WEBVTT

00:00:00.920 --> 00:00:06.960
 Well, if you have your Bibles, look with me to Acts chapter 2, and we're going to look at verses 41 through 47,

00:00:07.540 --> 00:00:11.240
 continuing the message we began last week, finishing it up today.

00:00:12.000 --> 00:00:17.839
 And for those of you who couldn't be here last week, let me just go back and play a little bit of catch-up

00:00:17.839 --> 00:00:21.600
 for just three or four minutes to bring us all up to speed.

00:00:21.719 --> 00:00:23.640
 Here's what we saw last week.

00:00:23.740 --> 00:00:27.440
 Jesus has come, lived, died on the cross.

00:00:27.440 --> 00:00:29.560
 Three days later, He's risen from the dead.

00:00:30.359 --> 00:00:33.859
 He, 40 days after that, ascends into the heavens.

00:00:34.119 --> 00:00:39.039
 Before He does, He commissions His church to take the gospel into the world.

00:00:39.380 --> 00:00:40.460
 He gives them instruction.

00:00:40.640 --> 00:00:41.920
 He's seen them in Judea.

00:00:41.980 --> 00:00:43.219
 He's seen them down in Galilee.

00:00:43.600 --> 00:00:45.219
 He tells them to go back to Jerusalem.

00:00:45.320 --> 00:00:46.320
 He goes back with them.

00:00:46.679 --> 00:00:52.340
 And there He tells them to remain in Jerusalem because in a few more days, the Holy Spirit of God is going to come.

00:00:52.340 --> 00:00:58.760
 And so they meet together in the upper room where they had observed the Last Supper, and they begin to pray.

00:00:58.759 --> 00:01:00.539
 There's not just the 12.

00:01:00.679 --> 00:01:02.659
 There are 120 in number.

00:01:03.159 --> 00:01:08.599
 They replace Judas as the 12th apostle, and then they begin to pray.

00:01:08.920 --> 00:01:15.759
 And they pray for 10 days until Pentecost comes, 10 days following His ascension into the heavens.

00:01:15.760 --> 00:01:20.480
 At Pentecost, it's a wild, wild time.

00:01:21.080 --> 00:01:25.320
 They are praying, and suddenly there's the sound of a rushing mighty wind.

00:01:25.420 --> 00:01:30.000
 We likened it last week to that of the sound of a tornado, if you've ever been through one of those.

00:01:30.520 --> 00:01:31.680
 There's no wind.

00:01:32.100 --> 00:01:33.300
 There's just noise.

00:01:33.299 --> 00:01:38.340
 It brings out the people of the city, and even those who are in this room and they're praying,

00:01:38.759 --> 00:01:45.060
 they suddenly experience the coming of the Spirit who descends in the likeness of a giant tongue of fire.

00:01:45.579 --> 00:01:51.500
 The tongue of fire divides into many cloven tongues of fire and rests upon the heads of believers,

00:01:51.500 --> 00:01:58.280
 and the 120 believers are instantaneously baptized and dwelt of the Spirit of God.

00:01:58.280 --> 00:02:00.900
 They go out into the streets of Jerusalem.

00:02:01.120 --> 00:02:05.719
 A crowd is gathering, people from all over the world, not just the residents of Jerusalem,

00:02:06.060 --> 00:02:10.020
 but those who have come for the Passover and those who have stayed for Pentecost,

00:02:10.300 --> 00:02:18.599
 and they begin to listen as these believers begin to prophesy and say things in languages they've never studied.

00:02:19.159 --> 00:02:23.560
 Some skeptics in the crowd begin to say, hey, these men are drunk with wine.

00:02:24.039 --> 00:02:26.599
 Peter defends them, says, no, it's early in the morning.

00:02:26.599 --> 00:02:27.560
 That's not the case.

00:02:27.560 --> 00:02:35.420
 What is happening here is what was predicted by the prophet Joel when he said young men would dream dreams

00:02:35.420 --> 00:02:40.140
 and old men and old women would prophesy this is of God.

00:02:40.379 --> 00:02:46.080
 And then he goes to the Psalms and he begins showing them that Jesus was the Christ.

00:02:46.480 --> 00:02:50.400
 Preaches a powerful message and basically in the end says this,

00:02:50.400 --> 00:02:57.159
 All of you here today are witnesses of what I'm telling you that we have rejected God's Son,

00:02:57.420 --> 00:03:03.240
 and many of you here in this crowd have personally had a hand in putting him to death.

00:03:03.439 --> 00:03:06.000
 You're responsible for killing the Messiah.

00:03:06.260 --> 00:03:11.439
 But we all know, we cannot deny, that God raised him three days later from the dead.

00:03:11.439 --> 00:03:19.900
 But the Spirit of God fell on those who were listening and many were pricked in their heart, the Scripture says, to their very soul.

00:03:20.300 --> 00:03:26.020
 They came rushing to Peter and said, Peter, what can we do to be made right with God?

00:03:26.479 --> 00:03:30.819
 And Peter looked at them boldly and said, you need to repent of your sin, repent of what you've done.

00:03:31.159 --> 00:03:32.780
 You need to repent of all your sin.

00:03:32.780 --> 00:03:35.000
 You need to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

00:03:35.199 --> 00:03:42.280
 And if you really mean business with God, come and receive the mark of a believer, which is baptism.

00:03:43.080 --> 00:03:45.080
 Three thousand that day.

00:03:45.240 --> 00:03:46.020
 Are you ready for that?

00:03:46.379 --> 00:03:51.240
 Three thousand that day came and became a part of this assembly.

00:03:51.599 --> 00:03:54.099
 It says they were added to the church.

00:03:54.240 --> 00:03:56.400
 It doesn't mean they were added to some role.

00:03:56.699 --> 00:03:58.060
 We talked about that last week.

00:03:58.060 --> 00:04:04.479
 It means they were adopted into the family of God there in Jerusalem.

00:04:05.020 --> 00:04:09.060
 Now, here's the million-dollar question, the one that we're attempting to answer in this two-part sermon.

00:04:09.520 --> 00:04:12.460
 And that is, where do we go from here?

00:04:12.979 --> 00:04:16.759
 You're one of those 120 and 3,000 come forward.

00:04:17.459 --> 00:04:18.399
 What do we do now?

00:04:18.480 --> 00:04:20.600
 In the past, we've had Jesus at our side.

00:04:21.120 --> 00:04:25.560
 Now, His Spirit is in us through the Holy Spirit, but it's near them.

00:04:25.560 --> 00:04:27.920
 And they're seeking to learn how to follow Him.

00:04:28.399 --> 00:04:30.079
 Where do we go from here?

00:04:30.579 --> 00:04:32.100
 Nine things they did.

00:04:32.280 --> 00:04:34.079
 Four of them we pointed out last week.

00:04:34.199 --> 00:04:36.259
 I want to point out an additional five today.

00:04:36.600 --> 00:04:41.240
 For those of you who weren't here, let me just hurriedly run through what those first four were.

00:04:41.840 --> 00:04:46.779
 Right out of the gate, they baptized all those who followed Christ.

00:04:47.180 --> 00:04:52.000
 And I want to tell you, they baptized them by immersion, I believe.

00:04:52.000 --> 00:04:55.139
 The word means to die, to dip into something.

00:04:55.699 --> 00:05:02.599
 I think they took them to a local river, and there they baptized them just as Jesus had earlier been baptized.

00:05:03.199 --> 00:05:09.740
 I want to tell you, I think Baptists ought to be unapologetic about how we choose to baptize.

00:05:10.000 --> 00:05:13.240
 I hope we will never give in to the thinking, well, it's just a symbol.

00:05:13.699 --> 00:05:17.419
 The means of baptism, the method of baptism doesn't matter.

00:05:17.479 --> 00:05:19.680
 Because in my estimation, it does.

00:05:19.680 --> 00:05:22.159
 Is it a difference of having heaven and hell?

00:05:22.300 --> 00:05:23.139
 Of course not.

00:05:23.139 --> 00:05:30.599
 But it is significant because the way we baptize by immersion clearly sends a message to those who observe.

00:05:31.019 --> 00:05:35.979
 That's the reason I believe, likewise, in public baptism the way they practiced it then.

00:05:36.339 --> 00:05:37.360
 Here's what happens.

00:05:37.360 --> 00:05:46.360
 It says, when a person is baptized, they're demonstrating outwardly, we believe in the death, burial, and subsequent resurrection of the Lord Jesus.

00:05:46.540 --> 00:05:49.980
 As we carry a person on the water and bring them up out of the water.

00:05:50.259 --> 00:05:54.379
 It also says, this person being baptized has died to their sin.

00:05:54.879 --> 00:05:56.300
 They no longer exist.

00:05:56.680 --> 00:05:58.680
 They are a new creature in Christ.

00:05:58.680 --> 00:06:05.139
 It also says, just as Jesus was baptized of John, I choose to be his disciple.

00:06:05.519 --> 00:06:08.180
 I want to follow in his example.

00:06:08.560 --> 00:06:14.860
 So, they immediately baptized those 3,000 who came and became a part of the church.

00:06:15.240 --> 00:06:17.000
 Second thing they did was this.

00:06:17.600 --> 00:06:21.840
 They began to disciple those who were new to the faith.

00:06:21.839 --> 00:06:27.859
 You got 120 people who have walked with Jesus during his earthly ministry.

00:06:28.419 --> 00:06:31.579
 3,000 who just become believers.

00:06:32.119 --> 00:06:38.319
 They couldn't just turn these folk loose on their own, send them back to their native lands without knowing more about Jesus.

00:06:38.899 --> 00:06:41.239
 And so, they began to meet on a daily basis.

00:06:41.240 --> 00:06:46.060
 And they talked to them about all that Jesus did.

00:06:46.220 --> 00:06:47.480
 All that Jesus said.

00:06:47.759 --> 00:06:50.939
 All the correcting that Jesus ever did with his disciples.

00:06:51.220 --> 00:06:53.939
 They immersed them in the teaching of Jesus.

00:06:54.160 --> 00:06:55.019
 They discipled them.

00:06:55.519 --> 00:06:58.439
 Thirdly, they worked hard to build a strong partnership.

00:06:59.300 --> 00:07:01.579
 That word fellowship that we use so often,

00:07:01.579 --> 00:07:08.680
 I'm afraid that we have equated that with cookies and ice cream and Cokes

00:07:08.680 --> 00:07:11.139
 in a time of what we call fellowship.

00:07:11.560 --> 00:07:13.660
 The Greek word was the word koinonia.

00:07:13.959 --> 00:07:16.819
 It means they literally became partners.

00:07:17.400 --> 00:07:19.560
 That's why I know when it says they added them,

00:07:20.340 --> 00:07:24.639
 they didn't think of themselves as having just joined a religious club.

00:07:24.780 --> 00:07:28.639
 We're a part of this religious institution that is meeting here in the heart of Jerusalem.

00:07:28.639 --> 00:07:30.139
 That's not how they thought.

00:07:30.680 --> 00:07:33.240
 They thought we're embracing a new way of thinking.

00:07:33.960 --> 00:07:36.240
 We're embracing the Lord Jesus Christ.

00:07:36.240 --> 00:07:39.540
 And that is the common denominator among all of us,

00:07:39.860 --> 00:07:44.040
 is we share faith in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

00:07:44.160 --> 00:07:46.199
 They literally became partners.

00:07:46.960 --> 00:07:48.879
 A fourth thing they did was this.

00:07:49.300 --> 00:07:51.519
 They partnered together in prayer.

00:07:51.840 --> 00:07:54.040
 And listen, as they prayed,

00:07:54.540 --> 00:07:59.300
 I mean God did bona fide miracles.

00:08:00.259 --> 00:08:03.819
 Now, you listen to a lot of folk, including preachers, I'm sad to say,

00:08:03.819 --> 00:08:06.060
 talk about miracles today.

00:08:06.759 --> 00:08:09.079
 And they used that word so loosely,

00:08:09.980 --> 00:08:11.620
 it's just about lost all meaning.

00:08:12.560 --> 00:08:16.579
 We will call reaching a high attendance goal a miracle.

00:08:17.240 --> 00:08:17.959
 What was a miracle?

00:08:18.060 --> 00:08:19.980
 We had 500 in Sunday school today.

00:08:20.519 --> 00:08:21.539
 That's not a miracle.

00:08:21.719 --> 00:08:24.300
 Clemson has 85,000 every Saturday in the fall.

00:08:25.600 --> 00:08:26.659
 You understand that?

00:08:26.660 --> 00:08:30.640
 You can draw a crowd by just doing some pretty good publicity,

00:08:30.939 --> 00:08:33.060
 by getting on the phones and calling your friend.

00:08:33.139 --> 00:08:34.420
 Nothing wrong with that.

00:08:34.899 --> 00:08:36.860
 But just understand, that's not, is it a good thing?

00:08:36.920 --> 00:08:37.100
 Yes.

00:08:37.180 --> 00:08:38.360
 Did God have his hand in it?

00:08:38.420 --> 00:08:39.060
 I believe he did.

00:08:39.279 --> 00:08:40.000
 Is it a miracle?

00:08:40.379 --> 00:08:41.500
 Well, of course not.

00:08:43.139 --> 00:08:45.800
 This building that we're constructing out here,

00:08:45.860 --> 00:08:46.660
 the front of your church,

00:08:46.740 --> 00:08:47.820
 it's going to be gorgeous.

00:08:48.700 --> 00:08:50.759
 And God has provided the means.

00:08:51.300 --> 00:08:52.139
 Is it a miracle?

00:08:52.660 --> 00:08:53.000
 No.

00:08:53.279 --> 00:08:54.600
 Construction company's doing that.

00:08:54.600 --> 00:08:55.120
 You understand?

00:08:55.620 --> 00:08:56.960
 We're paying for it.

00:08:57.600 --> 00:08:58.440
 It's not a miracle.

00:08:58.540 --> 00:08:59.560
 It's a good thing.

00:08:59.740 --> 00:09:00.879
 It's a godly thing.

00:09:01.279 --> 00:09:02.060
 Is it a miracle?

00:09:02.600 --> 00:09:03.620
 It's not a miracle.

00:09:04.519 --> 00:09:05.220
 I want to tell you,

00:09:05.300 --> 00:09:07.519
 a miracle is when God does something

00:09:07.519 --> 00:09:10.480
 that no human being can possibly,

00:09:10.700 --> 00:09:12.420
 in their right mind, take credit for.

00:09:12.920 --> 00:09:14.639
 It's something so supernatural

00:09:14.639 --> 00:09:15.960
 that any who look at that say,

00:09:16.040 --> 00:09:17.519
 boy, I don't know how to explain that.

00:09:17.540 --> 00:09:18.800
 Even if they don't believe in God,

00:09:19.120 --> 00:09:20.279
 that's unexplainable.

00:09:20.279 --> 00:09:23.420
 But, man, something happened here

00:09:23.419 --> 00:09:25.339
 that's beyond the normal.

00:09:25.500 --> 00:09:27.439
 It's beyond the realm of explanation.

00:09:28.439 --> 00:09:29.099
 And I'm telling you,

00:09:29.159 --> 00:09:31.419
 God did bona fide miracles.

00:09:32.279 --> 00:09:34.519
 Men who were lame got up and walked.

00:09:35.379 --> 00:09:37.000
 People speaking in languages

00:09:37.000 --> 00:09:39.360
 they've never understood or studied,

00:09:40.099 --> 00:09:40.959
 that's a miracle.

00:09:41.500 --> 00:09:43.199
 It's a miracle how the gospel

00:09:43.199 --> 00:09:44.860
 of the Lord Jesus Christ spread

00:09:44.860 --> 00:09:45.819
 in that first century.

00:09:45.820 --> 00:09:50.280
 And here's what verse 43 and 42 and 43 tell us.

00:09:50.940 --> 00:09:53.840
 It uses the imperfect tense in that verb

00:09:53.840 --> 00:09:55.760
 that fear kept coming upon them.

00:09:56.080 --> 00:09:57.240
 And what it means is this.

00:09:57.640 --> 00:09:58.900
 The more they prayed,

00:09:59.060 --> 00:10:00.480
 the more God did.

00:10:01.040 --> 00:10:02.020
 And the more God did,

00:10:02.080 --> 00:10:03.379
 the more they stood in awe of God.

00:10:03.480 --> 00:10:04.780
 And the more they stood in awe of God,

00:10:04.960 --> 00:10:06.000
 the more they prayed.

00:10:06.120 --> 00:10:06.879
 And the more they prayed,

00:10:07.040 --> 00:10:07.840
 the more God did.

00:10:07.980 --> 00:10:10.320
 And it became a wonderful cycle.

00:10:10.320 --> 00:10:11.440
 And I'm telling you,

00:10:11.560 --> 00:10:12.800
 more than anything else,

00:10:13.560 --> 00:10:15.680
 that's what's holding our churches back

00:10:15.680 --> 00:10:17.120
 from being more successful

00:10:17.120 --> 00:10:19.680
 in evangelism today than anything else.

00:10:20.140 --> 00:10:22.180
 We don't witness the power of God

00:10:22.180 --> 00:10:23.220
 the way we once did.

00:10:23.360 --> 00:10:25.420
 And I believe that's attributable to the fact

00:10:25.420 --> 00:10:28.420
 we don't pray as we once did.

00:10:29.080 --> 00:10:31.200
 Well, let's move on.

00:10:31.280 --> 00:10:32.600
 You've caught up with me now

00:10:32.600 --> 00:10:33.840
 where we are in our message.

00:10:34.880 --> 00:10:36.840
 The fifth thing I want you to see is this.

00:10:36.840 --> 00:10:38.460
 They were incredibly generous

00:10:38.460 --> 00:10:40.340
 in sharing what they had

00:10:40.340 --> 00:10:44.820
 to meet the needs of congregants

00:10:44.820 --> 00:10:46.000
 in their assembly.

00:10:46.120 --> 00:10:48.600
 You look at verse 44 and 45.

00:10:49.460 --> 00:10:51.000
 Now, all the believers were together

00:10:51.000 --> 00:10:53.899
 and had everything in common.

00:10:54.720 --> 00:10:56.139
 Let that sink in for a minute.

00:10:57.580 --> 00:10:59.000
 Now, all the believers were together

00:10:59.000 --> 00:11:00.440
 and had everything in common.

00:11:00.580 --> 00:11:01.500
 And when we read that,

00:11:01.560 --> 00:11:02.660
 sometimes we're tempted to think

00:11:02.660 --> 00:11:04.280
 that means they were in one spirit

00:11:04.280 --> 00:11:05.639
 and one accord like we read about

00:11:05.639 --> 00:11:06.420
 in Acts chapter 1.

00:11:06.840 --> 00:11:09.639
 Well, it indicates that a little bit,

00:11:09.720 --> 00:11:11.480
 but that's not nearly the essence

00:11:11.480 --> 00:11:12.259
 of what it's saying.

00:11:12.360 --> 00:11:14.259
 Look at verse, the same verse

00:11:14.259 --> 00:11:15.200
 or the next verse.

00:11:15.700 --> 00:11:18.360
 So they sold their possessions and property

00:11:18.360 --> 00:11:21.600
 and distributed the proceeds to all

00:11:21.600 --> 00:11:25.460
 as anyone had need.

00:11:27.360 --> 00:11:29.080
 Can you get your head around that?

00:11:30.460 --> 00:11:32.639
 Have you ever been a part of a church

00:11:32.639 --> 00:11:35.740
 where that kind of thing was taking place?

00:11:35.740 --> 00:11:37.639
 I know you're a part of a generous church,

00:11:38.120 --> 00:11:41.860
 but can you imagine this level of generosity?

00:11:42.659 --> 00:11:45.519
 And let me tell you what drove them to do that.

00:11:47.580 --> 00:11:50.379
 These people who had come to know Christ,

00:11:51.019 --> 00:11:53.659
 many of them were from other parts of the world.

00:11:53.799 --> 00:11:55.440
 That's the reason there was a need

00:11:55.440 --> 00:11:56.960
 for this miracle of tongues.

00:11:56.960 --> 00:12:00.740
 And so as they had come together for Passover

00:12:00.740 --> 00:12:02.180
 and now Pentecost,

00:12:02.639 --> 00:12:04.639
 and now they received Christ as Savior,

00:12:05.560 --> 00:12:07.400
 these who had been with Jesus recognized

00:12:07.400 --> 00:12:09.560
 we can't send them back to their homes

00:12:09.560 --> 00:12:11.620
 unless they know more about the gospel.

00:12:12.000 --> 00:12:13.240
 And so they immersed them

00:12:13.240 --> 00:12:14.920
 in the teachings of Jesus.

00:12:15.180 --> 00:12:17.900
 And these folk didn't immediately return home.

00:12:18.120 --> 00:12:19.379
 And after a period of time,

00:12:19.660 --> 00:12:21.259
 their resources ran out.

00:12:21.259 --> 00:12:23.919
 And so what they did was they said,

00:12:24.000 --> 00:12:26.279
 hey, we need to help these people out,

00:12:26.340 --> 00:12:27.519
 these fellow believers out.

00:12:27.600 --> 00:12:29.360
 These people have become a part of our family.

00:12:29.720 --> 00:12:31.720
 We are inseparably linked to them

00:12:31.720 --> 00:12:32.399
 and tied to them.

00:12:32.500 --> 00:12:34.500
 They're partners with us in Christ.

00:12:35.039 --> 00:12:36.819
 And so some had some real estate.

00:12:36.939 --> 00:12:37.860
 They went and sold it.

00:12:38.319 --> 00:12:40.259
 Some had some homes or some possessions.

00:12:40.439 --> 00:12:41.080
 They sold them.

00:12:41.639 --> 00:12:42.720
 And they brought the money

00:12:42.720 --> 00:12:44.600
 and they laid it at the apostles' feet,

00:12:44.759 --> 00:12:46.340
 the next few chapters tell us.

00:12:46.340 --> 00:12:48.120
 And they then distributed it

00:12:48.120 --> 00:12:49.300
 to people in the congregation

00:12:49.300 --> 00:12:51.720
 however they needed it.

00:12:52.620 --> 00:12:55.040
 Now, some folks have mistakenly said

00:12:55.040 --> 00:12:57.379
 this is a picture of what communism looks like.

00:12:57.620 --> 00:12:59.480
 And that's why we ought to be communist.

00:13:00.460 --> 00:13:02.080
 That's absolutely false.

00:13:02.899 --> 00:13:05.960
 This is not a picture of communism at all.

00:13:06.620 --> 00:13:09.879
 It is a picture of Christianity at its best.

00:13:10.600 --> 00:13:13.519
 Understand the differences in this in communism.

00:13:14.080 --> 00:13:14.920
 Communism says,

00:13:14.919 --> 00:13:16.259
 I'm going to give you five

00:13:16.259 --> 00:13:17.019
 and you'll have five

00:13:17.019 --> 00:13:17.740
 and you'll have five

00:13:17.740 --> 00:13:18.339
 and you'll have five.

00:13:18.419 --> 00:13:19.899
 At least in theory, that's what they say.

00:13:19.939 --> 00:13:21.959
 It never really works out that way.

00:13:22.579 --> 00:13:24.879
 But we're all going to take what we have

00:13:24.879 --> 00:13:25.639
 and spread it out

00:13:25.639 --> 00:13:26.860
 and everybody will have five

00:13:26.860 --> 00:13:28.079
 and we'll all be equal

00:13:28.079 --> 00:13:29.740
 and we'll all have equal concern

00:13:29.740 --> 00:13:31.699
 for everyone in the world.

00:13:33.219 --> 00:13:35.219
 But if you want to see a true picture of communism,

00:13:35.419 --> 00:13:36.740
 look at the Ukraine right now.

00:13:37.719 --> 00:13:40.719
 That's a picture of what communism looks like

00:13:40.719 --> 00:13:42.939
 where Putin says,

00:13:43.480 --> 00:13:44.059
 you know what?

00:13:44.059 --> 00:13:46.799
 We have might and might makes us right.

00:13:47.779 --> 00:13:49.539
 And because we can take what is yours,

00:13:49.739 --> 00:13:50.239
 we will.

00:13:51.339 --> 00:13:52.579
 And we'll take as much of it

00:13:52.579 --> 00:13:54.339
 with no regard for you or your people

00:13:54.339 --> 00:13:55.819
 or the sanctity of life.

00:13:56.399 --> 00:13:59.719
 We'll just take whatever we desire.

00:14:00.559 --> 00:14:01.559
 That's communism.

00:14:02.099 --> 00:14:02.819
 You understand that?

00:14:03.319 --> 00:14:05.859
 And what you see here is exactly the opposite.

00:14:06.459 --> 00:14:07.939
 It is a spirit of generosity

00:14:07.939 --> 00:14:09.899
 born by people's gratitude

00:14:09.899 --> 00:14:12.859
 for what Christ has done for them on the cross.

00:14:12.860 --> 00:14:14.460
 where God changes our heart.

00:14:14.740 --> 00:14:17.440
 And material things are no longer the benchmark

00:14:17.440 --> 00:14:19.860
 by which we measure the success of our lives

00:14:19.860 --> 00:14:22.300
 because we know there's life after this life.

00:14:22.659 --> 00:14:24.500
 So do we use material things?

00:14:24.580 --> 00:14:25.039
 We do.

00:14:25.680 --> 00:14:27.480
 Is it okay to have material things?

00:14:27.600 --> 00:14:28.259
 It is.

00:14:29.259 --> 00:14:31.899
 But do we just invest our whole life in that?

00:14:31.960 --> 00:14:32.800
 Of course not.

00:14:32.799 --> 00:14:36.099
 We recognize this is a tool that God has given for us

00:14:36.099 --> 00:14:38.839
 to help others and to spread the gospel.

00:14:39.679 --> 00:14:40.379
 I'm going to tell you,

00:14:40.439 --> 00:14:42.099
 if you want to be a New Testament church,

00:14:42.219 --> 00:14:44.159
 a solid, good New Testament church,

00:14:44.679 --> 00:14:46.479
 be known by your generosity.

00:14:47.419 --> 00:14:48.159
 Man, I was fortunate.

00:14:48.259 --> 00:14:50.899
 I pastored only two churches in 40 years,

00:14:50.899 --> 00:14:54.500
 and both of them were generous, generous churches.

00:14:54.819 --> 00:14:56.659
 They were generous when they had a little,

00:14:56.899 --> 00:14:59.039
 and they were generous when God had blessed them,

00:14:59.459 --> 00:15:00.340
 and they had more.

00:15:01.279 --> 00:15:04.659
 I hope you'll always endeavor to be a generous church.

00:15:04.959 --> 00:15:07.559
 Now, let me just say a personal word here,

00:15:07.720 --> 00:15:09.039
 and I'm not going to dwell on this,

00:15:09.120 --> 00:15:09.939
 but I just want to tell you something.

00:15:10.179 --> 00:15:11.279
 I've been looking at your budget,

00:15:11.419 --> 00:15:13.100
 and I want to first of all commend you

00:15:13.100 --> 00:15:15.579
 for exceeding your Lottie Moon offering

00:15:15.580 --> 00:15:18.060
 and for doing well in the campaign

00:15:18.060 --> 00:15:20.520
 to build this new addition to your building.

00:15:21.540 --> 00:15:22.620
 But two weeks ago,

00:15:22.620 --> 00:15:25.060
 I was looking at how far we've fallen behind

00:15:25.060 --> 00:15:26.759
 in our budget receipts to date,

00:15:27.180 --> 00:15:29.560
 and we were about 60,000 two weeks ago,

00:15:29.639 --> 00:15:32.740
 and I saw where today you've closed that gap

00:15:32.740 --> 00:15:34.120
 and you're only 50,000 behind,

00:15:34.620 --> 00:15:35.520
 and man, that's great.

00:15:36.320 --> 00:15:36.980
 Can I tell you something?

00:15:37.040 --> 00:15:37.879
 It won't be long.

00:15:37.940 --> 00:15:39.460
 You'll have a full-time pastor.

00:15:40.340 --> 00:15:42.420
 Don't put the burden on him

00:15:42.420 --> 00:15:44.060
 of having to find a way

00:15:44.059 --> 00:15:46.039
 to close that gap.

00:15:46.899 --> 00:15:48.019
 Can I just be honest with you?

00:15:48.059 --> 00:15:50.059
 If I were coming as your pastor

00:15:50.059 --> 00:15:52.099
 in the days to come,

00:15:53.279 --> 00:15:55.619
 I would want to do this in my first year.

00:15:55.639 --> 00:15:56.379
 I don't know what he'll do,

00:15:56.459 --> 00:15:58.379
 but I suspect whoever you get,

00:15:59.039 --> 00:16:00.079
 this will be their agenda,

00:16:00.500 --> 00:16:02.319
 to come in in that first year

00:16:02.319 --> 00:16:04.319
 and simply preach the Scripture

00:16:04.319 --> 00:16:08.339
 and get to know you and love you

00:16:08.339 --> 00:16:11.379
 and not have to make hard, critical decisions,

00:16:11.539 --> 00:16:12.599
 especially about my...

00:16:12.600 --> 00:16:14.320
 In fact, if I came as your pastor,

00:16:14.659 --> 00:16:15.960
 I wouldn't want to talk about money

00:16:15.960 --> 00:16:16.580
 for a whole year

00:16:16.580 --> 00:16:17.560
 if I could get out of it

00:16:17.560 --> 00:16:19.540
 because I'd want to build credibility

00:16:19.540 --> 00:16:21.139
 with you where you trusted me

00:16:21.139 --> 00:16:22.379
 and you knew that, okay,

00:16:22.480 --> 00:16:23.720
 it's okay for him to do that.

00:16:23.879 --> 00:16:24.920
 He's proven himself.

00:16:25.279 --> 00:16:26.279
 Don't make him come in

00:16:26.279 --> 00:16:27.100
 and ride out of that,

00:16:27.420 --> 00:16:29.320
 have to deal with financial issues.

00:16:29.440 --> 00:16:30.560
 Right now, you're not paying

00:16:30.560 --> 00:16:31.440
 a full-time pastor

00:16:31.440 --> 00:16:32.379
 and you're not paying

00:16:32.379 --> 00:16:33.480
 a full-time youth minister,

00:16:33.700 --> 00:16:34.500
 and I'm telling you,

00:16:34.540 --> 00:16:36.120
 if a full-time pastor was here

00:16:36.120 --> 00:16:38.139
 and a full-time youth person were here,

00:16:38.580 --> 00:16:39.560
 that pastor would have

00:16:39.559 --> 00:16:40.859
 some difficult decisions

00:16:40.859 --> 00:16:43.299
 to make financially going forward.

00:16:43.779 --> 00:16:46.019
 So don't put him in that position.

00:16:46.279 --> 00:16:47.500
 Just take that off the table.

00:16:47.599 --> 00:16:48.119
 Say, you know what?

00:16:48.159 --> 00:16:49.099
 Between now and Easter,

00:16:49.619 --> 00:16:52.219
 let's really try to close this gap

00:16:52.219 --> 00:16:53.959
 so that it's not as significant

00:16:53.959 --> 00:16:55.339
 as it is now.

00:16:56.059 --> 00:16:57.559
 There's a sixth thing,

00:16:57.659 --> 00:16:58.479
 don't you see they did?

00:16:58.479 --> 00:17:00.279
 They were faithful

00:17:00.279 --> 00:17:02.619
 in getting together for worship.

00:17:03.119 --> 00:17:05.079
 Look at verse 46 for a moment.

00:17:05.079 --> 00:17:08.679
 And allow every word to sink in.

00:17:09.919 --> 00:17:12.419
 And every day.

00:17:13.339 --> 00:17:14.319
 Everybody say that with me.

00:17:14.980 --> 00:17:16.619
 And every day.

00:17:17.439 --> 00:17:18.659
 They devoted themselves

00:17:18.659 --> 00:17:20.079
 to meeting together

00:17:20.079 --> 00:17:22.079
 in the temple complex.

00:17:23.279 --> 00:17:24.259
 Every day.

00:17:25.779 --> 00:17:26.720
 Every day.

00:17:27.079 --> 00:17:27.779
 You know what that means?

00:17:28.379 --> 00:17:29.939
 That means Sunday they gathered

00:17:29.939 --> 00:17:30.720
 and they had worship

00:17:30.720 --> 00:17:31.500
 and they prayed

00:17:31.500 --> 00:17:33.379
 and they probably ended up

00:17:33.379 --> 00:17:34.839
 with a fellowship meal.

00:17:35.480 --> 00:17:36.259
 They got to get,

00:17:36.339 --> 00:17:37.699
 they did some discipleship.

00:17:38.359 --> 00:17:39.519
 And then of course on Monday,

00:17:39.619 --> 00:17:41.039
 well they got together

00:17:41.039 --> 00:17:42.919
 and they worship

00:17:42.919 --> 00:17:44.099
 and they prayed

00:17:44.099 --> 00:17:44.899
 and they fellowship.

00:17:45.919 --> 00:17:46.799
 But then on Tuesday

00:17:46.799 --> 00:17:47.539
 they got together

00:17:47.539 --> 00:17:48.279
 and they worship

00:17:48.279 --> 00:17:48.740
 and they prayed

00:17:48.740 --> 00:17:49.259
 and they fellowship

00:17:49.259 --> 00:17:51.279
 and on Wednesday

00:17:51.279 --> 00:17:52.000
 they got together

00:17:52.000 --> 00:17:52.460
 and they prayed

00:17:52.460 --> 00:17:52.960
 and they fellowship.

00:17:53.119 --> 00:17:54.179
 But now come Thursday

00:17:54.179 --> 00:17:55.539
 they got together

00:17:55.539 --> 00:17:55.980
 and they prayed

00:17:55.980 --> 00:17:56.480
 and they fellowship.

00:17:56.679 --> 00:17:57.379
 And then Friday

00:17:57.379 --> 00:17:58.199
 they got together

00:17:58.199 --> 00:17:58.559
 and they prayed

00:17:58.559 --> 00:17:59.000
 and they fellowship.

00:17:59.639 --> 00:18:00.639
 But Saturday

00:18:00.639 --> 00:18:02.039
 they got together

00:18:02.039 --> 00:18:02.500
 and they prayed

00:18:02.500 --> 00:18:03.059
 and they fellowship.

00:18:03.059 --> 00:18:05.339
 and then they did that again

00:18:05.339 --> 00:18:07.240
 every day

00:18:07.240 --> 00:18:09.919
 now

00:18:09.919 --> 00:18:12.019
 we're not going to do that here

00:18:12.019 --> 00:18:15.319
 and we can't do that here

00:18:15.319 --> 00:18:17.379
 I don't want anybody to feel guilty about that

00:18:17.379 --> 00:18:19.279
 because I want you to know

00:18:19.279 --> 00:18:21.700
 the world that they were a part of

00:18:21.700 --> 00:18:23.279
 is not like the world that you and I

00:18:23.279 --> 00:18:25.339
 are a part of and that's not our fault

00:18:25.339 --> 00:18:27.299
 we shouldn't feel guilty

00:18:27.299 --> 00:18:28.700
 our world has changed

00:18:28.700 --> 00:18:29.619
 I want to show you something

00:18:29.619 --> 00:18:33.099
 Jesus came into Jerusalem 2,000 years ago

00:18:33.099 --> 00:18:33.839
 on a donkey

00:18:33.839 --> 00:18:36.419
 but at the turn

00:18:36.419 --> 00:18:39.000
 the beginning of the 20th century

00:18:39.000 --> 00:18:40.939
 man was still

00:18:40.939 --> 00:18:42.799
 pretty much riding on beast

00:18:42.799 --> 00:18:44.319
 of burden

00:18:44.319 --> 00:18:46.879
 they were pretty much getting around on donkeys

00:18:46.879 --> 00:18:49.279
 and on horses

00:18:49.279 --> 00:18:53.039
 but in the last 120 years things have

00:18:53.039 --> 00:18:54.299
 radically changed

00:18:54.299 --> 00:18:57.199
 our world has shrunk

00:18:57.199 --> 00:18:59.279
 in many ways but it has also expanded

00:18:59.279 --> 00:19:00.240
 for us personally

00:19:00.240 --> 00:19:03.399
 because now we have the ability to be here today

00:19:03.399 --> 00:19:05.259
 and in New York this afternoon

00:19:05.259 --> 00:19:08.339
 or to be in Europe tomorrow morning

00:19:08.339 --> 00:19:08.819
 right

00:19:08.819 --> 00:19:10.720
 and some of you

00:19:10.720 --> 00:19:13.220
 you don't work the way they did then

00:19:13.220 --> 00:19:14.500
 where they worked pretty much

00:19:14.500 --> 00:19:16.279
 within a few hundred yards of their houses

00:19:16.279 --> 00:19:19.920
 many of you work 5 or 10 miles from home

00:19:19.920 --> 00:19:24.019
 and many of you work 50 or 100 or 1,000 miles from home

00:19:24.019 --> 00:19:26.079
 some of you get in the car on Monday morning

00:19:26.079 --> 00:19:27.819
 or on a plane Sunday afternoon

00:19:27.819 --> 00:19:29.439
 and you're somewhere all week

00:19:29.439 --> 00:19:30.619
 and you're back here on Friday

00:19:30.619 --> 00:19:32.619
 and with your families on the weekend

00:19:32.619 --> 00:19:35.319
 man our world has changed

00:19:35.319 --> 00:19:35.720
 right

00:19:35.720 --> 00:19:37.059
 and so

00:19:37.059 --> 00:19:38.679
 we can no longer

00:19:38.679 --> 00:19:39.740
 because of school

00:19:39.740 --> 00:19:40.220
 and so anything

00:19:40.220 --> 00:19:41.379
 we can't meet

00:19:41.379 --> 00:19:42.439
 seven days a week

00:19:42.439 --> 00:19:43.339
 but I want to tell you something

00:19:43.339 --> 00:19:45.220
 we can be regular

00:19:45.220 --> 00:19:46.259
 in our worship

00:19:46.259 --> 00:19:48.720
 we can come together

00:19:48.720 --> 00:19:49.819
 on a weekly basis

00:19:49.819 --> 00:19:51.199
 and we can worship the Lord

00:19:51.199 --> 00:19:52.159
 and praise the Lord

00:19:52.160 --> 00:19:53.240
 and do discipleship

00:19:53.240 --> 00:19:55.380
 even more than one day a week

00:19:55.380 --> 00:19:57.040
 we can meet to pray

00:19:57.040 --> 00:19:59.540
 and we can meet to fellowship

00:19:59.540 --> 00:20:01.040
 and to do the work of the church

00:20:01.040 --> 00:20:02.640
 but the big thing is

00:20:02.640 --> 00:20:05.040
 there needs to be regularity

00:20:05.040 --> 00:20:06.220
 in our worship

00:20:06.220 --> 00:20:08.700
 in Hebrews chapter 10

00:20:08.700 --> 00:20:10.480
 one translation

00:20:10.480 --> 00:20:12.000
 puts that old verse

00:20:12.000 --> 00:20:13.560
 that we all know by memory

00:20:13.560 --> 00:20:14.759
 forsake not the assembling

00:20:14.759 --> 00:20:15.779
 of yourselves together

00:20:15.779 --> 00:20:17.200
 as the manner of some is

00:20:17.200 --> 00:20:18.620
 here's how it puts it

00:20:18.620 --> 00:20:20.019
 not staying away

00:20:20.019 --> 00:20:21.259
 from our worship meetings

00:20:21.259 --> 00:20:23.519
 as some habitually do

00:20:23.519 --> 00:20:24.539
 in other words

00:20:24.539 --> 00:20:26.480
 not just once in a while

00:20:26.480 --> 00:20:27.559
 but often

00:20:27.559 --> 00:20:30.460
 but encouraging each other

00:20:30.460 --> 00:20:31.539
 and all the more

00:20:31.539 --> 00:20:33.359
 as you see the day

00:20:33.359 --> 00:20:34.980
 the day of Christ returns

00:20:34.980 --> 00:20:35.940
 what it's talking about

00:20:35.940 --> 00:20:38.460
 drawing near

00:20:38.460 --> 00:20:40.799
 the writer of Hebrews

00:20:40.799 --> 00:20:41.379
 is saying this

00:20:41.379 --> 00:20:41.740
 listen

00:20:41.740 --> 00:20:44.339
 I know you're busy

00:20:44.339 --> 00:20:45.920
 and I know

00:20:45.920 --> 00:20:47.279
 there are things going on

00:20:47.279 --> 00:20:47.879
 in your world

00:20:47.880 --> 00:20:49.900
 but don't get to the place

00:20:49.900 --> 00:20:50.800
 that you forsake

00:20:50.800 --> 00:20:51.380
 the assembling

00:20:51.380 --> 00:20:52.520
 of yourselves together

00:20:52.520 --> 00:20:53.860
 some have

00:20:53.860 --> 00:20:55.220
 taken up that habit

00:20:55.220 --> 00:20:57.440
 and they are habitually

00:20:57.440 --> 00:20:58.320
 out of fellowship

00:20:58.320 --> 00:20:59.320
 with the church

00:20:59.320 --> 00:21:00.600
 do you hear what he's saying

00:21:00.600 --> 00:21:02.740
 you need to assemble

00:21:02.740 --> 00:21:04.120
 with other believers

00:21:04.120 --> 00:21:06.260
 and that's true

00:21:06.260 --> 00:21:08.380
 not just during times

00:21:08.380 --> 00:21:09.100
 of heartache

00:21:09.100 --> 00:21:11.120
 but in your everyday routine

00:21:11.120 --> 00:21:12.500
 you need the fellowship

00:21:12.500 --> 00:21:12.960
 of the church

00:21:12.960 --> 00:21:13.760
 and I'm going to tell you something

00:21:13.760 --> 00:21:15.240
 the fellowship of the church

00:21:15.240 --> 00:21:16.500
 needs you

00:21:16.500 --> 00:21:18.059
 we need you in the choir

00:21:18.059 --> 00:21:21.099
 we need you in midweek prayer service

00:21:21.099 --> 00:21:23.519
 we need you in the nursery

00:21:23.519 --> 00:21:25.759
 they just desperately need folk

00:21:25.759 --> 00:21:26.759
 down in the nursery

00:21:26.759 --> 00:21:27.539
 all the time

00:21:27.539 --> 00:21:28.500
 they need people

00:21:28.500 --> 00:21:29.619
 in the children's department

00:21:29.619 --> 00:21:31.480
 and in the youth ministry

00:21:31.480 --> 00:21:33.480
 we need believers

00:21:33.480 --> 00:21:34.380
 here at the church

00:21:34.380 --> 00:21:36.380
 and believers need to be a part

00:21:36.380 --> 00:21:38.099
 of the fellowship of God

00:21:38.099 --> 00:21:39.079
 can I tell you

00:21:39.079 --> 00:21:40.519
 the last few years

00:21:40.519 --> 00:21:41.160
 of my ministry

00:21:41.160 --> 00:21:42.099
 at Brushy Creek

00:21:42.099 --> 00:21:43.680
 boy it broke my heart

00:21:43.680 --> 00:21:45.359
 some things I saw happening

00:21:45.359 --> 00:21:46.899
 and it wasn't just

00:21:46.899 --> 00:21:47.539
 at Brushy Creek

00:21:47.539 --> 00:21:48.459
 it was across the board

00:21:48.459 --> 00:21:49.639
 I talked to so many pastors

00:21:49.639 --> 00:21:50.179
 about this

00:21:50.179 --> 00:21:52.379
 from about the year 2000

00:21:52.379 --> 00:21:54.359
 attendance in church

00:21:54.359 --> 00:21:55.419
 radically changed

00:21:55.419 --> 00:21:55.939
 I'm talking about

00:21:55.939 --> 00:21:57.959
 people's attendance habits

00:21:57.959 --> 00:21:58.659
 changed

00:21:58.659 --> 00:21:59.819
 from the way it was

00:21:59.819 --> 00:22:00.399
 when I started

00:22:00.399 --> 00:22:01.099
 in the 70's

00:22:01.099 --> 00:22:02.099
 when I went to

00:22:02.099 --> 00:22:02.759
 Western Avenue

00:22:02.759 --> 00:22:03.500
 in the 70's

00:22:03.500 --> 00:22:04.879
 you could count on this

00:22:04.879 --> 00:22:06.240
 there were about 80%

00:22:06.240 --> 00:22:07.039
 of whoever was in

00:22:07.039 --> 00:22:07.599
 the congregation

00:22:07.599 --> 00:22:09.039
 that attended

00:22:09.039 --> 00:22:11.339
 almost every Sunday

00:22:11.339 --> 00:22:13.480
 about 50%

00:22:13.480 --> 00:22:14.379
 of that 80%

00:22:14.379 --> 00:22:15.240
 about 40%

00:22:15.240 --> 00:22:16.099
 of the whole church

00:22:16.099 --> 00:22:17.379
 attended

00:22:17.379 --> 00:22:18.339
 Sunday night

00:22:18.339 --> 00:22:18.919
 Wednesday night

00:22:18.919 --> 00:22:19.699
 anytime the doors

00:22:19.699 --> 00:22:20.099
 were open

00:22:20.099 --> 00:22:22.319
 but about 80%

00:22:22.319 --> 00:22:22.839
 attended

00:22:22.839 --> 00:22:23.759
 on Sunday morning

00:22:23.759 --> 00:22:24.519
 you count on them

00:22:24.519 --> 00:22:24.879
 being there

00:22:24.879 --> 00:22:25.459
 next Sunday

00:22:25.459 --> 00:22:26.059
 and next Sunday

00:22:26.059 --> 00:22:26.639
 and next Sunday

00:22:26.639 --> 00:22:27.179
 and next Sunday

00:22:27.179 --> 00:22:28.599
 and they would miss

00:22:28.599 --> 00:22:29.099
 two to three

00:22:29.099 --> 00:22:30.099
 or four weeks a year

00:22:30.099 --> 00:22:31.059
 and we call those

00:22:31.059 --> 00:22:32.699
 active participants

00:22:32.699 --> 00:22:33.199
 right

00:22:33.199 --> 00:22:34.419
 we all knew

00:22:34.419 --> 00:22:34.799
 what it was

00:22:34.799 --> 00:22:35.919
 he's active

00:22:35.919 --> 00:22:36.899
 in his church

00:22:36.899 --> 00:22:37.220
 it meant

00:22:37.220 --> 00:22:37.740
 he's there

00:22:37.740 --> 00:22:38.720
 just about every time

00:22:38.720 --> 00:22:39.440
 the doors are open

00:22:39.440 --> 00:22:40.720
 he's there

00:22:40.720 --> 00:22:42.180
 at least four

00:22:42.180 --> 00:22:43.559
 or five Sundays

00:22:43.559 --> 00:22:45.019
 out of the month

00:22:45.019 --> 00:22:45.700
 occasionally

00:22:45.700 --> 00:22:46.220
 he'll be off

00:22:46.220 --> 00:22:46.819
 on vacation

00:22:46.819 --> 00:22:47.360
 occasionally

00:22:47.360 --> 00:22:47.940
 after work

00:22:47.940 --> 00:22:48.339
 occasionally

00:22:48.339 --> 00:22:48.940
 he'll be sick

00:22:48.940 --> 00:22:50.160
 but most all the time

00:22:50.160 --> 00:22:50.960
 he's there

00:22:50.960 --> 00:22:51.880
 then there was about

00:22:51.880 --> 00:22:53.240
 20% of the congregation

00:22:53.240 --> 00:22:54.600
 that are hit and miss

00:22:54.600 --> 00:22:56.039
 they'd come one Sunday

00:22:56.039 --> 00:22:57.039
 they'd miss the next

00:22:57.039 --> 00:22:58.079
 or they'd come two Sundays

00:22:58.079 --> 00:22:58.740
 and then they'd miss

00:22:58.740 --> 00:22:59.319
 the next two

00:22:59.319 --> 00:23:00.620
 or they'd come for a month

00:23:00.620 --> 00:23:01.200
 and then you wouldn't

00:23:01.200 --> 00:23:01.920
 see them for a month

00:23:01.920 --> 00:23:03.100
 you know what I'm talking about

00:23:03.100 --> 00:23:03.319
 right

00:23:03.319 --> 00:23:04.220
 and then you had

00:23:04.220 --> 00:23:05.259
 the third category person

00:23:05.259 --> 00:23:06.100
 and that's the ones

00:23:06.100 --> 00:23:06.600
 who showed up

00:23:06.600 --> 00:23:07.579
 on Christmas and Easter

00:23:07.579 --> 00:23:08.619
 they'd always come out

00:23:08.619 --> 00:23:09.079
 the door and say

00:23:09.079 --> 00:23:09.439
 pastor

00:23:09.439 --> 00:23:10.220
 is that the only

00:23:10.220 --> 00:23:10.779
 two messages

00:23:10.779 --> 00:23:11.299
 you got

00:23:11.299 --> 00:23:11.639
 well

00:23:11.639 --> 00:23:15.919
 come more often

00:23:15.919 --> 00:23:16.500
 maybe you'll hear

00:23:16.500 --> 00:23:17.059
 something different

00:23:17.059 --> 00:23:17.539
 you know

00:23:17.539 --> 00:23:20.159
 but around the year

00:23:20.159 --> 00:23:20.839
 2000

00:23:20.839 --> 00:23:22.599
 we not only

00:23:22.599 --> 00:23:23.379
 recognized

00:23:23.379 --> 00:23:24.039
 that Americans

00:23:24.039 --> 00:23:24.579
 have more

00:23:24.579 --> 00:23:25.460
 disposable income

00:23:25.460 --> 00:23:26.339
 they have more

00:23:26.339 --> 00:23:27.079
 what they view

00:23:27.079 --> 00:23:27.879
 as disposable

00:23:27.879 --> 00:23:28.779
 time

00:23:28.779 --> 00:23:30.939
 and what happened

00:23:30.939 --> 00:23:31.359
 was this

00:23:31.359 --> 00:23:32.299
 it got to be

00:23:32.299 --> 00:23:32.779
 okay

00:23:32.779 --> 00:23:34.579
 for folk

00:23:34.579 --> 00:23:35.139
 to miss

00:23:35.139 --> 00:23:36.119
 a couple

00:23:36.119 --> 00:23:36.699
 three Sundays

00:23:36.699 --> 00:23:37.139
 a month

00:23:37.140 --> 00:23:39.220
 and they could

00:23:39.220 --> 00:23:40.000
 go the

00:23:40.000 --> 00:23:41.000
 on vacation

00:23:41.000 --> 00:23:42.080
 and then next week

00:23:42.080 --> 00:23:43.020
 they might go to the lakes

00:23:43.020 --> 00:23:43.640
 they got a friend

00:23:43.640 --> 00:23:44.240
 that's got a lake house

00:23:44.240 --> 00:23:44.980
 they'll just go the way

00:23:44.980 --> 00:23:46.320
 or maybe

00:23:46.320 --> 00:23:47.000
 Wade just

00:23:47.000 --> 00:23:48.380
 worked hard this week

00:23:48.380 --> 00:23:49.420
 and we just need to sleep in

00:23:49.420 --> 00:23:50.340
 or I've got some yard work

00:23:50.340 --> 00:23:51.040
 I need to do

00:23:51.040 --> 00:23:52.940
 and it got to where

00:23:52.940 --> 00:23:53.980
 instead of

00:23:53.980 --> 00:23:54.980
 one or two groups

00:23:54.980 --> 00:23:55.540
 in the church

00:23:55.540 --> 00:23:57.280
 that 80% group

00:23:57.280 --> 00:23:58.020
 just disappeared

00:23:58.020 --> 00:23:59.940
 and

00:23:59.940 --> 00:24:01.200
 we redefined

00:24:01.200 --> 00:24:01.660
 what it was

00:24:01.660 --> 00:24:02.259
 to be active

00:24:02.259 --> 00:24:04.120
 people in their mind

00:24:04.120 --> 00:24:05.020
 think now

00:24:05.020 --> 00:24:05.900
 that active is

00:24:05.900 --> 00:24:06.880
 I show up a couple times

00:24:06.880 --> 00:24:07.480
 a month at church

00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:08.000
 I'm active

00:24:08.000 --> 00:24:10.519
 I've actually seen people

00:24:10.519 --> 00:24:11.320
 in times past

00:24:11.320 --> 00:24:12.000
 when I'm still a pastor

00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.380
 and I'd say

00:24:12.380 --> 00:24:13.180
 hey we missed you

00:24:13.180 --> 00:24:13.920
 the last couple of Sundays

00:24:13.920 --> 00:24:15.160
 and they'd look at you like

00:24:15.160 --> 00:24:16.560
 how dare you insult me

00:24:16.560 --> 00:24:17.060
 I'm active

00:24:17.060 --> 00:24:18.360
 I was here three weeks ago

00:24:18.360 --> 00:24:21.259
 you understand what I'm saying

00:24:21.259 --> 00:24:23.440
 the scripture

00:24:23.440 --> 00:24:24.640
 warns us

00:24:24.640 --> 00:24:25.640
 admonishes us

00:24:25.640 --> 00:24:27.380
 don't forsake the assembling

00:24:27.380 --> 00:24:28.560
 of yourselves together

00:24:28.560 --> 00:24:29.860
 as the matter of some is

00:24:29.860 --> 00:24:30.660
 you know

00:24:30.660 --> 00:24:31.680
 it's important

00:24:31.680 --> 00:24:33.539
 that we be faithful

00:24:33.539 --> 00:24:34.660
 to our church

00:24:34.660 --> 00:24:35.900
 that that become

00:24:35.900 --> 00:24:36.840
 a priority in your life

00:24:36.840 --> 00:24:37.500
 and I want to tell you

00:24:37.500 --> 00:24:38.660
 especially why

00:24:38.660 --> 00:24:40.180
 those of you

00:24:40.180 --> 00:24:40.799
 in this room

00:24:40.799 --> 00:24:41.620
 who maybe have fallen

00:24:41.620 --> 00:24:42.220
 in that category

00:24:42.220 --> 00:24:42.640
 where you say

00:24:42.640 --> 00:24:43.400
 well we go about

00:24:43.400 --> 00:24:44.220
 every other week

00:24:44.220 --> 00:24:45.860
 or we go two out of three weeks

00:24:45.860 --> 00:24:47.299
 can I tell you something

00:24:47.299 --> 00:24:49.120
 your parents went more often

00:24:49.120 --> 00:24:49.560
 than that

00:24:49.560 --> 00:24:50.340
 for the most part

00:24:50.340 --> 00:24:50.940
 now some of you

00:24:50.940 --> 00:24:51.500
 may have come from

00:24:51.500 --> 00:24:52.360
 non-Christian homes

00:24:52.360 --> 00:24:53.580
 but

00:24:53.580 --> 00:24:55.200
 attendance has been declining

00:24:55.200 --> 00:24:56.340
 in terms of people's

00:24:56.340 --> 00:24:57.820
 habits of regularity

00:24:57.820 --> 00:24:59.820
 for the last 20-30 years

00:24:59.819 --> 00:25:00.919
 and I want to tell you something

00:25:00.919 --> 00:25:02.000
 you're going to live to regret

00:25:02.000 --> 00:25:03.159
 the time's going to come

00:25:03.159 --> 00:25:04.179
 when you see your children

00:25:04.179 --> 00:25:04.859
 leave home

00:25:04.859 --> 00:25:06.220
 you're going to find out

00:25:06.220 --> 00:25:06.700
 rather than come

00:25:06.700 --> 00:25:08.099
 once or twice a month

00:25:08.099 --> 00:25:09.919
 they're not going to come at all

00:25:09.919 --> 00:25:12.919
 because you're signaling them

00:25:12.919 --> 00:25:13.799
 it's okay

00:25:13.799 --> 00:25:14.919
 not to be faithful

00:25:14.919 --> 00:25:15.619
 in my attendance

00:25:15.619 --> 00:25:17.939
 it's just not that important

00:25:17.939 --> 00:25:19.079
 I can still love God

00:25:19.079 --> 00:25:19.720
 and I can still

00:25:19.720 --> 00:25:20.879
 you see what I'm saying

00:25:20.879 --> 00:25:22.960
 you don't want to do that

00:25:22.960 --> 00:25:24.299
 these people

00:25:24.299 --> 00:25:25.980
 they were faithful

00:25:25.980 --> 00:25:26.759
 in their

00:25:26.759 --> 00:25:27.659
 attendance

00:25:27.659 --> 00:25:28.839
 to church

00:25:28.839 --> 00:25:31.079
 seventh thing

00:25:31.079 --> 00:25:31.579
 I want you to see

00:25:31.579 --> 00:25:31.899
 is this

00:25:31.899 --> 00:25:32.839
 they got along well

00:25:32.839 --> 00:25:33.939
 and worked to protect

00:25:33.939 --> 00:25:34.459
 the harmony

00:25:34.459 --> 00:25:35.279
 of their fellowship

00:25:35.279 --> 00:25:36.399
 verse 46

00:25:36.399 --> 00:25:37.519
 the latter part of the verse

00:25:37.519 --> 00:25:38.939
 and broke bread

00:25:38.939 --> 00:25:39.919
 from house to house

00:25:39.919 --> 00:25:40.819
 they ate their food

00:25:40.819 --> 00:25:42.379
 with gladness

00:25:42.379 --> 00:25:44.299
 and simplicity

00:25:44.299 --> 00:25:45.519
 of heart

00:25:45.519 --> 00:25:47.439
 you know what that says

00:25:47.439 --> 00:25:49.559
 they got along

00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:51.480
 they liked

00:25:51.480 --> 00:25:52.240
 each other

00:25:52.240 --> 00:25:53.779
 you wouldn't meet

00:25:53.779 --> 00:25:54.539
 so often

00:25:54.539 --> 00:25:55.740
 and go to each other's

00:25:55.740 --> 00:25:56.119
 homes

00:25:56.119 --> 00:25:56.740
 and fellowship

00:25:56.740 --> 00:25:57.779
 and have your meals

00:25:57.779 --> 00:25:58.960
 and be involved

00:25:58.960 --> 00:25:59.599
 in that level

00:25:59.599 --> 00:26:00.359
 of discipleship

00:26:00.359 --> 00:26:00.819
 unless

00:26:00.819 --> 00:26:01.859
 you developed

00:26:01.859 --> 00:26:03.019
 a strong bond

00:26:03.019 --> 00:26:03.539
 with each other

00:26:03.539 --> 00:26:04.059
 these people

00:26:04.059 --> 00:26:05.039
 were friends

00:26:05.039 --> 00:26:06.139
 in and out

00:26:06.139 --> 00:26:06.819
 of church

00:26:06.819 --> 00:26:08.879
 they were their

00:26:08.879 --> 00:26:10.240
 closest associates

00:26:10.240 --> 00:26:11.240
 they were the ones

00:26:11.240 --> 00:26:11.879
 they were doing

00:26:11.879 --> 00:26:12.940
 life together with

00:26:12.940 --> 00:26:14.319
 and so as a result

00:26:14.319 --> 00:26:16.200
 man they protected

00:26:16.200 --> 00:26:17.059
 the fellowship

00:26:17.059 --> 00:26:18.000
 of their church

00:26:18.000 --> 00:26:19.119
 now you see that

00:26:19.119 --> 00:26:19.759
 in the epistles

00:26:19.759 --> 00:26:20.460
 of Paul

00:26:20.460 --> 00:26:22.720
 one of the churches

00:26:22.720 --> 00:26:23.359
 Paul liked

00:26:23.359 --> 00:26:24.299
 I believe the best

00:26:24.299 --> 00:26:24.899
 we had him here

00:26:24.899 --> 00:26:25.660
 right now in this state

00:26:25.660 --> 00:26:26.100
 he'd say Paul

00:26:26.100 --> 00:26:26.740
 of all the churches

00:26:26.740 --> 00:26:28.019
 you ever served at

00:26:28.019 --> 00:26:28.800
 which one you liked

00:26:28.800 --> 00:26:29.080
 the best

00:26:29.080 --> 00:26:29.440
 I don't know

00:26:29.440 --> 00:26:30.200
 which one he'd say

00:26:30.200 --> 00:26:31.480
 but he would tell you

00:26:31.480 --> 00:26:32.259
 one of the places

00:26:32.259 --> 00:26:33.040
 he liked the best

00:26:33.040 --> 00:26:33.980
 was the Philippians

00:26:33.980 --> 00:26:35.580
 they were good to it

00:26:35.580 --> 00:26:37.000
 and he wrote them

00:26:37.000 --> 00:26:38.660
 the book of Philippians

00:26:38.660 --> 00:26:39.840
 is about that relationship

00:26:39.840 --> 00:26:41.160
 but even in the midst

00:26:41.160 --> 00:26:41.640
 of this book

00:26:41.640 --> 00:26:42.300
 you know what he says

00:26:42.300 --> 00:26:43.240
 he said there are

00:26:43.240 --> 00:26:44.240
 two old girls

00:26:44.240 --> 00:26:45.080
 in that church

00:26:45.080 --> 00:26:46.320
 who man

00:26:46.320 --> 00:26:48.360
 they're fellow workers

00:26:48.360 --> 00:26:49.180
 with me in the ministry

00:26:49.180 --> 00:26:50.140
 and I love them both

00:26:50.140 --> 00:26:51.040
 but you know what I hear

00:26:51.040 --> 00:26:52.420
 I hear they're at odds

00:26:52.420 --> 00:26:52.960
 with each other

00:26:52.960 --> 00:26:53.779
 some of you go

00:26:53.779 --> 00:26:55.120
 and straighten that mess out

00:26:55.119 --> 00:26:56.819
 man don't

00:26:56.819 --> 00:26:57.879
 don't let them continue

00:26:57.879 --> 00:26:58.659
 to be at each other

00:26:58.659 --> 00:27:00.479
 work through that

00:27:00.479 --> 00:27:01.539
 to the Corinthians

00:27:01.539 --> 00:27:02.079
 a church

00:27:02.079 --> 00:27:02.919
 I think he probably

00:27:02.919 --> 00:27:03.939
 had a lot of problems with

00:27:03.939 --> 00:27:05.139
 he says hey

00:27:05.139 --> 00:27:06.159
 I hear

00:27:06.159 --> 00:27:07.579
 and I partially believe

00:27:07.579 --> 00:27:07.939
 it's true

00:27:07.939 --> 00:27:08.519
 because I'm hearing

00:27:08.519 --> 00:27:09.139
 so often

00:27:09.139 --> 00:27:10.579
 that there is actually

00:27:10.579 --> 00:27:12.559
 division among you

00:27:12.559 --> 00:27:13.539
 and he cites

00:27:13.539 --> 00:27:14.159
 some of the problems

00:27:14.159 --> 00:27:14.559
 and he says

00:27:14.559 --> 00:27:15.679
 you need to address

00:27:15.679 --> 00:27:16.419
 these problems

00:27:16.419 --> 00:27:17.519
 and you need to

00:27:17.519 --> 00:27:18.659
 discipline those folks

00:27:18.659 --> 00:27:19.559
 even if it means

00:27:19.559 --> 00:27:20.479
 putting them out

00:27:20.479 --> 00:27:21.359
 of the church

00:27:21.359 --> 00:27:22.539
 for the good

00:27:22.539 --> 00:27:23.379
 of the whole body

00:27:23.379 --> 00:27:24.559
 you need to do that

00:27:24.559 --> 00:27:26.339
 so this was

00:27:26.339 --> 00:27:27.559
 a tight-knit group

00:27:27.559 --> 00:27:29.159
 they loved each other

00:27:29.159 --> 00:27:29.859
 but I want to tell you

00:27:29.859 --> 00:27:30.119
 something

00:27:30.119 --> 00:27:32.899
 they weren't above

00:27:32.899 --> 00:27:33.700
 going to somebody

00:27:33.700 --> 00:27:34.200
 and saying hey

00:27:34.200 --> 00:27:34.720
 you know what

00:27:34.720 --> 00:27:36.480
 your life is drifted

00:27:36.480 --> 00:27:37.379
 away from the truth

00:27:37.379 --> 00:27:38.200
 and we need to call

00:27:38.200 --> 00:27:38.639
 you back

00:27:38.639 --> 00:27:39.240
 and you need to

00:27:39.240 --> 00:27:39.559
 repent

00:27:39.559 --> 00:27:40.679
 and if not

00:27:40.679 --> 00:27:41.159
 we're going to

00:27:41.159 --> 00:27:41.980
 practice church

00:27:41.980 --> 00:27:42.480
 discipline

00:27:42.480 --> 00:27:44.000
 in your life

00:27:44.000 --> 00:27:44.980
 and in our church

00:27:44.980 --> 00:27:47.919
 we have this notion

00:27:47.919 --> 00:27:48.279
 today

00:27:48.279 --> 00:27:50.579
 that to be loving

00:27:50.579 --> 00:27:51.940
 is always to be

00:27:51.940 --> 00:27:52.279
 gentle

00:27:52.279 --> 00:27:54.480
 but I'm telling you

00:27:54.480 --> 00:27:55.019
 to be loving

00:27:55.019 --> 00:27:55.539
 at times

00:27:55.539 --> 00:27:56.160
 is to be gentle

00:27:56.160 --> 00:27:56.840
 but at times

00:27:56.840 --> 00:27:57.860
 it's to say

00:27:57.860 --> 00:27:58.519
 we can't put up

00:27:58.519 --> 00:27:59.500
 with any foolishness

00:27:59.500 --> 00:28:01.820
 I raise my kids

00:28:01.820 --> 00:28:02.500
 on that principle

00:28:02.500 --> 00:28:04.080
 and I'm going to

00:28:04.080 --> 00:28:04.460
 love you

00:28:04.460 --> 00:28:04.980
 and as long as

00:28:04.980 --> 00:28:05.539
 I can be gentle

00:28:05.539 --> 00:28:06.180
 I'm going to be gentle

00:28:06.180 --> 00:28:06.600
 but I'm going to

00:28:06.600 --> 00:28:06.940
 tell you something

00:28:06.940 --> 00:28:07.519
 if I have to have

00:28:07.519 --> 00:28:08.640
 a firm hand with you

00:28:08.640 --> 00:28:09.820
 I'm going to

00:28:09.820 --> 00:28:10.900
 exercise a firm hand

00:28:10.900 --> 00:28:11.500
 because I'm going

00:28:11.500 --> 00:28:12.220
 to discipline you

00:28:12.220 --> 00:28:13.680
 because there's a way

00:28:13.680 --> 00:28:14.759
 I want you to turn out

00:28:14.759 --> 00:28:15.400
 and I don't want you

00:28:15.400 --> 00:28:16.279
 to be lawless

00:28:16.279 --> 00:28:16.720
 I don't want you

00:28:16.720 --> 00:28:17.539
 to be unruly

00:28:17.539 --> 00:28:17.980
 I don't want you

00:28:17.980 --> 00:28:19.120
 to be making trouble

00:28:19.119 --> 00:28:19.799
 all your life

00:28:19.799 --> 00:28:20.299
 for yourself

00:28:20.299 --> 00:28:21.139
 or for other folks

00:28:21.139 --> 00:28:22.359
 and so is their daddy

00:28:22.359 --> 00:28:24.199
 I discipline my children

00:28:24.199 --> 00:28:25.919
 and they love me

00:28:25.919 --> 00:28:26.579
 and respect me

00:28:26.579 --> 00:28:27.179
 for that

00:28:27.179 --> 00:28:29.279
 I want to tell you

00:28:29.279 --> 00:28:30.559
 I've been disappointed

00:28:30.559 --> 00:28:31.199
 at times

00:28:31.199 --> 00:28:32.219
 in the church

00:28:32.219 --> 00:28:34.299
 when I see

00:28:34.299 --> 00:28:35.099
 church people

00:28:35.099 --> 00:28:35.699
 sit back

00:28:35.699 --> 00:28:36.399
 and see somebody

00:28:36.399 --> 00:28:37.399
 in the church

00:28:37.399 --> 00:28:39.500
 who is unruly

00:28:39.500 --> 00:28:40.439
 who divides

00:28:40.439 --> 00:28:41.939
 who is

00:28:41.939 --> 00:28:43.279
 a sharp tongue

00:28:43.279 --> 00:28:45.299
 and leadership

00:28:45.299 --> 00:28:45.979
 in the church

00:28:45.979 --> 00:28:46.559
 and membership

00:28:46.559 --> 00:28:47.159
 in the church

00:28:47.159 --> 00:28:47.959
 just sits there

00:28:47.959 --> 00:28:49.099
 and never says a word

00:28:49.099 --> 00:28:50.740
 they think

00:28:50.740 --> 00:28:51.659
 they tell themselves

00:28:51.659 --> 00:28:52.579
 try to convince themselves

00:28:52.579 --> 00:28:54.000
 we're just being loving

00:28:54.000 --> 00:28:55.240
 we're just being patient

00:28:55.240 --> 00:28:56.579
 we're just being gracious

00:28:56.579 --> 00:28:58.179
 and sometimes

00:28:58.179 --> 00:28:58.759
 it's a matter

00:28:58.759 --> 00:28:59.779
 of being cowardly

00:28:59.779 --> 00:29:02.039
 before I left

00:29:02.039 --> 00:29:02.719
 Western Avenue

00:29:02.719 --> 00:29:03.859
 I'd been there

00:29:03.859 --> 00:29:04.899
 about 15 years

00:29:04.899 --> 00:29:06.339
 and one of the last

00:29:06.339 --> 00:29:07.059
 couple three years

00:29:07.059 --> 00:29:07.579
 I was there

00:29:07.579 --> 00:29:08.139
 we were having

00:29:08.139 --> 00:29:08.959
 a business meeting

00:29:08.959 --> 00:29:09.939
 and there was this lady

00:29:09.939 --> 00:29:11.179
 who from the very start

00:29:11.179 --> 00:29:12.740
 of my ministry there

00:29:12.740 --> 00:29:14.459
 she didn't do it often

00:29:14.459 --> 00:29:15.179
 but about once

00:29:15.179 --> 00:29:16.059
 every year

00:29:16.059 --> 00:29:16.779
 18 months

00:29:16.779 --> 00:29:17.459
 she was going to say

00:29:17.459 --> 00:29:18.159
 something in a business

00:29:18.160 --> 00:29:19.340
 meeting that was crass

00:29:19.340 --> 00:29:21.160
 she was going to pick

00:29:21.160 --> 00:29:22.680
 somebody apart

00:29:22.680 --> 00:29:24.279
 sometimes it was staff

00:29:24.279 --> 00:29:25.300
 sometimes it was me

00:29:25.300 --> 00:29:26.480
 sometimes it was a deacon

00:29:26.480 --> 00:29:26.900
 in the church

00:29:26.900 --> 00:29:28.060
 but she would just say

00:29:28.060 --> 00:29:28.920
 something that just

00:29:28.920 --> 00:29:30.040
 had a barb to it

00:29:30.040 --> 00:29:32.080
 and when she would do it

00:29:32.080 --> 00:29:32.900
 well people would just

00:29:32.900 --> 00:29:33.360
 wince

00:29:33.360 --> 00:29:34.360
 you could sit on

00:29:34.360 --> 00:29:35.380
 people didn't like it

00:29:35.380 --> 00:29:35.660
 in the congregation

00:29:35.660 --> 00:29:37.519
 they were a harmonious church

00:29:37.519 --> 00:29:39.300
 and they didn't like that

00:29:39.300 --> 00:29:41.040
 but she would say

00:29:41.040 --> 00:29:42.120
 and one Sunday night

00:29:42.120 --> 00:29:42.900
 in a business meeting

00:29:42.900 --> 00:29:44.740
 she had some pretty

00:29:44.740 --> 00:29:46.080
 sharp words for me

00:29:46.080 --> 00:29:47.540
 and she said

00:29:47.540 --> 00:29:48.220
 what she said

00:29:48.220 --> 00:29:49.100
 and I didn't say anything

00:29:49.100 --> 00:29:50.720
 and we went on

00:29:50.720 --> 00:29:51.380
 the business meeting

00:29:51.380 --> 00:29:52.080
 and when it was over

00:29:52.080 --> 00:29:53.200
 I looked over at my wife

00:29:53.200 --> 00:29:54.620
 and four or five women

00:29:54.620 --> 00:29:55.500
 had come and gathered

00:29:55.500 --> 00:29:56.240
 around my wife

00:29:56.240 --> 00:29:58.300
 because tears

00:29:58.300 --> 00:29:58.940
 were streaming

00:29:58.940 --> 00:29:59.980
 down her face

00:29:59.980 --> 00:30:01.340
 she didn't like to see me

00:30:01.340 --> 00:30:02.340
 get beat up like that

00:30:02.340 --> 00:30:03.400
 and so

00:30:03.400 --> 00:30:05.360
 they were huddling

00:30:05.360 --> 00:30:06.180
 around her

00:30:06.180 --> 00:30:07.240
 and I went over to her

00:30:07.240 --> 00:30:07.700
 and said

00:30:07.700 --> 00:30:08.320
 you ready to go

00:30:08.319 --> 00:30:10.099
 and I heard one of these

00:30:10.099 --> 00:30:11.119
 women say to my wife

00:30:11.119 --> 00:30:12.019
 she said

00:30:12.019 --> 00:30:13.319
 I want you to know

00:30:13.319 --> 00:30:14.539
 call this lady by name

00:30:14.539 --> 00:30:16.379
 says we all take her

00:30:16.379 --> 00:30:17.399
 with a grain of salt

00:30:17.399 --> 00:30:18.939
 don't pay that

00:30:18.939 --> 00:30:19.659
 any attention

00:30:19.659 --> 00:30:21.939
 we know how she is

00:30:21.939 --> 00:30:23.599
 she's always been

00:30:23.599 --> 00:30:24.319
 she was that way

00:30:24.319 --> 00:30:24.859
 with the last

00:30:24.859 --> 00:30:25.879
 she just got to say

00:30:25.879 --> 00:30:26.460
 what she says

00:30:26.460 --> 00:30:27.319
 she prides herself

00:30:27.319 --> 00:30:28.019
 in her frankness

00:30:28.019 --> 00:30:28.720
 and her candor

00:30:28.720 --> 00:30:30.579
 and we don't take her

00:30:30.579 --> 00:30:31.019
 seriously

00:30:31.019 --> 00:30:32.819
 she just says

00:30:32.819 --> 00:30:33.579
 what she says

00:30:33.579 --> 00:30:34.859
 and then she said

00:30:34.859 --> 00:30:36.779
 we want you to know

00:30:36.779 --> 00:30:38.859
 we're always behind you

00:30:38.859 --> 00:30:40.879
 we've always got your back

00:30:40.879 --> 00:30:42.660
 my wife

00:30:42.660 --> 00:30:43.420
 it was out of character

00:30:43.420 --> 00:30:43.799
 for her

00:30:43.799 --> 00:30:44.359
 because I'm the one

00:30:44.359 --> 00:30:45.379
 who's more opinionated

00:30:45.379 --> 00:30:47.940
 but she looked that lady

00:30:47.940 --> 00:30:48.440
 in the face

00:30:48.440 --> 00:30:49.019
 and she said

00:30:49.019 --> 00:30:50.059
 that's the problem

00:30:50.059 --> 00:30:51.720
 there are times

00:30:51.720 --> 00:30:52.359
 I wish you were

00:30:52.359 --> 00:30:53.180
 in front of us

00:30:53.180 --> 00:30:54.579
 instead of behind us

00:30:54.579 --> 00:30:58.119
 you hear what I'm saying

00:30:58.119 --> 00:31:00.680
 you've been in those

00:31:00.680 --> 00:31:01.500
 meetings haven't you

00:31:01.500 --> 00:31:03.599
 where somebody said

00:31:03.599 --> 00:31:03.859
 something

00:31:03.859 --> 00:31:04.359
 you just knew

00:31:04.359 --> 00:31:05.299
 that's not

00:31:05.299 --> 00:31:06.319
 Christian behavior

00:31:06.319 --> 00:31:06.839
 that's not how

00:31:06.839 --> 00:31:07.559
 we should act

00:31:07.559 --> 00:31:09.659
 and I'm telling you

00:31:09.659 --> 00:31:11.159
 it would be a good thing

00:31:11.159 --> 00:31:12.220
 if in those moments

00:31:12.220 --> 00:31:15.220
 you went to that person

00:31:15.220 --> 00:31:15.980
 either publicly

00:31:15.980 --> 00:31:16.700
 or privately

00:31:16.700 --> 00:31:18.079
 depending on the situation

00:31:18.079 --> 00:31:19.379
 how bad it is

00:31:19.379 --> 00:31:20.119
 and say

00:31:20.119 --> 00:31:20.579
 you know what

00:31:20.579 --> 00:31:21.259
 we love you

00:31:21.259 --> 00:31:22.139
 we're not going to

00:31:22.139 --> 00:31:22.879
 tolerate it here

00:31:22.879 --> 00:31:24.000
 at First Baptist Pickens

00:31:24.000 --> 00:31:25.159
 that's not how we behave

00:31:25.159 --> 00:31:27.240
 that's not how the Bible

00:31:27.240 --> 00:31:28.599
 instructs kingdom people

00:31:28.599 --> 00:31:29.220
 to behave

00:31:29.220 --> 00:31:30.399
 and say

00:31:30.399 --> 00:31:31.599
 you can't do that here

00:31:31.599 --> 00:31:32.220
 if you're going to do that

00:31:32.220 --> 00:31:32.599
 you're going to have to

00:31:32.599 --> 00:31:33.359
 go somewhere else

00:31:33.359 --> 00:31:34.500
 because

00:31:34.500 --> 00:31:36.740
 we just can't tolerate that

00:31:36.740 --> 00:31:39.079
 they guarded

00:31:39.079 --> 00:31:39.979
 the fellowship

00:31:39.979 --> 00:31:40.459
 of the church

00:31:40.459 --> 00:31:41.019
 and I'm going to tell you

00:31:41.019 --> 00:31:41.159
 something

00:31:41.159 --> 00:31:42.759
 a church that doesn't

00:31:42.759 --> 00:31:43.659
 guard the fellowship

00:31:43.659 --> 00:31:44.219
 of the church

00:31:44.219 --> 00:31:44.819
 is a church

00:31:44.819 --> 00:31:45.399
 that one day

00:31:45.399 --> 00:31:46.139
 will be in trouble

00:31:46.139 --> 00:31:48.199
 if you think

00:31:48.199 --> 00:31:49.339
 harmony just happens

00:31:49.339 --> 00:31:50.659
 and unity just happens

00:31:50.659 --> 00:31:51.779
 you're mistaken

00:31:51.779 --> 00:31:52.719
 you've got to guard it

00:31:52.719 --> 00:31:53.719
 you've got to prize it

00:31:53.719 --> 00:31:55.959
 I hit my odometer

00:31:55.959 --> 00:31:56.539
 this morning

00:31:56.539 --> 00:31:57.799
 five miles

00:31:57.799 --> 00:31:58.479
 from the church

00:31:58.479 --> 00:32:00.159
 going that direction

00:32:00.159 --> 00:32:00.939
 on highway 8

00:32:00.940 --> 00:32:02.059
 because I'd noticed

00:32:02.059 --> 00:32:02.640
 this before

00:32:02.640 --> 00:32:03.559
 and I had my wife

00:32:03.559 --> 00:32:04.180
 who was in the dark

00:32:04.180 --> 00:32:04.600
 this morning

00:32:04.600 --> 00:32:05.160
 because of the time

00:32:05.160 --> 00:32:05.720
 moving back

00:32:05.720 --> 00:32:07.259
 I think I got them all

00:32:07.259 --> 00:32:07.779
 I'm not sure

00:32:07.779 --> 00:32:10.039
 but you know how many

00:32:10.039 --> 00:32:11.120
 churches there are

00:32:11.120 --> 00:32:12.200
 from just five miles

00:32:12.200 --> 00:32:12.960
 down this road

00:32:12.960 --> 00:32:14.860
 to this spot right here

00:32:14.860 --> 00:32:16.680
 there are either

00:32:16.680 --> 00:32:18.320
 16 or 17 churches

00:32:18.320 --> 00:32:19.019
 down that road

00:32:19.019 --> 00:32:20.360
 in a five mile distance

00:32:20.360 --> 00:32:22.860
 you think that's all

00:32:22.860 --> 00:32:23.559
 about missions

00:32:23.559 --> 00:32:25.860
 you think that's all

00:32:25.860 --> 00:32:26.539
 about spreading

00:32:26.539 --> 00:32:27.160
 the gospel

00:32:27.160 --> 00:32:27.980
 of the Lord Jesus

00:32:27.980 --> 00:32:30.380
 are you like me

00:32:30.380 --> 00:32:31.079
 are you a little bit

00:32:31.079 --> 00:32:31.880
 suspicious that

00:32:31.880 --> 00:32:33.339
 we just can't get

00:32:33.339 --> 00:32:34.140
 along one another

00:32:34.140 --> 00:32:36.059
 isn't that the case

00:32:36.059 --> 00:32:37.700
 you hear about that

00:32:37.700 --> 00:32:38.059
 old guy

00:32:38.059 --> 00:32:38.700
 he was rescued

00:32:38.700 --> 00:32:39.579
 from this island

00:32:39.579 --> 00:32:41.660
 and he'd been

00:32:41.660 --> 00:32:42.640
 missing five years

00:32:42.640 --> 00:32:43.440
 and when they got there

00:32:43.440 --> 00:32:44.420
 they said

00:32:44.420 --> 00:32:45.900
 hey we spotted you

00:32:45.900 --> 00:32:46.400
 by a plane

00:32:46.400 --> 00:32:47.019
 and we came back

00:32:47.019 --> 00:32:47.839
 to rescue you

00:32:47.839 --> 00:32:48.480
 and so they're

00:32:48.480 --> 00:32:49.079
 putting him

00:32:49.079 --> 00:32:50.559
 in the helicopter

00:32:50.559 --> 00:32:51.559
 to get him out of there

00:32:51.559 --> 00:32:52.579
 and this guy

00:32:52.579 --> 00:32:53.360
 who was flying

00:32:53.360 --> 00:32:53.779
 the helicopter

00:32:53.779 --> 00:32:54.099
 said

00:32:54.099 --> 00:32:55.539
 hey you got

00:32:55.539 --> 00:32:56.519
 three outbuildings

00:32:56.519 --> 00:32:56.799
 out here

00:32:56.799 --> 00:32:57.720
 what are these buildings

00:32:57.720 --> 00:32:58.100
 he said

00:32:58.100 --> 00:32:59.140
 well that's my house

00:32:59.140 --> 00:33:00.600
 okay well

00:33:00.600 --> 00:33:01.720
 what's that other building

00:33:01.720 --> 00:33:02.059
 he said

00:33:02.059 --> 00:33:02.460
 well that's where

00:33:02.460 --> 00:33:03.200
 I go to church

00:33:03.200 --> 00:33:04.579
 he said

00:33:04.579 --> 00:33:05.019
 well what's that

00:33:05.019 --> 00:33:05.519
 other building

00:33:05.519 --> 00:33:05.759
 he said

00:33:05.759 --> 00:33:06.180
 well that's where

00:33:06.180 --> 00:33:07.140
 I used to go to church

00:33:07.140 --> 00:33:13.740
 that's why you got

00:33:13.740 --> 00:33:14.400
 17 buildings

00:33:14.400 --> 00:33:15.000
 down this road

00:33:15.000 --> 00:33:15.940
 you understand

00:33:15.940 --> 00:33:17.880
 because

00:33:17.880 --> 00:33:19.400
 we don't take seriously

00:33:19.400 --> 00:33:20.279
 working out

00:33:20.279 --> 00:33:20.920
 our differences

00:33:20.920 --> 00:33:21.700
 and guarding

00:33:21.700 --> 00:33:22.440
 our harmony

00:33:22.440 --> 00:33:23.180
 and guarding

00:33:23.180 --> 00:33:23.920
 our unity

00:33:23.920 --> 00:33:25.380
 it's just easier

00:33:25.380 --> 00:33:25.799
 to pick up

00:33:25.799 --> 00:33:26.680
 and go somewhere else

00:33:26.680 --> 00:33:29.680
 I want you to see

00:33:29.680 --> 00:33:31.539
 an 8 thing

00:33:31.539 --> 00:33:34.160
 they were looked on

00:33:34.160 --> 00:33:35.120
 with favor

00:33:35.120 --> 00:33:37.080
 by the outside world

00:33:37.080 --> 00:33:38.120
 verse 47

00:33:38.120 --> 00:33:38.380
 8

00:33:38.380 --> 00:33:39.500
 praising God

00:33:39.500 --> 00:33:40.560
 and having favor

00:33:40.560 --> 00:33:42.279
 with all the people

00:33:42.279 --> 00:33:43.519
 that means just those

00:33:43.519 --> 00:33:44.080
 in the church

00:33:44.080 --> 00:33:44.860
 that's what we just

00:33:44.860 --> 00:33:45.840
 got through talking about

00:33:45.840 --> 00:33:47.480
 here he's talking about

00:33:47.480 --> 00:33:48.740
 having favor with people

00:33:48.740 --> 00:33:50.680
 outside the church

00:33:50.680 --> 00:33:53.100
 I just got to tell you

00:33:53.100 --> 00:33:56.200
 if you're the church

00:33:56.200 --> 00:33:57.660
 that God has called you

00:33:57.660 --> 00:33:57.860
 to be

00:33:57.860 --> 00:33:58.320
 and you're going to

00:33:58.320 --> 00:33:58.960
 stand on biblical

00:33:58.960 --> 00:33:59.519
 principles

00:33:59.519 --> 00:34:01.480
 the people in the world

00:34:01.480 --> 00:34:02.160
 are not always going to

00:34:02.160 --> 00:34:02.640
 like everything

00:34:02.640 --> 00:34:03.460
 you got to say

00:34:03.460 --> 00:34:05.900
 there are going to be

00:34:05.900 --> 00:34:07.060
 times that the world

00:34:07.060 --> 00:34:07.900
 is not going to like

00:34:07.900 --> 00:34:08.480
 your pastor

00:34:08.480 --> 00:34:09.320
 or your staff

00:34:09.320 --> 00:34:09.980
 or you

00:34:09.980 --> 00:34:11.220
 because of your

00:34:11.220 --> 00:34:12.139
 standing on abortion

00:34:12.139 --> 00:34:12.760
 or about

00:34:12.760 --> 00:34:14.639
 homosexuality

00:34:14.639 --> 00:34:15.240
 or about

00:34:15.240 --> 00:34:16.159
 transgender

00:34:16.159 --> 00:34:17.719
 situations

00:34:17.719 --> 00:34:19.639
 about alcohol

00:34:19.639 --> 00:34:20.639
 and drugs

00:34:20.639 --> 00:34:21.279
 and I could just

00:34:21.279 --> 00:34:22.339
 go on and on

00:34:22.339 --> 00:34:23.239
 and on and on

00:34:23.239 --> 00:34:24.739
 many people

00:34:24.739 --> 00:34:25.319
 when they hear

00:34:25.319 --> 00:34:26.119
 the word of God

00:34:26.119 --> 00:34:26.379
 preach

00:34:26.379 --> 00:34:26.839
 are going to be

00:34:26.839 --> 00:34:27.940
 offended by it

00:34:27.940 --> 00:34:29.139
 and they're going to

00:34:29.139 --> 00:34:30.440
 be angry with you

00:34:30.440 --> 00:34:32.299
 it's one thing

00:34:32.299 --> 00:34:32.960
 for them to be

00:34:32.960 --> 00:34:33.379
 offended

00:34:33.379 --> 00:34:34.059
 it's one thing

00:34:34.059 --> 00:34:34.659
 for them to be

00:34:34.659 --> 00:34:35.039
 angry

00:34:35.039 --> 00:34:35.539
 and it's another

00:34:35.539 --> 00:34:36.019
 thing for you

00:34:36.019 --> 00:34:36.480
 to give them

00:34:36.480 --> 00:34:37.619
 just cause

00:34:37.619 --> 00:34:40.500
 and some

00:34:40.500 --> 00:34:41.239
 believers

00:34:41.239 --> 00:34:43.179
 some ministers

00:34:43.179 --> 00:34:45.400
 they live such

00:34:45.400 --> 00:34:46.519
 unscrupulous lives

00:34:46.519 --> 00:34:47.219
 that when people

00:34:47.219 --> 00:34:47.799
 see them

00:34:47.799 --> 00:34:49.559
 on the outside

00:34:49.559 --> 00:34:50.859
 they discredit

00:34:50.859 --> 00:34:51.420
 their testimony

00:34:51.420 --> 00:34:52.019
 because they say

00:34:52.019 --> 00:34:52.599
 man that guy

00:34:52.599 --> 00:34:53.199
 comes in the

00:34:53.199 --> 00:34:53.539
 restaurant

00:34:53.539 --> 00:34:54.539
 and he's just

00:34:54.539 --> 00:34:55.079
 rude

00:34:55.079 --> 00:34:57.019
 he's just

00:34:57.019 --> 00:34:57.859
 he's just

00:34:57.859 --> 00:34:58.400
 rude

00:34:58.400 --> 00:35:00.019
 may that never

00:35:00.019 --> 00:35:00.639
 be said about

00:35:00.639 --> 00:35:01.159
 anybody here

00:35:01.159 --> 00:35:01.779
 at First Baptist

00:35:01.779 --> 00:35:02.679
 Church of Pickens

00:35:02.679 --> 00:35:04.059
 when I was

00:35:04.059 --> 00:35:04.519
 serving in

00:35:04.519 --> 00:35:04.960
 Statesville

00:35:04.960 --> 00:35:05.480
 there was

00:35:05.480 --> 00:35:07.239
 a time where

00:35:07.239 --> 00:35:08.239
 I was asked

00:35:08.239 --> 00:35:08.819
 to serve as

00:35:08.819 --> 00:35:09.239
 chairman of

00:35:09.239 --> 00:35:09.659
 this group

00:35:09.659 --> 00:35:10.019
 that was

00:35:10.019 --> 00:35:10.359
 going to

00:35:10.359 --> 00:35:10.679
 fight a

00:35:10.679 --> 00:35:11.239
 liquor issue

00:35:11.239 --> 00:35:11.859
 in our town

00:35:11.859 --> 00:35:13.079
 and I had

00:35:13.079 --> 00:35:13.439
 to go down

00:35:13.439 --> 00:35:13.639
 to the

00:35:13.639 --> 00:35:14.019
 chamber of

00:35:14.019 --> 00:35:14.319
 commerce

00:35:14.319 --> 00:35:14.839
 because the

00:35:14.839 --> 00:35:15.279
 guy who

00:35:15.279 --> 00:35:15.739
 was leading

00:35:15.739 --> 00:35:16.779
 the fight

00:35:16.779 --> 00:35:17.559
 for this

00:35:17.559 --> 00:35:18.099
 liquor thing

00:35:18.099 --> 00:35:18.419
 was the

00:35:18.419 --> 00:35:18.919
 president of

00:35:18.919 --> 00:35:19.359
 the chamber

00:35:19.359 --> 00:35:20.459
 in Statesville

00:35:20.459 --> 00:35:21.159
 North Carolina

00:35:21.159 --> 00:35:22.459
 and so when I

00:35:22.459 --> 00:35:23.119
 walked into his

00:35:23.119 --> 00:35:23.959
 office for a

00:35:23.959 --> 00:35:24.699
 preliminary meeting

00:35:24.699 --> 00:35:25.959
 he said now

00:35:25.959 --> 00:35:26.959
 you're the guy

00:35:26.959 --> 00:35:27.619
 at Western Amity

00:35:27.619 --> 00:35:27.959
 right

00:35:27.959 --> 00:35:28.439
 and I said

00:35:28.439 --> 00:35:29.099
 yes sir I am

00:35:29.099 --> 00:35:30.159
 and he said

00:35:30.159 --> 00:35:30.659
 the guy who

00:35:30.659 --> 00:35:30.919
 was your

00:35:30.919 --> 00:35:31.299
 predecessor

00:35:31.299 --> 00:35:31.939
 was Jake

00:35:31.939 --> 00:35:32.479
 Honeycutt

00:35:32.479 --> 00:35:32.899
 wasn't it

00:35:32.899 --> 00:35:33.619
 I mentioned Jake

00:35:33.619 --> 00:35:34.039
 a few weeks

00:35:34.039 --> 00:35:34.439
 ago to y'all

00:35:34.439 --> 00:35:34.959
 and he said

00:35:34.959 --> 00:35:36.039
 I said yes

00:35:36.039 --> 00:35:37.119
 and he said

00:35:37.119 --> 00:35:37.519
 you know

00:35:37.519 --> 00:35:38.279
 I don't know

00:35:38.279 --> 00:35:38.559
 if you know

00:35:38.559 --> 00:35:38.920
 this or not

00:35:38.920 --> 00:35:39.420
 but Jake

00:35:39.420 --> 00:35:39.719
 and I

00:35:39.719 --> 00:35:40.299
 locked it up

00:35:40.299 --> 00:35:40.679
 like you

00:35:40.679 --> 00:35:40.900
 and I

00:35:40.900 --> 00:35:41.099
 didn't

00:35:41.099 --> 00:35:41.359
 ready to

00:35:41.359 --> 00:35:41.699
 lock it

00:35:41.699 --> 00:35:41.940
 up

00:35:41.940 --> 00:35:43.279
 about 10

00:35:43.279 --> 00:35:44.099
 years ago

00:35:44.099 --> 00:35:44.739
 over the

00:35:44.739 --> 00:35:45.119
 issue of

00:35:45.119 --> 00:35:45.400
 liquor

00:35:45.400 --> 00:35:46.480
 and I said

00:35:46.480 --> 00:35:46.980
 yeah that's

00:35:46.980 --> 00:35:47.500
 what I hear

00:35:47.500 --> 00:35:48.519
 and he said

00:35:48.519 --> 00:35:48.960
 I'll tell you

00:35:48.960 --> 00:35:49.239
 something

00:35:49.239 --> 00:35:50.420
 even though

00:35:50.420 --> 00:35:51.039
 he and I

00:35:51.039 --> 00:35:51.539
 went toe

00:35:51.539 --> 00:35:51.900
 to toe

00:35:51.900 --> 00:35:52.339
 and nose

00:35:52.339 --> 00:35:52.900
 to nose

00:35:52.900 --> 00:35:53.420
 and it

00:35:53.420 --> 00:35:54.440
 got hot

00:35:54.440 --> 00:35:55.059
 sometimes

00:35:55.059 --> 00:35:56.139
 he said

00:35:56.139 --> 00:35:56.420
 I hope

00:35:56.420 --> 00:35:56.679
 you're as

00:35:56.679 --> 00:35:57.159
 nice a guy

00:35:57.159 --> 00:35:57.940
 as he was

00:35:57.940 --> 00:35:59.179
 because he

00:35:59.179 --> 00:35:59.480
 said I'm

00:35:59.480 --> 00:35:59.619
 going to

00:35:59.619 --> 00:35:59.819
 tell you

00:35:59.819 --> 00:35:59.920
 something

00:35:59.920 --> 00:36:00.119
 I don't

00:36:00.119 --> 00:36:00.460
 have anything

00:36:00.460 --> 00:36:00.859
 but good

00:36:00.859 --> 00:36:01.219
 things to

00:36:01.219 --> 00:36:01.539
 say about

00:36:01.539 --> 00:36:01.960
 that guy

00:36:01.960 --> 00:36:03.440
 he said

00:36:03.440 --> 00:36:03.920
 man he

00:36:03.920 --> 00:36:04.319
 was a man

00:36:04.320 --> 00:36:04.900
 of character

00:36:04.900 --> 00:36:05.480
 and a man

00:36:05.480 --> 00:36:06.200
 who is gracious

00:36:06.200 --> 00:36:07.200
 and a man

00:36:07.200 --> 00:36:07.920
 who is loving

00:36:07.920 --> 00:36:09.160
 and I want to

00:36:09.160 --> 00:36:09.460
 tell you something

00:36:09.460 --> 00:36:10.300
 that's how it

00:36:10.300 --> 00:36:10.600
 ought to be

00:36:10.600 --> 00:36:11.140
 with every one

00:36:11.140 --> 00:36:11.500
 of us in

00:36:11.500 --> 00:36:11.880
 this room

00:36:11.880 --> 00:36:12.920
 we might have

00:36:12.920 --> 00:36:13.500
 to disagree

00:36:13.500 --> 00:36:14.039
 with somebody

00:36:14.039 --> 00:36:14.600
 we don't

00:36:14.600 --> 00:36:14.980
 ever have

00:36:14.980 --> 00:36:15.180
 to be

00:36:15.180 --> 00:36:15.740
 disagreeable

00:36:15.740 --> 00:36:16.120
 do we

00:36:16.120 --> 00:36:17.420
 we ought

00:36:17.420 --> 00:36:17.620
 to be

00:36:17.620 --> 00:36:17.940
 people

00:36:17.940 --> 00:36:18.400
 whose

00:36:18.400 --> 00:36:19.920
 lives

00:36:19.920 --> 00:36:20.300
 are found

00:36:20.300 --> 00:36:20.760
 in favor

00:36:20.760 --> 00:36:21.120
 with the

00:36:21.120 --> 00:36:21.320
 world

00:36:21.320 --> 00:36:21.760
 and then

00:36:21.760 --> 00:36:21.960
 there's

00:36:21.960 --> 00:36:22.460
 one last

00:36:22.460 --> 00:36:22.640
 thing

00:36:22.640 --> 00:36:22.880
 and I

00:36:22.880 --> 00:36:23.360
 close

00:36:23.360 --> 00:36:24.700
 they

00:36:24.700 --> 00:36:25.280
 partnered

00:36:25.280 --> 00:36:25.860
 together

00:36:25.860 --> 00:36:26.519
 in getting

00:36:26.519 --> 00:36:26.920
 out the

00:36:26.920 --> 00:36:27.300
 gospel

00:36:27.300 --> 00:36:27.840
 look at

00:36:27.840 --> 00:36:28.500
 verse 47

00:36:28.500 --> 00:36:29.000
 I love

00:36:29.000 --> 00:36:29.320
 this

00:36:29.320 --> 00:36:30.840
 and every

00:36:30.840 --> 00:36:31.460
 day

00:36:31.460 --> 00:36:32.080
 the Lord

00:36:32.080 --> 00:36:32.660
 added to

00:36:32.660 --> 00:36:33.140
 those

00:36:33.140 --> 00:36:34.300
 added to

00:36:34.300 --> 00:36:34.600
 them

00:36:34.600 --> 00:36:34.840
 rather

00:36:34.840 --> 00:36:35.460
 those

00:36:35.460 --> 00:36:36.039
 who

00:36:36.039 --> 00:36:36.539
 were

00:36:36.539 --> 00:36:37.680
 being

00:36:37.680 --> 00:36:38.880
 saved

00:36:38.880 --> 00:36:40.780
 can you

00:36:40.780 --> 00:36:41.300
 imagine

00:36:41.300 --> 00:36:41.740
 that

00:36:41.740 --> 00:36:44.080
 every

00:36:44.080 --> 00:36:44.880
 day

00:36:44.880 --> 00:36:46.060
 somebody

00:36:46.060 --> 00:36:46.539
 was being

00:36:46.539 --> 00:36:47.060
 saved

00:36:47.060 --> 00:36:48.820
 you know

00:36:48.820 --> 00:36:49.140
 there are

00:36:49.140 --> 00:36:49.560
 churches

00:36:49.560 --> 00:36:50.360
 right here

00:36:50.360 --> 00:36:51.019
 in Pickens

00:36:51.019 --> 00:36:51.840
 I'm not

00:36:51.840 --> 00:36:52.340
 making this

00:36:52.340 --> 00:36:52.720
 up

00:36:52.720 --> 00:36:54.000
 who in the

00:36:54.000 --> 00:36:54.440
 course of a

00:36:54.440 --> 00:36:54.560
 year

00:36:54.560 --> 00:36:55.700
 they never

00:36:55.700 --> 00:36:56.220
 baptized

00:36:56.220 --> 00:36:58.100
 anybody

00:36:58.100 --> 00:37:00.640
 all across

00:37:00.640 --> 00:37:01.019
 the state

00:37:01.019 --> 00:37:01.360
 of South

00:37:01.360 --> 00:37:01.660
 Carolina

00:37:01.660 --> 00:37:02.380
 there are

00:37:02.380 --> 00:37:02.960
 lots of

00:37:02.960 --> 00:37:03.220
 churches

00:37:03.220 --> 00:37:03.760
 that don't

00:37:03.760 --> 00:37:04.300
 baptize

00:37:04.300 --> 00:37:05.500
 a single

00:37:05.500 --> 00:37:06.320
 person

00:37:06.320 --> 00:37:07.200
 in the

00:37:07.200 --> 00:37:07.660
 course

00:37:07.660 --> 00:37:08.080
 of a

00:37:08.080 --> 00:37:08.420
 year

00:37:08.420 --> 00:37:10.320
 I know

00:37:10.320 --> 00:37:10.840
 without even

00:37:10.840 --> 00:37:11.340
 seeing the

00:37:11.340 --> 00:37:11.860
 records that

00:37:11.860 --> 00:37:12.340
 during these

00:37:12.340 --> 00:37:12.760
 two years

00:37:12.760 --> 00:37:13.300
 of COVID

00:37:13.300 --> 00:37:15.340
 fewer people

00:37:15.340 --> 00:37:15.680
 have been

00:37:15.680 --> 00:37:16.440
 baptized in

00:37:16.440 --> 00:37:16.920
 our Baptist

00:37:16.920 --> 00:37:17.400
 churches

00:37:17.400 --> 00:37:18.600
 than probably

00:37:18.600 --> 00:37:19.340
 in the last

00:37:19.340 --> 00:37:20.320
 hundred years

00:37:20.320 --> 00:37:22.800
 there's no

00:37:22.800 --> 00:37:23.580
 question that

00:37:23.580 --> 00:37:24.220
 COVID has

00:37:24.220 --> 00:37:24.880
 kept us from

00:37:24.880 --> 00:37:25.240
 being as

00:37:25.240 --> 00:37:25.920
 aggressive in

00:37:25.920 --> 00:37:27.280
 evangelism as

00:37:27.280 --> 00:37:27.820
 we were at

00:37:27.820 --> 00:37:28.180
 one time

00:37:28.180 --> 00:37:28.420
 but I'm

00:37:28.420 --> 00:37:28.780
 going to tell you

00:37:28.780 --> 00:37:28.920
 something

00:37:28.920 --> 00:37:29.680
 if this

00:37:29.680 --> 00:37:30.619
 becomes a

00:37:30.619 --> 00:37:30.980
 way of

00:37:30.980 --> 00:37:31.559
 life for

00:37:31.559 --> 00:37:31.740
 us

00:37:31.740 --> 00:37:32.320
 and we

00:37:32.320 --> 00:37:32.880
 just settle

00:37:32.880 --> 00:37:33.340
 in and say

00:37:33.340 --> 00:37:33.559
 you know

00:37:33.559 --> 00:37:33.700
 what

00:37:33.700 --> 00:37:34.780
 it's okay

00:37:34.780 --> 00:37:35.599
 that we

00:37:35.599 --> 00:37:36.260
 just minister

00:37:36.260 --> 00:37:36.720
 to our

00:37:36.720 --> 00:37:37.139
 own

00:37:37.139 --> 00:37:38.320
 and that we

00:37:38.320 --> 00:37:38.880
 not take

00:37:38.880 --> 00:37:39.460
 the gospel

00:37:39.460 --> 00:37:40.200
 out to the

00:37:40.200 --> 00:37:40.519
 nations

00:37:40.519 --> 00:37:41.159
 only take

00:37:41.159 --> 00:37:41.340
 them

00:37:41.340 --> 00:37:42.119
 we will

00:37:42.119 --> 00:37:42.360
 have

00:37:42.360 --> 00:37:43.000
 forfeited

00:37:43.000 --> 00:37:43.900
 our right

00:37:43.900 --> 00:37:44.260
 to be

00:37:44.260 --> 00:37:44.760
 called

00:37:44.760 --> 00:37:45.519
 church

00:37:45.519 --> 00:37:47.000
 we'll be

00:37:47.000 --> 00:37:47.680
 nothing more

00:37:47.680 --> 00:37:48.019
 than a

00:37:48.019 --> 00:37:48.380
 sacred

00:37:48.380 --> 00:37:49.019
 society

00:37:49.019 --> 00:37:49.980
 of secret

00:37:49.980 --> 00:37:50.700
 snobs

00:37:50.700 --> 00:37:52.420
 do you

00:37:52.420 --> 00:37:52.780
 understand

00:37:52.780 --> 00:37:53.039
 that

00:37:53.039 --> 00:37:55.219
 the church's

00:37:55.219 --> 00:37:55.759
 mission

00:37:55.759 --> 00:37:56.519
 is clear

00:37:56.519 --> 00:37:56.800
 cut

00:37:56.800 --> 00:37:57.239
 and that

00:37:57.239 --> 00:37:57.800
 mission is

00:37:57.800 --> 00:37:58.659
 to take

00:37:58.659 --> 00:37:59.340
 the gospel

00:37:59.340 --> 00:38:00.139
 to the

00:38:00.139 --> 00:38:00.719
 nations

00:38:00.719 --> 00:38:02.199
 as soon as

00:38:02.199 --> 00:38:02.500
 you're a new

00:38:02.500 --> 00:38:03.019
 pastor on

00:38:03.019 --> 00:38:03.380
 board I

00:38:03.380 --> 00:38:03.739
 hope you

00:38:03.739 --> 00:38:04.360
 quickly will

00:38:04.360 --> 00:38:04.880
 develop a

00:38:04.880 --> 00:38:05.480
 strategy where

00:38:05.480 --> 00:38:05.940
 you'll say

00:38:05.940 --> 00:38:07.619
 let's have a

00:38:07.619 --> 00:38:08.300
 strategy for

00:38:08.300 --> 00:38:08.800
 reaching

00:38:08.800 --> 00:38:10.239
 Pickens for

00:38:10.239 --> 00:38:10.779
 Christ

00:38:10.779 --> 00:38:12.539
 and then you'll

00:38:12.539 --> 00:38:13.139
 have a strategy

00:38:13.139 --> 00:38:13.920
 about how do

00:38:13.920 --> 00:38:14.800
 we influence

00:38:14.800 --> 00:38:16.219
 Pickens County

00:38:16.219 --> 00:38:16.980
 and Greenville

00:38:16.980 --> 00:38:17.619
 County for

00:38:17.619 --> 00:38:18.139
 Christ

00:38:18.139 --> 00:38:19.320
 and how do

00:38:19.320 --> 00:38:19.920
 we get the

00:38:19.920 --> 00:38:21.000
 gospel across

00:38:21.000 --> 00:38:21.679
 the state

00:38:21.679 --> 00:38:22.960
 and into the

00:38:22.960 --> 00:38:23.440
 nation

00:38:23.440 --> 00:38:24.800
 all 50

00:38:24.800 --> 00:38:25.360
 states

00:38:25.360 --> 00:38:26.280
 and how can

00:38:26.280 --> 00:38:26.780
 we be a

00:38:26.780 --> 00:38:27.579
 part of

00:38:27.579 --> 00:38:28.199
 bringing the

00:38:28.199 --> 00:38:28.639
 world to

00:38:28.639 --> 00:38:28.840
 Christ

00:38:28.840 --> 00:38:29.519
 how can we

00:38:29.519 --> 00:38:29.800
 give the

00:38:29.800 --> 00:38:30.380
 gospel to

00:38:30.380 --> 00:38:31.139
 the Ukraine

00:38:31.139 --> 00:38:31.619
 and to

00:38:31.619 --> 00:38:32.159
 Uganda

00:38:32.159 --> 00:38:33.139
 and to

00:38:33.139 --> 00:38:33.840
 places we've

00:38:33.840 --> 00:38:34.260
 never been

00:38:34.260 --> 00:38:34.740
 and may

00:38:34.740 --> 00:38:35.760
 never go

00:38:35.760 --> 00:38:37.960
 that's the

00:38:37.960 --> 00:38:38.679
 mission he's

00:38:38.679 --> 00:38:39.099
 given us

00:38:39.099 --> 00:38:39.840
 and if we

00:38:39.840 --> 00:38:40.280
 settle for

00:38:40.280 --> 00:38:41.220
 anything less

00:38:41.220 --> 00:38:41.740
 than that

00:38:41.740 --> 00:38:42.860
 we can be

00:38:42.860 --> 00:38:43.639
 good people

00:38:43.639 --> 00:38:44.320
 and having a

00:38:44.320 --> 00:38:44.900
 good time

00:38:44.900 --> 00:38:45.320
 and doing

00:38:45.320 --> 00:38:45.800
 some good

00:38:45.800 --> 00:38:46.220
 stuff

00:38:46.220 --> 00:38:46.800
 but I want

00:38:46.800 --> 00:38:47.039
 to tell you

00:38:47.039 --> 00:38:47.159
 something

00:38:47.159 --> 00:38:47.720
 you're not

00:38:47.720 --> 00:38:48.260
 a church

00:38:48.260 --> 00:38:49.740
 you're just

00:38:49.740 --> 00:38:50.400
 not a church

00:38:50.400 --> 00:38:52.460
 and I hope

00:38:52.460 --> 00:38:53.119
 you'll never

00:38:53.119 --> 00:38:54.000
 ever satisfy

00:38:54.000 --> 00:38:55.920
 to just be

00:38:55.920 --> 00:38:56.940
 a bunch of

00:38:56.940 --> 00:38:57.659
 good folk

00:38:57.659 --> 00:38:59.179
 who maybe

00:38:59.179 --> 00:38:59.900
 even love

00:38:59.900 --> 00:39:00.400
 the Lord

00:39:00.400 --> 00:39:01.699
 who are

00:39:01.699 --> 00:39:02.099
 looking

00:39:02.099 --> 00:39:04.260
 to him

00:39:04.260 --> 00:39:05.679
 to save

00:39:05.679 --> 00:39:05.920
 them

00:39:05.920 --> 00:39:07.460
 but have

00:39:07.460 --> 00:39:08.159
 no regard

00:39:08.159 --> 00:39:08.599
 for people

00:39:08.599 --> 00:39:08.940
 in the world

00:39:08.940 --> 00:39:09.260
 who don't

00:39:09.260 --> 00:39:09.980
 know Christ

00:39:09.980 --> 00:39:11.539
 let's bow

00:39:11.539 --> 00:39:12.000
 together in

00:39:12.000 --> 00:39:12.179
 prayer

00:39:12.179 --> 00:39:12.579
 Father

00:39:12.579 --> 00:39:14.659
 I pray this

00:39:14.659 --> 00:39:15.199
 morning that

00:39:15.199 --> 00:39:15.619
 you would

00:39:15.619 --> 00:39:16.780
 convince us

00:39:16.780 --> 00:39:17.340
 leadership

00:39:17.340 --> 00:39:18.600
 staff

00:39:18.600 --> 00:39:19.720
 members

00:39:19.720 --> 00:39:20.320
 alike

00:39:20.320 --> 00:39:22.280
 that this

00:39:22.280 --> 00:39:22.760
 is the

00:39:22.760 --> 00:39:23.140
 pattern

00:39:23.140 --> 00:39:23.539
 that we're

00:39:23.539 --> 00:39:24.039
 to follow

00:39:24.039 --> 00:39:25.380
 we don't

00:39:25.380 --> 00:39:25.680
 have to

00:39:25.680 --> 00:39:26.340
 reinvent the

00:39:26.340 --> 00:39:26.559
 wheel

00:39:26.559 --> 00:39:26.800
 Lord

00:39:26.800 --> 00:39:27.240
 we just

00:39:27.240 --> 00:39:27.519
 have to

00:39:27.519 --> 00:39:27.780
 get on

00:39:27.780 --> 00:39:28.000
 board

00:39:28.000 --> 00:39:28.420
 with what

00:39:28.420 --> 00:39:28.800
 you've

00:39:28.800 --> 00:39:29.039
 already

00:39:29.039 --> 00:39:29.519
 told us

00:39:29.519 --> 00:39:29.920
 in scripture

00:39:29.920 --> 00:39:30.320
 we ought

00:39:30.320 --> 00:39:30.500
 to be

00:39:30.500 --> 00:39:30.780
 about

00:39:30.780 --> 00:39:31.480
 and I

00:39:31.480 --> 00:39:32.019
 pray God

00:39:32.019 --> 00:39:32.380
 that we'd

00:39:32.380 --> 00:39:32.980
 always hold

00:39:32.980 --> 00:39:33.539
 this standard

00:39:33.539 --> 00:39:34.180
 up before

00:39:34.180 --> 00:39:34.579
 ourselves

00:39:34.579 --> 00:39:35.120
 we'd go

00:39:35.120 --> 00:39:35.559
 back and

00:39:35.559 --> 00:39:35.980
 check from

00:39:35.980 --> 00:39:36.360
 time to

00:39:36.360 --> 00:39:36.660
 time and

00:39:36.660 --> 00:39:37.160
 say are we

00:39:37.160 --> 00:39:38.380
 doing those

00:39:38.380 --> 00:39:39.539
 things that

00:39:39.539 --> 00:39:40.200
 really the

00:39:40.200 --> 00:39:40.760
 church is

00:39:40.760 --> 00:39:41.420
 called to do

00:39:41.420 --> 00:39:42.100
 are we getting

00:39:42.100 --> 00:39:42.820
 out the gospel

00:39:42.820 --> 00:39:43.880
 are we discipling

00:39:43.880 --> 00:39:44.460
 the lost

00:39:44.460 --> 00:39:45.480
 are we

00:39:45.480 --> 00:39:46.099
 praying

00:39:46.099 --> 00:39:47.320
 are we

00:39:47.320 --> 00:39:47.920
 ministering

00:39:47.920 --> 00:39:48.340
 are we

00:39:48.340 --> 00:39:48.920
 sharing

00:39:48.920 --> 00:39:49.820
 our goods

00:39:49.820 --> 00:39:50.579
 with others

00:39:50.579 --> 00:39:52.159
 please oh

00:39:52.159 --> 00:39:52.460
 God

00:39:52.460 --> 00:39:54.300
 I pray you'd

00:39:54.300 --> 00:39:54.740
 make First

00:39:54.740 --> 00:39:55.420
 Baptist Church

00:39:55.420 --> 00:39:56.139
 Pickens the

00:39:56.139 --> 00:39:57.539
 strongest in

00:39:57.539 --> 00:39:58.159
 the days to

00:39:58.159 --> 00:39:58.619
 come it's

00:39:58.619 --> 00:39:59.280
 ever been in

00:39:59.280 --> 00:39:59.760
 this wonderful

00:39:59.760 --> 00:40:01.380
 history bless

00:40:01.380 --> 00:40:02.019
 them give them

00:40:02.019 --> 00:40:02.860
 souls for their

00:40:02.860 --> 00:40:04.380
 labor it's our

00:40:04.380 --> 00:40:04.980
 prayer in your

00:40:04.980 --> 00:40:06.659
 name amen