WEBVTT

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 Welcome to Ontario Community Church, where we are encouraging, equipping, and engaging lives for Christ.

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! I'm Pastor Patrick Daly, and each week I share sermons that balance the grace and love of Jesus Christ with the truth of the Word of God.

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 Together, we'll explore Scripture using observation, interpretation, and application.

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 This helps us discover practical ways to live out our faith every single day.

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 Let's dive in together into God's Word.

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 So at this time, I'd like to go ahead and let's dim the lights real quick.

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 I have a video for you.

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 And this video, I hope you enjoy it.

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 This was also, this was made by artificial intelligence, which is kind of a pretty incredible thing that we can help bring Scripture to life.

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 So, I hope you enjoy.

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 Lord, when did I see you hungry?

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 When did I see you thirsty?

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 Oh.

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 When did I welcome you, a stranger?

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 When did I see you?

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 You're needing clothes.

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 When were you sick, Lord?

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 And when were you in prison?

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 Whatever you did for the least of these, you did for Christ.

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 It's really powerful how technology changes so quickly.

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 It was just a couple years ago where you might have seen that famous Will Smith trying to eat spaghetti.

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 And you could tell it was made by a computer.

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 You could tell it was fake.

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 And we're hitting a point where it's almost, it looks pretty realistic.

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 And like any tool, whether Google or the internet or any sort of technology that we have, it is important for us to use the tools that we have for good.

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 Like any tool, we can use it for good or we can use it for evil.

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 And this is one of the examples.

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 You've seen the short video of the children in the marketplace.

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 You might have seen one of the other videos that I've had.

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 And here is another video showing the realness of this parable of the sheep and the goats.

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 Of how important it is for us to consider our neighbor.

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 We are saved by grace through faith, you see.

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 And we are called to grow in Christ, to be transformed by Him.

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 And in that, there should be this continued growth process to become more like Christ.

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 To where we exhibit love and kindness and generosity.

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 And also standing firm on the truth of God's Word.

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 It is this great balance between grace and truth.

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 And part of this love, becoming more like Christ, is to feed those that are hungry.

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 To help those that are thirsty and to welcome those who are a stranger.

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 It kind of hits home when you see images like that.

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 Thinking of how can we as Christians, as the body of Christ, consider our neighbor.

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 We have to think how we were once lost.

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 But now we are found.

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 That we were once blind.

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 And now we see.

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 That same kind of love that God has for us.

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 Is the kind of love that we should exhibit for others.

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 We did the scripture reading today.

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 From the Gospel of Matthew.

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 Now, you don't have to raise your hand.

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 I'm sure that most of you have read.

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 Have seen films.

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 Or have at least know.

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 Have some understanding about the sheep and the goats.

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 And this part of the Gospel of Matthew.

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 It helps us.

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 We see that there's this sort of trifecta that's happening.

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 This continuing of parables.

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 Of these short stories.

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 That are simple.

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 But yet they have such depth.

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 It is part of the grand narrative.

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 What I want you to understand.

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 When you consider.

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 When you consider God's word.

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 It is all part of a love story.

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 Between God and his people.

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 The salvation story.

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 Where God sends his son into the world.

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 The miracles that Christ perform.

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 Healing the sick.

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 Walking on water.

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 Turning water into wine.

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 And teaching crowds as well.

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 And let's not forget, of course, the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.

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 All showing part of this narrative that God has in love for humanity.

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 And from the beginning.

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 From the very foundation of the earth.

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 God had a plan.

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 For us.

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 For you.

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 And it's important for us to recognize.

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 That God loves you.

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 No matter what it is you have been through in life.

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 No matter what sort of pain or suffering or anguish you have experienced.

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 In those times where we feel alone.

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 In those times where we have been betrayed by people.

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 Or even when we've had a good life.

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 God is there for us.

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 And he is extending an invitation for you.

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 To come to the wedding feast, as it were.

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 This invitation is a time for us to decide.

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 Are we going to respond?

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 For many of us, we may have received an invitation to a party.

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 If you haven't, let's talk sometime.

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 I'll invite you.

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 Let's make a party sometime.

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 So you at least experience it.

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 Amen?

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 Receiving an invitation is something that is remarkable.

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 It is powerful.

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 It is powerful.

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 For you to be invited.

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 To celebrate someone's anniversary or someone's birthday party.

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 It is very similar when it comes to the Lord.

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 That he invites you into salvation.

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 Into the vineyard.

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 Into the wedding feast.

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 there's many different images that we can think of, we can consider.

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 And when we go into this parable here, the sheep and the goats,

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 it is important for us to recognize how many of you know,

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 and we should all know this, but if you don't, that's okay.

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 So don't raise your hand.

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 So how many of you know the story of the flood of Noah and the ark?

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 Some of you may have heard this when you were a child,

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 or maybe it's the first time you have heard it,

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 where there's a great flood that happens.

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 Well, there is an echo and a connection that we find that there is a time

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 for us to get to safety, for us to get to security before a grand storm comes.

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 Storm that is going to happen.

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 This flood that is representing judgment that happens for the people on the earth.

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 And it's hard for us to understand why would there be a flood?

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 And I'm not going to go so much into that,

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 but for us to understand at least that there was a time for safety.

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 There was a time for people to get into the ark.

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 A time before the storm.

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 And in this parable, we see that God gives us time,

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 but he does not give us forever.

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 There is a certain amount of time for us to respond to Christ's salvation,

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 to respond to the invitation,

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 and for us to think,

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 do I want to have Jesus at the center of my life?

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 Do I want to have Christ as my Savior and Lord?

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 Do I want to know Jesus and be in his presence,

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 to know him and be in that relationship with him?

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 Well, maybe you have already responded to that invitation.

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 Maybe you haven't.

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 Maybe there's a time where you've had an invitation card,

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 and you're like, I don't want to go.

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 Let's be honest here.

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 We've gotten those.

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 Maybe it's your class reunion.

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 Whatever it may be.

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 Maybe it's that friend you didn't really care for,

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 and now they want to be friends.

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 Whatever it is.

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 Maybe you have that card, that invitation,

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 and you haven't even thought about it.

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 But in any case,

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 God has extended that invitation for you to know him,

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 and to be in a relationship with the creator of the heavens and the earth

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 is profound.

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 It is remarkable.

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 You mean to tell me that God who made the universe,

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 the planetary systems,

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 the black holes and the nebulas,

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 I'm not even going to pretend I understand these things.

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 But the same God that made all of this,

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 made us,

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 and invites us to his wedding feast,

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 praise God.

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 We thank him for that.

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 And so,

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 there is,

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 have you responded to that invitation from Christ?

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 I want you,

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 let's open our Bibles real quick

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 to the Gospel of Matthew chapter 25.

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 And I want to kind of show you

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 what is happening here.

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 We can go to that next slide

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 as we're turning our Bibles,

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 or the ESVP Bible is page 987,

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 or you're welcome to use

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 whatever Bible of your choice.

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 It's important for us as Christians,

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 as we grow in Christ,

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 to recognize the patterns

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 and the consistency within Scripture.

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 For many of us,

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 we may read the same verse over and over,

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 and yet God will speak to us

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 at a certain moment in our lives.

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 Amen?

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 It is truly remarkable.

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 So,

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 page 987,

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 the Gospel of Matthew chapter 25.

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 It begins with the parable of the ten virgins.

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 How many of you remember that one?

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 Just going over it real quick,

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 was there's these ten virgins,

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 and they're waiting for the feast.

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 They're waiting for the bridegroom to return.

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 And what's strange is there's some of them

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 that were prepared,

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 and they had oil in their lamps,

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 and some of them didn't.

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 Well, can't you share?

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 The oil is a representation of the Holy Spirit

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 and how they were filled,

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 so to speak.

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 And they were ready,

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 right?

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 That's the main theme from that parable,

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 is preparation.

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 Ready the way for the Lord,

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 as it were.

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 Considering how Christ is teaching,

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 the importance for us to be prepared

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 when Christ returns.

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 Amen?

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 And then it leads us into the parable of the talents.

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 Many of us know that.

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 We've gone over this before.

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 Where it talks about how God gives us

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 our time,

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 our talent,

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 and our treasures.

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 And we are to steward what God has given to us,

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 our very life,

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 our very resources,

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 and how important it is for us to audit

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 what God has given to us.

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 Consider your gifts.

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 Consider your time.

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 Are you at least giving something back to the Lord

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 who gave you everything?

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 That's important for us to think about.

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 So this would be what we would think of

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 as the stewardship.

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 And then,

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 turn over a page,

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 and to page 988,

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 we have the final judgment then.

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 Where?

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 Well,

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 this is where I'm mentioning this trifecta,

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 this triad of parables that are happening.

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 The ten virgins,

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 the talents,

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 and the sheep of the goats,

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 they're all connected about

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 one thing that's happening.

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 The final judgment

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 and the return of Christ.

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 For the talents,

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 it's the return of the master.

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 For the ten virgins,

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 it's the return of the bridegroom.

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 And then in verse,

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 when we see,

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 in verse 31,

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 when the Son of Man comes in His glory

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 and all the angels with Him,

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 then He will sit on His glorious throne.

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 That is a beautiful image of what is to come.

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 Amen?

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 Very important for us.

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 It is connected.

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 And what I want you to really think about

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 when we think of these three parables

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 is that we are in

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 a certain time period,

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 as it were.

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 Some of us may know of it

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 as the church age.

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 Some of us may know it

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 as the age of salvation

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 or the day of grace.

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 Whatever you want to call it,

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 it is important for us to know

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 that there is an allotted time

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 before time is up.

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 It's just like any invitation

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 that we receive.

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 The party is going to be on Tuesday.

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 You're not going to respond

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 on a Wednesday, right?

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 Unless you lost your mail.

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 I get it.

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 Okay?

00:13:55.159 --> 00:13:56.639
 But the idea is that

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 there is a time.

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 A time for you to respond

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 to any RSVP, right?

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 To RSVP, to a letter,

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 to pay your bills on time.

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 We think of that

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 when it comes to the earth.

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 But there's a time for us

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 that God allows us here on the earth

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 to respond to His salvation

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 in faith.

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 The age of grace,

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 the time of salvation

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 before the return.

00:14:21.079 --> 00:14:21.500
 And so,

00:14:22.220 --> 00:14:23.399
 the Son of Man arrives

00:14:23.919 --> 00:14:25.620
 in glory with the angels.

00:14:25.740 --> 00:14:27.379
 We find that in Daniel

00:14:27.379 --> 00:14:29.120
 and also in Revelation.

00:14:29.220 --> 00:14:30.179
 We're not going to turn there,

00:14:30.759 --> 00:14:31.699
 but it's very important

00:14:31.699 --> 00:14:32.399
 to see that consistency,

00:14:33.259 --> 00:14:35.340
 the mentioning of the Son of Man.

00:14:36.220 --> 00:14:37.620
 Then going into verse 32

00:14:37.620 --> 00:14:38.360
 where it says,

00:14:38.740 --> 00:14:39.699
 before Him will be gathered

00:14:39.699 --> 00:14:40.539
 all the nations

00:14:40.539 --> 00:14:41.960
 and He will separate people

00:14:41.960 --> 00:14:44.500
 as a shepherd separates

00:14:44.500 --> 00:14:46.500
 the sheep from the goats.

00:14:46.500 --> 00:14:49.480
 Now, very often in parables

00:14:49.480 --> 00:14:50.220
 we have found

00:14:50.220 --> 00:14:51.779
 there's this separation, right?

00:14:51.820 --> 00:14:52.620
 There is the separating

00:14:52.620 --> 00:14:54.179
 of fish, right?

00:14:54.240 --> 00:14:55.000
 There's the separating

00:14:55.000 --> 00:14:56.419
 of the sheep and the goats.

00:14:56.559 --> 00:14:58.000
 There's the separation

00:14:58.000 --> 00:14:58.960
 that happened between

00:14:58.960 --> 00:15:00.419
 the foolish virgins

00:15:00.419 --> 00:15:01.820
 and the wise virgins, right?

00:15:02.139 --> 00:15:03.820
 The Scripture likes to talk

00:15:03.820 --> 00:15:06.120
 a lot about these distinctions

00:15:06.120 --> 00:15:07.159
 between the righteous

00:15:07.159 --> 00:15:08.759
 and the unrighteous.

00:15:09.460 --> 00:15:10.600
 It's important for us

00:15:10.600 --> 00:15:12.600
 to see this judgment,

00:15:12.919 --> 00:15:13.379
 as it were,

00:15:13.740 --> 00:15:15.120
 that is going to happen.

00:15:15.120 --> 00:15:17.220
 The shepherd in this case

00:15:17.220 --> 00:15:18.600
 is separating the sheep.

00:15:18.720 --> 00:15:20.500
 The right representing honor

00:15:20.500 --> 00:15:21.879
 and representing shelter

00:15:21.879 --> 00:15:22.460
 and safety

00:15:22.460 --> 00:15:23.539
 and from the goats

00:15:23.539 --> 00:15:24.440
 representing exposure

00:15:25.200 --> 00:15:26.159
 and judgment.

00:15:26.580 --> 00:15:27.779
 A fun fact that I found

00:15:27.779 --> 00:15:28.779
 about sheep and goats,

00:15:28.820 --> 00:15:30.539
 if you ever found a shepherd,

00:15:31.379 --> 00:15:33.779
 separating that in biblical times

00:15:33.779 --> 00:15:34.419
 and even now,

00:15:34.659 --> 00:15:36.639
 is that sheep have what?

00:15:36.700 --> 00:15:38.159
 What do you want from sheep

00:15:38.159 --> 00:15:38.779
 that you cut

00:15:38.779 --> 00:15:39.799
 and you use it for clothing?

00:15:39.899 --> 00:15:41.100
 I'm giving tons of hints here.

00:15:41.480 --> 00:15:42.960
 You want wool, right?

00:15:42.960 --> 00:15:45.759
 And you use wool for clothing, right?

00:15:46.160 --> 00:15:47.740
 And the idea is that

00:15:47.740 --> 00:15:48.780
 when you have sheep,

00:15:49.259 --> 00:15:50.240
 well, they're warm

00:15:50.240 --> 00:15:52.180
 because they have all this wool

00:15:52.180 --> 00:15:52.840
 all over them.

00:15:53.540 --> 00:15:54.840
 And goats, on the other hand,

00:15:54.860 --> 00:15:55.620
 are more vulnerable

00:15:55.620 --> 00:15:56.620
 than they are of sheep.

00:15:57.120 --> 00:15:58.400
 I found that to be very interesting

00:15:58.400 --> 00:16:00.200
 that when you found shepherds

00:16:00.200 --> 00:16:00.759
 doing that,

00:16:00.840 --> 00:16:02.300
 that was a common thing

00:16:02.300 --> 00:16:02.960
 that happened then

00:16:02.960 --> 00:16:04.460
 and can be.

00:16:04.620 --> 00:16:06.060
 I mean, there are shepherds

00:16:06.060 --> 00:16:06.680
 still today,

00:16:07.000 --> 00:16:09.519
 but very interesting to see that,

00:16:09.580 --> 00:16:11.080
 that there's this exposure

00:16:11.080 --> 00:16:12.639
 to the elements, as it were.

00:16:13.360 --> 00:16:14.660
 When we think of Christ,

00:16:14.800 --> 00:16:15.700
 the great shepherd,

00:16:15.860 --> 00:16:17.220
 separating the sheep of the goats,

00:16:17.600 --> 00:16:20.040
 how they are exposed, as it were.

00:16:20.160 --> 00:16:21.120
 Now, we're not going to say

00:16:21.120 --> 00:16:22.660
 that wool is protection and whatnot,

00:16:22.780 --> 00:16:24.920
 but it's still interesting nonetheless.

00:16:26.360 --> 00:16:28.080
 And so, we even consider

00:16:28.080 --> 00:16:29.840
 the separation of the wheat

00:16:29.840 --> 00:16:30.620
 and the weeds,

00:16:30.660 --> 00:16:32.280
 if we remember that, right?

00:16:32.320 --> 00:16:34.780
 How the chaff is going to be burned.

00:16:35.100 --> 00:16:36.580
 And we think of how the wheat

00:16:36.580 --> 00:16:37.940
 is stored up and placed

00:16:37.940 --> 00:16:39.160
 into a barn.

00:16:39.159 --> 00:16:40.740
 All of these things

00:16:40.740 --> 00:16:41.620
 are happening, right?

00:16:43.219 --> 00:16:44.620
 We go into verse 33.

00:16:44.860 --> 00:16:45.779
 He will place the sheep

00:16:45.779 --> 00:16:47.120
 on his right and on his left,

00:16:47.279 --> 00:16:48.179
 the goats on the left.

00:16:48.639 --> 00:16:49.779
 Then the king will say

00:16:49.779 --> 00:16:50.839
 to those on his right,

00:16:51.159 --> 00:16:52.339
 come, you are blessed

00:16:52.339 --> 00:16:53.179
 by my father.

00:16:53.399 --> 00:16:54.319
 Inherit the kingdom

00:16:54.319 --> 00:16:55.539
 prepared for you.

00:16:55.600 --> 00:16:56.019
 How many of you

00:16:56.019 --> 00:16:56.899
 have your Bibles open?

00:16:56.980 --> 00:16:57.679
 What does it say?

00:16:58.240 --> 00:16:58.740
 From when?

00:16:59.779 --> 00:17:02.139
 From the foundation, right?

00:17:02.480 --> 00:17:03.500
 Of the world.

00:17:03.759 --> 00:17:05.159
 And that's so important.

00:17:05.339 --> 00:17:06.639
 It should give us comfort

00:17:06.640 --> 00:17:08.340
 to see the consistency

00:17:08.340 --> 00:17:09.740
 that's found within Scripture

00:17:09.740 --> 00:17:11.880
 that God had a plan all along.

00:17:12.700 --> 00:17:14.600
 Now, here's the crazy thing

00:17:14.600 --> 00:17:15.560
 about God is that

00:17:15.560 --> 00:17:17.600
 how many of us understand God fully?

00:17:18.840 --> 00:17:19.860
 Don't raise your hand.

00:17:20.100 --> 00:17:21.240
 I should put my hand down

00:17:21.240 --> 00:17:21.960
 for a second here.

00:17:22.660 --> 00:17:25.140
 That God is so vast.

00:17:25.280 --> 00:17:26.300
 He's limitless.

00:17:26.420 --> 00:17:27.040
 And it kind of,

00:17:27.100 --> 00:17:28.880
 it really messes with your mind

00:17:28.880 --> 00:17:29.580
 when you think about

00:17:29.580 --> 00:17:30.940
 how much God loves you

00:17:30.940 --> 00:17:32.840
 and how God is beyond

00:17:32.840 --> 00:17:34.480
 the space and time continuum.

00:17:35.580 --> 00:17:35.860
 Right?

00:17:35.960 --> 00:17:37.400
 That God is outside of that

00:17:37.400 --> 00:17:38.960
 and that his ways

00:17:38.960 --> 00:17:40.380
 are higher than our ways

00:17:40.380 --> 00:17:42.059
 and yet we're called

00:17:42.059 --> 00:17:43.580
 to seek the higher things.

00:17:43.980 --> 00:17:45.000
 We're called to seek

00:17:45.000 --> 00:17:46.059
 the things of God.

00:17:46.840 --> 00:17:48.779
 That really humbles you

00:17:48.779 --> 00:17:49.279
 for a moment.

00:17:49.440 --> 00:17:51.039
 If it doesn't humble you,

00:17:51.120 --> 00:17:53.100
 then look in a telescope sometime.

00:17:53.880 --> 00:17:55.640
 Look at a microscope sometime.

00:17:56.799 --> 00:17:57.880
 I'm always shocked

00:17:57.880 --> 00:17:58.740
 when I go on YouTube

00:17:58.740 --> 00:18:01.180
 and I see these videos of the,

00:18:01.660 --> 00:18:03.319
 it shows a little dot of the earth

00:18:03.319 --> 00:18:03.980
 and then it shows like

00:18:03.980 --> 00:18:04.839
 this black hole

00:18:04.839 --> 00:18:05.779
 that's about, you know,

00:18:05.859 --> 00:18:07.799
 50,000 times the size of earth.

00:18:08.039 --> 00:18:08.559
 And I'm like,

00:18:08.700 --> 00:18:10.819
 that's just a black hole.

00:18:11.339 --> 00:18:12.319
 That's not even considering

00:18:12.319 --> 00:18:13.799
 galaxies and the universe.

00:18:14.500 --> 00:18:15.539
 And that certainly

00:18:15.539 --> 00:18:16.759
 doesn't even factor in

00:18:16.759 --> 00:18:18.299
 how big our God is

00:18:18.299 --> 00:18:19.720
 who made all of that

00:18:19.720 --> 00:18:22.319
 with such intentionality

00:18:22.319 --> 00:18:24.079
 and with such intricacy.

00:18:25.680 --> 00:18:26.420
 We think of,

00:18:26.720 --> 00:18:28.319
 it's more known in,

00:18:28.319 --> 00:18:28.980
 for those of you

00:18:28.980 --> 00:18:30.339
 who study apologetics,

00:18:30.419 --> 00:18:31.980
 it's known as the clock

00:18:31.980 --> 00:18:33.000
 and the clock maker.

00:18:33.519 --> 00:18:34.579
 We look at a clock,

00:18:35.319 --> 00:18:36.200
 we know that somebody

00:18:36.200 --> 00:18:38.579
 had to at least program

00:18:38.579 --> 00:18:40.119
 the digital, right?

00:18:40.279 --> 00:18:41.480
 But the idea is

00:18:41.480 --> 00:18:42.379
 the clock is ticking

00:18:42.379 --> 00:18:43.439
 and somebody has to

00:18:43.439 --> 00:18:45.179
 have the right tools

00:18:45.179 --> 00:18:46.299
 and have everything needed

00:18:46.299 --> 00:18:47.939
 in order for it to work.

00:18:48.379 --> 00:18:49.240
 And so,

00:18:50.019 --> 00:18:51.019
 going back here,

00:18:51.559 --> 00:18:53.099
 we see that as,

00:18:53.279 --> 00:18:55.899
 as we go into verse 34 onward,

00:18:55.900 --> 00:18:58.180
 let's go to verse 35,

00:18:58.280 --> 00:18:58.940
 for I was hungry,

00:18:59.019 --> 00:18:59.740
 you gave me food,

00:18:59.800 --> 00:19:00.340
 I was thirsty,

00:19:00.400 --> 00:19:01.860
 you gave me drink,

00:19:02.000 --> 00:19:02.759
 I was a stranger

00:19:02.759 --> 00:19:03.600
 and you welcomed me,

00:19:03.780 --> 00:19:05.200
 I was naked and you clothed me,

00:19:05.240 --> 00:19:06.720
 I was sick and you visited me,

00:19:06.780 --> 00:19:07.700
 I was in prison

00:19:07.700 --> 00:19:08.680
 and you came to me.

00:19:08.920 --> 00:19:11.800
 There are six mercies

00:19:11.800 --> 00:19:13.280
 that are mentioned here,

00:19:13.540 --> 00:19:13.840
 okay?

00:19:14.900 --> 00:19:16.660
 And these six mercies are,

00:19:17.180 --> 00:19:17.820
 look,

00:19:18.220 --> 00:19:19.300
 these are examples

00:19:19.300 --> 00:19:21.200
 of how we can minister

00:19:21.200 --> 00:19:21.900
 to other people,

00:19:22.660 --> 00:19:22.940
 right?

00:19:23.460 --> 00:19:24.220
 When's the last time

00:19:24.220 --> 00:19:25.680
 you ran into somebody,

00:19:25.820 --> 00:19:26.740
 don't answer this,

00:19:27.460 --> 00:19:28.820
 the last time you ran into

00:19:28.820 --> 00:19:29.720
 somebody who was hungry

00:19:29.720 --> 00:19:31.620
 or somebody who needed

00:19:31.620 --> 00:19:32.460
 a drink,

00:19:32.539 --> 00:19:32.700
 you know,

00:19:32.740 --> 00:19:33.559
 they were thirsty,

00:19:33.640 --> 00:19:34.320
 they're out in the field,

00:19:34.420 --> 00:19:34.640
 I mean,

00:19:35.039 --> 00:19:35.680
 with the weather,

00:19:35.840 --> 00:19:36.820
 how it's been,

00:19:36.920 --> 00:19:37.160
 you know,

00:19:37.279 --> 00:19:38.660
 there's a lot of them out there.

00:19:39.080 --> 00:19:40.019
 It's certainly been hotter.

00:19:40.299 --> 00:19:40.799
 People need,

00:19:41.279 --> 00:19:43.279
 they need a drink of water

00:19:43.279 --> 00:19:43.880
 kind of thing.

00:19:44.580 --> 00:19:45.980
 The stranger and welcoming.

00:19:46.740 --> 00:19:47.820
 How many of you have met

00:19:47.820 --> 00:19:49.299
 someone who's new to the area

00:19:49.299 --> 00:19:50.400
 and you want to welcome them,

00:19:50.620 --> 00:19:51.940
 have that sense of hospitality

00:19:51.940 --> 00:19:52.740
 for others?

00:19:53.240 --> 00:19:54.059
 Naked in clothing,

00:19:54.160 --> 00:19:55.400
 that's kind of a harder one,

00:19:55.460 --> 00:19:56.720
 but it still exists today.

00:19:57.160 --> 00:19:58.059
 Much like all of these,

00:19:58.140 --> 00:19:59.120
 aren't people still hungry?

00:19:59.220 --> 00:20:00.160
 Aren't people still hungry?

00:20:00.519 --> 00:20:01.039
 I'm thirsty.

00:20:01.160 --> 00:20:02.440
 Don't people still need clothes?

00:20:02.820 --> 00:20:03.759
 They absolutely do.

00:20:03.820 --> 00:20:05.759
 We think of basic needs.

00:20:06.920 --> 00:20:07.220
 Now,

00:20:07.720 --> 00:20:08.440
 we also have

00:20:08.440 --> 00:20:10.460
 sick and visitation

00:20:10.460 --> 00:20:11.580
 and prison and care.

00:20:12.080 --> 00:20:13.380
 It's important for us to note

00:20:13.380 --> 00:20:14.580
 when we consider

00:20:14.580 --> 00:20:16.340
 those that were in prison,

00:20:16.460 --> 00:20:17.279
 it's very different

00:20:17.279 --> 00:20:18.320
 than how we understand

00:20:18.320 --> 00:20:19.259
 prisons today.

00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:20.700
 In prisons today,

00:20:20.700 --> 00:20:21.600
 you have a bed,

00:20:21.720 --> 00:20:22.039
 you have,

00:20:22.279 --> 00:20:22.759
 typically,

00:20:22.920 --> 00:20:24.080
 you have meals and stuff,

00:20:24.539 --> 00:20:25.960
 at least when we think of

00:20:25.960 --> 00:20:27.140
 how things should be run.

00:20:28.220 --> 00:20:28.600
 Now,

00:20:28.759 --> 00:20:29.980
 when we're considering

00:20:29.980 --> 00:20:31.019
 in biblical times,

00:20:31.100 --> 00:20:31.299
 though,

00:20:31.799 --> 00:20:32.940
 they were just locked away

00:20:32.940 --> 00:20:34.940
 and for you to give someone

00:20:34.940 --> 00:20:35.960
 food or drink

00:20:35.960 --> 00:20:36.620
 or clothing,

00:20:37.480 --> 00:20:39.220
 that was showing love

00:20:39.220 --> 00:20:40.740
 because they didn't have it.

00:20:41.480 --> 00:20:41.880
 And so,

00:20:42.000 --> 00:20:42.720
 we think of that

00:20:42.720 --> 00:20:44.019
 kind of hospitality,

00:20:44.380 --> 00:20:45.360
 that type of love

00:20:45.360 --> 00:20:46.059
 that we have

00:20:46.059 --> 00:20:47.080
 for other people.

00:20:47.079 --> 00:20:48.419
 it's exhibiting

00:20:48.419 --> 00:20:49.799
 the love of Christ

00:20:49.799 --> 00:20:50.519
 sort of thing.

00:20:51.699 --> 00:20:52.319
 And so,

00:20:52.419 --> 00:20:53.059
 it goes on

00:20:53.059 --> 00:20:55.139
 in Scripture here

00:20:55.139 --> 00:20:56.619
 where the six mercies

00:20:56.619 --> 00:20:57.119
 are met,

00:20:57.199 --> 00:20:57.379
 right,

00:20:57.419 --> 00:20:58.220
 where Christ is saying,

00:20:58.299 --> 00:20:58.419
 look,

00:20:58.460 --> 00:20:59.679
 you did all of these things.

00:21:00.419 --> 00:21:01.899
 You considered my neighbor.

00:21:02.240 --> 00:21:02.799
 And so,

00:21:03.659 --> 00:21:05.639
 what I want you to realize

00:21:05.639 --> 00:21:06.519
 when you're reading this

00:21:06.519 --> 00:21:07.099
 is how

00:21:07.099 --> 00:21:10.039
 don't take this as,

00:21:10.519 --> 00:21:10.740
 well,

00:21:11.079 --> 00:21:11.960
 you're saved

00:21:11.960 --> 00:21:13.259
 by all of that work.

00:21:14.019 --> 00:21:14.319
 No.

00:21:15.140 --> 00:21:16.259
 This work

00:21:16.259 --> 00:21:17.799
 is because

00:21:17.799 --> 00:21:19.000
 you have been

00:21:19.000 --> 00:21:19.900
 saved,

00:21:19.920 --> 00:21:20.740
 when we think of us

00:21:20.740 --> 00:21:21.339
 as Christians,

00:21:21.740 --> 00:21:22.799
 because you have been

00:21:22.799 --> 00:21:23.720
 saved by grace

00:21:23.720 --> 00:21:24.299
 through faith,

00:21:24.640 --> 00:21:25.299
 you therefore

00:21:25.299 --> 00:21:26.319
 should grow

00:21:26.319 --> 00:21:27.279
 and do good

00:21:27.279 --> 00:21:28.359
 in the name of Christ.

00:21:29.279 --> 00:21:29.759
 Unfortunately,

00:21:29.960 --> 00:21:30.579
 there are people

00:21:30.579 --> 00:21:31.460
 who will read this

00:21:31.460 --> 00:21:31.759
 and say,

00:21:31.859 --> 00:21:31.980
 well,

00:21:32.099 --> 00:21:34.259
 you gotta only focus

00:21:34.259 --> 00:21:35.400
 on doing good.

00:21:35.900 --> 00:21:37.079
 You gotta only focus

00:21:37.079 --> 00:21:37.460
 on that

00:21:37.460 --> 00:21:38.220
 and not focus

00:21:38.220 --> 00:21:39.460
 on Christ,

00:21:39.579 --> 00:21:40.420
 which certainly

00:21:40.420 --> 00:21:41.619
 there are still needs

00:21:41.619 --> 00:21:42.079
 of people

00:21:42.079 --> 00:21:42.720
 that need to be met.

00:21:42.720 --> 00:21:43.880
 I'm not denying that.

00:21:44.240 --> 00:21:45.180
 But when it comes

00:21:45.180 --> 00:21:45.799
 to Scripture

00:21:45.799 --> 00:21:46.579
 and when it comes

00:21:46.579 --> 00:21:47.839
 to us following

00:21:47.839 --> 00:21:48.579
 in the footsteps

00:21:48.579 --> 00:21:49.160
 of Christ,

00:21:49.319 --> 00:21:50.400
 the first thing

00:21:50.400 --> 00:21:51.440
 we must do

00:21:51.440 --> 00:21:52.579
 is to receive

00:21:52.579 --> 00:21:53.100
 that gift

00:21:53.100 --> 00:21:53.900
 and respond

00:21:53.900 --> 00:21:54.960
 to the invitation

00:21:54.960 --> 00:21:55.720
 of Christ.

00:21:56.279 --> 00:21:57.339
 And when we consider

00:21:57.339 --> 00:21:58.720
 all of these works,

00:22:00.120 --> 00:22:00.799
 there's works

00:22:00.799 --> 00:22:01.880
 that there is work

00:22:01.880 --> 00:22:02.759
 that we should do

00:22:02.759 --> 00:22:03.299
 for others,

00:22:03.299 --> 00:22:04.240
 which shows

00:22:04.240 --> 00:22:05.519
 the fruit

00:22:05.519 --> 00:22:06.319
 that we bear.

00:22:07.120 --> 00:22:08.120
 For those of you,

00:22:08.200 --> 00:22:08.759
 you may think

00:22:08.759 --> 00:22:10.600
 of how Scripture

00:22:10.600 --> 00:22:11.380
 talks about

00:22:11.380 --> 00:22:12.960
 the seed planted

00:22:12.960 --> 00:22:13.720
 into the ground

00:22:13.720 --> 00:22:15.000
 and growing

00:22:15.000 --> 00:22:16.680
 and bearing fruit.

00:22:17.180 --> 00:22:18.900
 Very agricultural language.

00:22:19.500 --> 00:22:20.760
 But that is a representation

00:22:20.760 --> 00:22:23.280
 of how we receive salvation,

00:22:23.440 --> 00:22:24.360
 we receive the Word,

00:22:24.580 --> 00:22:25.780
 it grows in us,

00:22:25.900 --> 00:22:26.540
 we grow,

00:22:26.720 --> 00:22:27.840
 and we bear fruit.

00:22:28.120 --> 00:22:29.940
 What an amazing opportunity

00:22:29.940 --> 00:22:30.520
 for us

00:22:30.520 --> 00:22:31.600
 to serve our neighbor.

00:22:32.280 --> 00:22:32.980
 That's a way

00:22:32.980 --> 00:22:33.820
 to produce fruit.

00:22:34.460 --> 00:22:35.820
 And that's very powerful

00:22:35.820 --> 00:22:37.020
 for us to have

00:22:37.020 --> 00:22:37.580
 that care

00:22:37.580 --> 00:22:38.400
 and that compassion

00:22:38.400 --> 00:22:39.000
 for people.

00:22:39.000 --> 00:22:40.720
 It goes on

00:22:40.720 --> 00:22:41.619
 later on in the text

00:22:41.619 --> 00:22:42.460
 where basically

00:22:42.460 --> 00:22:43.440
 you have those,

00:22:43.559 --> 00:22:43.980
 the goats,

00:22:44.140 --> 00:22:44.900
 that are not really,

00:22:45.400 --> 00:22:46.920
 they're not caring.

00:22:47.700 --> 00:22:48.660
 They're not caring

00:22:48.660 --> 00:22:49.579
 for those in need.

00:22:50.299 --> 00:22:51.660
 And you have the sheep

00:22:51.660 --> 00:22:52.319
 that, well,

00:22:52.440 --> 00:22:53.720
 they know their shepherd,

00:22:53.920 --> 00:22:54.079
 amen?

00:22:55.460 --> 00:22:57.160
 They know what to do.

00:22:58.140 --> 00:22:59.119
 And that's

00:22:59.119 --> 00:23:00.680
 very beautiful

00:23:00.680 --> 00:23:01.660
 because we go on

00:23:01.660 --> 00:23:02.519
 even into

00:23:02.519 --> 00:23:03.559
 the ending.

00:23:05.880 --> 00:23:07.259
 Truly I said to you,

00:23:07.259 --> 00:23:09.420
 as you did not do it

00:23:09.420 --> 00:23:10.079
 for one of the least

00:23:10.079 --> 00:23:10.339
 of these,

00:23:10.400 --> 00:23:11.220
 you did not do it to me

00:23:11.220 --> 00:23:11.900
 as he's speaking

00:23:11.900 --> 00:23:12.379
 to the goats,

00:23:12.440 --> 00:23:12.900
 as it were.

00:23:13.440 --> 00:23:14.319
 Verse 46,

00:23:14.440 --> 00:23:15.379
 and these will go away

00:23:15.379 --> 00:23:16.960
 into eternal punishment,

00:23:17.140 --> 00:23:17.700
 but the righteous

00:23:17.700 --> 00:23:19.099
 into eternal life.

00:23:20.240 --> 00:23:20.680
 And so,

00:23:21.440 --> 00:23:23.980
 for your homework sometime,

00:23:24.379 --> 00:23:25.980
 go to Ezekiel 34.

00:23:26.079 --> 00:23:26.819
 We don't have time

00:23:26.819 --> 00:23:27.700
 to go over

00:23:27.700 --> 00:23:28.799
 to Ezekiel 34.

00:23:29.879 --> 00:23:31.039
 But go into

00:23:31.039 --> 00:23:33.180
 that part of the text

00:23:33.180 --> 00:23:34.400
 and you'll see

00:23:34.400 --> 00:23:35.279
 that even in

00:23:35.279 --> 00:23:35.940
 the Old Testament

00:23:35.940 --> 00:23:36.840
 there was mentioning

00:23:36.840 --> 00:23:37.900
 a final judgment

00:23:37.900 --> 00:23:40.259
 of sheep and goats.

00:23:40.460 --> 00:23:41.500
 It's really remarkable.

00:23:42.240 --> 00:23:43.299
 Especially when it talks

00:23:43.299 --> 00:23:44.380
 in verse 17

00:23:44.380 --> 00:23:45.860
 about what is to come.

00:23:46.420 --> 00:23:47.080
 That Yahweh,

00:23:47.240 --> 00:23:47.720
 that God,

00:23:48.000 --> 00:23:48.620
 will separate

00:23:48.620 --> 00:23:49.580
 from the sheep

00:23:49.580 --> 00:23:50.059
 and the goats

00:23:50.059 --> 00:23:51.500
 for you Bible scholars there.

00:23:52.720 --> 00:23:53.080
 And so,

00:23:53.200 --> 00:23:53.559
 also,

00:23:54.360 --> 00:23:55.420
 it's important for us

00:23:55.420 --> 00:23:57.259
 when we think of us,

00:23:57.340 --> 00:23:58.539
 we should all be sheep,

00:23:58.620 --> 00:23:58.799
 right?

00:23:59.779 --> 00:24:00.779
 Don't raise your hand

00:24:00.779 --> 00:24:01.440
 if you're a goat,

00:24:01.519 --> 00:24:01.740
 right?

00:24:02.440 --> 00:24:03.799
 It's important for us

00:24:03.799 --> 00:24:04.059
 to,

00:24:04.420 --> 00:24:04.960
 and any goats

00:24:04.960 --> 00:24:05.259
 in here,

00:24:05.299 --> 00:24:05.460
 right?

00:24:06.000 --> 00:24:06.860
 It's important

00:24:06.860 --> 00:24:07.519
 for us to

00:24:07.519 --> 00:24:09.059
 become a sheep

00:24:09.059 --> 00:24:10.600
 and to follow

00:24:10.600 --> 00:24:11.740
 the shepherd,

00:24:11.860 --> 00:24:12.640
 the great shepherd

00:24:12.640 --> 00:24:14.519
 represented in Christ.

00:24:15.380 --> 00:24:15.819
 And so,

00:24:16.860 --> 00:24:18.579
 in being part of,

00:24:19.000 --> 00:24:20.140
 in being saved,

00:24:20.500 --> 00:24:22.140
 we are inheritors

00:24:22.140 --> 00:24:23.500
 that we're going

00:24:23.500 --> 00:24:24.400
 to inherit.

00:24:25.220 --> 00:24:25.740
 Salvation,

00:24:26.620 --> 00:24:27.100
 the kingdom,

00:24:27.759 --> 00:24:28.660
 it's all part

00:24:28.660 --> 00:24:29.740
 of God's plan

00:24:29.740 --> 00:24:31.140
 to be an heir

00:24:31.140 --> 00:24:32.079
 and to inherit,

00:24:32.279 --> 00:24:33.079
 as it mentions

00:24:33.079 --> 00:24:34.579
 in Romans chapter 8.

00:24:34.619 --> 00:24:35.119
 I know I'm mentioning

00:24:35.119 --> 00:24:36.279
 a bunch of verses here.

00:24:36.740 --> 00:24:37.279
 A lot of those

00:24:37.279 --> 00:24:38.039
 are on your notes here,

00:24:38.119 --> 00:24:38.659
 but if not,

00:24:38.740 --> 00:24:39.759
 just come talk to me after.

00:24:40.879 --> 00:24:41.179
 And so,

00:24:41.240 --> 00:24:42.279
 that's what we find

00:24:42.279 --> 00:24:43.019
 in Scripture

00:24:43.019 --> 00:24:43.859
 regarding this.

00:24:43.939 --> 00:24:44.579
 This is just

00:24:44.579 --> 00:24:46.659
 within the observation here.

00:24:47.319 --> 00:24:48.179
 The response

00:24:48.179 --> 00:24:49.199
 to the least of these,

00:24:49.259 --> 00:24:50.000
 it matters,

00:24:50.179 --> 00:24:50.899
 and then the

00:24:50.899 --> 00:24:52.079
 eternal destinies

00:24:52.079 --> 00:24:53.279
 that we have

00:24:53.279 --> 00:24:54.699
 an allotted time

00:24:54.699 --> 00:24:55.599
 here on earth,

00:24:55.679 --> 00:24:56.519
 and certainly,

00:24:56.679 --> 00:24:57.980
 we have an allotted time

00:24:57.980 --> 00:24:58.519
 for us

00:24:58.519 --> 00:24:59.539
 to respond

00:24:59.539 --> 00:25:00.240
 to the gospel

00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:01.279
 of Jesus Christ.

00:25:01.279 --> 00:25:02.799
 This should hit home

00:25:02.799 --> 00:25:03.200
 for you

00:25:03.200 --> 00:25:03.960
 on the question

00:25:03.960 --> 00:25:05.019
 of whether or not

00:25:05.019 --> 00:25:06.079
 you have responded

00:25:06.079 --> 00:25:07.259
 to the gospel.

00:25:09.139 --> 00:25:10.279
 Let's go to that

00:25:10.279 --> 00:25:11.240
 next slide then.

00:25:12.279 --> 00:25:14.559
 What can we learn

00:25:14.559 --> 00:25:15.359
 from this here?

00:25:16.639 --> 00:25:17.559
 First one,

00:25:17.639 --> 00:25:17.859
 church,

00:25:17.940 --> 00:25:18.619
 what does it say?

00:25:19.879 --> 00:25:20.960
 Ready the way,

00:25:21.319 --> 00:25:22.859
 be a steward.

00:25:24.079 --> 00:25:24.519
 So,

00:25:25.119 --> 00:25:26.180
 the ten virgins,

00:25:26.779 --> 00:25:27.480
 it's about readiness.

00:25:28.200 --> 00:25:28.759
 The parable

00:25:28.759 --> 00:25:29.539
 of the talents,

00:25:30.000 --> 00:25:30.920
 it's about stewardship.

00:25:31.279 --> 00:25:32.279
 The sheep

00:25:32.279 --> 00:25:32.980
 and the goats,

00:25:33.200 --> 00:25:34.660
 it's about

00:25:34.660 --> 00:25:36.440
 living and loving

00:25:36.440 --> 00:25:37.160
 like Christ,

00:25:37.539 --> 00:25:39.039
 showing that love

00:25:39.039 --> 00:25:39.879
 in action.

00:25:40.740 --> 00:25:41.539
 In other words,

00:25:41.720 --> 00:25:42.539
 when we think

00:25:42.539 --> 00:25:43.480
 of all of that

00:25:43.480 --> 00:25:45.139
 Matthew 25

00:25:45.139 --> 00:25:46.460
 and how it's connected

00:25:46.460 --> 00:25:47.099
 with the sheep

00:25:47.099 --> 00:25:47.680
 and the goats,

00:25:48.139 --> 00:25:49.480
 we have got to prepare

00:25:49.480 --> 00:25:50.819
 for the coming

00:25:50.819 --> 00:25:51.399
 of Christ.

00:25:52.059 --> 00:25:53.480
 We have got to respond

00:25:53.480 --> 00:25:54.420
 to the gospel.

00:25:54.920 --> 00:25:56.000
 We have got to say

00:25:56.000 --> 00:25:57.859
 yes to the Lord.

00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:58.359
 God,

00:25:58.359 --> 00:25:59.659
 and in this,

00:26:00.240 --> 00:26:01.399
 in this life

00:26:01.399 --> 00:26:02.219
 that we have,

00:26:02.779 --> 00:26:03.819
 let us continue

00:26:03.819 --> 00:26:04.799
 to grow,

00:26:05.519 --> 00:26:06.339
 becoming more

00:26:06.339 --> 00:26:07.159
 like Christ,

00:26:07.899 --> 00:26:08.919
 be putting on

00:26:08.919 --> 00:26:09.819
 the new self,

00:26:10.299 --> 00:26:11.199
 setting aside

00:26:11.199 --> 00:26:12.379
 the former things

00:26:12.379 --> 00:26:13.819
 and stewarding

00:26:13.819 --> 00:26:15.019
 all that God

00:26:15.019 --> 00:26:16.119
 has given to us

00:26:16.119 --> 00:26:17.339
 and knowing

00:26:17.339 --> 00:26:21.159
 that in the end

00:26:21.159 --> 00:26:21.799
 there will be

00:26:21.799 --> 00:26:22.720
 a final judgment

00:26:22.720 --> 00:26:23.599
 but we don't have

00:26:23.599 --> 00:26:24.279
 to worry about

00:26:24.279 --> 00:26:25.240
 that final judgment.

00:26:25.379 --> 00:26:25.519
 Amen?

00:26:26.759 --> 00:26:27.959
 We get to,

00:26:28.839 --> 00:26:29.679
 we know where

00:26:29.679 --> 00:26:30.199
 we're going

00:26:30.199 --> 00:26:31.699
 and that's a beautiful

00:26:31.699 --> 00:26:32.099
 thing.

00:26:32.799 --> 00:26:33.359
 The second thing,

00:26:33.500 --> 00:26:33.740
 church,

00:26:34.059 --> 00:26:35.119
 what does it say?

00:26:35.119 --> 00:26:37.379
 from grace

00:26:37.379 --> 00:26:38.199
 comes work.

00:26:38.519 --> 00:26:38.799
 Now,

00:26:39.239 --> 00:26:40.459
 it's very important

00:26:40.459 --> 00:26:41.039
 for me to touch

00:26:41.039 --> 00:26:41.539
 on this.

00:26:42.139 --> 00:26:43.139
 As I've been mentioning,

00:26:43.299 --> 00:26:44.599
 God gives us time

00:26:44.599 --> 00:26:46.039
 but not forever.

00:26:46.659 --> 00:26:47.859
 The final accountability

00:26:47.859 --> 00:26:48.759
 is certain.

00:26:50.159 --> 00:26:51.579
 It leads us to

00:26:51.579 --> 00:26:52.639
 from grace

00:26:52.639 --> 00:26:53.299
 comes work.

00:26:53.399 --> 00:26:53.479
 Now,

00:26:53.639 --> 00:26:54.579
 this is where we get

00:26:54.579 --> 00:26:55.500
 into semantics

00:26:55.500 --> 00:26:56.239
 and the order

00:26:56.239 --> 00:26:57.279
 in which things happen

00:26:57.279 --> 00:26:57.799
 but listen,

00:26:58.119 --> 00:26:58.979
 when we think

00:26:58.979 --> 00:27:00.119
 of what scripture

00:27:00.119 --> 00:27:00.779
 tells us,

00:27:00.879 --> 00:27:02.299
 we are saved

00:27:02.299 --> 00:27:03.319
 by grace

00:27:03.319 --> 00:27:05.079
 through faith.

00:27:05.439 --> 00:27:06.459
 We should all know this

00:27:06.459 --> 00:27:07.179
 and if you haven't,

00:27:07.239 --> 00:27:08.099
 you should know it now.

00:27:08.799 --> 00:27:09.000
 Right?

00:27:09.419 --> 00:27:10.259
 Saved by grace

00:27:10.259 --> 00:27:10.839
 through faith.

00:27:10.959 --> 00:27:12.199
 Believing in the death,

00:27:12.339 --> 00:27:12.599
 burial,

00:27:12.679 --> 00:27:13.239
 and resurrection

00:27:13.239 --> 00:27:14.399
 of Jesus Christ.

00:27:14.699 --> 00:27:16.039
 That is the most

00:27:16.039 --> 00:27:17.099
 important decision

00:27:17.099 --> 00:27:17.799
 that you can make

00:27:17.799 --> 00:27:18.959
 for your entire life

00:27:18.959 --> 00:27:20.019
 because not only

00:27:20.019 --> 00:27:20.619
 does it affect

00:27:20.619 --> 00:27:21.039
 the life,

00:27:21.339 --> 00:27:21.979
 your life here

00:27:21.979 --> 00:27:22.439
 on the earth,

00:27:22.559 --> 00:27:23.259
 it affects

00:27:23.259 --> 00:27:24.359
 your eternal life

00:27:24.359 --> 00:27:26.099
 and because of this,

00:27:26.559 --> 00:27:27.779
 because of the grace

00:27:27.779 --> 00:27:28.500
 that you receive

00:27:28.500 --> 00:27:29.579
 from the Lord,

00:27:30.219 --> 00:27:31.139
 you gotta grow

00:27:31.139 --> 00:27:33.299
 and from that growth

00:27:33.299 --> 00:27:35.039
 comes doing good.

00:27:35.599 --> 00:27:36.439
 Doing good

00:27:36.439 --> 00:27:37.619
 in the name of Christ

00:27:37.619 --> 00:27:38.319
 in the words

00:27:38.319 --> 00:27:39.039
 that you speak

00:27:39.039 --> 00:27:40.039
 and the actions

00:27:40.039 --> 00:27:40.739
 that you do.

00:27:41.379 --> 00:27:42.319
 That certainly doesn't mean

00:27:42.319 --> 00:27:42.939
 that we're perfect.

00:27:43.039 --> 00:27:43.199
 Amen?

00:27:44.000 --> 00:27:45.159
 Got any perfect people

00:27:45.159 --> 00:27:45.579
 in here?

00:27:45.919 --> 00:27:46.479
 Raise your hand.

00:27:46.519 --> 00:27:46.919
 I want to see

00:27:46.919 --> 00:27:47.379
 who you are.

00:27:47.759 --> 00:27:48.059
 Right?

00:27:48.579 --> 00:27:49.339
 But seriously,

00:27:49.339 --> 00:27:50.299
 when we think about it,

00:27:50.339 --> 00:27:51.419
 we are a work in progress

00:27:51.419 --> 00:27:52.119
 that God is going

00:27:52.119 --> 00:27:52.979
 to continue to work

00:27:52.979 --> 00:27:54.000
 in our lives

00:27:54.000 --> 00:27:54.779
 every single day

00:27:54.779 --> 00:27:55.739
 until the very end.

00:27:56.259 --> 00:27:57.500
 That is a remarkable thing

00:27:57.500 --> 00:27:58.439
 to think of the imagery

00:27:58.440 --> 00:28:00.320
 of how God is the potter

00:28:00.320 --> 00:28:01.279
 and we are the clay,

00:28:01.420 --> 00:28:02.039
 we are the work

00:28:02.039 --> 00:28:02.960
 of God's hands,

00:28:03.340 --> 00:28:04.720
 continuing to be molded

00:28:04.720 --> 00:28:05.600
 as we're spinning

00:28:05.600 --> 00:28:06.200
 round and round

00:28:06.200 --> 00:28:06.799
 in this life.

00:28:06.860 --> 00:28:07.039
 Amen?

00:28:07.759 --> 00:28:08.940
 We think about that.

00:28:09.840 --> 00:28:11.019
 And so when we think,

00:28:11.120 --> 00:28:11.259
 look,

00:28:11.380 --> 00:28:12.279
 salvation is

00:28:12.279 --> 00:28:13.960
 by grace

00:28:13.960 --> 00:28:14.660
 through faith

00:28:14.660 --> 00:28:16.100
 and our actions,

00:28:16.299 --> 00:28:16.900
 our words,

00:28:17.019 --> 00:28:17.680
 our deeds,

00:28:17.820 --> 00:28:18.840
 this is evidence

00:28:18.840 --> 00:28:20.080
 of the faith

00:28:20.080 --> 00:28:21.259
 that we have in Christ.

00:28:21.259 --> 00:28:23.319
 and it is measured

00:28:23.319 --> 00:28:25.599
 even at the final judgment.

00:28:26.119 --> 00:28:26.779
 So in other words,

00:28:26.799 --> 00:28:27.319
 it's like they're going

00:28:27.319 --> 00:28:28.460
 to inspect your fruit,

00:28:28.559 --> 00:28:29.119
 right?

00:28:29.400 --> 00:28:30.640
 If you think about it.

00:28:31.319 --> 00:28:32.819
 And so it's important

00:28:32.819 --> 00:28:33.640
 for us that

00:28:33.640 --> 00:28:35.799
 if you are a new believer,

00:28:36.299 --> 00:28:37.460
 if you just

00:28:37.460 --> 00:28:38.839
 made a decision

00:28:38.839 --> 00:28:39.420
 for Christ,

00:28:39.500 --> 00:28:40.460
 you just responded

00:28:40.460 --> 00:28:41.259
 to the invitation,

00:28:41.779 --> 00:28:42.660
 be on a path

00:28:42.660 --> 00:28:44.579
 to know the word of God,

00:28:44.779 --> 00:28:45.900
 to know what it means

00:28:45.900 --> 00:28:46.660
 to be a Christian

00:28:46.660 --> 00:28:47.940
 and be moved

00:28:47.940 --> 00:28:49.240
 by the grace of God

00:28:49.240 --> 00:28:49.839
 through the working

00:28:49.839 --> 00:28:50.940
 of the Holy Spirit

00:28:50.940 --> 00:28:53.759
 to serve the Lord,

00:28:54.559 --> 00:28:55.680
 serve the community,

00:28:56.539 --> 00:28:57.779
 be that ambassador

00:28:57.779 --> 00:28:59.360
 from grace

00:28:59.360 --> 00:29:00.740
 that flows

00:29:00.740 --> 00:29:01.980
 from grace

00:29:01.980 --> 00:29:03.680
 comes works.

00:29:04.400 --> 00:29:05.460
 And then finally,

00:29:05.620 --> 00:29:05.820
 third,

00:29:05.900 --> 00:29:06.779
 what does that third one

00:29:06.779 --> 00:29:07.779
 say, church?

00:29:09.160 --> 00:29:10.100
 Christ is there

00:29:10.100 --> 00:29:11.120
 for the least, right?

00:29:11.180 --> 00:29:12.500
 For the least of these.

00:29:13.620 --> 00:29:14.700
 And we think of how

00:29:14.700 --> 00:29:17.039
 many times in Scripture

00:29:17.039 --> 00:29:19.259
 Christ was dining

00:29:19.259 --> 00:29:20.100
 with sinners

00:29:20.099 --> 00:29:21.099
 sinners.

00:29:21.099 --> 00:29:21.119
 What?

00:29:21.759 --> 00:29:22.240
 Why?

00:29:23.139 --> 00:29:24.199
 Christ is dining.

00:29:24.419 --> 00:29:25.759
 He's caring for the least

00:29:25.759 --> 00:29:26.279
 of these,

00:29:26.740 --> 00:29:27.439
 showing how

00:29:27.439 --> 00:29:29.099
 if we are to become

00:29:29.099 --> 00:29:29.839
 like Christ,

00:29:30.099 --> 00:29:31.119
 if we are to be

00:29:31.119 --> 00:29:31.859
 on this path

00:29:31.859 --> 00:29:32.719
 and follow in the

00:29:32.719 --> 00:29:33.779
 footsteps of Christ,

00:29:34.279 --> 00:29:34.879
 we too

00:29:34.879 --> 00:29:36.039
 have got to exhibit

00:29:36.039 --> 00:29:37.719
 the same kind of love

00:29:37.719 --> 00:29:39.259
 towards other people.

00:29:39.259 --> 00:29:41.819
 I've mentioned before

00:29:41.819 --> 00:29:43.019
 how Scripture

00:29:43.019 --> 00:29:44.099
 likes to talk about

00:29:44.099 --> 00:29:44.900
 the misfits

00:29:44.900 --> 00:29:45.799
 of society.

00:29:47.180 --> 00:29:48.279
 That's really

00:29:48.279 --> 00:29:49.019
 strange.

00:29:49.220 --> 00:29:49.660
 You would think

00:29:49.660 --> 00:29:51.240
 the Lord would want

00:29:51.240 --> 00:29:51.779
 to hang out

00:29:51.779 --> 00:29:52.819
 with all the cool kids,

00:29:52.920 --> 00:29:53.140
 right?

00:29:53.740 --> 00:29:54.519
 You'd think He'd want

00:29:54.519 --> 00:29:55.099
 to, you know,

00:29:55.359 --> 00:29:56.480
 and He does.

00:29:56.559 --> 00:29:57.099
 He hangs out

00:29:57.099 --> 00:29:57.779
 with everybody,

00:29:57.779 --> 00:29:59.379
 but the main thing

00:29:59.379 --> 00:29:59.680
 here,

00:30:01.079 --> 00:30:02.379
 the least of these,

00:30:02.500 --> 00:30:03.319
 the implication

00:30:03.319 --> 00:30:04.099
 is that

00:30:04.099 --> 00:30:07.119
 we all need

00:30:07.119 --> 00:30:08.859
 that which is perfect.

00:30:09.500 --> 00:30:10.939
 We all need

00:30:10.939 --> 00:30:11.959
 the light

00:30:11.959 --> 00:30:12.740
 of Christ.

00:30:13.399 --> 00:30:14.439
 We all need

00:30:14.439 --> 00:30:15.919
 the abundant grace

00:30:15.919 --> 00:30:17.839
 and the everlasting love

00:30:17.839 --> 00:30:18.799
 that comes from God.

00:30:19.559 --> 00:30:20.759
 Because let me tell you,

00:30:20.839 --> 00:30:21.619
 my ability

00:30:21.619 --> 00:30:22.439
 to love

00:30:22.439 --> 00:30:23.519
 on my own,

00:30:23.879 --> 00:30:24.339
 to love

00:30:24.339 --> 00:30:25.339
 as a human being,

00:30:25.339 --> 00:30:26.139
 is very

00:30:26.139 --> 00:30:27.019
 limited.

00:30:27.019 --> 00:30:29.299
 But when it comes,

00:30:30.079 --> 00:30:31.960
 when it comes to God,

00:30:32.839 --> 00:30:33.559
 His love

00:30:33.559 --> 00:30:34.420
 is everlasting.

00:30:35.319 --> 00:30:36.079
 He is

00:30:36.079 --> 00:30:37.079
 consistent.

00:30:37.819 --> 00:30:38.460
 His love

00:30:38.460 --> 00:30:39.200
 never fails.

00:30:39.420 --> 00:30:39.920
 He doesn't

00:30:39.920 --> 00:30:40.680
 change.

00:30:41.799 --> 00:30:42.220
 And so,

00:30:42.379 --> 00:30:44.019
 let us consider

00:30:44.019 --> 00:30:46.299
 how we are

00:30:46.299 --> 00:30:47.379
 to be like Christ

00:30:47.379 --> 00:30:48.180
 in serving

00:30:48.180 --> 00:30:49.200
 the least of these.

00:30:49.480 --> 00:30:50.039
 Think about

00:30:50.039 --> 00:30:50.599
 for a moment,

00:30:51.220 --> 00:30:51.980
 who is someone

00:30:51.980 --> 00:30:53.039
 you can serve?

00:30:53.539 --> 00:30:54.359
 This leads us

00:30:54.359 --> 00:30:55.759
 into the application,

00:30:56.279 --> 00:30:57.000
 how should we

00:30:57.000 --> 00:30:57.660
 live, right?

00:30:57.839 --> 00:30:58.599
 Because here

00:30:58.599 --> 00:30:59.779
 at Ontario Community,

00:31:00.240 --> 00:31:02.119
 we observe the text,

00:31:02.200 --> 00:31:02.319
 right?

00:31:02.359 --> 00:31:03.259
 We read Scripture.

00:31:03.420 --> 00:31:03.619
 Amen?

00:31:03.920 --> 00:31:05.220
 That's important for us.

00:31:05.799 --> 00:31:06.680
 The second thing

00:31:06.680 --> 00:31:07.619
 is we interpret it.

00:31:07.680 --> 00:31:08.759
 We learn the lessons

00:31:08.759 --> 00:31:09.819
 from Scripture.

00:31:10.059 --> 00:31:10.980
 And thirdly,

00:31:11.119 --> 00:31:12.539
 is we apply it

00:31:12.539 --> 00:31:13.619
 to our very lives.

00:31:14.400 --> 00:31:15.500
 We want to have

00:31:15.500 --> 00:31:16.279
 the head knowledge,

00:31:16.279 --> 00:31:17.019
 but we also want

00:31:17.019 --> 00:31:17.700
 to have the heart

00:31:17.700 --> 00:31:18.279
 to love.

00:31:19.019 --> 00:31:19.240
 And so,

00:31:19.319 --> 00:31:19.940
 the first thing,

00:31:20.500 --> 00:31:21.220
 respond when?

00:31:22.599 --> 00:31:23.079
 Now.

00:31:23.640 --> 00:31:24.799
 We are to respond

00:31:24.799 --> 00:31:26.380
 to the gospel

00:31:26.380 --> 00:31:27.380
 of Jesus Christ

00:31:27.380 --> 00:31:28.300
 to seize

00:31:28.300 --> 00:31:29.380
 the day

00:31:29.380 --> 00:31:30.160
 of salvation.

00:31:30.860 --> 00:31:31.940
 And it's important

00:31:31.940 --> 00:31:32.760
 for us to know,

00:31:33.200 --> 00:31:34.720
 I don't know

00:31:34.720 --> 00:31:35.460
 if this will give you

00:31:35.460 --> 00:31:36.520
 anxiety or not,

00:31:37.040 --> 00:31:38.280
 but no one knows

00:31:38.280 --> 00:31:39.400
 the day or the hour

00:31:39.400 --> 00:31:40.560
 when Christ will return.

00:31:41.260 --> 00:31:42.020
 For some people,

00:31:42.100 --> 00:31:42.320
 you're like,

00:31:42.360 --> 00:31:42.520
 well,

00:31:42.700 --> 00:31:43.960
 when are you coming back?

00:31:44.720 --> 00:31:45.440
 For some of us,

00:31:45.480 --> 00:31:46.100
 we may want to know

00:31:46.100 --> 00:31:47.280
 exactly the date

00:31:47.280 --> 00:31:47.940
 and the time

00:31:47.940 --> 00:31:48.880
 and even the second

00:31:48.880 --> 00:31:49.700
 and the millisecond

00:31:49.700 --> 00:31:50.780
 when Christ will come back.

00:31:50.779 --> 00:31:53.139
 But what's important

00:31:53.139 --> 00:31:55.119
 is that that is up to God.

00:31:56.079 --> 00:31:57.440
 When Christ will return.

00:31:57.559 --> 00:31:58.099
 And there's been

00:31:58.099 --> 00:31:59.500
 so many books

00:31:59.500 --> 00:32:00.940
 and people who have said,

00:32:01.220 --> 00:32:01.500
 you know,

00:32:01.559 --> 00:32:03.139
 it's the Y2K,

00:32:03.259 --> 00:32:03.619
 if you remember,

00:32:03.779 --> 00:32:04.519
 if you guys remember

00:32:04.519 --> 00:32:05.059
 that one.

00:32:05.819 --> 00:32:06.119
 Right?

00:32:06.879 --> 00:32:08.279
 Or Jesus will come back

00:32:08.279 --> 00:32:09.259
 in 1988.

00:32:09.259 --> 00:32:10.079
 I think I've mentioned

00:32:10.079 --> 00:32:10.899
 this one before.

00:32:11.319 --> 00:32:12.740
 88 Reasons Why Christ

00:32:12.740 --> 00:32:14.180
 Will Return in 1988.

00:32:14.440 --> 00:32:15.500
 It is a real book.

00:32:15.559 --> 00:32:16.379
 You'll look it up sometime.

00:32:17.539 --> 00:32:19.059
 I probably was a bestseller

00:32:19.059 --> 00:32:20.059
 in 1987.

00:32:20.339 --> 00:32:21.200
 I don't know about 1988,

00:32:21.440 --> 00:32:21.599
 though.

00:32:22.240 --> 00:32:22.679
 So,

00:32:22.879 --> 00:32:23.559
 you might find it

00:32:23.559 --> 00:32:24.500
 on discount somewhere,

00:32:24.599 --> 00:32:24.839
 right?

00:32:25.220 --> 00:32:26.220
 But the thing is,

00:32:26.539 --> 00:32:28.000
 no one knows the hour.

00:32:28.879 --> 00:32:30.119
 No one knows the hour

00:32:30.119 --> 00:32:31.679
 when Christ will return.

00:32:32.419 --> 00:32:33.000
 We don't know

00:32:33.000 --> 00:32:34.119
 how long we'll even have

00:32:34.119 --> 00:32:35.139
 here on the earth.

00:32:35.599 --> 00:32:36.460
 We don't know

00:32:36.460 --> 00:32:37.700
 when the king will return.

00:32:37.819 --> 00:32:38.399
 What matters

00:32:38.399 --> 00:32:39.619
 is seizing the moment,

00:32:39.919 --> 00:32:41.339
 responding to the gospel,

00:32:41.799 --> 00:32:42.779
 stewarding your life

00:32:42.779 --> 00:32:44.019
 and considering,

00:32:44.279 --> 00:32:44.799
 thinking about

00:32:44.799 --> 00:32:45.859
 how are you going

00:32:45.859 --> 00:32:46.679
 to live your life

00:32:46.679 --> 00:32:47.279
 in honor,

00:32:48.419 --> 00:32:49.000
 to honor,

00:32:49.059 --> 00:32:50.240
 and to glorify the Lord.

00:32:51.179 --> 00:32:53.119
 Consider what really matters.

00:32:53.740 --> 00:32:54.720
 Your faith walk,

00:32:55.500 --> 00:32:56.539
 your brothers and sisters

00:32:56.539 --> 00:32:57.039
 in Christ,

00:32:57.179 --> 00:32:58.179
 certainly your family,

00:32:58.679 --> 00:33:00.460
 all of these things matter.

00:33:02.259 --> 00:33:03.379
 Respond to him.

00:33:04.240 --> 00:33:05.659
 Respond to that invitation

00:33:05.659 --> 00:33:07.019
 and be transformed.

00:33:07.379 --> 00:33:08.480
 Begin on that journey

00:33:08.480 --> 00:33:11.419
 and live your life in him.

00:33:12.279 --> 00:33:13.399
 Receive and respond

00:33:13.399 --> 00:33:14.200
 to the invitation.

00:33:15.099 --> 00:33:15.980
 Just think for a moment

00:33:15.980 --> 00:33:16.659
 that imagery

00:33:16.659 --> 00:33:17.940
 of the wedding feast

00:33:17.940 --> 00:33:19.140
 and receiving

00:33:19.140 --> 00:33:20.279
 that letter.

00:33:21.180 --> 00:33:22.600
 Are you going to say yes?

00:33:23.220 --> 00:33:23.759
 Are you going to put it

00:33:23.759 --> 00:33:24.259
 on the table?

00:33:24.799 --> 00:33:26.180
 What are you going to do

00:33:26.180 --> 00:33:27.640
 for God's call

00:33:27.640 --> 00:33:28.480
 for your life?

00:33:29.039 --> 00:33:29.740
 And salvation

00:33:29.740 --> 00:33:30.680
 is free.

00:33:31.000 --> 00:33:31.779
 It is here.

00:33:32.000 --> 00:33:32.799
 It is available

00:33:32.799 --> 00:33:33.480
 for you.

00:33:33.920 --> 00:33:34.880
 But let us remember,

00:33:35.000 --> 00:33:35.900
 just like what we've

00:33:35.900 --> 00:33:36.720
 talked about

00:33:36.720 --> 00:33:37.500
 in this parable,

00:33:37.500 --> 00:33:39.360
 not forever though.

00:33:39.359 --> 00:33:41.059
 And so,

00:33:41.500 --> 00:33:42.439
 respond now

00:33:42.439 --> 00:33:44.000
 and seize that day

00:33:44.000 --> 00:33:44.619
 of salvation.

00:33:44.779 --> 00:33:45.639
 The second thing then

00:33:45.639 --> 00:33:47.399
 is to practice stewardship.

00:33:48.019 --> 00:33:48.899
 I have here

00:33:48.899 --> 00:33:49.519
 your time,

00:33:49.659 --> 00:33:49.919
 talent,

00:33:49.979 --> 00:33:50.399
 and treasure

00:33:50.399 --> 00:33:51.439
 and your testimony.

00:33:51.599 --> 00:33:52.359
 I've actually added

00:33:52.359 --> 00:33:54.119
 a fourth T in here.

00:33:55.179 --> 00:33:56.119
 Consider what God

00:33:56.119 --> 00:33:56.919
 has given to you.

00:33:57.579 --> 00:33:58.399
 It's essentially

00:33:58.399 --> 00:33:59.259
 the resources

00:33:59.259 --> 00:34:00.139
 that you have,

00:34:00.639 --> 00:34:00.899
 right?

00:34:00.959 --> 00:34:01.939
 The amount of time

00:34:01.939 --> 00:34:02.579
 that you have,

00:34:02.639 --> 00:34:03.699
 how you're stewarding it,

00:34:04.359 --> 00:34:05.219
 your talents,

00:34:05.339 --> 00:34:05.459
 right?

00:34:05.500 --> 00:34:05.919
 Your gifts

00:34:05.920 --> 00:34:06.640
 and your abilities,

00:34:06.860 --> 00:34:07.400
 your treasure,

00:34:07.580 --> 00:34:08.099
 your money,

00:34:08.200 --> 00:34:08.840
 your resources

00:34:08.840 --> 00:34:09.440
 sort of thing,

00:34:09.500 --> 00:34:11.039
 but also your testimony.

00:34:12.360 --> 00:34:14.240
 Your own story

00:34:14.240 --> 00:34:15.460
 and how God

00:34:15.460 --> 00:34:16.659
 has worked in your life,

00:34:16.700 --> 00:34:17.059
 how are you going

00:34:17.059 --> 00:34:17.559
 to share that

00:34:17.559 --> 00:34:18.079
 with others?

00:34:19.000 --> 00:34:19.480
 Or,

00:34:20.420 --> 00:34:21.460
 the testimony,

00:34:22.280 --> 00:34:23.000
 what we find

00:34:23.000 --> 00:34:24.200
 in Scripture.

00:34:24.639 --> 00:34:25.440
 How are you going

00:34:25.440 --> 00:34:26.300
 to share that

00:34:26.300 --> 00:34:27.639
 with other people?

00:34:28.619 --> 00:34:29.039
 And so,

00:34:29.619 --> 00:34:30.320
 consider it.

00:34:30.680 --> 00:34:31.539
 Think about it.

00:34:31.860 --> 00:34:32.559
 Take an audit

00:34:32.559 --> 00:34:33.260
 and inventory

00:34:33.260 --> 00:34:34.039
 of what God

00:34:34.039 --> 00:34:35.039
 has given to you.

00:34:35.039 --> 00:34:36.199
 How will you

00:34:36.199 --> 00:34:37.139
 use these things?

00:34:37.519 --> 00:34:38.360
 We've talked about

00:34:38.360 --> 00:34:39.380
 minas and talents,

00:34:39.539 --> 00:34:40.639
 but in any sense,

00:34:40.980 --> 00:34:41.779
 whatever God

00:34:41.779 --> 00:34:42.960
 has given to you,

00:34:43.440 --> 00:34:43.920
 steward it

00:34:43.920 --> 00:34:45.159
 and steward it well.

00:34:46.079 --> 00:34:47.019
 Never neglect

00:34:47.019 --> 00:34:47.820
 God's gift.

00:34:48.320 --> 00:34:48.779
 Steward them

00:34:48.779 --> 00:34:50.079
 for the glory of God.

00:34:50.340 --> 00:34:51.000
 It's much like

00:34:51.000 --> 00:34:51.759
 how it's important

00:34:51.759 --> 00:34:52.679
 for us when we think

00:34:52.679 --> 00:34:53.920
 of this final scene.

00:34:55.320 --> 00:34:56.219
 That's the,

00:34:56.880 --> 00:34:57.480
 basically,

00:34:57.659 --> 00:34:58.259
 the wedding feast.

00:34:58.320 --> 00:34:59.320
 That's towards the end,

00:34:59.420 --> 00:35:00.320
 the final judgment.

00:35:00.500 --> 00:35:01.559
 And think about it.

00:35:01.599 --> 00:35:02.880
 The master will return

00:35:02.880 --> 00:35:03.980
 and settle accounts.

00:35:03.980 --> 00:35:05.300
 Just like we have found

00:35:05.300 --> 00:35:06.159
 within Scripture.

00:35:07.400 --> 00:35:08.099
 And then finally,

00:35:08.900 --> 00:35:11.240
 witness through actions,

00:35:11.440 --> 00:35:12.099
 through words,

00:35:12.199 --> 00:35:12.820
 and through deeds.

00:35:12.940 --> 00:35:13.679
 Let your words

00:35:13.679 --> 00:35:14.340
 and your actions

00:35:14.340 --> 00:35:15.599
 be consistent.

00:35:16.740 --> 00:35:17.719
 And think about those,

00:35:17.780 --> 00:35:18.420
 you guys remember

00:35:18.420 --> 00:35:19.400
 those six mercies

00:35:19.400 --> 00:35:20.619
 I was talking about earlier,

00:35:21.280 --> 00:35:21.519
 right?

00:35:22.480 --> 00:35:23.139
 Feeding those

00:35:23.139 --> 00:35:23.760
 that are hungry,

00:35:24.260 --> 00:35:25.219
 giving drink to those

00:35:25.219 --> 00:35:26.199
 that are thirsty,

00:35:26.380 --> 00:35:27.380
 welcoming the stranger.

00:35:27.460 --> 00:35:28.320
 All of these things

00:35:28.320 --> 00:35:29.699
 are examples

00:35:29.699 --> 00:35:31.800
 of how you can minister

00:35:31.800 --> 00:35:32.700
 to other people.

00:35:33.380 --> 00:35:34.580
 It could just be

00:35:34.580 --> 00:35:35.340
 showing up.

00:35:35.720 --> 00:35:36.700
 When I've talked about

00:35:36.700 --> 00:35:38.060
 the ministry of presence,

00:35:38.180 --> 00:35:39.019
 just showing up

00:35:39.019 --> 00:35:40.440
 to someone who is in need,

00:35:40.480 --> 00:35:41.280
 whether they're sick

00:35:41.280 --> 00:35:42.360
 or they're imprisoned,

00:35:42.640 --> 00:35:43.500
 whatever it is.

00:35:43.880 --> 00:35:45.400
 Part of our ministry

00:35:45.400 --> 00:35:47.039
 is to serve others.

00:35:47.680 --> 00:35:48.720
 We serve the Lord,

00:35:48.800 --> 00:35:49.900
 we serve the living God,

00:35:50.420 --> 00:35:51.780
 we serve in the local church,

00:35:51.820 --> 00:35:53.160
 and we serve the community

00:35:53.160 --> 00:35:54.800
 in some capacity.

00:35:56.039 --> 00:35:57.420
 So, consider,

00:35:57.680 --> 00:35:58.400
 think about one

00:35:58.400 --> 00:35:59.340
 of the six mercies

00:35:59.340 --> 00:36:00.400
 to give you an idea

00:36:00.400 --> 00:36:01.420
 of how to love your neighbor.

00:36:02.100 --> 00:36:02.900
 Think about that.

00:36:03.480 --> 00:36:04.880
 There are many ways

00:36:04.880 --> 00:36:06.780
 that you can serve

00:36:06.780 --> 00:36:10.100
 the local church,

00:36:10.220 --> 00:36:10.700
 the community,

00:36:10.840 --> 00:36:11.300
 your neighbor.

00:36:12.300 --> 00:36:13.920
 We are to continue

00:36:13.920 --> 00:36:15.260
 to exhibit that love

00:36:15.260 --> 00:36:16.380
 of Christ to others.

00:36:17.140 --> 00:36:18.140
 And let your actions,

00:36:19.000 --> 00:36:19.960
 let it be consistent

00:36:19.960 --> 00:36:20.820
 with what you say.

00:36:21.579 --> 00:36:22.700
 Scripture talks so much

00:36:22.700 --> 00:36:24.100
 about not being a hypocrite,

00:36:24.140 --> 00:36:24.340
 right?

00:36:24.780 --> 00:36:25.720
 You want your words

00:36:25.720 --> 00:36:26.340
 and your actions

00:36:26.340 --> 00:36:27.100
 to be consistent,

00:36:27.099 --> 00:36:29.440
 and that's just common sense.

00:36:29.559 --> 00:36:30.119
 I mean, that's just

00:36:30.119 --> 00:36:31.079
 in real life, right?

00:36:31.139 --> 00:36:32.940
 You don't want hypocrites

00:36:32.940 --> 00:36:34.179
 just in the real world, right?

00:36:34.239 --> 00:36:35.440
 Much less what you find

00:36:35.440 --> 00:36:35.960
 in Scripture.

00:36:36.679 --> 00:36:38.319
 That's very important for us.

00:36:39.659 --> 00:36:40.099
 And so,

00:36:40.739 --> 00:36:42.699
 as we close here,

00:36:43.519 --> 00:36:46.639
 let us really take to heart

00:36:46.639 --> 00:36:47.940
 this parable

00:36:47.940 --> 00:36:49.579
 of the sheep and the goats.

00:36:50.360 --> 00:36:51.639
 Ask yourself for a moment,

00:36:52.420 --> 00:36:53.099
 are you a sheep

00:36:53.099 --> 00:36:53.880
 or are you a goat?

00:36:55.079 --> 00:36:55.360
 Okay?

00:36:55.360 --> 00:36:56.800
 It's not about what noise

00:36:56.800 --> 00:36:57.720
 you make if you're saying

00:36:57.720 --> 00:36:58.700
 bah or any of that.

00:36:58.860 --> 00:37:00.079
 It has nothing to do

00:37:00.079 --> 00:37:00.740
 with that, okay?

00:37:01.240 --> 00:37:02.599
 But it has to do

00:37:02.599 --> 00:37:05.079
 with have you received

00:37:05.079 --> 00:37:05.800
 that invitation?

00:37:06.240 --> 00:37:07.140
 Have you said yes

00:37:07.140 --> 00:37:07.840
 to salvation?

00:37:08.579 --> 00:37:09.500
 Are you growing

00:37:09.500 --> 00:37:10.599
 and are you exhibiting

00:37:10.599 --> 00:37:11.420
 that fruit?

00:37:12.380 --> 00:37:12.820
 And so,

00:37:13.760 --> 00:37:15.320
 God gives us the time

00:37:15.320 --> 00:37:16.099
 to respond

00:37:16.099 --> 00:37:17.260
 in salvation

00:37:17.260 --> 00:37:19.079
 through faith in Him.

00:37:19.780 --> 00:37:20.640
 Respond now.

00:37:21.440 --> 00:37:22.300
 Respond today

00:37:22.300 --> 00:37:23.360
 if you have not.

00:37:23.360 --> 00:37:25.360
 God gives us the opportunity

00:37:25.360 --> 00:37:26.460
 to go from darkness

00:37:26.460 --> 00:37:27.039
 to light,

00:37:27.039 --> 00:37:28.500
 from the weeds

00:37:28.500 --> 00:37:29.200
 to wheat,

00:37:29.700 --> 00:37:30.660
 from goats

00:37:30.660 --> 00:37:31.200
 to sheep.

00:37:31.700 --> 00:37:33.079
 It's called transformation.

00:37:33.920 --> 00:37:34.460
 It's called

00:37:34.460 --> 00:37:35.300
 putting on

00:37:35.300 --> 00:37:36.300
 the new self

00:37:36.300 --> 00:37:37.539
 because God

00:37:37.539 --> 00:37:38.260
 is the God

00:37:38.260 --> 00:37:39.200
 of transformation.

00:37:39.599 --> 00:37:40.559
 Changing us,

00:37:40.980 --> 00:37:42.120
 changing our hearts,

00:37:42.559 --> 00:37:43.700
 changing our minds,

00:37:43.900 --> 00:37:44.900
 changing the very

00:37:44.900 --> 00:37:45.740
 essence

00:37:45.740 --> 00:37:47.140
 of who we are.

00:37:48.039 --> 00:37:49.220
 That is the beautiful

00:37:49.220 --> 00:37:50.480
 thing about our Lord

00:37:50.480 --> 00:37:51.120
 and our God.

00:37:51.119 --> 00:37:51.159
 God.

00:37:51.799 --> 00:37:52.599
 And today

00:37:52.599 --> 00:37:53.980
 is still,

00:37:54.359 --> 00:37:54.940
 we are still

00:37:54.940 --> 00:37:56.159
 in the age of grace,

00:37:56.420 --> 00:37:57.619
 the day of salvation.

00:37:59.199 --> 00:37:59.719
 And when we think

00:37:59.719 --> 00:38:00.319
 of the day,

00:38:01.179 --> 00:38:01.920
 the time,

00:38:03.059 --> 00:38:03.960
 think of how

00:38:03.960 --> 00:38:05.199
 the sun is shining

00:38:05.199 --> 00:38:05.940
 as it were.

00:38:06.699 --> 00:38:07.380
 Well, just like

00:38:07.380 --> 00:38:08.019
 in any day

00:38:08.019 --> 00:38:08.659
 there comes

00:38:08.659 --> 00:38:09.759
 a sunset.

00:38:10.719 --> 00:38:11.599
 Don't let

00:38:11.599 --> 00:38:12.359
 the sunset

00:38:12.359 --> 00:38:13.679
 happen

00:38:13.679 --> 00:38:15.119
 until you,

00:38:15.179 --> 00:38:15.859
 you better know

00:38:15.859 --> 00:38:16.179
 the Lord

00:38:16.179 --> 00:38:17.119
 when that sunset

00:38:17.119 --> 00:38:17.599
 comes.

00:38:17.679 --> 00:38:17.859
 Amen?

00:38:17.860 --> 00:38:19.300
 It's important

00:38:19.300 --> 00:38:19.880
 for us.

00:38:20.840 --> 00:38:21.620
 Step into

00:38:21.620 --> 00:38:22.300
 the light

00:38:22.300 --> 00:38:23.579
 while there

00:38:23.579 --> 00:38:24.400
 is still light

00:38:24.400 --> 00:38:25.740
 and let that

00:38:25.740 --> 00:38:26.760
 light of Christ

00:38:26.760 --> 00:38:28.039
 shine and radiate

00:38:28.039 --> 00:38:28.680
 through you.

00:38:29.700 --> 00:38:30.420
 See that the

00:38:30.420 --> 00:38:31.260
 light of Christ,

00:38:31.620 --> 00:38:33.019
 it shines bright

00:38:33.019 --> 00:38:33.760
 like the sun

00:38:33.760 --> 00:38:34.300
 for you.

00:38:35.480 --> 00:38:36.019
 May you

00:38:36.019 --> 00:38:37.180
 respond to that.

00:38:37.900 --> 00:38:38.760
 Be saved

00:38:38.760 --> 00:38:39.440
 by knowing

00:38:39.440 --> 00:38:39.960
 the Lord.

00:38:40.700 --> 00:38:41.780
 Grow in Him.

00:38:42.320 --> 00:38:43.099
 Go from that

00:38:43.099 --> 00:38:44.300
 milk to solid

00:38:44.300 --> 00:38:45.039
 food of the Word

00:38:45.039 --> 00:38:45.740
 as it mentions

00:38:45.739 --> 00:38:46.699
 and Scripture

00:38:46.699 --> 00:38:47.939
 and live

00:38:47.939 --> 00:38:48.319
 in love

00:38:48.319 --> 00:38:48.859
 like Him

00:38:48.859 --> 00:38:49.699
 even with

00:38:49.699 --> 00:38:51.119
 small acts

00:38:51.119 --> 00:38:52.259
 of kindness

00:38:52.259 --> 00:38:52.859
 for others.

00:38:53.459 --> 00:38:54.079
 Just like

00:38:54.079 --> 00:38:54.579
 that video

00:38:54.579 --> 00:38:55.259
 I was showing

00:38:55.259 --> 00:38:55.679
 earlier.

00:38:56.259 --> 00:38:57.019
 It's just

00:38:57.019 --> 00:38:57.799
 a water bottle.

00:38:59.019 --> 00:38:59.699
 It's not a big,

00:38:59.819 --> 00:39:00.839
 it's small,

00:39:01.279 --> 00:39:02.179
 but it has

00:39:02.179 --> 00:39:03.059
 such a profound

00:39:03.059 --> 00:39:04.059
 impact on people.

00:39:05.239 --> 00:39:05.679
 And so,

00:39:06.079 --> 00:39:06.859
 be salt

00:39:06.859 --> 00:39:07.239
 and light

00:39:07.239 --> 00:39:07.859
 for others.

00:39:08.679 --> 00:39:09.419
 I want to turn

00:39:09.419 --> 00:39:10.239
 with you real quick

00:39:10.239 --> 00:39:11.059
 in closing.

00:39:11.819 --> 00:39:12.319
 Let's open

00:39:12.319 --> 00:39:12.799
 our Bibles

00:39:12.799 --> 00:39:13.279
 real quick.

00:39:14.119 --> 00:39:14.719
 Let's go to

00:39:14.719 --> 00:39:15.239
 Revelation.

00:39:15.739 --> 00:39:20.119
 I want you

00:39:20.119 --> 00:39:21.579
 to realize

00:39:21.579 --> 00:39:23.299
 as we're

00:39:23.299 --> 00:39:24.659
 getting closer

00:39:24.659 --> 00:39:25.259
 to the end

00:39:25.259 --> 00:39:25.919
 of this sermon,

00:39:26.399 --> 00:39:27.439
 we're getting

00:39:27.439 --> 00:39:28.319
 closer to the end

00:39:28.319 --> 00:39:28.939
 of this sermon

00:39:28.939 --> 00:39:29.579
 series,

00:39:30.339 --> 00:39:31.179
 and our next

00:39:31.179 --> 00:39:31.879
 sermon series,

00:39:32.000 --> 00:39:32.459
 Lord willing,

00:39:32.599 --> 00:39:33.199
 will be through

00:39:33.199 --> 00:39:33.719
 Revelation,

00:39:34.259 --> 00:39:35.399
 because the

00:39:35.399 --> 00:39:36.439
 parables of Christ

00:39:36.439 --> 00:39:36.979
 help us

00:39:36.979 --> 00:39:37.919
 understand

00:39:37.919 --> 00:39:38.939
 Revelation

00:39:38.939 --> 00:39:40.139
 with a lot

00:39:40.139 --> 00:39:40.439
 of its

00:39:40.439 --> 00:39:41.699
 symbolic language.

00:39:41.699 --> 00:39:44.239
 But I want

00:39:44.239 --> 00:39:44.619
 to turn

00:39:44.619 --> 00:39:45.179
 for a moment

00:39:45.179 --> 00:39:46.419
 into Revelation.

00:39:47.539 --> 00:39:48.159
 It's going

00:39:48.159 --> 00:39:48.299
 to be

00:39:48.299 --> 00:39:49.319
 Revelation 21,

00:39:49.619 --> 00:39:50.119
 it's page

00:39:50.119 --> 00:39:52.299
 1,233

00:39:52.299 --> 00:39:53.039
 in your

00:39:53.039 --> 00:39:53.719
 ESV Pew

00:39:53.719 --> 00:39:54.039
 Bible.

00:39:55.000 --> 00:39:55.719
 And I want

00:39:55.719 --> 00:39:56.079
 to read

00:39:56.079 --> 00:39:56.599
 the first

00:39:56.599 --> 00:39:57.199
 three verses.

00:40:00.079 --> 00:40:00.639
 Church,

00:40:00.719 --> 00:40:01.139
 can we read

00:40:01.139 --> 00:40:01.619
 this together?

00:40:03.539 --> 00:40:04.159
 All right,

00:40:04.359 --> 00:40:04.739
 let's give it

00:40:04.739 --> 00:40:05.059
 a moment.

00:40:05.059 --> 00:40:08.360
 Revelation 21.

00:40:11.440 --> 00:40:12.000
 Let's read

00:40:12.000 --> 00:40:12.320
 together.

00:40:12.320 --> 00:40:14.180
 Then I saw

00:40:14.180 --> 00:40:15.460
 a new heaven

00:40:15.460 --> 00:40:16.760
 and a new earth,

00:40:17.059 --> 00:40:18.200
 for the first heaven

00:40:18.200 --> 00:40:19.519
 and the first earth

00:40:19.519 --> 00:40:20.640
 had passed away,

00:40:20.800 --> 00:40:21.620
 and the sea

00:40:21.620 --> 00:40:22.480
 was no more.

00:40:22.840 --> 00:40:23.559
 And I saw

00:40:23.559 --> 00:40:24.480
 the holy city,

00:40:24.900 --> 00:40:25.720
 new Jerusalem,

00:40:25.940 --> 00:40:26.700
 coming out

00:40:26.700 --> 00:40:27.180
 of heaven

00:40:27.180 --> 00:40:27.820
 from God,

00:40:28.220 --> 00:40:29.780
 prepared as a bride

00:40:29.780 --> 00:40:30.480
 adorned

00:40:30.480 --> 00:40:31.260
 for her husband.

00:40:31.760 --> 00:40:32.320
 And I heard

00:40:32.320 --> 00:40:33.059
 a loud voice

00:40:33.059 --> 00:40:33.680
 from the throne

00:40:33.680 --> 00:40:34.120
 saying,

00:40:34.559 --> 00:40:35.100
 Behold,

00:40:35.260 --> 00:40:36.240
 the dwelling place

00:40:36.240 --> 00:40:36.840
 of God

00:40:36.840 --> 00:40:37.700
 is with man.

00:40:38.180 --> 00:40:39.100
 He will dwell

00:40:39.100 --> 00:40:39.740
 with them,

00:40:40.019 --> 00:40:40.660
 and they

00:40:40.660 --> 00:40:41.900
 will be his people.

00:40:41.900 --> 00:40:42.920
 And God

00:40:42.920 --> 00:40:43.960
 himself will be

00:40:43.960 --> 00:40:44.539
 with them

00:40:44.539 --> 00:40:45.599
 as their God.

00:40:45.619 --> 00:40:46.240
 Let's keep reading

00:40:46.240 --> 00:40:46.820
 verse 4.

00:40:47.440 --> 00:40:48.599
 He will wipe away

00:40:48.599 --> 00:40:49.260
 every tear

00:40:49.260 --> 00:40:50.059
 from their eyes,

00:40:50.180 --> 00:40:51.019
 and death

00:40:51.019 --> 00:40:52.059
 shall be no more.

00:40:52.380 --> 00:40:53.099
 Neither shall

00:40:53.099 --> 00:40:53.639
 there be

00:40:53.639 --> 00:40:54.300
 mourning,

00:40:54.619 --> 00:40:55.500
 nor crying,

00:40:55.800 --> 00:40:56.460
 nor pain

00:40:56.460 --> 00:40:57.000
 anymore,

00:40:57.460 --> 00:40:58.220
 for the former

00:40:58.220 --> 00:40:59.099
 things have

00:40:59.099 --> 00:40:59.860
 passed away.

00:41:00.800 --> 00:41:01.599
 When we think

00:41:01.599 --> 00:41:03.039
 of the wedding

00:41:03.039 --> 00:41:03.539
 feast,

00:41:04.059 --> 00:41:04.780
 when we think

00:41:04.780 --> 00:41:05.800
 of the invitation,

00:41:06.360 --> 00:41:06.960
 when we think

00:41:06.960 --> 00:41:07.599
 of the final

00:41:07.599 --> 00:41:08.119
 judgment,

00:41:08.660 --> 00:41:09.920
 we have

00:41:09.920 --> 00:41:11.240
 hope in Christ

00:41:11.239 --> 00:41:12.379
 of what we

00:41:12.379 --> 00:41:12.839
 are waiting

00:41:12.839 --> 00:41:14.079
 for together.

00:41:15.179 --> 00:41:15.539
 And so,

00:41:15.679 --> 00:41:16.000
 church,

00:41:16.399 --> 00:41:17.659
 let this promise

00:41:17.659 --> 00:41:18.879
 move us

00:41:18.879 --> 00:41:19.819
 to respond

00:41:19.819 --> 00:41:20.599
 to the gospel

00:41:20.599 --> 00:41:22.399
 before the sun

00:41:22.399 --> 00:41:23.059
 sets.

00:41:23.559 --> 00:41:24.059
 Let's pray

00:41:24.059 --> 00:41:24.419
 together.

00:41:25.919 --> 00:41:26.779
 And Father,

00:41:26.879 --> 00:41:27.519
 we thank you

00:41:27.519 --> 00:41:29.439
 for this time

00:41:29.439 --> 00:41:30.279
 and this opportunity

00:41:30.279 --> 00:41:32.159
 to look

00:41:32.159 --> 00:41:33.299
 at this famous

00:41:33.299 --> 00:41:34.739
 part in Scripture,

00:41:35.000 --> 00:41:35.699
 this parable

00:41:35.699 --> 00:41:36.479
 of the sheep

00:41:36.479 --> 00:41:37.179
 and the goats.

00:41:38.119 --> 00:41:39.179
 May we realize

00:41:39.179 --> 00:41:40.019
 how important

00:41:40.019 --> 00:41:40.559
 it is

00:41:40.559 --> 00:41:41.539
 as we look

00:41:41.539 --> 00:41:42.599
 at the context

00:41:42.599 --> 00:41:43.639
 showing the

00:41:43.639 --> 00:41:44.480
 importance of

00:41:44.480 --> 00:41:45.539
 preparing,

00:41:47.019 --> 00:41:47.599
 stewarding,

00:41:48.179 --> 00:41:48.940
 and knowing

00:41:48.940 --> 00:41:50.399
 that there will

00:41:50.399 --> 00:41:51.179
 be a final

00:41:51.179 --> 00:41:51.639
 judgment.

00:41:51.799 --> 00:41:52.339
 We may not

00:41:52.339 --> 00:41:53.199
 understand all

00:41:53.199 --> 00:41:53.839
 the complexities

00:41:53.839 --> 00:41:54.559
 of what you

00:41:54.559 --> 00:41:55.039
 have planned,

00:41:55.119 --> 00:41:55.579
 but we know

00:41:55.579 --> 00:41:56.179
 you are in

00:41:56.179 --> 00:41:56.599
 control.

00:41:57.279 --> 00:41:58.019
 May we fully

00:41:58.019 --> 00:41:59.159
 rely in you.

00:41:59.279 --> 00:42:00.000
 May we trust

00:42:00.000 --> 00:42:00.519
 in you.

00:42:00.819 --> 00:42:01.799
 May we respond

00:42:01.799 --> 00:42:02.779
 to your gospel

00:42:02.779 --> 00:42:03.480
 by believing

00:42:03.480 --> 00:42:04.099
 in the death,

00:42:04.259 --> 00:42:04.480
 burial,

00:42:04.480 --> 00:42:05.059
 and resurrection

00:42:05.059 --> 00:42:06.299
 of Jesus Christ.

00:42:06.639 --> 00:42:07.739
 May we be on a

00:42:07.739 --> 00:42:08.599
 path of following

00:42:08.599 --> 00:42:09.259
 in the footsteps

00:42:09.259 --> 00:42:09.939
 of Christ,

00:42:10.459 --> 00:42:10.779
 living,

00:42:11.079 --> 00:42:11.859
 learning what it

00:42:11.859 --> 00:42:12.539
 means to be a

00:42:12.539 --> 00:42:12.879
 Christian.

00:42:13.099 --> 00:42:14.199
 And may we go

00:42:14.199 --> 00:42:14.919
 from that milk

00:42:14.919 --> 00:42:15.500
 of the word

00:42:15.500 --> 00:42:16.479
 to solid food.

00:42:16.599 --> 00:42:17.459
 May we grow

00:42:17.459 --> 00:42:18.439
 in our understanding

00:42:18.439 --> 00:42:19.259
 of who you are.

00:42:19.539 --> 00:42:20.199
 And certainly,

00:42:20.399 --> 00:42:20.579
 Father,

00:42:20.719 --> 00:42:21.919
 we pray that we

00:42:21.919 --> 00:42:22.879
 as a church

00:42:22.879 --> 00:42:23.899
 and us as

00:42:23.899 --> 00:42:25.039
 individuals may

00:42:25.039 --> 00:42:26.159
 respond to

00:42:26.159 --> 00:42:26.859
 your gospel.

00:42:27.179 --> 00:42:28.159
 May we not be

00:42:28.159 --> 00:42:28.939
 goats.

00:42:29.539 --> 00:42:29.839
 Rather,

00:42:29.979 --> 00:42:30.579
 may we be

00:42:30.579 --> 00:42:31.199
 sheep,

00:42:31.559 --> 00:42:32.359
 knowing that

00:42:32.359 --> 00:42:33.639
 you are the

00:42:33.639 --> 00:42:34.379
 great shepherd.

00:42:35.419 --> 00:42:35.879
 And may we

00:42:35.879 --> 00:42:36.479
 follow you.

00:42:36.480 --> 00:42:37.380
 And may we

00:42:37.380 --> 00:42:38.460
 know that

00:42:38.460 --> 00:42:39.280
 after judgment

00:42:39.280 --> 00:42:40.000
 there is the

00:42:40.000 --> 00:42:40.699
 promise of the

00:42:40.699 --> 00:42:41.340
 new heaven and

00:42:41.340 --> 00:42:41.840
 new earth,

00:42:42.099 --> 00:42:43.159
 which we wait

00:42:43.159 --> 00:42:43.440
 for.

00:42:44.500 --> 00:42:45.199
 In all of these

00:42:45.199 --> 00:42:45.500
 things,

00:42:45.599 --> 00:42:46.440
 we say in the

00:42:46.440 --> 00:42:47.460
 name of Jesus

00:42:47.460 --> 00:42:48.039
 Christ,

00:42:48.539 --> 00:42:49.440
 the cornerstone

00:42:49.440 --> 00:42:50.059
 of our faith,

00:42:50.099 --> 00:42:50.579
 and we all say

00:42:50.579 --> 00:42:50.920
 together,

00:42:51.000 --> 00:42:51.139
 Amen.

00:42:51.519 --> 00:42:52.119
 Amen.

00:42:54.340 --> 00:42:55.280
 Thank you for

00:42:55.280 --> 00:42:56.039
 listening for this

00:42:56.039 --> 00:42:56.980
 week's message from

00:42:56.980 --> 00:42:57.820
 Ontario Community

00:42:57.820 --> 00:42:58.199
 Church.

00:42:58.579 --> 00:42:59.880
 I pray that you

00:42:59.880 --> 00:43:00.699
 are encouraged

00:43:00.699 --> 00:43:01.699
 and strengthened

00:43:01.699 --> 00:43:02.440
 in your walk

00:43:02.440 --> 00:43:02.980
 with Christ.

00:43:03.440 --> 00:43:04.240
 For more sermons

00:43:04.240 --> 00:43:05.019
 and resources,

00:43:05.019 --> 00:43:05.940
 visit

00:43:05.940 --> 00:43:08.340
 OntarioCommunityChurch.org.

00:43:08.800 --> 00:43:09.960
 May God bless you

00:43:09.960 --> 00:43:10.860
 as you live out

00:43:10.860 --> 00:43:11.780
 His grace and

00:43:11.780 --> 00:43:13.059
 truth every single

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 day.

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00:43:19.159 --> 00:43:49.139
 Thank you.