WEBVTT

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 All right, church, we are considering on in our series about life on mission, the ultimate

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 walk with Christ.

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 That's a big statement.

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 Thank you, buddy.

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 You're doing your job because I'm not doing mine, so got to have that little thing.

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 There we go.

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 Yep, it's working.

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 All right, that's good.

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 We are going to be in Philippians chapter one, so if you'd like to start making your

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 way in the Bible over to Philippians one, we'll read from it in just a moment.

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 But before we get there, let's do a little recap of what we learned last week.

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 So last week, we talked about a call to minister.

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 The ultimate walk with Christ, that's kind of a lofty goal, right?

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 That's setting the bar pretty high.

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 Say, this is the ultimate walk with Christ.

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 Well, you better have something pretty strong to back that up with.

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 Well, I can truly tell you that life on God's mission is the ultimate way to walk with Jesus.

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 So if we are believing that we're walking with Jesus, but we're not on mission for him,

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 part of his mission in this world, actively engaging in that mission, then our walk with

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 Jesus isn't as close as we might think it is.

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 So last Sunday, we tried to break that down a little bit and said we see a call to minister

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 in Philippians chapter one, a call to minister.

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 Our takeaway was, am I willing to go on mission for God by preaching the gospel and by praying

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 for the lost around me?

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 When we said a call to minister, we said a call, the call to minister specifically was a call

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 to preach.

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 All of you are called to preach.

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 So anybody else want to come up here and preach this morning?

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 We're all called to preach.

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 That doesn't mean God has placed a call on every one of us to get up here on the stage

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 in a local church and preach the sermon, but we are all called to preach the gospel that

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 is actively with our mouths and passively through our lifestyle, both and not either or.

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 We don't get an option of just saying, well, I just try to live nice and that's how people

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 know I'm a Christian.

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 Or we don't get the option of saying, well, I'll tell people about Jesus, but I'm not going

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 to live in a holy way.

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 We have to do both.

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 And we preach the gospel both actively and passively.

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 And that is our call to minister.

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 We also have the call to pray.

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 And that's specifically about praying for the lost, praying for those without God.

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 That is something God commanded us to do, urged us to do time and time again.

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 And it makes a difference.

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 When we pray, when God, when God's children pray, God shows up.

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 God works.

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 God acts.

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 We can move the hand of God through prayer.

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 So our call to minister is a call to preach the gospel and pray for the lost around us.

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 So let's look at today.

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 You never know what pictures you're going to see on the screen when you come to church.

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 All right.

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 Now, anybody want to guess who is the guy in the lower left hand corner?

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 Y'all can do better than that.

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 Michael Jordan.

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 He hadn't been played in years and we still know who he is.

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 How about the guy in the lower right hand corner?

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 Kobe Bryant.

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 We heard some more younger voices in there.

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 Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.

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 Two of the greatest basketball players who ever lived.

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 Now, who is the tall guy in the middle?

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 What's that?

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 Phil Jackson.

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 I heard some older male voices saying that.

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 Not being discriminatory, I guarantee you there were some women in here who knew who that was too.

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 But, you know, you're starting to get a little more niche in your basketball knowledge when you know who the guy in the middle is.

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 He was the what for both of those guys?

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 He was the coach, right?

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 Phil Jackson is the most championship winningest coach that there ever was.

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 He holds the most NBA championships as a head coach of anybody else.

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 How many does he have?

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 Anybody?

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 Very close.

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 11.

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 Somebody said 10.

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 He has 11.

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 Six of them.

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 He won with Michael Jordan and the Bulls.

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 And five of them he won with Kobe Bryant and the Lakers.

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 So, the guy could take superstars and he could turn those teams into championship winning teams time and time and time and time again.

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 So, Phil Jackson knows something about bringing a team together.

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 Because you know what the funny thing is?

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 There have been a lot of superstars in the history of the NBA and all these other sports.

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 And you know what they haven't all done?

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 They haven't all won championships.

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 And very few of them have won multiple championships.

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 So, how did Phil Jackson take a team of stars, maybe one big star, one or two big stars, and then just a bunch of other guys who weren't stars,

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 and build a team that it was really, really hard to beat.

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 And year after year, they would win it all.

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 He said, he taught the principle, give up the me for the we.

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 Give up the me for the we.

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 It's nice and cute.

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 You can remember that.

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 It'll stick in your head.

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 But what does it mean?

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 Well, he said this.

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 The strength of the team is each individual member.

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 The strength of each member is the team.

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 Michael Jordan was great.

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 How many of y'all remember watching Michael Jordan play basketball?

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 Now, we can have a LeBron discussion at another time.

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 But if y'all are right with God, then you know Michael Jordan was the greatest basketball player who ever lived.

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 All right?

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 Thank you.

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 I don't want to hear from you young people down here, all right?

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 Just kidding.

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 It's LeBron, man.

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 And if there's anybody else's name, you just don't know what you're talking about.

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 You can take these guys who seem to be one-man teams.

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 They are transcendent athletes.

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 You can take these.

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 We're watching the Olympics right now.

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 And if you've watched any of that, you know, you've seen some incredible individual performances as they win their gold medal,

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 sometimes blowing away the field.

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 You watch Katie Ledecky in the pool and she's just, you know, there's nobody even on the screen with her as you watch her winning.

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 It's like, wow, how is she so much better than everybody else?

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 But when you're playing team sports, even a guy like Michael Jordan, who is as close as probably will ever come to saying he was the greatest who ever lived in his field,

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 even he could not win the championship by himself.

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 He needed the team.

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 He never won a championship until Phil Jackson came on board and brought his philosophy of the strength of each member is the team.

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 The strength of Michael Jordan was the team around him.

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 Was he the best player?

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 Undisputably.

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 But he couldn't have done it without the team.

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 He needed his partners.

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 He needed the partnerships.

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 And that's what we're going to talk about today is a call to partner.

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 So last Sunday, we talked about a call to minister.

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 Today, we're talking about a call to partner.

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 Let's look back at Philippians chapter one.

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 Philippians chapter one.

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 If you are able to join us in standing, would you do it one more time?

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 I know it feels like we've been up and down a little bit during the service, but we're just trying to wake you up and get you some exercise.

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 All right.

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 In Philippians chapter one, let's look down in verse three.

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 Philippians one in verse three.

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 I'm reading from the Christian Standard Bible.

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 I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you.

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 Skip down to verse five.

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 Because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it out, carry it on.

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 So to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

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 Verse seven.

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 Indeed, it is right for me to think of this way about all of you because I have you in my heart and you are all.

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 What's that word?

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 Partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.

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 Would you pray with me?

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 God, I pray that you would show us what it means to be partners in the gospel.

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 What it means to be partners together with you and your mission in this world.

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 Give us wisdom from your word today.

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 In Jesus name we pray.

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 Amen.

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 You may be seated.

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 Thanks for standing.

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 We're going to talk about two different kinds of partnerships, two different ways to partner with God and his mission and our local church.

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 All right.

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 So let's clear that up real quick.

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 We have God.

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 We have his kingdom or his mission on this earth.

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 He is building his kingdom through his mission on this earth.

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 And then we have his chosen tools.

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 The things he's using to build his mission and his kingdom on this earth.

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 And that's you and me.

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 That's us.

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 Okay.

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 And he has organized us into churches around this world.

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 I've had the opportunity and advantage of traveling all over this globe.

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 Been in different continents in Asia and Europe and Central America, South America, different places.

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 And I have seen churches, different, way different kinds of churches from each other.

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 But they're all doing the same thing.

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 They're all trying to advance the mission of God, build the kingdom of God with the word of God, by the power of God.

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 Okay.

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 So that's what they're all trying to do.

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 It's the same thing.

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 Their music might sound different.

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 The way the pastor dresses might be different.

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 The buildings in which they meet, if they have a building, might look different.

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 The color of the people sitting there might look different.

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 The language they're speaking might sound different.

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 But they're all preaching the same Jesus, the same message, with the same mission.

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 So we are partners in this mission.

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 So what does it look like to be a good partner?

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 Number one, we partner through giving.

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 We partner through giving.

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 Paul repeatedly, throughout his letters to the early church, praised people for their financial investment in his ministry.

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 He told them that is how God set it up.

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 To support what God is doing on this earth through God's people, through God's church.

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 So how do we partner financially?

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 I don't know why that.

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 Yeah, that's weird how that ended up.

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 But y'all just forgive me on that.

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 Okay.

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 Got the financial and then the colon underneath it.

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 Wasn't supposed to look like that.

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 That's okay.

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 All right.

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 So we get past that.

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 We'll look at the actual ways.

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 Very practical ways.

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 How do we partner through giving to First Baptist Henrietta?

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 That's our church, right?

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 We tithe.

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 In the Bible, the tithe meant 10%.

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 We are in the New Testament age.

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 If you want to continue that on, I do that with my family.

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 We try to give 10% of our income to the ministry of this church back to God, right?

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 If God leads you to do a different number, that's up to you.

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 But it's setting aside before anything else.

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 It's setting aside a portion of what God has given you to give back to him.

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 Before we spend it on ourselves or anything else, we say, I'm going to give my first fruits,

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 the Bible uses that term, back to God.

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 So that's what I call the tithe.

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 That's what the Bible calls the tithe.

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 Offerings.

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 Offerings would be something above and beyond that.

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 We have our Texas offering that we support here in Texas.

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 Our Mary Hill Davis.

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 I couldn't remember the name.

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 But we have the Mary Hill Davis offering that supports missions across the state of Texas.

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 We have the Annie Armstrong offering that supports missions in North America, right here in our home country.

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 And we have the Lottie Moon offering that we give around Christmastime that supports missions going on all around the world.

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 Those are all names for great women of faith that God used mightily in the area of missions.

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 So these are additional to our regular tithe.

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 We have opportunities to give offerings.

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 Now you don't have to wait for those three times a year to give something extra to God.

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 God can work in your heart and move you to say, you know what?

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 There's a cause right now that God has placed dear on my heart.

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 I'm going to give a little bit extra to that, to see that happen.

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 And we'll talk about why in just a moment.

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 But that's another way to invest financially, partner financially in what God's doing.

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 Of course, we pass the plate on Sundays, right?

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 There are people who still put money into the offering plate.

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 And we're grateful for that.

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 And God will bless you for that.

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 Then we give, personally I give through the church app.

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 That's a really handy way for me.

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 Got my bank account linked to it.

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 And I can just push those buttons and give right to the church through the app.

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 There's a way to do that.

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 There's another link on the church website when you go on there.

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 So if you're not sure how to give, there's all these different ways to do that.

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 There's also a couple of drop boxes, one in the lobby and then one back by the back entrance.

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 So those are just very practical ways to partner with our church financially.

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 But let's get to the why.

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 Let's get to the why.

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 Number one.

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 Number one.

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 This is the principle.

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 These three principles that can help guide.

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 Why should I give financially to God?

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 Because you need to.

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 God doesn't need it.

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 But you do.

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 God doesn't need my 10% of my income every month.

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 But I need to give it to God.

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 So that's why I wrote down, God doesn't need my money.

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 But I need to give it to him.

00:14:56.220 --> 00:15:01.039
 Oswald Chambers wrote one of the great devotionals that's ever been written on this earth.

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 Morning and evening.

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 I'm sorry.

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 My utmost for his highest.

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 It's one of the great, great books.

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 And a lot of people turn it into devotional reading.

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 He said, worship is giving God the best that he has given you.

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 Now that should be across the board.

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 Our emotions.

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 Our talents.

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 Whatever God has given us.

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 But that includes our finances.

00:15:27.540 --> 00:15:31.379
 We give to God the best that he has given us.

00:15:31.500 --> 00:15:33.360
 We don't save for him the least.

00:15:33.800 --> 00:15:35.700
 We give him the best.

00:15:37.200 --> 00:15:39.300
 God doesn't need my money.

00:15:39.299 --> 00:15:45.879
 Psalm 50 reminds us that God owns the cattle on a thousand hills.

00:15:46.539 --> 00:15:48.939
 All the world is his.

00:15:51.179 --> 00:15:56.299
 And he even says in Psalm 50 that he wouldn't come to us if he needed anything.

00:15:57.759 --> 00:15:59.439
 Of course, God doesn't need anything.

00:15:59.939 --> 00:16:04.699
 But the point he's making is if he had a need, we would not be able to fulfill it.

00:16:04.700 --> 00:16:09.120
 If he needed a loan, he wouldn't be getting it from us.

00:16:09.240 --> 00:16:13.620
 If he needed anything materially, he wouldn't be getting it from his created beings.

00:16:13.960 --> 00:16:16.300
 He owns the world and all that is in it.

00:16:16.660 --> 00:16:18.480
 God doesn't need our offerings.

00:16:18.940 --> 00:16:20.520
 God doesn't need our tithe.

00:16:20.800 --> 00:16:25.720
 But we need to give through worship to God.

00:16:26.340 --> 00:16:31.060
 And say, God, I recognize that all I have received comes from you.

00:16:31.059 --> 00:16:35.419
 And I recognize that you have a great and grand mission on this earth.

00:16:35.579 --> 00:16:43.299
 And I recognize my role, my responsibility in investing in that mission, in being a part of it.

00:16:43.719 --> 00:16:45.739
 Partnering with you in that mission.

00:16:45.959 --> 00:16:48.439
 So I'm going to invest in it.

00:16:50.579 --> 00:16:55.479
 So, worship is giving God the best that he has given you.

00:16:56.379 --> 00:16:57.879
 God doesn't need my money.

00:16:58.500 --> 00:17:00.719
 But I need to give it to God.

00:17:01.059 --> 00:17:05.759
 Then secondly, God blesses a grateful sacrifice.

00:17:06.399 --> 00:17:09.339
 God blesses a grateful sacrifice.

00:17:10.240 --> 00:17:13.579
 2 Samuel 24 teaches us, David wrote,

00:17:13.720 --> 00:17:18.599
 I will not offer to God offerings that cost me nothing.

00:17:19.899 --> 00:17:23.500
 Y'all, I think that is an incredible principle to live by.

00:17:23.500 --> 00:17:29.500
 Something I had to learn as an adult in my own ministry.

00:17:30.339 --> 00:17:34.180
 God called me to vocational ministry, serving him.

00:17:34.720 --> 00:17:37.059
 And this wasn't an area that I was strong in.

00:17:37.720 --> 00:17:38.920
 God had to teach me.

00:17:40.259 --> 00:17:43.400
 You need to give sacrificially.

00:17:44.400 --> 00:17:46.960
 Give in a way that costs you something.

00:17:46.960 --> 00:17:51.980
 Every year when I do my taxes, I look back at all the donations that I gave to the church.

00:17:52.039 --> 00:17:54.600
 And I think, what are the things I could have done with that money?

00:17:54.680 --> 00:17:55.920
 Man, we could have gone on a vacation.

00:17:56.539 --> 00:17:57.900
 We could have invested it.

00:17:57.980 --> 00:18:01.860
 We could have saved up, built up our savings.

00:18:01.960 --> 00:18:06.980
 There's all kinds of things that I could have done with the money that I gave back to God.

00:18:06.980 --> 00:18:13.640
 But then I realize, the investment that I am making in what is eternal, not what is temporary,

00:18:14.259 --> 00:18:18.640
 what is going to last forever, not what's going to vanish away or break,

00:18:19.380 --> 00:18:23.140
 that is priceless.

00:18:24.240 --> 00:18:26.000
 That investment is priceless.

00:18:27.000 --> 00:18:34.220
 And God promises blessings on us for the sacrifices we make for him.

00:18:34.220 --> 00:18:39.299
 In his world, that little bit of money that I gave means very little.

00:18:40.620 --> 00:18:42.480
 In my world, it means a lot.

00:18:43.519 --> 00:18:44.620
 It's a sacrifice.

00:18:44.860 --> 00:18:45.880
 It costs me something.

00:18:46.819 --> 00:18:49.240
 It costs you something when you choose to give.

00:18:50.500 --> 00:18:51.259
 And I know that.

00:18:53.539 --> 00:19:02.759
 Our financial committee, our financial staff, we know that it costs you when you give.

00:19:02.759 --> 00:19:11.579
 We thank God for the sacrifice that you make when you choose to support the ministry of this church and this place.

00:19:12.960 --> 00:19:17.099
 But more than our appreciation, God promises his blessings.

00:19:18.359 --> 00:19:19.640
 Because he loves it.

00:19:20.039 --> 00:19:21.039
 He appreciates it.

00:19:21.680 --> 00:19:22.920
 It warms his heart.

00:19:23.259 --> 00:19:24.299
 It fills him with joy.

00:19:24.299 --> 00:19:30.139
 It puts a smile on his face when his children take their relationship with him so seriously,

00:19:30.319 --> 00:19:32.960
 they're willing to give something back to him.

00:19:33.279 --> 00:19:35.319
 Malachi chapter 3 and verse 10.

00:19:35.399 --> 00:19:37.299
 Would you look at it real quickly with me?

00:19:37.700 --> 00:19:39.240
 It's the last book of the Old Testament.

00:19:40.279 --> 00:19:41.819
 You got Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

00:19:41.899 --> 00:19:43.440
 And right before Matthew is Malachi.

00:19:43.720 --> 00:19:45.579
 Malachi chapter 3 and verse 8.

00:19:45.579 --> 00:19:50.559
 For sake of time, I'm going to go ahead and read Malachi 3 and verse 8.

00:19:51.240 --> 00:19:52.480
 Will a man rob God?

00:19:53.740 --> 00:19:55.000
 Rhetorical question there.

00:19:55.619 --> 00:19:57.379
 Kind of a deep philosophical question.

00:19:58.139 --> 00:19:59.699
 Do we rob God sometimes?

00:20:01.460 --> 00:20:04.559
 Will a man rob God, yet you are robbing me?

00:20:05.319 --> 00:20:09.139
 This prophet Malachi is writing to God's people Israel.

00:20:09.579 --> 00:20:12.399
 Will a man rob God, yet you are robbing me?

00:20:12.400 --> 00:20:14.560
 Well, how do we rob you, you ask?

00:20:15.980 --> 00:20:19.600
 They're asking back to God through the words of his prophet Malachi.

00:20:20.060 --> 00:20:21.360
 How do we rob God?

00:20:21.940 --> 00:20:24.740
 By not making the payments of the tenth.

00:20:25.040 --> 00:20:26.800
 There's that tithe we talked about.

00:20:27.240 --> 00:20:28.519
 Back then it was a tenth.

00:20:29.600 --> 00:20:35.500
 The tenth and the contributions, the offerings on, above, and beyond just the tithe.

00:20:36.380 --> 00:20:36.920
 Verse 9.

00:20:37.800 --> 00:20:40.720
 You are suffering under a curse, yet you, the whole nation,

00:20:40.720 --> 00:20:43.279
 are still robbing me.

00:20:44.400 --> 00:20:46.059
 How many of you think this world is cursed?

00:20:46.759 --> 00:20:47.019
 Anybody?

00:20:47.640 --> 00:20:48.079
 I do.

00:20:48.420 --> 00:20:49.140
 It's called sin.

00:20:49.360 --> 00:20:50.200
 The curse is sin.

00:20:50.779 --> 00:20:52.259
 It's going to destroy it eventually.

00:20:52.839 --> 00:20:54.120
 Read about that in Revelation.

00:20:55.720 --> 00:20:58.360
 Yet we still rob God.

00:20:59.100 --> 00:20:59.620
 Verse 10.

00:20:59.759 --> 00:21:03.940
 Bring the full tenth into the storehouse,

00:21:04.160 --> 00:21:07.319
 so that there may be food in my house.

00:21:07.319 --> 00:21:10.679
 Test me in this way, says the Lord of armies,

00:21:11.000 --> 00:21:14.539
 and see if I will not open the floodgates of heaven

00:21:14.539 --> 00:21:17.939
 and pour out a blessing for you without measure.

00:21:18.720 --> 00:21:21.279
 Now there have been pastors who have read this passage and said,

00:21:21.619 --> 00:21:24.879
 see, if you give a tenth of your money to me and my ministry,

00:21:24.879 --> 00:21:27.259
 so I can go get my second private jet,

00:21:28.700 --> 00:21:31.079
 then God will return that to you tenfold.

00:21:31.179 --> 00:21:33.220
 If you give $100, he'll give you $1,000.

00:21:33.220 --> 00:21:35.420
 Well, that was never said.

00:21:36.640 --> 00:21:39.600
 And if you put those kinds of words in God's mouth,

00:21:39.680 --> 00:21:41.360
 then you're speaking on God's behalf,

00:21:41.460 --> 00:21:44.819
 and I would never want to do that except for what he says in his word.

00:21:46.579 --> 00:21:48.519
 So certainly that can be abused.

00:21:49.019 --> 00:21:51.400
 But the principle is strong, and it is there,

00:21:51.600 --> 00:21:54.539
 and it's very applicable for you and for me to say,

00:21:54.700 --> 00:21:58.539
 if we will set aside sacrificially for God,

00:21:58.720 --> 00:22:00.940
 then God will bless us for that.

00:22:00.940 --> 00:22:03.980
 I don't know how he's going to bless you,

00:22:04.539 --> 00:22:06.240
 but I promise you he will.

00:22:07.220 --> 00:22:08.880
 It might be in your bank account.

00:22:09.120 --> 00:22:10.400
 It might be with health.

00:22:10.640 --> 00:22:12.500
 It might be keeping you from something.

00:22:13.299 --> 00:22:17.559
 It might be letting your children be reconciled to you.

00:22:17.820 --> 00:22:20.960
 You never know how God is going to intervene on your behalf,

00:22:21.080 --> 00:22:22.580
 but when the Lord of armies,

00:22:22.720 --> 00:22:24.960
 when the God over heaven and earth says,

00:22:25.340 --> 00:22:27.759
 I will pour out blessings on you,

00:22:28.100 --> 00:22:30.440
 I want to be under that waterfall, right?

00:22:30.940 --> 00:22:35.539
 I want to be under that spout where the blessings come out.

00:22:36.640 --> 00:22:37.440
 You like that?

00:22:38.240 --> 00:22:40.340
 Get under the spout where the blessings come out.

00:22:42.100 --> 00:22:44.580
 Probably heard that from somewhere else, but I liked it.

00:22:45.759 --> 00:22:47.100
 That's where I want to live.

00:22:47.200 --> 00:22:51.500
 I want to live right there where the blessings come out.

00:22:51.500 --> 00:22:58.500
 So, we are to give sacrificially,

00:22:58.779 --> 00:23:01.380
 because that is what God blesses.

00:23:01.720 --> 00:23:02.839
 God doesn't need our money,

00:23:03.519 --> 00:23:05.160
 but we need to give it to God.

00:23:06.160 --> 00:23:08.240
 God blesses a grateful sacrifice.

00:23:09.559 --> 00:23:11.920
 Don't give in a way that costs you nothing.

00:23:11.920 --> 00:23:16.900
 Give in a way that costs you something.

00:23:17.300 --> 00:23:18.700
 Costs you something meaningful.

00:23:19.240 --> 00:23:21.240
 Give your best to God.

00:23:23.100 --> 00:23:27.180
 James 1 teaches us that every good thing comes from God.

00:23:27.180 --> 00:23:34.200
 So, why would we not give back the best to the one who gives us every good thing?

00:23:34.200 --> 00:23:36.420
 The last reason.

00:23:37.340 --> 00:23:39.259
 The last reason we partner through giving

00:23:39.259 --> 00:23:45.559
 is because the Holy Spirit stirs us to give to God's mission.

00:23:46.140 --> 00:23:48.000
 Apologize for how the slide's cut off there on the bottom.

00:23:48.440 --> 00:23:51.000
 There's some kind of disconnect between how it looks on my computer

00:23:51.000 --> 00:23:52.039
 and how it looks on the screen.

00:23:52.140 --> 00:23:53.559
 So, we're going to figure that out, all right?

00:23:53.840 --> 00:23:55.279
 Before next Sunday, we'll figure it out.

00:23:55.940 --> 00:23:57.100
 But if you can bear with me here,

00:23:57.099 --> 00:24:01.139
 the Holy Spirit stirs me to give to God's mission.

00:24:01.299 --> 00:24:05.659
 Exodus 36 and 2 Corinthians 9, I believe it is.

00:24:06.679 --> 00:24:07.599
 Double check on that.

00:24:07.719 --> 00:24:10.299
 Yep, 2 Corinthians 9 and Exodus 36.

00:24:10.299 --> 00:24:13.299
 They both show us instances where the Holy Spirit

00:24:13.299 --> 00:24:19.279
 stirs up someone to partner, to give sacrificially, okay?

00:24:20.039 --> 00:24:23.339
 I'm reminded of another instance

00:24:23.339 --> 00:24:26.939
 where there was a woman with a box of expensive perfume

00:24:26.940 --> 00:24:29.880
 and she came and she didn't, she was a poor woman.

00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:33.220
 She didn't have much, but she came and broke it

00:24:33.220 --> 00:24:35.920
 and poured the perfume over Jesus.

00:24:36.220 --> 00:24:38.259
 She gave it all to him

00:24:38.259 --> 00:24:41.779
 because the Holy Spirit of God moved her to do that

00:24:41.779 --> 00:24:43.660
 and that was all she had.

00:24:44.259 --> 00:24:45.220
 That was the best.

00:24:45.360 --> 00:24:46.960
 That was everything she could do.

00:24:47.080 --> 00:24:49.100
 So, she came and gave it to God.

00:24:49.320 --> 00:24:52.279
 There's the story of the widow, the widow's mites.

00:24:52.400 --> 00:24:53.400
 Anybody remember that story?

00:24:53.779 --> 00:24:56.120
 The widow had mites, the two small coins.

00:24:56.119 --> 00:24:59.000
 She had two small coins and she came and gave it

00:24:59.000 --> 00:25:01.899
 and Jesus said that is so much more meaningful

00:25:01.899 --> 00:25:05.759
 than the rich person who gives far much more money

00:25:05.759 --> 00:25:09.039
 but they're not giving it in a sacrificial way

00:25:09.039 --> 00:25:12.479
 because this woman was moved by the Spirit of God

00:25:12.479 --> 00:25:13.959
 to do what she had.

00:25:14.319 --> 00:25:16.799
 She hath done what she could, the Bible says.

00:25:17.339 --> 00:25:20.099
 She has done what she could do.

00:25:20.099 --> 00:25:23.980
 So, our question in giving is

00:25:23.980 --> 00:25:27.279
 have we done what we could?

00:25:31.679 --> 00:25:33.219
 Maybe there comes a point

00:25:33.219 --> 00:25:35.459
 where God wants to move me

00:25:35.459 --> 00:25:37.839
 from giving 10% of my income

00:25:37.839 --> 00:25:39.879
 to giving more than 10%

00:25:39.879 --> 00:25:42.819
 because I could do more.

00:25:42.819 --> 00:25:47.039
 Maybe God wants to move you

00:25:47.039 --> 00:25:48.379
 from not giving

00:25:48.379 --> 00:25:50.159
 to giving something

00:25:50.159 --> 00:25:52.259
 because you could give something.

00:25:53.939 --> 00:25:55.500
 This poor, poor woman

00:25:55.500 --> 00:25:57.200
 gave two coins

00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:59.919
 because that's all she could do

00:25:59.919 --> 00:26:01.960
 and God said

00:26:01.960 --> 00:26:03.839
 she will be blessed for that.

00:26:04.599 --> 00:26:05.659
 That is meaningful.

00:26:06.139 --> 00:26:07.159
 That is sacrifice.

00:26:07.859 --> 00:26:09.980
 God looks on the heart.

00:26:09.980 --> 00:26:13.339
 Man looks on the outward appearance

00:26:13.339 --> 00:26:14.880
 and the outward appearance

00:26:14.880 --> 00:26:16.420
 means very little to God.

00:26:16.680 --> 00:26:18.779
 It's the heart that matters

00:26:18.779 --> 00:26:21.400
 because usually from the heart

00:26:21.400 --> 00:26:24.620
 is what eventually will come out.

00:26:25.259 --> 00:26:26.559
 What's on the inside

00:26:26.559 --> 00:26:28.160
 will come out on the outside.

00:26:28.940 --> 00:26:30.440
 So, God is always concerned

00:26:30.440 --> 00:26:32.319
 with dealing with our hearts.

00:26:33.400 --> 00:26:35.839
 He's dealt with my heart a lot over the years.

00:26:36.559 --> 00:26:39.099
 He's brought me through some hard lessons

00:26:39.099 --> 00:26:41.119
 that I had to take to heart.

00:26:42.799 --> 00:26:45.219
 And now the Holy Spirit stirs me

00:26:45.219 --> 00:26:48.439
 to act on God's mission.

00:26:49.199 --> 00:26:51.980
 To partner with God.

00:26:53.259 --> 00:26:55.740
 So I try to listen to the Holy Spirit.

00:26:55.819 --> 00:26:56.679
 I'm not perfect in it.

00:26:57.339 --> 00:26:58.799
 If any of y'all ever get perfect in it

00:26:58.799 --> 00:26:59.939
 teach me your ways.

00:27:00.699 --> 00:27:03.259
 But we all need to take our next step

00:27:03.259 --> 00:27:05.819
 in partnering with God

00:27:05.819 --> 00:27:07.079
 through giving.

00:27:07.879 --> 00:27:08.180
 So,

00:27:08.980 --> 00:27:11.079
 we partner through giving.

00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:13.400
 And we partner through serving.

00:27:14.279 --> 00:27:15.379
 We partner through serving.

00:27:16.180 --> 00:27:17.379
 How do we partner

00:27:17.379 --> 00:27:18.640
 through serving?

00:27:18.779 --> 00:27:19.920
 Philippians chapter 2

00:27:19.920 --> 00:27:21.720
 gives us a wonderful

00:27:21.720 --> 00:27:23.200
 illustration of that.

00:27:23.720 --> 00:27:24.599
 Philippians 2

00:27:24.599 --> 00:27:25.299
 it says

00:27:25.299 --> 00:27:27.279
 let this mind be in you.

00:27:27.599 --> 00:27:29.039
 Which was also in

00:27:29.039 --> 00:27:30.000
 Jesus Christ.

00:27:30.000 --> 00:27:32.200
 who being in the form of God

00:27:32.200 --> 00:27:34.480
 did not think it robbery

00:27:34.480 --> 00:27:36.940
 to be equal with God.

00:27:38.059 --> 00:27:38.599
 But instead

00:27:38.599 --> 00:27:39.859
 made himself

00:27:39.859 --> 00:27:41.359
 of no reputation

00:27:41.359 --> 00:27:42.660
 took upon him

00:27:42.660 --> 00:27:44.160
 the form of a

00:27:44.160 --> 00:27:45.299
 servant.

00:27:46.019 --> 00:27:47.259
 And was made

00:27:47.259 --> 00:27:48.180
 in the likeness

00:27:48.180 --> 00:27:48.859
 of men.

00:27:49.779 --> 00:27:51.079
 Talking about how Jesus

00:27:51.079 --> 00:27:52.440
 laid down

00:27:52.440 --> 00:27:53.680
 his throne in heaven

00:27:53.680 --> 00:27:54.920
 stepped down

00:27:54.920 --> 00:27:56.000
 to this earth

00:27:56.000 --> 00:27:58.200
 keeping 100% God

00:27:58.200 --> 00:27:59.420
 but also becoming

00:27:59.420 --> 00:28:00.900
 100% man.

00:28:03.059 --> 00:28:04.120
 And he laid down

00:28:04.120 --> 00:28:04.660
 his life

00:28:04.660 --> 00:28:05.440
 as a servant

00:28:05.440 --> 00:28:06.279
 for you

00:28:06.279 --> 00:28:06.960
 and for me.

00:28:07.279 --> 00:28:08.819
 So he is our example.

00:28:09.360 --> 00:28:10.059
 We must follow

00:28:10.059 --> 00:28:11.059
 in his steps

00:28:11.059 --> 00:28:12.200
 and so we partner

00:28:12.200 --> 00:28:13.259
 not just through giving

00:28:13.259 --> 00:28:14.580
 but we also partner

00:28:14.580 --> 00:28:15.400
 through serving.

00:28:15.740 --> 00:28:16.100
 You see

00:28:16.100 --> 00:28:17.059
 you might be the kind

00:28:17.059 --> 00:28:17.819
 of person who says

00:28:17.819 --> 00:28:18.120
 man

00:28:18.120 --> 00:28:19.460
 I don't want to get out there

00:28:19.460 --> 00:28:20.380
 and do anything

00:28:20.380 --> 00:28:21.259
 in the church.

00:28:21.480 --> 00:28:22.580
 I'll just sit back there

00:28:22.580 --> 00:28:23.400
 and write the checks.

00:28:23.559 --> 00:28:24.200
 I'll sit back there

00:28:24.200 --> 00:28:24.819
 and pay the bills.

00:28:25.200 --> 00:28:25.720
 Number one

00:28:25.720 --> 00:28:26.660
 thank you for partnering

00:28:26.660 --> 00:28:27.120
 and giving.

00:28:27.119 --> 00:28:28.459
 God will bless you

00:28:28.459 --> 00:28:28.959
 for that

00:28:28.959 --> 00:28:29.839
 as long as your heart

00:28:29.839 --> 00:28:30.979
 is to give

00:28:30.979 --> 00:28:32.219
 sacrificially to God.

00:28:32.699 --> 00:28:33.919
 But we need

00:28:33.919 --> 00:28:34.679
 your service too.

00:28:35.319 --> 00:28:36.359
 We need your service too.

00:28:37.039 --> 00:28:37.779
 That doesn't mean

00:28:37.779 --> 00:28:38.239
 you have to do

00:28:38.239 --> 00:28:38.939
 the most physically

00:28:38.939 --> 00:28:39.739
 strenuous thing

00:28:39.739 --> 00:28:40.559
 if that's not

00:28:40.559 --> 00:28:41.379
 the stage of life

00:28:41.379 --> 00:28:41.739
 you're in

00:28:41.739 --> 00:28:42.639
 where you can do that.

00:28:43.500 --> 00:28:44.359
 But it means

00:28:44.359 --> 00:28:44.959
 you can partner

00:28:44.959 --> 00:28:45.419
 in prayer.

00:28:46.059 --> 00:28:47.079
 It means you can partner

00:28:47.079 --> 00:28:48.539
 in giving advice

00:28:48.539 --> 00:28:49.119
 to those

00:28:49.119 --> 00:28:49.959
 who have maybe

00:28:49.959 --> 00:28:50.939
 not walked in those

00:28:50.939 --> 00:28:51.519
 steps yet

00:28:51.519 --> 00:28:52.119
 and you have.

00:28:52.619 --> 00:28:53.559
 Maybe there's something

00:28:53.559 --> 00:28:54.519
 you have to give

00:28:54.519 --> 00:28:56.279
 a way you have to serve

00:28:56.279 --> 00:28:57.619
 and God is keeping

00:28:57.619 --> 00:28:59.000
 you in this church

00:28:59.000 --> 00:28:59.980
 in this place

00:28:59.980 --> 00:29:01.200
 for that reason

00:29:01.200 --> 00:29:02.399
 don't miss it.

00:29:02.940 --> 00:29:03.819
 Don't miss the blessing

00:29:03.819 --> 00:29:06.039
 of doing God's work

00:29:06.039 --> 00:29:08.039
 according to God's call.

00:29:08.480 --> 00:29:09.079
 So we partner

00:29:09.079 --> 00:29:09.819
 through serving

00:29:09.819 --> 00:29:10.579
 and we do it

00:29:10.579 --> 00:29:11.839
 by serving

00:29:11.839 --> 00:29:12.960
 God

00:29:12.960 --> 00:29:14.059
 and by serving

00:29:14.059 --> 00:29:14.920
 people.

00:29:16.059 --> 00:29:16.579
 Would you take me

00:29:16.579 --> 00:29:17.299
 to the next slide

00:29:17.299 --> 00:29:17.879
 because this just

00:29:17.879 --> 00:29:18.420
 stopped working

00:29:18.420 --> 00:29:19.039
 for some reason.

00:29:19.039 --> 00:29:23.940
 There we go.

00:29:24.099 --> 00:29:24.399
 Got it.

00:29:24.480 --> 00:29:24.920
 Got it back.

00:29:25.579 --> 00:29:26.159
 How to partner

00:29:26.159 --> 00:29:26.859
 through serving

00:29:26.859 --> 00:29:27.799
 we serve God

00:29:27.799 --> 00:29:28.839
 and we serve people.

00:29:29.259 --> 00:29:30.159
 The mission statement

00:29:30.159 --> 00:29:31.159
 of this church says

00:29:31.159 --> 00:29:31.779
 and we'll read it

00:29:31.779 --> 00:29:32.180
 toward the end

00:29:32.180 --> 00:29:32.899
 of the service here

00:29:32.899 --> 00:29:34.519
 the mission statement

00:29:34.519 --> 00:29:35.420
 of this church says

00:29:35.420 --> 00:29:36.019
 we are here

00:29:36.019 --> 00:29:37.000
 to love God

00:29:37.000 --> 00:29:37.740
 to seek truth

00:29:37.740 --> 00:29:38.839
 and to serve people.

00:29:39.379 --> 00:29:40.819
 So we can summarize

00:29:40.819 --> 00:29:41.799
 that by saying

00:29:41.799 --> 00:29:42.619
 we serve God

00:29:42.619 --> 00:29:43.519
 and we serve people

00:29:43.519 --> 00:29:44.299
 and we do it

00:29:44.299 --> 00:29:45.359
 because we love him

00:29:45.359 --> 00:29:46.019
 because he first

00:29:46.019 --> 00:29:46.639
 loved us.

00:29:46.819 --> 00:29:46.960
 Right?

00:29:46.960 --> 00:29:48.120
 So we do it

00:29:48.120 --> 00:29:48.720
 from a heart

00:29:48.720 --> 00:29:49.420
 out of love

00:29:49.420 --> 00:29:50.000
 and appreciation

00:29:50.000 --> 00:29:50.779
 for God

00:29:50.779 --> 00:29:52.900
 and so if we love God

00:29:52.900 --> 00:29:54.600
 we will then serve.

00:29:54.920 --> 00:29:55.620
 You look at the story

00:29:55.620 --> 00:29:56.480
 of Mary and Martha.

00:29:57.319 --> 00:29:58.440
 Jesus came to Bethany

00:29:58.440 --> 00:29:59.400
 to visit his friends

00:29:59.400 --> 00:30:00.660
 Lazarus, Mary, and Martha

00:30:00.660 --> 00:30:01.640
 and we watched them

00:30:01.640 --> 00:30:02.200
 in The Chosen

00:30:02.200 --> 00:30:03.360
 just a couple of weeks ago

00:30:03.360 --> 00:30:04.799
 and you see

00:30:04.799 --> 00:30:06.740
 that Mary

00:30:06.740 --> 00:30:08.519
 just wanted to sit

00:30:08.519 --> 00:30:09.380
 at Jesus' feet

00:30:09.380 --> 00:30:10.360
 and listen to him

00:30:10.360 --> 00:30:11.600
 soak in his teaching.

00:30:12.299 --> 00:30:13.039
 She, Jesus

00:30:13.039 --> 00:30:14.279
 was the most important thing

00:30:14.279 --> 00:30:15.039
 to her in that moment.

00:30:15.500 --> 00:30:15.880
 Martha,

00:30:15.880 --> 00:30:17.000
 Jesus said

00:30:17.000 --> 00:30:17.920
 was all worried

00:30:17.920 --> 00:30:19.100
 about serving

00:30:19.100 --> 00:30:21.900
 about doing all the things

00:30:21.900 --> 00:30:23.080
 preparing the food

00:30:23.080 --> 00:30:23.500
 for them

00:30:23.500 --> 00:30:24.560
 getting everything ready

00:30:24.560 --> 00:30:25.380
 cleaning the house

00:30:25.380 --> 00:30:26.560
 fixing everything up.

00:30:26.840 --> 00:30:27.740
 She was all worried

00:30:27.740 --> 00:30:29.560
 about that kind of service.

00:30:31.240 --> 00:30:34.280
 She wasn't serving God

00:30:34.280 --> 00:30:35.420
 in that moment.

00:30:37.860 --> 00:30:39.680
 It looked like she was

00:30:39.680 --> 00:30:41.940
 but Jesus made it clear.

00:30:43.200 --> 00:30:43.740
 He said,

00:30:43.740 --> 00:30:44.559
 Martha, you

00:30:44.559 --> 00:30:46.000
 are worried

00:30:46.000 --> 00:30:47.180
 about many things.

00:30:48.180 --> 00:30:49.120
 Mary, your sister,

00:30:49.279 --> 00:30:49.839
 is worried about

00:30:49.839 --> 00:30:50.940
 the most important thing

00:30:50.940 --> 00:30:51.740
 and that's

00:30:51.740 --> 00:30:53.140
 sitting at my feet.

00:30:54.740 --> 00:30:55.539
 So you say,

00:30:55.819 --> 00:30:57.200
 we're talking about serving.

00:30:58.000 --> 00:30:58.900
 Why are you using

00:30:58.900 --> 00:30:59.900
 Mary as an example?

00:31:00.000 --> 00:31:00.599
 Because she's the one

00:31:00.599 --> 00:31:01.420
 who didn't serve.

00:31:02.380 --> 00:31:04.279
 Because she spent time

00:31:04.279 --> 00:31:05.380
 with Jesus.

00:31:06.140 --> 00:31:07.279
 You know what happens

00:31:07.279 --> 00:31:08.460
 when you spend time

00:31:08.460 --> 00:31:09.059
 with Jesus?

00:31:09.059 --> 00:31:09.259
 Jesus,

00:31:09.679 --> 00:31:12.359
 then you begin to think

00:31:12.359 --> 00:31:13.819
 how he thinks.

00:31:14.779 --> 00:31:15.940
 You begin to look

00:31:15.940 --> 00:31:17.039
 where he looks.

00:31:18.039 --> 00:31:18.779
 The things that are

00:31:18.779 --> 00:31:19.619
 important to him

00:31:19.619 --> 00:31:20.799
 become important to you.

00:31:21.579 --> 00:31:22.720
 And we see a picture

00:31:22.720 --> 00:31:23.119
 of that.

00:31:24.179 --> 00:31:25.399
 When Jesus had talked

00:31:25.399 --> 00:31:25.879
 to the woman

00:31:25.879 --> 00:31:26.379
 at the well,

00:31:28.039 --> 00:31:28.960
 this adulterous,

00:31:29.659 --> 00:31:30.220
 wicked woman

00:31:30.220 --> 00:31:30.919
 was at the well

00:31:30.919 --> 00:31:31.519
 drawing water

00:31:31.519 --> 00:31:32.319
 and Jesus stopped

00:31:32.319 --> 00:31:33.019
 and talked to her

00:31:33.019 --> 00:31:34.919
 and showed her the truth

00:31:34.919 --> 00:31:36.480
 and she placed her faith

00:31:36.480 --> 00:31:37.019
 in Jesus

00:31:37.019 --> 00:31:38.240
 and she went back

00:31:38.240 --> 00:31:39.680
 to tell her whole city

00:31:39.680 --> 00:31:41.059
 about how God

00:31:41.059 --> 00:31:42.120
 had changed her life.

00:31:42.920 --> 00:31:43.799
 And the disciples

00:31:43.799 --> 00:31:44.480
 came up

00:31:44.480 --> 00:31:46.380
 and they said,

00:31:46.680 --> 00:31:48.160
 what happened here?

00:31:50.339 --> 00:31:52.079
 We went to find lunch

00:31:52.079 --> 00:31:53.660
 and you talked

00:31:53.660 --> 00:31:54.160
 to this woman

00:31:54.160 --> 00:31:54.960
 and now she's back there

00:31:54.960 --> 00:31:55.519
 telling everybody

00:31:55.519 --> 00:31:56.860
 all about you.

00:31:57.599 --> 00:31:58.299
 Jesus said,

00:31:58.420 --> 00:31:59.480
 lift up your eyes

00:31:59.480 --> 00:32:01.579
 and look on the fields

00:32:01.579 --> 00:32:02.160
 around you.

00:32:02.220 --> 00:32:03.019
 And they're looking around

00:32:03.019 --> 00:32:03.259
 like,

00:32:03.480 --> 00:32:03.900
 are you talking about

00:32:03.900 --> 00:32:04.759
 the cornfield over there?

00:32:05.539 --> 00:32:06.059
 Jesus said,

00:32:06.059 --> 00:32:06.599
 no, no, I'm not

00:32:06.599 --> 00:32:07.759
 talking about crops.

00:32:07.859 --> 00:32:08.839
 I'm talking about people.

00:32:09.279 --> 00:32:10.079
 Lift up your eyes

00:32:10.079 --> 00:32:11.379
 and look on the fields

00:32:11.379 --> 00:32:11.899
 of people.

00:32:12.139 --> 00:32:12.480
 He said,

00:32:12.539 --> 00:32:13.220
 they are white

00:32:13.220 --> 00:32:14.539
 already unto harvest.

00:32:15.679 --> 00:32:17.159
 Like they're showing signs

00:32:17.159 --> 00:32:17.919
 that they're ready

00:32:17.919 --> 00:32:19.099
 to be harvested.

00:32:19.099 --> 00:32:21.059
 He said,

00:32:21.799 --> 00:32:22.619
 my priorities

00:32:22.619 --> 00:32:24.740
 is always going to be

00:32:24.740 --> 00:32:25.639
 the people

00:32:25.639 --> 00:32:27.740
 seeing them turn

00:32:27.740 --> 00:32:28.659
 from darkness

00:32:28.659 --> 00:32:29.679
 to light.

00:32:31.139 --> 00:32:32.159
 Paul said,

00:32:32.359 --> 00:32:33.220
 my heart's desire

00:32:33.220 --> 00:32:34.779
 and my prayer to God

00:32:34.779 --> 00:32:35.960
 is that the lost

00:32:35.960 --> 00:32:37.339
 would be saved.

00:32:37.720 --> 00:32:38.859
 He had spent enough time

00:32:38.859 --> 00:32:39.319
 with Jesus

00:32:39.319 --> 00:32:41.319
 to get Jesus' heart's desire,

00:32:42.059 --> 00:32:43.480
 to get God's heart's desire.

00:32:44.059 --> 00:32:45.059
 So when,

00:32:45.319 --> 00:32:45.960
 like Mary,

00:32:46.160 --> 00:32:47.879
 you sit at Jesus' feet,

00:32:48.819 --> 00:32:50.420
 you will begin then

00:32:50.420 --> 00:32:51.200
 to get up

00:32:51.200 --> 00:32:53.279
 from your seated position

00:32:53.279 --> 00:32:54.819
 and to go out

00:32:54.819 --> 00:32:55.440
 with Jesus

00:32:55.440 --> 00:32:56.220
 hand in hand

00:32:56.220 --> 00:32:57.519
 following in his footsteps

00:32:57.519 --> 00:32:59.379
 and carrying the gospel

00:32:59.379 --> 00:33:00.720
 to the lost around you.

00:33:00.920 --> 00:33:01.940
 And you'll do that

00:33:01.940 --> 00:33:02.599
 through the ministry

00:33:02.599 --> 00:33:03.539
 of your local church.

00:33:03.539 --> 00:33:03.579
 church,

00:33:04.200 --> 00:33:05.259
 this church

00:33:05.259 --> 00:33:07.200
 has a mission

00:33:07.200 --> 00:33:08.680
 to carry the gospel

00:33:08.680 --> 00:33:09.859
 to those who need it.

00:33:10.279 --> 00:33:11.399
 The good news of Jesus.

00:33:12.139 --> 00:33:14.019
 And you can go on mission

00:33:14.019 --> 00:33:15.319
 by serving

00:33:15.319 --> 00:33:16.700
 in this church.

00:33:16.940 --> 00:33:17.720
 That might be

00:33:17.720 --> 00:33:18.519
 singing in the choir.

00:33:18.779 --> 00:33:19.899
 That might be teaching

00:33:19.899 --> 00:33:21.500
 a Sunday school class.

00:33:22.059 --> 00:33:22.859
 That might be

00:33:22.859 --> 00:33:24.000
 serving on a team.

00:33:24.220 --> 00:33:25.460
 That might be greeting people

00:33:25.460 --> 00:33:26.420
 when they walk in the door.

00:33:26.879 --> 00:33:27.799
 That might be joining

00:33:27.799 --> 00:33:28.700
 a prayer ministry.

00:33:29.119 --> 00:33:29.899
 That might be

00:33:29.900 --> 00:33:31.220
 whatever God

00:33:31.220 --> 00:33:32.480
 lays on your heart

00:33:32.480 --> 00:33:33.140
 to do.

00:33:33.780 --> 00:33:34.660
 Might be going out

00:33:34.660 --> 00:33:35.460
 and inviting somebody

00:33:35.460 --> 00:33:36.320
 to come on Sunday

00:33:36.320 --> 00:33:37.600
 and see what God's doing

00:33:37.600 --> 00:33:38.680
 in this church.

00:33:38.820 --> 00:33:40.280
 But you can partner

00:33:40.280 --> 00:33:41.600
 through serving.

00:33:41.780 --> 00:33:42.720
 And when we do that,

00:33:42.920 --> 00:33:44.160
 we are serving God

00:33:44.160 --> 00:33:45.759
 by serving people.

00:33:46.560 --> 00:33:47.820
 1 Corinthians chapter 15

00:33:47.820 --> 00:33:48.560
 and verse 58.

00:33:48.720 --> 00:33:49.240
 It will be done.

00:33:49.240 --> 00:33:51.279
 Therefore,

00:33:51.559 --> 00:33:52.500
 my beloved brothers,

00:33:52.660 --> 00:33:53.700
 be steadfast,

00:33:54.059 --> 00:33:54.579
 immovable,

00:33:55.120 --> 00:33:56.519
 always abounding

00:33:56.519 --> 00:33:57.460
 in the work

00:33:57.460 --> 00:33:58.319
 of the Lord,

00:33:58.440 --> 00:33:59.660
 knowing that in the Lord

00:33:59.660 --> 00:34:00.380
 your labor

00:34:00.380 --> 00:34:01.680
 is not in vain.

00:34:01.839 --> 00:34:02.700
 We got two words

00:34:02.700 --> 00:34:03.259
 in this verse.

00:34:03.599 --> 00:34:04.579
 Work and labor.

00:34:05.220 --> 00:34:05.940
 How many of you think

00:34:05.940 --> 00:34:07.059
 you gotta work your way

00:34:07.059 --> 00:34:07.519
 to heaven?

00:34:08.039 --> 00:34:09.019
 You gotta work

00:34:09.019 --> 00:34:10.739
 to pay for your sins?

00:34:12.199 --> 00:34:13.239
 It's the labor

00:34:13.239 --> 00:34:14.280
 that you do for God

00:34:14.280 --> 00:34:14.980
 that earns you

00:34:14.980 --> 00:34:15.940
 eternal life in heaven.

00:34:16.420 --> 00:34:16.800
 Thankfully,

00:34:16.920 --> 00:34:17.800
 no hands were raised.

00:34:17.800 --> 00:34:18.320
 I'm glad

00:34:18.320 --> 00:34:19.120
 because that is not

00:34:19.120 --> 00:34:19.880
 the gospel, right?

00:34:20.100 --> 00:34:21.140
 There's nothing we can do

00:34:21.140 --> 00:34:21.760
 to get to God.

00:34:21.960 --> 00:34:22.640
 The Bible says

00:34:22.640 --> 00:34:24.080
 in Ephesians chapter 2,

00:34:24.200 --> 00:34:25.100
 there's not by works

00:34:25.100 --> 00:34:25.580
 of righteousness

00:34:25.580 --> 00:34:26.940
 that we have done.

00:34:27.100 --> 00:34:28.140
 By His mercy,

00:34:28.260 --> 00:34:29.019
 He saved us.

00:34:29.240 --> 00:34:29.580
 So,

00:34:29.780 --> 00:34:31.380
 we can't work our way

00:34:31.380 --> 00:34:32.600
 into favor with God,

00:34:32.880 --> 00:34:34.240
 but we can work

00:34:34.240 --> 00:34:35.860
 to see God's mission

00:34:35.860 --> 00:34:36.400
 accomplished

00:34:36.400 --> 00:34:37.280
 on this earth

00:34:37.280 --> 00:34:38.680
 to earn up crowns

00:34:38.680 --> 00:34:39.039
 in heaven.

00:34:39.360 --> 00:34:39.900
 And someday,

00:34:40.080 --> 00:34:41.400
 when we stand before God,

00:34:41.580 --> 00:34:42.559
 we'll be able to say,

00:34:42.940 --> 00:34:43.200
 Jesus,

00:34:43.400 --> 00:34:44.360
 this is what I did

00:34:44.360 --> 00:34:45.140
 for you

00:34:45.140 --> 00:34:45.860
 because you did

00:34:45.860 --> 00:34:46.920
 everything for me.

00:34:48.320 --> 00:34:49.039
 So,

00:34:49.180 --> 00:34:50.300
 God is challenging us

00:34:50.300 --> 00:34:51.500
 through this verse

00:34:51.500 --> 00:34:52.220
 in 1 Corinthians

00:34:52.220 --> 00:34:53.980
 to always abound

00:34:53.980 --> 00:34:55.160
 in the work

00:34:55.160 --> 00:34:55.720
 of the Lord.

00:34:55.900 --> 00:34:56.960
 Keep growing.

00:34:57.380 --> 00:34:58.460
 Keep overflowing.

00:34:58.900 --> 00:35:00.260
 Not just a little bit,

00:35:00.340 --> 00:35:00.580
 right?

00:35:01.720 --> 00:35:02.620
 Maybe you start

00:35:02.620 --> 00:35:03.519
 with just a little bit

00:35:03.519 --> 00:35:04.019
 of service.

00:35:04.140 --> 00:35:04.300
 Man,

00:35:04.340 --> 00:35:05.320
 I showed up to church today.

00:35:05.380 --> 00:35:05.960
 What more do you want

00:35:05.960 --> 00:35:06.420
 from me, right?

00:35:07.519 --> 00:35:08.440
 But then you take

00:35:08.440 --> 00:35:09.200
 another step.

00:35:09.780 --> 00:35:09.980
 Okay,

00:35:10.019 --> 00:35:10.780
 now all of a sudden

00:35:10.780 --> 00:35:12.320
 I'm coming down here

00:35:12.320 --> 00:35:13.300
 and passing the plate

00:35:13.300 --> 00:35:14.200
 during the offering time.

00:35:14.240 --> 00:35:14.780
 I'm an usher.

00:35:14.780 --> 00:35:16.720
 Now I'm on the greeting team.

00:35:17.500 --> 00:35:18.540
 Now I'm helping out

00:35:18.540 --> 00:35:19.440
 in the children's ministry

00:35:19.440 --> 00:35:20.400
 or the youth ministry.

00:35:20.500 --> 00:35:20.640
 Man,

00:35:20.680 --> 00:35:21.280
 these youth workers

00:35:21.280 --> 00:35:21.840
 have been in this

00:35:21.840 --> 00:35:22.640
 youth ministry

00:35:22.640 --> 00:35:23.420
 for a long time,

00:35:23.500 --> 00:35:23.900
 some of them.

00:35:24.160 --> 00:35:25.200
 Some of them might need

00:35:25.200 --> 00:35:25.620
 a break

00:35:25.620 --> 00:35:26.220
 and some of you

00:35:26.220 --> 00:35:26.920
 might need to step

00:35:26.920 --> 00:35:27.660
 into their place.

00:35:30.900 --> 00:35:31.300
 So,

00:35:31.440 --> 00:35:32.080
 what's the next step

00:35:32.080 --> 00:35:32.440
 for you

00:35:32.440 --> 00:35:33.740
 in service?

00:35:36.340 --> 00:35:37.260
 What's the next step

00:35:37.260 --> 00:35:37.700
 for you?

00:35:38.640 --> 00:35:39.460
 Back in Philippians

00:35:39.460 --> 00:35:40.100
 chapter 1,

00:35:41.060 --> 00:35:41.880
 verse 3,

00:35:41.880 --> 00:35:42.700
 I give thanks

00:35:42.700 --> 00:35:43.240
 to my God

00:35:43.240 --> 00:35:44.039
 for every remembrance

00:35:44.039 --> 00:35:44.480
 of you

00:35:44.480 --> 00:35:46.599
 because of your

00:35:46.599 --> 00:35:47.200
 partnership

00:35:47.200 --> 00:35:48.220
 in the gospel.

00:35:49.599 --> 00:35:50.180
 And then down

00:35:50.180 --> 00:35:50.840
 in verse 6,

00:35:51.200 --> 00:35:52.200
 I'm sure of this,

00:35:52.740 --> 00:35:54.059
 that he who started

00:35:54.059 --> 00:35:54.780
 this good work

00:35:54.780 --> 00:35:55.119
 in you,

00:35:55.440 --> 00:35:56.760
 he's going to carry

00:35:56.760 --> 00:35:57.660
 it on to completion.

00:35:58.660 --> 00:35:59.280
 That's that

00:35:59.280 --> 00:36:00.300
 always abounding.

00:36:01.180 --> 00:36:01.340
 Okay?

00:36:02.619 --> 00:36:03.900
 What's your next step

00:36:03.900 --> 00:36:05.500
 in God carrying

00:36:05.500 --> 00:36:07.300
 on to completion

00:36:07.300 --> 00:36:09.220
 the good work

00:36:09.219 --> 00:36:10.480
 he started

00:36:10.480 --> 00:36:12.119
 in you?

00:36:14.639 --> 00:36:15.079
 So,

00:36:15.439 --> 00:36:17.179
 how do we abound?

00:36:18.319 --> 00:36:19.259
 How do we carry

00:36:19.259 --> 00:36:20.079
 it on to completion,

00:36:20.859 --> 00:36:21.599
 this partnership

00:36:21.599 --> 00:36:23.379
 with God

00:36:23.379 --> 00:36:24.379
 through serving?

00:36:25.299 --> 00:36:25.699
 God,

00:36:25.799 --> 00:36:26.259
 what do you want me

00:36:26.259 --> 00:36:26.659
 to give?

00:36:27.659 --> 00:36:28.439
 How do you want me

00:36:28.439 --> 00:36:28.779
 to serve?

00:36:29.819 --> 00:36:30.639
 Two questions,

00:36:30.759 --> 00:36:31.319
 I pray that

00:36:31.319 --> 00:36:32.319
 every person

00:36:32.319 --> 00:36:32.879
 in here,

00:36:33.419 --> 00:36:33.779
 young,

00:36:33.959 --> 00:36:34.239
 old,

00:36:34.299 --> 00:36:34.719
 and everybody

00:36:34.719 --> 00:36:35.319
 in between,

00:36:36.000 --> 00:36:37.899
 would ask ourselves

00:36:37.900 --> 00:36:38.680
 as we leave

00:36:38.680 --> 00:36:39.320
 the church today.

00:36:40.260 --> 00:36:40.840
 That God would

00:36:40.840 --> 00:36:41.420
 bring it back

00:36:41.420 --> 00:36:42.039
 to our minds

00:36:42.039 --> 00:36:42.680
 tomorrow morning

00:36:42.680 --> 00:36:43.440
 when we wake up.

00:36:43.559 --> 00:36:43.800
 God,

00:36:44.039 --> 00:36:45.200
 what do you want

00:36:45.200 --> 00:36:45.880
 me to give?

00:36:46.639 --> 00:36:47.039
 God,

00:36:47.200 --> 00:36:48.300
 how do you want

00:36:48.300 --> 00:36:48.940
 me to serve?

00:36:50.420 --> 00:36:50.920
 You know,

00:36:50.960 --> 00:36:51.519
 if you ask God

00:36:51.519 --> 00:36:52.180
 those questions,

00:36:53.000 --> 00:36:53.860
 he'll give you answers.

00:36:54.900 --> 00:36:55.860
 He'll give you answers.

00:36:57.639 --> 00:36:58.519
 And then it's our

00:36:58.519 --> 00:36:59.019
 privilege

00:36:59.019 --> 00:37:00.639
 to respond

00:37:00.639 --> 00:37:01.740
 and say,

00:37:01.820 --> 00:37:02.059
 God,

00:37:02.139 --> 00:37:02.880
 I will give

00:37:02.880 --> 00:37:03.760
 what you want me

00:37:03.760 --> 00:37:04.099
 to give.

00:37:04.960 --> 00:37:05.820
 Not what Pastor Sam

00:37:05.820 --> 00:37:06.519
 thinks I should give.

00:37:06.519 --> 00:37:08.599
 Not what my parents

00:37:08.599 --> 00:37:09.340
 think I should give.

00:37:10.019 --> 00:37:10.800
 Not what my,

00:37:11.239 --> 00:37:11.960
 whoever thinks

00:37:11.960 --> 00:37:12.539
 I should give.

00:37:12.860 --> 00:37:13.199
 God,

00:37:13.280 --> 00:37:14.280
 what you want me

00:37:14.280 --> 00:37:14.759
 to give.

00:37:14.880 --> 00:37:15.659
 Not what my financial

00:37:15.659 --> 00:37:17.099
 advisor thinks

00:37:17.099 --> 00:37:17.619
 I should give

00:37:17.619 --> 00:37:18.820
 because he may

00:37:18.820 --> 00:37:19.480
 want you to cut out

00:37:19.480 --> 00:37:20.159
 that charitable giving.

00:37:20.259 --> 00:37:20.559
 You don't have

00:37:20.559 --> 00:37:21.599
 enough money for that.

00:37:22.259 --> 00:37:22.880
 It's not charitable

00:37:22.880 --> 00:37:23.500
 giving when you're

00:37:23.500 --> 00:37:24.019
 giving it to God.

00:37:24.079 --> 00:37:24.840
 It is in the eyes

00:37:24.840 --> 00:37:25.619
 of the IRS,

00:37:25.940 --> 00:37:27.739
 but God doesn't

00:37:27.739 --> 00:37:28.380
 need our charity.

00:37:29.460 --> 00:37:30.219
 But we need

00:37:30.219 --> 00:37:30.800
 to give it

00:37:30.800 --> 00:37:31.659
 to God.

00:37:31.719 --> 00:37:32.099
 So God,

00:37:32.219 --> 00:37:32.920
 what do you want

00:37:32.920 --> 00:37:33.320
 me to give?

00:37:33.559 --> 00:37:34.059
 And then God,

00:37:34.139 --> 00:37:34.780
 how do you want

00:37:34.780 --> 00:37:35.280
 me to serve?

00:37:35.780 --> 00:37:36.420
 Maybe I've been

00:37:36.420 --> 00:37:37.420
 serving in a way

00:37:37.420 --> 00:37:38.559
 that's been draining

00:37:38.559 --> 00:37:38.880
 me.

00:37:39.180 --> 00:37:39.360
 God,

00:37:39.420 --> 00:37:40.280
 maybe you prepared

00:37:40.280 --> 00:37:41.039
 me or equipped

00:37:41.039 --> 00:37:41.740
 me to do

00:37:41.740 --> 00:37:42.400
 something else.

00:37:42.840 --> 00:37:43.980
 Show me what it is

00:37:43.980 --> 00:37:45.220
 you want me to do

00:37:45.220 --> 00:37:46.260
 at this moment

00:37:46.260 --> 00:37:47.000
 in my life

00:37:47.000 --> 00:37:47.639
 and then whatever

00:37:47.639 --> 00:37:48.139
 it is,

00:37:48.280 --> 00:37:49.200
 I will do it.

00:37:49.800 --> 00:37:50.480
 So our takeaway

00:37:50.480 --> 00:37:51.059
 for today,

00:37:51.700 --> 00:37:52.740
 what is my

00:37:52.740 --> 00:37:53.599
 next step?

00:37:54.159 --> 00:37:55.059
 What's my next

00:37:55.059 --> 00:37:55.700
 step to go

00:37:55.700 --> 00:37:56.340
 on mission

00:37:56.340 --> 00:37:57.039
 for God

00:37:57.039 --> 00:37:57.920
 by partnering

00:37:57.920 --> 00:37:59.420
 with his

00:37:59.420 --> 00:38:00.039
 church?

00:38:00.500 --> 00:38:00.900
 Can we pray

00:38:00.900 --> 00:38:01.159
 together?

00:38:01.880 --> 00:38:02.280
 God,

00:38:02.360 --> 00:38:02.960
 I ask that you

00:38:02.960 --> 00:38:03.500
 would show us

00:38:03.500 --> 00:38:04.099
 what that next

00:38:04.099 --> 00:38:04.539
 step is.

00:38:04.619 --> 00:38:05.139
 There are people

00:38:05.139 --> 00:38:05.759
 all across

00:38:05.759 --> 00:38:06.319
 this room

00:38:06.319 --> 00:38:07.460
 whose hearts

00:38:07.460 --> 00:38:08.239
 are willing.

00:38:08.480 --> 00:38:09.159
 I know it.

00:38:09.259 --> 00:38:09.759
 I believe it.

00:38:09.779 --> 00:38:10.379
 I've seen it.

00:38:12.539 --> 00:38:13.279
 Show us

00:38:13.279 --> 00:38:13.920
 what you want

00:38:13.920 --> 00:38:14.440
 us to give

00:38:14.440 --> 00:38:14.859
 to you

00:38:14.859 --> 00:38:16.739
 and then show

00:38:16.739 --> 00:38:17.099
 us

00:38:17.099 --> 00:38:19.239
 how you want

00:38:19.239 --> 00:38:19.819
 us to serve

00:38:19.819 --> 00:38:20.059
 you.

00:38:23.359 --> 00:38:24.440
 So many people

00:38:24.440 --> 00:38:25.059
 in this room

00:38:25.059 --> 00:38:26.759
 can point back

00:38:26.759 --> 00:38:27.359
 to a time

00:38:27.359 --> 00:38:28.779
 when they placed

00:38:28.779 --> 00:38:29.259
 their faith

00:38:29.259 --> 00:38:29.559
 in you

00:38:29.559 --> 00:38:30.139
 for the forgiveness

00:38:30.139 --> 00:38:31.000
 of their sins.

00:38:31.000 --> 00:38:33.400
 they repented

00:38:33.400 --> 00:38:33.699
 and they

00:38:33.699 --> 00:38:34.460
 turned to you

00:38:34.460 --> 00:38:35.579
 and said,

00:38:35.679 --> 00:38:35.780
 God,

00:38:35.840 --> 00:38:36.199
 I'm turning

00:38:36.199 --> 00:38:36.780
 from my sin

00:38:36.780 --> 00:38:37.019
 and I'm

00:38:37.019 --> 00:38:37.639
 turning to Jesus.

00:38:37.800 --> 00:38:38.219
 I believe

00:38:38.219 --> 00:38:38.840
 that he alone

00:38:38.840 --> 00:38:40.000
 can save me

00:38:40.000 --> 00:38:40.760
 because he died

00:38:40.760 --> 00:38:41.099
 for me.

00:38:41.320 --> 00:38:41.820
 He rose

00:38:41.820 --> 00:38:42.320
 from the dead.

00:38:42.400 --> 00:38:43.119
 He is God.

00:38:43.760 --> 00:38:44.559
 He has the power

00:38:44.559 --> 00:38:46.780
 to save me.

00:38:48.280 --> 00:38:49.300
 Since that day,

00:38:49.980 --> 00:38:51.699
 many of the people

00:38:51.699 --> 00:38:52.199
 in this room

00:38:52.199 --> 00:38:53.079
 have been serving you.

00:38:54.219 --> 00:38:55.139
 They've been growing.

00:38:56.059 --> 00:38:56.780
 They've been trying

00:38:56.780 --> 00:38:57.500
 to do what

00:38:57.500 --> 00:38:58.440
 you want

00:38:58.440 --> 00:38:59.280
 for their lives.

00:39:00.139 --> 00:39:00.320
 God,

00:39:00.360 --> 00:39:00.940
 there's tired

00:39:00.940 --> 00:39:01.320
 Christians

00:39:01.320 --> 00:39:01.920
 in this room.

00:39:04.079 --> 00:39:04.860
 People who have

00:39:04.860 --> 00:39:05.400
 been balancing

00:39:05.400 --> 00:39:06.619
 family and work

00:39:06.619 --> 00:39:08.019
 and relationships

00:39:08.019 --> 00:39:08.900
 and hobbies

00:39:08.900 --> 00:39:09.720
 and all that

00:39:09.720 --> 00:39:10.780
 while also

00:39:10.780 --> 00:39:11.360
 trying to be

00:39:11.360 --> 00:39:12.380
 faithful in church

00:39:12.380 --> 00:39:13.500
 and be faithful

00:39:13.500 --> 00:39:14.500
 in serving God

00:39:14.500 --> 00:39:14.720
 and

00:39:14.720 --> 00:39:18.599
 the Bible

00:39:18.599 --> 00:39:19.159
 tells us

00:39:19.159 --> 00:39:20.139
 not to grow weary

00:39:20.139 --> 00:39:22.800
 in doing well

00:39:22.800 --> 00:39:27.380
 because if we

00:39:27.380 --> 00:39:28.099
 don't give up,

00:39:28.440 --> 00:39:29.740
 we will reap

00:39:29.740 --> 00:39:30.559
 a great harvest.

00:39:31.679 --> 00:39:32.380
 You'll do

00:39:32.380 --> 00:39:33.059
 something great.

00:39:34.980 --> 00:39:35.720
 We know

00:39:35.720 --> 00:39:36.519
 that your strength

00:39:36.519 --> 00:39:37.000
 is enough.

00:39:37.900 --> 00:39:38.480
 Your grace

00:39:38.480 --> 00:39:39.019
 is enough.

00:39:40.139 --> 00:39:40.360
 God,

00:39:40.420 --> 00:39:40.740
 I pray

00:39:40.740 --> 00:39:42.599
 over every man

00:39:42.599 --> 00:39:42.900
 and woman

00:39:42.900 --> 00:39:43.460
 in this room,

00:39:43.820 --> 00:39:44.519
 every teenager,

00:39:44.780 --> 00:39:45.500
 every child,

00:39:46.500 --> 00:39:48.539
 that they would

00:39:48.539 --> 00:39:49.599
 taste how good

00:39:49.599 --> 00:39:50.019
 you are.

00:39:52.179 --> 00:39:53.039
 As they leave

00:39:53.039 --> 00:39:53.420
 here today,

00:39:53.480 --> 00:39:54.000
 this week,

00:39:54.039 --> 00:39:54.380
 that they would

00:39:54.380 --> 00:39:55.820
 taste how good

00:39:55.820 --> 00:39:56.280
 you are.

00:39:56.280 --> 00:39:58.860
 that your

00:39:58.860 --> 00:39:59.360
 goodness

00:39:59.360 --> 00:40:02.480
 would inspire

00:40:02.480 --> 00:40:03.720
 every one of us

00:40:03.720 --> 00:40:07.060
 to give a little

00:40:07.060 --> 00:40:07.860
 more back to you,

00:40:08.700 --> 00:40:09.800
 to do a little

00:40:09.800 --> 00:40:11.660
 more out of

00:40:11.660 --> 00:40:12.440
 our love for you.

00:40:14.200 --> 00:40:14.920
 I can never

00:40:14.920 --> 00:40:15.400
 out give you,

00:40:15.480 --> 00:40:15.640
 God.

00:40:16.240 --> 00:40:16.860
 I can never

00:40:16.860 --> 00:40:17.580
 out serve you.

00:40:17.579 --> 00:40:20.799
 thank you for the

00:40:20.799 --> 00:40:21.460
 privilege of being

00:40:21.460 --> 00:40:22.000
 your children,

00:40:23.139 --> 00:40:23.880
 being on mission

00:40:23.880 --> 00:40:24.699
 for you together.

00:40:26.039 --> 00:40:27.000
 It's in Jesus' name

00:40:27.000 --> 00:40:27.360
 we pray.

00:40:27.360 --> 00:40:27.840
 llamod

00:40:27.840 --> 00:40:29.320
 Vaillette

00:40:29.320 --> 00:40:35.800
ợp

00:40:36.160 --> 00:40:36.980
 over

00:40:36.980 --> 00:40:39.500
 the

00:40:39.500 --> 00:40:40.340
 earth

00:40:40.340 --> 00:40:42.360
 they

00:40:42.360 --> 00:40:42.599
 are

00:40:42.599 --> 00:40:52.720
iar

00:40:52.720 --> 00:40:52.980
시