1 00:00:00,618 --> 00:00:04,673 "But grow in the grace and knowledge 2 00:00:04,673 --> 00:00:07,544 of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 3 00:00:07,544 --> 00:00:10,542 To Him be glory both now and forever. 4 00:00:10,542 --> 00:00:11,990 Amen." 5 00:00:11,990 --> 00:00:15,661 2 Peter 3:18 6 00:00:15,661 --> 00:00:19,597 Now, one of the great goals of this conference 7 00:00:19,597 --> 00:00:23,289 is expressed by Peter in these words, 8 00:00:23,289 --> 00:00:26,086 that we grow in the grace and knowledge 9 00:00:26,086 --> 00:00:29,219 of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 10 00:00:29,219 --> 00:00:33,280 Many benefits come from conference - 11 00:00:33,280 --> 00:00:35,296 the renewal of friendships, 12 00:00:35,296 --> 00:00:39,042 moments of inspiration from speakers, 13 00:00:39,042 --> 00:00:41,704 and meeting someone special perhaps, 14 00:00:41,704 --> 00:00:44,479 but unless we grow 15 00:00:44,479 --> 00:00:46,633 from our time here - 16 00:00:46,633 --> 00:00:48,168 grow in graciousness, 17 00:00:48,168 --> 00:00:51,452 grow in our knowledge of the Savior, 18 00:00:51,452 --> 00:00:55,103 then there will be major failure 19 00:00:55,103 --> 00:00:58,087 in our gathering together. 20 00:00:58,087 --> 00:00:59,821 Some of you know Don Whitney's 21 00:00:59,821 --> 00:01:03,063 helpful little book: "Praying the Bible." 22 00:01:03,063 --> 00:01:05,876 And we gather to pray this Scripture. 23 00:01:05,876 --> 00:01:08,888 Lord, help me to grow in graciousness. 24 00:01:08,888 --> 00:01:11,815 Lord, help me to grow in knowledge 25 00:01:11,815 --> 00:01:13,637 of the Savior. 26 00:01:13,637 --> 00:01:15,377 And who needs to pray that? 27 00:01:15,377 --> 00:01:17,362 Well, the baby Christians here - 28 00:01:17,362 --> 00:01:19,133 they need to pray it. 29 00:01:19,133 --> 00:01:22,254 And then, the man who is the most holy 30 00:01:22,254 --> 00:01:23,493 and most mature 31 00:01:23,493 --> 00:01:25,631 and has followed the Lord for many years - 32 00:01:25,631 --> 00:01:28,711 he needs to still pray this prayer. 33 00:01:28,711 --> 00:01:30,708 So what are we asking 34 00:01:30,708 --> 00:01:33,401 when we are asking that we may grow 35 00:01:33,401 --> 00:01:35,376 in grace and in the knowledge 36 00:01:35,376 --> 00:01:37,563 of the Lord Jesus Christ? 37 00:01:37,563 --> 00:01:42,359 Well, firstly, we are asking for genuine, 38 00:01:42,359 --> 00:01:46,123 progressive concern for the needs of others. 39 00:01:46,123 --> 00:01:47,688 The second commandment, 40 00:01:47,688 --> 00:01:49,574 after to love God with all our hearts 41 00:01:49,574 --> 00:01:53,326 is to love our neighbor as ourselves. 42 00:01:53,326 --> 00:01:57,254 And that's the impact that we are to make 43 00:01:57,254 --> 00:01:59,115 on one another. 44 00:01:59,115 --> 00:02:01,551 A real concern for other people. 45 00:02:01,551 --> 00:02:02,731 How is it with you? 46 00:02:02,731 --> 00:02:05,136 Do we know where 47 00:02:05,136 --> 00:02:07,109 the members of the congregation are? 48 00:02:07,109 --> 00:02:09,780 Do we know where there are doubts? 49 00:02:09,780 --> 00:02:12,429 Do we know where people are close to giving up? 50 00:02:12,429 --> 00:02:13,971 Do we know where the troubles 51 00:02:13,971 --> 00:02:14,989 and the problems are? 52 00:02:14,989 --> 00:02:16,797 And you'll say, well, the elders know. 53 00:02:16,797 --> 00:02:18,174 Well, perhaps they do. 54 00:02:18,174 --> 00:02:19,795 But perhaps with some people, 55 00:02:19,795 --> 00:02:21,558 you know more. 56 00:02:21,558 --> 00:02:24,642 I'm not talking about inquisitive prying 57 00:02:24,642 --> 00:02:26,693 into the lives of other people, 58 00:02:26,693 --> 00:02:31,223 but I'm speaking about a concern for them. 59 00:02:31,223 --> 00:02:33,945 Do they have some fear? Do they have some worry? 60 00:02:33,945 --> 00:02:35,985 How can I help them? 61 00:02:35,985 --> 00:02:41,081 So, that's going to be our lives from now on. 62 00:02:41,081 --> 00:02:43,628 We're going to be corns of wheat 63 00:02:43,628 --> 00:02:45,480 that fall into the ground and die, 64 00:02:45,480 --> 00:02:48,133 or we'll abide alone. 65 00:02:48,133 --> 00:02:50,448 We're going to be concerned 66 00:02:50,448 --> 00:02:53,525 that there be fruit in the lives of others 67 00:02:53,525 --> 00:02:56,558 and fruit in our own lives. 68 00:02:56,558 --> 00:02:58,486 The Savior, then, He didn't come 69 00:02:58,486 --> 00:03:00,545 to be served, 70 00:03:00,545 --> 00:03:01,790 but He came to serve. 71 00:03:01,790 --> 00:03:03,850 So He calls us also 72 00:03:03,850 --> 00:03:06,083 that we're better servants of one another; 73 00:03:06,083 --> 00:03:07,322 more concerned; 74 00:03:07,322 --> 00:03:10,724 more aware of the needs. 75 00:03:10,724 --> 00:03:13,621 How is it with you? How is it at meal times? 76 00:03:13,621 --> 00:03:16,258 Do you look to see if everyone's got what they want? 77 00:03:16,258 --> 00:03:17,901 And you're concerned about them? 78 00:03:17,901 --> 00:03:22,497 You just don't look at the food in front of you? 79 00:03:22,497 --> 00:03:25,119 The nicer seats - are you anxious 80 00:03:25,119 --> 00:03:26,935 to help other people? 81 00:03:26,935 --> 00:03:28,434 When you drive a car, 82 00:03:28,434 --> 00:03:31,116 do you let other people cut in? 83 00:03:31,116 --> 00:03:33,179 When there are family choices, 84 00:03:33,179 --> 00:03:34,196 do you ask your wife: 85 00:03:34,196 --> 00:03:36,247 what do you want to do? 86 00:03:36,247 --> 00:03:37,767 Do you ask children 87 00:03:37,767 --> 00:03:39,946 what their concerns are? 88 00:03:39,946 --> 00:03:41,818 It's a very sad life 89 00:03:41,818 --> 00:03:43,831 if it's just centered on you. 90 00:03:43,831 --> 00:03:45,724 An egotistical life. 91 00:03:45,724 --> 00:03:48,536 And so growing in grace, 92 00:03:48,536 --> 00:03:50,928 growing in graciousness then 93 00:03:50,928 --> 00:03:53,107 shows itself in a progressive concern 94 00:03:53,107 --> 00:03:54,277 for the needs of others. 95 00:03:54,277 --> 00:03:56,606 That's the first thing that we're praying for. 96 00:03:56,606 --> 00:03:59,869 And the second thing we are praying for 97 00:03:59,869 --> 00:04:07,230 is that we are growing in knowledge 98 00:04:07,230 --> 00:04:10,180 of the gospel, of the Christian faith, 99 00:04:10,180 --> 00:04:11,914 and growing especially 100 00:04:11,914 --> 00:04:15,177 in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 101 00:04:15,177 --> 00:04:20,413 A literal, mental grasp with our minds 102 00:04:20,413 --> 00:04:22,206 of the teaching of Holy Scripture. 103 00:04:22,206 --> 00:04:24,829 It may seem to you very elementary 104 00:04:24,829 --> 00:04:26,261 and very basic. 105 00:04:26,261 --> 00:04:28,516 But the first thing that a believer puts on 106 00:04:28,516 --> 00:04:30,993 is the girdle of truth. 107 00:04:30,993 --> 00:04:33,399 And the first thing that he must attend to 108 00:04:33,399 --> 00:04:35,235 in terms of spiritual knowledge 109 00:04:35,235 --> 00:04:37,795 and spiritual growth is familiarity 110 00:04:37,795 --> 00:04:38,803 with the truth; 111 00:04:38,803 --> 00:04:40,623 with the teaching of Scripture; 112 00:04:40,623 --> 00:04:42,848 with the system of Christian doctrine. 113 00:04:42,848 --> 00:04:45,138 It's all very well for us to speak 114 00:04:45,138 --> 00:04:47,714 of the perils of a dead orthodoxy, 115 00:04:47,714 --> 00:04:51,346 and I guess it's a real peril. 116 00:04:51,346 --> 00:04:55,375 There are people and their concern 117 00:04:55,375 --> 00:04:58,822 is not interest in the great foundational doctrines, 118 00:04:58,822 --> 00:05:02,427 but they're interested in the conundrum of theology. 119 00:05:02,427 --> 00:05:04,157 And let's avoid that. 120 00:05:04,157 --> 00:05:05,403 And there are other people 121 00:05:05,403 --> 00:05:07,590 and they're only interested in the doctrines 122 00:05:07,590 --> 00:05:10,505 that have given rise to controversies 123 00:05:10,505 --> 00:05:12,128 amongst Christians. 124 00:05:12,128 --> 00:05:14,355 Doctrines that men fight about. 125 00:05:14,355 --> 00:05:16,860 Doctrines that men disagree with. 126 00:05:16,860 --> 00:05:20,261 Let's mortify that spirit too. 127 00:05:20,261 --> 00:05:23,013 But we are bound as Christians 128 00:05:23,013 --> 00:05:25,623 to make conscience of growing 129 00:05:25,623 --> 00:05:27,774 in our grasp of Genesis, Exodus, 130 00:05:27,774 --> 00:05:30,295 Leviticus, Numbers, and so on 131 00:05:30,295 --> 00:05:31,875 to Revelation. 132 00:05:31,875 --> 00:05:36,138 And to that life of Adam, and Noah, 133 00:05:36,138 --> 00:05:40,251 and Abraham, and the Patriarchs, 134 00:05:40,251 --> 00:05:41,760 and Moses, 135 00:05:41,760 --> 00:05:45,896 and the deliverance from Egypt, 136 00:05:45,896 --> 00:05:49,297 and then the time of the entry 137 00:05:49,297 --> 00:05:52,658 and Joshua and Judges, 138 00:05:52,658 --> 00:05:53,782 and Samuel, 139 00:05:53,782 --> 00:05:55,041 and the rise of Saul, 140 00:05:55,041 --> 00:05:56,452 and the rise of David, 141 00:05:56,452 --> 00:05:58,189 and Solomon - the great division 142 00:05:58,189 --> 00:06:00,434 that took place under him, 143 00:06:00,434 --> 00:06:03,334 and then the destruction 144 00:06:03,334 --> 00:06:05,395 of the Northern kingdom of Israel, 145 00:06:05,395 --> 00:06:09,919 and then the temporary Babylonian captivity 146 00:06:09,919 --> 00:06:12,256 of Judah and their return, 147 00:06:12,256 --> 00:06:14,450 and the coming of Christ 148 00:06:14,450 --> 00:06:15,413 as promised. 149 00:06:15,413 --> 00:06:17,309 So, we ought to know those things. 150 00:06:17,309 --> 00:06:19,678 And know the letters. 151 00:06:19,678 --> 00:06:21,460 And so when the Jehovah's Witness 152 00:06:21,460 --> 00:06:22,489 comes to your house, 153 00:06:22,489 --> 00:06:24,354 then you say, "Do you know the Bible?" 154 00:06:24,354 --> 00:06:26,201 "Yes." "Well, what..." you say to him, 155 00:06:26,201 --> 00:06:27,525 "What is the main theme 156 00:06:27,525 --> 00:06:29,854 of the letter to the Romans?" 157 00:06:29,854 --> 00:06:31,843 And that's a good question to ask him 158 00:06:31,843 --> 00:06:33,323 because he won't know. 159 00:06:33,323 --> 00:06:35,520 He'll know his stuff, 160 00:06:35,520 --> 00:06:38,028 but he won't know a question as important as that. 161 00:06:38,028 --> 00:06:40,506 "Well, Ephesians is shorter," you say, 162 00:06:40,506 --> 00:06:42,210 "six chapters - tell me, 163 00:06:42,210 --> 00:06:45,736 what is the main teaching of Ephesians?" 164 00:06:45,736 --> 00:06:47,627 And then he'll get a bit frustrated 165 00:06:47,627 --> 00:06:48,610 and angry with you. 166 00:06:48,610 --> 00:06:52,621 "Well now, come back and let me know." 167 00:06:52,621 --> 00:06:55,141 Because you're driving him to the Word. 168 00:06:55,141 --> 00:06:57,219 Aren't you? To read the Word. 169 00:06:57,219 --> 00:07:02,383 And that is the only chance of him changing. 170 00:07:02,383 --> 00:07:03,707 And so I'm saying to you 171 00:07:03,707 --> 00:07:06,448 we have to soak ourselves 172 00:07:06,448 --> 00:07:07,802 in the Word; 173 00:07:07,802 --> 00:07:10,042 marinate ourselves in the Word of God, 174 00:07:10,042 --> 00:07:13,297 because if we're going to ask then 175 00:07:13,297 --> 00:07:15,364 a Jehovah's Witness to tell us 176 00:07:15,364 --> 00:07:17,063 what the main theme of Romans is, 177 00:07:17,063 --> 00:07:18,952 we better know it ourselves. 178 00:07:18,952 --> 00:07:20,909 We better know it ourselves. 179 00:07:20,909 --> 00:07:23,941 So, we ought to know about the Person of Christ. 180 00:07:23,941 --> 00:07:26,325 His deity, His humanity, 181 00:07:26,325 --> 00:07:27,941 His incarnation, 182 00:07:27,941 --> 00:07:31,220 His states as pre-existent, 183 00:07:31,220 --> 00:07:33,409 humiliated, exalted; 184 00:07:33,409 --> 00:07:36,388 His offices of Prophet, Priest, and King. 185 00:07:36,388 --> 00:07:38,370 We ought to know the great doctrines 186 00:07:38,370 --> 00:07:39,647 of God's sovereignty, 187 00:07:39,647 --> 00:07:42,522 of justification by grace through faith, 188 00:07:42,522 --> 00:07:44,027 of adoption, 189 00:07:44,027 --> 00:07:45,290 of union with Christ, 190 00:07:45,290 --> 00:07:46,526 of sanctification. 191 00:07:46,526 --> 00:07:51,071 These teachings are not simply for theologians, 192 00:07:51,071 --> 00:07:53,586 but they are the stuff of believing meditation. 193 00:07:53,586 --> 00:07:55,221 They are the stuff of doxology. 194 00:07:55,221 --> 00:07:58,515 The great hymns are about those themes. 195 00:07:58,515 --> 00:08:01,475 And if we're to be growing Christians, 196 00:08:01,475 --> 00:08:03,991 we are to be growing intellectually. 197 00:08:03,991 --> 00:08:06,037 We are to be growing theologically. 198 00:08:06,037 --> 00:08:08,651 We are to grow in our grasp of it, 199 00:08:08,651 --> 00:08:10,048 and we are to grow 200 00:08:10,048 --> 00:08:12,150 in the emotional impact that they make 201 00:08:12,150 --> 00:08:14,530 upon our lives. 202 00:08:14,530 --> 00:08:17,726 That the Word of God lives in us. 203 00:08:17,726 --> 00:08:20,159 Because the Psalms begin by a man - 204 00:08:20,159 --> 00:08:23,025 his delight was in the law of the Lord, 205 00:08:23,025 --> 00:08:24,167 and in that law, 206 00:08:24,167 --> 00:08:26,556 he meditated day and night. 207 00:08:26,556 --> 00:08:29,654 Thirdly, if we are praying this prayer 208 00:08:29,654 --> 00:08:32,354 that we might grow in graciousness, 209 00:08:32,354 --> 00:08:35,200 in grace, we are praying that we might 210 00:08:35,200 --> 00:08:39,174 progress in conscientiousness. 211 00:08:39,174 --> 00:08:42,831 That is, in responsiveness 212 00:08:42,831 --> 00:08:45,938 and obedience to our own consciences. 213 00:08:45,938 --> 00:08:48,744 Because God has placed that monitor 214 00:08:48,744 --> 00:08:50,935 in our minds, 215 00:08:50,935 --> 00:08:53,375 and it reproves us when we do wrong, 216 00:08:53,375 --> 00:08:56,596 and it encourages us when we do right. 217 00:08:56,596 --> 00:09:00,453 How is it with your conscience and you tonight? 218 00:09:00,453 --> 00:09:02,091 How are things between you 219 00:09:02,091 --> 00:09:08,008 and that monitor, that voice of God? 220 00:09:08,008 --> 00:09:10,389 You know, there are many consciences, 221 00:09:10,389 --> 00:09:13,227 and in Thomas Boston's words, 222 00:09:13,227 --> 00:09:16,859 they are too persnickety. 223 00:09:16,859 --> 00:09:20,484 They condemn what God's Word doesn't condemn. 224 00:09:20,484 --> 00:09:22,588 We must educate that conscience. 225 00:09:22,588 --> 00:09:26,836 Does the Bible condemn blood transfusions, 226 00:09:26,836 --> 00:09:28,494 for example? 227 00:09:28,494 --> 00:09:30,691 And there are other consciences 228 00:09:30,691 --> 00:09:33,195 and they let anything pass. 229 00:09:33,195 --> 00:09:36,977 They let pass what God's Word condemns. 230 00:09:36,977 --> 00:09:39,425 They are less sensitive than they should be. 231 00:09:39,425 --> 00:09:40,620 They are much too broad, 232 00:09:40,620 --> 00:09:42,215 much too open. 233 00:09:42,215 --> 00:09:44,882 So, we must always bring our conscience 234 00:09:44,882 --> 00:09:47,279 under the light of the Word of God. 235 00:09:47,279 --> 00:09:49,855 You know the Puritan illustration then 236 00:09:49,855 --> 00:09:52,068 of the sundial. 237 00:09:52,068 --> 00:09:54,263 And the sundial will work 238 00:09:54,263 --> 00:09:55,587 if it's at the right angle 239 00:09:55,587 --> 00:09:59,504 and in regards to the light of the sun. 240 00:09:59,504 --> 00:10:01,083 But on a bright moonlight night, 241 00:10:01,083 --> 00:10:02,585 you can go out to your garden, 242 00:10:02,585 --> 00:10:04,052 and you can look at a sundial. 243 00:10:04,052 --> 00:10:05,459 And there will be a shadow - 244 00:10:05,459 --> 00:10:07,403 a moon shadow. 245 00:10:07,403 --> 00:10:11,117 And it will give you the totally wrong reading, 246 00:10:11,117 --> 00:10:13,492 because it's not a moondial, 247 00:10:13,492 --> 00:10:16,117 it's a sundial. 248 00:10:16,117 --> 00:10:18,682 And so there is the conscience 249 00:10:18,682 --> 00:10:21,426 of the cannibal. 250 00:10:21,426 --> 00:10:23,612 And there the conscience 251 00:10:23,612 --> 00:10:26,607 of the abortionist. 252 00:10:26,607 --> 00:10:30,441 And they are not living in accord 253 00:10:30,441 --> 00:10:33,856 with what the Word of God 254 00:10:33,856 --> 00:10:39,043 who created the conscience gives to us. 255 00:10:39,043 --> 00:10:41,091 Now, let's supposed that you have 256 00:10:41,091 --> 00:10:42,356 an enlightened conscience. 257 00:10:42,356 --> 00:10:44,436 Let's suppose that you have the full light 258 00:10:44,436 --> 00:10:47,285 of God's Word on your conscience then. 259 00:10:47,285 --> 00:10:51,349 Are you carefully obeying it 260 00:10:51,349 --> 00:10:54,560 when you are emotionally disinclined? 261 00:10:54,560 --> 00:10:56,605 When you're lying on the floor 262 00:10:56,605 --> 00:10:59,252 in despondency and sulking 263 00:10:59,252 --> 00:11:01,523 and unhappy because your worst fears 264 00:11:01,523 --> 00:11:03,515 have been realized? 265 00:11:03,515 --> 00:11:06,495 When you're in the depth of depression 266 00:11:06,495 --> 00:11:07,982 and self-pity, 267 00:11:07,982 --> 00:11:10,421 and there's a duty that you have to attend to - 268 00:11:10,421 --> 00:11:12,084 it's a duty, it's very unpleasant; 269 00:11:12,084 --> 00:11:14,341 it's very demanding. 270 00:11:14,341 --> 00:11:18,497 Do you do what your conscience tells you 271 00:11:18,497 --> 00:11:20,361 that you should do? 272 00:11:20,361 --> 00:11:24,224 Do you have the maturity to stand on your emotions 273 00:11:24,224 --> 00:11:26,327 and reject them in the face 274 00:11:26,327 --> 00:11:29,355 of their reluctance and aversion 275 00:11:29,355 --> 00:11:31,905 to attend what God commands us? 276 00:11:31,905 --> 00:11:35,112 There's no greater peril in the Christian life 277 00:11:35,112 --> 00:11:38,324 than to make our emotions the touchstone 278 00:11:38,324 --> 00:11:40,482 of our duties. 279 00:11:40,482 --> 00:11:43,625 And time and again, we have to pick ourselves up 280 00:11:43,625 --> 00:11:46,552 off the floor of discouragement and say, 281 00:11:46,552 --> 00:11:48,044 I have a duty, 282 00:11:48,044 --> 00:11:49,478 and I know this is right, 283 00:11:49,478 --> 00:11:51,018 and I'm going to do it. 284 00:11:51,018 --> 00:11:52,526 Or again, let me ask you, 285 00:11:52,526 --> 00:11:56,335 are you conscientious about small things? 286 00:11:56,335 --> 00:11:58,351 Because there most of all 287 00:11:58,351 --> 00:11:59,836 Christians are tested. 288 00:11:59,836 --> 00:12:02,357 We don't have huge sacrifices to make, 289 00:12:02,357 --> 00:12:04,773 but every day, there are 290 00:12:04,773 --> 00:12:08,946 many little duties that you know have to be done. 291 00:12:08,946 --> 00:12:11,923 And we have to pay careful attention 292 00:12:11,923 --> 00:12:14,621 to matters of detail, 293 00:12:14,621 --> 00:12:18,636 because our Lord, He commends people 294 00:12:18,636 --> 00:12:22,197 who are faithful in little things. 295 00:12:22,197 --> 00:12:24,258 And so often we are losing the battle 296 00:12:24,258 --> 00:12:26,891 in little things. 297 00:12:26,891 --> 00:12:29,512 It might seem to you 298 00:12:29,512 --> 00:12:35,291 not a big issue to be in prayer meeting 299 00:12:35,291 --> 00:12:37,973 on a Wednesday night there. 300 00:12:37,973 --> 00:12:41,340 It might not seem a big issue 301 00:12:41,340 --> 00:12:44,290 to be in Sunday nights at church. 302 00:12:44,290 --> 00:12:45,882 It's a small thing. 303 00:12:45,882 --> 00:12:48,398 It might seem just a little thing 304 00:12:48,398 --> 00:12:52,633 to ignore writing a letter to someone 305 00:12:52,633 --> 00:12:56,655 to say thanks for your kindness to me. 306 00:12:56,655 --> 00:12:58,591 Certain things. 307 00:12:58,591 --> 00:13:01,946 But we must make conscience then 308 00:13:01,946 --> 00:13:04,160 if we are going to grow in graciousness 309 00:13:04,160 --> 00:13:07,105 our conscience - we respect it. 310 00:13:07,105 --> 00:13:11,203 Whatsoever is not of faith is sin. 311 00:13:11,203 --> 00:13:12,819 And then fourthly, we must 312 00:13:12,819 --> 00:13:20,630 make progress in victory over besetting sins. 313 00:13:20,630 --> 00:13:23,053 And that's a great reality in the Christian life. 314 00:13:23,053 --> 00:13:26,109 There's just some sin that you know 315 00:13:26,109 --> 00:13:29,280 it's a problem for you, isn't it? 316 00:13:29,280 --> 00:13:31,558 And you know you're not going to grow 317 00:13:31,558 --> 00:13:34,884 unless you deal with that particular sin. 318 00:13:34,884 --> 00:13:37,602 It's perfectly possible to be normal 319 00:13:37,602 --> 00:13:41,165 in every part of the Christian life 320 00:13:41,165 --> 00:13:43,714 in your emotions and your affections 321 00:13:43,714 --> 00:13:44,905 and will and so on. 322 00:13:44,905 --> 00:13:46,832 Everything seems to be in order 323 00:13:46,832 --> 00:13:51,078 except at one point. 324 00:13:51,078 --> 00:13:54,231 You're in the grip of one temptation. 325 00:13:54,231 --> 00:13:57,752 You are dominated by one lust. 326 00:13:57,752 --> 00:14:00,709 You are entangled in the meshes 327 00:14:00,709 --> 00:14:03,253 of one particular sin. 328 00:14:03,253 --> 00:14:05,930 And you see it in the world around you. 329 00:14:05,930 --> 00:14:08,501 It's called monomania. 330 00:14:08,501 --> 00:14:15,779 One man - in 99 out of 100 areas of his life 331 00:14:15,779 --> 00:14:18,376 he's straight down the line. 332 00:14:18,376 --> 00:14:20,224 But there's one area of his life 333 00:14:20,224 --> 00:14:23,148 where he's walked, 334 00:14:23,148 --> 00:14:27,072 and he's grasped by one sin. 335 00:14:27,072 --> 00:14:28,181 And when you say, 336 00:14:28,181 --> 00:14:30,568 well, it may be a mysterious thing 337 00:14:30,568 --> 00:14:32,504 that I'm not growing as I should be 338 00:14:32,504 --> 00:14:34,887 as a Christian. 339 00:14:34,887 --> 00:14:37,657 Is it so mysterious? 340 00:14:37,657 --> 00:14:40,306 Is the reason why I'm not growing 341 00:14:40,306 --> 00:14:43,784 as I should be because my spiritual life 342 00:14:43,784 --> 00:14:49,236 is diseased in one area. 343 00:14:49,236 --> 00:14:52,393 Unless it's dealt with, 344 00:14:52,393 --> 00:14:55,217 it's going to - just like a bug, 345 00:14:55,217 --> 00:14:58,175 a virus is just in one part of you 346 00:14:58,175 --> 00:15:00,010 and it affects the rest of you. 347 00:15:00,010 --> 00:15:02,869 You're weak and listless and so on. 348 00:15:02,869 --> 00:15:06,318 You must deal with that besetting sin. 349 00:15:06,318 --> 00:15:08,684 Worldliness, prayerlessness, 350 00:15:08,684 --> 00:15:10,513 irritability, impatience, 351 00:15:10,513 --> 00:15:14,215 aggressiveness, what have you... 352 00:15:14,215 --> 00:15:16,572 So, those are four, 353 00:15:16,572 --> 00:15:18,642 and then one more point 354 00:15:18,642 --> 00:15:21,353 in which when we are praying for 355 00:15:21,353 --> 00:15:24,069 growing in grace, 356 00:15:24,069 --> 00:15:27,998 we are praying that we should grow 357 00:15:27,998 --> 00:15:31,913 in evangelistic earnestness. 358 00:15:31,913 --> 00:15:35,098 Now, you know, when you first knew the Lord, 359 00:15:35,098 --> 00:15:37,439 you see it in the young convert - 360 00:15:37,439 --> 00:15:41,509 it's lovely to see - how bold he is. 361 00:15:41,509 --> 00:15:43,100 You tremble at times 362 00:15:43,100 --> 00:15:45,016 because he'll blurt out things 363 00:15:45,016 --> 00:15:49,577 that you might have said rather more sweetly. 364 00:15:49,577 --> 00:15:51,858 But he just sees the world's need 365 00:15:51,858 --> 00:15:54,493 and he sees Christ as a great Savior. 366 00:15:54,493 --> 00:15:56,611 And he speaks a word 367 00:15:56,611 --> 00:15:58,806 in and out of season. 368 00:15:58,806 --> 00:16:01,542 And the mature amongst us, we smile 369 00:16:01,542 --> 00:16:03,882 and we may sneer even, 370 00:16:03,882 --> 00:16:07,499 because much of it was immature. 371 00:16:07,499 --> 00:16:10,286 The witness was unwise and indiscreet 372 00:16:10,286 --> 00:16:12,451 and ineffectual. 373 00:16:12,451 --> 00:16:15,402 But that does not justify that fact 374 00:16:15,402 --> 00:16:20,053 that many Christians as they grow older, 375 00:16:20,053 --> 00:16:24,448 they grow more reticent and quieter 376 00:16:24,448 --> 00:16:27,360 and share their faith less and less. 377 00:16:27,368 --> 00:16:31,811 The vision of the world's lostness just disappears. 378 00:16:31,811 --> 00:16:36,426 And that's a maturity that our churches 379 00:16:36,426 --> 00:16:38,239 need to do without. 380 00:16:38,239 --> 00:16:39,671 It's expected sometimes - 381 00:16:39,671 --> 00:16:40,987 it's only the young people 382 00:16:40,987 --> 00:16:45,353 who go out on missions and work 383 00:16:45,353 --> 00:16:50,451 and go to Mexico for a week and so on. 384 00:16:50,451 --> 00:16:53,509 And they haven't the equipment; 385 00:16:53,509 --> 00:16:55,272 they haven't the wisdom. 386 00:16:55,272 --> 00:16:58,837 They're great helpers, but they're not great leaders. 387 00:16:58,837 --> 00:17:01,681 So, as we've been coming now, 388 00:17:01,681 --> 00:17:03,258 we've been Christians many years. 389 00:17:03,258 --> 00:17:05,139 How is it with you 390 00:17:05,139 --> 00:17:09,424 and your evangelistic concern? 391 00:17:09,424 --> 00:17:11,517 Are you prepared to get involved 392 00:17:11,517 --> 00:17:15,721 in every true evangelistic cause? 393 00:17:15,721 --> 00:17:17,336 Are you prepared to support it 394 00:17:17,336 --> 00:17:20,441 and pray and give and cooperate? 395 00:17:20,441 --> 00:17:23,056 I know there's a lot of misplaced evangelism. 396 00:17:23,056 --> 00:17:26,290 I can give statistics for evangelistic failure, 397 00:17:26,290 --> 00:17:28,034 and you know all that. 398 00:17:28,034 --> 00:17:30,844 And that won't help us at all. 399 00:17:30,844 --> 00:17:32,817 We must stand back 400 00:17:32,817 --> 00:17:35,701 from simply criticizing. 401 00:17:35,701 --> 00:17:40,093 And we have to be involved in every form 402 00:17:40,093 --> 00:17:42,468 of biblical evangelism. 403 00:17:42,468 --> 00:17:44,054 We have to do that. 404 00:17:44,054 --> 00:17:46,527 And it's a sad thing for any Christian 405 00:17:46,527 --> 00:17:49,815 if that vision is gone. 406 00:17:49,815 --> 00:17:52,579 So, I'm saying, those are the sorts of things 407 00:17:52,579 --> 00:17:58,674 we are praying for when we hear 408 00:17:58,674 --> 00:18:02,534 the exhortation - the last words of Peter - 409 00:18:02,534 --> 00:18:05,679 but grow in grace; 410 00:18:05,679 --> 00:18:07,984 grow in graciousness. 411 00:18:07,984 --> 00:18:10,591 And we're talking about making 412 00:18:10,591 --> 00:18:14,186 progress in being concerned for other people. 413 00:18:14,186 --> 00:18:18,518 And growing in our knowledge of the Bible 414 00:18:18,518 --> 00:18:20,273 and what the Bible teaches. 415 00:18:20,273 --> 00:18:22,670 And growing in conscientiousness. 416 00:18:22,670 --> 00:18:25,950 And growing in victory over besetting sins. 417 00:18:25,950 --> 00:18:30,746 And growing in evangelistic earnestness. 418 00:18:30,746 --> 00:18:36,220 And then, very briefly, as a postscript. 419 00:18:36,220 --> 00:18:39,753 How is this to be achieved? 420 00:18:39,753 --> 00:18:43,087 How are we as Christians going to grow? 421 00:18:43,087 --> 00:18:45,309 And the first answer is 422 00:18:45,309 --> 00:18:50,164 that it must be a priority in our lives. 423 00:18:50,164 --> 00:18:53,201 These are Peter's last words, aren't they? 424 00:18:53,201 --> 00:18:55,666 Think of the life he lived. 425 00:18:55,666 --> 00:18:57,350 He preached at Pentecost 426 00:18:57,350 --> 00:18:59,322 and 3,000 were converted. 427 00:18:59,322 --> 00:19:01,752 Do you think he would sort of float along 428 00:19:01,752 --> 00:19:04,639 in the glow of that for the rest of his life? 429 00:19:04,639 --> 00:19:06,677 But he doesn't. He's here and there, 430 00:19:06,677 --> 00:19:08,993 and he's going to Cornelius' household, 431 00:19:08,993 --> 00:19:12,907 and he's traveling and he's speaking everywhere. 432 00:19:12,907 --> 00:19:15,287 And his last words to people are: 433 00:19:15,287 --> 00:19:19,928 grow now; grow in the grace 434 00:19:19,928 --> 00:19:23,000 and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. 435 00:19:23,000 --> 00:19:24,915 That's the greatest thing in our lives. 436 00:19:24,915 --> 00:19:27,058 There's nothing more important for us. 437 00:19:27,058 --> 00:19:30,279 What's more important than this? 438 00:19:30,279 --> 00:19:32,588 In the midst of all the other engagements 439 00:19:32,588 --> 00:19:35,700 and preoccupations and concerns, 440 00:19:35,700 --> 00:19:38,606 a Christian's relationship with God 441 00:19:38,606 --> 00:19:41,827 controls his life. 442 00:19:41,827 --> 00:19:44,633 It's what his life is built around. 443 00:19:44,633 --> 00:19:47,830 And his greatest longing is to be more fit 444 00:19:47,830 --> 00:19:50,895 for the Master's use. 445 00:19:50,895 --> 00:19:53,604 This one thing I do - one thing, 446 00:19:53,604 --> 00:19:54,935 the apostle says, 447 00:19:54,935 --> 00:19:58,920 a single eye Jesus speaks about. 448 00:19:58,920 --> 00:20:01,131 I look at my own life and I wonder 449 00:20:01,131 --> 00:20:03,089 as the years have gone by, 450 00:20:03,089 --> 00:20:06,594 have I changed that scale of values 451 00:20:06,594 --> 00:20:09,579 and my sense of priorities? 452 00:20:09,579 --> 00:20:13,228 I know it's easy to react against 453 00:20:13,228 --> 00:20:16,047 extreme religionism. 454 00:20:16,047 --> 00:20:18,593 A person just talks about religion 455 00:20:18,593 --> 00:20:21,169 and isn't interested in anything else. 456 00:20:21,169 --> 00:20:22,780 That's unbiblical too, 457 00:20:22,780 --> 00:20:24,296 because in the Bible, 458 00:20:24,296 --> 00:20:28,576 they talk about all that's in God's creation. 459 00:20:28,576 --> 00:20:30,102 But there's a far greater peril 460 00:20:30,102 --> 00:20:32,245 than that sort of extreme. 461 00:20:32,245 --> 00:20:33,980 And that's a reduction 462 00:20:33,980 --> 00:20:36,767 of religious aspiration; 463 00:20:36,767 --> 00:20:39,648 of religious vision; 464 00:20:39,648 --> 00:20:44,213 of a relegation of my relationship to Christ 465 00:20:44,213 --> 00:20:47,852 to not be the first thing 466 00:20:47,852 --> 00:20:51,163 and the greatest thing in my life. 467 00:20:51,163 --> 00:20:53,653 And at times I think it's happened to me. 468 00:20:53,653 --> 00:20:57,864 And it's happened to other people. 469 00:20:57,864 --> 00:21:02,755 That things that should be primary 470 00:21:02,755 --> 00:21:08,111 have become secondary in my priorities. 471 00:21:08,111 --> 00:21:12,964 And I think as I look at my old church, 472 00:21:12,964 --> 00:21:15,587 and at evangelicalism as I meet it, 473 00:21:15,587 --> 00:21:19,504 I see slackness and sloppiness 474 00:21:19,504 --> 00:21:23,957 coming into so many areas of church life. 475 00:21:23,957 --> 00:21:28,847 For to me, to live is Christ. 476 00:21:28,847 --> 00:21:31,899 That's what he says, isn't it? 477 00:21:31,899 --> 00:21:35,102 If our chief end in life is not that, 478 00:21:35,102 --> 00:21:38,722 we are facing the most appalling 479 00:21:38,722 --> 00:21:41,739 and unhappy futures. 480 00:21:41,739 --> 00:21:43,924 And then secondly, 481 00:21:43,924 --> 00:21:45,331 it must be a priority - 482 00:21:45,331 --> 00:21:48,280 secondly, our religious lives 483 00:21:48,280 --> 00:21:51,503 are not going to take care of themselves. 484 00:21:51,503 --> 00:21:54,515 We can't simply expect our soul 485 00:21:54,515 --> 00:21:57,087 to nourish and fend for itself; 486 00:21:57,087 --> 00:21:58,593 to provide for itself. 487 00:21:58,593 --> 00:21:59,718 You have to see for it. 488 00:21:59,718 --> 00:22:03,410 I have all the weight of an apostle's command 489 00:22:03,410 --> 00:22:09,111 to say you have to grow. 490 00:22:09,111 --> 00:22:11,226 You have to make sure you are growing, 491 00:22:11,226 --> 00:22:13,407 and that applies to every form of life. 492 00:22:13,407 --> 00:22:15,242 We're concerned for our plants. 493 00:22:15,242 --> 00:22:17,041 We give our key to our neighbor 494 00:22:17,041 --> 00:22:19,208 and we say I'm going to Florida now 495 00:22:19,208 --> 00:22:21,793 for two weeks, can you feed the plants? 496 00:22:21,793 --> 00:22:23,748 When I'm away, we're concerned 497 00:22:23,748 --> 00:22:29,649 about the bushes and the flowers. 498 00:22:29,649 --> 00:22:31,608 We're concerned about our animals - 499 00:22:31,608 --> 00:22:34,643 how they'll be fed. 500 00:22:34,643 --> 00:22:36,969 And our minds 501 00:22:36,969 --> 00:22:38,738 and our intellects - 502 00:22:38,738 --> 00:22:43,381 what stuff we are feeding our minds with. 503 00:22:43,381 --> 00:22:46,350 They won't look after themselves. 504 00:22:46,350 --> 00:22:48,317 And so our souls - 505 00:22:48,317 --> 00:22:49,944 our souls won't look after themselves. 506 00:22:49,944 --> 00:22:53,165 We have to feed our souls, 507 00:22:53,165 --> 00:22:59,518 as a program of provision for them. 508 00:22:59,518 --> 00:23:01,472 Peter speaks in the 17th verse 509 00:23:01,472 --> 00:23:02,477 about being led away 510 00:23:02,477 --> 00:23:03,985 with the error of the wicked, 511 00:23:03,985 --> 00:23:06,266 and we all know people who've been led away 512 00:23:06,266 --> 00:23:08,029 because they didn't look after 513 00:23:08,029 --> 00:23:14,228 their own souls. 514 00:23:14,228 --> 00:23:15,578 There are people - 515 00:23:15,578 --> 00:23:17,999 and Paul tells Timothy about them - 516 00:23:17,999 --> 00:23:24,780 they have a form of godliness. 517 00:23:24,780 --> 00:23:29,132 And they go to church and so on. 518 00:23:29,132 --> 00:23:32,116 But it's just a form. 519 00:23:32,116 --> 00:23:34,487 It's formalistic. 520 00:23:34,487 --> 00:23:35,524 That's it. 521 00:23:35,524 --> 00:23:38,174 There's nothing under it. 522 00:23:38,174 --> 00:23:41,482 Nothing beneath it at all. 523 00:23:41,482 --> 00:23:47,319 So, let's be so careful about this. 524 00:23:47,319 --> 00:23:49,178 You know, not to prove 525 00:23:49,178 --> 00:23:51,738 I'm not a Puritan. 526 00:23:51,738 --> 00:23:53,551 Not to prove to people 527 00:23:53,551 --> 00:23:55,606 that I'm not narrow-minded; 528 00:23:55,606 --> 00:23:57,338 that I believe in Christian liberty 529 00:23:57,338 --> 00:24:00,334 and the freedom of conscience. 530 00:24:00,334 --> 00:24:03,186 To show people I know about politics 531 00:24:03,186 --> 00:24:05,829 and I can speak about all these things. 532 00:24:05,829 --> 00:24:08,090 I wonder if some of the energy 533 00:24:08,090 --> 00:24:10,994 that we pour into that, 534 00:24:10,994 --> 00:24:12,988 can be poured into 535 00:24:12,988 --> 00:24:17,434 my relationship with Jesus Christ. 536 00:24:17,434 --> 00:24:20,034 And that I'm growing. 537 00:24:20,034 --> 00:24:22,346 I'm growing in the knowledge of Him. 538 00:24:22,346 --> 00:24:23,646 My Savior. 539 00:24:23,646 --> 00:24:25,914 And that I'm feeding my soul. 540 00:24:25,914 --> 00:24:27,725 So, how do we do this? 541 00:24:27,725 --> 00:24:31,759 Well, it must be a priority in our lives. 542 00:24:31,759 --> 00:24:33,750 And then, we must be aware 543 00:24:33,750 --> 00:24:35,924 that we've got a duty to feed our souls; 544 00:24:35,924 --> 00:24:38,336 that they won't look after themselves. 545 00:24:38,336 --> 00:24:44,253 And then Peter tells us in this 14th verse: 546 00:24:44,253 --> 00:24:45,891 "To make every effort 547 00:24:45,891 --> 00:24:47,849 to be diligent..." he says. 548 00:24:47,849 --> 00:24:51,142 Be diligent. 549 00:24:51,142 --> 00:24:53,414 And in what direction? 550 00:24:53,414 --> 00:24:55,813 Well, you've got to seek food for your souls. 551 00:24:55,813 --> 00:24:58,106 You've got to get away to a conference. 552 00:24:58,106 --> 00:25:01,442 Travel a long distance to be here. 553 00:25:01,442 --> 00:25:03,276 Drive 15 hours. 554 00:25:03,276 --> 00:25:04,666 Drive through the night. 555 00:25:04,666 --> 00:25:08,388 Drive just to be here. 556 00:25:08,388 --> 00:25:11,412 And search for things that can nourish you 557 00:25:11,412 --> 00:25:13,070 and build up your knowledge 558 00:25:13,070 --> 00:25:16,797 and your graciousness; 559 00:25:16,797 --> 00:25:19,792 that you don't want to be unfruitful 560 00:25:19,792 --> 00:25:21,624 and static, 561 00:25:21,624 --> 00:25:23,576 but there's a dynamism, 562 00:25:23,576 --> 00:25:26,124 and a maturing, 563 00:25:26,124 --> 00:25:28,791 and a beauty, and a fragrance, 564 00:25:28,791 --> 00:25:31,908 and a loveliness about your life. 565 00:25:31,908 --> 00:25:34,485 You're seeking for truths that will do that. 566 00:25:34,485 --> 00:25:36,624 That will produce love, 567 00:25:36,624 --> 00:25:38,315 and joy, and peace, 568 00:25:38,315 --> 00:25:40,657 and longsuffering, and gentleness, 569 00:25:40,657 --> 00:25:42,444 and goodness, and faithfulness, 570 00:25:42,444 --> 00:25:45,039 and meekness, and self-control. 571 00:25:45,039 --> 00:25:47,567 You've got to fall in love with the Bible. 572 00:25:47,567 --> 00:25:48,916 You've got to search it. 573 00:25:48,916 --> 00:25:50,165 You've got to ransack it. 574 00:25:50,165 --> 00:25:53,337 You've got to sit under the best ministry you can 575 00:25:53,337 --> 00:25:54,567 on a Sunday. 576 00:25:54,567 --> 00:25:56,434 You've got to read the best books. 577 00:25:56,434 --> 00:25:58,213 You've got to sit and listen 578 00:25:58,213 --> 00:26:01,011 to older Christians as they talk together 579 00:26:01,011 --> 00:26:02,609 and they reminisce about how God 580 00:26:02,609 --> 00:26:04,969 has dealt with them over the years, 581 00:26:04,969 --> 00:26:06,694 and learn from them 582 00:26:06,694 --> 00:26:08,114 the mysterious influence 583 00:26:08,114 --> 00:26:10,369 that one Christian can have over another. 584 00:26:10,369 --> 00:26:12,654 You seek good fellowship 585 00:26:12,654 --> 00:26:14,411 with other Christians. 586 00:26:14,411 --> 00:26:16,290 And you hunger for truth - 587 00:26:16,290 --> 00:26:18,464 you want the Word of God to come 588 00:26:18,464 --> 00:26:19,430 not in word only, 589 00:26:19,430 --> 00:26:21,927 but power and the Holy Spirit 590 00:26:21,927 --> 00:26:24,209 and much assurance. 591 00:26:24,209 --> 00:26:25,416 Fall with love. 592 00:26:25,416 --> 00:26:27,823 Meditating upon Scripture. 593 00:26:27,823 --> 00:26:29,698 Praying Scripture. 594 00:26:29,698 --> 00:26:31,621 So, you read a verse like this: 595 00:26:31,621 --> 00:26:33,736 "But grow in the grace and knowledge 596 00:26:33,736 --> 00:26:35,009 of our Lord and Savior..." 597 00:26:35,009 --> 00:26:37,286 And you say, "Lord, me too. 598 00:26:37,286 --> 00:26:38,677 I want to grow. 599 00:26:38,677 --> 00:26:40,440 I want to grow. 600 00:26:40,440 --> 00:26:42,661 This week, I've got a special time here; 601 00:26:42,661 --> 00:26:44,488 special privileges. 602 00:26:44,488 --> 00:26:46,433 Help me to grow 603 00:26:46,433 --> 00:26:49,372 in the grace and knowledge of my Savior 604 00:26:49,372 --> 00:26:51,602 Jesus Christ." 605 00:26:51,602 --> 00:26:55,825 Because your souls won't grow without food. 606 00:26:55,825 --> 00:26:59,541 And there's no food for the soul 607 00:26:59,541 --> 00:27:01,412 like the Word of God. 608 00:27:01,412 --> 00:27:03,549 There's no place to be better 609 00:27:03,549 --> 00:27:08,742 than before the face of Jesus Christ. 610 00:27:08,742 --> 00:27:16,078 You need that. 611 00:27:16,078 --> 00:27:17,853 Let's pray together. 612 00:27:17,853 --> 00:27:19,144 Heavenly Father, 613 00:27:19,144 --> 00:27:23,900 we've heard these searching exhortations, 614 00:27:23,900 --> 00:27:27,164 and so now we just roll them out before Thee, 615 00:27:27,164 --> 00:27:30,914 and oh, we wish we were much stronger, 616 00:27:30,914 --> 00:27:34,399 and maturer, and wiser, and more loving, 617 00:27:34,399 --> 00:27:37,342 and more patient, and gentle, 618 00:27:37,342 --> 00:27:38,929 and longsuffering. 619 00:27:38,929 --> 00:27:43,040 Oh, we wish there was more purity 620 00:27:43,040 --> 00:27:46,628 and love for what is good and holy. 621 00:27:46,628 --> 00:27:49,497 Oh Lord, give us a nudge. 622 00:27:49,497 --> 00:27:51,467 Give us a little push - 623 00:27:51,467 --> 00:27:53,991 a big push as we go. 624 00:27:53,991 --> 00:27:55,690 Speak to us. 625 00:27:55,690 --> 00:27:56,507 Humble us. 626 00:27:56,507 --> 00:28:00,230 Encourage us in the Christian life this week. 627 00:28:00,230 --> 00:28:04,235 That as a result of being in the conference, 628 00:28:04,235 --> 00:28:07,082 we'll grow in the grace 629 00:28:07,082 --> 00:28:10,307 and knowledge of our Savior Jesus Christ 630 00:28:10,307 --> 00:28:13,001 to whom be glory forever and ever, 631 00:28:13,001 --> 00:28:14,817 Amen.