WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.320 March 14, at some point as I was growing up, my dad or maybe my family went through a puzzle phase. 00:00:08.320 --> 00:00:16.960 We had a ping pong table in the basement and it was covered with the assembly of a thousand piece puzzle. 00:00:16.960 --> 00:00:26.320 We were stationed in Kitslow Air Force Base in the upper peninsula of Michigan and winters are horrible up there. 00:00:26.320 --> 00:00:31.620 We kept two to three feet of snow on the ground about six months out of the year in the yard. 00:00:31.800 --> 00:00:33.399 And so you could, why not? 00:00:33.679 --> 00:00:35.439 Well, let's just put a puzzle together, I guess. 00:00:35.600 --> 00:00:45.340 And so it was always fun to do and participate in all that stuff unless you're missing the last piece. 00:00:45.340 --> 00:00:55.940 It's amazing how you have 999 pieces in place and there's one piece missing. 00:00:57.680 --> 00:00:59.260 Dad had three boys in the house. 00:00:59.359 --> 00:01:00.420 We were pretty young at the time. 00:01:00.500 --> 00:01:06.300 Can you imagine getting to the end of this deal and one piece missing? 00:01:06.359 --> 00:01:09.140 You can't see the other 99, 999. 00:01:09.580 --> 00:01:11.080 You just see the one missing. 00:01:11.460 --> 00:01:13.480 It's kind of like missing a front tooth, you know. 00:01:13.480 --> 00:01:17.120 I mean, it's just one tooth, but it is, you can't help but see it. 00:01:17.400 --> 00:01:21.260 And so hard not to see. 00:01:21.700 --> 00:01:28.520 In a football game, we have a tendency to look at the quarterback or the star players, 00:01:28.520 --> 00:01:37.140 but there's a lot of other important roles going on that make the stars what they are. 00:01:37.400 --> 00:01:38.460 Linebackers block. 00:01:38.459 --> 00:01:40.459 They tackle. 00:01:41.819 --> 00:01:45.780 The cheerleaders cheer that sets the atmosphere for that. 00:01:46.259 --> 00:01:47.879 The band members play. 00:01:48.879 --> 00:01:50.479 Set an atmosphere for that. 00:01:51.239 --> 00:01:54.199 There's probably no one there more important than the PA announcer. 00:01:56.859 --> 00:01:58.579 Spoken as the voice of the blue flying. 00:02:00.780 --> 00:02:03.060 No one that is except the water boy. 00:02:03.060 --> 00:02:14.599 If the water boy doesn't bring them relief, they can get too hot. 00:02:15.659 --> 00:02:16.860 They can dehydrate. 00:02:17.039 --> 00:02:17.819 They can fall out. 00:02:19.680 --> 00:02:22.819 And water boys are just a small piece of the puzzle. 00:02:23.020 --> 00:02:27.539 They may not seem that skilled, but timing is everything. 00:02:27.539 --> 00:02:36.299 And when timely and precise and dedicated, they make an extraordinary difference. 00:02:38.060 --> 00:02:41.699 Well, God has his own kind of water boys. 00:02:42.500 --> 00:02:46.099 And I want us to look at one today, and I want us to learn from him. 00:02:46.979 --> 00:02:50.340 It's in Mark chapter 14, beginning verse 12, and it says this, 00:02:50.340 --> 00:02:57.140 On the first day of unleavened bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him, 00:02:58.319 --> 00:03:02.400 Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the Passover? 00:03:03.879 --> 00:03:06.280 And he sent two of his disciples and said to them, 00:03:06.379 --> 00:03:10.480 Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. 00:03:11.480 --> 00:03:12.439 Follow him. 00:03:12.439 --> 00:03:18.379 And wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, the teacher says, 00:03:18.560 --> 00:03:23.759 Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples? 00:03:24.439 --> 00:03:28.919 And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready. 00:03:29.520 --> 00:03:30.939 They're prepared for us. 00:03:31.840 --> 00:03:39.479 And the disciples set out and went to the city and found it just as he had told them. 00:03:39.479 --> 00:03:43.280 And they prepared the Passover. 00:03:45.079 --> 00:03:49.079 I bet you've never thought about the water boy. 00:03:50.519 --> 00:03:52.139 He is unnamed. 00:03:53.500 --> 00:03:57.439 This gospel was written by Mark, also called John Mark. 00:03:58.539 --> 00:04:05.179 And in Acts chapter 12, it tells us that the church met in Mark's mother's home. 00:04:05.180 --> 00:04:15.900 So some believe that this upper room may have, this occasion, may have been the beginning of the church meeting in that area, 00:04:15.900 --> 00:04:19.400 and that this may have belonged to Mark's family. 00:04:20.699 --> 00:04:27.980 If so, this is very possibly a servant of that household carrying out this duty, 00:04:28.160 --> 00:04:32.399 or I would even suggest that it may be Mark himself. 00:04:32.399 --> 00:04:36.219 Although I will admit I'm almost alone in that. 00:04:37.719 --> 00:04:43.419 Interestingly enough, later in this chapter, there's a young man following Jesus 00:04:43.419 --> 00:04:48.560 and that company of people that have arrested Jesus and are taking him to trial. 00:04:49.120 --> 00:04:57.019 And when that young man is seized, he drops the linen cloth that he's draped in and runs away naked. 00:04:57.019 --> 00:05:02.339 And many believe that person is Mark. 00:05:02.859 --> 00:05:05.180 I bet that got you attention this morning, didn't it? 00:05:07.439 --> 00:05:13.139 Not as many believe this is Mark, but yet related to his family, possibly like a servant. 00:05:13.799 --> 00:05:16.839 But I will tell you, whoever it was, it was a huge task. 00:05:16.959 --> 00:05:17.299 Why? 00:05:18.319 --> 00:05:21.819 It was huge because partially it was because it was such a small task. 00:05:22.719 --> 00:05:24.299 I want to explain that this morning. 00:05:24.300 --> 00:05:31.500 For the water boy could have turned this down because the assignment is minute. 00:05:34.280 --> 00:05:37.400 All this man was to do was carry a jar of water. 00:05:38.420 --> 00:05:39.400 Not much. 00:05:40.340 --> 00:05:42.980 But in reality, it's a lot bigger than it looks. 00:05:43.980 --> 00:05:47.160 Because women carried water jars. 00:05:48.439 --> 00:05:50.600 Men didn't carry water jars. 00:05:50.759 --> 00:05:52.319 They carried water skins. 00:05:54.300 --> 00:05:59.460 And it's a social difference between a wallet and a purse. 00:06:00.660 --> 00:06:06.620 I mean, when I need to hold Dawn's purse for something in public, I carry it like it's a live chicken. 00:06:06.980 --> 00:06:07.280 You know? 00:06:08.400 --> 00:06:10.480 Awkwardly and out front. 00:06:10.840 --> 00:06:12.300 Not sure what to do with it. 00:06:13.759 --> 00:06:17.620 Even with that, it seems like this is such a minute job. 00:06:17.680 --> 00:06:19.139 Just carry a water jar. 00:06:19.139 --> 00:06:22.860 I'm thinking most men would have tried to get out of it. 00:06:24.139 --> 00:06:24.500 Why? 00:06:24.699 --> 00:06:26.339 One, because the task is too easy. 00:06:28.560 --> 00:06:30.779 If I'm carrying a water jar, I'm not using my skills. 00:06:32.019 --> 00:06:33.000 I've got skills. 00:06:33.759 --> 00:06:35.339 I'm more talented than that. 00:06:36.719 --> 00:06:38.800 We have a tendency to want the big stuff. 00:06:39.680 --> 00:06:41.139 You know, we pray for God to give us an opportunity. 00:06:41.139 --> 00:06:46.939 And then when one comes along, we go, come on, I need more than that. 00:06:48.300 --> 00:06:49.959 I need some real responsibility. 00:06:51.419 --> 00:06:54.419 And oftentimes, we'll discount the moment at hand. 00:06:55.680 --> 00:06:56.860 I mean, the disciples did. 00:06:57.000 --> 00:06:58.919 They leave this upper room. 00:06:59.039 --> 00:07:01.860 They go to the Garden of Gethsemane with Jesus. 00:07:02.680 --> 00:07:05.000 They discounted the whole experience. 00:07:05.000 --> 00:07:07.620 They slept through most of it. 00:07:08.379 --> 00:07:11.939 Their job was to watch and pray. 00:07:13.699 --> 00:07:16.240 May not seem like that big a task, but it was huge. 00:07:16.379 --> 00:07:17.500 And they couldn't handle it. 00:07:20.439 --> 00:07:22.879 Some people turn down the task because it's too easy. 00:07:23.220 --> 00:07:28.360 He probably could have got out of this because the task seems unrelated. 00:07:29.899 --> 00:07:34.000 I mean, God often asks folks to do things that seem unrelated. 00:07:35.000 --> 00:07:36.379 If you don't believe that, ask Noah. 00:07:37.819 --> 00:07:41.480 I mean, what about building a boat on a land when rain has never come? 00:07:42.060 --> 00:07:43.439 That seems kind of unrelated. 00:07:45.240 --> 00:07:46.459 But God had a plan. 00:07:48.600 --> 00:07:50.160 Now, Noah's job was huge. 00:07:50.160 --> 00:07:55.079 He was to build a boat that was approximately the size of one and a half football fields long, 00:07:55.720 --> 00:07:58.120 as wide as a football field and four stories tall. 00:07:58.920 --> 00:08:00.620 Not a small task. 00:08:01.579 --> 00:08:03.959 But it was much bigger than he ever thought. 00:08:05.000 --> 00:08:08.120 It was much more related than he ever felt. 00:08:08.120 --> 00:08:16.980 Because God would use him and that ark to save humankind through Noah's obedience. 00:08:18.199 --> 00:08:22.740 In reality, God's plan is so complex, we don't know the half of it. 00:08:22.740 --> 00:08:29.000 But I bet this task was unattractive. 00:08:30.660 --> 00:08:34.480 It would have been easy to forget it because the task goes unseen. 00:08:36.560 --> 00:08:38.480 We like being recognized. 00:08:38.480 --> 00:08:42.159 You know, when somebody acknowledges us. 00:08:43.680 --> 00:08:45.600 The Lord's work can be like that too. 00:08:45.720 --> 00:08:47.779 People want to do something where people see it. 00:08:49.940 --> 00:08:55.080 I'm always appreciative of those who do the work that no one sees. 00:08:55.080 --> 00:08:58.960 I got here about 8 o'clock this morning. 00:08:59.960 --> 00:09:02.440 An hour before the 9 o'clock worship. 00:09:02.759 --> 00:09:06.379 But when I got here, the signs were already put outside. 00:09:07.240 --> 00:09:11.740 Those things that are in the road to help people crawl safely were already out there. 00:09:13.060 --> 00:09:15.660 There were people already working in the building in different areas. 00:09:16.420 --> 00:09:19.020 Securing the building and making coffee. 00:09:19.019 --> 00:09:22.819 There were musicians in here already practicing and playing. 00:09:25.059 --> 00:09:29.500 Things nobody really sees but are significant. 00:09:31.840 --> 00:09:35.720 Now I want you to be clear that whatever you do for the Lord will be seen. 00:09:37.879 --> 00:09:40.699 Whatever you do for the Lord will be seen. 00:09:40.799 --> 00:09:42.519 Sometimes it might be seen by other people. 00:09:42.519 --> 00:09:50.579 But I want you to remember always that we serve an audience of one. 00:09:51.899 --> 00:09:54.539 We do what we do for the Lord. 00:09:57.159 --> 00:10:00.120 Even though it may be a task that feels like it's unseen. 00:10:02.159 --> 00:10:07.460 He could have easily turned this down, the task, because he would be ridiculed. 00:10:09.299 --> 00:10:11.299 A dude carrying a jug of water. 00:10:11.299 --> 00:10:12.620 What's that about? 00:10:13.199 --> 00:10:14.399 You could hear the snickers. 00:10:16.099 --> 00:10:19.139 It would have been easy for him to say, I'm not doing that. 00:10:19.240 --> 00:10:20.559 I mean, what are people going to think? 00:10:23.339 --> 00:10:24.439 I'm not doing that. 00:10:28.179 --> 00:10:30.959 Last week I challenged you to pray. 00:10:33.399 --> 00:10:36.699 I asked you particularly to pray for four people. 00:10:38.819 --> 00:10:40.179 That God laid on your heart. 00:10:40.179 --> 00:10:46.039 Four people to invite to join us in worship on Easter Sunday. 00:10:46.559 --> 00:10:48.179 We gave out this card. 00:10:48.679 --> 00:10:51.419 It's a large card hooked to a small card. 00:10:52.299 --> 00:10:58.399 You were to write four names on that card that you're willing to simply pray about inviting. 00:11:00.199 --> 00:11:01.779 I didn't tell you to invite them yet. 00:11:02.120 --> 00:11:03.659 I just said pray about it. 00:11:05.959 --> 00:11:07.379 Write those four names down. 00:11:07.379 --> 00:11:08.460 You keep the big card. 00:11:09.539 --> 00:11:10.799 Write four names on this side. 00:11:11.000 --> 00:11:11.960 Turn in the small card. 00:11:12.259 --> 00:11:13.799 You put them down here at this cross. 00:11:13.799 --> 00:11:23.139 And I promised you last week that if you would do that and begin to pray for these people, that I will join you in prayer. 00:11:25.779 --> 00:11:31.039 And so this week, I came up here and I took those cards that had been scattered around that cross. 00:11:31.039 --> 00:11:33.719 And I put them in a stack. 00:11:33.719 --> 00:11:34.959 I sat down on that front row. 00:11:36.740 --> 00:11:38.799 I put them in a stack and I went through every one of them. 00:11:38.799 --> 00:11:43.479 I looked at those names and I prayed over those names. 00:11:45.639 --> 00:11:49.459 Some of those cards had more than four people on it. 00:11:50.740 --> 00:11:51.819 Some had less. 00:11:53.799 --> 00:11:58.539 Some had people who they wanted me to pray for salvation. 00:11:58.799 --> 00:11:59.979 They were not in this area. 00:12:00.059 --> 00:12:01.159 They're not going to be here for Easter. 00:12:01.259 --> 00:12:01.719 They knew that. 00:12:01.779 --> 00:12:03.699 But they wanted me to pray for their salvation. 00:12:04.179 --> 00:12:05.620 And so they wrote that over to the side. 00:12:05.620 --> 00:12:07.940 One particular card had about 12 or 13 people on there. 00:12:08.460 --> 00:12:10.820 Lost people to pray for, people to invite. 00:12:12.179 --> 00:12:15.779 Some people turned in the big card because they can't follow instructions. 00:12:17.820 --> 00:12:19.060 But I pray for those too. 00:12:19.060 --> 00:12:21.179 And pray for the person who turned in the big card. 00:12:26.779 --> 00:12:28.480 Some people turned in blank ones. 00:12:29.659 --> 00:12:30.700 I understand that. 00:12:30.700 --> 00:12:37.480 It could very well be that, Pastor, in my heart, I'm going to commit to this. 00:12:37.600 --> 00:12:40.120 But either I didn't find the pen that was in the pew. 00:12:41.160 --> 00:12:44.520 Or either those names aren't coming to me right now. 00:12:46.720 --> 00:12:49.080 But I believe in this and I'm committed to this. 00:12:49.220 --> 00:12:50.960 And I want to be a part of it. 00:12:52.759 --> 00:12:55.100 If you wasn't here last week or couldn't be a part of it, 00:12:55.160 --> 00:12:59.680 there are these cards on the information center in the back. 00:12:59.679 --> 00:13:00.459 It's not too late. 00:13:02.620 --> 00:13:08.759 I'll spend time on this front row in front of this cross with these names. 00:13:10.379 --> 00:13:13.879 Hundreds and hundreds of names. 00:13:14.019 --> 00:13:14.539 I counted them. 00:13:17.120 --> 00:13:18.959 Some people are on more than one card. 00:13:21.839 --> 00:13:25.779 Sometimes the family prayed for the same people because the cards were all together. 00:13:25.779 --> 00:13:31.839 And then ten later, somebody else prayed for the same people that family had prayed for. 00:13:33.500 --> 00:13:37.259 That's when God gets in this, folks. 00:13:40.839 --> 00:13:42.559 I want to ask you to do something else this morning. 00:13:42.559 --> 00:13:48.379 I want you to act on those prayers. 00:13:50.619 --> 00:13:56.759 And as you leave today, at each one of the front doors, there's a stack of these cards. 00:13:58.579 --> 00:14:03.179 This is four cards, invitation cards, that are hooked together. 00:14:03.379 --> 00:14:03.959 They're perforated. 00:14:03.960 --> 00:14:09.240 It says what time our worship is. 00:14:10.080 --> 00:14:13.280 It tells that child care is available during both worship hours. 00:14:13.580 --> 00:14:16.100 It gives our website if people want that information. 00:14:16.460 --> 00:14:17.740 It gives our address. 00:14:17.740 --> 00:14:32.940 As you pray for these four people, I encourage you, I ask you to take these cards, tear one off, and give it to one of those people. 00:14:32.940 --> 00:14:40.820 I don't mind how many cards you take. 00:14:42.840 --> 00:14:45.600 You can take a lot more cards than what you put out on that list. 00:14:46.940 --> 00:14:51.020 On April the 6th, those cards will do us no good. 00:14:52.560 --> 00:14:53.380 So take them. 00:14:53.900 --> 00:14:56.120 We can probably get more made if we need them. 00:14:56.720 --> 00:14:57.400 Just take them. 00:14:57.399 --> 00:15:03.360 If you'll use them. 00:15:04.939 --> 00:15:07.860 Don't put them on the back of a toilet hoping somebody sees it. 00:15:10.139 --> 00:15:12.399 Individually hand it to someone. 00:15:13.939 --> 00:15:16.100 It can be somebody through a drive-thru. 00:15:16.959 --> 00:15:18.840 It can be somebody in a grocery store. 00:15:19.480 --> 00:15:21.779 It can be somebody that cuts your grass. 00:15:22.439 --> 00:15:25.740 It can be somebody that you see walking down your street. 00:15:25.740 --> 00:15:30.659 It can be your neighbor that you don't know how to approach. 00:15:31.399 --> 00:15:33.060 It can be your family. 00:15:34.419 --> 00:15:36.980 Whoever God lays on your heart. 00:15:41.240 --> 00:15:43.159 It's a minute task. 00:15:44.759 --> 00:15:45.779 It really is. 00:15:47.659 --> 00:15:48.860 It's not a big deal. 00:15:51.060 --> 00:15:52.419 Some of you are better than this. 00:15:52.539 --> 00:15:53.320 It's just too easy. 00:15:53.519 --> 00:15:54.340 You can do better than this. 00:15:54.340 --> 00:15:55.720 So why bother doing that? 00:15:55.740 --> 00:15:59.480 And sometimes it seems unrelated. 00:16:00.500 --> 00:16:02.159 They probably won't be interested. 00:16:04.100 --> 00:16:07.360 It may seem like you'll be ridiculed for it. 00:16:10.360 --> 00:16:14.200 I'm telling you, God works through prayer. 00:16:14.320 --> 00:16:15.419 Prayer changes things. 00:16:15.560 --> 00:16:19.919 Not only does it change the people we're praying for, but it changes us as well. 00:16:19.919 --> 00:16:24.899 And when we act on it and actually do something with it, it's amazing what God can do. 00:16:25.339 --> 00:16:27.199 They're at every door in the front. 00:16:27.879 --> 00:16:29.419 They're on the offering boxes. 00:16:29.579 --> 00:16:30.319 They're at each table. 00:16:30.599 --> 00:16:32.339 I set the stacks out there myself. 00:16:34.740 --> 00:16:36.079 What will people think? 00:16:37.159 --> 00:16:38.719 Others may say it's too easy. 00:16:39.459 --> 00:16:40.299 It's not me. 00:16:40.419 --> 00:16:41.259 It's not what I do. 00:16:41.259 --> 00:16:42.059 I can't relate. 00:16:42.059 --> 00:16:42.159 I can't relate. 00:16:46.319 --> 00:16:47.639 It might seem minute. 00:16:49.340 --> 00:16:53.080 But sometimes when we see the minuteness of a task, God sees the importance of it. 00:16:54.100 --> 00:16:58.700 Never know what kind of bridge that little card may build in somebody's life. 00:16:58.759 --> 00:16:59.340 You never know that. 00:16:59.340 --> 00:17:02.820 The reality is the assignment is huge. 00:17:03.040 --> 00:17:05.640 Seems mine to you, but the reality is the assignment is huge. 00:17:06.460 --> 00:17:07.519 Why is it huge? 00:17:08.079 --> 00:17:09.039 How is it huge? 00:17:09.100 --> 00:17:09.819 It's necessary. 00:17:11.059 --> 00:17:14.640 There are no mistakes and accidents or waste in God's economy. 00:17:14.779 --> 00:17:22.340 Everything that he tells us to do is for a reason and is of great magnitude, greater magnitude than we could ever imagine. 00:17:23.360 --> 00:17:25.700 When God speaks to us, we obey him. 00:17:25.740 --> 00:17:26.660 It could be huge. 00:17:26.660 --> 00:17:29.620 I want you to go with me for a minute. 00:17:30.100 --> 00:17:34.420 What if this water boy did not follow his simple assignment? 00:17:36.259 --> 00:17:38.240 He was to carry a water jar. 00:17:38.540 --> 00:17:41.680 Not a man's job, but he was to carry a water jar. 00:17:45.220 --> 00:17:48.640 What if he had not done that simple assignment? 00:17:50.259 --> 00:17:56.259 They would not have been guided to the room to prep it for the Last Supper. 00:17:56.660 --> 00:18:01.220 The Last Supper may not have even taken place. 00:18:03.700 --> 00:18:15.240 The longest lesson that we have that Jesus teaches is in John chapter 13 through John chapter 17, possibly would not even have been taught. 00:18:15.240 --> 00:18:23.240 A lot would have changed if he had been disobedient. 00:18:24.000 --> 00:18:28.500 Now, I know that some of you are going to say God would have another way. 00:18:29.079 --> 00:18:29.779 You're right. 00:18:29.920 --> 00:18:31.339 God could do it another way. 00:18:31.400 --> 00:18:32.140 He sure can. 00:18:32.460 --> 00:18:33.539 But why should he? 00:18:34.160 --> 00:18:35.400 Why should he have to? 00:18:35.400 --> 00:18:44.540 Why does God have to work around us to get done what he wants to get done instead of working through us? 00:18:45.259 --> 00:18:46.640 I mean, I hope you're like me. 00:18:46.759 --> 00:18:48.680 I want God to use me. 00:18:49.120 --> 00:18:51.380 I want God to work through me. 00:18:51.660 --> 00:18:58.200 May the Lord not have to work around me, but instead when he can work through me. 00:18:58.200 --> 00:19:04.480 The obedience of the water boy didn't just change the life of the disciples. 00:19:05.819 --> 00:19:08.000 Folks, it's changed our lives. 00:19:09.840 --> 00:19:16.700 The impact of somebody carrying a water jar and just going where he was assigned to go because Scripture says they just followed him. 00:19:18.140 --> 00:19:19.799 Just him carrying that out. 00:19:20.720 --> 00:19:22.900 He was just simply faithful. 00:19:22.900 --> 00:19:25.840 Maybe to do an awkward task. 00:19:27.460 --> 00:19:28.960 But man, it was necessary. 00:19:29.980 --> 00:19:31.420 And his assignment was huge. 00:19:31.620 --> 00:19:33.160 It was huge because it was necessary. 00:19:33.360 --> 00:19:35.060 It was huge because it was obedience. 00:19:36.440 --> 00:19:37.660 And I'm going to tell you something. 00:19:37.960 --> 00:19:40.360 It is in the plan of God that we are obedient. 00:19:41.000 --> 00:19:43.100 And our obedience makes a difference. 00:19:43.720 --> 00:19:44.920 I've already picked on Noah. 00:19:45.180 --> 00:19:45.940 Let me do it again. 00:19:46.300 --> 00:19:50.800 God told Noah, be obedient and build a boat. 00:19:50.799 --> 00:19:53.440 That's a strange service. 00:19:55.119 --> 00:20:01.899 Yet the lives of every coming generation rested on his construction of that. 00:20:02.779 --> 00:20:04.779 You don't know your influence. 00:20:06.480 --> 00:20:08.519 We don't know the influence we've had. 00:20:09.720 --> 00:20:20.019 60 years ago, this sanctuary was placed here by the sacrifice of a generation that had the foresight to look to coming generations. 00:20:20.019 --> 00:20:23.200 To be able to worship the Lord here adequately. 00:20:23.759 --> 00:20:33.639 And as we deal with maintaining and improving and one day, if the Lord will, maybe even expanding what God has given us on this campus, 00:20:34.319 --> 00:20:36.200 let us be faithful. 00:20:37.299 --> 00:20:44.519 Let us be obedient and see how God can use us in just a small way to do huge tasks. 00:20:44.519 --> 00:20:48.359 Let us take a moment to look around us. 00:20:48.579 --> 00:20:50.119 And I don't mean this rhetorically. 00:20:50.639 --> 00:20:55.099 I want you to take a moment to look around. 00:20:56.019 --> 00:20:56.879 Crane your neck. 00:20:56.980 --> 00:20:57.460 Go ahead. 00:20:57.920 --> 00:20:59.579 Your mama told you not to, but go ahead. 00:21:00.519 --> 00:21:02.279 Look around at other people. 00:21:07.400 --> 00:21:08.980 Let me ask you a personal question. 00:21:08.980 --> 00:21:16.839 What influence are you leaving on those around you? 00:21:21.839 --> 00:21:27.819 What influence are we leaving on those around us? 00:21:30.339 --> 00:21:38.539 God's placed us here to make a difference. 00:21:38.980 --> 00:21:42.140 Small difference. 00:21:43.640 --> 00:21:44.559 Minute task. 00:21:46.440 --> 00:21:47.380 But huge. 00:21:50.519 --> 00:21:57.620 Our daily walk with God is monstrantly important to the kingdom and those that need Christ. 00:21:57.619 --> 00:22:04.399 Small steps of obedience on a faithful walk with Jesus make up for great strides in the kingdom of God. 00:22:04.459 --> 00:22:04.839 It does. 00:22:06.599 --> 00:22:10.039 When God tells us what we're to do, the task is huge. 00:22:10.619 --> 00:22:11.619 Do you know why it's huge? 00:22:11.699 --> 00:22:14.879 Because the task is the plan of God. 00:22:18.279 --> 00:22:19.279 Let me explain. 00:22:19.279 --> 00:22:32.379 Either Jesus told them to meet this man and follow him to the room because Jesus knew that man was coming even before he ever left. 00:22:32.380 --> 00:22:39.040 In other words, Jesus told them to do it based on his foreknowledge of the events. 00:22:40.540 --> 00:22:53.300 Or either Jesus orchestrated a plan for the man to look conspicuous enough for them to recognize him, follow him, and carry out the needed instructions. 00:22:53.299 --> 00:22:53.539 Theologians. 00:22:55.960 --> 00:23:03.559 Theologians tend to agree that it was not based on the foreknowledge of Christ. 00:23:03.759 --> 00:23:12.899 Not because he was not able to do it that way, but they believed that it was not due to the foreknowledge of Christ, even though it could have been, 00:23:12.900 --> 00:23:17.519 but instead that Jesus had pre-orchestrated the whole matter. 00:23:20.120 --> 00:23:23.400 Why would he pre-orchestrate this task? 00:23:24.000 --> 00:23:27.080 I can give you three reasons, at least. 00:23:27.519 --> 00:23:29.259 One of them is the Lord's Supper. 00:23:31.840 --> 00:23:33.900 He instituted the Lord's Supper. 00:23:35.280 --> 00:23:39.420 This was the last supper that he would have with him before his death and resurrection. 00:23:39.420 --> 00:23:44.259 He would explain how the Passover meal would forever be changed. 00:23:45.420 --> 00:23:50.460 After the cross, the bread and the drink would no longer represent the Passover. 00:23:52.039 --> 00:24:00.880 After this meal, from now on, the bread and the drink would represent the body and the blood of Christ. 00:24:01.039 --> 00:24:02.539 A significant event. 00:24:04.380 --> 00:24:06.840 Not only that, but the Holy Spirit promise. 00:24:06.839 --> 00:24:11.879 Because in that teaching, the longest that we have of Christ anywhere in Scripture, 00:24:12.279 --> 00:24:15.459 in that room, he told them of the coming of the Holy Spirit. 00:24:15.939 --> 00:24:18.720 He promised them the helper would come. 00:24:19.199 --> 00:24:20.579 The spirit of truth. 00:24:21.299 --> 00:24:25.959 That the Holy Spirit would teach us what we need to know. 00:24:27.179 --> 00:24:27.899 Listen to this. 00:24:27.939 --> 00:24:28.500 This is a blessing. 00:24:28.919 --> 00:24:34.559 He would help us to recall those things that his word teaches us. 00:24:34.559 --> 00:24:39.379 He would help us to be a witness that God has called us to be. 00:24:39.599 --> 00:24:41.019 That he would enable us. 00:24:41.220 --> 00:24:42.440 That he would empower us. 00:24:42.539 --> 00:24:43.339 It's all there. 00:24:43.599 --> 00:24:45.139 He said it all in that room. 00:24:45.399 --> 00:24:49.980 The last thing he said to them before he prayed for them and headed out to the Garden of Gethsemane 00:24:49.980 --> 00:24:52.159 to pray and be arrested was this. 00:24:52.419 --> 00:24:54.799 In John 16, verse 33, 00:24:55.000 --> 00:24:59.279 I have said these things to you that in me you may have peace. 00:24:59.279 --> 00:25:04.059 In the world, you will have tribulation. 00:25:04.740 --> 00:25:05.879 But take heart. 00:25:06.579 --> 00:25:07.759 I've overcome the world. 00:25:10.859 --> 00:25:13.579 This task was important because the Holy Spirit promised. 00:25:14.079 --> 00:25:16.240 The third reason is because of the coming betrayal. 00:25:16.240 --> 00:25:27.099 By going to this room early and setting it up the way that Christ had them to prepare the room, 00:25:27.620 --> 00:25:31.200 the other disciples did not know where the room was. 00:25:31.759 --> 00:25:34.700 If they had known, they wouldn't have needed the guy for the water to take him to you. 00:25:35.160 --> 00:25:35.339 Okay. 00:25:36.279 --> 00:25:37.660 So they didn't know where it was. 00:25:37.740 --> 00:25:39.140 And you know who else didn't know where it was? 00:25:39.539 --> 00:25:39.859 Judas. 00:25:41.539 --> 00:25:42.640 Judas didn't know where it was. 00:25:42.640 --> 00:25:50.420 And Judas, at the same time, was setting up the price of betrayal to betray Jesus 00:25:50.420 --> 00:25:58.400 and to lead them to arrest Jesus where other people, a crowd, would not be swarming around Jesus 00:25:58.400 --> 00:26:00.759 and so they would not gain attention. 00:26:01.820 --> 00:26:06.340 Judas was setting all of that up and then he gets back to the disciples. 00:26:06.900 --> 00:26:10.400 After the room is prepared, they all go together to the room. 00:26:10.400 --> 00:26:15.940 As the Lord's Supper is being administered, Judas takes off after Jesus confronts him 00:26:15.940 --> 00:26:22.720 and brings those who have paid him to the garden where they have gone to pray. 00:26:24.140 --> 00:26:32.220 If Judas had known ahead of time, this time together in this room would have been interrupted with an arrest. 00:26:33.580 --> 00:26:38.040 It would have been easier to do it in that room in a contained spot than it would be out in the woods in a garden. 00:26:39.040 --> 00:26:40.100 It would have been a whole lot easier. 00:26:40.400 --> 00:26:43.800 If so, no Lord's Supper possibly. 00:26:44.220 --> 00:26:46.280 If so, no teaching on the Holy Spirit. 00:26:46.540 --> 00:26:49.200 If so, no promise of his continued presence. 00:26:50.560 --> 00:26:51.100 Get this. 00:26:51.300 --> 00:26:55.180 This young man carrying a woman's pot of water not only carried water, 00:26:55.380 --> 00:27:01.460 he carried out a huge plan of God that was much more than he could ever imagine. 00:27:02.340 --> 00:27:03.080 And do you know what? 00:27:03.080 --> 00:27:08.540 God has a great plan for our lives. 00:27:08.539 --> 00:27:38.519 God has a great plan for our lives. 00:27:38.539 --> 00:27:42.259 God has a great plan for our lives. 00:27:42.259 --> 00:27:45.619 I'll tell you one thing he's laid before us, Pickens First Baptist Church. 00:27:48.159 --> 00:27:51.099 We're to invite people to worship with us on Easter Sunday. 00:27:51.099 --> 00:27:58.659 because it's an open opportunity that many will be open to consider 00:27:58.659 --> 00:28:03.980 who would not otherwise be open to consider at other times. 00:28:05.980 --> 00:28:11.539 However, I will tell you, many, even most, will not come 00:28:11.539 --> 00:28:13.899 if they're not personally invited. 00:28:16.059 --> 00:28:17.419 It makes a difference. 00:28:17.420 --> 00:28:21.759 That's just one task, and that's small, folks. 00:28:22.220 --> 00:28:28.840 It's awkward, maybe, but it could be huge. 00:28:31.920 --> 00:28:34.080 What is it that God wants you to do? 00:28:35.920 --> 00:28:38.680 I've given you one example, one that's burdened on me 00:28:38.680 --> 00:28:41.700 because I think we need to take advantage of the opportunity at Easter. 00:28:41.900 --> 00:28:42.240 I really do. 00:28:43.500 --> 00:28:44.960 Great time for somebody to hear the gospel. 00:28:45.800 --> 00:28:46.940 Let's open to it. 00:28:48.240 --> 00:28:51.759 An exciting atmosphere, positive atmosphere, 00:28:51.759 --> 00:28:53.360 and y'all put your best clothes on, too. 00:28:53.640 --> 00:28:54.740 I mean, you know, it's a good atmosphere. 00:28:57.860 --> 00:29:02.660 But I realize that it could be that God's telling you something else beyond that, 00:29:03.220 --> 00:29:04.580 in addition to that. 00:29:06.779 --> 00:29:12.019 It could be that you've never given your life to Christ, 00:29:12.519 --> 00:29:13.580 never surrendered your life to Christ, 00:29:13.579 --> 00:29:16.319 been affiliated with the church, 00:29:16.460 --> 00:29:18.059 maybe even led some things in the church. 00:29:18.059 --> 00:29:24.559 But the reality is you've never acknowledged your sin before Christ 00:29:24.559 --> 00:29:28.220 and asked him to save you and forgive you and change your life. 00:29:28.279 --> 00:29:29.099 You've never done that. 00:29:29.099 --> 00:29:32.399 And if that's the case, I'm going to tell you, 00:29:33.059 --> 00:29:35.799 it is not the will of God that any should perish. 00:29:35.799 --> 00:29:43.200 And today is the day of salvation. 00:29:45.460 --> 00:29:49.039 He will not turn one away who submits to him. 00:29:49.039 --> 00:29:52.519 If you've never given your heart and life to Christ, 00:29:52.599 --> 00:29:53.619 I encourage you to do that today. 00:29:54.579 --> 00:29:57.379 Maybe you have, but you've never acknowledged that publicly. 00:29:57.380 --> 00:30:00.960 Jesus, by his commission and by his example, 00:30:01.080 --> 00:30:03.020 tell us to follow that with baptism. 00:30:04.320 --> 00:30:05.980 We plan on doing that next week. 00:30:06.080 --> 00:30:07.420 And so if you've never been baptized, 00:30:08.160 --> 00:30:10.360 you come, say, Pastor, I want to be baptized. 00:30:12.260 --> 00:30:13.860 I've given my life to Christ, 00:30:14.280 --> 00:30:18.100 but I've never publicly acknowledged it the way I need to acknowledge it. 00:30:18.520 --> 00:30:19.800 And I want to make sure that's right. 00:30:20.480 --> 00:30:21.200 Come, do that. 00:30:22.240 --> 00:30:24.680 Maybe God's drawing you to pick in First Baptist Church. 00:30:24.680 --> 00:30:26.860 This is where God would have you to plant your life. 00:30:27.219 --> 00:30:28.919 And if that's the case, you come, 00:30:28.979 --> 00:30:30.659 and I'll be happy to guide you in that. 00:30:34.939 --> 00:30:39.639 But I also know there's other tasks in this room 00:30:39.639 --> 00:30:41.099 that I have no idea what they are. 00:30:43.859 --> 00:30:46.039 And they may seem really small in your life, 00:30:46.079 --> 00:30:47.740 and they may seem really huge in your life, 00:30:47.779 --> 00:30:49.019 and they may seem really awkward, 00:30:49.539 --> 00:30:51.279 and they may seem somewhat unrelated. 00:30:51.279 --> 00:30:58.639 I'm telling you, whatever God's telling you to do, 00:30:58.700 --> 00:30:59.359 you trust him. 00:31:01.139 --> 00:31:01.660 Trust him. 00:31:03.339 --> 00:31:05.559 Your disobedience not only gets in the way of you, 00:31:05.599 --> 00:31:06.519 it gets in the way of us. 00:31:08.359 --> 00:31:09.259 It affects us. 00:31:10.639 --> 00:31:12.240 So whatever God's telling you to do, 00:31:12.319 --> 00:31:14.220 I encourage you to surrender that today. 00:31:14.220 --> 00:31:17.539 Whether you do that in the pew where you stand in just a moment, 00:31:17.600 --> 00:31:18.600 or whether you do it at this altar, 00:31:18.680 --> 00:31:19.960 or whether you want me to pray with you. 00:31:22.019 --> 00:31:23.180 Whatever it is, 00:31:24.960 --> 00:31:26.100 let's just tote the water. 00:31:26.099 --> 00:31:32.059 Just carry the jug where God wants us to carry it, 00:31:32.799 --> 00:31:34.859 and do what God wants us to do, 00:31:35.559 --> 00:31:37.419 and trust the rest of him. 00:31:38.299 --> 00:31:39.559 Heavenly Father, I love you. 00:31:40.319 --> 00:31:42.159 I thank you, Lord, for your love for us. 00:31:42.259 --> 00:31:43.399 Thank you, Lord, for your guidance. 00:31:43.579 --> 00:31:45.699 I thank you, Lord, for the conviction of the Spirit of God. 00:31:46.079 --> 00:31:48.419 I thank you, Lord, for the boldness that you give us. 00:31:48.500 --> 00:31:51.039 I pray, dear God, that we'll act on all of those things, 00:31:51.159 --> 00:31:53.459 and be obedient to follow you today, 00:31:53.980 --> 00:31:55.719 and exactly what we're to do right now. 00:31:56.099 --> 00:31:58.119 In Jesus' precious name, amen.