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Convinced by the Holy Spirit · Stornoway Free Church of Scotland - Sermons

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106, Psalm 106, and this is on page 140, so it's a Sing Psalms version.
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We're going to sing verses 1 to 10.
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Praise the Lord, extol His goodness, for His love endures always.
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Who can tell His mighty actions, or in full declare His praise?
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Blessed are those whose way is right, acting justly in His sight.
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When You show Your people favor, then, O Lord, remember me.
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Help me when You come to save them, let me know prosperity.
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Joyful with Your chosen race, joining them and giving praise.
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And so on through to verse 10, Psalm 106.
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Praise the Lord, extol His goodness.
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Praise the Lord, extol His goodness, for His love endures always.
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Praise the Lord, extol His goodness, for His love endures always.
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Who can tell His mighty actions, or in full declare His praise?
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Blessed are those whose way is right, acting justly in His sight.
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When You show Your people favor, then, O Lord, remember me.
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Help me when You come to save them, let me know prosperity.
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Joyful with Your chosen race, joy in heaven and giving praise.
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We have sinned just like our fathers.
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We have done what was not right.
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When our fathers wed in Egypt,
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with His might, your deeds of might.
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All you have made, Lord, at the reds, He's burned the Lord.
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Yet for His sins saved He saved them, and rebuilt His mighty hand.
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By His word the sea He parted, led them through us on dry land.
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From the land of the foe set free, rescued from the enemy.
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Let's now call upon the Lord in prayer.
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Let's all join together in prayer.
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O Lord, our gracious God, help us to approach You in that right spirit, that right frame of mind.
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Help us to come before You, not because it is our custom to do so, though it is so.
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Help us to come before You, O Lord, not even because we know it is the right thing for us to do.
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Lord, help us to come before You with desire, with relish, with happiness that we are here in the presence of God.
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Help us, we pray, to enjoy our time in worship.
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And to do so, O Lord, in a way that realizes in You the wonder of Your forgiveness, of Your acceptance of us,
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through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
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We approach You, O Lord, on the basis of all that He is for us, on the basis of His accomplished righteousness,
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which alone is able to give us a standing in Your presence,
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but which is so full and replete that we need nothing else in order to be righteous in Your presence.
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We thank You, Lord, today for the way in which Your Word so clearly brings to us the account of our own sinfulness,
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against the provision that You have made in righteousness and in forgiveness in the Lord Jesus Christ.
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Lord, help us ever to realize both of these aspects of our need before You,
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that we are needy sinners, that we are lost sinners.
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We cannot produce a righteousness ourselves that will be acceptable to You,
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and yet You require righteousness of us.
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We thank You for the provision, Lord, that You have made,
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that You have made Your dear Son, the one who knew no sin, to be made sin for us,
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that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.
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Help us today to marvel at the wonder of this.
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That this is what You have done as a holy and righteous God,
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that You have not marked our iniquity against us,
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that You have not treated us the way we deserve,
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Lord, the way we sometimes treat one another.
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You have treated us in mercy.
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You have come toward us in the provision of life.
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You have brought to us, O Lord, a Savior who is Christ the Lord.
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We pray today that He may be made precious to us,
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even if we have already known Him and do know Him as a precious Savior.
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May that sense of preciousness be deepened today.
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Speak to any here, O Lord, who still don't know Him as a Savior,
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who have not yet accepted fully the offer of the Gospel,
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and come to receive Jesus for themselves.
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We pray today, O Lord, that You would work in their hearts,
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that You would give them the power of Your Holy Spirit to draw them to Yourself,
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to bring them to come to confess their sin and their need of salvation,
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and to come to enjoy the provision of such in Your forgiveness.
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Bless today, we pray, all the gatherings of Your church throughout the world.
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Lord, we realize that many people today gather in the same name of Jesus.
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We give thanks, Lord, that we come along with them to recognize
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that You are worthy of such worship as we offer You today.
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We pray that those in very different circumstances to ours,
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especially those who are so affected by war,
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by terrorism, by the fear that is instilled through such events and such conditions.
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Lord, we pray for Your people in these different parts of the world,
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and we ask that You would draw near to them to encourage them,
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to strengthen them, and to give them that which You alone are able to give,
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and a continued resolve to trust in You,
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and a continued resolve to resist the attempts of the evil one,
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to say that if God were real, You would not allow such things to happen.
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Help us also, Lord, to face such criticism and such opinions in our day,
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and enable us to bring people in our response to accusations against You.
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Help us to bring them to the cross,
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for this is the God we present,
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the God we love, the God we know,
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the God who instead of marking up our sin against us,
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and rejecting us forever as we deserve,
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instead placed His own Son in our place,
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that He might die that death which we deserved,
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and that through resurrection from the dead,
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He might bring life and immortality to light through the Gospel.
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Bless, we pray today, those who need You.
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In special circumstances, Lord, we ask that all those who are unable to be with Your people today physically will be blessed.
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All those who are prevented by illness, by injuries, by various circumstances,
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that prevent them gathering together as they would like with Your people.
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Remember those who belong to our own number, Lord, in that regard.
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Remember, too, those who continue to mourn the passing of loved ones.
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We ask that You would bless them, bless those who are waiting and have been waiting for some time,
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for the funeral of those that have departed.
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Lord, remember them, we pray, and continue to uphold them and to bless them,
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and to grant them the strength of Your Holy Spirit.
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Remember, we pray also our church at this time, our denomination,
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as we look forward to various events over the coming weeks and months.
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We pray that You would bless those who are preparing for the General Assembly that takes decisions affecting all our congregations.
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Remember them, Lord, we pray, in their preparations.
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Remember, too, O Lord, our mission meeting this coming week.
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We pray that it may stimulate us to engage further in mission.
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And we pray for Manuel, as he comes to speak to us of his work in Spain,
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that You would grant him Your blessing while he is here in the island.
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We pray for the work of street pastors in our locality and in other places throughout our land.
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We pray for those we know ourselves here locally who are involved in the work of street pastors going out
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on various nights of the week and seeking to help people as they come across them in distress and in need.
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Uphold them, we pray.
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Protect them.
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Use them, Lord, we pray, to bring benefit and help to those that they seek to minister to.
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And we ask that You would bless our young people.
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Protect them, Lord, we pray.
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Shield them about with Your own care and love.
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And as they are taught of Your ways,
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O Lord, we pray that You would establish them in Your ways,
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that You would protect them from all the evil influences that surround us in this world.
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And we ask that the love and the teaching and the concern of parents prayerfully before You
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might truly be answered in Your blessing.
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And we ask that You would continue to bless us here in our locality.
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Bless all who have particular places of importance and influence in our society.
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Remember them, Lord, we pray, as they take decisions that affect us all,
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especially at the higher levels of government.
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We commend them to You once again.
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And we pray that You would continue now to bless us here in this service of worship.
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Guide us into Your truth, we pray.
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And all we ask is with the forgiveness of all our sins, for Jesus' sake.
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Amen.
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Let's read now from John's Gospel,
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New Testament and the Gospel of John.
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reading chapter 16 and verses 1 to 15.
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Gospel of John chapter 16,
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beginning at verse 1 through to verse 15, as you know.
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This is part of the teaching that Jesus gave the disciples
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in what's called the Upper Room.
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These verses, these chapters 15 to the end of 17,
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and, sorry, 14 to the end of 17,
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before He then went out to face His trial and subsequent crucifixion.
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So in chapter 16, we read at the beginning,
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I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away.
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They will put you out of the synagogues.
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Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God.
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And they will do these things because they have not known the Father nor me.
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But I have said these things to you,
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that when their hour comes, you may remember that I told you.
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I did not say these things to you from the beginning,
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because I was with you.
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But now I am going to Him who sent me.
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And none of you asks me,
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Where are you going?
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But because I have said these things to you,
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sorrow has filled your heart.
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Nevertheless, I tell you the truth.
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It is to your advantage that I go away.
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For if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you.
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But if I go, I will send Him to you.
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And when He comes,
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He will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.
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Concerning sin, because they do not believe in me.
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Concerning righteousness,
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because I go to the Father and you will see me no longer.
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Concerning judgment,
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because the ruler of this world is judged.
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I still have many things to say to you,
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but you cannot bear them now.
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When the Spirit of truth comes,
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He will guide you into all the truth.
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For He will not speak on His own authority,
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but whatever He hears, He will speak,
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and He will declare to you the things that are to come.
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He will glorify me,
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for He will take what is mine and declare it to you.
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All that the Father has is mine.
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Therefore I said,
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that He will take what is mine
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and declare it to you.
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Amen.
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And may the Lord once again follow that reading with His blessing.
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Let's turn again to praise the Lord,
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this time in Psalm 65.
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Psalm number 65,
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on page 82,
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singing verses 1 to 5.
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In Zion praise awaits you, Lord.
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To you our vows will pay.
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To you all people will come near.
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You hear us when we pray.
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When we were overwhelmed by sins and guilt upon us lay,
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you pardoned all our trespasses
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and washed our guilt away.
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How blessed are those you choose
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and bring within your courts of grace.
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We're filled with blessings in your house,
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in your most holy place.
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With awesome deeds of righteousness,
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you answer us, O God,
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our Savior,
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hope of further seas
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and all the earth abroad.
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These verses,
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In Zion praise awaits you, Lord.
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In Zion praise awaits you, Lord.
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To you our vows will pay.
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To you all people will come near.
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To you all people will come near.
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You hear us when we pray.
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When we were overwhelmed by sins and guilt upon us lay,
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You pardoned all our trespasses.
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You pardoned all our trespasses.
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You pardoned all our trespasses
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and washed our guilt away.
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How blessed are those you choose and bring within your courts of grace.
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We're filled with blessings in your house.
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We're filled with blessings in your house.
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We're filled with blessings in your house.
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We're filled with blessings in your house.
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We're filled with blessings in your house.
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blessings
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in your
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eyes
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in your
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most holy
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place
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with
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awesome
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deeds of
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righteousness
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you
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answer
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us
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O God
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our
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Savior
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hope
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of far
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the seas
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our
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Savior
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hope
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of far
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the seas
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and all
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the earth
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abroad
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now if you would turn with me please to the passage of scripture we read in john chapter 16 today we're looking at verses 8 to 11
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john 16 and beginning at verse 8
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this is jesus talking about the helper who is the holy spirit the spirit of truth as he refers to him in verse 16
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when he comes he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment
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concerning sin because they do not believe in me
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concerning righteousness because i go to the father and you will see me no longer
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concerning judgment
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because the ruler of this world
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is judged
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well we can safely say that the coming of the son of god
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when he came into this world by
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taking our human nature to himself
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and the coming of the holy spirit
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as you find that described
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in act chapter 2
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what happened on the day of pentecost
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the coming of the son of god
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the coming of the spirit of god
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were really the two
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definitive events in the history of the world
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the only other event
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that you could say is of like
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nature to that
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is the coming of christ again
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his return
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on the great day of judgment
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and here in this passage
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jesus
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is anticipating the coming
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of the holy spirit
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that you find described in acts chapter 2
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by referring to that in this way
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he speaks of the spirit of truth
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the helper
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the old
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translations had
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comforter
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all of these
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meanings are built into the words that jesus uses
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the holy spirit is
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the helper
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he is the comforter
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he is the spirit of truth
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he is the spirit of god
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and of course the holy spirit
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like jesus himself
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is god
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we worship
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this god
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who is three persons
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in one god
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in the mystery of that trinity
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that we believe
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though we cannot
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but understand
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but a small amount of it
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that's what the bible
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reveals to us
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and we believe that
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because that's
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how god has described himself
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well the coming of the holy spirit here
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is
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described by jesus
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as having this effect
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when he comes
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he will
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convict the world
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concerning sin
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and righteousness
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and judgment
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the world there means
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people like you and i
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the world
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the world in the sense of being
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estranged from god
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the world in the guilt of sin
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the world really being
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human beings
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that have rebelled against god
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that's the kind of people
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that jesus came to save
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there were no other types anyway
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and so for you and for me today
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it's describing
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what we are ourselves
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by nature
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we are the world
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until jesus comes
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and changes that
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and brings us to know
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himself to be his saints
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and that's what
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the spirit of god here
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in the ministry of the spirit
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is described as doing
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now the holy spirit
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was already
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in the world
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in creation
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before he came
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so definitively
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on the day of pentecost
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you read way back
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at the beginning of the bible
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in genesis chapter 1
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verse 2
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that the spirit of god
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moved upon the face
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of the waters
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god's creation
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of the heavens
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and the earth
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the earth was
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void
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it was without form
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and void
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it needed to be
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shaped
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but until that happened
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the spirit of god
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moved on the face
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of the waters
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holding all things together
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until god said
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let there be light
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and he fashioned
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the other parts
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of the creation
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we're now
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so aware of
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in this world
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especially
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and you can find
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also in the old testament
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that the spirit of god
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is described
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sometimes
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as coming upon
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people
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david for example
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in first samuel
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chapter 16
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the spirit of god
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came upon him
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from that day onwards
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but that's how the old testament
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tends to describe
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the spirit of god
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in the world
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in regard to god's people
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he came upon them
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he came upon samson
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spirit of god
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actually came upon
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different personalities
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different people
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throughout the ages
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of the old testament
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but it's only when you
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come to the new testament
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it's only when you
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come to
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what happened
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after jesus
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had come
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and died
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and risen again
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and gone back to heaven
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that you find
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the holy spirit
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coming permanently
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to dwell in the hearts
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of god's people
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and now that's
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anticipated
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in the old testament
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for example
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you go to
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ezekiel
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and in ezekiel
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chapter 36
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you find a wonderful
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description of
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days of blessing
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that lie ahead
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from the perspective
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of the old testament
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where god is saying
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to the people
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of israel there
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that he is going
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to bring them
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together
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to bring them
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to know himself
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chapter 36
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of ezekiel
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and verse 27
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there where he's saying
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i will take you
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from the nations
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i will gather you
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to from all the
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countries and bring
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you to your own land
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i will sprinkle
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clean water on you
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and you shall be
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clean from all
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your uncleannesses
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and from all
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your idols
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i will cleanse you
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and i will give you
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a new heart
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and a new spirit
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i will put within you
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i will remove the
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heart of stone
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from your flesh
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and give you
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a heart of flesh
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and i will put
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my spirit
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within you
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and cause you
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to walk in my
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statutes
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and be careful
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to obey
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my rules
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that's an anticipation
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a prophecy
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of the coming
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of the holy spirit
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that would take place
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in the new testament
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and of course
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when you go to
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john itself
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john's gospel
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and chapter 7
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you'll find a very
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significant passage
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in chapter 7
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at verse 37
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where jesus is saying
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on the last day
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of the feast
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jesus stood
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and cried
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if anyone thirsts
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let him come
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to me
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and drink
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whoever believes
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in me
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as the scripture
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has said
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out of his heart
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will flow rivers
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of living water
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now this he said
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about the spirit
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whom those
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who believed
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in him
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were to receive
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for as yet
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the spirit
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had not yet
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been given
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because jesus
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was not yet glorified
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you see what
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that is saying
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to us
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that it required
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first of all
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jesus to come
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into the world
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the son of god
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to die on the cross
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to rise from the dead
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to be glorified
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to return to heaven
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from where he came
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that's what he's saying
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in this chapter
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in chapter 16
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as well
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he's going back
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to the father
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only then
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only after that
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is he speaking
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of the spirit
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of god
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coming
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the way that he came
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on the day of pentecost
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and the spirit's own work
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is what is described
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here by jesus
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in verses 8
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to 11
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now we need to look
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at a couple of words
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and the meaning
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of these words
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before we enter
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more fully
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into the verses
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he says here
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he will convict
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and he's saying
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he'll convict
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the world
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of righteousness
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of sin
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righteousness
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and judgment
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so the convicting
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is to do with sin
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and with righteousness
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and with judgment
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it follows into
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these three categories
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and the word convict
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is probably not
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the best translation
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though it can mean that
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the word convince
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will probably
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carry the meaning
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of it better for us
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he will convince
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the world
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and when you go back
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to chapter 8
26:10
the word is used
26:11
with regard to
26:12
what jesus himself
26:13
said to those
26:14
who were seeking
26:15
to find fault
26:16
with him
26:17
chapter 8
26:18
verse 46
26:19
where jesus said
26:20
which of you
26:21
convicts me
26:23
of sin
26:23
he's really saying
26:24
which of you
26:25
can present
26:26
an argument
26:26
and convince
26:27
that I am a sinner
26:29
that I have sinned
26:30
that I am wrong
26:31
so that convincing
26:33
really the same word
26:34
is used exactly
26:34
as here
26:35
when he comes
26:36
he will convince
26:37
the world
26:38
concerning sin
26:39
concerning righteousness
26:40
concerning judgment
26:42
he will convince
26:43
in the sense of
26:44
successfully
26:45
persuading
26:47
you might say
26:48
of these three matters
26:50
he will successfully
26:51
or powerfully
26:53
persuade
26:54
the world
26:54
of these
26:55
three issues
26:57
and you notice
26:59
the connection
27:00
in each of these
27:01
cases
27:01
with the work
27:02
of jesus himself
27:04
he will persuade
27:05
the world
27:06
concerning sin
27:07
because they don't
27:08
believe in me
27:09
concerning righteousness
27:11
because I go to
27:12
the father
27:12
concerning judgment
27:13
because the ruler
27:15
of this world
27:16
the devil
27:16
is judged
27:18
and you can see
27:21
how specific
27:21
that is as well
27:22
the word because
27:23
are words
27:25
concerning there
27:26
really means
27:27
specifically
27:28
about this
27:29
and in other words
27:31
he is saying
27:32
when he comes
27:33
he will convince
27:34
the world
27:34
specifically
27:35
concerning sin
27:37
because they believe
27:38
not
27:39
specifically
27:39
because
27:40
specifically
27:41
concerning
27:42
the fact
27:43
that they don't
27:44
believe in me
27:44
specifically
27:46
concerning
27:47
relating to
27:47
the fact
27:48
that I go
27:49
to the father
27:50
specifically
27:51
concerning judgment
27:52
because the ruler
27:54
of this world
27:54
is judged
27:55
in other words
27:55
all that jesus
27:57
is saying here
27:58
about the work
27:58
of the holy
27:59
spirit
27:59
is keyed
28:01
into
28:01
his own
28:02
work
28:03
but it's
28:04
keyed
28:04
into his
28:05
person
28:05
it's keyed
28:06
into
28:07
what we make
28:08
of the truth
28:08
concerning jesus
28:10
that's what the
28:11
holy spirit
28:12
and the holy
28:13
spirit's work
28:14
of convincing
28:14
us
28:15
is really
28:16
about
28:16
so let's
28:18
look at these
28:18
three issues
28:20
in turn
28:20
when he comes
28:21
he will convince
28:23
the world
28:24
concerning sin
28:25
because they
28:26
do not
28:27
believe
28:27
in me
28:29
we need
28:30
to be
28:30
convinced
28:31
concerning
28:32
sin
28:33
why is that
28:34
well for one
28:35
reason is because
28:36
sin
28:37
and because
28:38
our sinfulness
28:39
prevents us
28:40
from
28:41
realizing that
28:42
for ourselves
28:43
one of the things
28:44
that has happened
28:46
in our fallenness
28:47
in adam
28:48
is that we don't
28:49
realize exactly
28:51
what our need
28:52
is about
28:52
we don't realize
28:54
the seriousness
28:54
of our lost
28:55
condition
28:56
we don't realize
28:57
the sinfulness
28:58
of our lost
28:59
condition
29:00
we don't realize
29:01
the seriousness
29:02
of not believing
29:04
in jesus
29:04
of not accepting
29:06
jesus
29:06
and the consequences
29:07
of not accepting
29:09
jesus
29:10
you see one of the sins
29:11
one of sins
29:12
effects
29:13
is that our minds
29:15
have become
29:15
numbed
29:16
you might say
29:17
to the truth
29:17
of god
29:18
when you cut
29:19
a nerve
29:20
in your hand
29:22
or wherever it is
29:23
i cut this
29:24
thumb many years
29:26
ago
29:26
with a piece
29:27
of glass
29:27
right across
29:28
here
29:28
had to go away
29:29
and get the nerve
29:30
put back together
29:32
again but there's
29:32
still a numbness
29:33
there
29:33
when i do that
29:34
i don't feel
29:35
anything in that
29:36
specific spot
29:37
and our minds
29:39
our souls
29:39
have become
29:40
numbed
29:41
to the seriousness
29:42
of sin
29:42
to the seriousness
29:44
of our lostness
29:45
to the seriousness
29:46
and the criminality
29:47
if you like
29:48
in the face of god
29:49
of not believing
29:50
in jesus
29:51
of not accepting
29:52
the provision
29:53
that god has made
29:54
for us in jesus
29:55
and the spirit
29:56
of god
29:56
comes to
29:57
exactly that point
29:59
where he convinces
30:01
us of our sin
30:02
and especially
30:03
our sin
30:04
in not believing
30:06
in jesus
30:07
and of course
30:09
believing in jesus
30:10
in this context
30:12
and a lot of other
30:13
contexts
30:14
in the teaching
30:15
of the bible
30:16
means more than
30:17
believing things
30:18
about him
30:18
when jesus
30:20
is saying here
30:21
he will
30:22
when he comes
30:22
convince the world
30:24
concerning sin
30:25
because they do
30:26
not believe in me
30:27
that's equivalent
30:28
to not accepting him
30:30
it's equivalent
30:31
to rejecting him
30:32
it's equivalent
30:32
to not embracing him
30:34
i remember the
30:36
words of the catechism
30:37
and catechism
30:38
31
30:39
that was one of
30:40
the catechisms
30:41
we uh
30:41
well certainly
30:42
when i was a youngster
30:43
you dreaded being asked
30:45
in sunday school
30:45
to repeat
30:46
catechism 31
30:47
it was the longest
30:48
and uh
30:50
it's effectual
30:50
calling
30:51
how we come
30:51
to be
30:52
savingly united
30:53
with jesus
30:54
and what does it say
30:55
what is our
30:56
effectual calling
30:57
it is the work
30:58
of god's
30:59
spirit
31:00
whereby
31:01
convincing us
31:03
of our sin
31:04
and misery
31:05
enlightening our minds
31:06
in the knowledge
31:07
of christ
31:07
and renewing
31:09
our wills
31:09
he doth
31:10
persuade
31:11
and enable us
31:13
to embrace
31:14
jesus christ
31:16
that's the work
31:18
of the spirit
31:20
of god
31:20
he persuades
31:22
and he enables
31:23
he convinces
31:24
of our sin
31:25
especially in regard
31:27
to not believing
31:29
in christ
31:29
when you're convinced
31:32
you see of
31:32
of the merits
31:34
of jesus
31:35
of the worth
31:36
of jesus
31:36
of how jesus
31:38
deserves
31:39
that your faith
31:40
is placed
31:41
in him
31:41
of how jesus
31:43
deserves
31:43
that you accept
31:44
him as god's
31:45
great gift
31:46
of a savior
31:47
when you're
31:48
persuaded
31:49
that that
31:50
jesus
31:51
has that
31:52
merit
31:52
that he deserves
31:53
this
31:54
to say nothing
31:55
else
31:55
then you're
31:57
persuaded
31:58
that not
31:59
believing
31:59
in him
32:00
is a serious
32:02
business
32:03
if god
32:05
has
32:05
as he has
32:06
provided
32:07
this savior
32:08
for us
32:09
then not
32:11
accepting him
32:12
not closing
32:14
in with him
32:14
not in the
32:15
words of the
32:15
catechism
32:16
embracing him
32:18
is the
32:20
most serious
32:20
thing you
32:21
can do
32:21
because it's
32:23
tantamount to
32:24
rejecting
32:24
the love
32:26
of god
32:26
the mercy
32:27
of god
32:28
the gift
32:29
of a savior
32:30
on god's
32:31
part
32:32
to us
32:32
who are
32:33
undeserving
32:33
of it
32:34
so you see
32:36
that's so
32:36
important
32:37
that today
32:38
we're being
32:40
taught by
32:40
this passage
32:41
that this
32:42
is the
32:42
work of
32:43
the holy
32:43
spirit
32:43
and that
32:44
we need
32:44
this work
32:45
of the
32:45
holy
32:46
spirit
32:46
in our
32:47
lives
32:47
in my
32:47
heart
32:48
in your
32:48
mind
32:49
in your
32:49
life
32:50
to persuade
32:51
us
32:52
to actually
32:53
convince us
32:54
about our
32:55
sin
32:55
that it is
32:56
something so
32:57
serious
32:57
that only
32:58
the remedy
32:59
that's in
33:00
jesus will
33:00
do for it
33:01
nothing else
33:03
is going to
33:03
meet your
33:04
need today
33:05
as a
33:05
sinner
33:05
the way
33:06
this is
33:07
and indeed
33:11
the spirit
33:12
of god
33:12
as we said
33:13
earlier
33:13
persuades us
33:14
of the
33:16
criminality
33:17
of rejecting
33:18
him
33:18
it's as if
33:21
god is
33:21
and god is
33:22
indeed saying
33:23
this is the
33:24
highest guilt
33:26
this is
33:28
something that
33:29
places you
33:30
in the category
33:31
of being so
33:32
clearly guilty
33:33
because here
33:35
is something
33:36
that's so
33:36
wonderfully shown
33:38
in the gospel
33:39
the provision
33:40
of a savior
33:41
do i need
33:42
him
33:43
of course i
33:44
need him
33:44
can i produce
33:46
what he has
33:46
produced for
33:47
myself
33:47
of course i
33:48
can't
33:49
i am a
33:49
sinner
33:49
i'm a
33:50
lost sinner
33:51
i'm an
33:52
unrighteous
33:53
sinner
33:53
i'm a
33:54
sinner
33:55
incapable
33:55
of creating
33:57
the righteousness
33:58
as we'll see
33:58
in a minute
33:59
that god
33:59
requires of
34:00
me that
34:00
god himself
34:01
is calling
34:02
for but i
34:03
don't need to
34:04
create it for
34:04
myself
34:05
and when i
34:06
try and create
34:07
it for myself
34:07
the holy spirit
34:08
when he convinces
34:09
me this way
34:10
will turn me
34:11
away from
34:11
myself to
34:12
jesus and
34:14
will say
34:14
that's what
34:15
you need
34:15
there is your
34:16
there is your
34:17
salvation
34:18
there is your
34:18
provision
34:19
there is forgiveness
34:20
for your sins
34:21
there is the answer
34:22
to your guilt
34:23
convinces
34:25
because this is
34:29
what the spirit
34:30
does he will
34:32
convince the
34:33
world concerning
34:34
sin on account
34:36
of or specifically
34:38
in relation to the
34:39
fact that they do
34:41
not believe in me
34:42
and you know
34:43
when you actually
34:46
don't accept
34:47
jesus
34:48
when that sin
34:51
of not accepting
34:53
jesus
34:53
let's be clear
34:54
that's what the
34:54
bible is telling
34:55
us here
34:56
to reject him
34:57
not to accept
34:59
him
34:59
is a sin
35:00
on your part
35:01
and mine
35:01
and when that sin
35:03
is still in
35:04
place
35:05
then
35:06
every other
35:07
sin
35:08
is unforgiven
35:09
it's logical
35:11
isn't it
35:11
if I haven't
35:12
placed my
35:13
trust in christ
35:14
which is the
35:16
way that god
35:17
actually sets
35:18
before me
35:19
as the way
35:20
to salvation
35:21
the way to
35:21
forgiveness
35:22
the way to
35:23
righteousness
35:23
I need to
35:25
trust in christ
35:25
first that's the
35:26
root that's the
35:27
key that's the
35:28
entrance point
35:28
so unless I've
35:31
done that
35:32
no other sin
35:34
on my part
35:35
can be forgiven
35:37
or is forgiven
35:38
I need first of
35:40
all first and
35:41
foremost
35:41
to accept
35:43
christ
35:44
to receive
35:46
god's gift
35:46
in him
35:47
then everything
35:49
else
35:49
follows on
35:50
from that
35:51
and it's the
35:52
work of the
35:53
holy spirit
35:53
to convince
35:54
us concerning
35:56
sin
35:56
in regard
35:58
to the fact
35:58
that we do
36:00
not believe
36:01
ourselves
36:02
as we are
36:03
in jesus
36:04
secondly
36:06
he talks about
36:07
the holy spirit
36:07
convincing us
36:08
of righteousness
36:09
see what he's
36:11
saying here
36:11
specifically in
36:12
regard to
36:13
righteousness
36:14
on account of
36:16
the fact that I
36:16
go to the
36:17
father and you
36:18
will see me
36:19
no longer
36:20
now you know
36:20
what righteousness
36:21
is it's a
36:23
concept that's
36:24
not that easy to
36:25
understand necessarily
36:26
but it's quite
36:27
clear in the bible
36:28
what it is
36:28
righteousness
36:29
is God
36:31
himself being
36:32
righteous
36:33
morally
36:33
righteous
36:34
no defect
36:35
whatsoever in
36:36
him
36:36
the standard
36:38
of righteousness
36:39
that he requires
36:40
of us
36:40
you might say
36:42
is the standard
36:43
that we would
36:44
have if we
36:46
were able to
36:46
complete and
36:48
hold the law
36:50
of God for
36:51
ourselves in
36:52
obedience
36:52
all the time
36:54
if we were able
36:55
to say every
36:57
single aspect of
36:58
what God commands
36:59
and requires of
37:00
me I can do
37:01
if we were able
37:02
to say that
37:03
which we're not
37:04
we would be
37:05
righteous
37:06
but because
37:07
we're not
37:08
what does God
37:10
do he sends
37:10
the Holy Spirit
37:11
to convince us
37:13
that our
37:13
righteousness
37:14
is in Jesus
37:16
he doesn't just
37:17
convince us
37:17
of our sin
37:19
and of our
37:19
misery as the
37:20
catechism said
37:21
he persuades us
37:22
as well
37:23
he successfully
37:25
convinces us
37:26
that being
37:28
sinners
37:28
we need the
37:29
righteousness
37:30
that's in Jesus
37:31
because we don't
37:32
have one of
37:33
ourselves
37:33
there's the
37:37
wonder of
37:38
what God
37:39
does in our
37:40
experience
37:40
he comes to
37:43
persuade us
37:43
regarding our
37:44
sins
37:45
our need of
37:46
forgiveness
37:47
of cleansing
37:48
of washing
37:49
and so what
37:51
does he then do
37:52
he brings us
37:53
to Christ
37:53
he shows us
37:55
we cannot
37:55
produce
37:56
the righteousness
37:57
that he requires
37:59
but Jesus
38:01
has done that
38:02
for us
38:02
and when you
38:03
come to trust
38:04
in him
38:05
to give your
38:05
life to him
38:06
to believe
38:07
in him
38:07
whatever words
38:08
we use
38:09
they're all
38:09
used in the
38:10
Bible
38:10
to give you
38:11
the complete
38:11
picture
38:12
of what it
38:12
means to
38:13
accept Christ
38:13
to embrace
38:14
Christ
38:15
what then
38:15
happens
38:16
well his
38:17
righteousness
38:17
is put onto
38:19
your account
38:19
in the presence
38:20
of God
38:21
the guilt
38:22
that's honored
38:22
up to then
38:23
is wiped
38:24
clean
38:25
it disappears
38:27
it will never
38:28
appear there
38:29
again
38:29
but it stays
38:32
there
38:32
and it will
38:33
condemn you
38:34
and condemn me
38:35
if I've not
38:37
accepted Christ
38:37
as my
38:38
righteousness
38:38
that's the
38:43
the solemnity
38:44
but the beauty
38:46
of the gospel
38:47
that God
38:49
brings us
38:50
to know
38:51
this
38:51
to realize
38:53
this
38:53
to appreciate
38:53
this
38:54
and especially
38:55
that he does
38:55
so through
38:56
the work
38:57
of his
38:57
Holy Spirit
38:57
you go to
38:58
the likes
38:59
of Saul
38:59
of Tarsus
39:00
the apostle
39:00
Paul
39:00
as he came
39:01
to be known
39:02
here was a man
39:03
who thought
39:04
that he was
39:05
righteous
39:05
because in his
39:06
own estimation
39:07
he was blameless
39:08
as touching
39:09
the law of God
39:10
the righteousness
39:11
which is in the law
39:12
blameless
39:13
I've got that
39:14
he was able to say
39:15
of himself
39:16
wrongly of course
39:17
as he came to
39:18
realize
39:18
but after he met
39:19
with Jesus
39:20
after Jesus
39:21
apprehended him
39:22
on the road
39:23
to Damascus
39:23
and from that
39:25
moment
39:25
showed him
39:26
that he was
39:27
actually very
39:28
unrighteous
39:29
that all
39:30
the attempts
39:31
that he
39:32
could make
39:34
of keeping
39:34
that law
39:35
for himself
39:35
would amount
39:36
to nothing
39:37
because he was
39:37
a sinner
39:38
and he needed
39:40
the righteousness
39:40
that was in
39:42
Christ
39:42
and you examine
39:45
all his epistles
39:46
that he wrote
39:47
subsequent to that
39:49
great event
39:49
what do they all
39:50
state
39:51
in some way
39:52
or other
39:52
some more
39:52
than others
39:53
well if you
39:54
go to Romans
39:55
and if you
39:55
go to Galatians
39:56
especially
39:56
that a man
39:58
or a woman
39:59
is not justified
40:00
by the works
40:02
of the law
40:02
that's to say
40:03
by our own
40:04
attempts at
40:05
keeping the law
40:06
of God
40:07
we're not
40:08
justified
40:08
we're not
40:09
accounted
40:10
righteous
40:10
because of
40:11
that
40:11
but through
40:14
faith
40:14
in Christ
40:16
Jesus
40:16
through accepting
40:19
the righteousness
40:20
that's provided
40:22
for us
40:23
in him
40:24
you see how
40:25
this comes
40:26
together
40:26
the Holy Spirit
40:28
persuades us
40:29
of our sin
40:30
persuades us
40:31
of the enormity
40:33
and of the
40:34
heinousness
40:36
the gravity
40:36
of our sin
40:38
in rejecting
40:38
and not accepting
40:39
Christ
40:40
and then he brings
40:41
us to
40:42
the righteousness
40:43
of Christ
40:44
and he persuades
40:45
us that's the
40:46
righteousness
40:46
that we need
40:47
that God
40:48
has produced
40:49
for us
40:49
that remains
40:51
as it is
40:52
forevermore
40:52
and will never
40:54
be taken
40:55
from us
40:56
when we have
40:57
put it
40:57
on our account
40:58
through faith
40:59
in Christ
40:59
and it fits
41:03
exactly with
41:04
our need
41:05
of that righteousness
41:06
that we come
41:08
to believe
41:08
in Christ
41:09
you see
41:10
he's saying
41:11
here
41:11
concerning
41:12
righteousness
41:13
on account
41:14
of the fact
41:15
that I go
41:15
to the Father
41:16
and you will
41:17
see me
41:17
no longer
41:18
now that's
41:18
significant
41:19
he's talking
41:20
here about
41:20
the righteousness
41:21
that we need
41:22
the righteousness
41:23
that we come
41:23
to possess
41:24
through faith
41:25
in Christ
41:26
to believing
41:27
in Christ
41:28
but how does
41:29
that come
41:29
about
41:30
what does
41:31
he
41:31
why does
41:32
he add
41:32
because I
41:33
go to the
41:34
Father
41:34
and you
41:35
will see
41:35
me
41:35
no longer
41:36
well because
41:36
that's the
41:37
root that
41:38
Jesus took
41:38
in order
41:39
to produce
41:40
this righteousness
41:41
for us
41:42
it cost
41:44
him
41:45
the death
41:46
of the cross
41:47
it cost
41:50
him
41:50
all the
41:50
suffering
41:51
that he
41:51
endured
41:52
in order
41:53
to bring
41:54
this about
41:54
it cost
41:57
him
41:57
the agony
41:58
of hell
41:59
in his own
41:59
soul
42:00
the thing
42:02
we deserved
42:02
for our sin
42:04
and our
42:04
rebellion
42:05
against God
42:05
that is
42:07
what Jesus
42:07
took to
42:08
himself
42:08
what he
42:09
experienced
42:09
my God
42:10
my God
42:10
why have
42:11
you forsaken
42:12
me
42:12
the forsaken
42:13
of the cross
42:14
the forsaken
42:15
in Jesus
42:16
experience
42:17
is precisely
42:18
this
42:19
the penalty
42:23
the
42:23
what we
42:28
deserve
42:28
for our
42:29
unrighteousness
42:30
because
42:33
he said
42:34
I go to
42:34
the Father
42:35
and you
42:36
will see
42:36
me no
42:37
longer
42:37
and the
42:39
root to
42:39
the Father
42:40
was
42:40
the cross
42:41
the resurrection
42:43
the ascension
42:45
to glory
42:45
that is
42:47
the root
42:47
that Jesus
42:48
took
42:48
before the
42:50
Spirit of
42:51
God came
42:51
on the day
42:52
of Pentecost
42:52
as in fact
42:54
had been
42:55
promised by
42:56
God
42:56
up to that
42:57
moment
42:58
Jesus
43:00
took that
43:01
root from
43:02
heaven
43:02
into this
43:04
world
43:04
to the death
43:05
of the cross
43:06
he humbled
43:07
himself
43:08
as we saw
43:08
in Philippians 2
43:09
and was
43:10
obedient
43:10
unto death
43:11
even that
43:12
death of
43:13
the cross
43:13
where for
43:15
God
43:15
has highly
43:16
exalted
43:17
him
43:17
and given
43:19
him the
43:19
name that
43:19
is above
43:20
every name
43:20
that is the
43:22
root that
43:22
Jesus took
43:23
from heaven
43:24
to the cross
43:25
to the grave
43:27
to resurrection
43:28
to ascension
43:30
back to glory
43:31
why is it
43:33
all there
43:33
because he
43:38
loved sinners
43:38
like you
43:39
and I
43:39
because he
43:48
loved sinners
43:49
like you
43:49
and I
43:49
that's why
43:52
when he
43:55
comes he
43:55
will convince
43:56
the world
43:57
concerning sin
43:58
and righteousness
44:00
and thirdly
44:01
judgment
44:02
concerning judgment
44:04
specifically
44:05
in relation
44:06
to this
44:07
because the
44:07
ruler of
44:08
this world
44:09
is judged
44:09
and of course
44:10
he means by
44:10
that the
44:11
devil
44:12
the ruler
44:12
of this
44:13
world
44:13
why is he
44:14
called
44:15
the ruler
44:16
of this
44:16
world
44:17
this is not
44:17
the last
44:18
judgment
44:18
at the
44:18
last day
44:19
this is
44:20
specifically
44:20
what happened
44:21
in regard
44:22
to the
44:22
devil
44:23
through the
44:24
death of
44:24
Jesus
44:24
and the
44:25
resurrection
44:25
of Jesus
44:26
and the
44:26
ascension
44:27
of Jesus
44:27
what happened
44:29
well he
44:31
was judged
44:32
he was
44:33
condemned
44:34
the ruler
44:35
of this
44:36
world
44:36
is a reference
44:37
to the fact
44:38
that after
44:39
the fall
44:40
of man
44:40
remember
44:41
Adam and
44:42
Eve
44:42
listened to
44:43
the voice
44:43
of the
44:44
serpent
44:44
Satan
44:45
coming in
44:45
that form
44:46
and yielding
44:47
to that
44:48
temptation
44:48
and bringing
44:50
this disaster
44:51
upon
44:51
mankind
44:52
you and I
44:53
would have
44:53
done
44:53
no better
44:54
and from
44:58
that moment
44:59
the whole
45:00
world lay
45:00
in darkness
45:01
under the
45:03
sway of
45:04
the evil
45:04
one
45:05
until that
45:07
moment that
45:08
Jesus came
45:09
into the
45:09
world
45:09
died and
45:10
rose from
45:11
the dead
45:11
what happened
45:12
the devil
45:13
is judged
45:13
he's lost
45:14
his right
45:15
his claim
45:16
whatever it
45:16
was under
45:17
the sovereignty
45:17
of God
45:18
of course
45:18
his claim
45:19
to hold
45:20
people in
45:20
darkness
45:21
in spiritual
45:22
blindness
45:22
and what
45:23
does that
45:23
mean for
45:24
you and
45:24
me
45:24
it means
45:25
that you
45:26
and I
45:27
can now
45:28
say
45:28
absolutely
45:29
assuredly
45:30
since the
45:31
death blow
45:31
has been
45:32
given to
45:33
Satan's
45:33
kingdom
45:34
to Satan's
45:35
sway
45:36
to Satan's
45:37
persuasive
45:38
ways
45:38
to Satan
45:39
himself
45:40
as the
45:40
ruler of
45:41
this world
45:41
since the
45:42
death blow
45:43
has already
45:44
been given
45:44
he's been
45:45
judged by
45:46
by Jesus
45:46
in this
45:47
way
45:47
and therefore
45:49
there is
45:50
no reason
45:51
in the
45:52
world
45:53
why anyone
45:54
should listen
45:55
to him
45:55
why anyone
45:57
should continue
45:58
to give
46:01
heed
46:01
to his
46:03
insinuations
46:04
to his
46:05
temptations
46:07
to his
46:08
hold on
46:08
human life
46:09
the Holy
46:14
Spirit
46:15
convinces
46:16
us
46:17
that we
46:19
can
46:20
indeed
46:20
and should
46:21
be
46:21
free
46:22
indeed
46:23
as Jesus
46:24
put it
46:24
elsewhere
46:24
in John's
46:25
gospel
46:26
if the
46:27
son
46:27
makes you
46:28
free
46:29
that's
46:29
himself
46:29
the son
46:30
of God
46:30
if he
46:31
makes you
46:31
free
46:31
then you
46:32
are free
46:33
indeed
46:33
what is
46:35
freedom
46:35
well if you
46:36
listen to
46:37
the world
46:37
the world
46:38
will tell
46:38
you
46:39
freedom
46:39
is having
46:40
the ability
46:41
and the
46:42
freedom
46:42
to do
46:42
what you
46:43
want
46:43
to follow
46:44
your own
46:44
inclinations
46:45
to live
46:46
life the way
46:47
you think
46:47
it should
46:47
be lived
46:48
never mind
46:49
what the
46:49
church
46:49
says
46:49
never mind
46:50
what ministers
46:51
faithful to
46:51
the gospel
46:52
preached
46:52
freedom
46:53
is to be
46:54
rid of
46:54
all of
46:54
these
46:55
things
46:55
that entrammel
46:56
people's
46:56
lives
46:57
that close
46:58
their minds
46:58
against
46:59
the truth
47:00
of the
47:00
liberty
47:00
of the
47:01
world
47:01
that is
47:03
what Satan
47:03
persuades
47:04
so many
47:04
people
47:05
about
47:05
that is
47:05
what the
47:05
world
47:06
will tell
47:06
you
47:06
that is
47:07
why it is
47:07
so difficult
47:08
to witness
47:09
to the
47:09
gospel
47:10
that is
47:10
why it is
47:11
so difficult
47:11
to come
47:12
even lovingly
47:13
and tactfully
47:14
to tell
47:14
people
47:15
that actually
47:16
those ways
47:17
that people
47:18
spend their
47:19
lives in
47:19
sinful
47:20
debauchery
47:21
is actually
47:22
wrong
47:22
they will
47:23
say
47:23
it is not
47:24
wrong in
47:24
my eyes
47:25
I am
47:25
free to
47:26
do what
47:26
I like
47:27
well God
47:30
through the
47:30
gospel
47:31
today is
47:32
saying to
47:32
you and
47:33
me
47:33
you know
47:33
better
47:33
than that
47:34
you know
47:36
better that
47:36
the freedom
47:37
that the
47:38
bible speaks
47:38
about
47:39
the freedom
47:39
and liberty
47:40
that is
47:40
within
47:41
God's
47:41
salvation
47:42
that is
47:43
not the
47:44
freedom
47:44
to do
47:44
what you
47:45
want
47:45
it is
47:46
the freedom
47:46
to do
47:46
what you
47:47
ought
47:47
the freedom
47:50
to do
47:50
what God
47:51
himself
47:51
specifies
47:52
you ought
47:53
to do
47:53
freedom
47:55
to trust
47:55
in Christ
47:56
freedom
47:56
to enjoy
47:57
righteousness
47:58
in the
47:58
presence
47:59
of God
47:59
in Christ
48:01
by faith
48:01
in him
48:02
freedom
48:03
to look
48:03
forward
48:04
to serving
48:04
God
48:05
in this
48:05
world
48:06
and looking
48:06
forward
48:06
to heaven
48:07
afterwards
48:08
freedom
48:10
to be a
48:10
Christian
48:11
God's
48:12
way
48:12
freedom
48:15
to belong
48:15
to God's
48:16
people
48:16
as Christ's
48:18
witnesses
48:19
God's
48:21
God's
48:21
God's
48:21
he the
48:21
prince
48:22
the ruler
48:23
of this
48:23
world
48:24
is already
48:25
judged
48:26
that doesn't
48:28
mean that we
48:28
forget about
48:29
him
48:29
doesn't mean
48:31
he doesn't
48:31
continue to
48:32
hold sway
48:33
and influence
48:34
with people
48:34
but it means
48:36
he has no
48:38
valid arguments
48:39
whatsoever
48:39
to persuade
48:42
people that
48:43
they should
48:44
bow in
48:44
obedience
48:45
to him
48:46
that's all
48:48
gone
48:49
he's been
48:51
judged
48:51
he's been
48:52
found
48:53
wanting
48:53
he has
48:55
condemned
48:55
written over
48:56
him already
48:57
and that's
48:58
all because
48:59
of what
48:59
Jesus has
49:00
done
49:00
so today
49:02
that's the
49:03
good news
49:04
for you
49:05
and for
49:05
me
49:05
there is
49:07
forgiveness
49:08
with God
49:09
there is
49:10
righteousness
49:11
with God
49:12
there is
49:13
true
49:14
spiritual
49:14
freedom
49:15
because
49:16
of what
49:17
already
49:17
God has
49:18
done
49:18
with evil
49:19
specifically
49:21
in the
49:22
devil
49:22
you remember
49:23
in John's
49:24
gospel
49:24
the same
49:26
gospel
49:26
in chapter
49:26
three
49:27
that
49:27
Nicodemus
49:28
came to
49:28
Jesus
49:28
by night
49:29
symbolic
49:31
of his
49:31
spiritual
49:31
state
49:32
though he
49:32
was a
49:33
ruler of
49:34
the Jews
49:34
he was a
49:35
member of
49:35
the ruling
49:36
Sanhedrin
49:37
of the Jews
49:37
but it's
49:39
in John's
49:40
way of
49:40
presenting
49:41
darkness
49:41
and light
49:42
he came
49:42
to Jesus
49:42
by night
49:43
yes he
49:45
was coming
49:45
because he
49:46
was afraid
49:46
probably of
49:47
being seen
49:48
going to
49:48
Jesus
49:49
but there's
49:50
also that
49:51
spiritual
49:51
dimension
49:52
to it
49:52
he came
49:52
because that's
49:53
where he
49:54
was spiritually
49:55
he was still
49:56
benighted
49:57
he was still
49:57
in the
49:57
darkness
49:58
and he
49:58
said
49:59
Rabbi
50:00
we know
50:02
that no one
50:03
can do
50:03
these miracles
50:03
that you
50:04
do
50:04
unless God
50:05
be with
50:06
him
50:06
how did
50:08
Jesus
50:08
respond
50:09
well he
50:10
didn't
50:11
actually say
50:11
to Nicodemus
50:12
Nicodemus
50:13
this is
50:13
what you
50:14
must do
50:14
he said
50:17
Nicodemus
50:17
this is
50:18
what you
50:18
must
50:18
become
50:19
except a
50:21
man be
50:21
born again
50:22
he cannot
50:23
see the
50:24
kingdom of
50:24
God
50:25
and of
50:25
course you
50:26
know he
50:26
went on
50:26
to say
50:27
except a
50:27
man be
50:28
born of
50:28
water
50:29
and of
50:29
the spirit
50:30
he cannot
50:31
enter into
50:32
the kingdom
50:33
of God
50:34
whatever it
50:37
means water
50:37
that goes
50:38
back to
50:38
the symbolism
50:39
of washing
50:39
in the
50:40
Old Testament
50:40
but you
50:41
notice there
50:41
unless one
50:42
is born
50:43
of the
50:44
spirit
50:44
unless one
50:46
becomes a
50:46
new creation
50:47
he cannot
50:50
enter into
50:50
the kingdom
50:51
of God
50:51
truly I
50:53
say to
50:53
you
50:53
that which
50:54
is born
50:55
of the
50:55
flesh
50:55
is flesh
50:56
that which
50:57
is born
50:58
of the
50:58
spirit
50:58
is spirit
50:59
don't marvel
51:00
that I
51:00
said to
51:01
you
51:01
you must
51:02
be born
51:02
again
51:03
the wind
51:04
blows
51:05
where it
51:05
wishes
51:05
you hate
51:06
its sound
51:06
but you
51:07
don't know
51:07
where it
51:08
comes from
51:08
or where
51:08
it goes
51:09
so is
51:10
everyone
51:10
who is
51:11
born
51:12
of the
51:13
spirit
51:13
to be
51:17
born
51:17
again
51:18
to be a
51:20
new
51:20
creation
51:21
through the
51:23
spirit to
51:24
come to
51:24
know
51:25
of our
51:27
relation
51:27
with God
51:28
that involves
51:28
that newness
51:30
of life
51:31
all of that
51:33
is built
51:34
into this
51:34
passage
51:34
and more
51:35
so let
51:37
me finish
51:37
with a
51:38
quotation
51:38
from
51:39
Octavius
51:40
Winslow
51:40
a work
51:42
of
51:43
Octavius
51:44
Winslow
51:44
the work
51:45
of the
51:45
Holy Spirit
51:46
the name
51:46
of the
51:46
book
51:46
and I
51:48
came across
51:48
this
51:49
passage
51:50
as I
51:51
was preparing
51:52
for today
51:53
and it's
51:54
specifically
51:54
addressed
51:55
to the
51:56
unconverted
51:57
so if
51:58
you're here
51:59
today
51:59
and you're
52:01
not yet
52:01
in Christ
52:02
you're not
52:02
one of
52:03
those who's
52:04
accepted
52:04
Christ
52:05
all the ways
52:06
in which
52:06
we've seen
52:06
that in
52:07
the passage
52:07
believing
52:08
in him
52:09
trusting
52:09
in him
52:10
accepting
52:10
him
52:11
accepting
52:11
righteousness
52:12
in him
52:13
coming to
52:14
experience
52:15
the freedom
52:16
with which
52:17
he makes
52:17
us free
52:18
let me
52:20
lovingly
52:21
and sincerely
52:23
read this
52:24
passage to
52:25
you
52:26
because with
52:27
all my
52:28
heart
52:28
as I stand
52:30
here as a
52:31
preacher of the
52:31
gospel
52:32
this is
52:34
really
52:34
what it's
52:35
about for
52:36
us
52:36
that you
52:38
will come
52:38
to be
52:40
born again
52:41
and know
52:41
Christ
52:42
as your
52:43
own
52:43
savior
52:44
unconverted
52:46
reader
52:46
what solemn
52:48
truth does
52:49
this subject
52:49
address to
52:50
you
52:50
you must
52:52
have perceived
52:52
that the
52:53
word of
52:53
God sets
52:54
before you
52:55
a new
52:56
mold into
52:57
which you
52:58
must be
52:58
cast
52:59
it professes
53:00
to work a
53:01
great change
53:02
in you
53:02
in the
53:03
hands of
53:03
the Holy
53:04
Spirit
53:04
not of
53:05
opinions
53:06
only
53:06
but of
53:08
your nature
53:08
of your
53:10
heart
53:10
is this
53:12
done
53:12
do not
53:14
turn away
53:15
from this
53:15
question
53:16
do not
53:17
lightly
53:18
pass by
53:18
it
53:19
eternity
53:20
hangs
53:20
upon the
53:21
issue
53:21
I'm not
53:23
asking
53:23
what you
53:24
hold
53:24
what you
53:25
know
53:26
or what
53:27
you profess
53:28
but what
53:30
you are
53:30
are you
53:32
he goes
53:32
on
53:33
born
53:34
again
53:34
are you
53:36
a new
53:37
creation
53:38
let's pray
53:41
Lord God
53:44
our
53:44
Father
53:45
in heaven
53:45
our
53:47
great
53:47
privilege
53:48
today
53:48
is to
53:48
know you
53:49
through
53:49
the
53:49
gospel
53:49
to have
53:51
that
53:51
gospel
53:52
that you
53:52
set
53:52
before us
53:53
in which
53:54
you bring
53:55
to us
53:55
this message
53:56
of life
53:56
and our
53:58
greatest
53:58
privilege
53:59
oh Lord
53:59
is to
53:59
know you
54:00
to know
54:01
you
54:01
savingly
54:02
to know
54:02
you
54:02
in a
54:03
way
54:03
that
54:03
brings
54:04
life
54:04
into
54:05
our
54:05
deadness
54:06
we ask
54:07
today
54:08
Lord
54:08
that
54:08
our
54:09
sin
54:09
may be
54:10
forgiven
54:10
that
54:12
our
54:12
righteousness
54:12
may be
54:13
confessed
54:14
to you
54:15
as
54:15
unrighteousness
54:16
and that
54:17
we may
54:18
have
54:18
your
54:18
righteousness
54:19
imputed
54:19
to us
54:20
we pray
54:22
today
54:22
Lord
54:22
that
54:22
you
54:23
would
54:23
deliver
54:23
us
54:23
from
54:24
the
54:24
persuasive
54:25
ways
54:25
of the
54:26
devil
54:26
and of
54:27
our
54:27
own
54:27
hearts
54:28
Lord
54:29
we pray
54:30
today
54:30
for the
54:30
power
54:31
of your
54:31
spirit
54:31
to come
54:33
effectively
54:34
into our
54:34
experience
54:35
to turn
54:37
us to
54:37
yourself
54:37
to give
54:39
us
54:39
Lord
54:39
to know
54:40
that
54:41
great
54:41
work
54:41
of
54:42
rebirth
54:42
that
54:44
you
54:44
alone
54:44
are
54:44
able
54:44
to
54:45
effect
54:45
we
54:47
pray
54:47
for
54:47
all
54:47
you
54:47
people
54:47
who
54:48
know
54:48
you
54:48
that
54:49
your
54:49
spirit
54:50
Lord
54:50
will
54:50
continue
54:51
to
54:52
refresh
54:52
us
54:52
daily
54:53
even
54:54
as
54:54
we
54:54
saw
54:54
Lord
54:55
last
54:55
Wednesday
54:55
evening
54:56
as
54:57
you
54:57
call
54:57
upon
54:57
us
54:58
to
54:58
be
54:58
filled
54:58
with
54:59
the
54:59
spirit
55:00
and
55:01
we
55:01
ask
55:01
now
55:01
that
55:02
you
55:02
bless
55:02
us
55:02
through
55:02
this
55:03
day
55:03
continue
55:04
to
55:04
bless
55:04
your
55:05
word
55:05
to
55:06
us
55:06
Lord
55:06
we
55:06
pray
55:07
in
55:07
Jesus
55:08
name
55:08
we
55:08
ask
55:09
Amen
55:10
well
55:13
let's
55:13
conclude
55:14
our
55:14
worship
55:14
this
55:14
morning
55:15
singing
55:15
in
55:15
Psalm
55:15
143
55:16
Psalm
55:18
143
55:19
that's
55:20
on
55:21
page
55:21
440
55:22
from
55:26
verse
55:26
7
55:27
we'll
55:29
sing
55:29
down
55:29
to
55:30
verse
55:30
10
55:30
Lord
55:39
Lord
55:39
Lord
55:39
let
55:39
my
55:39
prayer
55:40
prevail
55:40
to
55:40
answer
55:41
it
55:41
make
55:41
speed
55:42
for
55:43
lo
55:43
my
55:43
spirit
55:44
doth
55:44
fail
55:44
hide
55:45
not
55:45
thy
55:45
face
55:45
in
55:46
need
55:46
lest
55:47
I
55:47
be
55:47
like
55:47
to
55:48
those
55:48
that
55:48
do
55:48
in
55:48
darkness
55:49
sit
55:49
or
55:50
him
55:50
that
55:51
downward
55:51
goes
55:51
into
55:52
the
55:53
dreadful
55:54
pit
55:54
and you
55:55
notice
55:55
verse
55:55
10
55:56
concludes
55:57
by
55:57
reference
55:58
to
55:58
the
55:58
spirit
55:58
of
55:59
God
55:59
my
56:00
God
56:00
alone
56:00
art thou
56:01
teach
56:01
me
56:02
thy
56:02
righteousness
56:03
thy
56:04
spirit
56:05
good
56:05
lead
56:06
me
56:06
to
56:07
the
56:07
land
56:07
of
56:07
uprightness
56:08
let's
56:09
sing
56:09
these
56:10
verses
56:10
to
56:11
God's
56:11
praise
56:11
Lord
56:11
let
56:12
my
56:12
prayer
56:13
prevail
56:13
Lord
56:19
let
56:19
my
56:20
prayer
56:21
prevail
56:23
to
56:24
answer
56:25
it
56:26
makes
56:27
thee
56:28
for
56:29
though
56:30
my
56:31
strength
56:31
of
56:32
fail
56:34
I
56:35
know
56:36
thy
56:36
face
56:37
in
56:38
need
56:40
lest
56:41
I
56:42
be
56:42
like
56:43
to
56:44
those
56:46
that
56:47
you
56:47
in
56:48
darkness
56:50
said
56:51
I
56:52
in
56:53
that
56:54
thy
56:54
word
56:55
goes
56:57
send
56:58
to
56:59
the
57:00
dreadful
57:01
pit
57:03
because
57:05
I
57:06
trust
57:07
in
57:08
thee
57:09
O
57:10
Lord
57:11
cause
57:12
me
57:12
to
57:13
hear
57:15
my
57:16
love
57:17
in
57:18
kindness
57:19
sweet
57:20
when
57:22
morning
57:23
does
57:24
appear
57:26
cause
57:28
me
57:29
to
57:30
know
57:30
the
57:31
way
57:33
where
57:34
my
57:36
path
57:37
should
57:37
be
57:39
up
57:44
away
57:45
to
57:46
say
57:48
when
57:50
l
57:51
I
57:53
do
57:55
And safety do me hide
58:04
Because I'm weak to thee
58:10
For the cloud is behind
58:16
My God alone art thou
58:22
Teach me thy righteousness
58:27
Thy splits could lead me to
58:35
The lamp of the brightness
58:40
I'll go to the side door here to my left this morning.
58:46
Thou may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
58:49
the love of God the Father,
58:50
and the communion of the Holy Spirit
58:52
be with you now and evermore.
58:55
Amen.