WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.599 Well, did you make any plans for personal improvement this new year? 00:00:10.820 --> 00:00:15.280 It's a good thing to do, and the first of the year is a good time. 00:00:15.519 --> 00:00:16.420 A lot of people do. 00:00:17.539 --> 00:00:22.900 Most of us, whether we did or not, we do things like that from time to time, don't we? 00:00:22.899 --> 00:00:29.279 We make plans to improve ourselves, what, physically, financially. 00:00:30.279 --> 00:00:41.399 We make plans to improve vocationally, academically. 00:00:42.179 --> 00:00:45.459 Some parents here wanted me to say that academic part. 00:00:46.359 --> 00:00:48.000 It's the beginning of the new semester. 00:00:48.000 --> 00:00:52.259 Don't get behind this semester, they wanted me to say. 00:00:53.259 --> 00:00:54.780 We make plans. 00:00:55.679 --> 00:00:57.920 Sometimes we'll even write them down. 00:00:59.019 --> 00:01:06.359 Develop a well-thought-out plan for improvement in some area of our life. 00:01:06.980 --> 00:01:07.759 Let me ask you this. 00:01:09.060 --> 00:01:12.340 Have you ever made plans to grow spiritually? 00:01:13.340 --> 00:01:21.060 Have you ever thought about, actually maybe wrote down a spiritual wellness plan? 00:01:21.060 --> 00:01:23.820 Well, that's what I want us to look at this morning. 00:01:24.280 --> 00:01:32.460 I want us to think about that, and if that might be helpful to you, write it down. 00:01:32.459 --> 00:01:37.979 Now, what we're going to do, we're not going to just pull something out of thin air. 00:01:38.399 --> 00:01:39.919 We're not going to make it difficult. 00:01:40.959 --> 00:01:42.879 What I want us to do is look at something. 00:01:42.979 --> 00:01:47.000 I want to use a model that's in the newsletter every week. 00:01:47.959 --> 00:01:51.339 That's at the bottom of the order of service every week. 00:01:51.899 --> 00:01:53.780 It's our church's mission statement. 00:01:53.979 --> 00:01:55.019 You can see it there. 00:01:55.019 --> 00:01:57.339 It's on the screen now. 00:01:58.179 --> 00:02:06.619 Pickens First Baptist Church exists to be a worshiping, evangelizing, learning, and loving family of faith to the glory of God. 00:02:06.620 --> 00:02:18.060 You see in the newsletter that it's based on several different passages of Scripture, mainly the Great Commission in Matthew 28 and Acts chapter 2. 00:02:18.620 --> 00:02:24.520 I want you to turn with me, if you would, to Acts chapter 2 this morning because that's where we're going to just camp out. 00:02:24.520 --> 00:02:37.980 In looking at that statement, there still on the screen, I want you to keep in mind, when you see Pickens First Baptist Church, we're not talking about a building. 00:02:39.480 --> 00:02:42.800 Because the church is not a building, as you well know. 00:02:43.800 --> 00:02:44.840 The church is people. 00:02:46.280 --> 00:02:51.520 Right now, Pickens First Baptist Church is gathered collectively. 00:02:51.520 --> 00:02:55.600 Part of us was in the 8 o'clock service. 00:02:57.500 --> 00:03:00.120 Some that are not in here now were in Sunday school. 00:03:01.500 --> 00:03:10.980 But right now, a large number of our church family members, we're gathered collectively right here in this building on Main Street. 00:03:12.080 --> 00:03:14.020 But most of the time, we're scattered. 00:03:14.280 --> 00:03:19.700 Most of the time, Pickens First Baptist Church is scattered throughout Pickens County and beyond. 00:03:19.699 --> 00:03:22.500 It might surprise you. 00:03:22.500 --> 00:03:30.399 A lot of weeks, part of this church family is not just in other states. 00:03:30.619 --> 00:03:33.139 Part of this church family is even in other countries. 00:03:34.280 --> 00:03:36.479 And that's not a rarity. 00:03:36.479 --> 00:03:40.979 Well, the acronym WELL. 00:03:42.179 --> 00:03:46.379 We are a WELL, or we desire to be a WELL church. 00:03:47.759 --> 00:03:59.199 That acronym helps us as a church to remember who we are and to stay focused on these God-given priorities of worship, evangelism, learning, and loving. 00:03:59.199 --> 00:04:15.560 Well, today, I want us to say that that little word WELL, that acronym, can help us either begin or stay focused on our own personal spiritual wellness plan. 00:04:16.939 --> 00:04:20.300 Turn to Acts 2, beginning in verse 42. 00:04:20.300 --> 00:04:27.759 I want you to see where those words, worship, evangelism, learning, and loving come from. 00:04:28.579 --> 00:04:36.620 They're being lifted right out of, not exactly those words, but as you'll read the passage, I'm going to look at one other thing before we dive into it. 00:04:36.620 --> 00:04:43.620 You'll see that our purpose statement is based on what the early church was doing. 00:04:44.399 --> 00:04:45.259 Let's read it. 00:04:46.420 --> 00:04:54.120 It's the first summary statement of what was going on in the early church in its infancy. 00:04:56.780 --> 00:05:04.019 And they, that is the believers, over 3,000 people were converted prior to this. 00:05:04.019 --> 00:05:06.500 You can read just a few verses above it. 00:05:06.620 --> 00:05:17.120 But the church, the people who trusted Christ, the church family there in Jerusalem, 00:05:17.759 --> 00:05:22.079 they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, 00:05:22.780 --> 00:05:25.840 to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 00:05:26.699 --> 00:05:30.699 And awe came upon every soul. 00:05:31.079 --> 00:05:34.800 And many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 00:05:34.800 --> 00:05:41.960 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 00:05:42.740 --> 00:05:44.020 But note the next verse. 00:05:44.680 --> 00:05:47.199 They still owned their stuff. 00:05:48.040 --> 00:05:50.160 This is not communism or socialism. 00:05:50.660 --> 00:05:51.560 Look at verse 45. 00:05:52.160 --> 00:05:57.180 And they were selling their possessions and belongings. 00:05:57.180 --> 00:05:59.860 They were doing it because they wanted to. 00:06:01.540 --> 00:06:05.439 They were doing it because they chose to sell their possessions and belongings 00:06:05.439 --> 00:06:10.160 and distribute the proceeds to all as any had need. 00:06:11.600 --> 00:06:17.480 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, 00:06:18.060 --> 00:06:22.060 they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 00:06:22.060 --> 00:06:26.759 praising God and having favor with all the people. 00:06:26.759 --> 00:06:30.879 And the Lord added to their number day by day, 00:06:31.280 --> 00:06:33.360 those who were being saved. 00:06:33.360 --> 00:06:40.920 This is the first summary statement of what was going on in the life of the early church. 00:06:41.639 --> 00:06:45.520 John Hammett teaches theology at Southeastern Seminary, 00:06:46.060 --> 00:06:49.379 says that this is the most appropriate text in the New Testament 00:06:49.379 --> 00:06:54.879 for identifying and understanding the ministries that the Lord's church should be involved in. 00:06:54.879 --> 00:06:57.540 He says this passage. 00:06:58.100 --> 00:07:02.219 And he also quotes Richard Longnecker, a New Testament scholar, 00:07:02.319 --> 00:07:03.360 in his commentary on Acts. 00:07:03.600 --> 00:07:09.139 He also says they describe the habitual, ongoing practices of the early church. 00:07:10.439 --> 00:07:12.120 What many people who study this, 00:07:12.219 --> 00:07:14.959 John Stott, some of you have read his books, 00:07:15.600 --> 00:07:17.420 another New Testament scholar. 00:07:18.279 --> 00:07:20.480 Many people look at this passage of Scripture and say, 00:07:20.699 --> 00:07:23.839 this is not just something they were doing at this point in time. 00:07:23.839 --> 00:07:29.839 This is an example of how the people of God gathered together as a church, 00:07:30.060 --> 00:07:31.639 made up of individual Christians. 00:07:32.519 --> 00:07:34.319 This is how they lived. 00:07:35.139 --> 00:07:39.079 This is how they developed and grew spiritually. 00:07:39.879 --> 00:07:41.839 They worshiped. 00:07:42.059 --> 00:07:44.219 They evangelized. 00:07:44.279 --> 00:07:45.139 They shared the gospel. 00:07:46.359 --> 00:07:47.579 They learned. 00:07:48.239 --> 00:07:49.359 They studied God's Word. 00:07:49.659 --> 00:07:50.799 They listened to the apostles. 00:07:51.439 --> 00:07:52.159 And they loved. 00:07:52.160 --> 00:07:57.680 One another in a great, life-giving kind of way. 00:07:58.100 --> 00:07:59.060 But also other people. 00:08:00.200 --> 00:08:02.320 I put together several years ago a chart 00:08:02.320 --> 00:08:07.560 that shows how several respected pastors of various denominations 00:08:07.560 --> 00:08:11.480 look at what we're looking at in this section, 00:08:11.720 --> 00:08:13.180 Acts 2, 42 through 47, 00:08:13.180 --> 00:08:21.639 and identify what they call either the priorities or purposes or objectives of the church. 00:08:22.439 --> 00:08:28.980 The chart is not as big as I wanted it to be because I wanted it there all at one time. 00:08:29.240 --> 00:08:32.460 But you notice on the very end, if you go back to that last slide there, 00:08:32.700 --> 00:08:35.080 on the very end, Greg Laurie and Harry Reader, 00:08:35.080 --> 00:08:41.420 they actually use the acronym WELL to describe what's going on in the early church. 00:08:41.800 --> 00:08:43.320 Worship, evangelism, learning, and loving. 00:08:44.639 --> 00:08:47.660 Rick Warren, the first slide there, 00:08:48.920 --> 00:08:51.680 he describes those things using five words. 00:08:51.820 --> 00:08:54.480 Worship, evangelism, discipleship, fellowship, and ministry. 00:08:54.480 --> 00:08:58.560 James White does something very similar in the middle. 00:08:59.320 --> 00:09:01.240 Chuck Swindoll just uses four words. 00:09:01.779 --> 00:09:02.180 Look at it. 00:09:02.240 --> 00:09:04.720 The second column, worship, evangelism, instruction, and fellowship. 00:09:05.039 --> 00:09:06.759 When Swindoll writes about that, 00:09:06.960 --> 00:09:08.779 he actually says the purpose of the church 00:09:08.779 --> 00:09:10.240 or the priorities of the church, 00:09:10.759 --> 00:09:12.539 he uses the word WIFE. 00:09:12.759 --> 00:09:14.899 Worship, instruction, fellowship, and evangelism. 00:09:14.899 --> 00:09:17.579 Now, I'm pointing that out to say 00:09:17.579 --> 00:09:23.519 this is not something that I or some obscure person 00:09:23.519 --> 00:09:26.840 thought up a catchy little phrase or something. 00:09:27.860 --> 00:09:32.819 As we think about what God has called us to be and do as a church, 00:09:33.480 --> 00:09:34.939 and the church is made up of people, 00:09:35.879 --> 00:09:37.659 what God calls you and me to do 00:09:37.659 --> 00:09:45.679 as priorities in our spiritual relationship with Him, 00:09:46.079 --> 00:09:47.480 in our growth and our maturity. 00:09:47.860 --> 00:09:48.779 We're going to grow and mature. 00:09:50.439 --> 00:09:54.319 We need to focus on worship, evangelize, 00:09:54.679 --> 00:09:56.000 learning or discipleship, 00:09:56.620 --> 00:09:58.279 loving, which is fellowship, 00:09:58.939 --> 00:10:00.559 and service or ministry. 00:10:01.819 --> 00:10:02.919 Let's look at it now. 00:10:03.059 --> 00:10:04.059 Let's look at the passage, 00:10:04.899 --> 00:10:06.139 and what I want us to do, 00:10:06.139 --> 00:10:07.639 is think about it. 00:10:08.600 --> 00:10:11.360 These are spiritual priorities for every Christian. 00:10:12.500 --> 00:10:13.720 As we go through this, 00:10:13.759 --> 00:10:15.740 and we think this is what was happening 00:10:15.740 --> 00:10:18.419 in the lives of those first Christians 00:10:18.419 --> 00:10:20.539 in that early church in Jerusalem. 00:10:23.220 --> 00:10:28.919 And that is how Christians have grown and matured ever since. 00:10:29.559 --> 00:10:31.779 It's what God expects of us. 00:10:31.779 --> 00:10:37.339 It's the way He intends for us as Christians, 00:10:37.839 --> 00:10:39.360 to know Him better, 00:10:39.679 --> 00:10:41.379 to know how to please Him, 00:10:42.139 --> 00:10:43.480 to serve His purpose. 00:10:44.639 --> 00:10:47.819 So, these are spiritual priorities for all Christians. 00:10:49.240 --> 00:10:51.439 They can serve as the foundation 00:10:51.439 --> 00:10:54.220 for your personal spiritual wellness plan 00:10:54.220 --> 00:10:56.980 if you don't have one, 00:10:57.399 --> 00:10:58.720 if you want to begin one today. 00:10:58.720 --> 00:11:00.000 Let's look at it. 00:11:00.000 --> 00:11:02.960 Let's look at it in the order in which they come in the passage. 00:11:03.180 --> 00:11:04.820 First of all, it's a priority of learning. 00:11:05.420 --> 00:11:06.820 Look back now at verse 42. 00:11:07.560 --> 00:11:07.820 It says, 00:11:07.940 --> 00:11:09.139 And they devoted themselves, 00:11:09.420 --> 00:11:10.180 excuse me, 00:11:11.040 --> 00:11:12.259 to the apostles' teaching. 00:11:12.860 --> 00:11:14.720 This phrase is more literally translated, 00:11:15.720 --> 00:11:16.759 in the New American Standard, 00:11:17.160 --> 00:11:20.200 they were continually devoting themselves 00:11:20.200 --> 00:11:21.899 to the apostles' teaching. 00:11:21.899 --> 00:11:25.179 This was not something they just did occasionally. 00:11:26.179 --> 00:11:29.699 This was something that they considered a way of life. 00:11:29.759 --> 00:11:31.279 They were serious about it. 00:11:32.159 --> 00:11:33.799 They were devoted 00:11:33.799 --> 00:11:37.220 to listening to the Word of God 00:11:37.220 --> 00:11:39.879 as it came through those apostles. 00:11:40.799 --> 00:11:42.319 Look at the object of their devotion, 00:11:42.419 --> 00:11:43.279 the apostles' teaching. 00:11:43.639 --> 00:11:45.259 That's what we have in our New Testament. 00:11:46.480 --> 00:11:48.419 A good way to just think about the apostles' teaching 00:11:48.419 --> 00:11:49.259 here in verse 42, 00:11:49.259 --> 00:11:50.679 well, we've got it now. 00:11:50.980 --> 00:11:52.720 What God wants us to have 00:11:52.720 --> 00:11:54.059 in the form of the New Testament. 00:11:54.740 --> 00:11:55.860 And most of you know 00:11:55.860 --> 00:11:59.240 the Old Testament was the apostles' Bible, 00:11:59.980 --> 00:12:02.159 and they quoted it liberally 00:12:02.159 --> 00:12:04.620 in their writings in the New Testament. 00:12:05.439 --> 00:12:06.980 So we can apply this, 00:12:07.080 --> 00:12:08.480 the idea of devoting ourselves 00:12:08.480 --> 00:12:09.519 to the apostles' teaching. 00:12:10.519 --> 00:12:12.819 We need to devote ourselves to the Word of God. 00:12:12.820 --> 00:12:17.340 We need to be serious students of Scripture. 00:12:18.260 --> 00:12:19.280 Now, as a church, 00:12:19.420 --> 00:12:21.560 we need to make sure 00:12:21.560 --> 00:12:23.379 that we are teaching the Bible. 00:12:23.500 --> 00:12:25.879 That's our playbook. 00:12:26.420 --> 00:12:27.660 It's our primary source 00:12:27.660 --> 00:12:28.660 for what we believe 00:12:28.660 --> 00:12:30.620 and how we're to live as Christians. 00:12:31.460 --> 00:12:33.140 But as individual believers, 00:12:33.820 --> 00:12:35.760 we need to make sure 00:12:35.760 --> 00:12:38.420 that we are reading and studying 00:12:38.419 --> 00:12:40.759 and actually learning 00:12:40.759 --> 00:12:43.279 what God is saying to us 00:12:43.279 --> 00:12:44.179 through His Word. 00:12:45.799 --> 00:12:46.279 Note, 00:12:46.899 --> 00:12:48.979 this is the first thing mentioned 00:12:48.979 --> 00:12:49.879 in this passage 00:12:49.879 --> 00:12:52.959 because it's the Word of God 00:12:52.959 --> 00:12:54.240 that informs us 00:12:54.240 --> 00:12:55.879 how to do everything else. 00:12:56.199 --> 00:12:56.879 How we worship. 00:12:57.559 --> 00:12:58.699 How we love. 00:12:58.879 --> 00:13:00.000 How we express love. 00:13:00.679 --> 00:13:02.919 How we practice evangelism. 00:13:03.360 --> 00:13:04.360 Think about worship. 00:13:04.360 --> 00:13:06.399 Sometimes we will say, 00:13:06.659 --> 00:13:07.680 and well-meaning, 00:13:07.960 --> 00:13:10.440 and I understand what's being said 00:13:10.440 --> 00:13:11.539 when someone says, 00:13:11.840 --> 00:13:12.779 maybe in a prayer, 00:13:12.980 --> 00:13:14.259 maybe around the 4th of July, 00:13:15.000 --> 00:13:16.980 I thank God that in this country 00:13:16.980 --> 00:13:19.120 we can worship God as we please. 00:13:20.000 --> 00:13:20.620 I understand. 00:13:20.980 --> 00:13:23.240 That's being thankful for freedoms 00:13:23.240 --> 00:13:24.740 to assemble and worship. 00:13:25.200 --> 00:13:26.259 But I want you to understand something. 00:13:27.019 --> 00:13:29.779 We do not worship God as we please. 00:13:30.539 --> 00:13:31.759 We worship God 00:13:31.759 --> 00:13:33.000 if we worship Him 00:13:33.000 --> 00:13:34.220 in an acceptable way. 00:13:34.360 --> 00:13:35.639 We worship Him 00:13:35.639 --> 00:13:38.300 as He has revealed Himself 00:13:38.300 --> 00:13:40.139 and as He tells us to 00:13:40.139 --> 00:13:41.240 in Scripture. 00:13:42.940 --> 00:13:44.159 We need to make sure, 00:13:44.639 --> 00:13:47.000 and some people may not think about it this way, 00:13:47.460 --> 00:13:48.279 but we need to make sure 00:13:48.279 --> 00:13:50.259 that what we think about God, 00:13:50.340 --> 00:13:51.419 our image of God, 00:13:51.539 --> 00:13:53.379 is not something we just dreamed up 00:13:53.379 --> 00:13:55.539 or just heard somewhere. 00:13:55.980 --> 00:13:56.720 We need to make sure 00:13:56.720 --> 00:13:58.600 that our understanding of who God is, 00:13:58.860 --> 00:13:59.639 how He is, 00:13:59.680 --> 00:14:00.420 how He works, 00:14:01.300 --> 00:14:02.940 is the way He has revealed Himself 00:14:02.940 --> 00:14:04.780 to be in Scripture 00:14:04.780 --> 00:14:07.880 and specifically in Jesus. 00:14:07.879 --> 00:14:10.720 God calls us, 00:14:10.720 --> 00:14:13.659 and He enables us 00:14:13.659 --> 00:14:17.220 to be well Christians. 00:14:18.659 --> 00:14:20.820 He instructs us through His Word, 00:14:21.820 --> 00:14:23.539 and then He enables us 00:14:23.539 --> 00:14:25.860 or empowers us 00:14:25.860 --> 00:14:27.539 through His Spirit. 00:14:27.539 --> 00:14:31.099 Now, in our full church mission statement 00:14:31.099 --> 00:14:32.419 or purpose statement, 00:14:33.059 --> 00:14:35.519 we go on to explain 00:14:35.519 --> 00:14:37.120 how the only way we can do 00:14:37.120 --> 00:14:38.319 what God's called us to do 00:14:38.319 --> 00:14:40.519 is through His power, 00:14:40.879 --> 00:14:41.759 the power of the Holy Spirit. 00:14:42.019 --> 00:14:42.699 Look at it. 00:14:43.240 --> 00:14:44.379 We say in this statement, 00:14:44.759 --> 00:14:45.919 through the power of the Holy Spirit 00:14:45.919 --> 00:14:46.500 and prayer. 00:14:46.639 --> 00:14:48.319 Prayer is how we access God's power. 00:14:48.919 --> 00:14:49.639 Sometimes we, 00:14:49.639 --> 00:14:51.240 as Jesus Himself said, 00:14:51.759 --> 00:14:53.059 we do not have 00:14:53.059 --> 00:14:54.179 because we do not ask, 00:14:54.500 --> 00:14:56.419 or James tells us that. 00:14:57.159 --> 00:14:59.159 Sometimes we miss out 00:14:59.159 --> 00:14:59.899 on some things, 00:15:00.439 --> 00:15:01.240 spiritually speaking, 00:15:01.720 --> 00:15:02.840 we miss out on some things 00:15:02.840 --> 00:15:04.439 that maybe God would give us, 00:15:05.519 --> 00:15:06.379 but we don't ask. 00:15:07.019 --> 00:15:08.059 We don't seek, 00:15:08.120 --> 00:15:08.799 as Jesus said. 00:15:09.580 --> 00:15:11.960 We don't really care enough 00:15:11.960 --> 00:15:13.419 to talk to God about it 00:15:13.419 --> 00:15:14.639 and be serious 00:15:14.639 --> 00:15:16.819 in our asking Him about it. 00:15:17.299 --> 00:15:17.960 But it's through the power 00:15:17.960 --> 00:15:18.820 of the Holy Spirit and prayer. 00:15:19.600 --> 00:15:20.700 We will seek to accomplish 00:15:20.700 --> 00:15:22.000 our purpose through a vital 00:15:22.000 --> 00:15:23.100 worship encounter 00:15:23.100 --> 00:15:23.840 with the living God, 00:15:24.220 --> 00:15:25.620 evangelistic outreach 00:15:25.620 --> 00:15:26.379 to the unsaved, 00:15:26.740 --> 00:15:27.480 learning experience 00:15:27.480 --> 00:15:28.300 with the Word of God, 00:15:28.620 --> 00:15:30.000 and loving involvement 00:15:30.000 --> 00:15:31.580 with both our family of faith 00:15:31.580 --> 00:15:33.560 and the world. 00:15:34.780 --> 00:15:35.820 Now, I want you to think. 00:15:37.500 --> 00:15:39.019 Do you need to make 00:15:39.019 --> 00:15:41.700 the priority of learning 00:15:41.700 --> 00:15:45.620 a part of your spiritual wellness plan 00:15:45.620 --> 00:15:46.500 for this new year? 00:15:47.960 --> 00:15:51.660 Are you consistently reading, 00:15:52.600 --> 00:15:53.420 seeking to understand 00:15:53.420 --> 00:15:54.720 what God's saying in His Word? 00:15:57.160 --> 00:15:58.160 I'm going to say, 00:15:58.320 --> 00:15:59.200 if you are not, 00:16:00.320 --> 00:16:02.160 it's because you don't want to. 00:16:03.519 --> 00:16:04.300 Now, I know, 00:16:04.620 --> 00:16:06.100 life is busy. 00:16:06.940 --> 00:16:07.860 And it may be 00:16:07.860 --> 00:16:09.060 that you don't read the Bible, 00:16:09.200 --> 00:16:10.980 you're not really into the Word 00:16:10.980 --> 00:16:12.540 as much as you want to. 00:16:12.539 --> 00:16:16.079 You just can't put in the time 00:16:16.079 --> 00:16:16.980 that you would like. 00:16:17.299 --> 00:16:18.159 There's not enough hours a day. 00:16:18.259 --> 00:16:19.279 I could understand that. 00:16:21.179 --> 00:16:22.899 But if you rarely pick up the Bible, 00:16:24.339 --> 00:16:25.860 if you just sort of give it 00:16:25.860 --> 00:16:27.579 sort of a casual glance, 00:16:27.699 --> 00:16:28.879 five minutes a day, 00:16:29.399 --> 00:16:31.799 I'm going to say, 00:16:32.360 --> 00:16:35.679 that's what you want to do. 00:16:38.439 --> 00:16:39.500 Because deep down, 00:16:39.599 --> 00:16:40.120 bottom line, 00:16:40.120 --> 00:16:41.200 we do what we want to do. 00:16:43.600 --> 00:16:45.679 We make what is important to us 00:16:45.679 --> 00:16:46.539 a priority. 00:16:47.039 --> 00:16:47.679 We may not can do 00:16:47.679 --> 00:16:48.960 everything we want to do, 00:16:49.039 --> 00:16:50.340 as much as we want to do. 00:16:53.159 --> 00:16:54.440 I make time 00:16:54.440 --> 00:16:56.919 to spend with my wife. 00:16:57.460 --> 00:16:58.720 I make time to spend 00:16:58.720 --> 00:16:59.779 with my grandchildren 00:16:59.779 --> 00:17:00.879 every week. 00:17:03.360 --> 00:17:04.700 There's people that I'll say, 00:17:04.700 --> 00:17:06.420 no, I can't do that. 00:17:07.500 --> 00:17:08.420 Because I'm going to be 00:17:08.420 --> 00:17:09.019 doing something 00:17:09.019 --> 00:17:10.700 with my grandson 00:17:10.700 --> 00:17:11.980 and granddaughter maybe. 00:17:12.680 --> 00:17:13.799 Because they're a priority. 00:17:14.160 --> 00:17:14.920 And I'm going to make time 00:17:14.920 --> 00:17:15.279 for them. 00:17:15.819 --> 00:17:16.460 And you do that. 00:17:16.740 --> 00:17:17.420 You make time 00:17:17.420 --> 00:17:18.380 for people in your life. 00:17:18.720 --> 00:17:19.620 Maybe not all the time 00:17:19.620 --> 00:17:20.160 you would like. 00:17:20.580 --> 00:17:21.620 But you make time 00:17:21.620 --> 00:17:22.160 for people 00:17:22.160 --> 00:17:22.880 and even things 00:17:22.880 --> 00:17:23.340 in your life 00:17:23.340 --> 00:17:24.799 that's important to you. 00:17:25.900 --> 00:17:26.860 And if we don't spend 00:17:26.860 --> 00:17:27.700 any time with God, 00:17:27.819 --> 00:17:28.580 virtually no time 00:17:28.580 --> 00:17:29.180 with Him and His Word 00:17:29.180 --> 00:17:29.539 just because 00:17:29.539 --> 00:17:30.340 we don't want to. 00:17:30.339 --> 00:17:31.459 But if you think, 00:17:32.779 --> 00:17:35.720 I want to want to. 00:17:37.339 --> 00:17:38.500 I would like to have 00:17:38.500 --> 00:17:39.519 a greater desire. 00:17:39.679 --> 00:17:41.740 I know I am a Christian. 00:17:41.859 --> 00:17:42.899 I want to know God. 00:17:43.839 --> 00:17:44.639 But maybe you're just 00:17:44.639 --> 00:17:45.879 a lazy reader. 00:17:47.399 --> 00:17:48.919 Maybe you're easily distracted. 00:17:49.919 --> 00:17:50.720 I want to encourage you 00:17:50.720 --> 00:17:51.119 right here. 00:17:52.039 --> 00:17:53.000 It's just still the, 00:17:53.179 --> 00:17:54.699 what, the 14th day 00:17:54.699 --> 00:17:55.559 of a brand new year. 00:17:56.519 --> 00:17:57.659 Ask God to give you 00:17:57.659 --> 00:17:59.119 a greater desire. 00:18:00.339 --> 00:18:02.159 to know Him better 00:18:02.159 --> 00:18:04.399 and develop your relationship 00:18:04.399 --> 00:18:05.159 with Him 00:18:05.159 --> 00:18:07.259 more deeply 00:18:07.259 --> 00:18:10.339 by being able 00:18:10.339 --> 00:18:11.159 to spend time 00:18:11.159 --> 00:18:12.019 in His Word, 00:18:12.379 --> 00:18:12.899 reading it, 00:18:13.039 --> 00:18:14.359 and listening to Him. 00:18:16.119 --> 00:18:17.019 Ask God to help you 00:18:17.019 --> 00:18:17.919 to find that time 00:18:17.919 --> 00:18:20.619 to put forth the effort 00:18:20.619 --> 00:18:22.819 to stay awake, 00:18:22.919 --> 00:18:23.659 to stay alert 00:18:23.659 --> 00:18:26.559 so you can read 00:18:26.559 --> 00:18:27.299 and listen 00:18:27.299 --> 00:18:29.940 and just look at your 00:18:29.940 --> 00:18:30.379 Bible reading 00:18:30.379 --> 00:18:30.879 as an opportunity 00:18:30.879 --> 00:18:32.139 to get to know God better, 00:18:32.859 --> 00:18:34.139 to discover how to 00:18:34.139 --> 00:18:35.119 please Him, 00:18:35.779 --> 00:18:37.299 to discover how to enjoy, 00:18:37.440 --> 00:18:38.019 I mean really, 00:18:38.279 --> 00:18:39.819 enjoy a relationship 00:18:39.819 --> 00:18:40.460 with Him 00:18:40.460 --> 00:18:41.740 as your Heavenly Father. 00:18:42.899 --> 00:18:43.180 Now, 00:18:43.500 --> 00:18:44.220 if you are just 00:18:44.220 --> 00:18:44.940 reading the Bible, 00:18:46.940 --> 00:18:48.779 to say you're reading it, 00:18:49.899 --> 00:18:50.879 I want to 00:18:50.879 --> 00:18:52.039 caution you here. 00:18:52.039 --> 00:18:54.659 as great as it would be 00:18:54.659 --> 00:18:55.879 to read through the Bible 00:18:55.879 --> 00:18:56.619 this year, 00:18:56.960 --> 00:18:57.879 if all you're going to do 00:18:57.879 --> 00:18:59.220 is read a large portion 00:18:59.220 --> 00:18:59.619 of Scripture 00:18:59.619 --> 00:19:00.759 and just check it off, 00:19:02.259 --> 00:19:03.659 or you're just going to read 00:19:03.659 --> 00:19:04.859 and try to just fill your mind 00:19:04.859 --> 00:19:06.579 with more factual information, 00:19:07.440 --> 00:19:10.019 that's not really going 00:19:10.019 --> 00:19:10.859 to help you 00:19:10.859 --> 00:19:11.960 grow spiritually. 00:19:11.960 --> 00:19:13.880 I want to encourage you 00:19:13.880 --> 00:19:14.460 to ask God 00:19:14.460 --> 00:19:15.299 to help you 00:19:15.299 --> 00:19:16.880 to not just be 00:19:16.880 --> 00:19:18.259 a reader of the Word, 00:19:19.420 --> 00:19:20.819 but as James tells us, 00:19:21.259 --> 00:19:22.579 be a doer of the Word. 00:19:23.299 --> 00:19:24.380 Read it with the idea, 00:19:24.660 --> 00:19:25.440 I want to understand 00:19:25.440 --> 00:19:26.340 what God wants me 00:19:26.340 --> 00:19:27.079 to believe, 00:19:28.120 --> 00:19:28.960 because there's all things, 00:19:29.180 --> 00:19:29.880 all kinds of things 00:19:29.880 --> 00:19:31.559 competing for your belief 00:19:31.559 --> 00:19:32.079 right now 00:19:32.079 --> 00:19:32.740 in this world. 00:19:33.579 --> 00:19:34.200 Ask God to help you 00:19:34.200 --> 00:19:34.579 understand 00:19:34.579 --> 00:19:36.500 how to actually put 00:19:36.500 --> 00:19:37.200 what He's teaching 00:19:37.200 --> 00:19:38.019 into practice 00:19:38.019 --> 00:19:38.799 in your life, 00:19:38.840 --> 00:19:39.460 in your home, 00:19:39.559 --> 00:19:40.240 where you work, 00:19:40.299 --> 00:19:40.779 in school. 00:19:41.960 --> 00:19:43.960 Make 00:19:43.960 --> 00:19:45.860 being a 00:19:45.860 --> 00:19:48.720 learning Christian 00:19:48.720 --> 00:19:51.420 by studying, 00:19:52.160 --> 00:19:53.000 listening to God, 00:19:53.120 --> 00:19:53.779 studying His Word, 00:19:53.880 --> 00:19:54.360 listening to Him 00:19:54.360 --> 00:19:55.120 as He speaks to it, 00:19:56.240 --> 00:19:57.700 it's vitally important 00:19:57.700 --> 00:19:59.319 for you as an individual 00:19:59.319 --> 00:20:00.660 and for us together 00:20:00.660 --> 00:20:01.480 as a church 00:20:01.480 --> 00:20:03.600 to be learning Christians. 00:20:04.420 --> 00:20:05.279 The next priority 00:20:05.279 --> 00:20:06.440 is the priority of loving. 00:20:06.840 --> 00:20:08.019 Look at verse 42 again. 00:20:08.880 --> 00:20:09.840 They devoted themselves, 00:20:10.000 --> 00:20:10.539 later on, 00:20:10.960 --> 00:20:11.680 to the fellowship 00:20:11.680 --> 00:20:13.440 look at verses 44 and 45. 00:20:13.680 --> 00:20:14.740 And all who believed 00:20:14.740 --> 00:20:15.279 were together 00:20:15.279 --> 00:20:16.060 and had all things 00:20:16.060 --> 00:20:16.600 in common, 00:20:16.600 --> 00:20:18.320 and they were selling 00:20:18.320 --> 00:20:19.120 their possessions 00:20:19.120 --> 00:20:20.500 and belongings 00:20:20.500 --> 00:20:21.640 and distributing 00:20:21.640 --> 00:20:22.340 the proceeds 00:20:22.340 --> 00:20:23.259 to all 00:20:23.259 --> 00:20:25.060 as any had need. 00:20:25.620 --> 00:20:26.440 And then the first part 00:20:26.440 --> 00:20:27.259 of verse 47, 00:20:27.740 --> 00:20:28.420 and having favor 00:20:28.420 --> 00:20:29.220 with all the people. 00:20:30.220 --> 00:20:30.620 Now you know 00:20:30.620 --> 00:20:31.860 the idea of loving here 00:20:31.860 --> 00:20:32.440 comes from the word 00:20:32.440 --> 00:20:32.880 fellowship. 00:20:33.420 --> 00:20:34.980 It's referring to 00:20:34.980 --> 00:20:36.080 what we have in common. 00:20:36.079 --> 00:20:38.679 And these people, 00:20:39.740 --> 00:20:40.939 small walks of life, 00:20:41.939 --> 00:20:42.779 what they had in common 00:20:42.779 --> 00:20:44.279 was their common commitment 00:20:44.279 --> 00:20:46.399 to love for Jesus 00:20:46.399 --> 00:20:47.839 as their Savior and Lord. 00:20:48.500 --> 00:20:50.139 They had a common commitment 00:20:50.139 --> 00:20:50.939 to one another 00:20:50.939 --> 00:20:52.699 because they were brothers 00:20:52.699 --> 00:20:53.839 and sisters in Christ. 00:20:53.919 --> 00:20:54.960 They had the most important 00:20:54.960 --> 00:20:56.099 relationship in all their life, 00:20:56.159 --> 00:20:56.659 their relationship 00:20:56.659 --> 00:20:57.480 with the Lord Jesus. 00:20:58.259 --> 00:21:00.220 That brought them together. 00:21:01.220 --> 00:21:01.819 And what we see 00:21:01.819 --> 00:21:02.399 in these verses 00:21:02.399 --> 00:21:05.539 is love in action. 00:21:08.539 --> 00:21:10.220 No one forced them 00:21:10.220 --> 00:21:12.700 to sell their possessions. 00:21:13.879 --> 00:21:15.119 No one forced them 00:21:15.119 --> 00:21:15.740 to take the money 00:21:15.740 --> 00:21:16.939 they got for their possessions 00:21:16.939 --> 00:21:19.619 and give it to the church, 00:21:19.700 --> 00:21:20.220 so to speak, 00:21:20.559 --> 00:21:21.399 to give it to other people. 00:21:22.960 --> 00:21:24.119 They had such a love 00:21:24.119 --> 00:21:24.639 for one another 00:21:24.639 --> 00:21:25.779 that when they saw 00:21:25.779 --> 00:21:26.939 people in need, 00:21:27.059 --> 00:21:28.559 people doing without food maybe, 00:21:29.539 --> 00:21:30.579 people who couldn't, 00:21:31.000 --> 00:21:31.599 who were not getting 00:21:31.599 --> 00:21:32.779 their basic needs met 00:21:32.779 --> 00:21:33.799 and they had more 00:21:33.799 --> 00:21:34.379 than they needed. 00:21:34.599 --> 00:21:35.259 They were selling 00:21:35.259 --> 00:21:35.859 some of the things 00:21:35.859 --> 00:21:36.279 that they had, 00:21:36.319 --> 00:21:37.099 not everything they had. 00:21:37.679 --> 00:21:38.859 They were selling things 00:21:38.859 --> 00:21:40.399 and giving the money 00:21:40.399 --> 00:21:41.199 to make sure 00:21:41.199 --> 00:21:42.619 that real needs 00:21:42.619 --> 00:21:43.559 were being met 00:21:43.559 --> 00:21:45.439 in that fellowship, 00:21:46.439 --> 00:21:47.539 in that church. 00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:51.299 That was real love, 00:21:51.519 --> 00:21:54.179 sacrificial love in action. 00:21:54.359 --> 00:21:55.179 And it was taking place 00:21:55.179 --> 00:21:56.039 among the believers. 00:21:56.259 --> 00:21:57.099 It was taking place 00:21:57.099 --> 00:21:58.159 there among the Christians, 00:21:58.779 --> 00:22:00.179 but it impressed 00:22:00.179 --> 00:22:01.500 all kinds of people. 00:22:01.599 --> 00:22:02.480 As that last verse 00:22:02.480 --> 00:22:03.000 we looked at, 00:22:03.399 --> 00:22:04.599 having favor with all the people, 00:22:04.839 --> 00:22:05.500 even unbelievers 00:22:05.500 --> 00:22:06.439 were impressed. 00:22:07.659 --> 00:22:08.740 Wouldn't you be impressed 00:22:08.740 --> 00:22:09.719 if you knew 00:22:09.719 --> 00:22:10.399 a group of people 00:22:10.399 --> 00:22:11.719 in a church 00:22:11.719 --> 00:22:12.419 or in any kind 00:22:12.419 --> 00:22:13.059 of organization 00:22:13.059 --> 00:22:14.799 that they so loved 00:22:14.799 --> 00:22:15.419 one another 00:22:15.419 --> 00:22:17.799 that they gave 00:22:17.799 --> 00:22:20.299 of their finances. 00:22:20.819 --> 00:22:22.259 They gave of their wealth. 00:22:22.599 --> 00:22:23.659 They gave up something 00:22:23.659 --> 00:22:24.919 so that other people 00:22:24.919 --> 00:22:26.559 could have their needs met. 00:22:26.879 --> 00:22:27.980 It was powerful. 00:22:27.980 --> 00:22:29.779 The apostles 00:22:29.779 --> 00:22:31.079 emphasized love 00:22:31.079 --> 00:22:32.779 as the priority, 00:22:33.299 --> 00:22:34.819 character, quality 00:22:34.819 --> 00:22:35.759 of Christians. 00:22:36.660 --> 00:22:37.360 Paul wrote 00:22:37.360 --> 00:22:38.140 that great chapter 00:22:38.140 --> 00:22:39.279 in 1 Corinthians 13 00:22:39.279 --> 00:22:41.460 on the priority of love, 00:22:41.599 --> 00:22:42.140 and he explained 00:22:42.140 --> 00:22:42.779 what that was, 00:22:43.059 --> 00:22:43.940 1 Corinthians 13. 00:22:44.660 --> 00:22:45.519 They learned that 00:22:45.519 --> 00:22:46.039 from Jesus. 00:22:46.819 --> 00:22:47.539 Note what Jesus 00:22:47.539 --> 00:22:48.559 told his apostles. 00:22:49.240 --> 00:22:49.900 A new commandment 00:22:49.900 --> 00:22:50.460 I give to you 00:22:50.460 --> 00:22:51.079 that you love 00:22:51.079 --> 00:22:51.579 one another 00:22:51.579 --> 00:22:53.980 just as I have loved you, 00:22:55.319 --> 00:22:55.839 you are also 00:22:55.839 --> 00:22:56.519 to love one another. 00:22:57.159 --> 00:22:57.779 And by this, 00:22:57.879 --> 00:22:59.259 all people will know 00:22:59.259 --> 00:23:00.579 that you are my disciples 00:23:00.579 --> 00:23:01.720 if you have love 00:23:01.720 --> 00:23:02.259 for one another. 00:23:04.459 --> 00:23:05.459 That's how we're supposed 00:23:05.459 --> 00:23:06.619 to be known as Christians, 00:23:07.399 --> 00:23:09.019 by the love that we have 00:23:09.019 --> 00:23:09.699 for one another. 00:23:11.559 --> 00:23:12.619 The question is, 00:23:13.159 --> 00:23:15.679 are we as a church? 00:23:16.679 --> 00:23:18.179 Are you as an individual? 00:23:19.919 --> 00:23:20.199 You know, 00:23:20.240 --> 00:23:21.099 one of the best definitions 00:23:21.099 --> 00:23:21.659 of love 00:23:21.659 --> 00:23:23.139 that I've ever heard, 00:23:23.859 --> 00:23:24.399 simple, 00:23:24.400 --> 00:23:25.900 is love is 00:23:25.900 --> 00:23:27.840 meeting needs. 00:23:28.780 --> 00:23:29.820 If you love somebody, 00:23:30.500 --> 00:23:30.860 you're going to try 00:23:30.860 --> 00:23:32.160 to meet their need. 00:23:32.700 --> 00:23:33.880 And that's exactly 00:23:33.880 --> 00:23:34.800 what was going on here 00:23:34.800 --> 00:23:35.780 in this early church. 00:23:36.580 --> 00:23:37.640 I see it sometimes, 00:23:37.840 --> 00:23:38.580 or you do too. 00:23:39.040 --> 00:23:40.080 We see it sometimes 00:23:40.080 --> 00:23:40.860 in our church. 00:23:42.200 --> 00:23:43.040 Some of you, 00:23:43.860 --> 00:23:44.519 some of you, 00:23:44.640 --> 00:23:45.360 your gift, 00:23:45.759 --> 00:23:47.900 your spiritual gift, 00:23:48.019 --> 00:23:49.440 your ability, 00:23:50.080 --> 00:23:50.920 you're just a real 00:23:50.920 --> 00:23:52.380 empathetic kind of person. 00:23:52.380 --> 00:23:54.420 you have what might be 00:23:54.420 --> 00:23:55.440 called the gift of mercy. 00:23:55.860 --> 00:23:56.800 You can identify 00:23:56.800 --> 00:23:57.840 with somebody who's hurting. 00:23:59.020 --> 00:24:00.540 And you can just 00:24:00.540 --> 00:24:02.320 be there with them, 00:24:03.420 --> 00:24:04.240 encouraging them, 00:24:04.360 --> 00:24:05.120 helping them. 00:24:06.220 --> 00:24:07.700 You're just that friend 00:24:07.700 --> 00:24:09.160 who just stays there. 00:24:10.760 --> 00:24:11.760 And just your presence 00:24:11.760 --> 00:24:15.740 is giving a gift to somebody. 00:24:16.480 --> 00:24:17.720 Some of you have a gift, 00:24:18.440 --> 00:24:19.840 hands-on kind of gift. 00:24:19.839 --> 00:24:21.000 When you know someone's in need, 00:24:21.179 --> 00:24:22.159 there's actual things 00:24:22.159 --> 00:24:23.119 you can do 00:24:23.119 --> 00:24:24.679 to fix something, 00:24:25.259 --> 00:24:25.839 to take care 00:24:25.839 --> 00:24:26.720 of a particular need. 00:24:27.139 --> 00:24:27.740 Some people have 00:24:27.740 --> 00:24:28.319 the financial, 00:24:28.579 --> 00:24:31.079 or have the financial resources 00:24:31.079 --> 00:24:32.119 to give 00:24:32.119 --> 00:24:33.159 and meet a need. 00:24:33.220 --> 00:24:34.000 And some people do it 00:24:34.000 --> 00:24:34.500 in our church, 00:24:34.859 --> 00:24:35.299 and they don't let 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:36.119 anybody else know it. 00:24:36.220 --> 00:24:36.859 You don't have to do it 00:24:36.859 --> 00:24:37.199 in honesty. 00:24:37.279 --> 00:24:38.019 I'm not saying that. 00:24:38.759 --> 00:24:40.059 But more of that is done 00:24:40.059 --> 00:24:41.220 than you might realize. 00:24:41.220 --> 00:24:45.640 There is real love 00:24:45.640 --> 00:24:46.720 and action taking place 00:24:46.720 --> 00:24:47.480 among God's people 00:24:47.480 --> 00:24:47.900 everywhere, 00:24:48.039 --> 00:24:49.259 including in this church. 00:24:50.279 --> 00:24:50.980 The question we need 00:24:50.980 --> 00:24:52.000 to ask ourselves now, 00:24:52.360 --> 00:24:52.900 is you need to ask 00:24:52.900 --> 00:24:53.720 yourself personally. 00:24:55.079 --> 00:24:55.640 Do people see 00:24:55.640 --> 00:24:56.700 such love in me? 00:24:58.759 --> 00:25:01.180 Am I demonstrating 00:25:01.180 --> 00:25:02.700 practical, 00:25:03.019 --> 00:25:04.720 need-meeting love 00:25:04.720 --> 00:25:07.259 to other people 00:25:07.259 --> 00:25:09.680 as a priority 00:25:09.680 --> 00:25:11.680 in my life? 00:25:12.640 --> 00:25:13.579 If not, 00:25:14.579 --> 00:25:16.220 then you need to make 00:25:16.220 --> 00:25:17.140 it a greater priority 00:25:17.140 --> 00:25:18.519 in your own personal 00:25:18.519 --> 00:25:20.240 spiritual wellness plan. 00:25:21.559 --> 00:25:22.460 And the way to start 00:25:22.460 --> 00:25:23.440 may be for you 00:25:23.440 --> 00:25:24.079 to just pray 00:25:24.079 --> 00:25:25.100 and ask God 00:25:25.100 --> 00:25:25.460 to help you 00:25:25.460 --> 00:25:26.160 to take more interest 00:25:26.160 --> 00:25:26.740 in other people. 00:25:28.180 --> 00:25:29.140 It may be that you need 00:25:29.140 --> 00:25:29.860 to pray and ask God, 00:25:30.120 --> 00:25:30.980 Lord, help me 00:25:30.980 --> 00:25:33.160 to not be so self-aware 00:25:33.160 --> 00:25:35.580 help me to be aware 00:25:35.580 --> 00:25:36.360 of people around me. 00:25:36.519 --> 00:25:38.320 Help me to notice needs, 00:25:39.320 --> 00:25:40.440 especially needs 00:25:40.440 --> 00:25:41.480 I might could meet. 00:25:42.460 --> 00:25:43.380 Help me to have 00:25:43.380 --> 00:25:44.920 genuine concern, 00:25:45.640 --> 00:25:46.840 empathy, sympathy 00:25:46.840 --> 00:25:49.140 for people around me. 00:25:51.080 --> 00:25:52.340 Take an interest 00:25:52.340 --> 00:25:53.120 in other people. 00:25:53.920 --> 00:25:54.960 Open your eyes. 00:25:55.340 --> 00:25:55.940 Don't be afraid 00:25:55.940 --> 00:25:57.440 to see needs 00:25:57.440 --> 00:25:59.880 and then step forward 00:25:59.880 --> 00:26:00.980 and try to meet that need. 00:26:01.700 --> 00:26:02.560 One way to do that 00:26:02.559 --> 00:26:03.460 is to pray for people. 00:26:04.639 --> 00:26:05.460 Focus on them 00:26:05.460 --> 00:26:06.559 by praying for them. 00:26:07.940 --> 00:26:08.700 And if you are 00:26:08.700 --> 00:26:09.519 a loving person, 00:26:10.220 --> 00:26:11.440 don't get complacent. 00:26:12.139 --> 00:26:12.700 Like I said, 00:26:12.759 --> 00:26:13.079 a lot of people 00:26:13.079 --> 00:26:13.579 in our church, 00:26:13.960 --> 00:26:14.679 they love, 00:26:14.919 --> 00:26:15.839 they demonstrate it 00:26:15.839 --> 00:26:17.659 in all kinds of ways. 00:26:19.059 --> 00:26:20.159 Sometimes we can sort of 00:26:20.159 --> 00:26:22.519 get complacent in it, 00:26:22.559 --> 00:26:22.799 sort of, 00:26:22.819 --> 00:26:23.359 just sort of, 00:26:23.839 --> 00:26:24.720 I've done my part. 00:26:25.179 --> 00:26:25.899 Look at what Paul 00:26:25.899 --> 00:26:26.819 reminds us of 00:26:26.819 --> 00:26:27.460 in his letter 00:26:27.460 --> 00:26:28.720 to the Thessalonian Christians. 00:26:28.720 --> 00:26:31.440 He's being very 00:26:31.440 --> 00:26:33.299 encouraging. 00:26:34.100 --> 00:26:35.259 He's affirming them 00:26:35.259 --> 00:26:35.940 in what they're doing. 00:26:36.000 --> 00:26:36.500 Look at it. 00:26:36.880 --> 00:26:37.500 Now concerning 00:26:37.500 --> 00:26:38.440 brotherly love, 00:26:38.819 --> 00:26:40.019 you have no need 00:26:40.019 --> 00:26:40.559 for anyone 00:26:40.559 --> 00:26:41.480 to write you 00:26:41.480 --> 00:26:43.019 for you yourselves 00:26:43.019 --> 00:26:43.700 have been taught 00:26:43.700 --> 00:26:44.200 by God 00:26:44.200 --> 00:26:45.079 to love one another 00:26:45.079 --> 00:26:47.519 for that indeed 00:26:47.519 --> 00:26:48.740 is what you are doing. 00:26:49.100 --> 00:26:50.240 He's affirming them. 00:26:50.759 --> 00:26:51.680 They're doing great. 00:26:51.680 --> 00:26:53.759 But we have a tendency 00:26:53.759 --> 00:26:54.880 in things we do great 00:26:54.880 --> 00:26:56.460 to slack off, 00:26:56.519 --> 00:26:57.380 to become complacent. 00:26:57.640 --> 00:26:58.140 So he says, 00:26:58.400 --> 00:26:59.320 but we urge you brothers 00:26:59.320 --> 00:27:01.700 to do this more and more. 00:27:02.200 --> 00:27:03.259 Keep on, he's saying. 00:27:04.279 --> 00:27:05.060 Let's look at the third 00:27:05.060 --> 00:27:06.000 priority we see 00:27:06.000 --> 00:27:06.539 in this passage, 00:27:06.820 --> 00:27:08.160 the priority of worshiping. 00:27:08.539 --> 00:27:08.820 It says, 00:27:08.920 --> 00:27:10.000 and they devoted themselves 00:27:10.000 --> 00:27:12.240 to the breaking of bread 00:27:12.240 --> 00:27:13.400 and the prayers 00:27:13.400 --> 00:27:16.299 and all came upon 00:27:16.299 --> 00:27:17.240 every soul. 00:27:17.980 --> 00:27:18.820 Then in verse 47, 00:27:19.080 --> 00:27:19.799 praising God, 00:27:19.860 --> 00:27:20.600 that little praise. 00:27:20.599 --> 00:27:21.919 I want you to note 00:27:21.919 --> 00:27:23.459 two things in verse 42. 00:27:23.899 --> 00:27:24.779 The breaking of bread 00:27:24.779 --> 00:27:25.819 most likely is a reference 00:27:25.819 --> 00:27:26.599 to the Lord's Supper. 00:27:27.000 --> 00:27:28.139 A part of their worship 00:27:28.139 --> 00:27:28.980 was celebrating 00:27:28.980 --> 00:27:30.319 the Lord's Supper together 00:27:30.319 --> 00:27:31.480 on a regular basis. 00:27:31.939 --> 00:27:32.959 The prayers were 00:27:32.959 --> 00:27:34.359 prayer gatherings, 00:27:34.579 --> 00:27:35.240 corporate prayer, 00:27:35.399 --> 00:27:36.599 church family prayer, 00:27:36.919 --> 00:27:37.719 and it may have included 00:27:37.719 --> 00:27:38.719 regular prayer times 00:27:38.719 --> 00:27:39.279 in the temple. 00:27:40.619 --> 00:27:41.819 But what I want us to see is 00:27:41.819 --> 00:27:43.959 what is being described here is 00:27:43.959 --> 00:27:45.439 these Christians 00:27:45.439 --> 00:27:47.159 were focused on God. 00:27:48.659 --> 00:27:49.879 They prayed, 00:27:49.880 --> 00:27:51.840 and they praised 00:27:51.840 --> 00:27:53.500 as a church family 00:27:53.500 --> 00:27:56.440 and as individuals. 00:27:58.260 --> 00:28:00.220 They truly experienced 00:28:00.220 --> 00:28:02.240 the presence of God 00:28:02.240 --> 00:28:03.260 in their lives. 00:28:04.740 --> 00:28:06.160 And it was an awesome 00:28:06.160 --> 00:28:07.780 experience, it says. 00:28:09.720 --> 00:28:11.160 Is worship a priority 00:28:11.160 --> 00:28:11.900 in your life? 00:28:14.100 --> 00:28:15.120 Is the worship 00:28:15.120 --> 00:28:16.060 with God's people 00:28:16.060 --> 00:28:17.000 like we are right now, 00:28:17.000 --> 00:28:19.099 is this a priority? 00:28:20.220 --> 00:28:20.519 I mean, 00:28:20.599 --> 00:28:21.180 being here 00:28:21.180 --> 00:28:22.240 on a regular basis, 00:28:23.599 --> 00:28:24.200 participating 00:28:24.200 --> 00:28:26.180 when you are here. 00:28:27.460 --> 00:28:27.900 You know, 00:28:27.940 --> 00:28:28.759 just because we come 00:28:28.759 --> 00:28:29.220 doesn't mean 00:28:29.220 --> 00:28:29.920 that we worship. 00:28:31.279 --> 00:28:32.440 We can come 00:28:32.440 --> 00:28:34.579 and we can count 00:28:34.579 --> 00:28:35.240 the columns, 00:28:35.380 --> 00:28:36.720 we can count the grooves 00:28:36.720 --> 00:28:37.319 in the columns. 00:28:38.359 --> 00:28:39.259 When I was growing up 00:28:39.259 --> 00:28:39.539 in church, 00:28:39.599 --> 00:28:40.299 I have to be honest with you, 00:28:40.299 --> 00:28:40.740 when I was growing up 00:28:40.740 --> 00:28:41.240 in church, 00:28:41.839 --> 00:28:43.220 there was some kind 00:28:43.220 --> 00:28:44.240 of dental mold 00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:45.099 in the back of the church 00:28:45.099 --> 00:28:45.939 where I grew up. 00:28:46.939 --> 00:28:48.579 There were 27 pieces 00:28:48.579 --> 00:28:49.579 that came down 00:28:49.579 --> 00:28:50.139 like this. 00:28:51.539 --> 00:28:52.399 I counted them 00:28:52.399 --> 00:28:53.240 a hundred times. 00:28:55.559 --> 00:28:56.579 I didn't worship. 00:28:58.339 --> 00:28:59.459 You come in here, 00:28:59.719 --> 00:29:00.439 and let me say this, 00:29:00.939 --> 00:29:01.639 if we're going to worship 00:29:01.639 --> 00:29:02.319 on Sunday morning, 00:29:02.419 --> 00:29:02.980 it's got to start 00:29:02.980 --> 00:29:03.480 before we walk 00:29:03.480 --> 00:29:03.959 in this room. 00:29:05.279 --> 00:29:06.240 You can't stay up 00:29:06.240 --> 00:29:06.779 half the night 00:29:06.779 --> 00:29:07.740 on Saturday night, 00:29:08.699 --> 00:29:10.179 get up at the last minute, 00:29:10.740 --> 00:29:11.959 rush in here, 00:29:12.459 --> 00:29:13.139 and sit down 00:29:13.140 --> 00:29:14.220 and catch your breath, 00:29:14.940 --> 00:29:17.060 and truly worship God. 00:29:17.940 --> 00:29:18.820 We've got to prepare. 00:29:19.300 --> 00:29:20.480 We've got to come here 00:29:20.480 --> 00:29:21.920 wanting to join together 00:29:21.920 --> 00:29:22.360 with others 00:29:22.360 --> 00:29:23.759 and focus on God 00:29:23.759 --> 00:29:25.340 and actually praise Him 00:29:25.340 --> 00:29:26.000 for who He is 00:29:26.000 --> 00:29:26.780 and thank Him 00:29:26.780 --> 00:29:28.000 for what He does 00:29:28.000 --> 00:29:29.000 in our lives, 00:29:29.060 --> 00:29:29.880 in our church, 00:29:31.100 --> 00:29:32.440 is worship, 00:29:33.440 --> 00:29:34.200 corporate worship. 00:29:34.900 --> 00:29:36.120 Is it a priority to you? 00:29:36.480 --> 00:29:38.259 By your attendance, 00:29:38.500 --> 00:29:39.280 by your attention? 00:29:39.980 --> 00:29:41.060 What about private worship? 00:29:41.059 --> 00:29:42.539 Do you spend time 00:29:42.539 --> 00:29:43.039 with the Lord? 00:29:45.759 --> 00:29:47.759 Maybe just quiet time 00:29:47.759 --> 00:29:48.779 there at home somewhere, 00:29:49.779 --> 00:29:51.019 riding down the road, 00:29:51.099 --> 00:29:51.559 maybe listening 00:29:51.559 --> 00:29:53.359 to some Christian music. 00:29:53.619 --> 00:29:55.000 You really get into 00:29:55.000 --> 00:29:55.799 praising God. 00:29:57.440 --> 00:29:58.599 Do you ever worship God 00:29:58.599 --> 00:29:59.539 in such a way 00:29:59.539 --> 00:30:00.460 here at church 00:30:00.460 --> 00:30:01.659 or privately, 00:30:02.179 --> 00:30:02.700 at home, 00:30:02.799 --> 00:30:03.539 out somewhere, 00:30:03.639 --> 00:30:04.639 however you like to do it, 00:30:05.000 --> 00:30:06.819 and you're just in awe 00:30:06.819 --> 00:30:09.980 of who God is, 00:30:11.119 --> 00:30:11.919 His greatness, 00:30:12.799 --> 00:30:13.740 His goodness, 00:30:14.960 --> 00:30:16.119 His sovereignty, 00:30:16.859 --> 00:30:17.779 His power, 00:30:19.379 --> 00:30:20.619 His personal presence 00:30:20.619 --> 00:30:21.559 and some details 00:30:21.559 --> 00:30:22.359 in your life. 00:30:24.179 --> 00:30:25.740 Real worship will be 00:30:25.740 --> 00:30:27.460 about God. 00:30:27.899 --> 00:30:29.519 It'll be God-focused. 00:30:30.179 --> 00:30:31.139 Real worship won't be 00:30:31.139 --> 00:30:31.919 music-focused, 00:30:32.299 --> 00:30:33.599 it won't be preaching-focused, 00:30:33.599 --> 00:30:35.480 it won't be person-focused. 00:30:36.799 --> 00:30:37.379 Real worship 00:30:37.379 --> 00:30:39.339 is always all about God. 00:30:40.459 --> 00:30:41.639 Focusing our praise, 00:30:41.759 --> 00:30:42.259 our love, 00:30:42.319 --> 00:30:43.019 our thanks, 00:30:43.139 --> 00:30:44.000 whatever it is, 00:30:44.740 --> 00:30:45.459 to Him. 00:30:46.819 --> 00:30:47.759 Because we realize 00:30:47.759 --> 00:30:48.799 who He is, 00:30:50.240 --> 00:30:52.279 what He has done 00:30:52.279 --> 00:30:52.899 and is doing. 00:30:54.799 --> 00:30:56.179 Does making worship 00:30:56.180 --> 00:30:58.500 a greater priority 00:30:58.500 --> 00:30:59.560 need to be 00:30:59.560 --> 00:31:01.740 a part of your personal 00:31:01.740 --> 00:31:03.860 spiritual wellness plan? 00:31:05.299 --> 00:31:06.100 I'm talking about 00:31:06.100 --> 00:31:07.360 your personal private worship, 00:31:08.360 --> 00:31:09.380 your corporate 00:31:09.380 --> 00:31:10.840 church family worship, 00:31:11.259 --> 00:31:12.680 maybe even your own 00:31:12.680 --> 00:31:14.700 family worship 00:31:14.700 --> 00:31:15.680 in your house, 00:31:16.620 --> 00:31:17.720 you and your spouse 00:31:17.720 --> 00:31:18.600 and your children. 00:31:19.680 --> 00:31:20.519 That needs to be 00:31:20.519 --> 00:31:21.140 an important part 00:31:21.140 --> 00:31:21.680 of our lives 00:31:21.680 --> 00:31:22.180 as Christians. 00:31:22.180 --> 00:31:24.299 Well, 00:31:25.299 --> 00:31:26.000 if we're going to be 00:31:26.000 --> 00:31:26.799 spiritually healthy, 00:31:27.299 --> 00:31:28.680 personally, 00:31:28.820 --> 00:31:29.460 and as a church, 00:31:30.039 --> 00:31:31.539 we've got to make much 00:31:31.539 --> 00:31:33.039 of worshiping God 00:31:33.039 --> 00:31:34.940 along with learning 00:31:34.940 --> 00:31:35.980 and loving. 00:31:36.660 --> 00:31:37.259 But I want us to look 00:31:37.259 --> 00:31:38.000 at one more thing, 00:31:39.000 --> 00:31:40.360 the priority of evangelizing. 00:31:40.980 --> 00:31:41.920 Look at verse 47. 00:31:42.400 --> 00:31:43.220 And the Lord added 00:31:43.220 --> 00:31:43.720 to their number 00:31:43.720 --> 00:31:44.320 day by day 00:31:44.320 --> 00:31:45.820 those who were being saved. 00:31:47.700 --> 00:31:49.460 The priority of evangelism 00:31:49.460 --> 00:31:50.220 is different 00:31:50.220 --> 00:31:51.240 from the others. 00:31:52.180 --> 00:31:53.140 In one way, 00:31:53.220 --> 00:31:53.779 we can think 00:31:53.779 --> 00:31:55.799 the people did nothing 00:31:55.799 --> 00:31:58.279 in this passage. 00:31:59.860 --> 00:32:00.700 In one way, 00:32:00.779 --> 00:32:01.340 when you read that, 00:32:01.400 --> 00:32:01.860 you can think 00:32:01.860 --> 00:32:03.340 the growth of the early church, 00:32:03.700 --> 00:32:04.860 the Lord added, 00:32:05.060 --> 00:32:06.420 God was saving people, 00:32:07.720 --> 00:32:09.160 that it was an overflow 00:32:09.160 --> 00:32:11.259 of everything else 00:32:11.259 --> 00:32:12.039 the church was doing. 00:32:12.140 --> 00:32:12.720 It was an overflow 00:32:12.720 --> 00:32:13.500 of their learning 00:32:13.500 --> 00:32:14.019 and loving 00:32:14.019 --> 00:32:14.799 and worshiping. 00:32:15.820 --> 00:32:17.420 That certainly is implied 00:32:17.420 --> 00:32:18.160 by the way 00:32:18.160 --> 00:32:18.920 it's expressed 00:32:18.920 --> 00:32:20.200 in verse 47. 00:32:20.200 --> 00:32:21.720 But we also see 00:32:21.720 --> 00:32:22.779 in other parts of Acts 00:32:22.779 --> 00:32:24.480 that nearly everything 00:32:24.480 --> 00:32:25.360 that the church was doing, 00:32:25.460 --> 00:32:25.940 nearly everything 00:32:25.940 --> 00:32:27.240 these Christians were doing, 00:32:28.120 --> 00:32:29.380 it had an evangelistic 00:32:29.380 --> 00:32:30.279 emphasis to it. 00:32:32.019 --> 00:32:32.900 They were living 00:32:32.900 --> 00:32:33.620 like Christians 00:32:33.620 --> 00:32:35.819 and they were talking 00:32:35.819 --> 00:32:36.480 about what God 00:32:36.480 --> 00:32:37.380 had done in their life. 00:32:37.900 --> 00:32:38.480 They were sharing 00:32:38.480 --> 00:32:39.120 the gospel. 00:32:40.660 --> 00:32:41.240 That's what Jesus 00:32:41.240 --> 00:32:42.019 told us to do. 00:32:42.779 --> 00:32:43.660 That great commission 00:32:43.660 --> 00:32:44.440 that you're familiar with 00:32:44.440 --> 00:32:45.279 in Matthew 28, 00:32:45.920 --> 00:32:46.480 one way to think 00:32:46.480 --> 00:32:47.019 about that is, 00:32:47.240 --> 00:32:47.660 Jesus said, 00:32:47.660 --> 00:32:48.519 as you go, 00:32:48.940 --> 00:32:49.880 make disciples. 00:32:52.019 --> 00:32:52.860 As you go, 00:32:52.980 --> 00:32:53.680 make disciples. 00:32:54.259 --> 00:32:55.140 Evangelism is not just 00:32:55.140 --> 00:32:56.100 a responsibility 00:32:56.100 --> 00:32:56.620 that we have, 00:32:56.640 --> 00:32:57.220 it's a privilege. 00:32:58.500 --> 00:32:58.960 Think about it, 00:32:58.980 --> 00:33:00.140 God uses us, 00:33:01.200 --> 00:33:01.740 who we are, 00:33:01.820 --> 00:33:02.500 how we live. 00:33:03.240 --> 00:33:04.460 He uses our words, 00:33:04.700 --> 00:33:05.480 sharing the gospel. 00:33:06.480 --> 00:33:07.240 He uses us 00:33:07.240 --> 00:33:08.120 in his process 00:33:08.120 --> 00:33:10.040 of changing people's lives. 00:33:10.039 --> 00:33:13.659 Do you need to make 00:33:13.659 --> 00:33:15.440 the priority of evangelism 00:33:15.440 --> 00:33:17.720 a part of your 00:33:17.720 --> 00:33:20.299 spiritual wellness plan? 00:33:21.879 --> 00:33:23.259 If you're not involved, 00:33:23.920 --> 00:33:24.500 you do. 00:33:25.539 --> 00:33:26.399 And the way to start 00:33:26.399 --> 00:33:27.099 is demonstrating 00:33:27.099 --> 00:33:27.579 the difference 00:33:27.579 --> 00:33:28.299 that Christ makes 00:33:28.299 --> 00:33:28.960 in your life. 00:33:29.639 --> 00:33:31.019 If our lives 00:33:31.019 --> 00:33:32.159 are not credible 00:33:32.159 --> 00:33:33.700 testimonies 00:33:33.700 --> 00:33:35.539 to how God works 00:33:35.539 --> 00:33:36.220 in someone's life 00:33:36.220 --> 00:33:36.859 to save them, 00:33:37.240 --> 00:33:38.220 we can't be, 00:33:38.359 --> 00:33:39.700 we aren't witnesses. 00:33:40.340 --> 00:33:41.259 Or we're poor witnesses, 00:33:41.380 --> 00:33:41.880 put it that way. 00:33:43.500 --> 00:33:44.580 We need to demonstrate 00:33:44.580 --> 00:33:45.500 by the way that we live, 00:33:45.600 --> 00:33:46.420 the way we treat people 00:33:46.420 --> 00:33:47.299 around about us, 00:33:47.640 --> 00:33:48.720 the way we do our job, 00:33:50.160 --> 00:33:50.940 the way we go about 00:33:50.940 --> 00:33:51.480 whatever it is 00:33:51.480 --> 00:33:52.059 that we do. 00:33:53.380 --> 00:33:54.259 We need to demonstrate 00:33:54.259 --> 00:33:56.140 that we do what we do 00:33:56.140 --> 00:33:57.019 for the glory of God. 00:33:57.559 --> 00:33:58.380 We do other things. 00:33:58.539 --> 00:33:59.799 We do what we do 00:33:59.799 --> 00:34:02.299 to make a positive impact 00:34:02.299 --> 00:34:03.220 in other people's lives. 00:34:04.720 --> 00:34:05.340 We're going to make 00:34:05.340 --> 00:34:07.080 evangelism a priority. 00:34:07.360 --> 00:34:07.980 We've got to develop 00:34:07.980 --> 00:34:08.840 relationships with people 00:34:08.840 --> 00:34:09.559 who are not Christians. 00:34:10.699 --> 00:34:11.779 Develop relationships, 00:34:11.960 --> 00:34:12.899 meaningful relationships. 00:34:14.079 --> 00:34:14.539 We need to learn 00:34:14.539 --> 00:34:15.460 to share our testimony, 00:34:16.000 --> 00:34:17.539 how the Lord saved us, 00:34:17.739 --> 00:34:18.579 the difference He makes 00:34:18.579 --> 00:34:19.159 in our lives. 00:34:19.419 --> 00:34:19.879 We need to learn 00:34:19.879 --> 00:34:21.139 to actually explain 00:34:21.139 --> 00:34:22.359 the gospel. 00:34:24.359 --> 00:34:25.259 One way to make 00:34:25.259 --> 00:34:26.819 evangelism a greater priority 00:34:26.819 --> 00:34:27.759 is to pray for people 00:34:27.759 --> 00:34:28.639 you know who are not Christians. 00:34:29.139 --> 00:34:29.919 Pray for them. 00:34:30.299 --> 00:34:31.099 Pray that they'll be 00:34:31.099 --> 00:34:32.659 convicted of their sin. 00:34:33.099 --> 00:34:33.739 They'll be open 00:34:33.739 --> 00:34:34.639 to your witness. 00:34:35.219 --> 00:34:36.219 Invite them to church. 00:34:36.519 --> 00:34:37.519 Invite them to Sunday school. 00:34:37.599 --> 00:34:38.319 Invite them to anything. 00:34:38.320 --> 00:34:40.019 Just invite them 00:34:40.019 --> 00:34:41.019 to be a part of your life. 00:34:42.940 --> 00:34:43.880 Let me ask you. 00:34:46.519 --> 00:34:47.720 Do you plan 00:34:47.720 --> 00:34:49.420 to grow spiritually? 00:34:49.620 --> 00:34:51.240 Do you plan, 00:34:51.380 --> 00:34:52.160 do you desire 00:34:52.160 --> 00:34:54.660 to become a more 00:34:54.660 --> 00:34:57.400 faithful follower of Jesus, 00:34:57.539 --> 00:34:58.840 a more Christ-like person 00:34:58.840 --> 00:35:01.460 in this new year? 00:35:01.460 --> 00:35:06.119 Are you seeking God's guidance 00:35:06.119 --> 00:35:08.380 as to what you need to do 00:35:08.380 --> 00:35:09.099 for that to happen? 00:35:11.659 --> 00:35:12.519 Well, if you don't have 00:35:12.519 --> 00:35:13.179 your own plan, 00:35:13.300 --> 00:35:14.039 I want to encourage you 00:35:14.039 --> 00:35:15.280 to develop a spiritual 00:35:15.280 --> 00:35:16.260 wellness plan 00:35:16.260 --> 00:35:18.420 that includes what we see 00:35:18.420 --> 00:35:18.920 in the lives 00:35:18.920 --> 00:35:19.860 of these early Christians. 00:35:21.659 --> 00:35:22.380 Seek to be, 00:35:22.440 --> 00:35:23.320 ask God to help you, 00:35:23.400 --> 00:35:24.320 show you how 00:35:24.320 --> 00:35:26.920 to be a worshiping, 00:35:27.320 --> 00:35:27.460 evangelizing, 00:35:28.320 --> 00:35:28.740 learning, 00:35:28.739 --> 00:35:31.179 and loving Christian. 00:35:32.299 --> 00:35:33.179 And together, 00:35:33.839 --> 00:35:34.639 we need to be 00:35:34.639 --> 00:35:36.579 seeking to be 00:35:36.579 --> 00:35:37.539 this worshiping, 00:35:37.659 --> 00:35:38.000 loving, 00:35:38.239 --> 00:35:38.919 or worshiping, 00:35:39.000 --> 00:35:39.479 evangelizing, 00:35:39.599 --> 00:35:39.779 learning, 00:35:39.899 --> 00:35:40.619 and loving family 00:35:40.619 --> 00:35:41.179 of faith 00:35:41.179 --> 00:35:43.619 that glorifies God 00:35:43.619 --> 00:35:45.339 by the way we do this 00:35:45.339 --> 00:35:46.119 and the people's lives 00:35:46.119 --> 00:35:47.159 we impact this way. 00:35:48.639 --> 00:35:49.659 I want to encourage you 00:35:49.659 --> 00:35:50.179 to make 00:35:50.179 --> 00:35:52.059 the same kind of commitment 00:35:52.059 --> 00:35:53.159 we see in these people. 00:35:53.159 --> 00:35:55.339 they were devoted 00:35:55.339 --> 00:35:57.920 to this. 00:35:59.219 --> 00:36:00.239 I want to encourage you 00:36:00.239 --> 00:36:01.379 to devote yourself 00:36:01.379 --> 00:36:05.500 to being a well Christian 00:36:05.500 --> 00:36:07.739 or develop your own plan. 00:36:09.279 --> 00:36:09.980 But right here, 00:36:10.399 --> 00:36:11.099 just in the, what, 00:36:11.219 --> 00:36:12.639 14th day of the new year, 00:36:13.639 --> 00:36:16.420 let's plan personally. 00:36:17.019 --> 00:36:18.019 Let's pray. 00:36:19.420 --> 00:36:20.759 Let's put forth the effort 00:36:20.760 --> 00:36:22.560 to grow spiritually 00:36:22.560 --> 00:36:23.800 as a child of God 00:36:23.800 --> 00:36:24.560 because that will 00:36:24.560 --> 00:36:25.340 please God. 00:36:26.220 --> 00:36:27.140 And if we're really 00:36:27.140 --> 00:36:27.700 Christians, 00:36:27.860 --> 00:36:29.580 that will please us. 00:36:31.140 --> 00:36:31.940 And if we grow 00:36:31.940 --> 00:36:32.580 as Christians, 00:36:33.200 --> 00:36:34.140 we're going to 00:36:34.140 --> 00:36:35.100 positively 00:36:35.100 --> 00:36:37.060 affect and influence 00:36:37.060 --> 00:36:38.180 people around us. 00:36:38.980 --> 00:36:40.060 Both other Christians 00:36:40.060 --> 00:36:41.140 will encourage them, 00:36:41.740 --> 00:36:42.600 but also 00:36:42.600 --> 00:36:43.580 unbelievers. 00:36:44.220 --> 00:36:45.400 God will use us 00:36:45.400 --> 00:36:48.000 to touch their lives 00:36:48.000 --> 00:36:49.020 and we pray 00:36:49.019 --> 00:36:50.759 change them 00:36:50.759 --> 00:36:51.619 for all eternity. 00:36:52.619 --> 00:36:53.539 Let's pray together. 00:36:54.219 --> 00:36:54.599 Dear God, 00:36:55.679 --> 00:36:57.199 show us right now 00:36:57.199 --> 00:36:58.340 how we should respond 00:36:58.340 --> 00:36:58.880 to you 00:36:58.880 --> 00:36:59.659 and what you're saying 00:36:59.659 --> 00:37:00.360 to us 00:37:00.360 --> 00:37:02.099 about our own 00:37:02.099 --> 00:37:03.699 spiritual wellness. 00:37:06.659 --> 00:37:07.179 Father, 00:37:07.280 --> 00:37:08.360 give us the desire 00:37:08.360 --> 00:37:11.340 to be more like Jesus, 00:37:11.480 --> 00:37:11.960 which is what we're 00:37:11.960 --> 00:37:12.500 talking about. 00:37:14.500 --> 00:37:15.679 Give us the desire, 00:37:15.780 --> 00:37:16.179 dear God, 00:37:16.179 --> 00:37:18.539 to make you 00:37:18.539 --> 00:37:21.519 knowing and doing 00:37:21.519 --> 00:37:22.119 your will 00:37:22.119 --> 00:37:25.599 our priority. 00:37:29.440 --> 00:37:29.839 Father, 00:37:29.919 --> 00:37:30.679 show us how we should 00:37:30.679 --> 00:37:31.199 respond. 00:37:31.339 --> 00:37:32.019 Help us to make 00:37:32.019 --> 00:37:32.919 that kind of commitment. 00:37:35.359 --> 00:37:35.759 Father, 00:37:35.819 --> 00:37:36.239 for some people 00:37:36.239 --> 00:37:36.799 in this room, 00:37:37.359 --> 00:37:40.500 what they need to do 00:37:40.500 --> 00:37:42.539 is to admit 00:37:42.539 --> 00:37:43.619 they are not believers, 00:37:43.619 --> 00:37:47.519 repent of their sin, 00:37:47.679 --> 00:37:48.400 change their mind 00:37:48.400 --> 00:37:48.759 about it, 00:37:48.839 --> 00:37:49.500 turn from the way 00:37:49.500 --> 00:37:49.980 they're living. 00:37:52.440 --> 00:37:52.960 Help them, 00:37:53.039 --> 00:37:53.279 dear God, 00:37:53.299 --> 00:37:53.759 to do that 00:37:53.759 --> 00:37:54.579 and to put their 00:37:54.579 --> 00:37:55.380 trust in Jesus 00:37:55.380 --> 00:37:56.920 and really 00:37:56.920 --> 00:37:59.359 understand 00:37:59.359 --> 00:38:00.739 and depend upon 00:38:00.739 --> 00:38:01.900 that when Jesus 00:38:01.900 --> 00:38:02.639 died on the cross, 00:38:02.739 --> 00:38:03.819 He paid the penalty 00:38:03.819 --> 00:38:04.679 for their sin. 00:38:04.900 --> 00:38:05.719 He took their punishment. 00:38:06.839 --> 00:38:07.679 Help that person, 00:38:07.799 --> 00:38:08.380 man or woman, 00:38:08.480 --> 00:38:09.000 boy or girl, 00:38:09.839 --> 00:38:10.619 to call upon Jesus 00:38:10.619 --> 00:38:11.239 right now 00:38:11.239 --> 00:38:13.439 to save him 00:38:13.439 --> 00:38:14.019 or her. 00:38:16.279 --> 00:38:16.699 And let's just 00:38:16.699 --> 00:38:17.919 stay in an attitude 00:38:17.919 --> 00:38:18.419 of prayer, 00:38:18.519 --> 00:38:19.159 all of us, 00:38:19.919 --> 00:38:21.019 and respond to the Lord 00:38:21.019 --> 00:38:21.959 as He speaks to us. 00:38:22.339 --> 00:38:23.139 I'd be happy to pray 00:38:23.139 --> 00:38:24.039 with you during this time 00:38:24.039 --> 00:38:25.159 if you'd like. 00:38:25.699 --> 00:38:26.500 I'll be here at the front 00:38:26.500 --> 00:38:28.399 and just would consider it 00:38:28.399 --> 00:38:29.119 an honor. 00:38:30.219 --> 00:38:31.059 So let's just be still 00:38:31.059 --> 00:38:31.479 and quiet 00:38:31.479 --> 00:38:32.259 and listen to the Lord 00:38:32.259 --> 00:38:32.959 and obey Him. 00:38:32.959 --> 00:38:33.019 Amen. 00:38:33.019 --> 00:38:33.079 Amen. 00:38:33.079 --> 00:38:33.159 Amen. 00:38:33.159 --> 00:38:33.500 Amen. 00:38:33.500 --> 00:38:34.019 Amen. 00:38:34.019 --> 00:38:34.079 Amen. 00:38:34.079 --> 00:38:34.579 Amen. 00:38:34.579 --> 00:38:35.019 Amen. 00:38:35.019 --> 00:38:35.079 Amen. 00:38:35.079 --> 00:38:35.159 Amen. 00:38:35.159 --> 00:38:35.179 Amen. 00:38:35.179 --> 00:38:35.539 Amen. 00:38:35.539 --> 00:38:35.579 Amen. 00:38:35.579 --> 00:38:35.659 Amen. 00:38:35.659 --> 00:38:35.679 Amen. 00:38:35.679 --> 00:38:36.179 Amen. 00:38:36.179 --> 00:38:36.239 Amen.