WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.220 That music, that is good stuff. 00:00:02.520 --> 00:00:06.060 If you have your Bibles, I want you to turn to Luke chapter 12. 00:00:06.320 --> 00:00:08.599 Luke chapter 12, I'm going to get there in just a few moments. 00:00:08.700 --> 00:00:10.080 I want to begin with a confession. 00:00:10.220 --> 00:00:14.220 I've got a confession to make, some of it from a long time ago. 00:00:14.320 --> 00:00:19.039 I had a youth minister that banned us from listening to secular music. 00:00:19.900 --> 00:00:21.760 And it was in the last days of vinyl. 00:00:22.199 --> 00:00:23.839 There's a revival of that now. 00:00:24.839 --> 00:00:28.120 And soon to be the last days of cassette tapes 00:00:28.120 --> 00:00:30.820 before the arrival of the CD. 00:00:32.060 --> 00:00:35.820 And young people, if you don't know what any of those things are, 00:00:35.920 --> 00:00:37.799 this is how we listen to music before the Internet. 00:00:38.660 --> 00:00:40.520 And I know that's a mind twister for you, 00:00:40.560 --> 00:00:41.859 that there was a day before the Internet. 00:00:42.140 --> 00:00:45.439 But anyway, I did what he told us to do. 00:00:45.500 --> 00:00:47.000 I got rid of my cassettes. 00:00:47.000 --> 00:00:49.740 I was going to purify myself by throwing them away. 00:00:51.000 --> 00:00:53.540 And one of my demented brothers said, hey, I'll take them instead. 00:00:53.840 --> 00:00:54.859 So I gave them to him. 00:00:54.859 --> 00:01:02.039 And so Hank Williams Jr. and Duran Duran and men at work were handed over, 00:01:02.240 --> 00:01:03.240 and he laughed at me. 00:01:04.159 --> 00:01:08.859 In college, my neighbor blasted Hank, and I blasted the cathedrals. 00:01:10.280 --> 00:01:12.939 And however, before that music revival, 00:01:13.159 --> 00:01:17.260 I was exposed by my sorry brothers to the fine music of the mid-'80s. 00:01:18.039 --> 00:01:22.400 And my confession is that some time ago, I backslid into the secular. 00:01:22.400 --> 00:01:27.020 I adhered to country music with some 80s thrown in, 00:01:27.080 --> 00:01:29.219 along with southern gospel and worship music. 00:01:29.440 --> 00:01:35.380 And so now my streaming service has a Daniel station that I listen to. 00:01:36.020 --> 00:01:40.060 And that's a combo of country, Christian, southern gospel, and 80s. 00:01:40.840 --> 00:01:42.080 And I'll be honest, it's pretty good. 00:01:42.540 --> 00:01:47.439 But there are some songs that their algorithms are thrown off. 00:01:47.439 --> 00:01:51.019 They throw songs in there that I don't like. 00:01:51.739 --> 00:01:53.060 And I skip through those songs. 00:01:53.159 --> 00:01:54.799 My wife said, you're like your daughter. 00:01:55.000 --> 00:01:56.200 You skip through those songs. 00:01:56.400 --> 00:01:57.819 But some of them don't apply. 00:01:58.219 --> 00:02:01.719 And one came up the other day, and I was going to hit the button, 00:02:01.819 --> 00:02:02.519 but I was curious. 00:02:03.219 --> 00:02:05.900 And I was in it before I meant to be. 00:02:06.539 --> 00:02:08.520 And I listened to it, and I just shook my head. 00:02:09.719 --> 00:02:12.120 Now, before I read these lyrics, I want you to understand something. 00:02:12.120 --> 00:02:19.740 I want you to keep in mind, there are a lot of people that get some of their theology from country music. 00:02:20.900 --> 00:02:23.039 And the reason why I know that is because I do funerals. 00:02:23.480 --> 00:02:25.560 And I know what they play at the gravesides. 00:02:25.780 --> 00:02:29.800 And so they get a lot of their theology from country music. 00:02:29.920 --> 00:02:32.159 And I want you to listen to the lyrics of this song. 00:02:33.020 --> 00:02:37.360 Daddy's been a back row Baptist with his share of front row sin. 00:02:37.360 --> 00:02:42.420 With Saturday night still on his breath every Sunday when he walks in. 00:02:43.180 --> 00:02:44.640 He never led the benediction. 00:02:45.400 --> 00:02:46.960 He never sang in the choir. 00:02:47.720 --> 00:02:52.660 But he's an angel with no halo and one wing in the fire. 00:02:54.300 --> 00:02:55.720 He goes on to say, 00:02:56.720 --> 00:03:00.720 I'd trade a thousand prayers if just one prayer would come true, Lord. 00:03:01.100 --> 00:03:05.380 But please believe in him like I believe in you. 00:03:05.379 --> 00:03:08.400 Now, I've got some things to say about that. 00:03:09.719 --> 00:03:11.079 Particularly four things. 00:03:11.199 --> 00:03:15.199 One is, we don't trade prayers in God's economy. 00:03:15.639 --> 00:03:15.780 Okay? 00:03:16.919 --> 00:03:20.379 Number two, it's not about God believing in us. 00:03:21.180 --> 00:03:23.219 It's about us believing in God. 00:03:23.539 --> 00:03:24.699 That's what it comes back to. 00:03:25.500 --> 00:03:28.079 Number three, don't get your theology from a country song. 00:03:29.460 --> 00:03:32.960 And number four, I just want to tell you what daddy's problem was. 00:03:32.960 --> 00:03:37.320 Daddy's problem was, he was lost. 00:03:38.420 --> 00:03:40.700 Daddy is lost. 00:03:41.760 --> 00:03:43.159 There's no wings. 00:03:43.580 --> 00:03:44.719 There's no halo. 00:03:45.560 --> 00:03:46.640 He's lost. 00:03:47.540 --> 00:03:52.819 And I know that daddy followed mama to church to get her off his back. 00:03:53.800 --> 00:03:56.920 And I also know it had no impact on his life. 00:03:56.919 --> 00:04:02.739 And when Christ enters people's lives, Christ changes lives. 00:04:02.819 --> 00:04:06.039 So if there's no fruit there, you've got to check the vine. 00:04:06.859 --> 00:04:08.239 You've got to see what it's hooked to. 00:04:08.939 --> 00:04:12.699 And if it's not hooked to Christ, it's not bearing fruit. 00:04:13.419 --> 00:04:16.879 If it is hooked to Christ, it's bearing fruit. 00:04:17.060 --> 00:04:21.419 And a man's half-hearted attendance will not help him. 00:04:21.420 --> 00:04:27.680 As a matter of fact, in his own mind, it may sanctify him by just being in attendance. 00:04:28.580 --> 00:04:32.379 It is sadly a lost opportunity. 00:04:33.520 --> 00:04:41.259 And it made me reflect on other lost opportunities that I see that Jesus points out to us. 00:04:41.420 --> 00:04:45.319 Some in relationships and one in a story that he told. 00:04:45.319 --> 00:04:53.000 He shows us three good kinds of people that can easily be lost. 00:04:53.219 --> 00:04:55.319 And what I mean by lost is this, folks. 00:04:56.920 --> 00:04:58.879 We are born into a world of sin. 00:04:59.139 --> 00:05:02.800 And then by choice, we each sin against God. 00:05:03.199 --> 00:05:05.139 We do things that displease God. 00:05:05.300 --> 00:05:07.560 We do things that separate us from God. 00:05:08.039 --> 00:05:09.920 And Scripture, I didn't make it up. 00:05:10.259 --> 00:05:14.439 Scripture says that man is lost without Christ. 00:05:14.439 --> 00:05:16.639 Hopeless, separated from Christ. 00:05:17.319 --> 00:05:19.459 Hopeless unless he comes to Christ. 00:05:19.980 --> 00:05:28.439 But Christ came to the cross and died for our sins so that we could be forgiven and could be made right with the Lord. 00:05:28.879 --> 00:05:32.139 And when that happens, we're saved and changed. 00:05:32.379 --> 00:05:37.659 And if we've never submitted our life to Christ, never surrendered our life to Christ, 00:05:38.240 --> 00:05:39.819 then, friend, we're lost. 00:05:39.819 --> 00:05:44.939 No matter who's been in our family, no matter how many times we've darkened the doors of the church, 00:05:45.599 --> 00:05:50.040 even if we're there on Father's Day, if we haven't given our heart and life to the Lord, 00:05:50.879 --> 00:05:53.579 we're in a lost condition. 00:05:55.019 --> 00:06:00.159 Three good kinds of people that can easily be lost. 00:06:00.339 --> 00:06:02.519 One is a person with good money. 00:06:03.240 --> 00:06:04.480 A person with good money. 00:06:04.480 --> 00:06:07.400 Luke chapter 12, 16 through 21. 00:06:07.540 --> 00:06:08.500 Jesus says, 00:06:09.140 --> 00:06:10.900 And he told them a parable, saying, 00:06:11.020 --> 00:06:14.020 The land of a rich man produced plentiful. 00:06:14.600 --> 00:06:15.720 And he thought to himself, 00:06:15.819 --> 00:06:16.680 What shall I do? 00:06:16.759 --> 00:06:19.620 For I have nowhere to store my crops. 00:06:20.080 --> 00:06:20.540 And he said, 00:06:20.560 --> 00:06:21.259 I'll do this. 00:06:21.360 --> 00:06:24.400 I'll tear down my barns and build larger ones. 00:06:24.759 --> 00:06:26.840 And there I'll store all my grain and my goods. 00:06:26.920 --> 00:06:27.879 And I'll say to my soul, 00:06:27.960 --> 00:06:31.020 Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years. 00:06:31.019 --> 00:06:34.060 Relax, eat, drink, be merry. 00:06:34.740 --> 00:06:36.000 But God said to him, 00:06:36.219 --> 00:06:39.859 Fool, this night your soul is required of you. 00:06:40.279 --> 00:06:43.519 And the things you have prepared, whose will they be? 00:06:44.060 --> 00:06:49.419 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God. 00:06:50.000 --> 00:06:51.259 I want to be clear about something. 00:06:51.560 --> 00:06:53.979 There's nothing wrong with having money. 00:06:54.339 --> 00:06:57.019 The problem is when money has you. 00:06:57.019 --> 00:07:01.680 When the insatiable desire for just a little bit more. 00:07:02.199 --> 00:07:08.000 John D. Rockefeller was worth $1.4 billion in 1934. 00:07:08.979 --> 00:07:15.159 That at the time was 1.5% of the gross domestic product of the United States. 00:07:15.459 --> 00:07:17.259 And it was the equivalent of today. 00:07:17.639 --> 00:07:20.139 And these equivalents sometimes go nuts. 00:07:20.259 --> 00:07:23.699 But the equivalent, what I read, was $24 billion. 00:07:23.699 --> 00:07:27.000 Some estimate up to $400 billion. 00:07:27.620 --> 00:07:29.139 And he was asked one day, 00:07:29.479 --> 00:07:30.920 How much is enough? 00:07:31.599 --> 00:07:32.439 And John D. said, 00:07:32.659 --> 00:07:33.500 Just a little bit more. 00:07:34.459 --> 00:07:35.740 Just a little bit more. 00:07:36.480 --> 00:07:39.560 We can become so caught up in our money, 00:07:40.120 --> 00:07:42.279 are so caught up in the lack of it, 00:07:42.579 --> 00:07:44.399 that it becomes a God to us. 00:07:45.079 --> 00:07:46.599 I mean, it gets us up in the morning. 00:07:46.959 --> 00:07:49.379 We slave ourselves in the day to make it grow. 00:07:49.620 --> 00:07:51.519 And it puts us to bed every night. 00:07:51.519 --> 00:07:54.120 And Jesus met a rich man one time 00:07:54.120 --> 00:07:56.599 who wanted to know how to have eternal life. 00:07:56.719 --> 00:07:59.939 And Jesus told him to sell all that he had and give it to the poor. 00:08:00.060 --> 00:08:02.219 And he left and went away very sad 00:08:02.219 --> 00:08:04.439 because he had a lot of money. 00:08:04.819 --> 00:08:06.039 Now I want to be clear about something. 00:08:06.459 --> 00:08:08.740 We never see anywhere else in Scripture 00:08:08.740 --> 00:08:10.959 where Jesus tells somebody to do that. 00:08:11.459 --> 00:08:12.979 Tells somebody to sell everything they got 00:08:12.979 --> 00:08:13.659 and give it to the poor. 00:08:14.199 --> 00:08:16.379 He never says that in any other point of Scripture. 00:08:16.859 --> 00:08:18.740 The reason he said that to that man 00:08:18.740 --> 00:08:22.620 is because he knew that that man's money meant too much to him. 00:08:22.720 --> 00:08:23.939 It wasn't that the man had money. 00:08:24.060 --> 00:08:25.300 It was the money had the man. 00:08:26.680 --> 00:08:31.340 There was an older man that lived in a previous community that I lived in. 00:08:32.279 --> 00:08:35.580 His family was filled with carnal, hard-hearted children. 00:08:36.740 --> 00:08:40.000 And maybe some of them were without the Lord. 00:08:40.120 --> 00:08:40.779 I don't know them. 00:08:41.620 --> 00:08:42.779 I had a burden for him. 00:08:42.779 --> 00:08:45.779 His dear wife had been a member of my church 00:08:45.779 --> 00:08:47.860 and she was horribly struggling with dementia. 00:08:48.399 --> 00:08:49.939 And I went to see them. 00:08:51.279 --> 00:08:54.620 And he told me how he had made his money. 00:08:55.879 --> 00:08:57.819 He told me how good he was at business 00:08:57.819 --> 00:08:59.860 and told me how hard that he worked. 00:08:59.959 --> 00:09:01.480 And then he took me out to his workshop 00:09:01.480 --> 00:09:03.699 and he showed me his tools. 00:09:04.759 --> 00:09:11.039 He showed me how he meticulously aligned those tools along the wall. 00:09:11.039 --> 00:09:15.240 Wrenches from huge three-foot-long ones 00:09:15.240 --> 00:09:17.379 to little bitty ones all in a core. 00:09:18.539 --> 00:09:22.379 He showed me the boxes, dovetailed boxes that he had made 00:09:22.379 --> 00:09:27.500 to hold screws and bolts and nuts and nails. 00:09:28.259 --> 00:09:32.339 Classic tools that have been replaced now by modern gadgets. 00:09:32.340 --> 00:09:38.899 But he then told me that he never had time to go to church 00:09:38.899 --> 00:09:41.420 because he was too busy working 00:09:41.420 --> 00:09:44.960 and told me how hard he worked. 00:09:46.300 --> 00:09:49.580 And I asked him if he knew the Lord. 00:09:51.040 --> 00:09:54.300 And he told me God knew how hard he worked. 00:09:55.259 --> 00:09:59.840 And I told him he could never work hard enough 00:09:59.840 --> 00:10:02.080 to earn his way to heaven. 00:10:02.340 --> 00:10:07.180 I never witnessed any fruit in that man's life 00:10:07.180 --> 00:10:08.399 that showed salvation. 00:10:08.879 --> 00:10:09.519 I never did. 00:10:09.840 --> 00:10:11.200 I'm not a judge of his soul. 00:10:11.960 --> 00:10:13.399 I just call it as I see it. 00:10:14.560 --> 00:10:16.680 They auctioned off all his treasures 00:10:16.680 --> 00:10:19.259 for a dime on the dollar 00:10:19.259 --> 00:10:23.480 and his kids fought over what was left. 00:10:24.980 --> 00:10:27.420 Mark 8 verse 36 says, 00:10:27.419 --> 00:10:32.079 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world 00:10:32.079 --> 00:10:34.979 and forfeit his soul? 00:10:36.639 --> 00:10:38.559 I'm afraid he's in hell today. 00:10:40.000 --> 00:10:41.379 But I hope I'm wrong. 00:10:43.059 --> 00:10:44.639 Matthew 6 24 says, 00:10:45.479 --> 00:10:46.959 No one can serve two masters. 00:10:46.959 --> 00:10:47.879 Jesus said it. 00:10:48.339 --> 00:10:49.779 No one can serve two masters 00:10:49.779 --> 00:10:51.579 for either he'll hate the one and love the other 00:10:51.579 --> 00:10:53.439 or he'll be devoted to the one and despise the other. 00:10:53.440 --> 00:10:57.020 You can't serve God and money. 00:10:58.280 --> 00:11:01.460 There's a lot of good lost men 00:11:01.460 --> 00:11:03.840 with good money. 00:11:05.100 --> 00:11:08.580 There can also be lost people with good morals. 00:11:09.080 --> 00:11:10.500 A person with good morals. 00:11:10.500 --> 00:11:13.340 It's natural for us to assume 00:11:13.340 --> 00:11:14.799 that somebody must be Christian 00:11:14.799 --> 00:11:16.500 when they're so nice 00:11:16.500 --> 00:11:19.980 or because he does so much for the community. 00:11:20.159 --> 00:11:21.399 I mean, upstanding people. 00:11:22.700 --> 00:11:24.299 People people think the world of. 00:11:25.200 --> 00:11:26.519 But I want to be clear about something. 00:11:26.659 --> 00:11:28.659 You can glad hand and smile your way 00:11:28.659 --> 00:11:30.580 all the way to an eternity without Christ 00:11:30.580 --> 00:11:31.320 if you're not careful. 00:11:32.320 --> 00:11:34.379 That rich man that came to Jesus 00:11:34.379 --> 00:11:36.179 and left sad because he had a lot of money 00:11:36.179 --> 00:11:37.500 was a mighty good guy. 00:11:37.500 --> 00:11:39.500 I want you to listen to the first part 00:11:39.500 --> 00:11:41.259 of the conversation that he had with Jesus. 00:11:41.759 --> 00:11:43.559 It's in Mark chapter 10 verse 17 00:11:43.559 --> 00:11:44.340 and it says this. 00:11:44.820 --> 00:11:46.340 As he was setting out on his journey 00:11:46.340 --> 00:11:48.639 a man ran up and knelt before Christ 00:11:48.639 --> 00:11:49.519 and asked him, 00:11:49.899 --> 00:11:52.120 Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life? 00:11:52.860 --> 00:11:53.500 And Jesus said, 00:11:53.559 --> 00:11:54.500 Why do you call me good? 00:11:55.799 --> 00:11:56.220 And Jesus, 00:11:56.720 --> 00:11:57.799 and he said, 00:11:57.860 --> 00:11:58.539 Why do you call me good? 00:11:58.600 --> 00:12:00.500 And no one is good except God alone. 00:12:00.899 --> 00:12:01.700 You know the commandments. 00:12:01.860 --> 00:12:02.460 Do not murder. 00:12:02.600 --> 00:12:03.500 Do not commit adultery. 00:12:03.600 --> 00:12:04.139 Do not steal. 00:12:04.220 --> 00:12:04.940 Do not bear witness. 00:12:05.039 --> 00:12:05.799 Do not defraud. 00:12:06.139 --> 00:12:07.480 Honor your father and mother. 00:12:07.500 --> 00:12:07.940 And he said, 00:12:08.000 --> 00:12:08.980 Teacher, listen to this. 00:12:09.899 --> 00:12:13.940 All these I have kept from my youth. 00:12:15.120 --> 00:12:16.259 The man had never lied. 00:12:16.960 --> 00:12:18.419 The man had never defrauded. 00:12:19.360 --> 00:12:20.919 The man had never took anything. 00:12:21.879 --> 00:12:23.120 He didn't sleep around. 00:12:23.879 --> 00:12:24.519 He didn't do anything. 00:12:24.580 --> 00:12:25.100 He's a good guy. 00:12:25.179 --> 00:12:25.940 You could trust him. 00:12:26.799 --> 00:12:28.220 He was good to his mom and daddy. 00:12:29.100 --> 00:12:30.259 He had good morals. 00:12:30.759 --> 00:12:32.139 But even with all of that, 00:12:32.159 --> 00:12:32.820 it wasn't good enough. 00:12:32.860 --> 00:12:33.940 So let me be honest with you. 00:12:33.940 --> 00:12:36.800 It will never be good enough. 00:12:37.520 --> 00:12:39.260 We'll never be good enough. 00:12:39.900 --> 00:12:42.700 If you've got your idea that there in eternity, 00:12:42.820 --> 00:12:44.500 there's a scale of eternity 00:12:44.500 --> 00:12:46.960 where you weigh the good in your life 00:12:46.960 --> 00:12:48.580 versus the bad in your life, 00:12:48.620 --> 00:12:49.620 I got news for you. 00:12:49.920 --> 00:12:51.440 Those scales don't exist. 00:12:52.080 --> 00:12:53.220 Without the blood of Christ 00:12:53.220 --> 00:12:54.540 and without our surrender to him, 00:12:54.780 --> 00:12:56.720 we are hopelessly in debt 00:12:56.720 --> 00:12:59.300 that we cannot pay back 00:12:59.300 --> 00:13:02.300 and hopelessly separate it 00:13:02.300 --> 00:13:03.480 from eternity with God. 00:13:05.480 --> 00:13:08.259 It's not about whether you do more good than bad. 00:13:10.220 --> 00:13:12.440 Sometimes it's over an impression. 00:13:14.279 --> 00:13:15.519 Oh, boy, he's a good guy. 00:13:16.080 --> 00:13:16.840 He's a good guy. 00:13:18.080 --> 00:13:19.519 It's amazing to me 00:13:19.519 --> 00:13:23.080 how everyone always speaks of heaven 00:13:23.080 --> 00:13:25.740 when a decent person dies. 00:13:26.720 --> 00:13:28.019 And they'll say something like 00:13:28.019 --> 00:13:29.040 you'll hear in a country song. 00:13:29.240 --> 00:13:30.600 You know, he gained his wings. 00:13:31.820 --> 00:13:33.899 Or God needed another rose in his garden. 00:13:34.500 --> 00:13:35.680 Please don't tell me that stuff. 00:13:36.060 --> 00:13:36.660 Please don't. 00:13:40.139 --> 00:13:42.000 So and so was waiting on him. 00:13:42.800 --> 00:13:45.560 I know that those who go on 00:13:45.560 --> 00:13:48.120 to be with the Lord are in heaven. 00:13:48.120 --> 00:13:50.120 And I know that when we get to heaven, 00:13:50.220 --> 00:13:51.399 there'll be a great reunion. 00:13:51.840 --> 00:13:52.340 But let me tell you 00:13:52.340 --> 00:13:53.680 what the greatness of heaven will be. 00:13:53.679 --> 00:13:56.739 Seeing the Lord Jesus Christ face to face. 00:13:57.019 --> 00:13:59.199 That's the greatness of heaven. 00:14:00.739 --> 00:14:02.019 Let me just be clear. 00:14:03.639 --> 00:14:06.559 The majority of people that die today 00:14:06.559 --> 00:14:08.819 die without the Lord. 00:14:10.819 --> 00:14:12.399 And it's always been that way. 00:14:13.859 --> 00:14:15.059 Most of them won't go 00:14:15.059 --> 00:14:17.059 and follow the Lord. 00:14:17.059 --> 00:14:19.359 That's why Jesus said 00:14:19.359 --> 00:14:21.099 there's a wide road 00:14:21.099 --> 00:14:22.059 that many follow. 00:14:22.619 --> 00:14:23.699 And there's a narrow road 00:14:23.699 --> 00:14:25.339 that only some follow. 00:14:26.839 --> 00:14:27.819 Good intentions. 00:14:29.299 --> 00:14:31.239 Many people lean on good intentions. 00:14:31.379 --> 00:14:32.339 Oh, he meant well. 00:14:32.919 --> 00:14:34.739 To quote another country song, 00:14:35.599 --> 00:14:37.059 I hear tell the road to hell 00:14:37.059 --> 00:14:38.259 is paved with good intentions. 00:14:40.299 --> 00:14:42.679 Actually acknowledging the good in yourself 00:14:42.679 --> 00:14:43.599 and in somebody else 00:14:43.599 --> 00:14:44.419 can actually be, 00:14:44.839 --> 00:14:46.399 can have an adverse effect. 00:14:46.399 --> 00:14:48.100 Because you think you're good enough. 00:14:48.840 --> 00:14:49.819 It can make somebody think 00:14:49.819 --> 00:14:51.459 that there's no need for salvation. 00:14:52.559 --> 00:14:53.559 But the reality is 00:14:53.559 --> 00:14:54.319 we're all sinners 00:14:54.319 --> 00:14:56.360 and that sin has separated us from God. 00:14:57.179 --> 00:14:58.419 So instead of assuming 00:14:58.419 --> 00:14:59.459 that your neighbor 00:14:59.459 --> 00:15:02.139 or your co-worker 00:15:02.139 --> 00:15:04.159 or your daddy 00:15:04.159 --> 00:15:06.600 or your granddaddy 00:15:06.600 --> 00:15:08.459 is saved, 00:15:09.459 --> 00:15:11.600 if you don't see any fruit in their life, 00:15:11.679 --> 00:15:12.659 you assume they're lost 00:15:12.659 --> 00:15:14.379 and then ask them if they're saved. 00:15:14.379 --> 00:15:17.139 If you ask somebody, 00:15:17.639 --> 00:15:19.299 how did you come to Christ 00:15:19.299 --> 00:15:21.340 and they're offended by that, 00:15:21.580 --> 00:15:22.559 that's a red flag. 00:15:23.500 --> 00:15:24.539 That's a red flag. 00:15:25.379 --> 00:15:26.179 If they look at you 00:15:26.179 --> 00:15:26.879 and tell you, 00:15:27.399 --> 00:15:28.179 well, I was baptized 00:15:28.179 --> 00:15:29.439 at the First Baptist Church 00:15:29.439 --> 00:15:30.240 30 years ago, 00:15:30.600 --> 00:15:32.259 that ain't the answer 00:15:32.259 --> 00:15:33.720 to the question you just asked them. 00:15:34.720 --> 00:15:36.039 I baptized these children 00:15:36.039 --> 00:15:36.779 a couple of weeks ago. 00:15:36.860 --> 00:15:38.100 I told them before they got up there. 00:15:38.120 --> 00:15:38.980 I tell it every time. 00:15:38.980 --> 00:15:40.340 I said, 00:15:40.519 --> 00:15:42.120 when somebody talks to you 00:15:42.120 --> 00:15:43.000 about 00:15:43.000 --> 00:15:46.000 when you got saved 00:15:46.000 --> 00:15:47.200 or when you became a Christian, 00:15:47.340 --> 00:15:48.879 don't tell them about this baptism. 00:15:49.420 --> 00:15:50.259 Don't talk about that. 00:15:50.820 --> 00:15:51.519 You talk about 00:15:51.519 --> 00:15:52.879 when you surrendered your life 00:15:52.879 --> 00:15:53.539 to the Lord Jesus. 00:15:53.680 --> 00:15:54.519 And I told them about it. 00:15:54.539 --> 00:15:55.300 There are two examples. 00:15:55.659 --> 00:15:56.259 How you got up 00:15:56.259 --> 00:15:57.159 in the middle of the night 00:15:57.159 --> 00:15:58.340 and gave your heart and life 00:15:58.340 --> 00:15:59.039 to the Lord Jesus. 00:15:59.480 --> 00:16:00.220 And after we'd had 00:16:00.220 --> 00:16:01.800 this conversation together, 00:16:01.899 --> 00:16:02.480 you went home 00:16:02.480 --> 00:16:03.399 and had that conversation 00:16:03.399 --> 00:16:03.879 with your parents 00:16:03.879 --> 00:16:05.480 and you gave your heart and life 00:16:05.480 --> 00:16:06.639 to the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:16:06.740 --> 00:16:07.600 That's what you talk about. 00:16:07.600 --> 00:16:08.460 Then you can tell them. 00:16:08.779 --> 00:16:09.899 And then after I did that, 00:16:10.120 --> 00:16:11.840 I was baptized before my church 00:16:11.840 --> 00:16:13.040 and everybody saw what happened. 00:16:13.200 --> 00:16:15.399 But don't get those two mixed up, folks. 00:16:16.159 --> 00:16:17.379 Don't get them out of order 00:16:17.379 --> 00:16:19.840 and don't get them mixed up. 00:16:21.379 --> 00:16:22.279 You ask somebody, 00:16:22.379 --> 00:16:23.360 how did you come to Christ? 00:16:23.460 --> 00:16:24.840 That's not an offensive question. 00:16:25.659 --> 00:16:26.440 And if it is, 00:16:26.480 --> 00:16:27.379 they need Christ. 00:16:28.600 --> 00:16:30.779 I met a man on a doorstep one time 00:16:30.779 --> 00:16:33.139 and I asked him 00:16:33.139 --> 00:16:33.960 if he knew the Lord. 00:16:35.160 --> 00:16:36.300 He was one of my heroes. 00:16:36.399 --> 00:16:37.019 I didn't even know him. 00:16:37.019 --> 00:16:37.799 He's one of my heroes 00:16:37.799 --> 00:16:38.319 because he's part 00:16:38.319 --> 00:16:39.279 of the greatest generation. 00:16:40.079 --> 00:16:41.439 He was a World War II veteran 00:16:41.439 --> 00:16:43.360 and had fought for our country. 00:16:44.039 --> 00:16:44.919 And he told me 00:16:44.919 --> 00:16:46.240 he committed his life. 00:16:46.519 --> 00:16:47.939 I'll have to clean this up a little bit. 00:16:47.980 --> 00:16:48.480 I'm not going to tell you 00:16:48.480 --> 00:16:49.059 everything he said. 00:16:49.120 --> 00:16:49.319 But anyway, 00:16:49.480 --> 00:16:51.299 he said he committed his life 00:16:51.299 --> 00:16:53.799 to the Lord in a foxhole. 00:16:54.659 --> 00:16:55.199 He said, 00:16:55.259 --> 00:16:55.419 Lord, 00:16:55.480 --> 00:16:56.779 if you'll let me out of here alive, 00:16:56.919 --> 00:16:57.860 I'll live for you. 00:16:58.799 --> 00:16:59.579 And I said, 00:16:59.639 --> 00:17:00.319 did you mean it? 00:17:01.439 --> 00:17:02.500 And he just said, 00:17:02.699 --> 00:17:03.779 I don't know, preacher. 00:17:03.779 --> 00:17:05.379 I was scared. 00:17:06.759 --> 00:17:07.259 I said, 00:17:07.299 --> 00:17:08.359 I appreciate your honesty. 00:17:11.119 --> 00:17:12.099 I asked him this 00:17:12.099 --> 00:17:13.000 and I asked you this. 00:17:14.519 --> 00:17:15.519 If you were to stand 00:17:15.519 --> 00:17:16.599 before God today 00:17:16.599 --> 00:17:19.339 and he were to ask you, 00:17:19.440 --> 00:17:20.500 why should I let you 00:17:20.500 --> 00:17:21.240 into my heaven? 00:17:23.000 --> 00:17:23.779 What do you think 00:17:23.779 --> 00:17:24.379 you'd say? 00:17:24.380 --> 00:17:27.320 That old fellow 00:17:27.320 --> 00:17:28.260 looked at me and said, 00:17:29.140 --> 00:17:29.840 I think I'd say, 00:17:29.940 --> 00:17:30.420 please. 00:17:33.540 --> 00:17:34.600 I shared Christ 00:17:34.600 --> 00:17:35.800 with that man that day. 00:17:36.520 --> 00:17:37.040 I don't know 00:17:37.040 --> 00:17:38.320 if he really ever got saved, 00:17:38.380 --> 00:17:39.020 quite honestly. 00:17:40.000 --> 00:17:40.180 But 00:17:40.180 --> 00:17:42.680 a man with 00:17:42.680 --> 00:17:44.580 good money 00:17:44.580 --> 00:17:46.780 can easily be lost. 00:17:47.960 --> 00:17:49.440 Jesus said in Matthew 29, 00:17:49.880 --> 00:17:50.560 excuse me, 00:17:50.620 --> 00:17:51.920 Matthew 19, verse 24, 00:17:51.920 --> 00:17:53.779 it is easier 00:17:53.779 --> 00:17:54.880 for a camel 00:17:54.880 --> 00:17:55.300 to go through 00:17:55.300 --> 00:17:55.980 the eye of a needle 00:17:55.980 --> 00:17:57.019 than for a rich man 00:17:57.019 --> 00:17:58.440 to enter the kingdom of God. 00:17:59.240 --> 00:18:00.019 That sense 00:18:00.019 --> 00:18:01.300 of self-sufficiency 00:18:01.300 --> 00:18:02.500 will ruin a man 00:18:02.500 --> 00:18:03.320 for all of eternity. 00:18:04.640 --> 00:18:05.880 A man with good morals 00:18:05.880 --> 00:18:07.259 can easily remain lost 00:18:07.259 --> 00:18:08.740 because he thinks 00:18:08.740 --> 00:18:09.560 he's good enough, 00:18:10.320 --> 00:18:11.660 but he's not. 00:18:13.240 --> 00:18:14.140 But there's also 00:18:14.140 --> 00:18:14.720 the person 00:18:14.720 --> 00:18:15.300 that has 00:18:15.300 --> 00:18:16.420 the good opportunity. 00:18:17.779 --> 00:18:18.920 A good opportunity 00:18:18.920 --> 00:18:19.800 but misses out. 00:18:19.799 --> 00:18:22.639 I've often been 00:18:22.639 --> 00:18:23.180 bewildered 00:18:23.180 --> 00:18:24.299 by some questions. 00:18:25.579 --> 00:18:26.619 How can a man 00:18:26.619 --> 00:18:28.599 literally walk 00:18:28.599 --> 00:18:29.359 with Jesus 00:18:29.359 --> 00:18:30.940 for over three years 00:18:30.940 --> 00:18:32.639 and never surrender 00:18:32.639 --> 00:18:33.720 his life to the Lord? 00:18:33.819 --> 00:18:34.639 How can he do that? 00:18:35.220 --> 00:18:35.919 That's hard for me 00:18:35.919 --> 00:18:36.519 to grasp. 00:18:38.139 --> 00:18:38.740 And it also 00:18:38.740 --> 00:18:39.680 makes me wonder, 00:18:39.859 --> 00:18:40.619 and I want you to hear 00:18:40.619 --> 00:18:41.460 the passion of my heart 00:18:41.460 --> 00:18:41.899 this morning. 00:18:43.180 --> 00:18:45.159 It also makes me wonder 00:18:45.160 --> 00:18:48.060 about many men 00:18:48.060 --> 00:18:48.860 that I've known 00:18:48.860 --> 00:18:50.060 over the years 00:18:50.060 --> 00:18:50.920 that God's allowed 00:18:50.920 --> 00:18:51.600 me to pastor 00:18:51.600 --> 00:18:52.660 in every church 00:18:52.660 --> 00:18:53.560 that I've pastored 00:18:53.560 --> 00:18:55.580 that never really 00:18:55.580 --> 00:18:56.779 showed the fruit 00:18:56.779 --> 00:18:57.880 of being a child 00:18:57.880 --> 00:18:58.460 of God. 00:18:59.200 --> 00:18:59.700 It wasn't that 00:18:59.700 --> 00:19:00.779 they wasn't in church. 00:19:00.940 --> 00:19:02.060 I saw them here. 00:19:02.740 --> 00:19:03.779 They burdened my heart. 00:19:03.900 --> 00:19:04.860 I prayed for them. 00:19:05.320 --> 00:19:06.160 But they never 00:19:06.160 --> 00:19:07.140 really appeared 00:19:07.140 --> 00:19:08.040 to be connected 00:19:08.040 --> 00:19:08.920 to the vine 00:19:08.920 --> 00:19:09.740 of the Lord. 00:19:09.740 --> 00:19:11.519 You can easily 00:19:11.519 --> 00:19:12.519 follow your spouse 00:19:12.519 --> 00:19:13.259 or your family 00:19:13.259 --> 00:19:13.800 to church 00:19:13.799 --> 00:19:14.539 to keep peace 00:19:14.539 --> 00:19:15.119 at home 00:19:15.119 --> 00:19:17.159 or to just 00:19:17.159 --> 00:19:18.460 endure the hour 00:19:18.460 --> 00:19:21.859 or to leave 00:19:21.859 --> 00:19:22.680 after years 00:19:22.680 --> 00:19:23.700 of faithfulness 00:19:23.700 --> 00:19:24.819 as lost 00:19:24.819 --> 00:19:26.019 as you've ever 00:19:26.019 --> 00:19:26.919 been. 00:19:28.339 --> 00:19:28.899 And if you're 00:19:28.899 --> 00:19:30.139 one of those people, 00:19:31.200 --> 00:19:31.379 men, 00:19:31.440 --> 00:19:32.200 I want you to know 00:19:32.200 --> 00:19:33.619 I preached this message 00:19:33.619 --> 00:19:34.539 on Father's Day 00:19:34.539 --> 00:19:35.599 for you today 00:19:35.599 --> 00:19:37.639 so God will 00:19:37.639 --> 00:19:38.759 wake you up 00:19:38.759 --> 00:19:39.919 and help you realize 00:19:39.919 --> 00:19:41.519 that you need 00:19:41.519 --> 00:19:42.240 to make the greatest 00:19:42.240 --> 00:19:43.159 decision you've ever 00:19:43.160 --> 00:19:44.060 made in your life 00:19:44.060 --> 00:19:44.620 and you're going 00:19:44.620 --> 00:19:45.660 to have to drop 00:19:45.660 --> 00:19:46.560 your pride 00:19:46.560 --> 00:19:47.360 to do that. 00:19:47.440 --> 00:19:47.779 You've got to leave 00:19:47.779 --> 00:19:48.400 it at the door 00:19:48.400 --> 00:19:51.180 and truly surrender 00:19:51.180 --> 00:19:51.620 your life 00:19:51.620 --> 00:19:52.560 to the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:19:52.840 --> 00:19:53.540 The best way 00:19:53.540 --> 00:19:54.440 you can be a great 00:19:54.440 --> 00:19:55.300 father is to commit 00:19:55.300 --> 00:19:56.100 your life to Christ. 00:19:56.360 --> 00:19:57.160 The only way 00:19:57.160 --> 00:19:58.060 a father is great 00:19:58.060 --> 00:19:58.820 is if he's leading 00:19:58.820 --> 00:19:59.900 his family to Christ 00:19:59.900 --> 00:20:00.860 and you can't do 00:20:00.860 --> 00:20:02.000 that without Christ. 00:20:03.160 --> 00:20:04.080 Judas walked 00:20:04.080 --> 00:20:04.840 with Christ. 00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:05.900 He heard sermons 00:20:05.900 --> 00:20:06.620 of Christ. 00:20:06.960 --> 00:20:07.660 He watched people 00:20:07.660 --> 00:20:08.660 get saved. 00:20:08.980 --> 00:20:09.620 He watched people 00:20:09.620 --> 00:20:10.380 get healed. 00:20:10.700 --> 00:20:11.279 He watched people 00:20:11.279 --> 00:20:12.480 come back to life 00:20:12.480 --> 00:20:13.960 and the whole time 00:20:13.960 --> 00:20:15.279 he was stealing 00:20:15.279 --> 00:20:17.120 from the money bag 00:20:17.120 --> 00:20:17.980 of the Lord. 00:20:18.299 --> 00:20:19.220 John 12, 6 00:20:19.220 --> 00:20:20.019 tells us that. 00:20:20.559 --> 00:20:21.519 The whole time. 00:20:23.319 --> 00:20:24.360 And as lost 00:20:24.360 --> 00:20:25.420 as a dime 00:20:25.420 --> 00:20:26.000 dropped 00:20:26.000 --> 00:20:26.759 in the depths 00:20:26.759 --> 00:20:27.539 of the ocean. 00:20:28.900 --> 00:20:29.259 You say, 00:20:29.360 --> 00:20:29.980 well how do you know 00:20:29.980 --> 00:20:31.640 he was never saved? 00:20:31.880 --> 00:20:34.519 I know he was never saved 00:20:34.519 --> 00:20:35.539 because Jesus said 00:20:35.539 --> 00:20:36.880 in Matthew 26, 24 00:20:36.880 --> 00:20:38.820 it would have been better 00:20:38.820 --> 00:20:43.720 had he never been born. 00:20:50.040 --> 00:20:51.440 And that's true 00:20:51.440 --> 00:20:52.220 for the man 00:20:52.220 --> 00:20:55.480 that dies without Christ. 00:20:59.480 --> 00:21:01.420 A lost man would be better 00:21:01.420 --> 00:21:03.680 to have never been born 00:21:03.680 --> 00:21:06.500 and that's what Jesus died. 00:21:07.440 --> 00:21:08.380 That's why Jesus died 00:21:08.380 --> 00:21:08.920 to save you. 00:21:10.180 --> 00:21:11.480 A life committed to Christ 00:21:11.480 --> 00:21:12.140 is far better 00:21:12.140 --> 00:21:12.759 than good money. 00:21:13.560 --> 00:21:14.400 It's far better 00:21:14.400 --> 00:21:15.160 than good morals. 00:21:15.360 --> 00:21:15.980 Hey, you can have 00:21:15.980 --> 00:21:16.840 all that by the way. 00:21:17.519 --> 00:21:19.400 And a world of difference 00:21:19.400 --> 00:21:20.360 from play acting 00:21:20.360 --> 00:21:21.019 in church 00:21:21.019 --> 00:21:21.759 while missing 00:21:21.759 --> 00:21:24.000 the greatest opportunities 00:21:24.000 --> 00:21:25.900 in Christ. 00:21:26.900 --> 00:21:27.940 So I ask you today, 00:21:29.120 --> 00:21:29.539 do you know 00:21:29.539 --> 00:21:30.140 the Lord Jesus? 00:21:31.420 --> 00:21:32.160 Has there ever been 00:21:32.160 --> 00:21:33.100 a time in your life 00:21:33.100 --> 00:21:33.740 when you surrender 00:21:33.740 --> 00:21:34.240 your life 00:21:34.240 --> 00:21:35.300 to the Lord Jesus Christ 00:21:35.300 --> 00:21:36.040 and give him control 00:21:36.040 --> 00:21:36.600 of your life? 00:21:38.180 --> 00:21:38.960 I want you to know 00:21:38.960 --> 00:21:40.460 if that's never been the case 00:21:40.460 --> 00:21:41.759 that today's the day 00:21:41.759 --> 00:21:42.340 of salvation. 00:21:43.360 --> 00:21:44.820 That Christ will save you today. 00:21:45.840 --> 00:21:46.660 He'll meet you 00:21:46.660 --> 00:21:47.259 where you are. 00:21:47.360 --> 00:21:48.340 He'll change your life. 00:21:48.820 --> 00:21:49.560 He'll empower you 00:21:49.560 --> 00:21:50.519 with the spirit of God 00:21:50.519 --> 00:21:51.480 and allow you 00:21:51.480 --> 00:21:52.240 the strength 00:21:52.240 --> 00:21:53.080 to live 00:21:53.080 --> 00:21:54.160 in a way 00:21:54.160 --> 00:21:55.120 that pleases him 00:21:55.120 --> 00:21:56.420 even if you're sitting there 00:21:56.420 --> 00:21:57.120 thinking there ain't 00:21:57.120 --> 00:21:57.720 no way in the world 00:21:57.720 --> 00:21:58.560 I could live up to that. 00:21:58.640 --> 00:21:59.040 You're right. 00:21:59.140 --> 00:21:59.920 You couldn't. 00:22:00.120 --> 00:22:00.960 Neither can I. 00:22:01.100 --> 00:22:02.120 Neither can any of us. 00:22:02.160 --> 00:22:03.720 But thank God 00:22:03.720 --> 00:22:04.700 in Christ 00:22:04.700 --> 00:22:05.900 with the power 00:22:05.900 --> 00:22:06.640 of the Holy Spirit 00:22:06.640 --> 00:22:07.019 of God 00:22:07.019 --> 00:22:07.980 living within us 00:22:07.980 --> 00:22:09.660 he enables us 00:22:09.660 --> 00:22:10.840 to live a life 00:22:10.840 --> 00:22:11.720 of faithfulness 00:22:11.720 --> 00:22:12.900 for him. 00:22:13.400 --> 00:22:14.060 Maybe you're here 00:22:14.060 --> 00:22:14.700 and you have 00:22:14.700 --> 00:22:16.000 accepted the Lord. 00:22:16.060 --> 00:22:16.720 You know you're 00:22:16.720 --> 00:22:17.700 a Christian today 00:22:17.700 --> 00:22:19.900 but the reality is 00:22:19.900 --> 00:22:21.980 the reality is 00:22:21.980 --> 00:22:22.600 you know you've got 00:22:22.600 --> 00:22:23.620 people around you 00:22:23.620 --> 00:22:25.279 that need Jesus. 00:22:27.700 --> 00:22:28.940 Isn't it interesting 00:22:28.940 --> 00:22:29.680 and I want you 00:22:29.680 --> 00:22:30.300 to think about this. 00:22:30.299 --> 00:22:32.419 isn't it interesting 00:22:32.419 --> 00:22:34.619 that we will not 00:22:34.619 --> 00:22:36.319 dare have a conversation 00:22:36.319 --> 00:22:37.099 about the Lord 00:22:37.099 --> 00:22:37.839 with a friend 00:22:37.839 --> 00:22:39.379 because we don't 00:22:39.379 --> 00:22:40.019 want to lose 00:22:40.019 --> 00:22:40.759 our friendship. 00:22:42.579 --> 00:22:43.680 Ain't that fascinating? 00:22:44.680 --> 00:22:45.519 I mean think about that 00:22:45.519 --> 00:22:47.579 and if you really 00:22:47.579 --> 00:22:48.460 think about it 00:22:48.460 --> 00:22:49.980 you'll understand 00:22:49.980 --> 00:22:51.379 that that is actually 00:22:51.379 --> 00:22:54.799 a satanic strategy. 00:22:54.799 --> 00:22:58.680 that actually Satan 00:22:58.680 --> 00:23:00.119 will convince us 00:23:00.119 --> 00:23:02.319 to make sure 00:23:02.319 --> 00:23:04.159 that we don't have 00:23:04.159 --> 00:23:05.319 gospel conversations 00:23:05.319 --> 00:23:05.919 with folks 00:23:05.919 --> 00:23:07.000 because we might 00:23:07.000 --> 00:23:07.899 offend them 00:23:07.899 --> 00:23:10.139 and if nobody 00:23:10.139 --> 00:23:10.839 has a gospel 00:23:10.839 --> 00:23:12.099 conversation with them 00:23:12.099 --> 00:23:13.799 they'll never know 00:23:13.799 --> 00:23:14.399 the gospel. 00:23:16.799 --> 00:23:18.039 So will you commit 00:23:18.039 --> 00:23:18.799 today Christian? 00:23:18.799 --> 00:23:21.460 Lord will you lay 00:23:21.460 --> 00:23:22.539 somebody on my heart 00:23:22.539 --> 00:23:25.139 that needs you 00:23:25.139 --> 00:23:26.819 that I just need 00:23:26.819 --> 00:23:27.639 to ask 00:23:27.639 --> 00:23:29.259 has there ever been 00:23:29.259 --> 00:23:30.119 a time in your life 00:23:30.119 --> 00:23:30.579 when you've come 00:23:30.579 --> 00:23:31.359 to the Lord Jesus? 00:23:32.519 --> 00:23:33.359 God will you 00:23:33.359 --> 00:23:34.619 help me 00:23:34.619 --> 00:23:36.259 to have the strength 00:23:36.259 --> 00:23:37.779 to do that very thing? 00:23:38.079 --> 00:23:38.659 Will you lead 00:23:38.659 --> 00:23:39.599 that conversation? 00:23:39.940 --> 00:23:40.460 And I'm just 00:23:40.460 --> 00:23:41.000 going to tell you 00:23:41.000 --> 00:23:41.940 having had many 00:23:41.940 --> 00:23:42.579 of those conversations 00:23:42.579 --> 00:23:42.980 over the years 00:23:42.980 --> 00:23:43.639 I promise you 00:23:43.639 --> 00:23:44.680 that if you'll 00:23:44.680 --> 00:23:45.480 step out 00:23:45.480 --> 00:23:46.980 and start the conversation 00:23:46.980 --> 00:23:48.180 God will take over 00:23:48.180 --> 00:23:48.920 and take care of it. 00:23:49.319 --> 00:23:50.180 You'll be saying stuff 00:23:50.180 --> 00:23:50.519 you don't even know 00:23:50.519 --> 00:23:51.220 where it came from. 00:23:51.700 --> 00:23:52.120 I'll tell you 00:23:52.120 --> 00:23:52.680 where it came from. 00:23:52.759 --> 00:23:53.440 It didn't come from you. 00:23:54.360 --> 00:23:55.220 It came from the Holy Spirit 00:23:55.220 --> 00:23:56.279 of God leading you. 00:23:57.779 --> 00:23:58.140 Now listen 00:23:58.140 --> 00:23:58.620 if you don't know 00:23:58.620 --> 00:23:59.380 the Lord today 00:23:59.380 --> 00:24:00.500 we're going to stand 00:24:00.500 --> 00:24:01.120 and we're going to sing 00:24:01.120 --> 00:24:01.620 in just a moment 00:24:01.620 --> 00:24:02.039 you come down 00:24:02.039 --> 00:24:02.380 and say preacher 00:24:02.380 --> 00:24:03.500 I need to give my life 00:24:03.500 --> 00:24:04.059 to Christ. 00:24:04.220 --> 00:24:04.960 I'd love to guide you 00:24:04.960 --> 00:24:05.319 in that. 00:24:05.940 --> 00:24:06.620 Maybe you do know 00:24:06.620 --> 00:24:07.220 the Lord today 00:24:07.220 --> 00:24:07.880 but you ain't bearing 00:24:07.880 --> 00:24:08.759 enough fruit in your life. 00:24:08.880 --> 00:24:09.759 I mean the reality is 00:24:09.759 --> 00:24:10.599 you're not bearing 00:24:10.599 --> 00:24:11.279 fruit in your life. 00:24:11.980 --> 00:24:12.839 There's not evidence 00:24:12.839 --> 00:24:13.400 in your life. 00:24:13.480 --> 00:24:14.120 There may be some people 00:24:14.120 --> 00:24:14.620 in this building 00:24:14.620 --> 00:24:15.740 wondering if you even 00:24:15.740 --> 00:24:16.359 know the Lord. 00:24:18.880 --> 00:24:19.799 Today will you commit 00:24:19.799 --> 00:24:20.299 your life 00:24:20.299 --> 00:24:22.759 to follow God 00:24:22.759 --> 00:24:23.500 more faithfully? 00:24:24.620 --> 00:24:25.140 Lord I want to make 00:24:25.140 --> 00:24:26.180 a difference for you 00:24:26.180 --> 00:24:28.940 in a world of compromise 00:24:28.940 --> 00:24:32.620 in a nation 00:24:32.620 --> 00:24:36.720 that's slippery down 00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:37.420 a slope 00:24:37.420 --> 00:24:40.559 of sinfulness 00:24:40.559 --> 00:24:41.420 and need 00:24:41.420 --> 00:24:42.539 men of God 00:24:42.539 --> 00:24:43.559 to stand up 00:24:43.559 --> 00:24:46.440 to live it out 00:24:46.440 --> 00:24:47.379 to speak it 00:24:47.379 --> 00:24:49.500 to be bold 00:24:49.500 --> 00:24:51.440 what are you afraid of? 00:24:54.539 --> 00:24:55.299 You got God 00:24:55.299 --> 00:24:56.039 on your side 00:24:56.039 --> 00:24:57.460 you're always 00:24:57.460 --> 00:24:58.019 a majority 00:24:58.019 --> 00:24:59.639 you can rest in that. 00:25:02.019 --> 00:25:02.740 I just want you 00:25:02.740 --> 00:25:03.139 to walk through 00:25:03.139 --> 00:25:03.940 the doors God opens 00:25:03.940 --> 00:25:04.339 and I want you 00:25:04.339 --> 00:25:04.879 to be sensitive 00:25:04.879 --> 00:25:05.539 to see Him. 00:25:06.899 --> 00:25:07.559 If that means 00:25:07.559 --> 00:25:08.279 God's leading you 00:25:08.279 --> 00:25:08.700 to be a part 00:25:08.700 --> 00:25:09.240 of this church 00:25:09.240 --> 00:25:09.879 then you come 00:25:09.879 --> 00:25:10.779 I'd love to guide you 00:25:10.779 --> 00:25:11.359 in that process. 00:25:12.160 --> 00:25:13.200 If you've acknowledged 00:25:13.200 --> 00:25:14.079 Christ in your heart 00:25:14.079 --> 00:25:14.660 but you've never 00:25:14.660 --> 00:25:15.319 made that public 00:25:15.319 --> 00:25:15.859 through baptism 00:25:15.859 --> 00:25:16.500 you come 00:25:16.500 --> 00:25:17.119 you do that. 00:25:17.200 --> 00:25:17.740 I don't know 00:25:17.740 --> 00:25:18.399 what God's saying 00:25:18.399 --> 00:25:18.579 to you 00:25:18.579 --> 00:25:18.899 I know what He 00:25:18.899 --> 00:25:19.559 said to me 00:25:19.559 --> 00:25:22.700 but I just want 00:25:22.700 --> 00:25:23.220 you to be obedient 00:25:23.220 --> 00:25:24.399 today as He speaks 00:25:24.399 --> 00:25:24.759 to your heart 00:25:24.759 --> 00:25:25.000 and life. 00:25:25.099 --> 00:25:25.639 Let's pray together. 00:25:25.920 --> 00:25:26.879 Lord Jesus I love you 00:25:26.879 --> 00:25:27.799 and I thank you Lord 00:25:27.799 --> 00:25:28.460 for your word. 00:25:28.899 --> 00:25:29.399 Thank you Lord 00:25:29.399 --> 00:25:30.160 for the examples 00:25:30.160 --> 00:25:31.059 that you give us 00:25:31.059 --> 00:25:31.920 to learn from 00:25:31.920 --> 00:25:33.099 and I pray dear God 00:25:33.099 --> 00:25:33.779 that it will make 00:25:33.779 --> 00:25:34.160 a difference 00:25:34.160 --> 00:25:34.879 in our lives. 00:25:36.059 --> 00:25:36.920 Lead us right now 00:25:36.920 --> 00:25:37.379 I pray. 00:25:37.380 --> 00:25:39.240 Give us boldness 00:25:39.240 --> 00:25:40.120 beyond ourselves 00:25:40.120 --> 00:25:41.620 in Jesus name. 00:25:42.120 --> 00:25:42.320 Amen.