WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:18.120 All right, that kind of gave you some of the themes that we'll be going over for the next three Sundays, but we're going to start in Philippians chapter one as we study this idea of life on mission, which in reality, according to what we find in the scriptures, is the ultimate walk with Jesus Christ. 00:00:18.120 --> 00:00:28.199 So as you're finding your place, if you're able to join us in standing, would you join us in standing as we read from Philippians chapter one. 00:00:28.199 --> 00:00:31.839 Philippians chapter one. 00:00:32.039 --> 00:00:37.700 We'll be covering various verses throughout Philippians one throughout the next three Sundays. 00:00:38.740 --> 00:00:44.219 But today we're going to be focusing on verses 15 through 18. 00:00:44.780 --> 00:00:49.039 So let's begin there and then we'll jump back a little bit in the passage. 00:00:49.600 --> 00:00:52.560 Philippians chapter one, verse 15. 00:00:52.739 --> 00:00:54.500 I'm reading from the Christian Standard Bible. 00:00:54.500 --> 00:01:01.740 To be sure, some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 00:01:02.579 --> 00:01:09.640 These preach out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. 00:01:10.680 --> 00:01:19.560 The others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, thinking that they will cause me trouble in my imprisonment. 00:01:19.560 --> 00:01:21.040 But what does it matter? 00:01:21.579 --> 00:01:27.460 Only that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is proclaimed. 00:01:28.159 --> 00:01:30.180 And in this, I rejoice. 00:01:31.180 --> 00:01:37.960 And then let's look back at verse four in Philippians one, verse four. 00:01:37.959 --> 00:01:50.899 Always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 00:01:51.500 --> 00:01:52.259 And we pray together. 00:01:52.979 --> 00:01:57.079 God, I pray that you would bless the reading of your word and the preaching of your word. 00:01:57.799 --> 00:02:04.359 I pray that you would convict us and show us how we can go on mission for you. 00:02:04.359 --> 00:02:09.280 It's so easy to wake up knowing that we are your children. 00:02:10.479 --> 00:02:14.159 We are signed, sealed and yet to be delivered into your presence. 00:02:15.360 --> 00:02:24.579 But while you still have us on this earth, you have a grand mission for us, for our families, for this church. 00:02:25.579 --> 00:02:27.360 Pray that you would reveal it to us, God. 00:02:27.819 --> 00:02:29.759 We'll give you all the glory in Jesus name. 00:02:30.240 --> 00:02:30.479 Amen. 00:02:30.680 --> 00:02:31.360 You may be seated. 00:02:31.819 --> 00:02:32.840 Thank you for standing. 00:02:32.840 --> 00:02:40.099 I want to talk to you this morning from Philippians chapter one about a call to minister. 00:02:40.900 --> 00:02:42.319 A call to minister. 00:02:42.560 --> 00:02:44.379 That is the theme for today. 00:02:44.520 --> 00:02:46.560 We're talking about ministry. 00:02:47.140 --> 00:02:53.439 When we use this term ministry, what I'm specifically referring to today is preaching and praying. 00:02:54.120 --> 00:02:55.500 Preaching and praying. 00:02:56.120 --> 00:02:59.699 So the ministry of preaching and the ministry of prayer. 00:02:59.699 --> 00:03:15.099 So when we say there is a call on God, from God, on your life to minister, I'm saying that he is calling you to preach the gospel and he is calling you to pray for the lost. 00:03:15.099 --> 00:03:17.859 That is how we minister. 00:03:17.859 --> 00:03:17.879 That is how we minister. 00:03:19.319 --> 00:03:24.019 The ministry that God has given to us all throughout the scriptures. 00:03:24.019 --> 00:03:29.139 We learn of this ministry that God has for his people on this earth. 00:03:29.240 --> 00:03:39.400 Sometimes it's called the ministry of reconciliation, which means reconciling almighty, wonderful, perfect, all powerful, all knowing, all seeing. 00:03:39.400 --> 00:03:41.240 Good God. 00:03:41.240 --> 00:03:47.599 To the complete opposite and wicked, fallen, hopeless, dark mankind. 00:03:48.120 --> 00:03:51.860 How do we reconcile these two opposites with each other? 00:03:52.480 --> 00:03:55.400 Well, that is the ministry that God has given us to do. 00:03:55.599 --> 00:03:58.640 So we do it through preaching and through praying. 00:03:58.639 --> 00:04:03.059 So we're going to begin with the ministry of preaching, the ministry of preaching. 00:04:03.259 --> 00:04:06.139 Let's look back at Philippians 1 and verse 15. 00:04:06.539 --> 00:04:12.099 To be sure, some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others preach out of goodwill. 00:04:12.500 --> 00:04:17.500 These preach out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. 00:04:17.779 --> 00:04:23.539 This is a great little nugget from the apostle Paul as he's writing this letter to the church in Philippi. 00:04:23.540 --> 00:04:28.480 And he says, this is what my life and ministry is all about. 00:04:28.660 --> 00:04:29.840 This is my career. 00:04:31.200 --> 00:04:33.420 This is what I have endeavored to do. 00:04:33.840 --> 00:04:39.300 Paul was walking a completely different road, fighting against Christ, fighting against Christians, 00:04:39.759 --> 00:04:45.320 literally commissioned by the government to go around and stamp them out, literally put them to death. 00:04:45.520 --> 00:04:51.740 And God arrested him, got his attention, completely made him do a 180 on his life. 00:04:51.740 --> 00:04:55.220 And so now he says, this is what my life is now about. 00:04:55.620 --> 00:05:01.060 My life is now, I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. 00:05:01.480 --> 00:05:11.259 Paul was going to go just as hard, just as fast, just as all in for the gospel as he was when he opposed it. 00:05:12.540 --> 00:05:16.000 So he took his ministry seriously. 00:05:16.680 --> 00:05:20.879 He said, I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. 00:05:21.740 --> 00:05:24.519 So you know what Paul wasn't? 00:05:25.340 --> 00:05:27.280 He wasn't distracted. 00:05:29.420 --> 00:05:36.720 He was laser focused on the grand and greater purpose for his life. 00:05:37.439 --> 00:05:40.139 That's the hard part for you and for me. 00:05:41.000 --> 00:05:44.740 It is so easy for us to get distracted. 00:05:44.740 --> 00:05:48.340 Did you know that I'm a very good driver? 00:05:50.500 --> 00:05:51.840 Why did y'all start laughing? 00:05:53.699 --> 00:05:54.660 That hurts a little. 00:05:56.180 --> 00:05:57.920 I am an excellent driver. 00:05:58.379 --> 00:06:00.639 I'm purposefully not looking at my wife right now. 00:06:00.639 --> 00:06:05.479 You know when I'm not a good driver? 00:06:06.279 --> 00:06:08.019 When I'm... 00:06:08.019 --> 00:06:08.879 Anybody want to guess? 00:06:10.479 --> 00:06:11.139 By myself. 00:06:11.219 --> 00:06:11.620 That was good. 00:06:12.000 --> 00:06:13.039 Somebody said distracted. 00:06:14.000 --> 00:06:14.319 Yep. 00:06:14.860 --> 00:06:18.039 When I'm distracted, that's when I'm not a good driver. 00:06:18.479 --> 00:06:21.659 When I am focused, when I am lasered in... 00:06:21.659 --> 00:06:22.839 Man, I'm an excellent driver. 00:06:22.879 --> 00:06:25.579 You can give me snow, ice, you know, inclement weather, whatever. 00:06:25.579 --> 00:06:29.979 I will be right there, ready to go, no problems. 00:06:30.740 --> 00:06:34.939 When I get distracted, I turn into a really bad driver. 00:06:35.620 --> 00:06:37.039 Just so you're aware, okay? 00:06:37.219 --> 00:06:41.279 If you ever see my little white car on the road and it's doing something it shouldn't be doing, 00:06:41.379 --> 00:06:45.819 just know I'm probably distracted in that moment and pray for God to get my attention back on driving. 00:06:47.060 --> 00:06:48.279 Working on it, okay? 00:06:48.459 --> 00:06:49.139 Working on it. 00:06:49.680 --> 00:06:50.819 I'm training, not trying. 00:06:50.819 --> 00:06:55.360 Yeah, that was a series, a couple of you. 00:06:55.620 --> 00:06:56.560 Never mind. 00:06:57.120 --> 00:06:59.079 Thought that might land with some of you, but that's okay. 00:06:59.779 --> 00:07:00.339 Listen. 00:07:02.199 --> 00:07:08.019 It is so easy to get distracted in this life, okay? 00:07:08.579 --> 00:07:09.480 So easy. 00:07:10.039 --> 00:07:12.899 Number one, there's this thing called spiritual warfare, 00:07:13.899 --> 00:07:17.639 where God knows that the church has been given this mission, 00:07:17.639 --> 00:07:20.319 and if you are a part of the church, 00:07:20.319 --> 00:07:26.099 then the devil and all of his minions are fighting against the mission of our church. 00:07:26.500 --> 00:07:29.259 He's fighting against the mission that God has for you, 00:07:29.519 --> 00:07:31.539 and so he's going to do everything he can, 00:07:31.879 --> 00:07:34.740 not just to make you lose in your mission. 00:07:34.919 --> 00:07:38.740 It's not necessarily you're in a boxing ring and you're going head to toe with the devil. 00:07:39.199 --> 00:07:43.099 It's he's trying to distract you from what you're supposed to be doing for God. 00:07:43.399 --> 00:07:45.719 The devil can't win against God. 00:07:45.779 --> 00:07:46.419 We get that, right? 00:07:46.420 --> 00:07:48.180 God is far more powerful. 00:07:48.319 --> 00:07:50.259 I mean, we could have asked those kids up here the same question. 00:07:50.520 --> 00:07:51.699 They would know the answer to that. 00:07:52.020 --> 00:07:53.879 Can the devil win if he fights against God? 00:07:53.960 --> 00:07:55.280 No, of course he can't win. 00:07:55.460 --> 00:07:58.400 But what he does is he gets us distracted, 00:07:58.900 --> 00:08:01.460 those who have already won the victory through Jesus. 00:08:01.640 --> 00:08:02.400 That's you and me. 00:08:03.240 --> 00:08:07.120 All he has to do is get us to forget that we've won the victory. 00:08:07.480 --> 00:08:10.280 It's to get us to focus on all the other things 00:08:10.280 --> 00:08:13.000 except what God wants us focused on, 00:08:13.000 --> 00:08:15.160 and he is really good at it. 00:08:15.620 --> 00:08:16.939 Really, really good at it. 00:08:16.980 --> 00:08:18.540 And you know what we're really good at? 00:08:19.180 --> 00:08:20.220 Getting distracted. 00:08:20.899 --> 00:08:24.480 We're really good at letting him do his job. 00:08:25.759 --> 00:08:27.660 So Paul was laser focused. 00:08:27.660 --> 00:08:33.040 So he acknowledged that there's some people out there doing ministry 00:08:33.040 --> 00:08:35.540 maybe out of impure motives, 00:08:36.000 --> 00:08:37.580 maybe not the best way. 00:08:37.660 --> 00:08:40.899 He said, yeah, some people are preaching out of bad motives. 00:08:41.040 --> 00:08:42.480 But then he goes on to say, 00:08:42.480 --> 00:08:46.240 the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, 00:08:46.600 --> 00:08:47.840 not sincerely, 00:08:48.840 --> 00:08:50.539 thinking that they will cause me trouble. 00:08:50.860 --> 00:08:52.180 See, Paul understood 00:08:52.180 --> 00:08:55.480 that not everybody out there who was naming the name of Jesus, 00:08:55.879 --> 00:08:57.060 calling themselves a Christian, 00:08:57.279 --> 00:08:58.960 and even preaching the gospel 00:08:58.960 --> 00:09:01.720 was doing it the right way or for the right reasons. 00:09:01.779 --> 00:09:02.720 He understood that. 00:09:02.980 --> 00:09:06.360 But ultimately he came to the decision of, 00:09:06.700 --> 00:09:07.600 what does it matter? 00:09:07.600 --> 00:09:14.200 That's not usually the conclusion that you and I come to. 00:09:15.920 --> 00:09:18.720 Usually we get all bent out of shape. 00:09:20.240 --> 00:09:22.620 Usually we get real distracted 00:09:22.620 --> 00:09:25.320 and real upset 00:09:25.320 --> 00:09:28.240 and real pulled off sides, 00:09:28.340 --> 00:09:29.300 if you watch football, 00:09:29.800 --> 00:09:35.279 because the opponent is doing something we don't like. 00:09:35.279 --> 00:09:37.500 Or what's worse, 00:09:38.059 --> 00:09:40.279 is somebody calling themselves a Christian 00:09:40.279 --> 00:09:41.579 or a pastor or a preacher 00:09:41.579 --> 00:09:43.740 is doing something they shouldn't be doing. 00:09:44.519 --> 00:09:46.959 And we get so twisted up, 00:09:47.179 --> 00:09:48.799 I can't believe they would do that. 00:09:48.919 --> 00:09:49.659 That's terrible. 00:09:49.899 --> 00:09:52.019 And we spend our time and our energies 00:09:52.019 --> 00:09:54.740 fighting back against that 00:09:54.740 --> 00:09:58.179 when in reality we should be coming to the same conclusion 00:09:58.179 --> 00:09:59.299 that Paul did and say, 00:09:59.539 --> 00:10:00.559 what does it matter? 00:10:01.740 --> 00:10:03.639 Only that in every way, 00:10:03.639 --> 00:10:06.379 from false motives or true motives, 00:10:06.759 --> 00:10:08.279 Christ is proclaimed 00:10:08.279 --> 00:10:10.559 and in this I rejoice. 00:10:12.220 --> 00:10:14.539 Paul was laser focused. 00:10:15.699 --> 00:10:19.480 He could not do the job of the Holy Spirit 00:10:19.480 --> 00:10:21.399 in everyone else's life, 00:10:21.679 --> 00:10:25.220 but he did the job that God called him to do. 00:10:25.580 --> 00:10:28.340 And if the church would buy in 00:10:28.340 --> 00:10:30.280 to Paul's perspective, 00:10:31.120 --> 00:10:34.040 this world would be a far less dark place. 00:10:34.720 --> 00:10:37.980 If the church would buy in to the mission 00:10:37.980 --> 00:10:39.280 that God has given them 00:10:39.280 --> 00:10:42.840 and stay undistracted and focused on that mission, 00:10:43.080 --> 00:10:44.840 then all of a sudden light 00:10:44.840 --> 00:10:48.899 would be winning more than the dark. 00:10:50.200 --> 00:10:52.800 And the very things that twist us up 00:10:52.799 --> 00:10:54.859 and get us pulled off sides 00:10:54.859 --> 00:10:57.240 would start to lose. 00:10:58.639 --> 00:11:02.139 Because God will always win. 00:11:03.039 --> 00:11:05.179 But he chooses to use us. 00:11:06.199 --> 00:11:08.359 So if God is going to win through us, 00:11:08.539 --> 00:11:10.299 then we've got to stay laser focused 00:11:10.299 --> 00:11:12.359 on the mission that God gave to us. 00:11:12.439 --> 00:11:15.399 So, I want to share this quote with you 00:11:15.399 --> 00:11:17.059 from a great preacher, Oswald Smith. 00:11:17.259 --> 00:11:17.659 He said, 00:11:17.659 --> 00:11:19.719 our work is to preach the gospel 00:11:19.719 --> 00:11:22.319 and we must not be sidetracked. 00:11:22.719 --> 00:11:25.019 How many times have we gotten sidetracked 00:11:25.019 --> 00:11:28.860 in our life from preaching the gospel? 00:11:30.000 --> 00:11:31.219 You know who loves that? 00:11:31.779 --> 00:11:32.480 The devil. 00:11:33.559 --> 00:11:34.699 You know who loves that? 00:11:35.379 --> 00:11:37.439 The world, the flesh, the devil, 00:11:37.620 --> 00:11:39.799 all the opposition coming up against us. 00:11:39.919 --> 00:11:42.699 They love it when we get sidetracked. 00:11:43.000 --> 00:11:45.939 So our job is to preach the gospel. 00:11:45.939 --> 00:11:47.579 Well, that gets us to the next question. 00:11:47.939 --> 00:11:49.039 Who can preach the gospel? 00:11:50.500 --> 00:11:51.860 Say, you're up there preaching. 00:11:52.019 --> 00:11:52.939 Why are you telling us 00:11:52.939 --> 00:11:54.620 that we're supposed to be the ones preaching? 00:11:55.000 --> 00:11:56.079 Well, that's the question. 00:11:56.219 --> 00:11:57.539 Who can preach the gospel? 00:11:57.879 --> 00:12:01.299 Let's go over to 2 Corinthians 5 and verse 18. 00:12:02.259 --> 00:12:05.039 2 Corinthians 5 and verse 18. 00:12:05.159 --> 00:12:06.799 For sake of time, I'm going to go ahead and read. 00:12:07.299 --> 00:12:09.019 Everything is from God 00:12:09.019 --> 00:12:11.039 who has reconciled us to himself 00:12:11.039 --> 00:12:12.360 through Christ 00:12:12.360 --> 00:12:14.980 and has given us the ministry 00:12:14.980 --> 00:12:16.459 of reconciliation. 00:12:16.460 --> 00:12:16.740 reconciliation. 00:12:17.139 --> 00:12:19.740 That is, in Christ, everyone... 00:12:19.740 --> 00:12:22.160 I'm sorry. 00:12:22.240 --> 00:12:25.379 In Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, 00:12:25.519 --> 00:12:27.580 not counting their trespasses against them. 00:12:27.700 --> 00:12:28.780 And then, watch this. 00:12:29.240 --> 00:12:33.860 He has committed the message of reconciliation to us. 00:12:33.860 --> 00:12:37.759 So God has given us the ministry of reconciliation. 00:12:38.259 --> 00:12:41.120 He has given us the message of reconciliation. 00:12:41.720 --> 00:12:43.460 And then in verse 20, it ties it all together. 00:12:43.639 --> 00:12:46.100 Therefore, we, you and I, 00:12:46.860 --> 00:12:48.120 written to the church at Corinth, 00:12:48.379 --> 00:12:49.960 but all the churches that would follow after, 00:12:50.060 --> 00:12:51.879 of which we are one of those, okay? 00:12:52.259 --> 00:12:53.039 Verse 20, 00:12:53.039 --> 00:12:57.000 we are ambassadors for Christ. 00:12:57.959 --> 00:13:01.000 We are ambassadors for Christ. 00:13:01.360 --> 00:13:02.279 And then a little bit later, 00:13:02.419 --> 00:13:03.659 in verse 20, it says, 00:13:03.819 --> 00:13:06.159 we plead on Christ's behalf, 00:13:06.599 --> 00:13:08.419 be reconciled to God. 00:13:08.559 --> 00:13:10.279 That is the gospel. 00:13:10.639 --> 00:13:11.759 That is the message 00:13:11.759 --> 00:13:13.879 that we are trying to proclaim. 00:13:14.240 --> 00:13:16.099 That's the message we're trying to propagate. 00:13:16.419 --> 00:13:18.659 That's the message we're trying to spread everywhere 00:13:18.659 --> 00:13:20.019 to anybody who will listen. 00:13:21.019 --> 00:13:23.179 Be reconciled to God. 00:13:25.059 --> 00:13:28.679 In your sin, you are not reconciled to God. 00:13:30.039 --> 00:13:32.419 But that's why Jesus died. 00:13:33.240 --> 00:13:34.959 That's why Jesus rose. 00:13:35.439 --> 00:13:38.159 And that's the power in the blood of Jesus 00:13:38.159 --> 00:13:40.919 that can cleanse all of your sins. 00:13:41.159 --> 00:13:43.120 So then we can go to people and say, 00:13:43.559 --> 00:13:44.939 be reconciled to God. 00:13:45.039 --> 00:13:46.980 He made a way to be forgiven. 00:13:46.980 --> 00:13:50.180 He made a way to stand before God and be clean. 00:13:51.019 --> 00:13:52.360 That is the gospel. 00:13:52.820 --> 00:13:54.100 And that's the message 00:13:54.100 --> 00:13:57.920 that we are given to preach. 00:13:59.340 --> 00:14:03.139 The only time that we are supposed to preach 00:14:03.139 --> 00:14:05.539 is not when standing in a pulpit. 00:14:07.039 --> 00:14:10.000 If that was the only time that we were meant to preach, 00:14:10.600 --> 00:14:13.080 then God would have never given us the Great Commission. 00:14:14.460 --> 00:14:16.700 Matthew 28, Mark 16. 00:14:16.980 --> 00:14:18.100 Different places. 00:14:18.519 --> 00:14:20.159 Acts chapter 8 and verse 1. 00:14:20.720 --> 00:14:22.860 All except the apostles 00:14:22.860 --> 00:14:25.440 were scattered throughout the land 00:14:25.440 --> 00:14:27.779 preaching the word. 00:14:31.980 --> 00:14:33.139 Did you see that? 00:14:34.139 --> 00:14:34.740 Everybody. 00:14:35.740 --> 00:14:38.659 With the exception of the apostles. 00:14:39.320 --> 00:14:40.680 The ones who you would think, 00:14:40.779 --> 00:14:42.060 well, it's their job to do the preaching. 00:14:42.059 --> 00:14:47.059 Everybody except them were scattered all throughout the land 00:14:47.059 --> 00:14:48.099 in Acts chapter 8, 00:14:48.559 --> 00:14:50.319 preaching the word. 00:14:51.279 --> 00:14:54.159 It is your job and it's my job. 00:14:54.359 --> 00:14:56.379 It's not my job because I'm a pastor. 00:14:57.179 --> 00:14:59.419 It's my job to get up here on Sundays 00:14:59.419 --> 00:15:02.159 and edify the flock of God as the shepherd. 00:15:02.519 --> 00:15:06.179 But it's all of our jobs to preach the gospel. 00:15:06.799 --> 00:15:07.719 All of us. 00:15:07.720 --> 00:15:10.379 So if you're not preaching the gospel, 00:15:10.779 --> 00:15:13.899 then the mission is not succeeding. 00:15:14.980 --> 00:15:17.080 If I'm not preaching the gospel, 00:15:17.180 --> 00:15:19.220 I might get up here and preach on Sundays, 00:15:19.220 --> 00:15:22.139 but if I'm not out there preaching the gospel, 00:15:22.399 --> 00:15:25.080 then the mission is not succeeding with me. 00:15:25.080 --> 00:15:28.440 So all of us are given this mission 00:15:28.440 --> 00:15:29.960 of preaching the gospel. 00:15:30.240 --> 00:15:32.340 Every Christian is a preacher. 00:15:34.800 --> 00:15:36.300 Men, women, children, 00:15:36.879 --> 00:15:39.020 we're all preachers of the gospel. 00:15:39.379 --> 00:15:42.060 So let's dive a little bit deeper into this. 00:15:42.400 --> 00:15:43.860 I want to give you a quote from Greg Laurie. 00:15:44.300 --> 00:15:46.639 Every Christian is called to preach the gospel. 00:15:47.100 --> 00:15:49.980 You and I need to take the commission seriously. 00:15:50.080 --> 00:15:51.580 He's talking about the great commission. 00:15:52.280 --> 00:15:53.340 Matthew 28. 00:15:53.340 --> 00:15:56.780 All power is given unto me in heaven and on earth. 00:15:57.280 --> 00:15:59.300 You go, therefore, and teach all nations, 00:15:59.460 --> 00:16:01.220 baptizing them in the name of the Father, 00:16:01.300 --> 00:16:02.240 the Son, and the Holy Spirit, 00:16:02.519 --> 00:16:04.220 teaching them to observe all things 00:16:04.220 --> 00:16:05.860 whatsoever I have commanded you. 00:16:06.480 --> 00:16:08.360 That is a commission from God 00:16:08.360 --> 00:16:12.240 that we are to be taking seriously every day 00:16:12.240 --> 00:16:15.680 because every one of us is called to preach the gospel. 00:16:15.820 --> 00:16:17.019 So what are the types of preaching? 00:16:17.360 --> 00:16:18.740 What are we talking about when you say preach? 00:16:18.920 --> 00:16:20.660 Because usually when you say preach, 00:16:20.659 --> 00:16:22.219 people think, what I'm doing, 00:16:22.299 --> 00:16:23.519 get up here on Sunday in a church 00:16:23.519 --> 00:16:24.679 and deliver a sermon, right? 00:16:25.399 --> 00:16:27.639 Well, there's other ways to preach, okay? 00:16:27.719 --> 00:16:29.480 So number one, sure, Sunday sermon. 00:16:29.799 --> 00:16:31.100 Number two, teach a class. 00:16:31.399 --> 00:16:33.039 Number three, lead a disciple group. 00:16:33.120 --> 00:16:34.879 Those are starting up on September 8th. 00:16:35.019 --> 00:16:35.860 What is a D group? 00:16:36.219 --> 00:16:38.939 That is a group that meets in a home 00:16:38.939 --> 00:16:40.740 or maybe a room in this church 00:16:40.740 --> 00:16:43.299 on a day other than Sunday morning, 00:16:43.379 --> 00:16:44.600 a time other than Sunday morning, 00:16:44.600 --> 00:16:46.379 and they do life together. 00:16:46.519 --> 00:16:48.139 They have church and Christian fellowship 00:16:48.139 --> 00:16:49.120 and community together. 00:16:49.279 --> 00:16:51.259 It's something that you can invite somebody to 00:16:51.259 --> 00:16:52.039 if they're not ready 00:16:52.039 --> 00:16:53.840 or willing to come to a Sunday service. 00:16:54.000 --> 00:16:54.759 Say, you know what? 00:16:54.840 --> 00:16:57.379 Come to my house on Tuesday night for a D group. 00:16:57.840 --> 00:16:58.879 And we just get around. 00:16:59.000 --> 00:16:59.919 We share life together. 00:17:00.039 --> 00:17:01.860 We look at what the Bible has to say about something. 00:17:01.960 --> 00:17:02.659 We pray together. 00:17:03.019 --> 00:17:05.799 And that is sometimes a less intimidating situation. 00:17:05.960 --> 00:17:06.879 So that's what we're talking about 00:17:06.879 --> 00:17:08.240 when we say lead a D group. 00:17:08.319 --> 00:17:10.420 That's a way you can preach the gospel. 00:17:10.779 --> 00:17:12.900 And then also you can share your testimony. 00:17:12.900 --> 00:17:14.640 How many of you would say, 00:17:14.960 --> 00:17:19.060 I testify that God has done a work in my life. 00:17:19.140 --> 00:17:20.540 God has made a difference in my life. 00:17:20.600 --> 00:17:21.740 Would you slip your hand up right now 00:17:21.740 --> 00:17:22.840 in testimony of that? 00:17:23.140 --> 00:17:26.300 I dare say there's hardly a hand not raised in this room. 00:17:26.560 --> 00:17:27.880 That is your testimony. 00:17:28.120 --> 00:17:29.360 It's your God story. 00:17:29.820 --> 00:17:32.620 It's your journey that you have had with God, 00:17:32.920 --> 00:17:34.360 maybe from the time you were a child, 00:17:34.480 --> 00:17:35.480 maybe just recently, 00:17:35.700 --> 00:17:37.620 but whatever, it's your story. 00:17:37.740 --> 00:17:38.680 It's individual to you. 00:17:38.759 --> 00:17:39.600 It's personal to you. 00:17:39.920 --> 00:17:41.380 My story is different than yours, 00:17:41.380 --> 00:17:43.220 and your story is different than mine. 00:17:43.380 --> 00:17:46.160 And both of us need to share our God story 00:17:46.160 --> 00:17:48.320 or our testimony with others. 00:17:48.500 --> 00:17:51.180 So that's a way that's sometimes less scary 00:17:51.180 --> 00:17:52.080 than another way 00:17:52.080 --> 00:17:54.500 because anybody can tell something personal 00:17:54.500 --> 00:17:56.040 that happened to them. 00:17:57.500 --> 00:17:59.480 And maybe the greatest personal thing 00:17:59.480 --> 00:18:00.580 that's ever happened to you 00:18:00.580 --> 00:18:02.440 is when Jesus saved your soul. 00:18:03.320 --> 00:18:04.320 So tell that story. 00:18:05.020 --> 00:18:06.880 That's a way you can present the gospel. 00:18:07.220 --> 00:18:09.160 That's a way you can preach 00:18:09.160 --> 00:18:11.200 is to share your testimony. 00:18:11.200 --> 00:18:13.640 There's plenty of other ways to preach the gospel. 00:18:13.880 --> 00:18:15.720 Last summer, going into the fall, 00:18:15.880 --> 00:18:17.019 we had on Sunday nights, 00:18:17.100 --> 00:18:20.480 we had a kind of a seminar sort of thing 00:18:20.480 --> 00:18:21.539 that lasted several weeks 00:18:21.539 --> 00:18:23.500 where we talked about all different methods 00:18:23.500 --> 00:18:26.480 of preaching the gospel to people, okay? 00:18:27.039 --> 00:18:28.680 I'm thinking of Carol Davis right now. 00:18:28.759 --> 00:18:29.799 She jumped onto one of them 00:18:29.799 --> 00:18:31.460 that my mom actually came up with 00:18:31.460 --> 00:18:32.660 called The Heart. 00:18:32.779 --> 00:18:33.559 And you get a piece of paper 00:18:33.559 --> 00:18:34.360 and you draw a heart. 00:18:34.779 --> 00:18:36.180 And I've shared that 00:18:36.180 --> 00:18:37.380 with some of the children in the room 00:18:37.380 --> 00:18:39.539 over the last several months. 00:18:39.539 --> 00:18:40.940 But, you know, you go through, 00:18:41.159 --> 00:18:42.440 these are all the bad things I've done. 00:18:42.500 --> 00:18:43.159 You put a little X. 00:18:43.220 --> 00:18:44.440 These are all the good things you've done. 00:18:44.500 --> 00:18:45.319 Put a little check mark. 00:18:45.799 --> 00:18:47.139 You say, what does your heart look like? 00:18:47.159 --> 00:18:48.139 Well, it's full of bad things 00:18:48.139 --> 00:18:49.159 and it's full of good things. 00:18:49.440 --> 00:18:50.940 Well, does that let you get into heaven 00:18:50.940 --> 00:18:52.379 if your life looks like that? 00:18:52.440 --> 00:18:53.059 No, it doesn't. 00:18:53.339 --> 00:18:54.139 So what do you need? 00:18:54.180 --> 00:18:55.159 Well, you need Jesus' blood. 00:18:55.599 --> 00:18:56.859 So Jesus' blood comes in 00:18:56.859 --> 00:18:57.759 and you just, with the pen, 00:18:57.859 --> 00:18:58.980 just mark all that out 00:18:58.980 --> 00:18:59.980 and fill in that heart 00:18:59.980 --> 00:19:01.480 with Jesus' blood. 00:19:01.559 --> 00:19:02.159 And then you say, 00:19:02.220 --> 00:19:04.519 now you are qualified to go to heaven. 00:19:04.519 --> 00:19:06.139 So you have to ask Jesus 00:19:06.139 --> 00:19:08.799 to wash you clean with his blood. 00:19:08.859 --> 00:19:11.779 And that's just a very simple gospel message 00:19:11.779 --> 00:19:13.359 that even a child can understand. 00:19:13.700 --> 00:19:14.819 So there's all different ways 00:19:14.819 --> 00:19:16.819 of presenting the gospel to someone, 00:19:17.200 --> 00:19:18.759 sharing the good news 00:19:18.759 --> 00:19:20.200 that we are sinners, 00:19:20.980 --> 00:19:22.220 God loves us anyway, 00:19:22.619 --> 00:19:24.639 and through Jesus' death and resurrection, 00:19:25.359 --> 00:19:27.779 he made a way for us to be forgiven, 00:19:28.299 --> 00:19:29.740 become the children of God, 00:19:30.420 --> 00:19:32.319 and go to heaven forever someday. 00:19:32.319 --> 00:19:34.379 That's the awesome truth 00:19:34.379 --> 00:19:35.379 that we call the gospel. 00:19:35.960 --> 00:19:37.519 There's all different ways to present it. 00:19:37.939 --> 00:19:39.279 So that's a way that you and I 00:19:39.279 --> 00:19:41.639 can preach and should preach. 00:19:42.099 --> 00:19:43.799 If we're not doing that, 00:19:44.399 --> 00:19:46.539 then the mission is failing. 00:19:48.200 --> 00:19:49.619 Say, well, I'd be willing to do it. 00:19:49.639 --> 00:19:50.980 I just don't have anybody to do it with. 00:19:51.419 --> 00:19:52.779 You know the interesting thing about that? 00:19:53.240 --> 00:19:55.339 Take that problem, that conundrum, 00:19:55.619 --> 00:19:57.200 that situation that you can't figure out 00:19:57.200 --> 00:19:58.779 a solution to, take it to God. 00:19:59.439 --> 00:20:01.539 Because I bet you he'll send somebody 00:20:01.539 --> 00:20:03.180 that you can share the gospel with. 00:20:04.420 --> 00:20:05.639 You know why I know that? 00:20:06.200 --> 00:20:08.139 Because he wants those people to be saved. 00:20:08.899 --> 00:20:10.720 And he uses you and me to do it. 00:20:11.720 --> 00:20:13.119 So if you have nobody 00:20:13.119 --> 00:20:14.859 to share the gospel with, 00:20:14.980 --> 00:20:15.899 ask God for somebody. 00:20:16.599 --> 00:20:18.180 And he'll reveal someone to you 00:20:18.180 --> 00:20:20.599 that you can share the gospel with. 00:20:21.599 --> 00:20:23.779 And then start a gospel conversation. 00:20:23.920 --> 00:20:24.720 That's the last one here. 00:20:24.779 --> 00:20:25.519 What do we mean by that? 00:20:25.519 --> 00:20:28.019 Start sowing the seeds 00:20:28.019 --> 00:20:30.759 for a future gospel conversation. 00:20:30.980 --> 00:20:31.819 Start the process. 00:20:32.379 --> 00:20:34.379 Normally, when you sit down with someone 00:20:34.379 --> 00:20:37.539 and you take an hour 00:20:37.539 --> 00:20:40.039 and you present the entire gospel to them 00:20:40.039 --> 00:20:41.059 and you lead them 00:20:41.059 --> 00:20:42.740 from no knowledge of God 00:20:42.740 --> 00:20:44.240 all the way to being ready 00:20:44.240 --> 00:20:46.500 to fall on their knees 00:20:46.500 --> 00:20:47.960 and cry out to God for forgiveness. 00:20:48.220 --> 00:20:50.019 Those situations are very few 00:20:50.019 --> 00:20:50.599 and far between. 00:20:51.019 --> 00:20:51.119 Okay? 00:20:51.119 --> 00:20:53.899 Number one, having that much time 00:20:53.899 --> 00:20:54.739 to sit down with somebody, 00:20:54.819 --> 00:20:55.839 that's hard to find, right? 00:20:57.000 --> 00:20:58.879 Usually, what actually does it 00:20:58.879 --> 00:21:00.719 is when you're checking out 00:21:00.719 --> 00:21:01.500 at Spring Market 00:21:01.500 --> 00:21:02.539 or Target 00:21:02.539 --> 00:21:03.799 or United 00:21:03.799 --> 00:21:04.479 or wherever 00:21:04.479 --> 00:21:07.039 and you just tell someone, 00:21:07.159 --> 00:21:07.639 you know what? 00:21:07.719 --> 00:21:08.419 Have a great day. 00:21:08.500 --> 00:21:09.179 God bless you. 00:21:10.379 --> 00:21:11.519 Or ask them, 00:21:11.739 --> 00:21:12.539 do you go to church 00:21:12.539 --> 00:21:13.419 around here anywhere? 00:21:14.299 --> 00:21:14.839 You don't? 00:21:15.259 --> 00:21:17.179 Would you come be my visitor this Sunday? 00:21:17.259 --> 00:21:18.779 Would you come be my guest this Sunday? 00:21:18.779 --> 00:21:19.939 I'll save a seat for you. 00:21:19.940 --> 00:21:22.299 And are they going to come? 00:21:22.420 --> 00:21:22.960 I don't know. 00:21:23.200 --> 00:21:24.000 Maybe, maybe not. 00:21:25.019 --> 00:21:26.740 But you sowed a seed of, 00:21:26.980 --> 00:21:28.680 I am a Christian, 00:21:29.160 --> 00:21:30.200 I love Jesus, 00:21:30.620 --> 00:21:32.200 and I care about you. 00:21:33.620 --> 00:21:34.700 And that's starting 00:21:34.700 --> 00:21:36.320 a gospel conversation 00:21:36.320 --> 00:21:37.340 that then maybe, 00:21:37.640 --> 00:21:38.220 you know what? 00:21:38.320 --> 00:21:39.759 I'm so glad you invited me. 00:21:40.019 --> 00:21:41.039 I'm glad you said that 00:21:41.039 --> 00:21:41.820 because I've been going through 00:21:41.820 --> 00:21:42.920 a really hard time right now. 00:21:42.980 --> 00:21:43.920 Let me tell you about it. 00:21:44.740 --> 00:21:45.700 Then all of a sudden, 00:21:45.779 --> 00:21:46.740 a door opens up 00:21:46.740 --> 00:21:49.759 for a real gospel conversation 00:21:49.759 --> 00:21:51.180 and that person has a need 00:21:51.180 --> 00:21:52.279 that you can then 00:21:52.279 --> 00:21:53.660 point them to Jesus. 00:21:54.259 --> 00:21:54.480 So, 00:21:54.980 --> 00:21:56.900 these are the types of preaching 00:21:56.900 --> 00:21:58.059 that we can do. 00:21:58.480 --> 00:21:59.400 That's active, 00:21:59.660 --> 00:22:00.000 all right? 00:22:01.119 --> 00:22:01.920 Active preaching. 00:22:02.039 --> 00:22:02.720 That's engaged. 00:22:02.839 --> 00:22:03.460 That's intentional. 00:22:03.660 --> 00:22:04.359 That's going out, 00:22:04.460 --> 00:22:05.319 I'm going to 00:22:05.319 --> 00:22:06.460 sow the seeds 00:22:06.460 --> 00:22:07.680 of the gospel today 00:22:07.680 --> 00:22:08.339 and then see 00:22:08.339 --> 00:22:09.779 if God brings any fruit. 00:22:10.460 --> 00:22:11.539 Mark 16, 15, 00:22:11.640 --> 00:22:12.700 go into all the world 00:22:12.700 --> 00:22:14.299 and proclaim the gospel 00:22:14.299 --> 00:22:15.599 to the whole creation. 00:22:15.599 --> 00:22:16.740 We are commanded 00:22:16.740 --> 00:22:17.839 to do this type 00:22:17.839 --> 00:22:19.059 of active preaching 00:22:19.059 --> 00:22:19.859 of the gospel. 00:22:20.659 --> 00:22:21.639 Luke 14, 23, 00:22:21.779 --> 00:22:22.879 go out into the highways 00:22:22.879 --> 00:22:23.879 and the country roads 00:22:23.879 --> 00:22:24.879 and urge people 00:22:24.879 --> 00:22:25.899 to come in 00:22:25.899 --> 00:22:27.019 so that my house 00:22:27.019 --> 00:22:27.659 will be filled. 00:22:28.419 --> 00:22:29.359 That doesn't sound, 00:22:29.959 --> 00:22:32.199 you know, 00:22:32.319 --> 00:22:34.159 not wanting to be confrontational, 00:22:34.259 --> 00:22:34.459 right? 00:22:35.039 --> 00:22:35.799 Urging people? 00:22:36.319 --> 00:22:37.519 Does that sound confrontational? 00:22:38.159 --> 00:22:38.740 It does. 00:22:39.079 --> 00:22:40.079 It sounds strong. 00:22:40.339 --> 00:22:41.240 It sounds aggressive. 00:22:41.579 --> 00:22:42.219 But that's what 00:22:42.219 --> 00:22:43.559 we're commanded to do. 00:22:43.719 --> 00:22:44.319 That doesn't mean 00:22:44.319 --> 00:22:45.299 you have to be mean about it. 00:22:46.000 --> 00:22:46.619 That doesn't mean 00:22:46.619 --> 00:22:47.480 you have to be hateful. 00:22:48.179 --> 00:22:48.679 That doesn't mean 00:22:48.679 --> 00:22:49.299 you have to walk up 00:22:49.299 --> 00:22:50.039 to somebody and say, 00:22:50.159 --> 00:22:51.119 you're going to hell. 00:22:51.819 --> 00:22:53.220 You better turn or burn. 00:22:57.299 --> 00:22:59.139 But it's urging them. 00:22:59.899 --> 00:23:01.859 It's in the love of God 00:23:01.859 --> 00:23:03.879 saying, look, 00:23:03.980 --> 00:23:05.720 people know they're bad, okay? 00:23:06.200 --> 00:23:07.319 Nine times out of ten 00:23:07.319 --> 00:23:08.179 when I talk to somebody 00:23:08.179 --> 00:23:09.000 about the gospel, 00:23:09.299 --> 00:23:10.740 they know they've done wrong. 00:23:11.299 --> 00:23:12.039 Every once in a while 00:23:12.039 --> 00:23:13.319 you'll find some arrogant, 00:23:13.700 --> 00:23:14.039 you know, 00:23:14.039 --> 00:23:14.440 whatever, 00:23:14.579 --> 00:23:14.879 who's like, 00:23:14.940 --> 00:23:16.420 I've never done anything wrong. 00:23:16.559 --> 00:23:17.319 Sure you haven't. 00:23:18.200 --> 00:23:18.960 Ask your wife. 00:23:22.500 --> 00:23:23.180 I don't know why 00:23:23.180 --> 00:23:23.859 I'm on that today. 00:23:23.960 --> 00:23:24.420 I apologize. 00:23:26.019 --> 00:23:27.579 But it's urging people. 00:23:27.579 --> 00:23:29.659 They know they have needs. 00:23:29.759 --> 00:23:30.839 They know they have struggles. 00:23:31.000 --> 00:23:32.519 They know they have problems. 00:23:32.740 --> 00:23:33.619 They know they're guilty. 00:23:34.619 --> 00:23:36.099 It's then giving them hope, 00:23:36.819 --> 00:23:37.819 pointing them to the one 00:23:37.819 --> 00:23:38.680 who cares enough, 00:23:39.779 --> 00:23:41.039 loved them enough, 00:23:41.659 --> 00:23:42.500 is willing enough 00:23:42.500 --> 00:23:43.700 to die for their sins. 00:23:44.180 --> 00:23:45.579 So it's urging people 00:23:45.579 --> 00:23:46.660 to come in 00:23:46.660 --> 00:23:48.579 to the family of God 00:23:48.579 --> 00:23:50.619 so his house can be filled. 00:23:51.039 --> 00:23:52.200 That's active, okay? 00:23:52.519 --> 00:23:53.599 But then there's another type 00:23:53.599 --> 00:23:53.960 of preaching. 00:23:54.519 --> 00:23:54.960 Passive. 00:23:56.299 --> 00:23:57.519 Maybe you've heard the quote, 00:23:57.519 --> 00:23:59.359 I really hope you haven't, 00:23:59.359 --> 00:24:00.099 but if you have, 00:24:00.819 --> 00:24:01.500 let me mess with it 00:24:01.500 --> 00:24:02.119 for a second here. 00:24:03.200 --> 00:24:04.200 Maybe you've heard the quote 00:24:04.200 --> 00:24:04.940 that says, 00:24:05.279 --> 00:24:07.700 preach the gospel, 00:24:08.180 --> 00:24:09.339 use words if necessary. 00:24:09.740 --> 00:24:10.039 Anybody? 00:24:10.420 --> 00:24:11.379 Anybody ever heard that? 00:24:11.920 --> 00:24:13.400 That went around for a while. 00:24:13.740 --> 00:24:14.019 Thankfully, 00:24:14.119 --> 00:24:14.839 it's died out 00:24:14.839 --> 00:24:16.559 for the most part. 00:24:16.559 --> 00:24:18.799 That's absolutely not true. 00:24:20.039 --> 00:24:21.000 We are commanded 00:24:21.000 --> 00:24:22.399 time and time and time 00:24:22.399 --> 00:24:23.000 and time again 00:24:23.000 --> 00:24:23.519 in the scriptures 00:24:23.519 --> 00:24:24.740 to preach the gospel 00:24:24.740 --> 00:24:26.899 using words, okay? 00:24:27.379 --> 00:24:27.779 Intentionally, 00:24:28.119 --> 00:24:28.559 actively, 00:24:28.779 --> 00:24:30.159 go out and preach the gospel. 00:24:31.259 --> 00:24:32.899 But I will also say 00:24:32.899 --> 00:24:35.220 that if you're preaching 00:24:35.220 --> 00:24:36.839 the gospel with your mouth 00:24:36.839 --> 00:24:38.740 and your life 00:24:38.740 --> 00:24:39.779 doesn't back it up, 00:24:40.139 --> 00:24:41.480 that's not going to be 00:24:41.480 --> 00:24:42.559 effective either. 00:24:42.559 --> 00:24:45.200 So there is a passive 00:24:45.200 --> 00:24:46.159 preaching of the gospel 00:24:46.159 --> 00:24:47.119 that needs to happen 00:24:47.119 --> 00:24:48.879 at the same time. 00:24:49.440 --> 00:24:50.599 There's different ways 00:24:50.599 --> 00:24:51.919 of passively preaching 00:24:51.919 --> 00:24:52.480 the gospel. 00:24:52.720 --> 00:24:53.460 That could be 00:24:53.460 --> 00:24:54.879 somebody maybe has a question 00:24:54.879 --> 00:24:56.179 and brings it to you. 00:24:56.240 --> 00:24:57.240 Maybe you're on a phone call 00:24:57.240 --> 00:24:58.039 with a family member 00:24:58.039 --> 00:24:58.759 or maybe, 00:24:59.339 --> 00:24:59.839 heaven forbid, 00:24:59.940 --> 00:25:01.279 a family member passes away 00:25:01.279 --> 00:25:02.240 and then people 00:25:02.240 --> 00:25:03.379 from out of town come in 00:25:03.379 --> 00:25:04.200 and you get to see people 00:25:04.200 --> 00:25:05.139 that you haven't in a while 00:25:05.139 --> 00:25:06.119 and you sit down 00:25:06.119 --> 00:25:07.259 and have, you know, 00:25:07.279 --> 00:25:08.639 more serious conversations 00:25:08.639 --> 00:25:09.919 about life and death 00:25:09.919 --> 00:25:11.460 and then questions come up 00:25:11.460 --> 00:25:12.440 that you actually have 00:25:12.440 --> 00:25:13.240 the answers to 00:25:13.240 --> 00:25:14.460 because you have Jesus 00:25:14.460 --> 00:25:15.680 and you have the Holy Spirit 00:25:15.680 --> 00:25:16.420 in your heart 00:25:16.420 --> 00:25:17.400 and he's giving you 00:25:17.400 --> 00:25:18.660 scriptures that you've read. 00:25:18.720 --> 00:25:19.420 That's why it's so important 00:25:19.420 --> 00:25:20.259 to read the Bible, isn't it? 00:25:20.880 --> 00:25:22.259 We internalize the Bible 00:25:22.259 --> 00:25:22.700 in our heart, 00:25:22.799 --> 00:25:23.360 memorize it, 00:25:23.440 --> 00:25:24.240 commit it to memory, 00:25:24.380 --> 00:25:25.180 hide it in our heart 00:25:25.180 --> 00:25:26.299 so in those moments 00:25:26.299 --> 00:25:27.660 that we need God's word 00:25:27.660 --> 00:25:28.360 to come alive 00:25:28.360 --> 00:25:29.480 and help somebody, 00:25:29.640 --> 00:25:30.559 meet somebody's need 00:25:30.559 --> 00:25:31.220 in those moments, 00:25:31.380 --> 00:25:32.100 they're in there. 00:25:33.140 --> 00:25:34.460 So maybe you can answer questions 00:25:34.460 --> 00:25:36.000 or maybe you can display 00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:36.820 the fruit of the Spirit 00:25:36.820 --> 00:25:37.400 in your life. 00:25:37.480 --> 00:25:38.799 That's a novel idea, isn't it? 00:25:39.420 --> 00:25:40.740 Something we all struggle with. 00:25:40.740 --> 00:25:41.940 We're actually showing 00:25:41.940 --> 00:25:42.960 the fruit of the Spirit 00:25:42.960 --> 00:25:43.539 in our life. 00:25:43.819 --> 00:25:45.339 Love, joy, peace, patience, 00:25:45.480 --> 00:25:46.279 kindness, goodness, 00:25:46.740 --> 00:25:47.700 faithfulness, gentleness, 00:25:47.880 --> 00:25:48.539 self-control. 00:25:49.920 --> 00:25:51.099 When we display 00:25:51.099 --> 00:25:52.420 the fruit of the Spirit 00:25:52.420 --> 00:25:53.339 in our life 00:25:53.339 --> 00:25:55.759 in ways that go against 00:25:55.759 --> 00:25:57.359 our flesh and our nature, 00:25:59.099 --> 00:25:59.680 then oftentimes 00:25:59.680 --> 00:26:01.059 that'll draw people's attention. 00:26:01.200 --> 00:26:02.799 Wow, that's not how I thought 00:26:02.799 --> 00:26:03.759 that guy would respond. 00:26:05.420 --> 00:26:06.680 Wow, I thought she would get 00:26:06.680 --> 00:26:08.380 really worked up about that 00:26:08.380 --> 00:26:09.799 and she just kind of let it go. 00:26:09.799 --> 00:26:10.700 That's interesting. 00:26:11.659 --> 00:26:12.460 And maybe God will give you 00:26:12.460 --> 00:26:13.500 an opportunity then to say, 00:26:13.599 --> 00:26:14.079 you know what? 00:26:15.619 --> 00:26:17.419 I wanted to get worked up about it, 00:26:17.899 --> 00:26:19.139 but God's been working on me 00:26:19.139 --> 00:26:20.159 and he's been teaching me 00:26:20.159 --> 00:26:20.799 self-control. 00:26:21.240 --> 00:26:22.539 He's been teaching me patience 00:26:22.539 --> 00:26:23.659 and love 00:26:23.659 --> 00:26:24.559 and reminding me 00:26:24.559 --> 00:26:25.940 of how much he's forgiven in me 00:26:25.940 --> 00:26:27.419 so I can forgive in others. 00:26:27.680 --> 00:26:28.940 And then you give God the glory 00:26:28.940 --> 00:26:30.119 and maybe God will give you 00:26:30.119 --> 00:26:30.980 an opportunity then 00:26:30.980 --> 00:26:32.980 to actively share the gospel 00:26:32.980 --> 00:26:33.559 with somebody. 00:26:34.539 --> 00:26:35.500 But that's something 00:26:35.500 --> 00:26:36.200 we have to do. 00:26:36.279 --> 00:26:37.779 Finally, give God the glory 00:26:37.779 --> 00:26:39.599 in good times and bad. 00:26:39.680 --> 00:26:40.899 That's one of the best ways 00:26:40.899 --> 00:26:42.500 to passively share 00:26:42.500 --> 00:26:44.119 what God is doing 00:26:44.119 --> 00:26:45.720 in your life. 00:26:45.940 --> 00:26:47.160 Passively preach 00:26:47.160 --> 00:26:51.279 is when you are rock solid 00:26:51.279 --> 00:26:54.119 in the middle of a storm. 00:26:55.059 --> 00:26:55.839 What are you talking about? 00:26:55.879 --> 00:26:56.720 Being rock solid 00:26:56.720 --> 00:26:57.539 in the middle of a storm? 00:26:57.819 --> 00:26:58.879 God can do that. 00:26:58.940 --> 00:27:00.139 That doesn't mean you don't grieve. 00:27:00.319 --> 00:27:01.619 That doesn't mean you don't cry. 00:27:01.839 --> 00:27:03.180 That doesn't mean you don't hurt. 00:27:03.180 --> 00:27:04.940 But you have peace 00:27:04.940 --> 00:27:06.200 that can't be shaken. 00:27:07.039 --> 00:27:08.279 You have hope 00:27:08.279 --> 00:27:09.759 that doesn't go away. 00:27:11.440 --> 00:27:13.660 In the middle of missing that person, 00:27:13.720 --> 00:27:14.940 in the middle of heartbreak, 00:27:15.180 --> 00:27:16.440 in the middle of hurt, 00:27:16.680 --> 00:27:17.759 you have peace. 00:27:18.120 --> 00:27:19.240 You have a rock 00:27:19.240 --> 00:27:20.860 that you're standing on 00:27:20.860 --> 00:27:23.279 so you don't crumble. 00:27:23.940 --> 00:27:25.700 You fall on Jesus. 00:27:27.120 --> 00:27:28.560 And we give God the glory. 00:27:29.660 --> 00:27:30.940 Just like Job said, 00:27:31.000 --> 00:27:32.120 we talked about it last week, 00:27:32.119 --> 00:27:33.319 whether God gives 00:27:33.319 --> 00:27:34.500 or God takes away, 00:27:35.099 --> 00:27:37.719 blessed be the name of the Lord. 00:27:38.979 --> 00:27:39.739 That's a way 00:27:39.739 --> 00:27:41.479 we can passively preach. 00:27:42.019 --> 00:27:43.319 So we need to actively 00:27:43.319 --> 00:27:44.219 preach the gospel 00:27:44.219 --> 00:27:45.899 and passively preach the gospel. 00:27:46.039 --> 00:27:47.139 Not one or the other, 00:27:47.559 --> 00:27:48.279 but both. 00:27:49.500 --> 00:27:50.659 1 Peter 3.15 00:27:50.659 --> 00:27:52.479 talks about passive preaching. 00:27:52.639 --> 00:27:54.299 Be ready at any time 00:27:54.299 --> 00:27:55.439 to give a defense 00:27:55.439 --> 00:27:56.939 to anyone who asks you 00:27:56.939 --> 00:27:57.819 for a reason 00:27:57.819 --> 00:27:58.500 for the hope 00:27:58.500 --> 00:27:59.479 that is in you. 00:28:00.099 --> 00:28:01.000 Sometimes you'll 00:28:01.000 --> 00:28:02.079 intentionally go out 00:28:02.079 --> 00:28:03.240 and start a conversation. 00:28:03.679 --> 00:28:04.799 Sometimes God will bring 00:28:04.799 --> 00:28:06.240 somebody to you 00:28:06.240 --> 00:28:07.500 and we need to be ready 00:28:07.500 --> 00:28:08.859 for those moments. 00:28:09.240 --> 00:28:10.500 And then in Matthew 5.16, 00:28:10.639 --> 00:28:11.839 let your light shine 00:28:11.839 --> 00:28:12.679 before others 00:28:12.679 --> 00:28:13.980 so that they may see 00:28:13.980 --> 00:28:15.199 your good works 00:28:15.199 --> 00:28:16.419 and give glory 00:28:16.419 --> 00:28:17.500 to your Father 00:28:17.500 --> 00:28:18.579 in heaven. 00:28:19.059 --> 00:28:20.460 Even by our lives, 00:28:20.559 --> 00:28:21.599 by our good works, 00:28:21.799 --> 00:28:23.079 we can glorify God 00:28:23.079 --> 00:28:23.980 and point people 00:28:23.980 --> 00:28:24.899 to Him. 00:28:24.900 --> 00:28:25.560 So is it better 00:28:25.560 --> 00:28:26.160 to be active 00:28:26.160 --> 00:28:26.680 or passive? 00:28:27.300 --> 00:28:28.160 The answer is 00:28:28.160 --> 00:28:29.160 yes. 00:28:29.720 --> 00:28:30.160 Both. 00:28:30.560 --> 00:28:30.960 Both. 00:28:31.180 --> 00:28:31.860 Not one or the other. 00:28:32.480 --> 00:28:32.800 Both. 00:28:33.200 --> 00:28:34.440 Active in our evangelism, 00:28:34.580 --> 00:28:35.400 active in our sharing 00:28:35.400 --> 00:28:36.000 of the gospel, 00:28:36.240 --> 00:28:36.940 and passive 00:28:36.940 --> 00:28:37.920 in our evangelism 00:28:37.920 --> 00:28:38.320 and sharing 00:28:38.320 --> 00:28:38.900 of the gospel, 00:28:39.280 --> 00:28:40.660 we do both. 00:28:41.060 --> 00:28:41.259 So, 00:28:41.980 --> 00:28:42.920 that concludes 00:28:42.920 --> 00:28:43.840 ministry of preaching 00:28:43.840 --> 00:28:45.180 and then we get 00:28:45.180 --> 00:28:46.580 to ministry of prayer. 00:28:47.100 --> 00:28:48.480 Ministry of prayer. 00:28:48.480 --> 00:28:48.559 prayer. 00:28:51.599 --> 00:28:52.519 When we're talking 00:28:52.519 --> 00:28:53.079 about praying, 00:28:53.180 --> 00:28:53.759 let's look back 00:28:53.759 --> 00:28:55.180 at Philippians chapter 4. 00:28:55.819 --> 00:28:56.299 I'm sorry, 00:28:56.519 --> 00:28:57.500 verse 1 and, 00:28:58.319 --> 00:28:59.279 let me start that over. 00:28:59.620 --> 00:29:01.059 Philippians chapter 1 00:29:01.059 --> 00:29:01.839 and verse 4. 00:29:01.920 --> 00:29:02.400 There we go. 00:29:02.880 --> 00:29:04.120 Philippians chapter 1 00:29:04.120 --> 00:29:05.019 and verse 4. 00:29:05.360 --> 00:29:06.299 Always praying 00:29:06.299 --> 00:29:07.000 with joy 00:29:07.000 --> 00:29:08.019 for all of you 00:29:08.019 --> 00:29:09.360 in my every prayer. 00:29:10.059 --> 00:29:10.380 Why? 00:29:10.579 --> 00:29:11.360 Why was He praying 00:29:11.360 --> 00:29:11.660 for them? 00:29:11.720 --> 00:29:12.640 Because of their 00:29:12.640 --> 00:29:13.599 partnership 00:29:13.599 --> 00:29:15.259 in the gospel 00:29:15.259 --> 00:29:16.880 from the first day 00:29:16.880 --> 00:29:18.039 until now. 00:29:18.039 --> 00:29:18.619 You see, 00:29:18.740 --> 00:29:19.440 this church 00:29:19.440 --> 00:29:20.519 had bought in 00:29:20.519 --> 00:29:21.200 to the mission. 00:29:22.379 --> 00:29:23.200 This church 00:29:23.200 --> 00:29:24.359 was on mission 00:29:24.359 --> 00:29:25.119 for Jesus. 00:29:26.639 --> 00:29:27.619 And their prayer 00:29:27.619 --> 00:29:29.139 reflected it. 00:29:30.339 --> 00:29:30.579 So, 00:29:30.659 --> 00:29:31.639 Paul was praying 00:29:31.639 --> 00:29:32.319 for them 00:29:32.319 --> 00:29:33.920 always with joy 00:29:33.920 --> 00:29:34.579 in his heart 00:29:34.579 --> 00:29:35.299 because 00:29:35.299 --> 00:29:37.859 of how mission 00:29:37.859 --> 00:29:38.460 focused 00:29:38.460 --> 00:29:39.339 they were. 00:29:40.599 --> 00:29:41.200 So, 00:29:41.240 --> 00:29:41.680 we're going to talk 00:29:41.680 --> 00:29:42.420 for just a moment 00:29:42.420 --> 00:29:43.099 before we leave 00:29:43.099 --> 00:29:43.879 about prayer 00:29:43.879 --> 00:29:45.000 on mission. 00:29:45.940 --> 00:29:47.159 What does it look like 00:29:47.160 --> 00:29:48.759 to have prayer 00:29:48.759 --> 00:29:50.100 on mission? 00:29:52.060 --> 00:29:53.279 I'm not going to have you 00:29:53.279 --> 00:29:54.180 raise your hands 00:29:54.180 --> 00:29:54.720 right now. 00:29:56.779 --> 00:29:57.920 But if I did 00:29:57.920 --> 00:29:58.680 and say, 00:29:58.800 --> 00:29:59.240 how many of you 00:29:59.240 --> 00:30:00.140 prayed this morning? 00:30:00.519 --> 00:30:01.120 There'd probably be 00:30:01.120 --> 00:30:02.060 a lot of hands raised. 00:30:02.660 --> 00:30:03.940 Maybe not every hand. 00:30:04.779 --> 00:30:05.519 How many of you 00:30:05.519 --> 00:30:06.519 prayed last week? 00:30:07.740 --> 00:30:08.840 And then if we took 00:30:08.840 --> 00:30:09.340 a poll, 00:30:09.500 --> 00:30:10.540 what was the subject 00:30:10.540 --> 00:30:11.580 of our prayers? 00:30:11.579 --> 00:30:13.579 Oftentimes, 00:30:15.059 --> 00:30:15.799 we might find 00:30:15.799 --> 00:30:16.759 ourselves praying 00:30:16.759 --> 00:30:17.679 for the sick, 00:30:18.339 --> 00:30:19.199 the hurting, 00:30:20.139 --> 00:30:21.799 the physically 00:30:21.799 --> 00:30:22.460 broken 00:30:22.460 --> 00:30:23.899 more than 00:30:23.899 --> 00:30:24.659 anything else. 00:30:25.319 --> 00:30:26.559 It's not unusual. 00:30:27.559 --> 00:30:28.519 We are commanded 00:30:28.519 --> 00:30:29.179 to do that, 00:30:29.579 --> 00:30:31.039 to take our request 00:30:31.039 --> 00:30:31.519 to God. 00:30:31.720 --> 00:30:33.079 The prayer of faith 00:30:33.079 --> 00:30:34.079 can heal the sick. 00:30:34.500 --> 00:30:35.500 Read this in the Bible. 00:30:36.599 --> 00:30:37.379 But I want to share 00:30:37.379 --> 00:30:38.279 this quote from you. 00:30:39.179 --> 00:30:39.899 I heard it from 00:30:39.899 --> 00:30:40.500 Paul Washer, 00:30:40.500 --> 00:30:41.140 but I'm pretty sure 00:30:41.140 --> 00:30:41.720 he got it from 00:30:41.720 --> 00:30:42.460 Leonard Ravenhill 00:30:42.460 --> 00:30:43.440 if Wade Pierce is right. 00:30:43.519 --> 00:30:44.420 And I think he probably is. 00:30:46.559 --> 00:30:48.240 But it's an outstanding quote 00:30:48.240 --> 00:30:49.519 and there's been 00:30:49.519 --> 00:30:50.720 a few variations of it. 00:30:50.819 --> 00:30:52.059 We spend more time 00:30:52.059 --> 00:30:53.220 praying to keep 00:30:53.220 --> 00:30:54.440 saints out of heaven 00:30:54.440 --> 00:30:56.619 than we ever spend 00:30:56.619 --> 00:30:57.420 praying to get 00:30:57.420 --> 00:30:58.359 sinners into heaven 00:30:58.359 --> 00:30:59.720 or to keep 00:30:59.720 --> 00:31:00.539 sinners out of hell. 00:31:04.619 --> 00:31:05.680 Should we pray 00:31:05.680 --> 00:31:07.880 for our aunt 00:31:07.880 --> 00:31:08.900 when she has cancer? 00:31:09.039 --> 00:31:09.579 Of course. 00:31:10.500 --> 00:31:11.440 Should we pray 00:31:11.440 --> 00:31:12.160 for our son 00:31:12.160 --> 00:31:12.599 or daughter 00:31:12.599 --> 00:31:13.319 when they get hurt? 00:31:13.420 --> 00:31:13.900 Of course. 00:31:15.500 --> 00:31:16.420 We should pray 00:31:16.420 --> 00:31:17.019 that God, 00:31:17.180 --> 00:31:18.059 if it is according 00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:18.779 to his will, 00:31:18.839 --> 00:31:19.660 would heal them, 00:31:20.779 --> 00:31:21.759 extend their life 00:31:21.759 --> 00:31:22.460 so they can bring 00:31:22.460 --> 00:31:23.339 more glory to him 00:31:23.339 --> 00:31:24.859 and he can get glory 00:31:24.859 --> 00:31:25.400 from the healing. 00:31:27.880 --> 00:31:28.839 But usually, 00:31:29.839 --> 00:31:31.140 in churches 00:31:31.140 --> 00:31:31.779 like ours 00:31:31.779 --> 00:31:32.700 across this country, 00:31:33.039 --> 00:31:34.119 we find ourselves 00:31:34.119 --> 00:31:35.180 in the situation 00:31:35.180 --> 00:31:36.920 of this is 90% 00:31:36.920 --> 00:31:37.839 what we pray for. 00:31:37.839 --> 00:31:40.059 and we almost 00:31:40.059 --> 00:31:41.319 never find 00:31:41.319 --> 00:31:42.439 ourselves praying 00:31:42.439 --> 00:31:44.299 for the lost 00:31:44.299 --> 00:31:45.480 without God 00:31:45.480 --> 00:31:47.399 dying and going 00:31:47.399 --> 00:31:47.980 to hell 00:31:47.980 --> 00:31:48.799 every day 00:31:48.799 --> 00:31:50.899 in our neighborhood, 00:31:50.899 --> 00:31:53.379 in our town, 00:31:53.619 --> 00:31:54.459 in our county, 00:31:55.000 --> 00:31:56.679 surrounding counties, 00:31:57.139 --> 00:31:58.319 the Texoma area. 00:31:58.319 --> 00:32:00.220 how many thousands 00:32:00.220 --> 00:32:00.819 of people 00:32:00.819 --> 00:32:01.480 are dying 00:32:01.480 --> 00:32:02.279 without Christ 00:32:02.279 --> 00:32:03.019 every year 00:32:03.019 --> 00:32:05.099 in our home. 00:32:06.099 --> 00:32:06.980 That's not even 00:32:06.980 --> 00:32:07.460 talking about 00:32:07.460 --> 00:32:08.259 the rest of Texas 00:32:08.259 --> 00:32:08.899 and Oklahoma 00:32:08.899 --> 00:32:10.439 and across this country 00:32:10.439 --> 00:32:11.379 and around the world. 00:32:11.379 --> 00:32:12.419 We know there are 00:32:12.419 --> 00:32:13.419 literally millions 00:32:13.419 --> 00:32:14.759 dying without Christ 00:32:14.759 --> 00:32:15.339 every day 00:32:15.339 --> 00:32:17.159 in their sins. 00:32:17.160 --> 00:32:22.100 but we don't often 00:32:22.100 --> 00:32:22.740 find ourselves 00:32:22.740 --> 00:32:23.160 praying 00:32:23.160 --> 00:32:24.620 for them 00:32:24.620 --> 00:32:25.440 to be saved. 00:32:26.120 --> 00:32:27.080 What does the Bible 00:32:27.080 --> 00:32:27.940 have to say about it? 00:32:28.779 --> 00:32:29.700 Romans 10, 1. 00:32:30.140 --> 00:32:30.640 Paul shared 00:32:30.640 --> 00:32:31.440 his heart on it. 00:32:31.820 --> 00:32:32.160 He said, 00:32:32.460 --> 00:32:33.360 my heart's desire 00:32:33.360 --> 00:32:34.180 and prayer 00:32:34.180 --> 00:32:34.820 to God 00:32:34.820 --> 00:32:35.759 for them, 00:32:35.900 --> 00:32:36.900 for his country 00:32:36.900 --> 00:32:37.380 people, 00:32:37.740 --> 00:32:39.320 his nation, 00:32:39.420 --> 00:32:40.180 the Israelites, 00:32:41.140 --> 00:32:41.920 for them 00:32:41.920 --> 00:32:42.840 is that they 00:32:42.840 --> 00:32:43.440 would be 00:32:43.440 --> 00:32:43.960 what? 00:32:44.100 --> 00:32:44.660 What's that word? 00:32:44.660 --> 00:32:46.120 Saved. 00:32:46.759 --> 00:32:47.279 Saved. 00:32:47.740 --> 00:32:48.660 That's what God 00:32:48.660 --> 00:32:49.060 wants. 00:32:49.380 --> 00:32:49.940 He wants 00:32:49.940 --> 00:32:51.220 his people 00:32:51.220 --> 00:32:53.060 to be saved. 00:32:53.240 --> 00:32:53.860 He wants 00:32:53.860 --> 00:32:54.420 the Jews 00:32:54.420 --> 00:32:55.200 to be saved. 00:32:55.400 --> 00:32:55.900 He wants 00:32:55.900 --> 00:32:56.720 the Gentiles 00:32:56.720 --> 00:32:57.540 to be saved. 00:32:57.640 --> 00:32:58.340 He wants you 00:32:58.340 --> 00:32:58.740 and me 00:32:58.740 --> 00:32:59.460 to be saved. 00:32:59.620 --> 00:33:00.019 He wants your 00:33:00.019 --> 00:33:00.440 family 00:33:00.440 --> 00:33:01.420 to be saved. 00:33:01.519 --> 00:33:01.920 He wants your 00:33:01.920 --> 00:33:02.259 neighbors 00:33:02.259 --> 00:33:03.019 to be saved. 00:33:03.240 --> 00:33:03.759 He wants the 00:33:03.759 --> 00:33:04.380 people that work 00:33:04.380 --> 00:33:05.040 at your school 00:33:05.040 --> 00:33:05.900 to be saved. 00:33:06.000 --> 00:33:06.400 He wants the 00:33:06.400 --> 00:33:06.980 people at your 00:33:06.980 --> 00:33:07.600 job site 00:33:07.600 --> 00:33:08.259 to be saved. 00:33:08.480 --> 00:33:09.040 He wants your 00:33:09.040 --> 00:33:09.660 friend group 00:33:09.660 --> 00:33:10.519 to be saved. 00:33:10.620 --> 00:33:11.000 He wants the 00:33:11.000 --> 00:33:11.759 people down 00:33:11.759 --> 00:33:12.220 at the Senior 00:33:12.220 --> 00:33:12.880 Center to be 00:33:12.880 --> 00:33:13.200 saved. 00:33:13.400 --> 00:33:13.860 He wants the 00:33:13.860 --> 00:33:14.240 people in 00:33:14.240 --> 00:33:21.380 Wichita Falls to be saved. He wants all the people everywhere to be saved. That's his heart's desire 00:33:21.380 --> 00:33:28.620 and that became Paul's heart's desire. Is that our heart's desire? And if so, it should reflect 00:33:28.620 --> 00:33:37.620 in our prayer life. Matthew 9, 37, the harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. Talking about 00:33:37.620 --> 00:33:43.099 the harvest being all the people who are out there without God, ready to be told about God, 00:33:43.099 --> 00:33:50.019 but the workers to go out and share the gospel, those are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the 00:33:50.019 --> 00:33:58.219 harvest to send out workers into his harvest. God, send out workers into your harvest. So number one, 00:33:58.639 --> 00:34:04.079 our heart's desire and prayer to God is that they would be saved. God, save the lost. Secondly, 00:34:04.299 --> 00:34:10.880 God, send workers out to the lost. And then thirdly, in Colossians 4, 3, Paul said, pray for us, 00:34:10.880 --> 00:34:17.460 that God would open a door for our message so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ. So we pray 00:34:17.460 --> 00:34:24.280 for those who are proclaiming the mystery of Christ. Say, God, open a door for them. Open a door for the 00:34:24.280 --> 00:34:30.240 message that can save this lost and dying world. Open a door for the preachers, for the missionaries, 00:34:30.740 --> 00:34:35.800 for the pastors, for the teachers, for the evangelists, for those who are going out and preaching the gospel 00:34:35.800 --> 00:34:41.080 actively and passively. Open a door for them and their message. And then finally, in Isaiah 6, 8, 00:34:41.160 --> 00:34:45.160 this is the prayer. This is the prayer that's got to hit home with you this morning. Are you ready? 00:34:45.480 --> 00:34:50.740 Then I hear, then I heard the voice of the Lord asking, who will I send? Who will go for us? And I 00:34:50.740 --> 00:35:00.180 said, Isaiah said, here I am. Send me. That's the final prayer. That closes the circle. 00:35:00.179 --> 00:35:08.239 God save the lost. God send workers out to the lost. God open the door for those who are sharing 00:35:08.239 --> 00:35:17.599 the gospel. And then finally, God send me. And if you pray that, God will send you. 00:35:17.599 --> 00:35:28.699 But he will go before you. And he'll prepare the way. And he will walk with you. And he'll help you 00:35:28.699 --> 00:35:35.920 in those scary moments. And he'll come after you after your mouth is closed. And he will work on the 00:35:35.920 --> 00:35:47.460 heart that received that message. God will be in it all. But God will use our prayers. God will 00:35:47.460 --> 00:35:56.000 answer our prayers. So our takeaway for this morning, am I willing to go on mission for God by preaching 00:35:56.000 --> 00:36:05.280 the gospel and praying for the lost around me? Am I willing to go on mission for God by preaching the 00:36:05.280 --> 00:36:12.900 gospel and praying for the lost around me? Would you bow your head with me? God, I pray that our church 00:36:12.900 --> 00:36:20.639 would be a church would be a church on mission. Our church is not exempt from the mission that you 00:36:20.639 --> 00:36:28.619 have given to all Christians, all churches, for all of history. You've done so many incredible 00:36:28.619 --> 00:36:37.279 things through churches. God, let this be one. Work through our people, our women, our men, 00:36:37.420 --> 00:36:45.779 our youth, our children. Work through them. Let the school system be different because of the gospel 00:36:45.780 --> 00:36:54.460 that is preached. Let our neighborhoods be transformed because of the gospel that is preached. 00:36:57.580 --> 00:37:02.580 Let broken relationships be healed through the power of the gospel that is preached. 00:37:06.740 --> 00:37:12.519 Do a work in our hearts, God. Let us preach the gospel every morning to ourselves when we wake up. 00:37:12.519 --> 00:37:19.119 You are a child of God. You are bought and paid for by the precious blood of Christ. 00:37:20.139 --> 00:37:28.159 God loves you and he's got a wonderful mission for you today. Let us preach that gospel message to 00:37:28.159 --> 00:37:37.400 ourselves and let that get us back on mission every day. God will give you all the glory for it. 00:37:37.400 --> 00:37:41.400 God will give you all the glory for it. We will give you all the glory for it. 00:37:41.400 --> 00:37:48.000 We will say, look what God did. We want to see your blessings. We want to see your power. We want to see your fruit. 00:37:50.300 --> 00:37:54.039 We will give you all the glory. Church, with our heads bowed, 00:37:55.400 --> 00:37:58.920 in this moment of prayer, quietness before we dismiss, 00:37:58.920 --> 00:38:06.180 how many of you would say, I need Jesus in my life right now. I need to give my life to Jesus. 00:38:06.340 --> 00:38:11.220 I need to turn from my sin and turn to Jesus. I need God to save me. Is there anybody in here 00:38:11.220 --> 00:38:15.400 that's under conviction of the Holy Spirit to say, I need God to save me? Would you slip your hand up right now? 00:38:16.780 --> 00:38:17.300 Thank you. 00:38:19.980 --> 00:38:23.099 I'm going to assume I'm talking to mostly Christians in this room. 00:38:23.099 --> 00:38:29.400 So how many of you would testify that God's working in my heart right now 00:38:29.400 --> 00:38:32.460 about preaching the gospel to somebody? 00:38:33.679 --> 00:38:36.099 Maybe there's a specific name and face in your mind. 00:38:37.139 --> 00:38:41.639 Say, God, give me an opportunity and give me the power. Give me the words to say. 00:38:42.019 --> 00:38:45.500 Give me the confidence in you to share the gospel with them. 00:38:46.019 --> 00:38:47.980 Would you slip your hand up right now and I'll pray for you. 00:38:48.539 --> 00:38:51.639 Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. 00:38:51.639 --> 00:38:51.659 Thank you. 00:38:53.099 --> 00:38:53.799 Thank you. 00:38:56.019 --> 00:38:59.159 Put your hands down. God, empower your people, God. 00:39:00.440 --> 00:39:03.179 You love that person more than they ever could. 00:39:04.339 --> 00:39:08.819 You love our family members, our friends, more than we ever could. 00:39:08.880 --> 00:39:13.739 And you crave to forgive them. You crave to save them. 00:39:16.799 --> 00:39:19.480 And we are the instruments that you've chosen to use. 00:39:19.480 --> 00:39:23.519 So give us your power. Go before us. Prepare the way. 00:39:24.920 --> 00:39:33.300 And let our prayer call down power from heaven to save the lost around us. 00:39:33.300 --> 00:39:41.820 Let this be a church on mission, fully engaged in the ministry of preaching and prayer. 00:39:41.820 --> 00:39:45.300 It's in Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 00:39:45.559 --> 00:39:48.059 Jared's going to lead us in a song. 00:39:48.680 --> 00:39:50.559 If you're able to, would you join us in standing? 00:39:51.039 --> 00:39:53.720 If you'd like to come down front and meet with me down here, 00:39:53.940 --> 00:39:57.860 I'll be down here ready to pray with you or talk with you about whatever's on your heart. 00:39:58.120 --> 00:40:01.400 If you need to give your life to Jesus, you need to pray with God about something, 00:40:01.480 --> 00:40:03.200 if you'd like to join as a member of this church, 00:40:03.580 --> 00:40:05.220 meet me down front. I'd be happy to talk with you. 00:40:05.219 --> 00:40:06.219 Amen. 00:40:06.219 --> 00:40:07.219 Amen.