1 00:00:00,000 –> 00:00:04,160 We’re looking at the last book of the Old Testament, 2 00:00:04,160 –> 00:00:05,300 the book of Malachi. 3 00:00:05,300 –> 00:00:06,800 So please open your Bible 4 00:00:06,800 –> 00:00:10,240 at Malachi chapter three and verse 16, 5 00:00:10,240 –> 00:00:12,780 where we read these remarkable words. 6 00:00:12,780 –> 00:00:17,780 Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. 7 00:00:20,299 –> 00:00:25,320 The Lord paid attention and heard them. 8 00:00:26,320 –> 00:00:29,480 Now I realize that this may be a less familiar 9 00:00:29,480 –> 00:00:31,980 part of the Bible for some of us, 10 00:00:31,980 –> 00:00:35,880 and so I want to give you briefly a rough timeline 11 00:00:35,880 –> 00:00:38,060 that will help you to know where we are 12 00:00:38,060 –> 00:00:39,439 in the Bible’s story. 13 00:00:39,439 –> 00:00:42,200 And I think this will also help you to see 14 00:00:42,200 –> 00:00:46,320 how the book of Malachi speaks to us today. 15 00:00:46,320 –> 00:00:51,259 Now, God’s people went into exile 586 years 16 00:00:52,860 –> 00:00:56,919 before our Lord Jesus was born into the world. 17 00:00:56,919 –> 00:00:59,980 Now, some went into exile before that time, 18 00:00:59,980 –> 00:01:02,380 but that was the date when Jerusalem, 19 00:01:02,380 –> 00:01:04,820 the city of God, was destroyed, 20 00:01:04,820 –> 00:01:08,860 and God’s people were deported to Babylon. 21 00:01:08,860 –> 00:01:12,980 It was about 50 years after that 22 00:01:12,980 –> 00:01:14,660 that the first exiles 23 00:01:14,660 –> 00:01:18,099 returned to rebuild the city of Jerusalem. 24 00:01:18,099 –> 00:01:20,379 They came back under the leadership 25 00:01:20,379 –> 00:01:22,760 of a man by the name of Zerubbabel. 26 00:01:22,760 –> 00:01:24,059 I always remember his name 27 00:01:24,059 –> 00:01:25,599 because Zerubbabel was the man 28 00:01:25,739 –> 00:01:26,839 to deal with the rubble. 29 00:01:26,839 –> 00:01:28,199 That’s what he came back to. 30 00:01:28,199 –> 00:01:30,400 He came back to a destroyed city, 31 00:01:30,400 –> 00:01:34,320 and people began by building their homes. 32 00:01:34,320 –> 00:01:37,080 You can imagine the excitement 33 00:01:37,080 –> 00:01:39,199 here were people of faith, 34 00:01:39,199 –> 00:01:42,540 they were returning to rebuild the city of God, 35 00:01:42,540 –> 00:01:46,599 God’s people doing God’s work in God’s world. 36 00:01:46,599 –> 00:01:48,400 And they went at it. 37 00:01:48,400 –> 00:01:52,120 They rebuilt homes and established a new community. 38 00:01:52,160 –> 00:01:53,000 But guess what? 39 00:01:53,000 –> 00:01:56,300 After their homes were rebuilt, 40 00:01:56,300 –> 00:01:59,879 well, it seems that they pretty much got stuck. 41 00:01:59,879 –> 00:02:03,279 The enthusiasm of the return waned, 42 00:02:03,279 –> 00:02:06,279 and that’s when God sent the prophet Haggai, 43 00:02:07,320 –> 00:02:11,399 and he called on God’s people to rebuild the temple. 44 00:02:11,399 –> 00:02:15,720 He said you’re living in marvelous paneled homes, 45 00:02:15,720 –> 00:02:19,240 but the house of God lies still ruined 46 00:02:19,240 –> 00:02:21,679 and needs to be rebuilt. 47 00:02:21,720 –> 00:02:24,880 And then God sent the prophet Zechariah, 48 00:02:24,880 –> 00:02:29,380 who spoke about a glorious messianic age. 49 00:02:29,380 –> 00:02:34,279 The Lord will be king over all the Earth, Zechariah said. 50 00:02:34,279 –> 00:02:38,600 Rejoice, Jerusalem, your king will come to you. 51 00:02:38,600 –> 00:02:42,279 He’ll be riding on a donkey. 52 00:02:42,279 –> 00:02:43,880 Well, that got people going 53 00:02:43,880 –> 00:02:46,080 in the work of rebuilding the temple, 54 00:02:46,080 –> 00:02:51,080 and that work was completed about 20 years later. 55 00:02:51,419 –> 00:02:54,820 But after the rebuilding of the temple, 56 00:02:54,820 –> 00:02:58,839 God’s people seemed to get stuck again. 57 00:02:58,839 –> 00:03:02,539 The homes were built, the temple was rebuilt, 58 00:03:02,539 –> 00:03:07,160 but the walls around the city was still a pile of rubble. 59 00:03:07,160 –> 00:03:10,039 They were lying in ruins. 60 00:03:10,039 –> 00:03:14,479 And as often happens after a major project 61 00:03:14,479 –> 00:03:16,199 where God’s people had given 62 00:03:16,199 –> 00:03:18,720 for the rebuilding of the temple and they had worked 63 00:03:18,759 –> 00:03:21,160 and they had extended themselves, 64 00:03:21,160 –> 00:03:24,020 well, it seems there just wasn’t the energy 65 00:03:24,020 –> 00:03:28,059 or the will to undertake another major project. 66 00:03:28,059 –> 00:03:31,559 And that’s how it was for decades. 67 00:03:31,559 –> 00:03:34,419 About 60 years later, 68 00:03:34,419 –> 00:03:36,699 a second wave 69 00:03:36,699 –> 00:03:40,039 of God’s people returns to Jerusalem, 70 00:03:40,039 –> 00:03:42,259 this time under the leadership of a man 71 00:03:42,259 –> 00:03:44,660 by the name of Ezra. 72 00:03:44,660 –> 00:03:46,360 And when Ezra arrived, 73 00:03:46,460 –> 00:03:48,899 he found the faith of God’s people 74 00:03:48,899 –> 00:03:50,679 to be at a really low ebb. 75 00:03:51,940 –> 00:03:55,240 So he established a ministry of the Word of God. 76 00:03:55,240 –> 00:03:56,899 He was a Bible teacher, 77 00:03:56,899 –> 00:03:59,539 and he called people to repentance. 78 00:03:59,539 –> 00:04:03,380 And then about 10 years after that, 79 00:04:03,380 –> 00:04:06,699 a third wave of settlers came back 80 00:04:06,699 –> 00:04:08,300 to the city of Jerusalem, 81 00:04:08,300 –> 00:04:10,500 this time under the leadership of a man 82 00:04:10,500 –> 00:04:12,100 by the name of Nehemiah. 83 00:04:12,100 –> 00:04:14,419 And he was the one who saw 84 00:04:14,419 –> 00:04:17,100 that the walls were in ruins 85 00:04:17,100 –> 00:04:20,760 and God stirred up his heart to lead the people 86 00:04:20,760 –> 00:04:24,540 in rebuilding the walls of the city. 87 00:04:24,540 –> 00:04:26,279 Now, the prophecy of Malachi 88 00:04:26,279 –> 00:04:29,119 that we’re going to spend these next three weeks in 89 00:04:29,119 –> 00:04:32,000 comes from the time of Nehemiah. 90 00:04:33,279 –> 00:04:36,760 This is 80 years 91 00:04:36,760 –> 00:04:39,519 after the rebuilding of the temple, 92 00:04:39,519 –> 00:04:41,320 so think about it. 93 00:04:41,320 –> 00:04:44,119 By the time of Malachi, 94 00:04:44,119 –> 00:04:46,279 the rebuilding of the temple 95 00:04:46,279 –> 00:04:49,779 was as far behind the people of that generation 96 00:04:49,779 –> 00:04:54,619 as the second world war is behind us today. 97 00:04:55,679 –> 00:04:57,100 By the time of Malachi, 98 00:04:57,100 –> 00:04:58,839 most of the people 99 00:04:58,839 –> 00:05:01,260 who had been involved in rebuilding the temple, 100 00:05:01,260 –> 00:05:04,839 those who had sacrificed and given commitment to that, 101 00:05:04,839 –> 00:05:07,160 they would all have been gone. 102 00:05:07,160 –> 00:05:09,779 Their children would be seniors. 103 00:05:09,779 –> 00:05:13,600 Their grandchildren would be in midlife. 104 00:05:13,600 –> 00:05:16,059 So we’re talking now about the third, 105 00:05:16,059 –> 00:05:18,739 the fourth, and the fifth generation 106 00:05:18,739 –> 00:05:21,040 of life in the new community. 107 00:05:21,980 –> 00:05:25,839 And the promised king has not appeared. 108 00:05:25,839 –> 00:05:30,760 And the messianic age has not begun or daunt. 109 00:05:31,920 –> 00:05:34,059 And there’s a mood of discouragement 110 00:05:34,059 –> 00:05:37,119 that has settled over the people of God. 111 00:05:37,119 –> 00:05:40,420 There’s a growing skepticism even about the word of God 112 00:05:40,420 –> 00:05:42,119 and about the promises of God. 113 00:05:42,119 –> 00:05:46,940 And it’s pulling people towards a growing unbelief. 114 00:05:48,200 –> 00:05:52,660 But at that time, as always, 115 00:05:52,660 –> 00:05:55,600 there were some who remained faithful. 116 00:05:56,660 –> 00:05:59,380 And at the end of Malachi, 117 00:06:00,739 –> 00:06:04,320 after God has spoken into the discouragement 118 00:06:04,320 –> 00:06:08,279 and the unbelief that was growing widely in these days, 119 00:06:09,200 –> 00:06:11,660 God speaks some wonderful words 120 00:06:11,660 –> 00:06:15,579 of encouragement for faithful believers. 121 00:06:15,579 –> 00:06:17,619 And that’s what our focus is going to be 122 00:06:17,619 –> 00:06:20,519 over these three weeks together. 123 00:06:20,519 –> 00:06:24,140 I want to us to see two things today. 124 00:06:24,140 –> 00:06:27,540 What faithful believers face 125 00:06:28,459 –> 00:06:31,820 and what faithful believers do. 126 00:06:31,820 –> 00:06:33,799 And I’m using the present tense 127 00:06:33,799 –> 00:06:38,799 because what faithful believers faced then 128 00:06:39,019 –> 00:06:42,600 and what faithful believers did then 129 00:06:42,600 –> 00:06:46,459 is exactly what faithful believers are facing today 130 00:06:46,459 –> 00:06:51,019 and therefore exactly what we must also do today. 131 00:06:53,040 –> 00:06:56,579 What believers face. 132 00:06:58,480 –> 00:07:03,260 Now in Malachi’s day, and tragically in our day too, 133 00:07:05,279 –> 00:07:08,720 believers face disappointment 134 00:07:08,720 –> 00:07:09,920 with leaders. 135 00:07:12,019 –> 00:07:14,559 The first responsibility 136 00:07:14,559 –> 00:07:16,119 of any leader 137 00:07:17,079 –> 00:07:19,700 is always to be an example 138 00:07:19,700 –> 00:07:22,720 to the people that he or she leads. 139 00:07:22,720 –> 00:07:24,839 This is true in every area of leadership. 140 00:07:24,839 –> 00:07:26,600 It’s true of every parent. 141 00:07:26,600 –> 00:07:29,000 Your first responsibility as a parent 142 00:07:29,000 –> 00:07:32,200 is to be a godly example to your children. 143 00:07:32,200 –> 00:07:34,619 It’s true of every small group leader, 144 00:07:34,619 –> 00:07:37,480 of every elder, of every board member, 145 00:07:37,500 –> 00:07:41,540 of every pastor, of every ministry leader. 146 00:07:42,299 –> 00:07:46,040 And in Old Testament times the priests 147 00:07:46,040 –> 00:07:48,540 were called to lead. 148 00:07:48,540 –> 00:07:50,459 And God says of them in chapter two 149 00:07:50,459 –> 00:07:52,380 in verse seven and eight, 150 00:07:52,380 –> 00:07:55,380 the lips of a priest 151 00:07:55,380 –> 00:07:59,100 should guard knowledge. 152 00:07:59,100 –> 00:08:02,859 And people should seek instruction 153 00:08:02,859 –> 00:08:04,140 from his mouth, 154 00:08:04,140 –> 00:08:07,299 for he is a messenger 155 00:08:07,299 –> 00:08:09,000 from the Lord. 156 00:08:10,119 –> 00:08:15,119 But you, God says to the priests of Malachi’s day, 157 00:08:15,380 –> 00:08:19,239 you have turned aside from the way. 158 00:08:20,119 –> 00:08:24,200 You have caused many to stumble by your instruction. 159 00:08:24,200 –> 00:08:29,000 You have corrupted the covenant of Levi says 160 00:08:29,000 –> 00:08:31,720 the Lord of Hosts. 161 00:08:32,580 –> 00:08:35,799 So here are leaders who are trusted 162 00:08:35,799 –> 00:08:38,200 with a very Word of God, 163 00:08:38,200 –> 00:08:41,799 but some of them have turned aside from the way. 164 00:08:41,799 –> 00:08:43,940 And the result of that is that many people 165 00:08:43,940 –> 00:08:45,719 have been caused to stumble. 166 00:08:47,280 –> 00:08:50,080 Now I wish with all my heart friends 167 00:08:50,080 –> 00:08:54,679 that the application of this truth from Malachi 168 00:08:54,679 –> 00:08:56,599 to us today was not so obvious. 169 00:08:56,599 –> 00:08:57,840 But it is, 170 00:08:59,080 –> 00:09:03,239 disappointment with leaders who have turned 171 00:09:03,239 –> 00:09:05,359 aside from the way 172 00:09:06,000 –> 00:09:07,359 has eroded 173 00:09:08,460 –> 00:09:10,239 the faith 174 00:09:10,239 –> 00:09:11,159 of many. 175 00:09:12,979 –> 00:09:15,719 What faithful believers 176 00:09:15,719 –> 00:09:16,739 face, 177 00:09:18,200 –> 00:09:20,119 they face disappointment with leaders. 178 00:09:20,119 –> 00:09:22,559 We face something else today that 179 00:09:22,559 –> 00:09:25,760 is exactly the same as 180 00:09:25,760 –> 00:09:27,559 was experienced 181 00:09:27,559 –> 00:09:28,960 in the days of Malachi 182 00:09:28,960 –> 00:09:31,719 and that is the disruption of worship. 183 00:09:31,719 –> 00:09:34,080 I’ve been very struck by this. 184 00:09:34,080 –> 00:09:36,320 If you look at the book of Nehemiah 185 00:09:36,320 –> 00:09:38,400 and remember Nehemiah and Malachi 186 00:09:38,400 –> 00:09:40,159 are from the same time, 187 00:09:41,119 –> 00:09:44,280 you’ll see that Nehemiah says in chapter 13, 188 00:09:44,280 –> 00:09:46,820 in those days 189 00:09:46,820 –> 00:09:49,479 I saw in Judah 190 00:09:49,479 –> 00:09:53,440 people treading wine presses 191 00:09:53,440 –> 00:09:54,880 on the Sabbath 192 00:09:55,799 –> 00:09:58,520 and bringing in heaps of grain 193 00:09:58,520 –> 00:10:00,880 and loading them on donkeys 194 00:10:00,880 –> 00:10:03,320 and also wine and grapes and figs 195 00:10:03,380 –> 00:10:06,059 and all kinds of loads 196 00:10:06,059 –> 00:10:09,419 which they brought into Jerusalem 197 00:10:09,419 –> 00:10:12,599 on the Sabbath day 198 00:10:12,599 –> 00:10:14,119 and Nehemiah says 199 00:10:14,119 –> 00:10:17,239 and I warned them. 200 00:10:18,780 –> 00:10:19,940 I warned them. 201 00:10:22,280 –> 00:10:23,840 Now you see what is happening here 202 00:10:23,840 –> 00:10:26,739 and its application is very obvious for us today. 203 00:10:28,159 –> 00:10:30,640 The normal routine for God’s people 204 00:10:30,640 –> 00:10:35,640 was that work would cease on a Friday evening 205 00:10:36,080 –> 00:10:40,440 and for the next 24 hours through to the Saturday evening, 206 00:10:40,440 –> 00:10:44,280 they would enjoy a Sabbath to the Lord. 207 00:10:45,260 –> 00:10:49,059 The Sabbath was really a window in time 208 00:10:49,059 –> 00:10:52,359 to strengthen the grip of God’s people 209 00:10:52,359 –> 00:10:55,460 on the realities of eternity 210 00:10:55,460 –> 00:10:58,200 and at the center of the Sabbath, of course, 211 00:10:58,219 –> 00:11:02,000 was the gathering of the Lord’s people for worship. 212 00:11:03,020 –> 00:11:05,619 But what Nehemiah is telling us 213 00:11:05,619 –> 00:11:08,020 is that in the time of Malachi, 214 00:11:08,979 –> 00:11:13,979 the Sabbath had become just another day of trading. 215 00:11:14,700 –> 00:11:17,940 A day just like other days. 216 00:11:17,940 –> 00:11:20,460 Worship continued, of course, 217 00:11:20,460 –> 00:11:22,580 but it had to be fitted in 218 00:11:22,580 –> 00:11:26,419 beside the unrelenting demands of life 219 00:11:26,419 –> 00:11:30,419 and Nehemiah says, I warn them. 220 00:11:32,020 –> 00:11:36,619 Now again, I wish that the application 221 00:11:36,619 –> 00:11:40,979 of the theme of disruption to the normal routine of worship 222 00:11:40,979 –> 00:11:43,900 was not so obvious, but it is. 223 00:11:43,900 –> 00:11:48,320 Our normal pattern of worship has been disrupted. 224 00:11:50,520 –> 00:11:53,219 Now put these things together. 225 00:11:53,260 –> 00:11:56,020 Disappointment with leaders, 226 00:11:56,020 –> 00:11:59,500 disruption to the normal pattern of worship, 227 00:11:59,500 –> 00:12:04,140 and you have the background to the main theme 228 00:12:04,140 –> 00:12:07,140 of the book of Malachi that’s before us today, 229 00:12:07,140 –> 00:12:12,140 and that is a growing coldness of heart. 230 00:12:13,640 –> 00:12:16,500 Now, speaking of the last days, 231 00:12:16,500 –> 00:12:19,739 our Lord, Jesus Christ said this, 232 00:12:19,799 –> 00:12:24,799 the love of many will grow cold. 233 00:12:26,799 –> 00:12:28,640 Take that in, Jesus said it. 234 00:12:29,640 –> 00:12:34,419 The love of many will grow cold. 235 00:12:36,479 –> 00:12:39,320 And that’s exactly what was happening in Malachi’s day, 236 00:12:39,320 –> 00:12:44,320 and he describes what coldness of heart actually looks like. 237 00:12:44,840 –> 00:12:46,559 In fact, just to give you an overview 238 00:12:46,599 –> 00:12:50,400 of the book as a whole, it has six sections. 239 00:12:50,400 –> 00:12:54,320 In each of them, God speaks. 240 00:12:54,320 –> 00:12:57,559 And when God speaks, his people speak back 241 00:12:57,559 –> 00:13:01,440 and answer him resisting what he said. 242 00:13:01,440 –> 00:13:03,960 It’s like an unresolved argument, 243 00:13:03,960 –> 00:13:06,900 and it goes on until it becomes very clear 244 00:13:06,900 –> 00:13:10,320 that people who once professed faith 245 00:13:10,320 –> 00:13:13,419 are now cold and resistant towards God 246 00:13:13,440 –> 00:13:16,679 and are sliding into unbelief. 247 00:13:18,059 –> 00:13:22,520 Malachi shows us what a cold heart looks like, 248 00:13:24,380 –> 00:13:26,419 what it looked like in his day 249 00:13:27,340 –> 00:13:30,179 and what it looks like today. 250 00:13:31,119 –> 00:13:33,340 Let me just run through so you get a sense 251 00:13:33,340 –> 00:13:34,780 of the overview of the book. 252 00:13:34,780 –> 00:13:37,580 And I want you to ask yourself this question 253 00:13:37,580 –> 00:13:40,320 as I’ve been asking it of myself in preparation. 254 00:13:40,359 –> 00:13:43,719 Are there any signs in my heart 255 00:13:43,719 –> 00:13:45,539 that I might be growing cold? 256 00:13:47,479 –> 00:13:49,200 What does coldness of heart look like? 257 00:13:49,200 –> 00:13:51,979 Well, a cold heart is distant from God. 258 00:13:53,320 –> 00:13:55,679 The beginning of the book, chapter one in verse two, 259 00:13:55,679 –> 00:13:59,840 God says, I have loved you, says the Lord. 260 00:13:59,840 –> 00:14:01,880 What a wonderful statement that is. 261 00:14:01,880 –> 00:14:05,159 God says I have loved you. 262 00:14:06,479 –> 00:14:08,559 But you notice the response of the people, 263 00:14:08,559 –> 00:14:12,719 but you say, how have you loved us? 264 00:14:12,719 –> 00:14:14,239 How have you loved us? 265 00:14:15,200 –> 00:14:18,640 Here are people who professor faith 266 00:14:18,640 –> 00:14:21,919 and yet they no longer believe that God loves them. 267 00:14:23,880 –> 00:14:28,880 The love of God is like a blazing fire on a winter’s day. 268 00:14:29,200 –> 00:14:30,880 And scripture calls us 269 00:14:30,880 –> 00:14:34,500 to keep ourselves in the love of God. 270 00:14:35,400 –> 00:14:36,960 But a cold heart 271 00:14:37,840 –> 00:14:39,119 is a heart that is moved 272 00:14:39,119 –> 00:14:42,320 far from the warming fire of God’s love. 273 00:14:43,760 –> 00:14:47,900 And then a cold heart is formal in worship, 274 00:14:47,900 –> 00:14:51,799 describing worship in chapter one and verse 13. 275 00:14:51,799 –> 00:14:54,039 God tells us this, that He says, 276 00:14:54,039 –> 00:14:59,039 you see, what a weirdiness this is. 277 00:15:01,000 –> 00:15:01,840 I think about it. 278 00:15:01,840 –> 00:15:03,919 Here are people who profess faith 279 00:15:05,039 –> 00:15:06,840 and they come to worship 280 00:15:07,640 –> 00:15:09,919 but it has all become a matter of duty. 281 00:15:09,919 –> 00:15:12,099 They say, well, now, what a weirdness this is. 282 00:15:12,099 –> 00:15:13,799 Do we have to do this? 283 00:15:15,159 –> 00:15:20,059 They’d be doing it for years and they’re tired of it. 284 00:15:21,320 –> 00:15:24,020 Worship had become a matter of routine 285 00:15:25,239 –> 00:15:27,219 and their hearts were no longer in it. 286 00:15:29,200 –> 00:15:31,280 Thirdly, Malachi makes clear 287 00:15:31,280 –> 00:15:33,239 that when the heart grows cold, 288 00:15:33,239 –> 00:15:37,039 there is increasing carelessness in marriage. 289 00:15:38,000 –> 00:15:39,799 Chapter two and verse 15, 290 00:15:39,799 –> 00:15:42,640 guard yourselves in your spirit 291 00:15:42,640 –> 00:15:47,640 and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth. 292 00:15:49,000 –> 00:15:53,239 See, if your heart becomes cold towards God, 293 00:15:54,159 –> 00:15:57,440 other people will feel that chill, 294 00:15:58,960 –> 00:16:02,419 and the people who will feel it first and most 295 00:16:02,419 –> 00:16:05,640 are those who God has placed the closest to you. 296 00:16:07,700 –> 00:16:10,020 And then another sign of a cold heart 297 00:16:10,020 –> 00:16:13,340 is that a cold heart is persistent in complaint. 298 00:16:13,340 –> 00:16:15,260 Chapter two in verse 17, 299 00:16:15,260 –> 00:16:20,020 you have wearied the Lord with your words. 300 00:16:21,820 –> 00:16:25,900 Cold heart is a complaining heart. 301 00:16:25,900 –> 00:16:28,419 And God says, I’m tired of it. 302 00:16:28,419 –> 00:16:31,679 I’m tired of hearing people who profess to believe 303 00:16:31,859 –> 00:16:33,700 and are doing nothing but complaining 304 00:16:33,700 –> 00:16:36,719 about what I say and what I do. 305 00:16:36,719 –> 00:16:39,979 You have wearied the Lord with your words. 306 00:16:42,840 –> 00:16:46,039 And then a cold heart is one that is reluctant 307 00:16:46,039 –> 00:16:49,640 in prayer and in giving. 308 00:16:49,640 –> 00:16:51,099 If you look at chapter three, 309 00:16:51,099 –> 00:16:54,739 that’s the main theme of the whole of that section. 310 00:16:54,739 –> 00:16:56,419 And in the middle of it, God says, 311 00:16:56,419 –> 00:16:59,760 return to me and I will return to you, 312 00:17:00,239 –> 00:17:01,219 not just as the Lord of hosts 313 00:17:01,219 –> 00:17:03,679 but you say, how shall we return? 314 00:17:05,099 –> 00:17:07,140 And what an amazing invitation this is 315 00:17:07,140 –> 00:17:10,900 that Almighty God should say, return to me. 316 00:17:12,380 –> 00:17:13,500 But here are people who, 317 00:17:13,500 –> 00:17:16,520 though they had professed to believe show no interest 318 00:17:16,520 –> 00:17:20,199 whatsoever in drawing near to the living God. 319 00:17:21,920 –> 00:17:26,920 And then sixthly, a cold heart is disinterested in service. 320 00:17:27,339 –> 00:17:30,500 Chapter three and verse 13, 321 00:17:30,500 –> 00:17:35,500 your words, God says, have been hard against me. 322 00:17:39,180 –> 00:17:42,380 But you say, how have we spoken against you? 323 00:17:43,800 –> 00:17:48,800 You have said it is vain to serve the Lord. 324 00:17:50,619 –> 00:17:54,359 Again, here are people who had professed faith, 325 00:17:54,359 –> 00:17:58,280 they’re sliding gradually into unbelief, 326 00:17:58,280 –> 00:18:00,959 and one of the marks off this 327 00:18:00,959 –> 00:18:03,439 is that they have come to conclude 328 00:18:03,439 –> 00:18:07,380 that the cost of commitment is no longer really worth it. 329 00:18:09,359 –> 00:18:11,040 I mean, if God’s people get sick 330 00:18:11,040 –> 00:18:12,959 and get bereaved the same as everyone else, 331 00:18:12,959 –> 00:18:14,719 if God’s people lose their jobs, 332 00:18:14,719 –> 00:18:16,520 the same as everyone else, 333 00:18:16,520 –> 00:18:19,160 if God seems to prosper the wicked 334 00:18:19,160 –> 00:18:21,439 like He prospers the righteous, 335 00:18:21,439 –> 00:18:23,859 what exactly is the point? 336 00:18:25,219 –> 00:18:30,219 Now, friends, put all this together, 337 00:18:31,859 –> 00:18:36,859 and I think that you have a precise description 338 00:18:37,880 –> 00:18:40,900 of the challenge-facing believers today. 339 00:18:42,339 –> 00:18:44,900 Where are we as we begin this new year? 340 00:18:44,900 –> 00:18:45,739 Well, 341 00:18:46,880 –> 00:18:51,479 believers have endured disappointment 342 00:18:52,319 –> 00:18:56,040 from leaders who were called to be examples to the flock, 343 00:18:56,040 –> 00:18:58,660 but whose lives turned out to be inconsistent 344 00:18:58,660 –> 00:19:01,380 with what they professed. 345 00:19:03,040 –> 00:19:06,560 Our normal rhythm of worship has been disrupted. 346 00:19:06,560 –> 00:19:09,439 We live in a cold climate 347 00:19:10,739 –> 00:19:12,900 in which the chilling winds 348 00:19:12,900 –> 00:19:17,900 of skepticism and unbelief are blowing all around us. 349 00:19:18,660 –> 00:19:21,000 And in Malachi’s day, 350 00:19:21,000 –> 00:19:26,000 that led to a massive falling away from faith. 351 00:19:26,380 –> 00:19:30,099 Friends, I have no prophet, 352 00:19:30,099 –> 00:19:35,099 but I believe that many will face in this new year 353 00:19:36,760 –> 00:19:40,900 precisely the same challenges 354 00:19:40,900 –> 00:19:43,560 as were faced in the days of Malachi. 355 00:19:43,939 –> 00:19:49,819 That disappointment with leaders 356 00:19:49,819 –> 00:19:54,140 and the disruption of worship 357 00:19:54,140 –> 00:19:59,140 will lead to the hearts of many growing cold. 358 00:20:01,260 –> 00:20:06,260 And perhaps the greatest danger 359 00:20:07,900 –> 00:20:11,079 that you will face in this year 360 00:20:11,540 –> 00:20:14,640 is that your heart will grow cold. 361 00:20:16,660 –> 00:20:20,920 This part of the Bible speaks directly to us. 362 00:20:20,920 –> 00:20:23,900 That’s why we’re beginning the new year in it. 363 00:20:25,959 –> 00:20:27,239 But here’s the question, 364 00:20:28,699 –> 00:20:30,500 when there’s disappointment in leaders, 365 00:20:30,500 –> 00:20:32,380 when there’s disruption to worship, 366 00:20:32,380 –> 00:20:35,180 and when there are chilling winds of unbelief 367 00:20:35,180 –> 00:20:37,339 that are blowing all around us, 368 00:20:37,339 –> 00:20:41,479 what do faithful believers do? 369 00:20:43,119 –> 00:20:46,459 That’s what I want us to focus on together here now. 370 00:20:47,819 –> 00:20:51,380 What faithful believers do? 371 00:20:51,380 –> 00:20:55,300 Notice what we’re told in Malachi chapter 3 in verse 16, 372 00:20:56,619 –> 00:21:00,760 then those who feared the Lord, 373 00:21:02,099 –> 00:21:02,939 what did they do? 374 00:21:02,939 –> 00:21:05,699 They spoke with one another. 375 00:21:06,500 –> 00:21:11,500 The Lord paid attention and the Lord heard them. 376 00:21:14,640 –> 00:21:19,000 Now, when the love of many was growing cold, 377 00:21:20,359 –> 00:21:25,359 Malachi tells us that there were some who feared the Lord. 378 00:21:27,160 –> 00:21:28,380 What does that mean? 379 00:21:29,680 –> 00:21:34,459 Well, to fear the Lord is the opposite of a cold heart. 380 00:21:35,819 –> 00:21:39,780 To fear the Lord is so to love him 381 00:21:40,939 –> 00:21:45,420 that his frown would be your greatest dread 382 00:21:45,420 –> 00:21:49,280 and his smile, your greatest delight. 383 00:21:50,579 –> 00:21:54,619 To fear the Lord is to love the Lord 384 00:21:54,619 –> 00:21:58,880 with all of your heart and soul and mind and strength. 385 00:22:00,459 –> 00:22:04,579 Now in John chapter 17 in verse 26, 386 00:22:04,579 –> 00:22:08,859 we’re told the words of Jesus’ prayer to the Father 387 00:22:08,859 –> 00:22:11,680 before he went to the cross. 388 00:22:11,680 –> 00:22:14,839 And this is what Jesus prayed for you and for me. 389 00:22:14,839 –> 00:22:19,839 He prayed that the love with which the father loved him 390 00:22:20,400 –> 00:22:24,979 may be in them, that is, in us, in his disciples. 391 00:22:26,060 –> 00:22:28,260 The prayer of Jesus 392 00:22:28,260 –> 00:22:32,560 is that the love that the father has for his own son 393 00:22:32,560 –> 00:22:35,719 will be in us. 394 00:22:35,719 –> 00:22:38,680 Think of that, how great is the love 395 00:22:38,680 –> 00:22:41,160 that the father has for his own son? 396 00:22:41,160 –> 00:22:43,359 Jesus says, I am praying, father, 397 00:22:43,359 –> 00:22:46,500 that the love that you have for me will be in them. 398 00:22:48,060 –> 00:22:49,839 You say, how is that possible? 399 00:22:50,780 –> 00:22:55,780 Well, God’s love, we read in Romans 5 verse 5, 400 00:22:57,500 –> 00:23:01,079 is poured into our hearts 401 00:23:01,079 –> 00:23:04,959 by the Holy Spirit who is given to us. 402 00:23:06,359 –> 00:23:10,119 And if God pours his love into your heart, 403 00:23:10,119 –> 00:23:11,520 you will love what God loves 404 00:23:11,520 –> 00:23:16,520 and you will begin to love as God loves. 405 00:23:17,959 –> 00:23:22,839 This is why Peter says to faithful believers, 406 00:23:22,839 –> 00:23:25,540 “‘Though you have not seen him, 407 00:23:26,800 –> 00:23:28,219 “‘you love him.’” 408 00:23:28,979 –> 00:23:31,439 And a little later he says, 409 00:23:31,439 –> 00:23:36,439 “‘To you who believe, he, Jesus is precious.’” 410 00:23:36,979 –> 00:23:37,819 Why? 411 00:23:37,819 –> 00:23:41,060 Because the father’s love for his own son 412 00:23:41,060 –> 00:23:44,400 has been poured into your heart 413 00:23:44,400 –> 00:23:47,979 by the Holy Spirit, who has been given to you. 414 00:23:47,979 –> 00:23:52,699 So here are people who live in a cold spiritual climate 415 00:23:54,180 –> 00:23:56,459 and yet they love the Lord 416 00:23:56,459 –> 00:23:59,800 and noticed what they do. 417 00:24:01,800 –> 00:24:06,719 Faithful believers speak with one another. 418 00:24:06,719 –> 00:24:09,199 Those who feared the Lord, 419 00:24:09,199 –> 00:24:11,959 those who have this blazing love for the Lord 420 00:24:11,959 –> 00:24:16,959 in their hearts, they spoke with one another. 421 00:24:18,920 –> 00:24:20,800 Now, friends, this is very practical. 422 00:24:21,640 –> 00:24:26,319 I want to encourage you as we enter into this new year 423 00:24:26,339 –> 00:24:30,439 to move towards other believers. 424 00:24:31,760 –> 00:24:35,319 That’s what faithful believers do. 425 00:24:36,560 –> 00:24:40,540 In tough times, they come closer together. 426 00:24:40,540 –> 00:24:43,500 They turn towards one another. 427 00:24:43,500 –> 00:24:46,479 When the chill winds were blowing, 428 00:24:46,479 –> 00:24:48,819 they spoke with one another. 429 00:24:49,939 –> 00:24:52,180 Now, of course, that was against the trend 430 00:24:52,180 –> 00:24:56,040 in Malachi’s day, and it will be against the trend today. 431 00:24:56,060 –> 00:25:00,680 When leaders fail, it’s very easy for someone to say, 432 00:25:00,680 –> 00:25:04,400 well, I still have my faith, but I’m done with the church 433 00:25:06,000 –> 00:25:10,239 or in these days, when worship is disrupted, 434 00:25:11,400 –> 00:25:13,680 it will be very easy for people to say, 435 00:25:13,680 –> 00:25:16,839 well, you know it’s okay, I can manage on my own. 436 00:25:18,239 –> 00:25:20,719 And I’m saying to you today, from the scriptures, 437 00:25:20,719 –> 00:25:23,479 that if you try to go it alone, 438 00:25:23,479 –> 00:25:26,119 your heart will soon grow cold. 439 00:25:28,079 –> 00:25:32,040 The more skepticism and unbelief rises around us, 440 00:25:32,040 –> 00:25:35,760 the more the chill winds of a cold spiritual climate 441 00:25:35,760 –> 00:25:40,339 are outside of us, the more we need one another. 442 00:25:41,239 –> 00:25:45,300 And faithful believers speak to each other. 443 00:25:45,300 –> 00:25:48,060 They draw strength from each other. 444 00:25:48,060 –> 00:25:51,119 They seek out others who share the same love 445 00:25:51,119 –> 00:25:53,099 of the Lord Jesus Christ. 446 00:25:54,380 –> 00:25:58,459 And here’s what will happen when you seek out others 447 00:25:58,459 –> 00:26:01,540 who share the love of the Lord Jesus Christ. 448 00:26:02,599 –> 00:26:05,400 You know, Luke tells us at the end of his gospel 449 00:26:05,400 –> 00:26:10,300 a beautiful story about two believers, 450 00:26:10,300 –> 00:26:14,839 and they were walking on a road to a place called Emmaus. 451 00:26:16,060 –> 00:26:18,939 And as they walked they were talking 452 00:26:18,939 –> 00:26:23,359 with each other about Jesus. 453 00:26:23,400 –> 00:26:25,000 And Luke tells us this, 454 00:26:26,400 –> 00:26:31,400 that while they were talking and discussing together, 455 00:26:32,920 –> 00:26:37,920 Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 456 00:26:40,979 –> 00:26:42,020 That’s so beautiful. 457 00:26:43,400 –> 00:26:47,119 You will find the presence of Jesus 458 00:26:47,119 –> 00:26:50,119 in the company of other believers. 459 00:26:51,079 –> 00:26:55,099 You find yourself saying where can I find 460 00:26:55,099 –> 00:26:56,439 the presence of Jesus, 461 00:26:56,439 –> 00:26:59,479 I’m telling you from Luke in chapter 24, 462 00:26:59,479 –> 00:27:01,900 you will find the presence of Jesus 463 00:27:01,900 –> 00:27:04,359 in the company of other believers. 464 00:27:04,359 –> 00:27:05,880 Our Lord, Jesus said this, 465 00:27:05,880 –> 00:27:08,540 where two or three are gathered together 466 00:27:08,540 –> 00:27:11,119 there, I am in the midst. 467 00:27:11,119 –> 00:27:15,439 So, here is my encouragement to you in this new year 468 00:27:15,439 –> 00:27:17,660 from the book of Malachi, 469 00:27:17,699 –> 00:27:20,160 describing a cold spiritual climate. 470 00:27:20,160 –> 00:27:23,079 Learn what faithful believers do. 471 00:27:23,079 –> 00:27:26,119 They speak to each other, 472 00:27:26,119 –> 00:27:29,079 draw close to other believers. 473 00:27:31,239 –> 00:27:32,780 Then there’s something else here 474 00:27:32,780 –> 00:27:34,239 that faithful believers do. 475 00:27:34,239 –> 00:27:36,920 They not only speak with one another but, 476 00:27:36,920 –> 00:27:38,280 and this is really important, 477 00:27:38,280 –> 00:27:43,000 faithful believers speak well of the Lord. 478 00:27:43,660 –> 00:27:48,000 Now, we just read that faithful believers 479 00:27:49,239 –> 00:27:51,800 spoke with each other. 480 00:27:51,800 –> 00:27:53,420 What did they say? 481 00:27:54,760 –> 00:27:57,040 Well, if you look at the end of the verse, 482 00:27:57,040 –> 00:28:01,619 we get a wonderful description of their conversation. 483 00:28:01,619 –> 00:28:05,000 We’re told that those who feared the Lord 484 00:28:05,000 –> 00:28:08,459 esteemed his name. 485 00:28:08,959 –> 00:28:12,839 In other words, when those who feared the Lord 486 00:28:12,839 –> 00:28:14,380 spoke with each other, 487 00:28:14,380 –> 00:28:19,380 they spoke in a way that honored the name of the Lord. 488 00:28:20,359 –> 00:28:22,920 And that of course was very different 489 00:28:22,920 –> 00:28:26,579 from what was going on widely in the culture around them. 490 00:28:26,579 –> 00:28:29,199 The normal way of speaking about God 491 00:28:29,199 –> 00:28:31,119 amongst most of the people 492 00:28:31,119 –> 00:28:33,520 was simply to complain about everything that he did 493 00:28:33,520 –> 00:28:35,500 and to question everything that he said. 494 00:28:35,920 –> 00:28:40,260 Now we all know what it is like 495 00:28:40,260 –> 00:28:43,439 to wrestle with questions 496 00:28:43,439 –> 00:28:45,319 and with doubts 497 00:28:45,319 –> 00:28:49,459 and even with complaints towards God, 498 00:28:49,459 –> 00:28:51,300 especially when we suffer. 499 00:28:51,300 –> 00:28:54,479 Job knew what it was like 500 00:28:54,479 –> 00:28:57,459 to struggle with unanswered questions. 501 00:28:57,459 –> 00:29:02,199 And rarely can a man have suffered more than Job did 502 00:29:02,199 –> 00:29:05,119 losing all of his children. 503 00:29:06,359 –> 00:29:11,380 But Job spoke well 504 00:29:11,380 –> 00:29:13,540 of the Lord. 505 00:29:15,099 –> 00:29:17,040 And at the end of the book, 506 00:29:17,040 –> 00:29:19,939 God commends Job for this one thing. 507 00:29:21,020 –> 00:29:22,699 This is what is picked out. 508 00:29:23,699 –> 00:29:25,280 Chapter 42 in verse 7, 509 00:29:25,280 –> 00:29:27,540 the Lord said to Eliphaz, 510 00:29:27,540 –> 00:29:31,619 “‘My anger burns against you and against your two friends! 511 00:29:31,660 –> 00:29:35,060 “‘For you have not spoken what is right, 512 00:29:36,060 –> 00:29:40,119 “‘as my servant Job has.’” 513 00:29:41,680 –> 00:29:45,880 How we speak about God matters. 514 00:29:47,219 –> 00:29:50,500 God hears what we say about him. 515 00:29:51,380 –> 00:29:55,140 He takes note when people speak well of him 516 00:29:55,140 –> 00:29:57,959 in time of trouble. 517 00:29:57,959 –> 00:30:00,359 The Lord paid attention. 518 00:30:02,060 –> 00:30:04,479 Do you know, friends, this is what believers do. 519 00:30:05,599 –> 00:30:10,199 As Karen and I have opened so many kind Christmas cards 520 00:30:10,199 –> 00:30:14,520 and letters that many in the congregation have sent to us, 521 00:30:14,520 –> 00:30:17,719 time and again, a letter that describes difficulties 522 00:30:17,719 –> 00:30:19,699 in life, and time and again, there’s one thing 523 00:30:19,699 –> 00:30:23,040 in common, speaking well of the Lord. 524 00:30:23,040 –> 00:30:24,880 But the Lord helped me. 525 00:30:24,880 –> 00:30:27,560 The Lord stood with me. 526 00:30:27,560 –> 00:30:31,160 This is what faithful believers do. 527 00:30:31,160 –> 00:30:35,239 Whatever we face, we speak well of the Lord 528 00:30:35,239 –> 00:30:39,239 because He proves His faithfulness to us in it. 529 00:30:41,280 –> 00:30:45,040 So here’s a resolution that I’ve taken to myself 530 00:30:45,040 –> 00:30:48,900 for this new year, and I want to commend this to you. 531 00:30:49,800 –> 00:30:54,800 Let your speech always be gracious. 532 00:30:55,900 –> 00:30:58,520 That’s Colossians 4 6. 533 00:30:59,359 –> 00:31:04,359 Let no corrupt talk come out of your mouth 534 00:31:04,359 –> 00:31:07,420 but only that which is good for building up others 535 00:31:07,420 –> 00:31:10,780 that’s Ephesians 4 29. 536 00:31:12,380 –> 00:31:17,380 Set a guard over my mouth oh lord, 537 00:31:19,180 –> 00:31:24,180 keep watch over the door of my lips. 538 00:31:24,260 –> 00:31:27,180 That’s Psalm 141 3. 539 00:31:28,540 –> 00:31:32,020 Oh lord open my mouth 540 00:31:32,020 –> 00:31:37,020 and my lips shall declare your praise. 541 00:31:37,300 –> 00:31:41,060 That’s Psalm 51 and verse 15. 542 00:31:42,339 –> 00:31:46,140 Others may doubt God’s love 543 00:31:47,420 –> 00:31:50,660 we will declare his faithfulness. 544 00:31:51,780 –> 00:31:56,739 Others may regard worship as a mere duty. 545 00:31:56,739 –> 00:31:59,420 We will regard it as a delight. 546 00:32:00,500 –> 00:32:03,819 Others may become careless in marriage. 547 00:32:03,819 –> 00:32:07,180 We will seek to love others well. 548 00:32:08,099 –> 00:32:13,099 Others may pour out their endless complaints about God 549 00:32:13,300 –> 00:32:16,079 but we will rejoice with thanksgiving 550 00:32:16,079 –> 00:32:19,219 in his mercy towards us. 551 00:32:19,219 –> 00:32:22,300 Others may refuse to draw near to God 552 00:32:22,300 –> 00:32:25,500 but we will seek his face. 553 00:32:25,500 –> 00:32:30,380 Others may think that it is vain to serve the Lord 554 00:32:30,380 –> 00:32:33,719 but we will be steadfast unmovable 555 00:32:33,719 –> 00:32:36,160 always abounding in the work of the Lord 556 00:32:36,160 –> 00:32:41,160 knowing that our labor is not in vain. 557 00:32:44,619 –> 00:32:49,579 Faithful believers, they speak with one another. 558 00:32:50,359 –> 00:32:55,359 Faithful believers, they speak well of the Lord. 559 00:32:57,640 –> 00:33:00,560 And then Malachi tells us 560 00:33:00,560 –> 00:33:04,839 that when those who feared the Lord spoke with one another 561 00:33:04,839 –> 00:33:09,839 the Lord paid attention and heard them. 562 00:33:11,560 –> 00:33:13,040 They were heard. 563 00:33:14,000 –> 00:33:19,959 And that wonderful truth that they were heard 564 00:33:22,359 –> 00:33:25,199 drew my mind to a remarkable statement 565 00:33:25,199 –> 00:33:28,300 in the New Testament about our Lord Jesus Christ. 566 00:33:29,199 –> 00:33:34,180 The faithful Son of God, our wonderful faithful Savior. 567 00:33:36,319 –> 00:33:38,680 In the Book of Hebrews, chapter five and verse seven, 568 00:33:38,680 –> 00:33:41,459 we read this, that in the days of His flesh, 569 00:33:41,500 –> 00:33:44,780 Jesus offered up prayers and supplications 570 00:33:44,780 –> 00:33:47,260 with loud cries and tears to Him 571 00:33:47,260 –> 00:33:50,140 who was able to save Him from death. 572 00:33:50,140 –> 00:33:53,579 And He was heard 573 00:33:55,939 –> 00:33:59,380 because of His reverence. 574 00:34:00,540 –> 00:34:02,239 Remarkable statement. 575 00:34:02,239 –> 00:34:05,140 The old King James Version puts it this way, 576 00:34:05,140 –> 00:34:08,100 He was heard in that He feared. 577 00:34:08,100 –> 00:34:10,540 In other words, just like those who feared the Lord 578 00:34:10,540 –> 00:34:11,780 in the days of Malachi, 579 00:34:11,780 –> 00:34:14,219 and when they spoke with each other, they were heard, 580 00:34:14,219 –> 00:34:19,219 so the Lord Jesus Christ, He knew the fear of the Lord, 581 00:34:19,340 –> 00:34:23,939 that is, He loved the Father so much 582 00:34:23,939 –> 00:34:27,979 that the Father’s frown would be His greatest dread 583 00:34:27,979 –> 00:34:32,979 and the Father smile His greatest delight, 584 00:34:33,300 –> 00:34:37,139 and so when He came to the garden of Gethsemane, 585 00:34:37,139 –> 00:34:40,060 He said, Father, not my will, 586 00:34:40,060 –> 00:34:45,060 but Yours be done, and the will of the Father was 587 00:34:46,699 –> 00:34:51,699 that He should bear our sins in His own body on the cross, 588 00:34:55,820 –> 00:35:00,820 and Jesus cried out loud cries and tears, 589 00:35:03,580 –> 00:35:08,580 the agony of going through all that hell is was before Him, 590 00:35:09,020 –> 00:35:14,020 the Holy Son of God bearing your sins and mine. 591 00:35:16,340 –> 00:35:19,459 Notice that He cried out, 592 00:35:19,459 –> 00:35:22,699 not to the one who was able to save him from dying, 593 00:35:22,699 –> 00:35:24,419 He knew that He came into the world 594 00:35:24,419 –> 00:35:26,580 in order to lay down His life, 595 00:35:26,580 –> 00:35:27,580 He didn’t cry out to the one 596 00:35:27,580 –> 00:35:29,500 who was able to save Him from dying, 597 00:35:29,500 –> 00:35:32,659 He cried out to the one who was able to save him from death. 598 00:35:33,500 –> 00:35:36,620 And when our Lord Jesus cried out, 599 00:35:36,620 –> 00:35:41,620 He was heard and the proof that He was heard 600 00:35:44,899 –> 00:35:49,020 is that the father raised Him from the dead. 601 00:35:50,379 –> 00:35:55,379 And when we come to the father in the fear of the Lord 602 00:35:57,820 –> 00:36:01,100 and in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, 603 00:36:01,939 –> 00:36:05,000 we too will be heard. 604 00:36:06,979 –> 00:36:11,340 And we too will share in the resurrection 605 00:36:11,340 –> 00:36:16,340 to everlasting life that is ours in Him. 606 00:36:18,959 –> 00:36:20,000 Let’s pray together. 607 00:36:21,219 –> 00:36:26,219 Our father in heaven, we bow before you today, 608 00:36:27,219 –> 00:36:31,560 deeply conscious that the world never changes, 609 00:36:32,840 –> 00:36:37,000 and the disappointments, the disruption, 610 00:36:38,699 –> 00:36:42,879 the coldness that faithful believers 611 00:36:42,879 –> 00:36:44,399 faced all these years ago 612 00:36:44,399 –> 00:36:47,860 are precisely what we face in the environment 613 00:36:47,860 –> 00:36:49,760 in which we find ourselves today. 614 00:36:50,580 –> 00:36:54,179 Grant, Father, we pray 615 00:36:54,179 –> 00:36:58,520 that we may do what faithful believers do. 616 00:37:00,879 –> 00:37:05,879 Grant that we may draw close to one another, 617 00:37:06,280 –> 00:37:11,280 that we may build one another up in our most holy faith, 618 00:37:13,000 –> 00:37:18,000 grant that we may speak well of you at all times. 619 00:37:20,280 –> 00:37:24,300 And thank you that, in and through the Lord Jesus Christ, 620 00:37:26,040 –> 00:37:30,679 we are heard and that his triumph 621 00:37:31,739 –> 00:37:35,159 one day will also be ours. 622 00:37:36,399 –> 00:37:40,120 Hear our prayers and grant that we will be sustained 623 00:37:40,120 –> 00:37:44,500 in faithfulness through Jesus Christ, our Lord. 624 00:37:45,760 –> 00:37:46,580 Amen.