I would ask you to open your Bibles, please, to Matthew's Gospel and the 13th chapter, Matthew, and chapter 13. Please give attention to two sections, obviously related. In this chapter, in that which is the parable of the tares or parable of the wheat and tares, we take up our reading first at verse 24, Matthew 13 and verse 24. Another parable, he put forth to them, saying, the kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while men slept, His enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. Now, obviously, the enemy would do this in order to kind of ruin the harvest. So it's all mingled in there together. So you don't get that good wheat. You just got a whole bunch of weeds and stuff in there that just ruins the crop. That's the idea of the enemy doing that. And so here wheat, but now these tares are right there. So the servants of the owner came and said to him, sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares? And he said to them, an enemy has done this. The servant said to him, do you want us then to go and gather them up? But he said, no. Lest while you gather up the tares, you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. And at the time of the harvest, I will say to the reapers, first gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them. But gather the wheat. into my barn. Now coming down to verse 36 of this same chapter, this is Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house and his disciples came to him saying, explain to us the parable of the tares of the field. He answered and said to them, he who sows the good seed is the son of man. The field is the world. The good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tears are the sons of the wicked one. The enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels. Therefore, as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness. and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth." Underscoring that this furnace of fire does not mean they are then annihilated, they're just burned up and they're no more. There's ongoing wailing and gnashing of teeth, great agony and so forth. Then, the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear. Well now, it must be remembered that this is a parable. And therefore, we're not to press each point of the parable as if it has some kind of hidden meaning to it. For instance, when we read there in verse 25 how, while men slept. Whoa, is that some kind of interesting meaning there? Men sleeping, and what that mean? Well, no, that's simply part of the overall picture. And you know, though parables may hold out many lessons, yet it's important that we see them as a whole. the overall point that's being made. And like the other parables here in Matthew 13, this of the wheat and tares especially teaches about the kingdom of heaven, which is simply another way of saying the kingdom of God. In fact, it's interesting here in Matthew 13, verse 31, when it goes on to speak of the parable of the mustard seed, called the kingdom of heaven is like, you come to Mark's gospel there in chapter 4, the kingdom of God is like. And we could demonstrate that again and again. Kingdom of heaven, kingdom of God, synonymous terms. So we don't need to say, well that means this time and that means that, same thing. And these parables then especially show us about God's kingdom. All of these parables here in this chapter. its character, its existence and expansion, its end. And so six times we read, the kingdom of heaven is like. And Matthew, sorry Mark in chapter four says, shall we liken the kingdom of God? What parable shall we picture? Well that's what these parables are doing. They're picturing different facets or traits of the kingdom of God. For instance, when it goes on to speak of the parable of the mustard seed and the parable of the leaven, you're familiar with that. It's a little bitty mustard seed, something rather small and seemingly insignificant. Or that little bit of yeast, very small compared to the whole lump of dough. And yet, though it's small and seemingly insignificant, yet, well, its end is very large. This tree, the mustard seed becomes, or the whole lump of dough being leavened by that little bit of yeast. And of course, our Lord's point is this is the kingdom of heaven that is very small and seemingly insignificant and despised in its beginning. You've got a baby born in Bethlehem. a carpenter, one with a bit of a ragtag bunch of disciples. What's going to become of those guys? And yet here he is. He dies on the cross. Well, you wouldn't look at that and think, well, that's really going to amount to something. In fact, the Greeks looked at it as just foolishness. Those who perish, it's foolishness. And yet, oh, well, not just a large tree and not just a lump, whole lump leaven. But as Jesus Himself said, this gospel is going to be preached to all the nations. Well, we now see it, right? Oh, we see that parable, describes the kingdom, we see it fulfilled. They didn't see it at that time. What they saw was the small, seemingly insignificant and despised beginning. But the point I'm trying to illustrate is these parables, and they show us different truths about God's kingdom. And that's so not only with that of the mustard seed, that 11, but so too this one that we are considering this afternoon, that is the parable of the wheat and tears. Jesus is saying, here is what the kingdom is like. You're to see it and you're to think of it this way. And one truth that it should impress upon us is that that means the kingdom is both present and future. It is a now and yet it's to come. He speaks much about this world in this parable, and yet when he comes to verse 43, he talks about then his people shining forth as the sun in the kingdom of their father, and that is obviously their eternity. So it should impress, okay, he's recognizing the kingdom is already, not yet. Now here, but ah, yet to come. Some dimension now, but then finally that full bloom glory in days to come. Now before going any further, it's vital to recognize where this wheat and where these tares are found. It's the world. It's the whole world. Or to put it negatively, it's not the church. because wheat and tares look so similar, the only difference being the wheat bears a crop and the tares don't. Well, someone said, well, see, this is talking about hypocrites in the church, and they look like real Christians, and they grow up beside these real Christians, but they never bear fruit. Well, that's true. That does happen, but that's not the point. In fact, to understand that the field is the church, is terribly misunderstand the whole point of what is said here about the kingdom. And furthermore, it's contrary to what Jesus himself said. Notice again the words of verse 38. The field is the world, not the church. But the entire world is seen here as like one big enclosure where the wheat would be sown, where there'd be this great harvest coming from that one big enclosure. And therefore, our Lord is not telling us here what to do about hypocrites in the church. Leave them alone. It'll be sorted out later. There have been people who have understood this parable to say that. You'll leave the hypocrites alone in the church. It doesn't matter if we eat terrorism. That's not the point. Rather, he is telling about the present location and character of his kingdom in this world. It is now Here, and the meaning is that throughout history, God's wheat and the devil's tares are found together in this same enclosure, in this world, growing up alongside each other. And in some sense, well, no difference is seen, at least for a time. To put it another way, God's kingdom is in this world, and it's growing. But so also, there are tears in this world, and there is Satan's domain as well, and it's going to be that way all the way to the end of the age, which is that great harvest. A permanent separation comes then. tears burned in the fire, picturing that eternal punishment of the ungodly, and then the righteous in the kingdom of their father. And our Lord is here saying that God deliberately waits until that time for this permanent separation, that is, at the final judgment. And by the way, this is another instance where you see the general resurrection and judgment taught in Scripture, because that's going to happen at the same time. The tares burn, the righteous in the kingdom shining forever, all of that happens at the same time. Then the righteous will shine forth, etc. So not a thousand year in between, but a general judgment and resurrection judgment, because God's appointed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness. Only one day, whether it's a 24 hour period, isn't the issue, at one point in time. Well, among several lessons here, surely one is this, we see that God is in control, that God is carrying on his purpose. And though there are tears in this field, in this world, and though Satan is an active enemy in this world, still God is in control and his purpose continues. That is surely one lesson that grows out of this. as was said in the previous hour. God could have stopped everything right there at Genesis chapter 3. Adam fell, we're done. Everything now being gone. Or how about later? The world was quite populated and now you've got full of evil, the evil hearts of men, full of every, sorry, evil imagination in their hearts, only evil continually Well, God could have brought it all to an end then, and almost did, except, of course, there was Noah and his family. And so God's purpose continued in this world even then. He hasn't stopped it. And he's not going to stop it until the very end, that permanent separation that we read of here. He allows the world to continue even with all the tears in it. Is that not what's being taught here? He's got his purpose, all these tears. He's still going to allow his purpose to go on. It's called, in Ephesians 3.11, an eternal purpose. Therefore, he now lets it runs its course, fulfilling that great purpose. And therefore, brethren, when we see tares, when we see the devil's children doing ill, Peter talks about how they're going around scoffing and the like. Well, we see a good bit of that. They're blaspheming all their sins and so forth. When you see that going on, how could this be? Don't be shocked. It's because they're tares in the field. It's because of Satan and his domain. They're simply doing the bidding of their father. Remember how Jesus said, you're of your father the devil? Well, that's underscored here. They're the devil's children. And therefore, when we see that dominion of Satan, his domain growing, Well, that's all foretold. Jesus said they grow together. Well, that's it. In fact, we should rather expect that that's going to be the case. And also to be assured that God's kingdom is here. God's kingdom's on track. And indeed, it triumphs, it will triumph. And therefore, again, to see God is in control. In fact, in that connection, it's important to recognize, even from this parable, that terrors are not all we see in this world. That's not the only thing growing up in this field. God has his people. God has always had his people. And the kingdom of heaven is ever growing, as it says here in verse 30. Sometimes growing fast, sometimes not. Sometimes it would seem Satan's domain is growing fast and God's kingdom not growing so fast. But the point is, see them both going on in this world. It's not just tares. Christ will build his church. The gates of Hades will not prevail against it. All authority, all authority has been given him in heaven and earth. He sends out his people to make disciples of all the nations, and he's with them always, wielding the scepter and causing his church to be built. And that, he said, all the way to the end of the age, no matter how many tares there are in any given locale or throughout the world as a whole, God's in control. But that brings a second matter, it therefore teaches us to be patient. Not to be alarmed, not to be disheartened, not to be doubting, but trusting God. Well, this is exactly how he said it was going to be. We've talked about 2 Peter 3.13 in the previous hour, that new heavens and new earth in which righteousness dwells. Yeah, that's then, that's not now, okay? As far as righteousness pervasively, permanently dwelling, well, There are tears here, there are tears here. So it's not until then that it's only righteousness dwelling. But be patient, that day comes. And be confident that that day comes. And be confident that God is a just judge who will do, who will right all wrongs, whose justice will prevail at last. You know, you look and you see, wickedness in the world, and where's justice? We see the tears, but don't overlook the fact God is a just judge, and for his own reasons, his own purposes, he's forbearing, And yet justice will be done. That though the wrong seems oft so wrong, oft so strong, God is the ruler yet. And that day comes, as we see here in this very parable, when there is that permanent separation and there is that final judgment, and a judgment that will last forever and ever. The teaching here, brethren, in that sense is not unlike Psalm 37. Are you familiar with Psalm 37? When you look out on the world, maybe you're seeing the media, maybe it's other wickedness that you see going on, and you find yourself fretting because of evildoers. Anybody ever fret because of evildoers, apart from the guy who's standing in the pulpit here? Well, brethren, learn Psalm 37. Don't fret because of evildoers. And he says, here's why. God's going to judge. God's going to bring them to an end. Justice will be done. Recognize, that's said again and again and again throughout Psalm 37. And therefore we're told, recognize that, don't fret. You recognize, God's going to take care of it, so in the meantime, you trust God. You get on doing what's right, no matter what they do, you do what's right. And oh, by the way, verse four of that Psalm, delight yourself in the Lord, because even in a world full of tares, here's the Lord, and you're his, and you can still delight yourself in him. Well, in many ways, this, Parable in Matthew 13 would teach much the same lesson to us. Leave it to God to make it right. It's now for us to get on doing what is right, patiently awaiting His day, trusting Him. But to aid this by way of a third lesson or observation, see the eternal state. That which follows that great judgment day, and that's exactly what's pictured here. Verses 40 through 42, how all the tares. will be gathered and burned. Justice will be done. No matter the differences in the appearance of those tares, no matter what variety they be, no matter the heinousness of their sin, we're told very clearly that the Son of Man will send his angels and they will gather out of his kingdom all things that offend and those who practice lawlessness and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and dashing of Even if they're religious. Remember, Jesus will say to those, Lord, Lord, we did this, that, and the other. Depart from me, I never knew you. They too will hear, depart from me, you cursed into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels, because they are the sons of the devil. They are on his side, they are the tares, if you please, that we see here pictured. And therefore, brethren, Trust that God does indeed have a day that he will judge the world in righteousness. It's only gonna be righteous. What the ungodly receive, what the Bible says about the eternal state of the damned, that's not overdoing it. It's only what sin deserves, and we see in that just how bad sin really is. See what it deserves. But how radically different It's God's grace to the redeemed and their eternal state there in verse 43, then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their father. Now actually much is said here in this whole course of the parable about our eternal state. For instance, when it says in verse 41, How, if you notice the language there, they will gather out of his kingdom all things that offend and those who practice lawlessness. All things that are contrary to God. All things that cause sin, are sin, et cetera. All of these things, as well as those who practice lawlessness, they're gone. Well, what remains? Us. Even that new heavens and new earth in which righteousness dwells. order, harmony, peace, righteousness, everywhere. To quote Dr. Sam Waldron, the parable assumes that the scene of the eternal kingdom is the transformed and purified world. world. But now that language, then the righteous will shine forth as the sun. What's that all about? Is that literally that we're all going to be out there? He's hot. He's like the sun. What does that mean? Well, I don't think we need to press some literal meaning on these. It certainly would underscore we're going to be conspicuous It's going to be glory displayed, Romans 8, 18, the glory that's going to be revealed in us. But Calvin, I think, makes a very good observation. He points out the word, then the righteous will shine. It's emphatic. And so he's saying it's a great contrast between their present state and the ultimate restoration. Those who now lie covered with dust or are held in no estimation or even are loaded with reproaches will then shine as a full brightness. In other words, we will be very different in every way from now by way of that new heavens and new earth and we then no more curse and we behold the face of God. This is actually language about the shining of the firmament from Daniel chapter 12 and verse 3. Coming resurrection day and it talks about then the wise will shine like the brightness of the firmament and it goes on to speak of shining like the sun, etc. The significance of that statement in Daniel, you'll recall, Daniel 7, it says more than once how the saints of the Most High will receive a kingdom forever. Well, that certainly fits with what our Lord is here saying. We are glorified, we receive that kingdom forever in that glorified state. And notice how he speaks of that kingdom. When he says, the kingdom, notice, of their father. In contrast to those who are sons of the evil one. This is our father. And it's his kingdom. And we inherit all things, even that kingdom, as God's beloved children. Because before the foundation of the world, he chose us in Christ that we should be adopted as sons. And then in the fullness of time, he sent forth his son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who are under the law, that we should receive the adoption as sons. So it's the kingdom of our father, and we inherit all things, Revelation 21. Seven, here is our blessed eternity, dear brother, dear sister. Notwithstanding so many tears in this world, notwithstanding Satan's work in this world and throughout its history, here is God's purpose and here is our blessed eternity. Okay, but what's going on in this world in the meantime? Because that's very much what this parable is about. Okay, we're going to have this permanent separation and the wicked punished and God's people in the kingdom of their father forever, but why delay? Why the delay? Why not just get it done? Do it now. Look at all the sin that's being committed. Well, notice the language beginning at verse 27 again. Matthew 13, 27, so the servants of the owner came and said to him, sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares? He said to them, an enemy has done this. The servant said to him, do you want us to then to go and gather them up, pull out these tares, get rid of them? But he said, no. lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Why the delay? Why doesn't it come right now? So as not to uproot the wheat, so as not to prevent any of the wheat from coming to that full harvest. You let it grow together in this field, in this world, all the way up to then, so as not to uproot the wheat. Well, we're the wheat. God's people, we're the wheat. And they are seen here as they really are described in Ephesians 1.4 about chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world. Or Revelation 17.6, all those names in the book of life were written before the foundation of the world. Matthew 1.21, before Jesus was born, His name was Jesus because He it is who will save His people from their sin. They were already His before He came into this world. That is to say All of these will be saved. And it will be evident in time. But it's not evident before their conversion. They look just like tares before their conversion. You, dear Christian, before the Lord saved you, did you look any different from your unsaved siblings, your unsaved neighbors? No, Ephesians chapter 2, when Paul says, you know, we were dead in trespasses and sins. And Satan himself, that spirit who works in the sons of disobedience, that was us too. Lust of the flesh, lust of the mind. In fact, we by nature were children of wrath, just like the others. That was us. We look like tares, but God, with that great love with which he's loved us, dealt with us in mercy. And by grace, you are saved. And he made us alive together with Christ. Ah, then it seemed that you're not a tare. You're one of the wheat. That's you. We can say the same thing. 1 Corinthians chapter 6, remember how he says these people are not going to inherit the kingdom of God. You've got adulterers, you've got idolaters, you've got homosexuals and sodomites, you've got extortioners, you've got drunkards, all these people. They will not inherit the kingdom. Such were some of you. You look just like the tares. And yet he says, such were some of you, but God dealt with you in grace, and therefore you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord and by the Spirit of our God. And so the point is, he's saying, wait. Wait until they all produce the fruit of faith and repentance. No separation until then. It really goes all the way back to Genesis chapter three. Again, God could have destroyed it all then. But wait. He had a people chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world. And therefore, let them grow together until the full harvest. Dear brother, dear sister, let me put it this way. Had Christ come, had he sent forth his angels to take out all the tares the day before you were converted, what of you? Where would you be, dear brother, dear sister? you would have been uprooted with the tears and cast into the fire, right? But God had chosen you before the foundation of the world. And even though you were dead in trespasses and sins, and Satan was at work in you, and you by nature were a child of wrath, yet because of that great love with which he loved you. He had mercy upon you and saved you by his grace through Jesus Christ. So if you please, why the delay? It was for you. Indeed, it was for all the elect whose names were written in the book of life of the lamb before the foundation of the world. And this is very much Peter's point in second Peter chapter three. Peter was there hearing this parable. Well, he, wrote in these similar terms. Please come to 2 Peter and chapter 3. I know we've looked at it in the previous hour, but it's suitable to look at it in this connection as well. Those well-known words, Verse nine, the Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come. to repentance. This is actually an answer to these scoffers, these people who are mocking and so forth. Scoffers, he says, verse three, will come and here's what they're going to say, verse four, where's the promise of his coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning. You keep saying Jesus is coming. Come on, he's not come? They've been saying this for years and nothing's changed. Well, Peter goes on to say, you willingly forget something there, fella. You willingly forget that God did at one time judge the world by way of that universal flood with only these few saved. But, he now waits And here's why he waits. He waits to be gracious. He waits to save. He says in verse eight, very interesting, but beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord, one day is a thousand years, a thousand years is a day, which has nothing to do with a millennium. What that means is, what's time in eternity? God's in no hurry. Time means nothing to the God who dwells outside of time and habits eternity. So, beloved, recognize what's time and eternity. He's not slack concerning his promise, but he's long-suffering toward us, not willing that any of us should perish. That is to say, the beloved, the elect. I realize that John Calvin said, though it meant truly, literally, not willing that any human being should perish, but all human beings should perish. That's Calvin's view. I think he was a Calvinist. But it makes more sense to see it in this way, that it's the beloved, it's the us, not one of any of these who were foreknown before the foundation world. But at the very least, you have to say, all who will be saved, he waits for them to be saved. And then it is, verse 10, that the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise and the elements will melt with fervent heat. Both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. then, at that time, but not before. Actually, Paul wrote something similar to this over in Romans chapter 9 about God, what of God wanting to show or willing to show his wrath, his justice, yet he endures with much long suffering those vessels of wrath because he's prepared vessels for mercy and he waits to show mercy to all of these, for all the wheat to come to that fruition and to bear that crop and be recognized as wheat. Well, what Peter's saying is just really, again, Matthew 13. It's for us to recognize why the delay. Why are things going on? All this sin is going on in the world. Things are going from bad to worse and all this going. Why? Notice what Peter says in verse 15. Here in 2 Peter chapter 3. And consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation. Why the delay? Well it's because God is long-suffering. And why is He long-suffering? It's for the salvation of those who will be saved. He says consider this, recognize, think. in these terms and especially so as to keep us faithful in the meantime because that's his point. How should we then live? What kind of people should we be? Those who engage in holy conduct and godliness as we're looking beyond this world to that new heavens and new earth in which righteousness dwells and we're living with focus, we're living with confidence, we're longing for that time, diligent to be found at that time in peace and without spot and blameless. This is not easy, right, in a fallen world with all the tares, light of all the evil, and the scoffers, and so forth. Is it possible for us to be discouraged, weary, fret because of evildoers, lose heart, slack off? You find the psalmist saying it repeatedly, how long, Lord, how long? Well, we find ourselves that way. And therefore, we've got this command given in verse 15. Keep remembering, why the delay? Keep remembering, the longsuffering of God is for the salvation of sinners. And see how longsuffering God is to that end. All this wickedness being hurled up, all the sin going on. When we see all that sin, or we see all of our difficulties, remember, God's longsuffering. He's not willing that any of those who will be saved should perish. And therefore, the delay for the wheat to be seen as wheat and he puts up with all that sin in this world for this purpose until all who are saved, all who will be saved are. Well brethren, again, keep this in mind. Recognize the present state of the kingdom in this world. Yes, it's here in this world and it's growing. Recognize why the delay, why there's these tears going on and keep living in the meantime. as God's people, those saved, going to that new heavens and new earth in which righteousness dwells, those who shine as the sun in the kingdom of their Father forever. Patient. Be patient. Because God himself is patient. He's long-suffering. I do want to just, in closing, draw your attention to one word that's a bit of an interesting statement in verse 12. Having said what kind of persons we ought to be, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God. Well, we understand looking for, but we're to look for and hasten. What does that mean? Well, some commentators simply say it means to eagerly desire it. Well, that's actually kind of wrapped up in the word looking, but okay. And yet there are others who say, no, the idea is hastening that day along. In fact, one translation reads it, speed it's coming. Well, wait a minute, how's that? I mean, come on, God's purpose is fixed. That day is certainly reserved, a day he's appointed for that judgment. What does it mean to hurry that day, to speed that day along? Well, Vincent in his Word Pictures is just saying much the same as so many others. He says, it's causing the day to come more quickly by helping to fulfill those conditions without which it cannot come. Or to quote the Jameson, Fawcett, and Brown commentators, not that God's eternal appointment of the time is changeable. But God appoints us as instruments for accomplishing those events which must be first before the day of God can come. That is to say since it requires the expansion of the kingdom, the gospel being proclaimed, sinners being saved, well then it's as if saying give yourself now then. to laboring and praying to this end, in confident expectation, the wheat will come in, knowing that God's purpose stands, and it will be evident in time, and therefore, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord, and to live then with a view to that coming day. That's part of living now, in light of then. seeing what we could do to the glory of God as we look ahead to that new heavens and new earth in which righteousness dwells. Well, brethren, keep looking, believing, trusting, hastening the day by now being engaged in the proclamation of this gospel, the expansion of that kingdom. Your labor's not in vain. My God, help us. If you're without Christ, If the Lord Jesus Christ had returned yesterday, yesterday, where would you be right now? If you're without Christ, where would you be right now? You would be in that fire prepared for the devil and his angels. If Christ came today, later today, Christ should come. Where will you be forever? Well, if you died today, God forbid, but if you died today, what of your eternity? It's appointed unto man once to die, after that, the judgment. And then be held under punishment, 2 Peter 2, 9, until the day of judgment. But let me ask you this, why has Christ not yet come? Why are you still alive? Well, it's the language of Isaiah 30, in verse 18, God waits to be gracious. waits to be gracious. See how good, how forbearing, how long-suffering God is. All the sin that's hurled up against Him moment by moment throughout this whole world. He waits to be gracious. How do you regard that? No big deal. Actually, Paul asks that as a question. Do you despise The goodness, the forbearance, the long suffering of God. It's the goodness of God, the least repentance. You despise that instead. You're storing up wrath against the devil. You're going on in your sin and you're despising God's goodness to you and giving you day by day by day to repent, to hear the gospel. Christ came to save sinners. Flee to Christ and be saved. And yet, no, no, no, no. You go on as you are. Another question, how long will God give you? How long will God give you in this world? How long will He give you to go on despising His forbearance? Can you afford to wait and see just how long? Because then it's too late. God's appointed a day in which He's going to judge the world righteousness by the man that he has ordained. He's given proof of it. He's raised him from the dead. And as this Savior who now ever lives, who died to save sinners, who lives to save sinners, and holds out the glorious gospel to all kinds of sinners. Believe on the Lord Jesus. You will go to Christ. He lives to save. Then go to him. Trust in him. He saves sinners. Let's pray. Father in heaven, we thank you for your long suffering. We thank you for your goodness and forbearance and how indeed you led us to repentance. Lord, we bless you and praise you for so great salvation from such a glorious savior. We thank you for the future that's certain and bright. and that we would now live, longing for that time, but even hastening it by now, laboring for the spread of the gospel, for the good of souls, for your honor in the earth. Please give us grace and please, Lord, bless our efforts with a harvest of souls. It's in Jesus' name we pray, amen.