WEBVTT 00:00:00.520 --> 00:00:09.179 Thanks Andy. Folks, lovely to see you this morning. Wonderful to meet some new folks for whom this is your first time at Brunsfield as well. You are so welcome here. 00:00:09.960 --> 00:00:15.500 Let me encourage you to turn to Haggai chapter 1. We're taking in three verses today. Here's the question. 00:00:16.640 --> 00:00:20.640 How does the God of the Bible change people? 00:00:20.640 --> 00:00:30.340 I recently heard a story someone told about a man called Tony Morfitt. Tony Morfitt was one of Australia's most famous TV script writers. 00:00:30.700 --> 00:00:36.000 He was a trained journalist and he was a committed atheist. 00:00:37.120 --> 00:00:44.920 One day he boards a plane bound for Sydney. Except there's one problem with this plane journey. 00:00:45.179 --> 00:00:51.980 It's the day that it falls on. You see, this plane journey falls on Friday the 13th. 00:00:52.500 --> 00:00:58.400 I always find it interesting how the most calm people around all of a sudden become superstitious when they step on a plane. 00:00:58.520 --> 00:01:02.000 You've never noticed that before. If you don't believe me, next time you get on a plane, 00:01:02.000 --> 00:01:06.040 and after all, it is a kind of flying Pringles tube really, isn't it? So you don't blame them. 00:01:06.240 --> 00:01:12.060 But next time you get on a plane, have a look for row 13 and see if you can find it and you'll understand what I'm saying. 00:01:12.060 --> 00:01:19.500 So Tony Morfitt, he boards this plane. And what he does is when he leaves his hotel room, 00:01:19.579 --> 00:01:24.859 what he does is he grabs a Gideon's Bible from the bedside's cabinet and he takes it with him, 00:01:24.939 --> 00:01:28.140 thinking I'll try and cover my good luck bases on this Friday the 13th. 00:01:28.140 --> 00:01:34.300 And he makes it safely to Sydney. And after arriving there, he's in his hotel room and he takes out the Bible, 00:01:34.439 --> 00:01:37.300 the thing that kind of has seemed to have worked to get him here. 00:01:37.299 --> 00:01:40.539 And he thinks I'll have a read of it. And he turns to Matthew's Gospel. 00:01:41.640 --> 00:01:48.379 And as a trained journalist, he was astounded at the amount of eyewitness details that he found in Matthew's Gospel. 00:01:49.219 --> 00:01:56.640 You see, the thing that he thought was a fairy story actually turned out to be full of eyewitness investigative evidence 00:01:56.640 --> 00:01:58.539 about this man called Jesus. 00:01:59.340 --> 00:02:04.379 So he'd come to the Bible before and he'd thought that it was just a load of fairy stories. 00:02:04.379 --> 00:02:07.659 But actually, this thing holds water. There's credibility to it. 00:02:07.719 --> 00:02:12.039 And so the weeks go on and eventually Tony Morfitt becomes a Christian. 00:02:13.000 --> 00:02:17.840 And he says in an interview before he died back in June 2018, you can Google this and you'll find it. 00:02:17.900 --> 00:02:21.939 He said, the Bible blew a hole in my ceiling. 00:02:23.699 --> 00:02:26.620 You see, how does the God of the Bible change people? 00:02:26.859 --> 00:02:30.419 He does it through his living word. 00:02:30.419 --> 00:02:33.639 That's how he does it, through his living word. 00:02:34.319 --> 00:02:37.419 And if you're still not with me, come and have a look at Haggai chapter 1. 00:02:38.519 --> 00:02:45.119 You see, if this chapter were an exam paper, the question at the top of it would be compare and contrast. 00:02:46.179 --> 00:02:47.659 Okay, remember doing those things at school? 00:02:47.819 --> 00:02:49.939 That question that you dreaded in your English paper? 00:02:50.099 --> 00:02:52.279 Compare and contrast. 00:02:52.599 --> 00:02:56.139 In other words, explain and point out the differences. 00:02:56.139 --> 00:03:04.099 So last week we took in verses 1 to 11 of this Old Testament book called Haggai. 00:03:04.159 --> 00:03:07.759 We were introduced to the mere generation of God's people, if you remember them. 00:03:08.379 --> 00:03:12.059 Back in their homelands, which is great because God is faithful. 00:03:12.779 --> 00:03:15.000 But not all that fussed about the Lord. 00:03:15.139 --> 00:03:21.419 And certainly not fussed about finishing the job of building the temple which he's given them to do. 00:03:21.419 --> 00:03:24.500 So one to live in the mere generation. 00:03:26.079 --> 00:03:28.859 And yet, by the end of chapter 1, verses 14 and 15. 00:03:29.000 --> 00:03:33.239 And note, if you do the maths and the dates here, this is 23 days later. 00:03:34.459 --> 00:03:35.319 What is going on? 00:03:35.359 --> 00:03:37.439 The people have their spring back in their step. 00:03:37.599 --> 00:03:41.239 And despite the opposition, they're back building again. 00:03:41.459 --> 00:03:43.419 So you've got to do a compare and contrast with that one. 00:03:43.479 --> 00:03:45.359 And you ask yourself, what has happened? 00:03:46.199 --> 00:03:48.399 What's happened to bring about that change? 00:03:48.400 --> 00:03:52.460 And the answer is that the change has not come from inside the people. 00:03:53.219 --> 00:03:54.620 Because that's what the problem is. 00:03:55.379 --> 00:04:00.040 Seems to be one of the unique claims and features of Christianity. 00:04:00.700 --> 00:04:06.439 Where everything else in our world is geared up to tell us that we need to look inside ourselves for the hero, for the answers. 00:04:06.740 --> 00:04:11.040 No, the Bible says, no, inside of you is exactly where the problem is. 00:04:11.140 --> 00:04:12.360 Don't look inside of you. 00:04:12.740 --> 00:04:15.819 No, we need to look outside of us for wisdom. 00:04:15.939 --> 00:04:18.040 We need to look outside of us for answers. 00:04:18.040 --> 00:04:24.100 We need to look outside of us to our creator to understand who we are and to know what he's done for us. 00:04:24.140 --> 00:04:26.080 We need the voice of the Lord. 00:04:27.500 --> 00:04:30.500 And you see, that's exactly what happens at verse 12, if you come with me. 00:04:30.860 --> 00:04:39.259 Then Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, Joshua, son of Josedach, the high priest, and the whole remnant of the people, 00:04:40.259 --> 00:04:45.220 obeyed, and here it is, the voice of the Lord, their God. 00:04:45.220 --> 00:04:49.800 So how does the God of the Bible change people? 00:04:50.500 --> 00:04:55.560 He changes them through his living word as it goes forth from his mouth. 00:04:55.800 --> 00:04:57.640 This is what's changed the game in Jerusalem. 00:04:58.520 --> 00:05:07.860 You see, God, by the power of his spirit, through his words, has deeply impacted and transformed the hearts of his people. 00:05:07.860 --> 00:05:10.439 This is what he does through his word as it goes forth. 00:05:11.180 --> 00:05:14.020 You know, I've got a good friend down in Bristol where we used to live. 00:05:14.720 --> 00:05:15.580 His name is Nathan. 00:05:16.500 --> 00:05:23.560 Nathan was my pastor when I was down there, and I always remember him telling me to do three simple things with my Bible. 00:05:24.680 --> 00:05:26.780 And this has proved to be a really sound bit of wisdom. 00:05:26.900 --> 00:05:31.240 So you can have this bit for free, and I'm crediting Nathan with giving me this. 00:05:31.319 --> 00:05:33.600 I find this really helpful, really helpful. 00:05:33.600 --> 00:05:34.980 He said, do three things with your Bible. 00:05:35.100 --> 00:05:36.980 First of all, hold it above your head. 00:05:37.840 --> 00:05:39.240 Hold it above your head. 00:05:39.920 --> 00:05:42.140 So place yourself under it. 00:05:42.340 --> 00:05:43.420 Stand under it. 00:05:43.500 --> 00:05:45.600 You don't tell it what it should say. 00:05:45.939 --> 00:05:48.660 You submit yourself to God's living words. 00:05:49.040 --> 00:05:51.140 Don't try and shape what it is saying. 00:05:51.680 --> 00:05:53.200 Let it shape you. 00:05:53.360 --> 00:05:54.700 Let it mold you. 00:05:55.980 --> 00:05:57.840 So place yourself under God's word. 00:05:57.839 --> 00:06:01.819 And then he said, secondly, put it under your feet, right? 00:06:01.959 --> 00:06:04.539 Reverently, but put it under your feet. 00:06:04.739 --> 00:06:05.659 Stand on it. 00:06:06.079 --> 00:06:07.579 Build your life on it. 00:06:09.000 --> 00:06:15.099 And then he said, thirdly, hold it to your chest and let God's word into your life. 00:06:16.199 --> 00:06:17.120 Give it time. 00:06:17.259 --> 00:06:18.239 Let it search you. 00:06:18.359 --> 00:06:19.399 Let it convict you. 00:06:19.539 --> 00:06:20.559 Let it challenge you. 00:06:20.679 --> 00:06:21.799 Let it comfort you. 00:06:22.199 --> 00:06:24.579 Let God, through his word, inspire you. 00:06:24.579 --> 00:06:27.659 Let him mold you through his living words. 00:06:28.739 --> 00:06:31.899 Under it, on it, in you. 00:06:32.079 --> 00:06:35.779 This is what God does through his word as his word goes forth. 00:06:35.839 --> 00:06:38.259 Because here's the promise that God makes in his word. 00:06:38.659 --> 00:06:44.799 That the word that goes forth from his mouth will always accomplish the purpose for which he has sent it forth. 00:06:46.579 --> 00:06:53.079 And this passage in Haggai, these three verses, I think are probably some of the greatest verses in all of the Bible. 00:06:53.079 --> 00:06:59.039 It's showing us the power of what God does in people's lives as his word goes forth. 00:06:59.040 --> 00:07:04.819 So come with me to verse 12 and notice what happens when God's word hits home. 00:07:06.420 --> 00:07:07.840 You see, here's the wonderful truth about the Bible. 00:07:09.220 --> 00:07:13.680 These are the words and the works of some 40 different authors. 00:07:13.680 --> 00:07:17.139 Who spoke at different times in history. 00:07:17.639 --> 00:07:20.240 Who were shaped by their different experiences. 00:07:20.900 --> 00:07:24.000 And who God used their different personalities. 00:07:24.800 --> 00:07:25.800 It's what God does. 00:07:25.860 --> 00:07:28.720 He doesn't bypass us, his people. 00:07:28.819 --> 00:07:30.560 He works through us. 00:07:30.560 --> 00:07:33.079 40 different authors. 00:07:33.280 --> 00:07:39.519 But make no mistake that standing behind and speaking through all of them is one divine author. 00:07:40.579 --> 00:07:42.780 You always say that we're a church that loves our 316s. 00:07:42.819 --> 00:07:44.019 We love John 316. 00:07:44.840 --> 00:07:47.019 For God so loved the world that he sent his only son. 00:07:47.100 --> 00:07:49.680 Whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 00:07:49.779 --> 00:07:52.259 This church is built on John 316. 00:07:52.420 --> 00:07:56.120 The other 316, remember, is 2 Timothy 316. 00:07:57.120 --> 00:07:58.480 All scripture is God breathed. 00:07:59.079 --> 00:08:00.639 All scripture is God breathed. 00:08:00.680 --> 00:08:05.660 And it's useful for teaching, training, rebuking and training in righteousness. 00:08:06.840 --> 00:08:08.879 All scripture is God breathed. 00:08:08.879 --> 00:08:13.399 And I think this is what the people realize is going on here in the streets of Jerusalem. 00:08:14.220 --> 00:08:20.100 That standing behind the voice of Haggai is the greater voice of the Lord. 00:08:20.199 --> 00:08:21.699 They're not two separate things. 00:08:21.800 --> 00:08:23.740 It's not God's voice and Haggai over here. 00:08:23.819 --> 00:08:25.740 They are the one thing. 00:08:26.120 --> 00:08:28.519 You know, think of it like this. 00:08:28.540 --> 00:08:29.399 I'm a simple person. 00:08:30.079 --> 00:08:32.340 You saw how I kind of clicked with it this week. 00:08:32.419 --> 00:08:35.879 I don't know if you've ever seen that scene in The Lion King. 00:08:36.360 --> 00:08:38.080 You can tell what stage of life I'm at. 00:08:38.440 --> 00:08:39.539 The scene in The Lion King. 00:08:39.539 --> 00:08:45.939 And it's the one where Simba and Nala find themselves cornered by the hyenas in the elephant's graveyard. 00:08:46.079 --> 00:08:46.799 You know what I'm talking about? 00:08:47.459 --> 00:08:48.919 They find themselves in that place. 00:08:49.839 --> 00:08:51.279 And Simba tries to flex his muscles. 00:08:51.379 --> 00:08:52.259 He tries to roar. 00:08:52.980 --> 00:08:54.480 And he has a few shots at it. 00:08:54.559 --> 00:08:55.819 And it's pitiful. 00:08:56.039 --> 00:08:57.219 And the hyenas mock him. 00:08:57.299 --> 00:08:57.860 They laugh at him. 00:08:57.919 --> 00:08:58.159 What does it? 00:08:58.219 --> 00:08:58.719 Is it bulls? 00:08:58.759 --> 00:08:59.159 What does he say? 00:08:59.179 --> 00:08:59.599 Is that it? 00:09:00.120 --> 00:09:00.659 Is that it? 00:09:01.659 --> 00:09:02.860 And then what happens? 00:09:03.480 --> 00:09:04.399 He tries again. 00:09:05.079 --> 00:09:07.939 But this time what comes out of his mouth is a mighty roar. 00:09:08.959 --> 00:09:10.659 And the thing is, it's not him that's doing it. 00:09:10.699 --> 00:09:16.539 What is happening is it's almost as if this roar, Mufasa's roar, is coming through Simba. 00:09:16.539 --> 00:09:18.719 And the hyenas hear it. 00:09:18.799 --> 00:09:19.559 And they hear it. 00:09:19.639 --> 00:09:21.099 And they know whose voice it is. 00:09:21.179 --> 00:09:22.639 And they stand to attention. 00:09:24.059 --> 00:09:27.860 And I think that's what's going on here that the people realize is going on with Haggai. 00:09:28.559 --> 00:09:30.039 They hear his voice. 00:09:30.699 --> 00:09:32.519 And it's not just an ordinary voice. 00:09:32.620 --> 00:09:36.659 They recognize that standing behind Haggai, the Lord is roaring. 00:09:37.279 --> 00:09:38.579 The lion is speaking. 00:09:39.480 --> 00:09:42.599 And that's what's true every time you and I pick up our Bibles. 00:09:43.019 --> 00:09:45.179 This changes your quiet times in the morning. 00:09:45.179 --> 00:09:51.379 Every time you turn and listen to the words of Jeremiah, the Lord is roaring. 00:09:51.899 --> 00:09:58.379 Every time we open the words of Paul and read about Paul and bringing his personality to the game, the Lord is roaring. 00:09:58.659 --> 00:10:00.159 You turn to the words of David. 00:10:00.319 --> 00:10:01.319 You read about him. 00:10:01.479 --> 00:10:03.659 The Lord is roaring. 00:10:03.839 --> 00:10:07.739 Behind this book, the lion speaks. 00:10:09.120 --> 00:10:11.779 The lion is roaring as his word goes forth. 00:10:11.779 --> 00:10:16.539 And notice the breadth of that conviction, verse 12. 00:10:17.980 --> 00:10:20.539 Do you see how it's not just the leaders who respond? 00:10:21.659 --> 00:10:23.439 It's not just Zerubbabel and Joshua. 00:10:23.579 --> 00:10:25.220 It's the whole remnant of the people. 00:10:25.339 --> 00:10:26.319 It's spelled out there. 00:10:26.879 --> 00:10:28.419 The whole remnant of the people. 00:10:29.559 --> 00:10:31.139 In other words, this whole community. 00:10:31.139 --> 00:10:35.860 That's why the application of this, I think, as well as being individual, it's corporate. 00:10:36.019 --> 00:10:37.100 This whole community. 00:10:37.360 --> 00:10:38.840 Understand what's going on here. 00:10:39.600 --> 00:10:44.659 And they respond in obedience as this word impacts their lives. 00:10:46.080 --> 00:10:48.199 And notice the depth of that conviction as well. 00:10:48.279 --> 00:10:49.399 The people, what did they do? 00:10:49.480 --> 00:10:51.419 They feared the Lord. 00:10:51.419 --> 00:10:54.839 God became big in their eyes. 00:10:55.299 --> 00:10:57.639 And he became glorious in their hearts. 00:10:58.059 --> 00:11:04.799 And their lives were gripped with a sense of awe and reverence as they stood to attention to understand who the Lord is. 00:11:05.979 --> 00:11:10.339 You see, when the Bible talks about fearing the Lord, and it's something that's really good to wrestle with. 00:11:10.399 --> 00:11:13.799 I can recommend some great resources if you really want to think about this. 00:11:14.839 --> 00:11:19.559 It's not a fear that causes us to run away from God. 00:11:19.559 --> 00:11:21.500 Now that's sinful fear. 00:11:22.719 --> 00:11:25.500 It's very much when the Bible speaks about fearing the Lord. 00:11:26.039 --> 00:11:35.139 It's an understanding of who he is that compels us to know him more and come close in delight as we understand who he is. 00:11:35.219 --> 00:11:37.399 The fear of the Lord should not cause us to run away. 00:11:37.679 --> 00:11:40.839 It should, like a magnet, cause us to come close. 00:11:42.239 --> 00:11:46.519 You see, to fear God is to be magnetically drawn in to savor his beauty. 00:11:46.519 --> 00:11:58.220 And you find yourself in that place where you can honestly say that upon no one else am I placing the directions of my eyes and the affections of my heart, but upon the beauty of the Lord. 00:12:00.000 --> 00:12:08.740 And I love that scene in the, when the disciples are in the boat, you know the one in Mark's gospel, and the winds are hitting it and they're, they're, they're just out their depth. 00:12:08.799 --> 00:12:12.179 And they turn to Jesus, he's sleeping, they say, Lord, don't you care? 00:12:12.519 --> 00:12:14.000 Don't you care what's going on? 00:12:14.000 --> 00:12:15.700 Of course Jesus cares. 00:12:16.779 --> 00:12:18.940 He loves them more than they can ever imagine. 00:12:19.879 --> 00:12:23.039 But his purposes in this moment are to teach them who he is. 00:12:24.419 --> 00:12:25.279 And what happens? 00:12:25.379 --> 00:12:26.720 Jesus stills the waves. 00:12:26.860 --> 00:12:27.960 He calms the storm. 00:12:28.440 --> 00:12:31.899 And the disciples at the beginning of the account are fearful of the storm. 00:12:32.000 --> 00:12:34.580 By the end of it, they're fearful of Jesus. 00:12:36.000 --> 00:12:37.360 They're not running away from him. 00:12:38.220 --> 00:12:40.840 It's a sense of we cannot take our eyes off him. 00:12:40.840 --> 00:12:44.180 That's what it means to fear the Lord. 00:12:44.280 --> 00:12:46.300 The Bible says right there is the beginning of wisdom. 00:12:47.980 --> 00:12:49.660 God's done this through his word. 00:12:50.399 --> 00:12:53.180 We always talk about doing this at kind of four levels at Brunsfield. 00:12:53.780 --> 00:12:56.840 As we gather on a Sunday, kind of casting the net wide. 00:12:57.000 --> 00:12:57.780 It's a community. 00:12:57.940 --> 00:13:00.700 We're a community that submits ourselves to God's word. 00:13:00.780 --> 00:13:02.460 We love to hear from God's word. 00:13:02.540 --> 00:13:04.200 We are formed by God's word. 00:13:04.200 --> 00:13:08.420 It's why it's so important after the service during this that we're speaking to one another, 00:13:08.520 --> 00:13:10.420 coming out in the evening, encouraging one another. 00:13:11.740 --> 00:13:12.480 And we go in one. 00:13:12.560 --> 00:13:13.800 We talk about small groups. 00:13:14.560 --> 00:13:16.180 Good chance in our small groups. 00:13:16.259 --> 00:13:18.060 And if you're not in one, I encourage you to do that. 00:13:18.160 --> 00:13:21.860 To spend a bit more time with a smaller group of people, maybe eight to ten, 00:13:21.980 --> 00:13:23.780 thinking about the application of God's word. 00:13:25.140 --> 00:13:26.620 And then we bring it in a little bit more. 00:13:26.700 --> 00:13:29.160 We think about one-to-one, smaller relationships. 00:13:29.159 --> 00:13:32.759 If you're not in a one-to-one, thinking about how you can meet up with one person, 00:13:32.879 --> 00:13:36.000 just share life together, sharpen one another, bring the word to bear. 00:13:36.620 --> 00:13:42.100 In our homes as well, parents, if we're here thinking about how we can make God's word, 00:13:42.179 --> 00:13:46.699 the very atmosphere of our homes, what can we do to nurture the young minds 00:13:46.699 --> 00:13:49.600 that God has given us the privilege of bringing up? 00:13:50.719 --> 00:13:52.419 And then thinking about it personally. 00:13:54.379 --> 00:13:55.799 And I was just thinking about this. 00:13:55.799 --> 00:14:01.620 I was just thinking, when was the last time you were deeply comforted by the words of the Lord? 00:14:03.500 --> 00:14:07.479 That you felt the love of the great shepherd as he speaks to you through the word? 00:14:08.620 --> 00:14:11.039 I find that all the time, that challenge, when I've messed it up, 00:14:11.519 --> 00:14:13.120 the devil would say, who are you? 00:14:13.199 --> 00:14:16.240 Particularly doing my role, honestly, who are you to do that? 00:14:16.299 --> 00:14:20.240 But the voice of my father that would come alongside us and know you are justified. 00:14:20.419 --> 00:14:21.199 You are right with me. 00:14:21.240 --> 00:14:23.339 Not because of who you are, not because of what you've done, 00:14:23.340 --> 00:14:27.360 but because what I've done for you through my son on the cross. 00:14:28.300 --> 00:14:29.200 That's who you are. 00:14:29.879 --> 00:14:30.980 The devil would come at me again. 00:14:31.040 --> 00:14:31.879 Who are you? 00:14:32.759 --> 00:14:33.360 Who are you? 00:14:33.399 --> 00:14:34.300 You've messed it up again. 00:14:34.379 --> 00:14:34.759 No, no, no. 00:14:34.960 --> 00:14:37.780 The word of my father is saying, no, you are an adopted son of God. 00:14:37.860 --> 00:14:41.500 Not because of who you are, but because what I have done in your life in Christ. 00:14:43.100 --> 00:14:45.920 When was the last time this word deeply comforted you? 00:14:46.680 --> 00:14:48.660 In a weary place, in a hard place. 00:14:48.940 --> 00:14:50.040 Let me ask you as well, flip it around. 00:14:50.100 --> 00:14:52.100 When was the last time it challenged you? 00:14:52.100 --> 00:14:55.879 Even through God's people, as the word comes forth, 00:14:55.980 --> 00:14:57.940 no, no, no, you shouldn't be living like that. 00:14:58.000 --> 00:14:58.820 You shouldn't be doing that. 00:14:58.899 --> 00:15:00.659 When was the last time it challenged you? 00:15:00.740 --> 00:15:03.340 And let me ask you, when was the last time it caused you to change? 00:15:04.759 --> 00:15:06.700 You know, one of my favorite stories, I love this story. 00:15:07.740 --> 00:15:09.540 Famous story about Harland and Wolfe, 00:15:10.360 --> 00:15:12.519 one of the great shipbuilding company in Belfast. 00:15:12.580 --> 00:15:15.180 Probably most famous for the place where the Titanic was built. 00:15:16.279 --> 00:15:17.840 But what happened back in the day, 00:15:18.620 --> 00:15:20.180 one of the biggest problems for the owners 00:15:20.179 --> 00:15:22.000 was that at the end of each day, 00:15:22.579 --> 00:15:25.839 when the men in the factory left en masse, 00:15:26.019 --> 00:15:27.979 they had the stealing problem, right? 00:15:28.199 --> 00:15:30.319 The men would just take a little bit of pipe, 00:15:30.399 --> 00:15:32.099 a little bit of lead in the jacket and head home. 00:15:32.279 --> 00:15:33.459 Because there's so many of them. 00:15:33.500 --> 00:15:34.399 How do you police that? 00:15:35.239 --> 00:15:37.399 So what happened is the men kept on going 00:15:37.399 --> 00:15:40.859 and the directors realized they had a problem on their hands. 00:15:40.860 --> 00:15:45.039 During one of the periods of revival in Northern Ireland, 00:15:45.180 --> 00:15:48.620 what happened is that many of those men in that factory became Christians. 00:15:49.580 --> 00:15:51.639 And God starts to work in their hearts 00:15:51.639 --> 00:15:54.000 and the Spirit of God starts to take the Word of God 00:15:54.000 --> 00:15:56.960 and prod and poke in their lives, 00:15:57.180 --> 00:15:59.200 showing them the things that they need to change, 00:15:59.419 --> 00:16:00.759 convicting them of their sin. 00:16:00.820 --> 00:16:04.180 And what starts happening is that the men start bringing back to the factory 00:16:04.180 --> 00:16:07.200 all the little bits of lead and copper and pipe that they've stolen. 00:16:07.200 --> 00:16:11.200 And in fact, so many men did this as God's Word impacted people 00:16:11.900 --> 00:16:13.800 that eventually the owners of Harland and Wolf 00:16:13.800 --> 00:16:15.400 had to make a public announcement saying, 00:16:15.520 --> 00:16:18.000 can you please stop bringing back the things that you've stolen 00:16:18.000 --> 00:16:20.379 because we just don't have room enough for all that stuff. 00:16:22.879 --> 00:16:25.480 And this is what God does when His Word goes forth. 00:16:25.600 --> 00:16:27.480 That's why we read from Hebrews 4 earlier. 00:16:27.620 --> 00:16:30.900 It searches, it impacts, it gives life to. 00:16:32.540 --> 00:16:34.600 Because what is our exposure to God's Word? 00:16:34.600 --> 00:16:37.540 What an amazing Father we have. 00:16:37.659 --> 00:16:39.300 Notice what happens when the Word hits home. 00:16:39.700 --> 00:16:42.820 Notice what happens when the Lord stirs up. 00:16:43.920 --> 00:16:46.220 You see, to complement this thing of the challenge, 00:16:46.540 --> 00:16:48.360 and that's what's coming verses 1 to 11, 00:16:48.540 --> 00:16:50.940 God steps in with a glorious promise. 00:16:52.100 --> 00:16:53.300 Verse 13, do you see it? 00:16:53.320 --> 00:16:56.159 He says, I will be with you. 00:16:56.899 --> 00:16:59.540 So God steps into this situation 00:16:59.540 --> 00:17:02.860 and He brings a promise of His presence. 00:17:02.860 --> 00:17:05.819 I take it in the context, it just means that He will be with them. 00:17:06.220 --> 00:17:07.579 He will protect them. 00:17:08.039 --> 00:17:09.360 He will guide them. 00:17:09.720 --> 00:17:11.539 He knows the plans He has for them, 00:17:11.620 --> 00:17:14.000 that He loves them, that He is the covenant Lord, 00:17:14.200 --> 00:17:16.579 and that He is right there with them. 00:17:17.579 --> 00:17:18.819 You know, it's true, isn't it, in life 00:17:18.819 --> 00:17:21.460 that it makes all the difference knowing who's on your team. 00:17:22.000 --> 00:17:24.400 I remember doing the relay race at Scottish Championships 00:17:24.400 --> 00:17:25.680 when we were growing up at school. 00:17:25.980 --> 00:17:28.380 I wasn't the fastest guy in the team, in the four team, 00:17:28.579 --> 00:17:31.480 but I knew we had the fastest guy in Scotland on the last leg. 00:17:31.480 --> 00:17:33.319 So when I came to run, 00:17:33.759 --> 00:17:35.900 guys in the lanes next to me were overtaking me. 00:17:36.000 --> 00:17:38.279 I didn't care because we had the fastest guy in Scotland 00:17:38.279 --> 00:17:39.140 on the last leg. 00:17:39.200 --> 00:17:41.559 People laughing at me because I'm shorter than everyone else. 00:17:41.860 --> 00:17:44.019 It doesn't matter because we've got the fastest guy 00:17:44.019 --> 00:17:45.660 on the last leg. 00:17:47.319 --> 00:17:48.880 It really matters, doesn't it, in life 00:17:48.880 --> 00:17:50.740 to know who's got your back, 00:17:50.839 --> 00:17:52.059 to know who's on your team, 00:17:52.140 --> 00:17:53.700 to know who's right there with you. 00:17:53.740 --> 00:17:54.700 The words of Martin Luther, 00:17:54.700 --> 00:17:57.059 with God on our side, 00:17:57.380 --> 00:17:59.059 we are always in the majority. 00:18:00.819 --> 00:18:03.480 And God stirs the people up by His Spirit, 00:18:03.580 --> 00:18:04.740 which I take it just means that 00:18:04.740 --> 00:18:07.900 by God's Spirit, 00:18:08.100 --> 00:18:08.860 that word, 00:18:10.140 --> 00:18:12.559 the Spirit caused it to marinate long 00:18:12.559 --> 00:18:13.900 in the hearts of the people. 00:18:14.039 --> 00:18:16.160 It galvanized them, that promise. 00:18:17.160 --> 00:18:18.980 Encouraged them that the Lord was with them. 00:18:19.039 --> 00:18:20.380 That's what the people need to, an encouragement. 00:18:20.380 --> 00:18:22.100 Verse 14, do you see? 00:18:22.620 --> 00:18:23.900 God stirs them up. 00:18:24.840 --> 00:18:27.260 And verse 14, the people step out in faith. 00:18:28.220 --> 00:18:30.360 They came and began to work on the house 00:18:30.360 --> 00:18:32.540 of the Lord Almighty. 00:18:32.880 --> 00:18:34.700 So the people are getting going again. 00:18:35.520 --> 00:18:37.520 God has stirred them up through His words. 00:18:39.000 --> 00:18:39.920 So do you see what's happened here? 00:18:40.080 --> 00:18:41.740 God has promised His presence 00:18:41.740 --> 00:18:44.660 and He's given them a job to do. 00:18:45.600 --> 00:18:46.760 He's promised His presence, 00:18:46.860 --> 00:18:48.240 He's given them a job to do. 00:18:48.240 --> 00:18:51.140 And you fast forward to today, 00:18:52.279 --> 00:18:53.359 where we live, 00:18:53.519 --> 00:18:54.839 the New Testament times, 00:18:55.339 --> 00:18:58.319 it's exactly the same pattern for us. 00:18:58.920 --> 00:19:00.759 Because you turn to the pages of the New Testament, 00:19:00.859 --> 00:19:01.859 you find the risen Jesus 00:19:01.859 --> 00:19:03.539 doing exactly the same thing, 00:19:03.579 --> 00:19:04.940 except He's taken those promises 00:19:04.940 --> 00:19:06.519 and amplified them. 00:19:07.440 --> 00:19:09.240 See, this is what Jesus said to His disciples 00:19:09.240 --> 00:19:10.339 when He's risen. 00:19:11.599 --> 00:19:13.019 The end of Matthew's Gospel, 00:19:13.120 --> 00:19:14.500 then Jesus came to them and said, 00:19:14.819 --> 00:19:16.480 all authority in heaven and on earth 00:19:16.480 --> 00:19:17.539 has been given to me. 00:19:17.539 --> 00:19:20.879 Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, 00:19:21.039 --> 00:19:22.899 baptizing them in the name of the Father 00:19:22.899 --> 00:19:24.920 and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 00:19:25.379 --> 00:19:27.740 and teaching them to obey everything 00:19:27.740 --> 00:19:29.539 that I have commanded you. 00:19:30.299 --> 00:19:32.700 So there's the task that Jesus commissions 00:19:32.700 --> 00:19:33.920 His disciples to do, 00:19:33.980 --> 00:19:34.940 not to build a temple. 00:19:36.379 --> 00:19:38.859 Okay, the temple was all about Jesus. 00:19:39.720 --> 00:19:42.539 It was always leading to Him 00:19:42.539 --> 00:19:43.759 who would be the very fulfillment 00:19:43.759 --> 00:19:45.220 of what the temple was all about. 00:19:45.220 --> 00:19:48.660 He is the meeting point between God and man. 00:19:49.380 --> 00:19:50.680 He is the place where 00:19:50.680 --> 00:19:53.380 He is the ultimate sacrifice. 00:19:53.839 --> 00:19:55.140 It was always about Jesus. 00:19:56.680 --> 00:19:58.039 And so the call for us today 00:19:58.039 --> 00:19:59.900 is to respond to these words here. 00:20:00.000 --> 00:20:00.960 This is the job 00:20:00.960 --> 00:20:03.319 that Jesus has given us to do. 00:20:03.500 --> 00:20:04.539 This is the work 00:20:04.539 --> 00:20:07.120 empowered by His presence and His Spirit 00:20:07.120 --> 00:20:09.039 that He calls us to get busy in. 00:20:09.039 --> 00:20:10.599 I love it. 00:20:10.639 --> 00:20:12.460 He tells His disciples what He wants them to do 00:20:12.460 --> 00:20:14.799 and He tells them He wants them to go to all peoples 00:20:14.799 --> 00:20:15.720 and make disciples. 00:20:15.859 --> 00:20:16.980 That's a huge job. 00:20:17.740 --> 00:20:18.720 That's a huge job, 00:20:18.960 --> 00:20:20.539 especially when you consider in the context 00:20:20.539 --> 00:20:22.519 that there's a living of them at this point. 00:20:24.200 --> 00:20:27.200 So, a living of them taking on the world? 00:20:29.599 --> 00:20:30.399 Impossible job. 00:20:30.460 --> 00:20:31.799 If it were not for the promises 00:20:31.799 --> 00:20:33.879 that Jesus bookends this job with. 00:20:34.300 --> 00:20:36.380 Do you see how all power has been given to Him? 00:20:36.440 --> 00:20:37.300 This is what He's saying. 00:20:37.880 --> 00:20:39.680 And this is why we need to understand it. 00:20:40.020 --> 00:20:42.480 All authority has been given to the risen Jesus. 00:20:43.180 --> 00:20:44.680 So that means He's not just the Lord 00:20:44.680 --> 00:20:46.380 of our individual lives as Christians. 00:20:46.620 --> 00:20:47.840 He's the Lord of everything. 00:20:48.600 --> 00:20:49.720 He's the Lord of everything. 00:20:51.400 --> 00:20:54.120 This is the Father's harvest field. 00:20:54.940 --> 00:20:57.460 All authority has been given to the risen Jesus. 00:20:57.460 --> 00:21:00.140 And He says, 00:21:00.279 --> 00:21:01.759 Surely I am with you always 00:21:01.759 --> 00:21:03.360 to the very end of the age. 00:21:04.240 --> 00:21:05.799 What a loving promise from our Savior. 00:21:06.740 --> 00:21:07.799 That He is with us. 00:21:08.779 --> 00:21:09.680 And He's not just with us. 00:21:09.880 --> 00:21:11.579 By the indwelling Holy Spirit. 00:21:11.660 --> 00:21:12.700 And if you're a Christian here today, 00:21:12.779 --> 00:21:13.680 this is true of you. 00:21:13.759 --> 00:21:14.900 Whether you feel it or not, 00:21:14.980 --> 00:21:16.200 whether you're up for it today or not, 00:21:16.259 --> 00:21:17.259 this is true of you. 00:21:17.579 --> 00:21:19.799 The Holy Spirit lives inside of us. 00:21:20.720 --> 00:21:22.819 The very presence of God with us. 00:21:24.240 --> 00:21:25.079 So do you see it? 00:21:25.120 --> 00:21:26.579 Jesus has promised His presence. 00:21:26.579 --> 00:21:29.460 And He's given us a job to do. 00:21:30.299 --> 00:21:32.500 A job to speak to others about Him. 00:21:33.259 --> 00:21:35.179 To serve and love His people. 00:21:35.699 --> 00:21:37.579 To be for the benefit of others. 00:21:38.599 --> 00:21:40.099 To take this message of Him 00:21:40.099 --> 00:21:41.359 to the peoples of the world. 00:21:41.579 --> 00:21:42.359 You know, let me ask you, 00:21:42.419 --> 00:21:43.699 we're winding it down now. 00:21:44.240 --> 00:21:45.000 Let me ask you, 00:21:45.899 --> 00:21:46.720 when was the last time 00:21:46.720 --> 00:21:49.019 you just dropped Jesus into conversation? 00:21:50.099 --> 00:21:50.720 You ever done that? 00:21:51.199 --> 00:21:52.119 Just dropped Him in. 00:21:53.179 --> 00:21:53.980 I was thinking about this. 00:21:55.079 --> 00:21:56.119 Maybe tomorrow some of you 00:21:56.119 --> 00:21:56.719 go to the office, 00:21:56.859 --> 00:21:58.119 some of you go to the classroom, 00:21:58.299 --> 00:21:59.579 some of you go to university. 00:21:59.659 --> 00:22:00.719 Whatever it is you're doing tomorrow, 00:22:00.839 --> 00:22:01.679 you know you can guarantee 00:22:01.679 --> 00:22:02.939 the question of leadership 00:22:02.939 --> 00:22:03.939 is going to come up. 00:22:04.879 --> 00:22:05.259 Isn't it? 00:22:05.279 --> 00:22:05.979 If you think about it, 00:22:06.079 --> 00:22:06.659 everything that we've seen 00:22:06.659 --> 00:22:07.439 in our news this week, 00:22:08.099 --> 00:22:09.139 leadership, an example. 00:22:10.399 --> 00:22:10.959 Wouldn't it be great 00:22:10.959 --> 00:22:12.159 to drop into a conversation 00:22:12.159 --> 00:22:13.679 the reason that you follow Jesus? 00:22:14.619 --> 00:22:15.339 Really simply, 00:22:16.299 --> 00:22:16.819 that Jesus, 00:22:16.959 --> 00:22:17.859 when we're talking about leaders, 00:22:18.039 --> 00:22:19.059 here is a leader who said, 00:22:19.059 --> 00:22:20.859 He has come not to be served, 00:22:21.440 --> 00:22:22.379 but to serve 00:22:22.379 --> 00:22:24.119 and to give His life 00:22:24.119 --> 00:22:25.119 for a ransom for many. 00:22:25.919 --> 00:22:27.159 Let's drop it into conversation. 00:22:27.299 --> 00:22:27.919 When was the last time 00:22:27.919 --> 00:22:29.960 you dropped Jesus into conversation? 00:22:31.419 --> 00:22:31.960 And here's the question 00:22:31.960 --> 00:22:33.159 I asked myself as well this week. 00:22:33.200 --> 00:22:33.980 When was the last time 00:22:33.980 --> 00:22:35.379 I took a gospel risk? 00:22:37.339 --> 00:22:38.460 Given who He is, 00:22:39.059 --> 00:22:40.259 given what He said is true, 00:22:41.000 --> 00:22:41.740 given the fact that 00:22:41.740 --> 00:22:43.460 His is the harvest field. 00:22:45.279 --> 00:22:46.019 Let me just close, 00:22:46.079 --> 00:22:46.559 tell you something 00:22:46.559 --> 00:22:47.220 that impacted me 00:22:47.220 --> 00:22:48.980 over the last couple of months or so. 00:22:49.579 --> 00:22:50.839 Let me tell you about the SU group 00:22:50.839 --> 00:22:52.460 that I helped run 00:22:52.460 --> 00:22:53.179 with some other parents 00:22:53.179 --> 00:22:53.940 at my kids' school. 00:22:54.960 --> 00:22:56.359 So we started doing it again 00:22:56.359 --> 00:22:58.700 once things kind of opened up 00:22:58.700 --> 00:22:59.559 after lockdown. 00:22:59.859 --> 00:23:01.039 And praise days, right? 00:23:01.079 --> 00:23:01.960 The first day that we did it, 00:23:02.019 --> 00:23:03.419 there's 15 kids turn up, 00:23:03.539 --> 00:23:04.740 which is incredible, actually. 00:23:05.319 --> 00:23:06.519 15, P6, P7, 00:23:06.639 --> 00:23:07.740 15 kids turn up. 00:23:08.799 --> 00:23:10.099 And so there's a group of us, 00:23:10.159 --> 00:23:11.039 we challenge them. 00:23:11.419 --> 00:23:11.799 Having a day, 00:23:11.859 --> 00:23:12.379 the great time, 00:23:12.460 --> 00:23:13.200 we challenge them. 00:23:13.899 --> 00:23:14.940 Go and tell your friends. 00:23:15.759 --> 00:23:16.539 Just go and tell your friends. 00:23:16.559 --> 00:23:17.679 Go and tell them what we did, 00:23:17.720 --> 00:23:18.379 we had good fun here. 00:23:18.460 --> 00:23:19.679 Tell them about the Bible stories 00:23:19.679 --> 00:23:20.059 that we learned. 00:23:20.159 --> 00:23:21.299 Just go and tell your friends. 00:23:22.599 --> 00:23:23.240 And so next week, 00:23:23.279 --> 00:23:24.179 I'm part of the team 00:23:24.179 --> 00:23:24.899 and we get there 00:23:24.899 --> 00:23:26.619 and we're praying beforehand 00:23:26.619 --> 00:23:27.220 and I say, 00:23:27.419 --> 00:23:28.279 how many do you think 00:23:28.279 --> 00:23:29.419 we're expecting this week? 00:23:29.579 --> 00:23:30.259 And they kind of say, 00:23:30.319 --> 00:23:30.700 well, do you know what? 00:23:30.799 --> 00:23:31.279 Double digits. 00:23:31.339 --> 00:23:32.419 I think if we hit double digits, 00:23:32.519 --> 00:23:33.139 we've done well. 00:23:35.079 --> 00:23:35.299 So, 00:23:36.599 --> 00:23:37.879 lunch bell goes, 00:23:38.200 --> 00:23:38.679 doors open, 00:23:38.779 --> 00:23:39.259 in they come. 00:23:39.460 --> 00:23:40.099 One, blah, blah, blah, one. 00:23:40.379 --> 00:23:41.359 29 turn up. 00:23:42.159 --> 00:23:42.399 Right? 00:23:42.559 --> 00:23:43.599 So the 50 have gone 00:23:43.599 --> 00:23:44.599 and just told their friends 00:23:44.599 --> 00:23:45.419 to come along. 00:23:45.419 --> 00:23:45.659 Come along. 00:23:46.559 --> 00:23:47.240 So I'm sitting there 00:23:47.240 --> 00:23:48.279 looking at these 29 kids, 00:23:48.779 --> 00:23:49.299 humbled 00:23:49.299 --> 00:23:51.539 and deeply challenged 00:23:51.539 --> 00:23:52.899 by the bravery 00:23:52.899 --> 00:23:54.179 of a wonderful group 00:23:54.179 --> 00:23:55.359 of 10 and 11 year olds. 00:23:55.980 --> 00:23:56.460 They've just gone 00:23:56.460 --> 00:23:57.319 and told their friends. 00:23:58.299 --> 00:23:58.879 And sometimes we 00:23:58.879 --> 00:24:00.639 massively overcomplicate it, 00:24:00.679 --> 00:24:01.000 don't we? 00:24:02.339 --> 00:24:02.980 So I'm looking 00:24:02.980 --> 00:24:04.019 at these 29 kids 00:24:04.019 --> 00:24:04.720 and we're looking 00:24:04.720 --> 00:24:05.299 at one another 00:24:05.299 --> 00:24:05.579 thinking, 00:24:05.720 --> 00:24:06.200 what do we do? 00:24:06.279 --> 00:24:07.059 Is this COVID safe? 00:24:07.139 --> 00:24:07.539 I don't know. 00:24:07.619 --> 00:24:08.220 We're just going for it. 00:24:08.220 --> 00:24:08.859 Open the windows. 00:24:09.779 --> 00:24:10.339 Just praying, 00:24:10.460 --> 00:24:11.259 Lord, would you guide us? 00:24:11.259 --> 00:24:11.779 We don't know 00:24:11.779 --> 00:24:13.240 what's happening here. 00:24:13.240 --> 00:24:14.200 So there's 29 kids 00:24:14.200 --> 00:24:14.940 and I'm very aware 00:24:14.940 --> 00:24:15.620 that they've now walked 00:24:15.620 --> 00:24:16.579 into a class size 00:24:16.579 --> 00:24:17.380 that's bigger than the one 00:24:17.380 --> 00:24:18.220 that they've just left. 00:24:18.960 --> 00:24:19.279 So all of a sudden 00:24:19.279 --> 00:24:20.660 there's chaos in this place. 00:24:20.940 --> 00:24:21.579 All of a sudden 00:24:21.579 --> 00:24:22.539 people outside 00:24:22.539 --> 00:24:23.380 in the playground outside 00:24:23.380 --> 00:24:24.240 start looking in 00:24:24.240 --> 00:24:25.160 because there's more noise 00:24:25.160 --> 00:24:26.559 in the classroom in here 00:24:26.559 --> 00:24:27.420 than there is outside. 00:24:27.880 --> 00:24:28.319 All of a sudden 00:24:28.319 --> 00:24:28.960 they're looking and thinking, 00:24:29.120 --> 00:24:30.279 what on earth is this? 00:24:30.700 --> 00:24:31.839 So we're praying. 00:24:32.220 --> 00:24:33.660 Lord, here's what we don't know. 00:24:33.799 --> 00:24:33.900 Okay? 00:24:33.900 --> 00:24:34.680 We're praying about it. 00:24:34.779 --> 00:24:35.759 Lord, we do not know 00:24:35.759 --> 00:24:36.579 what you are doing. 00:24:37.339 --> 00:24:37.539 Right? 00:24:37.579 --> 00:24:38.099 We do not know 00:24:38.099 --> 00:24:38.579 what you're doing. 00:24:38.579 --> 00:24:39.240 This is incredible. 00:24:39.380 --> 00:24:39.740 Do not know 00:24:39.740 --> 00:24:40.319 what you're doing. 00:24:41.240 --> 00:24:42.000 But here's the thing 00:24:42.000 --> 00:24:42.679 that we do know 00:24:42.679 --> 00:24:44.200 is we continue to teach them. 00:24:44.279 --> 00:24:45.240 We're doing a Bible overview. 00:24:45.399 --> 00:24:46.159 We're talking about Abraham. 00:24:46.460 --> 00:24:47.339 We're talking about Isaac. 00:24:47.460 --> 00:24:48.799 We're thinking about Jacob. 00:24:48.939 --> 00:24:49.679 Thinking about Joseph. 00:24:49.679 --> 00:24:51.299 Every time linking it to Jesus. 00:24:52.639 --> 00:24:53.259 We don't know 00:24:53.259 --> 00:24:53.679 what you're doing 00:24:53.679 --> 00:24:54.439 but here's what we do know. 00:24:54.480 --> 00:24:55.639 As your word goes forth, 00:24:56.859 --> 00:24:58.000 your spirit moves, 00:24:59.279 --> 00:25:00.139 the lion roars 00:25:00.139 --> 00:25:01.559 and he speaks. 00:25:02.200 --> 00:25:03.179 You speak, Lord. 00:25:03.399 --> 00:25:04.779 Yours is the harvest field. 00:25:05.819 --> 00:25:06.319 And do you know what? 00:25:06.319 --> 00:25:07.399 Every day is a sowing 00:25:07.399 --> 00:25:08.079 the word day. 00:25:09.679 --> 00:25:10.079 Isn't that amazing? 00:25:10.779 --> 00:25:11.480 Love being humble 00:25:11.480 --> 00:25:12.539 by 10 and 11 year olds. 00:25:13.960 --> 00:25:14.759 How does the God 00:25:14.759 --> 00:25:15.859 of the Bible change people? 00:25:16.879 --> 00:25:17.599 He does so 00:25:17.599 --> 00:25:18.720 through his living word. 00:25:19.899 --> 00:25:20.679 Let me just finish 00:25:20.679 --> 00:25:21.139 with these words 00:25:21.139 --> 00:25:22.579 of Anne Judson 00:25:22.579 --> 00:25:23.619 who gave her life 00:25:23.619 --> 00:25:24.659 along with her husband 00:25:24.659 --> 00:25:26.619 to take in the message 00:25:26.619 --> 00:25:27.179 of Jesus 00:25:27.179 --> 00:25:28.799 to the peoples of India 00:25:28.799 --> 00:25:29.539 and then eventually 00:25:29.539 --> 00:25:30.599 they get to Burma. 00:25:30.700 --> 00:25:31.399 She said this, 00:25:31.519 --> 00:25:32.279 a little while 00:25:32.279 --> 00:25:34.079 we are in eternity. 00:25:34.279 --> 00:25:35.879 Before we find ourselves there, 00:25:36.579 --> 00:25:37.859 let us do much 00:25:37.859 --> 00:25:39.220 for Christ. 00:25:39.220 --> 00:25:41.019 How does the God 00:25:41.019 --> 00:25:41.380 of the Bible 00:25:41.380 --> 00:25:42.120 change people? 00:25:43.259 --> 00:25:44.120 He does so 00:25:44.120 --> 00:25:45.220 through his living word. 00:25:46.680 --> 00:25:47.319 Let's pray. 00:25:50.259 --> 00:25:50.920 And so Father, 00:25:50.980 --> 00:25:52.019 I just ask Lord, 00:25:52.559 --> 00:25:54.120 because you are so gracious 00:25:54.120 --> 00:25:55.220 and good and kind. 00:25:57.279 --> 00:25:57.660 Father, 00:25:57.740 --> 00:25:58.360 I pray that you would 00:25:58.360 --> 00:25:59.339 just in the silence now 00:25:59.339 --> 00:26:00.180 just be at work 00:26:00.180 --> 00:26:00.960 by your spirit 00:26:00.960 --> 00:26:02.160 through your word 00:26:02.160 --> 00:26:04.559 in each of our hearts 00:26:04.559 --> 00:26:05.019 today. 00:26:07.220 --> 00:26:07.659 Lord, 00:26:07.720 --> 00:26:08.779 for those who are weary, 00:26:10.059 --> 00:26:12.220 would your voice 00:26:12.220 --> 00:26:13.119 bring comfort? 00:26:15.419 --> 00:26:16.779 For those who are discouraged, 00:26:16.960 --> 00:26:17.819 may your words 00:26:17.819 --> 00:26:19.859 bring assurance. 00:26:20.940 --> 00:26:21.359 Father, 00:26:21.440 --> 00:26:22.500 for those who are doubting, 00:26:22.679 --> 00:26:24.019 may your word 00:26:24.019 --> 00:26:24.960 bring a sense 00:26:24.960 --> 00:26:26.559 of power 00:26:26.559 --> 00:26:27.200 and conviction. 00:26:27.200 --> 00:26:30.340 and Lord, 00:26:30.360 --> 00:26:30.860 we just ask 00:26:30.860 --> 00:26:31.519 as a community 00:26:31.519 --> 00:26:32.319 here at Brunsfield 00:26:32.319 --> 00:26:32.740 that you would 00:26:32.740 --> 00:26:34.160 continue to shape 00:26:34.160 --> 00:26:34.720 us 00:26:34.720 --> 00:26:35.960 by your 00:26:35.960 --> 00:26:37.140 living word. 00:26:39.940 --> 00:26:40.620 And so Father, 00:26:40.660 --> 00:26:41.380 I pray that as we 00:26:41.380 --> 00:26:42.160 close this service 00:26:42.160 --> 00:26:42.519 today, 00:26:42.640 --> 00:26:42.799 Father, 00:26:42.840 --> 00:26:43.360 we think of the 00:26:43.360 --> 00:26:44.259 parable of the sower, 00:26:44.360 --> 00:26:45.000 that as your word 00:26:45.000 --> 00:26:45.799 has gone forth, 00:26:45.860 --> 00:26:46.340 that it would land 00:26:46.340 --> 00:26:47.220 in good soil. 00:26:47.400 --> 00:26:48.000 Help us, 00:26:49.240 --> 00:26:49.420 Lord, 00:26:49.480 --> 00:26:50.220 to respond 00:26:50.220 --> 00:26:50.740 like the people 00:26:50.740 --> 00:26:51.160 did here 00:26:51.160 --> 00:26:51.840 in Haggai's day 00:26:51.840 --> 00:26:52.500 in obedience 00:26:52.500 --> 00:26:53.740 and in faith, 00:26:53.840 --> 00:26:54.319 because they've 00:26:54.319 --> 00:26:55.039 just been captured 00:26:55.039 --> 00:26:56.139 by a wonderful, 00:26:56.339 --> 00:26:56.980 glorious picture 00:26:56.980 --> 00:26:57.859 of who you are. 00:26:59.960 --> 00:27:00.619 So Father, 00:27:00.720 --> 00:27:01.460 hear our prayer, 00:27:02.539 --> 00:27:03.379 because we pray 00:27:03.379 --> 00:27:04.539 in Jesus' 00:27:04.819 --> 00:27:05.460 worthy name. 00:27:06.139 --> 00:27:06.559 Amen. 00:27:07.359 --> 00:27:07.779 Amen.