4. The Holy Spirit does not only bring us to Christ, so that we, through faith, enter the kingdom of God, but He also _preserves us in the true faith;_ by means of the Gospel He gives us strength to prove our faith _by a godly life_ and thus remain in the kingdom to the end. He will lead us to the glory of our Lord, to the kingdom of glory in heaven. _"The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work and will preserve me unto His heavenly kingdom."_ 2 Tim. 4,18. By the Holy Spirit the kingdom of God comes to me _"here in time"_ (the Kingdom of Grace) _"and hereafter in eternity"_ (the Kingdom of Glory). In this petition we especially pray our heavenly Father to grant us _the most precious gift --His Holy Ghost._ 5. But we do not only pray that the kingdom of God would come to _us_ and remain with us, we also pray that it may come to _all men_ who as yet are not members of this kingdom. We pray that all men may become true believers in Christ through the preaching of the Gospel. This work, preaching the Gospel to all nations, we call _mission-work. The Second Petition is the great mission-prayer of the Church._ The Lord admonishes us: _"Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that He will send forth laborers into His harvest."_ Matt. 9,38. REMEMBER:-- 1. _In this petition we pray: Dear heavenly Father, grant me Thy Holy Spirit that by His grace I may believe in Jesus Christ, my King, and by faith in Him lead a godly life, so that I may be with my Savior in His kingdom, here in time and hereafter in eternity._ 2. _Do not forget to pray for our missions when you say this petition. Mission is the work our Lord has entrusted to all Christians, saying: "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature."_ Mark 16,15. MEMORIZE:-- _Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom._ Luke 12,32. _Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that He will send forth laborers into His harvest._ Matt. 9,38. _The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work and will preserve me unto His heavenly kingdom._ 2 Tim. 4,18. QUESTIONS. 1. How did Christ establish His kingdom on earth? 2. Who belongs to it? 3. Who is Lord and King of this kingdom? 4. What does Christ bestow upon His own in His kingdom? 5. From whom does He protect and against whom does He defend us? 6. What do we also call the kingdom of Christ? 7. What will Christ do with His kingdom when He shall come in His glory at the Last Day? 8. What shall we then call this kingdom? 9. What does our Lord teach us to pray in behalf of His kingdom? 10. What, indeed, is true concerning the coming of His kingdom? 11. Why do we nevertheless pray for His kingdom? 12. How does the kingdom of God come to us? 13. Why do we need the Holy Ghost for this purpose? 14. The Holy Spirit does not only bring us to Christ and into His kingdom, what does He also perform in us? 15. What do we call the work for which we are especially praying in this petition? LESSON 42.