WEBVTT 00:00:00.880 --> 00:00:08.900 Can I ask you now please to turn with me to 1 Corinthians chapter 15, just continuing 00:00:08.900 --> 00:00:11.000 through from where we finished last time. 00:00:11.700 --> 00:00:20.379 1 Corinthians chapter 15, and we're looking at verses 9 to 11, but we can read from verse 00:00:20.379 --> 00:00:20.719 3. 00:00:22.539 --> 00:00:28.019 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for 00:00:28.019 --> 00:00:32.939 our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on 00:00:32.939 --> 00:00:38.219 the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the 00:00:38.219 --> 00:00:38.560 twelve. 00:00:39.420 --> 00:00:44.120 Then He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still 00:00:44.120 --> 00:00:46.439 alive, though some have fallen asleep. 00:00:47.159 --> 00:00:50.039 Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 00:00:50.960 --> 00:00:55.840 Last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared also to me. 00:00:55.840 --> 00:01:02.700 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted 00:01:02.700 --> 00:01:03.840 the church of God. 00:01:04.579 --> 00:01:10.520 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace towards me was not in vain. 00:01:11.140 --> 00:01:16.620 On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I but the grace of 00:01:16.620 --> 00:01:17.640 God that is with me. 00:01:18.600 --> 00:01:24.920 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach, and so you believed. 00:01:24.920 --> 00:01:31.340 Now, the early part of the chapter, you may recall that we looked at verses one and two, 00:01:31.460 --> 00:01:33.140 which we entitled to the gospel. 00:01:33.299 --> 00:01:35.900 That's really what he's dealing with there. 00:01:36.460 --> 00:01:41.120 And then verses three to eight, the core of the gospel, where we find these four points 00:01:41.120 --> 00:01:47.180 that we mentioned last time and took us our headings from verse three to eight, that this 00:01:47.180 --> 00:01:52.480 gospel, the core of it being, as mentioned there, Christ dying for our sins. 00:01:52.480 --> 00:01:53.820 Then he was buried. 00:01:54.140 --> 00:01:58.740 Thirdly, he was raised on the third day, and then he appeared after his resurrection to 00:01:58.740 --> 00:02:00.359 those folks that are mentioned there. 00:02:01.540 --> 00:02:07.680 And tonight we're looking at essentially what he says in verse 10, the grace of God. 00:02:08.219 --> 00:02:13.580 The grace of God is the main theme of what we're going to look at from these verses. 00:02:13.580 --> 00:02:20.380 And God's grace, as you know, is so frequently mentioned by the Apostle Paul in his letters. 00:02:20.500 --> 00:02:25.600 In fact, if you look through his letters, you'll find the word grace appearing over 80 times 00:02:25.600 --> 00:02:27.200 in the letters of Paul. 00:02:28.380 --> 00:02:33.800 Grace of God to him was central not only to his own experience, because this really is 00:02:33.800 --> 00:02:36.380 his own experience that he's dealing with here. 00:02:36.439 --> 00:02:37.900 It's his personal testimony. 00:02:37.900 --> 00:02:44.159 He's talking here in personal terms and setting out the grace of God from his own experience. 00:02:44.740 --> 00:02:50.840 But that grace of God, by which he came to be an apostle, by which he came to be a Christian, 00:02:50.960 --> 00:02:56.819 first of all, is that which now is fundamental to the message of the gospel that he preaches. 00:02:57.800 --> 00:03:03.800 God took him from being a persecutor, an opponent of the gospel, as he mentions here, to being 00:03:03.800 --> 00:03:09.600 turned right around to be a proclaimer of the gospel and an apostle of Jesus Christ. 00:03:10.439 --> 00:03:16.200 Now, we can say that grace essentially means, if we want to really define it in just a few 00:03:16.200 --> 00:03:23.400 words, which is difficult, but grace, the grace that Paul speaks of, the grace the Bible teaches 00:03:23.400 --> 00:03:30.660 is the grace of God, we could say is God's undeserved favor to us. 00:03:30.659 --> 00:03:40.280 God's undeserved favor, his goodwill, his favor, undeserved on our part, and nevertheless bestowed 00:03:40.280 --> 00:03:47.859 by him to the extent that his people especially come to be saved by the grace of God. 00:03:48.539 --> 00:03:54.939 That really, the question then arises, well, what is meant by the grace of God? 00:03:55.500 --> 00:03:58.060 How can you see the grace of God at work? 00:03:58.060 --> 00:04:03.979 Where can you detect the grace of God or see the meaning of grace in the lives of his people, 00:04:04.039 --> 00:04:07.900 other than just what you read about on the pages of Scripture, which, of course, is our 00:04:07.900 --> 00:04:10.180 starting point, as it always must be? 00:04:10.860 --> 00:04:13.159 There's God's undeserved favor. 00:04:13.539 --> 00:04:17.160 Well, you can see it in two things especially that I'm going to mention tonight. 00:04:17.259 --> 00:04:20.120 First of all, it's grace to the unworthy. 00:04:21.379 --> 00:04:23.079 It's grace to the unworthy. 00:04:23.079 --> 00:04:27.839 It's God's undeserved favor to unworthy sinners. 00:04:27.959 --> 00:04:34.159 And Paul mentions himself here as unworthy of the grace of God because he especially mentions 00:04:34.159 --> 00:04:41.979 that he was, in fact, not just an opponent, but a persecutor of the church of God. 00:04:42.519 --> 00:04:44.699 Not worthy to be called an apostle. 00:04:44.919 --> 00:04:51.099 Not worthy of the grace of God that made me an apostle because I persecuted the church of God. 00:04:51.100 --> 00:04:56.520 And that, in principle, applies to everyone who comes to know the grace of God savingly. 00:04:57.220 --> 00:05:03.600 We come in response to that, in the knowledge that God gives us from that, to say, as Paul did here, 00:05:03.960 --> 00:05:08.140 I was utterly unworthy of this grace that I received. 00:05:08.939 --> 00:05:14.080 And as you look at it as grace to the unworthy, you begin then to see something of the nature 00:05:14.079 --> 00:05:16.879 and the wonder and the luster of that grace. 00:05:17.899 --> 00:05:22.959 And then you can follow that through in so many of the passages of Paul's writings especially. 00:05:23.199 --> 00:05:29.879 We're going to mention a couple of them later in Ephesians, especially Ephesians 1, Ephesians 2. 00:05:30.419 --> 00:05:31.939 But it's grace to the unworthy. 00:05:32.879 --> 00:05:39.079 And secondly, the second main point we're going to raise and try and open up is that grace is… 00:05:39.079 --> 00:05:43.479 The grace that brings salvation or has brought salvation. 00:05:43.479 --> 00:05:48.379 And I'm using that as a definition from 1 Timothy… 00:05:48.379 --> 00:05:55.539 From Titus, rather, chapter 2 and verse 11, which is how Paul describes this grace of God there. 00:05:56.099 --> 00:05:58.419 The grace that brings salvation. 00:05:59.099 --> 00:06:01.879 Chapter 2, verse 11 of Titus. 00:06:01.879 --> 00:06:04.279 Where you find him saying there… 00:06:04.279 --> 00:06:08.240 Sorry, chapter 2, verses 8 to 9. 00:06:08.939 --> 00:06:15.579 Where you find the very same thing spoken of here as the grace that brings salvation. 00:06:16.100 --> 00:06:17.180 Chapter 11… 00:06:17.180 --> 00:06:19.060 Sorry, Titus chapter 1, verse 11. 00:06:19.759 --> 00:06:25.319 The grace that brings salvation has appeared to all people. 00:06:26.079 --> 00:06:27.899 And then he goes on to speak about that grace. 00:06:27.899 --> 00:06:32.560 It's training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions and so on. 00:06:32.759 --> 00:06:35.739 But it's the grace that has appeared bringing salvation. 00:06:35.919 --> 00:06:41.939 It's a grace that has carried salvation with its working, if you like, so that it comes to actually 00:06:41.939 --> 00:06:50.120 result in the conversion and salvation of those whom God has taken into the benefits of His grace. 00:06:50.959 --> 00:06:52.679 Oh, it's grace to the unworthy. 00:06:52.799 --> 00:06:54.699 Now, you notice how Paul here speaks of himself. 00:06:54.699 --> 00:06:57.479 He's mentioned the apostles there. 00:06:57.979 --> 00:07:04.800 And then he speaks of himself as an apostle born in one untimely born. 00:07:05.300 --> 00:07:07.139 Jesus also appeared to me. 00:07:07.680 --> 00:07:10.099 Apostles, of course, were originally the twelve apostles. 00:07:11.120 --> 00:07:16.279 And to be an apostle, one of the requirements of an apostle was that he was appointed. 00:07:16.680 --> 00:07:18.139 They were appointed by Jesus. 00:07:18.519 --> 00:07:22.019 But they were also eyewitnesses of the risen Jesus. 00:07:22.019 --> 00:07:25.519 They needed to be eyewitnesses of Christ risen from the dead. 00:07:25.899 --> 00:07:29.839 And that's why he mentions, one of the reasons he mentions in these verses, 00:07:30.359 --> 00:07:33.740 that these people actually came to meet with Jesus or he met with them. 00:07:34.219 --> 00:07:41.299 He mentions there Cephas, five hundred all at once, James, and then he mentions himself. 00:07:41.300 --> 00:07:53.360 So, the requirement was you needed to see or be witness to the risen Christ and have met the risen Christ or seen him for yourself. 00:07:53.500 --> 00:07:56.660 And Paul is saying, I was actually after the rest. 00:07:56.800 --> 00:08:01.199 I didn't belong to that initial wave of apostles or disciples. 00:08:01.699 --> 00:08:02.840 I came later. 00:08:02.839 --> 00:08:08.639 I was, as he puts it here, as one who was untimely born. 00:08:09.000 --> 00:08:13.539 It really means one who came into apostleships well after the rest. 00:08:14.119 --> 00:08:16.079 They had already become apostles. 00:08:16.339 --> 00:08:17.620 They had gone out with the gospel. 00:08:18.279 --> 00:08:20.579 And he's saying, I was opposed to that gospel. 00:08:20.879 --> 00:08:24.959 I was a persecutor of the church in which they were apostles by Christ's appointment. 00:08:25.919 --> 00:08:28.799 Apostles by being witnesses of Christ's resurrection. 00:08:28.799 --> 00:08:30.799 He had met with them, as it says there. 00:08:30.800 --> 00:08:32.360 But I did too. 00:08:33.480 --> 00:08:40.740 And he wants to demonstrate that strongly in his letter to the Corinthians and indeed somewhere in other parts of his letters as well. 00:08:40.820 --> 00:08:48.240 Because for one thing, in Corinth, his credentials as an apostle were challenged. 00:08:49.240 --> 00:08:56.879 There was a group of people in Corinth or surrounding areas there that did not accept his apostleship. 00:08:56.879 --> 00:08:59.480 Did not accept his apostolic authority. 00:09:00.120 --> 00:09:01.840 Questioned his apostleship. 00:09:02.139 --> 00:09:06.000 And therefore questioned his right to teach as the other apostles taught. 00:09:07.639 --> 00:09:17.799 And that's why in 2 Corinthians chapters 10 and 11 are pretty much taken up with Paul's defense of his apostleship. 00:09:18.220 --> 00:09:21.940 And in chapter 9 of 1 Corinthians, you'll find him doing similarly as well. 00:09:21.940 --> 00:09:31.980 So he needed to defend his apostleship, defend the fact that he had indeed come to be appointed an apostle by Christ, by meeting with the living Christ. 00:09:32.340 --> 00:09:36.880 And of course, you know that he met with the living Christ on the way to Damascus. 00:09:36.879 --> 00:09:41.799 On the way to, as he had it in mind, create further havoc in the church. 00:09:43.720 --> 00:09:45.320 But then Jesus met him. 00:09:46.659 --> 00:09:48.419 Jesus took hold of his life. 00:09:49.559 --> 00:09:53.179 Jesus took him, as he says in Philippians, into his custody. 00:09:53.179 --> 00:10:03.379 And having taken hold of him, having apprehended him, having taken him into his custody, having arrested him, if you like, to use the same terminology, 00:10:04.019 --> 00:10:09.000 then Paul's life took an entirely different and new direction. 00:10:10.059 --> 00:10:17.179 He became an apostle, a witness, a preacher of the gospel that he once despised. 00:10:17.179 --> 00:10:24.779 And so that's what he's now setting out as the background to his apostleship as he comes to speak of it to the Corinthians. 00:10:25.799 --> 00:10:26.579 But then he says, 00:10:27.179 --> 00:10:33.519 I was unworthy to be called an apostle because I persecuted the church of God. 00:10:34.339 --> 00:10:36.879 And although this is specific to him as an apostle, 00:10:37.259 --> 00:10:40.679 there is nobody in here tonight who has come to know the Lord 00:10:40.679 --> 00:10:45.719 that will actually quibble with this in principle that you are unworthy of it. 00:10:45.720 --> 00:10:49.600 If you've come to know yourself as a lost sinner, 00:10:49.860 --> 00:10:51.860 and you've come to know the Lord as your Savior, 00:10:52.279 --> 00:10:58.660 the one thing you will be persuaded of is that you are entirely unworthy of the grace that he showed to you. 00:10:58.980 --> 00:11:03.480 Entirely unworthy of his salvation, of his taking hold of your life, of changing you, 00:11:03.700 --> 00:11:06.340 however you want to look at it, this is what it amounts to. 00:11:06.620 --> 00:11:09.200 I am unworthy to be called a Christian, 00:11:09.660 --> 00:11:12.600 unworthy to be taken into salvation by this Jesus. 00:11:13.320 --> 00:11:15.200 Because I too despised him. 00:11:15.720 --> 00:11:17.460 I rejected his teaching. 00:11:18.240 --> 00:11:22.080 I didn't want to actually have him reign over my life. 00:11:22.840 --> 00:11:25.759 I didn't want to yield my life, my heart to him. 00:11:27.920 --> 00:11:33.960 And not only must we confess that we are undeserving of his grace, 00:11:34.460 --> 00:11:36.500 you have to go further than that. 00:11:36.860 --> 00:11:39.200 Because the Bible takes us further than that. 00:11:39.200 --> 00:11:40.860 Not just to say, 00:11:41.220 --> 00:11:43.580 I'm unworthy of the least of your mercies, Lord. 00:11:43.780 --> 00:11:45.120 You have to go and say, 00:11:45.600 --> 00:11:48.920 I am actually worthy of being cast away from you forever. 00:11:49.259 --> 00:11:51.560 If you've come to know yourself as a sinner, 00:11:51.660 --> 00:11:53.820 and know something of the nature of sin, 00:11:54.259 --> 00:11:55.460 the nature of your heart, 00:11:55.720 --> 00:11:57.300 what is actually in your heart, 00:11:57.360 --> 00:11:58.740 what is true of you as a sinner, 00:11:59.140 --> 00:12:01.060 even if it's just to a little extent, 00:12:01.059 --> 00:12:03.799 you can see in that the evil of sin, 00:12:04.519 --> 00:12:06.599 the horrible thing that sin is, 00:12:07.079 --> 00:12:10.079 the antagonism that there is in sin to God. 00:12:11.439 --> 00:12:11.879 And therefore, 00:12:12.000 --> 00:12:16.299 how worthy it would be of him to condemn you and I forever. 00:12:16.299 --> 00:12:19.620 But that's not what happened. 00:12:20.799 --> 00:12:23.639 I'm not worthy to be called an apostle. 00:12:23.799 --> 00:12:25.799 I'm not worthy of salvation. 00:12:26.000 --> 00:12:29.539 I'm not worthy to be taken into discipleship of Christ, 00:12:29.620 --> 00:12:31.639 to be a follower of Christ. 00:12:32.679 --> 00:12:36.099 In fact, I'm not just undeserving, 00:12:36.240 --> 00:12:37.879 but I'm ill-deserving. 00:12:38.859 --> 00:12:40.339 Deserving of the opposite 00:12:40.339 --> 00:12:44.439 of what grace has brought into my life. 00:12:44.440 --> 00:12:48.540 You see, if we think for a moment 00:12:48.540 --> 00:12:50.320 that there's something in our lives 00:12:50.320 --> 00:12:53.100 that has earned the grace of God, 00:12:53.320 --> 00:12:55.860 that has deserved the grace of God, 00:12:56.420 --> 00:12:59.080 then we've really redefined grace. 00:13:00.300 --> 00:13:02.800 Because grace is only grace 00:13:02.800 --> 00:13:04.620 because it's grace to the unworthy. 00:13:05.560 --> 00:13:07.380 It's grace to those who are unworthy 00:13:07.380 --> 00:13:08.720 of the least of it 00:13:08.720 --> 00:13:10.740 and worthy of all its opposite 00:13:10.740 --> 00:13:12.860 in God's condemnation. 00:13:14.440 --> 00:13:17.540 And that's why Paul so frequently in his teaching 00:13:17.540 --> 00:13:19.940 emphasizes for these Christians, 00:13:20.420 --> 00:13:23.540 these churches that he went to teach, 00:13:23.680 --> 00:13:25.700 that he went from place to place 00:13:25.700 --> 00:13:27.860 to actually bring the gospel to them 00:13:27.860 --> 00:13:29.140 and then teach them in the gospel 00:13:29.140 --> 00:13:30.040 like the Corinthians. 00:13:30.500 --> 00:13:32.100 That's why you so often find him 00:13:32.100 --> 00:13:34.120 putting together side by side, 00:13:34.180 --> 00:13:34.940 as contrast, 00:13:35.440 --> 00:13:36.900 grace and works. 00:13:36.899 --> 00:13:38.980 The grace of God, 00:13:39.059 --> 00:13:40.559 the free grace of God, 00:13:40.980 --> 00:13:43.240 and the works that we ourselves can do, 00:13:43.539 --> 00:13:44.539 the works of the law, 00:13:44.659 --> 00:13:45.500 the works of the flesh, 00:13:45.600 --> 00:13:48.100 whatever way you tend to call it, 00:13:48.120 --> 00:13:48.899 it's our own work, 00:13:48.980 --> 00:13:51.740 it's our own DIY form of salvation. 00:13:52.100 --> 00:13:52.579 Paul is saying, 00:13:52.740 --> 00:13:53.659 that's impossible. 00:13:54.939 --> 00:13:56.980 That's what attracts God's condemnation 00:13:56.980 --> 00:13:58.639 because we are not able 00:13:58.639 --> 00:14:00.720 to match or to meet 00:14:00.720 --> 00:14:02.740 the demands or the standard of God. 00:14:02.740 --> 00:14:05.740 It's all of grace. 00:14:07.340 --> 00:14:08.680 And the one thing that's sure 00:14:08.680 --> 00:14:10.460 about grace, 00:14:11.779 --> 00:14:13.019 the grace which saves, 00:14:13.139 --> 00:14:15.539 the grace which comes from God 00:14:15.539 --> 00:14:16.460 to the unworthy, 00:14:17.460 --> 00:14:19.560 is that it makes you humble. 00:14:19.559 --> 00:14:27.359 If we know that people, 00:14:28.179 --> 00:14:29.359 as we pray and hope, 00:14:29.779 --> 00:14:31.559 are saved through our preaching, 00:14:32.500 --> 00:14:34.719 if we know that God's people 00:14:34.719 --> 00:14:36.039 are to some extent at least 00:14:36.039 --> 00:14:38.079 built up in their faith, 00:14:38.759 --> 00:14:39.919 in their following of Christ, 00:14:40.319 --> 00:14:41.859 through our preaching of the gospel, 00:14:42.699 --> 00:14:44.579 does that make us proud? 00:14:45.579 --> 00:14:47.339 Does that make us feel proud? 00:14:47.340 --> 00:14:49.800 Does that make us want to boast? 00:14:50.500 --> 00:14:51.980 Well, it might within ourselves, 00:14:52.200 --> 00:14:53.420 but that's not how it should be, 00:14:53.460 --> 00:14:53.860 of course. 00:14:54.320 --> 00:14:55.899 That doesn't make us feel proud. 00:14:56.240 --> 00:14:59.759 If I've got any sense of grace at all, 00:15:00.500 --> 00:15:02.840 and I see that that's what God uses me for, 00:15:03.440 --> 00:15:05.320 there is nothing more humbling 00:15:05.320 --> 00:15:08.220 than knowing that God uses such a person 00:15:08.220 --> 00:15:09.379 as an unworthy sinner 00:15:09.379 --> 00:15:11.379 to bring benefit to other people. 00:15:15.780 --> 00:15:16.900 Grace humbles. 00:15:18.280 --> 00:15:20.500 Grace humbles you in the presence of God 00:15:20.500 --> 00:15:23.060 because through grace you come to realize 00:15:23.060 --> 00:15:25.019 you're not worthy of the grace you receive, 00:15:25.660 --> 00:15:27.440 that you're unworthy of anything 00:15:27.440 --> 00:15:30.800 that grace carries into your experience. 00:15:33.139 --> 00:15:35.879 So grace is grace to the unworthy. 00:15:36.940 --> 00:15:39.720 But secondly, it's grace bringing salvation, 00:15:39.899 --> 00:15:43.139 as we quoted from Titus 2, verse 11. 00:15:43.139 --> 00:15:46.279 And there are three things in terms of grace 00:15:46.279 --> 00:15:47.460 bringing salvation. 00:15:47.600 --> 00:15:50.460 Just use that as our summary point, if you like, 00:15:50.519 --> 00:15:52.699 but follow through in what Paul is saying here 00:15:52.699 --> 00:15:53.439 about himself. 00:15:53.980 --> 00:15:57.759 By the grace of God, I am what I am. 00:15:59.059 --> 00:16:01.159 By the grace of God, I am what I am. 00:16:01.500 --> 00:16:03.960 I'm no longer what I was as a persecutor, 00:16:04.299 --> 00:16:07.039 as an unworthy sinner before God. 00:16:07.039 --> 00:16:08.099 I received grace. 00:16:08.099 --> 00:16:11.159 And what I am now, I have been made so. 00:16:11.419 --> 00:16:14.719 I am so by His grace, by what His grace has wrought. 00:16:15.759 --> 00:16:17.539 So what's the nature of this grace? 00:16:18.219 --> 00:16:19.699 If it's grace to the unworthy, 00:16:20.259 --> 00:16:21.899 if it's grace bringing salvation, 00:16:22.459 --> 00:16:24.399 what does this grace actually look like? 00:16:24.459 --> 00:16:25.319 What does it contain? 00:16:25.659 --> 00:16:26.379 What is it about? 00:16:26.379 --> 00:16:27.960 Let's see three things about it. 00:16:28.399 --> 00:16:32.360 It's first of all, God's love in Christ. 00:16:33.799 --> 00:16:35.700 This undeserved favor of God 00:16:35.700 --> 00:16:39.460 is God's love in Christ for His people, 00:16:39.720 --> 00:16:40.700 toward His people. 00:16:41.019 --> 00:16:44.059 That's fundamental to the meaning of God's grace, 00:16:44.679 --> 00:16:46.720 that it is God's love in action, 00:16:46.820 --> 00:16:49.039 that it is God's love in Christ. 00:16:49.159 --> 00:16:51.320 It's foundational to our redemption. 00:16:51.919 --> 00:16:54.000 It's God's love to the unlovely, 00:16:54.440 --> 00:16:55.340 to the undeserving, 00:16:55.340 --> 00:16:56.920 and the unlovely as well. 00:16:58.680 --> 00:17:01.700 Now let me just point you to Ephesians for a moment. 00:17:01.780 --> 00:17:02.519 If you turn with me, 00:17:02.560 --> 00:17:05.140 we're going to look at a couple of passages here 00:17:05.140 --> 00:17:06.700 for our next few minutes. 00:17:08.840 --> 00:17:12.259 Ephesians chapter 2 and verses 4 to 8. 00:17:16.680 --> 00:17:19.220 We'll come back to the early part of chapter 2 in a minute. 00:17:20.039 --> 00:17:22.240 But in verses 4 to 8 of Ephesians 2, 00:17:22.700 --> 00:17:23.740 look at what he's saying here. 00:17:23.740 --> 00:17:26.859 But God being rich in mercy, 00:17:27.079 --> 00:17:30.980 because of the great love with which He loved us, 00:17:31.599 --> 00:17:34.160 even when we were dead in our trespasses, 00:17:34.380 --> 00:17:36.640 He made us alive, or He quickened us. 00:17:36.660 --> 00:17:40.059 He brought us to life together in union with Christ. 00:17:40.660 --> 00:17:43.339 By grace you have been saved. 00:17:43.799 --> 00:17:44.720 You see what that is saying? 00:17:44.720 --> 00:17:46.460 The grace that you see, 00:17:47.120 --> 00:17:51.140 the grace that has saved the apostle and saves God's people, 00:17:51.700 --> 00:17:54.759 the grace by which we have been quickened and saved, 00:17:55.259 --> 00:17:58.700 is a grace that's emanated from the love of God. 00:17:59.259 --> 00:18:02.860 It's God's love in Christ to His people. 00:18:02.859 --> 00:18:05.119 And then Ephesians chapter 1, 00:18:05.559 --> 00:18:07.039 look at verses 3 to 6. 00:18:07.199 --> 00:18:08.559 That great statement, 00:18:08.719 --> 00:18:11.859 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:18:11.939 --> 00:18:13.559 who has blessed us in Christ, 00:18:13.939 --> 00:18:15.099 you see, in Christ, 00:18:15.639 --> 00:18:18.359 with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 00:18:18.839 --> 00:18:21.619 even as He chose us in Him 00:18:21.619 --> 00:18:23.819 before the foundation of the world, 00:18:24.240 --> 00:18:27.019 that we should be holy and blameless before Him. 00:18:27.019 --> 00:18:32.500 In love He predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, 00:18:32.859 --> 00:18:34.920 according to the purpose of His will, 00:18:35.339 --> 00:18:37.859 to the praise of His glorious grace, 00:18:38.559 --> 00:18:42.139 with which He has blessed us in the Beloved. 00:18:42.779 --> 00:18:44.599 What a combination of terms. 00:18:45.619 --> 00:18:48.039 He's saying it's the love of God 00:18:48.039 --> 00:18:50.759 that has come to provide salvation for us. 00:18:51.200 --> 00:18:52.940 It's the love of God, 00:18:53.200 --> 00:18:54.460 the grace of God, 00:18:54.619 --> 00:18:56.359 that has come to embrace us, 00:18:56.359 --> 00:18:58.359 and indeed not only embrace us, 00:18:58.439 --> 00:19:01.359 but in Christ has loved us from all eternity, 00:19:01.559 --> 00:19:02.740 he's saying about God's people. 00:19:05.439 --> 00:19:07.579 And it's not only in Christ, 00:19:07.659 --> 00:19:10.299 but He calls Him in the Beloved. 00:19:12.379 --> 00:19:13.799 You know, as a Christian tonight, 00:19:13.879 --> 00:19:14.519 if you're a Christian, 00:19:15.299 --> 00:19:16.519 if you're in Christ, 00:19:16.659 --> 00:19:17.419 if you know the Lord, 00:19:17.519 --> 00:19:18.299 if He's your Savior, 00:19:19.639 --> 00:19:23.359 here's a most wonderful and beautiful emphasis. 00:19:23.359 --> 00:19:28.459 He has loved you in the Beloved. 00:19:28.559 --> 00:19:32.359 He has loved you in the Son of His love. 00:19:33.579 --> 00:19:35.500 He has loved you not for what you were, 00:19:35.839 --> 00:19:37.000 not for what He saw you, 00:19:37.240 --> 00:19:39.299 not for what He saw you would come to be, 00:19:39.699 --> 00:19:40.979 but for His sake. 00:19:41.379 --> 00:19:43.579 He has loved you by His grace, 00:19:43.979 --> 00:19:44.679 in His grace. 00:19:44.939 --> 00:19:46.079 He has loved you freely. 00:19:46.079 --> 00:19:49.019 He has loved you as one who is undeserving of it. 00:19:49.319 --> 00:19:51.799 He has loved you in the Beloved. 00:19:52.460 --> 00:19:54.639 And because He is the Beloved, 00:19:54.980 --> 00:19:57.079 it has pleased God the Father 00:19:57.079 --> 00:19:59.419 to love His people in Him, 00:20:00.259 --> 00:20:01.519 to elect them in Him, 00:20:01.740 --> 00:20:03.000 to choose them in Him, 00:20:03.199 --> 00:20:04.619 to place them in Him, 00:20:04.819 --> 00:20:06.019 and from all eternity 00:20:06.019 --> 00:20:08.859 to make them candidates of redemption 00:20:08.859 --> 00:20:11.240 in His own love, 00:20:12.000 --> 00:20:12.919 by His grace. 00:20:12.920 --> 00:20:16.700 And you see, 00:20:16.840 --> 00:20:19.259 that's why we can say that God's… 00:20:19.259 --> 00:20:20.560 Somebody actually once asked, 00:20:21.000 --> 00:20:22.220 I think it was J.G. Voss, 00:20:22.259 --> 00:20:24.039 one of the American theologians, 00:20:24.900 --> 00:20:29.060 can you assure me 00:20:29.060 --> 00:20:32.860 that God's love for His people 00:20:32.860 --> 00:20:34.060 will never end? 00:20:35.060 --> 00:20:37.660 And the response of the theologian was, 00:20:38.060 --> 00:20:38.800 yes, I can. 00:20:38.799 --> 00:20:42.419 I can assure you that God's love will never end 00:20:42.419 --> 00:20:44.659 because it never began. 00:20:46.220 --> 00:20:49.419 God's people were loved from all eternity 00:20:49.419 --> 00:20:50.980 in the Beloved. 00:20:51.839 --> 00:20:54.119 And because they were placed in the Beloved 00:20:54.119 --> 00:20:55.519 from all eternity, 00:20:55.720 --> 00:20:57.659 as the Beloved came into the world 00:20:57.659 --> 00:20:59.000 and took their nature 00:20:59.000 --> 00:21:00.299 and died for them 00:21:00.299 --> 00:21:02.200 and rose again from the dead, 00:21:02.419 --> 00:21:04.399 so they continue in the Beloved 00:21:04.399 --> 00:21:07.220 to be regarded by God as His people, 00:21:07.220 --> 00:21:10.160 not without them having come by faith 00:21:10.160 --> 00:21:10.960 to trust in Him, 00:21:12.039 --> 00:21:13.700 but this goes to the root of the matter. 00:21:14.480 --> 00:21:17.319 He has blessed us in the Beloved. 00:21:18.200 --> 00:21:21.799 It's God's love in Christ. 00:21:22.539 --> 00:21:25.079 That's the grace of God, 00:21:25.160 --> 00:21:27.299 the undeserved favor of God, 00:21:27.819 --> 00:21:30.500 the love of God for His people. 00:21:30.500 --> 00:21:31.779 Secondly, 00:21:32.660 --> 00:21:34.019 the grace that brings salvation 00:21:34.019 --> 00:21:38.039 is God's power in action. 00:21:38.960 --> 00:21:40.200 God's love in Christ, 00:21:40.740 --> 00:21:42.140 God's power in action. 00:21:42.279 --> 00:21:42.660 Now, of course, 00:21:42.740 --> 00:21:44.920 you have to join all of these together 00:21:44.920 --> 00:21:46.720 because they're inseparably connected. 00:21:46.839 --> 00:21:47.759 I'm just looking at them 00:21:47.759 --> 00:21:49.880 in terms of distinct points, 00:21:49.920 --> 00:21:50.759 but they really belong 00:21:50.759 --> 00:21:53.480 to the same outworking of God's love. 00:21:54.079 --> 00:21:57.039 The grace of God is God's power in action. 00:21:57.180 --> 00:21:59.000 Back again to Ephesians chapter 2. 00:21:59.000 --> 00:22:01.480 Look at what he says in verse 1. 00:22:02.380 --> 00:22:06.599 You were dead in the trespasses and sins 00:22:06.599 --> 00:22:08.799 in which you once walked. 00:22:10.099 --> 00:22:11.440 You were dead, 00:22:12.480 --> 00:22:13.519 spiritually dead, 00:22:13.839 --> 00:22:15.599 in the trespasses and sins 00:22:15.599 --> 00:22:17.220 in which you once walked. 00:22:18.059 --> 00:22:20.099 And then skip ahead to chapter 2, verse 5. 00:22:20.660 --> 00:22:23.579 Even when we were dead in our trespasses, 00:22:24.180 --> 00:22:26.039 God made us alive 00:22:26.039 --> 00:22:28.000 together with Christ. 00:22:28.000 --> 00:22:28.519 Christ. 00:22:29.299 --> 00:22:32.420 You see, it's God's power in action. 00:22:33.099 --> 00:22:35.220 It's God's power coming to the dead. 00:22:36.140 --> 00:22:37.759 It's God's coming to those dead 00:22:37.759 --> 00:22:39.099 in trespasses and sins. 00:22:42.099 --> 00:22:43.819 We stand so often, sadly, 00:22:44.380 --> 00:22:46.299 at a graveside 00:22:46.299 --> 00:22:48.759 or even to see a coffin 00:22:48.759 --> 00:22:51.599 as we've been all too familiar with, 00:22:52.000 --> 00:22:53.640 particularly in the last 00:22:53.640 --> 00:22:54.820 two to three weeks here. 00:22:56.320 --> 00:22:57.820 And as you see that coffin, 00:22:58.759 --> 00:22:59.900 as you look into the grave 00:22:59.900 --> 00:23:01.720 and the coffin is lowered into the grave, 00:23:02.680 --> 00:23:04.040 one thought that should 00:23:04.040 --> 00:23:06.040 absolutely be certain 00:23:06.040 --> 00:23:07.380 in our minds is this. 00:23:08.120 --> 00:23:10.240 That body of itself 00:23:10.240 --> 00:23:12.400 can never live again. 00:23:12.400 --> 00:23:15.820 The dead 00:23:15.820 --> 00:23:16.740 cannot 00:23:16.740 --> 00:23:17.540 themselves 00:23:17.540 --> 00:23:18.940 come to life. 00:23:19.660 --> 00:23:21.180 That body will live again 00:23:21.180 --> 00:23:22.800 by the power of Christ 00:23:22.800 --> 00:23:23.680 in His resurrection, 00:23:24.380 --> 00:23:25.040 in the resurrection 00:23:25.040 --> 00:23:26.620 from the grave 00:23:26.620 --> 00:23:27.140 when it comes. 00:23:27.360 --> 00:23:28.360 But in itself, 00:23:28.680 --> 00:23:29.360 as you look at 00:23:29.360 --> 00:23:30.240 what is dead, 00:23:30.300 --> 00:23:31.640 it cannot come to life. 00:23:32.620 --> 00:23:33.880 And that's the wonder 00:23:33.880 --> 00:23:34.680 of God's grace. 00:23:34.680 --> 00:23:36.779 It is the power of God 00:23:36.779 --> 00:23:38.980 coming to that which is dead 00:23:38.980 --> 00:23:40.580 and actually saying, 00:23:41.120 --> 00:23:41.640 live. 00:23:43.100 --> 00:23:44.279 And that which is dead 00:23:44.279 --> 00:23:45.680 comes to life. 00:23:45.900 --> 00:23:47.380 Even when we were dead 00:23:47.380 --> 00:23:49.000 in trespasses, 00:23:49.440 --> 00:23:50.720 He quickened us. 00:23:51.140 --> 00:23:52.440 He brought us to life 00:23:52.440 --> 00:23:54.740 in union with Christ. 00:23:56.160 --> 00:23:57.480 The grace of God 00:23:57.480 --> 00:24:00.039 is God's power. 00:24:00.620 --> 00:24:01.960 And in that same chapter 00:24:01.960 --> 00:24:02.620 in Ephesians, 00:24:02.619 --> 00:24:04.319 it's the power that 00:24:04.319 --> 00:24:05.899 from the love of God 00:24:05.899 --> 00:24:06.959 works through 00:24:06.959 --> 00:24:08.439 in the power of His grace. 00:24:09.219 --> 00:24:10.579 The power of the Holy Spirit 00:24:10.579 --> 00:24:11.159 to bring 00:24:11.159 --> 00:24:13.359 His people to life. 00:24:13.439 --> 00:24:13.739 And of course, 00:24:13.799 --> 00:24:14.779 that's such an important 00:24:14.779 --> 00:24:15.299 emphasis 00:24:15.299 --> 00:24:17.319 and link with the main theme 00:24:17.319 --> 00:24:18.679 of 1 Corinthians 15 00:24:18.679 --> 00:24:19.879 because 00:24:19.879 --> 00:24:21.039 it's a chapter 00:24:21.039 --> 00:24:21.679 dealing with 00:24:21.679 --> 00:24:22.559 the resurrection. 00:24:22.919 --> 00:24:24.139 The resurrection of Jesus, 00:24:24.639 --> 00:24:26.000 the resurrection of His people 00:24:26.000 --> 00:24:26.859 in union with Him 00:24:26.859 --> 00:24:28.259 to counteract 00:24:28.259 --> 00:24:29.119 those who are saying 00:24:29.119 --> 00:24:30.019 in Corinth 00:24:30.019 --> 00:24:30.959 and trying to 00:24:30.959 --> 00:24:32.239 lead people astray 00:24:32.240 --> 00:24:33.620 to say there is no such thing 00:24:33.620 --> 00:24:34.259 as resurrection. 00:24:36.200 --> 00:24:37.259 And Paul is saying 00:24:37.259 --> 00:24:39.140 as he leads towards that, 00:24:39.519 --> 00:24:39.980 he's saying, 00:24:40.079 --> 00:24:40.160 well, 00:24:40.220 --> 00:24:42.519 this is true of my own life. 00:24:42.559 --> 00:24:43.559 I know there's a resurrection 00:24:43.559 --> 00:24:44.980 because I was brought 00:24:44.980 --> 00:24:46.059 to life spiritually. 00:24:48.120 --> 00:24:49.240 And to the Ephesians, 00:24:49.380 --> 00:24:50.039 you were dead 00:24:50.039 --> 00:24:51.279 in trespasses and sins, 00:24:51.640 --> 00:24:52.559 but God brought you 00:24:52.559 --> 00:24:53.680 to life spiritually 00:24:53.680 --> 00:24:55.059 through the power 00:24:55.059 --> 00:24:55.839 of His grace. 00:24:56.319 --> 00:24:57.319 By grace, 00:24:57.519 --> 00:24:58.900 you are saved. 00:24:58.900 --> 00:25:00.500 that not of yourselves 00:25:00.500 --> 00:25:01.880 as the gift of God. 00:25:05.320 --> 00:25:05.860 You know, 00:25:05.920 --> 00:25:07.060 we can yearn 00:25:07.060 --> 00:25:08.600 for certain things 00:25:08.600 --> 00:25:09.519 to happen. 00:25:10.800 --> 00:25:11.519 We can 00:25:11.519 --> 00:25:13.200 deeply desire 00:25:13.200 --> 00:25:13.980 certain things 00:25:13.980 --> 00:25:15.000 for certain people. 00:25:16.000 --> 00:25:17.120 And as you see, 00:25:17.240 --> 00:25:17.540 people 00:25:17.540 --> 00:25:19.900 sometimes in desperate need, 00:25:19.960 --> 00:25:20.840 your heart goes out 00:25:20.840 --> 00:25:21.200 to them. 00:25:22.019 --> 00:25:23.160 You wish you had 00:25:23.160 --> 00:25:23.740 the resources 00:25:23.740 --> 00:25:24.680 to help them. 00:25:25.380 --> 00:25:26.180 And if you had 00:25:26.180 --> 00:25:26.700 the resources 00:25:26.700 --> 00:25:27.539 to help them, 00:25:27.840 --> 00:25:28.720 you would certainly 00:25:28.720 --> 00:25:29.380 do that, 00:25:29.420 --> 00:25:29.860 whether it would be 00:25:29.860 --> 00:25:31.140 financial or practical 00:25:31.140 --> 00:25:31.700 or whatever. 00:25:32.160 --> 00:25:33.060 You can see them 00:25:33.060 --> 00:25:34.259 suffering in different 00:25:34.259 --> 00:25:35.360 parts of the world 00:25:35.360 --> 00:25:36.440 or even in their own 00:25:36.440 --> 00:25:38.160 nation in difficult times. 00:25:38.600 --> 00:25:39.340 You'd really want 00:25:39.340 --> 00:25:40.259 to have the means 00:25:40.259 --> 00:25:41.000 and the resources 00:25:41.000 --> 00:25:41.960 and the wherewithal 00:25:41.960 --> 00:25:42.640 to help them, 00:25:42.660 --> 00:25:43.560 and you don't have them. 00:25:44.320 --> 00:25:45.060 And it hurts you 00:25:45.060 --> 00:25:45.759 that you can't 00:25:45.759 --> 00:25:46.700 and you wish you had. 00:25:49.640 --> 00:25:50.840 But that's the great thing 00:25:50.840 --> 00:25:51.940 about God's grace. 00:25:51.940 --> 00:25:54.340 It isn't just 00:25:54.340 --> 00:25:54.900 that God, 00:25:55.500 --> 00:25:56.120 as it were, 00:25:56.220 --> 00:25:56.980 yearns towards 00:25:56.980 --> 00:25:57.820 the salvation 00:25:57.820 --> 00:25:58.580 of His people. 00:25:59.519 --> 00:26:00.799 He has the resources. 00:26:01.920 --> 00:26:03.519 Grace has the power. 00:26:04.420 --> 00:26:05.759 Grace has the enabling 00:26:05.759 --> 00:26:07.039 by which He brings us 00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:08.820 spiritually to life. 00:26:10.420 --> 00:26:12.380 Anything that God 00:26:12.380 --> 00:26:14.240 intends by His grace, 00:26:15.140 --> 00:26:15.940 His grace will 00:26:15.940 --> 00:26:16.960 certainly accomplish. 00:26:18.799 --> 00:26:19.700 And that's a wonderfully 00:26:19.700 --> 00:26:20.640 comforting thing 00:26:20.640 --> 00:26:21.780 for you tonight. 00:26:22.940 --> 00:26:23.800 That as a Christian, 00:26:23.900 --> 00:26:24.380 as somebody 00:26:24.380 --> 00:26:25.680 who has begun 00:26:25.680 --> 00:26:26.520 to follow Christ 00:26:26.520 --> 00:26:27.480 or maybe been following 00:26:27.480 --> 00:26:28.280 for many years, 00:26:28.320 --> 00:26:29.020 and let's face it, 00:26:29.720 --> 00:26:30.680 it's not just those 00:26:30.680 --> 00:26:31.720 who are younger in the faith 00:26:31.720 --> 00:26:33.060 that have doubts at times 00:26:33.060 --> 00:26:34.720 or questions at times. 00:26:34.780 --> 00:26:35.640 It comes to us all, 00:26:35.740 --> 00:26:36.820 whatever stage we're at. 00:26:37.400 --> 00:26:38.360 And maybe sometimes 00:26:38.360 --> 00:26:40.120 in the later stages 00:26:40.120 --> 00:26:41.460 of our Christian experience 00:26:41.460 --> 00:26:42.000 and walk, 00:26:42.420 --> 00:26:43.060 maybe it's then 00:26:43.060 --> 00:26:44.180 more doubts come in 00:26:44.180 --> 00:26:46.520 and more feelings 00:26:46.520 --> 00:26:47.240 of weakness, 00:26:47.240 --> 00:26:47.780 if you like, 00:26:47.840 --> 00:26:48.200 come in 00:26:48.200 --> 00:26:50.940 and more fears 00:26:50.940 --> 00:26:52.559 than we had earlier on 00:26:52.559 --> 00:26:53.980 in our Christian experience. 00:26:54.080 --> 00:26:54.779 Well, God is saying, 00:26:55.620 --> 00:26:56.380 if I've got you 00:26:56.380 --> 00:26:57.860 in the custody of my grace, 00:26:58.279 --> 00:26:59.039 if I've got you 00:26:59.039 --> 00:26:59.640 in the safety 00:26:59.640 --> 00:27:01.120 of my grace in Christ, 00:27:01.460 --> 00:27:02.920 if you are indeed, 00:27:03.019 --> 00:27:03.840 as you're saying, 00:27:04.500 --> 00:27:06.420 under the power 00:27:06.420 --> 00:27:07.279 of my grace, 00:27:08.120 --> 00:27:09.340 what's going to stop that? 00:27:10.819 --> 00:27:11.960 What's going to cause 00:27:11.960 --> 00:27:14.720 the further advance 00:27:14.720 --> 00:27:16.039 of your Christian walk 00:27:16.039 --> 00:27:17.059 and experience 00:27:17.059 --> 00:27:19.640 when the grace of God, 00:27:19.700 --> 00:27:20.460 as Paul is saying, 00:27:21.279 --> 00:27:22.319 by the grace of God, 00:27:22.380 --> 00:27:24.140 I am what I am? 00:27:25.240 --> 00:27:26.319 You can really say 00:27:26.319 --> 00:27:28.279 that included in that, 00:27:28.339 --> 00:27:28.839 you might say, 00:27:28.940 --> 00:27:30.380 is Paul's conviction 00:27:30.380 --> 00:27:31.539 by the grace of God, 00:27:31.620 --> 00:27:33.140 I will be what I will be. 00:27:34.140 --> 00:27:35.360 I will be what God 00:27:35.360 --> 00:27:36.559 intends me to be. 00:27:37.559 --> 00:27:38.620 I will be everything 00:27:38.620 --> 00:27:40.000 He has promised me to be. 00:27:41.400 --> 00:27:42.799 By the grace of God, 00:27:42.799 --> 00:27:44.940 by the grace that is His love 00:27:44.940 --> 00:27:46.359 in Christ, 00:27:46.940 --> 00:27:48.159 that is His power 00:27:48.159 --> 00:27:49.500 in action. 00:27:50.319 --> 00:27:51.399 And that's why he goes on there 00:27:51.399 --> 00:27:52.960 to say in verse 10 00:27:52.960 --> 00:27:55.000 that the grace of God, 00:27:55.839 --> 00:27:57.859 which was not in vain 00:27:57.859 --> 00:27:59.079 towards me, 00:28:00.519 --> 00:28:01.379 because he says, 00:28:01.480 --> 00:28:02.079 on the contrary, 00:28:02.759 --> 00:28:03.859 I worked harder 00:28:03.859 --> 00:28:04.759 than any of them, 00:28:05.579 --> 00:28:06.519 though it was not I, 00:28:06.599 --> 00:28:07.759 but the grace of God 00:28:07.759 --> 00:28:09.200 that is with me. 00:28:09.200 --> 00:28:12.580 And commentators really 00:28:12.580 --> 00:28:13.880 generally take it 00:28:13.880 --> 00:28:14.480 that he means 00:28:14.480 --> 00:28:15.940 all the other apostles 00:28:15.940 --> 00:28:16.880 put together, 00:28:17.680 --> 00:28:19.880 I worked harder 00:28:19.880 --> 00:28:20.720 than them all 00:28:20.720 --> 00:28:22.180 put together. 00:28:23.559 --> 00:28:25.380 Now, is Paul boasting there? 00:28:26.460 --> 00:28:27.200 Is he saying, 00:28:27.600 --> 00:28:28.220 look at me, 00:28:28.940 --> 00:28:29.799 I worked harder 00:28:29.799 --> 00:28:30.600 than all of them 00:28:30.600 --> 00:28:31.319 put together? 00:28:32.140 --> 00:28:32.380 Of course, 00:28:32.400 --> 00:28:33.220 he's not saying that. 00:28:33.440 --> 00:28:34.580 What he's doing is saying, 00:28:35.039 --> 00:28:36.240 it is not I, 00:28:36.440 --> 00:28:38.000 but the grace of God 00:28:38.000 --> 00:28:38.920 that is with me. 00:28:39.579 --> 00:28:40.119 In other words, 00:28:40.180 --> 00:28:41.359 the more he sees 00:28:41.359 --> 00:28:42.460 of what God 00:28:42.460 --> 00:28:43.940 has enabled him to do, 00:28:44.519 --> 00:28:45.940 and even if he is 00:28:45.940 --> 00:28:46.839 convinced that he has 00:28:46.839 --> 00:28:47.440 worked harder 00:28:47.440 --> 00:28:48.259 than all of them 00:28:48.259 --> 00:28:48.940 put together, 00:28:49.339 --> 00:28:50.119 he's not saying, 00:28:50.940 --> 00:28:51.980 praise to me. 00:28:53.700 --> 00:28:54.259 He's saying, 00:28:54.420 --> 00:28:55.660 praise to grace. 00:28:56.779 --> 00:28:57.720 Praise to the God 00:28:57.720 --> 00:28:58.299 of grace. 00:29:00.039 --> 00:29:00.960 Because Paul, 00:29:01.920 --> 00:29:03.119 as a humble Christian, 00:29:04.019 --> 00:29:05.259 is always concerned 00:29:05.259 --> 00:29:07.059 to bring the glory 00:29:07.059 --> 00:29:07.940 and the praise 00:29:07.940 --> 00:29:09.099 to God. 00:29:10.379 --> 00:29:11.920 He's not exalting himself, 00:29:12.759 --> 00:29:13.700 he's exalting 00:29:13.700 --> 00:29:15.240 his grace. 00:29:16.660 --> 00:29:17.059 And you know, 00:29:17.119 --> 00:29:17.420 the way 00:29:17.420 --> 00:29:20.379 we often use 00:29:20.379 --> 00:29:21.379 this kind of illustration, 00:29:22.539 --> 00:29:23.339 if you have 00:29:23.339 --> 00:29:24.480 a diamond ring, 00:29:25.779 --> 00:29:26.779 and that diamond ring, 00:29:26.839 --> 00:29:27.599 you want to see it 00:29:27.599 --> 00:29:28.680 in all its brilliance, 00:29:29.339 --> 00:29:30.579 what sort of background 00:29:30.579 --> 00:29:31.640 do you put it against? 00:29:31.640 --> 00:29:33.940 Not a background, 00:29:33.980 --> 00:29:34.660 not a background 00:29:34.660 --> 00:29:35.860 that's very sparkly 00:29:35.860 --> 00:29:36.440 and shiny, 00:29:37.320 --> 00:29:39.420 but a black background, 00:29:40.060 --> 00:29:42.820 a black velvet cloth 00:29:42.820 --> 00:29:44.880 on which you place, 00:29:44.920 --> 00:29:45.660 or a box with 00:29:45.660 --> 00:29:47.180 a black velvet lining 00:29:47.180 --> 00:29:48.000 in which you place 00:29:48.000 --> 00:29:49.240 this wonderful 00:29:49.240 --> 00:29:50.259 diamond ring. 00:29:51.400 --> 00:29:52.640 And it's the blackness, 00:29:53.140 --> 00:29:53.740 the darkness 00:29:53.740 --> 00:29:54.720 of the background 00:29:54.720 --> 00:29:56.140 that makes 00:29:56.140 --> 00:29:57.100 the luster 00:29:57.100 --> 00:29:57.780 of the diamond 00:29:57.780 --> 00:29:59.200 shine all the more brightly. 00:29:59.300 --> 00:29:59.759 Well, that's what 00:29:59.759 --> 00:30:00.520 Paul is doing. 00:30:00.519 --> 00:30:02.660 I am undeserving 00:30:02.660 --> 00:30:03.740 and worthy 00:30:03.740 --> 00:30:04.839 to be called an apostle 00:30:04.839 --> 00:30:06.440 because I persecuted 00:30:06.440 --> 00:30:07.359 the church of God. 00:30:07.420 --> 00:30:08.599 There's the dark background, 00:30:09.000 --> 00:30:10.420 there's the black velvet 00:30:10.420 --> 00:30:11.599 background of his life, 00:30:11.879 --> 00:30:13.680 but by the grace of God 00:30:13.680 --> 00:30:14.940 I am what I am. 00:30:15.460 --> 00:30:16.339 The grace of God 00:30:16.339 --> 00:30:18.019 shines in my life, 00:30:18.279 --> 00:30:19.359 not because of me, 00:30:19.660 --> 00:30:21.059 not because of my achievements, 00:30:21.720 --> 00:30:22.660 not because of 00:30:22.660 --> 00:30:23.940 what I now am, 00:30:24.299 --> 00:30:25.019 but because of 00:30:25.019 --> 00:30:26.079 who God is, 00:30:26.879 --> 00:30:27.359 and because 00:30:27.359 --> 00:30:28.720 what His grace is like, 00:30:28.720 --> 00:30:30.579 and what His grace 00:30:30.579 --> 00:30:31.299 has achieved. 00:30:32.660 --> 00:30:33.299 It's grace 00:30:33.299 --> 00:30:35.339 bringing salvation, 00:30:36.339 --> 00:30:37.519 grace to the unworthy. 00:30:38.559 --> 00:30:40.019 It's God's love in Christ. 00:30:41.000 --> 00:30:42.500 It's God's power in action. 00:30:42.660 --> 00:30:43.039 And thirdly, 00:30:43.079 --> 00:30:43.400 finally, 00:30:44.200 --> 00:30:45.720 it is God's kindness 00:30:45.720 --> 00:30:47.579 in gifting, 00:30:48.240 --> 00:30:50.500 gifting salvation to us. 00:30:50.559 --> 00:30:50.799 Again, 00:30:51.360 --> 00:30:52.400 you find that emphasized 00:30:52.400 --> 00:30:52.920 the passages 00:30:52.920 --> 00:30:54.960 we read from 00:30:54.960 --> 00:30:55.820 in Ephesians, 00:30:56.300 --> 00:30:57.400 in Ephesians 2, 00:30:57.519 --> 00:30:58.620 verse 8 especially. 00:30:59.759 --> 00:31:00.720 This is what He says, 00:31:00.800 --> 00:31:02.480 He has raised us up with Him 00:31:02.480 --> 00:31:03.120 when we were dead 00:31:03.120 --> 00:31:04.580 in trespasses and sins. 00:31:05.259 --> 00:31:06.240 And then He goes on to say, 00:31:06.320 --> 00:31:07.240 For by grace 00:31:07.240 --> 00:31:08.480 you have been saved 00:31:08.480 --> 00:31:09.860 through faith, 00:31:10.500 --> 00:31:11.560 and this is not 00:31:11.560 --> 00:31:12.420 your own doing, 00:31:13.080 --> 00:31:14.259 it is the gift 00:31:14.259 --> 00:31:15.820 of God. 00:31:17.340 --> 00:31:17.860 Grace 00:31:17.860 --> 00:31:19.640 is always gifting. 00:31:19.640 --> 00:31:22.560 The gift of God 00:31:22.560 --> 00:31:23.680 is the gift of grace. 00:31:24.120 --> 00:31:24.980 The grace of God 00:31:24.980 --> 00:31:26.180 is the gifting grace. 00:31:27.120 --> 00:31:27.740 The salvation 00:31:27.740 --> 00:31:28.420 that we have 00:31:28.420 --> 00:31:29.360 in Christ 00:31:29.360 --> 00:31:30.720 is a gift of God. 00:31:31.040 --> 00:31:32.280 We haven't earned it. 00:31:32.660 --> 00:31:33.840 We haven't deserved it. 00:31:34.100 --> 00:31:35.300 We haven't worked for it. 00:31:36.740 --> 00:31:37.600 We can say 00:31:37.600 --> 00:31:38.580 we didn't want it 00:31:38.580 --> 00:31:39.660 until God showed us 00:31:39.660 --> 00:31:40.360 our need of it. 00:31:41.280 --> 00:31:42.120 It is His 00:31:42.120 --> 00:31:43.360 gift to us, 00:31:43.460 --> 00:31:43.900 a gift 00:31:43.900 --> 00:31:45.820 to the unworthy. 00:31:45.819 --> 00:31:49.539 I happened to give 00:31:49.539 --> 00:31:50.399 my wife a present 00:31:50.399 --> 00:31:51.099 at Christmas. 00:31:51.980 --> 00:31:52.659 Not going to tell you 00:31:52.659 --> 00:31:53.339 what it was, 00:31:53.460 --> 00:31:54.960 but hope she liked it. 00:31:55.859 --> 00:31:56.759 But I gave her 00:31:56.759 --> 00:31:57.419 that gift 00:31:57.419 --> 00:31:59.519 because in my estimation 00:31:59.519 --> 00:32:00.879 she was worthy of it. 00:32:01.839 --> 00:32:02.519 After all, 00:32:02.599 --> 00:32:04.359 she has to look after me 00:32:04.359 --> 00:32:05.159 day after day. 00:32:06.299 --> 00:32:07.439 She was worthy of it. 00:32:08.339 --> 00:32:09.019 I thought, 00:32:09.119 --> 00:32:09.200 well, 00:32:09.200 --> 00:32:10.159 she deserves this, 00:32:10.259 --> 00:32:11.819 so this is my gift 00:32:11.819 --> 00:32:12.359 to her. 00:32:13.700 --> 00:32:14.899 But it's the very opposite 00:32:14.900 --> 00:32:15.600 with God. 00:32:16.380 --> 00:32:17.280 I can never come 00:32:17.280 --> 00:32:18.460 before God and say, 00:32:19.040 --> 00:32:19.980 just like the apostles 00:32:19.980 --> 00:32:21.720 is emphasizing for us, 00:32:21.900 --> 00:32:23.160 we can't come before God 00:32:23.160 --> 00:32:23.519 and say, 00:32:24.000 --> 00:32:24.820 your gift to me 00:32:24.820 --> 00:32:25.600 is immeasurable, 00:32:25.759 --> 00:32:26.400 but I deserved 00:32:26.400 --> 00:32:27.019 some of it. 00:32:27.800 --> 00:32:29.100 I deserved in a measure 00:32:29.100 --> 00:32:30.280 something or what I have 00:32:30.280 --> 00:32:31.060 of your salvation. 00:32:31.200 --> 00:32:31.960 No, we come to God 00:32:31.960 --> 00:32:32.280 and say, 00:32:32.620 --> 00:32:33.720 I am unworthy of it. 00:32:33.920 --> 00:32:35.060 I am not in the least 00:32:35.060 --> 00:32:36.200 but deserving of it. 00:32:36.560 --> 00:32:37.360 It is entirely 00:32:37.360 --> 00:32:38.680 your gift to me. 00:32:39.700 --> 00:32:40.700 Your free gift. 00:32:40.700 --> 00:32:42.580 Your undeserved gift. 00:32:42.579 --> 00:32:44.699 But Lord, 00:32:44.759 --> 00:32:45.980 I am glad to receive it 00:32:45.980 --> 00:32:48.019 and make it my own. 00:32:49.439 --> 00:32:50.559 The fact that it is free 00:32:50.559 --> 00:32:51.799 only makes it 00:32:51.799 --> 00:32:52.740 all the more wonderful. 00:32:54.179 --> 00:32:55.039 If we had anything 00:32:55.039 --> 00:32:55.720 to do with it, 00:32:55.740 --> 00:32:56.779 it would just spoil it. 00:32:58.039 --> 00:32:58.980 If we in any way 00:32:58.980 --> 00:32:59.759 measured at all 00:32:59.759 --> 00:33:00.559 deserved it, 00:33:01.240 --> 00:33:02.000 it just would not 00:33:02.000 --> 00:33:02.759 be the same thing, 00:33:02.839 --> 00:33:03.019 would it? 00:33:03.039 --> 00:33:03.720 It wouldn't be a gift 00:33:03.720 --> 00:33:04.659 really then at all. 00:33:05.399 --> 00:33:06.099 It would be something 00:33:06.099 --> 00:33:06.819 that we merited, 00:33:06.819 --> 00:33:08.579 something God owed to us. 00:33:10.220 --> 00:33:11.980 That's not how grace is. 00:33:12.579 --> 00:33:15.279 And what a gift 00:33:15.279 --> 00:33:16.139 He's given us. 00:33:17.399 --> 00:33:18.639 A free gift. 00:33:18.980 --> 00:33:20.839 Salvation in Christ. 00:33:21.699 --> 00:33:22.379 What a gift. 00:33:24.899 --> 00:33:26.839 He gave us His Son. 00:33:27.859 --> 00:33:29.139 He gave us His Son 00:33:29.139 --> 00:33:30.500 as a Savior. 00:33:31.740 --> 00:33:33.639 He gave us exactly 00:33:33.639 --> 00:33:35.220 what we required, 00:33:35.939 --> 00:33:37.240 even if for most of our life 00:33:37.240 --> 00:33:38.159 it wasn't what we thought 00:33:38.159 --> 00:33:38.699 we needed. 00:33:39.480 --> 00:33:40.699 Though it is what we need. 00:33:40.700 --> 00:33:42.380 And what we need 00:33:42.380 --> 00:33:43.580 is a Savior 00:33:43.580 --> 00:33:44.740 that exactly 00:33:44.740 --> 00:33:46.680 matches our condition 00:33:46.680 --> 00:33:47.400 as sinners. 00:33:48.620 --> 00:33:50.420 That exactly matches 00:33:50.420 --> 00:33:52.240 what we are 00:33:52.240 --> 00:33:54.420 under God's condemnation. 00:33:54.740 --> 00:33:56.720 Someone who will rescue us. 00:33:57.680 --> 00:33:58.920 Someone who will place us 00:33:58.920 --> 00:34:00.680 in a favored relationship 00:34:00.680 --> 00:34:01.559 with God. 00:34:03.100 --> 00:34:04.720 He gave us Jesus. 00:34:05.720 --> 00:34:06.940 He gave us a Savior. 00:34:06.940 --> 00:34:09.820 He gave us this free gift. 00:34:10.760 --> 00:34:11.880 What a gift. 00:34:13.000 --> 00:34:14.019 What kindness. 00:34:15.480 --> 00:34:16.519 What love. 00:34:18.159 --> 00:34:20.079 What amazing grace. 00:34:21.079 --> 00:34:22.159 How sweet 00:34:22.159 --> 00:34:24.059 it's sound. 00:34:25.340 --> 00:34:26.179 And that John Newton 00:34:26.179 --> 00:34:26.840 who wrote that 00:34:26.840 --> 00:34:28.480 hymn, Amazing Grace, 00:34:28.940 --> 00:34:30.099 near the end of his life, 00:34:30.740 --> 00:34:31.720 well, he took these words 00:34:31.719 --> 00:34:32.799 of Paul from our text 00:34:32.799 --> 00:34:34.239 tonight in 1 Corinthians 15. 00:34:35.319 --> 00:34:36.439 And this is what he 00:34:36.439 --> 00:34:38.039 said in his confession. 00:34:39.879 --> 00:34:42.079 I am not what I ought to be. 00:34:43.959 --> 00:34:44.959 That's what you're saying 00:34:44.959 --> 00:34:45.779 tonight, I hope. 00:34:46.639 --> 00:34:47.679 And I hope I'm saying it 00:34:47.679 --> 00:34:48.079 as well. 00:34:49.199 --> 00:34:51.079 I am not what I ought to be. 00:34:51.659 --> 00:34:52.699 I should be better 00:34:52.699 --> 00:34:53.399 than I am. 00:34:54.439 --> 00:34:55.659 I should be a better 00:34:55.659 --> 00:34:56.819 Christian than I am. 00:34:57.419 --> 00:34:58.719 I should be more faithful 00:34:58.719 --> 00:34:59.839 to God than I am. 00:35:00.959 --> 00:35:01.899 I should be more 00:35:01.899 --> 00:35:02.759 zealous to God. 00:35:03.279 --> 00:35:03.959 I should be more 00:35:03.959 --> 00:35:04.839 holy than I am. 00:35:05.259 --> 00:35:06.699 That was his testimony. 00:35:06.879 --> 00:35:07.459 I am not 00:35:07.459 --> 00:35:09.159 what I ought to be. 00:35:10.219 --> 00:35:11.059 I am not 00:35:11.059 --> 00:35:12.339 what I want to be. 00:35:13.379 --> 00:35:14.739 He wanted to be better 00:35:14.739 --> 00:35:16.079 than he saw himself 00:35:16.079 --> 00:35:16.639 at the time. 00:35:16.719 --> 00:35:17.579 And that's how you are 00:35:17.579 --> 00:35:18.259 surely too. 00:35:18.919 --> 00:35:20.239 Because however good 00:35:20.239 --> 00:35:21.000 you are tonight, 00:35:21.480 --> 00:35:22.459 however far advanced 00:35:22.459 --> 00:35:23.799 you are on the Christian way, 00:35:24.659 --> 00:35:25.559 however much you've 00:35:25.559 --> 00:35:26.739 learned of Christ, 00:35:27.539 --> 00:35:28.699 however much you value 00:35:28.699 --> 00:35:30.460 him, however much you 00:35:30.460 --> 00:35:31.839 love him and worship him, 00:35:32.939 --> 00:35:34.319 you still hope to be 00:35:34.319 --> 00:35:35.659 more than you are tonight. 00:35:36.859 --> 00:35:37.899 You're not what you 00:35:37.899 --> 00:35:38.579 want to be, 00:35:39.539 --> 00:35:40.739 or what you hope to be, 00:35:40.779 --> 00:35:42.659 yet when it comes 00:35:42.659 --> 00:35:44.579 to your ultimate salvation. 00:35:46.219 --> 00:35:47.099 But, he said, 00:35:47.519 --> 00:35:48.919 I'm not what I ought to be. 00:35:49.359 --> 00:35:50.819 I'm not what I want to be. 00:35:51.319 --> 00:35:52.939 I'm not what I hope to be. 00:35:53.159 --> 00:35:53.839 But still, 00:35:54.659 --> 00:35:56.939 I am not what I used to be. 00:35:57.940 --> 00:35:59.059 See, there is grace, 00:35:59.519 --> 00:36:00.539 amazing grace. 00:36:01.740 --> 00:36:03.559 I'm not what I used to be, 00:36:03.679 --> 00:36:03.940 he said. 00:36:06.200 --> 00:36:07.860 And by the grace of God, 00:36:08.980 --> 00:36:10.400 I am what I am. 00:36:11.980 --> 00:36:13.079 And that's the same 00:36:13.079 --> 00:36:13.679 John Newton, 00:36:14.800 --> 00:36:16.320 who in that amazing hymn, 00:36:16.400 --> 00:36:17.159 in that hymn, 00:36:17.240 --> 00:36:18.019 Amazing Grace, 00:36:18.820 --> 00:36:20.099 wrote these words 00:36:20.099 --> 00:36:20.940 as one of the verses. 00:36:20.940 --> 00:36:23.380 Through many dangers, 00:36:23.519 --> 00:36:23.920 toils, 00:36:24.159 --> 00:36:24.820 and snares, 00:36:25.280 --> 00:36:27.400 I have already come. 00:36:29.039 --> 00:36:31.079 Tis grace has brought me safe 00:36:31.079 --> 00:36:32.760 thus far, 00:36:33.320 --> 00:36:34.740 and grace 00:36:34.740 --> 00:36:37.019 will bring me home, 00:36:37.700 --> 00:36:38.880 will lead me home. 00:36:39.440 --> 00:36:41.619 The grace of God, 00:36:42.099 --> 00:36:43.900 the love of God in Christ, 00:36:43.900 --> 00:36:46.720 God's power in action, 00:36:47.860 --> 00:36:48.780 God's kindness 00:36:48.780 --> 00:36:49.960 in gifting us 00:36:49.960 --> 00:36:51.920 salvation in Christ. 00:36:53.300 --> 00:36:53.720 Grace 00:36:53.720 --> 00:36:56.000 to the unworthy. 00:36:56.220 --> 00:36:56.700 Let's pray. 00:36:59.900 --> 00:37:00.980 Lord, our God, 00:37:01.079 --> 00:37:01.980 we thank you 00:37:01.980 --> 00:37:03.460 for the grace 00:37:03.460 --> 00:37:04.280 that enables us 00:37:04.280 --> 00:37:05.980 to confess our unworthiness, 00:37:06.900 --> 00:37:08.340 the grace that has brought us 00:37:08.340 --> 00:37:09.320 to see ourselves 00:37:09.320 --> 00:37:10.500 as we truly are. 00:37:10.500 --> 00:37:12.900 O Lord, our God, 00:37:12.960 --> 00:37:13.619 we pray that 00:37:13.619 --> 00:37:14.880 by your grace 00:37:14.880 --> 00:37:16.039 we may continue 00:37:16.039 --> 00:37:16.679 to grow 00:37:16.679 --> 00:37:17.820 in the grace 00:37:17.820 --> 00:37:18.659 and in the knowledge 00:37:18.659 --> 00:37:20.400 of our Lord and Savior, 00:37:20.619 --> 00:37:21.440 Jesus Christ. 00:37:22.579 --> 00:37:23.559 And we pray tonight, 00:37:23.659 --> 00:37:23.980 O Lord, 00:37:24.059 --> 00:37:25.480 that our desire 00:37:25.480 --> 00:37:26.719 may be intensified 00:37:26.719 --> 00:37:27.940 to be more like himself. 00:37:29.440 --> 00:37:30.079 And we pray 00:37:30.079 --> 00:37:31.400 that as we pray 00:37:31.400 --> 00:37:32.019 these things, 00:37:32.099 --> 00:37:33.239 we may be conscious too 00:37:33.239 --> 00:37:35.199 of how to be like him 00:37:35.199 --> 00:37:36.119 means that we 00:37:36.119 --> 00:37:37.900 will take to ourselves 00:37:37.900 --> 00:37:39.960 whenever your will decides 00:37:39.960 --> 00:37:41.300 that we will need 00:37:41.300 --> 00:37:43.280 to face challenges, 00:37:44.119 --> 00:37:44.519 suffering, 00:37:45.400 --> 00:37:46.539 loss, deprivation, 00:37:46.740 --> 00:37:46.980 pain, 00:37:47.099 --> 00:37:48.340 perhaps even persecution. 00:37:49.340 --> 00:37:50.039 But Lord, 00:37:50.099 --> 00:37:50.760 we give thanks 00:37:50.760 --> 00:37:52.760 that your whole package 00:37:52.760 --> 00:37:53.480 of experience 00:37:53.480 --> 00:37:54.260 for your people 00:37:54.260 --> 00:37:56.320 is but the outworking 00:37:56.320 --> 00:37:57.480 of your grace for them. 00:37:58.340 --> 00:37:59.159 And within your own 00:37:59.159 --> 00:37:59.840 great program 00:37:59.840 --> 00:38:01.260 of salvation 00:38:01.260 --> 00:38:02.440 and sanctification, 00:38:03.780 --> 00:38:04.760 O grant us grace, 00:38:04.880 --> 00:38:05.260 we pray, 00:38:06.059 --> 00:38:06.659 to be willing 00:38:06.659 --> 00:38:08.340 to leave our life 00:38:08.340 --> 00:38:09.059 in your hands 00:38:09.059 --> 00:38:10.579 and to be willing 00:38:10.579 --> 00:38:11.420 to accept you 00:38:11.420 --> 00:38:12.600 as our Lord and Savior 00:38:12.600 --> 00:38:14.400 each and every day. 00:38:15.260 --> 00:38:16.220 Receive our thanks 00:38:16.220 --> 00:38:17.519 for your grace, 00:38:17.680 --> 00:38:18.600 for Jesus' sake. 00:38:19.120 --> 00:38:19.420 Amen. 00:38:21.620 --> 00:38:22.360 Let's conclude 00:38:22.360 --> 00:38:23.059 our worship tonight, 00:38:23.140 --> 00:38:24.340 singing Psalm 63. 00:38:26.340 --> 00:38:27.579 Psalm number 63, 00:38:27.760 --> 00:38:30.460 that's on page 295. 00:38:30.460 --> 00:38:35.780 verses 1 to 5, 00:38:37.179 --> 00:38:38.460 Psalm 63. 00:38:38.800 --> 00:38:39.420 Lord thee, 00:38:39.519 --> 00:38:40.019 my God, 00:38:40.079 --> 00:38:40.860 I'll early seek, 00:38:41.440 --> 00:38:42.619 my soul doth thirst 00:38:42.619 --> 00:38:43.139 for thee, 00:38:43.579 --> 00:38:44.980 my flesh longs 00:38:44.980 --> 00:38:45.579 in a dry, 00:38:45.800 --> 00:38:46.480 parched land 00:38:46.480 --> 00:38:48.639 wherein no waters be, 00:38:49.240 --> 00:38:50.280 that I thy power 00:38:50.280 --> 00:38:50.940 may behold 00:38:50.940 --> 00:38:51.539 and brightness 00:38:51.539 --> 00:38:52.480 of thy face, 00:38:53.139 --> 00:38:54.220 as I have seen thee 00:38:54.220 --> 00:38:55.019 heretofore 00:38:55.019 --> 00:38:57.500 within thy holy place. 00:38:57.579 --> 00:38:59.000 Since better is thy love 00:38:59.000 --> 00:38:59.699 than life, 00:39:00.320 --> 00:39:01.440 my lips thee praise 00:39:01.440 --> 00:39:02.059 shall give. 00:39:02.820 --> 00:39:03.539 I in thy name 00:39:03.539 --> 00:39:04.480 will lift my hands 00:39:04.480 --> 00:39:05.179 and bless thee 00:39:05.179 --> 00:39:05.840 while I live. 00:39:06.280 --> 00:39:07.199 Even as with marrow 00:39:07.199 --> 00:39:07.860 and with fat 00:39:07.860 --> 00:39:09.519 my soul shall filled be, 00:39:10.260 --> 00:39:11.440 then shall my mouth 00:39:11.440 --> 00:39:12.920 with joyful lips 00:39:12.920 --> 00:39:15.519 sing praises unto thee. 00:39:15.579 --> 00:39:16.800 These verses in conclusion. 00:39:16.800 --> 00:39:17.000 Amen. 00:39:21.719 --> 00:39:22.800 For thee, 00:39:23.519 --> 00:39:25.159 my God, 00:39:25.280 --> 00:39:28.599 I will be to see, 00:39:28.599 --> 00:39:32.699 my soul doth thirst 00:39:32.699 --> 00:39:35.119 for thee, 00:39:35.119 --> 00:39:38.719 my flesh longs 00:39:38.719 --> 00:39:41.500 in a dry, 00:39:41.559 --> 00:39:43.360 parched land 00:39:43.360 --> 00:39:49.199 wherein no waters be, 00:39:49.199 --> 00:39:54.719 that I thy power 00:39:54.719 --> 00:39:58.839 may behold 00:39:58.839 --> 00:40:01.319 and brightness 00:40:01.319 --> 00:40:06.000 of thy face, 00:40:06.000 --> 00:40:11.399 as I have seen thee 00:40:11.400 --> 00:40:14.320 here to fall 00:40:14.320 --> 00:40:21.039 within thy holy place. 00:40:21.039 --> 00:40:23.579 hallsequently While thou play 00:40:23.579 --> 00:40:26.940 hah żeby 00:40:26.940 --> 00:40:27.539 committing물 00:40:28.179 --> 00:40:30.239 onto thy glory 00:40:30.239 --> 00:40:39.779 open 00:40:39.779 --> 00:40:50.800 andمكن 00:40:51.039 --> 00:41:08.840 In a swift marrow and with heart, my soul shall thrill it be. 00:41:08.840 --> 00:41:23.720 Then shall my mouth with joyfulness sing praises unto thee. 00:41:24.960 --> 00:41:27.160 I'll go to the main door now after the benediction. 00:41:28.880 --> 00:41:37.160 Now may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you now and always. Amen. 00:41:38.840 --> 00:41:39.840 Amen.