1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:06,040 Thank you very much for joining us today, and we will be in the next couple of weeks. 2 00:00:06,040 --> 00:00:13,320 I will be in the next couple of weeks, and we will be in the next couple of weeks, and we will be in the next couple of weeks. 3 00:00:13,320 --> 00:00:20,640 I will be in the next couple of weeks, and we will be in the next couple of weeks, and we will be in the next couple of weeks. 4 00:00:20,640 --> 00:00:25,420 And we will be in the next couple of weeks and we will be in the next couple of weeks. 5 00:00:25,420 --> 00:00:47,940 Good morning. We are glad to be able to worship together this morning. 6 00:00:47,940 --> 00:01:06,960 We are going to be having a children's church for some of the older kids this morning, so what that means is we are kind of reorienting our service a little bit, and all that means practically is we're switching our prayer time with communion. 7 00:01:06,960 --> 00:01:20,980 So we're going to, in a moment, read some Scripture together. We are going to sing, and then we'll come to the table. Children will be dismissed, and then we'll move into our prayer time this morning. 8 00:01:20,980 --> 00:01:27,980 So if you would, let me go to God in prayer, and then we will read from the 95th Psalm together. 9 00:01:27,980 --> 00:01:51,000 Father in heaven, we thank you that we can gather this morning with your people and your word. We ask that your spirit would be with us, that we would be guided to where we need to be, that our hearts would be softened, that we would be strengthened, that we would be made courageous and energized for work in your kingdom. 10 00:01:51,000 --> 00:02:01,000 I thank you for your people, and I thank you for the good news of the gospel, and I thank you that we can gather together this morning. It is in Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 11 00:02:01,000 --> 00:02:19,000 So this morning, as we gather, we want to rejoice in the fact that God rescues and saves, and so no matter what burdens or struggles we bring, no matter what it is we are facing, we come to the one who is our strength and our salvation. 12 00:02:19,000 --> 00:02:33,000 And so, as we do that, we're going to read some words from the 95th Psalm that call us into worship. So if you would stand with me, and let's read together. 13 00:02:33,000 --> 00:02:47,000 O come, let us sing to the Lord. Let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving. 14 00:02:47,000 --> 00:02:57,000 Let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise. This is God's Word. And we're going to start by singing, "Our God Saves." 15 00:02:57,000 --> 00:03:16,000 In the name of the Father, in the name of the Son, in the name of the Spirit, Lord, come. 16 00:03:16,000 --> 00:03:26,000 We are gathered together to lift up your name, to call on our Savior, to fall on your grace. 17 00:03:26,000 --> 00:03:45,000 Hear the joyful sound of our offering, as your saints bow down, as your people sing. We will rise with you, lifted on your wings, and the world will see that. 18 00:03:45,000 --> 00:04:14,000 Our God saves. Our God saves. There is hope in your name. Morning turns to songs of praise. 19 00:04:14,000 --> 00:04:43,000 Our God saves. Our God saves. In the name of the Father, in the name of the Son, in the name of the Spirit, Lord, we come. We are gathered together to lift up your name, to call our Savior, to fall on your path. 20 00:04:43,000 --> 00:05:12,000 We will rise with you, lifted on your wings, and the world will see that our God saves. Our God saves. Our God saves. 21 00:05:12,000 --> 00:05:41,000 There is hope in your name. Morning turns to songs of praise. Our God saves. Our God saves. Our God saves. 22 00:05:41,000 --> 00:06:10,000 Hear the joyful sound of our offering. As your saints bow down, as your people sing. We will rise with you, lifted on your wings. And the world will see that our God saves. Our God saves. 23 00:06:10,000 --> 00:06:39,000 There is hope in your name. Morning turns to psalms of praise. Our God saves. Our God saves. Our God saves. 24 00:06:39,000 --> 00:06:41,000 Our God saves. 25 00:07:09,000 --> 00:07:38,980 Jesus said, "How great the chasm did lay between us. How high the mountain I could not climb. 26 00:07:38,980 --> 00:08:08,960 In desperation, I turned to heaven and spoke your name into the night. Then through the darkness, your loving kindness tore through the shadows of my soul. 27 00:08:08,960 --> 00:08:15,960 I'm finished. The end is written. Jesus Christ, my living hope. 28 00:08:15,960 --> 00:08:38,940 Hallelujah. Praise the one who set me free. Hallelujah. Death has lost its grip on me. You have broken my heart. 29 00:08:38,940 --> 00:08:49,940 In every chain, there's salvation in your name. Jesus Christ, my living hope. 30 00:08:49,940 --> 00:09:08,920 Who could imagine so great a mercy? What heart could fathom such boundless grace? 31 00:09:08,920 --> 00:09:38,900 Jesus Christ, my holy Savior, my Savior, my Savior, my Savior, my Savior, my Savior, my Savior, my Savior. 32 00:09:38,900 --> 00:10:08,880 Jesus Christ, my living hope. Hallelujah. Praise the One who set me free. Hallelujah. Death has lost its grip on me. You have broken every chain. There's salvation in Your name. 33 00:10:08,880 --> 00:10:38,860 Jesus Christ, my living hope. Then came the morning that sealed the promise. Your buried body began to breathe. Out of the silence, the roaring lion declared the grave. 34 00:10:38,860 --> 00:11:08,840 Has no claim on me. Then came the morning that sealed the promise. Your buried body began to breathe. Out of the silence, the roaring lion declared the grave. Has no claim on me. 35 00:11:08,840 --> 00:11:38,820 Jesus, yours is the victory. Hallelujah. Praise the one who set me free. Hallelujah. Death has lost its grip on me. You have broken every chain. 36 00:11:38,820 --> 00:12:08,800 There's salvation in your name. Jesus Christ, my living hope. Hallelujah. Praise the one who set me free. Hallelujah. Death has lost its grip on me. You have broken every chain. There's salvation in your name. 37 00:12:08,800 --> 00:12:38,780 Jesus Christ, my living hope. Jesus Christ, my living hope. Oh God, you are my living hope. 38 00:12:38,780 --> 00:13:08,760 Jesus promised to his disciples in John 14, and we'll be there in a few moments as well during our message. He says, "I will ask the Father, and he will give you another helper to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you." 39 00:13:08,760 --> 00:13:38,740 These wonderful promises, and in fact, during this time, Jesus, five times, including this one, will make this promise and explain and teach his disciples about the wonder of the work in the Spirit, and that this wonderful promise about the fact that God would live and dwell within us was spoken around the same table where Jesus 40 00:13:38,740 --> 00:14:08,720 first broke the bread and shared the cup. And the Spirit comes because Jesus is willing to go to the cross to take our sin, to give us his righteousness, to give us new life, and to make us clean. And so when we eat this bread and when we eat this cup, we remember what makes this promise, this wonder of the indwelling work 41 00:14:08,720 --> 00:14:38,700 of God, the Holy Spirit, possible. That through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, we could be forgiven, made new, and be filled with the Spirit of God. And so as we partake of the Lord's Supper today, we give thanks for the cross, but also we are reminded that we are not alone. The Spirit assures us that we belong to Christ. 42 00:14:38,700 --> 00:15:08,680 And the Spirit comforts us, strengthens us, guides us, and will never leave us. Let's pray. Father in heaven, we thank you for the hope of the gospel, that you take broken people and that you make all things new, that you have provided us for us a way to be renewed and restored, not through our strength, but through the sacrifice of your Son. 43 00:15:08,680 --> 00:15:27,680 I ask you that you have given us your Spirit. May our hearts be reassured, and during this meal, may we be nourished by the good news of the gospel. I ask that you bless this bread and this cup and that we would proclaim your Son until he comes again. It's in his name we pray. Amen. 44 00:15:27,680 --> 00:15:52,680 As we prepare in just a moment to take the bread and the cup, we remember what these things direct us toward. Christ's body, which is given for us, his blood that was poured out on our behalf. And as we do so, and before we do so, I'd like to read from Romans, the eighth chapter, just beginning in verse 10. 45 00:15:52,680 --> 00:16:15,680 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the spirit is life because of righteousness. If the spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through the spirit who dwells in you. 46 00:16:16,680 --> 00:16:29,680 And so let's prepare as we take the bread and the cup together. If you would take your bread as Jesus did with his disciples, sharing it with them, saying, "This is my body, which is for you." Let's remember Jesus. 47 00:16:29,680 --> 00:16:44,680 And as Jesus took the cup, says, "This is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you." Let's remember Jesus together. 48 00:16:46,680 --> 00:17:14,680 Father in heaven, I thank you for the fact that you nourish us deep in our souls. May we, in the strength that you provide, and by the power of your Spirit, live for righteousness, assure that we are your children, and strengthen for the work that you would have us to do. It's in Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 49 00:17:14,680 --> 00:17:22,680 At this point, the kids can be dismissed to class, and we will move into our time of prayer. 50 00:17:22,680 --> 00:17:28,680 Did you not get the announcement? 51 00:17:44,680 --> 00:17:52,680 Thank you. 52 00:18:14,680 --> 00:18:16,680 Thank you. 53 00:18:44,680 --> 00:18:46,680 Thank you. 54 00:22:14,680 --> 00:22:16,680 Amen. 55 00:22:44,680 --> 00:22:46,680 Amen. 56 00:23:14,680 --> 00:23:16,680 Amen. 57 00:33:14,680 --> 00:33:42,680 All right, in just a moment, we'll be in the 14th chapter of the Gospel of John, and we'll get there in just a moment. 58 00:33:42,680 --> 00:33:51,680 Let's go ahead and have another word of prayer. Father in Heaven, I thank You for Your Word, Your People, Your Church, and Your Spirit. 59 00:33:51,680 --> 00:34:10,680 This morning, as we seek to understand more of how You have equipped us through the work of Your Spirit, we just ask for understanding, for clarity, most of all for encouragement and strength. 60 00:34:10,680 --> 00:34:18,680 This morning, if we are struggling and hurting, remind us that we are not alone. If we feel like we're not strong enough, remind us that You are. 61 00:34:18,680 --> 00:34:31,680 If we feel like we are too broken, would You bring to us the good news of the Gospel, that in Jesus, our sins are taken away, and that there is hope and life. 62 00:34:31,680 --> 00:34:38,680 And so we thank You for what You have done for us. It's in Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 63 00:34:38,680 --> 00:34:48,680 So this week, as I was getting ready on Tuesday to do some cooking, in preparation for Wednesday, 64 00:34:48,680 --> 00:34:55,680 one of the things I've been noticing about my smoker is that it was having trouble getting to the temperature I needed it at, 65 00:34:55,680 --> 00:35:01,680 and then in some cases having trouble maintaining that temperature. And so, you know, I talked to a neighbor, 66 00:35:01,680 --> 00:35:07,680 and one of the things that happens on this particular type of smoker is there is a fan that circulates the air, 67 00:35:07,680 --> 00:35:12,680 and I hadn't thought anything about it because you can hear the fan running. But what it does is over time 68 00:35:12,680 --> 00:35:20,680 and over the years that I have had it, right, the fan begins to grow weaker, and so the air doesn't circulate as much, 69 00:35:20,680 --> 00:35:26,680 and so it takes a little bit more fire to get to the temperature you need. It doesn't quite stay as even. 70 00:35:26,680 --> 00:35:36,680 I said, "Well, that's a simple solution," and so I just got on Amazon, ordered a replacement fan for like $6.95. It was there the next day. 71 00:35:36,680 --> 00:35:44,680 "You know what? This is going to be pretty easy," and we all know famous last words on that, and so I did what everybody does 72 00:35:44,680 --> 00:35:49,680 when they're getting ready to fix something is I looked up a YouTube video, and in the YouTube video, I was like, 73 00:35:49,680 --> 00:35:56,680 "Pull this screw. Pull that screw." Now, I just kind of watched it, didn't really listen to it. Just kind of watched it, said, 74 00:35:56,680 --> 00:36:05,680 "Okay, pull this screw. It seems like it's super self-explanatory." You know, I've used a screwdriver before. I think I can handle this, and so on Tuesday, 75 00:36:05,680 --> 00:36:13,680 afternoon, I'm tearing my entire grill apart to replace this fan, and at some point, I realized that the part that's 76 00:36:13,680 --> 00:36:22,680 supposed to come off to get to the fan isn't coming off to get to the fan, and I am, at this point, insanely tired 77 00:36:22,680 --> 00:36:28,680 and insanely frustrated, so I sit down for a minute, and I said, "All right. Well, let's figure out where the fan is," 78 00:36:28,680 --> 00:36:33,680 and it turns out that on this grill, it's far more simple to get to the fan. There's just like four little bolts 79 00:36:33,680 --> 00:36:38,680 underneath, and you take it apart and drop the fan out, put the new one in. I said, "Okay." So I put everything 80 00:36:38,680 --> 00:36:43,680 back together, did all my normal grill maintenance. It's nice and clean, and I get down, and I'm sitting 81 00:36:43,680 --> 00:36:47,680 in the chair, kind of reaching underneath, taking out all the bolts, and I get ready to take out the fan, and I 82 00:36:47,680 --> 00:36:53,680 get the first two screws out, and I'm like, "Oh, this is going great," and I go to take the next two out, but 83 00:36:53,680 --> 00:37:00,680 unfortunately, they're under sort of this metal lip, so the grill comes down here, and over here is the 84 00:37:00,680 --> 00:37:05,680 screws that I need to take out, and unfortunately, you know, it's like, "Man, I can't get my 85 00:37:05,680 --> 00:37:09,680 screwdriver in there." I tried, like, some kind of little bendy thing to let you use a screwdriver 86 00:37:09,680 --> 00:37:16,680 on an angle. It was too tight to get in there, and at this point, I'm like, "You know what? I'll just 87 00:37:16,680 --> 00:37:21,680 put it back together. I got to cook food for Wednesday. It'll be fine." I'll figure it out. So there I am. 88 00:37:21,680 --> 00:37:29,680 I look like I've been through war. I'm incredibly hot, incredibly tired, incredibly sweaty, and I'm just 89 00:37:29,680 --> 00:37:34,680 like, "I don't understand. This was supposed to be easy. It's taken me three hours, and I am 90 00:37:34,680 --> 00:37:43,680 done." And it just seemed like a lot of heartache for no accomplishment. And I think, for some 91 00:37:43,680 --> 00:37:49,680 of us as Christians, the Christian life can, at times, feel like nothing's working the way 92 00:37:49,680 --> 00:37:58,680 that it's supposed to, nothing's fitting where it's supposed to go, and we are tired, and we are discouraged, and 93 00:37:58,680 --> 00:38:05,680 we are worn out, and we're simply saying, "Man, I just, I don't know what's going on. I'm struggling 94 00:38:05,680 --> 00:38:10,680 to understand. I'm trying to follow Christ, grow in my sanctification. I'm trying to be 95 00:38:10,680 --> 00:38:17,680 more loving, more patient, more gentle. I'm still struggling with sin." And all of these 96 00:38:17,680 --> 00:38:24,680 struggles and questions. Now, here's the thing about my grill. Later on Wednesday evening, I 97 00:38:24,680 --> 00:38:30,680 was talking to my neighbor who has the very same grill, and I was telling him about my 98 00:38:30,680 --> 00:38:34,680 problems with the fan. I said, "Well, you replaced your fan." I said, "I tried to replace mine, tore 99 00:38:34,680 --> 00:38:38,680 it all apart, put it back together, couldn't get the two screws out underneath." And he 100 00:38:38,680 --> 00:38:42,680 looks at me, and he goes, "Hey, guess what? You look a little closer. There's some 101 00:38:42,680 --> 00:38:47,680 holes in the middle, and you can just stick a screwdriver right up through there, and it 102 00:38:47,680 --> 00:38:52,680 pops out in about two and a half seconds." And I am just like, at that point, I've gone 103 00:38:52,680 --> 00:39:00,680 from just frustrated, now I'm just mad. Not really mad at anybody, just mad. And here's 104 00:39:00,680 --> 00:39:06,680 the thing. As I was working on that grill on Tuesday, I thought, "Maybe I should give 105 00:39:06,680 --> 00:39:14,680 him a call and ask him a question about this." And guess what I did? Not that, right? And 106 00:39:14,680 --> 00:39:20,680 here we are as Christians, and maybe we're struggling to understand how the 107 00:39:20,680 --> 00:39:24,680 Christian life works. Struggling to understand where our strength and our hope 108 00:39:24,680 --> 00:39:36,680 comes from. But here is the wonderful reality. There is someone that we can go to. And 109 00:39:36,680 --> 00:39:41,680 maybe we've been trying to do it in our own strength and by ourselves. And maybe as 110 00:39:41,680 --> 00:39:48,680 Christians, or maybe as a church as a whole, we haven't been considering the fact that God 111 00:39:48,680 --> 00:39:56,680 has provided for us through the gift of the Holy Spirit. And this can be something that is 112 00:39:56,680 --> 00:40:03,680 hard for us to understand. Something as wonderful as the Holy Spirit, the third 113 00:40:03,680 --> 00:40:10,680 member of the Trinity. And we struggle, I think, sometimes in our understanding. And 114 00:40:10,680 --> 00:40:16,680 so what I want to do this week and the two weeks that follow this is I want us 115 00:40:16,680 --> 00:40:20,680 to try to understand more deeply, not just simply in an intellectual 116 00:40:20,680 --> 00:40:24,680 way, but in a way that encourages us and strengthens us, that 117 00:40:24,680 --> 00:40:28,680 calls us to follow Jesus more deeply, to leave 118 00:40:28,680 --> 00:40:32,680 sin aside with more fervor, 119 00:40:32,680 --> 00:40:36,680 to work for the kingdom with more energy. 120 00:40:36,680 --> 00:40:40,680 And so to do that and seek to understand, we're going to begin in 121 00:40:40,680 --> 00:40:44,680 John chapter 14, a verse we read just a little bit ago. 122 00:40:44,680 --> 00:40:48,680 So in John chapter 14 beginning, 123 00:40:48,680 --> 00:40:50,680 well maybe, 124 00:40:50,680 --> 00:40:54,680 in verse 16, and I'm going to read down 125 00:40:54,680 --> 00:40:56,680 through verse 18, hear what Jesus 126 00:40:56,680 --> 00:40:58,680 says, "I will ask the Father, 127 00:40:58,680 --> 00:41:00,680 and He will give you another 128 00:41:00,680 --> 00:41:02,680 Helper, one to be with you forever, 129 00:41:02,680 --> 00:41:04,680 even the Spirit 130 00:41:04,680 --> 00:41:06,680 of truth, whom the world cannot receive, 131 00:41:06,680 --> 00:41:08,680 because it neither sees Him nor 132 00:41:08,680 --> 00:41:10,680 knows Him. You know Him, for He 133 00:41:10,680 --> 00:41:12,680 dwells with you and 134 00:41:12,680 --> 00:41:14,680 will be in you. I leave you not as 135 00:41:14,680 --> 00:41:16,680 orphans. I will come 136 00:41:16,680 --> 00:41:18,680 to you." 137 00:41:18,680 --> 00:41:20,680 One of the things about this 138 00:41:20,680 --> 00:41:22,680 particular passage of Scripture is that 139 00:41:22,680 --> 00:41:24,680 it is built upon a foundation of 140 00:41:24,680 --> 00:41:26,680 love. In this, chapters that 141 00:41:26,680 --> 00:41:28,680 proceed in John 13 and into 142 00:41:28,680 --> 00:41:30,680 the beginning of John 14, Jesus 143 00:41:30,680 --> 00:41:32,680 has talked about His love. 144 00:41:32,680 --> 00:41:34,680 He has demonstrated His love. 145 00:41:34,680 --> 00:41:36,680 He's called us to love one another. 146 00:41:36,680 --> 00:41:38,680 And the verse that precedes 147 00:41:38,680 --> 00:41:40,680 this in verse 15, He 148 00:41:40,680 --> 00:41:42,680 explained to us that when we 149 00:41:42,680 --> 00:41:44,680 love Him, it's not just a 150 00:41:44,680 --> 00:41:46,680 love of words, but it is a 151 00:41:46,680 --> 00:41:48,680 love that is practically played 152 00:41:48,680 --> 00:41:50,680 out in how we live. That in our obedience 153 00:41:50,680 --> 00:41:52,680 to Him, we see our 154 00:41:52,680 --> 00:41:54,680 love for 155 00:41:54,680 --> 00:41:56,680 Jesus. And so 156 00:41:56,680 --> 00:41:58,680 underneath all of this 157 00:41:58,680 --> 00:42:00,680 promise 158 00:42:00,680 --> 00:42:02,680 of the Spirit is love 159 00:42:02,680 --> 00:42:04,680 is both the moving and the motivating 160 00:42:04,680 --> 00:42:06,680 force. 161 00:42:06,680 --> 00:42:08,680 And in order to understand our text 162 00:42:08,680 --> 00:42:10,680 this morning, we need to understand just a little bit 163 00:42:10,680 --> 00:42:12,680 of what is happening. Jesus 164 00:42:12,680 --> 00:42:14,680 is in the middle of celebrating Passover 165 00:42:14,680 --> 00:42:16,680 with His disciples, but not just 166 00:42:16,680 --> 00:42:18,680 another yearly celebration of 167 00:42:18,680 --> 00:42:20,680 Passover, this Jewish feast. 168 00:42:20,680 --> 00:42:22,680 We also know this meal 169 00:42:22,680 --> 00:42:24,680 as the Last Supper, because it is the 170 00:42:24,680 --> 00:42:26,680 last time that Jesus eats with His 171 00:42:26,680 --> 00:42:28,680 disciples. After this meal, 172 00:42:28,680 --> 00:42:30,680 they'll sing a hymn, 173 00:42:30,680 --> 00:42:32,680 they'll go out into 174 00:42:32,680 --> 00:42:34,680 the garden, they will pray, 175 00:42:34,680 --> 00:42:36,680 and in the middle of the night 176 00:42:36,680 --> 00:42:38,680 you hear the boots of the soldiers 177 00:42:38,680 --> 00:42:40,680 coming to arrest Jesus, who then 178 00:42:40,680 --> 00:42:42,680 will be tried. 179 00:42:42,680 --> 00:42:44,680 Three times by Jewish authorities, 180 00:42:44,680 --> 00:42:46,680 three times by the Roman authorities, 181 00:42:46,680 --> 00:42:48,680 He will be flogged 182 00:42:48,680 --> 00:42:50,680 and mocked, 183 00:42:50,680 --> 00:42:52,680 and then He will carry His cross, 184 00:42:52,680 --> 00:42:54,680 stumbling under its weight 185 00:42:54,680 --> 00:42:56,680 to where He is 186 00:42:56,680 --> 00:42:58,680 crucified. 187 00:42:58,680 --> 00:43:00,680 That's sort of the big context 188 00:43:00,680 --> 00:43:02,680 of what this passage finds itself 189 00:43:02,680 --> 00:43:04,680 in, and so see, these are some 190 00:43:04,680 --> 00:43:06,680 last words of Jesus before He 191 00:43:06,680 --> 00:43:08,680 goes to the cross. These chapters 192 00:43:08,680 --> 00:43:10,680 in John record for us 193 00:43:10,680 --> 00:43:12,680 these precious moments, John 14, 194 00:43:12,680 --> 00:43:16,680 15, 16, and 17. 195 00:43:16,680 --> 00:43:18,680 And now the immediate context 196 00:43:18,680 --> 00:43:20,680 of this 197 00:43:20,680 --> 00:43:22,680 is that Jesus has told 198 00:43:22,680 --> 00:43:24,680 the disciples that He 199 00:43:24,680 --> 00:43:26,680 is about to leave, 200 00:43:26,680 --> 00:43:28,680 and this goes about how you would expect. 201 00:43:28,680 --> 00:43:30,680 In John chapter 14 202 00:43:30,680 --> 00:43:32,680 at the very beginning, Jesus says this, 203 00:43:32,680 --> 00:43:34,680 "Let not your hearts be troubled. 204 00:43:34,680 --> 00:43:36,680 Believe in God. Believe also in 205 00:43:36,680 --> 00:43:38,680 Me. In My Father's house are many 206 00:43:38,680 --> 00:43:40,680 rooms. If it were not so, 207 00:43:40,680 --> 00:43:42,680 would I have told you that I go to 208 00:43:42,680 --> 00:43:44,680 prepare a place for you." 209 00:43:44,680 --> 00:43:46,680 And so Jesus says, "I am going to 210 00:43:46,680 --> 00:43:48,680 prepare a place for you," and there's sort of this 211 00:43:48,680 --> 00:43:50,680 logical response from 212 00:43:50,680 --> 00:43:52,680 the disciples is, "Where are you going? 213 00:43:52,680 --> 00:43:54,680 How do we get there?" 214 00:43:54,680 --> 00:43:56,680 And Thomas, a guy who frequently 215 00:43:56,680 --> 00:43:58,680 sort of has a bad 216 00:43:58,680 --> 00:44:00,680 reputation because after the 217 00:44:00,680 --> 00:44:02,680 resurrection he struggles 218 00:44:02,680 --> 00:44:04,680 to believe without seeing the hard 219 00:44:04,680 --> 00:44:06,680 evidence of Jesus and his 220 00:44:06,680 --> 00:44:08,680 wounds. One of the remarkable 221 00:44:08,680 --> 00:44:10,680 things about Thomas is it seems biblically 222 00:44:10,680 --> 00:44:12,680 in the other two accounts we read 223 00:44:12,680 --> 00:44:14,680 about him is that he's somebody who wants 224 00:44:14,680 --> 00:44:16,680 to be where Jesus 225 00:44:16,680 --> 00:44:18,680 is. And so in verse 5 226 00:44:18,680 --> 00:44:20,680 Thomas says this, 227 00:44:20,680 --> 00:44:22,680 "Lord, we do not know where 228 00:44:22,680 --> 00:44:24,680 you are going. How can we know 229 00:44:24,680 --> 00:44:26,680 the way?" And you can 230 00:44:26,680 --> 00:44:28,680 kind of hear it in Thomas' question 231 00:44:28,680 --> 00:44:30,680 and his voice is like, "Jesus, 232 00:44:30,680 --> 00:44:32,680 we want to be near you. We want to be with 233 00:44:32,680 --> 00:44:34,680 you. What are we going to do 234 00:44:34,680 --> 00:44:36,680 without you?" 235 00:44:36,680 --> 00:44:38,680 And these disciples who have given 236 00:44:38,680 --> 00:44:40,680 the last three years of their 237 00:44:40,680 --> 00:44:42,680 life, who have traveled 238 00:44:42,680 --> 00:44:44,680 risking everything, set 239 00:44:44,680 --> 00:44:46,680 aside their careers and their incomes, 240 00:44:46,680 --> 00:44:48,680 put their lives and families 241 00:44:48,680 --> 00:44:50,680 and their plans all sort of on a hold 242 00:44:50,680 --> 00:44:52,680 and have traveled and learned 243 00:44:52,680 --> 00:44:54,680 and worked and been with 244 00:44:54,680 --> 00:44:56,680 Jesus are 245 00:44:56,680 --> 00:44:58,680 now facing this moment. And in their hearts 246 00:44:58,680 --> 00:45:00,680 there is this fear. 247 00:45:00,680 --> 00:45:02,680 Jesus has been the one who has 248 00:45:02,680 --> 00:45:04,680 protected and provided and brought hope 249 00:45:04,680 --> 00:45:06,680 and power and guidance. 250 00:45:06,680 --> 00:45:08,680 And so it's into this 251 00:45:08,680 --> 00:45:10,680 context of a 252 00:45:10,680 --> 00:45:12,680 group of followers of Jesus 253 00:45:12,680 --> 00:45:14,680 who are unsure of what 254 00:45:14,680 --> 00:45:16,680 the future holds and are 255 00:45:16,680 --> 00:45:18,680 saying, "How can we do 256 00:45:18,680 --> 00:45:20,680 this without you? 257 00:45:20,680 --> 00:45:22,680 If you are going away, how can we 258 00:45:22,680 --> 00:45:24,680 survive?" 259 00:45:24,680 --> 00:45:26,680 And so Jesus 260 00:45:26,680 --> 00:45:28,680 speaks to them 261 00:45:28,680 --> 00:45:30,680 both the comfort 262 00:45:30,680 --> 00:45:32,680 to teach 263 00:45:32,680 --> 00:45:34,680 and encourage them. 264 00:45:34,680 --> 00:45:36,680 And he starts 265 00:45:36,680 --> 00:45:38,680 by reminding them that they are not alone 266 00:45:38,680 --> 00:45:40,680 and reminding us 267 00:45:40,680 --> 00:45:42,680 that we are 268 00:45:42,680 --> 00:45:44,680 not alone. See, being alone 269 00:45:44,680 --> 00:45:46,680 sometimes can be kind of interesting because 270 00:45:46,680 --> 00:45:48,680 in the short term, sometimes it's nice 271 00:45:48,680 --> 00:45:50,680 to be alone, right? We like 272 00:45:50,680 --> 00:45:52,680 the quiet. 273 00:45:52,680 --> 00:45:54,680 Like the lack of distractions 274 00:45:54,680 --> 00:45:56,680 and there are times where you just want to drink 275 00:45:56,680 --> 00:45:58,680 your coffee in peace all by yourself. 276 00:45:58,680 --> 00:46:00,680 You just want to be alone. And maybe that's 277 00:46:00,680 --> 00:46:02,680 because I'm an introvert, but sometimes 278 00:46:02,680 --> 00:46:04,680 I find great joy 279 00:46:04,680 --> 00:46:06,680 in being alone. 280 00:46:06,680 --> 00:46:08,680 But over time 281 00:46:08,680 --> 00:46:10,680 it becomes a struggle to be 282 00:46:10,680 --> 00:46:12,680 alone. Because sometimes 283 00:46:12,680 --> 00:46:14,680 we need help, sometimes we need to talk to people. 284 00:46:14,680 --> 00:46:16,680 What we find 285 00:46:16,680 --> 00:46:18,680 in life is that those big 286 00:46:18,680 --> 00:46:20,680 struggles and hurts are always 287 00:46:20,680 --> 00:46:22,680 scarier 288 00:46:22,680 --> 00:46:24,680 when we're alone. 289 00:46:24,680 --> 00:46:26,680 And alone is always worse when 290 00:46:26,680 --> 00:46:28,680 we're facing something that is far bigger than we 291 00:46:28,680 --> 00:46:30,680 are. So I want you to 292 00:46:30,680 --> 00:46:32,680 listen to Jesus' words 293 00:46:32,680 --> 00:46:34,680 here in verse 16. 294 00:46:34,680 --> 00:46:36,680 "I will ask the Father, and He will 295 00:46:36,680 --> 00:46:38,680 give to you another 296 00:46:38,680 --> 00:46:40,680 helper to be with you 297 00:46:40,680 --> 00:46:42,680 forever." He says 298 00:46:42,680 --> 00:46:44,680 "I'm not leaving you alone." In fact, in verse 18 299 00:46:44,680 --> 00:46:46,680 He will say, "I'm not going to leave you 300 00:46:46,680 --> 00:46:48,680 as orphans, without 301 00:46:48,680 --> 00:46:50,680 protection, without provision, without 302 00:46:50,680 --> 00:46:52,680 power, without guidance, without 303 00:46:52,680 --> 00:46:54,680 hope, that you are 304 00:46:54,680 --> 00:46:58,680 not alone." 305 00:46:58,680 --> 00:47:00,680 And we might say, "Well, that's great 306 00:47:00,680 --> 00:47:02,680 for the disciples, 307 00:47:02,680 --> 00:47:04,680 those who are close to Jesus." 308 00:47:04,680 --> 00:47:06,680 Of course, we can see Him 309 00:47:06,680 --> 00:47:08,680 pouring out His Spirit on those 310 00:47:08,680 --> 00:47:10,680 who He has taught and been with for three 311 00:47:10,680 --> 00:47:12,680 years, but what about me? 312 00:47:12,680 --> 00:47:14,680 Paul makes 313 00:47:14,680 --> 00:47:16,680 it so very clear, 314 00:47:16,680 --> 00:47:20,680 not just in Romans, but in the rest 315 00:47:20,680 --> 00:47:24,680 of the New Testament, from the book of Acts, 316 00:47:24,680 --> 00:47:26,680 and through the rest of the epistles, that God's 317 00:47:26,680 --> 00:47:28,680 people 318 00:47:28,680 --> 00:47:30,680 are given the gift of the Spirit. Listen to 319 00:47:30,680 --> 00:47:32,680 what Paul says in Romans 8. We read this a little bit earlier. 320 00:47:32,680 --> 00:47:34,680 Romans 8:9, we read this a bit earlier. 321 00:47:34,680 --> 00:47:36,680 "You, however, are not 322 00:47:36,680 --> 00:47:38,680 in the flesh, but in the Spirit. If, in fact, 323 00:47:38,680 --> 00:47:40,680 the Spirit of God dwells in you, 324 00:47:40,680 --> 00:47:42,680 anyone who does not have the Spirit 325 00:47:42,680 --> 00:47:44,680 of Christ does not belong to Him." 326 00:47:44,680 --> 00:47:46,680 Now, Paul lists it there, in sort of 327 00:47:46,680 --> 00:47:48,680 the negative, saying if you don't have the 328 00:47:48,680 --> 00:47:50,680 Spirit, you're not in Christ. The implication 329 00:47:50,680 --> 00:47:52,680 is, is that if you are 330 00:47:52,680 --> 00:47:54,680 a Christian, if you are in Christ, 331 00:47:54,680 --> 00:47:56,680 you do have 332 00:47:56,680 --> 00:47:58,680 the Spirit. Look at verse 333 00:47:58,680 --> 00:48:00,680 14. "For all 334 00:48:00,680 --> 00:48:02,680 who are led by the Spirit 335 00:48:02,680 --> 00:48:04,680 are sons of God." 336 00:48:04,680 --> 00:48:06,680 Paul, in Corinthians, 337 00:48:06,680 --> 00:48:08,680 talking about righteousness 338 00:48:08,680 --> 00:48:10,680 and leaving behind sin, 339 00:48:10,680 --> 00:48:12,680 his argument is that we are the temple. Our 340 00:48:12,680 --> 00:48:14,680 bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. 341 00:48:14,680 --> 00:48:16,680 Ephesians 2, the church is being 342 00:48:16,680 --> 00:48:18,680 built together by the 343 00:48:18,680 --> 00:48:20,680 power of the Spirit. We see, throughout 344 00:48:20,680 --> 00:48:22,680 the New Testament, in our salvation, 345 00:48:22,680 --> 00:48:24,680 our struggles, our sanctification, 346 00:48:24,680 --> 00:48:26,680 the 347 00:48:26,680 --> 00:48:28,680 Spirit is at work 348 00:48:28,680 --> 00:48:30,680 in our lives. 349 00:48:30,680 --> 00:48:32,680 The 350 00:48:32,680 --> 00:48:34,680 disciples fear that they are going to be 351 00:48:34,680 --> 00:48:36,680 left alone, and so do we. 352 00:48:36,680 --> 00:48:38,680 But the promise 353 00:48:38,680 --> 00:48:40,680 is that we are not without protection, 354 00:48:40,680 --> 00:48:42,680 without provision. We are not 355 00:48:42,680 --> 00:48:44,680 without hope, without power, 356 00:48:44,680 --> 00:48:46,680 guidance, and assurance. 357 00:48:46,680 --> 00:48:48,680 Now, we also 358 00:48:48,680 --> 00:48:50,680 need to understand what kind 359 00:48:50,680 --> 00:48:52,680 of not alone we are. Because 360 00:48:52,680 --> 00:48:54,680 there's kinds of not alone. Maybe 361 00:48:54,680 --> 00:48:56,680 they're funny, right? You're having pizza 362 00:48:56,680 --> 00:48:58,680 with the family, and somebody goes, 363 00:48:58,680 --> 00:49:00,680 "I don't think we're alone." And you look over 364 00:49:00,680 --> 00:49:02,680 in the corner, and there's your German Shepherd 365 00:49:02,680 --> 00:49:04,680 with really sad eyes, 366 00:49:04,680 --> 00:49:06,680 just eyeing that pizza, right? 367 00:49:06,680 --> 00:49:08,680 But then there's kind of a 368 00:49:08,680 --> 00:49:10,680 not alone that's terrifying, right? Maybe we've 369 00:49:10,680 --> 00:49:12,680 seen that movie, and they're out 370 00:49:12,680 --> 00:49:14,680 in the jungle somewhere, and it's like, "I don't think 371 00:49:14,680 --> 00:49:16,680 we're alone," right? That's never a 372 00:49:16,680 --> 00:49:18,680 good kind of not being 373 00:49:18,680 --> 00:49:20,680 alone. So what 374 00:49:20,680 --> 00:49:22,680 kind of not alone 375 00:49:22,680 --> 00:49:24,680 are God's people? There 376 00:49:24,680 --> 00:49:26,680 is a kind of not alone 377 00:49:26,680 --> 00:49:28,680 that is wonderful, 378 00:49:28,680 --> 00:49:30,680 that is welcome. 379 00:49:30,680 --> 00:49:32,680 Listen to what is said 380 00:49:32,680 --> 00:49:34,680 here in verse 16. 381 00:49:34,680 --> 00:49:36,680 It says that we are 382 00:49:36,680 --> 00:49:38,680 given another helper. 383 00:49:38,680 --> 00:49:40,680 We'll ask the Father, and He will give 384 00:49:40,680 --> 00:49:42,680 to you another helper 385 00:49:42,680 --> 00:49:44,680 to be with you forever. 386 00:49:44,680 --> 00:49:46,680 And I just want to take 387 00:49:46,680 --> 00:49:48,680 that title, that name 388 00:49:48,680 --> 00:49:50,680 for the Holy Spirit, or the Spirit 389 00:49:50,680 --> 00:49:52,680 of God. 390 00:49:52,680 --> 00:49:54,680 And I want to unpack it just for a moment 391 00:49:54,680 --> 00:49:56,680 to help us understand the 392 00:49:56,680 --> 00:49:58,680 magnitude of what is happening 393 00:49:58,680 --> 00:50:00,680 in the lives of God's people 394 00:50:00,680 --> 00:50:02,680 as the 395 00:50:02,680 --> 00:50:04,680 Spirit is at work within 396 00:50:04,680 --> 00:50:06,680 us. The picture here 397 00:50:06,680 --> 00:50:08,680 is another helper. 398 00:50:08,680 --> 00:50:10,680 That word "another" literally means 399 00:50:10,680 --> 00:50:12,680 "one of the same kind." 400 00:50:12,680 --> 00:50:14,680 So when you're at breakfast, 401 00:50:14,680 --> 00:50:16,680 and they come by your table and say, 402 00:50:16,680 --> 00:50:18,680 "Hey, do you want another coffee?" 403 00:50:18,680 --> 00:50:20,680 And you say, "Absolutely." Right? 404 00:50:20,680 --> 00:50:22,680 You're just asking for the same thing that you already 405 00:50:22,680 --> 00:50:24,680 had. And when Jesus 406 00:50:24,680 --> 00:50:26,680 says, "I'm sending you another 407 00:50:26,680 --> 00:50:28,680 helper," 408 00:50:28,680 --> 00:50:32,680 it means there's one that has come 409 00:50:32,680 --> 00:50:34,680 prior to it. And what Jesus 410 00:50:34,680 --> 00:50:36,680 saying is, "You have a helper, me. 411 00:50:36,680 --> 00:50:38,680 God the Son. 412 00:50:38,680 --> 00:50:42,680 I'm getting ready 413 00:50:42,680 --> 00:50:44,680 to leave, and so I'm going to send 414 00:50:44,680 --> 00:50:46,680 the Holy Spirit." And what that 415 00:50:46,680 --> 00:50:48,680 means for God's people is there is someone who 416 00:50:48,680 --> 00:50:50,680 does 417 00:50:50,680 --> 00:50:52,680 in His presence 418 00:50:52,680 --> 00:50:54,680 what Jesus did in His presence for the 419 00:50:54,680 --> 00:50:56,680 disciples. Someone who 420 00:50:56,680 --> 00:50:58,680 strengthens, who provides, who protects, who 421 00:50:58,680 --> 00:51:00,680 teaches, who corrects, who leads. 422 00:51:00,680 --> 00:51:02,680 And 423 00:51:02,680 --> 00:51:04,680 there's this beautiful 424 00:51:04,680 --> 00:51:06,680 symmetry throughout 425 00:51:06,680 --> 00:51:08,680 Scripture that points to the wonder 426 00:51:08,680 --> 00:51:10,680 of the design as Scripture 427 00:51:10,680 --> 00:51:12,680 is inspired. 428 00:51:12,680 --> 00:51:14,680 Let me show you a picture 429 00:51:14,680 --> 00:51:16,680 of this, another helper. The one who 430 00:51:16,680 --> 00:51:18,680 does the same things for His people 431 00:51:18,680 --> 00:51:20,680 that Jesus does. 432 00:51:20,680 --> 00:51:22,680 In Luke chapter 433 00:51:22,680 --> 00:51:24,680 2, verses 25 and 26, 434 00:51:24,680 --> 00:51:26,680 Jesus has just been born. 435 00:51:26,680 --> 00:51:28,680 They're taking Him to the temple 436 00:51:28,680 --> 00:51:30,680 to be dedicated. 437 00:51:30,680 --> 00:51:32,680 It says this in Luke chapter 2, 25 and 26. 438 00:51:32,680 --> 00:51:34,680 Now there was a man in Jerusalem 439 00:51:34,680 --> 00:51:36,680 whose name was Simeon, and this man 440 00:51:36,680 --> 00:51:38,680 was righteous and devout, 441 00:51:38,680 --> 00:51:40,680 and waiting for the 442 00:51:40,680 --> 00:51:42,680 consolation of Israel. 443 00:51:42,680 --> 00:51:44,680 And the Holy Spirit was upon him, 444 00:51:44,680 --> 00:51:46,680 and it had been revealed to him by the Holy 445 00:51:46,680 --> 00:51:48,680 Spirit that he would not see 446 00:51:48,680 --> 00:51:50,680 death before he had seen 447 00:51:50,680 --> 00:51:54,680 the Lord's Christ. 448 00:51:54,680 --> 00:51:56,680 And so that word, 449 00:51:56,680 --> 00:51:58,680 consolation, is the word that I want 450 00:51:58,680 --> 00:52:02,680 zoom in on here 451 00:52:02,680 --> 00:52:04,680 in the Gospel of Luke. 452 00:52:04,680 --> 00:52:06,680 And the picture here is that it's sort of this 453 00:52:06,680 --> 00:52:08,680 earnest request, or an 454 00:52:08,680 --> 00:52:10,680 earnest appeal for help. 455 00:52:10,680 --> 00:52:12,680 And so the consolation of Israel 456 00:52:12,680 --> 00:52:14,680 is the one who is coming to meet 457 00:52:14,680 --> 00:52:16,680 that earnest appeal 458 00:52:16,680 --> 00:52:18,680 and request. And so Simeon, 459 00:52:18,680 --> 00:52:20,680 who is righteous and devout, 460 00:52:20,680 --> 00:52:22,680 and he has been praying, 461 00:52:22,680 --> 00:52:24,680 and he's been saying, "God, send the one 462 00:52:24,680 --> 00:52:26,680 who is going to come, and who's 463 00:52:26,680 --> 00:52:28,680 going to help, and who is going to 464 00:52:28,680 --> 00:52:30,680 comfort, and who is going to be there 465 00:52:30,680 --> 00:52:32,680 for your people." And the Holy Spirit 466 00:52:32,680 --> 00:52:34,680 says that it's going to happen 467 00:52:34,680 --> 00:52:36,680 in your lifetime. 468 00:52:36,680 --> 00:52:38,680 You're not going to see death until 469 00:52:38,680 --> 00:52:40,680 you see the Christ, who is going to be 470 00:52:40,680 --> 00:52:42,680 the one who comforts 471 00:52:42,680 --> 00:52:44,680 God's 472 00:52:44,680 --> 00:52:46,680 people. 473 00:52:46,680 --> 00:52:48,680 And so the Spirit promises 474 00:52:48,680 --> 00:52:50,680 that this consolation is going 475 00:52:50,680 --> 00:52:52,680 to be met in the person of 476 00:52:52,680 --> 00:52:54,680 Jesus Christ. 477 00:52:54,680 --> 00:52:56,680 Now here's where the symmetry 478 00:52:56,680 --> 00:52:58,680 comes in. As 479 00:52:58,680 --> 00:53:00,680 Jesus is born, 480 00:53:00,680 --> 00:53:02,680 and about to be dedicated, 481 00:53:02,680 --> 00:53:04,680 the Holy Spirit 482 00:53:04,680 --> 00:53:06,680 reveals to Simeon 483 00:53:06,680 --> 00:53:08,680 that the one who comforts 484 00:53:08,680 --> 00:53:10,680 Israel is about to arrive. 485 00:53:10,680 --> 00:53:12,680 Now Jesus, as he is about 486 00:53:12,680 --> 00:53:14,680 to depart, to go to 487 00:53:14,680 --> 00:53:16,680 the cross, to die, be buried, 488 00:53:16,680 --> 00:53:18,680 rise again, and eventually ascend 489 00:53:18,680 --> 00:53:20,680 into heaven, is now promising 490 00:53:20,680 --> 00:53:22,680 to his disciples that 491 00:53:22,680 --> 00:53:24,680 the Comforter 492 00:53:24,680 --> 00:53:26,680 is going to come. 493 00:53:26,680 --> 00:53:28,680 And so at the beginning of the Gospels, 494 00:53:28,680 --> 00:53:30,680 the Holy Spirit promises 495 00:53:30,680 --> 00:53:32,680 the comfort of the Messiah. 496 00:53:32,680 --> 00:53:34,680 And at the end of the Gospels, 497 00:53:34,680 --> 00:53:36,680 the Messiah promises 498 00:53:36,680 --> 00:53:38,680 the comfort of the Holy Spirit 499 00:53:38,680 --> 00:53:40,680 to God's people. 500 00:53:40,680 --> 00:53:42,680 And so there is one 501 00:53:42,680 --> 00:53:44,680 who just 502 00:53:44,680 --> 00:53:46,680 as Jesus walked with his disciples, 503 00:53:46,680 --> 00:53:48,680 God the Son, God the Spirit 504 00:53:48,680 --> 00:53:50,680 indwells his people 505 00:53:50,680 --> 00:53:52,680 and strengthens and corrects and teaches 506 00:53:52,680 --> 00:53:54,680 and helps them. 507 00:53:54,680 --> 00:53:56,680 Let's zoom in on this 508 00:53:56,680 --> 00:53:58,680 word, helper. 509 00:53:58,680 --> 00:54:00,680 And this word helper 510 00:54:00,680 --> 00:54:02,680 in the English Standard Version, 511 00:54:02,680 --> 00:54:04,680 it's been translated in a bunch of different ways. Helper, 512 00:54:04,680 --> 00:54:06,680 advocate, I think in the New American Standard, 513 00:54:06,680 --> 00:54:08,680 comforter 514 00:54:08,680 --> 00:54:10,680 in the King James. 515 00:54:10,680 --> 00:54:12,680 All these different ways 516 00:54:12,680 --> 00:54:14,680 that this word in John 517 00:54:14,680 --> 00:54:16,680 is translated, whether it's helper, 518 00:54:16,680 --> 00:54:18,680 comforter, advocate, they're all 519 00:54:18,680 --> 00:54:20,480 trying to help us see 520 00:54:20,680 --> 00:54:22,680 the same work of 521 00:54:22,680 --> 00:54:24,680 the Spirit using different words. 522 00:54:24,680 --> 00:54:26,680 And the picture of this word in Greek is 523 00:54:26,680 --> 00:54:28,680 literally someone who comes 524 00:54:28,680 --> 00:54:30,680 alongside you, specifically 525 00:54:30,680 --> 00:54:32,680 as you're walking into 526 00:54:32,680 --> 00:54:34,680 the darkest day of your life, which is walking 527 00:54:34,680 --> 00:54:36,680 into court, unsure 528 00:54:36,680 --> 00:54:38,680 of what is going to happen. And so 529 00:54:38,680 --> 00:54:40,680 the word is paraclete, it just means someone who 530 00:54:40,680 --> 00:54:42,680 comes alongside you. And so 531 00:54:42,680 --> 00:54:44,680 your defense counsel, your lawyer, 532 00:54:44,680 --> 00:54:46,680 your advisors, they stand 533 00:54:46,680 --> 00:54:48,680 not far from you, but with you 534 00:54:48,680 --> 00:54:50,680 they guide you, and they help you 535 00:54:50,680 --> 00:54:54,680 in that moment. 536 00:54:54,680 --> 00:54:56,680 So the heart of this word is someone who comes 537 00:54:56,680 --> 00:55:00,680 into court to defend on your behalf. 538 00:55:00,680 --> 00:55:02,680 And part of the work of the Holy Spirit 539 00:55:02,680 --> 00:55:04,680 is to do that in your life. And I want you to think 540 00:55:04,680 --> 00:55:06,680 about this, because it's wonderful. Because the Holy 541 00:55:06,680 --> 00:55:08,680 Spirit comes into your life 542 00:55:08,680 --> 00:55:10,680 to speak on your behalf 543 00:55:10,680 --> 00:55:12,680 to you. 544 00:55:12,680 --> 00:55:14,680 That in your doubts, and in your 545 00:55:14,680 --> 00:55:16,680 struggles, and in your 546 00:55:16,680 --> 00:55:20,680 worries, the Spirit testifies 547 00:55:20,680 --> 00:55:22,680 to us 548 00:55:22,680 --> 00:55:24,680 about who we are in Christ. Listen to Romans 549 00:55:24,680 --> 00:55:26,680 chapter 8, beginning in 550 00:55:26,680 --> 00:55:28,680 verse 15. "For you 551 00:55:28,680 --> 00:55:30,680 did not receive the spirit of slavery 552 00:55:30,680 --> 00:55:32,680 to fall back into fear, but you have received 553 00:55:32,680 --> 00:55:34,680 the spirit of adoption 554 00:55:34,680 --> 00:55:36,680 as sons, 555 00:55:36,680 --> 00:55:38,680 by whom we cry, Abba, 556 00:55:38,680 --> 00:55:40,680 Father." The Spirit Himself 557 00:55:40,680 --> 00:55:42,680 bears witness with our 558 00:55:42,680 --> 00:55:44,680 spirit that we are children 559 00:55:44,680 --> 00:55:46,680 of God. Notice that in this point 560 00:55:46,680 --> 00:55:48,680 the Spirit is not defending 561 00:55:48,680 --> 00:55:50,680 us from some sort of outside attack, 562 00:55:50,680 --> 00:55:52,680 but rather the Spirit 563 00:55:52,680 --> 00:55:54,680 is defending ourselves 564 00:55:54,680 --> 00:55:56,680 from ourselves 565 00:55:56,680 --> 00:55:58,680 by bearing witness to our 566 00:55:58,680 --> 00:56:00,680 spirit that we are children of God. 567 00:56:00,680 --> 00:56:02,680 That part of the work 568 00:56:02,680 --> 00:56:04,680 of the Spirit is to speak 569 00:56:04,680 --> 00:56:06,680 to us 570 00:56:06,680 --> 00:56:08,680 about our identity 571 00:56:08,680 --> 00:56:10,680 in Christ. 572 00:56:10,680 --> 00:56:12,680 But the Spirit also 573 00:56:12,680 --> 00:56:14,680 speaks for us. 574 00:56:14,680 --> 00:56:16,680 Let me give you another example 575 00:56:16,680 --> 00:56:18,680 just from Romans, the eighth chapter. 576 00:56:18,680 --> 00:56:20,680 "Likewise, the Spirit 577 00:56:20,680 --> 00:56:22,680 helps us in our weakness, 578 00:56:22,680 --> 00:56:24,680 for we do not know how to pray for 579 00:56:24,680 --> 00:56:26,680 as we ought, but the Spirit 580 00:56:26,680 --> 00:56:28,680 Himself intercedes for us 581 00:56:28,680 --> 00:56:30,680 with groanings too deep 582 00:56:30,680 --> 00:56:32,680 for words. And He searches 583 00:56:32,680 --> 00:56:34,680 hearts to know what the mind of the Spirit 584 00:56:34,680 --> 00:56:36,680 knows, what is the mind of the Spirit 585 00:56:36,680 --> 00:56:38,680 because the Spirit intercedes 586 00:56:38,680 --> 00:56:40,680 for the saints 587 00:56:40,680 --> 00:56:42,680 according to the will of God. 588 00:56:42,680 --> 00:56:44,680 And notice 589 00:56:44,680 --> 00:56:46,680 the picture. The Spirit doesn't just speak 590 00:56:46,680 --> 00:56:48,680 to us about who we are in Christ, but He 591 00:56:48,680 --> 00:56:50,680 speaks for us 592 00:56:50,680 --> 00:56:52,680 because we're 593 00:56:52,680 --> 00:56:54,680 weak 594 00:56:54,680 --> 00:56:56,680 and we don't always know 595 00:56:56,680 --> 00:56:58,680 how to pray or 596 00:56:58,680 --> 00:57:00,680 what to pray for. 597 00:57:00,680 --> 00:57:02,680 I remember the first time 598 00:57:02,680 --> 00:57:04,680 I think that this verse 599 00:57:04,680 --> 00:57:06,680 became more than just a verse 600 00:57:06,680 --> 00:57:08,680 in the Bible to me. I was a very young 601 00:57:08,680 --> 00:57:10,680 and probably had been preaching 602 00:57:10,680 --> 00:57:12,680 for about a year at this little church 603 00:57:12,680 --> 00:57:14,680 right on the banks of the Mississippi River 604 00:57:14,680 --> 00:57:16,680 and there was a couple 605 00:57:16,680 --> 00:57:18,680 who had come to church 606 00:57:18,680 --> 00:57:20,680 and they always sort of sat in the 607 00:57:20,680 --> 00:57:22,680 back corner. They were there every Sunday. 608 00:57:22,680 --> 00:57:24,680 Rain, snow, 609 00:57:24,680 --> 00:57:26,680 tornadoes, floods in the Mississippi. 610 00:57:26,680 --> 00:57:28,680 They were always there. 611 00:57:28,680 --> 00:57:30,680 And she had had a brother 612 00:57:30,680 --> 00:57:32,680 and she had asked me. He'd been very, very 613 00:57:32,680 --> 00:57:34,680 sick and I'd been... 614 00:57:34,680 --> 00:57:36,680 Sunday afternoons, a lot of times I would stop by his house 615 00:57:36,680 --> 00:57:38,680 and talk with him. And this particular Sunday 616 00:57:38,680 --> 00:57:40,680 they weren't there. 617 00:57:40,680 --> 00:57:42,680 And keep in mind, like, I'm a new 618 00:57:42,680 --> 00:57:44,680 baby preacher. 619 00:57:44,680 --> 00:57:46,680 All I really had experience with 620 00:57:46,680 --> 00:57:48,680 is getting up and talking about Jesus. 621 00:57:48,680 --> 00:57:50,680 I visited like one 622 00:57:50,680 --> 00:57:52,680 guy in his house one time 623 00:57:52,680 --> 00:57:54,680 or two times 624 00:57:54,680 --> 00:57:56,680 and they weren't there and I 625 00:57:56,680 --> 00:57:58,680 said, "I wonder how are brothers doing?" 626 00:57:58,680 --> 00:58:00,680 I said, "Well, it's on my way home." 627 00:58:00,680 --> 00:58:02,680 So as I was getting ready to drive back to the college, 628 00:58:02,680 --> 00:58:04,680 I stopped and they were just... 629 00:58:04,680 --> 00:58:06,680 and they were moving him in the ambulance. 630 00:58:06,680 --> 00:58:08,680 I didn't know what to do, right? 631 00:58:08,680 --> 00:58:10,680 I've never been in this situation before. Nobody had trained 632 00:58:10,680 --> 00:58:12,680 me for this. And I remember 633 00:58:12,680 --> 00:58:14,680 and I think it was the work of the Spirit that brings this 634 00:58:14,680 --> 00:58:16,680 to mind that went over and said, "Hey, 635 00:58:16,680 --> 00:58:18,680 let's just pray." Like, "It's the only thing you can 636 00:58:18,680 --> 00:58:20,680 do." And I had no idea what to pray 637 00:58:20,680 --> 00:58:22,680 or how to pray or what 638 00:58:22,680 --> 00:58:24,680 I should even say. 639 00:58:24,680 --> 00:58:26,680 And so I just prayed this verse. 640 00:58:26,680 --> 00:58:28,680 I opened up my Bible and I was like, "We don't know how 641 00:58:28,680 --> 00:58:30,680 to pray. Here's how we pray. 642 00:58:30,680 --> 00:58:32,680 We're just going to pray that you will 643 00:58:32,680 --> 00:58:34,680 succeed on our behalf." 644 00:58:34,680 --> 00:58:36,680 And so here we are, 645 00:58:36,680 --> 00:58:38,680 and a lot of times 646 00:58:38,680 --> 00:58:40,680 we have a lot of words, and sometimes we try to fill 647 00:58:40,680 --> 00:58:42,680 the silence with words, and sometimes we try to 648 00:58:42,680 --> 00:58:44,680 add enough words to make what 649 00:58:44,680 --> 00:58:46,680 happens that we desire to happen 650 00:58:46,680 --> 00:58:48,680 happen. 651 00:58:48,680 --> 00:58:50,680 But there is a part 652 00:58:50,680 --> 00:58:52,680 of our lives where 653 00:58:52,680 --> 00:58:54,680 sometimes 654 00:58:54,680 --> 00:58:56,680 we get to the end of our words 655 00:58:56,680 --> 00:58:58,680 and our strength and our hope. 656 00:58:58,680 --> 00:59:00,680 And I want you to know 657 00:59:00,680 --> 00:59:02,680 that the Spirit doesn't just speak to us, 658 00:59:02,680 --> 00:59:04,680 He speaks for us 659 00:59:04,680 --> 00:59:06,680 in those deepest, darkest, 660 00:59:06,680 --> 00:59:08,680 most broken 661 00:59:08,680 --> 00:59:10,680 moments. 662 00:59:10,680 --> 00:59:12,680 So I want you to understand that 663 00:59:12,680 --> 00:59:14,680 first of all, we are not 664 00:59:14,680 --> 00:59:16,680 alone. 665 00:59:16,680 --> 00:59:18,680 Secondly, the Spirit 666 00:59:18,680 --> 00:59:20,680 comes alongside us, 667 00:59:20,680 --> 00:59:22,680 speaking both to us 668 00:59:22,680 --> 00:59:24,680 and for us. 669 00:59:24,680 --> 00:59:26,680 And what the Spirit 670 00:59:26,680 --> 00:59:28,680 does is He 671 00:59:28,680 --> 00:59:30,680 strengthens us. And I want to think 672 00:59:30,680 --> 00:59:32,680 about that word, comforter. Oftentimes 673 00:59:32,680 --> 00:59:34,680 we hear that used in relation to the Spirit 674 00:59:34,680 --> 00:59:36,680 that He is our comforter. 675 00:59:36,680 --> 00:59:38,680 I think it's how the King James translated 676 00:59:38,680 --> 00:59:40,680 it, and it's interesting for us because 677 00:59:40,680 --> 00:59:42,680 we maybe have too weak a view 678 00:59:42,680 --> 00:59:44,680 of the word comforter. 679 00:59:44,680 --> 00:59:46,680 So for us, when we 680 00:59:46,680 --> 00:59:48,680 think of comforter, maybe it's something we put on top 681 00:59:48,680 --> 00:59:50,680 of our bed in the winter, let's get out the comforter 682 00:59:50,680 --> 00:59:52,680 because it's getting cold. 683 00:59:52,680 --> 00:59:54,680 Or maybe we think of comfort 684 00:59:54,680 --> 00:59:56,680 in terms of somebody who sits by us 685 00:59:56,680 --> 00:59:58,680 in our sadness, or who has the right 686 00:59:58,680 --> 01:00:00,680 words to say when we're struggling 687 01:00:00,680 --> 01:00:02,680 or hurt. 688 01:00:02,680 --> 01:00:04,680 We have to remember that the King James 689 01:00:04,680 --> 01:00:06,680 Bible was written, 690 01:00:06,680 --> 01:00:08,680 translated, not written, 691 01:00:08,680 --> 01:00:10,680 translated several hundred years ago. 692 01:00:10,680 --> 01:00:12,680 The word comforter comes from Latin. 693 01:00:12,680 --> 01:00:14,680 And the word comforter 694 01:00:14,680 --> 01:00:16,680 in Latin is made of two words, and it 695 01:00:16,680 --> 01:00:18,680 means one who comes with strength. 696 01:00:18,680 --> 01:00:20,680 That 697 01:00:20,680 --> 01:00:22,680 when you hear that, comforter, 698 01:00:22,680 --> 01:00:24,680 it's not that warm 699 01:00:24,680 --> 01:00:26,680 blanket on the winter night, but rather the 700 01:00:26,680 --> 01:00:28,680 one who comes with 701 01:00:28,680 --> 01:00:30,680 strength. 702 01:00:30,680 --> 01:00:32,680 And Jesus promises that the 703 01:00:32,680 --> 01:00:34,680 one who comes with strength will 704 01:00:34,680 --> 01:00:36,680 indwell you and be at work 705 01:00:36,680 --> 01:00:38,680 in you. 706 01:00:38,680 --> 01:00:40,680 Whether in your 707 01:00:40,680 --> 01:00:42,680 group, facing 708 01:00:42,680 --> 01:00:44,680 the battle for righteousness, facing 709 01:00:44,680 --> 01:00:46,680 the battle to stay faithful, 710 01:00:46,680 --> 01:00:48,680 seeking 711 01:00:48,680 --> 01:00:50,680 to deal with what comes ahead, a good 712 01:00:50,680 --> 01:00:52,680 description of the Spirit, is the one who 713 01:00:52,680 --> 01:00:54,680 comes with strength. And of course it's good 714 01:00:54,680 --> 01:00:56,680 strength because it is the strength of the power 715 01:00:56,680 --> 01:00:58,680 of God. One of the ways in which the 716 01:00:58,680 --> 01:01:00,680 Spirit is referred to throughout the New Testament 717 01:01:00,680 --> 01:01:02,680 is the Spirit of God 718 01:01:02,680 --> 01:01:04,680 reminding us that this is 719 01:01:04,680 --> 01:01:06,680 not just a nice idea 720 01:01:06,680 --> 01:01:08,680 or a warm sort of 721 01:01:08,680 --> 01:01:10,680 soft, fuzzy way of thinking, 722 01:01:10,680 --> 01:01:14,680 but rather the power of God 723 01:01:14,680 --> 01:01:16,680 in the person of the 724 01:01:16,680 --> 01:01:18,680 Spirit dwells in our 725 01:01:18,680 --> 01:01:20,680 life. 726 01:01:20,680 --> 01:01:22,680 Sometimes that strength 727 01:01:22,680 --> 01:01:24,680 isn't just to face trials, but to 728 01:01:24,680 --> 01:01:26,680 understand who God 729 01:01:26,680 --> 01:01:28,680 is and what He has done. Look at this in Ephesians 730 01:01:28,680 --> 01:01:30,680 chapter 3. It's Paul overwhelmed 731 01:01:30,680 --> 01:01:32,680 by the Gospel and the fact that he gets 732 01:01:32,680 --> 01:01:34,680 to proclaim it. It says this, "For this reason I 733 01:01:34,680 --> 01:01:36,680 bow my knees before the Father, from whom 734 01:01:36,680 --> 01:01:38,680 every family and in 735 01:01:38,680 --> 01:01:40,680 heaven and on earth is named, 736 01:01:40,680 --> 01:01:42,680 so that according to the riches of 737 01:01:42,680 --> 01:01:44,680 His glory, He may grant you to 738 01:01:44,680 --> 01:01:46,680 be strengthened with power 739 01:01:46,680 --> 01:01:48,680 through His Spirit 740 01:01:48,680 --> 01:01:50,680 in your inner being." And he goes on 741 01:01:50,680 --> 01:01:52,680 to say, "So that we might know and 742 01:01:52,680 --> 01:01:54,680 comprehend the love 743 01:01:54,680 --> 01:01:56,680 of God." 744 01:01:56,680 --> 01:01:58,680 Not just that we need to be strengthened 745 01:01:58,680 --> 01:02:00,680 to live out the truth, but we need 746 01:02:00,680 --> 01:02:02,680 strength to begin to understand 747 01:02:02,680 --> 01:02:04,680 and to see 748 01:02:04,680 --> 01:02:06,680 the truth. Especially 749 01:02:06,680 --> 01:02:08,680 in the face of conflict, 750 01:02:08,680 --> 01:02:10,680 when our troubles and our 751 01:02:10,680 --> 01:02:12,680 heartbreak seem so big, 752 01:02:12,680 --> 01:02:14,680 part of the 753 01:02:14,680 --> 01:02:16,680 work of the Spirit is in 754 01:02:16,680 --> 01:02:18,680 His power 755 01:02:18,680 --> 01:02:20,680 to help us to see 756 01:02:20,680 --> 01:02:22,680 that God is bigger, 757 01:02:22,680 --> 01:02:24,680 that He is stronger, 758 01:02:24,680 --> 01:02:26,680 greater than anything 759 01:02:26,680 --> 01:02:28,680 else. 760 01:02:28,680 --> 01:02:30,680 And so the Spirit, 761 01:02:30,680 --> 01:02:32,680 the third person of the Trinity, 762 01:02:32,680 --> 01:02:34,680 comes into our lives to encourage, 763 01:02:34,680 --> 01:02:36,680 help lead strength 764 01:02:36,680 --> 01:02:38,680 in His power 765 01:02:38,680 --> 01:02:40,680 as God. 766 01:02:40,680 --> 01:02:42,680 He comforts, He advocates for us, 767 01:02:42,680 --> 01:02:44,680 He counsels us, 768 01:02:44,680 --> 01:02:46,680 speaks to us and for us. 769 01:02:46,680 --> 01:02:48,680 He's literally 770 01:02:48,680 --> 01:02:52,680 called alongside. 771 01:02:52,680 --> 01:02:54,680 So two things 772 01:02:54,680 --> 01:02:56,680 I think we need to see. 773 01:02:56,680 --> 01:02:58,680 One, 774 01:02:58,680 --> 01:03:00,680 is that we are to be encouraged. 775 01:03:00,680 --> 01:03:02,680 We live in a world where bad news sells 776 01:03:02,680 --> 01:03:04,680 all the time. 777 01:03:04,680 --> 01:03:06,680 Everywhere. 778 01:03:06,680 --> 01:03:08,680 It's always the biggest headlines. 779 01:03:08,680 --> 01:03:10,680 And as Christians, 780 01:03:10,680 --> 01:03:12,680 we have something different. 781 01:03:12,680 --> 01:03:14,680 We have good news. 782 01:03:14,680 --> 01:03:16,680 The good news of the Gospel. 783 01:03:16,680 --> 01:03:18,680 That God loves us. 784 01:03:18,680 --> 01:03:20,680 He sent His Son to stand 785 01:03:20,680 --> 01:03:22,680 in our place. That He dies for us. 786 01:03:22,680 --> 01:03:24,680 Rises again, giving us 787 01:03:24,680 --> 01:03:26,680 His righteousness, conquering Satan, 788 01:03:26,680 --> 01:03:28,680 death, sin, and hell. 789 01:03:28,680 --> 01:03:30,680 And then empowers us 790 01:03:30,680 --> 01:03:32,680 with His Spirit. 791 01:03:32,680 --> 01:03:34,680 And that we 792 01:03:34,680 --> 01:03:36,680 are not alone. 793 01:03:36,680 --> 01:03:38,680 That for Christians 794 01:03:38,680 --> 01:03:40,680 in a world where it is 795 01:03:40,680 --> 01:03:42,680 easy to be discouraged, 796 01:03:42,680 --> 01:03:44,680 our temptation is to cower down 797 01:03:44,680 --> 01:03:46,680 or to hide or to run 798 01:03:46,680 --> 01:03:48,680 or maybe tone down 799 01:03:48,680 --> 01:03:50,680 what it is 800 01:03:50,680 --> 01:03:52,680 we stand for. 801 01:03:52,680 --> 01:03:54,680 We need to be reminded that the power 802 01:03:54,680 --> 01:03:56,680 of God dwells within us. 803 01:03:56,680 --> 01:03:58,680 But maybe 804 01:03:58,680 --> 01:04:00,680 this morning you are outside 805 01:04:00,680 --> 01:04:02,680 of Christ. 806 01:04:02,680 --> 01:04:04,680 And you've come 807 01:04:04,680 --> 01:04:06,680 face to face with your weakness 808 01:04:06,680 --> 01:04:08,680 and your brokenness. 809 01:04:08,680 --> 01:04:10,680 Your sin and your shame 810 01:04:10,680 --> 01:04:12,680 has sent you running 811 01:04:12,680 --> 01:04:14,680 from God. 812 01:04:14,680 --> 01:04:16,680 The good news of the Gospel 813 01:04:16,680 --> 01:04:18,680 is that Jesus Emmanuel, 814 01:04:18,680 --> 01:04:20,680 God with us, has come. 815 01:04:20,680 --> 01:04:22,680 And He takes your sin to the cross. 816 01:04:22,680 --> 01:04:24,680 He dies in your place. He rises 817 01:04:24,680 --> 01:04:26,680 for your victory. 818 01:04:26,680 --> 01:04:28,680 And He gives you the Spirit who 819 01:04:28,680 --> 01:04:30,680 fights 820 01:04:30,680 --> 01:04:32,680 for you. 821 01:04:32,680 --> 01:04:34,680 Who helps you to live in righteousness 822 01:04:34,680 --> 01:04:36,680 to let go of that sin. 823 01:04:36,680 --> 01:04:38,680 Who brings you 824 01:04:38,680 --> 01:04:40,680 to this place of repentance. 825 01:04:40,680 --> 01:04:42,680 So this morning, 826 01:04:42,680 --> 01:04:44,680 whether you're a Christian 827 01:04:44,680 --> 01:04:46,680 or not, we must be encouraged 828 01:04:46,680 --> 01:04:48,680 in the good news of the Gospel. 829 01:04:48,680 --> 01:04:50,680 Not just intellectually, and not 830 01:04:50,680 --> 01:04:52,680 just in our emotions, 831 01:04:52,680 --> 01:04:54,680 all of those are good, but in how 832 01:04:54,680 --> 01:04:56,680 we live. 833 01:04:56,680 --> 01:04:58,680 That our actions 834 01:04:58,680 --> 01:05:00,680 will be consistent with the truth 835 01:05:00,680 --> 01:05:02,680 which we hold. 836 01:05:02,680 --> 01:05:04,680 Strengthened by the work of the Spirit. Let's pray. 837 01:05:04,680 --> 01:05:06,680 Father in Heaven, I thank You 838 01:05:06,680 --> 01:05:08,680 for Jesus and for grace. 839 01:05:08,680 --> 01:05:10,680 For hope. 840 01:05:10,680 --> 01:05:12,680 For the gift of Your Spirit. 841 01:05:12,680 --> 01:05:14,680 And we struggle to understand 842 01:05:14,680 --> 01:05:16,680 so many things. 843 01:05:16,680 --> 01:05:18,680 We struggle 844 01:05:18,680 --> 01:05:20,680 to find the right words, 845 01:05:20,680 --> 01:05:22,680 and we find our words insufficient. 846 01:05:22,680 --> 01:05:24,680 You are not 847 01:05:24,680 --> 01:05:26,680 insufficient. 848 01:05:26,680 --> 01:05:28,680 We know that You open our hearts 849 01:05:28,680 --> 01:05:30,680 to understand Scripture. 850 01:05:30,680 --> 01:05:32,680 We know that You call us 851 01:05:32,680 --> 01:05:34,680 to repentance. That You strengthen us. 852 01:05:34,680 --> 01:05:36,680 You speak to us 853 01:05:36,680 --> 01:05:38,680 and for us through Your Spirit. 854 01:05:38,680 --> 01:05:40,680 We thank You 855 01:05:40,680 --> 01:05:42,680 for Your Word and for Your people. 856 01:05:42,680 --> 01:05:44,680 It's in Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 857 01:05:44,680 --> 01:05:46,680 We're going to stand 858 01:05:46,680 --> 01:05:48,680 His mercy is 859 01:05:48,680 --> 01:05:50,680 more. 860 01:06:00,680 --> 01:06:02,680 What love could remember 861 01:06:02,680 --> 01:06:05,680 No wrongs we have done 862 01:06:05,680 --> 01:06:07,680 Our nations all knowing 863 01:06:07,680 --> 01:06:10,680 He counts not their son 864 01:06:10,680 --> 01:06:12,680 Thrown into a sea 865 01:06:12,680 --> 01:06:16,680 Without bottom or shore 866 01:06:16,680 --> 01:06:18,680 Our sins they are many 867 01:06:18,680 --> 01:06:22,680 His mercy is more 868 01:06:22,680 --> 01:06:26,680 Praise the Lord 869 01:06:26,680 --> 01:06:32,680 His mercy is more 870 01:06:32,680 --> 01:06:35,680 Stronger than darkness 871 01:06:35,680 --> 01:06:37,680 New every morn 872 01:06:37,680 --> 01:06:39,680 Our sins they are many 873 01:06:39,680 --> 01:06:43,680 His mercy is more 874 01:06:43,680 --> 01:06:52,680 What patience would wait 875 01:06:52,680 --> 01:06:55,680 As we constantly roam 876 01:06:55,680 --> 01:06:57,680 What Father so tender 877 01:06:57,680 --> 01:06:59,680 Is calling us on 878 01:06:59,680 --> 01:07:01,680 He welcomes 879 01:07:01,680 --> 01:07:02,680 The weakest 880 01:07:02,680 --> 01:07:03,680 The vilest 881 01:07:03,680 --> 01:07:05,680 The poor 882 01:07:05,680 --> 01:07:08,680 Our sins they are many 883 01:07:08,680 --> 01:07:11,680 His mercy is more 884 01:07:11,680 --> 01:07:15,680 Praise the Lord 885 01:07:15,680 --> 01:07:21,680 His mercy is more 886 01:07:21,680 --> 01:07:24,680 Stronger than darkness 887 01:07:24,680 --> 01:07:27,680 New every morn 888 01:07:27,680 --> 01:07:29,680 Our sins they are many 889 01:07:29,680 --> 01:07:33,680 His mercy is more 890 01:07:33,680 --> 01:07:42,680 What riches of kindness 891 01:07:42,680 --> 01:07:45,680 He lavished on us 892 01:07:45,680 --> 01:07:47,680 His blood was the payment 893 01:07:47,680 --> 01:07:49,680 His life was the cost 894 01:07:49,680 --> 01:07:51,680 We stood neath the debt 895 01:07:51,680 --> 01:07:55,680 We could never afford 896 01:07:55,680 --> 01:07:58,680 Our sins they are many 897 01:07:58,680 --> 01:08:01,680 His mercy is more 898 01:08:01,680 --> 01:08:05,680 Praise the Lord 899 01:08:05,680 --> 01:08:11,680 His mercy is more 900 01:08:11,680 --> 01:08:14,680 Stronger than darkness 901 01:08:14,680 --> 01:08:16,680 New every morn 902 01:08:16,680 --> 01:08:18,680 Our sins they are many 903 01:08:18,680 --> 01:08:22,680 His mercy is more 904 01:08:22,680 --> 01:08:26,680 Praise the Lord 905 01:08:26,680 --> 01:08:32,680 His mercy is more 906 01:08:32,680 --> 01:08:35,680 Stronger than darkness 907 01:08:35,680 --> 01:08:37,680 New every morn 908 01:08:37,680 --> 01:08:39,680 Our sins they are many 909 01:08:39,680 --> 01:08:42,680 His mercy is more 910 01:08:42,680 --> 01:08:44,680 Our sins they are many 911 01:08:44,680 --> 01:08:48,680 His mercy is more 912 01:09:12,680 --> 01:09:41,680 The book of Daniel. We're going to walk through those chapters, 12 chapters of the book of Daniel. It's a remarkable book. It begins with kind of an impossible choice that the Hebrew captives are put to. It moves into impossible situations. There's political intrigue. There's fiery furnaces. There's lion's den. If you ever use the phrase, the writing on the wall, that comes from the book of Daniel. 913 01:09:41,680 --> 01:09:55,680 Later on in the book, we encounter there's dramatic divisions. There's spiritual warfare. There's the rise and fall of kingdoms. And through it all, the purpose of Daniel is that it would point to the God who reigns in every moment. 914 01:09:55,680 --> 01:10:10,680 Whether that's the impossible circumstances, the decisions that we are unsure of, whether it's the furnace or the lion's den or the kingdoms rising and falling, the point is that we are unshaken because God reigns. 915 01:10:10,680 --> 01:10:30,680 And so that's where we're going this fall. Also, this fall, Wednesday night Bible study, we're going to dig into two things. One, the trustworthiness of the Bible, whether that's the text, the history, the theology of the Word of God, but also to see the treasure that is contained within the Word of God. 916 01:10:30,680 --> 01:10:54,680 So we see both the truth of and the truth that is for us found in the Word of God, and so I'm looking forward to both of those things. We're going to go ahead and have a word of prayer, and then I will read from 2 Corinthians chapter 13, and then we will sing the doxology. 917 01:10:54,680 --> 01:11:07,680 So if you would, just let's go ahead and bow in prayer. Father in heaven, we thank you for Jesus and for grace and for hope. We thank you for the peace that you bring to our lives. 918 01:11:07,680 --> 01:11:22,680 We just ask that as we walk through life, whether in the joyful, glad times or in the sorrowful, difficult times, that you would remind us that you are with us, that your Spirit would guide us and protect us and encourage us. 919 01:11:22,680 --> 01:11:26,680 It's in your Son's name we pray. Amen. 920 01:11:26,680 --> 01:11:33,680 And so as Paul ends 1 Corinthians 13, he just simply says to the Corinthian church, and it's what I'd say to you, 921 01:11:33,680 --> 01:11:41,680 "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." 922 01:11:49,680 --> 01:12:10,680 Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him, all creatures here below. Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. 923 01:12:19,680 --> 01:12:21,680 Amen. 924 01:12:49,680 --> 01:12:51,680 Amen. 925 01:13:19,680 --> 01:13:21,680 Amen. 926 01:17:49,680 --> 01:18:19,660 Thank you.