God’s Deliverance

1 Peter 5:1-11
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Today we’re wrapping up our series on the Lord’s Prayer. I invite you to open your Bible to Matthew chapter 6 as we explore the final petition “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” We’ve collectively learnt that Jesus gives us a template with six things to ask of God in our prayers. The six petitions serve as a guide, almost like pegs to hang and arrange all our personal prayers.

Evil and temptation are challenges both around us and within us. We’ll focus on why we need this prayer, what exactly we’re asking for, and how God answers wonderfully. It’s a reminder that the Christian life is a battle on two fronts: fightings without and fears within.

We’ll see how God answers this prayer through His common grace, special grace, restoring grace, and saving grace. Each reflects God’s kindness—whether through societal peace, strength in trials, restoration after failure, or the ultimate gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

Join us today for this insightful conclusion to our series as we deepen our understanding of the Lord’s Prayer and learn how to rely on God for deliverance in every aspect of our lives.

WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 –> 00:00:04.040 Today we are wrapping up our series in the Lord’s prayer 00:00:04.040 –> 00:00:06.640 and so I invite you to open your Bible 00:00:06.640 –> 00:00:09.480 at Matthew and chapter six. 00:00:09.480 –> 00:00:12.600 We’ve been seeing together that Jesus teaches us 00:00:12.600 –> 00:00:14.960 that there are six things that we should ask of God 00:00:14.960 –> 00:00:17.920 and this is really an outline, a template 00:00:17.920 –> 00:00:19.219 for our prayers. 00:00:19.219 –> 00:00:21.000 The six petitions of the Lord’s prayer 00:00:21.000 –> 00:00:23.879 like pegs on which as it were you can hang 00:00:23.879 –> 00:00:27.160 or arrange all of your own prayers. 00:00:27.260 –> 00:00:30.559 We want first that God’s name should be honored. 00:00:30.559 –> 00:00:34.320 We saw that God’s answer to a world that despises his name 00:00:34.320 –> 00:00:36.900 is a people who know his name. 00:00:36.900 –> 00:00:38.880 We want that God’s kingdom should come. 00:00:38.880 –> 00:00:43.040 Secondly the day will come when Christ returns in glory 00:00:43.040 –> 00:00:44.880 and then the kingdoms of this world 00:00:44.880 –> 00:00:47.599 will become the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ 00:00:47.599 –> 00:00:50.759 and he will reign forever and forever. 00:00:50.759 –> 00:00:52.639 Third we want God’s will to be done 00:00:52.639 –> 00:00:54.759 on earth as it is in heaven. 00:00:54.759 –> 00:00:56.840 We saw that God has a will that is secret, 00:00:57.180 –> 00:00:58.340 a will that is discerned 00:00:58.340 –> 00:01:00.639 and a will that has been revealed. 00:01:00.639 –> 00:01:04.000 And so when we pray this third petition of the Lord’s Prayer 00:01:04.000 –> 00:01:07.919 we are asking for faith in what God has kept secret, 00:01:07.919 –> 00:01:10.639 for wisdom in what we must discern 00:01:10.639 –> 00:01:14.800 and for obedience in regards to what God has revealed. 00:01:14.800 –> 00:01:17.080 And then when we have asked these three things 00:01:17.080 –> 00:01:19.379 that relates to God and his glory 00:01:19.379 –> 00:01:21.800 Jesus teaches us that we are also to come 00:01:21.800 –> 00:01:25.080 and ask for the things that we need. 00:01:25.099 –> 00:01:27.199 What do we need in this world? 00:01:27.199 –> 00:01:30.279 Well, it boils down to three things. 00:01:30.279 –> 00:01:32.639 First we need to be sustained. 00:01:32.639 –> 00:01:35.040 Give us this day our daily bread. 00:01:35.040 –> 00:01:37.160 That is food, clothing, work, shelter, 00:01:37.160 –> 00:01:39.639 all that we need for sustaining life in this world 00:01:39.639 –> 00:01:41.680 and not only for us, but for others 00:01:41.680 –> 00:01:44.239 who may have much less than we do. 00:01:44.239 –> 00:01:47.239 Give us this day our daily bread. 00:01:47.239 –> 00:01:50.580 And then we need to be forgiven as we needs to forgive, 00:01:50.580 –> 00:01:54.480 forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors. 00:01:54.580 –> 00:01:57.320 God has called us to love him with all of our hearts 00:01:57.320 –> 00:01:59.139 and to love our neighbors as ourselves. 00:01:59.139 –> 00:02:02.339 We haven’t done that, therefore, we have debts 00:02:02.339 –> 00:02:04.680 because we have fallen short in what we owe 00:02:04.680 –> 00:02:07.779 and we have debtors because others have fallen short 00:02:07.779 –> 00:02:09.899 in what they owe. 00:02:09.899 –> 00:02:14.460 And so we need to be forgiven and we need to forgive. 00:02:14.460 –> 00:02:16.240 And that then brings us to the last, 00:02:16.240 –> 00:02:19.240 the sixth of these petitions in the Lord’s Prayer 00:02:19.240 –> 00:02:20.860 that we’re looking at today. 00:02:20.860 –> 00:02:23.720 But someone might be asking, hey, what about the ending? 00:02:23.899 –> 00:02:25.660 You know, for yours is the kingdom and the power 00:02:25.660 –> 00:02:27.899 and the glory forever and ever, amen. 00:02:28.800 –> 00:02:31.080 Well, if you look at the Bible 00:02:31.080 –> 00:02:32.699 in Matthew chapter six in front of you, 00:02:32.699 –> 00:02:35.779 you will notice that these words are in fact not there. 00:02:35.779 –> 00:02:37.559 If you have a copy of the Church Bible 00:02:37.559 –> 00:02:39.020 and many other Bibles, 00:02:39.020 –> 00:02:41.059 you may see that there is a footnote 00:02:41.059 –> 00:02:45.279 that says some manuscripts add, 00:02:45.279 –> 00:02:46.720 for yours is the kingdom, 00:02:46.720 –> 00:02:49.300 the power and the glory forever, amen. 00:02:49.300 –> 00:02:52.779 Most likely these words were added at some point in history 00:02:52.800 –> 00:02:57.320 by some scribe copying out the text of the Gospel of Matthew 00:02:57.320 –> 00:03:00.119 as a kind of response to the words 00:03:00.119 –> 00:03:02.699 that our Lord has taught us to pray. 00:03:02.699 –> 00:03:04.520 And for sure they are wonderful words 00:03:04.520 –> 00:03:06.100 that we can use in our prayer, 00:03:06.100 –> 00:03:08.119 but the words that Jesus taught 00:03:08.119 –> 00:03:11.679 are the six petitions that we have looked at 00:03:11.679 –> 00:03:14.320 and the last that we are looking at today. 00:03:14.320 –> 00:03:17.479 There are six things that Jesus had told us 00:03:17.479 –> 00:03:19.360 to ask of God in prayer, 00:03:19.360 –> 00:03:23.199 and the last of them is Matthew 6, in verse 13. 00:03:23.199 –> 00:03:27.660 Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 00:03:28.800 –> 00:03:30.800 Now this last petition reminds us 00:03:30.800 –> 00:03:32.720 that the Christian life is a battle 00:03:32.720 –> 00:03:35.460 and it is always waged on two fronts. 00:03:36.320 –> 00:03:39.360 There are temptations that lurk within us 00:03:39.360 –> 00:03:43.259 and there is evil that is all around us. 00:03:44.160 –> 00:03:46.440 The Apostle Paul said in 2nd Corinthians 00:03:46.440 –> 00:03:48.160 in chapter 7 in verse 5, 00:03:48.240 –> 00:03:50.720 that when he came to Macedonia, 00:03:50.720 –> 00:03:52.880 he said our bodies had no rest 00:03:52.880 –> 00:03:55.020 and we were afflicted at every turn, 00:03:55.020 –> 00:03:57.800 and notice why, two reasons. 00:03:57.800 –> 00:04:00.279 When he looked around him, what did he see? 00:04:00.279 –> 00:04:02.479 Fightings without. 00:04:02.479 –> 00:04:04.919 Conflict around him everywhere. 00:04:04.919 –> 00:04:07.020 When he looked inside, what did he see? 00:04:07.020 –> 00:04:08.800 Fears within. 00:04:08.800 –> 00:04:10.080 You see, these are the two fronts 00:04:10.080 –> 00:04:13.320 on which the battle is always to be fought. 00:04:13.320 –> 00:04:15.839 If we are to honor God’s name, 00:04:15.839 –> 00:04:17.720 if we are to advance his kingdom, 00:04:17.720 –> 00:04:19.660 if we are to do his will, 00:04:19.660 –> 00:04:23.220 we need not only to be sustained and forgiven, 00:04:23.220 –> 00:04:24.980 we need to be delivered, 00:04:25.899 –> 00:04:28.760 and we need to be delivered in two spheres, 00:04:28.760 –> 00:04:30.980 the evil that lurks within us 00:04:30.980 –> 00:04:34.619 and the evil that is all around us. 00:04:34.619 –> 00:04:37.459 And today I want us to focus on three things. 00:04:37.459 –> 00:04:40.839 First, why we need this prayer. 00:04:40.839 –> 00:04:43.380 Second, what we’re asking in this prayer, 00:04:43.380 –> 00:04:45.260 and thirdly, most important, 00:04:45.339 –> 00:04:49.679 how God wonderfully answers this prayer. 00:04:51.279 –> 00:04:53.940 Now first then, why we need this prayer, 00:04:53.940 –> 00:04:57.339 lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 00:04:59.119 –> 00:05:02.019 Now, evil of course, is introduced to us 00:05:02.019 –> 00:05:05.500 right at the beginning of the Bible story. 00:05:05.500 –> 00:05:07.859 God had made everything good. 00:05:07.859 –> 00:05:09.940 The man and the woman had been placed 00:05:09.940 –> 00:05:12.940 in a garden that was just full of good things. 00:05:13.799 –> 00:05:16.420 But in the garden, there was a tree 00:05:16.420 –> 00:05:19.779 of the knowledge of good and evil. 00:05:20.899 –> 00:05:23.179 The man and the woman already had the knowledge of good. 00:05:23.179 –> 00:05:25.140 It was all around them. 00:05:25.140 –> 00:05:27.339 So if they were to eat of this tree, 00:05:27.339 –> 00:05:29.739 they would only gain one thing and that would be 00:05:29.739 –> 00:05:31.480 that they would add the knowledge of evil 00:05:31.480 –> 00:05:33.839 to the knowledge of good that they already had. 00:05:34.820 –> 00:05:37.260 And God said, do not eat of this tree. 00:05:38.299 –> 00:05:41.700 As if God were to say, now you already know good. 00:05:41.739 –> 00:05:42.760 It’s all around you. 00:05:43.799 –> 00:05:45.980 It’s wonderful and you are richly blessed, 00:05:45.980 –> 00:05:47.500 but there is another reality 00:05:47.500 –> 00:05:49.619 that’s outside of your present experience. 00:05:49.619 –> 00:05:50.600 It’s evil. 00:05:50.600 –> 00:05:52.220 It’s destructive in its power. 00:05:52.220 –> 00:05:54.380 I don’t want you ever to know it. 00:05:54.380 –> 00:05:57.500 So do not eat of the fruit of this tree. 00:05:57.500 –> 00:05:59.660 You don’t wanna get the knowledge of evil. 00:06:00.679 –> 00:06:02.299 But you know that they decided 00:06:02.299 –> 00:06:03.940 that they wanted the knowledge of evil 00:06:03.940 –> 00:06:05.700 and they ate of this tree and they got it 00:06:05.700 –> 00:06:09.779 and we have all lived with it ever since. 00:06:09.779 –> 00:06:14.220 So we can rightly define evil as the destructive power 00:06:14.220 –> 00:06:17.739 that has intruded into God’s universe 00:06:17.739 –> 00:06:19.720 and it includes, evil includes, 00:06:19.720 –> 00:06:22.140 all that is come into the world through the fall 00:06:22.140 –> 00:06:25.519 as a result of the entrance of sin into the world, 00:06:25.519 –> 00:06:28.440 all that has come in that was not there before. 00:06:29.739 –> 00:06:32.739 Now evil comes in many forms. 00:06:32.739 –> 00:06:34.899 And as the first book of the Bible tells us 00:06:34.899 –> 00:06:38.380 how it entered into God’s world and into the human race, 00:06:38.420 –> 00:06:42.100 the last book of the Bible describes very vividly 00:06:42.100 –> 00:06:45.739 the forms in which it manifests itself. 00:06:46.779 –> 00:06:48.179 In the book of Revelation, 00:06:48.179 –> 00:06:53.179 John saw a vision of four horses, each one with a rider. 00:06:54.519 –> 00:06:56.059 They’re often referred to 00:06:56.059 –> 00:07:00.700 as the four horsemen of the Apocalypse. 00:07:00.700 –> 00:07:04.660 And the first was a white horse, Revelation 6.2. 00:07:04.660 –> 00:07:09.660 Its rider had a bowl and a crown was given to him 00:07:09.700 –> 00:07:13.600 and he came out conquering and to conquer. 00:07:14.700 –> 00:07:16.500 Now I know that some people think 00:07:16.500 –> 00:07:19.980 that this is a reference to the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:07:19.980 –> 00:07:22.899 But if you look carefully, in Revelation chapter six, 00:07:22.899 –> 00:07:24.679 you will see that the Lord Jesus Christ 00:07:24.679 –> 00:07:28.260 is the one who is opening these seals. 00:07:28.260 –> 00:07:30.440 And what is revealed seems very clearly 00:07:30.440 –> 00:07:33.619 to be the destructive power of evil 00:07:33.619 –> 00:07:37.640 as it stocks history in its various forms. 00:07:37.640 –> 00:07:39.600 And the first of these forms, of course, 00:07:39.600 –> 00:07:43.720 is war, going out to conquer. 00:07:43.720 –> 00:07:45.260 You look at the history of the world, 00:07:45.260 –> 00:07:48.179 it’s all about empires rising, 00:07:48.179 –> 00:07:51.160 one group of people trying to rule another 00:07:51.160 –> 00:07:54.760 with all the pain and the destruction that that brings. 00:07:54.760 –> 00:07:57.519 And this is evil. 00:07:59.079 –> 00:08:02.739 Then there was a second horse that was bright red. 00:08:02.779 –> 00:08:04.540 Its rider, verse four, 00:08:04.540 –> 00:08:07.540 was permitted to take peace from the Earth 00:08:07.540 –> 00:08:11.500 so that the people should slay one another, 00:08:11.500 –> 00:08:14.239 and he was given a great sword. 00:08:14.239 –> 00:08:17.959 So the first horse represents the abuse of power 00:08:17.959 –> 00:08:22.959 by the state, rising up in empires to rule over others. 00:08:23.980 –> 00:08:28.579 The second horse represents the breakdown of the community. 00:08:29.359 –> 00:08:31.380 Violence erupts. 00:08:32.359 –> 00:08:36.119 People are attacking and killing each other, 00:08:36.119 –> 00:08:39.179 and this too is evil. 00:08:40.119 –> 00:08:43.440 Then there was a black horse, verse five. 00:08:43.440 –> 00:08:46.520 Its rider had a pair of scales in his hand, 00:08:46.520 –> 00:08:48.119 and then John heard a voice saying, 00:08:48.119 –> 00:08:50.599 a quart of wheat for a denarius, 00:08:50.599 –> 00:08:54.320 and do not harm the oil and the wine. 00:08:54.320 –> 00:08:58.280 So here, clearly, we have famine conditions, 00:08:58.340 –> 00:09:00.820 scarcity of food. 00:09:00.820 –> 00:09:04.239 Just a little amount of wheat, a quart, 00:09:04.239 –> 00:09:06.000 is going to cost a denarius, 00:09:06.000 –> 00:09:07.859 which was a full day’s wages 00:09:07.859 –> 00:09:10.239 for a working person in that time. 00:09:11.239 –> 00:09:14.000 And so clearly, what is being described here 00:09:14.000 –> 00:09:16.359 is the difficulty of getting 00:09:16.359 –> 00:09:20.479 just the most basic necessities to sustain life. 00:09:21.760 –> 00:09:24.359 And yet at the same time, 00:09:24.359 –> 00:09:26.159 while the many are struggling 00:09:26.159 –> 00:09:28.539 to get the basic necessities of life 00:09:28.539 –> 00:09:30.700 evidently there are some luxuries 00:09:30.700 –> 00:09:35.359 enjoyed by the few oil and wine 00:09:35.359 –> 00:09:39.440 that somehow are remarkably preserved, untouched. 00:09:39.440 –> 00:09:41.799 And this too is evil. 00:09:42.979 –> 00:09:45.960 And then fourthly, there was a pale horse 00:09:45.960 –> 00:09:48.479 and its riders name was Death 00:09:48.479 –> 00:09:50.919 and Hades followed him 00:09:50.919 –> 00:09:52.280 and they were given authority 00:09:52.280 –> 00:09:54.559 over a fourth of the earth to kill 00:09:54.599 –> 00:09:56.400 with the sword and with famine 00:09:56.400 –> 00:09:58.679 and notice this, with pestilence 00:09:58.679 –> 00:10:00.200 that means disease 00:10:01.239 –> 00:10:03.320 and by wild beasts of the earth. 00:10:04.760 –> 00:10:06.679 So all of these destructive forces 00:10:06.679 –> 00:10:08.799 all of these manifestations of evil 00:10:08.799 –> 00:10:11.400 the four horsemen, they all bring death 00:10:11.400 –> 00:10:12.780 they bring it in different ways 00:10:12.780 –> 00:10:17.619 by war, by conflict, by famine, by disease. 00:10:17.619 –> 00:10:19.219 Do you see what we’re being told 00:10:19.219 –> 00:10:22.619 this evil that entered into the world 00:10:22.619 –> 00:10:23.960 back in the Garden of Eden 00:10:23.979 –> 00:10:25.119 in the first book of the Bible 00:10:25.119 –> 00:10:26.359 the last book of the Bible 00:10:26.359 –> 00:10:28.099 is telling us it goes everywhere 00:10:29.179 –> 00:10:31.979 it has affected every part of God’s universe 00:10:32.940 –> 00:10:35.080 it has infected the political 00:10:35.080 –> 00:10:38.580 the social, the judicial, the economic 00:10:38.580 –> 00:10:41.940 the ecological, and even the biological 00:10:43.299 –> 00:10:44.340 and brothers and sisters 00:10:44.340 –> 00:10:46.500 we look at our news bulletins 00:10:46.500 –> 00:10:48.280 any day in life 00:10:48.280 –> 00:10:49.679 and what do you find 00:10:49.679 –> 00:10:53.380 you find that they are dominated by stories 00:10:53.400 –> 00:10:55.919 that represent some way in which 00:10:55.919 –> 00:10:58.919 the evil that is intruded into God’s good world 00:10:58.919 –> 00:11:01.960 is manifesting it’s in our time 00:11:01.960 –> 00:11:02.979 it’s everywhere 00:11:02.979 –> 00:11:05.520 and that is why we desperately need to pray 00:11:05.520 –> 00:11:08.119 Lord, deliver us from evil 00:11:08.119 –> 00:11:09.799 it really is all around us 00:11:11.640 –> 00:11:13.320 and not only is it all around us 00:11:13.320 –> 00:11:14.859 but as we saw a few moments ago 00:11:14.859 –> 00:11:17.159 it’s inside of us as well 00:11:17.159 –> 00:11:20.400 lead us not into temptation 00:11:20.400 –> 00:11:21.679 but deliver us from evil 00:11:21.679 –> 00:11:22.559 why do we need to pray 00:11:22.559 –> 00:11:24.799 lead us not in to temptation 00:11:24.799 –> 00:11:26.159 why is anyone tempted 00:11:26.159 –> 00:11:28.219 why does sin have landing place 00:11:28.219 –> 00:11:29.020 in your life 00:11:29.020 –> 00:11:31.179 and in mine 00:11:31.179 –> 00:11:31.979 the answer to that 00:11:31.979 –> 00:11:34.179 James tells us very clearly that 00:11:34.179 –> 00:11:35.739 each person 00:11:35.739 –> 00:11:37.059 all of us 00:11:37.059 –> 00:11:38.140 we are all tempted 00:11:38.140 –> 00:11:39.520 when we are lured 00:11:39.520 –> 00:11:40.820 and enticed 00:11:40.820 –> 00:11:43.539 by our own evil desire 00:11:43.539 –> 00:11:44.960 the root of it’s in us 00:11:46.320 –> 00:11:47.919 so Christians can’t go out 00:11:47.919 –> 00:11:49.500 and sort of look down as it were 00:11:49.500 –> 00:11:51.179 from a position of superiority 00:11:51.179 –> 00:11:52.340 on the rest of the world 00:11:52.340 –> 00:11:52.859 no 00:11:52.859 –> 00:11:54.380 we know that sin 00:11:54.380 –> 00:11:57.659 is a fountain within us 00:11:57.659 –> 00:11:59.140 and it 00:11:59.140 –> 00:12:00.299 bubbles up 00:12:00.299 –> 00:12:01.440 throws up 00:12:01.440 –> 00:12:03.099 temptations with which 00:12:03.099 –> 00:12:04.299 throughout our lives 00:12:04.299 –> 00:12:05.340 in one way or another 00:12:05.340 –> 00:12:07.820 we have to contend 00:12:09.340 –> 00:12:11.219 Dr. Jim Packer has a marvelous picture 00:12:11.219 –> 00:12:12.619 I read this years ago 00:12:12.619 –> 00:12:13.619 and I’ve never forgotten it 00:12:13.619 –> 00:12:14.820 so maybe it’ll stick with you 00:12:14.840 –> 00:12:16.760 in a way that will be helpful 00:12:16.940 –> 00:12:18.359 he teased it up this way 00:12:18.359 –> 00:12:20.739 he says can you see your own life 00:12:21.500 –> 00:12:23.280 in terms of being threatened 00:12:23.280 –> 00:12:26.500 and endangered by evil of all sorts 00:12:26.500 –> 00:12:28.440 so that you need God’s deliverance 00:12:28.440 –> 00:12:30.520 every moment of every day 00:12:30.520 –> 00:12:33.020 you see your life like that 00:12:33.020 –> 00:12:34.820 and then he has this picture 00:12:35.580 –> 00:12:37.239 you are like a person 00:12:37.239 –> 00:12:39.440 wondering blindfolded 00:12:40.219 –> 00:12:43.119 with your ears plugged 00:12:43.460 –> 00:12:45.919 on a busy city street 00:12:45.919 –> 00:12:48.659 with the traffic coming in both directions 00:12:48.960 –> 00:12:50.460 can you picture that 00:12:51.419 –> 00:12:54.380 Can you picture a busy city street 00:12:54.820 –> 00:12:57.200 I always think when I think of that image 00:12:57.200 –> 00:12:58.739 that’s in my mind about the city 00:12:58.739 –> 00:13:01.460 I grew up in Edinburgh Scotland 00:13:01.460 –> 00:13:03.059 I see Princess Street 00:13:03.059 –> 00:13:04.520 the main street 00:13:04.520 –> 00:13:06.099 here’s me standing there 00:13:06.099 –> 00:13:07.419 and i’m blindfolded 00:13:07.419 –> 00:13:09.419 and I’ve got these earplugs in 00:13:09.419 –> 00:13:11.500 and there’s traffic coming in both directions 00:13:11.500 –> 00:13:12.659 now Says Packer 00:13:12.659 –> 00:13:14.200 that’s a picture of your life 00:13:15.359 –> 00:13:17.380 that’s why you need this prayer 00:13:18.780 –> 00:13:20.000 because you are in danger 00:13:20.020 –> 00:13:21.799 for every moment because of what is within you 00:13:21.799 –> 00:13:23.400 and because of what is around you 00:13:23.400 –> 00:13:25.440 lead us not into temptation 00:13:25.440 –> 00:13:27.419 but deliver us from evil 00:13:28.679 –> 00:13:30.440 so seeing why we need this prayer 00:13:30.440 –> 00:13:32.419 secondly let’s be clear about 00:13:32.419 –> 00:13:34.500 what we are asking in this prayer 00:13:35.419 –> 00:13:37.479 what are we asking when we say to God 00:13:37.479 –> 00:13:39.919 lead us not into temptation 00:13:41.239 –> 00:13:43.419 well remember that Jesus used the words 00:13:43.419 –> 00:13:45.960 into temptation on another occasion 00:13:45.960 –> 00:13:47.599 in the garden of Gethsemane 00:13:48.119 –> 00:13:49.320 and he said to the disciples 00:13:49.520 –> 00:13:52.299 watch and pray so that you do not 00:13:52.299 –> 00:13:54.919 enter into temptation 00:13:55.219 –> 00:13:57.739 the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak 00:13:59.280 –> 00:14:00.739 now everybody is tempted 00:14:00.739 –> 00:14:02.919 Jesus was tempted 00:14:02.919 –> 00:14:03.960 yet without sin 00:14:05.419 –> 00:14:06.960 and Jesus does not say 00:14:06.960 –> 00:14:09.159 watch and pray so that you are not tempted 00:14:10.359 –> 00:14:11.179 what he says is 00:14:11.179 –> 00:14:12.760 watch and pray so that you will not 00:14:12.760 –> 00:14:15.299 enter into temptation 00:14:15.299 –> 00:14:16.239 what does that mean 00:14:16.239 –> 00:14:17.479 well it means very clearly 00:14:17.539 –> 00:14:19.659 so that temptation does not 00:14:19.659 –> 00:14:21.380 overwhelm you 00:14:22.799 –> 00:14:25.020 and that is what Jesus teaches us to ask 00:14:25.020 –> 00:14:25.940 in the Lord’s Prayer 00:14:25.940 –> 00:14:29.719 father don’t let me get to a place 00:14:30.320 –> 00:14:32.440 where the power of temptation 00:14:32.440 –> 00:14:33.960 overwhelms me 00:14:35.419 –> 00:14:36.140 guard me 00:14:36.940 –> 00:14:39.859 so that I will watch and pray 00:14:41.179 –> 00:14:42.799 and that’s a common theme of the bible 00:14:42.799 –> 00:14:43.960 Paul says to Timothy 00:14:43.960 –> 00:14:45.419 now watch your life 00:14:46.400 –> 00:14:47.919 to the elders at ephesus 00:14:47.919 –> 00:14:49.919 watch yourselves 00:14:51.200 –> 00:14:52.919 watch and pray 00:14:52.919 –> 00:14:55.119 and Christ will give you the strength 00:14:55.119 –> 00:14:56.719 that you need to prevail 00:14:56.719 –> 00:14:59.119 in your battle against temptation 00:15:01.440 –> 00:15:03.200 and what exactly are we asking 00:15:03.200 –> 00:15:04.799 when we say deliver us from evil 00:15:06.320 –> 00:15:08.260 well that word deliver 00:15:09.020 –> 00:15:09.940 is very clear 00:15:09.940 –> 00:15:10.719 when when we say 00:15:10.719 –> 00:15:12.599 Lord deliver us from evil 00:15:12.599 –> 00:15:13.739 we’re not saying 00:15:13.840 –> 00:15:15.219 we can do this 00:15:15.960 –> 00:15:16.159 we’re not even saying 00:15:16.700 –> 00:15:17.559 Lord we can do it 00:15:17.559 –> 00:15:20.059 but we need a bit of help 00:15:20.059 –> 00:15:22.820 when we pray deliver us from evil 00:15:22.820 –> 00:15:24.679 we are saying to God 00:15:24.679 –> 00:15:28.020 the power of evil is greater than us 00:15:28.020 –> 00:15:29.780 but it is not greater than you 00:15:29.780 –> 00:15:31.559 and we need you to deliver us 00:15:33.000 –> 00:15:34.760 the picture again may be helpful 00:15:34.760 –> 00:15:36.460 picture a hostage 00:15:38.479 –> 00:15:41.000 and he is tied to the chair 00:15:41.020 –> 00:15:43.979 and he is blindfolded 00:15:43.979 –> 00:15:47.140 and he’s in a prison 00:15:47.140 –> 00:15:48.140 locked doors 00:15:48.239 –> 00:15:50.260 can’t move can’t get out 00:15:52.260 –> 00:15:55.640 the only hope for him is that he will be delivered 00:15:55.919 –> 00:15:56.799 what does that mean 00:15:56.799 –> 00:15:58.679 that someone will storm the building 00:15:58.719 –> 00:15:59.960 come in from outside 00:16:00.080 –> 00:16:02.000 set him free and take him out 00:16:03.380 –> 00:16:05.359 now when we see war 00:16:06.179 –> 00:16:07.320 injustice 00:16:07.760 –> 00:16:08.479 famine 00:16:09.059 –> 00:16:10.099 disease 00:16:10.679 –> 00:16:13.479 things that are bigger than we are 00:16:13.919 –> 00:16:15.559 immense in their power 00:16:15.559 –> 00:16:17.760 Jesus tells us to pray 00:16:17.760 –> 00:16:22.080 deliver us from evil 00:16:22.900 –> 00:16:25.080 father come and do for us 00:16:25.080 –> 00:16:28.919 what we cannot do for ourselves 00:16:29.000 –> 00:16:30.539 that’s what we’re asking 00:16:32.859 –> 00:16:34.039 now 00:16:34.359 –> 00:16:36.400 will this prayer be answered 00:16:37.159 –> 00:16:38.520 will it be answered 00:16:38.520 –> 00:16:40.880 the answer to that question is, yes it will 00:16:41.460 –> 00:16:42.580 thank God 00:16:42.580 –> 00:16:46.260 and your guarantee that this prayer will be answered 00:16:46.260 –> 00:16:48.299 is that Jesus Christ himself 00:16:48.299 –> 00:16:49.679 is the one who tells you 00:16:49.679 –> 00:16:51.719 that this is how you must pray 00:16:51.719 –> 00:16:56.080 and that gets us to the most important thing here today 00:16:56.140 –> 00:17:01.479 which is how God answers this prayer 00:17:02.140 –> 00:17:03.820 lead us not into temptation 00:17:03.820 –> 00:17:05.959 but deliver us from evil 00:17:06.500 –> 00:17:10.619 God answers this prayer by his grace 00:17:11.959 –> 00:17:14.819 and grace is that which is not deserved 00:17:14.819 –> 00:17:16.760 but freely given 00:17:17.739 –> 00:17:19.739 and what I want you to see today is that 00:17:19.739 –> 00:17:25.119 God’s grace operates in many wonderful ways 00:17:25.780 –> 00:17:28.400 I want to identify for you four ways 00:17:28.400 –> 00:17:30.280 in which God’s grace operates 00:17:30.280 –> 00:17:32.859 four ways in which God answers 00:17:33.099 –> 00:17:37.760 this last petition of the Lord’s Prayer 00:17:37.760 –> 00:17:41.040 the first of them, this is very important 00:17:41.040 –> 00:17:44.180 is common grace 00:17:44.640 –> 00:17:46.959 when we pray deliver us from evil 00:17:46.959 –> 00:17:49.599 God answers this prayer through common grace 00:17:49.599 –> 00:17:51.680 you say, well now what is that? 00:17:51.680 –> 00:17:55.619 common grace is God’s kindness to all people 00:17:57.040 –> 00:18:00.339 including those who do not believe in him 00:18:00.339 –> 00:18:02.040 those who have no place for him 00:18:02.260 –> 00:18:04.780 in their lives and even those who outright 00:18:04.780 –> 00:18:06.140 defy him 00:18:08.380 –> 00:18:09.619 Now I wonder if you’ve ever thought 00:18:09.619 –> 00:18:10.199 about this 00:18:10.199 –> 00:18:12.880 the Bible makes it very clear 00:18:12.880 –> 00:18:14.780 that by nature 00:18:14.780 –> 00:18:17.079 we are all dead in 00:18:17.079 –> 00:18:19.439 trespasses and sins 00:18:19.439 –> 00:18:22.500 have you ever wondered then 00:18:22.500 –> 00:18:25.000 why is it that if we’re all in dead 00:18:25.000 –> 00:18:26.459 in trespasses and sins 00:18:26.459 –> 00:18:27.640 why is it that so 00:18:27.640 –> 00:18:29.640 many unbelieving people 00:18:30.280 –> 00:18:32.640 seem able to live peaceful 00:18:32.640 –> 00:18:36.520 happy and very productive lives 00:18:36.520 –> 00:18:38.660 why is it that many who have no place 00:18:38.660 –> 00:18:40.680 for God in their lives whatsoever 00:18:40.680 –> 00:18:42.140 are ofte very patient 00:18:42.140 –> 00:18:43.359 very kind 00:18:43.359 –> 00:18:45.540 seem to have good family relationships 00:18:45.540 –> 00:18:46.599 good marriages 00:18:46.599 –> 00:18:47.579 be considerate 00:18:47.579 –> 00:18:48.239 be generous 00:18:48.239 –> 00:18:50.560 and very loving 00:18:50.560 –> 00:18:51.800 why is that 00:18:51.800 –> 00:18:53.900 and the answer to that is 00:18:53.900 –> 00:18:56.459 common grace 00:18:56.459 –> 00:18:58.060 God’s kindness 00:18:58.739 –> 00:19:00.660 good gifts into the lives 00:19:00.660 –> 00:19:02.819 of all people 00:19:02.819 –> 00:19:05.459 including those who don’t believe in Him 00:19:05.459 –> 00:19:09.079 those even who defy Him 00:19:09.079 –> 00:19:10.599 Jesus says 00:19:10.599 –> 00:19:11.680 Matthew 5 00:19:11.680 –> 00:19:12.540 love your enemies 00:19:12.540 –> 00:19:14.160 pray for those who persecute you 00:19:14.160 –> 00:19:15.339 so that you may be sons 00:19:15.339 –> 00:19:16.020 of your father 00:19:16.020 –> 00:19:17.160 who is in heaven 00:19:17.160 –> 00:19:18.239 notice what your father 00:19:18.239 –> 00:19:19.359 in heaven does 00:19:19.359 –> 00:19:21.520 he makes his sun arise 00:19:21.520 –> 00:19:22.420 on the evil 00:19:22.420 –> 00:19:24.479 and the good 00:19:24.479 –> 00:19:25.359 the best person 00:19:25.359 –> 00:19:26.380 and the worst person 00:19:26.400 –> 00:19:27.760 both experiences 00:19:27.760 –> 00:19:29.400 the same blessing of the sunshine 00:19:29.400 –> 00:19:30.520 from the hand of God 00:19:30.520 –> 00:19:31.300 and the same goes 00:19:31.300 –> 00:19:32.020 for the rain 00:19:32.020 –> 00:19:33.619 he sends rain on the just 00:19:33.619 –> 00:19:37.140 and on the unjust 00:19:37.140 –> 00:19:38.979 so, every good gift 00:19:38.979 –> 00:19:42.619 comes from the hand of God 00:19:42.619 –> 00:19:43.239 including the good 00:19:43.239 –> 00:19:44.339 that may be in the lives 00:19:44.339 –> 00:19:46.680 of those who don’t believe in Him 00:19:46.680 –> 00:19:48.300 those who have no room for them 00:19:48.300 –> 00:19:51.459 and those who may even defy Him 00:19:51.459 –> 00:19:52.699 the blessings of love 00:19:52.699 –> 00:19:53.439 in their lives 00:19:53.439 –> 00:19:55.119 the blessing of family 00:19:55.239 –> 00:19:57.180 the blessings of creative genius 00:19:57.180 –> 00:19:58.540 in music 00:19:58.540 –> 00:19:59.719 in folks who may have 00:19:59.719 –> 00:20:01.500 no place for God in their life 00:20:01.500 –> 00:20:02.060 art 00:20:02.920 –> 00:20:04.339 science 00:20:04.339 –> 00:20:05.380 discoveries 00:20:05.380 –> 00:20:06.260 medicine 00:20:06.260 –> 00:20:08.099 where does all this good come from? 00:20:08.099 –> 00:20:08.900 every good gift 00:20:08.900 –> 00:20:10.359 comes from the hand of God 00:20:10.359 –> 00:20:11.640 including the good gifts 00:20:11.640 –> 00:20:13.420 that have been put into the lives 00:20:13.420 –> 00:20:15.859 of those who do not yet believe 00:20:15.859 –> 00:20:17.959 and may never believe 00:20:17.959 –> 00:20:19.520 and may even be defiant 00:20:19.520 –> 00:20:20.540 towards God 00:20:20.540 –> 00:20:22.359 this is common grace 00:20:22.359 –> 00:20:23.880 God’s goodness 00:20:24.040 –> 00:20:25.780 to those who don’t believe in Him 00:20:25.780 –> 00:20:28.020 those who may even defy Him 00:20:28.020 –> 00:20:30.020 some a hundred and forty five says 00:20:30.020 –> 00:20:32.880 the Lord is good to all 00:20:33.900 –> 00:20:35.500 and his mercy is over all 00:20:35.500 –> 00:20:36.719 that he has made 00:20:38.780 –> 00:20:40.560 and his kindness is not only 00:20:40.560 –> 00:20:42.959 that he gives good to all 00:20:44.520 –> 00:20:46.479 but also that he restrains 00:20:46.479 –> 00:20:47.500 the worst 00:20:47.500 –> 00:20:48.660 in all 00:20:50.319 –> 00:20:51.500 see however 00:20:51.500 –> 00:20:53.219 bad this world becomes 00:20:53.420 –> 00:20:55.719 it always could be worse 00:20:56.859 –> 00:20:58.040 however evil 00:20:58.040 –> 00:20:59.640 human beings may become 00:20:59.640 –> 00:21:01.500 we could always be worse 00:21:02.880 –> 00:21:04.359 the worst of people 00:21:04.359 –> 00:21:07.020 are not as the demons of hell 00:21:08.439 –> 00:21:09.319 and the reason that 00:21:09.319 –> 00:21:10.719 this world is not hell 00:21:10.719 –> 00:21:11.599 is very simply 00:21:11.599 –> 00:21:13.160 God’s restraining grace 00:21:13.160 –> 00:21:14.680 his common grace 00:21:14.680 –> 00:21:16.439 that not only gives the good 00:21:16.439 –> 00:21:19.619 but holds back the worst 00:21:20.260 –> 00:21:24.400 now when God loosens 00:21:24.400 –> 00:21:26.640 this restraint of the worst 00:21:26.640 –> 00:21:29.839 the Bible is very clear 00:21:29.839 –> 00:21:31.599 that it is a sign of his wrath 00:21:31.599 –> 00:21:34.680 romans 1 speaks about this 00:21:34.680 –> 00:21:36.800 that there are times 00:21:36.800 –> 00:21:38.640 where God’s wrath is revealed 00:21:38.640 –> 00:21:41.839 by his giving sinners 00:21:41.839 –> 00:21:43.099 up to what we 00:21:43.099 –> 00:21:44.939 persist in choosing 00:21:44.939 –> 00:21:48.160 but the whole point 00:21:48.260 –> 00:21:51.319 us that that is God’s strange work 00:21:51.319 –> 00:21:55.219 his normal work is to restrain 00:21:55.219 –> 00:21:57.079 the worst 00:21:57.079 –> 00:21:59.280 and he does that for the common good 00:21:59.280 –> 00:22:04.199 and that is part of his common grace 00:22:04.199 –> 00:22:06.560 now how does God restrain 00:22:06.560 –> 00:22:08.520 the worst in the world 00:22:08.520 –> 00:22:11.400 there are many answers to that question 00:22:11.400 –> 00:22:13.180 let me just give you 2 00:22:13.180 –> 00:22:14.719 one 00:22:14.859 –> 00:22:18.800 God restrains the worst through conscience 00:22:18.800 –> 00:22:22.420 which is his gift to all 00:22:22.420 –> 00:22:27.540 and God restrains the worst through government 00:22:27.540 –> 00:22:29.500 which Romans chapter 13 00:22:29.500 –> 00:22:35.199 makes very clear is also his gift in this fallen world 00:22:35.199 –> 00:22:39.380 now we all know that a conscience can be corrupted 00:22:39.380 –> 00:22:43.380 and we know that government can be corrupted 00:22:43.880 –> 00:22:47.339 and you see any conscience and any government 00:22:47.339 –> 00:22:49.359 is better than none at all 00:22:50.760 –> 00:22:54.459 so when we pray deliver us from evil 00:22:54.459 –> 00:22:58.000 we are asking God for common grace 00:22:58.760 –> 00:23:02.579 Lord in your mercy give what is good in the community 00:23:02.579 –> 00:23:07.540 and restrain what is worst in us in our community 00:23:07.540 –> 00:23:11.040 in our nation and in our world 00:23:11.040 –> 00:23:13.239 raise up people of goodwill 00:23:14.040 –> 00:23:16.079 who are able to bring others together 00:23:16.079 –> 00:23:19.199 and grant that peace and justice will prevail 00:23:19.199 –> 00:23:21.540 that’s common grace 00:23:23.140 –> 00:23:25.119 and God works for its advance 00:23:25.119 –> 00:23:27.479 through those who may not believe in him 00:23:27.479 –> 00:23:29.500 and even defy him 00:23:30.000 –> 00:23:31.599 as He works for the good 00:23:31.599 –> 00:23:35.079 through those who love Him and honor Him 00:23:36.280 –> 00:23:37.160 and then secondly 00:23:37.160 –> 00:23:40.920 God answers this prayer through special grace 00:23:41.579 –> 00:23:43.739 When we pray lead us not into temptation 00:23:43.739 –> 00:23:47.219 God answers this prayer through special grace 00:23:47.219 –> 00:23:50.079 which is his kindness 00:23:50.079 –> 00:23:52.339 when we are tested 00:23:53.079 –> 00:23:54.099 Now brothers and sisters 00:23:54.099 –> 00:23:57.060 this is a very wonderful truth 00:23:57.060 –> 00:24:01.500 God will give to you special help 00:24:01.500 –> 00:24:04.420 when you face special trials 00:24:04.420 –> 00:24:06.219 at special times 00:24:07.060 –> 00:24:09.060 and the Apostle Paul speaks about this 00:24:09.079 –> 00:24:11.719 very clearly at least twice 00:24:11.719 –> 00:24:13.040 once is in Philippians 00:24:13.040 –> 00:24:14.520 where he tells us that 00:24:14.520 –> 00:24:15.959 at different times in his life 00:24:15.959 –> 00:24:18.520 he had had plenty 00:24:18.520 –> 00:24:19.560 and then there were times 00:24:19.560 –> 00:24:23.219 when he was in great need 00:24:23.219 –> 00:24:24.699 How did he get through the times 00:24:24.699 –> 00:24:26.079 when he had great need? 00:24:26.079 –> 00:24:27.079 He says this 00:24:27.079 –> 00:24:29.520 I can do all things through Christ 00:24:29.520 –> 00:24:33.640 who gives me strength 00:24:33.640 –> 00:24:35.300 In other words this was his experience 00:24:35.300 –> 00:24:36.680 that when he came to a time 00:24:36.680 –> 00:24:38.540 of special difficulty 00:24:38.640 –> 00:24:40.800 God gave him special grace 00:24:40.800 –> 00:24:42.979 special strength 00:24:43.979 –> 00:24:45.420 and he speaks about the same thing again 00:24:45.420 –> 00:24:47.699 in 2nd Corinthians in chapter 12 00:24:47.699 –> 00:24:48.859 that’s the passage where he speaks 00:24:48.859 –> 00:24:50.979 about something very painful in his life 00:24:50.979 –> 00:24:53.300 that was there for years 00:24:53.300 –> 00:24:55.579 he would have loved to be free from it 00:24:55.579 –> 00:24:57.500 but God never took it away 00:24:57.500 –> 00:24:58.500 he calls it 00:24:58.500 –> 00:25:01.079 a thorn in my flesh 00:25:01.079 –> 00:25:02.420 and he says this 00:25:02.420 –> 00:25:03.859 that God gave him this promise 00:25:03.859 –> 00:25:06.920 My Grace is sufficient for you 00:25:06.939 –> 00:25:12.219 and My power is made perfect in weakness 00:25:13.699 –> 00:25:14.640 and here’s the principle 00:25:16.160 –> 00:25:19.459 when you are stretched to the point 00:25:19.479 –> 00:25:20.579 where you feel 00:25:20.579 –> 00:25:25.719 I don’t know how I’m going to carry on 00:25:25.719 –> 00:25:30.280 God’s grace will be sufficient for you 00:25:30.280 –> 00:25:31.880 special grace 00:25:31.880 –> 00:25:35.219 strength given particularly for this 00:25:35.219 –> 00:25:39.520 I will infuse my strength into your weakness 00:25:39.540 –> 00:25:42.619 according to what you are facing 00:25:42.619 –> 00:25:44.459 so that you are able to bear up 00:25:44.459 –> 00:25:46.300 and to carry this load 00:25:46.300 –> 00:25:47.719 and to endure 00:25:47.719 –> 00:25:49.880 there’s an old hymn that says it like this 00:25:49.900 –> 00:25:52.579 all the way my Savior leads me 00:25:52.579 –> 00:25:55.920 cheers each winding path I tread 00:25:55.920 –> 00:25:59.660 gives me grace for every trial 00:25:59.660 –> 00:26:01.920 feeds me with the living bread 00:26:01.920 –> 00:26:02.739 see that’s it 00:26:02.760 –> 00:26:07.739 gives me grace for every trial 00:26:07.739 –> 00:26:09.699 and when we pray lead us not into temptation 00:26:09.699 –> 00:26:11.219 but deliver us from evil 00:26:11.219 –> 00:26:15.540 God answers with special grace 00:26:15.540 –> 00:26:19.859 that will enable you to endure 00:26:19.859 –> 00:26:22.140 and then thirdly God answers this prayer 00:26:22.140 –> 00:26:24.500 through restoring grace 00:26:24.500 –> 00:26:26.579 which is His kindness to us 00:26:26.579 –> 00:26:30.119 when we have failed 00:26:30.359 –> 00:26:33.300 Now remember that on the night when Jesus was betrayed 00:26:33.300 –> 00:26:35.479 Peter was tempted. 00:26:35.479 –> 00:26:36.739 Jesus had said to him, 00:26:36.739 –> 00:26:40.839 now watch and pray so that you do not enter into temptation. 00:26:40.839 –> 00:26:44.199 Peter, didn’t watch and Peter did not pray 00:26:44.199 –> 00:26:47.719 and Jesus knew that he would enter into temptation 00:26:47.719 –> 00:26:52.219 and indeed Peter denied the Lord Jesus three times 00:26:52.219 –> 00:26:54.859 and then the cock crowed. 00:26:55.719 –> 00:26:59.119 And that would have been the end for Peter as a disciple 00:26:59.140 –> 00:27:00.420 except for one thing. 00:27:01.400 –> 00:27:03.239 Very wonderfully Jesus said to him, 00:27:03.239 –> 00:27:06.199 Simon, Satan has demanded to have you 00:27:06.199 –> 00:27:11.199 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail 00:27:13.579 –> 00:27:16.619 and when you have turned again, 00:27:17.640 –> 00:27:21.359 strengthen your brothers. 00:27:21.359 –> 00:27:24.400 Now you see Jesus knew that Peter would fail 00:27:25.079 –> 00:27:29.319 but he prayed that Peter’s faith would not fail 00:27:30.359 –> 00:27:32.319 and that’s why Peter’s failure 00:27:32.319 –> 00:27:34.599 didn’t have the last word in his life. 00:27:34.599 –> 00:27:35.839 He turned again. 00:27:35.839 –> 00:27:37.780 Notice it’s not if you turn again, 00:27:37.780 –> 00:27:38.780 it’s when you turn again. 00:27:38.780 –> 00:27:40.380 Jesus knew that he would turn again 00:27:40.380 –> 00:27:42.079 because that’s what Jesus prayed for. 00:27:42.079 –> 00:27:45.280 That’s restoring grace 00:27:45.280 –> 00:27:49.000 and Jesus went to the cross for sinners like Peter 00:27:49.000 –> 00:27:51.280 and sinners like you and sinners like me. 00:27:51.280 –> 00:27:54.020 He rose from the dead, he ascended to heaven. 00:27:54.020 –> 00:27:55.280 What’s he doing in heaven now? 00:27:55.280 –> 00:27:58.780 He’s interceding the Bible says for us. 00:27:58.780 –> 00:28:02.380 He’s doing right now for us what he did for Peter then. 00:28:02.380 –> 00:28:05.819 He is praying so that sin will not have the last word 00:28:05.819 –> 00:28:08.579 in any of our lives. 00:28:08.579 –> 00:28:13.579 Here’s the reality like Peter, you and I, we will fail 00:28:14.459 –> 00:28:16.739 but like Peter, you’re gonna turn again 00:28:16.739 –> 00:28:18.619 if you belong to Christ 00:28:18.619 –> 00:28:21.020 and when you repent, you will be restored 00:28:21.079 –> 00:28:22.199 and why is this? 00:28:22.199 –> 00:28:25.459 because Jesus prays for you that sin will not 00:28:25.459 –> 00:28:27.160 have the last word in your life 00:28:27.160 –> 00:28:28.979 and when you’re tempted and when you fall, 00:28:28.979 –> 00:28:30.359 he will not let you go. 00:28:32.199 –> 00:28:34.619 There’s a wonderful verse in the book of Micah 00:28:34.619 –> 00:28:37.819 in the Old Testament that will be a help 00:28:37.819 –> 00:28:39.979 and encouragement to you especially 00:28:39.979 –> 00:28:44.060 at a time where temptation overcomes you 00:28:44.060 –> 00:28:46.880 and you may feel, oh I’ve failed so many times 00:28:46.880 –> 00:28:49.300 in this area now I’m failed again 00:28:49.319 –> 00:28:52.680 and you get discouraged go to Micah 7 and verse 8 00:28:52.680 –> 00:28:55.119 Rejoice not over me, O my enemy, 00:28:55.119 –> 00:28:59.160 when I fall, I shall rise when I sit in darkness, 00:28:59.160 –> 00:29:01.239 the Lord will be a light to me. 00:29:02.439 –> 00:29:04.599 See I’m down but I’m not gonna stay down 00:29:04.599 –> 00:29:08.040 because of restoring grace 00:29:08.040 –> 00:29:11.560 I have light even in this darkness of my failure 00:29:11.560 –> 00:29:15.339 Jesus is my light and therefore I’m gonna rise up 00:29:15.339 –> 00:29:19.040 and press on in following hard after him. 00:29:20.119 –> 00:29:24.479 So here’s this prayer that we so need 00:29:24.479 –> 00:29:27.560 and God will answer it and how does he answer it? 00:29:27.560 –> 00:29:29.660 He answers it through common grace, 00:29:29.660 –> 00:29:33.300 through special grace and through restoring grace 00:29:33.300 –> 00:29:35.719 and just one more thing and it’s the best of all 00:29:35.719 –> 00:29:38.640 through saving grace 00:29:38.640 –> 00:29:40.719 which is God’s kindness when we turn to him 00:29:40.719 –> 00:29:43.020 in faith and in repentance 00:29:43.020 –> 00:29:46.400 It is by grace that you have been saved through faith 00:29:46.439 –> 00:29:50.900 it’s not of yourselves, it is the gift of God 00:29:53.859 –> 00:29:56.459 Now how wonderful that you should be 00:29:56.459 –> 00:29:59.500 among the first folks to be back 00:29:59.500 –> 00:30:03.160 on the first Sunday after this long break 00:30:03.160 –> 00:30:06.020 from us being able to gather together 00:30:06.020 –> 00:30:07.140 I’m so glad you’re here 00:30:07.140 –> 00:30:08.339 I got to think that the folks 00:30:08.339 –> 00:30:10.439 who are here yesterday and today 00:30:10.439 –> 00:30:14.780 are so enthusiastic and you obviously and clearly are 00:30:16.439 –> 00:30:21.160 but you know, maybe there’s someone here 00:30:21.160 –> 00:30:23.180 in this last congregation today 00:30:23.180 –> 00:30:26.060 and you are not yet a believer 00:30:27.760 –> 00:30:30.599 and you have come to a place in your life 00:30:30.599 –> 00:30:34.199 when you are feeling a strong pull of temptation 00:30:36.060 –> 00:30:38.819 and you’re beginning to think maybe I need some help 00:30:40.520 –> 00:30:43.280 maybe I need deliverance, maybe I need a savior 00:30:43.280 –> 00:30:46.140 and I’m here to tell you that Jesus is the savior 00:30:46.140 –> 00:30:49.959 that you need, maybe there’s someone here 00:30:49.959 –> 00:30:51.439 and you’ve come to a place of saying, 00:30:51.439 –> 00:30:53.959 you know what, I really do need to be forgiven 00:30:55.560 –> 00:30:57.260 and I need God to forgive me 00:30:58.880 –> 00:31:00.939 or maybe there’s something that you need to forgive 00:31:00.939 –> 00:31:02.420 and it’s not easy to forgive, 00:31:02.420 –> 00:31:04.319 you don’t have this forgiveness in you 00:31:04.319 –> 00:31:07.160 because you’ve been wounded very deeply 00:31:09.640 –> 00:31:12.599 and you know that you need the help that only God can give. 00:31:13.359 –> 00:31:15.319 Maybe there’s someone here and you say, 00:31:15.319 –> 00:31:17.099 I don’t know how I’m going to get through 00:31:17.099 –> 00:31:18.699 these next days, weeks and months, 00:31:18.699 –> 00:31:21.300 I need God to give me something I don’t have 00:31:22.300 –> 00:31:23.939 and I don’t know where to find it. 00:31:26.060 –> 00:31:29.180 And maybe there are some here who are beginning 00:31:29.180 –> 00:31:32.160 to despair even of this world in which we live. 00:31:32.160 –> 00:31:33.900 You’re losing hope. 00:31:33.900 –> 00:31:36.780 You’re saying, well, this world ever be any different? 00:31:38.199 –> 00:31:39.920 And do you need the hope that can only 00:31:40.819 –> 00:31:44.420 come with the Lord Jesus Christ and through his kingdom? 00:31:46.520 –> 00:31:49.359 Now friends, do you see that Jesus is saying 00:31:49.359 –> 00:31:54.359 that these are the very things that you can ask of God. 00:31:57.000 –> 00:32:02.000 But the asking begins when you come to know God 00:32:02.119 –> 00:32:06.880 as your own father, and you come to know God 00:32:06.880 –> 00:32:09.900 as your own father when you believe 00:32:09.900 –> 00:32:12.880 in his Son Jesus Christ. 00:32:14.040 –> 00:32:16.000 When you believe in his name, 00:32:16.000 –> 00:32:18.119 God makes you one of his own children. 00:32:18.119 –> 00:32:21.599 He adopts you into his own family, 00:32:21.599 –> 00:32:24.219 and you know, when you become a child of God 00:32:24.219 –> 00:32:27.319 by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:32:27.319 –> 00:32:30.680 you’re gonna have way more than common grace. 00:32:32.420 –> 00:32:35.099 You’re gonna enjoy saving grace. 00:32:35.900 –> 00:32:39.219 And when you face times of special trial 00:32:39.219 –> 00:32:40.680 and testing in your life, 00:32:40.680 –> 00:32:43.859 you’re going to receive special grace to help you. 00:32:45.079 –> 00:32:46.699 And when you fail, 00:32:46.699 –> 00:32:51.040 you’re going to experience God’s marvelous restoring grace. 00:32:52.660 –> 00:32:55.140 And as you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:32:55.140 –> 00:32:56.660 here is what God will do for you. 00:32:56.660 –> 00:33:01.439 He’s going to put into your heart his own Holy Spirit. 00:33:02.339 –> 00:33:05.180 And when his Holy Spirit is in your heart, 00:33:05.180 –> 00:33:07.900 you’re going to have a new love for him. 00:33:07.900 –> 00:33:09.300 I mean a real love for him 00:33:09.300 –> 00:33:11.339 that actually comes from within you 00:33:11.339 –> 00:33:13.780 because God put it within you. 00:33:14.979 –> 00:33:17.040 And because you really love him, 00:33:17.040 –> 00:33:18.979 you’re not trying to put this on, 00:33:18.979 –> 00:33:23.300 you really have come to love him as your own father. 00:33:23.300 –> 00:33:26.660 Therefore, you will have a genuine desire 00:33:26.660 –> 00:33:29.219 to see his name honored. 00:33:29.920 –> 00:33:33.459 You’ll have a new hope in the coming of his kingdom. 00:33:33.459 –> 00:33:35.300 You’ll say, I belong to this kingdom 00:33:35.300 –> 00:33:37.079 and this kingdom belongs to me. 00:33:38.060 –> 00:33:40.439 You’ll have a new energy, 00:33:40.439 –> 00:33:44.939 a new strength to pursue his well. 00:33:44.939 –> 00:33:46.180 You’ll have a new confidence 00:33:46.180 –> 00:33:47.140 because you’ll be able to say, 00:33:47.140 –> 00:33:48.640 now God is my Father 00:33:48.640 –> 00:33:51.060 and I know that he will provide for me. 00:33:52.260 –> 00:33:54.760 You’ll have a peace that you have not known before 00:33:54.760 –> 00:33:56.359 because you will be able to say, 00:33:56.380 –> 00:34:00.319 and know my sins have been forgiven 00:34:00.319 –> 00:34:02.540 by my Father in heaven. 00:34:04.880 –> 00:34:07.000 And you will have a new security 00:34:07.000 –> 00:34:08.760 because whatever comes in your life, 00:34:08.760 –> 00:34:09.820 you will be able to say, 00:34:09.820 –> 00:34:12.199 and my Father will deliver me. 00:34:14.000 –> 00:34:15.679 So, I invite you right now 00:34:15.679 –> 00:34:19.860 to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:34:21.439 –> 00:34:24.000 For all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:34:24.000 –> 00:34:28.620 we are able to say amazing grace. 00:34:28.620 –> 00:34:31.000 How sweet the sound. 00:34:31.000 –> 00:34:33.239 That saved a wretch like me. 00:34:33.239 –> 00:34:35.320 I once was lost. 00:34:35.320 –> 00:34:37.159 I now am found. 00:34:37.159 –> 00:34:40.300 I was blind, but now I see. 00:34:40.300 –> 00:34:43.000 Through many dangers, toils and snares, 00:34:43.000 –> 00:34:45.600 I have already come. 00:34:45.600 –> 00:34:50.159 It’s grace that has brought me safe this far. 00:34:51.159 –> 00:34:56.159 And grace will lead me home. 00:34:58.300 –> 00:35:01.459 Let’s bow in God’s presence, in prayer together. 00:35:02.780 –> 00:35:03.899 O our Father in heaven, 00:35:03.899 –> 00:35:06.959 we come before you today profoundly aware 00:35:06.959 –> 00:35:09.679 of our utter dependence on you. 00:35:11.159 –> 00:35:13.479 We grieve that your name is not honored, 00:35:13.479 –> 00:35:15.120 that your will is not done, 00:35:15.120 –> 00:35:19.419 and we long to see your kingdom come in power and in glory. 00:35:21.020 –> 00:35:23.739 Father, today we pray deliver us from evil, 00:35:25.120 –> 00:35:27.280 our nation is in turmoil. 00:35:28.520 –> 00:35:31.899 Deliver us from the evil of racism. 00:35:33.199 –> 00:35:37.179 Deliver us, O Lord, from this virus, we pray. 00:35:38.979 –> 00:35:41.580 Raise up in our polarized society, 00:35:41.580 –> 00:35:45.360 people of reason and goodwill and wisdom 00:35:45.360 –> 00:35:47.540 who can bring others together. 00:35:48.000 –> 00:35:51.159 Father, we sometimes fear that what we experience 00:35:51.159 –> 00:35:55.239 may be an outpouring of Your wrath, 00:35:55.239 –> 00:35:57.399 that you are giving us up to sins 00:35:57.399 –> 00:35:59.719 we have persisted in choosing. 00:35:59.719 –> 00:36:03.500 O Lord do not give us up, 00:36:03.500 –> 00:36:06.020 in wrath remember mercy we pray, 00:36:08.219 –> 00:36:10.179 and lead us not into temptation. 00:36:11.520 –> 00:36:13.600 The roots of sin lies so deep within us 00:36:14.600 –> 00:36:17.820 and we ask that you will help us to watch 00:36:17.820 –> 00:36:19.219 and pray this week. 00:36:20.840 –> 00:36:24.060 When the inclination to sin rises within us, 00:36:24.060 –> 00:36:28.459 help us by Your grace to deal with it early and decisively, 00:36:28.459 –> 00:36:30.959 by the power of Your spirit we pray. 00:36:33.159 –> 00:36:36.939 Father we thank you that you are the God of all grace, 00:36:38.120 –> 00:36:39.959 all of our hope is in you. 00:36:40.800 –> 00:36:45.800 In your common grace restrain the worst 00:36:46.820 –> 00:36:50.379 and promote the best in our community, 00:36:50.379 –> 00:36:53.219 our nation, and our world. 00:36:55.040 –> 00:36:58.159 And where we are tested give us special grace 00:36:58.159 –> 00:37:00.560 that we may be able to carry the load 00:37:02.320 –> 00:37:03.639 and where we have failed, 00:37:04.760 –> 00:37:07.300 restore us, dear Lord we pray. 00:37:08.060 –> 00:37:12.320 You are our light so help us to turn again 00:37:13.560 –> 00:37:15.459 and to rise up and to follow you. 00:37:17.300 –> 00:37:19.659 Save people even today, dear Lord, 00:37:19.659 –> 00:37:21.820 by your grace and through your word 00:37:23.260 –> 00:37:26.979 and hasten the day when our faith will be sight 00:37:28.300 –> 00:37:30.620 for yours is the kingdom 00:37:31.620 –> 00:37:35.060 and the power and the glory 00:37:36.060 –> 00:37:38.260 forever and ever. 00:37:39.260 –> 00:37:40.199 Amen.

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Colin Smith

Trustee / Founder and Teaching Pastor

Colin Smith is the Senior Pastor of The Orchard Evangelical Free Church in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. He has authored a number of books, including Heaven, How I Got Here and Heaven, So Near – So Far. Colin is the Founder and Teaching Pastor for Open the Bible. Follow him on X formerly Twitter.

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