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Christians in Unexpected Places · Stornoway Free Church of Scotland - Sermons

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Now then, we're going to begin our worship this evening singing in Psalm 108.
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Psalm 108, and that's from the Sing Psalms version, page 146.
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We sing to a tune, High for Doll, verses 1 to 7.
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O Lord God, my heart is steadfast, and with all my soul I'll sing.
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Harp and lyre I will awaken, and my song the dawn will bring.
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Lord my God, among the nations I will ever give you praise.
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In the midst of all the peoples I will sing of you always.
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Psalm 108, verses 1 to 7, the double verse 7, to God's praise.
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O Lord God, my heart is steadfast, and with all my soul I'll sing.
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Harp and lyre I will awaken, and my song the dawn will bring.
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Lord my God, among the nations I will ever give you praise.
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In the midst of all the peoples I will sing of you always.
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For your steadfast love is boundless, greater than the heavens high.
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And your faithfulness towards us reaches even to the sky.
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Far above the highest heavens, be exalted, O my God.
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And your glory spread abroad.
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With your right and safe and helpless, rescue all those whom you love.
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God has spoken from this temple, from this holy place above.
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I will distribute in triumph every part of Sheffersland.
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And the whole of Sarkovalli, I will measure with my hand.
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Let's call upon the Lord again in prayer.
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Let's pray together.
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Our gracious and eternal God, as we bow our heads before you in prayer,
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we give thanks again for these words that you have given us to sing,
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where the psalmist, in expressing his desire that the glory of the Lord would spread abroad throughout the earth,
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received that answer from God that you would indeed come to spread forth your blessing
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so as to cover these lands that are named in this psalm.
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We thank you, Lord, that your glory has been made manifest
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and has largely gone through all the earth,
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though we know that parts of the earth, even tonight,
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have not yet been reached with the gospel.
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O Lord, we thank you that in the spread of the gospel,
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your own kingdom has been advanced.
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And we thank you that your promise from the days of the Old Testament prophets
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through into the New Testament and the apostles,
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that your promise that you would build your church
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has indeed been, is indeed being fulfilled
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and has come to be seen in the way in which you bring people to know yourself.
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We thank you tonight that we form part of those who have been reached with the gospel,
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those who have come to know that the Lord has provided salvation for us
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in the Lord Jesus Christ.
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Lord, we thank you tonight for him.
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It is indeed our great desire that we would know his blessing,
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that we would find as he sits upon the throne of the universe
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and administers his kingdom.
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Lord, our God, we pray that tonight we will know
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through the Holy Spirit of your blessing upon us.
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We pray that we may rejoice in being incorporated into your kingdom
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and that we may rejoice as a congregation,
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that we have the gospel,
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that we have that announcement in its fullness in your word,
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that the Lord God reigns on high
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and that the Lord God has provided for sinners like we are
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such an abundant redemption.
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Lord, we thank you tonight that we can come to express these things before you in prayer.
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We thank you that you are the God who hears the crying of your people.
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We thank you that you call upon us to call upon you.
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We thank you, Lord, that you make clear in your word
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that it is your delight to meet with us
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as we worship you and as we call upon you in prayer
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and sing your praises.
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Help us, we pray, as we come to your word,
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both in the reading and expounding of it
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and in hearing its message.
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Help us to receive it once again into our hearts.
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Help us to receive it in a way that would change
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and bring about in our lives that spiritual and holy shape
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that would be in accordance with your word
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on each and every facet of our lives.
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O Lord God, we pray tonight that our concern will be
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to be furthered in holiness of life,
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in commitment and love to you and to your cause
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and in looking to each other and to your cause at large
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so that we may value and love hearing about your people elsewhere
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throughout the world as we have been in recent times.
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We pray tonight for your people in all parts of the world.
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Lord, we ask, Lord, that you'd bless again those who are persecuted,
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those who are facing so many difficulties
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that we know largely little about.
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We thank you for the information that reaches us
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and for the way that we can bring this before you in prayer.
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Once again, we pray for the troubled spots of the world,
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the nations that are in upheaval through war,
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through famine, through various things that cause people distress,
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through misgovernment and mismanagement.
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Lord, we ask that you would be merciful to the many millions of people in the world
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who have to go without so many of the things that we enjoy in abundance.
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Lord, we pray that you would bless them tonight
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and bless them especially with the gospel.
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Forgive us, Lord, for we find ourselves complaining
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in relation to how we find things in these recent times
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with an increase in the price of commodities,
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with other aspects of increased prices and in fuel.
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While, O Lord, we do look with concern at these things,
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yet we confess they are but so small compared
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to the distress faced by many people in the world
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who don't even have clean water to use day by day,
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who have to walk miles for the nearest resources,
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who don't have shops to attend,
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and who have so few, O Lord, of the food
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and the commodities that we enjoy.
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We ask that you would make us thankful,
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make us dependable,
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give us, we pray, not to be complainers,
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and help us not to be like your people Israel of old
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who as soon as they came to the place
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where there was little water
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grumbled against Moses
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and therefore grumbled against the Lord.
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Help us, Lord, to be careful
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that we never grumble against you,
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that we never consider you as one to be complained of,
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for you give us day by day far more than we deserve.
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And we do pray that you would continue
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to expand our thankfulness
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so that the praise and the glory will belong to you.
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Remember us, we pray,
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as a congregation of your people.
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Lord, we thank you for all that we experienced this morning,
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for the baptisms that took place,
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for the children that were baptized and their parents,
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and we pray for them.
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We pray that you would bless them
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and bless this event to them.
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Make it indeed to them, O Lord,
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a means of blessing.
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We pray for every young family
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belonging to us as a congregation with children
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and bringing them up in difficult times
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as we face, O Lord.
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Give them, we pray,
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to trust in yourself.
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Enable them to look to your word
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and give them confidence in your word
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as they would seek to bring up their children
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in ways that are acceptable to you
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and are bright and wholesome morally and spiritually.
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We pray for them, Lord, in their schools.
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We ask that you would grant your blessing
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to all who teach our children.
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And we pray in the many challenges that they face,
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Lord, that you would grant your blessing
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to give them the strength and the resolve
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and the commitment
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and indeed the delight where possible
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in instructing young lives
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in such necessary subjects as they are.
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O Lord God, we ask that your blessing
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will be upon our local authority
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as they too take charge of the material in our schools.
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We pray that you would give them wisdom and courage
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and help them to resist whatever attempts are made,
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O Lord, to introduce that which is unwholesome,
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that which is contrary
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to the way in which your word sets before us,
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that which is healthy and good,
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spiritually and morally.
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And we pray that you would grant that blessing too
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throughout all our schools,
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throughout our nation,
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so that we may see many coming to be educated
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in a way that will be pleasing to you.
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We ask your blessing too, Lord, tonight
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for all our older ones,
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for those who have come to a time of failing health.
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We remember them and ask that you would be near to them,
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be with them, Lord,
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as they face difficulties and challenges
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in regard to their mental capacity,
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regard to physical abilities
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and failures of various bodily faculties.
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Gracious Lord, remember all who belong to us
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and have reached that stage of life.
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Remember, too,
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those who mourn over the passing of loved ones.
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Again, we pray for them.
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We pray for those who have lost loved ones recently.
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We pray, too,
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for those who look back over years
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and still find it so traumatic
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and difficult to think of
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their loved ones no longer being here,
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whether they passed away
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in their young days as children
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or even infants
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or in their older years.
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Nevertheless, Lord, we know
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the pain involved in losing loved ones.
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And even though we may know
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that our loved ones have gone to a better place,
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yet the pain of bereavement
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and separation remains.
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We thank you that you understand,
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that you know what it is,
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O Lord,
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to hear a cry from the cross.
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My God,
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my God,
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why have you forsaken me?
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And we ask,
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O Lord,
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that all our concerns
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and all our weepings,
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all our sorrows
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and all our changes
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may be laid at the foot of your cross
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and that we may see it
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in relation
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to your triumphant resurrection
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from the dead
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through which you have gone
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to prepare a place
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for your people.
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And now we pray
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that you'd bless the children this evening,
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the young ones
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at their big YF.
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Bless, we pray,
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those who are in leadership
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there as well.
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We pray for Gordon MacLeod
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and his role
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within the presbytery.
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We ask your blessing
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for him
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and for the work
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that he carries out
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and we ask that
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he may know your blessing
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from week to week
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as he engages
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with the young folks.
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And we pray
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that you would
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graciously hear us
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as we now
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continue in your presence.
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All of these things
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we ask,
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seeking the pardon
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of our sin
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and cleansing
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in the name of Christ,
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our Lord,
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for his sake.
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Amen.
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Let's read from God's Word
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now from 1 Corinthians.
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1 Corinthians chapter 16.
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And we read from the beginning
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through to the end of the chapter.
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Isn't it very instructive
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how the apostle,
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having gone through
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that amazing discourse
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in chapter 15
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in such theological depth
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about the resurrection,
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that he could come
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at the beginning
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of this section,
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the final section
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of 1 Corinthians,
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to turn from that deep theology
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into something so practical
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as collection
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for the saints.
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But he has no embarrassment
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about that
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because he realizes
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that all theology
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flows into
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our practical concern
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for one another
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and for the cause of God.
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Now, concerning
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the collection
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for the saints,
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as I directed
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the churches of Galatia,
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so you also are to do.
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On the first day
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of every week,
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each of you
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is to put something aside
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and store it up
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as he may prosper
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so that there will be
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no collecting
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when I come.
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And when I arrive,
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I will send those
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whom you accredit
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by letter
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to carry your gift
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to Jerusalem.
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If it seems advisable
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that I should go also,
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they will accompany me.
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I will visit you
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after passing
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through Macedonia,
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for I intend
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to pass through Macedonia
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and perhaps
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I will stay with you
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or even spend the winter
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so that you may help me
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on my journey
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wherever I go.
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For I do not want you,
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I do not want to see you
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now just in passing.
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I hope to spend
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some time with you
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if the Lord permits.
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But I will stay
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in Ephesus
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until Pentecost
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for a wide door
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for effective work
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has opened to me
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and there are
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many adversaries.
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When Timothy comes,
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see that you put him
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at ease among you
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for he is doing
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the work of the Lord
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as I am.
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So let no one
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despise him.
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Help him on his way
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in peace
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that he may return
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to me
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for I am expecting
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him with the brothers.
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Now concerning
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our brother Apollos,
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I strongly urged him
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to visit you
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with the other brothers
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but it was not
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at all his will
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to come now.
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He will come
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when he has opportunity.
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Be watchful,
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stand firm
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in the faith,
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act like men,
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be strong,
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let all that you do
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be done in love.
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Now I urge you,
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brothers,
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you know that the
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household of Stephanas
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were the first converts
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in Nehaya
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and that they have
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devoted themselves
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to the service
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of the saints.
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Be subject to such
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as these
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and to every fellow
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worker and laborer.
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I rejoice
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at the coming
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of Stephanas
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and Fortunatus
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and Nehaya
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because they have
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made up for your absence
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for they refreshed
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my spirit
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as well as yours.
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Give recognition
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to such men.
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The churches of Asia
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send you greetings.
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Aquila and Prissa
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together with the church
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in their house
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send you hearty
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greetings in the Lord.
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All the brothers
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send you greetings.
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Greet one another
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with a holy kiss.
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I, Paul,
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write this greeting
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with my own hand.
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If anyone has no love
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for the Lord,
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let him be accursed.
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Our Lord,
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come,
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the grace of the Lord
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Jesus Christ,
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the grace of the Lord
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Jesus be with you.
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My love be with you all
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in Christ Jesus.
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Amen.
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And we pray once again
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for God to follow
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that reading
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with his blessing.
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Our next psalm of praise
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is Psalm 122.
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Psalm 122
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in the Scottish Psalter.
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That's page 416.
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We'll sing the whole psalm.
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The tune is St. Paul.
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I joyed when
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to the house of God
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go up,
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they said to me.
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Jerusalem within
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thy gates
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our feet
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shall standing be.
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Jerusalem as a city
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is compactly
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built together
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and to that place
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the tribes go up.
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The tribes of God
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go thither.
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Psalm 122
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singing the whole psalm
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to God's praise.
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I joyed when
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to the house
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of God
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go up
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they said
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to me
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Jerusalem
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within
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thy gates
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our feet
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shall
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stand
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in
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be.
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Jerusalem
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lost
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our city
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is
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compactly
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built
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together
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unto
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the place
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the place
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that
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rights
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go up
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the
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rights
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of God
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go
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there
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to
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Israel's
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testimony
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there
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to
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cause
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him
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thanks to
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pay
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for
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God
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got
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to
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praise
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the
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unity
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pierced
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và
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gi Hera n
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in
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לב
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che
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Felicity
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Let them
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Thou love
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Beyond thy peace
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Have still
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Prosperity
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Therefore
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I wish
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That peace may still
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Within
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Thy walls
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Remain
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And never
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May thy
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Policies
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Prosperity
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Retain
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Now
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For my
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Friends and
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brethren's
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sake
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Peace
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Be in
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thee I'll
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stay
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And
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For the
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house
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Of
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God
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Our
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Lord
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I'll
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see
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thy
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good
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always
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God
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Great
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Now
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will you turn with me to Paul's letter to the Philippians.
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Paul's letter to the Philippians where we're going to finish off our series of studies in Philippians with the final few verses there of chapter 4.
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Philippians 4 at verse 21.
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Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
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So we're coming to this final study as we've gone through the book of Philippians. We began it, I think, sometime back in June last year. And so it's taken us some time. But I did want, as I said at the beginning, to take time going through it so as to actually seek to bring out much of the main teaching in this wonderful letter of Paul.
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And I think I said at the beginning that one of the reasons we do, or one of the main reasons we do such studies as these consecutively, going through a book like this, is so that we can actually take it as a whole.
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Just imagine yourselves, if you were receiving this letter, if you were the congregation in Philippi, you wouldn't just pick out a passage here and there. You would begin at the beginning and read through the letter as a whole, and you would see how it was put together.
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And it's a wonderful thing to study these letters of the apostle, as well as other parts of scripture too, of course, and see how wonderfully and carefully the Holy Spirit has guided Paul in putting together these four chapters.
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And we've seen how much there is packed into certain passages or even verses of this epistle.
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And it's great to see how that network of teaching, that wonderful tapestry, if you like, of teaching, has been woven together in such a way as when we bring out the various parts of it, you begin to see the whole pattern more clearly.
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And I hope that's something that you've seen as we've gone through the epistle.
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Well, these final verses of the letter speak about two things mainly.
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First of all, it speaks about the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.
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He says,
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The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
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And we'll take that first of all, and then come back to the other two verses, which speak mainly about the saints in Christ Jesus,
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the people of God that are called saints because of the way God has set them apart to be his own people in the world.
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The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.
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Now, you recall at the very beginning of the letter that he begins with a reference to the grace of God, chapter 1, verse 2.
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To all the saints in Christ Jesus, grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
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So he begins with a reference to grace and he ends with a reference to grace.
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And within these two bookends, if you like, of grace, he has packed all the teaching that we've seen as we've gone through the letter.
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The grace of God is, of course, the undeserved favor of God that he bestows on us sinners.
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It's not just favor, it's the undeserved favor of God.
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If you look at it in other terms, it's really effectively the love of God at work towards his people.
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That grace of God, that undeserved favor, that love of God with which they are loved as it is worked through in their lives from day to day and year to year.
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And you'll notice he's saying the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.
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Be with your spirit.
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Now, he's still talking in plural terms, but obviously every individual is incorporated, included in the reference.
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The grace of the Lord Jesus be with your spirit, plural.
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You as a congregation.
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And that reminds us that this undeserved favor of God, this wonderful favor, this love of God for his people, is a love that reaches through into the deepest part of our lives.
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It's designed to do that.
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It's something that actually comes to reach into the deepest recesses of our souls because we need the grace of God at work there.
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Because the grace of God brings the power of God.
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The grace of God at work, the power of the love of Christ as that flows into the lives of his people.
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It's a life-changing love.
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It's a life-changing grace.
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It's a life-changing power.
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And so, as he says here, the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
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It's a reminder to ourselves that this is really where we need the grace of God at work.
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Not just to tidy up a few pieces in our lives, a few parts of our outward conduct as it might be, though that itself would not be a bad thing.
27:17
But the grace of God in its effectiveness, in its work, is not just doing a tidying-up job, a sweeping-up job, so that certain aspects of your outward conduct are tidied up or cleaned up.
27:32
It's actually something that reaches into such deep parts of your soul as involve your will, your emotions, your conscience.
27:44
All of that is affected by the working of God's grace as he applies it.
27:51
There may be many things we know that stir our souls.
27:56
I'm sure most of you like some types of music or other.
27:59
And people will say that their favorite type of music, if they have time to listen to it, really find it stirring.
28:07
They find it stirs their soul.
28:10
And that's perfectly, perfectly acceptable, of course.
28:13
When music or something that you love in that way stirs your soul properly, stirs your emotions, really works in you to move you to affection, to move you to appreciate what you're actually listening to.
28:26
It's a wonderful thing.
28:29
But the grace of God is the only thing that can renew your soul.
28:34
You can enjoy the most magnificent music.
28:38
You can enjoy the most magnificent writing.
28:41
You can enjoy all of those things that we have from God and his goodness.
28:45
But the grace of God reaches deeply into your spirit.
28:49
And the grace of God, the working through of the love of God in the hearts of his people, is what really brings the change.
28:56
And what I thought I would do with this point is just to try and summarize the teaching of the letter by thinking of it as the grace of God.
29:04
Because that's really, I think, one of the reasons that Paul has put these two bookends of grace where they are at the beginning and at the end.
29:12
So that everything in between them, really, you might say, has some relation or other to this grace of God.
29:18
To this undeserved favor of God.
29:20
To the love of God working in and towards his people.
29:24
You remember back in chapter 1.
29:26
It's the grace of God that binds us into a fellowship of people.
29:31
So that it brings about a partnership in the gospel.
29:35
And he's thanking God for that.
29:37
In chapter 1 there from verse 3.
29:39
I thank my God for that fellowship.
29:41
For that partnership.
29:43
And as he goes on to speak of that.
29:46
He speaks of them being all partakers with me of grace.
29:51
That's what's made them a people.
29:53
That's what's made them the congregation, the church they are.
29:56
They've been bound together.
29:58
They're united together.
30:00
They are a people by the grace of God.
30:04
Then you go to the verse 12 of chapter 1.
30:08
I want you to know, brothers, what has happened to me has really helped to advance the gospel.
30:13
Here is a man who's in prison, as we recall.
30:16
Here's a man who's writing from prison to these beloved Philippians.
30:19
Here's a man who has all these troubles to contend with.
30:22
Not just in regard to where he himself is.
30:25
But the burdens he carries for all the churches.
30:28
And yet he's convinced that the grace of God, the power of God's grace,
30:32
makes these troubles work for the good of the gospel.
30:36
I want you to understand, he's saying,
30:38
that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.
30:43
So it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard.
30:47
We'll come back to that in a moment.
30:50
It makes the troubles that we have work for the gospel and for our own good,
30:55
as well as we depend on God.
30:57
It enables us also to look beyond the present life.
31:01
Verse 19, and the present circumstances.
31:05
For I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
31:09
this will turn out for my deliverance.
31:11
And of course, it's the grace of God that has provided this wonderful Savior
31:17
that he deals with so wonderfully in chapter 2,
31:22
where he talks about the Son of God coming,
31:25
showing this mind towards lost sinners,
31:29
that he gave himself to all that he suffered,
31:32
gave himself to the deprivations that he subjected himself to so willingly,
31:37
and ultimately to the death of the cross itself.
31:39
It's that grace of God that has provided us with that Savior tonight,
31:45
who is Jesus.
31:46
Why has Jesus Christ existed?
31:49
Why did he live in this world?
31:52
Why did the Son of God come?
31:54
Because the grace of God was at work in providing that Savior for us.
31:59
Grace of God, the love of God for his people, for his children,
32:05
sent his own Son into this world.
32:09
And then, the grace of God empowers our persevering witness.
32:13
Chapter 2, verse 12, following.
32:16
It's the persevering witness of God's people against the odds, you might say,
32:22
against the troubles and the afflictions and the persecutions
32:26
and the challenges and the resistance that they face.
32:31
And indeed, that itself is proof of Christ risen from the dead.
32:38
And just imagine, just now, these disciples,
32:42
that you find, the account you find in the book of Acts
32:45
about the disciples,
32:47
and they're going out into the world with the gospel.
32:51
In chapter 5, just to take one example,
32:54
verses 40 to 42,
32:57
you find the governing authorities
33:01
summoning the disciples again
33:03
and saying to them,
33:06
don't preach in this name again,
33:08
and wanting to send them away,
33:10
and charging them not to speak in the name of Jesus,
33:13
and then let them go.
33:14
But they actually let them go,
33:18
but they left the presence of the council,
33:22
rejoicing that they were counted worthy
33:24
to suffer dishonor for the name,
33:27
for the name of Christ.
33:29
And every day in the temple, from house to house,
33:32
they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.
33:35
Now, can you possibly imagine
33:37
these people, these disciples,
33:40
if they were convinced that Jesus was still dead,
33:42
as we're actually facing that idea in the world
33:48
that Christ couldn't possibly have risen from the dead,
33:51
nobody rises from the dead,
33:52
certainly not by their own power.
33:54
Can you imagine these disciples
33:56
going out to the world
33:57
with this message of Jesus risen from the dead,
34:00
if they were not themselves convinced
34:03
that he had risen from the dead?
34:04
Where did they get the encouragement from?
34:06
Where did they get this conviction from?
34:09
Where did they get this desire?
34:11
Where did they get this burden
34:12
to bring this message of the gospel
34:14
to the world of their day?
34:15
From the fact that they knew Jesus was risen.
34:20
That's what the grace of God had brought about.
34:24
They would not have put up
34:26
with all the sufferings and persecutions
34:29
that they endured,
34:30
as described in the book of Acts,
34:32
if they had any doubts
34:35
that Jesus was alive or dead.
34:39
They wouldn't have put up with it.
34:40
And it's in chapter 3.
34:42
I'm just scanning through this quickly.
34:44
It's just a reminder to us
34:45
that this is what we've covered.
34:46
This is the substance, really,
34:48
of the teaching of the book
34:49
as we skim over these.
34:50
Chapter 3,
34:51
the grace of God
34:52
is what changes a persecutor
34:55
into a disciple.
34:58
There is the apostle himself
34:59
giving his testimony.
35:00
There he is talking about
35:02
how he used to have confidence
35:04
in the flesh,
35:06
his own ability,
35:07
his own ability to please God
35:09
by his own efforts,
35:10
by the strenuous efforts
35:12
of trying to keep God's law.
35:14
But he said,
35:15
whatever gain I had,
35:17
I counted as loss
35:18
for the sake of Christ.
35:19
Indeed,
35:20
I count everything as loss
35:21
because of the surpassing worth
35:23
of knowing Christ Jesus,
35:26
my Lord.
35:27
For his sake,
35:28
I have suffered the loss
35:30
of all things
35:30
and count them as rubbish
35:31
in order that I may gain Christ.
35:36
And so on.
35:36
And he goes on,
35:37
of course,
35:37
from that to,
35:39
into that great teaching
35:40
of how we come to be justified.
35:42
Where does our righteousness
35:43
come from
35:44
that we need
35:45
in the presence of God?
35:46
It's in Jesus himself.
35:48
And by faith in Jesus,
35:51
his righteousness
35:51
becomes ours.
35:53
Now,
35:54
you and I need
35:54
that righteousness.
35:55
righteousness.
35:56
We're not born with it.
35:59
It's not something
36:00
that we produce ourselves.
36:03
If you think of it
36:03
as the Bible often does,
36:05
as a garment
36:05
that is worn spiritually,
36:09
spiritual garment,
36:10
well,
36:10
that garment
36:11
is not woven
36:12
by any human craftsman.
36:15
That garment
36:16
has been produced
36:18
by God
36:19
through Jesus Christ
36:21
and his work
36:21
on the cross.
36:22
and the righteousness
36:23
that now exists
36:25
in Christ for us,
36:26
that's what the gospel
36:27
offers to us.
36:29
And you could go on
36:30
and see how in chapter 3,
36:32
the grace of God
36:33
sanctifies God's people
36:35
for glory.
36:37
Chapter 3,
36:38
verses 12,
36:39
following on from that.
36:40
That's the grace of God
36:41
in chapter 4
36:42
that mends
36:43
broken relationships,
36:45
that we need
36:45
to mend
36:47
broken relationships.
36:48
I entreat you,
36:49
I entreat Syntyche
36:51
to agree
36:52
in the Lord.
36:53
And so on.
36:54
He talks there
36:55
about how
36:56
they need
36:57
to deal with
36:58
whatever has
36:58
separated them
37:00
and caused
37:01
the difference
37:02
of opinion
37:02
or the falling out
37:04
between them.
37:05
It's the grace of God
37:06
that's required
37:08
in order to mend
37:09
broken relationships.
37:11
It's the grace of God
37:11
that produces
37:12
contentment of mind.
37:14
Chapter 4,
37:15
verse 12,
37:16
I have learned
37:17
in whatsoever state
37:18
I am therein
37:19
to be content.
37:21
Why is he content?
37:22
Because he has
37:22
Jesus in his fullness
37:24
and he doesn't need
37:26
to look for
37:26
contentment
37:27
anywhere else.
37:28
He has all he needs
37:29
of contentment
37:31
in Christ.
37:33
It's the grace of God
37:34
that moves people
37:36
to kindness
37:36
and supplies
37:38
all our wants
37:39
as we saw
37:40
in our most recent study.
37:43
Now all of these things
37:45
are features
37:46
which we need
37:47
as a congregation.
37:49
All of these things
37:50
whether we think
37:51
of Jesus himself
37:52
of being a fellowship
37:53
and a partnership
37:54
of actually having
37:56
the strength
37:56
to face our troubles
37:58
in life
37:58
of actually looking
38:00
beyond the present life
38:01
positively
38:02
and in hope
38:03
of sanctifying us
38:05
for glory
38:06
of mending
38:07
broken relationships
38:08
when that occurs
38:10
of producing
38:11
contentment
38:12
of mind
38:12
of moving us
38:14
to acts
38:14
of kindness
38:15
to one another
38:16
and to the world
38:17
around us
38:17
of supplying
38:19
all our wants
38:20
all our needs
38:21
that is the grace
38:23
of God
38:24
as it works
38:26
as it comes
38:28
into our experience
38:29
and into our lives.
38:31
So there is what Paul
38:33
begins with
38:34
or rather ends
38:35
with
38:35
although we've said it
38:36
as the first point
38:37
of our study tonight
38:38
the grace
38:39
of the Lord
38:40
Jesus Christ
38:41
be with your spirit.
38:44
What is it
38:45
that moves you
38:46
most
38:47
in your own life?
38:49
What is it
38:50
that gives you
38:51
the greatest satisfaction?
38:53
What is it
38:53
that gives you
38:54
the greatest stirring
38:55
of soul?
38:57
Is it not
38:58
the grace of God
38:59
at work?
39:01
Is it not
39:01
the love of Christ
39:02
as you experience it?
39:05
Is it not
39:05
Jesus being
39:06
your Savior too?
39:08
Is that not
39:09
the most precious
39:10
thing you have?
39:12
The most precious
39:12
person that you own
39:14
and are related
39:15
to?
39:16
This Lord
39:17
this Savior
39:18
this mighty
39:19
Redeemer
39:20
the grace
39:21
of the Lord
39:23
Jesus Christ
39:23
be with
39:25
your spirit.
39:28
But then he speaks
39:29
also about the saints.
39:31
And there are three
39:31
things here briefly
39:32
that we can take note
39:34
of as he says
39:34
first of all
39:35
greet every saint
39:37
in Christ Jesus.
39:39
All the saints
39:41
greet you
39:41
especially those
39:43
of Caesar's
39:43
household.
39:45
Now you notice
39:45
he's saying
39:46
all the saints
39:47
greet you.
39:48
And the first thing
39:49
that comes across
39:50
to you from that
39:50
is the unity
39:52
of God's church.
39:54
The unity of all
39:55
who are believers
39:56
in Christ.
39:57
This is what he's saying.
39:57
All the saints
39:59
greet you.
40:00
All the saints
40:01
are not in Philippi.
40:02
All the saints
40:03
are not in Rome.
40:05
All the saints
40:05
are scattered
40:06
throughout the empire
40:07
as Paul writes
40:08
these words
40:09
to the Philippians.
40:11
But he says
40:12
all the saints
40:13
greet you.
40:14
Maybe he meant
40:15
all those
40:15
particularly
40:16
as he says
40:17
of Caesar's household.
40:18
He does go on
40:19
to mention that
40:20
and we'll see that
40:20
in a minute.
40:21
But he does say
40:21
all the saints
40:23
greet you.
40:24
And there is no
40:25
indication that he
40:26
wants to confine it
40:27
to those that he
40:27
knows himself
40:28
personally
40:29
or in Rome
40:30
where he's imprisoned.
40:32
All the saints
40:33
greet you.
40:35
God
40:36
has only one church.
40:39
Whatever denominations
40:40
we know of
40:41
or may belong to
40:42
all who are saints
40:45
all who are
40:45
set apart
40:46
by God
40:47
in Christ Jesus
40:48
belong to each other
40:50
as they belong to him.
40:51
So wherever
40:55
God's people
40:56
are placed
40:56
they are
40:58
spiritually
40:59
connected
41:01
in a
41:02
brotherly
41:03
sisterly way
41:04
with all the saints
41:06
elsewhere
41:06
in the world.
41:08
And we have
41:09
an interest
41:09
because there is
41:11
just the one church
41:12
that crosses
41:12
all of the divides
41:14
that we know
41:14
between congregations
41:16
between denominations
41:17
between
41:18
various traditions
41:19
in the gospel
41:20
throughout the world
41:21
we have
41:23
an interest
41:24
and involvement
41:24
in the well-being
41:26
of God's church.
41:27
Why should it bother us
41:28
tonight
41:29
that Christians
41:30
are actually suffering
41:31
in different parts
41:32
of the world
41:33
because they are
41:33
brothers and sisters
41:34
in Christ
41:35
because they belong
41:36
to a family?
41:37
Why should it bother us
41:38
if certain
41:40
congregations
41:42
or certain groups
41:43
that follow
41:44
the Christian faith
41:46
actually go aside
41:47
into heresy
41:48
and are no longer
41:49
following the gospel
41:50
faithfully
41:51
maybe come sometimes
41:52
up with some
41:53
outrageous
41:53
conclusions
41:54
and practices?
41:56
Why should it bother us
41:57
if some
41:57
Christian churches
41:58
mainstream Christian churches
42:00
are embracing
42:01
a worldly view
42:02
of life
42:03
and of marriage
42:04
and of relationships?
42:05
Why should that bother us?
42:06
Because
42:07
because the saints
42:11
of Jesus Christ
42:12
make up one church
42:16
and wherever you find
42:20
decline
42:21
whatever
42:22
denomination
42:24
it may be
42:25
or whatever
42:27
congregation
42:27
it may be
42:28
just as you can say
42:30
within
42:30
one congregation
42:31
whatever individual
42:33
it may be
42:34
it concerns
42:35
it concerns
42:35
us
42:36
as those
42:37
who in this world
42:38
are set apart
42:39
to be God's people
42:40
because
42:42
the saints
42:43
all the saints
42:44
have an interest
42:46
together
42:46
in the well-being
42:48
of Christ's church
42:49
it is
42:50
our concern
42:51
it is
42:52
our concern
42:53
tonight
42:53
for
42:54
our brothers
42:55
and sisters
42:56
in Ukraine
42:56
wherever else
42:58
they may be
42:58
in the world
42:59
their welfare
43:00
is important
43:01
to us
43:01
not because
43:03
they're just
43:03
human beings
43:04
like ourselves
43:05
but because
43:06
as Christians
43:07
in Ukraine
43:08
they are the
43:09
Lord's people
43:10
they differ from us
43:11
as other Christians
43:13
in other places do
43:14
they don't worship
43:15
exactly the same
43:16
as we do
43:16
they may have
43:17
traditions
43:18
that we don't
43:18
ourselves
43:19
agree with
43:20
but where they
43:22
present themselves
43:23
as living
43:24
by faith
43:25
in Christ
43:25
and seeking
43:26
to be obedient
43:26
to God
43:27
then the Arab
43:29
brothers
43:29
and sisters
43:31
at that level
43:31
at least
43:32
in the Lord
43:32
all the saints
43:35
greet you
43:36
but especially
43:38
those of
43:40
Caesar's household
43:41
this is interesting
43:42
and it ties up
43:43
with what we saw
43:44
near the beginning
43:45
we reflected on
43:46
just briefly
43:47
tonight as well
43:48
in chapter 1
43:49
I want you to know
43:50
brothers
43:50
that what has
43:51
happened to me
43:52
has really served
43:53
to advance the gospel
43:54
so that it has
43:55
become known
43:56
throughout the whole
43:57
imperial guard
43:58
and to all the rest
44:00
that my
44:00
imprisonment
44:01
is for Christ
44:03
and it led
44:04
to some
44:05
actually
44:06
being emboldened
44:07
to preach the gospel
44:08
what do you see
44:09
what he's saying
44:10
there
44:10
and what he's saying
44:10
here
44:11
all the saints
44:12
greet you
44:13
especially those
44:14
of Caesar's household
44:15
what is he talking
44:16
about
44:17
what is Caesar's
44:18
household
44:19
Caesar's household
44:20
is the imperial
44:21
palace
44:22
who was the Caesar
44:23
at the time
44:24
that Paul wrote
44:25
to the Philippians
44:26
it was the cruel
44:27
emperor
44:28
Nero
44:29
and yet here
44:32
you find
44:32
in Nero's
44:34
palace
44:35
among Nero's
44:36
servants
44:37
among those
44:38
who served
44:39
as wicked
44:39
emperor
44:40
this un-Christian
44:42
un-godly
44:43
pagan man
44:44
here you find
44:45
Paul saying
44:46
all the saints
44:47
greet you
44:48
especially those
44:49
of Caesar's
44:50
household
44:50
there are saints
44:52
in the most
44:53
unexpected places
44:54
even Caesar's
44:55
household
44:56
even Nero's
44:57
household
44:57
even Nero's
44:58
servants
44:59
contain
44:59
saints
45:01
there are
45:02
Christians there
45:03
there are people
45:04
there who love
45:04
the Lord
45:05
and Paul is saying
45:06
they are sending
45:07
you their
45:08
greetings
45:09
tonight there are
45:10
Christians
45:11
in the most
45:12
unexpected places
45:13
places that are
45:15
closed officially
45:16
to the gospel
45:17
there are Christians
45:18
tonight as you
45:19
know yourselves
45:19
in China
45:21
there are Christians
45:22
tonight in North
45:23
Korea
45:23
these countries
45:25
can be sealed
45:26
off by their
45:27
dictators
45:27
as North Korea
45:29
is at the
45:29
moment
45:30
and yet
45:34
God has
45:36
his people
45:36
there
45:37
you see
45:39
we can
45:39
we can
45:40
legislate
45:41
even in our
45:41
own country
45:42
against grace
45:43
we can
45:45
legislate
45:46
in a way
45:46
that seeks
45:46
to wipe
45:47
the statute
45:48
book
45:49
of all
45:49
that is
45:50
really
45:50
specifically
45:51
Christian
45:51
we can
45:55
imprison
45:55
Christians
45:56
we can
45:57
make it
45:58
really tough
45:58
for them
45:59
as it was
46:00
for the
46:00
apostle here
46:01
but you
46:03
cannot stop
46:04
the gospel
46:04
you cannot
46:06
stop the
46:07
Holy Spirit
46:07
there is no
46:09
power in the
46:10
world
46:10
or out of
46:12
the world
46:12
that can
46:13
actually stand
46:15
against the
46:15
Holy Spirit
46:16
and say
46:16
you can't
46:17
come in
46:17
here
46:18
this is a
46:19
no-go
46:19
area for
46:20
the gospel
46:21
we don't
46:22
want your
46:22
Christianity
46:23
here
46:23
here are
46:24
all of
46:25
these people
46:25
in Caesar's
46:26
household
46:27
and they're
46:28
worshippers of
46:28
God
46:28
they are
46:29
saints of
46:29
God
46:30
be thrilled
46:31
about that
46:32
tonight
46:32
remember us
46:33
you pray
46:34
tonight
46:34
for God's
46:35
people
46:35
throughout
46:36
the world
46:36
pray for
46:37
those
46:38
who are
46:39
Christians
46:39
in unexpected
46:40
places
46:41
pray for
46:42
those
46:43
who are
46:43
Christians
46:44
in
46:45
countries
46:47
that are
46:47
closed
46:48
officially
46:48
to the
46:49
gospel
46:49
and that's
46:51
what you
46:51
find
46:52
even the
46:53
likes of
46:53
Ukraine
46:54
as well
46:54
with all
46:55
the brutality
46:55
that the
46:57
Ukrainian
46:57
people are
46:58
experiencing
46:59
and have
46:59
experienced
47:00
now for
47:00
months
47:01
not even
47:02
all that
47:03
brutality
47:04
can extinguish
47:06
the gospel
47:06
or can extinguish
47:08
faithful witness
47:09
to Christ
47:10
how many people
47:11
have you heard
47:11
in the news
47:13
reports
47:13
quite a number
47:14
thankfully
47:14
that were
47:15
interviewed
47:16
certainly in the
47:16
early parts
47:17
of the
47:18
struggles
47:19
and asking
47:21
for their
47:22
views
47:22
making reference
47:24
to their
47:25
faith in
47:25
God
47:26
making reference
47:28
to placing
47:28
their lives
47:29
in his
47:29
hand even
47:30
as they
47:31
fled the
47:31
country
47:31
or look
47:32
to the
47:33
shell
47:33
of their
47:34
accommodation
47:35
a wreckage
47:37
of their
47:37
city
47:38
did that
47:39
destroy their
47:40
faith
47:40
did that
47:42
mean that
47:42
Christianity
47:43
had been
47:44
wiped out
47:44
of course
47:45
not because
47:46
you cannot
47:46
stop the
47:47
power of
47:48
God
47:48
the grace
47:49
of God
47:49
you cannot
47:50
stop the
47:51
love of
47:51
God reaching
47:52
sinners
47:52
wherever he
47:53
chooses
47:53
you know
47:56
there are
47:57
people in
47:59
our own
47:59
locality
48:00
tonight
48:00
who are
48:02
undoubtedly
48:03
enemies of
48:03
the gospel
48:04
who make
48:06
it quite
48:06
clear that
48:08
they are
48:08
out against
48:09
the gospel
48:10
to do
48:10
everything
48:11
possible
48:11
not only to
48:13
make it
48:14
ineffective
48:14
but to
48:15
get rid
48:15
of it
48:15
altogether
48:16
if
48:16
possible
48:17
they stand
48:18
as enemies
48:19
of the
48:20
church
48:20
as enemies
48:21
of the
48:21
preaching
48:21
of the
48:22
gospel
48:22
as enemies
48:23
of the
48:24
standard
48:24
of the
48:24
gospel
48:25
the moral
48:26
and spiritual
48:27
standard
48:27
that the
48:28
gospel
48:28
sets out
48:29
and they
48:30
make it
48:30
clear
48:31
many of
48:32
them
48:32
by the
48:32
way they
48:33
speak
48:33
that that
48:33
is what
48:34
their life
48:34
is driven
48:35
by
48:35
that is
48:36
what they
48:37
are setting
48:37
out to
48:37
achieve
48:38
let me
48:40
tell you
48:40
this
48:40
they may
48:43
put us
48:44
in prison
48:44
we may
48:46
end up
48:46
having to
48:47
suffer
48:47
deeply
48:48
for the
48:48
faith
48:48
for all
48:49
we know
48:49
they may
48:51
remove
48:52
everything
48:52
from us
48:53
in terms
48:54
of our
48:54
possessions
48:54
but they
48:56
cannot take
48:57
Christ from
48:58
us
48:58
they cannot
48:59
take the
49:00
gospel itself
49:00
from us
49:01
and remember
49:03
when you're
49:03
praying
49:03
tonight again
49:04
not just
49:05
praying for
49:06
those in
49:07
these
49:07
countries
49:08
where you
49:09
might not
49:09
expect to
49:10
find
49:10
Christians
49:11
but where
49:11
they're
49:11
there
49:12
remember
49:14
too for
49:14
those who
49:14
are
49:15
about
49:15
enemies
49:16
of the
49:16
gospel
49:16
pray for
49:18
them
49:19
pray for
49:21
this mighty
49:22
grace of
49:23
God to
49:24
take hold
49:24
of their
49:25
lives
49:25
as that
49:26
grace of
49:26
God took
49:27
hold of
49:28
the life
49:28
of this
49:29
author of
49:29
Philippians
49:30
who as he
49:31
says in
49:31
chapter 7
49:32
this power
49:34
this Jesus
49:35
grasped me
49:36
he took
49:36
hold of
49:37
me
49:37
he arrested
49:38
me
49:38
and he
49:40
took me
49:40
into the
49:41
custody of
49:42
his grace
49:42
the power
49:43
and the
49:44
care of
49:44
his grace
49:45
pray for
49:46
those tonight
49:47
that God
49:48
would convert
49:48
them
49:49
that the
49:49
power of
49:50
his grace
49:51
would enter
49:51
their lives
49:52
that they
49:53
may have
49:53
a change
49:54
around in
49:55
their thinking
49:55
completely
49:56
not just so
49:58
that we
49:59
might have
50:00
more peace
50:00
for the
50:01
gospel
50:01
that's
50:01
important
50:02
but that
50:04
they will
50:04
realize
50:05
themselves
50:06
how much
50:07
they need
50:08
this Christ
50:08
how valuable
50:11
the Savior
50:11
is
50:12
how
50:14
indispensable
50:14
it is
50:15
to have
50:17
Jesus as
50:18
your Savior
50:19
especially
50:21
they
50:22
who are of
50:23
Caesar's
50:24
household
50:24
there are
50:25
saints
50:26
even there
50:26
and there are
50:29
saints tonight
50:29
in the most
50:31
unexpected
50:31
places
50:32
and finally
50:34
he says
50:35
greet
50:35
every saint
50:37
greet
50:38
every saint
50:39
in Christ
50:39
Jesus
50:40
he's been
50:41
thinking
50:41
up to now
50:42
and writing
50:43
in corporate
50:44
terms
50:44
plurals
50:46
but now
50:47
he's
50:47
individualizing
50:48
greet
50:48
every saint
50:50
in Christ
50:51
Jesus
50:51
we tend
50:52
to categorize
50:54
people
50:54
don't we
50:54
we tend to
50:55
categorize
50:55
Christians
50:56
as well
50:56
we tend
50:58
to categorize
50:59
Christians
50:59
who are
51:01
like
51:01
ourselves
51:01
have the
51:02
same
51:02
way of
51:03
looking at
51:04
things
51:04
the same
51:05
kind of
51:05
worship
51:06
and we
51:06
categorize
51:07
them
51:08
and we
51:08
make them
51:09
really
51:09
so much
51:10
more
51:11
important
51:11
to us
51:12
in a sense
51:12
than others
51:13
are
51:13
we think
51:14
of them
51:15
as
51:15
brothers and
51:16
sisters
51:16
but don't
51:18
really want
51:18
to go
51:19
outside of
51:19
that too
51:20
much
51:20
greet
51:22
every
51:23
saint
51:24
in Christ
51:26
Jesus
51:26
wherever you
51:28
come across
51:29
a Christian
51:29
someone who
51:31
is truly
51:31
the Lord's
51:32
someone who
51:33
truly loves
51:34
the Lord
51:35
someone who
51:36
obviously is
51:37
a saint
51:37
set apart
51:38
by the grace
51:39
of God
51:39
greet them
51:40
and greet
51:42
them means
51:43
deal with
51:45
them as
51:45
brothers and
51:46
sisters should
51:47
greet
51:48
every saint
51:50
in Christ
51:51
Jesus
51:52
because the
51:53
Bible tells
51:53
us that
51:54
we are all
51:55
one in
51:56
Christ Jesus
51:56
in Paul's
51:57
letter to
51:58
the Galatians
51:59
now he meant
51:59
that specifically
52:00
in terms of
52:01
how we come
52:02
to be justified
52:03
by faith
52:04
in Christ
52:04
Jesus
52:05
and we are
52:06
made all
52:06
one in
52:06
that sense
52:07
you mustn't
52:07
take from
52:08
that some
52:09
ideas that
52:10
you find
52:10
current that
52:11
there's no
52:11
distinction at
52:12
all between
52:13
men and
52:13
women in
52:14
church or
52:14
in church
52:14
office or
52:15
that sort
52:16
of thing
52:16
that's not
52:17
what Paul
52:17
meant
52:17
he meant
52:18
on the
52:19
level of
52:19
being justified
52:20
of being
52:21
accepted
52:21
with God
52:22
of being
52:22
righteous
52:23
of being
52:23
saints
52:24
there is
52:25
no difference
52:25
between male
52:26
and female
52:26
in that
52:26
regard
52:27
and we
52:29
mustn't
52:29
actually put
52:30
a difference
52:32
or something
52:33
where of a
52:35
distinction
52:36
where God
52:36
hasn't made
52:37
one
52:37
whatever race
52:40
or color
52:41
people may
52:42
be of
52:42
there is
52:44
no racism
52:45
allowed within
52:47
the relationships
52:48
of God's
52:49
people
52:50
greet
52:51
every saint
52:53
in Christ
52:54
Jesus
52:55
the Bible
52:56
teaches us
52:57
the New Testament
52:58
a biblical
52:59
equality
53:00
where we all
53:02
have an
53:02
equality in
53:03
Christ
53:03
where each
53:04
of us
53:04
is accepted
53:05
by God
53:06
as much
53:07
as the
53:07
other
53:07
and you
53:08
remember
53:09
Paul himself
53:10
when he
53:11
wrote
53:11
that little
53:12
letter
53:12
to
53:14
Philemon
53:15
you remember
53:17
that he
53:18
speaks in
53:19
Philemon
53:20
of how
53:21
Philemon
53:23
was to
53:23
receive
53:24
the slave
53:24
that had
53:25
run away
53:26
from him
53:26
and was
53:28
now coming
53:28
back to him
53:29
this slave
53:30
Onesimus
53:31
I Paul
53:33
am now an
53:33
old man
53:34
prisoner for
53:35
Christ Jesus
53:36
I appeal
53:37
to you
53:38
for my
53:38
child
53:38
Onesimus
53:39
whose father
53:41
I became
53:41
in my
53:42
imprisonment
53:42
of course
53:42
he's talking
53:43
spiritually
53:43
Onesimus
53:44
was converted
53:45
as he met
53:47
with Paul
53:47
as a prisoner
53:48
he was
53:49
converted
53:50
formerly he
53:51
was useless
53:52
to you
53:52
but now
53:53
he is
53:53
indeed useful
53:54
to you
53:55
and to me
53:55
I am
53:56
sending him
53:57
back to you
53:58
sending my
53:59
very heart
54:00
I would have
54:02
been glad
54:02
to keep him
54:03
with me
54:03
in order
54:04
that he
54:04
might serve
54:05
me on
54:06
your behalf
54:06
during my
54:08
imprisonment
54:08
for the
54:09
gospel
54:09
but I
54:10
prefer to do
54:11
nothing
54:11
without your
54:12
consent
54:12
I have
54:13
sent him
54:14
back
54:14
for you
54:14
so
54:15
no longer
54:16
treat him
54:17
as a
54:17
slave
54:17
but more
54:19
than a
54:19
slave
54:20
as a
54:20
beloved
54:21
brother
54:21
especially
54:22
to me
54:23
but how
54:24
much more
54:25
to you
54:25
receive him
54:27
as you
54:28
would receive
54:29
me
54:29
aren't
54:31
these
54:31
incredible
54:32
words
54:32
here's
54:34
here's
54:34
here's
54:34
here's
54:34
this
54:34
mighty
54:35
apostle
54:35
here's
54:37
this
54:37
great
54:37
man
54:38
of
54:38
God
54:38
and he's
54:41
writing
54:41
to Philemon
54:42
in regard
54:43
to this
54:43
slave
54:44
and here
54:45
he is
54:45
talking about
54:46
this slave
54:46
and saying
54:47
to Philemon
54:48
look I'm
54:48
sending him
54:49
back to you
54:49
but he's
54:50
a changed
54:50
man
54:50
he's been
54:51
converted
54:52
he's now
54:52
a man
54:53
of God
54:53
receive him
54:55
as you
54:56
would receive
54:57
me
54:57
because in
55:01
Jesus Christ
55:01
there's no
55:02
distinction
55:02
he's as
55:05
acceptable
55:05
to God
55:06
as the
55:07
apostle Paul
55:08
was
55:08
so that's
55:11
why he's
55:11
saying
55:12
greet
55:13
every
55:14
saint
55:14
in Christ
55:16
Jesus
55:16
well I
55:18
hope that
55:18
you have
55:20
heard the
55:20
voice of
55:21
God
55:21
speaking to
55:23
you through
55:23
these studies
55:25
and indeed
55:25
through all
55:26
the studies
55:26
of scripture
55:27
that we
55:27
engage in
55:28
and you
55:30
remember the
55:30
words of
55:30
Psalm 95
55:31
and verse
55:32
8
55:33
which speaks
55:34
about the
55:35
voice of
55:35
God
55:36
and today
55:37
if you
55:37
hear his
55:37
voice
55:38
harden
55:39
not your
55:40
heart
55:41
this is to
55:42
me and
55:42
this is to
55:43
you as
55:43
well
55:43
if you
55:47
hear his
55:47
voice today
55:48
harden
55:49
not your
55:50
heart
55:50
you know
55:51
today
55:52
is all
55:55
you have
55:55
yes you
55:57
may see
55:58
tomorrow
55:58
but it's
55:59
not
55:59
guaranteed
55:59
so for
56:01
the moment
56:02
today is
56:03
all you
56:04
have
56:04
this today
56:07
where you're
56:08
hearing and
56:09
when you're
56:09
hearing the
56:10
voice of
56:10
God
56:11
today
56:13
if you
56:14
hear his
56:15
voice
56:15
don't harden
56:17
your heart
56:18
don't say
56:18
I listen to
56:19
it more
56:20
tomorrow
56:20
accept him
56:23
now
56:23
don't harden
56:26
your heart
56:27
against it
56:28
don't promise
56:30
yourself something
56:30
that may never
56:32
happen
56:32
and today
56:35
it's not just
56:36
all you have
56:37
but today
56:39
is all you
56:40
need
56:40
today is all
56:43
you need
56:44
to have
56:45
Christ for
56:46
yourself
56:47
to be
56:48
saved
56:49
to be
56:50
a saint
56:50
to come
56:52
to be
56:52
a follower
56:52
a disciple
56:53
of Jesus
56:54
today
56:55
is all
56:56
you need
56:57
even if
56:58
there isn't
56:58
a tomorrow
56:59
for you
56:59
or for me
57:00
remember
57:01
today
57:01
right now
57:02
is all
57:03
you need
57:03
to trust
57:04
in Jesus
57:04
don't say
57:05
if you
57:06
hear his
57:06
voice
57:07
as you're
57:07
hearing his
57:08
voice
57:08
in the
57:08
gospel
57:09
now
57:09
don't say
57:10
well
57:11
I'm not
57:11
ready yet
57:12
for this
57:12
I need
57:13
to do
57:13
a bit
57:13
more
57:14
studying
57:14
I need
57:15
to do
57:15
something
57:16
else
57:16
in order
57:16
to
57:17
actually
57:17
appreciate
57:18
more
57:18
of what
57:19
the gospel
57:19
is
57:19
I want
57:20
to
57:20
understand
57:21
more
57:21
of the
57:21
likes
57:22
of these
57:22
letters
57:23
of the
57:23
Bible
57:24
these books
57:24
of the
57:25
Bible
57:25
today
57:26
is all
57:27
you need
57:27
to trust
57:28
in Christ
57:29
to give
57:31
your life
57:31
over to
57:32
him
57:32
to follow
57:36
him
57:36
to be
57:38
among
57:38
the saints
57:39
of God
57:41
saints
57:44
in
57:45
unexpected
57:46
places
57:47
saints
57:48
you can
57:49
turn that
57:49
around
57:49
and say
57:50
that there
57:52
are people
57:53
who aren't
57:53
saints
57:54
in places
57:56
where you
57:56
would expect
57:57
them to
57:57
be so
57:58
and this
57:59
is one
58:00
of them
58:00
you would
58:02
not expect
58:03
that this
58:05
place which
58:06
knows the
58:06
gospel so
58:07
well
58:07
would have
58:10
people
58:11
who are not
58:12
yet saints
58:13
of God
58:13
who have
58:15
not come
58:15
to a
58:17
saving
58:17
relationship
58:18
with Jesus
58:19
oh don't
58:21
be like
58:21
that if
58:21
you're like
58:22
that tonight
58:22
I urge
58:24
you in
58:24
the name
58:24
of Christ
58:25
trust in
58:27
him
58:27
receive
58:28
him
58:28
accept
58:30
him
58:30
love
58:31
him
58:31
follow
58:32
him
58:33
believe
58:34
in him
58:35
speak
58:37
about
58:37
him
58:37
defend
58:39
him
58:40
do
58:41
everything
58:41
in your
58:41
power
58:42
to be
58:43
a
58:43
saint
58:44
of
58:45
God
58:45
let's
58:46
pray
58:46
Lord
58:50
our
58:50
gracious
58:50
God
58:50
we
58:51
thank
58:51
you
58:51
for
58:52
the
58:52
grace
58:53
that
58:53
makes
58:53
saints
58:54
out
58:54
of
58:54
sinners
58:54
and as
58:56
we
58:56
find
58:57
ourselves
58:57
Lord
58:57
still
58:58
in
58:58
the
58:59
confession
58:59
of
59:00
our
59:00
sins
59:00
even
59:00
as
59:01
saints
59:01
of
59:01
God
59:01
we
59:03
pray
59:03
for
59:03
your
59:03
grace
59:04
for
59:04
the
59:05
grace
59:05
of
59:05
forgiveness
59:05
for
59:06
the
59:06
grace
59:06
of
59:06
restoration
59:07
we
59:08
pray
59:08
for
59:09
your
59:09
grace
59:09
oh
59:09
Lord
59:09
for
59:10
perseverance
59:10
and we
59:12
ask that
59:12
your
59:12
grace
59:13
will be
59:13
with us
59:13
day
59:13
by
59:14
day
59:14
in
59:15
all
59:15
our
59:15
responsibilities
59:16
to
59:17
our
59:17
families
59:18
to
59:18
our
59:18
neighbors
59:18
to
59:19
our
59:19
work
59:19
colleagues
59:19
to
59:20
our
59:21
fellow
59:21
Christians
59:21
grant
59:23
your
59:23
grace
59:23
to
59:23
us
59:23
Lord
59:24
we
59:24
pray
59:24
as
59:24
we
59:24
meet
59:25
with
59:25
the
59:25
world
59:25
in
59:26
its
59:26
hostility
59:27
to
59:27
the
59:27
gospel
59:28
grant
59:29
us
59:29
grace
59:29
to
59:30
treat
59:30
them
59:30
as
59:31
we
59:31
know
59:31
you
59:31
would
59:32
treat
59:32
them
59:32
grace
59:33
to
59:34
be
59:34
tactful
59:34
and
59:35
patient
59:35
and
59:36
grace
59:36
to
59:37
depend
59:39
Lord
59:40
that
59:40
you
59:40
would
59:40
bless
59:41
us
59:41
and
59:41
do
59:41
for
59:42
us
59:42
even
59:43
more
59:43
than
59:43
we
59:43
are
59:43
able
59:43
to
59:43
ask
59:44
or
59:44
even
59:44
think
59:45
hear
59:46
us
59:46
we
59:46
pray
59:46
for
59:47
Jesus
59:47
sake
59:48
Amen
59:48
well
59:53
we're
59:53
singing
59:53
in
59:54
conclusion
59:54
tonight
59:55
from
59:55
Psalm
59:55
133
59:57
Psalm
59:59
133
1:00:00
and the
1:00:00
Sing
1:00:00
Psalms
1:00:00
version
1:00:01
of it
1:00:01
and we're
1:00:02
singing
1:00:03
to
1:00:03
tune
1:00:03
Bishop
1:00:03
Thorpe
1:00:04
page
1:00:06
175
1:00:07
how
1:00:07
excellent
1:00:08
a thing
1:00:08
it is
1:00:09
how
1:00:10
pleasant
1:00:10
and how
1:00:11
good
1:00:11
when
1:00:12
brothers
1:00:12
dwell
1:00:12
in
1:00:12
unity
1:00:13
and
1:00:13
live
1:00:13
as
1:00:14
brothers
1:00:14
should
1:00:15
Psalm
1:00:16
133
1:00:17
you'll find
1:00:18
that on
1:00:18
page
1:00:19
175
1:00:20
how
1:00:22
excellent
1:00:22
a thing
1:00:23
it is
1:00:24
excellent
1:00:31
a thing
1:00:34
it is
1:00:37
how
1:00:38
for
1:00:39
blessed
1:00:40
and
1:00:40
blessed
1:00:41
and
1:00:42
her
1:00:43
good
1:00:45
when
1:00:47
brothers
1:00:49
dwell
1:00:50
in
1:00:51
unity
1:00:54
and
1:00:56
live
1:00:58
as
1:00:58
brothers
1:01:00
should
1:01:03
for
1:01:05
for
1:01:05
it is
1:01:07
like
1:01:08
the
1:01:09
precious
1:01:11
soil
1:01:13
for
1:01:14
doubt
1:01:16
own
1:01:18
male
1:01:19
said
1:01:46
The Lord bestows his blessing there,
1:02:08
The life that never ends.
1:02:17
I'll go to the door here to my right this evening.
1:02:21
Now may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
1:02:23
the love of God the Father,
1:02:25
and the communion of the Holy Spirit
1:02:27
be with you now and always.
1:02:29
Amen.
1:02:38
Amen.