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Faith and the Inspiration of Jesus' Prayer Life · Stornoway Free Church of Scotland - Sermons

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  Hebrews 5 at verse 7.
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  In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears,
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  ! to whom he was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.
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  And so on down to the end of verse number 10.
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  Now we know that faith is at the very centre of the lives of the people of God, and when
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  we read this letter we begin to understand something of the challenges faced by faith
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  in this world.
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  We come to chapter number 11 and we have a list of those people who were faithful, but
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  right along through the letter there are those who are close to losing their faith because
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  their faith is not working as it should.
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  And I'm sure for all of us here together this evening that one of our main problems in the
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  Christian life is that our faith does not work as it should.
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  And here in this letter as we come to this chapter we can see the verses before us as
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  a way in which the writer wants to encourage the hearers of the letter with the example
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  of the faith of the Lord Jesus and how that faith is working.
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  And that is part of his great objective in the letter to highlight to them the significance
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  and the importance of Jesus, the Son of God, as their Saviour and as the Great High Priest.
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  And in highlighting that, the writer does make it clear that there are two special emphases
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  with regard to the Lord Jesus that he is faithful in his service of God and that he is also faithful
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  in his service to his people.
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  So we want to think of faith this evening.
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  We want to think of the faithfulness of the Lord Jesus.
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  We want to think of Jesus and the example of his faith and how it was working and to think
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  especially of faith and the inspiration of the prayer life of the Lord Jesus.
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  We see first of all that there is prayer in verse number seven and it is happening in the
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  days of his flesh.
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  In other words, the days in which Jesus spent here in this world, the whole of his life, the
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  days of his flesh, the days of his worldly and earthly experience, all of these days, Jesus
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  offered up prayers and supplications.
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  It gives to us a sense of two particular things.
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  Prayers give to us that the sense of being in lack or of being in need.
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  And sometimes we can journey on through life and we are not too much aware of what we lack
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  or too much aware of what we need.
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  But as soon as we are face to face with what we lack and what we need, if we have grace in
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  our hearts, then faith moves us to pray.
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  And interestingly and perhaps surprisingly, the reference here is to Jesus in the days
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  of his life here in this world, that he was aware of a particular lack and of a particular
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  need and because of that he prayed.
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  And along with that, there is the idea of supplication, which is more specific than prayer in general,
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  which focuses upon a specific need and which highlights the way in which definite help is
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  required.
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  And it draws our attention to the fact that when these words are written, they are specific
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  to one particular need at one particular time in the experience of the Lord Jesus.
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  And in pointing us to that one particular time and that one particular need, it gives to us
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  an example of the way in which Jesus prayed all of his life.
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  And when we do read these verses as we go through them, we can remind ourselves that they are descriptive
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  of the experience of the Lord Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.
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  And we saw something of that on the Lord's Day, the way in which Jesus was in the garden and
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  he was tested.
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  And here are words which give us another angle and another viewpoint of what Jesus was going
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  through in the garden.
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  But at the moment we're looking at the way in which there is prayer because there is a
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  sense of need and because there is a requirement for help in a particular way.
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  And it shows to us the way in which Jesus lived his life in communion with God.
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  And this evening, if we have faith, this should be typical of our own lives.
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  This is how faith works on our journey.
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  Perhaps even today itself, suddenly we are aware of a great need.
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  Suddenly we're aware of something that we could not manage ourselves.
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  And our hearts, perhaps without anything vocal taking place, in our hearts we are reaching
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  out to God.
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  And we are doing so because we need specific help in this specific moment.
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  And so our lives, as we look back, they are dotted with moments like that when prayer reflects
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  our faith.
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  Prayer arises because of our communion with God and we are looking for God's help.
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  prayer arises because of our communion with God.
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  And we see that the depths of the of the anguish of the Lord Jesus here in these verses with
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  loud cries and tears.
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  There is a real depth of distress.
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  We saw in Matthew 26, the way in which Jesus was in agony, the way in which he was sorrowful,
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  even up to the point of death, the way in which he was distressed.
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  And to the extent that that Luke reminds us in chapter 22 that in that moment of distress
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  and of testing that his sweat was like great drops of blood falling to the ground.
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  And there was an intensity to his experience and to his prayer that is probably unique to himself
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  in that moment of great need.
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  His whole being wrestling out to the object of his faith, the God who was his father and
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  who is his father, reaching out to that God because of one particular reason in this case.
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  And that reason being God's ability to help him in his specific need.
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  To him who was able to save him from death.
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  We saw on the Lord's day, the way in which Jesus is exploring the possibility of it.
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  If it is possible, Lord, let this cup pass from me.
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  There is a sense of exploring beyond the present boundaries.
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  But here there is the conviction that what the Lord Jesus needs is possible to God.
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  And the power, the ability that God has is to save him from death.
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  To rescue him from the very thing that is causing his distress.
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  And when he is persuaded that God is able to save him from death.
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  First of all, let us think about what that does not say.
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  And this does not say that Jesus was praying that he wouldn't die.
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  Jesus knew that that's where he was going.
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  Jesus knew that the time would come when he would give himself to death.
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  So we don't think for a moment that when he prayed to God was able to save him from death.
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  That he was praying to be saved from the status of being dead.
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  Because that's what he came to.
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  But what it does mean is that he was praying for the one who was able to save him from the penalty of death.
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  From the experience of the forsakenness of Calvary.
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  And rescuing him from the darkness into which he must descend.
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  His mission was to triumph over death.
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  To pay the ransom price.
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  To suffer the penalty.
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  And the prayer is that in that moment.
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  I was reading Psalm number 69.
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  Do not let the pit swallow me up.
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  And there is that gaping darkness facing the Lord Jesus.
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  That causes this prayer to ascend to the Father.
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  The Abbas into which his mission will take him.
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  And praying that in that Abbas that he wouldn't be lost.
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  Able to save him from death.
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  And at the same time able to save him not in the sense of not going through it.
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  But save him in the sense of taking him through it.
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  To the other side and to the grave and to victory.
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  And when you and I often pray.
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  Our feeling is and the weakness of our prayer is that we are praying that we would avoid a certain situation.
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  That we wouldn't have to go through a certain situation.
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  And we would do anything to avoid being where we are.
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  And we would perhaps praying and asking God take me out of here.
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  So that I won't have to go through this thing.
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  And what we should be doing is following the example of the Lord Jesus.
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  And recognizing the will of God.
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  And doing so by asking God to help us through the dark moment of trial.
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  To bring us safely out on the other side.
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  So that the devil will not swallow us up and swallow up our faith if it were possible.
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  But that we arrive safely on the other side of the time of darkness through which we must go.
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  And Jesus was heard because of his reverence.
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  Because of his godliness.
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  Because of his piety.
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  Because of his devotion to God.
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  Because of his desire to do everything that was to the delight of the God to whom he prayed.
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  It's devotion.
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  It's the reverence of giving oneself.
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  Submitting oneself.
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  To the whole will and purpose of God.
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  And that's what makes the prayer effective.
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  And how often do you and I pray.
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  When that key element is actually absent.
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  When there is no piety.
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  When there is no devotion to God.
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  And I'm facing a great crisis.
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  And I pray and nothing happens.
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  And so often that's because.
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  My life of devotion to God has been lost.
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  And my life of walking in the light with him.
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  Has ceased to exist.
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  And I wonder why God isn't answering my prayer.
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  And I look to God.
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  And perhaps blame God.
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  Because he does not answer.
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  Instead.
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  Of looking to myself.
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  And recognizing.
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  That the fault rests with me.
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  Because of my lack of devotion.
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  Because I'm praying for the wrong thing.
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  And because I'm not asking God.
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  For what he has purposed.
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  To give to me.
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  And to do for me.
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  So there is the prayer.
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  Secondly.
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  The prayer is connected.
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  To the program.
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  There is something going on here.
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  God is doing a work.
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  There is a program.
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  Which God has set out for his son.
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  We see that's something in chapter 12.
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  With regard to faith.
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  That we run the race set before us.
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  There is a program.
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  As well as a destination.
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  And here we see in verse number 8.
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  Although he was a son.
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  He was not exempt.
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  From following the program.
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  On the other hand.
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  Because he was a son.
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  He had to follow the program.
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  And we are the children of God.
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  The people of faith.
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  And the program is for us.
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  But the remarkable thing here is.
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  That the son of God.
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  That he himself has to live.
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  In accordance with the same program.
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  Following the same path.
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  And doing so in accordance with the will of God.
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  Although he was a son.
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  The holy perfect.
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  Son of God.
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  Coming to walk by faith.
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  In the path of obedience.
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  And he learned.
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  Obedience.
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  We could.
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  Summarize what that means.
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  And we could say that he was a faithful.
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  Disciple of God the Father.
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  Because the word that's used.
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  And translated learned.
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  Is the same word.
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  That's used for discipleship.
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  It's manthano.
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  It's the call of Jesus.
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  Take my yoke upon you.
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  And learn from me.
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  Jesus is the master disciple.
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  He is the example of what disciples should look like.
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  The disciple that seeks to direct their own minds to the person being followed.
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  To learn what the teaching that is being passed on.
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  There is that sense of being swallowed up.
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  Intellectually as well as spiritually.
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  And with all of the heart.
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  To what is to be learned.
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  That Jesus.
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  Has a mission which is shaped by the word of God.
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  And that Jesus.
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  Who has that kind of mission.
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  Has his own particular kind.
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  Of discipleship.
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  I have come to do your will.
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  Oh my God.
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  In the volume of the book.
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  It is written for me.
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  Here is the curriculum.
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  Jesus knows.
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  He understands.
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  That there is a process of education.
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  And that he must go through that process.
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  In accordance with the curriculum set out by God for him.
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  From the very beginning of the Bible to the end.
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  He must learn.
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  At each different stage.
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  The things that God has set down for him.
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  He learned obedience.
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  Through what he suffered.
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  He learned.
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  What his people didn't learn.
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  He learned what the Old Testament people of God didn't learn.
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  He learned obedience.
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  He went through that process.
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  Of discovering more and more.
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  Of what obedience meant.
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  And so we can think of the Lord Jesus.
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  Who in the Gospel of Luke.
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  He grew in wisdom and stature.
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  He is developing stage by stage.
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  We think of school curriculum.
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  And there is stage by stage development.
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  To reach to the higher level of the curriculum.
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  And the learning has to be stage appropriate.
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  And that is what we see happening with Jesus here.
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  It is not that he was disobedient.
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  It is not that he must unlearn what he had learned.
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  It is not that he was ignorant at the stage at which he was walking.
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  But in his development.
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  He had to grow more and more.
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  In an understanding of what obedience meant.
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  And that is what takes him.
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  Into the garden.
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  To cry.
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  That cry of distress.
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  He knew that he had come into the world.
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  To give his life a ransom for many.
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  He was learning the Old Testament scriptures.
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  And understanding more and more of what that meant.
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  But as he comes to the garden of Gethsemane.
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  There is a graduation to a higher level.
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  And to a deeper understanding.
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  And to a clearer knowledge.
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  Of what God's curriculum for him meant.
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  And that is why he cried that prayer.
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  He was learning obedience.
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  By what he suffered.
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  The things outside of himself.
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  That he endured in his times of testing.
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  These were the things that caused him.
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  Grief in his heart.
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  And sorrow in his heart.
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  Caused him to be tested.
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  At each and every stage.
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  He was tried.
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  And he was tested.
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  And he passed the examination.
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  And he graduated on to the next stage.
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  And so he goes on.
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  Until at last.
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  He reaches that end.
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  That level.
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  That higher level.
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  When he has that full understanding.
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  Of what it means.
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  And Jesus refers to the disciples.
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  In Luke chapter 22.
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  And he says with regard to them.
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  That you are the ones.
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  You have stayed with me.
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  In my trials.
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  The trials.
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  Through which I learned.
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  What suffering meant.
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  You are walking with me.
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  And of course.
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  When it came to Gethsemane.
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  And the cross.
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  They failed to continue walking with him.
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  As he stood the test.
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  They failed the test.
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  But there is.
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  That program.
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  Of learning.
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  Through suffering.
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  And how much is there.
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  A lesson there.
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  For you.
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  And for me.
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  That we have so much to learn.
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  In our faith.
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  So much to learn.
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  About a relationship with God.
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  And God's relationship with us.
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  We see at the end of the chapter.
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  That he compares them to.
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  To infants.
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  Who are dull of hearing.
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  They can't deal with.
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  The higher level.
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  They have stopped progressing.
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  And we understand.
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  That by faith.
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  Tonight.
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  We are going to develop.
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  And grow.
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  As the children of God.
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  Then we are going to suffer.
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  It may be physical.
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  It may be an outward affliction.
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  It may be something.
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  That is completely.
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  Private in your life.
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  It may be something.
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  That goes on.
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  In your heart.
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  And in your mind.
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  The struggles of faith.
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  And the struggles of temptation.
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  But we can be sure.
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  That we are not going to heaven.
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  Without a struggle.
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  And it is through these struggles.
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  That we learn.
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  To be obedient.
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  And that learning.
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  Is described in the Bible.
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  In different ways.
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  Purifying.
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  Of silver and gold.
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  Taking away of the impurities.
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  Learning.
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  Obedience.
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  With God.
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  God's chastisement.
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  God working in our lives.
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  In his love.
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  To wean us away.
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  From the distractions.
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  Of the world.
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  To cut us off.
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  From the things.
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  That take his place.
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  Doing so.
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  By suffering.
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  And by bringing into our lives.
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  The corrections.
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  That we have so much need of.
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  As we journey on.
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  Along life's way.
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  There is.
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  A program.
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  And when we understand.
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  That God has a program.
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  That he is sovereign.
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  That he does things.
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  That I don't understand.
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  Who relies.
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  Above everything else.
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  That in his sovereignty.
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  He orders.
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  What we.
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  Have need of.
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  He purposefully.
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  puts in place.
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  The things that will.
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  Make us better.
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  And the things that will make you better tonight.
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  Will perhaps be very different.
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  To things that will make me better.
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  Or make the next person to you better.
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  We all have our own.
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  Kind of unique needs.
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  As well as.
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  As our common needs.
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  And God.
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  Works.
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  Accordingly.
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  And it's in that.
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  It's self marvelous.
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  That God deals with us.
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  Passionately.
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  In the light of our unique characteristics.
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  That others don't have.
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  That such is his understanding of us.
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  Such is his interest.
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  And his care.
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  And such are his resources.
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  That he can supply.
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  Individual needs.
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  And in our learning.
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  That he can bring us.
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  Through.
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  The classroom.
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  Of specific.
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  One-to-one learning.
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  So that we may.
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  Indeed.
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  Grow up.
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  In our faith.
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  And when.
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  As I said.
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  When that.
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  Informs our prayer life.
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  It changes.
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  What.
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  We.
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  Are asking for.
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  And we understand.
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  That God knows.
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  Better.
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  And we understand.
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  That because he knows better.
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  And he knows the end.
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  From the beginning.
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  That what he is doing.
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  Is right.
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  That it is.
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  For.
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  Our ultimate.
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  Good.
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  So there is a prayer.
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  There is.
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  A program.
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  And there is.
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  Perfection.
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  That.
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  That came.
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  That came.
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  The time.
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  And the experience.
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  Of the Lord Jesus.
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  When the.
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  Process.
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  Of education.
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  Was complete.
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  When the work.
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  Of discipleship.
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  Had arrived.
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  And achieved.
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  Its goal.
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  Being.
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  Made.
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  Perfect.
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  Perfect.
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  He reached.
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  To the conclusion.
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  Of God's program.
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  For him.
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  The conclusion.
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  That.
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  Included.
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  Going through.
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  The.
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  The.
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  Suffering.
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  The penalty.
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  Of death.
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  And the darkness.
• 24:00
  Of the cross.
• 24:01
  What included.
• 24:04
  Being.
• 24:04
  His body.
• 24:05
  Being.
• 24:05
  Being.
• 24:06
  Lain.
• 24:06
  In the grave.
• 24:08
  What included.
• 24:08
  Is being.
• 24:09
  Raised.
• 24:10
  From the dead.
• 24:12
  And.
• 24:12
  Dostimated.
• 24:13
  To be.
• 24:14
  Glorified.
• 24:14
  At God's right hand.
• 24:16
  God.
• 24:18
  Proclaiming.
• 24:19
  That.
• 24:20
  In his eyes.
• 24:21
  He is now.
• 24:23
  Fully.
• 24:24
  Qualified.
• 24:26
  He is.
• 24:27
  Fully.
• 24:27
  Qualified.
• 24:28
  To exercise.
• 24:29
  What he was.
• 24:31
  Trained.
• 24:31
  To do.
• 24:32
  In God's.
• 24:33
  Program.
• 24:33
  For him.
• 24:36
  He became.
• 24:37
  The source.
• 24:38
  Of eternal.
• 24:39
  Salvation.
• 24:40
  To all.
• 24:41
  Who obey him.
• 24:42
  Being designated.
• 24:43
  By God.
• 24:44
  A high priest.
• 24:45
  After the order.
• 24:46
  Of.
• 24:47
  Melchizedek.
• 24:49
  Being.
• 24:50
  Designated.
• 24:52
  And.
• 24:53
  We could think.
• 24:54
  Of the.
• 24:55
  Words.
• 24:56
  That we have here.
• 24:57
  In.
• 24:57
  In verse number five.
• 24:58
  In verse six.
• 24:58
  From psalm two.
• 24:59
  And psalm 110.
• 25:01
  That these.
• 25:03
  Proclamations.
• 25:03
  With regard to.
• 25:05
  The way in which God.
• 25:06
  Designates a son.
• 25:07
  That we could.
• 25:08
  Think for a moment.
• 25:09
  About the possibility.
• 25:11
  Of.
• 25:12
  These being.
• 25:13
  Private moments.
• 25:15
  Between the father.
• 25:17
  And the son.
• 25:18
  When the son.
• 25:18
  Comes into.
• 25:20
  Glory.
• 25:21
  That could have been.
• 25:21
  Let's think.
• 25:22
  That could have been.
• 25:24
  Something.
• 25:25
  Private.
• 25:25
  Designate.
• 25:26
  When.
• 25:27
  God.
• 25:27
  Is rewarding.
• 25:28
  His son.
• 25:30
  For completing.
• 25:32
  The kush.
• 25:33
  But the word.
• 25:34
  Designated.
• 25:34
  Speaks to us.
• 25:35
  Of something.
• 25:36
  That happened.
• 25:37
  In the.
• 25:38
  Word.
• 25:38
  The world.
• 25:39
  Of the writer.
• 25:40
  Something.
• 25:41
  That happened.
• 25:41
  In the very marketplace.
• 25:43
  That there was.
• 25:44
  A public.
• 25:45
  Statement.
• 25:46
  Made.
• 25:47
  In the public.
• 25:48
  Square.
• 25:49
  With regard.
• 25:49
  To giving a person.
• 25:50
  A name.
• 25:51
  Or a position.
• 25:52
  Is so that.
• 25:54
  The whole.
• 25:54
  Assembly.
• 25:55
  Could hear.
• 25:56
  And could know.
• 25:57
  What this person's.
• 25:59
  New name.
• 26:00
  Was.
• 26:02
  And that's.
• 26:02
  The gospel.
• 26:03
  Isn't it?
• 26:05
  God.
• 26:05
  Did not say.
• 26:06
  Secretly.
• 26:07
  To his son.
• 26:08
  In the day.
• 26:08
  That he went into glory.
• 26:10
  He did not say.
• 26:10
  Secretly.
• 26:11
  You are my son.
• 26:12
  Today.
• 26:13
  I've begotten you.
• 26:15
  He did not say.
• 26:16
  Secretly.
• 26:17
  Sit at my right hand.
• 26:18
  You'll be a priest.
• 26:19
  Forever.
• 26:20
  Until your enemies.
• 26:21
  Are your food store.
• 26:22
  Instead.
• 26:24
  They're public.
• 26:25
  Proclamations.
• 26:25
  That make the gospel.
• 26:27
  What it is.
• 26:28
  And make.
• 26:29
  The gospel.
• 26:30
  What it is.
• 26:31
  That he is the source.
• 26:32
  Of eternal salvation.
• 26:34
  To all who.
• 26:35
  Obey.
• 26:36
  Him.
• 26:38
  It comes back.
• 26:39
  To faith.
• 26:40
  We saw.
• 26:41
  His obedience.
• 26:43
  But there is.
• 26:44
  Eternal salvation.
• 26:45
  To all those.
• 26:46
  Who obey.
• 26:47
  Him.
• 26:49
  In other words.
• 26:50
  Will follow him.
• 26:52
  On the same journey.
• 26:54
  If we are obedient.
• 26:55
  To God.
• 26:57
  Through faith.
• 26:57
  In Jesus Christ.
• 26:59
  The Christ.
• 27:00
  Who.
• 27:01
  Entered into.
• 27:02
  The eternal.
• 27:03
  Kingdom.
• 27:03
  Of God.
• 27:05
  Will ensure.
• 27:06
  That we.
• 27:06
  Ourselves.
• 27:07
  Will follow him.
• 27:09
  To be there.
• 27:11
  And there is the.
• 27:12
  Encouragement there.
• 27:13
  As well as the challenge.
• 27:15
  To go forward.
• 27:17
  In faith.
• 27:18
  Being faithful.
• 27:20
  Obeying the Lord Jesus.
• 27:22
  And having the.
• 27:24
  Sure and certain.
• 27:25
  Hope in our hearts.
• 27:26
  Of the.
• 27:27
  Eternal.
• 27:28
  Salvation.
• 27:29
  That.
• 27:30
  Christ has secured.
• 27:32
  Through his.
• 27:33
  Finished work.
• 27:34
  So that.
• 27:35
  The day will come.
• 27:37
  When our graduation.
• 27:39
  Will take place.
• 27:40
  And when we'll graduate.
• 27:41
  From this world.
• 27:43
  Into the eternal kingdom.
• 27:44
  When we'll rise.
• 27:46
  From.
• 27:46
  The graves.
• 27:47
  Into which death.
• 27:48
  Will take us.
• 27:49
  And we will rise.
• 27:50
  Into.
• 27:51
  Surrounding the throne.
• 27:52
  Of God.
• 27:53
  And there.
• 27:54
  In that moment.
• 27:55
  God will designate.
• 27:57
  Us.
• 27:57
  As his sons.
• 27:58
  As his children.
• 28:00
  In a public way.
• 28:02
  That's what.
• 28:04
  Awaits us.
• 28:05
  So let's be.
• 28:06
  Encouraged this evening.
• 28:07
  Inspired by.
• 28:09
  The way.
• 28:10
  In which we see.
• 28:10
  The faith.
• 28:11
  Of the Lord Jesus.
• 28:12
  Working in prayer.
• 28:14
  And let's be.
• 28:15
  Encouraged that.
• 28:16
  When we are struggling.
• 28:18
  That these very things.
• 28:19
  Are there.
• 28:19
  Because.
• 28:20
  God is preparing us.
• 28:22
  For his.
• 28:23
  Glory.
• 28:24
  And I close with.
• 28:26
  The words of.
• 28:27
  C.S. Lewis.
• 28:28
  In his book.
• 28:29
  The problem of pain.
• 28:30
  He said.
• 28:31
  Your place.
• 28:32
  In heaven.
• 28:33
  Will seem to have.
• 28:34
  Be made for you.
• 28:35
  And you alone.
• 28:36
  Because you are.
• 28:38
  Made for it.
• 28:39
  Made for it.
• 28:40
  Stitch by stitch.
• 28:42
  As a glove.
• 28:43
  Is made for your hand.
• 28:45
  It will be a.
• 28:46
  Perfect fit.
• 28:47
  A perfect match.
• 28:49
  And to God.
• 28:50
  Be the glory.
• 28:51
  That from all of our struggles.
• 28:54
  And in all of our struggles.
• 28:55
  That God is shaping.
• 28:56
  And preparing.
• 28:57
  And the places.
• 28:59
  Will be so fit.
• 29:00
  And so suited.
• 29:01
  To our needs.
• 29:02
  That we will be comfortable.
• 29:03
  That we will be at peace there.
• 29:05
  And that it will be.
• 29:06
  To us.
• 29:07
  The paradise of God.
• 29:09
  For the whole of eternity.
• 29:11
  An eternity.
• 29:12
  That shall never.
• 29:13
  Come to an end.
• 29:15
  May God bless these.
• 29:16
  Thoughts to us.
• 29:16
  From his own word.
• 29:17
  And be encourage us.
• 29:18
  From them as well.
• 29:20
  So we're going to.