Would you please remain standing for the reading of God's holy word?

Our scripture text this morning is 2nd Thessalonians, chapter 1, verses 11 and 12.

If you're using the Black Pugh Bible, you can find this on page 989.

Listen now as I read, Second Thessalonians 1, 11 and 12, for this is the very word of God.

To this end, we always pray for you that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power so that the name of our

Lord Jesus may be glorified in you and you in him according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

May the Lord bless to our hearts and minds the reading of his holy word, you may be seated.

It is my distinct honor and privilege to introduce our guest preacher this morning,

Dr. John Piper, distinguished author, preacher, and longtime

pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church. John, it's great to have you with us. Thank you. Let's pray together.

so that I would be faithful to these two verses from your word. I pray that I would experience them in these moments.

Since my resolution... moments.

Since my resolution is to speak the truth,

help me to lean now fully upon your power to do so,

and not on my own own strength.

And I pray that these verses would be performed

in the hearts and minds of those who are now listening.

That you would cause this to become a reality, that we would experience your power fulfilling our good resolves, turning them into works of faith.

For your glory, for our glorification according to your grace and the grace of the Lord Jesus.

So come do your word. I pray in Jesus' name.

Amen. I pray in Jesus name. In Jesus' name.

Amen.

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