WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.820 I'd like you to open your Bibles this morning to 2 Corinthians chapter 9. 00:00:04.780 --> 00:00:08.419 ! We are going to look in particular at verse 7. 00:00:10.179 --> 00:00:19.679 ! But before we do that, I must talk about that which is always very important to me, 00:00:19.679 --> 00:00:23.160 and that is your prayer for the preaching of the Word of God. 00:00:23.160 --> 00:00:32.719 2 Thessalonians chapter 3, verse 1 and 2, the apostle says this, 00:00:33.480 --> 00:00:35.939 pray for us that the Word of God would have free course. 00:00:38.460 --> 00:00:44.359 And I trust that God never brings me to the point, or allows it, I should say, 00:00:44.820 --> 00:00:52.679 where I become careless and indifferent to the role that your prayer has in the effectiveness of the Word of God. 00:00:54.119 --> 00:01:01.919 Yesterday, it was my privilege to preach at Connie Barger's, that is Tim Jones' mother's funeral. 00:01:03.319 --> 00:01:13.500 And I must tell you that I always view funerals as wonderful, absolutely wonderful gospel opportunities. 00:01:13.599 --> 00:01:14.359 There's a reason for that. 00:01:14.359 --> 00:01:22.539 Because the setting is such that no one present can miss the reality of death. 00:01:22.540 --> 00:01:29.600 And I always get to preach on the very verge of eternity. 00:01:31.360 --> 00:01:40.180 Providentially, the family had asked that I use Ecclesiastes chapter 3 as one of the passages that I reflect on, 00:01:40.240 --> 00:01:47.400 and also Psalm 23, neither of which were a problem for me at all, getting from there to the gospel. 00:01:47.400 --> 00:01:51.440 You know what Ecclesiastes chapter 3 says? 00:01:52.160 --> 00:01:54.940 If I started singing the tune, you'd probably know. 00:01:55.060 --> 00:01:55.359 It says, 00:01:55.680 --> 00:02:01.780 To everything there is a season, a time to be born, and a time to die. 00:02:02.840 --> 00:02:03.660 That's the way I started. 00:02:03.659 --> 00:02:12.859 And I have to tell you that as we got into the clear presentation of the gospel message, 00:02:13.419 --> 00:02:16.000 that Christ came to die to save sinners. 00:02:16.000 --> 00:02:22.800 One of the things you always watch for is, are people identifying with what you're saying, 00:02:22.900 --> 00:02:24.960 and are they affirming and encouraging? 00:02:25.120 --> 00:02:26.099 Yes, go, pastor! 00:02:26.319 --> 00:02:26.860 Tell them! 00:02:27.400 --> 00:02:30.020 I didn't see anybody out there at all doing that. 00:02:30.180 --> 00:02:31.780 You know, it's like, everybody's looking. 00:02:31.919 --> 00:02:32.759 How many of you know? 00:02:33.159 --> 00:02:35.699 It's like, the Paul falls across the face. 00:02:35.800 --> 00:02:37.979 It's like, there is this kind of... 00:02:37.979 --> 00:02:39.860 And I was sensing a gospel opportunity. 00:02:39.860 --> 00:02:45.400 And I want you to know that as I was preaching, I reminded myself, 00:02:45.500 --> 00:02:48.060 there were some of you here that were praying for me when I was doing it. 00:02:52.000 --> 00:02:53.360 And I'm thankful for that. 00:02:54.940 --> 00:03:00.220 And so I would plead with you that you never stop praying for whoever inhabits this pulpit, 00:03:00.320 --> 00:03:05.820 that when a man stands up here in his frailty to speak the Word of God... 00:03:05.820 --> 00:03:07.080 Now, you want to hear that always. 00:03:07.160 --> 00:03:07.740 Do you follow that? 00:03:07.740 --> 00:03:13.000 But in companion with that, that you as God's people will pray for that man, 00:03:13.280 --> 00:03:17.939 that he speak with the enabling of the Spirit of God to make the things of God clear. 00:03:23.820 --> 00:03:29.300 And so let's take a minute and come to the Lord and ask Him to work in us, 00:03:30.219 --> 00:03:33.320 that we might hear the Word and be affected by it. 00:03:33.319 --> 00:03:37.239 Precious Father, 00:03:38.280 --> 00:03:42.599 we ask that you would open our hearts, 00:03:42.699 --> 00:03:46.699 that we might behold wondrous truths out of your law. 00:03:48.659 --> 00:03:51.919 The Scriptures are given to us that we, as your people, 00:03:52.019 --> 00:03:54.959 might have all that we need for life and godliness, 00:03:54.960 --> 00:04:00.219 that the man of God can be completely furnished, 00:04:00.219 --> 00:04:05.080 adequately equipped for every facet and every phase of life. 00:04:06.439 --> 00:04:13.340 But more than that, the Word is there also to help us know you and love you 00:04:13.340 --> 00:04:16.240 and glory in you. 00:04:18.879 --> 00:04:22.899 We are so easily inclined to be self-focused, 00:04:24.759 --> 00:04:26.920 profoundly false in our worship, 00:04:28.600 --> 00:04:31.759 subtle in the games that we play with spirituality, 00:04:32.280 --> 00:04:33.959 but so about ourselves. 00:04:33.959 --> 00:04:40.839 And I ask that your Spirit would work in us to give us that which we cannot produce ourselves, 00:04:42.839 --> 00:04:46.699 an affection for the Lord Jesus, 00:04:47.839 --> 00:04:51.819 and a genuine desire to see Him exalted in our life 00:04:51.819 --> 00:04:53.799 by our walk, 00:04:54.439 --> 00:04:56.060 by our holiness, 00:04:56.839 --> 00:04:58.599 by our affections. 00:04:59.819 --> 00:05:02.000 We ask this in your precious name. 00:05:02.579 --> 00:05:02.879 Amen. 00:05:02.879 --> 00:05:03.000 Amen. 00:05:03.959 --> 00:05:07.919 I actually had somebody come up to me last Sunday in the lobby 00:05:07.919 --> 00:05:10.079 and said that while they were driving to church, 00:05:10.159 --> 00:05:11.939 they'd been listening to David Jeremiah. 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:13.539 How many of you have ever heard David Jeremiah? 00:05:13.699 --> 00:05:14.779 Turning point, I think it is. 00:05:15.239 --> 00:05:17.339 And the person kind of chuckled and said, 00:05:17.599 --> 00:05:19.639 and by the way, guess what he was preaching on? 00:05:19.680 --> 00:05:20.379 I said, duh. 00:05:21.079 --> 00:05:24.179 I know what David Jeremiah preaches on at the beginning of the year. 00:05:24.519 --> 00:05:26.060 He preaches on the same thing that I do. 00:05:26.099 --> 00:05:28.539 In fact, if you really want to know the secret of this whole thing, 00:05:28.959 --> 00:05:30.079 years and years ago, 00:05:30.079 --> 00:05:34.240 when Judith and I were living in Fort Wayne, Indiana, 00:05:34.319 --> 00:05:39.120 we were in the town where David Jeremiah was pastoring. 00:05:39.199 --> 00:05:41.819 He was at Black Hawk Baptist Church at that time. 00:05:42.399 --> 00:05:44.360 And Randy Patton was our pastor. 00:05:44.360 --> 00:05:50.160 And we ended up being deeply affected by both Pastor Randy Patton and also David Jeremiah. 00:05:50.600 --> 00:05:53.080 And one of the things that early on in the ministry, 00:05:53.600 --> 00:05:55.980 Randy Patton drove into my heart was he said, 00:05:56.080 --> 00:05:56.600 listen, Tim, 00:05:56.740 --> 00:06:02.160 it is important for you to teach regularly on fundamental truths that people need to know about. 00:06:02.699 --> 00:06:02.980 He said, 00:06:02.980 --> 00:06:05.680 some people don't hear it the first time. 00:06:06.600 --> 00:06:07.720 Some people forget it. 00:06:08.439 --> 00:06:10.319 And over the course of time, 00:06:10.460 --> 00:06:14.020 it is always beneficial to have certain things that you come back and touch on fundamentally. 00:06:14.580 --> 00:06:16.420 And so if you were to kind of track my ministry, 00:06:16.540 --> 00:06:19.939 you will notice that it is not an accident that at the beginning of the year, 00:06:20.220 --> 00:06:22.860 you know what Pastor Knoyer is going to preach on, 00:06:22.939 --> 00:06:25.540 which is he's going to preach on stewardship. 00:06:26.759 --> 00:06:28.860 And so here we are on this matter. 00:06:28.860 --> 00:06:35.480 And I remember also early in ministry in the first congregation that God gave me the privilege of serving in, 00:06:35.879 --> 00:06:38.100 I remember kind of laboring with the subject. 00:06:38.360 --> 00:06:40.199 It was one thing to hear Randy Patton say, 00:06:40.480 --> 00:06:41.520 you need to teach on this. 00:06:41.660 --> 00:06:44.220 It was another thing to begin studying to do it. 00:06:45.699 --> 00:06:48.259 And as I began to open up the Word and study, 00:06:48.420 --> 00:06:54.500 I was really struck by the fact that the Bible has a lot to say about the matter of stewardship. 00:06:55.280 --> 00:06:57.560 In fact, let me give you a couple things that are interesting. 00:06:57.560 --> 00:07:02.879 For one, there are some 2,350 verses about finances. 00:07:03.319 --> 00:07:04.519 Now, that's a lot, isn't it? 00:07:04.540 --> 00:07:12.000 Now, I'm not saying that 2,350 verses say something directly about the believer's responsibility 00:07:12.000 --> 00:07:13.620 or privilege of stewardship, 00:07:13.800 --> 00:07:17.620 but nevertheless, money plays a big thing or a big part in the Scripture. 00:07:17.819 --> 00:07:21.519 Secondly, of the 38 parables that you have in the New Testament, 00:07:21.860 --> 00:07:26.000 stories that were told by Jesus that had a heavenly meaning and a lesson, 00:07:26.000 --> 00:07:28.300 12 of them involve money. 00:07:29.579 --> 00:07:34.220 One out of every six verses have some kind of connection to the matter of finances. 00:07:34.860 --> 00:07:40.079 And stewardship is not something that in the teaching of the apostles and the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:07:40.240 --> 00:07:41.879 or for that matter in the Old Testament, 00:07:41.879 --> 00:07:47.759 was kind of left off to the end when individuals had reached a certain level of maturity 00:07:47.759 --> 00:07:49.800 that they could handle the heavy issues. 00:07:49.800 --> 00:07:56.780 How many of you understand that not everything in the Scriptures is designed to be handled by newborn babes in the faith? 00:07:56.860 --> 00:07:57.920 You recognize that, right? 00:07:59.860 --> 00:08:04.879 Interestingly enough, the matter of stewardship is something that both in the Old Testament 00:08:04.879 --> 00:08:10.040 and in the New Testament was an early part of instruction for new believers. 00:08:10.040 --> 00:08:13.120 Let me illustrate that by having you turn. 00:08:13.520 --> 00:08:14.980 You're in 2 Corinthians. 00:08:15.140 --> 00:08:20.180 Keep your finger there, but go just forward a little bit to Galatians 2. 00:08:20.840 --> 00:08:21.720 Galatians 2. 00:08:22.260 --> 00:08:24.320 You're in 2 Corinthians, so go to the right. 00:08:25.320 --> 00:08:28.120 And when you hit Galatians 2, we're going to look at verse 10. 00:08:28.180 --> 00:08:31.300 I'll give you a little bit of a context here so that you understand the setting. 00:08:31.300 --> 00:08:39.519 Paul, eventually, later in his ministry, came to Jerusalem where he met with the elders of the Jerusalem church 00:08:39.519 --> 00:08:44.680 and also with the apostles, and there was a little interview process just to understand where Paul was 00:08:44.680 --> 00:08:46.860 and what was going on in his ministry. 00:08:48.779 --> 00:08:50.539 It's very interesting to notice. 00:08:50.659 --> 00:08:57.000 Look at verse 10, that as a result of this, in verse 9, they gave him the right hand of fellowship. 00:08:57.000 --> 00:09:00.940 But in verse 10, only they asked us to remember the poor. 00:09:02.639 --> 00:09:08.519 They'd been listening to Paul talk about his ministry, and the only little thing that they bumped Paul on says, 00:09:08.639 --> 00:09:15.299 By the way, be certain that in your teaching you are dealing with the matter of benevolence and charity. 00:09:16.039 --> 00:09:19.399 And Paul's response is, Hey, listen, I have been very eager to do this. 00:09:19.480 --> 00:09:24.460 In fact, the majority of things that you will find in the New Testament that deal with the subject of stewardship 00:09:24.460 --> 00:09:27.980 actually come from the writings of the apostle Paul. 00:09:29.060 --> 00:09:38.320 Now, I ask you to turn to 2 Corinthians 9, and so let's go back there again as we pick up on one particular part 00:09:38.320 --> 00:09:41.560 of this two-chapter lesson on the matter of stewardship. 00:09:41.740 --> 00:09:43.960 Paul is writing to the church at Corinth. 00:09:44.440 --> 00:09:51.540 And by the way, was the church at Corinth the ideal place in which to teach fundamental Bible truths? 00:09:51.620 --> 00:09:52.160 What's the answer? 00:09:52.159 --> 00:09:57.679 They were a congregation just like us, all different kind of things going on, some good, some bad. 00:09:58.079 --> 00:10:00.919 And yet Paul thought it was very important to teach on the matter. 00:10:01.000 --> 00:10:05.539 He does in 1 Corinthians 16, and then we find in the follow-up letter, 00:10:05.860 --> 00:10:10.399 he does actually take two whole chapters to discuss the matter of stewardship. 00:10:11.240 --> 00:10:13.839 And I want you to look at the last part of it. 00:10:13.879 --> 00:10:18.159 In fact, if you don't have it underlined in your Bible, I just kind of throw a little challenge out. 00:10:18.360 --> 00:10:19.319 You may want to do that. 00:10:19.320 --> 00:10:20.980 You may want to do that. 00:10:21.060 --> 00:10:24.740 Underline this little part says, for God loves a cheerful giver. 00:10:24.800 --> 00:10:25.520 Let me say it again. 00:10:25.879 --> 00:10:28.060 God loves a cheerful giver. 00:10:28.320 --> 00:10:33.420 He really likes it when your giving is marked by cheerfulness. 00:10:33.419 --> 00:10:38.899 And I want you to recognize as we begin thinking about what is it that God is looking for, 00:10:39.779 --> 00:10:44.899 that there is a radical difference between the way the Scriptures encourage us to understand 00:10:44.899 --> 00:10:48.919 the matter of giving and the way the rest of our culture does. 00:10:49.939 --> 00:10:55.259 The Christian is set apart from the rest of the world, set apart from the way our government 00:10:55.259 --> 00:10:59.259 views the matter of giving or other religions and other systems. 00:10:59.259 --> 00:11:03.080 Because in other religions and other systems, and particularly our government, 00:11:03.399 --> 00:11:08.639 there doesn't seem to be much thought given to the subject of whether or not you'd like to do it. 00:11:09.700 --> 00:11:12.840 How many of you have the gall or the nerve, or you think you would, 00:11:13.179 --> 00:11:15.840 of saying when April 15th throws around? 00:11:15.899 --> 00:11:17.059 What's April 15th all about? 00:11:17.120 --> 00:11:17.539 Anybody know? 00:11:18.879 --> 00:11:23.779 Ah, that's when people line up at the post office to be sure that 00:11:23.779 --> 00:11:28.579 their envelope is stamped with the right date and they're giving their taxes. 00:11:28.919 --> 00:11:32.559 How many of you think you could get away with it with just kind of sending in a little note 00:11:32.559 --> 00:11:34.500 saying, I'd prefer not doing it this year. 00:11:35.259 --> 00:11:36.799 My heart's really not in it. 00:11:38.419 --> 00:11:43.220 Well, I want you to understand that the Scriptures put a great deal of emphasis upon the heart attitude 00:11:43.220 --> 00:11:45.299 that the believer has in the matter of giving. 00:11:45.519 --> 00:11:49.039 And there in that passage, it says the Lord loves a cheerful giver. 00:11:49.039 --> 00:11:55.279 And I want you to take a minute with me and look at the expanded portion of this passage, 00:11:55.500 --> 00:11:57.779 for it says over there in verse 6, it says, 00:11:58.099 --> 00:11:58.759 the point is this, 00:11:58.839 --> 00:12:01.379 whosoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, 00:12:01.519 --> 00:12:04.039 and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 00:12:04.620 --> 00:12:08.779 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, 00:12:09.059 --> 00:12:11.240 not reluctantly or under compulsion, 00:12:11.439 --> 00:12:13.819 for God loves a cheerful giver. 00:12:13.820 --> 00:12:17.740 Not reluctantly or under compulsion, 00:12:18.340 --> 00:12:20.060 for God loves a cheerful giver. 00:12:20.120 --> 00:12:23.200 So let's think a little bit about each of these words that are used. 00:12:23.300 --> 00:12:25.680 That first statement that is made there in verse 7, 00:12:25.760 --> 00:12:26.200 it says there, 00:12:26.540 --> 00:12:27.500 not reluctantly, 00:12:27.840 --> 00:12:29.460 it is stating this fact, 00:12:29.720 --> 00:12:33.379 that our giving is not to be clouded by reluctance. 00:12:34.160 --> 00:12:34.980 By reluctance. 00:12:35.760 --> 00:12:38.200 The word that Paul uses in the Greek 00:12:38.200 --> 00:12:41.600 is a word that is speaking about having regret or sorrow. 00:12:41.600 --> 00:12:46.920 How many of you go through the process of purchasing something 00:12:46.920 --> 00:12:50.540 with a certain level of anxiety and uncertainty about the wisdom of it? 00:12:50.580 --> 00:12:51.779 You're kind of nail-biter. 00:12:51.899 --> 00:12:52.620 Some of us, you know, say, 00:12:52.680 --> 00:12:53.519 oh, should I buy that? 00:12:53.580 --> 00:12:53.920 Maybe not. 00:12:54.139 --> 00:12:54.879 Is that a good bargain? 00:12:54.980 --> 00:12:56.560 You know how you do all that work. 00:12:56.639 --> 00:12:58.139 And then after you've made the purchase, 00:12:58.540 --> 00:12:59.779 there's something called, what, 00:12:59.960 --> 00:13:00.560 buyer's, 00:13:01.500 --> 00:13:02.180 buyer's, 00:13:02.220 --> 00:13:03.139 we all know that word, 00:13:03.240 --> 00:13:03.940 buyer's remorse. 00:13:04.019 --> 00:13:04.340 It's like, 00:13:04.740 --> 00:13:05.060 ooh, 00:13:05.480 --> 00:13:07.500 should I have really spent that money? 00:13:07.580 --> 00:13:11.000 I'm not real sure if it was the wisest idea. 00:13:12.139 --> 00:13:15.779 And Scripture encourages us to recognize 00:13:15.779 --> 00:13:19.040 that God is not looking for us to give 00:13:19.040 --> 00:13:23.320 and then end up with some regret or some sorrow attached with it. 00:13:23.840 --> 00:13:26.120 We've all been pressured to buy things. 00:13:26.879 --> 00:13:30.279 I remember not too long ago being in one of our grocery stores 00:13:30.279 --> 00:13:31.980 and walking down the aisle, 00:13:32.399 --> 00:13:35.820 and as the mother and child were just in front of me a little bit, 00:13:35.820 --> 00:13:38.820 the child was kind of one of these free-thinking souls 00:13:38.820 --> 00:13:42.660 that the mother had really not taken control of. 00:13:42.700 --> 00:13:45.120 How many of you understand between the lines what I'm talking about? 00:13:45.920 --> 00:13:46.160 Okay? 00:13:46.460 --> 00:13:48.100 And I was thinking to myself, 00:13:48.420 --> 00:13:50.280 hey, I know the solution. 00:13:51.220 --> 00:13:53.000 But I didn't say anything at that point. 00:13:53.060 --> 00:13:55.120 I thought there was wisdom in just observing quietly. 00:13:55.620 --> 00:13:59.980 And the mother was bribing the child as they were working down the aisle. 00:14:00.060 --> 00:14:01.200 How many of you understand what I'm saying? 00:14:01.200 --> 00:14:05.240 If you're a little, good little boy for the next 30 steps, 00:14:05.360 --> 00:14:08.420 you can have, you know, and he took it anyway. 00:14:08.640 --> 00:14:10.740 You know, it wasn't like, am I waiting for 30 steps? 00:14:10.780 --> 00:14:11.360 I'm taking it. 00:14:11.620 --> 00:14:12.620 See if you can get it back. 00:14:13.680 --> 00:14:15.720 And the idea was this, 00:14:15.740 --> 00:14:17.759 is that he was going to do what he wanted to do, 00:14:17.900 --> 00:14:21.020 and sometimes our giving may be coerced and pressured. 00:14:22.600 --> 00:14:25.360 Salesman comes into your house, 00:14:25.740 --> 00:14:29.379 and he sells you on a vacuum sweeper, right? 00:14:29.379 --> 00:14:32.000 Now, the nice thing we have today is we have what? 00:14:32.220 --> 00:14:32.720 How many know? 00:14:33.059 --> 00:14:36.179 Three days to change our mind. 00:14:37.200 --> 00:14:39.960 But more than once, we've bought something, 00:14:40.120 --> 00:14:42.960 and then later on we think, why did I do that? 00:14:43.559 --> 00:14:45.700 We have that regret and that sorrow. 00:14:45.960 --> 00:14:47.200 And God says this. 00:14:47.259 --> 00:14:49.080 He says, listen, I don't want your giving 00:14:49.080 --> 00:14:54.600 to ever be marked by regret or a reluctance. 00:14:54.700 --> 00:14:55.600 I had to do it. 00:14:55.700 --> 00:14:56.639 It was an obligation, 00:14:56.860 --> 00:14:59.000 and I shouldn't have done it, but I did. 00:14:59.379 --> 00:15:04.379 Second thing that it says here is that our giving is not to be under compulsion. 00:15:05.679 --> 00:15:09.600 There's no place in the Scriptures for compelling believers to give. 00:15:10.379 --> 00:15:15.120 And to compel is to rely on pressure or manipulation 00:15:15.120 --> 00:15:18.580 through a variety of ways to end up with a certain outcome. 00:15:19.279 --> 00:15:21.960 Our government compels us to pay our taxes. 00:15:22.019 --> 00:15:22.539 Isn't that right? 00:15:22.539 --> 00:15:26.719 And sometimes we are compelled to buy things 00:15:26.719 --> 00:15:29.259 that we really don't have an interest in buying, 00:15:29.459 --> 00:15:31.659 and we really don't think is worth the issues. 00:15:31.759 --> 00:15:34.659 How many of you have been approached by children in your neighborhood 00:15:34.659 --> 00:15:38.839 that are selling a four-ounce candy bar for like $15? 00:15:38.840 --> 00:15:42.899 Everybody smile. 00:15:44.899 --> 00:15:47.320 I'm at the point where I say, no, thank you, 00:15:47.440 --> 00:15:49.820 but let me give you a donation directly. 00:15:50.060 --> 00:15:52.139 I don't need the candy bar as a diabetic, 00:15:52.399 --> 00:15:54.860 and there's something in me, perverse as I am, 00:15:54.899 --> 00:15:58.800 I'm thinking, I am not teaching good capital venturism 00:15:58.800 --> 00:16:02.580 when I am giving a person $10 for a four-ounce candy bar. 00:16:02.780 --> 00:16:03.800 Take the donation. 00:16:03.799 --> 00:16:06.519 Don't give me the candy bar as a trade-off 00:16:06.519 --> 00:16:08.259 because it's a miserable compromise. 00:16:09.379 --> 00:16:11.439 And so, you know, it's this business of, 00:16:11.859 --> 00:16:12.579 do I give? 00:16:12.979 --> 00:16:13.419 Yes. 00:16:14.139 --> 00:16:16.779 But I don't give out of reluctance, the Scripture says, 00:16:16.859 --> 00:16:18.479 and I'm not to give out of compulsion. 00:16:19.459 --> 00:16:23.259 Third, the Bible says here that our giving is to be marked by joy. 00:16:24.439 --> 00:16:29.459 The Greek word is translated by the word cheerful, 00:16:30.159 --> 00:16:33.779 and it's actually, in literal Greek, it's the word hilarial. 00:16:34.659 --> 00:16:37.699 Now, does that sound familiar to any of you, the word hilarios? 00:16:39.719 --> 00:16:42.919 Judith and I were watching a show a couple days ago, 00:16:43.859 --> 00:16:45.620 and I forget which one it was. 00:16:45.679 --> 00:16:47.679 Oh, it was, yeah, I won't tell you which one it was. 00:16:47.779 --> 00:16:50.659 It was about Christmas. 00:16:50.799 --> 00:16:51.779 It was really hokey. 00:16:52.859 --> 00:16:57.059 And it was, there was a certain part in it 00:16:57.059 --> 00:16:59.579 that I think we rewound and laughed ourselves to the point 00:16:59.579 --> 00:17:01.559 we had our sides ached. 00:17:01.599 --> 00:17:02.500 How many of you have ever done that? 00:17:03.200 --> 00:17:05.680 We were just, it was, and that's one of the advantages 00:17:05.680 --> 00:17:07.119 of being able to rewind something. 00:17:07.240 --> 00:17:07.819 You know, you watch it. 00:17:07.980 --> 00:17:10.920 It was as good the third time, except I just couldn't, 00:17:11.119 --> 00:17:13.779 I had to turn away because I was laughing so hard 00:17:13.779 --> 00:17:15.420 that my sides hurt. 00:17:15.519 --> 00:17:16.440 How many of you understand that? 00:17:16.440 --> 00:17:23.559 And here's what the Bible says is to characterize our giving. 00:17:24.559 --> 00:17:25.860 It's the hilarity. 00:17:26.380 --> 00:17:31.320 I mean, it's joyful, cheerful, enthusiastic participation 00:17:31.320 --> 00:17:34.140 that, man, I love doing this. 00:17:35.500 --> 00:17:38.660 Just imagine the outcome of things. 00:17:38.660 --> 00:17:43.140 If our president walked out and passed the executive order 00:17:43.140 --> 00:17:44.420 and said something to the effect like, 00:17:44.759 --> 00:17:48.540 I'll tell you what, 2013, we're only going to collect taxes 00:17:48.540 --> 00:17:50.960 from those who are cheerful. 00:17:50.960 --> 00:17:59.120 You know, you're giggling, but I am certain there are some 00:17:59.120 --> 00:18:03.079 that would like taxes collected from other people, 00:18:03.079 --> 00:18:07.299 and they're cheerful about the prospect of other people giving their taxes. 00:18:07.480 --> 00:18:10.779 But really, if it came down to free will offering for taxes, 00:18:10.779 --> 00:18:12.680 what would happen to our government? 00:18:12.759 --> 00:18:13.559 Does anybody have an idea? 00:18:13.559 --> 00:18:17.940 It would go through a gargantuan downsizing. 00:18:19.599 --> 00:18:23.899 And God says that the issue of giving in the body of Christ 00:18:23.899 --> 00:18:30.259 is to be characterized and marked by cheerfulness and not manipulation. 00:18:31.139 --> 00:18:35.539 It is to be marked by cheerfulness and not with a hesitancy 00:18:35.539 --> 00:18:37.819 that is coerced and pushed. 00:18:39.399 --> 00:18:42.519 Most religions rely upon motivating people 00:18:42.519 --> 00:18:46.839 to giving by suggesting that somehow or another 00:18:46.839 --> 00:18:50.559 your giving ends up giving you some credits and some benefits. 00:18:52.220 --> 00:18:56.900 And not only is that a standard way of approaching the matter of giving 00:18:56.900 --> 00:18:59.119 in many places, but along with that, 00:18:59.379 --> 00:19:04.920 they kind of give you something in place or in the same process. 00:19:05.019 --> 00:19:06.279 It's a little bit like, all right, 00:19:06.339 --> 00:19:09.599 we're going to have a raffle for a noble cause. 00:19:09.599 --> 00:19:14.619 Or we're going to have a bake sale for a noble cause. 00:19:14.779 --> 00:19:18.000 Or we're going to have a lottery for a noble cause. 00:19:18.259 --> 00:19:19.019 What's the idea? 00:19:19.219 --> 00:19:21.939 We can't get you to give free will and voluntarily, 00:19:22.279 --> 00:19:24.240 so we're going to kind of dangle a carrot out, 00:19:24.419 --> 00:19:27.719 and at least one of you is going to end up driving with a new car, 00:19:27.799 --> 00:19:29.539 driving home with a new car, right? 00:19:29.539 --> 00:19:38.779 Is that giving that is marked by joyful, cheerful, unforced giving? 00:19:39.000 --> 00:19:40.339 No, it is not. 00:19:41.200 --> 00:19:46.059 And we see that these elements of cheerful giving are clearly illustrated, 00:19:46.440 --> 00:19:49.000 not only in this command in 2 Corinthians 9, 00:19:49.399 --> 00:19:52.200 but also in a number of different places in the Scripture. 00:19:52.200 --> 00:19:54.259 So I want to illustrate that for you a little bit 00:19:54.259 --> 00:19:56.180 by having you turn back in your Bible, 00:19:56.259 --> 00:20:00.700 go back in the Old Testament to Exodus 35, verse 4 through 29. 00:20:01.759 --> 00:20:03.960 Exodus, way back to the left. 00:20:05.120 --> 00:20:06.440 We're in the book of Exodus, 00:20:06.720 --> 00:20:11.200 and here Moses is instructed by God to gather up an offering 00:20:11.200 --> 00:20:14.559 from God's people for building the tabernacle. 00:20:14.559 --> 00:20:22.000 I'm not going to read all of the passages, 00:20:22.259 --> 00:20:24.740 but I want to mark several of them, if I may. 00:20:25.200 --> 00:20:28.679 If you'll look at Exodus 35, verse 5, it says this, 00:20:28.980 --> 00:20:31.619 Take from among you a contribution to the Lord. 00:20:32.059 --> 00:20:36.940 Whoever is of a generous heart, let him bring the Lord's contribution. 00:20:37.419 --> 00:20:39.879 So who all was expected to contribute? 00:20:40.220 --> 00:20:40.859 What's the answer? 00:20:41.519 --> 00:20:43.059 Now mark this because it's important. 00:20:43.059 --> 00:20:45.159 It was only those who wanted to do it. 00:20:46.019 --> 00:20:47.019 You wanted to participate? 00:20:47.259 --> 00:20:47.740 Go for it. 00:20:47.859 --> 00:20:48.599 You didn't want to? 00:20:48.700 --> 00:20:49.740 No, you weren't required. 00:20:50.480 --> 00:20:51.440 Look at verse 21. 00:20:51.619 --> 00:20:53.759 And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, 00:20:53.899 --> 00:20:56.159 and everyone whose spirit moved him. 00:20:56.200 --> 00:20:58.940 Verse 22, all who were of a willing heart. 00:20:59.599 --> 00:21:02.779 Verse 24, everyone who could make a contribution 00:21:02.779 --> 00:21:04.919 brought as the Lord's contribution. 00:21:05.399 --> 00:21:08.539 And then verse 26, all the women whose heart stirred them. 00:21:08.899 --> 00:21:12.079 Verse 29, those are whose heart moved them 00:21:12.079 --> 00:21:15.899 to bring anything for the work that the Lord had commanded by Moses to be done, 00:21:16.039 --> 00:21:18.480 brought it as a, what's the next word? 00:21:19.579 --> 00:21:21.299 Free will offering. 00:21:21.379 --> 00:21:22.339 What does free will mean? 00:21:23.220 --> 00:21:27.079 It means that nobody had a gun in your face 00:21:27.079 --> 00:21:29.819 or was coercing or manipulating you to do it. 00:21:29.819 --> 00:21:32.919 There's a reason why. 00:21:33.839 --> 00:21:37.500 Our approach to giving in this fellowship has been marked by this. 00:21:38.659 --> 00:21:41.419 It's not because I went off to a seminar somewhere and decided, 00:21:41.779 --> 00:21:45.519 oh, that's the most effective way of getting God's people to give. 00:21:45.639 --> 00:21:46.639 No, it is this. 00:21:46.720 --> 00:21:50.599 Teach the Word of God and allow the Spirit of God to work on the hearts of God's people 00:21:50.599 --> 00:21:55.759 and let them give as they are inclined and without manipulation. 00:21:59.439 --> 00:22:00.539 Let me explain something. 00:22:00.639 --> 00:22:02.699 If you're sitting here this morning and you do not know Christ, 00:22:02.779 --> 00:22:07.759 I want to tell you right up front that the issue of your charitable giving 00:22:07.759 --> 00:22:10.779 is not even on the radar screen at this point. 00:22:10.779 --> 00:22:17.339 The Scriptures don't speak about charitable giving as something that everybody has to do 00:22:17.339 --> 00:22:19.940 in order to get points, in order to get to heaven. 00:22:20.799 --> 00:22:22.460 Do people get to heaven by their giving? 00:22:22.539 --> 00:22:23.160 What's the answer? 00:22:23.879 --> 00:22:24.180 No. 00:22:24.399 --> 00:22:26.879 They get to heaven because God sent His Son 00:22:26.879 --> 00:22:29.799 and sent Him to be the sacrifice for our sins. 00:22:30.160 --> 00:22:31.200 And as the Scripture says, 00:22:31.500 --> 00:22:33.899 whosoever believes upon the name of the Lord, what? 00:22:34.460 --> 00:22:35.180 They'll be saved. 00:22:36.859 --> 00:22:40.160 I want you to understand this morning as we study the Scriptures 00:22:40.160 --> 00:22:42.200 about the matter of free will giving. 00:22:42.360 --> 00:22:43.940 It is something for the believer, 00:22:44.259 --> 00:22:47.620 and it is something for the believer who wants to do it. 00:22:48.840 --> 00:22:50.540 Well, that brings us to a practical question. 00:22:52.200 --> 00:22:54.540 Why does God care about your attitude? 00:22:56.580 --> 00:22:59.160 He's not up in heaven kind of wringing His hands hoping, 00:22:59.600 --> 00:23:02.580 boy, I really hope I can get the people at Maranatha 00:23:02.580 --> 00:23:04.860 to do a little better job this year. 00:23:06.259 --> 00:23:07.220 That's not what He's thinking. 00:23:08.480 --> 00:23:09.759 I've got to tell you, honestly, 00:23:09.759 --> 00:23:11.599 you're a charitable congregation. 00:23:12.359 --> 00:23:13.980 I want to say that carefully and slowly. 00:23:15.000 --> 00:23:16.440 Our deacons meeting yesterday, 00:23:16.619 --> 00:23:20.099 we had the annual report of what 2012 was like, 00:23:20.460 --> 00:23:21.940 and I have to tell you, 00:23:22.379 --> 00:23:25.480 and I've got several people who give me a nod or a shake if I'm off, 00:23:25.539 --> 00:23:28.079 but I think we were $20,000 over budget. 00:23:28.160 --> 00:23:28.839 Is that close? 00:23:29.839 --> 00:23:30.779 That's amazing! 00:23:30.779 --> 00:23:36.960 Because that doesn't include helping for a $42,000 missions trip 00:23:36.960 --> 00:23:39.420 that you guys willingly took care of, 00:23:39.740 --> 00:23:43.619 and just one thing after another in addition to that. 00:23:43.619 --> 00:23:47.859 The charitable giving of this congregation is unbelievable, 00:23:48.460 --> 00:23:54.660 and it doesn't flow from any program other than the encouragement of the Word of God. 00:23:54.660 --> 00:23:58.960 Why does God care about our attitude? 00:23:59.620 --> 00:24:00.840 Let me rattle off a couple things. 00:24:02.340 --> 00:24:03.180 For one thing, 00:24:03.920 --> 00:24:07.300 our giving reflects our grasp of why we have anything. 00:24:08.340 --> 00:24:09.000 Do you follow that? 00:24:09.680 --> 00:24:12.700 Our giving reflects our grasp of why you have it. 00:24:12.700 --> 00:24:15.660 Oh, I have it because I'm smarter than my neighbor. 00:24:16.220 --> 00:24:16.380 No. 00:24:16.680 --> 00:24:18.900 Let's look at 1 Chronicles 29. 00:24:19.840 --> 00:24:21.440 1 Chronicles 29, 00:24:21.799 --> 00:24:24.580 and just pick up on what it says in verse 14 through 17. 00:24:24.720 --> 00:24:27.500 Why do we have anything to give? 00:24:28.039 --> 00:24:29.539 1 Chronicles 29, 00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:30.759 it says, 00:24:30.980 --> 00:24:31.720 verse 14, 00:24:32.140 --> 00:24:32.940 But who am I, 00:24:33.000 --> 00:24:34.200 and what is my people, 00:24:34.299 --> 00:24:36.759 that we should be able thus to offer willingly? 00:24:37.319 --> 00:24:38.420 Again, that issue of, 00:24:38.680 --> 00:24:40.160 hey, what's the issue of attitude? 00:24:40.440 --> 00:24:41.200 It's willingly. 00:24:43.380 --> 00:24:45.480 Why are we blessed like this? 00:24:45.539 --> 00:24:46.120 Verse 15, 00:24:46.400 --> 00:24:48.600 For we are strangers before you and sojourners, 00:24:48.799 --> 00:24:50.340 as all our fathers were. 00:24:50.420 --> 00:24:51.860 Our days on the earth are like a shadow, 00:24:52.059 --> 00:24:53.200 and there is no abiding. 00:24:54.200 --> 00:24:55.299 O Lord our God, 00:24:55.360 --> 00:24:59.559 all this abundance that we have provided for building you a house for your holy name 00:24:59.559 --> 00:25:03.900 comes from your hand and is all your own. 00:25:04.440 --> 00:25:05.580 How much part, 00:25:05.840 --> 00:25:10.340 how much does God own of your check that you get every week or every other week? 00:25:10.400 --> 00:25:11.799 What's the Bible answer? 00:25:12.700 --> 00:25:13.920 He owns all of it. 00:25:15.000 --> 00:25:16.220 Where did it come from? 00:25:16.920 --> 00:25:18.100 It came from God. 00:25:19.200 --> 00:25:20.660 And here in this prayer, 00:25:21.360 --> 00:25:27.819 we find a ready acknowledgement of the fact that the reason we have anything at all is because God gave it to us. 00:25:28.180 --> 00:25:29.819 And so in our giving, 00:25:30.220 --> 00:25:33.940 we are reflecting, for one thing, upon the fact that we got it from God. 00:25:33.940 --> 00:25:35.620 Secondly, 00:25:36.220 --> 00:25:37.160 our giving, 00:25:37.320 --> 00:25:41.559 our continued giving recognizes the fact that He is going to continue providing. 00:25:42.220 --> 00:25:45.340 It expresses a confidence in His continued provision. 00:25:45.480 --> 00:25:48.660 I want you to look at a couple different passages in relationship to that. 00:25:49.200 --> 00:25:50.660 If you look at 2 Corinthians, 00:25:50.860 --> 00:25:52.100 if you go back there for a moment, 00:25:52.160 --> 00:25:53.440 we're going to skip around a little bit, 00:25:53.440 --> 00:25:55.820 but 2 Corinthians chapter 9, 00:25:55.900 --> 00:25:56.740 verse 6 through 8. 00:25:59.140 --> 00:26:00.660 I'm going to actually take verse 8, 00:26:01.000 --> 00:26:01.740 focus on that. 00:26:02.160 --> 00:26:02.440 It says, 00:26:02.440 --> 00:26:16.160 God provides and continues to provide, 00:26:16.160 --> 00:26:21.900 and that's the basis upon which you have adequate resources from week to week, 00:26:21.980 --> 00:26:22.840 from month to month, 00:26:22.960 --> 00:26:26.620 to continue showing an affectionate heart for God 00:26:26.620 --> 00:26:28.700 and being generous in your giving. 00:26:29.779 --> 00:26:30.120 Now, 00:26:30.140 --> 00:26:31.560 I said we're going to look at two different passages. 00:26:32.100 --> 00:26:32.700 Turn back, 00:26:32.779 --> 00:26:33.140 if you will, 00:26:33.200 --> 00:26:34.200 to 1 Kings. 00:26:35.160 --> 00:26:36.840 1 Kings chapter 17, 00:26:36.940 --> 00:26:37.600 verse 14. 00:26:37.700 --> 00:26:43.300 Very interesting passage in which we see Elijah the prophet show up at a widow's house. 00:26:43.299 --> 00:26:49.399 He was instructed by God to go to the widow in Zarephath, 00:26:50.440 --> 00:26:52.240 and when he arrives there, 00:26:52.659 --> 00:26:53.700 he comes to her, 00:26:54.139 --> 00:26:55.700 and she finds her, 00:26:55.839 --> 00:26:57.579 as you look there in verse 10, 00:26:58.180 --> 00:26:59.720 so he arose and went to Zarephath, 00:26:59.779 --> 00:27:01.059 and when he came to the gate of the city, 00:27:01.139 --> 00:27:01.419 behold, 00:27:01.740 --> 00:27:03.659 a widow was there gathering sticks, 00:27:04.379 --> 00:27:05.619 and he called to her and said, 00:27:05.700 --> 00:27:08.119 bring me a little water in a vessel that I may drink. 00:27:08.240 --> 00:27:08.379 Now, 00:27:08.419 --> 00:27:10.539 that's almost a pain-free request. 00:27:10.779 --> 00:27:11.119 Water? 00:27:11.579 --> 00:27:11.879 Sure, 00:27:11.940 --> 00:27:12.539 I can do that. 00:27:13.299 --> 00:27:17.259 And as she was going to bring it, 00:27:17.319 --> 00:27:18.419 he called to her and said, 00:27:18.539 --> 00:27:20.639 bring me a morsel of bread in your hand. 00:27:20.700 --> 00:27:20.779 Oh, 00:27:20.799 --> 00:27:21.139 by the way, 00:27:21.480 --> 00:27:22.599 bring me a sandwich too. 00:27:23.619 --> 00:27:24.460 And she said, 00:27:25.460 --> 00:27:27.299 as the Lord your God lives, 00:27:27.379 --> 00:27:28.399 I have nothing baked, 00:27:28.500 --> 00:27:30.579 only a handful of flour in a jar, 00:27:30.879 --> 00:27:32.319 and a little oil in a jug, 00:27:32.319 --> 00:27:35.079 and now I am gathering a couple of sticks 00:27:35.079 --> 00:27:38.299 that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, 00:27:38.619 --> 00:27:40.659 that we may eat it and die. 00:27:44.019 --> 00:27:46.579 I have not been in most of your homes in the last month. 00:27:48.259 --> 00:27:51.319 But I'm going to guess that most of you have something in the refrigerator 00:27:51.319 --> 00:27:52.919 you should have gotten rid of before. 00:27:53.919 --> 00:27:54.319 Today. 00:27:55.740 --> 00:27:56.519 My point is, 00:27:56.559 --> 00:27:58.440 is you probably have more than you actually need. 00:27:58.639 --> 00:28:01.039 You're not at the point that this widow was, 00:28:01.259 --> 00:28:03.000 where when the prophet says, 00:28:03.079 --> 00:28:03.180 hey, 00:28:03.240 --> 00:28:03.440 listen, 00:28:03.519 --> 00:28:04.759 would you fix me a sandwich? 00:28:04.759 --> 00:28:05.619 She says, 00:28:05.779 --> 00:28:06.000 hey, 00:28:06.140 --> 00:28:06.680 stop. 00:28:09.279 --> 00:28:11.519 The reason I'm out here is I'm gathering sticks. 00:28:11.599 --> 00:28:11.700 Now, 00:28:11.720 --> 00:28:12.640 you know what sticks were for? 00:28:13.799 --> 00:28:14.420 Because that's the way, 00:28:14.660 --> 00:28:16.480 they didn't have propane, 00:28:16.819 --> 00:28:17.599 natural gas, 00:28:17.940 --> 00:28:19.200 electricity to cook with. 00:28:19.400 --> 00:28:19.759 They, 00:28:19.799 --> 00:28:20.859 they used sticks. 00:28:20.940 --> 00:28:21.640 They rubbed them together. 00:28:21.740 --> 00:28:22.400 You know how that goes. 00:28:22.519 --> 00:28:22.660 And so, 00:28:22.819 --> 00:28:23.579 okay, 00:28:23.720 --> 00:28:24.240 enough of that. 00:28:24.879 --> 00:28:25.920 They used sticks. 00:28:26.980 --> 00:28:27.920 And she's saying, 00:28:28.000 --> 00:28:28.119 hey, 00:28:28.200 --> 00:28:28.460 stop. 00:28:29.460 --> 00:28:32.539 All I've got left is enough to feed me and my boy. 00:28:32.960 --> 00:28:33.380 You know, 00:28:33.440 --> 00:28:34.620 we're going to have a little bit, 00:28:34.720 --> 00:28:36.380 and then we're going to starve to death. 00:28:37.840 --> 00:28:40.500 How many of you have ever gone NPO after midnight? 00:28:42.019 --> 00:28:43.860 Nothing by mouth after midnight. 00:28:44.360 --> 00:28:44.500 Yeah, 00:28:44.500 --> 00:28:46.380 it's amazing where eight o'clock rolls around, 00:28:46.559 --> 00:28:48.340 and you are thinking that you're starving. 00:28:48.480 --> 00:28:50.039 It's the furthest thing from the truth. 00:28:52.579 --> 00:28:53.860 This lady was starving. 00:28:55.120 --> 00:28:57.079 And she was saving the last, 00:28:57.160 --> 00:28:57.700 a handful. 00:28:58.460 --> 00:29:00.079 a handful 00:29:00.079 --> 00:29:03.660 for one last little meal 00:29:03.660 --> 00:29:05.420 before she and her son died. 00:29:06.740 --> 00:29:08.680 And here's what Elijah says. 00:29:08.779 --> 00:29:09.579 Look at verse 13. 00:29:10.759 --> 00:29:11.600 Elijah said to her, 00:29:11.700 --> 00:29:12.360 do not fear. 00:29:12.500 --> 00:29:13.819 Go and do as you have said. 00:29:13.920 --> 00:29:14.559 But first, 00:29:15.059 --> 00:29:15.279 hey, 00:29:15.640 --> 00:29:16.779 how big is this cake? 00:29:18.120 --> 00:29:18.819 It's little, 00:29:18.960 --> 00:29:19.160 right? 00:29:19.600 --> 00:29:20.539 Handful of flour. 00:29:20.720 --> 00:29:22.140 How many of you understand 00:29:22.140 --> 00:29:23.579 what a handful of flour represents? 00:29:23.799 --> 00:29:24.340 It's probably, 00:29:24.620 --> 00:29:25.480 I'm going to guess, 00:29:25.519 --> 00:29:27.319 it depends on how large your hands are, 00:29:27.319 --> 00:29:29.319 but mine probably would hold 00:29:29.319 --> 00:29:31.559 about two-thirds of a cup. 00:29:32.679 --> 00:29:33.519 You got that? 00:29:35.139 --> 00:29:36.119 Verse 13, 00:29:36.839 --> 00:29:37.419 he says, 00:29:37.480 --> 00:29:38.379 but first make me, 00:29:38.439 --> 00:29:38.980 first, 00:29:39.439 --> 00:29:40.599 make me a little cake, 00:29:41.000 --> 00:29:42.439 bring it to me, 00:29:42.440 --> 00:29:44.480 and afterwards make something for yourself 00:29:44.480 --> 00:29:45.039 and your son. 00:29:45.220 --> 00:29:46.660 We're talking about dividing 00:29:46.660 --> 00:29:49.160 a two-third cup of flour 00:29:49.160 --> 00:29:51.240 into a three-part portion, 00:29:51.440 --> 00:29:53.059 and who gets to go first? 00:29:53.120 --> 00:29:53.759 What's the answer? 00:29:54.840 --> 00:29:56.220 Elijah the prophet. 00:29:56.220 --> 00:29:59.299 Now we come to verse 14. 00:30:00.220 --> 00:30:01.259 For thus says the Lord, 00:30:01.360 --> 00:30:02.120 the God of Israel, 00:30:02.500 --> 00:30:04.799 the jar of flour shall not be spent, 00:30:05.019 --> 00:30:07.319 and the jug of oil shall not go empty 00:30:07.319 --> 00:30:10.440 until the day that the Lord saves rain upon the earth. 00:30:12.720 --> 00:30:17.660 And she went and did as Elijah said. 00:30:17.660 --> 00:30:24.300 And she and he and her household ate for many days. 00:30:24.620 --> 00:30:24.860 Now, 00:30:25.060 --> 00:30:26.980 let me go back to the point I want you to understand. 00:30:28.100 --> 00:30:28.480 You see, 00:30:29.160 --> 00:30:31.560 our giving reflects our confidence 00:30:31.560 --> 00:30:33.920 that God will continue to provide for us. 00:30:35.259 --> 00:30:36.860 When you give it away, 00:30:37.900 --> 00:30:40.279 you are relinquishing your ability 00:30:40.279 --> 00:30:41.720 to take care of yourself, 00:30:41.720 --> 00:30:43.980 and in part of what you're doing is saying, 00:30:43.980 --> 00:30:47.740 and I believe God will continue to take care of me. 00:30:47.920 --> 00:30:48.920 And let me say this to you. 00:30:49.140 --> 00:30:50.480 He is going to take care of you 00:30:50.480 --> 00:30:54.480 until the day he intends to take you home. 00:30:56.079 --> 00:30:58.019 I love the passage in the Old Testament 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:59.839 where the psalmist says this, 00:30:59.920 --> 00:31:01.620 I have been young and now I am old, 00:31:01.740 --> 00:31:04.039 and I have not seen the righteous forsaken 00:31:04.039 --> 00:31:06.000 nor his seed-begging bread. 00:31:07.880 --> 00:31:08.360 Third, 00:31:08.359 --> 00:31:11.740 my giving reflects my personal faith 00:31:11.740 --> 00:31:12.979 and pleasure in him. 00:31:13.740 --> 00:31:14.919 What we do with our time, 00:31:15.659 --> 00:31:16.539 our talents, 00:31:16.659 --> 00:31:17.439 our resources, 00:31:18.539 --> 00:31:21.639 always reflect the values of our heart. 00:31:21.919 --> 00:31:23.959 I have to tell you this, 00:31:24.019 --> 00:31:24.819 that it's always true 00:31:24.819 --> 00:31:26.479 that your wallet follows your heart. 00:31:26.539 --> 00:31:27.059 Isn't that true? 00:31:27.819 --> 00:31:29.240 Your wallet follows your heart. 00:31:29.559 --> 00:31:31.959 I have heard on numerous occasions 00:31:31.959 --> 00:31:33.399 individuals say things like, 00:31:33.399 --> 00:31:34.839 I can't afford that. 00:31:36.019 --> 00:31:37.659 And it's a very common statement 00:31:37.660 --> 00:31:39.200 there are occasions 00:31:39.200 --> 00:31:40.500 where it's actually true. 00:31:41.440 --> 00:31:43.200 But I am always kind of amazed 00:31:43.200 --> 00:31:44.960 that the person who can't afford A 00:31:44.960 --> 00:31:46.180 can't afford B. 00:31:47.820 --> 00:31:48.140 You know, 00:31:48.320 --> 00:31:51.000 they think they can't afford this, 00:31:51.060 --> 00:31:51.940 but they turn right around 00:31:51.940 --> 00:31:52.519 and I'm wondering, 00:31:52.759 --> 00:31:54.019 so what in the world are they doing that for 00:31:54.019 --> 00:31:55.920 because I thought they couldn't afford this. 00:31:56.200 --> 00:31:57.880 It often is a reflection of, 00:31:58.160 --> 00:32:00.580 well, just the way in which we value things. 00:32:01.580 --> 00:32:02.700 And we all, 00:32:02.860 --> 00:32:04.320 listen to me so we don't miss this point, 00:32:04.319 --> 00:32:06.579 we all judge the decisions 00:32:06.579 --> 00:32:08.299 other people make with their finances 00:32:08.299 --> 00:32:10.559 through the lens of what we value. 00:32:10.619 --> 00:32:11.179 Isn't that true? 00:32:14.419 --> 00:32:17.439 Somebody who is getting paid more than you 00:32:17.439 --> 00:32:18.779 is always being paid what? 00:32:19.619 --> 00:32:20.500 A lot. 00:32:21.779 --> 00:32:22.799 And maybe too much. 00:32:24.079 --> 00:32:25.480 And someone who's being paid 00:32:25.480 --> 00:32:26.939 substantially less than you 00:32:26.939 --> 00:32:28.859 is, well, 00:32:29.240 --> 00:32:30.619 that's just because they're not smart. 00:32:31.079 --> 00:32:31.579 You know, whatever. 00:32:31.579 --> 00:32:33.720 Anyway, okay. 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:34.960 So, here we are. 00:32:37.119 --> 00:32:38.919 When I give, 00:32:39.139 --> 00:32:41.919 it reflects my personal faith 00:32:41.919 --> 00:32:43.419 and confidence in the Lord Jesus. 00:32:43.720 --> 00:32:45.220 My affection for Him. 00:32:45.960 --> 00:32:47.740 I'm a little ashamed to tell you this, 00:32:47.879 --> 00:32:49.939 but thankfully those are many, many years ago. 00:32:50.019 --> 00:32:52.919 But I remember when I was in college 00:32:52.919 --> 00:32:55.960 and I was courting Judith. 00:32:56.799 --> 00:32:59.179 She is now my wife of almost 43 years. 00:32:59.180 --> 00:33:02.380 But back in my early 20s, 00:33:02.420 --> 00:33:04.299 I was quite smitten with myself, 00:33:04.440 --> 00:33:04.960 not with her. 00:33:05.880 --> 00:33:07.039 I don't know why she married me. 00:33:07.080 --> 00:33:07.920 It was an act of God. 00:33:07.960 --> 00:33:08.740 I can tell you that. 00:33:08.840 --> 00:33:11.660 But I remember that I had learned somewhere 00:33:11.660 --> 00:33:12.440 that it was appropriate 00:33:12.440 --> 00:33:13.920 to take girls out for dinner. 00:33:14.039 --> 00:33:14.700 You know, it was appropriate. 00:33:15.120 --> 00:33:15.880 And I could think, 00:33:15.960 --> 00:33:17.100 well, if I have to do this, 00:33:17.640 --> 00:33:18.600 dinner? 00:33:19.500 --> 00:33:20.120 Yeah, okay. 00:33:20.180 --> 00:33:20.640 I'll do that. 00:33:20.860 --> 00:33:22.519 But I wanted to go to a smorgasbord. 00:33:22.620 --> 00:33:23.940 Do you understand what I'm saying? 00:33:23.940 --> 00:33:28.840 She wanted to go to some little fritzy Italian place 00:33:28.840 --> 00:33:30.160 and, you know, I mean, 00:33:30.220 --> 00:33:31.519 you get a three-ounce salad 00:33:31.519 --> 00:33:32.960 and pay $21 for it. 00:33:33.019 --> 00:33:33.840 You know, it was, 00:33:34.039 --> 00:33:35.080 what am I doing? 00:33:35.220 --> 00:33:36.700 I want something where I can use 00:33:36.700 --> 00:33:37.660 two plates to go 00:33:37.660 --> 00:33:38.980 and two plates to come. 00:33:44.240 --> 00:33:45.480 Beloved, I want you to understand 00:33:45.480 --> 00:33:46.940 as the Spirit of God got a hold 00:33:46.940 --> 00:33:48.759 of my selfish, self-centered heart 00:33:48.759 --> 00:33:50.420 and began to change my attitude, 00:33:50.720 --> 00:33:51.600 I began to say, 00:33:51.680 --> 00:33:52.519 honey, what do you want? 00:33:52.519 --> 00:33:55.119 And I found pleasure 00:33:55.119 --> 00:33:56.660 and satisfaction 00:33:56.660 --> 00:33:59.339 in answering her heart 00:33:59.339 --> 00:34:00.319 and her affections 00:34:00.319 --> 00:34:01.099 and her desires. 00:34:02.279 --> 00:34:04.559 And if your giving 00:34:04.559 --> 00:34:06.819 does not rise from a love 00:34:06.819 --> 00:34:08.179 for the Lord Jesus Christ 00:34:08.179 --> 00:34:10.059 and an affection for Him, 00:34:10.239 --> 00:34:11.440 you're always going to struggle 00:34:11.440 --> 00:34:12.340 with doing it. 00:34:13.699 --> 00:34:15.619 Furthermore, my giving shows 00:34:15.619 --> 00:34:16.619 that I've been affected 00:34:16.619 --> 00:34:18.300 by His heart and His grace. 00:34:18.759 --> 00:34:19.759 Go back, if you will, 00:34:19.840 --> 00:34:21.800 to 2 Corinthians 9, verse 13. 00:34:21.800 --> 00:34:22.860 Let me just touch on this 00:34:22.860 --> 00:34:24.180 as we come to a close. 00:34:25.200 --> 00:34:27.019 2 Corinthians 9, verse 13. 00:34:27.120 --> 00:34:27.320 It says, 00:34:27.400 --> 00:34:28.280 For by their approval 00:34:28.280 --> 00:34:28.980 of this service, 00:34:29.080 --> 00:34:30.280 they will glorify God 00:34:30.280 --> 00:34:31.800 because of your submission 00:34:31.800 --> 00:34:33.140 flowing from your confession 00:34:33.140 --> 00:34:35.000 of the gospel of Christ. 00:34:35.600 --> 00:34:37.140 That's a very interesting statement, 00:34:37.140 --> 00:34:37.640 isn't it? 00:34:38.560 --> 00:34:40.140 What Paul is saying 00:34:40.140 --> 00:34:42.980 is that as other people 00:34:42.980 --> 00:34:44.580 had an opportunity 00:34:44.580 --> 00:34:46.720 to observe the charitable giving 00:34:46.720 --> 00:34:48.560 of the church at Corinth, 00:34:48.559 --> 00:34:49.599 people would say, 00:34:49.759 --> 00:34:51.239 Wow, these are people 00:34:51.239 --> 00:34:52.059 who get it. 00:34:52.980 --> 00:34:54.039 They've been affected 00:34:54.039 --> 00:34:55.199 by the gospel. 00:34:56.579 --> 00:34:58.079 Now, we have a weird idea 00:34:58.079 --> 00:34:59.259 about what the gospel is. 00:35:00.599 --> 00:35:01.699 And one of the things 00:35:01.699 --> 00:35:03.320 that I am troubled by 00:35:03.320 --> 00:35:04.320 is there is a disconnect 00:35:04.320 --> 00:35:07.159 between gospel preaching 00:35:07.159 --> 00:35:08.799 and gospel living. 00:35:08.920 --> 00:35:09.799 Now, what I mean by that 00:35:09.799 --> 00:35:11.320 is that people who profess 00:35:11.320 --> 00:35:12.719 to have come to faith in Christ 00:35:12.719 --> 00:35:14.019 but don't act like 00:35:14.019 --> 00:35:15.059 they've ever had a change 00:35:15.059 --> 00:35:15.759 in their life. 00:35:16.279 --> 00:35:17.199 Does that make sense? 00:35:17.199 --> 00:35:19.319 See, it says in the Scriptures, 00:35:19.480 --> 00:35:19.719 it says, 00:35:19.859 --> 00:35:21.079 If any man be in Christ Jesus, 00:35:21.179 --> 00:35:21.819 he is a what? 00:35:22.960 --> 00:35:24.379 He's something different. 00:35:24.879 --> 00:35:25.259 Right? 00:35:26.119 --> 00:35:27.759 And if you're something different, 00:35:27.919 --> 00:35:29.460 it's not just the way 00:35:29.460 --> 00:35:30.679 in which you part your hair, 00:35:30.819 --> 00:35:31.919 it's the way you handle 00:35:31.919 --> 00:35:32.419 your wallet. 00:35:33.939 --> 00:35:34.839 And what it says 00:35:34.839 --> 00:35:35.500 in this passage 00:35:35.500 --> 00:35:37.759 is that as the Spirit of God, 00:35:37.819 --> 00:35:38.500 the grace of God, 00:35:38.559 --> 00:35:39.319 worked in the lives 00:35:39.319 --> 00:35:39.879 of the believers 00:35:39.879 --> 00:35:40.659 there in Corinth, 00:35:40.980 --> 00:35:42.079 other people began to say, 00:35:42.179 --> 00:35:42.639 Wow, wow, 00:35:42.839 --> 00:35:44.500 those people have changed. 00:35:44.500 --> 00:35:47.280 Those people have changed. 00:35:48.719 --> 00:35:49.159 Finally, 00:35:50.360 --> 00:35:52.119 my giving shows 00:35:52.119 --> 00:35:53.239 that I am growing 00:35:53.239 --> 00:35:54.159 to be more like 00:35:54.159 --> 00:35:55.199 my heavenly Father. 00:35:56.159 --> 00:35:58.119 Let me just recite the passage. 00:35:58.619 --> 00:36:00.260 But in Matthew 5, verse 16, 00:36:00.360 --> 00:36:00.659 it says, 00:36:01.119 --> 00:36:04.139 Your good works end up doing what? 00:36:04.940 --> 00:36:06.039 They glorify your Father 00:36:06.039 --> 00:36:06.639 who's in heaven. 00:36:07.280 --> 00:36:08.679 As people get to see 00:36:08.679 --> 00:36:10.199 the lives and the charity 00:36:10.199 --> 00:36:11.460 of God's people, 00:36:11.519 --> 00:36:12.159 they begin saying, 00:36:12.280 --> 00:36:14.280 Wow, why are you acting that way? 00:36:14.280 --> 00:36:15.400 Well, I'm being like Dad. 00:36:16.680 --> 00:36:18.060 What'd you get from your Father 00:36:18.060 --> 00:36:18.820 in heaven? 00:36:19.620 --> 00:36:20.400 You got salvation, 00:36:20.540 --> 00:36:20.840 didn't you? 00:36:21.600 --> 00:36:23.200 You have all that you need 00:36:23.200 --> 00:36:24.180 for life and godliness. 00:36:24.340 --> 00:36:25.640 You have promises for eternity. 00:36:26.019 --> 00:36:27.380 You are blessed in abundance. 00:36:27.519 --> 00:36:28.260 Is there anything 00:36:28.260 --> 00:36:30.820 that He has withheld from you 00:36:30.820 --> 00:36:31.960 that you need 00:36:31.960 --> 00:36:33.660 for this life or eternity? 00:36:33.760 --> 00:36:34.360 And the answer is, 00:36:34.620 --> 00:36:34.920 Nothing! 00:36:36.420 --> 00:36:38.200 And my charitable giving, 00:36:38.320 --> 00:36:39.080 my free will, 00:36:39.260 --> 00:36:40.100 generous giving, 00:36:40.460 --> 00:36:42.260 reflects that I am being 00:36:42.260 --> 00:36:45.540 affected by my dad. 00:36:47.040 --> 00:36:48.140 So let me close with a couple 00:36:48.140 --> 00:36:49.080 practical questions. 00:36:49.720 --> 00:36:50.420 First of all, 00:36:50.940 --> 00:36:51.980 and to you who are believers 00:36:51.980 --> 00:36:52.460 this morning, 00:36:52.540 --> 00:36:53.600 here's my practical question. 00:36:53.680 --> 00:36:54.240 Number one, 00:36:55.340 --> 00:36:56.660 are you faithful and consistent 00:36:56.660 --> 00:36:57.460 in the matter of giving? 00:36:57.540 --> 00:36:58.280 We're going to talk a little bit 00:36:58.280 --> 00:36:59.400 about that next week. 00:37:00.040 --> 00:37:01.240 But, hey, 00:37:01.520 --> 00:37:02.980 Tim Kenoyer does not know 00:37:02.980 --> 00:37:04.280 what anybody in this congregation 00:37:04.280 --> 00:37:04.760 gives. 00:37:04.800 --> 00:37:05.300 Do you know that? 00:37:06.019 --> 00:37:07.000 I don't know. 00:37:07.960 --> 00:37:08.960 I never have. 00:37:09.000 --> 00:37:09.880 It's probably a reflection 00:37:09.880 --> 00:37:10.920 of my weakness 00:37:10.920 --> 00:37:12.400 that I don't pay attention. 00:37:12.480 --> 00:37:14.440 I don't get involved. 00:37:15.360 --> 00:37:16.800 If you walk up to me 00:37:16.800 --> 00:37:17.320 and say, 00:37:17.460 --> 00:37:17.660 Here, 00:37:17.800 --> 00:37:18.820 would you take this? 00:37:18.860 --> 00:37:19.620 And I figure out 00:37:19.620 --> 00:37:20.860 that it has to do with money. 00:37:21.100 --> 00:37:21.900 How many of you know 00:37:21.900 --> 00:37:22.760 what I'm going to do? 00:37:22.820 --> 00:37:23.519 What am I going to do? 00:37:24.680 --> 00:37:25.060 Todd, 00:37:25.100 --> 00:37:25.740 what am I going to do? 00:37:26.440 --> 00:37:28.760 Find the nearest deacon. 00:37:28.860 --> 00:37:29.700 I don't touch it. 00:37:30.920 --> 00:37:31.820 That's the way it is. 00:37:31.820 --> 00:37:35.720 I don't have anything 00:37:35.720 --> 00:37:36.400 to do with that. 00:37:37.160 --> 00:37:37.440 And so, 00:37:37.600 --> 00:37:38.140 I can ask you 00:37:38.140 --> 00:37:38.880 the open question, 00:37:39.320 --> 00:37:39.960 Are you faithful 00:37:39.960 --> 00:37:40.480 in your giving? 00:37:40.580 --> 00:37:41.140 I don't know, 00:37:41.240 --> 00:37:42.300 but God does, right? 00:37:42.360 --> 00:37:43.080 And the question is, 00:37:43.240 --> 00:37:44.019 Are you consistent? 00:37:44.120 --> 00:37:44.680 Are you faithful? 00:37:45.019 --> 00:37:46.300 Second question is this, 00:37:46.620 --> 00:37:48.920 And do you like doing it? 00:37:50.200 --> 00:37:51.880 Do you like doing it? 00:37:52.140 --> 00:37:53.620 Christmas has just passed. 00:37:54.800 --> 00:37:57.640 And I am a miserable 00:37:57.640 --> 00:37:59.059 Christmas gift giver 00:37:59.059 --> 00:37:59.780 to my wife. 00:37:59.780 --> 00:38:01.080 Not miserable 00:38:01.080 --> 00:38:02.220 because I don't do it, 00:38:02.280 --> 00:38:02.860 but I'm miserable 00:38:02.860 --> 00:38:04.100 because I always enjoy 00:38:04.100 --> 00:38:05.019 telling her ahead of time 00:38:05.019 --> 00:38:05.580 what it is. 00:38:06.840 --> 00:38:07.180 I don't know, 00:38:07.200 --> 00:38:07.920 it takes half the fun 00:38:07.920 --> 00:38:08.260 out of it, 00:38:08.320 --> 00:38:10.380 but once I've decided, 00:38:10.560 --> 00:38:10.840 it's like, 00:38:11.380 --> 00:38:12.200 So, 00:38:12.460 --> 00:38:13.500 I told my daughter, 00:38:13.620 --> 00:38:13.840 I said, 00:38:13.900 --> 00:38:14.700 I'm going to give her 00:38:14.700 --> 00:38:15.519 an extended list 00:38:15.519 --> 00:38:16.060 and she's just going to 00:38:16.060 --> 00:38:16.720 have to buy one 00:38:16.720 --> 00:38:17.160 off the list 00:38:17.160 --> 00:38:17.860 and I don't know 00:38:17.860 --> 00:38:18.420 what it is. 00:38:18.840 --> 00:38:19.500 And she said 00:38:19.500 --> 00:38:20.420 she wouldn't do that 00:38:20.420 --> 00:38:20.700 for me. 00:38:20.720 --> 00:38:21.580 That's very disappointing. 00:38:21.820 --> 00:38:21.820 00:38:22.320 --> 00:38:25.640 in 43 years of marriage, 00:38:25.740 --> 00:38:26.660 I think I've surprised 00:38:26.660 --> 00:38:28.320 my wife one time. 00:38:29.780 --> 00:38:33.580 But you know what? 00:38:34.340 --> 00:38:35.240 The question is, 00:38:35.400 --> 00:38:36.240 do you like, 00:38:36.860 --> 00:38:37.620 do you enjoy 00:38:37.620 --> 00:38:39.019 the opportunity 00:38:39.019 --> 00:38:39.800 of being charitable 00:38:39.800 --> 00:38:40.460 with what God 00:38:40.460 --> 00:38:41.200 has given to you? 00:38:42.900 --> 00:38:44.360 Third question is this, 00:38:45.540 --> 00:38:46.800 do you really honestly 00:38:46.800 --> 00:38:47.900 look for ways 00:38:47.900 --> 00:38:48.620 to help 00:38:48.620 --> 00:38:49.700 and bless other people 00:38:49.700 --> 00:38:50.660 with an eye 00:38:50.660 --> 00:38:51.480 of seeing Christ 00:38:51.480 --> 00:38:52.140 lifted up? 00:38:53.180 --> 00:38:53.800 Do you follow that? 00:38:53.800 --> 00:38:56.000 what can I do 00:38:56.000 --> 00:38:58.080 that is going to 00:38:58.080 --> 00:38:59.880 advance the cause 00:38:59.880 --> 00:39:00.519 and testimony 00:39:00.519 --> 00:39:01.200 of Christ 00:39:01.200 --> 00:39:03.000 and lift him up 00:39:03.000 --> 00:39:03.740 in a world 00:39:03.740 --> 00:39:04.539 that knows 00:39:04.539 --> 00:39:05.320 no charity 00:39:05.320 --> 00:39:06.700 and no kindness 00:39:06.700 --> 00:39:08.980 apart from that 00:39:08.980 --> 00:39:09.820 which is manipulated 00:39:09.820 --> 00:39:10.600 and expected? 00:39:11.800 --> 00:39:12.660 And finally, 00:39:13.360 --> 00:39:15.160 as you sit here 00:39:15.160 --> 00:39:15.720 this morning 00:39:15.720 --> 00:39:17.420 and the entire sermon 00:39:17.420 --> 00:39:18.160 has been about 00:39:18.160 --> 00:39:18.860 the matter of 00:39:18.860 --> 00:39:19.780 charitable giving, 00:39:19.920 --> 00:39:20.740 let me understand, 00:39:20.860 --> 00:39:21.760 let me help you understand, 00:39:21.760 --> 00:39:23.200 that at the heart 00:39:23.200 --> 00:39:24.140 of the issue 00:39:24.140 --> 00:39:25.540 of a Christian's giving 00:39:25.540 --> 00:39:26.640 is the fact 00:39:26.640 --> 00:39:28.060 that we have received 00:39:28.060 --> 00:39:29.400 eternal life 00:39:29.400 --> 00:39:30.040 through the Lord 00:39:30.040 --> 00:39:30.780 Jesus Christ 00:39:30.780 --> 00:39:31.720 and we've had 00:39:31.720 --> 00:39:32.580 complete forgiveness 00:39:32.580 --> 00:39:33.600 for all of our sins 00:39:33.600 --> 00:39:35.300 because God sent 00:39:35.300 --> 00:39:35.920 his son 00:39:35.920 --> 00:39:36.940 to die 00:39:36.940 --> 00:39:38.240 for our sins. 00:39:39.840 --> 00:39:40.620 Do you know 00:39:40.620 --> 00:39:41.380 why we're charitable 00:39:41.380 --> 00:39:41.780 people? 00:39:41.780 --> 00:39:44.460 it's not because 00:39:44.460 --> 00:39:45.560 there's a record 00:39:45.560 --> 00:39:46.140 out there 00:39:46.140 --> 00:39:47.280 or your pastor 00:39:47.280 --> 00:39:48.440 shows up on your door 00:39:48.440 --> 00:39:48.780 and says, 00:39:48.900 --> 00:39:49.320 by the way, 00:39:49.480 --> 00:39:50.260 I want you to know 00:39:50.260 --> 00:39:51.300 you're a little behind. 00:39:53.940 --> 00:39:54.840 Your giving 00:39:54.840 --> 00:39:56.519 is in proportion 00:39:56.519 --> 00:39:57.980 to your appreciation 00:39:57.980 --> 00:39:58.820 for the grace 00:39:58.820 --> 00:39:59.340 that God 00:39:59.340 --> 00:40:00.580 has lavished on you 00:40:00.580 --> 00:40:02.920 and your joy 00:40:02.920 --> 00:40:04.300 is reflective 00:40:04.300 --> 00:40:05.560 of your love 00:40:05.560 --> 00:40:06.260 for Christ. 00:40:07.160 --> 00:40:07.900 Let's close 00:40:07.900 --> 00:40:08.260 in prayer. 00:40:08.260 --> 00:40:11.420 Gracious God, 00:40:11.480 --> 00:40:11.960 we would ask 00:40:11.960 --> 00:40:12.840 that this morning 00:40:12.840 --> 00:40:13.540 as we have studied 00:40:13.540 --> 00:40:14.420 your scriptures together 00:40:14.420 --> 00:40:15.140 that your spirit 00:40:15.140 --> 00:40:15.680 would work 00:40:15.680 --> 00:40:16.940 to bring conviction 00:40:16.940 --> 00:40:17.860 to into our hearts 00:40:17.860 --> 00:40:19.640 that those who are here 00:40:19.640 --> 00:40:20.360 that know the Lord 00:40:20.360 --> 00:40:21.040 Jesus Christ 00:40:21.040 --> 00:40:22.420 would ask themselves 00:40:22.420 --> 00:40:23.720 those practical questions 00:40:23.720 --> 00:40:24.540 by the prompting 00:40:24.540 --> 00:40:25.040 of the spirit. 00:40:25.480 --> 00:40:26.420 Is my heart 00:40:26.420 --> 00:40:28.260 joyful in my giving? 00:40:28.420 --> 00:40:29.200 Is it generous 00:40:29.200 --> 00:40:30.040 and consistent? 00:40:31.500 --> 00:40:31.780 And Lord, 00:40:31.860 --> 00:40:32.600 I know that there are 00:40:32.600 --> 00:40:33.040 those here 00:40:33.040 --> 00:40:34.100 that do not know Christ 00:40:34.100 --> 00:40:35.300 and my plea to you 00:40:35.300 --> 00:40:36.000 would be this, 00:40:36.000 --> 00:40:37.760 that today would be 00:40:37.760 --> 00:40:39.179 the hour of conversion 00:40:39.179 --> 00:40:40.000 and salvation, 00:40:40.599 --> 00:40:42.559 that you would break down 00:40:42.559 --> 00:40:44.000 the barriers of pride 00:40:44.000 --> 00:40:45.000 and stubbornness 00:40:45.000 --> 00:40:46.840 and that you would convict 00:40:46.840 --> 00:40:47.679 them with the shame 00:40:47.679 --> 00:40:48.619 and guilt of sin 00:40:48.619 --> 00:40:49.880 and lead them to see 00:40:49.880 --> 00:40:51.000 that there is no hope, 00:40:51.119 --> 00:40:52.119 there is no remedy 00:40:52.119 --> 00:40:53.739 aside from crying out 00:40:53.739 --> 00:40:54.800 to the Lord Jesus Christ 00:40:54.800 --> 00:40:55.280 and saying, 00:40:55.699 --> 00:40:57.260 save me from my sins. 00:40:58.480 --> 00:41:00.059 I ask this in your precious name. 00:41:00.340 --> 00:41:00.599 Amen.