WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:21.679 Pastor Saul and I have a written thank you to you as a congregation for your kindness and 00:00:21.679 --> 00:00:22.679 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:40.500 I want to make a brief comment to tell you how thankful we are that God in His kindness 00:00:40.500 --> 00:00:49.560 has allowed us to minister here and to know much of your generosity and your thoughtfulness 00:00:49.560 --> 00:00:51.780 to us. 00:00:51.780 --> 00:00:58.679 Your Christmas gift certainly was one that your generosity is always surprising. 00:00:58.679 --> 00:00:59.679 How's that? 00:00:59.679 --> 00:01:04.379 It doesn't sound wrong, but it's like, wow, what a kind people. 00:01:05.760 --> 00:01:12.840 I'll never forget many years ago when I first prepared to go into ministry, I talked to three 00:01:12.840 --> 00:01:16.739 different pastors, and one of them was Bill Good, who is with the Lord now. 00:01:17.319 --> 00:01:23.460 And I said, Bill, would you give me some advice on pastoral ministry? 00:01:23.599 --> 00:01:24.400 He said, it's simple. 00:01:24.400 --> 00:01:26.620 He said, love your people. 00:01:28.320 --> 00:01:30.100 God will take care of the other details. 00:01:30.099 --> 00:01:34.879 I'm still working on my part. 00:01:37.919 --> 00:01:42.039 And you are a wonderful people to serve. 00:01:42.040 --> 00:01:45.820 Well, let's turn in our Bibles this morning. 00:01:45.820 --> 00:01:47.740 That's a wonderful thing to say, isn't it? 00:01:47.740 --> 00:01:52.160 Let's turn in our Bibles this morning to John chapter 14. 00:01:52.380 --> 00:01:54.660 And I'm going to take a little bit of time to get there. 00:01:54.659 --> 00:02:02.739 But by way of background, historically, at the first of the year, one of the things we do 00:02:02.739 --> 00:02:07.439 in our fellowship is we talk about some clear objectives, things we want to target, things 00:02:07.439 --> 00:02:08.120 we want to work at. 00:02:08.120 --> 00:02:16.439 And I don't know about you, but I like New Year's because in some ways they give you an opportunity. 00:02:16.539 --> 00:02:21.180 When the New Year rolls around, we have an opportunity to reset, kind of target things. 00:02:21.379 --> 00:02:24.259 That's something I'm going to work on this year. 00:02:24.340 --> 00:02:30.219 And I trust that you as an individual have some objectives and some things that you want 00:02:30.219 --> 00:02:31.439 to make progress at. 00:02:32.680 --> 00:02:35.159 And we as a congregation are the same way. 00:02:35.159 --> 00:02:40.439 We want to think about those things that are pertinent and valuable and things that we want 00:02:40.439 --> 00:02:42.400 to focus on as a people. 00:02:43.719 --> 00:02:49.579 You'll remember that a number of years ago, we went through and we put together a set of 00:02:49.579 --> 00:02:50.379 core values. 00:02:50.539 --> 00:02:55.620 And you will see them kind of roll behind on the screen on a fairly regular basis, reminding 00:02:55.620 --> 00:02:58.979 you that we have a deep and abiding commitment to God's Word. 00:02:59.699 --> 00:03:04.400 We have a commitment to prayer, to family, to God's honor. 00:03:04.400 --> 00:03:07.760 And we have a commitment to seeing people come to Christ. 00:03:08.620 --> 00:03:12.860 And out of those, in the last several years, what we've done is we've actually taken time 00:03:12.860 --> 00:03:19.080 to break out a couple different specific targets, objectives that are going to fall under each 00:03:19.080 --> 00:03:20.140 one of those headings. 00:03:21.540 --> 00:03:24.700 This year, we're going to go about it a little differently in that we are going to narrow our 00:03:24.700 --> 00:03:25.080 focus. 00:03:25.180 --> 00:03:30.420 And I can tell you in advance that instead of having two or three different objectives that 00:03:30.419 --> 00:03:34.659 are going to fall under the five headings that we've given to you in the past, we're only going to have 00:03:34.659 --> 00:03:36.139 two that we're going to focus on. 00:03:37.299 --> 00:03:44.399 And I trust that the outcome of that is that these two things that we focus on together really get 00:03:44.399 --> 00:03:48.019 woven into our fiber as a family of believers. 00:03:48.500 --> 00:03:54.899 And they really do genuinely make a difference in how we use our time, all of us, not just a couple. 00:03:54.900 --> 00:03:56.860 Well, Pastor, I think he's working on that one. 00:03:57.240 --> 00:03:59.219 And maybe a couple deacons are doing it. 00:03:59.539 --> 00:04:06.000 But these things that we're going to target become really a thing that weaves in and is recognized 00:04:06.000 --> 00:04:07.439 in all of our people. 00:04:08.740 --> 00:04:11.180 There are things that God helps us do fairly well. 00:04:12.599 --> 00:04:13.340 And that's true. 00:04:13.340 --> 00:04:20.860 I am looking forward sometime in February to preaching on stewardship. 00:04:22.300 --> 00:04:28.379 And I will tell you in advance, I don't preach on stewardship because it's a desperate moment for our 00:04:28.379 --> 00:04:28.759 fellowship. 00:04:29.060 --> 00:04:33.579 You are a generous people beyond expectation and understanding. 00:04:34.500 --> 00:04:37.240 I don't count the offering. 00:04:37.319 --> 00:04:37.980 I want you to know that. 00:04:38.040 --> 00:04:39.399 I don't even know who gives what. 00:04:39.399 --> 00:04:44.299 But Pastor Saul comes and says, wow, did we exceed the budget plan for last year? 00:04:45.199 --> 00:04:47.099 We're close, a couple thousand dollars off. 00:04:47.379 --> 00:04:47.939 But you know what? 00:04:47.959 --> 00:04:50.259 That doesn't count all the other giving that comes in. 00:04:50.359 --> 00:04:51.019 It's a blessing. 00:04:51.699 --> 00:04:55.919 And when I preach on stewardship, it's not going to be because we're desperate and we're crawling around here in 00:04:55.919 --> 00:04:56.699 abject poverty. 00:04:56.919 --> 00:04:59.339 It's to remind you this is what God has to say. 00:05:00.599 --> 00:05:03.500 You are a people that sing enthusiastically. 00:05:03.579 --> 00:05:04.120 Do you know that? 00:05:04.120 --> 00:05:11.399 Now, by the way, that's not because you're coached, but that's because I trust because you're spirit-filled. 00:05:11.540 --> 00:05:13.439 Because you know what it says in Ephesians? 00:05:13.560 --> 00:05:15.660 It says that when we're spirit-filled, we sing. 00:05:16.240 --> 00:05:17.100 It's appropriate. 00:05:17.100 --> 00:05:27.100 I think the things that we're going to target this year, though, are areas that we do as a fellowship need to continue growing in. 00:05:27.439 --> 00:05:34.379 And I pray that you will mark these things and you will make them a matter of prayer and you will work at them yourself. 00:05:34.379 --> 00:05:43.579 I think about a little line in relationship to what we're going to talk about from T.S. Eliot. 00:05:44.399 --> 00:05:47.879 And I don't want to recite a poet just for the sake of, well, pastor knows poets. 00:05:48.019 --> 00:05:48.439 Forget that. 00:05:48.860 --> 00:05:50.019 But here's what he says. 00:05:50.959 --> 00:05:51.620 He says, 00:05:51.620 --> 00:06:05.480 That's a very interesting statement. 00:06:07.860 --> 00:06:12.220 Most of us think that not having anything to do is just the cat's meow. 00:06:12.420 --> 00:06:13.660 I mean, that's where you want to be, right? 00:06:14.759 --> 00:06:15.980 But here's the truth. 00:06:15.980 --> 00:06:22.140 We were not hardwired from creation to sit around on our hands and do nothing. 00:06:24.160 --> 00:06:35.140 In fact, when we have an inordinate amount of time to sit around and do nothing, guess what happens to the little pea brain I have and you have? 00:06:36.400 --> 00:06:37.879 It goes wobbly. 00:06:38.980 --> 00:06:41.960 It becomes obsessed with details that are irrelevant. 00:06:41.959 --> 00:06:46.180 It becomes self-focused in professional navel-gazing. 00:06:47.079 --> 00:06:52.899 It creates a lot of unhappiness and tension that God really has not planned for us. 00:06:54.699 --> 00:06:59.719 And so, when we come to the beginning of a new year, we go, okay, all right, what are we going to work at? 00:06:59.799 --> 00:07:02.859 What is it that we want to do as a family of believers? 00:07:03.159 --> 00:07:04.779 And we're going to talk about that this morning. 00:07:04.779 --> 00:07:18.619 But before we go there, the reason I have you in John chapter 14, verse 15 is because I think it's really important at the beginning to understand what really motivates the believer. 00:07:20.519 --> 00:07:24.099 I want you to read with me John chapter 14, verse 15, and mark what it says. 00:07:24.439 --> 00:07:31.599 If you love me, if, if you love me, you will keep my commandments. 00:07:31.600 --> 00:07:42.920 So, as we take up this text, we understand that what Jesus is making very clear is that if we love him, the outcome is that we're going to obey what he has to say. 00:07:44.060 --> 00:07:48.520 I am struck by the cause and effect relationship here. 00:07:48.580 --> 00:07:49.400 Do you follow what I'm saying? 00:07:49.720 --> 00:07:51.200 It's like, if, then. 00:07:52.060 --> 00:07:56.879 If you turn the key on your car, guess what you hope happens? 00:07:56.879 --> 00:07:59.500 Yeah, if, then. 00:07:59.699 --> 00:08:01.019 I expect it to happen. 00:08:01.279 --> 00:08:02.579 It should follow. 00:08:03.800 --> 00:08:08.839 And here is Christ speaking to us as believers, and he makes it profoundly clear. 00:08:08.959 --> 00:08:10.560 He makes it undeniably simple. 00:08:11.120 --> 00:08:24.060 This business of loving him has a consequence or an intended outcome, and it means that we who love Christ walk and do what he asks. 00:08:24.060 --> 00:08:30.600 Do we do what he asks because we're pathologically afraid that he's going to put the whipping on us? 00:08:30.740 --> 00:08:31.000 No. 00:08:31.720 --> 00:08:32.460 No, not at all. 00:08:33.419 --> 00:08:37.639 We do it because of our love for him and our desire to please him. 00:08:38.879 --> 00:08:48.120 And so, I want you to understand this morning as we pick up the text that really what I want us to start with as we think about what do we want to accomplish this year 00:08:48.120 --> 00:08:54.639 is the starting point of recognizing that if we are here this morning and we do love God, we know God, 00:08:54.980 --> 00:09:03.060 there's a natural desire for us to grow in pleasing him, and we want to know what it is that's important. 00:09:03.059 --> 00:09:11.599 It really isn't a small thing for us to start out dealing with the motive of our behavior. 00:09:12.759 --> 00:09:27.139 In fact, when you really stop and think about it, the Scriptures take a great deal of time to make motive the first thing that it teaches us before it deals with behavior. 00:09:27.139 --> 00:09:32.960 That should be the characteristic of our ministry to our children, wouldn't you say that? 00:09:33.860 --> 00:09:44.000 Help them understand that the reason they are obeying us is not because they're terrified about the way we will deal with their disobedience. 00:09:45.199 --> 00:09:48.679 And by the way, I'm not suggesting that that should necessarily be off the table. 00:09:48.679 --> 00:09:57.779 But the first and most important thing for you to teach your children is that obedience is to flow from love. 00:09:59.599 --> 00:10:03.000 And God goes out of his way to make this clear to us. 00:10:03.099 --> 00:10:08.899 Let me go back just for a moment to the passage that I recited to you at the beginning before I came up to pray. 00:10:09.000 --> 00:10:09.139 I said, 00:10:09.139 --> 00:10:15.339 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ that has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies. 00:10:15.340 --> 00:10:25.660 The apostle takes three chapters to explain what the blessings are that every believer enjoys. 00:10:26.259 --> 00:10:34.500 And then following that, having laid the groundwork on the goodness and the mercy and the love and the kindness of God, 00:10:34.500 --> 00:10:42.759 he then calls us to do reasonable things that are in keeping with obedience and are profitable. 00:10:42.759 --> 00:10:49.460 And so this morning, as we think about what is it that he wants us to do in this coming year, 00:10:49.519 --> 00:10:55.759 I want you to recognize that at the beginning, appropriately, I want to draw attention to the fact that at the start, 00:10:57.159 --> 00:11:00.659 when we talk about what the year is going to be marked by, 00:11:00.939 --> 00:11:04.500 we want to be very careful that we do have a love for God. 00:11:05.899 --> 00:11:08.620 You know, you can manipulate obedience for a period of time. 00:11:08.679 --> 00:11:09.659 How many of you have discovered that? 00:11:09.659 --> 00:11:14.379 You can manipulate, you can threaten, you can put pressure on an end. 00:11:14.480 --> 00:11:16.419 You better do this or... 00:11:16.419 --> 00:11:18.600 And guess what happens eventually? 00:11:20.019 --> 00:11:22.860 If that's the only tool in your kit, 00:11:24.120 --> 00:11:25.579 your child grows up and says, 00:11:25.679 --> 00:11:27.079 Hey, when I'm 18, guess what? 00:11:28.719 --> 00:11:29.500 I'm out of here. 00:11:29.500 --> 00:11:35.980 Or the person who is being manipulated with that in a work environment or something, 00:11:36.039 --> 00:11:37.379 they say, Hey, I'm not putting up with that. 00:11:37.419 --> 00:11:38.320 I'm going somewhere else. 00:11:38.919 --> 00:11:45.740 And when we see people rely on force or reward, 00:11:45.840 --> 00:11:48.279 how many of you have been in a store before, 00:11:48.500 --> 00:11:52.580 and you have a parent who is being terrorized by a child? 00:11:52.580 --> 00:11:56.420 It's always very interesting to see. 00:11:57.060 --> 00:11:59.960 You know, I would like to interfere when the mom says, 00:12:00.460 --> 00:12:03.379 Well, if you stop crying, I will let you have those Cheerios. 00:12:03.580 --> 00:12:06.360 My thinking is I would say to the child, Hold out. 00:12:07.520 --> 00:12:09.379 You can do better than Cheerios. 00:12:11.340 --> 00:12:15.720 You know, it's like, Hey, since you've got her moving, 00:12:15.860 --> 00:12:17.160 go ahead and press forward. 00:12:17.159 --> 00:12:19.519 Lord, I'm not settling for Cheerios. 00:12:19.620 --> 00:12:20.399 I'd like an iPad. 00:12:20.699 --> 00:12:22.899 You know, while we're at it, let's do a car. 00:12:25.379 --> 00:12:27.240 And we've all seen that, right? 00:12:28.500 --> 00:12:33.539 You can kind of prompt a certain level of behavior by terror. 00:12:34.600 --> 00:12:36.959 I kind of put it this way, the carrot or the stick, right? 00:12:38.059 --> 00:12:39.620 Do you realize God doesn't do that? 00:12:39.620 --> 00:12:47.240 He calls us to obey Him because of our love for God. 00:12:48.179 --> 00:12:50.539 And so this morning, as you think about this with me, 00:12:50.560 --> 00:12:52.279 I want you to recognize the Bible's clear. 00:12:53.120 --> 00:12:58.220 The Bible calls us to obey because of our love for God. 00:12:58.960 --> 00:13:02.139 And as we think about the thing that we're going to look at 00:13:02.139 --> 00:13:03.740 as we move forward in this, 00:13:04.080 --> 00:13:07.360 I would venture to say that when the truth really is known, 00:13:07.360 --> 00:13:12.139 there's a greater number of us in our fellowship here today 00:13:12.139 --> 00:13:16.259 that really will need to work more conscientiously 00:13:16.259 --> 00:13:21.060 and more diligently at the things we're going to talk about. 00:13:24.259 --> 00:13:28.620 And unless our hearts are prompted by an unrelenting pursuit 00:13:28.620 --> 00:13:33.420 of the love of Christ, we won't get far. 00:13:33.419 --> 00:13:39.779 I do want you to understand that while the Bible commands us to love God, 00:13:40.899 --> 00:13:45.219 the Bible also makes it clear that loving Him is a fitting response. 00:13:45.399 --> 00:13:48.240 It's a proper, it's an appropriate response 00:13:48.240 --> 00:13:50.939 to His character and His worth. 00:13:52.199 --> 00:13:54.579 And understanding this order is really critical. 00:13:56.419 --> 00:13:58.079 Let me give you a couple of illustrations 00:13:58.079 --> 00:14:00.759 so that this stands out in your minds as we think about it. 00:14:00.759 --> 00:14:04.319 I want you to think here of what we find in Deuteronomy chapter 6. 00:14:04.439 --> 00:14:08.559 And for some of you may have the passage already memorized in your mind, 00:14:08.779 --> 00:14:12.159 but if it's not memorized, can I encourage you to do so? 00:14:12.419 --> 00:14:14.519 But I also want to encourage you in the interim 00:14:14.519 --> 00:14:17.460 to go ahead and turn to the passage in Deuteronomy 6. 00:14:19.439 --> 00:14:23.539 Deuteronomy is Moses' closing sermons. 00:14:23.539 --> 00:14:28.519 And he's preaching his heart out to people that he's going to leave. 00:14:29.939 --> 00:14:32.059 Deuteronomy chapter 6 is also known, 00:14:32.639 --> 00:14:37.259 if you had gone to a Hebrew school growing up, 00:14:37.519 --> 00:14:40.079 you would have learned this as the great Shema. 00:14:41.459 --> 00:14:43.839 The word Shema refers to hero Israel. 00:14:43.980 --> 00:14:46.879 I kind of recite the part that it bears on. 00:14:47.059 --> 00:14:49.879 And it was something that the Israelite, the Jew, 00:14:49.980 --> 00:14:51.759 was supposed to say in the morning and the evening. 00:14:51.759 --> 00:14:56.799 If you really wanted to kind of die on the upswing, 00:14:58.360 --> 00:14:59.159 are you following me? 00:14:59.899 --> 00:15:02.960 Your last words as a Jew should be the Shema. 00:15:04.639 --> 00:15:08.019 Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God. 00:15:09.620 --> 00:15:10.779 There is a God. 00:15:11.740 --> 00:15:13.620 And he has something to say. 00:15:14.240 --> 00:15:15.419 And you need to listen. 00:15:15.419 --> 00:15:17.779 The Lord is one. 00:15:18.719 --> 00:15:22.439 And you shall love the Lord with all your heart. 00:15:22.639 --> 00:15:23.279 Do you follow that? 00:15:24.539 --> 00:15:29.059 That's how God introduces the expectations that follow. 00:15:29.179 --> 00:15:32.199 He says, listen, I'm God and you're to love me. 00:15:32.200 --> 00:15:40.879 There in 5 and 6 and the passage in Deuteronomy, he says, 00:15:41.680 --> 00:15:44.700 you'll love the Lord with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 00:15:44.759 --> 00:15:47.040 And these words that I command you today shall be in your heart. 00:15:47.460 --> 00:15:49.300 Guess where the word of God is to be? 00:15:49.299 --> 00:15:55.299 It's not to be in a Bible that's sitting on the shelf or on our iPad that we can, 00:15:55.979 --> 00:15:57.199 we know it's there. 00:15:57.500 --> 00:15:58.819 I heard a person say to me one time, 00:15:59.079 --> 00:16:02.759 well, I've got nine copies of the Bible on my, you know, my iPad. 00:16:03.179 --> 00:16:04.740 Well, good news. 00:16:05.000 --> 00:16:06.599 Are you doing anything with any of them? 00:16:07.240 --> 00:16:10.019 You know, the question is not do you have the technology 00:16:10.019 --> 00:16:11.939 and do you have the information, 00:16:12.199 --> 00:16:14.439 but is that information making a difference? 00:16:14.440 --> 00:16:14.640 Yes. 00:16:18.140 --> 00:16:21.640 And we should understand that when God says to us that you are to love him, 00:16:22.340 --> 00:16:25.620 he is calling us to a fundamental responsibility 00:16:25.620 --> 00:16:29.340 that is absolutely essential to our well-being. 00:16:30.860 --> 00:16:33.420 I want you to look at another passage in relationship to this. 00:16:33.540 --> 00:16:35.480 Turn over in your Bible to 1 John. 00:16:35.540 --> 00:16:37.880 We're going from one end of the Bible to the other, basically. 00:16:38.540 --> 00:16:41.280 1 John is right towards the very back of the Bible. 00:16:41.279 --> 00:16:44.959 And in 1 John 4, verse 19, let me read this to you. 00:16:45.039 --> 00:16:45.199 It says, 00:16:45.539 --> 00:16:46.279 We love him. 00:16:46.559 --> 00:16:47.839 How many of you know the passage? 00:16:49.019 --> 00:16:53.039 We love him because he first loved us. 00:16:53.079 --> 00:16:54.079 Do you know what that's telling us? 00:16:54.740 --> 00:16:56.959 I want you to listen because this is important to understand. 00:16:57.419 --> 00:17:02.000 The only reason we love God is because of all that he has done to love us. 00:17:02.000 --> 00:17:09.259 The expectation that the word of God places on us as believers of loving him 00:17:09.259 --> 00:17:15.039 is nothing other than an appropriate response to how he has loved us. 00:17:18.839 --> 00:17:23.900 I don't know if any of you were following what's been happening in North Korea. 00:17:23.900 --> 00:17:36.780 The third, the current president for life, chief, whatever his name was or is, 00:17:37.259 --> 00:17:39.440 he's a young man, 30-something like that. 00:17:40.019 --> 00:17:43.440 Dennis Rodman's going over there to do basketball camps and stuff. 00:17:43.580 --> 00:17:44.880 Important information you need. 00:17:44.880 --> 00:17:51.100 But this young man decided that his uncle was not trustworthy. 00:17:51.380 --> 00:17:55.220 And so what he did was he had his uncle killed. 00:17:56.580 --> 00:18:02.540 He threw his uncle in a cage and had him eaten alive by dogs. 00:18:08.120 --> 00:18:10.440 Do you think people are afraid of that young man? 00:18:11.280 --> 00:18:12.340 I think so. 00:18:12.340 --> 00:18:12.380 I think so. 00:18:14.880 --> 00:18:18.240 Do you think everybody in that country of North Korea loves that guy? 00:18:19.320 --> 00:18:23.380 Now, if you wanted to ask a professional question while you're in North Korea, 00:18:23.620 --> 00:18:24.940 and he would come out and say, 00:18:25.200 --> 00:18:26.040 Do you love me? 00:18:26.100 --> 00:18:27.120 What would people say? 00:18:27.660 --> 00:18:28.740 Choice on one hand. 00:18:28.820 --> 00:18:29.140 Dogs. 00:18:29.260 --> 00:18:29.780 The other say, 00:18:30.020 --> 00:18:30.920 Yeah, I love you. 00:18:30.960 --> 00:18:31.640 What do you think? 00:18:35.480 --> 00:18:36.720 They had one of these, 00:18:36.920 --> 00:18:39.000 I think they had his birthday or something like that. 00:18:39.760 --> 00:18:40.420 No, no, no. 00:18:40.420 --> 00:18:42.640 It was when his father died, 00:18:42.640 --> 00:18:48.300 there were some individuals in the military that were not grieving enough. 00:18:48.299 --> 00:18:56.680 And so what they did was they strapped them to a 105 millimeter howitzer shell, 00:18:58.119 --> 00:18:58.299 you know, 00:18:58.359 --> 00:18:59.680 pulled the wire way back, 00:18:59.819 --> 00:19:02.759 and then electronically put the shell off. 00:19:02.779 --> 00:19:03.519 And guess what happened? 00:19:05.339 --> 00:19:07.639 That kind of prompts us to really love, right? 00:19:08.319 --> 00:19:08.919 God says, 00:19:09.000 --> 00:19:09.379 No, no, no. 00:19:09.380 --> 00:19:13.880 The reason you love me is because of who I am and what I've done for you. 00:19:14.060 --> 00:19:16.860 We love him because he first loved us. 00:19:20.120 --> 00:19:23.000 Remember the consequence or the connection, though? 00:19:23.100 --> 00:19:24.200 The Bible makes it clear. 00:19:24.300 --> 00:19:25.980 If you love him, you're going to keep his commandments. 00:19:26.160 --> 00:19:28.680 We'll look at 1 John 5, verse 2. 00:19:28.760 --> 00:19:28.940 It says, 00:19:28.940 --> 00:19:31.700 By this we know that we love the children of God, 00:19:31.840 --> 00:19:34.580 when we love God and obey his commandments. 00:19:34.700 --> 00:19:36.160 This is how we show it. 00:19:36.160 --> 00:19:38.820 And incidentally, 00:19:39.220 --> 00:19:41.500 one of the things I want you to remind yourself of 00:19:41.500 --> 00:19:43.440 is the commandments that God gives us. 00:19:43.580 --> 00:19:44.779 There in verse 3, it says, 00:19:44.880 --> 00:19:46.820 For this is the love of God that we keep his commandments, 00:19:47.140 --> 00:19:49.580 and his commandments are not burdensome. 00:19:50.400 --> 00:19:51.120 Hey, listen to me. 00:19:52.640 --> 00:19:53.620 Do you follow what I'm saying? 00:19:54.279 --> 00:19:56.400 When God gives us instructions, 00:19:57.000 --> 00:19:59.540 what does it mean that they're not burdensome? 00:20:01.019 --> 00:20:02.600 It's a little bit like a parent 00:20:02.600 --> 00:20:05.000 who's going through the process of teaching children 00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:06.980 not to touch hot stoves. 00:20:07.980 --> 00:20:09.660 How many of you are working on that right now? 00:20:09.759 --> 00:20:11.680 You know, it's the hot stove time. 00:20:11.960 --> 00:20:13.380 You know, I saw you there, Natalie. 00:20:13.519 --> 00:20:15.859 You know, what happens when you say, 00:20:16.319 --> 00:20:19.019 Jasper, don't touch the hot stove. 00:20:19.079 --> 00:20:20.099 You know what Jasper's thinking? 00:20:20.960 --> 00:20:24.700 My mom is all about cutting into my fun time. 00:20:25.319 --> 00:20:28.039 I mean, it's like I gotta do naps. 00:20:28.359 --> 00:20:29.579 I have to eat carrots. 00:20:29.759 --> 00:20:31.900 You know, there are lots of bad things in my life. 00:20:31.900 --> 00:20:34.300 And one of them that I'm not gonna let her run 00:20:34.300 --> 00:20:35.759 is the hot stove business. 00:20:35.840 --> 00:20:36.640 I'm touching it. 00:20:39.180 --> 00:20:40.980 You know, Natalie turns her back, 00:20:41.040 --> 00:20:41.860 and guess what happens? 00:20:42.000 --> 00:20:44.660 She doesn't know when the stove was touched, 00:20:44.720 --> 00:20:45.980 but you know what she knows? 00:20:46.560 --> 00:20:48.060 She knows the consequence. 00:20:48.880 --> 00:20:53.160 Mom, that hot stove is really bad. 00:20:53.340 --> 00:20:53.640 Yeah. 00:20:54.340 --> 00:20:57.120 When I tell you something, it's for your good. 00:20:57.119 --> 00:21:00.719 You see, when God tells us things, 00:21:01.319 --> 00:21:03.639 he tells us things for our sake. 00:21:06.079 --> 00:21:08.139 So let me come back around to the question, 00:21:08.239 --> 00:21:10.699 really, that's the heart of the starting point we make, 00:21:10.739 --> 00:21:15.179 is that we're gonna talk about things we gotta work at, 00:21:16.179 --> 00:21:18.719 but my interest is this, is do you love him? 00:21:19.699 --> 00:21:21.619 Do you honestly love him? 00:21:21.619 --> 00:21:28.439 If you do, then the things we talk about next 00:21:28.439 --> 00:21:32.199 will become dominating and directing. 00:21:33.159 --> 00:21:34.339 Because here's the deal. 00:21:34.859 --> 00:21:37.519 Genuine love is more enduring, 00:21:38.359 --> 00:21:39.719 it's more controlling, 00:21:39.959 --> 00:21:41.599 and it produces fruit that's undeniable. 00:21:41.799 --> 00:21:44.899 And so if you are growing in your love for Christ, 00:21:45.119 --> 00:21:46.879 one of the things that's gonna play out 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:50.920 is that that love will become evident. 00:21:53.020 --> 00:21:54.580 Well, let's talk about the fruit of love. 00:21:56.720 --> 00:21:58.100 And I want you to turn in your Bible, 00:21:58.200 --> 00:22:01.220 if you would, over to Matthew 28, verse 19 and 20. 00:22:01.520 --> 00:22:03.380 And I confess in the outcome, 00:22:03.560 --> 00:22:05.940 one of the things that always is very challenging 00:22:05.940 --> 00:22:08.240 about preaching familiar passages 00:22:08.240 --> 00:22:10.940 is that you kind of sit there and you think to yourself, 00:22:11.020 --> 00:22:11.720 I know that one. 00:22:12.800 --> 00:22:13.080 Yeah. 00:22:13.480 --> 00:22:14.740 What's he gonna show me? 00:22:14.740 --> 00:22:17.940 A little reminder. 00:22:18.900 --> 00:22:19.880 Everybody smile, look at me. 00:22:22.099 --> 00:22:28.220 Preaching is dependent upon the revealed word of God 00:22:28.220 --> 00:22:31.299 and the spirit of God 00:22:31.299 --> 00:22:34.099 and the heart of the saint. 00:22:34.519 --> 00:22:37.120 So you could have heard the same sermon 00:22:37.120 --> 00:22:39.019 20 times in the last week, 00:22:39.380 --> 00:22:42.380 but this morning God has something to say 00:22:42.380 --> 00:22:45.900 in this passage and you do well to say, 00:22:46.060 --> 00:22:47.440 all right, bring it on, 00:22:47.780 --> 00:22:49.440 teach me what you have for me. 00:22:49.720 --> 00:22:51.620 I want to apply it. 00:22:54.100 --> 00:22:57.460 We could reduce this passage to two simple points. 00:22:58.860 --> 00:23:01.280 Let me make them and then clarify them if I may. 00:23:01.280 --> 00:23:02.520 Love makes disciples 00:23:02.520 --> 00:23:05.120 and love does it 00:23:05.120 --> 00:23:07.240 the way Christ instructed. 00:23:07.240 --> 00:23:09.059 Love makes disciples 00:23:09.059 --> 00:23:13.140 and love does it the way Christ instructed. 00:23:13.240 --> 00:23:16.099 Let's go first of all to the commandment about disciples. 00:23:16.299 --> 00:23:18.539 Genuine love for Christ leads us to make disciples. 00:23:20.120 --> 00:23:21.180 I would imagine, 00:23:21.859 --> 00:23:22.700 I'll never forget, 00:23:23.240 --> 00:23:23.960 a number of years ago, 00:23:24.039 --> 00:23:26.400 I was in a fellowship in a church. 00:23:26.500 --> 00:23:27.500 I was part of a church 00:23:27.500 --> 00:23:29.480 where the pastor would say every morning, 00:23:29.579 --> 00:23:30.740 I mean, every time we'd get together, 00:23:30.940 --> 00:23:31.200 he says, 00:23:31.299 --> 00:23:32.180 we love you today. 00:23:32.180 --> 00:23:36.940 And being the person that I am, 00:23:37.299 --> 00:23:39.080 I'd kind of sit there a little sarcastically 00:23:39.080 --> 00:23:39.759 and think to myself, 00:23:39.900 --> 00:23:42.100 does everybody here really love Jesus? 00:23:42.539 --> 00:23:43.539 How many of you are like that? 00:23:43.600 --> 00:23:44.480 You know, pastor says something, 00:23:44.560 --> 00:23:45.240 and you think, yeah, right. 00:23:45.620 --> 00:23:46.980 But I remember he'd say, 00:23:47.120 --> 00:23:47.920 we love you today. 00:23:48.060 --> 00:23:48.620 I would think, 00:23:48.779 --> 00:23:51.160 I'm having a little problem with that. 00:23:51.200 --> 00:23:51.920 I didn't want to raise my hand 00:23:51.920 --> 00:23:52.880 and let the pastor know that, 00:23:53.039 --> 00:23:53.799 but you know, 00:23:54.920 --> 00:23:58.320 I know you're probably struggling, 00:23:58.500 --> 00:23:59.100 some of you here, 00:23:59.180 --> 00:24:00.200 with really loving him. 00:24:02.180 --> 00:24:04.640 if you do love him, 00:24:05.700 --> 00:24:07.480 it will be seen in the fact 00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:09.460 that you are making disciples. 00:24:09.799 --> 00:24:10.980 Now, it may not be obvious 00:24:10.980 --> 00:24:12.120 in the English translation, 00:24:13.060 --> 00:24:15.620 but the Greek text in this passage 00:24:15.620 --> 00:24:18.980 in Matthew chapter 28, verse 19 and 20, 00:24:19.080 --> 00:24:20.519 actually only has one verb. 00:24:20.680 --> 00:24:21.920 I don't want to overplay this 00:24:21.920 --> 00:24:24.060 because I'm all interested 00:24:24.060 --> 00:24:25.060 in giving you the cake, 00:24:25.140 --> 00:24:25.740 not the recipe, 00:24:25.900 --> 00:24:26.940 but the Greek is important. 00:24:28.360 --> 00:24:30.420 And the actual action 00:24:30.420 --> 00:24:31.840 of these two verses 00:24:31.839 --> 00:24:33.539 that we have in Matthew chapter 28, 00:24:33.839 --> 00:24:34.919 go and make disciples, 00:24:35.720 --> 00:24:36.579 is not going. 00:24:38.199 --> 00:24:39.740 For you who are looking 00:24:39.740 --> 00:24:41.759 for a little grammar quiz, 00:24:42.859 --> 00:24:44.359 you can email me later 00:24:44.359 --> 00:24:45.699 and I'll give you the details of it. 00:24:45.740 --> 00:24:47.099 But the point that we want to recognize 00:24:47.099 --> 00:24:49.179 is that there's really only one thing 00:24:49.179 --> 00:24:51.439 that dictates action in this passage, 00:24:51.699 --> 00:24:53.059 and it is the verb, 00:24:53.319 --> 00:24:54.259 make disciples. 00:24:55.939 --> 00:24:58.480 Going, baptizing, teaching 00:24:58.480 --> 00:24:59.960 are not verbs. 00:25:01.099 --> 00:25:02.880 They're words that explain 00:25:02.880 --> 00:25:06.019 what making disciples takes. 00:25:06.980 --> 00:25:08.360 Now, let me make several points 00:25:08.360 --> 00:25:09.740 in relationship to this text 00:25:09.740 --> 00:25:10.980 as we're actually looking at it. 00:25:11.220 --> 00:25:12.200 I want you to recognize 00:25:12.200 --> 00:25:13.620 that this is a command 00:25:13.620 --> 00:25:15.799 that applies to every single believer. 00:25:16.839 --> 00:25:17.779 You follow that? 00:25:19.160 --> 00:25:20.400 Should a pastor 00:25:20.400 --> 00:25:22.920 be a disciple maker? 00:25:22.920 --> 00:25:23.640 What do you think? 00:25:25.380 --> 00:25:26.560 Should he be known 00:25:26.560 --> 00:25:27.560 for that? 00:25:28.600 --> 00:25:29.240 What do you think? 00:25:30.320 --> 00:25:31.500 And I trust that 00:25:31.500 --> 00:25:32.519 one of the things 00:25:32.519 --> 00:25:33.360 you know about 00:25:33.360 --> 00:25:34.660 Tim Knoyer as a pastor 00:25:34.660 --> 00:25:36.259 is that I get excited 00:25:36.259 --> 00:25:37.200 about the opportunity 00:25:37.200 --> 00:25:38.900 of discipling individuals. 00:25:39.800 --> 00:25:41.140 I love seeing growth 00:25:41.140 --> 00:25:42.000 in people's lives. 00:25:42.560 --> 00:25:44.300 I wake up in the morning 00:25:44.300 --> 00:25:45.300 and one of the things 00:25:45.300 --> 00:25:46.120 that I'm interested in 00:25:46.120 --> 00:25:46.920 is seeing people 00:25:46.920 --> 00:25:48.060 make progress 00:25:48.060 --> 00:25:49.440 in their spiritual journey. 00:25:50.160 --> 00:25:50.800 Discipleship 00:25:50.799 --> 00:25:52.220 is hardwired 00:25:52.220 --> 00:25:53.139 into the heart 00:25:53.139 --> 00:25:53.720 of a pastor. 00:25:54.019 --> 00:25:54.839 But it's not just 00:25:54.839 --> 00:25:55.819 Pastor Knoyer. 00:25:56.159 --> 00:25:57.200 Pastor Saul's involved 00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:57.659 in that. 00:25:58.519 --> 00:25:59.539 But it's not just 00:25:59.539 --> 00:26:00.240 Pastor Knoyer 00:26:00.240 --> 00:26:00.940 and Pastor Saul. 00:26:01.159 --> 00:26:03.259 It's all of God's people 00:26:03.259 --> 00:26:04.399 and that's what 00:26:04.399 --> 00:26:05.000 this passage 00:26:05.000 --> 00:26:05.899 is making clear. 00:26:07.779 --> 00:26:08.339 You 00:26:08.339 --> 00:26:09.799 go 00:26:09.799 --> 00:26:11.139 make 00:26:11.139 --> 00:26:12.000 disciples. 00:26:13.819 --> 00:26:15.099 I want you to recognize 00:26:15.099 --> 00:26:15.559 also, 00:26:15.659 --> 00:26:16.799 and this is an important factor, 00:26:17.220 --> 00:26:18.099 it is really 00:26:18.099 --> 00:26:19.680 a central piece 00:26:19.680 --> 00:26:20.980 of what you do 00:26:20.980 --> 00:26:21.640 to honor Him. 00:26:24.799 --> 00:26:25.820 As I was praying 00:26:25.820 --> 00:26:26.240 this morning, 00:26:26.320 --> 00:26:27.000 I was thinking about 00:26:27.000 --> 00:26:27.779 asking the question, 00:26:27.860 --> 00:26:28.620 I'll go ahead and ask it 00:26:28.620 --> 00:26:29.759 since I've introduced it, 00:26:30.240 --> 00:26:31.340 but I thought about saying, 00:26:31.500 --> 00:26:31.840 so, 00:26:32.380 --> 00:26:32.860 Becky Green, 00:26:32.940 --> 00:26:33.880 where do you really work? 00:26:33.940 --> 00:26:34.680 What's your job? 00:26:36.060 --> 00:26:36.620 And Becky Green, 00:26:36.700 --> 00:26:37.000 obviously, 00:26:37.140 --> 00:26:37.799 knowing the answer, 00:26:37.880 --> 00:26:38.160 would say, 00:26:38.299 --> 00:26:38.519 well, 00:26:38.720 --> 00:26:39.519 I'm all about, 00:26:40.700 --> 00:26:40.920 well, 00:26:41.440 --> 00:26:41.759 Maria, 00:26:41.880 --> 00:26:42.900 what would she say? 00:26:43.660 --> 00:26:44.660 Making disciples! 00:26:45.799 --> 00:26:46.039 Eh, 00:26:46.039 --> 00:26:46.920 I got this thing 00:26:46.920 --> 00:26:47.660 going over at 00:26:47.660 --> 00:26:48.320 Nationwide. 00:26:48.319 --> 00:26:49.939 But, 00:26:50.159 --> 00:26:50.480 you know, 00:26:50.559 --> 00:26:51.879 it's just a side job. 00:26:52.000 --> 00:26:52.200 I mean, 00:26:52.240 --> 00:26:53.059 I'm really about 00:26:53.059 --> 00:26:53.799 disciple making. 00:26:55.179 --> 00:26:55.899 I could say, 00:26:55.980 --> 00:26:56.639 Pete Simons, 00:26:56.819 --> 00:26:57.819 what are you doing? 00:26:57.859 --> 00:26:58.159 He'd say, 00:26:58.720 --> 00:26:59.059 well, 00:26:59.139 --> 00:27:00.519 I'm making disciples. 00:27:02.579 --> 00:27:02.960 Oh, 00:27:02.980 --> 00:27:03.099 yeah. 00:27:03.740 --> 00:27:04.720 Is that fair? 00:27:05.319 --> 00:27:06.379 Would you agree with me? 00:27:06.939 --> 00:27:07.059 Huh? 00:27:07.599 --> 00:27:07.960 Andrew, 00:27:08.000 --> 00:27:08.859 are you making disciples? 00:27:11.659 --> 00:27:12.099 Caleb? 00:27:13.539 --> 00:27:14.419 Making disciples? 00:27:14.420 --> 00:27:15.900 You know, 00:27:16.900 --> 00:27:19.120 got to watch my time. 00:27:19.220 --> 00:27:19.920 I said I would quit 00:27:19.920 --> 00:27:21.660 at an appropriate time. 00:27:22.400 --> 00:27:22.500 But, 00:27:22.940 --> 00:27:26.240 why is my wife smiling at me? 00:27:26.259 --> 00:27:27.060 Can you help me with that? 00:27:33.200 --> 00:27:33.779 I'll tell you, 00:27:33.820 --> 00:27:34.660 I was talking to my wife 00:27:34.660 --> 00:27:35.600 about growing to be 00:27:35.600 --> 00:27:36.100 a better preacher. 00:27:36.220 --> 00:27:36.360 She says, 00:27:36.400 --> 00:27:37.300 you just need to be shorter. 00:27:42.420 --> 00:27:43.140 Send her a card. 00:27:43.220 --> 00:27:43.519 Thank her. 00:27:43.519 --> 00:27:43.519 00:27:44.420 --> 00:27:47.720 You see, 00:27:48.259 --> 00:27:49.220 we're all in this 00:27:49.220 --> 00:27:50.140 to be disciple makers. 00:27:50.220 --> 00:27:50.560 Isn't that right? 00:27:51.480 --> 00:27:52.539 I don't know about you, 00:27:52.740 --> 00:27:52.779 but, 00:27:52.860 --> 00:27:54.400 but earlier last week, 00:27:54.460 --> 00:27:55.240 I was reading 00:27:55.240 --> 00:27:56.420 Dan Byram's 00:27:57.500 --> 00:27:58.920 missionary letter. 00:28:00.539 --> 00:28:00.980 And, 00:28:01.039 --> 00:28:02.460 he and his family 00:28:02.460 --> 00:28:03.160 are working 00:28:03.160 --> 00:28:04.680 in Gambia. 00:28:05.759 --> 00:28:06.200 And, 00:28:06.320 --> 00:28:07.140 they are having 00:28:07.140 --> 00:28:08.060 brain cramp 00:28:08.060 --> 00:28:08.740 trying to learn 00:28:08.740 --> 00:28:09.779 the Wolof language. 00:28:10.019 --> 00:28:10.160 You know? 00:28:11.039 --> 00:28:11.500 I mean, 00:28:12.300 --> 00:28:13.279 do you know why 00:28:13.279 --> 00:28:14.060 they're doing that though? 00:28:14.420 --> 00:28:16.800 They're doing that 00:28:16.800 --> 00:28:17.940 so they can make disciples. 00:28:19.380 --> 00:28:19.820 Everything 00:28:19.820 --> 00:28:21.980 about their life 00:28:21.980 --> 00:28:23.380 is zeroed in 00:28:23.380 --> 00:28:24.660 on the thing 00:28:24.660 --> 00:28:26.180 of discipleship. 00:28:26.740 --> 00:28:27.980 When they show up 00:28:27.980 --> 00:28:28.539 at the ferry 00:28:28.539 --> 00:28:29.300 to get across 00:28:29.300 --> 00:28:30.279 to the other side, 00:28:30.560 --> 00:28:31.720 and everybody else 00:28:31.720 --> 00:28:32.840 is relying on bribes, 00:28:32.900 --> 00:28:33.660 and they don't pay 00:28:33.660 --> 00:28:34.140 a bribe 00:28:34.140 --> 00:28:34.880 to get in front, 00:28:36.300 --> 00:28:37.160 they're doing that 00:28:37.160 --> 00:28:37.600 because they're 00:28:37.600 --> 00:28:39.759 there to make disciples. 00:28:39.759 --> 00:28:43.720 when the Gambians 00:28:43.720 --> 00:28:44.599 pay attention 00:28:44.599 --> 00:28:45.180 to the way 00:28:45.180 --> 00:28:46.879 that Dan and Bridget 00:28:46.879 --> 00:28:47.960 treat each other, 00:28:48.759 --> 00:28:49.879 and they're really, 00:28:50.000 --> 00:28:50.700 really curious 00:28:50.700 --> 00:28:51.339 about that. 00:28:51.619 --> 00:28:52.579 Remember when we had 00:28:52.579 --> 00:28:53.539 John Sittio here 00:28:53.539 --> 00:28:54.619 during the missions conference, 00:28:55.059 --> 00:28:56.079 and John Sittio 00:28:56.079 --> 00:28:56.940 was talking about 00:28:56.940 --> 00:28:57.339 the fact 00:28:57.339 --> 00:28:59.039 that when people in, 00:28:59.440 --> 00:29:00.220 where was he from? 00:29:01.799 --> 00:29:02.799 This is a quiz, 00:29:02.879 --> 00:29:03.440 and you're failing. 00:29:03.559 --> 00:29:04.400 I failed already, 00:29:04.480 --> 00:29:05.480 but I was checking on you. 00:29:05.480 --> 00:29:07.960 Well, it's somewhere 00:29:07.960 --> 00:29:08.480 in Africa. 00:29:08.599 --> 00:29:09.059 You got me? 00:29:09.160 --> 00:29:09.360 I mean, 00:29:09.720 --> 00:29:10.579 he was talking about 00:29:10.579 --> 00:29:10.920 the fact 00:29:10.920 --> 00:29:12.319 when African men 00:29:12.319 --> 00:29:13.180 would come to Christ, 00:29:13.279 --> 00:29:13.779 they would stop 00:29:13.779 --> 00:29:14.660 beating their wives. 00:29:14.720 --> 00:29:15.180 Remember that? 00:29:16.339 --> 00:29:18.160 And there were some wives 00:29:18.160 --> 00:29:18.839 that were coming in 00:29:18.839 --> 00:29:19.400 for counseling. 00:29:19.579 --> 00:29:19.980 They were saying, 00:29:20.420 --> 00:29:21.940 we're feeling very uncomfortable 00:29:21.940 --> 00:29:22.740 in our marriages 00:29:22.740 --> 00:29:23.960 because our husbands 00:29:23.960 --> 00:29:24.420 are beginning 00:29:24.420 --> 00:29:25.360 to treat us differently. 00:29:25.680 --> 00:29:26.680 What does that mean? 00:29:26.900 --> 00:29:28.839 Well, they don't beat us anymore. 00:29:28.940 --> 00:29:30.259 It's like, really? 00:29:32.200 --> 00:29:32.500 Hmm. 00:29:33.720 --> 00:29:34.319 Well, you see, 00:29:34.319 --> 00:29:37.000 here is John Sittio. 00:29:37.720 --> 00:29:39.079 Here's Dan Byram 00:29:39.079 --> 00:29:39.980 who's saying, 00:29:40.399 --> 00:29:41.700 all that I am doing 00:29:41.700 --> 00:29:42.579 is designed 00:29:42.579 --> 00:29:44.740 to help people see Christ 00:29:44.740 --> 00:29:47.480 so I can make disciples. 00:29:49.259 --> 00:29:50.220 Well, we do send 00:29:50.220 --> 00:29:51.059 some people to Africa, 00:29:51.639 --> 00:29:53.439 and we're hoping 00:29:53.439 --> 00:29:54.299 to send some people 00:29:54.299 --> 00:29:54.899 to Jamaica. 00:29:56.179 --> 00:29:57.460 We've got Caleb and Charity. 00:29:57.559 --> 00:29:59.319 They're going in the spring 00:29:59.319 --> 00:30:01.639 to class, 00:30:02.200 --> 00:30:03.359 and then later, 00:30:03.359 --> 00:30:04.279 Lord willing, 00:30:04.439 --> 00:30:05.039 to Jamaica. 00:30:05.259 --> 00:30:06.439 We have Pastor Saul 00:30:06.439 --> 00:30:07.379 who's taking a group 00:30:07.379 --> 00:30:08.899 of people down there 00:30:08.899 --> 00:30:09.379 to Jamaica 00:30:09.379 --> 00:30:10.439 to be involved in missions. 00:30:10.740 --> 00:30:11.919 But everything we do 00:30:11.919 --> 00:30:12.899 ultimately is about 00:30:12.899 --> 00:30:13.639 making disciples. 00:30:15.219 --> 00:30:16.599 So let me have you 00:30:16.599 --> 00:30:17.779 zero in on that word 00:30:17.779 --> 00:30:19.659 and ask the practical question 00:30:19.659 --> 00:30:20.399 in your life. 00:30:20.459 --> 00:30:21.179 Here's the question. 00:30:23.979 --> 00:30:25.079 Are you a person 00:30:25.079 --> 00:30:26.119 who actually is involved 00:30:26.119 --> 00:30:27.000 in making disciples? 00:30:28.099 --> 00:30:28.779 Are you? 00:30:28.779 --> 00:30:31.799 When you are dealing 00:30:31.799 --> 00:30:32.519 with a problem 00:30:32.519 --> 00:30:33.240 in your home 00:30:33.240 --> 00:30:34.000 with your children, 00:30:34.200 --> 00:30:35.180 are you actually 00:30:35.180 --> 00:30:36.500 consciously and deliberately 00:30:36.500 --> 00:30:37.599 aiming towards 00:30:37.599 --> 00:30:38.619 making them 00:30:38.619 --> 00:30:39.759 a disciple of Jesus, 00:30:39.980 --> 00:30:41.059 or are you just aiming 00:30:41.059 --> 00:30:41.940 at correcting their 00:30:41.940 --> 00:30:43.139 misbehavior for the moment? 00:30:46.079 --> 00:30:47.539 As you teach them, 00:30:48.539 --> 00:30:50.039 is your objective 00:30:50.039 --> 00:30:51.240 to help them grow 00:30:51.240 --> 00:30:52.299 to be a follower 00:30:52.299 --> 00:30:53.019 of Christ, 00:30:53.200 --> 00:30:54.480 or is it just about, 00:30:54.619 --> 00:30:54.759 well, 00:30:54.759 --> 00:30:56.480 I want them to grow up 00:30:56.480 --> 00:30:57.420 and be responsible 00:30:57.420 --> 00:30:58.700 and have a good job 00:30:58.700 --> 00:31:01.079 and give me bragging rights 00:31:01.079 --> 00:31:02.279 on their SAT scores. 00:31:02.379 --> 00:31:03.879 That's what I really like, 00:31:04.140 --> 00:31:05.660 and maybe even graduate 00:31:05.660 --> 00:31:06.839 so I can brag. 00:31:07.339 --> 00:31:07.660 No, 00:31:07.740 --> 00:31:08.819 are you aiming 00:31:08.819 --> 00:31:09.839 to make them 00:31:09.839 --> 00:31:10.799 a disciple? 00:31:15.039 --> 00:31:16.359 I want you to understand 00:31:16.359 --> 00:31:17.339 that a genuine love 00:31:17.339 --> 00:31:17.859 for Christ 00:31:17.859 --> 00:31:19.220 also leads us to go, 00:31:20.279 --> 00:31:21.500 to baptize, 00:31:22.579 --> 00:31:23.759 and to teach all people. 00:31:24.759 --> 00:31:26.960 So as we move 00:31:26.960 --> 00:31:28.379 into this coming year, 00:31:29.059 --> 00:31:30.140 I want you to understand 00:31:30.140 --> 00:31:30.980 that our objective 00:31:30.980 --> 00:31:32.160 as a family of believers 00:31:32.160 --> 00:31:33.059 is going to focus down 00:31:33.059 --> 00:31:33.500 a little bit 00:31:33.500 --> 00:31:37.379 on this two-fold target 00:31:37.379 --> 00:31:39.660 of making disciples 00:31:39.660 --> 00:31:40.559 by going, 00:31:41.640 --> 00:31:42.619 by baptizing, 00:31:43.180 --> 00:31:43.839 by teaching. 00:31:45.220 --> 00:31:46.019 And that means 00:31:46.019 --> 00:31:47.299 that at the heart 00:31:47.299 --> 00:31:48.000 of what we're going 00:31:48.000 --> 00:31:48.879 to be involved in 00:31:48.879 --> 00:31:50.299 as pastors and deacons 00:31:50.299 --> 00:31:51.519 and as our family 00:31:51.519 --> 00:31:52.079 of believers, 00:31:52.259 --> 00:31:53.160 we're going to be involved 00:31:53.160 --> 00:31:54.620 in helping our men 00:31:54.620 --> 00:31:55.779 in this fellowship 00:31:55.779 --> 00:31:58.100 grow and improve 00:31:58.100 --> 00:32:00.820 in their discipling work. 00:32:01.120 --> 00:32:01.519 Guess where? 00:32:02.480 --> 00:32:03.320 In their home. 00:32:05.440 --> 00:32:06.340 And by the way, 00:32:06.880 --> 00:32:07.759 for some of you, 00:32:07.820 --> 00:32:08.340 that's going to take 00:32:08.340 --> 00:32:08.880 some work 00:32:08.880 --> 00:32:12.019 because how do I do this? 00:32:12.880 --> 00:32:14.080 Well, guess what? 00:32:14.220 --> 00:32:15.080 The Spirit of God 00:32:15.080 --> 00:32:15.779 and the Word of God 00:32:15.779 --> 00:32:16.480 and the people of God 00:32:16.480 --> 00:32:17.240 can help with that. 00:32:18.240 --> 00:32:19.400 We're also going to work 00:32:19.400 --> 00:32:20.339 to widen the range 00:32:20.339 --> 00:32:20.920 of activities 00:32:20.920 --> 00:32:21.940 that we're involved in 00:32:21.940 --> 00:32:22.539 as a church 00:32:22.539 --> 00:32:24.299 that have a very specific 00:32:24.299 --> 00:32:25.819 evangelistic objective 00:32:25.819 --> 00:32:27.599 with the intent 00:32:27.599 --> 00:32:28.380 of seeing people 00:32:28.380 --> 00:32:29.059 come to Christ 00:32:29.059 --> 00:32:31.640 so you can't disciple people 00:32:31.640 --> 00:32:32.980 that don't know Jesus. 00:32:33.079 --> 00:32:33.740 Do you understand that? 00:32:35.140 --> 00:32:35.960 I've got to tell you, 00:32:36.019 --> 00:32:36.480 one of the things 00:32:36.480 --> 00:32:36.859 that I thought 00:32:36.859 --> 00:32:38.620 was a knock-it-out-of-the-park 00:32:38.620 --> 00:32:39.940 event this year 00:32:39.940 --> 00:32:41.339 was trunk-or-treat. 00:32:43.099 --> 00:32:44.180 And I realized 00:32:44.180 --> 00:32:44.559 that there were 00:32:44.559 --> 00:32:45.299 a lot of people 00:32:45.299 --> 00:32:46.019 that came here 00:32:46.019 --> 00:32:47.960 only because 00:32:47.960 --> 00:32:48.899 of the candy. 00:32:50.500 --> 00:32:50.940 You know, 00:32:51.180 --> 00:32:52.720 I thought to myself, 00:32:52.879 --> 00:32:54.180 how did Jesus feel 00:32:54.180 --> 00:32:57.740 when about 99.9% 00:32:57.740 --> 00:32:58.240 of the people 00:32:58.240 --> 00:32:59.059 that He healed 00:32:59.059 --> 00:33:02.680 weren't on His side 00:33:02.680 --> 00:33:03.440 at the cross? 00:33:03.859 --> 00:33:04.720 Do you follow that? 00:33:06.099 --> 00:33:06.759 And so, 00:33:06.899 --> 00:33:07.619 we're going to work 00:33:07.619 --> 00:33:08.379 at things like that. 00:33:09.919 --> 00:33:11.180 We're going to weave it 00:33:11.180 --> 00:33:12.899 into what we talk about 00:33:12.899 --> 00:33:14.279 and what we pray about 00:33:14.279 --> 00:33:15.599 and what we work at 00:33:15.599 --> 00:33:17.039 that this business 00:33:17.039 --> 00:33:18.279 of discipleship 00:33:18.279 --> 00:33:19.559 and evangelism 00:33:19.559 --> 00:33:21.259 is going to be woven in. 00:33:22.279 --> 00:33:23.139 I get excited 00:33:23.139 --> 00:33:23.740 when I hear people 00:33:23.740 --> 00:33:24.399 say things like, 00:33:24.759 --> 00:33:25.139 you know what, 00:33:25.259 --> 00:33:25.440 Pastor, 00:33:25.859 --> 00:33:27.399 Maranatha is a friendly church 00:33:27.399 --> 00:33:27.879 and that's the way 00:33:27.879 --> 00:33:28.359 it should be. 00:33:29.480 --> 00:33:30.500 I like it too 00:33:30.500 --> 00:33:31.180 when people say, 00:33:31.480 --> 00:33:31.759 wow, 00:33:31.920 --> 00:33:33.059 you guys sing. 00:33:34.639 --> 00:33:35.639 We should sing. 00:33:37.099 --> 00:33:38.619 The thing I'm looking forward to 00:33:38.619 --> 00:33:39.519 is when people walk in 00:33:39.519 --> 00:33:39.740 and say, 00:33:39.940 --> 00:33:40.599 you know what, 00:33:40.599 --> 00:33:41.759 I can't get over 00:33:41.759 --> 00:33:42.839 the fact that people there 00:33:42.839 --> 00:33:44.379 always talk about Jesus. 00:33:46.419 --> 00:33:47.099 You know what, 00:33:47.259 --> 00:33:48.379 we do talk about 00:33:48.379 --> 00:33:49.539 the things we really care about. 00:33:52.740 --> 00:33:53.399 Last week, 00:33:53.480 --> 00:33:53.919 there was someone 00:33:53.919 --> 00:33:54.480 in the lobby 00:33:54.480 --> 00:33:55.119 and I'm not going to 00:33:55.119 --> 00:33:56.019 call his name out 00:33:56.019 --> 00:33:57.019 but he was saying, 00:33:57.099 --> 00:33:57.719 I'm really having 00:33:57.719 --> 00:33:58.459 trouble sleeping. 00:33:58.819 --> 00:33:59.139 I said, 00:33:59.240 --> 00:34:00.199 try melatonin. 00:34:02.500 --> 00:34:02.919 Yeah, 00:34:02.980 --> 00:34:03.279 it's like, 00:34:03.399 --> 00:34:05.399 you know why I said that? 00:34:06.419 --> 00:34:07.279 Because I believe 00:34:07.279 --> 00:34:08.420 melatonin works for me 00:34:08.420 --> 00:34:09.659 and if it works for me, 00:34:09.760 --> 00:34:10.940 it probably worked for you 00:34:10.940 --> 00:34:12.099 and it's cheap. 00:34:12.180 --> 00:34:12.680 You can buy it 00:34:12.680 --> 00:34:13.220 over the counter. 00:34:13.639 --> 00:34:13.820 It's like, 00:34:13.960 --> 00:34:14.200 hey, 00:34:14.400 --> 00:34:15.320 do melatonin. 00:34:16.760 --> 00:34:17.980 Whenever there's a problem, 00:34:18.260 --> 00:34:18.820 most of us, 00:34:18.900 --> 00:34:20.019 if something's working for us, 00:34:20.039 --> 00:34:20.539 what do we do? 00:34:21.900 --> 00:34:22.800 We sell it. 00:34:23.119 --> 00:34:23.360 Hey, 00:34:23.420 --> 00:34:23.579 yeah, 00:34:23.680 --> 00:34:24.280 this works. 00:34:24.920 --> 00:34:26.000 Try these essential oils. 00:34:26.119 --> 00:34:27.119 Rub this on the left toe 00:34:27.119 --> 00:34:27.900 and the right finger 00:34:27.900 --> 00:34:28.039 and, 00:34:28.400 --> 00:34:28.659 you know, 00:34:28.800 --> 00:34:29.659 I'm sorry, 00:34:29.760 --> 00:34:30.260 I'm sorry. 00:34:30.740 --> 00:34:31.099 Okay. 00:34:32.780 --> 00:34:33.940 I'm going to get a text 00:34:33.940 --> 00:34:34.539 on that one. 00:34:34.639 --> 00:34:34.780 You know, 00:34:34.820 --> 00:34:35.079 it's like, 00:34:35.519 --> 00:34:35.780 okay, 00:34:36.300 --> 00:34:37.039 thank you. 00:34:37.039 --> 00:34:37.519 Hey, 00:34:38.800 --> 00:34:39.519 here's my point. 00:34:41.059 --> 00:34:41.259 Hey, 00:34:41.320 --> 00:34:41.599 listen, 00:34:41.860 --> 00:34:42.480 don't miss it. 00:34:43.840 --> 00:34:45.320 If it really is important 00:34:45.320 --> 00:34:46.779 and it really is working for us, 00:34:46.840 --> 00:34:47.920 we talk about it. 00:34:50.039 --> 00:34:50.440 Listen, 00:34:51.440 --> 00:34:52.659 I am not here 00:34:52.659 --> 00:34:53.900 to put a guilt trip on you 00:34:53.900 --> 00:34:54.579 for the lack 00:34:54.579 --> 00:34:56.179 of your evangelism 00:34:56.179 --> 00:35:00.759 because the problem 00:35:00.759 --> 00:35:01.460 really isn't 00:35:01.460 --> 00:35:02.900 your lack of evangelism. 00:35:07.039 --> 00:35:09.619 if you love me, 00:35:10.119 --> 00:35:10.360 what? 00:35:12.920 --> 00:35:13.960 Keep my commandments. 00:35:17.300 --> 00:35:18.440 How many of you here 00:35:18.440 --> 00:35:19.900 know that I love Judith? 00:35:22.279 --> 00:35:23.279 Reason you know 00:35:23.279 --> 00:35:24.119 that I love Judith 00:35:24.119 --> 00:35:25.940 is because I talk 00:35:25.940 --> 00:35:27.320 about her 00:35:27.320 --> 00:35:28.599 all the time. 00:35:28.599 --> 00:35:32.599 if you love Jesus, 00:35:33.119 --> 00:35:33.739 guess what's going 00:35:33.739 --> 00:35:34.079 to happen? 00:35:36.739 --> 00:35:37.420 You're not going 00:35:37.420 --> 00:35:38.119 to choke down 00:35:38.119 --> 00:35:40.000 and hold off. 00:35:41.219 --> 00:35:41.900 You're going to talk 00:35:41.900 --> 00:35:42.400 about the lover 00:35:42.400 --> 00:35:43.000 of your soul. 00:35:43.900 --> 00:35:44.659 You're going to share 00:35:44.659 --> 00:35:45.179 the goodness 00:35:45.179 --> 00:35:45.799 of the one 00:35:45.799 --> 00:35:46.719 who's delivered you 00:35:46.719 --> 00:35:47.739 from the pit, 00:35:49.079 --> 00:35:49.920 giving you complete 00:35:49.920 --> 00:35:50.319 forgiveness 00:35:50.319 --> 00:35:51.319 for all of your sins. 00:35:51.380 --> 00:35:52.179 Do you understand that? 00:35:53.259 --> 00:35:54.420 And is in the process 00:35:54.420 --> 00:35:55.460 of helping you change 00:35:55.460 --> 00:35:56.539 to be someone different 00:35:56.539 --> 00:35:57.480 than you have been. 00:35:57.480 --> 00:35:59.740 I love telling people 00:35:59.740 --> 00:36:01.340 what Jesus can do 00:36:01.340 --> 00:36:01.860 for them. 00:36:03.860 --> 00:36:04.740 And I want you 00:36:04.740 --> 00:36:05.360 to love him 00:36:05.360 --> 00:36:07.659 so that you do the same. 00:36:08.980 --> 00:36:10.039 Let's close in prayer.