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Hope which is laid up for you in heaven. For have you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel We just come unto you as it is in all the world, and bringeth forth fruit, as it does also in you, since the day he heard of it, and knew the grace of God and truth.
As he also learned of Epipress, our dear fellow servant, who is free with faithful minister of Christ, who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit for this 'cause We also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to deserve that you might be filled with the knowledge of his will, and all wisdom and spiritual understanding, that you might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work.
And increasing in the knowledge of God, strengthened with Almighty according to His glorious power, and all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness.
Giving thanks unto the Father which made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light.
Who had delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the Kingdom of his dear Son.
In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins.
Who are the image of the invisible God, the first born of every creature? For by him are all things created that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrown their dominions, or principalities, or power. All things are created by him and for him. And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. He is ahead of the body of the church, Who is the beginning.
The first born from the dead, that in all things he might have the preeminence.
For it please the Father, that in him should all fullness dwell, and having made peace with the blood of his cross.
By him to reconcile all things unto himself, by him I stay, whether they be things on earth or things in heaven. I knew there was some time alienated in enemies in your mind by what had worked. Yet now had they reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreprobable in his life. If you continue in the faith, grounded and settled, be not moved away from the hope of the gospel which he had heard.
And which is every creature which is under heaven for of I fall and made a minister.
Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh.
For his body's sake, which is the Church whereof I made a minister according to the dispensation of God.
Which is given to me for you to fulfill the word of God, even the mystery which has been hid from ages and from generations.
What has now made manifest to his Saints, to whom God would make known? What is the riches of the glory of this mystery?
Among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Who may preach warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom.
That we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus, for unto I also labor.
Thriving, according to his working, which worketh in me mightily. Bear in mind the analogy that we had in the meeting this morning. We can see that what was before the children of Israel was the hope of possessing Canaan, But the hope is laid up for us in heaven, and then to it, says the which has come unto you, as it is also in all the world, that possession was given to them exclusively, and that is, they were to have it, and to enjoy it as a nation under God's special favor.
But now this blessed news of the gospel.
Is proclaimed every creature under heaven, and the blessing extends beyond the limits of Israel, and it's a heavenly blessing that is brought before us. But to me it's very blessed the way the analogy is taken out. And then it's applied to that which we have in Christianity, which is a different sphere of blessing from that which was given to Israel and much more blessed. And just as Israel were to look forward in anticipation for the enjoyment of that land that God had given to them.
So here we're to be in the enjoyment of that portion which awaits us. We're not yet there, but the hope is laid up for us in heaven. We're most early going to be there, and the the pledge and promise of it has already been given.
Perhaps I could also say, in connection with the comparison we were making this morning, that in Ephesians the thought is what the Church is to Christ, and in Colossians what Christ is the Church.
00:05:09
And so you can see that in Ephesians we have the mention of the Spirit of God.
And we have also the Christ head over all things to the Church which is His body.
Whereas in Colossians its head of the body, the Church saw that.
But think of what the Church is to Christ. Then It's all that the Church means to him what he did, how he gave himself his affection and love. His full provision for the Church is brought before us and specially emphasized, and the work of the Spirit of God is to make that good in our souls. So we find mention of the Spirit of God in the Epistle to the Ephesians, sealed with the Spirit and the earnest of our inheritance.
So on in Ephesians. But in Colossians, where it's the person of Christ who is brought before us. By then the Spirit, so to speak, is heaven, just mentioned once. That is love in the Spirit because the Spirit doesn't speak of himself but of Christ. And seeing it's not what the Church is to Christ, but rather what Christ is to the Church, then the Spirit, so to speak, hides himself in exalting and honoring Christ to make it very simple, so we all get the thought.
I like to think of it this way. It's though. A man speaks of what his wife means to him, what he would be willing to do for her because he loves her so much and how he just loves to be in her company and so on. And his joy is to make her happy. Then she turns around and starts to talk about what her husband means to her.
Now if you see that in the in Ephesians, that's his love and what he does for his church. So we have the gifts, all the provision that he has made for the church for their blessing because he loves the church. But in Colossians the Spirit of God turns our minds to the loveliness of Christ Himself and the glory of His person. While I just mentioned this because we can see how the themes are developed here only, as I say, it's a contrast between what?
The Old Testament is the Lord loved His earthly people, Israel, and sought their blessing. But it was important for them to recognize the Lord as the one who was the head. And whenever they turned strange gods, and wherever they departed from Him, it was to their loss they ought to have been honoring him. But His love on his side was an unchanging love that ever went out to his own and sought their blessing to hear the Gospel produced.
Fruit says in verse 6 This gospel had come unto them.
As it had gone out into all the world, as mentioned, now it's a world wide testimony, not confined of Israel, but it brings forth fruit that it does also in you. And today you heard of it. Well, you know the sometimes the gospel I trusted wouldn't be so presented among us.
But the gospel sometimes is presented as sort of a like a business transaction. That is that I'm a Sinner on my way to hell and God agrees to take me to heaven. Well, I I will agree to his terms of receiving Jesus Christ as my Savior. And once that is been that transaction has been carried out by then that's all settled and I can put my salvation, as it were, in the in the.
Wrong. Bob know that it's all secure, but actually the gospel produces fruit.
That is, it brings results, so that a soul has faith and they have loved the Saints and they have a hope. Now none of these things are found, and the man in his sin, those who have not the subjects of the race of God, do not have these things. That is faith and love. That is love to sink. They might have human love, they might have a human affection, even that we know is distorted.
But here this is something that is the results of believing. Now I'm not saying that to take away from any assurance. We know of course that that we it is a great thing and everyone of us who have been saved have been have rejoiced in knowing that when we receive the Lord Jesus as our Savior that we were secure in going to heaven. But I believe that we need to see as it as we have it here that.
There is actual fruit produced in the individual where there's a real work of God. Something is there that was not there before and this is what rejoices the the apostles heart is when he heard of the the fruit of that was the result of their believing the gospel. This is what we really look for. And you you expect to see the fruits when one professes to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.
00:10:28
What will be the outcome of assembly? Doesn't have the gospel preached be no fruit?
Gospel. Gospel. Meaning. I've seen a few like that. Perhaps you have to.
That's sad commentary to me of the state of the Assembly, where there's no gospel.
Praise God for the gospel, I heard. I'm glad for the gospel my children have a chance to hear. But where they don't have it, where it is going to come from.
Use the term president.
Play.
The obligation.
Oh.
Now, unbelievably.
There's fruit spreading others around, so you might say. The truth thereby spreads. So if there is no food in our lives, my brother point that was made by our brother is that we might believe and when we do, we're safe below eternity. But how sad it would be if we put it in that strong box and share it with others. So the food is the truth goes out then each one believes.
And that is the individuals responsibility. Let me emphasize that beloved Frederick, that every believers responsibility. And let me add that is not so much the responsibility of the assembly.
The gospel is preached in the world.
Where the Lord has put you and me at school or at work, and, like Paul says to Timothy, do the work of an evangelist.
And we can, in our own small measure, be responsible each and everyone for the gospel. Now we're not against preaching the gospel in the assembly, but let's get it clear brethren, and the writings of the early brethren clearly stay that the evangelist's responsibility is outside the assembly in the world. And you and I, each one, even if we do not have the gift of an evangelist.
Can have a part in this wonderful world of spreading the gospel. We might not be able to do much talking, but we certainly can give it track to somebody and speak a word, seek to, in our own feeble way, speak a word for the Lord Jesus and pass on that joy that we possess in knowing the Lord Jesus, knowing our sins forgiven. It doesn't have to be a big sermon, it's every individual's responsibility.
I was thinking of the last part of verse 6 and I have enjoyed the thoughts in The Grace of God in connection with Hebrew Chapter 7.
And.
Hebrew Chapter 7. I have a verse, verse 19 is very blessed indeed in connection with the fruit of the gospel, the grace of God. This is here for the law made nothing perfect but to bring an end of a better thing, better hope did by the which we draw nigh unto God. And because of what the Lord Jesus, that precious Savior accomplices as a cross of Calvary all over a glory that voice of the Lord Jesus brought to the heart of the Father.
Then we have that the grace of God is the thing that wakes in us, and we bring fruit for the glory of God.
But it's very pleasant to know that first days for the law made nothing perfect but the bringing in of a better hope did. And this is Christ, isn't it? And but he has committed where he had down there at the cross that has got blessed and blessed and untold, that to you and to me because of the grace of God, as it was manifested him by the work that the Lord Jesus, that precious Savior, accomplished that of the cross of country as the gospel, isn't it?
00:15:00
There is also the fruit that is spoken of in Galatians chapter six that ought to be seen in our lives. We should perhaps notice that Galatians chapter 6 and verse 22. But the fruit of the Spirit is Lovejoy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance. Against such there is no law of the turnover to Philippians chapter 2.
We see the two fold side of things, Philippians chapter 2 and verse 15, that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.
Holding forth the word of life, that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain. So there were actually two sides. There was the fruit produced in the lives of believers, the fruit of the Spirit. And then there is holding forth the word of life. The word consecration means both hands full, and when Gideon's army went out against the Midianites in one hand they had.
A lamb in a pitcher and a lamp in the pitcher, and the other one they had a trumpet and brought them. It's so important that those two things are consistent in our lives with the Lord Jesus, who was the perfect example of everything by, it says in Acts, chapter one of all that Jesus began both to do and to teach. So there is the testimony that we live blameless and harmless, that precious fruit of the Spirit.
And that which others can see that we are Christ like in our walk and ways, business dealings and everything else. And then on the other hand that we speak a testimony. And while it's not an assembly responsibility, it is an assembly, shall I say an assembly desire. And we read of that in first Thessalonians chapter one where he speaks of it. There he says from you sounded out the word of the Lord.
And then he also says in Philippians, for your fellowship in the Gospel from the first day until now. And I I fully agree that it's an individual responsibility to spread the word. But to me it's a great joy when the assembly as such becomes interested and desires that from them the gospel would sound out, may not be possible in every place on a, shall I say on a assembly, I mean the to be held in the assembly meeting room. It may not be possible.
But where it is possible, I think it's a very blessed privilege that there should be the announcement given forth to the world of the glad sightings. And I was just commenting to somebody. And I think that it's true that when people are saved in association with the truth by they don't have a lot of things to unlearn. Ones that are saved in association with the truth are immediately, so to speak, brought to the end, cared for, acquainted with the truth.
Not only is to salvation, but as to gathering and they grow. But when we neglect our responsibility.
Then people are often saved in places where they spend perhaps a year or two and have many things to unlearn. And brethren, it's easier to learn than unlearn. It's hard for any of us to unlearn things that we have learned in the wrong way. And I do believe that as assemblies we should have an assembly interest, even though it's an individual work. I just mentioned that side of things because I believe that it's very important that we should be concerned as an assembly about the gospel.
And desire and encourage the spread of it, whether individually or collectively.
Where there are no children in a home.
There is the joy that there is in a home where there are children. I find that where there are so saved.
In connection with the assembly agreement and testimony, that's a happy assembly. They have paved in price to nurture and to encourage the strength of things of the Lord, and there's less chance for friction.
Because they have an object.
In terms of those things in Christ.
Is it correct to see, when we look at First Corinthians 14, say that God going forth of the gospel is supposed there as coming out from the assembly?
00:20:09
Because that chapter we read the.
14.
Verse 23 might start if therefore the whole assembly be come together in one place and all speak with tongues when they're coming, those that are unlearned or unbelievers. And here you have an unbeliever, one that needs the gospel.
Will they not say that you're mad? But it's all prophesied, and there come one in that believes not one unlearned. He's convinced of all, He's judged of all. Thus are the secrets of his heart may manifest.
So falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is in you of a truth.
Is this a man that got safe in the in the assembly because the gospel went forth there in the prophet signing which is really telling forth the truth of God error there behind the Bible and printed word. It was telling forth the mind of God which is in the gospel in case.
It's a function of the assembly to my understanding, function. Am I correct?
Well, the assembly doesn't appoint gospel preachers or say where this person is to serve the Lord, but it ought to be in fellowship, we find, even when Paul and Barnabas went out and they had the fellowship of their brethren and what they were doing. And there have been many gospel testimonies carried on here and there, perhaps in nursing homes, perhaps in public places, St. corners, sometimes in a rented hall. But it's nice when it's done in fellowship with the assembly.
But I think it's also nice if it's at all possible that there should be some kind of a testimony associated with the gathering itself. But the assembly doesn't appoint gospel preachers. They may recognize a gift that is among them, and in that way have fellowship with what God has given, what the ascended Christ has given. So it's a matter of fellowship, I believe, is the important thing in connection with the gospel.
Brother Smith has told us that in Bolivia people were staying at prayer meetings and at meetings which were strictly for the same. And I'm open for corrections, but I understood 1St Corinthians 14 to refer to an assembly meeting for the Saints, which can also by the spirit of God be used to convict the unbeliever.
I believe we might have too much the idea that only so-called gospel preaching can be used by the Spirit of God to bring in the unbeliever and to convert and save the unbeliever. The spirit of God is sovereign. I know myself of cases where people were saved at the breaking of bread, so I believe Belava, this is what we many times do not.
Count on we think that the Spirit of God has to work the way we think he should work.
Can only use a gospel preaching? No, he can use an assembly meeting, that is for the edification of the Saint to convict the Sinner and bring him to Christ.
Speaking of myself, I won't hesitate to call professor and Christian, invite him to attend the the members of the Lord, because I know that God can wait in his conscience and his soul, even when we remember the Lord Jesus below the people of God isn't his Son.
That's not the normal thing, but he can do that. I've often said there's a great similarity between the remembrance of the Lord and the Gospel meeting. And in the remembrance of the Lord we are speaking, shall I say, we're presenting to God, Christ and His work as our worship, and in the Gospel meeting we're presenting to the Sinner Christ and His work for their blessing and soul. It's certainly so that they can be saved at the break of bread, because exactly the same theme.
That we have before us only its worship. As we gather to remember the Lord, the thought of what Christ has done for us calls forth that worship and praise for our hearts. And in that worship, that's really what worship is. It's presenting Christ to God and all the loveliness of His person at work. That's exactly what we do in the Gospel meeting, only there we present it to the center.
00:25:07
Speaking from experience at home.
If a Sinner comes in an unbeliever, which doesn't happen too often in our little meetings, you know if one comes in.
The effort, I believe that's by the Spirit of God too is that there is a reading leading gospel presented because the strangers come in, their need is felt that he should not go out of that door again without having been clearly shown by the Savior of sinners, so that.
Fear of God turns the meeting off into more or less of a gospel meeting.
Apart from a certain gift of a gospel preacher in that.
Day.
We have practiced that in our meeting. If we know that we have a stranger on the Lord's their money, when we remember the Lord Jesus after the meeting, her brother can get up and not only speak to edify the Saints, but also bring your weight on the gospel for the stranger. We have practiced that in our assembly.
We have the first thing that says unto the grace of God and truth. Is there any other way of the grace of God except the truth?
While we read in one place of them turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, now that is there is quite a possibility of saying, well, we're not under law, and using that as a license to become quite careless in our lives. When we learn the grace of God in truth, then it goes on to say, being filled with the knowledge of His will, and walking worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing. If we think that the grace of God means that that gives us liberty to do our own will, because.
Were not under law, but then were not learning the grace of God. In truth we find also in Titus it says the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world. Grace is not an overlooking of sin. Grace is how God took up the question of sin, settled it for his own glory.
So that we might be blessed although we deserve nothing but judgment. And so we need, I believe, to learn the grace of God in truth.
We need to see that the grace of God is not carelessness about sin. It is knowing what sin is before God, seeing it judged. Because we have learned the seriousness of sin, now there is a desire to walk onto the Lord in all pleasing.
There's an example in Romans 3. Read the verses in Romans 3 verse 7 of what you were just Speaking of, turning the grace of God into lasciviousness.
37 For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory, why yet am I also judged as a Sinner, and not rather, why not? Rather, as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say, let us do evil, that good may come? And then Paul's comment upon those who so reason is, whose damnation is just, that is, there are those that would use the grace of God.
As exalting God and saving us by grace. And so the more we sin, the more it magnifies His grace.
They don't know the grace of God in truth. They say in principle let us do evil, that good may come. And the apostle says, those who so speak, whose damnation is just so there are those that turn the grace of God into an excuse for sin, and this is not to know it in truth, as we have before us in Colossians 1.
The apostle prays for them and.
That his prayer.
For them is not.
In the way of some correction.
And I thought I've read this portion before.
This might be something to remind us that that even though those who are seeking to go on and seemingly are going on with the Lord are in need of prayer, that is, that they might increase and go on. He's not writing to an assembly here that's in a bad state, like Corn is not writing to those who are on the fringe, so to speak, but there are those in whom the fruits of the gospel have been manifested.
00:30:21
And there was a real love, love in the Spirit, and yet he prays for them, and his desire is that they that they might.
Be filled with the knowledge of His will, and that they might walk worthy of the Lord, and increasing or growing in or by the knowledge of God, so that the thought is that they that they should go on, we find that the.
That God thought for his people is more than just that. They are saved and and secure and they know that they're going on to heaven, but there's there's something there for them to enter into. That's really the the thought, I believe, of Colossians, as we've already brought out. It's the analogy of the children of Israel crossing the Jordan. Now there's lands possessed, there's something there to enter into, and he prayed that they might do that.
This would be our exercise. If we really love the Saints, we really have love for one another. What we would desire is that each one would be, as Paul prays for them here, that there might be a a group in the understanding of the mind of God and the will of God, and an exercise to walk pleasing to the Lord, And that in other words, that they might go on.
And increase, not just stand still, as it were, which we really can't do. We either. If we seek to just stand still, we'll find ourselves going backwards.
I was noticing in verse six connection with what you were just saying in the new translation it reads and bringeth forth fruit and groweth or and growing that is that's the thought you were bringing out, isn't it that it's it's growing in these things, it's maturing and going on into full growth.
Doctor Doctor has verse 72.
Verse three and four verse 2 where?
Great.
First, Timothy chapter 2, verse three or This is good and acceptable on the sight of God our Savior.
We'll have all men to be saved at just a good beginning, all meant to be saved and to come.
And to the knowledge of the truth.
Honest spirit uses the gospel to.
Make better sin and then.
Have positioned expectation of the gospel and come to know the truth.
And we're told to buy the truth and sell it off. And we're told people.
Sunsets Free is free indeed.
And the new translation that mentions in this tenth verse it says.
Rather it's in the ninth verse, I should say to the end. She might be filled with the full knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, so as to walk writhedly of the Lord unto all well pleasing, bearing fruit in every good work, and growing. Her brother mentioned by the true knowledge of God how often when souls are saved by immediately they think they should do something for the Lord, and without turning to the Word.
They're actually cast upon their own thoughts, even told to go to the Church of their choice.
Then they often get in some place where they never get the true knowledge of God or of his truth.
And they set to work and are doing things without following the instructions of God's word. And I believe this is a very important thing. We don't grow without the true knowledge of God. We grow by the true knowledge of God. And God's desire for his own is that there should be full growth. He doesn't want us just to stop at knowing we are saved. He desires with every one of us that we would, as Ephesians force as that we may grow up.
Unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of trace.
And I believe this is so blessed because many, many souls start out in real earnest desire, desire that puts us to shame in their devotedness to the Lord. But it's not in the full knowledge of His will. It's not in that direction that they would get if they would only turn to the word, or if they would seek a scriptural way of gathering and then their service would become an intelligent service, then their service would be. And that's what one was mentioning about.
00:35:29
Sincere or the mental milk of the bird. How lovely it is to see a young believer. He found in the word of God the way of salvation. He rests upon some verse in scripture to say, I know I'm saved. And then instead of going on from that point he thinks he has to follow some circular or something that he's read as to how he's to serve the Lord. How lovely it is when you see those same ones who learn the way of salvation from God's word, start searching now. How does God want us to gather?
What is his pattern for service? How does he desire me to walk as a Christian? And when we get that from the Word, then we grow by the true knowledge of God. And this was the desire of the apostle for these Colossians, and he is showing them how that they are complete. In Him we haven't got incomplete directions. We've got complete directions, and we have power necessary to walk in them. Well, may the Lord grant that each one of us might search the Word more and desire to walk.
Well pleasing to the Lord in all things.
And it's important to realize that God has given us the 66 books of the Bible in order that we might have the true knowledge of God. You know, it's it's remarkable when you think about it, that when we have so much.
In the word, and actually, as far as telling us how we could go to heaven, why we wouldn't need all of the 66 books of the Bible.
That God could have put that in a very brief format, but in order to make Himself known not only as salvation, but in all of his ways, his thoughts, purposes, counsel, his manners, so that the people of God would be truly acquainted with him. Sometimes we I've had persons ask me, do I do you know, brother, so and so.
Well, I have to say in one sense, yes I do. I've met him, but I don't really know much about his ways or his thoughts, manners and. But it's only when you get really acquainted with that person. True knowledge of that person comes when you learn something of his thoughts, his ways and his manners. And I believe all of the word of God is calculated to furnish us with that, every bit of it. And if we read it, just as.
History.
Our nice little Bible stories to learn why we're going to miss that. I believe from Genesis all the way through Revelation, in some way God is conveying to us something of himself so that we would have the the true knowledge of God and this is really the way we grow. You know the knowledge of God is not native to man in the flesh. It's just it's just not there. And it it is only as we learn through the Word that we.
We can increase in that the true knowledge of God, and that's real growth, I believe is.
So that I would encourage young believers to read all the word of God. I can remember there was a time when I was tempted to Passover certain portions of the word in the Old Testament, genealogies and things like that, and it struck me one day that, well, it's all the word of God. And I certainly had to confess that I have read some of those portions in the Old Testament many times.
And even today, if you were to ask me what does that mean, I might have to say, well, I really haven't.
Got much out of that yet, But I'm going to continue reading the Lord willing to, because I find that there is something to learn of God in all of the books of the Bible and everything. And I would encourage one to read all the way through consecutively through the word of God so that we, we, we become familiar with the God in his ways.
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word of God with all readiness of mind, and 3rd the Scripture daily. Whether those things were so, I think that we have a volume in this very precious world.
00:40:16
Action with what you were saying about the genealogies, I I guess I'm the same as you that sometimes it's hard to read all those names. But one time I thought there must be a purpose in it. I'm going to read this particular chapter which came up and not just try and pronounce the name so much as see what the purpose that God has in it. And I learned something very special in that chapter. I don't remember just which chapter it was. Now I believe it was in Chronicles and that was the David named one of his sons Nathan.
And as far as I could see, it was the one who was born.
Shortly after Nathan had come and rebuked him. Well, you know, I thought that was a wonderful thing.
I thought if somebody came to talk to me like Nathan talked to David, that I wouldn't be very excited to call one of my sons after him, probably want to forget the incident. But I thought that it was very nice that David had the grace to have so learned from what that faithful man of God said to him that he actually called one of his sons Nathan. So there is something to learn. Even in the genealogies we can see the grace of God working and little points like that were we see things where that grace was displayed in the lives of God's people.
Wouldn't you say? That would be perhaps one of the reasons why we said of David that he was a man after his own heart. In other words, we see there that that's a feature. That was a feature in David that you might say endeared him to God, made him a man after God's heart. So in that we learned what what the Lord appreciates, He appreciates one who can receive a review and adjust his ways. Because David did, didn't he? Right away. He he justified God. He didn't make any excuses.
When said thou art the man, he humbled himself. Well, we can learn through that what it is that is pleasing to the Lord, and it is pleasing to the Lord. We all make mistakes. And in connection with that, just recently, as I've been reading through the book of Second Samuel, I was impressed as never before, the many mistakes that David made in his life, how many mistakes, and how often he had to say that that what he did was wrong.
But he was a man who justified God, and he he turned to God, and he humbled himself, and he adjusted matters. He didn't just try to cover them up and go on as if nothing happened. And he recognized that there were certain things that came up in his life, that it was the hand of God righteously. So Shem I cursed him, and he said, well, let him curse, because he recognized the hand of God in government. And so in these ways we see what's pleasing to the Lord.
And we can, we can use that as instruction for us to remind both well pleasing to the Lord.
Another thing that I like to suggest that it is well, when we reach somebody'd name in the Old Testament to get into the meaning of the names you know. Now let me give you one for one instance for insert in the 3030 chapter of Genesis. Now as to the meaning of name in the Old Testament, they have a meaning, don't they? Here we have and verse 27 with a 3030 second chapter of a Genesis that.
He said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, thy name shall be called no more Jacob but Israel for his Prince, that thou hast probably begun, and with men, and has prevailed. Here we have the meaning of the name, don't we? And so it is true. I don't be the Old Testament. I have find out that there is a very significant meaning as to the name of these people.
I don't want to disagree with anything that's been said, and I trust what I say now will not be construed that way. I fully agree with what's been said, but I do believe that the force of verses 9 and 10 is the entering in. Let's read them again.
For this 'cause we also since the day we heard it. What is it? I believe it's referred to verse 4.
Since the since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have to all the Saints, in fact Mr. Darby renders it from the day we heard of your faith and love do not cease to pray for you. Here's the burden of the of the apostles prayer, and to desire that she might be filled with the full knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding that she might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing.
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Being fruitful in every good work and increasing by the true knowledge of God and then our brother read earlier.
Verse two of chapter 2. That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding.
To the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, verse three in which are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, believe the burden of Pauls prayer is that we're committed to the Apostle Paul to bring out that he was given to complete the word of God and to fill it full. And it has to do, especially though everything that's been said is very true.
In reading all the word of God. But I believe here we have the burden of his prayers to enter in.
To those things which?
Build full the complete.
Revelation that God had to give to us, and it's our portion, that which we are to enter into now, and the power of the Spirit, the truth of the mystery, Christ and the Church, and especially Christ in you here in Colossians, the hope of glory. So it's really entering into that which contains all of God's wisdom, all of God's thoughts in the power of the Spirit. What is our portion in Christ risen and glorified?
Union with Him by the Spirit, Christ being in us as life and all these wondrous truths.
I believe that's the real burden of his prayer and it's that's where the full knowledge of his will comes in. How many today who are Christians have not entered into the thoughts of God? And we can look into our own hearts as to this and really entered into what is a Christian? Are we down here to set the world straight? Are we here to improve the world? Are we here to?
Make this a better place to live in.
He brings before us here that our hope is reserved in heaven. We are heavenly people. In the third chapter, if you then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, for ye have died, you're dead, and your life is hid with Christ and God. I believe it's entering into these things which which are really Christianity.
The burden of his prayer and that we enter into by the power of the Spirit of God.
Let's illustrate that with the Exodus. Remember when God called Moses?
He told him that he was not known to Abraham as Jehovah, but as God Almighty.
But he made himself known in a new and more old way to Moses.
And who it is that God throughout?
The history of man has made known of himself.
Partial revelation.
And man entered into a relationship to God that was according to the revelation given.
Now we who have come to know Him in Christ Jesus.
Have come to know him as man can know God to the fullest possible extent, and this is what is, I believe, the true knowledge of God is to enter into that which has been brought down to us in Christ.
And if we were, for instance, try to know God the way Abraham knew him the way Moses knew him, that is not Christian position. Not that God has stopped to be the God Almighty, that God is no longer the Jehovah he is, but we know him much more intimately, much more fully. He has come out to the fullest possible, extend and reveal himself fully, and we have consequently been brought into a relationship.
As no St. ever knew it at any other time in the Old Testament. And now we have that position in Christ. And this is so important, beloved, because how do I know how to conduct myself properly as a Christian if I don't know the relationship that I have to God?
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All my responsibilities, flaws from that relationship into which I have been brought in. Christ.
Only then I really know what is consistent for me.
And God has revealed himself.
And we can come to know him by looking at the Lord Jesus Christ.
Yes, I believe that's very important that we see the difference, that God has been made known if you turn to John chapter 18 and the 36 verse.
Jesus answered, My Kingdom is not of this world. If my Kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight that I should not be delivered to the Jews but now, and the emphasis is on now. But now is my Kingdom not from hence. Now if you go over to Revelation Chapter 11, you would find there's a day coming when the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ. There is going to be a time when the Lord Jesus takes the kingdoms of this world.
They all rightfully belong to Him, But here, being rejected and about to go to the cross, he shows that there's a change now. His Kingdom is not of this world and what we have in our chapter, that we are a heavenly people and we'll never know properly how to conduct ourselves unless we know what is going on. Now. It isn't that the truth of the Old Testament has in any way ceased or changed and we find.
A reconciliation, so to speak, of those things. If you turn to second Peter, chapter one.
Some of these Jews thought, well, has the whole thought of the Kingdom then been set aside and given up? Oh no, says Peter. We saw a preview of the Kingdom when we were on the Mount of Transfiguration. But he says we will never rightly understand the scope of Scripture unless we see it in associate, unless we see it in association with the whole revelation of the mind of God. And that is what we get in Christianity.
But just to add 1 little thing which I think is important and that is that the moral ways of God do not change with dispensations.
And so we can learn a great deal from these Old Testament things as we learn the moral ways of God. It was just as wrong to lie in the Old Testament as it is to lie in the New Testament, all those things that have to do with the moral ways of God. God's moral character is exactly the same in Christianity, but he is dealing in a different way, and we stand in a different relationship. And so we need to understand that in order to rightly divide the word of truth.
And so I believe it's very important. But I have seen those who have set aside the Old Testament and they have lost a great deal in the understanding of the moral ways of God because it is much more about that side of things in the Old Testament than we find in the news. And those things are very important for us because just as those ways with David and the government of God and all those things that is for us whatsoever things were written before time were written for our learning.
That we, through patience and comfort of the scriptures, might have hope. So let's take the word in its entirety.
See the scope of scripture, learn from these moral lessons, and learn how to put things together. And so it will be proper in the coming day for the godly ones to associate themselves when the Lord comes out of heaven on the White Horse. And then Israel will again follow him, and it says he'll go forth and lead them in battle against their enemies. But now we're a heavenly people. We're just ambassadors in His absence.
Well, how precious that God has made these things known to us, so that there is this understanding of his ways.
And we'll never properly understand the scope of Scripture unless we understand the truth of the Church.
Because the truth of the Church reveals to us what is our present position, and so in this our head all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Understanding this opens up the Old Testament, helps us to understand our position, helps us to see how everything is finally going to be put together. When, as Ephesians One and 10 says, for that's the, shall I say, the key verse, It says that in the dispensation of the fullness of time.
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He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth, even in Him. I believe that's very important, brother, because we have that right in this chapter or a verse, I believe that goes along with that when.
He speaks in the.
In verse 25 at the end of the verse.
Speak to this dispensation of God, which is given to me for you to fulfill or to complete. Fill up the word of God, and it would be a misuse of dispensational truth.
To to set aside the moral value of the Old Testament because we have greater light in Christianity and a higher position and a greater revelation of God that the I think it's very important to see that the position we occupy.
Is as having the whole revealed mind of God and all scripture is profitable. And it says, Paul says in First Corinthians 10, upon the whom the ends of the world are come. We have all of the accumulated life that God has given to man. We have the highest in Christianity, and that's what we have here in Colossians, you might say we reach the topmost point in in Christianity and the revelation of the mystery.
But at the same time, it would be a great loss to read the Old Testament.
Only in regard to Israel and only in regard to Dispensational aspects.
And only in regard to the fact that they stand in a different relationship to God than we, if we if we do not see that God is making Himself known as to His ways. You see, the word of God is is wonderfully complete, and not only gives us the height of our standing and position, and brings us into all of the fullness of the revelation of God, now made known in Christ and His work.
But it also gives us to learn something of his manners and his ways, and I believe it's important to see that that the.
The Old Testament should be, should not be taken up strictly dispensationally as being something we might say, well, that's all passed and that had to do with Israel, and that has to do with the future. When they're restored to the Kingdom and things of that nature, all scripture is profitable.
I recently had occasion to to read a book called Which Bible And What It Is. It's it's a defense of the King James Translation. It's quite a good book. I don't agree with everything in it, but many things I certainly do. And there was a man referred to an amazing man, Robert **** Wilson, I believe his name was.
He lived in the last century, I believe.
He devoted his entire life, his entire life, to the study of the Old Testament.
And at the beginning of his life, he looked at his ancestry and he said, well, I believe I'll live to about.
7075 years old, and he divided his life into 3 equal stages, phases, so many years into thirds. And he wrote at the end of his life that the Lord allowed him to accomplish what he had set out to do. And I unfortunately I can't recall what those three things were. But he knew all of the languages of the Old Testament, He knew called Ian, and he knew all of these.
Languages that deal with the Old Testament scriptures and related countries around there. Well, one of the things that he says in his writings that convinced him of the authenticity and the accuracy of the Word of God, the Old Testament, was the genealogical accounts that we were talking about a little bit ago, that we are, many of us, inclined to pass over.
But he found that the word of God, the scriptures, with very, very few exceptions, was the only reliable historic source of the the names of the kings and the ones that lived in these various countries. Roundabout. This has been proven by archaeological finds and the what he pointed out was that the histories that are kept.
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By just natural histories are all in error. They don't even spell the names right.
And one of the reasons I'm bringing this out is here was a man that spent his entire life in the study of the Old Testament, and at the end of it, he said. One thing I can attest to all of you is that we do have.
The reliable word of God. It would have been utterly impossible for man, and he had not been inspired of God, to have written down and kept these records.
As accurately and precisely and perfectly as we have it in the word of God. Well, I'm not able, and I imagine most of us are in the same situation, to enter into that fully. But how good it is to hear of one that has made a study spent his whole life. He knew over 38 foreign languages, and one of the things he said is if I don't know a language, I will learn it.
He set out in his path that none of his teachers could teach him, could tell him anything that he wasn't able himself to research while he was an extraordinary person, and I enjoyed reading about him and was awe at the the scholarship of the man and the the testimony that he gives us. That we have the Old Testament, which has been such an attack, which has been attacked so by the higher critics.
Daniel and Genesis, the account and how they would ridicule these Old Testament scriptures that they're not authentic. They were written at times where after the events took place and all this kind of thing. I just bring this out, the one that looked into it and that knew far more than all the higher critics and could challenge them in all their statements came out and said we have indeed the word of God.
So. And he he used as one of his strongest points of convincing himself where the genealogies that we are so prone to read over and not even read sometimes. So everything is is profitable, isn't it?
May I add to this your brother, this dear man.
In the address.
Students.
He spoke to them instead. I do commend to you and enjoy myself still. Jesus loves me. This I know for the Bible tells me so when I read that economy broke me down.
It's simple to follow that we also love.
Remember that I have enjoyed this verse 11 That is very precious indeed. We were speaking about Father and I believe to have power, but here we find strength of the Almighty according to His glorious power to appoint us, oh beloved people of God. I need this for myself and to all patient and long-suffering with joyfulness. And what an example we have in the person of the Lord Jesus.
Think of a Hebrew chapter one when he says here.
Verse nine, chapter One, Thou hast long righteousness and hated iniquity. Therefore God, even thy God, had anointed with the oil of gladness above all thy fellows, and all to the suffering of the Lord Jesus that went through his pathways. He had the oil of gladness above his fellow creature, and then of chapter 12 Days, who for the joy of the said before him endure to the cross.
Despise and the shame and sit down at the right hand of God, Oh beloved people of God, this is wonderful.
This glorious Father to give us endurance. Because we are Christian, a soldier of the Lord Jesus. We are called to go through a path of suffering, and here we have that He can strengthen us with us with glorious power, and to all patients with long-suffering and with joyfulness. I cover that for myself, beloved.
In the Old Testament, they always look for the establishment of the Kingdom and the blessing of the nation here upon earth.
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And so that was their desire. And even when the Lord was here, we know how the disciples said, Wilt thou at this time restore the Kingdom to Israel? But it's very important, I think, for us to realize the true meaning of this verse. We find a group called the Moral Majority, and it's not to be patient and wait until Christ has his rightful place, but rather to try and do something to set things right now.
We find John in the Isle of Patmos, for he says companions in tribulation and in the Kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ. In a certain sense, brethren, we are called upon the fight, what might be called a losing battle, and that is we don't expect to see things set right in the absence of the Lord. We contend and go on and telling out the truth, but the end of the dispensation will be characterized by weakness.
We will not see the Kingdom established while we're here, but what is our position? We have strength. We have power to go on in endurance, in the truth that God has given to us, and as it tells us in Second Thessalonians, First Thessalonians. Rather the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patient waiting for Christ or the patience of the Christ and what is enjoyed that thought, because that is really.
The character were not to be impatient as we see things getting worse. As we see this period sometimes called the silence of God, we see not get all things put under him. But the Lord Jesus is waiting for the time when he will have his bride. He's waiting more anxiously than we are, brethren and our place is to have this kind of patience. Things are going to get worse in this world. We have nothing to do with setting it right, and our character displayed as true Christians is to have this might to go on with endurance.
Holding to the truth.
Holding to that blessed prospect before us, living daily in the enjoyment of it, and yet content to wait God's time, we see a blessed example of it with the Lord Jesus. Say not for him. All the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them, they're going to be his. He's going to have them. But he wouldn't accept it from Satan. He was content to wait the Father's time. And so we need this verse, and then, as the verses that follow shall.
How much we have to be thankful for. But we already possess our possessions, our spiritual ones. But let's remember that we have nothing to do with setting this world right. Our place is to wait for the one and the only one who can set it right. And we have the power to go on without endurance. It's very easy to get discouraged. Things are getting worse in the world and the conditions even among the Church of God and among the gatherings, we see weakness coming in.
May we have this patience as it says here, patience and long-suffering with joyfulness. We have a blessed hope for just telling the other day about a little incident that I heard happen in a certain place. They had had a number of care meetings and.
There was a matter before the assembly that was very depressing, and as they walked out one night, one of the brothers said to the other, oh, where is this all going to end? He said at the coming of the Lord.
And so it is, brethren. That's our hope. We're not going to see things set right here. We need that kind of patience. Young and old. We need it. Let's go on with joyfulness. We've got a blessed hope, but we know that the time for setting things right is later on. And our blessed Lord.
Said everything right, he'll present the church without spot or wrinkle or any such thing.
And he will take the kingdoms of this world. But in his father's time he waits that impatient. Let us be the same.
That what we have in Revelation one verse 9.
We find that John speaks of the same thing he says. Your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and Kingdom and patience in Jesus.
And also in chapter.
Free to the church in Philadelphia.
He seeks of.
How is the question the 10th? First, Yes, because thou has kept the word of my patient. But we have fellowship with the patient waiting of the Lord Jesus. That is the desire that he would speak to see accomplished in US.
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I have enjoyed these three hats that we have in verse 1112.
And 13 three had, That is present tense. First of all, that he had made us meet.
Are fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in life. What a wonderful thing that is. He had this like piper his papers, and he's going to do it. And so he said that he had meters to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints and light. And then he said he had done something else, delivered us from the power of darkness, and then another one, and had translated us into the Kingdom of his dear son. And then he gives us the basis of all our blessings in whom we have redemption through His blood.
That's always on the base of the precious blood of Christ, isn't he that we possess every blessing that we have. So here we have the three hand. May those be to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in the Saints in life have.
It's not something that is going to take place. Has taken place already delivered us from the power of diagonals and had translators us into the Kingdom of his dear son, Prince of Acts, Chapter 26, for a verse in connection with the message that the Apostle Paul had from the Lord Jesus himself from glory. I think that is the same, the same significance in the message that he gave to proclaim chapter 26 of the book of Acts. Let me see what it says.
As very precious indeed.
Verse 17.
The 26th chapter of the book of Acts and verse 17, saying deliberately from the people and from the Gentiles, And to whom though I send thee Well, now this is the gospel, the message that he gave them to open their eyes and to train them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan and to God, and that they might receive forgiveness of sin and an inheritance among them which are sanctified by their works. Is that what says it by faith? That isn't me.
There was a message, and I believe that was the the experience of the Apostle Paul when he was delivered from the power of Saints and translated into the glory of that blessed Savior that he saw. And he went forth with the gospel, proclaiming the forgiveness of sin and the inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith. That is in me, in the blessed person of the Lord Jesus.
I wanted that verse 11, I believe. I'm not sure, but I believe Mr. Darby gives the translation. Does he not according to the power of his glory?
Rather than the thought of his glorious power, it's the power of his glory.
So that it.
The I believe it's in connection with what's been said that the.
When we see the glory of the Lord Jesus, it's not.
It's not being carried out now, that is for his world is concerned, but it's it's that glory that we look up, even as Steven saw the glory of God in Jesus right hand of God.
Mr. Darby translated that way the might of his glory has said the might of his glory.
Bringing before us his glory, isn't it His glory on eyes as the glorified man.
And that's what if we really if that is working in our souls, then it will produce this long-suffering and this patient. It's when, no doubt, when the people of God lose sight of that glory and look and get occupied with earthly things that they began to try to set things right down here. But if you have your if the glory is before us, why the might of that glory will?
Produce this.
Condition, I believe, and also I'd like to point out, as in verse 13, who hath delivered us from the power there? The word is properly authority. It doesn't refer to might or strength, but authority. It means that we've been delivered from from the authority of darkness. We're no longer under that rule. We're no longer in that Kingdom, as it were, but now we're brought under an entirely new rule.
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Things and it's the Kingdom of the Son of his love and what characterizes the authority you might say in the Kingdom.
Of the son of his love. What characterizes it is love. In other words, it's a it's authority exercise and love, not arbitrary authority. It's not an authority that is.
You might say abstracted from the individual and just arbitrary, but it's it is a Kingdom. We've been brought into a Kingdom.
And there is authority there, but it's characterized by love, Kingdom of the Son of his love.
The children of Israel were in Egypt. They were under the authority of Pharaoh. And I sometimes thought that when they crossed the Red Sea, the parents could say now to their children and to everyone. We're no longer under the authority of Pharaoh. We're now under a new authority. That's what it means about bringing up our children and the nurture and admonition of the Lord. What a privilege to bring up our children under that authority and that authority, as you said, exercising love.
Or it's the Kingdom of the Son of his love. God our Father finds all his delight in his blessed Son. He's the Son of his love. That's the position in which we have been brought. And so it's a very blessed privilege to bring up our children as under that authority. Now, of course, God has to work in their hearts so that they would be saved, but as parents, that's what we seek to do. And so that the whole home is run under a new authority and it's running love.
That's the only proper way that we should bring up our children, and that's the position in which we stand. Only we stand in it as true children of God if we know the Lord is our Savior. I might just mention here that in the 18 in the 14 first in the new translation that leaves out through His blood, and some have found fault with the new translation because of this, but Mr. Darby sought to search out the old.
Manuscripts.
And while this is properly given in Ephesians chapter one.
It says there we have redemption through His blood here, as I said before, and I think it's blessed to see it. The emphasis is on the person who did it. Now the blood is properly brought in in the 20th verse, having made peace with the blood of His cross. There's no minimizing of the blood, but there is the person who did it, and that's very blessing those. And I had a debt I couldn't pay and someone says, well, who's going to pay the debt? And I mentioned the name of some person whose wealth is unlimited.
Always say that person is going to pay your debt. Why you are greatly favored that he would think of paying your debt. Well, that's the the blessed part to me of this. The very Son of God's love is the one in whom I have redemption now. It was through his blood. But God emphasizes the person. He says I wanted to know the heart of that person, and that person was the one who did that work for your blessing. I say this because.
Some have thought, well, why is it that it's omitted? It's no slight upon the blood. It's rather the thought that I don't believe it is properly in the original language, but rather it's in Ephesians, where it's the thought of Christ, Love to the church he gave himself, He shed his blood. But here we're looking up to the person who did that glorious work, and that very person has brought us into this wonderful place of association to be able to call God our Father.
To know that.
The word of the new translation is the sharing of the Saints in light. We're going to share all that that is the fruit of his toil and victory. We're going to be in that wonderful place of association with him and it's already ours to enjoy by faith. And now we need patience as we wait the time when there will be the open display we see. Not yet all things put under him, but we see Jesus crowned with glory and honor, and we're fit to enjoy this now.
Yes, no doubt in all of its fullness. But I thought of that expression of Mr. Darby's hymn many times when he speaks about there no stranger God shall meet thee stranger thou in courts above. That is, we will be in a in a new place, but it it will not be a new God. It will not We will be enjoying the things that we are unable to enjoy. Now sometimes we are inclined to think that it's only when the Lord comes it will be fit to be partake of sheriff. But even now we are, we're made fit now to be.
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Fellow partakers of the Saints and the light.