26-0503p Transcript

(0:53) The topic this evening of my lesson is "Being a Helpmeet." (0:59) What is a helpmeet? (1:01) Well, we were introduced to that for the first time (1:05) when God introduced man to the garden of Eden.

(1:11) He created man and put him in the garden. (1:14) Let’s reread that one more time and take a look at it. (1:18) The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden (1:21) to work it and to take care of it.

(1:24) The Lord commanded the man, (1:26) You are free to eat from any of the trees of the garden, (1:29) but you must not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, (1:32) for when you eat up from it you will certainly die. (1:35) I’m reading from the New International Version, and this is verse 18. (1:40) The Lord God said, (1:42) It is not good for the man to be alone.

(1:46) I will make a helper suitable for him. (1:50) This lesson that I have is one that I developed many, many years ago (1:57) when I was doing premarital counseling. (2:00) And when I was full-time ministering, (2:05) individuals would come to me and ask me to perform waitings for them.

(2:10) And at that time, I required premarital counseling. (2:14) And so I would bring forth this concept of trying to help them understand (2:21) what a helpmeet is. (2:23) And when we read a little bit further on in this account, (2:26) you’ll see where God takes the man, (2:33) and he wants to help the man realize he doesn’t have a suitable helper, (2:37) a suitable helpmeet.

(2:39) So he puts him out there, (2:42) and he causes all the creatures that God had created to pass by him. (2:46) And as he passed by them, he was giving them a name. (2:52) But there was another purpose for it, (2:55) and that purpose was that he was to evaluate every animal and every creature (3:01) that came by him as to whether or not it was going to be a helpmeet.

(3:07) What is a helpmeet in this particular case? (3:10) Well, obviously, one who’s going to be able to procreate, (3:15) one who can help fill in the desire to be a procreator, (3:21) to want to populate the land, (3:26) because this is one of the things that God put man on the earth for (3:30) and joined him with a woman so that they could start populating the earth. (3:37) So as Adam was looking at the animals and naming them, (3:41) he’s looking to see, are they appropriate for a helpmeet? (3:48) And the conclusion was, if you read a little bit further on, (3:51) he did not find anyone to be a helpmeet. (3:56) He did not see any of the creatures.

(3:58) The cows they could procreate. (4:03) The dogs could procreate. (4:06) The sheep could procreate.

(4:08) Well, all the animals can procreate, (4:11) but he didn’t have one to procreate with, (4:15) so he needed a helpmeet. (4:17) So we’re introduced to the concept of being a helpmeet, (4:22) being one who can help you procreate, (4:25) in essence, to be rat, grass, and have sex with. (4:32) And so we see then that God is ruling out bestiality.

(4:37) There is no way that man is going to be able to procreate with any of the other creatures. (4:43) So then once he realized this, God causes him to go to sleep, (4:48) and from his rib he forms a woman, (4:50) and then that woman then comes forth. (4:54) And so let’s pick up with verse 20.

(5:00) And so the man gave names to all the livestock, (5:06) the birds of the sky, and all the wild animals. (5:08) But for Adam no suitable helper was found. (5:12) So the Lord God caused him to fall into a deep sleep, (5:16) and while he was sleeping he took one of man’s ribs (5:19) and then closed up the place with flesh.

(5:23) Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib, (5:26) and he had taken out of the man, (5:28) and he brought her to the man, (5:30) and the man said, (5:32) Ah! What does he say? (5:36) Hey, I can procreate with this. (5:39) This is my helpmeet. (5:42) This is going to be my helpmeet.

(5:44) God introduces her as being his helpmeet. (5:49) This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh. (5:52) She shall be called woman, (5:54) for she was taken out of man.

(5:56) And this is why a man leaves his father and mother (6:01) and is united to his wife, (6:03) and they become one flesh. (6:06) Adam and his wife were both naked, (6:08) and they felt no shame. (6:11) So with the concept of what a helpmeet is, (6:16) obviously she was going to be his companion, (6:22) and the two of them were going to live life together.

(6:27) They were going to make ends meet together. (6:30) They were to have families together, (6:33) and so a helpmeet has the concept (6:36) of helping one another in life. (6:40) And so we have that concept (6:42) that when a family is formed, (6:47) they’re going to help each other in life.

(6:50) This is borne out even more so (6:54) when we look at 1 Corinthians, (6:56) and I’d like for you to take a look at 1 Corinthians (6:58) because we have a little dichotomy here (7:02) where Paul’s talking about the purpose of marrying (7:07) or staying single, (7:11) and we see that Paul basically is saying to his audience, (7:17) I’d like for you to stay single. (7:20) I would like for you to be like me. (7:24) And so we see him making this statement in verse 8 (7:28) of chapter 7 of 1 Corinthians.

(7:31) 1 Corinthians is the seventh chapter (7:32) starting with verse 8. (7:34) Now to the unmarried and the widows I say, (7:38) it is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. (7:44) But if they cannot control themselves, (7:47) they should marry, (7:49) for it is better to marry than to burn with passion. (7:54) And so we have another thought (7:58) concerning what being a helpmeet is.

(8:02) So now I would like for us to slip down (8:05) to verse 32 of chapter 7. (8:10) So Paul explains himself. (8:12) He wants to say, (8:15) why do I want you to remain single? (8:19) Is it possible for you to remain single? (8:21) If it is, I would like for you to remain single (8:24) because I have an ulterior motive for you. (8:28) What is that ulterior motive? (8:30) And he’s going to explain what that ulterior motive is (8:34) in verse 32.

(8:36) I would like you to be free from concern. (8:42) What kind of concern? (8:45) Concern about looking after your family. (8:49) Concern about keeping out the wife.

(8:53) Why? (8:55) Because if you’re free from marriage (8:58) and free from being uninhibited, (9:02) not uninhibited, but unattached, (9:07) you can be free to do what I’m doing for the Lord. (9:11) What is Paul doing for the Lord? (9:14) He’s traveling throughout the world. (9:16) He’s taking every opportunity there is (9:20) to convert people to God (9:23) and to help them to become Christians.

(9:25) And that’s his whole sole purpose. (9:27) So we see him traveling. (9:29) That’s his whole life.

(9:30) His whole life is going from one city to another city, (9:35) creating churches, helping individuals, (9:38) and that’s what he is saying that will happen (9:41) if an individual remains unmarried. (9:45) So I would like you to be free from concern. (9:48) An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs, (9:52) like I am, how he can please the Lord.

(9:56) But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world, (10:02) how he can please his wife. (10:05) So if you’re going to get married, (10:08) your focus is now going to be on your family (10:12) and keeping your wife happy. (10:16) He’s not saying that’s wrong.

(10:19) He’s just saying, (10:20) that’s the reason why I would like for you to be single like me. (10:23) He’s not telling us it’s wrong to marry (10:26) and it’s wrong to have a family (10:28) and it’s wrong for you to be concerned about your family (10:31) and your wife’s well-being and your children’s well-being. (10:34) He’s not saying that’s wrong.

(10:37) He’s saying that that is what is going to happen (10:39) and God understands that. (10:43) Why would God establish the family in the first place? (10:46) That’s what he did in Genesis, the second chapter, isn’t it? (10:49) He established the family. (10:51) He brought Eve together with Adam (10:53) and he intended for them to have a family.

(10:57) He intended for them to live as a family. (11:01) And so there’s nothing wrong with that. (11:04) We’re doing what God wants us to do.

(11:06) But Paul says, (11:08) look, if you can remain single like I’m single, (11:12) then you will be able to serve God (11:15) in ways that you can’t imagine. (11:19) Can you imagine? (11:21) I’m married. (11:22) I’ve been a preacher for many years.

(11:26) And as a preacher, (11:28) I’ve had the opportunities to go out and study with people. (11:32) And I had to leave my wife and my family home. (11:36) I’m going out to have a Bible study with another family.

(11:40) What time am I going to leave the house? (11:44) Maybe around 7 o’clock. (11:45) What time will I get home? (11:47) All depends on the length of the Bible study (11:49) and how successful it is. (11:51) It could be 8 o’clock, 9 o’clock.

(11:54) I come home. (11:56) The wife has been there with the family. (11:59) He has to put her to bed.

(12:00) She has to feed him. (12:01) She has to do all these things. (12:03) And the other thing is, (12:04) what happens? (12:05) The kids, (12:06) where’s dad? (12:07) How come dad’s not here? (12:10) And what happens? (12:12) Over the years, (12:13) and this is a true thing, (12:15) over the years, (12:16) the kids get to resent dad’s job (12:21) because he isn’t home.

(12:23) He isn’t there. (12:25) They begin to resent the church (12:27) and they resent what it stands for, (12:30) mainly because he’s not home. (12:34) And so, (12:35) how can you devote yourself to promoting Christianity (12:39) and be married and bring the two together? (12:43) Paul’s saying, (12:45) it is a difficult road to follow.

(12:47) It is difficult. (12:48) So he goes on and he says, (12:51) he is not sinning. (12:55) I would like for you to be free from concern.

(12:57) An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs, (13:00) how he can please the Lord, (13:02) verse 33. (13:03) But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world (13:06) and how he can please his wife. (13:09) And his interests are divided.

(13:11) An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned, (13:15) now he’s talking about the woman (13:17) and her wanting to be devoted to God (13:23) and have her life and her activities (13:25) and her concerns to be promoting God and Christianity. (13:31) And so he is saying, (13:37) unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs. (13:41) Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit.

(13:46) But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world, (13:51) how she can please her husband. (13:54) I am saying this for your own good (13:55) and not to restrict you, (13:58) but that you may live in a right way (14:02) in an undivided devotion to the Lord. (14:07) So then he goes on and he gives us some more insights.

(14:13) If anyone is worried about that he might not be acting honorably (14:17) towards the virgin he is engaged to (14:20) and if his passions are too strong (14:22) and he feels he ought to marry, (14:25) he should do as he wants. (14:27) He is not sinning. (14:29) They should get married, (14:31) but the man who has settled the matter in his own mind (14:35) who is under no compulsion (14:37) but has control over his own will (14:40) and who has made up his mind not to marry the virgin, (14:44) this man also does the right thing.

(14:47) So then, he who marries the virgin does right, (14:51) but he who does not marry, he does better. (14:56) Now, my thoughts may be disjointed, (15:00) but I would like for you to stop and think about this. (15:03) As a person is trying to do these things as a minister, (15:09) is he being a helpmeet to his wife? (15:15) He’s not helping her in any way whatsoever (15:20) because he is supposed to have an obligation to her (15:24) that he has made a promise to her about.

(15:29) And I’d like for you to stop (15:30) and I’d like to interject what happened between Adam and Eve. (15:35) And I’d like for you to stop and think about those things. (15:37) Let’s go back to Genesis.

(15:39) And this time, let’s look at Genesis, the third chapter in particular, (15:43) and we’re going to be looking at the fall of Eve. (15:49) And we’ll play this one out. (15:52) Now, the serpent, again, I’m reading from the New International Version.

(15:57) Now, the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals (16:01) the Lord God had made. (16:04) He said to the woman, (16:06) did God really say you must not eat from any tree in the garden? (16:11) The woman said to the serpent, (16:14) we may eat fruit from the trees of the garden, (16:17) but God did say you must not eat fruit from the tree (16:21) that is in the middle of the garden, (16:23) and you must not touch it or you will die. (16:28) And then the serpent says, you will not certainly die.

(16:32) The serpent says to the woman, (16:34) for God knows that when you eat from it, (16:36) your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, (16:39) knowing good and evil. (16:41) When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food (16:45) and pleasing to the eye, (16:47) and also desirable for gaining wisdom, (16:50) she took some and ate it. (16:51) She also gave some to her husband who was with her, (16:56) and he ate it.

(16:57) Then the eyes of both of them were opened, (17:01) and they realized they were naked. (17:03) So they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. (17:11) God created Eve to be a helpmeet to God, (17:14) and to Adam.

(17:15) But it was also the other way around, too. (17:18) Adam was to be a helpmeet to her. (17:20) Now, when we look at this conversation (17:23) and this interaction that Eve has with Satan, the serpent, (17:30) we see that she’s right there having a conversation, (17:35) and according to the conversation, (17:38) Adam has done what God really has asked her to do, (17:41) and that was to give her the rules.

(17:46) Don’t eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, (17:48) for if you eat of it, you shall surely die. (17:51) We know that because she quotes it, doesn’t she? (17:54) So she knows she’s not supposed to eat of it (17:57) because Adam told her, (17:59) we’re not supposed to eat of that tree of knowledge of good and evil. (18:02) We have no record of God repeating himself.

(18:06) He’s having Adam pass that information on. (18:10) So now, we see the conversation that’s going on, (18:14) and we see that that conversation is going the wrong way, (18:18) and she’s having a conversation with the wrong person. (18:25) As a helpmeet, what is Adam supposed to be doing? (18:32) As a helpmeet, he’s supposed to know that she’s playing with fire.

(18:38) He’s supposed to know that he doesn’t like this conversation (18:43) and this interaction that he sees going on with his wife, (18:47) and he should be stepping in and saying, (18:50) Eve, get out of here. Let’s go somewhere else. (18:54) But he doesn’t step in, does he? (18:57) What kind of a helpmeet is he? (19:00) That’s what a helpmeet is to be.

(19:02) A helpmeet is to help us to live life in a correct way (19:07) and in a way that is pleasing to God. (19:11) That is what a helpmeet is all about. (19:13) So where is Adam when this is all taking place? (19:18) The Scriptures tell us he’s right there.

(19:25) Because how do I know that? (19:27) Because she eats of it, she prepares it, and gives it to the man who is with her. (19:34) He is with her. (19:36) And he should be stepping in and saying, (19:40) Get out of here.

Let’s go somewhere else. (19:44) Don’t have any conversation with him. (19:47) He’s supposed to be helping her make the right decisions (19:50) and be in the right situation and help her to avoid these things, (19:54) and he is voiceless.

(19:57) He’s not speaking up. He’s not doing anything. (20:03) And all he’s going to do when God confronts him is say, (20:06) That woman that you gave me gave it to me to eat.

(20:11) He is not even owning up to the fact that he was supposed to do these things. (20:17) But I’m bringing this in for this particular purpose, (20:21) because you see, that’s basically what a helpmeet is to be, (20:25) is one who is going to, how do I know this? (20:29) Well, back to 1 Corinthians 7. (20:34) And as we see, Paul is going to give us an example of why we marry. (20:47) Why do we marry? (20:48) And let’s go to the 7th chapter.

(20:55) Now for the matters, verse 1, (20:56) Now for the matters you wrote about, (20:58) It is good for a man not to have sexual relationships with a woman, (21:03) but since sexual immorality is occurring, (21:07) each man should have sexual relations with his own wife (21:12) and each woman with her own husband. (21:15) The husband should fulfill his marital duties to his wife, (21:19) and likewise the wife to her husband. (21:22) The wife does not have authority over her own body, (21:26) but yields it to her husband in the same way (21:28) the husband does not have authority over his own body, (21:32) but yields it to his wife.

(21:34) Do not deprive each other, except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, (21:40) so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. (21:44) Then come together again, so that Satan will not tempt you (21:49) because of your lack of self-control. (21:52) I say this as a concession, not as a command.

(21:55) Why is it a concession? (21:56) It’s because he would like to see them remain single. (22:01) He’s able to control his sexual appetite, (22:04) and apparently doesn’t need that type of help me. (22:08) And so he wants to dedicate his life solely to God.

(22:14) So now, let’s assume, and I’d like for you to use your imagination, (22:21) back down to verse 32. (22:28) I would like you to be free from concern. (22:31) An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs, (22:35) how he can please the Lord.

(22:37) But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world (22:41) and how he can please his wife. (22:42) And his interests are divided. (22:46) And an unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs.

(22:51) Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. (22:57) But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world, (23:02) how she can please her husband. (23:05) I am saying this for your own good and not to restrict you, (23:09) but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.

(23:17) So the whole purpose of Paul is we are to live in devotion to the Lord, (23:25) whether married or single. (23:27) We are living in devotion to the Lord. (23:31) But God understands, because he created family, (23:36) God understands, and Paul understands this too, (23:40) because he goes on and says, (23:42) if anyone is worried that he might not be acting honorably towards the virgin (23:47) he is engaged to and his passions are too strong (23:51) and he feels he ought to marry, (23:54) he should do as he wants.

(23:57) He is not sinning. (23:59) They should get married. (24:01) But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, (24:04) who is under no compulsion, (24:07) but has control over his own will (24:10) and who has made up his mind not to marry the virgin, (24:16) this man also does the right thing.

(24:18) So then, he who marries the virgin does right, (24:22) but he who does not marry her does better. (24:26) So I’d like to interject this concept now (24:30) and to bring our lesson, basically, to a close. (24:35) Consider this and use your imagination.

(24:38) We have over here a young man. (24:43) He may be in his teens. (24:46) He may be in his early twenties.

(24:50) He is thinking to himself, (24:52) I am a Christian and I love God, (24:55) and I’m willing to devote my life to promoting Christianity (25:01) and to help individuals become Christians (25:04) and to point out to them the need to be a Christian. (25:08) And so he starts out his life as a young man in his twenties, (25:13) and as he goes a little bit older, perhaps into his thirties, (25:17) he’s thinking in terms of devoting and being a missionary, perhaps, (25:23) but doing things that would encourage people to become Christians. (25:27) You have that young man over here.

(25:31) Now use your imagination about a young lady. (25:35) Young lady could be in her teens, early twenties, (25:41) and she is devoted to God, and she loves God, (25:45) and she loves Christian life, (25:47) and she wants to promote Christian life. (25:51) And so she’s going along and she’s saying to herself, (25:54) I am going to convince people to become Christians too.

(26:01) Use your imagination now, if you will. (26:06) All of a sudden, urges start happening, don’t they? (26:14) The woman says to herself, I ought to have children. (26:20) God created me to be a procreator.

(26:24) I’m a woman. I can re-procreate. (26:27) I need a mate to help that, don’t I? (26:31) But the problem is she can overcome that (26:36) unless she starts running around with other girlfriends who are getting married, (26:43) who talk about what it’s like to be married, (26:47) and she finds herself going into places like bars or nightclubs or whatever, (26:53) and she finds herself wavering in her Christian life, (26:58) and she finds her walk in Christian life becoming subjective, subject.

(27:06) Oh, she’s not liking this. (27:09) She knows that she’s not supposed to be doing that type of thing. (27:13) We know that.

(27:15) We have a young man sitting over here, (27:18) and he’s going along, and he’s seeing his friends marrying off, (27:24) and they’re all getting married, and he’s saying to himself, (27:30) oh, isn’t that nice? They’re having family. (27:33) But he starts finding himself having thoughts that he’s not supposed to have. (27:38) He looks at the girls, and he sees how beautiful they are, how attractive they are, (27:43) and wouldn’t it be nice if I were married to one of those girls? (27:48) Wouldn’t it be nice? (27:49) But he realizes that he should not be thinking in these terms, (27:56) and he should not be running around with the guys that he’s running around with, (28:00) and he’s finding himself going places that he shouldn’t be going (28:03) and indulging in things that he shouldn’t be doing because he’s not Christian, (28:08) and he knows that if he continues to walk in this way, (28:15) his Christianity is in jeopardy.

(28:19) He may fall. (28:21) They’re truly, truly dedicated to God. (28:24) They’re truly, truly dedicated to wanting to be God-fearing individuals.

(28:30) So what happens? (28:34) Their paths cross. (28:37) They find each other attractive, (28:39) but they realize that if they marry, (28:48) their perspectives about God and being a Christian (28:52) and wanting to get other people to become Christians starts wavering a little bit. (29:01) But they meet each other, and they are attracted to one another.

(29:11) I want you to think in these terms. (29:15) It is too simple to think in these terms. (29:22) The girl says to the boy, and the boy says to the girl, (29:28) If you marry me, I’ll help you get to heaven.

(29:36) I will help you get to heaven. (29:39) That’s what a help meet is all about. (29:44) So they pledge this vow to each other.

(29:50) He says to her, If you marry me, I will help you get to heaven. (29:56) And she thinks it over, and she says, Wow. (30:01) I’ve got me a Christian mate here.

(30:05) He’s promising that he’ll help me get to heaven. (30:10) And so she turns around and says, (30:13) If we get married, I will help you get to heaven. (30:18) Isn’t that simplistic? (30:23) That’s exactly what God wants us to say to each other.

(30:27) When a couple is getting concerned about getting married, (30:31) they need to be concerned about the relationship (30:33) and how it’s going to affect the relationship with God (30:36) and how it’s going to affect with each other, (30:40) and are they going to be able to help each other. (30:43) And so they are going to say to themselves, (30:46) I will help you get to heaven if you’ll help me get to heaven. (30:50) So they make a vow.

(30:52) Isn’t this what Paul is talking about? (30:55) If we find ourselves wavering in these things, (30:58) we’re not sinning, (31:00) and we’re not violating our purpose of wanting to serve God, are we? (31:08) So the two marry, (31:11) and they start getting involved in church. (31:17) They raise a family. (31:19) He’s helping her get to heaven.

(31:21) She’s helping him get to heaven. (31:23) They’re helping each other. (31:25) How does it help me? (31:27) They get up Sunday morning and say, (31:29) I’m ready to go to church.

(31:33) Oh, we’re having a Bible class tonight. (31:35) Let’s all go. (31:37) They’re helping each other, (31:38) and they’re encouraging one another to be involved (31:40) in the various activities of the church (31:43) and various activities that encourage and promote Christianity.

(31:47) And they get involved, (31:49) and they’re encouraging one another to do that. (31:52) But if you’re unequally yoked, (31:55) and you’re married to a person who has no concern about that, (32:00) they can put up a roadblock to that, can’t they? (32:04) I don’t want to do that. (32:06) I’m going to stay home.

(32:10) But the thing is, you see, (32:13) God is going to be the ultimate winner (32:15) if we can remain faithful to the concept of what a helpmeet is all about. (32:22) Because, you see, here’s the concept that I love (32:27) and I want to promote, (32:29) that if I’m helping my wife get to heaven (32:32) and she’s helping me get to heaven, (32:35) we’re helping each other get closer to God. (32:39) And you’ve probably seen this before.

(32:43) But as you get closer to God, (32:46) you get closer to each other. (32:49) How do marriages endure? (32:52) Because they can get closer and closer together. (32:56) How do marriages last? (32:57) 50 years, 60 years? (33:01) They are dedicated to God.

(33:02) And God knows they’re dedicated to Him. (33:06) And He is not losing anyone. (33:09) He is the winner.

(33:12) And we are the winner. (33:14) So He’s not going to refrain from asking you to not marry. (33:22) There’s no sin in marrying.

(33:24) That’s what He purposed it for. (33:28) It is for us to help each other get to heaven. (33:33) And as I said, the closer you get to God, (33:37) the closer you get to each other.

(33:40) A helpmeet serves many, many purposes, doesn’t it? (33:46) Yes. (33:49) Being married helps us to fight off finances. (33:56) Helps us fight off the need for family.

(34:00) Helps us fight off…​ (34:02) And we can team up together and beat all the odds in life (34:07) as a helpmeet. (34:09) But the best thing is if we’re spiritually intended for each other, (34:15) we’re going to help each other get to heaven. (34:17) And we’ll be the ultimate winners.

(34:28) God wants us to be winners. (34:35) And He intends for us to be able to come to Him through Jesus (34:40) and to have the forgiveness of our sins through Jesus' sacrifice (34:46) and to become a part of Jesus' church. (34:49) Because Jesus says, I’m going to…​ (34:51) Upon this rock I will build my church.

(34:54) The rock was the confession that He is the Christ, the Son of the living God. (34:59) And when Jesus went in prepared to go up to heaven and ascend into heaven, (35:05) He went to His disciples and He says, (35:07) I want you to go into all the world and make disciples of me. (35:13) And when we become disciples of Jesus, (35:15) we’re joining His church and we’re being added to His church.

(35:21) And He then becomes our ultimate priest. (35:25) High priest, if you will. (35:27) And we know that as a priest, (35:30) the priest goes before God and intercedes on the behalf of the worshiper.

(35:37) And Jesus is in heaven interceding on behalf of His worshipers. (35:42) And those worshipers are those who are His disciples and who are members of His church. (35:49) If there is anyone here that needs to become a member of the church (35:53) and have Jesus as your priest pleading your case for forgiveness of sin, (36:00) and if you haven’t, (36:02) we’d like to extend to you the opportunity to do so.

(36:05) Altogether we stand and sing this song of encouragement.