WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.339 I'm going to take the liberty of telling just a brief story. 00:00:09.339 --> 00:00:09.339 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:30.859 I love that one sometimes. 00:00:32.600 --> 00:00:37.140 I remember when we were searching for Pastor Ken. 00:00:38.939 --> 00:00:50.640 And in God's providence, it just worked out that Judith and I were in the neighborhood of the church that he was ministering at. 00:00:51.659 --> 00:00:55.340 And so we dropped in on his, was it July the 4th part? 00:00:55.780 --> 00:00:56.740 It was the graduation part. 00:00:56.740 --> 00:00:58.000 Graduation part, yeah. 00:00:58.000 --> 00:01:06.599 And, you know, we had gone through the courtship process, asked all kinds of questions, and we were pretty interested. 00:01:07.900 --> 00:01:12.599 And so I showed up there, and it was a party, and they were at a park somewhere. 00:01:13.819 --> 00:01:24.680 And the thing that really struck me was that here we were, we were having this meaningful conversation about his future potential employment. 00:01:24.680 --> 00:01:28.980 And there were a couple kids that needed his help. 00:01:30.180 --> 00:01:35.440 And he excused himself from his interview to go over and take care of those kids. 00:01:35.439 --> 00:01:39.500 That's when I thought it was a good idea to have him come. 00:01:41.459 --> 00:01:43.000 And he hasn't disappointed us. 00:01:44.239 --> 00:01:45.920 So, Pastor, preach your heart out. 00:01:46.719 --> 00:01:46.859 Oh. 00:01:47.579 --> 00:01:48.579 No, don't take this. 00:01:50.659 --> 00:01:51.560 Now, that wasn't bad. 00:01:51.579 --> 00:01:53.180 I thought you were going to say what I said. 00:01:54.140 --> 00:01:54.620 All right. 00:01:54.719 --> 00:01:57.439 Well, if you want to know the rest of the story, you're going to have to ask him since I'm... 00:01:57.439 --> 00:02:07.599 Well, it is a privilege for me to be able to be here with you tonight and just to be able to celebrate and to be a part of this mission conference. 00:02:08.900 --> 00:02:13.500 It's been a long time since I've sang like that, too, so I'm actually feeling it now in my throat a little bit. 00:02:13.840 --> 00:02:14.979 Is this my water, by the way? 00:02:15.000 --> 00:02:15.919 I saw this water here. 00:02:18.860 --> 00:02:19.479 That's all right. 00:02:19.479 --> 00:02:23.219 Because I was like, man, I haven't sung like that in a while. 00:02:25.179 --> 00:02:26.379 So that was really good. 00:02:27.379 --> 00:02:30.579 But I'm really glad to be with you guys here tonight. 00:02:30.639 --> 00:02:35.459 And I've been praying about what I should speak about and what I should share with you tonight. 00:02:35.879 --> 00:02:43.739 And I've been thinking about the theme, you know, being a light in a dark world. 00:02:43.740 --> 00:02:49.939 And just continually going over how I could share that and what I wanted to share in relationship to that. 00:02:51.100 --> 00:02:58.340 And I kept coming back to one passage of Scripture that I want to share with you this evening. 00:02:59.320 --> 00:03:09.740 My difficulty, though, in sharing this with you tonight is the fact that I had the privilege of serving here as youth pastor for 11 years. 00:03:09.740 --> 00:03:12.100 And so you guys know me. 00:03:12.719 --> 00:03:13.860 You know my weaknesses. 00:03:14.600 --> 00:03:15.740 You know my strengths. 00:03:16.480 --> 00:03:17.860 I know your weaknesses. 00:03:18.120 --> 00:03:20.480 For the most part, a lot of you, I know your strengths. 00:03:22.500 --> 00:03:25.939 And really, my message tonight, I feel I'm preaching to your strength. 00:03:28.180 --> 00:03:30.960 So I really struggled with, should I even preach this message? 00:03:31.560 --> 00:03:35.800 But the more that I prayed about it, the more I just felt this is what God wanted me to share. 00:03:36.800 --> 00:03:39.160 So I just want to put that out there at the beginning. 00:03:39.520 --> 00:03:45.939 I'm going to share something with you tonight that I believe, at least from what I have seen when I was here, 00:03:46.520 --> 00:03:49.840 and even from a distance the last eight years, is one of your strengths. 00:03:51.300 --> 00:03:58.460 Now, before I do that, I want to also say that Eileen and I and the girls who are here with us, 00:03:58.500 --> 00:04:00.019 you probably don't recognize them. 00:04:01.120 --> 00:04:02.500 The girls are a little bit older. 00:04:03.500 --> 00:04:05.840 Emily is a senior in high school. 00:04:05.840 --> 00:04:11.360 So those of you who remember when she was born, yes, she's a senior in high school. 00:04:12.319 --> 00:04:13.900 Elise is a sophomore. 00:04:14.599 --> 00:04:16.480 And the boys are out of the house. 00:04:16.840 --> 00:04:20.180 So I don't even know. 00:04:20.180 --> 00:04:25.420 Actually, I think they're both at Summit University, Clark Summit University right now. 00:04:25.959 --> 00:04:27.300 Kevin went out there for the weekend. 00:04:27.459 --> 00:04:29.240 Hey, Rose, I didn't expect to see you here. 00:04:29.680 --> 00:04:30.060 How are you? 00:04:30.060 --> 00:04:34.899 So I want to first of all say thank you. 00:04:36.420 --> 00:04:39.780 Thank you for your faithfulness to us, for your partnership, 00:04:40.019 --> 00:04:45.759 and allowing us to be able to serve for eight years as a lot of missionaries. 00:04:45.759 --> 00:04:54.219 It was eight years ago tomorrow that I resigned as the youth pastor here. 00:04:55.860 --> 00:04:58.599 It's hard to believe that it has been eight years. 00:04:59.079 --> 00:05:00.060 Maybe it hasn't seen it. 00:05:00.240 --> 00:05:02.959 That time for me has just like flown by. 00:05:02.959 --> 00:05:13.959 It has also been 19 years ago since you guys called me to be your pastor as youth pastor. 00:05:14.659 --> 00:05:17.319 And so that history goes way back. 00:05:18.079 --> 00:05:18.659 It's a joy. 00:05:18.759 --> 00:05:21.120 It was really funny when we were up here talking at the very beginning, 00:05:21.359 --> 00:05:22.819 and we were singing one of the songs. 00:05:22.919 --> 00:05:25.879 Megan's like, I don't even think I was alive when you guys did that song. 00:05:26.979 --> 00:05:28.120 So I was like, thanks. 00:05:28.319 --> 00:05:29.620 Now we feel really old. 00:05:29.620 --> 00:05:34.519 And I told Steve because he's like the oldest guy in the band. 00:05:35.899 --> 00:05:41.019 And so I want to show you guys a video just to kind of set the stage for what I want to talk about tonight 00:05:41.019 --> 00:05:46.780 because really I want to talk about the importance of reaching every child everywhere. 00:05:48.000 --> 00:05:49.639 And how do we go about reaching children? 00:05:50.000 --> 00:05:55.560 You know, we had the privilege tonight to hear from some men who are serving in other parts of the world. 00:05:56.120 --> 00:05:58.879 And you know what they call a person who knows three languages? 00:05:59.620 --> 00:06:00.319 Smart. 00:06:01.680 --> 00:06:02.459 Okay, that's a good one. 00:06:02.480 --> 00:06:03.340 I'd go with that too. 00:06:03.759 --> 00:06:04.840 What do they call that person? 00:06:04.980 --> 00:06:06.560 They are trilingual. 00:06:06.720 --> 00:06:07.100 Thank you. 00:06:07.180 --> 00:06:08.860 You know what they call a person who knows two languages? 00:06:09.840 --> 00:06:11.800 Bilingual person who knows one language? 00:06:12.600 --> 00:06:12.959 American. 00:06:13.399 --> 00:06:13.620 Okay. 00:06:14.500 --> 00:06:18.699 So I am American through and through. 00:06:18.699 --> 00:06:22.379 I don't know any other languages. 00:06:24.060 --> 00:06:26.379 Some of you will laugh at me, right? 00:06:26.439 --> 00:06:30.959 Because my Spanish, for those of you who went to Costa Rica with us, is mucho alado. 00:06:30.959 --> 00:06:33.539 So that's my Spanish. 00:06:34.579 --> 00:06:37.019 For those of you who don't know what it means, look it up. 00:06:37.879 --> 00:06:40.579 But that is, I don't know a lot of languages. 00:06:41.379 --> 00:06:50.979 But one of the things that God has really impressed in my heart, while we serve in Virginia and we minister to churches in Maryland, Virginia, North and South Carolina, 00:06:50.980 --> 00:06:55.180 God is really doing some neat things all around the world. 00:06:55.500 --> 00:06:57.000 And so I just want to show this video. 00:06:57.080 --> 00:06:57.920 Jonathan, if you'd play that. 00:06:57.920 --> 00:07:17.319 God is a book. 00:07:18.020 --> 00:07:23.439 He moved the world into a good contentment and a long-term discipleship ministry of the world. 00:07:23.439 --> 00:07:30.560 His heart is for every child, every one, to put their trust in Jesus. 00:07:31.360 --> 00:07:45.860 God is using Obama to raise up kids, parents, pastors, and other adults devoted to knowing the scripture, loving them, and reaching their community with the gospel. 00:07:45.860 --> 00:07:58.319 And we need over 2 million children around the world, having reached the true hope of the gospel, through ministry of Obama. 00:07:59.319 --> 00:08:07.560 From the church of the nine-corner, forever together around the world, Obama is leading a world like ever, 00:08:07.780 --> 00:08:14.100 to entangling and disciple children of the world, and know, love, and serve people. 00:08:14.100 --> 00:08:20.780 God is being transformed by the gospel. 00:08:21.920 --> 00:08:30.480 We are connected with leaders who care for each boy and girl, and are deciding each one to be known of the kind. 00:08:31.760 --> 00:08:39.680 These kids are not just a bloody scripture, but the truth of God's word is truly changing now. 00:08:39.679 --> 00:08:47.039 Through the work of Obama, boys and girls around the world are being reached with the gospel. 00:08:47.500 --> 00:08:54.179 They took on 10 years, and are able to love, have fun, and feel like they belong. 00:08:55.039 --> 00:08:58.379 You can partner with us in making a difference. 00:08:58.379 --> 00:08:59.519 We are just a lot of people. 00:08:59.519 --> 00:08:59.899 We are not just a lot of people. 00:08:59.899 --> 00:09:00.379 We are not just a lot of people. 00:09:00.379 --> 00:09:00.720 We are not just a lot of people. 00:09:00.720 --> 00:09:01.059 We are not just a lot of people. 00:09:01.059 --> 00:09:01.279 We are not just a lot of people. 00:09:01.279 --> 00:09:01.720 We are not just a lot of people. 00:09:01.720 --> 00:09:02.179 We are not just a lot of people. 00:09:02.179 --> 00:09:02.600 We are not just a lot of people. 00:09:02.600 --> 00:09:02.960 We are not just a lot of people. 00:09:02.960 --> 00:09:03.340 We are not just a lot of people. 00:09:03.340 --> 00:09:03.740 We are not just a lot of people. 00:09:03.740 --> 00:09:04.159 We are not just a lot of people. 00:09:04.159 --> 00:09:04.559 We are not just a lot of people. 00:09:04.559 --> 00:09:04.879 We are not just a lot of people. 00:09:04.879 --> 00:09:05.299 We are not just a lot of people. 00:09:05.299 --> 00:09:05.740 We are not just a lot of people. 00:09:05.740 --> 00:09:06.059 We are not just a lot of people. 00:09:06.059 --> 00:09:06.519 We are not just a lot of people. 00:09:06.519 --> 00:09:06.879 It is a lot of people. 00:09:06.879 --> 00:09:09.939 you can reach it and provide everlasting hope. 00:09:10.600 --> 00:09:16.679 You can help change the world through providing for the management and the long-term discipleship. 00:09:17.759 --> 00:09:24.620 Every boy and girl needs to know that God has a plan and a place for them in this story. 00:09:25.480 --> 00:09:28.919 Reach a child, a courage to reach in what is being. 00:09:30.139 --> 00:09:32.279 This is just the meaning. 00:09:33.340 --> 00:09:35.740 Every time, every man. 00:09:35.740 --> 00:10:05.720 Every time, every man. 00:10:05.740 --> 00:10:07.740 Every time, every man. 00:10:07.740 --> 00:10:09.720 Every time, every man. 00:10:09.720 --> 00:10:12.740 Every time, every man. 00:10:14.740 --> 00:10:21.120 Visit the Bible.org slash every time to reach kids among the world. 00:10:21.120 --> 00:10:26.480 So I'd like you to take your Bibles and turn to 1 Thessalonians chapter 2. 00:10:27.840 --> 00:10:29.779 Sometimes I watch that video a lot. 00:10:29.860 --> 00:10:30.600 I show it to churches. 00:10:30.860 --> 00:10:31.440 I go in there. 00:10:31.500 --> 00:10:36.799 And one of the things that it talked about was the 1.8 billion children in the world. 00:10:36.799 --> 00:10:45.299 And I think about, you know, I used to, where I served in Virginia, and as that number expands, 00:10:45.939 --> 00:10:50.339 there's 6.3 million children in the four states that we work with. 00:10:50.340 --> 00:10:54.340 And we're reaching around 100,000 of them. 00:10:54.340 --> 00:11:04.240 And sometimes I start to get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of unbelievers that there are. 00:11:04.240 --> 00:11:07.940 We come to our churches. 00:11:08.620 --> 00:11:09.740 We feel comfortable. 00:11:11.460 --> 00:11:14.700 We have our spots in our pews that we want to sit. 00:11:14.799 --> 00:11:16.740 Thank you for letting me sit in my spot tonight. 00:11:16.860 --> 00:11:17.600 I appreciate that. 00:11:18.460 --> 00:11:21.720 I'm sure Sunday morning somebody will be disappointed if I'm in that spot 00:11:21.720 --> 00:11:23.700 because that spot's probably been taken by somebody else. 00:11:23.879 --> 00:11:26.740 But we all have our spots that we come to. 00:11:27.040 --> 00:11:30.240 And we go to our jobs and we do our work. 00:11:32.279 --> 00:11:39.420 But the number of unbelievers around us is just growing and growing and growing. 00:11:39.419 --> 00:11:47.719 But yet so many of us as believers become more and more content where we are. 00:11:48.559 --> 00:11:49.959 And we're satisfied. 00:11:51.459 --> 00:11:54.979 And we're concerned about things like, 00:11:56.039 --> 00:11:58.019 they didn't play my song today. 00:11:59.179 --> 00:12:03.299 I didn't like what pastor preached on today. 00:12:04.939 --> 00:12:05.519 Whatever. 00:12:05.519 --> 00:12:05.600 Whatever. 00:12:06.240 --> 00:12:10.460 My kid didn't do good enough in their sports this week. 00:12:11.419 --> 00:12:16.480 Rather than this person here that I came into contact with. 00:12:18.759 --> 00:12:19.879 They need Jesus. 00:12:22.379 --> 00:12:23.480 It's the bottom line. 00:12:25.179 --> 00:12:30.819 Some of you might get our newsletter or might see our letter that we send to the church here. 00:12:31.120 --> 00:12:35.399 And we've signed it the same way, I think, for the last six years. 00:12:35.519 --> 00:12:38.860 God's glory. 00:12:39.879 --> 00:12:40.620 What's the second part? 00:12:41.679 --> 00:12:42.519 Lost mankind. 00:12:44.980 --> 00:12:46.480 It's what it's all about, right? 00:12:47.759 --> 00:12:50.939 And so what are we doing to reach that 1.8 million, 00:12:51.799 --> 00:12:54.600 or not, sorry, that's me in my area, 00:12:54.699 --> 00:12:59.039 1.8 billion children around the world? 00:12:59.039 --> 00:13:03.159 And so when we really start to think about that, 00:13:03.259 --> 00:13:04.879 how are we going to reach them? 00:13:05.819 --> 00:13:09.259 Because the task is great. 00:13:09.459 --> 00:13:10.899 The task is huge. 00:13:11.039 --> 00:13:13.919 The task is not something that I can do. 00:13:13.919 --> 00:13:16.759 And when I look to God's word, 00:13:18.039 --> 00:13:19.019 and when I look in, 00:13:19.699 --> 00:13:22.179 sorry, I actually went to the passage I'm going to go to later, 00:13:22.279 --> 00:13:23.139 and now I've got to go back there. 00:13:24.279 --> 00:13:26.659 When I look in 1 Thessalonians 2, 00:13:26.659 --> 00:13:32.699 I want to read verses 5 through 12 tonight. 00:13:32.700 --> 00:13:36.800 And Paul says this, 00:13:36.800 --> 00:13:40.420 For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, 00:13:40.540 --> 00:13:42.660 nor with a pretext for greed. 00:13:43.320 --> 00:13:44.040 God is witness. 00:13:44.720 --> 00:13:46.500 Nor did we seek glory from people, 00:13:46.980 --> 00:13:49.000 whether from you or from others, 00:13:49.860 --> 00:13:52.759 though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. 00:13:52.759 --> 00:13:55.419 But we were gentle among you, 00:13:55.939 --> 00:13:58.840 like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 00:14:00.139 --> 00:14:02.879 So being affectionately desirous of you, 00:14:02.980 --> 00:14:04.700 we were ready to share with you 00:14:04.700 --> 00:14:07.319 not only the gospel of God, 00:14:07.779 --> 00:14:10.399 but also our own selves, 00:14:10.980 --> 00:14:13.899 because you had become very dear to us. 00:14:15.720 --> 00:14:18.419 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil. 00:14:18.620 --> 00:14:20.139 We worked night and day. 00:14:20.139 --> 00:14:24.319 That we might not be a burden to any of you 00:14:24.319 --> 00:14:26.379 while we proclaim to you the gospel of God. 00:14:27.299 --> 00:14:29.399 You are witnesses, and God also, 00:14:29.539 --> 00:14:31.179 how holy and righteous and blameless 00:14:31.179 --> 00:14:33.240 was our conduct toward you believers. 00:14:34.580 --> 00:14:36.860 For you know how, like a father with his children, 00:14:37.120 --> 00:14:38.659 we exhorted each one of you, 00:14:39.019 --> 00:14:40.139 and encouraged each, 00:14:40.600 --> 00:14:43.439 and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, 00:14:43.899 --> 00:14:48.059 who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. 00:14:50.139 --> 00:14:52.779 And so the first thing, 00:14:53.059 --> 00:14:54.639 when I look into this passage, 00:14:54.720 --> 00:14:55.899 and when I start to say, 00:14:56.240 --> 00:14:56.819 how does this, 00:14:56.980 --> 00:15:01.139 what did Paul do when it really came to sharing the gospel? 00:15:01.319 --> 00:15:04.120 What was really at one of the core principles 00:15:04.120 --> 00:15:06.819 of why he was effective in sharing the gospel? 00:15:07.080 --> 00:15:11.439 What was it that he did that he longed for? 00:15:11.539 --> 00:15:13.620 And I really think that if you study, 00:15:13.740 --> 00:15:14.840 and as you look at this passage, 00:15:15.159 --> 00:15:16.679 and you look at verse eight, 00:15:16.679 --> 00:15:19.779 in verse eight, Paul says this, 00:15:19.839 --> 00:15:20.079 he says, 00:15:20.159 --> 00:15:22.639 so being affectionately desirous of you, 00:15:23.959 --> 00:15:25.620 we were ready to share with you 00:15:25.620 --> 00:15:27.699 not only the gospel of God, 00:15:28.219 --> 00:15:30.859 but also our own selves. 00:15:34.500 --> 00:15:36.839 See, a lot of us are willing to go and do something. 00:15:38.059 --> 00:15:39.959 You know, some of you might be willing 00:15:39.959 --> 00:15:42.019 to drop a track at dinner. 00:15:42.019 --> 00:15:45.699 You might be willing to go out 00:15:45.699 --> 00:15:47.100 and knock on somebody's door. 00:15:48.360 --> 00:15:50.799 You might be willing to talk to somebody. 00:15:53.220 --> 00:15:55.240 But see, here Paul shared, 00:15:55.360 --> 00:15:58.100 it wasn't just that he wanted to share with you the gospel. 00:15:59.340 --> 00:16:00.159 It was, 00:16:01.179 --> 00:16:03.100 I'm gonna share myself with you. 00:16:03.100 --> 00:16:07.980 It wasn't just about the truth of the gospel. 00:16:08.139 --> 00:16:08.920 Yes, this is, 00:16:09.040 --> 00:16:09.960 that's greatly important, 00:16:10.040 --> 00:16:11.080 and I don't wanna neglect that, 00:16:11.159 --> 00:16:11.580 and so we're gonna, 00:16:11.740 --> 00:16:13.420 we're gonna come back around to that. 00:16:13.779 --> 00:16:16.440 But it was about this relationship 00:16:16.440 --> 00:16:18.700 that he had. 00:16:20.240 --> 00:16:21.500 See, God didn't give us, 00:16:21.680 --> 00:16:23.200 God didn't intend for us 00:16:23.200 --> 00:16:25.580 in our relationships to be alone, right? 00:16:26.580 --> 00:16:27.779 What did he say about Adam? 00:16:28.340 --> 00:16:29.519 Remember, I'm a response, 00:16:29.779 --> 00:16:30.800 I like feedback, 00:16:31.279 --> 00:16:32.519 so you guys gotta help me here. 00:16:32.519 --> 00:16:33.000 Okay? 00:16:34.079 --> 00:16:35.759 What did God say about Adam? 00:16:37.519 --> 00:16:38.980 It's not good for him to be alone, 00:16:39.079 --> 00:16:39.740 so what did he do? 00:16:41.500 --> 00:16:42.439 Made Eve, right? 00:16:42.860 --> 00:16:44.500 What do we also see later on, 00:16:44.639 --> 00:16:46.019 and I can't think of the book, 00:16:46.340 --> 00:16:47.259 where it says, 00:16:48.340 --> 00:16:51.019 a man who finds a wife 00:16:51.019 --> 00:16:54.519 finds a good thing, right? 00:16:55.100 --> 00:16:55.419 Why? 00:16:55.519 --> 00:16:58.039 Because God didn't intend for us to be alone, did he? 00:16:58.039 --> 00:17:02.059 Even as we go through, 00:17:02.399 --> 00:17:03.919 and we see the importance, 00:17:04.079 --> 00:17:07.279 we have in 1 Corinthians 12, 00:17:07.819 --> 00:17:09.480 we see a picture of the body, 00:17:09.940 --> 00:17:11.759 whether, no matter what your gifts are, 00:17:11.879 --> 00:17:14.259 no matter how great you might think you are, 00:17:14.460 --> 00:17:16.319 or how lowly you might think you are, 00:17:16.420 --> 00:17:16.899 guess what? 00:17:16.940 --> 00:17:17.960 In the body of Christ, 00:17:18.180 --> 00:17:19.019 you are needed, 00:17:19.019 --> 00:17:22.000 and there is a part that we all have, 00:17:22.079 --> 00:17:23.539 and we have to work together 00:17:23.539 --> 00:17:27.000 to accomplish what God wants us to do in his church. 00:17:29.240 --> 00:17:31.519 Relationships are of vital importance. 00:17:32.200 --> 00:17:33.859 We have to have them, 00:17:33.859 --> 00:17:37.119 and as I was thinking about this, 00:17:37.159 --> 00:17:37.979 and why, again, 00:17:38.039 --> 00:17:40.179 when it came back to me thinking about this passage, 00:17:40.699 --> 00:17:42.179 and preaching tonight 00:17:42.179 --> 00:17:45.179 about the topic of relationships 00:17:45.179 --> 00:17:46.479 and sharing the gospel, 00:17:48.659 --> 00:17:49.119 I remind, 00:17:49.399 --> 00:17:51.339 it just kept flooding my mind. 00:17:52.879 --> 00:17:53.599 Pastor Knoyer, 00:17:53.779 --> 00:17:55.719 why was it that we went to doing small groups? 00:17:58.519 --> 00:17:59.159 Was it, 00:17:59.439 --> 00:18:01.679 and I shared this with Pastor Andrew, 00:18:02.679 --> 00:18:03.740 is that today? 00:18:04.019 --> 00:18:04.379 It was. 00:18:04.399 --> 00:18:05.599 That was earlier today we were talking. 00:18:06.859 --> 00:18:08.740 It wasn't that preaching on Sunday night 00:18:08.740 --> 00:18:09.599 was a bad thing, 00:18:10.240 --> 00:18:10.879 right? 00:18:11.759 --> 00:18:12.859 Is somebody in here gonna say 00:18:12.859 --> 00:18:14.259 preaching on Sunday night was a bad thing? 00:18:14.439 --> 00:18:15.299 I don't think so. 00:18:16.939 --> 00:18:18.539 But small groups was a better thing. 00:18:20.619 --> 00:18:22.000 And it helped the body 00:18:22.000 --> 00:18:23.740 to grow. 00:18:23.979 --> 00:18:24.339 Why? 00:18:24.899 --> 00:18:25.979 Because of relationships. 00:18:27.859 --> 00:18:28.599 Relationship with what? 00:18:28.699 --> 00:18:29.859 Does anybody remember what Pastor Andrew said? 00:18:30.240 --> 00:18:31.299 See, I always remember these things, 00:18:31.439 --> 00:18:32.019 Pastor preach. 00:18:32.019 --> 00:18:34.180 Pastor's like, 00:18:34.259 --> 00:18:35.099 wow, I didn't know that. 00:18:35.680 --> 00:18:37.000 Because Alistair Begg always used to say, 00:18:37.160 --> 00:18:37.339 right? 00:18:37.779 --> 00:18:39.519 Never underestimate the ability of God's people 00:18:39.519 --> 00:18:40.519 to forget what you just said. 00:18:44.000 --> 00:18:46.019 Relationships with teeth. 00:18:46.019 --> 00:18:48.400 Not just accountability, 00:18:48.680 --> 00:18:49.480 but with some teeth. 00:18:50.160 --> 00:18:51.920 Something that's really gonna help us to grow. 00:18:52.339 --> 00:18:53.139 Several years ago, 00:18:53.200 --> 00:18:53.660 there was a book, 00:18:53.740 --> 00:18:54.859 some of you that are youth leaders 00:18:54.859 --> 00:18:55.379 might remember, 00:18:55.500 --> 00:18:56.700 we actually gave out this book 00:18:56.700 --> 00:18:57.480 to some of our youth leaders 00:18:57.480 --> 00:18:58.160 called Hurt. 00:18:59.079 --> 00:19:00.839 And it talked about youth culture 00:19:00.839 --> 00:19:02.559 and how it used to be 00:19:02.559 --> 00:19:03.959 that you needed to have 00:19:03.959 --> 00:19:06.759 mom and dad were really around 00:19:06.759 --> 00:19:08.379 and so kids really succeeded. 00:19:08.819 --> 00:19:09.939 But in today's culture, 00:19:10.039 --> 00:19:11.799 that they need at least five adults 00:19:11.799 --> 00:19:14.539 investing in every one young person's life 00:19:14.539 --> 00:19:18.659 in order to help them succeed in life. 00:19:19.039 --> 00:19:20.019 They needed more. 00:19:20.159 --> 00:19:21.339 It used to be mom and dad, 00:19:21.439 --> 00:19:22.359 grandma and grandpa lived here, 00:19:22.500 --> 00:19:24.459 but that wasn't the way culture was. 00:19:24.599 --> 00:19:26.240 It wasn't the way our society was anymore. 00:19:26.720 --> 00:19:28.180 So kids needed five adults. 00:19:28.299 --> 00:19:29.400 We actually put a tree 00:19:29.400 --> 00:19:30.859 out on the bulletin board 00:19:30.859 --> 00:19:32.700 that has now been demolished 00:19:32.700 --> 00:19:34.019 and replaced 00:19:34.019 --> 00:19:36.279 and it's no longer there. 00:19:36.319 --> 00:19:37.579 But there was this big tree 00:19:37.579 --> 00:19:41.059 and we had all these students' names on it. 00:19:41.960 --> 00:19:43.859 And we asked people to take their names 00:19:43.859 --> 00:19:44.759 and to pray for them 00:19:44.759 --> 00:19:46.559 and to care for them 00:19:46.559 --> 00:19:47.620 and to love on them. 00:19:48.579 --> 00:19:49.019 Why? 00:19:49.500 --> 00:19:52.200 Because relationships are of vital importance 00:19:52.200 --> 00:19:54.359 to help us to grow 00:19:54.359 --> 00:19:55.920 in our walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:19:56.720 --> 00:19:58.559 We have to have these relationships. 00:19:58.740 --> 00:20:00.359 If we don't have these relationships, 00:20:00.620 --> 00:20:02.880 we're ultimately going to be left alone. 00:20:04.099 --> 00:20:05.380 And when we're left alone 00:20:05.380 --> 00:20:07.279 and we find ourselves in isolation, 00:20:07.740 --> 00:20:10.000 it's so easy to walk out the door 00:20:10.000 --> 00:20:12.539 and to walk away from the church. 00:20:14.900 --> 00:20:16.680 And when we walk away from the church, 00:20:16.759 --> 00:20:19.420 we become lunch for the lion. 00:20:19.420 --> 00:20:23.539 And so we have to make sure 00:20:23.539 --> 00:20:26.100 that those relationships keep us connected. 00:20:26.480 --> 00:20:28.160 And so Paul in this passage says 00:20:28.160 --> 00:20:30.160 he didn't just want to share the gospel. 00:20:30.640 --> 00:20:32.519 It was more than just that. 00:20:33.160 --> 00:20:34.620 It was more than just the point 00:20:34.620 --> 00:20:35.640 of sharing the gospel, 00:20:35.940 --> 00:20:39.720 but he was affectionately desirous of you 00:20:39.720 --> 00:20:42.880 and he wanted to share his life. 00:20:42.880 --> 00:20:48.340 But you know what? 00:20:48.380 --> 00:20:49.720 We also have to make sure 00:20:49.720 --> 00:20:51.920 that there is biblical engagement. 00:20:52.960 --> 00:20:55.560 I oftentimes think of my boys. 00:20:56.920 --> 00:20:59.600 Some of you know that some of my, 00:20:59.660 --> 00:21:00.360 I mentioned earlier, 00:21:00.480 --> 00:21:02.140 you know my weaknesses and my strengths, right? 00:21:02.200 --> 00:21:03.980 So one of my weaknesses, 00:21:04.480 --> 00:21:05.440 some people would say, 00:21:05.520 --> 00:21:07.360 is that I like to play strategy games. 00:21:07.359 --> 00:21:07.759 Okay? 00:21:08.979 --> 00:21:11.479 And my boys have actually gotten 00:21:11.479 --> 00:21:13.479 to be pretty good at these games also. 00:21:14.859 --> 00:21:16.799 Although I don't normally let them beat me, 00:21:17.439 --> 00:21:18.219 I still win. 00:21:18.939 --> 00:21:21.259 But they're getting better at them. 00:21:22.039 --> 00:21:23.559 Tom, I think you can relate to this, right? 00:21:24.299 --> 00:21:24.479 Okay. 00:21:26.000 --> 00:21:27.000 Tom always wins. 00:21:27.159 --> 00:21:28.559 No, I don't think that's true anymore. 00:21:29.000 --> 00:21:29.279 Yes. 00:21:29.399 --> 00:21:30.559 Tom's like, no, not anymore. 00:21:31.079 --> 00:21:35.299 But if the things that I teach my children 00:21:35.299 --> 00:21:38.619 are, you know what? 00:21:38.680 --> 00:21:39.799 I also love sports. 00:21:40.359 --> 00:21:42.599 And so I teach them to love sports. 00:21:43.619 --> 00:21:46.159 And I teach them to be good at strategy games. 00:21:47.059 --> 00:21:49.419 And I teach them how to drive. 00:21:50.460 --> 00:21:53.279 And I teach them how to be wise stewards 00:21:53.279 --> 00:21:54.279 of their finances. 00:21:56.500 --> 00:21:59.019 The world might look at them and say, 00:21:59.019 --> 00:22:01.419 that is a successful young man. 00:22:01.420 --> 00:22:05.200 But I as a parent, 00:22:05.900 --> 00:22:06.779 I as a father, 00:22:07.820 --> 00:22:08.220 failed. 00:22:10.779 --> 00:22:13.740 Because it isn't just about the relationship. 00:22:13.980 --> 00:22:15.620 The relationship is important. 00:22:15.980 --> 00:22:17.240 And we have to make sure 00:22:17.240 --> 00:22:21.200 that we are being intentionally focused 00:22:21.200 --> 00:22:24.320 when it comes to that relationship. 00:22:26.259 --> 00:22:27.840 But we also have to make sure 00:22:27.840 --> 00:22:28.880 that we balance it 00:22:28.880 --> 00:22:30.920 with scriptural truth. 00:22:30.920 --> 00:22:32.160 I want you to turn over 00:22:32.160 --> 00:22:33.240 in your Bible 00:22:33.240 --> 00:22:35.279 to Deuteronomy chapter 32. 00:22:44.340 --> 00:22:45.960 Deuteronomy chapter 32. 00:22:46.660 --> 00:22:48.000 We'll do a little review here. 00:22:48.039 --> 00:22:49.100 Who can tell me what's happening? 00:22:50.160 --> 00:22:50.900 Some of you are like, 00:22:50.940 --> 00:22:51.200 I don't know, 00:22:51.240 --> 00:22:52.880 I never looked at Deuteronomy chapter 32. 00:22:55.180 --> 00:22:56.340 Deuteronomy chapter 32. 00:22:56.420 --> 00:22:57.019 What's going on? 00:22:57.019 --> 00:22:57.060 What's going on? 00:23:01.680 --> 00:23:03.140 Yes, pastor bailed you out. 00:23:03.320 --> 00:23:03.500 Okay? 00:23:03.759 --> 00:23:06.740 Moses is preaching his final message. 00:23:06.860 --> 00:23:07.140 Why? 00:23:07.380 --> 00:23:08.320 What's about to happen? 00:23:08.480 --> 00:23:09.220 The children of Israel 00:23:09.220 --> 00:23:10.140 are about to go 00:23:10.140 --> 00:23:12.400 into the promised land. 00:23:12.460 --> 00:23:14.060 And where's Moses going to go? 00:23:15.500 --> 00:23:16.420 He's going to die. 00:23:17.200 --> 00:23:18.600 He does not get to go 00:23:18.600 --> 00:23:19.400 into the promised land. 00:23:20.100 --> 00:23:21.500 And Moses knows this. 00:23:22.120 --> 00:23:23.519 And so Moses is speaking 00:23:23.519 --> 00:23:26.720 to the children of Israel 00:23:26.720 --> 00:23:28.519 for his very last time. 00:23:29.759 --> 00:23:32.879 And he gets down to verse 44. 00:23:34.200 --> 00:23:35.019 And this is where I want 00:23:35.019 --> 00:23:36.279 to start reading here. 00:23:37.879 --> 00:23:39.240 Deuteronomy chapter 32 00:23:39.240 --> 00:23:40.660 starting verse 44 says, 00:23:40.660 --> 00:23:42.140 Moses came and recited 00:23:42.140 --> 00:23:43.680 all the words of this song 00:23:43.680 --> 00:23:44.960 in the hearing of the people. 00:23:45.380 --> 00:23:46.259 He and Joshua, 00:23:46.400 --> 00:23:47.060 the son of Nun. 00:23:48.100 --> 00:23:49.620 And when Moses had finished 00:23:49.620 --> 00:23:51.279 speaking all these words 00:23:51.279 --> 00:23:53.600 to all Israel, 00:23:53.720 --> 00:23:54.600 he said to them, 00:23:55.480 --> 00:23:57.640 take to heart all the words 00:23:57.640 --> 00:24:00.100 by which I am warning you today 00:24:00.100 --> 00:24:02.660 that you may command them 00:24:02.660 --> 00:24:03.400 to your children 00:24:03.400 --> 00:24:06.140 that they may be careful 00:24:06.140 --> 00:24:07.800 to do all the words 00:24:07.799 --> 00:24:08.839 of this law. 00:24:10.379 --> 00:24:12.180 For it is no empty word 00:24:12.180 --> 00:24:12.839 for you, 00:24:13.299 --> 00:24:15.599 but your very life. 00:24:17.000 --> 00:24:18.119 And by this word 00:24:18.119 --> 00:24:19.240 you shall live long 00:24:19.240 --> 00:24:19.740 in the land 00:24:19.740 --> 00:24:20.419 that you are going 00:24:20.419 --> 00:24:21.139 over the Jordan 00:24:21.139 --> 00:24:22.240 to possess it. 00:24:24.619 --> 00:24:25.299 You know what? 00:24:25.419 --> 00:24:26.639 I know there's a lot of you 00:24:26.639 --> 00:24:28.119 in here who have lost loved ones. 00:24:30.099 --> 00:24:31.559 And you know what happens 00:24:31.559 --> 00:24:32.879 when somebody is 00:24:32.879 --> 00:24:33.919 on their deathbed 00:24:33.919 --> 00:24:34.759 and they know 00:24:34.759 --> 00:24:35.559 that they're getting ready 00:24:35.559 --> 00:24:36.740 to pass into eternity? 00:24:36.740 --> 00:24:38.700 What do they want to do? 00:24:40.620 --> 00:24:41.920 They want to get 00:24:41.920 --> 00:24:43.279 their family together. 00:24:43.819 --> 00:24:43.980 Right? 00:24:44.279 --> 00:24:45.099 They want to see 00:24:45.099 --> 00:24:46.299 maybe a sibling 00:24:46.299 --> 00:24:47.460 or those kind of things. 00:24:47.539 --> 00:24:48.519 I remember when my mom 00:24:48.519 --> 00:24:49.000 was sick 00:24:49.000 --> 00:24:49.900 and she knew 00:24:49.900 --> 00:24:50.759 that she was coming 00:24:50.759 --> 00:24:52.500 to the end of her days. 00:24:52.980 --> 00:24:53.740 She wanted different 00:24:53.740 --> 00:24:54.480 family relatives 00:24:54.480 --> 00:24:55.140 to come in 00:24:55.140 --> 00:24:56.359 and she wanted to 00:24:56.359 --> 00:24:57.400 just see them 00:24:57.400 --> 00:24:58.099 one more time. 00:25:00.079 --> 00:25:00.920 And she wanted 00:25:00.920 --> 00:25:01.900 to share with them 00:25:01.900 --> 00:25:03.940 one more time. 00:25:04.019 --> 00:25:05.019 Just one thing. 00:25:05.279 --> 00:25:06.099 Like for my uncle 00:25:06.099 --> 00:25:06.599 it was something 00:25:06.599 --> 00:25:07.179 for my aunt 00:25:07.179 --> 00:25:07.740 for my grandpa 00:25:07.740 --> 00:25:08.699 for everybody. 00:25:09.059 --> 00:25:09.779 There was something 00:25:09.779 --> 00:25:10.539 different that she 00:25:10.539 --> 00:25:11.740 wanted to make sure 00:25:11.740 --> 00:25:13.919 that they knew 00:25:13.919 --> 00:25:16.399 and that they remembered. 00:25:17.500 --> 00:25:18.099 Because see 00:25:18.099 --> 00:25:18.619 when we come 00:25:18.619 --> 00:25:19.819 to the end of our life 00:25:19.819 --> 00:25:20.939 it's like we know 00:25:20.939 --> 00:25:22.039 that we want to make sure 00:25:22.039 --> 00:25:22.959 that we have that opportunity 00:25:22.959 --> 00:25:25.099 to say what's most important. 00:25:25.419 --> 00:25:26.359 All these other things 00:25:26.359 --> 00:25:27.219 don't matter anymore. 00:25:27.879 --> 00:25:28.319 This 00:25:28.319 --> 00:25:30.219 is what you have 00:25:30.219 --> 00:25:30.759 to know. 00:25:32.199 --> 00:25:32.959 And that's what 00:25:32.959 --> 00:25:33.959 Moses is doing here. 00:25:33.960 --> 00:25:34.900 And so Moses 00:25:34.900 --> 00:25:35.380 goes through 00:25:35.380 --> 00:25:36.759 and he reminds 00:25:36.759 --> 00:25:37.680 the people of Israel 00:25:37.680 --> 00:25:38.579 the children of Israel 00:25:38.579 --> 00:25:39.259 all the things 00:25:39.259 --> 00:25:40.000 that God had done 00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:40.279 for them 00:25:40.279 --> 00:25:41.120 all the things 00:25:41.120 --> 00:25:42.079 how God had provided 00:25:42.079 --> 00:25:42.480 for them 00:25:42.480 --> 00:25:43.039 the lessons 00:25:43.039 --> 00:25:44.539 that he brought 00:25:44.539 --> 00:25:45.000 them through 00:25:45.000 --> 00:25:45.759 all of the different 00:25:45.759 --> 00:25:46.100 things 00:25:46.100 --> 00:25:47.120 and he says 00:25:47.120 --> 00:25:47.779 to the people 00:25:47.779 --> 00:25:48.220 of Israel 00:25:48.220 --> 00:25:48.620 he says 00:25:48.620 --> 00:25:49.539 take to heart 00:25:49.539 --> 00:25:50.579 all the words 00:25:50.579 --> 00:25:51.180 that I'm warning 00:25:51.180 --> 00:25:51.840 to you this day 00:25:51.840 --> 00:25:53.019 then down in verse 47 00:25:53.019 --> 00:25:54.579 it is no empty 00:25:54.579 --> 00:25:55.200 word for you 00:25:55.200 --> 00:25:55.920 but it is your 00:25:55.920 --> 00:25:56.980 very life. 00:25:58.380 --> 00:25:58.779 In other words 00:25:58.779 --> 00:25:59.840 everything else 00:25:59.840 --> 00:26:00.720 this is the most 00:26:00.720 --> 00:26:01.400 important thing 00:26:01.400 --> 00:26:02.060 that you can do 00:26:02.060 --> 00:26:04.240 is to make sure 00:26:04.240 --> 00:26:04.960 that your children 00:26:04.960 --> 00:26:05.759 know and understand 00:26:05.759 --> 00:26:06.700 the word of God 00:26:06.700 --> 00:26:09.920 and that's why 00:26:09.920 --> 00:26:10.759 I said earlier 00:26:10.759 --> 00:26:11.440 if the only thing 00:26:11.440 --> 00:26:12.240 I teach my boys 00:26:12.240 --> 00:26:12.900 is all these 00:26:12.900 --> 00:26:13.460 different things 00:26:13.460 --> 00:26:14.280 about knowing 00:26:14.280 --> 00:26:14.880 how to drive 00:26:14.880 --> 00:26:16.080 and being good 00:26:16.080 --> 00:26:16.780 with finances 00:26:16.780 --> 00:26:18.120 and loving sports 00:26:18.120 --> 00:26:20.000 and being good 00:26:20.000 --> 00:26:20.780 at strategy games 00:26:20.780 --> 00:26:21.560 if those are the things 00:26:21.560 --> 00:26:22.000 that I've taught 00:26:22.000 --> 00:26:22.460 my sons 00:26:22.460 --> 00:26:23.280 then I've failed 00:26:23.280 --> 00:26:26.320 because they have 00:26:26.320 --> 00:26:27.140 to know 00:26:27.140 --> 00:26:29.140 the truths 00:26:29.140 --> 00:26:29.800 of God's words. 00:26:31.400 --> 00:26:33.320 but on the other 00:26:33.320 --> 00:26:34.360 side of it 00:26:34.360 --> 00:26:38.140 is if the only thing 00:26:38.140 --> 00:26:38.820 I ever tell them 00:26:38.820 --> 00:26:39.160 is this 00:26:39.160 --> 00:26:39.720 but there's no 00:26:39.720 --> 00:26:40.400 relationship 00:26:40.400 --> 00:26:41.060 to go along 00:26:41.060 --> 00:26:41.480 with it 00:26:41.480 --> 00:26:45.640 I lose 00:26:45.640 --> 00:26:47.259 that opportunity 00:26:47.259 --> 00:26:49.120 to speak 00:26:49.120 --> 00:26:50.060 into their lives 00:26:50.060 --> 00:26:53.000 because see 00:26:53.000 --> 00:26:53.460 the reason 00:26:53.460 --> 00:26:54.420 why relationships 00:26:54.420 --> 00:26:55.580 are so powerful 00:26:55.580 --> 00:26:57.019 is because 00:26:57.019 --> 00:26:57.960 it allows us 00:26:57.960 --> 00:26:58.840 the opportunity 00:26:58.839 --> 00:27:00.179 to speak 00:27:00.179 --> 00:27:00.959 into somebody 00:27:00.959 --> 00:27:02.000 else's life 00:27:02.000 --> 00:27:06.099 I have always 00:27:06.099 --> 00:27:06.459 said 00:27:06.459 --> 00:27:08.579 and I know 00:27:08.579 --> 00:27:09.099 some in here 00:27:09.099 --> 00:27:09.519 will disagree 00:27:09.519 --> 00:27:10.019 with me 00:27:10.019 --> 00:27:11.699 but I have 00:27:11.699 --> 00:27:12.480 always said 00:27:12.480 --> 00:27:15.039 that I am not 00:27:15.039 --> 00:27:16.319 a very good 00:27:16.319 --> 00:27:16.759 teacher 00:27:16.759 --> 00:27:20.459 but I'm really 00:27:20.459 --> 00:27:21.299 good at relationships 00:27:21.299 --> 00:27:24.299 and because I'm 00:27:24.299 --> 00:27:25.220 good at relationships 00:27:25.220 --> 00:27:27.619 people will want 00:27:27.619 --> 00:27:28.220 to hear what I have 00:27:28.220 --> 00:27:28.579 to say 00:27:28.579 --> 00:27:29.880 and they'll 00:27:29.880 --> 00:27:30.960 listen to it 00:27:30.960 --> 00:27:33.720 a lot of the 00:27:33.720 --> 00:27:34.120 young people 00:27:34.120 --> 00:27:34.920 that have been 00:27:34.920 --> 00:27:35.440 a part of our 00:27:35.440 --> 00:27:35.799 youth group 00:27:35.799 --> 00:27:36.620 they'll probably 00:27:36.620 --> 00:27:36.920 tell you 00:27:36.920 --> 00:27:37.279 yeah he wasn't 00:27:37.279 --> 00:27:37.779 really all that 00:27:37.779 --> 00:27:37.940 good 00:27:37.940 --> 00:27:41.819 but the 00:27:41.819 --> 00:27:42.400 relationship 00:27:42.400 --> 00:27:44.100 that went 00:27:44.100 --> 00:27:44.819 along with it 00:27:44.819 --> 00:27:46.819 that's what 00:27:46.819 --> 00:27:47.079 made the 00:27:47.079 --> 00:27:47.480 difference 00:27:47.480 --> 00:27:50.640 you know 00:27:50.640 --> 00:27:51.059 we serve 00:27:51.059 --> 00:27:51.500 with Awana 00:27:51.500 --> 00:27:51.880 now 00:27:51.880 --> 00:27:53.259 and we've 00:27:53.259 --> 00:27:53.620 gone through 00:27:53.620 --> 00:27:54.200 some changes 00:27:54.200 --> 00:27:54.759 and tomorrow 00:27:54.759 --> 00:27:55.180 night we're 00:27:55.180 --> 00:27:55.600 going to talk 00:27:55.600 --> 00:27:56.579 about things 00:27:56.579 --> 00:27:57.019 that have gone 00:27:57.019 --> 00:27:57.579 on for us 00:27:57.579 --> 00:27:58.079 personally 00:27:58.079 --> 00:28:01.599 and this 00:28:01.599 --> 00:28:02.180 last year 00:28:02.180 --> 00:28:02.639 Awana has 00:28:02.639 --> 00:28:03.000 made some 00:28:03.000 --> 00:28:03.639 changes with 00:28:03.639 --> 00:28:04.639 their books 00:28:04.639 --> 00:28:05.180 and a lot 00:28:05.180 --> 00:28:05.539 of people 00:28:05.539 --> 00:28:06.319 have struggled 00:28:06.319 --> 00:28:06.779 with the 00:28:06.779 --> 00:28:07.319 philosophical 00:28:07.319 --> 00:28:08.059 change 00:28:08.059 --> 00:28:10.160 that Awana 00:28:10.160 --> 00:28:10.700 has made 00:28:10.700 --> 00:28:12.680 because Awana 00:28:12.680 --> 00:28:13.379 has no longer 00:28:13.379 --> 00:28:14.420 become performance 00:28:14.420 --> 00:28:14.779 driven 00:28:14.779 --> 00:28:16.460 it has become 00:28:16.460 --> 00:28:17.019 relationship 00:28:17.019 --> 00:28:17.420 driven 00:28:17.420 --> 00:28:19.839 it's no longer 00:28:19.839 --> 00:28:20.519 about how many 00:28:20.519 --> 00:28:21.259 kids can we have 00:28:21.259 --> 00:28:22.279 finish their books 00:28:22.279 --> 00:28:24.139 but how many 00:28:24.139 --> 00:28:24.660 kids can we 00:28:24.660 --> 00:28:25.139 make sure 00:28:25.139 --> 00:28:25.599 know and 00:28:25.599 --> 00:28:25.980 understand 00:28:25.980 --> 00:28:26.599 each of the 00:28:26.599 --> 00:28:27.039 verses that 00:28:27.039 --> 00:28:27.579 they learn 00:28:27.579 --> 00:28:27.980 each and 00:28:27.980 --> 00:28:28.420 every week 00:28:28.420 --> 00:28:31.220 and that 00:28:31.220 --> 00:28:31.639 becomes a 00:28:31.639 --> 00:28:32.039 challenge 00:28:32.039 --> 00:28:34.420 because now 00:28:34.420 --> 00:28:35.160 it's not just 00:28:35.160 --> 00:28:35.839 about I come 00:28:35.839 --> 00:28:36.299 to Awana 00:28:36.299 --> 00:28:36.920 and I listen 00:28:36.920 --> 00:28:37.299 to a kid 00:28:37.299 --> 00:28:37.879 say a verse 00:28:37.879 --> 00:28:40.579 but it's 00:28:40.579 --> 00:28:41.920 a kid comes 00:28:41.920 --> 00:28:42.399 to Awana 00:28:42.399 --> 00:28:43.220 and I sit 00:28:43.220 --> 00:28:43.559 down with 00:28:43.559 --> 00:28:43.740 them 00:28:43.740 --> 00:28:44.119 and I 00:28:44.119 --> 00:28:44.700 explain 00:28:44.700 --> 00:28:45.779 what that 00:28:45.779 --> 00:28:45.940 verse 00:28:45.940 --> 00:28:46.379 means to 00:28:46.379 --> 00:28:46.579 them 00:28:46.579 --> 00:28:47.799 and how 00:28:47.799 --> 00:28:48.160 it applies 00:28:48.160 --> 00:28:48.460 to their 00:28:48.460 --> 00:28:48.879 lives 00:28:48.880 --> 00:28:50.700 whoa 00:28:50.700 --> 00:28:53.340 there's a lot 00:28:53.340 --> 00:28:53.680 of leaders 00:28:53.680 --> 00:28:53.960 that aren't 00:28:53.960 --> 00:28:54.340 ready for 00:28:54.340 --> 00:28:54.580 that 00:28:54.580 --> 00:28:56.480 they're not 00:28:56.480 --> 00:28:56.880 ready to 00:28:56.880 --> 00:28:57.300 step into 00:28:57.300 --> 00:28:57.900 that space 00:28:57.900 --> 00:28:58.920 to have a 00:28:58.920 --> 00:28:59.240 spiritual 00:28:59.240 --> 00:28:59.880 conversation 00:28:59.880 --> 00:29:00.240 with a 00:29:00.240 --> 00:29:00.540 third or 00:29:00.540 --> 00:29:00.920 fourth or 00:29:00.920 --> 00:29:01.240 fifth or 00:29:01.240 --> 00:29:01.820 sixth grader 00:29:01.820 --> 00:29:04.040 because they're 00:29:04.040 --> 00:29:04.940 going to get 00:29:04.940 --> 00:29:05.300 asked some 00:29:05.300 --> 00:29:05.740 questions 00:29:05.740 --> 00:29:07.580 and they're 00:29:07.580 --> 00:29:08.060 like I don't 00:29:08.060 --> 00:29:08.320 know the 00:29:08.320 --> 00:29:08.620 answer to 00:29:08.620 --> 00:29:09.040 that question 00:29:09.040 --> 00:29:09.340 and I don't 00:29:09.340 --> 00:29:09.620 want to 00:29:09.620 --> 00:29:10.060 answer that 00:29:10.060 --> 00:29:10.440 question 00:29:10.440 --> 00:29:12.200 but when we 00:29:12.200 --> 00:29:12.840 get to talk 00:29:12.840 --> 00:29:13.080 to them 00:29:13.080 --> 00:29:13.660 about God's 00:29:13.660 --> 00:29:13.940 word 00:29:13.940 --> 00:29:15.720 and how it 00:29:15.720 --> 00:29:16.200 impacts their 00:29:16.200 --> 00:29:16.600 life 00:29:16.600 --> 00:29:18.120 what an 00:29:18.120 --> 00:29:18.580 awesome 00:29:18.579 --> 00:29:19.179 opportunity 00:29:19.179 --> 00:29:21.599 what an 00:29:21.599 --> 00:29:22.079 awesome 00:29:22.079 --> 00:29:22.740 blessing 00:29:22.740 --> 00:29:25.000 to be able 00:29:25.000 --> 00:29:25.679 to speak 00:29:25.679 --> 00:29:26.279 the truth 00:29:26.279 --> 00:29:26.919 of God's 00:29:26.919 --> 00:29:27.259 word 00:29:27.259 --> 00:29:29.319 into a 00:29:29.319 --> 00:29:30.059 young person's 00:29:30.059 --> 00:29:30.559 life 00:29:30.559 --> 00:29:33.079 so how many 00:29:33.079 --> 00:29:33.399 of you ever 00:29:33.399 --> 00:29:33.939 seen a 00:29:33.939 --> 00:29:35.699 you know 00:29:35.699 --> 00:29:36.199 we don't 00:29:36.199 --> 00:29:36.720 really use 00:29:36.720 --> 00:29:37.159 these much 00:29:37.159 --> 00:29:37.859 maybe Heather 00:29:37.859 --> 00:29:38.399 Anderson has 00:29:38.399 --> 00:29:38.720 one of these 00:29:38.720 --> 00:29:39.099 at her house 00:29:39.099 --> 00:29:39.419 just because 00:29:39.419 --> 00:29:39.699 she has 00:29:39.699 --> 00:29:39.939 some of 00:29:39.939 --> 00:29:41.000 these really 00:29:41.000 --> 00:29:41.779 neat looking 00:29:41.779 --> 00:29:43.539 artifacts 00:29:43.539 --> 00:29:46.500 I don't know 00:29:46.500 --> 00:29:46.879 what else to 00:29:46.879 --> 00:29:47.159 call them 00:29:47.159 --> 00:29:47.579 sorry Heather 00:29:47.579 --> 00:29:48.379 so how many 00:29:48.380 --> 00:29:48.540 of you 00:29:48.540 --> 00:29:49.400 like in 00:29:49.400 --> 00:29:50.340 westerns 00:29:50.340 --> 00:29:50.620 you see 00:29:50.620 --> 00:29:50.860 these 00:29:50.860 --> 00:29:51.100 right 00:29:51.100 --> 00:29:51.480 they're 00:29:51.480 --> 00:29:51.720 called 00:29:51.720 --> 00:29:53.540 barrels 00:29:53.540 --> 00:29:55.360 okay 00:29:55.360 --> 00:29:56.120 Heather's 00:29:56.120 --> 00:29:56.420 like I 00:29:56.420 --> 00:29:56.680 don't have 00:29:56.680 --> 00:29:56.880 any of 00:29:56.880 --> 00:29:57.040 those 00:29:57.040 --> 00:29:57.440 sorry 00:29:57.440 --> 00:29:58.480 okay 00:29:58.480 --> 00:29:59.320 and they're 00:29:59.320 --> 00:29:59.800 made up 00:29:59.800 --> 00:30:00.360 of these 00:30:00.360 --> 00:30:00.940 different wooden 00:30:00.940 --> 00:30:01.480 pieces that 00:30:01.480 --> 00:30:01.880 come along 00:30:01.880 --> 00:30:02.360 the sides 00:30:02.360 --> 00:30:02.760 right and 00:30:02.760 --> 00:30:03.060 then there's 00:30:03.060 --> 00:30:03.400 the metal 00:30:03.400 --> 00:30:03.800 piece that 00:30:03.800 --> 00:30:04.220 goes around 00:30:04.220 --> 00:30:04.580 it you guys 00:30:04.580 --> 00:30:05.360 got that 00:30:05.360 --> 00:30:05.800 visual in 00:30:05.800 --> 00:30:06.060 your head 00:30:06.060 --> 00:30:06.760 maybe I 00:30:06.760 --> 00:30:07.020 should have 00:30:07.020 --> 00:30:07.280 made a 00:30:07.280 --> 00:30:07.640 picture of 00:30:07.640 --> 00:30:07.840 that 00:30:07.840 --> 00:30:09.360 right so 00:30:09.360 --> 00:30:09.960 there's a 00:30:09.960 --> 00:30:10.260 barrel 00:30:10.260 --> 00:30:11.620 and it 00:30:11.620 --> 00:30:12.280 holds what 00:30:12.280 --> 00:30:12.620 what do we 00:30:12.620 --> 00:30:13.060 put inside 00:30:13.060 --> 00:30:13.320 of it 00:30:13.320 --> 00:30:14.440 water or 00:30:14.440 --> 00:30:14.840 something else 00:30:14.840 --> 00:30:15.180 like that 00:30:15.180 --> 00:30:15.780 what's the 00:30:15.780 --> 00:30:16.300 problem with 00:30:16.299 --> 00:30:17.139 that the 00:30:17.139 --> 00:30:17.559 water will 00:30:17.559 --> 00:30:18.099 only go up 00:30:18.099 --> 00:30:18.819 so how 00:30:18.819 --> 00:30:20.740 high to 00:30:20.740 --> 00:30:21.099 the top 00:30:21.099 --> 00:30:21.919 unless what 00:30:21.919 --> 00:30:23.059 one of the 00:30:23.059 --> 00:30:23.759 I forget 00:30:23.759 --> 00:30:24.180 does anybody 00:30:24.180 --> 00:30:24.519 know what 00:30:24.519 --> 00:30:24.839 those things 00:30:24.839 --> 00:30:25.319 are called 00:30:25.319 --> 00:30:27.019 stays thank 00:30:27.019 --> 00:30:28.839 you and 00:30:28.839 --> 00:30:31.039 what hoops 00:30:31.039 --> 00:30:32.460 hula hoops 00:30:32.460 --> 00:30:33.619 oh no that's 00:30:33.619 --> 00:30:34.639 different hoops I 00:30:34.639 --> 00:30:35.139 didn't know they were 00:30:35.139 --> 00:30:35.799 called hoops but 00:30:35.799 --> 00:30:36.759 stays thank you 00:30:36.759 --> 00:30:37.460 so you have these 00:30:37.460 --> 00:30:38.299 stays see pastor do 00:30:38.299 --> 00:30:38.680 you have one of 00:30:38.680 --> 00:30:40.299 those no okay 00:30:40.299 --> 00:30:41.740 so if you have 00:30:41.740 --> 00:30:42.819 these stays that 00:30:42.819 --> 00:30:43.619 go along and 00:30:43.619 --> 00:30:44.139 what happens if 00:30:44.139 --> 00:30:44.500 one of the 00:30:44.500 --> 00:30:45.359 stays breaks 00:30:45.359 --> 00:30:46.500 like toward the 00:30:46.500 --> 00:30:48.139 top you can't 00:30:48.139 --> 00:30:48.720 you no longer 00:30:48.720 --> 00:30:49.399 can fill it up to 00:30:49.399 --> 00:30:49.879 the very top 00:30:49.879 --> 00:30:50.579 right because 00:30:50.579 --> 00:30:51.440 when the water 00:30:51.440 --> 00:30:51.879 gets to that 00:30:51.879 --> 00:30:52.399 level what 00:30:52.399 --> 00:30:54.099 happens all the 00:30:54.099 --> 00:30:54.579 water starts 00:30:54.579 --> 00:30:55.139 pouring out right 00:30:55.139 --> 00:30:55.839 there if you 00:30:55.839 --> 00:30:56.480 break another one 00:30:56.480 --> 00:30:56.819 a little bit 00:30:56.819 --> 00:30:57.440 lower guess what 00:30:57.440 --> 00:30:57.859 it's no longer 00:30:57.859 --> 00:30:58.359 going to get to 00:30:58.359 --> 00:30:58.940 that height it's 00:30:58.940 --> 00:30:59.279 only going to 00:30:59.279 --> 00:30:59.659 get to this 00:30:59.659 --> 00:31:01.220 height so when 00:31:01.220 --> 00:31:01.940 we start talking 00:31:01.940 --> 00:31:03.359 about ministry 00:31:03.359 --> 00:31:04.099 especially when 00:31:04.099 --> 00:31:04.879 it comes to the 00:31:04.879 --> 00:31:06.119 1.8 billion 00:31:06.119 --> 00:31:06.839 children in the 00:31:06.839 --> 00:31:08.980 world we have to 00:31:08.980 --> 00:31:10.779 balance relationship 00:31:10.779 --> 00:31:12.680 and God's 00:31:12.680 --> 00:31:15.839 word and if we 00:31:15.839 --> 00:31:16.460 don't balance 00:31:16.460 --> 00:31:18.400 them we're only 00:31:18.400 --> 00:31:18.819 going to be able 00:31:18.819 --> 00:31:19.539 to be as effective 00:31:19.539 --> 00:31:20.180 as the highest 00:31:20.180 --> 00:31:23.319 stay so we may 00:31:23.319 --> 00:31:24.640 be really strong 00:31:24.640 --> 00:31:26.380 when it comes to 00:31:26.380 --> 00:31:27.140 our knowledge of 00:31:27.140 --> 00:31:29.620 scripture but if 00:31:29.620 --> 00:31:30.779 we have very weak 00:31:30.779 --> 00:31:33.559 relationships this 00:31:33.559 --> 00:31:34.360 is as high as we're 00:31:34.360 --> 00:31:34.900 going to ever get 00:31:34.900 --> 00:31:37.559 if we have really 00:31:37.559 --> 00:31:38.640 strong relationships 00:31:38.640 --> 00:31:41.060 but our 00:31:41.060 --> 00:31:41.780 understanding of 00:31:41.780 --> 00:31:42.340 scripture is way 00:31:42.340 --> 00:31:44.440 down here this is 00:31:44.440 --> 00:31:45.100 as far as we're 00:31:45.100 --> 00:31:47.320 going to get in 00:31:47.320 --> 00:31:48.020 order for us to 00:31:48.020 --> 00:31:49.180 raise that bar in 00:31:49.180 --> 00:31:49.900 order for us to 00:31:49.900 --> 00:31:51.640 raise that level of 00:31:51.640 --> 00:31:53.440 ministry we have to 00:31:53.440 --> 00:31:55.800 be building both we 00:31:55.800 --> 00:31:56.380 have to have 00:31:56.380 --> 00:31:57.800 intentional 00:31:57.800 --> 00:32:00.060 relationships but 00:32:00.060 --> 00:32:00.720 we have to be 00:32:00.720 --> 00:32:02.640 highly biblical 00:32:02.640 --> 00:32:05.759 both have to be 00:32:05.759 --> 00:32:07.560 there so the 00:32:07.559 --> 00:32:08.319 question for you 00:32:08.319 --> 00:32:09.480 tonight is this 00:32:09.480 --> 00:32:13.139 not how high 00:32:13.139 --> 00:32:14.000 what's your 00:32:14.000 --> 00:32:14.819 highest stay 00:32:14.819 --> 00:32:17.179 but what's your 00:32:17.179 --> 00:32:17.639 lowest 00:32:17.639 --> 00:32:20.059 is it 00:32:20.059 --> 00:32:20.759 relationships 00:32:20.759 --> 00:32:23.039 if so then you 00:32:23.039 --> 00:32:23.619 need to figure out 00:32:23.619 --> 00:32:24.279 how to work on 00:32:24.279 --> 00:32:25.980 that so that way 00:32:25.980 --> 00:32:26.299 you have the 00:32:26.299 --> 00:32:27.059 opportunity to be 00:32:27.059 --> 00:32:27.639 able to speak in 00:32:27.639 --> 00:32:28.139 other people's 00:32:28.139 --> 00:32:30.259 lives if it's 00:32:30.259 --> 00:32:31.179 God's word then 00:32:31.179 --> 00:32:32.000 guess what you 00:32:32.000 --> 00:32:32.679 need to make sure 00:32:32.679 --> 00:32:33.220 that you're spending 00:32:33.220 --> 00:32:34.139 time studying God's 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.700 word and you need 00:32:34.700 --> 00:32:35.559 to get yourself into 00:32:35.559 --> 00:32:36.700 God's word so that 00:32:36.700 --> 00:32:37.519 way you can raise 00:32:37.519 --> 00:32:39.480 that because you 00:32:39.480 --> 00:32:40.200 have to have them 00:32:40.200 --> 00:32:42.440 both to be truly 00:32:42.440 --> 00:32:44.359 effective when it 00:32:44.359 --> 00:32:45.139 comes to our 00:32:45.139 --> 00:32:46.839 ministry and reaching 00:32:46.839 --> 00:32:48.539 out we have lots of 00:32:48.539 --> 00:32:50.980 opportunities to share 00:32:50.980 --> 00:32:52.519 the gospel they're all 00:32:52.519 --> 00:32:54.559 around us each and 00:32:54.559 --> 00:32:57.720 every day we oftentimes 00:32:57.720 --> 00:32:58.940 get so upset with 00:32:58.940 --> 00:32:59.619 things that are going 00:32:59.619 --> 00:33:00.700 on in our political 00:33:00.700 --> 00:33:02.279 culture today and I'm 00:33:02.279 --> 00:33:03.500 like you know what we 00:33:03.500 --> 00:33:04.039 got to expect 00:33:04.039 --> 00:33:04.819 unbelievers to act 00:33:04.819 --> 00:33:05.460 like unbelievers 00:33:05.460 --> 00:33:07.879 okay why should we 00:33:07.879 --> 00:33:08.659 expect unbelievers 00:33:08.659 --> 00:33:10.039 to act like 00:33:10.039 --> 00:33:11.420 believers they're not 00:33:11.420 --> 00:33:14.039 going to there are 00:33:14.039 --> 00:33:15.159 there are people 00:33:15.159 --> 00:33:16.220 everywhere you go 00:33:16.220 --> 00:33:18.399 you walk into the 00:33:18.399 --> 00:33:21.159 store there are 00:33:21.159 --> 00:33:24.159 unbelievers that that 00:33:24.159 --> 00:33:25.119 you may actually bump 00:33:25.119 --> 00:33:28.059 into and you can have 00:33:28.059 --> 00:33:29.039 the opportunity to 00:33:29.680 --> 00:33:31.039 share the gospel but 00:33:32.079 --> 00:33:32.680 you have to be 00:33:32.680 --> 00:33:33.560 intentional in your 00:33:33.560 --> 00:33:35.960 relationship don't 00:33:35.960 --> 00:33:37.420 just don't be wishy 00:33:37.420 --> 00:33:37.940 washy in your 00:33:37.940 --> 00:33:40.240 relationship you have 00:33:40.240 --> 00:33:41.039 to bring the meat 00:33:41.039 --> 00:33:43.140 along with it you 00:33:43.140 --> 00:33:43.759 have to have the 00:33:43.759 --> 00:33:44.560 relationship that 00:33:44.560 --> 00:33:45.299 carries some teeth 00:33:45.299 --> 00:33:47.720 with them but you 00:33:47.720 --> 00:33:48.720 also have to have the 00:33:48.720 --> 00:33:51.779 teeth that means that 00:33:51.779 --> 00:33:52.480 you need to know 00:33:52.480 --> 00:33:54.680 God's word highly 00:33:55.400 --> 00:33:57.960 relational highly 00:33:57.960 --> 00:34:00.820 biblical both have to 00:34:00.819 --> 00:34:02.220 be there if we are 00:34:02.220 --> 00:34:03.599 going to truly be a 00:34:03.599 --> 00:34:04.639 light in a dark 00:34:04.639 --> 00:34:07.480 world that's where it 00:34:07.480 --> 00:34:10.319 begins so where do you 00:34:10.319 --> 00:34:12.420 need to grow I hope 00:34:12.420 --> 00:34:12.880 that you're going to be 00:34:12.880 --> 00:34:14.900 here tomorrow night I 00:34:14.900 --> 00:34:15.860 hope that God is going 00:34:15.860 --> 00:34:17.139 to challenge you in some 00:34:17.139 --> 00:34:18.679 ways to really figure out 00:34:18.679 --> 00:34:19.619 what it is that God 00:34:19.619 --> 00:34:21.599 wants you to do and 00:34:21.599 --> 00:34:22.539 taking that next step in 00:34:22.539 --> 00:34:23.699 following him let's pray 00:34:23.699 --> 00:34:32.379 God I thank you so much 00:34:32.379 --> 00:34:35.039 for the way that you 00:34:35.039 --> 00:34:38.719 teach us and how you use 00:34:38.719 --> 00:34:40.019 your word in our lives to 00:34:40.019 --> 00:34:41.099 draw us closer to you 00:34:41.099 --> 00:34:45.179 Lord I thank you for 00:34:45.179 --> 00:34:50.419 godly men that you have 00:34:50.420 --> 00:34:52.900 placed in my life that 00:34:52.900 --> 00:34:55.400 have been intentional with 00:34:55.400 --> 00:34:56.519 their relationships with 00:34:56.519 --> 00:35:00.300 me to help me to grow 00:35:00.300 --> 00:35:05.079 closer to you so Lord I 00:35:05.079 --> 00:35:06.920 thank you for them Lord I 00:35:06.920 --> 00:35:09.380 there's not enough that I 00:35:09.380 --> 00:35:13.980 could say Lord I pray that 00:35:13.980 --> 00:35:16.400 as we come here tonight and 00:35:16.400 --> 00:35:18.159 we're just going through our 00:35:18.159 --> 00:35:19.799 everyday lives to come to 00:35:19.799 --> 00:35:23.440 this mission conference and 00:35:23.440 --> 00:35:24.539 as we sit here tonight Lord 00:35:24.539 --> 00:35:25.359 I pray that you would 00:35:25.359 --> 00:35:27.420 press on our hearts what it 00:35:27.420 --> 00:35:28.239 is that you want us to 00:35:28.239 --> 00:35:31.039 learn and Lord that you 00:35:31.039 --> 00:35:32.219 would cause us to grow in 00:35:32.219 --> 00:35:34.779 the areas in our life that 00:35:34.779 --> 00:35:38.219 we need to grow for us to 00:35:38.219 --> 00:35:39.279 be effective servants of 00:35:39.279 --> 00:35:44.059 yours Lord you you have 00:35:44.059 --> 00:35:45.539 called us as your 00:35:45.539 --> 00:35:50.000 children you've placed us on 00:35:50.000 --> 00:35:51.019 this earth to bring you 00:35:51.019 --> 00:35:52.179 glory and to reach lost 00:35:52.179 --> 00:35:56.440 mankind and Lord I pray 00:35:56.440 --> 00:35:57.420 that you would help us to 00:35:57.420 --> 00:36:00.699 be intentionally focused in 00:36:00.699 --> 00:36:01.719 our relationships that we 00:36:01.719 --> 00:36:04.759 build and that we have that 00:36:04.759 --> 00:36:05.659 we would have a strong 00:36:05.659 --> 00:36:06.779 understanding of your word 00:36:06.779 --> 00:36:10.099 that we might have a huge 00:36:10.099 --> 00:36:12.659 impact in the world around 00:36:12.659 --> 00:36:14.920 us Lord in Jesus name 00:36:14.920 --> 00:36:15.619 Amen