WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.679 Let's turn to Luke chapter 13. 00:00:02.260 --> 00:00:07.160 Luke chapter 13, there's CDs and t-shirts and all that will be for sale there in the Vestibule. 00:00:07.820 --> 00:00:11.660 Man, I'm telling you, I'm going to get them a bus because they'll be gone. 00:00:12.080 --> 00:00:12.660 That's great. 00:00:13.300 --> 00:00:16.780 Thank you so much for leading us in worship. 00:00:19.359 --> 00:00:23.559 Why do bad things happen to good people? 00:00:25.560 --> 00:00:26.879 I mean, it don't seem right. 00:00:28.160 --> 00:00:29.160 It's not fair. 00:00:29.160 --> 00:00:31.920 And it's one of those things that we don't understand. 00:00:34.119 --> 00:00:40.259 And when you begin to try to deal with why bad things happen to good people, 00:00:40.460 --> 00:00:44.859 somebody always says, well, if bad things happen to seemingly good people, 00:00:45.859 --> 00:00:47.400 were the people really bad? 00:00:48.980 --> 00:00:54.140 I mean, was there something there that would cause something like that to happen to them 00:00:54.140 --> 00:00:55.460 that we didn't know about them? 00:00:55.460 --> 00:00:59.679 I mean, are they paying for something they did wrong? 00:01:02.380 --> 00:01:08.500 That's the kind of questions that people ask, and that's the kind of questions that they ask Jesus. 00:01:08.500 --> 00:01:14.640 The beginning of Luke chapter 13 speaks of the Galileans. 00:01:14.719 --> 00:01:16.099 Now, let me tell you about the Galileans. 00:01:16.840 --> 00:01:25.799 The Galileans were a spirited, high-strung, excited people that sometimes did too much at the wrong time. 00:01:25.799 --> 00:01:30.259 To explain myself, Peter was a Galilean. 00:01:30.259 --> 00:01:42.759 And when they came to arrest Jesus, he took a dagger or sword and cut off a man's ear. 00:01:42.760 --> 00:01:51.660 Now, I will tell you the reason why he cut the man's ear off was because the Roman helmet did not protect the ears. 00:01:51.840 --> 00:01:53.380 He wasn't aiming at the ear, folks. 00:01:53.960 --> 00:01:54.140 Okay? 00:01:54.240 --> 00:01:56.080 He was taking the dude out. 00:01:56.359 --> 00:01:57.080 That's what he was doing. 00:01:57.760 --> 00:01:59.900 And, of course, Jesus put the ear back on, 00:01:59.900 --> 00:02:08.140 and Peter claimed absolute allegiance to Christ without compromise, 00:02:08.140 --> 00:02:18.659 and then he folded like a man in the ring with Mike Tyson in his heyday when the pressure got put on. 00:02:19.939 --> 00:02:24.520 He was a zealot in every way. 00:02:24.879 --> 00:02:26.480 That's the Galilean spirit. 00:02:26.479 --> 00:02:31.219 I will tell you if you go to the Holy Land and you go into Galilee, 00:02:31.599 --> 00:02:34.079 there's a different flavor about those folks. 00:02:34.219 --> 00:02:35.319 I like them, you know. 00:02:36.239 --> 00:02:39.120 They got a little spunk to them, like some of y'all do this morning. 00:02:40.280 --> 00:02:43.379 And they are excited. 00:02:43.759 --> 00:02:46.280 And so Pilate didn't like them, apparently, 00:02:47.060 --> 00:02:51.839 because this speaks of a historical circumstance where 00:02:51.840 --> 00:02:58.500 Pilate had Roman soldiers interrupt the time of sacrifice of the Galileans 00:02:58.500 --> 00:03:04.280 by killing the Galileans and then mixing their blood with the blood sacrifices 00:03:04.280 --> 00:03:05.960 that the Galileans had made. 00:03:07.800 --> 00:03:09.599 And these people are asking Jesus, 00:03:10.080 --> 00:03:12.860 why did that happen to them? 00:03:12.860 --> 00:03:16.340 They're grabbing headline news 00:03:16.340 --> 00:03:20.480 and saying, why in the world is this happening to these people? 00:03:20.580 --> 00:03:21.160 So Jesus 00:03:21.160 --> 00:03:24.740 gave them 00:03:24.740 --> 00:03:27.520 another thought. 00:03:27.940 --> 00:03:29.040 See, the Pharisees 00:03:29.040 --> 00:03:32.200 taught and believed that every tragedy 00:03:32.200 --> 00:03:34.060 was seen as a divine penalty 00:03:34.060 --> 00:03:35.200 for somebody's sin. 00:03:35.199 --> 00:03:37.359 That's why they asked him when 00:03:37.359 --> 00:03:39.019 someone was sick, 00:03:39.139 --> 00:03:40.659 who sinned? 00:03:40.679 --> 00:03:42.119 Was it the boy or was it his parents? 00:03:42.280 --> 00:03:44.659 I mean, what caused this problem to happen? 00:03:45.319 --> 00:03:46.759 They brought up things like that. 00:03:46.839 --> 00:03:50.079 And when they asked Jesus about this Galilean circumstance, 00:03:50.419 --> 00:03:52.179 Jesus responded and said, 00:03:52.419 --> 00:03:53.000 don't concern, 00:03:53.139 --> 00:03:54.679 this is my translation of this, 00:03:54.879 --> 00:03:56.359 don't concern yourself with 00:03:56.359 --> 00:03:58.000 why it happened to them. 00:03:58.120 --> 00:03:59.659 There's a lot of bad things happening. 00:03:59.959 --> 00:04:01.620 And he gave another instance. 00:04:01.620 --> 00:04:04.719 The first incident that they brought up 00:04:04.719 --> 00:04:05.920 was deliberate. 00:04:07.159 --> 00:04:07.680 The second 00:04:07.680 --> 00:04:09.719 seemed to be an accident. 00:04:11.539 --> 00:04:12.379 And Jesus is saying, 00:04:12.539 --> 00:04:13.120 either way, 00:04:13.340 --> 00:04:14.400 you ought to be concerned 00:04:14.400 --> 00:04:16.000 not about why things are happening 00:04:16.000 --> 00:04:16.800 to different people. 00:04:17.139 --> 00:04:18.100 You ought to be concerned 00:04:18.100 --> 00:04:19.620 about the state of your heart. 00:04:20.699 --> 00:04:22.120 And then Jesus responds 00:04:22.120 --> 00:04:23.759 by telling them to be ready. 00:04:24.100 --> 00:04:25.899 And he tells them through a story 00:04:25.899 --> 00:04:27.740 that we call a parable. 00:04:27.899 --> 00:04:29.540 It means a side story. 00:04:29.540 --> 00:04:31.640 One of those stories 00:04:31.640 --> 00:04:32.460 that come alongside 00:04:32.460 --> 00:04:35.480 to help us understand 00:04:35.480 --> 00:04:37.120 the truth better. 00:04:38.240 --> 00:04:40.160 And it's found in Luke chapter 13, 00:04:40.240 --> 00:04:41.120 beginning in verse 6, 00:04:41.160 --> 00:04:41.879 and he says this. 00:04:42.840 --> 00:04:44.560 And he told this parable. 00:04:44.660 --> 00:04:45.780 A man had a fig tree 00:04:45.780 --> 00:04:47.340 planted in his vineyard 00:04:47.340 --> 00:04:49.280 and he came seeking fruit on it 00:04:49.280 --> 00:04:50.379 and found none. 00:04:50.480 --> 00:04:51.879 And he said to the vine dresser, 00:04:51.980 --> 00:04:53.439 look, for three years now, 00:04:53.720 --> 00:04:55.740 I've come seeking fruit 00:04:55.740 --> 00:04:56.740 on this fig tree 00:04:56.740 --> 00:04:58.340 and I've found none. 00:04:58.339 --> 00:05:00.339 Cut it down. 00:05:00.839 --> 00:05:03.299 Why should it use up the ground? 00:05:04.719 --> 00:05:06.259 And he answered him 00:05:06.259 --> 00:05:08.119 and said, 00:05:08.319 --> 00:05:11.339 Sir, let it alone this year also 00:05:11.339 --> 00:05:13.620 until I dig around it 00:05:13.620 --> 00:05:18.019 and put on manure. 00:05:18.459 --> 00:05:21.439 Then if it should bear fruit next year, 00:05:21.519 --> 00:05:22.159 well and good. 00:05:22.160 --> 00:05:23.939 But if not, 00:05:24.840 --> 00:05:25.980 you can cut it down. 00:05:27.460 --> 00:05:27.640 Now, 00:05:28.280 --> 00:05:30.080 some of y'all will recognize 00:05:30.080 --> 00:05:30.920 right off the bat 00:05:30.920 --> 00:05:32.860 that we're talking about a fig tree 00:05:32.860 --> 00:05:35.460 and you'll begin to talk about 00:05:35.460 --> 00:05:38.379 the symbolism in Scripture 00:05:38.379 --> 00:05:40.260 and those type things 00:05:40.260 --> 00:05:41.200 that the fig tree 00:05:41.200 --> 00:05:43.020 does often represent 00:05:43.020 --> 00:05:44.240 the nation of Israel. 00:05:44.360 --> 00:05:44.820 It does. 00:05:44.940 --> 00:05:46.040 We see it in the Old Testament. 00:05:46.200 --> 00:05:46.700 It's carried over 00:05:46.700 --> 00:05:47.580 into the New Testament. 00:05:47.579 --> 00:05:51.240 And it mentions, 00:05:51.639 --> 00:05:52.439 it's talking about Israel 00:05:52.439 --> 00:05:53.639 many times over. 00:05:54.139 --> 00:05:55.819 Not to say it isn't here, 00:05:56.139 --> 00:05:58.399 but that nation, 00:05:58.560 --> 00:05:59.300 any nation, 00:05:59.419 --> 00:06:00.639 is made up of people 00:06:00.639 --> 00:06:01.339 and the people 00:06:01.339 --> 00:06:02.659 that make up the nation 00:06:02.659 --> 00:06:05.000 is who Jesus is speaking to. 00:06:05.079 --> 00:06:06.399 He's talking to individuals. 00:06:06.399 --> 00:06:10.239 He's talking to those individuals 00:06:10.239 --> 00:06:12.539 that were standing there 00:06:12.539 --> 00:06:13.239 with Him that day. 00:06:13.539 --> 00:06:14.659 And by the inspiration 00:06:14.659 --> 00:06:15.620 of the Holy Spirit 00:06:15.620 --> 00:06:16.399 and the way that 00:06:16.399 --> 00:06:17.639 the Holy Spirit 00:06:17.639 --> 00:06:19.060 breathes life into Scripture 00:06:19.060 --> 00:06:21.279 and brings it all intact to us 00:06:21.279 --> 00:06:22.159 where we are 00:06:22.159 --> 00:06:23.379 through the inspiration 00:06:23.379 --> 00:06:24.019 of the Holy Spirit, 00:06:24.219 --> 00:06:25.560 He's talking to us 00:06:25.560 --> 00:06:27.539 as individuals. 00:06:29.120 --> 00:06:31.239 If anyone is not fruitful, 00:06:32.239 --> 00:06:34.439 they could be cut down. 00:06:34.439 --> 00:06:38.879 The story is, 00:06:38.980 --> 00:06:39.939 the truth is, 00:06:40.019 --> 00:06:41.420 to be clear about it, 00:06:42.279 --> 00:06:43.480 judgment is coming. 00:06:45.100 --> 00:06:46.500 That's what Jesus says. 00:06:47.399 --> 00:06:48.240 Judgment's coming. 00:06:50.040 --> 00:06:51.379 But aren't you glad 00:06:51.379 --> 00:06:52.060 that He gives us 00:06:52.060 --> 00:06:52.879 a little more time? 00:06:54.480 --> 00:06:55.459 Now, it may not be 00:06:55.459 --> 00:06:56.159 much more time, 00:06:57.480 --> 00:06:59.659 but if you don't believe 00:06:59.659 --> 00:07:01.220 that God's been patient with us, 00:07:02.600 --> 00:07:03.740 well, you're wrong. 00:07:04.439 --> 00:07:07.060 Because He has been. 00:07:08.279 --> 00:07:09.439 And if you were to sit down 00:07:09.439 --> 00:07:10.560 and be honest with each other, 00:07:10.620 --> 00:07:11.660 you'd quickly understand 00:07:11.660 --> 00:07:12.519 why I believe 00:07:12.519 --> 00:07:13.540 that we have a lot 00:07:13.540 --> 00:07:15.139 to be thankful for. 00:07:15.660 --> 00:07:18.199 But instead of the sit down, 00:07:18.459 --> 00:07:19.879 let me just tell you, 00:07:19.939 --> 00:07:21.319 I believe that we ought 00:07:21.319 --> 00:07:22.019 to be thankful 00:07:22.019 --> 00:07:24.319 for the patience of God 00:07:24.319 --> 00:07:26.560 because, for instance, 00:07:26.819 --> 00:07:28.519 Romans 3.23 states 00:07:28.519 --> 00:07:29.779 that we're all sinners. 00:07:29.779 --> 00:07:29.979 sinners. 00:07:30.779 --> 00:07:32.219 And we all fall short 00:07:32.219 --> 00:07:32.979 of the glory of God. 00:07:33.859 --> 00:07:35.279 We've all messed up. 00:07:36.779 --> 00:07:38.839 And Romans 6.23 tells us 00:07:38.839 --> 00:07:40.779 that the cost of that sin 00:07:40.779 --> 00:07:41.559 is death. 00:07:42.559 --> 00:07:43.799 And when it speaks 00:07:43.799 --> 00:07:44.599 of death there, 00:07:44.659 --> 00:07:45.339 it's not really talking 00:07:45.339 --> 00:07:46.319 about the heart dying, 00:07:46.399 --> 00:07:47.359 it's talking instead 00:07:47.359 --> 00:07:48.779 about an eternal separation 00:07:49.399 --> 00:07:50.279 from God. 00:07:50.739 --> 00:07:52.759 The sadness of a believer 00:07:52.759 --> 00:07:54.639 passing from this life 00:07:54.639 --> 00:07:55.459 into the next, 00:07:55.619 --> 00:07:56.399 we're not sad 00:07:56.399 --> 00:07:57.239 because they now 00:07:57.239 --> 00:07:58.659 have received the reward 00:07:58.660 --> 00:07:59.200 and in heaven, 00:07:59.320 --> 00:08:00.120 we're sad because 00:08:00.120 --> 00:08:01.060 they're not with us anymore. 00:08:01.240 --> 00:08:02.300 It's the separation. 00:08:02.680 --> 00:08:03.460 And when it speaks 00:08:03.460 --> 00:08:04.760 of the death 00:08:04.760 --> 00:08:05.580 that comes 00:08:05.580 --> 00:08:06.620 to the cost of sin, 00:08:06.720 --> 00:08:07.439 it's talking about 00:08:07.439 --> 00:08:08.700 the eternal separation 00:08:08.700 --> 00:08:09.820 from God. 00:08:10.120 --> 00:08:11.520 And to fit the story 00:08:11.520 --> 00:08:13.060 that Jesus tells here, 00:08:13.620 --> 00:08:15.120 you will be chopped down 00:08:15.120 --> 00:08:16.220 and may I add, 00:08:16.320 --> 00:08:17.120 be burned. 00:08:19.500 --> 00:08:21.000 That's what Jesus says. 00:08:22.540 --> 00:08:23.660 And you will see 00:08:23.660 --> 00:08:24.440 as we continue 00:08:24.440 --> 00:08:25.660 to talk about the stories 00:08:25.660 --> 00:08:26.640 that Jesus told, 00:08:27.460 --> 00:08:28.220 he didn't just say it 00:08:28.220 --> 00:08:28.760 once or twice. 00:08:28.800 --> 00:08:29.700 He said it a lot. 00:08:32.000 --> 00:08:33.320 Jesus gets to the heart 00:08:33.320 --> 00:08:33.840 of the matter 00:08:33.840 --> 00:08:34.600 and the sin 00:08:34.600 --> 00:08:35.500 of unfruitfulness 00:08:35.500 --> 00:08:37.200 is serious to God 00:08:37.200 --> 00:08:38.259 because the word 00:08:38.259 --> 00:08:39.580 tells us how 00:08:39.580 --> 00:08:40.779 to bear fruit. 00:08:41.279 --> 00:08:42.340 John 15, 5, 00:08:42.460 --> 00:08:43.120 Jesus said, 00:08:43.259 --> 00:08:44.019 I am the vine, 00:08:44.120 --> 00:08:44.779 you're the branches, 00:08:44.940 --> 00:08:46.120 whoever abides in me 00:08:46.120 --> 00:08:46.920 and I in him, 00:08:47.560 --> 00:08:49.160 he, it is, 00:08:49.259 --> 00:08:51.100 that bears much fruit 00:08:51.100 --> 00:08:52.560 from apart from me, 00:08:53.060 --> 00:08:56.360 you can do nothing. 00:08:56.360 --> 00:09:01.919 there ought to be evidence 00:09:01.919 --> 00:09:04.300 in your life 00:09:04.300 --> 00:09:06.720 that you are in Christ 00:09:06.720 --> 00:09:08.200 if you're a Christian. 00:09:08.200 --> 00:09:10.279 If there is no evidence, 00:09:10.680 --> 00:09:11.759 you're not in Christ. 00:09:13.460 --> 00:09:15.220 Scripture's clear about that. 00:09:16.480 --> 00:09:18.460 John goes on and on about it 00:09:18.460 --> 00:09:19.820 in the gospel of John 00:09:19.820 --> 00:09:21.600 as well as in 1 John. 00:09:21.600 --> 00:09:24.980 There is no such thing 00:09:24.980 --> 00:09:27.600 as a fruitless Christian. 00:09:28.279 --> 00:09:29.879 There is such a thing 00:09:29.879 --> 00:09:32.060 as a fruitless person 00:09:32.060 --> 00:09:32.920 who thinks 00:09:32.920 --> 00:09:34.700 that he or she is a Christian. 00:09:34.700 --> 00:09:38.340 And that person 00:09:38.340 --> 00:09:40.540 in due time, 00:09:40.780 --> 00:09:42.820 in the next season, 00:09:43.320 --> 00:09:45.160 in the next moment, 00:09:45.500 --> 00:09:47.420 whatever the timetable is, 00:09:47.700 --> 00:09:48.920 it could be a second, 00:09:49.100 --> 00:09:50.379 it could be decades, 00:09:50.660 --> 00:09:52.600 will be cut down. 00:09:54.340 --> 00:09:56.240 So how do we respond to that? 00:09:56.480 --> 00:09:56.940 I think that's, 00:09:57.460 --> 00:09:59.620 that's not nice on Sunday morning. 00:09:59.680 --> 00:10:00.759 How do we respond to that? 00:10:00.759 --> 00:10:04.259 What do we take from this story? 00:10:05.879 --> 00:10:06.319 Well, 00:10:06.519 --> 00:10:07.539 because I'm a Baptist preacher, 00:10:07.639 --> 00:10:08.600 three things, okay? 00:10:12.700 --> 00:10:14.519 One is be patient with others. 00:10:17.580 --> 00:10:18.960 Be patient with others. 00:10:21.259 --> 00:10:22.500 As a man who's leaving 00:10:22.500 --> 00:10:23.100 this afternoon 00:10:23.100 --> 00:10:24.139 to drive through Atlanta 00:10:24.139 --> 00:10:24.960 to get to Mississippi, 00:10:24.960 --> 00:10:27.080 this don't apply to me. 00:10:32.980 --> 00:10:34.300 Be patient with others. 00:10:36.800 --> 00:10:38.240 When I was a college kid, 00:10:39.360 --> 00:10:41.639 God called me to ministry. 00:10:41.920 --> 00:10:42.620 I went and got 00:10:42.620 --> 00:10:45.379 probably the first commentary set 00:10:45.379 --> 00:10:46.200 that anybody gets 00:10:46.200 --> 00:10:47.080 back in that day. 00:10:47.460 --> 00:10:48.600 That was the Matthew Henry 00:10:48.600 --> 00:10:49.639 commentary set. 00:10:49.879 --> 00:10:51.180 Now they've got a, 00:10:51.180 --> 00:10:53.080 a bridged one volume version 00:10:53.080 --> 00:10:54.300 now that you can read. 00:10:54.299 --> 00:10:56.120 But this was the old font 00:10:56.120 --> 00:10:58.000 in the six volumes. 00:10:59.719 --> 00:11:01.500 I like what Matthew Henry says 00:11:01.500 --> 00:11:02.879 about the patience of God. 00:11:02.959 --> 00:11:05.500 He says that had it not been 00:11:05.500 --> 00:11:07.039 for Christ intercession, 00:11:07.519 --> 00:11:09.879 the whole world would be cut down. 00:11:12.719 --> 00:11:14.039 We owe a lot 00:11:14.039 --> 00:11:16.039 to God's mercy. 00:11:18.399 --> 00:11:19.639 We owe a lot 00:11:19.639 --> 00:11:20.939 to Christ intercession. 00:11:21.879 --> 00:11:22.740 I mean, let's be clean, 00:11:22.740 --> 00:11:23.879 we owe it all. 00:11:24.299 --> 00:11:27.639 We owe our lives. 00:11:29.419 --> 00:11:31.019 And we ought to be patient 00:11:31.019 --> 00:11:31.839 with each other. 00:11:33.759 --> 00:11:34.939 If you go home 00:11:34.939 --> 00:11:36.439 and eat a peach 00:11:36.439 --> 00:11:39.740 and take that pit outside 00:11:39.740 --> 00:11:41.539 and plant it in the ground, 00:11:42.539 --> 00:11:45.939 you will not get fruit immediately. 00:11:45.940 --> 00:11:49.900 It will take years 00:11:49.900 --> 00:11:52.040 to grow 00:11:52.040 --> 00:11:54.100 a tree 00:11:54.100 --> 00:11:55.200 out of that pit 00:11:55.200 --> 00:11:56.080 that will grow, 00:11:56.580 --> 00:11:57.960 that will make its own peach. 00:11:58.940 --> 00:11:59.160 And 00:11:59.160 --> 00:12:02.180 that is if you're successful. 00:12:02.400 --> 00:12:03.560 I grew up with a peach tree 00:12:03.560 --> 00:12:04.340 in my backyard. 00:12:05.780 --> 00:12:07.120 The bugs loved it 00:12:07.120 --> 00:12:08.320 a lot more than we did, 00:12:08.400 --> 00:12:08.780 apparently. 00:12:09.320 --> 00:12:10.360 Got a whole lot quicker. 00:12:11.840 --> 00:12:12.860 Young trees 00:12:12.860 --> 00:12:13.940 do not grow early. 00:12:13.940 --> 00:12:14.380 early. 00:12:14.380 --> 00:12:16.240 And if Jesus 00:12:16.240 --> 00:12:17.220 is comparing us 00:12:17.220 --> 00:12:17.960 to trees, 00:12:18.160 --> 00:12:20.480 we need to expect fruit, 00:12:20.600 --> 00:12:21.580 but it takes time. 00:12:22.540 --> 00:12:23.940 And we need to be patient. 00:12:25.940 --> 00:12:26.840 Hear me. 00:12:28.580 --> 00:12:29.960 We have children 00:12:29.960 --> 00:12:30.720 around here 00:12:30.720 --> 00:12:33.280 that need the nurture 00:12:33.279 --> 00:12:34.000 of God. 00:12:35.860 --> 00:12:37.600 That takes time. 00:12:39.879 --> 00:12:41.779 It takes willingness. 00:12:44.419 --> 00:12:45.980 It takes patience. 00:12:48.579 --> 00:12:50.179 We have new Christians 00:12:50.179 --> 00:12:54.179 that may be grown, 00:12:55.179 --> 00:12:57.500 but are new Christians. 00:12:59.399 --> 00:13:00.740 Maybe they're not grown. 00:13:00.740 --> 00:13:02.560 We baptized several children recently. 00:13:04.519 --> 00:13:05.860 They've never brought fruit 00:13:05.860 --> 00:13:07.019 and it takes time. 00:13:09.100 --> 00:13:10.100 We have some 00:13:10.100 --> 00:13:10.980 that's supposed to be 00:13:10.980 --> 00:13:11.799 seasoned Christians, 00:13:12.060 --> 00:13:13.379 but where's the fruit? 00:13:15.879 --> 00:13:16.639 God is 00:13:16.639 --> 00:13:18.000 patient. 00:13:18.840 --> 00:13:19.680 Thank God 00:13:19.680 --> 00:13:20.379 He's patient 00:13:20.379 --> 00:13:21.320 with them 00:13:21.320 --> 00:13:22.060 and He's patient 00:13:22.060 --> 00:13:22.779 with us. 00:13:25.080 --> 00:13:25.860 And as 00:13:25.860 --> 00:13:27.740 everybody likes to say 00:13:27.740 --> 00:13:28.120 these days, 00:13:28.180 --> 00:13:29.180 we have to pay it forward. 00:13:29.179 --> 00:13:32.099 We need to be patient 00:13:32.099 --> 00:13:33.139 with others 00:13:33.139 --> 00:13:34.859 as well. 00:13:36.399 --> 00:13:37.439 So don't rush me 00:13:37.439 --> 00:13:37.859 this morning. 00:13:37.959 --> 00:13:38.399 Be patient. 00:13:40.799 --> 00:13:41.859 The second thing 00:13:41.859 --> 00:13:42.459 is this. 00:13:44.000 --> 00:13:44.519 Fertilize 00:13:44.519 --> 00:13:45.899 the unfruitful. 00:13:47.579 --> 00:13:48.719 Where there is 00:13:48.719 --> 00:13:49.559 unfruitfulness 00:13:49.559 --> 00:13:51.319 around us 00:13:51.319 --> 00:13:51.819 or 00:13:51.819 --> 00:13:53.179 in us, 00:13:54.179 --> 00:13:55.699 we need to 00:13:55.699 --> 00:13:56.179 dig around 00:13:56.179 --> 00:13:57.439 and throw 00:13:57.439 --> 00:13:58.139 some manure 00:13:58.139 --> 00:13:58.699 on it 00:13:58.699 --> 00:14:01.099 or just 00:14:01.099 --> 00:14:01.659 dung it. 00:14:02.079 --> 00:14:02.279 Okay? 00:14:02.799 --> 00:14:03.779 That's not exactly 00:14:03.779 --> 00:14:04.639 what Nike said. 00:14:04.679 --> 00:14:05.359 It's a little better. 00:14:09.359 --> 00:14:10.659 So let me ask you, 00:14:11.179 --> 00:14:13.199 how are you doing 00:14:13.199 --> 00:14:13.620 when you walk 00:14:13.620 --> 00:14:14.039 with God? 00:14:19.719 --> 00:14:20.819 You don't grow 00:14:20.819 --> 00:14:21.659 fruit trees 00:14:21.659 --> 00:14:22.699 for ornamentation 00:14:22.700 --> 00:14:23.600 or at least 00:14:23.600 --> 00:14:24.759 God doesn't. 00:14:27.520 --> 00:14:28.240 What kind 00:14:28.240 --> 00:14:29.160 of priority 00:14:29.160 --> 00:14:31.060 is your 00:14:31.060 --> 00:14:32.120 walk with God? 00:14:33.620 --> 00:14:34.800 Now I will tell you 00:14:34.800 --> 00:14:35.560 it's much easier 00:14:35.560 --> 00:14:36.320 to point at somebody 00:14:36.320 --> 00:14:37.040 else and say, 00:14:37.140 --> 00:14:37.259 boy, 00:14:37.320 --> 00:14:37.660 I'll tell you 00:14:37.660 --> 00:14:38.100 what they need 00:14:38.100 --> 00:14:38.540 to be doing 00:14:38.540 --> 00:14:39.200 in their life. 00:14:40.500 --> 00:14:40.900 Well, 00:14:40.940 --> 00:14:41.600 let's get past 00:14:41.600 --> 00:14:42.180 that this morning 00:14:42.180 --> 00:14:42.660 because we're 00:14:42.660 --> 00:14:43.300 being patient 00:14:43.300 --> 00:14:43.759 with them. 00:14:45.200 --> 00:14:45.960 Let's not be 00:14:45.960 --> 00:14:46.440 so patient 00:14:46.440 --> 00:14:47.220 with ourselves. 00:14:48.000 --> 00:14:48.740 Let's instead 00:14:48.740 --> 00:14:49.240 look at 00:14:49.240 --> 00:14:50.440 where we are. 00:14:50.440 --> 00:14:52.500 What kind 00:14:52.500 --> 00:14:53.080 of priority 00:14:53.080 --> 00:14:53.760 is your walk 00:14:53.760 --> 00:14:54.140 with God? 00:14:54.220 --> 00:14:54.840 We're not saved 00:14:54.840 --> 00:14:55.400 to look good, 00:14:55.480 --> 00:14:55.820 folks. 00:14:56.140 --> 00:14:57.020 We're saved 00:14:57.020 --> 00:14:57.360 and given 00:14:57.360 --> 00:14:58.320 a responsibility 00:14:58.320 --> 00:14:59.380 and thank God 00:14:59.380 --> 00:15:00.660 in enabling 00:15:00.660 --> 00:15:01.740 and empowerment 00:15:01.740 --> 00:15:03.480 to bear fruit. 00:15:04.740 --> 00:15:05.460 And if we 00:15:05.460 --> 00:15:06.560 don't, 00:15:08.080 --> 00:15:08.940 God will choose 00:15:08.940 --> 00:15:09.780 to use someone 00:15:09.780 --> 00:15:11.000 that will bear fruit. 00:15:12.200 --> 00:15:13.080 And the only way 00:15:13.080 --> 00:15:13.880 you're going to bear fruit, 00:15:13.980 --> 00:15:14.540 let me take you 00:15:14.540 --> 00:15:16.180 back to 715.5. 00:15:16.660 --> 00:15:17.180 The only way 00:15:17.180 --> 00:15:18.120 you're going to bear 00:15:18.120 --> 00:15:18.600 John, 00:15:18.680 --> 00:15:19.040 excuse me, 00:15:19.100 --> 00:15:20.080 John 15.5, 00:15:20.080 --> 00:15:21.560 the only way 00:15:21.560 --> 00:15:22.020 you're going to bear 00:15:22.020 --> 00:15:22.900 fruit is 00:15:22.900 --> 00:15:24.400 to abide 00:15:24.400 --> 00:15:25.740 with the Lord. 00:15:26.160 --> 00:15:26.280 And 00:15:26.280 --> 00:15:28.980 you need time 00:15:28.980 --> 00:15:30.460 with God 00:15:30.460 --> 00:15:32.240 in His Word 00:15:32.240 --> 00:15:33.280 daily. 00:15:34.960 --> 00:15:35.860 We can put out 00:15:35.860 --> 00:15:36.780 all the bookmarks 00:15:36.780 --> 00:15:37.780 on every offering 00:15:37.780 --> 00:15:39.000 box that we got. 00:15:39.200 --> 00:15:40.600 We can encourage it 00:15:40.600 --> 00:15:41.540 and put it in the 00:15:41.540 --> 00:15:42.360 newsletter 00:15:42.360 --> 00:15:44.020 and put it before you 00:15:44.020 --> 00:15:45.660 all we want. 00:15:46.180 --> 00:15:47.020 But if you don't 00:15:47.020 --> 00:15:48.100 commit yourself 00:15:48.100 --> 00:15:49.080 to spend time 00:15:49.080 --> 00:15:49.840 with the Lord 00:15:49.840 --> 00:15:50.680 daily, 00:15:50.680 --> 00:15:51.620 I'm not talking 00:15:51.620 --> 00:15:52.540 about a ritual. 00:15:53.300 --> 00:15:54.240 Forget rituals. 00:15:54.680 --> 00:15:55.240 I'm talking 00:15:55.240 --> 00:15:56.400 about a relationship. 00:15:59.460 --> 00:16:00.300 I'm talking 00:16:00.300 --> 00:16:01.020 about a quiet 00:16:01.020 --> 00:16:01.560 spot 00:16:01.560 --> 00:16:03.100 to let God 00:16:03.100 --> 00:16:03.740 speak 00:16:03.740 --> 00:16:05.320 to your heart. 00:16:05.440 --> 00:16:05.920 You need 00:16:05.920 --> 00:16:07.940 to talk 00:16:07.940 --> 00:16:08.580 to Him. 00:16:08.840 --> 00:16:09.480 That's prayer. 00:16:10.940 --> 00:16:11.680 You need 00:16:11.680 --> 00:16:12.280 Him to talk 00:16:12.280 --> 00:16:12.720 to you. 00:16:12.820 --> 00:16:13.700 That's His Word. 00:16:13.700 --> 00:16:15.860 that's the way 00:16:15.860 --> 00:16:16.580 the conversation 00:16:16.580 --> 00:16:17.259 happens. 00:16:18.740 --> 00:16:19.580 It's when we 00:16:19.580 --> 00:16:20.080 allow Him 00:16:20.080 --> 00:16:20.840 to speak to us 00:16:20.840 --> 00:16:21.580 through the Holy Spirit 00:16:21.580 --> 00:16:21.920 of God 00:16:21.920 --> 00:16:22.640 through His Word 00:16:22.640 --> 00:16:24.600 and we talk 00:16:24.600 --> 00:16:25.200 to Him too. 00:16:27.420 --> 00:16:28.000 We need 00:16:28.000 --> 00:16:28.360 to talk 00:16:28.360 --> 00:16:29.000 to others. 00:16:29.780 --> 00:16:30.320 That's what 00:16:30.320 --> 00:16:30.720 the church 00:16:30.720 --> 00:16:31.240 is about. 00:16:31.920 --> 00:16:33.120 That's a formula 00:16:33.120 --> 00:16:34.220 and it works. 00:16:34.879 --> 00:16:35.800 It works. 00:16:35.799 --> 00:16:38.399 I will tell 00:16:38.399 --> 00:16:38.859 you 00:16:38.859 --> 00:16:41.559 that if the 00:16:41.559 --> 00:16:42.459 only part 00:16:42.459 --> 00:16:43.199 of First Baptist 00:16:43.199 --> 00:16:43.559 Church 00:16:43.559 --> 00:16:43.959 that you're 00:16:43.959 --> 00:16:44.579 a part of 00:16:44.579 --> 00:16:45.500 is to walk 00:16:45.500 --> 00:16:46.059 in the doors 00:16:46.059 --> 00:16:47.679 somewhere between 00:16:47.679 --> 00:16:48.879 1020 and 00:16:48.879 --> 00:16:49.839 1035 00:16:49.839 --> 00:16:51.279 and sit down 00:16:51.279 --> 00:16:51.599 in here, 00:16:51.779 --> 00:16:52.620 I am glad 00:16:52.620 --> 00:16:53.219 you're here. 00:16:55.019 --> 00:16:55.779 I am. 00:16:57.359 --> 00:16:58.240 I prayed 00:16:58.240 --> 00:16:58.559 for you 00:16:58.559 --> 00:16:58.939 before you 00:16:58.939 --> 00:16:59.479 got here. 00:17:00.159 --> 00:17:00.639 I'll pray 00:17:00.639 --> 00:17:00.899 for you 00:17:00.899 --> 00:17:01.439 after I leave 00:17:01.439 --> 00:17:01.679 here. 00:17:01.679 --> 00:17:03.579 and I'm 00:17:03.579 --> 00:17:03.979 glad you're 00:17:03.979 --> 00:17:04.259 here. 00:17:05.119 --> 00:17:05.879 But I will 00:17:05.879 --> 00:17:06.279 tell you 00:17:06.279 --> 00:17:06.859 this is not 00:17:06.859 --> 00:17:07.259 enough. 00:17:08.740 --> 00:17:09.379 It's not 00:17:09.379 --> 00:17:09.740 enough. 00:17:10.980 --> 00:17:11.679 You won't 00:17:11.679 --> 00:17:12.220 know this 00:17:12.220 --> 00:17:12.740 church 00:17:12.740 --> 00:17:13.779 just from 00:17:13.779 --> 00:17:14.099 that. 00:17:15.039 --> 00:17:15.759 You won't 00:17:15.759 --> 00:17:16.019 build 00:17:16.019 --> 00:17:16.679 relationships 00:17:16.679 --> 00:17:17.359 with folks 00:17:17.359 --> 00:17:17.720 in this 00:17:17.720 --> 00:17:18.000 room 00:17:18.000 --> 00:17:18.500 just from 00:17:18.500 --> 00:17:18.759 that. 00:17:20.039 --> 00:17:20.720 And Christ 00:17:20.720 --> 00:17:21.159 came to 00:17:21.159 --> 00:17:21.859 establish the 00:17:21.859 --> 00:17:22.399 church and 00:17:22.399 --> 00:17:22.839 it's very 00:17:22.839 --> 00:17:23.480 clear in the 00:17:23.480 --> 00:17:24.039 book of Acts 00:17:24.039 --> 00:17:25.039 how you do 00:17:25.039 --> 00:17:25.859 that properly 00:17:25.859 --> 00:17:26.639 and that is 00:17:26.639 --> 00:17:27.000 to spend 00:17:27.000 --> 00:17:27.740 time together. 00:17:28.659 --> 00:17:29.299 We have 00:17:29.299 --> 00:17:29.740 Sunday school 00:17:29.740 --> 00:17:30.359 classes for 00:17:30.359 --> 00:17:30.659 that. 00:17:30.839 --> 00:17:31.119 We have 00:17:31.119 --> 00:17:31.460 Bible 00:17:31.460 --> 00:17:32.059 study groups 00:17:32.059 --> 00:17:32.480 for that. 00:17:32.600 --> 00:17:32.860 We have 00:17:32.860 --> 00:17:33.500 prayer groups 00:17:33.500 --> 00:17:34.079 for that. 00:17:35.480 --> 00:17:36.019 We're 00:17:36.019 --> 00:17:36.579 providing as 00:17:36.579 --> 00:17:37.160 many avenues 00:17:37.160 --> 00:17:37.500 as we 00:17:37.500 --> 00:17:38.160 possibly can 00:17:38.160 --> 00:17:38.640 and looking 00:17:38.640 --> 00:17:39.259 to provide 00:17:39.259 --> 00:17:41.140 more for 00:17:41.140 --> 00:17:41.539 you to get 00:17:41.539 --> 00:17:42.579 engaged and 00:17:42.579 --> 00:17:43.480 get connected 00:17:43.480 --> 00:17:44.460 to other 00:17:44.460 --> 00:17:45.940 folks that 00:17:45.940 --> 00:17:46.240 are going 00:17:46.240 --> 00:17:46.860 through common 00:17:46.860 --> 00:17:47.620 things that 00:17:47.620 --> 00:17:48.140 you're going 00:17:48.140 --> 00:17:48.940 through and 00:17:48.940 --> 00:17:51.180 help us as 00:17:51.180 --> 00:17:52.180 iron sharpens 00:17:52.180 --> 00:17:53.160 iron so let 00:17:53.160 --> 00:17:53.860 one sharpen 00:17:53.860 --> 00:17:54.299 another. 00:17:55.340 --> 00:17:56.319 To work 00:17:56.319 --> 00:17:56.920 each other. 00:17:57.500 --> 00:17:58.019 To maybe 00:17:58.019 --> 00:17:58.880 prune one 00:17:58.880 --> 00:17:59.380 another from 00:17:59.380 --> 00:17:59.759 time to 00:17:59.759 --> 00:18:00.100 time. 00:18:00.099 --> 00:18:01.539 to compliment 00:18:01.539 --> 00:18:02.319 the fruit of 00:18:02.319 --> 00:18:02.679 another. 00:18:03.519 --> 00:18:04.019 To help 00:18:04.019 --> 00:18:04.500 one another 00:18:04.500 --> 00:18:05.619 along because 00:18:05.619 --> 00:18:06.399 we don't want 00:18:06.399 --> 00:18:07.079 to look like it 00:18:07.079 --> 00:18:07.500 on Sunday 00:18:07.500 --> 00:18:08.079 morning at 00:18:08.079 --> 00:18:08.399 all. 00:18:08.699 --> 00:18:09.259 None of us 00:18:09.259 --> 00:18:09.599 do. 00:18:09.839 --> 00:18:10.019 Okay? 00:18:10.199 --> 00:18:11.000 But we all 00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:11.659 need help. 00:18:13.119 --> 00:18:13.759 It's not that we 00:18:13.759 --> 00:18:14.459 necessarily want 00:18:14.459 --> 00:18:15.779 anybody to tell us 00:18:15.779 --> 00:18:16.459 what they think. 00:18:16.519 --> 00:18:17.319 I don't mean that. 00:18:18.119 --> 00:18:18.839 But I'm just 00:18:18.839 --> 00:18:19.819 telling you folks, 00:18:20.639 --> 00:18:21.259 you need the 00:18:21.259 --> 00:18:22.740 camaraderie around 00:18:22.740 --> 00:18:23.639 the word of God. 00:18:23.839 --> 00:18:24.919 You need that. 00:18:24.920 --> 00:18:27.460 And if you 00:18:27.460 --> 00:18:28.259 don't have it, 00:18:29.100 --> 00:18:30.320 it is more 00:18:30.320 --> 00:18:31.600 difficult to 00:18:31.600 --> 00:18:33.200 abide with 00:18:33.200 --> 00:18:33.539 the Lord. 00:18:34.220 --> 00:18:35.120 He established 00:18:35.120 --> 00:18:36.259 the church for 00:18:36.259 --> 00:18:37.100 those purposes 00:18:37.100 --> 00:18:38.180 because he knew 00:18:38.180 --> 00:18:39.000 we needed it. 00:18:39.800 --> 00:18:40.480 He knows what 00:18:40.480 --> 00:18:41.160 you're facing on 00:18:41.160 --> 00:18:41.759 Monday morning. 00:18:42.580 --> 00:18:43.300 And you probably 00:18:43.300 --> 00:18:44.039 know what it is 00:18:44.039 --> 00:18:44.620 too, but if you 00:18:44.620 --> 00:18:45.259 don't, he's already 00:18:45.259 --> 00:18:46.039 there by the way. 00:18:46.120 --> 00:18:46.800 He knows what the 00:18:46.800 --> 00:18:47.620 circumstances are. 00:18:47.880 --> 00:18:48.920 And you need 00:18:48.920 --> 00:18:50.140 that kind of 00:18:50.140 --> 00:18:50.940 abiding with each 00:18:50.940 --> 00:18:51.160 other. 00:18:51.360 --> 00:18:53.100 And let me go 00:18:53.100 --> 00:18:53.580 ahead and make a 00:18:53.580 --> 00:18:54.279 commercial while I'm 00:18:54.279 --> 00:18:54.559 here. 00:18:55.200 --> 00:18:55.559 You say, 00:18:55.619 --> 00:18:56.180 Preacher, I don't 00:18:56.180 --> 00:18:57.119 know how to get 00:18:57.119 --> 00:18:58.339 engaged in that. 00:18:58.460 --> 00:18:59.039 I mean, it's just 00:18:59.039 --> 00:19:00.039 intimidating to walk 00:19:00.039 --> 00:19:00.819 in the doors and try 00:19:00.819 --> 00:19:02.139 to find where to go 00:19:02.139 --> 00:19:02.980 and I can't find my 00:19:02.980 --> 00:19:03.539 way around the 00:19:03.539 --> 00:19:03.680 building. 00:19:03.759 --> 00:19:04.299 I understand. 00:19:04.579 --> 00:19:05.019 I'm new. 00:19:05.700 --> 00:19:07.119 You know, I'm new. 00:19:07.200 --> 00:19:09.319 The first time that I 00:19:09.319 --> 00:19:11.119 came here, the first 00:19:11.119 --> 00:19:12.680 Sunday I was here as 00:19:12.680 --> 00:19:14.559 your pastor, okay, on 00:19:14.559 --> 00:19:16.559 May the 1st, the first 00:19:16.559 --> 00:19:17.720 guy that welcomed me 00:19:17.720 --> 00:19:18.940 was not in this 00:19:18.940 --> 00:19:19.460 church. 00:19:20.700 --> 00:19:21.759 Did not have a home 00:19:21.759 --> 00:19:22.240 in Pickens. 00:19:22.339 --> 00:19:23.819 He just came in off 00:19:23.819 --> 00:19:24.779 the street and said, 00:19:25.139 --> 00:19:25.639 Y'all have any 00:19:25.639 --> 00:19:25.980 coffee? 00:19:26.099 --> 00:19:26.599 I said, that's a 00:19:26.599 --> 00:19:27.259 great question. 00:19:28.379 --> 00:19:29.519 Man, I hope so. 00:19:30.599 --> 00:19:32.480 You know, I don't 00:19:32.480 --> 00:19:33.779 know, but man, you're 00:19:33.779 --> 00:19:34.139 early. 00:19:34.379 --> 00:19:34.939 Do you know the 00:19:34.939 --> 00:19:35.259 Lord? 00:19:35.740 --> 00:19:36.559 And he said, yeah. 00:19:36.879 --> 00:19:37.639 I said, good. 00:19:37.700 --> 00:19:38.419 Come back in 30 00:19:38.419 --> 00:19:39.119 minutes, okay? 00:19:39.539 --> 00:19:40.299 Because you're too 00:19:40.299 --> 00:19:41.240 early, you know. 00:19:42.439 --> 00:19:44.960 And listen, on 00:19:44.960 --> 00:19:45.960 September 11th, I can 00:19:45.960 --> 00:19:46.379 tell you where the 00:19:46.379 --> 00:19:47.099 coffee's going to be, 00:19:47.159 --> 00:19:47.480 all right? 00:19:47.480 --> 00:19:48.019 Because the coffee 00:19:48.019 --> 00:19:48.539 bar's opening. 00:19:48.659 --> 00:19:48.759 Amen? 00:19:48.759 --> 00:19:50.299 So anyway, it's 00:19:50.299 --> 00:19:50.779 going to be in the 00:19:50.779 --> 00:19:51.740 Welcome Center, which 00:19:51.740 --> 00:19:52.700 is the middle door 00:19:52.700 --> 00:19:53.640 between the sanctuary 00:19:53.640 --> 00:19:54.420 and the fellowship 00:19:54.420 --> 00:19:54.859 hall. 00:19:55.160 --> 00:19:55.799 And everybody 00:19:55.799 --> 00:19:56.859 don't know that, 00:19:57.000 --> 00:19:57.359 folks. 00:20:00.539 --> 00:20:01.660 We need each other. 00:20:03.259 --> 00:20:04.400 Christ knew that. 00:20:07.619 --> 00:20:09.019 Don't take that joy 00:20:09.019 --> 00:20:10.140 away from others, 00:20:11.819 --> 00:20:12.940 mingling in and mixing 00:20:12.940 --> 00:20:15.559 in your lives and 00:20:15.559 --> 00:20:16.440 helping us all to 00:20:16.440 --> 00:20:17.279 become stronger. 00:20:18.099 --> 00:20:19.079 We need that. 00:20:20.460 --> 00:20:21.319 God's established 00:20:21.319 --> 00:20:21.679 that. 00:20:21.799 --> 00:20:22.339 And without that, 00:20:22.440 --> 00:20:23.220 something's missing. 00:20:24.419 --> 00:20:25.659 And it shows. 00:20:26.019 --> 00:20:26.859 It shows. 00:20:27.980 --> 00:20:28.679 Be clear. 00:20:29.700 --> 00:20:31.700 Apathy, lack of 00:20:31.700 --> 00:20:33.919 production, fruitlessness, 00:20:34.200 --> 00:20:35.539 they're all forms of 00:20:35.539 --> 00:20:36.480 disobedience. 00:20:37.399 --> 00:20:38.440 So fortify your 00:20:38.440 --> 00:20:39.559 spiritual life with 00:20:39.559 --> 00:20:39.899 prayer. 00:20:40.099 --> 00:20:41.220 Fortify your spiritual 00:20:41.220 --> 00:20:42.720 life with the Word of 00:20:42.720 --> 00:20:43.099 God. 00:20:43.440 --> 00:20:44.339 If you don't know how 00:20:44.339 --> 00:20:45.539 to do that properly, 00:20:45.559 --> 00:20:47.419 come see me on 00:20:47.419 --> 00:20:48.119 September the 11th. 00:20:48.119 --> 00:20:48.700 Well, you can see me 00:20:48.700 --> 00:20:49.319 before then, but 00:20:49.319 --> 00:20:50.359 September the 11th 00:20:50.359 --> 00:20:51.659 begins that class in 00:20:51.659 --> 00:20:52.259 the fellowship hall. 00:20:52.460 --> 00:20:53.179 Those are some of the 00:20:53.179 --> 00:20:53.980 very things that I'm 00:20:53.980 --> 00:20:54.440 going to be talking 00:20:54.440 --> 00:20:54.819 about. 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:56.460 It's a great opportunity 00:20:56.460 --> 00:20:57.019 for that. 00:20:58.679 --> 00:20:59.919 Don't let the evil 00:20:59.919 --> 00:21:01.319 one deceive you, 00:21:01.859 --> 00:21:03.379 separate you, and 00:21:03.379 --> 00:21:04.359 deplete you. 00:21:06.119 --> 00:21:07.259 COVID has been 00:21:07.259 --> 00:21:07.799 awful. 00:21:09.079 --> 00:21:10.059 The losses that 00:21:10.059 --> 00:21:11.119 people have suffered 00:21:11.119 --> 00:21:12.179 have been tragic. 00:21:13.500 --> 00:21:14.379 In the midst of all 00:21:14.379 --> 00:21:14.960 of that, I buried 00:21:14.960 --> 00:21:16.640 two 42-year-olds that 00:21:16.640 --> 00:21:17.460 died with COVID. 00:21:18.600 --> 00:21:19.860 I've seen the pain 00:21:19.860 --> 00:21:21.779 that went into that 00:21:21.779 --> 00:21:22.860 dilemma and that 00:21:22.860 --> 00:21:23.720 difficulty. 00:21:23.960 --> 00:21:25.559 And I know how tough 00:21:25.559 --> 00:21:26.940 it is to preach to an 00:21:26.940 --> 00:21:29.079 empty sanctuary in front 00:21:29.079 --> 00:21:30.279 of a camera that they'll 00:21:30.279 --> 00:21:31.500 watch the next day. 00:21:31.920 --> 00:21:33.220 It ain't the same as the 00:21:33.220 --> 00:21:34.079 fellowship of believers, 00:21:34.180 --> 00:21:34.840 I promise you. 00:21:34.920 --> 00:21:36.519 It's different from that. 00:21:37.240 --> 00:21:38.480 COVID has been awful. 00:21:38.480 --> 00:21:41.660 But I'm telling you, the 00:21:41.660 --> 00:21:43.039 worst part of it, not 00:21:43.039 --> 00:21:44.240 taking away from any of 00:21:44.240 --> 00:21:45.480 the physical pandemic 00:21:46.220 --> 00:21:47.299 part of it, but the 00:21:47.299 --> 00:21:48.360 worst part of it has been 00:21:48.360 --> 00:21:49.539 the spiritual pandemic 00:21:49.539 --> 00:21:50.440 that took place. 00:21:50.660 --> 00:21:52.819 Because we all withdrew and 00:21:52.819 --> 00:21:54.400 we all got to ourself. 00:21:55.440 --> 00:21:56.700 And just like so many 00:21:56.700 --> 00:21:57.779 people died of other 00:21:57.779 --> 00:21:58.960 health concerns because 00:21:58.960 --> 00:22:00.019 they couldn't treat them 00:22:00.019 --> 00:22:01.140 because everybody was 00:22:01.140 --> 00:22:02.579 focused on COVID and so 00:22:02.579 --> 00:22:03.420 they didn't take care of 00:22:03.420 --> 00:22:04.460 their bad heart and they 00:22:04.460 --> 00:22:05.220 didn't take care of the 00:22:05.220 --> 00:22:06.019 cancer they were fighting 00:22:06.019 --> 00:22:06.619 because they couldn't 00:22:06.619 --> 00:22:07.599 get in to see the doctor 00:22:07.599 --> 00:22:08.539 because of all those 00:22:08.539 --> 00:22:09.680 circumstances and they 00:22:09.680 --> 00:22:10.400 suffered with other 00:22:10.400 --> 00:22:10.720 matters. 00:22:10.960 --> 00:22:12.420 In the same kind of way, 00:22:12.599 --> 00:22:13.980 in the midst of that, we 00:22:13.980 --> 00:22:14.859 pulled away from 00:22:14.859 --> 00:22:16.519 everything, never bothered 00:22:16.519 --> 00:22:18.079 to re-engage and come 00:22:18.079 --> 00:22:19.180 back and it's been a 00:22:19.180 --> 00:22:20.579 spiritual pandemic upon 00:22:20.579 --> 00:22:21.379 the church of Jesus 00:22:21.379 --> 00:22:21.879 Christ. 00:22:22.240 --> 00:22:23.339 And it's time to 00:22:23.339 --> 00:22:25.460 relaunch and change that, 00:22:25.579 --> 00:22:25.920 folks. 00:22:28.660 --> 00:22:30.299 It's time to get engaged. 00:22:30.980 --> 00:22:32.420 It's time to grow in the 00:22:32.420 --> 00:22:33.960 Lord and allow God to do 00:22:33.960 --> 00:22:34.099 that. 00:22:34.139 --> 00:22:35.059 And if I'm digging a bit, 00:22:35.059 --> 00:22:36.779 that is exactly what 00:22:36.779 --> 00:22:38.119 Jesus was doing and 00:22:38.119 --> 00:22:39.059 that's exactly what he 00:22:39.059 --> 00:22:40.139 said we need to do. 00:22:40.960 --> 00:22:42.299 Dig around the roots. 00:22:42.960 --> 00:22:44.039 Dig around the roots. 00:22:44.399 --> 00:22:45.519 Throw some manure on. 00:22:45.579 --> 00:22:46.339 Just dung it. 00:22:48.779 --> 00:22:50.200 Remain faithful to the 00:22:50.200 --> 00:22:51.119 people of God. 00:22:51.399 --> 00:22:53.099 Let God work in us and 00:22:53.099 --> 00:22:53.879 through us. 00:22:54.220 --> 00:22:55.240 But it's not just about 00:22:55.240 --> 00:22:55.639 us. 00:22:55.940 --> 00:22:57.799 A lack of unfruitfulness, 00:22:58.139 --> 00:22:59.019 excuse me, a lot of 00:22:59.019 --> 00:23:00.839 unfruitfulness is caused 00:23:00.839 --> 00:23:02.440 by people not being 00:23:02.440 --> 00:23:02.960 believers. 00:23:02.960 --> 00:23:03.160 believers. 00:23:04.220 --> 00:23:05.279 People need the Lord. 00:23:06.299 --> 00:23:07.420 They need him today. 00:23:07.539 --> 00:23:08.559 There's people in this 00:23:08.559 --> 00:23:08.840 room. 00:23:08.940 --> 00:23:09.740 I don't know who you 00:23:09.740 --> 00:23:10.900 are, but there's people 00:23:10.900 --> 00:23:12.340 in this room who've never 00:23:12.340 --> 00:23:13.680 given his or her heart to 00:23:13.680 --> 00:23:14.980 the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:23:16.299 --> 00:23:17.539 Everybody may think you 00:23:17.539 --> 00:23:17.900 have. 00:23:19.660 --> 00:23:20.779 You may have thought that 00:23:20.779 --> 00:23:22.059 aligning with the church 00:23:22.059 --> 00:23:23.220 and going along for some 00:23:23.220 --> 00:23:24.120 time is enough. 00:23:24.119 --> 00:23:26.959 But the reality is, and I 00:23:26.959 --> 00:23:27.959 shared this midweek this 00:23:27.959 --> 00:23:29.259 past week, the greatest 00:23:29.259 --> 00:23:30.339 burden I have as a pastor, 00:23:30.419 --> 00:23:31.119 whether it's wrong or 00:23:31.119 --> 00:23:31.919 right, the greatest burden 00:23:31.919 --> 00:23:33.239 I have as a pastor is the 00:23:33.239 --> 00:23:34.199 people that I preach to 00:23:34.199 --> 00:23:35.459 each week and look at and 00:23:35.459 --> 00:23:37.459 wonder, God, do they know 00:23:37.459 --> 00:23:37.859 you? 00:23:38.179 --> 00:23:39.500 Has their life been changed 00:23:39.500 --> 00:23:40.139 by you? 00:23:40.859 --> 00:23:42.179 Has there been a difference 00:23:42.179 --> 00:23:43.059 in them, oh God? 00:23:43.639 --> 00:23:44.739 Please don't let them walk 00:23:44.739 --> 00:23:46.559 out of here knowing the 00:23:46.559 --> 00:23:48.419 gospel, knowing what it 00:23:48.419 --> 00:23:49.799 means to surrender your life 00:23:49.799 --> 00:23:50.699 to the Lord, and then walk 00:23:50.699 --> 00:23:52.959 out of here unchanged, not 00:23:52.960 --> 00:23:53.559 committed. 00:23:57.880 --> 00:24:00.539 When the ax hits the root, 00:24:01.259 --> 00:24:03.779 it will forever be too 00:24:03.779 --> 00:24:04.120 late. 00:24:05.120 --> 00:24:07.480 And God has placed people in 00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:10.500 our lives to help us change, 00:24:10.840 --> 00:24:12.120 and God has placed us in 00:24:12.120 --> 00:24:13.860 other people's lives to share 00:24:13.860 --> 00:24:14.880 our faith with them. 00:24:15.220 --> 00:24:16.940 God has given us neighbors, 00:24:18.019 --> 00:24:19.680 the neighbors you don't like, 00:24:20.340 --> 00:24:21.440 the neighbors you wish would 00:24:21.440 --> 00:24:23.700 go away with all the moving 00:24:23.700 --> 00:24:24.980 going on, let them move, 00:24:25.080 --> 00:24:26.100 Lord, let them move. 00:24:26.480 --> 00:24:27.580 God's put them there. 00:24:28.980 --> 00:24:30.460 And all their junk in the 00:24:30.460 --> 00:24:31.539 yard, he's put them there. 00:24:35.600 --> 00:24:36.820 God's given you your work 00:24:36.820 --> 00:24:38.900 mates, the ones that you 00:24:38.900 --> 00:24:39.400 avoid. 00:24:40.600 --> 00:24:41.660 God put them there. 00:24:41.660 --> 00:24:45.060 God give you your fellow team 00:24:45.060 --> 00:24:45.519 players. 00:24:45.940 --> 00:24:47.820 God give you your team moms and 00:24:47.820 --> 00:24:49.800 your team dads to share your 00:24:49.800 --> 00:24:52.160 faith with, to make an example 00:24:52.160 --> 00:24:53.600 of, to show. 00:24:53.980 --> 00:24:55.279 Dig around a little bit. 00:24:55.580 --> 00:24:56.440 Poke at it. 00:24:56.660 --> 00:24:57.900 Throw some manure on it. 00:24:57.980 --> 00:24:59.200 Just dung it. 00:24:59.519 --> 00:25:01.540 You are not responsible for 00:25:01.540 --> 00:25:03.460 their response to you. 00:25:03.800 --> 00:25:05.500 You're responsible for giving 00:25:05.500 --> 00:25:07.180 them an opportunity to 00:25:07.180 --> 00:25:09.380 personally hear an invitation to 00:25:09.380 --> 00:25:11.620 come to Christ and don't let your 00:25:11.620 --> 00:25:13.860 true friendship with them come in 00:25:13.860 --> 00:25:15.200 the way of giving them an 00:25:15.200 --> 00:25:16.940 opportunity at eternal life. 00:25:19.440 --> 00:25:21.960 Fertilize the unfruitful. 00:25:23.840 --> 00:25:25.900 And lastly, prepare for the coming 00:25:25.900 --> 00:25:26.260 day. 00:25:29.060 --> 00:25:31.100 If there's not fruitfulness after the 00:25:31.100 --> 00:25:34.160 effort, the tree is, the tree is 00:25:34.160 --> 00:25:36.180 axed down and replaced and there's a 00:25:36.180 --> 00:25:36.700 day coming. 00:25:36.700 --> 00:25:39.299 Thank God it's not too late. 00:25:40.620 --> 00:25:42.059 I don't know when it will be too 00:25:42.059 --> 00:25:42.319 late. 00:25:42.460 --> 00:25:44.740 I'm not selling any books on it. 00:25:44.819 --> 00:25:45.100 Okay. 00:25:46.720 --> 00:25:49.539 I'm just telling you, Jesus was 00:25:49.539 --> 00:25:49.860 clear. 00:25:49.960 --> 00:25:50.420 It will be. 00:25:51.680 --> 00:25:53.420 And those who refuse to come to the 00:25:53.420 --> 00:25:54.460 Lord, God is patient. 00:25:54.640 --> 00:25:55.460 Thank God for that. 00:25:56.000 --> 00:25:57.059 But time's running out. 00:25:58.100 --> 00:26:00.080 And those who waste that time and 00:26:00.080 --> 00:26:01.319 fail to faithfully serve the Lord, 00:26:01.440 --> 00:26:02.220 time runs out. 00:26:03.120 --> 00:26:05.059 Now I understand what people are 00:26:05.059 --> 00:26:05.539 waiting on. 00:26:05.600 --> 00:26:06.340 I get it. 00:26:07.700 --> 00:26:08.519 I get it. 00:26:08.660 --> 00:26:09.580 But I want you to watch what 00:26:09.580 --> 00:26:10.019 happens. 00:26:13.319 --> 00:26:16.440 When you're young, you don't have 00:26:16.440 --> 00:26:17.100 your own family. 00:26:18.519 --> 00:26:20.059 You think, well, I'll wait until I 00:26:20.059 --> 00:26:20.580 get a family. 00:26:21.819 --> 00:26:23.740 When I get a family, I'll get fully 00:26:23.740 --> 00:26:25.120 engaged and faithful. 00:26:25.119 --> 00:26:27.259 And then you get a family. 00:26:29.079 --> 00:26:32.879 And then having kids is always make 00:26:32.879 --> 00:26:33.779 or break, one or the other. 00:26:34.000 --> 00:26:35.719 It's either too much trouble to go or 00:26:35.719 --> 00:26:37.219 you're going because you want the 00:26:37.219 --> 00:26:37.659 kids there. 00:26:38.139 --> 00:26:38.979 That's what happens. 00:26:39.500 --> 00:26:41.039 The decision that comes with that. 00:26:41.039 --> 00:26:43.920 But when you get a family, you kind of 00:26:43.920 --> 00:26:45.039 wait until the kids are older. 00:26:46.659 --> 00:26:48.139 And then the kids get older and life 00:26:48.139 --> 00:26:48.759 gets busier. 00:26:49.740 --> 00:26:51.019 And you've got to make decisions, 00:26:51.139 --> 00:26:52.480 tough decisions about how you're going 00:26:52.480 --> 00:26:54.859 to prioritize your life because they 00:26:54.859 --> 00:26:56.019 just want the most of it. 00:26:56.139 --> 00:26:58.539 And our life kind of revolves around 00:26:58.539 --> 00:26:58.940 that. 00:26:58.940 --> 00:27:03.779 And then the kids are gone and it's 00:27:03.779 --> 00:27:04.480 time for a break. 00:27:06.860 --> 00:27:08.519 And then the grandkids come and you 00:27:08.519 --> 00:27:09.680 want time with them instead. 00:27:11.880 --> 00:27:13.820 And then you get older and then you 00:27:13.820 --> 00:27:15.900 think, well, it's not my time. 00:27:17.019 --> 00:27:18.799 It's somebody else's time now. 00:27:20.799 --> 00:27:22.779 Now, 80 years later, there's a life 00:27:22.779 --> 00:27:24.120 that proclaimed to have a relationship 00:27:24.120 --> 00:27:26.720 with God, but has never faithfully 00:27:26.720 --> 00:27:29.180 served and never bore fruit. 00:27:29.339 --> 00:27:32.299 Just hanging around, but never 00:27:32.299 --> 00:27:33.259 bearing fruit. 00:27:34.819 --> 00:27:37.519 And I challenge you today, quit making 00:27:37.519 --> 00:27:42.740 the life stage excuses that cause you 00:27:42.740 --> 00:27:44.740 not to be everything that God would 00:27:44.740 --> 00:27:45.500 have you to be. 00:27:46.180 --> 00:27:49.160 Make today be the day that God digs 00:27:49.160 --> 00:27:50.519 around at your roots. 00:27:51.579 --> 00:27:53.180 Throw some manure on it. 00:27:53.180 --> 00:27:57.120 I want you to know I prayed for you. 00:27:58.720 --> 00:28:02.200 In preparing this sermon, I prayed for 00:28:02.200 --> 00:28:02.440 you. 00:28:04.740 --> 00:28:06.420 And then what about other Christians 00:28:06.420 --> 00:28:07.720 who have a burden for others? 00:28:09.060 --> 00:28:10.660 You know, you want to keep them your 00:28:10.660 --> 00:28:12.940 friends, but you want them to know 00:28:12.940 --> 00:28:14.279 Jesus and there's a fine line with 00:28:14.279 --> 00:28:16.259 being patient with them and feeling a 00:28:16.259 --> 00:28:18.980 deadline coming and Jesus tells us again 00:28:18.980 --> 00:28:20.320 and again, you're going to see it in 00:28:20.320 --> 00:28:20.779 coming days. 00:28:20.779 --> 00:28:21.940 The day is coming. 00:28:22.899 --> 00:28:24.379 Many of the parables that he shares 00:28:24.379 --> 00:28:25.639 has to do with the door shutting, 00:28:26.519 --> 00:28:28.920 the master returning, the judgment 00:28:28.920 --> 00:28:29.599 that's coming. 00:28:31.879 --> 00:28:34.440 I don't like talking about looming 00:28:34.440 --> 00:28:34.859 judgment. 00:28:35.019 --> 00:28:35.740 That's not my thing. 00:28:36.440 --> 00:28:37.720 I'm a positive person. 00:28:40.039 --> 00:28:45.059 Jesus wanted you to feel the looming 00:28:45.059 --> 00:28:47.740 judgment of the Lord. 00:28:47.920 --> 00:28:48.299 Why? 00:28:48.299 --> 00:28:51.759 Because we need to get our lives right. 00:28:53.759 --> 00:28:57.599 Because we need to bear fruit in this 00:28:57.599 --> 00:28:58.039 season. 00:28:59.659 --> 00:29:01.519 Because if you're a Christian today, you 00:29:01.519 --> 00:29:04.299 have a faith that needs to be shared. 00:29:09.119 --> 00:29:11.339 One thing they never prepared me for. 00:29:11.339 --> 00:29:17.619 In seminary, in watching preachers growing up, 00:29:18.879 --> 00:29:21.139 watching my pastors growing up, 00:29:21.939 --> 00:29:25.519 I never was prepared for what I call the 00:29:25.519 --> 00:29:28.759 sacred closets of people's lives that God has 00:29:28.759 --> 00:29:29.879 allowed me to be in. 00:29:32.279 --> 00:29:35.379 When you walk in with a family besides someone 00:29:35.379 --> 00:29:40.759 dying, I think I don't belong here. 00:29:41.339 --> 00:29:47.199 But that dear family wants their pastor to be a part of 00:29:47.199 --> 00:29:47.359 that. 00:29:47.459 --> 00:29:48.699 I know it's a sacred time. 00:29:48.799 --> 00:29:49.919 I know it's a personal time. 00:29:50.220 --> 00:29:51.519 I know it's a private time. 00:29:52.019 --> 00:29:52.799 I get it. 00:29:55.980 --> 00:29:57.679 And Fred, you know, you never get used to that. 00:29:57.680 --> 00:30:05.360 I've seen them breathe their last. 00:30:08.140 --> 00:30:10.120 And I've never had one say, 00:30:12.120 --> 00:30:14.259 boy, I wish I'd wasted more time. 00:30:18.539 --> 00:30:23.460 Never had somebody facing death tell me in my final visits with 00:30:23.460 --> 00:30:23.700 them. 00:30:26.039 --> 00:30:27.039 Boy, if I wouldn't have, 00:30:27.039 --> 00:30:31.579 if I wouldn't have spent my time so wisely, 00:30:31.900 --> 00:30:34.819 I wish I'd wasted more time. 00:30:37.559 --> 00:30:39.340 But I've had more than a handful tell me. 00:30:41.140 --> 00:30:44.660 I wish I would have taken advantage of my time and the 00:30:44.660 --> 00:30:45.700 opportunity that I had. 00:30:45.700 --> 00:30:48.920 And I'm simply saying this morning, 00:30:49.640 --> 00:30:50.420 wish no longer. 00:30:51.860 --> 00:30:52.940 Dig around. 00:30:54.259 --> 00:30:55.059 Dig deep. 00:30:56.519 --> 00:30:58.160 Throw some manure on your life. 00:30:59.539 --> 00:31:00.299 Just dung it. 00:31:01.640 --> 00:31:09.700 Just allow your life to be changed by the ever abiding presence of 00:31:09.700 --> 00:31:14.519 the sweet Holy Spirit of God and the promise of Jesus. 00:31:16.559 --> 00:31:18.080 With every head bowed and every eye closed, 00:31:18.140 --> 00:31:19.059 I want to ask you this morning. 00:31:20.880 --> 00:31:24.279 Has there ever been a time in your life when you've surrendered your 00:31:24.279 --> 00:31:25.980 life to follow the Lord Jesus Christ? 00:31:27.440 --> 00:31:29.259 I'm not asking you if everybody thinks you have. 00:31:29.319 --> 00:31:29.799 I'm asking you, 00:31:29.860 --> 00:31:32.019 have you ever given your heart and life to the Lord Jesus Christ? 00:31:32.080 --> 00:31:34.319 I want you to know we're going to stand and we're going to sing in 00:31:34.319 --> 00:31:34.759 just a moment. 00:31:34.860 --> 00:31:35.779 But more important than that, 00:31:35.779 --> 00:31:39.559 we do this for you to have the opportunity to respond in obedience. 00:31:40.099 --> 00:31:44.019 And we will take the time to share with you what that means. 00:31:44.079 --> 00:31:45.819 We're not going to rush that deal for you. 00:31:48.359 --> 00:31:51.019 But as the Holy Spirit convicts your heart and speaks to you, 00:31:51.059 --> 00:31:52.180 you respond to him today. 00:31:52.759 --> 00:31:54.000 And we'll guide you in that. 00:31:55.720 --> 00:31:58.000 Maybe God's drawing you to be a part of this church. 00:31:58.220 --> 00:32:00.079 You feel led to join us in the journey. 00:32:00.220 --> 00:32:00.859 We're not perfect, 00:32:00.940 --> 00:32:01.519 nor are you. 00:32:01.619 --> 00:32:02.460 We'll work out great. 00:32:02.839 --> 00:32:05.019 You just come down and let us know that. 00:32:05.019 --> 00:32:06.799 We'll be happy to help you in that process. 00:32:07.119 --> 00:32:08.759 We may begin the process for that, 00:32:09.200 --> 00:32:09.799 but you come. 00:32:10.819 --> 00:32:13.420 Maybe you have been saved and you know you're a Christian, 00:32:13.519 --> 00:32:15.420 but you've never been baptized by mercy. 00:32:15.519 --> 00:32:20.420 You've never publicly proclaimed your faith in obedience to the way 00:32:20.420 --> 00:32:21.779 Christ not only showed us, 00:32:22.200 --> 00:32:23.259 but instructed us. 00:32:24.019 --> 00:32:25.859 So I encourage you to be obedient in that. 00:32:27.000 --> 00:32:30.740 Or maybe you're just here this morning and you just need some digging 00:32:30.740 --> 00:32:32.480 around to take place in your roots. 00:32:33.480 --> 00:32:33.619 I mean, 00:32:33.639 --> 00:32:34.900 you just want to be honest with God. 00:32:35.740 --> 00:32:36.940 You need some work. 00:32:37.619 --> 00:32:38.759 There's not enough fruit. 00:32:40.460 --> 00:32:43.480 And I want you to know the steps down here behind me are a makeshift 00:32:43.480 --> 00:32:45.519 altar for you to lay it down before the Lord. 00:32:46.039 --> 00:32:47.759 I realize you can do that where you are. 00:32:47.839 --> 00:32:48.700 You can do it up here. 00:32:49.299 --> 00:32:49.700 I just, 00:32:49.799 --> 00:32:51.379 I just want you to be obedient. 00:32:51.380 --> 00:32:54.980 I just know the spirit of God is stirring today. 00:32:55.120 --> 00:32:58.060 He's moving in hearts and lives and I don't want you to be disobedient. 00:32:58.840 --> 00:33:00.440 I just want you to do what he tells you to do. 00:33:01.080 --> 00:33:02.640 I'll be happy to pray with you, 00:33:02.800 --> 00:33:06.700 guide you in any way in any of that or anything else on your heart and life. 00:33:06.700 --> 00:33:08.519 Lord Jesus, 00:33:08.519 --> 00:33:09.799 lead us right now. 00:33:11.500 --> 00:33:12.819 I pray your blessings, 00:33:13.059 --> 00:33:13.600 your leadership, 00:33:13.759 --> 00:33:18.340 your guidance upon every person in this place and every person watching online. 00:33:18.339 --> 00:33:18.779 God, 00:33:19.139 --> 00:33:19.959 God, 00:33:20.039 --> 00:33:24.339 you move and work and help us to be obedient to follow you right now. 00:33:24.899 --> 00:33:26.279 In Jesus' precious name, 00:33:26.279 --> 00:33:27.079 Amen.