WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.099 Thank you for that wonderful worship this morning. 00:00:10.179 --> 00:00:10.960 Good morning, church. 00:00:12.640 --> 00:00:16.859 Three things that were not in my notes, but I've got to mention them up front since Tim 00:00:16.859 --> 00:00:19.600 actually said something about football. 00:00:19.740 --> 00:00:24.100 I wasn't going to talk about football, but we will be having a tailgate over in Charlotte 00:00:24.100 --> 00:00:25.080 later on this afternoon. 00:00:25.199 --> 00:00:28.660 For those of you who are volunteer fans, I did graduate from University of Tennessee. 00:00:28.660 --> 00:00:29.859 Anyway, we won't go there. 00:00:29.940 --> 00:00:30.219 Sorry. 00:00:33.039 --> 00:00:33.439 Finally. 00:00:35.100 --> 00:00:40.740 The second thing I want to say, again, thank you for this invitation, Pastor Daniel and 00:00:40.740 --> 00:00:41.399 Pastor Jeff. 00:00:41.780 --> 00:00:47.640 I was in the back talking to Jeff before the service began, and I was really asking how 00:00:47.640 --> 00:00:48.519 long the service was. 00:00:48.579 --> 00:00:50.140 I said, well, how long do I have, an hour? 00:00:50.600 --> 00:00:55.840 And he said, if you take an hour, they're going to walk out in the middle of it, so I'm watching 00:00:55.840 --> 00:00:56.439 the time. 00:00:56.439 --> 00:01:06.359 And secondly, thirdly, if my dates are correct, we've got a lot going on today with the missions 00:01:06.359 --> 00:01:06.799 conference. 00:01:07.079 --> 00:01:13.200 But I do believe, I saw on my iPhone, that today is Pastor Appreciation Day. 00:01:13.479 --> 00:01:18.859 And if I'm wrong, you need to appreciate your pastor anyway when you've got a Bible believing, 00:01:19.359 --> 00:01:22.180 fully proclaiming the whole counsel of God as you do in this pastor. 00:01:22.180 --> 00:01:25.180 So can we praise God for our pastors here in this congregation? 00:01:33.540 --> 00:01:39.640 Let me do the most important thing I can do this morning and read from God's Word, the 00:01:39.640 --> 00:01:46.380 Word He's laid on my heart for this service this morning here at First Baptist Church of 00:01:46.380 --> 00:01:46.760 Pickens. 00:01:46.760 --> 00:01:56.420 a very familiar passage when we're talking about missions and about harvest time and going 00:01:56.420 --> 00:02:01.960 out into the fields, which are so ripe for us to show the good news of Jesus Christ from 00:02:01.960 --> 00:02:05.540 Matthew chapter 9, beginning with verse 35. 00:02:05.540 --> 00:02:14.020 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming 00:02:14.020 --> 00:02:22.719 the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 00:02:22.719 --> 00:02:33.780 And when He saw the crowds, He had compassion for them because they were harassed and helpless 00:02:33.780 --> 00:02:37.919 like sheep without a shepherd. 00:02:39.800 --> 00:02:46.560 Then He said to His disciples, the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 00:02:46.560 --> 00:02:59.020 Therefore, and this is a command, by the way, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send 00:02:59.020 --> 00:03:02.800 out laborers into His harvest. 00:03:05.699 --> 00:03:11.840 So I want us to begin this service in prayer and that we pray earnestly. 00:03:11.840 --> 00:03:20.180 In the original language, this word for prayer basically means to beg, to cry out, to implore 00:03:20.180 --> 00:03:27.580 upon Almighty God for the Lord to send out laborers into the harvest field. 00:03:28.900 --> 00:03:36.960 A command from the Lord Jesus Christ, something that was on His heart, that only God can do it. 00:03:36.960 --> 00:03:43.480 And my prayer this morning for this service, in which I'm going to share a very simple passage, 00:03:43.960 --> 00:03:51.340 is that even today you will hear the call of God upon your life or upon those that you know 00:03:51.340 --> 00:03:56.620 the call is up around in their life for Him to send out laborers into the harvest field. 00:03:56.819 --> 00:04:02.080 It is harvest time if we've ever been in one in our entire lifetime. 00:04:02.219 --> 00:04:05.260 For such a time as this, it's harvest time. 00:04:05.259 --> 00:04:06.659 It doesn't require seminary. 00:04:07.979 --> 00:04:13.840 It doesn't require any professional education other than the fact that God's call is on you 00:04:13.840 --> 00:04:15.739 and you must go. 00:04:16.000 --> 00:04:18.939 It has nothing to do with how old you are or how young you are. 00:04:20.279 --> 00:04:23.420 Caleb really came into his own when he was 85 years old when he cried out, 00:04:23.480 --> 00:04:24.439 Lord, give me my mountain. 00:04:25.719 --> 00:04:30.959 So all of us senior citizens in here, if you've never answered the call, it's not too late. 00:04:30.959 --> 00:04:38.239 This world needs a fresh anointing from God and the Holy Spirit to send the good news of Christ Jesus 00:04:38.239 --> 00:04:40.120 to those who have never heard it. 00:04:40.479 --> 00:04:45.699 As we were talking about the Afghanis even this morning, how could we forget that picture 00:04:45.699 --> 00:04:51.339 of the last day our troops were in Afghanistan formally and the plane was taking off 00:04:51.339 --> 00:05:02.259 and the crowds on the runway and even some who clung to the outside of the plane to try to escape that nation? 00:05:02.419 --> 00:05:08.939 How can we fail to see the images of the homeless in our streets? 00:05:08.939 --> 00:05:22.939 The desperate, the bullied, the lost, the forgotten, the refugees, the mentally ill, 00:05:24.939 --> 00:05:33.600 those who have never heard the sweet news of the gospel of Jesus Christ, 00:05:34.600 --> 00:05:37.740 that God sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins. 00:05:38.939 --> 00:05:43.660 What sweet news for somebody today that our sins are forgiven by the blood of Jesus. 00:05:47.339 --> 00:05:50.019 What wonderful news that someone needs to hear. 00:05:50.920 --> 00:05:55.800 If you know Christ Jesus as Savior and Lord, there is therefore now no condemnation 00:05:55.800 --> 00:05:57.939 for those who are in Christ Jesus. 00:05:57.939 --> 00:06:00.740 No shame, no guilt, no fear. 00:06:00.740 --> 00:06:09.480 Oh God, may we be that people that God uses in this hour of creation. 00:06:10.300 --> 00:06:13.420 Father, I ask you to take these few moments and use them for your glory. 00:06:15.259 --> 00:06:21.819 Lord of the harvest, I pray in the name of Jesus and by the conviction of the Holy Spirit 00:06:21.819 --> 00:06:27.939 that even today, now, you bring forth harvesters for your glory. 00:06:29.139 --> 00:06:31.439 In Jesus' name, amen. 00:06:32.879 --> 00:06:37.339 Well, I bring you greetings from Dr. Kevin Ezell, president of the North American Mission Board. 00:06:39.019 --> 00:06:41.939 I was with him and the trustees just a few weeks ago in Chicago, 00:06:41.939 --> 00:06:45.600 and we heard the good news, hopefully you have as well, 00:06:45.699 --> 00:06:52.399 that Annie Armstrong Easter offering surpassed all of our prognostications. 00:06:52.600 --> 00:06:57.660 $68.6 million that our Southern Baptists have given for the mission work 00:06:57.660 --> 00:07:01.120 to plant churches and to spread the gospel in North America. 00:07:01.120 --> 00:07:02.740 So thank you for your giving. 00:07:02.879 --> 00:07:09.699 You're part of 47, 46,000 churches, 16 million Southern Baptists 00:07:09.699 --> 00:07:13.800 who have given sacrificially even during the pandemic. 00:07:14.079 --> 00:07:15.399 We continue to give. 00:07:15.519 --> 00:07:17.720 So thank you, thank you, thank you. 00:07:18.379 --> 00:07:23.800 With that money, we've planted over 1,000 churches since 2010, the last 10 years. 00:07:25.160 --> 00:07:27.300 With your prayers and your offerings, 00:07:27.300 --> 00:07:33.220 yes, we have 3,720 endorsed Southern Baptist chaplains 00:07:33.220 --> 00:07:35.800 who serve in places where the churches cannot often go, 00:07:36.079 --> 00:07:38.079 1,500 chaplains in the armed services, 00:07:40.319 --> 00:07:43.199 chaplains in hospitals and health care and hospices, 00:07:43.420 --> 00:07:46.180 chaplains who are on disaster relief deployments 00:07:46.180 --> 00:07:49.180 and corporate chaplains serving in Fortune 500 companies 00:07:49.180 --> 00:07:52.319 and prison chaplains and law enforcement chaplains 00:07:52.319 --> 00:07:54.139 and community service chaplains. 00:07:54.139 --> 00:07:56.460 Let me just give you just a couple of quick stories. 00:07:57.800 --> 00:08:02.520 Chaplain Captain Jose Rondon, a graduate of North Greenville University. 00:08:02.680 --> 00:08:04.040 You may have heard of him in 2018. 00:08:04.319 --> 00:08:05.819 He was at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. 00:08:06.220 --> 00:08:08.100 Some of you veterans may have heard of that place. 00:08:08.500 --> 00:08:10.259 And over an 18-month period of time, 00:08:10.660 --> 00:08:12.600 God used him and his chaplaincy team 00:08:12.600 --> 00:08:15.600 to lead over 2,000 young men and women 00:08:15.600 --> 00:08:18.540 in the United States Army going through basic training 00:08:18.540 --> 00:08:22.280 to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. 00:08:22.279 --> 00:08:29.559 My pharisaical robes got on me when I keep seeing these numbers rising. 00:08:29.699 --> 00:08:31.259 And by the way, it's not about numbers. 00:08:31.839 --> 00:08:35.139 But it is kind of interesting when you see thousands coming to Christ. 00:08:35.319 --> 00:08:38.120 So I did what anybody else would do. 00:08:38.179 --> 00:08:39.839 I sent a team to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, 00:08:39.839 --> 00:08:43.139 to see what was going on, to see if Jose was not, 00:08:43.539 --> 00:08:45.399 maybe he didn't know how to count, 00:08:45.399 --> 00:08:47.500 or maybe he was embellishing the numbers, 00:08:47.620 --> 00:08:48.419 but it was true. 00:08:49.860 --> 00:08:53.860 So then we have to ask collegiate ministers and others, 00:08:54.039 --> 00:08:58.840 what's the reason that these young 18- to 24-year-olds 00:08:58.840 --> 00:09:01.919 are going to the gospel as they hear it 00:09:01.919 --> 00:09:03.819 and they're making Christ Savior and Lord? 00:09:05.159 --> 00:09:07.139 It's because so many of them, first of all, 00:09:07.179 --> 00:09:08.199 at least in the armed services, 00:09:08.340 --> 00:09:10.360 have never held a Bible in their hands. 00:09:10.360 --> 00:09:14.340 As an 18- to 24-year-old, we give them Bibles, 00:09:14.460 --> 00:09:17.820 they begin reading the truth, the whole truth, 00:09:17.919 --> 00:09:20.560 nothing but the truth, and that's what they are interested in. 00:09:21.340 --> 00:09:25.300 They're not interested in relativism or secularism. 00:09:25.399 --> 00:09:27.340 They're truly interested in truth, 00:09:27.419 --> 00:09:31.240 and not just any truth, but the truth of God, spiritual truth. 00:09:31.500 --> 00:09:33.440 They're interested in relationships, 00:09:34.259 --> 00:09:36.899 meaningful relationships with people 00:09:36.899 --> 00:09:40.399 who have found purpose and significance 00:09:40.399 --> 00:09:42.179 in their lives through the gospel 00:09:42.179 --> 00:09:44.079 and meeting Jesus as Savior and Lord, 00:09:44.159 --> 00:09:45.600 and they're looking for community. 00:09:46.000 --> 00:09:46.659 Oh, my goodness. 00:09:48.139 --> 00:09:50.259 We're talking about the bride of Christ. 00:09:51.279 --> 00:09:52.419 May our churches, 00:09:52.579 --> 00:09:54.240 may First Baptist Church of Pickens 00:09:54.240 --> 00:09:57.340 one day soon be filled with young people 00:09:57.340 --> 00:10:00.340 that are flocking here from our public schools, 00:10:00.500 --> 00:10:02.939 that are coming here to find that truth 00:10:02.939 --> 00:10:05.159 in Jesus Christ alone. 00:10:05.159 --> 00:10:07.100 I could tell you about Chris Rice, 00:10:07.480 --> 00:10:10.279 a young chaplain down at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. 00:10:10.379 --> 00:10:13.919 Every 11 weeks, we make soldiers 00:10:13.919 --> 00:10:15.139 out of these young men and women. 00:10:16.159 --> 00:10:20.919 Every 11 weeks, he'll baptize some 70, 00:10:21.759 --> 00:10:23.779 some 100 young men and women 00:10:23.779 --> 00:10:26.980 who have come to saving knowledge of faith 00:10:26.980 --> 00:10:29.480 in Christ Jesus as their Lord and their Savior. 00:10:29.620 --> 00:10:31.019 I could tell you about Michael Slaughter, 00:10:31.019 --> 00:10:34.799 a young Navy lieutenant up in Chicago 00:10:34.799 --> 00:10:37.059 with the regional training command 00:10:37.059 --> 00:10:41.740 where every cycle of those basic trainees 00:10:41.740 --> 00:10:44.079 as we make sailors out of these young men and women, 00:10:44.519 --> 00:10:46.279 some 200, 250, 00:10:46.799 --> 00:10:48.919 have made professions of faith in Christ Jesus, 00:10:49.399 --> 00:10:51.299 and they come for believer's baptism. 00:10:52.299 --> 00:10:53.299 That's great news, 00:10:53.379 --> 00:10:54.579 but let me give you some bad news. 00:10:54.659 --> 00:10:55.899 Can I just give you some bad news? 00:10:55.899 --> 00:11:00.659 Baptisms are down in the Southern Baptist Convention. 00:11:00.799 --> 00:11:02.259 According to Lifeway Research, 00:11:02.500 --> 00:11:05.259 we have dipped to a level that we haven't seen 00:11:05.259 --> 00:11:07.639 since 1918 and 1919. 00:11:09.299 --> 00:11:10.439 After the influenza, 00:11:10.600 --> 00:11:13.120 the Spanish flu that took so many people's lives. 00:11:13.539 --> 00:11:14.639 Hey, let me tell you something else. 00:11:14.720 --> 00:11:15.879 Church attendance is down. 00:11:16.000 --> 00:11:17.299 I've heard a statistic once 00:11:17.299 --> 00:11:19.639 that while we're meeting in this wonderful place, 00:11:19.980 --> 00:11:22.000 about 11 churches close their doors 00:11:22.000 --> 00:11:27.179 every week in our denomination. 00:11:29.600 --> 00:11:31.700 Those answering the call to the gospel, 00:11:32.320 --> 00:11:34.860 those answering the call to be laborers in the field 00:11:34.860 --> 00:11:38.139 as pastors, as missionaries, as chaplains, 00:11:38.139 --> 00:11:41.179 those numbers are down in our Baptist colleges 00:11:41.179 --> 00:11:44.259 and our seminaries. 00:11:44.960 --> 00:11:50.320 We so desperately need a harvest of laborers 00:11:50.320 --> 00:11:51.760 who will go out into the field. 00:11:52.000 --> 00:11:53.720 May we pray the Lord of the harvest 00:11:53.720 --> 00:11:56.080 sends more laborers into the field. 00:11:57.580 --> 00:11:59.300 That's what this passage is all about 00:11:59.300 --> 00:12:02.240 in Matthew 9, verses 35 through 38. 00:12:02.480 --> 00:12:04.680 Some refer to this as a turning point 00:12:04.680 --> 00:12:07.940 in the gospel of the book of Matthew. 00:12:08.660 --> 00:12:10.660 It's a key that needed to be understood. 00:12:11.160 --> 00:12:14.080 If you read Matthew 3 through 9, 00:12:14.180 --> 00:12:15.700 beginning with Jesus' baptism, 00:12:15.700 --> 00:12:19.340 where he fully identified himself 00:12:19.340 --> 00:12:21.040 as righteous before God, 00:12:21.100 --> 00:12:23.700 he who was without sin was baptized, 00:12:24.379 --> 00:12:27.140 going into the desert for 40 days and 40 nights, 00:12:27.280 --> 00:12:29.400 preparing himself for his mission, 00:12:30.000 --> 00:12:31.680 being tempted by the things 00:12:31.680 --> 00:12:32.879 that we're all tempted about, 00:12:32.960 --> 00:12:35.020 the lust of the eyes, the pride of life, 00:12:35.100 --> 00:12:36.700 and the pride of this world. 00:12:37.220 --> 00:12:38.640 And yet he committed himself 00:12:38.640 --> 00:12:41.320 to serve Almighty God 00:12:41.320 --> 00:12:43.680 with his mind, body, soul, spirit, and strength. 00:12:43.679 --> 00:12:46.239 And then in Matthew 4, verse 17, 00:12:46.399 --> 00:12:48.039 Jesus began to preach 00:12:48.039 --> 00:12:51.259 the gospel of the kingdom. 00:12:52.500 --> 00:12:55.039 Do you know what the gospel of the kingdom is? 00:12:56.299 --> 00:12:57.659 Jesus put it this way 00:12:57.659 --> 00:12:59.019 in his first public address 00:12:59.019 --> 00:13:00.299 from the book of Isaiah. 00:13:01.299 --> 00:13:03.139 The Spirit of the Lord has anointed me 00:13:03.139 --> 00:13:06.500 to preach good news to the poor, 00:13:07.079 --> 00:13:08.859 to proclaim liberty 00:13:08.859 --> 00:13:11.539 to those who are captive, 00:13:11.539 --> 00:13:15.519 to set free those who are oppressed, 00:13:17.259 --> 00:13:19.199 and to proclaim the year, 00:13:19.819 --> 00:13:21.500 the time, right now, 00:13:22.179 --> 00:13:23.019 of the Lord's favor. 00:13:24.980 --> 00:13:26.439 You read the following chapters 00:13:26.439 --> 00:13:28.019 up to chapter 9, verse 35, 00:13:28.099 --> 00:13:29.379 and you see that he healed the sick, 00:13:29.459 --> 00:13:30.579 cleansed the leper, 00:13:30.919 --> 00:13:31.620 cast out demons, 00:13:31.779 --> 00:13:32.639 and raised the dead, 00:13:32.799 --> 00:13:33.659 broke fevers, 00:13:34.339 --> 00:13:35.139 with a word, 00:13:36.299 --> 00:13:37.659 healing every disease, 00:13:38.079 --> 00:13:38.759 every sickness. 00:13:38.879 --> 00:13:39.579 Brothers and sisters, 00:13:39.679 --> 00:13:40.879 I don't know where you come from. 00:13:40.879 --> 00:13:42.860 I've been Southern Baptist all my life, 00:13:42.960 --> 00:13:44.580 but I believe that we may see 00:13:44.580 --> 00:13:46.340 in this dark and dying world 00:13:46.340 --> 00:13:48.539 the day when God uses his labors 00:13:48.539 --> 00:13:49.639 with a word 00:13:49.639 --> 00:13:51.879 to heal the sick, 00:13:52.460 --> 00:13:53.159 cleanse the leper, 00:13:53.600 --> 00:13:54.679 yes, cast out demons, 00:13:54.840 --> 00:13:55.759 and raise the dead. 00:13:56.899 --> 00:13:58.759 I don't hear one amen in this room. 00:14:01.580 --> 00:14:03.259 Look, this world needs some good news. 00:14:04.299 --> 00:14:05.720 Does it not need some good news? 00:14:05.720 --> 00:14:09.920 I read an article recently 00:14:09.920 --> 00:14:11.279 that says that this pandemic 00:14:11.279 --> 00:14:13.060 of 2020 and 2021 00:14:13.060 --> 00:14:15.019 has done something to us psychologically, 00:14:15.320 --> 00:14:16.620 and we have not paid 00:14:16.620 --> 00:14:18.700 the price 00:14:18.700 --> 00:14:19.720 and not really seen 00:14:20.259 --> 00:14:23.180 how it has affected us 00:14:23.180 --> 00:14:25.080 mentally 00:14:25.080 --> 00:14:27.060 and emotionally 00:14:27.060 --> 00:14:29.320 with the isolation 00:14:29.320 --> 00:14:31.620 and the rolling traumas 00:14:31.620 --> 00:14:32.580 and the loss 00:14:32.580 --> 00:14:33.419 financially, 00:14:33.899 --> 00:14:34.700 relationally, 00:14:34.860 --> 00:14:35.659 and death. 00:14:35.779 --> 00:14:37.179 We have not paid the price. 00:14:37.320 --> 00:14:39.620 We've not caught our breath. 00:14:40.259 --> 00:14:42.159 Do you see the crowds 00:14:42.159 --> 00:14:44.679 that are struggling 00:14:44.679 --> 00:14:45.620 with this world? 00:14:47.279 --> 00:14:48.759 What did Jesus see? 00:14:50.159 --> 00:14:51.179 The Scripture says 00:14:51.179 --> 00:14:54.679 He saw the crowds. 00:14:54.679 --> 00:14:58.219 I think one of the reasons 00:14:58.219 --> 00:14:59.199 that we don't see the crowds 00:14:59.199 --> 00:15:01.019 is that we don't pick our eyes up 00:15:01.019 --> 00:15:02.299 off of our iPhones 00:15:02.299 --> 00:15:04.599 or our Facebook pages 00:15:04.599 --> 00:15:05.620 long enough to see 00:15:05.620 --> 00:15:06.359 the people walk. 00:15:06.519 --> 00:15:07.139 It's interesting 00:15:07.139 --> 00:15:08.579 watching people cross the street 00:15:08.579 --> 00:15:10.079 in Chicago and other places 00:15:10.079 --> 00:15:10.939 and they got their hand 00:15:10.939 --> 00:15:11.559 just like this. 00:15:12.059 --> 00:15:13.019 That's very dangerous. 00:15:13.139 --> 00:15:13.319 You know, 00:15:13.379 --> 00:15:14.500 that's hazardous to your health. 00:15:19.139 --> 00:15:20.859 But I think if we just took a moment 00:15:20.860 --> 00:15:25.600 in the supermarket, 00:15:26.000 --> 00:15:26.639 in the mall, 00:15:27.639 --> 00:15:28.860 in public places 00:15:28.860 --> 00:15:29.620 and just kind of 00:15:29.620 --> 00:15:31.139 looked around 00:15:31.139 --> 00:15:34.840 we'd see the crowd. 00:15:38.680 --> 00:15:39.759 Jesus traveled 00:15:39.759 --> 00:15:41.080 in His lifetime, 00:15:41.340 --> 00:15:42.000 earthly lifetime, 00:15:42.159 --> 00:15:44.080 over 200 towns and villages 00:15:44.080 --> 00:15:45.779 in a 40-mile radius 00:15:45.779 --> 00:15:46.460 of Galilee. 00:15:48.360 --> 00:15:49.500 And the more He spoke 00:15:49.500 --> 00:15:51.019 about the gospel 00:15:51.019 --> 00:15:52.159 of the kingdom of God, 00:15:53.279 --> 00:15:54.679 the bigger the audience. 00:15:56.460 --> 00:15:57.759 That ought to tell us something. 00:15:59.179 --> 00:16:00.259 The more we talk 00:16:00.259 --> 00:16:00.919 about the good news 00:16:00.919 --> 00:16:01.860 of Jesus Christ, 00:16:02.559 --> 00:16:03.620 about one who has come 00:16:03.620 --> 00:16:04.460 to set us free 00:16:04.460 --> 00:16:05.100 from our sin, 00:16:05.179 --> 00:16:06.179 who forgave us of our sin, 00:16:06.279 --> 00:16:07.340 cleansed us of all of our 00:16:07.340 --> 00:16:08.500 unrighteousness, 00:16:09.500 --> 00:16:10.700 I think people want 00:16:10.700 --> 00:16:12.240 and need to hear that. 00:16:12.299 --> 00:16:12.919 Do you see 00:16:12.919 --> 00:16:15.220 the crowd? 00:16:16.720 --> 00:16:17.960 What crowd are you talking about? 00:16:18.059 --> 00:16:19.480 How about the college? 00:16:19.500 --> 00:16:21.960 Do you see 00:16:21.960 --> 00:16:23.059 the 31 million 00:16:23.059 --> 00:16:25.480 men and women 00:16:25.480 --> 00:16:26.539 in our campuses, 00:16:27.080 --> 00:16:27.500 universities, 00:16:27.759 --> 00:16:28.159 colleges, 00:16:29.820 --> 00:16:30.600 graduate schools? 00:16:31.220 --> 00:16:31.940 33 million. 00:16:33.259 --> 00:16:33.620 And Tim, 00:16:33.679 --> 00:16:34.539 you may have to correct me, 00:16:34.639 --> 00:16:35.519 but the last I saw, 00:16:35.720 --> 00:16:37.860 it's less than 1%, 00:16:37.860 --> 00:16:39.000 0.68% 00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:41.559 of our collegiate students 00:16:41.559 --> 00:16:43.740 have any kind of active faith 00:16:43.740 --> 00:16:46.399 in Jesus Christ. 00:16:46.399 --> 00:16:48.480 let's talk about 00:16:48.480 --> 00:16:49.480 our veterans for a moment. 00:16:50.480 --> 00:16:51.639 I spent 38 years 00:16:51.639 --> 00:16:52.059 in uniform. 00:16:52.279 --> 00:16:52.740 I know something 00:16:52.740 --> 00:16:53.439 about that tribe. 00:16:53.519 --> 00:16:54.079 How many veterans 00:16:54.079 --> 00:16:54.639 we got in here? 00:16:54.699 --> 00:16:55.399 Can I see the hands? 00:16:55.439 --> 00:16:56.179 I got a few in here. 00:16:56.539 --> 00:16:57.439 Thank you for your service. 00:17:00.439 --> 00:17:01.699 Since 1775, 00:17:01.699 --> 00:17:03.240 when Washington 00:17:03.240 --> 00:17:04.420 stood up the Continental Army, 00:17:04.920 --> 00:17:07.460 less than 1% 00:17:07.460 --> 00:17:08.000 have ever put on 00:17:08.000 --> 00:17:08.519 this uniform. 00:17:08.519 --> 00:17:12.139 44 million Americans 00:17:12.139 --> 00:17:13.400 since 1775 00:17:13.400 --> 00:17:14.079 have worn the uniform. 00:17:14.859 --> 00:17:15.420 What's interesting 00:17:15.420 --> 00:17:17.139 is that 24 million veterans 00:17:17.139 --> 00:17:17.940 are alive today. 00:17:18.039 --> 00:17:18.900 It's a large group. 00:17:21.740 --> 00:17:22.980 What are our issues? 00:17:23.980 --> 00:17:25.039 Post-traumatic stress, 00:17:25.160 --> 00:17:25.799 moral injury, 00:17:26.759 --> 00:17:27.039 suicide. 00:17:27.980 --> 00:17:29.200 You hear the news 00:17:29.200 --> 00:17:30.519 about suicides. 00:17:30.519 --> 00:17:33.339 23, 25 veterans 00:17:33.339 --> 00:17:34.259 commit suicide 00:17:34.259 --> 00:17:36.379 every day, 00:17:36.460 --> 00:17:37.639 one every 65 minutes. 00:17:38.680 --> 00:17:40.240 The news that's breaking now 00:17:40.240 --> 00:17:40.799 is it actually 00:17:40.799 --> 00:17:41.579 might be higher 00:17:41.579 --> 00:17:42.460 because our veterans 00:17:42.460 --> 00:17:43.480 are also overdosing. 00:17:44.480 --> 00:17:45.039 Oxycodone, 00:17:45.920 --> 00:17:46.299 fentanyl, 00:17:46.619 --> 00:17:48.619 other drug-inducing 00:17:48.619 --> 00:17:50.359 means to 00:17:50.359 --> 00:17:53.500 dull the pain. 00:17:54.440 --> 00:17:55.180 We haven't found 00:17:55.180 --> 00:17:55.879 a solution yet. 00:17:55.880 --> 00:17:58.260 our veterans 00:17:58.260 --> 00:17:59.860 need our ministry 00:17:59.860 --> 00:18:00.260 to them. 00:18:00.360 --> 00:18:00.880 Our collegiate 00:18:00.880 --> 00:18:03.340 young men and women 00:18:03.340 --> 00:18:04.320 need our ministry 00:18:04.320 --> 00:18:04.900 to them. 00:18:05.420 --> 00:18:06.080 The Pew Forum 00:18:06.080 --> 00:18:06.660 on Religion 00:18:06.660 --> 00:18:07.700 and Public Life 00:18:07.700 --> 00:18:08.420 says that 00:18:08.420 --> 00:18:10.520 the Protestant religion 00:18:10.520 --> 00:18:11.600 of Christianity 00:18:11.600 --> 00:18:12.680 is no longer 00:18:12.680 --> 00:18:15.100 the major denomination 00:18:15.100 --> 00:18:17.060 in the United States. 00:18:20.520 --> 00:18:21.560 We have lost 00:18:21.560 --> 00:18:22.500 a number of our members 00:18:22.500 --> 00:18:24.280 to the nuns. 00:18:24.320 --> 00:18:24.700 And I don't mean 00:18:24.700 --> 00:18:25.580 the Catholic variety. 00:18:25.579 --> 00:18:26.359 I mean those 00:18:26.359 --> 00:18:26.939 who have no 00:18:26.939 --> 00:18:27.899 religious preference. 00:18:29.099 --> 00:18:30.240 And then we have 00:18:30.240 --> 00:18:30.939 the duns. 00:18:31.460 --> 00:18:32.500 Those who are done 00:18:32.500 --> 00:18:33.199 with church. 00:18:34.159 --> 00:18:34.919 They're done 00:18:34.919 --> 00:18:35.460 with something 00:18:35.460 --> 00:18:36.319 they haven't seen 00:18:36.319 --> 00:18:37.439 lived out in the lives 00:18:37.439 --> 00:18:38.799 of those who profess it. 00:18:40.319 --> 00:18:41.039 They say, 00:18:41.220 --> 00:18:41.960 why would I want 00:18:41.960 --> 00:18:44.439 to experience 00:18:44.439 --> 00:18:45.419 the abundant life 00:18:45.419 --> 00:18:45.879 in Christ? 00:18:45.980 --> 00:18:46.799 Because as I look 00:18:46.799 --> 00:18:49.539 at your countenance, 00:18:50.179 --> 00:18:51.679 I hope it's not catching, 00:18:51.819 --> 00:18:52.679 but I don't want it. 00:18:52.680 --> 00:18:53.320 Look, 00:18:53.320 --> 00:18:56.180 the kingdom of God 00:18:56.180 --> 00:18:57.039 is about righteousness, 00:18:57.320 --> 00:18:57.560 peace, 00:18:57.640 --> 00:18:58.039 and joy 00:18:58.039 --> 00:18:58.980 in the Holy Ghost. 00:18:59.200 --> 00:19:00.240 And it has nothing 00:19:00.240 --> 00:19:01.580 to do with our 00:19:01.580 --> 00:19:02.720 current circumstances. 00:19:03.100 --> 00:19:03.980 Does anybody know 00:19:03.980 --> 00:19:04.940 what I'm talking about 00:19:04.940 --> 00:19:05.340 in here? 00:19:05.339 --> 00:19:09.559 I want the power 00:19:09.559 --> 00:19:10.199 of the resurrection. 00:19:11.259 --> 00:19:12.399 But the apostle Paul 00:19:12.399 --> 00:19:12.939 says you've got to 00:19:12.939 --> 00:19:14.240 also want something else. 00:19:15.199 --> 00:19:15.759 You've got to 00:19:15.759 --> 00:19:16.579 experience and want, 00:19:16.659 --> 00:19:17.559 and you will experience 00:19:17.559 --> 00:19:18.339 and want as a child 00:19:18.339 --> 00:19:18.559 of God, 00:19:18.619 --> 00:19:19.019 a joint heir 00:19:19.019 --> 00:19:19.819 with Jesus Christ, 00:19:19.899 --> 00:19:20.619 the fellowship 00:19:20.619 --> 00:19:23.240 of his sufferings. 00:19:26.240 --> 00:19:27.519 We can do all things 00:19:27.519 --> 00:19:28.359 though through Christ 00:19:28.359 --> 00:19:30.419 who strengthens us. 00:19:30.519 --> 00:19:31.919 Do you see the crowds? 00:19:31.920 --> 00:19:32.820 A crowded world 00:19:32.820 --> 00:19:34.560 of almost 8 million people. 00:19:36.140 --> 00:19:37.759 Do you see the crowded cities 00:19:37.759 --> 00:19:38.740 where many of our 00:19:38.740 --> 00:19:40.580 North American Mission Board 00:19:40.580 --> 00:19:41.640 missionaries have gone 00:19:41.640 --> 00:19:42.920 to these large cities, 00:19:43.060 --> 00:19:44.120 giving it all up 00:19:44.120 --> 00:19:47.900 and going to these huge cities 00:19:47.900 --> 00:19:49.980 to share the gospel? 00:19:51.500 --> 00:19:53.200 Cities that are infested 00:19:53.200 --> 00:19:54.880 with extremist ideology 00:19:54.880 --> 00:19:56.600 and secularism 00:19:56.600 --> 00:19:58.120 and everything else. 00:19:59.519 --> 00:20:00.440 Here's the good news. 00:20:00.440 --> 00:20:04.940 The harvest is ripe. 00:20:05.900 --> 00:20:07.360 I heard someone say recently 00:20:07.360 --> 00:20:10.039 that the harvest always comes 00:20:10.039 --> 00:20:11.759 at that darkest point 00:20:11.759 --> 00:20:13.680 in time. 00:20:14.840 --> 00:20:16.500 And how much darker 00:20:16.500 --> 00:20:17.220 can it get 00:20:17.220 --> 00:20:18.600 than we're living in right now, 00:20:18.680 --> 00:20:19.680 brothers and sisters? 00:20:20.779 --> 00:20:24.259 We should be expecting God 00:20:24.259 --> 00:20:25.440 to break forth 00:20:25.440 --> 00:20:26.340 and do something 00:20:26.340 --> 00:20:28.940 because people are desperate 00:20:28.940 --> 00:20:33.559 do you see 00:20:33.559 --> 00:20:35.860 the crowds? 00:20:37.860 --> 00:20:39.340 I spend a lot of time 00:20:39.340 --> 00:20:40.240 in crowded airports. 00:20:40.960 --> 00:20:42.640 It does not get any easier. 00:20:42.779 --> 00:20:43.960 I don't care what level 00:20:43.960 --> 00:20:44.860 of points you have 00:20:44.860 --> 00:20:45.420 with Delta 00:20:45.420 --> 00:20:46.620 or American Airlines. 00:20:46.619 --> 00:20:51.679 I was in a Memphis airport 00:20:51.679 --> 00:20:53.159 several years ago now, 00:20:53.219 --> 00:20:54.339 but it's one of those visions 00:20:54.339 --> 00:20:55.479 that I just can't get 00:20:55.479 --> 00:20:56.079 off my mind. 00:20:56.979 --> 00:20:58.539 I was at the baggage claim 00:20:58.539 --> 00:20:59.539 waiting for my bag. 00:20:59.879 --> 00:21:00.559 I saw a young man 00:21:00.559 --> 00:21:01.219 in front of me. 00:21:02.879 --> 00:21:04.359 Had a baseball cap on. 00:21:04.579 --> 00:21:05.239 Go Army. 00:21:05.240 --> 00:21:08.279 And so I tapped him 00:21:08.279 --> 00:21:08.779 on his shoulder 00:21:08.779 --> 00:21:09.339 to tell him, 00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:10.140 thanks for your service. 00:21:11.059 --> 00:21:12.420 And when he turned around, 00:21:12.539 --> 00:21:13.259 his face 00:21:13.259 --> 00:21:14.799 was 00:21:14.799 --> 00:21:17.579 almost inhuman looking. 00:21:18.660 --> 00:21:19.660 Terribly scarred. 00:21:19.759 --> 00:21:20.279 Burned. 00:21:22.079 --> 00:21:23.120 It was hard to look him 00:21:23.120 --> 00:21:23.539 in the eye. 00:21:25.440 --> 00:21:25.940 I thanked him 00:21:25.940 --> 00:21:26.579 for his service. 00:21:27.259 --> 00:21:28.339 And as I was walking away, 00:21:28.420 --> 00:21:29.519 his mother 00:21:29.519 --> 00:21:31.400 tapped me on the shoulder 00:21:31.400 --> 00:21:31.819 and she said, 00:21:31.900 --> 00:21:33.779 please pray for my son. 00:21:33.779 --> 00:21:34.819 I said, 00:21:34.859 --> 00:21:35.420 well, I'm so sorry. 00:21:35.639 --> 00:21:36.879 Was the wound 00:21:36.879 --> 00:21:38.039 from an improvised 00:21:38.039 --> 00:21:38.920 explosive device? 00:21:39.059 --> 00:21:40.059 Did something happen 00:21:40.059 --> 00:21:40.920 while he was in Iraq 00:21:40.920 --> 00:21:41.420 or Afghanistan? 00:21:41.879 --> 00:21:42.519 She said, no. 00:21:42.700 --> 00:21:43.099 She said, 00:21:43.220 --> 00:21:44.519 he came back from the war 00:21:44.519 --> 00:21:45.480 with these war wounds 00:21:45.480 --> 00:21:47.160 and he's tried 00:21:47.160 --> 00:21:48.740 so many self-destructive things 00:21:48.740 --> 00:21:49.839 and he continues 00:21:49.839 --> 00:21:51.940 to jump in a fire. 00:21:52.680 --> 00:21:53.639 An open fire. 00:21:53.799 --> 00:21:55.019 And that's what happened to him 00:21:55.019 --> 00:21:55.720 as he is just 00:21:55.720 --> 00:21:56.519 almost burned 00:21:56.519 --> 00:21:57.759 beyond recognition. 00:22:01.139 --> 00:22:02.279 Do you see the crowds? 00:22:02.279 --> 00:22:04.279 Do you see the desperate? 00:22:06.139 --> 00:22:07.299 The scripture says 00:22:07.299 --> 00:22:08.160 that we need 00:22:08.160 --> 00:22:10.379 to have the eyes of Jesus 00:22:10.379 --> 00:22:11.960 and see what he saw. 00:22:12.279 --> 00:22:13.700 He saw the crowds. 00:22:14.039 --> 00:22:15.200 He saw an opportunity 00:22:15.200 --> 00:22:16.139 with the crowds. 00:22:16.859 --> 00:22:17.819 A time that was 00:22:17.819 --> 00:22:20.319 pregnant with opportunity 00:22:20.319 --> 00:22:22.660 to take the gospel. 00:22:24.420 --> 00:22:25.440 The second thing is 00:22:25.440 --> 00:22:26.559 when he saw the crowds, 00:22:26.680 --> 00:22:27.579 notice what happened. 00:22:28.839 --> 00:22:31.740 He had compassion. 00:22:31.740 --> 00:22:32.900 If you see the crowds, 00:22:33.440 --> 00:22:34.680 there has to be a response 00:22:34.680 --> 00:22:35.519 in today's world. 00:22:37.059 --> 00:22:38.259 You hear the stories 00:22:38.259 --> 00:22:39.160 of these refugees 00:22:39.160 --> 00:22:40.620 who have escaped 00:22:40.620 --> 00:22:41.720 with their very life 00:22:41.720 --> 00:22:45.319 and something has 00:22:45.319 --> 00:22:46.220 to happen internally. 00:22:46.559 --> 00:22:47.180 Someone once said, 00:22:47.259 --> 00:22:48.440 we'll never have a heart 00:22:48.440 --> 00:22:49.519 for the harvest 00:22:49.519 --> 00:22:50.319 of the gospel 00:22:50.319 --> 00:22:51.880 unless we see 00:22:51.880 --> 00:22:52.900 the Lord's heart 00:22:52.900 --> 00:22:54.359 for the harvest. 00:22:54.359 --> 00:22:59.859 as the crowd 00:22:59.859 --> 00:23:00.879 thronged around Jesus 00:23:00.879 --> 00:23:01.479 and brought him 00:23:01.479 --> 00:23:02.500 their physical needs 00:23:02.500 --> 00:23:03.179 and their issues 00:23:03.179 --> 00:23:04.359 and their sacred stories 00:23:04.359 --> 00:23:05.159 and their diseases 00:23:05.159 --> 00:23:06.000 and their burdens 00:23:06.000 --> 00:23:06.979 and their brokenness. 00:23:07.240 --> 00:23:08.019 The scripture said 00:23:08.019 --> 00:23:09.179 he had compassion. 00:23:10.639 --> 00:23:12.199 I love studying languages. 00:23:13.779 --> 00:23:14.719 This word in the Greek 00:23:14.719 --> 00:23:15.439 for compassion, 00:23:15.619 --> 00:23:16.879 which means pity. 00:23:17.319 --> 00:23:19.240 It means your gut 00:23:19.240 --> 00:23:20.359 turns splint, 00:23:20.500 --> 00:23:21.319 nitsomai. 00:23:21.319 --> 00:23:22.539 Boy, now that sounds terrible, 00:23:22.839 --> 00:23:23.279 but actually, 00:23:23.700 --> 00:23:25.339 a splint, nitsa, 00:23:25.879 --> 00:23:26.919 is actually some kind 00:23:26.919 --> 00:23:28.000 of a medical procedure. 00:23:28.579 --> 00:23:29.419 A splint to me. 00:23:29.519 --> 00:23:30.319 I can't even spell that. 00:23:30.559 --> 00:23:31.619 I'll just say it. 00:23:32.319 --> 00:23:35.179 But Jesus' internal, 00:23:35.859 --> 00:23:38.319 his intestines churned 00:23:38.319 --> 00:23:41.319 by what he saw. 00:23:41.359 --> 00:23:42.720 Has that ever happened to you? 00:23:42.720 --> 00:23:42.759 No. 00:23:48.019 --> 00:23:48.419 2004, 00:23:49.059 --> 00:23:50.319 I was at the Assassin's Gate. 00:23:50.319 --> 00:23:51.259 Nice place to be 00:23:51.259 --> 00:23:52.319 in Baghdad. 00:23:53.500 --> 00:23:54.879 And there was an explosion. 00:23:55.119 --> 00:23:56.139 A Volkswagen van 00:23:56.139 --> 00:23:56.720 exploded 00:23:56.720 --> 00:23:58.740 with about 500 pounds 00:23:58.740 --> 00:24:02.240 of C4 explosive material. 00:24:03.919 --> 00:24:05.480 And I can't tell you 00:24:05.480 --> 00:24:06.799 what that did 00:24:06.799 --> 00:24:08.000 to a crowded marketplace. 00:24:09.700 --> 00:24:11.339 But you can only imagine. 00:24:13.919 --> 00:24:15.419 Without getting too graphic. 00:24:15.819 --> 00:24:16.399 It's one of those 00:24:16.399 --> 00:24:17.700 combat memories 00:24:17.700 --> 00:24:19.639 I hate to look at. 00:24:19.640 --> 00:24:20.540 I feel like it's a stack 00:24:20.540 --> 00:24:21.020 of photos 00:24:21.020 --> 00:24:22.240 and I don't want to go too deep 00:24:22.240 --> 00:24:23.380 and stay too long. 00:24:24.759 --> 00:24:25.340 But I mean, 00:24:25.400 --> 00:24:25.759 literally, 00:24:25.960 --> 00:24:26.860 our troops 00:24:26.860 --> 00:24:28.100 were helping the Iraqis 00:24:28.100 --> 00:24:28.460 pick 00:24:28.460 --> 00:24:29.600 a body 00:24:29.600 --> 00:24:31.920 remains 00:24:31.920 --> 00:24:32.860 out of trees. 00:24:35.080 --> 00:24:35.960 And I remember 00:24:35.960 --> 00:24:36.780 walking by 00:24:36.780 --> 00:24:39.460 a young Iraqi 00:24:39.460 --> 00:24:40.340 soldier 00:24:40.340 --> 00:24:42.300 on his knees 00:24:42.299 --> 00:24:43.299 in tears. 00:24:43.299 --> 00:24:44.299 He was 00:24:44.299 --> 00:24:44.980 in tears 00:24:44.980 --> 00:24:45.700 just weeping. 00:24:45.859 --> 00:24:46.399 I don't speak 00:24:46.399 --> 00:24:47.000 a lick of 00:24:47.000 --> 00:24:50.460 the Iraqi language 00:24:50.460 --> 00:24:51.379 of Arabic. 00:24:53.700 --> 00:24:55.440 But my gut 00:24:55.440 --> 00:24:56.379 churned for him 00:24:56.379 --> 00:24:58.440 as he was 00:24:58.440 --> 00:25:00.379 kneeling and weeping 00:25:00.379 --> 00:25:00.740 over 00:25:00.740 --> 00:25:03.940 part of human remains. 00:25:03.940 --> 00:25:07.500 I remember 00:25:07.500 --> 00:25:08.480 touching my chest, 00:25:08.580 --> 00:25:09.019 my heart, 00:25:09.299 --> 00:25:10.240 a term of endearment 00:25:10.240 --> 00:25:12.340 in the Islamic world 00:25:12.340 --> 00:25:13.900 and I prayed in English 00:25:13.900 --> 00:25:14.580 for that brother 00:25:14.580 --> 00:25:15.620 and we both wept. 00:25:18.519 --> 00:25:19.920 My heart churned 00:25:19.920 --> 00:25:20.539 at what happens 00:25:20.539 --> 00:25:21.000 in war, 00:25:21.440 --> 00:25:22.140 the devastating 00:25:22.140 --> 00:25:23.180 effects of war. 00:25:24.059 --> 00:25:24.759 My heart churns 00:25:24.759 --> 00:25:25.900 for young troops, 00:25:26.400 --> 00:25:26.840 16, 00:25:27.140 --> 00:25:28.680 18 to 24 year olds 00:25:28.680 --> 00:25:29.600 who we send to war 00:25:29.600 --> 00:25:30.420 and they see things 00:25:30.420 --> 00:25:31.600 that human beings 00:25:31.600 --> 00:25:32.460 should not see. 00:25:33.340 --> 00:25:34.060 They come back 00:25:34.060 --> 00:25:34.680 differently. 00:25:36.580 --> 00:25:37.080 Losing 00:25:37.080 --> 00:25:38.840 their innocence 00:25:38.840 --> 00:25:39.360 and a 00:25:39.360 --> 00:25:41.900 part of their humanity. 00:25:43.420 --> 00:25:44.640 I see their faces 00:25:44.640 --> 00:25:45.279 even now. 00:25:48.560 --> 00:25:49.400 Do you have 00:25:49.400 --> 00:25:49.980 compassion? 00:25:52.840 --> 00:25:53.779 Do you allow 00:25:53.779 --> 00:25:54.759 the things of this world 00:25:54.759 --> 00:25:55.620 to go so deep 00:25:55.620 --> 00:25:58.120 that you churn 00:25:58.120 --> 00:25:59.380 with pity 00:25:59.380 --> 00:26:00.700 and mercy 00:26:00.700 --> 00:26:01.460 for them? 00:26:04.040 --> 00:26:04.660 The thing 00:26:04.660 --> 00:26:05.520 that Jesus saw, 00:26:05.600 --> 00:26:06.260 he said he saw 00:26:06.260 --> 00:26:07.880 people who were faint, 00:26:09.320 --> 00:26:10.000 harassed, 00:26:10.080 --> 00:26:10.620 other words. 00:26:11.160 --> 00:26:12.360 They were worn out. 00:26:13.000 --> 00:26:13.840 They were exhausted. 00:26:13.980 --> 00:26:14.920 They were beaten up. 00:26:15.020 --> 00:26:15.780 They were battered 00:26:15.780 --> 00:26:16.240 and ripped 00:26:16.240 --> 00:26:16.980 and torn. 00:26:18.080 --> 00:26:19.040 One translation, 00:26:19.540 --> 00:26:20.120 they felt like 00:26:20.120 --> 00:26:21.020 they were skinned alive. 00:26:21.120 --> 00:26:21.820 They were bullied. 00:26:24.020 --> 00:26:24.920 That's what he saw. 00:26:26.640 --> 00:26:27.600 The harassed 00:26:27.600 --> 00:26:28.160 and the helpless. 00:26:29.380 --> 00:26:31.120 Those who were thrown down. 00:26:32.300 --> 00:26:33.060 Those who were 00:26:33.060 --> 00:26:34.880 thrown aside. 00:26:36.220 --> 00:26:36.880 Those who were 00:26:36.880 --> 00:26:37.380 lifeless, 00:26:37.540 --> 00:26:38.520 immobilized, 00:26:38.620 --> 00:26:39.420 ready to quit, 00:26:39.660 --> 00:26:40.580 tired and weary, 00:26:40.800 --> 00:26:41.480 prostrate. 00:26:42.180 --> 00:26:43.140 The man at the pool 00:26:43.140 --> 00:26:43.740 of Bethesda, 00:26:43.800 --> 00:26:44.440 there's your picture, 00:26:44.560 --> 00:26:45.520 John chapter 5. 00:26:46.620 --> 00:26:47.300 His excuse 00:26:47.300 --> 00:26:48.120 when Jesus says, 00:26:48.220 --> 00:26:49.020 do you want to be healed? 00:26:49.200 --> 00:26:49.700 He didn't say, 00:26:49.760 --> 00:26:50.200 yes, Lord. 00:26:50.260 --> 00:26:50.520 He said, 00:26:50.700 --> 00:26:50.860 Lord, 00:26:50.900 --> 00:26:51.260 I've been here 00:26:51.260 --> 00:26:52.760 for decades. 00:26:52.759 --> 00:26:56.279 I haven't been healed. 00:27:00.279 --> 00:27:00.879 Helpless, 00:27:01.299 --> 00:27:01.819 hapless, 00:27:02.960 --> 00:27:04.059 like sheep 00:27:04.059 --> 00:27:04.700 without a shepherd. 00:27:06.619 --> 00:27:07.759 Brothers and sisters, 00:27:07.900 --> 00:27:08.640 the religious leaders 00:27:08.640 --> 00:27:09.180 of that day 00:27:09.180 --> 00:27:10.319 were uncaring, 00:27:11.720 --> 00:27:12.619 unconcerned. 00:27:13.619 --> 00:27:14.420 They didn't lead 00:27:14.420 --> 00:27:15.440 anybody to pasture. 00:27:16.539 --> 00:27:17.559 They didn't tend 00:27:17.559 --> 00:27:18.319 or bind wounds. 00:27:18.400 --> 00:27:19.160 They didn't rescue. 00:27:19.160 --> 00:27:20.960 They just gave you 00:27:20.960 --> 00:27:21.700 more law, 00:27:23.019 --> 00:27:24.580 more this or that, 00:27:24.700 --> 00:27:25.840 more heavy burdens. 00:27:27.320 --> 00:27:28.840 But Jesus came along 00:27:28.840 --> 00:27:31.540 and he identified 00:27:31.540 --> 00:27:32.540 with the crowd. 00:27:34.740 --> 00:27:35.560 Isn't that wonderful 00:27:35.560 --> 00:27:36.180 that our Lord 00:27:36.180 --> 00:27:37.440 identified with us? 00:27:37.860 --> 00:27:38.600 He was wounded 00:27:38.600 --> 00:27:39.160 for our transgressions. 00:27:39.920 --> 00:27:40.620 He was bruised 00:27:40.620 --> 00:27:41.580 for our iniquities. 00:27:42.220 --> 00:27:42.800 The scripture says, 00:27:42.920 --> 00:27:43.600 the chastisement 00:27:43.600 --> 00:27:44.740 of our peace 00:27:44.740 --> 00:27:45.160 with God 00:27:45.160 --> 00:27:45.840 was upon him 00:27:45.840 --> 00:27:46.920 and with his stripes 00:27:46.920 --> 00:27:47.400 were healed. 00:27:47.400 --> 00:27:52.000 He was the God-man. 00:27:53.860 --> 00:27:54.920 He suffered 00:27:54.920 --> 00:27:57.100 everything that you 00:27:57.100 --> 00:27:58.220 and I will ever suffer 00:27:58.220 --> 00:28:01.160 yet without sin. 00:28:02.560 --> 00:28:04.640 He never allowed 00:28:04.640 --> 00:28:06.080 their circumstances 00:28:06.080 --> 00:28:08.280 to take away 00:28:08.280 --> 00:28:09.400 the gospel of the kingdom 00:28:09.400 --> 00:28:12.720 about the fact 00:28:12.720 --> 00:28:13.420 that we can do 00:28:13.420 --> 00:28:14.280 all things through Christ 00:28:14.280 --> 00:28:15.280 who gives us the strength. 00:28:17.400 --> 00:28:24.019 Let me tell you 00:28:24.019 --> 00:28:24.460 very quickly, 00:28:24.560 --> 00:28:25.420 I know my time is, 00:28:27.100 --> 00:28:27.940 I know the Methodists 00:28:27.940 --> 00:28:28.680 are going to be out there 00:28:28.680 --> 00:28:29.580 somewhere with their, 00:28:30.240 --> 00:28:30.440 of course, 00:28:30.500 --> 00:28:31.160 we're going to eat here. 00:28:31.280 --> 00:28:31.540 I don't know 00:28:31.540 --> 00:28:32.340 if they're going to join us. 00:28:36.540 --> 00:28:36.980 I don't, 00:28:37.080 --> 00:28:37.580 I can't speak 00:28:37.580 --> 00:28:38.100 for the pastor 00:28:38.100 --> 00:28:39.180 but I remember 00:28:39.180 --> 00:28:40.720 Mondays are a good time 00:28:40.720 --> 00:28:41.380 when a lot of pastors 00:28:41.380 --> 00:28:41.980 decide they're going 00:28:41.980 --> 00:28:42.380 to resign 00:28:42.380 --> 00:28:43.040 from the ministry. 00:28:43.600 --> 00:28:44.580 So pray for your pastor 00:28:44.580 --> 00:28:45.460 especially on Mondays. 00:28:45.460 --> 00:28:48.400 I had a situation 00:28:48.400 --> 00:28:49.799 as a chaplain 00:28:49.799 --> 00:28:51.319 that I just couldn't 00:28:51.319 --> 00:28:51.920 get fixed. 00:28:52.519 --> 00:28:53.440 It was awful 00:28:53.440 --> 00:28:55.160 and I lost sleep over it. 00:28:55.360 --> 00:28:56.039 You ever lost sleep 00:28:56.039 --> 00:28:56.680 over problems? 00:28:56.900 --> 00:28:57.680 I'm not going to ask 00:28:57.680 --> 00:28:58.160 that question. 00:29:00.460 --> 00:29:01.720 I remember waking up 00:29:01.720 --> 00:29:02.079 in the night 00:29:02.079 --> 00:29:02.420 and said, 00:29:02.500 --> 00:29:02.720 Lord, 00:29:03.799 --> 00:29:05.579 I quit. 00:29:05.579 --> 00:29:08.079 I've been in the ministry 00:29:08.079 --> 00:29:08.559 20 years. 00:29:08.639 --> 00:29:09.059 I've been preaching 00:29:09.059 --> 00:29:09.419 by the way 00:29:09.419 --> 00:29:10.799 since I was 14 years old 00:29:10.799 --> 00:29:11.720 similar to your pastor 00:29:11.720 --> 00:29:13.179 who called at a young age. 00:29:14.119 --> 00:29:15.059 I didn't have a chance. 00:29:15.139 --> 00:29:15.799 My mother named me 00:29:15.799 --> 00:29:16.500 after a general, 00:29:16.759 --> 00:29:17.399 Douglas MacArthur 00:29:17.399 --> 00:29:18.519 and a Baptist preacher, 00:29:18.639 --> 00:29:19.159 Forrest Lanier. 00:29:22.159 --> 00:29:22.939 But I quit. 00:29:24.220 --> 00:29:24.539 Lord, 00:29:24.619 --> 00:29:25.199 I'm not who you, 00:29:26.240 --> 00:29:27.319 I'm probably 00:29:27.319 --> 00:29:28.460 in basic Christianity. 00:29:28.679 --> 00:29:29.099 I'm not ready 00:29:29.099 --> 00:29:30.000 for the advanced course 00:29:30.000 --> 00:29:30.799 or the war college 00:29:30.799 --> 00:29:31.500 in Christianity. 00:29:33.199 --> 00:29:33.720 I quit. 00:29:33.720 --> 00:29:35.259 I feel weak, 00:29:35.880 --> 00:29:36.259 helpless, 00:29:37.480 --> 00:29:37.860 ignorant, 00:29:38.380 --> 00:29:39.700 like I'm starting 00:29:39.700 --> 00:29:40.420 all over again. 00:29:41.140 --> 00:29:41.759 I quit. 00:29:41.940 --> 00:29:42.319 And you know what 00:29:42.319 --> 00:29:42.980 the Lord said to me? 00:29:44.559 --> 00:29:45.000 Congratulations, 00:29:45.319 --> 00:29:46.920 I've just recommissioned you. 00:29:47.259 --> 00:29:47.920 You're exactly 00:29:47.920 --> 00:29:48.500 what I need 00:29:48.500 --> 00:29:49.640 in your brokenness. 00:29:51.539 --> 00:29:52.360 Because when you 00:29:52.360 --> 00:29:53.180 are willing to admit 00:29:53.180 --> 00:29:54.240 that you are weak, 00:29:54.680 --> 00:29:56.360 God says in 2 Corinthians 12, 00:29:56.640 --> 00:29:57.759 then I'm going to be strong. 00:29:58.240 --> 00:29:59.299 For my grace is made 00:29:59.299 --> 00:30:00.539 perfect in your weakness. 00:30:01.000 --> 00:30:02.019 So brothers and sisters, 00:30:02.019 --> 00:30:02.839 if you've been called 00:30:02.839 --> 00:30:03.380 to the harvest, 00:30:03.380 --> 00:30:04.040 don't blame it 00:30:04.040 --> 00:30:04.420 on the fact 00:30:04.420 --> 00:30:05.140 that you're too weak 00:30:05.140 --> 00:30:06.080 to testify 00:30:06.080 --> 00:30:06.880 about the goodness 00:30:06.880 --> 00:30:07.980 of God in your heart. 00:30:08.880 --> 00:30:09.860 That you're exactly 00:30:09.860 --> 00:30:10.400 the person 00:30:10.400 --> 00:30:11.420 that God wants 00:30:11.420 --> 00:30:12.620 instead of one 00:30:12.620 --> 00:30:13.680 who has some slick 00:30:13.680 --> 00:30:15.480 evangelistic tool 00:30:15.480 --> 00:30:16.320 that they can use 00:30:16.320 --> 00:30:17.840 and they've memorized it. 00:30:18.160 --> 00:30:20.080 But if anybody's 00:30:20.080 --> 00:30:20.580 going to be brought 00:30:20.580 --> 00:30:21.140 to the kingdom, 00:30:21.420 --> 00:30:22.420 it's by God's power 00:30:22.420 --> 00:30:23.260 through the Holy Spirit 00:30:23.260 --> 00:30:23.960 who convicts. 00:30:24.140 --> 00:30:25.000 The wind that blows 00:30:25.000 --> 00:30:25.860 as it will. 00:30:28.740 --> 00:30:29.520 I've got to bring 00:30:29.520 --> 00:30:30.240 this to a close. 00:30:30.240 --> 00:30:32.559 Jesus saw the crowds. 00:30:33.599 --> 00:30:34.180 He was moved 00:30:34.180 --> 00:30:34.920 by what he saw. 00:30:37.720 --> 00:30:39.019 And then he said something. 00:30:41.279 --> 00:30:42.759 The harvest is plentiful 00:30:42.759 --> 00:30:44.019 but the laborers are few. 00:30:44.120 --> 00:30:45.019 Here is a command. 00:30:47.019 --> 00:30:49.400 Pray, beg, plead with God, 00:30:50.200 --> 00:30:51.859 the Lord of the harvest, 00:30:52.400 --> 00:30:54.700 to send out laborers 00:30:54.700 --> 00:30:55.839 into the harvest. 00:30:55.839 --> 00:30:57.879 Now, why would God 00:30:57.879 --> 00:30:58.599 not answer 00:30:58.599 --> 00:31:01.259 the prayer of his son 00:31:01.259 --> 00:31:03.059 and the prayer 00:31:03.059 --> 00:31:04.079 for the good news 00:31:04.079 --> 00:31:05.000 to be carried 00:31:05.000 --> 00:31:05.639 by people 00:31:05.639 --> 00:31:07.000 into the harvest field? 00:31:10.039 --> 00:31:11.319 The harvest is ripe, 00:31:11.399 --> 00:31:11.779 it's full, 00:31:11.879 --> 00:31:12.220 it's ready. 00:31:12.339 --> 00:31:13.059 There's an urgency 00:31:13.059 --> 00:31:14.459 with that kind of praying. 00:31:14.599 --> 00:31:15.480 Brothers and sisters, 00:31:15.619 --> 00:31:16.480 there's an urgency. 00:31:17.339 --> 00:31:18.000 Do you realize 00:31:18.000 --> 00:31:18.659 how many people 00:31:18.659 --> 00:31:19.599 right now 00:31:19.599 --> 00:31:20.799 on this globe 00:31:20.799 --> 00:31:21.539 are dying 00:31:21.539 --> 00:31:22.359 and going 00:31:22.359 --> 00:31:23.759 to a real hell 00:31:23.759 --> 00:31:24.579 because they've never 00:31:24.579 --> 00:31:25.419 heard the gospel? 00:31:25.420 --> 00:31:26.300 or they've never 00:31:26.300 --> 00:31:27.039 accepted it? 00:31:28.140 --> 00:31:29.080 The harvest is ripe, 00:31:29.180 --> 00:31:30.140 the laborers are few. 00:31:30.340 --> 00:31:31.640 Send out the laborers 00:31:31.640 --> 00:31:32.360 into the harvest. 00:31:32.440 --> 00:31:33.080 Well, what kind of, 00:31:33.300 --> 00:31:34.560 what's a harvester 00:31:34.560 --> 00:31:35.500 supposed to look like? 00:31:35.740 --> 00:31:36.300 So I'm going to give you 00:31:36.300 --> 00:31:37.120 a job description 00:31:37.120 --> 00:31:37.920 for a harvester. 00:31:41.180 --> 00:31:41.660 One, 00:31:42.700 --> 00:31:44.039 God is looking 00:31:44.039 --> 00:31:44.940 for that person 00:31:44.940 --> 00:31:45.740 who says, 00:31:46.740 --> 00:31:49.640 Jesus Christ 00:31:49.640 --> 00:31:50.460 is sufficient 00:31:50.460 --> 00:31:53.380 for all my needs 00:31:53.380 --> 00:31:55.420 and he's proved 00:31:55.420 --> 00:31:55.940 himself 00:31:55.940 --> 00:31:58.140 over and over 00:31:58.140 --> 00:31:59.760 and over again. 00:32:00.540 --> 00:32:01.260 He's taken 00:32:01.260 --> 00:32:02.040 the rough edges 00:32:02.040 --> 00:32:03.000 of my life 00:32:03.000 --> 00:32:04.880 and he's smoothed 00:32:04.880 --> 00:32:05.400 them out 00:32:05.400 --> 00:32:06.500 through the furnace 00:32:06.500 --> 00:32:07.240 of affliction. 00:32:07.640 --> 00:32:08.260 These temporary 00:32:08.260 --> 00:32:09.620 things that are 00:32:09.620 --> 00:32:10.460 doing nothing more 00:32:10.460 --> 00:32:11.380 than making me 00:32:11.380 --> 00:32:12.720 stronger to serve him 00:32:12.720 --> 00:32:13.580 so that I have 00:32:13.580 --> 00:32:14.340 a testimony 00:32:14.340 --> 00:32:15.080 to share 00:32:15.080 --> 00:32:15.600 of the goodness 00:32:15.600 --> 00:32:16.220 of God. 00:32:17.220 --> 00:32:17.920 I met, 00:32:18.000 --> 00:32:18.780 I met a harvester 00:32:18.780 --> 00:32:19.360 last night. 00:32:19.580 --> 00:32:19.940 I don't know 00:32:19.940 --> 00:32:20.440 if she's here. 00:32:20.440 --> 00:32:23.120 I walked 00:32:23.120 --> 00:32:23.820 into the hotel 00:32:23.820 --> 00:32:24.519 where I stayed 00:32:24.519 --> 00:32:28.180 and spoke 00:32:28.180 --> 00:32:28.779 to this woman 00:32:28.779 --> 00:32:29.660 who was sitting 00:32:29.660 --> 00:32:30.759 there folding towels. 00:32:32.759 --> 00:32:33.500 Boy, let me tell you, 00:32:33.559 --> 00:32:34.220 she's had it hard 00:32:34.220 --> 00:32:34.960 here this last 00:32:34.960 --> 00:32:35.720 year or so. 00:32:37.500 --> 00:32:38.279 She's had three 00:32:38.279 --> 00:32:38.920 or four recent 00:32:38.920 --> 00:32:39.380 surgeries. 00:32:39.500 --> 00:32:40.519 Her house just burned. 00:32:41.100 --> 00:32:41.519 Her husband 00:32:41.519 --> 00:32:42.299 just left her 00:32:42.299 --> 00:32:44.200 and I saw 00:32:44.200 --> 00:32:45.680 the countenance 00:32:45.680 --> 00:32:46.740 of God 00:32:46.740 --> 00:32:47.980 on her life 00:32:47.980 --> 00:32:48.820 who continued 00:32:48.819 --> 00:32:49.539 to tell me 00:32:49.539 --> 00:32:49.919 how much 00:32:49.919 --> 00:32:50.759 God had blessed 00:32:50.759 --> 00:32:51.799 her and kept 00:32:51.799 --> 00:32:52.960 her and strengthened 00:32:52.960 --> 00:32:53.919 her through it all. 00:32:57.439 --> 00:32:58.240 I can't see 00:32:58.240 --> 00:32:58.819 in the back row 00:32:58.819 --> 00:32:59.179 right now 00:32:59.179 --> 00:32:59.700 but I'll tell you 00:32:59.700 --> 00:32:59.859 what, 00:32:59.919 --> 00:33:00.700 she had a smile 00:33:00.700 --> 00:33:01.179 of an angel 00:33:01.179 --> 00:33:01.919 on her face. 00:33:03.359 --> 00:33:03.960 That's what 00:33:03.960 --> 00:33:04.539 you and I 00:33:04.539 --> 00:33:05.039 need to be. 00:33:05.119 --> 00:33:05.460 If you want 00:33:05.460 --> 00:33:06.240 to be a harvester, 00:33:06.599 --> 00:33:07.399 we've got to look 00:33:07.399 --> 00:33:08.319 like we're harvesting 00:33:08.319 --> 00:33:09.439 souls for the glory 00:33:09.439 --> 00:33:09.980 of God. 00:33:10.419 --> 00:33:11.259 We've got to be able 00:33:11.259 --> 00:33:11.960 to tell people 00:33:11.960 --> 00:33:13.240 that Jesus' grace 00:33:13.240 --> 00:33:13.799 is sufficient 00:33:13.799 --> 00:33:14.980 for all of our needs. 00:33:16.379 --> 00:33:17.399 We might be weak 00:33:17.399 --> 00:33:17.879 but he's going 00:33:17.880 --> 00:33:18.520 to be strong. 00:33:19.800 --> 00:33:20.560 The one who 00:33:20.560 --> 00:33:21.740 began a good work 00:33:21.740 --> 00:33:22.100 in us, 00:33:22.160 --> 00:33:22.600 he's going to 00:33:22.600 --> 00:33:23.520 bring it to completion. 00:33:24.200 --> 00:33:24.420 Yes, 00:33:24.460 --> 00:33:25.000 in this world 00:33:25.000 --> 00:33:25.300 you're going 00:33:25.300 --> 00:33:25.900 to have troubles 00:33:25.900 --> 00:33:26.600 but brothers 00:33:26.600 --> 00:33:27.160 and sisters, 00:33:27.460 --> 00:33:28.360 be of good cheer. 00:33:28.480 --> 00:33:29.160 I have overcome 00:33:29.160 --> 00:33:29.660 the world. 00:33:29.860 --> 00:33:30.980 That's what Jesus said. 00:33:33.220 --> 00:33:33.760 That's who 00:33:33.760 --> 00:33:34.580 he's looking for. 00:33:35.700 --> 00:33:36.480 Individuals who say, 00:33:36.820 --> 00:33:37.940 I know in whom 00:33:37.940 --> 00:33:39.100 I have believed. 00:33:40.680 --> 00:33:41.920 Though he slay me, 00:33:42.440 --> 00:33:43.600 I'm going to trust him 00:33:43.600 --> 00:33:44.380 and then I'm going 00:33:44.380 --> 00:33:45.200 to tell somebody 00:33:45.200 --> 00:33:46.360 about his faithfulness. 00:33:46.359 --> 00:33:48.119 I can't keep this fire. 00:33:48.439 --> 00:33:49.240 It's like a fire 00:33:49.240 --> 00:33:50.059 inside my bones. 00:33:50.119 --> 00:33:51.259 I've got to let it out. 00:33:51.799 --> 00:33:52.579 Is that your testimony? 00:33:53.419 --> 00:33:54.339 Because if it is, 00:33:54.899 --> 00:33:55.159 the Lord, 00:33:55.279 --> 00:33:56.240 he's recruiting you 00:33:56.240 --> 00:33:56.659 right now. 00:33:56.819 --> 00:33:57.159 Secondly, 00:33:58.559 --> 00:34:01.019 he's looking for those 00:34:01.019 --> 00:34:02.000 who are fully submitted 00:34:02.000 --> 00:34:02.659 to Jesus 00:34:02.659 --> 00:34:04.299 where you say 00:34:04.299 --> 00:34:07.199 without reservation, 00:34:08.960 --> 00:34:09.400 Lord, 00:34:09.859 --> 00:34:11.119 I'll go everywhere 00:34:11.119 --> 00:34:12.799 to everyone 00:34:12.799 --> 00:34:14.159 with the gospel 00:34:14.159 --> 00:34:14.759 of Jesus. 00:34:15.299 --> 00:34:16.859 No strings attached. 00:34:17.420 --> 00:34:17.819 Wherever, 00:34:18.179 --> 00:34:18.359 Lord, 00:34:18.460 --> 00:34:19.000 you lead, 00:34:19.899 --> 00:34:21.440 I will go. 00:34:23.179 --> 00:34:24.659 I can confess 00:34:24.659 --> 00:34:25.119 to you 00:34:25.119 --> 00:34:25.579 that I've had 00:34:25.579 --> 00:34:25.960 my list 00:34:25.960 --> 00:34:26.599 of those places 00:34:26.599 --> 00:34:27.659 that I don't think 00:34:27.659 --> 00:34:28.139 I could go 00:34:28.139 --> 00:34:28.480 and I said, 00:34:28.559 --> 00:34:28.659 Lord, 00:34:28.759 --> 00:34:29.500 send me anywhere 00:34:29.500 --> 00:34:31.539 but I'm not going 00:34:31.539 --> 00:34:32.359 to fill in the blanks 00:34:32.359 --> 00:34:33.960 but you know 00:34:33.960 --> 00:34:34.759 what I'm talking about. 00:34:36.099 --> 00:34:36.960 The Lord is looking 00:34:36.960 --> 00:34:37.359 for those 00:34:37.359 --> 00:34:38.500 who are fully submissive 00:34:38.500 --> 00:34:40.099 to his plan. 00:34:41.920 --> 00:34:43.079 And then last of all, 00:34:44.500 --> 00:34:47.619 if you really recognize 00:34:47.619 --> 00:34:49.500 that Jesus is sufficient 00:34:49.500 --> 00:34:50.260 for your life, 00:34:50.340 --> 00:34:51.579 he's proven it 00:34:51.579 --> 00:34:53.320 and that you've submitted 00:34:53.320 --> 00:34:53.780 to him, 00:34:53.960 --> 00:34:54.800 there's only one other thing 00:34:54.800 --> 00:34:55.280 you've got to do. 00:34:56.900 --> 00:34:58.000 You step out 00:34:58.000 --> 00:35:00.820 on God's word 00:35:00.820 --> 00:35:03.539 and you serve his purposes 00:35:03.539 --> 00:35:04.440 for his glory. 00:35:04.440 --> 00:35:09.720 A few years ago, 00:35:09.820 --> 00:35:10.840 I had a dear saint 00:35:10.840 --> 00:35:11.440 in my life, 00:35:11.539 --> 00:35:12.460 one of my prayer warriors. 00:35:13.500 --> 00:35:14.920 She'd been in and out 00:35:14.920 --> 00:35:15.579 on morphine 00:35:15.579 --> 00:35:16.940 from the cancer 00:35:16.940 --> 00:35:17.800 and she was under 00:35:17.800 --> 00:35:18.559 hospice care. 00:35:19.260 --> 00:35:19.940 I went to visit 00:35:19.940 --> 00:35:21.500 this little 84-year-old woman 00:35:21.500 --> 00:35:22.179 who'd not even 00:35:22.179 --> 00:35:23.380 recognized her family. 00:35:23.840 --> 00:35:24.360 They asked me 00:35:24.360 --> 00:35:25.220 to come see her 00:35:25.220 --> 00:35:26.480 because she was dying 00:35:26.480 --> 00:35:28.340 and when I walked 00:35:28.340 --> 00:35:29.280 into her bedroom, 00:35:30.240 --> 00:35:32.360 she woke up 00:35:32.360 --> 00:35:35.300 and she said, 00:35:35.400 --> 00:35:36.039 Doug Carver, 00:35:36.860 --> 00:35:38.300 you stand firm. 00:35:39.900 --> 00:35:40.680 Don't you quit. 00:35:40.840 --> 00:35:41.440 Don't you let go. 00:35:41.519 --> 00:35:42.500 Don't you throw in the towel. 00:35:43.940 --> 00:35:45.079 You stand firm 00:35:45.079 --> 00:35:46.000 in the word of God. 00:35:46.539 --> 00:35:46.720 I mean, 00:35:46.760 --> 00:35:47.460 the way she said it, 00:35:47.519 --> 00:35:48.960 I almost started apologizing. 00:35:49.120 --> 00:35:49.160 Like, 00:35:49.220 --> 00:35:49.360 hey, 00:35:49.380 --> 00:35:50.240 what's going on here? 00:35:50.800 --> 00:35:51.640 What's she reading 00:35:51.640 --> 00:35:52.340 in my mail? 00:35:53.820 --> 00:35:54.460 Does she know 00:35:54.460 --> 00:35:55.460 my devotional life 00:35:55.460 --> 00:35:56.440 because it's not the greatest? 00:35:58.740 --> 00:35:59.500 That's what the Lord 00:35:59.500 --> 00:36:00.140 is looking for, 00:36:00.599 --> 00:36:01.559 to stand firm 00:36:01.559 --> 00:36:02.240 in his word. 00:36:02.599 --> 00:36:03.340 Brothers and sisters, 00:36:03.440 --> 00:36:04.440 where this world is going, 00:36:04.760 --> 00:36:05.340 I believe that 00:36:05.340 --> 00:36:06.260 it's going to be 00:36:06.260 --> 00:36:07.099 a challenge for you. 00:36:07.940 --> 00:36:08.940 You're going to be challenged 00:36:08.940 --> 00:36:10.220 maybe even with your life 00:36:10.220 --> 00:36:11.579 should you choose 00:36:11.579 --> 00:36:12.180 to believe 00:36:12.180 --> 00:36:13.620 everything in this book 00:36:13.620 --> 00:36:14.860 from Genesis to Revelation, 00:36:15.220 --> 00:36:16.599 the whole counsel of God. 00:36:21.559 --> 00:36:22.960 I close with this last story. 00:36:23.000 --> 00:36:23.539 I promise. 00:36:23.840 --> 00:36:25.280 I know you harvesters 00:36:25.280 --> 00:36:25.720 are getting ready 00:36:25.720 --> 00:36:26.440 to come down the aisle. 00:36:26.519 --> 00:36:27.300 The pastor's ready. 00:36:28.019 --> 00:36:28.420 Brother, 00:36:29.420 --> 00:36:30.360 you need to come on up 00:36:30.360 --> 00:36:31.539 so I know to quit. 00:36:32.360 --> 00:36:35.400 A few years ago, 00:36:35.720 --> 00:36:36.539 20 years ago, 00:36:36.640 --> 00:36:37.340 30 years ago, 00:36:37.640 --> 00:36:39.539 I had the opportunity 00:36:39.539 --> 00:36:40.099 to meet 00:36:40.099 --> 00:36:43.039 Richard Vermehron. 00:36:43.880 --> 00:36:45.240 You may have never heard of him. 00:36:48.340 --> 00:36:49.360 Founder of Voice of the Martyrs. 00:36:49.360 --> 00:36:55.039 He spent time in one of the worst jails 00:36:55.039 --> 00:36:56.800 in the world. 00:36:57.940 --> 00:36:58.420 Underground. 00:36:59.160 --> 00:37:00.280 About 12 feet underground. 00:37:01.720 --> 00:37:02.700 For six years. 00:37:03.519 --> 00:37:04.440 Can you imagine that? 00:37:06.599 --> 00:37:08.039 They had to carry him in 00:37:08.039 --> 00:37:09.480 because while he was in prison, 00:37:10.680 --> 00:37:12.780 the guards tried to get him 00:37:12.780 --> 00:37:13.860 to renounce Jesus. 00:37:13.860 --> 00:37:16.200 He continued to profess Christ 00:37:16.200 --> 00:37:17.240 as Savior and Lord. 00:37:17.460 --> 00:37:18.740 He even witnessed to the guards. 00:37:18.840 --> 00:37:19.860 He was a harvester 00:37:19.860 --> 00:37:21.539 in this prison. 00:37:23.300 --> 00:37:24.519 The guards had taken 00:37:24.519 --> 00:37:25.480 hard rubber hoses 00:37:25.480 --> 00:37:26.019 and beaten 00:37:26.019 --> 00:37:27.780 the soles of his feet 00:37:27.780 --> 00:37:28.980 so he no longer could feel. 00:37:29.880 --> 00:37:30.740 He couldn't walk. 00:37:31.280 --> 00:37:32.280 All the nerve damage 00:37:32.280 --> 00:37:33.400 was so tremendous. 00:37:34.579 --> 00:37:35.000 But you know, 00:37:35.039 --> 00:37:35.559 as he stood up 00:37:35.559 --> 00:37:36.380 to speak to us, 00:37:36.519 --> 00:37:37.599 he had the look 00:37:37.599 --> 00:37:38.920 of that little lady 00:37:38.920 --> 00:37:39.620 I saw last night 00:37:39.620 --> 00:37:40.019 at the hotel. 00:37:40.340 --> 00:37:40.960 He had the look 00:37:40.960 --> 00:37:41.480 of an angel. 00:37:41.480 --> 00:37:43.400 He said, 00:37:43.460 --> 00:37:43.619 you know, 00:37:43.659 --> 00:37:44.179 really the guards 00:37:44.179 --> 00:37:44.780 were pretty nice 00:37:44.780 --> 00:37:45.380 to us in there. 00:37:46.240 --> 00:37:46.559 He said, 00:37:46.599 --> 00:37:47.019 they gave us 00:37:47.019 --> 00:37:48.079 musical instruments. 00:37:48.360 --> 00:37:49.280 Musical instruments 00:37:49.280 --> 00:37:49.960 in a prison 00:37:49.960 --> 00:37:51.119 12 feet underground 00:37:51.119 --> 00:37:51.800 for six years? 00:37:51.960 --> 00:37:52.320 He said, 00:37:52.360 --> 00:37:52.579 yeah. 00:37:53.780 --> 00:37:54.659 They gave us 00:37:54.659 --> 00:37:57.500 steel handcuffs. 00:37:59.079 --> 00:37:59.599 And he said, 00:37:59.699 --> 00:38:00.960 we could sing with them. 00:38:01.760 --> 00:38:03.360 This is the day. 00:38:03.579 --> 00:38:04.440 Clink, clink. 00:38:04.699 --> 00:38:06.260 This is the day 00:38:06.260 --> 00:38:06.940 that the Lord 00:38:06.940 --> 00:38:07.420 hath made. 00:38:07.740 --> 00:38:08.780 And I thought to myself, 00:38:08.780 --> 00:38:09.960 I'm never, ever 00:38:09.960 --> 00:38:13.000 going to allow 00:38:13.000 --> 00:38:13.900 the rocks 00:38:13.900 --> 00:38:14.659 and the trees 00:38:14.659 --> 00:38:15.199 and the hills 00:38:15.199 --> 00:38:16.099 to outshout 00:38:16.099 --> 00:38:17.300 my praise 00:38:17.300 --> 00:38:18.199 to a God 00:38:18.199 --> 00:38:19.139 who can do that 00:38:19.139 --> 00:38:20.940 with a prisoner 00:38:20.940 --> 00:38:21.720 for his faith. 00:38:22.240 --> 00:38:22.619 All right. 00:38:23.760 --> 00:38:24.480 The message 00:38:24.480 --> 00:38:25.320 has been proclaimed. 00:38:25.500 --> 00:38:26.320 It's harvest time. 00:38:26.860 --> 00:38:27.360 I know, 00:38:27.460 --> 00:38:28.639 I know that I know 00:38:28.639 --> 00:38:29.260 that I know 00:38:29.260 --> 00:38:30.099 God is calling 00:38:30.099 --> 00:38:30.659 somebody, 00:38:30.960 --> 00:38:32.119 not just somebody, 00:38:32.420 --> 00:38:32.920 some people 00:38:32.920 --> 00:38:33.619 in this room 00:38:33.619 --> 00:38:34.820 to step out in faith 00:38:34.820 --> 00:38:35.500 and say, 00:38:35.500 --> 00:38:36.240 I'm going to be, 00:38:36.900 --> 00:38:37.800 God is calling me 00:38:37.800 --> 00:38:38.500 to be one of those 00:38:38.500 --> 00:38:39.179 harvesters 00:38:39.179 --> 00:38:40.259 in these days 00:38:40.259 --> 00:38:41.079 in which I live. 00:38:41.199 --> 00:38:41.940 As we stand 00:38:41.940 --> 00:38:42.759 and sing here 00:38:42.759 --> 00:38:43.460 in just a moment, 00:38:44.239 --> 00:38:45.259 I want you to step out 00:38:45.259 --> 00:38:46.219 with the very first 00:38:46.219 --> 00:38:47.079 word we sing. 00:38:47.879 --> 00:38:48.440 Your pastor 00:38:48.440 --> 00:38:49.259 will be down here 00:38:49.259 --> 00:38:50.419 and make this a day 00:38:50.419 --> 00:38:52.239 where you are committing 00:38:52.239 --> 00:38:53.379 or recommitting yourself 00:38:53.379 --> 00:38:54.159 to be a harvester. 00:38:54.519 --> 00:38:55.440 Maybe there's somebody 00:38:55.440 --> 00:38:56.059 in this place 00:38:56.059 --> 00:38:56.779 that has never heard 00:38:56.779 --> 00:38:57.219 the gospel 00:38:57.219 --> 00:38:58.000 of Jesus Christ. 00:38:58.299 --> 00:38:58.980 The good news 00:38:58.980 --> 00:39:00.679 that God 00:39:00.679 --> 00:39:02.739 so loved the world 00:39:02.739 --> 00:39:05.419 that he sent his son 00:39:05.419 --> 00:39:06.839 to a broken world 00:39:06.839 --> 00:39:07.899 full of sin 00:39:07.900 --> 00:39:08.720 and corruption 00:39:08.720 --> 00:39:10.480 and sinful people 00:39:10.480 --> 00:39:12.360 and he died 00:39:12.360 --> 00:39:12.980 on a cross 00:39:12.980 --> 00:39:13.860 for our sins 00:39:13.860 --> 00:39:14.780 to set us free, 00:39:14.920 --> 00:39:15.840 to redeem us 00:39:15.840 --> 00:39:17.740 from the slavery 00:39:17.740 --> 00:39:19.660 to our flesh 00:39:19.660 --> 00:39:21.440 and to forgive us 00:39:21.440 --> 00:39:22.139 of our sins 00:39:22.139 --> 00:39:23.820 and to give us 00:39:23.820 --> 00:39:24.340 the promise 00:39:24.340 --> 00:39:24.980 of eternity 00:39:24.980 --> 00:39:25.820 in heaven forever. 00:39:27.480 --> 00:39:28.460 If you've never 00:39:28.460 --> 00:39:28.920 repented 00:39:28.920 --> 00:39:29.599 and accepted 00:39:29.599 --> 00:39:30.599 and turned to Jesus 00:39:30.599 --> 00:39:31.880 as the author 00:39:31.880 --> 00:39:32.440 and finisher 00:39:32.440 --> 00:39:33.059 of your faith, 00:39:33.180 --> 00:39:33.960 as your redeemer, 00:39:34.480 --> 00:39:35.300 as your savior, 00:39:35.420 --> 00:39:35.900 would you make 00:39:35.900 --> 00:39:36.519 this day, 00:39:37.119 --> 00:39:37.900 that day of salvation. 00:39:38.059 --> 00:39:38.220 Father, 00:39:38.320 --> 00:39:39.220 take this service now. 00:39:39.519 --> 00:39:40.380 Use it for your glory. 00:39:41.460 --> 00:39:42.320 Come Holy Spirit. 00:39:43.280 --> 00:39:44.160 In Jesus' name, 00:39:44.200 --> 00:39:44.360 Amen. 00:39:44.800 --> 00:39:44.980 All right, 00:39:44.980 --> 00:39:45.119 let's go.