the series on character counts. And the character
trait that we're going to look at tonight is
godliness. And so we'll be looking at that from
a couple of perspectives. And so as we deal with
that tonight, we'll have a good study hopefully
in the Lord. So why don't we pray and then we'll
get started. Father God, we just thank you so
much for this night and for what you. will allow
us to see in your word. And also, Father, for
our prayer time today, we will lift our request
up to you and ask that, Lord, that you would
grant us the desires of our heart. And the desires
of our heart is to worship and praise you and
thank you for who you are. So tonight, Lord,
protect me from me and grant us the openness
that is needed tonight and allow your Holy Spirit
to. just lead us and guide us and direct us in
Jesus' name, amen. All right, so as I said, we'll
be looking at godliness, but there's a story
I need to tell you first because, you know, I
always need to shut off with the story. And so
this little boy went to the drug store and he
asked if he could use their phone. And the drugist
said, sure. He gave him the phone to use. and
the little boy called the grocery store, local
grocery store. And he asked, do you need a stock
clerk? And the grocer said, no, we've got someone.
He said, you know, someone to stock goods, carry
packages out, sweep the floor. Do you need anyone
like that? And the man said, no, we already have
a boy that does that for us. But he said, well,
does he do a good job? And maybe he's not adequate.
But the grocer said, no, he's very adequate.
And we're very satisfied with the board that
we have here. Little fella said, well, thank
you. And then he hung up. Well, the druggist
said, well, I'm sorry to hear, son, that you
didn't get the job. No, he said, you don't understand.
I already have the job over there. I was just
checking up on myself. I wanted to see if he
really appreciated me. Just checking up on myself.
How many of you remember the game Jenga? There's
a few of you old enough to remember Jenga. I
believe we've got a set of those blocks at home
someplace. But this game Jenga, as we think about
what we're gonna do tonight, so I study. We'll
point our attentions toward this crucial characteristic,
and that is godliness. And so we'll be looking
at that. But more importantly, if you think about
the whole idea of Jenga is to build blocks and
stack them up. And you finally get to that point
to where there's one block or two that is able
to support the entire weight. And you have to
be real careful putting those up. And so we think
of Jenga. as we think about godliness and the
fact that our structure as a believer, as our
character can sometimes pivot and almost topple
over based on our godliness. And so we're gonna
look at godliness tonight because without godliness,
the structure of our lives can seem to fall apart.
And so that's what we wanna make sure that that
doesn't happen to us. And so godliness, reverence,
respect, piety, Toward God we've met and we probably
know some godly people people that just have
all the the the trademarks of being right on
point for God and It's a it's a Greek word Eubacea
it means godliness and so that that reverence
I remember growing up and this is not to say
that there's anything wrong with it or it's just
different but The sanctuary was a place that
you didn't just, kids didn't get a chance to
run down the aisle or no one chewed gum in church.
In fact, Sister Kay Bryant was her name. If she'd
catch you chewing gum, she'd walk up and go.
She had the white gloves on and she'd, right
in front of you, you had, you know, it was like,
you didn't dare not spit your gum out because
Sister Kay Bryant in fact at one point in time
would would point to a child that was acting
up and do this and take him outside and tame
their hides Yeah, I mean that was That was strict.
You wouldn't dare do that now with your dog You
wouldn't do that to anyone. But anyway, this
is this is what happened at that time But so
so tonight as we look at this a godly life points
others to Christ. And this scriptural text is
in 1st Timothy chapter 4. It's where we're going
to be tonight. And it was written at the end
of Paul's life, or toward the end of Paul's life.
And so 1st Timothy challenged Paul's mentee to
stand strong against false teachers and ungodly
practices that had come up in the Ephesian church,
or the church at Ephesus. And so this is where
we'll be looking tonight. But more importantly,
we'll be looking at verses six through 16. Excuse
me. Yeah, six through 16. But we'll do a little
bit of background. So this is part of the pastoral
epistles. And Timothy is grouped with a collection
of Pauline letters. And it's first and second
Timothy and Titus. So we're looking at the churches
of Ephesus and Crete. And so, to get us started
tonight, we need to look at the context of what's
going on prior to Paul writing this, or as a
cause for Paul to write this. Now, verse one
through five is where we wanna go to in chapter
four of First Timothy. Now the Spirit speaketh
expressly that in the latter times some shall
depart from the faith giving heed to seducing
spirits and doctrines of devils, speaking lies
in hypocrisy, having their conscience seared
with a hot iron, forbidding to marry and commanding
to abstain from meats which God has created to
be received with thanksgiving of them which believe
and know the truth. For every creature of God
is good and nothing to be refused if it is received
with thanksgiving. For it is sanctified by the
word of God and prayer." The danger that was
taking place at Ephesus was the fact that the
apostasy was taking place. There were some that
were there that were departing from the faith.
In June 1997, there was an article in USA News
and World Report that described a Virginia pastor
who, this is what they wrote, would rather preach
on Bosnia, if you remember Bosnia at the time,
justice or world peace rather than Bible stories
or personal salvation. This is an example of
a man who departed from the faith and followed
his own direction. And so there's also this deceiving
spirits or demonic spirits and these are the
angelic beings who rebelled against God and were
thrown out of heaven that have reign here in
the earth today. And so there was this danger
of deception because of these deceiving spirits
or seducing spirits. And when we think about
the word seduce, it means to draw you away for
something like the forbidden fruit for Adam and
Eve. Eve was deceived and was seduced by a piece
of fruit. There are other things that... fall
into danger here as far as being seducing spirits.
And then the doctrine of demons and the doctrine
of devils, and it's no different now than it
was back in the garden. When the devil said to
Eve, speaking through the servant, he said, you
will not surely die. Remember Eve said, you know,
we... we won't even touch it because if we touch
it, you will die. But that wasn't the full story,
it's the partake of it. And so that same deception
has gone on from back then clear to today where
people are finding themselves bargaining with
the truth of the word of God and. those that
has some truth in the word of God. And it's really
interesting how so many today have some truth
in the word of God, but not fully, the whole
truth in the word of God. And so that gives us
our context. So, Gollum is for an example to
others. This is our first section here. And this
is what we're gonna look at. Verse six, if thou
put the brethren in remembrance of these things,
and what were these things? The seducing spirits,
the doctrine of devils, those things. If you
put brethren in remembrance of these things,
thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ,
nourished up in the words of faith and good doctrine
whereunto thou hast attained. And so this young
man, Timothy, most theologians believed that
Timothy was between 30 and 35 years old, and
to be a church leader at that time, at that age,
was something that was somewhat trying for a
young man like him. And so he said, put into
remembrance these things, for all those, even
the ones that are peddling the false doctrines
and all of that, bring them and put them back
into remembrance. of the death, burial, and resurrection
of Jesus Christ and that's it and no more. Verse
seven, but refuse profane and old wives fables
or old wives tales. Old wives tales. Give me
an old wives tale. Any old wives tale? What about
if you sweep out your back door at night? Don't
sweep out your back door and I given you never
heard of that one That one was one that I grew
up with if you swept out your back door at night
Then you were possibly causing or gonna bring
in disaster into your house To your home pardon
me black cats. Okay Fables is stuff. That's not
true. Yes Excuse me if you drop a fork on the
Whoa, okay Put all the forks up. Yes Say it again
Don't sing at the table or you'll cry before
night Okay, then I hear one over here missing
Walking under a ladder. Okay step on a crack
break your mother's back Is any of that valid
But it's just an old wives' tale. Pardon me?
Yeah, so old wives' tale. The way a woman is
carrying a baby, they would say, oh, you're carrying
a boy. Looked like a hump to me. Should we bring,
should we bring my wife in here and parade around
saying, is she carrying a boy or a girl? These
things, Paul said, but refuse profane and old
wives' fables and exercise thyself rather unto
godliness. Some of those things sound okay, but
they get woven into our culture and our habits
and people will say those things as if they are
true. And they're not true. Not even close to
being true, but then that's some of the things
that's happening. And it happened at Ephesus
and it happens today in many places. Verse eight,
for bodily exercise profits little, but godliness
is profitable unto all things. Having promise
of the life that now is and of that which is
to come. And so what Paul wanted Timothy to do
was to expose the false teachings in the sense
of bringing them out in the open so that they
could be corrected with truth. And so that's
what he wanted to do is say, hey, bring this,
what you're saying is not true, it's false. And
he went to confront that head on. So. We can
identify examples today that keep a godly life
from being a priority now Let me keep this in
context because some of these things Some of
us have probably heard or say it or even embrace
But know this that that when I when I talk about
these things and you compare them against a life
of godliness Then there's a little bit of a difference
that we'll have to sort out be who you are When
God given abilities are subject then it's not
bad advice But what about if we're talking what
if we're talking about character? If I'm if I
have sinful Tendencies to hurt other people I
shouldn't simply throw my hands up in the air
and say well, that's just who I am Be who you
are be who you are in Christ Jesus Be who you
are as a person who has been saved by Grace,
be who you are in that respect. Then here's one
that's, I think if you've not heard this, surely,
well, no one's not heard this. Follow your heart.
And basically this one, you can get lost following
your heart. That's simply not true. If you believe
this, then the most important thing in my life
will be my own desires, not becoming a godly
person. but I'm gonna follow my heart. How many
of you have thought, you know, well, my heart's
telling me something, and you go to find out,
says, oh, that was not right. Maybe my heart,
my emotion, my mind was playing with me, and
I've embraced something that wasn't true, and
because it wasn't true, then I've erred away,
okay? Then just live your life. This advice.
is a variation of the previous one. It allows
someone to simply become consumed by a go along
and get along attitude or approach to life, ignoring
the higher calling that God has placed on everyone's
life. So, Paul wanted Timothy to be a standard
bearer. He wanted him to follow the truths of
the gospel and Paul's teaching and to get away
from the deceptive things that came about because
of some of the false teachers that were there.
But a standard bearer is a person who's responsible
for carrying the distinctive flag of a unit,
regiment, or an army. And so the question is,
am I a standard bearer? for the standards set
forth in the word of God. And what are those
standards? And what should I be looking at in
terms of being a standard bearer? And so this
is what Paul and Timothy were dealing with. Now,
before we get into this one, I need to ask for
volunteers. I need someone to read 1 Corinthians
chapter nine, verses 24 through 27 on this side.
On this side, I need to have someone read Galatians
5, 22 through 25. That far side, Philippians
chapter two, verses 12 and 13, and over here,
one of you, either Jeff or Mike, one of you two,
2 Peter 1, 3. You got it? Galatians 5, 22 through
25. Okay? I'm ready go ahead. Okay, if we live
in the spirit we need to walk in God's spirit
He is gonna guide my step each each step that
I take He is there before me because he's a light
and a lamp Okay. Now, let's go to 1st Corinthians
chapter 9 verses 24 through 27 Okay So, how many
of you, I know when I was in high school, it
was high school and college, lifting weights.
I'd say feel that, don't do it. It doesn't work
like it used to, but bodily exercise doesn't
profit you anything, but walking in the spirit.
and an understanding that my goal in life is
to strive for the mastery. And that striving
for the mastery is joined with the fruit of the
Spirit, is being led by the Spirit. It's being
able to live a life and have the character of
godliness surround me in such a way that people
can see it in my life and not question it, appreciate
what comes out of my life by when they look at
me and when they look at you. A godly person,
that godliness is really needed. And then lastly,
Philippians chapter two, verses 12 and 13. Yes.
to will and to do His good pleasure. God is not
willing that any should perish, but that all
should come to repentance. But He also wants
us to grow in grace. He wants us to work out
our own salvation. There's a call for us to be
able to stand firm and to stand and fight for
the faith. If I'm really a good soldier for the
Lord, armor -bearer for the Lord. I don't let
the concerns of the world distract me from what
I should be doing. I've got to be able to look
at what Christ has called me to do and focus
on the author and the finisher of the faith and
as Jesus walked I should be able to and I want
to walk that same walk that he has walked. And
so exercise thyself rather to godliness but Godliness
is profitable unto all things having the promise
of the life that now is and that which is to
come. I am Michael Gentry. I'm a saint. I'm a
beloved. I am a joint heir of all these wonderful
things in Christ positionally here. But one day,
my positional standings will be true in glory.
Everything that I should be here, you know, as
I live and function and strive to be what Christ
would have me to be, there are gonna be crowns
that are gonna be put together for me. And I'm
gonna be able to take those crowns and lay them
at the feet of Jesus. when I can lay that crown,
the crown of life, the crown of righteousness,
can I lay that before Jesus? There's gonna be
praise and glory. So when I think about who I
am now in Christ Jesus and what I'm going to
be when I get to glory, it should be the same
thing. I shouldn't be surprised when I get, oh,
I'm in glory. Oh, praise the Lord, I made it.
No. That's already settled. I'm a child of God,
right now. I was that lost sheep, but I'm now
found. And so all of that positionally is gonna
be the reality when I get to glory, and that
is going to be some kind of good. Verse seven,
the Greek term for godliness refers to a God
-directed reverence, the manifestation of character
of God. in the believer's life, the manifestation
of the character of God in the believer's life.
God is what? Rattle them all for me. God is love.
God is just, holy. Pardon me? He is our peace.
Okay He's present Omnipresent he's all around
God is a Moses said who do I say sent me he says
I am God is the I am the great I am he is everything
not only that I need But he's even more than
what I need He's faithful. Man, our God is an
awesome God. Amen. Okay, so a godly life must
be our priority. This is a faithful saying and
worthy of all the acceptation. For therefore
we both labor and suffer reproach. Paul labored
and had a lot of people that were against him
as he spread the good news of the faith in Jesus
Christ. And if we go about doing that same thing,
we're gonna face reproach. We're gonna have those
that are not gonna see us in the light that we
maybe would imagine everyone seeing us because
we trust in the living God. They're not gonna
understand us. How can you have joy in the midst
of sorrow? How can you count it all joy when
everything is falling apart? How can you be happy
and at peace when everyone else is in turmoil?
How is it that those people seem to have a sense
of assurance that nobody else has? What is going
on with those people? What's going on with those
people is we have a God who's more than sufficient
for everything that we need and all that we can
be. So he says in verse 11, these things command
and teach, okay? Need someone to look up 1 John
2 .21 and someone take a look at Hebrews 2 .9.
And someone on this side, 1 John 2, 21. On this
side, Hebrews 2, 9. Hebrews 2, 9. Okay, ready?
Who's got it? You got it? Okay. No lie is of
the truth. What version is that? KJV Read it
again for me Because you know it okay No lies
of the truth, okay now very good no lies of truth
So what God intends for all he actually gives
to them that believe in Christ who died for the
sins of the world Okay, Hebrews 2 9. Yes Go ahead
For every man and so this emphasis this emphasizes
the idea that the priority must be kept on the
message of Jesus that all men saved, let's see,
it isn't that all men are saved in a universalistic
sense, but that there is only one savior for
all men. It isn't as if Christians have a savior
and others might have another savior, but we
all should trust in the single Lord to save us
all. So he told Timothy to, These things he commanded
to These things command and teach. Okay, so I
want to take you back to the seventh grade right
quick Basic algebra Someone explain to me what
a coefficient is No, pardon me difficult but
the basics of algebra The first thing you solve,
the second thing you solve, the third, right?
Command and teach. Okay, these things command
and teach. So both Greek verbs are present in
this tense, indicating a continuous action, and
they are both also imperatives, this whole idea.
So there's a note of authority that is here that
Paul has. has given for Timothy to command and
teach. And so basically Timothy was not to enter
the pulpit with speculations and opinions and
theories of men. How long can you or would you
be able to speak on speculations, opinions, and
theories of men? It's like the man that I mentioned
to you earlier down in Virginia. He stopped preaching
the gospel and started. preaching about Bosnia
and the war and other things like that. And so,
he was to fearlessly proclaim God's word as a
command and not give in to the fear of men. It
wasn't to give in to that fear. And so, the gospel,
in First Corinthians chapter 15, verses one through
four, we're gonna be coming up on this probably
on Sunday mornings. Next week? The following
week? Next week! Okay, so this is a preview into
next Sunday. Moreover, brethren, I declare unto
you the gospel which I preached unto you, which
also ye have received, and wherein ye stand,
but which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory
that what I preached unto you, unless ye have
believed in vain. for I delivered unto you first
that of all that which I also receive how that
Christ died for our sins according to the scripture
and that he was buried and that he rose again
the third day according to the scriptures there
is the gospel right there in a nutshell right
there for us and and this is what Paul was was
emphasizing for Timothy Bring them to remember
what all is going on in the world, but point
them to the scriptures point them to Christ So
a godly life encourages others to seek a godly
life verses 12 through 16 We'll take a look at
that right quick Let no man despise thy youth,
but be thou an example of the believers in word
and conversation in charity, in spirit, in faith,
in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading
and exhortation to doctrine. Neglect not the
gift that is in thee which was given thee by
prophecy with the laying on of hands by the prosperity.
Meditate upon these things, give thyself wholly
to them that thy profiting may appear to all.
Take heed. unto thyself and into the doctrine
continue in them for in doing this thou shalt
say both thyself and them that hear thee and
so he stressed the areas of the word conversation
lifestyles charity love spirit faith and purity
and so the Apostle Peter used this similar verbiage
When you urge pastors to set examples for their
flock, godly living in all areas of life models
for other believers in how they should live.
So our conversation, never underestimate the
power of godly words. Our verbiage, what we say.
How we say it is very important because people
are looking at us and wanting to understand How
we go about living the life that we live even
in the midst of joy even in this disorder Even
in the midst of when when things and around you
just all falling apart. They're watching okay
our conduct and so Someone's always watching
always There's nothing that very seldom that
ever happens in a vacuum But that someone isn't
looking or they've heard or seen You or your
actions and so we need to keep that in mind our
charity our love since the Bible defined God
is love it isn't surprising that a godly life
is a life of love a Life of love to those that
are unlovable life of love to those who who maybe
don't see us the way we would like for them to
see us a life of love that that enables us to
see beyond The difficulties that people are going
through in this life we have now was Just looking
this week. We had a shooting today we had Just
in the last week or so, we had stuff that was
going on down in Cincinnati. It's terrible, isn't
it? It's really bad. And, you know, we don't
really need another social program. We don't
need the government to give us another million
dollars for, remember midnight basketball? Boy,
that really cut down crime and really did something
to prop up the family, didn't it? Midnight basketball.
But that's how the world looks at it, okay? And
so people watch what you do even when you don't
realize it. Our charity, our love, we are the
standard bearers of love. Trinity Baptist Church,
the people and the members of Trinity Baptist
Church. are the standard bearers of love. When
others come into this building that have only
been in here maybe for the first or second time,
they should see what? Love and acceptance and
the welcoming to them as they come and visit
our church. Our faith, deepen your faith in God
and his word and watch holiness increase in your
life. Man, this has been quoted quite a number
of times over the last week or so, but it's so
true and it really should stand strong for us.
So deepen your faith in God and his word. Watch
holiness increase in your life. You wanna have
that part of your life, that characteristic to
stand high, then keep reading his word, keep
studying his word, making those things applicable,
equitable, applicable in your life. Then our
purity, moral compromises or death of personal
godliness. It's not all about me, it's not all
about you, but it's all about the God who lives
within us through his spirit. And then lastly,
our attitude or our spirit. People listen to
how you respond both positively and negatively.
And so the question that I have for you right
now is, how has our church, the church members,
encouraged you to live a godly life? Has there
been something that's happened here at Trinity
Baptist that has encouraged you to live a godly
life? That's the question. It's not rhetorical.
Yes. Love that you've seen from the church since
you've been coming here Yeah, I didn't know I
was the first but hey Dave I was the first Someone
else How has our church members encouraged you
to godly living yes Your sister incurs you to
come back to church Amen one of you had your
hands up The godly marriages that you see they
are modeling what you want Something that's different
from the world or modeling something that's wholesome
and good and called by God. Yes, right Okay.
Tough times. Hard truth. Our pastor teaches on
hard truth. In love. Oh, I was gonna say, you
belled him out, in love. Yes, sir. Oh, is that
right? Well, we're gonna pray for you. We're
going to pray for you. OK, yes. Someone else.
From the very beginning. OK. OK, yes. How's your
father -in -law? How's your daughter? Yeah. And
we know about her in the surgeries and those
things. Yes. Yes. I think I'm blessed by all
the programs that are here to help us grow. Mm
-hmm. There are classes for grief. We're being
taught so much in order to be safe. All right.
Very good. Yes. A really long time? So over five
years. Okay. Amen. Amen. 40 years. Can you beat
that? A little bit. Okay. Yes. Felt at home.
Amen. Amen. Anyone else? Yes. You know, I was
blessed Sunday on the on the explanation on women
not to speak in church. I was. I thought it was
fantastic. You're very welcome. Yes. I love just
being here because everyone is so personable.
I can walk up to anyone and talk with them, and
I've never felt like, hmm, she didn't want to
talk to me, or he didn't want to talk to me.
And, you know, the camaraderie of teasing you
about being in jail in Faustoria. Now, you've
not been in jail at Faustoria. But I can play
with you about it Get you here a man all right
be thou an example modeling the characteristics
A mature Christian. What are the characteristics
of a mature Christian? Throw that, yes sir. Love.
Bill, a mature Christian, what do they look like?
Peaceful, I'm glad you didn't say old. Mature,
selfless. Mature. Consistent. Mature. Confident.
Treat you with kindness. Pardon me? Respectful.
regarding to reading exhortation to doctrine.
Oh, look at the time. The Old Testament and likely
the writings of the apostle Paul is what Timothy
most likely used. But believers need exhortation.
We need exhortation from the scriptures about
the tenets of the faith and living the Christian
life. And sometimes seeing that modeled and lived
out in the lives of people around us is more
convincing than to just hear someone read a scripture.
But to see that scripture come alive, I can look
at Justin and see, wow, there is someone who's
walking in the fruit of the Spirit. Oh my goodness.
And I see how he responded to this, and I saw
what he said about this, and I saw the look on
his face when this happened. I see God moving
in his life. Oh my goodness. It enables believers
to stand firm in the faith and instruct them
how to live out the Christian faith. How do I
live out who I am? And so I think about what
God has gifted me with and what he's gifted you
with. And I think it's so exciting that God has
gifted certain people to do nursery and little
people church. Because if I had to do either
one of those, it would not look good. But I'm
overjoyed that every role that needs to be done
here has someone that's not only willing to do
it, but are good at it. Oh, that's a blessing
to see that all the needs of the church can be
met with the people in the church. That's pretty
exciting. It really is. And so, let me hurry
up through here. Neglect not the gift. To neglect
is to be careless or unconcerned about something.
God had gifted and called Timothy to preach and
teach the Word of God to the Ephesian congregation
and Paul is encouraging him don't neglect that
gift I know there's there's falsities going on
and I know all of this is happening and taking
place but don't neglect what God has given you
to do because you're gonna be held accountable
for it and There's a miss. There's a missing
piece that you need to feel in my program for
my church, for my people. And Timothy, that's
you to do, now let's go ahead and get started
with it. And then the church did this with those
chosen to minister to the widows of Jerusalem.
If you remember that story, how there was this
disparity amongst the Greek and the Hebrew ladies
or the widows. And so in that passage, It was
a concern for everybody in the church and not
just one, not just two. And then by the laying
on of hands, by the prosperity. This refers to
the public commissioning by the Ephesian church
leadership through which they recognize God's
call on Timothy's life. And this happened in
our church about three and a half years ago.
Anybody remember that? We laid our hands on Pastor
Ben. Jennings? Did we have, did we lay our hands
on, that's been three and a half years? Five?
Went real fast. Went from three and a half to
five in just 12 seconds there. Okay, godly points.
A godly life points others to Christ. I'm gonna
just end with these three things and we're gonna
close. Examine yourself, extend yourself, do
an inventory of yourself. Those three things,
examine yourself. Lord am I living a life that's
pleasing to you? And if I am Lord, how might
I increase that? that pleasing to you? How might
I be a sweet smelling savor that goes up to you?
Can my worship be a sweet smelling aroma that
goes up to you? Can my study, can my prayer time
be more encouraging for those around me? And
then can I now then extend myself? And how can
I help pray for people like TJ? And what do I
need to say to him? And what do I need to be
for him to help him get past the struggles that
he's at in his life? And then lastly, an inventory
of yourself. I think that if we're led by the
Spirit, then he is gonna lead us in such a way
that we will automatically take inventory of
ourself. And that word is by conviction. He will
convict us of those things that are wrong in
our life. bring us out of where we were so that
we can see his perspective and know that that's
something I should turn from and give him all
the praise, all the honor, and all the glory.
Father God we thank you for this night that you
have given us to look into your word. We ask
more than anything else Lord Jesus as we as we
talked about the love that has been displayed
to each other in this setting. We just want to
thank you for that. We want to thank you that
we have leadership, that the pastors that are
here have stood firm in your word, that they
have unashamedly proclaimed the gospel of Jesus
Christ and lived lives that others might be able
to see the godliness within them. So we love
you and we praise you now. We ask that as we
enter into a time of prayer that you will listen
to our prayers, Lord, and grant us the desires
of our heart. And we just pray this in Jesus'
name. Let us all say, amen.