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The account of Noah and the flood is well known. It tells of GOD’S WARNING. God’s judgment fell. Genesis 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. The world of Noah’s day was corrupt before God, and filled with violence. God’s wrath is against sin. God is just and must punish sin. In Noah’s day most people neglected the warning. Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, BEING WARNED OF GOD of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. God spoke. And Noah listened. Noah believed God. Notice: GOD’S GRACE. God looked with grace: Genesis 6:8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. Grace means ‘Undeserved favour’ that God gives to those who don't deserve it. Not only did ‘Noah find grace’, but ‘GRACE also found Noah’ - and his whole family. Genesis 6:9 …Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. Noah was a righteous man in an unrighteous world. He had a living relationship with God. Noah walked with God. He knew God - he had fellowship with God. Noah was saved by faith. Noah was courageous. He did not follow the crowd. He had godly fear. He walked with God. He walked blamelessly before a wicked people. His witness was clear. Noah and God walked together. The name Noah means “rest” or “comfort”, which he found in God. Noah did not become conformed to his world. Noah walked with God. He took a different path. God invited Noah and his family to come into the ark. Only those who went into the ark were saved from the judgment of God. What made all the difference? It was GRACE. GRACE beckons still. As in the days of Noah, this is the day of grace. Grace is the only means of escape. What Noah did, we can do. It had not rained before. Yet God told Noah He was going to flood the earth with rain. Noah trusted God. He obeyed God and built an ark. Noah started building the ark when he was 480-years old. Noah’s faith moved him, with godly fear. Noah was a preacher to this hostile, ungodly world: 2 Peter 2:5 …a preacher of righteousness... Noah was A FAITHFUL WITNESS to his generation. He wasn’t afraid to stand alone. He would have faced constant mockery, year after year, but Noah persevered. He gave warning. He preached for 100 years… without a single convert. Only his family heeded his preaching. In Noah's day men laughed to scorn his words of warning. They ridiculed and rejected the message. All the world was against him. But he kept on preaching. Every day, as Noah laboured and built that ark, he was saying: I BELIEVE IN GOD! He persevered. ONLY EIGHT PEOPLE survived the floodwaters. Many are hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. When judgment came the world was shown condemned. in unbelief they had refused the salvation of God. God took the initiative to spare Noah and his family. Notice: GOD’S PROVISION. God told Noah to build an ark and gave him its exact dimensions and materials to use. Genesis 6:14 Make thee an ark of gopher wood… Noah obeyed what God gave him to do. And Noah did according unto all that the LORD commanded him (Genesis 7:5). It was painted pitch black. It was nothing fancy. It had no decorations or name. It had only one entrance. The ark, as designed by God, was virtually impossible to capsize! Experts in ship building say this is the optimum ship design for stability in rough seas. It was a mammoth construction project. It took 120 years of labour to build the ark. And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation. The ark had over 100,000 sq feet of floor space. There was plenty of space to preserve the wildlife. Noah was a preacher of righteousness. BUT no one listened. Men still refuse God’s message, even now… ARE YOU IN THE ARK? The ark of Noah is a picture of the salvation provided by Christ - Who today is our ark of safety - the rescue plan. God took care of Noah. There was great security for the passengers of the ark. It’s the same for those who have fled to Christ for refuge. CHRIST is our ark. The ark was a place of safety. Those in it had absolute security. It was a perfect shelter. It didn’t matter how hard it rained, or how high the waters rose. All inside the ark were secure. Noah built only one ark. There was only one door to enter into the ark - as there is only one way to God and that is through Christ. God shut the door. Judgment is coming to planet earth again. The time of grace will end. There is a place of sure shelter from the storm of God’s wrath. There was only one ark provided by God. Likewise there is still only one way. Flee to Jesus for salvation. God shut the door. Those who were shut in were safe. The big question is: Are you in the ark?

A look at SPIRITUAL HEALTH. The health of the church. And God's remedy - revival. God's church is called the body of Christ. Is it weak and sickly? Does it need a check up? Modern religion has created a compromising church with much shallowness. The church can become spiritually unhealthy. Think of what the church used to be. The Early Church contended for the faith. It seems like we're no longer fighting fit. There’s been a decline in the spiritual strength and vigour of the body. There's been a lot of creeping – in terms of doctrine, and the gospel. The Old-fashioned church used to stand strong on God's Word. They didn't follow the world’s fads and fashions. It seems like we have adopted unscriptural philosophies, like David did with the "new cart". We need a fresh anointing - the same as the early church had -- the holy passion. God wants His Body STRONG and HEALTHY. We are interdependent on others as members of the Body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, have no need of thee nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. The church is described as being like a body, with many parts. Romans 12:4 …we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. All of the different parts make the body work. God puts all the different parts together, in a godly unity and order. God wants a blessed union - where we labour and build and are knit together. 1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. God calls us together in a close knit relationship with a bunch of God's people. …KNIT together in Love... Colossians 2:2. God makes us a symphony: different instruments playing in harmony. Are you in tune? All the different parts of the church body work, together, to bring life, health and function to the whole body. God wants… 1 Corinthians 12:25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. God provides a remedy for the sick church. What we need is a good dose of "wholesome words". Paul warns Timothy (1 Timothy 6:3) to withdraw from men who ...teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome (hugiaino) words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness... Paul tells how… 2 Timothy 4:3 …the time will come when they will not endure sound (hugiaino) doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears... Paul urged Titus to hold fast Titus 1:9 …the faithful word …that he may be able by sound (hugiaino) doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers... Our body needs food. It is our body's Fuel. It brings energy. Spiritually so, we need Spiritual FOOD - Bible teaching is called meat. It’s the food for our soul. We need Spiritual FITNESS. Paul tells Timothy, 1 Timothy 4:7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise (gumnazo: train) thyself rather unto godliness... (Go into the gym). Acts 3:19 says that "refreshing"- or "recovery of breath" - restoration - revival comes from The Presence of the Lord. Revival and restoration of spiritual health and vitality is possible, by God’s Spirit. The Bible shows us how we can Draw Closer to God – James 4:8 Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you... He is the source of revival and spiritual life and health. The church around Australia is not healthy. It’s as if it’s fallen by the roadside. There’s need of first aid. The church needs to go to Doctor Jesus and have a spiritual check up. God wants to revive the health of His church. The Lord wants to bring the church that has become sick and weak back to health and wholeness. The Lord can restore us to health and fitness. We just have to come to Him and take the remedy that He gives to us. Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

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Paul talks to youth, in… 1 Timothy 4:12, Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. What kind of example do we set for others? Hopefully you will set a good example! Here’s six ways you can be an example… 1. BE AN EXAMPLE IN WORD Some people use words that are bitter and hurt. Swearing and cursing. Angry and toxic words. The Bible says that …death and life are in the power of the tongue… (Proverbs 18:21) May our words be life giving words. Tell the truth. May our words be words that lift, that build, that bless… 2. BE AN EXAMPLE IN CONVERSATION It’s talking about how we live our lives. Do we want to please God with our life? To know God. To pray, to worship, to serve God? Be strong. Be wise. Be a witness. Stand up for honour and truth. Nehemiah was one who heard about a need - God’s city and its broken down walls - and he did something. Esther was one who risked her life to go into the king to plead for his mercy on the people of Israel. Noah was one who listened to God, and believed and obeyed God. 3. BE AN EXAMPLE IN CHARITY Charity means love. God showed His love towards us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. God wants us to come to know and love Him. Do we love God? Do we love others? God will help us to love and care about other people. 4. BE AN EXAMPLE IN SPIRIT How is our spirit? Our spirit can be filled with God’s Holy Spirit. John the Baptist was called a burning and shining light. The Bible says we should be …fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Romans 12:11. David was anointed as king, and it says the spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him, and he entered into battle. David had a heart right with God, after God’s own heart. Do we have the right kind of spirit? Is our spirit… Humble? Kind? The Bible says of Caleb - that he had “a Different Spirit”. Unlike the other spies who Moses sent into Canaan, Caleb and Joshua had faith and trusted that with God’s help they could conquer the Promised Land. It says Caleb followed God “wholeheartedly.” What about us? Will we be like Caleb - and have a different spirit from people who don’t know God. 5. BE AN EXAMPLE IN FAITH Faith is believing God. The Bible says we are saved by faith. Be like Gideon. God was pleased with Gideon’s faith and courage. Gideon trusted in God against a fierce enemy. With just three hundred men he saw God bring great victory. The Bible says that this is the victory that overcometh the world – even our faith. Faith also has the idea of Faithfulness. You may think that you cannot do a lot of things, but you can be faithful… Turn up, and be there. Be true to your word. Be dependable. Be someone who can be counted on. 6. BE AN EXAMPLE IN PURITY Purity means being clean. Some people use dirty talk and dirty words, but God wants us to be clean. God wants us to call on Him out of a pure heart... 2 Timothy 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Guard your heart. Like Joseph. When temptation stared Joseph full in the face he ran away from it. We all face temptation to do the wrong thing. Joseph did not sin. He did what was right. Daniel was another one who made the right choice. It says Daniel “purposed in his heart not to defile himself” (Dan. 1:8). We can make godly choices. When we have done wrong, we can ask God to clean our heart. Our heart can be made clean. God can forgive us. The Bible says God can wash away our sin. The most important thing of all - is that we can be saved. You can be an example to others. Set a good example. What is most important is to know the Lord Jesus as your Saviour. He set the best example of all as the perfect man, but more than that, as God.

God’s intention for His church, to be a living, growing people. He describes the church using the analogy of a cultivated field. A planting. A farm. A field. A garden. 1 Corinthians 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. You, as a people, are God's farm; a garden that is growing and producing; flourishing and thriving. We belong to God. And God is at work, active. We are also fellow labourers together with Him in this work. There is activity here, by God, and by His church. The church is meant to be an active operation; dynamic and productive. God gives the increase; 1 Corinthians 3:7. God’s desire is for His church to grow. To be a fruitful field; Isaiah 32:15. God the Father is, Himself, the Husbandman; John 15:1. As the Gardener He wields the pruning shears for His purpose. John 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. God wants all of His people to be as a healthy plant. This can mean seasons of God trimming us, pruning us, shaping us. It’s for our good. We will be healthier for it and bear more fruit that way. We can face difficult times, painful things, loss… Seasons of trial and tribulation. Hurts. God’s discipline. We need that. We can trust the process. Pruning will strengthen and improve us. And we will produce even more. God desires for His people to bear good fruit. Philippians 1:11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness… Colossians 1:10 …being fruitful in every good work… God calls us, as labourers together with God, to be an active part in this harvest work. Luke 10:2 …The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. Spiritual fruitfulness comes from cultivation. The farm needs diligent toil. Revival and spiritual fruitfulness comes by cultivation. Hosea 10:12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you. We are called to be harvest workers, who are engaged in activity and employment. Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Let us labour on, and not give way to spiritual fatigue. We can trust the Gardener to do His work. The Son of God began His sufferings in a Garden and brought them to a close in a Garden. It was in the very first garden that the first Adam fell with sin’s curse. God chose a garden where His great salvation work began, with sweat as great drops of blood falling to the soil. John 19:41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulcher… Our Lord Jesus was buried and raised in a Garden. When Mary saw the risen Lord she supposed Him to be the gardener. Straight after God made man, He planted a garden, and man was in the garden of God. Genesis 2:15 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. At the first there were no thorns, no weeds. No curse. At the cross, the second Adam spoke the word, the promise, of Paradise to the dying thief by His side. Luke 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. The Bible foretells of the ultimate Paradise of God… that is prepared for us… Revelation 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. God’s plan for His church is that we be God’s husbandry, God’s cultivated field, as a garden yielding fruit. God wills that we be planted. Psalm 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. God wants for us to flourish. Determine to draw your supply from God as your resource. We can be spiritually healthy. And grow strong. We can be God’s husbandry. His cultivated field. His fruitful field. Jeremiah 17:8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. God wants for us to have a maximum yield. God’s will is that we be fruitful.

1 Thessalonians 2:18 …Satan hindered us. Satan hinders people. It’s always been that way. Satan doesn’t want you to believe, and get saved. He is against you. He is your adversary. He will oppose all that God wants for you. We can expect attack. Hindrances. Satan wants to slow you, block you, and throw obstacles across your path. The devil wants to attack you and take away blessing. Don't be ignorant of his schemes; 2 Cor 2:11. Ephesians 4:27 Neither give place to the devil. Don’t give ground. Take the brakes off. So, what are some of the tactics of our enemy? Unbelief. The devil most of all does not want you to believe, and get saved, for a start. The devil wants to keep people from seeing the truth. By faith, we can trust in God and grow stronger in our faith. Unbelief can cloak itself in the guise of Religion. People at the door will resist the Gospel, and say, “I have my own religion”. People can be a hindrance. When Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem, Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem sought to scheme and hinder the work of God. 1 Corinthians 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Satan will try and hinder your fellowship, but he will give you other friendships that will hinder you from growing in your faith. Sometimes we blame the devil - we actually give him more credit than he is due. The fault is with us. Disobeying the Word is another hindrance. We know what the Bible says we should do, but we disobey it. Some maybe give partial submission to God. The devil wants you to hold back, so that you don’t have a full surrender to God. You were running so well, who hindered you? How is your running going? Will you, so run, that you will obtain? The Word says that God’s people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6). The Bible says we should store up wisdom. That happens as we study God’s Word. Proverbs 10:14 Wise men lay up knowledge… The devil hates Christians going to Bible study. He wants to hinder you from knowing the Bible. Discouragement is another tactic to hinder you. In one day, satan took away all of Job’s wealth and children, and Job responded with great grief, but he held fast to God. Satan will try and discourage you through life’s trials, and persecution. It was not long before satan also took away Job’s health, but left his wife to be a discouragement to him. Yet Job still held fast to his integrity. Temptation is another tactic satan will use to hinder you. Achan tried to hide his sin. It won’t work. Let go of sin. Let go of any hurts and bitterness. Any unforgiveness. They will hold you back and hinder you. Fear. The devil will try and hinder you by your own fears. He will try and stop you from stepping out and serving God. Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. We will never step out for God if we listen to our own feelings and fears. Don’t be hindered from growing and advancing and maturing as believer. We can simply get busy with other things. Mary was one who was cumbered, too busy… Distracted with care… Matthew 6:33 …seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness… Satan wants to block your praise, your glorifying of God. He will use anything he can put in the way of that. Satan hates you worshipping God, so he will use lots of hindrances to stop you from assembling with God’s people. We can be a hindrance to our own selves by our pride and carnality. Because we do not yield to God in humility. Satan loves to hinder God’s people… That they will neglect prayer and communion with God. What’s Stopping Me? How is my running going? Am I still running well? or have I gotten side-tracked? Has satan hindered me? Is it me that’s the problem? I have grown careless and cumbered. Carnal? Our very faith can be hindered and our spiritual life held back. Colossians 4:17 …Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it. God wants for you to fulfil your ministry. To serve. To be used of God. There is so much untapped potential - where God’s people can do so much more, but something is holding them back. Some believers maybe limit God working in their life. God will make a way. We have to take the brakes off. Here’s some ways as to how to overcome hindrances. PRAY. Wait on the Lord. Maybe our prayerlessness is holding back the blessing of God on our life. Do not neglect to pray. Unleash the POWER of faith. Luke 18:27 And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. Faith means being willing to trust God. Take a risk and trust God. God is able. And He will make us able. 1 Peter 4:11 …if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth. Do what you are able, as God enables you. Like Booth: “God has every bit of me”. The power is of God. Not of us. We often limit God. Ephesians 6:10 ...be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. God has a mission and a purpose for you.

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Enter the construction zone... The church building program. The church is PEOPLE. People building people. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. Let’s build up other people around us. If there’s something wrong with the church then be a “Bob the builder” – can we fix it? Can we build it? – Yes, we can! It’s up to you to build up the others around about you. If we, the church, need building up, we need to build it up together. One of the essential tools for building the church is love… BUILDING WITH LOVE 1 Corinthians 8:1 …Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. GOD places an emphasis on Love. Love is the cement that glues us together and strengthens us. Love is the hallmark of a Christian. Love shows God’s working in us. Love edifies... • Love builds others up. • Love is seen in action. • Love is evident. Give of your time. Build relationships in the church. This is not a pretended love, a sham… But real. 1 Peter 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently. Another essential tool for building the church is Grace… BUILDING WITH GRACE. Acts 20:32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. As saved people we have the Word of God’s Grace. The saving news of the Gospel. God’s precious kindness and mercy - extended towards us in Christ. Will we be a church that is filled with grace? • That preaches grace • That lives grace • That talks grace • That walks grace His glorious grace accepts the weak and sinful. Will we be a church of God’s great grace? (Acts 4:33) Give grace to people. Like God does. Grace transforms us so much that we learn to speak a new language. Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Keep sweet. Keep praising. Keep that gentle spirit. Speak Grace. Are our words gracious words? Let all things be done unto edifying. Another essential tool for building is: Encouragement. BUILDING WITH ENCOURAGEMENT. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. The word comfort here has the meaning of encourage. Edifying and encouraging are mentioned together. Encouragement counteracts discouragement. The devil is a discourager. There was a time David was discouraged. 1 Samuel 30:6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. Their city was burnt. Homes had been destroyed. Wives and children were gone. All hope was gone. He was in danger from his enemies and his friends. What did David do? But David chose to encourage himself in the Lord. He strengthened himself by his encouraging outlook. And David also gave encouragement to a whole load of others. Encouragement is powerful. As Moses urged the people: Deuteronomy 1:21 Behold, the LORD thy God hath set the land before thee: go up and possess it, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath said unto thee; fear not, neither be discouraged. Be not DIS-couraged. Fear not. Be EN-couraged. When someone’s down, help to pick them up. Be encouraged. And BE an encourager. Be a source of encouragement. A channel of blessing. Be a Barnabas – he was known as an encourager. Take on the ministry of encouragement. Your words have power. Are you building – or tearing down? Are you criticising and complaining? Or constructing and comforting? “Encouragement is oxygen to the soul.” Be a “construction-worker”; building up the kingdom of God. The Lord wants His church to be edified. “In order to grow, the Body needs me. In order to grow, I need the Body.” Find edifying and supportive words to say. Are you building up - or tearing down? We are “Christians under construction”. I’m just another brick like you. We are all under construction. Romans 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. Build with Love. Charity edifies. Build with Grace. And speak it, minister it. Build with Encouragement. Be a helper of another’s joy. 2 Cor. 1:24. Bring some sunshine into someone else’s life. What words will we choose? Our words can edify. Let’s refuse unwholesome, unhelpful words. Let’s rather speak wholesome words – Speak words that edify – that build up – helpful words. Let us be hungry for more of the Lord Jesus. To know Him. Let us action what is our own personal responsibility before the Lord. Obey what He says. This is one thing we definitely can and ought to do: Edify one another!

God knows me through and through. A practical exposition of Psalm 139 by Brother Jesse Trumble. Psalms 139:1-24 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. 2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. 3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. 4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. 5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. 7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. 11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. 12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. 13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. 14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. 15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. 17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! 18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee. 19 Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men. 20 For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain. 21 Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee? 22 I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies. 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

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Psalm One talks about a Blessed man. Many people feel a hopelessness. Some search vainly for happiness from fame or fortune. Psalm 1 shows us how we can find a Fulfilled and Fruitful life. The Blessed Man has a: 1. WAY He has done a U-turn. (1) Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. It’s a new path. He has found joy - in believing. It’s by faith. There’s a blessing in believing. We have a different destination. It’s NOT the way of sinners. We don’t follow the counsel of the ungodly. We can know a new way of thinking, a new way of walking. We aren’t fellow travellers with the sinners, but we’re walking with the saints of the most high. The blessed man honours the Lord and the things of God. What makes a Blessed man? He's found a new Direction - The Way… and… He's also found a new Delight - The Word. 2. WORD (2) But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. This idea of meditating to me strikes me as spending time. Taking time in the Word, mulling it over. We need to "get in the Word" and "get the Word in us"… The Word of God brings a real thrill to our lives. We can apply it to life. It becomes part of our heart and thinking. The Blessed man has… • A new direction - the Way of Life • A new delight - the Word of Life And… • A new dimension - the Water of Life 3. WATER The Blessed man has found a new Dimension. The Water of Life. (3) And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. There’s no dryness here - there’s a free, flowing river. There’s supply. Water is used as a symbol of the Holy Spirit. The Blessed man has entered into a whole new dimension - the Spirit-filled life. The Christian’s heart is the Holy Spirit’s home. There's a true source of spiritual refreshment and empowerment. The power to live godly. The blessed man is likened to the healthy tree planted by the river - it can grow strong from the supply of water. God’s power is our resource. It tells of the blessed man, (3) And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. There is… • a fruit • a fruitfulness • a flourishing • a fulfillment there… God’s will is that we grow. God wants you bearing fruit, and flourishing. 2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. God’s desire for us is that we grow. We draw our spiritual life and strength from the Holy Spirit. The Blessed Man will be growing, maturing, advancing, progressing. There's a wonderful fruitfulness • An abundance • A satisfaction • That comes from knowing Christ and His salvation. (4) The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. The ungodly are the OPPOSITE of the blessed man… While… • The godly have found the way. The ungodly are lost. Hopelessly lost. • The godly have Life. The ungodly have death. They are like dead men. • The godly have a fullness, yet the ungodly have only emptiness. It says they are just like the chaff - lost, dead, empty. The ungodly do not know The Way of Life. They refuse it. They go their own way. Their direction is hell-bound. Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. The ungodly do not know The Word of Life. They are scornful and know not the Author of Salvation. They do not heed the Lord and His soul-saving Truth. Their delight is vain and empty. They have no lasting joy. No eternal hope. Nothing to steer them away from ultimate emptiness and despair. The ungodly do not have The Water of Life. They would rather drink their fill of the world and its vanities. They do not have the strength that comes from being planted by the rivers of water. They are powerless when trouble comes. (5) Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. Notice - it says that they will not stand (justified) in the Judgment. Things will only get worse, much worse. Guilt and shame is upon them. As much as they may try to dull their conscience, the fact remains. They are unforgiven. The pardon is offered - yet they refuse it. Fact is, they are running out of time. The ungodly will be ashamed - and will be judged guilty - and forever shut out of blessedness. They will face eternal ruin. (6) For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. Will you trust Him today? Real joy is found in believing… You can live the rich, radiant, full, happy, joyful, abundant life.

Looking for love? Some loves are a curse - some are a blessing. Which love do we choose? Some search for a Hollywood style love. Mostly it’s fake, fleshly, and destructive. Finding the right kind of love can make life so much richer. There’s blessing in relationships with godly friends, in a lifelong commitment in marriage. The ultimate love relationship is to know God. Sadly, some know only a love that will bring ruin and loss. This is a love NOT to have: 1 John 2:15-17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. “World”, here, means the system and way of life that is led by satan, 2 Corinthians 4:4 …the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not. It speaks of the evil world system. At the heart of it is a wanting of sin; a refusing of God. John does not say: "Don't love the world too much" but he says, “Do not love the world at all”. The love of the world is filled with fleshly appetites and selfish pride. The world lies in the grip of the evil one, 1 John 5:19. The world is what appeals to the flesh, and works against God. The world hates Christ and real Christians. The love of the world draws people like a magnet. Ungodly influences and sinful ways bring them hurt and shame. To love the world and its things is an empty love, with short-lived pleasures. Moses saw what the love of the world looked like. He could have had all the treasures and pleasures of Egypt - but he chose a different love. Hebrews 11:24-26 By faith Moses… refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt… Moses knew that to love the world and its empty pleasures was no match for the blessing of knowing God. John contrasts the love of the world and the love of God the Father. To know and love the eternal God, and to be in His will - is greater value than loving this passing world. The Bible tells of some who are “lovers of pleasure” rather than “lovers of God”, 2 Timothy 3:4. Some pursue pleasure and vanities as their god. God warns us to NOT be conformed to the world, Romans 12:2. Demas, was one drawn away by this magnet, that is the world. He deserted Paul, “having loved this present world” (2 Timothy 4:10). The love of the world only brings disappointment and loss. As with Lot – he “pitched his tent toward Sodom”, Genesis 13:12. The love of the world is dangerous to your soul. This world and its love will pass away. For some, the love of the things of the world, and the way the world loves is all that they know of love. A kind of love people supposedly fall into and then fall out of. God Himself is the true definition of love: God is love, 1 John 4:8. We can actually come to know the Love of God, to love Him. 1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God… Consider God’s tender love for us. You are “Beloved”! God so loved - that He gave. It was selfless, sacrificial, redeeming love. Look at the love that He so freely gives us! This love is lasting - forever. It’s not temporary - not dependent on feelings. It is committed; eternal. Jeremiah 31:3 …Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love… It’s the love of Jesus. Romans 8:35-39, Nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. The love of God is the greatest truth of all. 1 John 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. The best relationship you can have is to know God. God’s love for sinful man has made salvation possible through Christ’s death on the cross. Truly, it is redeeming love. A love that brings rescue and deliverance. Ephesians 3:17-19, That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. See how much He loves you! The breadth - the wideness of His mercy. The length - to the extremity of the cross. The depth - he reaches to the lowliest. The height - His love is out of this world. Behold His Love. Receive His love. Nothing can separate you from it. Love not the world. Neither the things that are in the world. Beloved, Behold what manner of love. The love of God. God the father so loves. Will you receive His love? Know His love. Show His love? It is your choice. You can know a wonderful love relationship with God, by faith.

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One of THE most dramatic events in all of human history… Truly a pivotal moment in all of time. Matthew 28:6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. The Risen Christ brings a sense of FEAR. And they (the Marys) departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. The almighty death defying power of God brought life out of death! It was awe inspiring. The Risen Christ brings JOY. When the Marys came to the tomb, they came in gloom and downheartedness. But they left with a spring in their step, and beaming faces. The empty tomb was cause for joy. Their Lord was alive again! The gospel is glad news! Joyful news! The Risen Christ brings PEACE. He comes, and He speaks peace to our soul. There is a great assurance. Romans 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. In Verse 9 we read that they worshiped Him. Matthew 28:9 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. The fact that our Lord has risen again brings a wonderful assurance of the victory He has won. Revelation 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive forevermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. The Lord Jesus has the keys of hell and of death. He is the mighty conqueror – the victor over the last enemy, Death. He is triumphant. You can be a victorious Christian because of His victory over death. Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. The fact that our Lord rose again, victorious over death gives us reason for an everlasting hope. 1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, We have an ever-living hope that goes beyond the grave. Peter tells of a hope within us. The resurrection is one reason for this assurance we have in our hearts. 1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Christ’s resurrection is a foretaste of our own. John 5:28-29 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, (29) And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. The moment you commit yourself to Christ, you become truly alive. Eternal life begins at that moment. John 20:27-28 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. The same glorious power that God displayed at the resurrection is at work in us. Philippians 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; We can know Him, and the power of His resurrection. It’s the same Spirit. The same power that raised Christ from the dead. It is the power of the Gospel, the power of God unto salvation, the power of God that saves us AND keeps us.

Philippians 2:5-11 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (6) Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: (7) But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: (8) And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Here was the Lord of Glory, God manifest in the flesh. Very God and very man. What a contrast - Being in the form of God and then – being found in fashion as a man. Made in the likeness of men. He made Himself of no reputation. He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death. Even the death of the cross. Consider… His journey there… The Garden • As He prayed. • The agony of the cup. • Sweat like great drops of blood. • The betrayal - by his close friend of three years. As time went by… The sleepless night The pretence of three mock trials. The Mockery • The purple robe. • The crowning with thorns. • He was reviled. • Struck by sharp blows. • The spittle. And people mock Him still. • Some fools even try to pretend that He never existed. • The One from Who all history is dated. One day all the mockers will be ashamed. No one can honestly deny the fact of His existence. The fact of… the eyewitness accounts - the veracity of the record… The scourging • His bruising. • He was torn. • His visage – his face was marred - more than any man He was hated - without a cause. • The reproach. • The abuse. • The rejection. The Curse Galatians 3:13 …Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: Literally - it tells of the curse of God. The vilest thing in God’s sight. • The curse of the cross. He bore it. • The shame. He wore it. • The carrying of the cross for almost 2 kilometres. All the while subject to cursing and wounding. • The agonising death march. He walked it, all the way to that rugged Hill. Behold, The Lamb of God. Who takes away the sin of the world. Even the death of the cross. • The death reserved for the most wretched of criminals. • There He hung - suspended between heaven and earth. The Mediator between God and man. It was, and is God’s plan. The only way we can be saved. • The penalty. • The remedy • The spotless lamb. • The just for the unjust. He who knew no sin was made to be sin for us. • Made a curse. • Bearing the sins of many. The unfathomable suffering. Even the death of the cross. The Brutality. • The Shame. • The Humiliation. The Nails. • The stabbing pain • Every breath was painful. • One doctor has called the cross “a symphony of pain” produced by every movement, with every breath... • Spasm • Convulsions • Cramp The thirst He was offered – but He refused – the bitter cup of gall, that could have brought Him some sedation of the pain. Gangrene • Tetanus • Fever • The torment of flies Abandoned. • Alone. • God forsaken. Yet hear His victory cry – it is finished! At that moment… The Veil - it was torn. It was at the ninth hour – the time at which a sacrificial lamb was killed every day in the Jewish temple, and the Lord Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” He died, after saying “It is finished.” About this moment is probably the time when the temple’s priestly ram’s horn would have been blown that day, announcing that the priests had completed the sacrifice of the lamb for the sins of Israel. Also at that moment, the great, thick curtain that closed the Holy of Holies room from view, ripped open from top to bottom. The veil - this thick curtain of separation - was torn. The veil of His very flesh was torn. After He was pierced, it appears to show that His very heart was torn, in His travail of soul, from a cardiac rupture. The way was made open. Christ was the victim of divine wrath. All that was evil, that offended the holy God, was laid on Him. Imputed to Him. God’s awesome anger was fully vented and poured out. The Judge took the full sentence for us. Greater love hath no man than this. It is finished - was His victory cry. But wait - there’s more. More victory! Because He is risen. (9) Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: He was raised! But wait - there’s more! More victory! (10) That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; (11) And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

A sermon on redemption themes. Many are unaware of the prison bars that hold them. They are captive to the controlling power of the world’s worst dictator. Our Lord came, Luke 4:18 …to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised. That same deliverer who set His people free from Egypt’s hard bondage still brings DELIVERANCE. His mission includes Acts 10:38 ...healing all that are oppressed of the devil... He has come to set the captives FREE – to know true liberty... John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. He is our great deliverer. Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Our Lord can set people free from the snare of the devil. Our enemy is a cunning trickster... a con artist... 2 Corinthians 11:14 …transformed into an angel of light. The sinner is helpless, in the grip of darkness, and under the just wrath of God... Yet a sure escape and pardon is freely offered, if he will but take it... John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. We can know a glad freedom in Christ. Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. The Lord redeemed Israel from Egypt through the blood of the lambs… He delivered them from the bitterness and hard bondage of their task masters. We were held as captives, enslaved to sin and death... Yet He sets us truly Free. John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. Sin has powerful mastery over multitudes. There is a mind control of the masses. Many follow a worldview that is destructive. Many souls are enslaved and face destruction. Our great deliverer has shed His blood for our saving. Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; God calls the saved “the Redeemed” - we are truly a set-free people. The Lord rescues sinners from the domain of satan, and offers the glorious liberty of the sons of God. God calls us overcomers. His will is that we overcome, not be overcome. Romans 6:16 …to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? When we receive Christ He transforms our hearts and rewires our mind, our thought patterns. He gives us a new way of talking. He sets us free, in our souls, our hearts, our minds. He breaks through the darkness of our dingy dungeon, looses us from oppression, frees us from captivity, and throws open the prison doors. He breaks the control over all our controlling emotions and lusts that are contrary to His will. He strikes the fetters from our hands and feet. He removes the scales from our eyes. He looses our bonds. We have found joy... and everlasting freedom... We have been gloriously purchased with a price — the precious, priceless blood of Christ. 1 Corinthians 7:23 Ye are bought with a price… We can know a full deliverance from doubt and fear and the flesh. From pride, and self-deception. There are over 100 Scriptures which speak to the freedom and victory that we can know. That we can have a personal victory in our lives, over sin, through Christ Jesus... God provides us with a way of escape, 1 Corinthians 10:13. If you are a Christian you have been redeemed — you have been purchased, delivered, and rescued. The Bible says sin no longer has mastery over you. He tells us that we can be made free from sin. Romans 6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. Our old, dread slave master has ownership over us no longer... Just as Pharaoh ceased to hold power over the children of Israel, after their deliverance, so sin no longer has power over you. The blood of Christ has delivered you from your captivity to sin and death. Our Lord has delivered and redeemed us from sin. We have a new, gracious, loving master, who we freely and willingly want to serve. We are glad servants of our Lord and we have a new obedience to His will. We can know His redeeming power is also His great keeping power... Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: His delivering power is ongoing. The Lord will finish what He has started. There is a full and free deliverance available for the vilest of the vile. Our precious Lord has delivered us from the domain of darkness. We have been set free from that control... Colossians 1:13-14 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: (14) In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

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Sunday PM service, 17th April 22. Sermon on Redemption theme.

Australia is broken. Damaged. Sick. We have need of healing. The great need for our land is: Revival. 2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. We need divine intervention. Here are the requirements for revival. IF my people… IF is a big word. There’s a choice. Revival starts with you and me. God’s own people. 1. Be Humble We have to let go of pride. Pride caused the downfall of Lucifer. James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. Humility is being totally consumed with glorifying God. He gets the glory, not us. God hates prideful religion. 1 Peter 5:5 …be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. There’s plenty of training in the world on building self esteem… but what about learning humility? Pride is the enemy of revival. Let us be humble… and God will use us… Be a servant willing to serve. 2. Pray and Seek His Face Prayerlessness is another enemy of revival. God told Solomon… 2 Chronicles 7:12 …I have heard thy prayer… God hears the humble prayer. Let’s be a praying church. Get a burden. There is power in prayer. Let us pray fervently. Be faithful in prayer. “Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tyre?” Let us pray and seek His face. Understand His will, His heart. Let us be stirred to prayer. To yield to God. 3. Turn from wickedness Australia normalises now what just a few years ago was considered deviant. Criminal behaviour. It still is wrong in God’s sight. We are a morally bankrupt nation. There is increasing evil and immorality. May we be moved at the condition of our nation. To pray. We have need of a conviction of sin. Bow to the will of God. As a people we have been going in the wrong direction. How we need a repentance. A turning unto God. Sin will block prayer. We must humble ourselves and pray. We must turn from our wicked ways. We cannot say, “Here am I” before we have ever said, “Woe is me!” If we meet the requirements - there is a promise. THEN… He says… He will hear He will forgive. He will heal. As we yield to God, He promises forgiveness and blessing.

The word "worship" is found 108 times in the Bible. Worship is basic to the human soul. What is worship? It’s “Worth-ship”: When we worship God we declare His worth - God’s worthiness. How we worship matters. God's Word shows both True and False worship. Our Lord tells of how some worship is “Vain” - empty, worthless, fruitless. Matthew 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Some worship is NOT acceptable to God. It is Outward-only Worship. Meaningless, Hypocritical worship. Without heart devotion to the glory of God. All outward religion that does not involve heart worship is VAIN WORSHIP. IN CONTRAST to this - is Real, Sincere, True Worship… John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. HOW are we to worship? In spirit AND in truth. It’s worship from the spirit - the inner man, the mind, the heart. Some seek a human-centered worship - an entertainment experience - rather than a God-honouring service. True Christian worship springs from THE SPIRIT. It is related to the Holy Spirit of God, NOT the carnal spirit of the world. Genuine worship must also be "IN TRUTH”. Our worship must match up with God’s Word. John 17:17 …thy word is truth. To worship God in truth is to worship Him according to His Word. Acceptable worship is more than a warm and fuzzy feeling, and a fervent heart. Without Truth, our worship can offend God. Romans 10:2 talks of some people having a zeal of God, yet it’s "NOT according to knowledge" (Romans 10:2). HOW we worship God is no trivial matter. It is deadly serious. Cain, Adam’s firstborn son was rejected by God, all because his worship was wrong — in motive and in method. Abel’s worship was received. His was by faith. Nadab and Abihu were judged for offering "strange fire" at the altar— they minimised sin and made up their own rules for worship. Our worship to God is acceptable - IF it lines up with the Bible, and comes from a heart truly saved. The “HOW” can be a controversial subject… Is it OK to bring in the rock band, the drum kit, the rock beat, and jazz up the church, make worship more “contemporary” and “relevant” - to attract people in from the lost world around us? Do we truly worship in the spirit - OR in the flesh? The “hip” church is mimicking the world. They’re trying hard to make this music look acceptable for worship. BUT the Bible urges believers to follow GOD – NOT the world. Rock is a compromise. The Bible urges us to choose the godly and to shun what’s ungodly. True Christian music is primarily music which worships and glorifies God and spiritually edifies the saints. James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. We can’t worship God truly in spirit and in truth with this worldly style music. Some churches place their emphasis on excitement and entertainment. The true believer is NOT of this world. John 17:16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. We need to honour the Lord. • To reverence His Name. • To stand in awe of Him. Worship is a holy expression before a holy God. God’s true Church is no circus. • It is here that we sense God's holiness and our own sinfulness. • Here we bow before God and honour Him. Is our worship from a godly source? Where does it come from - and where it is leading? WHO is the Worship for? Our worship is to be focused on God, not on the worshipper. If our worship is truly to be FOR God, then we must worship God according to His Word. He is the focus of our worship. And our worship comes from the depths of our being. Our worship is not to entertain and please us or lift our emotions. That can happen, but that is not the object of worship. Do we worship - or do we just "Go to Church"? To worship God the Father we must be sure we are related to Him. So then, as saved people we want to give Him due worship and praise!