<inaudible> no, I’m not. Is it turned on? Okay. There we go. How’s everybody doing this morning? Good. Raise your hand if you have the Corona virus. Do we just didn’t need to know then don’t raise your hand. Oh yeah. Yeah. And so is everybody else. They all think you have it. You and Holly are the, you know, we are in first Kings chapter 12 this morning. No, in all seriousness. Um, we’re going to be leaving the back doors open for,

uh, to the auditorium, uh, throughout service today and probably for the next couple of weeks just for the, uh, sake of people not having the hit the hit the bar and utilize that just one more surface that people don’t have to all communally touch. Um, and uh, so there, there that some other changes will be, it would be analysis as we go along. Just again, just especially for our folks who have inherently compromised immune systems and such, we do not want to put anyone in excess danger,

uh, while the same time we do take joy in coming together and fellowshipping together. Um, and so take any precautions you need. And don’t be offended by anybody who doesn’t shake your hand or uh, in any way, you know, come into physical contact. Um, so utilize all those precautions. Washing is great. Say what? W Oh, well, uh, thank you. Thank you. I I tacked was never one of my a, I got an F in tact at school. So,

uh, alright. We are in first Kings chapter 12. Let’s begin with a word of prayer. Our gracious father in heaven, we bow before you at this time. Mindful of all of your many blessings, conscious of all of the worries and difficulties and struggles that exist throughout this world. And yet at the same time, in all of the system of life and wellbeing and health that you have created within each and every human, we know that while that system does not always work perfectly, it is far beyond what humanity can even imagine creating and being able to manufacture.

We’re so grateful for all that you do for us on a daily basis. And we, while we do not understand your protection and your Providence, yet we understand that your power is Supreme. We thank you for this time of study and we thank you for the word and the revelation that you have granted to us to be able to hear and to understand your will for humanity. We pray also that we are always mindful that we need to cast our cares upon you and seek first the kingdom and live righteously before you in all things,

while at the same time learning the lessons that you would have us to learn and being reasonable and thoughtful about our own existence and loving one another as we love ourselves. All this we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. First Kings chapter 12 we proceed from the reign of Solomon to his son, Rehoboam. Now, what was different about the reign of Rehoboam or or the transition? Let me say that the transition from Solomon to Rehoboam. What was different about that transition then? The transition from David to Solomon?

Well, so Rehoboam is his son. Rehoboam will be the one who comes in the lineage of Solomon. Jeroboam is the one who in chapter 11 was told, you’ll receive the, the Northern 10 tribes, but what? What was the different about David to Solomon vs Solomon to Rehoboam? There’s a couple of things, uh, well smoother until the kingdom falls apart. Solomon. Okay. There, there seems to be a significant difference in Solomons instruction of Rehoboam to be King versus what we read. You know,

David with Solomon gave instructions before he died, do this, do this, do this, you know, keep the Lord’s commandments and all of that. Uh, we don’t read that of Solomon to Rehoboam. Now we have the entire book of Proverbs, which to some degree seems to be that, but with Solomon departing from the Lord in the latter years of his life, uh, or starting your 20 of his reign, much of Rehoboam, his life growing up, most likely would have been spent with his father worshiping idols.

Okay, but where do we read that? The Lord said Rehoboam would be the next King. We don’t is Rehoboam by all indications of scripture. The first born son of Solomon. Matter of fact, he’s the only son we read of, of Solomon. We don’t read of Solomon having another son. We read of him having children, but we don’t read of any other sons. Now what you see in Solomon to Rehoboam, and we discussed this some back with David, is you see the typical mentality of a King,

hands off the throne to his eldest son, that there’s an inheritance as it were or a lineage that the oldest son will become the next King, but in Israel, is there any precedent for that? Not at all. Was Solomon the oldest son of David? No, not anywhere close to the oldest son of David and yet God chose Solomon to be the next King. Did God choose Rehoboam to be the next King? There’s no indication of that whatsoever. What does God choose will to have happened during the reign of Rehoboam?<inaudible> he God will decree,

will declare that during the reign of the son of Solomon, 10 of the 12 tribes would be removed out of their lineage and out of that King ship. There’s an interesting reality in that we’re in chapter 12 we’re going to read about division in the kingdom. We’re going to read about a division amongst the people, and this is one of those places in scripture where we see<inaudible> actions that are taking place by people that may or may not have been right or just or authorized. That is the devising of the kingdom,

bringing about the will of God. Yeah. Are there any other places in the old Testament where we see actions by people that may or may not have in them, in and of themselves been right actions, still bringing about God’s will?<inaudible> yes. Give me some examples because there’s, there’s plenty of them. There’s lots of them. Joseph’s life is full of them. When, when the his brothers sell him into slavery, was that action justified? Was it right in and of itself? Did God use it for his will?

Yes, he did. What about Babylon destroying the Southern tribe? Southern nation of Judah. God is going to in turn tell Babylon you’re going to be judged because of how you’ve done this. And that’s the whole book of Habakkuk. And yet God says, this is my judgment on you. Uh, Syria, Northern kingdom of Israel. Uh, there’s there frankly, there, there are a lot of other actions that we see where Daniel, absolutely you have a situation there where you have evil being taken place against Judah.

And yet it brings a bound, an influence in Babylon with Daniel Hannah and I as Ryan Michelle that never would have existed in Babylon had that not transpired, had those young Jew, that young generation not been removed out of Israel and taken into captivity. Any other examples that come to mind? Sure. Cyrus coming to the throne, uh, in captivity. So, so there are many times where we read in scripture about events taking place at the choice of humans with a decision making process that may or may not have been righteous with actions that may or may not have been righteous.

And yet God is going to use it for his ultimate no. And his will or his judgment, the dividing of the nations is going to be a judgment on whom Solomon and David’s lineage and why. Okay. Because they disobeyed the Lord. They Solomon didn’t walk in David’s path and in righteousness with the Lord and they went after idols. Now you mentioned that not knowing if, well, I wouldn’t necessarily equate those two because what the decree from the Lord is that is that David’s lineage would continue on the throne,

but it says in verse 36 and under his son, I will get one tribe. Okay, so, so if Solomon only has one son, then it’s by default. If Solomon only has one son, and again, we only ever read about one son of Solomon, if we, if there is only one son, then yes by default for the lineage to continue and the throne to continue, it will go through Rehoboam. But what, what I wanted to bring out is it is a marked contrast to God saying this is my King.

Because remember at an idea comes up and tries to take the throne even though he knows the Lord has declared that Solomon will be the next King, and this was always supposed to be the case. The Lord ultimately was supposed to be the King and the Lord said, I’ll put on the throne who I determined will be the King. And in this you’re seeing a difference. You’re seeing a transition from them and allegiance to God and following the Lord and his direction as to who would be King and how that King would act,

and whether or not he would lead the nation in righteousness to following their own path. Because remember, it’s not just Solomon who’s participating in an idolatry. Now Solomon may have been building the altar, Solomon may have been building the temples to the other gods, but it’s not just Solomon who’s participating. The entire nation has led themselves into idolatry. And some of this is actually bringing forward some of the things that had already occurred in the book of judges. Now, I know we haven’t studied judges lightly, but some of the idolatry and some of the divisions and some of the things in the judges are coming back to life here in first Kings.

Okay, so first Kings chapter 12 verse one and Rhea Boehm went to check him for all Israel had gone to shake him to make him King. I point out what I’ve just said because who made Rehoboam King<inaudible>? Well, according to the verse, the nation did, who anointed David as King Samuel did, who anointed Solomon as King<inaudible> I think it was Nathan. It was prophet of the Lord together with the pre the high priest. Those two actions are God choosing the King? Is this God choosing the King?

No, it’s not. Okay. That’s why I’m saying pay attention to the contrast. Not so much that it just occurs, but that we don’t read about God’s choice. We read about their choice. Okay. So Rehoboam goes to, uh, be anointed King by or to be made King by all Israel in check. Um, so it happened when Jeroboam, the son of Nebat heard it. He was still in Egypt for, he had fled from the presence of King Solomon and had been dwelling in Egypt that they sent and called him.

Then Jeroboam and the whole assembly of Israel came and spoke to Ray Boehm saying, your father made our yoke heavy. Now therefore lightened the burdensome service of your father and his heavy yoke, which he put on us and we will serve you. So they go to check him to make Rehoboam King. And all Israel goes to do this, but not everybody’s in agreement. This is, this is a negotiated agreement because what they want out of his kingship is a change in the policies of his father. They want the taxation and the burden that had been laid upon the people to be lightened to be eased.

Now, in the early days of Solomon and throughout the majority of Solomon’s reign were the people prosperous<inaudible>. What did we read about silver in the nation of Israel? During the time of reign of Solomon, it was counted as nothing because it was as abundant as stones. So during a time of great prosperity, as you might expect, taxation kind of grows with prosperity. Yeah. Well now what’s happened in the latter portions of Solomon’s reign, all these other jobs. Okay, you’ve got not only the expenditures of all of the building projects,

but what, what begin to, what began to happen at the end of his reign, opposition. Remember the beginning of Solomon’s reign was peaceful. He didn’t have Wars, he didn’t have fighting. But as the, as he turned away from God, we read at the end of chapter, I think it was the end of chapter 10 or 11 that God began to bring up adversaries against Solomon. When you begin to have Wars, you begin to generally decrease commerce because it’s not always safe to go to Israel.

All of these things start falling apart. So as the wealth in the nation decreases, what they’re saying is the taxation hasn’t, so we’re less prosperous, but the taxation is still high. Ease our burden. That’s the plea from the, shall we call it opposition party. Jeroboam is leading this against Rehoboam and saying, we need to negotiate this settlement. We need to make sure that, that we’re on the right terms in order for you to be King. So then notice, so he said to them,

depart for three days, then come back to me and the people departed. Then King REIA Boehm consulted the elders who stood before his father Solomon while he still lived, and he said, how do you advise me to answer these people? And they spoke to him saying, if you will be a servant to these people today and serve them and answer them and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants for forever.<inaudible> the people come to rebel and they say, Rehoboam, notice interestingly,

they didn’t say remove the burden. They didn’t say make it zero. Remove all taxes. They didn’t say that. They said ease the burden, decrease the burden and we will serve you. And there’s a, there’s a valid point. Good point here in uh, the responsive Rehoboam. Cause Rehoboam says, give me some time to think about it. When someone comes and requests something of us. When someone comes to us and says there’s a problem and that problem needs to be addressed, we shouldn’t always just react.

There shouldn’t always just be a knee jerk reaction to a problem. There should be thought. There should be time and contemplation to make a good choice. Some Rehoboam asked for time and they give it to him. He says, give me three days. And so they allow three days for an answer. But then Rehoboam gathers together his father’s counselors. And in gathering together his father’s counselors, he asked them what he should do and their response kind of summed up is what<inaudible> ease off of them, but what kind of word do they use?<inaudible> be a servant,

serve the people and then they will serve you. What kind of cane did God express? Israel should have<inaudible> adjust. King is the Cardinal law in the old Testament. If I could use such a phrase to describe it, thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all my heart, with all thy soul, with all eyestrain law in mind, and thou shalt make sure that King gets served with all of what everyone has or thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. The advice coming from the older and wise men is serve them the way you want to be served.

You lead by example and they will return that attitude. One of the things that was a, uh, controversy between David and his wife, Michael, the daughter of Saul, was when David brought the Ark of the covenant back to Jerusalem and went before the people in just a plain Lynn, any foot. In other words, just a plain lending cloak and danced before the people and sang with the people in praise gone and jumped about as if he were just a normal everyday guy. Michael was ashamed of him because he wasn’t acting like a King because he wasn’t behaving or appearing before the people like a King.

He was acting like a common person and David expressed that he would be humble before the Lord. David maintained an attitude at least earlier on in his life and I think throughout his life with some deviation that while he was a King, he was really a just a shepherd. He was just a lowly man whom God had brought to greatness. Yeah, Rehoboam was born in the lap of luxury. Rehoboam was born into a house of riches and greatness and excess.

Go look at what it took to feed Solomon’s house, hold every month it was excess. And now Solomon comes to the throne.

And Solomon’s perspective is not that of a shepherd Solomon or sorry, Rhea balms. Perspective is not that of a servant or a lowly person.

He comes to the throne as the rightful heir. So the throne and much like his uncles who attempted to take the throne,

he had an attitude of he deserved the throat bone. We’ll listen to the elders, but then in verse eight we read,

but he rejected the advice which the elders had given him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him,

who stood before him. I want to make note of something and that is this Rehoboam did not hear the advice of the elders and then go get a second opinion and side with the second opinion.

Rehoboam her the advice of the elders and said, no, not doing that. You said serve the people not happening and therefore went and sought other advice.

The rejection to the elders’ advice was outright rejection, immediate rejection, not weighing the choices. There was no serving the people that was not going to be his path forward.

So then notice what he gets by way of advice from those who had stood before him. He said to them,

what advice do you give? How should we answer this? People who have spoken to me saying, lighten the yolk which your father put on us.

Then the young man, young men who had grown up with him, spoke to him saying, thus you shall say,

you should speak to this. People who have spoken to you saying, your father made our yoke heavy,

but you make it lighter on us. Thus you shall say to them, my little fingers shall be thicker than my father’s waist and now whereas my father put a heavy on you,

I will add to your yoke. My father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scourges<inaudible> the advice of the younger men,

the advice of the peers of Rehoboam is don’t be their servant, be their ruler. Don’t come before them with humility.

Come before them with ultimate might and show your authority and let them know what’s going to happen to them if they dared across you.<inaudible> same way.

Remember over in first Peter chapter five what God says about elders. Turn to first Peter chapter five<inaudible> the elders who are among you.

I exhort I who am a fellow elder and they witness of the sufferings of Christ and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed.

Shepherd the flock of God, which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion, but willingly.

Not for dishonest gain, but eagerly not as being Lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

Yeah, and when the chief shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.<inaudible> that’s the advice Rehoboam should have listened to.

Rehoboam. Don’t be their overlord. Don’t be their ruler, be their shepherd. But the only reason that happens in the church with elders,

the only context in which first Peter chapter five is given is because you have a shepherd over you. Rhea Boams choice to choose to be a harsh and authoritarian ruler was a rejection of God’s authority,

not just of the people’s wishes, because it was Rhea bone. It was Rehoboam his determination. He was ultimately in charge,

not God was ultimately in charge because if he had followed the law, he would have said, well,

what does the law say? If he was worried about the law, he would have said, is there a prophet of the Lord somewhere here?

He wouldn’t have called the elders. He wouldn’t have called the younger ones. Hey, that said, where’s a profit?

W where’s, where are the priests? Let me inquire of the Lord, what I should do. Does he do that?

No. The lesson he doesn’t learn from his father is the exact lesson we read about on Wednesday night.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. But fools despise wisdom and instruction. He was a fool and he was a fool who determined that his authority would be Supreme when it never was and he will lose the majority of the kingdom.

So notice what occurs, uh, the verse 12. So Jeroboam and all the people came to rebar on the third day as the King had directed saying,

come back to me the third day. Then the King answered the people roughly and rejected the advice which the elders had given him.

And he spoke to them concerning the advice of the young men saying, my father made your yoke heavy,

but I will add to your yoke. My father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scourges.

So the King did not listen to the people for the turn of events was from the Lord that he might fulfill his word,

which the Lord had spoken by a Hijra, the Shiloh Knight to Jeroboam, the son of Nebat. Now,

when all Israel saw that the King did not listen to them, the people answered the King saying, what share have we in David?

We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse to your tents. O Israel. Now see to your own house.

Oh, David, the people’s response is, well, who made you King over us? What inheritance do we have in Judah or in David or in your throne?

If this is the way want to treat us, then you can see us as we go because we’re gone and so they will the part.

But again, all right, let’s step back to where we started. Here are the actions of Rehoboam.

Are Rehoboam, is actions justified? No. Are they right? No. Are they according to the law?

No. Did they bring about God’s will? Yes. His will was judgment on them for departing from him.

But see, here’s this. Here’s this whole cycle. What if reablement said, you know what I realized my father had had had aired.

He was wrong. We need to return to the Lord. Allow me to shepherd Israel back to God.

That was a choice that was available to him. God didn’t make it where he couldn’t make that choice,

but God knew the kind of person he was and he wasn’t going to make that choice. So then let’s notice the remainder of the chapter.

But Rio bone reigned over the children of Israel who dwelled in the cities of Judah. Then King Rehoboam sent an ad Ram who was in charge of the revenue,

but all Israel stoned him with stones and he died. Therefore, King Rehoboam mounted his chariot in haste to flee to Jerusalem.

So Israel had been in rebellion against the house of David to this day. Now it came to pass when all Israel heard that Jeroboam had come back,

they sent for him and called him to the congregation and made him King over all Israel. There was none who followed the house of David,

but the tribe of Judah only. And when Rehoboam came to Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah with the tribe of Benjamin,

180,000 chosen men who were warriors to fight against the house of Israel that he might restore the kingdom to rebel and the son of Solomon.

So by the way, this is one of those verses that kind of gives you a hint that Benjamin has kind of been absolved into Judah because they say Judah alone stayed with Rehoboam,

yet Judah and Benjamin prepare for war. Okay. So that, that’s just kind of the transition that has occurred here.

Um, but the word of the Lord came to shimmy Aja or shim AI, the man of God saying,

speak to Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, King of Judah, to all the house of Judah and Benjamin,

and to the rest of the people saying, thus says the Lord, you shall not go up nor fight against your brother in the children of Israel.

Let every man returned to his house for this thing is from me. Therefore, they obeyed the word of the Lord and turn back according to the word of the Lord.

God says, wake up, call. You’re not in charge here. Go home. Do not go to war against your brethren.

I determined that this would happen. And so they returned home one of the few times that the word of the Lord comes through the man of God and they actually listen.

Then Jeroboam built Shekem in the mountains of Ephraim and dwelt there and also he went out from there and built Pennywell and Jeroboam said in his heart,

now the kingdom may return to the house of David. If these people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of the Lord at Jerusalem,

then the heart of this people will turn back to their Lord, Rehoboam King of Judah, and they will kill me and go back to REIA bone King of Judah.

Therefore, the King asked advice, uh, the therefore the King asked advice made two calves of gold and said to the people,

it is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, which brought you up from the land of Egypt.

And he set up one in Bethel and the other in Dan. Now this thing became a sin for the people went to worship before the one as far as Dan,

he made shrines on the high places and made priests from every class of people who were not of the sons of Levi Jeroboam ordained to feast on the 15th day of the eighth month,

which is by the way, one month after when it was supposed to be the day of atonement, uh,

like the feast that was in Judah and offered sacrifices on the altar. So he did at Bethel sacrificing to the calves that he had made.

And that Bethel, he installed the priests of the high places which he had made. So he made offerings on the altar,

which he had made it Bethel on the 15th day of the eighth month in the month in which he advised or devised in his own heart and he ordained a feast for the children of Israel and offered sacrifices on the altar and burned incense.

We will go into more of those details at a later point, but let’s go through the questions. Under what conditions did the people of Israel say they would follow Rehoboam,

Solomon’s son,<inaudible> if you ease their burden or lighten their load. Rehoboam followed the council of a,

the elders who had served as father or be the young men who had grown up with him, be the young men.

Number three Rehoboam said he would make the yolk of the people a heavy or be light. Hey, heavy number four,

Rehoboam Solomon’s son reigned only over the tribe of Judah according to verse 17. But of course we know Benjamin is also involved.

Ray Jeroboam ruled over all the tribes except Judah. Why did Rehoboam, the son of Solomon and the warriors from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin not attack Israel as planned?

The Lord sent the man of God to them and told them to go home. Mmm. Y uh,

sorry. That’s the same one. Uh, number seven, to encourage worship, Jeroboam did not a place the golden calf at Bethel and at Dan B make priests other than the sons of Levi C Institute of feast or D,

send the people to the temple of Jerusalem.<inaudible> D did not send them to the temple at Jerusalem.

Okay. Thank you for your attention. Our time has expired.<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> good morning.

Welcome to the carnival church Christ Sunday morning services. It is really great to see each and everyone of you here this morning and we have several visitors with us and we are so glad that you chose to come worship God with us here at Colleyville church.

Christ this morning they have several announcements. Uh, first we’ll uh, go through our sick. Please remember a root,

Ellen, Dorothy Wilson. They continue to struggle with their chronic problems, so keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Betty Lou is still working on recovering from her carpal tunnel syndrome. I did talk to a lucky yesterday afternoon and he said they are still working on getting in to see a neurologist to try to pinpoint exactly what else can be done to help her with her issues there.

Uh, Joan Springer is home from the hospital, but she will start, matter of fact, it starts today already 11 o’clock every day.

She has a daily infusion. So Marie will not be able to be here this morning because he has to take her in for a daily infusion to help with her pneumonia problems.

And we are praying that that will get her back on the right road, right track so that she can come back and worship and live a good life again.

Marvin, man, Beverly’s father, he’s kind of up and down depending on what they do for him.

Beverly is, Sandy gave him an iron shot the other day and then he’s feeling really good and he is scheduled for another treatment on the 23rd.

So he’s kind of comes and goes up and down. So please continue to pray for Marvin. Beverly herself is still working through her,

uh, heart rate and her blood pressure issues has her good days and her bad days and she is here today.

So that’s great to see Beverly, uh, continue to remember to pray for a case and family and the loss of her sister Julia.

Other announcements, uh, talking with Joel. Kyle cares will not meet tomorrow night. Uh, you know,

you, everybody that meets in a fellowship hall does some cards and stuff like that and any cards that don’t get done,

Joe and Becky would probably take care of them at home this week. The area wide Bible ball that’s scheduled for this coming Saturday at four o’clock to our knowledge is still on the schedule.

If that changes we will let everybody know cause right now we have not heard anything on that but we will reach out and try to find out what the status is if we were planning on holding that area.

Why Bible bowl with the other two congregations next Saturday I have a thank you card. It’s from Charles Webster says to the Colleyville church.

I would like to thank each and every one of you for your calls cards, texts during his recent uh,

accident and recovery. He appreciates each and every one of us. Thanks Charles Webster. I’ll put this up on a bulletin board out there after I get done here.

The man this afternoon after second service, we plan on meeting cause we need to discuss what path we need to take as a congregation as far as our services,

our Bible study and et cetera due to the Corona virus or the Colvin 19, whichever one you want to consider that.

So please men, if you are available after a second service today, we plan on meeting and whatever decisions are made for the congregation by the man,

we will get that to each and every one of you just as soon as we possibly can. Okay.

Uh, talking with Ava and my wife because my wife was scheduled to start teaching the ladies ladies Bible class for the next book,

the book of judges, they have decided because of the personnel that come to that class are susceptible older,

have a different various issues and stuff. They are going to suspend that class until further notice until we get past the Corona virus thing.

So ladies, Bible class will not meet until further notice. Uh, Ava and Cheryl are probably going to get together.

They’re talking about possibility of doing up some questions and having them available each Sunday morning here for those that did come to that class for the different books that they were planning on studying.

So more to come on that, but they will not be meeting, uh, today’s service or this morning service song service will be led by Aaron coats,

art opening prayer. BJ Shafir sermon is Eric Richardson and I have the closing prayer. Thank you.<inaudible>.

Good morning. Take your songbooks if you will, and open them to number 483, 483 is it for me?<inaudible> is it for me dear save<inaudible> Oh,<inaudible> walk and I bought<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> and um,

we uh, or is it for me? Hi. Welcome gracious.<inaudible> for me.<inaudible> for me.

So four loves and all say my reading, Hema walk and<inaudible> and magnify and Brazy and love the uh,<inaudible> Oh,

save your precious. Save. My art is a knife.<inaudible> I bless the eye.<inaudible> the um,

the I long tomb, he read all, say my reading, uh, walk and<inaudible> and magnify and Bray busy and love the uh,<inaudible> Oh,

be with the fall.<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> praise the and love the, uh,<inaudible> say my reading<inaudible> and magnify and Bray Z.

Um, I love the, uh, uh, will now be led in our opening prayer.<inaudible><inaudible> almighty God,

our father in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Father, it is with humble hearts. We come before your throne this hour acknowledging you as our creator,

the creator of the entire universe. And we realized as part of your creation, we cannot begin to realize the true magnificence of your intellect.<inaudible> we do realize though,

father, that you have a special spot in your heart for us as humans, that you have blessed us with a soul.

And if we cultivate and maintain that relationship with you, that we, we will have someday that home with you and heaven.

We’re so very grateful that you provided that pathway through your son. That if we would follow in his footsteps,

we have that hope. We’re also grateful for that pattern of life that you have provided through his word.

The congregation was established here in Collierville. We pray for it that we will always adhere very closely and we will do everything within our power to make it a possibility that we have that home with you.

We realized father that we are, we can symbol creatures at times and we often deviate from that pathway and we pray for your forgiveness as we repent and turn from him.

We know also father that we are challenged at this present time with the virus that is spreading throughout the country.

We pray for our leadership that you’ll grant them the wisdom too. Okay. Make this as minimally invasive as possible.

That we will, once again, they restored to our country’s good health. We’re mindful of members here that are sick.

We pray for them, they speedy recovery. We’re grateful for those that have returned to her a number and we’re also mindful of those that have lost loved ones recently.

The case and family, we pray that you will comfort them as only you can. We’re also mindful of many of our younger people that are going to be at home now.

Re pray with this, uh, adjusted schedule that everyone is enduring, that everyone will go about this in a peaceful manner,

that no harm may come to anyone. We’re also mindful of the teachers and health workers and the people that are subjected to this virus.

That all will be well as we go through the further exercise of this worship service. We pray that our worship do.

You will be in spirit and truth and a sweet savor. It’s in your son’s name. We pray.

Amen. Yeah. Our next song will be number 315. We’ll use this as a song to prepare our mind for the Lord’s supper.

315 when<inaudible><inaudible> Oh, on which the<inaudible> Laurie<inaudible><inaudible> um,<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> uh,<inaudible> uh,<inaudible> same things.

Ah.<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> is a yay.<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> so<inaudible><inaudible> to log.<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> right.<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> uh,<inaudible> two hours.<inaudible><inaudible> uh,

the, uh, the same man’s my eyes. Uh, uh, uh, Oh.<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> our father who art in heaven.

We thank me for this first day of the week and the opportunity to, we have to gather around that table.

We thanked me for this. Loaf was dressed as Christian represents the body that was broken on the cross that we might have forgiveness of our sin.

We pray as we take it. We examine our hearts and do an amount of pleasing and I cite in Christ name we pray.

Amen.<inaudible> let us pray. Heavenly father, we’re thankful there’s fruit of the van represents Jesus’ blood that was shed on the cross for the sins of man can for having a fall.

You have to forgive us of our sins. Amen. This concludes the lower supper. We’ll use this time as a convenient time to give back because we’ve been blessed.

Let us pray. Our father who art in heaven, we thank you for this day with 90 for the many blessings of life that you give us each day.

We thank thee for the means we have earning a living to support our families and this congregation here in climb.

We pray that this will be used wisely and do to further that kingdom and crashed name we pray. Amen.<inaudible> next song will be number 469 469 faith is the victory.<inaudible> Christian soldiers rise and press<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> the victory.<inaudible> don’t worry that over comes his band.<inaudible> gone.

We tread<inaudible><inaudible> a victory. Fang is a victory. Oh God. Dory<inaudible> on every hand enough.

Oh, we find drawn up and dread<inaudible> be left behind and<inaudible> truth all good. Uh, me a shout.<inaudible><inaudible> there’s a victory.<inaudible> there’s a victory.<inaudible> don’t worry over<inaudible> though to him.<inaudible> why Ray man shall be IM me for the angels.

He shall know his name and fast and had a man on word from the Hills of line.<inaudible><inaudible> well,

vanquish.<inaudible> it’s gone. Green name.<inaudible> there’s a victory. Hey, there’s a victory. Oh,

Dory. That over comes up song before the scripture reading and the sermon will be number 400 9,490 it is well with my soul when he is like,

uh, uh, uh,<inaudible> uh, my<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> Mmm. Yay.<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> uh,<inaudible><inaudible> yeah,

it is. Well,<inaudible> mice. My<inaudible> uh,<inaudible> uh, my<inaudible> in port<inaudible><inaudible> yes.<inaudible> no raise a lot,

right?<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> with my eyes.<inaudible> yay. Well,<inaudible> mice. Mmm. Hey,

it’s uh, eh when uh, yay shall be a night no.<inaudible> rolling.<inaudible> okay.<inaudible> the<inaudible><inaudible> so yay.

Mice as when my eyes<inaudible><inaudible> uh, yeah, it is my song long. If you will,

please stand for the scripture reading scripture. Reading will come from Philippians chapter four, Philippians chapter four, and in verse four,

as soon as I can get to Philippians, Philippians chapter four, and in verse four, rejoice in the Lord always again,

I say rejoice. The invitation song will be number 922, 922 and now, Eric, you may be seated.

Good morning. So good to see each one of you here this morning. The topic that I’ve chose for this morning is worry and it’s interesting.

The song that we just sang, it is well with my soul. If you know the history of that song,

the man that wrote it had just lost his son in a fire and I think his wife also and then not a day later heard that his daughter had drowned in the ocean.

He sat down and wrote that song. It as well with my soul. There was a study done not long ago that found that 75% of adults in America say that they deal with medium to high levels of stress every day.

I also found that 45% of adults say that they worry every day. Worry and stress can overcome us.

We all are going to have stresses in our life. We’re all going to have worries, but there is a point where it can overcome us and take over our life.

I think that this topic is relevant. I mean the thing about today with what’s going on with the Corona virus,

but I think it’s also pertinent to our life. No matter what the day is. We all, I know myself,

I struggle with worry and I needed this study and I pray that as we go through studying about worry this morning that it will help you also,

and this morning I want to go to Philippians chapter four and in Philippians four Paul wrote to the Philippians about this subject of worry and we’re going to notice four things.

We’re going to know. We’re going to notice the reason for joy, the reason for worry, the recipe for a change,

a transformed mind, and the reward of a transformed mine. Go with me to Philippians four and verse four we’re going to notice the reason for joy.

Paul wrote, rejoice in the Lord always again, I will say rejoice. Think about Paul situation of where he’s at.

He’s in prison at this time. He writes to the Philippians and thinking about Paul and his life, he had many things to cause him to worry and distress,

but yet he wrote and said, rejoice in the Lord always. And again, I say rejoice. Think about the world that the Philippians lived in.

The ruler at this time was Nero. Nero was killing Christians for no reason. He drugged them to prisons.

He killed them with not him. And thinking twice about it, he lit his gardens with Christians. Yeah,

Paul, in all of those things going on in his life, all of the things going on the in the life of the Philippians,

he could write to them and say, rejoice in the Lord always. And again, I say rejoice.

Now the word rejoice means to be exceedingly glad to be cheerful. And Paul uses that phrase twice. He says,

rejoice and rejoice this for emphasis. He says, you have reason to rejoice. Christians. Why? Notice the phrase in the Lord,

and if you look that phrase up in the new Testament is found 44 times in the Lord. I want to notice a few of those that show us why Paul could rejoice in the Lord.

In first Corinthians chapter one in verse 31 let’s start there, and first Corinthians chapter one and verse 31 Paul writing to the Corinthians said in verse 31 let’s start in verse 30 it says,

but of him, you are in Christ Jesus who became for us wisdom from God and righteousness and sanctification and redemption,

that as it is written, he who glories, let him glory in the Lord. We have reason as Christians to glory in the Lord.

Go to chapter 15 now in verse 58 first Corinthians 1558<inaudible> notice Paul says, therefore my beloved brethren,

be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Paul said, I know, I know that the things that I’ve done, the work that is being done in the,

in the brotherhood, it was not in vain because it’s in the Lord worked as being done in other places.

It has some meaning, but it has greater meaning. Knowing that it is in the Lord. Paul says,

labor is not in vain in the Lord. Fijian chapter one and verse 15 Ephesians one in first 15 Paul States Fu fusions one verse 15 therefore,

I also, if I’ve heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,

go to Phillip. Ephesians chapter six now in verse 10 Ephesians six and verse 10 says, finally my brethren,

be strong in the Lord and in the power of his mind we find strength in the Lord. If you go to first Thessalonians three verse eight assists to stand fast in the Lord and second Thessalonians three and verse four,

confidence in the Lord. We could go on and on. There is so many words to describe what it means to be in the Lord.

You put all of these things together. Paul shows us that we have great reason to rejoice in the Lord because they’re in the Lord.

We find strength. We are called, we are in the Lord. We are redeemed. We can find strength and confidence in the Lord.

Therefore, Paul writes and tells them to rejoice in the Lord. Always, and again I say rejoice,

but notice Paul gives us another reason to rejoice. Go back to Philippians four and look at verse five Philippians four verse five it says,

let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Think about that statement. The Lord is at hand when something is at hand,

it’s right there. Paul knew with being in the Lord that the Lord was right there at all times when he needed him.

When he was worrying, when things were tough, he knew that he could go to God, right then the Lord is at hand.

Matthew chapter 28 and verse 20 Jesus said, and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.

Paul could rejoice knowing the Lord was at hand. He was near. Paul found many reasons to rejoice in the Lord.

He told the Philippians to have that same joy, but Paul understood that we do have worries. We do have anxieties and we have stress.

Notice what Paul says next, the reason for worry, verse six six B, be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with Thanksgiving.

Let your request be made known to God. That phrase in the first part, it says, be anxious for nothing.

It means to be anxious about having a distracting care. It’s the idea of being pulled in different directions,

distracting. It’s the idea of one that is this over here, causes of stress and worry. This over here causes stress and worry that over there all these different things pull us all these different directions to cause us to be overcome to get down.

It’s interesting this word, how it’s used. I want to look at a couple places. Go to Matthew chapter six Matthew chapter six and look at verse 25<inaudible>.

Matthew six 25 therefore I say to you, do not worry. There’s our word. Do not worry about your life,

what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body. What you will put on is not life more than food and body more than clothing.

Look at verse 28 so why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow.

They neither toil nor spin. God tells us, why do you worry the word, the word word here is being pulled in different directions,

being overcome, worried about the necessities of life and Jesus tells him in verse 33 but Siki first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all of these things shall be added unto you.

Well, we are in the Lord. We have no reason to worry about the necessities of life because God’s going to take care of us,

but yet a person can become overcome with anxiety over these things. Jesus says, remember who you are.

Go to Luke chapter 10 another example of this word. Use Luke chapter 10 we know this account. This is the account of Mary and Martha,

and I want to start in verse 38 Luke 10 38 says, now it happened as they went, that he entered in a certain village and a certain woman named Martha welcomed him into her house and she had a sister called Mary who also said at Jesus’ feet and heard his word,

but Martha was distracted with much serving and she approached him and said, Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?

Therefore, tell her to help me. Notice what Jesus says. Verse 41 and Jesus answered and said to her,

Martha, Martha, you are worried. Here’s our word and troubled about many things, but one thing is needed.

And Mary had chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her. Mary chose to sit down at the feet of Jesus and listen,

but Martha, Jesus says was troubled about many things. She was worried about many things she wanted to make sure was perfect from the food to the preparations to the looking at who knows the different things in her home.

She wanted to make sure everything was perfect and look what happened. It overcome her. She became anxious and worried.

Jesus says, don’t worry, you are worried. Over many things. Martha, Mary has chosen the good part.

There’s our word describes what it, what it means to be anxious for nothing. A very similar word is used in Matthew 13 in verse 22 Matthew 13 and verse 22 when it’s talking about the parable of the sower.

And look at verse 22 it says, now he who receives seed among the thorns is he who hears the word and the cares.

There’s our word of this world in the deceitfulness of riches choke the word and he becomes unfruitful is the one where the seed is planted in that soil who grows up,

but yet the cares of this life, the anxieties, the troubles of this world choke them and they die.

The plant dies. Sometimes the cares, the troubles of this world, the anxieties of this world can choke us.

And Luke chapter 21 one more. Just place to look. Luke 21 and verse 34 Luke 2134 but take heed to yourselves less your hearts.

Be weighted down with carousing drunkenness and cares. There’s our word of this life and that day come on you unexpectedly.

Anxieties and troubles can cause us to not focus on what is important in life and that is preparing for the Lord to come back.

Each one of these verses paint a picture of a person who is constantly distracted with worry to the point that it pulls them away from the joy that they should have.

Therefore, Paul says this, go back to Philippians four six says, be anxious for nothing. Don’t let those cares of this world.

Do not let those worries trouble you and gets you down. Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with Thanksgiving,

let your request be made known to God. One of the beautiful things, the most amazing things we have with being in the Lord for being a Christian is that the Lord is at hand and we can go to him in prayer.

Paul tells us to take those things to him, but I want to notice something else about that. When we think about everything,

everything in the context means the worries. It means the bad things, but there’s also another context here.

There’s the good things. There’s the things that we should rejoicing. I want us to think if we look at our lives and we focus on the fact that when we look at how we pray,

if we only go to God in prayer when things are bad, maybe our focus in life is not right.

That means that maybe we’re focused only on the negative things we should be going to God in the good things.

Also thanking him for the joys that we have in the Lord. Therefore, notice Paul tells us, even though that might happen if we find ourselves in that situation where our focus on life is not on the positive,

but always on the negative. Notice there’s a recipe. There’s a recipe for a transformed mind. Look at verse seven Philippians four verse seven it says,

in the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. We want that peace.

We want that peace that we can have in our life. When those worries come on us, that we can put it on someone else,

put it on the Lord, but how do we have that piece? We have to have that transform mind.

That recipe is found in verse eight but be anxious or verse eight says, finally brethren, whatsoever things are true whatsoever things are noble whatsoever things are just whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely whatsoever things are of good report. If there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy,

meditate on these things. The new King James says, think on these things. We need to change our focus.

We need to think on the positive things, not the negative. When we focus on the positive things,

our outlook on life changes. Look what Paul tells us to focus on. The first one is on true things,

truth. This word means free from to see not false things. Think about the world around us and how much false information is out there.

We have this information. We don’t know if it’s true, this information, if we don’t know it’s true and what does it do?

A person can the consumed with that. Well, I don’t know if he’s really telling the truth but it really worries me and this over here,

it might cause me to work. I don’t know if they’re telling the truth and what does it do?

It consumes us. It causes us to worry and to be anxious. We need to focus on what is true and what is the one thing that we know is always going to be true.

So word of God, God is always true. Let us focus on the true things. Focus on God,

not the false information that’s around us. The next one’s whatsoever things is noble or honest. The word here means to be honorable,

worthy of respect. We need to focus our minds on things that will bring us respect, not shame.

The opposite of being honest here is self pleasing, arrogant and ungodly. When we have a mind that’s arrogant or on godly or self pleasing,

it’s going to cause us many stresses in our life. It’s going to cause us worry and anxiety because we’re focused on me,

but gee, Paul tells us here to focus on honorable things, worthy things. The next word says focus on,

he tells us to whatsoever things are just, this is the word righteous. This is our dealings with one another.

We need to make sure that we’re focused on treating others the way they should be treated and other word that could be used here is integrity.

Now integrity is knowing what is right. Knowing what to do is right and doing that in all aspects of our life.

Think about that. If we live a life of integrity, we’re always thinking on trying to be honest and just and righteous in all of our dealings.

We’re not going to have to look back and worry about what we’ve done. We’re not going to worry about,

maybe we treated this person wrong, they’re go to find out. But yet we can walk our life with integrity,

focused on what is honest and just think on these things whatsoever. Things are pure. The word pure means to be clean,

morally right? Well, we do not have pure thoughts in our life. Make a really bring a lot of stress and worries into our minds.

The opposite. Appear as deceitful, dirty, profane, wicked. We need to put those things out of our minds.

Put the wicked thoughts out of our minds, the dirty, deceitful things and focus on pure, clean things.

Cause when we do that, it transforms our life. When we are focused on profane, wicked things,

it brings us great mental stress and anxiety whatsoever. Things are lovely. This is me. This means loving,

showing love. It’s interesting, this word means to, and it’s another word, it’s a compound word,

a phileo love. Love that we should have for our brethren to love, to be friendly. When we focus our minds on pleasing others to doing what’s best for our brethren,

it’s going to change our life. Having true love for others will help us to not think the negatives about them.

Sometimes we can get ourselves caught in that thinking the negatives of the other person, but we’re focused on the positive things about them and we’re focused on praising and focus on pleasing them and doing what we can for them.

It will change our lives. It will transform our minds whatsoever. Things are of good report. This means living our life,

knowing that we focus on positive things and then I get a bad report of focusing on the negative whatsoever things or virtue and virtue.

Virtue is moral excellence that is focusing our life on being morally upright and all things moral excellence. Our character is to be morally excellent.

And then the last one, praise. This is the idea of praising others. We focus on praising our brethren,

praising others for the good things that they’ve done. We don’t focus on the negative things. We don’t have time to focus on the negative things because we’re focused on praising them.

Paul tells us, take all of these things, make them a part of our life, and we do that.

We’re not going to be focused on the negative. We’re not going to have time to focus on the negative because we’re focus is going to be on the positive things.

What is true? What is honest, what is clean, what is pure? All of those things will help transform our minds and when we do that,

it’s amazing. Paul tells us there’s a reward for a transformed mind. Look at verse nine the things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me,

these do in the God of peace will be with you. Paul tells them, look at my life.

Look what I look where I’m at. I’m in prison yet I can write to you with joy the things that I’ve gone through.

I still have joy because I’m in the Lord. Paul says, and other place be imitators of me as I am of Christ.

Paul tells them to have that same joy in their life. Notice the reward that we have and we do this.

The last part of that verse and the God of peace will be with you when you put God of fill in the blank.

What does that mean Supreme, the mass most amazing, the best peace we can ever have. What is that piece?

Verse seven Paul already told us that verse seven in the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

It’s a peace that passes all understanding. That means that I cannot stand up here and describe to you how great this piece is.

You have to know it. You have to have it in your life. You, when you have that piece,

you will know it and you’ll be hard to explain. Think about Matthew chapter 11 verse 28 when Jesus says,

come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy Laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me for I am meek and lowly and hearts and you shall find rest unto your souls.

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Think about the peace that comes when those worries are on us.

When that stress in life is there, we can take that stress and that worry and lay it on the shoulders of Christ.

Take it off of our hearts and lay it on him. Then we have true peace. What a great reward.

What a great reward it is to have a transformed mind. Notice what else Paul tells us. Look at verse 10 but I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now it’s your last care for me has flourished again though you surely did care,

but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need for. I have learned in whatsoever state I am to be content.

I know how to be a base and I know how to abound every where and in all things. I have learned both to be full and to be hungry,

both to abound and to suffer need. Another reward we have is that we can have contentment. The word contentment there has the idea of being independent of outer circumstances.

Think about Paul. Paul says in whatsoever state, I am, I have learned to be content. Think about all the States that Paul was in in second Corinthians chapter 11 you start in verse 23 and you read about what Paul had went through.

He was shipwrecked, he was beaten. He was stoned. He was, uh, he was, uh,

whipped 39 save one. He was thrown in prison. Yet Paul can write to them and say in whatsoever state,

I am, I have learned to beacon tent. That’s amazing. Whatsoever state Paul was, and he learned to be content.

And Paul, notice he tells us he had to learn it. It’s not something we’re just going to have.

I myself know that I need to learn. I struggle with contentment and I don’t feel like I’m alone in that.

We may think, well, if I just, this could happen in my life, I would be better if this would just change.

That would be better. I all of these things, Paul could have done it. He could have said,

well, if I just wasn’t in prison, I would be happy. I would be content. If I just would not got beat yesterday,

I would be happy. Yeah. Paul says, and whatsoever stayed on him. I have learned to be content.

I think about Isaiah. We looked at Isaiah this week in class or this last week, and Isaiah 51 Isaiah,

he knows what’s going on. He knows what’s going to happen is coming. He’s going to be going into captivity.

These captors are going to come in. They’re going to destroy Jerusalem, and he prays to God with these worries and these stresses and God in a way he responds to him.

Paraphrasing here, he says, Isaiah, who is in control of the captors? God is Isaiah, who is the one putting you into captivity?

Putting the people in a captivity. God is Isaiah who is in control of everything God is so Isaiah,

why are you worried that same things could be asked to us today? Who’s in control of this world?

God is who’s in control of our country. God is who’s in control of everything God is. So why do we worry guys?

Brethren, we are in the Lord and when we are in the Lord, we have reason to joy.

We have reason to not to be overcome with anxiety, with worry. Notice, while Paul sums this up,

back in Philippians chapter four and verse 13 Paul States I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me in the context.

Paul’s talking about stress. He’s talking about worries. He’s talking about those things that happen in their lives.

Yeah. Paul could say when those things happen, when the suffering comes, when those anxieties come, that worry and that stress,

you can look to God. You can look to Christ who strengthens you. Isn’t that amazing? Isn’t that a great blessing to know that we can look to the Lord for strength and we know that since we are in the Lord,

we will make it through God’s there with us. But to have that joy, to have that joy,

you have to be in the Lord. If you’re not in the Lord this morning, you don’t have this joy.

You don’t have God right there at hand. You don’t have the peace that comes with being in the Lord and you do not have contentment that is only found in the Lord.

Ephesians one and verse three it says, bless me, the godfather of our Lord Jesus Christ who had blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places.

Notice the play. Yes in Christ. We have to be in the Lord to have these blessings. And if you’re not,

don’t put it off. I know that we have worries and stresses in our life and sometimes they can get to the point where they just overcome our life,

but we if you, if you are in the Lord, you can take that load and put it on him and that piece that comes passes all understanding,

but to be in the Lord, you have to follow his plan of salvation. Jesus said that he is the way,

the truth, the life. No man going to the father but by him. John 14 in verse six you have to hear the message.

Romans chapter 10 and verse 17 you have to believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God. Mark chapter 16 verse 15 and 16 you have to repent of your sins.

Acts chapter three and verse 19 to confess that Jesus Christ is the son of God. Romans chapter 10 verse nine and 10 and to be baptized into Christ,

Romans six verse three through four when we do that, we have our sins washed away. Acts two in verse 38 and then he says in acts two in verse 47 that you are added to his church.

You are in the Lord. You have that peace. You have that joy. You have that contentment of being in the Lord.

If you’re not a Christian, don’t put it off. Do it today. Or maybe you have wandered away.

Maybe you have those worries and anxieties in your life and you need to get back to the Lord. Don’t put it off.

Today is that day to come back. We will pray with you and we will help you, encourage you.

Whatever your name may be, please do it now as we stand and as we sing<inaudible> or child<inaudible> watch and<inaudible> find it.

Me.<inaudible> Jesus paid it to him. I owe. Okay.<inaudible> I had left a grim sons.<inaudible> he was white as<inaudible>.<inaudible> indeed.

Uh huh. Uh, I, uh, and uh, Dan<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> Oh God.<inaudible> jeez.

Paid at home.<inaudible> to him. I, Oh.<inaudible> had left a Crimson<inaudible> yay. Wide as<inaudible> and<inaudible> for the<inaudible>.

Nice. And in him come<inaudible> ah,<inaudible> my trophies.<inaudible><inaudible> jeez.<inaudible> Jesus paid it all to him.

I<inaudible> had left a grim. Grimson<inaudible><inaudible> wide. As we do appreciate each and every one of your presence,

we are grateful to have you, especially all of our visitors. Uh, we do want to remind you to be back,

uh, this afternoon at one 30 as well as for the men, the reminder of the meeting after services this afternoon.

Uh, be, be mindful of that as well. Song before our closing prayer will be number 711.

Appreciate that lesson, Eric. That was a wonderful job. Seven one one bless. Be the tie.<inaudible><inaudible> the<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> me<inaudible> we<inaudible> ah,<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> as we share our<inaudible> ah,<inaudible> uh,

ah.<inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible><inaudible> when, uh, uh,<inaudible> ma, we shall see.<inaudible><inaudible> Oh two.

Yeah. Well now be led in our closing prayer. God, our father in heaven. We come to you at this time,

thanking you for another opportunity to assemble here this morning to sing songs of praise to your great name, but most importantly,

study another portion of your word. And God, we ask that you help each and every one of us because it’s our human nature to worry and distress over things that brother Eric told us we should not stress over because that’s what you told us in the Bible and in your words.

So help each and every one of us to lay our worries and our stresses at your feet and help us to overcome them and have faith in you each and every day that you will take care of each and every one of us.

Okay? Lord, we know that each of us have an opportunity from time to time to fall short of your glory,

and we ask that you forgive us when we do fall short and Lord, as we prepared to part here,

we ask that you go with each and every one of us to guide, guard, and protect us.

We pray all this through your son Jesus name. Amen.