[0.00 --> 3.00] With my soul [3.00 --> 4.00] Sing it out. [7.00 --> 11.00] It is well [11.00 --> 19.00] With my soul [19.00 --> 26.00] It is well [26.00 --> 34.00] With my soul [34.00 --> 40.00] It is well [40.00 --> 44.00] It is well [44.00 --> 48.00] With my soul [48.00 --> 49.00] Sing it out. [49.00 --> 51.00] It is well [51.00 --> 55.00] Oh, it is well [55.00 --> 57.00] It is well [57.00 --> 62.00] With my soul [62.00 --> 65.00] Because of who you are, Lord [65.00 --> 71.00] Oh, it is well [71.00 --> 77.00] With my soul [77.00 --> 85.00] It is well [85.00 --> 95.00] With my soul [95.00 --> 99.00] It is well [99.00 --> 101.00] It is well [101.00 --> 103.00] It is well [103.00 --> 107.00] With my soul [107.00 --> 108.00] Sing it out. [108.00 --> 109.00] It is well [109.00 --> 111.00] It is well [111.00 --> 113.00] It is well [113.00 --> 115.00] It is well [115.00 --> 117.00] It is well [117.00 --> 121.00] With my soul [121.00 --> 123.00] It is well [123.00 --> 125.00] It is well [125.00 --> 127.00] It is well [127.00 --> 129.00] It is well [129.00 --> 131.00] It is well [131.00 --> 135.00] With my soul [135.00 --> 137.00] With my soul [137.00 --> 141.00] Oh [141.00 --> 143.00] Oh [143.00 --> 145.00] Oh [145.00 --> 147.00] Oh [147.00 --> 149.00] And through it all [149.00 --> 151.00] Through it all [151.00 --> 153.00] My eyes are on you [153.00 --> 155.00] And through it all [155.00 --> 157.00] Through it all [157.00 --> 162.00] It is well [162.00 --> 164.00] And through it all [164.00 --> 166.00] Through it all [166.00 --> 167.00] How it is well [167.00 --> 177.00] Oh [177.00 --> 178.00] My eyes are on you [178.00 --> 179.00] And is well [179.00 --> 181.00] With me [181.00 --> 210.98] I love you. [211.00 --> 216.00] It's like a picture that you've painted for me [216.00 --> 221.28] A love letter in the sky [221.28 --> 227.00] Story [227.00 --> 232.78] I could have had a really different story [232.78 --> 239.00] But you came down from heaven to restore me [239.00 --> 244.50] Forever saved my life [244.50 --> 253.66] Nobody loves me like you love me, Jesus [253.66 --> 259.66] I stand in all of your amazing ways [259.66 --> 265.16] I worship you as long as I am breathing [265.16 --> 268.76] God, you are faithful and true [268.76 --> 272.26] Nobody loves me like you [272.26 --> 278.26] Mountains [278.26 --> 284.76] You're breaking down the weight of all my mountains [284.76 --> 290.26] Even when it feels like I'm surrounded [290.26 --> 296.26] You never leave my side [296.26 --> 305.76] Nobody loves me like you love me, Jesus [305.76 --> 311.26] I stand in all of your amazing ways [311.26 --> 317.26] I worship you as long as I am breathing [317.26 --> 320.26] God, you are faithful and true [320.26 --> 323.76] Nobody loves me like you [323.76 --> 325.76] お願い [325.98 --> 327.26] Yeah [327.26 --> 330.84] God, you are faithful and true [335.26 --> 346.26] We're broken and utter貝 [346.26 --> 347.26] Not going to chaos [347.26 --> 349.26] Oh, what a song to sing. [351.26 --> 353.26] Oh, what a song. [354.26 --> 356.26] My heart keeps singing. [357.26 --> 360.26] Oh, what a song to sing. [362.26 --> 366.26] Oh, what a song to sing. [367.26 --> 368.26] I'll never stop. [369.26 --> 371.26] Oh, what a song to sing. [372.26 --> 375.26] Jesus, you love me. [375.26 --> 378.26] And I love you, God. [380.26 --> 384.26] Nobody loves me like you love me. [384.26 --> 391.26] Jesus, I stand in awe of your amazing way. [392.26 --> 397.26] I'll worship you as long as I am relieved. [398.26 --> 401.26] God, I will worship you forever. [402.26 --> 403.26] Worship me. [403.26 --> 407.26] Nobody loves me like you love me. [408.26 --> 413.26] Jesus, I stand in awe of your amazing way. [414.26 --> 420.26] I'll worship you as long as I am relieved. [421.26 --> 423.26] God, you are faithful in truth. [423.26 --> 424.26] Nobody loves me like you. [424.26 --> 426.26] Nobody loves me like you love me. [426.26 --> 428.26] Nobody loves me like you love me. [428.26 --> 432.26] I'm a child of God. [432.26 --> 433.26] I'm a child of God. [433.26 --> 434.26] I'm a child of God. [434.26 --> 437.26] Yes, I am. [437.26 --> 440.26] Nobody loves me like you love me. [440.26 --> 441.26] Nobody loves me like you. [441.26 --> 445.26] Nobody loves me like you. [445.26 --> 475.24] I love you [475.26 --> 505.24] I love you [505.26 --> 535.24] I love you [535.24 --> 537.24] We sing to the God who heals [537.24 --> 540.08] We sing to the God who saves [540.08 --> 544.52] We sing to the God who always makes a way [544.52 --> 548.42] Cause He hung up on that cross [548.42 --> 551.30] Then He rose up from that grave [551.30 --> 556.40] My God's still rolling stones away [556.40 --> 561.40] Let's join the heart of the Lord [561.40 --> 565.72] Good morning everyone [565.72 --> 568.46] Welcome to church this morning [568.46 --> 569.54] My name is Kevin Lobert [569.54 --> 571.34] I'm the youth pastor here at Emanuel [571.34 --> 574.18] It's good to see so many of us here on this August Sunday [574.18 --> 577.18] A couple of announcements this morning before we begin the service [577.18 --> 580.78] This coming Thursday, August the 25th [580.78 --> 582.70] Our church is hosting a town hall meeting [582.70 --> 586.14] So that's for all members and even non-members to invite [586.14 --> 588.42] To come out to discuss things of this church [588.42 --> 591.08] But specifically the young adult ministry of our church [591.08 --> 595.12] So the past two years the young adult ministry was under [595.12 --> 597.78] Josh Chamberlain was the intern here [597.78 --> 598.58] He ran that ministry [598.58 --> 599.74] His contract has been up [599.74 --> 600.92] And so there's a meeting to discuss [600.92 --> 602.84] What do we do with this ministry going forward [602.84 --> 605.24] Council's got a proposal [605.24 --> 608.60] But we want to give some information and some reasons for that proposal [608.60 --> 610.38] And then we want to hear from you the congregation as well [610.38 --> 612.50] So please do come out this coming Thursday [612.50 --> 615.10] I believe it starts at 7 for that discussion [615.10 --> 617.38] And we hope to see many of you there for that [617.38 --> 619.42] On September the 4th [619.42 --> 620.86] Which is in a couple weeks [620.86 --> 626.62] We're going to be hosting a baseball tournament barbecue fun event [626.62 --> 628.40] So that'll happen after church [628.40 --> 630.62] 12 till 4-ish we're thinking [630.62 --> 632.42] A few more details are being sorted [632.42 --> 634.46] But have that date sort of circled in your calendar [634.46 --> 636.18] If you'd like to come to that [636.18 --> 637.64] Sign up for a baseball team [637.64 --> 638.74] Email Aaron [638.74 --> 639.62] His name is [639.62 --> 642.64] His email's in the bulletin as well [642.64 --> 643.46] So you can email him [643.46 --> 644.68] And he'll get you on a team [644.68 --> 646.02] And then we'll have a good time [646.02 --> 646.94] So if you want to play [646.94 --> 647.22] Play [647.22 --> 648.00] If you don't want to play [648.00 --> 648.72] You can still come out [648.72 --> 649.68] And you can watch [649.68 --> 650.42] And you can eat food [650.42 --> 651.62] And you can cheer people on [651.62 --> 652.36] And it'll be very exciting [652.36 --> 654.36] Finally reactivate [654.36 --> 655.52] Is a big youth conference [655.52 --> 656.84] Done in the CRC church [656.84 --> 659.14] The 7th one is happening [659.14 --> 661.78] This September 9th to 11th [661.78 --> 662.32] Youth [662.32 --> 663.48] You can still register [663.48 --> 664.22] Till the end of the month [664.22 --> 665.16] So please do that [665.16 --> 666.38] But for that conference [666.38 --> 668.48] It's being hosted by Willoughby [668.48 --> 670.54] But we're looking for a number of volunteers still [670.54 --> 672.94] So some more information [672.94 --> 674.04] On what type of volunteer [674.04 --> 675.62] Will be coming out in the next week or two [675.62 --> 677.58] But we're especially looking for someone [677.58 --> 678.56] To help out in the kitchen [678.56 --> 680.50] We have a wonderful leader [680.50 --> 681.70] Who's cooking all the meals [681.70 --> 683.30] And does most of the grocery shopping [683.30 --> 683.64] Fay [683.64 --> 685.86] But she's looking for sort of a right hand person [685.86 --> 687.98] To kind of walk alongside of her that weekend [687.98 --> 689.48] So if that's something that you're passionate about [689.48 --> 690.60] Something you think you can help with [690.60 --> 693.04] Please consider coming out to that [693.04 --> 693.92] You can chat with me [693.92 --> 696.30] To help out in that capacity [696.30 --> 699.30] I'm going to invite you all to rise right now [699.30 --> 701.30] And we'll receive God's greeting this morning [701.30 --> 706.18] God's greeting this morning [706.18 --> 708.10] Comes from Revelation 1 [708.10 --> 708.86] Where it says [708.86 --> 710.90] Grace to you and peace from him [710.90 --> 713.42] Who is and who was and who is to come [713.42 --> 716.14] And from the seven spirits before his throne [716.14 --> 717.64] And from Jesus Christ [717.64 --> 718.94] Who is the faithful witness [718.94 --> 720.52] The firstborn of the dead [720.52 --> 722.94] And the ruler of the kings of the earth [722.94 --> 724.48] And all God's people said [724.48 --> 727.62] Now we haven't done this in a long time [727.62 --> 729.28] But as God has greeted us this morning [729.28 --> 731.72] Please be sensitive to maybe some handshakes for some [731.72 --> 732.66] But please take this time [732.66 --> 733.20] Turn around [733.20 --> 735.26] Greet one another this morning [735.26 --> 735.76] Amen [748.94 --> 761.88] Children of God [761.88 --> 764.06] Enter into this congregation [764.06 --> 765.78] Not just with your physical being [765.78 --> 767.68] Let not your heart and mind [767.68 --> 769.36] Be misplaced in its affections [769.36 --> 771.60] Humble yourselves before the presence [771.60 --> 772.78] Of the almighty God [772.78 --> 774.08] The everlasting Lord [774.08 --> 774.98] The truth [774.98 --> 775.96] The great I am [775.96 --> 776.90] The Lord of Jehovah [776.90 --> 778.10] Creator of the earth [778.10 --> 780.52] Let us come bow down before him [780.52 --> 782.22] Bring your praises [782.22 --> 782.90] Your cries [782.90 --> 783.50] Your prayers [783.50 --> 784.12] Your wrestling [784.12 --> 785.76] Come with expectation [785.76 --> 786.54] With faith [786.54 --> 787.40] Before our Father [787.40 --> 788.24] Who art in heaven [788.24 --> 789.48] Bride of Christ [789.48 --> 790.36] Lift your voices [790.36 --> 791.00] And sing [808.10 --> 817.08] Let us come in true submission [817.08 --> 822.48] In the faith he will provide [822.48 --> 828.88] Let us come in true submission [828.88 --> 834.56] In the faith he will provide [834.56 --> 837.98] Let us come to God [837.98 --> 838.94] Let us come to God [838.94 --> 840.98] To save you [840.98 --> 846.22] He has his arms stretched open wide [846.22 --> 849.86] He died at Calvary [849.86 --> 852.84] Just to save you [852.84 --> 853.84] Because he loves you [853.84 --> 855.04] Because he loves you [855.04 --> 855.06] Because he loves you [855.06 --> 856.76] As his child [856.76 --> 864.34] He is the everlasting Lord [864.34 --> 867.26] He is the truth [867.26 --> 869.66] The great I am [869.66 --> 871.50] The Lord Jehovah [871.50 --> 875.16] Creator of the earth [875.16 --> 879.58] Come let us bow before him now [879.58 --> 892.50] He has called you to your Father [892.50 --> 898.00] He has called you as his child [898.00 --> 902.42] Joined as with Christ [902.42 --> 905.50] Oh righteous saint [905.50 --> 910.42] He has made you holy in his sight [910.42 --> 916.84] He is the everlasting Lord [916.84 --> 919.84] He is the truth [919.84 --> 922.22] The great I am [922.22 --> 924.06] The Lord Jehovah [924.06 --> 927.00] Creator of the earth [927.00 --> 932.42] Come let us bow before him now [932.42 --> 934.42] Come let us bow before him now [934.42 --> 935.42] Come let us bow before him now [935.42 --> 938.42] He is the everlasting Lord [938.42 --> 939.42] He is the everlasting Lord [939.42 --> 941.42] He is the truth [941.42 --> 944.38] The great I am [944.38 --> 945.42] The Lord Jehovah [945.42 --> 949.42] Creator of the earth [949.42 --> 954.42] Come let us bow before him now [954.42 --> 967.84] Come let us bow before him now [967.84 --> 971.84] Come let us bow before him now [971.84 --> 984.96] Come let us bow before him now [984.96 --> 990.08] Come let us bow before him now [990.08 --> 1011.64] Let the faith rise up and sing [1011.64 --> 1015.48] Of the great and glorious King [1015.48 --> 1019.42] You are strong when you feel weak [1019.42 --> 1023.80] When your brokenness complete [1023.80 --> 1029.68] Shout to the north and the south [1029.68 --> 1033.60] Sing to the east and the west [1033.60 --> 1037.66] Jesus, his Savior to all [1037.66 --> 1041.56] He's Lord of heaven and earth [1041.56 --> 1046.82] Rise up, women of the truth [1046.82 --> 1050.70] Send and sing to broken hearts [1050.70 --> 1054.52] Who can know the healing power [1054.52 --> 1060.32] Of our awesome King of love [1060.32 --> 1064.78] Shout to the north and the south [1064.78 --> 1068.70] Sing to the east and the west [1068.70 --> 1072.70] Jesus, his Savior to all [1072.70 --> 1076.96] He's Lord of heaven and earth [1076.96 --> 1080.58] We've been through fire [1080.58 --> 1082.66] We've been through rain [1082.66 --> 1086.54] We've been refined by the power of His name [1086.54 --> 1090.40] We've fallen deeper in love with you [1090.40 --> 1096.40] You've burned the truth on our lips [1096.40 --> 1100.40] Shout to the north and the south [1100.40 --> 1104.38] Sing to the east and the west [1104.38 --> 1108.46] Jesus, his Savior to all [1108.46 --> 1112.40] He's Lord of heaven and earth [1112.40 --> 1117.78] Rise up, church with broken wings [1117.78 --> 1121.58] Fill this place with songs again [1121.58 --> 1125.68] Of our God who reigns on heart [1125.68 --> 1130.28] By His grace again we'll fly [1130.28 --> 1136.02] Shout to the north and the south [1136.02 --> 1140.02] Sing to the east and the west [1140.02 --> 1144.16] Jesus, his Savior to all [1144.16 --> 1147.74] He's Lord of heaven and earth [1147.74 --> 1151.96] Shout to the north and the south [1151.96 --> 1155.74] Sing to the east and the west [1155.74 --> 1159.78] Jesus, his Savior to all [1159.78 --> 1163.70] He's Lord of heaven and earth [1163.70 --> 1176.16] Hear our prayer, O Lord [1176.16 --> 1179.12] Let my cries come to you [1179.12 --> 1181.34] Do not hide your face from me [1181.34 --> 1182.78] In the day of my distress [1182.78 --> 1184.62] Incline your ear to me [1184.62 --> 1187.54] Answer me speedily in the day when I call [1187.54 --> 1190.44] For my days pass away like smoke [1190.44 --> 1192.86] And my bones burn like a furnace [1192.86 --> 1195.78] My heart is struck down like grass [1195.78 --> 1196.64] And has withered [1196.64 --> 1198.56] I forgot to eat my bread [1198.56 --> 1200.58] Because of my loud groaning [1200.58 --> 1202.68] My bones cling to my flesh [1202.68 --> 1205.74] I'm like a desert owl of the wilderness [1205.74 --> 1208.18] Like an owl of the waste places [1208.18 --> 1209.38] I lie awake [1209.38 --> 1213.00] I am like a lonely sparrow on the housetop [1213.00 --> 1216.34] All the day my enemies taunt me [1216.34 --> 1219.12] Those who deride me [1219.12 --> 1221.30] Use my name for a curse [1221.30 --> 1223.48] For I eat ashes like bread [1223.48 --> 1225.40] And mingle tears with my drink [1225.40 --> 1229.20] Because of your indignation and anger [1229.20 --> 1232.36] For you have taken me up [1232.36 --> 1233.60] And thrown me down [1233.60 --> 1235.84] My days are like an evening shadow [1235.84 --> 1238.54] I wither away like grass [1238.54 --> 1242.46] But you, O Lord, are enthroned forever [1242.46 --> 1245.40] You are remembered throughout all the generations [1245.40 --> 1248.14] You will arise and have pity on Zion [1248.14 --> 1250.20] It is the time to favour her [1250.20 --> 1251.92] The appointed time has come [1251.92 --> 1254.52] For your servants hold her stones dear [1254.52 --> 1256.00] And have pity on her dust [1256.00 --> 1258.34] Nations will fear the name of the Lord [1258.34 --> 1261.26] And all the kings of the earth will fear your glory [1261.26 --> 1263.22] For the Lord builds up Zion [1263.22 --> 1264.86] He appears in his glory [1264.86 --> 1267.52] He regards the prayer of the destitute [1267.52 --> 1270.04] And he does not despise their prayers [1270.04 --> 1270.88] Under his alrededor [1270.88 --> 1294.90] And all the [1294.90 --> 1309.60] O Lord, hear [1309.60 --> 1316.20] O Lord, forgive us [1316.20 --> 1322.90] We have lost the awe of you [1322.90 --> 1330.90] Have mercy, have mercy [1330.90 --> 1339.10] O Lord, cleanse [1339.10 --> 1344.98] Our hearts which are divided [1344.98 --> 1352.88] Stir the faith that we once knew [1352.88 --> 1359.88] We're thirsty, we're thirsty [1359.88 --> 1366.88] O Lord, restore [1366.88 --> 1374.88] The church that bears your name [1374.88 --> 1382.88] O Spirit send [1382.88 --> 1389.88] A revival to this nation [1389.88 --> 1396.88] Breathe on us again [1396.88 --> 1403.88] Breathe on us again [1403.88 --> 1413.88] O Lord, hear [1413.88 --> 1420.88] O Lord, forgive us [1420.88 --> 1428.88] We have lost the awe of you [1428.88 --> 1435.88] Have mercy, have mercy [1435.88 --> 1445.88] O Lord, cleanse [1445.88 --> 1449.88] Our hearts which are divided [1449.88 --> 1457.88] Stir the faith that we once knew [1457.88 --> 1464.88] We're thirsty, we're thirsty [1464.88 --> 1465.88] We're thirsty [1465.88 --> 1471.88] O Lord, restore [1471.88 --> 1479.88] The church that bears your name [1479.88 --> 1486.88] O Spirit send [1486.88 --> 1487.88] O Spirit send [1487.88 --> 1494.88] A revival to this nation [1494.88 --> 1500.88] Breathe on us again [1500.88 --> 1501.88] Breathe on us again [1501.88 --> 1507.88] Breathe on us again [1507.88 --> 1514.88] O Lord, restore [1514.88 --> 1517.88] The church that bears your name [1517.88 --> 1521.88] The church that bears your name [1521.88 --> 1523.88] The church that bears your name [1523.88 --> 1525.88] The church that bears your name [1525.88 --> 1527.88] O Spirit send [1527.88 --> 1529.88] A revival to this nation [1529.88 --> 1531.88] Breathe on us again [1531.88 --> 1544.88] Breathe on us again [1544.88 --> 1550.88] Breathe on us again [1550.88 --> 1560.88] Breathe on us again [1580.88 --> 1597.88] We go data [1597.88 --> 1602.88] Love and母 [1602.88 --> 1618.62] When peace like a river attendeth my way, [1618.62 --> 1628.86] When sorrows like sea billows roll, [1628.86 --> 1641.72] Whatever my lot Thou hast taught me to say, [1641.72 --> 1653.10] It is well, it is well with my soul. [1653.10 --> 1662.10] It is well, it is well with my soul. [1662.10 --> 1677.10] It is well, it is well with my soul. [1677.10 --> 1689.10] Though Satan should buffet, Though trials should come, [1689.10 --> 1698.10] Let this blessed assurance control. [1698.10 --> 1712.10] That Christ has regarded my helpless estate, [1712.10 --> 1724.10] And hath shed His own blood for my soul. [1724.10 --> 1733.10] It is well, it is well with my soul. [1733.10 --> 1748.10] With my soul it is well, it is well with my soul. [1748.10 --> 1761.10] My sin, O the bliss of this glorious Lord, [1761.10 --> 1774.10] My sin, O the bliss of this world. [1774.10 --> 1779.10] It is well, it is well, it is well, [1779.10 --> 1785.10] And I bear it no more. [1785.10 --> 1797.10] Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul. [1797.10 --> 1809.10] It is well, it is well with my soul. [1809.10 --> 1824.10] It is well, it is well with my soul. [1824.10 --> 1837.10] O Lord, haste the day When my faith shall be sight, [1837.10 --> 1849.10] The clouds be rolled back as a scroll. [1849.10 --> 1859.10] The trump shall resound, And the Lord shall descend, [1859.10 --> 1864.10] Even so, it is well with my soul. [1864.10 --> 1874.10] It is well with my soul. [1874.10 --> 1879.10] It is well, it is well, with my soul. [1879.10 --> 1880.10] With my soul. [1880.10 --> 1884.10] It is well, it is well, with my soul. [1884.10 --> 1885.10] With my soul. [1885.10 --> 1890.10] It is well, it is well, with my soul. [1890.10 --> 1900.10] It is well, with my soul. [1900.10 --> 1905.10] Please be seated. [1905.10 --> 1930.10] Good morning. [1930.10 --> 1935.10] Well, that's on my top ten for hymns. [1935.10 --> 1940.10] Okay, today's offerings are for Emmanuel's ministries and missions, [1940.10 --> 1947.10] And the special offering is for World Renew, refugee sponsorship and resettlement. [1947.10 --> 1956.10] World Renew has been a sponsorship agreement holder with Immigration and Refugee Citizenship Canada since 1979. [1956.10 --> 1972.10] World Renew partners with churches, individuals and refugee organizations to facilitate refugee sponsorships to Canada and to advocate for refugee rights globally. [1972.10 --> 1985.10] World Renew is encouraged by the hard work of churches and communities like ours and others over the past 43 years of the program. [1985.10 --> 1993.10] In sponsoring and helping to resettle refugees, new Canadians to a new home. [1993.10 --> 1998.10] For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command. [1998.10 --> 2000.10] Love your neighbor as yourself. [2000.10 --> 2003.10] Galatians 5.14 [2003.10 --> 2006.10] Leviticus 19.33-34 [2006.10 --> 2012.10] For when a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. [2012.10 --> 2018.10] The foreigner is residing among you who must be treated as your native born. [2018.10 --> 2020.10] Love them as yourself. [2020.10 --> 2023.10] For you were foreigners in Egypt. [2023.10 --> 2025.10] I am the Lord your God. [2025.10 --> 2027.10] I am the Lord your God. [2027.10 --> 2057.08] We will feast in the house of sons. [2057.10 --> 2063.36] We will sing with the hearts restored. [2063.62 --> 2068.88] He has done great things we will say together. [2069.44 --> 2075.20] We will feast and weep no more. [2077.90 --> 2083.38] We will not be burned by the fire. [2083.38 --> 2088.86] He is the Lord our God. [2089.22 --> 2094.72] We are not consumed by the flood. [2095.26 --> 2101.38] A hell protected gathered up. [2102.40 --> 2107.30] We will feast in the house of Zion. [2107.30 --> 2112.54] We will sing with the hearts restored. [2112.88 --> 2117.30] He has done great things we will say together. [2118.30 --> 2123.30] We will feast and weep no more. [2123.30 --> 2131.30] In the dark of night before the dawn. [2132.30 --> 2136.30] My soul be not afraid. [2137.30 --> 2141.30] For the promised morning, oh how long. [2141.30 --> 2149.30] Oh God of Jacob, be my strength. [2150.30 --> 2155.14] We will feast in the house of Zion. [2155.68 --> 2160.30] We will sing with our hearts restored. [2160.64 --> 2165.54] He has done great things we will say together. [2165.54 --> 2171.54] We will feast and weep no more. [2174.54 --> 2178.54] Every vow we've broken and betrayed. [2178.54 --> 2184.76] You are the faithful one. [2184.76 --> 2189.54] And from the garden to the grave. [2189.54 --> 2193.10] Bind us together. [2193.10 --> 2197.66] And from the garden to the garden to the garden. [2197.74 --> 2202.74] We will feast in the house of Zion. [2202.88 --> 2203.66] We will feast in the house of Zion. [2203.66 --> 2207.66] We will sing with our hearts restored. [2208.08 --> 2212.54] He has done great things we will say together. [2212.54 --> 2219.54] We will feast and weep no more. [2237.98 --> 2238.84] All right. [2238.84 --> 2243.14] Can we have all the kids up front for the kids' blessing? [2263.14 --> 2263.72] All right. [2263.84 --> 2266.28] I don't have much of a story for you guys today, [2266.42 --> 2267.66] but before we do the blessing, [2267.66 --> 2269.60] I kind of want to know how your summer's going. [2271.42 --> 2272.56] Your summer's going good. [2272.62 --> 2273.78] How about the rest of you guys? [2274.56 --> 2275.20] How's the summer? [2275.38 --> 2275.54] Yeah? [2276.80 --> 2277.08] Yeah? [2278.22 --> 2279.04] What would be, [2279.22 --> 2280.62] maybe you can tell me, [2280.72 --> 2281.58] a couple of you guys, [2281.72 --> 2283.50] what your highlight of the summer's been so far. [2283.56 --> 2284.30] What's been your highlight? [2284.30 --> 2284.36] What's the highlight? [2291.36 --> 2292.78] You made a garden this summer, [2292.92 --> 2294.38] and the sun's helping it grow. [2294.48 --> 2295.48] That sounds pretty cool. [2296.82 --> 2298.60] So you don't have to go to the grocery store anymore? [2298.70 --> 2300.12] You guys are just eating out of the garden? [2300.12 --> 2300.44] Yeah. [2300.68 --> 2301.14] Right on. [2301.22 --> 2301.68] That's good. [2302.88 --> 2304.12] You eat lots of carrots. [2304.92 --> 2305.28] How about you? [2305.34 --> 2306.76] What's the highlight of your summer so far? [2306.76 --> 2307.76] What's the highlight of your summer? [2312.62 --> 2314.06] Went to grandma's and went to the lake. [2314.14 --> 2314.40] Olivia, [2314.48 --> 2315.54] do you have a highlight of the summer? [2317.78 --> 2319.20] You went camping and saw turtles. [2319.28 --> 2319.92] Anybody else? [2320.02 --> 2320.46] How about you? [2321.14 --> 2322.44] What's the fun part of your summer? [2323.24 --> 2324.34] You went to the Shushoff. [2324.72 --> 2325.28] Right on. [2325.36 --> 2325.88] Sounds good. [2326.60 --> 2326.80] Well, [2326.84 --> 2328.00] I'm glad you guys had a good summer, [2328.10 --> 2330.32] because summer's almost over, [2330.54 --> 2332.56] and some of you got to go back to school. [2333.16 --> 2334.12] Maybe none of you guys. [2334.12 --> 2335.46] Do any of you guys go to school yet? [2336.34 --> 2336.70] You do? [2336.84 --> 2337.24] Right on. [2337.82 --> 2338.14] All right. [2338.20 --> 2339.50] Let's stand up and do the blessing [2339.50 --> 2342.16] that the rest of the congregation can join us. [2347.04 --> 2347.40] Ready? [2347.40 --> 2347.48] Ready? [2348.02 --> 2350.76] The Lord be with you. [2351.66 --> 2352.94] And all are with you. [2364.12 --> 2385.02] Good morning. [2385.12 --> 2385.76] My name is Glenn, [2386.00 --> 2387.70] and I'm one of the elders here at Emmanuel. [2388.32 --> 2390.08] It is my privilege to lead you [2390.08 --> 2391.44] in our congregational prayer. [2391.44 --> 2393.96] So let's go to the Lord in prayer. [2396.98 --> 2397.76] Holy Father, [2398.24 --> 2399.48] we thank you for the opportunity [2399.48 --> 2401.80] to gather together as a local church family, [2402.22 --> 2403.72] and to bring our thanksgiving, [2404.12 --> 2404.76] our joys, [2404.86 --> 2406.92] and our concerns before you in prayer. [2407.84 --> 2408.94] Thank you for the assurance [2408.94 --> 2410.64] that you hear all our prayers, [2411.18 --> 2413.50] both individual prayers and corporate prayers, [2413.78 --> 2416.62] and strengthen us to develop the discipline [2416.62 --> 2418.12] to pray continually. [2418.12 --> 2421.96] We give you thanks for all that you have done [2421.96 --> 2423.12] for us in Christ Jesus, [2423.66 --> 2426.74] and for the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, [2427.24 --> 2428.64] making us a new creation, [2429.80 --> 2431.38] making us alive in Christ. [2431.38 --> 2434.64] We ask that your Spirit will enable us [2434.64 --> 2436.90] to reflect the glory and the light of Christ [2436.90 --> 2438.28] in a dark world. [2439.76 --> 2441.16] We pray for your blessing [2441.16 --> 2442.74] in the ministries of this church. [2443.74 --> 2446.02] We ask that these ministries will be effective [2446.02 --> 2447.82] in bringing people to Christ [2447.82 --> 2451.36] and in deepening our members' relationship with Christ. [2451.36 --> 2454.66] Grant the leadership of this church wisdom [2454.66 --> 2456.92] to discern your will for this church [2456.92 --> 2459.28] and the courage to follow your leading. [2460.50 --> 2461.20] Later this week, [2461.24 --> 2462.70] we will meet to discuss and consider [2462.70 --> 2464.56] how to minister to the young adults [2464.56 --> 2465.78] in our church family. [2466.48 --> 2469.04] We ask for your blessing on this ministry, [2469.72 --> 2471.12] that it will effectively reach [2471.12 --> 2474.22] and engage the young adults in our community. [2474.22 --> 2478.08] We thank you for all of the staff [2478.08 --> 2480.20] and volunteers of this church family [2480.20 --> 2482.34] and their willingness to serve. [2483.34 --> 2485.74] We ask that they experience your joy [2485.74 --> 2487.02] as they serve [2487.02 --> 2489.30] and grant them wisdom and strength [2489.30 --> 2491.44] when they must deal with difficult situations. [2492.82 --> 2495.46] Help our church to reflect your kingdom coming [2495.46 --> 2496.76] here on earth. [2496.76 --> 2499.72] We ask for your blessing [2499.72 --> 2502.12] on Rachel Klingeltink and Kyle Thomas [2502.12 --> 2504.48] as they prepare to be married later this week. [2505.32 --> 2506.38] We ask that the wedding [2506.38 --> 2508.16] will be a wonderful time of celebration. [2509.30 --> 2511.40] We also ask that you go with them [2511.40 --> 2513.38] as they begin their lives together. [2516.52 --> 2518.56] We pray for the leaders who govern us, [2519.18 --> 2521.82] the national, provincial, and municipal levels. [2522.98 --> 2524.64] Their authority has been given by you. [2524.64 --> 2526.78] Help them look to you [2526.78 --> 2528.48] for guidance and direction. [2529.72 --> 2531.94] Enable them to govern with hearts of service [2531.94 --> 2533.36] for their constituents. [2537.18 --> 2539.42] We continue to ask that you be with those [2539.42 --> 2541.54] who are affected by war and violence [2541.54 --> 2542.56] throughout the world. [2543.48 --> 2546.06] Comfort those who mourn the loss of loved ones. [2547.16 --> 2548.80] Watch over and provide for those [2548.80 --> 2549.96] who have been displaced [2549.96 --> 2551.64] because of war and violence. [2551.64 --> 2555.12] Grant wisdom to governments and leaders [2555.12 --> 2557.14] who can be agents of peace [2557.14 --> 2558.90] in war-torn areas. [2560.40 --> 2561.76] Change the hearts of those [2561.76 --> 2566.20] who perpetrate violence and war [2566.20 --> 2568.62] for their own selfish ambitions. [2569.66 --> 2571.82] We pray for peace in the Ukraine [2571.82 --> 2574.90] and wherever war and violence are occurring. [2574.90 --> 2579.00] We continue to ask for your blessing [2579.00 --> 2580.38] on the members of this church [2580.38 --> 2581.24] who are on vacation. [2582.14 --> 2583.88] We ask that they experience refreshment [2583.88 --> 2585.80] and renewal as they take a break [2585.80 --> 2586.92] from regular work. [2588.14 --> 2589.58] Watch over them as they travel. [2591.58 --> 2593.10] We thank you for your word [2593.10 --> 2595.50] which is truly a lamp unto our feet [2595.50 --> 2597.14] and a light for our path. [2598.28 --> 2599.14] Bless Pastor Kevin [2599.14 --> 2601.64] as he expands on your word this morning [2601.64 --> 2604.72] so that its truth will reside deeply [2604.72 --> 2605.88] in our hearts. [2607.04 --> 2608.50] And as we enter a new week [2608.50 --> 2611.04] equip us to honor and glorify you [2611.04 --> 2612.22] in all we do and say [2612.22 --> 2614.34] and keep us from sin. [2615.18 --> 2616.64] Hear our prayer, O Lord. [2617.28 --> 2617.56] Amen. [2631.64 --> 2643.08] There's a famous man, [2643.48 --> 2644.94] an historian, a philosopher, [2645.12 --> 2646.50] a writer from the first century [2646.50 --> 2647.94] by the name of Plutarch. [2648.52 --> 2650.04] Maybe some of you have heard of him before. [2650.38 --> 2651.86] I'm not really a historian myself [2651.86 --> 2652.78] but I had heard of him [2652.78 --> 2654.28] so he's got to be kind of a big deal. [2655.14 --> 2656.26] Anyways, in one of his writings [2656.26 --> 2658.78] titled Sayings of Kings and Commanders [2658.78 --> 2660.78] he recounts this true story [2660.78 --> 2664.40] which happened to King Philip II of Macedon. [2664.46 --> 2665.38] Now King Philip II, [2665.50 --> 2666.72] he was a very important king [2666.72 --> 2668.16] who ruled Macedonia [2668.16 --> 2671.10] from 359 to 336 BC. [2671.66 --> 2673.88] And early on in King Philip II's reign [2673.88 --> 2675.88] there was a woman in his kingdom [2675.88 --> 2678.48] who came upon some really hard times. [2679.06 --> 2680.74] Her husband had suddenly died [2680.74 --> 2681.54] quite young [2681.54 --> 2684.16] and she was left with no one in her life [2684.16 --> 2685.08] to care for her. [2685.68 --> 2686.56] On top of that, [2686.64 --> 2687.56] when she was attending [2687.56 --> 2689.20] to her husband's funeral, [2689.20 --> 2690.82] everything she had [2690.82 --> 2691.74] was stolen from her, [2691.82 --> 2692.60] all her flocks [2692.60 --> 2693.52] and her possessions [2693.52 --> 2695.58] and she was left with nothing. [2696.52 --> 2697.64] Nothing and no one. [2697.76 --> 2699.14] So she went to see [2699.14 --> 2700.16] King Philip II [2700.16 --> 2701.08] to seek justice [2701.08 --> 2702.08] and to seek some help. [2703.44 --> 2704.58] But she was turned away. [2705.22 --> 2706.54] So she went back the next day [2706.54 --> 2707.04] and again [2707.04 --> 2709.10] the guards turned her away. [2709.26 --> 2710.72] Every day she went back [2710.72 --> 2711.56] and every day [2711.56 --> 2713.02] she was turned away [2713.02 --> 2714.04] along with many others. [2714.78 --> 2715.28] Now one day [2715.28 --> 2716.08] when she approached [2716.08 --> 2717.22] the palace [2717.22 --> 2717.78] or wherever [2717.78 --> 2718.52] the king happened [2718.52 --> 2719.36] to be nearby [2719.36 --> 2720.28] within earshot [2720.28 --> 2721.36] and so she shouted out [2721.36 --> 2722.36] let my troubles [2722.36 --> 2723.78] be heard by you my king. [2724.48 --> 2724.84] And the king [2724.84 --> 2725.82] kind of was startled [2725.82 --> 2726.72] and paused [2726.72 --> 2727.16] and looked at her [2727.16 --> 2727.40] and said [2727.40 --> 2728.42] I have no time [2728.42 --> 2729.28] to spare you. [2730.38 --> 2731.02] Well immediately [2731.02 --> 2732.10] and without flinching [2732.10 --> 2732.58] she shouted [2732.58 --> 2733.50] well then give up [2733.50 --> 2734.18] being king. [2736.02 --> 2737.10] Well Philip II [2737.10 --> 2739.78] was taken aback by that. [2739.98 --> 2740.72] He was quite amazed [2740.72 --> 2741.68] by her boldness [2741.68 --> 2743.86] and he sent everyone away [2743.86 --> 2746.02] and listened to her at once. [2746.60 --> 2747.48] He proceeded not only [2747.48 --> 2748.50] to listen to her case [2748.50 --> 2750.18] but also all of the others [2750.18 --> 2750.86] who were around [2750.86 --> 2751.36] and waiting [2751.36 --> 2752.96] and provided her justice. [2753.10 --> 2754.06] Now King Philip II [2754.06 --> 2755.74] he took this nation [2755.74 --> 2757.48] whom he apparently cared for [2757.48 --> 2758.40] and he conquered Greece [2758.40 --> 2759.44] and he became the father [2759.44 --> 2761.04] of Alexander the Great [2761.04 --> 2762.62] who I'm sure most of us know [2762.62 --> 2763.52] who ended up conquering [2763.52 --> 2764.68] most of the known world [2764.68 --> 2765.86] in the decades to follow [2765.86 --> 2766.70] and thus ends [2766.70 --> 2767.54] today's history lesson. [2767.92 --> 2769.02] This story though [2769.02 --> 2771.14] which is documented [2771.14 --> 2772.58] in many places [2772.58 --> 2773.58] in historical literature [2773.58 --> 2775.12] is a very similar story [2775.12 --> 2775.56] to the one [2775.56 --> 2775.98] that we're going [2775.98 --> 2776.90] to look at today [2776.90 --> 2777.60] the parable [2777.60 --> 2779.88] of the persistent widow. [2780.12 --> 2780.58] Now we're going to look [2780.58 --> 2781.62] at that text today [2781.62 --> 2782.66] and we're going to [2782.66 --> 2783.34] as we continue [2783.34 --> 2784.48] sort of this sermon series [2784.48 --> 2785.34] we've been working on [2785.34 --> 2786.10] on the parables. [2786.74 --> 2787.56] This story it's found [2787.56 --> 2788.64] in Luke chapter 18 [2788.64 --> 2789.96] so if you have your Bibles [2789.96 --> 2790.98] or your phone apps [2790.98 --> 2791.32] or whatever [2791.32 --> 2792.80] please open it up. [2793.02 --> 2793.92] Luke chapter 18 [2793.92 --> 2794.92] verses 1 to 8 [2794.92 --> 2795.56] we're going to be [2795.56 --> 2796.22] going back to it [2796.22 --> 2796.96] so I do encourage you [2796.96 --> 2797.58] to have that open [2797.58 --> 2799.14] with you today. [2800.02 --> 2801.06] So Luke 18 [2801.06 --> 2801.66] 1 to 8 [2801.66 --> 2802.22] this morning [2802.22 --> 2803.00] says this [2803.00 --> 2803.56] we read [2803.56 --> 2805.38] Then Jesus [2805.38 --> 2806.70] told his disciples [2806.70 --> 2807.32] a parable [2807.32 --> 2808.08] to show them [2808.08 --> 2808.56] that they should [2808.56 --> 2809.44] always pray [2809.44 --> 2810.60] and not give up. [2811.34 --> 2811.70] He said [2811.70 --> 2812.68] in a certain town [2812.68 --> 2813.62] there was a judge [2813.62 --> 2815.00] who neither feared God [2815.00 --> 2815.60] nor cared [2815.60 --> 2816.92] what people thought [2816.92 --> 2818.46] and there was a widow [2818.46 --> 2819.38] in that town [2819.38 --> 2820.54] who kept coming to him [2820.54 --> 2821.10] with the plea [2821.10 --> 2822.60] grant me justice [2822.60 --> 2824.30] against my adversary. [2825.44 --> 2826.12] For some time [2826.12 --> 2826.72] he refused [2826.72 --> 2827.40] but finally [2827.40 --> 2828.16] he said to himself [2828.16 --> 2828.68] even though [2828.68 --> 2829.50] I don't fear God [2829.50 --> 2830.86] or care what people think [2830.86 --> 2832.46] yet because this widow [2832.46 --> 2833.70] keeps bothering me [2833.70 --> 2835.76] I will see that she gets justice [2835.76 --> 2837.44] so that she won't [2837.44 --> 2838.30] eventually come [2838.30 --> 2839.54] and attack me. [2841.04 --> 2842.20] And the Lord said [2842.20 --> 2843.18] listen to what [2843.18 --> 2845.26] the unjust judge says [2845.26 --> 2846.96] and will not God [2846.96 --> 2847.88] bring about justice [2847.88 --> 2848.84] for his chosen ones [2848.84 --> 2850.08] who cry out to him [2850.08 --> 2850.72] day and night? [2851.02 --> 2851.58] Will he keep [2851.58 --> 2852.50] putting them off? [2853.50 --> 2854.02] I tell you [2854.02 --> 2854.82] he will see that [2854.82 --> 2855.62] they get justice [2855.62 --> 2856.26] and quickly. [2857.54 --> 2857.84] However [2857.84 --> 2859.22] when the Son of Man [2859.22 --> 2859.90] comes [2859.90 --> 2862.04] will he find faith [2862.04 --> 2863.28] on the earth? [2864.94 --> 2866.12] The word of the Lord. [2868.42 --> 2869.52] Now in some ways [2869.52 --> 2870.08] this parable [2870.08 --> 2870.60] might seem [2870.60 --> 2871.68] fairly straightforward. [2871.90 --> 2872.34] Luke even [2872.34 --> 2873.70] introduces it [2873.70 --> 2874.32] for us [2874.32 --> 2874.86] telling us [2874.86 --> 2875.50] that it's a parable [2875.50 --> 2876.96] about praying [2876.96 --> 2878.18] and about not giving up. [2878.86 --> 2879.80] It seems like [2879.80 --> 2880.94] on a quick surface read [2880.94 --> 2881.46] this is an [2881.46 --> 2882.80] ask and you shall receive [2882.80 --> 2883.56] type of thing. [2883.56 --> 2885.52] Think about it. [2885.62 --> 2887.14] It can't really be that. [2887.18 --> 2887.84] Is that what Jesus [2887.84 --> 2888.42] is saying? [2889.12 --> 2890.24] If we ask for something [2890.24 --> 2891.34] enough we'll just get it? [2892.68 --> 2894.02] That just doesn't seem right. [2894.08 --> 2895.34] That doesn't seem true. [2895.82 --> 2896.56] It doesn't seem [2896.56 --> 2897.62] historically accurate [2897.62 --> 2898.22] in my life. [2898.34 --> 2899.04] Perhaps it doesn't seem [2899.04 --> 2900.20] historically accurate [2900.20 --> 2900.96] in your life. [2901.18 --> 2902.22] I'm going to illustrate this. [2902.28 --> 2903.28] Are there any kids left? [2903.50 --> 2904.18] And if there's not [2904.18 --> 2905.68] are there any older kids left? [2905.88 --> 2906.58] I've got candy. [2906.66 --> 2907.06] You're going to want [2907.06 --> 2907.44] to come up. [2907.80 --> 2908.78] So kids come up front here. [2908.84 --> 2909.56] Stand in front here. [2909.60 --> 2910.86] I want to illustrate [2910.86 --> 2912.10] this point for a second. [2912.74 --> 2913.14] Here see? [2913.36 --> 2913.64] Candy. [2913.76 --> 2914.68] It's in this jar. [2914.80 --> 2915.28] If you come up [2915.28 --> 2915.70] you get some. [2915.76 --> 2916.32] That's a bribe. [2916.96 --> 2917.24] Ready? [2918.00 --> 2918.72] Yeah here we go. [2918.78 --> 2919.14] Here we go. [2919.50 --> 2920.18] This is going to be good. [2920.98 --> 2921.96] I'm going to sit right here. [2922.80 --> 2923.60] You don't have to come [2923.60 --> 2924.40] on stage or anything [2924.40 --> 2925.22] but I have a question [2925.22 --> 2925.66] for you. [2926.30 --> 2927.02] Let's pretend [2927.02 --> 2928.00] and remember [2928.00 --> 2929.44] this is very much [2929.44 --> 2930.12] only pretend. [2930.56 --> 2931.10] Let's pretend [2931.10 --> 2932.56] I'm one of your parents [2932.56 --> 2933.50] and you know [2933.50 --> 2934.38] that I've got candy [2934.38 --> 2935.14] in this jar [2935.14 --> 2936.08] and let's say [2936.08 --> 2937.02] that you want some. [2937.22 --> 2937.90] What would you do? [2937.90 --> 2940.82] Yeah you would ask [2940.82 --> 2941.28] can I have some [2941.28 --> 2941.66] and I would say [2941.66 --> 2942.42] yeah sure here you go. [2943.32 --> 2944.14] You want one too? [2945.02 --> 2945.96] You don't like candy? [2946.04 --> 2946.42] That's okay. [2946.74 --> 2947.70] I'm glad you came up anyways. [2947.80 --> 2948.64] Anybody else want some? [2948.76 --> 2948.84] Here. [2949.52 --> 2949.68] Yeah? [2950.36 --> 2951.30] Okay so let's say [2951.30 --> 2952.66] you've asked [2952.66 --> 2953.98] and let's say [2953.98 --> 2954.80] you've taken one [2954.80 --> 2956.96] and then let's say [2956.96 --> 2957.86] you get maybe [2957.86 --> 2959.08] a little bit greedy [2959.08 --> 2959.78] and you're like [2959.78 --> 2960.48] oh you know what [2960.48 --> 2961.20] one was good. [2961.64 --> 2962.42] I want another one. [2962.64 --> 2963.18] What would you do? [2964.70 --> 2965.78] Yeah you would ask again [2965.78 --> 2965.96] right? [2966.02 --> 2966.26] You'd be like [2966.26 --> 2966.92] hey can I have another one [2966.92 --> 2967.70] but what if I said no? [2967.90 --> 2968.44] One's enough? [2970.28 --> 2970.88] You'd say okay [2970.88 --> 2971.60] but what if you really [2971.60 --> 2972.36] wanted that candy? [2973.26 --> 2974.14] And then you'd ask again [2974.14 --> 2974.52] and be like [2974.52 --> 2975.54] could I have another one though? [2975.72 --> 2976.16] I'd be like no. [2976.24 --> 2976.70] I said no. [2977.12 --> 2978.12] You said but I want another one. [2978.16 --> 2978.88] Could I have another one? [2979.18 --> 2979.84] Would your parents [2979.84 --> 2981.04] give you a second candy [2981.04 --> 2982.22] if you just kept asking [2982.22 --> 2982.98] and asking and asking? [2983.80 --> 2984.54] No they wouldn't. [2984.72 --> 2985.10] In fact [2985.10 --> 2986.18] if your parents are like me [2986.18 --> 2986.64] they might even take [2986.64 --> 2987.30] that first one away [2987.30 --> 2987.56] and be like [2987.56 --> 2988.20] nah you're being greedy [2988.20 --> 2988.80] you don't even get one. [2989.14 --> 2990.12] I'm not your parents though [2990.12 --> 2990.68] so you can have [2990.68 --> 2991.34] as many as you want. [2994.46 --> 2995.72] But the point stands right? [2995.76 --> 2996.50] Let's not be too greedy. [2996.58 --> 2997.36] Make sure everybody gets some. [2997.36 --> 2998.12] Make sure everybody gets some. [2999.26 --> 3000.28] Who hasn't got more? [3001.18 --> 3001.76] Sorry church [3001.76 --> 3002.20] you're just going to have [3002.20 --> 3003.02] to be patient for a second. [3004.38 --> 3005.16] Alright there we go. [3005.22 --> 3005.96] If you've got a few [3005.96 --> 3006.96] then you can head on [3006.96 --> 3007.66] back to your seat. [3012.78 --> 3013.94] They left two church. [3014.06 --> 3014.86] Anybody want one? [3017.36 --> 3018.06] Coming in the middle. [3018.06 --> 3018.16] Come in. [3018.16 --> 3018.24] Come in. [3018.24 --> 3018.34] Come in. [3018.34 --> 3018.36] Come in. [3018.36 --> 3018.42] Come in. [3018.42 --> 3018.48] Come in. [3018.48 --> 3018.54] Come in. [3018.54 --> 3018.60] Come in. [3018.60 --> 3018.90] Come in. [3018.90 --> 3018.98] Come in. [3018.98 --> 3019.48] Come in. [3019.48 --> 3020.48] Come in. [3020.48 --> 3020.98] Come in. [3020.98 --> 3021.98] Come in. [3021.98 --> 3022.98] Come in. [3022.98 --> 3023.98] Come in. [3023.98 --> 3024.98] Come in. [3024.98 --> 3025.98] Come in. [3025.98 --> 3026.98] Come in. [3026.98 --> 3028.86] You don't just get what you want [3028.86 --> 3030.78] if you keep asking for what you want. [3030.88 --> 3031.92] We see that with children. [3031.92 --> 3033.08] If you're a parent. [3033.28 --> 3034.08] If you're a grandparent. [3034.28 --> 3035.26] If you're an uncle or an aunt. [3035.42 --> 3036.58] Actually maybe not a grandparent. [3036.64 --> 3037.74] It seems like the grandparents [3037.74 --> 3039.08] of my kids cave all the time [3039.08 --> 3040.36] when my kids keep asking for stuff. [3040.68 --> 3041.58] But the point is [3041.58 --> 3043.46] just because we're persistent [3043.46 --> 3044.30] when we ask [3044.30 --> 3045.30] it doesn't mean [3045.30 --> 3046.82] that you get what you want. [3046.88 --> 3047.70] In fact it can become [3047.70 --> 3048.56] hugely selfish. [3048.74 --> 3049.62] And that cannot be [3049.62 --> 3050.58] the point [3050.58 --> 3051.94] of this parable. [3052.90 --> 3053.42] And yet perhaps [3053.42 --> 3054.56] that's how we read this passage. [3054.68 --> 3055.82] We hear these words [3055.82 --> 3056.18] and we say [3056.18 --> 3057.36] God I want that job. [3058.02 --> 3059.08] Or I want that house. [3059.80 --> 3060.76] Or that scholarship. [3061.22 --> 3062.04] Or that spouse. [3062.28 --> 3063.04] Or health. [3063.36 --> 3064.42] Or I want this car. [3064.86 --> 3065.90] Or whatever it is. [3066.00 --> 3066.50] And you said [3066.50 --> 3068.12] if I keep asking God [3068.12 --> 3069.46] you would give it to me. [3069.58 --> 3070.58] If I was persistent [3070.58 --> 3071.36] like that widow [3071.36 --> 3072.56] you would give it to me. [3072.90 --> 3074.06] So why don't I have it yet? [3076.22 --> 3076.90] But that's not [3076.90 --> 3077.98] what this parable is about. [3079.46 --> 3080.36] Despite maybe [3080.36 --> 3082.20] what some prosperity preachers [3082.20 --> 3083.20] like Joel Osteen [3083.20 --> 3083.58] or others [3083.58 --> 3084.20] would make you think [3084.20 --> 3084.92] this is not how [3084.92 --> 3086.86] the kingdom of God works. [3087.24 --> 3088.04] You don't just get [3088.04 --> 3088.86] what you want [3088.86 --> 3090.40] if you pray for it enough. [3093.34 --> 3094.62] This parable is not about [3094.62 --> 3096.38] praying for what we want [3096.38 --> 3097.34] or even praying [3097.34 --> 3098.36] for what we need. [3099.06 --> 3099.88] It's about being [3099.88 --> 3101.52] persistent in prayer [3101.52 --> 3102.78] so that God will give us [3102.78 --> 3103.84] it's not about [3103.84 --> 3104.80] being persistent in prayer [3104.80 --> 3105.80] so that God will give us [3105.80 --> 3106.78] what we're asking for [3106.78 --> 3108.30] regardless if it's important [3108.30 --> 3109.34] or selfless [3109.34 --> 3109.92] or healthy. [3111.28 --> 3112.76] This parable is about [3112.76 --> 3114.26] us being persistent [3114.26 --> 3115.38] in our faith [3115.38 --> 3117.18] no matter the context [3117.18 --> 3118.32] we find ourselves in. [3119.32 --> 3120.54] And when we're persistent [3120.54 --> 3121.26] in our faith [3121.26 --> 3122.70] we root ourselves [3122.70 --> 3123.44] in the hope [3123.44 --> 3125.38] found in God's promises [3125.38 --> 3125.94] for us. [3126.80 --> 3127.48] We're going to look [3127.48 --> 3127.96] at this parable [3127.96 --> 3128.54] a little closer. [3128.90 --> 3129.68] There's a few characters [3129.68 --> 3130.50] that need fleshing out [3130.50 --> 3131.14] maybe a little bit [3131.14 --> 3131.94] so we'll look at [3131.94 --> 3132.56] the widow first. [3132.70 --> 3133.48] She's sort of the title [3133.48 --> 3134.46] character after all. [3134.80 --> 3136.00] Now in the ancient Near East [3136.00 --> 3137.64] a widow was often left [3137.64 --> 3138.88] with no means of support. [3139.74 --> 3140.38] Widows were left [3140.38 --> 3141.30] with essentially [3141.30 --> 3142.38] one of two options [3142.38 --> 3143.28] but both of them [3143.28 --> 3143.90] were not ideal. [3144.68 --> 3145.36] They could remain [3145.36 --> 3146.60] in their husband's family [3146.60 --> 3148.04] but they would have [3148.04 --> 3148.84] at that point [3148.84 --> 3150.72] maintained a borderline [3150.72 --> 3151.98] servant type position [3151.98 --> 3153.12] or if they returned [3153.12 --> 3154.32] to their original family [3154.32 --> 3155.34] all of the money [3155.34 --> 3156.46] exchanged at the marriage [3156.46 --> 3157.40] would have to be given back [3157.40 --> 3158.26] and she would once again [3158.26 --> 3159.70] be left with nothing. [3159.84 --> 3161.14] So widows were victimized [3161.14 --> 3162.14] to the point [3162.14 --> 3162.76] that they would often [3162.76 --> 3164.18] be sold as slaves [3164.18 --> 3165.44] to repay a debt. [3165.50 --> 3166.34] It was very brutal. [3167.76 --> 3169.08] Now despite all of this [3169.08 --> 3170.72] care for the widow [3170.72 --> 3171.96] was something that [3171.96 --> 3172.94] God expected [3172.94 --> 3173.86] from his people. [3174.78 --> 3175.78] There's countless verses [3175.78 --> 3176.58] in the Old Testament [3176.58 --> 3177.52] where God calls [3177.52 --> 3178.12] on his people [3178.12 --> 3179.20] especially leaders [3179.20 --> 3179.72] and judges [3179.72 --> 3181.54] to look favorably [3181.54 --> 3182.60] upon widows. [3183.12 --> 3183.80] In fact if you want [3183.80 --> 3184.50] to know who God [3184.50 --> 3186.26] considered vulnerable people [3186.26 --> 3186.94] if you want to know [3186.94 --> 3188.12] who God considered [3188.12 --> 3189.02] the least of these [3189.02 --> 3189.78] it's the trilogy [3189.78 --> 3190.36] of the widow [3190.36 --> 3190.86] the orphan [3190.86 --> 3191.68] and the stranger. [3192.72 --> 3193.94] There are over 80 verses [3193.94 --> 3195.80] directly referencing [3195.80 --> 3197.20] care for widows [3197.20 --> 3197.84] in the scriptures [3197.84 --> 3198.98] and almost all of them [3198.98 --> 3200.10] also include orphans [3200.10 --> 3201.12] and strangers [3201.12 --> 3202.28] as well. [3202.36 --> 3203.54] God has a huge heart [3203.54 --> 3204.40] for the vulnerable [3204.40 --> 3205.36] and the oppressed [3205.36 --> 3206.18] a huge heart [3206.18 --> 3206.76] for the widow. [3208.78 --> 3209.30] Unfortunately [3209.30 --> 3210.54] while information [3210.54 --> 3211.96] about the judicial systems [3211.96 --> 3212.66] functioning in [3212.66 --> 3213.64] first century Palestine [3213.64 --> 3214.48] were a little spotty [3214.48 --> 3215.12] for me to find [3215.12 --> 3216.28] what wasn't hard [3216.28 --> 3217.02] to learn [3217.02 --> 3218.12] was that despite [3218.12 --> 3219.44] the desperate situation [3219.44 --> 3220.64] that many widows [3220.64 --> 3221.22] would have faced [3221.22 --> 3221.92] in that time [3221.92 --> 3223.80] their cares often fell [3223.80 --> 3225.24] upon unsympathetic judges [3225.24 --> 3226.22] that ruled over them. [3226.86 --> 3227.44] Judges that would [3227.44 --> 3228.86] take bribes [3228.86 --> 3229.92] instead of seek to help. [3230.12 --> 3230.90] And in this parable [3230.90 --> 3232.00] this is how this plays out. [3232.74 --> 3233.08] The widow [3233.08 --> 3234.12] who's the clear picture [3234.12 --> 3234.54] of the one [3234.54 --> 3235.16] who needs help [3235.16 --> 3236.02] is overlooked [3236.02 --> 3236.80] by this judge [3236.80 --> 3238.02] over and over [3238.02 --> 3239.04] and over again. [3239.18 --> 3239.66] And so instead [3239.66 --> 3240.64] of just taking [3240.64 --> 3241.54] the uninterested [3241.54 --> 3242.46] shoulder shrugs [3242.46 --> 3243.08] that the judge [3243.08 --> 3243.96] is dishing out to her [3243.96 --> 3245.02] she persists. [3246.32 --> 3247.18] Now notice this too [3247.18 --> 3248.54] unlike many pictures [3248.54 --> 3249.14] maybe you see [3249.14 --> 3249.94] in children's books [3249.94 --> 3251.10] or on the table [3251.10 --> 3251.84] in the back there [3251.84 --> 3252.56] this widow [3252.56 --> 3253.48] likely didn't just [3253.48 --> 3254.88] quietly keep showing up [3254.88 --> 3255.78] and sitting in the corner. [3255.78 --> 3257.80] I think for those of us [3257.80 --> 3258.16] who have heard [3258.16 --> 3259.26] this parable before [3259.26 --> 3260.40] we often have [3260.40 --> 3260.94] this picture [3260.94 --> 3262.08] of a sweet old lady [3262.08 --> 3262.88] sitting in the corner [3262.88 --> 3263.28] knitting [3263.28 --> 3264.68] just hoping that the judge [3264.68 --> 3265.54] might pay some attention [3265.54 --> 3265.98] to her. [3266.54 --> 3267.38] Constantly just being [3267.38 --> 3267.90] a presence [3267.90 --> 3269.86] in the corner [3269.86 --> 3270.70] but that's not the case. [3271.76 --> 3273.40] This judge relents. [3273.50 --> 3274.42] He finally caves [3274.42 --> 3275.00] to the widow [3275.00 --> 3276.60] because he's worried [3276.60 --> 3277.66] she will attack him. [3278.54 --> 3279.70] That's what the NIV says. [3280.36 --> 3281.24] Other translations [3281.24 --> 3282.28] indicate that she's getting [3282.28 --> 3283.24] or this judge story [3283.24 --> 3283.92] is getting tired [3283.92 --> 3284.88] of being berated. [3285.24 --> 3286.08] She's just causing him [3286.08 --> 3286.74] too much grief [3286.74 --> 3287.68] too much stress [3287.68 --> 3288.46] too much of a headache [3288.46 --> 3289.76] and the judge finally snaps. [3291.10 --> 3292.26] She's not a sweet [3292.26 --> 3293.26] quiet old lady. [3294.34 --> 3295.82] She is demanding justice. [3296.08 --> 3297.48] She is demanding change. [3297.54 --> 3298.32] She is confident [3298.32 --> 3299.38] that this judge [3299.38 --> 3300.36] can change her future [3300.36 --> 3301.22] and she is not [3301.22 --> 3302.18] quietly present. [3302.52 --> 3303.82] She is a presence [3303.82 --> 3305.42] in the face of this judge. [3306.82 --> 3307.36] And so the fudge [3307.36 --> 3308.28] the fudge [3308.28 --> 3310.70] the judge finally caves. [3310.70 --> 3313.98] So let's look at this judge [3313.98 --> 3314.50] for a second. [3314.78 --> 3315.50] Now he's described [3315.50 --> 3317.02] as a man who doesn't fear God [3317.02 --> 3317.80] or even care [3317.80 --> 3318.80] what men think of him. [3318.86 --> 3319.36] He's a bully [3319.36 --> 3320.94] which we see in both [3320.94 --> 3321.54] his actions [3321.54 --> 3322.52] and his description. [3323.08 --> 3324.40] He's described as unjust [3324.40 --> 3325.10] and selfish [3325.10 --> 3326.62] and yet eventually [3326.62 --> 3328.40] he rules in favor [3328.40 --> 3329.04] of this widow. [3330.54 --> 3331.70] The judge can't handle [3331.70 --> 3332.30] the rebuking [3332.30 --> 3332.88] the noise [3332.88 --> 3333.62] the nagging [3333.62 --> 3334.68] the aggression [3334.68 --> 3335.98] of this widow [3335.98 --> 3336.84] and so he resents [3336.84 --> 3338.20] and rules in favor [3338.20 --> 3338.80] of her [3338.80 --> 3339.82] giving her the justice [3339.82 --> 3340.68] that she seeks. [3341.00 --> 3342.56] Finally doing the right thing [3342.56 --> 3343.66] even if it's for all [3343.66 --> 3344.30] the wrong reasons. [3346.58 --> 3347.86] And then to our benefit [3347.86 --> 3349.76] Luke actually tells us [3349.76 --> 3351.22] who these two people represent. [3352.12 --> 3353.88] He says that God's chosen people [3353.88 --> 3354.48] the believers [3354.48 --> 3355.30] his children [3355.30 --> 3356.32] are the widow [3356.32 --> 3358.00] and that God [3358.00 --> 3358.96] is the judge. [3360.42 --> 3361.54] It means that we [3361.54 --> 3362.70] are the aggressive ones. [3362.84 --> 3363.50] We are the ones [3363.50 --> 3364.62] clamoring for God [3364.62 --> 3365.84] to change our futures [3365.84 --> 3367.64] to change the future. [3367.64 --> 3368.84] And Jesus here [3368.84 --> 3369.60] doesn't say [3369.60 --> 3370.62] we should stop [3370.62 --> 3371.12] notice. [3372.46 --> 3373.90] He doesn't call us [3373.90 --> 3374.72] to be quiet [3374.72 --> 3376.54] make quiet little appeals [3376.54 --> 3377.60] be quietly sitting [3377.60 --> 3378.12] in the corner. [3378.24 --> 3378.98] He doesn't say [3378.98 --> 3380.20] we need to be more kind [3380.20 --> 3381.18] in our requests [3381.18 --> 3382.68] or to wait in silence [3382.68 --> 3383.44] as he works. [3383.56 --> 3383.70] No. [3384.24 --> 3385.16] When we're hurt [3385.16 --> 3386.40] we're allowed [3386.40 --> 3387.76] to cry out to God. [3388.18 --> 3389.24] When things are unjust [3389.24 --> 3390.72] we can shout at him. [3391.40 --> 3392.70] When we need to lament [3392.70 --> 3393.74] or cry out [3393.74 --> 3395.38] or scream in frustration [3395.38 --> 3396.86] because our adversaries [3396.86 --> 3397.62] are piling up [3397.62 --> 3398.20] be them people [3398.20 --> 3398.74] or problems [3398.74 --> 3399.76] we find ourselves in [3399.76 --> 3400.86] we should lament [3400.86 --> 3401.70] but we should lament [3401.70 --> 3402.24] to him. [3402.82 --> 3403.42] We should lament [3403.42 --> 3404.48] to our God. [3405.14 --> 3405.88] Not rant [3405.88 --> 3406.88] to our echo chambers [3406.88 --> 3407.86] that we find online [3407.86 --> 3408.96] or chatter with [3408.96 --> 3409.76] our gossip groups [3409.76 --> 3410.48] that we meet with [3410.48 --> 3410.98] for coffee [3410.98 --> 3412.18] but to God. [3413.28 --> 3414.10] That's what he's [3414.10 --> 3414.78] calling us to do [3414.78 --> 3415.84] to be persistent [3415.84 --> 3416.90] in faith [3416.90 --> 3417.78] to him [3417.78 --> 3418.82] no matter what. [3420.02 --> 3421.50] He's inviting us [3421.50 --> 3422.88] to be persistent [3422.88 --> 3424.40] not just quietly [3424.40 --> 3425.78] but vocally [3425.78 --> 3427.70] because he is there. [3430.70 --> 3432.00] And he's not just [3432.00 --> 3432.96] ignoring us [3432.96 --> 3434.28] for a season [3434.28 --> 3436.90] like this unjust judge was. [3440.52 --> 3442.32] Notice what verse 6 and 7 say. [3442.42 --> 3444.78] Listen to what the unjust judge says [3444.78 --> 3446.90] and will not God [3446.90 --> 3448.36] bring about justice [3448.36 --> 3449.40] for his chosen ones [3449.40 --> 3450.64] who cry to him [3450.64 --> 3451.68] day and night. [3451.68 --> 3452.64] Will he keep [3452.64 --> 3453.60] putting them on? [3455.24 --> 3456.66] This parable is teaching us [3456.66 --> 3459.12] that even this unjust judge [3459.12 --> 3460.64] eventually brings out [3460.64 --> 3461.68] justice for this widow. [3462.26 --> 3463.64] So imagine what God [3463.64 --> 3464.46] will do for you. [3466.62 --> 3467.92] This judge in the parable [3467.92 --> 3468.46] is a schmo [3468.46 --> 3469.44] but God [3469.44 --> 3470.84] he is so much [3470.84 --> 3471.60] greater [3471.60 --> 3472.76] and the Psalms [3472.76 --> 3473.46] describe him [3473.46 --> 3474.00] beautifully. [3474.36 --> 3475.68] Check out what the Psalms [3475.68 --> 3476.52] describe God as. [3476.76 --> 3478.16] Our God is loving. [3478.96 --> 3480.22] Our God is righteous. [3480.22 --> 3482.18] Our God is powerful. [3482.78 --> 3484.02] Our God is just. [3484.44 --> 3485.50] Our God is compassionate. [3486.18 --> 3487.10] Our God is good. [3488.06 --> 3489.06] Our God is merciful. [3489.90 --> 3490.92] Our God is strong. [3491.72 --> 3492.48] That's just one book [3492.48 --> 3492.96] of the Bible. [3494.08 --> 3495.38] Our God is an ever-present [3495.38 --> 3496.76] help in times of trouble. [3496.88 --> 3498.42] That's what Psalm 46.1 says. [3498.62 --> 3499.70] The question isn't [3499.70 --> 3502.00] will God be there for us [3502.00 --> 3504.48] or will God provide for us? [3505.48 --> 3507.14] Our God is so much bigger [3507.14 --> 3507.82] and greater [3507.82 --> 3508.50] and gentler [3508.50 --> 3509.32] and powerful [3509.32 --> 3510.22] and more loving [3510.22 --> 3511.60] than we can imagine. [3511.72 --> 3512.86] He is there for you [3512.86 --> 3513.54] no matter what. [3516.82 --> 3517.86] Now while [3517.86 --> 3519.60] he is there for you [3519.60 --> 3521.60] as we discussed earlier [3521.60 --> 3523.50] he is not some genie [3523.50 --> 3524.28] who is available [3524.28 --> 3525.46] to answer any wish [3525.46 --> 3526.12] you may have [3526.12 --> 3527.36] if you only ask him [3527.36 --> 3527.94] enough times. [3528.38 --> 3529.36] That is not what [3529.36 --> 3530.40] this parable is getting at. [3530.62 --> 3531.56] This parable is not [3531.56 --> 3532.48] teaching his disciples [3532.48 --> 3533.30] to pray for stuff [3533.30 --> 3534.10] and you'll get it. [3534.10 --> 3534.26] No. [3534.94 --> 3535.66] This parable [3535.66 --> 3537.96] Jesus is telling [3537.96 --> 3538.52] the disciples [3538.52 --> 3539.56] that when they pray [3539.56 --> 3540.52] for what they need [3540.52 --> 3541.64] for love [3541.64 --> 3542.46] for hope [3542.46 --> 3543.40] for justice [3543.40 --> 3544.06] for shalom [3544.06 --> 3545.34] that it's coming. [3546.38 --> 3547.60] It is coming. [3547.72 --> 3548.76] They will receive it. [3548.96 --> 3550.26] It may take some time [3550.26 --> 3550.86] but they [3550.86 --> 3552.10] and they may need [3552.10 --> 3552.84] to wait for it. [3553.26 --> 3554.12] They might even feel [3554.12 --> 3555.22] like it's taking too long [3555.22 --> 3557.40] but it is coming. [3561.40 --> 3562.40] Brothers and sisters [3562.40 --> 3562.88] here today [3562.88 --> 3563.94] Jesus is teaching us [3563.94 --> 3565.10] the same thing. [3566.24 --> 3567.26] If we wait [3567.26 --> 3567.92] on the Lord [3567.92 --> 3568.64] he will renew [3568.64 --> 3569.74] our strength. [3570.06 --> 3570.46] Our God [3570.46 --> 3571.52] our affectionate [3571.52 --> 3572.26] righteous [3572.26 --> 3573.06] powerful [3573.06 --> 3573.54] just [3573.54 --> 3574.16] compassionate [3574.16 --> 3574.54] good [3574.54 --> 3575.20] merciful [3575.20 --> 3575.94] strong [3575.94 --> 3576.94] judge [3576.94 --> 3578.48] loves us. [3579.50 --> 3580.52] He is there for us. [3580.84 --> 3581.92] Unconditional love [3581.92 --> 3583.50] is ours for the receiving. [3584.08 --> 3584.94] Hope is found [3584.94 --> 3585.56] in him. [3585.64 --> 3586.30] He is just. [3586.68 --> 3587.82] Shalom is coming [3587.82 --> 3589.14] for all who believe. [3589.22 --> 3589.78] No matter what [3589.78 --> 3591.14] crisis we find [3591.14 --> 3591.72] ourselves in [3591.72 --> 3592.76] that truth [3592.76 --> 3593.58] remains. [3594.58 --> 3595.40] And when we are [3595.40 --> 3596.06] persistent [3596.06 --> 3597.68] in our prayer [3597.68 --> 3598.12] when we are [3598.12 --> 3598.64] persistent [3598.64 --> 3599.68] in our faith [3599.68 --> 3600.14] when we are [3600.14 --> 3600.84] relentlessly [3600.84 --> 3601.66] faithful [3601.66 --> 3602.30] in the midst [3602.30 --> 3603.18] of adversity [3603.18 --> 3603.88] like this widow [3603.88 --> 3604.26] was [3604.26 --> 3605.90] our foundation [3605.90 --> 3607.24] remains secure [3607.24 --> 3608.40] and our [3608.40 --> 3609.04] perspectives [3609.04 --> 3610.52] change. [3611.56 --> 3612.46] And that's [3612.46 --> 3612.92] the key. [3614.80 --> 3615.62] Sometimes our [3615.62 --> 3616.32] contexts [3616.32 --> 3617.10] won't immediately [3617.10 --> 3617.66] get better. [3617.78 --> 3618.30] Sometimes they [3618.30 --> 3618.78] might not get [3618.78 --> 3619.38] better at all [3619.38 --> 3620.00] but Jesus [3620.00 --> 3621.60] helps change [3621.60 --> 3622.72] our perspectives [3622.72 --> 3624.54] which allows us [3624.54 --> 3624.98] to root [3624.98 --> 3625.64] ourselves [3625.64 --> 3626.28] on his [3626.28 --> 3627.02] solid ground. [3629.20 --> 3629.88] Now there's [3629.88 --> 3630.34] two ways [3630.34 --> 3630.72] that our [3630.72 --> 3631.16] perspectives [3631.16 --> 3631.56] shift [3631.56 --> 3632.36] when we are [3632.36 --> 3632.80] persistent [3632.80 --> 3633.54] in our faith [3633.54 --> 3635.00] and that is [3635.00 --> 3635.50] that we become [3635.50 --> 3636.52] less complacent [3636.52 --> 3637.54] in our faith [3637.54 --> 3637.96] lives [3637.96 --> 3639.24] and we [3639.24 --> 3639.94] rediscover [3639.94 --> 3640.74] the eternal [3640.74 --> 3641.42] hope found [3641.42 --> 3642.00] in the one [3642.00 --> 3642.46] to whom [3642.46 --> 3642.68] we are [3642.68 --> 3643.24] praying for [3643.24 --> 3643.98] or praying [3643.98 --> 3644.18] to. [3644.32 --> 3644.46] Sorry. [3646.36 --> 3646.64] So whether [3646.64 --> 3647.28] life is going [3647.28 --> 3647.78] well or [3647.78 --> 3648.20] life is [3648.20 --> 3649.10] crashing in [3649.10 --> 3649.54] around us [3649.54 --> 3650.02] we're called [3650.02 --> 3650.32] to be [3650.32 --> 3650.86] persistent [3650.86 --> 3651.82] in our [3651.82 --> 3652.68] faithfulness [3652.68 --> 3653.04] to him. [3654.24 --> 3654.68] Praying [3654.68 --> 3654.96] to him [3654.96 --> 3655.44] thanking [3655.44 --> 3655.78] him [3655.78 --> 3656.30] crying [3656.30 --> 3656.58] out [3656.58 --> 3656.82] to him [3656.82 --> 3657.34] lamenting [3657.34 --> 3657.66] to him [3657.66 --> 3658.24] all of [3658.24 --> 3658.38] that [3658.38 --> 3658.92] acknowledges [3658.92 --> 3659.16] him. [3661.46 --> 3662.02] And when [3662.02 --> 3662.28] we do [3662.28 --> 3662.92] those things [3662.92 --> 3663.44] two things [3663.44 --> 3663.66] happen. [3663.76 --> 3663.94] First [3663.94 --> 3664.74] we become [3664.74 --> 3665.06] less [3665.06 --> 3665.72] complacent [3665.72 --> 3666.04] in our [3666.04 --> 3666.30] faith [3666.30 --> 3666.66] lives [3666.66 --> 3667.32] and we [3667.32 --> 3667.74] combat [3667.74 --> 3668.52] what I [3668.52 --> 3668.84] like to [3668.84 --> 3669.02] call [3669.02 --> 3669.44] covenant [3669.44 --> 3670.06] child [3670.06 --> 3670.62] syndrome. [3670.84 --> 3670.92] Now [3670.92 --> 3671.24] covenant [3671.24 --> 3671.62] child [3671.62 --> 3672.00] syndrome [3672.00 --> 3672.48] it's [3672.48 --> 3672.58] an [3672.58 --> 3672.94] affliction [3672.94 --> 3673.28] that some [3673.28 --> 3673.50] of us [3673.50 --> 3673.68] youth [3673.68 --> 3674.00] pastors [3674.00 --> 3674.44] came up [3674.44 --> 3674.78] a while [3674.78 --> 3675.06] ago [3675.06 --> 3676.06] that affects [3676.06 --> 3676.58] those of [3676.58 --> 3676.82] us [3676.82 --> 3677.30] who have [3677.30 --> 3677.48] been [3677.48 --> 3677.88] baptized [3677.88 --> 3678.46] in the [3678.46 --> 3678.70] church [3678.70 --> 3679.28] and even [3679.28 --> 3679.74] professed [3679.74 --> 3679.86] our [3679.86 --> 3680.10] faith [3680.10 --> 3680.38] in the [3680.38 --> 3680.66] church [3680.66 --> 3681.30] but are [3681.30 --> 3681.48] now [3681.48 --> 3681.84] simply [3681.84 --> 3682.18] sort of [3682.18 --> 3682.70] coasting [3682.70 --> 3682.92] in our [3682.92 --> 3683.14] faith [3683.14 --> 3683.54] lives. [3683.96 --> 3684.04] We [3684.04 --> 3684.36] believe [3684.36 --> 3684.82] in God [3684.82 --> 3685.36] and in [3685.36 --> 3685.60] Jesus [3685.60 --> 3686.34] gospel [3686.34 --> 3686.62] truth [3686.62 --> 3686.86] of his [3686.86 --> 3687.10] life [3687.10 --> 3687.30] death [3687.30 --> 3687.42] and [3687.42 --> 3687.78] resurrection [3687.78 --> 3688.34] and now [3688.34 --> 3688.64] we feel [3688.64 --> 3688.92] like we [3688.92 --> 3689.26] can just [3689.26 --> 3689.84] sort of [3689.84 --> 3690.26] do what [3690.26 --> 3690.64] we want. [3691.34 --> 3691.68] We think [3691.68 --> 3692.14] God's grace [3692.14 --> 3692.74] is big [3692.74 --> 3692.96] and we [3692.96 --> 3693.22] know that [3693.22 --> 3693.38] we're [3693.38 --> 3693.90] saved [3693.90 --> 3694.24] and God [3694.24 --> 3694.70] has chosen [3694.70 --> 3695.04] us [3695.04 --> 3695.56] and we're [3695.56 --> 3696.06] generally [3696.06 --> 3696.64] pretty nice [3696.64 --> 3697.06] people [3697.06 --> 3698.08] so we [3698.08 --> 3698.34] can go [3698.34 --> 3698.64] about our [3698.64 --> 3698.88] days [3698.88 --> 3699.14] without [3699.14 --> 3699.44] thinking [3699.44 --> 3700.08] too much [3700.08 --> 3700.76] about God [3700.76 --> 3701.18] or his [3701.18 --> 3701.58] role in [3701.58 --> 3701.94] our lives [3701.94 --> 3702.36] or how [3702.36 --> 3702.94] the gospel [3702.94 --> 3703.32] truth [3703.32 --> 3703.84] should [3703.84 --> 3704.48] transform [3704.48 --> 3705.16] everything. [3706.92 --> 3707.20] Now this [3707.20 --> 3707.56] way of [3707.56 --> 3707.80] thinking [3707.80 --> 3708.28] makes us [3708.28 --> 3708.72] lazy [3708.72 --> 3709.02] it makes [3709.02 --> 3709.18] us [3709.18 --> 3709.78] complacent [3709.78 --> 3710.26] and it [3710.26 --> 3710.72] distances [3710.72 --> 3711.08] us [3711.08 --> 3711.80] from God [3711.80 --> 3712.48] and it [3712.48 --> 3712.88] distances [3712.88 --> 3713.20] us [3713.20 --> 3713.50] from the [3713.50 --> 3713.84] calling [3713.84 --> 3714.14] that God [3714.14 --> 3714.56] has placed [3714.56 --> 3714.92] on our [3714.92 --> 3715.40] lives [3715.40 --> 3716.02] to be [3716.02 --> 3716.50] the body [3716.50 --> 3717.08] of Christ. [3719.08 --> 3719.62] When we [3719.62 --> 3719.94] think this [3719.94 --> 3720.16] way we [3720.16 --> 3720.72] stop serving [3720.72 --> 3720.98] in the [3720.98 --> 3721.18] church [3721.18 --> 3721.48] because [3721.48 --> 3721.72] what's [3721.72 --> 3722.08] the point [3722.08 --> 3722.48] someone else [3722.48 --> 3722.72] is going [3722.72 --> 3722.92] to do [3722.92 --> 3723.02] it. [3723.18 --> 3723.28] We [3723.28 --> 3723.54] stop [3723.54 --> 3724.18] sharing [3724.18 --> 3724.58] the good [3724.58 --> 3724.86] news [3724.86 --> 3725.22] to our [3725.22 --> 3725.70] colleagues [3725.70 --> 3726.04] because [3726.04 --> 3726.74] that seems [3726.74 --> 3727.44] too hard [3727.44 --> 3727.82] and too [3727.82 --> 3728.30] uncomfortable. [3728.64 --> 3728.98] We stop [3728.98 --> 3729.50] reading the [3729.50 --> 3729.98] Bible at [3729.98 --> 3730.20] home [3730.20 --> 3730.56] because [3730.56 --> 3731.10] Pastor [3731.10 --> 3731.32] Chris [3731.32 --> 3731.70] does that [3731.70 --> 3732.04] for us [3732.04 --> 3732.56] every Sunday [3732.56 --> 3732.96] so we're [3732.96 --> 3733.16] good. [3733.58 --> 3733.96] We stop [3733.96 --> 3734.54] doing family [3734.54 --> 3735.12] devotions [3735.12 --> 3735.54] around the [3735.54 --> 3736.14] table at [3736.14 --> 3736.36] night [3736.36 --> 3736.70] because [3736.70 --> 3737.44] we've got [3737.44 --> 3737.94] sports to [3737.94 --> 3738.26] get to [3738.26 --> 3738.66] or meetings [3738.66 --> 3739.24] to attend [3739.24 --> 3739.84] or rehearsals [3739.84 --> 3740.26] to see. [3740.82 --> 3741.44] We stop [3741.44 --> 3742.22] praying [3742.22 --> 3743.32] because we [3743.32 --> 3743.88] kind of have [3743.88 --> 3744.40] things under [3744.40 --> 3744.92] control. [3746.80 --> 3747.56] We stop [3747.56 --> 3748.24] thinking about [3748.24 --> 3748.78] the fact [3748.78 --> 3749.70] that Jesus [3749.70 --> 3750.32] is coming [3750.32 --> 3750.74] again [3750.74 --> 3751.50] because it [3751.50 --> 3751.98] seems to [3751.98 --> 3752.50] be taking [3752.50 --> 3753.32] him so [3753.32 --> 3753.84] long to [3753.84 --> 3754.30] do so. [3756.38 --> 3757.18] We stop [3757.18 --> 3758.20] being persistently [3758.20 --> 3758.76] faithful [3758.76 --> 3760.12] and forget [3760.12 --> 3760.56] to love [3760.56 --> 3761.20] our Lord [3761.20 --> 3761.66] with all [3761.66 --> 3762.14] our heart [3762.14 --> 3762.62] and all [3762.62 --> 3763.08] our soul [3763.08 --> 3763.50] and all [3763.50 --> 3763.98] our mind [3763.98 --> 3764.50] and instead [3764.50 --> 3765.50] we only [3765.50 --> 3766.06] love him [3766.06 --> 3766.98] when it [3766.98 --> 3767.36] becomes [3767.36 --> 3767.80] convenient [3767.80 --> 3768.44] for us [3768.44 --> 3769.28] or if [3769.28 --> 3769.64] we need [3769.64 --> 3770.06] something [3770.06 --> 3771.02] or if [3771.02 --> 3771.32] things are [3771.32 --> 3771.64] getting a [3771.64 --> 3772.04] little hard. [3773.52 --> 3774.30] We stop [3774.30 --> 3775.18] being persistently [3775.18 --> 3775.88] faithful and we [3775.88 --> 3776.42] forget to love [3776.42 --> 3776.84] our neighbors [3776.84 --> 3777.52] as ourselves [3777.52 --> 3778.32] and instead [3778.32 --> 3779.58] we only love [3779.58 --> 3780.04] those whom [3780.04 --> 3780.54] we are most [3780.54 --> 3781.52] comfortable with [3781.52 --> 3782.02] and only [3782.02 --> 3782.92] whenever they [3782.92 --> 3783.52] are conveniently [3783.52 --> 3784.22] around us. [3785.94 --> 3786.72] Jesus is [3786.72 --> 3787.40] concerned about [3787.40 --> 3787.74] this. [3787.74 --> 3788.54] He says [3788.54 --> 3788.84] so in [3788.84 --> 3789.34] verse 8 [3789.34 --> 3790.14] the final [3790.14 --> 3790.52] verse of [3790.52 --> 3790.98] our passage [3790.98 --> 3791.70] when we [3791.70 --> 3792.32] forget to be [3792.32 --> 3792.92] persistent in [3792.92 --> 3793.54] our faithfulness [3793.54 --> 3793.84] to God [3793.84 --> 3794.78] Jesus worries [3794.78 --> 3795.24] that when he [3795.24 --> 3795.82] comes back [3795.82 --> 3796.48] when he returns [3796.48 --> 3797.34] again he will [3797.34 --> 3797.98] find limited [3797.98 --> 3798.30] faith. [3798.42 --> 3798.98] Read verse 8 [3798.98 --> 3799.56] with me again. [3799.98 --> 3800.32] When the [3800.32 --> 3800.88] son of man [3800.88 --> 3802.40] comes will [3802.40 --> 3803.24] he find [3803.24 --> 3804.08] faith on [3804.08 --> 3804.40] earth? [3806.68 --> 3807.34] If we [3807.34 --> 3807.78] aren't being [3807.78 --> 3808.60] persistent in [3808.60 --> 3809.28] our faithfulness [3809.28 --> 3809.80] to God will [3809.80 --> 3810.36] he find [3810.36 --> 3811.36] faith when [3811.36 --> 3811.80] he comes [3811.80 --> 3812.22] again? [3812.22 --> 3815.46] being [3815.46 --> 3816.10] persistent in [3816.10 --> 3816.44] our faith [3816.44 --> 3816.88] helps us [3816.88 --> 3817.44] shift that [3817.44 --> 3818.00] perspective [3818.00 --> 3818.36] that we [3818.36 --> 3818.66] have and [3818.66 --> 3819.28] it combats [3819.28 --> 3819.52] this [3819.52 --> 3820.14] complacent [3820.14 --> 3820.42] faith. [3820.54 --> 3820.72] When we [3820.72 --> 3821.40] give our [3821.40 --> 3821.82] lives to [3821.82 --> 3822.30] God whether [3822.30 --> 3823.26] we're quietly [3823.26 --> 3824.34] content or [3824.34 --> 3824.80] when we're [3824.80 --> 3825.58] rolling in [3825.58 --> 3826.32] turmoil because [3826.32 --> 3827.28] things seem [3827.28 --> 3827.88] so upside [3827.88 --> 3828.80] down when [3828.80 --> 3829.24] we give [3829.24 --> 3829.70] our lives [3829.70 --> 3830.12] to him [3830.12 --> 3831.16] every day [3831.16 --> 3831.58] we show [3831.58 --> 3832.10] our faith [3832.10 --> 3833.54] we find [3833.54 --> 3834.00] our rock [3834.00 --> 3834.32] we can [3834.32 --> 3834.80] discover [3834.80 --> 3835.64] something [3835.64 --> 3836.46] some new [3836.46 --> 3837.00] stability [3837.00 --> 3838.10] along the [3838.10 --> 3838.34] way. [3839.02 --> 3839.76] I did that [3839.76 --> 3840.14] this week. [3840.14 --> 3841.00] it wasn't [3841.00 --> 3841.86] necessarily a [3841.86 --> 3842.32] bad week [3842.32 --> 3842.84] for me [3842.84 --> 3843.22] although it [3843.22 --> 3843.56] wasn't a [3843.56 --> 3844.00] great week [3844.00 --> 3844.32] either. [3845.20 --> 3846.18] I definitely [3846.18 --> 3846.54] had some [3846.54 --> 3847.14] moments as a [3847.14 --> 3847.58] parent and [3847.58 --> 3848.10] as a husband [3848.10 --> 3848.76] that I regret [3848.76 --> 3849.20] and that I [3849.20 --> 3849.70] wasn't super [3849.70 --> 3850.54] proud of and [3850.54 --> 3850.98] I had heard [3850.98 --> 3851.48] from a couple [3851.48 --> 3852.00] of friends [3852.00 --> 3852.98] some fairly [3852.98 --> 3853.72] big news in [3853.72 --> 3854.26] their lives [3854.26 --> 3854.64] that isn't [3854.64 --> 3855.16] going great [3855.16 --> 3855.56] and their [3855.56 --> 3856.16] lives are [3856.16 --> 3856.46] going to be [3856.46 --> 3857.06] altered going [3857.06 --> 3857.32] forward. [3857.42 --> 3857.60] That was a [3857.60 --> 3857.78] little bit [3857.78 --> 3858.32] difficult to [3858.32 --> 3858.52] hear. [3860.44 --> 3861.26] There was a [3861.26 --> 3861.72] weight to [3861.72 --> 3862.08] this week [3862.08 --> 3862.40] we'll say [3862.40 --> 3862.86] that and I [3862.86 --> 3863.46] found myself [3863.46 --> 3864.14] grumpy and [3864.14 --> 3864.84] sad more than [3864.84 --> 3865.36] I wanted to [3865.36 --> 3865.60] be. [3866.58 --> 3866.96] However [3866.96 --> 3868.10] because I was [3868.10 --> 3868.78] working on this [3868.78 --> 3869.38] all week [3869.38 --> 3870.48] when I was [3870.48 --> 3871.16] feeling burdened [3871.16 --> 3871.56] or hopeless [3871.56 --> 3872.26] or frustrated [3872.26 --> 3873.32] not every time [3873.32 --> 3873.88] but I often [3873.88 --> 3874.48] remembered this [3874.48 --> 3875.18] text that I [3875.18 --> 3875.82] was looking at [3875.82 --> 3876.86] and I [3876.86 --> 3877.38] remembered this [3877.38 --> 3877.92] sermon that I [3877.92 --> 3878.64] was working on [3878.64 --> 3879.20] and every now [3879.20 --> 3879.54] and then I [3879.54 --> 3880.10] found myself [3880.10 --> 3881.28] praying God [3881.28 --> 3881.86] life is a [3881.86 --> 3883.26] mess or God [3883.26 --> 3884.12] I screwed up [3884.12 --> 3885.66] but I know [3885.66 --> 3886.26] you are God [3886.26 --> 3886.84] and I know [3886.84 --> 3887.44] you are good [3887.44 --> 3887.94] and I know [3887.94 --> 3888.64] you are present [3888.64 --> 3890.02] please redeem [3890.02 --> 3890.72] this situation [3890.72 --> 3891.68] help me zoom [3891.68 --> 3892.68] out of my life [3892.68 --> 3893.34] and remember [3893.34 --> 3893.96] how big your [3893.96 --> 3894.80] plan is for [3894.80 --> 3895.20] this world [3895.20 --> 3895.64] around me [3895.64 --> 3896.34] make me less [3896.34 --> 3897.34] make you more [3897.34 --> 3899.68] and every [3899.68 --> 3900.04] time I [3900.04 --> 3900.44] prayed that [3900.44 --> 3900.92] prayer I [3900.92 --> 3902.20] felt lighter [3902.20 --> 3903.64] relieved [3903.64 --> 3904.88] better [3904.88 --> 3907.60] not for the [3907.60 --> 3908.00] rest of the [3908.00 --> 3908.46] week or even [3908.46 --> 3908.88] for the rest [3908.88 --> 3909.40] of the day [3909.40 --> 3911.18] but for a [3911.18 --> 3911.38] while [3911.38 --> 3912.46] now I'm not [3912.46 --> 3914.04] prescribing to [3914.04 --> 3914.44] you that every [3914.44 --> 3915.16] time you pray a [3915.16 --> 3915.90] prayer like that [3915.90 --> 3916.36] your troubles [3916.36 --> 3916.72] are going to [3916.72 --> 3917.18] go away [3917.18 --> 3917.78] or your [3917.78 --> 3918.40] frustrations [3918.40 --> 3919.32] will disintegrate [3919.32 --> 3920.12] or the world [3920.12 --> 3920.72] will change [3920.72 --> 3921.16] forever [3921.16 --> 3922.54] but what this [3922.54 --> 3923.22] text teaches [3923.22 --> 3923.88] us is that [3923.88 --> 3924.82] no matter what [3924.82 --> 3925.44] our context [3925.44 --> 3926.08] we need to be [3926.08 --> 3927.38] persistent in [3927.38 --> 3927.90] prayer and [3927.90 --> 3929.00] understand who [3929.00 --> 3929.86] our God is [3929.86 --> 3931.50] and when we [3931.50 --> 3932.32] grasp that [3932.32 --> 3932.92] everything [3932.92 --> 3934.98] seems to get [3934.98 --> 3935.30] lighter [3935.30 --> 3937.22] in challenging [3937.22 --> 3938.12] situations our [3938.12 --> 3938.88] ground seems a [3938.88 --> 3939.52] little more solid [3939.52 --> 3940.58] and our God [3940.58 --> 3941.36] becomes front and [3941.36 --> 3942.12] center once again [3942.12 --> 3943.76] and that [3943.76 --> 3944.78] perspective shift [3944.78 --> 3945.74] just roots us in [3945.74 --> 3946.32] him a little bit [3946.32 --> 3946.60] deeper [3946.60 --> 3949.84] the second [3949.84 --> 3950.60] perspective shift [3950.60 --> 3951.32] that happens when [3951.32 --> 3952.16] we are persistent [3952.16 --> 3953.10] in our faithfulness [3953.10 --> 3953.56] and this will [3953.56 --> 3954.42] conclude with this [3954.42 --> 3955.50] one today is [3955.50 --> 3956.54] that we rediscover [3956.54 --> 3958.14] the eternal hope [3958.14 --> 3958.86] found in God's [3958.86 --> 3959.84] kingdom come and [3959.84 --> 3960.58] his kingdom coming [3960.58 --> 3962.80] if you have your [3962.80 --> 3964.08] Bibles open look [3964.08 --> 3965.20] at the second half [3965.20 --> 3966.26] of chapter 17 [3966.26 --> 3966.98] that's the chunk [3966.98 --> 3967.82] of text that comes [3967.82 --> 3969.00] right before our [3969.00 --> 3969.74] parable today [3969.74 --> 3972.24] so in the lead up [3972.24 --> 3972.90] to this parable [3972.90 --> 3973.86] in that text [3973.86 --> 3975.00] Jesus is talking [3975.00 --> 3975.62] about when he [3975.62 --> 3976.28] comes again [3976.28 --> 3978.62] his disciples [3978.62 --> 3979.28] perhaps didn't [3979.28 --> 3980.26] grasp the scope [3980.26 --> 3980.92] of this because [3980.92 --> 3982.02] Jesus was still [3982.02 --> 3982.56] there he hadn't [3982.56 --> 3983.64] even died and [3983.64 --> 3984.12] come back the [3984.12 --> 3984.62] first time [3984.62 --> 3986.34] but Jesus is [3986.34 --> 3986.82] talking about [3986.82 --> 3987.26] the future [3987.26 --> 3987.92] when his kingdom [3987.92 --> 3989.02] comes again [3989.02 --> 3991.12] and in that [3991.12 --> 3992.24] chapter Jesus [3992.24 --> 3993.42] says that those [3993.42 --> 3994.12] who are faithful [3994.12 --> 3994.76] will go with [3994.76 --> 3996.04] him and those [3996.04 --> 3996.42] who are not [3996.42 --> 3996.90] will be left [3996.90 --> 3997.30] behind [3997.30 --> 3999.50] and then Jesus [3999.50 --> 4000.10] tells this [4000.10 --> 4000.60] parable [4000.60 --> 4002.96] in the hopes [4002.96 --> 4003.32] that his [4003.32 --> 4004.14] disciples will [4004.14 --> 4004.86] understand that [4004.86 --> 4005.54] no matter what [4005.54 --> 4006.62] trials they are [4006.62 --> 4007.30] going to face [4007.30 --> 4009.68] no matter what [4009.68 --> 4010.10] they will be [4010.10 --> 4011.26] going through [4011.26 --> 4012.30] as they go [4012.30 --> 4012.88] forward God [4012.88 --> 4013.62] calls them [4013.62 --> 4014.50] Jesus calls [4014.50 --> 4015.44] them to [4015.44 --> 4016.70] remain faithful [4016.70 --> 4017.64] always [4017.64 --> 4019.18] and remember [4019.18 --> 4019.88] Jesus knew [4019.88 --> 4020.76] he knew what [4020.76 --> 4021.36] these disciples [4021.36 --> 4021.78] were going to [4021.78 --> 4022.38] face he knew [4022.38 --> 4022.96] that the trials [4022.96 --> 4023.38] they were going [4023.38 --> 4024.26] to come across [4024.26 --> 4024.58] were going to [4024.58 --> 4024.96] be hard [4024.96 --> 4025.58] remember all [4025.58 --> 4026.34] those disciples [4026.34 --> 4027.54] ended up getting [4027.54 --> 4028.20] martyred for [4028.20 --> 4028.66] their faith [4028.66 --> 4029.36] except for John [4029.36 --> 4030.74] who was boiled [4030.74 --> 4031.78] and then sent to [4031.78 --> 4032.36] an island and [4032.36 --> 4033.10] didn't die and [4033.10 --> 4033.44] then had to [4033.44 --> 4033.88] live there for [4033.88 --> 4034.38] a long time [4034.38 --> 4035.44] that's what [4035.44 --> 4035.80] they went [4035.80 --> 4036.10] through [4036.10 --> 4039.38] they were [4039.38 --> 4040.00] persistent [4040.00 --> 4040.34] though [4040.34 --> 4040.64] in their [4040.64 --> 4041.00] faith [4041.00 --> 4042.24] they were [4042.24 --> 4042.94] living for [4042.94 --> 4043.28] Jesus [4043.28 --> 4043.94] persistent [4043.94 --> 4044.34] in their [4044.34 --> 4044.70] love for [4044.70 --> 4044.82] them [4044.82 --> 4045.30] persistent [4045.30 --> 4045.90] in their [4045.90 --> 4046.20] prayers [4046.20 --> 4046.46] to him [4046.46 --> 4046.88] persistent [4046.88 --> 4047.64] even when [4047.64 --> 4047.90] they were [4047.90 --> 4048.40] persecuted [4048.40 --> 4049.26] persistent [4049.26 --> 4050.06] even when [4050.06 --> 4050.50] their friends [4050.50 --> 4050.94] were killed [4050.94 --> 4051.68] even when [4051.68 --> 4052.04] they lost [4052.04 --> 4052.60] everything [4052.60 --> 4053.68] the disciples [4053.68 --> 4054.62] were persistent [4054.62 --> 4055.02] in their [4055.02 --> 4055.50] faithfulness [4055.50 --> 4056.20] because they [4056.20 --> 4056.84] understood [4056.84 --> 4058.20] that Christ's [4058.20 --> 4058.48] kingdom [4058.48 --> 4059.48] was coming [4059.48 --> 4061.76] and they [4061.76 --> 4062.24] later knew [4062.24 --> 4062.76] like we do [4062.76 --> 4063.06] now [4063.06 --> 4063.78] that Jesus [4063.78 --> 4064.84] lived this [4064.84 --> 4065.48] life that we [4065.48 --> 4065.80] have been [4065.80 --> 4066.60] called to [4066.60 --> 4066.86] live [4066.86 --> 4067.50] but then he [4067.50 --> 4068.24] died a death [4068.24 --> 4070.12] a terrible [4070.12 --> 4070.86] death that we [4070.86 --> 4071.58] all deserve to [4071.58 --> 4072.06] die but he [4072.06 --> 4072.50] died it in [4072.50 --> 4072.92] our stead [4072.92 --> 4074.02] and he took [4074.02 --> 4074.56] the weight of [4074.56 --> 4075.26] the sins of [4075.26 --> 4075.80] the world on [4075.80 --> 4076.26] his shoulders [4076.26 --> 4076.72] and he went [4076.72 --> 4077.20] to the grave [4077.20 --> 4077.76] with them all [4077.76 --> 4079.36] but then three [4079.36 --> 4080.06] days later he [4080.06 --> 4080.68] rose again [4080.68 --> 4081.34] from the dead [4081.34 --> 4082.36] defeating sin [4082.36 --> 4082.88] and death [4082.88 --> 4083.96] forever in [4083.96 --> 4084.32] this world [4084.32 --> 4085.14] and all we [4085.14 --> 4085.88] need to do [4085.88 --> 4086.96] is believe [4086.96 --> 4087.96] in what he [4087.96 --> 4088.52] accomplished [4088.52 --> 4089.38] in his [4089.38 --> 4089.86] life in [4089.86 --> 4090.26] his death [4090.26 --> 4090.48] and in [4090.48 --> 4091.08] his resurrection [4091.08 --> 4091.98] and know [4091.98 --> 4092.42] that our [4092.42 --> 4093.20] salvation is [4093.20 --> 4094.40] assured not [4094.40 --> 4094.84] by anything [4094.84 --> 4095.70] we do but [4095.70 --> 4096.44] by everything [4096.44 --> 4097.50] he did and [4097.50 --> 4098.08] by everything [4098.08 --> 4098.76] he is going [4098.76 --> 4099.32] to do [4099.32 --> 4101.76] and when we [4101.76 --> 4102.54] rest in that [4102.54 --> 4104.32] truth when we [4104.32 --> 4105.10] sit in the [4105.10 --> 4106.24] persistent faith [4106.24 --> 4107.02] knowing that [4107.02 --> 4107.60] that gospel [4107.60 --> 4108.30] truth is just [4108.30 --> 4109.58] that truth [4109.58 --> 4111.82] changes everything [4111.82 --> 4113.54] no matter our [4113.54 --> 4114.02] context [4114.02 --> 4116.62] it gives peace [4116.62 --> 4117.14] to those who [4117.14 --> 4117.50] mourn [4117.50 --> 4119.80] it gives rest [4119.80 --> 4120.24] to those who [4120.24 --> 4121.04] battle every [4121.04 --> 4121.38] day [4121.38 --> 4123.48] it gives hope [4123.48 --> 4124.94] to those who [4124.94 --> 4125.40] have nothing [4125.40 --> 4127.50] it gives love [4127.50 --> 4127.98] to those who [4127.98 --> 4128.62] feel alone [4128.62 --> 4131.66] being persistently [4131.66 --> 4132.72] faithful allows [4132.72 --> 4133.52] all of us to [4133.52 --> 4134.04] remember that [4134.04 --> 4135.34] justice is [4135.34 --> 4135.70] coming [4135.70 --> 4137.64] peace is [4137.64 --> 4138.08] coming [4138.08 --> 4140.06] harmony is [4140.06 --> 4140.46] coming [4140.46 --> 4142.18] Jesus is [4142.18 --> 4142.54] coming [4142.54 --> 4145.44] and while [4145.44 --> 4145.90] this parable [4145.90 --> 4146.84] doesn't tell us [4146.84 --> 4147.38] why Jesus [4147.38 --> 4148.10] seems to move [4148.10 --> 4149.06] slowly sometimes [4149.06 --> 4150.84] it reminds us [4150.84 --> 4151.62] to be prayerful [4151.62 --> 4152.36] and live every [4152.36 --> 4153.04] day faithfully [4153.04 --> 4153.48] for him [4153.48 --> 4154.12] not just [4154.12 --> 4154.80] Sundays from [4154.80 --> 4155.68] 10 to 1130 [4155.68 --> 4156.58] but every [4156.58 --> 4156.86] day [4156.86 --> 4159.10] on our peaks [4159.10 --> 4159.64] and in our [4159.64 --> 4160.00] valleys [4160.00 --> 4162.18] and we can do [4162.18 --> 4163.04] that because we [4163.04 --> 4164.10] can be confident [4164.10 --> 4164.84] that God [4164.84 --> 4165.90] will act for [4165.90 --> 4166.76] the good of [4166.76 --> 4167.64] those who [4167.64 --> 4168.00] love him [4168.00 --> 4168.78] he is coming [4168.78 --> 4169.46] so let's be [4169.46 --> 4170.30] persistent [4170.30 --> 4171.30] in our [4171.30 --> 4171.60] faith [4171.60 --> 4171.90] amen [4171.90 --> 4173.66] let me pray [4173.66 --> 4178.70] father in [4178.70 --> 4179.00] heaven [4179.00 --> 4181.14] we thank you [4181.14 --> 4181.62] for your [4181.62 --> 4182.00] redemption [4182.00 --> 4182.58] plan [4182.58 --> 4184.80] solidified in [4184.80 --> 4185.18] the life [4185.18 --> 4185.60] death and [4185.60 --> 4186.34] resurrection of [4186.34 --> 4186.96] Jesus Christ [4186.96 --> 4187.42] your son [4187.42 --> 4190.02] we thank you [4190.02 --> 4190.74] for this parable [4190.74 --> 4191.62] challenging us [4191.62 --> 4192.14] that no matter [4192.14 --> 4192.80] where we find [4192.80 --> 4193.38] ourselves in [4193.38 --> 4193.60] life [4193.60 --> 4195.02] that we are [4195.02 --> 4195.40] to remain [4195.40 --> 4196.36] faithful to [4196.36 --> 4196.66] you [4196.66 --> 4198.38] persistently [4198.38 --> 4199.48] faithful to [4199.48 --> 4199.74] you [4199.74 --> 4201.60] and God [4201.60 --> 4201.90] you're a [4201.90 --> 4202.20] God of [4202.20 --> 4202.60] all things [4202.60 --> 4202.96] you can [4202.96 --> 4203.24] change [4203.24 --> 4203.78] contexts [4203.78 --> 4204.46] you don't [4204.46 --> 4204.94] change other [4204.94 --> 4205.46] contexts [4205.46 --> 4205.96] you see [4205.96 --> 4206.46] all things [4206.46 --> 4206.86] and know [4206.86 --> 4207.42] all things [4207.42 --> 4208.26] let us [4208.26 --> 4208.88] trust you [4208.88 --> 4210.92] when things [4210.92 --> 4211.94] are bad [4211.94 --> 4212.26] in our [4212.26 --> 4212.50] lives [4212.50 --> 4212.78] may we [4212.78 --> 4213.30] cry out [4213.30 --> 4213.52] to you [4213.52 --> 4214.04] call out [4214.04 --> 4214.24] to you [4214.24 --> 4214.72] shout out [4214.72 --> 4214.96] to you [4214.96 --> 4215.32] when things [4215.32 --> 4215.66] are good [4215.66 --> 4216.14] may we [4216.14 --> 4216.88] glorify you [4216.88 --> 4217.30] and thank [4217.30 --> 4217.54] you [4217.54 --> 4218.08] and God [4218.08 --> 4218.48] in all [4218.48 --> 4218.66] of it [4218.66 --> 4218.92] may we [4218.92 --> 4219.44] acknowledge [4219.44 --> 4219.78] you [4219.78 --> 4221.08] and know [4221.08 --> 4221.38] that you [4221.38 --> 4221.74] are our [4221.74 --> 4222.06] God [4222.06 --> 4223.72] and may [4223.72 --> 4223.88] we [4223.88 --> 4224.60] confidently [4224.60 --> 4226.00] and [4226.00 --> 4226.84] passionately [4226.84 --> 4228.42] bring this [4228.42 --> 4229.12] good news [4229.12 --> 4229.96] to those [4229.96 --> 4230.22] who need [4230.22 --> 4230.54] to hear [4230.54 --> 4230.74] it [4230.74 --> 4232.12] we pray [4232.12 --> 4232.40] this in [4232.40 --> 4232.76] your son's [4232.76 --> 4233.36] precious name [4233.36 --> 4233.94] amen [4233.94 --> 4237.98] to those [4241.26 --> 4241.50] even [4241.50 --> 4243.28] you [4243.28 --> 4244.80] need [4244.80 --> 4245.72] more [4245.72 --> 4246.34] than [4246.34 --> 4246.70] you [4247.62 --> 4248.94] need [4248.94 --> 4249.78] and [4249.78 --> 4250.60] now [4250.60 --> 4251.30] look [4251.30 --> 4252.12] sure [4252.12 --> 4253.54] this [4253.54 --> 4256.78] is [4256.78 --> 4257.28] now [4257.28 --> 4257.68] I [4257.68 --> 4258.96] mean [4258.96 --> 4260.04] I [4260.04 --> 4278.72] Holiness, holiness is what I long for [4278.72 --> 4283.04] Holiness is what I need [4283.04 --> 4292.28] Holiness, holiness is what you want from me [4292.28 --> 4301.84] Faithfulness, faithfulness is what I long for [4301.84 --> 4305.90] Faithfulness is what I need [4305.90 --> 4315.14] Faithfulness, faithfulness is what you want from me [4315.14 --> 4322.90] Take my heart and form it [4322.90 --> 4329.34] Take my life and transform it [4329.34 --> 4335.20] Take my will, conform it [4335.20 --> 4340.58] To yours, to yours, O Lord [4340.58 --> 4348.30] Righteousness, righteousness is what I long for [4348.30 --> 4352.34] Righteousness is what I need [4352.34 --> 4361.58] Righteousness, righteousness is what you want from me [4361.58 --> 4369.88] Take my heart and form it [4369.88 --> 4375.70] Take my life and transform it [4375.70 --> 4381.56] Take my will, conform it [4381.56 --> 4386.94] To yours, to yours, O Lord [4386.94 --> 4393.20] Take my heart and form it [4393.20 --> 4399.04] Take my life and transform it [4399.04 --> 4404.90] Take my will, conform it [4404.90 --> 4409.78] To yours, to yours, O Lord [4409.78 --> 4415.28] To yours, to yours, O Lord [4415.28 --> 4422.20] We invite you all to stick around after the service [4422.20 --> 4423.98] for some coffee and refreshments afterwards [4423.98 --> 4426.48] enjoy some fellowship with one another [4426.48 --> 4428.66] but as we leave this place and go out into our week [4428.66 --> 4431.52] let's remember to remain faithful to our God [4431.52 --> 4433.42] when things are good, when things are bad [4433.42 --> 4434.30] in all situations [4434.30 --> 4435.92] dust off that Bible at home [4435.92 --> 4438.60] pray to him, invite him into all your context [4438.60 --> 4440.00] as he is our Lord [4440.00 --> 4442.86] Please receive God's parting blessing [4442.86 --> 4444.96] found from Numbers 6 [4444.96 --> 4448.26] The Lord bless you and keep you [4448.26 --> 4450.80] The Lord make his face shine upon you [4450.80 --> 4451.90] and be gracious to you [4451.90 --> 4454.22] The Lord turn his face towards you [4454.22 --> 4455.90] and give you his peace [4455.90 --> 4457.46] And all God's people said [4457.46 --> 4458.40] Amen [4458.40 --> 4462.02] Amen [4462.02 --> 4491.72] We're pilgrims on the journey [4491.72 --> 4495.38] of the narrow road [4495.38 --> 4498.94] and those who've gone before us [4498.94 --> 4501.90] lie in the way [4501.90 --> 4505.84] cheering on the faithful [4505.84 --> 4509.42] encouraging the weary [4509.42 --> 4513.18] their lives a stirring testament [4513.18 --> 4518.78] to God's sustaining grace [4518.78 --> 4524.50] surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [4524.50 --> 4528.38] let us run the race [4528.38 --> 4531.78] not only for the prize [4531.78 --> 4537.10] but as those who've gone before us [4537.10 --> 4540.68] let us lead to those behind us [4540.68 --> 4544.40] the heritage of faithfulness [4544.40 --> 4548.40] pass on through godly life [4548.40 --> 4553.06] oh may all who come behind us [4553.06 --> 4555.12] find us faithful [4555.12 --> 4559.88] may the fire of our devotion [4559.88 --> 4562.12] light their way [4562.12 --> 4567.88] may the footprints that we need [4567.88 --> 4570.34] lead them to believe [4570.34 --> 4573.34] and the lives we live [4573.34 --> 4576.06] inspire them to obey [4576.06 --> 4581.74] oh may all who come behind us [4581.74 --> 4583.82] find us faithful [4583.82 --> 4596.62] after all our hopes and dreams [4596.62 --> 4599.50] have come and gone [4599.50 --> 4601.92] and our children saved [4601.92 --> 4605.42] through all we've left behind [4605.42 --> 4609.98] may the clues that they discover [4609.98 --> 4613.70] and the memories they uncover [4613.70 --> 4615.70] become the light [4615.70 --> 4618.70] that leads them to the road [4618.70 --> 4621.42] we each must find [4621.42 --> 4626.38] oh may all who come behind us [4626.38 --> 4628.30] find us faithful [4628.30 --> 4633.16] may the fire of our devotion [4633.16 --> 4635.42] light their way [4635.42 --> 4641.02] may the footprints that we leave [4641.02 --> 4643.52] lead them to believe [4643.52 --> 4644.52] lead them to believe [4644.52 --> 4646.38] and the lives we live [4646.38 --> 4649.20] inspire them to obey [4649.20 --> 4650.52] to obey [4650.52 --> 4652.52] to obey [4652.52 --> 4654.52] to obey [4654.52 --> 4658.20] oh may all who come behind us [4658.20 --> 4660.12] find us faithful [4660.12 --> 4664.76] may the fire of our devotion [4664.76 --> 4667.76] light their way [4667.76 --> 4672.52] may the footprints that we leave [4672.52 --> 4702.50] lead them to believe [4702.50 --> 4732.48] Thank you. [4732.50 --> 4734.50] Amen. [4762.50 --> 4764.50] Amen. [4792.50 --> 4794.50] Amen. [4822.50 --> 4824.50] Amen. [4852.50 --> 4854.50] Amen.