Class 5 from this series was used in GCT Episode 333.
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This is the 2015 Ontario Winter
Bible School.
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This is the 2015 Ontario Winter
Bible School.
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Our speaker for this first
session is Brother Everett Munis
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from the Paris Ave.
Ecclesia.
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His theme this week is Be Holy,
the High Calling of God in
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Christ Jesus.
This is his 5th and final class
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on that subject and the title of
his final class is If God Before
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Us and our reading was taken
from Romans chapter 8, Brother
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Everett.
Good morning again, brothers and
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sisters.
We’ve titled our final session,
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as Brother Paul has mentioned.
If God be for us.
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In our first session together,
we.
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Looked at our.
Calling to holiness and we noted
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the prominence of the theme
throughout the Bible.
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We suggested a contextual
definition and we looked at a
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model.
For the pursuit of holiness.
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From Philippians Chapter 3 in
our second session, we followed
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the cues that we found in First
Peter chapters one and two.
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Back to the events.
Of the Exodus.
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To see what we could learn about
Our Calling to holiness from the
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experience of Israel.
We saw that our holiness
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requires.
God’s intervention to redeem us,
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and that He has done so in order
to make U.S. citizens of a
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Kingdom.
That He will use to fill the
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earth with His glory.
We also looked at His desire to
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dwell.
With his people and the.
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Requirement that his dwelling be
a holy place.
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And that ultimately, he wants to
dwell within each one of us.
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In our third session, we looked
at the.
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Priestly aspect to our call to
holiness God has called us to be
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priests after the.
Order of Melchizedek in order to
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make us part of.
His work to prepare the whole
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earth to be a holy place.
Where he can dwell.
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And so we looked at a few
lessons about priesthood
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generally based on the example.
Of the Levitical priesthood.
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And then in our fourth session
yesterday, we.
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We shifted gears a bit and we
looked.
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At the opposition to holiness
that we face from our nature and
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its greater manifestation in the
world, along with a couple of
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important.
Ways that we can resist.
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Those influences now in our
session today, we’re going to
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look at 4 things we changed the
the forecast.
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A little bit from yesterday.
But the content is more or less
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the same.
Essentially, what we want to
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look at this morning is some of
the comfort and the
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encouragement to be found for
those.
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Who’ve?
Chosen to do the difficult work
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of crucifying the flesh with its
affections and lusts in pursuit
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of holiness.
Because it is difficult and
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wearying work.
It’s not to say that it isn’t
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also satisfying and rewarding.
As well, but the fact.
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Remains that the pursuit of
holiness involves toil and
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adversity there are times in
life when the struggle can feel
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particularly onerous it can seem
as if in.
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Spite of our best.
Intentions our nature gets the
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better.
Of us.
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Over and over, as if we’re
failing our God at every turn.
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Whatever the reasons may be, we
can begin to.
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Feel as if the failures that we
are.
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Experiencing define us and that
ultimately they amount to
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defeat.
If you felt.
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This way, then you know how
utterly crushing it can be.
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You know how?
Isolated and alone, it can leave
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you feeling.
But we are not alone.
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Brothers and sisters and young
people, the assurance that
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Samuel offers Israel is no.
Less relevant to us.
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For the Lord will not.
Forsake his people for His.
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Great name’s sake.
Not only that, we’re in good
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company because everyone that’s
chosen to take.
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Up God’s call to.
Holiness has experienced this
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kind.
Of adversity.
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And we know that, Paul.
Expresses something of this.
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Struggle with the flesh.
In Romans Chapter 7 and in the.
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Process he seems to touch.
On something that may be of help
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when we encounter.
One of these particularly rough.
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Patches in our pursuit of
holiness and what we’d like to
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do is come to Romans Chapter 7,
which.
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Should just be a page.
Back or so from where we were in
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our reading for this morning and
for the sake of time, we’ll just
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look at at verses 16 and 17 and
then we’ll skip down to verse
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20.
So reading from Romans Chapter
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7, verse 16 and 17.
If then I do that, which I would
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not, I consent.
To the law that it is good.
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Now then, it is no.
More I that do it.
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But sin that dwelleth in me,
now, if I do that I would not,
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it is no more.
We’re skipping down to verse 20,
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by the way.
Now that if I do that I would
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not, it is no more I that do it.
But sin that dwelleth in me, I
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find that a law that when I
would do good.
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Evil.
Is present with me, for I
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delight in the law of God after
the inward man, but I see
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another law in my members
warring against the law of my
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mind, and bringing me into
captivity to the law of sin,
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which is in my members, a
wretched man that I am.
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Who shall?
Deliver me from the body of this
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death.
I thank God through Jesus Christ
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our Lord so.
Then with the mind I myself.
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Serve the law of God, but with
the flesh, the law of sin.
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But did you notice what Paul?
Said at the end of verses 17 and
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20.
He says it is not.
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I that do it but.
Sin that dwelleth in me.
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What would you say if a brother
or sister said to you it is not
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I that do it, but.
Sin that dwelleth in me, I think
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I’d be inclined to wonder if.
If he or she.
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Wasn’t shirking their
responsibility, but of course we
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know.
That the apostle.
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Paul is not shirking his
responsibility for sin.
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So.
So what does he mean?
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I think the answer may be in
verse 25.
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Notice, he says with the mind, I
myself.
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Serve the law of God.
It seems that.
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Paul saw his flesh as.
Other than himself.
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Oh yes, it was a.
Part of him, and he knew that he
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was responsible for the sins
that he committed.
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He certainly understand
understood rather the need to
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confess those sins, repent and
seek forgiveness.
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Nevertheless, Paul was in
pursuit.
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Of the.
Prize of our high calling.
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So he refused to identify.
With or be defined.
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By the flesh.
He chose instead to be.
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Defined by the law of God.
As he says in Romans Chapter 7
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verse 22.
For I delight.
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In the law of God after the
inward man, this is what shaped
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Paul’s mind.
And if our mind, our inward man,
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is shaped.
By the law of God.
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We too can find comfort in the
hope of God’s ultimate.
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Deliverance to be.
Clear, brothers and sisters, sin
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is A cause.
For sorrow.
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It was an important step for
those to whom James wrote Be
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afflicted and mourn and weep.
Let your laughter be turned to
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mourning and your joy to
heaviness.
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Humble yourselves in the sight
of the Lord and He.
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Shall lift you up.
They had befriended the world
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which.
Put them at enmity.
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With God.
And that was cause for
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affliction and mourning and
tears in a more positive.
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Context, Jesus tells his
disciples.
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Blessed are they that mourn.
For they shall be.
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Comforted in Matthew chapter 5
and verse 4.
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If we’re genuinely invested in
the pursuit of holiness, we
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can’t help.
But feel sorrow over.
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Sin.
That said, we have to bear in
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mind what Paul says in Second
Corinthians Chapter 7 and verse.
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10 For godly sorrow worketh
repentance to salvation.
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Not to be repented of.
But the sorrow of the world
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worketh death to the extent that
our sorrow over.
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Sin leads us to confess and to
repent and to seek forgiveness.
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It’s.
Necessary.
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Healthy.
And good.
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But beyond that, it becomes a
distraction from true
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reconciliation and the pressing.
Work of actually being.
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Holy in response to Our Calling,
one of the reasons.
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The sorrow of this world is so
deadly.
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Is that it blinds us.
To the reality of God’s
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presence.
And the.
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Tools that he’s provided to.
Affect reconciliation and move
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forward in hope of ultimate
deliverance.
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And this is when we.
Lose courage and a.
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Loss of courage is an enormous
loss.
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It’s an enormous.
Loss because when courage fails.
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We’re more likely to consider
giving up or changing.
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Course, of course, our heavenly.
Father knows this all too well.
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He understands our need for
encouragement, and there’s no
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shortage of it to be found in
the pages of Scripture.
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For instance, Psalms 27 and 31
have.
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Lovely exhortations to courage.
In Psalm 27 at.
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Verse 14 we read.
Wait on the Lord, be of good.
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Courage, and he shall.
Strengthen thine heart.
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Wait.
I say.
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On the Lord and in Psalm 31,
which is.
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Displayed on the slide O love
the.
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Lord, all ye his Saints.
For the Lord preserveth.
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The faithful and plentifully
rewardeth.
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The proud doer.
Be of good courage and he shall
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strengthen your.
Heart all ye that.
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Hope in the Lord.
So the goal of this session?
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Is to look at the encouragement
that God has provided to help us
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continue struggling against sin
in pursuit of holiness now when
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we’re feeling discouraged and.
Hopeless about our struggle
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against.
Sin it may be.
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Helpful to recall the.
Sentiments that are expressed in
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first John chapter one, verse 8.
Through chapter 2, verse 2, if
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we say that we.
Have no sin, we deceive
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ourselves, and the truth is not
in us.
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But if we confess our sins, He
is faithful and just to forgive
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us our sins and to cleanse us
from all unrighteousness.
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If we say that, we have.
Not sinned, we make him a liar,
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and his word is not in US.
My little children, these things
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write I unto you, that ye sin
not.
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And if any man sin, we have an.
Advocate with the Father Jesus
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Christ, the.
Righteous and He is the
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propitiation for our sins and
not for ours only.
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But also for the.
Sins of the whole world, you
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know, when we’re in the midst
of.
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Discouragement.
It’s easy to forget.
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That God, as a loving and
merciful Father, has made.
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Every provision for our success.
If we confess our sins, he is
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faithful and.
Just to forgive us our.
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Sins and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness and if any man
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sin, we have an advocate.
With the Father, Jesus Christ
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the righteous.
And He is the propitiation for
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our sins, and not for ours only,
but also for the sins of the
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whole world.
Of course we know.
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That the fact that God.
Has graciously made forgiveness
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possible does not mean that we
can presume upon His grace.
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After all, John says, my little
children, these things write I
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unto you, that ye sin not.
Our purpose this morning is not
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to diminish the seriousness or
significance of sin in the
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least.
But rather to provide a.
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Beacon that can lead us.
Back to the pursuit of.
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Holiness, when the manifestation
of sin in our lives has left us
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feeling discouraged and
hopeless.
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In Psalm. 32 David writes about.
His experience of the.
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Process that we’ve just looked
at in first John, he says I.
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Acknowledged my sin unto thee,
and my iniquity have I not hid.
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I said, I will confess my
transgressions unto the Lord,
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and now forgavest the iniquity
of my sin, if we truly and
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sincerely in pursuit of.
Rather, if we are truly.
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And sincerely in pursuit of.
Holiness, then, God has provided
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a process to deal with.
Sin.
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God doesn’t make mistakes.
Brothers and sisters, you didn’t
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get the invitation in error.
He means for each of us to be.
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Permanent members of his family,
but we can get bogged down in
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00:14:00,160 –> 00:14:06,000
worldly sorrow.
We have to embrace the process
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00:14:06,320 –> 00:14:09,960
that God has provided.
Sin is an offence against him,
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00:14:10,480 –> 00:14:13,560
so he defines the terms of our
reconciliation.
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00:14:14,240 –> 00:14:15,960
If our lives are characterized
by.
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00:14:15,960 –> 00:14:20,560
Striving against sin and we
submit to the process of
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00:14:20,560 –> 00:14:23,560
reconciliation.
God has provided when it.
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00:14:23,640 –> 00:14:26,880
Occurs, then we can.
Return to our pursuit of the
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00:14:26,880 –> 00:14:29,680
prize of our high.
Calling in trust and confidence
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00:14:30,040 –> 00:14:32,320
that our sins have been
forgiven.
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00:14:33,720 –> 00:14:37,680
There must be a typo.
I gather that from.
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00:14:37,680 –> 00:14:41,040
Smiles, I see these various.
Smiles that suggest that maybe?
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00:14:41,040 –> 00:14:44,080
There’s a typo, so we’ll we’ll
look for that afterwards.
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00:14:44,080 –> 00:14:45,520
Or somebody can point it out to
me.
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00:14:47,160 –> 00:14:48,880
Before we.
Continue to the next section.
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It’s just worth pointing out
that when the overarching goal
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of our lives is the pursuit of
holiness, God does not.
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00:14:55,920 –> 00:15:00,000
Judge us by our worst failures.
Consider this, brothers and
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00:15:00,000 –> 00:15:04,040
sisters and young people,
through Samuel, God provide.
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00:15:04,120 –> 00:15:08,960
God describes David as a.
Man after his own heart in First
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00:15:08,960 –> 00:15:13,040
Samuel 13 and verse 14.
What’s more, God makes a
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00:15:13,040 –> 00:15:17,240
covenant with him.
To raise up a Saviour to Israel.
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In Second Samuel Chapter 7, all
the while God knew the events of
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00:15:23,120 –> 00:15:25,040
Second Samuel. 11 would take
place.
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00:15:25,480 –> 00:15:27,480
He knew.
That God would commit adult.
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00:15:27,760 –> 00:15:29,000
Thank God.
I apologize.
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00:15:29,200 –> 00:15:31,400
He knew that.
David would commit adultery
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00:15:31,400 –> 00:15:33,520
with.
Bathsheba and conspire in the
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00:15:33,520 –> 00:15:38,760
death of.
Her husband, but he also knew
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00:15:38,760 –> 00:15:44,280
that those.
Sins did not define the man
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00:15:44,280 –> 00:15:46,440
David.
Those sins did not.
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Describe the trajectory of his
life.
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00:15:49,520 –> 00:15:53,320
They did not truly express the
content of his character.
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And so it can be with us,
brothers and sisters and young.
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00:15:56,200 –> 00:16:00,720
People, if the trajectory of our
lives is described by our desire
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00:16:00,840 –> 00:16:05,920
to be holy as he is holy.
And we pursue that end with the
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00:16:05,960 –> 00:16:08,360
energy and ability that God has
made.
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00:16:08,360 –> 00:16:11,840
Available to us.
Then he does not define us.
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00:16:12,360 –> 00:16:19,840
By our greatest failures.
God’s work with humanity has
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00:16:19,840 –> 00:16:22,520
always been based on the family
model.
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00:16:22,520 –> 00:16:25,560
He presents himself to mankind
over and over again.
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00:16:25,600 –> 00:16:30,200
As a father, because he.
Wants us to be his sons and
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00:16:30,200 –> 00:16:33,240
daughters in love.
In fact, he will only have.
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Us as his children.
Think of the Parable of the
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00:16:37,240 –> 00:16:40,200
Lost.
Sons The younger son returns
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00:16:40,200 –> 00:16:43,800
home after squandering his
inheritance and riotous living,
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00:16:43,800 –> 00:16:45,800
and he seeks a place in his
father’s.
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00:16:45,800 –> 00:16:49,680
House as a servant, but his
father will only have.
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00:16:49,680 –> 00:16:53,080
Him back as a son.
And so it is.
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00:16:53,080 –> 00:16:55,160
With our Heavenly Father.
Brothers and sisters and young.
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People our.
Place in his eternal.
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00:16:57,160 –> 00:17:01,880
Purpose is based.
On his fatherhood and if God
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00:17:01,880 –> 00:17:05,319
dealt with us as slaves.
Who could only receive.
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What we earn, we’d be doomed
because all have sinned and come
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00:17:09,880 –> 00:17:10,920
short.
Of the glory of.
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00:17:10,920 –> 00:17:13,400
God, and we know.
That the wages of.
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00:17:13,400 –> 00:17:18,640
Sin is death.
Instead, he’s extended the gift
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00:17:18,640 –> 00:17:20,319
of.
Eternal life through Jesus
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00:17:20,319 –> 00:17:24,640
Christ our Lord, according to
the great love of a Father for
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00:17:24,640 –> 00:17:30,720
His children.
David takes up this theme.
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00:17:30,760 –> 00:17:36,480
Of God’s fatherhood.
In Psalm 103, invite you to join
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00:17:36,480 –> 00:17:38,760
me there.
So we’ll spend a moment just
284
00:17:38,760 –> 00:17:43,480
looking at this Psalm.
It says bless the Lord, O my
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00:17:43,480 –> 00:17:46,840
soul, all that is within me.
Bless His holy name.
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00:17:46,840 –> 00:17:51,200
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and
forget not all his benefits.
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00:17:52,200 –> 00:17:54,520
Who forgiveth all thine
iniquities?
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00:17:54,760 –> 00:17:58,000
Who?
Healeth all thy diseases who?
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00:17:58,000 –> 00:18:01,080
Redeemeth thy life from
destruction, Who crowneth?
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00:18:01,080 –> 00:18:03,640
Thee with.
Loving kindness and tender
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00:18:03,640 –> 00:18:07,720
mercies.
Who satisfieth thy soul with?
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00:18:07,720 –> 00:18:10,240
Good things.
So that thy youth.
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00:18:10,240 –> 00:18:13,000
Is renewed.
Like the Eagles, the.
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00:18:13,000 –> 00:18:15,600
Lord executed righteousness and
judgment.
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00:18:15,880 –> 00:18:18,640
For all that are oppressed.
He made known his ways unto
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00:18:18,640 –> 00:18:21,400
Moses, his acts unto the
children of Israel.
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00:18:21,560 –> 00:18:24,960
The Lord is merciful and
gracious, slow to anger, and
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00:18:24,960 –> 00:18:28,360
plenteous in mercy.
He will not always chide.
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00:18:28,360 –> 00:18:30,360
Neither will he keep.
His anger forever.
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00:18:30,520 –> 00:18:31,640
He will not.
He has not.
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00:18:31,640 –> 00:18:34,920
Dealt with us after our.
Sins nor rewarded us according
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00:18:34,920 –> 00:18:37,840
to our iniquities, for the
heaven is high above the.
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00:18:37,840 –> 00:18:42,000
Earth as the heaven is high
above the earth, so great is his
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00:18:42,000 –> 00:18:43,720
mercy.
Toward them that fear him.
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00:18:44,320 –> 00:18:46,360
As far as the East.
Is from the West, so.
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00:18:46,360 –> 00:18:50,880
Far hath he removed.
Our transgressions from us like.
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00:18:50,880 –> 00:18:53,680
As a father pitieth his.
Children.
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00:18:54,160 –> 00:18:57,760
So the Lord.
Pitieth them that fear him, for
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00:18:57,760 –> 00:19:00,160
he knoweth our frame, He
remembereth that we are.
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00:19:00,160 –> 00:19:04,200
Dust.
As for man, his days?
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00:19:04,440 –> 00:19:07,720
Are as grass as a flower of the
field, so he flourisheth.
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00:19:08,320 –> 00:19:09,760
For the wind passeth.
Over it.
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00:19:09,760 –> 00:19:11,760
And it is.
Gone, and the place thereof
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00:19:11,760 –> 00:19:15,120
shall know it no more.
But the mercy of the Lord is
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00:19:15,120 –> 00:19:19,400
from everlasting to everlasting
upon them that fear him, and his
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00:19:19,400 –> 00:19:21,640
righteousness unto children’s
children.
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00:19:22,440 –> 00:19:25,720
To such as.
Keep His covenant and to those
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00:19:25,720 –> 00:19:28,520
that remember his commandments
to do them.
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00:19:30,040 –> 00:19:32,080
The picture that emerges here
is.
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00:19:32,080 –> 00:19:35,240
Quite beautiful.
Really, we see a nurturing
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00:19:35,240 –> 00:19:39,880
father deeply invested in the.
Success of children who
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00:19:39,880 –> 00:19:42,800
reverence.
Him keep his covenant and
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00:19:42,800 –> 00:19:44,680
remember his commandments to do
them.
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00:19:46,600 –> 00:19:48,520
While he doesn’t overlook their.
Sins.
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00:19:48,840 –> 00:19:52,040
He’s also abundantly merciful
toward them, and he has
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00:19:52,040 –> 00:19:54,240
compassion on them and
understanding of their
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00:19:54,240 –> 00:19:57,560
weaknesses.
We’re told that all.
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00:19:57,560 –> 00:20:01,080
Of these benefits are described
in in verse one as the
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00:20:01,240 –> 00:20:07,200
outworking of his holy name.
Brothers and sisters, this is.
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00:20:07,440 –> 00:20:11,600
Our Father, he’s not waiting for
us to make a mistake that so, so
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00:20:11,600 –> 00:20:13,480
that.
He can destroy us in anger.
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00:20:14,360 –> 00:20:18,440
It’s his earnest desire to
transform us if we reverence
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00:20:18,440 –> 00:20:19,680
him.
Keep.
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00:20:19,680 –> 00:20:23,120
His covenant and remember his
commandments to do them.
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00:20:25,160 –> 00:20:27,760
Before we continue, I’ll just
mention one thing about.
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00:20:27,760 –> 00:20:30,000
Verse five that really.
Stood out to me as I looked into
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00:20:30,000 –> 00:20:33,280
this Psalm.
God is described as.
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00:20:33,280 –> 00:20:35,680
Satisfying our mouth with good
things.
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00:20:35,680 –> 00:20:41,320
So that our youth is.
Renewed like the eagles, this
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00:20:41,320 –> 00:20:42,680
may have reference to the way
that.
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00:20:42,680 –> 00:20:46,920
Eagles are designed by God.
To molt.
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00:20:47,360 –> 00:20:50,360
And this is what the National
Eagle Center has to say about an
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00:20:50,360 –> 00:20:54,000
eagle’s molting process.
It says molting is the natural.
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00:20:54,000 –> 00:20:56,440
Process of replacing feathers.
Feathers.
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00:20:56,440 –> 00:20:57,920
Wear out and and they need to
be.
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00:20:57,920 –> 00:21:02,400
Replaced over.
Time Raptors molt once a year,
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00:21:02,400 –> 00:21:06,960
usually in spring and summer.
They tend to molt symmetrically,
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00:21:07,360 –> 00:21:10,400
meaning.
If they lose the third primary
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00:21:10,400 –> 00:21:12,240
on the right, they also lose the
third.
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00:21:12,240 –> 00:21:15,120
Primary on the left.
Raptors do not.
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00:21:15,120 –> 00:21:20,120
Lose all their flight feathers.
At one time and are never
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00:21:20,240 –> 00:21:27,640
rendered flightless by a molt.
It can take up to.
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00:21:27,640 –> 00:21:30,400
Four years.
For an eagle to complete a molt,
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00:21:31,920 –> 00:21:35,920
to put it simply, an.
Eagle has to be able to soar to
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00:21:35,920 –> 00:21:38,240
survive.
I’m not sure any of us have ever
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00:21:38,240 –> 00:21:41,080
seen a nature documentary where
an eagle is running down its
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00:21:41,080 –> 00:21:42,640
prey.
It’s not the way.
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00:21:42,960 –> 00:21:44,360
It’s not the way eagles hunt, is
it?
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00:21:44,360 –> 00:21:46,280
They have.
To be able to get above the
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00:21:46,280 –> 00:21:49,800
earth, their life.
Depends on being able to.
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00:21:49,800 –> 00:21:52,320
Rise above the.
Earth and God designed them.
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00:21:53,320 –> 00:21:55,680
To be sure, that’s always
possible.
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00:21:55,680 –> 00:21:58,600
Their youth, as it were, is.
Renewed in such.
364
00:21:58,600 –> 00:22:02,160
A way that their life.
Is never in jeopardy.
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00:22:05,000 –> 00:22:08,960
The children of God like.
Eagles have to be able to soar
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00:22:09,280 –> 00:22:12,000
to survive.
We have to be able to rise
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00:22:12,000 –> 00:22:14,440
above.
Earthly lusts and desires in
368
00:22:14,440 –> 00:22:21,160
order to be successful in our
pursuit of holiness, brothers
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00:22:21,160 –> 00:22:22,360
and.
Sisters, if the father has.
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00:22:22,360 –> 00:22:28,320
Taken such care for eagles, then
how much greater must his?
371
00:22:28,320 –> 00:22:31,280
Care be for his.
Children who reverence him and
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00:22:31,280 –> 00:22:34,440
keep his covenant and remember
his commandments.
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00:22:34,680 –> 00:22:43,600
To do them.
In First John 3, John touches on
374
00:22:43,600 –> 00:22:47,080
the theme of God’s.
Fatherhood as well, it says.
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00:22:47,080 –> 00:22:48,840
Behold, what manner of love the.
Father has.
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00:22:48,840 –> 00:22:51,200
Bestowed upon us that we.
Should be.
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00:22:51,200 –> 00:22:54,720
Called the sons of God.
Therefore.
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00:22:54,720 –> 00:22:57,880
The world knoweth us not because
it knew Him not.
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00:22:58,680 –> 00:23:01,840
Behold now are we the sons of
God, and it does not yet appear
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00:23:01,840 –> 00:23:04,640
what we shall be, but we know
that when He shall.
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00:23:04,640 –> 00:23:09,560
Appear, we shall be like.
Him, for we shall see him as he
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00:23:09,560 –> 00:23:15,040
is, and every man that hath this
hope in him, this expectation,
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00:23:15,800 –> 00:23:19,520
purifieth himself even as he is.
Pure.
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00:23:20,960 –> 00:23:25,520
This is what God has always.
Wanted from humanity, sons and
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00:23:25,520 –> 00:23:27,840
daughters.
Who purify themselves because.
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00:23:28,040 –> 00:23:30,920
They want to be like.
Their heavenly Father,
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00:23:32,080 –> 00:23:34,520
tragically.
In spite of all that he’s done
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00:23:34,520 –> 00:23:35,960
for us, very.
Few of us.
389
00:23:36,360 –> 00:23:38,560
Are willing to.
Respond to God this way.
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00:23:40,000 –> 00:23:43,280
And the language of a family
isn’t just a convenient
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00:23:43,360 –> 00:23:46,320
metaphor.
God deliberately reveals Himself
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00:23:46,320 –> 00:23:48,080
as a Father to help us
understand.
393
00:23:48,320 –> 00:23:49,800
Who he is and.
How he?
394
00:23:49,800 –> 00:23:53,680
Feels towards.
Us in fact, it’s so important to
395
00:23:53,680 –> 00:23:55,280
him that.
That he’s established.
396
00:23:55,280 –> 00:23:59,480
The institution of the family,
in part to reinforce that
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00:23:59,480 –> 00:24:02,360
lesson.
It’s a theme that runs.
398
00:24:02,360 –> 00:24:05,680
Right throughout the Bible.
Isn’t it we can never forget?
399
00:24:05,680 –> 00:24:08,800
That God is a righteous judge
that requires.
400
00:24:08,800 –> 00:24:11,160
Obedience from his children.
But he is.
401
00:24:11,160 –> 00:24:15,400
Also a loving father, deeply
invested in their success.
402
00:24:16,040 –> 00:24:19,680
In fact, God’s judgement is
often the direct outworking of
403
00:24:19,680 –> 00:24:21,760
his fatherhood, either in
defense.
404
00:24:21,760 –> 00:24:24,280
Of those who respond.
To his love with faithfulness
405
00:24:24,280 –> 00:24:27,960
and thankfulness or in
punishment of those who show
406
00:24:27,960 –> 00:24:31,840
contempt for it one of the
important lessons that we learn
407
00:24:31,840 –> 00:24:34,280
about our.
Heavenly Father, from our
408
00:24:34,280 –> 00:24:37,280
experience of.
Parenthood has to do with.
409
00:24:37,280 –> 00:24:40,560
Why he loves us.
Why do parents?
410
00:24:40,960 –> 00:24:44,680
Love their children, do our.
Children earn it.
411
00:24:45,480 –> 00:24:48,080
Some would argue at times they
do just the opposite.
412
00:24:49,080 –> 00:24:53,200
In the way that they behave,
they may provoke us from time to
413
00:24:53,200 –> 00:24:56,720
time.
I think most parents would.
414
00:24:56,720 –> 00:24:58,880
Say that they love their.
Children long.
415
00:24:58,880 –> 00:25:01,520
Before their.
Children could have possibly
416
00:25:01,520 –> 00:25:03,760
done anything.
To deserve it.
417
00:25:04,920 –> 00:25:07,440
Brothers and sisters.
God made us this way.
418
00:25:08,520 –> 00:25:11,400
He made us this way because He
wants us to understand and to
419
00:25:11,400 –> 00:25:14,160
appreciate.
How he feels towards us.
420
00:25:14,160 –> 00:25:17,760
He loves us because it’s who he
is.
421
00:25:18,040 –> 00:25:21,920
It is part of his identity.
We.
422
00:25:21,920 –> 00:25:26,360
Haven’t done anything to earn
it, John says.
423
00:25:26,360 –> 00:25:29,840
We love him because.
He first loved us.
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00:25:31,640 –> 00:25:34,160
This is much like the message.
That Moses delivered to Israel.
425
00:25:34,160 –> 00:25:37,960
On the eve of their entry into
the Promised Land, he says to
426
00:25:37,960 –> 00:25:41,240
them, For thou art and holy
people unto the.
427
00:25:41,240 –> 00:25:45,280
Lord thy God, the Lord thy God
hath.
428
00:25:45,280 –> 00:25:49,000
Chosen thee to be a special
people unto himself above all.
429
00:25:49,000 –> 00:25:51,440
People upon the face of the.
Earth and why?
430
00:25:51,600 –> 00:25:53,880
Why did God do this?
Why had he made them?
431
00:25:54,040 –> 00:25:58,640
A holy people.
Moses goes on to say, the Lord
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00:25:58,640 –> 00:26:00,280
did not set his love on you,
nor.
433
00:26:00,280 –> 00:26:03,320
Choose you because you were.
More in number than any people
434
00:26:03,320 –> 00:26:06,120
for you were the.
Fewest of all people, but
435
00:26:06,120 –> 00:26:10,240
because the Lord loved you and.
Because he would keep the.
436
00:26:10,320 –> 00:26:12,040
Oath.
Which he had sworn unto.
437
00:26:12,040 –> 00:26:15,240
Your father’s half the Lord
brought you out.
438
00:26:15,440 –> 00:26:18,880
With a mighty hand, and redeemed
you out of the House of Bondsman
439
00:26:19,320 –> 00:26:20,760
from the hand of Pharaoh, king
of.
440
00:26:20,760 –> 00:26:26,480
Egypt, like the Israelites who
God brought out of Egypt, we.
441
00:26:26,920 –> 00:26:30,920
Are born into slavery.
Slavery to sin and death.
442
00:26:31,840 –> 00:26:34,600
But our Heavenly Father redeems
us out of the house.
443
00:26:34,600 –> 00:26:38,120
Of bond with a stretched out arm
and with great judgments.
444
00:26:39,120 –> 00:26:43,520
He blesses us with all spiritual
blessings in heavenly places.
445
00:26:43,520 –> 00:26:49,240
According as He hath chosen us
in him before the foundation of
446
00:26:49,240 –> 00:26:50,840
the.
World that we should be.
447
00:26:50,840 –> 00:26:57,440
Holy and without blame before
Him, in love, having predestined
448
00:26:57,440 –> 00:27:02,920
us unto the adoption of children
by Jesus Christ to Himself,
449
00:27:03,640 –> 00:27:07,480
according to the good.
Pleasure of His will, the praise
450
00:27:07,480 –> 00:27:09,320
of the glory of His grace
wherein?
451
00:27:09,920 –> 00:27:12,920
He hath made us accepted in the
Beloved.
452
00:27:15,640 –> 00:27:20,080
God has chosen us.
To be his children because of
453
00:27:20,080 –> 00:27:23,680
his love.
And because he would keep the
454
00:27:23,720 –> 00:27:26,440
oath which he swore.
To Abraham and Isaac and Jacob.
455
00:27:26,440 –> 00:27:28,880
That they would be.
Fathers of a great nation, and
456
00:27:28,880 –> 00:27:31,320
through one of their
descendants, all nations of the
457
00:27:31,320 –> 00:27:35,240
earth.
Would be blessed through Jesus
458
00:27:35,240 –> 00:27:40,520
we have received the.
Adoption of children according.
459
00:27:40,680 –> 00:27:42,640
To our heavenly Fathers, good
pleasure.
460
00:27:44,520 –> 00:27:46,160
Think of it.
Brothers and sisters and young
461
00:27:46,160 –> 00:27:48,840
people.
It is the good pleasure of God.
462
00:27:49,240 –> 00:27:52,520
Almighty, that you and.
I should be his children.
463
00:27:53,080 –> 00:27:58,560
Members of his family Paul
expands on the incredible
464
00:27:58,560 –> 00:28:01,600
privilege of being a part of the
divine family in Romans chapter
465
00:28:01,600 –> 00:28:09,200
8 when he says, among other
things in verse 15 not received
466
00:28:09,280 –> 00:28:10,560
we have not.
Received the spirit of.
467
00:28:10,560 –> 00:28:13,760
Bondage again to fear, but.
Ye have received the Spirit.
468
00:28:13,800 –> 00:28:19,080
Of adoption.
Whereby we cry ABBA, Father, the
469
00:28:19,080 –> 00:28:21,760
Spirit itself bear.
Witness with our spirit.
470
00:28:21,760 –> 00:28:24,280
That we are the.
Children of God and if children
471
00:28:24,440 –> 00:28:26,160
then.
Heirs, Heirs.
472
00:28:26,160 –> 00:28:32,280
Of God and joint heirs.
With Christ here Paul links our.
473
00:28:32,280 –> 00:28:36,560
Adoption into the family.
Of God with the cry ABBA father
474
00:28:37,680 –> 00:28:39,720
this same.
Phrase shows up in Galatians.
475
00:28:39,720 –> 00:28:41,320
Chapter 4.
Verse 6.
476
00:28:41,320 –> 00:28:45,000
In a very similar context.
Paul says that because we are
477
00:28:45,000 –> 00:28:49,240
sons, God has sent forth the.
Spirit of his son into our
478
00:28:49,240 –> 00:28:55,840
hearts crying ABBA father, this
phrase only appears in.
479
00:28:56,520 –> 00:28:57,520
One other.
Passage.
480
00:28:57,520 –> 00:29:00,040
And that passage highlights the
incredible privilege.
481
00:29:00,280 –> 00:29:02,920
That we have to be.
Called into the family of God.
482
00:29:04,200 –> 00:29:07,120
Jesus uses.
This very phrase in Gethsemane.
483
00:29:07,160 –> 00:29:09,040
Before his trial and
crucifixion.
484
00:29:10,840 –> 00:29:13,560
In a profound.
Depth of sorrow he prays ABBA
485
00:29:14,040 –> 00:29:16,280
father, all things are possible.
Unto thee.
486
00:29:16,480 –> 00:29:21,080
Take away this cup.
From me, nevertheless, not what
487
00:29:21,080 –> 00:29:22,840
I.
Will but what thou wilt.
488
00:29:25,040 –> 00:29:28,320
This is the intimate plea of a
beloved son in.
489
00:29:28,320 –> 00:29:33,120
Great distress.
Luke records God’s response.
490
00:29:34,040 –> 00:29:37,560
And there appeared an Angel unto
him from heaven, strengthening
491
00:29:37,560 –> 00:29:41,280
him.
Brothers and sisters, our
492
00:29:41,280 –> 00:29:43,880
father.
Is not an absentee parent.
493
00:29:44,800 –> 00:29:47,160
He is ever.
Present to guide and to
494
00:29:47,160 –> 00:29:50,360
strengthen His children in their
pursuit of holiness.
495
00:29:51,960 –> 00:29:55,440
Consider the Lord’s words in
Matthew Chapter 7, verses 7:00
496
00:29:55,440 –> 00:29:58,480
to 11:00.
Ask, and it shall be given you
497
00:29:58,480 –> 00:30:01,560
seek, and ye shall find.
Knock, and it shall be opened
498
00:30:01,560 –> 00:30:03,840
unto you.
For everyone that asketh.
499
00:30:03,840 –> 00:30:06,440
Receiveth.
And he that seeketh findeth, and
500
00:30:06,440 –> 00:30:08,960
to him that knocketh it shall be
opened.
501
00:30:09,560 –> 00:30:12,000
Or what man?
Is there of you?
502
00:30:12,000 –> 00:30:15,040
Whom if his son asked bread,
will he give him a stone, or if
503
00:30:15,040 –> 00:30:15,880
he.
Asked a fish.
504
00:30:15,880 –> 00:30:19,960
Will he give him a serpent?
If ye then, being evil, know how
505
00:30:19,960 –> 00:30:24,400
to give good gifts unto your
children, how much more shall
506
00:30:24,400 –> 00:30:26,480
your.
Father, which is in heaven.
507
00:30:27,120 –> 00:30:29,400
Give good things to them that
ask.
508
00:30:29,400 –> 00:30:33,760
Him, Jesus testifies to our
heavenly Father’s.
509
00:30:33,760 –> 00:30:37,840
Willingness and ability to
provide those things we need.
510
00:30:38,880 –> 00:30:42,000
So that.
His will is done both in and
511
00:30:42,000 –> 00:30:45,320
through us.
Back in Romans 8, Paul touches
512
00:30:45,320 –> 00:30:48,200
on that, on what that will is.
For you and I.
513
00:30:49,280 –> 00:30:52,520
We left off in verse 17, but
we’ll pick back up in verse 28.
514
00:30:54,440 –> 00:30:56,960
We know that all things work
together for good to them that
515
00:30:56,960 –> 00:30:59,880
love God, to them who are.
The called according to his
516
00:30:59,880 –> 00:31:02,400
purpose.
For whom He did foreknow, He
517
00:31:02,400 –> 00:31:06,000
also did predestinate, to be
conformed to the image of His
518
00:31:06,000 –> 00:31:09,680
Son, that He might be the first
born among many brethren.
519
00:31:10,680 –> 00:31:13,320
Moreover, whom He did
predestinate them He also
520
00:31:13,320 –> 00:31:17,400
called, and whom He called them
He also justified, and whom He
521
00:31:17,400 –> 00:31:22,640
justified them He.
Also glorified God’s will.
522
00:31:22,640 –> 00:31:24,640
For you and me.
Is that we?
523
00:31:24,640 –> 00:31:30,360
Should be conformed to the image
of his son, the Holy 1, and
524
00:31:30,400 –> 00:31:32,640
ultimately that.
We should be glorified.
525
00:31:33,720 –> 00:31:35,720
And isn’t it?
Beautiful that Paul uses the.
526
00:31:35,720 –> 00:31:38,240
Past tense.
Here it may represent an
527
00:31:38,240 –> 00:31:40,720
instance of that principle that
he refers to in Romans.
528
00:31:40,720 –> 00:31:43,880
Chapter 4 that God calls.
Those things that are not.
529
00:31:44,560 –> 00:31:46,960
As though they.
Were, in other words, he.
530
00:31:46,960 –> 00:31:49,200
Speaks of the future as though
it had already.
531
00:31:49,200 –> 00:31:52,240
Happened.
This is a testimony to the
532
00:31:52,320 –> 00:31:57,800
absolute certainty of God’s work
in us if we allow Him to do it.
533
00:31:59,240 –> 00:32:02,800
He is able to do.
Exceeding abundantly above all.
534
00:32:02,800 –> 00:32:04,720
That we are able to ask.
Or.
535
00:32:04,720 –> 00:32:13,160
Think by the power that worketh.
In US and this is another awe
536
00:32:13,160 –> 00:32:15,800
inspiring.
Aspect to God’s fatherhood.
537
00:32:16,440 –> 00:32:18,960
Isaiah expresses it this way.
But now, O Lord.
538
00:32:18,960 –> 00:32:22,640
Thou art our Father, we are the
clay.
539
00:32:22,640 –> 00:32:23,480
And thou.
Our.
540
00:32:23,480 –> 00:32:26,760
Potter, and we all are the work
of thy hand.
541
00:32:28,520 –> 00:32:30,160
Our Heavenly Father is
carefully.
542
00:32:30,160 –> 00:32:35,640
And lovingly at work to make us
conformable to the image of His
543
00:32:35,640 –> 00:32:38,000
Son.
We are vessels of mercy.
544
00:32:38,080 –> 00:32:41,360
Which he is preparing for glory,
as Paul says.
545
00:32:41,360 –> 00:32:46,200
In Ephesians chapter 2, we are
his workmanship.
546
00:32:49,200 –> 00:32:52,320
Those of you who are.
Makers of one sort or another
547
00:32:52,880 –> 00:32:55,800
understand the intimate
connection that exists between
548
00:32:56,000 –> 00:33:01,360
the maker and the thing made if.
We feel that way.
549
00:33:01,440 –> 00:33:04,640
About the things we make with
our hands, how must.
550
00:33:04,640 –> 00:33:10,360
Our Heavenly Father feel about.
Us Undoubtedly he is deeply
551
00:33:10,360 –> 00:33:14,440
invested, and personally so in
the work he has begun in each
552
00:33:14,440 –> 00:33:17,920
one of us.
Like a master Potter, he softens
553
00:33:17,920 –> 00:33:19,840
us with the.
Water of his word.
554
00:33:20,000 –> 00:33:21,880
And through the loving pressure.
Of his.
555
00:33:21,880 –> 00:33:24,360
Providential hands.
He shapes us.
556
00:33:25,880 –> 00:33:28,720
We know, don’t we, that that
pressure can occasionally be
557
00:33:29,240 –> 00:33:33,040
intense.
But God’s purpose is always.
558
00:33:33,040 –> 00:33:36,240
Creative, the unswerving
intention.
559
00:33:36,440 –> 00:33:43,160
Of our heavenly Father is to
prepare us for glory, to prepare
560
00:33:43,160 –> 00:33:49,720
us to be partakers.
Of His Holiness and Hebrews.
561
00:33:49,720 –> 00:33:52,880
Chapter 12 speaks to this.
We’re exhorted to look to Jesus,
562
00:33:53,040 –> 00:33:54,920
the author.
And the finisher of our faith,
563
00:33:54,920 –> 00:33:57,760
who is set down at the right
hand of God.
564
00:33:58,320 –> 00:34:01,360
As proof.
That even when God’s hand feels
565
00:34:01,360 –> 00:34:03,320
heavy upon us, we.
Can rest.
566
00:34:03,320 –> 00:34:06,800
Assured that he is preparing.
Us to be partakers.
567
00:34:06,800 –> 00:34:11,679
Of His Holiness beginning at
verse 5 of.
568
00:34:11,679 –> 00:34:14,040
Hebrews chapter 12 it.
Says, And you have forgotten the
569
00:34:14,040 –> 00:34:20,719
exhortation with which speaketh
unto you as unto children, My
570
00:34:20,719 –> 00:34:23,960
son, despise not thou the
chastening of the Lord, nor
571
00:34:23,960 –> 00:34:25,600
faint when thou art rebuked of
Him.
572
00:34:25,600 –> 00:34:27,560
For when the.
Whom the Lord loveth He?
573
00:34:27,560 –> 00:34:32,000
Chasteneth and scourgeth every
son whom he receiveth, if he
574
00:34:32,000 –> 00:34:34,719
endure chastening God.
Dealeth with you as with.
575
00:34:34,719 –> 00:34:38,639
Sons for what son is.
He whom the Father chasteneth.
576
00:34:38,639 –> 00:34:41,120
Not.
But if he be without
577
00:34:41,120 –> 00:34:43,400
chastisement, wherefore all are
partakers.
578
00:34:44,440 –> 00:34:48,600
Then are you bastards and not
sons Furthermore.
579
00:34:49,280 –> 00:34:51,800
We have had fathers after our
flesh which corrected.
580
00:34:51,800 –> 00:34:55,440
Us and we gave them reverence.
Shall we not much rather be in
581
00:34:55,440 –> 00:34:59,520
subjection into the?
Father of spirits, and live for
582
00:34:59,520 –> 00:35:03,520
they verily for a few days.
Chastened us after their own
583
00:35:03,520 –> 00:35:06,760
pleasure.
But he for our profit.
584
00:35:07,320 –> 00:35:12,960
That we might be partakers of
His Holiness now.
585
00:35:13,320 –> 00:35:16,280
No chastening, for the present
seemeth to be joyous.
586
00:35:16,280 –> 00:35:18,600
But grievous.
Nevertheless.
587
00:35:18,600 –> 00:35:21,720
Afterward it yieldeth the
peaceable fruit of.
588
00:35:21,720 –> 00:35:28,040
Righteousness and to them.
Which are exercised thereby How?
589
00:35:28,040 –> 00:35:31,440
Truly incredible that the
creator of heaven and earth.
590
00:35:31,600 –> 00:35:35,560
Should want us as his.
Children and take such personal
591
00:35:35,800 –> 00:35:41,000
interest in each one of us to
make.
592
00:35:41,000 –> 00:35:47,840
US partakers of His Holiness the
Prophet Malachi has this to say
593
00:35:47,840 –> 00:35:52,040
about those that cooperate with
the Father’s efforts to prepare
594
00:35:52,040 –> 00:35:57,480
them to be partakers of His.
Holiness reading from Malachi.
595
00:35:57,480 –> 00:36:00,400
Chapter 3 Verse. 16 it says then
they.
596
00:36:00,400 –> 00:36:03,200
That feared the Lord spake.
Often one to another, and the
597
00:36:03,200 –> 00:36:06,640
Lord hearkened and heard it, and
a book of remembrance was
598
00:36:06,640 –> 00:36:10,000
written before him for them that
feared the Lord, and that
599
00:36:10,000 –> 00:36:14,200
thought upon His name.
And they shall be mine, say at
600
00:36:14,200 –> 00:36:18,160
the Lord of hosts in that day
when I make up my jewels, and I
601
00:36:18,160 –> 00:36:25,640
will spare them as a man spareth
his own son that serveth him.
602
00:36:31,360 –> 00:36:34,240
We would be remiss if we didn’t
also mention that the blessing
603
00:36:34,240 –> 00:36:37,360
of being adopted into the family
of God comes with the
604
00:36:37,360 –> 00:36:42,040
significant responsibility of
developing a family resemblance
605
00:36:42,960 –> 00:36:46,520
in Matthew chapter 5.
Jesus says to his disciples, Let
606
00:36:46,520 –> 00:36:48,560
your light so.
Shine before men that.
607
00:36:48,560 –> 00:36:55,160
They may see your good.
Works and glorify your Father,
608
00:36:55,680 –> 00:37:01,080
which is in heaven in the
disciples of Christ.
609
00:37:01,120 –> 00:37:05,160
The character of God A.
Family resemblance ought to be
610
00:37:05,160 –> 00:37:06,720
evident.
God.
611
00:37:06,720 –> 00:37:09,320
Expects his.
Children to represent the family
612
00:37:09,320 –> 00:37:12,000
well, our character and our
works.
613
00:37:12,000 –> 00:37:13,920
Should reflect the character.
And the.
614
00:37:13,920 –> 00:37:17,120
Purpose of our heavenly Father
to his glory.
615
00:37:18,240 –> 00:37:20,920
You recall that, Peter?
Framed his argument for Our
616
00:37:20,920 –> 00:37:22,760
Holiness on the.
Basis of God’s.
617
00:37:22,920 –> 00:37:27,640
Fatherhood back in first Peter
chapter one in verse 14, he
618
00:37:27,640 –> 00:37:28,800
says.
As.
619
00:37:28,920 –> 00:37:32,960
Obedient children, not
fashioning yourselves according
620
00:37:32,960 –> 00:37:34,800
to the former lusts in your
ignorance.
621
00:37:35,400 –> 00:37:38,920
But as he which has called you
as holy, so be ye holy.
622
00:37:38,920 –> 00:37:41,680
In all manner of conversation,
because it is written.
623
00:37:41,920 –> 00:37:47,720
Be ye holy for I.
Am holy, and if ye call on the
624
00:37:47,720 –> 00:37:52,040
Father, who, without respect of
persons, judgeth according to
625
00:37:52,080 –> 00:37:56,920
every man’s work past the time
of your sojourning here in fear,
626
00:37:58,480 –> 00:38:02,720
the impetus for our holiness,
the argument, the necessity.
627
00:38:03,680 –> 00:38:07,680
Has to do with the fact.
That we are children of our
628
00:38:07,680 –> 00:38:11,280
Father and he.
Requires that we demonstrate a.
629
00:38:11,280 –> 00:38:15,880
Family resemblance.
Paul touches on this as well in
630
00:38:15,880 –> 00:38:19,640
Second Corinthians chapter 6,
verse 14 through Chapter 7 and
631
00:38:19,640 –> 00:38:22,480
verse one.
Having pressed his exhortation
632
00:38:22,680 –> 00:38:26,240
not to be unequally yoked with
unbelievers, he goes on to say,
633
00:38:26,400 –> 00:38:28,120
You are the temple of the living
God.
634
00:38:28,520 –> 00:38:31,120
As God has said, I will.
Dwell in them and walk in them
635
00:38:31,120 –> 00:38:32,360
and.
I will be their God.
636
00:38:32,520 –> 00:38:35,800
And they shall be my people.
And he goes on to.
637
00:38:35,800 –> 00:38:38,920
Say wherefore come out.
From among them and be separate,
638
00:38:39,280 –> 00:38:43,280
saith the Lord, And touch not
the unclean thing, and I will
639
00:38:43,280 –> 00:38:46,760
receive you, and will be a
Father unto.
640
00:38:47,280 –> 00:38:51,240
You and ye shall be.
My sons and daughters, saith the
641
00:38:51,240 –> 00:38:56,120
Lord Almighty.
Having therefore these promises,
642
00:38:56,120 –> 00:38:59,560
dearly beloved, let us cleanse
ourselves from all filthiness of
643
00:38:59,560 –> 00:39:03,360
flesh and spirit, perfecting
holiness in the.
644
00:39:03,360 –> 00:39:07,560
Fear of God being received by
God.
645
00:39:07,560 –> 00:39:11,280
As his sons and daughters is
contingent upon separating from
646
00:39:11,280 –> 00:39:15,200
unholy things, brothers and
sisters and young people, when
647
00:39:15,200 –> 00:39:19,000
we make a place for unholiness
in ourselves, we undo.
648
00:39:19,280 –> 00:39:21,880
The work that.
God has done in US.
649
00:39:23,000 –> 00:39:27,960
How can we love and honor our
God as we undo His?
650
00:39:27,960 –> 00:39:33,720
Work.
Jesus tells us that unto
651
00:39:33,720 –> 00:39:37,480
whomsoever much is given of him
shall much be.
652
00:39:37,480 –> 00:39:39,880
Required, our Heavenly Father
has.
653
00:39:39,880 –> 00:39:45,560
Given us an amazing gift of love
and He requires that we love and
654
00:39:45,560 –> 00:39:49,840
honor him in return in
Ephesians.
655
00:39:49,880 –> 00:39:53,280
Verse chapter 6 and verse.
One Paul points out that honour
656
00:39:53,280 –> 00:39:56,280
thy father and thy mother is the
first commandment with.
657
00:39:56,280 –> 00:40:01,040
Promise if our natural.
Parents are worthy of love and
658
00:40:01,480 –> 00:40:03,320
honour.
And there is a promise
659
00:40:03,320 –> 00:40:06,320
associated.
With that, then, how much more
660
00:40:06,320 –> 00:40:08,640
do we?
Owe it to our Heavenly Father to
661
00:40:08,680 –> 00:40:10,960
honour.
And to love him and how much?
662
00:40:10,960 –> 00:40:15,160
Greater is the.
Promise that he has extended.
663
00:40:15,160 –> 00:40:23,080
To us by grace through faith.
One of the things that seems to
664
00:40:23,080 –> 00:40:26,880
happen as we embrace God’s call
to holiness is that we become
665
00:40:26,880 –> 00:40:29,640
increasingly.
Aware of our need to.
666
00:40:29,640 –> 00:40:33,560
Change.
It can be the source of no small
667
00:40:33,560 –> 00:40:34,760
amount of.
Stress.
668
00:40:35,240 –> 00:40:37,160
And anxiety.
Where do we start?
669
00:40:38,000 –> 00:40:42,480
How precisely do we go about it?
How do we measure progress?
670
00:40:43,760 –> 00:40:47,520
When we imagine that we’re
responsible for overseeing the
671
00:40:47,520 –> 00:40:50,680
process, it can be downright
overwhelming.
672
00:40:54,520 –> 00:40:59,000
But thankfully, we’re not
responsible for overseeing the
673
00:40:59,000 –> 00:41:00,440
process.
Our.
674
00:41:00,440 –> 00:41:02,280
Primary responsibility is to
take.
675
00:41:02,280 –> 00:41:04,440
In a regular.
Diet of God’s Word.
676
00:41:04,600 –> 00:41:07,960
And then apply what we’ve
learned to the moment that we’re
677
00:41:07,960 –> 00:41:09,720
in.
Over.
678
00:41:10,360 –> 00:41:15,880
And over and over again.
Thankfully, God is a change.
679
00:41:16,040 –> 00:41:18,960
Expert.
And if we put ourselves into His
680
00:41:19,040 –> 00:41:21,480
infinitely wise and loving
hands, he.
681
00:41:21,480 –> 00:41:25,840
Will oversee the process of.
Change in US.
682
00:41:27,240 –> 00:41:30,520
There are a couple of passages
that I resort to regularly.
683
00:41:30,520 –> 00:41:34,720
To remind myself of my part in
the process of change.
684
00:41:34,720 –> 00:41:37,600
And one of them is.
Ecclesiastes Chapter. 12 and
685
00:41:37,600 –> 00:41:41,960
verse 13 let us hear the
conclusion of the whole matter.
686
00:41:41,960 –> 00:41:45,760
Fear God and keep his
commandments for this.
687
00:41:45,800 –> 00:41:52,960
Is the whole duty.
Of man, our son Isaiah when he
688
00:41:52,960 –> 00:41:55,720
was very small.
This was one of his very first
689
00:41:56,000 –> 00:41:59,240
memory verses.
This and Psalms 9 verse one.
690
00:41:59,360 –> 00:42:00,600
That’s exactly.
How you would say it?
691
00:42:00,600 –> 00:42:04,000
Psalms 9 verse one and every
time I read.
692
00:42:04,000 –> 00:42:08,640
This verse I I have a picture of
his jubilant little face.
693
00:42:08,960 –> 00:42:14,880
He was a a square of a toddler,
very a very blocky little guy.
694
00:42:15,400 –> 00:42:19,160
And.
He would say with with just so
695
00:42:19,160 –> 00:42:22,520
much enthusiasm.
Fear God and keep his
696
00:42:22,520 –> 00:42:24,920
commandments, for this is the
whole duty of man.
697
00:42:28,080 –> 00:42:32,840
It’s it’s the kind.
Of precept.
698
00:42:33,120 –> 00:42:35,720
That even a small child can
remember.
699
00:42:35,720 –> 00:42:38,000
And so for me, I tend to sort of
discount it.
700
00:42:38,000 –> 00:42:39,840
It’s not all that significant,
right?
701
00:42:39,840 –> 00:42:42,320
I mean, if a kid can remember it
a little one, right?
702
00:42:42,720 –> 00:42:44,400
How how important could it
really be?
703
00:42:45,560 –> 00:42:48,600
Enormously so to my life,
brothers and sisters.
704
00:42:49,240 –> 00:42:53,120
It frames our responsibility in
the process of change that God
705
00:42:53,120 –> 00:42:58,240
has has invited us into.
The other passage.
706
00:42:58,240 –> 00:43:00,960
That’s been helpful to me in
this regard is Micah chapter 6
707
00:43:00,960 –> 00:43:04,480
and verse 8.
He hath showed the old man what
708
00:43:04,480 –> 00:43:06,960
is good and what does the Lord.
Require of thee.
709
00:43:08,800 –> 00:43:11,440
Notice overseeing the process of
our change is not.
710
00:43:11,440 –> 00:43:14,560
Part of it is it.
It’s to do justly.
711
00:43:15,680 –> 00:43:18,720
And to love mercy, and to walk
humbly.
712
00:43:19,160 –> 00:43:23,360
With our God not to make sure
other people do justly.
713
00:43:23,600 –> 00:43:25,680
And love mercy and walk humbly
with their God.
714
00:43:27,280 –> 00:43:32,200
But ourselves to do justly.
And to love mercy, and to walk
715
00:43:32,200 –> 00:43:35,760
humbly with our Heavenly Father
passages.
716
00:43:35,760 –> 00:43:39,160
Like these describe our part.
In God’s work of transformation
717
00:43:39,160 –> 00:43:41,560
in a simple.
But powerful way that’s.
718
00:43:42,120 –> 00:43:45,840
Pretty easy to remember.
They can be a touchstone for
719
00:43:45,840 –> 00:43:47,440
those moments when we begin to
feel.
720
00:43:47,440 –> 00:43:51,680
Overwhelmed by our perception of
all the work.
721
00:43:51,920 –> 00:43:54,440
That needs to be done to make us
ready.
722
00:43:57,680 –> 00:44:01,080
We’ve seen that God likens our
pursuit of holiness to a
723
00:44:01,080 –> 00:44:04,400
journey.
Hiking imagery comes to mind for
724
00:44:04,400 –> 00:44:06,880
me when I think about this.
It was certainly a common.
725
00:44:06,880 –> 00:44:11,200
Way to get from here?
To there in Bible times an
726
00:44:11,200 –> 00:44:13,680
important part of hiking.
Especially over rough.
727
00:44:13,680 –> 00:44:17,120
Terrain is to focus on the.
Step that you’re taking?
728
00:44:19,240 –> 00:44:20,520
You certainly have to look.
Ahead.
729
00:44:20,520 –> 00:44:26,080
But if you’re too focused, too
far ahead, or worse.
730
00:44:26,080 –> 00:44:31,320
Yet on some previous step, then
you’re likely to take a nasty
731
00:44:31,320 –> 00:44:36,920
tumble, as we said in a previous
session, the moment over which.
732
00:44:36,920 –> 00:44:41,080
We have the greatest.
Opportunity for effect is the
733
00:44:41,080 –> 00:44:46,360
one that we’re in right now if
we focus on being present for
734
00:44:46,360 –> 00:44:49,600
the moment that we’re in and.
Doing what’s right with what’s?
735
00:44:49,640 –> 00:44:53,320
Right in front of us, then God.
Will be able to do.
736
00:44:53,320 –> 00:44:55,920
The work of change that needs to
be done in US.
737
00:44:56,920 –> 00:45:01,680
In effect, God changes us
through our obedience 1.
738
00:45:01,680 –> 00:45:06,360
Choice at a time.
We don’t have to concern
739
00:45:06,360 –> 00:45:09,520
ourselves so much.
With the greater process only
740
00:45:09,520 –> 00:45:12,360
with the choices before us
today.
741
00:45:13,720 –> 00:45:17,520
What a blessing that our Father
should have structured.
742
00:45:17,520 –> 00:45:22,600
Things this way you know we have
an interesting case.
743
00:45:22,600 –> 00:45:27,960
Study for God’s ability to.
Expertly manage even the most
744
00:45:27,960 –> 00:45:33,280
significant changes in his
children in the model for our
745
00:45:33,280 –> 00:45:35,560
pursuit of holiness that we
looked at earlier in the week
746
00:45:35,560 –> 00:45:41,240
from philippians chapter 3
verses 13 and 14 Paul says this
747
00:45:41,240 –> 00:45:42,800
one thing I.
Do for getting those things.
748
00:45:42,800 –> 00:45:45,320
Which are behind and reaching
forth unto those things.
749
00:45:45,320 –> 00:45:49,560
Which are before I press.
For the mark for the.
750
00:45:49,560 –> 00:45:52,280
Prize of the High.
Calling of God in Christ.
751
00:45:52,280 –> 00:45:55,920
Jesus.
One of the other occurrences.
752
00:45:55,960 –> 00:45:58,120
Of.
The Greek word that’s translated
753
00:45:58,160 –> 00:46:02,600
press here in Philippians
chapter 3 and verse 14 is in
754
00:46:02,600 –> 00:46:08,000
Acts Chapter 9 and verse 4 and
it helps us to understand the
755
00:46:08,000 –> 00:46:11,280
kind of intensity.
Paul brought to his pursuit.
756
00:46:11,600 –> 00:46:15,120
Of Holiness in Acts Chapter 9
and.
757
00:46:15,120 –> 00:46:17,520
Verse 4 as Saul.
Was journeying toward Damascus.
758
00:46:17,520 –> 00:46:20,360
There was suddenly a light from
heaven that shined around about
759
00:46:20,360 –> 00:46:23,040
him, and after falling to the
earth he heard.
760
00:46:23,040 –> 00:46:25,680
A voice.
And the voice.
761
00:46:25,680 –> 00:46:29,000
Said Saul.
Saul.
762
00:46:30,080 –> 00:46:38,240
Why persecutest thou me?
The word persecutest here.
763
00:46:38,240 –> 00:46:42,680
In Acts 9 and verse 4 is the
same word translated press.
764
00:46:43,840 –> 00:46:49,840
In Philippians chapter 3 and
verse 14, we know the intensity
765
00:46:49,840 –> 00:46:54,040
and.
Sheer ferocity that Paul brought
766
00:46:54,040 –> 00:46:56,000
to the.
Persecution of the early Church.
767
00:46:56,000 –> 00:46:59,440
He testifies to it himself.
He was.
768
00:46:59,640 –> 00:47:10,160
Dogged and relentless.
What an incredible change our
769
00:47:10,160 –> 00:47:12,560
Heavenly Father affected in this
man.
770
00:47:16,840 –> 00:47:19,280
Whereas.
He had doggedly, relentlessly
771
00:47:19,680 –> 00:47:23,880
pursued those of the way.
To their destruction in
772
00:47:23,880 –> 00:47:25,240
Philippians.
Chapter 3.
773
00:47:27,120 –> 00:47:32,200
Paul himself has become a fellow
traveller on.
774
00:47:32,200 –> 00:47:38,720
That way, doggedly, relentlessly
pursuing the prize of our high.
775
00:47:38,720 –> 00:47:57,840
Calling in Christ Jesus.
Brothers and.
776
00:47:57,840 –> 00:48:02,040
Sisters, if God could affect.
Such a change in.
777
00:48:02,040 –> 00:48:08,160
Paul, he can surely change.
Us in mind now.
778
00:48:08,640 –> 00:48:13,000
In order to prepare us.
For a change in body when his
779
00:48:13,000 –> 00:48:25,860
son returns.
In Paul’s own words.
780
00:48:26,060 –> 00:48:28,300
Brothers and sisters reading
from Romans.
781
00:48:28,300 –> 00:48:30,740
Chapter 8.
Verses 31 to 39.
782
00:48:33,140 –> 00:48:37,600
If God be for us.
Who can be against us?
783
00:48:38,920 –> 00:48:42,720
He that prepared, not prepared?
Excuse me, He that spared not
784
00:48:42,920 –> 00:48:45,480
his own son, but delivered him
up for us all?
785
00:48:45,640 –> 00:48:49,680
How shall he not with him freely
give us all things?
786
00:48:50,520 –> 00:48:52,080
Who shall?
Lay anything to the.
787
00:48:52,080 –> 00:48:54,960
Charge of God’s elect.
It is God that justifieth.
788
00:48:55,360 –> 00:48:57,320
Who is he that condemneth?
It is.
789
00:48:57,320 –> 00:49:00,600
Christ that died ye rather.
That is risen, who is even at
790
00:49:00,600 –> 00:49:04,280
the right hand of God, who also
maketh intercession for us.
791
00:49:04,680 –> 00:49:07,720
Who shall separate?
Us, from the love of Christ
792
00:49:08,920 –> 00:49:11,720
shall tribulation.
Or distress or persecution, or.
793
00:49:11,720 –> 00:49:14,240
Famine or nakedness?
Or peril.
794
00:49:14,240 –> 00:49:16,200
Or sword.
As it.
795
00:49:16,200 –> 00:49:17,520
Is written for thy sake.
We are.
796
00:49:17,520 –> 00:49:20,240
Killed all the day long.
We are counted as sheep for the
797
00:49:20,240 –> 00:49:24,360
slaughter.
Nay, in all these things we are
798
00:49:24,360 –> 00:49:26,400
more than conquerors through Him
that loved.
799
00:49:26,400 –> 00:49:31,520
Us, for I am persuaded.
That neither death, nor life,
800
00:49:31,520 –> 00:49:37,600
nor angels, nor principalities,
nor powers, nor things present,
801
00:49:37,680 –> 00:49:40,880
nor things to come, nor height,
nor depth, nor any other.
802
00:49:40,880 –> 00:49:45,920
Creature shall be able to
separate us.
803
00:49:45,920 –> 00:49:49,800
From the love of God.
Which is in Christ Jesus our
804
00:49:49,800 –> 00:49:55,240
Lord.
Brothers and sisters, the only
805
00:49:55,240 –> 00:49:59,040
thing that can separate us from
the love of God.
806
00:50:00,720 –> 00:50:04,560
Is US.
But if our earnest.
807
00:50:04,560 –> 00:50:07,040
Desire is to be holy as He is
holy.
808
00:50:07,040 –> 00:50:10,800
And we reverence Him, we keep
His covenant and remember His
809
00:50:10,800 –> 00:50:15,440
commandments to do them.
Then we have nothing to fear and
810
00:50:15,560 –> 00:50:18,720
every reason to be strong and of
good.
811
00:50:18,720 –> 00:50:22,400
Courage.
So, brothers and sisters, we’ll
812
00:50:22,400 –> 00:50:25,320
bring our time together.
This week to a close with the
813
00:50:25,320 –> 00:50:28,840
words of Isaiah 35, verses 4 to
10.
814
00:50:30,520 –> 00:50:34,680
Be strong, Fear not.
Behold your God.
815
00:50:34,680 –> 00:50:38,160
Will come with vengeance, even
God with a recompense He will
816
00:50:38,160 –> 00:50:41,440
come and save you.
Then the eyes of the blind shall
817
00:50:41,440 –> 00:50:44,200
be opened, and the ears of the
death shall be unstopped.
818
00:50:44,880 –> 00:50:48,080
Then shall the lame man leap as
in heart, and the tongue of the
819
00:50:48,080 –> 00:50:50,760
dumb sing.
For in the wilderness shall
820
00:50:50,760 –> 00:50:54,800
waters break out, and streams in
the desert, and the parched
821
00:50:54,800 –> 00:50:57,640
ground shall become a pool in
the thirsty land springs of
822
00:50:57,640 –> 00:51:00,880
water, in the habitation of
Dragons, where each.
823
00:51:00,880 –> 00:51:03,760
Lay shall be grass with weeds
and rushes.
824
00:51:04,680 –> 00:51:07,000
And in.
Highway, she’ll be there and.
825
00:51:07,000 –> 00:51:10,440
Away and.
It shall be called the way of.
826
00:51:10,440 –> 00:51:16,600
Holiness, the unclean shall not.
Passover it, but it shall be for
827
00:51:16,600 –> 00:51:19,720
those the wayfaring.
Men those, though fools, shall
828
00:51:19,720 –> 00:51:24,120
not air therein.
No lion shall be there, nor any
829
00:51:24,120 –> 00:51:25,080
ravenous.
Beast.
830
00:51:25,080 –> 00:51:27,880
Shall go up there on it shall
be.
831
00:51:30,120 –> 00:51:33,480
It shall not be found there, but
the redeemed shall walk there,
832
00:51:33,480 –> 00:51:36,600
and the ransomed of the Lord
shall return and come to Zion
833
00:51:36,600 –> 00:51:39,840
with songs and everlasting joy
upon their.
834
00:51:39,840 –> 00:51:43,360
Heads they shall.
Obtain joy and gladness, and
835
00:51:43,360 –> 00:51:49,840
sorrow and sighing shall.
Flee away, this is.
836
00:51:50,160 –> 00:51:53,480
The way, brothers and sisters,
and May God bless our.
837
00:51:53,480 –> 00:51:55,080
Efforts to walk.
In it.
838
00:51:57,200 –> 00:52:01,360
So that we are blessed.
To come together with the.
839
00:52:01,360 –> 00:52:06,160
Faithful of every generation to
Zion with.
840
00:52:06,160 –> 00:52:09,600
Songs.
And everlasting joy upon our.
841
00:52:09,600 –> 00:52:13,520
Heads Even so, come Lord Jesus.
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