WEBVTT 00:00:08.779 --> 00:00:11.699 We come together today with thankful hearts of 00:00:11.699 --> 00:00:15.140 praise to God. Good morning and welcome to Grace 00:00:15.140 --> 00:00:19.059 Church Roseville. May I remind you that at 6 00:00:19.059 --> 00:00:21.140 o 'clock tonight we conclude this Lord's Day 00:00:21.140 --> 00:00:24.199 together in worship in addition to music and 00:00:24.199 --> 00:00:28.420 testimonies which we will share. We will conclude 00:00:28.420 --> 00:00:31.480 tonight the message started last Sunday night 00:00:31.480 --> 00:00:34.259 on the supremacy of Jesus Christ from Ephesians 00:00:34.259 --> 00:00:37.259 chapter 1. We invite you to be back and urge 00:00:37.259 --> 00:00:42.490 you to be here. as a part of making Sunday special 00:00:42.490 --> 00:00:45.969 in your life for the Lord Jesus Christ. Today 00:00:45.969 --> 00:00:49.070 is Thanksgiving Sunday, and as a part of that 00:00:49.070 --> 00:00:52.770 we are receiving a Thanksgiving offering. If 00:00:52.770 --> 00:00:55.070 you have an envelope set, there is a Thanksgiving 00:00:55.070 --> 00:00:57.950 envelope that you should be using. If you did 00:00:57.950 --> 00:01:00.009 not bring it or you don't have a Thanksgiving 00:01:00.009 --> 00:01:03.009 envelope, you may designate your gift by writing 00:01:03.009 --> 00:01:06.310 on it that it's for the Thanksgiving offering. 00:01:06.700 --> 00:01:10.400 because that amount will be sent to the relief 00:01:10.400 --> 00:01:13.340 effort in El Salvador that we have talked a little 00:01:13.340 --> 00:01:15.319 bit about. There's more about it on the back 00:01:15.319 --> 00:01:18.760 of our newsletter today. I trust that we'll give 00:01:18.760 --> 00:01:21.180 generously and be able to help in a significant 00:01:21.180 --> 00:01:23.840 way those who are working with those who are 00:01:23.840 --> 00:01:26.920 disadvantaged in El Salvador because of the earthquake. 00:01:28.260 --> 00:01:30.079 We'd like to take a moment right now to welcome 00:01:30.079 --> 00:01:32.560 those who are visiting. If you are a guest today 00:01:32.560 --> 00:01:34.739 and don't normally come to Grace Church Roseville, 00:01:35.069 --> 00:01:37.250 We're glad you're here for this special Thanksgiving 00:01:37.250 --> 00:01:40.430 Sunday. Our ushers have a brochure about our 00:01:40.430 --> 00:01:42.650 ministry and a visitor's card we'd like to place 00:01:42.650 --> 00:01:45.510 into your hands. Would you be kind enough to 00:01:45.510 --> 00:01:47.650 lift your hand so we can see where you are? Receive 00:01:47.650 --> 00:01:49.730 one of these and then complete the card, the 00:01:49.730 --> 00:01:52.329 visitor's card that is, and put it in the offering 00:01:52.329 --> 00:01:54.290 plate when it's passed later in the service. 00:01:55.010 --> 00:01:56.629 Lift your hand right now if you will as they 00:01:56.629 --> 00:01:58.569 work their way back down the aisles. Be sure 00:01:58.569 --> 00:02:05.540 they get to see you. Thank you. The missionary 00:02:05.540 --> 00:02:08.180 prayer display will be removed tonight from the 00:02:08.180 --> 00:02:10.620 lobby so if you have not yet had the opportunity 00:02:10.620 --> 00:02:13.400 or taken the opportunity to fill out one of these 00:02:13.400 --> 00:02:16.460 prayer forms, committing to pray for one of our 00:02:16.460 --> 00:02:18.400 missionaries, today is your last opportunity 00:02:18.400 --> 00:02:21.159 to do that so that we can notify them who their 00:02:21.159 --> 00:02:24.340 prayer supporters are in our fellowship. We have 00:02:24.340 --> 00:02:26.300 through tonight to take care of that detail. 00:02:27.639 --> 00:02:29.900 The two roses on the organ today are in honor 00:02:29.900 --> 00:02:34.039 of two Jennifers born this last week. One, Jennifer, 00:02:34.039 --> 00:02:36.520 to Mr. and Mrs. Mark Kraus, and another one to 00:02:36.520 --> 00:02:39.580 Mr. and Mrs. Brian Graves. We congratulate them 00:02:39.580 --> 00:02:44.520 on this joyful occasion in their lives. There 00:02:44.520 --> 00:02:46.819 will be a clothing collection on December the 00:02:46.819 --> 00:02:50.159 6th, that's a Saturday, to benefit our clothing 00:02:50.159 --> 00:02:52.939 closet ministry as a church. The details about 00:02:52.939 --> 00:02:55.800 that will be coming shortly, but I want you to 00:02:55.800 --> 00:02:57.879 be aware of it so that you can be looking at 00:02:57.879 --> 00:03:00.710 those. Articles that you no longer have use for 00:03:00.710 --> 00:03:02.490 would like to share with somebody else. That 00:03:02.490 --> 00:03:06.189 will be on December the 6th. Church directories 00:03:06.189 --> 00:03:10.270 are available for those in our church, both members 00:03:10.270 --> 00:03:12.849 and attenders. They are available in the lobby. 00:03:12.949 --> 00:03:15.110 We encourage you to pick up one to the family. 00:03:17.310 --> 00:03:19.430 Please do remember that these directories are 00:03:19.430 --> 00:03:21.689 not for some commercial use, but are for the 00:03:21.689 --> 00:03:27.870 private use of our church. Next Sunday in the 00:03:27.870 --> 00:03:30.669 evening we will have another of our fifth Sunday 00:03:30.669 --> 00:03:33.050 forums. We have not done this since last spring 00:03:33.050 --> 00:03:35.090 because the schedule simply didn't work out that 00:03:35.090 --> 00:03:37.990 we could. But what it is is a question answer 00:03:37.990 --> 00:03:40.150 time during the evening service and you have 00:03:40.150 --> 00:03:43.150 the opportunity to ask the questions regarding 00:03:43.150 --> 00:03:46.289 Bible doctrines, questions concerning the Christian 00:03:46.289 --> 00:03:49.009 life. If you have a question you'd like to ask 00:03:49.009 --> 00:03:51.909 the panel, and please remember this is not stumped 00:03:51.909 --> 00:03:54.860 the panel, this is asked the panel. Feel free 00:03:54.860 --> 00:03:56.719 to write it out. You may even want to use the 00:03:56.719 --> 00:04:00.219 back of your worship folder this morning to write 00:04:00.219 --> 00:04:03.599 it, and then leave it by placing it at the information 00:04:03.599 --> 00:04:06.439 desk when you leave. That will give our panel 00:04:06.439 --> 00:04:09.199 some time to study up on the question that you'd 00:04:09.199 --> 00:04:11.199 like to ask. That's next Sunday night, the fifth 00:04:11.199 --> 00:04:15.719 Sunday forum. Let's prepare ourselves to worship, 00:04:15.800 --> 00:04:18.519 and as we prepare to observe the Lord's table 00:04:18.519 --> 00:04:21.180 in our worship this morning, let us remember 00:04:21.180 --> 00:04:26.370 Jesus. that as we do this to remember Him. Let's 00:04:26.370 --> 00:05:26.240 do that together right now. Let us, as we drink 00:05:26.240 --> 00:06:03.800 the cupless cup. As you gave yourself Help us 00:06:03.800 --> 00:06:18.839 to live As you gave your life Help us to live 00:06:18.839 --> 00:07:16.860 Let us worship you As we humbly bow of sin. Remember 00:07:16.860 --> 00:07:30.000 Him always, till Christ comes again. Come, let 00:07:30.000 --> 00:07:41.899 holy Christ then feed us as we Touch us with 00:07:41.899 --> 00:08:14.290 thy peace in hand on every common day As you 00:08:14.290 --> 00:08:26.430 gave yourself, help us to live. As you gave your 00:08:26.430 --> 00:09:14.049 life, help us to live. Let us worship you. We 00:09:14.049 --> 00:09:16.549 remember our hearts reflecting upon that upper 00:09:16.549 --> 00:09:20.330 room 2000 years ago where Jesus met with his 00:09:20.330 --> 00:09:24.610 disciples and there they sang in the Jewish custom 00:09:24.610 --> 00:09:29.330 from the Psalms and partook of a meal together. 00:09:30.029 --> 00:09:33.289 Jesus then took two of those elements and from 00:09:33.289 --> 00:09:36.210 them established an ordinance for this age which 00:09:36.210 --> 00:09:40.990 we call communion or the Lord's table. We remember 00:09:40.990 --> 00:09:43.870 him this morning on this day of thanksgiving, 00:09:44.429 --> 00:09:49.190 for he is God's indescribable gift for the salvation 00:09:49.190 --> 00:09:54.289 of our souls. The Lord Jesus on that night in 00:09:54.289 --> 00:09:59.169 which he was betrayed took bread and gave thanks 00:09:59.169 --> 00:10:02.870 for it. Let us give thanks too for the bread 00:10:02.870 --> 00:10:05.929 which represents his broken body for us. Let's 00:10:05.929 --> 00:10:15.960 bow together. Our Lord, as we contemplate that 00:10:15.960 --> 00:10:20.039 event so many hundreds of years ago, we recognize 00:10:20.039 --> 00:10:24.759 its relevance for us today, on this day in 1986. 00:10:26.820 --> 00:10:31.440 For that sacrifice of your body for sins was 00:10:31.440 --> 00:10:36.779 for all time. We thank you that your body was 00:10:36.779 --> 00:10:42.559 broken for our sakes. And we receive today this 00:10:42.559 --> 00:10:46.639 bread with gratitude because of what it represents 00:10:46.639 --> 00:10:51.019 to us, your willingness to give yourself even 00:10:51.019 --> 00:10:54.799 to the death of the cross, that you might do 00:10:54.799 --> 00:10:59.799 the Father's will. Lord, as we partake of it, 00:10:59.919 --> 00:11:05.840 we humble ourselves too, and we eat it with an 00:11:05.840 --> 00:11:08.440 attitude of being willing to do whatever the 00:11:08.440 --> 00:12:27.450 Father's will. is for us. Jesus said, this is 00:12:27.450 --> 00:12:33.909 my body. It is for you. Do this in remembrance 00:12:33.909 --> 00:12:54.700 of me. Would you sing with me? Sing Alleluia 00:12:54.700 --> 00:13:10.379 to the Lord. Sing Alleluia. Sing Alleluia. Sing 00:13:10.379 --> 00:13:18.320 Alleluia to the Lord. And then he took the cup 00:13:18.320 --> 00:13:24.399 and gave thanks. Our Lord, we give thanks to 00:13:24.399 --> 00:13:31.460 you for your precious blood shed for the propitiation 00:13:31.460 --> 00:13:36.580 of sins, and not for ours only, but for the sins 00:13:36.580 --> 00:13:41.279 of the whole world. Lord, as we partake of this 00:13:41.279 --> 00:13:46.220 cup this morning, may we remember that this blood 00:13:46.220 --> 00:13:48.460 has been shed for those who have yet to hear 00:13:48.460 --> 00:13:53.299 the story. and impress upon our hearts the urgency 00:13:53.299 --> 00:13:58.840 of getting this glorious gospel to them, that 00:13:58.840 --> 00:14:04.860 they may hear and believe upon you. And as we 00:14:04.860 --> 00:14:07.179 partake, may we remember as well that we are 00:14:07.179 --> 00:14:11.460 a purchased people, that we are not our own, 00:14:12.179 --> 00:14:40.220 that we've been bought with a price. Amen. Jesus 00:14:40.220 --> 00:14:44.000 said this is the blood of the new covenant do 00:14:44.000 --> 00:14:46.899 this as often as you drink it in remembrance 00:14:46.899 --> 00:14:56.919 of me Would you please take your worship folder 00:14:56.919 --> 00:15:04.080 and look at the congregational reading If you 00:15:04.080 --> 00:15:07.730 wish you may put your cup on the floor and then 00:15:07.730 --> 00:15:12.750 you can take it with you when we leave and we'll 00:15:12.750 --> 00:15:20.169 dispose of them at that time. Let's read together 00:15:20.169 --> 00:15:25.070 as a congregation as it instructs us responsibly. 00:15:28.549 --> 00:15:31.789 We have welcomed Christ into our lives and during 00:15:31.789 --> 00:15:34.769 the past weeks of the fall spiritual adventure 00:15:35.149 --> 00:15:45.330 We have opened our homes to Jesus. We acknowledge 00:15:45.330 --> 00:16:03.179 His presence. We acknowledge His majesty. We 00:16:03.179 --> 00:16:06.200 recognize that He is above all and deserving 00:16:06.200 --> 00:16:16.019 of our worship. We are experiencing the joy of 00:16:16.019 --> 00:16:24.299 His abundance in our lives. We have recognized 00:16:24.299 --> 00:16:39.740 our tendency toward self -worship. We all have 00:16:39.740 --> 00:16:59.519 trials and have suffered. We rejoice through 00:16:59.519 --> 00:17:03.259 participation in the great joy that Christ brings 00:17:03.259 --> 00:17:07.880 to all of life. We celebrate Christ. The Lord 00:17:07.880 --> 00:19:14.000 is risen. you beside us to guide us, our God, 00:19:14.079 --> 00:21:00.470 with us joining, ordaining, maintaining, O 'er 00:21:00.470 --> 00:21:05.970 the ramparts we watched, O 'er the ramparts we 00:21:05.970 --> 00:21:49.920 watched Indeed, thanks be to God. I'm glad to 00:21:49.920 --> 00:21:52.440 report this morning that at the present time 00:21:52.440 --> 00:21:56.920 we have faith promises totaling 690 ,000. This 00:21:56.920 --> 00:21:59.180 week you'll be receiving a letter from our elders 00:21:59.180 --> 00:22:03.180 with a brief overview of our 1987 ministry plan 00:22:03.180 --> 00:22:06.759 budget. The figure is above that, and for several 00:22:06.759 --> 00:22:09.640 reasons. A couple of them. First place, our faith 00:22:09.640 --> 00:22:12.299 promises for next year are coming in about $100 00:22:12.299 --> 00:22:15.269 ,000 under what our projected income is. for 00:22:15.269 --> 00:22:17.210 this year. So we know that there are quite a 00:22:17.210 --> 00:22:20.150 number yet who have not participated in faith 00:22:20.150 --> 00:22:23.009 promise for one reason or another. So don't be 00:22:23.009 --> 00:22:25.470 surprised when you see the difference involved 00:22:25.470 --> 00:22:27.789 there. Be praying with us that God will give 00:22:27.789 --> 00:22:30.289 us faith to trust him for the opportunities that 00:22:30.289 --> 00:22:33.450 are before us. Next Sunday night after the evening 00:22:33.450 --> 00:22:36.190 service there will be a detailed explanation 00:22:36.190 --> 00:22:38.990 of the ministry plan for the congregation. We 00:22:38.990 --> 00:22:41.400 encourage you to plan to stay for that. Then 00:22:41.400 --> 00:22:43.700 a week later on December 7th after the evening 00:22:43.700 --> 00:22:46.579 service a vote on it along with a vote on the 00:22:46.579 --> 00:22:49.859 sale of the Lake Minerva property Which was donated 00:22:49.859 --> 00:22:53.380 to us three years ago and has now been sold or 00:22:53.380 --> 00:22:58.460 as in has been The price has been offered to 00:22:58.460 --> 00:23:00.380 us and you have to vote to sell it it has to 00:23:00.380 --> 00:23:02.240 be a congregation vote to do that So it's not 00:23:02.240 --> 00:23:04.859 really sold yet till after you vote on December 00:23:04.859 --> 00:23:09.400 the 7th. Let's bow together in prayer Father, 00:23:09.640 --> 00:23:13.019 we have very much to give thanks for today for 00:23:13.019 --> 00:23:18.400 the eternal salvation you have given to us freely 00:23:18.400 --> 00:23:21.799 through the awful price that you paid in the 00:23:21.799 --> 00:23:26.660 death of your son. What kind of thanks can we 00:23:26.660 --> 00:23:33.119 give that is enough? So we give you ourselves 00:23:33.119 --> 00:23:38.019 as living sacrifices. and pray that all of our 00:23:38.019 --> 00:23:41.039 days upon the earth we may walk with you in fellowship 00:23:41.039 --> 00:23:46.579 and bring your heart joy. And ask too that we 00:23:46.579 --> 00:23:49.160 may be a people filled with faith to believe 00:23:49.160 --> 00:23:54.819 you for great things. I pray that you will not 00:23:54.819 --> 00:24:01.000 allow us to be content with small things or things 00:24:01.000 --> 00:24:05.720 that are mediocre. But may we reach out for all 00:24:05.720 --> 00:24:10.819 that you enable us to do. Make us a people of 00:24:10.819 --> 00:24:14.960 faith, so that like those of old, you may not 00:24:14.960 --> 00:24:19.579 be ashamed to be called our God. In Jesus' name, 00:24:19.859 --> 00:27:24.740 amen. you Please join together in singing number 00:27:24.740 --> 00:27:28.960 118. The text I imagine will be new to many of 00:27:28.960 --> 00:27:31.819 you. The hymn itself, the hymn tune should be 00:27:31.819 --> 00:27:35.380 familiar. Number 118, we'll sing together all 00:27:35.380 --> 00:28:24.319 four standards. Please stand. every generation. 00:28:25.819 --> 00:28:30.880 The fire divine, their steps that bled, still 00:28:30.880 --> 00:28:38.400 goeth bright before us. The heavenly shield around 00:28:38.400 --> 00:28:50.250 them spread, is still a hallel o 'er us. The 00:28:50.250 --> 00:28:55.230 strength, those weaklings that renewed, Doth 00:28:55.230 --> 00:29:05.450 vanquish, doth restore us. Their joy unto their 00:29:05.450 --> 00:29:12.849 Lord we bring, Their song to us descendeth, The 00:29:12.849 --> 00:29:28.579 Spirit who in them did sing, To us is new. Is 00:29:28.579 --> 00:29:39.619 it high we send it on, The sun that never ended? 00:29:40.400 --> 00:29:46.880 Ye saints to come, take up the strain, The saints 00:29:46.880 --> 00:29:55.460 we demon differ, Unbroken be the golden chain, 00:29:55.940 --> 00:30:26.529 Keep on the song. Please be seated. sure that 00:30:26.529 --> 00:30:29.170 is a new text to most of us here this morning 00:30:29.170 --> 00:30:32.849 and it speaks very eloquently of the unbroken 00:30:32.849 --> 00:30:35.490 chain of generations that have known and served 00:30:35.490 --> 00:30:40.950 God upon the earth. We are one generation. Others 00:30:40.950 --> 00:30:43.329 have gone before us and we dare not forget the 00:30:43.329 --> 00:30:46.190 greatness of their faith in trusting God and 00:30:46.190 --> 00:30:48.809 the importance of our preparing future generations 00:30:48.809 --> 00:30:52.859 to walk with Him as well. Would you open your 00:30:52.859 --> 00:30:56.880 Bible with me please to the book of Hebrews and 00:30:56.880 --> 00:31:07.920 we will look today in the 13th chapter. We conclude 00:31:07.920 --> 00:31:10.779 today the Fall Spiritual Adventure. This is our 00:31:10.779 --> 00:31:14.740 eighth Sunday when we have focused on a particular 00:31:14.740 --> 00:31:19.480 theme related to Jesus Christ coming to stay 00:31:19.480 --> 00:31:24.420 in our homes as a guest. Today's theme is the 00:31:24.420 --> 00:31:28.299 guest stays on. I suppose that all of us have 00:31:28.299 --> 00:31:30.519 joked at one time or another about a friend who 00:31:30.519 --> 00:31:34.539 came to stay for a little while and ended up 00:31:34.539 --> 00:31:39.759 staying a little bit too long. There's a Portuguese 00:31:39.759 --> 00:31:43.519 proverb that says, visits always give pleasure, 00:31:44.039 --> 00:31:48.880 if not the coming, then the going. Benjamin Franklin 00:31:48.880 --> 00:31:51.079 stated it a little more plainly though when he 00:31:51.079 --> 00:31:54.559 said, fish and visitors stink after three days. 00:31:55.660 --> 00:32:01.200 Don't you like that? Such reaction may occasionally 00:32:01.200 --> 00:32:06.079 be true regarding a human guest, but never of 00:32:06.079 --> 00:32:08.519 our heavenly guest that we've been thinking about. 00:32:09.319 --> 00:32:12.140 Indeed, the joy and the sense of privilege that 00:32:12.140 --> 00:32:15.720 is ours because Christ is in our homes can be 00:32:15.720 --> 00:32:20.059 permanent, for indeed his stay is permanent. 00:32:20.809 --> 00:32:25.890 Please don't forget that he's there. Please don't 00:32:25.890 --> 00:32:29.190 take for granted the privilege of his abiding 00:32:29.190 --> 00:32:33.109 presence with you. Seek to build an increasing 00:32:33.109 --> 00:32:36.750 sense of wonder and appreciation that he has 00:32:36.750 --> 00:32:40.710 promised to stay. As he says at the end of the 00:32:40.710 --> 00:32:43.569 fifth verse in this chapter, I will never desert 00:32:43.569 --> 00:32:49.319 you, nor will I ever forsake you. What a wonderful 00:32:49.319 --> 00:32:54.839 decree from our royal guest. The sovereign, the 00:32:54.839 --> 00:32:58.400 king who has been staying with us says, I will 00:32:58.400 --> 00:33:02.619 never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you. 00:33:03.319 --> 00:33:07.240 Isn't that a blessed promise? Talk about something 00:33:07.240 --> 00:33:10.460 for which we can give thanks on this Thanksgiving 00:33:10.460 --> 00:33:14.660 Sunday. Think with me, if you will, about the 00:33:14.660 --> 00:33:17.480 consequences of such a promise. What are they? 00:33:18.119 --> 00:33:21.140 As we look at Hebrews chapter 13, we can number 00:33:21.140 --> 00:33:25.519 several of them. Because our guest has decreed 00:33:25.519 --> 00:33:29.160 what he has in verse 5, we can be content with 00:33:29.160 --> 00:33:32.819 what we have. Will you notice that that is actually 00:33:32.819 --> 00:33:36.720 the context of that verse? The first part of 00:33:36.720 --> 00:33:39.440 verse 5 says, let your character be free from 00:33:39.440 --> 00:33:42.500 the love of money, being content with what you 00:33:42.500 --> 00:33:47.500 have for he himself has said. Isn't that interesting? 00:33:48.720 --> 00:33:53.240 Because he has said this, we need not be characterized 00:33:53.240 --> 00:33:57.839 by love of money or selfishness of possessions. 00:34:00.339 --> 00:34:04.000 We cannot escape the teaching of our Christ and 00:34:04.000 --> 00:34:08.900 our King that we cannot serve or worship Him 00:34:08.900 --> 00:34:15.780 and our material things at the same time. That 00:34:15.780 --> 00:34:21.579 puts us in our culture in a great dilemma because 00:34:21.579 --> 00:34:27.980 we are by nature materialists. We worship the 00:34:27.980 --> 00:34:30.920 things, the possessions, the money that we have. 00:34:32.019 --> 00:34:34.760 But our Jesus has said to us, you cannot worship 00:34:34.760 --> 00:34:40.119 that and worship me at the same time. Now the 00:34:40.119 --> 00:34:44.579 reason is that one will inevitably dominate us. 00:34:45.039 --> 00:34:49.519 There is no compromise between the two. One or 00:34:49.519 --> 00:34:53.460 the other will be the dominator, the Lord of 00:34:53.460 --> 00:34:57.659 our life. That is why I think the ownership prayer 00:34:57.659 --> 00:35:00.619 has so effectively stated the petition from many 00:35:00.619 --> 00:35:04.099 of us. Indeed, the prayer that should arise from 00:35:04.099 --> 00:35:06.639 the heart of all of us when it says, Your Majesty, 00:35:06.760 --> 00:35:10.619 thank you for what you have entrusted to me to 00:35:10.619 --> 00:35:15.619 manage on your behalf. These possessions, these 00:35:15.619 --> 00:35:21.340 resources, these gifts are not mine, but yours. 00:35:23.099 --> 00:35:25.659 Give me the wisdom I need to make them available 00:35:25.659 --> 00:35:29.699 for the work of your kingdom. I am honored to 00:35:29.699 --> 00:35:35.699 be your subject. But someone asked, what if I'm 00:35:35.699 --> 00:35:40.800 treated unjustly? What if someone seizes or steals 00:35:40.800 --> 00:35:43.480 my earthly goods? Don't I have a right to be 00:35:43.480 --> 00:35:49.280 anxious about that? Well, verse 6 seems to answer 00:35:49.280 --> 00:35:52.860 the question. He says that we should be free 00:35:52.860 --> 00:35:55.360 from the love of money, being content because 00:35:55.360 --> 00:35:58.079 of what Jesus said, so that we can also confidently 00:35:58.079 --> 00:36:03.300 say, the Lord is my helper. I will not be afraid. 00:36:04.280 --> 00:36:08.980 What shall man do to me? You say, well, a man 00:36:08.980 --> 00:36:13.119 can take my earthly goods. Someone may break 00:36:13.119 --> 00:36:15.900 into my home and steal my things while I'm at 00:36:15.900 --> 00:36:21.139 church. Therefore, I stay home. We worry about 00:36:21.139 --> 00:36:23.619 those things, don't we? We don't have to be afraid. 00:36:23.699 --> 00:36:27.659 The Lord's our helper. What is the worst that 00:36:27.659 --> 00:36:33.920 another human being can do to you or to me? The 00:36:33.920 --> 00:36:38.199 worst they could do is kill us. And all they've 00:36:38.199 --> 00:36:41.380 done then is liberate us to go to be with the 00:36:41.380 --> 00:36:45.760 Lord, which is far better. So because our King 00:36:45.760 --> 00:36:49.400 has decreed what he has, we need not fear what 00:36:49.400 --> 00:36:55.840 man might do to us. The Lord is our helper. We 00:36:55.840 --> 00:36:57.900 have to ask ourselves the question, what fills 00:36:57.900 --> 00:37:02.960 our thoughts more? Our desire for money? Our 00:37:02.960 --> 00:37:07.599 fear of losing the things we have? our planning 00:37:07.599 --> 00:37:14.280 to increase it, or how we might be able to get 00:37:14.280 --> 00:37:18.480 by on less, how we might invest more wisely in 00:37:18.480 --> 00:37:20.980 the Lord's work and send our treasures on ahead, 00:37:22.179 --> 00:37:25.159 how we can meet the genuine needs of others around 00:37:25.159 --> 00:37:31.159 us. Which describes the thought pattern of your 00:37:31.159 --> 00:37:35.710 life? To be content with what we possess is the 00:37:35.710 --> 00:37:40.250 greatest of all riches, isn't it? Again, our 00:37:40.250 --> 00:37:43.050 friend Benjamin Franklin put it this way, contentment 00:37:43.050 --> 00:37:46.630 makes poor men rich. Discontentment makes rich 00:37:46.630 --> 00:37:52.829 men poor. Every person lives in one of two tents, 00:37:54.190 --> 00:37:59.409 either content or discontent. Which one do you 00:37:59.409 --> 00:38:04.659 live in? Contentment is found in declaring that 00:38:04.659 --> 00:38:08.500 God is the true owner of all that we have and 00:38:08.500 --> 00:38:12.940 that we ourselves are but the stewards. When 00:38:12.940 --> 00:38:16.820 we can come to that point, then we can be content. 00:38:19.280 --> 00:38:21.760 Our King has said, I'll never leave you. I will 00:38:21.760 --> 00:38:24.980 never forsake you. Therefore, we can be content 00:38:24.980 --> 00:38:29.380 with what we have. And what we have, we can invest 00:38:29.380 --> 00:38:33.670 in His work. Because He is permanently present 00:38:33.670 --> 00:38:36.210 with us, we can also show loving hospitality 00:38:36.210 --> 00:38:38.730 to others. By the way, you're going to notice 00:38:38.730 --> 00:38:41.190 that in Hebrews chapter 13, we have a remarkable 00:38:41.190 --> 00:38:43.969 summary of all of our false spiritual adventure. 00:38:45.449 --> 00:38:47.670 Because He is present with us, we can show loving 00:38:47.670 --> 00:38:51.610 hospitality to others, making it a priority to 00:38:51.610 --> 00:38:54.130 serve those who cannot repay us. Look at verse 00:38:54.130 --> 00:38:59.710 2. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers. 00:39:02.159 --> 00:39:05.119 This was one of the bonus disciplines that some 00:39:05.119 --> 00:39:08.800 of our church family accepted during these weeks 00:39:08.800 --> 00:39:12.840 of our adventure. They looked for special ways 00:39:12.840 --> 00:39:16.679 in which to serve the King, to share their abundance 00:39:16.679 --> 00:39:20.280 with those who could not in any means repay them. 00:39:21.380 --> 00:39:23.619 You know, recognizing our King's presence, we 00:39:23.619 --> 00:39:27.480 want to be as spontaneous and generous as he 00:39:27.480 --> 00:39:31.820 himself is. Because He is here, we want to be 00:39:31.820 --> 00:39:35.219 selfless because that is what characterizes Him. 00:39:36.820 --> 00:39:41.440 Jesus was selfless in His countless interruptions. 00:39:42.440 --> 00:39:44.940 Why, He even fed thousands of people without 00:39:44.940 --> 00:39:49.780 any preparation. He took time to talk and to 00:39:49.780 --> 00:39:54.000 touch those who were considered outcasts because 00:39:54.000 --> 00:40:00.400 of illness. Sinful lifestyle. or discrimination. 00:40:02.159 --> 00:40:06.699 To them He showed His kindness. Our Lord wants 00:40:06.699 --> 00:40:11.079 to keep reaching out to people too. Even though 00:40:11.079 --> 00:40:15.139 He is now bodily and gloriously in heaven, it 00:40:15.139 --> 00:40:17.940 is His desire to reach out through His present 00:40:17.940 --> 00:40:22.980 earthly body, you and me, to touch and to love 00:40:22.980 --> 00:40:27.119 people who are in need. Because He is permanently 00:40:27.119 --> 00:40:31.289 present in us, We should graciously show hospitality 00:40:31.289 --> 00:40:35.570 and loving kindness by our actions to others. 00:40:37.409 --> 00:40:40.869 Because he has promised never to leave, we can 00:40:40.869 --> 00:40:44.329 expect to see his working in our lives in unexpected 00:40:44.329 --> 00:40:50.230 ways. Look at the end of verse 2. He says, By 00:40:50.230 --> 00:40:53.030 this, that is by their hospitality, some have 00:40:53.030 --> 00:40:57.679 entertained angels without knowing it. You see, 00:40:57.800 --> 00:41:01.519 when angels appear, they don't come always dressed 00:41:01.519 --> 00:41:05.659 in shining robes. They certainly don't come flapping 00:41:05.659 --> 00:41:11.440 into your room with wings. Angels have the capacity 00:41:11.440 --> 00:41:16.960 to appear in a glorious form or in a merely human 00:41:16.960 --> 00:41:21.599 form. And what is said here in a rather amazing 00:41:21.599 --> 00:41:24.840 statement is that angels have been entertained 00:41:24.840 --> 00:41:27.219 by some of the believers in that early church. 00:41:28.840 --> 00:41:32.079 What is he talking about? Well, he tells us earlier 00:41:32.079 --> 00:41:34.940 in the first chapter of this book that angels 00:41:34.940 --> 00:41:37.300 are sent to minister to those who shall be the 00:41:37.300 --> 00:41:39.980 heirs of salvation. Who of you can know that 00:41:39.980 --> 00:41:42.219 you have not been ministered to by angels at 00:41:42.219 --> 00:41:47.820 some time in your life? When there was some stranger 00:41:47.820 --> 00:41:50.539 who intervened on your behalf and perhaps you 00:41:50.539 --> 00:41:54.000 did not even notice the intervention. But it 00:41:54.000 --> 00:41:59.900 was there. Because our Lord has promised never 00:41:59.900 --> 00:42:03.159 to leave us, we can expect to continue seeing 00:42:03.159 --> 00:42:05.719 His working in our lives in ways that we might 00:42:05.719 --> 00:42:09.480 not expect. One of the disciplines we've talked 00:42:09.480 --> 00:42:12.400 about during these weeks is the God hunt. And 00:42:12.400 --> 00:42:15.559 the little phrase, I spy, has become commonly 00:42:15.559 --> 00:42:19.400 used amongst us. We have asked God to open our 00:42:19.400 --> 00:42:25.519 eyes that we might perceive His working. Do you 00:42:25.519 --> 00:42:29.380 recall the disciples in Luke 24 who said that 00:42:29.380 --> 00:42:32.519 their hearts burned, but they didn't know why 00:42:32.519 --> 00:42:36.440 until Jesus revealed Himself to them. And then 00:42:36.440 --> 00:42:39.820 they understood. I pray that we might have this 00:42:39.820 --> 00:42:44.719 kind of heavenly heartburn. That we might see 00:42:44.719 --> 00:42:49.159 His hand working every day. And even though the 00:42:49.159 --> 00:42:53.289 adventure is over, Officially, may the adventure 00:42:53.289 --> 00:42:57.289 go on as we notice our Lord's working in His 00:42:57.289 --> 00:43:00.210 daily involvement with us, in special encouragements 00:43:00.210 --> 00:43:03.530 He gives, in specific answers to prayer, in unusual 00:43:03.530 --> 00:43:05.909 timing that He brings together in our lives. 00:43:07.389 --> 00:43:08.969 And then I would hope that we would feel free 00:43:08.969 --> 00:43:11.630 to share these things even as we have the opportunity 00:43:11.630 --> 00:43:15.190 to do tonight in the service. Because that will 00:43:15.190 --> 00:43:18.550 evidence to others that our God is alive and 00:43:18.550 --> 00:43:24.380 well and working. in the world today. Number 00:43:24.380 --> 00:43:26.980 four, because his presence is abiding and he 00:43:26.980 --> 00:43:30.519 has said what he has, we can show proper respect 00:43:30.519 --> 00:43:35.420 for each other. Because he is here and abides 00:43:35.420 --> 00:43:39.539 with us, our words will be more carefully chosen 00:43:39.539 --> 00:43:44.900 because he is listening. He is evaluating our 00:43:44.900 --> 00:43:50.389 statements. The way those words and actions strike 00:43:50.389 --> 00:43:55.070 others is the way that he perceives them. Because 00:43:55.070 --> 00:43:58.690 we recognize his presence, proper respect will 00:43:58.690 --> 00:44:01.789 characterize us. There's a discipline we've used 00:44:01.789 --> 00:44:04.329 during these weeks called words of affirmation. 00:44:06.469 --> 00:44:09.250 We have sought with specific people to use our 00:44:09.250 --> 00:44:12.889 tongues as tools to build and not as weapons 00:44:12.889 --> 00:44:18.599 to destroy like we are so prone to do. Let's 00:44:18.599 --> 00:44:22.760 continue, seeking to make our words sweet and 00:44:22.760 --> 00:44:28.059 cool water rather than bitter and salty poison. 00:44:30.280 --> 00:44:33.679 In Hebrews 13, there are several directions suggested 00:44:33.679 --> 00:44:37.280 for our respect. In verse 3, he tells us that 00:44:37.280 --> 00:44:40.619 we should remember the prisoners, those who are 00:44:40.619 --> 00:44:45.369 ill -treated, for Christ's sake. There should 00:44:45.369 --> 00:44:49.550 be a proper respect in our part for them who 00:44:49.550 --> 00:44:53.409 are suffering persecution for the sake of our 00:44:53.409 --> 00:44:58.230 Lord. We should show proper respect, he says 00:44:58.230 --> 00:45:00.789 in verse 4, for marriage. Let marriage be held 00:45:00.789 --> 00:45:05.010 in honor among all. Let the marriage bed be undefiled 00:45:05.010 --> 00:45:09.250 fornicators and adulterers. God will judge. We 00:45:09.250 --> 00:45:11.909 should have proper respect for our marriage partners. 00:45:12.400 --> 00:45:15.460 And by extension, for our families, parents for 00:45:15.460 --> 00:45:19.719 children and children for parents. You see, this 00:45:19.719 --> 00:45:22.000 is all in the context of the Word of God in Hebrews 00:45:22.000 --> 00:45:25.719 13, showing proper respect for each other. Then 00:45:25.719 --> 00:45:28.119 once more in verse 7, he says, Remember those 00:45:28.119 --> 00:45:31.000 who led you, who spoke the Word of God to you, 00:45:31.219 --> 00:45:34.260 considering the result of their conduct, imitate 00:45:34.260 --> 00:45:37.579 their faith. And again in verse 17, obey your 00:45:37.579 --> 00:45:40.360 leaders and submit to them, for they watch over 00:45:40.360 --> 00:45:43.849 your souls. as those who will give and account. 00:45:45.110 --> 00:45:47.090 And so we are to show proper respect towards 00:45:47.090 --> 00:45:49.309 spiritual leaders within the fellowship of our 00:45:49.309 --> 00:45:54.329 church. Because of His abiding presence, we can 00:45:54.329 --> 00:45:56.769 and should show proper respect for each other, 00:45:56.789 --> 00:46:02.230 for He is here. Therefore, discourtesy, thoughtlessness, 00:46:02.869 --> 00:46:06.750 rebellion, and harshness. Why, these things would 00:46:06.750 --> 00:46:08.710 surely bring us embarrassment if we realized 00:46:08.710 --> 00:46:14.230 that Jesus was next to us. And in fact, He is. 00:46:16.389 --> 00:46:19.030 And fifthly, because Jesus is here, we can participate 00:46:19.030 --> 00:46:22.250 in public worship with a sense of its importance 00:46:22.250 --> 00:46:26.909 to our lives. Because Jesus Christ is literally 00:46:26.909 --> 00:46:32.429 in His body. That's why in verses 15 and 16 it 00:46:32.429 --> 00:46:35.570 says, Through Him then let us continually offer 00:46:35.570 --> 00:46:38.349 up a sacrifice of praise to God. That is the 00:46:38.349 --> 00:46:40.570 fruit of our lips that give thanks to His name. 00:46:41.139 --> 00:46:43.699 And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for 00:46:43.699 --> 00:46:47.980 with such sacrifices God is well pleased. These 00:46:47.980 --> 00:46:49.880 would seem to tie together with what we looked 00:46:49.880 --> 00:46:54.420 at before in chapter 10, verses 24 and 25, when 00:46:54.420 --> 00:46:56.539 he says, let us consider how to stimulate one 00:46:56.539 --> 00:46:59.460 another to love and good deeds. That is, we are 00:46:59.460 --> 00:47:01.420 to stimulate each other in offering up these 00:47:01.420 --> 00:47:05.159 sacrifices to God. And he says, not forsaking 00:47:05.159 --> 00:47:08.219 our own assembling together, as is the habit 00:47:08.219 --> 00:47:12.429 of some. but encouraging one another and all 00:47:12.429 --> 00:47:17.590 the more as you see the day drawing near. The 00:47:17.590 --> 00:47:19.989 discipline of making Sunday special has meant 00:47:19.989 --> 00:47:24.730 something to a few of us. We have sought to include 00:47:24.730 --> 00:47:29.550 a special action in the week to show the Lord 00:47:29.550 --> 00:47:33.909 that Sunday is the high point of it all. Maybe 00:47:33.909 --> 00:47:37.210 it was being here on time. Maybe it was reading 00:47:37.210 --> 00:47:39.349 through the scriptures as you come in and sit 00:47:39.349 --> 00:47:41.130 down the scripture that's going to be taught 00:47:41.130 --> 00:47:44.510 that morning. Maybe it was praying for the pastor 00:47:44.510 --> 00:47:48.110 or for other small church leaders or for the 00:47:48.110 --> 00:47:50.550 ushers or choir members before you came to church. 00:47:50.769 --> 00:47:53.690 But something was done, I trust, to show to the 00:47:53.690 --> 00:47:56.110 Lord that Sunday is in fact what he says it is, 00:47:56.150 --> 00:47:58.730 the high point of the week, that special day 00:47:58.730 --> 00:48:02.050 that in some sense corresponds to the Sabbath 00:48:02.050 --> 00:48:04.769 of the Old Testament. in that it's a day set 00:48:04.769 --> 00:48:08.150 apart to worship the Lord as a congregation of 00:48:08.150 --> 00:48:13.389 people, because He is here. Because He is here, 00:48:14.110 --> 00:48:18.309 we can come and participate gladly and willingly 00:48:18.309 --> 00:48:22.110 and enthusiastically in the public worship of 00:48:22.110 --> 00:48:27.469 our congregation. And finally, because our King 00:48:27.469 --> 00:48:30.909 will never forsake us, because He will never 00:48:30.909 --> 00:48:36.199 leave us. We can face crises without fear of 00:48:36.199 --> 00:48:40.079 personal collapse due to foundation failure. 00:48:41.619 --> 00:48:45.420 We talked about this last week. Crisis is a part 00:48:45.420 --> 00:48:49.239 of the life of every one of us. We're either 00:48:49.239 --> 00:48:51.760 going through one or there's one on either horizon, 00:48:52.179 --> 00:48:56.380 coming or going. It's a part of life. Not everything 00:48:56.380 --> 00:48:59.420 that happens is a crisis, but there are crises 00:48:59.420 --> 00:49:03.289 that we face. Because He is here, we can face 00:49:03.289 --> 00:49:06.409 those without fear. We need to make sure that 00:49:06.409 --> 00:49:09.610 the foundation is solid though. What did Jesus 00:49:09.610 --> 00:49:13.989 say makes a rock foundation? Is it just hearing? 00:49:14.989 --> 00:49:20.449 No. Is it hearing and appreciating? No. Is it 00:49:20.449 --> 00:49:24.070 hearing and quoting what He has to say? No. Is 00:49:24.070 --> 00:49:27.730 it hearing and admiring His teachings? No. It's 00:49:27.730 --> 00:49:33.849 hearing and what? taking action, hearing and 00:49:33.849 --> 00:49:39.429 doing what he tells us to do. That's why in Hebrews 00:49:39.429 --> 00:49:42.010 13 we're warned in verse 9, do not be carried 00:49:42.010 --> 00:49:48.230 away by varied and strange teachings. You see, 00:49:48.269 --> 00:49:51.989 that's a flood that comes against some. That's 00:49:51.989 --> 00:49:55.639 a crisis that approaches indeed many. in this 00:49:55.639 --> 00:49:58.239 day in which we live, when there are demonic 00:49:58.239 --> 00:50:02.320 doctrines that are floating everywhere. Faults 00:50:02.320 --> 00:50:04.800 and varied and strange teachings that come. He 00:50:04.800 --> 00:50:08.139 says, don't be carried away by them. It's good 00:50:08.139 --> 00:50:12.579 for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not 00:50:12.579 --> 00:50:16.579 by foods. He's talking there about the legalistic 00:50:16.579 --> 00:50:20.780 rules of Judaism, through which those who were 00:50:20.780 --> 00:50:24.550 thus occupied were not benefited. He's saying 00:50:24.550 --> 00:50:27.349 they were busy looking after all the rules, the 00:50:27.349 --> 00:50:31.090 legalistic things that had been set up regarding 00:50:31.090 --> 00:50:35.349 their diet. It didn't benefit them at all. They 00:50:35.349 --> 00:50:39.530 were carried away. They collapsed. But he says, 00:50:39.610 --> 00:50:42.789 let your heart be strengthened by grace. Then 00:50:42.789 --> 00:50:46.190 in verses 12 and 13, he tells us that Jesus also, 00:50:46.809 --> 00:50:49.230 that he might sanctify the people through his 00:50:49.230 --> 00:50:53.480 own blood, suffered outside the gate. What gate 00:50:53.480 --> 00:50:56.920 is that? Well, the gate of Jerusalem. But symbolically 00:50:56.920 --> 00:50:59.260 it means that he suffered outside of Judaism. 00:50:59.760 --> 00:51:02.860 He was rejected by the Jews, turned out by them. 00:51:03.119 --> 00:51:07.579 This is not our king. We reject him. And so outside 00:51:07.579 --> 00:51:11.940 the gate he suffered. And it says, hence let 00:51:11.940 --> 00:51:17.480 us go out to him outside the camp bearing his 00:51:17.480 --> 00:51:20.340 reproach. The camp here being the camp of Judaism 00:51:20.340 --> 00:51:24.489 in the context of that day. Today, I think we 00:51:24.489 --> 00:51:26.889 can say it in a number of ways, including this. 00:51:27.030 --> 00:51:29.750 We have to go outside the camp of popular religion 00:51:29.750 --> 00:51:39.369 and bear his reproach. There are some not willing 00:51:39.369 --> 00:51:43.710 to pass through that crisis for the sake of pleasing 00:51:43.710 --> 00:51:51.610 family or pleasing those at work or pleasing 00:51:51.610 --> 00:51:55.639 the community. They maintain ties with popular 00:51:55.639 --> 00:51:58.659 religion, unwilling to identify with the Lord 00:51:58.659 --> 00:52:06.079 Jesus Christ, and their lives collapse. I don't 00:52:06.079 --> 00:52:07.900 know what crisis you may be under today. Maybe 00:52:07.900 --> 00:52:11.579 it's a religious crisis. Maybe it's one with 00:52:11.579 --> 00:52:14.019 a strange doctrine that's been introduced to 00:52:14.019 --> 00:52:15.900 you and you're not quite sure how to handle it. 00:52:17.440 --> 00:52:21.980 It may be a personal crisis of some loss or fear. 00:52:23.090 --> 00:52:27.150 It may be jealousy. It may be uncertain in your 00:52:27.150 --> 00:52:28.989 life. You don't know what is going on around 00:52:28.989 --> 00:52:32.550 you. Whatever it is, you need not fear that crisis 00:52:32.550 --> 00:52:35.730 because Jesus has said, I will never leave you. 00:52:36.869 --> 00:52:41.429 I will never forsake you. Let your heart be established 00:52:41.429 --> 00:52:44.969 with that grace. Through the last weeks, we have 00:52:44.969 --> 00:52:47.170 been daily disciplining ourselves, observing 00:52:47.170 --> 00:52:51.469 in scripture a variety of different kinds of 00:52:51.469 --> 00:52:54.610 crises. And we've observed how people in the 00:52:54.610 --> 00:52:56.909 scriptures handle them, or how we were told to 00:52:56.909 --> 00:52:59.329 handle them. And I hope that we've learned from 00:52:59.329 --> 00:53:05.710 that. That God allows crises to come to us for 00:53:05.710 --> 00:53:09.449 a purpose, but He doesn't leave us without a 00:53:09.449 --> 00:53:14.230 word as to what to do. It's here. And He's with 00:53:14.230 --> 00:53:19.010 us. And it is not His will that we collapse. 00:53:20.190 --> 00:53:25.079 So build a firm foundation. Now from these things 00:53:25.079 --> 00:53:27.679 that we pointed out, do you see why we are privileged 00:53:27.679 --> 00:53:32.380 to have Christ stay on with us? While we've talked 00:53:32.380 --> 00:53:35.320 about inviting Him into our homes for these days, 00:53:36.400 --> 00:53:40.880 He will be here to stay. He is the guest who 00:53:40.880 --> 00:53:44.380 stays on. And we can be glad about that because 00:53:44.380 --> 00:53:47.679 of the positive difference that He makes in our 00:53:47.679 --> 00:53:51.820 homes, in our lives because of it. Could I ask 00:53:51.820 --> 00:53:54.579 you to do something this week? that I hope would 00:53:54.579 --> 00:53:56.539 be meaningful to you and would encourage somebody 00:53:56.539 --> 00:54:00.840 else. I want you to write two notes. The first 00:54:00.840 --> 00:54:04.739 one is to Jesus. You may want to keep it in your 00:54:04.739 --> 00:54:09.780 Bible or in your personal diary, but write a 00:54:09.780 --> 00:54:13.820 note to Jesus telling Him what the last few weeks 00:54:13.820 --> 00:54:19.900 have meant to you, honestly. And then thank Him 00:54:19.900 --> 00:54:23.099 for the fact that He's staying on with you. And 00:54:23.099 --> 00:54:28.239 for what reasons you're grateful. And then write 00:54:28.239 --> 00:54:31.260 a second note, if you would. I'd like you to 00:54:31.260 --> 00:54:34.019 address it to the chapel of the air, or if you 00:54:34.019 --> 00:54:38.599 wish to make it a person, to David Maynes. In 00:54:38.599 --> 00:54:40.199 fact, if you have one of the adventure journals, 00:54:40.300 --> 00:54:43.380 there's a back page that you may have seen from 00:54:43.380 --> 00:54:46.760 this morning which allows you to fill out the 00:54:46.760 --> 00:54:49.800 page that's right there. And then I'd like for 00:54:49.800 --> 00:54:52.980 you to mail that. either directly to the chapel 00:54:52.980 --> 00:54:55.139 of the air or here to the church office and we'll 00:54:55.139 --> 00:54:57.880 collect them. I would enjoy reading them if you 00:54:57.880 --> 00:55:00.840 don't mind. And then we can send them in a bundle 00:55:00.840 --> 00:55:05.260 to them. To let them know that we appreciate 00:55:05.260 --> 00:55:07.880 the fact that they've organized the adventure 00:55:07.880 --> 00:55:11.139 that we've been able to participate in. For we 00:55:11.139 --> 00:55:13.099 have cooperated with them in it. It's been our 00:55:13.099 --> 00:55:14.940 adventure but on the other hand they are the 00:55:14.940 --> 00:55:18.500 ones who provided the materials for us. And I 00:55:18.500 --> 00:55:20.260 think it would be appropriate for us at this 00:55:20.260 --> 00:55:22.780 Thanksgiving season to give thanks to whom it 00:55:22.780 --> 00:55:27.559 is due. But I wonder if right now you would be 00:55:27.559 --> 00:55:29.960 willing to bow your head with me and consider 00:55:29.960 --> 00:55:33.760 just what you want to say to Jesus. Would you 00:55:33.760 --> 00:55:41.440 do that? I would hope that he's not a visitor 00:55:41.440 --> 00:55:45.769 who has overstayed That you don't feel it's time 00:55:45.769 --> 00:55:51.469 for him to leave because of discomfort. Would 00:55:51.469 --> 00:55:54.210 you right now in your heart say, Lord Jesus, 00:55:54.329 --> 00:55:59.769 I thank you for these last weeks of the spiritual 00:55:59.769 --> 00:56:03.829 discipline because of, then name a couple of 00:56:03.829 --> 00:56:17.340 things to him right now, would you? And then 00:56:17.340 --> 00:56:20.340 would you say, Lord Jesus, I thank you that you're 00:56:20.340 --> 00:56:23.860 staying with me. Never to leave will forsake 00:56:23.860 --> 00:56:27.039 me. And these are the reasons that I'm thankful 00:56:27.039 --> 00:56:31.139 for that. Name two or three of them for him right 00:56:31.139 --> 00:56:43.650 now. Talk to him. And then I wonder, as you think 00:56:43.650 --> 00:56:45.650 through the past weeks, if there's some area 00:56:45.650 --> 00:56:48.590 where you feel that you haven't been able to 00:56:48.590 --> 00:56:52.070 accomplish what you wanted spiritually, would 00:56:52.070 --> 00:56:54.130 you like to say to the Lord that you're going 00:56:54.130 --> 00:56:56.550 to continue working in a specific area of your 00:56:56.550 --> 00:57:00.389 life and ask His help? Maybe it's one of the 00:57:00.389 --> 00:57:05.289 disciplines. Tell Him about it right now and 00:57:05.289 --> 00:57:23.960 what your commitment to Him is. I love you, Lord, 00:57:24.400 --> 00:57:39.820 and I lift my voice to worship you. Oh, my soul, 00:57:39.820 --> 00:58:08.099 rejoice. Take joy, my King. Lord, we do love 00:58:08.099 --> 00:58:16.559 you, and we are grateful, and we pray that our 00:58:16.559 --> 00:58:24.639 gratitude would establish our hearts in grace. 00:58:27.800 --> 00:58:30.639 May this Thanksgiving season be a rich one for 00:58:30.639 --> 00:58:34.780 us as a congregation, rich because we recognize 00:58:34.780 --> 00:58:39.480 your presence and have the benefits that we've 00:58:39.480 --> 00:58:44.599 talked about this morning. May we be a people 00:58:44.599 --> 00:58:47.179 who serve you with gratitude, who worship you 00:58:47.179 --> 00:58:52.380 with gratitude. and who treat others differently 00:58:52.380 --> 00:59:00.619 with gratitude. Thank you for the sacrifice which 00:59:00.619 --> 00:59:07.500 you gave on our behalf at the cross. May the 00:59:07.500 --> 00:59:11.139 shadow of the cross lie across each one of us 00:59:11.139 --> 00:59:14.539 in our walk this week that we might remember 00:59:14.539 --> 00:59:17.860 what you've done for us and be willing to take 00:59:17.860 --> 00:59:23.630 up our own cross. and follow you. We pray this 00:59:23.630 --> 00:59:30.889 in your blessed and holy name. Amen. Thank you 00:59:30.889 --> 00:59:32.730 for being in worship with us this morning. God 00:59:32.730 --> 00:59:33.269 bless you.