Can you open with me to first Thessalonians chapter 3?
First, Dessalonians chapter 3.
It's been a really refreshing time for me to be back at least for 3 weeks. And going to you guys' houses and have meals and go for coffee with some of you.
Every day I was very encouraged. I've been in a very interesting season lately. Going back to my home country and You know the language you don't think you have to adapt to like.
The culture back then, but there is a lot of challenges going back. Being commended by this precious body of believers here.
And you go back and you're like so What am I supposed to do? Why? Am I here?
And so there's a lot of questions that you know we know our scripture very well and we read our Bibles.
And we know we share the gospel, we do church planting in other things, Really making sure that the lorry is.
Leading and asking him to to show us what to do. And so I'm so glad we have.
His word. And just to make sure that it is a living word that we get to leave this life.
That this is not a joke, that this is actually the word of God. That's why we're here, right, at the end.
And so. It's been an interesting season being here back for a month. It's been really encouraging just to talk to you guys.
I have my everyone asked me like how are you doing? And I'm very sad actually to go back.
I think I have my heart divided. I'm very excited for what is ahead. Going back and continue the work there, but.
Definitely it's really hard to get so close to you guys and then leave. So I'm asking, I've been asking the Lord, why am I feeling like this?
Why am I feeling like this? Why do we have these kind of conversations and feelings in our hearts? It is also written.
There was something, there is a reason for that. And that's what I would like to share with you guys.
I would like to share this morning from first sizzle Linux chapter 3 versus 4 to 13. Before I read these passage I I know for the last couple of weeks, Denka Chickis was here, I wasn't here, but I did.
Are listening to his sermons and The first Sunday he shared, he shared about fear and how to face that fear.
I'm on this world that you know has fear but we don't because we have an assurance of salvation and assurance that something's happening.
Last week he spoke on revelation. He had a different, he was speaking from different passages.
The Jesus Lord, Lord Jesus, he's coming. His second coming is imminent. He's actually coming.
So how do we respond to that? And so there is this kind of theme. I've had some conversations with a lot of people like the Lord is coming.
And I know you guys know that the Lord is coming, Do we believe that? Do we actually believe that the law is coming?
And if so, how do we, how should we respond to that? Why do we keep meeting here?
Why are we here? Why does the church respond to that true that the Lord is coming? And so these, this book is very appropriate for that boys writing clarifying that that the lorry is coming in the day of the Lord and how should we ask Christians respond to that and I've been thinking a lot about those 2 things that I think we know that are going to happen but and that we know that we don't know when
they're going to happen and yet. We live our lives as if. We don't think those things are going to happen.
First one, as I share with you, one of my friends passed away, not, not too long ago, 3 weeks ago on a motorcycle accident.
He was 24. He graduated from college. He was ready to start his job as a psychologist and he died.
And so you like, well, yeah, we definitely don't know when we're going to die.
But we leave our lives as planning ahead, you know, when I'm done with high school, I'll do this and that, what if you get in a car accident, you die even though you're in high school.
But we know also that the Lord is coming and yet We'll leave our lives as if, well, that's going to be down the road.
What if he comes tomorrow? So just thinking a lot about all these questions, what is the church about why I know the Lord is coming, we know the Jesus is the head of the church and how we should respond to that.
And so I don't know when I'll see you again, maybe. Maybe my airplane crashes and then I die.
Maybe. I don't know, something happens to you guys and then I won't see you.
I know we have a lot of older people here too. People that I love and I don't know if I'll see them again and so you know we say goodbye and we don't really know if we'll see each other again.
So knowing that, that there can come any time that the lor can come anytime. So what is the church?
Why do we exist for why are we alive still? What is our goal? Where are we going in our lives?
So I want to explore this specific church here and focus on our report that Timothy gives to Paul about the church in Thessalonica.
But how these encouraged Poles so much and at the same time was the field to challenge the believers and to continue the work and leave actually for the Lord.
This is known to be probably one of the first letters that Paul wrote. The letter to the first isalonians.
And use as a reminder just for us to know what we are getting into. These, this church was a study during Paul's second missionary journey in Act.
17. We're not going there. He was working with Silas, they both planted this church.
And as Paul used to do, he went to the synagogue to share about Jesus as the Christ, meaning Jesus is the Messiah.
Some of the Jews wanted to know more about that, but some started at mob and they went crazy. Are you crazy?
Just as we were reminded this morning. People saying like, Jesus the cries really? That is a crazy idea.
But what is registered in Act, 17, 6 to 8, this is what people, how people knew these believers.
And they said, these men who have turned the word upside down, imagine that. Well, a toss of Abu Chap is going to turn waltz upside down.
And Jason has received them and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar saying that there is another king, Jesus.
And the people in the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these things. So this is like the setting of how this church is studied. People are going crazy.
This is a place where a ton of idols, a ton of Gotsin for every kind of variety of guts and they're saying that Gia disappeared to all of them.
That he's the only guy that he Through him we get to know him. That's crazy.
That's crazy today. Is not too different. That was crazy for everyone. So this is the context where these churches are.
And guess what? They're just there like for 3 weeks and they just kick them out of the Salonika persecution and the believers are like, no, getting this boat and go to Berea.
It's only 3 weeks that Paul gets to step in time with these believers and make he leaves.
Right? Why does Paul write them so soon? Like, his first letter that he writes is one of the first writings in the whole New Testament.
And there is confusion about death. There is anxiety about the lures coming. All these uncertainty about life and when Jesus is coming.
But this is not a manual on the end of times. I'm not going into scathology or anything because there is something beyond that.
So to summarize what we find in this letter, we could say that it is about perseverance, purity, and preparedness until the Perucia.
Perushia is the word for the second coming. So, perseverance, purity, impartness until the Perucian.
Are we ready? That's the question. So let's jump into the section that the Lor has led me to share with you today.
I really didn't know what to share. I had a lot of feelings but The Lord led me to this passage that I would love to share.
So first is Alonians 3 versus 4 2. 13. And it says for when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction.
You says it has come to pass and just as you know For this reason, when I could burn it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith.
For fear that somehow the tempter had tempting you and our labor would be in vain. But now that Timothy has come to us from you, it has brought us the greens of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us as we learn to see you.
For these recent brothers in all our distress and affliction, we have been comforted about you. Through your faith.
For now we leave if you are standing fast in the Lord. For what is giving can we return to God for you for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God?
As we pray most earnestly, night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith.
Now may our God and Father himself in our Lord Jesus direct our way to you and made the Lord make you increase in abounding love for one another and for all as we do for you.
So that we may establish your heart so that he may establish your heart blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
Li thank you for your word that. Is so leaving and that we get to know you and have a relationship with you.
Laura, thank you for this church at your church. Thank you that that it is real. I've asked so many questions about what is the church about, why do we meet, why are we here?
And Laura just find those answers here in your word and we can. Each one of us, I hope, say yes.
Jesus is real. Jesus is worth following. And so I just pray that you would guide me this morning.
Have a lot of feelings right now. I am leaving back, but Lord, I thank you that. There is something behind it that I didn't know how to explain, but it's written as well.
You, you, you have set an example to us so that we will leave this live Lord, 2,023 with a purpose not just waste our lives I just pray for the The kids that are here, the younger the teenagers, the older folks too, We wouldn't be encouraged by you by your spirit Lord, please speak to us.
I know you will speak through your word. But again, I just pray that we will listen. And I pray this in your name, amen.
Oh, I summarize this based on these passage 5 points that I think we can summarize the whole passage here.
Poles concern we see that in versus 4 to 5 we see the report Timothy's report in verse 6 I see the report's outcome.
What's the result of that report that how that affected pole and does inverse 7. 8 and then pulled sprayer.
This is 9 to 10 and also pose desire for them. And so the reason why, again, I think this.
This is an explanation of why we're feeling and I say we because every time I see you like, oh, you shouldn't leave us, you shouldn't leave us.
And I'm like, I don't want to leave. I don't want to leave.
Why do we say that? There is a reason. There is a reason. And so that's what I want us to explore this morning.
So let's go to the first part. There is a concern. What's false concern, right?
Go through through sufferings. Affliction is imminent. He got kicked out of the Salonika.
He's probably in current when he's writing this. You know, remember, Corinth is like going to be a church that is going to cause a lot of troubles, a lot of division, a lot of issues.
I saw affliction is a reality, just as it is in your life and my life, right?
There is this fear that the concern for Paul is that there's this fear that the tempter would tempt them and like forget about Jesus.
He's not real. He's not the son of God, he's not worth it.
So he's worried about them. He has these real concern for them. He probably again spent probably around 3 weeks with them before getting kicked out.
So he was worried. He wants to know, he says in verse 5 for this reason, when I could bury it no longer.
Are they doing OK? They're like, I called like, hey, hey guys, how are you guys doing?
You guys doing OK? I heard like there is a lot of going. He couldn't do that, right?
So he's like, OK, team with you. Go and all figured out what's going on with these believers.
I pray for them, but I'm afraid that the temporary is coming and doing his work with them.
So that's the concern, right, that we find here. Same with the response. What is the second part that we find here?
The report. What is the report? Let's read it again, verse 6. But now that Timothy has come to us from you.
And has brought us the genius of your faith and love and reported that you always remember as kindly and long to see us as we learn to see you.
For these researchers, in all our distressing affliction, we have been comforted about you through your faith.
So these report was good news. He didn't know what to expect. This is good news. Hey guys, Timothy comes in.
I have graininess. Their faith continues. They love for the lorries growing and for each other.
They remember Paul in Silas or Sylvanus as he's mentioned here. They want them to see in a game, so that is very sweet.
It's very encouraging. It's a great report. Praise the Lord for that. So that is the report.
That's what we find here. What is the report's outcome then? How does this affect po in his ministry versus 7 to 8?
We read the first one. In all our distressing affliction, we have been comforted about your through your faith.
For now we leave if you are standing fast in the Lord. It is very interesting what Paul is saying here.
Basically, based on the walk of these believers, walking in faith, loving one another, remembering them.
Does the feel that the pose like going and continue to do the work continue to plan churches? It is worth it to do the work.
Based on like how the Lord is working among them. 5 poles and seal us is distress and affliction.
They were very encouraged by the church. Interesting. That faith that these brothers had was so contagious that pose like, a man, it is worth it.
I'm gonna keep pressing and I'm going to keep going and proclaiming the news of allergies is Christ.
The relationship with the Lord of these believers was so crucial for Paul's encouragement and ministry to move on and to leave.
That's what he's saying. Inverse 8 for now we leave who are standing fast in the Lord. What are you saying?
Don't you depend on the Lord? Of course he does. Of course he does, but How can we know the lower in these days?
How will people believe that Jesus was sent by the Father? We're gonna go there later. I know they answered.
We know the answer. Jesus said. That they may be one so that the word may believe that you send me.
How can we know that? How can we, so that's one of the tools that the Lord is using for Paul to continue to keep going.
For the faithfulness of these believers. Their faith, their love. So that's the outcome of these reports.
It was very encouraging for Paul, right?
What does it mean to stand fast in the Lord though? What does that mean? Stain fast. Well, it means to persevere in him, to be a stationary, to stand there, don't go to anywhere else but to stay there with the Lord like pondering and walking with him hand to hand.
That they don't go anywhere, that they don't have a divided attention for the things of the world, but they are standing in Christ in the Lord.
So that was that's what was happening here. And so what's both prayer? What is his prayer now?
8 to 10. He says, for what things giving can we return to God for you for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith.
So he's asking a question, but the way he's asking the question is being like a confirmation and a statement is in ways like He doesn't answer that question, right?
I give to the Lord, well. It's endless. I can thank the Lord and Noel for their joy that they bring.
Well, he's first giving things, right? The Thanksgiving. Why is he given thanks for the joy that he feels, for the sake that they feel both Paul and Silas.
They have this joy that that they can comprehend but it's because of them that in the midst of all the guts that they were proclaiming in this area in the midst of the persecution and sufferings surrounded in the midst of the craziness of the world around it, they were putting their faith in Jesus.
They were loving one another. And that's a joy that that Paul feels, yes, it is real.
The Lord is real, the Lord is at work, is his church, he is doing the work. I'm not even there.
He said, I'm not even there. Basically, he's not there. He wasn't there to continue, but is he desired though?
He wants to be there to supply what he's lacking in their faith. Of course, they're new believers, but he wants them to continue to grow.
So he's giving thanks for that. What's the request? Why is he praying night and day?
To see them, really? Wow, interesting. For what? We'll continue to teach them, equip them, even though they were doing amazing, They were not perfect.
There was a lot to still be done and to learn. So that's both preyer. That's the 4 point.
So we've seen pulse concern. We've seen the report. We've seen the reports outcome.
We've seen pulse prayer. And then we finally see poles decide what is down in his heart for these people for this church.
Versus 11 to 13. Now, may your god and father himself. In our Lord Jesus direct our way to you and made the Lord make you increase in abounding love for one another and for all as we do for you.
So that he may establish your heart's blameless in holiness before our God and Father. At the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
It's interesting that he's saying, may our God and father himself. Is it different people?
Of course not, it is the same one, but the fact that Paul is bringing in. Other. Tuffy year or father.
I don't have any kids, but I've seen some of you how the compassion, the caring for your kids.
That's how he's asking, referring to God as that father that cares for one for us.
And so he's asking me or got him father himself in our Lord Jesus. Direct their way to you.
Does he decide he wants to see them? He wants to to find a way to go to this church.
But he's also his greatest desire. Is that they would increase in love, they would abound in love for one another, a bound that it would be surpassing that you feel it all over it.
They are loving one another. Why? It doesn't say that they would. It doesn't actually say that they would proclaim the good news.
Is not there, that they will another because if we don't love one another we can go out there on Saturday and share the good news.
But what they will see, why would they find different in this place in this congregation? How would they see in the midst of a word that is all hatred?
This respect for the government and divisions here and there. And then you find this group of, I don't know how many are we right now, probably a hundred people.
Loving one other, remembering our Lord Jesus Christ. You see, I want us to really, and I love the young people, but really.
Appreciate the fact that we are here. You're not here just because your parents come. Please make sure that you actually believe that.
Do you believe that? Do you believe in the church? Do you actually think this is a real thing?
Do you actually believe that Jesus was the son of God? Because if now we're missing the point, why are we here?
Then you go to college and you forget about it and he's gone. Is this real? And it is!
It is. That's the awesome thing. People gave their lives for this because the Lord is real. The church is real.
All what he's doing. So that's what he is longing for them, that they would increase in law for one another, that they would do it more and more, look at first chapter 4 verse 9 and 10.
I'm not, you know, going through this, but he is talking about that. He's going beyond that.
In the same book, first is Alanians for 9 and 10. He's saying, now concerning brotherly love, You have no need for anyone to write to you.
For you yourselves have been taught by who? By God, to love one another. For that indeed is what you are doing.
To all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you brothers to do this more and more.
There is more love that we can give to our brothers. There is more to be done, so he wants this brotherly love.
Taught by the Lord. You don't need anybody like me or somebody here to write you about loving.
I mean, it's written here by Paul saying, I don't have to write you about that.
Just look at the cross. The guy himself is teaching you what love is, what it doesn't mean to love, that sacrifice for one another.
So in the same way, I don't think you guys need me to write about it or express something else.
We remember the Lord's love every time we come together. So love one another. That's what he's encouraging them to do.
But love, that response of love, then he's going to go in that back in chapter 3, verse 13.
So he may establish your heart blameless in holiness before our god and father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
Establish your heart's blameless. Does he decide for them? He doesn't, he knows that that result, the outcome of loving one another will.
Affect their individual walk with the Lord. How we love one another, how we confess or see one another.
Why? Why would we do that? Well, so that our hearts would be established. Blameless any holiness before that.
Through holiness before the Lord. And he's going after, just look at chapter 4 again because he's going to expand on this.
Chapter 4 verses 3 to 8. He's saying, for this is the will of God. You're sanitation, that you abstain from sexual immorality, that each one of you know how to control he somebody in holiness and honor not in the passion of love like the Gentiles who do not know God, that's huge.
What? They don't know gods, they're going to No, we know God, therefore we're going to walk towards these goal, right?
He continues to save verse 6. That no one transgressing wrong his brother in this matter because the Lord is an advantage in all these things as we told you beforehand and solemnly warn you for God has not called us for impunity.
But in holiness. Therefore, whoever these regards these regards, not man, bad God who gives his Holy Spirit to you.
That's his desire. But why is he decided we're going to, is Napole's idea of like, yeah, may you be holding no. It comes all from the Lord. That's the Lord's will for you and for me.
Sometimes we ask, well, I don't really know what God's world for my life is.
Well yes, you do. He wants you to be like he is. Holy, pure. So that's his biggest desire.
Do it that and that's the question. Do they really know him? Because he's saying, if you don't.
Long for for the lower in light. What is sanitation? What is this? Well, I think simple put it means to love God, like to really love God.
Like think about it. I'm on my phone and I'm going to watch something that I know.
The Lord dislikes it. Well, it's not authentication. It's not about don't do this. Don't do this.
Don't do this. But do this, love the Lord, really pursue him, really follow him.
Authentication is not even our work, it's the Lord's work. Through the Holy Spirit as Paul is saying.
So what do we bring to the table then? Are surrender. Really lured, humble ourselves and say, I can do this without you.
Please help me. I desire you, I love for you. But do we even say that? Because if that's what we actually bring to the table, you can do anything else.
The Lord is the one that by Grace we're saved by grace, we're satisfied and by grace we'll see him again.
So what is the motivation? The Lord is coming. The Lord is coming, guys. Yes, he is.
We don't know when, but he is. So, with that in mind, that's the exposition of the passage.
That's what we find there. I concern. We find the report. We find how these report affected.
Positively to pull and seal us. We see Paul Sprayer, we see pose the side for them.
Now, I was asking. Why is this passage in our Bibles? Why is it here? Like, what does the church exist for again?
And I had a conversation with one of my friends. Why do we do it the way we do it, right?
How can the Lord use these letters that was written in 50 AD? In these days. And so we need to ask those kind of questions.
Because we see the whole Bible and we see the, creation and the fall and we see the prophets and we see the narrative, the history of Israel and prophesizing that Jesus comes and And then what's what's next?
He leaves. He leaves sense his Holy Spirit and What is he doing now? Where is he right now?
He's seen at the right hand of him. So why do we have this text? That's an honest question I have today.
Why do we have this chapter here? The Lord show me and based on these texts we can say that the love and faith of each person of this church.
Will be the key for the growth of our church. For the effectiveness in the evangelistic efforts that we can do.
And for the encouragement of us, myself, and all the commanding workers of Wabatosa Baba Chapel.
But in all of that, mainly for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. That's why we have this text here.
And so I would like just to do a contrast here of the 5 points that we saw here and how they can be applied in our assembly today.
First of all, we saw both concern. In the same way, we need to be conserved by each other.
Why, why would, why would I worry for my brother's faith? Why would I like bother and call him?
That's his problem. And we live in a very individualistic. Culture and society would do your thing, success yourself, do your thing, but that's not what God intended for us.
She wants us to live in this body. We are a body. We need one another. I need you guys.
And you can imagine the encouragement you've been for me. So why would I worry for my brother's faith?
We need that. Paul sends Timothy to see if they continue their allegiance to Christ. Do they?
And that's my question. Every time I come and you know I go 6 months and they come back.
Is Noah still believing in Jesus like Daniel? Do you still think that this is real? How are you learning?
Is this real stuff for you guys? So I want to know what's up in the last 6 months.
And that's very cool because you know when I was here I would see you every weekend but now I'm gone and I don't know much about you guys coming and I hear all this kind of stuff that we're going to go there soon.
But do we care for one another? And ask about their walk with the Lord. I see that very positively here in this chapel.
So please continue to do it. Shoot them attacks, call for coffee. It is not that hard.
There is very practical ways of doing these things. Just how are you doing with the old man? I'm really struggling with these and that just be up and be humble.
And just that's what the Lord wants for us, right? So concern for one another. In the same way, I feel like, pull a little bit in the way that he received that report.
When I came, I had a lot of reports from you guys in different ways. You know, the first week I was here, I hear about these BVAs that you guys had.
I wasn't here. I heard that, you know, Joel and Aaron couldn't be here and so a lot other families stepped up and there was unity and hence in the work and somebody saying that the speed was at work and everything like people that were working full-time and they had that spot just to come to VVS, orchestrated all these things.
Wow, family is coming together to serve and the dispute was at work that there is faith that there is love.
So I got that report from you guys. People getting baptized today. Wow, awesome. This is really good.
But there is opportunities for evangelism. That's the report I'm receiving. That there is this hard to, yeah, let's meet up, let's figure out, let's go out to the neighborhood.
Let's do something. That is very encouraging. That is the report I've received from you guys from Owatosa Baba Chapu.
And that should be it. Why? CTS start famous cricket player that gave it all up for the Lord and went to China as a missionary.
He said, Some wish to live within the sun of church and chapel bells I want to run a risky shop within a yard of hell.
And I strongly pray that that would be our heart, that that would be encouraged to continue to do what on Saturday is not too far, because we have an opportunity on Saturday, come on.
Like we can not just be here comfortable in the chapel. But actually, to run a rescue shop within a yard of hell when these people don't know the Lord. So let's keep it up.
Also, CTS starts at once. Christ's call is to save the lost. Not the Steve naked, he came not to call these coffers, but seniors who repentance, not to build and furnish comfortable chapels, churches.
In cathedrals at home in which to rock Christian professors to sleep by means of clever essays, stereotype prayers and artistic musical performances.
But to capture men from the devil's clutches and the very jaws of hell. These can be accomplished only.
By a red hot and conventional unfettered devotion in the power of the Holy Spirit. To the Lord Jesus Christ.
That's my prayer for you guys. I pray for myself too that we would be aware of what I were here.
Why are we here at the church? So what are the outcomes of the report that I've received from you in the last month?
Well, sovereigns afflictions, the stresses, our realities in life are realities in mean history.
I'm by serving at a church where there is no leaders, strong men that would actually be elders.
The church is functioning, but the people are not being shepherd. So there is these realities in I don't know how to do this.
I'm like, Lord is your church, provide people. I have potential men, but that they don't love one another as much.
And so I'm like strong with these and I don't really know what's doing. I'm like all these distressed but wait what what is lack again for?
And then I come here and I hear from you guys. The Lord uses the church to encourage one another.
It is one of his tools. And does what I've experienced with you in my last month. If you stand firm in the Lord, I as a missionary recommended by what was a Bible chap will be encouraged to move on in the midst of difficulties that out my face down there.
What I want us to see is that You know, if the whole mission is to send missionaries out there, right?
And go to Kolmo and start new churches. What kind of churches would I start? Well, what the Bible says, okay, do I have a model of that?
And I can say, yes, I do. Back home. I have a group of believers that pray.
I have a group of believers that are trying to share the gospel. Of a group of believers that come and break bread every Sunday and worship the Lord.
I can really explain all what I've learned with you guys, but it's awesome. And does my encouragement to you all continue to do that and do it more and more?
That's what Paul is saying here too. So we replicate the kind of church. I don't want to say that I depend on you guys.
We depend on the Lord, but the Lord is using you to encourage me and to encourage to literally to take the gospel and studying churches in other parts of the world.
Are you aware of that? I want you to like please from somebody from the outside. Just be aware.
The importance of you loving one another in doing what you guys are doing.
That's the outcome of the report I've received from you guys. I'm very encouraged.
I'm ready to go back and keep. Even though I don't want to, but I want to.
I know, like I've received so much from you in the last couple of years and this month.
To replicate that. So that is why it's so important. That's how the Lord is using you guys.
For we see Paul praying for one another. And I want to talk about the importance of prior here a little bit, because we all need to improve in that area, right?
Someone once said, and this might sound a little like, whoa, it's a hard core, but I think it has.
A lot of truth in it and He said, you can tell how popular a char is by churches, by how many people come on Sunday morning.
We know we come here for the Lord Jesus Christ, but you can tell how popular the preacher is by how many people come on Sunday night.
Popular Jesus is by how many people come. To prior meeting. Are we praying? We need, we need, I know it's hard but like guys we can do anything without praying.
We can do a lot of things. We can do that. But without the Lord's leading
We're missing the point. Queen Mary of the Scots reverend to John Knox, a famous reformer.
She said, I mean the Queen of Scotland, she said. I fear John Knox prayers.
More than all the assembled armies of Europe. She said that. There was an example, my Qatar share with me once.
There was this small town in Texas, like 5 or 4 or 5 churches in town, and they didn't have any nightclubs, right?
And so there is a business man that comes in, puts up, he's like, well, there's a lot of young people here and, and I can make a lot of money if I start at nightclub here.
And so all the pastors, like we're worried about these and they decided to get together and pray that they were removed this nightclub.
And so, so they're getting daily there like just to pray and Lord remove this. Nightclub and all the junk that he's going to bring with it.
After 10 days of praying. There's a lightning storm that comes and the and and it just burns the whole place and to the ground and And so the owner of the NIGHT Club What did he do?
He took the pastors to court. And it's crazy. No, and in court, the owner present his case, right?
And he's like, well, everyone knows that the pastors were praying that God would take away my nightclub and so God sent this lining and storming and destroy my club so pastors have to pay.
This is their fault. Pastors present their kids and they're like, come on, your honor.
But like we we were praying and everything, but I mean, I mean, random act of nature, this, this line in storm, how are you going to blame us?
And so the judge says, Well, one thing is obvious here. Well, the owner of the nightclub believes in the power of prayer.
The pastor is done.
So I know it is very funny but I've been thinking about it and I'm like is that me?
Is that you really believe in the power of prayer and I have a great example from many people here in this assembly that pray without CDC and underneath daily.
But do we really believe in the power of prayer? I was I was talking to someone the other day and it's like well, you know, we don't really believe in the power of prayer and I can prove it to you.
Oh, much do you, how much time do you spend? Train. That question is for myself.
I need to improve in this. We all need to. So, so if you believe in the power of prayer, how much do you like how much time do you actually spend praying?
Many of us might not even spend more than 5 min like, oh, hello, thank you for And then we continue our lives.
When we know province 3, 5 to 6, when it says that I knowledge the Lord in all your ways.
Do we actually? And I've like, I heard the other day. Somebody from this chapel, like, how did you walk with the lawn?
She was like, Great and I was like expecting yaddad or stitching me d and that and she came out this was on a Wednesday meeting and she was like yeah my computer got hacked and I cannot use it and somebody was trying to steal my money from my computer.
I'm like But I was praying and the Lord solved it and the Lord is really like gracious to me.
I'm like, what does it have to do? Computer that is hacked with prayer and the Lord.
Because the Lord cares for those things. And so we do have to acknowledge him in all things. So we need to impair.
We can share the gospel and do a lot of things without even depending on the Lord. So pray we can do the thing on Saturday.
But if we don't pray, maybe that be a challenge for us every day, Lord, guide us, provide families to work, Lord, we cannot even go to talk to them, so bring people to us.
Pray earnestly, night and day, that's what boy is doing. That is the way that this is working.
Without the Lord, we can do anything. So that's the important prayer. He's praying night and day, night and day.
May that be us. For our young people too, I know there is in this code they are in school doing a lot of things that they don't really know about.
If they really believe in the Lord, they walk with their classmates and they're in a hard spot.
Do you pray? Like, it actually? Do you actually believe in Jesus? Do you pray come to him and pray because you can't do anything?
Look, something, one of the lessons that I learned in Malaysia. They asked me to play the drums, right?
And so I hadn't played drums in a long time. 1,100 people. 104 different countries and here I am.
Supposed to play the drums which I haven't played in a long time. We practice one day from 11 to 4, the sets for 3 days.
And I'm like, I can do this. I was really rusty, really bad at it.
I'm like, oh no. This is going to be really bad. So the data I was supposed to play at the conference, I really came in as the Lord guide me.
I spend some time fasting even and I'm like, Lord, help me, this is for you and I can do this without your help.
And it was awesome just to see like I got in this stage and just worshiping the Lord. I wasn't even paying attention to playing but it was awesome and I could feel the Lord really helping me through that.
But the last day of the conference, they asked me to play the guitar. And does my instrument?
Like, you know, I, that's the one that I'm used to play. And so they put the course in front of me and OK, I know I know these songs, I can do it.
Do you think I prayed and fasted as I did with? The drums? Not really and I'm sad for that because they did teach me that.
Because we can do things. I can go back, I know the language, I know the culture, I can go back to Columbia, I can share the gospel, I know how to disciple, I know how to start a Bible.
We can do that. Can you change people's hearts though? No, we can't. So to really depend on the learning, everything we do.
Something I need to get better at. You can pray for me that I would pray more. And that we will all continue to pray.
It's so important, guys. Really in our walk with the Lord. So we see these men suffering.
Paul, he's going through affliction, distress, opposition, persecution. He's worried.
What does he do? He gets with these brothers and play earnestly 9 day. Where did he learn that?
Wow, Paul, you're so clever. You're awesome. No. He's just following Jesus.
That's why our Lord Jesus does his example. He is following that. He's encouraging us to follow that so we're not following as we pray in our to follow that so we're not following us to follow that.
So we're not following following us as we pray in our, think about Jesus praying and sweating blood.
To really believe in the power of prayer. We can. So that's my encouragement also from this text.
And finally, My desire for you. I don't think it's different from pulse desire.
Because it is actually not our desire. It is God's will for you. That he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness.
Walk with the Lord. Really do. Because if we don't long for these, if we are not walking as a lawyer, if we are not obedient to the Lord, he's saying, well.
Don't walk like the gentles who do not know God. So he's saying like if you don't depend on the Lord Daily and are not obeying and repenting and confessing you're seeing.
Then you don't know, you don't really know God, and that's huge. What does it mean to know that?
Do you actually know GA? And I can say, well, if Sarita would go to like the the doctor.
The doctor probably knows more about how her body functions and stuff. But the doctor doesn't really know Sara.
Stephen does because he's with her every single day. He knows, but the doctor can know everything, how her body works and everything.
In the same way, I think we all from Sunday school, we grow up here learning the Bible stories and the stuff and Hujiza is and what he did for you, what did you say that in your crowd?
Because you can answer those questions, but do you actually know him? Do you actually know him? You can know how salvation works.
But do you actually know him? Do you actually long for him daily? Do you actually want to be like him?
I hope the answer is yes, if not today is a great opportunity for us to repent and say Lord, yeah, I probably need to.
Do this better. I don't know how to do it. I don't honestly don't know what I learned in Sunday school is we also Please help me.
Here I am. And just let the Lord work. He will answer. That's what happened to me when I was 1718.
So that's my desire. Establish your heart's plainness in holiness, walking, they don't really do.
And the second one, encouragement that we find here, are bound in love more and more. I mean, you guys, you just had a public that I'm so sad I missed, really.
I was eating with my friends in a bachelor party. Up there we had the breaking of bread together.
But then we went to Solway. And I'm like, really? I'm like eating subway when my church is like having this Pollock and oh, so wanted to make any time but it was too late.
But does this a simple show, maybe we should do pollen more frequently, maybe once a month. That would be awesome.
Yeah, honestly, there is one assembly up in Iowa. I hear like before praying meeting they're cooking a lot.
They're like eating Wednesday and after Sunday they meet up together for lunch. Now it's something they're doing because that's what the church is right have things in common that's what you guys are great at so continue to do that abounding love more in more and more I think that's it.
But have you asked? How you really ask yourself why? Again, why we have these letters in our Bibles?
I don't think I've answered this, What function do they have? What is the whole purpose of them?
Why does the church exist? Why do these letters have to do with us in these days? Why are you here?
Why are you meeting up on Sunday? Why are we standing missionaries? Why do we even bother to come here on Sunday?
Why are we here? Where are we going as a church? What's the goal of what Tossa Babu Chapel?
Like what?
And I've been asking the Lord, what are we doing?
And well, there was one man. That prayed once. This to happen. And he didn't just pray for that.
He did something for this to be happening. So turn with me to John 17, please.
This is how the Lord really taught me this week. I was asking these questions, Laura. Why do we have this in the Bible?
Why? Why are we doing what we're doing? This man was not just a man. These man was God himself and was asking.
His father the following. So bear with me as we Think of this question, please, and just pay attention to Jesus words here.
Because the answer is awesome.
John 17 when Jesus had spoken these words he lifted up his eyes to heaven and said Father, they are has come.
Glorify your son that the sun may glorify you. Since you have given him authority over all flesh to give eternal life to all whom you have given him.
And this is eternal life that they No, you, the only true God in Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
I glorified you on earth. Having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.
I have money faster your name to the people whom you gave me.
For the word. Yes, they were and you gave them to me and they have kept your word. They know that everything that you have given me is from you.
For I have given them the words that you gave me and they have to know in truth that I came from you and they have believed that you send me.
I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those who you have given me, for they are yours.
Oh mine are yours and yours are mine and I am glorified in them. And I am not longer in the world.
But they are in the world and I am coming to you, Holy Father, keep me your name, which you have given me, that they may be one.
Even as we are one Well, I was with them. I kept them in your name which you have given me.
I have guarded them and no one of them has been lost except the Son of Destruction. That the scripture might be.
Now, I am coming to you and these things I speak in the world that they may have. Joyful feeling themselves.
I have given them your word and the world has hated them because they are not of the world just as I am not of the world.
I do not ask you that that you take them out of the world, but that you would keep them from the evil one.
They are not of the world just as I am not of the world. Centify them in the truth.
Your word is truth. As you send me in the world. So I have sent them into the world.
There's sake I consecrate myself that they also maybe fight in truth. I didn't ask for this only.
But also for those who will believe in me through their word and that's you and me right now.
That they may all be won just as you father are in me and I in you. That they also may be in us.
That the world may believe that you have sent me. They glory that you have given me I have given to them that they may be one even as we are one I in them and you and me that may become perfectly one.
So that there may know you send me again and love them even as you love me. Father, I decided they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am to see my glory that you have given me because you love me before they foundation of the world or righteous father even though the word does not know you I know you and these know that you have sent me I may know to them your name and I will continue
to make it known. That the love with which you have loved me Maybe in them and I. In them.
Jesus himself prayed that. And in the Solonians, we see an answer to that prayer. In the rest of the New Testament we see a God answering that prayer.
And today we are here. Has an answer to that prayer. So that we may be one and the word may believe that Jesus is real, that he was sent.
By the father. He didn't just pray. He went to that cross and died for us so that this would be even possible.
And so I don't think there's anything else to say. That's why we're here.
It is real. So take it real. It's time to be real, not with your friends, with the Lord.
So for to close this time, I want us just to apply it right now. And so I'm just going to ask you to.
Pray with the person next to you. And just pray. However, the Lord spoke to you as the Lord come before us as the church right now.
Pray for you you'll pray for me but just within the same line just pray with the person next to you And then I'll, yeah, then the meeting can be dismissed after this.
So you spray right now with the person next to you. Operate with you guys.