177: Nathan Luke - Exhortation: Arete (Excellence in Everything)

Automatically transcribed. Accuracy is good but not perfect, and words are sometimes wrong. Trust the audio over the text.

1. 0:13

   Welcome to Good Burger selfie and talks. I’m Levi and I’m Chris and I’m Brian, thank you for joining us this week. On this podcast, we select one taco week to help us get the Bible in our daily news feed. We post a new episode of the start of each week with a short intro before. Hand to kind of set the stage for the talk. You’re about to listen to and now let’s talk more about this week’s talk.

2. 0:51

   Welcome to the good christadelphians talks podcast. This is brother Brian. This week’s talk is an excitation by brother Nathan, Luke which was given in May of 2020 at the Enfield, Ecclesia, and South Australia. His excitation is entitled, excellence in everything and it comes from the list of attributes that are laid out in second Peter chapter 1, verses 5 to 8.

3. 1:20

   Where Peter exhorts us to add onto or supplement our faith, with this list of characteristics, which should become a natural outworking of our faith. As we confirm our high calling. And the first one that comes up, is this term virtue at on to your faith virtue or in some versions. It’s termed excellence.

4. 1:44

   So the Greek word for this is arat, a get used to it, you’re going to hear that word a lot, it’s best to find as moral excellence. And brother, Nathan takes us through the four places where the word Erte appears and then the lessons that we can draw from this passage the main takeaway that I appreciated was not being intimidated by what the word implies, which is like the highest level of Excellence.

5. 2:15

   Since we know that all fall short of God’s glory, and we often fail to live up to even just a modest moral or spiritual standard, let alone, the righteousness, that our God should require But that it’s a process by which we devote ourselves. In striving for this incredibly High expectation, more out of gratitude than anything else at a gratitude for the grace that has been shown towards us.

6. 2:48

   So, like, rather than being discouraged in wondering why a man, like, how will I ever live up to what is being asked of me, brother? Nathan implies, we should instead. Ed gear. Our minds to think of pursuing are attacking as a means of simply giving back to what is reasonably deserved by our gracious master. Tons of Little Gems like that in this one so I will leave it at that for now.

7. 3:16

   But as always, we hope this strengthens your faith and brightens your day brother Nathan. Luke arat a excellence in everything, Thanks brother, Elliot and good morning. Dear brothers and sisters in the Lord. Jesus Christ and good morning. All those young people and children who are also watching this stream this morning. Well this is my first taste of speaking to a gathering that I can’t actually see what I want to convey to all of you this morning.

8. 3:46

   The warm love that I have for you in Christ Jesus, our lord and to share with you a word of exhortation and encouragement that will be spiritually helpful as we come to remember our Lord. Trip. You’re taking your bread and wine this morning. I must say strangers. The past few weeks have been as at home in our family.

9. 4:07

   We’ve said around just the five of us at home. We found that the meetings during that period of time have been very personal, very moving and searching and somewhat paradoxically very real It’s been a lot of thinking time hasn’t there. I’m sure you found the same. Time to reflect on what is the core of life, when so much of the usual busyness, so much of the usual activity has been Stripped Away. And you’ll see that they’re as you are perhaps this morning in the quiet of your house.

10. 4:40

    They’re quite a small be relative to how many children you have and what sort of I say are you sitting there in the quiet of your house on a Sunday morning? Well, some other time and up on the screen, comes the face and the voice of brothers and sisters, who from whom, we currently socially isolated, but whose faith and values, we deeply Sher and prayer is offered.

11. 5:04

    And the word of God is opened and shared as always. Assign beautiful trees, convey to us. and we know, as we sit there, we know, and we feel that God and his son with us The Lord is guiding us and our children through these somewhat strange and difficult times. God’s good Purpose with us remains on course, be confident about that.

12. 5:29

    And the dawn of the new day, the dawn of that new age, which we so desire seems to be upon us. So I trust that again, this morning as we conduct our meeting in the same format, you will find encouragement in this time of remembrance and the, you will sense a presence in the blessing of our heavenly father, one of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Jesus, of course, who told us, he told us I am with you. I Am With You Always even unto the end of the world, which is where we find ourselves in in history. So I want to begin this morning brothers and sisters and young people with a question.

13. 6:05

    I want you to consider what would be the best thing that you’ve ever heard with your ears. What’s the best thing you’ve ever heard with your ears?

14. 6:17

    Think about that for a long time, you know, possibly the answer is that we’re still yet to hear the best words that we will hear the words, which we might hear from the Lord’s mouth. God willing, listen to what he says. You know, the work, the word, the words. Well, well done thou good and faithful servant thou Hast been Faithful over.

15. 6:36

    A few things. I will make thee ruler over many things. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. Now, when we hear these words, once we’re there, kneeling in the awesome presence. Of the judge of the whole earth, our beloved master and Lord, you will be an Indescribable moment We will experience Grace or favor too deep to fully comprehend.

16. 7:04

    To think that he’s speaking to me. He says of me. You are a good servant. You are a faithful servant. This is me in Christ’s estimation will be an incredible moment for each. One of us won’t, it will be speechless. Absolutely speechless with gratitude and wonder overwhelmed with humility and Thanksgiving. He says not been faithful.

17. 7:33

    We’ve been trustworthy loyal persistent Servants of his through the highs and the lows of are mortal days. He says that we’ve been good good in character beneficial in our effects on others. We want to pick up our theme which brother Elliot has alluded to this morning from The Second Epistle of Peter, if your turn across there.

18. 7:59

    Peter Second Epistle, we know that Peter was a chosen disciple who saw tremendous spiritual growth through the course of his life as a disciple, when we come to his first chapter of The Second Epistle and in verse 5, he says this and beside this giving all diligence add to your faith virtue. And to Virtue knowledge. And he goes on as we know to to list, seven things doesn’t need to to add to or to supplement our faith with these are things, which arise from our faith.

19. 8:35

    These are what we bring, what these are these are our offerings to God in response to the great salvation that we’ve received. Suppose in a sense, it’s another way of teaching that same truth that faith without works is dead as James takes up in Chapter 2 of his epistle. God is looking for evidence that our faith is alive.

20. 8:56

    Our faith is vibrant. It’s on fire. It’s a force and energy in our lives. That’s your faith virtue and to Virtue knowledge to knowledge Temperance. Verse 6, patience, godliness to Godliness verse 7, brotherly, kindness, and to brotherly. Kindness, charity or love. It goes on in verse 89. I’ll read these words. These verses from the ESV for if these qualities are yours in are increasing.

21. 9:29

    They keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For Whoever likes these qualities is so nearsighted that he’s blind having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Verse 8 speaks of increasing. Doesn’t it moving forward? He speaks of positive progression in our lives of faith building, good character being effective active and fruitful for God, which of course, is the outworking of and knowledge of the Lord.

22. 10:00

    Jesus Christ is the end of that first verse 8 says and he warns us about being short-sighted, not literally, of course, he’s speaking figuratively here. Possibly even blind. He says, because we’re focused on the here and now we’re Focused on the will, what is it? Now is preoccupied with a world that’s under the under the Dominion of sin.

23. 10:21

    And so in a sense, we’re standing still from a spiritual perspective. We’ve gone back, perhaps we’ve even reverted to former ways, we’re not focused on the things which are in front the things which are ahead of us. Focus on the Great and the precious promises which will find their fulfillment in the Kingdom to come because we don’t want to be found in that state, do we?

24. 10:43

    There’s a wonderful warning, a timely warning for us there in verse 9, we don’t want to be found in that state. We need to keep our eyes up, looking for the coming of Our Lord, anticipating the times of refreshing that God has promised I find it interesting really that of light, in this, this period of covid-19, really the world doesn’t seem such an attractive, exciting proposition that a perhaps did three or four months ago, things have really changed in our world and people are looking for answers, other than from the world in which they live. We look to the kingdom of God.

25. 11:18

    So the first thing that Peter lists there is you notice there in verse 5 is virtue, and that’s what you want to dwell on this morning. As we stare our minds and our hearts, to remember our Lord Jesus Christ. This three picks up the same word at the end, and this first reminds us just how Central this is in our lives.

26. 11:37

    He says, according as his divine power has given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue. The ESV speaks of him calling us to his own glory and virtue, the glory of God, the character of God. Well what a benchmark is? Setting us And at least is up, doesn’t it whereby this for a given unto us exceeding?

27. 12:05

    Great and precious promises that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. This is no ordinary calling that we call two hours is no ordinary existence, these things really lift us up, don’t they to a different plane? As Paul says, in Philippians 2 verse 14.

28. 12:29

    I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. These things Lift us up. It is indeed a high calling their call to God’s Own glory and virtue. And so, we set our hearts. Don’t we set our hearts on the great and precious promises and we set out with purpose, we set out with energy with diligence in the pursuit of great things. Run a course to leave sin and Corruption behind and live. Fruitful glorifying lies before God now and indeed for eternity. So he speaks of virtue in verse 5 virtue. It’s a Greek word are at a disused just four times in the New Testament twice.

29. 13:16

    Here in second Peter chapter 1, you’ll find it in his first epistle in Chapter 2 and verse 9. And in Philippians 4, where we will end later on this morning. You’ll find some versions translated as Excellence. The New American Standard Bible case in point, says in your faith Supply moral Excellence, moral Excellence, doctor Strong’s in his concordance, tells us that properly refers to manliness or Valor. And if we go back to the early derivation of the word we find that there’s a there’s a real concentration or Focus that this apply to a soldier who was strong and able like a physical excellence in time and through history has become perhaps more to to speak of things, which are intrinsic to us the state of mind and the type of moral life that we live But initially, he says it probably means man in this or Valor, that is Excellence, intrinsic or attributed. Wikipedia, of course, the font of all knowledge tells us that the ancient Greek word in its basic sense. Means Excellence of any kind.

30. 14:29

    The term may also mean moral virtue Goes on to say in its earliest appearance in Greek, this notion of Excellence was ultimately bound up with the notion of the Fulfillment of purpose or function, the active living up to one’s full potential. Another commentator speaking about arat a sincerity, a is an ancient word meaning Excellence or virtue the erat. A of something is the highest quality state it can reach. Using our tail are retired as a principal for living. Life means that you are focused on the quality of everything you do and experience. when most people think of it, she says, they look at moral virtue, I’ll people in the workplace today. Students are school, will be familiar with this concept. In our world, there are businesses and corporations that strive for excellence from their Workforce Excellence, covering a range of desirable attributes in can find a list of these things. For example, a strong work ethic, People that are Dependable, they consistently follow through people that show positive attitude, creating a good environment. People are self-motivated, they work, effectively with little Direction.

31. 15:53

    And employees. And many of you watching this morning will be amongst those who are employees, employees will be familiar with reviews at work, where your performance and your abilities and your efforts to meet the desirable attributes are assessed. And your employer or your manager, gives you feedback on what how where you’re going.

32. 16:14

    Well and also where you need to improve and you’re encouraged by your employer to, to be the best employee that you can be to contribute to the Excellence of the business. For those students that are watching this morning, this students are recognized in school. Aren’t they for recognizing, sorry Phil fulfilling their potential at school. I’m sure all of our school-aged children will have received excellence in learning Awards or excellence in Service Awards and these types of things.

33. 16:47

    You know, all of us. Pursue excellence in fields that interest or profit us. There’s many that have a bit of a sporting event. And so we try and we discipline ourselves in diet and other ways we learn ways to improve. We learn ways to better execute a skill. We commit time and energy, and plug Blood, Sweat, and Tears to pursuing excellence in our field.

34. 17:12

    Pursuing might be team success, or PBS or pris. And epic Barrel that York’s or perhaps a lower handicap on the golf course. Well, you might be pursuing excellence in your hobby. There’s many that love gardening such as myself. So The Lawns are manicured and every stray Leaf is removed. The perennials are trim back, the roses are dead, headed. The hedges are crisply shaped.

35. 17:41

    Or might be in the ass. Or in Food & Wine, whatever your hobby, your interest is renovating old cars, or an education and learning, whatever. We give a whole lot of thought, time and energy and resources to the pursuit of Excellence, getting the most satisfaction that we can fulfilling our potential being the best that we can in fields that interest us or profit us.

36. 18:10

    Well. When they are in the midst of an unexpected Lull in the Frantic pace of life, and we’ve had opportunity, perhaps to look at ourselves to have a real good. Look at ourselves in the absence of all the usual props and supports, that usually, at we lean on, from day to day. We’ve had time and opportunity to examine our faith and consider just how vibrant how alive my faith is.

37. 18:39

    But are we moving forward? I’ll be progressing. Well, we add our art a to our faith. And now as we Face a gradual easing in restrictions from in among Society, what will be the quality of the sacrifices that we bring to God? What will be the quality of the offerings that we bring to the enclosure?

38. 18:59

    What type of culture do we want to build here and encourage here? At Enfield all myself in my home enclosure? And how are you? And I going to contribute to it. I think carrot a is Peter speaks about it here in verse 5 is a great motto. It’s a great ethic to pursue Excellence, moral virtue aiming to give our best in the service of Christ and for each other striving to use the gifts that we have to the glory and praise of God to fulfill the potential God has created us with.

39. 19:34

    And this excludes. No one. No one at all. Young and the truth old in the truth. And anything in between all can add Excellence to Faith. All have been given talents. Recall. The parable in Matthew 25 that we cited earlier, he speaks there in that parable of receiving talents, five or two or one.

40. 19:58

    According to his, several abilities, is the way Matthew puts it in chapter 25, and verse 15, they receive according to his, several abilities. We are not all the same

41. 20:10

    Sometimes amongst all of life’s uncertainties and life’s disappointments. And life’s difficulties, we lose sight of this. And we think that we have nothing to offer, we think that we can’t shine, our talent is worthless. It’s not true. Every one of you was created in the image and the likeness of God. We were all called to God’s glory and virtue was God, overestimating us when he offered us that Talent, did he get it wrong when he called you by? No means.

42. 20:47

    Everyone of us has the ability to reflect the light, the glory, and the moral Excellence of God and Christ in our small way, every one of us. A struggle with sin doesn’t annul that truth. God has every intention to fulfill his purpose with us and he’s given his only beloved Son. No less to accomplish this So we called every one of us to moral virtue to Excellence. And you might consider.

43. 21:18

    What would our motivation be? What was your motivation? Be to strive for excellence. Let’s come across to Romans chapter 12. So it’s a great place to go. When we think about what our motivation for is to to to give us energy to give us. Give us a urge to do something to respond to God. Romans chapter 12, and verse 1.

44. 21:52

    We he paints for us that the basis of his appeal. I beseech you, therefore, Brethren by the mercies of God, that’s the basis of his appeal. By the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies, a Living Sacrifice, holy acceptable, To belong to God, which is your reasonable service. What’s the basis of appeal? It’s the mercies of God that you’ve received. God, sent his only son into the world to save Sinners Like You. And I That’s an extraordinary truth. You might have heard that a thousand times in your lifetime or many times over that, but it remains an unassailable, extraordinary truth.

45. 22:34

    God, sent his only son into the world to save Sinners Like You. And I So to present your bodies, a Living Sacrifice is our reasonable service. He says it’s a rational service something that’s fitting and appropriate. So what we’ve received, nothing less will be reasonable.

46. 22:56

    As Paul puts it elsewhere in 2nd Corinthians chapter 5, The Love Of Christ. Constrains us the love of Christ constrains us. It compels us when we remember the love and compassion that has been shown to us the weight of sacrifice that our lord Jesus has made for our sakes. What else can we offer in return?

47. 23:16

    But excellence in service to him the best that we can offer in gratitude in thankfulness We want to offer something this acceptable to God. Malachi comments on that doesn. T really, let’s go back to that chapter, that brother. Elliot read for us, the first chapter of Malachi, Malachi the last of the prophets speaks of a time when Yahweh, the god of Israel. Our God was not receiving acceptable service. He was not receiving reasonable service and the people couldn’t see it.

48. 23:56

    Even the spiritual leaders of the nation, the priests. They didn’t get it picking up in verse 6. Malachi says a son honors, his father and a servant his master. Ethan or be a father. Where is my honor? and if I be a master, whereas my fear, so if Yahweh of hosts unto you o priests that despise my name and ye say, wherein have we despised thy name There’s seven, he offer, polluted bread, upon mine, Altar, and ye say, wherein have we polluted thee in that.

49. 24:31

    You say the table of Yahweh is contemptible see that they query guys, complaint. Don’t they they take issue with God. Almost as if God is unjustified in saying, what are you saying? Wherein they say in verse 6 and again in verse 7, where’s the evidence will get God says at the end of verse 7, the evidence is in the East, say the table of Yahweh is People by saying that the Lord’s table may be despised. The SP puts it.

50. 25:00

    It gives an example in verse 8 and if you offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? And if you offer the lame and sick, is it not able offer it? Now into the governor will he be pleased with thee or except I persons? So Theo of hosts. We wouldn’t think to offer to the governor and we got to think in our case, what the, or the equivalent would be, we wouldn’t think to offer to the governor in our time, such a poor insufficient offering.

51. 25:31

    I’ll beat your boss. Or your wife. Your father or mother? Where your fellow brother and sister in Christ will be offer such a sacrifice to any of them know out of love and respect which seek to give our best for them. To show our respect and honor to show excellence in giving. So then what are the god of Heaven and Earth verse 9? And now I pray, you, I pray beseech God that he will be gracious unto us.

52. 26:04

    This has been by your means, will he? Regard your persons? So yeah, saith Yahweh of hosts. Who is that even among you? That would shut the that would shut the doors for naught. Neither do your Kindle Fire or mine Altar for naught? I have no pleasure in you. So if Yahweh of hosts neither will I accept an offering at your hand, other versions are perhaps paint that verse a little bit better but God will be pleased.

53. 26:28

    My mom would take it upon themselves to shut the temple doors, so that the offerings was would no longer be offered in vain. As they were though, we’re not acceptable to God for from the rising of the sun, even unto the going down of the same. My name shall be great among the Gentiles and in every place in sin shall be offered unto my name. For my name shall be great among the Heathen saith. Yahweh of hosts The great king, he goes on to speak of later in that chapter God, is the great king. The great God Of Heaven and Earth. All Nations, will recognize him his name, his reputation will be known and respected in sense.

54. 27:12

    That is prayer will be offered in every place. Pure offerings will be given One of us brothers and sisters. We were in the service of the same God He’s given us every good and every perfect gift. Will be, will we be satisfied to offer to him? Anything less and arat a Excellence, our best How could we?

55. 27:39

    And so we need to reflect deeply, don’t we? We always need to reflect deeply on the mercies of God that we have received is Paul said in Romans chapter 1, the mercies of God that you and I have received as we do again this morning and be inspired by this be compelled to offered back to God and acceptable, service, something fitting for the great king.

56. 28:02

    To give him Excellence our best, our full potential. Do we need further motivation? or think brothers and sisters about those things, which lie just ahead of us and the in our near future think about ourselves and us being in this future age, Paul tells us that the Saints will judge the world And by the grace of God, we will take our place in the greatest administration of all time. You can speak at the White House, you can speak of Buckingham Palace and other seats of power in our world. They are nothing by comparison to what is coming upon this Earth.

57. 28:39

    The administration that will rule from Jerusalem under the great king, our Lord Jesus Christ, And we are told in Revelation 5 and verse 10, that will be there as Kings and Priests in the in that day we will be Kings and Priests we shall reign on the Earth. He’s going to be an Epoch of time without parallel in the vast history of the world and you and I will be in the thick of it, with our lord Jesus, the King of Kings, the Lord of lords.

58. 29:07

    Our lives are now our lives today are in preparation for that great day. Remember how Jesus said in that, Parable in Matthew 25, you have been Faithful over a few things and he’s speaking about today. This is us today. You’ve been Faithful over a few things today now, I will make thee ruler over many things, and he’s looking forward.

59. 29:31

    For us as a coming Kingdom, Arch near future. I want you to turn back to First of Kings chapter 10. The early chapters chapters of first of Kings. Paint a picture of Solomon’s Reign from the, the building of yahweh’s house to the building of his own house, the dedication of the Temple and so forth. And it really comes to a crescendo here in chapter 10, with the arrival of the Queen of Sheba. Now, the prophets, many of them, give us a taste and a feel for what is to come in the Kingdom age. But these early chapters in First Kings, provide a little insight into what we can expect in the future, you know. Really exudes Excellence.

60. 30:18

    Doesn’t it exudes virtue? The Lesser son of David Solomon is, but a shadow of things to come with the greater son of David. Our lord Jesus. But look what it says of Solomon. The Lesser So it builds to a crescendo these chapters do through to 10:1 when the Queen of Sheba arrives, when the Queen of Sheba, heard of the fame of Solomon, concerning the name of Yahweh, she came to prove him with hard questions.

61. 30:46

    And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train with camels at Bear spices and very much gold and precious stones. And when she was come to Solomon, she commune with him of all that was in her heart. And Solomon told her all her questions. There was not anything hit from the King, which he told her not. And she’s completely blown away.

62. 31:08

    Isn’t he isn’t she Boy by the Excellence, by the glory of every aspect of Solomon’s core verse 4? And when the Queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon’s wisdom and the house that he had built and the meat of his table and the sitting of his servants and the attendance of his ministers and their apparel and his cupbearers and his Ascent by which he went up unto the house of Yahweh. There was no more spirit in her, she was completely speechless, it took a breath. there was no more spirit in her and she said to the king, it is a true report that I have heard in my own land of like acts and thy wisdom.

63. 31:48

    How bad I believe, not the words until I came in my iron hat, my eyes have seen it, and behold the half was not told me thy wisdom and prosperity exceeded. The find that I heard happy other. I mean, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom, I mean I just it results in praise to God that’s not listed. Be Yahweh, thy God, which delighted ND to set the on the throne of Israel?

64. 32:19

    Now, that’s an amazing picture. That’s painted of Solomon’s Reign. What an incredible time. That was the Solomons court is only a shadow. Is it’s only a cameo of things which are coming the kingdom of our Lord. Jesus Christ. Where it’s not Solomon 7. It’s us brothers and sisters, it’s a Saints. Who will be Tenant in that Court. All things in that Court will reflect the virtue of the Excellence of God, the glory of God, and we’re in training for that day.

65. 32:48

    We’re in training. Now, we’re in training today this year of 2020 2020. What a prospect lies before us, this is what lies just ahead of you and I are we motivated to add virtue to Faith. I want to make a few caveats on what we’re saying here about this, this idea of Excellence.

66. 33:14

    Well sweetie of course encouraging virtue and Excellence. We’re not saying that we have to be the best or the greatest. We’re not in some form of competition with each other. Neither are we seeking the praise the cutest of men, as we practice era, toe. Let’s be clear about that. Our motivation in no way relates to a desire to be seen to be better than our fellow servants, the best amongst men or among their brothers and sisters and young people. We know it’s got that sees her actions. It’s a god of Heaven who sees our actions. He knows our hearts, it’s his estimation that counts and it’s his praise that we seek through moral virtue. Secondly, we’re not saying that we have to have the greatest Talent.

67. 34:01

    They, the greatest resources to be acceptable to God beat intellect or ability or wealth and so forth are atay. Doesn’t accept doesn’t depend on that. You recall the Widow you recall, the The Widow’s two mice in Luke chapter, 21, But she only contributed two copper coins to the temple. Treasury in Jesus estimation.

68. 34:26

    She had shown excellence in giving There was greater virtue in her giving than all the others who had in effect offered up, just their spare change. as he says, in Luke 21 verse 4, she out of her poverty, put in all that she had to live on So Jesus highlights her example to his disciples of all time.

69. 34:48

    He saw a virtue he saw excellence in her offering It’s not a matter of having blindingly good talent or the deepest pockets. Thirdly, might we point out that making an effort, giving our best striving for excellence is not works based religion, or per film or performance religion. Sometimes it seems trendy to downplay if it in today’s world because as we know our efforts are pitiless, they’re useless their feeble. It’s all about Grace and Faith.

70. 35:25

    We can’t earn our salvation by trying good. Trying hard to do. Good works. Well, if we were operating alone, this might be true. But with Christ in our lives and in our hearts and with God’s hand in our private lives, our effort and our striving is not unfruitful, is it is not worthless.

71. 35:44

    It is fruitful, it is Worthy. The Bible uses many terms, that imply our effort, and God works with that effort by his spirit in ways that we could never know. Take these scriptures. That, you know, first, first Timothy chapter 6, fight the good fight of Faith. This there’s action. There’s Endeavor there. Luke 13 verse 24 strive to enter in at the strait gate.

72. 36:12

    Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, second, Timothy 2. Seek ye first the kingdom of God, Matthew 6:33. Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling Philippians 2 and verse 12 earnestly contend for the faith. Once delivered to the Saints Jude 3, pursue righteousness, Faith, love and peace.

73. 36:38

    Second Timothy to know all these verses brothers and sisters. All of these verses and many besides point to effort, they point to Endeavor, to energy to action. Jesus, good and Faithful Servants, active and diligent full of endeavor. Not passive, not casual, not half-hearted in their service to Christ within or without the occlusion. So let’s not shy away from the pursuit of moral virtue, or, or excellence.

74. 37:06

    In all that we offer to God in their closure here, or in our homes or in our workplaces. As Paul puts it. So beautifully in Colossians 3 verse 23 and whatsoever. You do whatsoever you do. Do it heartily as to the Lord and not unto men. JB Phillips says put your whole heart and soul into it, your whole heart and soul.

75. 37:32

    Which of course, is what we learn from Christ and his father. And every day when we get out of bed and move around the world in which we live, every single day, we are confronted with the glory and the Excellence of God.

76. 37:49

    A Yahweh, our Lord. How excellent is your name in all the Earth says some item verse one, who has set thy Glory above the heavens. You know, many people are later been commenting on the beauty of the Starry Sky. The incredible colors of Sunrise and so forth. Have we noticed the incredible shades of autumn in recent weeks? Have you seen the new life?

77. 38:17

    The green shoots bursting through charred bark and chart Earth following, the tremendous reins of the past month, it’s completely transformed the heels. If you happen to have been through that area, that was burned out just a month or two ago.

78. 38:31

    We are surrounded by The Glory by the Excellence of God, despite man’s abuse and thrashing at the environment. And every week, brothers and sisters, we are reminded of the Excellence and the moral virtue of Christ. Who Loved with all his heart with all his soul with all his mind. who gave his all he gave his best to save Sinners such as you and I who is never half-hearted never kill us.

79. 39:01

    Who never quit. No matter the opposition and the enormous pressure that he faced To both men and women to both Jew and Gentile to the old and to the young to those marriage, to those unmarried to those sick or healthy. He gave his best. He imparted Grace and Truth. The fullness of God We want to reflect this more about, you don’t we we wonder if we want to offer Excellence to our loving heavenly father and to our Savior Jesus Christ.

80. 39:36

    So, we return to what we said earlier on. After an extended slowdown in the Frantic pace of life. Having been given an unforeseen opportunity to slow down, perhaps to stop and examine. Our faith, that to examine our core values. We’re now facing an easing of restrictions, may be a gradual return to normal life.

81. 40:00

    The New Normal, whatever that might be. Coming back to some form of normal activity. Will we add eret a to our faith? What will be the quality of the sacrifices? We bring to God.

82. 40:17

    What will be the quality of the offerings? We bring to the occlusion. What type of culture do we want to build and encourage here at Enfield? And how are you going to contribute to it?

83. 40:32

    I believe that moral virtue and Excellence is Alive and Well in our community. Constantly saying songs of it and I’ll find this inspiring, I find it very inspiring and very encouraging and it depends my love for God. And for you, my brothers and sisters here, and inclusion is near and far. I think of our tail think of Excellence, when I see, That’s in former times.

84. 40:58

    I’m thinking for just prior to covid-19. You see the enthusiastic Brothers at the door 15 or 20 minutes before the meeting starts, and they’re there with a warm smile, they’re enthusiastic about what they’re doing.

85. 41:14

    I think about what I wear when I walked into the hall and I see a beautiful show of flowers in a vows on the table. I think Vera tail Excellence when the chairman shows us. So clearly how much thought and feeling he’s put into a deep and a moving prayer. I think, if I retire, where There’s so many new initiatives in this covid-19.

86. 41:42

    So many new initiatives you would have heard of many probably involved in many. New initiatives to reach out with love and care to support the lonely, the needy during this, this trouble period for our community. And for the world. I think of Iris, hey, when at times, I open up the magazines of our community and your leafing through the pages and you see the wonderful and the very edifying content that’s been included amongst their pages. I think veritate where there’s new initiatives, that I pursue to improve the quality of our praise and our worship in our closures and in our youth groups, I think that art I win a group of brothers, go the extra mile in their planning for the welfare of the occlusion and they come up with a wonderful theme for the year and they program all the years activities around that it takes some extra effort, some extra thought but they do it for our benefit.

87. 42:40

    I think of Excellence or era today when a group within the enclosure, Champions are preaching initiative and they develop fresh and new programs to support the influx of interested. Unbelievers, who are Keen to learn more. It takes effort.

88. 42:57

    I think you’ve ever tie. When we had the Widow. All that those who are downhearted. All those, who are sick, who are singled out for special care. I know that happens within this a closure.

89. 43:14

    I think of our Tape Brothers and Sisters. When there’s always those people who volunteer to help out with the dishes at the occlusal lunch at our boat, our closures is a bunch of older, brother and sisters who are always, there volunteering for that duty to help out with the dishes at the occlusal lunch, whether their team is on or not.

90. 43:34

    And they always persist till the job is finished. That’s Excellence. That’s moral virtue. I think of avert a when there’s volunteers, always seemed willing and able to step in and to help.

91. 43:50

    I think about art a, when there’s brothers and sisters who come and support The Fellowship of the meeting. Rain, hail or shine, no matter the, intensity of annuities, they faced daily in their personal loss. The, their rain hail or Sean, and I’ll be back. God willing, post covid-19 will see them again. In our Hall, supporting through thick and through thin.

92. 44:15

    I think of Excellence or wrote, I hear of a young couple who willingly put up their hands to take on the responsibility to organize, the occlusion of youth group, you know, I could go on and on Brothers & Sisters. I see it. I hear reports of it. I’m sure we all see it and we’ll notice different things we want to continue in this phone.

93. 44:35

    Don’t we? We all want to invest in this culture of excellence and virtue to the praise and the glory of God and our Lord Jesus Christ in response to the mercies. We’ve abundantly received in preparation for the great days to come. And what I suggest today that we all do something specific to keep this thought this little thought which was spoken about today before our minds. maybe take a moment after we finished here today and write down, that Greek word are attained Write it down on fire stick at notes and stick the notes in five different places that will draw your attention in the next few days.

94. 45:17

    Maybe stick one on the front of your Bible cover. It’s a reminder to you to pursue excellence in reading or reading with the children. Maybe stick one on the bedside table, to remind you about excellence in prayer prayer. That is Meaningful and relevant. Maybe pop one up there on your PC screen or your smart screen. To remind you to show Excellence to show moral virtue in the things that we watch and view.

95. 45:48

    Maybe take one and put it on the desk at work, put on the front cover of the occlusal syllabus wherever rather, the sisters You might seem at a key thing to do to give using stick at notes, but why not? Promote the concept of eret, a in every aspect of Our Lives. And so, we turn to partake of the bread and the wine. And reflect on all that God has given to us. Reflect on the mercies that we’ve received reflect on the high calling that we drawn to you. The Excellence, The Virtue, the beauty of his son. Our lord Jesus.

96. 46:30

    Although he was and all that he is today. I found a thought comes from Philippians chapter 4. We mentioned, this is the fourth place where this little word are at a is used in New Testament, scripture. Finally Brethren verse 8. Whatsoever. Things are true whatsoever. Things are honest. Whatsoever. Things are just whatsoever, things are pure. Whatsoever.

97. 47:11

    Things are lovely whatsoever, things are of good report. if there be any are attained, If there be any virtue or Excellence, if there be any price. Think on these things. Thank you for listening to the good christadelphians talks podcast. We hope this talk helped you in your walk. If you would like to hear more, please subscribe for new episodes and leave a review and apple podcast or whatever service you are using to help more people find the show when they search for it. If you enjoyed this Secular talk, please share it with someone who you think might enjoy it as well for show notes on the talk.

98. 48:03

    You just listened to visit our show page at anchor dot f, m / G, CT, or check the show notes section of your podcast player. Please share your thoughts on the talk from this week on our Facebook or Instagram Pages where we are at good christadelphians, talks on Twitter where we are at GCT underscore podcast or leave a comment on our YouTube channel where these talks are posted as well.

99. 48:26

    If, you know of a great talk, we want to know about it. To send a suggestion to our e-mail at good Christian talks at gmail.com or message us on any of our social media accounts. Thank you for listening. God bless and talk to you next week.