1 00:00:00,000 –> 00:00:03,880 Well, we’re continuing our series entitled the anatomy of faith 2 00:00:03,880 –> 00:00:09,400 What does it mean to have faith and what does it mean for us to grow in faith? 3 00:00:09,400 –> 00:00:10,700 How can I do that? 4 00:00:10,700 –> 00:00:15,040 How can you grow in your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ? 5 00:00:15,160 –> 00:00:20,620 And we began last week by seeing that faith is the bond that unites us 6 00:00:21,180 –> 00:00:25,219 To Jesus Christ it is the way in which Jesus Christ becomes yours 7 00:00:25,580 –> 00:00:31,600 It is the bond by which we become his it is the union in which we trust Christ 8 00:00:31,620 –> 00:00:36,119 And in in which we love Christ and in which we follow Christ 9 00:00:36,480 –> 00:00:39,200 We do not do any of these things perfectly. I 10 00:00:39,740 –> 00:00:45,119 Want to trust Christ more fully than I do I want to love Christ more deeply than I do 11 00:00:45,139 –> 00:00:50,340 I want to follow him more consistently than I do and I’m sure that you feel the same 12 00:00:50,340 –> 00:00:53,520 We do not do any of these things completely or perfectly 13 00:00:53,880 –> 00:01:00,139 But by God’s grace we can all stand if we’re in Christ with Peter when he said in all his failures 14 00:01:00,680 –> 00:01:04,239 Do you remember Peter said Lord, you know that I love you 15 00:01:04,820 –> 00:01:06,820 You know Lord that I trust you 16 00:01:07,120 –> 00:01:14,500 Despite all my inconsistency is my many failures that I stand here today as your child as one who wants 17 00:01:14,559 –> 00:01:20,559 To follow and serve you so we’ve been learning then that faith is more than bare belief 18 00:01:21,379 –> 00:01:22,739 the devil knows that 19 00:01:22,760 –> 00:01:23,959 Jesus is the son of God 20 00:01:23,959 –> 00:01:26,699 He knows that he died on the cross and he knows that he rose from the dead 21 00:01:26,839 –> 00:01:30,879 But the devil does not trust Christ and the devil does not love Christ 22 00:01:30,879 –> 00:01:36,000 And the devil certainly does not obey Christ faith unites us to Christ 23 00:01:36,000 –> 00:01:41,139 It is the bond of a living union in which his life flows into us 24 00:01:41,139 –> 00:01:44,379 That’s what it is and we have been asking the question then 25 00:01:44,400 –> 00:01:52,080 how do I get that kind of faith and when I have it how do I grow in that kind of faith and 26 00:01:52,540 –> 00:01:54,660 I have a sense of urgency 27 00:01:55,199 –> 00:01:57,120 about this series 28 00:01:57,120 –> 00:02:02,980 Because this is a moment where our faith is being stretched perhaps like never before. I 29 00:02:03,860 –> 00:02:10,679 Feel a need to grow in faith in my own life. I feel a need for us to grow in faith as a congregation 30 00:02:11,720 –> 00:02:16,460 And so I asked you last week to join me in two prayers throughout these two months 31 00:02:17,759 –> 00:02:20,479 Lord increase my faith and 32 00:02:20,600 –> 00:02:22,600 Lord increase 33 00:02:23,300 –> 00:02:25,300 our faith and 34 00:02:25,360 –> 00:02:28,100 This series is about how that 35 00:02:28,880 –> 00:02:34,779 Can happen now, please turn with me. Would you two Romans chapter 10 and verse 17? 36 00:02:35,660 –> 00:02:40,119 Romans chapter 10 and verse 17 we’re praying Lord increase my faith 37 00:02:40,500 –> 00:02:45,339 Lord increase our faith and here is what God says to us in the scripture 38 00:02:46,479 –> 00:02:48,279 faith 39 00:02:48,279 –> 00:02:50,080 comes 40 00:02:50,559 –> 00:02:53,039 From hearing that’s Romans 1017 41 00:02:55,380 –> 00:02:58,259 He says to us faith comes 42 00:02:59,800 –> 00:03:02,520 from hearing that’s where it comes from and 43 00:03:04,199 –> 00:03:07,440 Hearing that is the capacity to hear comes from 44 00:03:08,520 –> 00:03:10,520 the word of 45 00:03:10,639 –> 00:03:12,720 Christ that’s where we have to begin 46 00:03:13,880 –> 00:03:17,899 We’ve called the series the anatomy of faith and we’re beginning with the ears 47 00:03:18,779 –> 00:03:23,639 listening to the Word of Christ faith comes from 48 00:03:24,440 –> 00:03:29,860 Hearing now you find this all the way through the Bible. You remember how our Lord Jesus stated it 49 00:03:30,660 –> 00:03:34,119 Man shall not live by bread alone 50 00:03:35,059 –> 00:03:39,460 But how are we going to live? How do we live the Christian life? What sustains us? 51 00:03:39,460 –> 00:03:43,940 We live on every word that comes from the mouth of God 52 00:03:44,179 –> 00:03:51,520 We live on the words that come from the mouth of God and the words that come from the mouth of God 53 00:03:51,660 –> 00:03:58,300 Are given to us in the Scriptures and Jesus says you live on this word. That’s how you live 54 00:03:58,820 –> 00:04:00,820 That’s where faith comes from 55 00:04:01,100 –> 00:04:03,720 this is how the life of Christ is 56 00:04:04,619 –> 00:04:09,380 communicated to you by the Holy Spirit faith unites us to Christ and 57 00:04:09,979 –> 00:04:11,979 Christ nourishes us 58 00:04:12,699 –> 00:04:16,459 Sustains us feeds us and he does this he says through the word 59 00:04:17,739 –> 00:04:19,899 So this word is to your life 60 00:04:20,540 –> 00:04:23,380 Like bread is to your body 61 00:04:23,380 –> 00:04:28,579 that’s what Jesus says and pole put it this way faith comes by hearing and 62 00:04:29,500 –> 00:04:32,339 hearing comes by the word of 63 00:04:32,980 –> 00:04:34,980 Christ so 64 00:04:35,179 –> 00:04:37,179 Faith comes by this word 65 00:04:37,260 –> 00:04:39,200 and 66 00:04:39,200 –> 00:04:45,239 Yet here’s the fascinating thing. There’s an enigma in this faith comes through the word and 67 00:04:46,679 –> 00:04:52,660 Yet God calls us to bring faith to the word both. These things are very clear in the scripture 68 00:04:53,339 –> 00:04:57,200 If you turn over with me in your Bible two Hebrews in Chapter four 69 00:04:58,059 –> 00:05:00,059 Hebrews in Chapter four 70 00:05:01,500 –> 00:05:02,760 and 71 00:05:02,760 –> 00:05:04,760 you will see there that 72 00:05:05,440 –> 00:05:12,299 That the writer is speaking about the Israelites back in the Old Testament who did not enter the promised land 73 00:05:12,799 –> 00:05:17,320 And he says in chapter 3 in verse 19 right at the end of chapter 3 there 74 00:05:17,459 –> 00:05:21,880 They were not able to enter because of their unbelief 75 00:05:23,040 –> 00:05:25,179 That’s why they didn’t get into the Promised Land 76 00:05:25,179 –> 00:05:29,619 That’s why that generation died out in the wilderness wandering round and round for 40 years 77 00:05:29,619 –> 00:05:34,179 Why was it because of their unbelief now Hebrews chapter 4 in verse 2 78 00:05:34,739 –> 00:05:37,119 The message that they heard 79 00:05:38,299 –> 00:05:40,540 Was of no value to them 80 00:05:41,459 –> 00:05:46,059 Because those who heard did not combine it with faith 81 00:05:47,239 –> 00:05:49,739 So the writer to the Hebrews says way back in the Old Testament 82 00:05:50,700 –> 00:05:52,559 These people heard the message 83 00:05:52,559 –> 00:05:57,660 In fact, he says they heard the gospel just as we are hearing the gospel isn’t that interesting there at the gospel in the Old Testament 84 00:05:57,700 –> 00:06:00,179 But the message that they heard was of no value to them 85 00:06:00,179 –> 00:06:02,179 because they did not combine it in faith 86 00:06:05,059 –> 00:06:08,760 And so they spent years just going round and round in circles and died in the desert 87 00:06:10,760 –> 00:06:16,679 So Christ sustains my life through the Word of God that means I need to hear it 88 00:06:18,899 –> 00:06:21,380 But I need to hear the word with faith 89 00:06:22,380 –> 00:06:25,660 Because if I do not hear the Word of God with faith 90 00:06:25,820 –> 00:06:29,799 It will be Hebrews 4, in verse 2, of no value to me 91 00:06:30,179 –> 00:06:32,799 I will derive no benefit from it 92 00:06:32,799 –> 00:06:36,040 I’ll simply be a person who comes to church and hears sermons 93 00:06:36,040 –> 00:06:41,000 Maybe for ten, twenty, forty, or fifty years and it all kinds of goes over my head never really changes my life 94 00:06:41,000 –> 00:06:43,000 And I never really grew in faith 95 00:06:45,739 –> 00:06:50,760 Now this truth, of course, you remember was made very very clear by the Lord Jesus in a 96 00:06:50,760 –> 00:06:53,420 parable that he told that most of us know very well 97 00:06:54,160 –> 00:06:56,160 Remember the parable of the sower 98 00:06:57,299 –> 00:07:03,920 There’s one seed in Jesus story, but there are four different kinds of soil and 99 00:07:04,959 –> 00:07:08,220 Jesus says the sower goes out to sow seed 100 00:07:09,359 –> 00:07:15,059 The word of God is cast into the ground of people’s lives. In other words, He’s describing 101 00:07:15,760 –> 00:07:21,100 Exactly what is happening right now as we’re gathered in the place of worship and we are hearing 102 00:07:21,839 –> 00:07:24,279 the Word of God and 103 00:07:25,320 –> 00:07:32,899 Jesus explains in his parable that the same seat has different effects in different people’s lives for some the Word of God makes very little difference 104 00:07:34,200 –> 00:07:36,000 Their hearts are hard 105 00:07:36,000 –> 00:07:38,700 Jesus says seton snatches the seed away 106 00:07:39,160 –> 00:07:44,640 So that really any good that it might have done is gone within a very short time and 107 00:07:45,059 –> 00:07:47,059 The word is of no value to them 108 00:07:48,040 –> 00:07:51,559 For others the word of God only has a temporary effect 109 00:07:51,559 –> 00:07:59,320 They’re perhaps only moved at a surface kind of emotional level their hearts are shallow and when pressure comes these folks shrivel 110 00:08:01,000 –> 00:08:04,239 Then Jesus says for others again the Word of God is choked 111 00:08:05,079 –> 00:08:08,380 by competing priorities which he defines as 112 00:08:08,899 –> 00:08:10,899 worries in life and 113 00:08:11,700 –> 00:08:14,119 particularly interest in money and 114 00:08:14,260 –> 00:08:15,480 And 115 00:08:15,480 –> 00:08:18,619 Also, he says desire for other things they can 116 00:08:19,359 –> 00:08:23,799 Competing priorities choke out the effect of the word that is heard in many people’s lives 117 00:08:24,480 –> 00:08:26,480 Happens every week 118 00:08:27,160 –> 00:08:32,179 But for some of us Jesus says the word of God produces a great harvest a 119 00:08:33,140 –> 00:08:38,880 Bumper harvest thirty sixty or even a hundred fold they seed in the good soil 120 00:08:39,260 –> 00:08:42,099 flourishes and becomes very fruitful indeed 121 00:08:43,000 –> 00:08:45,280 Now most of us know the parable 122 00:08:46,479 –> 00:08:51,460 But here’s what Jesus said about the parable. Just shortly afterwards 123 00:08:52,059 –> 00:08:59,239 It’s only recorded in Luke’s gospel in chapter 8 and verse 18. Jesus said this after the parable of the sword. He said 124 00:09:00,000 –> 00:09:05,380 consider carefully then how you listen, how you listen 125 00:09:06,940 –> 00:09:10,820 Because here we are we’re all hearing the Word of God and Jesus says you 126 00:09:11,539 –> 00:09:13,539 Listen 127 00:09:14,739 –> 00:09:18,619 Because the Word of God has radically different effects in different people’s lives 128 00:09:18,679 –> 00:09:22,119 It’s of no benefit to some because they do not hear it with faith 129 00:09:23,219 –> 00:09:25,000 Hebrews 4 to 130 00:09:25,000 –> 00:09:27,739 get choked out in the lives of others and it’s 131 00:09:28,260 –> 00:09:30,340 Abundantly fruitful in the lives of others again 132 00:09:32,940 –> 00:09:38,919 So today’s sermon I’ve never preached a message like this before from the Bible 133 00:09:39,919 –> 00:09:44,640 Today’s sermon is about how to listen to a sermon 134 00:09:46,799 –> 00:09:52,400 You know pastors study how to speak the Word of God 135 00:09:54,940 –> 00:10:01,039 We as a congregation needs to learn how to hear the Word of God 136 00:10:01,580 –> 00:10:04,039 To consider how we listen 137 00:10:05,000 –> 00:10:09,760 So that the Word of God will be fruitful in our lives and through our ministry 138 00:10:11,260 –> 00:10:14,840 So that this will be increasingly a place where the word of God flourishes 139 00:10:15,679 –> 00:10:20,640 Not a place where Satan snatches its value away, or where its life is choked out 140 00:10:21,380 –> 00:10:26,099 Consider says Jesus carefully how you listen, how do you listen? 141 00:10:28,260 –> 00:10:30,280 One suggests from the scriptures 142 00:10:31,099 –> 00:10:32,280 some 143 00:10:32,280 –> 00:10:34,280 principles for deriving 144 00:10:34,559 –> 00:10:39,460 maximum benefit from the Word of God because faith comes from 145 00:10:40,280 –> 00:10:42,280 hearing so consider how you listen 146 00:10:43,380 –> 00:10:45,380 here’s number one 147 00:10:45,580 –> 00:10:47,380 come 148 00:10:47,380 –> 00:10:50,219 with a settled conviction 149 00:10:51,539 –> 00:10:55,440 that God speaks through his Word 150 00:10:56,299 –> 00:10:59,460 If you want the Word of God to bring change in your life 151 00:11:00,280 –> 00:11:06,979 if you want a great harvest to come from God’s Word in you if you want 152 00:11:07,700 –> 00:11:14,859 the Word of God to create hearing and to create faith and for you to really grow come with the 153 00:11:15,359 –> 00:11:18,960 Settled conviction. You’ve got to settle this in your mind. You’ve got to know this 154 00:11:20,059 –> 00:11:22,020 that God 155 00:11:22,020 –> 00:11:24,020 speaks, present tense 156 00:11:24,380 –> 00:11:25,780 through 157 00:11:25,780 –> 00:11:27,780 his Word 158 00:11:28,719 –> 00:11:31,599 Now I smile whenever I think about this 159 00:11:32,500 –> 00:11:37,539 Some years ago. I was taking a wedding in the south of England 160 00:11:38,159 –> 00:11:41,859 The couple who were from my church, but they were being married in another place 161 00:11:42,419 –> 00:11:50,580 were concerned for their unconverted relatives in the family, and they said to me Colin when you do our wedding 162 00:11:51,140 –> 00:11:54,859 We want you to preach the gospel 163 00:11:54,859 –> 00:11:59,179 It’ll perhaps be the only time that these folks have heard it or the first time that they have heard it 164 00:11:59,859 –> 00:12:03,059 So I preached the gospel as they had asked me to do 165 00:12:03,580 –> 00:12:06,820 For about 15 or 20 minutes in the wedding 166 00:12:07,820 –> 00:12:09,260 the photographer 167 00:12:09,260 –> 00:12:11,340 had not counted on this and 168 00:12:12,280 –> 00:12:15,539 He was desperate to get on with his work 169 00:12:16,619 –> 00:12:19,900 Our Andrew our oldest boy was just a baby 170 00:12:20,020 –> 00:12:22,219 And while I was speaking 171 00:12:22,820 –> 00:12:25,179 Karen took him outside of the church 172 00:12:25,940 –> 00:12:33,020 where she met the photographer who was pacing up and down like a caged lion and 173 00:12:33,719 –> 00:12:35,719 He said to my wife 174 00:12:36,239 –> 00:12:41,940 Who is that man in there? Who is going on and on and on? 175 00:12:43,940 –> 00:12:47,739 To which she said he’s my husband 176 00:12:50,679 –> 00:12:52,419 Photoshop her said 177 00:12:52,419 –> 00:12:56,099 He went such a color of red. I can’t describe it to you 178 00:12:57,440 –> 00:13:00,219 And he said I can’t wait to tell my wife that one 179 00:13:01,500 –> 00:13:03,500 Listen to 180 00:13:03,619 –> 00:13:07,020 Many people that is all the preaching of the Word of God is 181 00:13:08,619 –> 00:13:10,619 That’s a man and 182 00:13:11,419 –> 00:13:14,619 He’s going on and on and on 183 00:13:15,340 –> 00:13:17,340 And on 184 00:13:18,159 –> 00:13:23,780 And quite honestly if that is what you think the preaching of the Word of God is there’s no reason to listen is there 185 00:13:25,679 –> 00:13:30,940 Now turn with me in the Scriptures 2 1st Thessalonians and chapter 2 and verse 13 186 00:13:31,460 –> 00:13:38,659 1st Thessalonians and chapter 2 and verse 13 because I want you to see there’s something completely different 187 00:13:40,380 –> 00:13:42,380 One Thessalonians 2 13 188 00:13:42,460 –> 00:13:48,000 Thessalonians is fascinating because in that town people’s lives were quickly and radically 189 00:13:48,479 –> 00:13:54,780 changed by Paul’s ministry of the Word of God and here’s what he says about it in one Thessalonians 2 13 190 00:13:54,880 –> 00:14:00,400 He says we thank God continually. He says we’re always thanking God when we think about you 191 00:14:00,979 –> 00:14:02,979 Because here’s why 192 00:14:03,679 –> 00:14:10,039 When you received the Word of God, that is when Paul came and he preached the scriptures 193 00:14:10,479 –> 00:14:16,080 Proclaimed the Gospel when you received the Word of God, which you heard from us 194 00:14:17,719 –> 00:14:20,820 You accepted it not as the Word of men 195 00:14:21,880 –> 00:14:24,099 but as it actually is 196 00:14:25,119 –> 00:14:31,760 The Word of God which is at work in you who believe you see what he’s saying 197 00:14:33,039 –> 00:14:35,039 You heard the Word of God 198 00:14:36,039 –> 00:14:40,739 That time of course, it would have been the Old Testament scriptures being proclaimed by the Apostle Paul 199 00:14:42,679 –> 00:14:44,679 You heard the Word of God from us 200 00:14:46,020 –> 00:14:49,039 But you didn’t receive it as the Word of men 201 00:14:49,799 –> 00:14:52,460 You didn’t just think this is a man talking you 202 00:14:52,640 –> 00:14:58,619 Received this as the Word of God because we were speaking the Scripture to you and it is the Word of God 203 00:14:58,640 –> 00:15:03,679 That’s what Paul is saying you grasp that God speaks through his word. That’s how God speaks 204 00:15:04,580 –> 00:15:08,760 That’s how you hear his voice. What he says is what he says in the scriptures 205 00:15:11,599 –> 00:15:13,760 Now folks that’s our conviction at The Orchard 206 00:15:15,320 –> 00:15:21,520 We believe that God speaks through his word not just that he spoke through his word but he speaks 207 00:15:22,140 –> 00:15:24,020 through his word 208 00:15:24,020 –> 00:15:27,919 That is why when we gather we want to sing the word we want to pray the word 209 00:15:27,919 –> 00:15:29,000 We want to read the word 210 00:15:29,000 –> 00:15:30,340 We have the preaching of the word 211 00:15:30,500 –> 00:15:33,940 We want to hear the word so that we may go out and live the word 212 00:15:34,359 –> 00:15:39,099 Having received that by the spirit who creates and sustains faith through the word 213 00:15:40,320 –> 00:15:42,320 God speaks through his word 214 00:15:43,700 –> 00:15:45,700 God speaks 215 00:15:46,539 –> 00:15:48,539 Now here’s the importance of that 216 00:15:49,960 –> 00:15:51,960 We listen differently 217 00:15:52,979 –> 00:15:55,080 When we know who is speaking 218 00:15:55,640 –> 00:15:56,760 Day before day 219 00:15:56,760 –> 00:15:58,760 See when I listen to the adverts 220 00:15:59,320 –> 00:16:00,919 If I really have to listen to the adverts 221 00:16:00,919 –> 00:16:04,840 I haven’t got the dvr to kind of roll it on and miss the adverts when i’m watching television 222 00:16:04,840 –> 00:16:08,840 You know that thing if you have to listen to that, how well do you listen to the adverts? 223 00:16:09,880 –> 00:16:16,200 I listen to the adverts so passively if something happens to grab my attention I suddenly waken up 224 00:16:17,159 –> 00:16:19,880 But I listen passively to the adverts 225 00:16:21,700 –> 00:16:23,719 Candidly 226 00:16:23,719 –> 00:16:25,820 That’s how some people listen to the word of god 227 00:16:28,200 –> 00:16:30,200 I listen to my enemies 228 00:16:30,260 –> 00:16:32,200 differently 229 00:16:32,200 –> 00:16:34,320 I listen to my enemies 230 00:16:34,320 –> 00:16:36,320 Defensively, you know that thing 231 00:16:36,520 –> 00:16:40,679 Someone who you know has got it in for you someone who’s against you someone is trying to pull you down 232 00:16:41,000 –> 00:16:43,739 I listen to them. I listen to my enemies defensively 233 00:16:45,400 –> 00:16:47,719 And that’s how some 234 00:16:48,760 –> 00:16:50,760 Listen to the word of god 235 00:16:50,840 –> 00:16:53,640 You think of god is your enemy that’s how you’ll listen to his word 236 00:16:55,840 –> 00:16:59,359 But I listen to my friends in a different way I 237 00:17:01,080 –> 00:17:04,380 Hear them with an open heart because I know that they love me 238 00:17:05,579 –> 00:17:11,859 And when they tell me that I am wrong, I listen to them because I know that they are in my corner 239 00:17:13,300 –> 00:17:15,300 They want to do me good 240 00:17:16,160 –> 00:17:20,839 So the way that you listen to the Word of God whether that be passively 241 00:17:21,020 –> 00:17:28,319 Or whether that be defensively or whether that be eagerly and gladly tells you about your relationship with God right there 242 00:17:28,319 –> 00:17:30,859 It reveals what your relationship with God really is 243 00:17:32,219 –> 00:17:34,219 God’s friends 244 00:17:35,040 –> 00:17:37,040 hear his word gladly 245 00:17:39,479 –> 00:17:43,439 So when you know that God speaks through his word you will come to his word 246 00:17:44,140 –> 00:17:45,219 expectantly 247 00:17:45,219 –> 00:17:48,719 Here’s the thing we all have our ideas about what we want to hear 248 00:17:48,719 –> 00:17:52,339 We all love our ideas about what we think we need to hear 249 00:17:53,619 –> 00:17:57,739 But when God speaks he chooses what he wants to say 250 00:17:58,979 –> 00:18:00,599 so let me give you just a very 251 00:18:00,599 –> 00:18:05,260 practical example from my own experience this week at the conference that I mentioned to you a few moments ago 252 00:18:07,260 –> 00:18:09,260 God spoke to me 253 00:18:10,660 –> 00:18:12,660 Through his word 254 00:18:12,959 –> 00:18:14,579 this week 255 00:18:14,579 –> 00:18:16,859 through a message from pastor CJ Mahoney 256 00:18:17,739 –> 00:18:21,719 from 2nd, Timothy chapter 4 and verse 2 and 257 00:18:22,540 –> 00:18:25,920 What got to me and came to me fresh was was this 258 00:18:27,020 –> 00:18:31,439 Preach the word be prepared in season and out of season. I was familiar with that 259 00:18:32,400 –> 00:18:35,599 Here’s the words that the Holy Spirit grabbed hold of me with 260 00:18:36,819 –> 00:18:42,160 preach the word be prepared in in season and out of season with 261 00:18:42,859 –> 00:18:44,579 great 262 00:18:44,579 –> 00:18:45,719 patience 263 00:18:45,719 –> 00:18:49,859 2nd Timothy chapter 2 for in verse 2 with great 264 00:18:50,920 –> 00:18:52,920 patience 265 00:18:53,040 –> 00:18:59,520 Folks I saw some areas in my life through the Word of God in 2nd Timothy chapter 4 in verse 2 that calls us to 266 00:18:59,579 –> 00:19:01,680 Great patience. I saw 267 00:19:02,280 –> 00:19:06,199 This week some areas through the Word of God where I am 268 00:19:07,199 –> 00:19:08,800 impatient I 269 00:19:08,800 –> 00:19:10,800 Did not go into that meeting 270 00:19:11,359 –> 00:19:16,900 Thinking about patience. I was not feeling a need in regard to patience 271 00:19:16,900 –> 00:19:21,540 I was not particularly aware going in of a lack of patience 272 00:19:21,540 –> 00:19:26,979 But God spoke to me about patience through second Timothy chapter 4 and verse 273 00:19:27,839 –> 00:19:29,839 2 274 00:19:30,000 –> 00:19:31,819 Now you see 275 00:19:31,819 –> 00:19:36,260 You may be thinking at this moment. Okay, I’ve come to church this weekend and 276 00:19:36,900 –> 00:19:39,199 I’m facing all this stuff in my life 277 00:19:39,839 –> 00:19:41,000 and 278 00:19:41,000 –> 00:19:46,760 The last thing in the world I need is a sermon about how to hear a sermon 279 00:19:46,880 –> 00:19:51,420 The last thing I need is a message about how to hear the Word of God 280 00:19:51,439 –> 00:19:55,660 Can you consider the possibility friend that that may be exactly what you need? 281 00:19:58,280 –> 00:20:02,479 That what God is saying to you from the scriptures right now is 282 00:20:03,459 –> 00:20:09,599 Is that your greatest need is not for a quick fix for the problem that’s uppermost in your mind 283 00:20:09,760 –> 00:20:16,160 But for you to develop a regular pattern of receiving the Word of God into your life with faith 284 00:20:16,479 –> 00:20:20,959 So that you will bear long term fruit that you have not been bearing for years 285 00:20:23,099 –> 00:20:25,260 You never know what God is going to say to you 286 00:20:26,819 –> 00:20:30,780 But you know what he’s going to say it to you from it’s through his word 287 00:20:33,300 –> 00:20:40,160 Let me encourage you just with a couple of practical things before we move on here that these are just practical things that I and 288 00:20:40,800 –> 00:20:47,180 Others many others here have found very helpful if you’re going to come expectantly bring a Bible to church 289 00:20:47,459 –> 00:20:54,339 Just bring a Bible to church not any Bible not the smallest Bible you can find with the smallest print in all of the world 290 00:20:54,920 –> 00:20:55,920 bring your 291 00:20:55,920 –> 00:20:56,660 Bible 292 00:20:56,660 –> 00:20:58,060 Have one Bible 293 00:20:58,199 –> 00:21:03,939 Commend us to you have one Bible that you get to know over a couple of years or three years and once you wear it 294 00:21:04,219 –> 00:21:10,020 Thin then get another one, but use our times together to discover your Bible 295 00:21:10,920 –> 00:21:14,400 I’m assuming that you have a hunger and thirst for God’s word 296 00:21:14,939 –> 00:21:16,119 and 297 00:21:16,119 –> 00:21:20,540 Bring a pen and a paper to write down what the Holy Spirit is saying to you 298 00:21:20,540 –> 00:21:24,920 I’m not suggesting that you you write down everything in the sermon that’s not the point 299 00:21:24,920 –> 00:21:26,640 That’s not particularly important 300 00:21:26,640 –> 00:21:32,920 But if you are expectant that God will speak to you as you sit under the ministry of his word 301 00:21:33,239 –> 00:21:35,160 Then it makes sense 302 00:21:35,160 –> 00:21:37,160 That you would want to capture 303 00:21:37,400 –> 00:21:42,780 What he is saying to you and where you need to think further and to follow through listen folks 304 00:21:42,800 –> 00:21:49,479 I do not go to breakfast with the church chairman without a paper and pen why? 305 00:21:50,439 –> 00:21:52,439 because I know that when I have 306 00:21:52,800 –> 00:21:55,280 Breakfast with the church chairman to whom I am accountable 307 00:21:55,739 –> 00:22:01,099 he is going to say some things that I need to follow through on I just know he’s gonna do that and I don’t 308 00:22:01,099 –> 00:22:03,099 Want to mess up I 309 00:22:03,160 –> 00:22:05,160 Take him seriously 310 00:22:06,459 –> 00:22:08,459 Now if that’s my disposition 311 00:22:09,160 –> 00:22:12,900 when I’m listening to the words of a man to whom I am accountable 312 00:22:13,160 –> 00:22:17,260 How much more should that be my disposition when I am listening to the Word of God? 313 00:22:19,479 –> 00:22:21,000 Don’t be a 314 00:22:21,000 –> 00:22:23,000 passive listener 315 00:22:24,040 –> 00:22:26,040 When God is speaking 316 00:22:27,099 –> 00:22:32,180 Come to the settled conviction that God speaks through his Word 317 00:22:34,040 –> 00:22:36,760 Come expecting God to speak to you 318 00:22:39,479 –> 00:22:42,420 And here’s the second thing come with a hearty appetite 319 00:22:43,520 –> 00:22:46,479 You know when Jesus says man, shall not live by bread alone 320 00:22:47,400 –> 00:22:53,579 But by every word that comes from the mouth of God. He’s making the connection between the analogy of food and 321 00:22:54,280 –> 00:23:01,439 God’s words, which are like food to us. He’s inviting us to think about God’s word as a nourishing meal 322 00:23:02,979 –> 00:23:09,920 So I think of it this way that the preacher’s task is to prepare for the people of God every week in 323 00:23:10,959 –> 00:23:15,640 Nourishing meal from the Word of God the table should be spread in a way that is attractive 324 00:23:16,479 –> 00:23:19,079 The food should be placed where it is accessible 325 00:23:19,920 –> 00:23:21,920 to the guests 326 00:23:21,959 –> 00:23:26,280 Most of all what is served should be the nourishing food of the Word of God 327 00:23:26,599 –> 00:23:31,920 Because God’s people are certainly not nourished by the dry bones of a preacher’s opinions 328 00:23:32,260 –> 00:23:38,400 Nor are we nourished to eternal life by the preacher’s latest thoughts on how to improve your marriage or how to get better self-esteem 329 00:23:39,560 –> 00:23:44,119 God think of this God has never promised to bless my words 330 00:23:44,439 –> 00:23:46,420 But 331 00:23:46,439 –> 00:23:50,500 He has promised to bless his word. He said it will not come back unfruitful 332 00:23:53,359 –> 00:23:58,400 Therefore the task of the preacher is to set God’s Word before God’s people 333 00:23:59,180 –> 00:24:04,020 So that we may be fed and we may be nourished. That’s what’s happening here 334 00:24:07,040 –> 00:24:09,959 But when the meal is prepared and when the meal is served 335 00:24:11,959 –> 00:24:13,959 What’s our part 336 00:24:14,140 –> 00:24:16,140 Come with an appetite 337 00:24:16,459 –> 00:24:18,459 Come hungry 338 00:24:19,680 –> 00:24:24,380 Come all you who are thirsty Isaiah says come and eat 339 00:24:25,140 –> 00:24:27,939 Listen to me notice the connection between the word and the food 340 00:24:29,359 –> 00:24:33,280 Listen to me and your soul will delight in the richest affair 341 00:24:35,020 –> 00:24:39,060 You say okay, how do you develop a healthy appetite here’s how 342 00:24:39,619 –> 00:24:43,719 Use the pressures of your life 343 00:24:44,640 –> 00:24:49,140 To increase your appetite for the Word of God 344 00:24:50,160 –> 00:24:54,219 That’s how you do it you use the pressures of your life 345 00:24:55,219 –> 00:24:56,239 to 346 00:24:56,239 –> 00:24:58,239 Increase your appetite 347 00:24:59,300 –> 00:25:02,839 For the Word of God, you’ll not be a passive listener then 348 00:25:04,380 –> 00:25:08,199 You say where do you get that from you’ll find it all over the Psalms everywhere 349 00:25:09,540 –> 00:25:12,119 Let me give you just three examples. Psalms 42 350 00:25:12,300 –> 00:25:18,099 Here’s an appetite as the deer pants for streams of water so my soul longs for you 351 00:25:18,099 –> 00:25:23,979 Oh God, where did he get that appetite from? Next verse, my tears have been my food all day long 352 00:25:24,339 –> 00:25:29,459 So he uses his tears and his grief to increase his appetite to receive from God 353 00:25:30,579 –> 00:25:33,579 Psalm 27, one thing I ask of the Lord 354 00:25:33,819 –> 00:25:37,839 This is what I seek, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life 355 00:25:37,839 –> 00:25:43,479 That’s some appetite. Where does it come from? Answer, for in the day of trouble 356 00:25:43,560 –> 00:25:48,119 He will keep me safe in his dwelling. You see, I’m facing trouble, therefore 357 00:25:48,119 –> 00:25:52,400 I need to draw near to God. I need to hear from him. I need to be strengthened by him 358 00:25:52,920 –> 00:25:58,680 Psalm 73, as for me it is good to be near God. There’s an appetite, good to be near God 359 00:25:58,680 –> 00:26:03,459 Where does that appetite come from? My feet had almost slipped 360 00:26:04,479 –> 00:26:06,479 My heart was grieved 361 00:26:06,979 –> 00:26:11,280 My spirit was embittered till I entered the sanctuary 362 00:26:12,300 –> 00:26:14,300 of God 363 00:26:14,719 –> 00:26:17,939 Use the pressures of your life, whatever they are 364 00:26:19,060 –> 00:26:20,920 To increase your 365 00:26:20,920 –> 00:26:27,079 appetite for the word of God. Folks, if everything in life was apple pie, 366 00:26:28,079 –> 00:26:33,160 I might not feel this hunger and thirst for God, but the truth is I face great pressures 367 00:26:34,500 –> 00:26:36,500 My own sins are many 368 00:26:39,000 –> 00:26:44,199 Therefore I am hungry and thirsty for God 369 00:26:46,920 –> 00:26:49,500 So to use the pressures of your life whatever they are 370 00:26:51,880 –> 00:26:55,160 Sometimes here a pastor saying at the beginning you know in a call to worship 371 00:26:56,400 –> 00:26:58,599 Now let’s just shut out all 372 00:26:59,319 –> 00:27:04,520 The realities of our daily life just for this time with God folks, that’s impossible 373 00:27:06,880 –> 00:27:12,239 We don’t come here to kind of have a little retreat a little vacation from all the realities of life 374 00:27:12,339 –> 00:27:17,140 We use the realities of life to increase our 375 00:27:17,719 –> 00:27:21,800 Appetite for the Word of God so that we come hungry and thirsty 376 00:27:23,900 –> 00:27:25,900 To receive from his hand 377 00:27:26,719 –> 00:27:31,520 So cultivate the settled conviction that God speaks through His Word 378 00:27:34,819 –> 00:27:41,819 Come with a healthy appetite use all that’s weighing on your right now to increase that appetite 379 00:27:43,599 –> 00:27:45,599 Here’s the third thing 380 00:27:46,319 –> 00:27:48,319 learn to use a 381 00:27:48,979 –> 00:27:50,979 knife and fork 382 00:27:51,000 –> 00:27:53,000 learn to use a 383 00:27:53,260 –> 00:27:55,260 knife and fork 384 00:27:56,359 –> 00:28:02,060 By the way, I could make a case that no American knows how to use a knife or fork but that’s that’s beside the point 385 00:28:02,800 –> 00:28:04,800 Here’s what I’m getting at 386 00:28:05,339 –> 00:28:07,339 infants need to be spoon fed 387 00:28:08,619 –> 00:28:10,060 at 388 00:28:10,060 –> 00:28:14,239 Some point of your life. That was true of you as it was from for me 389 00:28:14,239 –> 00:28:19,040 My mother tells me about how I did very well, except when there were baked beans, and she said yeah 390 00:28:19,280 –> 00:28:21,280 You just never took them down 391 00:28:21,920 –> 00:28:23,920 spoon fed 392 00:28:24,219 –> 00:28:28,219 The rest of the family were sitting at the table eating and 393 00:28:29,199 –> 00:28:30,520 you 394 00:28:30,520 –> 00:28:32,520 Were in your high chair 395 00:28:33,719 –> 00:28:36,880 with your food ground to pulp and 396 00:28:37,599 –> 00:28:41,160 Your mother or your father or perhaps a sister or a brother 397 00:28:42,140 –> 00:28:44,900 Feeding it to you with a spoon 398 00:28:47,819 –> 00:28:53,479 But it was not long before you learned to use a knife and a fork 399 00:28:54,920 –> 00:28:56,920 Listen 400 00:28:58,280 –> 00:29:03,739 The preachers task is to prepare the meal 401 00:29:05,660 –> 00:29:07,819 But when the dinner is served 402 00:29:08,699 –> 00:29:14,979 It is your task to use the knife and fork to eat 403 00:29:15,140 –> 00:29:17,359 What is laid before you? 404 00:29:19,199 –> 00:29:21,199 You can sit at a table? 405 00:29:21,800 –> 00:29:23,459 lavishly 406 00:29:23,459 –> 00:29:24,640 laden 407 00:29:24,640 –> 00:29:26,640 with a banquet 408 00:29:27,439 –> 00:29:30,640 You can come to that table really hungry 409 00:29:33,380 –> 00:29:36,000 But unless you use the knife and fork 410 00:29:37,020 –> 00:29:41,920 Whatever’s on the table and however hungry you are you will not be fed 411 00:29:43,199 –> 00:29:47,719 Now I’m using a picture here. So what am I trying to say here it is 412 00:29:49,660 –> 00:29:51,939 When the Word of God is 413 00:29:52,180 –> 00:29:54,180 is preached 414 00:29:55,339 –> 00:29:57,339 You need to make the 415 00:29:57,979 –> 00:29:59,979 applications of truth 416 00:30:00,280 –> 00:30:02,280 to the particular 417 00:30:02,760 –> 00:30:04,760 circumstances of your life 418 00:30:05,180 –> 00:30:07,219 Let me say that again because it’s so important 419 00:30:07,219 –> 00:30:09,219 Here’s what it means to use the knife and fork 420 00:30:09,280 –> 00:30:13,979 When the Word of God is preached when it is served to the table when it’s laid before you 421 00:30:14,660 –> 00:30:17,959 You need to use the knife and fork to make 422 00:30:18,780 –> 00:30:19,959 particular 423 00:30:19,959 –> 00:30:21,540 applications 424 00:30:21,540 –> 00:30:23,540 to the unique 425 00:30:23,660 –> 00:30:26,599 circumstances of your life that are different from anybody else’s 426 00:30:28,300 –> 00:30:30,300 You say now wait a minute 427 00:30:31,020 –> 00:30:34,920 Isn’t it the preacher’s job to give me the applications? Listen 428 00:30:36,900 –> 00:30:39,060 When God spoke to me this week 429 00:30:40,260 –> 00:30:42,219 about patience 430 00:30:42,219 –> 00:30:43,339 from 431 00:30:43,339 –> 00:30:45,520 2nd Timothy in chapter 4 I 432 00:30:46,599 –> 00:30:49,140 Was sitting in an auditorium with 433 00:30:49,619 –> 00:30:52,459 7,000 other people 434 00:30:55,199 –> 00:30:57,760 Seven-thousand situations where patience is needed 435 00:30:59,040 –> 00:31:01,119 seven thousand situations 436 00:31:01,119 –> 00:31:07,560 But in some way impatience is being displayed and all of them are different and that’s on the assumption that each of us only has one 437 00:31:07,560 –> 00:31:09,560 I could think of at least three 438 00:31:11,640 –> 00:31:13,640 It would be impossible 439 00:31:14,160 –> 00:31:16,640 for any preacher to make every 440 00:31:17,079 –> 00:31:23,479 Reapplication of effort to every life situation in the congregation and if it was possible folks, it would be interminable 441 00:31:24,920 –> 00:31:26,959 We’d be hearing to tomorrow in the next day 442 00:31:29,060 –> 00:31:32,219 The Holy Spirit is given to you 443 00:31:33,640 –> 00:31:35,760 So that you may have wisdom 444 00:31:36,920 –> 00:31:42,739 to apply the Word of God as it is being taught to the 445 00:31:43,339 –> 00:31:48,520 Particular circumstances of your life that the speaker may never even be aware of 446 00:31:50,939 –> 00:31:57,699 Infant Christians want to be spoon-fed. You know them because they are always saying what’s the bottom line 447 00:31:58,939 –> 00:32:05,119 Where’s the takeaway give me the takeaway they say this time and again, you know, give me the application as if there was only one 448 00:32:05,839 –> 00:32:07,839 And you know what? 449 00:32:08,420 –> 00:32:13,459 When the preacher is lulled by that kind of spiritual infancy 450 00:32:15,099 –> 00:32:18,959 Into reducing the Word of God to a shortlist of to do’s, you know 451 00:32:18,959 –> 00:32:21,880 So all of us have got to go and do this or do that or whatever else it is 452 00:32:23,359 –> 00:32:24,739 it 453 00:32:24,739 –> 00:32:26,359 obscures 454 00:32:26,359 –> 00:32:33,219 the unique way in which God by the Holy Spirit takes the one word and 455 00:32:33,839 –> 00:32:34,599 and 456 00:32:34,599 –> 00:32:37,380 applies it in different unique 457 00:32:38,040 –> 00:32:42,859 circumstances of human life in more ways than either the preacher or any 458 00:32:43,439 –> 00:32:47,160 individual hearer could ever begin to imagine 459 00:32:48,640 –> 00:32:50,640 Only God can do that 460 00:32:52,000 –> 00:32:55,839 Listen God is not building robots 461 00:32:56,439 –> 00:32:59,979 He is raising sons and 462 00:33:00,979 –> 00:33:02,180 daughters 463 00:33:02,180 –> 00:33:08,38 Who hear his word and develop the capacity to apply it to the particular? 464 00:33:09,079 –> 00:33:10,839 uniquenesses of each 465 00:33:10,839 –> 00:33:15,540 Individual life and so to respond to it with faith and with 466 00:33:16,520 –> 00:33:17,739 gladness 467 00:33:17,739 –> 00:33:21,800 So folks there are two acts of faith involved in the communication of God’s Word 468 00:33:22,780 –> 00:33:25,380 There is an active faith in the speaking 469 00:33:26,839 –> 00:33:30,199 Flowing from the conviction that God speaks through his word 470 00:33:30,199 –> 00:33:36,359 I would never dare to preach if I didn’t believe that because how on earth could I say something that meets the needs of people 471 00:33:37,719 –> 00:33:40,680 God speaks through his Word and by his Holy Spirit 472 00:33:40,719 –> 00:33:45,959 He is able to apply that word in more ways than I could ever think up into my entire life 473 00:33:47,699 –> 00:33:55,040 And there is an active faith involved in the healing of God’s Word in which you ask the Holy Spirit to show 474 00:33:55,239 –> 00:33:57,160 You 475 00:33:57,160 –> 00:33:59,560 How the word applies to your particular 476 00:34:00,400 –> 00:34:06,680 Circumstances of life just as when I heard from 2nd Timothy chapter 4 in verse 2 and it came to me with freshness 477 00:34:06,800 –> 00:34:10,080 You’ve got to do all your work with great patience. I saw 478 00:34:11,540 –> 00:34:17,739 several ways in which I needed to apply that in my circumstances of life and 479 00:34:18,399 –> 00:34:20,399 No doubt 480 00:34:20,780 –> 00:34:22,719 six-thousand-nine-hundred and ninety nine other people 481 00:34:22,760 –> 00:34:24,760 Had to use their knife and fork 482 00:34:25,260 –> 00:34:28,560 To apply it to their situation that no doubt was quite different 483 00:34:30,360 –> 00:34:32,239 From mine 484 00:34:32,239 –> 00:34:36,800 Come with a settled conviction that God speaks through his word. Come with a healthy appetite 485 00:34:37,840 –> 00:34:40,399 learn to use your knife and 486 00:34:41,699 –> 00:34:43,699 Your fork 487 00:34:45,239 –> 00:34:48,020 Come to the Word of God with faith and 488 00:34:48,139 –> 00:34:52,659 And your faith will increase without faith that will never do you any good 489 00:34:55,300 –> 00:35:01,040 For to whoever has more will be given that’s what Jesus said 490 00:35:02,659 –> 00:35:07,679 That leaves one last question in these last moments, and it’s this you say well wait a minute 491 00:35:08,659 –> 00:35:10,659 What if I have no faith? 492 00:35:11,179 –> 00:35:13,719 I mean I bring faith to the Word of God if I have no faith 493 00:35:15,080 –> 00:35:17,540 How can I ever derive any benefit here? 494 00:35:17,600 –> 00:35:19,600 I have no faith 495 00:35:21,520 –> 00:35:24,199 Listen to this text one more time in this last moment 496 00:35:25,159 –> 00:35:26,199 faith 497 00:35:26,199 –> 00:35:28,199 comes from 498 00:35:28,300 –> 00:35:30,300 hearing and 499 00:35:30,719 –> 00:35:32,719 hearing through 500 00:35:33,479 –> 00:35:35,320 the Word of 501 00:35:35,320 –> 00:35:41,879 Christ here’s the amazing mistery that God not only sustains faith through his Word, but he creates 502 00:35:42,600 –> 00:35:47,139 Faith through his Word you may have no faith 503 00:35:47,879 –> 00:35:49,679 today 504 00:35:49,679 –> 00:35:56,120 But what this verse tells us is that God is able to create the capacity for hearing 505 00:35:57,260 –> 00:35:59,280 in you 506 00:35:59,300 –> 00:36:05,199 Which will produce faith in your life God creates by speaking 507 00:36:05,199 –> 00:36:08,580 That’s how the world was created and that’s how faith comes 508 00:36:09,620 –> 00:36:11,399 Here you are and you’re in this situation 509 00:36:11,479 –> 00:36:12,219 You have no faith 510 00:36:12,219 –> 00:36:13,879 But you are hearing the word of God 511 00:36:13,879 –> 00:36:18,800 That points us to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and what God is telling you is this 512 00:36:19,179 –> 00:36:25,219 Faith comes by hearing and hearing comes by the word of God. So if you are saying well, I have no faith 513 00:36:25,219 –> 00:36:27,320 Where do I go from here? Here’s three things you can do 514 00:36:28,100 –> 00:36:32,120 You place yourself regularly under the Word of God you read it 515 00:36:32,340 –> 00:36:36,540 You listen to this word and don’t listen to it as if it was the words of men 516 00:36:36,679 –> 00:36:43,179 But it is the Word of God come with that settled conviction come with an appetite. You know that you need 517 00:36:43,919 –> 00:36:47,340 So place yourself under the ministry of God’s Word as you are right now 518 00:36:48,159 –> 00:36:54,020 Second recognize that you need God to do something in you that you cannot do for yourself 519 00:36:54,560 –> 00:36:56,939 You need him to give you ears that can hear 520 00:36:58,479 –> 00:37:00,899 You’ll want to come to him to dance a Lord Jesus 521 00:37:00,899 –> 00:37:07,320 I need you to change me because otherwise I will be the kind of person you spoke about who is always here in 522 00:37:08,000 –> 00:37:15,580 Understanding always seeing and never perceiving Lord Jesus you said he who has ears to hear let him here 523 00:37:15,580 –> 00:37:18,540 I need you to give me ears. That will here 524 00:37:18,540 –> 00:37:21,159 I need you to do for me what I cannot do for myself 525 00:37:21,300 –> 00:37:24,979 And you know when you come to that place faith has just been born in you 526 00:37:26,659 –> 00:37:28,699 You beginning already to reach out to him 527 00:37:29,020 –> 00:37:33,199 As you see that you need him to do what you cannot do for yourself 528 00:37:34,739 –> 00:37:38,199 And here’s the very last thing then Luke to Jesus Christ 529 00:37:38,199 –> 00:37:45,139 It’s so significant that Paul says here faith comes by hearing and hearing comes by the Word of Christ 530 00:37:47,139 –> 00:37:49,139 The whole Bible is about Jesus Christ 531 00:37:52,199 –> 00:37:55,000 The message of this book that although you are a sinner 532 00:37:55,000 –> 00:37:58,979 Or though you are a rebel and your rebellion is seen most in your unbelief 533 00:38:01,659 –> 00:38:05,959 God loves you and has sent his Son into the world for you who died as an atoning 534 00:38:06,219 –> 00:38:11,280 Sacrifice for your sin and was raised again on the third day and lives with power 535 00:38:11,840 –> 00:38:16,919 So that he is able to create in you what you do not have by nature 536 00:38:17,020 –> 00:38:24,560 and when you see this Christ and see that he is for you you will be drawn to come to him even today and 537 00:38:24,760 –> 00:38:31,620 to say Lord Jesus Christ save me give me what I do not have and 538 00:38:32,719 –> 00:38:34,159 Make me 539 00:38:34,159 –> 00:38:41,479 One who is united to you in the living bond of faith. Let’s pray together 540 00:38:47,280 –> 00:38:53,419 Father we have been asking you to increase our faith 541 00:38:54,800 –> 00:38:57,939 And today we hear you saying 542 00:39:00,060 –> 00:39:02,879 Faith comes by hearing and 543 00:39:05,000 –> 00:39:07,239 Hearing by the Word of Christ 544 00:39:11,719 –> 00:39:13,979 So, thank you for your word 545 00:39:15,760 –> 00:39:20,600 Help us to be those today and every day who receive it 546 00:39:21,399 –> 00:39:23,399 with faith and 547 00:39:23,939 –> 00:39:25,939 So grow in faith 548 00:39:28,360 –> 00:39:32,760 Help us to be those who are hungry and thirsty after you 549 00:39:36,840 –> 00:39:40,020 Help us we pray that with the wisdom of your Holy Spirit 550 00:39:41,860 –> 00:39:44,719 You will help us to grow and to walk in all your ways 551 00:39:46,580 –> 00:39:52,100 So that individually and together we may walk in paths that will make us fruitful 552 00:39:53,600 –> 00:39:56,459 Through Jesus Christ our savior and our Lord 553 00:39:57,379 –> 00:39:59,379 and everyone together said 554 00:39:59,840 –> 00:40:01,840 Amen