WPC  w"5":cOV<#HUN %_ 0:eU6U>^  w 4# 7 F mH U@_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 0C 0=Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q 06 hp deskjet 5550 seriesT(,,,,T(0(9 Z6Times New Roman RegularX(\$CEUS.,<6X9`(Courier New\  `&Times New Roman6/ 1/rtyBarT3|xU(9 Z(Times New Roman 0AA.Normal  5+ ` hp x 55+ ` hp x 5  <:Preformatted  /%  ,Kk %#/K<6X9`(Courier NewKS\  `&Times New RomanS/%  ,Kk %#/  0.Strong \!CEUS.,  _ XXXX    X X AFaceLikeFlint    ?+ ` hp x X?  S=:   # XX k#ASermonpreachedonSeptember14,2003 5݌ = Ќ XX     ?+ ` hp x X?  S|)y   Isaiah50:4!11  ݌ | Ќ XX   \  ?+ ` hp x X?  Sd 1  ݀TheHumanfaceisaverycomplicatedanddelicatepartofourbody.Thereare23surface  landmarksonourface;skin,ears,earlobes,forehead,eyelids,eyelashes,nose,nostrils,cheeks,   jawsandsoforth.Thereare28boneswhichcomposethehumanface.Thefaceexpressesevery   movementofourminds.Itexpressesourattitudes,opinionsandmoods.Yourfaceshowsifyou {  arehappy,angry,afraid,surprised,sad,tired,interestedordisinterested.For99%ofour g  existence,wearewatchingotherfaceswhilewebarely,lookatourownfaces.Thatiswhy, S  usuallywearefarbetteratjudgingothersthanjudgingourselves.Weareveryinterestedinhow ?  othersexhibittheirfacialexpression.Wesay;soandsohasasadfaceorahappyface;agreedy +{  faceoragenerousface;acalmfaceoraangryface.Wearealwayssoconcernedabouthowother g  peopleweartheirfacialexpressions.Andwearedeeplyaffectedbytheirfacialexpressions. 1݌ S  Ќ XX     ?+ ` hp x X?  SB ?    Howironicitisthatwhileweconcernourselveswiththefacialexpressionsofothersandhow B  weareimmenselyeffectedbythem.Wearenotconcernedabouttheeffectonothersofourown .~ facialexpressions.IfIameffectedbyothersfacialexpression,Itmustalsobetruethatothers j willbeeffectedbymyfacialexpression.Therefore,asChristians,itisquiteimportantthatwebe V awareofthekindoffacialexpressionswewearbeforetheworld.  ݌ B Ќ XX     ?+ ` hp x X?  S1.    IntodaysScripturereading,Wereadaverypowerfulstatement; BecausetheSovereignLord 1 helpsme,Iwillnotbedisgraced.Therefore,Ihavesetmyfacelikeflint.AndIknowthatIshall m notbeashamed. ;    ;\    Ihavesetmyfacelikeflint.Thispassagetellsuswhatkindoffacial  Y expressionweChristiansshouldnormallyhave.IntheBiblicalcontext,thispassageisabouthow I courageouslyJesuscarriedHissufferingforallhumanity.InfactJesusnotonlysufferedforour 5 sins,butHealsobecameourrolemodel.Inordertogothroughsuchindescribabletrialsand ! suffering,  8 ݌   Ќ XX   JesushadsetHisfacelikeflint.JesusfacedHissufferingforusbysettingHisfacelikeflint.  S$AsChristianswearecalledtofollowinthefootstepsofJesus. $ S!c AsJesusconfrontedHistrialsandsuffering,bysettingHisfacelikeflint,Wearealsocalledto !c confrontourtrialsandsufferingsbysettingourfaceslikeflintasJesusdid.Tosetupone ;   ;   sface !O likeflintisaHebrewexpressionofmakingafirmdecision. "? S.$~#+AtthetimeofHistrialbeforethePontiusPilate,JesushadmadeupHismindtobearthe .$~ crucifixion.AndHisunswervingdeterminationmusthavebeenexpressedonHisface,afacelike %j  flint. &V!! SE'"&B"Flintisahardgreystone,whichwasusedasatooloraweaponintheancientdays.Eventodayit E'"" isusedtoignitegasinalighter. Flintrepresentsanythinghardandunyieldingso,tosetone ;   ;n   s 1(## facelikeflintmeanstohaveanunyieldingdeterminationandtoexpressitonone ;   ;*   sface. !)q$$ Sd*%*a%WhenJesussetHisfacelikeflintIdontthinkHisfacewascoldanddulllookingratheritwas d*%% calmandserene.HewasneitherscarednorintimidatedbytheharshaccusationsofHisenemies. P+&& RatherHewasconfidentandconvincedaboutHimself. <,'' S{-((-x(HowcouldHebelikethat? {-(( SS Because,theSovereignLordhelpsme. Hewhovindicatedmeisnear,Whothenwillbring S chargeagainstme? ;   ;   V.7 ? S2/JesuswasabletostandbeforetheRomanGovernorPontiusPilatewithHisfacesetlikeflint, 2 SqnbecauseHeknewthatGodtheFatherinHeavenwashelpingHim.HewasconvincedthatHe q wouldnotbeputtoshame.Pilatewasamazedanddeeplytouched. ]  S I _Jesus,appearing_ԀbeforePontiusPilatewithhisfacesetlikeflint,istheimagethatweshould   imitate,whilewearetravelinginthistroubledworld.   S t TheGodwhohelpedJesusinHissufferingisstillwithus.TheGodwhovindicatedJesusisnow   readytovindicateusforoursuffering.    Apersonwhowasgoingthroughamarriagebreakdownmadethisremarkablestatement,so   called, AStandersAffirmation.     ?+ ` hp x X?  S w    Inaworldoffilth,Iwillstaypure; o݌   Ќ XX     ?+ ` hp x X?  S Y     surroundedbyliesIwillspeakthetruth; ݌  Y  Ќ XX     ?+ ` hp x X?  SHE F  wherehopelessnessabounds,IwillhopeinGod: F݌ H  Ќ XX     ?+ ` hp x X?  S4 w  whererevengeiseasier,Iwillblessinsteadofcurse; w݌  Ќ XX     ?+ ` hp x X?  Ss    andwheretheoddsarestackedagainstme,  IwilltrustinGod'sfaithfulness.  -!݌  Ќ XX     ?+ ` hp x X?  SA "   IamaSTANDER,andIwillnotacquiesce,compromise, ""݌ - Ќ XX     ?+ ` hp x X?  Sl Y#  quarrelorquit. Y##݌ l Ќ XX     ?+ ` hp x X?  S[X k$  Ihavemadethechoice,setmyfaceenteredtherace, k$$݌ [ Ќ XX     ?+ ` hp x X?  SG %  believedtheWord, %&݌  Ќ XX     ?+ ` hp x X?  S) &  trustedGodforalltheoutcome. &3'݌ ) Ќ XX     ?+ ` hp x X?  Sh '  Iwillallowneitherthereactionofmyspouse, 'U(݌ h Ќ XX     ?+ ` hp x X?  SW  T  )  northeurgingofmyfriends,  ))݌ W  Ќ XX     ?+ ` hp x X?  S!C! (*  northeadviceofmylovedones, (**݌ ! Ќ XX     ?+ ` hp x X?  S"%" J+  noreconomichardship, J++݌ "% Ќ XX     ?+ ` hp x X?  S$d# b,  northepromptingofthedeviltomakeme b,,݌ $d Ќ XX     ?+ ` hp x X?  SS% %P  -  letup,slowup,blowup,orgiveup - .݌ S%  Ќ XX     ?+ ` hp x X?  S&!?&! .  UNTILmymarriageishealed. .0/݌ &! Ќ XX   Whenthingshappeninourlives,webegintoworrysomuch,weareafraidofeverything. ~'" S( $j(#ButletusnotforgetthatGod shelpisalwaystherewhetherwerealizeitornot.Weneedtoset ( $ ourfaceslikeflintandwaitupontheLord.ThePsalmistsaid;Iamstillconfidentofthis;Iwill )$  seethegoodnessoftheLordinthelandoftheliving.WaitfortheLord;bestrongandtakeheart *%! andwaitfortheLord. ;   ;1   Psalm27:13!14 +&" S,(q,'IlikeAnnieJohnsonFlint ;   ;2#   spoem; ,(#  -)$ Heishelpingmenowthismoment,ThoughImaynotseeitorhear,  9%  ,Kk X92 B%  ,Kk %#k B 6X X 6 6ǐ 6lsǐ   6ls XX 6B%  ,Kk k%#B23  Perhapsbyafriendfardistant,Perhapsbyastrangernear,235݌  Ќ XXX X XXX X0k k 0   2 B%  ,Kk %#k B 6X X 6 6ǐ 6lsǐ   6ls XX 6B%  ,Kk k%#B266  Perhapsbyaspokenmessage,Perhapsbytheprintedword;2667݌  Ќ XXX X XXX X XXX X XXX X0k k 0   2 B%  ,Kk %#k B 6X X 6 6ǐ 6lsǐ   6ls XX 6B%  ,Kk k%#B28  InwaysthatIknowandknownot,IhavethehelpoftheLord.28N:݌ t Ќ XXX X XXX X XXX X XXX X0k k 0   2 B%  ,Kk %#k B 6X X 6 6ǐ 6lsǐ   6ls XX 6B%  ,Kk k%#B2;  He'skeepingmenowthismoment,HoweverIneeditmost,2;&=݌ ` Ќ XXX X XXX X XXX X XXX X0k k 0   2 B%  ,Kk %#k B 6X X 6 6ǐ 6lsǐ   6ls XX 6B%  ,Kk k%#B2>  Perhapsbyasingleangel,Perhapsbyamightyhost,2>?݌ L  Ќ XXX X XXX X XXX X XXX X0k k 0   2 B%  ,Kk %#k B 6X X 6 6ǐ 6lsǐ   6ls XX 6B%  ,Kk k%#B2_A  Perhapsbythechainthatfretsme,Orthewallsthatshutmein;2_AB݌ 8  Ќ XXX X XXX X XXX X XXX X0k k 0   2 B%  ,Kk %#k B 6X X 6 6ǐ 6lsǐ   6ls XX 6B%  ,Kk k%#B2:D  InwaysthatIknoworknownot,Hekeepsmefromharmandsin.2:DE݌ $ t Ќ XXX X XXX X XXX X XXX X0k k 0   2 B%  ,Kk %#k B 6X X 6 6ǐ 6lsǐ   6ls XX 6B%  ,Kk k%#B2F  He'sguidingmenowthismoment,Inpathwayseasyorhard,2FYH݌  ` Ќ XXX X XXX X XXX X XXX X0k k 0   2 B%  ,Kk %#k B 6X X 6 6ǐ 6lsǐ   6ls XX 6B%  ,Kk k%#B2I  Perhapsbyadoorwideopen,Perhapsbyadoorfastbarred,2I-K݌  L  Ќ XXX X XXX X XXX X XXX X0k k 0   2 B%  ,Kk %#k B 6X X 6 6ǐ 6lsǐ   6ls XX 6B%  ,Kk k%#B2L  Perhapsbyajoywithholden,Perhapsbyagladnessgiven;2LM݌  8  Ќ XXX X XXX X XXX X XXX X0k k 0   2 B%  ,Kk %#k B 6X X 6 6ǐ 6lsǐ   6ls XX 6B%  ,Kk k%#B2GO  InwaysthatIknowandknownot,He'sleadingmeuptoheaven.2GOP݌ $  Ќ XXX X XXX X XXX X XXX X0k k 0   2 B%  ,Kk %#k B 6X X 6 6ǐ 6lsǐ   6ls XX 6B%  ,Kk k%#B2 R  He'susingmenowthismoment,AndwhetherIgoorstand,2 RS݌   Ќ XXX X XXX X XXX X XXX X0k k 0   2 B%  ,Kk %#k B 6X X 6 6ǐ 6lsǐ   6ls XX 6B%  ,Kk k%#B2T  Perhapsbyaplanaccomplished,Perhapswhenhestaysmyhand,2T:V݌   Ќ XXX X XXX X XXX X XXX X0k k 0   2 B%  ,Kk %#k B 6X X 6 6ǐ 6lsǐ   6ls XX 6B%  ,Kk k%#B2W  Perhapsbyawordinseason,Perhapsbyasilentprayer;2WY݌   Ќ XXX X XXX X XXX X XXX X0k k 0   2 B%  ,Kk %#k B 6X X 6 6ǐ 6lsǐ   6ls XX 6B%  ,Kk k%#B2^Z  InwaysthatIknowandknownot,HislaborofloveIshare.2^Z[݌   Ќ XXX X XXX X XXX X XXX X0k k 0   2 B%  ,Kk %#k B 6X X 6 6ǐ 6lsǐ   6ls XX 6B%  ,Kk k%#B24]  ݀Today,aswecelebratetheLordsTable,LetusberemindedthattheLordyieldedHisbody24]^݌ p Ќ XXX X XXX X XXX X XXX X0k k 0   2 B%  ,Kk %#k B 6X X 6 6ǐ 6lsǐ   6ls XX 6B%  ,Kk k%#B2`  toshowHisunyieldingandunshakeabledeterminationforoursalvation.Asweparticipatetothis \ table,2`ua݌ H Ќ XXX X XXX X XXX X XXX X0k k 0   2 B%  ,Kk %#k B 6X X 6 6ǐ 6lsǐ   6ls XX 6B%  ,Kk k%#B2c  letusberemindedthatWearecalledtosetourfacelikeflinteveninthefaceoftrialsand 4 suffering.2cjd݌  p Ќ XXX X XXX X XXX X XXX X0k k 0   2 B%  ,Kk %#k B 6X X 6 6ǐ 6lsǐ   6ls XX 6B%  ,Kk k%#B2e  TheLordwhovindicatedJesusforHistrialsurelywillbewithustodayforourtrialsand  \ sufferings.2eag݌ H Ќ XXX X XXX X XXX X XXX X0k k 0   2 B%  ,Kk %#k B 6X X 6 6ǐ 6lsǐ   6ls XX 6B%  ,Kk k%#B2h  Amen2hVj݌ 4 Ќ XXX X XXX X XXX X XXX X0k k 0   #XXX X=#