WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:16.800 The life-changing gospel of Jesus is not just a saying, it changes lives. 00:00:17.839 --> 00:00:22.600 ! When Christ came to Simon Peter and to Andrew, they left the seashore. 00:00:22.600 --> 00:00:29.600 When he came to James and John, they left Zebedee, their dad, and the family business. 00:00:29.600 --> 00:00:31.380 And followed Christ. 00:00:32.320 --> 00:00:40.980 When he came to a Jewish tax collector, contracted to the Romans to rip off the Jews, Matthew 00:00:40.980 --> 00:00:42.960 walked away from the tax booth. 00:00:43.960 --> 00:00:45.539 All of their lives were changed. 00:00:45.640 --> 00:00:50.780 All became disciples of Christ, those intimate twelve that walked with him. 00:00:52.000 --> 00:00:58.320 Later, Peter spread the gospel like no other in the days after the ascension of the Lord. 00:00:58.320 --> 00:01:02.480 John was used mightily of God. 00:01:03.280 --> 00:01:06.400 We've got four books in the New Testament that show that. 00:01:07.079 --> 00:01:13.420 He mentions twice among those works the reason why he writes what he does, the purpose behind it. 00:01:13.939 --> 00:01:16.780 It's found one time in John chapter 20, verse 31. 00:01:17.019 --> 00:01:22.439 He said, I write these events so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, 00:01:22.439 --> 00:01:25.659 and that by believing you may have life in his name. 00:01:26.060 --> 00:01:27.239 It was the reason he wrote. 00:01:28.120 --> 00:01:31.980 Matthew never returned to the tax booth, but he took his pen with him. 00:01:32.519 --> 00:01:40.060 And instead of keeping an account of people's taxes, instead he wrote an account of the works of Christ. 00:01:40.519 --> 00:01:42.500 It is the first book of the New Testament. 00:01:43.200 --> 00:01:47.359 The gospel really does change lives. 00:01:47.359 --> 00:01:54.219 Now, I could go around this room this morning and ask you to share how Christ has changed your life. 00:01:54.420 --> 00:01:59.239 And many of you could immediately share how Christ has changed your life. 00:01:59.299 --> 00:02:03.640 And many of you would look at me and say, don't you dare stick a microphone in my face. 00:02:03.680 --> 00:02:04.680 I understand that too. 00:02:05.079 --> 00:02:10.860 However, I will tell you that if you're a child of God this morning and Christ has changed your life, 00:02:10.860 --> 00:02:17.760 you need to be ready to give an account of that to any and all that God puts in your path. 00:02:18.480 --> 00:02:23.060 The gospel, the real gospel is life-changing. 00:02:23.660 --> 00:02:29.540 And others need to hear it, and we need to share it as Christ has commissioned us to, 00:02:29.920 --> 00:02:36.980 and we need to hear ourselves sharing it because it reminds us of what we got when we got Christ. 00:02:36.979 --> 00:02:42.639 But don't you dare think that when you do that, that everybody's going to be happy with you. 00:02:43.759 --> 00:02:50.780 Don't you dare believe that everybody is going to be agreeable or that everybody's going to be celebrating with you. 00:02:52.159 --> 00:02:58.179 When Jesus came, lives were changed, and everybody wasn't happy about it. 00:02:58.180 --> 00:03:05.360 But we've already seen some of that, and it just keeps building throughout this gospel. 00:03:06.819 --> 00:03:08.920 And Jesus has an answer for it. 00:03:09.760 --> 00:03:13.740 It's found in Mark chapter 2, beginning in verse 18, and it says, 00:03:13.980 --> 00:03:16.719 Now John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. 00:03:17.879 --> 00:03:19.939 And people came and said to him, 00:03:19.939 --> 00:03:28.259 Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast? 00:03:28.859 --> 00:03:30.419 And Jesus said to them, 00:03:31.000 --> 00:03:34.180 Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? 00:03:34.699 --> 00:03:39.300 As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. 00:03:39.840 --> 00:03:44.340 The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, 00:03:44.719 --> 00:03:47.479 and then they will fast in that day. 00:03:47.479 --> 00:03:53.579 No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on old garment. 00:03:54.379 --> 00:03:59.560 If he does, the patch tears away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made. 00:04:00.459 --> 00:04:03.839 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. 00:04:03.979 --> 00:04:09.359 If he does, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is destroyed, and so are the skins. 00:04:10.259 --> 00:04:13.959 But new wine is for fresh wineskins. 00:04:13.960 --> 00:04:18.800 People resist change. 00:04:19.620 --> 00:04:20.560 They don't like it. 00:04:21.840 --> 00:04:23.160 Mark Twain said, 00:04:23.280 --> 00:04:26.060 The only people who like change are wet babies. 00:04:28.319 --> 00:04:30.139 And C.S. Lewis said, 00:04:30.280 --> 00:04:34.100 Everyone wants progress, but nobody wants change. 00:04:35.079 --> 00:04:37.500 Jesus brought change. 00:04:38.199 --> 00:04:40.400 Everywhere he went, he brought change. 00:04:40.399 --> 00:04:41.639 He still brings change. 00:04:41.759 --> 00:04:49.060 And the change in a life given to Christ is the evidence of the reality of Christ in that life. 00:04:49.560 --> 00:04:52.359 But that does not mean that everyone will like it. 00:04:52.939 --> 00:04:53.359 They won't. 00:04:53.459 --> 00:04:57.019 I remember I mentioned last week with all the good news of the gospel 00:04:57.019 --> 00:05:01.539 that there also comes the scorn of the gospel from a lot of people. 00:05:02.139 --> 00:05:06.879 And I want you to watch this progression that we've already seen in the gospel of Mark. 00:05:06.939 --> 00:05:08.099 We'll continue to see it. 00:05:08.100 --> 00:05:10.720 Christ comes to Capernaum. 00:05:11.140 --> 00:05:12.180 He's teaching. 00:05:13.140 --> 00:05:21.180 And Mark tells us that he teaches with great authority, quote, unlike the scribes. 00:05:21.260 --> 00:05:24.660 Well, now that's a hint of what's coming down the pike. 00:05:25.740 --> 00:05:27.700 One with a demon comes to him. 00:05:27.900 --> 00:05:29.100 He casts out the demon. 00:05:29.360 --> 00:05:30.600 That draws a crowd. 00:05:31.160 --> 00:05:32.980 He heals many in the crowd. 00:05:32.980 --> 00:05:38.140 And then he goes out preaching throughout Galilee and the surrounding areas, 00:05:38.620 --> 00:05:44.100 casting out demons as he goes from village to village. 00:05:44.439 --> 00:05:47.160 The crowd grows as he goes. 00:05:47.439 --> 00:05:49.180 More lives are affected. 00:05:49.819 --> 00:05:51.740 He comes back to Capernaum. 00:05:52.500 --> 00:05:58.120 And when he comes back to Capernaum, the pharisaical scribes come to hear him. 00:05:58.280 --> 00:05:59.160 They've heard about him. 00:05:59.439 --> 00:06:00.280 They come to hear him. 00:06:00.279 --> 00:06:07.559 They're sitting in the front row in that home when he heals a paralytic and takes away his sins. 00:06:08.339 --> 00:06:14.479 And when Jesus said he took away the man's sins, well, that's a claim that he's God. 00:06:15.479 --> 00:06:18.359 And the scribes, because nobody can take away sins but God. 00:06:18.619 --> 00:06:20.479 And so the scribes didn't like it. 00:06:20.480 --> 00:06:24.900 He changes Levi, also known as Matthew's life. 00:06:25.500 --> 00:06:33.700 And then he sits down with Matthew's friends in a big banquet in Matthew's house with other tax collectors and, quote, sinners. 00:06:35.600 --> 00:06:37.180 That really upset them. 00:06:37.180 --> 00:06:48.160 Now we get to our passage today and the Pharisees are apparently involved in a fast that Jesus has not acknowledged. 00:06:48.639 --> 00:06:50.780 And they want to know why he's not fasting. 00:06:51.860 --> 00:06:53.240 Now, I want to be clear. 00:06:53.759 --> 00:06:55.180 Jesus fasted. 00:06:55.879 --> 00:06:58.560 He fasted in the desert for 40 days. 00:06:58.560 --> 00:07:03.800 And he gave instructions to his disciples in Matthew 6 about how to fast. 00:07:04.620 --> 00:07:05.680 He did it. 00:07:06.199 --> 00:07:08.540 And he expected it to be done. 00:07:09.120 --> 00:07:14.579 It is still a great godly discipline to fast for prayerful reasons. 00:07:15.060 --> 00:07:19.060 You'll see a pattern of that in the Old Testament of God's people fasting. 00:07:19.060 --> 00:07:25.519 Sometimes in preparation, they inquired of the Lord concerning what their next steps would be. 00:07:26.319 --> 00:07:30.819 Sometimes they fasted asking God to intervene in their circumstances. 00:07:31.399 --> 00:07:36.980 You also see them fasting when they're repenting or when they're mourning over their sins. 00:07:37.620 --> 00:07:42.560 There's only one fast that is prescribed in Scripture in the Old Testament. 00:07:42.939 --> 00:07:46.500 And that's the Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur, which is coming up this Thursday. 00:07:46.500 --> 00:07:52.019 And that's the only time that they were asked to fast on that Day of Atonement. 00:07:52.120 --> 00:07:57.720 But in addition to that, you see all kinds of other fasts that are called for special called reasons. 00:07:58.139 --> 00:07:59.300 There's one-day fast. 00:07:59.379 --> 00:08:00.819 There's three-day fast. 00:08:00.920 --> 00:08:02.439 There's seven-day fast. 00:08:02.519 --> 00:08:05.579 There's 40-day fast, as our Lord did in the desert. 00:08:06.500 --> 00:08:12.000 They fasted more during the exile than any other time because they wasn't at home. 00:08:12.000 --> 00:08:13.300 And they wanted to go home. 00:08:13.459 --> 00:08:16.459 And they were asking God to help them in the midst of that. 00:08:17.160 --> 00:08:23.199 The Purim fast was established after God used Esther to save the Jews. 00:08:23.779 --> 00:08:28.540 And God's people were fasting and praying for Esther in that circumstance. 00:08:28.899 --> 00:08:31.600 And God used her for such a time as this. 00:08:31.740 --> 00:08:38.919 And after he used her, they established the Purim fast to remember how God brought them out through Esther's obedience. 00:08:38.919 --> 00:08:46.299 However, by the time we get to our passage in Mark chapter 2, the Pharisees have added to that. 00:08:48.019 --> 00:08:49.899 They make it a habit to fast. 00:08:50.000 --> 00:08:55.479 They fast twice a week, Mondays and Thursdays. 00:08:55.480 --> 00:08:58.600 And they want people to know that they do that. 00:08:58.980 --> 00:09:04.420 As a matter of fact, they put whitener on their face to make themselves look more pale. 00:09:04.419 --> 00:09:07.860 They put a sick look on their faces. 00:09:07.860 --> 00:09:12.259 And they walk around in gloom, trying to get people's attention. 00:09:12.259 --> 00:09:16.439 Don't do that. 00:09:16.960 --> 00:09:17.240 Okay? 00:09:18.759 --> 00:09:19.639 Don't do that. 00:09:19.919 --> 00:09:23.340 If you're having a colonoscopy tomorrow and you're preparing for it, you can do that. 00:09:23.379 --> 00:09:23.679 Okay? 00:09:24.039 --> 00:09:25.100 But do it at home. 00:09:25.240 --> 00:09:25.659 Okay? 00:09:26.120 --> 00:09:27.240 Because it could get ugly. 00:09:27.340 --> 00:09:31.899 But I'll hear about that at lunch. 00:09:31.899 --> 00:09:40.159 But anyway, we need not look like folks of gloom and doom. 00:09:42.399 --> 00:09:47.879 If Christ is within us, it ought to reflect, inform your face of what God's done in your heart. 00:09:50.840 --> 00:09:54.559 And that's what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount. 00:09:56.039 --> 00:10:00.759 He said in Matthew 6, this is what he's referring to, is this fasting process. 00:10:00.759 --> 00:10:03.059 Matthew 6, 16 through 18, he says this. 00:10:03.340 --> 00:10:06.620 And when you fast, that's instructions too fast, by the way. 00:10:06.980 --> 00:10:10.360 And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. 00:10:10.679 --> 00:10:15.679 For they disfigure their faces, that their fasting may be seen by others. 00:10:15.740 --> 00:10:17.980 Truly I say to you, they have received the reward. 00:10:18.679 --> 00:10:26.240 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others, 00:10:26.279 --> 00:10:29.279 but by your Father who is in heaven in secret. 00:10:29.279 --> 00:10:34.220 And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 00:10:35.019 --> 00:10:38.939 He also refers to this in a parable that he uses in Luke chapter 18. 00:10:39.339 --> 00:10:44.539 When the Pharisee prays, God, I thank you that I'm not like other men. 00:10:44.839 --> 00:10:50.139 And then he starts naming other people that he's, and what they do, and how they act, and all that stuff, 00:10:50.179 --> 00:10:51.039 that he's not like them. 00:10:51.220 --> 00:10:54.439 And then he says, and I fast twice a week. 00:10:54.600 --> 00:10:55.500 That's his prayer. 00:10:55.500 --> 00:11:06.159 Apparently our passage speaks of a time when the Pharisees are participating in one of their regular fasts 00:11:07.000 --> 00:11:10.419 while Jesus is feasting with the sinners and the tax collectors. 00:11:10.980 --> 00:11:14.159 I guess it was on a Thursday or maybe a Monday. 00:11:14.379 --> 00:11:14.879 Whatever. 00:11:15.240 --> 00:11:16.899 They were very upset about that. 00:11:16.899 --> 00:11:25.240 Not only was the Pharisees fasting, but also John's disciples were fasting. 00:11:25.340 --> 00:11:26.419 Speaking of John the Baptist. 00:11:27.639 --> 00:11:29.279 Now, I want to be clear about something. 00:11:30.720 --> 00:11:35.639 The Pharisees and the disciples of John were not partners by any means, 00:11:36.039 --> 00:11:39.319 but they're both fasting as well. 00:11:39.320 --> 00:11:47.820 John's disciples are fasting in anticipation of a coming Messiah that John had talked about. 00:11:48.260 --> 00:11:49.060 Let me explain. 00:11:50.320 --> 00:11:56.520 When John the Baptist was preaching in the wilderness of Judea before Christ came, 00:11:56.879 --> 00:11:58.360 he drew quite a crowd. 00:11:59.760 --> 00:12:02.660 Matthew chapter 3 verse 5 says, 00:12:02.659 --> 00:12:08.459 Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him. 00:12:08.759 --> 00:12:12.100 So there were literally thousands of people that were coming out there. 00:12:12.480 --> 00:12:12.579 Okay. 00:12:12.959 --> 00:12:15.779 Different people on different days, but they were coming. 00:12:16.439 --> 00:12:17.939 You know who else came out to hear him? 00:12:18.919 --> 00:12:20.039 The Pharisees. 00:12:21.000 --> 00:12:23.219 As a matter of fact, when they came out to hear him, 00:12:23.600 --> 00:12:25.959 John the Baptist called them children of snakes. 00:12:26.480 --> 00:12:29.600 He confronted them because he saw their hypocrisy. 00:12:29.600 --> 00:12:33.800 In addition to that, Jesus went out to John. 00:12:34.759 --> 00:12:37.220 And Jesus told John to baptize him. 00:12:38.360 --> 00:12:39.960 But I want to be clear about something. 00:12:40.360 --> 00:12:43.159 All those people that believe John's message 00:12:43.159 --> 00:12:45.960 and all those people who follow John along the way, 00:12:46.040 --> 00:12:50.180 they were not there, not all of them, when John baptized Jesus. 00:12:51.519 --> 00:12:57.060 And then, it wasn't long after that baptism that John the Baptist is arrested. 00:12:58.080 --> 00:12:59.080 He's thrown in prison. 00:12:59.080 --> 00:13:00.680 He will be killed. 00:13:02.120 --> 00:13:04.300 But by him being thrown in prison, 00:13:04.480 --> 00:13:10.000 it preempts him from getting the message out that the Messiah had come. 00:13:10.280 --> 00:13:15.440 We see in the book of Acts, there's questions about it from John's disciples. 00:13:16.700 --> 00:13:18.960 So either they didn't witness the baptism, 00:13:20.860 --> 00:13:24.120 and apparently they didn't witness it, 00:13:24.180 --> 00:13:26.259 nor did they hear that Jesus had come, 00:13:26.320 --> 00:13:27.140 so they didn't know. 00:13:27.139 --> 00:13:31.100 So they're still fasting in anticipation of the Messiah 00:13:31.100 --> 00:13:34.059 that John the Baptist proclaimed so loudly. 00:13:35.600 --> 00:13:38.139 The combination of these two groups, 00:13:38.860 --> 00:13:41.439 distinctive groups, but they have a common bond. 00:13:41.519 --> 00:13:42.240 They're both fasting. 00:13:44.120 --> 00:13:48.120 The combination of these two groups caused people to ask questions. 00:13:48.120 --> 00:13:52.360 And when they asked, Jesus answered. 00:13:53.039 --> 00:13:55.820 And he addressed three matters. 00:13:56.580 --> 00:14:02.299 The first thing he addressed is the insufficiency of a man-made gospel. 00:14:03.580 --> 00:14:05.919 The insufficiency of a man-made gospel. 00:14:06.039 --> 00:14:09.560 Listen, religion is what many people rely on, 00:14:09.559 --> 00:14:12.979 and religion is empty without Christ. 00:14:14.059 --> 00:14:17.759 And if in Christ, it's not religion, it's relationship. 00:14:18.519 --> 00:14:20.000 It's relationship with Christ. 00:14:20.919 --> 00:14:23.099 Salvation does not come through our actions. 00:14:24.199 --> 00:14:25.579 We cannot earn it. 00:14:27.019 --> 00:14:29.099 Salvation does not come through our sacrifice. 00:14:29.939 --> 00:14:31.199 We cannot buy it. 00:14:31.200 --> 00:14:34.580 Salvation does not come through our appearance, 00:14:34.580 --> 00:14:38.879 no matter how gloomy or pitiful that we may try to look. 00:14:39.840 --> 00:14:41.860 It does not come through our knowledge. 00:14:42.780 --> 00:14:46.800 Satan knows about the things of God and knows Scripture quite well. 00:14:47.480 --> 00:14:48.680 It does not come that way. 00:14:49.540 --> 00:14:53.500 Judaism was to prepare the Jews for Jesus. 00:14:53.500 --> 00:14:55.480 However, they missed Jesus. 00:14:56.700 --> 00:15:01.799 And without an acknowledgment of Jesus, it is condemning. 00:15:03.659 --> 00:15:08.879 Any works-based system is condemning. 00:15:09.519 --> 00:15:10.100 Any of them. 00:15:11.139 --> 00:15:13.259 No matter how many confessions are made, 00:15:14.179 --> 00:15:16.039 no matter how many candles are burned, 00:15:17.039 --> 00:15:18.980 no matter how many communions are taken, 00:15:20.019 --> 00:15:22.019 outside of a surrender to Christ, 00:15:22.019 --> 00:15:26.600 Catholicism is just a man-made religion. 00:15:27.220 --> 00:15:30.559 It is empty ritual outside of Christ. 00:15:31.399 --> 00:15:33.480 No matter how many missions are served, 00:15:34.179 --> 00:15:36.240 no matter how many temples are attended, 00:15:37.279 --> 00:15:39.840 no matter how many caffeinated drinks are abstained, 00:15:40.600 --> 00:15:45.919 for a Mormon, it's just empty man-made religion without Christ. 00:15:45.919 --> 00:15:48.939 And it's not the Christ that they have created 00:15:48.940 --> 00:15:52.320 because the Christ that the Mormon church has created 00:15:52.320 --> 00:15:53.840 is not part of the Trinity. 00:15:55.040 --> 00:15:57.920 Their Christ was not divine while he was on the earth. 00:15:58.840 --> 00:16:02.620 And you have to earn it through works and efforts. 00:16:03.280 --> 00:16:05.060 Friend, listen, that's not Christ. 00:16:05.540 --> 00:16:06.300 That's a cult. 00:16:07.140 --> 00:16:11.340 And when they accept Christ by grace through faith, 00:16:11.600 --> 00:16:14.660 they'll leave false, empty religion. 00:16:14.659 --> 00:16:17.579 However, without Christ, it's just a religion. 00:16:19.079 --> 00:16:22.699 Jehovah's Witnesses can knock on doors until the cows come home. 00:16:22.899 --> 00:16:28.199 But they'll never know Jesus as long as they believe that he's a mere archangel 00:16:28.199 --> 00:16:32.019 and not Almighty God. 00:16:32.919 --> 00:16:34.719 And let's just bring it on home while we're here. 00:16:36.199 --> 00:16:37.199 Listen, old Baptists. 00:16:37.740 --> 00:16:38.679 Good old Baptists. 00:16:38.679 --> 00:16:42.439 No matter how much you attend, 00:16:43.439 --> 00:16:45.639 no matter how much you give, 00:16:46.419 --> 00:16:47.939 and I encourage you to do both, 00:16:49.000 --> 00:16:53.500 it does your soul no good without Christ. 00:16:54.339 --> 00:16:56.659 You need the Lord Jesus. 00:16:57.419 --> 00:17:00.399 You cannot align yourself to Jesus 00:17:00.399 --> 00:17:02.939 or buy your way to Jesus. 00:17:03.319 --> 00:17:06.519 You must surrender your life to Christ 00:17:06.519 --> 00:17:09.339 and let him have his way, 00:17:09.339 --> 00:17:11.359 not in some way in your life, 00:17:11.440 --> 00:17:13.819 in every way in your life. 00:17:13.900 --> 00:17:15.539 The man-made gospel, 00:17:16.059 --> 00:17:17.160 even with fasting, 00:17:17.779 --> 00:17:19.000 even with sacrifice, 00:17:19.519 --> 00:17:21.680 is insufficient for salvation. 00:17:21.879 --> 00:17:25.079 That only comes by faith in Christ. 00:17:27.279 --> 00:17:28.319 My salvation 00:17:28.319 --> 00:17:31.220 does not rest in me. 00:17:32.299 --> 00:17:34.480 It rests in the cross of Christ. 00:17:34.480 --> 00:17:39.400 And no one can snatch me out of the hand of the Father. 00:17:40.180 --> 00:17:40.960 We rest there. 00:17:43.700 --> 00:17:45.579 Any man-made gospel is insufficient. 00:17:45.700 --> 00:17:46.539 He also says, 00:17:47.259 --> 00:17:52.380 he also speaks to and addresses the seamless nature of the real gospel. 00:17:53.240 --> 00:17:55.360 And he gives three illustrations in this passage. 00:17:55.660 --> 00:17:58.660 And I want to deal with the second two first. 00:17:59.299 --> 00:18:01.420 It's in verse 21 and 22, 00:18:01.420 --> 00:18:02.240 and it says this, 00:18:02.600 --> 00:18:06.740 no one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. 00:18:07.300 --> 00:18:07.840 If he does, 00:18:07.920 --> 00:18:09.300 the patch tears away from it. 00:18:09.600 --> 00:18:10.740 The new one from the old 00:18:10.740 --> 00:18:12.420 and the worst tear is made. 00:18:12.960 --> 00:18:15.720 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. 00:18:15.800 --> 00:18:16.200 If he does, 00:18:16.259 --> 00:18:17.340 the wine will burst the skins 00:18:17.340 --> 00:18:18.380 and the wine is destroyed. 00:18:18.660 --> 00:18:19.600 And so are the skins. 00:18:19.960 --> 00:18:20.960 But new wine 00:18:20.960 --> 00:18:22.759 is for fresh wineskins. 00:18:23.759 --> 00:18:24.940 In that day, 00:18:25.200 --> 00:18:27.440 juice was stored in pouches 00:18:27.440 --> 00:18:28.600 made of goat skin. 00:18:28.599 --> 00:18:31.119 A goat was skinned 00:18:31.119 --> 00:18:34.279 and the hide would be uncut 00:18:34.279 --> 00:18:36.779 except at the legs and the neck. 00:18:37.039 --> 00:18:38.519 That skin was cleaned. 00:18:38.679 --> 00:18:39.219 It was turned, 00:18:39.279 --> 00:18:40.699 usually it was turned inside out. 00:18:40.859 --> 00:18:43.099 It was sealed shut at the leg openings. 00:18:43.480 --> 00:18:46.079 That left the neck as a spout 00:18:46.079 --> 00:18:48.480 that made it easy to pour. 00:18:49.839 --> 00:18:51.500 Fresh skins are elastic 00:18:51.500 --> 00:18:53.639 and they could expand. 00:18:53.640 --> 00:18:56.360 So when you put juice into them 00:18:56.360 --> 00:18:58.259 and that begins to ferment, 00:18:58.900 --> 00:19:00.759 that skin will expand. 00:19:01.780 --> 00:19:02.300 However, 00:19:02.520 --> 00:19:03.980 if you have an old skin 00:19:03.980 --> 00:19:06.480 and you put new juice in it 00:19:06.480 --> 00:19:08.259 and it ferments into wine, 00:19:08.360 --> 00:19:09.040 it'll burst 00:19:09.040 --> 00:19:11.600 and not only will the skin be ruined, 00:19:11.980 --> 00:19:14.259 but you'll lose the juice as well. 00:19:15.320 --> 00:19:16.480 The wine will be gone. 00:19:16.480 --> 00:19:19.220 He also speaks 00:19:19.220 --> 00:19:21.680 of an unshrunk patch of clothing 00:19:21.680 --> 00:19:27.039 being sewn to older clothing 00:19:27.039 --> 00:19:28.420 and that will not work 00:19:28.420 --> 00:19:30.180 because the first time you wash it, 00:19:30.779 --> 00:19:32.000 the patch will shrink 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:33.180 and it'll tear away 00:19:33.180 --> 00:19:34.900 from the clothing 00:19:34.900 --> 00:19:36.240 that has already been washed 00:19:36.240 --> 00:19:37.480 and has already shrunk. 00:19:38.460 --> 00:19:39.579 What's he saying 00:19:39.579 --> 00:19:40.700 when he says all that? 00:19:40.700 --> 00:19:44.539 You can't take the gospel 00:19:44.539 --> 00:19:45.779 of Jesus Christ 00:19:45.779 --> 00:19:47.299 and force it 00:19:47.299 --> 00:19:50.059 into old man-made forms 00:19:50.059 --> 00:19:50.799 of religion. 00:19:51.340 --> 00:19:52.299 That's what he's saying. 00:19:53.220 --> 00:19:54.519 God's doing a new thing. 00:19:55.299 --> 00:19:57.680 You can't put God in a box. 00:19:59.000 --> 00:20:00.860 God does not do patchwork. 00:20:01.740 --> 00:20:04.140 He makes seamless transitions 00:20:04.140 --> 00:20:06.759 and when one comes to Christ, 00:20:07.500 --> 00:20:08.880 the old is gone, 00:20:09.440 --> 00:20:10.380 the new has come. 00:20:10.700 --> 00:20:13.580 To put it another way, 00:20:13.680 --> 00:20:14.480 a new believer 00:20:14.480 --> 00:20:16.200 is like a new wineskin 00:20:16.200 --> 00:20:18.559 and the Spirit of God 00:20:18.559 --> 00:20:19.960 is poured in 00:20:19.960 --> 00:20:21.460 through salvation 00:20:21.460 --> 00:20:23.240 to that new believer 00:20:23.240 --> 00:20:24.940 and God ferments 00:20:24.940 --> 00:20:25.819 in our lives. 00:20:26.380 --> 00:20:28.080 He also often speaks 00:20:28.080 --> 00:20:30.019 of yeast in dough 00:20:30.019 --> 00:20:31.279 and the impact of that 00:20:31.279 --> 00:20:32.900 and so he ferments 00:20:32.900 --> 00:20:33.840 in our lives 00:20:33.840 --> 00:20:35.080 and we thank God, 00:20:35.200 --> 00:20:37.000 expand for his glory. 00:20:37.940 --> 00:20:39.400 Try to fit God 00:20:39.400 --> 00:20:40.780 into your ways 00:20:40.780 --> 00:20:42.880 and our ways. 00:20:43.180 --> 00:20:44.340 Something's got to give. 00:20:45.600 --> 00:20:45.960 Listen, 00:20:46.120 --> 00:20:47.340 when Christ takes over 00:20:47.340 --> 00:20:47.960 your life, 00:20:48.620 --> 00:20:49.780 it's because a person 00:20:49.780 --> 00:20:50.700 has given in 00:20:50.700 --> 00:20:51.500 and allowed God 00:20:51.500 --> 00:20:52.820 to stretch him or her 00:20:52.820 --> 00:20:54.259 instead of just trying 00:20:54.259 --> 00:20:55.880 to piecemeal God 00:20:55.880 --> 00:20:57.640 into your lives. 00:20:58.340 --> 00:20:58.660 Folks, 00:20:58.820 --> 00:21:00.320 don't try to patch Jesus 00:21:00.320 --> 00:21:01.100 into your life. 00:21:01.700 --> 00:21:03.040 Give him your life. 00:21:03.340 --> 00:21:04.400 Don't find some caveat 00:21:04.400 --> 00:21:05.900 in your life 00:21:05.900 --> 00:21:06.820 that's not going well 00:21:06.820 --> 00:21:07.160 and say, 00:21:07.480 --> 00:21:07.740 Jesus, 00:21:07.860 --> 00:21:09.220 can you handle this for me 00:21:09.220 --> 00:21:10.340 and not give him 00:21:10.340 --> 00:21:11.180 your entire life. 00:21:11.220 --> 00:21:12.259 That's what he's speaking of. 00:21:12.680 --> 00:21:15.160 He takes all of our life 00:21:15.160 --> 00:21:16.600 and we entrust 00:21:16.600 --> 00:21:18.180 all of our life to him. 00:21:19.040 --> 00:21:20.700 He makes all things new 00:21:20.700 --> 00:21:22.080 and he does it 00:21:22.080 --> 00:21:23.800 in a seamless fashion. 00:21:23.960 --> 00:21:24.120 Listen, 00:21:24.700 --> 00:21:26.400 salvation is not patchwork 00:21:26.400 --> 00:21:27.160 over a rough spot 00:21:27.160 --> 00:21:27.620 in your life. 00:21:27.980 --> 00:21:28.940 That's not what it is. 00:21:29.100 --> 00:21:29.860 It's a surrender 00:21:29.860 --> 00:21:30.840 of your life to Christ. 00:21:30.840 --> 00:21:31.759 It's renewal 00:21:31.759 --> 00:21:32.560 of your life 00:21:32.559 --> 00:21:33.440 to him. 00:21:34.500 --> 00:21:35.379 But not only that, 00:21:35.440 --> 00:21:36.659 but he also addresses 00:21:36.659 --> 00:21:38.139 the celebration 00:21:38.139 --> 00:21:39.679 in the real gospel. 00:21:41.359 --> 00:21:42.460 When people 00:21:42.460 --> 00:21:43.700 want to know 00:21:43.700 --> 00:21:45.179 why he and his disciples 00:21:45.179 --> 00:21:45.980 are not fasting, 00:21:46.720 --> 00:21:47.599 he states 00:21:47.599 --> 00:21:48.319 that it's not time 00:21:48.319 --> 00:21:48.919 to fast. 00:21:49.579 --> 00:21:50.399 It's time 00:21:50.399 --> 00:21:51.200 for celebration. 00:21:52.460 --> 00:21:53.519 You fast 00:21:53.519 --> 00:21:54.819 in anticipation 00:21:54.819 --> 00:21:57.059 and Jesus says, 00:21:57.139 --> 00:21:57.559 I'm here. 00:21:57.980 --> 00:21:58.519 There's nothing 00:21:58.519 --> 00:21:59.200 to anticipate. 00:22:00.079 --> 00:22:01.119 I'm before you. 00:22:01.619 --> 00:22:02.240 Christ is already 00:22:02.240 --> 00:22:02.839 on the scene. 00:22:04.039 --> 00:22:05.279 He compares it 00:22:05.279 --> 00:22:06.480 to a wedding. 00:22:07.819 --> 00:22:08.779 And a wedding 00:22:08.779 --> 00:22:10.299 in that day 00:22:10.299 --> 00:22:11.440 was a serious thing. 00:22:11.660 --> 00:22:12.400 They lasted 00:22:12.400 --> 00:22:13.500 about a week. 00:22:14.960 --> 00:22:16.180 And as a father 00:22:16.180 --> 00:22:17.200 who has a daughter 00:22:17.200 --> 00:22:17.980 who's a fiance, 00:22:17.980 --> 00:22:19.940 I am thankful today 00:22:19.940 --> 00:22:20.660 that our weddings 00:22:20.660 --> 00:22:21.779 don't last a week. 00:22:22.339 --> 00:22:23.480 Very thankful. 00:22:25.700 --> 00:22:27.279 When you were invited 00:22:27.279 --> 00:22:28.120 to a wedding, 00:22:28.839 --> 00:22:30.180 all other things 00:22:30.180 --> 00:22:31.140 were shelved, 00:22:31.140 --> 00:22:34.320 by rabbinical law, 00:22:34.840 --> 00:22:35.960 one was exempt 00:22:35.960 --> 00:22:37.440 from their religious duties 00:22:37.440 --> 00:22:38.740 if they were invited 00:22:38.740 --> 00:22:39.440 to a wedding. 00:22:40.640 --> 00:22:41.160 And you know why 00:22:41.160 --> 00:22:41.759 they did that? 00:22:42.400 --> 00:22:43.480 Because it would be 00:22:43.480 --> 00:22:44.080 inappropriate 00:22:44.080 --> 00:22:45.220 to fast 00:22:45.220 --> 00:22:45.900 at a wedding. 00:22:46.539 --> 00:22:47.360 Don't come in 00:22:47.360 --> 00:22:48.380 in your white face. 00:22:48.480 --> 00:22:49.180 Don't come in 00:22:49.180 --> 00:22:50.100 with your gloom 00:22:50.100 --> 00:22:50.620 and doom 00:22:50.620 --> 00:22:52.039 into a celebration 00:22:52.039 --> 00:22:53.060 of a wedding. 00:22:53.560 --> 00:22:54.420 Do nothing 00:22:54.420 --> 00:22:55.299 to dampen 00:22:55.299 --> 00:22:56.019 the spirit. 00:22:56.560 --> 00:22:56.980 This wedding 00:22:56.980 --> 00:22:57.779 is not about you. 00:22:58.200 --> 00:22:58.960 In our day, 00:22:59.039 --> 00:23:00.099 it's all about the bride. 00:23:00.619 --> 00:23:01.319 In that day, 00:23:01.359 --> 00:23:01.920 it was all about 00:23:01.920 --> 00:23:02.660 the bridegroom. 00:23:03.240 --> 00:23:04.000 But it's about 00:23:04.000 --> 00:23:04.519 the couple 00:23:04.519 --> 00:23:05.160 that's getting married. 00:23:05.220 --> 00:23:06.000 It's not about you. 00:23:06.440 --> 00:23:07.319 And as long as 00:23:07.319 --> 00:23:07.920 the bridegroom 00:23:07.920 --> 00:23:08.779 is present, 00:23:09.119 --> 00:23:10.519 all are to celebrate. 00:23:11.559 --> 00:23:12.579 Now in mentioning this, 00:23:12.639 --> 00:23:13.440 Christ is saying, 00:23:13.879 --> 00:23:15.039 I'm the one 00:23:15.039 --> 00:23:16.019 you've been waiting on. 00:23:16.579 --> 00:23:17.700 I'm the fulfillment 00:23:17.700 --> 00:23:18.399 of everything 00:23:18.399 --> 00:23:19.359 that you've looked to. 00:23:19.720 --> 00:23:20.519 This is it. 00:23:21.180 --> 00:23:21.879 But in the midst 00:23:21.879 --> 00:23:22.139 of that, 00:23:22.180 --> 00:23:23.460 he also prophesies. 00:23:24.059 --> 00:23:24.539 And he says 00:23:24.539 --> 00:23:25.460 in Mark 2, 00:23:25.539 --> 00:23:26.000 verse 20, 00:23:26.079 --> 00:23:26.519 he says, 00:23:26.519 --> 00:23:27.980 the days will come 00:23:27.980 --> 00:23:28.879 when the bridegroom 00:23:28.879 --> 00:23:29.839 is taken away 00:23:29.839 --> 00:23:30.440 from them 00:23:30.440 --> 00:23:31.599 and then they'll 00:23:31.599 --> 00:23:32.619 fast in that day. 00:23:33.559 --> 00:23:34.519 That term, 00:23:34.680 --> 00:23:35.500 taken away, 00:23:36.359 --> 00:23:37.819 speaks of a sudden 00:23:37.819 --> 00:23:39.940 and violent removal 00:23:39.940 --> 00:23:42.599 as in the garden 00:23:42.599 --> 00:23:44.440 when Christ 00:23:44.440 --> 00:23:45.700 was arrested 00:23:45.700 --> 00:23:47.559 and taken to the cross. 00:23:48.559 --> 00:23:49.920 It was appropriate 00:23:49.920 --> 00:23:51.779 to mourn over that. 00:23:51.779 --> 00:23:55.079 It's also like 00:23:55.079 --> 00:23:56.240 the ascension of Christ. 00:23:57.059 --> 00:23:57.559 And he could have 00:23:57.559 --> 00:23:58.000 been referring 00:23:58.000 --> 00:23:58.779 to that as well 00:23:58.779 --> 00:24:00.500 when Christ suddenly 00:24:00.500 --> 00:24:01.379 was lifted 00:24:01.379 --> 00:24:02.160 from the earth 00:24:02.160 --> 00:24:02.859 and into heaven. 00:24:04.440 --> 00:24:04.599 Now, 00:24:04.879 --> 00:24:05.480 it's appropriate 00:24:05.480 --> 00:24:06.700 for us to fast 00:24:06.700 --> 00:24:08.079 today. 00:24:09.079 --> 00:24:09.879 It's appropriate 00:24:09.879 --> 00:24:10.599 for us to fast 00:24:10.599 --> 00:24:11.319 about the condition 00:24:11.319 --> 00:24:11.960 of our country. 00:24:13.639 --> 00:24:14.460 It's appropriate 00:24:14.460 --> 00:24:15.299 for us to fast 00:24:15.299 --> 00:24:16.019 about revival 00:24:16.019 --> 00:24:16.879 in our church. 00:24:16.880 --> 00:24:18.920 It's appropriate 00:24:18.920 --> 00:24:19.740 for us to fast 00:24:19.740 --> 00:24:20.640 about renewal 00:24:20.640 --> 00:24:22.060 and repentance 00:24:22.060 --> 00:24:23.640 in our heart. 00:24:24.900 --> 00:24:25.820 Let me tell you 00:24:25.820 --> 00:24:26.120 something. 00:24:27.040 --> 00:24:28.000 This is not 00:24:28.000 --> 00:24:28.800 all there is. 00:24:29.840 --> 00:24:30.340 And the Lord 00:24:30.340 --> 00:24:31.280 Jesus Christ 00:24:31.280 --> 00:24:32.700 is coming back 00:24:32.700 --> 00:24:34.000 to take his bride, 00:24:34.120 --> 00:24:34.660 the church, 00:24:34.860 --> 00:24:35.540 to heaven. 00:24:35.780 --> 00:24:36.540 Even so, 00:24:36.640 --> 00:24:37.160 Lord Jesus, 00:24:37.680 --> 00:24:38.560 quickly come. 00:24:38.920 --> 00:24:39.420 I heard 00:24:39.420 --> 00:24:41.240 this time last week 00:24:41.240 --> 00:24:42.000 that the rapture 00:24:42.000 --> 00:24:42.920 was going to take place 00:24:42.920 --> 00:24:44.220 on this past 00:24:44.220 --> 00:24:45.140 Tuesday and Wednesday. 00:24:46.180 --> 00:24:46.700 Did y'all hear that? 00:24:47.720 --> 00:24:47.960 Well, 00:24:47.980 --> 00:24:48.520 I got news for you. 00:24:48.560 --> 00:24:49.140 It didn't. 00:24:49.240 --> 00:24:49.500 Okay? 00:24:49.620 --> 00:24:50.220 If you're wondering, 00:24:50.340 --> 00:24:50.860 it didn't. 00:24:52.040 --> 00:24:52.540 And you know what? 00:24:52.560 --> 00:24:53.180 If they come out 00:24:53.180 --> 00:24:53.880 this week and say 00:24:53.880 --> 00:24:54.400 it's going to happen 00:24:54.400 --> 00:24:55.060 next week, 00:24:55.100 --> 00:24:55.900 don't listen to it 00:24:55.900 --> 00:24:57.900 because Jesus said 00:24:57.900 --> 00:24:58.780 no man knows 00:24:58.780 --> 00:24:59.980 the hour or day 00:24:59.980 --> 00:25:01.540 but he tells us 00:25:01.540 --> 00:25:02.500 to be ready. 00:25:03.960 --> 00:25:04.220 I mean, 00:25:04.240 --> 00:25:04.420 listen, 00:25:04.500 --> 00:25:05.060 we live in a 00:25:05.060 --> 00:25:06.180 fascinating time 00:25:06.180 --> 00:25:07.320 because we live 00:25:07.320 --> 00:25:08.060 in a time 00:25:08.060 --> 00:25:09.040 between the coming 00:25:09.040 --> 00:25:10.100 of the Holy Spirit 00:25:10.100 --> 00:25:11.720 and Acts chapter 2 00:25:11.720 --> 00:25:12.660 when now 00:25:12.660 --> 00:25:14.140 because through salvation 00:25:14.140 --> 00:25:15.200 we can now 00:25:15.200 --> 00:25:15.940 be indwelled 00:25:15.940 --> 00:25:16.600 with the Spirit 00:25:16.600 --> 00:25:17.100 of God 00:25:17.100 --> 00:25:18.620 and at the same time 00:25:18.620 --> 00:25:20.220 we come before, 00:25:20.580 --> 00:25:21.380 we live now 00:25:21.380 --> 00:25:22.299 before the coming 00:25:22.299 --> 00:25:23.180 of the Lord Jesus 00:25:23.180 --> 00:25:24.039 as emphasized 00:25:24.039 --> 00:25:25.279 in 1 Thessalonians 00:25:25.279 --> 00:25:25.880 chapter 4. 00:25:26.340 --> 00:25:26.840 So now 00:25:26.840 --> 00:25:27.500 it's a time 00:25:27.500 --> 00:25:28.299 to fast 00:25:28.299 --> 00:25:29.820 because we need 00:25:29.820 --> 00:25:30.620 prayer that is 00:25:30.620 --> 00:25:31.220 real 00:25:31.220 --> 00:25:32.640 and intense 00:25:32.640 --> 00:25:33.680 and means 00:25:33.680 --> 00:25:34.740 something to us. 00:25:35.140 --> 00:25:35.440 However, 00:25:35.860 --> 00:25:37.120 it's also a time 00:25:37.120 --> 00:25:38.160 to celebrate 00:25:38.160 --> 00:25:39.799 because thank God 00:25:39.799 --> 00:25:41.220 Christ is here. 00:25:41.799 --> 00:25:42.380 He walks 00:25:42.380 --> 00:25:43.200 among us. 00:25:43.200 --> 00:25:44.100 He lives 00:25:44.100 --> 00:25:44.900 within us. 00:25:45.360 --> 00:25:46.360 We need to live 00:25:46.360 --> 00:25:47.460 with joy 00:25:47.460 --> 00:25:48.500 in our hearts. 00:25:48.980 --> 00:25:49.920 We need to smile, 00:25:50.360 --> 00:25:51.200 have smiles 00:25:51.200 --> 00:25:51.860 on our faces 00:25:51.860 --> 00:25:52.920 and if we 00:25:52.920 --> 00:25:54.720 have had an 00:25:54.720 --> 00:25:55.080 encounter 00:25:55.080 --> 00:25:55.779 with Christ, 00:25:56.360 --> 00:25:57.920 if we 00:25:57.920 --> 00:25:59.220 have been 00:25:59.220 --> 00:26:00.500 changed by Christ 00:26:00.500 --> 00:26:01.980 and we have 00:26:01.980 --> 00:26:02.600 an anticipation 00:26:02.600 --> 00:26:03.660 in our eyes 00:26:03.660 --> 00:26:04.420 of Christ, 00:26:05.420 --> 00:26:06.240 the free 00:26:06.240 --> 00:26:06.860 opportunity 00:26:06.860 --> 00:26:08.620 to come to Christ 00:26:08.620 --> 00:26:10.140 is before us. 00:26:10.240 --> 00:26:10.740 I'm thankful 00:26:10.740 --> 00:26:11.240 for that. 00:26:12.099 --> 00:26:12.680 Romans 10 00:26:12.680 --> 00:26:13.259 verse 13 00:26:13.259 --> 00:26:13.579 says, 00:26:13.980 --> 00:26:14.599 for everyone 00:26:14.599 --> 00:26:15.160 who calls 00:26:15.160 --> 00:26:15.700 upon the name 00:26:15.700 --> 00:26:16.079 of the Lord 00:26:16.079 --> 00:26:17.339 will be 00:26:17.339 --> 00:26:18.200 saved. 00:26:19.559 --> 00:26:20.380 It's not 00:26:20.380 --> 00:26:21.019 time for 00:26:21.019 --> 00:26:21.779 dead religion. 00:26:23.700 --> 00:26:24.500 It's not 00:26:24.500 --> 00:26:25.279 time to throw 00:26:25.279 --> 00:26:26.059 Jesus in the 00:26:26.059 --> 00:26:26.539 mix 00:26:26.539 --> 00:26:28.200 or to 00:26:28.200 --> 00:26:28.900 sew him 00:26:28.900 --> 00:26:29.420 into the 00:26:29.420 --> 00:26:29.960 pattern of 00:26:29.960 --> 00:26:30.539 your life. 00:26:31.279 --> 00:26:31.420 No, 00:26:31.460 --> 00:26:31.579 no, 00:26:31.660 --> 00:26:32.259 the gospel 00:26:32.259 --> 00:26:32.940 of Jesus 00:26:32.940 --> 00:26:33.519 Christ 00:26:33.519 --> 00:26:34.700 is exclusive. 00:26:35.620 --> 00:26:36.420 It's not 00:26:36.420 --> 00:26:37.000 mixed in 00:26:37.000 --> 00:26:37.900 like patchwork. 00:26:38.380 --> 00:26:39.039 It's not 00:26:39.039 --> 00:26:39.460 dead. 00:26:39.460 --> 00:26:40.460 it's not 00:26:40.460 --> 00:26:40.900 gloomy. 00:26:41.180 --> 00:26:41.920 It's time 00:26:41.920 --> 00:26:42.779 to leave 00:26:42.779 --> 00:26:43.700 behind what 00:26:43.700 --> 00:26:44.160 needs to 00:26:44.160 --> 00:26:44.539 go, 00:26:44.759 --> 00:26:45.120 folks. 00:26:46.000 --> 00:26:46.840 It's time 00:26:46.840 --> 00:26:47.279 for us 00:26:47.279 --> 00:26:47.900 to go 00:26:47.900 --> 00:26:48.559 with God 00:26:48.559 --> 00:26:49.120 with what 00:26:49.120 --> 00:26:49.539 he would 00:26:49.539 --> 00:26:50.019 have for 00:26:50.019 --> 00:26:50.440 us. 00:26:51.340 --> 00:26:52.000 Let's quit 00:26:52.000 --> 00:26:52.740 being selfish 00:26:52.740 --> 00:26:53.279 about the 00:26:53.279 --> 00:26:53.620 things that 00:26:53.620 --> 00:26:54.059 we're trying 00:26:54.059 --> 00:26:54.420 to cling 00:26:54.420 --> 00:26:55.340 to and 00:26:55.340 --> 00:26:55.779 instead 00:26:55.779 --> 00:26:56.779 sell out 00:26:56.779 --> 00:26:57.700 and follow 00:26:57.700 --> 00:26:58.120 him. 00:26:58.559 --> 00:26:59.279 It's time. 00:26:59.500 --> 00:27:00.220 The opportunity 00:27:00.220 --> 00:27:01.340 is now and 00:27:01.340 --> 00:27:01.759 I don't want 00:27:01.759 --> 00:27:02.319 us to miss 00:27:02.319 --> 00:27:02.539 it. 00:27:02.940 --> 00:27:03.360 Let's spend 00:27:03.360 --> 00:27:03.960 the rest 00:27:03.960 --> 00:27:04.420 of our 00:27:04.420 --> 00:27:05.000 days 00:27:05.000 --> 00:27:06.340 celebrating 00:27:06.339 --> 00:27:07.139 our 00:27:07.139 --> 00:27:07.559 Savior 00:27:07.559 --> 00:27:09.099 and then 00:27:09.099 --> 00:27:09.699 celebrating 00:27:09.699 --> 00:27:10.639 with our 00:27:10.639 --> 00:27:11.059 Savior 00:27:11.059 --> 00:27:12.240 for all 00:27:12.240 --> 00:27:12.839 of 00:27:12.839 --> 00:27:13.359 eternity. 00:27:14.439 --> 00:27:15.199 I got 00:27:15.199 --> 00:27:15.639 news for 00:27:15.639 --> 00:27:15.899 you. 00:27:17.559 --> 00:27:18.559 The greatest 00:27:18.559 --> 00:27:19.459 opportunity that 00:27:19.459 --> 00:27:19.939 you'll ever 00:27:19.939 --> 00:27:20.579 have in your 00:27:20.579 --> 00:27:21.039 life 00:27:21.039 --> 00:27:22.699 is to give 00:27:22.699 --> 00:27:23.099 your heart 00:27:23.099 --> 00:27:23.619 and life 00:27:23.619 --> 00:27:24.720 to the 00:27:24.720 --> 00:27:25.159 Lord Jesus 00:27:25.159 --> 00:27:25.679 Christ. 00:27:26.980 --> 00:27:27.699 It's the 00:27:27.699 --> 00:27:27.919 greatest 00:27:27.919 --> 00:27:28.619 opportunity that 00:27:28.619 --> 00:27:29.039 we'll ever 00:27:29.039 --> 00:27:29.439 have. 00:27:30.639 --> 00:27:31.220 And when you 00:27:31.220 --> 00:27:31.839 do that, 00:27:32.419 --> 00:27:33.000 and I'm not 00:27:33.000 --> 00:27:33.519 talking about 00:27:33.519 --> 00:27:34.139 God get me 00:27:34.139 --> 00:27:34.519 out of a 00:27:34.519 --> 00:27:34.859 hole. 00:27:38.119 --> 00:27:38.819 God pay 00:27:38.819 --> 00:27:39.299 this bill 00:27:39.299 --> 00:27:39.799 for me. 00:27:41.720 --> 00:27:42.339 God will 00:27:42.339 --> 00:27:42.720 you straighten 00:27:42.720 --> 00:27:43.379 somebody out 00:27:43.379 --> 00:27:43.839 for me. 00:27:47.660 --> 00:27:48.379 I'm talking 00:27:48.379 --> 00:27:48.940 about lock, 00:27:49.019 --> 00:27:49.220 stock, 00:27:49.259 --> 00:27:49.579 and barrel 00:27:49.579 --> 00:27:50.039 folks. 00:27:54.319 --> 00:27:54.759 As 00:27:54.759 --> 00:27:55.299 imperfect 00:27:55.299 --> 00:27:57.680 as I am 00:27:57.680 --> 00:27:58.180 oh God, 00:27:59.180 --> 00:28:00.980 I give 00:28:00.980 --> 00:28:01.519 myself to 00:28:01.519 --> 00:28:02.000 you today. 00:28:03.519 --> 00:28:05.279 and I ask 00:28:05.279 --> 00:28:05.500 you to 00:28:05.500 --> 00:28:05.920 forgive me 00:28:05.920 --> 00:28:06.259 for what 00:28:06.259 --> 00:28:06.579 I've done 00:28:06.579 --> 00:28:06.940 wrong. 00:28:08.759 --> 00:28:09.579 And I ask 00:28:09.579 --> 00:28:09.940 you to come 00:28:09.940 --> 00:28:10.220 into my 00:28:10.220 --> 00:28:11.900 life and 00:28:11.900 --> 00:28:12.359 to change 00:28:12.359 --> 00:28:12.759 me. 00:28:15.339 --> 00:28:16.059 Like new 00:28:16.059 --> 00:28:18.059 wine in 00:28:18.059 --> 00:28:18.460 a fresh 00:28:18.460 --> 00:28:19.139 wine skin. 00:28:21.299 --> 00:28:21.859 Oh dear 00:28:21.859 --> 00:28:22.359 God, will 00:28:22.359 --> 00:28:22.900 you implant 00:28:22.900 --> 00:28:23.559 your spirit 00:28:23.559 --> 00:28:25.019 within me 00:28:25.019 --> 00:28:27.019 and help 00:28:27.019 --> 00:28:27.420 me to live 00:28:27.420 --> 00:28:27.839 this day 00:28:27.839 --> 00:28:28.460 forward for 00:28:28.460 --> 00:28:28.920 your honor 00:28:28.920 --> 00:28:29.400 and glory? 00:28:29.639 --> 00:28:30.160 I'll do it 00:28:30.160 --> 00:28:30.879 imperfectly, 00:28:31.500 --> 00:28:32.160 but from 00:28:32.160 --> 00:28:32.519 this day 00:28:32.519 --> 00:28:32.859 forward, 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:33.819 I want 00:28:33.819 --> 00:28:34.039 to live 00:28:34.039 --> 00:28:34.459 for you. 00:28:36.740 --> 00:28:37.259 I don't 00:28:37.259 --> 00:28:37.519 care if 00:28:37.519 --> 00:28:37.719 you've been 00:28:37.719 --> 00:28:38.039 in church 00:28:38.039 --> 00:28:38.359 all your 00:28:38.359 --> 00:28:38.779 life or 00:28:38.779 --> 00:28:39.000 you've 00:28:39.000 --> 00:28:39.199 never 00:28:39.199 --> 00:28:39.379 been 00:28:39.379 --> 00:28:39.599 in 00:28:39.599 --> 00:28:39.979 church. 00:28:40.699 --> 00:28:41.219 I don't 00:28:41.219 --> 00:28:41.479 care if 00:28:41.479 --> 00:28:41.659 you're a 00:28:41.659 --> 00:28:42.119 member of 00:28:42.119 --> 00:28:42.740 this church 00:28:42.740 --> 00:28:43.119 and in 00:28:43.119 --> 00:28:43.519 leadership 00:28:43.519 --> 00:28:44.159 or you've 00:28:44.159 --> 00:28:44.719 never been 00:28:44.719 --> 00:28:45.059 in this 00:28:45.059 --> 00:28:45.500 church. 00:28:47.279 --> 00:28:48.000 If you've 00:28:48.000 --> 00:28:48.740 never surrendered 00:28:48.740 --> 00:28:49.479 your life to 00:28:49.479 --> 00:28:49.719 the Lord 00:28:49.719 --> 00:28:50.539 Jesus Christ, 00:28:51.539 --> 00:28:52.519 today's the 00:28:52.519 --> 00:28:52.799 day of 00:28:52.799 --> 00:28:53.259 salvation. 00:28:54.859 --> 00:28:55.539 Just give 00:28:55.539 --> 00:28:57.399 up and 00:28:57.399 --> 00:28:58.000 give in 00:28:58.000 --> 00:28:59.000 faith. 00:28:59.000 --> 00:28:59.380 Don't 00:28:59.380 --> 00:28:59.779 trust him. 00:29:00.779 --> 00:29:01.500 Don't 00:29:01.500 --> 00:29:02.099 trust some 00:29:02.099 --> 00:29:02.680 frame of 00:29:02.680 --> 00:29:03.119 religion. 00:29:04.380 --> 00:29:04.740 Don't 00:29:04.740 --> 00:29:05.299 trust some 00:29:05.299 --> 00:29:05.960 ideology. 00:29:07.900 --> 00:29:09.200 Trust Jesus. 00:29:10.559 --> 00:29:11.299 He'll 00:29:11.299 --> 00:29:11.779 change your 00:29:11.779 --> 00:29:12.140 life. 00:29:13.460 --> 00:29:14.400 And if he 00:29:14.400 --> 00:29:16.680 has, other 00:29:16.680 --> 00:29:17.200 folks ought to 00:29:17.200 --> 00:29:17.640 know it. 00:29:19.339 --> 00:29:20.339 It ought to 00:29:20.339 --> 00:29:20.960 show on our 00:29:20.960 --> 00:29:23.359 face and we 00:29:23.359 --> 00:29:24.119 ought to publicly 00:29:24.119 --> 00:29:25.279 profess our 00:29:25.279 --> 00:29:25.700 faith. 00:29:25.700 --> 00:29:25.779 faith. 00:29:26.740 --> 00:29:27.220 And Jesus 00:29:27.220 --> 00:29:27.779 by his 00:29:27.779 --> 00:29:28.460 example and 00:29:28.460 --> 00:29:28.819 by his 00:29:28.819 --> 00:29:29.180 commission 00:29:29.180 --> 00:29:29.940 tells us to 00:29:29.940 --> 00:29:30.400 do that 00:29:30.400 --> 00:29:31.000 through 00:29:31.000 --> 00:29:31.480 baptism. 00:29:32.220 --> 00:29:32.779 That's the 00:29:32.779 --> 00:29:33.420 first step of 00:29:33.420 --> 00:29:34.140 obedience for 00:29:34.140 --> 00:29:34.440 the new 00:29:34.440 --> 00:29:35.840 Christian is 00:29:35.840 --> 00:29:36.100 to be 00:29:36.100 --> 00:29:36.440 baptized. 00:29:37.900 --> 00:29:38.519 If you've 00:29:38.519 --> 00:29:38.940 never been 00:29:38.940 --> 00:29:39.700 baptized as a 00:29:39.700 --> 00:29:39.980 believer, 00:29:40.720 --> 00:29:41.140 that's a 00:29:41.140 --> 00:29:41.680 hindrance in 00:29:41.680 --> 00:29:42.240 your life. 00:29:43.759 --> 00:29:44.600 You come, 00:29:45.200 --> 00:29:45.340 say, 00:29:45.420 --> 00:29:45.740 preacher, I 00:29:45.740 --> 00:29:46.019 need to be 00:29:46.019 --> 00:29:46.259 baptized. 00:29:46.340 --> 00:29:46.580 We're not 00:29:46.580 --> 00:29:47.019 doing it this 00:29:47.019 --> 00:29:48.340 morning, but 00:29:48.340 --> 00:29:48.779 we'll line 00:29:48.779 --> 00:29:51.180 that up and 00:29:51.180 --> 00:29:51.740 we'll publicly 00:29:51.740 --> 00:29:52.440 acknowledge your 00:29:52.440 --> 00:29:53.100 faith before 00:29:53.100 --> 00:29:53.559 others. 00:29:55.700 --> 00:29:56.920 Maybe God's 00:29:56.920 --> 00:29:57.380 drawing you to 00:29:57.380 --> 00:29:57.799 First Baptist 00:29:57.799 --> 00:29:58.259 Church. 00:29:59.620 --> 00:30:00.299 This is the 00:30:00.299 --> 00:30:00.880 place where he'd 00:30:00.880 --> 00:30:01.360 have you to 00:30:01.360 --> 00:30:01.700 serve. 00:30:03.299 --> 00:30:03.700 And if that 00:30:03.700 --> 00:30:04.360 be the case, 00:30:05.259 --> 00:30:06.279 just obey him, 00:30:06.360 --> 00:30:07.059 just trust him. 00:30:08.000 --> 00:30:08.860 We'll guide you 00:30:08.860 --> 00:30:09.200 through that 00:30:09.200 --> 00:30:09.880 process, but 00:30:09.880 --> 00:30:10.640 just trust him. 00:30:10.819 --> 00:30:11.740 Just be 00:30:11.740 --> 00:30:12.840 obedient to what 00:30:12.840 --> 00:30:13.380 he tells you 00:30:13.380 --> 00:30:13.960 to do. 00:30:16.080 --> 00:30:16.759 And then there's 00:30:16.759 --> 00:30:17.519 a possibility that 00:30:17.519 --> 00:30:18.299 maybe someone 00:30:18.299 --> 00:30:19.779 here that says, 00:30:19.860 --> 00:30:20.340 you know what? 00:30:20.339 --> 00:30:21.759 I've given my 00:30:21.759 --> 00:30:22.579 life to Christ, 00:30:23.220 --> 00:30:24.659 and I know that 00:30:24.659 --> 00:30:25.500 God's calling me to 00:30:25.500 --> 00:30:26.299 do more for him. 00:30:27.919 --> 00:30:29.059 He's calling me to 00:30:29.059 --> 00:30:31.619 serve him in a 00:30:31.619 --> 00:30:32.480 ministry capacity. 00:30:33.519 --> 00:30:34.740 I dedicate myself 00:30:34.740 --> 00:30:36.879 today to surrender 00:30:36.879 --> 00:30:37.619 my life to the 00:30:37.619 --> 00:30:39.279 call of God upon 00:30:39.279 --> 00:30:39.779 my life. 00:30:41.500 --> 00:30:42.179 I wouldn't 00:30:42.179 --> 00:30:42.939 encourage it of 00:30:42.939 --> 00:30:44.559 anybody who don't 00:30:44.559 --> 00:30:45.279 have a call upon 00:30:45.279 --> 00:30:46.000 their life by the 00:30:46.000 --> 00:30:46.740 Lord and clear, 00:30:47.699 --> 00:30:48.899 but if it's clear 00:30:48.899 --> 00:30:49.459 and you know it, 00:30:49.519 --> 00:30:50.019 you'll never be 00:30:50.019 --> 00:30:50.660 satisfied doing 00:30:50.660 --> 00:30:51.299 anything else 00:30:51.299 --> 00:30:52.579 except following 00:30:52.579 --> 00:30:54.299 the Lord Jesus. 00:30:54.460 --> 00:30:55.059 And I'll be honest 00:30:55.059 --> 00:30:56.119 with you, that 00:30:56.119 --> 00:30:57.160 goes for anything 00:30:57.160 --> 00:30:59.099 and everything that 00:30:59.099 --> 00:30:59.879 he's placed upon 00:30:59.879 --> 00:31:00.400 your heart and 00:31:00.400 --> 00:31:01.000 life today. 00:31:03.720 --> 00:31:04.599 If you'll just 00:31:04.599 --> 00:31:06.639 trust him, lay it 00:31:06.639 --> 00:31:07.180 down here. 00:31:08.319 --> 00:31:09.319 Make these steps 00:31:09.319 --> 00:31:10.279 a makeshift altar. 00:31:11.000 --> 00:31:11.960 Have a pastor pray 00:31:11.960 --> 00:31:12.420 for you. 00:31:12.839 --> 00:31:13.579 Do it where you'll 00:31:13.579 --> 00:31:14.420 stand in a moment. 00:31:14.559 --> 00:31:14.960 Whatever. 00:31:15.259 --> 00:31:16.359 Whatever it is you 00:31:16.359 --> 00:31:17.420 need to give to God. 00:31:20.019 --> 00:31:22.039 Let's sell out. 00:31:23.240 --> 00:31:24.319 Let's give it all. 00:31:25.119 --> 00:31:26.720 I don't need you, 00:31:27.160 --> 00:31:29.839 God, to fit into my 00:31:29.839 --> 00:31:30.539 framework. 00:31:31.879 --> 00:31:33.259 I'm not trying to 00:31:33.259 --> 00:31:35.119 patch my life with you. 00:31:36.519 --> 00:31:38.099 I give myself to you. 00:31:39.700 --> 00:31:41.740 That's the exclusive 00:31:41.740 --> 00:31:45.000 gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:31:45.000 --> 00:31:45.059 God, to be honest. 00:31:45.859 --> 00:31:46.640 And that's what 00:31:46.640 --> 00:31:47.539 changes lives. 00:31:48.319 --> 00:31:49.259 With every head bowed 00:31:49.259 --> 00:31:51.279 and every eye closed, 00:31:51.940 --> 00:31:53.700 if God spoke to you 00:31:53.700 --> 00:31:54.799 about any of those 00:31:54.799 --> 00:31:55.640 matters this morning, 00:31:56.099 --> 00:31:57.900 I will never ask you 00:31:57.900 --> 00:31:59.039 to do more than what 00:31:59.039 --> 00:32:00.140 God tells you to do. 00:32:00.680 --> 00:32:01.640 And I'll never, 00:32:02.279 --> 00:32:03.339 well, I'll try my best 00:32:03.339 --> 00:32:04.180 and I'll never let you 00:32:04.180 --> 00:32:05.180 be satisfied with doing 00:32:05.180 --> 00:32:06.279 anything less than that. 00:32:07.319 --> 00:32:08.640 You just trust God 00:32:08.640 --> 00:32:09.019 today. 00:32:09.920 --> 00:32:10.980 And do what God 00:32:10.980 --> 00:32:11.740 tells you to do. 00:32:11.740 --> 00:32:12.660 Heavenly Father, 00:32:13.920 --> 00:32:15.259 as we stand and sing 00:32:15.259 --> 00:32:15.960 in just a moment, 00:32:16.079 --> 00:32:17.019 help us to simply 00:32:17.019 --> 00:32:18.299 be obedient to follow 00:32:18.299 --> 00:32:20.019 your will and your way 00:32:20.019 --> 00:32:21.440 in every way 00:32:21.440 --> 00:32:22.940 in all of our lives. 00:32:23.240 --> 00:32:24.120 Lead us right now, 00:32:24.180 --> 00:32:25.039 oh God, we pray. 00:32:25.440 --> 00:32:26.819 In Jesus' name, amen.