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.