WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:13.640 A few years ago, David Brooks, a New York Times columnist, wrote an article entitled 00:00:13.640 --> 00:00:15.080 It's Not About You. 00:00:16.260 --> 00:00:23.019 And in it, he laments the fact that as a nation, we mislead young people toward radical individualism. 00:00:23.800 --> 00:00:24.740 And he wrote this. 00:00:24.740 --> 00:00:29.740 He says, we tell them, follow your passion, chart your own course, march to the beat of 00:00:29.739 --> 00:00:32.439 your own drummer, follow your dreams, and find yourself. 00:00:33.219 --> 00:00:37.759 This is the litany of expressive individualism, which is still the dominant note in American 00:00:37.759 --> 00:00:38.219 culture. 00:00:39.039 --> 00:00:46.579 But, he continues, this talk is of no help to the central business of adulthood, finding 00:00:46.579 --> 00:00:49.219 serious things to tie yourself down to. 00:00:49.519 --> 00:00:55.099 The successful young adult is beginning to make sacred commitments to a spouse, a community, 00:00:55.619 --> 00:00:59.079 and calling, yet mostly hears about freedom and autonomy. 00:00:59.740 --> 00:01:04.859 Today's young adults are also told to find their passion and then pursue their dreams. 00:01:05.280 --> 00:01:09.099 The implication is that they should find themselves first and then go off and live their quest. 00:01:09.579 --> 00:01:14.780 But, of course, very few people at age 22 or 24 can take an inward journey and come out 00:01:14.780 --> 00:01:16.520 having discovered a developed self. 00:01:17.560 --> 00:01:22.520 Most successful young people don't look inside and then plan a life. 00:01:22.519 --> 00:01:27.640 They look outside and find a problem which summons their life. 00:01:30.939 --> 00:01:34.199 The purpose in life is not to find yourself. 00:01:34.899 --> 00:01:37.439 It's to lose yourself, he writes. 00:01:37.439 --> 00:01:44.879 In other words, the purpose of life is not to identify some grand, unfulfilled desire and 00:01:44.879 --> 00:01:48.400 dream within ourselves and then to dedicate our lives, the rest of our lives, to pursuing 00:01:48.400 --> 00:01:48.739 it. 00:01:49.000 --> 00:01:53.000 Rather, it's the purpose of our lives to find something greater than ourselves, external to 00:01:53.000 --> 00:01:56.879 ourselves, and then to forget about ourselves and lose ourselves in it. 00:01:56.879 --> 00:02:04.199 If our goal is self-fulfillment, self-realization, self-actualization, then ultimately we will have 00:02:04.199 --> 00:02:09.560 unfulfilling relationships, unfulfilling careers, and we'll be bitterly disappointed at our old 00:02:09.560 --> 00:02:11.819 age and wonder what went wrong. 00:02:13.519 --> 00:02:19.479 This is true because it's essentially what Jesus said in Mark 8, verses 34 to 37. 00:02:19.479 --> 00:02:25.979 If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 00:02:26.239 --> 00:02:31.179 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and 00:02:31.179 --> 00:02:33.239 the gospels will save it. 00:02:34.959 --> 00:02:39.739 The truth is that people who live meaningful lives, fulfilling lives, don't look within 00:02:39.739 --> 00:02:41.519 themselves in the plan of life. 00:02:41.579 --> 00:02:45.799 Rather, they look outside and find a problem and then a cause greater than themselves and 00:02:45.799 --> 00:02:47.060 then they are summoned by it. 00:02:47.060 --> 00:02:56.759 And in this passage, John 4, 27 to 42, we see the greatest summons that comes upon man 00:02:56.759 --> 00:03:02.840 and woman, the greatest calling that anyone can receive in their life, and that is to play 00:03:02.840 --> 00:03:06.960 a part in advancing the mission of Christ to save the world. 00:03:08.900 --> 00:03:10.180 Literally, to save the world. 00:03:10.620 --> 00:03:12.020 I mean, that's what we joke about, right? 00:03:12.060 --> 00:03:14.240 This is why I'm going to go and save the world, find this career. 00:03:14.240 --> 00:03:16.879 But that's what this passage calls us to. 00:03:16.939 --> 00:03:21.360 It first teaches us about the purpose of the mission, and then secondly, about the priority 00:03:21.360 --> 00:03:22.020 of the mission. 00:03:22.260 --> 00:03:24.800 And then third, about the partnership in the mission. 00:03:25.100 --> 00:03:27.480 So the purpose, the priority, and the partnership. 00:03:27.960 --> 00:03:31.460 And in order to discern the purpose of this mission, we need to go back to the passage we 00:03:31.460 --> 00:03:34.680 talked about this past week and connect it back. 00:03:34.900 --> 00:03:39.980 Because Jesus had offered this Samaritan woman living water, which is the Spirit of God who 00:03:39.979 --> 00:03:44.579 imparts eternal life to all who have communion with Him, all who come to Him and trust in Him. 00:03:45.219 --> 00:03:49.039 And He said that the way to receive this living water is through Jesus. 00:03:49.219 --> 00:03:51.139 He is the Christ, the Messiah that was to come. 00:03:52.039 --> 00:03:56.039 And so as He's talking to this Samaritan woman about these things, His disciples finally come 00:03:56.039 --> 00:03:58.259 back from their trip into the sea to buy food. 00:03:58.620 --> 00:04:00.319 And then they say to Him, verse 27, 00:04:00.319 --> 00:04:13.319 So their surprise reflects the prejudice of their day because some Jews at this time believed 00:04:13.319 --> 00:04:19.719 and taught that it was a waste of time for a Jewish rabbi to talk to a woman, even their own wives. 00:04:20.600 --> 00:04:25.860 In fact, they said that at best it was the waste of time, and at worst it's a diversion from studying 00:04:25.860 --> 00:04:28.039 the Torah, the law of God, that could lead to hell. 00:04:28.279 --> 00:04:29.639 That's what some of these Jews taught. 00:04:29.639 --> 00:04:33.379 And so not only does Jesus blatantly disregard the misogyny of His day, 00:04:33.479 --> 00:04:38.279 He transcends the religious, political, and ethnic hostilities between Jews and Samaritans 00:04:38.279 --> 00:04:40.800 by approaching and speaking to this Samaritan woman. 00:04:41.699 --> 00:04:44.159 And for Jesus, this was not a diversion. 00:04:44.620 --> 00:04:46.000 It was not a waste of time. 00:04:46.060 --> 00:04:49.800 It was not a distraction because this was a part of His mission. 00:04:49.919 --> 00:04:52.379 Because He's not just the Messiah of the Jews. 00:04:52.579 --> 00:04:56.199 It tells us in verse 42, He's the Savior of the world. 00:04:56.199 --> 00:04:59.860 He didn't come to save a pocket of the world. 00:04:59.939 --> 00:05:04.180 He's claiming to save the world, to reach the nations, all races, ethnic groups. 00:05:04.180 --> 00:05:13.220 18th century theologian Jonathan Edwards writes in this book, The Nature of True Virtues, 00:05:13.560 --> 00:05:18.500 that private affection, if not subordinate to general affection, 00:05:19.060 --> 00:05:24.420 is not only liable to issue and enmity to being in general, but has a tendency to it. 00:05:24.420 --> 00:05:28.879 What He's saying is that if our private affections, our smaller affections, 00:05:28.939 --> 00:05:31.120 are not subordinate to a general affection, 00:05:31.640 --> 00:05:34.860 then that will tend toward enmity toward others and cause divisions. 00:05:35.420 --> 00:05:40.600 To illustrate, if our highest allegiance in our lives, in our world, is to ourselves, 00:05:41.120 --> 00:05:44.439 then naturally we're not going to look out for the interests of others 00:05:44.439 --> 00:05:46.580 because we're fending for ourselves our own interests. 00:05:46.579 --> 00:05:49.819 If our highest interest is for our family, 00:05:50.699 --> 00:05:54.539 then naturally we will neglect the needs of other families 00:05:54.539 --> 00:05:57.199 because we're trying to care for our own families. 00:05:57.800 --> 00:06:00.919 If our highest allegiance is to our class, 00:06:01.459 --> 00:06:02.799 maybe a socioeconomic class, 00:06:03.099 --> 00:06:06.860 or political party, race, nation, or gender, 00:06:07.199 --> 00:06:10.000 then naturally we will become classicists, 00:06:10.659 --> 00:06:13.719 chauvinists, racists, jingoists, sexists. 00:06:13.720 --> 00:06:17.900 It's only when God is our highest good 00:06:17.900 --> 00:06:21.940 and His mission to save the whole world is our highest pursuit, 00:06:22.260 --> 00:06:24.900 then that's when we become, our hearts are drawn, 00:06:25.080 --> 00:06:27.420 not just to a small pocket of the world, 00:06:27.520 --> 00:06:29.280 our own families, gender, race, and class, 00:06:29.360 --> 00:06:31.220 but to the whole world in general. 00:06:33.780 --> 00:06:37.360 And surely after the polarizing presidential election this week, 00:06:37.620 --> 00:06:39.380 some of you are elated, 00:06:40.000 --> 00:06:42.340 while others of you are downright depressed. 00:06:42.339 --> 00:06:47.519 And now I will never endorse a political party 00:06:47.519 --> 00:06:49.819 or a candidate from the pulpit 00:06:49.819 --> 00:06:51.859 because this is a pulpit. 00:06:52.019 --> 00:06:54.699 It's not a podium for advancing the human agenda 00:06:54.699 --> 00:06:57.560 and talking about the kingdom of men. 00:06:57.779 --> 00:07:00.599 This is a pulpit for advancing the kingdom of God 00:07:00.599 --> 00:07:01.939 and proclaiming the word of God. 00:07:02.699 --> 00:07:04.159 But I will say this much. 00:07:04.239 --> 00:07:06.620 It's that without minimizing your emotions 00:07:06.620 --> 00:07:07.439 and what you're feeling, 00:07:07.439 --> 00:07:11.680 how we feel today should be governed more 00:07:11.680 --> 00:07:13.579 by what Christ has done for us. 00:07:14.980 --> 00:07:19.680 And we should be more absorbed by this mission 00:07:19.680 --> 00:07:21.879 that Christ calls all believers to 00:07:21.879 --> 00:07:25.519 than by anything that's going on around us. 00:07:25.519 --> 00:07:30.779 Our desire to look out for our own interests, 00:07:30.939 --> 00:07:31.519 our families, 00:07:32.180 --> 00:07:33.539 our socioeconomic class, 00:07:34.199 --> 00:07:35.599 even our own nation, 00:07:36.000 --> 00:07:38.719 all of it should be subsumed by, 00:07:39.099 --> 00:07:40.120 subordinated to, 00:07:40.599 --> 00:07:42.000 the mission of God 00:07:42.000 --> 00:07:45.319 because that's where our primary allegiance should lie. 00:07:45.319 --> 00:07:47.980 And that's what Christ does in this passage. 00:07:48.599 --> 00:07:49.279 Verse 40, 00:07:49.519 --> 00:07:51.740 when the Samaritans ask Jesus to stay with them, 00:07:51.980 --> 00:07:52.659 he does, 00:07:53.579 --> 00:07:54.939 which would have been shocking 00:07:54.939 --> 00:07:56.159 and difficult to do at the time 00:07:56.159 --> 00:07:57.219 because of the hostilities 00:07:57.219 --> 00:07:58.319 between Jews and Samaritans. 00:07:58.420 --> 00:08:00.759 It would have been not unlike, 00:08:01.139 --> 00:08:01.439 you know, 00:08:01.740 --> 00:08:04.899 defying segregation laws in the 1950s in the U.S. 00:08:04.899 --> 00:08:09.000 or defying apartheid in South Africa in the 1980s. 00:08:09.319 --> 00:08:10.339 Yet Jesus does that. 00:08:10.500 --> 00:08:12.519 He stays with the Samaritans, 00:08:12.719 --> 00:08:13.360 eats with them, 00:08:13.560 --> 00:08:14.259 lives among them, 00:08:14.319 --> 00:08:15.139 and teaches them. 00:08:16.120 --> 00:08:18.680 So that's the purpose of this mission 00:08:18.680 --> 00:08:20.199 is to save the world 00:08:20.199 --> 00:08:22.519 by offering Christ to the world. 00:08:22.620 --> 00:08:24.360 That's the mission that Christ calls us to. 00:08:24.560 --> 00:08:25.860 That's the purpose of the mission. 00:08:26.860 --> 00:08:27.600 It's grand. 00:08:27.800 --> 00:08:28.480 It's universal. 00:08:28.819 --> 00:08:30.779 It encompasses the entire world. 00:08:32.080 --> 00:08:34.879 And then we learn about the priority of this mission 00:08:34.879 --> 00:08:37.000 in Jesus' ensuing dialogue with his disciples. 00:08:38.159 --> 00:08:39.600 After returning from their trip 00:08:39.600 --> 00:08:41.480 into the city of Samaria to buy food, 00:08:41.600 --> 00:08:43.899 the disciples urged Jesus to eat in verse 31. 00:08:43.899 --> 00:08:45.720 And we know from last week's passage 00:08:45.720 --> 00:08:47.000 that Jesus was thirsty. 00:08:47.439 --> 00:08:48.679 He asked the woman for a drink. 00:08:49.100 --> 00:08:50.620 And probably he's hungry too 00:08:50.620 --> 00:08:52.939 because he had been on a long journey 00:08:52.939 --> 00:08:54.399 going through Samaria. 00:08:56.139 --> 00:08:56.980 And so he's, 00:08:56.980 --> 00:08:58.860 but even though he's hungry and thirsty 00:08:58.860 --> 00:08:59.779 probably at this time, 00:08:59.860 --> 00:09:01.139 he doesn't eat. 00:09:01.139 --> 00:09:04.060 He takes advantage instead of this circumstance, 00:09:04.180 --> 00:09:06.159 this opportunity to teach his disciples 00:09:06.159 --> 00:09:07.220 about his priorities. 00:09:07.220 --> 00:09:09.540 So he responds in verse 32. 00:09:10.440 --> 00:09:11.560 I have food to eat 00:09:11.560 --> 00:09:13.360 that you do not know about. 00:09:14.759 --> 00:09:16.379 Just before this interaction, 00:09:16.500 --> 00:09:18.139 the Samaritan woman had been confused 00:09:18.139 --> 00:09:20.440 by Jesus' mention of living water 00:09:20.440 --> 00:09:23.279 and because Jesus was talking about spiritual water, 00:09:23.420 --> 00:09:23.500 right? 00:09:23.500 --> 00:09:24.040 The living water, 00:09:24.139 --> 00:09:24.820 the spirit of God. 00:09:25.120 --> 00:09:25.820 And this time, 00:09:25.899 --> 00:09:27.259 Jesus' disciples are confused 00:09:27.259 --> 00:09:28.460 by Jesus' mention of food. 00:09:28.680 --> 00:09:29.860 And so they ask among themselves, 00:09:30.040 --> 00:09:31.460 has anyone brought him something to eat? 00:09:32.240 --> 00:09:32.759 And Jesus, 00:09:33.320 --> 00:09:33.840 hearing this, 00:09:33.960 --> 00:09:35.280 explains to them in verse 34. 00:09:35.740 --> 00:09:37.980 My food is to do the will 00:09:37.980 --> 00:09:40.480 of him who sent me 00:09:40.480 --> 00:09:42.519 and to accomplish his work. 00:09:45.220 --> 00:09:48.340 This is a reference to Deuteronomy 8, verse 3, 00:09:48.460 --> 00:09:50.060 where Moses tells the Israelites 00:09:50.060 --> 00:09:51.320 that God humbled them 00:09:51.320 --> 00:09:53.160 and fed them with manna from heaven, 00:09:53.320 --> 00:09:54.600 which they did not know. 00:09:54.680 --> 00:09:55.519 And then he says this, 00:09:55.680 --> 00:09:57.180 that he might make you know 00:09:57.180 --> 00:09:59.680 that man does not live by bread alone, 00:09:59.679 --> 00:10:01.819 but man lives by every word 00:10:01.819 --> 00:10:04.259 that comes from the mouth of the Lord. 00:10:05.099 --> 00:10:06.539 What Moses meant by this 00:10:06.539 --> 00:10:07.639 in telling the Israelites this 00:10:07.639 --> 00:10:10.139 is that at an even more fundamental level 00:10:10.139 --> 00:10:11.019 than bread, 00:10:11.599 --> 00:10:13.879 than our daily physical sustenance, 00:10:14.120 --> 00:10:16.739 it is God who ultimately sustains us. 00:10:17.039 --> 00:10:17.759 His word, 00:10:18.139 --> 00:10:19.159 his sustaining grace, 00:10:19.479 --> 00:10:20.139 his common grace, 00:10:20.259 --> 00:10:21.819 that God is the one that sustains us 00:10:21.819 --> 00:10:24.179 at an even more fundamental level than food. 00:10:24.859 --> 00:10:26.779 And Jesus is now taking this teaching, 00:10:26.899 --> 00:10:27.559 appropriating this, 00:10:27.699 --> 00:10:29.500 to teach them that for him, 00:10:29.679 --> 00:10:31.359 doing the Father's will, 00:10:31.559 --> 00:10:32.699 accomplishing the mission 00:10:32.699 --> 00:10:34.399 that he was sent out to accomplish, 00:10:34.620 --> 00:10:35.899 that provides for him 00:10:35.899 --> 00:10:38.659 greater satisfaction and sustenance 00:10:38.659 --> 00:10:39.620 than food, 00:10:39.899 --> 00:10:40.519 than eating. 00:10:42.539 --> 00:10:43.859 Jesus is so absorbed 00:10:43.859 --> 00:10:44.679 by his mission 00:10:44.679 --> 00:10:46.259 to the Samaritans at this point, 00:10:46.359 --> 00:10:47.039 so engaged, 00:10:47.139 --> 00:10:47.879 probably thinking back 00:10:47.879 --> 00:10:48.799 to the conversation he had 00:10:48.799 --> 00:10:49.620 with the Samaritan woman, 00:10:50.039 --> 00:10:50.719 that thought, 00:10:50.919 --> 00:10:52.459 even though he is thirsty and hungry, 00:10:52.539 --> 00:10:53.259 the thought of food 00:10:53.259 --> 00:10:54.099 is far from him. 00:10:54.100 --> 00:10:57.460 So just as the Samaritan woman 00:10:57.460 --> 00:10:58.600 left her water jar 00:10:58.600 --> 00:11:00.560 to tell the townspeople 00:11:00.560 --> 00:11:01.500 about the living water, 00:11:02.100 --> 00:11:04.920 Jesus now leaves food aside 00:11:04.920 --> 00:11:07.300 because of his pressing concern 00:11:07.300 --> 00:11:09.159 for the Samaritans. 00:11:09.159 --> 00:11:12.740 And we too must not lose sight 00:11:12.740 --> 00:11:13.919 of this purpose, 00:11:14.039 --> 00:11:15.459 the priority of this mission 00:11:15.459 --> 00:11:17.360 because we're simply too busy living, 00:11:17.839 --> 00:11:18.019 right? 00:11:19.839 --> 00:11:21.439 Too busy eating and drinking 00:11:21.439 --> 00:11:23.259 and other chores of the day. 00:11:23.459 --> 00:11:24.179 And this is, 00:11:24.419 --> 00:11:26.339 even though we might ask at this point, 00:11:26.539 --> 00:11:26.860 Jesus, 00:11:26.980 --> 00:11:27.379 come on, 00:11:27.439 --> 00:11:28.179 this is just food. 00:11:28.259 --> 00:11:29.519 It's not like they were telling you 00:11:29.519 --> 00:11:31.299 to do something 00:11:31.299 --> 00:11:32.519 that's a luxury. 00:11:32.699 --> 00:11:33.600 They're telling you to eat. 00:11:33.659 --> 00:11:34.379 You need to eat 00:11:34.379 --> 00:11:35.559 to work and to live. 00:11:36.339 --> 00:11:36.799 But this, 00:11:36.919 --> 00:11:38.259 he's making an important point. 00:11:38.519 --> 00:11:39.959 It's an important danger. 00:11:40.239 --> 00:11:41.819 And John Piper talks about this 00:11:41.819 --> 00:11:42.319 in his book, 00:11:42.459 --> 00:11:43.279 Hunger for God. 00:11:43.359 --> 00:11:44.000 He writes this, 00:11:44.639 --> 00:11:45.919 The greatest enemy 00:11:45.919 --> 00:11:47.599 of hunger for God 00:11:47.599 --> 00:11:49.399 is not poison, 00:11:50.259 --> 00:11:51.039 but apple pie. 00:11:52.519 --> 00:11:53.939 It is not the banquet 00:11:53.939 --> 00:11:54.559 of the wicked 00:11:54.559 --> 00:11:55.679 that dulls our appetite 00:11:55.679 --> 00:11:56.299 for heaven, 00:11:56.559 --> 00:11:58.019 but endless nibbling 00:11:58.019 --> 00:11:59.579 at the table of the world. 00:12:01.119 --> 00:12:02.639 The greatest adversary 00:12:02.639 --> 00:12:03.879 of love of God 00:12:03.879 --> 00:12:04.799 is not his enemies, 00:12:04.799 --> 00:12:05.679 but his gifts. 00:12:06.500 --> 00:12:08.339 And the most deadly appetites 00:12:08.339 --> 00:12:10.079 are not for the poison of evil, 00:12:10.179 --> 00:12:11.399 but for the simple pleasures 00:12:11.399 --> 00:12:11.979 of earth. 00:12:13.099 --> 00:12:15.179 For when these replace 00:12:15.179 --> 00:12:17.179 an appetite for God himself, 00:12:17.859 --> 00:12:18.699 the idolatry 00:12:18.699 --> 00:12:20.599 is scarcely recognizable 00:12:20.599 --> 00:12:23.000 and almost incurable. 00:12:26.120 --> 00:12:27.699 That's why we as Christians 00:12:27.699 --> 00:12:29.000 practice the spiritual discipline 00:12:29.000 --> 00:12:29.579 of fasting, 00:12:29.859 --> 00:12:32.799 because we want to teach 00:12:32.799 --> 00:12:34.679 and train not just our minds, 00:12:34.799 --> 00:12:35.500 but our guts, 00:12:35.620 --> 00:12:36.219 so that we know 00:12:36.219 --> 00:12:37.199 not just intellectually, 00:12:37.399 --> 00:12:38.179 but viscerally, 00:12:38.179 --> 00:12:40.000 that God is more fundamental 00:12:40.000 --> 00:12:40.859 to us, 00:12:40.959 --> 00:12:42.199 more important to us 00:12:42.199 --> 00:12:43.699 than anything in the world, 00:12:43.919 --> 00:12:44.620 even food. 00:12:46.339 --> 00:12:47.839 The things that draw us away 00:12:47.839 --> 00:12:48.240 from God 00:12:48.240 --> 00:12:48.899 and distract us 00:12:48.899 --> 00:12:49.679 from God's mission 00:12:49.679 --> 00:12:51.699 are often not wicked sins, 00:12:51.700 --> 00:12:54.300 but seemingly innocent pleasures 00:12:54.300 --> 00:12:56.160 and preoccupations. 00:12:58.440 --> 00:12:59.820 What's on the front page 00:12:59.820 --> 00:13:00.840 of the newspaper today? 00:13:01.420 --> 00:13:03.140 What the polls are saying today? 00:13:03.420 --> 00:13:04.200 Scrolling through 00:13:04.200 --> 00:13:06.000 our Facebook news feed 00:13:06.000 --> 00:13:06.759 or Twitter, 00:13:07.140 --> 00:13:08.180 surfing channels, 00:13:08.520 --> 00:13:09.759 flipping from one channel 00:13:09.759 --> 00:13:10.280 to another, 00:13:11.240 --> 00:13:12.640 wondering what's going on 00:13:12.640 --> 00:13:13.580 on Instagram today? 00:13:13.960 --> 00:13:15.120 These little things, 00:13:15.160 --> 00:13:16.140 these are not bad, 00:13:16.340 --> 00:13:16.920 sinful things 00:13:16.920 --> 00:13:17.620 in and of themselves. 00:13:17.620 --> 00:13:20.480 But yet, 00:13:20.600 --> 00:13:22.039 when they distract us 00:13:22.039 --> 00:13:23.899 from the mission of God, 00:13:25.379 --> 00:13:26.200 they can become 00:13:26.200 --> 00:13:27.320 sinful disobedience 00:13:27.320 --> 00:13:27.779 when they are 00:13:27.779 --> 00:13:29.379 unduly prioritized 00:13:29.379 --> 00:13:31.000 over and above 00:13:31.000 --> 00:13:31.840 our call 00:13:31.840 --> 00:13:33.159 to seek and save 00:13:33.159 --> 00:13:33.620 the lost 00:13:33.620 --> 00:13:35.259 as part of Christ's mission. 00:13:36.659 --> 00:13:37.740 And so by foregoing 00:13:37.740 --> 00:13:39.159 even the most basic 00:13:39.159 --> 00:13:40.360 human need of food, 00:13:41.259 --> 00:13:42.240 Jesus teaches us 00:13:42.240 --> 00:13:43.720 the utmost priority 00:13:43.720 --> 00:13:44.360 of this mission. 00:13:47.620 --> 00:13:48.580 And the Gospels 00:13:48.580 --> 00:13:49.580 provide no record 00:13:49.580 --> 00:13:50.820 of Jesus even 00:13:50.820 --> 00:13:51.580 batting an eye 00:13:51.580 --> 00:13:52.740 at the social, 00:13:52.960 --> 00:13:53.220 political, 00:13:53.360 --> 00:13:54.179 military upheavals 00:13:54.179 --> 00:13:54.700 of his day. 00:13:54.840 --> 00:13:55.299 He doesn't. 00:13:55.539 --> 00:13:56.580 There's no record of that. 00:13:57.419 --> 00:13:58.860 But he wearied himself 00:13:58.860 --> 00:13:59.960 down to the bone. 00:14:00.620 --> 00:14:02.100 He forsook food and drink 00:14:02.100 --> 00:14:04.019 to save the Samaritan woman's soul. 00:14:04.620 --> 00:14:05.740 That's how he pursued us. 00:14:07.159 --> 00:14:08.299 That's how he lived 00:14:08.299 --> 00:14:09.019 every ounce. 00:14:09.360 --> 00:14:09.820 He had used 00:14:09.820 --> 00:14:10.720 every ounce of his energy. 00:14:10.779 --> 00:14:11.500 That's how he lived 00:14:11.500 --> 00:14:13.019 every moment of his life. 00:14:13.019 --> 00:14:15.879 He was motivated 00:14:15.879 --> 00:14:17.039 by consuming zeal 00:14:17.039 --> 00:14:18.120 for God's glory 00:14:18.120 --> 00:14:18.799 in the world 00:14:18.799 --> 00:14:20.720 and he had no higher delight, 00:14:20.960 --> 00:14:22.100 no greater joy 00:14:22.100 --> 00:14:23.000 than to offer 00:14:23.000 --> 00:14:24.059 eternal life 00:14:24.059 --> 00:14:24.600 to people 00:14:24.600 --> 00:14:25.240 that he came 00:14:25.240 --> 00:14:26.240 into contact with. 00:14:27.039 --> 00:14:27.679 God, I pray 00:14:27.679 --> 00:14:28.600 that he forgives us 00:14:28.600 --> 00:14:29.639 for our lack of zeal, 00:14:30.199 --> 00:14:31.620 for his glory 00:14:31.620 --> 00:14:32.399 and the lack of love 00:14:32.399 --> 00:14:32.980 for souls 00:14:32.980 --> 00:14:34.039 that we see in our lives. 00:14:37.620 --> 00:14:39.480 Do we also prioritize 00:14:39.480 --> 00:14:40.659 Christ's mission 00:14:40.659 --> 00:14:41.819 to save the world 00:14:41.820 --> 00:14:42.760 so that we can 00:14:42.760 --> 00:14:44.080 scarcely go a day 00:14:44.080 --> 00:14:45.100 without proclaiming 00:14:45.100 --> 00:14:45.660 his gospel? 00:14:47.180 --> 00:14:48.320 Do we still prioritize 00:14:48.320 --> 00:14:48.920 Christ's mission 00:14:48.920 --> 00:14:49.520 to save the world 00:14:49.520 --> 00:14:50.180 that we consider 00:14:50.180 --> 00:14:51.879 it most basic to us, 00:14:52.000 --> 00:14:52.920 to our survival, 00:14:53.540 --> 00:14:54.520 even more so 00:14:54.520 --> 00:14:55.280 than even to eat? 00:14:56.140 --> 00:14:57.620 Are we so captivated 00:14:57.620 --> 00:14:58.860 and engrossed 00:14:58.860 --> 00:14:59.740 in Christ 00:14:59.740 --> 00:15:00.580 and his mission 00:15:00.580 --> 00:15:03.120 that everything else 00:15:03.120 --> 00:15:05.360 seems of secondary 00:15:05.360 --> 00:15:06.360 importance to us? 00:15:06.360 --> 00:15:11.500 And I hope you're not 00:15:11.500 --> 00:15:12.300 thinking at this point, 00:15:12.500 --> 00:15:14.379 well, that's your job, 00:15:14.500 --> 00:15:14.779 pastor. 00:15:17.180 --> 00:15:18.279 That's not my job. 00:15:18.419 --> 00:15:19.560 I have work to do 00:15:19.560 --> 00:15:21.879 because brothers and sisters, 00:15:22.100 --> 00:15:22.919 proclaiming the gospel, 00:15:23.120 --> 00:15:23.800 sharing Christ 00:15:23.800 --> 00:15:24.580 with the world 00:15:24.580 --> 00:15:25.440 is not my job. 00:15:25.700 --> 00:15:26.500 It's our job. 00:15:26.779 --> 00:15:27.779 It's the church's job. 00:15:29.120 --> 00:15:30.320 There's an important difference 00:15:30.320 --> 00:15:31.519 between occupation 00:15:31.519 --> 00:15:32.919 and vocation. 00:15:34.559 --> 00:15:35.699 And occupation 00:15:35.699 --> 00:15:36.539 is what we do 00:15:36.539 --> 00:15:37.299 to make a living. 00:15:38.460 --> 00:15:39.299 Whether that's 00:15:39.299 --> 00:15:40.000 being a teacher, 00:15:40.159 --> 00:15:40.779 a secretary, 00:15:41.039 --> 00:15:41.740 a mother, 00:15:42.579 --> 00:15:43.179 a babysitter, 00:15:43.340 --> 00:15:43.919 sales rep, 00:15:44.159 --> 00:15:45.480 an analyst, 00:15:46.000 --> 00:15:46.500 a professor, 00:15:46.759 --> 00:15:47.240 an artist. 00:15:48.279 --> 00:15:48.720 And the Bible, 00:15:49.340 --> 00:15:50.120 as much as we like 00:15:50.120 --> 00:15:51.240 to look around for, 00:15:51.299 --> 00:15:52.120 it doesn't give us 00:15:52.120 --> 00:15:53.779 very specific directions 00:15:53.779 --> 00:15:54.980 about what he wants us 00:15:54.980 --> 00:15:55.299 to do 00:15:55.299 --> 00:15:56.279 in terms of our occupation. 00:15:58.340 --> 00:15:59.360 A vocation 00:15:59.360 --> 00:16:00.019 is our calling. 00:16:00.019 --> 00:16:01.539 It's our calling 00:16:01.539 --> 00:16:02.419 to Christ 00:16:02.419 --> 00:16:03.240 and to his mission 00:16:03.240 --> 00:16:05.100 that's valid, 00:16:05.199 --> 00:16:06.299 that applies to all of us, 00:16:06.340 --> 00:16:06.939 every Christian. 00:16:07.960 --> 00:16:09.259 And the Bible's filled 00:16:09.259 --> 00:16:10.860 from cover to cover 00:16:10.860 --> 00:16:11.699 with instructions, 00:16:11.980 --> 00:16:12.539 injunctions, 00:16:12.759 --> 00:16:13.480 exhortations 00:16:13.480 --> 00:16:15.159 about this vocation. 00:16:16.240 --> 00:16:17.639 And everything we do, 00:16:17.740 --> 00:16:19.379 including our occupation, 00:16:19.819 --> 00:16:21.139 is encompassed by 00:16:21.139 --> 00:16:22.379 and subsumed by 00:16:22.379 --> 00:16:24.059 this holy vocation. 00:16:25.340 --> 00:16:25.759 So then, 00:16:26.419 --> 00:16:27.079 we can't say 00:16:27.079 --> 00:16:27.620 we're not called 00:16:27.620 --> 00:16:28.340 to evangelism 00:16:28.340 --> 00:16:28.740 or mission. 00:16:28.740 --> 00:16:30.620 Every Christian 00:16:30.620 --> 00:16:31.360 is called to that. 00:16:32.340 --> 00:16:33.080 This is what 00:16:33.080 --> 00:16:34.320 William Booth, 00:16:34.720 --> 00:16:35.399 who's the founder 00:16:35.399 --> 00:16:36.299 of the Salvation Army, 00:16:36.480 --> 00:16:37.080 you guys know 00:16:37.080 --> 00:16:37.899 about the Salvation Army, 00:16:37.980 --> 00:16:39.200 he had this to say 00:16:39.200 --> 00:16:40.200 when someone replied 00:16:40.200 --> 00:16:40.580 to him 00:16:40.580 --> 00:16:41.340 that he's not called 00:16:41.340 --> 00:16:42.039 to evangelism. 00:16:42.700 --> 00:16:42.960 He said, 00:16:43.019 --> 00:16:43.539 not called, 00:16:43.620 --> 00:16:44.159 did you say? 00:16:44.919 --> 00:16:46.180 Not heard the call, 00:16:46.220 --> 00:16:47.139 I think you should say. 00:16:47.899 --> 00:16:49.159 Put your ear down 00:16:49.159 --> 00:16:49.740 to the Bible 00:16:49.740 --> 00:16:50.740 and hear him 00:16:50.740 --> 00:16:51.580 bid you go 00:16:51.580 --> 00:16:52.580 and pull sinners 00:16:52.580 --> 00:16:53.779 out of the fire of sin. 00:16:54.620 --> 00:16:55.600 Put your ear down 00:16:55.600 --> 00:16:56.379 to the burdened, 00:16:56.419 --> 00:16:57.139 agonized heart 00:16:57.139 --> 00:16:57.679 of humanity 00:16:57.679 --> 00:16:58.539 and listened to 00:16:58.539 --> 00:16:59.500 its pitiful wail 00:16:59.500 --> 00:17:00.139 for help. 00:17:00.939 --> 00:17:01.639 Go stand 00:17:01.639 --> 00:17:02.860 by the gates of hell 00:17:02.860 --> 00:17:04.059 and hear the damned 00:17:04.059 --> 00:17:04.799 entreat you 00:17:04.799 --> 00:17:06.460 to go to their father's house 00:17:06.460 --> 00:17:07.599 and bid their brothers 00:17:07.599 --> 00:17:08.220 and sisters 00:17:08.220 --> 00:17:08.819 and servants 00:17:08.819 --> 00:17:09.359 and masters 00:17:09.359 --> 00:17:10.339 not to come there. 00:17:11.019 --> 00:17:12.019 And then look Christ 00:17:12.019 --> 00:17:12.819 in the face, 00:17:13.220 --> 00:17:13.859 whose mercy 00:17:13.859 --> 00:17:14.799 you have professed 00:17:14.799 --> 00:17:15.379 to obey 00:17:15.379 --> 00:17:16.519 and tell him 00:17:16.519 --> 00:17:17.119 whether you will 00:17:17.119 --> 00:17:17.759 join heart 00:17:17.759 --> 00:17:18.420 and soul 00:17:18.420 --> 00:17:19.259 and body 00:17:19.259 --> 00:17:20.220 and circumstances 00:17:20.220 --> 00:17:21.139 in the march 00:17:21.139 --> 00:17:21.799 to publish 00:17:21.799 --> 00:17:22.740 his mercy 00:17:22.740 --> 00:17:23.759 to the world. 00:17:23.759 --> 00:17:27.759 When we know 00:17:27.759 --> 00:17:28.579 the source 00:17:28.579 --> 00:17:29.779 of living water, 00:17:30.200 --> 00:17:31.519 when we know 00:17:31.519 --> 00:17:32.279 the source 00:17:32.279 --> 00:17:33.379 of eternal life, 00:17:33.460 --> 00:17:34.220 what does it say 00:17:34.220 --> 00:17:34.900 about us 00:17:34.900 --> 00:17:36.119 that we shy away 00:17:36.119 --> 00:17:36.879 from telling people 00:17:36.879 --> 00:17:37.500 about Jesus 00:17:37.500 --> 00:17:38.400 because we fear 00:17:38.400 --> 00:17:39.680 inconveniencing them 00:17:39.680 --> 00:17:44.000 or because we're embarrassed? 00:17:44.680 --> 00:17:45.579 How selfish 00:17:45.579 --> 00:17:46.279 and unloving 00:17:46.279 --> 00:17:46.799 is that? 00:17:47.579 --> 00:17:47.839 Indeed, 00:17:47.940 --> 00:17:48.619 how hateful 00:17:48.619 --> 00:17:49.019 is that 00:17:49.019 --> 00:17:49.799 to withhold 00:17:49.799 --> 00:17:50.720 living water, 00:17:51.000 --> 00:17:51.759 eternal life 00:17:51.759 --> 00:17:52.240 from people 00:17:52.240 --> 00:17:52.980 who are perishing 00:17:52.980 --> 00:17:53.559 without it? 00:17:55.160 --> 00:17:56.099 I'm not saying 00:17:56.099 --> 00:17:56.539 that all of you 00:17:56.539 --> 00:17:57.019 should leave 00:17:57.019 --> 00:17:57.720 your current jobs 00:17:57.720 --> 00:17:58.140 and become 00:17:58.140 --> 00:17:59.299 traveling evangelists, 00:17:59.640 --> 00:17:59.799 right? 00:18:00.099 --> 00:18:01.259 But all of us, 00:18:01.339 --> 00:18:01.799 because of your 00:18:01.799 --> 00:18:02.700 unique place, 00:18:02.920 --> 00:18:03.460 location, 00:18:03.660 --> 00:18:04.559 and occupation, 00:18:04.819 --> 00:18:05.860 you have a unique 00:18:05.860 --> 00:18:06.640 ability 00:18:06.640 --> 00:18:08.539 to harness 00:18:08.539 --> 00:18:09.319 the resources, 00:18:09.660 --> 00:18:10.420 the relationships, 00:18:11.019 --> 00:18:12.200 the expertise 00:18:12.200 --> 00:18:13.039 that you have 00:18:13.039 --> 00:18:13.940 for the sake 00:18:13.940 --> 00:18:14.839 of the kingdom of God. 00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:18.160 You can reach people 00:18:18.160 --> 00:18:19.220 that I can never reach 00:18:19.220 --> 00:18:20.400 because of where you are. 00:18:21.160 --> 00:18:21.259 Right? 00:18:22.980 --> 00:18:24.299 And that is our 00:18:24.299 --> 00:18:24.799 Christian calling 00:18:24.799 --> 00:18:25.559 to be faithful, 00:18:25.980 --> 00:18:27.240 to declare 00:18:27.240 --> 00:18:28.079 and demonstrate 00:18:28.079 --> 00:18:28.740 the good news 00:18:28.740 --> 00:18:29.480 of Jesus Christ 00:18:29.480 --> 00:18:30.680 in all that we do, 00:18:30.759 --> 00:18:31.860 including in our occupation. 00:18:33.680 --> 00:18:34.880 And Jesus further 00:18:34.880 --> 00:18:35.720 elaborates on this 00:18:35.720 --> 00:18:36.880 priority of the mission 00:18:36.880 --> 00:18:38.299 by using a farming analogy 00:18:38.299 --> 00:18:40.799 in verses 35 and 36. 00:18:41.220 --> 00:18:41.660 He writes, 00:18:42.220 --> 00:18:43.160 Do you not say 00:18:43.160 --> 00:18:45.000 there are yet four months 00:18:45.000 --> 00:18:46.000 then comes the harvest? 00:18:46.920 --> 00:18:47.259 Look, 00:18:47.299 --> 00:18:47.839 I tell you, 00:18:48.160 --> 00:18:49.160 lift up your eyes 00:18:49.160 --> 00:18:50.820 and see that the fields 00:18:50.820 --> 00:18:52.140 are white for harvest. 00:18:52.759 --> 00:18:53.220 Already, 00:18:53.420 --> 00:18:54.160 the one who reaps 00:18:54.160 --> 00:18:55.180 is receiving wages 00:18:55.180 --> 00:18:56.140 and gathering fruit 00:18:56.140 --> 00:18:56.940 for eternal life 00:18:56.940 --> 00:18:58.460 so that sower and reaper 00:18:58.460 --> 00:19:00.120 may rejoice together. 00:19:01.800 --> 00:19:02.960 Jesus here uses 00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:03.779 another metaphor 00:19:03.779 --> 00:19:04.900 to refer to a deeper 00:19:04.900 --> 00:19:05.900 spiritual reality. 00:19:06.660 --> 00:19:07.320 There was a generally 00:19:07.320 --> 00:19:08.640 known agricultural saying 00:19:08.640 --> 00:19:09.660 that there are yet 00:19:09.660 --> 00:19:10.120 four months 00:19:10.120 --> 00:19:10.940 then comes the harvest 00:19:10.940 --> 00:19:13.259 because from the end 00:19:13.259 --> 00:19:14.320 of the sowing period 00:19:14.320 --> 00:19:15.060 to the beginning 00:19:15.060 --> 00:19:16.420 of the harvesting, 00:19:16.540 --> 00:19:17.300 the reaping period, 00:19:17.600 --> 00:19:18.560 it was about four months. 00:19:18.559 --> 00:19:19.639 So that's what they used to say. 00:19:19.700 --> 00:19:19.779 Well, 00:19:19.799 --> 00:19:20.720 we got to wait four months 00:19:20.720 --> 00:19:21.700 and then there will be a harvest. 00:19:22.480 --> 00:19:24.079 But in this spiritual harvest, 00:19:24.240 --> 00:19:24.700 Jesus says, 00:19:24.759 --> 00:19:25.519 there's no waiting. 00:19:26.720 --> 00:19:28.099 The fields are already 00:19:28.099 --> 00:19:29.000 white for harvest. 00:19:29.899 --> 00:19:30.259 In fact, 00:19:30.319 --> 00:19:31.259 the one who reaps 00:19:31.259 --> 00:19:32.700 is receiving wages already 00:19:32.700 --> 00:19:33.480 and gathering fruit 00:19:33.480 --> 00:19:34.179 for eternal life. 00:19:34.259 --> 00:19:34.879 And the sower 00:19:34.879 --> 00:19:35.460 and the reaper 00:19:35.460 --> 00:19:36.539 rejoice together. 00:19:36.919 --> 00:19:37.919 And that's a reference 00:19:37.919 --> 00:19:39.539 in allusion to Amos 9, 00:19:39.759 --> 00:19:40.940 chapter 9, 00:19:40.980 --> 00:19:41.599 verse 13, 00:19:42.000 --> 00:19:43.000 where the prophet says 00:19:43.000 --> 00:19:44.000 that a day is coming 00:19:44.000 --> 00:19:44.919 when the plowman 00:19:44.919 --> 00:19:46.579 shall overtake the reaper 00:19:46.579 --> 00:19:48.019 and the treader of grapes 00:19:48.019 --> 00:19:49.619 him who sows the seed. 00:19:50.299 --> 00:19:50.980 So what that means 00:19:50.980 --> 00:19:52.079 is it's a prediction, 00:19:52.240 --> 00:19:52.799 it's a prophecy 00:19:52.799 --> 00:19:53.619 about a time 00:19:53.619 --> 00:19:54.539 when there was such 00:19:54.539 --> 00:19:56.059 extraordinary fruitfulness 00:19:56.059 --> 00:19:56.839 in the land 00:19:56.839 --> 00:19:58.940 that people will be sowing 00:19:58.940 --> 00:19:59.740 and reaping 00:19:59.740 --> 00:20:00.920 at the same time. 00:20:01.299 --> 00:20:01.960 People who sow 00:20:01.960 --> 00:20:02.700 will be overtaken 00:20:02.700 --> 00:20:03.299 by the reapers, 00:20:03.420 --> 00:20:04.019 people who reap 00:20:04.019 --> 00:20:04.660 will be overtaken 00:20:04.660 --> 00:20:05.460 by the sowers. 00:20:05.759 --> 00:20:06.500 And Jesus says 00:20:06.500 --> 00:20:07.240 that time, 00:20:07.359 --> 00:20:08.099 that end time, 00:20:08.240 --> 00:20:09.059 is now 00:20:09.059 --> 00:20:10.279 because he has come. 00:20:10.539 --> 00:20:11.480 And now is a time 00:20:11.480 --> 00:20:12.059 when sowing 00:20:12.059 --> 00:20:12.720 and reaping 00:20:12.720 --> 00:20:13.279 take place 00:20:13.279 --> 00:20:14.720 at the same time 00:20:14.720 --> 00:20:15.360 so that they're able 00:20:15.360 --> 00:20:16.880 to rejoice together. 00:20:19.000 --> 00:20:20.059 This is another reason 00:20:20.059 --> 00:20:20.860 why Christ's mission 00:20:20.860 --> 00:20:21.759 must be prioritized 00:20:21.759 --> 00:20:22.380 because the time 00:20:22.380 --> 00:20:22.900 for the harvest 00:20:22.900 --> 00:20:24.539 is not four months 00:20:24.539 --> 00:20:24.920 from now. 00:20:25.339 --> 00:20:26.579 It's not two years 00:20:26.579 --> 00:20:26.940 from now 00:20:26.940 --> 00:20:27.720 when we are better 00:20:27.720 --> 00:20:28.579 equipped and prepared. 00:20:29.000 --> 00:20:30.460 It's not five years 00:20:30.460 --> 00:20:30.839 from now 00:20:30.839 --> 00:20:31.539 when your neighbor 00:20:31.539 --> 00:20:32.120 is more ready 00:20:32.120 --> 00:20:32.920 to hear the gospel. 00:20:33.140 --> 00:20:33.880 It's now. 00:20:34.259 --> 00:20:35.579 The harvest is now. 00:20:36.220 --> 00:20:37.339 The time has come 00:20:37.339 --> 00:20:38.640 and that's another reason 00:20:38.640 --> 00:20:39.640 to prioritize 00:20:39.640 --> 00:20:40.680 the mission of Christ. 00:20:40.680 --> 00:20:43.900 And this agricultural metaphor 00:20:43.900 --> 00:20:45.620 reveals the third aspect 00:20:45.620 --> 00:20:46.299 of Christ's mission. 00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:47.380 First, the purpose, 00:20:47.500 --> 00:20:47.960 the priority, 00:20:48.060 --> 00:20:49.620 and now our partnership 00:20:49.620 --> 00:20:50.200 in the mission. 00:20:51.160 --> 00:20:51.840 Jesus continues 00:20:51.840 --> 00:20:53.560 in verses 37-38. 00:20:54.180 --> 00:20:55.060 For here the saying 00:20:55.060 --> 00:20:55.860 holds true, 00:20:56.259 --> 00:20:57.019 one sows 00:20:57.019 --> 00:20:58.160 and another reaps. 00:20:58.940 --> 00:20:59.960 I sent you to reap 00:20:59.960 --> 00:21:00.620 that for which you 00:21:00.620 --> 00:21:01.440 did not labor. 00:21:01.920 --> 00:21:02.880 Others have labored 00:21:02.880 --> 00:21:04.019 and you have entered 00:21:04.019 --> 00:21:05.539 into their labor. 00:21:07.279 --> 00:21:08.620 So we are now 00:21:08.620 --> 00:21:09.140 in a time 00:21:09.140 --> 00:21:09.620 when sowing 00:21:09.620 --> 00:21:09.980 and reaping 00:21:09.980 --> 00:21:10.620 coincide. 00:21:10.700 --> 00:21:11.960 It is still generally true 00:21:11.960 --> 00:21:13.440 that often 00:21:13.440 --> 00:21:14.200 we'll reap 00:21:14.200 --> 00:21:15.220 what others have sown 00:21:15.220 --> 00:21:17.480 and others will reap 00:21:17.480 --> 00:21:19.000 what we have sown. 00:21:19.519 --> 00:21:20.860 And that's what happened 00:21:20.860 --> 00:21:21.920 when a few weeks ago 00:21:21.920 --> 00:21:23.360 we celebrated baptisms. 00:21:24.180 --> 00:21:25.460 We didn't sow those seeds. 00:21:25.720 --> 00:21:26.220 Others did. 00:21:27.799 --> 00:21:29.099 But we got to reap 00:21:29.099 --> 00:21:31.160 what others have sown. 00:21:31.819 --> 00:21:32.720 In a similar way 00:21:32.720 --> 00:21:33.460 we will be sowing 00:21:33.460 --> 00:21:34.380 many seeds here 00:21:34.380 --> 00:21:35.759 and others will reap 00:21:35.759 --> 00:21:37.220 when the harvest. 00:21:37.220 --> 00:21:40.720 comes. 00:21:41.759 --> 00:21:43.019 And even in this story 00:21:43.019 --> 00:21:43.500 we see this 00:21:43.500 --> 00:21:44.160 because Jesus 00:21:44.160 --> 00:21:45.279 sows the gospel 00:21:45.279 --> 00:21:46.299 with the Samaritans 00:21:46.299 --> 00:21:47.279 but before him 00:21:47.279 --> 00:21:48.059 John the Baptist 00:21:48.059 --> 00:21:48.940 had preached nearby 00:21:48.940 --> 00:21:50.620 and after Jesus 00:21:50.620 --> 00:21:51.600 Philip the Evangelist 00:21:51.600 --> 00:21:52.240 will come later 00:21:52.240 --> 00:21:53.200 in the book of Acts 00:21:53.200 --> 00:21:53.920 chapter 8 00:21:53.920 --> 00:21:55.160 and he will have 00:21:55.160 --> 00:21:57.039 a wide harvest 00:21:57.039 --> 00:21:58.140 a great harvest 00:21:58.140 --> 00:21:58.779 and many will come 00:21:58.779 --> 00:21:59.319 to know him 00:21:59.319 --> 00:22:00.079 through his ministry. 00:22:01.279 --> 00:22:02.039 And what that means 00:22:02.039 --> 00:22:02.759 is that this partnership 00:22:02.759 --> 00:22:03.779 in the harvest of soul 00:22:03.779 --> 00:22:05.220 obviates any sense 00:22:05.220 --> 00:22:05.980 of competition 00:22:05.980 --> 00:22:07.799 because we recognize 00:22:07.799 --> 00:22:08.579 that we're all 00:22:08.579 --> 00:22:09.119 in this together. 00:22:09.220 --> 00:22:10.000 We partner together. 00:22:10.119 --> 00:22:10.519 It's not about 00:22:10.519 --> 00:22:11.000 who reaps 00:22:11.000 --> 00:22:11.640 or who sows. 00:22:11.960 --> 00:22:13.000 We rejoice together 00:22:13.000 --> 00:22:13.759 because now we're 00:22:13.759 --> 00:22:14.220 in a time 00:22:14.220 --> 00:22:15.319 when those two things 00:22:15.319 --> 00:22:16.039 coincide. 00:22:17.480 --> 00:22:17.940 And it means 00:22:17.940 --> 00:22:18.759 it should also 00:22:18.759 --> 00:22:19.619 free us 00:22:19.619 --> 00:22:20.740 and encourage us 00:22:20.740 --> 00:22:22.019 to play our part 00:22:22.019 --> 00:22:22.559 in advancing 00:22:22.559 --> 00:22:23.359 the mission of Christ 00:22:23.359 --> 00:22:24.039 to save the world 00:22:24.039 --> 00:22:25.240 because we don't have 00:22:25.240 --> 00:22:25.720 the burden 00:22:25.720 --> 00:22:26.799 of the entire enterprise 00:22:26.799 --> 00:22:27.720 weighing us down. 00:22:28.079 --> 00:22:29.119 It's not up to us 00:22:29.119 --> 00:22:29.519 ultimately. 00:22:30.799 --> 00:22:31.859 We partake 00:22:31.859 --> 00:22:32.719 in the mission of Christ 00:22:32.719 --> 00:22:33.199 and ultimately 00:22:33.199 --> 00:22:34.319 God himself 00:22:34.319 --> 00:22:35.819 does the heavy lifting. 00:22:36.500 --> 00:22:37.639 And we see this 00:22:37.639 --> 00:22:39.240 in verse 39. 00:22:39.459 --> 00:22:39.639 It says, 00:22:40.599 --> 00:22:41.379 Many Samaritans 00:22:41.379 --> 00:22:42.059 from that town 00:22:42.059 --> 00:22:42.979 believed in him 00:22:42.979 --> 00:22:44.259 because of the woman's 00:22:44.259 --> 00:22:44.740 testimony. 00:22:45.740 --> 00:22:46.639 He told me 00:22:46.639 --> 00:22:48.179 all that I ever did. 00:22:50.439 --> 00:22:50.879 Now, 00:22:51.279 --> 00:22:53.439 I hope you see here 00:22:53.439 --> 00:22:54.439 that these people 00:22:54.439 --> 00:22:54.979 are not coming 00:22:54.979 --> 00:22:55.619 to know Christ 00:22:55.619 --> 00:22:56.339 because of this 00:22:56.339 --> 00:22:57.059 Samaritan woman's 00:22:57.059 --> 00:22:57.559 competence 00:22:57.559 --> 00:22:59.419 because she is 00:22:59.419 --> 00:23:00.399 an incredible apologist 00:23:00.399 --> 00:23:01.399 for the faith. 00:23:01.859 --> 00:23:03.099 She 00:23:03.099 --> 00:23:05.359 was known 00:23:05.359 --> 00:23:06.039 in the neighborhood 00:23:06.039 --> 00:23:07.419 for being 00:23:07.419 --> 00:23:08.399 a promiscuous woman. 00:23:08.899 --> 00:23:09.959 She was discredited 00:23:09.959 --> 00:23:10.899 by her neighbors. 00:23:12.919 --> 00:23:13.519 And she goes 00:23:13.519 --> 00:23:14.779 and what does she say? 00:23:15.240 --> 00:23:15.679 She says, 00:23:15.740 --> 00:23:16.119 He told me 00:23:16.119 --> 00:23:17.079 all that I ever did. 00:23:17.699 --> 00:23:18.399 Come see a man 00:23:18.399 --> 00:23:18.839 who told me 00:23:18.839 --> 00:23:19.439 all that I ever did. 00:23:19.500 --> 00:23:20.019 Verse 29. 00:23:20.219 --> 00:23:21.519 Can this be the Christ? 00:23:22.759 --> 00:23:23.719 She's just telling them 00:23:23.719 --> 00:23:24.299 what she knows. 00:23:25.000 --> 00:23:25.899 She's just telling him, 00:23:26.039 --> 00:23:26.439 telling them 00:23:26.439 --> 00:23:28.279 what Christ did for her, 00:23:28.359 --> 00:23:29.319 what Christ told her. 00:23:29.319 --> 00:23:31.039 And in this culture, 00:23:31.200 --> 00:23:31.960 a woman's witness 00:23:31.960 --> 00:23:33.200 was not allowed 00:23:33.200 --> 00:23:33.799 in court. 00:23:34.240 --> 00:23:34.539 Yet, 00:23:34.759 --> 00:23:35.960 in the Gospels, 00:23:36.059 --> 00:23:37.279 in the Gospel of John, 00:23:38.119 --> 00:23:38.980 this Samaritan woman 00:23:38.980 --> 00:23:40.240 becomes the first missionary 00:23:40.240 --> 00:23:41.319 among the Samaritans. 00:23:41.759 --> 00:23:42.639 Jesus sends her. 00:23:42.640 --> 00:23:47.640 And her genuine excitement 00:23:47.640 --> 00:23:48.240 and sincerity 00:23:48.240 --> 00:23:48.860 were enough. 00:23:49.900 --> 00:23:51.160 It was contagious enough 00:23:51.160 --> 00:23:52.100 that people came out 00:23:52.100 --> 00:23:53.640 to see for themselves. 00:23:54.360 --> 00:23:55.220 And when they see 00:23:55.220 --> 00:23:55.740 for themselves, 00:23:55.880 --> 00:23:57.060 we found that in verse 42, 00:23:57.300 --> 00:23:58.259 they come to faith. 00:23:58.620 --> 00:23:59.040 Because they say, 00:23:59.140 --> 00:23:59.820 It is no longer 00:23:59.820 --> 00:24:01.040 because of what you said 00:24:01.040 --> 00:24:01.820 that we believe, 00:24:02.100 --> 00:24:03.000 for we have heard 00:24:03.000 --> 00:24:04.080 for ourselves, 00:24:04.280 --> 00:24:05.340 and we know 00:24:05.340 --> 00:24:07.400 that this is indeed 00:24:07.400 --> 00:24:08.180 the Savior 00:24:08.180 --> 00:24:09.380 of the world. 00:24:10.320 --> 00:24:11.299 That's ultimately 00:24:11.299 --> 00:24:12.160 where our confidence 00:24:12.160 --> 00:24:12.840 in evangelism 00:24:12.840 --> 00:24:13.480 comes from. 00:24:13.580 --> 00:24:14.920 It's not our proficiency 00:24:14.920 --> 00:24:15.759 in apologetics. 00:24:15.980 --> 00:24:17.100 It's not our expert 00:24:17.100 --> 00:24:18.060 knowledge of Scripture. 00:24:18.480 --> 00:24:19.519 It's our faith 00:24:19.519 --> 00:24:20.140 that Christ 00:24:20.140 --> 00:24:21.100 will prove himself 00:24:21.100 --> 00:24:22.000 to be the Savior 00:24:22.000 --> 00:24:22.600 of the world 00:24:22.600 --> 00:24:26.360 when we present him 00:24:26.360 --> 00:24:28.100 to those around us. 00:24:29.140 --> 00:24:30.860 If you have not yet 00:24:30.860 --> 00:24:32.140 trusted in the Lord Jesus 00:24:32.140 --> 00:24:33.039 for eternal life 00:24:33.039 --> 00:24:33.720 and salvation, 00:24:33.840 --> 00:24:34.700 then we urge you 00:24:34.700 --> 00:24:36.019 to stay with us a while 00:24:36.019 --> 00:24:37.039 to come and see 00:24:37.039 --> 00:24:37.700 this Christ 00:24:37.700 --> 00:24:38.660 that we worship, 00:24:39.039 --> 00:24:39.460 that we have 00:24:39.460 --> 00:24:40.460 a relationship with. 00:24:41.279 --> 00:24:42.039 The proof is 00:24:42.039 --> 00:24:42.940 in the eating 00:24:42.940 --> 00:24:43.900 of the pudding, right? 00:24:44.639 --> 00:24:45.599 Our best argument 00:24:45.599 --> 00:24:46.119 for the truth 00:24:46.119 --> 00:24:46.680 of Christianity 00:24:46.680 --> 00:24:47.900 is Christ himself. 00:24:48.359 --> 00:24:48.920 It's Christ, 00:24:49.019 --> 00:24:49.539 his body, 00:24:49.639 --> 00:24:50.299 he's the church 00:24:50.299 --> 00:24:51.119 in action. 00:24:52.319 --> 00:24:52.980 And I trust 00:24:52.980 --> 00:24:53.559 that when you see 00:24:53.559 --> 00:24:55.400 Christ in our life 00:24:55.400 --> 00:24:56.359 and worship as a church, 00:24:56.420 --> 00:24:57.200 you will join 00:24:57.200 --> 00:24:57.839 the Samaritans 00:24:57.839 --> 00:24:58.400 in saying, 00:24:58.400 --> 00:24:59.379 it is no longer 00:24:59.379 --> 00:25:00.519 because of what you said 00:25:00.519 --> 00:25:01.200 that I believe. 00:25:02.220 --> 00:25:03.259 For we have heard 00:25:03.259 --> 00:25:03.900 for ourselves 00:25:03.900 --> 00:25:04.720 and we know 00:25:04.720 --> 00:25:05.920 that this is indeed 00:25:05.920 --> 00:25:06.820 the Savior of the world. 00:25:07.980 --> 00:25:08.900 And if you are already 00:25:08.900 --> 00:25:09.759 a follower of Christ, 00:25:09.840 --> 00:25:11.320 then I want to exhort you 00:25:11.320 --> 00:25:12.420 to share Christ 00:25:12.420 --> 00:25:13.440 with your friends 00:25:13.440 --> 00:25:13.779 and neighbors. 00:25:13.900 --> 00:25:14.840 Simply present Christ 00:25:14.840 --> 00:25:16.000 to them in the terms 00:25:16.000 --> 00:25:16.480 that you know, 00:25:16.560 --> 00:25:17.620 what Christ did for you, 00:25:17.680 --> 00:25:18.880 what God did for you. 00:25:19.680 --> 00:25:20.620 Offer to read a book 00:25:20.620 --> 00:25:21.420 of the Bible with them. 00:25:22.160 --> 00:25:23.300 And if you have questions, 00:25:23.400 --> 00:25:23.720 then say, 00:25:23.779 --> 00:25:24.340 hey, I'll get back 00:25:24.340 --> 00:25:24.880 to you next week. 00:25:24.880 --> 00:25:25.779 I'll go ask some folks 00:25:25.779 --> 00:25:26.320 at our church. 00:25:29.100 --> 00:25:30.340 Have faith 00:25:30.340 --> 00:25:31.600 in the compelling 00:25:31.600 --> 00:25:32.600 beauty 00:25:32.600 --> 00:25:33.620 and power 00:25:33.620 --> 00:25:34.380 of Christ 00:25:34.380 --> 00:25:35.380 and his word. 00:25:35.380 --> 00:25:36.360 have faith 00:25:36.360 --> 00:25:36.720 in that. 00:25:36.840 --> 00:25:37.520 Just present 00:25:37.520 --> 00:25:38.140 them Christ. 00:25:44.520 --> 00:25:46.100 A friend of mine 00:25:46.100 --> 00:25:46.980 asked this 00:25:46.980 --> 00:25:49.320 past week 00:25:49.320 --> 00:25:50.440 how Christianity 00:25:50.440 --> 00:25:51.340 first came 00:25:51.340 --> 00:25:51.800 to Korea, 00:25:52.040 --> 00:25:52.640 which is where 00:25:52.640 --> 00:25:53.140 I'm from 00:25:53.140 --> 00:25:53.920 originally. 00:25:55.060 --> 00:25:58.340 And Robert J. Thomas, 00:25:58.440 --> 00:25:59.280 Robert Germain Thomas 00:25:59.280 --> 00:26:01.260 was the Welsh missionary 00:26:01.260 --> 00:26:02.160 who first preached 00:26:02.160 --> 00:26:02.620 the gospel. 00:26:02.619 --> 00:26:04.539 Well, he didn't 00:26:04.539 --> 00:26:05.539 exactly get to preach 00:26:05.539 --> 00:26:05.959 the gospel, 00:26:06.099 --> 00:26:06.519 but he went 00:26:06.519 --> 00:26:07.119 to South Korea. 00:26:08.759 --> 00:26:09.479 Because he was 00:26:09.479 --> 00:26:10.079 originally missionary 00:26:10.079 --> 00:26:10.579 to China 00:26:10.579 --> 00:26:11.519 and he had done 00:26:11.519 --> 00:26:12.519 faithful ministry there, 00:26:12.599 --> 00:26:13.219 but he had a burning 00:26:13.219 --> 00:26:14.039 desire to share 00:26:14.039 --> 00:26:14.779 the gospel in Korea 00:26:14.779 --> 00:26:15.899 also because Korea 00:26:15.899 --> 00:26:16.500 was at the time 00:26:16.500 --> 00:26:17.000 known as the 00:26:17.000 --> 00:26:17.639 Hermit Kingdom. 00:26:18.279 --> 00:26:19.019 There was no access 00:26:19.019 --> 00:26:19.739 to the gospel 00:26:19.739 --> 00:26:21.659 because he knew 00:26:21.659 --> 00:26:22.219 the purpose 00:26:22.219 --> 00:26:23.179 of Christ's mission 00:26:23.179 --> 00:26:24.299 to reach the whole, 00:26:24.399 --> 00:26:25.019 not just a section 00:26:25.019 --> 00:26:25.539 of the world. 00:26:25.699 --> 00:26:26.839 He had a passion 00:26:26.839 --> 00:26:28.419 for missions. 00:26:29.240 --> 00:26:29.899 And so he 00:26:29.899 --> 00:26:31.240 gathered together 00:26:31.240 --> 00:26:31.980 the limited resources 00:26:31.980 --> 00:26:32.480 he had 00:26:32.480 --> 00:26:33.119 and started learning 00:26:33.119 --> 00:26:33.599 the language. 00:26:34.559 --> 00:26:35.779 And in 1866, 00:26:35.779 --> 00:26:36.639 he learned that 00:26:36.639 --> 00:26:37.539 an American boat 00:26:37.539 --> 00:26:39.359 named the General Sherman 00:26:39.359 --> 00:26:40.459 was going to try 00:26:40.459 --> 00:26:41.220 to establish 00:26:41.220 --> 00:26:42.019 trade relations 00:26:42.019 --> 00:26:42.599 with Korea. 00:26:43.259 --> 00:26:43.980 And so he 00:26:43.980 --> 00:26:45.000 offered himself 00:26:45.000 --> 00:26:45.839 to accompany the boat 00:26:45.839 --> 00:26:46.419 as an interpreter, 00:26:47.039 --> 00:26:47.799 even though he 00:26:47.799 --> 00:26:48.699 was probably not 00:26:48.699 --> 00:26:49.379 a very competent 00:26:49.379 --> 00:26:50.199 interpreter at the time 00:26:50.199 --> 00:26:53.059 in exchange 00:26:53.059 --> 00:26:53.679 for an opportunity 00:26:53.679 --> 00:26:54.599 to spread the gospel. 00:26:54.599 --> 00:26:56.079 And as the ship 00:26:56.079 --> 00:26:57.319 approached the coast 00:26:57.319 --> 00:26:57.699 of Korea, 00:26:57.859 --> 00:26:58.679 Robert started 00:26:58.679 --> 00:26:59.959 tossing gospel tracts 00:26:59.959 --> 00:27:01.259 onto the riverbank 00:27:01.259 --> 00:27:02.719 as the ship proceeded. 00:27:03.399 --> 00:27:04.000 But Korea, 00:27:04.259 --> 00:27:04.879 having observed 00:27:04.879 --> 00:27:05.639 how Westerners 00:27:05.639 --> 00:27:06.699 mistreated China, 00:27:07.219 --> 00:27:07.779 they were leery 00:27:07.779 --> 00:27:08.219 of foreigners 00:27:08.219 --> 00:27:08.759 at the time. 00:27:09.579 --> 00:27:10.500 So when they saw 00:27:10.500 --> 00:27:10.879 the ship, 00:27:10.980 --> 00:27:11.619 Korean officials 00:27:11.619 --> 00:27:12.519 ordered the American 00:27:12.519 --> 00:27:13.079 boat to leave 00:27:13.079 --> 00:27:13.579 at once. 00:27:14.359 --> 00:27:15.519 And when they 00:27:15.519 --> 00:27:16.279 did not leave 00:27:16.279 --> 00:27:16.819 at once, 00:27:16.959 --> 00:27:17.659 they started 00:27:17.659 --> 00:27:18.659 attacking the ship. 00:27:20.459 --> 00:27:21.459 And as the sailors 00:27:21.459 --> 00:27:22.299 fled from the boat 00:27:22.299 --> 00:27:22.819 and the Koreans 00:27:22.819 --> 00:27:23.859 were being killed, 00:27:23.859 --> 00:27:24.619 I mean the Koreans 00:27:24.619 --> 00:27:25.099 were killing 00:27:25.099 --> 00:27:25.959 the Americans, 00:27:26.139 --> 00:27:27.459 the truth to his mission 00:27:27.459 --> 00:27:28.099 and understanding 00:27:28.099 --> 00:27:28.740 the priority 00:27:28.740 --> 00:27:29.839 of Christ's mission 00:27:29.839 --> 00:27:30.459 and counting 00:27:30.459 --> 00:27:31.539 even his survival 00:27:31.539 --> 00:27:32.339 as secondary 00:27:32.339 --> 00:27:33.500 to sharing the gospel, 00:27:33.959 --> 00:27:34.759 Robert Germain Thomas 00:27:34.759 --> 00:27:36.059 leapt from the boat 00:27:36.059 --> 00:27:37.119 carrying a Bible 00:27:37.119 --> 00:27:37.759 and yelled, 00:27:37.919 --> 00:27:38.199 Jesus, 00:27:38.679 --> 00:27:39.039 Jesus. 00:27:40.359 --> 00:27:41.039 And he offered 00:27:41.039 --> 00:27:42.779 these Chinese Bibles 00:27:42.779 --> 00:27:43.219 because there were 00:27:43.219 --> 00:27:43.899 no Korean Bibles 00:27:43.899 --> 00:27:45.319 to the Koreans. 00:27:45.519 --> 00:27:46.339 And Koreans at the time 00:27:46.339 --> 00:27:46.859 knew Chinese. 00:27:47.559 --> 00:27:47.939 A lot of them 00:27:47.939 --> 00:27:48.859 spoke and read Chinese. 00:27:48.859 --> 00:27:53.879 And you would think 00:27:53.879 --> 00:27:54.379 some miracle 00:27:54.379 --> 00:27:54.959 would have happened 00:27:54.959 --> 00:27:56.740 to intercept this, 00:27:56.819 --> 00:27:57.259 but sadly, 00:27:57.359 --> 00:27:57.919 he was promptly 00:27:57.919 --> 00:27:59.079 beheaded with the machete. 00:28:00.359 --> 00:28:02.119 That's all he got to do. 00:28:03.439 --> 00:28:04.659 Leave his Bible, 00:28:05.519 --> 00:28:06.379 yell Jesus, 00:28:06.619 --> 00:28:06.919 Jesus, 00:28:07.259 --> 00:28:07.959 and die. 00:28:11.139 --> 00:28:12.459 But God worked 00:28:12.459 --> 00:28:12.979 in the heart 00:28:12.979 --> 00:28:13.959 of the man 00:28:13.959 --> 00:28:14.859 who killed Robert. 00:28:15.919 --> 00:28:17.099 Convinced by Robert's 00:28:17.099 --> 00:28:17.719 beaming face 00:28:17.720 --> 00:28:18.740 at the time of his death, 00:28:18.900 --> 00:28:19.620 he was convinced 00:28:19.620 --> 00:28:20.100 that he killed 00:28:20.100 --> 00:28:20.860 a good man. 00:28:21.620 --> 00:28:22.460 So he kept 00:28:22.460 --> 00:28:23.160 one of the Bibles. 00:28:24.180 --> 00:28:25.240 He took it home 00:28:25.240 --> 00:28:27.059 and then ripped it apart 00:28:27.059 --> 00:28:28.039 to use it as wallpaper. 00:28:30.759 --> 00:28:31.579 And people 00:28:31.579 --> 00:28:33.019 from near and far 00:28:33.019 --> 00:28:34.240 came to read 00:28:34.240 --> 00:28:35.259 what was on his wall. 00:28:36.940 --> 00:28:38.079 And in a wonderful picture 00:28:38.079 --> 00:28:38.819 of the partnership 00:28:38.819 --> 00:28:40.279 we have in gospel ministry, 00:28:40.839 --> 00:28:41.740 others whom Robert 00:28:41.740 --> 00:28:42.600 didn't even know 00:28:42.600 --> 00:28:43.640 reaped from 00:28:43.640 --> 00:28:45.039 his labor and sacrifice. 00:28:45.480 --> 00:28:46.559 And the nephew 00:28:46.559 --> 00:28:47.620 of Robert's killer 00:28:47.619 --> 00:28:48.559 became a pastor. 00:28:51.639 --> 00:28:52.439 And today, 00:28:52.579 --> 00:28:54.539 about just 150 years later, 00:28:55.519 --> 00:28:57.039 30% of South Koreans 00:28:57.039 --> 00:28:57.559 are Christians. 00:28:58.739 --> 00:29:00.599 14 million believers. 00:29:02.639 --> 00:29:03.739 And they send 00:29:03.739 --> 00:29:05.519 just more missionaries 00:29:05.519 --> 00:29:06.759 than any other country 00:29:06.759 --> 00:29:07.099 in the world 00:29:07.099 --> 00:29:08.000 except for the U.S. 00:29:08.000 --> 00:29:08.099 that. 00:29:11.779 --> 00:29:12.539 All he did, 00:29:13.079 --> 00:29:15.480 he recognized 00:29:15.480 --> 00:29:16.000 the purpose, 00:29:16.140 --> 00:29:16.640 the priority. 00:29:17.420 --> 00:29:17.960 All he did 00:29:17.960 --> 00:29:18.759 was present Christ 00:29:18.759 --> 00:29:19.079 to them. 00:29:20.220 --> 00:29:21.160 He couldn't even 00:29:21.160 --> 00:29:21.859 do a good job 00:29:21.859 --> 00:29:22.099 at that. 00:29:22.099 --> 00:29:22.819 He left the Bible. 00:29:24.900 --> 00:29:25.839 We too have 00:29:25.839 --> 00:29:26.720 an integral part 00:29:26.720 --> 00:29:27.240 to play 00:29:27.240 --> 00:29:29.599 in advancing 00:29:29.599 --> 00:29:30.519 the mission of Christ 00:29:30.519 --> 00:29:31.319 to save the world. 00:29:32.680 --> 00:29:33.420 So let's 00:29:33.420 --> 00:29:34.619 consider that, 00:29:34.740 --> 00:29:35.279 the purpose, 00:29:35.400 --> 00:29:35.900 the priority, 00:29:36.000 --> 00:29:36.480 the partnership 00:29:36.480 --> 00:29:37.039 of this mission 00:29:37.039 --> 00:29:37.680 and then give 00:29:37.680 --> 00:29:39.160 ourselves wholeheartedly 00:29:39.160 --> 00:29:39.940 as a church 00:29:39.940 --> 00:29:41.160 to that mission. 00:29:43.160 --> 00:29:44.079 Let's pray together. 00:29:44.079 --> 00:29:44.140 Let's pray together. 00:29:44.140 --> 00:29:59.320 God, 00:29:59.420 --> 00:30:00.280 this is not 00:30:00.280 --> 00:30:01.780 a burden 00:30:01.780 --> 00:30:03.080 or an obligation 00:30:03.080 --> 00:30:04.340 for us 00:30:04.340 --> 00:30:08.080 because as we remember 00:30:08.080 --> 00:30:09.940 that you, 00:30:10.160 --> 00:30:11.000 the great shepherd, 00:30:11.380 --> 00:30:12.960 came to seek us out, 00:30:13.120 --> 00:30:13.820 your lost sheep, 00:30:14.140 --> 00:30:16.460 because you gave 00:30:16.460 --> 00:30:17.240 your life, 00:30:17.900 --> 00:30:19.220 your life 00:30:19.220 --> 00:30:20.840 of inestimable worth, 00:30:21.420 --> 00:30:23.740 value. 00:30:24.300 --> 00:30:25.820 You gave your life 00:30:25.820 --> 00:30:26.540 for us 00:30:26.540 --> 00:30:27.460 to save us 00:30:27.460 --> 00:30:28.300 and remember that, 00:30:28.400 --> 00:30:28.480 Lord, 00:30:28.520 --> 00:30:29.500 it is our joy 00:30:29.500 --> 00:30:31.240 and it is our privilege 00:30:31.240 --> 00:30:35.780 to partake 00:30:35.780 --> 00:30:36.480 in this mission, 00:30:36.820 --> 00:30:37.400 your mission 00:30:37.400 --> 00:30:38.400 to save the world. 00:30:38.400 --> 00:30:38.620 Lord, 00:30:38.620 --> 00:30:40.680 Lord, 00:30:40.680 --> 00:30:41.620 would you empower us? 00:30:42.920 --> 00:30:43.540 Would you 00:30:43.540 --> 00:30:45.259 so captivate us 00:30:45.259 --> 00:30:49.340 so that this 00:30:49.340 --> 00:30:50.100 becomes 00:30:50.100 --> 00:30:53.500 our overriding 00:30:53.500 --> 00:30:54.120 desire 00:30:54.120 --> 00:30:55.420 and priority? 00:30:59.340 --> 00:31:00.460 In Jesus' name 00:31:00.460 --> 00:31:00.800 we pray. 00:31:01.500 --> 00:31:01.740 Amen. 00:31:01.740 --> 00:31:01.840 Amen. 00:31:01.840 --> 00:31:01.860 Amen. 00:31:01.860 --> 00:31:01.920 Amen. 00:31:01.920 --> 00:31:02.420 Amen. 00:31:02.420 --> 00:31:02.460 Amen. 00:31:02.460 --> 00:31:02.480 Amen. 00:31:02.480 --> 00:31:02.500 Amen. 00:31:02.500 --> 00:31:02.519 Amen. 00:31:02.519 --> 00:31:03.019 Amen. 00:31:03.019 --> 00:31:03.040 Amen.