WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.219 Well, we can turn back to our reading in 2 Corinthians chapter 9. 00:00:06.500 --> 00:00:12.200 We're going to look at the section, verse 6, down to the end of the chapter. 00:00:12.200 --> 00:00:16.399 But just take with you these words of verse 15. 00:00:16.399 --> 00:00:21.140 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift. 00:00:21.140 --> 00:00:25.600 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift. 00:00:25.600 --> 00:00:35.160 Coming away from a blessed communion weekend, it's always maybe in many ways strange going into the week after it. 00:00:35.300 --> 00:00:39.900 And there's so many different emotions involved maybe in coming away from it. 00:00:40.200 --> 00:00:47.600 We can come away with a sense of rejoicing in the Lord's goodness to us in so many different ways. 00:00:48.439 --> 00:00:52.000 But we can maybe also come away from it with a sense of regret. 00:00:52.000 --> 00:00:58.420 There can be maybe some of us who feel a sense of regret and maybe not coming to the Lord's table. 00:00:58.539 --> 00:01:02.280 And not doing maybe as we were maybe feeling that we should. 00:01:02.399 --> 00:01:13.620 So there can be a real sense of mixed emotions coming away from the Lord's table, from the Lord's communion as we have enjoyed last weekend. 00:01:13.620 --> 00:01:22.480 But as we come away and as we go forward, I want us to go on just thinking the Lord has been good to us. 00:01:22.960 --> 00:01:31.500 Whatever situation, whatever circumstances we're finding ourselves in, we can remember the Lord has been good to us. 00:01:31.600 --> 00:01:35.540 And to come away with that sense of thanksgiving. 00:01:35.540 --> 00:01:43.700 We're going to look this morning at that sense of thanksgiving, that he is worthy of our thanksgiving. 00:01:43.820 --> 00:01:50.360 And then this evening, God willing, we're going to look at the Lord in the sense of worthy to be praised. 00:01:50.580 --> 00:01:56.640 So the Lord is worthy of thanksgiving and worthy to be praised is going to be our theme for the day today. 00:01:56.640 --> 00:02:00.020 This morning with that sense of thanksgiving. 00:02:00.019 --> 00:02:10.799 Now when you think of communion, we think of a communion weekend, there are other events and maybe the church calendar that we remember as well. 00:02:10.979 --> 00:02:14.039 Things like Christmas and Easter. 00:02:14.039 --> 00:02:15.759 We're in between the two just now. 00:02:15.859 --> 00:02:18.680 We'll shortly be coming up to Easter time. 00:02:18.759 --> 00:02:23.460 We also have a time of the year when there's a special focus on thanksgiving. 00:02:23.460 --> 00:02:31.340 So there are certain things in our calendar, communion, Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving. 00:02:32.140 --> 00:02:35.800 What do you think of when you hear these things mentioned? 00:02:37.379 --> 00:02:45.920 For some people, it might be we think of special services that take place in the church with a particular focus. 00:02:45.919 --> 00:02:51.019 But for others, when they hear these words mentioned, it can mean holiday. 00:02:51.639 --> 00:02:55.679 Because very often these things coincide with a holiday time. 00:02:56.719 --> 00:02:58.560 Christmas is a time of holiday. 00:02:59.259 --> 00:03:01.319 Easter, we have the Easter holidays. 00:03:02.000 --> 00:03:05.119 Thanksgiving so often falls on a holiday weekend. 00:03:05.839 --> 00:03:11.119 And even last weekend, our communion weekend, it fell on a holiday weekend as well. 00:03:11.120 --> 00:03:18.920 And so for some people, we can think of these occasions as significant church services. 00:03:19.520 --> 00:03:22.140 Or for others, they maybe think holidays. 00:03:23.860 --> 00:03:26.140 Actually, the two are true. 00:03:27.480 --> 00:03:29.599 They are a time of holiday. 00:03:30.460 --> 00:03:33.259 And they are a time of special focus. 00:03:34.300 --> 00:03:39.280 For example, when we think of Christmas time, some people try and put that away now. 00:03:39.280 --> 00:03:40.960 The word Christmas or even Easter. 00:03:40.960 --> 00:03:46.439 Try and take the religious aspect out of it and just say, we'll call it a holiday time. 00:03:46.520 --> 00:03:47.879 And they say, happy holiday. 00:03:48.719 --> 00:03:55.280 But maybe they don't realize just how close they are to the real sense of the meaning behind it all. 00:03:56.139 --> 00:04:00.659 Do you feel today here that you are on holiday? 00:04:01.979 --> 00:04:04.900 We are all on holiday here today. 00:04:04.900 --> 00:04:10.159 Because when you look at the word holiday, where does it come from? 00:04:10.840 --> 00:04:13.460 It comes from holy days. 00:04:14.200 --> 00:04:16.819 That's where the word holiday came from. 00:04:17.300 --> 00:04:18.899 Holy days. 00:04:19.720 --> 00:04:23.899 Days set apart for us to focus on God. 00:04:24.319 --> 00:04:26.360 And so that is what we have here today. 00:04:26.920 --> 00:04:27.980 We have a holiday. 00:04:28.720 --> 00:04:30.620 We have a holy day. 00:04:30.620 --> 00:04:35.579 A day set apart to focus on God. 00:04:36.500 --> 00:04:40.759 Now when we think of holiday, we think of maybe rest. 00:04:41.699 --> 00:04:43.079 And that's important. 00:04:44.139 --> 00:04:47.980 But when we think of the holy days that we have. 00:04:48.500 --> 00:04:55.120 And not just the days when we have a communion or a Christmas service, Easter service or Thanksgiving. 00:04:55.120 --> 00:04:59.000 But we think of it in the sense of every Lord's day. 00:04:59.480 --> 00:05:01.300 That we have that holy day. 00:05:01.379 --> 00:05:02.840 A day set apart. 00:05:03.500 --> 00:05:10.340 It reminds us that it is to come and see that our rest is found in the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:05:11.280 --> 00:05:15.660 And that is what Paul is reminding the church at Corinth of here. 00:05:16.879 --> 00:05:20.459 Reminding them of what they have in Christ. 00:05:20.459 --> 00:05:22.899 That they are a holy people. 00:05:23.079 --> 00:05:25.560 God's people are a holy people. 00:05:25.759 --> 00:05:28.299 They are set apart for God. 00:05:29.079 --> 00:05:33.079 And that in their service to him, they have holy days. 00:05:33.359 --> 00:05:40.019 Days when they are set apart to worship God and to show their love towards him. 00:05:40.519 --> 00:05:47.419 When we think of the church in Corinth, it was a place, Corinth, that had many different issues. 00:05:47.420 --> 00:05:48.980 Many different problems. 00:05:49.780 --> 00:05:52.220 Immorality, idolatry, false teaching. 00:05:52.400 --> 00:05:56.060 All of these things were there in Corinth back in the day. 00:05:56.340 --> 00:05:58.259 Just as they are in our world today. 00:05:58.420 --> 00:06:01.879 But Corinth was maybe a particular place in that sense. 00:06:01.980 --> 00:06:08.200 It was a vast city with many different kinds of people coming into it and passing through. 00:06:08.639 --> 00:06:10.520 And a whole variety of teaching. 00:06:11.660 --> 00:06:17.180 But for God's people who were there, yes, they were maybe pulled in different directions. 00:06:17.420 --> 00:06:19.740 They were under pressure in many different ways. 00:06:20.340 --> 00:06:23.280 But it would be wrong of us just to criticize them. 00:06:24.240 --> 00:06:30.980 Because given the opportunity and given encouragement, they were a generous and a thankful people. 00:06:31.400 --> 00:06:35.540 And we see that in chapter 9 here as we're going to look at it. 00:06:35.540 --> 00:06:39.960 Paul here is sending the brothers, as they're called. 00:06:40.379 --> 00:06:44.040 The others who went ahead of him to meet with them in Corinth. 00:06:44.220 --> 00:06:46.140 To stir them up, to encourage them. 00:06:46.600 --> 00:06:51.420 To be thankful to God and to continue in their service to God. 00:06:51.820 --> 00:06:54.800 And to be encouraged to keep this going. 00:06:54.800 --> 00:07:00.139 And so there is this sense of thanksgiving in this chapter. 00:07:00.280 --> 00:07:02.240 And especially as we look at verse 15. 00:07:02.800 --> 00:07:06.720 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift. 00:07:07.580 --> 00:07:11.139 But to get to that verse, we have to go through verse 6. 00:07:11.280 --> 00:07:13.580 Beginning there down to verse 15. 00:07:13.579 --> 00:07:18.800 And here we see just why they should be so thankful. 00:07:18.959 --> 00:07:21.560 And what they have to be thankful for. 00:07:21.659 --> 00:07:25.219 And we're going to focus on verse 6 to 15 and see three things here. 00:07:25.699 --> 00:07:27.779 First of all, we see a generous heart. 00:07:28.079 --> 00:07:30.240 A generous heart among the people. 00:07:30.959 --> 00:07:32.939 Then we see a godly blessing. 00:07:33.620 --> 00:07:40.060 A God who is able to give them more than they can even imagine. 00:07:40.060 --> 00:07:46.899 And then we see that inexpressible thanks that they finish on in verse 15. 00:07:47.100 --> 00:07:50.519 So first of all, we see a generous heart. 00:07:51.560 --> 00:07:55.360 And the people in Corinth were a generous people. 00:07:55.480 --> 00:07:59.019 They had stirred up others in other areas in their giving. 00:07:59.220 --> 00:08:06.840 The church of Macedonia is mentioned here as being encouraged through the giving of the church at Corinth. 00:08:06.839 --> 00:08:13.519 But we often associate giving thanks with receiving something. 00:08:13.859 --> 00:08:20.579 So that the church in Macedonia would have been thankful having received the gifts of the church from Corinth. 00:08:20.699 --> 00:08:23.019 But the Corinthians had given. 00:08:24.179 --> 00:08:26.979 And that's where the thanksgiving begins. 00:08:27.239 --> 00:08:29.059 It begins with giving. 00:08:29.060 --> 00:08:36.840 And we see that in verse 6 here as Paul takes that image of the farmer who sows the seed. 00:08:36.899 --> 00:08:41.059 And he uses this as the basis of where their thanksgiving begins. 00:08:41.759 --> 00:08:50.220 Because it leads them to see how gracious God is as we give generously to him and to his cause. 00:08:50.220 --> 00:08:56.220 So you have in verse 6, whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. 00:08:56.920 --> 00:09:01.220 And whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 00:09:01.960 --> 00:09:07.379 So it's the image of the farmer here who goes out to sow his seed. 00:09:07.840 --> 00:09:10.440 And there's two different ways that he can do it. 00:09:10.899 --> 00:09:14.200 He's saying, well, one goes out and sows sparingly. 00:09:14.860 --> 00:09:17.660 And when he does that, he reaps sparingly. 00:09:17.659 --> 00:09:24.179 But the one who goes out and sows bountifully reaps bountifully. 00:09:24.319 --> 00:09:28.399 So that if he freely gives his seed, he freely receives. 00:09:29.740 --> 00:09:33.279 It's a farmer who has nothing left in his hands. 00:09:33.959 --> 00:09:37.360 And it almost seems like everything that he has has gone. 00:09:38.519 --> 00:09:42.399 But when the harvest comes, his barns will overflow. 00:09:42.399 --> 00:09:47.879 It will soon be time to start planting vegetables again. 00:09:48.959 --> 00:09:50.840 And many of you will be doing that, I'm sure. 00:09:50.919 --> 00:09:53.079 But how do you sow the seeds? 00:09:53.199 --> 00:09:58.019 I mean, some of the seeds you get now, for example, for carrots, they're tiny little things. 00:09:58.959 --> 00:10:00.220 So how would you sow it? 00:10:01.059 --> 00:10:03.620 You would maybe make the little trench in the soil. 00:10:03.720 --> 00:10:06.799 But would you just put one seed at a time? 00:10:07.699 --> 00:10:09.559 Is that the way you would sow the seed? 00:10:10.379 --> 00:10:13.219 If you did, you're going to get little in return. 00:10:13.339 --> 00:10:15.299 It requires a sprinkling. 00:10:15.459 --> 00:10:18.879 It requires a giving of all the seeds that are in the pack. 00:10:18.939 --> 00:10:23.719 If you want to reap, you've got to sow bountifully, as it says here. 00:10:25.039 --> 00:10:27.740 So it's literally scattering, as we have. 00:10:27.740 --> 00:10:35.100 In his commentary, John Calvin puts it like this, looking at the comparison between giving and sowing, he says, 00:10:35.180 --> 00:10:40.379 In sowing, the seed is cast forth by hand, is scattered upon the ground. 00:10:40.480 --> 00:10:44.180 On this side and that is harrowed and at length rots. 00:10:44.799 --> 00:10:47.060 And thus it seems as good as lost. 00:10:47.879 --> 00:10:49.600 The case is similar in giving. 00:10:50.259 --> 00:10:55.759 What goes from you to some other quarter seems as if it were diminishing of what you have. 00:10:55.759 --> 00:11:01.179 But the season of harvest will come when the fruit will be gathered. 00:11:01.679 --> 00:11:06.220 And so there's this encouragement there to give bountifully. 00:11:06.939 --> 00:11:14.379 And what's interesting here is when you look at verse 6, that word bountifully, it can be translated blessing. 00:11:15.259 --> 00:11:22.360 So whoever sows blessingly, we could say, will reap blessingly. 00:11:22.360 --> 00:11:25.720 That's what's behind this word. 00:11:26.639 --> 00:11:30.680 And so are we a people who are sowing blessingly. 00:11:31.279 --> 00:11:35.259 Seeking God's blessing in the work that we are involved in. 00:11:35.360 --> 00:11:38.659 Giving to that work blessingly, bountifully. 00:11:39.279 --> 00:11:43.240 Seeing that we would see a harvest in return for it. 00:11:43.879 --> 00:11:45.480 We can all ask ourselves. 00:11:46.000 --> 00:11:46.720 I can ask. 00:11:46.779 --> 00:11:47.500 You can ask. 00:11:47.500 --> 00:11:51.299 Are we a people who are sowing blessingly? 00:11:51.620 --> 00:11:53.120 Or could we do more? 00:11:54.340 --> 00:11:57.519 And this isn't to stir up some kind of guilt trip. 00:11:57.600 --> 00:11:59.080 It's not what it's about at all. 00:11:59.600 --> 00:12:08.440 But God's word is just there before us to help us to understand how we are to live in light of God's blessings to us. 00:12:08.860 --> 00:12:10.220 How we are to live. 00:12:10.220 --> 00:12:18.620 And what he says here is as we sow blessingly, we are to give it as a cheerful giver. 00:12:18.700 --> 00:12:24.540 Each one, it says in verse 7, must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion. 00:12:25.060 --> 00:12:28.379 For God loves a cheerful giver. 00:12:28.879 --> 00:12:29.920 This is how we are to be. 00:12:30.360 --> 00:12:32.019 This is to be our attitude. 00:12:32.399 --> 00:12:34.440 A cheerful giver. 00:12:34.440 --> 00:12:37.660 And again, you go back to what the word means. 00:12:38.140 --> 00:12:39.900 A cheerful giver. 00:12:40.060 --> 00:12:42.020 The word there is hilaros. 00:12:42.820 --> 00:12:45.740 And there's an English word that we can take from that Greek word. 00:12:46.280 --> 00:12:46.720 Hilaros. 00:12:46.800 --> 00:12:48.380 You can almost hear it as I'm saying it. 00:12:49.060 --> 00:12:51.240 Hilarious is the word that's there. 00:12:51.640 --> 00:12:53.580 Hilarious is the English word that we have. 00:12:54.080 --> 00:12:56.540 So there's that sense of the hilarity of giving. 00:12:56.660 --> 00:12:58.260 The joy of giving. 00:12:59.040 --> 00:13:01.660 The sense of almost laughter as we're giving. 00:13:01.659 --> 00:13:06.480 God has given us, we can give him with that sense of joy. 00:13:07.199 --> 00:13:15.000 With thankfulness assured that in doing so, God has great desires towards us as well. 00:13:15.759 --> 00:13:20.339 And so a grateful heart is something that we have in thanksgiving. 00:13:20.860 --> 00:13:27.120 A grateful heart in giving ourselves to God and giving all that we are to God. 00:13:27.120 --> 00:13:33.179 And so as we come away from a communion season, we think we might have regrets. 00:13:33.500 --> 00:13:35.919 We might have a sense of rejoicing. 00:13:36.379 --> 00:13:39.379 But let us always have that sense of thanksgiving. 00:13:39.940 --> 00:13:46.240 And that thanksgiving be full of bountiful, blessingly sowing for the Lord. 00:13:46.399 --> 00:13:50.860 And cheerfully, hilariously giving to the Lord. 00:13:51.919 --> 00:13:56.200 The second thing we see here is a godly blessing. 00:13:56.200 --> 00:14:04.580 Paul then goes on to describe the generosity of God in every aspect of life. 00:14:04.660 --> 00:14:05.440 You look at verse 8. 00:14:06.000 --> 00:14:09.320 God is able to make all grace abound to you. 00:14:09.840 --> 00:14:17.280 So that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 00:14:17.879 --> 00:14:19.720 Does God hold back? 00:14:19.720 --> 00:14:27.180 Well, we might have an attitude, if I give, I'm going to have so much less for myself. 00:14:28.620 --> 00:14:30.700 But that's doubting God. 00:14:31.540 --> 00:14:35.000 That's doubting a God who we see in so many parts of Scripture. 00:14:35.120 --> 00:14:36.340 This is just one of them. 00:14:36.860 --> 00:14:41.860 The God who is able to make all grace abound to you. 00:14:41.860 --> 00:14:45.139 The word abound is used a few times here. 00:14:45.740 --> 00:14:49.240 And at all times, you may abound in every good work. 00:14:49.360 --> 00:14:52.259 The Lord is able to bless. 00:14:52.379 --> 00:14:56.360 And we are to have faith in him who is able to bless. 00:14:56.560 --> 00:14:57.440 God is able. 00:14:58.220 --> 00:14:59.220 You will abound. 00:14:59.620 --> 00:15:03.720 So there's the promise of getting from God here as well. 00:15:03.720 --> 00:15:17.420 When we think of that word, bountifully sowing, blessingly sowing, we are reminded here that God gives back blessings as we give as a matter of blessing from ourselves. 00:15:17.940 --> 00:15:20.940 And this is not a prosperity gospel message. 00:15:21.100 --> 00:15:28.139 This is not a plea for your money and saying the Lord will then bless you with riches beyond your wildest dreams. 00:15:28.240 --> 00:15:29.500 That's not what it is. 00:15:29.620 --> 00:15:31.980 We know that and we should know that. 00:15:31.980 --> 00:15:34.420 But God will reward. 00:15:35.159 --> 00:15:36.360 That is the promise. 00:15:37.039 --> 00:15:40.420 But the rewards we look for, they're not material. 00:15:41.200 --> 00:15:44.620 We don't look for wealth as we give to God. 00:15:44.700 --> 00:15:48.519 We look for him to pour out his spiritual blessings on us. 00:15:49.039 --> 00:15:55.159 His grace, his mercy, his love towards us that he has an abundance to give to us. 00:15:55.159 --> 00:16:01.759 And God, as it says here, make all grace abound to you. 00:16:01.980 --> 00:16:07.519 That his grace will be poured out to you and to me again and again. 00:16:07.519 --> 00:16:18.620 God gives us that promise as we bountifully, blessingly so that he is able to blessingly reward us well. 00:16:19.620 --> 00:16:24.960 When we step out in faith, the Lord is able to bless. 00:16:24.960 --> 00:16:34.900 When you think of Isaiah and back in chapter 6 of Isaiah, that great passage, it says there in verse 8, 00:16:34.960 --> 00:16:40.460 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, Whom shall I send and who will go for us? 00:16:40.460 --> 00:16:44.100 Then I said, Here am I, send me. 00:16:44.160 --> 00:16:47.680 I say I was placing himself into the Lord's hands. 00:16:48.780 --> 00:16:52.740 And you see it with Samuel, you see it with so many throughout the Old Testament. 00:16:52.879 --> 00:16:56.820 When the Lord is calling, we place ourselves into his hands. 00:16:56.920 --> 00:17:00.720 The God who is able to make grace abound to you. 00:17:00.820 --> 00:17:05.380 You put yourself, I put myself into his hands. 00:17:05.380 --> 00:17:11.660 And when you look at your life and your lifetime, whether it's personally or even as a congregation, 00:17:12.440 --> 00:17:14.960 and all that we have received from the Lord, 00:17:16.040 --> 00:17:21.420 isn't that a reminder to us that as we are faithful to him, he is faithful to us? 00:17:21.420 --> 00:17:32.460 That as we seek to show his grace, sow his grace in every aspect of the congregation work that we're involved in, 00:17:32.519 --> 00:17:36.720 that he is able to make us abound in grace going forward as well. 00:17:36.800 --> 00:17:38.220 We see encouragements. 00:17:38.759 --> 00:17:43.620 We don't take them for granted, but we see the Lord is able to bless. 00:17:43.700 --> 00:17:47.640 When we see people coming to church, when we see the Sunday school thrive, 00:17:47.640 --> 00:17:53.340 when we see the creche grow, when we see people being engaged with in different ways with the gospel, 00:17:53.480 --> 00:17:55.340 and a hunger for the gospel. 00:17:56.000 --> 00:17:57.400 Where does it come from? 00:17:57.940 --> 00:18:01.120 It comes from a people who are blessingly sowing, 00:18:01.960 --> 00:18:08.000 and looking to a God who is able to abound in grace to us, and favor to us. 00:18:08.780 --> 00:18:12.040 And so we have so much to give thanks for. 00:18:12.039 --> 00:18:18.059 And we're reminded again and again of how God can supply. 00:18:18.200 --> 00:18:19.759 Philippians 4, 19, 00:18:20.460 --> 00:18:26.740 My God will supply all your need according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 00:18:27.579 --> 00:18:33.639 So we have godly blessings that follow a generous heart. 00:18:34.299 --> 00:18:39.700 We have received much, and let us be ever thankful for that. 00:18:39.700 --> 00:18:45.519 But then that leads us then to that inexpressible thanks. 00:18:46.160 --> 00:18:50.600 Verse 15, as Paul summarizes things here, 00:18:51.160 --> 00:18:56.380 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift. 00:18:57.620 --> 00:19:03.900 As we see a spirit of giving, as we see a vision of what we are receiving, 00:19:04.519 --> 00:19:06.220 where does that make us go? 00:19:06.220 --> 00:19:11.279 In some ways we could look at each other and say, 00:19:11.759 --> 00:19:12.940 Well done to one another. 00:19:13.640 --> 00:19:16.120 And there's a great encouragement in that. 00:19:16.980 --> 00:19:19.539 But that's not the main place we are to go. 00:19:20.600 --> 00:19:23.160 Verse 15 just reminds us of that. 00:19:23.819 --> 00:19:26.319 Thanks be to God. 00:19:27.360 --> 00:19:30.600 That is the source of all that we have. 00:19:30.599 --> 00:19:35.619 And the source of all our thanksgiving is to look to him. 00:19:36.259 --> 00:19:38.819 Our thanks is in God. 00:19:39.719 --> 00:19:43.639 But sometimes thank you seems so feeble. 00:19:44.819 --> 00:19:47.240 To give thanks to God is a good thing to do, 00:19:47.339 --> 00:19:51.339 but sometimes it just seems so little to do. 00:19:52.019 --> 00:19:56.799 And there's a sense of that in the way Paul writes here in verse 15. 00:19:56.799 --> 00:20:00.000 He just doesn't have the words. 00:20:01.019 --> 00:20:03.839 Thanks be to God for what? 00:20:04.960 --> 00:20:06.700 What could he say here? 00:20:06.919 --> 00:20:08.759 What word could he use? 00:20:09.460 --> 00:20:12.399 Well, he actually came up with a brand new word. 00:20:13.279 --> 00:20:15.940 It was the first time this word was used. 00:20:16.019 --> 00:20:19.339 The Greek word was used that's here inexpressible. 00:20:19.740 --> 00:20:23.119 Because there just wasn't a word for it. 00:20:23.119 --> 00:20:26.159 Every year, usually at the end of the year, 00:20:26.239 --> 00:20:29.139 we have some place that gives, 00:20:29.319 --> 00:20:32.279 what was the word of the year for 2025? 00:20:34.119 --> 00:20:35.519 When you look it up, 00:20:35.579 --> 00:20:37.719 you find that there were maybe a couple of new words 00:20:37.719 --> 00:20:40.639 that were introduced or used in a different way. 00:20:41.299 --> 00:20:43.659 2025 was rage bait. 00:20:44.579 --> 00:20:46.819 It was that kind of idea of online 00:20:46.819 --> 00:20:49.439 where you're putting out thoughts or ideas 00:20:49.440 --> 00:20:51.400 that are there to entice people 00:20:51.400 --> 00:20:54.059 to throw a bit of rage and anger 00:20:54.059 --> 00:20:55.539 against something that's being said. 00:20:55.700 --> 00:20:57.980 Rage bait was the word of the year. 00:20:58.620 --> 00:21:00.820 Well, this word in Paul's day 00:21:00.820 --> 00:21:02.299 would have been the word of the year. 00:21:04.259 --> 00:21:05.500 Inexpressible gift. 00:21:06.180 --> 00:21:08.039 There's just no word for it. 00:21:08.120 --> 00:21:10.580 So he makes up a new word. 00:21:11.759 --> 00:21:15.240 Because how do we describe God's gift to us? 00:21:15.320 --> 00:21:16.460 There are no words. 00:21:16.460 --> 00:21:21.180 It's a gift that's described partly in chapter 8, verse 9. 00:21:22.000 --> 00:21:24.400 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:21:24.480 --> 00:21:25.460 that though he was rich, 00:21:25.519 --> 00:21:27.500 yet for your sakes he became poor, 00:21:27.840 --> 00:21:30.519 so that you through his poverty might become rich. 00:21:31.819 --> 00:21:33.420 How do you describe it? 00:21:34.880 --> 00:21:37.259 Well, Paul concludes here 00:21:37.259 --> 00:21:41.420 with that inexpressible joy and thanksgiving that there is. 00:21:42.240 --> 00:21:43.460 When you think of that verse 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:45.220 we were mentioning to the children earlier, 00:21:45.220 --> 00:21:47.059 John 3, 16, 00:21:47.180 --> 00:21:48.819 For God so loved the world 00:21:48.819 --> 00:21:50.579 that he gave his only Son 00:21:50.579 --> 00:21:53.240 that inexpressible gift. 00:21:54.299 --> 00:21:57.100 How can we give thanks to God for that? 00:21:58.140 --> 00:22:00.539 And when you consider what we have in Jesus 00:22:00.539 --> 00:22:04.000 and the reasons that we have to praise God, 00:22:04.059 --> 00:22:07.120 you could go through a whole list of things. 00:22:07.400 --> 00:22:08.640 Forgiveness of sin. 00:22:09.440 --> 00:22:10.579 We have a Redeemer. 00:22:10.579 --> 00:22:14.119 We have the promise of everlasting life. 00:22:14.899 --> 00:22:17.619 We have that adoption that he speaks about, 00:22:17.679 --> 00:22:19.819 that we are made into the children of God. 00:22:20.619 --> 00:22:22.819 That we have a place in heaven 00:22:22.819 --> 00:22:25.059 as we put our trust in him 00:22:25.059 --> 00:22:26.240 because Jesus says, 00:22:26.379 --> 00:22:29.099 I will go and prepare a place for you. 00:22:29.659 --> 00:22:31.659 We have his abiding presence. 00:22:32.059 --> 00:22:33.939 We have his numerous promises. 00:22:34.199 --> 00:22:35.720 We have his everlasting love, 00:22:35.779 --> 00:22:37.079 his amazing grace. 00:22:37.079 --> 00:22:39.419 The list just goes on. 00:22:39.939 --> 00:22:41.919 We have the promise of his Holy Spirit. 00:22:42.099 --> 00:22:45.199 We have his precious word given to us. 00:22:45.539 --> 00:22:47.259 We have all of these things. 00:22:47.480 --> 00:22:48.899 And so it's no wonder 00:22:48.899 --> 00:22:50.939 that Paul just couldn't find a word 00:22:50.939 --> 00:22:52.960 and had to come up with a new word. 00:22:53.960 --> 00:22:54.559 Inexpressible. 00:22:55.859 --> 00:22:59.939 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift. 00:22:59.940 --> 00:23:06.279 And so what do we make of all of these things? 00:23:08.400 --> 00:23:10.920 If we can't describe it 00:23:10.920 --> 00:23:12.640 because it's inexpressible, 00:23:12.940 --> 00:23:14.820 what are we to do with it? 00:23:14.960 --> 00:23:16.519 Just like we were saying to the young ones, 00:23:16.740 --> 00:23:19.140 we can't measure it in any way. 00:23:20.220 --> 00:23:21.860 So what do we do with it? 00:23:22.740 --> 00:23:23.960 We trust it. 00:23:24.860 --> 00:23:28.920 We put our trust in this gift of God. 00:23:28.920 --> 00:23:31.920 This gift of a redeemer. 00:23:33.140 --> 00:23:38.240 And we recognize how much we have to be thankful for. 00:23:39.340 --> 00:23:43.759 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift. 00:23:45.259 --> 00:23:48.420 A farmer once went to church one Sunday morning 00:23:48.420 --> 00:23:49.660 and listened to a sermon. 00:23:50.400 --> 00:23:53.279 The sermon was in Isaiah 1, verse 3. 00:23:54.019 --> 00:23:54.880 And it says this, 00:23:54.880 --> 00:24:05.900 What was the verse saying? 00:24:06.000 --> 00:24:10.120 It's saying, well, even the animals recognize something. 00:24:10.119 --> 00:24:14.339 But Israel says the people of God didn't. 00:24:15.839 --> 00:24:16.699 And the next day, 00:24:16.819 --> 00:24:19.219 as the farmer was feeding his cattle, 00:24:19.959 --> 00:24:21.139 one of the cows, 00:24:21.859 --> 00:24:23.439 to show its thanks, 00:24:24.500 --> 00:24:26.279 licked the farmer's hand. 00:24:26.279 --> 00:24:29.299 And at that moment, 00:24:30.039 --> 00:24:31.319 that farmer, 00:24:32.240 --> 00:24:33.819 who was not a committed Christian, 00:24:34.599 --> 00:24:36.440 he was convicted in his heart. 00:24:37.720 --> 00:24:40.740 And he actually burst into tears 00:24:40.740 --> 00:24:42.559 and said, 00:24:42.559 --> 00:24:44.740 it's all true. 00:24:46.039 --> 00:24:49.559 How wonderful is the word of God. 00:24:50.539 --> 00:24:52.839 Because he recognized that that cow 00:24:52.839 --> 00:24:55.200 was more thankful to him 00:24:55.200 --> 00:24:58.099 than he was to God. 00:24:59.559 --> 00:25:00.659 And yet he said, 00:25:00.740 --> 00:25:03.579 I am in debt to him for everything. 00:25:04.500 --> 00:25:06.379 What a sinner I am. 00:25:06.380 --> 00:25:08.920 And it was that lesson 00:25:08.920 --> 00:25:12.320 that led him to see his need of Christ 00:25:12.320 --> 00:25:15.540 and brought him to Christ. 00:25:16.880 --> 00:25:18.600 Sometimes the world around us 00:25:18.600 --> 00:25:21.240 says to us more than we recognize 00:25:21.240 --> 00:25:23.180 of who God is. 00:25:24.320 --> 00:25:27.560 The simple little things can remind us. 00:25:28.480 --> 00:25:30.540 So even as you sow a seed 00:25:30.540 --> 00:25:32.360 and you think, 00:25:32.500 --> 00:25:34.300 well, where does the increase come from? 00:25:34.299 --> 00:25:38.180 It comes through sowing blessingly. 00:25:39.099 --> 00:25:42.359 But it is God who gives the increase. 00:25:43.480 --> 00:25:45.200 And so it is with our faith. 00:25:46.059 --> 00:25:49.099 As we cast ourselves on the Lord. 00:25:49.180 --> 00:25:50.500 As we give ourselves 00:25:50.500 --> 00:25:53.500 with that sense of cheerful giving. 00:25:54.759 --> 00:25:57.940 Recognizing God who is able to bless. 00:25:58.819 --> 00:26:01.359 May he help us to find ourselves 00:26:01.359 --> 00:26:04.279 with that sense of thanksgiving. 00:26:04.299 --> 00:26:07.639 for that inexpressible gift. 00:26:08.079 --> 00:26:10.480 The gift that there are no words for. 00:26:11.500 --> 00:26:13.539 But that can be known through faith 00:26:13.539 --> 00:26:15.180 in the Lord Jesus. 00:26:16.200 --> 00:26:19.059 May the Lord bless these words to us. 00:26:19.119 --> 00:26:19.740 Let us pray. 00:26:22.180 --> 00:26:24.000 Lord, our gracious God, 00:26:24.079 --> 00:26:26.659 we thank you that everything that we have 00:26:26.659 --> 00:26:27.659 is from above. 00:26:28.319 --> 00:26:30.079 Every good and perfect gift 00:26:30.079 --> 00:26:30.759 is from you, 00:26:30.859 --> 00:26:32.399 the one who does not change. 00:26:32.400 --> 00:26:34.660 And we find ourselves 00:26:34.660 --> 00:26:37.840 just looking at these words before us 00:26:37.840 --> 00:26:40.800 and recognizing that we too feel like Paul. 00:26:40.900 --> 00:26:43.660 That there is that inexpressible nature 00:26:43.660 --> 00:26:45.980 of the gifts that you have given to us. 00:26:46.580 --> 00:26:48.140 How can we describe them? 00:26:48.140 --> 00:26:50.960 How can we possibly give thanks for them? 00:26:50.960 --> 00:26:52.620 But yet, O Lord, 00:26:52.620 --> 00:26:54.460 you encourage us in our hearts 00:26:54.460 --> 00:26:55.740 to come, 00:26:56.340 --> 00:26:57.559 to simply come, 00:26:58.259 --> 00:27:00.220 and come and rest in you. 00:27:00.740 --> 00:27:02.720 To find in these holidays, 00:27:02.840 --> 00:27:03.279 as it were, 00:27:03.360 --> 00:27:05.180 the holy days that we enjoy. 00:27:05.640 --> 00:27:08.100 The days that are set apart for you. 00:27:08.519 --> 00:27:11.440 To find in there the words of faith, 00:27:11.680 --> 00:27:12.759 the words of love, 00:27:12.840 --> 00:27:14.120 and grace that abounds. 00:27:14.119 --> 00:27:15.859 And to know what it is 00:27:15.859 --> 00:27:17.459 to put our trust in you. 00:27:18.039 --> 00:27:19.919 And to find there that we have a rest. 00:27:20.719 --> 00:27:21.899 And a word, 00:27:22.139 --> 00:27:24.519 and words that are inexpressible. 00:27:24.599 --> 00:27:26.879 That peace that passes understanding, 00:27:27.099 --> 00:27:28.099 as Peter says. 00:27:28.179 --> 00:27:30.059 And may we know it for ourselves. 00:27:30.819 --> 00:27:32.419 Lord, receive our thanks. 00:27:33.000 --> 00:27:35.019 And may we continue in much thanksgiving 00:27:35.019 --> 00:27:36.279 and praise to you. 00:27:36.759 --> 00:27:38.379 And in our service for you. 00:27:38.379 --> 00:27:40.599 As we ask all in Jesus' name. 00:27:41.139 --> 00:27:41.459 Amen. 00:27:44.119 --> 00:27:48.299 We'll conclude by singing to God's praise 00:27:48.299 --> 00:27:49.939 in Psalm 106, 00:27:50.379 --> 00:27:51.939 the Scottish Psalter version, 00:27:52.179 --> 00:27:53.599 page 378. 00:27:58.799 --> 00:28:00.359 Psalm 106, 00:28:00.459 --> 00:28:03.359 we'll sing from verse 1 to verse 5. 00:28:04.179 --> 00:28:06.099 Page 378. 00:28:06.099 --> 00:28:08.359 Give praise and thanks unto the Lord, 00:28:08.479 --> 00:28:09.779 for bountiful is he. 00:28:10.239 --> 00:28:12.179 His tender mercy doth endure 00:28:12.179 --> 00:28:13.339 unto eternity. 00:28:14.119 --> 00:28:16.439 God's mighty works who can express 00:28:16.439 --> 00:28:18.419 or show forth all his praise. 00:28:19.139 --> 00:28:21.139 Blessed are they that judgment keep, 00:28:21.239 --> 00:28:23.099 and justly do always. 00:28:23.179 --> 00:28:24.899 We'll sing from verse 1 to 5. 00:28:25.019 --> 00:28:27.099 We stand to sing to God's praise. 00:28:27.099 --> 00:28:41.419 praise and thanks to the Lord, 00:28:41.419 --> 00:28:48.980 for bountiful is he. 00:28:48.980 --> 00:28:49.980 His tender mercy doth endure. 00:28:49.980 --> 00:29:03.980 This tender mercy doth endure unto eternity. 00:29:03.980 --> 00:29:04.980 God's mighty works who can express 00:29:04.980 --> 00:29:10.980 the mighty works who can express 00:29:10.980 --> 00:29:12.980 our show for the Lord, 00:29:12.980 --> 00:29:12.980 00:29:12.980 --> 00:29:15.980 God's mighty works who can express 00:29:15.980 --> 00:29:17.980 our show for the honest grace. 00:29:17.980 --> 00:29:24.079 for all his grace. 00:29:24.079 --> 00:29:29.079 Blessed are he 00:29:29.079 --> 00:29:33.880 that judgment keep 00:29:33.880 --> 00:29:41.660 and justly do always. 00:29:42.220 --> 00:29:47.019 Remember me 00:29:47.019 --> 00:29:51.660 Lord with the love 00:29:51.660 --> 00:29:56.680 which thou to thine 00:29:56.680 --> 00:29:59.440 dost bear 00:29:59.440 --> 00:30:04.879 with thy salvation 00:30:04.879 --> 00:30:09.259 O my God 00:30:09.259 --> 00:30:14.259 to this it be 00:30:14.259 --> 00:30:16.900 drawn near 00:30:16.900 --> 00:30:23.299 that I thy chosen 00:30:23.299 --> 00:30:27.420 good miss thee 00:30:27.420 --> 00:30:32.060 and in their joy 00:30:32.060 --> 00:30:34.060 rejoice 00:30:34.060 --> 00:30:40.460 and live with thine 00:30:40.460 --> 00:30:44.860 in their hands 00:30:44.860 --> 00:30:53.080 thy mouth with cheerful voice 00:30:53.079 --> 00:30:55.179 after the benediction 00:30:55.179 --> 00:30:56.299 I'll go to the main door 00:30:56.299 --> 00:30:57.539 we'll close with the benediction 00:30:57.539 --> 00:30:59.220 now may grace 00:30:59.220 --> 00:31:00.579 mercy and peace 00:31:00.579 --> 00:31:01.359 from God 00:31:01.359 --> 00:31:01.919 Father 00:31:01.919 --> 00:31:02.419 Son 00:31:02.419 --> 00:31:03.439 and Holy Spirit 00:31:03.439 --> 00:31:04.500 rest upon 00:31:04.500 --> 00:31:06.259 and abide with you all 00:31:06.259 --> 00:31:07.399 now and forevermore 00:31:07.399 --> 00:31:08.359 Amen 00:31:08.359 --> 00:31:17.459 God desde 00:31:17.459 --> 00:31:20.459 God 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.459 --> 00:31:20.459 00:31:20.460 --> 00:31:50.440 Thank you. 00:31:50.460 --> 00:32:20.440 Thank you.