because preaching is never something that stays just out there in front and above me, but rather is something 00:05:19.540 --> 00:05:26.600 that actually equips me to serve my fellow Christians. Now, hopefully, you've got a handout in front of you that 00:05:26.600 --> 00:05:31.360 Graham has printed off. Graham, this will just help you if you are someone who likes taking notes to follow along 00:05:31.360 --> 00:05:35.819 with where we're going, and if you wanted just to know the structure, this is where we are. Please turn with me 00:05:35.819 --> 00:05:42.639 if you've got a Bible back to Isaiah 55. That'll be really helpful. I want us to begin just by considering 00:05:42.639 --> 00:05:48.000 those two passages that were read so beautifully for us, because our understanding of preaching 00:05:48.000 --> 00:05:56.840 is absolutely controlled by and informed by how we understand God's Word to be, what we understand God's 00:05:56.839 --> 00:06:02.539 Word as, and what we think God's Word is doing. We're not going to chase down every reference on 00:06:02.539 --> 00:06:05.759 this handout. Don't worry if you're having a bit of a panic attack. We're not going to go there. 00:06:06.239 --> 00:06:09.939 A lot of the references are going to be there for you to chase down in your own time if you would like 00:06:09.939 --> 00:06:16.959 to, to be Borean, to test what it is that I'm saying against the standard of God's perfect Word. 00:06:17.059 --> 00:06:22.299 But we'll begin in Isaiah 55, and maybe you noticed as it was being read for us, the stress from the very 00:06:22.300 --> 00:06:29.259 beginning. Take a look down with me. At hearing. God is speaking to his people Israel. The whole first 00:06:29.259 --> 00:06:34.800 half of Isaiah up to the end of chapter 39 has been about the judgment that is coming on their sin, 00:06:34.900 --> 00:06:41.280 and you may well know that in Isaiah 40, the book pivots, and the Lord declares comfort to his people. 00:06:41.840 --> 00:06:47.280 So these words in Isaiah 55 sit within this book of comfort, but look at what God is saying. He's 00:06:47.279 --> 00:06:52.979 inviting people to come to him. Come all you who are thirsty. You have no money. Come buy and eat. 00:06:53.039 --> 00:06:58.279 There's this picture in verse 1 and 2 of lavish provision from the Lord. Instead of famine and 00:06:58.279 --> 00:07:04.699 covenant curse, there's going to come blessing and rich provision from God. But look where the Lord 00:07:04.699 --> 00:07:14.659 goes in verse 2. Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good. It's interesting, isn't it? Listen to me, 00:07:14.660 --> 00:07:25.480 the Lord says, and you will feast. He goes on, give ear and come to me. Listen that you may live. 00:07:27.300 --> 00:07:32.840 You see, God is saying to his people as he promises comfort that there is something critical about what 00:07:32.840 --> 00:07:41.140 he says to them, such that actually his very words become nourishment and life itself to them, 00:07:41.139 --> 00:07:47.399 if only they would listen. Now we are just dropping down here in Isaiah 55 into the middle of rich 00:07:47.399 --> 00:07:53.019 truth right through the Old Testament about God's word. If we were to try and do a biblical theology of 00:07:53.019 --> 00:07:58.300 the word of God, we would be here for weeks. Begins in Genesis 1 verse 1, where from nothing, 00:07:58.719 --> 00:08:06.319 God speaks all things into being. From the very start, God is a speaking God. And all that has life and 00:08:06.319 --> 00:08:12.980 breath that moves and has their being in God has that because he has spoken. You sit here tonight. 00:08:14.040 --> 00:08:22.539 I speak here tonight. We feel our chest going in and out tonight as we breathe because God is a 00:08:22.539 --> 00:08:29.899 speaking God. Life is only found in his word and it becomes explicit here. He goes on that this isn't 00:08:29.899 --> 00:08:36.220 just for Israel. This is for the nations, verse 5. Then you have these glorious verses. Verse 6, 00:08:36.340 --> 00:08:43.919 seek the Lord, Isaiah says, while he may be found. Call on him while he is near. Salvation is at stake, 00:08:44.019 --> 00:08:52.980 the pardon of God in verse 7. And then God explicitly spells out what is going on with his word and why it 00:08:52.980 --> 00:09:00.279 is his word is necessary for life. Why his word is necessary for salvation. Look with me at verse 10. 00:09:00.920 --> 00:09:06.279 It's this beautiful image of what God's word is. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do 00:09:06.279 --> 00:09:11.720 not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish so that it yields seed 00:09:11.720 --> 00:09:19.899 for the sower and bread for the eater. So in the same way is my word that goes out from my mouth. 00:09:19.899 --> 00:09:28.179 It will not return to me empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I 00:09:28.179 --> 00:09:32.840 sent it. Now we might have a slightly abusive relationship with rain and snow in Scotland. 00:09:33.279 --> 00:09:36.659 It's one of those things isn't even as I parked the car and got out and it started raining on me 00:09:36.659 --> 00:09:41.120 again I thought oh more rain. It's been chucking it down in St Andrews for a week and you just feel 00:09:41.120 --> 00:09:47.360 drenched to the bone. But bear in mind in this context, in this climate, both spiritually but 00:09:47.360 --> 00:09:52.720 physically and geographically in Israel, rain and snow are wonderful, wonderful things. 00:09:53.700 --> 00:09:59.940 Without it there is no life and God says that is what his word is like. It's like life giving rain 00:09:59.940 --> 00:10:06.220 and snow that comes down from heaven. You see what it does? It waters the earth. It makes it bud and 00:10:06.220 --> 00:10:15.180 flourish so that it bears a crop. Well God says that is what his word is like. He says it will not return 00:10:15.179 --> 00:10:20.359 to me empty. It will do what he purposes for it. And what is that purpose? Well verse 12, 00:10:21.519 --> 00:10:30.379 it is his people, those who hear, those who come, those who eat, those who drink, going out in joy and 00:10:30.379 --> 00:10:39.039 being led forth in peace. Verse 13, instead of the thorn bush will grow the juniper. Instead of briars, 00:10:39.039 --> 00:10:45.319 the myrtle will grow the thorns that are the mark of the curse of a world that has been cursed by God 00:10:45.319 --> 00:10:53.120 into futility. Well as the life giving word of God goes forth, it is like rain on dry desert ground, 00:10:54.059 --> 00:11:02.120 rolling back that which would cling and choke and destroy, such that life might come. The trees of 00:11:02.120 --> 00:11:09.600 the field clapping their hands, an everlasting sign that will endure forever. See God's word goes out 00:11:09.600 --> 00:11:18.060 that life might spring forth. Here in Isaiah, it's exactly the same there across reference to 2 Timothy 3 00:11:18.060 --> 00:11:24.000 verses 15 and 16. Famous verses aren't they to do with the inspired word of God. You may well know it, 00:11:24.039 --> 00:11:31.720 all scripture is inspired by God. But just before that, in verse 15, Paul says to his protege, 00:11:31.720 --> 00:11:37.879 Timothy, who we're going to return to in a little while, that God's word is able to make anyone who 00:11:37.879 --> 00:11:46.320 hears it wise for salvation in Jesus Christ. The life that God's word brings is faith in the person 00:11:46.320 --> 00:11:51.080 and work of Jesus Christ. We're going fast here over lots of ground, so do come and chat with me 00:11:51.080 --> 00:11:57.500 afterwards and chew this over together. But the life giving word of God in Isaiah is precisely the 00:11:57.500 --> 00:12:04.019 same as the salvation bringing word of God in the New Testament through faith in Jesus Christ. 00:12:05.500 --> 00:12:15.139 And notice that it isn't just a word out there that has to be intuited or figured out. 00:12:15.139 --> 00:12:24.919 It is a word that is proclaimed by God himself that people might hear and believe and respond. 00:12:25.960 --> 00:12:29.819 We're not left to figure it out grubbing around in the thorns and the dust, 00:12:30.360 --> 00:12:37.159 but rather from outside ourselves, God breaks into sin and death with the life giving word 00:12:37.159 --> 00:12:43.279 that he himself speaks. And as we'll see, that becomes critical because God is always 00:12:43.279 --> 00:12:51.740 a preacher. And he then ordains people to follow after him in preaching that same word. 00:12:52.639 --> 00:12:56.819 That's the idea that lies behind Luke chapter 8. Flip with me there, if you would, 00:12:57.100 --> 00:13:03.299 as we scoot through a few thousand years of history and we come to Jesus teaching about his word. 00:13:03.459 --> 00:13:09.019 Jesus, the preacher par excellence. If you read Luke's gospel and Mark's gospel, Matthew's gospel, 00:13:09.019 --> 00:13:13.319 Jesus has come to proclaim the good news of the kingdom. It's what he does. He says, 00:13:13.399 --> 00:13:18.639 I've come that I may proclaim in the different villages of Judea. He's traveling around teaching 00:13:18.639 --> 00:13:25.779 the people and teaching his disciples about the good news. And here in this famous parable of the 00:13:25.779 --> 00:13:34.699 sower and of the soils, Jesus says the central importance in coming to faith, 00:13:34.700 --> 00:13:44.820 the foundational thing on which fruitful discipleship depends is how we receive the word of God. 00:13:45.680 --> 00:13:51.020 How we receive the words of Jesus. You can see that there in the parable. There's this 00:13:51.020 --> 00:13:56.080 sower who seems rather careless with his seed. Do you notice that? He goes everywhere he can, 00:13:56.540 --> 00:14:04.120 scattering it as best he can. The seed, we're told in verse 11 by Jesus, is the word of God. And so Jesus is 00:14:04.120 --> 00:14:09.679 the sower, wherever he goes, he proclaims, he scatters, he reaches into his bag of good seed and just 00:14:09.679 --> 00:14:16.620 flings it such that anyone and everyone might hear. And it's the response then to that word, 00:14:17.060 --> 00:14:22.159 which is absolutely critical. We don't have time to walk through all the different responses, 00:14:22.399 --> 00:14:28.000 but some are chilling, some are thought provoking. There's one, isn't there, that is wonderfully 00:14:28.000 --> 00:14:34.899 encouraging. Verse 15. The seed on good soil, the one that bears a hundredfold that which is sown, 00:14:35.919 --> 00:14:39.799 stands for those with a noble and good heart. And look at how this is described. 00:14:40.480 --> 00:14:44.679 This struck me. I was actually preaching on this a few weeks ago at home. This isn't some 00:14:44.679 --> 00:14:50.899 grand heroic vision as we might think it, some great effort of faith. It's very, very mundane. 00:14:50.899 --> 00:15:00.659 Look at the noble and good heart. They hear the word. They retain the word. And by persevering 00:15:00.659 --> 00:15:08.600 in their hearing and retaining, they produce a good crop. If you would know the secret to a fruitful 00:15:08.600 --> 00:15:17.500 Christian life, it is to hear the word of God, to hold onto it, to not let it go, to, in the midst 00:15:17.500 --> 00:15:23.340 of the distractions of life, hold it in your heart. Speak it one to another that you might do that. 00:15:24.179 --> 00:15:31.220 And persevere in so doing. That's where true fruitfulness comes. Jesus goes on to say in verse 00:15:31.220 --> 00:15:41.059 18, consider carefully how you listen to the word that is spoken. Verse 21, he says that his true 00:15:41.059 --> 00:15:46.480 family are those who hear God's word. There we have it again. And put it into practice. 00:15:47.500 --> 00:15:54.980 Let me say this evening that there is nothing more important to the Christian life in following 00:15:54.980 --> 00:16:00.000 after the person of Jesus and hearing and responding rightly to the word of God. 00:16:01.220 --> 00:16:05.799 There's lots of unpacking we could give that. It's a bold statement to make potentially. But 00:16:05.799 --> 00:16:12.799 one implication amongst loads is to simply ask yourself, perhaps over coffee afterwards or in the 00:16:12.799 --> 00:16:19.879 quietness of your own heart, what is of the greatest foundational importance to you in your own life? 00:16:20.939 --> 00:16:29.319 Is it to hear, to retain and persevere with the word of God? Or is it the various things that clamor for 00:16:29.319 --> 00:16:35.159 our attention? Now, if it is to hear the word of God, there's an obvious question, isn't there? 00:16:35.159 --> 00:16:42.139 If God's word matters this much, if it's this good, if it brings this sort of life, well, how do we hear it today? 00:16:43.279 --> 00:16:49.759 How do we hear it today? It's something that people write theological papers about. It's something that people would disagree on. 00:16:50.139 --> 00:16:58.360 There are all sorts of different ways to answer it in part truth. And what I want us to do very quickly in our second point here is to trace through, 00:16:58.360 --> 00:17:06.220 if you like, the line that runs from the word of God spoken by Jesus to ultimately the Bible we have in our hands 00:17:06.220 --> 00:17:14.360 and the words that we hear from the front, from the preacher, before we apply that more in point number three. 00:17:15.660 --> 00:17:20.200 So, whistle-stop tour. Anything that sounds odd here, make a note of it. Come and chat to me afterwards. 00:17:20.299 --> 00:17:23.620 I hope that won't be too much, but do push me on any of this stuff. 00:17:23.619 --> 00:17:31.739 The first place that we go to to hear the words of God that have been spoken by Jesus is in the inspired testimony of the apostles. 00:17:32.639 --> 00:17:40.799 If you were to flip up John chapter 14 and John chapter 17, you would see Jesus speaking to his disciples about the coming Holy Spirit, 00:17:40.899 --> 00:17:46.599 the gift of the helper who Jesus is going to pour out once he has ascended to the Father. 00:17:46.599 --> 00:17:57.899 And he says to those eleven gathered around him that one of the chief functions the Spirit will play is to remind them of all that Jesus has said 00:17:57.899 --> 00:18:05.480 so that as they go into the world to be his witnesses, they're going to be speaking the words of Jesus himself. 00:18:06.740 --> 00:18:10.079 And there's a staggering little bit in John chapter 17, verse 20. 00:18:10.619 --> 00:18:13.500 Jesus is praying to the Father before he goes to the cross. 00:18:13.500 --> 00:18:15.920 And he's praying for the apostles. 00:18:16.839 --> 00:18:20.619 And then it's as though he turns, as it were, and faces us. 00:18:21.700 --> 00:18:24.740 Because he says, I pray not only for these, my eleven. 00:18:24.940 --> 00:18:26.279 Judas has gone out by this point. 00:18:27.180 --> 00:18:32.500 He says, but I also pray for those who believe on account of their testimony. 00:18:35.440 --> 00:18:41.160 Every single one of us here tonight who has their faith resting in Jesus 00:18:41.160 --> 00:18:47.500 believes ultimately on account of the inspired testimony of those eleven, 00:18:48.279 --> 00:18:52.779 and then Paul, the apostle untimely born, as it were, converted on the Damascus road. 00:18:53.580 --> 00:18:58.480 The particular word of the Spirit to those twelve, 00:18:59.759 --> 00:19:04.160 such that we now might in no lesser way 00:19:04.160 --> 00:19:08.220 come into the life-giving contact of the word of God and of Christ 00:19:08.220 --> 00:19:09.680 than if we lived in that day. 00:19:10.940 --> 00:19:11.980 It's a staggering thought, isn't it? 00:19:12.039 --> 00:19:14.140 That the Bible you have in your hands, 00:19:14.339 --> 00:19:15.759 or on your phone, 00:19:15.839 --> 00:19:18.000 or whatever media is your preferred way, 00:19:19.400 --> 00:19:20.120 is the 00:19:20.120 --> 00:19:22.799 unedited, 00:19:23.940 --> 00:19:24.900 unabridged, 00:19:25.839 --> 00:19:27.500 and totally powerful 00:19:27.500 --> 00:19:28.480 word of God, 00:19:28.600 --> 00:19:30.940 such that even if you had been there 00:19:30.940 --> 00:19:31.920 when Jesus spoke, 00:19:32.700 --> 00:19:34.240 you would have been no better off then 00:19:34.240 --> 00:19:34.839 than you are now. 00:19:34.839 --> 00:19:37.619 It's an amazing thought. 00:19:39.059 --> 00:19:41.000 And what gets even more amazing 00:19:41.000 --> 00:19:42.899 is that it is then 00:19:42.899 --> 00:19:44.539 those words 00:19:44.539 --> 00:19:47.599 that are entrusted to people who aren't apostles, 00:19:48.779 --> 00:19:50.099 to people who might speak 00:19:50.099 --> 00:19:52.299 the same pattern of words 00:19:52.299 --> 00:19:54.000 to those who hear. 00:19:54.059 --> 00:19:56.179 It would be really helpful if you turn with me all 00:19:56.179 --> 00:19:58.879 to 2 Timothy chapter 1 00:19:58.879 --> 00:20:01.299 and verse 13. 00:20:01.299 --> 00:20:03.839 We're going to try not to hop around too much, 00:20:03.940 --> 00:20:05.779 but there's a few where it's so important 00:20:05.779 --> 00:20:07.379 that we go there. 00:20:08.500 --> 00:20:10.119 2 Timothy chapter 1 00:20:10.119 --> 00:20:12.299 verse 13 and 14. 00:20:12.460 --> 00:20:13.259 You'll know probably that 00:20:13.259 --> 00:20:15.619 Paul is encouraging Timothy, 00:20:15.720 --> 00:20:17.240 one of his closest protégés, 00:20:17.559 --> 00:20:18.960 in his own ministry 00:20:18.960 --> 00:20:20.000 of teaching the word 00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:21.879 and of raising up 00:20:21.879 --> 00:20:23.599 others who are going to teach the word 00:20:23.599 --> 00:20:24.740 after him. 00:20:25.720 --> 00:20:27.379 And look at the chain, 00:20:27.519 --> 00:20:27.960 if you like, 00:20:28.000 --> 00:20:29.539 of the authority of God's word 00:20:29.539 --> 00:20:31.920 that runs from ultimately God himself 00:20:31.920 --> 00:20:33.079 through now to Timothy. 00:20:33.259 --> 00:20:34.599 What you heard from me, 00:20:34.779 --> 00:20:35.319 Paul says, 00:20:35.799 --> 00:20:36.879 chapter 1 verse 13, 00:20:37.599 --> 00:20:38.980 keep as the pattern 00:20:38.980 --> 00:20:40.200 of sound teaching 00:20:40.200 --> 00:20:42.680 with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 00:20:43.619 --> 00:20:45.119 Guard the good deposit 00:20:45.119 --> 00:20:47.159 that was entrusted to you. 00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:49.319 That is the good deposit of the truth. 00:20:50.299 --> 00:20:51.220 Guard it with the help 00:20:51.220 --> 00:20:52.220 of the Holy Spirit 00:20:52.220 --> 00:20:54.259 who lives in us. 00:20:55.460 --> 00:20:55.980 See, Paul says, 00:20:56.039 --> 00:20:57.740 look, the words that I've heard from Jesus, 00:20:57.740 --> 00:20:59.120 that the Spirit has taught me, 00:20:59.180 --> 00:21:00.480 I now entrust to you. 00:21:01.319 --> 00:21:02.559 Guard it yourself. 00:21:03.079 --> 00:21:04.319 Make that the pattern 00:21:04.319 --> 00:21:05.220 of your own teaching. 00:21:05.319 --> 00:21:06.400 Now, Timothy isn't an apostle. 00:21:07.500 --> 00:21:08.900 He's one removed. 00:21:09.839 --> 00:21:10.700 In that sense, 00:21:10.740 --> 00:21:12.500 he's actually quite like us 00:21:12.500 --> 00:21:13.160 in many ways. 00:21:14.839 --> 00:21:15.680 And Paul says, 00:21:15.740 --> 00:21:16.559 there's your pattern. 00:21:17.299 --> 00:21:18.460 Chapter 2 verse 2, 00:21:18.579 --> 00:21:19.539 just cast your eye down. 00:21:19.680 --> 00:21:22.099 And the things you have heard me say, 00:21:22.779 --> 00:21:24.079 the gospel that Paul preaches, 00:21:24.079 --> 00:21:25.659 in the presence of many witnesses, 00:21:26.579 --> 00:21:28.720 entrust to reliable people 00:21:28.720 --> 00:21:30.859 who will also be qualified 00:21:30.859 --> 00:21:33.139 to teach others. 00:21:35.119 --> 00:21:36.119 Now, I don't know how many of you 00:21:36.119 --> 00:21:36.919 have ever had experience 00:21:36.919 --> 00:21:39.019 of writing academic essays 00:21:39.019 --> 00:21:40.759 or even, I suppose, 00:21:40.819 --> 00:21:41.659 it doesn't have to be an essay. 00:21:41.759 --> 00:21:42.480 It could just be a letter. 00:21:43.039 --> 00:21:44.299 You know when you're typing something 00:21:44.299 --> 00:21:45.419 and you're not quite sure 00:21:45.419 --> 00:21:46.399 how to finish the sentence, 00:21:46.480 --> 00:21:47.639 you just go dot, dot, dot, 00:21:47.759 --> 00:21:48.579 little ellipsis, 00:21:49.099 --> 00:21:51.139 sort of imply something continuing. 00:21:51.140 --> 00:21:53.460 There's a sense in which there, 00:21:53.620 --> 00:21:54.900 2 Timothy 2 verse 2, 00:21:55.400 --> 00:21:57.100 is the dot, dot, dot 00:21:57.100 --> 00:21:59.740 of the transmission of scripture 00:21:59.740 --> 00:22:00.440 through preaching. 00:22:01.700 --> 00:22:03.280 We've gone from God's word, 00:22:03.460 --> 00:22:04.520 spoken in Jesus, 00:22:04.900 --> 00:22:05.980 entrusted to the apostles 00:22:05.980 --> 00:22:07.960 and reminded by the spirit, 00:22:08.520 --> 00:22:10.220 to then someone like a Timothy 00:22:10.220 --> 00:22:11.480 who then in turn 00:22:11.480 --> 00:22:13.920 is to pass that on to others 00:22:13.920 --> 00:22:15.900 who are going to teach it 00:22:15.900 --> 00:22:17.820 and so on and so forth. 00:22:17.880 --> 00:22:18.360 Right there, 00:22:18.440 --> 00:22:20.060 we get the biblical skeleton, 00:22:20.059 --> 00:22:20.740 if you like, 00:22:21.779 --> 00:22:23.799 of not only why we preach 00:22:23.799 --> 00:22:24.779 in the local church, 00:22:25.819 --> 00:22:26.619 but of why it is 00:22:26.619 --> 00:22:28.859 of foundational importance. 00:22:30.679 --> 00:22:31.159 Actually, 00:22:31.279 --> 00:22:33.099 when it matches up 00:22:33.099 --> 00:22:34.119 with this pattern 00:22:34.119 --> 00:22:34.819 of sound teaching, 00:22:34.859 --> 00:22:35.839 and that's a crucial caveat, 00:22:36.779 --> 00:22:37.500 when the preaching 00:22:37.500 --> 00:22:38.279 of God's word 00:22:38.279 --> 00:22:39.159 is in line with 00:22:39.159 --> 00:22:40.399 the truth of God's word 00:22:40.399 --> 00:22:41.759 as received 00:22:41.759 --> 00:22:42.319 and delivered 00:22:42.319 --> 00:22:43.079 by the apostles, 00:22:44.399 --> 00:22:45.980 then it is the very 00:22:45.980 --> 00:22:47.700 word of God 00:22:47.700 --> 00:22:49.700 to his people 00:22:49.700 --> 00:22:51.380 in any and every 00:22:51.380 --> 00:22:53.440 day and age. 00:22:55.059 --> 00:22:56.940 And the main theater 00:22:56.940 --> 00:22:58.160 in which it's going 00:22:58.160 --> 00:22:58.980 to be worked out, 00:22:59.680 --> 00:23:00.980 little sub-point number three 00:23:00.980 --> 00:23:02.240 there is in the local church. 00:23:02.420 --> 00:23:03.140 There are all sorts 00:23:03.140 --> 00:23:04.640 of references there 00:23:04.640 --> 00:23:05.360 which show us 00:23:05.360 --> 00:23:07.500 that the local church 00:23:07.500 --> 00:23:08.819 was the place there 00:23:08.819 --> 00:23:10.059 where God's word 00:23:10.059 --> 00:23:10.720 was preached 00:23:10.720 --> 00:23:11.900 and around which 00:23:11.900 --> 00:23:13.319 the people gathered. 00:23:13.480 --> 00:23:13.900 You get it 00:23:13.900 --> 00:23:14.680 in the Old Testament 00:23:14.680 --> 00:23:15.440 as well actually, 00:23:15.440 --> 00:23:16.559 in Exodus 00:23:16.559 --> 00:23:17.600 as the law is given, 00:23:17.920 --> 00:23:18.480 Deuteronomy 00:23:18.480 --> 00:23:19.680 before Moses dies, 00:23:19.820 --> 00:23:20.440 Nehemiah 00:23:20.440 --> 00:23:21.660 as the people 00:23:21.660 --> 00:23:22.799 are back in the city. 00:23:23.759 --> 00:23:24.340 God's people 00:23:24.340 --> 00:23:26.059 are always constituted 00:23:26.059 --> 00:23:27.580 around the declared 00:23:27.580 --> 00:23:29.380 word of God. 00:23:31.019 --> 00:23:31.580 Always. 00:23:32.820 --> 00:23:33.779 Acts chapter 2, 00:23:34.680 --> 00:23:36.340 what do the early church do, 00:23:36.440 --> 00:23:37.460 those who come to faith? 00:23:38.420 --> 00:23:39.380 Well, they devote themselves 00:23:39.380 --> 00:23:40.360 along with the sharing 00:23:40.360 --> 00:23:41.100 of all their goods 00:23:41.100 --> 00:23:42.740 to the teaching 00:23:42.740 --> 00:23:43.620 of the apostles. 00:23:43.619 --> 00:23:46.119 Acts chapter 6, 00:23:46.779 --> 00:23:47.799 as the Greek widows 00:23:47.799 --> 00:23:48.559 are worrying 00:23:48.559 --> 00:23:50.079 because they're missing out 00:23:50.079 --> 00:23:50.899 on some provision, 00:23:51.799 --> 00:23:52.259 what happens? 00:23:52.339 --> 00:23:53.419 Well, deacons are appointed. 00:23:53.599 --> 00:23:53.819 Why? 00:23:53.979 --> 00:23:54.879 So that the apostles 00:23:54.879 --> 00:23:55.879 might devote themselves 00:23:55.879 --> 00:23:56.619 to the ministry 00:23:56.619 --> 00:23:58.639 of the word and prayer. 00:23:59.159 --> 00:24:00.919 From the earliest days 00:24:00.919 --> 00:24:01.679 of God's people, 00:24:02.639 --> 00:24:03.899 preaching the word of God 00:24:03.899 --> 00:24:05.419 has been at the very center, 00:24:05.899 --> 00:24:07.219 literally and metaphorically, 00:24:07.659 --> 00:24:08.679 of the life 00:24:08.679 --> 00:24:09.659 of the local church. 00:24:09.699 --> 00:24:10.559 And it goes on and on. 00:24:10.619 --> 00:24:11.839 1 Corinthians chapter 3, 00:24:11.839 --> 00:24:13.019 the assumption is 00:24:13.019 --> 00:24:14.019 they're gathering regularly 00:24:14.019 --> 00:24:16.599 and the word is being preached 00:24:16.599 --> 00:24:17.419 and taught. 00:24:18.179 --> 00:24:19.279 Likewise in Colossians 00:24:19.279 --> 00:24:20.099 and in other places 00:24:20.099 --> 00:24:20.779 that we could go. 00:24:20.839 --> 00:24:21.659 We're going to turn shortly 00:24:21.659 --> 00:24:22.299 to Ephesians, 00:24:22.419 --> 00:24:24.279 which is the great place 00:24:24.279 --> 00:24:25.139 where we see this. 00:24:25.459 --> 00:24:26.679 But an implication of this 00:24:26.679 --> 00:24:27.859 for us. 00:24:28.000 --> 00:24:28.399 Again, 00:24:28.559 --> 00:24:29.720 big statement to throw out there. 00:24:30.659 --> 00:24:31.839 Without the preaching 00:24:31.839 --> 00:24:33.059 of God's word, 00:24:34.019 --> 00:24:36.039 in accordance with the sound 00:24:36.039 --> 00:24:36.959 pattern of teaching 00:24:36.959 --> 00:24:38.179 that's been given to us, 00:24:38.180 --> 00:24:41.259 there is no church. 00:24:43.360 --> 00:24:44.200 Church in the sense 00:24:44.200 --> 00:24:44.940 that we understand it 00:24:44.940 --> 00:24:45.420 in this way, 00:24:45.620 --> 00:24:46.360 gathered together. 00:24:46.680 --> 00:24:47.340 There is, of course, 00:24:47.440 --> 00:24:47.940 the church, 00:24:48.060 --> 00:24:49.279 all of those who trust in Christ 00:24:49.279 --> 00:24:50.560 at any point in any age. 00:24:51.360 --> 00:24:53.000 But the local expression 00:24:53.000 --> 00:24:53.820 of God's people 00:24:53.820 --> 00:24:55.880 is gathered together 00:24:55.880 --> 00:24:57.759 around the red, 00:24:58.259 --> 00:24:58.560 sung, 00:24:59.340 --> 00:25:00.720 and supremely declared 00:25:00.720 --> 00:25:02.820 word of God. 00:25:02.819 --> 00:25:05.240 So let me encourage you 00:25:05.240 --> 00:25:06.939 to pray for the preaching 00:25:06.939 --> 00:25:07.759 of the word here 00:25:07.759 --> 00:25:08.379 in Brunsfield. 00:25:09.619 --> 00:25:10.639 Not only now, 00:25:11.079 --> 00:25:11.619 this evening, 00:25:12.359 --> 00:25:13.500 not only in the coming weeks, 00:25:13.579 --> 00:25:14.460 but in the coming months 00:25:14.460 --> 00:25:15.039 and years. 00:25:16.000 --> 00:25:16.720 Not only Brunsfield, 00:25:16.799 --> 00:25:17.599 but all the churches 00:25:17.599 --> 00:25:18.759 that would seek to be gods 00:25:18.759 --> 00:25:19.399 here in Edinburgh 00:25:19.399 --> 00:25:20.339 and around our nation. 00:25:21.220 --> 00:25:22.339 That at the center 00:25:22.339 --> 00:25:23.279 of what they do, 00:25:24.279 --> 00:25:24.879 immovable, 00:25:25.519 --> 00:25:26.759 amongst all the many 00:25:26.759 --> 00:25:27.960 excellent other things 00:25:27.960 --> 00:25:29.019 a local church can do, 00:25:30.019 --> 00:25:31.359 would be the faithful preaching 00:25:31.359 --> 00:25:33.179 of the apostolic gospel 00:25:33.179 --> 00:25:34.799 entrusted by the person 00:25:34.799 --> 00:25:35.379 of Jesus 00:25:35.379 --> 00:25:37.219 and God himself. 00:25:38.559 --> 00:25:39.899 That is why preaching, 00:25:40.059 --> 00:25:40.279 again, 00:25:40.399 --> 00:25:41.479 matters so much. 00:25:42.779 --> 00:25:43.719 And it is why 00:25:43.719 --> 00:25:44.279 the Lord Jesus 00:25:44.279 --> 00:25:45.899 has ordered his church, 00:25:45.939 --> 00:25:46.579 as we'll see now 00:25:46.579 --> 00:25:47.240 in Ephesians, 00:25:48.240 --> 00:25:49.399 such that his word 00:25:49.399 --> 00:25:51.399 is right at the center of it. 00:25:51.500 --> 00:25:52.740 Final flipping of the pages 00:25:52.740 --> 00:25:53.259 in your Bible 00:25:53.259 --> 00:25:54.979 as we move towards a close. 00:25:55.059 --> 00:25:55.479 Turn with me 00:25:55.479 --> 00:25:56.699 to Ephesians chapter 4, 00:25:56.779 --> 00:25:57.159 if you would. 00:26:00.339 --> 00:26:01.059 Ephesians is, 00:26:01.059 --> 00:26:02.440 the great letter, 00:26:02.559 --> 00:26:02.879 if you like, 00:26:02.899 --> 00:26:04.179 about the local church 00:26:04.179 --> 00:26:05.679 that Paul writes. 00:26:05.799 --> 00:26:06.599 The church matters 00:26:06.599 --> 00:26:07.440 in all his letters, 00:26:08.059 --> 00:26:09.619 but here he lays out, 00:26:09.720 --> 00:26:10.139 if you like, 00:26:10.220 --> 00:26:12.159 the cosmic importance 00:26:12.159 --> 00:26:12.839 of the church. 00:26:12.980 --> 00:26:13.579 Chapter 3, 00:26:13.679 --> 00:26:14.359 in verse 10, 00:26:15.059 --> 00:26:15.819 Paul says that 00:26:15.819 --> 00:26:16.759 the church 00:26:16.759 --> 00:26:20.159 is the expression, 00:26:20.440 --> 00:26:21.379 the declaration 00:26:21.379 --> 00:26:23.859 of the manifold wisdom 00:26:23.859 --> 00:26:24.419 of God 00:26:24.419 --> 00:26:25.899 to the watching universe. 00:26:27.240 --> 00:26:27.940 Have you ever thought of that, 00:26:28.019 --> 00:26:29.899 about Brunsfield Evangelical Church? 00:26:29.900 --> 00:26:31.740 that as we gather 00:26:31.740 --> 00:26:33.000 here and now, 00:26:34.320 --> 00:26:35.700 the wisdom of God 00:26:35.700 --> 00:26:37.720 in saving people 00:26:37.720 --> 00:26:38.440 by grace 00:26:38.440 --> 00:26:39.180 through faith 00:26:39.180 --> 00:26:39.680 in the death 00:26:39.680 --> 00:26:40.240 of his son 00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:42.440 is being displayed 00:26:42.440 --> 00:26:44.620 to a watching universe. 00:26:45.680 --> 00:26:46.120 But actually, 00:26:46.280 --> 00:26:47.000 spiritual rulers 00:26:47.000 --> 00:26:47.600 and authorities 00:26:47.600 --> 00:26:48.440 are looking down 00:26:48.440 --> 00:26:49.860 at us this evening 00:26:49.860 --> 00:26:51.240 and saying, 00:26:51.320 --> 00:26:52.360 God is wise. 00:26:52.359 --> 00:26:54.179 how else 00:26:54.179 --> 00:26:55.339 would such a diverse bunch, 00:26:55.419 --> 00:26:55.740 and you know, 00:26:55.799 --> 00:26:56.359 like I said, 00:26:56.399 --> 00:26:57.240 I don't know you well, 00:26:57.299 --> 00:26:58.240 but I imagine you're diverse. 00:26:58.319 --> 00:26:59.059 Even as I look around, 00:26:59.119 --> 00:27:00.679 I can see some diversity 00:27:00.679 --> 00:27:03.059 have been gathered together 00:27:03.059 --> 00:27:04.359 by Christ. 00:27:05.399 --> 00:27:06.839 That is what the church is. 00:27:08.279 --> 00:27:08.859 And as we get 00:27:08.859 --> 00:27:09.799 into chapter 4 00:27:09.799 --> 00:27:11.219 and Paul starts 00:27:11.219 --> 00:27:12.179 to apply this stuff 00:27:12.179 --> 00:27:13.079 very practically 00:27:13.079 --> 00:27:13.599 to them, 00:27:14.359 --> 00:27:16.219 we see in verses 7 00:27:16.219 --> 00:27:17.979 down to 16 00:27:17.980 --> 00:27:19.700 the central importance 00:27:19.700 --> 00:27:20.640 of the preached word. 00:27:21.440 --> 00:27:22.640 We actually sang it there 00:27:22.640 --> 00:27:23.460 that Christ has 00:27:23.460 --> 00:27:24.960 ascended into heaven, 00:27:25.259 --> 00:27:25.960 leading captives 00:27:25.960 --> 00:27:26.660 in his wake. 00:27:27.440 --> 00:27:27.799 And here, 00:27:27.900 --> 00:27:28.559 as Paul quotes 00:27:28.559 --> 00:27:29.559 that very psalm there 00:27:29.559 --> 00:27:30.200 in chapter 4, 00:27:30.259 --> 00:27:30.680 verse 8, 00:27:30.759 --> 00:27:32.240 he says that the risen Christ, 00:27:32.319 --> 00:27:33.240 as he ascends, 00:27:34.279 --> 00:27:35.160 gives gifts 00:27:35.160 --> 00:27:36.900 to his people. 00:27:37.900 --> 00:27:38.819 And the gifts, 00:27:38.980 --> 00:27:39.440 we're told, 00:27:39.980 --> 00:27:41.559 are people 00:27:41.559 --> 00:27:42.299 who teach 00:27:42.299 --> 00:27:43.640 the word of God. 00:27:43.640 --> 00:27:45.680 Look down with me there 00:27:45.680 --> 00:27:46.880 at verse 11. 00:27:47.100 --> 00:27:48.759 So Christ himself, 00:27:49.880 --> 00:27:50.620 the risen, 00:27:51.100 --> 00:27:52.120 reigning Jesus, 00:27:53.280 --> 00:27:54.280 gave the apostles, 00:27:55.140 --> 00:27:55.660 the prophets, 00:27:56.480 --> 00:27:57.340 the evangelists, 00:27:58.060 --> 00:27:58.480 the pastors 00:27:58.480 --> 00:27:59.040 and teachers. 00:28:00.920 --> 00:28:02.220 Those who teach 00:28:02.220 --> 00:28:03.180 the word of God 00:28:03.180 --> 00:28:04.140 to Christ's people, 00:28:04.220 --> 00:28:04.560 we're told, 00:28:05.560 --> 00:28:06.780 are genuinely 00:28:06.780 --> 00:28:07.920 the gifts of God 00:28:07.920 --> 00:28:09.820 to his people. 00:28:11.380 --> 00:28:12.420 Now that might 00:28:12.420 --> 00:28:13.240 just sound like 00:28:13.240 --> 00:28:13.779 a ridiculously 00:28:13.779 --> 00:28:14.819 overweening thing 00:28:14.819 --> 00:28:15.819 for a preacher 00:28:15.819 --> 00:28:16.319 to say. 00:28:17.759 --> 00:28:19.079 And believe me 00:28:19.079 --> 00:28:20.000 that if you were to ask 00:28:20.000 --> 00:28:20.900 anyone who regularly 00:28:20.900 --> 00:28:21.519 preaches the word 00:28:21.519 --> 00:28:21.900 among you, 00:28:21.940 --> 00:28:22.740 we would be staggered 00:28:22.740 --> 00:28:23.720 at this truth 00:28:23.720 --> 00:28:24.460 ourselves. 00:28:25.920 --> 00:28:27.140 That jars of clay 00:28:27.140 --> 00:28:28.720 full of brokenness 00:28:28.720 --> 00:28:29.880 and challenges 00:28:29.880 --> 00:28:31.660 and sin, 00:28:31.880 --> 00:28:32.759 visible and invisible, 00:28:33.720 --> 00:28:34.880 might be used by God 00:28:34.880 --> 00:28:36.460 to teach his word. 00:28:38.059 --> 00:28:38.740 Paul says that's 00:28:38.740 --> 00:28:39.920 what the pastor, 00:28:40.059 --> 00:28:40.299 teacher, 00:28:40.299 --> 00:28:40.779 is doing. 00:28:41.200 --> 00:28:42.039 The apostle then, 00:28:42.160 --> 00:28:42.819 the prophet, 00:28:42.819 --> 00:28:43.500 we can talk about 00:28:43.500 --> 00:28:44.200 what a prophet is, 00:28:44.279 --> 00:28:45.740 the evangelist. 00:28:46.679 --> 00:28:47.619 Teaching the word 00:28:47.619 --> 00:28:48.079 of God, 00:28:48.159 --> 00:28:48.919 but not 00:28:48.919 --> 00:28:51.220 as a full stop 00:28:51.220 --> 00:28:52.059 end in itself. 00:28:53.279 --> 00:28:53.839 Do you see 00:28:53.839 --> 00:28:54.679 how he goes on? 00:28:55.460 --> 00:28:57.039 The word teacher 00:28:57.039 --> 00:28:58.379 is not a gift 00:28:58.379 --> 00:28:58.759 of God 00:28:58.759 --> 00:28:59.279 who then is to 00:28:59.279 --> 00:29:00.059 puff himself up. 00:29:00.139 --> 00:29:01.000 Look at verse 12, 00:29:01.539 --> 00:29:02.720 to equip 00:29:02.720 --> 00:29:04.179 his people, 00:29:04.299 --> 00:29:04.899 Christ's people, 00:29:04.980 --> 00:29:05.539 the church, 00:29:06.059 --> 00:29:07.740 for works of service. 00:29:07.859 --> 00:29:08.480 Some translations 00:29:08.480 --> 00:29:09.659 have works of ministry. 00:29:09.660 --> 00:29:09.759 ministry, 00:29:10.060 --> 00:29:11.980 so that the body 00:29:11.980 --> 00:29:12.720 of Christ 00:29:12.720 --> 00:29:14.100 may be built up. 00:29:15.600 --> 00:29:15.820 See, 00:29:15.860 --> 00:29:16.600 here's where preaching 00:29:16.600 --> 00:29:17.540 hits the road. 00:29:18.540 --> 00:29:19.220 It isn't, 00:29:19.300 --> 00:29:19.660 like I say, 00:29:19.700 --> 00:29:20.620 just out there, 00:29:20.620 --> 00:29:21.620 which we consume 00:29:21.620 --> 00:29:23.120 and then go away with. 00:29:23.880 --> 00:29:25.000 It is actually 00:29:25.000 --> 00:29:25.580 given 00:29:25.580 --> 00:29:27.320 so that every 00:29:27.320 --> 00:29:28.600 single one of us 00:29:28.600 --> 00:29:29.320 as God's people 00:29:29.320 --> 00:29:31.220 may be equipped 00:29:31.220 --> 00:29:32.420 for ministry, 00:29:32.980 --> 00:29:35.040 for works of service. 00:29:35.500 --> 00:29:36.059 Do you know that? 00:29:36.159 --> 00:29:37.879 Every single one of you 00:29:37.879 --> 00:29:39.319 is a minister 00:29:39.319 --> 00:29:39.839 of the gospel. 00:29:40.079 --> 00:29:40.659 You might want to put 00:29:40.659 --> 00:29:41.240 a small M 00:29:41.240 --> 00:29:42.200 instead of a big M 00:29:42.200 --> 00:29:42.839 depending on where 00:29:42.839 --> 00:29:43.359 you've come from 00:29:43.359 --> 00:29:44.720 in terms of a church 00:29:44.720 --> 00:29:45.680 background or not. 00:29:46.879 --> 00:29:48.619 But the whole point 00:29:48.619 --> 00:29:50.119 of the declaration, 00:29:51.019 --> 00:29:51.839 the announcement 00:29:51.839 --> 00:29:53.279 of God's life-giving word, 00:29:53.839 --> 00:29:55.500 is that all of his people 00:29:55.500 --> 00:29:56.000 together 00:29:56.000 --> 00:29:57.899 may engage 00:29:57.899 --> 00:29:59.319 in works of service. 00:30:00.680 --> 00:30:01.079 Here, 00:30:01.200 --> 00:30:02.399 the supreme work of service, 00:30:02.480 --> 00:30:03.139 you can see there 00:30:03.139 --> 00:30:04.619 in verse 15, 00:30:05.039 --> 00:30:07.019 it's not being blown 00:30:07.019 --> 00:30:08.119 about by false teaching. 00:30:08.819 --> 00:30:09.259 Rather, 00:30:09.399 --> 00:30:09.940 verse 15, 00:30:10.000 --> 00:30:10.759 it is to speak 00:30:10.759 --> 00:30:12.359 the truth in love 00:30:12.359 --> 00:30:13.920 one to another 00:30:13.920 --> 00:30:16.259 such that as the word 00:30:16.259 --> 00:30:16.799 is preached 00:30:16.799 --> 00:30:17.759 morning and evening, 00:30:17.960 --> 00:30:18.839 week in and week out, 00:30:18.859 --> 00:30:19.980 as you study the word 00:30:19.980 --> 00:30:21.500 in your small groups, 00:30:22.000 --> 00:30:23.139 it isn't just hovering 00:30:23.139 --> 00:30:24.480 and kind of pushing 00:30:24.480 --> 00:30:25.059 and nudging you 00:30:25.059 --> 00:30:25.779 in different ways. 00:30:25.839 --> 00:30:26.079 Rather, 00:30:26.200 --> 00:30:27.539 it is dwelling 00:30:27.539 --> 00:30:28.759 richly among you 00:30:28.759 --> 00:30:29.500 as God's people, 00:30:29.599 --> 00:30:30.139 as Paul says 00:30:30.139 --> 00:30:30.940 in Colossians, 00:30:31.359 --> 00:30:33.139 and then being spoken 00:30:33.139 --> 00:30:33.639 in turn 00:30:33.639 --> 00:30:34.420 one to another. 00:30:35.039 --> 00:30:36.440 all of us 00:30:36.440 --> 00:30:37.119 gospeling 00:30:37.119 --> 00:30:37.940 each other, 00:30:39.059 --> 00:30:40.639 speaking that truth 00:30:40.639 --> 00:30:41.319 which we have 00:30:41.319 --> 00:30:42.279 heard from God, 00:30:42.779 --> 00:30:43.139 why? 00:30:43.379 --> 00:30:44.139 So that 00:30:44.139 --> 00:30:45.420 the body 00:30:45.420 --> 00:30:46.079 might reach 00:30:46.079 --> 00:30:47.000 maturity. 00:30:49.200 --> 00:30:49.759 Do you know, 00:30:49.799 --> 00:30:50.279 as a church, 00:30:50.339 --> 00:30:50.819 you will never 00:30:50.819 --> 00:30:51.700 reach maturity 00:30:51.700 --> 00:30:52.920 if you do not 00:30:52.920 --> 00:30:53.420 speak the truth 00:30:53.420 --> 00:30:53.700 in love 00:30:53.700 --> 00:30:54.240 one to another. 00:30:55.519 --> 00:30:56.259 You will never 00:30:56.259 --> 00:30:56.980 reach maturity 00:30:56.980 --> 00:30:57.819 in the Christian life 00:30:57.819 --> 00:30:58.359 on your own. 00:30:59.559 --> 00:31:00.200 So many people 00:31:00.200 --> 00:31:00.740 speak about 00:31:00.740 --> 00:31:01.159 so-and-so 00:31:01.159 --> 00:31:02.119 as a mature Christian. 00:31:02.119 --> 00:31:02.339 Well, 00:31:02.399 --> 00:31:02.719 so-and-so 00:31:02.719 --> 00:31:03.359 on his or her 00:31:03.359 --> 00:31:03.899 own is not 00:31:03.899 --> 00:31:04.599 a mature Christian. 00:31:06.239 --> 00:31:07.019 Maturity is 00:31:07.019 --> 00:31:07.459 something that 00:31:07.459 --> 00:31:08.000 God's people 00:31:08.000 --> 00:31:09.219 together attain 00:31:09.219 --> 00:31:10.679 to as they 00:31:10.679 --> 00:31:11.619 speak the word 00:31:11.619 --> 00:31:12.319 one to another, 00:31:12.459 --> 00:31:13.359 as the word 00:31:13.359 --> 00:31:14.000 is declared 00:31:14.000 --> 00:31:14.579 to them 00:31:14.579 --> 00:31:15.559 by God 00:31:15.559 --> 00:31:16.279 through those 00:31:16.279 --> 00:31:16.859 whom he has 00:31:16.859 --> 00:31:17.459 gifted to 00:31:17.459 --> 00:31:18.459 his people. 00:31:19.819 --> 00:31:20.859 It's a wonderful, 00:31:21.079 --> 00:31:21.899 beautiful picture 00:31:21.899 --> 00:31:22.719 of this dynamic 00:31:22.719 --> 00:31:23.659 building site 00:31:23.660 --> 00:31:25.680 as the whole 00:31:25.680 --> 00:31:26.040 body, 00:31:26.160 --> 00:31:26.460 we're told, 00:31:26.660 --> 00:31:27.660 builds itself 00:31:27.660 --> 00:31:28.820 up in love, 00:31:28.920 --> 00:31:29.560 verse 16. 00:31:30.680 --> 00:31:31.560 All playing our 00:31:31.560 --> 00:31:31.840 part. 00:31:31.940 --> 00:31:32.240 You could look 00:31:32.240 --> 00:31:33.160 at 1 Corinthians 12. 00:31:34.160 --> 00:31:34.400 Yes, 00:31:34.480 --> 00:31:34.840 the preacher 00:31:34.840 --> 00:31:35.259 matters, 00:31:35.420 --> 00:31:37.000 but no more 00:31:37.000 --> 00:31:37.640 than the person 00:31:37.640 --> 00:31:38.019 who cleans 00:31:38.019 --> 00:31:38.420 the loose. 00:31:39.960 --> 00:31:40.580 No more 00:31:40.580 --> 00:31:40.980 than you 00:31:40.980 --> 00:31:41.340 as you 00:31:41.340 --> 00:31:41.880 over a cup 00:31:41.880 --> 00:31:42.279 of coffee 00:31:42.279 --> 00:31:42.800 ask someone 00:31:42.800 --> 00:31:43.200 how they're 00:31:43.200 --> 00:31:43.640 going in 00:31:43.640 --> 00:31:44.180 following after 00:31:44.180 --> 00:31:44.500 Jesus. 00:31:45.860 --> 00:31:46.680 No more 00:31:46.680 --> 00:31:47.100 than you 00:31:47.100 --> 00:31:47.500 as you 00:31:47.500 --> 00:31:48.560 take what 00:31:48.560 --> 00:31:49.100 you've heard 00:31:49.100 --> 00:31:49.900 and apply it 00:31:49.900 --> 00:31:50.519 one to another 00:31:50.519 --> 00:31:51.080 in love. 00:31:51.079 --> 00:31:53.679 preaching 00:31:53.679 --> 00:31:54.359 in action 00:31:54.359 --> 00:31:55.000 if you like. 00:31:56.240 --> 00:31:56.699 God's word 00:31:56.699 --> 00:31:57.639 dwelling among 00:31:57.639 --> 00:31:58.899 us richly. 00:32:00.879 --> 00:32:01.419 So three 00:32:01.419 --> 00:32:02.599 implications 00:32:02.599 --> 00:32:03.379 as we close. 00:32:03.539 --> 00:32:03.879 Listen, 00:32:04.259 --> 00:32:04.639 test, 00:32:05.299 --> 00:32:06.019 and speak. 00:32:06.939 --> 00:32:07.399 I guess the 00:32:07.399 --> 00:32:08.000 first one is 00:32:08.000 --> 00:32:09.000 perhaps self-evident 00:32:09.000 --> 00:32:09.579 from where we've 00:32:09.579 --> 00:32:09.759 been. 00:32:10.819 --> 00:32:11.359 We are to 00:32:11.359 --> 00:32:13.079 listen to 00:32:13.079 --> 00:32:13.659 the word of 00:32:13.659 --> 00:32:14.159 God that is 00:32:14.159 --> 00:32:15.220 preached to 00:32:15.220 --> 00:32:15.559 us. 00:32:16.759 --> 00:32:17.259 We come back 00:32:17.259 --> 00:32:17.939 to Luke 8. 00:32:18.199 --> 00:32:18.759 Jesus says 00:32:18.759 --> 00:32:19.240 hear. 00:32:20.240 --> 00:32:20.659 He says 00:32:20.660 --> 00:32:21.220 hear. 00:32:22.000 --> 00:32:22.340 He says 00:32:22.340 --> 00:32:22.900 hear. 00:32:23.900 --> 00:32:24.340 Consider 00:32:24.340 --> 00:32:25.160 carefully 00:32:25.160 --> 00:32:25.620 how you 00:32:25.620 --> 00:32:25.960 listen. 00:32:27.320 --> 00:32:28.100 Luke 6, 00:32:28.160 --> 00:32:28.779 Luke 11, 00:32:28.940 --> 00:32:29.360 he says that 00:32:29.360 --> 00:32:30.019 true blessing 00:32:30.019 --> 00:32:30.680 comes as we 00:32:30.680 --> 00:32:31.400 hear and 00:32:31.400 --> 00:32:32.000 obey and 00:32:32.000 --> 00:32:33.220 do the 00:32:33.220 --> 00:32:33.560 word of 00:32:33.560 --> 00:32:34.100 God that 00:32:34.100 --> 00:32:34.500 is spoken 00:32:34.500 --> 00:32:35.100 to us. 00:32:36.460 --> 00:32:36.860 So another 00:32:36.860 --> 00:32:37.759 personal question, 00:32:37.880 --> 00:32:38.340 are you a 00:32:38.340 --> 00:32:39.480 careful listener 00:32:39.480 --> 00:32:41.160 to that which 00:32:41.160 --> 00:32:41.660 is preached 00:32:41.660 --> 00:32:42.500 to you? 00:32:44.140 --> 00:32:44.860 Too many of 00:32:44.860 --> 00:32:45.120 us are 00:32:45.120 --> 00:32:45.500 armchair 00:32:45.500 --> 00:32:46.000 critics, 00:32:46.380 --> 00:32:46.720 at least I 00:32:46.720 --> 00:32:47.160 speak very 00:32:47.160 --> 00:32:47.920 autobiographically 00:32:47.920 --> 00:32:48.100 here, 00:32:48.180 --> 00:32:48.660 particularly as 00:32:48.660 --> 00:32:48.960 someone I 00:32:48.960 --> 00:32:49.320 guess who 00:32:49.319 --> 00:32:50.099 has the 00:32:50.099 --> 00:32:50.519 blessing of 00:32:50.519 --> 00:32:50.980 preaching quite 00:32:50.980 --> 00:32:51.200 a bit. 00:32:51.279 --> 00:32:51.679 I can find 00:32:51.679 --> 00:32:52.299 myself sitting 00:32:52.299 --> 00:32:52.960 in a sermon 00:32:52.960 --> 00:32:54.119 thinking, 00:32:54.259 --> 00:32:54.539 oh that's 00:32:54.539 --> 00:32:54.980 interesting, 00:32:55.099 --> 00:32:55.519 why did he 00:32:55.519 --> 00:32:56.000 do that? 00:32:56.099 --> 00:32:56.879 And why 00:32:56.879 --> 00:32:57.139 did he 00:32:57.139 --> 00:32:57.619 structure it 00:32:57.619 --> 00:32:57.960 that way? 00:32:58.019 --> 00:32:58.240 And oh 00:32:58.240 --> 00:32:58.519 gosh, 00:32:58.579 --> 00:32:58.819 I wouldn't 00:32:58.819 --> 00:32:59.919 have used 00:32:59.919 --> 00:33:00.079 that 00:33:00.079 --> 00:33:00.539 illustration. 00:33:01.059 --> 00:33:01.379 Or oh, 00:33:01.439 --> 00:33:01.919 my phone's 00:33:01.919 --> 00:33:02.259 buzzed, 00:33:02.339 --> 00:33:02.599 let's see 00:33:02.599 --> 00:33:02.759 what's 00:33:02.759 --> 00:33:03.000 happening 00:33:03.000 --> 00:33:03.279 with the 00:33:03.279 --> 00:33:03.480 rugby. 00:33:04.039 --> 00:33:04.519 We can 00:33:04.519 --> 00:33:04.799 have all 00:33:04.799 --> 00:33:05.279 sorts of 00:33:05.279 --> 00:33:05.779 distractions. 00:33:07.460 --> 00:33:07.839 God says 00:33:07.839 --> 00:33:08.000 no, 00:33:08.059 --> 00:33:08.519 you are to 00:33:08.519 --> 00:33:10.939 listen to 00:33:10.939 --> 00:33:11.299 that which 00:33:11.299 --> 00:33:11.700 is spoken 00:33:11.700 --> 00:33:12.139 to you. 00:33:13.279 --> 00:33:13.799 There are 00:33:13.799 --> 00:33:14.299 lots of 00:33:14.299 --> 00:33:14.720 ways that 00:33:14.720 --> 00:33:15.119 might work 00:33:15.119 --> 00:33:15.559 itself out 00:33:15.559 --> 00:33:15.960 among you. 00:33:16.099 --> 00:33:16.439 Do you 00:33:16.439 --> 00:33:17.539 read the 00:33:17.539 --> 00:33:18.240 passage that you 00:33:18.240 --> 00:33:18.519 know you're 00:33:18.519 --> 00:33:18.799 going to be 00:33:18.799 --> 00:33:19.339 hearing on a 00:33:19.339 --> 00:33:19.839 Sunday morning 00:33:19.839 --> 00:33:20.620 before you 00:33:20.620 --> 00:33:20.980 come to 00:33:20.980 --> 00:33:21.319 church, 00:33:22.200 --> 00:33:22.500 that you 00:33:22.500 --> 00:33:23.099 might consider 00:33:23.099 --> 00:33:23.980 it beforehand 00:33:23.980 --> 00:33:24.500 and meditate 00:33:24.500 --> 00:33:25.000 on it? 00:33:26.120 --> 00:33:26.579 Do you 00:33:26.579 --> 00:33:27.160 speak it one 00:33:27.160 --> 00:33:27.539 to another, 00:33:27.660 --> 00:33:28.180 ask what 00:33:28.180 --> 00:33:28.700 someone made 00:33:28.700 --> 00:33:28.960 of the 00:33:28.960 --> 00:33:29.480 sermon over 00:33:29.480 --> 00:33:30.120 Sunday lunch, 00:33:30.380 --> 00:33:30.980 not to 00:33:30.980 --> 00:33:32.059 critique but 00:33:32.059 --> 00:33:32.620 to apply? 00:33:34.400 --> 00:33:35.160 Even if you're 00:33:35.160 --> 00:33:35.799 hearing a sermon 00:33:35.799 --> 00:33:36.700 that you think, 00:33:36.920 --> 00:33:37.359 I'm not too 00:33:37.359 --> 00:33:38.120 sure about that, 00:33:38.599 --> 00:33:39.319 what is it that 00:33:39.319 --> 00:33:40.099 God is saying 00:33:40.099 --> 00:33:40.720 to you? 00:33:40.720 --> 00:33:42.480 even if it's 00:33:42.480 --> 00:33:43.019 one thing 00:33:43.019 --> 00:33:44.559 that you 00:33:44.559 --> 00:33:45.180 might apply 00:33:45.180 --> 00:33:46.900 and retain 00:33:46.900 --> 00:33:48.680 and obey. 00:33:50.279 --> 00:33:51.019 Listen to 00:33:51.019 --> 00:33:51.519 the preaching 00:33:51.519 --> 00:33:52.799 that God 00:33:52.799 --> 00:33:53.299 gives you. 00:33:54.519 --> 00:33:54.960 Secondly, 00:33:55.059 --> 00:33:55.180 though, 00:33:55.220 --> 00:33:55.640 we are to 00:33:55.640 --> 00:33:56.100 test, 00:33:56.160 --> 00:33:56.799 this is an 00:33:56.799 --> 00:33:57.400 implication, 00:33:57.539 --> 00:33:57.900 a secondary 00:33:57.900 --> 00:33:58.160 thing, 00:33:58.240 --> 00:33:58.579 if you like, 00:33:58.660 --> 00:33:59.700 from the 00:33:59.700 --> 00:34:00.420 truth that 00:34:00.420 --> 00:34:01.240 all of God's 00:34:01.240 --> 00:34:01.920 preaching now 00:34:01.920 --> 00:34:03.319 must accord, 00:34:03.579 --> 00:34:04.460 must line up 00:34:04.460 --> 00:34:05.700 with the 00:34:05.700 --> 00:34:06.460 sound pattern 00:34:06.460 --> 00:34:07.140 that has been 00:34:07.140 --> 00:34:07.640 given to the 00:34:07.640 --> 00:34:07.920 apostles. 00:34:09.079 --> 00:34:09.900 Paul encourages 00:34:09.900 --> 00:34:10.619 the Berean 00:34:10.619 --> 00:34:11.180 church in 00:34:11.180 --> 00:34:11.740 Acts 17, 00:34:11.880 --> 00:34:12.200 he says they 00:34:12.200 --> 00:34:12.800 were of more 00:34:12.800 --> 00:34:14.000 noble character 00:34:14.000 --> 00:34:14.420 than the 00:34:14.420 --> 00:34:14.980 Thessalonians. 00:34:15.099 --> 00:34:15.360 Why? 00:34:16.019 --> 00:34:16.639 Because they 00:34:16.639 --> 00:34:17.920 eagerly searched 00:34:17.920 --> 00:34:18.480 the scriptures 00:34:18.480 --> 00:34:20.300 to make sure 00:34:20.300 --> 00:34:20.940 that what Paul 00:34:20.940 --> 00:34:21.559 said to them 00:34:21.559 --> 00:34:22.639 was accurate. 00:34:24.000 --> 00:34:24.599 So test, 00:34:25.160 --> 00:34:26.039 be Berean. 00:34:26.860 --> 00:34:27.280 It doesn't 00:34:27.280 --> 00:34:27.920 matter who it 00:34:27.920 --> 00:34:28.280 is, whether 00:34:28.280 --> 00:34:28.960 it's a stranger 00:34:28.960 --> 00:34:29.740 like myself, 00:34:30.059 --> 00:34:30.940 or a loved 00:34:30.940 --> 00:34:31.820 regular like a 00:34:31.820 --> 00:34:32.440 John or a 00:34:32.440 --> 00:34:32.880 Graham or 00:34:32.880 --> 00:34:33.340 someone from 00:34:33.340 --> 00:34:33.880 the church's 00:34:33.880 --> 00:34:34.220 past, 00:34:34.320 --> 00:34:35.099 whoever is 00:34:35.099 --> 00:34:35.460 preaching, 00:34:35.619 --> 00:34:36.480 as you listen 00:34:36.480 --> 00:34:37.160 carefully, 00:34:38.240 --> 00:34:38.720 listen with 00:34:38.720 --> 00:34:39.240 your Bible 00:34:39.240 --> 00:34:39.800 open. 00:34:39.900 --> 00:34:41.840 Such that 00:34:41.840 --> 00:34:42.519 you can see 00:34:42.519 --> 00:34:43.680 where his 00:34:43.680 --> 00:34:44.400 words match 00:34:44.400 --> 00:34:44.760 up with 00:34:44.760 --> 00:34:45.119 God's 00:34:45.119 --> 00:34:45.480 words. 00:34:46.740 --> 00:34:47.500 The authority 00:34:47.500 --> 00:34:47.860 of the 00:34:47.860 --> 00:34:48.220 preacher 00:34:48.220 --> 00:34:48.900 extends 00:34:48.900 --> 00:34:51.160 precisely as 00:34:51.160 --> 00:34:51.660 far as 00:34:51.660 --> 00:34:52.280 God's word 00:34:52.280 --> 00:34:53.119 and no 00:34:53.119 --> 00:34:53.940 further. 00:34:55.180 --> 00:34:55.519 It's one of 00:34:55.519 --> 00:34:55.920 the key 00:34:55.920 --> 00:34:56.460 insights of 00:34:56.460 --> 00:34:57.019 the Reformation. 00:34:58.119 --> 00:34:59.000 That any 00:34:59.000 --> 00:34:59.780 authority within 00:34:59.780 --> 00:35:00.200 the local 00:35:00.200 --> 00:35:00.840 church is 00:35:00.840 --> 00:35:01.660 governed by 00:35:01.660 --> 00:35:02.900 and circumscribed 00:35:02.900 --> 00:35:04.180 by God's 00:35:04.180 --> 00:35:04.760 word and not 00:35:04.760 --> 00:35:05.320 man's. 00:35:06.320 --> 00:35:07.220 No one sits 00:35:07.220 --> 00:35:07.920 above scripture, 00:35:08.280 --> 00:35:08.820 no one. 00:35:08.820 --> 00:35:10.700 We all sit 00:35:10.700 --> 00:35:11.260 under it, 00:35:11.559 --> 00:35:12.000 no matter 00:35:12.000 --> 00:35:12.420 who it 00:35:12.420 --> 00:35:13.559 is, no 00:35:13.559 --> 00:35:13.900 matter their 00:35:13.900 --> 00:35:14.320 pedigree, 00:35:15.120 --> 00:35:15.460 no matter 00:35:15.460 --> 00:35:17.059 their impression, 00:35:17.780 --> 00:35:18.539 their rhetoric, 00:35:19.080 --> 00:35:19.440 whoever they 00:35:19.440 --> 00:35:19.880 might be. 00:35:21.000 --> 00:35:22.220 Listen carefully 00:35:22.220 --> 00:35:24.260 and test what 00:35:24.260 --> 00:35:24.780 you hear. 00:35:26.200 --> 00:35:27.100 And then, 00:35:27.940 --> 00:35:28.500 if it accords 00:35:28.500 --> 00:35:28.960 with the word 00:35:28.960 --> 00:35:29.460 of God, 00:35:30.280 --> 00:35:30.940 I'll speak it 00:35:30.940 --> 00:35:31.420 to others. 00:35:32.580 --> 00:35:33.320 Do it, 00:35:33.720 --> 00:35:34.200 in Jesus' 00:35:34.400 --> 00:35:34.539 words. 00:35:34.640 --> 00:35:34.940 Obey. 00:35:34.940 --> 00:35:36.960 apply that 00:35:36.960 --> 00:35:37.300 which you 00:35:37.300 --> 00:35:37.920 hear one 00:35:37.920 --> 00:35:38.539 to another 00:35:38.539 --> 00:35:39.720 and to 00:35:39.720 --> 00:35:40.179 yourself. 00:35:40.179 --> 00:35:40.599 No matter 00:35:40.599 --> 00:35:41.260 how costly, 00:35:42.260 --> 00:35:42.720 no matter 00:35:42.720 --> 00:35:43.420 how painful, 00:35:45.420 --> 00:35:45.720 but you 00:35:45.720 --> 00:35:45.960 know, 00:35:46.659 --> 00:35:47.260 it's regularly 00:35:47.260 --> 00:35:47.860 going to be 00:35:47.860 --> 00:35:48.260 joyful. 00:35:49.619 --> 00:35:50.400 There is a 00:35:50.400 --> 00:35:51.240 sweet pain 00:35:51.240 --> 00:35:51.900 to the rebuke 00:35:51.900 --> 00:35:52.400 that scripture 00:35:52.400 --> 00:35:52.940 brings. 00:35:54.119 --> 00:35:54.920 The words 00:35:54.920 --> 00:35:55.320 and wounds 00:35:55.320 --> 00:35:55.880 of a friend 00:35:55.880 --> 00:35:56.740 are a 00:35:56.740 --> 00:35:57.119 blessing, 00:35:57.300 --> 00:35:57.760 we're told 00:35:57.760 --> 00:35:58.360 in Proverbs. 00:35:58.460 --> 00:35:58.880 How much 00:35:58.880 --> 00:35:59.300 more the 00:35:59.300 --> 00:35:59.700 words of 00:35:59.700 --> 00:36:00.200 God himself. 00:36:00.199 --> 00:36:02.879 So, 00:36:03.039 --> 00:36:03.799 as a church 00:36:03.799 --> 00:36:04.259 family, 00:36:04.379 --> 00:36:04.679 as you 00:36:04.679 --> 00:36:05.379 listen to 00:36:05.379 --> 00:36:05.679 God's 00:36:05.679 --> 00:36:05.879 word, 00:36:05.960 --> 00:36:06.219 as you 00:36:06.219 --> 00:36:06.739 test 00:36:06.739 --> 00:36:07.579 God's 00:36:07.579 --> 00:36:07.960 word, 00:36:08.199 --> 00:36:08.500 may it 00:36:08.500 --> 00:36:08.719 dwell 00:36:08.719 --> 00:36:09.500 richly 00:36:09.500 --> 00:36:10.039 among you, 00:36:10.159 --> 00:36:10.539 working 00:36:10.539 --> 00:36:11.079 itself 00:36:11.079 --> 00:36:11.519 like a 00:36:11.519 --> 00:36:11.799 good 00:36:11.799 --> 00:36:12.659 yeast 00:36:12.659 --> 00:36:12.919 into 00:36:12.919 --> 00:36:13.179 every 00:36:13.179 --> 00:36:13.500 corner 00:36:13.500 --> 00:36:13.759 of your 00:36:13.759 --> 00:36:14.019 church 00:36:14.019 --> 00:36:14.419 life. 00:36:15.939 --> 00:36:16.159 My 00:36:16.159 --> 00:36:16.619 prayer for 00:36:16.619 --> 00:36:16.839 you, 00:36:17.059 --> 00:36:17.359 a prayer 00:36:17.359 --> 00:36:17.699 I pray 00:36:17.699 --> 00:36:18.259 every week 00:36:18.259 --> 00:36:18.539 for our 00:36:18.539 --> 00:36:18.739 church 00:36:18.739 --> 00:36:19.179 family in 00:36:19.179 --> 00:36:19.279 St. 00:36:19.279 --> 00:36:19.639 Andrews, 00:36:19.659 --> 00:36:19.939 is that 00:36:19.939 --> 00:36:20.559 we would 00:36:20.559 --> 00:36:20.779 be 00:36:20.779 --> 00:36:21.339 saturated 00:36:21.339 --> 00:36:21.819 in the 00:36:21.819 --> 00:36:22.239 life-giving 00:36:22.239 --> 00:36:22.619 word of 00:36:22.619 --> 00:36:22.879 God. 00:36:23.919 --> 00:36:24.519 That there 00:36:24.519 --> 00:36:24.859 wouldn't be 00:36:24.859 --> 00:36:25.419 conversations 00:36:25.419 --> 00:36:25.899 happening 00:36:25.899 --> 00:36:26.359 each week 00:36:26.359 --> 00:36:26.619 that is 00:36:26.619 --> 00:36:27.059 devoid 00:36:27.059 --> 00:36:27.659 somehow 00:36:27.659 --> 00:36:28.259 of the 00:36:28.259 --> 00:36:29.279 spirit-inspired 00:36:29.279 --> 00:36:29.779 truth 00:36:29.780 --> 00:36:30.700 about who 00:36:30.700 --> 00:36:31.260 Jesus is 00:36:31.260 --> 00:36:31.560 and what 00:36:31.560 --> 00:36:31.980 he's done 00:36:31.980 --> 00:36:32.280 and all 00:36:32.280 --> 00:36:32.660 that he's 00:36:32.660 --> 00:36:32.900 doing 00:36:32.900 --> 00:36:33.200 and all 00:36:33.200 --> 00:36:33.920 that he 00:36:33.920 --> 00:36:34.220 will come 00:36:34.220 --> 00:36:34.560 to do. 00:36:36.120 --> 00:36:36.800 And as 00:36:36.800 --> 00:36:37.680 that happens, 00:36:37.720 --> 00:36:38.060 as we 00:36:38.060 --> 00:36:38.560 listen, 00:36:38.700 --> 00:36:39.040 as we 00:36:39.040 --> 00:36:39.480 test, 00:36:39.620 --> 00:36:39.900 as we 00:36:39.900 --> 00:36:40.260 obey, 00:36:40.640 --> 00:36:41.040 as we 00:36:41.040 --> 00:36:41.680 speak to 00:36:41.680 --> 00:36:42.100 all and 00:36:42.100 --> 00:36:42.519 sundry, 00:36:43.180 --> 00:36:43.880 believer or 00:36:43.880 --> 00:36:44.460 unbeliever, 00:36:45.620 --> 00:36:45.760 well, 00:36:45.820 --> 00:36:46.240 so we're 00:36:46.240 --> 00:36:47.380 told Christ's 00:36:47.380 --> 00:36:48.180 church is 00:36:48.180 --> 00:36:48.620 built. 00:36:50.560 --> 00:36:51.220 But why 00:36:51.220 --> 00:36:51.600 preaching? 00:36:52.900 --> 00:36:53.500 How could 00:36:53.500 --> 00:36:54.120 it not be? 00:36:54.960 --> 00:36:55.600 How could 00:36:55.600 --> 00:36:56.100 it not be 00:36:56.100 --> 00:36:57.519 in the life 00:36:57.519 --> 00:36:57.880 of any 00:36:57.880 --> 00:36:58.600 healthy church 00:36:58.600 --> 00:36:58.880 that would 00:36:58.880 --> 00:36:59.280 seek to 00:36:59.280 --> 00:36:59.600 glorify 00:36:59.599 --> 00:37:00.039 Christ? 00:37:01.639 --> 00:37:02.099 Like I 00:37:02.099 --> 00:37:02.239 say, 00:37:02.299 --> 00:37:02.599 there's so 00:37:02.599 --> 00:37:03.000 much more 00:37:03.000 --> 00:37:03.279 we could 00:37:03.279 --> 00:37:03.440 say. 00:37:03.500 --> 00:37:03.659 I'd love 00:37:03.659 --> 00:37:03.940 to chat 00:37:03.940 --> 00:37:04.139 with you 00:37:04.139 --> 00:37:04.460 afterwards. 00:37:04.539 --> 00:37:04.719 I'm not 00:37:04.719 --> 00:37:05.259 dashing away. 00:37:05.460 --> 00:37:05.659 If you've 00:37:05.659 --> 00:37:05.839 got any 00:37:05.839 --> 00:37:06.179 questions, 00:37:06.299 --> 00:37:06.579 please do 00:37:06.579 --> 00:37:06.980 come and 00:37:06.980 --> 00:37:08.000 chat. 00:37:08.480 --> 00:37:08.819 But my 00:37:08.819 --> 00:37:09.360 prayer for 00:37:09.360 --> 00:37:09.819 you as a 00:37:09.819 --> 00:37:10.400 church family 00:37:10.400 --> 00:37:11.699 is that as 00:37:11.699 --> 00:37:12.219 God's word 00:37:12.219 --> 00:37:12.699 is preached, 00:37:12.799 --> 00:37:13.059 you will be 00:37:13.059 --> 00:37:14.799 built up and 00:37:14.799 --> 00:37:15.119 that you will 00:37:15.119 --> 00:37:15.659 be engaging 00:37:15.659 --> 00:37:16.299 in works of 00:37:16.299 --> 00:37:16.920 service one 00:37:16.920 --> 00:37:18.099 with another 00:37:18.099 --> 00:37:18.839 as you hear 00:37:18.839 --> 00:37:19.579 the words 00:37:19.579 --> 00:37:20.299 of Jesus. 00:37:20.860 --> 00:37:21.079 Shall we 00:37:21.079 --> 00:37:21.239 pray? 00:37:23.799 --> 00:37:24.199 Heavenly 00:37:24.199 --> 00:37:24.519 Father, 00:37:24.619 --> 00:37:26.380 we thank 00:37:26.380 --> 00:37:26.619 you for 00:37:26.619 --> 00:37:27.099 your word. 00:37:27.099 --> 00:37:27.599 Lord, 00:37:27.599 --> 00:37:29.199 thank you 00:37:29.199 --> 00:37:29.500 for your 00:37:29.500 --> 00:37:29.819 son, 00:37:30.119 --> 00:37:30.460 the word 00:37:30.460 --> 00:37:31.079 incarnate. 00:37:32.279 --> 00:37:32.900 Thank you 00:37:32.900 --> 00:37:33.179 for your 00:37:33.179 --> 00:37:33.960 spirit who 00:37:33.960 --> 00:37:35.500 shines light 00:37:35.500 --> 00:37:36.239 upon us 00:37:36.239 --> 00:37:37.319 that we 00:37:37.319 --> 00:37:37.839 might see 00:37:37.839 --> 00:37:38.279 him and 00:37:38.279 --> 00:37:38.460 that we 00:37:38.460 --> 00:37:38.920 might hear 00:37:38.920 --> 00:37:39.219 you. 00:37:41.139 --> 00:37:41.619 Lord, 00:37:41.679 --> 00:37:41.980 please, 00:37:42.039 --> 00:37:43.179 as your 00:37:43.179 --> 00:37:43.500 son, 00:37:43.579 --> 00:37:44.059 the risen 00:37:44.059 --> 00:37:44.519 king, 00:37:44.659 --> 00:37:44.960 Christ 00:37:44.960 --> 00:37:45.480 himself, 00:37:45.619 --> 00:37:46.539 addresses us 00:37:46.539 --> 00:37:47.059 as the 00:37:47.059 --> 00:37:47.420 word is 00:37:47.420 --> 00:37:47.900 preached to 00:37:47.900 --> 00:37:48.259 us, 00:37:49.360 --> 00:37:50.319 would you 00:37:50.319 --> 00:37:50.699 make us 00:37:50.699 --> 00:37:51.159 those who 00:37:51.159 --> 00:37:51.500 hear? 00:37:51.500 --> 00:37:53.639 Lord, 00:37:53.679 --> 00:37:53.880 for my 00:37:53.880 --> 00:37:54.260 brothers and 00:37:54.260 --> 00:37:54.780 sisters here, 00:37:54.880 --> 00:37:55.619 whatever the 00:37:55.619 --> 00:37:57.300 trials and 00:37:57.300 --> 00:37:58.059 sorrows are, 00:37:59.179 --> 00:37:59.699 whatever the 00:37:59.699 --> 00:38:00.360 joys and 00:38:00.360 --> 00:38:01.059 the cares 00:38:01.059 --> 00:38:01.900 that pleasure 00:38:01.900 --> 00:38:02.340 and riches 00:38:02.340 --> 00:38:02.860 can bring, 00:38:04.460 --> 00:38:04.780 would you 00:38:04.780 --> 00:38:05.139 make them 00:38:05.139 --> 00:38:05.659 individually 00:38:05.659 --> 00:38:06.960 and together 00:38:06.960 --> 00:38:08.079 single-minded 00:38:08.079 --> 00:38:09.960 in carefully 00:38:09.960 --> 00:38:10.940 considering what 00:38:10.940 --> 00:38:11.340 they hear? 00:38:12.260 --> 00:38:12.980 Help them to 00:38:12.980 --> 00:38:13.380 listen, 00:38:14.380 --> 00:38:15.400 to obey. 00:38:16.920 --> 00:38:17.679 Help us, 00:38:17.860 --> 00:38:18.139 we pray, 00:38:18.360 --> 00:38:18.559 Father, 00:38:18.639 --> 00:38:19.239 to be those 00:38:19.239 --> 00:38:20.119 who do test 00:38:20.119 --> 00:38:20.719 what we hear, 00:38:20.719 --> 00:38:21.279 that it might 00:38:21.279 --> 00:38:22.299 match up 00:38:22.299 --> 00:38:22.699 with your 00:38:22.699 --> 00:38:23.019 word. 00:38:23.099 --> 00:38:23.679 We pray for 00:38:23.679 --> 00:38:24.179 the preaching 00:38:24.179 --> 00:38:24.480 of the 00:38:24.480 --> 00:38:25.139 word here 00:38:25.139 --> 00:38:25.579 in St. 00:38:25.639 --> 00:38:26.179 Andrews and 00:38:26.179 --> 00:38:26.459 in our 00:38:26.459 --> 00:38:27.179 sister churches, 00:38:27.779 --> 00:38:29.119 that in 00:38:29.119 --> 00:38:29.799 every way 00:38:29.799 --> 00:38:30.480 the sound 00:38:30.480 --> 00:38:31.179 pattern of 00:38:31.179 --> 00:38:31.839 your gospel 00:38:31.839 --> 00:38:32.179 would be 00:38:32.179 --> 00:38:32.519 taught. 00:38:34.099 --> 00:38:34.699 And make 00:38:34.699 --> 00:38:35.299 us do as 00:38:35.299 --> 00:38:35.619 we pray, 00:38:35.799 --> 00:38:36.019 Father. 00:38:37.219 --> 00:38:37.980 Not only 00:38:37.980 --> 00:38:38.539 hearers, 00:38:38.639 --> 00:38:38.959 not only 00:38:38.959 --> 00:38:39.399 those who 00:38:39.399 --> 00:38:39.899 look in a 00:38:39.899 --> 00:38:40.079 mirror, 00:38:40.179 --> 00:38:40.599 but those 00:38:40.599 --> 00:38:41.699 who act 00:38:41.699 --> 00:38:42.259 in accordance 00:38:42.259 --> 00:38:42.679 with what 00:38:42.679 --> 00:38:43.139 we see. 00:38:45.579 --> 00:38:46.139 Help us 00:38:46.139 --> 00:38:46.500 to be those 00:38:46.500 --> 00:38:47.119 who speak. 00:38:48.559 --> 00:38:48.959 Lord, 00:38:49.000 --> 00:38:49.239 would this 00:38:49.239 --> 00:38:49.719 be a church 00:38:49.719 --> 00:38:50.419 family where 00:38:50.420 --> 00:38:51.039 your word 00:38:51.039 --> 00:38:52.059 would dwell 00:38:52.059 --> 00:38:52.760 richly in 00:38:52.760 --> 00:38:53.400 every member, 00:38:54.400 --> 00:38:54.659 where it 00:38:54.659 --> 00:38:55.000 would ring 00:38:55.000 --> 00:38:55.519 out from 00:38:55.519 --> 00:38:56.039 this church 00:38:56.039 --> 00:38:56.559 right across 00:38:56.559 --> 00:38:57.220 Brunsfield and 00:38:57.220 --> 00:38:57.500 Edinburgh, 00:38:58.240 --> 00:38:59.340 that your 00:38:59.340 --> 00:38:59.940 church might 00:38:59.940 --> 00:39:00.400 be built, 00:39:01.680 --> 00:39:02.740 that Christ 00:39:02.740 --> 00:39:03.119 might be 00:39:03.119 --> 00:39:03.780 glorified, 00:39:04.980 --> 00:39:05.860 and that in 00:39:05.860 --> 00:39:07.119 every way we 00:39:07.119 --> 00:39:07.599 would be built 00:39:07.599 --> 00:39:08.480 up into his 00:39:08.480 --> 00:39:08.980 image, 00:39:10.059 --> 00:39:10.700 the one who 00:39:10.700 --> 00:39:12.519 perfectly heard 00:39:12.519 --> 00:39:13.300 and obeyed 00:39:13.300 --> 00:39:14.340 your word. 00:39:15.860 --> 00:39:16.200 Truly, 00:39:16.320 --> 00:39:16.800 would we go 00:39:16.800 --> 00:39:17.559 out in joy? 00:39:17.559 --> 00:39:19.279 Would we 00:39:19.279 --> 00:39:19.599 be led 00:39:19.599 --> 00:39:20.400 forth in 00:39:20.400 --> 00:39:20.739 peace? 00:39:20.840 --> 00:39:21.059 Would the 00:39:21.059 --> 00:39:21.559 mountains and 00:39:21.559 --> 00:39:21.920 the hills 00:39:21.920 --> 00:39:22.539 burst into 00:39:22.539 --> 00:39:23.139 song before 00:39:23.139 --> 00:39:23.599 us? 00:39:24.639 --> 00:39:25.320 And would 00:39:25.320 --> 00:39:25.860 you, by 00:39:25.860 --> 00:39:26.559 your word, 00:39:26.679 --> 00:39:27.239 through your 00:39:27.239 --> 00:39:27.860 spirit, in 00:39:27.860 --> 00:39:28.480 the name of 00:39:28.480 --> 00:39:29.000 your Son, 00:39:30.559 --> 00:39:31.400 bring junipers 00:39:31.400 --> 00:39:31.840 instead of 00:39:31.840 --> 00:39:32.420 thorn bushes, 00:39:34.519 --> 00:39:35.360 myrtles instead 00:39:35.360 --> 00:39:36.059 of briars, 00:39:36.840 --> 00:39:38.000 for your 00:39:38.000 --> 00:39:38.539 everlasting 00:39:38.539 --> 00:39:39.079 glory. 00:39:39.079 --> 00:39:40.639 Amen.