WEBVTT 00:00:00.200 --> 00:00:17.600 Ephesians chapter 6, the miseries of the Continental Army in Valley Forge during the winter of 1777 and 1778 is a history that has remained with me since I first heard it in elementary school. 00:00:17.600 --> 00:00:21.940 How cold it was and how miserable they were. 00:00:22.500 --> 00:00:32.320 Since then, the more I've read, the more I've felt sorry for them in the midst of what they did to establish America. 00:00:33.260 --> 00:00:40.579 They got their footwear from the French and it was low quality and it was too small. 00:00:41.579 --> 00:00:46.680 And once it worn out, a third of the soldiers didn't have any shoes. 00:00:47.600 --> 00:00:55.900 None of them had winter shoes and it was cold and traction was rough unless without snowshoes. 00:00:57.320 --> 00:00:59.800 It was a problem during those wintry days. 00:01:00.679 --> 00:01:14.680 Some of them had made their own rough-hewn moccasins and General George Washington ordered rawhides and offered a reward for a makeshift cobbler that could help them to have better shoes. 00:01:14.680 --> 00:01:19.720 They added heel plates to some, hobnails to others and that helped. 00:01:20.060 --> 00:01:21.720 However, I'll just be honest, it was horrible. 00:01:23.160 --> 00:01:26.220 Many marched in ice and snow shoeless. 00:01:27.780 --> 00:01:29.860 Frostbite was epidemic. 00:01:31.240 --> 00:01:33.860 Feet froze, legs froze until they were black. 00:01:34.800 --> 00:01:36.320 Amputations were necessary. 00:01:36.319 --> 00:01:44.459 Amputations were done with a saw, a leather strap, and something to knock the edge off. 00:01:45.780 --> 00:01:50.319 Took about seven minutes to do the average amputation. 00:01:50.939 --> 00:01:54.299 Although to me, it don't sound like any amputation was average. 00:01:55.719 --> 00:02:01.359 You only had a 35% chance of survival after undergoing that surgery. 00:02:01.359 --> 00:02:05.420 I said all that to say good footwear is important. 00:02:07.159 --> 00:02:14.300 And it is not only in the continental wars that it's important, but it's also important in the spiritual wars. 00:02:15.319 --> 00:02:20.560 And I want you to notice what Paul says about today's piece of armor. 00:02:21.099 --> 00:02:25.300 I want to remind you what we're looking at is the armor of God. 00:02:25.300 --> 00:02:33.080 In Ephesians chapter 6, it is six symbolic pieces of the armor of God. 00:02:33.240 --> 00:02:35.120 And today, we look at the third one. 00:02:35.880 --> 00:02:38.840 It's found in Ephesians chapter 6, verse 15. 00:02:38.939 --> 00:02:41.660 I'll read 14 to put it in context. 00:02:42.520 --> 00:02:42.800 And it says, 00:02:43.100 --> 00:02:47.560 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 00:02:47.560 --> 00:02:55.500 and as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 00:02:56.099 --> 00:03:01.439 We're talking in this passage about a Roman soldier's battle wear. 00:03:02.420 --> 00:03:08.860 Soldiers of that day wore thick-soled, like a half-sandal, half-boot, 00:03:09.819 --> 00:03:12.939 toeless, heel-less, leather boot. 00:03:12.939 --> 00:03:19.780 It had hobnails coming out the bottom of the sole of the shoe so that it made for a cleat. 00:03:20.840 --> 00:03:24.659 And it provided a firm foundation, at least as firm as they could in that day. 00:03:25.300 --> 00:03:31.199 Paul compared it to the gospel of Jesus Christ, our source of peace. 00:03:32.079 --> 00:03:37.699 Anytime you see the word peace in Scripture, whether it be the Hebrew version of Shalom, 00:03:37.900 --> 00:03:41.659 or whether it be in the Greek in the New Testament, 00:03:41.659 --> 00:03:45.419 either way, peace speaks of wholeness. 00:03:46.120 --> 00:03:47.599 It speaks of completeness. 00:03:47.979 --> 00:03:49.859 It's not really an absence of conflict. 00:03:50.120 --> 00:03:55.539 It's the fact that you have all that you need in the midst of whatever you face. 00:03:56.300 --> 00:04:02.780 And the reality is that no one can really find true peace without the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. 00:04:03.039 --> 00:04:06.079 Without Him, in other words, you are not whole. 00:04:07.039 --> 00:04:11.019 Without Him, you are not sound, even though you may think you are. 00:04:11.020 --> 00:04:16.819 And this is what he tells about the life-changing gospel. 00:04:16.980 --> 00:04:24.180 Now, the question I had for years was why did he compare the gospel to shoes? 00:04:25.199 --> 00:04:26.480 Where did that come from? 00:04:26.900 --> 00:04:28.939 Let me give you some ideas of where that came from. 00:04:29.800 --> 00:04:33.840 For one is, you need to be securely footed. 00:04:34.480 --> 00:04:36.120 You need to be securely footed. 00:04:36.120 --> 00:04:47.120 The gospel of John is the most evangelical gospel that we have, the most evangelistic gospel that we have. 00:04:47.420 --> 00:04:56.560 He writes about Jesus' encounter with Nicodemus, and that leads to probably the most popular passage of Scripture in the Bible, John 3.16. 00:04:57.040 --> 00:05:03.340 He writes about the seven I am statements of Christ that tell us what we get when we get Jesus. 00:05:03.339 --> 00:05:10.459 He tells us about the lady who was caught in adultery that Jesus forgave and set free. 00:05:10.879 --> 00:05:13.439 He talks about the truth setting us free. 00:05:13.739 --> 00:05:16.120 He talks about the raising of Lazarus. 00:05:16.359 --> 00:05:19.819 He talks about Christ being the resurrection and the life. 00:05:20.179 --> 00:05:25.199 And he finishes up his book by saying in John 20, verse 30 and 31, 00:05:25.199 --> 00:05:31.279 Now, Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. 00:05:31.819 --> 00:05:37.360 But get this, but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, 00:05:37.420 --> 00:05:41.560 and that by believing you may have life in his name. 00:05:41.639 --> 00:05:45.599 The only thing that follows that is the resurrection of Christ. 00:05:46.419 --> 00:05:51.599 In the New Testament, there is one big John, that's the gospel of John, and three little Johns. 00:05:51.600 --> 00:05:54.300 First John, second John, and third John. 00:05:55.140 --> 00:06:01.080 And he also writes the book of Revelation without an S on the end of it, by the way. 00:06:01.780 --> 00:06:07.680 And the largest of his three letters, first John, second John, and third John, is first John, 00:06:07.980 --> 00:06:12.420 which he concludes with first John 5, verse 13 when it says, 00:06:12.420 --> 00:06:16.680 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, 00:06:16.800 --> 00:06:20.500 that you may know that you have eternal life. 00:06:21.600 --> 00:06:26.220 John is emphasizing to us over and over again that he's writing to lead people to Christ 00:06:26.220 --> 00:06:30.439 and to help people to be securely footed in Christ. 00:06:30.879 --> 00:06:36.600 In other words, we need to know that we know that we know the Lord. 00:06:37.140 --> 00:06:44.260 Knowing that you're saved is the greatest gift that God can give you outside of salvation itself, quite honestly. 00:06:44.259 --> 00:06:49.899 And I can't help but think that as he writes the gospel of John, as he writes the three letters of John, 00:06:49.939 --> 00:06:54.459 and as he talks about those things, I can't help but think that he's probably thinking about that time, 00:06:54.839 --> 00:07:01.039 that he and Peter healed a lame man in the name of Jesus at the gate called Beautiful. 00:07:01.980 --> 00:07:05.680 And they were hauled in before the Sanhedrin because of that, 00:07:06.039 --> 00:07:08.939 the high priests, the rulers, the elders, and the scribes, 00:07:08.939 --> 00:07:12.019 and they were asked, where do you get this power from? 00:07:12.319 --> 00:07:15.339 And they responded and said it came from Jesus. 00:07:15.480 --> 00:07:17.480 And then they said this in Acts 4, verse 12, 00:07:18.000 --> 00:07:20.399 And there is salvation in no one else, 00:07:20.680 --> 00:07:25.040 for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. 00:07:25.180 --> 00:07:26.800 They were clear. 00:07:27.060 --> 00:07:28.939 And John wants it to be clear. 00:07:29.240 --> 00:07:30.899 Salvation starts with Christ. 00:07:31.199 --> 00:07:34.060 We need to know that we're saved. 00:07:34.060 --> 00:07:38.740 Knowing that you know you're saved is the greatest gift you can have in life. 00:07:39.780 --> 00:07:44.759 And if you'll give a heartfelt plea to the Lord to save you, 00:07:44.939 --> 00:07:48.019 to forgive you, and to change you, 00:07:48.399 --> 00:07:52.480 you can have a confidence this morning that that's exactly what he'll do. 00:07:52.759 --> 00:07:54.840 The greatest gift that could be given is salvation. 00:07:55.000 --> 00:07:58.120 The greatest miracle that could be performed is salvation. 00:07:58.120 --> 00:08:00.540 He takes the dirty and makes it clean. 00:08:00.899 --> 00:08:02.800 He takes the condemned and makes it forgiven. 00:08:02.800 --> 00:08:05.160 He takes the temporal and makes it eternal. 00:08:05.420 --> 00:08:08.139 It's the greatest prayer that you could pray. 00:08:08.639 --> 00:08:10.379 And you can ask God for more, 00:08:10.500 --> 00:08:15.780 you ask God for more when you ask him to save you 00:08:15.780 --> 00:08:18.360 than any other thing that you ask of him. 00:08:19.580 --> 00:08:20.860 Now I want you to remember that. 00:08:21.580 --> 00:08:23.480 When you ask God to save you, 00:08:23.540 --> 00:08:26.160 you ask him for more than anything else you could ever ask. 00:08:26.639 --> 00:08:29.819 And he answers it more swiftly than any other prayer. 00:08:29.819 --> 00:08:32.180 1 John 5, 14 and 15 says this, 00:08:32.179 --> 00:08:34.459 And this is the confidence that we have toward you, 00:08:34.539 --> 00:08:37.459 that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 00:08:37.959 --> 00:08:40.699 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, 00:08:40.839 --> 00:08:44.259 we know that we have the request that we've asked of him. 00:08:44.739 --> 00:08:47.979 Now listen, there's a lot I don't understand about the economy of God. 00:08:48.059 --> 00:08:51.500 There's a lot I don't understand on why he allows certain things to happen 00:08:51.500 --> 00:08:53.939 and why he moves in this particular way 00:08:53.939 --> 00:08:56.000 and why this happens and all those things. 00:08:56.039 --> 00:08:57.539 There's a lot about that I don't understand. 00:08:57.539 --> 00:09:01.579 But I know this, and I say it with authority of the word of God. 00:09:01.679 --> 00:09:04.799 If you'll ask the Lord Jesus to save you, 00:09:05.620 --> 00:09:10.039 and you mean that in committing your life to Christ, 00:09:10.279 --> 00:09:13.860 his will is to save you. 00:09:14.539 --> 00:09:18.199 If you ask him to save you, he hears your prayer. 00:09:18.939 --> 00:09:23.019 If you ask him to save you in your heartfelt and surrendering your life, 00:09:23.019 --> 00:09:26.059 he will save you. 00:09:26.399 --> 00:09:27.600 You need to know that you're saved. 00:09:27.679 --> 00:09:30.319 Not only that, but you also need to know that he loves you, 00:09:30.519 --> 00:09:32.659 and he forgives us, thank God. 00:09:33.319 --> 00:09:34.840 He loves us, and he forgives us. 00:09:35.860 --> 00:09:39.740 We are sinners, and we are messed up. 00:09:40.439 --> 00:09:42.100 And don't look haughty at me this morning. 00:09:42.559 --> 00:09:44.019 I'm speaking to every last one of you. 00:09:44.659 --> 00:09:45.240 We are. 00:09:45.399 --> 00:09:47.039 We're sinners, and we're messed up. 00:09:47.039 --> 00:09:52.120 And we may feel alienated from God and broken in our relationship with God. 00:09:52.360 --> 00:09:56.759 Even if we know we're saved, in reality, because of things in our life, 00:09:56.799 --> 00:09:58.199 we may feel broken about that. 00:09:58.919 --> 00:10:02.120 We may not be where we want to be with the Lord at this time. 00:10:02.279 --> 00:10:03.740 But I want you to know something. 00:10:04.319 --> 00:10:05.299 God hadn't went anywhere. 00:10:06.319 --> 00:10:07.379 He hadn't moved a muscle. 00:10:08.240 --> 00:10:12.259 If we're distant from God, it's because we've moved, not because he's moved. 00:10:12.919 --> 00:10:14.399 He'll always be faithful. 00:10:14.399 --> 00:10:16.559 1 John 1, 9 says, 00:10:16.779 --> 00:10:20.559 If we confess our sins, he's faithful and just to forgive us of our sins 00:10:20.559 --> 00:10:22.399 and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 00:10:23.179 --> 00:10:25.159 I love this passage of Scripture. 00:10:25.279 --> 00:10:25.779 I love it. 00:10:26.019 --> 00:10:29.559 And the reason why I love it, because it says he's faithful. 00:10:30.139 --> 00:10:32.039 That means that he's willing to do it. 00:10:32.439 --> 00:10:34.019 And it says that he's just. 00:10:34.340 --> 00:10:36.100 That means he can do it. 00:10:36.819 --> 00:10:40.199 Listen, friend, if he was willing but couldn't, we'd be in a mess. 00:10:40.819 --> 00:10:43.399 And if he could but wouldn't, we'd be in a mess. 00:10:43.399 --> 00:10:46.419 But he can and he will. 00:10:46.840 --> 00:10:48.779 And because of that, he forgives of our sins. 00:10:48.919 --> 00:10:51.240 But I love the last phrase the best. 00:10:51.980 --> 00:10:54.399 And that is to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 00:10:55.480 --> 00:11:00.860 If I were to hand out a sheet of paper this morning and a pen and ask you to write your sins down, okay? 00:11:01.319 --> 00:11:06.959 Well, one, there's not enough paper in pickings for us to write down our sins, okay? 00:11:06.960 --> 00:11:10.580 And we're not going to stay here that long this morning to write them all down. 00:11:10.680 --> 00:11:17.160 But if we wrote down everything that we could think of, just between us and God, write down our sins. 00:11:17.220 --> 00:11:20.920 And I encourage you when you confess your sins, confess them by name. 00:11:22.019 --> 00:11:23.420 Write them down if necessary. 00:11:24.700 --> 00:11:27.200 Be serious about asking God to forgive you. 00:11:28.240 --> 00:11:30.740 Be seriously sorry for your sins. 00:11:30.740 --> 00:11:39.580 But if we were to write every one last thing down, every word that we said, every thought that we thought, everything that we did, we were to write it all down. 00:11:39.659 --> 00:11:40.580 I got news for you. 00:11:40.860 --> 00:11:42.320 We'd be missing a bunch. 00:11:42.879 --> 00:11:47.600 And the reason why is because we've got so good at sinning, we don't even think about it much anymore. 00:11:47.600 --> 00:11:52.540 There's some things in our life that we're so good at that we don't even think of it as that anymore. 00:11:52.879 --> 00:11:54.440 And that's why I like that last phrase. 00:11:54.720 --> 00:12:01.860 Because if we sincerely seek the Lord and ask Him to forgive us and to cleanse us and we really lay out our sins before the Lord, 00:12:02.200 --> 00:12:04.460 I encourage you to name them before the Lord. 00:12:05.139 --> 00:12:09.019 Give them to Him and ask God to forgive you and tell you how sorry you are for it. 00:12:09.060 --> 00:12:12.540 And how you want to walk away from it and want to repent from it and never do it again. 00:12:13.180 --> 00:12:14.720 Lay those things out before the Lord. 00:12:14.720 --> 00:12:19.899 And anything you miss along the way, thank God, He'll cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 00:12:20.220 --> 00:12:22.220 He's the one that wipes the slate clean. 00:12:22.500 --> 00:12:24.019 He's the one that takes care of it. 00:12:24.680 --> 00:12:25.940 He just loves us like that. 00:12:26.700 --> 00:12:30.180 John 14 verse 18 says, I will not leave you as orphans. 00:12:30.259 --> 00:12:30.960 I'll come to you. 00:12:31.160 --> 00:12:31.800 Listen, friend. 00:12:32.019 --> 00:12:34.300 That was when Jesus was about to ascend into glory too. 00:12:34.560 --> 00:12:36.220 I mean, He was about to go to the cross first. 00:12:36.340 --> 00:12:39.940 But then 40 days later, after He rose, He would be ascended. 00:12:39.940 --> 00:12:45.440 And He was telling those disciples what it's going to be like when I'm not physically in your presence. 00:12:45.600 --> 00:12:47.580 I will not leave you alone. 00:12:48.040 --> 00:12:49.420 I'm not going to leave you comfortless. 00:12:49.840 --> 00:12:50.660 I'll come to you. 00:12:50.700 --> 00:12:53.280 That's a promise not only for them but for us as well. 00:12:53.760 --> 00:12:56.660 Not only that, but in that same chapter in verse 27, He said, 00:12:56.780 --> 00:12:57.780 Peace I leave with you. 00:12:58.160 --> 00:12:59.500 My peace I give to you. 00:12:59.520 --> 00:13:01.480 Not as the world gives do I give unto you. 00:13:01.760 --> 00:13:03.040 Let not your hearts be troubled. 00:13:03.200 --> 00:13:05.060 Neither let them be afraid. 00:13:05.059 --> 00:13:08.219 You may say, I don't feel like God loves me. 00:13:08.319 --> 00:13:10.559 Or I don't feel like He'll forgive me. 00:13:11.279 --> 00:13:12.359 I got news for you. 00:13:12.500 --> 00:13:16.339 God's love and grace and mercy is not based upon your feelings. 00:13:17.039 --> 00:13:18.099 Thank God it's not. 00:13:18.179 --> 00:13:19.699 But it's not based upon our feelings. 00:13:20.019 --> 00:13:22.279 It's based upon the cross of Christ. 00:13:22.679 --> 00:13:23.859 Which is a done deal. 00:13:24.579 --> 00:13:26.979 And all we have to do is ask and surrender. 00:13:27.139 --> 00:13:30.500 And once we do that, we are blessed with eternal life. 00:13:30.879 --> 00:13:34.859 We need to know that we have eternal life. 00:13:35.619 --> 00:13:37.919 And as I've shared, that's why the Gospels were written. 00:13:38.699 --> 00:13:45.119 It is a Gospel of peace that was given to us so that we could have a secure footing. 00:13:46.159 --> 00:13:47.079 Listen, my friend. 00:13:47.079 --> 00:13:53.259 If you're here today and you've never surrendered your life to the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:13:53.759 --> 00:13:56.399 or there's a doubt in your mind that you're struggling, 00:13:56.539 --> 00:14:00.479 whether in reality you've ever truly committed your life to Christ today, 00:14:00.719 --> 00:14:03.599 don't you dare leave this place without nailing that down. 00:14:03.600 --> 00:14:07.700 You need secure footing in Christ. 00:14:08.600 --> 00:14:12.759 Everything else I'm going to tell you won't apply to you. 00:14:15.300 --> 00:14:21.080 Unless you're securely footed in Christ, you need to know the Lord Jesus. 00:14:21.860 --> 00:14:23.279 You need to surrender your life to Him. 00:14:24.100 --> 00:14:29.800 Give Him all that you are, and He'll make you everything that He'd have you to be. 00:14:29.799 --> 00:14:35.519 But not only does it stop there, but I believe He brings up these shoes of the Gospel 00:14:35.519 --> 00:14:37.659 because we also need to be firmly standing. 00:14:38.659 --> 00:14:39.759 We need to be firmly standing. 00:14:40.019 --> 00:14:42.699 Let's not forget that we're speaking of spiritual warfare here. 00:14:42.700 --> 00:14:45.080 We're on attack by the enemy. 00:14:45.900 --> 00:14:48.860 And if we don't stand firm, we'll fall to one of His attacks. 00:14:48.960 --> 00:14:51.400 And a few weeks ago, I talked about His attacks. 00:14:51.500 --> 00:14:54.340 I call them the demoralizing devices of the devil. 00:14:54.920 --> 00:15:00.820 And I want to revisit just a few of those just so you'll see how you need to stand firm, 00:15:00.980 --> 00:15:03.060 how you need to make sure that you hold your ground. 00:15:03.640 --> 00:15:05.740 One way He does it is He deceives us. 00:15:05.800 --> 00:15:06.900 He uses deception. 00:15:06.899 --> 00:15:11.699 And Paul warned the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 11.3. 00:15:11.819 --> 00:15:12.279 He said this, 00:15:12.559 --> 00:15:16.439 But I'm afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, 00:15:17.019 --> 00:15:23.079 your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 00:15:23.600 --> 00:15:23.879 Why? 00:15:24.019 --> 00:15:27.419 Because He seeks to deceive us. 00:15:28.740 --> 00:15:30.860 You know how sometimes when somebody's talking to you, 00:15:31.000 --> 00:15:33.039 and as they're talking to you, you know they're lying. 00:15:34.419 --> 00:15:35.439 I mean, you know they are. 00:15:35.440 --> 00:15:38.560 You ask them some question and they start talking. 00:15:39.600 --> 00:15:42.560 I mean, there might be some people that when their mouth is moving, they're lying. 00:15:42.740 --> 00:15:43.400 You know, you never know. 00:15:43.620 --> 00:15:46.640 But there's sometimes when you're talking to somebody, 00:15:46.720 --> 00:15:51.080 and you know good and well what they're telling you is not the truth. 00:15:51.840 --> 00:15:55.440 Whether you confront them with that or not, you just kind of get that sense. 00:15:56.140 --> 00:15:59.220 Well, that feeling that you get. 00:16:02.580 --> 00:16:03.540 I'm going to tell you something. 00:16:03.539 --> 00:16:06.279 Listen, if you'll walk faithfully with the Lord, 00:16:08.659 --> 00:16:10.439 and you'll trust His Word, 00:16:11.759 --> 00:16:13.319 and you'll take it in, 00:16:15.159 --> 00:16:23.899 the Holy Spirit will help us discern lying thoughts. 00:16:23.899 --> 00:16:29.360 Because the evil one will pepper us with stuff that ain't true. 00:16:30.199 --> 00:16:31.860 And we'll believe it if we're not careful. 00:16:33.439 --> 00:16:35.340 If we're not grounded in God's Word, 00:16:35.659 --> 00:16:39.539 if we're not standing firm, we'll believe that mess. 00:16:40.980 --> 00:16:43.039 And it may not be anything anybody else says to us. 00:16:43.100 --> 00:16:44.699 It may be something somebody else says to us. 00:16:44.700 --> 00:16:50.200 Because I promise you, He inundates what we hear today in our world. 00:16:50.400 --> 00:16:52.120 He inundates what we hear from other people. 00:16:52.840 --> 00:16:53.340 He does. 00:16:53.560 --> 00:16:55.080 But sometimes it don't take nobody else. 00:16:55.120 --> 00:16:56.060 It's just in our own head. 00:16:57.740 --> 00:16:59.300 He loves to mess with us like that. 00:16:59.360 --> 00:17:01.879 I call it the sweet nothings of the evil one, you know. 00:17:02.340 --> 00:17:04.279 He loves to whisper those things to us. 00:17:04.819 --> 00:17:06.059 You know how you know those things? 00:17:06.059 --> 00:17:09.139 You know what's truth and what's not, what's deceiving? 00:17:09.659 --> 00:17:12.740 It's by listening to the Holy Spirit, 00:17:12.879 --> 00:17:17.139 help you discern the lying thoughts that come up. 00:17:19.339 --> 00:17:20.919 I'll tell you another way He does it. 00:17:22.139 --> 00:17:23.259 And it all correlates together, 00:17:23.319 --> 00:17:24.359 and I'll bring it together in a minute. 00:17:24.759 --> 00:17:25.839 And that's darkening. 00:17:26.240 --> 00:17:27.819 And I don't know how else to put this. 00:17:27.839 --> 00:17:30.480 That's what Scripture calls it, and that's what it is. 00:17:31.079 --> 00:17:33.759 The Word of God sheds light on things. 00:17:33.759 --> 00:17:36.700 If you don't understand the darkness of this world 00:17:36.700 --> 00:17:38.819 and what in the world is going on, read God's Word. 00:17:38.900 --> 00:17:40.039 He'll tell you what's going on. 00:17:40.579 --> 00:17:41.299 He will. 00:17:42.039 --> 00:17:44.180 It just sheds light on things, you know. 00:17:44.279 --> 00:17:46.160 It's like walking in a dark room and cutting the light on, 00:17:46.220 --> 00:17:47.240 seeing what happens, you know. 00:17:49.039 --> 00:17:53.779 And the evil one tries to confuse and distort the Word, 00:17:54.779 --> 00:17:56.720 and that darkens the mind. 00:17:58.140 --> 00:17:59.779 Therefore, we have to make a decision. 00:18:00.259 --> 00:18:01.960 As believers, we have to decide, 00:18:01.960 --> 00:18:05.480 are we going to let the winds of change and cultural trends 00:18:05.480 --> 00:18:07.180 determine what we believe? 00:18:08.019 --> 00:18:09.920 Or are we going to stick to God's Word? 00:18:10.740 --> 00:18:14.380 Because God's Word's a timeless, perfect guide. 00:18:14.539 --> 00:18:16.920 I want you to hear what the Apostle Paul told Timothy, 00:18:17.039 --> 00:18:17.680 young Timothy. 00:18:18.079 --> 00:18:19.539 He said in 2 Timothy chapter 4, 00:18:19.620 --> 00:18:23.100 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, 00:18:23.180 --> 00:18:24.220 but having itching ears, 00:18:24.279 --> 00:18:26.240 they will accumulate for themselves teachers 00:18:26.240 --> 00:18:28.000 to suit their own passions, 00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:29.880 and will turn away from listening to the truth 00:18:29.880 --> 00:18:32.220 and wander off in the myths. 00:18:32.920 --> 00:18:33.839 You know what, friend? 00:18:34.500 --> 00:18:35.619 We're living in that day. 00:18:36.299 --> 00:18:37.380 We're living in that day, 00:18:37.440 --> 00:18:38.700 and I don't want you to fall for it. 00:18:38.759 --> 00:18:39.299 He'll darken. 00:18:39.339 --> 00:18:40.880 But not only that, but he'll cause doubt. 00:18:41.319 --> 00:18:43.519 He causes doubts about our salvation. 00:18:44.259 --> 00:18:46.480 That's why I spent so much time on that first part. 00:18:46.579 --> 00:18:48.279 We need to nail that down, 00:18:48.400 --> 00:18:49.400 get it nailed down, 00:18:49.559 --> 00:18:51.359 and then once you've got it nailed down, 00:18:51.619 --> 00:18:54.039 know that you know that you know that you saved, 00:18:54.200 --> 00:18:55.980 and then don't go back and rehearse that. 00:18:55.980 --> 00:18:58.680 The devil will try to when you mess up. 00:18:58.740 --> 00:18:59.500 Don't you do that. 00:18:59.900 --> 00:19:01.339 If you're in the blood of the Lamb, 00:19:01.640 --> 00:19:04.299 if the cross of Christ has changed your life, 00:19:04.500 --> 00:19:05.819 your life has changed, period. 00:19:06.079 --> 00:19:07.720 Don't let him throw those doubts on you. 00:19:07.779 --> 00:19:08.620 Nail that thing down. 00:19:09.920 --> 00:19:11.140 And then he'll also give you doubts 00:19:11.140 --> 00:19:12.579 about the faithfulness of God. 00:19:12.759 --> 00:19:13.900 I mean, where's God in all this? 00:19:17.920 --> 00:19:19.059 And I'm just telling you, 00:19:19.079 --> 00:19:20.140 you need to take him at his word. 00:19:21.980 --> 00:19:23.500 You need to take him at his word 00:19:23.500 --> 00:19:25.240 because he's worthy to be trusted. 00:19:26.720 --> 00:19:27.839 He's worthy of it. 00:19:30.620 --> 00:19:31.900 And let me just tell you, 00:19:32.559 --> 00:19:36.559 if this is all you get every week, 00:19:37.200 --> 00:19:38.519 you ain't getting enough. 00:19:40.960 --> 00:19:42.440 I mean, I'll try my best. 00:19:43.920 --> 00:19:46.200 I'll try my best to share with you 00:19:46.200 --> 00:19:47.319 what God's word says. 00:19:47.319 --> 00:19:53.939 And I'll beg you to apply it to your life 00:19:53.939 --> 00:19:56.779 and to watch God move and work in a mighty way. 00:19:56.859 --> 00:19:57.599 But I'm telling you, 00:19:57.679 --> 00:20:00.059 if you leave this place at 1130 00:20:00.059 --> 00:20:01.659 or if I hold you a little late, 00:20:01.679 --> 00:20:02.200 a little later, 00:20:03.059 --> 00:20:04.839 and you walk out of here 00:20:04.839 --> 00:20:07.159 and you don't spend any time with the Lord 00:20:07.159 --> 00:20:07.799 during the week 00:20:07.799 --> 00:20:09.460 and you don't spend any time in God's word 00:20:09.460 --> 00:20:10.019 during the week 00:20:10.019 --> 00:20:11.159 and you come back next Sunday 00:20:11.159 --> 00:20:12.759 looking for something special, 00:20:12.759 --> 00:20:13.539 I got news for you 00:20:13.539 --> 00:20:14.400 and it ain't gonna last long. 00:20:15.799 --> 00:20:17.660 It's like there's a big old hole in your tire 00:20:17.660 --> 00:20:20.440 and the air will just seep right out pretty quick. 00:20:21.400 --> 00:20:23.259 By the time Monday morning rolls around, 00:20:23.339 --> 00:20:24.579 he'll smack you in the face. 00:20:25.799 --> 00:20:28.019 It won't feel like you've been to church at all on Sunday. 00:20:28.019 --> 00:20:31.379 You need to take in the word of God. 00:20:32.299 --> 00:20:34.200 You need to have a plan in your life 00:20:34.200 --> 00:20:35.960 and a pattern in your life 00:20:35.960 --> 00:20:38.119 to spend time in God's word 00:20:38.119 --> 00:20:40.059 and spend time in prayer for God. 00:20:40.220 --> 00:20:42.299 You need a touch of the Lord Jesus 00:20:42.299 --> 00:20:45.180 every day of your life. 00:20:46.319 --> 00:20:47.920 And when you do that 00:20:47.920 --> 00:20:49.639 and spend time with him 00:20:49.639 --> 00:20:52.720 and those doubts come up, 00:20:53.279 --> 00:20:55.960 you can just remember what you just read 00:20:55.960 --> 00:20:58.900 and put your trust in the word of God. 00:20:59.279 --> 00:21:00.380 Now, if you don't know the word of God, 00:21:00.420 --> 00:21:01.380 it's hard to trust in it. 00:21:01.980 --> 00:21:03.279 But if you spend time in it, 00:21:03.680 --> 00:21:04.360 he'll give you a word. 00:21:04.400 --> 00:21:05.980 I believe he gives you a verse every day 00:21:05.980 --> 00:21:07.160 that you can hang your hat on. 00:21:07.180 --> 00:21:08.519 That's another sermon for another day. 00:21:08.620 --> 00:21:09.680 But I'm just telling you, 00:21:10.220 --> 00:21:11.160 he'll work in that. 00:21:11.319 --> 00:21:11.559 You know, 00:21:11.680 --> 00:21:13.039 and you'll have doubts about tomorrow. 00:21:13.740 --> 00:21:15.220 Some of you are so worried about tomorrow, 00:21:15.299 --> 00:21:16.299 you can't think about today. 00:21:16.500 --> 00:21:17.420 What's coming tomorrow? 00:21:18.200 --> 00:21:18.920 What's coming tomorrow? 00:21:19.019 --> 00:21:19.220 Listen, 00:21:19.480 --> 00:21:20.340 I've got news for you. 00:21:20.340 --> 00:21:21.660 I don't know what tomorrow holds, 00:21:21.740 --> 00:21:22.779 but I know who holds tomorrow. 00:21:23.299 --> 00:21:24.340 And I'm arresting that. 00:21:24.500 --> 00:21:25.100 I mean, I am. 00:21:26.360 --> 00:21:27.039 I am. 00:21:28.400 --> 00:21:30.140 Today's got enough troubles of its own. 00:21:30.220 --> 00:21:31.460 And I ain't the first one that said that. 00:21:31.700 --> 00:21:32.600 That was Jesus talking. 00:21:33.559 --> 00:21:34.380 Not only that, 00:21:34.440 --> 00:21:35.620 but he'll cause division. 00:21:36.740 --> 00:21:38.019 And I want you to hear me. 00:21:39.480 --> 00:21:41.840 Satan would love to disrupt the good work 00:21:41.840 --> 00:21:43.340 that God's doing in somebody's life. 00:21:43.400 --> 00:21:44.340 He loves to do that. 00:21:45.460 --> 00:21:47.579 If you're striving to grow in the Lord, 00:21:48.340 --> 00:21:49.980 don't you dare be confused 00:21:49.980 --> 00:21:51.420 when something comes along your path 00:21:51.420 --> 00:21:52.220 that messes you up. 00:21:52.319 --> 00:21:53.799 Don't you dare be confused by that. 00:21:53.799 --> 00:21:56.059 He loves to disrupt somebody's life. 00:21:56.639 --> 00:21:57.559 Tell you what else he loves to do. 00:21:57.680 --> 00:21:59.159 He loves to divide the home. 00:22:02.119 --> 00:22:03.859 The home is on attack 00:22:03.859 --> 00:22:05.440 by the evil one. 00:22:06.000 --> 00:22:07.720 And he loves to divide the home. 00:22:07.779 --> 00:22:08.859 And you need to remember something. 00:22:09.139 --> 00:22:10.940 We don't fight against flesh and blood. 00:22:12.759 --> 00:22:13.960 We're not fighting people 00:22:13.960 --> 00:22:15.440 in our family. 00:22:15.539 --> 00:22:16.500 That's not what we're doing. 00:22:18.000 --> 00:22:19.079 It's the evil one. 00:22:19.079 --> 00:22:20.679 He's messing with us 00:22:20.679 --> 00:22:21.500 and we're letting him 00:22:21.500 --> 00:22:23.240 and we're blaming each other for it. 00:22:24.259 --> 00:22:25.059 He'll divide the home. 00:22:25.179 --> 00:22:25.939 Not only that, 00:22:26.419 --> 00:22:28.359 but he loves to bring division in the church. 00:22:29.399 --> 00:22:30.319 He does. 00:22:31.839 --> 00:22:33.720 What better way to cool down 00:22:33.720 --> 00:22:35.439 the fire of the Holy Spirit 00:22:35.439 --> 00:22:36.220 working in the church 00:22:36.220 --> 00:22:38.059 by bringing division among them. 00:22:38.519 --> 00:22:39.579 He'd love to do that. 00:22:40.220 --> 00:22:42.039 And do you know what really sets him off? 00:22:42.759 --> 00:22:43.839 I'll tell you what really sets him off. 00:22:43.839 --> 00:22:45.319 A growing church 00:22:45.319 --> 00:22:48.679 that's studying the schemes 00:22:48.679 --> 00:22:49.519 of the evil one. 00:22:50.480 --> 00:22:51.500 Boy, that's a recipe 00:22:51.500 --> 00:22:53.139 for the evil one 00:22:53.139 --> 00:22:53.980 to raise up his head. 00:22:54.059 --> 00:22:55.199 He don't like his mess. 00:22:55.819 --> 00:22:57.019 He don't want to be exposed. 00:22:57.539 --> 00:22:58.439 He don't want you to know 00:22:58.439 --> 00:22:59.659 what the Word of God says. 00:23:00.799 --> 00:23:02.019 He loves to do that. 00:23:02.099 --> 00:23:02.899 It's real turf. 00:23:03.159 --> 00:23:04.500 It's a real thing, my friend. 00:23:04.879 --> 00:23:06.679 Let's be careful what we say. 00:23:07.259 --> 00:23:08.899 Let's be careful what we do. 00:23:09.439 --> 00:23:11.299 Let's be careful why we say it. 00:23:11.359 --> 00:23:13.019 Let's be careful why we do it. 00:23:13.019 --> 00:23:15.220 Because listen, it's all about him. 00:23:16.039 --> 00:23:17.220 It ain't about us. 00:23:17.759 --> 00:23:19.000 It's about him. 00:23:19.379 --> 00:23:22.359 And so let's do what pleases the Lord. 00:23:22.819 --> 00:23:23.660 He loves to divide. 00:23:23.740 --> 00:23:24.980 Not only that, he loves to distract. 00:23:25.960 --> 00:23:27.440 He loves to use distraction. 00:23:27.680 --> 00:23:29.119 Watch what catches your eye. 00:23:29.619 --> 00:23:30.079 Watch it. 00:23:31.740 --> 00:23:33.339 Watch what grabs your attention. 00:23:34.139 --> 00:23:34.660 Be careful. 00:23:35.180 --> 00:23:36.639 Watch what takes up your time. 00:23:37.839 --> 00:23:38.339 Be careful. 00:23:38.539 --> 00:23:40.460 Even good things can come in the way 00:23:40.460 --> 00:23:41.920 of what God wants to do in our life. 00:23:41.920 --> 00:23:44.279 And the devil would love to distract us 00:23:44.279 --> 00:23:46.460 from God's very best for our lives. 00:23:46.580 --> 00:23:47.980 We need to be securely footed. 00:23:48.360 --> 00:23:50.720 We need to know that we know. 00:23:50.880 --> 00:23:52.380 We need to be standing firm. 00:23:52.840 --> 00:23:53.860 The devil's on attack. 00:23:54.039 --> 00:23:55.259 Plant your feet. 00:23:56.740 --> 00:23:59.039 But don't miss the thrust of this passage. 00:24:00.320 --> 00:24:02.400 Because the thrust of this passage 00:24:02.400 --> 00:24:05.180 is not really about being securely footed. 00:24:05.320 --> 00:24:06.820 It's not really about standing firm. 00:24:06.819 --> 00:24:09.339 I'll tell you what the real thrust of this passage is. 00:24:09.879 --> 00:24:12.200 Having put on the readiness 00:24:12.200 --> 00:24:15.379 given by the gospel of peace. 00:24:17.379 --> 00:24:19.319 We don't just need the firm grip 00:24:19.319 --> 00:24:20.460 to stand in one place. 00:24:20.819 --> 00:24:23.099 We need to work the gospel. 00:24:23.899 --> 00:24:24.599 We need to work it. 00:24:24.879 --> 00:24:26.399 It is our greatest defense 00:24:26.399 --> 00:24:27.740 against the advancement of the enemy 00:24:27.740 --> 00:24:28.679 is the gospel. 00:24:29.039 --> 00:24:31.419 And my friend, we need boots on the ground. 00:24:31.420 --> 00:24:35.960 We need to be fervently sharing Christ. 00:24:37.120 --> 00:24:39.420 Fervently sharing Christ. 00:24:40.120 --> 00:24:40.960 Now some of you are thinking, 00:24:41.100 --> 00:24:42.700 preacher, you done got to meddling now. 00:24:43.640 --> 00:24:43.980 You know? 00:24:45.360 --> 00:24:46.580 But I want you to hear me. 00:24:46.660 --> 00:24:48.240 When we're grounded with the gospel, 00:24:49.100 --> 00:24:50.519 we got to carry on with the gospel 00:24:50.519 --> 00:24:53.240 and take it with us as we go. 00:24:53.620 --> 00:24:54.660 In Acts chapter 8, 00:24:54.779 --> 00:24:56.380 Philip followed the Holy Spirit's lead. 00:24:57.279 --> 00:24:58.380 Church was scattered. 00:24:58.380 --> 00:25:00.200 Due to persecution, 00:25:00.660 --> 00:25:01.420 it was intense. 00:25:01.660 --> 00:25:02.840 And Philip went to Samaria 00:25:02.840 --> 00:25:04.420 and preached the gospel 00:25:04.420 --> 00:25:05.720 and the crowds paid attention 00:25:05.720 --> 00:25:07.080 and they were one in accord. 00:25:07.380 --> 00:25:08.760 It's what Scripture says. 00:25:08.960 --> 00:25:10.100 And when God told him, 00:25:11.120 --> 00:25:13.500 when God told Philip to go to Gaza Road, 00:25:13.700 --> 00:25:15.640 he didn't know why he was going to Gaza Road, 00:25:15.720 --> 00:25:16.480 but he went there. 00:25:18.100 --> 00:25:19.360 And a man from Ethiopia 00:25:19.360 --> 00:25:21.000 rode in a chariot 00:25:21.000 --> 00:25:23.100 and was searching the Scriptures for answers. 00:25:23.099 --> 00:25:26.259 And the Spirit of God told Philip 00:25:26.259 --> 00:25:28.459 to go to that chariot 00:25:28.459 --> 00:25:31.159 and ask him if he knew what he was reading. 00:25:31.839 --> 00:25:33.500 And he was reading the book of Isaiah 00:25:33.500 --> 00:25:34.839 and he didn't understand it. 00:25:35.299 --> 00:25:37.579 And Philip went on to share the gospel with him 00:25:37.579 --> 00:25:39.919 and baptize him right there on the spot 00:25:39.919 --> 00:25:41.579 because he followed the Holy Spirit's lead. 00:25:41.859 --> 00:25:42.779 In Acts chapter 9, 00:25:42.879 --> 00:25:45.000 Ananias just did what he was told. 00:25:45.959 --> 00:25:47.419 He didn't want to go to Straight Street. 00:25:48.240 --> 00:25:49.659 He didn't want to go see Saul, 00:25:49.740 --> 00:25:51.139 the one who persecuted believers. 00:25:51.140 --> 00:25:52.620 But he went in obedience 00:25:52.620 --> 00:25:54.080 and he laid hands on Saul 00:25:54.080 --> 00:25:55.400 and Saul's sight came back 00:25:55.400 --> 00:25:56.980 and he was filled with the Holy Spirit of God 00:25:56.980 --> 00:26:00.020 and the world was changed by the gospel 00:26:00.020 --> 00:26:03.620 because Ananias just did what he was told to do. 00:26:03.800 --> 00:26:06.940 Every time somebody gets saved, 00:26:07.220 --> 00:26:09.280 the devil loses another. 00:26:10.720 --> 00:26:12.160 And I want you to think about 00:26:12.160 --> 00:26:14.280 how many did Satan lose 00:26:14.280 --> 00:26:16.060 through the ministry of the Apostle Paul 00:26:16.060 --> 00:26:17.840 sharing the gospel 00:26:17.840 --> 00:26:20.680 just following the Spirit's lead. 00:26:20.680 --> 00:26:22.840 Only heaven knows. 00:26:23.420 --> 00:26:26.080 People continue to be changed 00:26:26.080 --> 00:26:27.860 by the gospel 00:26:27.860 --> 00:26:29.920 because of Paul's writings 00:26:29.920 --> 00:26:31.740 and because of his ministry. 00:26:32.500 --> 00:26:33.740 God does mighty things 00:26:33.740 --> 00:26:34.680 when we're equipped 00:26:34.680 --> 00:26:35.860 and we're ready 00:26:35.860 --> 00:26:37.740 with the gospel. 00:26:38.140 --> 00:26:38.820 Melvin Carter, 00:26:39.019 --> 00:26:39.880 just a regular old guy, 00:26:40.759 --> 00:26:41.519 but he had a burden. 00:26:41.519 --> 00:26:44.400 He had a burden for a young man 00:26:44.400 --> 00:26:45.000 that he knew 00:26:45.000 --> 00:26:46.440 that worked in a shoe shop 00:26:46.440 --> 00:26:51.139 and he prayed for that young man, 00:26:51.700 --> 00:26:53.559 had a burden for that young man 00:26:53.559 --> 00:26:55.639 and went to see him one day 00:26:55.639 --> 00:26:56.440 as God led him. 00:26:57.440 --> 00:26:58.920 He got outside that shoe shop 00:26:58.920 --> 00:26:59.700 and he was nervous 00:26:59.700 --> 00:27:01.240 and so he was pacing back and forth 00:27:01.240 --> 00:27:01.759 in front of it, 00:27:02.139 --> 00:27:04.240 asking God to work in that young man's life, 00:27:04.359 --> 00:27:05.819 asking God to give him the courage. 00:27:06.019 --> 00:27:07.519 Lord, what in the world am I going to say? 00:27:07.519 --> 00:27:09.119 What am I going to do? 00:27:09.180 --> 00:27:10.460 And finally he walked in there. 00:27:11.379 --> 00:27:12.960 He asked the man at the counter 00:27:12.960 --> 00:27:14.859 if the young man was there. 00:27:15.460 --> 00:27:17.740 He said he's back in the storeroom. 00:27:18.240 --> 00:27:18.960 Walk on back there. 00:27:18.980 --> 00:27:19.920 And he walked back there 00:27:19.920 --> 00:27:21.420 and the young man that he came to see 00:27:21.420 --> 00:27:22.900 was up on a ladder 00:27:22.900 --> 00:27:24.819 messing with shoes. 00:27:25.819 --> 00:27:26.480 When he went, 00:27:26.539 --> 00:27:27.759 18 years old 00:27:27.759 --> 00:27:29.319 and he was sorting those shoes 00:27:29.319 --> 00:27:31.519 and Melvin stood at the bottom 00:27:31.519 --> 00:27:32.099 of that ladder 00:27:32.099 --> 00:27:34.139 and told him he'd come 00:27:34.139 --> 00:27:35.119 to share Christ with him. 00:27:36.059 --> 00:27:37.199 The young man came down 00:27:37.199 --> 00:27:38.119 the steps of that ladder 00:27:38.119 --> 00:27:39.079 and Melvin told him 00:27:39.079 --> 00:27:41.519 how he could pray 00:27:41.519 --> 00:27:43.279 and give his heart and life 00:27:43.279 --> 00:27:44.599 to the Lord Jesus Christ 00:27:44.599 --> 00:27:46.819 and then invited him 00:27:46.819 --> 00:27:47.659 to come to Christ 00:27:47.659 --> 00:27:49.319 and he did. 00:27:49.740 --> 00:27:51.879 Right there in the stockroom 00:27:51.879 --> 00:27:52.799 of a shoe store, 00:27:53.559 --> 00:27:54.899 Dwight L. Moody 00:27:54.899 --> 00:27:56.939 gave his life to the Lord. 00:27:58.099 --> 00:27:59.679 And not only was his life changed 00:27:59.679 --> 00:28:00.079 that day, 00:28:00.139 --> 00:28:01.259 but many others were changed 00:28:01.259 --> 00:28:02.359 because he was changed. 00:28:02.779 --> 00:28:04.519 If you go to Scully Square 00:28:04.519 --> 00:28:05.480 in Boston, 00:28:05.960 --> 00:28:07.160 there's a plaque there 00:28:07.160 --> 00:28:08.839 that says D.L. Moody, 00:28:08.960 --> 00:28:09.819 Christian evangelist, 00:28:09.900 --> 00:28:10.519 friend of man, 00:28:10.660 --> 00:28:12.500 founder of the Northfield schools 00:28:12.500 --> 00:28:14.200 was converted to God 00:28:14.200 --> 00:28:15.480 in a shoe store 00:28:15.480 --> 00:28:16.779 on this site, 00:28:16.980 --> 00:28:19.599 April 21st, 1855. 00:28:20.319 --> 00:28:21.339 Let me tell you about D.L. Moody. 00:28:22.119 --> 00:28:23.940 He later started Sunday school classes 00:28:23.940 --> 00:28:25.379 to teach children about Christ. 00:28:25.900 --> 00:28:27.059 Held noon prayer meetings 00:28:27.059 --> 00:28:27.960 at the YMCA 00:28:27.960 --> 00:28:29.059 to lead folks to Christ 00:28:29.059 --> 00:28:29.799 and then he became 00:28:29.799 --> 00:28:31.019 a traveling evangelist 00:28:31.019 --> 00:28:32.759 that traveled the world preaching. 00:28:33.279 --> 00:28:34.420 He preached to more than 00:28:34.420 --> 00:28:36.059 a hundred million people, 00:28:36.480 --> 00:28:39.119 over 130,000 in one day 00:28:39.119 --> 00:28:41.319 and he preached six times one day, 00:28:41.579 --> 00:28:42.019 a month before, 00:28:42.379 --> 00:28:43.920 six sermons one day, 00:28:44.180 --> 00:28:45.759 a month before he died. 00:28:45.960 --> 00:28:47.200 D.L. Moody preached 00:28:47.200 --> 00:28:48.279 and personally counseled 00:28:48.279 --> 00:28:51.460 a man named J. Welber Chapman 00:28:51.460 --> 00:28:53.440 and J. Welber Chapman 00:28:53.440 --> 00:28:54.200 got saved 00:28:54.200 --> 00:28:55.039 and became a preacher 00:28:55.039 --> 00:28:55.700 of the gospel 00:28:55.700 --> 00:28:57.400 and upon, 00:28:57.559 --> 00:28:58.380 under Chapman, 00:28:58.480 --> 00:28:59.360 worked a young man 00:28:59.360 --> 00:29:00.220 named Billy Sunday 00:29:00.220 --> 00:29:02.019 and Billy Sunday 00:29:02.019 --> 00:29:03.100 had went on 00:29:03.100 --> 00:29:05.019 to become a powerful evangelist 00:29:05.019 --> 00:29:05.360 later, 00:29:05.700 --> 00:29:06.460 winning thousands 00:29:06.460 --> 00:29:07.059 to the Lord 00:29:07.059 --> 00:29:08.220 in the 1920s 00:29:08.220 --> 00:29:09.720 and the 1930s. 00:29:09.759 --> 00:29:10.920 The grassroots revival 00:29:10.920 --> 00:29:11.580 that he led 00:29:11.580 --> 00:29:12.860 was absolutely amazing. 00:29:13.240 --> 00:29:14.200 He also led 00:29:14.200 --> 00:29:15.640 businessman luncheons 00:29:15.640 --> 00:29:16.340 in Charlotte 00:29:16.340 --> 00:29:17.920 and those businessman 00:29:17.920 --> 00:29:19.059 luncheons in Charlotte 00:29:19.059 --> 00:29:19.900 was instrumental 00:29:19.900 --> 00:29:21.000 in inviting 00:29:21.000 --> 00:29:22.640 Mordecai Ham 00:29:22.640 --> 00:29:23.480 to Charlotte 00:29:23.480 --> 00:29:24.359 to preach 00:29:24.359 --> 00:29:26.200 and when Mordecai Ham 00:29:26.200 --> 00:29:27.059 was in Charlotte 00:29:27.059 --> 00:29:27.819 to preach, 00:29:28.140 --> 00:29:28.740 a young man 00:29:28.740 --> 00:29:29.779 walked down the aisle 00:29:29.779 --> 00:29:31.240 and gave his life 00:29:31.240 --> 00:29:32.420 to the Lord Jesus 00:29:32.420 --> 00:29:33.660 and his name 00:29:33.660 --> 00:29:34.819 was Billy Graham. 00:29:35.859 --> 00:29:36.359 Now listen, 00:29:36.980 --> 00:29:37.940 I could say 00:29:37.940 --> 00:29:39.200 that that story 00:29:39.200 --> 00:29:39.640 started 00:29:39.640 --> 00:29:40.660 with a man 00:29:40.660 --> 00:29:41.920 on a Boston street 00:29:41.920 --> 00:29:42.579 with a burden 00:29:42.579 --> 00:29:43.940 for a shoe store worker 00:29:43.940 --> 00:29:45.180 but the reality is 00:29:45.180 --> 00:29:46.240 it started before that 00:29:46.240 --> 00:29:47.380 because Melvin Carter 00:29:47.380 --> 00:29:48.180 didn't start that. 00:29:48.519 --> 00:29:49.519 Somebody shared 00:29:49.519 --> 00:29:50.579 with Melvin Carter. 00:29:51.000 --> 00:29:52.900 And when Melvin Carter 00:29:52.900 --> 00:29:53.839 got the Lord Jesus, 00:29:54.220 --> 00:29:54.880 he got a burden 00:29:54.880 --> 00:29:55.619 for others 00:29:55.619 --> 00:29:56.680 and thank God 00:29:56.680 --> 00:29:57.640 it didn't stop 00:29:57.640 --> 00:29:58.859 with Billy Graham either 00:29:58.859 --> 00:30:00.480 because as you well know, 00:30:00.880 --> 00:30:01.700 he led thousands, 00:30:01.819 --> 00:30:02.460 maybe millions 00:30:02.460 --> 00:30:02.940 to the Lord. 00:30:03.220 --> 00:30:03.720 He preached 00:30:03.720 --> 00:30:06.599 to 215 million live 00:30:06.599 --> 00:30:08.619 and millions of others, 00:30:09.059 --> 00:30:10.079 including us, 00:30:10.380 --> 00:30:11.519 have watched reruns 00:30:11.519 --> 00:30:12.440 of his sermons 00:30:12.440 --> 00:30:13.920 on television 00:30:13.920 --> 00:30:15.019 that the Holy Spirit 00:30:15.019 --> 00:30:16.839 could use as well. 00:30:17.640 --> 00:30:18.920 God just keeps 00:30:18.920 --> 00:30:20.380 changing lives 00:30:20.380 --> 00:30:21.600 but it came 00:30:21.600 --> 00:30:22.880 because somebody 00:30:22.880 --> 00:30:24.140 was ready 00:30:24.140 --> 00:30:25.680 to share the gospel 00:30:25.680 --> 00:30:27.300 with somebody else. 00:30:28.020 --> 00:30:29.600 And the advancing power 00:30:29.600 --> 00:30:30.460 of the gospel 00:30:30.460 --> 00:30:32.680 brings everlasting peace. 00:30:33.540 --> 00:30:34.580 It brings victory 00:30:34.580 --> 00:30:36.280 in the midst 00:30:36.280 --> 00:30:38.000 of a war-turned world 00:30:38.000 --> 00:30:39.980 that we live in. 00:30:41.060 --> 00:30:41.900 So church, 00:30:41.980 --> 00:30:42.820 I ask you today, 00:30:42.820 --> 00:30:45.620 are you securely footed? 00:30:45.619 --> 00:30:48.119 Do you know 00:30:48.119 --> 00:30:49.159 that you know 00:30:49.159 --> 00:30:50.479 that you know? 00:30:52.119 --> 00:30:53.759 Are you firmly standing? 00:30:55.259 --> 00:30:58.199 Are you fervently sharing? 00:30:59.319 --> 00:31:00.659 I believe in the power 00:31:00.659 --> 00:31:01.219 of the gospel. 00:31:01.779 --> 00:31:03.159 I encourage you to 00:31:03.159 --> 00:31:04.239 as well. 00:31:04.839 --> 00:31:05.639 With every head bowed 00:31:05.639 --> 00:31:06.199 and every eye closed, 00:31:06.259 --> 00:31:07.119 I ask you this morning, 00:31:07.339 --> 00:31:08.500 have you ever given 00:31:08.500 --> 00:31:09.079 your heart and life 00:31:09.079 --> 00:31:09.719 to the Lord Jesus? 00:31:09.959 --> 00:31:10.979 He'll save you today 00:31:10.979 --> 00:31:11.519 if you'll surrender 00:31:11.519 --> 00:31:12.319 your life to him. 00:31:12.799 --> 00:31:13.439 We're going to stand 00:31:13.440 --> 00:31:14.019 in just a moment 00:31:14.019 --> 00:31:14.759 and we're going to sing 00:31:14.759 --> 00:31:15.380 and if you've never 00:31:15.380 --> 00:31:16.180 given your heart and life 00:31:16.180 --> 00:31:16.440 to the Lord, 00:31:16.519 --> 00:31:16.920 you come. 00:31:17.799 --> 00:31:18.299 You come. 00:31:19.340 --> 00:31:20.279 Maybe you've done 00:31:20.279 --> 00:31:20.860 that privately 00:31:20.860 --> 00:31:21.519 but you've never 00:31:21.519 --> 00:31:22.460 acknowledged that publicly 00:31:22.460 --> 00:31:23.220 through baptism. 00:31:25.160 --> 00:31:25.900 If so, 00:31:26.259 --> 00:31:27.400 I believe it's the first step 00:31:27.400 --> 00:31:27.880 of obedience 00:31:27.880 --> 00:31:28.820 to follow Christ. 00:31:29.279 --> 00:31:29.740 You come. 00:31:29.820 --> 00:31:31.400 We'd love to line that up 00:31:31.400 --> 00:31:32.720 for you and arrange that. 00:31:32.779 --> 00:31:33.580 Maybe God's leading you 00:31:33.580 --> 00:31:34.380 to be a part of this church. 00:31:34.500 --> 00:31:36.259 God's blessed us mightily 00:31:36.259 --> 00:31:38.480 and I know that God's 00:31:38.480 --> 00:31:39.500 working in lives 00:31:39.500 --> 00:31:40.960 and so if God's leading you, 00:31:41.259 --> 00:31:41.720 you come. 00:31:41.820 --> 00:31:42.660 We'd love to guide you 00:31:42.660 --> 00:31:43.380 in that process 00:31:43.380 --> 00:31:46.000 but maybe like the majority 00:31:46.000 --> 00:31:46.620 of us, 00:31:46.740 --> 00:31:47.900 you're just one who 00:31:47.900 --> 00:31:49.460 might be struggling 00:31:49.460 --> 00:31:50.400 with standing firm 00:31:50.400 --> 00:31:51.040 on something. 00:31:54.120 --> 00:31:55.100 You may not be 00:31:55.100 --> 00:31:56.060 fervently sharing. 00:31:58.440 --> 00:31:59.440 There may not even be 00:31:59.440 --> 00:32:00.560 one person on your heart 00:32:00.560 --> 00:32:02.040 and life today 00:32:02.040 --> 00:32:04.140 to share the gospel with 00:32:04.140 --> 00:32:07.680 and if that be the case, 00:32:07.759 --> 00:32:08.580 I encourage you 00:32:08.580 --> 00:32:09.480 in the next few moments 00:32:09.480 --> 00:32:10.620 to just ask God 00:32:10.620 --> 00:32:12.320 to give you somebody. 00:32:13.420 --> 00:32:13.800 Lord, 00:32:13.860 --> 00:32:14.740 give me somebody 00:32:14.740 --> 00:32:16.920 that I can share 00:32:16.920 --> 00:32:17.580 my faith with. 00:32:17.660 --> 00:32:18.660 Not only does that person 00:32:18.660 --> 00:32:19.420 have the opportunity 00:32:19.420 --> 00:32:21.320 to know more of Christ 00:32:21.320 --> 00:32:22.380 and to possibly come 00:32:22.380 --> 00:32:22.860 to the Lord, 00:32:23.580 --> 00:32:24.460 but I promise you, 00:32:24.500 --> 00:32:25.200 you'll be stronger 00:32:25.200 --> 00:32:26.920 from having shared it. 00:32:27.340 --> 00:32:28.460 I don't have a clue 00:32:28.460 --> 00:32:29.840 what God's telling you to do, 00:32:30.200 --> 00:32:31.120 but I know you'll never 00:32:31.120 --> 00:32:32.160 be happy unless you do 00:32:32.160 --> 00:32:33.340 exactly the way 00:32:33.340 --> 00:32:33.940 to have you do. 00:32:33.940 --> 00:32:34.500 Lord Jesus, 00:32:34.680 --> 00:32:36.380 lead and work right now 00:32:36.380 --> 00:32:37.140 in our midst. 00:32:37.240 --> 00:32:37.779 Have your will 00:32:37.779 --> 00:32:38.320 and your way 00:32:38.320 --> 00:32:39.720 in every life 00:32:39.720 --> 00:32:40.559 in this place. 00:32:41.160 --> 00:32:42.000 Every person 00:32:42.000 --> 00:32:43.140 that watches online, 00:32:43.400 --> 00:32:43.700 Lord, 00:32:43.860 --> 00:32:45.519 work and move 00:32:45.519 --> 00:32:46.880 as only you can 00:32:46.880 --> 00:32:47.840 right now, 00:32:47.880 --> 00:32:48.200 oh God, 00:32:48.259 --> 00:32:48.680 I pray 00:32:48.680 --> 00:32:50.259 in Jesus' name. 00:32:50.620 --> 00:32:50.900 Amen. 00:32:50.900 --> 00:32:55.220 Hey, 00:32:55.720 --> 00:32:56.440 you're welcome, 00:32:56.440 --> 00:32:56.940 Eddie Smith. 00:32:56.940 --> 00:32:57.060 Wait, 00:32:57.060 --> 00:32:58.140 this balance, 00:32:58.140 --> 00:32:59.880 when you come of me, 00:32:59.880 --> 00:33:00.060 you're welcome, 00:33:00.060 --> 00:33:00.160 yes. 00:33:00.660 --> 00:33:00.759 Get back to work, 00:33:00.759 --> 00:33:01.720 they ain't nothing. 00:33:01.720 --> 00:33:02.240 I pray for you, 00:33:02.240 --> 00:33:02.840 great statements.