Congregation. First 30x from Acts 13 states, Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, be it known unto you. The sermon from the Apostle Paul started with similar words. Listen to what we hear in verse 16. Man of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience. In other words, listen to me very careful. What I'm going to tell you is from the uttermost importance. Listen careful to the words of God in this sermon. And in verse 38, the final part of the sermon of the Apostle Paul in Antioch, in Pythidia, in Asia Minor, has come. The third and final part. And then he says again, be it known unto you therefore. And if we hear these words, it is as if we see the man, the Apostle Paul, standing right before us. And he radiates something unyielding. He stands there firm as a rock. Nothing and nobody can stop him from speaking these words. One thing is for sure for the Apostle Paul. The people in the congregation, the people everywhere in all time and all places need to hear these words. Be it known unto you Congregation of Grand Rapids, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins. What a beautiful words. Words of life. Well, let's suppose, congregation, that we will get the opportunity to speak for a large audience a message and you are free to speak whatever you like to speak. Tomorrow morning you just woke up and the phone rings. You take up your phone and you answer by stating your name and then you hear CNN speaking. And of course you start listening carefully. CNN speaking, CNN calling me, why? And then you hear, we would like to invite you over tomorrow evening to speak some words. Me? Yes, you. To speak some words for our program, The World Right Now. You just get five minutes, but you are free to speak about every subject you want. just speak freely about what's on your heart. So, what would you say? Is there something on your heart you would like to share with this large audience in the States and even worldwide? Is there something which troubles you? Is it maybe one of your hobbies or your work? Whatever. Paul doesn't have to think long about it, what is of the uttermost importance. He knows it exactly. Man and brethren, listen to me. I know what is of the uttermost importance. I know for certain what the Apostle Paul would speak tomorrow for CNN if he should get a chance for five minutes. I think he wants to show the whole world Jesus Christ and his beauty. And to announce that there is forgiveness of sin in this man. Well, that's the message this morning. We are going to think about what we read in verse 38. That's our text verse. Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins. Our theme this morning is words of the uttermost importance. Words of the uttermost importance. Three points of attention. One, the living one. So words about God, the living one. It's the longest thought. Then the second thought, gives forgiveness. So the living one, one, gives forgiveness, the second thought. And then the third thought, to those who believe. The living one gives forgiveness to those who believe. The living one If you move back a little bit in your Bible and you move back to Acts 13, the verses 1, 2, 3, we can read how Paul and Barnabas are called by the Lord to do work in his service. And we read in Verse 2, as they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, separate me, Barnabas, and solve for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. That's how the first mission trip started. As you know, the Apostle Paul went out on three mission trips. Well, here starts the first mission trip from Antioch in Syria. And immediately they set off. And they embark on a vessel in the harbor of Antioch in Syria. And they set sail to the island of Cyprus. And then they traversed this island of Cyprus from the east end to the west end. And, of course, they preached the word of God because that's what they called for, to preach the word of God, to proclaim the gospel, that everyone should hear the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. And once they traverse the island, they arrive at the far west end of the island, the harbour of Paphos. And again, they embark on another vessel, and they set sail to the north, and they cross the Mediterranean, and then they arrive at the south coast of Asia Minor, present-day Turkey. And there they journey a short trip They travel in a short trip to Purga, as you read in Acts 13. And once arrived in Purga, they don't stop for a long time and they go on and they travel further northwards up to the heartlands of Asia Minor. And there they arrive at another Antioch, Antioch in Pithidia, Antioch in the heartland of present-day Turkey, Asia Minor. Actually, that trip from Perga to Antioch in Pithidia on the heartland of Asia Minor is a hard and a tough journey. It is more or less 130 miles, but it's a journey through a mountain range called the Taurus Mountain Range. And the mountains over there are pretty high, up to 10,000 feet, 3,000 meters. So Paul and Barnabas are traveling through a mountain range. They will probably go through deep valleys, cross rivers, and go over high mountain paths. Not an easy travel, but you know, And I hope you know, when we follow Jesus in our life, life isn't easy. It is not always pleasant for our flesh to follow Jesus, our Savior. You know, if we follow Jesus, then we take up our cross daily. And we bear that cross. And that cross is a cross of self-denial, self-sacrifice. It's not only the way of the servants called to preach the Word, no. To take up our cross in self-denial and self-sacrifice is the way of every Christian, everyone who wants to follow Jesus has to take up his cross. And we see it time and again in the book of Acts, in the life of the apostles and the life of the disciples, how they have to take up their cross. day after day in self-denial. Okay, that's how the Apostle Paul and Barnabas travel through this high mountain range up to Antioch. And guess what they do once arrived in Antioch, in Pisidia, in the heartland of Asia Minor? Of course, first of all, they are going to preach the word to the Jews. The Jew first. Then and now. Let's not forget congregation. The Jews, until present day, yeah, until Christ will return from heaven, is God's eye apple. That's for sure. They are first of all God's old covenant people. And as you know, God's covenant is forever and ever. His words are true forever and ever. First, the Jew, and then the Gentiles. And that's why the Apostle Paul, over and over again, when he arrives at a new place, first of all, he looks out for the synagogue. And on the Shabbat day, he will preach the word first to the Jew. And again, congregation, This is also for us an important thing to do today in our lives. And once arrived in the congregation, in the synagogue at Shabbat in Antioch, then he gets an invitation to speak the word of God. And we read in verse 15, After the reading of the law and the prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, so the Apostle Paul and Barnabas, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on. Wow, what an opportunity for the Apostle Paul to preach the word of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord always opens ways to let man know about his Son, Jesus Christ. Speak whatever you want to speak. And then we read about a sermon in a synagogue in Antioch. in Asia Minor, in Pythidia. It's a long sermon. Of course, we only have a summary of this sermon, but it's a beautiful sermon. And like most of our sermons nowadays, it is a sermon in three parts. I would like to say like almost every good Calvinistic sermon, a sermon in three parts. Of course the Apostle Paul didn't know about Calvin, but okay, three parts. If you follow me, the first part starts in verse 16, and it goes all the way up to verse 25. That's the first part of the sermon. The second part of the sermon starts in verse 26, And it goes as far as verse 37. And then from verse 38 onwards, it's the third part of the sermon, three parts. So our text first for this morning actually is the first verse of the third part of the sermon. What's it all about? In the first two parts of the sermon, the Apostle Paul is going to lay in foundation. Actually, the Apostle Paul and every preacher, you can be sure about that, wants to build a house. You know, it's my dream to build a house every day. Which house? The house of the gospel. the house of the beauty of God, the house of the glory of God, the house of eternal life, the house of forgiveness of sins, the house that the wet of God is appeased, that life is possible for men and women caught up in death, in a prison of death and a prison of sin, That house I want to build. And this is the house the Apostle Paul wants to build. But you know, before building this house, it is important to lay a foundation. And that's exactly what the Apostle Paul is doing and what every preacher will do in his sermons. First of all, we need to build a foundation. Before we will build the beautiful house of the glory of God and the glory of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the house of salvation, we need to lay a foundation. It's like building a house in everyday life. Of course, it's impossible to build a house straight on the soil. Because when forces are exerted on the house, and of course forces are exerted on the house, it will eventually collapse if there is no solid foundation. So if you have to build a house, first of all, you will lay a foundation. So your house is solid and it will stay at least your life. Well, this house of the gospel needs to stay forever and forever. So, Whitney is really a solid foundation. You know, this is exactly what the Apostle Paul is doing in the first two points of attention in his sermon, laying in foundation for the gospel. We will go over it in a while. But to give you a short summary of it, you know what he is showing in these first two points of attention? And I hope you learned it in your life. The first thing he is going to show is God and God alone. The mighty deeds of God in the history of Israel. And the second thing he's going to show is the trustworthiness of God's word. So combine these two. He's going to learn the congregation who God is. And the second thing he's going to learn is who we are. Do you know who you are, boy, girl, father, mother? We are sinners. We are totally depraved. That's who we are. And the Apostle Paul will tell us these two things. Calvin, his first words for the institutions, he wrote, the whole life of a Christian, only two things are important to know. First of all, who is God? And the second thing, who you are. And every day in our life, we will learn more from God and more from us. And these two things are going together. The more you learn about your sinfulness, your depravity, the more you will long for God and glorify God. And you don't want to miss Jesus Christ any moment in your life. You know, this is exactly what the Apostle Paul is going to show in the first two parts of his sermon. Let's listen to it. Actually, do you know that you can learn who God is? You can learn who you are already from nature. Maybe you should read this afternoon There's lots of time between the two services. Romans 1. And the Apostle Paul is telling us that from nature everybody can learn about the Holy God, the creator of the earth. And you know the second thing we can learn from nature? That we men are depraved. We make a mess of this earth. We are sinful people. Look to the history of human life. At one hand, you can see God is trustworthy. He goes on and on with the human beings, with all human on earth. He keeps his word. At the other hand, it shows you the utter depravity. of mankind we just have to watch nature and history to learn about these two things but the big question is do you know it personally? through the power of the Holy Spirit how old are you? 18 years? 20 years? Eight years? I don't know. Maybe 80? So all this time of your life, God told you these two things. Who he is and who you are. Did you learn it? Did you acknowledge it? Did you confess your sins? Well, let's go over just in a few words, just in a couple of minutes, over the first two thoughts of the Sermon of the Apostle Paul. It starts in verse 17. The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers. You know, it starts with grace. from all humankind, God chose this people, Israel. And of course, in our contemporary world, in the New Testament, from all humankind, God set you apart as the new covenant people. He chose you He did put you under the umbrella of the covenant. Why? Because you are better than the other people outside? No, of course not. Listen. Deuteronomy 7, verse 7. An important verse in the Bible. Deuteronomy 7, verse 7. The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor chose you, because ye were more in number than any people, for ye were the fewest of all people, but because the Lord loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto you and your fathers. It is unilateral love of God that is choosing people and setting them apart, calling them out of the world and setting them apart and putting an umbrella over them, the umbrella of the covenant. And you have a seal of it in the sign and token of baptism here on your forehead. Boy, girl, you just have to feel it in your forehead. to know who God is and He set you apart. And just to feel here to know He loves me. He will never forget me. You know, this is the first sentence only. And already from this first sentence in this sermon from the Apostle Paul, we learn who God is and who we are. And he goes on and he goes on to show God's hand in the history of the people of Israel. Listen, verse 17b, with an high arm brought him out of the land of Egypt. He did set them free from the bondage of slavery. If you want to be free from slavery of sin, don't try it in your own power. You will fail again and again. God is the one who sets free. God and He only. He continues, verse 18. About the time of 40 years, suffered He their manners in their wilderness. 40 years, God guided them and leaded them through their wilderness and He gave them everything. He gave them daily food, He gave them clothes, He gave them everything. And you know about their behavior. so depraved, so sinful, so stubborn. And I look to my life as a pastor, and I look back these over 50 years, and you know what I see? Stubbornness. Sinfulness. And I see God's mighty hand. His grace and His mercy endures forever. What a wonderful God we have. It goes on. Verse 20. After that he gave unto them judges about the space of 450 years. You know, time and again, you know how it went in the history of Israel. Time and again they left God and God chastised them and he brought enemies. But God didn't leave his people because of their sins. Despite their sins, he used his mighty hand and he freed them. That's God. God and God alone. Nothing from us. God and God alone. He is the Savior. And it continues, verse 21, afterwards they desired a king. Oh, how stupid. Who is the king of Israel? The Lord triumphed. Who is your king? The Lord triumphed. Why should we long for a king? But God is so long-suffering and he gave his people a king. And it continues, verse 22, When he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king, while he gave them a king, David. And he said from him, verse 22, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will. God gave them a king. But at the other hand, you know the life of King David. And we know this prophecy is not actually about David the king. It is about the great David, the Messiah, Jesus Christ. He is the man after God's heart, not David, but the great David, God's son, Jesus Christ. And over and over again in the Old Testament, God promised, I will give you a king. I will give you my son. I will give you a Messiah. And he will set you free from the bondage of sins. He will give you everlasting life. He will give you forgiveness of all your sins, despite who you are. You know, this is only the first thought of the sermon. How wonderful this sermon. I wished the sermon this morning had the same power. because it moved and disturbed the people in the synagogue. And then he continues to the second part of the sermon, starting from verse 26. Oh, one thing more, because the Old Testament actually, or you could say it is the beginning of the New Testament, but this morning I say it's the last words of the Old Testament is about John the Baptist after all these long years of the stubbornness of the people of Israel and the trustworthiness of God John the Baptist came and he pointed out to the Messiah, the real David, the Son of God. And he said, look unto him, the Lamb of God. Well, that's how the first part of the sermon ends. And then in the second part, I go over it a bit more faster. In the second part of the sermon, he points out irrefutably that Jesus from Nazareth is the long-awaited King, the Messiah. How? By opening Scripture. First of all, he tells a bit more about Jesus of Nazareth. We just read the words, starting from Verse 26, men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, whoever among you fears God, to you is the word of this salvation sent. For they that dwell at Jerusalem and their rulers because they knew him not know yet the voices of the prophets which are read every Shabbat day. They have fulfilled them in condemning him. The people of Israel condemned Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah, the long-awaited King. What should we say about the people of Israel? What should we say about ourselves? We are not better than the people of Israel. They condemned him. Verse 28. And though they found no cause of death, they desired Pilate that he should be slain. They desired his death. Maybe you tell me this morning from the place where you're seated now, but I didn't desire the death of Jesus Christ. Oh, bet you did. And I did. You know how I desired the death of Jesus Christ? By my sin. And I went going on sinning day by day. If I look back, I see a trail of sins for more than 50 years. With every sin, how small it is. I actually desired the death of my Savior. How great is my Savior. His long-suffering, His patience. They desired His death. I desired His death by my sinfulness. How depraved I am. And then these wonderful words in verse 30. You know what happened? God raised him from death. These are wonderful words. Whom of you is raised from death? Who in history of humankind is raised from death? We all make one journey when we can sure about it. And that's the journey into death. as the penalty for sin but this man Jesus of Nazareth went into death your death my death and he rose up from that death he conquered death Men and brethren here in Grand Rapids, Jesus Christ conquered death, the penalty on our sin. You know what a special day Lord's Day is? The day he rose up from death. It is the day of a radical reversal in German history. Till that moment on death reigned. But now life is reigning because he rose up from dead. May it comfort you that that doesn't have the last word. Jesus Christ has the last word and he is the king of life. He's the king of light. What a wonderful sermon, isn't it? Three times, read it at home, three times in the second part of his sermon he says, he rose up from death. Three times he says in the second part of his sermon, he didn't see any corruption. And three times he says, as is written in scripture, in other words, God is to be trusted. His word is to be trusted. He rose up from dead, His Son, Jesus Christ. What a wonderful words. Well, well, this is all only the first two parts of the sermon, the foundation. And now the real message of the sermon starts. He, the living one, gives forgiveness. What a message, this third part of the sermon. Paul arrives at the last part of his sermon. starting from verse 38. Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man, you know, you could summarize the whole sermon of the Apostle Paul at Antioch in two words, this man. You know, you could summarize every sermon of me in two words, this man, Jesus Christ. Not me, not another pastor, not an elder, not a deacon, not your father, not your mother, not your spouse, not your friend, not President Trump. This man, he should get all honor. He should be the center point of our lives. Men and brethren, listen. This man, Jesus from Nazareth, All that matters in life, boys, girls, youngsters, please listen, is to know this man. Listen to the words of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 3 verse 10, that I may know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings being made conformable unto his death. But then the question is, what is of the uttermost importance of this man, Jesus Christ? Well, listen to the words of Psalm 85, Psalter 231. Lord, thou hast favor shown thy land. Restored again thy captive band. And now it comes, thy people's sins. thou pardoned hast, and all their guilt hast covered over, removed from thy anger sore, all thy fears wet behind thee cast. All is wet cast away, total forgiveness of sins, the wet of God appeased. by the sacrifice of God's Son Jesus Christ this man is of the uttermost importance you know there is just one thing to learn in life if you only learn this thing in this man is a total forgiveness of all your sins do you believe? it's all that matters Of course, you have to go to school and you have to learn hard. You have to work hard. But it doesn't matter for eternity. First and foremost, seek this man, Jesus Christ, and know of the total forgiveness of all your sins. In him, the slave driver ends his work. You are free from the bondage to sin. In Him, there is a total forgiveness of all sins. In Him, our debt towards God is totally paid for. In Him, the wrath of God is satisfied. Well, there is just that one Him. We praise God. But one more question. Just to be sure we understand each other. Is there one of you who is able to explain here in the congregation what actually sin is? I always ask these questions to the young people at the catechization classes, and of course they come up with the Ten Commandments. And they say, I trespass these Ten Commandments. That's sin, Reverend. And I tell them, yes, that's right, that's sin. But there is far more to tell about sin. I just want to go over it quickly. We don't have time enough. That clock is running fast. But a few words about sin. in the Bible many words are used to describe sin and I just want to mention three of the most important words in the Bible which describe sin the first word in Hebrew maybe I pronounce it different because of my Dutch but I would say Avon it's a Hebrew word Avon well this word actually means sin is alone, sin is violation of God's law indeed just this morning the 10 commandments were read out so you know you violated God's law but you know even If you keep all these commandments, these 10 commandments, but you miss the love, you violated all of the 10 commandments. Because these 10 commandments are summarized in these one word. Love God above all, and love thy neighbor as thyself. Love. Love the other. You know, Adam and Eve, Adam and Eve, they were the first who violated God's law. They took that one forbidden fruit. What a stupidness. And I see it in my life, the stupidness of sin. God gave a garden full of trees. They were allowed to eat from all the trees, but that one, Is it difficult to keep this commandment? Yes, it is. Adam and Eve took from this one forbidden tree. They violated God's law. You know what I recognize in my life? My old man always wants to violate God's law. That's why a fight is going on in you and my life. A fight between the old man and the new man. And the old man wants to violate God's law. And the new man says, no, I want to love God and to keep his commandments. That's the first thing about sin. Violation of God's law. but now the second word the word actually is in Hebrew again PESHYAH PESHYAH and it means rebellion did you recognize in your life you are a rebellion? it started with again Adam and Eve. This rebellious action. Why? They wanted to be as God. That's why they took that one forbidden fruit because they want to determine themselves what is good and what is evil. They didn't want to listen to God and obey his laws. No, they wanted to be God themselves. They wanted to determine their own lives and to keep their life in their own hands. And this is exactly what's going on in our lives time and again. We want to control our lives. That's why we are making images of idols. How terrible this sin of rebellion. Because God is so good. God is so merciful. God is so long-suffering. God is so patient. He even gave his own son. And I'm such a rebel. Well, the third and final word about sin. It is the word gata. And in Greek, hamartion. Gata. And this word means missing the goal. So actually sin is violating God's law. That's the easy part to understand. Second, a bit more difficult because it comes so close to our heart. Sin is rebellion. We want to keep control of our lives. But the third thing is we miss the goal of our life. May I ask you, boy, what is the goal of your life? It's a difficult question, isn't it? Maybe you say, I want to become a fireman, a policeman, I want to become a farmer, or whatever. Oh, that's nice. And it's important to have such goals in life. And nothing wrong with it. But what is the first and uttermost goal of our life? To glorify God, our Creator. He's worth it. That you spend your life glorifying Him. What did we do this morning when we woke up and we saw the sun shining? Did we glorify God and give him thanks for this new day, especially this day, a Lord's day? You know, this is the goal of our life. Glorify God, triumph. And time and again, We strive after our own goals in life. And we forget this first and foremost and one most important goal of life, to glorify God. Well, through this man, Jesus Christ, The Son of God who became man, who was condemned by our sin, went into death, into the sepulcher. Through Him is a total forgiveness of all our sins. The sins of trespasses, violating God's law. The sins of rebellion, the sins of missing the goal of our life. That's why every sermon needs to be Christ-centric. No doubt about it. There's just one subject for every sermon. This man. Well, before we continue with the last point of attention, let's sing from Psalter 255. One, three, and four. 255. One now with joyful exultation. Let us sing Jehovah's praise. to the rock of our salvation and what follows. Psalter 255 verses 1, 3 and 4. ♪ And all the saints ♪ ♪ In the land of salvation ♪ ♪ And the home of the brave ♪ ♪ O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave ♪ O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming? In her giving, the first person had this vision. Religion of joy and freedom, be the vehicle of this vision. ♪ And raise with us the blessing of heaven and earth ♪ ♪ Glory, glory, peace, and gladness ♪ ♪ Evermore to thee be glory given ♪ ♪ And in the hour of your glory ♪ ♪ Which the heavens did not make ♪ ♪ And in the hour of your glory ♪ There's one important question to answer In this man, Jesus Christ, Jesus of Nazareth, is a total forgiveness of all sins, eternal life, the Word of God appeased. But actually, for whom is it? Is it automatically for all covenant people? You know the answer. It isn't. To be baptized is not enough. To attend Lord's Supper is not enough. One thing is needed. Just one thing. You see this hand? They are empty. Put your empty hands before Jesus Christ. You see these hands? They seem to be empty, but they're full of sins. Put your hands full of sins before Jesus Christ. Believe and be saved. in our text words. Verse 39, by him all that believe are justified from all things. In other words, by him, this man, Jesus of Nazareth, all that believe may know from total forgiveness of all sins and are reckoned righteous before God. All that believe, in other words, whoever it is that believes, whoever, whether it is a Jew or a Gentile, it doesn't matter before God. whether he or she is an active church member, going to church all his life, or whether he lives in the world, or he or she left the church, maybe one of your children. But it doesn't matter for God. All who believes, whether you are reformed, Evangelical, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Anglican, all that believes. Whether you are a man or you are a woman, whether you are old in your old ages and you look back on a sinful life and you are wrestling before God, whether you are young maybe only eight or seven years old or even younger it doesn't matter for God whoever believes whether you lead an exemplary life or your life is full of sin whether your life is in adversity or in prosperity, whether there is addiction in your life or not, all of this does not matter for God as far as God's grace in Christ is concerned. You know, God seeks the lost. Are you lost? God seeks the lost people. Glory unto God because this pastor is lost without God. Glory unto Him. He looked to me. The Holy Spirit showed Jesus Christ. Everyone who believes. Just this one important question before we go home and we return for the afternoon service. Do you believe in Jesus Christ? Maybe, maybe there is another question. What actually is faith? What is it? Well, listen. Lord's Day 7. Question 21. What is true faith? You know it by heart, I think. you learn it, isn't it? it's important to learn, listen true faith is not only a certain knowledge well all of you have a lot of knowledge you are in church you hear the sermons you are going to the catechism classes you have a lot of knowledge so you know at least here by your mind who you are, who God is, and who Jesus Christ is. So that part seems to be okay. A certain knowledge whereby I hold for truth all that God has revealed to us in his words. Congregation, please, stick to the word of God. This verse is trustworthy. Everything alive will fill. But this word of God is trustworthy. So stick to that word. You know, that's the first part of faith, knowledge. Then the second part, but also an assured confidence. You need confidence, not only knowing the word of God, but trusting the word of God by heart. trusting the word of God by heart, which the Holy Ghost works by the gospel in my heart. You see, the trusting part is in our heart, and our heart is the birth cradle of our actions. It's the command center of our lives. When the word of God, the faith in Jesus Christ is here, it's in my heart, I'll show it in my deeds, definitely. then life will change. Holiness, sanctification is not our effort. It is Christ by the Holy Spirit working in us through faith, ears, mind, heart, teeth. That's true faith. So please congregation, Watch yourself carefully and ask yourself, do I know the truth? Do I trust in my savior Jesus Christ? And when you look back at your life, is your life changed? Oh yes, the indwelling sin will remain, definitely. But the longer you live, the more you trust the Lord. He works out at least a part of holiness and sanctification in your life. It is a fruit, not anything from me. It's a fruit. Well, that's true faith. Do you recognize true faith in your life? Strive after it. And before I say Amen, You know, just these last words, faith is worked by the Holy Spirit, through the preaching of the Word, but don't resist the Holy Spirit. Whenever we hear God's work, we can resist the Word, and in that case we resist the Holy Spirit. And that's something terrible. Whenever we sing willingly, we resist the Holy Spirit. Please believe in the Lord. The last words Act 13, verse 40. Beware, therefore, lest this come upon you which is spoken of in the prophets. Behold, ye despisers, and wander and perish for a work, a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you. Unbelief is the greatest sin there is. Let me end with this question. Congregation of Grand Rapids, who is Jesus Christ for you? Amen. Let's pray. Lord, what a wonderful words for sinners. What a wonderful words for these unholy people. Lord, and even if we know you and we believe in your son, there is still this indwelling sin and so much unholiness. We are in such desperate need for your son. and for the powerful working of your Holy Spirit. Lord, again, thanks for these wonderful words that you are looking out for lost people and you are willing and longing to save them. Lord, work out the fruits of sanctification and holiness in our lives. It is your work and not our own work. Please go with us. Bring us again together this evening. I will listen to other words of the Apostle Paul about tribulations in our life. And indeed, there is tribulation in every Christian life. Lord, thank for everything you gave. Forgive the shortcomings in preaching. It was in such brokenness. Forgive the shortcomings in listening. Forgive the shortcomings in singing and praying. And Lord, please see our empty hands. We confess our sins and we flee to your son, Jesus Christ, our savior. Go with us and give us a blessed day. All of this we ask in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, amen.