WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.000 The laborers are few. 00:00:02.839 --> 00:00:04.160 The laborers are few. 00:00:04.660 --> 00:00:06.080 If you guys know where that comes from, 00:00:06.080 --> 00:00:06.080 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.060 of the necessity of us to do work, 00:00:33.840 --> 00:00:38.380 to build the church that God has given himself for. 00:00:39.140 --> 00:00:42.100 And here Jesus is saying that, 00:00:42.620 --> 00:00:43.780 although the harvest is plentiful, 00:00:43.880 --> 00:00:44.880 the laborers are few. 00:00:45.600 --> 00:00:49.200 And so again, it's this call to be laborers, 00:00:49.299 --> 00:00:50.079 to be workers. 00:00:50.859 --> 00:00:53.960 And are we willing to do the work? 00:00:54.120 --> 00:00:57.240 Are we willing to be consistent in doing the work? 00:00:57.240 --> 00:01:03.039 And this was a theme that he had to point out. 00:01:03.900 --> 00:01:07.900 And with a plentiful harvest, 00:01:08.439 --> 00:01:09.820 the last thing you would ever want 00:01:09.820 --> 00:01:12.020 with a plentiful harvest would be few workers. 00:01:12.359 --> 00:01:13.500 That's a travesty, right? 00:01:13.520 --> 00:01:14.780 You're looking out into the fields to say, 00:01:15.140 --> 00:01:16.120 oh my goodness, look at this. 00:01:16.200 --> 00:01:17.540 We got a great harvest here. 00:01:18.040 --> 00:01:19.859 But I don't have anybody to work it, right? 00:01:20.680 --> 00:01:23.800 That's not the picture you ever want to see. 00:01:24.140 --> 00:01:25.540 And yet this is the picture Jesus is painting. 00:01:25.659 --> 00:01:26.520 He's saying this. 00:01:26.519 --> 00:01:29.099 He's saying, hey, the harvest, 00:01:29.500 --> 00:01:30.640 that's not the issue. 00:01:31.319 --> 00:01:32.219 That's not the problem. 00:01:32.840 --> 00:01:33.340 And isn't that, 00:01:33.699 --> 00:01:36.500 how often do we kind of in our mind frame it that way? 00:01:36.979 --> 00:01:38.119 It's just so hard, you know, 00:01:38.159 --> 00:01:40.019 just like people aren't getting saved. 00:01:40.280 --> 00:01:42.140 You know, it's like we preach the gospel 00:01:42.140 --> 00:01:44.000 and just doesn't seem to be a harvest. 00:01:44.140 --> 00:01:47.259 But that's not the picture that Jesus paints, right? 00:01:47.620 --> 00:01:48.759 He paints a different picture. 00:01:49.239 --> 00:01:51.640 He says, actually, the harvest, 00:01:52.060 --> 00:01:53.859 that part of it, it's plentiful. 00:01:54.659 --> 00:01:55.699 The harvest is plentiful. 00:01:55.700 --> 00:01:58.040 The problem is that the workers are few. 00:01:58.620 --> 00:01:59.960 The problem is that the workers are few. 00:02:00.579 --> 00:02:01.820 And so he says, pray earnestly 00:02:01.820 --> 00:02:05.079 into the Lord of the harvest 00:02:05.079 --> 00:02:08.280 to send out labors into his harvest field. 00:02:08.520 --> 00:02:09.319 And we should be praying, 00:02:09.400 --> 00:02:10.599 God, I want to be that labor. 00:02:10.599 --> 00:02:12.319 I want to be that worker. 00:02:13.120 --> 00:02:15.799 But, you know, we love the concept of harvest. 00:02:16.259 --> 00:02:19.120 We don't always love the concept of work, right? 00:02:19.479 --> 00:02:22.039 I mean, the harvest being had, 00:02:22.139 --> 00:02:23.479 the harvest coming in, that's great. 00:02:23.560 --> 00:02:25.199 But the work that it takes to get there, 00:02:25.439 --> 00:02:27.659 that's not always something that maybe we're running to. 00:02:27.740 --> 00:02:29.799 And that, again, he's saying that that is the case. 00:02:30.479 --> 00:02:32.680 You know, it's easy to talk about the harvest, 00:02:32.819 --> 00:02:34.459 but who wants to actually do the work? 00:02:34.919 --> 00:02:36.099 And it requires work. 00:02:36.099 --> 00:02:37.699 It requires sacrifice. 00:02:37.819 --> 00:02:40.099 It requires us getting out of our comfort zone. 00:02:41.039 --> 00:02:44.560 And this concept of work 00:02:44.560 --> 00:02:48.740 is really just one of these kind of rules of life 00:02:48.740 --> 00:02:51.099 that you cannot supersede, 00:02:51.359 --> 00:02:52.400 no matter how hard you try. 00:02:52.500 --> 00:02:54.599 It's the law of reaping and sowing, right? 00:02:55.099 --> 00:02:58.099 Galatians 6, 7 to 10 lays this out. 00:02:58.379 --> 00:03:00.180 Again, another familiar verse for you guys. 00:03:00.379 --> 00:03:01.939 Do not be deceived. 00:03:02.359 --> 00:03:03.560 God is not mocked. 00:03:03.819 --> 00:03:06.439 For whatever one sows, that he will also reap. 00:03:06.719 --> 00:03:06.900 Okay? 00:03:07.379 --> 00:03:08.879 And he says, he doesn't just say, 00:03:09.319 --> 00:03:11.039 whatever one sows, that he will also reap. 00:03:11.099 --> 00:03:12.459 That's that law that I'm talking about. 00:03:12.500 --> 00:03:13.219 But before that, 00:03:13.519 --> 00:03:15.840 he gives that little important point there. 00:03:15.919 --> 00:03:17.879 He says, don't be deceived. 00:03:18.519 --> 00:03:19.740 Or don't be tricked. 00:03:20.060 --> 00:03:20.939 Don't be fooled. 00:03:20.939 --> 00:03:22.139 Don't be fooled into thinking 00:03:22.139 --> 00:03:23.780 you can get something 00:03:23.780 --> 00:03:25.840 without putting in the work, right? 00:03:26.400 --> 00:03:27.800 God cannot be mocked. 00:03:27.859 --> 00:03:29.560 It's not like you can trick him 00:03:29.560 --> 00:03:32.659 into changing this law of the universe. 00:03:33.460 --> 00:03:34.020 Don't be tricked. 00:03:34.159 --> 00:03:34.680 Don't be fooled. 00:03:34.800 --> 00:03:35.340 Don't be deceived. 00:03:35.479 --> 00:03:36.379 God is not mocked. 00:03:36.620 --> 00:03:38.560 For whatever one sows, he will also reap. 00:03:38.960 --> 00:03:39.819 What you put in, 00:03:39.860 --> 00:03:40.520 you're going to get out 00:03:40.520 --> 00:03:41.659 when it comes to the work. 00:03:42.120 --> 00:03:44.159 For the one who sows to his own flesh 00:03:44.159 --> 00:03:46.259 will from the flesh 00:03:46.259 --> 00:03:47.460 reap corruption. 00:03:47.460 --> 00:03:50.540 But the one who sows to the spirit 00:03:50.540 --> 00:03:53.300 will from the spirit reap eternal life. 00:03:54.200 --> 00:03:54.360 Okay? 00:03:54.800 --> 00:03:57.560 So you can't flip the script. 00:03:57.700 --> 00:03:59.300 You can't change this. 00:03:59.400 --> 00:04:00.960 This is the way things are. 00:04:01.600 --> 00:04:03.680 You, kind of the old adage, 00:04:03.719 --> 00:04:05.219 you get what you pay for kind of thing, right? 00:04:05.280 --> 00:04:06.719 Like if you sow to your flesh, 00:04:06.840 --> 00:04:09.700 you're going to reap corruption, right? 00:04:09.740 --> 00:04:10.700 That's the way it goes. 00:04:10.879 --> 00:04:12.420 But if you sow to the spirit, 00:04:12.920 --> 00:04:14.400 from the spirit you'll reap eternal life. 00:04:14.400 --> 00:04:15.680 And then he says, 00:04:16.019 --> 00:04:17.019 then he gives a practical 00:04:17.019 --> 00:04:18.120 of what this looks like. 00:04:18.560 --> 00:04:20.100 He says then in verse 9, 00:04:20.519 --> 00:04:23.340 let us not grow weary of doing good. 00:04:23.899 --> 00:04:25.040 For in due season, 00:04:25.500 --> 00:04:26.840 we will reap. 00:04:27.439 --> 00:04:27.939 If, 00:04:28.920 --> 00:04:29.459 if, 00:04:29.660 --> 00:04:30.639 conditional statement, 00:04:31.180 --> 00:04:32.340 if we don't give up. 00:04:33.019 --> 00:04:33.780 If we don't give up. 00:04:34.319 --> 00:04:34.720 Again, 00:04:35.199 --> 00:04:37.459 this is kind of a law of the universe. 00:04:37.680 --> 00:04:38.939 This is the way things work. 00:04:39.180 --> 00:04:40.840 But it's also a promise as well. 00:04:41.139 --> 00:04:43.220 If you don't get weary in doing good, 00:04:43.220 --> 00:04:44.680 then you keep going. 00:04:45.100 --> 00:04:46.240 In due season, 00:04:46.780 --> 00:04:48.740 you will reap if you don't give up. 00:04:49.520 --> 00:04:49.740 And then, 00:04:49.780 --> 00:04:50.880 so then he gives another practical 00:04:50.880 --> 00:04:51.700 right there in verse 10. 00:04:51.780 --> 00:04:52.020 It says, 00:04:52.120 --> 00:04:52.620 so then, 00:04:52.920 --> 00:04:53.840 in light of this fact, 00:04:53.920 --> 00:04:54.660 in light of this rule, 00:04:54.740 --> 00:04:56.800 in light of this kind of law of the universe, 00:04:57.580 --> 00:04:58.540 as we have opportunity, 00:04:58.680 --> 00:04:59.940 let us do good to everyone 00:04:59.940 --> 00:05:01.280 and especially to those 00:05:01.280 --> 00:05:02.400 who are of the household of faith. 00:05:03.240 --> 00:05:03.480 Okay? 00:05:03.720 --> 00:05:04.700 So in light of this, 00:05:04.960 --> 00:05:05.800 we got to keep going. 00:05:05.900 --> 00:05:06.240 We got to, 00:05:06.420 --> 00:05:07.280 we can't give up. 00:05:07.279 --> 00:05:09.500 And as someone 00:05:09.500 --> 00:05:11.019 who's been a part of 00:05:11.019 --> 00:05:12.119 multiple church plants 00:05:12.119 --> 00:05:13.819 and knows that those early years 00:05:13.819 --> 00:05:14.919 are the time 00:05:14.919 --> 00:05:16.819 when you feel like giving up. 00:05:17.159 --> 00:05:17.279 Right? 00:05:17.659 --> 00:05:18.839 That those early years 00:05:18.839 --> 00:05:19.339 are the times 00:05:19.339 --> 00:05:20.079 when you feel like, 00:05:20.459 --> 00:05:20.739 man, 00:05:21.000 --> 00:05:23.079 it's kind of weary doing good. 00:05:23.159 --> 00:05:24.959 It's kind of weary doing the work. 00:05:25.379 --> 00:05:26.579 I thought maybe it would be 00:05:26.579 --> 00:05:27.659 a little bit more fruitful. 00:05:28.319 --> 00:05:28.579 You know, 00:05:28.619 --> 00:05:30.219 this whole in due season thing. 00:05:30.539 --> 00:05:31.959 What is this in due season? 00:05:32.099 --> 00:05:33.179 Can't we just have it now? 00:05:33.699 --> 00:05:33.859 Like, 00:05:33.879 --> 00:05:34.979 can't I just have the result 00:05:34.979 --> 00:05:35.779 of the work now? 00:05:35.779 --> 00:05:36.899 But God says no, 00:05:37.000 --> 00:05:37.799 in due season. 00:05:38.699 --> 00:05:39.959 The timing is His. 00:05:40.799 --> 00:05:41.159 But, 00:05:41.659 --> 00:05:42.279 you don't know 00:05:42.279 --> 00:05:43.339 when that season's going to be. 00:05:43.419 --> 00:05:43.679 You don't know 00:05:43.679 --> 00:05:44.379 when it's going to come, 00:05:44.439 --> 00:05:45.319 but you do know this. 00:05:46.059 --> 00:05:48.099 You will reap. 00:05:48.599 --> 00:05:49.239 You will reap. 00:05:49.339 --> 00:05:50.399 Not maybe you'll reap. 00:05:50.519 --> 00:05:51.919 Not hopefully you'll reap. 00:05:52.299 --> 00:05:53.519 You will reap 00:05:53.519 --> 00:05:54.579 if you don't give up. 00:05:55.000 --> 00:05:55.819 That's a promise. 00:05:56.699 --> 00:05:56.939 Okay? 00:05:57.159 --> 00:05:58.799 That's a promise from God. 00:05:59.279 --> 00:06:00.519 You can count on that. 00:06:00.899 --> 00:06:01.639 You can count on that. 00:06:01.719 --> 00:06:02.659 Are you counting on that? 00:06:03.079 --> 00:06:04.059 Is that informing 00:06:04.059 --> 00:06:05.259 your passion? 00:06:05.779 --> 00:06:07.039 Your fervor? 00:06:07.500 --> 00:06:08.339 Your zeal? 00:06:08.859 --> 00:06:10.319 Your work ethic? 00:06:11.119 --> 00:06:13.039 Is this promise informing it? 00:06:13.500 --> 00:06:13.979 Or, 00:06:14.199 --> 00:06:15.219 are we moved 00:06:15.219 --> 00:06:17.079 by our eyes seeing 00:06:17.079 --> 00:06:18.399 the weariness 00:06:18.399 --> 00:06:19.500 of the work 00:06:19.500 --> 00:06:21.039 and maybe tempted 00:06:21.039 --> 00:06:22.079 to give up a little bit? 00:06:22.079 --> 00:06:22.159 But, 00:06:22.159 --> 00:06:25.359 I don't sense 00:06:25.359 --> 00:06:26.399 that anyone has this, 00:06:26.559 --> 00:06:27.659 anyone in this room 00:06:27.659 --> 00:06:28.159 that I've met 00:06:28.159 --> 00:06:29.079 has this sense of 00:06:29.079 --> 00:06:30.179 giving up altogether. 00:06:30.979 --> 00:06:31.339 But, 00:06:31.339 --> 00:06:34.000 you can kind of give up. 00:06:34.319 --> 00:06:35.159 You can give up 00:06:35.159 --> 00:06:36.079 on little things. 00:06:36.399 --> 00:06:37.199 You can give up 00:06:37.199 --> 00:06:38.219 with some of the effort, 00:06:38.679 --> 00:06:39.339 some of the work, 00:06:39.419 --> 00:06:40.399 some of the work ethic. 00:06:41.079 --> 00:06:41.479 And, 00:06:42.019 --> 00:06:43.119 that's still a form 00:06:43.119 --> 00:06:43.799 of giving up. 00:06:44.259 --> 00:06:45.099 It's still a form 00:06:45.099 --> 00:06:46.019 of letting up 00:06:46.019 --> 00:06:47.279 from the work 00:06:47.279 --> 00:06:48.419 that's necessary 00:06:48.419 --> 00:06:49.159 to reap a harvest. 00:06:49.859 --> 00:06:50.399 And so, 00:06:50.439 --> 00:06:50.779 when he says, 00:06:50.979 --> 00:06:51.379 don't give up, 00:06:51.439 --> 00:06:52.699 I don't think it only includes 00:06:52.699 --> 00:06:52.879 like, 00:06:52.939 --> 00:06:54.239 don't completely give up. 00:06:54.240 --> 00:06:55.680 I think it includes 00:06:55.680 --> 00:06:57.519 somewhat giving up, 00:06:57.879 --> 00:06:58.500 letting up, 00:06:58.939 --> 00:07:00.840 kind of drawing back 00:07:00.840 --> 00:07:01.900 from the work 00:07:01.900 --> 00:07:02.740 that's necessary. 00:07:03.560 --> 00:07:03.920 And so, 00:07:04.199 --> 00:07:05.660 I want to look at this concept 00:07:05.660 --> 00:07:06.439 a little bit more 00:07:06.439 --> 00:07:07.379 and really just, 00:07:07.939 --> 00:07:08.280 there's a, 00:07:08.420 --> 00:07:08.639 you know, 00:07:08.699 --> 00:07:09.500 the Bible talks a lot 00:07:09.500 --> 00:07:10.360 about good works 00:07:10.360 --> 00:07:11.699 in a more generic sense, 00:07:11.939 --> 00:07:12.759 but then there's this 00:07:12.759 --> 00:07:14.400 way more specific phrase 00:07:14.400 --> 00:07:16.100 that Paul often uses 00:07:16.100 --> 00:07:16.660 called 00:07:16.660 --> 00:07:18.160 the work. 00:07:18.660 --> 00:07:18.840 Okay? 00:07:19.160 --> 00:07:20.600 Paul uses this phrase 00:07:20.600 --> 00:07:21.280 the work. 00:07:21.519 --> 00:07:22.420 And I don't think 00:07:22.420 --> 00:07:23.540 he's speaking 00:07:23.540 --> 00:07:24.640 in generic terms, 00:07:24.720 --> 00:07:25.460 I think he's speaking 00:07:25.460 --> 00:07:26.420 very specifically 00:07:26.420 --> 00:07:27.980 about a specific 00:07:27.980 --> 00:07:29.500 apostolic work 00:07:29.500 --> 00:07:30.740 that he was called to, 00:07:30.879 --> 00:07:32.360 that he had fellow workers 00:07:32.360 --> 00:07:33.580 with to do 00:07:33.580 --> 00:07:34.379 to see 00:07:34.379 --> 00:07:36.200 God's kingdom come 00:07:36.200 --> 00:07:37.200 on earth as he is in heaven 00:07:37.200 --> 00:07:38.540 in such a way 00:07:38.540 --> 00:07:39.840 that churches were established. 00:07:40.080 --> 00:07:41.200 Lost people were saved, 00:07:41.640 --> 00:07:42.620 churches were established, 00:07:42.620 --> 00:07:43.879 and he was traveling 00:07:43.879 --> 00:07:44.720 all over the place, 00:07:44.840 --> 00:07:46.320 and he called this thing 00:07:46.320 --> 00:07:47.200 that he was doing 00:07:47.200 --> 00:07:48.259 the work. 00:07:49.060 --> 00:07:49.680 The work. 00:07:50.020 --> 00:07:50.280 Okay? 00:07:51.220 --> 00:07:52.480 And I think it all started 00:07:52.480 --> 00:07:53.900 in Acts chapter 13 00:07:53.900 --> 00:07:56.460 when God himself 00:07:56.460 --> 00:07:57.860 called 00:07:57.860 --> 00:07:59.400 Paul and Barnabas. 00:07:59.660 --> 00:08:01.300 So in Acts chapter 13, 00:08:01.379 --> 00:08:01.920 verse 2, 00:08:02.120 --> 00:08:03.439 we see this language 00:08:03.439 --> 00:08:04.220 of the work. 00:08:04.319 --> 00:08:04.580 It says, 00:08:04.800 --> 00:08:05.660 while they were worshiping 00:08:05.660 --> 00:08:06.120 the Lord 00:08:06.120 --> 00:08:07.379 and fasting, 00:08:07.819 --> 00:08:09.200 the Holy Spirit said, 00:08:09.780 --> 00:08:10.900 set apart for me 00:08:10.900 --> 00:08:12.020 Barnabas and Saul 00:08:12.020 --> 00:08:13.200 for the work 00:08:13.200 --> 00:08:14.620 to which I have called them. 00:08:15.160 --> 00:08:15.400 Okay? 00:08:15.720 --> 00:08:16.759 And then you see 00:08:16.759 --> 00:08:17.460 all over, 00:08:17.800 --> 00:08:18.620 following that, 00:08:18.680 --> 00:08:19.460 you see this phrase 00:08:19.460 --> 00:08:19.780 coming up, 00:08:19.819 --> 00:08:20.420 we're going to look at 00:08:20.420 --> 00:08:21.100 some of these verses. 00:08:21.400 --> 00:08:21.500 But, 00:08:22.300 --> 00:08:23.140 while they were worshiping 00:08:23.140 --> 00:08:23.680 the Lord and fasting, 00:08:23.800 --> 00:08:24.600 the Holy Spirit said, 00:08:24.720 --> 00:08:25.780 set apart for me 00:08:25.780 --> 00:08:27.060 Barnabas and Saul 00:08:27.060 --> 00:08:27.740 for the work 00:08:27.740 --> 00:08:29.100 to which I have called them. 00:08:29.560 --> 00:08:29.840 This, 00:08:30.000 --> 00:08:30.580 that phrase, 00:08:30.720 --> 00:08:31.259 set apart, 00:08:31.360 --> 00:08:32.220 I think is important. 00:08:33.720 --> 00:08:34.759 Anytime you're going 00:08:34.759 --> 00:08:36.899 to do meaningful work 00:08:36.899 --> 00:08:38.399 and you actually want 00:08:38.399 --> 00:08:39.279 to get something done, 00:08:40.039 --> 00:08:40.300 right? 00:08:40.680 --> 00:08:42.019 You have to set apart 00:08:42.019 --> 00:08:42.879 time to do it. 00:08:43.320 --> 00:08:44.680 You have to set apart 00:08:44.680 --> 00:08:46.139 tools to do it. 00:08:46.139 --> 00:08:47.080 You have to set apart 00:08:47.080 --> 00:08:48.279 time, 00:08:48.960 --> 00:08:49.299 energy, 00:08:49.519 --> 00:08:49.899 talents, 00:08:50.100 --> 00:08:50.559 manpower, 00:08:50.639 --> 00:08:51.259 whatever it is. 00:08:51.399 --> 00:08:53.220 You have to plan that, 00:08:53.460 --> 00:08:53.699 right? 00:08:54.299 --> 00:08:54.639 You know, 00:08:55.100 --> 00:08:55.360 those, 00:08:55.600 --> 00:08:57.519 thinking of Michael now 00:08:57.519 --> 00:08:58.000 when he's, 00:08:58.039 --> 00:08:58.279 you know, 00:08:58.319 --> 00:08:59.399 doing electrical work, 00:08:59.699 --> 00:09:00.759 if he gets a job, 00:09:00.860 --> 00:09:01.340 that's half, 00:09:01.480 --> 00:09:02.480 that's half the thing. 00:09:02.539 --> 00:09:02.699 Like, 00:09:02.759 --> 00:09:02.879 hey, 00:09:02.919 --> 00:09:03.699 I got the job. 00:09:04.259 --> 00:09:05.159 They hired us. 00:09:05.699 --> 00:09:07.360 He's now got to set apart 00:09:07.360 --> 00:09:09.580 certain man, 00:09:09.779 --> 00:09:11.000 men to do the job. 00:09:11.220 --> 00:09:12.059 He's got to make sure 00:09:12.059 --> 00:09:12.799 that the time 00:09:12.799 --> 00:09:13.879 that is needed 00:09:13.879 --> 00:09:14.480 for that job 00:09:14.480 --> 00:09:14.939 is set apart. 00:09:14.940 --> 00:09:15.520 He's got to make sure 00:09:15.520 --> 00:09:16.680 the materials are there. 00:09:17.040 --> 00:09:17.620 He's got to make sure 00:09:17.620 --> 00:09:18.740 the right materials are there. 00:09:19.080 --> 00:09:19.460 He's got to, 00:09:19.560 --> 00:09:20.160 all these things 00:09:20.160 --> 00:09:20.820 have to be there. 00:09:21.420 --> 00:09:21.980 Those things 00:09:21.980 --> 00:09:23.160 have to be done 00:09:23.160 --> 00:09:24.080 in order for the work 00:09:24.080 --> 00:09:24.620 to be done 00:09:24.620 --> 00:09:25.620 and in order for the work 00:09:25.620 --> 00:09:26.340 to be done well. 00:09:26.800 --> 00:09:27.960 And I think sometimes 00:09:27.960 --> 00:09:30.560 when we are functioning 00:09:30.560 --> 00:09:31.360 in the work 00:09:31.360 --> 00:09:32.660 and specifically the work 00:09:32.660 --> 00:09:33.580 of planting a church 00:09:33.580 --> 00:09:34.860 and establishing a church, 00:09:35.400 --> 00:09:36.500 we can sometimes 00:09:36.500 --> 00:09:37.240 have more of a 00:09:37.240 --> 00:09:38.380 lackadaisical attitude 00:09:38.380 --> 00:09:39.320 that just says, 00:09:39.460 --> 00:09:39.820 oh yeah, 00:09:39.940 --> 00:09:40.180 you know, 00:09:40.320 --> 00:09:41.460 doing the work. 00:09:41.720 --> 00:09:41.840 Yeah, 00:09:41.900 --> 00:09:42.780 of course, 00:09:42.920 --> 00:09:43.140 yeah, 00:09:43.480 --> 00:09:44.400 I'm doing the work. 00:09:44.940 --> 00:09:45.440 For sure, 00:09:45.600 --> 00:09:45.800 yeah. 00:09:46.140 --> 00:09:47.160 What does that mean? 00:09:47.760 --> 00:09:47.960 Well, 00:09:48.000 --> 00:09:48.380 you know, 00:09:48.540 --> 00:09:49.360 just ministry. 00:09:50.600 --> 00:09:51.000 Well, 00:09:51.160 --> 00:09:51.440 no, 00:09:51.600 --> 00:09:52.320 it's a little more 00:09:52.320 --> 00:09:53.320 specific than that. 00:09:53.860 --> 00:09:54.200 Like, 00:09:54.320 --> 00:09:54.720 you know, 00:09:54.880 --> 00:09:55.120 it's, 00:09:55.260 --> 00:09:57.720 in order for you 00:09:57.720 --> 00:09:58.640 to catch the fish, 00:09:58.680 --> 00:09:59.340 you've got to actually 00:09:59.340 --> 00:10:00.500 put some bait on the hook 00:10:00.500 --> 00:10:01.820 or throw a net 00:10:01.820 --> 00:10:02.400 in the water. 00:10:02.520 --> 00:10:02.660 Like, 00:10:02.700 --> 00:10:03.440 you've got to get the boat 00:10:03.440 --> 00:10:04.500 out into the water 00:10:04.500 --> 00:10:05.400 where the fish are. 00:10:05.680 --> 00:10:05.960 Like, 00:10:05.980 --> 00:10:06.520 if you're on land, 00:10:06.580 --> 00:10:07.600 you ain't catching no fish. 00:10:07.740 --> 00:10:07.880 Like, 00:10:08.280 --> 00:10:08.760 you've got to, 00:10:08.760 --> 00:10:10.540 we've got to set apart time. 00:10:10.700 --> 00:10:11.620 We've got to set apart 00:10:11.620 --> 00:10:13.200 resources. 00:10:13.400 --> 00:10:14.720 We've got to set apart people 00:10:14.720 --> 00:10:16.220 to do the work. 00:10:16.860 --> 00:10:17.240 And, 00:10:17.340 --> 00:10:19.100 you know as well as I do 00:10:19.100 --> 00:10:20.360 that if you don't plan 00:10:20.360 --> 00:10:21.180 to do something, 00:10:21.560 --> 00:10:22.440 and this could be anything, 00:10:22.639 --> 00:10:22.779 just, 00:10:23.120 --> 00:10:23.960 and a great example 00:10:23.960 --> 00:10:25.420 is just that house project 00:10:25.420 --> 00:10:27.320 that's been still there 00:10:27.320 --> 00:10:28.620 for all these weeks, 00:10:28.779 --> 00:10:29.060 months, 00:10:29.399 --> 00:10:30.300 dare I say years, 00:10:30.660 --> 00:10:31.379 that you just think, 00:10:31.440 --> 00:10:31.519 man, 00:10:31.519 --> 00:10:32.379 I want to get to that. 00:10:32.480 --> 00:10:32.600 You know, 00:10:32.639 --> 00:10:34.019 I know I need to do it. 00:10:34.759 --> 00:10:35.160 And, 00:10:35.240 --> 00:10:36.779 if you don't set apart time 00:10:36.779 --> 00:10:37.200 for that 00:10:37.200 --> 00:10:38.840 or resources for that, 00:10:39.279 --> 00:10:40.399 does it just happen? 00:10:41.399 --> 00:10:41.639 No, 00:10:41.679 --> 00:10:42.659 it never does. 00:10:43.019 --> 00:10:43.299 Like, 00:10:43.340 --> 00:10:45.039 you don't drift into work. 00:10:45.579 --> 00:10:46.360 It's not like, 00:10:46.459 --> 00:10:46.720 oh, 00:10:46.819 --> 00:10:48.519 I had no plan to do this work 00:10:48.519 --> 00:10:50.120 and it just got done. 00:10:50.639 --> 00:10:51.039 Like, 00:10:51.059 --> 00:10:51.919 that doesn't happen. 00:10:52.439 --> 00:10:53.459 And it's no different 00:10:53.459 --> 00:10:54.519 for the work of the kingdom. 00:10:54.740 --> 00:10:54.939 Like, 00:10:55.299 --> 00:10:56.439 especially when it comes 00:10:56.439 --> 00:10:57.379 to the difficulty 00:10:57.379 --> 00:10:58.699 of soul winning. 00:10:59.079 --> 00:11:00.079 Especially when it comes 00:11:00.079 --> 00:11:00.759 to the difficulty 00:11:00.759 --> 00:11:02.259 of building 00:11:02.259 --> 00:11:03.319 and establishing 00:11:03.319 --> 00:11:03.939 a family 00:11:03.939 --> 00:11:05.299 that is called the church. 00:11:05.659 --> 00:11:06.620 That's hard work. 00:11:06.620 --> 00:11:07.840 And especially when you're building 00:11:07.840 --> 00:11:08.899 something out of nothing. 00:11:09.740 --> 00:11:10.000 You know, 00:11:10.039 --> 00:11:10.600 it's one thing 00:11:10.600 --> 00:11:11.379 to do the work 00:11:11.379 --> 00:11:14.440 of advancing God's kingdom 00:11:14.440 --> 00:11:15.860 and preaching to the lost 00:11:15.860 --> 00:11:16.940 in an established church 00:11:16.940 --> 00:11:17.480 where everything's 00:11:17.480 --> 00:11:18.460 kind of dialed in. 00:11:19.080 --> 00:11:19.919 There's a rhythm. 00:11:20.100 --> 00:11:21.279 There's an established culture. 00:11:21.519 --> 00:11:22.840 There's an established group 00:11:22.840 --> 00:11:23.279 of people. 00:11:23.379 --> 00:11:24.080 That's one thing. 00:11:24.419 --> 00:11:25.299 When we're starting 00:11:25.299 --> 00:11:27.899 at that lower ground level, 00:11:28.419 --> 00:11:29.700 it requires 00:11:29.700 --> 00:11:31.220 a lot more intentionality. 00:11:31.220 --> 00:11:32.879 It requires a lot more 00:11:32.879 --> 00:11:35.019 being set apart, 00:11:35.159 --> 00:11:35.740 so to speak. 00:11:35.740 --> 00:11:36.580 So, 00:11:36.919 --> 00:11:37.840 basically, 00:11:38.139 --> 00:11:39.000 I guess the question 00:11:39.000 --> 00:11:39.539 I have for you, 00:11:39.620 --> 00:11:40.399 do you have 00:11:40.399 --> 00:11:41.919 specific time 00:11:41.919 --> 00:11:43.180 set apart for the work 00:11:43.180 --> 00:11:45.299 or are you just giving 00:11:45.299 --> 00:11:46.560 spare time leftovers 00:11:46.560 --> 00:11:47.320 to the church 00:11:47.320 --> 00:11:48.899 and to the establishing 00:11:48.899 --> 00:11:49.340 of the church 00:11:49.340 --> 00:11:50.120 and to the mission 00:11:50.120 --> 00:11:51.919 of Christ's church 00:11:51.919 --> 00:11:54.399 to seek out lost people 00:11:54.399 --> 00:11:55.759 and get on mission 00:11:55.759 --> 00:11:56.259 to people? 00:11:56.919 --> 00:11:58.200 Is it time set apart 00:11:58.200 --> 00:11:59.240 or is it spare time 00:11:59.240 --> 00:11:59.720 leftover? 00:12:00.419 --> 00:12:01.240 Spare time leftover 00:12:01.240 --> 00:12:02.320 is not going to do the trick. 00:12:02.799 --> 00:12:03.360 It's not. 00:12:03.799 --> 00:12:04.240 And, 00:12:04.360 --> 00:12:05.299 if some people 00:12:05.299 --> 00:12:05.839 are giving their 00:12:05.839 --> 00:12:06.779 spare time leftovers 00:12:06.779 --> 00:12:07.659 and some people 00:12:07.659 --> 00:12:08.299 are giving their 00:12:08.299 --> 00:12:09.299 first fruit 00:12:09.299 --> 00:12:10.599 set apart time, 00:12:10.959 --> 00:12:11.459 you know what that's 00:12:11.459 --> 00:12:11.919 going to do? 00:12:12.740 --> 00:12:13.679 That's going to bring 00:12:13.679 --> 00:12:14.399 division. 00:12:14.939 --> 00:12:16.359 There's not unity in that. 00:12:16.439 --> 00:12:17.359 There's not a cohesive 00:12:17.359 --> 00:12:18.599 moving forward 00:12:18.599 --> 00:12:20.299 and you could subtly, 00:12:20.399 --> 00:12:21.199 I hope this doesn't happen, 00:12:21.299 --> 00:12:22.019 you could subtly even 00:12:22.019 --> 00:12:23.519 stir up a little animosity 00:12:23.519 --> 00:12:24.399 in the sense like 00:12:24.399 --> 00:12:25.439 kind of the Mary Martha 00:12:25.439 --> 00:12:26.000 kind of thing. 00:12:26.079 --> 00:12:26.240 Like, 00:12:26.599 --> 00:12:26.979 hey Jesus, 00:12:27.099 --> 00:12:28.500 you want to tell my sister 00:12:28.500 --> 00:12:29.199 to get to work? 00:12:30.240 --> 00:12:30.839 Can't you see 00:12:30.840 --> 00:12:32.519 I'm doing all this 00:12:32.519 --> 00:12:33.200 and they're not 00:12:33.200 --> 00:12:33.740 doing anything? 00:12:34.139 --> 00:12:35.000 You can start to be 00:12:35.000 --> 00:12:35.560 tempted to that 00:12:35.560 --> 00:12:36.180 kind of thinking, 00:12:36.259 --> 00:12:36.460 right? 00:12:37.560 --> 00:12:38.360 It takes work. 00:12:38.860 --> 00:12:39.560 It takes work. 00:12:40.040 --> 00:12:40.240 And, 00:12:40.800 --> 00:12:41.820 this language 00:12:41.820 --> 00:12:42.300 that's used 00:12:42.300 --> 00:12:43.220 by the Holy Spirit 00:12:43.220 --> 00:12:44.540 is set apart. 00:12:45.860 --> 00:12:46.160 Well, 00:12:46.720 --> 00:12:47.139 God, 00:12:47.340 --> 00:12:47.860 you believe 00:12:47.860 --> 00:12:48.840 you became part 00:12:48.840 --> 00:12:50.379 of this church plant 00:12:50.379 --> 00:12:50.960 from the beginning 00:12:50.960 --> 00:12:51.820 or maybe some of you 00:12:51.820 --> 00:12:52.540 knew come here 00:12:52.540 --> 00:12:52.980 and you're thinking, 00:12:53.160 --> 00:12:54.060 what did I get 00:12:54.060 --> 00:12:54.700 my stuff into? 00:12:54.780 --> 00:12:55.660 What have I signed up for? 00:12:55.720 --> 00:12:55.900 Well, 00:12:56.220 --> 00:12:57.459 I hope you're thinking, 00:12:57.819 --> 00:12:57.980 what? 00:12:58.100 --> 00:12:59.059 God set us apart 00:12:59.059 --> 00:12:59.759 for the work 00:12:59.759 --> 00:13:01.100 of establishing a church 00:13:01.100 --> 00:13:01.879 and seeing some people 00:13:01.879 --> 00:13:02.500 get saved. 00:13:02.919 --> 00:13:03.980 That means we have 00:13:03.980 --> 00:13:04.919 to set apart time. 00:13:05.259 --> 00:13:06.139 That means we have 00:13:06.139 --> 00:13:07.279 to set apart resources. 00:13:07.679 --> 00:13:08.639 That means we have 00:13:08.639 --> 00:13:09.379 to be flexible 00:13:09.379 --> 00:13:11.980 and not just give God 00:13:11.980 --> 00:13:12.679 our leftovers. 00:13:13.480 --> 00:13:14.019 And certainly, 00:13:14.120 --> 00:13:14.939 Paul didn't do that. 00:13:15.220 --> 00:13:15.500 Certainly, 00:13:15.600 --> 00:13:16.539 Barnabas didn't do that. 00:13:16.579 --> 00:13:17.559 It's not like they were like, 00:13:17.840 --> 00:13:18.000 well, 00:13:18.019 --> 00:13:18.579 that's kind of cool, 00:13:18.659 --> 00:13:18.840 God. 00:13:19.120 --> 00:13:19.960 That's a cool thing. 00:13:20.419 --> 00:13:20.679 You know? 00:13:21.079 --> 00:13:22.480 He just said we're set apart. 00:13:22.819 --> 00:13:23.699 I wonder what that could mean. 00:13:24.519 --> 00:13:24.679 Hey, 00:13:24.699 --> 00:13:25.460 you guys want to come over 00:13:25.460 --> 00:13:26.160 and watch a show? 00:13:26.340 --> 00:13:26.560 You know? 00:13:26.620 --> 00:13:27.400 I don't think that was 00:13:27.400 --> 00:13:28.259 like his response. 00:13:28.900 --> 00:13:29.700 He got out there. 00:13:29.759 --> 00:13:30.700 He got after it 00:13:30.700 --> 00:13:31.900 and showed a kind of 00:13:31.900 --> 00:13:32.940 work ethic that 00:13:32.940 --> 00:13:35.259 is fairly exemplary, 00:13:35.360 --> 00:13:35.600 right? 00:13:35.660 --> 00:13:36.980 As we see in the 00:13:36.980 --> 00:13:37.900 following scriptures 00:13:37.900 --> 00:13:39.259 and such in the book of Acts. 00:13:39.780 --> 00:13:40.000 Okay? 00:13:40.120 --> 00:13:40.340 So, 00:13:40.840 --> 00:13:41.639 are you set apart? 00:13:42.320 --> 00:13:43.320 Not just set apart 00:13:43.320 --> 00:13:44.100 in the sense you believe 00:13:44.100 --> 00:13:44.940 that God's called you, 00:13:45.019 --> 00:13:46.340 but in the practical sense. 00:13:47.040 --> 00:13:47.700 Are you set apart 00:13:47.700 --> 00:13:48.160 for the work 00:13:48.160 --> 00:13:48.560 in the sense 00:13:48.560 --> 00:13:49.840 that you're setting apart time? 00:13:50.320 --> 00:13:51.420 You're setting apart 00:13:51.420 --> 00:13:52.560 resources. 00:13:52.920 --> 00:13:53.840 You're setting apart 00:13:53.840 --> 00:13:55.460 intentional, 00:13:55.680 --> 00:13:56.519 strategic time 00:13:56.519 --> 00:13:57.620 to reach lost people, 00:13:57.780 --> 00:13:58.680 to build family 00:13:58.680 --> 00:13:59.340 with one another, 00:13:59.600 --> 00:14:00.920 and to create a context 00:14:00.920 --> 00:14:01.620 for God's kingdom 00:14:01.620 --> 00:14:02.280 to come on earth 00:14:02.280 --> 00:14:03.000 as it is in heaven. 00:14:04.540 --> 00:14:04.940 Okay? 00:14:06.180 --> 00:14:07.480 Later in the book of Acts, 00:14:07.519 --> 00:14:08.879 in Acts chapter 15, 00:14:09.780 --> 00:14:11.660 we see this phrase again, 00:14:11.720 --> 00:14:12.139 the work, 00:14:12.519 --> 00:14:13.460 but here it's in a, 00:14:13.519 --> 00:14:14.620 we have more of a negative 00:14:14.620 --> 00:14:15.980 context here. 00:14:16.500 --> 00:14:17.519 Acts chapter 15, 00:14:17.560 --> 00:14:18.379 verse 37, 00:14:18.379 --> 00:14:20.320 Paul and Barnabas 00:14:20.320 --> 00:14:21.379 are kind of at this 00:14:21.379 --> 00:14:23.820 intersection of decision, 00:14:24.039 --> 00:14:24.700 like how they're going 00:14:24.700 --> 00:14:25.779 to continue the work, 00:14:26.019 --> 00:14:27.559 and Barnabas wants 00:14:27.559 --> 00:14:28.439 to take his cousin, 00:14:28.559 --> 00:14:29.100 John Mark, 00:14:29.159 --> 00:14:29.439 with, 00:14:30.259 --> 00:14:31.980 and the fact that 00:14:31.980 --> 00:14:32.559 he's his cousin, 00:14:32.639 --> 00:14:33.379 you see that in some 00:14:33.379 --> 00:14:33.899 other part, 00:14:34.240 --> 00:14:34.899 maybe gives you a little 00:14:34.899 --> 00:14:35.759 insight as to why 00:14:35.759 --> 00:14:37.659 Barnabas was after him, 00:14:37.840 --> 00:14:38.740 or maybe it's just 00:14:38.740 --> 00:14:39.860 because Barnabas 00:14:39.860 --> 00:14:40.799 is the son of encouragement 00:14:40.799 --> 00:14:41.919 and he just really 00:14:41.919 --> 00:14:43.740 has a lot of hope 00:14:43.740 --> 00:14:44.240 for people, 00:14:44.340 --> 00:14:44.840 and he's just one 00:14:44.840 --> 00:14:45.440 of those guys, 00:14:45.539 --> 00:14:45.679 you know, 00:14:45.720 --> 00:14:46.240 the kind of guy 00:14:46.240 --> 00:14:47.539 that is always 00:14:47.539 --> 00:14:48.279 cheerleading you 00:14:48.279 --> 00:14:49.539 and has hope for guys, 00:14:49.659 --> 00:14:51.000 but Paul's not, 00:14:51.039 --> 00:14:52.019 not really having it, 00:14:52.080 --> 00:14:52.279 right? 00:14:52.440 --> 00:14:52.860 It says, 00:14:52.980 --> 00:14:53.779 verse 37, 00:14:53.879 --> 00:14:54.419 Barnabas wanted 00:14:54.419 --> 00:14:55.240 to take with them 00:14:55.240 --> 00:14:56.600 John called Mark, 00:14:56.680 --> 00:14:57.600 and then verse 38, 00:14:58.019 --> 00:14:58.820 Paul thought best 00:14:58.820 --> 00:15:01.039 not to take with them 00:15:01.039 --> 00:15:02.539 one who had withdrawn 00:15:02.539 --> 00:15:04.740 from them in Pamphylia 00:15:04.740 --> 00:15:05.740 and had not gone 00:15:05.740 --> 00:15:06.759 with them to the work. 00:15:07.460 --> 00:15:07.779 Uh-oh. 00:15:08.159 --> 00:15:08.340 So, 00:15:08.580 --> 00:15:09.919 Paul's like, 00:15:10.000 --> 00:15:10.120 hey, 00:15:10.200 --> 00:15:10.779 wait a second, 00:15:11.320 --> 00:15:12.360 we already took 00:15:12.360 --> 00:15:13.519 John Mark with us 00:15:13.519 --> 00:15:14.340 and he didn't, 00:15:14.620 --> 00:15:15.899 he didn't follow through. 00:15:16.899 --> 00:15:17.539 He didn't, 00:15:17.539 --> 00:15:17.940 he didn't, 00:15:18.000 --> 00:15:18.899 he didn't keep going. 00:15:19.259 --> 00:15:19.740 In fact, 00:15:19.899 --> 00:15:21.139 the language here 00:15:21.139 --> 00:15:22.299 is that he withdrew. 00:15:22.840 --> 00:15:24.060 He withdrew from us. 00:15:24.360 --> 00:15:25.180 When we're in the thick 00:15:25.180 --> 00:15:25.659 of the work, 00:15:25.720 --> 00:15:26.600 we're doing the work. 00:15:27.240 --> 00:15:27.779 John Mark, 00:15:27.899 --> 00:15:29.200 when the going got tough, 00:15:29.860 --> 00:15:30.799 John Mark got going. 00:15:31.039 --> 00:15:31.440 You know, 00:15:31.519 --> 00:15:32.200 he was gone. 00:15:33.240 --> 00:15:33.639 And, 00:15:34.100 --> 00:15:34.480 um, 00:15:35.039 --> 00:15:36.039 I think that phrase 00:15:36.039 --> 00:15:37.120 just even withdrawn 00:15:37.120 --> 00:15:38.019 and thinking of being, 00:15:38.139 --> 00:15:38.879 this concept of being 00:15:38.879 --> 00:15:39.960 withdrawn from the work, 00:15:40.299 --> 00:15:41.399 I want to ask us too, 00:15:41.580 --> 00:15:42.360 especially to those 00:15:42.360 --> 00:15:43.220 who've been with us 00:15:43.220 --> 00:15:44.120 since the beginning 00:15:44.120 --> 00:15:44.940 of Christ Church, 00:15:44.940 --> 00:15:45.940 uh, 00:15:46.040 --> 00:15:47.020 when you start a church, 00:15:47.080 --> 00:15:47.680 there's this sense 00:15:47.680 --> 00:15:48.680 of excitement, 00:15:49.480 --> 00:15:50.080 sense of, 00:15:50.080 --> 00:15:50.540 um, 00:15:51.180 --> 00:15:51.880 expectation, 00:15:52.120 --> 00:15:52.340 right? 00:15:53.220 --> 00:15:53.540 Enthusiasm. 00:15:54.240 --> 00:15:54.820 And then, 00:15:54.900 --> 00:15:55.600 over time, 00:15:55.680 --> 00:15:56.400 one thing that can 00:15:56.400 --> 00:15:57.400 subtly happen is 00:15:57.400 --> 00:15:58.400 we can subtly 00:15:58.400 --> 00:15:59.540 withdraw from the work. 00:16:00.080 --> 00:16:00.980 And I want to ask 00:16:00.980 --> 00:16:01.480 any of you, 00:16:01.560 --> 00:16:02.280 have any of you 00:16:02.280 --> 00:16:03.640 withdrawn from the work? 00:16:03.720 --> 00:16:04.040 I'm not, 00:16:04.100 --> 00:16:04.400 this isn't, 00:16:04.460 --> 00:16:04.960 you don't need to raise 00:16:04.960 --> 00:16:05.600 your hand or anything. 00:16:05.600 --> 00:16:06.000 I mean, 00:16:06.360 --> 00:16:06.620 uh, 00:16:07.160 --> 00:16:08.080 have any of you, 00:16:08.160 --> 00:16:08.580 um, 00:16:09.200 --> 00:16:10.360 withdrawn from the work? 00:16:10.360 --> 00:16:11.419 And I'm not talking 00:16:11.419 --> 00:16:12.080 about completely. 00:16:12.379 --> 00:16:12.519 I mean, 00:16:12.560 --> 00:16:13.639 John Mark didn't 00:16:13.639 --> 00:16:14.960 withdraw from completely 00:16:14.960 --> 00:16:16.419 because he was willing 00:16:16.419 --> 00:16:17.419 to go back with them 00:16:17.419 --> 00:16:18.440 out in this particular 00:16:18.440 --> 00:16:18.980 place. 00:16:19.279 --> 00:16:19.759 But, 00:16:19.899 --> 00:16:20.340 in this, 00:16:20.460 --> 00:16:21.539 in this one season, 00:16:21.680 --> 00:16:22.399 he did withdraw. 00:16:23.580 --> 00:16:24.060 And, 00:16:24.259 --> 00:16:25.279 again, 00:16:25.500 --> 00:16:26.759 no condemnation. 00:16:27.659 --> 00:16:28.720 Some of this is hard. 00:16:29.659 --> 00:16:30.460 Gene and I remember 00:16:30.460 --> 00:16:31.700 many lonely times 00:16:31.700 --> 00:16:33.159 doing church planning 00:16:33.159 --> 00:16:33.940 with little kids. 00:16:34.139 --> 00:16:35.120 I want to even speak 00:16:35.120 --> 00:16:36.320 specifically to some 00:16:36.320 --> 00:16:36.740 of you moms 00:16:36.740 --> 00:16:37.539 of little kids 00:16:37.539 --> 00:16:38.919 who are just tired 00:16:38.919 --> 00:16:40.419 because you're a mom 00:16:40.419 --> 00:16:41.319 and you're doing the work 00:16:41.319 --> 00:16:41.860 and you're trying to 00:16:41.860 --> 00:16:43.179 help do church planning, 00:16:43.339 --> 00:16:44.059 you know, 00:16:44.099 --> 00:16:44.919 maybe with your husband 00:16:44.919 --> 00:16:46.120 and a bunch of littles 00:16:46.120 --> 00:16:46.860 and you're just thinking, 00:16:47.099 --> 00:16:47.679 yeah, 00:16:47.799 --> 00:16:48.099 you know, 00:16:48.599 --> 00:16:48.799 I, 00:16:48.899 --> 00:16:49.519 I don't know. 00:16:49.599 --> 00:16:50.279 I'm a little tired. 00:16:51.120 --> 00:16:51.439 Maybe, 00:16:51.579 --> 00:16:52.379 maybe I've withdrawn 00:16:52.379 --> 00:16:52.919 a little bit. 00:16:52.980 --> 00:16:53.819 Maybe I've hid behind 00:16:53.819 --> 00:16:54.319 the kids 00:16:54.319 --> 00:16:55.399 or hid behind the sickness 00:16:55.399 --> 00:16:56.839 or hid behind this 00:16:56.839 --> 00:16:57.120 or that. 00:16:57.159 --> 00:16:58.039 That happens sometimes, 00:16:58.039 --> 00:16:58.360 right? 00:16:59.120 --> 00:17:00.279 But I'm asking you 00:17:00.279 --> 00:17:01.500 to consider John Mark 00:17:01.500 --> 00:17:02.219 here and to consider 00:17:02.219 --> 00:17:02.719 this here. 00:17:02.939 --> 00:17:03.799 And Paul was, 00:17:03.860 --> 00:17:05.500 Paul was pretty emphatic 00:17:05.500 --> 00:17:06.359 about this and said, 00:17:06.440 --> 00:17:06.539 hey, 00:17:06.559 --> 00:17:07.019 Barnabas, 00:17:07.619 --> 00:17:07.879 I, 00:17:08.039 --> 00:17:09.180 I don't think, 00:17:09.319 --> 00:17:10.259 I think it's best 00:17:10.259 --> 00:17:11.819 not to take him with us 00:17:11.819 --> 00:17:13.359 because he had withdrawn 00:17:13.359 --> 00:17:14.599 from us in Pamphylia 00:17:14.599 --> 00:17:15.639 and had not gone 00:17:15.639 --> 00:17:16.639 with us to the work. 00:17:17.480 --> 00:17:17.680 And, 00:17:17.700 --> 00:17:18.000 um, 00:17:18.359 --> 00:17:19.119 Paul knows how 00:17:19.119 --> 00:17:19.960 to build churches, 00:17:20.279 --> 00:17:21.019 right? 00:17:21.119 --> 00:17:23.099 Paul has apostolic wisdom 00:17:23.099 --> 00:17:23.819 to do this 00:17:23.819 --> 00:17:24.299 in the sense 00:17:24.299 --> 00:17:25.299 that he's concerned 00:17:25.299 --> 00:17:26.960 about the danger 00:17:26.960 --> 00:17:28.119 of a withdrawing 00:17:28.119 --> 00:17:28.799 that can happen 00:17:28.799 --> 00:17:29.359 and the effect 00:17:29.359 --> 00:17:29.879 that it has 00:17:29.879 --> 00:17:30.460 on the work. 00:17:31.500 --> 00:17:31.900 And, 00:17:32.019 --> 00:17:32.319 uh, 00:17:32.319 --> 00:17:32.680 I think it's 00:17:32.680 --> 00:17:33.299 an important point. 00:17:33.660 --> 00:17:34.240 I think it's important 00:17:34.240 --> 00:17:35.059 for us to ask 00:17:35.059 --> 00:17:35.539 and do a, 00:17:35.539 --> 00:17:36.779 a good just kind of 00:17:36.779 --> 00:17:37.480 looking at ourselves 00:17:37.480 --> 00:17:37.819 and said, 00:17:37.879 --> 00:17:38.019 hey, 00:17:38.279 --> 00:17:38.660 if I, 00:17:38.759 --> 00:17:39.359 if I withdrawn 00:17:39.359 --> 00:17:39.980 a little bit, 00:17:40.440 --> 00:17:41.420 if I withdrawn 00:17:41.420 --> 00:17:42.500 literally from the work, 00:17:42.559 --> 00:17:43.039 if I withdrawn 00:17:43.039 --> 00:17:44.059 just in my heart, 00:17:44.460 --> 00:17:44.899 if I withdrawn 00:17:44.899 --> 00:17:45.960 with my enthusiasm, 00:17:46.639 --> 00:17:47.099 if I, 00:17:47.240 --> 00:17:47.960 you know, 00:17:48.639 --> 00:17:48.960 uh, 00:17:48.960 --> 00:17:50.000 maybe had the sniffles 00:17:50.000 --> 00:17:50.299 and, 00:17:50.619 --> 00:17:50.839 you know, 00:17:50.839 --> 00:17:51.920 said I was really sick 00:17:51.920 --> 00:17:52.559 and maybe I wasn't 00:17:52.559 --> 00:17:53.079 really sick, 00:17:53.099 --> 00:17:53.980 I just kind of was, 00:17:54.019 --> 00:17:54.279 you know, 00:17:54.720 --> 00:17:55.720 checked out a little bit. 00:17:55.779 --> 00:17:56.099 If I, 00:17:56.579 --> 00:17:57.539 if I like just 00:17:57.539 --> 00:17:58.859 withdrawn from the effort, 00:17:58.920 --> 00:18:00.220 if I showed up to meetings 00:18:00.220 --> 00:18:01.319 but not really showed up 00:18:01.319 --> 00:18:01.779 to meetings, 00:18:02.140 --> 00:18:02.960 you understand what I'm saying? 00:18:03.099 --> 00:18:03.420 Like, 00:18:03.420 --> 00:18:03.839 I'm there, 00:18:03.940 --> 00:18:04.799 I'm physically there, 00:18:04.900 --> 00:18:06.279 but I'm not there, 00:18:06.700 --> 00:18:08.359 engaged at the heart 00:18:08.359 --> 00:18:09.779 and really going at it 00:18:09.779 --> 00:18:10.180 with the work. 00:18:10.259 --> 00:18:11.779 Maybe I was more enthusiastic 00:18:11.779 --> 00:18:12.640 on the front end 00:18:12.640 --> 00:18:13.180 of this thing 00:18:13.180 --> 00:18:13.559 and now, 00:18:14.200 --> 00:18:14.880 you know, 00:18:15.440 --> 00:18:15.779 uh, 00:18:15.779 --> 00:18:17.399 almost two years into it, 00:18:17.700 --> 00:18:18.680 maybe the enthusiasm 00:18:18.680 --> 00:18:19.599 has waned a little bit. 00:18:19.660 --> 00:18:20.299 Maybe I'd hope 00:18:20.299 --> 00:18:20.960 the things were going 00:18:20.960 --> 00:18:21.619 to be a little different. 00:18:21.740 --> 00:18:22.299 Maybe I'd hope 00:18:22.299 --> 00:18:23.240 that we'd see 00:18:23.240 --> 00:18:25.019 more souls come to Christ 00:18:25.019 --> 00:18:25.299 and, 00:18:25.559 --> 00:18:25.960 you know, 00:18:26.019 --> 00:18:26.339 maybe, 00:18:26.539 --> 00:18:28.039 maybe I'm a little bit 00:18:28.039 --> 00:18:28.599 more withdrawn, 00:18:28.940 --> 00:18:29.180 okay? 00:18:29.579 --> 00:18:30.099 And he, 00:18:30.160 --> 00:18:30.480 he, 00:18:30.480 --> 00:18:31.579 he criticizes this 00:18:31.579 --> 00:18:32.039 and it's a, 00:18:32.039 --> 00:18:32.779 it's a thing for us 00:18:32.779 --> 00:18:33.819 to ask the question of, 00:18:34.180 --> 00:18:34.420 okay? 00:18:35.539 --> 00:18:37.399 First Corinthians 1558 00:18:37.399 --> 00:18:38.899 says, 00:18:39.399 --> 00:18:40.079 and he says, 00:18:40.180 --> 00:18:40.579 therefore, 00:18:41.180 --> 00:18:41.680 so the part, 00:18:41.740 --> 00:18:42.579 the part before this 00:18:42.579 --> 00:18:43.759 is describing the return 00:18:43.759 --> 00:18:44.299 of the Lord, 00:18:44.660 --> 00:18:45.740 it's describing the time 00:18:45.740 --> 00:18:46.500 when death will be 00:18:46.500 --> 00:18:47.660 swallowed up in victory 00:18:47.660 --> 00:18:49.200 and he says, 00:18:49.279 --> 00:18:49.660 basically, 00:18:49.799 --> 00:18:50.140 therefore, 00:18:50.299 --> 00:18:51.339 so in light of this 00:18:51.339 --> 00:18:52.660 return of the Lord 00:18:52.660 --> 00:18:53.660 and death being swallowed 00:18:53.660 --> 00:18:54.220 up in victory, 00:18:54.220 --> 00:18:54.579 he says, 00:18:54.660 --> 00:18:55.460 my dear brothers 00:18:55.460 --> 00:18:56.160 and sisters, 00:18:57.099 --> 00:18:58.180 stand firm, 00:18:58.740 --> 00:19:00.240 let nothing move you, 00:19:00.799 --> 00:19:02.220 always give yourselves 00:19:02.220 --> 00:19:03.599 fully to the work 00:19:03.599 --> 00:19:04.240 of the Lord 00:19:04.240 --> 00:19:05.259 because you know 00:19:05.259 --> 00:19:05.859 that your labor 00:19:05.859 --> 00:19:06.240 in the Lord 00:19:06.240 --> 00:19:07.039 is not in vain. 00:19:07.599 --> 00:19:08.059 So again, 00:19:08.200 --> 00:19:08.940 speaking of the work, 00:19:09.039 --> 00:19:09.420 he says, 00:19:09.759 --> 00:19:11.140 always give yourselves 00:19:11.140 --> 00:19:12.500 fully to the work 00:19:12.500 --> 00:19:13.039 of the Lord, 00:19:13.400 --> 00:19:13.640 okay? 00:19:13.920 --> 00:19:15.019 So it's a sense of like, 00:19:15.019 --> 00:19:16.240 I'm going to give myself 00:19:16.240 --> 00:19:17.200 fully. 00:19:17.400 --> 00:19:18.279 I'm going to give myself 00:19:18.279 --> 00:19:18.819 always. 00:19:19.579 --> 00:19:20.779 That's the kind of commitment 00:19:20.779 --> 00:19:22.359 that is necessary 00:19:22.359 --> 00:19:23.259 to do the work 00:19:23.259 --> 00:19:23.680 of the Lord. 00:19:24.139 --> 00:19:25.059 Always and fully 00:19:25.059 --> 00:19:25.819 in the work of the Lord. 00:19:25.980 --> 00:19:26.220 Now, 00:19:26.720 --> 00:19:27.700 you can't do that 00:19:27.700 --> 00:19:28.180 on your own. 00:19:28.740 --> 00:19:29.420 There's no way 00:19:29.420 --> 00:19:30.079 you're going to always 00:19:30.079 --> 00:19:30.859 give yourself fully 00:19:30.859 --> 00:19:31.799 to the work of the Lord 00:19:31.799 --> 00:19:33.079 unless you're always 00:19:33.079 --> 00:19:34.039 thinking about 00:19:34.039 --> 00:19:34.819 the consistent, 00:19:35.099 --> 00:19:35.940 steadfast love 00:19:35.940 --> 00:19:36.500 of the Father 00:19:36.500 --> 00:19:37.519 in Christ Jesus. 00:19:38.579 --> 00:19:39.220 1 John 4, 00:19:39.259 --> 00:19:39.799 19 says, 00:19:39.879 --> 00:19:40.519 we love because 00:19:40.519 --> 00:19:41.720 he first loved us, 00:19:41.720 --> 00:19:42.519 right? 00:19:43.299 --> 00:19:44.400 We love because 00:19:44.400 --> 00:19:46.059 God first loved us. 00:19:46.620 --> 00:19:48.519 You have to be fueled 00:19:48.519 --> 00:19:50.079 by the things 00:19:50.079 --> 00:19:50.559 we were saying 00:19:50.559 --> 00:19:51.180 this morning 00:19:51.180 --> 00:19:52.860 that no one's ever 00:19:52.860 --> 00:19:53.319 loved us 00:19:53.319 --> 00:19:54.279 the way he's loved us. 00:19:54.360 --> 00:19:55.740 No one has pursued us 00:19:55.740 --> 00:19:57.180 the way he's pursued us. 00:19:57.319 --> 00:19:58.079 When you live 00:19:58.079 --> 00:19:58.680 in that awareness, 00:19:58.940 --> 00:19:59.940 it puts a fire 00:19:59.940 --> 00:20:01.079 in your belly. 00:20:01.500 --> 00:20:03.579 It puts a persistence 00:20:03.579 --> 00:20:04.900 and a steadfastness 00:20:04.900 --> 00:20:05.519 in you to say, 00:20:06.119 --> 00:20:07.879 I know that my labor 00:20:07.879 --> 00:20:08.279 in the Lord 00:20:08.279 --> 00:20:09.019 is not in vain 00:20:09.019 --> 00:20:10.579 because the Lamb 00:20:10.579 --> 00:20:11.099 who was slain 00:20:11.099 --> 00:20:11.759 is worthy. 00:20:12.480 --> 00:20:13.379 The Lamb who was slain 00:20:13.379 --> 00:20:13.900 is worthy 00:20:13.900 --> 00:20:15.599 and to receive 00:20:15.599 --> 00:20:16.079 the reward 00:20:16.079 --> 00:20:16.720 of his suffering. 00:20:17.579 --> 00:20:17.619 And, 00:20:17.740 --> 00:20:19.220 you know, 00:20:19.319 --> 00:20:20.200 by God's grace, 00:20:20.319 --> 00:20:21.500 I am to be that man 00:20:21.500 --> 00:20:23.000 who gives myself 00:20:23.000 --> 00:20:23.599 to this work. 00:20:23.700 --> 00:20:24.240 By God's grace, 00:20:24.299 --> 00:20:25.160 I am to be that woman 00:20:25.160 --> 00:20:26.579 who gives myself fully. 00:20:26.900 --> 00:20:27.200 And yeah, 00:20:27.220 --> 00:20:27.839 I'm going to be tired. 00:20:27.960 --> 00:20:28.700 I'm going to be worn out. 00:20:29.220 --> 00:20:29.900 Most certainly, 00:20:30.019 --> 00:20:30.440 these people 00:20:30.440 --> 00:20:30.980 in the scriptures 00:20:30.980 --> 00:20:31.720 were as well. 00:20:32.139 --> 00:20:32.539 But I'm going to 00:20:32.539 --> 00:20:33.539 fulfill God's command 00:20:33.539 --> 00:20:34.480 to always give myself 00:20:34.480 --> 00:20:35.319 fully to the work of the Lord. 00:20:35.519 --> 00:20:35.920 Why? 00:20:36.079 --> 00:20:36.359 He says, 00:20:36.440 --> 00:20:38.019 because you know 00:20:38.019 --> 00:20:38.660 that your labor 00:20:38.660 --> 00:20:38.980 in the Lord 00:20:38.980 --> 00:20:39.579 is not in vain. 00:20:39.879 --> 00:20:40.660 Brothers and sisters, 00:20:40.779 --> 00:20:41.500 do you know this? 00:20:42.359 --> 00:20:43.519 Do you know this today? 00:20:43.639 --> 00:20:43.779 Like, 00:20:43.819 --> 00:20:44.819 do you know it in your gut? 00:20:44.920 --> 00:20:45.519 Do you know it 00:20:45.519 --> 00:20:46.519 in the sense that 00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:47.920 I'm not going to give up? 00:20:48.220 --> 00:20:50.519 I know that my labor 00:20:50.519 --> 00:20:50.980 in the Lord 00:20:50.980 --> 00:20:51.740 is not in vain. 00:20:52.400 --> 00:20:53.240 Do you know this? 00:20:53.619 --> 00:20:54.379 When you know it, 00:20:54.420 --> 00:20:55.259 then you persist. 00:20:55.539 --> 00:20:56.480 You persevere. 00:20:56.839 --> 00:20:57.740 You strategize. 00:20:57.859 --> 00:20:59.099 You set apart. 00:20:59.799 --> 00:21:00.420 You get equipped 00:21:00.420 --> 00:21:00.960 for the work. 00:21:01.099 --> 00:21:01.819 Ephesians 4, 00:21:01.859 --> 00:21:02.619 11 to 12 00:21:02.619 --> 00:21:03.680 says he gave 00:21:03.680 --> 00:21:04.259 the apostles, 00:21:04.480 --> 00:21:04.980 the prophets, 00:21:04.980 --> 00:21:05.860 the evangelists, 00:21:05.920 --> 00:21:06.539 the shepherds, 00:21:06.579 --> 00:21:07.140 and teachers 00:21:07.140 --> 00:21:08.579 to equip the saints 00:21:08.579 --> 00:21:09.779 for the work of ministry, 00:21:10.240 --> 00:21:11.299 for building up 00:21:11.299 --> 00:21:12.420 of the body of Christ. 00:21:13.079 --> 00:21:13.259 Okay? 00:21:13.319 --> 00:21:14.059 And it's not just 00:21:14.059 --> 00:21:15.059 generic ministry. 00:21:15.279 --> 00:21:16.180 It's specifically 00:21:16.180 --> 00:21:16.799 the building up 00:21:16.799 --> 00:21:17.839 of the body of Christ. 00:21:17.839 --> 00:21:19.500 are we utilizing 00:21:19.500 --> 00:21:20.859 and experiencing 00:21:20.859 --> 00:21:21.720 the benefit 00:21:21.720 --> 00:21:23.399 of the different gifts 00:21:23.399 --> 00:21:24.919 that we've been given 00:21:24.919 --> 00:21:26.179 in the church? 00:21:26.379 --> 00:21:27.539 Are we utilizing them 00:21:27.539 --> 00:21:28.139 in the sense 00:21:28.139 --> 00:21:29.339 that we're equipped? 00:21:29.779 --> 00:21:30.559 Or are we maybe 00:21:30.559 --> 00:21:31.379 taking for granted 00:21:31.379 --> 00:21:32.019 certain gifts 00:21:32.019 --> 00:21:32.859 that are among us? 00:21:33.179 --> 00:21:34.099 Are we taking granted 00:21:34.099 --> 00:21:35.919 some of what's given to us? 00:21:35.959 --> 00:21:36.859 Do we have a sense of 00:21:36.859 --> 00:21:37.839 maybe a little bit 00:21:37.839 --> 00:21:38.899 of arrogant independence 00:21:38.899 --> 00:21:39.539 that says, 00:21:39.619 --> 00:21:40.000 you know what? 00:21:40.039 --> 00:21:41.240 I don't need these other gifts. 00:21:41.240 --> 00:21:42.240 I don't need 00:21:42.240 --> 00:21:43.519 these other people. 00:21:43.519 --> 00:21:43.819 Like, 00:21:43.920 --> 00:21:44.940 I got it figured out. 00:21:45.359 --> 00:21:46.759 I don't need 00:21:46.759 --> 00:21:47.259 to be equipped 00:21:47.259 --> 00:21:47.920 in these things. 00:21:48.339 --> 00:21:49.380 God specifically 00:21:49.380 --> 00:21:50.539 gave these gifts 00:21:50.539 --> 00:21:51.839 to the church. 00:21:52.000 --> 00:21:52.460 Apostles, 00:21:52.620 --> 00:21:52.880 prophets, 00:21:53.099 --> 00:21:53.380 pastors, 00:21:53.579 --> 00:21:53.920 teachers, 00:21:54.400 --> 00:21:55.000 and evangelists. 00:21:55.039 --> 00:21:56.460 He gave them to us 00:21:56.460 --> 00:21:58.099 so that we can be equipped. 00:21:58.980 --> 00:22:00.240 Are we leaning into them? 00:22:00.640 --> 00:22:01.759 Are we taking advantage of them? 00:22:02.180 --> 00:22:02.779 Are we taking advantage 00:22:02.779 --> 00:22:03.819 of those that we know 00:22:03.819 --> 00:22:04.400 in our life 00:22:04.400 --> 00:22:04.960 that we see 00:22:04.960 --> 00:22:05.859 that these people, 00:22:06.240 --> 00:22:06.960 these people 00:22:06.960 --> 00:22:07.440 who are gifts 00:22:07.440 --> 00:22:07.960 to the church, 00:22:07.960 --> 00:22:09.460 are we taking advantage 00:22:09.460 --> 00:22:11.160 of what has been given to us? 00:22:11.840 --> 00:22:12.460 Or are we saying, 00:22:12.539 --> 00:22:12.660 no, 00:22:12.680 --> 00:22:13.380 I got this. 00:22:13.500 --> 00:22:13.960 I'm fine. 00:22:13.980 --> 00:22:14.740 I don't need that. 00:22:15.140 --> 00:22:16.220 And then we're trying 00:22:16.220 --> 00:22:16.980 to do the work 00:22:16.980 --> 00:22:18.220 of ministry unequipped. 00:22:19.240 --> 00:22:19.920 We're equipped 00:22:19.920 --> 00:22:20.779 to do that work 00:22:20.779 --> 00:22:21.759 with these gifts. 00:22:22.500 --> 00:22:22.660 Okay? 00:22:25.480 --> 00:22:26.220 And essentially 00:22:26.220 --> 00:22:26.840 what he was saying, 00:22:26.940 --> 00:22:27.120 again, 00:22:27.200 --> 00:22:27.740 in that verse 00:22:27.740 --> 00:22:28.259 we started with 00:22:28.259 --> 00:22:28.620 at the beginning, 00:22:28.740 --> 00:22:29.019 he says, 00:22:29.079 --> 00:22:29.779 send out laborers 00:22:29.779 --> 00:22:30.759 into the harvest field. 00:22:31.460 --> 00:22:31.660 You know, 00:22:31.660 --> 00:22:32.799 Paul told to Timothy 00:22:32.799 --> 00:22:34.519 in 2 Timothy 4, 5, 00:22:34.579 --> 00:22:34.840 he says, 00:22:34.940 --> 00:22:35.259 it's for you, 00:22:35.360 --> 00:22:36.539 always be sober-minded, 00:22:37.140 --> 00:22:37.840 endure suffering, 00:22:37.959 --> 00:22:38.539 and do the work 00:22:38.539 --> 00:22:39.399 of an evangelist. 00:22:39.859 --> 00:22:40.939 Fulfill your ministry. 00:22:41.459 --> 00:22:41.599 Okay? 00:22:41.859 --> 00:22:42.480 Do the work 00:22:42.480 --> 00:22:43.679 of an evangelist. 00:22:44.259 --> 00:22:45.019 Paul also said 00:22:45.019 --> 00:22:46.119 in Philippians 4, 3, 00:22:46.199 --> 00:22:46.480 yes, 00:22:46.579 --> 00:22:47.399 I ask you also, 00:22:47.559 --> 00:22:48.199 true companion, 00:22:48.639 --> 00:22:49.559 help these women 00:22:49.559 --> 00:22:50.319 who have labored 00:22:50.319 --> 00:22:51.199 side by side 00:22:51.199 --> 00:22:51.539 with me 00:22:51.539 --> 00:22:52.099 in the gospel 00:22:52.099 --> 00:22:52.740 together 00:22:52.740 --> 00:22:53.839 with comment 00:22:53.839 --> 00:22:54.359 and the rest 00:22:54.359 --> 00:22:55.319 of my fellow workers 00:22:55.319 --> 00:22:56.339 whose names 00:22:56.339 --> 00:22:56.959 are in the book 00:22:56.959 --> 00:22:57.839 of life. 00:22:58.359 --> 00:22:58.559 Okay? 00:22:59.299 --> 00:23:00.359 The laborers are few. 00:23:01.039 --> 00:23:01.980 We've got to get 00:23:01.980 --> 00:23:02.959 strategically 00:23:02.959 --> 00:23:04.959 into the harvest field 00:23:04.959 --> 00:23:05.619 together. 00:23:06.259 --> 00:23:06.500 He said, 00:23:06.559 --> 00:23:07.059 who've labored 00:23:07.059 --> 00:23:07.819 side by side 00:23:07.819 --> 00:23:08.319 with me 00:23:08.319 --> 00:23:09.200 in the gospel 00:23:09.200 --> 00:23:09.619 together, 00:23:09.779 --> 00:23:10.480 doing the work 00:23:10.480 --> 00:23:11.339 of an evangelist. 00:23:11.819 --> 00:23:12.960 Our missional communities 00:23:12.960 --> 00:23:13.960 can't be communities 00:23:13.960 --> 00:23:15.019 with just a side 00:23:15.019 --> 00:23:15.599 of mission. 00:23:16.379 --> 00:23:16.859 Like, 00:23:16.939 --> 00:23:17.619 that's never going 00:23:17.619 --> 00:23:17.980 to work. 00:23:18.879 --> 00:23:19.700 That's never going 00:23:19.700 --> 00:23:20.500 to be what God 00:23:20.500 --> 00:23:21.720 wanted us to be 00:23:21.720 --> 00:23:22.319 as a people. 00:23:22.519 --> 00:23:23.299 A people 00:23:23.299 --> 00:23:24.200 who are living 00:23:24.200 --> 00:23:25.000 for his glory 00:23:25.000 --> 00:23:27.220 by doing what 00:23:27.220 --> 00:23:27.740 Jesus did, 00:23:27.819 --> 00:23:28.539 seeking and saving 00:23:28.539 --> 00:23:29.399 those who were lost. 00:23:29.720 --> 00:23:30.659 Seeking out lost people 00:23:30.659 --> 00:23:31.039 and saying, 00:23:31.139 --> 00:23:31.259 hey, 00:23:31.559 --> 00:23:32.339 it's not okay 00:23:32.339 --> 00:23:33.139 that we just have 00:23:33.139 --> 00:23:33.939 our life together 00:23:33.940 --> 00:23:34.980 and then sprinkle 00:23:34.980 --> 00:23:35.740 in just a little 00:23:35.740 --> 00:23:36.500 bit of mission. 00:23:36.920 --> 00:23:37.160 Like, 00:23:37.240 --> 00:23:37.340 oh, 00:23:37.380 --> 00:23:37.860 that'd be cool. 00:23:37.940 --> 00:23:38.039 Hey, 00:23:38.080 --> 00:23:38.220 look, 00:23:38.279 --> 00:23:39.000 there's an unbeliever. 00:23:39.080 --> 00:23:39.460 We should, 00:23:39.700 --> 00:23:39.940 you know, 00:23:39.980 --> 00:23:40.600 preach the gospel 00:23:40.600 --> 00:23:41.120 to them. 00:23:41.660 --> 00:23:42.559 Missional communities, 00:23:42.820 --> 00:23:43.799 those missional communities, 00:23:44.299 --> 00:23:45.160 the groups that we, 00:23:45.620 --> 00:23:46.140 those of you who don't 00:23:46.140 --> 00:23:46.720 know what I'm talking 00:23:46.720 --> 00:23:46.920 about, 00:23:46.980 --> 00:23:47.559 our church, 00:23:48.019 --> 00:23:48.600 pretty much the only 00:23:48.600 --> 00:23:49.120 thing we have 00:23:49.120 --> 00:23:49.660 as a church 00:23:49.660 --> 00:23:51.400 is we organize 00:23:51.400 --> 00:23:51.940 the people 00:23:51.940 --> 00:23:52.400 in our church 00:23:52.400 --> 00:23:52.940 together in what 00:23:52.940 --> 00:23:53.539 we call missional 00:23:53.539 --> 00:23:54.120 communities. 00:23:54.620 --> 00:23:54.980 And a missional 00:23:54.980 --> 00:23:55.740 community is a small 00:23:55.740 --> 00:23:56.480 family of believers 00:23:56.480 --> 00:23:57.100 on mission 00:23:57.100 --> 00:23:58.100 to specific people 00:23:58.100 --> 00:23:58.640 and places. 00:23:58.640 --> 00:23:59.940 Now, 00:24:00.280 --> 00:24:01.000 nobody drifts 00:24:01.000 --> 00:24:01.720 towards mission. 00:24:02.100 --> 00:24:02.300 Nobody, 00:24:02.580 --> 00:24:03.700 no church drifts 00:24:03.700 --> 00:24:04.360 towards mission. 00:24:04.960 --> 00:24:05.720 And any church 00:24:05.720 --> 00:24:06.500 that's not on mission 00:24:06.500 --> 00:24:07.020 is a church 00:24:07.020 --> 00:24:07.640 that's dying. 00:24:08.360 --> 00:24:09.380 That's a fact. 00:24:10.020 --> 00:24:10.860 That is a fact. 00:24:11.740 --> 00:24:13.420 Mission has to be pushed. 00:24:13.880 --> 00:24:15.259 Mission has to be reminded. 00:24:15.820 --> 00:24:17.100 Mission has to be organized. 00:24:17.460 --> 00:24:18.460 Mission has to be 00:24:18.460 --> 00:24:20.660 not just something 00:24:20.660 --> 00:24:21.759 we do out of obligation, 00:24:21.920 --> 00:24:22.460 but it has to be 00:24:22.460 --> 00:24:23.460 a passion of ours 00:24:23.460 --> 00:24:24.540 because of our love 00:24:24.540 --> 00:24:25.060 for Jesus 00:24:25.060 --> 00:24:26.120 and our knowledge 00:24:26.120 --> 00:24:27.180 of who Jesus is. 00:24:27.380 --> 00:24:28.240 We have to be 00:24:28.240 --> 00:24:29.200 a missional people 00:24:29.200 --> 00:24:30.120 because God 00:24:30.120 --> 00:24:31.160 is a missional God. 00:24:31.980 --> 00:24:32.180 Right? 00:24:32.620 --> 00:24:33.920 And when we know that, 00:24:34.120 --> 00:24:34.819 we don't just 00:24:34.819 --> 00:24:35.900 organize ourselves 00:24:35.900 --> 00:24:36.839 into communities 00:24:36.839 --> 00:24:37.480 of people 00:24:37.480 --> 00:24:38.700 and that are just 00:24:38.700 --> 00:24:39.240 communities 00:24:39.240 --> 00:24:40.380 and then, 00:24:40.519 --> 00:24:40.759 oh yeah, 00:24:40.819 --> 00:24:41.259 we'll do a little 00:24:41.259 --> 00:24:42.120 mission here and there. 00:24:42.440 --> 00:24:43.299 Mission must be 00:24:43.299 --> 00:24:44.019 at the forefront. 00:24:44.960 --> 00:24:45.120 Okay? 00:24:45.220 --> 00:24:45.880 And if we don't 00:24:45.880 --> 00:24:46.460 build that into 00:24:46.460 --> 00:24:47.759 the culture of our church, 00:24:47.940 --> 00:24:48.759 the church isn't 00:24:48.759 --> 00:24:49.640 going to drift that way 00:24:49.640 --> 00:24:50.400 over the years. 00:24:50.819 --> 00:24:51.799 Please listen to me 00:24:51.799 --> 00:24:52.579 when I say that. 00:24:52.759 --> 00:24:54.319 It will not do that. 00:24:54.740 --> 00:24:54.980 Right? 00:24:55.440 --> 00:24:56.299 If there's any 00:24:56.299 --> 00:24:57.559 apostolic wisdom in me, 00:24:57.559 --> 00:24:58.419 I'm asking you 00:24:58.419 --> 00:24:59.259 to listen to this. 00:24:59.639 --> 00:25:01.059 We must have 00:25:01.059 --> 00:25:03.839 a pressed into, 00:25:04.019 --> 00:25:04.659 intentional, 00:25:05.200 --> 00:25:06.139 at the forefront 00:25:06.139 --> 00:25:07.220 of these communities 00:25:07.220 --> 00:25:07.960 that aren't just 00:25:07.960 --> 00:25:08.299 communities, 00:25:08.419 --> 00:25:09.779 but missional communities 00:25:09.779 --> 00:25:10.940 that we are on 00:25:10.940 --> 00:25:11.619 mission together. 00:25:12.500 --> 00:25:13.440 And it can't just be 00:25:13.440 --> 00:25:14.179 a group of people 00:25:14.179 --> 00:25:15.039 who are on mission 00:25:15.039 --> 00:25:16.019 to individual people 00:25:16.019 --> 00:25:16.500 in their lives 00:25:16.500 --> 00:25:17.379 with no cohesive 00:25:17.379 --> 00:25:18.119 togetherness. 00:25:18.500 --> 00:25:19.419 That's not a missional 00:25:19.419 --> 00:25:19.779 community. 00:25:19.879 --> 00:25:21.039 That's just Christianity. 00:25:21.659 --> 00:25:22.599 Every Christian needs 00:25:22.599 --> 00:25:23.159 to be on mission 00:25:23.159 --> 00:25:23.679 to people. 00:25:24.019 --> 00:25:24.639 But the church 00:25:24.639 --> 00:25:25.319 is more than that. 00:25:25.319 --> 00:25:25.980 The church gets 00:25:25.980 --> 00:25:26.859 on mission together. 00:25:27.559 --> 00:25:28.200 If you look at 00:25:28.200 --> 00:25:28.960 the New Testament, 00:25:29.119 --> 00:25:29.439 you look at 00:25:29.439 --> 00:25:30.240 the book of Acts. 00:25:31.480 --> 00:25:32.679 Were they just doing 00:25:32.679 --> 00:25:33.579 these little communities 00:25:33.579 --> 00:25:34.299 and then mission 00:25:34.299 --> 00:25:35.599 was a sprinkle 00:25:35.599 --> 00:25:36.299 on the side? 00:25:36.500 --> 00:25:36.799 No. 00:25:37.639 --> 00:25:38.639 You don't see that. 00:25:38.960 --> 00:25:40.000 You won't see that. 00:25:40.679 --> 00:25:41.819 This was at the forefront. 00:25:42.059 --> 00:25:42.720 This was the tip 00:25:42.720 --> 00:25:43.319 of the arrow. 00:25:43.839 --> 00:25:44.919 Where the church went 00:25:44.919 --> 00:25:46.039 was where mission went. 00:25:46.779 --> 00:25:47.619 They were constantly 00:25:47.619 --> 00:25:48.379 expanding. 00:25:48.779 --> 00:25:49.240 Paul's like, 00:25:49.319 --> 00:25:50.039 I gotta go 00:25:50.039 --> 00:25:51.460 to where Christ 00:25:51.460 --> 00:25:52.240 hasn't been preached. 00:25:52.240 --> 00:25:52.940 I have to go 00:25:52.940 --> 00:25:53.599 to lands 00:25:53.599 --> 00:25:54.319 where Christ 00:25:54.319 --> 00:25:55.019 hasn't been preached. 00:25:55.319 --> 00:25:56.339 We have to seek 00:25:56.339 --> 00:25:56.880 and save people 00:25:56.880 --> 00:25:57.200 who are lost. 00:25:57.460 --> 00:25:58.460 We're gonna send 00:25:58.460 --> 00:25:59.420 people and equip 00:25:59.420 --> 00:26:01.200 people into 00:26:01.200 --> 00:26:02.160 different cities, 00:26:02.400 --> 00:26:03.319 into different places, 00:26:03.319 --> 00:26:03.799 and they were 00:26:03.799 --> 00:26:05.500 constantly pressing 00:26:05.500 --> 00:26:07.480 into seeking 00:26:07.480 --> 00:26:08.480 lost people 00:26:08.480 --> 00:26:09.220 to hear the gospel, 00:26:10.000 --> 00:26:10.620 to give people 00:26:10.620 --> 00:26:11.039 a hearing. 00:26:11.440 --> 00:26:12.319 And we must also. 00:26:12.759 --> 00:26:12.839 Okay? 00:26:13.099 --> 00:26:14.220 That has to happen. 00:26:14.759 --> 00:26:15.160 And so, 00:26:15.299 --> 00:26:15.960 those of you 00:26:15.960 --> 00:26:16.980 in missional communities, 00:26:17.259 --> 00:26:17.640 whether you're 00:26:17.640 --> 00:26:18.079 leading them 00:26:18.079 --> 00:26:18.759 or you're partners, 00:26:18.900 --> 00:26:19.720 members inside 00:26:19.720 --> 00:26:20.640 those missional communities, 00:26:20.640 --> 00:26:22.880 there has to be 00:26:22.880 --> 00:26:24.440 a planning together 00:26:24.440 --> 00:26:25.220 of how are we 00:26:25.220 --> 00:26:25.840 gonna get on mission 00:26:25.840 --> 00:26:26.320 and who are we 00:26:26.320 --> 00:26:27.220 gonna get on mission to. 00:26:27.620 --> 00:26:28.560 That question 00:26:28.560 --> 00:26:30.440 cannot go unanswered 00:26:30.440 --> 00:26:31.280 if we're to be 00:26:31.280 --> 00:26:31.960 a healthy church. 00:26:32.500 --> 00:26:33.320 It just can't. 00:26:34.080 --> 00:26:34.900 And I know you've 00:26:34.900 --> 00:26:35.840 heard me say this before 00:26:35.840 --> 00:26:36.340 and you say, 00:26:36.860 --> 00:26:37.500 well, Josh, 00:26:37.520 --> 00:26:38.440 you keep saying this. 00:26:39.080 --> 00:26:40.620 Yes, I am. 00:26:41.020 --> 00:26:42.040 And I will continue. 00:26:42.240 --> 00:26:43.520 It would be 00:26:43.520 --> 00:26:45.320 apostolic malpractice 00:26:45.320 --> 00:26:45.800 not to. 00:26:46.640 --> 00:26:47.660 Do you understand that? 00:26:48.000 --> 00:26:48.500 It would be 00:26:48.500 --> 00:26:49.120 church planting 00:26:49.120 --> 00:26:50.000 malpractice 00:26:50.000 --> 00:26:50.920 not to. 00:26:51.180 --> 00:26:51.740 It would be 00:26:51.740 --> 00:26:52.420 unloving 00:26:52.420 --> 00:26:53.680 and unglorifying 00:26:53.680 --> 00:26:54.359 to God 00:26:54.359 --> 00:26:55.220 to have 00:26:55.220 --> 00:26:56.119 in any way, 00:26:56.200 --> 00:26:56.359 shape, 00:26:56.400 --> 00:26:56.880 or form 00:26:56.880 --> 00:26:57.700 the thought 00:26:57.700 --> 00:26:58.200 of building 00:26:58.200 --> 00:26:58.660 a church 00:26:58.660 --> 00:26:59.299 that isn't 00:26:59.299 --> 00:27:00.460 primarily 00:27:00.460 --> 00:27:02.180 orientated 00:27:02.180 --> 00:27:03.599 towards mission 00:27:03.599 --> 00:27:04.160 for the glory 00:27:04.160 --> 00:27:04.579 of God. 00:27:04.740 --> 00:27:05.559 You cannot 00:27:05.559 --> 00:27:07.000 have a church 00:27:07.000 --> 00:27:07.740 be healthy 00:27:07.740 --> 00:27:08.920 if it is not 00:27:08.920 --> 00:27:09.480 one that is 00:27:09.480 --> 00:27:10.480 orientated 00:27:10.480 --> 00:27:11.960 towards lost people. 00:27:12.640 --> 00:27:13.859 Because if it's not, 00:27:14.140 --> 00:27:14.920 it's inward 00:27:14.920 --> 00:27:16.019 and ingrown 00:27:16.019 --> 00:27:16.900 and selfish. 00:27:17.220 --> 00:27:17.980 And that will 00:27:17.980 --> 00:27:19.099 rot from the core. 00:27:19.099 --> 00:27:20.259 It will 00:27:20.259 --> 00:27:21.099 rot from the core. 00:27:21.779 --> 00:27:22.519 There's no 00:27:22.519 --> 00:27:23.099 healthy church 00:27:23.099 --> 00:27:24.000 that ever thinks 00:27:24.000 --> 00:27:24.959 or acts 00:27:24.959 --> 00:27:25.500 that way. 00:27:26.059 --> 00:27:26.419 And so, 00:27:27.079 --> 00:27:28.299 that takes all 00:27:28.299 --> 00:27:28.859 of us together 00:27:28.859 --> 00:27:29.519 to do that. 00:27:29.819 --> 00:27:30.919 We all have to say, 00:27:31.079 --> 00:27:32.419 this is not optional. 00:27:33.159 --> 00:27:33.859 The work that 00:27:33.859 --> 00:27:34.579 needs to be done, 00:27:34.899 --> 00:27:35.539 one of the main 00:27:35.539 --> 00:27:36.539 aspects of the work 00:27:36.539 --> 00:27:37.240 that needs to be done 00:27:37.240 --> 00:27:38.599 is good old-fashioned 00:27:38.599 --> 00:27:39.359 evangelism. 00:27:40.659 --> 00:27:41.399 And some of you 00:27:41.399 --> 00:27:41.859 might say, 00:27:42.079 --> 00:27:42.639 well, I'm not very 00:27:42.639 --> 00:27:43.679 comfortable with evangelism. 00:27:44.019 --> 00:27:44.980 Well, I have a word 00:27:44.980 --> 00:27:46.099 for you 00:27:46.099 --> 00:27:46.779 from the Lord. 00:27:47.059 --> 00:27:47.639 Get comfortable. 00:27:48.659 --> 00:27:49.719 Because you're a Christian. 00:27:50.419 --> 00:27:51.639 For Christ's sake, 00:27:51.719 --> 00:27:52.379 get comfortable 00:27:52.379 --> 00:27:54.139 with preaching 00:27:54.139 --> 00:27:54.939 to the lost. 00:27:55.539 --> 00:27:56.259 Like, this is what 00:27:56.259 --> 00:27:56.980 Christians do. 00:27:57.339 --> 00:27:58.059 If you've been, 00:27:58.299 --> 00:27:59.079 if you've lived 00:27:59.079 --> 00:28:00.639 some form of Christianity 00:28:00.639 --> 00:28:02.219 that didn't have 00:28:02.219 --> 00:28:03.799 evangelism a part of it, 00:28:04.139 --> 00:28:04.919 you were sold 00:28:04.919 --> 00:28:05.599 a bill of goods. 00:28:05.699 --> 00:28:06.299 You were sold 00:28:06.299 --> 00:28:06.980 an experience 00:28:06.980 --> 00:28:07.740 that is not 00:28:07.740 --> 00:28:08.439 consistent 00:28:08.439 --> 00:28:09.379 with the New Testament. 00:28:10.079 --> 00:28:10.799 You have been sold 00:28:10.799 --> 00:28:12.000 a church experience 00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:13.000 that is not 00:28:13.000 --> 00:28:14.079 apostolic in nature 00:28:14.079 --> 00:28:14.980 in the truest sense 00:28:14.980 --> 00:28:15.500 of what the Bible 00:28:15.500 --> 00:28:16.220 says about it. 00:28:16.599 --> 00:28:17.599 We must be 00:28:17.599 --> 00:28:18.480 a missional people 00:28:18.480 --> 00:28:20.339 and a missional people 00:28:20.339 --> 00:28:21.500 gets to work. 00:28:22.240 --> 00:28:23.559 It takes work. 00:28:23.939 --> 00:28:25.179 It takes time. 00:28:25.599 --> 00:28:26.740 It takes failure 00:28:26.740 --> 00:28:28.220 and then persistence 00:28:28.220 --> 00:28:29.119 to push through 00:28:29.119 --> 00:28:29.699 the failure. 00:28:30.339 --> 00:28:31.339 Like the quote 00:28:31.339 --> 00:28:32.639 attributed to 00:28:32.639 --> 00:28:33.319 Winston Churchill 00:28:33.319 --> 00:28:34.199 that true success 00:28:34.199 --> 00:28:35.099 is going from failure 00:28:35.099 --> 00:28:35.639 to failure 00:28:35.639 --> 00:28:36.519 without loss 00:28:36.519 --> 00:28:37.139 of enthusiasm. 00:28:38.419 --> 00:28:38.599 Okay? 00:28:39.159 --> 00:28:40.339 That's church planting. 00:28:41.000 --> 00:28:42.439 That is church planting. 00:28:43.139 --> 00:28:43.419 Okay? 00:28:44.079 --> 00:28:45.079 I love that quote. 00:28:45.919 --> 00:28:46.740 That's part of the reason 00:28:46.740 --> 00:28:47.460 I know I'm probably 00:28:47.460 --> 00:28:48.419 called to church planting 00:28:48.419 --> 00:28:49.879 because I'm a glutton 00:28:49.879 --> 00:28:50.679 for that punishment. 00:28:51.339 --> 00:28:52.500 But I also get weary 00:28:52.500 --> 00:28:52.839 in that 00:28:52.839 --> 00:28:53.539 and I know you guys 00:28:53.539 --> 00:28:54.460 do too sometimes. 00:28:55.039 --> 00:28:55.339 But that, 00:28:55.500 --> 00:28:56.419 we have to go 00:28:56.419 --> 00:28:58.439 from failure to failure 00:28:58.439 --> 00:28:59.599 without loss of enthusiasm. 00:28:59.599 --> 00:29:00.480 We're going to fail. 00:29:00.939 --> 00:29:01.519 But man, 00:29:01.559 --> 00:29:02.099 if we fail 00:29:02.099 --> 00:29:02.759 because we're trying 00:29:02.759 --> 00:29:03.759 to reach lost people, 00:29:04.339 --> 00:29:04.720 praise God, 00:29:04.779 --> 00:29:05.259 that's the best 00:29:05.259 --> 00:29:05.919 kind of failure. 00:29:06.399 --> 00:29:07.419 And Winston Churchill, 00:29:07.599 --> 00:29:08.220 if it was him, 00:29:08.279 --> 00:29:09.220 some people say it wasn't. 00:29:09.319 --> 00:29:09.699 I don't care. 00:29:09.759 --> 00:29:10.439 It sounds like him. 00:29:10.599 --> 00:29:10.740 Okay? 00:29:11.159 --> 00:29:11.699 He said, 00:29:11.779 --> 00:29:13.839 success is not final. 00:29:14.480 --> 00:29:15.699 And failure is not fatal. 00:29:15.799 --> 00:29:16.359 It's the courage 00:29:16.359 --> 00:29:17.659 to continue that counts. 00:29:18.939 --> 00:29:19.159 Okay? 00:29:19.960 --> 00:29:21.339 Success is not final. 00:29:22.000 --> 00:29:24.079 And failure is not fatal. 00:29:24.619 --> 00:29:25.759 We just got to keep going. 00:29:26.460 --> 00:29:27.299 We got to keep going. 00:29:27.859 --> 00:29:28.240 And so, 00:29:28.359 --> 00:29:29.179 I get fired up 00:29:29.179 --> 00:29:30.199 when I see you guys 00:29:30.199 --> 00:29:31.579 just getting out there 00:29:31.579 --> 00:29:32.859 and trying to do evangelism. 00:29:32.919 --> 00:29:33.439 I get fired up 00:29:33.439 --> 00:29:34.019 when I see you guys 00:29:34.019 --> 00:29:34.839 doing that together. 00:29:35.220 --> 00:29:36.039 I get fired up 00:29:36.039 --> 00:29:36.879 when it goes bad 00:29:36.879 --> 00:29:37.339 and you guys 00:29:37.339 --> 00:29:38.059 don't lose heart. 00:29:38.539 --> 00:29:38.980 I'm like, 00:29:39.079 --> 00:29:39.379 yes, 00:29:39.480 --> 00:29:40.419 this is apostolic. 00:29:40.420 --> 00:29:41.800 This is how churches 00:29:41.800 --> 00:29:42.440 get planted. 00:29:42.860 --> 00:29:43.820 This is how healthy 00:29:43.820 --> 00:29:45.180 church culture gets built 00:29:45.180 --> 00:29:46.740 with this grit 00:29:46.740 --> 00:29:47.759 that says, 00:29:48.100 --> 00:29:48.200 hey, 00:29:48.259 --> 00:29:49.060 I'm not stopping. 00:29:49.440 --> 00:29:50.420 I didn't come here 00:29:50.420 --> 00:29:51.000 for some little 00:29:51.000 --> 00:29:51.840 bless me club 00:29:51.840 --> 00:29:52.740 with a bunch of people 00:29:52.740 --> 00:29:53.720 who I could be close to 00:29:53.720 --> 00:29:54.500 and be friends with 00:29:54.500 --> 00:29:55.000 and our kids 00:29:55.000 --> 00:29:55.820 could be friends with 00:29:55.820 --> 00:29:56.800 for the rest of our life 00:29:56.800 --> 00:29:57.560 where we wouldn't have to be 00:29:57.560 --> 00:29:59.340 burdened by some big church 00:29:59.340 --> 00:30:00.340 where it's too overwhelming. 00:30:00.460 --> 00:30:00.980 I didn't have to do 00:30:00.980 --> 00:30:01.700 that much work. 00:30:02.400 --> 00:30:03.940 That's not what I signed up for. 00:30:04.200 --> 00:30:06.039 I signed up for a nimble, 00:30:06.400 --> 00:30:07.900 apostolic team of people 00:30:07.900 --> 00:30:09.360 that would go into the world 00:30:09.360 --> 00:30:10.160 and seek and save 00:30:10.160 --> 00:30:11.540 lost people to get saved. 00:30:11.920 --> 00:30:13.740 I signed up for earnest prayer 00:30:13.740 --> 00:30:15.120 for God to send workers 00:30:15.120 --> 00:30:16.200 into his harvest field. 00:30:16.420 --> 00:30:18.080 I signed up for my schedule 00:30:18.080 --> 00:30:19.259 to be inconvenienced. 00:30:19.500 --> 00:30:20.860 I signed up for me 00:30:20.860 --> 00:30:22.800 to be losing sleep sometimes 00:30:22.800 --> 00:30:24.440 because it's required 00:30:24.440 --> 00:30:25.200 to stay up late 00:30:25.200 --> 00:30:25.880 to do the work. 00:30:26.060 --> 00:30:27.240 I signed up 00:30:27.240 --> 00:30:28.620 to do things 00:30:28.620 --> 00:30:30.820 where I have to sacrifice hobbies 00:30:30.820 --> 00:30:33.440 and things that I want to do 00:30:33.440 --> 00:30:35.920 because that's what God's calling me into 00:30:35.920 --> 00:30:37.080 to establish the church. 00:30:37.079 --> 00:30:38.199 And that's what God's called 00:30:38.199 --> 00:30:38.980 everyone into 00:30:38.980 --> 00:30:40.779 who's ever established a church. 00:30:40.939 --> 00:30:42.720 This isn't some newfangled thing 00:30:42.720 --> 00:30:43.480 for Christ's church. 00:30:43.699 --> 00:30:45.359 This is just good old fashioned 00:30:45.359 --> 00:30:46.559 apostolic work 00:30:46.559 --> 00:30:48.199 that God has called us to do. 00:30:48.740 --> 00:30:49.659 My question is, 00:30:49.779 --> 00:30:51.139 are we up for the work? 00:30:51.579 --> 00:30:52.519 Will we put in the work? 00:30:53.480 --> 00:30:54.220 And any church 00:30:54.220 --> 00:30:55.019 that you've experienced 00:30:55.019 --> 00:30:55.759 in the past 00:30:55.759 --> 00:30:56.599 or seen 00:30:56.599 --> 00:30:58.000 that has been established, 00:30:58.399 --> 00:31:00.199 that was built on the backs 00:31:00.199 --> 00:31:01.379 of people like, 00:31:01.599 --> 00:31:02.919 look around like you and me 00:31:02.919 --> 00:31:03.899 who do the work. 00:31:04.000 --> 00:31:04.919 It's those kind of people. 00:31:05.079 --> 00:31:05.579 And there's never, 00:31:05.579 --> 00:31:06.919 there's never been any shortcuts. 00:31:07.259 --> 00:31:07.659 Now, 00:31:07.740 --> 00:31:08.779 I know that there's all kinds 00:31:08.779 --> 00:31:09.699 of marketing shortcuts 00:31:09.699 --> 00:31:10.319 that people do. 00:31:10.480 --> 00:31:11.399 I'm not talking about 00:31:11.399 --> 00:31:12.139 that kind of church. 00:31:12.259 --> 00:31:12.960 I'm talking about 00:31:12.960 --> 00:31:14.199 real grassroots 00:31:14.199 --> 00:31:15.779 doing the work of evangelism, 00:31:15.899 --> 00:31:17.259 doing the work of discipleship, 00:31:17.500 --> 00:31:18.899 doing the work of earnest prayer 00:31:18.899 --> 00:31:20.199 to see lost people saved 00:31:20.199 --> 00:31:21.759 and to see workers be sent out. 00:31:22.199 --> 00:31:22.839 That's the work 00:31:22.839 --> 00:31:23.740 God's called us to. 00:31:24.079 --> 00:31:25.199 And you know why it's exciting? 00:31:25.579 --> 00:31:25.939 Because 00:31:25.939 --> 00:31:27.879 you will 00:31:27.879 --> 00:31:28.879 reap a harvest 00:31:28.879 --> 00:31:29.779 if you don't give up. 00:31:29.899 --> 00:31:30.519 Not you might, 00:31:30.599 --> 00:31:31.480 not hope I will, 00:31:31.779 --> 00:31:31.939 not, 00:31:32.039 --> 00:31:32.119 oh, 00:31:32.119 --> 00:31:33.220 I hope this isn't for nothing. 00:31:33.220 --> 00:31:33.539 No, 00:31:33.740 --> 00:31:34.759 you will 00:31:34.759 --> 00:31:35.779 reap a harvest 00:31:35.779 --> 00:31:36.740 if you don't give up. 00:31:37.220 --> 00:31:37.740 And so you know 00:31:37.740 --> 00:31:38.700 that your labor in the Lord 00:31:38.700 --> 00:31:39.420 is not in vain. 00:31:39.660 --> 00:31:40.680 You know what's disheartening? 00:31:40.980 --> 00:31:41.240 Thinking, 00:31:41.400 --> 00:31:41.480 oh, 00:31:41.539 --> 00:31:42.740 my labor that I'm doing, 00:31:42.839 --> 00:31:43.620 it's in vain. 00:31:43.880 --> 00:31:44.920 It's not worth it. 00:31:44.980 --> 00:31:46.120 It's not accomplishing 00:31:46.120 --> 00:31:47.279 what it was set out to do. 00:31:47.539 --> 00:31:49.220 You don't have to worry about that. 00:31:49.480 --> 00:31:50.339 If you are always 00:31:50.339 --> 00:31:51.100 giving yourself 00:31:51.100 --> 00:31:52.460 fully to the work of the Lord, 00:31:52.779 --> 00:31:53.839 you know 00:31:53.839 --> 00:31:55.559 that your labor in the Lord 00:31:55.559 --> 00:31:56.319 is not in vain. 00:31:56.500 --> 00:31:57.339 That's what it says. 00:31:57.799 --> 00:31:58.779 That's what it says. 00:31:59.639 --> 00:32:00.399 And I want to ask you, 00:32:00.460 --> 00:32:01.359 do you know that? 00:32:01.720 --> 00:32:02.579 Do you know that 00:32:02.579 --> 00:32:03.180 and believe that? 00:32:03.399 --> 00:32:04.779 If you don't know that 00:32:04.779 --> 00:32:05.960 in the depths of your soul, 00:32:06.000 --> 00:32:07.180 if you don't believe that, 00:32:07.500 --> 00:32:08.700 you're going to pull back. 00:32:09.500 --> 00:32:10.279 You're going to withdraw. 00:32:11.359 --> 00:32:11.859 You're going to, 00:32:11.859 --> 00:32:13.059 you're not going to, 00:32:13.059 --> 00:32:14.440 you're not going to persevere 00:32:14.440 --> 00:32:15.220 when the, 00:32:15.379 --> 00:32:16.460 when stuff gets tough. 00:32:17.099 --> 00:32:17.960 You won't. 00:32:19.399 --> 00:32:20.859 That's why you got to believe this. 00:32:21.000 --> 00:32:22.420 That's why it requires faith 00:32:22.420 --> 00:32:23.819 for us to be able to do 00:32:23.819 --> 00:32:24.779 this kind of work. 00:32:25.819 --> 00:32:27.980 But the faith that's required 00:32:27.980 --> 00:32:28.720 is just believing 00:32:28.720 --> 00:32:30.200 that God is who he says he is. 00:32:31.099 --> 00:32:32.120 But it costs. 00:32:32.700 --> 00:32:33.920 It costs for sure. 00:32:34.880 --> 00:32:36.759 Paul describes this kind of cost 00:32:36.759 --> 00:32:38.140 in Philippians chapter two, 00:32:38.660 --> 00:32:39.620 verse 25, 00:32:39.960 --> 00:32:41.039 on to verse 30, 00:32:41.079 --> 00:32:41.980 when he talks about 00:32:41.980 --> 00:32:43.779 a fellow worker of his name, 00:32:43.900 --> 00:32:44.720 Epaphroditus. 00:32:45.079 --> 00:32:45.579 He says, 00:32:45.640 --> 00:32:46.339 I thought it necessary 00:32:46.339 --> 00:32:47.680 to send you Epaphroditus, 00:32:47.799 --> 00:32:48.380 my brother 00:32:48.380 --> 00:32:50.019 and fellow worker 00:32:50.019 --> 00:32:51.440 and fellow soldier 00:32:51.440 --> 00:32:52.660 and your messenger 00:32:52.660 --> 00:32:53.779 and minister to my need. 00:32:54.279 --> 00:32:55.500 Epaphroditus has one of the coolest 00:32:55.500 --> 00:32:56.539 resumes in the Bible. 00:32:57.120 --> 00:32:57.279 Okay. 00:32:57.980 --> 00:32:58.980 I don't know of anybody else 00:32:58.980 --> 00:33:00.160 who's got those kind of, 00:33:00.160 --> 00:33:00.980 you know, 00:33:01.380 --> 00:33:02.860 titles behind his name. 00:33:03.740 --> 00:33:04.220 Epaphroditus, 00:33:04.440 --> 00:33:05.440 he's my brother. 00:33:05.920 --> 00:33:07.339 He's my fellow worker. 00:33:07.700 --> 00:33:09.259 He's a fellow soldier. 00:33:10.000 --> 00:33:10.480 He's a, 00:33:10.599 --> 00:33:11.440 your messenger 00:33:11.440 --> 00:33:13.620 and minister to my need. 00:33:13.920 --> 00:33:14.200 I mean, 00:33:14.220 --> 00:33:15.400 this dude's a legit dude, 00:33:15.860 --> 00:33:16.140 right? 00:33:16.559 --> 00:33:17.279 This guy's, 00:33:18.019 --> 00:33:18.779 but he's got 00:33:18.779 --> 00:33:20.660 a title that we could all have 00:33:20.660 --> 00:33:21.559 and that's fellow worker. 00:33:22.360 --> 00:33:24.180 For us to see a healthy church 00:33:24.180 --> 00:33:24.900 established here 00:33:24.900 --> 00:33:25.539 at Christ Church, 00:33:25.539 --> 00:33:27.539 we've all got to be fellow workers 00:33:27.539 --> 00:33:29.139 and we got to put in 00:33:29.139 --> 00:33:31.099 a similar level of work 00:33:31.099 --> 00:33:31.720 where we're, 00:33:31.839 --> 00:33:32.839 there's a shared level 00:33:32.839 --> 00:33:33.740 of responsibility, 00:33:33.940 --> 00:33:35.059 a shared level 00:33:35.059 --> 00:33:35.500 of the weight 00:33:35.500 --> 00:33:35.940 to say, 00:33:36.059 --> 00:33:37.019 I'm not going to let that, 00:33:37.119 --> 00:33:38.000 I'm not going to, 00:33:38.559 --> 00:33:39.619 and that's the difference 00:33:39.619 --> 00:33:41.159 between just a group 00:33:41.159 --> 00:33:41.700 of workers 00:33:41.700 --> 00:33:42.700 and a group of workers 00:33:42.700 --> 00:33:43.339 that's family. 00:33:44.039 --> 00:33:44.359 See, 00:33:44.420 --> 00:33:45.000 a group of workers 00:33:45.000 --> 00:33:46.500 that is family says, 00:33:46.599 --> 00:33:47.299 I'm not going to let 00:33:47.299 --> 00:33:48.099 my brother or sister 00:33:48.099 --> 00:33:48.980 carry too much, 00:33:49.480 --> 00:33:50.920 right? 00:33:51.320 --> 00:33:52.060 I'm going to do this 00:33:52.060 --> 00:33:52.500 with them. 00:33:53.100 --> 00:33:53.700 Not to mention, 00:33:53.800 --> 00:33:54.320 if they're my brother 00:33:54.320 --> 00:33:54.700 and sister, 00:33:54.759 --> 00:33:55.480 I'm not going to let them 00:33:55.480 --> 00:33:56.539 hog everything either. 00:33:56.660 --> 00:33:56.880 Like, 00:33:56.900 --> 00:33:57.740 we're going to share this, 00:33:57.800 --> 00:33:57.980 right? 00:33:58.240 --> 00:33:58.860 We're going to share 00:33:58.860 --> 00:33:59.740 the venues as well. 00:33:59.800 --> 00:34:00.700 We're going to do this together. 00:34:00.779 --> 00:34:01.480 That's what true brothers 00:34:01.480 --> 00:34:02.340 and sisters do. 00:34:03.100 --> 00:34:04.160 And that's what we need 00:34:04.160 --> 00:34:04.860 to be with one another. 00:34:04.960 --> 00:34:05.279 Just say, 00:34:05.340 --> 00:34:05.580 listen, 00:34:06.000 --> 00:34:07.120 I'm not going to let this weight 00:34:07.120 --> 00:34:08.280 fall on other people 00:34:08.280 --> 00:34:09.840 because I'm checking out 00:34:09.840 --> 00:34:10.880 lazy or being selfish. 00:34:12.220 --> 00:34:13.380 I'm not going to let this weight 00:34:13.380 --> 00:34:14.240 fall on other people 00:34:14.240 --> 00:34:16.139 because I have different priorities 00:34:16.139 --> 00:34:16.659 than the rest 00:34:16.659 --> 00:34:17.360 of the other people 00:34:17.360 --> 00:34:18.480 even though I agreed 00:34:18.480 --> 00:34:19.519 to have the same priorities 00:34:19.519 --> 00:34:20.280 of seeking first 00:34:20.280 --> 00:34:21.119 the kingdom of God. 00:34:22.380 --> 00:34:23.099 That's not fair 00:34:23.099 --> 00:34:23.900 to everybody else 00:34:23.900 --> 00:34:24.699 and it's certainly 00:34:24.699 --> 00:34:25.880 not glorifying to God. 00:34:26.759 --> 00:34:27.860 God is looking for a people 00:34:27.860 --> 00:34:28.719 who are bought in, 00:34:28.840 --> 00:34:29.440 sold out, 00:34:29.960 --> 00:34:31.119 like Epaphroditus. 00:34:31.639 --> 00:34:32.099 And it says, 00:34:32.219 --> 00:34:33.019 it goes on to say, 00:34:33.119 --> 00:34:33.980 for he has been longing 00:34:33.980 --> 00:34:34.719 for you all 00:34:34.719 --> 00:34:35.639 and has been distressed 00:34:35.639 --> 00:34:36.280 because you heard 00:34:36.280 --> 00:34:36.940 that he was ill. 00:34:37.900 --> 00:34:38.259 Indeed, 00:34:38.559 --> 00:34:39.259 he was ill, 00:34:39.759 --> 00:34:40.539 near to death. 00:34:41.099 --> 00:34:42.119 But God had mercy on him 00:34:42.119 --> 00:34:42.880 and not only on him 00:34:42.880 --> 00:34:43.880 but also on me, 00:34:44.480 --> 00:34:45.380 lest I should have sorrow 00:34:45.380 --> 00:34:46.059 upon sorrow. 00:34:46.659 --> 00:34:47.559 I am more eager 00:34:47.559 --> 00:34:48.360 to send him therefore 00:34:48.360 --> 00:34:49.240 that you may rejoice 00:34:49.240 --> 00:34:50.240 at seeing him again 00:34:50.240 --> 00:34:52.579 and that I may be less anxious. 00:34:53.180 --> 00:34:54.180 So receive him in the Lord 00:34:54.180 --> 00:34:54.760 with all joy 00:34:54.760 --> 00:34:55.900 and honor such men 00:34:55.900 --> 00:34:57.400 for he nearly died 00:34:57.400 --> 00:34:58.420 for the work of Christ 00:34:58.420 --> 00:34:59.539 risking his life 00:34:59.539 --> 00:35:01.180 to complete what was lacking 00:35:01.180 --> 00:35:02.260 in your service to me. 00:35:03.000 --> 00:35:04.200 The cost of the work 00:35:04.200 --> 00:35:05.480 is important. 00:35:05.660 --> 00:35:06.880 It requires risk. 00:35:07.460 --> 00:35:07.780 It says, 00:35:07.940 --> 00:35:08.559 he nearly died 00:35:08.559 --> 00:35:09.500 for the work of Christ 00:35:09.500 --> 00:35:10.700 risking his life. 00:35:10.960 --> 00:35:11.720 Let me ask you, 00:35:11.900 --> 00:35:12.800 what are you risking 00:35:12.800 --> 00:35:13.760 for this church life? 00:35:14.360 --> 00:35:15.420 What are you sacrificing 00:35:15.420 --> 00:35:17.180 for this church? 00:35:17.920 --> 00:35:19.680 Epaphroditus was sacrificing 00:35:19.680 --> 00:35:21.039 even his own life, 00:35:21.559 --> 00:35:22.639 willing to risk 00:35:22.639 --> 00:35:23.539 even his own life 00:35:23.539 --> 00:35:25.119 for the church 00:35:25.119 --> 00:35:26.159 in Philippi. 00:35:26.800 --> 00:35:26.900 Okay? 00:35:27.599 --> 00:35:29.300 And that level 00:35:29.300 --> 00:35:30.039 of sacrifice 00:35:30.039 --> 00:35:30.980 and risk 00:35:30.980 --> 00:35:31.980 and cost 00:35:31.980 --> 00:35:33.460 that he offered up 00:35:33.460 --> 00:35:34.440 caused them 00:35:34.440 --> 00:35:35.420 to have a level 00:35:35.420 --> 00:35:36.099 of relationship 00:35:36.099 --> 00:35:37.680 where there was longing 00:35:37.680 --> 00:35:38.360 for one another. 00:35:38.480 --> 00:35:39.180 Do you see the language 00:35:39.180 --> 00:35:39.980 that was used there? 00:35:39.980 --> 00:35:42.139 That's real church 00:35:42.139 --> 00:35:42.639 right there. 00:35:43.199 --> 00:35:43.920 That's just not, 00:35:43.940 --> 00:35:44.240 you know, 00:35:44.559 --> 00:35:45.559 superficial hallelujah 00:35:45.559 --> 00:35:46.240 Christianity 00:35:46.240 --> 00:35:47.599 or what Mike Knott 00:35:47.599 --> 00:35:48.539 calls happy smiles 00:35:48.539 --> 00:35:49.579 and half sympathies, 00:35:49.760 --> 00:35:50.300 you know, 00:35:50.340 --> 00:35:51.159 where everybody's just, 00:35:51.199 --> 00:35:51.440 you know, 00:35:51.500 --> 00:35:52.179 singing lies 00:35:52.179 --> 00:35:52.820 to one another 00:35:52.820 --> 00:35:53.639 on a Sunday morning. 00:35:53.840 --> 00:35:55.039 This is real deal 00:35:55.039 --> 00:35:56.579 love for one another, 00:35:56.719 --> 00:35:57.340 longing for one another. 00:35:57.440 --> 00:35:57.860 When everyone, 00:35:57.980 --> 00:35:59.139 when there's equal buy-in, 00:35:59.199 --> 00:36:00.000 when there's equal 00:36:00.000 --> 00:36:01.300 sacrifice, 00:36:01.300 --> 00:36:01.900 it says, 00:36:02.219 --> 00:36:02.380 hey, 00:36:02.699 --> 00:36:03.559 the Lamb who was slain 00:36:03.559 --> 00:36:04.099 is worthy. 00:36:04.699 --> 00:36:05.039 And so, 00:36:05.159 --> 00:36:05.579 I'm in. 00:36:05.699 --> 00:36:06.480 I'm bought in. 00:36:06.820 --> 00:36:07.880 And I have fellowship 00:36:07.880 --> 00:36:08.900 with my brothers and sisters 00:36:08.900 --> 00:36:09.500 because I know 00:36:09.500 --> 00:36:10.260 they're bought into. 00:36:11.559 --> 00:36:12.800 They're my fellow workers. 00:36:12.900 --> 00:36:13.900 They're my fellow soldiers. 00:36:14.380 --> 00:36:15.320 They've risked their life 00:36:15.320 --> 00:36:16.579 to complete what was lacking. 00:36:19.820 --> 00:36:21.200 There's a cost to the work. 00:36:21.420 --> 00:36:21.880 That's why even 00:36:21.880 --> 00:36:22.360 when you look at 00:36:22.360 --> 00:36:23.300 1 Corinthians 3 00:36:23.300 --> 00:36:24.139 when Paul's kind of 00:36:24.139 --> 00:36:25.639 laying out this apostolic picture 00:36:25.639 --> 00:36:27.039 of church planting 00:36:27.039 --> 00:36:27.880 and building the church, 00:36:27.980 --> 00:36:29.380 he says in verse 10 00:36:29.380 --> 00:36:30.160 that according to the grace 00:36:30.160 --> 00:36:30.940 of God given to me 00:36:30.940 --> 00:36:32.579 like a skilled master builder, 00:36:32.940 --> 00:36:34.000 I laid a foundation 00:36:34.000 --> 00:36:34.800 and someone else 00:36:34.800 --> 00:36:35.740 is building upon it. 00:36:36.260 --> 00:36:37.680 Let each one take care 00:36:37.679 --> 00:36:39.259 how he builds upon it. 00:36:39.659 --> 00:36:40.899 Let each one take care 00:36:40.899 --> 00:36:42.179 how he builds upon it. 00:36:42.559 --> 00:36:42.719 Now, 00:36:42.759 --> 00:36:43.440 you might have an opinion 00:36:43.440 --> 00:36:44.159 of what it looks like 00:36:44.159 --> 00:36:45.319 to take care of how you build, 00:36:45.639 --> 00:36:47.099 but Paul has a very specific 00:36:47.099 --> 00:36:48.079 application of what 00:36:48.079 --> 00:36:49.099 that care looks like. 00:36:49.599 --> 00:36:51.019 The care involved 00:36:51.019 --> 00:36:51.699 with building 00:36:51.699 --> 00:36:52.659 has to do with 00:36:52.659 --> 00:36:53.319 the materials 00:36:53.319 --> 00:36:54.319 that are used. 00:36:54.719 --> 00:36:55.639 You ever buy a house 00:36:55.639 --> 00:36:56.980 or go look at a house 00:36:56.980 --> 00:36:58.419 and maybe on the outside 00:36:58.419 --> 00:37:00.000 you saw the pictures online 00:37:00.000 --> 00:37:00.299 and you're like, 00:37:00.399 --> 00:37:00.539 wow, 00:37:00.619 --> 00:37:01.639 this house looks amazing. 00:37:02.039 --> 00:37:02.759 Then you get inside 00:37:02.759 --> 00:37:03.079 and you're like, 00:37:03.179 --> 00:37:03.379 man, 00:37:03.440 --> 00:37:04.139 did they use the 00:37:04.139 --> 00:37:06.059 bad materials. 00:37:06.059 --> 00:37:09.299 It looks like 00:37:09.299 --> 00:37:09.759 they're kind of 00:37:09.759 --> 00:37:10.920 covering up some stuff here. 00:37:11.000 --> 00:37:11.219 It's like, 00:37:11.259 --> 00:37:11.940 this is cheap, 00:37:12.039 --> 00:37:12.239 man. 00:37:12.940 --> 00:37:13.500 That picture 00:37:13.500 --> 00:37:14.519 has looked amazing. 00:37:14.820 --> 00:37:15.480 But then you get in there 00:37:15.480 --> 00:37:15.739 and you're like, 00:37:15.779 --> 00:37:17.239 this is a cheaply built house. 00:37:18.960 --> 00:37:20.079 The materials matter, 00:37:20.159 --> 00:37:20.579 don't they? 00:37:20.880 --> 00:37:21.059 Right? 00:37:21.639 --> 00:37:22.340 So when he says, 00:37:22.400 --> 00:37:23.380 let each one take care 00:37:23.380 --> 00:37:24.179 how he builds 00:37:24.179 --> 00:37:25.000 in verse 10, 00:37:25.579 --> 00:37:26.139 he then goes 00:37:26.139 --> 00:37:26.699 in verse 11, 00:37:26.779 --> 00:37:27.019 he says, 00:37:27.079 --> 00:37:28.159 no one can lay a foundation 00:37:28.159 --> 00:37:28.820 other than that 00:37:28.820 --> 00:37:29.340 which is laid, 00:37:29.400 --> 00:37:30.500 which is Jesus Christ. 00:37:31.000 --> 00:37:31.619 And then he talks 00:37:31.619 --> 00:37:32.739 about the materials 00:37:32.739 --> 00:37:33.259 that are used 00:37:33.259 --> 00:37:34.079 to build upon it. 00:37:34.719 --> 00:37:35.279 In verse 12, 00:37:35.280 --> 00:37:35.560 he says, 00:37:35.620 --> 00:37:36.320 if anyone builds 00:37:36.320 --> 00:37:37.019 on the foundation 00:37:37.019 --> 00:37:37.800 with gold, 00:37:38.320 --> 00:37:38.700 silver, 00:37:38.980 --> 00:37:39.820 precious stones, 00:37:40.140 --> 00:37:41.220 or wood, 00:37:41.300 --> 00:37:41.400 hay, 00:37:41.440 --> 00:37:42.000 and straw, 00:37:42.960 --> 00:37:43.180 okay, 00:37:43.280 --> 00:37:44.480 now before I go on, 00:37:44.640 --> 00:37:45.340 you notice the difference 00:37:45.340 --> 00:37:45.980 between those two? 00:37:46.340 --> 00:37:47.480 We've talked about this before, 00:37:47.760 --> 00:37:49.360 but I want to remind us again. 00:37:49.740 --> 00:37:50.260 What's the difference 00:37:50.260 --> 00:37:50.720 between wood, 00:37:50.780 --> 00:37:50.860 hay, 00:37:50.920 --> 00:37:51.320 and straw 00:37:51.320 --> 00:37:53.220 and gold, 00:37:53.500 --> 00:37:53.700 silver, 00:37:53.740 --> 00:37:54.560 and precious stones? 00:37:54.880 --> 00:37:55.860 The cost. 00:37:56.780 --> 00:37:57.680 The cost, 00:37:57.780 --> 00:37:58.019 right? 00:37:58.680 --> 00:37:59.000 Gold, 00:37:59.180 --> 00:37:59.440 silver, 00:37:59.519 --> 00:38:00.220 and precious stones 00:38:00.220 --> 00:38:00.860 are expensive. 00:38:01.580 --> 00:38:02.760 They're not only expensive 00:38:02.760 --> 00:38:03.460 to have, 00:38:03.580 --> 00:38:04.740 they're expensive to get. 00:38:05.399 --> 00:38:06.239 You have to mine them 00:38:06.239 --> 00:38:06.799 from the ground. 00:38:06.959 --> 00:38:07.139 Wood, 00:38:07.199 --> 00:38:07.319 hay, 00:38:07.379 --> 00:38:07.739 and straw 00:38:07.739 --> 00:38:08.819 are all above the ground. 00:38:09.239 --> 00:38:10.479 They're easily procured 00:38:10.479 --> 00:38:11.839 and they're cheap. 00:38:12.859 --> 00:38:13.299 Okay? 00:38:13.379 --> 00:38:14.799 They're also easily burnt up. 00:38:15.819 --> 00:38:16.459 In verse 13, 00:38:16.539 --> 00:38:16.799 he says, 00:38:16.800 --> 00:38:17.660 each one's work 00:38:17.660 --> 00:38:18.539 will become manifest 00:38:18.539 --> 00:38:19.180 for the day 00:38:19.180 --> 00:38:20.100 will disclose it 00:38:20.100 --> 00:38:21.640 because it will be revealed 00:38:21.640 --> 00:38:22.320 by fire 00:38:22.320 --> 00:38:23.860 and the fire will test 00:38:23.860 --> 00:38:25.380 what sort of work 00:38:25.380 --> 00:38:26.880 each one has done. 00:38:27.400 --> 00:38:28.240 If the work 00:38:28.240 --> 00:38:29.060 that anyone has built 00:38:29.060 --> 00:38:29.740 on the foundation 00:38:29.740 --> 00:38:30.340 survives, 00:38:30.920 --> 00:38:32.039 he will receive reward. 00:38:32.500 --> 00:38:33.280 If anyone's work 00:38:33.280 --> 00:38:33.960 is burned up, 00:38:34.200 --> 00:38:35.200 he will suffer loss, 00:38:35.280 --> 00:38:35.860 though he himself 00:38:35.860 --> 00:38:36.560 will be saved, 00:38:36.860 --> 00:38:37.920 but only as through fire. 00:38:38.980 --> 00:38:40.039 So God has laid 00:38:40.039 --> 00:38:41.180 a foundation 00:38:41.180 --> 00:38:41.860 in this church 00:38:41.860 --> 00:38:42.420 for us 00:38:42.420 --> 00:38:43.620 to be building upon. 00:38:44.060 --> 00:38:44.780 I want to ask you 00:38:44.780 --> 00:38:45.260 a question. 00:38:45.740 --> 00:38:46.720 What are you building with? 00:38:47.420 --> 00:38:48.340 What materials 00:38:48.340 --> 00:38:49.260 are you building with? 00:38:49.640 --> 00:38:50.440 Are they costly? 00:38:51.180 --> 00:38:51.720 Or are you just 00:38:51.720 --> 00:38:53.480 giving some cheap 00:38:53.480 --> 00:38:55.420 materials to the church? 00:38:56.240 --> 00:38:56.820 Your time, 00:38:56.920 --> 00:38:57.400 your talents, 00:38:57.519 --> 00:38:58.019 your treasure. 00:38:58.500 --> 00:38:59.019 Are you offering 00:38:59.019 --> 00:39:00.019 cheap stuff? 00:39:00.300 --> 00:39:00.780 Is it wood, 00:39:00.840 --> 00:39:01.500 hay, and stubble? 00:39:01.740 --> 00:39:02.440 Or is it gold, 00:39:02.600 --> 00:39:02.820 silver, 00:39:02.880 --> 00:39:03.780 and precious stones? 00:39:04.600 --> 00:39:05.600 To take care 00:39:05.600 --> 00:39:06.200 how you build 00:39:06.200 --> 00:39:07.140 means to take care 00:39:07.140 --> 00:39:08.180 that you are using 00:39:08.180 --> 00:39:09.640 expensive material. 00:39:09.639 --> 00:39:11.019 And you might say, 00:39:11.119 --> 00:39:11.440 man, 00:39:11.719 --> 00:39:13.079 this is too expensive. 00:39:13.779 --> 00:39:13.980 Yeah, 00:39:14.119 --> 00:39:15.119 to build something 00:39:15.119 --> 00:39:16.239 worthy of the king 00:39:16.239 --> 00:39:16.980 is expensive. 00:39:17.619 --> 00:39:18.759 When David built 00:39:18.759 --> 00:39:20.639 the temple 00:39:20.639 --> 00:39:21.359 and when David 00:39:21.359 --> 00:39:22.440 built his throne 00:39:22.440 --> 00:39:23.960 worthy of King David 00:39:23.960 --> 00:39:24.639 and then the temple 00:39:24.639 --> 00:39:26.500 worthy of the king, 00:39:26.739 --> 00:39:27.420 God himself, 00:39:27.940 --> 00:39:28.659 was he using 00:39:28.659 --> 00:39:29.079 some, 00:39:29.199 --> 00:39:29.579 you know, 00:39:30.019 --> 00:39:30.799 cheap material? 00:39:31.000 --> 00:39:31.619 No way. 00:39:32.659 --> 00:39:33.679 And yet sometimes, 00:39:33.980 --> 00:39:35.179 even though Christ 00:39:35.179 --> 00:39:36.179 came 00:39:36.179 --> 00:39:36.960 and died 00:39:36.960 --> 00:39:37.879 for the ungodly 00:39:37.880 --> 00:39:39.360 while we were yet sinners, 00:39:39.780 --> 00:39:40.740 while we were enemies, 00:39:40.900 --> 00:39:42.200 reconciled us to him 00:39:42.200 --> 00:39:44.200 and justified us 00:39:44.200 --> 00:39:45.960 in Christ Jesus, 00:39:47.079 --> 00:39:47.780 would we dare 00:39:47.780 --> 00:39:48.680 have the audacity 00:39:48.680 --> 00:39:49.860 to offer up to him 00:39:49.860 --> 00:39:50.640 cheap materials 00:39:50.640 --> 00:39:52.300 and not take care 00:39:52.300 --> 00:39:52.920 how we build? 00:39:53.300 --> 00:39:54.260 We've got to take care 00:39:54.260 --> 00:39:54.860 how we build. 00:39:55.140 --> 00:39:55.760 We've been given 00:39:55.760 --> 00:39:57.000 a precious gift 00:39:57.000 --> 00:39:58.460 and we didn't deserve it 00:39:58.460 --> 00:39:59.380 because he did it to us 00:39:59.380 --> 00:40:00.480 while we were yet sinners, 00:40:00.720 --> 00:40:02.180 he died for the ungodly, 00:40:02.280 --> 00:40:03.360 and he reconciled 00:40:03.360 --> 00:40:03.820 his enemies. 00:40:04.640 --> 00:40:05.800 That means none of us 00:40:05.800 --> 00:40:06.480 were qualified, 00:40:07.039 --> 00:40:07.440 earned, 00:40:07.440 --> 00:40:08.539 or had any merit 00:40:08.539 --> 00:40:10.780 to receive this love 00:40:10.780 --> 00:40:12.119 of the Father 00:40:12.119 --> 00:40:13.039 in Christ Jesus. 00:40:13.760 --> 00:40:14.400 But he says, 00:40:14.539 --> 00:40:14.900 let each one 00:40:14.900 --> 00:40:15.360 take care 00:40:15.360 --> 00:40:16.019 how he builds. 00:40:16.320 --> 00:40:17.240 Are you taking care? 00:40:17.900 --> 00:40:18.760 Are we taking care? 00:40:20.019 --> 00:40:20.179 You know, 00:40:20.240 --> 00:40:20.720 in Hosea, 00:40:21.500 --> 00:40:22.059 is it Hosea? 00:40:22.179 --> 00:40:22.599 I think it's Hosea, 00:40:22.659 --> 00:40:23.579 when he rebukes them 00:40:23.579 --> 00:40:24.159 when he says, 00:40:24.300 --> 00:40:27.320 you guys pay all attention 00:40:27.320 --> 00:40:27.900 to your house 00:40:27.900 --> 00:40:28.960 but my house 00:40:28.960 --> 00:40:29.639 is in ruins. 00:40:30.559 --> 00:40:31.099 It's easy 00:40:31.099 --> 00:40:31.840 to pay attention 00:40:31.840 --> 00:40:33.119 to ourselves, 00:40:33.539 --> 00:40:35.519 to our leisure, 00:40:35.519 --> 00:40:36.440 to our careers, 00:40:36.679 --> 00:40:37.519 to our own homes, 00:40:37.639 --> 00:40:38.780 and what we do 00:40:38.780 --> 00:40:39.539 at our own homes, 00:40:39.679 --> 00:40:41.300 and then not give 00:40:41.300 --> 00:40:42.619 costly material 00:40:42.619 --> 00:40:43.619 to the building 00:40:43.619 --> 00:40:45.019 of the house 00:40:45.019 --> 00:40:45.480 of the Lord, 00:40:45.619 --> 00:40:46.460 to the work 00:40:46.460 --> 00:40:47.440 that God 00:40:47.440 --> 00:40:48.659 has set us apart for. 00:40:49.860 --> 00:40:51.199 And we should be 00:40:51.199 --> 00:40:53.159 giving costly materials 00:40:53.159 --> 00:40:53.940 in proportion 00:40:53.940 --> 00:40:55.039 to what Jesus 00:40:55.039 --> 00:40:56.159 has given us 00:40:56.159 --> 00:40:56.900 in Christ Jesus. 00:40:56.900 --> 00:41:00.680 And it's incalculable 00:41:00.680 --> 00:41:01.519 what he's given us 00:41:01.519 --> 00:41:02.460 in Christ Jesus. 00:41:03.820 --> 00:41:04.559 Last point 00:41:04.559 --> 00:41:05.480 before we conclude. 00:41:06.139 --> 00:41:07.220 1 Thessalonians 5, 00:41:07.280 --> 00:41:08.160 12 to 13 00:41:08.160 --> 00:41:10.139 in speaking of the work 00:41:10.139 --> 00:41:11.240 and the labor, 00:41:12.099 --> 00:41:12.519 he says, 00:41:12.780 --> 00:41:14.280 Paul says to the Thessalonians, 00:41:14.360 --> 00:41:14.780 we ask you, 00:41:14.840 --> 00:41:15.019 brothers, 00:41:15.139 --> 00:41:16.380 to respect those 00:41:16.380 --> 00:41:17.920 who labor among you 00:41:17.920 --> 00:41:18.920 and are over you 00:41:18.920 --> 00:41:19.360 in the Lord 00:41:19.360 --> 00:41:20.300 and admonish you 00:41:20.300 --> 00:41:21.480 and to esteem them 00:41:21.480 --> 00:41:22.680 very highly in love 00:41:22.680 --> 00:41:24.220 because of their work. 00:41:24.760 --> 00:41:25.280 Be at peace 00:41:25.280 --> 00:41:26.000 among yourselves. 00:41:26.940 --> 00:41:27.619 Esteem them 00:41:27.619 --> 00:41:28.239 very highly 00:41:28.239 --> 00:41:29.519 because of your work. 00:41:30.300 --> 00:41:31.579 Let me ask you a question. 00:41:31.719 --> 00:41:32.800 Is there any question 00:41:32.800 --> 00:41:34.420 about your apostolic 00:41:34.420 --> 00:41:35.039 work ethic? 00:41:35.239 --> 00:41:36.000 Is there any question 00:41:36.000 --> 00:41:37.820 about your intentionality 00:41:37.820 --> 00:41:39.099 and track record 00:41:39.099 --> 00:41:39.900 to do the work 00:41:39.900 --> 00:41:40.980 to build God's church 00:41:40.980 --> 00:41:41.579 for his glory? 00:41:42.559 --> 00:41:42.860 People, 00:41:43.219 --> 00:41:43.820 you might say, 00:41:43.860 --> 00:41:44.000 man, 00:41:44.039 --> 00:41:44.579 I wish people 00:41:44.579 --> 00:41:45.579 respected me more. 00:41:45.940 --> 00:41:46.119 Well, 00:41:46.179 --> 00:41:47.300 what do people respect? 00:41:47.500 --> 00:41:48.380 It says right here, 00:41:49.159 --> 00:41:50.019 people are respected 00:41:50.019 --> 00:41:50.619 very highly. 00:41:50.739 --> 00:41:51.000 Why? 00:41:51.179 --> 00:41:52.139 Because of their work. 00:41:52.840 --> 00:41:53.960 Because of their work. 00:41:54.300 --> 00:41:55.679 You want that respect, 00:41:55.679 --> 00:41:57.399 that comes in the church? 00:41:57.799 --> 00:41:58.000 Well, 00:41:58.039 --> 00:41:58.779 it comes for the people 00:41:58.779 --> 00:41:59.619 who are doing the work. 00:42:00.000 --> 00:42:00.759 When you're doing the work, 00:42:00.839 --> 00:42:01.799 the respect is there 00:42:01.799 --> 00:42:03.579 and you respect those 00:42:03.579 --> 00:42:04.379 who labor among you. 00:42:04.440 --> 00:42:05.539 Are you laboring among 00:42:05.539 --> 00:42:06.859 the people? 00:42:07.299 --> 00:42:08.079 Are you laboring among 00:42:08.079 --> 00:42:08.859 one another to say, 00:42:09.199 --> 00:42:10.359 I want to build the bond 00:42:10.359 --> 00:42:11.619 that we have in Christ Jesus? 00:42:12.079 --> 00:42:12.759 I want to build us 00:42:12.759 --> 00:42:13.480 closer together. 00:42:13.879 --> 00:42:14.980 I want to build a framework 00:42:14.980 --> 00:42:15.719 of people 00:42:15.719 --> 00:42:16.679 that are on mission 00:42:16.679 --> 00:42:17.659 to specific people 00:42:17.659 --> 00:42:18.099 and places 00:42:18.099 --> 00:42:18.839 in the context 00:42:18.839 --> 00:42:19.919 of our missional communities. 00:42:20.359 --> 00:42:21.399 That our missional communities 00:42:21.399 --> 00:42:22.299 aren't just places 00:42:22.300 --> 00:42:22.980 where we come 00:42:22.980 --> 00:42:25.039 and enjoy the scriptures, 00:42:25.200 --> 00:42:25.900 which is awesome, 00:42:26.160 --> 00:42:27.100 and encourage one another, 00:42:27.180 --> 00:42:28.019 which is awesome, 00:42:28.280 --> 00:42:29.500 and bear one another's burdens, 00:42:29.620 --> 00:42:30.440 which is awesome, 00:42:30.860 --> 00:42:32.060 but that we come together 00:42:32.060 --> 00:42:33.460 as a family on mission 00:42:33.460 --> 00:42:34.340 and get out 00:42:34.340 --> 00:42:35.600 where the lost people are 00:42:35.600 --> 00:42:36.720 and preach the gospel 00:42:36.720 --> 00:42:38.519 and build relationships 00:42:38.519 --> 00:42:39.300 with unbelievers. 00:42:39.580 --> 00:42:40.380 We expose them 00:42:40.380 --> 00:42:41.380 to the family of believers 00:42:41.380 --> 00:42:42.860 and we preach the gospel 00:42:42.860 --> 00:42:43.420 to them and pray 00:42:43.420 --> 00:42:43.960 they get saved 00:42:43.960 --> 00:42:44.820 and make them disciples. 00:42:45.240 --> 00:42:45.820 And then we rinse 00:42:45.820 --> 00:42:46.300 and repeat 00:42:46.300 --> 00:42:47.360 over and over 00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:48.039 and over again. 00:42:48.260 --> 00:42:49.380 And we keep doing that 00:42:49.380 --> 00:42:50.060 over and over 00:42:50.059 --> 00:42:50.759 and over again. 00:42:51.519 --> 00:42:52.320 That's work. 00:42:52.960 --> 00:42:53.880 And there needs to be 00:42:53.880 --> 00:42:55.199 a labor among us in that. 00:42:55.639 --> 00:42:57.159 And there's a respect 00:42:57.159 --> 00:42:58.059 that comes from that. 00:42:58.440 --> 00:42:59.380 There's a certain level 00:42:59.380 --> 00:43:00.279 of esteem 00:43:00.279 --> 00:43:01.619 that comes from that. 00:43:02.239 --> 00:43:03.840 And especially those of you 00:43:03.840 --> 00:43:04.840 who esteem to be elders 00:43:04.840 --> 00:43:05.559 in this church, 00:43:05.880 --> 00:43:06.900 you've got to do that work. 00:43:07.400 --> 00:43:07.960 You've got to labor 00:43:07.960 --> 00:43:08.799 amongst people 00:43:08.799 --> 00:43:10.059 and win the respect 00:43:10.059 --> 00:43:10.460 of people 00:43:10.460 --> 00:43:11.799 because of your hard work, 00:43:12.000 --> 00:43:13.000 because of your work 00:43:13.000 --> 00:43:14.199 in the doing 00:43:14.199 --> 00:43:14.880 of the things 00:43:14.880 --> 00:43:16.139 that a lot of times, 00:43:16.219 --> 00:43:16.440 frankly, 00:43:16.519 --> 00:43:17.420 people don't want to do. 00:43:17.940 --> 00:43:19.239 The level of service, 00:43:19.239 --> 00:43:20.379 washing people's feet, 00:43:20.459 --> 00:43:21.039 so to speak, 00:43:21.679 --> 00:43:22.719 and getting in there 00:43:22.719 --> 00:43:23.719 and getting your hands dirty. 00:43:24.939 --> 00:43:25.899 In conclusion, 00:43:26.139 --> 00:43:28.039 1 Thessalonians 1, 2-3 says, 00:43:28.959 --> 00:43:29.859 We give thanks to God 00:43:29.859 --> 00:43:31.019 always for all of you, 00:43:31.179 --> 00:43:32.479 constantly mentioning you 00:43:32.479 --> 00:43:33.119 in our prayers, 00:43:33.659 --> 00:43:34.439 remembering before 00:43:34.439 --> 00:43:35.379 our God and Father 00:43:35.379 --> 00:43:37.000 your work of faith 00:43:37.000 --> 00:43:38.579 and labor of love 00:43:38.579 --> 00:43:40.519 and steadfastness of hope 00:43:40.519 --> 00:43:42.099 in our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:43:42.299 --> 00:43:44.139 What a beautiful trifecta 00:43:44.139 --> 00:43:45.259 that is right there, right? 00:43:45.959 --> 00:43:47.239 Your work of faith. 00:43:47.239 --> 00:43:49.000 All this work 00:43:49.000 --> 00:43:49.619 I'm talking about, 00:43:49.679 --> 00:43:50.359 I'm not asking you 00:43:50.359 --> 00:43:51.359 to pull yourself up 00:43:51.359 --> 00:43:52.399 out of your own bootstraps, 00:43:52.779 --> 00:43:53.319 get hyped, 00:43:53.459 --> 00:43:54.379 get on the hype train 00:43:54.379 --> 00:43:55.219 and just start building 00:43:55.219 --> 00:43:55.939 God's church. 00:43:56.699 --> 00:43:57.959 That's totally lame 00:43:57.959 --> 00:43:59.159 and not sustainable. 00:43:59.619 --> 00:44:00.679 I'm asking us 00:44:00.679 --> 00:44:02.279 to get on the gospel train, 00:44:02.679 --> 00:44:03.319 believe that Jesus 00:44:03.319 --> 00:44:04.479 is who he says he is, 00:44:04.779 --> 00:44:05.299 believe that Jesus 00:44:05.299 --> 00:44:06.079 did what he said 00:44:06.079 --> 00:44:06.639 he would do, 00:44:06.899 --> 00:44:08.299 and be moved 00:44:08.299 --> 00:44:09.639 in the depths of our soul 00:44:09.639 --> 00:44:10.379 by the power 00:44:10.379 --> 00:44:11.019 of the gospel 00:44:11.019 --> 00:44:14.359 to do the work of faith, 00:44:14.360 --> 00:44:16.240 to do the work of faith 00:44:16.240 --> 00:44:17.680 and a labor of love 00:44:17.680 --> 00:44:18.079 where we, 00:44:18.480 --> 00:44:19.059 out of the love 00:44:19.059 --> 00:44:20.099 that God has shed abroad 00:44:20.099 --> 00:44:20.740 into our hearts 00:44:20.740 --> 00:44:21.660 by the Holy Spirit, 00:44:22.460 --> 00:44:23.340 the love that he poured 00:44:23.340 --> 00:44:24.079 into our hearts, 00:44:24.220 --> 00:44:25.640 we end up loving one another 00:44:25.640 --> 00:44:26.559 and loving the lost 00:44:26.559 --> 00:44:27.300 in such a way 00:44:27.300 --> 00:44:28.440 that it induces 00:44:28.440 --> 00:44:29.599 real genuine 00:44:29.599 --> 00:44:30.620 heartfelt labor, 00:44:31.360 --> 00:44:32.440 a labor of love. 00:44:33.200 --> 00:44:34.380 And it's all grounded 00:44:34.380 --> 00:44:35.440 on the steadfastness 00:44:35.440 --> 00:44:35.900 of hope 00:44:35.900 --> 00:44:37.039 in our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:44:37.300 --> 00:44:37.640 Again, 00:44:37.940 --> 00:44:38.660 knowing that our labor 00:44:38.660 --> 00:44:38.980 in the Lord 00:44:38.980 --> 00:44:39.660 is not in vain. 00:44:40.120 --> 00:44:40.920 Do you believe that? 00:44:41.280 --> 00:44:41.980 Do you believe it 00:44:41.980 --> 00:44:43.119 to the point to persevere? 00:44:43.700 --> 00:44:43.880 Like, 00:44:43.940 --> 00:44:44.599 I'm not discouraged. 00:44:44.800 --> 00:44:45.519 I hope you hear me. 00:44:45.539 --> 00:44:46.200 I'm not saying this 00:44:46.200 --> 00:44:46.840 because I'm discouraged. 00:44:47.240 --> 00:44:48.760 I'm trying to rally the troops 00:44:48.760 --> 00:44:49.599 in a holistic, 00:44:50.240 --> 00:44:51.720 gospel-founded way 00:44:51.720 --> 00:44:52.619 and just say, 00:44:52.780 --> 00:44:53.639 we got work to do. 00:44:54.360 --> 00:44:55.000 And I told you this 00:44:55.000 --> 00:44:55.460 at the beginning of the year. 00:44:55.480 --> 00:44:56.300 I'm telling you again, 00:44:56.380 --> 00:44:57.659 it's more work than you think. 00:44:58.300 --> 00:44:59.639 I don't think we've anticipated 00:44:59.639 --> 00:45:00.720 how much work it is 00:45:00.720 --> 00:45:01.820 and I don't think we've bought 00:45:01.820 --> 00:45:03.039 into the level we need to. 00:45:03.300 --> 00:45:04.360 I'm calling you guys 00:45:04.360 --> 00:45:05.400 and I'm telling you as a church, 00:45:05.539 --> 00:45:06.440 we got to dive in. 00:45:06.519 --> 00:45:07.940 We got to embrace that work. 00:45:08.500 --> 00:45:09.800 But here's the encouraging part. 00:45:09.800 --> 00:45:11.660 We will reap a harvest 00:45:11.660 --> 00:45:12.980 if we don't give up. 00:45:13.120 --> 00:45:13.920 And our labor in the Lord 00:45:13.920 --> 00:45:14.600 is not in vain. 00:45:14.820 --> 00:45:15.019 Amen? 00:45:16.019 --> 00:45:16.340 Amen. 00:45:16.539 --> 00:45:17.060 Let's stand.