WEBVTT

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 Well, good morning. This is the second week of a two-week break from our verse-by-verse exposition of John's gospel.

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! But I'd still like for you to join me in John's gospel in chapter 17 and verse 3.

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 This will be the first text that we'll turn to today.

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 This morning we're going to think a bit together about when and how to leave a church.

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 If you are going to be connected meaningfully to the life of a church, you will experience the loss of people that you care about.

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 It is inevitable that people will leave a church.

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 Some for legitimate, reasonable, healthy reasons.

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 Reasons that we would be glad to send people out of our church.

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 And their departure, it's handled with great maturity.

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 We walk together through that process.

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 Sometimes, this is sadly not the case.

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 So today I want to take a bit of time to think about good reasons to leave a church.

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 With some additional comments about when and how not to.

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 We don't have a lot of explicit biblical data to derive conclusions from on this topic.

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 We do see in the Bible people sent from one place to another for a particular purpose.

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 And we do see letters commending the acceptance of people sent.

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 However, our complex Christian society requires that we come to some conclusions implicitly.

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 Which I hope to help us do so faithfully.

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 By complex, I mean we live in a saturated marketplace, if you'll allow.

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 There are churches all over.

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 So how do we navigate both joining a church and then in some cases, leaving one?

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 All of that said, do be discerning.

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 Anytime you hear teaching from the Bible.

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 A guest, a guest member.

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 Anytime you hear teaching from the Bible.

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 Especially so when the Bible is approached topically and implicitly.

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 So be discerning.

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 Anytime we open God's Word together.

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 Be especially so this morning.

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 It's easy.

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 We have seen people do this over and over and over again.

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 To use the Bible to say what they want to say.

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 And that's certainly not my desire this morning.

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 I want you to hold me accountable.

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 Are we being faithful to the text as we try to derive wisdom from it on topics like this?

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 Now, so much could be said here.

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 I could go on and on and on.

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 I've been a pastor now for almost 17 years.

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 And so I have experienced loss across those years.

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 So to keep me from just rambling on,

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 I've structured our time around three characteristics of a local church

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 that I think will help us think well on this matter.

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 So a bit of an outline for you to my rambling.

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 And here it is.

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 The church is, number one, theological, confessional, and therefore convictional.

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 And you'll actually find this in your bulletin this morning.

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 Secondly, the church is relational.

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 And thirdly, the church is missional.

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 Let's pray together.

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 Father, as we take some time this morning to think on this topic,

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 I pray that you would help us to do so biblically.

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 I've got a spattering of texts throughout my notes.

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 I pray that you'll help us to take them up and to think about them,

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 your word and how it applies to this particular matter.

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 Help us to have our affections for you increase as we spend these moments together.

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 And help us to have our affections for the thing you are most affectionate for,

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 your church also increase.

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 We need your help.

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 If anything is going to be done this morning that is of any real benefit to any of us,

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 we certainly need your spirit to work in us, in my speaking and in our hearing.

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 I pray that you'd apply this carefully to our hearts.

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 We pray this for your glory in Christ's name.

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 Amen.

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 So when to leave a church.

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 First, the church is theological.

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 And I could say it's theological and therefore confessional and therefore convictional.

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 A church is a group of people who gather regularly for a specific purpose.

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 What is that purpose?

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 Church is made up of Christian people and we gather to worship our God for his glory and our good.

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 That's why we do this.

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 Lots of other great things happen in the life of a church, right?

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 Eggs are exchanged.

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 And essential oils purchased.

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 But that's not why we exist as a church.

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 Neat byproducts, right?

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 It is altogether possible.

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 And we should not miss this.

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 It's altogether possible to worship the right God wrongly

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 or to have the trappings of worship in order.

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 So appearance of right worship.

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 But to worship a God of our own making.

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 So the church must be.

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 It is necessarily theological.

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 We have to do theology to be a church.

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 The study of God.

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 And we study his word so that we can know him by it.

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 How do you turn to John chapter 17 and verse 3.

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 Here Jesus says,

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 And this is eternal life.

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 I want the definition of eternal life for me.

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 What is eternal life?

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 This is eternal life.

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 That they know you.

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 That they know you.

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 The only true God and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

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 To be a Christian is to be a theologian.

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 Not merely to know about God, but to know him.

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 That's a serious thing that we do.

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 And we ought to do it seriously.

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 J.I. Packer in his seminal work, Knowing God, said this.

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 Quote,

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 What is my ultimate aim and object in occupying my mind with the things of God?

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 What do I intend to do with my knowledge about God once I have it?

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 For the fact that we have to face is this.

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 If we pursue theological knowledge for its own sake,

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 it is bound to go bad on us.

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 End quote.

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 It's going to lead to pride.

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 It's going to puff us up.

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 We want to know God and therefore live our lives in accordance with his commands.

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 And so, the church, it must be theological.

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 And it should be no surprise to anybody that it is.

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 We read and we pray and we read out loud to one another.

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 And we sing and we preach and we hear preached.

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 The word of God.

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 We are theological.

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 And because of that, we have to decide what the Bible says about some things.

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 We can't say we're theological, study God's word to know him by it,

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 and then shrug our shoulders about what he teaches from it.

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 We ought to say it says something.

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 And churches do this, of course.

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 And so, we're confessional.

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 We write down what we believe the Bible says.

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 And because of this, we are therefore convictional, or should be at very least.

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 Right?

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 What we believe the Bible teaches about something,

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 we ought to actually live in accordance with that.

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 So, should you leave a church, if anyone in the church disagrees with you about anything?

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 Certainly not.

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 There are people who think in this way.

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 If so, each of us would be left to our private study.

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 And we would all be worse for it.

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 Not a single one of us doesn't need the church to help us to grow in the truth.

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 So then, if that's not the case,

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 what does constitute a significant enough disagreement to leave a church over?

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 How should we think about this?

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 And thus, I parade in the idea, once again, to you of theological triage.

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 So, in your notes, I've listed this out for you.

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 I've listed it in order.

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 First, second, third, fourth.

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 Although, I'm going to talk about it a little bit out of order.

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 If you're entirely new to the concept,

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 the idea of triage is assigning importance to something.

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 So, my classic example is,

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 if a bus of people was in an accident,

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 and they all got rushed to the emergency room,

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 very quickly, a charge nurse or doctor is going to assign importance to the injuries that are being experienced there.

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 Right?

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 What needs the most attention?

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 And we can give the same concept to theology.

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 Those doctrines that we hold.

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 So, the last of these, and I like to say them this way because I like to say the word quaternary.

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 Quaternary doctrine, or fourth order doctrine.

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 I used to say it's unimportant, but I like to say it this way instead.

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 It's important for no one.

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 Stuff that just doesn't matter.

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 My example is always, is there life on other planets?

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 Interesting to think about.

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 Important for no one.

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 We'll see.

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 I don't care.

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 Then, we can pick up tertiary doctrine, or third order doctrine,

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 which is important for you.

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 Right?

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 Not unimportant, but important for you,

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 and perhaps your family,

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 and those that you have influence over.

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 So, these are things that you ought to have some conviction about,

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 but we don't all have to share the exact same conviction.

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 So, an example might be,

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 what kind of television do we allow in our homes?

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 Some allow no television in their home.

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 That's a fine conviction to have.

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 Some allow for some.

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 There are certainly some television no Christian should allow in their home,

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 but there's some gray area in between.

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 How are we trying to be wise in what we allow into our home?

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 Another example I thought about this morning,

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 as I got ready for the morning,

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 how do we think about our Second Amendment rights?

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 Men, do you carry?

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 Do you not carry?

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 Are there convictions that back the actions that you take?

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 We don't have to agree on this

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 to be Christians in fellowship together.

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 So, turn with me and let me show you an example of this from Romans chapter 14.

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 This is the first six verses.

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 This lays out this idea for us.

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 There Paul writes,

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 As for the one who is weak in faith,

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 welcome him,

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 but not to quarrel over opinions.

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 One person believes he may eat anything,

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 while the weak person eats only vegetables.

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 And the issue at hand here is meat offered to idols.

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 You could argue this is an important gospel issue,

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 freedom that we have in Christ.

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 And Paul is saying,

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 it's an opinion that we should not quarrel over.

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 Verse 3,

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 Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains,

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 and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats,

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 for God has welcomed him.

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 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another?

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 It is before his own master that he stands or falls,

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 and he will be upheld,

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 for the Lord is able to make him stand.

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 Another example,

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 although we don't know exactly the nature of it,

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 I think this is about the Sabbath.

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 One person esteems one day as better than another,

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 while another esteems all days alike.

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 Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.

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 The one who observes the day observes it in honor of the Lord.

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 The one who eats,

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 eats in honor of the Lord,

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 since he gives thanks to God.

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 While the one who abstains,

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 abstains in honor of the Lord,

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 and gives thanks to God.

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 So there are convictions at work here,

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 all meant to please God.

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 Tertiary,

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 third order,

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 important for you.

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 And I'll tell you, beloved,

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 I like conversations in this realm,

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 because I want to be wise.

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 I want to think about God's commands,

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 and how to apply them in the world in which we live.

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 No one's having conversations in Paul's day

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 about whether or not to put a gun on their back

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 before they put on their jacket.

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 They're not talking about this.

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 So help me think.

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 Think with me.

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 Let's take up God's word.

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 Let's push and pull at each other,

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 and let's not divide over things that fall into this category.

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 Okay, back to the top.

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 Primary doctrine.

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 First order doctrine.

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 Doctrine that is important for everyone.

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 Everyone needs the good news of Jesus Christ.

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 These would be doctrines,

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 truths that must be believed in order for a person to be saved.

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 I said to you all through our study of Romans here recently,

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 that that's the hill we want to die on.

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 Because people are dying.

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 We want to stand firm on those doctrines

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 that people must believe

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 that they might have the salvation of their souls.

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 Primary doctrine.

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 So, there's a creator God

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 who is holy

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 and has a standard by which we are to live.

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 He is the creator.

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 We are creation.

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 He has the right to demand something of us.

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 And all of us have failed to live up to that standard.

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 All of us have broken His commands.

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 We call this failure sin.

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 And it creates a great problem for us.

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 The greatest of problems.

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 We often speak of the world as broken.

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 And it is, to be sure.

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 When we speak of ourselves,

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 apart from God's intervening work,

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 we are dead because of sin.

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 And eternal death is what belongs to us.

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 But Jesus, God incarnate,

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 came and lived a perfect life.

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 He did not inherit Adam's guilt

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 because he was born of a different line.

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 He was born of a virgin.

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 Mary.

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 He kept the law perfectly.

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 He fulfilled that demand of God on us

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 so that He could give it to us by faith.

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 He died a sacrificial death

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 so that He could take away the penalty

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 that our sin has bought for us.

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 And He was raised on the third day.

00:17:10.559 --> 00:17:12.379
 Triumphed over death.

00:17:13.079 --> 00:17:13.680
 Showed Himself.

00:17:13.940 --> 00:17:17.920
 Proved that He was in fact God incarnate.

00:17:18.139 --> 00:17:18.779
 The Messiah.

00:17:18.899 --> 00:17:22.220
 The One who takes away the sins of the world.

00:17:22.220 --> 00:17:24.799
 And so now, we can repent.

00:17:25.319 --> 00:17:26.200
 And we can believe.

00:17:26.380 --> 00:17:27.600
 We can cling to Him

00:17:27.600 --> 00:17:31.559
 and have this beautiful transaction happen between us

00:17:31.559 --> 00:17:33.180
 where He takes away our punishment

00:17:33.180 --> 00:17:35.120
 and gives to us His righteousness

00:17:35.120 --> 00:17:37.400
 so that we can be justified

00:17:37.400 --> 00:17:40.880
 and adopted into God's family.

00:17:41.380 --> 00:17:43.600
 Justified by grace through faith

00:17:43.600 --> 00:17:46.279
 in Christ alone.

00:17:47.640 --> 00:17:50.039
 First order doctrines

00:17:50.039 --> 00:17:52.899
 important for everyone.

00:17:54.700 --> 00:17:56.339
 Jude, verse 3 and 4.

00:17:56.799 --> 00:17:57.339
 Jude writes,

00:17:57.420 --> 00:17:58.539
 Beloved, although I was very eager

00:17:58.539 --> 00:18:00.319
 to write to you about our common salvation,

00:18:00.879 --> 00:18:03.700
 I found it necessary to write appealing to you,

00:18:04.180 --> 00:18:05.980
 contend for the faith

00:18:05.980 --> 00:18:09.740
 that was once for all delivered to the saints.

00:18:10.759 --> 00:18:12.559
 I think this is what he's talking about.

00:18:12.700 --> 00:18:15.139
 First order types of doctrines.

00:18:15.139 --> 00:18:18.819
 The faith once for all delivered to the saints.

00:18:18.819 --> 00:18:19.659
 Why do I think this?

00:18:19.700 --> 00:18:20.859
 Because in verse 4 he says,

00:18:21.259 --> 00:18:23.619
 For certain people have crept in unnoticed

00:18:23.619 --> 00:18:27.000
 who long ago were designated for this condemnation,

00:18:27.279 --> 00:18:28.539
 ungodly people

00:18:28.539 --> 00:18:30.799
 who pervert the grace of our God

00:18:30.799 --> 00:18:32.179
 into sensuality

00:18:32.179 --> 00:18:35.099
 and deny our only Master and Lord,

00:18:35.740 --> 00:18:36.480
 Jesus Christ.

00:18:37.899 --> 00:18:40.819
 Undermine the gospel itself.

00:18:40.819 --> 00:18:42.059
 And he's writing to them

00:18:42.059 --> 00:18:45.759
 to contend for that faith.

00:18:46.819 --> 00:18:47.759
 Primary doctrine.

00:18:48.220 --> 00:18:50.559
 It matters greatly.

00:18:52.779 --> 00:18:56.439
 And then we come to secondary doctrine

00:18:56.439 --> 00:18:58.639
 or second order doctrine,

00:18:58.740 --> 00:19:01.759
 which is important for us.

00:19:02.319 --> 00:19:03.919
 These are the types of doctrines

00:19:03.919 --> 00:19:07.639
 that are good for us to generally agree on

00:19:07.640 --> 00:19:09.420
 to be in fellowship in a church.

00:19:09.980 --> 00:19:13.040
 They're going to define our practice

00:19:13.040 --> 00:19:16.620
 and in some cases possibly define sin.

00:19:16.740 --> 00:19:21.200
 What will a church determine to be sin or otherwise?

00:19:22.360 --> 00:19:23.160
 Some examples.

00:19:24.420 --> 00:19:26.020
 Like via view on divorce

00:19:26.020 --> 00:19:29.280
 and or remarriage after divorce.

00:19:29.400 --> 00:19:31.160
 There are some disparate views out there

00:19:31.160 --> 00:19:33.560
 and we should know what we think is allowed

00:19:33.560 --> 00:19:37.360
 and not allowed with some boundaries.

00:19:38.360 --> 00:19:38.580
 Right?

00:19:38.600 --> 00:19:39.600
 The regulative principle.

00:19:39.920 --> 00:19:40.040
 Right?

00:19:40.180 --> 00:19:42.660
 How do we think we are supposed to gather together?

00:19:42.779 --> 00:19:45.259
 What does the Scripture say we should do

00:19:45.259 --> 00:19:47.120
 when we come together?

00:19:47.220 --> 00:19:50.000
 And then there's always the classic example

00:19:50.000 --> 00:19:53.160
 of our view on baptism.

00:19:53.440 --> 00:19:53.600
 Right?

00:19:53.720 --> 00:19:56.060
 A way that we are theological

00:19:56.060 --> 00:19:57.400
 and then confessional

00:19:57.400 --> 00:19:58.680
 and then convictional.

00:19:58.680 --> 00:20:02.160
 We're going to practice this ordinance

00:20:02.160 --> 00:20:03.360
 in a particular way

00:20:03.360 --> 00:20:04.440
 because of what we believe

00:20:04.440 --> 00:20:07.100
 the Scripture teaches on the matter.

00:20:08.019 --> 00:20:10.580
 So our church has two confessional standards.

00:20:10.880 --> 00:20:11.000
 Right?

00:20:11.240 --> 00:20:13.259
 We ask of every member of our church

00:20:13.259 --> 00:20:14.440
 to affirm,

00:20:14.580 --> 00:20:15.779
 so fully agree with,

00:20:16.259 --> 00:20:17.380
 the Apostles' Creed.

00:20:18.320 --> 00:20:19.460
 This is not a big ask.

00:20:19.799 --> 00:20:22.840
 It's first order kind of stuff.

00:20:22.980 --> 00:20:24.820
 Things we should believe to be true

00:20:24.820 --> 00:20:27.060
 in order to be saved.

00:20:27.059 --> 00:20:29.899
 And then we have a much denser document

00:20:29.899 --> 00:20:31.319
 that we approved this year,

00:20:32.039 --> 00:20:33.839
 Providence Baptist Church Confession of Faith.

00:20:33.940 --> 00:20:35.019
 It's a lot more.

00:20:35.179 --> 00:20:37.139
 There's a lot more going on in this.

00:20:38.179 --> 00:20:40.980
 But we don't expect that everybody in the church

00:20:40.980 --> 00:20:43.679
 fully comprehends or fully agrees

00:20:43.679 --> 00:20:46.039
 with everything found in this document.

00:20:46.639 --> 00:20:49.659
 We ask that our elders affirm this document

00:20:49.660 --> 00:20:51.820
 and that it's the teaching standard

00:20:51.820 --> 00:20:52.980
 for the church.

00:20:53.560 --> 00:20:54.840
 So it contains within it

00:20:54.840 --> 00:20:57.140
 those things that are first order

00:20:57.140 --> 00:21:02.440
 and those things that are second order doctrines.

00:21:02.580 --> 00:21:02.700
 Right?

00:21:02.920 --> 00:21:05.240
 We have to have some views about some things.

00:21:05.400 --> 00:21:07.740
 It's important that we are theological,

00:21:08.060 --> 00:21:08.580
 confessional,

00:21:08.880 --> 00:21:11.040
 and convictional.

00:21:11.039 --> 00:21:12.879
 So,

00:21:13.399 --> 00:21:14.940
 Christian people

00:21:14.940 --> 00:21:16.240
 need to be thinking

00:21:16.240 --> 00:21:17.559
 in this way

00:21:17.559 --> 00:21:19.680
 and wrapping up

00:21:19.680 --> 00:21:20.519
 their thoughts about

00:21:20.519 --> 00:21:21.659
 when to leave a church

00:21:21.659 --> 00:21:22.680
 with those things

00:21:22.680 --> 00:21:24.319
 that are of

00:21:24.319 --> 00:21:25.599
 secondary

00:21:25.599 --> 00:21:27.299
 order.

00:21:28.440 --> 00:21:30.799
 If you're debating over first order stuff,

00:21:31.019 --> 00:21:31.859
 we'd love to talk with you

00:21:31.859 --> 00:21:32.319
 and teach you,

00:21:32.379 --> 00:21:33.420
 but you just may not be a Christian.

00:21:34.019 --> 00:21:34.119
 Okay?

00:21:35.000 --> 00:21:35.899
 If you're all a Christian,

00:21:36.099 --> 00:21:37.019
 you believe those first order,

00:21:37.099 --> 00:21:38.940
 important gospel doctrines,

00:21:38.940 --> 00:21:40.259
 there's a lot of things

00:21:40.259 --> 00:21:41.340
 that can be considered

00:21:41.340 --> 00:21:43.820
 in that second category.

00:21:44.080 --> 00:21:44.380
 Again,

00:21:44.680 --> 00:21:45.039
 baptism,

00:21:45.360 --> 00:21:47.299
 a very classic example of this.

00:21:47.420 --> 00:21:48.460
 There are reasons

00:21:48.460 --> 00:21:49.299
 that there are

00:21:49.299 --> 00:21:50.840
 paedo-baptist churches

00:21:50.840 --> 00:21:51.600
 in our community

00:21:51.600 --> 00:21:53.000
 that baptize infants

00:21:53.000 --> 00:21:55.259
 and churches that don't

00:21:55.259 --> 00:21:56.279
 only baptize

00:21:56.279 --> 00:21:58.680
 professing Christians.

00:21:59.680 --> 00:22:01.360
 But as we do this,

00:22:02.680 --> 00:22:04.480
 the very best

00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:06.279
 Christian thinking

00:22:06.279 --> 00:22:07.340
 is,

00:22:07.339 --> 00:22:09.220
 number one,

00:22:10.299 --> 00:22:10.899
 deferential.

00:22:11.699 --> 00:22:12.119
 Deferential.

00:22:12.279 --> 00:22:12.619
 That is,

00:22:13.240 --> 00:22:13.819
 respectful

00:22:13.819 --> 00:22:14.639
 and

00:22:14.639 --> 00:22:15.819
 humble.

00:22:17.419 --> 00:22:18.319
 You and I

00:22:18.319 --> 00:22:19.099
 only know

00:22:19.099 --> 00:22:20.000
 anything

00:22:20.000 --> 00:22:21.980
 that we know

00:22:21.980 --> 00:22:24.079
 because of the grace of God.

00:22:24.859 --> 00:22:25.980
 I have not arrived

00:22:25.980 --> 00:22:27.319
 at any grand truth

00:22:27.319 --> 00:22:29.279
 on my own.

00:22:29.899 --> 00:22:31.000
 I would be

00:22:31.000 --> 00:22:34.299
 cut off from,

00:22:34.939 --> 00:22:36.059
 I would not know,

00:22:36.059 --> 00:22:37.419
 would not behold

00:22:37.419 --> 00:22:38.579
 any of the majesty,

00:22:39.000 --> 00:22:40.139
 could not take up the Bible

00:22:40.139 --> 00:22:41.079
 and read

00:22:41.079 --> 00:22:42.259
 if it wasn't for

00:22:42.259 --> 00:22:43.559
 the grace of God

00:22:43.559 --> 00:22:44.980
 in my life.

00:22:46.099 --> 00:22:47.859
 So we ought to think together

00:22:47.859 --> 00:22:49.940
 and we ought to do so

00:22:49.940 --> 00:22:51.179
 deferentially

00:22:51.179 --> 00:22:52.899
 in this way.

00:22:54.039 --> 00:22:54.679
 Now you may know

00:22:54.679 --> 00:22:55.980
 that I love church history.

00:22:56.599 --> 00:22:58.159
 This is the primary reason

00:22:58.159 --> 00:22:58.779
 that I love it,

00:22:58.879 --> 00:22:59.079
 right?

00:22:59.220 --> 00:23:00.460
 Among some other things.

00:23:01.039 --> 00:23:01.759
 And that is because

00:23:01.759 --> 00:23:03.119
 church history has taught me

00:23:03.119 --> 00:23:04.239
 that I am

00:23:04.239 --> 00:23:05.439
 currently wrong

00:23:05.439 --> 00:23:06.619
 about something.

00:23:07.579 --> 00:23:08.000
 There's

00:23:08.000 --> 00:23:09.439
 no character

00:23:09.439 --> 00:23:10.199
 in church history

00:23:10.199 --> 00:23:10.919
 as much as we

00:23:10.919 --> 00:23:11.899
 appreciate them

00:23:11.899 --> 00:23:12.819
 that was right

00:23:12.819 --> 00:23:13.779
 about everything.

00:23:13.919 --> 00:23:14.779
 You can identify it.

00:23:14.799 --> 00:23:15.000
 Oop,

00:23:15.119 --> 00:23:15.799
 can't agree with them

00:23:15.799 --> 00:23:17.239
 on that matter.

00:23:17.799 --> 00:23:18.879
 That has to mean

00:23:18.879 --> 00:23:19.879
 that I am currently

00:23:19.879 --> 00:23:20.399
 wrong

00:23:20.399 --> 00:23:21.919
 about something.

00:23:22.019 --> 00:23:22.879
 If I knew what it was,

00:23:22.919 --> 00:23:23.599
 I would fix it

00:23:23.599 --> 00:23:24.179
 immediately,

00:23:24.459 --> 00:23:25.179
 but I don't

00:23:25.179 --> 00:23:25.919
 know

00:23:25.919 --> 00:23:26.859
 what it is.

00:23:27.339 --> 00:23:28.059
 And so I want to be

00:23:28.059 --> 00:23:28.579
 humble.

00:23:29.179 --> 00:23:30.399
 You're in the same boat

00:23:30.400 --> 00:23:31.400
 as I am.

00:23:31.660 --> 00:23:33.040
 All learning,

00:23:33.400 --> 00:23:33.740
 sorting,

00:23:34.160 --> 00:23:34.340
 right?

00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:37.120
 Approaching God's Word

00:23:37.120 --> 00:23:38.540
 with humility.

00:23:40.040 --> 00:23:40.200
 To me,

00:23:40.220 --> 00:23:40.800
 just the second point,

00:23:40.880 --> 00:23:41.700
 the very best Christian

00:23:41.700 --> 00:23:42.720
 thinking is

00:23:42.720 --> 00:23:44.259
 biblical.

00:23:45.600 --> 00:23:46.400
 Of course,

00:23:46.680 --> 00:23:46.940
 right?

00:23:47.700 --> 00:23:48.400
 Of course.

00:23:48.519 --> 00:23:49.300
 This goes

00:23:49.300 --> 00:23:51.380
 without saying

00:23:51.380 --> 00:23:52.420
 Christians should

00:23:52.420 --> 00:23:53.240
 think biblically

00:23:53.240 --> 00:23:54.800
 and I do mean that.

00:23:55.360 --> 00:23:55.820
 They should think

00:23:55.820 --> 00:23:56.180
 biblically.

00:23:56.280 --> 00:23:56.900
 They should take up

00:23:56.900 --> 00:23:57.420
 the Bible.

00:23:57.720 --> 00:23:59.040
 But beyond that,

00:23:59.039 --> 00:24:00.440
 I mean

00:24:00.440 --> 00:24:02.220
 that we should spend

00:24:02.220 --> 00:24:04.099
 way more time

00:24:04.099 --> 00:24:04.779
 in our Bibles

00:24:04.779 --> 00:24:05.960
 than we do

00:24:05.960 --> 00:24:07.619
 in other formats.

00:24:09.119 --> 00:24:09.700
 Hear this

00:24:09.700 --> 00:24:11.659
 way more time

00:24:11.659 --> 00:24:12.440
 than we do

00:24:12.440 --> 00:24:14.399
 listening to podcasts

00:24:14.399 --> 00:24:15.920
 or watching

00:24:15.920 --> 00:24:17.119
 our favorite guy

00:24:17.119 --> 00:24:18.460
 on YouTube

00:24:18.460 --> 00:24:19.879
 or

00:24:19.879 --> 00:24:21.559
 in books.

00:24:21.779 --> 00:24:22.500
 You know how I love

00:24:22.500 --> 00:24:22.980
 books.

00:24:23.980 --> 00:24:25.299
 Or even

00:24:25.299 --> 00:24:26.240
 from

00:24:26.240 --> 00:24:27.139
 sermons.

00:24:27.140 --> 00:24:27.280
 books.

00:24:28.000 --> 00:24:29.420
 You should spend

00:24:29.420 --> 00:24:31.600
 lots of time

00:24:31.600 --> 00:24:33.380
 in your Bible.

00:24:34.500 --> 00:24:34.880
 If I could

00:24:34.880 --> 00:24:35.500
 snap my fingers

00:24:35.500 --> 00:24:36.220
 if it was granted

00:24:36.220 --> 00:24:36.920
 to me to snap

00:24:36.920 --> 00:24:37.380
 my fingers

00:24:37.380 --> 00:24:38.680
 and do something

00:24:38.680 --> 00:24:40.000
 for the health

00:24:40.000 --> 00:24:41.220
 of our church,

00:24:41.420 --> 00:24:42.220
 this is what I would

00:24:42.220 --> 00:24:43.420
 ask of our church.

00:24:44.520 --> 00:24:44.940
 That everybody

00:24:44.940 --> 00:24:45.480
 read their Bible

00:24:45.480 --> 00:24:46.280
 every day.

00:24:47.500 --> 00:24:48.100
 Meditate on

00:24:48.100 --> 00:24:48.680
 its truths

00:24:48.680 --> 00:24:50.460
 and pray it.

00:24:51.160 --> 00:24:51.759
 I would ask

00:24:51.759 --> 00:24:52.320
 God

00:24:52.320 --> 00:24:53.040
 that they would

00:24:53.040 --> 00:24:53.820
 believe what the

00:24:53.820 --> 00:24:54.320
 Bible teaches

00:24:54.319 --> 00:24:55.099
 and that he would

00:24:55.099 --> 00:24:55.960
 do what he said

00:24:55.960 --> 00:24:56.339
 he's going

00:24:56.339 --> 00:24:57.339
 to do

00:24:57.339 --> 00:24:59.379
 and we wouldn't

00:24:59.379 --> 00:25:00.179
 be on social media.

00:25:02.179 --> 00:25:03.079
 Social media

00:25:03.079 --> 00:25:04.119
 is not necessarily

00:25:04.119 --> 00:25:04.720
 evil,

00:25:05.220 --> 00:25:06.099
 but we're getting

00:25:06.099 --> 00:25:07.619
 far too much

00:25:07.619 --> 00:25:08.480
 from it

00:25:08.480 --> 00:25:09.200
 than we

00:25:09.200 --> 00:25:10.279
 should.

00:25:11.500 --> 00:25:12.659
 Meet with God

00:25:12.659 --> 00:25:13.819
 in the Bible.

00:25:14.619 --> 00:25:15.379
 Something happens

00:25:15.379 --> 00:25:16.740
 in our culture.

00:25:17.539 --> 00:25:18.659
 A hot moment

00:25:18.659 --> 00:25:19.500
 happens.

00:25:19.500 --> 00:25:21.839
 Let God's

00:25:21.839 --> 00:25:22.559
 word be the

00:25:22.559 --> 00:25:22.920
 thing that

00:25:22.920 --> 00:25:23.779
 springs into

00:25:23.779 --> 00:25:24.559
 your mind.

00:25:25.039 --> 00:25:25.579
 Not some

00:25:25.579 --> 00:25:26.460
 guy you think

00:25:26.460 --> 00:25:26.740
 is going to

00:25:26.740 --> 00:25:27.339
 have an opinion

00:25:27.339 --> 00:25:28.099
 about the

00:25:28.099 --> 00:25:28.359
 matter.

00:25:28.980 --> 00:25:29.559
 Rush off to

00:25:29.559 --> 00:25:30.500
 see what he

00:25:30.500 --> 00:25:30.960
 or she

00:25:30.960 --> 00:25:32.200
 might have

00:25:32.200 --> 00:25:32.579
 to say.

00:25:32.700 --> 00:25:33.339
 Let God

00:25:33.339 --> 00:25:34.059
 speak to you

00:25:34.059 --> 00:25:35.380
 about the

00:25:35.380 --> 00:25:36.720
 issue at

00:25:36.720 --> 00:25:37.059
 hand.

00:25:38.460 --> 00:25:39.059
 It is far

00:25:39.059 --> 00:25:39.579
 too easy

00:25:39.579 --> 00:25:40.440
 to be convinced.

00:25:41.099 --> 00:25:41.700
 I'm in the

00:25:41.700 --> 00:25:42.019
 same boat

00:25:42.019 --> 00:25:42.420
 with you on

00:25:42.420 --> 00:25:42.599
 this.

00:25:42.720 --> 00:25:43.240
 It's far

00:25:43.240 --> 00:25:43.579
 too easy

00:25:43.579 --> 00:25:44.099
 to be convinced

00:25:44.099 --> 00:25:44.599
 of something

00:25:44.599 --> 00:25:45.740
 by someone

00:25:45.740 --> 00:25:46.880
 articulate

00:25:46.880 --> 00:25:48.480
 who references

00:25:48.480 --> 00:25:49.019
 the Bible

00:25:49.019 --> 00:25:50.259
 rather than

00:25:50.259 --> 00:25:51.120
 thinking

00:25:51.120 --> 00:25:52.660
 biblically.

00:25:53.839 --> 00:25:54.319
 So the very

00:25:54.319 --> 00:25:54.660
 best Christian

00:25:54.660 --> 00:25:55.200
 thinking is

00:25:55.200 --> 00:25:55.799
 deferential,

00:25:55.980 --> 00:25:56.160
 it is

00:25:56.160 --> 00:25:56.460
 biblical,

00:25:57.039 --> 00:25:57.559
 and thirdly,

00:25:57.599 --> 00:25:58.059
 it is

00:25:58.059 --> 00:25:59.519
 relational.

00:26:00.160 --> 00:26:00.360
 It's

00:26:00.360 --> 00:26:00.860
 relational.

00:26:02.720 --> 00:26:03.740
 Think with

00:26:03.740 --> 00:26:04.559
 others

00:26:04.559 --> 00:26:06.339
 who know

00:26:06.339 --> 00:26:06.819
 you

00:26:06.819 --> 00:26:08.019
 and who

00:26:08.019 --> 00:26:08.420
 can keep

00:26:08.420 --> 00:26:08.880
 an eye

00:26:08.880 --> 00:26:09.440
 on you.

00:26:10.440 --> 00:26:10.700
 And beloved,

00:26:10.779 --> 00:26:11.120
 this means

00:26:11.120 --> 00:26:11.319
 that we

00:26:11.319 --> 00:26:11.579
 have to

00:26:11.579 --> 00:26:12.240
 slow our

00:26:12.240 --> 00:26:12.579
 thinking

00:26:12.579 --> 00:26:12.980
 down

00:26:12.980 --> 00:26:13.799
 sometimes.

00:26:14.160 --> 00:26:14.400
 Did you

00:26:14.400 --> 00:26:14.660
 know that

00:26:14.660 --> 00:26:14.900
 you don't

00:26:14.900 --> 00:26:15.220
 have to

00:26:15.220 --> 00:26:15.519
 form a

00:26:15.519 --> 00:26:15.779
 strong

00:26:15.779 --> 00:26:16.039
 opinion

00:26:16.039 --> 00:26:16.259
 about

00:26:16.259 --> 00:26:16.519
 stuff

00:26:16.519 --> 00:26:16.740
 in a

00:26:16.740 --> 00:26:17.000
 week?

00:26:17.000 --> 00:26:18.859
 Social

00:26:18.859 --> 00:26:19.240
 media

00:26:19.240 --> 00:26:19.640
 would have

00:26:19.640 --> 00:26:20.000
 you think

00:26:20.000 --> 00:26:20.420
 otherwise.

00:26:21.359 --> 00:26:21.500
 So you

00:26:21.500 --> 00:26:21.759
 can take

00:26:21.759 --> 00:26:22.019
 a little

00:26:22.019 --> 00:26:22.539
 time,

00:26:22.900 --> 00:26:23.819
 slow down,

00:26:24.500 --> 00:26:24.819
 take a

00:26:24.819 --> 00:26:25.039
 beat,

00:26:25.740 --> 00:26:26.000
 think

00:26:26.000 --> 00:26:26.519
 carefully,

00:26:26.960 --> 00:26:27.859
 and think

00:26:27.859 --> 00:26:28.279
 with

00:26:28.279 --> 00:26:29.539
 others,

00:26:29.740 --> 00:26:29.960
 right?

00:26:30.400 --> 00:26:30.880
 You can

00:26:30.880 --> 00:26:31.160
 have the

00:26:31.160 --> 00:26:31.380
 right

00:26:31.380 --> 00:26:31.779
 doctrine,

00:26:31.859 --> 00:26:32.079
 but you

00:26:32.079 --> 00:26:32.539
 can hold

00:26:32.539 --> 00:26:33.539
 it wrongly,

00:26:34.420 --> 00:26:35.359
 create pride

00:26:35.359 --> 00:26:35.839
 in you,

00:26:36.180 --> 00:26:36.880
 misapply it

00:26:36.880 --> 00:26:37.220
 in some

00:26:37.220 --> 00:26:37.539
 way.

00:26:39.720 --> 00:26:40.319
 Allow

00:26:40.319 --> 00:26:41.619
 your

00:26:41.619 --> 00:26:42.220
 pastors

00:26:42.220 --> 00:26:43.920
 the

00:26:43.920 --> 00:26:44.740
 privilege

00:26:44.740 --> 00:26:45.500
 of

00:26:45.500 --> 00:26:46.019
 thinking

00:26:46.019 --> 00:26:47.220
 with

00:26:47.220 --> 00:26:47.460
 you.

00:26:48.559 --> 00:26:48.799
 We

00:26:48.799 --> 00:26:49.519
 want to

00:26:49.519 --> 00:26:49.779
 walk

00:26:49.779 --> 00:26:49.980
 through

00:26:49.980 --> 00:26:50.460
 complicated

00:26:50.460 --> 00:26:50.940
 things.

00:26:51.180 --> 00:26:51.420
 We're

00:26:51.420 --> 00:26:52.359
 trying to

00:26:52.359 --> 00:26:52.660
 think

00:26:52.660 --> 00:26:52.980
 too

00:26:52.980 --> 00:26:53.200
 and

00:26:53.200 --> 00:26:53.539
 think

00:26:53.539 --> 00:26:54.839
 biblically.

00:26:55.559 --> 00:26:56.059
 And I

00:26:56.059 --> 00:26:56.380
 will tell

00:26:56.380 --> 00:26:56.579
 you,

00:26:56.660 --> 00:26:57.039
 speaking on

00:26:57.039 --> 00:26:57.599
 behalf of

00:26:57.599 --> 00:26:57.859
 your

00:26:57.859 --> 00:26:58.259
 elders,

00:26:59.099 --> 00:26:59.940
 we often

00:26:59.940 --> 00:27:00.880
 feel like

00:27:00.880 --> 00:27:01.839
 a quiet

00:27:01.839 --> 00:27:03.200
 whisper in

00:27:03.200 --> 00:27:03.700
 the corner

00:27:03.700 --> 00:27:04.500
 of a very

00:27:04.500 --> 00:27:05.519
 loud room.

00:27:06.559 --> 00:27:06.819
 And I

00:27:06.819 --> 00:27:07.140
 just don't

00:27:07.140 --> 00:27:07.519
 think this

00:27:07.519 --> 00:27:07.799
 should be

00:27:07.799 --> 00:27:08.380
 the case.

00:27:09.559 --> 00:27:09.920
 I don't

00:27:09.920 --> 00:27:10.539
 think that

00:27:10.539 --> 00:27:11.059
 I should

00:27:11.059 --> 00:27:11.400
 have to

00:27:11.400 --> 00:27:11.920
 compete

00:27:11.920 --> 00:27:13.039
 with

00:27:13.039 --> 00:27:13.380
 whatever

00:27:13.380 --> 00:27:13.980
 talking

00:27:13.980 --> 00:27:14.340
 head

00:27:14.340 --> 00:27:14.759
 is out

00:27:14.759 --> 00:27:14.920
 there

00:27:14.920 --> 00:27:15.220
 on

00:27:15.220 --> 00:27:16.180
 the

00:27:16.180 --> 00:27:16.460
 internet.

00:27:16.680 --> 00:27:17.019
 I can

00:27:17.019 --> 00:27:17.360
 tell you

00:27:17.360 --> 00:27:17.600
 this,

00:27:17.640 --> 00:27:18.060
 I'm not

00:27:18.060 --> 00:27:18.279
 going to

00:27:18.279 --> 00:27:18.580
 compete

00:27:18.580 --> 00:27:18.880
 in the

00:27:18.880 --> 00:27:19.120
 same

00:27:19.120 --> 00:27:19.600
 medium.

00:27:20.200 --> 00:27:20.500
 I'm

00:27:20.500 --> 00:27:20.700
 not

00:27:20.700 --> 00:27:21.220
 gifted

00:27:21.220 --> 00:27:21.640
 enough

00:27:21.640 --> 00:27:22.120
 to do

00:27:22.120 --> 00:27:22.440
 that.

00:27:23.200 --> 00:27:23.519
 If I

00:27:23.519 --> 00:27:23.800
 spent all

00:27:23.800 --> 00:27:24.140
 my time

00:27:24.140 --> 00:27:24.460
 trying to

00:27:24.460 --> 00:27:24.779
 produce

00:27:24.779 --> 00:27:25.340
 videos,

00:27:25.539 --> 00:27:25.720
 I

00:27:25.720 --> 00:27:25.920
 wouldn't

00:27:25.920 --> 00:27:26.100
 have

00:27:26.100 --> 00:27:26.300
 time

00:27:26.300 --> 00:27:26.460
 for

00:27:26.460 --> 00:27:26.820
 anything

00:27:26.820 --> 00:27:27.220
 else.

00:27:27.320 --> 00:27:27.380
 And

00:27:27.380 --> 00:27:27.480
 they

00:27:27.480 --> 00:27:27.560
 would

00:27:27.560 --> 00:27:27.680
 be

00:27:27.680 --> 00:27:28.140
 bad.

00:27:28.259 --> 00:27:28.340
 They

00:27:28.340 --> 00:27:28.480
 just

00:27:28.480 --> 00:27:28.740
 wouldn't

00:27:28.740 --> 00:27:29.140
 be

00:27:29.140 --> 00:27:29.759
 good.

00:27:30.820 --> 00:27:31.019
 I

00:27:31.019 --> 00:27:31.180
 tried

00:27:31.180 --> 00:27:31.279
 to

00:27:31.279 --> 00:27:31.420
 shoot

00:27:31.420 --> 00:27:31.519
 a

00:27:31.519 --> 00:27:31.680
 couple

00:27:31.680 --> 00:27:32.220
 videos

00:27:32.220 --> 00:27:32.700
 across

00:27:32.700 --> 00:27:33.039
 the

00:27:33.039 --> 00:27:33.320
 COVID

00:27:33.320 --> 00:27:34.480
 era,

00:27:35.480 --> 00:27:36.279
 and it

00:27:36.279 --> 00:27:36.600
 took me

00:27:36.600 --> 00:27:37.200
 forever

00:27:37.200 --> 00:27:37.860
 to do

00:27:37.860 --> 00:27:38.060
 it.

00:27:38.560 --> 00:27:38.740
 Boy,

00:27:38.740 --> 00:27:39.339
 I was

00:27:39.339 --> 00:27:39.759
 pitiful

00:27:39.759 --> 00:27:40.180
 at the

00:27:40.180 --> 00:27:40.359
 whole

00:27:40.359 --> 00:27:41.539
 process.

00:27:43.480 --> 00:27:44.079
 Perhaps

00:27:44.079 --> 00:27:44.380
 because we

00:27:44.380 --> 00:27:45.079
 know each

00:27:45.079 --> 00:27:45.380
 other.

00:27:46.160 --> 00:27:46.519
 There's

00:27:46.519 --> 00:27:46.720
 some

00:27:46.720 --> 00:27:47.519
 relational

00:27:47.519 --> 00:27:48.559
 equity

00:27:48.559 --> 00:27:49.240
 here.

00:27:49.400 --> 00:27:49.559
 There's

00:27:49.559 --> 00:27:49.819
 some

00:27:49.819 --> 00:27:50.660
 God-given

00:27:50.660 --> 00:27:51.500
 authority

00:27:51.500 --> 00:27:51.819
 for the

00:27:51.819 --> 00:27:52.099
 way a

00:27:52.099 --> 00:27:52.380
 church

00:27:52.380 --> 00:27:52.759
 ought to

00:27:52.759 --> 00:27:53.180
 function.

00:27:53.359 --> 00:27:53.440
 We

00:27:53.440 --> 00:27:53.680
 could

00:27:53.680 --> 00:27:54.680
 talk a

00:27:54.680 --> 00:27:54.759
 little

00:27:54.759 --> 00:27:55.140
 more

00:27:55.140 --> 00:27:55.920
 and

00:27:55.920 --> 00:27:56.420
 arrive

00:27:56.420 --> 00:27:56.660
 at

00:27:56.660 --> 00:27:57.460
 truth

00:27:57.460 --> 00:27:58.759
 together.

00:27:59.039 --> 00:27:59.160
 We

00:27:59.160 --> 00:27:59.559
 want

00:27:59.559 --> 00:27:59.920
 to

00:27:59.920 --> 00:28:00.319
 think

00:28:00.319 --> 00:28:00.759
 with

00:28:00.759 --> 00:28:01.900
 you.

00:28:02.319 --> 00:28:02.380
 And

00:28:02.380 --> 00:28:02.819
 if we

00:28:02.819 --> 00:28:03.059
 don't

00:28:03.059 --> 00:28:03.220
 do

00:28:03.220 --> 00:28:03.400
 this

00:28:03.400 --> 00:28:03.799
 together,

00:28:04.559 --> 00:28:05.039
 you

00:28:05.039 --> 00:28:05.200
 may

00:28:05.200 --> 00:28:05.400
 miss

00:28:05.400 --> 00:28:05.599
 out

00:28:05.599 --> 00:28:05.819
 on

00:28:05.819 --> 00:28:06.559
 some

00:28:06.559 --> 00:28:06.980
 correction

00:28:06.980 --> 00:28:07.380
 of your

00:28:07.380 --> 00:28:07.980
 beliefs

00:28:07.980 --> 00:28:08.200
 or

00:28:08.200 --> 00:28:08.960
 attitudes,

00:28:09.380 --> 00:28:09.559
 maybe

00:28:09.559 --> 00:28:09.779
 some

00:28:09.779 --> 00:28:10.180
 warning

00:28:10.180 --> 00:28:10.580
 for

00:28:10.580 --> 00:28:11.420
 believing

00:28:11.420 --> 00:28:11.740
 something

00:28:11.740 --> 00:28:12.000
 that could

00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:12.340
 be totally

00:28:12.340 --> 00:28:12.640
 true,

00:28:12.720 --> 00:28:13.140
 but where

00:28:13.140 --> 00:28:13.819
 it could

00:28:13.819 --> 00:28:14.559
 lead.

00:28:14.759 --> 00:28:14.940
 And then

00:28:14.940 --> 00:28:15.240
 hear this

00:28:15.240 --> 00:28:15.440
 really

00:28:15.440 --> 00:28:15.819
 carefully,

00:28:17.299 --> 00:28:17.799
 we may

00:28:17.799 --> 00:28:18.400
 miss out

00:28:18.400 --> 00:28:19.039
 on the

00:28:19.039 --> 00:28:19.340
 same.

00:28:20.840 --> 00:28:21.620
 Love me

00:28:21.620 --> 00:28:22.080
 enough

00:28:22.080 --> 00:28:22.759
 to think

00:28:22.759 --> 00:28:23.360
 with me

00:28:23.360 --> 00:28:24.019
 because I'm

00:28:24.019 --> 00:28:24.299
 not going

00:28:24.299 --> 00:28:24.500
 to be

00:28:24.500 --> 00:28:24.840
 perfect

00:28:24.840 --> 00:28:25.180
 all the

00:28:25.180 --> 00:28:25.480
 time,

00:28:25.539 --> 00:28:25.840
 and I

00:28:25.840 --> 00:28:26.059
 need

00:28:26.059 --> 00:28:26.400
 you

00:28:26.400 --> 00:28:26.900
 to also

00:28:26.900 --> 00:28:27.259
 help

00:28:27.259 --> 00:28:27.779
 me

00:28:27.779 --> 00:28:29.000
 to

00:28:29.000 --> 00:28:29.360
 think.

00:28:30.420 --> 00:28:30.920
 So the

00:28:30.920 --> 00:28:31.340
 very best

00:28:31.340 --> 00:28:31.700
 Christian

00:28:31.700 --> 00:28:32.220
 thinking is

00:28:32.220 --> 00:28:32.440
 going to

00:28:32.440 --> 00:28:32.779
 happen

00:28:32.779 --> 00:28:33.640
 in this

00:28:33.640 --> 00:28:33.960
 way.

00:28:34.100 --> 00:28:34.319
 And it

00:28:34.319 --> 00:28:34.980
 means at

00:28:34.980 --> 00:28:35.660
 times we're

00:28:35.660 --> 00:28:36.019
 going to

00:28:36.019 --> 00:28:36.580
 arrive at

00:28:36.580 --> 00:28:36.900
 different

00:28:36.900 --> 00:28:37.400
 conclusions.

00:28:38.200 --> 00:28:39.240
 Faithful

00:28:39.240 --> 00:28:39.559
 Christians

00:28:39.559 --> 00:28:39.880
 throughout

00:28:39.880 --> 00:28:40.259
 history

00:28:40.259 --> 00:28:40.440
 have

00:28:40.440 --> 00:28:40.960
 arrived

00:28:40.960 --> 00:28:41.400
 at

00:28:41.400 --> 00:28:41.819
 different

00:28:41.819 --> 00:28:42.880
 conclusions.

00:28:43.080 --> 00:28:43.279
 Again,

00:28:43.640 --> 00:28:44.120
 the matter

00:28:44.120 --> 00:28:44.680
 of

00:28:44.680 --> 00:28:45.299
 baptism.

00:28:45.779 --> 00:28:46.680
 Pado-baptists

00:28:46.680 --> 00:28:48.120
 and

00:28:48.120 --> 00:28:49.059
 credo-baptists.

00:28:50.940 --> 00:28:51.680
 One of us

00:28:51.680 --> 00:28:52.120
 are right

00:28:52.120 --> 00:28:52.660
 or we're

00:28:52.660 --> 00:28:53.140
 both very

00:28:53.140 --> 00:28:53.539
 wrong.

00:28:54.100 --> 00:28:54.660
 I don't

00:28:54.660 --> 00:28:55.000
 know,

00:28:55.160 --> 00:28:55.580
 but we've

00:28:55.580 --> 00:28:55.960
 arrived at

00:28:55.960 --> 00:28:56.220
 different

00:28:56.220 --> 00:28:56.700
 conclusions

00:28:56.700 --> 00:28:57.860
 for centuries

00:28:57.860 --> 00:28:58.400
 and that's

00:28:58.400 --> 00:28:59.000
 probably going

00:28:59.000 --> 00:28:59.519
 to continue

00:28:59.519 --> 00:29:00.000
 to happen,

00:29:00.380 --> 00:29:00.720
 but let's

00:29:00.720 --> 00:29:00.960
 do it

00:29:00.960 --> 00:29:01.420
 together.

00:29:02.299 --> 00:29:02.519
 Let's

00:29:02.519 --> 00:29:02.980
 walk that

00:29:02.980 --> 00:29:03.580
 process

00:29:03.580 --> 00:29:04.240
 out

00:29:04.240 --> 00:29:05.620
 in

00:29:05.620 --> 00:29:06.080
 relationship

00:29:06.079 --> 00:29:06.759
 with one

00:29:06.759 --> 00:29:07.079
 another.

00:29:08.399 --> 00:29:08.980
 So that

00:29:08.980 --> 00:29:09.139
 was the

00:29:09.139 --> 00:29:09.279
 first

00:29:09.279 --> 00:29:09.500
 point.

00:29:09.639 --> 00:29:09.879
 First

00:29:09.879 --> 00:29:10.379
 big

00:29:10.379 --> 00:29:10.639
 point.

00:29:11.319 --> 00:29:11.639
 The church

00:29:11.639 --> 00:29:12.019
 is

00:29:12.019 --> 00:29:14.240
 theological,

00:29:14.559 --> 00:29:15.039
 confessional,

00:29:15.139 --> 00:29:15.639
 and therefore

00:29:15.639 --> 00:29:16.460
 convictional.

00:29:16.599 --> 00:29:16.859
 Secondly,

00:29:17.939 --> 00:29:18.319
 the church

00:29:18.319 --> 00:29:19.240
 is relational.

00:29:19.799 --> 00:29:20.099
 The church

00:29:20.099 --> 00:29:20.559
 is relational.

00:29:20.720 --> 00:29:20.839
 This is

00:29:20.839 --> 00:29:21.179
 Ephesians

00:29:21.179 --> 00:29:22.119
 chapter 4.

00:29:23.720 --> 00:29:24.339
 Paul says,

00:29:24.439 --> 00:29:25.099
 I urge you

00:29:25.099 --> 00:29:25.839
 to walk

00:29:25.839 --> 00:29:27.159
 in a manner

00:29:27.159 --> 00:29:28.319
 worthy of

00:29:28.319 --> 00:29:29.039
 the calling

00:29:29.039 --> 00:29:29.659
 to which

00:29:29.659 --> 00:29:30.279
 you have

00:29:30.279 --> 00:29:30.799
 been

00:29:30.799 --> 00:29:32.000
 called.

00:29:32.119 --> 00:29:32.279
 Like,

00:29:32.619 --> 00:29:32.980
 to the

00:29:32.980 --> 00:29:33.359
 gospel,

00:29:33.519 --> 00:29:34.220
 to pursuing

00:29:34.220 --> 00:29:34.779
 Christ,

00:29:34.920 --> 00:29:35.259
 walk in

00:29:35.259 --> 00:29:35.600
 a manner

00:29:35.600 --> 00:29:36.360
 worthy of

00:29:36.360 --> 00:29:36.960
 that,

00:29:38.039 --> 00:29:40.120
 with all

00:29:40.120 --> 00:29:40.660
 humility

00:29:40.660 --> 00:29:42.220
 and gentleness,

00:29:43.000 --> 00:29:44.480
 with patience,

00:29:45.279 --> 00:29:46.059
 bearing with

00:29:46.059 --> 00:29:46.640
 one another

00:29:46.640 --> 00:29:48.000
 in love,

00:29:48.900 --> 00:29:49.600
 eager to

00:29:49.600 --> 00:29:50.680
 maintain the

00:29:50.680 --> 00:29:51.960
 unity of

00:29:51.960 --> 00:29:52.420
 the Spirit

00:29:52.420 --> 00:29:53.759
 in the

00:29:53.759 --> 00:29:54.100
 bond of

00:29:54.100 --> 00:29:54.440
 peace.

00:29:56.319 --> 00:29:57.240
 There is

00:29:57.240 --> 00:29:58.720
 a divine

00:29:58.720 --> 00:30:00.259
 reality that

00:30:00.259 --> 00:30:00.920
 if we are

00:30:00.920 --> 00:30:01.960
 in Christ,

00:30:02.240 --> 00:30:03.000
 there is a

00:30:03.000 --> 00:30:05.039
 unity of

00:30:05.039 --> 00:30:07.180
 the Spirit.

00:30:08.240 --> 00:30:08.599
 And Paul

00:30:08.599 --> 00:30:09.180
 is exhorting

00:30:09.180 --> 00:30:09.619
 us here

00:30:09.619 --> 00:30:10.279
 to do

00:30:10.279 --> 00:30:11.299
 the work

00:30:11.299 --> 00:30:12.599
 of maintaining

00:30:12.599 --> 00:30:14.420
 that unity.

00:30:15.000 --> 00:30:15.480
 There is a

00:30:15.480 --> 00:30:15.700
 way,

00:30:15.759 --> 00:30:16.180
 I have made

00:30:16.180 --> 00:30:16.500
 the case

00:30:16.500 --> 00:30:16.680
 to you

00:30:16.680 --> 00:30:17.000
 before,

00:30:17.099 --> 00:30:17.420
 for us

00:30:17.420 --> 00:30:18.500
 to disagree

00:30:18.500 --> 00:30:20.460
 agreeably,

00:30:21.119 --> 00:30:22.220
 to be

00:30:22.220 --> 00:30:22.640
 humble

00:30:22.640 --> 00:30:23.680
 and gentle

00:30:23.680 --> 00:30:25.119
 and patient

00:30:25.119 --> 00:30:26.180
 and to

00:30:26.180 --> 00:30:27.160
 bear with

00:30:27.160 --> 00:30:27.700
 one another.

00:30:28.859 --> 00:30:29.680
 People are

00:30:29.680 --> 00:30:30.339
 a mess.

00:30:30.339 --> 00:30:32.179
 the church

00:30:32.179 --> 00:30:33.259
 is messy

00:30:33.259 --> 00:30:34.059
 because it

00:30:34.059 --> 00:30:34.559
 is made

00:30:34.559 --> 00:30:35.740
 up of

00:30:35.740 --> 00:30:36.459
 imperfect

00:30:36.459 --> 00:30:37.299
 people on

00:30:37.299 --> 00:30:37.939
 a journey

00:30:37.939 --> 00:30:38.559
 toward

00:30:38.559 --> 00:30:39.759
 glory.

00:30:40.699 --> 00:30:41.740
 If me

00:30:41.740 --> 00:30:42.359
 being here,

00:30:42.639 --> 00:30:42.959
 a member

00:30:42.959 --> 00:30:43.199
 of this

00:30:43.199 --> 00:30:43.439
 church

00:30:43.439 --> 00:30:43.879
 first,

00:30:44.500 --> 00:30:44.919
 a pastor

00:30:44.919 --> 00:30:45.259
 of this

00:30:45.259 --> 00:30:45.579
 church

00:30:45.579 --> 00:30:46.480
 second,

00:30:46.579 --> 00:30:47.500
 was contingent

00:30:47.500 --> 00:30:47.919
 on me

00:30:47.919 --> 00:30:49.039
 always enjoying

00:30:49.039 --> 00:30:49.619
 all of you,

00:30:49.679 --> 00:30:50.039
 I would have

00:30:50.039 --> 00:30:50.599
 left a long

00:30:50.599 --> 00:30:51.199
 time ago.

00:30:54.699 --> 00:30:55.399
 I don't

00:30:55.399 --> 00:30:55.899
 always like

00:30:55.899 --> 00:30:56.119
 you.

00:30:57.259 --> 00:30:58.220
 I love you

00:30:58.220 --> 00:30:58.799
 a ton.

00:30:59.400 --> 00:30:59.720
 There's a

00:30:59.720 --> 00:31:00.539
 huge difference.

00:31:01.559 --> 00:31:02.180
 Willing to

00:31:02.180 --> 00:31:02.799
 walk with

00:31:02.799 --> 00:31:03.380
 people through

00:31:03.380 --> 00:31:03.900
 all the

00:31:03.900 --> 00:31:04.319
 messiness

00:31:04.319 --> 00:31:05.120
 that we

00:31:05.120 --> 00:31:06.519
 are,

00:31:06.720 --> 00:31:07.100
 to not be

00:31:07.100 --> 00:31:07.920
 so easily

00:31:07.920 --> 00:31:08.960
 offended all

00:31:08.960 --> 00:31:09.440
 the time,

00:31:09.700 --> 00:31:10.700
 to set aside

00:31:10.700 --> 00:31:11.140
 our own

00:31:11.140 --> 00:31:11.819
 preferences for

00:31:11.819 --> 00:31:12.220
 the sake

00:31:12.220 --> 00:31:13.140
 of others'

00:31:13.960 --> 00:31:14.299
 preferences,

00:31:14.600 --> 00:31:14.980
 to have

00:31:14.980 --> 00:31:16.100
 hard conversations

00:31:16.100 --> 00:31:16.960
 when you feel

00:31:16.960 --> 00:31:18.120
 offended by

00:31:18.120 --> 00:31:18.640
 something that

00:31:18.640 --> 00:31:20.140
 somebody says.

00:31:20.700 --> 00:31:21.079
 It's

00:31:21.079 --> 00:31:22.480
 difficult work

00:31:22.480 --> 00:31:23.259
 to walk with

00:31:23.259 --> 00:31:23.900
 people throughout

00:31:23.900 --> 00:31:24.460
 the entirety

00:31:24.460 --> 00:31:25.519
 of your

00:31:25.519 --> 00:31:27.100
 life.

00:31:27.099 --> 00:31:27.159
 life.

00:31:27.879 --> 00:31:28.099
 And we

00:31:28.099 --> 00:31:28.379
 shouldn't

00:31:28.379 --> 00:31:28.859
 cut and

00:31:28.859 --> 00:31:29.299
 run on

00:31:29.299 --> 00:31:29.679
 one another

00:31:29.679 --> 00:31:30.219
 when things

00:31:30.219 --> 00:31:30.539
 get

00:31:30.539 --> 00:31:32.199
 uncomfortable.

00:31:33.759 --> 00:31:34.059
 Charles

00:31:34.059 --> 00:31:34.379
 Spurgeon

00:31:34.379 --> 00:31:34.859
 once said,

00:31:34.919 --> 00:31:35.259
 this is in

00:31:35.259 --> 00:31:35.759
 your bulletin,

00:31:35.859 --> 00:31:36.099
 quote,

00:31:36.259 --> 00:31:36.879
 the day we

00:31:36.879 --> 00:31:37.359
 find the

00:31:37.359 --> 00:31:38.099
 perfect church,

00:31:38.639 --> 00:31:39.439
 it becomes

00:31:39.439 --> 00:31:40.539
 imperfect the

00:31:40.539 --> 00:31:41.419
 moment we

00:31:41.419 --> 00:31:42.539
 join it.

00:31:43.359 --> 00:31:43.759
 End quote.

00:31:45.839 --> 00:31:46.899
 The people

00:31:46.899 --> 00:31:48.619
 of a church

00:31:48.619 --> 00:31:49.639
 are not a

00:31:49.639 --> 00:31:50.519
 commodity

00:31:50.519 --> 00:31:51.759
 for your

00:31:51.759 --> 00:31:53.019
 consumption.

00:31:54.219 --> 00:31:54.799
 You shouldn't

00:31:54.799 --> 00:31:55.379
 show up,

00:31:56.000 --> 00:31:56.419
 prospective

00:31:56.419 --> 00:31:56.879
 church,

00:31:57.099 --> 00:31:57.719
 join the

00:31:57.719 --> 00:31:57.980
 church,

00:31:58.079 --> 00:31:58.879
 expecting this

00:31:58.879 --> 00:31:59.219
 group of

00:31:59.219 --> 00:31:59.579
 people is

00:31:59.579 --> 00:32:00.240
 there in

00:32:00.240 --> 00:32:00.759
 order for

00:32:00.759 --> 00:32:01.019
 you to

00:32:01.019 --> 00:32:01.539
 be served

00:32:01.539 --> 00:32:02.399
 with all

00:32:02.399 --> 00:32:02.919
 of your

00:32:02.919 --> 00:32:03.799
 stuff.

00:32:05.799 --> 00:32:06.279
 The

00:32:06.279 --> 00:32:06.899
 leadership of

00:32:06.899 --> 00:32:07.339
 a church

00:32:07.339 --> 00:32:08.240
 is not a

00:32:08.240 --> 00:32:08.679
 commodity

00:32:08.679 --> 00:32:10.000
 for consumption.

00:32:11.339 --> 00:32:11.919
 If you

00:32:11.919 --> 00:32:12.439
 are here,

00:32:13.339 --> 00:32:14.039
 even if you

00:32:14.039 --> 00:32:15.019
 have yet to

00:32:15.019 --> 00:32:15.359
 join the

00:32:15.359 --> 00:32:15.619
 church,

00:32:15.679 --> 00:32:15.959
 if you

00:32:15.959 --> 00:32:16.359
 are here,

00:32:16.399 --> 00:32:16.599
 if you

00:32:16.599 --> 00:32:17.159
 come to

00:32:17.159 --> 00:32:18.159
 this spot

00:32:18.159 --> 00:32:19.099
 and join

00:32:19.099 --> 00:32:19.439
 us on

00:32:19.439 --> 00:32:19.699
 Sunday

00:32:19.699 --> 00:32:20.619
 morning for

00:32:20.619 --> 00:32:21.839
 any period

00:32:21.839 --> 00:32:22.219
 of time,

00:32:22.279 --> 00:32:22.599
 I want you

00:32:22.599 --> 00:32:23.039
 to hear this

00:32:23.039 --> 00:32:23.419
 with such

00:32:23.419 --> 00:32:23.879
 clarity.

00:32:24.219 --> 00:32:24.759
 I love

00:32:24.759 --> 00:32:24.959
 you.

00:32:24.960 --> 00:32:26.319
 I'm not

00:32:26.319 --> 00:32:26.720
 particularly

00:32:26.720 --> 00:32:27.240
 a people

00:32:27.240 --> 00:32:27.840
 person.

00:32:28.259 --> 00:32:28.539
 I have

00:32:28.539 --> 00:32:28.900
 a very

00:32:28.900 --> 00:32:29.539
 limited

00:32:29.539 --> 00:32:30.720
 capacity

00:32:30.720 --> 00:32:31.620
 and energy

00:32:31.620 --> 00:32:33.019
 to really

00:32:33.019 --> 00:32:33.640
 know people.

00:32:34.340 --> 00:32:34.779
 The Lord

00:32:34.779 --> 00:32:35.200
 has put me

00:32:35.200 --> 00:32:35.960
 in a position

00:32:35.960 --> 00:32:36.340
 where I

00:32:36.340 --> 00:32:37.180
 am desperate

00:32:37.180 --> 00:32:37.519
 for him

00:32:37.519 --> 00:32:37.840
 to work

00:32:37.840 --> 00:32:38.340
 beyond my

00:32:38.340 --> 00:32:38.799
 natural

00:32:38.799 --> 00:32:39.620
 gifting.

00:32:40.079 --> 00:32:40.360
 I will

00:32:40.360 --> 00:32:40.759
 tell you

00:32:40.759 --> 00:32:41.079
 that he

00:32:41.079 --> 00:32:41.519
 puts a

00:32:41.519 --> 00:32:42.259
 love in

00:32:42.259 --> 00:32:43.220
 me for

00:32:43.220 --> 00:32:43.539
 you.

00:32:43.799 --> 00:32:44.120
 You just

00:32:44.120 --> 00:32:44.620
 show up.

00:32:45.200 --> 00:32:45.700
 Show up a

00:32:45.700 --> 00:32:46.180
 couple Sundays

00:32:46.180 --> 00:32:46.740
 in a row

00:32:46.740 --> 00:32:47.380
 and I want

00:32:47.380 --> 00:32:48.400
 to serve

00:32:48.400 --> 00:32:48.620
 you.

00:32:49.160 --> 00:32:49.420
 And I

00:32:49.420 --> 00:32:49.680
 want to

00:32:49.680 --> 00:32:50.579
 serve your

00:32:50.579 --> 00:32:50.980
 family.

00:32:50.980 --> 00:32:51.599
 I want

00:32:51.599 --> 00:32:52.079
 to lead

00:32:52.079 --> 00:32:52.579
 you in

00:32:52.579 --> 00:32:53.079
 the truth.

00:32:53.360 --> 00:32:53.519
 I want

00:32:53.519 --> 00:32:53.759
 to see

00:32:53.759 --> 00:32:54.180
 you grow

00:32:54.180 --> 00:32:54.440
 in your

00:32:54.440 --> 00:32:54.880
 affections

00:32:54.880 --> 00:32:55.240
 for our

00:32:55.240 --> 00:32:55.579
 God,

00:32:55.920 --> 00:32:56.480
 grow in

00:32:56.480 --> 00:32:56.880
 holiness,

00:32:57.440 --> 00:32:57.960
 serve

00:32:57.960 --> 00:32:58.759
 sacrificially

00:32:58.759 --> 00:32:59.980
 for your

00:32:59.980 --> 00:33:00.500
 eternal

00:33:00.500 --> 00:33:01.620
 joy.

00:33:01.819 --> 00:33:02.000
 I want

00:33:02.000 --> 00:33:02.160
 to do

00:33:02.160 --> 00:33:03.180
 all of

00:33:03.180 --> 00:33:03.460
 that.

00:33:04.380 --> 00:33:04.819
 Every

00:33:04.819 --> 00:33:05.279
 man that

00:33:05.279 --> 00:33:05.799
 serves as

00:33:05.799 --> 00:33:06.140
 a pastor

00:33:06.140 --> 00:33:06.880
 here feels

00:33:06.880 --> 00:33:08.059
 the exact

00:33:08.059 --> 00:33:08.920
 same way.

00:33:09.599 --> 00:33:09.759
 We

00:33:09.759 --> 00:33:10.880
 lament

00:33:10.880 --> 00:33:11.500
 together

00:33:11.500 --> 00:33:12.079
 over

00:33:12.079 --> 00:33:13.360
 departures.

00:33:13.480 --> 00:33:13.720
 It is

00:33:13.720 --> 00:33:14.740
 hard for

00:33:14.740 --> 00:33:15.360
 all of

00:33:15.360 --> 00:33:15.799
 us when

00:33:15.799 --> 00:33:16.319
 someone

00:33:16.319 --> 00:33:17.700
 leaves the

00:33:17.700 --> 00:33:18.079
 church.

00:33:19.319 --> 00:33:20.079
 Don't be

00:33:20.079 --> 00:33:20.620
 a consumer.

00:33:21.500 --> 00:33:21.900
 The

00:33:21.900 --> 00:33:22.720
 congregation

00:33:22.720 --> 00:33:23.279
 as a

00:33:23.279 --> 00:33:23.579
 whole,

00:33:24.160 --> 00:33:24.920
 us as

00:33:24.920 --> 00:33:25.480
 individuals,

00:33:26.720 --> 00:33:27.660
 it's not

00:33:27.660 --> 00:33:28.099
 good for

00:33:28.099 --> 00:33:28.420
 you.

00:33:28.680 --> 00:33:29.019
 It's not

00:33:29.019 --> 00:33:30.440
 good for

00:33:30.440 --> 00:33:30.880
 us.

00:33:31.440 --> 00:33:32.500
 If I

00:33:32.500 --> 00:33:32.819
 have held

00:33:32.819 --> 00:33:33.519
 your babies

00:33:33.519 --> 00:33:34.000
 and made

00:33:34.000 --> 00:33:34.759
 them laugh,

00:33:36.039 --> 00:33:36.920
 don't ghost

00:33:36.920 --> 00:33:37.220
 me.

00:33:38.019 --> 00:33:38.559
 I love

00:33:38.559 --> 00:33:38.839
 you.

00:33:40.259 --> 00:33:40.579
 So,

00:33:40.940 --> 00:33:42.319
 for what

00:33:42.319 --> 00:33:42.680
 relational

00:33:42.680 --> 00:33:43.360
 reason might

00:33:43.360 --> 00:33:43.620
 you leave

00:33:43.620 --> 00:33:44.039
 a church?

00:33:44.660 --> 00:33:45.180
 So,

00:33:45.460 --> 00:33:46.240
 I have not

00:33:46.240 --> 00:33:46.519
 given you

00:33:46.519 --> 00:33:47.279
 any reason.

00:33:47.400 --> 00:33:47.480
 I have

00:33:47.480 --> 00:33:47.660
 said,

00:33:47.880 --> 00:33:48.099
 I have

00:33:48.099 --> 00:33:50.200
 given you

00:33:50.200 --> 00:33:50.380
 any

00:33:50.380 --> 00:33:50.839
 reasons

00:33:50.839 --> 00:33:51.819
 to do,

00:33:52.199 --> 00:33:52.720
 I think,

00:33:52.899 --> 00:33:53.480
 I think

00:33:53.480 --> 00:33:54.139
 this,

00:33:54.659 --> 00:33:55.519
 when it

00:33:55.519 --> 00:33:55.839
 makes a

00:33:55.839 --> 00:33:56.399
 lot of

00:33:56.399 --> 00:33:56.759
 sense,

00:33:57.339 --> 00:33:58.519
 when your

00:33:58.519 --> 00:33:59.159
 connections

00:33:59.159 --> 00:33:59.919
 throughout the

00:33:59.919 --> 00:34:00.279
 week with

00:34:00.279 --> 00:34:00.480
 other

00:34:00.480 --> 00:34:00.899
 Christians,

00:34:02.000 --> 00:34:02.519
 those you

00:34:02.519 --> 00:34:03.000
 are serving

00:34:03.000 --> 00:34:03.579
 and those

00:34:03.579 --> 00:34:04.159
 that serve

00:34:04.159 --> 00:34:04.559
 you,

00:34:05.319 --> 00:34:05.679
 those

00:34:05.679 --> 00:34:05.980
 Christians

00:34:05.980 --> 00:34:06.500
 just all

00:34:06.500 --> 00:34:07.000
 happen to

00:34:07.000 --> 00:34:07.399
 be part

00:34:07.399 --> 00:34:08.119
 of another

00:34:08.119 --> 00:34:09.059
 healthy

00:34:09.059 --> 00:34:09.900
 church.

00:34:10.480 --> 00:34:10.759
 It just

00:34:10.759 --> 00:34:11.059
 starts to

00:34:11.059 --> 00:34:11.679
 make sense

00:34:11.679 --> 00:34:12.139
 that all

00:34:12.139 --> 00:34:12.360
 of the

00:34:12.360 --> 00:34:12.739
 relational

00:34:12.739 --> 00:34:13.299
 connections

00:34:13.299 --> 00:34:13.659
 that you

00:34:13.659 --> 00:34:14.059
 have are

00:34:14.059 --> 00:34:14.480
 happening

00:34:14.480 --> 00:34:15.460
 someplace else

00:34:15.460 --> 00:34:16.440
 on Sunday

00:34:16.440 --> 00:34:17.159
 mornings,

00:34:17.219 --> 00:34:17.460
 that it

00:34:17.460 --> 00:34:18.079
 really might

00:34:18.079 --> 00:34:18.599
 make a

00:34:18.599 --> 00:34:19.420
 lot of

00:34:19.420 --> 00:34:20.059
 sense for

00:34:20.059 --> 00:34:20.299
 you to

00:34:20.299 --> 00:34:21.159
 walk more

00:34:21.159 --> 00:34:22.000
 closely with

00:34:22.000 --> 00:34:22.759
 those people

00:34:22.759 --> 00:34:24.079
 than those

00:34:24.079 --> 00:34:24.480
 that you

00:34:24.480 --> 00:34:25.500
 covenanted

00:34:25.500 --> 00:34:26.539
 with.

00:34:27.599 --> 00:34:28.360
 I intended

00:34:28.360 --> 00:34:28.799
 to read it

00:34:28.799 --> 00:34:28.960
 all,

00:34:29.019 --> 00:34:29.340
 but for the

00:34:29.340 --> 00:34:29.599
 sake of

00:34:29.599 --> 00:34:29.799
 time,

00:34:29.840 --> 00:34:30.000
 I'm going

00:34:30.000 --> 00:34:30.299
 to skip

00:34:30.299 --> 00:34:31.079
 over reading

00:34:31.079 --> 00:34:31.980
 our covenant

00:34:31.980 --> 00:34:32.420
 to you.

00:34:32.480 --> 00:34:32.799
 It's there

00:34:32.799 --> 00:34:33.840
 in the

00:34:33.840 --> 00:34:34.279
 bulletin.

00:34:36.159 --> 00:34:36.900
 Church members,

00:34:38.079 --> 00:34:38.799
 these are the

00:34:38.799 --> 00:34:39.440
 commitments that

00:34:39.440 --> 00:34:39.900
 we've made

00:34:39.900 --> 00:34:40.639
 to one another,

00:34:40.739 --> 00:34:41.340
 each of us,

00:34:41.880 --> 00:34:42.500
 to everyone.

00:34:43.299 --> 00:34:43.799
 Perspective

00:34:43.799 --> 00:34:44.099
 members,

00:34:44.239 --> 00:34:44.559
 these are the

00:34:44.559 --> 00:34:45.119
 commitments that

00:34:45.119 --> 00:34:46.179
 we make to

00:34:46.179 --> 00:34:46.579
 each other,

00:34:46.719 --> 00:34:47.179
 and we

00:34:47.179 --> 00:34:47.519
 would make

00:34:47.519 --> 00:34:48.259
 to you,

00:34:48.960 --> 00:34:49.359
 should you

00:34:49.359 --> 00:34:49.739
 join our

00:34:49.739 --> 00:34:50.059
 church.

00:34:51.359 --> 00:34:51.759
 Thirdly,

00:34:52.059 --> 00:34:52.399
 briefly,

00:34:53.079 --> 00:34:53.460
 the church

00:34:53.460 --> 00:34:54.739
 is missional.

00:34:55.179 --> 00:34:55.480
 The church

00:34:55.480 --> 00:34:56.000
 is missional.

00:34:56.359 --> 00:34:57.099
 Matthew 28,

00:34:57.199 --> 00:34:58.159
 verse 18-20,

00:34:58.500 --> 00:34:59.079
 Jesus came

00:34:59.079 --> 00:34:59.579
 and said to

00:34:59.579 --> 00:34:59.899
 them,

00:35:00.859 --> 00:35:01.579
 all authority

00:35:01.579 --> 00:35:01.919
 in heaven

00:35:01.919 --> 00:35:02.299
 and on earth

00:35:02.299 --> 00:35:02.599
 has been

00:35:02.599 --> 00:35:03.779
 given to

00:35:03.779 --> 00:35:04.059
 me.

00:35:04.839 --> 00:35:05.299
 I have

00:35:05.299 --> 00:35:05.779
 all the

00:35:05.779 --> 00:35:06.099
 authority,

00:35:06.559 --> 00:35:07.339
 so go.

00:35:07.579 --> 00:35:07.859
 Go,

00:35:08.019 --> 00:35:08.419
 therefore,

00:35:09.000 --> 00:35:09.500
 and make

00:35:09.500 --> 00:35:10.699
 disciples of

00:35:10.699 --> 00:35:11.659
 all nations,

00:35:12.179 --> 00:35:12.940
 baptizing them

00:35:12.940 --> 00:35:13.259
 in the name

00:35:13.259 --> 00:35:13.779
 of the Father

00:35:13.779 --> 00:35:14.440
 and the Son

00:35:14.440 --> 00:35:15.799
 and the Holy

00:35:15.799 --> 00:35:16.159
 Spirit,

00:35:16.539 --> 00:35:17.079
 teaching them

00:35:17.079 --> 00:35:17.619
 to observe

00:35:17.619 --> 00:35:18.259
 all that I

00:35:18.259 --> 00:35:18.699
 have commanded

00:35:18.699 --> 00:35:18.940
 you,

00:35:19.019 --> 00:35:19.619
 and behold,

00:35:19.759 --> 00:35:20.139
 I am with

00:35:20.139 --> 00:35:20.839
 you always

00:35:20.839 --> 00:35:22.000
 to the end

00:35:22.000 --> 00:35:23.139
 of the age.

00:35:24.419 --> 00:35:25.139
 The church

00:35:25.139 --> 00:35:25.579
 is at the

00:35:25.579 --> 00:35:26.139
 center of

00:35:26.139 --> 00:35:26.419
 the Great

00:35:26.419 --> 00:35:26.819
 Commission.

00:35:28.019 --> 00:35:28.539
 Baptizing,

00:35:28.679 --> 00:35:28.839
 it's an

00:35:28.839 --> 00:35:29.179
 ordinance of

00:35:29.179 --> 00:35:29.599
 the church,

00:35:30.500 --> 00:35:31.419
 teaching the

00:35:31.419 --> 00:35:31.899
 observation

00:35:31.899 --> 00:35:32.859
 of all

00:35:32.859 --> 00:35:33.259
 things.

00:35:33.359 --> 00:35:33.599
 This is

00:35:33.599 --> 00:35:34.199
 discipleship

00:35:34.199 --> 00:35:34.839
 happening in

00:35:34.839 --> 00:35:35.579
 the life

00:35:35.579 --> 00:35:36.619
 of a church.

00:35:37.119 --> 00:35:37.819
 And it is

00:35:37.819 --> 00:35:38.460
 empowered

00:35:38.460 --> 00:35:40.440
 by Christ.

00:35:40.539 --> 00:35:40.739
 He has

00:35:40.739 --> 00:35:41.279
 all the

00:35:41.279 --> 00:35:41.679
 authority

00:35:41.679 --> 00:35:42.319
 and he is

00:35:42.319 --> 00:35:43.159
 with us

00:35:43.159 --> 00:35:43.659
 to the

00:35:43.659 --> 00:35:44.539
 very end

00:35:44.539 --> 00:35:45.319
 of the

00:35:45.319 --> 00:35:45.679
 age.

00:35:45.679 --> 00:35:46.899
 The mission

00:35:46.899 --> 00:35:47.739
 of the

00:35:47.739 --> 00:35:48.259
 church

00:35:48.259 --> 00:35:49.719
 necessitates

00:35:49.719 --> 00:35:51.000
 going.

00:35:51.279 --> 00:35:51.779
 All of us

00:35:51.779 --> 00:35:52.259
 are going.

00:35:52.379 --> 00:35:52.719
 We're here

00:35:52.719 --> 00:35:53.199
 right now,

00:35:53.259 --> 00:35:53.799
 but after this

00:35:53.799 --> 00:35:54.099
 we're going

00:35:54.099 --> 00:35:55.039
 to go.

00:35:55.299 --> 00:35:55.699
 In our

00:35:55.699 --> 00:35:56.239
 going,

00:35:56.579 --> 00:35:56.879
 we're to

00:35:56.879 --> 00:35:57.319
 make

00:35:57.319 --> 00:35:58.500
 disciples

00:35:58.500 --> 00:35:59.719
 of all

00:35:59.719 --> 00:36:01.059
 nations.

00:36:01.059 --> 00:36:04.059
 we're

00:36:04.059 --> 00:36:04.259
 to be

00:36:04.259 --> 00:36:05.039
 about this

00:36:05.039 --> 00:36:05.779
 as Christian

00:36:05.779 --> 00:36:06.299
 people

00:36:06.299 --> 00:36:06.860
 and as

00:36:06.860 --> 00:36:07.699
 a local

00:36:07.699 --> 00:36:08.219
 church

00:36:08.219 --> 00:36:09.699
 gathered.

00:36:10.420 --> 00:36:10.759
 And praise

00:36:10.759 --> 00:36:11.699
 God that

00:36:11.699 --> 00:36:12.920
 he sends

00:36:12.920 --> 00:36:13.539
 people from

00:36:13.539 --> 00:36:14.099
 this local

00:36:14.099 --> 00:36:14.599
 church to

00:36:14.599 --> 00:36:15.420
 other

00:36:15.420 --> 00:36:16.320
 places

00:36:16.320 --> 00:36:17.659
 in order to

00:36:17.659 --> 00:36:18.639
 expand his

00:36:18.639 --> 00:36:19.759
 kingdom.

00:36:20.699 --> 00:36:21.320
 So God may

00:36:21.320 --> 00:36:21.619
 send you

00:36:21.619 --> 00:36:22.039
 elsewhere

00:36:22.039 --> 00:36:23.679
 because of

00:36:23.679 --> 00:36:24.019
 work.

00:36:24.539 --> 00:36:25.380
 It could be

00:36:25.380 --> 00:36:26.039
 that you're

00:36:26.039 --> 00:36:26.539
 being led to

00:36:26.539 --> 00:36:27.179
 another place

00:36:27.179 --> 00:36:27.779
 because of a

00:36:27.779 --> 00:36:28.340
 job,

00:36:28.340 --> 00:36:29.000
 an opportunity

00:36:29.000 --> 00:36:29.440
 that you

00:36:29.440 --> 00:36:30.059
 would consider

00:36:30.059 --> 00:36:31.220
 taking up

00:36:31.220 --> 00:36:31.620
 and joining

00:36:31.620 --> 00:36:32.320
 another church

00:36:32.320 --> 00:36:32.800
 in that

00:36:32.800 --> 00:36:34.079
 place.

00:36:35.120 --> 00:36:35.660
 God may

00:36:35.660 --> 00:36:36.039
 send you

00:36:36.039 --> 00:36:37.180
 elsewhere for

00:36:37.180 --> 00:36:38.160
 particular

00:36:38.160 --> 00:36:39.400
 ministry work.

00:36:39.400 --> 00:36:40.140
 We've got

00:36:40.140 --> 00:36:41.140
 Matthew

00:36:41.140 --> 00:36:42.160
 Carnegie, a member

00:36:42.160 --> 00:36:42.700
 of our church

00:36:42.700 --> 00:36:43.539
 in Texas right

00:36:43.539 --> 00:36:43.920
 now at

00:36:43.920 --> 00:36:44.720
 language school

00:36:44.720 --> 00:36:45.800
 preparing himself

00:36:45.800 --> 00:36:46.680
 to go and do

00:36:46.680 --> 00:36:48.340
 translation work.

00:36:48.720 --> 00:36:49.280
 And Ms.

00:36:49.340 --> 00:36:49.860
 Wimke, who's

00:36:49.860 --> 00:36:50.920
 back from

00:36:50.920 --> 00:36:51.640
 the same

00:36:51.640 --> 00:36:52.720
 school and is

00:36:52.720 --> 00:36:53.280
 getting ready

00:36:53.280 --> 00:36:54.220
 to go do

00:36:54.220 --> 00:36:55.500
 Bible translation

00:36:55.500 --> 00:36:56.400
 work.

00:36:56.960 --> 00:36:57.559
 Chandler and

00:36:57.559 --> 00:36:57.960
 Hannah

00:36:57.960 --> 00:36:58.460
 Girton,

00:36:58.760 --> 00:36:59.880
 preparing now.

00:37:00.079 --> 00:37:00.380
 These are

00:37:00.380 --> 00:37:00.739
 people we're

00:37:00.739 --> 00:37:01.599
 going to say

00:37:01.599 --> 00:37:02.800
 goodbye to,

00:37:02.900 --> 00:37:03.179
 who are going

00:37:03.179 --> 00:37:03.920
 to depart

00:37:03.920 --> 00:37:04.400
 from our

00:37:04.400 --> 00:37:05.320
 congregation

00:37:05.320 --> 00:37:06.940
 to go and

00:37:06.940 --> 00:37:08.019
 do important

00:37:08.019 --> 00:37:09.980
 gospel work.

00:37:10.219 --> 00:37:10.739
 Lots of

00:37:10.739 --> 00:37:11.960
 kinds of

00:37:11.960 --> 00:37:12.800
 going.

00:37:12.960 --> 00:37:13.699
 We leave

00:37:13.699 --> 00:37:14.300
 this place

00:37:14.300 --> 00:37:15.019
 to gather

00:37:15.019 --> 00:37:15.480
 again,

00:37:16.260 --> 00:37:16.719
 and then we

00:37:16.719 --> 00:37:17.179
 go back out

00:37:17.179 --> 00:37:18.000
 again to

00:37:18.000 --> 00:37:18.900
 gather, I

00:37:18.900 --> 00:37:19.599
 hope, more

00:37:19.599 --> 00:37:20.059
 people who

00:37:20.059 --> 00:37:20.400
 need to hear

00:37:20.400 --> 00:37:20.840
 the gospel

00:37:20.840 --> 00:37:21.900
 of Jesus

00:37:21.900 --> 00:37:22.360
 Christ.

00:37:22.860 --> 00:37:23.579
 It doesn't

00:37:23.579 --> 00:37:24.119
 have to happen

00:37:24.119 --> 00:37:25.480
 in a foreign

00:37:25.480 --> 00:37:26.780
 context.

00:37:27.460 --> 00:37:28.000
 Not just

00:37:28.000 --> 00:37:28.659
 that way,

00:37:28.780 --> 00:37:29.579
 there may

00:37:29.579 --> 00:37:30.760
 be a

00:37:30.760 --> 00:37:31.420
 local church

00:37:31.420 --> 00:37:32.380
 that needs

00:37:32.380 --> 00:37:33.139
 your

00:37:33.139 --> 00:37:34.440
 service.

00:37:35.619 --> 00:37:36.440
 Just a

00:37:36.440 --> 00:37:36.780
 couple of

00:37:36.780 --> 00:37:37.420
 years ago,

00:37:37.860 --> 00:37:38.380
 a handful

00:37:38.380 --> 00:37:38.920
 of families,

00:37:39.000 --> 00:37:39.340
 I think it

00:37:39.340 --> 00:37:40.159
 was five,

00:37:40.820 --> 00:37:41.440
 to a church

00:37:41.440 --> 00:37:42.159
 in Gillsville

00:37:42.159 --> 00:37:43.539
 that needed

00:37:43.539 --> 00:37:44.219
 some help.

00:37:44.539 --> 00:37:45.039
 They needed

00:37:45.039 --> 00:37:46.240
 some people

00:37:46.240 --> 00:37:46.679
 to come

00:37:46.679 --> 00:37:47.300
 along and

00:37:47.300 --> 00:37:47.920
 walk with

00:37:47.920 --> 00:37:48.199
 them.

00:37:48.400 --> 00:37:49.300
 They're doing

00:37:49.300 --> 00:37:50.320
 well, a

00:37:50.320 --> 00:37:51.179
 good service

00:37:51.179 --> 00:37:52.400
 in that

00:37:52.400 --> 00:37:52.920
 place.

00:37:53.139 --> 00:37:53.519
 We are

00:37:53.519 --> 00:37:54.820
 kingdom

00:37:54.820 --> 00:37:55.780
 people.

00:37:56.220 --> 00:37:56.440
 We're not

00:37:56.440 --> 00:37:56.720
 just trying

00:37:56.720 --> 00:37:57.000
 to build

00:37:57.000 --> 00:37:57.559
 our

00:37:57.559 --> 00:37:58.000
 kingdom.

00:37:58.140 --> 00:37:58.380
 We want

00:37:58.380 --> 00:37:58.620
 to see

00:37:58.620 --> 00:37:59.280
 God work

00:37:59.280 --> 00:37:59.700
 through us

00:37:59.700 --> 00:38:00.200
 to build

00:38:00.200 --> 00:38:01.039
 His

00:38:01.039 --> 00:38:02.500
 kingdom.

00:38:03.780 --> 00:38:04.400
 So there's

00:38:04.400 --> 00:38:04.820
 a chance

00:38:04.820 --> 00:38:05.300
 that God

00:38:05.300 --> 00:38:06.080
 may lead

00:38:06.080 --> 00:38:06.559
 you some

00:38:06.559 --> 00:38:07.400
 other place,

00:38:07.559 --> 00:38:08.059
 but go

00:38:08.059 --> 00:38:09.580
 to serve,

00:38:10.620 --> 00:38:11.600
 not to be

00:38:11.600 --> 00:38:12.019
 served.

00:38:12.860 --> 00:38:13.460
 I hear too

00:38:13.460 --> 00:38:13.860
 many of

00:38:13.860 --> 00:38:14.400
 those.

00:38:14.640 --> 00:38:15.180
 I'm looking

00:38:15.180 --> 00:38:15.800
 for something.

00:38:16.500 --> 00:38:17.220
 You guys

00:38:17.220 --> 00:38:17.760
 don't have

00:38:17.760 --> 00:38:17.880
 it.

00:38:17.960 --> 00:38:18.460
 I think

00:38:18.460 --> 00:38:19.420
 they do.

00:38:21.420 --> 00:38:21.740
 And what I

00:38:21.740 --> 00:38:22.059
 can tell you

00:38:22.059 --> 00:38:22.559
 with confidence,

00:38:22.559 --> 00:38:22.679
 confidence,

00:38:22.739 --> 00:38:23.059
 if you

00:38:23.059 --> 00:38:23.779
 function the

00:38:23.779 --> 00:38:24.159
 life of a

00:38:24.159 --> 00:38:25.539
 church with

00:38:25.539 --> 00:38:26.500
 a fear of

00:38:26.500 --> 00:38:27.039
 missing out

00:38:27.039 --> 00:38:27.440
 mantra,

00:38:27.739 --> 00:38:28.219
 you will

00:38:28.219 --> 00:38:28.719
 definitely

00:38:28.719 --> 00:38:29.340
 miss out

00:38:29.340 --> 00:38:29.759
 on what

00:38:29.759 --> 00:38:30.159
 the church

00:38:30.159 --> 00:38:30.980
 can offer

00:38:30.980 --> 00:38:31.239
 you.

00:38:31.519 --> 00:38:31.679
 If you're

00:38:31.679 --> 00:38:32.320
 always bouncing

00:38:32.320 --> 00:38:32.980
 to the next

00:38:32.980 --> 00:38:33.619
 thing because

00:38:33.619 --> 00:38:33.980
 you think

00:38:33.980 --> 00:38:34.259
 it's going

00:38:34.259 --> 00:38:34.639
 to be the

00:38:34.639 --> 00:38:35.619
 thing that's

00:38:35.619 --> 00:38:36.000
 going to give

00:38:36.000 --> 00:38:36.279
 you the

00:38:36.279 --> 00:38:36.880
 feels that

00:38:36.880 --> 00:38:37.219
 you hope

00:38:37.219 --> 00:38:37.880
 to have,

00:38:38.440 --> 00:38:38.759
 you will

00:38:38.759 --> 00:38:39.420
 never have

00:38:39.420 --> 00:38:40.139
 deep

00:38:40.139 --> 00:38:40.940
 relationship

00:38:40.940 --> 00:38:42.179
 on mission

00:38:42.179 --> 00:38:43.299
 with God's

00:38:43.299 --> 00:38:43.599
 people.

00:38:45.259 --> 00:38:45.699
 So,

00:38:46.079 --> 00:38:47.480
 I hope that

00:38:47.480 --> 00:38:48.000
 frames it up

00:38:48.000 --> 00:38:48.860
 for you just

00:38:48.860 --> 00:38:49.460
 a bit.

00:38:50.099 --> 00:38:50.440
 When?

00:38:50.440 --> 00:38:52.099
 Now,

00:38:52.179 --> 00:38:52.440
 how?

00:38:52.519 --> 00:38:52.720
 I've

00:38:52.720 --> 00:38:53.260
 mentioned a

00:38:53.260 --> 00:38:54.260
 few things,

00:38:54.360 --> 00:38:54.579
 but let me

00:38:54.579 --> 00:38:54.940
 flip the

00:38:54.940 --> 00:38:55.340
 entire

00:38:55.340 --> 00:38:56.740
 definition,

00:38:57.119 --> 00:38:57.500
 words,

00:38:57.599 --> 00:38:58.079
 on its

00:38:58.079 --> 00:38:58.360
 head.

00:38:58.460 --> 00:38:59.000
 How to

00:38:59.000 --> 00:38:59.380
 leave a

00:38:59.380 --> 00:38:59.679
 church?

00:39:00.220 --> 00:39:00.440
 Let me

00:39:00.440 --> 00:39:00.900
 say this.

00:39:01.500 --> 00:39:01.980
 Don't.

00:39:04.980 --> 00:39:05.539
 Instead,

00:39:07.039 --> 00:39:08.019
 be sent

00:39:08.019 --> 00:39:09.240
 by your

00:39:09.240 --> 00:39:09.720
 church

00:39:09.720 --> 00:39:11.179
 to another

00:39:11.179 --> 00:39:11.599
 church.

00:39:13.400 --> 00:39:14.119
 If you

00:39:14.119 --> 00:39:14.360
 are a

00:39:14.360 --> 00:39:15.340
 part of

00:39:15.340 --> 00:39:15.679
 a healthy

00:39:15.679 --> 00:39:16.139
 church,

00:39:16.679 --> 00:39:17.940
 and we

00:39:17.940 --> 00:39:18.900
 pray and

00:39:18.900 --> 00:39:19.700
 we labor

00:39:19.699 --> 00:39:20.119
 for this

00:39:20.119 --> 00:39:20.519
 to be

00:39:20.519 --> 00:39:21.159
 such a

00:39:21.159 --> 00:39:21.500
 church,

00:39:21.980 --> 00:39:23.000
 to work

00:39:23.000 --> 00:39:23.519
 with and

00:39:23.519 --> 00:39:24.019
 walk with

00:39:24.019 --> 00:39:24.539
 people in

00:39:24.539 --> 00:39:25.339
 this kind

00:39:25.339 --> 00:39:25.980
 of way,

00:39:26.239 --> 00:39:27.099
 if you're

00:39:27.099 --> 00:39:27.500
 part of a

00:39:27.500 --> 00:39:27.739
 healthy

00:39:27.739 --> 00:39:28.139
 church,

00:39:28.500 --> 00:39:29.159
 then that

00:39:29.159 --> 00:39:30.019
 church will

00:39:30.019 --> 00:39:31.339
 gladly send

00:39:31.339 --> 00:39:33.079
 you for

00:39:33.079 --> 00:39:33.919
 good reasons,

00:39:34.379 --> 00:39:35.059
 to help you

00:39:35.059 --> 00:39:35.719
 think and

00:39:35.719 --> 00:39:36.480
 discern,

00:39:36.819 --> 00:39:38.500
 is God

00:39:38.500 --> 00:39:39.299
 leading you

00:39:39.299 --> 00:39:40.519
 to another

00:39:40.519 --> 00:39:40.960
 place?

00:39:41.019 --> 00:39:41.379
 And if he

00:39:41.379 --> 00:39:41.839
 is,

00:39:41.939 --> 00:39:42.679
 then we

00:39:42.679 --> 00:39:43.519
 will gladly

00:39:43.519 --> 00:39:45.119
 send you

00:39:45.119 --> 00:39:46.019
 to that

00:39:46.019 --> 00:39:46.439
 place.

00:39:46.440 --> 00:39:48.159
 don't

00:39:48.159 --> 00:39:48.579
 leave,

00:39:49.700 --> 00:39:50.220
 be sent.

00:39:50.920 --> 00:39:52.039
 Walk that

00:39:52.039 --> 00:39:52.800
 process out

00:39:52.800 --> 00:39:53.119
 with a

00:39:53.119 --> 00:39:53.360
 group of

00:39:53.360 --> 00:39:54.400
 people who

00:39:54.400 --> 00:39:54.920
 love you

00:39:54.920 --> 00:39:55.960
 dearly for

00:39:55.960 --> 00:39:56.599
 your good

00:39:56.599 --> 00:39:57.679
 and for the

00:39:57.679 --> 00:39:58.619
 glory of

00:39:58.619 --> 00:39:58.980
 our great

00:39:58.980 --> 00:39:59.260
 God.

00:39:59.860 --> 00:40:00.519
 Let's pray

00:40:00.519 --> 00:40:00.820
 together.