Sermon Title: Eternal Living Begins Today – S.H.I.N.E.
Dearly Beloved,
Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
The Righteous will share the glory of God, reigning and living with Him – in His Kingdom - for all eternity.
Are you ready and prepared for that eventuality?
Kingdom paradigm
As true believers of our Lord Jesus Christ, we must daily give substance to what eternal life will look like; and we must prepare for this ultimate destination and destiny that is God’s gift to us through Christ our Saviour.
The more we love our family and friends; the more we desire for them to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus – the deeper our desire and embrace must be for the Coming Kingdom of God; and the more we must yearn to see the face of our Lord, Saviour and King Jesus Christ!
“And they will reign for ever and ever.” (Revelation 22:5b)
Ours is not simply a matter of perpetual existence; but a glorious and sovereign eternity – alongside our Lord Jesus Christ.
Thus.
Our present and enduring reality must be based on the paradigm of the Kingdom of God – which means that for us: eternal life begins today!
Not when we die; and not when we get to heaven… but right now.
The Kingdom of God paradigm means that we need to make choices and decisions with eternity in mind.
We need to ask the Holy Spirit’s help to recreate our hearts, realign our minds and reset our perspectives so that when we make plans and decisions today with not the end in mind – which we think to be 30, 40 or even 50 years – but that we do so with eternity in our hearts set in place by the unfathomable, and faithful God. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
The paradigm of God’s Kingdom is more than a reality; it is a example, model and standard of God’s holiness.
This informs us that as long as we are here in this world, our lives must not only be the gold standard; it must be the Gospel standard; and the best thing we can do as witnesses for Christ is really to live in God’s Eternal Kingdom Paradigm.
In Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit, we must live; for we have been elected -personally earmarked by God - to reign with King Jesus forever.
How must this eventuality impact our current perspective?
If you are facing insurmountable challenges and persistent struggles today, ditch your present paradigm; and embrace God’s Kingdom Paradigm!
You belong to God; and God himself will be with you and be your God! (Ref: Revelation 21:3-4)
Believe that He has wiped every tear from your eyes; that in Christ, “there will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)
Coming eventuality; present reality.
Revelation 22:3-5 goes on to reveal:
“3 No longer will there be any curse.
The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.
4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.
5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.”
Christ has paid the price, and given us the prize of freedom from sin and death! (Ref: Galatians 5:1. Romans 6:12-14)
Break your cycle of sin and darkness; by embracing God’s Kingdom Paradigm.
You have tried the same thing so many times, but have never gotten a breakthrough into God’s joy, hope, love and victory.
If you want a different result, you need to try something different.
If you want eternal results, you need to embrace only the eternal things in life; you need to embrace God’s Kingdom Paradigm.
It was challenging navigating the processes to become residents in Canada. But to really reside in Canada, we had to change our lifestyle, our way of thinking, our perspectives, and even our eating habits.
However, because we desired to embrace this mission field, we must be willing to embrace things Canadian eh?
So, if you want eternal and lasting results and rewards, you need to embrace only the eternal things in life; by utterly embracing God’s Kingdom Paradigm.
What is God’s Kingdom Paradigm?
“The time has come,” Jesus said.
“The kingdom of God has come near.
Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15)
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
It is to solely and utterly live for God and His Kingdom – today!
It is to believe that for us – the moment we believe in Christ, eternal living has begun.
Implications of eternal living today.
It begins the moment you believe in Jesus; which means that you believe that the Kingdom of God is already here.
Regardless of the darkness of the world, you will live as God’s light.
Regardless of how wicked this world is, you will remain as God’s righteousness.
Regardless of how unholy this world is, you will choose to be holy – just as He is holy. (Ref: Leviticus 11:44)
God’s people must be holy and ready to enter His Kingdom; and we are that people.
However, because we exist in this broken and sinful world, we are walking on a tightrope - held in an existential tension.
Two familiar passages - 2 Peter 3:3-18 and Matthew 13:34-43 - help us traverse this existential tension.
How do we prepare for God’s eternal kingdom?
How must we live so that we do not forfeit our Kingdom inheritance and at the same time, prepare for our ultimate destination in paradise?
How must we live in God’s Kingdom paradigm and live eternally today?
Kingdom Paradigm comprise of:
(1) A life of urgent and consistent repentance;
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.
Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief.” (2 Peter 3:9-10a)
Know that God is patient and merciful; and that he does not want anyone to perish.
But that does not mean everyone will ultimately be saved.
There is absolutely no biblical substance for universal salvation.
Utter faith and desire is the sole premise for salvation.
We must daily turn away from worldliness and wickedness and turn towards the Cross of Christ, which is the only gateway to the Kingdom of God.
Urgency and consistency in repentance is key because the day of the Lord is soon, and it will come when least expected.
(2) A life of godliness and holiness;
“You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming… …make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with God through your relationship of redemption and resurrection with Christ… …grow in the Grace and Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 3:11-12, 14-15, 18)
To be godly is to bear the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23); and to bear the fruit of the Gospel (Matthew 28:18-20).
To be holy is to live utterly in and through Christ as His Holy People (2 Corinthians 5:17, Philippians 1:21, Romans 14:8).
There is nothing covert about being a Christian.
The world sees Christ because we make every effort to be holy and godly.
This is our central and sacred Christian task.
(3) A life of deep yearning and passionate looking-forward to the Coming of Jesus and the Kingdom of God;
“Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be?
You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming… …
That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.
But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.” (2 Peter 3:11-13)
Do you look forward to the Return of King Jesus? Do you speed its coming?
Do not be like the scoffers (Ref: 2 Peter 3:3-5) who “deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water.”
God’s Word is true.
He is coming back for us.
He will make all things new and set right all wrong.
He has prepared a place for us in His eternal Kingdom.
There is nothing in this world for us.
This world will soon come to an end.
Our Lord Jesus said precisely to us, “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
Does your heart belong solely and wholly to Jesus?
Does your heart long utterly for the Kingdom of God?
Never scoff at His Coming, nor at His Kingdom; lest you forfeit your inheritance.
Do not lose sight of His Kingdom; for you will lose sight of your life.
He will return; His Kingdom will inbreak.
Set your heart on Him.
Set your heart on His Kingdom.
What must we do each day to prepare for eternal living in the Kingdom of God?
Can we actually prepare for eternal life in the Kingdom of God?
We can and we must.
Our Lord Jesus taught us in Matthew 13:37-43 –
“The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man.
38 The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom.
The weeds are the people of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil.
The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.
40 “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age.
41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil.
42 They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.
Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
In Christ, we are already found righteous in the sight of God.
To actually prepare for eternal life in God’s Kingdom is to S.H.I.N.E. today just as we “will shine like the sun in the kingdom of our Father.”
Sin less and less till you sin no more;
Habit Righteousness;
Integrate Present life with Kingdom life;
Nurture Hope in Christ and His Coming;
Empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Brethren, these steps must be taken daily.
If God is the most important in your life, you must strive today to make Kingdom living your foremost habit – in order that, righteousness may truly become your second-nature.
You ask God to heal your heart. And after He has healed it, don’t go and get it wounded all over again!
You ask God to open your eyes, don’t close it!
You ask God to show you the way, don’t take another way!
You ask God to give you His Agenda - to use you for His Kingdom’s Cause, be deliberate about removing and rejecting your own agenda; and ditch all your plans to build your own kingdom.
Break the cycles of death and destruction!
Do something different – make it your second-nature to pray with someone.
Speak about something different – make it your second-nature to share about your personal encounter with God; your God-story.
Pray differently – make it your second-nature to pray in the Spirit in tongues; the language of God’s Kingdom.
Don’t read the usual stuff; make it your second-nature to pick up the bible and read the word of God.
Consciously and conscientiously take small steps towards the Kingdom of God daily.
Ask yourself each morning, “what change must I make…to orient my life towards God’s Kingdom?”
With Christ by our side, everyday take one step towards God’s Kingdom.
That is our task at hand today; and that is how we will walk from earth into eternity.
That is how we will prepare for eternal living.
And it must begin right now.
Eternal living must begin today!
Shalom.
Let us pray.
Our Father in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name.
Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done; on earth, as it is in heaven.
Holy Spirit, teach me to live in God’s Kingdom paradigm and prepare me to live eternally today.
Make my present and enduring reality be fully established on the paradigm of the Kingdom of God – to which I declare that eternal life has begun for us today!
Thank You for calling me to the holy life: established in a life of urgent and consistent repentance before You; a life of godliness and holiness; and a life of deep yearning and passionate looking forward to the Coming of Jesus and the Kingdom of God;
Thank You for making me righteous through my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Grant me the Power to “shine like the sun” (Matthew 13:43) for the sake of Your Kingdom.
Grant me strength, resolve and wisdom to daily
- Sin less and less till I sin no more;
- Habit Righteousness;
- Integrate my Present life with eternal Kingdom life;
- Nurture Hope in Christ and in His Coming Kingdom;
- Empowered by Your Holy Spirit to be Your Holy Witness in an unholy world.
Lord Jesus, You are my everything; and I will strive to make Kingdom living my foremost habit; so that Your Righteousness may truly become my second-nature – pleasing in Your sight.
Grant me the audacious power to consciously and conscientiously take steps towards the Kingdom of God daily; and as I prepare to live and reign with You for all eternity, grant me the present reality that Your Kingdom has come, and for those who believe:
Eternal living begins today!
I thank You and pray all these in the Name of our King, Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Dearly Beloved,
Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
The Righteous will share the glory of God, reigning and living with Him – in His Kingdom - for all eternity.
Are you ready and prepared for that eventuality?
Kingdom paradigm
As true believers of our Lord Jesus Christ, we must daily give substance to what eternal life will look like; and we must prepare for this ultimate destination and destiny that is God’s gift to us through Christ our Saviour.
The more we love our family and friends; the more we desire for them to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus – the deeper our desire and embrace must be for the Coming Kingdom of God; and the more we must yearn to see the face of our Lord, Saviour and King Jesus Christ!
“And they will reign for ever and ever.” (Revelation 22:5b)
Ours is not simply a matter of perpetual existence; but a glorious and sovereign eternity – alongside our Lord Jesus Christ.
Thus.
Our present and enduring reality must be based on the paradigm of the Kingdom of God – which means that for us: eternal life begins today!
Not when we die; and not when we get to heaven… but right now.
The Kingdom of God paradigm means that we need to make choices and decisions with eternity in mind.
We need to ask the Holy Spirit’s help to recreate our hearts, realign our minds and reset our perspectives so that when we make plans and decisions today with not the end in mind – which we think to be 30, 40 or even 50 years – but that we do so with eternity in our hearts set in place by the unfathomable, and faithful God. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
The paradigm of God’s Kingdom is more than a reality; it is a example, model and standard of God’s holiness.
This informs us that as long as we are here in this world, our lives must not only be the gold standard; it must be the Gospel standard; and the best thing we can do as witnesses for Christ is really to live in God’s Eternal Kingdom Paradigm.
In Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit, we must live; for we have been elected -personally earmarked by God - to reign with King Jesus forever.
How must this eventuality impact our current perspective?
If you are facing insurmountable challenges and persistent struggles today, ditch your present paradigm; and embrace God’s Kingdom Paradigm!
You belong to God; and God himself will be with you and be your God! (Ref: Revelation 21:3-4)
Believe that He has wiped every tear from your eyes; that in Christ, “there will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)
Coming eventuality; present reality.
Revelation 22:3-5 goes on to reveal:
“3 No longer will there be any curse.
The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.
4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.
5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.”
Christ has paid the price, and given us the prize of freedom from sin and death! (Ref: Galatians 5:1. Romans 6:12-14)
Break your cycle of sin and darkness; by embracing God’s Kingdom Paradigm.
You have tried the same thing so many times, but have never gotten a breakthrough into God’s joy, hope, love and victory.
If you want a different result, you need to try something different.
If you want eternal results, you need to embrace only the eternal things in life; you need to embrace God’s Kingdom Paradigm.
It was challenging navigating the processes to become residents in Canada. But to really reside in Canada, we had to change our lifestyle, our way of thinking, our perspectives, and even our eating habits.
However, because we desired to embrace this mission field, we must be willing to embrace things Canadian eh?
So, if you want eternal and lasting results and rewards, you need to embrace only the eternal things in life; by utterly embracing God’s Kingdom Paradigm.
What is God’s Kingdom Paradigm?
“The time has come,” Jesus said.
“The kingdom of God has come near.
Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15)
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
It is to solely and utterly live for God and His Kingdom – today!
It is to believe that for us – the moment we believe in Christ, eternal living has begun.
Implications of eternal living today.
It begins the moment you believe in Jesus; which means that you believe that the Kingdom of God is already here.
Regardless of the darkness of the world, you will live as God’s light.
Regardless of how wicked this world is, you will remain as God’s righteousness.
Regardless of how unholy this world is, you will choose to be holy – just as He is holy. (Ref: Leviticus 11:44)
God’s people must be holy and ready to enter His Kingdom; and we are that people.
However, because we exist in this broken and sinful world, we are walking on a tightrope - held in an existential tension.
Two familiar passages - 2 Peter 3:3-18 and Matthew 13:34-43 - help us traverse this existential tension.
How do we prepare for God’s eternal kingdom?
How must we live so that we do not forfeit our Kingdom inheritance and at the same time, prepare for our ultimate destination in paradise?
How must we live in God’s Kingdom paradigm and live eternally today?
Kingdom Paradigm comprise of:
(1) A life of urgent and consistent repentance;
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.
Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief.” (2 Peter 3:9-10a)
Know that God is patient and merciful; and that he does not want anyone to perish.
But that does not mean everyone will ultimately be saved.
There is absolutely no biblical substance for universal salvation.
Utter faith and desire is the sole premise for salvation.
We must daily turn away from worldliness and wickedness and turn towards the Cross of Christ, which is the only gateway to the Kingdom of God.
Urgency and consistency in repentance is key because the day of the Lord is soon, and it will come when least expected.
(2) A life of godliness and holiness;
“You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming… …make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with God through your relationship of redemption and resurrection with Christ… …grow in the Grace and Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 3:11-12, 14-15, 18)
To be godly is to bear the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23); and to bear the fruit of the Gospel (Matthew 28:18-20).
To be holy is to live utterly in and through Christ as His Holy People (2 Corinthians 5:17, Philippians 1:21, Romans 14:8).
There is nothing covert about being a Christian.
The world sees Christ because we make every effort to be holy and godly.
This is our central and sacred Christian task.
(3) A life of deep yearning and passionate looking-forward to the Coming of Jesus and the Kingdom of God;
“Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be?
You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming… …
That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.
But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.” (2 Peter 3:11-13)
Do you look forward to the Return of King Jesus? Do you speed its coming?
Do not be like the scoffers (Ref: 2 Peter 3:3-5) who “deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water.”
God’s Word is true.
He is coming back for us.
He will make all things new and set right all wrong.
He has prepared a place for us in His eternal Kingdom.
There is nothing in this world for us.
This world will soon come to an end.
Our Lord Jesus said precisely to us, “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
Does your heart belong solely and wholly to Jesus?
Does your heart long utterly for the Kingdom of God?
Never scoff at His Coming, nor at His Kingdom; lest you forfeit your inheritance.
Do not lose sight of His Kingdom; for you will lose sight of your life.
He will return; His Kingdom will inbreak.
Set your heart on Him.
Set your heart on His Kingdom.
What must we do each day to prepare for eternal living in the Kingdom of God?
Can we actually prepare for eternal life in the Kingdom of God?
We can and we must.
Our Lord Jesus taught us in Matthew 13:37-43 –
“The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man.
38 The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom.
The weeds are the people of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil.
The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.
40 “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age.
41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil.
42 They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.
Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
In Christ, we are already found righteous in the sight of God.
To actually prepare for eternal life in God’s Kingdom is to S.H.I.N.E. today just as we “will shine like the sun in the kingdom of our Father.”
Sin less and less till you sin no more;
- Daily consecrate yourself; set yourself apart from sin and the ways of the world by making it your daily goal to sin less than the previous day.
- Make your daily prayers asking God for the forgiveness of your sins also a time of contemplation in resolving not to fall into the same temptation the next day.
- To achieve different results requires a different approach; to achieve holy results with your life requires a holy approach that comes only when you live in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Habit Righteousness;
- A habit becomes second nature; and since Christ has redeemed us unto righteousness, the onus is now on us to make righteous living our habit and second nature.
- To be holy – which is, to fulfill the Will of God – is to make holiness our second nature.
- The habit of living as one would live in God’s Kingdom – as with all habits – must be nurtured consciously and conscientiously.
- Each day, intentionally live for the sake of nurturing Kingdom habits – of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control – in order to make righteousness your second nature.
Integrate Present life with Kingdom life;
- Consider every aspect of your present life in view of God’s eternal Kingdom.
- Live each moment as you would as God’s Holy People in His Holy Kingdom.
- Make your life all about God; and realign your life’s purposes for the sake of the Gospel and for the sake of inbreaking His Kingdom.
- Our present life is intended to prepare us for eternal life in God’s Kingdom; so get right into the work of preparation.
- Do not be distracted, discouraged and deadened; instead, seek the Spirit’s courage, strength, resolve and wisdom in setting your life gloriously and eternally righteous before the Lord.
Nurture Hope in Christ and His Coming;
- The closer we are to our Lord Jesus, the more certain and resolute our hope would be in Him.
- The more we encounter Christ, we more we will place our heart on His Kingdom.
- Deep in every heart lies the knowledge that there is much more than this world has to offer; but it is only the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ that will bring us to the fulfillment of our ultimate desire, design and destiny.
- Hope in Christ and His Coming is the only fuel that would keep our faith in God strong till the day we meet Him face to face.
- Daily pray, read the Bible and fellowship with fellow-believers; and corporately nurture hope in Christ and His Perfect Kingdom.
Empowered by the Holy Spirit.
- To be empowered by the Holy Spirit is the only way to be Christian.
- To be holy requires the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit in every Christian’s life to fulfill the Great Commission.
- Only when we are empowered by the Holy Spirit may we be salt of the earth and light of the world.
Brethren, these steps must be taken daily.
If God is the most important in your life, you must strive today to make Kingdom living your foremost habit – in order that, righteousness may truly become your second-nature.
You ask God to heal your heart. And after He has healed it, don’t go and get it wounded all over again!
You ask God to open your eyes, don’t close it!
You ask God to show you the way, don’t take another way!
You ask God to give you His Agenda - to use you for His Kingdom’s Cause, be deliberate about removing and rejecting your own agenda; and ditch all your plans to build your own kingdom.
Break the cycles of death and destruction!
Do something different – make it your second-nature to pray with someone.
Speak about something different – make it your second-nature to share about your personal encounter with God; your God-story.
Pray differently – make it your second-nature to pray in the Spirit in tongues; the language of God’s Kingdom.
Don’t read the usual stuff; make it your second-nature to pick up the bible and read the word of God.
Consciously and conscientiously take small steps towards the Kingdom of God daily.
Ask yourself each morning, “what change must I make…to orient my life towards God’s Kingdom?”
With Christ by our side, everyday take one step towards God’s Kingdom.
That is our task at hand today; and that is how we will walk from earth into eternity.
That is how we will prepare for eternal living.
And it must begin right now.
Eternal living must begin today!
Shalom.
Let us pray.
Our Father in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name.
Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done; on earth, as it is in heaven.
Holy Spirit, teach me to live in God’s Kingdom paradigm and prepare me to live eternally today.
Make my present and enduring reality be fully established on the paradigm of the Kingdom of God – to which I declare that eternal life has begun for us today!
Thank You for calling me to the holy life: established in a life of urgent and consistent repentance before You; a life of godliness and holiness; and a life of deep yearning and passionate looking forward to the Coming of Jesus and the Kingdom of God;
Thank You for making me righteous through my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Grant me the Power to “shine like the sun” (Matthew 13:43) for the sake of Your Kingdom.
Grant me strength, resolve and wisdom to daily
- Sin less and less till I sin no more;
- Habit Righteousness;
- Integrate my Present life with eternal Kingdom life;
- Nurture Hope in Christ and in His Coming Kingdom;
- Empowered by Your Holy Spirit to be Your Holy Witness in an unholy world.
Lord Jesus, You are my everything; and I will strive to make Kingdom living my foremost habit; so that Your Righteousness may truly become my second-nature – pleasing in Your sight.
Grant me the audacious power to consciously and conscientiously take steps towards the Kingdom of God daily; and as I prepare to live and reign with You for all eternity, grant me the present reality that Your Kingdom has come, and for those who believe:
Eternal living begins today!
I thank You and pray all these in the Name of our King, Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.