[0.00 --> 5.32] You know, I mentioned I'm semi-retired. [5.32 --> 12.34] It's been said before, I work part-time for Resource Leadership International, [12.72 --> 19.38] and resources involved with about a dozen schools in a variety of countries, [19.52 --> 25.86] but with our partners in the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, and Europe, [25.86 --> 31.64] we're in about 120 to 30 schools in 70 countries, [31.64 --> 36.58] and we don't know of one school that didn't shut down. [37.70 --> 43.72] And so we transitioned our ministry to doing what a lot of churches around the world had to do, [43.88 --> 47.58] to help schools teach online. [47.58 --> 54.44] And, for example, there's a school in Cairo, Egypt, [54.44 --> 62.00] that had been getting invitations from the Arab world to help them, [62.38 --> 65.20] and they just didn't have the potential to do that. [65.32 --> 69.40] So we've helped them to improve their technology, [69.90 --> 74.68] and so now they're beginning to teach people throughout the Arabic world [74.68 --> 78.86] by first themselves having been forced to teach online, [79.24 --> 84.30] and now being able to broadcast this into the world around them. [84.40 --> 90.62] So there are upsides to what I would call a COVID operation, [91.30 --> 96.10] but there's been many, many downsides as well. [96.86 --> 102.00] Whereas in Vietnam, in the whole country, [102.00 --> 103.84] I don't believe there was one death. [104.50 --> 106.54] A couple weeks ago I heard of in Bolivia [106.54 --> 110.96] that over a hundred pastors died due to it. [111.56 --> 113.60] Now I can't verify statistics, [113.98 --> 117.60] but it's such an unpredictable thing. [118.66 --> 122.44] It's created such uncertainty in our own lives [122.44 --> 124.38] as to how do you respond to this. [124.38 --> 128.52] And so I experienced some of that own, [129.02 --> 133.56] you might say, confusion in my own soul [133.56 --> 134.78] as to what to do. [136.54 --> 138.40] But we're privileged to worship, [138.86 --> 144.92] and today I would like to turn again to the Scriptures [144.92 --> 146.96] with a focus this morning [146.96 --> 151.82] on the spiritual discipline of Scripture. [154.60 --> 157.00] I'd love to do a little survey and ask, [157.66 --> 159.90] how much do you actually read the Bible? [161.58 --> 163.86] Is it as much as you watch the news? [168.86 --> 170.96] Scripture is a primary means [170.96 --> 175.64] by which the Spirit uses to shape [175.64 --> 181.02] who we are into the person of Christ. [181.28 --> 185.70] We're going to turn in a moment to Peter [185.70 --> 189.94] and take up where we left last week [189.94 --> 192.16] on 2 Peter chapter 1. [193.34 --> 196.74] But there in the verses 12 and following, [196.74 --> 200.80] he speaks to the importance of Scripture [200.80 --> 202.22] in our lives. [203.22 --> 206.12] And before we turn to it, [207.18 --> 208.34] I'd like to remind you, [208.36 --> 209.68] I mentioned it last week, [209.74 --> 211.20] of this little acronym, [211.98 --> 214.32] acronym VIM. [215.18 --> 216.36] V-I-M. [216.60 --> 219.16] It can, I think, be a helpful tool [219.16 --> 221.62] in remembering the process [221.62 --> 223.58] of spiritual formation [223.58 --> 226.16] where V in the VIM stands for vision, [226.72 --> 228.76] I stands for our own intent, [229.20 --> 231.12] and M, which we're looking at this morning, [231.22 --> 232.64] is the means whereby [232.64 --> 235.50] God uses to shape us. [235.76 --> 237.60] I think it's also a helpful tool [237.60 --> 238.38] in understanding [238.38 --> 240.68] what Peter's talking about, [240.80 --> 241.56] writing about, [241.82 --> 243.50] in 2 Peter chapter 1. [243.98 --> 246.10] Because at the beginning of the chapter, [246.40 --> 248.26] he speaks about getting really [248.26 --> 250.00] this vision of Christ. [250.00 --> 253.12] In verse 3, he said, [253.98 --> 256.40] His divine power has given us [256.40 --> 258.28] everything we need [258.28 --> 259.50] for a godly life. [259.62 --> 260.06] How? [261.08 --> 263.76] Through our knowledge of Him, [264.32 --> 264.76] Jesus, [265.86 --> 267.16] who called us [267.16 --> 269.70] by His own glory and goodness. [269.80 --> 270.36] In other words, [270.76 --> 271.88] we got a vision, [272.10 --> 275.36] we saw who this Jesus is, [275.70 --> 278.22] and by calling us into that, [278.22 --> 280.82] we've been given this power [280.82 --> 283.48] to live a new life. [283.70 --> 284.40] In other words, [284.88 --> 288.06] once we get the true vision [288.06 --> 291.24] of who Jesus is, [292.62 --> 294.30] that God of heaven and earth [294.30 --> 295.84] come in the flesh [295.84 --> 298.56] so that we body and soul people [298.56 --> 300.54] can take on the divine nature, [301.26 --> 302.16] it's like, [302.40 --> 302.76] okay, [303.76 --> 306.02] I see who He is, [306.02 --> 307.66] I want to share in that. [308.22 --> 311.24] The second thing we looked at last week [311.24 --> 312.44] in verses 5 [312.44 --> 313.14] is that [313.14 --> 315.56] it's not going to happen [315.56 --> 317.72] if we don't intentionally then [317.72 --> 319.16] pursue the vision. [320.52 --> 321.42] Catch it, [322.14 --> 322.90] follow it. [323.66 --> 324.66] For this reason, [324.76 --> 325.90] we saw in verse 5, [326.00 --> 326.48] because, [326.76 --> 327.30] in other words, [327.34 --> 328.56] of who Jesus is, [329.08 --> 330.54] make every effort [330.54 --> 333.44] to add to this faith vision [333.44 --> 335.46] the qualities of knowledge, [335.46 --> 336.42] self-control, [336.84 --> 337.34] perseverance, [337.66 --> 338.68] and especially love. [340.16 --> 340.66] Well, [341.20 --> 343.36] once we have this vision [343.36 --> 343.98] and intent, [344.14 --> 345.50] how do you go about [345.50 --> 347.06] making it happen? [347.30 --> 348.40] That's the means. [349.98 --> 350.68] Well, [350.76 --> 352.12] we begin to practice [352.12 --> 353.38] the disciplines, [354.26 --> 355.20] the habits, [355.20 --> 358.28] the ways that [358.28 --> 360.46] open us up [360.46 --> 361.76] to the Spirit [361.76 --> 363.14] so that [363.14 --> 365.34] He's able to shape us [365.34 --> 367.58] into the image bearers [367.58 --> 369.16] He created us to be. [371.22 --> 372.26] One more word [372.26 --> 373.16] before we get into [373.16 --> 375.14] the passage about Scripture, [375.80 --> 376.36] and that is [376.36 --> 377.30] the bigger subject [377.30 --> 378.52] of disciplines, [378.64 --> 379.66] a word about that. [380.66 --> 381.18] They're really [381.18 --> 382.78] training exercises [382.78 --> 383.34] like, [383.94 --> 384.24] you know, [384.38 --> 385.60] practicing piano [385.60 --> 387.16] until you finally get it. [390.76 --> 391.56] Practicing, [391.84 --> 392.60] showing up [392.60 --> 393.26] for [393.26 --> 395.46] volleyball practices [395.46 --> 396.94] and doing the drills [396.94 --> 399.08] until you become [399.08 --> 399.98] good at it. [402.42 --> 403.34] Disciplines, [403.68 --> 404.36] ultimately, [404.70 --> 405.70] spiritual ones, [405.82 --> 406.66] are intended [406.66 --> 407.88] to help us [407.88 --> 409.94] do the right thing [409.94 --> 411.78] at the right time, [412.38 --> 414.76] in the right way, [415.48 --> 418.00] and in the right spirit, [418.20 --> 419.36] as someone has said. [420.28 --> 421.30] They help us [421.30 --> 422.00] bear fruit [422.00 --> 424.20] to do all these things [424.20 --> 425.18] that are involved [425.18 --> 425.86] with adding [425.86 --> 427.72] to our faith. [427.90 --> 428.90] And you know [428.90 --> 430.16] there's many disciplines, [431.46 --> 433.06] probably primary among them [433.06 --> 433.84] are being [433.84 --> 434.90] solitary [434.90 --> 435.56] and [435.56 --> 436.80] silent. [438.20 --> 439.20] So we're going to look [439.20 --> 439.82] at Scripture [439.82 --> 440.76] there's prayer, [440.98 --> 442.18] there's worship, [442.66 --> 443.48] there's service, [443.66 --> 444.34] there's giving, [445.84 --> 446.96] there's fasting. [447.24 --> 448.42] There's a wide variety [448.42 --> 448.82] of them. [449.78 --> 451.40] But one of the key ones [451.40 --> 452.46] is reading [452.46 --> 454.08] Scripture. [455.26 --> 457.04] And in order for us [457.04 --> 459.26] to see the importance [459.26 --> 462.52] of this book, [462.66 --> 463.62] or I should say [463.62 --> 464.10] this way, [464.16 --> 465.32] in order for us [465.32 --> 466.18] to want [466.18 --> 467.46] to discipline [467.46 --> 468.52] ourselves [468.52 --> 470.42] to read the Bible [470.42 --> 471.26] faithfully, [471.46 --> 472.70] we need to see [472.70 --> 473.70] how important [473.70 --> 474.48] a book [474.48 --> 475.42] it is. [479.10 --> 480.44] We won't bother [480.44 --> 482.20] with the Bible [482.20 --> 484.16] if we don't realize [484.16 --> 486.34] what kind of a book [486.34 --> 486.88] it is [486.88 --> 488.32] and why God [488.32 --> 489.28] had it written. [490.56 --> 492.08] Just like we won't bother [492.08 --> 492.90] with Christ [492.90 --> 493.90] if we don't know [493.90 --> 494.52] who He is [494.52 --> 495.78] or why He came. [496.96 --> 498.04] So Peter speaks [498.04 --> 498.88] to the importance [498.88 --> 499.56] of Scripture [499.56 --> 500.48] in our lives [500.48 --> 501.72] in our passage, [501.86 --> 502.82] 2 Peter 1, [503.06 --> 504.34] 12 to 21. [505.70 --> 507.00] After having spoken [507.00 --> 507.70] about vision [507.70 --> 508.38] and intent, [508.50 --> 509.04] he goes on [509.04 --> 510.02] to say in verse 12, [510.02 --> 511.86] so I will always [511.86 --> 512.84] remind you [512.84 --> 514.58] of these things [514.58 --> 515.44] even though [515.44 --> 516.64] you know them [516.64 --> 517.88] and are firmly [517.88 --> 518.48] established [518.48 --> 519.36] in the truth [519.36 --> 520.64] you now have. [521.36 --> 522.74] I think it's right [522.74 --> 523.50] to refresh [523.50 --> 524.18] your memory [524.18 --> 525.48] as long as I live [525.48 --> 526.26] in the tent [526.26 --> 527.58] of this body [527.58 --> 529.88] because I know [529.88 --> 531.42] that I will soon [531.42 --> 533.28] put it aside [533.28 --> 535.24] as our Lord Jesus [535.24 --> 536.78] has made clear [536.78 --> 537.22] to me. [537.22 --> 538.50] people often know [538.50 --> 540.34] when they're [540.34 --> 542.02] about to go. [543.02 --> 544.56] And I will make [544.56 --> 545.82] every effort [545.82 --> 546.94] to see [546.94 --> 547.84] that after [547.84 --> 548.96] my departure [548.96 --> 550.76] you will always [550.76 --> 551.40] be able [551.40 --> 552.22] to remember [552.22 --> 553.36] these things. [553.74 --> 554.32] Why? [558.32 --> 559.72] Because we didn't [559.72 --> 561.00] follow cleverly [561.00 --> 562.22] devised stories [562.22 --> 563.70] when we told [563.70 --> 564.24] you about [564.24 --> 565.56] and it really [565.56 --> 566.68] means the second [566.68 --> 567.22] coming [567.22 --> 568.32] of our Lord [568.32 --> 569.34] Jesus Christ [569.34 --> 570.14] in power. [571.72 --> 572.38] But therefore [572.38 --> 574.44] we were eyewitnesses [574.44 --> 575.90] of his majesty. [577.18 --> 578.10] He received [578.10 --> 579.52] honor and glory [579.52 --> 580.86] from God the Father [580.86 --> 581.62] when the voice [581.62 --> 582.36] came to him [582.36 --> 583.30] from the majestic [583.30 --> 583.90] glory. [584.20 --> 584.76] This is when he [584.76 --> 585.62] was on the mountain [585.62 --> 586.10] saying, [586.70 --> 587.68] this is my son [587.68 --> 588.58] whom I love. [589.38 --> 589.90] With him [589.90 --> 590.98] I'm well pleased. [590.98 --> 592.16] we ourselves [592.16 --> 593.22] heard this voice [593.22 --> 594.40] that came from heaven [594.40 --> 595.46] when we were [595.46 --> 596.10] with him [596.10 --> 597.44] on the sacred [597.44 --> 598.02] mountain [598.02 --> 598.74] and Christ [598.74 --> 599.70] was transfigured [599.70 --> 600.40] before them. [601.88 --> 602.52] So that's [602.52 --> 603.36] Peter's experience [603.36 --> 604.12] but he goes on [604.12 --> 604.38] to say, [604.78 --> 605.58] we also have [605.58 --> 606.84] this prophetic [606.84 --> 608.06] message as something [608.06 --> 609.86] completely reliable [609.86 --> 611.26] and you will do [611.26 --> 611.98] well to pay [611.98 --> 613.10] attention to it [613.10 --> 615.20] as to a light [615.20 --> 616.30] shining in a dark [616.30 --> 616.90] place [616.90 --> 618.22] until the day [618.22 --> 618.98] dawns [618.98 --> 620.10] and the morning [620.10 --> 621.24] star rises [621.24 --> 622.74] in your hearts. [622.82 --> 623.48] In other words, [623.92 --> 625.44] you'd read it [625.44 --> 626.16] until the light [626.16 --> 626.80] goes on [626.80 --> 627.64] is what he's [627.64 --> 628.02] saying. [628.70 --> 629.76] Above all, [630.66 --> 631.62] above all, [631.94 --> 633.18] you must [633.18 --> 634.40] understand [634.40 --> 637.06] that no [637.06 --> 638.00] prophecy of [638.00 --> 638.38] scripture [638.38 --> 639.50] came about [639.50 --> 641.44] by a prophet's [641.44 --> 642.22] own [642.22 --> 643.26] interpretation [643.26 --> 644.84] of things. [645.52 --> 646.08] The Bible [646.08 --> 647.24] is not a matter [647.24 --> 648.52] of private [648.52 --> 649.46] opinion. [651.06 --> 652.18] For prophecy [652.18 --> 653.66] never had its [653.66 --> 654.62] origin in the [654.62 --> 655.46] human will [655.46 --> 657.76] but prophets, [658.04 --> 659.02] though human, [659.98 --> 661.78] spoke from God [661.78 --> 663.20] as they were [663.20 --> 664.54] carried along [664.54 --> 666.48] by the Holy Spirit. [667.86 --> 669.12] Or as the message [669.12 --> 669.62] says, [670.26 --> 671.42] prophecy resulted [671.42 --> 672.76] when the Holy Spirit [672.76 --> 674.18] prompted men [674.18 --> 675.02] and women [675.02 --> 676.00] to speak [676.00 --> 677.24] God's word. [679.32 --> 680.22] Peter's talking [680.22 --> 681.12] about how you [681.12 --> 681.48] and I, [681.58 --> 682.04] brothers and [682.04 --> 682.42] sisters, [682.90 --> 683.68] view the Bible. [685.48 --> 686.34] How do you [686.34 --> 686.74] view it? [686.76 --> 687.46] Is it just a [687.46 --> 688.48] matter of mere [688.48 --> 689.54] interest, [689.90 --> 690.42] stories, [691.02 --> 691.54] teachings, [691.84 --> 692.44] ideas, [692.80 --> 693.36] gathered [693.36 --> 694.46] by a few [694.46 --> 695.12] folks [695.12 --> 695.98] who saw [695.98 --> 696.68] potential? [697.08 --> 697.60] This could be [697.60 --> 698.32] a bestseller. [698.58 --> 699.16] Let's put it [699.16 --> 700.00] together and [700.00 --> 700.66] publish it. [701.42 --> 703.74] Is this just [703.74 --> 704.72] another book [704.72 --> 705.72] that you put [705.72 --> 706.50] in the religious [706.50 --> 707.72] section of [707.72 --> 708.64] the library? [710.16 --> 711.36] If so, [711.74 --> 712.54] chances are [712.54 --> 713.50] you won't [713.50 --> 714.50] pick it up. [715.80 --> 717.00] We need [717.00 --> 718.08] to understand [718.08 --> 719.50] that this book [719.50 --> 720.70] is the very [720.70 --> 723.16] special revelation [723.16 --> 724.60] of God [724.60 --> 725.58] concerning [725.58 --> 726.76] who Christ [726.76 --> 727.44] is. [728.58 --> 729.08] And in the [729.08 --> 729.82] Old Testament, [729.82 --> 731.42] even though [731.42 --> 732.10] those writers [732.10 --> 733.02] were fully [733.02 --> 733.72] human with [733.72 --> 734.22] their own [734.22 --> 735.38] set of [735.38 --> 737.00] issues and [737.00 --> 738.24] flare-ups and [738.24 --> 739.00] downs and [739.00 --> 739.62] circumstances [739.62 --> 740.80] to deal [740.80 --> 741.16] with, [742.02 --> 742.52] God [742.52 --> 743.94] inspired them [743.94 --> 744.64] by His [744.64 --> 745.50] Holy Spirit [745.50 --> 746.22] to write [746.22 --> 746.56] what they [746.56 --> 746.86] did. [748.52 --> 749.54] He used [749.54 --> 750.12] prophets [750.12 --> 750.90] to call [750.90 --> 751.46] people [751.46 --> 752.68] back to [752.68 --> 753.02] Him [753.02 --> 754.98] while [754.98 --> 755.66] promising [755.66 --> 756.42] a Messiah [756.42 --> 757.04] would come. [758.30 --> 759.08] And the [759.08 --> 759.74] New Testament [759.74 --> 760.64] writers like [760.64 --> 761.14] Peter, [761.78 --> 762.02] he says, [762.10 --> 762.72] so he's [762.72 --> 762.98] really, [763.14 --> 763.80] all he has [763.80 --> 764.26] at this time [764.26 --> 764.68] is the Old [764.68 --> 765.06] Testament, [765.20 --> 765.42] right? [766.12 --> 766.62] He says, [766.74 --> 767.80] you can trust [767.80 --> 768.20] them, [768.58 --> 769.22] but now you [769.22 --> 769.70] can also [769.70 --> 770.82] trust us [770.82 --> 771.48] to be [771.48 --> 772.04] completely [772.04 --> 772.70] reliable [772.70 --> 774.08] in passing [774.08 --> 774.96] this message [774.96 --> 775.40] on. [775.40 --> 776.40] God [776.40 --> 777.40] will [777.40 --> 777.84] be [777.84 --> 778.40] to be [778.40 --> 778.80] God [778.80 --> 779.40] and I'm [779.40 --> 780.78] not going to [780.78 --> 781.40] retire, [781.40 --> 781.84] Peter says, [781.84 --> 783.02] from ever [783.02 --> 784.20] reminding you [784.20 --> 785.92] that Jesus [785.92 --> 786.92] is the one [786.92 --> 787.52] who has [787.52 --> 788.28] delivered on [788.28 --> 789.14] all what [789.14 --> 789.52] the Old [789.52 --> 789.96] Testament [789.96 --> 790.60] promised. [791.88 --> 792.42] He's this [792.42 --> 793.14] bright light [793.14 --> 794.12] that shines [794.12 --> 795.34] into all [795.34 --> 796.00] of your [796.00 --> 796.74] and my [796.74 --> 797.44] dark [797.44 --> 798.06] corners [798.06 --> 798.80] if you'll [798.80 --> 799.14] let him. [799.14 --> 801.54] he's so [801.54 --> 802.22] assured of [802.22 --> 802.76] who Jesus [802.76 --> 803.58] is because [803.58 --> 804.74] of his [804.74 --> 805.60] own experience. [805.72 --> 806.36] He witnessed [806.36 --> 807.20] this brilliant [807.20 --> 808.84] light when [808.84 --> 809.44] he was with [809.44 --> 810.40] Jesus and [810.40 --> 811.32] others on [811.32 --> 811.92] the mountain [811.92 --> 813.56] and there [813.56 --> 814.02] were Moses [814.02 --> 814.70] and Elijah [814.70 --> 816.70] and he [816.70 --> 817.24] heard God [817.24 --> 817.60] say, [818.20 --> 818.68] this is my [818.68 --> 820.78] son whom [820.78 --> 821.50] I love [821.50 --> 822.78] who is the [822.78 --> 823.82] focus of [823.82 --> 824.60] my delight. [827.20 --> 828.06] But don't [828.06 --> 828.70] just take my [828.70 --> 829.66] word for it. [829.98 --> 830.34] Peter [830.34 --> 831.88] emphatically [831.88 --> 832.54] goes on [832.54 --> 833.32] to insist [833.32 --> 835.80] this is [835.80 --> 836.98] one our [836.98 --> 837.66] entire [837.66 --> 838.38] scriptures [838.38 --> 839.18] has been [839.18 --> 839.98] pointed to. [840.14 --> 840.70] This is the [840.70 --> 841.40] one rather [841.40 --> 842.40] the Bible's [842.40 --> 843.20] all pointing [843.20 --> 844.02] to it. [845.06 --> 845.92] Above all [845.92 --> 847.78] realize [847.78 --> 848.60] that these [848.60 --> 849.18] prophets [849.18 --> 849.92] back there [849.92 --> 850.82] weren't [850.82 --> 851.44] just [851.44 --> 852.54] philosophers [852.54 --> 853.28] giving [853.28 --> 854.58] their world [854.58 --> 855.54] and life [855.54 --> 855.90] view. [855.90 --> 858.96] Moses and [858.96 --> 859.98] David just [859.98 --> 860.68] weren't telling [860.68 --> 861.80] us here's [861.80 --> 862.46] what I [862.46 --> 863.16] think. [864.46 --> 865.10] Those [865.10 --> 865.72] stories, [866.06 --> 866.90] those poems, [867.52 --> 868.64] those prophecies [868.64 --> 870.18] are spirit [870.18 --> 871.10] inspired. [872.38 --> 873.56] And so we [873.56 --> 874.52] do so well [874.52 --> 875.58] to pay [875.58 --> 876.06] attention [876.06 --> 877.00] to them [877.00 --> 878.12] and let [878.12 --> 879.20] that spirit [879.20 --> 881.16] that inspired [881.16 --> 882.38] them by [882.38 --> 883.36] reading it [883.36 --> 884.56] get inside [884.56 --> 885.14] of us. [887.58 --> 888.34] You know we [888.34 --> 888.66] have a [888.66 --> 889.14] confession [889.14 --> 889.74] that's called [889.74 --> 890.36] the Belgic [890.36 --> 891.00] Confession [891.00 --> 891.46] and it's [891.46 --> 891.82] the only [891.82 --> 892.98] one of [892.98 --> 893.72] the confessions [893.72 --> 894.50] that speaks [894.50 --> 896.10] into what [896.10 --> 896.70] the scriptures [896.70 --> 897.60] are about [897.60 --> 898.48] and in [898.48 --> 899.70] article 5 [899.70 --> 900.22] it says [900.22 --> 900.88] this about [900.88 --> 901.46] the Bible [901.46 --> 901.90] it says [901.90 --> 902.60] we receive [902.60 --> 903.18] all these [903.18 --> 903.66] books [903.66 --> 904.54] and these [904.54 --> 905.02] only [905.02 --> 905.36] and it [905.36 --> 905.86] talks about [905.86 --> 906.64] the 66 [906.64 --> 907.46] as holy [907.46 --> 908.28] and canonical [908.28 --> 909.32] for the [909.32 --> 910.12] regulating [910.12 --> 911.00] founding [911.00 --> 912.40] and establishing [912.40 --> 913.36] of our [913.36 --> 913.78] faith. [915.12 --> 915.96] And we [915.96 --> 916.46] believe [916.46 --> 917.20] without a [917.20 --> 917.48] doubt [917.48 --> 918.30] all things [918.30 --> 919.22] contained in [919.22 --> 919.42] them [919.42 --> 920.46] not so much [920.46 --> 921.20] because the [921.20 --> 921.64] church [921.64 --> 922.76] receives them [922.76 --> 923.68] and approves [923.68 --> 924.40] them as such [924.40 --> 925.18] because somebody [925.18 --> 926.04] gets up and [926.04 --> 926.72] says you [926.72 --> 927.06] want to [927.06 --> 927.70] believe this [927.70 --> 929.20] but above [929.20 --> 930.20] all because [930.20 --> 931.06] the Holy [931.06 --> 931.80] Spirit [931.80 --> 933.12] testifies [933.12 --> 934.10] in our [934.10 --> 934.56] hearts [934.56 --> 935.16] that they [935.16 --> 935.62] are from [935.62 --> 936.00] God. [936.00 --> 937.24] but he [937.24 --> 937.64] can't [937.64 --> 938.10] testify [938.10 --> 938.76] if you [938.76 --> 939.04] don't [939.04 --> 939.54] read it. [941.98 --> 942.88] And also [942.88 --> 943.24] it goes [943.24 --> 943.62] on to [943.62 --> 943.84] say [943.84 --> 945.26] we know [945.26 --> 945.50] they're [945.50 --> 945.70] true [945.70 --> 946.08] because [946.08 --> 946.30] they [946.30 --> 946.70] prove [946.70 --> 947.16] themselves [947.16 --> 947.98] to be [947.98 --> 948.52] from [948.52 --> 948.94] God. [949.04 --> 949.26] Even [949.26 --> 949.86] the blind [949.86 --> 950.40] themselves [950.40 --> 950.94] are able [950.94 --> 951.38] to see [951.38 --> 952.04] the things [952.04 --> 952.80] predicted [952.80 --> 953.34] in them [953.34 --> 954.06] happen. [956.92 --> 957.88] The only [957.88 --> 958.42] way the [958.42 --> 958.84] Bible [958.84 --> 959.42] is going [959.42 --> 960.06] to become [960.06 --> 961.14] authoritative [961.14 --> 961.96] in your [961.96 --> 962.70] or my [962.70 --> 963.30] life [963.30 --> 965.00] is if [965.00 --> 965.50] we read [965.50 --> 965.70] it. [966.00 --> 969.26] if we [969.26 --> 969.84] accept [969.84 --> 970.20] it [970.20 --> 971.06] as we [971.06 --> 971.62] read it [971.62 --> 972.48] as the [972.48 --> 972.96] word [972.96 --> 973.92] of [973.92 --> 974.34] and [974.34 --> 974.76] from [974.76 --> 975.26] God. [977.30 --> 978.00] Today [978.00 --> 979.00] the primary [979.00 --> 979.86] text [979.86 --> 980.70] of most [980.70 --> 981.28] people [981.28 --> 982.38] which we [982.38 --> 982.92] take as [982.92 --> 983.46] the final [983.46 --> 984.00] authority [984.00 --> 984.42] often [984.42 --> 984.76] is [984.76 --> 986.00] ourselves. [986.72 --> 987.22] In our [987.22 --> 987.64] secular [987.64 --> 988.20] age [988.20 --> 990.22] we do [990.22 --> 990.94] not turn [990.94 --> 991.28] in our [991.28 --> 991.74] culture [991.74 --> 993.00] to a [993.00 --> 993.42] word [993.42 --> 994.08] that we [994.08 --> 994.60] believe [994.60 --> 995.48] is from [995.48 --> 995.88] God. [998.52 --> 999.24] We [999.24 --> 999.76] will only [999.76 --> 1000.40] subject [1000.40 --> 1001.00] ourselves [1001.00 --> 1001.36] to [1001.36 --> 1001.74] scripture [1001.74 --> 1003.46] when we [1003.46 --> 1003.92] are willing [1003.92 --> 1004.66] to submit [1004.66 --> 1005.22] that the [1005.22 --> 1005.70] Spirit [1005.70 --> 1006.70] authored [1006.70 --> 1007.92] this book. [1008.92 --> 1009.86] If you [1009.86 --> 1010.26] and I [1010.26 --> 1010.98] want to be [1010.98 --> 1011.90] carried along [1011.90 --> 1012.70] or learn [1012.70 --> 1013.24] to live [1013.24 --> 1013.78] with as [1013.78 --> 1014.36] Galatians [1014.36 --> 1014.70] says [1014.70 --> 1015.58] in step [1015.58 --> 1015.94] with the [1015.94 --> 1016.82] Holy Spirit [1016.82 --> 1017.74] I need [1017.74 --> 1018.32] to accept [1018.32 --> 1018.80] this is [1018.80 --> 1019.18] God's [1019.18 --> 1019.90] love story. [1019.90 --> 1021.72] I need [1021.72 --> 1022.38] to identify [1022.38 --> 1023.26] myself [1023.26 --> 1023.80] with it [1023.80 --> 1025.88] and see [1025.88 --> 1026.42] that this [1026.42 --> 1027.24] tells the [1027.24 --> 1027.94] whole story [1027.94 --> 1028.30] of what [1028.30 --> 1028.72] God's [1028.72 --> 1029.38] up to [1029.38 --> 1030.30] on this [1030.30 --> 1030.66] earth [1030.66 --> 1032.72] because [1032.72 --> 1033.40] then I'll [1033.40 --> 1034.22] begin [1034.22 --> 1035.12] to let [1035.12 --> 1035.42] it [1035.42 --> 1036.70] regulate [1036.70 --> 1038.28] my life. [1040.68 --> 1041.66] The Bible [1041.66 --> 1042.08] is there [1042.08 --> 1042.44] as the [1042.44 --> 1042.96] confession [1042.96 --> 1043.36] says [1043.36 --> 1043.74] for the [1043.74 --> 1044.46] regulating [1044.46 --> 1045.56] founding [1045.56 --> 1046.20] and [1046.20 --> 1046.98] establishing [1046.98 --> 1048.16] of our [1048.16 --> 1048.60] faith. [1049.94 --> 1050.38] One of the [1050.38 --> 1050.92] first things [1050.92 --> 1051.34] it does [1051.34 --> 1051.80] is help [1051.80 --> 1052.72] help me [1052.72 --> 1053.38] believe [1053.38 --> 1054.84] that Christ [1054.84 --> 1055.36] is the [1055.36 --> 1055.68] one. [1056.96 --> 1057.24] It goes [1057.24 --> 1057.56] on [1057.56 --> 1058.14] the [1058.14 --> 1058.60] confession [1058.60 --> 1058.94] does [1058.94 --> 1059.44] in article [1059.44 --> 1059.96] 7 [1059.96 --> 1060.48] to talk [1060.48 --> 1060.72] about [1060.72 --> 1060.94] the [1060.94 --> 1061.56] sufficiency [1061.56 --> 1061.92] of [1061.92 --> 1062.44] scripture. [1063.06 --> 1063.40] It [1063.40 --> 1063.78] states [1063.78 --> 1064.16] this [1064.16 --> 1064.62] in [1064.62 --> 1065.24] Belgic [1065.24 --> 1065.74] Confession [1065.74 --> 1066.08] article [1066.08 --> 1066.56] 7 [1066.56 --> 1066.78] we [1066.78 --> 1067.32] believe [1067.32 --> 1067.62] this [1067.62 --> 1068.34] holy [1068.34 --> 1069.16] scripture [1069.16 --> 1070.46] contains [1070.46 --> 1070.78] the [1070.78 --> 1071.00] will [1071.00 --> 1071.20] of [1071.20 --> 1071.48] God [1071.48 --> 1072.40] completely [1072.40 --> 1073.32] and [1073.32 --> 1073.62] that [1073.62 --> 1075.04] everything [1075.04 --> 1075.66] one [1075.66 --> 1076.06] must [1076.06 --> 1076.68] believe [1076.68 --> 1077.20] to be [1077.20 --> 1077.86] saved. [1078.86 --> 1079.54] In other [1079.54 --> 1079.84] words it [1079.84 --> 1080.50] limits the [1080.50 --> 1080.80] purpose [1080.80 --> 1081.18] of the [1081.18 --> 1081.58] scriptures. [1082.14 --> 1082.48] Everything [1082.48 --> 1083.04] one [1083.04 --> 1083.62] must [1083.62 --> 1083.96] believe [1083.96 --> 1084.44] to be [1084.44 --> 1085.44] saved [1085.44 --> 1085.96] is [1085.96 --> 1086.78] sufficiently [1086.78 --> 1087.26] taught [1087.26 --> 1087.70] in it. [1091.14 --> 1091.84] There's a [1091.84 --> 1092.42] story in [1092.42 --> 1093.22] John 5 [1093.22 --> 1093.80] where Jesus [1093.80 --> 1094.40] is in [1094.40 --> 1094.76] debate [1094.76 --> 1095.16] with the [1095.16 --> 1095.50] Jewish [1095.50 --> 1095.92] leaders. [1096.08 --> 1096.40] They were [1096.40 --> 1097.50] Old Testament [1097.50 --> 1098.14] scholars [1098.14 --> 1098.60] and they [1098.60 --> 1099.06] loved the [1099.06 --> 1099.38] Bible. [1099.54 --> 1099.80] It was [1099.80 --> 1100.42] their pride [1100.42 --> 1101.08] and joy [1101.08 --> 1102.62] but they [1102.62 --> 1102.98] hadn't [1102.98 --> 1103.34] gotten [1103.34 --> 1103.66] the [1103.66 --> 1104.10] message. [1104.28 --> 1104.40] They [1104.40 --> 1104.78] hadn't [1104.78 --> 1105.22] let it [1105.22 --> 1105.78] penetrate [1105.78 --> 1106.40] their own [1106.40 --> 1106.80] souls. [1107.14 --> 1107.40] This [1107.40 --> 1107.78] is what [1107.78 --> 1108.10] Jesus [1108.10 --> 1108.60] said to [1108.60 --> 1108.80] them [1108.80 --> 1108.98] in [1108.98 --> 1109.24] John [1109.24 --> 1109.74] 5 [1109.74 --> 1110.24] 39. [1111.24 --> 1111.36] He [1111.36 --> 1111.66] said [1111.66 --> 1111.82] you [1111.82 --> 1112.24] study [1112.24 --> 1112.52] the [1112.52 --> 1112.90] scriptures [1112.90 --> 1113.66] diligently [1113.66 --> 1114.12] because [1114.12 --> 1114.40] you [1114.40 --> 1114.80] think [1114.80 --> 1115.14] that [1115.14 --> 1115.56] in [1115.56 --> 1116.12] them [1116.12 --> 1116.92] you [1116.92 --> 1117.56] have [1117.56 --> 1118.64] eternal [1118.64 --> 1119.50] life. [1120.36 --> 1121.04] These [1121.04 --> 1121.44] are the [1121.44 --> 1121.84] very [1121.84 --> 1122.46] scriptures [1122.46 --> 1123.16] that [1123.16 --> 1123.84] testify [1123.84 --> 1125.40] about [1125.40 --> 1126.12] me [1126.12 --> 1127.92] yet [1127.92 --> 1128.22] you [1128.22 --> 1129.04] refuse [1129.04 --> 1129.66] to [1129.66 --> 1130.06] come [1130.06 --> 1130.32] to [1130.32 --> 1130.74] me [1130.74 --> 1131.52] to [1131.52 --> 1131.82] have [1131.82 --> 1132.24] life. [1132.24 --> 1136.36] the [1136.36 --> 1136.68] scriptures [1136.68 --> 1136.98] are [1136.98 --> 1137.28] written [1137.28 --> 1138.98] to [1138.98 --> 1139.34] point [1139.34 --> 1139.62] us [1139.62 --> 1139.80] in [1139.80 --> 1139.96] the [1139.96 --> 1140.36] way [1140.36 --> 1141.24] of [1141.24 --> 1141.92] salvation [1141.92 --> 1142.54] and [1142.54 --> 1143.08] life. [1145.12 --> 1145.56] The [1145.56 --> 1145.92] saving [1145.92 --> 1146.42] knowledge [1146.42 --> 1146.62] that [1146.62 --> 1146.86] come [1146.86 --> 1147.08] through [1147.08 --> 1147.60] scriptures [1147.60 --> 1147.92] what [1147.92 --> 1148.32] Paul [1148.32 --> 1149.44] empathizes [1149.44 --> 1149.86] to [1149.86 --> 1150.42] Timothy [1150.42 --> 1151.60] in [1151.60 --> 1151.80] our [1151.80 --> 1152.22] third [1152.22 --> 1153.40] passage [1153.40 --> 1153.94] and [1153.94 --> 1154.30] last [1154.30 --> 1154.58] one [1154.58 --> 1154.78] for [1154.78 --> 1155.04] this [1155.04 --> 1155.40] morning [1155.40 --> 1155.76] 2 [1155.76 --> 1156.24] Timothy [1156.24 --> 1156.76] 3 [1156.76 --> 1157.68] verses [1157.68 --> 1158.10] 10 [1158.10 --> 1158.28] to [1158.28 --> 1158.78] 17 [1158.78 --> 1161.10] where [1161.10 --> 1161.40] Paul [1161.40 --> 1161.76] writes [1161.76 --> 1161.98] you [1161.98 --> 1162.28] however [1162.28 --> 1162.58] know [1162.58 --> 1162.82] all [1162.82 --> 1163.06] about [1163.06 --> 1163.30] my [1163.30 --> 1163.82] teaching [1163.82 --> 1164.74] my [1164.74 --> 1164.98] way [1164.98 --> 1165.12] of [1165.12 --> 1165.56] life [1165.56 --> 1166.58] my [1166.58 --> 1167.14] purpose [1167.14 --> 1167.96] faith [1167.96 --> 1169.26] patience [1169.26 --> 1170.36] love [1170.36 --> 1171.36] endurance [1171.36 --> 1172.84] persecutions [1172.84 --> 1173.84] sufferings [1173.84 --> 1174.38] what [1174.38 --> 1174.78] kinds [1174.78 --> 1174.94] of [1174.94 --> 1175.20] things [1175.20 --> 1175.54] happened [1175.54 --> 1175.76] to [1175.76 --> 1175.92] me [1175.92 --> 1176.08] in [1176.08 --> 1176.98] Antioch [1176.98 --> 1177.98] Iconium [1177.98 --> 1178.68] and Lystra [1178.68 --> 1179.18] the [1179.18 --> 1180.08] persecutions [1180.08 --> 1180.46] I [1180.46 --> 1181.06] endured [1181.06 --> 1182.06] yet the [1182.06 --> 1182.26] Lord [1182.26 --> 1182.74] rescued [1182.74 --> 1183.02] me [1183.02 --> 1183.32] from [1183.32 --> 1183.78] all of [1183.78 --> 1183.96] them [1183.96 --> 1184.58] in [1184.58 --> 1184.80] fact [1184.80 --> 1185.24] everyone [1185.24 --> 1185.82] who [1185.82 --> 1186.16] wants [1186.16 --> 1186.32] to [1186.32 --> 1186.46] live [1186.46 --> 1186.62] a [1186.62 --> 1186.98] godly [1186.98 --> 1187.32] life [1187.32 --> 1187.50] in [1187.50 --> 1187.84] Christ [1187.84 --> 1188.24] Jesus [1188.24 --> 1189.00] will [1189.00 --> 1189.22] be [1189.22 --> 1190.00] persecuted [1190.00 --> 1190.36] or [1190.36 --> 1190.82] today [1190.82 --> 1191.32] in [1191.32 --> 1191.52] our [1191.52 --> 1191.90] culture [1191.90 --> 1192.12] we [1192.12 --> 1192.32] would [1192.32 --> 1192.74] say [1192.74 --> 1193.88] ridiculed [1193.88 --> 1196.30] yet [1196.30 --> 1196.50] the [1196.50 --> 1196.70] Lord [1196.70 --> 1197.12] rescued [1197.12 --> 1197.36] me [1197.36 --> 1197.56] from [1197.56 --> 1197.76] all [1197.76 --> 1197.88] of [1197.88 --> 1198.10] them [1198.10 --> 1198.54] oh [1198.54 --> 1198.88] I'm [1198.88 --> 1199.54] backing [1199.54 --> 1199.78] up [1199.78 --> 1200.32] in [1200.32 --> 1200.48] fact [1200.48 --> 1200.88] everyone [1200.88 --> 1201.12] who [1201.12 --> 1201.38] wants [1201.38 --> 1201.50] to [1201.50 --> 1201.62] live [1201.62 --> 1201.74] a [1201.74 --> 1202.06] godly [1202.06 --> 1202.34] life [1202.34 --> 1202.50] in [1202.50 --> 1202.78] Christ [1202.78 --> 1203.10] Jesus [1203.10 --> 1203.42] will [1203.42 --> 1203.64] be [1203.64 --> 1204.38] ridiculed [1204.38 --> 1204.62] while [1204.62 --> 1205.38] evildoers [1205.38 --> 1205.92] and [1205.92 --> 1206.72] imposters [1206.72 --> 1207.64] will [1207.64 --> 1207.84] go [1207.84 --> 1208.12] from [1208.12 --> 1208.42] bad [1208.42 --> 1208.64] to [1208.64 --> 1209.00] worse [1209.00 --> 1209.74] deceiving [1209.74 --> 1210.12] and [1210.12 --> 1210.46] being [1210.46 --> 1211.08] deceived [1211.08 --> 1212.84] but [1212.84 --> 1213.20] as [1213.20 --> 1213.54] for [1213.54 --> 1214.06] you [1214.06 --> 1216.26] we're [1216.26 --> 1216.40] a [1216.40 --> 1217.18] counterculture [1217.18 --> 1218.38] continue [1218.38 --> 1219.12] in [1219.12 --> 1219.44] what [1219.44 --> 1219.78] you've [1219.78 --> 1220.32] learned [1220.32 --> 1221.82] and [1221.82 --> 1222.24] become [1222.24 --> 1222.90] convinced [1222.90 --> 1223.28] of [1223.28 --> 1224.62] because [1224.62 --> 1225.86] you know [1225.86 --> 1226.34] those [1226.34 --> 1227.16] from whom [1227.16 --> 1227.78] you learned [1227.78 --> 1228.02] it [1228.02 --> 1228.44] and he's [1228.44 --> 1228.96] talking to [1228.96 --> 1229.34] Timothy [1229.34 --> 1229.92] who learned [1229.92 --> 1230.20] it in [1230.20 --> 1230.66] the home [1230.66 --> 1231.30] from his [1231.30 --> 1231.86] mother and [1231.86 --> 1232.38] grandmother [1232.38 --> 1234.22] and how [1234.22 --> 1234.52] from [1234.52 --> 1235.54] infancy [1235.54 --> 1236.54] you have [1236.54 --> 1236.96] known [1236.96 --> 1237.62] the holy [1237.62 --> 1238.18] scriptures [1238.18 --> 1239.00] and here's [1239.00 --> 1239.90] their purpose [1239.90 --> 1241.26] able to [1241.26 --> 1242.10] make you [1242.10 --> 1243.04] wise [1243.04 --> 1244.14] for [1244.14 --> 1245.06] salvation [1245.06 --> 1245.80] through [1245.80 --> 1246.48] faith [1246.48 --> 1247.36] in [1247.36 --> 1247.80] Christ [1247.80 --> 1248.46] Jesus [1248.46 --> 1250.58] all [1250.58 --> 1251.20] scriptures [1251.20 --> 1251.84] God [1251.84 --> 1253.02] breathed [1253.02 --> 1254.18] spirit [1254.18 --> 1254.92] inspired [1254.92 --> 1256.20] useful [1256.20 --> 1257.08] for [1257.08 --> 1257.84] teaching [1257.84 --> 1259.44] rebuking [1259.44 --> 1260.74] correcting [1260.74 --> 1261.82] and [1261.82 --> 1262.48] training [1262.48 --> 1262.90] in [1262.90 --> 1263.70] righteousness [1263.70 --> 1265.34] so that [1265.34 --> 1266.34] the servant [1266.34 --> 1267.08] of God [1267.08 --> 1268.00] may be [1268.00 --> 1268.70] thoroughly [1268.70 --> 1269.38] equipped [1269.38 --> 1270.42] for [1270.42 --> 1271.02] every [1271.02 --> 1271.90] good [1271.90 --> 1272.36] work [1272.36 --> 1276.84] now I don't [1276.84 --> 1277.44] want to force [1277.44 --> 1278.08] a structure [1278.08 --> 1278.62] on this [1278.62 --> 1279.08] passage [1279.08 --> 1279.92] as I speak [1279.92 --> 1280.72] further on [1280.72 --> 1280.94] it [1280.94 --> 1282.22] one that's [1282.22 --> 1282.76] not there [1282.76 --> 1284.36] but I think [1284.36 --> 1284.78] it may be [1284.78 --> 1285.42] helpful to [1285.42 --> 1285.90] see how [1285.90 --> 1286.42] what Paul [1286.42 --> 1287.20] is attributing [1287.20 --> 1288.06] to the work [1288.06 --> 1289.14] of scripture [1289.14 --> 1289.80] in our [1289.80 --> 1290.38] lives [1290.38 --> 1292.00] is similar [1292.00 --> 1292.66] to what [1292.66 --> 1293.44] Jesus said [1293.44 --> 1294.02] the work [1294.02 --> 1294.30] of the [1294.30 --> 1295.08] Holy Spirit [1295.08 --> 1295.86] is in [1295.86 --> 1297.22] John 16 [1297.22 --> 1297.86] where he [1297.86 --> 1298.30] said the [1298.30 --> 1299.04] spirit would [1299.04 --> 1300.36] come and [1300.36 --> 1301.32] convict the [1301.32 --> 1302.06] world of [1302.06 --> 1303.14] three things [1303.14 --> 1304.48] the spirit [1304.48 --> 1305.22] would convict [1305.22 --> 1305.68] the world [1305.68 --> 1306.54] of sin [1306.54 --> 1308.24] of righteousness [1308.24 --> 1309.42] and he [1309.42 --> 1309.88] mentions [1309.88 --> 1310.40] judgment [1310.40 --> 1310.92] but what [1310.92 --> 1312.06] Jesus means [1312.06 --> 1312.82] is and [1312.82 --> 1313.42] freedom [1313.42 --> 1314.60] from eternal [1314.60 --> 1315.10] judgment [1315.10 --> 1318.28] when the [1318.28 --> 1319.36] spirit convicts [1319.36 --> 1320.04] us that we [1320.04 --> 1321.10] are no longer [1321.10 --> 1321.78] under the [1321.78 --> 1322.48] judgment of [1322.48 --> 1322.88] God [1322.88 --> 1323.76] that's the [1323.76 --> 1324.40] same as [1324.40 --> 1325.30] believing that [1325.30 --> 1326.10] our salvation [1326.10 --> 1327.36] comes completely [1327.36 --> 1328.92] in Christ [1328.92 --> 1331.34] the spirit [1331.34 --> 1332.58] convicting us [1332.58 --> 1333.34] of sin [1333.34 --> 1334.08] relates to [1334.08 --> 1334.88] Paul saying [1334.88 --> 1335.30] that the [1335.30 --> 1336.04] scriptures are [1336.04 --> 1336.92] meant for [1336.92 --> 1338.40] rebuking and [1338.40 --> 1339.04] correcting [1339.04 --> 1341.64] and the [1341.64 --> 1342.68] spirit convicting [1342.68 --> 1343.28] us of [1343.28 --> 1344.22] righteousness [1344.22 --> 1345.50] relates to [1345.50 --> 1346.08] how as he [1346.08 --> 1346.60] says the [1346.60 --> 1348.12] scriptures are [1348.12 --> 1348.94] there to [1348.94 --> 1349.94] train us [1349.94 --> 1351.44] in righteousness [1351.44 --> 1352.74] so we can [1352.74 --> 1353.24] live this [1353.24 --> 1354.18] mature life [1354.18 --> 1356.52] by the way [1356.52 --> 1357.58] I think this [1357.58 --> 1358.24] is also the [1358.24 --> 1359.00] three parts of [1359.00 --> 1359.60] the Heidelberg [1359.60 --> 1360.36] Catechism [1360.36 --> 1362.68] the three things [1362.68 --> 1363.30] we need to [1363.30 --> 1363.62] know [1363.62 --> 1365.20] how great our [1365.20 --> 1365.96] sin is [1365.96 --> 1367.34] how great our [1367.34 --> 1368.22] redemption is [1368.22 --> 1368.92] the order is a [1368.92 --> 1369.38] little different [1369.38 --> 1370.96] and how we can [1370.96 --> 1371.88] say thank you to [1371.88 --> 1372.62] God through a [1372.62 --> 1373.60] life of obedience [1373.60 --> 1374.76] through all that [1374.76 --> 1375.38] he's done for [1375.38 --> 1377.54] us and these [1377.54 --> 1378.46] three things [1378.46 --> 1380.38] give us three [1380.38 --> 1381.72] reasons to [1381.72 --> 1383.02] read the [1383.02 --> 1385.30] Bible the [1385.30 --> 1386.34] first reason [1386.34 --> 1387.30] is to help [1387.30 --> 1388.48] us to know [1388.48 --> 1389.94] how we may be [1389.94 --> 1391.58] saved through [1391.58 --> 1392.42] our Lord Jesus [1392.42 --> 1394.50] Christ and [1394.50 --> 1395.48] you know we [1395.48 --> 1396.26] can say once [1396.26 --> 1397.22] saved but we [1397.22 --> 1397.94] need this [1397.94 --> 1398.70] assurance [1398.70 --> 1399.88] virtually [1399.88 --> 1401.44] every day [1401.44 --> 1404.34] to know [1404.34 --> 1404.82] again I'm [1404.82 --> 1405.48] loved by [1405.48 --> 1405.90] God [1405.90 --> 1407.98] and when you [1407.98 --> 1408.40] read through [1408.40 --> 1409.00] the scriptures [1409.00 --> 1410.76] it will confirm [1410.76 --> 1412.24] that to your [1412.24 --> 1412.62] soul [1412.62 --> 1414.54] because we'll [1414.54 --> 1414.98] know the [1414.98 --> 1415.68] spirit is at [1415.68 --> 1416.78] work you can [1416.78 --> 1417.88] know it if you [1417.88 --> 1418.54] read through the [1418.54 --> 1418.92] Bible [1418.92 --> 1420.94] and your [1420.94 --> 1422.16] your head's [1422.16 --> 1422.64] nodding [1422.64 --> 1425.50] you read [1425.50 --> 1425.98] through some [1425.98 --> 1426.72] of the stories [1426.72 --> 1427.28] and you hear [1427.28 --> 1428.14] what Paul says [1428.14 --> 1429.06] in some places [1429.06 --> 1429.76] in the scriptures [1429.76 --> 1430.42] and your heart [1430.42 --> 1431.14] starts beating [1431.14 --> 1432.02] faster and [1432.02 --> 1433.62] faster as it [1433.62 --> 1434.28] were your eyes [1434.28 --> 1434.84] start getting [1434.84 --> 1437.02] bigger that's [1437.02 --> 1438.14] confirmation that [1438.14 --> 1438.80] you and God [1438.80 --> 1440.84] are in sync and [1440.84 --> 1441.50] that he's working [1441.50 --> 1441.98] through his [1441.98 --> 1442.62] spirit his [1442.62 --> 1443.44] salvation in [1443.44 --> 1445.16] your soul gives [1445.16 --> 1445.92] you reason for [1445.92 --> 1448.22] joy like a big [1448.22 --> 1450.44] love letter God [1450.44 --> 1451.56] saying to us how [1451.56 --> 1452.34] much he cares [1452.34 --> 1453.16] about us [1453.16 --> 1455.94] my wife Lynn [1455.94 --> 1457.10] and I we did [1457.10 --> 1457.70] most of our [1457.70 --> 1458.36] courting by [1458.36 --> 1459.54] distance I [1459.54 --> 1459.90] was at [1459.90 --> 1461.44] Dort College [1461.44 --> 1462.70] in Iowa and [1462.70 --> 1464.46] she was in [1464.46 --> 1465.82] Winnipeg I [1465.82 --> 1466.26] could hardly [1466.26 --> 1466.84] wait to get [1466.84 --> 1467.46] those letters [1467.46 --> 1469.12] I was so [1469.12 --> 1469.96] excited I'd go [1469.96 --> 1470.86] alone and I'd [1470.86 --> 1473.20] read them I [1473.20 --> 1474.40] just soak it [1474.40 --> 1476.08] in let what [1476.08 --> 1476.64] she wrote [1476.64 --> 1477.70] penetrate [1477.70 --> 1481.26] and sometimes [1481.26 --> 1481.84] I'd read them [1481.84 --> 1482.56] more than once [1482.56 --> 1485.24] that's how we're [1485.24 --> 1485.80] meant to read [1485.80 --> 1487.56] scripture it's a [1487.56 --> 1488.08] love letter [1488.08 --> 1490.96] reminding us of [1490.96 --> 1491.86] who God is for [1491.86 --> 1492.54] us second [1492.54 --> 1493.40] reason is to [1493.40 --> 1494.22] see our sin [1494.22 --> 1494.80] and short [1494.80 --> 1495.44] comings [1495.44 --> 1497.58] that's the [1497.58 --> 1498.88] rebuking the [1498.88 --> 1500.66] correcting we [1500.66 --> 1501.30] don't like that [1501.30 --> 1502.78] today to [1502.78 --> 1503.84] rebuke and [1503.84 --> 1505.50] correct I [1505.50 --> 1505.96] think that's [1505.96 --> 1506.92] being negative [1506.92 --> 1508.84] turns people [1508.84 --> 1509.28] away [1509.28 --> 1512.56] well let me [1512.56 --> 1513.30] assure you we [1513.30 --> 1514.08] wouldn't have to [1514.08 --> 1514.94] do much of it [1514.94 --> 1516.08] if people would [1516.08 --> 1516.98] practice the [1516.98 --> 1517.68] discipline of [1517.68 --> 1518.26] reading the [1518.26 --> 1519.04] scripture because [1519.04 --> 1520.28] the spirit would [1520.28 --> 1521.12] simply get the [1521.12 --> 1521.78] job done [1521.78 --> 1523.98] the spirit's [1523.98 --> 1524.56] actually very [1524.56 --> 1525.02] good at [1525.02 --> 1526.00] convicting people [1526.00 --> 1526.52] of sin [1526.52 --> 1527.98] it's part of [1527.98 --> 1529.08] his job [1529.08 --> 1529.72] maybe the [1529.72 --> 1530.64] primary one [1530.64 --> 1533.30] see the word [1533.30 --> 1533.94] of God is [1533.94 --> 1534.74] the sword [1534.74 --> 1535.88] of the spirit [1535.88 --> 1537.34] it cuts [1537.34 --> 1538.72] to the heart [1538.72 --> 1540.80] convicts us [1540.80 --> 1541.72] when we've [1541.72 --> 1542.50] done wrong [1542.50 --> 1544.54] points us [1544.54 --> 1545.16] back in the [1545.16 --> 1546.42] right way [1546.42 --> 1549.14] Jesus said [1549.14 --> 1549.46] to his [1549.46 --> 1550.26] disciples in [1550.26 --> 1550.96] John 15 [1550.96 --> 1551.58] that you have [1551.58 --> 1552.78] become clean [1552.78 --> 1554.14] because of [1554.14 --> 1554.60] what I've [1554.60 --> 1555.52] spoken to [1555.52 --> 1555.90] you [1555.90 --> 1558.72] and then he [1558.72 --> 1559.38] went on to [1559.38 --> 1559.66] pray [1559.66 --> 1560.30] father that [1560.30 --> 1560.62] you would [1560.62 --> 1562.00] sanctify them [1562.00 --> 1563.04] by your [1563.04 --> 1563.92] truth and [1563.92 --> 1564.28] then he [1564.28 --> 1564.98] added your [1564.98 --> 1566.38] word is [1566.38 --> 1566.98] truth [1566.98 --> 1569.80] God's word [1569.80 --> 1570.24] is a [1570.24 --> 1570.98] purifier [1570.98 --> 1572.84] it's his [1572.84 --> 1573.90] central means [1573.90 --> 1575.10] really to [1575.10 --> 1575.60] make you [1575.60 --> 1575.94] and me [1575.94 --> 1576.40] holy [1576.40 --> 1578.54] and if we [1578.54 --> 1578.96] have any [1578.96 --> 1579.62] desire to [1579.62 --> 1580.32] become like [1580.32 --> 1580.98] Christ we [1580.98 --> 1581.74] must be [1581.74 --> 1582.64] students of [1582.64 --> 1582.98] the word [1582.98 --> 1583.44] of God [1583.44 --> 1586.46] you simply [1586.46 --> 1587.48] cannot graduate [1587.48 --> 1588.86] from a [1588.86 --> 1589.80] university or [1589.80 --> 1590.30] from some [1590.30 --> 1591.38] classes until [1591.38 --> 1591.98] you've done [1591.98 --> 1593.40] the required [1593.40 --> 1594.38] reading [1594.38 --> 1596.66] and we [1596.66 --> 1597.76] cannot be [1597.76 --> 1599.32] apprentices in [1599.32 --> 1600.12] the school of [1600.12 --> 1601.20] Christ if we [1601.20 --> 1602.24] do not spend [1602.24 --> 1603.76] concentrated time [1603.76 --> 1604.46] in the [1604.46 --> 1604.80] scriptures [1604.80 --> 1609.20] so the [1609.20 --> 1609.86] Bible helps [1609.86 --> 1611.16] us know [1611.16 --> 1611.98] we're saved [1611.98 --> 1612.58] and loved [1612.58 --> 1613.26] but it also [1613.26 --> 1613.96] does this [1613.96 --> 1615.42] job of [1615.42 --> 1616.22] pointing out [1616.22 --> 1616.78] our sin [1616.78 --> 1617.56] and thirdly [1617.56 --> 1618.12] it teaches [1618.12 --> 1619.48] us how [1619.48 --> 1620.14] to obey [1620.14 --> 1622.80] it's God [1622.80 --> 1623.66] breathed so [1623.66 --> 1624.42] we can be [1624.42 --> 1625.90] trained to [1625.90 --> 1626.80] be righteous [1626.80 --> 1628.62] it's filled [1628.62 --> 1629.10] with all [1629.10 --> 1629.86] kinds of [1629.86 --> 1630.94] practical advice [1630.94 --> 1631.86] stories and [1631.86 --> 1632.72] teachings that [1632.72 --> 1633.78] cover the [1633.78 --> 1634.92] full gamut [1634.92 --> 1635.58] of life [1635.58 --> 1636.76] stuff that [1636.76 --> 1637.26] you don't want [1637.26 --> 1637.94] to talk about [1637.94 --> 1638.58] in public [1638.58 --> 1639.00] or there [1639.00 --> 1641.46] we can [1641.46 --> 1641.94] learn from [1641.94 --> 1642.68] the mistakes [1642.68 --> 1643.40] of many [1643.40 --> 1643.80] in that [1643.80 --> 1644.98] book and [1644.98 --> 1645.52] be guided [1645.52 --> 1646.02] by the [1646.02 --> 1647.66] wisdom of [1647.66 --> 1648.10] others [1648.10 --> 1650.06] and no [1650.06 --> 1650.52] matter how [1650.52 --> 1651.12] many times [1651.12 --> 1651.50] you read [1651.50 --> 1651.78] it you [1651.78 --> 1652.58] keep learning [1652.58 --> 1655.36] see things [1655.36 --> 1655.80] you didn't [1655.80 --> 1656.34] before [1656.34 --> 1658.12] so that in [1658.12 --> 1658.70] the end we [1658.70 --> 1659.06] may be [1659.06 --> 1659.66] thoroughly [1659.66 --> 1660.50] equipped [1660.50 --> 1662.12] for every [1662.12 --> 1662.76] good work [1662.76 --> 1663.40] and thoroughly [1663.40 --> 1664.28] equipped means [1664.28 --> 1665.30] really mature [1665.30 --> 1666.06] complete [1666.06 --> 1667.90] as we said [1667.90 --> 1668.34] earlier [1668.34 --> 1669.06] some have [1669.06 --> 1669.56] described [1669.56 --> 1671.94] the result [1671.94 --> 1672.72] of spiritual [1672.72 --> 1673.36] disciplines [1673.36 --> 1673.90] is to be [1673.90 --> 1674.48] to do the [1674.48 --> 1675.12] right thing [1675.12 --> 1675.48] at the [1675.48 --> 1676.26] right time [1676.26 --> 1676.62] in the [1676.62 --> 1677.26] right way [1677.26 --> 1678.16] and in [1678.16 --> 1678.58] the right [1678.58 --> 1679.14] spirit [1679.14 --> 1682.48] and this [1682.48 --> 1682.88] is why [1682.88 --> 1683.34] we must [1683.34 --> 1683.78] read the [1683.78 --> 1684.16] Bible [1684.16 --> 1687.12] and let it [1687.12 --> 1687.92] penetrate [1687.92 --> 1688.28] it [1688.28 --> 1690.20] Elizabeth [1690.20 --> 1690.66] Haley [1690.66 --> 1691.18] Barton [1691.18 --> 1691.96] in her [1691.96 --> 1692.22] book [1692.22 --> 1692.70] Sacred [1692.70 --> 1693.22] Rhythms [1693.22 --> 1695.62] says the [1695.62 --> 1696.28] scriptures have [1696.28 --> 1696.98] been given to [1696.98 --> 1697.90] allow my own [1697.90 --> 1699.32] heart and soul [1699.32 --> 1701.04] to be penetrated [1701.04 --> 1702.10] by an intimate [1702.10 --> 1703.34] word from [1703.34 --> 1703.74] God [1703.74 --> 1707.22] we get into [1707.22 --> 1707.78] the word [1707.78 --> 1709.30] so it can get [1709.30 --> 1710.02] into us [1710.02 --> 1712.70] and quite [1712.70 --> 1713.28] frankly [1713.28 --> 1714.66] how you do [1714.66 --> 1714.94] it [1714.94 --> 1716.88] doesn't matter [1716.88 --> 1717.80] all that much [1717.80 --> 1719.68] that you do [1719.68 --> 1719.96] it [1719.96 --> 1721.44] doesn't matter [1721.44 --> 1722.36] how you exercise [1722.36 --> 1723.88] just exercise [1723.88 --> 1725.22] find a way [1725.22 --> 1726.98] it's like any [1726.98 --> 1727.64] relationship [1727.64 --> 1728.96] young men and [1728.96 --> 1729.62] women get pretty [1729.62 --> 1730.38] creative when they [1730.38 --> 1731.00] want to develop [1731.00 --> 1731.58] a relationship [1731.58 --> 1732.98] they find a way [1732.98 --> 1733.72] to get together [1733.72 --> 1734.50] and they learn [1734.50 --> 1735.36] how to communicate [1735.36 --> 1736.82] and it's no [1736.82 --> 1737.38] different with [1737.38 --> 1737.76] God [1737.76 --> 1740.00] simply pick a [1740.00 --> 1740.56] time [1740.56 --> 1742.04] and usually [1742.04 --> 1743.04] a place [1743.04 --> 1744.70] call it a [1744.70 --> 1745.12] date [1745.12 --> 1748.12] and then [1748.12 --> 1749.92] become [1749.92 --> 1750.62] disciplined [1750.62 --> 1755.40] if you're [1755.40 --> 1755.80] unfamiliar [1755.80 --> 1756.36] with the [1756.36 --> 1756.68] Bible [1756.68 --> 1757.36] you may want [1757.36 --> 1757.74] to start [1757.74 --> 1758.06] with the [1758.06 --> 1758.64] Gospel of [1758.64 --> 1758.98] John [1758.98 --> 1759.26] and you [1759.26 --> 1759.46] know [1759.46 --> 1759.72] one [1759.72 --> 1760.72] talked to [1760.72 --> 1761.06] Nicky [1761.06 --> 1761.48] Gumbel [1761.48 --> 1762.64] some of you [1762.64 --> 1762.98] may know [1762.98 --> 1763.30] of him [1763.30 --> 1766.04] he was a [1766.04 --> 1766.36] lawyer [1766.36 --> 1767.18] somebody [1767.18 --> 1767.84] challenged him [1767.84 --> 1768.28] when he sat [1768.28 --> 1768.70] down and [1768.70 --> 1769.30] started reading [1769.30 --> 1769.72] the Bible [1769.72 --> 1770.30] one night [1770.30 --> 1772.50] and you [1772.50 --> 1772.84] read the [1772.84 --> 1773.08] Bible [1773.08 --> 1773.52] like a [1773.52 --> 1773.84] novel [1773.84 --> 1774.90] just sit [1774.90 --> 1775.10] down [1775.10 --> 1775.40] and read [1775.40 --> 1775.68] one of [1775.68 --> 1776.40] the Gospels [1776.40 --> 1777.36] first time [1777.36 --> 1777.66] I did [1777.66 --> 1777.84] that [1777.84 --> 1778.04] I was [1778.04 --> 1778.16] in [1778.16 --> 1778.68] seminary [1778.68 --> 1779.00] I was [1779.00 --> 1779.42] supposed [1779.42 --> 1780.04] to be [1780.04 --> 1780.56] a student [1780.56 --> 1781.40] required [1781.40 --> 1781.88] reading [1781.88 --> 1783.62] what an [1783.62 --> 1784.08] impact [1784.08 --> 1784.78] reading [1784.78 --> 1785.44] the Gospel [1785.44 --> 1786.32] a Gospel [1786.32 --> 1786.68] through [1786.68 --> 1787.28] in one [1787.28 --> 1787.74] setting [1787.74 --> 1788.40] do it [1788.40 --> 1788.60] some [1788.60 --> 1789.02] evening [1789.02 --> 1789.96] it'll [1789.96 --> 1790.46] immerse [1790.46 --> 1790.64] you [1790.64 --> 1790.90] in the [1790.90 --> 1791.14] life [1791.14 --> 1791.36] of [1791.36 --> 1791.90] Jesus [1791.90 --> 1792.84] it's [1792.84 --> 1793.04] one [1793.04 --> 1793.38] way [1793.38 --> 1795.06] some [1795.06 --> 1795.44] follow [1795.44 --> 1795.88] Bible [1795.88 --> 1796.20] in a [1796.20 --> 1796.48] year [1796.48 --> 1798.00] some [1798.00 --> 1798.32] take [1798.32 --> 1798.64] very [1798.64 --> 1799.18] small [1799.18 --> 1799.78] amounts [1799.78 --> 1801.82] it's [1801.82 --> 1802.30] called [1802.30 --> 1803.22] Lectio [1803.22 --> 1803.70] Divina [1803.70 --> 1804.42] is a [1804.42 --> 1804.72] way [1804.72 --> 1805.68] it really [1805.68 --> 1806.50] means to [1806.50 --> 1807.78] meditate [1807.78 --> 1810.70] like a [1810.70 --> 1812.82] I read [1812.82 --> 1813.92] the analogy [1813.92 --> 1815.06] of a dog [1815.06 --> 1815.64] with a bone [1815.64 --> 1816.62] you ever see a dog [1816.62 --> 1817.56] finds a bone [1817.56 --> 1819.18] it's chewing [1819.18 --> 1820.32] it's absolutely [1820.32 --> 1822.00] you get into [1822.00 --> 1822.78] a passage [1822.78 --> 1823.58] of scripture [1823.58 --> 1826.38] you just chew [1826.38 --> 1827.30] away on it [1827.30 --> 1829.52] and you let [1829.52 --> 1830.22] it get into [1830.22 --> 1830.54] you [1830.54 --> 1831.56] and you say [1831.56 --> 1831.88] Lord [1831.88 --> 1832.94] what does this [1832.94 --> 1833.28] mean [1833.28 --> 1833.82] and you read [1833.82 --> 1834.30] it again [1834.30 --> 1834.96] how might you [1834.96 --> 1835.52] be speaking [1835.52 --> 1836.34] into my life [1836.34 --> 1836.74] and you read [1836.74 --> 1837.04] it again [1837.04 --> 1837.30] Lord [1837.30 --> 1838.10] what are you [1838.10 --> 1838.80] asking me [1838.80 --> 1839.16] to do [1839.16 --> 1839.72] this day [1839.72 --> 1840.44] out of this [1840.44 --> 1840.88] passage [1840.88 --> 1841.42] that's what [1841.42 --> 1842.56] Lectio Divina [1842.56 --> 1843.06] is really [1843.06 --> 1843.56] meant to [1843.56 --> 1844.04] help us [1844.04 --> 1844.26] do [1844.26 --> 1844.70] and if you [1844.70 --> 1844.92] want [1844.92 --> 1845.34] you google [1845.34 --> 1845.58] it [1845.58 --> 1845.90] and you'll [1845.90 --> 1847.16] find ways [1847.16 --> 1848.14] to meditate [1848.14 --> 1849.30] on a smaller [1849.30 --> 1850.18] passage of [1850.18 --> 1850.36] scripture [1850.36 --> 1851.10] there's all [1851.10 --> 1851.74] kinds of [1851.74 --> 1852.14] ways [1852.14 --> 1853.84] and listen [1853.84 --> 1854.22] to it [1854.22 --> 1855.00] on a CD [1855.00 --> 1857.42] and listen [1857.42 --> 1857.76] to it [1857.76 --> 1858.12] when you're [1858.12 --> 1858.62] traveling [1858.62 --> 1860.12] and listen [1860.12 --> 1860.64] to it [1860.64 --> 1861.32] quietly [1861.32 --> 1861.96] at night [1861.96 --> 1863.08] you can [1863.08 --> 1863.64] read it [1863.64 --> 1865.70] I think [1865.70 --> 1866.22] we've gotten [1866.22 --> 1866.62] away [1866.62 --> 1867.00] but we [1867.00 --> 1867.40] haven't [1867.40 --> 1867.72] in our [1867.72 --> 1868.02] house [1868.02 --> 1868.52] but we [1868.52 --> 1868.84] still [1868.84 --> 1869.22] read it [1869.22 --> 1869.76] at most [1869.76 --> 1870.32] supper [1870.32 --> 1870.86] times [1870.86 --> 1871.52] or meal [1871.52 --> 1872.12] times [1872.12 --> 1872.98] a passage [1872.98 --> 1874.72] we have [1874.72 --> 1875.20] our own [1875.20 --> 1876.00] ways [1876.00 --> 1876.46] of doing [1876.46 --> 1876.74] this [1876.74 --> 1877.22] my own [1877.22 --> 1877.68] personal [1877.68 --> 1878.90] discipline [1878.90 --> 1879.28] at this [1879.28 --> 1879.66] point [1879.66 --> 1880.22] in time [1880.22 --> 1880.60] is to [1880.60 --> 1880.96] read [1880.96 --> 1881.78] a minimum [1881.78 --> 1882.32] of two [1882.32 --> 1882.96] chapters [1882.96 --> 1883.48] old [1883.48 --> 1883.94] testament [1883.94 --> 1884.42] and new [1884.42 --> 1884.72] every [1884.72 --> 1885.20] morning [1885.20 --> 1887.10] it's [1887.10 --> 1887.54] amazing [1887.54 --> 1887.80] what [1887.80 --> 1888.10] comes [1888.10 --> 1888.50] up [1888.50 --> 1890.64] it's [1890.64 --> 1890.84] really [1890.84 --> 1891.22] how I [1891.22 --> 1891.66] came to [1891.66 --> 1891.94] faith [1891.94 --> 1892.30] I would [1892.30 --> 1892.52] say [1892.52 --> 1892.82] I was [1892.82 --> 1893.32] challenged [1893.32 --> 1893.74] as a [1893.74 --> 1893.98] kid [1893.98 --> 1895.04] by a [1895.04 --> 1895.24] fellow [1895.24 --> 1895.48] in [1895.48 --> 1896.04] Ontario [1896.04 --> 1896.32] in [1896.32 --> 1896.62] some [1896.62 --> 1897.26] magazine [1897.26 --> 1897.58] I think [1897.58 --> 1897.92] it was [1897.92 --> 1898.68] through [1898.68 --> 1898.90] the [1898.90 --> 1899.86] used to [1899.86 --> 1900.24] be called [1900.24 --> 1900.58] Uncle [1900.58 --> 1900.90] Bill [1900.90 --> 1901.38] and it [1901.38 --> 1901.68] was a [1901.68 --> 1902.06] challenge [1902.06 --> 1902.48] to read [1902.48 --> 1902.64] the [1902.64 --> 1902.94] Bible [1902.94 --> 1903.24] and if [1903.24 --> 1903.48] you did [1903.48 --> 1903.60] it [1903.60 --> 1903.86] for a [1903.86 --> 1904.06] year [1904.06 --> 1904.22] you [1904.22 --> 1904.42] got [1904.42 --> 1904.58] a [1904.58 --> 1905.06] certificate [1905.06 --> 1906.56] I [1906.56 --> 1906.72] did [1906.72 --> 1906.84] it [1906.84 --> 1906.96] for [1906.96 --> 1907.32] three [1907.32 --> 1907.68] years [1907.68 --> 1908.04] minus [1908.04 --> 1908.42] one [1908.42 --> 1908.72] night [1908.72 --> 1908.92] I [1908.92 --> 1909.28] remember [1909.28 --> 1909.48] the [1909.48 --> 1909.66] night [1909.66 --> 1909.84] we [1909.84 --> 1910.00] were [1910.00 --> 1910.38] camping [1910.38 --> 1910.66] up [1910.66 --> 1910.86] in [1910.86 --> 1911.70] Houston [1911.70 --> 1911.98] with [1911.98 --> 1912.16] my [1912.16 --> 1912.46] brother [1912.46 --> 1912.86] and a [1912.86 --> 1913.20] friend [1913.20 --> 1914.26] and I [1914.26 --> 1914.52] remember [1914.52 --> 1914.86] it was [1914.86 --> 1915.16] late [1915.16 --> 1915.36] and I [1915.36 --> 1915.56] suddenly [1915.56 --> 1915.92] oh [1915.92 --> 1916.62] crap [1916.62 --> 1916.78] I [1916.78 --> 1917.04] didn't [1917.04 --> 1917.28] read [1917.28 --> 1917.42] the [1917.42 --> 1917.66] Bible [1917.66 --> 1918.02] today [1918.02 --> 1918.70] well you [1918.70 --> 1919.08] can get [1919.08 --> 1919.42] a little [1919.42 --> 1920.20] hypocritical [1920.20 --> 1920.60] and self [1920.60 --> 1920.94] righteous [1920.94 --> 1921.52] about all [1921.52 --> 1921.68] that [1921.68 --> 1922.02] but you [1922.02 --> 1922.14] know [1922.14 --> 1922.34] the [1922.34 --> 1922.84] discipline [1922.84 --> 1923.34] of doing [1923.34 --> 1923.54] it [1923.54 --> 1923.88] for [1923.88 --> 1924.24] three [1924.24 --> 1924.56] years [1924.56 --> 1925.02] changed [1925.02 --> 1925.24] my [1925.24 --> 1925.66] life [1925.66 --> 1928.28] doesn't [1928.28 --> 1928.60] have to [1928.60 --> 1928.74] be [1928.74 --> 1929.12] much [1929.12 --> 1931.78] in [1931.78 --> 1931.96] the [1931.96 --> 1932.46] end [1932.46 --> 1932.94] what we [1932.94 --> 1933.18] need [1933.18 --> 1933.34] to [1933.34 --> 1933.88] become [1933.88 --> 1934.52] is [1934.52 --> 1935.38] individuals [1935.38 --> 1936.62] who [1936.62 --> 1936.88] have a [1936.88 --> 1937.32] passion [1937.32 --> 1937.62] for [1937.62 --> 1938.08] Christ [1938.08 --> 1938.42] and we [1938.42 --> 1938.82] want to [1938.82 --> 1939.00] know [1939.00 --> 1939.38] more [1939.38 --> 1940.22] and we [1940.22 --> 1940.54] must [1940.54 --> 1940.98] become [1940.98 --> 1941.36] what we [1941.36 --> 1941.54] could [1941.54 --> 1941.94] call [1941.94 --> 1942.94] self [1942.94 --> 1944.44] feeders [1944.44 --> 1947.70] and I [1947.70 --> 1948.00] think this [1948.00 --> 1948.52] is appropriate [1948.52 --> 1949.04] in days [1949.04 --> 1949.58] of COVID [1949.58 --> 1950.68] self [1950.68 --> 1951.16] feeders [1951.16 --> 1951.62] who are [1951.62 --> 1952.00] not [1952.00 --> 1952.82] reliant [1952.82 --> 1953.32] on the [1953.32 --> 1953.60] church [1953.60 --> 1953.84] I'm [1953.84 --> 1954.08] actually [1954.08 --> 1954.40] quite [1954.40 --> 1954.86] concerned [1954.86 --> 1956.20] I'm [1956.20 --> 1956.44] seeing [1956.44 --> 1956.78] people [1956.78 --> 1957.00] I [1957.00 --> 1957.22] think [1957.22 --> 1957.78] kind [1957.78 --> 1957.88] of [1957.88 --> 1958.18] happy [1958.18 --> 1958.40] they [1958.40 --> 1958.58] can [1958.58 --> 1958.80] take [1958.80 --> 1959.18] distance [1959.18 --> 1959.40] with [1959.40 --> 1959.56] the [1959.56 --> 1959.78] church [1959.78 --> 1959.96] and [1959.96 --> 1960.14] I'm [1960.14 --> 1960.56] wondering [1960.56 --> 1960.84] whether [1960.84 --> 1961.12] that [1961.12 --> 1961.44] means [1961.44 --> 1962.02] they [1962.02 --> 1962.40] think [1962.40 --> 1962.60] they [1962.60 --> 1962.82] can [1962.82 --> 1963.08] take [1963.08 --> 1963.50] distance [1963.50 --> 1963.76] from [1963.76 --> 1963.98] the [1963.98 --> 1964.34] Lord [1964.34 --> 1969.38] because [1969.38 --> 1969.88] if our [1969.88 --> 1970.24] faith [1970.24 --> 1970.44] is [1970.44 --> 1971.02] reliant [1971.02 --> 1971.36] on the [1971.36 --> 1971.66] church [1971.66 --> 1972.38] community [1972.38 --> 1973.82] then we're [1973.82 --> 1974.02] going to [1974.02 --> 1974.30] be a [1974.30 --> 1974.62] drag [1974.62 --> 1975.28] on it [1975.28 --> 1976.36] doesn't [1976.36 --> 1976.66] mean we [1976.66 --> 1976.90] shouldn't [1976.90 --> 1977.14] be in [1977.14 --> 1977.62] community [1977.62 --> 1978.92] but if [1978.92 --> 1979.34] we aren't [1979.34 --> 1979.74] self [1979.74 --> 1980.26] feeders [1980.26 --> 1980.60] who know [1980.60 --> 1980.92] how to [1980.92 --> 1981.36] care for [1981.36 --> 1981.72] our own [1981.72 --> 1982.02] soul [1982.02 --> 1982.32] they used [1982.32 --> 1982.64] to say [1982.64 --> 1983.26] this to [1983.26 --> 1983.74] people in [1983.74 --> 1984.20] profession [1984.20 --> 1984.68] of faith [1984.68 --> 1985.14] class [1985.14 --> 1985.82] are you [1985.82 --> 1986.28] the kind [1986.28 --> 1986.74] of person [1986.74 --> 1987.04] who if [1987.04 --> 1987.32] you get [1987.32 --> 1987.84] stranded [1987.84 --> 1988.28] on an [1988.28 --> 1988.50] island [1988.50 --> 1989.00] someday [1989.00 --> 1989.64] and there's [1989.64 --> 1990.12] only four [1990.12 --> 1990.62] other people [1990.62 --> 1990.84] and they're [1990.84 --> 1991.42] not believers [1991.42 --> 1992.00] you're [1992.00 --> 1992.24] going to [1992.24 --> 1992.68] hold on [1992.68 --> 1992.98] to who [1992.98 --> 1993.34] Jesus [1993.34 --> 1993.66] is [1993.66 --> 1994.16] because [1994.16 --> 1994.50] you've [1994.50 --> 1994.94] embedded [1994.94 --> 1995.20] him [1995.20 --> 1995.58] or he's [1995.58 --> 1995.92] gotten [1995.92 --> 1996.44] embedded [1996.44 --> 1997.20] into your [1997.20 --> 1997.80] soul [1997.80 --> 1999.12] and your [1999.12 --> 1999.90] mind [1999.90 --> 2002.48] these are [2002.48 --> 2003.06] the people [2003.06 --> 2003.90] we need [2003.90 --> 2004.36] to be [2004.36 --> 2005.18] and then [2005.18 --> 2005.64] we come [2005.64 --> 2006.08] together [2006.08 --> 2006.70] as church [2006.70 --> 2007.28] and we're [2007.28 --> 2007.92] strong [2007.92 --> 2011.68] a grown [2011.68 --> 2012.38] up child [2012.38 --> 2013.32] isn't reliant [2013.32 --> 2013.88] on mother [2013.88 --> 2014.40] anymore [2014.40 --> 2015.58] to be fed [2015.58 --> 2016.60] and the [2016.60 --> 2017.16] church is [2017.16 --> 2017.48] in the [2017.48 --> 2017.82] scriptures [2017.82 --> 2018.40] called [2018.40 --> 2019.40] the mother [2019.40 --> 2020.38] we find [2020.38 --> 2021.02] ways [2021.02 --> 2021.52] to feed [2021.52 --> 2021.74] our [2021.74 --> 2022.26] soul [2022.26 --> 2023.36] and then [2023.36 --> 2023.76] we love [2023.76 --> 2024.58] coming home [2024.58 --> 2025.08] to mother [2025.08 --> 2025.44] and the [2025.44 --> 2025.82] family [2025.82 --> 2026.50] where together [2026.50 --> 2027.44] we feast [2027.44 --> 2030.58] but in the [2030.58 --> 2030.86] end [2030.86 --> 2031.34] what we're [2031.34 --> 2031.80] meant to [2031.80 --> 2032.12] do [2032.12 --> 2033.18] is to [2033.18 --> 2033.74] find a [2033.74 --> 2034.06] way [2034.06 --> 2034.92] to relate [2034.92 --> 2036.60] very deeply [2036.60 --> 2037.44] and intimately [2037.44 --> 2038.34] to Christ [2038.34 --> 2040.68] so that [2040.68 --> 2041.02] in the [2041.02 --> 2041.38] end [2041.38 --> 2042.88] we know [2042.88 --> 2043.22] what it [2043.22 --> 2043.52] is to [2043.52 --> 2044.20] be saved [2044.20 --> 2045.32] because we [2045.32 --> 2045.70] know what [2045.70 --> 2046.16] it is [2046.16 --> 2047.18] we're [2047.18 --> 2047.52] sinners [2047.52 --> 2048.98] and we [2048.98 --> 2049.90] find ways [2049.90 --> 2050.56] to follow [2050.56 --> 2050.86] our [2050.86 --> 2051.20] Savior [2051.20 --> 2052.40] and to [2052.40 --> 2052.98] truly [2052.98 --> 2054.10] live [2054.10 --> 2055.94] pray with [2055.94 --> 2056.12] me [2056.12 --> 2056.40] God [2056.40 --> 2056.94] thank you [2056.94 --> 2057.24] you've [2057.24 --> 2057.60] spoken [2057.60 --> 2058.26] to us [2058.26 --> 2060.16] and [2060.16 --> 2061.24] we haven't [2061.24 --> 2061.76] talked about [2061.76 --> 2062.50] your creation [2062.50 --> 2063.00] but it's [2063.00 --> 2063.58] out there [2063.58 --> 2063.98] just [2063.98 --> 2064.82] blasting [2064.82 --> 2065.32] away [2065.32 --> 2065.86] the good [2065.86 --> 2066.24] news [2066.24 --> 2066.56] of how [2066.56 --> 2066.94] great [2066.94 --> 2067.16] and [2067.16 --> 2067.96] powerful [2067.96 --> 2068.62] you are [2068.62 --> 2070.88] and you've [2070.88 --> 2071.48] written things [2071.48 --> 2072.28] down for us [2072.28 --> 2072.94] to read [2072.94 --> 2075.58] you've spoken [2075.58 --> 2076.12] to us [2076.12 --> 2076.76] in a wide [2076.76 --> 2077.42] variety of [2077.42 --> 2077.76] ways [2077.76 --> 2078.08] and we [2078.08 --> 2078.56] thank you [2078.56 --> 2078.92] for the [2078.92 --> 2079.30] prophets [2079.30 --> 2079.98] and for the [2079.98 --> 2080.34] writers [2080.34 --> 2081.10] of your [2081.10 --> 2081.44] word [2081.44 --> 2081.92] and oh [2081.92 --> 2082.22] God [2082.22 --> 2082.94] help us [2082.94 --> 2084.10] to submit [2084.10 --> 2084.94] our minds [2084.94 --> 2085.44] and our [2085.44 --> 2085.94] souls [2085.94 --> 2086.70] and our [2086.70 --> 2087.40] bodies [2087.40 --> 2088.32] to this [2088.32 --> 2089.24] your living [2089.24 --> 2089.74] word [2089.74 --> 2091.20] but especially [2091.20 --> 2092.28] in the end [2092.28 --> 2092.94] help us to [2092.94 --> 2093.40] see you [2093.40 --> 2094.10] Lord Jesus [2094.10 --> 2094.82] for who you [2094.82 --> 2095.22] are [2095.22 --> 2096.20] so that we [2096.20 --> 2097.04] submit to [2097.04 --> 2097.38] you [2097.38 --> 2099.62] and now [2099.62 --> 2100.16] we pray [2100.16 --> 2100.82] that as we [2100.82 --> 2101.76] turn to [2101.76 --> 2102.52] the sacrament [2102.52 --> 2103.58] another gift [2103.58 --> 2104.14] that you [2104.14 --> 2104.72] gave to [2104.72 --> 2105.12] us [2105.12 --> 2106.62] adhere to [2106.62 --> 2108.78] we may [2108.78 --> 2109.98] be encouraged [2109.98 --> 2111.32] reminded of [2111.32 --> 2111.96] who we are [2111.96 --> 2112.48] in you [2112.48 --> 2114.16] and encouraged [2114.16 --> 2114.94] by your [2114.94 --> 2115.54] grace [2115.54 --> 2117.58] to pick up [2117.58 --> 2118.02] again [2118.02 --> 2119.26] carry on [2119.26 --> 2120.20] and go [2120.20 --> 2120.76] and serve [2120.76 --> 2121.88] we pray [2121.88 --> 2122.38] in Jesus [2122.38 --> 2122.90] name [2122.90 --> 2123.84] Amen