1 00:00:00,800 --> 00:00:02,480 We're going to read from God's Word. 2 00:00:02,480 --> 00:00:05,200 We're reading from First Thessalonians and we're reading 3 00:00:05,200 --> 00:00:09,040 from chapter 2, and we're reading to the end, from verse 4 00:00:09,040 --> 00:00:13,160 13 to verse 20. And we're halfway through the 5 00:00:13,160 --> 00:00:18,040 book of First Thessalonians, and I think we've just one sermon in 6 00:00:18,040 --> 00:00:21,400 chapter 3. And then we'll be into chapter 7 00:00:21,400 --> 00:00:28,920 4, First Thessalonians chapter 2, and we'll read from verse 13. 8 00:00:31,880 --> 00:00:37,320 Let's hear God's word for this cause. 9 00:00:37,360 --> 00:00:41,480 Also. Thank we God without ceasing, 10 00:00:42,760 --> 00:00:46,440 because when you received the word of God, which you heard of 11 00:00:46,440 --> 00:00:52,160 us, you received it not as the word of men, but as it isn't 12 00:00:52,160 --> 00:00:56,640 truth, the Word of God which effectually worketh also in you 13 00:00:56,920 --> 00:01:00,880 that believe. For ye brethren became followers 14 00:01:00,880 --> 00:01:05,000 of the churches of God, which in Judea are in Christ Jesus. 15 00:01:05,960 --> 00:01:09,840 For ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, 16 00:01:10,640 --> 00:01:16,280 even as they have of the Jews, who both killed the Lord Jesus 17 00:01:16,720 --> 00:01:20,080 and their own prophets, and have persecuted us. 18 00:01:20,520 --> 00:01:25,080 And they please not God and our country to all men, forbidding 19 00:01:25,080 --> 00:01:29,240 us to speak to the Gentiles, that they might be saved to fill 20 00:01:29,240 --> 00:01:33,080 up their sins all way, for the wrath has come upon them to the 21 00:01:33,120 --> 00:01:37,360 uttermost. But we, brethren, been taken 22 00:01:37,360 --> 00:01:41,720 from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, 23 00:01:42,200 --> 00:01:45,440 endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great 24 00:01:45,440 --> 00:01:49,080 desire. Wherefore we would have come 25 00:01:49,080 --> 00:01:52,960 unto you, even I Paul once and again. 26 00:01:53,600 --> 00:01:58,960 But Satan hindered us. For what is our hope, or joy, or 27 00:01:58,960 --> 00:02:05,120 crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence 28 00:02:05,120 --> 00:02:08,000 of our Lord Jesus Christ at this coming? 29 00:02:09,240 --> 00:02:14,200 For ye are our glory and joy. Amen. 30 00:02:14,200 --> 00:02:17,000 We know God will stamp with His own approval and blessing this 31 00:02:17,000 --> 00:02:20,680 reading of His own precious and infallible Word. 32 00:02:22,120 --> 00:02:26,280 Amen. Now my text this morning is 33 00:02:26,280 --> 00:02:32,200 taken from First Thessalonians chapter 2, verse 19 and 20. 34 00:02:32,640 --> 00:02:34,400 Look at the words with me together. 35 00:02:35,560 --> 00:02:41,200 For what is our hope or joy or crown of rejoicing? 36 00:02:41,800 --> 00:02:47,320 See, that's a question. And then the answer is, are not 37 00:02:47,400 --> 00:02:50,920 even ye? That's a reference to the 38 00:02:50,920 --> 00:02:55,840 believers of Thessalonica in the presence of our Lord Jesus 39 00:02:55,840 --> 00:03:03,280 Christ at his coming for ye. Again, a reference to the Saints 40 00:03:03,280 --> 00:03:06,080 of God in the House of God in Thessalonica. 41 00:03:06,680 --> 00:03:13,680 For ye are our glory and joy. Now if entitled today's message, 42 00:03:13,960 --> 00:03:19,320 The pastor's joy and crown at Christ's coming. 43 00:03:19,800 --> 00:03:24,080 So it's not just about the crown of a faithful ministry or the 44 00:03:24,080 --> 00:03:27,400 glory of it. The substance of the message is 45 00:03:27,400 --> 00:03:32,920 this, the pastor's joy and crown at Christ's coming, the last 46 00:03:32,920 --> 00:03:34,760 Lord's Day morning. We learnt from First 47 00:03:34,760 --> 00:03:39,440 Thessalonians chapter 2 verses 17 and 18 how that the Apostle 48 00:03:39,440 --> 00:03:43,440 Paul had experienced the greatest harassment from the 49 00:03:43,440 --> 00:03:48,320 greatest hinder in the world, namely the devil himself. 50 00:03:48,720 --> 00:03:52,960 Here we learnt about the real reason of Paul swift exit from 51 00:03:52,960 --> 00:03:56,200 Thessalonica. Remember it was due mainly to 52 00:03:56,200 --> 00:04:00,200 the vehement opposition of certain unbelieving Jews to the 53 00:04:00,200 --> 00:04:03,240 gospel, no doubt whipped up by the devil. 54 00:04:04,560 --> 00:04:06,640 Remember, the whole city was an uproar. 55 00:04:07,320 --> 00:04:10,800 In fact, when they could not find Paul in the House of Jason 56 00:04:10,960 --> 00:04:15,200 after a thorough search, they dragged Jason before the 57 00:04:15,200 --> 00:04:19,480 magistrate that they accused him of giving shelter to men that 58 00:04:19,480 --> 00:04:22,079 are seeking to overthrow the peace of the city. 59 00:04:22,720 --> 00:04:27,240 They accused him of giving allegiance to another king than 60 00:04:27,240 --> 00:04:32,080 Caesar, and you can read about that in Acts chapter 17 verses 61 00:04:32,080 --> 00:04:35,920 six to seven. Now these allegations were so 62 00:04:35,920 --> 00:04:40,360 serious that they bound Jason over with a heavy deal. 63 00:04:41,560 --> 00:04:46,720 Acts Chapter 7 and 9 talks about the security of Jason, and 64 00:04:46,720 --> 00:04:48,520 that's nothing to do with keeping him safe. 65 00:04:48,880 --> 00:04:53,960 That's to do with taking silver from him, a very heavy Beale 66 00:04:54,040 --> 00:04:56,880 bond. After Paul's departure from 67 00:04:56,880 --> 00:05:00,240 Thesnonanken at the behest of the Congregation for his Own 68 00:05:00,240 --> 00:05:05,320 Security, these unbelieving Jews made-up three false accusations 69 00:05:05,320 --> 00:05:07,520 against him. Here was the first lie. 70 00:05:07,880 --> 00:05:12,160 He fled to save his own skin, to preserve his own life. 71 00:05:12,920 --> 00:05:15,360 He doesn't care about you, just cares about himself. 72 00:05:15,880 --> 00:05:19,240 Then the second lie, he has no interest in coming back. 73 00:05:19,720 --> 00:05:23,200 Oh, he said he would come back, but he has no intention of 74 00:05:23,200 --> 00:05:26,800 returning. And then the third lie, he 75 00:05:26,800 --> 00:05:31,600 doesn't really care about you. We are sorry for you. 76 00:05:32,360 --> 00:05:36,600 You were taken in by this man's smooth words, and now you're 77 00:05:36,600 --> 00:05:40,480 suffering persecution and suffering this ridicule. 78 00:05:40,480 --> 00:05:42,840 You're suffering hardship, and it's his fault. 79 00:05:43,520 --> 00:05:48,840 It's really all because of him. See, we told you he doesn't care 80 00:05:48,840 --> 00:05:52,840 about you. Now in light of these lies and 81 00:05:52,840 --> 00:05:59,400 false accusations, we see from chapter 2 verses 17 and 18 that 82 00:05:59,400 --> 00:06:03,000 Paul had a deep desire to return to Thessalonica. 83 00:06:03,920 --> 00:06:06,760 These people had become very dear to him. 84 00:06:07,720 --> 00:06:10,880 He had a real deep pastors love for them. 85 00:06:11,640 --> 00:06:17,320 He he wanted to be with them. He informed them that his 86 00:06:17,320 --> 00:06:22,120 intention was just to be from them for a short time and that 87 00:06:22,120 --> 00:06:27,320 he endeavoured to return to see their face and that he had made 88 00:06:27,400 --> 00:06:31,320 repeated attempts to return to Thessalonica, but he didn't and 89 00:06:31,320 --> 00:06:32,200 couldn't. Why? 90 00:06:33,120 --> 00:06:36,840 But Satan hindered us, literally. 91 00:06:36,840 --> 00:06:41,040 As we saw last week, the devil instigated all of this. 92 00:06:41,240 --> 00:06:46,040 He was at the back of it. He instigated the unbelieving 93 00:06:46,240 --> 00:06:50,360 Jews to start a riot. He instigated the unruly mob, 94 00:06:50,760 --> 00:06:54,120 the arrest of Jason. He instigated these false 95 00:06:54,120 --> 00:06:58,760 accusations against Paul. He's behind it all. 96 00:06:59,720 --> 00:07:04,280 Remember, He's the father of lies and he spread these lies, 97 00:07:04,400 --> 00:07:07,920 and at the heart of these lies was Paul doesn't care for you. 98 00:07:08,840 --> 00:07:14,080 So to counter that when Paul wrote his first letter, he 99 00:07:14,080 --> 00:07:19,800 opened up his heart and revealed something to the aim of a true 100 00:07:19,800 --> 00:07:22,920 pastor's bond with the people of God. 101 00:07:23,480 --> 00:07:28,480 Look again at verse 19 and 20. For what is our hope or joy or 102 00:07:28,480 --> 00:07:31,720 crown of rejoicing? That word rejoicing can be 103 00:07:31,720 --> 00:07:35,720 translated boasting it they can be translated glorying. 104 00:07:36,800 --> 00:07:40,120 And here's the answer to that question, Are not even ye. 105 00:07:40,120 --> 00:07:46,000 And then he adds these words in the presence of our Lord Jesus 106 00:07:46,000 --> 00:07:53,080 Christ at his coming for ye, the people of God, ye are our glory 107 00:07:54,600 --> 00:07:58,480 and joy. Now here we're given a glimpse 108 00:07:59,200 --> 00:08:05,520 into the heart of a true pastor. Remember, it's the pastor's 109 00:08:05,520 --> 00:08:09,840 heart. Paul has a love and a care for 110 00:08:09,840 --> 00:08:13,040 the people of God. And I believe these two verses, 111 00:08:13,040 --> 00:08:17,920 beast to skip over them, express Paul's deep affection for the 112 00:08:17,920 --> 00:08:22,280 believers at Thessalonica for these new converts there. 113 00:08:22,800 --> 00:08:29,600 Notice how he describes them. He describes them as our hope, 114 00:08:30,320 --> 00:08:37,280 joy, and crown, our glory. He has a great anticipation for 115 00:08:37,280 --> 00:08:41,520 them in the presence of the Lord Jesus at his coming. 116 00:08:42,080 --> 00:08:51,120 He has an analyzation of them. Ye are our glory and joy, not 117 00:08:51,120 --> 00:08:58,280 only now, but at the Lord's return, at the Lord's right 118 00:08:58,280 --> 00:09:01,840 hand, at the second coming of Christ. 119 00:09:02,280 --> 00:09:06,400 So what's this message about this morning, the pastor's joy 120 00:09:06,400 --> 00:09:12,120 and cry at Christ's coming? Three things came to mind when I 121 00:09:12,120 --> 00:09:14,240 looked at this portion of Scripture. 122 00:09:14,360 --> 00:09:15,880 There's usually three things, aren't they? 123 00:09:16,720 --> 00:09:20,200 I want you to think of Paul's affection for the people of God. 124 00:09:20,640 --> 00:09:22,960 Now I've pointed out this is the third time, and I want you to 125 00:09:22,960 --> 00:09:25,400 grasp this because it's not really grasped. 126 00:09:26,120 --> 00:09:30,800 Paul is asking a question. Verse 19, you can see the 127 00:09:30,800 --> 00:09:35,960 question mark for what is our hope or joy or crown of 128 00:09:35,960 --> 00:09:39,480 rejoicing? And I've told you that word 129 00:09:39,480 --> 00:09:45,080 rejoicing means boasting. It means glorying in the March. 130 00:09:45,800 --> 00:09:49,960 So Paul is asking a question almost like a rhetorical 131 00:09:49,960 --> 00:09:52,200 question, and then he answers it. 132 00:09:52,440 --> 00:09:57,960 And here's the answer. Are not even ye in the presence 133 00:09:57,960 --> 00:09:59,880 of our Lord Jesus Christ that is coming. 134 00:10:00,600 --> 00:10:06,960 And when you think of these words, our hope, our joy, our 135 00:10:06,960 --> 00:10:14,120 crown or glory, you've got proof of Paul's love and devotion and 136 00:10:14,120 --> 00:10:18,960 care for this little flock of new converts at Ffest and Anka. 137 00:10:19,440 --> 00:10:26,440 Here's indisputable proof of Paul's pastoral care for the 138 00:10:26,440 --> 00:10:29,040 people of God. You see, someone has said the 139 00:10:29,040 --> 00:10:33,000 opposite of love. I would take it to be hate, but 140 00:10:33,000 --> 00:10:36,320 they have argued that it's not hate, it's actually 141 00:10:36,320 --> 00:10:42,480 indifference. It's a spirit of I couldn't care 142 00:10:42,480 --> 00:10:46,640 less attitude. You see, if we don't care for 143 00:10:46,640 --> 00:10:50,240 someone, we don't really love them. 144 00:10:51,840 --> 00:10:55,120 We often hear the phrase I couldn't care less. 145 00:10:55,880 --> 00:10:58,600 We hear it in a variety of contexts. 146 00:10:58,720 --> 00:11:00,960 A row at home with Mummy or Daddy. 147 00:11:01,480 --> 00:11:04,520 Or maybe in the church situation, the pastor of 148 00:11:04,520 --> 00:11:08,840 mischief, I couldn't care less. Or maybe in school and 149 00:11:08,840 --> 00:11:12,520 university in relation to work, the teacher wants this done or 150 00:11:12,520 --> 00:11:14,200 that done, but I couldn't care less. 151 00:11:14,400 --> 00:11:18,480 Or in the state, I couldn't care less what the government is 152 00:11:18,480 --> 00:11:21,600 doing. Or at work, the the boss will be 153 00:11:21,600 --> 00:11:24,640 watching you, he'd be coming. I couldn't care less. 154 00:11:24,880 --> 00:11:29,080 You see someone comes and shares a problem, whatever that problem 155 00:11:29,080 --> 00:11:32,840 is, and you shrugged the shoulders, So what? 156 00:11:33,960 --> 00:11:40,200 Whatever you see that displays that you have a careless 157 00:11:40,200 --> 00:11:42,960 attitude that you couldn't care less. 158 00:11:43,120 --> 00:11:47,600 You're saying when someone comes to share a problem with you, I 159 00:11:47,600 --> 00:11:49,640 don't really care about that person. 160 00:11:50,240 --> 00:11:54,520 What he or she is going through, Whatever it's, it's nothing to 161 00:11:54,520 --> 00:11:56,640 me. Let me give you an illustration. 162 00:11:57,280 --> 00:12:00,760 This is true. A woman's in the apartment, New 163 00:12:00,760 --> 00:12:05,800 York building, she hears a woman scream on the street. 164 00:12:06,560 --> 00:12:10,320 The woman's been attacked, the woman's been robbed and beaten 165 00:12:10,680 --> 00:12:13,320 and the woman's being physically assaulted. 166 00:12:13,680 --> 00:12:16,000 And what does this woman do? What would you do? 167 00:12:16,920 --> 00:12:22,320 This woman closed the window and said the screams were annoying 168 00:12:22,320 --> 00:12:27,760 me. Whatever, it had nothing to do 169 00:12:27,760 --> 00:12:32,000 with me. Someone is being beaten, raped, 170 00:12:32,280 --> 00:12:36,680 robbed and murdered and she's annoyed that the screams are 171 00:12:36,680 --> 00:12:40,200 coming through their window and her attitude is whatever. 172 00:12:40,960 --> 00:12:43,880 You see, that woman only cared about herself. 173 00:12:44,640 --> 00:12:46,360 That woman was in love with herself. 174 00:12:46,520 --> 00:12:48,960 That's what being a lover of self means. 175 00:12:50,080 --> 00:12:52,800 I told you last week about the murder of Charlie Cook. 176 00:12:53,520 --> 00:12:58,240 A 13 year old watched it on social media, told her mummy 177 00:12:58,240 --> 00:12:59,760 about it. The mummy of course was 178 00:12:59,760 --> 00:13:01,840 horrified. The mummy didn't watch the 179 00:13:01,840 --> 00:13:05,720 little video clip but she was concerned for a 13 year old 180 00:13:05,720 --> 00:13:10,320 daughter and asked her daughter about it and the daughter said 181 00:13:10,320 --> 00:13:15,720 well it wasn't so bad. You see the point this morning 182 00:13:15,720 --> 00:13:24,240 is this, that no true Christian should and can say I do not 183 00:13:24,240 --> 00:13:30,440 care. No true Christian should be 184 00:13:30,440 --> 00:13:36,120 filled with the mindset of I couldn't care less about my 185 00:13:36,320 --> 00:13:42,680 attitude, my approach, my announcement of things, whether 186 00:13:42,680 --> 00:13:45,200 at home, church, school, the state or work. 187 00:13:46,720 --> 00:13:48,680 In fact, it should be the opposite. 188 00:13:49,800 --> 00:13:51,960 The true Christian should say I do care. 189 00:13:53,120 --> 00:13:57,240 The true Christian should say I couldn't care more. 190 00:13:58,280 --> 00:14:02,120 You see, we should truly care for one another and I know that 191 00:14:02,120 --> 00:14:05,680 you do that and carried off. But I want to encourage you to 192 00:14:05,680 --> 00:14:11,480 abound more and more and not careful spirit. 193 00:14:13,040 --> 00:14:17,760 You see, we're to love the Saints or to do good to all men, 194 00:14:18,000 --> 00:14:20,600 especially they are the household of faith. 195 00:14:21,200 --> 00:14:26,400 Now here's Paul, and despite these false accusations, these 196 00:14:26,400 --> 00:14:29,480 lies that the unbelieving Jews, that the devil at the back of it 197 00:14:29,480 --> 00:14:32,720 were spreading about Paul. What does Paul do to the 198 00:14:32,720 --> 00:14:36,360 Thessalonians? He bears his heart to these new 199 00:14:36,360 --> 00:14:39,960 converts. He's expressing his love for 200 00:14:39,960 --> 00:14:43,840 them, and he's using very emotional language. 201 00:14:44,280 --> 00:14:48,360 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting, glorying or 202 00:14:48,360 --> 00:14:53,120 rejoicing are not ye? And we'll pause there. 203 00:14:54,800 --> 00:14:59,320 You see, he wants them to know how deeply he feels for them. 204 00:15:01,320 --> 00:15:08,120 He wants them to know that this forced separation from them has 205 00:15:08,120 --> 00:15:12,320 been very difficult for him because he misses them. 206 00:15:14,800 --> 00:15:20,440 And maybe sometimes you think on a Sunday morning, why do I take 207 00:15:20,440 --> 00:15:24,120 time to mention those in the hospital and those who've been 208 00:15:24,120 --> 00:15:28,080 bereaved, those in the nursing home and those in their own home 209 00:15:28,080 --> 00:15:30,480 who are physically not here, and other of her friends? 210 00:15:30,480 --> 00:15:34,480 Why do I mention them not only in a public way, but but also in 211 00:15:34,480 --> 00:15:36,880 prayer? I mention them because I want to 212 00:15:36,880 --> 00:15:38,840 know that I want them to know that we care. 213 00:15:39,320 --> 00:15:44,360 I want them to know that we feel very much for them, that we also 214 00:15:44,360 --> 00:15:47,200 love them. And the Lord, you see, let me 215 00:15:47,200 --> 00:15:50,920 say this, and I'm waffling on here, but I must make this 216 00:15:50,920 --> 00:15:56,320 point. A pastor must care for the 217 00:15:56,320 --> 00:16:02,520 people of God deeply. A pastor must have a love for 218 00:16:02,520 --> 00:16:10,160 the Saints, and we must therefore truly love one 219 00:16:10,160 --> 00:16:12,760 another. And if we truly love one 220 00:16:12,760 --> 00:16:15,840 another, we'll want to be in fellowship with one another. 221 00:16:15,920 --> 00:16:18,480 That's why Paul could say forsake not the assembling of 222 00:16:18,480 --> 00:16:22,000 yourselves together as the manner of some is. 223 00:16:22,560 --> 00:16:25,960 You see, if we care and love one another as a family of God, 224 00:16:26,080 --> 00:16:29,800 we'll desire to be together as a congregation. 225 00:16:30,040 --> 00:16:32,200 We'll desire to be together for worship. 226 00:16:32,400 --> 00:16:36,240 And that desire to gather together for worship is stems 227 00:16:36,240 --> 00:16:40,480 from our love for one another and stems from our genuine care 228 00:16:40,480 --> 00:16:42,720 for one another. That's the context. 229 00:16:42,800 --> 00:16:46,960 What did Paul say in verse 17? Endeavouring the more abundantly 230 00:16:46,960 --> 00:16:49,800 to see your face with great desire. 231 00:16:50,560 --> 00:16:53,120 What sort of desire, Paul? Great desire. 232 00:16:53,280 --> 00:16:57,360 What does that mean? That great desire came from a 233 00:16:57,360 --> 00:17:03,600 strong emotional bond, the bond of having Christian fellowship. 234 00:17:04,119 --> 00:17:06,400 He mentions the word brethren in verse 17. 235 00:17:06,560 --> 00:17:12,359 But we brethren, that means that we are family, and all families, 236 00:17:12,359 --> 00:17:16,960 especially God's family, should want to be together and want to 237 00:17:16,960 --> 00:17:19,680 be together often. And that's why we encourage you 238 00:17:19,800 --> 00:17:23,359 to come to the House of God. That's one of the reasons. 239 00:17:26,200 --> 00:17:28,720 Let me make this clear. Is he? 240 00:17:28,720 --> 00:17:36,640 Today in certain Bible colleges, students of the ministry are 241 00:17:36,640 --> 00:17:41,760 taught that pastors should keep a healthy distance from the 242 00:17:41,760 --> 00:17:46,400 congregation. Imagine a professor telling that 243 00:17:46,400 --> 00:17:50,000 to students as a pastor. Be distant from your people. 244 00:17:50,000 --> 00:17:53,800 Why? Well, to protect yourself from 245 00:17:53,800 --> 00:17:55,720 betrayal. They'll stab you in the back. 246 00:17:56,800 --> 00:17:59,880 You you'll have a lot of pain and you need to be protected. 247 00:18:00,720 --> 00:18:04,120 And if you keep yourself alooft keep yourself high and holy. 248 00:18:04,440 --> 00:18:06,960 You you, you learn the respect of the people. 249 00:18:07,600 --> 00:18:11,120 I want to tell you that's a lie. That's worldly wisdom. 250 00:18:11,320 --> 00:18:14,880 That's not true. In fact, in the Bible we find 251 00:18:14,880 --> 00:18:19,200 the exact opposite. The Apostle Paul is a deep love 252 00:18:19,200 --> 00:18:22,600 for the people of God. He's a close bond to the people 253 00:18:22,600 --> 00:18:26,560 of God. It's a heartfelt, heavy care for 254 00:18:26,560 --> 00:18:30,080 the people. Here's a model for the Christian 255 00:18:30,080 --> 00:18:32,640 ministry. Here's the love of a shepherd 256 00:18:32,640 --> 00:18:35,080 for the sheep. Here's the love of a pastor for 257 00:18:35,080 --> 00:18:39,560 the people. Paul has a deep compassion, even 258 00:18:39,560 --> 00:18:43,600 in pains him to see people who profess the name of Christ 259 00:18:43,600 --> 00:18:46,760 living in sin. He he he is the pain of seeing 260 00:18:46,760 --> 00:18:50,960 people with all their struggles and their sickness and and and 261 00:18:50,960 --> 00:18:53,200 all the situations that they face. 262 00:18:55,040 --> 00:18:59,880 But Paul is also full of a disciplined cost. 263 00:19:00,480 --> 00:19:05,440 Whatever the time and the effort and the stresses and the cares 264 00:19:05,440 --> 00:19:08,720 and the burdens of the ministry are, he carries it before the 265 00:19:08,720 --> 00:19:11,080 Lord on behalf of the people of God. 266 00:19:11,320 --> 00:19:16,200 He he, he gives himself heart, body and soul to that people. 267 00:19:17,880 --> 00:19:22,440 And of course, not only is there compassion and cost, but there's 268 00:19:22,440 --> 00:19:26,960 a deep commitment and much affliction. 269 00:19:29,480 --> 00:19:31,320 I have to tell you this morning, you already know this. 270 00:19:31,360 --> 00:19:33,320 I'm not in the ministry for a paycheck. 271 00:19:35,080 --> 00:19:36,760 I'd take a pay cut if it need be. 272 00:19:38,280 --> 00:19:41,120 I'm not in it for a life of pleasure and ease. 273 00:19:42,800 --> 00:19:45,680 I'll tell you, I'm not even in it for economic protection and 274 00:19:45,680 --> 00:19:50,160 job security. See, if a pastor doesn't care 275 00:19:51,800 --> 00:19:55,320 and he's not willing for the cost, time and effort, phone 276 00:19:55,320 --> 00:19:58,480 calls, it could be two or three in the morning, getting out of 277 00:19:58,480 --> 00:20:00,520 bed and getting dressed to go to the hospital. 278 00:20:01,680 --> 00:20:05,040 If he doesn't show a devoted commitment to the people like a 279 00:20:05,040 --> 00:20:08,960 shepherd does his sheep, he's not worthy to be called a 280 00:20:08,960 --> 00:20:12,920 pastor. I even question his salvation. 281 00:20:14,760 --> 00:20:17,400 Paul. What does Paul do? 282 00:20:18,320 --> 00:20:23,000 Paul's affection for the people. Here's the pastor's joy and 283 00:20:23,000 --> 00:20:26,000 crying. His affection for the people 284 00:20:26,200 --> 00:20:29,120 very quickly. Paul is a model minister. 285 00:20:29,600 --> 00:20:35,920 Our hope, our joy, our crying are not even ye. 286 00:20:37,720 --> 00:20:41,120 That's true of Paul. And I have to tell you, you pray 287 00:20:41,120 --> 00:20:43,680 for me because that's my goal and aim for you. 288 00:20:44,520 --> 00:20:48,040 I love you in the Lord's name and I care for you as a faithful 289 00:20:48,040 --> 00:20:53,320 pastor and your burdens are mine and your worries and fears are 290 00:20:53,320 --> 00:20:58,440 mine and you know that. I want you to see secondly and 291 00:20:58,440 --> 00:21:03,320 very quickly his anticipation for the people of God. 292 00:21:03,400 --> 00:21:05,440 Look again at our text, verse 19. 293 00:21:05,600 --> 00:21:09,280 Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His 294 00:21:09,280 --> 00:21:12,640 coming? Now, now, what Paul is saying 295 00:21:12,640 --> 00:21:16,640 here is this. In the 1st letter he's telling 296 00:21:16,640 --> 00:21:21,360 them that he tried and retried to get back to Thessalonica and 297 00:21:21,360 --> 00:21:24,240 there was no prospect of being back in the city. 298 00:21:24,240 --> 00:21:28,840 And what he's saying is this. If I don't see your face again 299 00:21:28,840 --> 00:21:35,000 on earth, I have this assurance that I will see you again and I 300 00:21:35,000 --> 00:21:38,720 will see you at Christ's second coming. 301 00:21:39,320 --> 00:21:43,720 I will see you at God's right hand, and at God's right hand 302 00:21:43,960 --> 00:21:47,480 you'll be our hope, our joy and crown. 303 00:21:48,720 --> 00:21:52,880 If I don't permanently see you again in the flesh, I will see 304 00:21:52,880 --> 00:21:58,160 you again on that great day. On that day you'll be my crown 305 00:21:58,160 --> 00:22:01,480 of glory. You'll be the crown of my 306 00:22:01,480 --> 00:22:06,800 rejoicing and boasting. I will glory in you at God's 307 00:22:06,800 --> 00:22:08,880 right hand. You see, he's thinking of the 308 00:22:08,880 --> 00:22:13,200 Thessalonian believers, beings in heaven with Christ. 309 00:22:16,800 --> 00:22:21,240 We all know that we have a day on earth. 310 00:22:22,000 --> 00:22:28,120 A day on earth ends, we die, but for the Christian death has put 311 00:22:28,120 --> 00:22:30,480 the vegetable to glory. Think very quickly of the 312 00:22:30,480 --> 00:22:32,840 following things. Think of the day of the 313 00:22:32,840 --> 00:22:35,600 Saviour's return. Notice the words at his coming. 314 00:22:36,040 --> 00:22:38,560 The second advent of the Lord Jesus Christ is sure and 315 00:22:38,560 --> 00:22:40,000 certain. It's a fact. 316 00:22:41,040 --> 00:22:44,720 As much as the first advent happened, the second advent will 317 00:22:44,720 --> 00:22:47,080 happen. Listen to these words in the 318 00:22:47,080 --> 00:22:52,040 book of Acts, in Acts chapter 1 and in the verse 11. 319 00:22:52,280 --> 00:22:58,520 Wasn't the Angel say to those that gathered in the Mount of 320 00:22:58,520 --> 00:23:02,640 Olivet, This is what they said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye 321 00:23:02,640 --> 00:23:07,520 gazing up unto heaven? This same Jesus, very same body 322 00:23:07,960 --> 00:23:12,160 which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like 323 00:23:12,160 --> 00:23:15,960 manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. 324 00:23:16,320 --> 00:23:21,840 John 14 verse 3 The Saviour said I will come again and we believe 325 00:23:21,840 --> 00:23:26,400 in the second coming of Christ a visible personal bodily return 326 00:23:26,520 --> 00:23:32,280 of Christ in power and glory. In this particular book it says 327 00:23:32,280 --> 00:23:38,800 in verse 10 and to wait for his son from heaven to your 19 talks 328 00:23:38,800 --> 00:23:46,440 about our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming chapter 3 verse 14 329 00:23:46,600 --> 00:23:51,160 mentions at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all the 330 00:23:51,160 --> 00:23:54,760 Saints and then in chapter 4 verses 13 to 18. 331 00:23:54,760 --> 00:23:57,240 I'm not going to read it. One of the fullest statements 332 00:23:57,240 --> 00:24:02,000 about the second coming of the Lord Jesus and then in chapter 5 333 00:24:02,160 --> 00:24:04,400 we read but of the times and of the seasons. 334 00:24:04,400 --> 00:24:08,680 Brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you for yourselves. 335 00:24:08,680 --> 00:24:14,080 Know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in 336 00:24:14,080 --> 00:24:16,680 the night. The word coming here in chapter 337 00:24:16,920 --> 00:24:21,280 2, verse 19 is perusia. It's a very important word. 338 00:24:21,400 --> 00:24:23,200 It's one of the most significant words. 339 00:24:23,200 --> 00:24:26,880 It's an interconnecting word tied into the other words that 340 00:24:26,880 --> 00:24:30,000 describe the second coming of Christ. 341 00:24:30,960 --> 00:24:34,360 You've got the the word appearing, which means unveiling 342 00:24:34,360 --> 00:24:38,440 or or or revelation. Now let me ask you, Are you 343 00:24:38,440 --> 00:24:43,520 ready? Are you looking forward to the 344 00:24:43,520 --> 00:24:45,640 day of the Lord Jesus Christ coming? 345 00:24:46,640 --> 00:24:49,120 Are you saved? Have you confessed your sin? 346 00:24:49,320 --> 00:24:53,480 Are you putting faith and trust in Christ as Lord and Saviour? 347 00:24:54,000 --> 00:24:56,480 The day of the Saviours returned very quickly here. 348 00:24:57,840 --> 00:25:01,000 It's a day of special revelation. 349 00:25:02,480 --> 00:25:08,360 Notice it says here our Lord Jesus Christ that is coming. 350 00:25:08,720 --> 00:25:14,080 You see, that day will be a revealing of the glory and the 351 00:25:14,080 --> 00:25:17,240 majesty of the Lord Jesus Christ. 352 00:25:17,960 --> 00:25:22,600 He is not just Jesus. And I know many people talk 353 00:25:22,600 --> 00:25:27,000 about Jesus and and I accept that, but he's more than that. 354 00:25:27,400 --> 00:25:30,760 Look at our text. He's called the Lord Jesus 355 00:25:30,880 --> 00:25:35,000 Christ, our Lord Jesus Christ. The word Lord stands for his 356 00:25:35,000 --> 00:25:38,600 daddy every time you read it. Jesus stands for his humanity, 357 00:25:38,760 --> 00:25:42,040 Christ for his ministry. He's our anointed prophet, 358 00:25:42,040 --> 00:25:46,720 priest and king, and he's coming to be revealed. 359 00:25:46,720 --> 00:25:50,560 And when he comes, he'd be revealed as King of Kings and 360 00:25:50,560 --> 00:25:54,040 Lord of Lords. He'd be revealed as the eternal, 361 00:25:54,280 --> 00:25:57,400 only begotten Son of God. Remember what? 362 00:25:57,400 --> 00:26:02,760 The apostle Peter could testify it says in second Peter chapter 363 00:26:02,760 --> 00:26:06,880 one verse 16 for we have not followed colony devised fables 364 00:26:07,040 --> 00:26:09,680 when we made known unto you the power and coming. 365 00:26:09,680 --> 00:26:12,520 That's the same word of our Lord Jesus Christ. 366 00:26:12,520 --> 00:26:17,640 Notice again the title, but were eyewitnesses of His Majesty, for 367 00:26:17,640 --> 00:26:20,440 he received from God the Father honour and glory when there came 368 00:26:20,440 --> 00:26:22,960 such a voice to him from the excellent glory. 369 00:26:23,160 --> 00:26:27,760 This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, and whenever 370 00:26:27,760 --> 00:26:31,720 we turn back there to the Gospel of Matthew in Matthew chapter 371 00:26:32,040 --> 00:26:37,600 17. It says this in verse 2 and was 372 00:26:37,600 --> 00:26:42,160 transfigured before them and his face did shine as the sun and 373 00:26:42,160 --> 00:26:45,840 his raiment was white as the light. 374 00:26:48,240 --> 00:26:52,200 And while he yet speak, behold a bright cloud overshadowed, and 375 00:26:52,200 --> 00:26:56,000 that was Peter had speak and behold a voice out of the cloud 376 00:26:56,000 --> 00:26:59,520 which said, this is my beloved son, and whom I'm well pleased. 377 00:27:00,120 --> 00:27:04,520 Hear ye hen, and if you come to Matthew chapter 24, a very 378 00:27:04,520 --> 00:27:07,960 important prophetical chapter which I encourage you to read, 379 00:27:08,160 --> 00:27:11,440 we read in verse 27. For as the lightning cometh out 380 00:27:11,440 --> 00:27:15,920 of the east and shineth even onto the West, so shall also the 381 00:27:15,920 --> 00:27:18,760 coming of the Son of Man be. There's the word coming again, 382 00:27:18,760 --> 00:27:23,240 Perusia, and it says in verse 30. 383 00:27:23,880 --> 00:27:28,040 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven, and 384 00:27:28,040 --> 00:27:31,640 then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, for they shall see 385 00:27:31,640 --> 00:27:36,080 the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and 386 00:27:36,360 --> 00:27:39,480 glory. That day of the Lord is not a 387 00:27:39,480 --> 00:27:43,800 silent day. It's not even a secret day 388 00:27:44,160 --> 00:27:48,160 unseen by men in the world. We we read here about the tribes 389 00:27:48,160 --> 00:27:51,920 of the earth shall mourn. Why will they mourn? 390 00:27:51,920 --> 00:27:55,120 Because they don't know Him, they'll mourn because he'd been 391 00:27:55,120 --> 00:27:58,480 revealed in front of them and they'll have heard the name 392 00:27:58,560 --> 00:28:02,520 Jesus, but he'd be revealed as the Lord Jesus Christ and 393 00:28:02,520 --> 00:28:07,280 they'll be blown away. Oh, this Christianity business. 394 00:28:07,480 --> 00:28:10,160 Oh, this is all true. Look, there he is. 395 00:28:10,160 --> 00:28:12,360 He's coming. Do you see him coming? 396 00:28:12,360 --> 00:28:16,800 We're going to see him as he really is. 397 00:28:18,040 --> 00:28:19,840 It's a day of the Saints resurrection. 398 00:28:20,880 --> 00:28:30,920 You see all men die and even the Saints of God die and they're 399 00:28:30,920 --> 00:28:33,800 buried and whenever they die because that's what death is, 400 00:28:33,800 --> 00:28:35,480 the separation of the soul and spirit. 401 00:28:35,760 --> 00:28:38,040 The the soul and spirit leaves the body and goes into the 402 00:28:38,040 --> 00:28:42,880 intermediate state and the the body is put into the ground. 403 00:28:43,040 --> 00:28:46,440 But one day at the day of resurrection, body and soul will 404 00:28:46,440 --> 00:28:50,320 be reunited and our bodies will be raised out of the ground, you 405 00:28:50,360 --> 00:28:52,120 see. And this will happen at the 406 00:28:52,120 --> 00:28:55,920 return of the Lord Jesus Christ, a day of resurrection for the 407 00:28:55,920 --> 00:28:57,920 Saints. And that's what Paul says. 408 00:28:58,040 --> 00:29:01,320 Listen to these words. First Corinth, Thessalonians, 409 00:29:01,320 --> 00:29:06,320 chapter 4, verse 16, he says for the Lord himself shall not, for 410 00:29:06,320 --> 00:29:09,320 the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with the shout, with 411 00:29:09,320 --> 00:29:12,120 the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God, and the 412 00:29:12,120 --> 00:29:17,600 dead in Christ shall rise. First you see, if there's going 413 00:29:17,600 --> 00:29:21,720 to be the glorification of the Saints before the glorification 414 00:29:21,720 --> 00:29:25,720 takes place, there has to be the resurrection. 415 00:29:26,200 --> 00:29:30,480 And that's what again was emphasised in Romans chapter 8 416 00:29:30,480 --> 00:29:35,160 and verse 17. It says if children then heirs, 417 00:29:35,160 --> 00:29:38,280 heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if so be that we 418 00:29:38,280 --> 00:29:42,680 may suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together, How 419 00:29:42,680 --> 00:29:45,320 can we be glorified together with Christ? 420 00:29:45,880 --> 00:29:51,760 Well, that glorification of the Saints has to be preceded by the 421 00:29:51,760 --> 00:29:55,000 day of Resurrection. We're glorified at the 422 00:29:55,000 --> 00:29:59,520 resurrection, not before, not long after at the resurrection, 423 00:29:59,640 --> 00:30:04,000 glorified at us coming and we have got new bodies like 424 00:30:04,000 --> 00:30:07,040 Christ's body no longer under the power of death. 425 00:30:07,640 --> 00:30:12,720 That's why Paul could say in First Corinthians chapter 15, 426 00:30:12,960 --> 00:30:19,120 and he said there in the verse 50, listen to the words First 427 00:30:19,120 --> 00:30:22,760 Corinthians 15. And now I say, brethren, that 428 00:30:22,760 --> 00:30:25,440 flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God, neither does 429 00:30:25,480 --> 00:30:28,120 corruption inherit corruption. Behold, I show you a mystery. 430 00:30:28,840 --> 00:30:31,640 We shall not all sleep. You see, we've gone to sleep in 431 00:30:31,640 --> 00:30:35,040 Jesus, the bodies in the ground, the soul and spirits in the 432 00:30:35,040 --> 00:30:36,880 intermediate state in the presence of God. 433 00:30:37,320 --> 00:30:43,280 But we should all be changed when in a moment, in the 434 00:30:43,280 --> 00:30:45,880 twinkling of an eye. When does it happen? 435 00:30:46,040 --> 00:30:50,360 At the last trump, For the trumpet shall sound and listen 436 00:30:50,360 --> 00:30:54,880 to this, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible and we 437 00:30:54,880 --> 00:30:59,520 shall be changed. That means we'll be given new 438 00:30:59,520 --> 00:31:01,240 bodies. Soul and spirit will be 439 00:31:01,240 --> 00:31:04,560 reunited, we'll have new bodies, and we'll be caught up together 440 00:31:04,680 --> 00:31:08,240 with the dead in Christ. We who are alive and remain, if 441 00:31:08,240 --> 00:31:10,600 we're alive and remain at that time, would be caught up when 442 00:31:10,600 --> 00:31:14,640 the trumpet sounds. That's the resurrection of the 443 00:31:14,640 --> 00:31:19,600 dead Saints and we'll be with Christ and wherever Christ is, 444 00:31:19,600 --> 00:31:21,960 we will be. It's also a day of sweet 445 00:31:21,960 --> 00:31:24,400 reunion. You see, it's all going to 446 00:31:24,400 --> 00:31:25,400 happen. That is coming. 447 00:31:25,480 --> 00:31:27,320 And that's what Paul is thinking about. 448 00:31:29,040 --> 00:31:32,280 You know, it's great they get together to families on earth. 449 00:31:32,520 --> 00:31:36,960 Lovely to see you. We, we, we are happy. 450 00:31:36,960 --> 00:31:42,160 We, we hug one another, we interact, we talk, we have 451 00:31:42,160 --> 00:31:46,880 fellowship, we have food. And the question in the minds of 452 00:31:46,880 --> 00:31:50,280 the Thessalonians was what about our dead loved us in Christ? 453 00:31:50,440 --> 00:31:52,200 What has, what has happened to them? 454 00:31:52,200 --> 00:31:55,200 And Paul saying, look, the dead in Christ will rise first. 455 00:31:55,360 --> 00:31:58,240 They'll rise up out of the grave and they'll their, their, their 456 00:31:58,240 --> 00:32:01,560 bodies and soul will be reunited and we are alive and remain. 457 00:32:01,680 --> 00:32:05,720 We'll be caught up together with them, and, and, and, and, and, 458 00:32:05,720 --> 00:32:10,840 and these Saints like us will be given new bodies, and we'll all 459 00:32:10,840 --> 00:32:17,040 rise up together, all glorified together, to meet the Lord in 460 00:32:17,040 --> 00:32:20,080 the air. Remember what Paul says there, 461 00:32:20,080 --> 00:32:24,000 or John says in first John 3. Beloved now are we the sons of 462 00:32:24,000 --> 00:32:26,720 God? Yet it does not appear what we 463 00:32:26,720 --> 00:32:28,720 shall be, but we know when He shall appear. 464 00:32:28,720 --> 00:32:31,360 We shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as he is. 465 00:32:31,360 --> 00:32:34,560 And then he adds this, and every man that hath this hope in him 466 00:32:35,000 --> 00:32:43,600 purify themselves even as he is pure, A new body like Christ's 467 00:32:43,600 --> 00:32:47,120 body. No sickness, no peeing, no 468 00:32:47,120 --> 00:32:51,800 suffering in the eternal state. Surely that thrills your soul. 469 00:32:51,800 --> 00:32:57,120 This morning Ada's coming, the Saviour's return, the special 470 00:32:57,360 --> 00:33:02,400 revelation, the Saints resurrection and sweet reunion 471 00:33:04,680 --> 00:33:08,400 whenever a loved one dies. And we have talked about loved 472 00:33:08,400 --> 00:33:12,480 ones who have died recently. And you miss them, Mr Earthly 473 00:33:12,480 --> 00:33:15,360 form. You would long to have them 474 00:33:15,360 --> 00:33:19,840 back, even for a wee while, to chat, to hug. 475 00:33:21,080 --> 00:33:24,960 But you can't. And you mourn. 476 00:33:24,960 --> 00:33:28,040 And you think, you know what? I'm not going to see them again. 477 00:33:28,720 --> 00:33:32,600 Mummy's gone, Daddy's gone, the baby's gone, Granny's gone. 478 00:33:33,800 --> 00:33:39,800 But let me assure you, you can see them again in Christ. 479 00:33:39,800 --> 00:33:42,720 You will see them again. You'll see the matters coming. 480 00:33:43,200 --> 00:33:46,160 You, you, you'll see them in glory. 481 00:33:48,200 --> 00:33:55,800 This day marks the full transformation of all the Saints 482 00:33:55,800 --> 00:33:59,520 into the likeness of Christ. The devas coming. 483 00:34:01,640 --> 00:34:06,960 One final thing. Think about the analyzation of 484 00:34:06,960 --> 00:34:10,120 the people of God. Paul summed it all up in these 485 00:34:10,120 --> 00:34:12,800 words. If you go back to Thessalonians 486 00:34:12,800 --> 00:34:17,880 chapter 2, he says in verse 20 for year our glory and joy. 487 00:34:17,880 --> 00:34:22,040 He has mentioned the word hope. He has mentioned the word joy. 488 00:34:22,040 --> 00:34:25,199 He has mentioned the word crown. It's not a literal crown. 489 00:34:25,560 --> 00:34:28,480 I believe he's using a metaphorical language. 490 00:34:31,239 --> 00:34:36,239 You see Paul's saying, even though I don't see you 491 00:34:36,239 --> 00:34:40,159 Thessalonians in the flesh in that little city there in that 492 00:34:40,159 --> 00:34:45,880 church, I'll see you in heaven. I'll see you at the second 493 00:34:46,000 --> 00:34:50,199 coming of Christ. And then the fruit of my 494 00:34:50,199 --> 00:34:54,199 ministry in Thessalonanka will be fully received. 495 00:34:54,520 --> 00:34:57,120 Let me finish and apply this. You see, here's the only 496 00:34:57,120 --> 00:34:59,760 possession that we can bring to heaven. 497 00:35:00,120 --> 00:35:03,360 Here's the only possession of ours that will ever be in heaven 498 00:35:04,200 --> 00:35:09,800 and our mindset and desire should be to to win people to 499 00:35:09,800 --> 00:35:14,760 Christ because our possession in heaven are those that we went to 500 00:35:14,760 --> 00:35:17,000 Christ. Therefore we need to work for 501 00:35:17,000 --> 00:35:21,800 souls now. We need to labour to have jewels 502 00:35:22,560 --> 00:35:26,120 to present to the Master. Time is passing. 503 00:35:27,520 --> 00:35:32,400 Many today sadly have an interest in time and things. 504 00:35:32,400 --> 00:35:37,080 For now the trinkets of the world, many live in sin and 505 00:35:37,080 --> 00:35:39,520 transgression, but what is all for? 506 00:35:39,880 --> 00:35:43,160 Here's a question, is it all for His glory? 507 00:35:43,720 --> 00:35:47,160 Think of our job or education or family or home, Oregon car or 508 00:35:47,160 --> 00:35:49,120 Monday. Is it all for His glory? 509 00:35:49,280 --> 00:35:54,280 Are we using it for His glory? Is it our aim to win the loss 510 00:35:54,280 --> 00:35:59,000 for Christ for eternity? My aim is to win souls here and 511 00:35:59,000 --> 00:36:03,520 carried off. So we need to work and use all 512 00:36:03,520 --> 00:36:08,120 that we have, our time, our effort, our talents to try and 513 00:36:08,120 --> 00:36:11,080 wins one's soul. And I encourage you, therefore, 514 00:36:11,080 --> 00:36:14,560 as we finish this morning, get involved in the local church. 515 00:36:15,240 --> 00:36:18,320 Don't have, I couldn't care less attitude. 516 00:36:20,000 --> 00:36:24,960 Don't be prayerless. Don't be powerless because I can 517 00:36:24,960 --> 00:36:27,480 do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me. 518 00:36:28,640 --> 00:36:32,840 Think of aiming to bring one's soul with you to heaven, and 519 00:36:32,840 --> 00:36:35,520 that one soul, will you meet them in the streets of glory. 520 00:36:35,720 --> 00:36:38,560 That will be your hope. That'll be your crown. 521 00:36:38,680 --> 00:36:45,520 That'll be your re, your glory and your rejoicing. 522 00:36:47,960 --> 00:36:52,320 A crown of rejoicing. Here are the souls Lord you gave 523 00:36:52,320 --> 00:36:54,720 me. Here's the triumph of your 524 00:36:54,720 --> 00:36:57,280 grace. Here's the evidence of your 525 00:36:57,280 --> 00:36:59,600 spirit at work. They're with me at Christ's 526 00:36:59,600 --> 00:37:05,040 right hand. That's the analyzation of the 527 00:37:05,040 --> 00:37:07,200 people of God. That's how we viewed them. 528 00:37:08,080 --> 00:37:11,240 Is that how you view the people of God? 529 00:37:11,840 --> 00:37:14,720 I commend this message to you and I pray the Lord will bless 530 00:37:14,720 --> 00:37:17,760 it to your heart at this particular time.