WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.640 Bibles, I want you to turn to Revelation chapter 22. 00:00:03.740 --> 00:00:04.879 Revelation chapter 22. 00:00:04.980 --> 00:00:07.280 Haven't you been blessed by this music this morning? 00:00:08.300 --> 00:00:13.900 Wow, me and three other people have been blessed this morning by that music. 00:00:14.000 --> 00:00:14.980 Haven't you been blessed? 00:00:16.080 --> 00:00:17.080 Man, that's sweet. 00:00:17.240 --> 00:00:18.500 It's been good stuff, I'm telling you. 00:00:18.519 --> 00:00:18.980 It's great. 00:00:19.140 --> 00:00:19.420 Amen. 00:00:19.839 --> 00:00:20.080 Amen. 00:00:20.160 --> 00:00:27.780 I'm going to tell y'all, one of my hope and prayers from preaching this sermon today, 00:00:27.780 --> 00:00:31.440 well, you'll leave here and think, man, I need to practice for heaven. 00:00:31.760 --> 00:00:38.439 I need to get ready for worship, you know, because I'm telling you, we're going to have a good time. 00:00:39.140 --> 00:00:46.240 We've been talking about heaven for several weeks now, and we talked about what will be certain the minute we die, 00:00:46.859 --> 00:00:51.740 what we'll know at least within 60 seconds of passing this life. 00:00:51.740 --> 00:00:59.100 We've talked about that heaven is real, and it is immediate, and it is eternal, and it is beyond our imagination. 00:00:59.780 --> 00:01:01.679 We've talked about what heaven has. 00:01:01.760 --> 00:01:03.820 We've talked about some things heaven does not have. 00:01:04.159 --> 00:01:06.340 We've talked about what will be like in heaven. 00:01:07.980 --> 00:01:14.920 We have a lot of curiosities about heaven, and the Bible does not answer every curiosity that we have. 00:01:14.920 --> 00:01:24.460 God didn't write the word of God just so we can have all our answers, all our questions answered. 00:01:25.400 --> 00:01:28.500 He wrote it so we rely and trust in him. 00:01:29.159 --> 00:01:32.159 However, it does answer several for us. 00:01:33.439 --> 00:01:40.560 And in this series on the reality of eternity, we close out this morning a look at heaven, 00:01:40.560 --> 00:01:48.620 and I want to share about us when we're in glory. 00:01:51.379 --> 00:01:55.879 When in glory, we will serve. 00:01:58.620 --> 00:02:00.719 That don't sound too glamorous, does it? 00:02:01.200 --> 00:02:02.579 That's what you had intended. 00:02:03.340 --> 00:02:03.640 Why? 00:02:03.640 --> 00:02:11.360 Because we're not serving for reward or acceptance or for good impression. 00:02:13.699 --> 00:02:18.539 When we get to heaven, we'll serve because we want to. 00:02:20.420 --> 00:02:24.099 Have you ever served because you want to? 00:02:25.659 --> 00:02:28.920 Have you ever done something for somebody just because you wanted to? 00:02:28.919 --> 00:02:35.079 Not because you had to, not because you were forced to, just because you wanted to and enjoyed doing it. 00:02:36.019 --> 00:02:37.219 Who will we serve? 00:02:37.319 --> 00:02:38.179 We'll serve the Lord. 00:02:38.779 --> 00:02:40.819 Revelation 22, 3 and 4 says this. 00:02:41.979 --> 00:02:46.739 No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, 00:02:46.779 --> 00:02:48.399 and his servants will worship him. 00:02:49.060 --> 00:02:53.319 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 00:02:53.319 --> 00:03:00.639 Leave that up for just a moment because that word there in verse 3, the next to the last word that says worship, 00:03:00.900 --> 00:03:02.579 is an interesting word. 00:03:03.919 --> 00:03:10.599 It is a word that in its primary meaning means to the service of a hireling, 00:03:11.479 --> 00:03:14.799 one who's been hired to do a job, the service that they do. 00:03:14.800 --> 00:03:19.880 And it means to serve, or it means to minister to. 00:03:20.840 --> 00:03:23.540 It means to pay homage to. 00:03:23.960 --> 00:03:25.900 And then, of course, that rolls into worship. 00:03:26.120 --> 00:03:30.120 And so sometimes translations say in this passage that we'll worship him. 00:03:30.360 --> 00:03:34.120 And it's true because the reality is that we'll serve him. 00:03:34.240 --> 00:03:38.380 And it's true that we will serve him as well as worship him. 00:03:38.379 --> 00:03:45.280 And then it says, they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 00:03:45.400 --> 00:03:51.680 Somebody asked me recently when they were leaving worship about these names on the foreheads. 00:03:52.299 --> 00:03:54.139 And so let's take a moment and talk about that. 00:03:55.599 --> 00:03:58.719 I want you to think about this for a minute because you've heard this before. 00:03:59.599 --> 00:04:01.259 In reality, in a couple of places. 00:04:01.979 --> 00:04:04.659 Let me remind you of Deuteronomy chapter 5 through 8. 00:04:04.979 --> 00:04:05.460 It says this. 00:04:05.460 --> 00:04:09.140 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your might. 00:04:09.219 --> 00:04:13.120 And these words that I command you today shall be upon your heart. 00:04:13.640 --> 00:04:15.780 You shall teach them diligently to your children. 00:04:16.019 --> 00:04:21.360 And you shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise. 00:04:21.400 --> 00:04:22.180 Listen to verse 8. 00:04:22.540 --> 00:04:26.180 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand. 00:04:26.680 --> 00:04:31.860 And they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 00:04:31.860 --> 00:04:39.280 Now, some believe that the last part of that verse 8. 00:04:39.420 --> 00:04:41.280 Some believe that that is to be taken literally. 00:04:42.160 --> 00:04:45.780 And they take these little leather boxes called phylacteries. 00:04:45.920 --> 00:04:50.180 And they put small pieces of paper with the law written on them. 00:04:50.240 --> 00:04:51.520 The Ten Commandments written on them. 00:04:51.540 --> 00:04:53.300 And they place them in those boxes. 00:04:53.740 --> 00:04:56.680 And they strap those boxes to their head before they pray. 00:04:56.680 --> 00:05:00.819 They take the same kind of box and they put it upon the back of their hand. 00:05:00.920 --> 00:05:02.319 And they wrap it around. 00:05:02.579 --> 00:05:05.340 I was on a flight to Israel and saw an Orthodox Jew do this. 00:05:05.759 --> 00:05:07.600 And he had to get the wrapping. 00:05:07.819 --> 00:05:09.300 It had to be wrapped seven times. 00:05:09.480 --> 00:05:10.800 He had to get the wrapping wrapped. 00:05:10.920 --> 00:05:19.060 And he was wrapping his arm with this leather strap again and again to make sure that it was perfectly wrapped before that old boy got loose in prayer. 00:05:19.120 --> 00:05:20.120 I'm telling you on that plane. 00:05:20.120 --> 00:05:22.740 I wanted to go over and give him some requests. 00:05:22.860 --> 00:05:23.259 You know what I mean? 00:05:23.319 --> 00:05:24.439 Because he was serious about it. 00:05:24.680 --> 00:05:25.699 He was serious about it. 00:05:28.620 --> 00:05:29.920 Now, listen, folks. 00:05:31.060 --> 00:05:34.180 You know that wearing things is not the answer. 00:05:34.759 --> 00:05:34.980 Okay? 00:05:35.720 --> 00:05:36.439 It's not. 00:05:37.019 --> 00:05:44.519 What this passage speaks of is allowing the law of the Lord and the word of God to be on your minds. 00:05:46.439 --> 00:05:48.360 Let it mark your thinking. 00:05:50.120 --> 00:05:51.480 He mentions the hands. 00:05:51.480 --> 00:05:56.480 Let it dictate what you do and why you do it and who you serve. 00:05:57.079 --> 00:05:58.019 Let it dictate those things. 00:05:58.340 --> 00:06:00.879 Take it to the heart of where it's at. 00:06:01.860 --> 00:06:06.620 This passage also may remind you of another passage of the mark of the beast in Revelation. 00:06:06.899 --> 00:06:07.920 Let's deal with that a minute. 00:06:08.579 --> 00:06:15.600 Because in Revelation 13, it speaks of the beast of corrupt worship and the second beast of a corrupt government. 00:06:15.600 --> 00:06:28.460 And it says that if people did not take the mark of the beast, which was his name or number on their right hand or forehead, they would not buy or sell anything because they didn't have the mark. 00:06:28.459 --> 00:06:30.979 That passage is much debated. 00:06:31.539 --> 00:06:34.519 And I don't want to get sidetracked, but I do want to camp for just a minute. 00:06:35.039 --> 00:06:36.359 But I want to be clear about something. 00:06:37.319 --> 00:06:43.319 Whether you think that is a tattoo of 666 or a barcode. 00:06:43.319 --> 00:06:46.680 Years ago, some of you have lived here for a long time, you'll remember this. 00:06:47.579 --> 00:06:48.560 We had a bilo. 00:06:49.639 --> 00:06:53.699 And at bilo, we had a bilo card. 00:06:53.879 --> 00:06:56.540 It was one of the first cards that I ever remember anybody had. 00:06:56.540 --> 00:07:02.920 And somebody took the numbers off the back of the bilo card and found the square root. 00:07:03.379 --> 00:07:07.420 And every bilo card, because the first half of the numbers were the same on all of them, 00:07:07.939 --> 00:07:13.040 every one of them had a square root of 666 point something. 00:07:14.100 --> 00:07:16.600 And that automatically meant that bilo was of the devil. 00:07:18.280 --> 00:07:19.640 They've since went out of business. 00:07:19.800 --> 00:07:20.140 But anyway. 00:07:23.500 --> 00:07:24.140 They did. 00:07:24.220 --> 00:07:25.320 I remember that coming out. 00:07:25.319 --> 00:07:27.879 And I thought, well, can I go get milk or not? 00:07:28.219 --> 00:07:31.319 Have I sold my soul to the devil if I buy a gallon of milk? 00:07:33.639 --> 00:07:44.480 Whether you believe it's a tattoo of 666, a discount card, a barcode, a computer chip that is put in you. 00:07:46.680 --> 00:07:49.800 None of those are the problem. 00:07:49.800 --> 00:07:58.759 The problem for the condemned is that their mind is set on things that are not of God. 00:07:58.980 --> 00:07:59.860 That's the problem. 00:08:00.500 --> 00:08:03.639 And their hands are busy about matters that are not of God. 00:08:04.520 --> 00:08:10.400 They've been marked by the beast by not surrendering and faithfully serving the Lord. 00:08:10.399 --> 00:08:11.399 That's the problem. 00:08:11.399 --> 00:08:12.399 That's the problem. 00:08:12.399 --> 00:08:14.859 And for their and for your, it applies to all of us. 00:08:15.000 --> 00:08:21.039 For our lack of surrender to the Lord, you will be marked for all of eternity. 00:08:21.759 --> 00:08:23.659 That is more than a physical mark. 00:08:24.239 --> 00:08:26.779 It is more than a mark of technology. 00:08:27.000 --> 00:08:28.379 It is a state of mind. 00:08:28.620 --> 00:08:29.899 It is a state of heart. 00:08:30.139 --> 00:08:32.100 It is a state of life of wrongdoing. 00:08:32.100 --> 00:08:35.700 Tattoos and computer chips don't condemn people, folks. 00:08:36.420 --> 00:08:37.159 It don't. 00:08:37.980 --> 00:08:40.600 Rejecting Christ is what condemns. 00:08:41.100 --> 00:08:46.460 The unpardonable sin is to reject Christ and die without him. 00:08:47.259 --> 00:08:51.200 Now, set all that to get back to Revelation 22 verse 4 when it says, 00:08:51.840 --> 00:08:55.759 Those serving the Lord have his name upon their foreheads. 00:08:55.759 --> 00:08:57.320 Do you see where this is going? 00:08:57.320 --> 00:09:04.879 In the book of Revelation, if you study the Old Testament, it will show you what the things it's talking about resemble and what it's talking about. 00:09:05.300 --> 00:09:08.480 There is a connection between the two. 00:09:09.160 --> 00:09:15.760 And he is saying, look back at what we've seen in the past and understand what it means now. 00:09:16.060 --> 00:09:26.420 It means that they are marked by God for faithfully setting their hearts and minds on him and serving him in this life and for all of eternity. 00:09:26.419 --> 00:09:27.879 We will serve. 00:09:28.479 --> 00:09:34.120 Our minds and our hands will be fixated on serving the Lord. 00:09:35.240 --> 00:09:38.799 Not only that, but when in glory, we'll worship. 00:09:39.879 --> 00:09:40.759 We'll worship. 00:09:41.459 --> 00:09:46.559 And that word I just told you is interchanged for service as well as worship. 00:09:47.879 --> 00:09:51.939 But Christ will be our focus in glory. 00:09:52.139 --> 00:09:53.039 Not each other. 00:09:53.339 --> 00:09:54.959 Our focus will not be on each other. 00:09:54.960 --> 00:10:01.100 But sometimes the emphasis that is put upon heaven is this great reunion that we'll have. 00:10:01.379 --> 00:10:02.580 And scripture speaks of it. 00:10:02.720 --> 00:10:03.920 It will be a great reunion. 00:10:04.200 --> 00:10:07.400 And we'll see loved ones that have died in the Lord and they're there. 00:10:07.500 --> 00:10:11.620 And we'll see folks who are in the Bible and we'll recognize them when we see them. 00:10:11.660 --> 00:10:13.840 I get that from the transfiguration in Matthew 17. 00:10:14.100 --> 00:10:15.620 We'll know who Moses is. 00:10:15.800 --> 00:10:18.800 Even if he don't look like Charlton Heston, we'll know who he is. 00:10:18.799 --> 00:10:20.799 How? 00:10:21.079 --> 00:10:23.939 Because we'll have a knowledge that we don't have here. 00:10:24.439 --> 00:10:26.519 God will show us those things. 00:10:27.219 --> 00:10:29.079 But our focus won't be on each other. 00:10:29.080 --> 00:10:36.320 As a matter of fact, Christ tells us that there will not be marriage in heaven. 00:10:37.220 --> 00:10:38.940 So let's deal with that a minute. 00:10:38.940 --> 00:10:50.840 Because we see this issue in Matthew 22 when the Sadducees and the Sadducees were a religious political group that did not believe in the resurrection. 00:10:51.480 --> 00:10:53.160 And they were sad, you see. 00:10:53.700 --> 00:10:55.260 Because they thought this was all there was. 00:10:57.020 --> 00:11:01.300 And they were trying to poke fun at Jesus by giving him a brain teaser. 00:11:02.260 --> 00:11:03.820 Don't mess with Jesus, okay? 00:11:03.820 --> 00:11:07.580 Matthew 22, verse 23, it says this. 00:11:08.200 --> 00:11:11.640 The same day Sadducees came to him who say that there is no resurrection. 00:11:12.040 --> 00:11:13.680 And they asked him a question saying, 00:11:13.820 --> 00:11:21.940 Teacher, Moses said if a man dies having no children, his brother must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. 00:11:22.960 --> 00:11:24.900 Now there were seven brothers among us. 00:11:25.000 --> 00:11:29.360 The first married and died and having no offspring left his wife to his brother. 00:11:29.780 --> 00:11:33.180 So to the second and the third down to the seventh. 00:11:33.179 --> 00:11:35.739 After all, after them all, the woman died. 00:11:36.399 --> 00:11:40.519 In the resurrection, therefore, of the seven, whose wife will she be? 00:11:41.719 --> 00:11:43.599 For they all had her. 00:11:45.939 --> 00:11:48.139 Now let me just get past the obvious first. 00:11:49.019 --> 00:11:51.399 I mean the first question that I have to ask about this story is, 00:11:51.659 --> 00:11:58.419 What kind of woman is it that appeases men to such a degree that seven of them die under her care? 00:12:01.219 --> 00:12:02.939 When's the trend going to pick up? 00:12:02.940 --> 00:12:05.260 I mean the third guy ought to have gotten nervous, you know. 00:12:05.560 --> 00:12:06.940 But they just kept on. 00:12:07.000 --> 00:12:09.300 How dumb is a bunch of brothers they are? 00:12:12.480 --> 00:12:14.480 Just a distracting question. 00:12:15.160 --> 00:12:16.500 Just trying to throw him off. 00:12:17.500 --> 00:12:18.900 And Jesus don't put up with that. 00:12:18.899 --> 00:12:23.000 He abruptly takes the mystery away. 00:12:23.319 --> 00:12:24.340 And he says in verse 30, 00:12:24.439 --> 00:12:28.419 For in the resurrection there will be neither Mary, 00:12:28.860 --> 00:12:31.879 they neither marry nor are given in marriage, 00:12:31.959 --> 00:12:34.579 but are like angels in heaven. 00:12:35.360 --> 00:12:36.779 Now let me be clear about something. 00:12:38.779 --> 00:12:42.639 Their effort was to make heaven so complicated that it didn't make sense. 00:12:42.639 --> 00:12:44.779 Some people didn't believe. 00:12:45.659 --> 00:12:50.480 And Jesus clearly states that our interests are going to be more focused on the throne of God than on each other. 00:12:50.799 --> 00:12:54.139 And Christ says we will not be married, we will be like the angels. 00:12:54.259 --> 00:12:56.179 Now don't take that out of context. 00:12:57.659 --> 00:12:57.919 Okay? 00:12:57.919 --> 00:13:01.039 What he means is angels aren't married. 00:13:01.399 --> 00:13:02.899 And we're not going to be married. 00:13:03.740 --> 00:13:05.779 He is not saying we'll be like angels. 00:13:07.000 --> 00:13:08.379 In all our ways. 00:13:09.240 --> 00:13:10.459 You're not angels now. 00:13:10.719 --> 00:13:12.839 If you think you are, ask the person beside you. 00:13:13.059 --> 00:13:13.279 Okay? 00:13:13.620 --> 00:13:14.860 And you won't be then. 00:13:16.339 --> 00:13:19.179 He does not mean that in every way that we'll be like angels. 00:13:19.399 --> 00:13:21.679 That would be contrary to scripture quite honestly. 00:13:21.679 --> 00:13:26.059 And don't believe that your loved one has now become an angel. 00:13:26.479 --> 00:13:28.339 Please don't put that on social media. 00:13:28.839 --> 00:13:29.559 Please don't do that. 00:13:29.599 --> 00:13:30.759 That's not what scripture says. 00:13:31.439 --> 00:13:35.459 Don't you dare say that some Christian who you loved has gone on to be your guardian angel. 00:13:36.219 --> 00:13:38.519 You got God watching your back. 00:13:39.019 --> 00:13:40.759 You don't need grandpa to watch after you. 00:13:42.859 --> 00:13:43.899 He's got you. 00:13:44.359 --> 00:13:47.079 Don't lower the level that Christians have reached. 00:13:47.159 --> 00:13:48.240 We're king's kids. 00:13:48.240 --> 00:13:51.259 We're made in the image of the creator. 00:13:51.259 --> 00:13:52.659 And that's what he's saying. 00:13:52.779 --> 00:13:53.539 Read the context. 00:13:53.819 --> 00:13:56.600 He's saying that we will not be sexually intimate. 00:13:57.100 --> 00:14:00.840 And we won't be worried about physical relationships when we get to heaven. 00:14:01.559 --> 00:14:03.080 Angels are not sexual creatures. 00:14:03.539 --> 00:14:04.960 We will not be in heaven either. 00:14:05.500 --> 00:14:09.039 It does not mean that we won't love each other deeply and dearly. 00:14:09.919 --> 00:14:11.860 More so than we ever have. 00:14:13.399 --> 00:14:16.360 We love family deeply without sexual relations. 00:14:17.200 --> 00:14:19.419 We love our church dearly without it. 00:14:19.419 --> 00:14:22.000 We love the Lord Jesus dearly without it. 00:14:22.120 --> 00:14:24.899 Physical intimacy does not make love, folks. 00:14:25.740 --> 00:14:28.639 It is an earthly product of marital love. 00:14:28.860 --> 00:14:30.439 Only in the bounds of marriage. 00:14:30.539 --> 00:14:32.559 And outside of that, it's a sacrilege to God. 00:14:33.279 --> 00:14:42.279 In heaven, the splendor of heaven, the presence of God will outshine any focus we have in this life. 00:14:42.279 --> 00:14:47.319 I just want you to listen to Revelation 7, 9 through 17. 00:14:47.480 --> 00:14:48.459 It expresses it wonderfully. 00:14:49.279 --> 00:14:49.639 When it says, 00:14:49.639 --> 00:14:54.639 After this, I looked and behold a great multitude that no one could number from every nation, 00:14:54.639 --> 00:14:56.980 from all the tribes and peoples and languages, 00:14:57.460 --> 00:14:59.279 standing before the throne and before the Lamb, 00:14:59.399 --> 00:15:02.159 clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands, 00:15:02.980 --> 00:15:04.159 crying out with a loud voice, 00:15:04.279 --> 00:15:08.500 Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb. 00:15:08.500 --> 00:15:13.840 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, 00:15:14.000 --> 00:15:16.620 and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 00:15:17.179 --> 00:15:17.460 saying, 00:15:17.600 --> 00:15:17.799 Amen! 00:15:18.720 --> 00:15:26.179 Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever. 00:15:26.320 --> 00:15:26.620 Amen! 00:15:27.559 --> 00:15:29.379 Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, 00:15:29.480 --> 00:15:31.240 Who are these clothed in white robes? 00:15:31.419 --> 00:15:33.120 And from where have they come? 00:15:33.460 --> 00:15:34.220 And I said to him, 00:15:34.279 --> 00:15:34.940 Sir, you know. 00:15:34.940 --> 00:15:36.760 And he said to me, 00:15:36.880 --> 00:15:38.940 These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. 00:15:39.620 --> 00:15:42.840 They've washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 00:15:43.140 --> 00:15:45.060 Therefore they are before the throne of God. 00:15:45.360 --> 00:15:50.080 And they serve him day and night in his temple. 00:15:50.360 --> 00:15:54.100 And he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. 00:15:54.500 --> 00:15:57.640 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore. 00:15:57.900 --> 00:16:00.100 The sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. 00:16:00.100 --> 00:16:05.740 For the Lord, excuse me, for the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd. 00:16:06.580 --> 00:16:09.620 And he'll guide them to springs of living water. 00:16:10.420 --> 00:16:14.159 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. 00:16:15.460 --> 00:16:18.279 Folks, the trouble and the tribulations of this life, 00:16:18.720 --> 00:16:20.159 no matter how great they are, 00:16:21.320 --> 00:16:22.620 are when they come, 00:16:22.920 --> 00:16:24.060 will be over 00:16:24.059 --> 00:16:28.959 and we will be worshiping at the feet of Jesus. 00:16:30.839 --> 00:16:31.859 When in glory, 00:16:32.199 --> 00:16:35.479 we'll be caught up. 00:16:37.599 --> 00:16:38.899 Now that's a term 00:16:38.899 --> 00:16:43.279 that is used in 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 00:16:43.279 --> 00:16:45.079 that speaks of the return of the Lord. 00:16:45.519 --> 00:16:48.979 And if we still remain on the earth when the Lord returns, 00:16:49.159 --> 00:16:50.679 we shall be caught up together 00:16:50.679 --> 00:16:52.619 to meet the Lord in the air. 00:16:52.620 --> 00:16:55.240 And so we will ever be with the Lord. 00:16:56.500 --> 00:16:56.980 However, 00:16:57.379 --> 00:16:59.840 that is not what I meant 00:16:59.840 --> 00:17:02.000 when I said we will be caught up. 00:17:02.860 --> 00:17:05.779 I use that term instead to embrace 00:17:05.779 --> 00:17:07.539 several things 00:17:07.539 --> 00:17:09.460 that I want to share with you today. 00:17:10.019 --> 00:17:12.039 I mean that we'll be caught up 00:17:12.039 --> 00:17:13.940 with what's going on in heaven. 00:17:14.579 --> 00:17:15.660 I mean we get caught up. 00:17:17.920 --> 00:17:18.680 In other words, 00:17:18.740 --> 00:17:20.019 the matters of the day, 00:17:20.019 --> 00:17:22.720 the matters of this world 00:17:22.720 --> 00:17:25.299 will not fill our day 00:17:25.299 --> 00:17:27.079 and overwhelm our conscience. 00:17:29.279 --> 00:17:31.180 Will we know what's going on on the earth? 00:17:33.019 --> 00:17:34.920 We often tend to speak of our loved ones 00:17:34.920 --> 00:17:36.480 as looking down on us, 00:17:36.480 --> 00:17:38.619 as if there's some loft of sorts 00:17:38.619 --> 00:17:40.539 in which the inhabitants of heaven 00:17:40.539 --> 00:17:42.819 can peer off and see us. 00:17:43.900 --> 00:17:45.240 It's probably not a loft, 00:17:45.240 --> 00:17:46.559 but there's biblical evidence 00:17:46.559 --> 00:17:48.120 that they know what's going on. 00:17:49.120 --> 00:17:51.259 Hebrews chapter 12 verse 1 says this, 00:17:51.720 --> 00:17:52.980 therefore since we are surrounded 00:17:52.980 --> 00:17:54.799 by such a great cloud of witnesses, 00:17:55.000 --> 00:17:56.420 and this follows Hebrews 11, 00:17:56.620 --> 00:17:58.120 which is the hall of fame of faith, 00:17:58.339 --> 00:17:59.480 which are all these saints 00:17:59.480 --> 00:18:00.700 who faithfully serve the Lord 00:18:00.700 --> 00:18:02.299 and gone on to see him. 00:18:02.299 --> 00:18:05.659 And because of what they've done 00:18:05.659 --> 00:18:07.359 and because of who they are, 00:18:07.680 --> 00:18:08.919 he follows it up by saying, 00:18:09.119 --> 00:18:10.359 therefore since we are surrounded 00:18:10.359 --> 00:18:11.200 by those, 00:18:11.500 --> 00:18:13.039 that great cloud of witnesses, 00:18:13.440 --> 00:18:15.659 let us also lay aside every weight 00:18:15.659 --> 00:18:18.220 and sin which clings so closely 00:18:18.220 --> 00:18:20.119 and let us run with endurance 00:18:20.119 --> 00:18:22.240 the race that is set before us. 00:18:22.919 --> 00:18:24.559 What this picture draws, 00:18:24.700 --> 00:18:26.180 and Paul was either an athlete 00:18:26.180 --> 00:18:27.000 or a wannabe, 00:18:27.460 --> 00:18:29.379 because he likes to use athletic terms, 00:18:29.380 --> 00:18:31.560 and what he pictures here 00:18:31.560 --> 00:18:32.760 is a stadium crowd 00:18:32.760 --> 00:18:34.620 that is cheering us on 00:18:34.620 --> 00:18:36.220 and rooting us on. 00:18:37.600 --> 00:18:39.720 Notice what they're cheering us on to do. 00:18:40.500 --> 00:18:41.760 They are cheering us on 00:18:41.760 --> 00:18:44.180 to run the race of the Christian life 00:18:44.180 --> 00:18:45.260 with tenacity, 00:18:46.200 --> 00:18:48.120 letting no sin or distraction 00:18:48.120 --> 00:18:50.540 entangle or run for Christ. 00:18:51.400 --> 00:18:53.100 But do you know how they get 00:18:53.100 --> 00:18:54.160 their greatest joy? 00:18:55.340 --> 00:18:57.160 How they get their greatest joy 00:18:57.160 --> 00:18:58.840 is in Luke chapter 15. 00:18:59.380 --> 00:19:00.640 Verse 3 through 10. 00:19:01.840 --> 00:19:03.380 It says this about Jesus. 00:19:04.520 --> 00:19:04.960 It says, 00:19:05.060 --> 00:19:07.460 so he told them about this parable. 00:19:08.080 --> 00:19:09.960 Now a parable is an earthly story 00:19:09.960 --> 00:19:11.340 with a heavenly meaning. 00:19:11.660 --> 00:19:13.960 That's an overused definition 00:19:13.960 --> 00:19:15.140 of a parable, okay? 00:19:17.020 --> 00:19:17.840 And he said this, 00:19:18.700 --> 00:19:21.380 what man of you having a hundred sheep, 00:19:22.380 --> 00:19:24.060 if he has lost one of them, 00:19:24.120 --> 00:19:26.260 does not leave the 99 in open country 00:19:26.260 --> 00:19:27.640 and go after the one that is lost 00:19:27.640 --> 00:19:28.400 until he finds it? 00:19:28.400 --> 00:19:29.460 And when he has found it, 00:19:30.019 --> 00:19:31.240 he lays it on his shoulders 00:19:31.240 --> 00:19:31.980 and rejoices. 00:19:32.980 --> 00:19:34.120 And when he comes home, 00:19:34.180 --> 00:19:35.460 he calls together his friends 00:19:35.460 --> 00:19:36.720 and his neighbors saying to them, 00:19:36.940 --> 00:19:37.640 rejoice with me 00:19:37.640 --> 00:19:39.019 for I have found my sheep 00:19:39.019 --> 00:19:40.160 that was lost. 00:19:41.580 --> 00:19:43.120 Just so. 00:19:43.860 --> 00:19:44.759 You can underline that 00:19:44.759 --> 00:19:45.500 if you're an underliner. 00:19:45.500 --> 00:19:49.900 I tell you there'll be more joy in heaven 00:19:49.900 --> 00:19:51.500 over one sinner who repents 00:19:51.500 --> 00:19:54.039 than over 99 righteous people 00:19:54.039 --> 00:19:55.240 who need no repentance. 00:19:56.079 --> 00:19:57.579 Now that last verse there 00:19:57.579 --> 00:19:58.619 is not part of his parable. 00:19:59.920 --> 00:20:01.319 He's sharing with you 00:20:01.319 --> 00:20:03.259 what that parable actually means. 00:20:03.500 --> 00:20:04.039 And then he goes on 00:20:04.039 --> 00:20:04.819 to share another parable. 00:20:05.279 --> 00:20:05.779 And he says, 00:20:05.779 --> 00:20:07.519 or what woman having 10 silver coins 00:20:07.519 --> 00:20:08.519 if she loses one coin 00:20:08.519 --> 00:20:09.579 does not light a lamp 00:20:09.579 --> 00:20:10.500 and sweep the house 00:20:10.500 --> 00:20:11.279 and seek diligently 00:20:11.279 --> 00:20:12.180 until she finds it? 00:20:12.440 --> 00:20:13.460 And when she's found it, 00:20:13.500 --> 00:20:14.879 she calls together her friends 00:20:14.879 --> 00:20:15.599 and neighbors saying, 00:20:15.899 --> 00:20:16.960 rejoice with me 00:20:16.960 --> 00:20:18.200 for I found the coin 00:20:18.200 --> 00:20:19.180 that I had lost. 00:20:19.740 --> 00:20:20.139 Again, 00:20:20.319 --> 00:20:20.940 just so. 00:20:21.019 --> 00:20:21.720 I tell you, 00:20:22.039 --> 00:20:22.839 there is joy. 00:20:22.940 --> 00:20:23.579 Get this now. 00:20:24.079 --> 00:20:25.160 There is joy 00:20:25.160 --> 00:20:27.000 before the angels of God 00:20:27.000 --> 00:20:28.059 over one sinner 00:20:28.059 --> 00:20:29.619 who repents. 00:20:29.680 --> 00:20:30.399 Leave that up for me 00:20:30.399 --> 00:20:30.799 for a minute. 00:20:30.799 --> 00:20:33.579 There is joy 00:20:33.579 --> 00:20:35.019 before the angels of God 00:20:35.019 --> 00:20:35.839 over one sinner 00:20:35.839 --> 00:20:37.039 who repents. 00:20:37.799 --> 00:20:38.919 Now he's using a parable 00:20:38.919 --> 00:20:40.159 to describe a real atmosphere 00:20:40.159 --> 00:20:41.440 and I want you to notice something. 00:20:41.819 --> 00:20:43.639 It does not say 00:20:43.639 --> 00:20:45.899 it is the angels rejoicing. 00:20:46.379 --> 00:20:47.139 It's not what it says. 00:20:48.079 --> 00:20:48.619 Read it again. 00:20:48.859 --> 00:20:49.119 It says, 00:20:49.299 --> 00:20:49.839 there is joy 00:20:49.839 --> 00:20:51.279 before the angels of God 00:20:51.279 --> 00:20:52.519 over one sinner 00:20:52.519 --> 00:20:53.759 who repents. 00:20:54.279 --> 00:20:55.539 So who's in the presence 00:20:55.539 --> 00:20:56.220 of the angels? 00:20:57.059 --> 00:20:58.299 The saints of God. 00:20:59.579 --> 00:21:00.480 And what are they 00:21:00.480 --> 00:21:01.319 rejoicing over? 00:21:01.980 --> 00:21:03.059 When one is saved. 00:21:04.180 --> 00:21:04.860 My friend, 00:21:04.960 --> 00:21:05.819 if heaven 00:21:05.819 --> 00:21:08.099 is celebrating 00:21:08.099 --> 00:21:12.160 when one comes 00:21:12.160 --> 00:21:12.640 to the Lord, 00:21:13.559 --> 00:21:15.180 we ought to be livid 00:21:15.180 --> 00:21:15.980 when somebody 00:21:15.980 --> 00:21:16.860 comes to Christ. 00:21:18.559 --> 00:21:19.980 When somebody's baptized, 00:21:20.940 --> 00:21:22.019 we ought to cheer. 00:21:23.539 --> 00:21:25.180 I don't mean that figuratively. 00:21:26.039 --> 00:21:27.059 I think we ought 00:21:27.059 --> 00:21:28.000 to celebrate it. 00:21:28.220 --> 00:21:29.000 It's the best decision 00:21:29.000 --> 00:21:29.579 they've ever made 00:21:29.579 --> 00:21:30.059 in their life 00:21:30.059 --> 00:21:30.679 to give their heart 00:21:30.679 --> 00:21:31.359 and life to the Lord. 00:21:31.519 --> 00:21:32.419 And when they're bold enough 00:21:32.419 --> 00:21:33.279 to make that public 00:21:33.279 --> 00:21:33.919 before others, 00:21:34.419 --> 00:21:35.659 we ought to celebrate that. 00:21:35.720 --> 00:21:36.539 When somebody comes down 00:21:36.539 --> 00:21:36.980 this aisle 00:21:36.980 --> 00:21:38.599 and says that she has 00:21:38.599 --> 00:21:39.240 given her heart 00:21:39.240 --> 00:21:39.879 and life to the Lord, 00:21:39.919 --> 00:21:40.639 we ought to shout. 00:21:40.839 --> 00:21:41.119 Why? 00:21:41.559 --> 00:21:42.500 Because we know 00:21:42.500 --> 00:21:43.700 of the victorious life 00:21:43.700 --> 00:21:45.139 that they've entered into. 00:21:45.140 --> 00:21:47.500 we don't know the half of it. 00:21:47.500 --> 00:21:49.020 We don't know the half of it. 00:21:50.960 --> 00:21:52.300 But those in heaven do. 00:21:53.920 --> 00:21:54.740 Those in heaven 00:21:54.740 --> 00:21:55.560 see it from a whole 00:21:55.560 --> 00:21:56.520 different perspective. 00:21:57.560 --> 00:21:58.700 They know the fullness 00:21:58.700 --> 00:21:59.520 of salvation 00:21:59.520 --> 00:22:00.920 so they rejoice even more. 00:22:01.680 --> 00:22:03.160 They've seen the Lord Jesus. 00:22:04.100 --> 00:22:05.280 They know what it's about. 00:22:05.600 --> 00:22:06.400 They've experienced 00:22:06.400 --> 00:22:07.320 eternal bliss. 00:22:07.440 --> 00:22:08.259 Think about this. 00:22:08.259 --> 00:22:10.279 If heaven sees all 00:22:10.279 --> 00:22:12.059 are saved every day 00:22:12.059 --> 00:22:13.779 across the world, 00:22:13.779 --> 00:22:17.839 that is one big camp meeting. 00:22:18.480 --> 00:22:18.660 I mean, 00:22:18.700 --> 00:22:19.440 they're celebrating 00:22:19.440 --> 00:22:21.420 when somebody gets saved 00:22:21.420 --> 00:22:22.220 in any church 00:22:22.220 --> 00:22:23.519 anywhere in the world 00:22:23.519 --> 00:22:24.339 on Sunday. 00:22:24.879 --> 00:22:25.660 They celebrate 00:22:25.660 --> 00:22:26.920 when somebody quietly 00:22:26.920 --> 00:22:28.079 gives their heart and life 00:22:28.079 --> 00:22:29.180 to the Lord Jesus Christ 00:22:29.180 --> 00:22:30.640 by their own bedside, 00:22:30.740 --> 00:22:31.420 by themselves. 00:22:31.640 --> 00:22:32.519 They celebrate 00:22:32.519 --> 00:22:35.339 every time that is done. 00:22:35.339 --> 00:22:36.419 they celebrate 00:22:36.419 --> 00:22:39.839 those that never 00:22:39.839 --> 00:22:40.839 come to Christ. 00:22:42.699 --> 00:22:43.819 Do they see that? 00:22:45.279 --> 00:22:46.299 Well, I don't know. 00:22:48.699 --> 00:22:50.019 Because the Bible tells me 00:22:50.019 --> 00:22:51.039 there's no crying 00:22:51.039 --> 00:22:52.039 and mourning, 00:22:52.599 --> 00:22:53.679 therefore they must see 00:22:53.679 --> 00:22:55.379 it from a different perspective. 00:22:55.480 --> 00:22:56.199 As a matter of fact, 00:22:56.839 --> 00:22:57.519 a heavenly, 00:22:57.799 --> 00:22:58.819 eternal perspective. 00:23:00.119 --> 00:23:00.279 Now, 00:23:00.959 --> 00:23:02.939 we can't imagine this, 00:23:03.019 --> 00:23:03.699 but it's almost like 00:23:03.699 --> 00:23:04.699 watching a replay 00:23:04.700 --> 00:23:06.319 of a game 00:23:06.319 --> 00:23:07.000 and knowing 00:23:07.000 --> 00:23:07.920 that your team 00:23:07.920 --> 00:23:09.299 is going to win the game. 00:23:10.539 --> 00:23:10.980 Okay? 00:23:11.420 --> 00:23:13.000 I went to a ball game yesterday. 00:23:13.620 --> 00:23:14.799 And so I didn't get 00:23:14.799 --> 00:23:15.819 to see other games. 00:23:16.539 --> 00:23:17.720 And I was looking forward 00:23:17.720 --> 00:23:18.420 to going home 00:23:18.420 --> 00:23:19.160 and watching 00:23:19.160 --> 00:23:21.039 Colorado and Oregon 00:23:21.039 --> 00:23:23.920 before I checked my app. 00:23:28.180 --> 00:23:29.259 And I didn't want to see 00:23:29.259 --> 00:23:30.039 how that went down. 00:23:30.039 --> 00:23:32.659 But it would have been 00:23:32.659 --> 00:23:33.420 easy for me 00:23:33.420 --> 00:23:34.420 to find out 00:23:34.420 --> 00:23:35.440 what the final score 00:23:35.440 --> 00:23:36.059 of a game is 00:23:36.059 --> 00:23:36.659 and then go back 00:23:36.659 --> 00:23:37.980 and watch that game 00:23:37.980 --> 00:23:40.180 to see how that developed. 00:23:41.220 --> 00:23:42.759 To see the whole deal. 00:23:44.420 --> 00:23:44.700 You see, 00:23:44.740 --> 00:23:45.319 the bad plays 00:23:45.319 --> 00:23:46.039 aren't that big a deal 00:23:46.039 --> 00:23:46.339 if you know 00:23:46.339 --> 00:23:47.039 you're going to win the game. 00:23:47.839 --> 00:23:48.220 I mean, 00:23:48.240 --> 00:23:49.379 if you know how it all ends. 00:23:50.619 --> 00:23:51.139 And therefore, 00:23:51.220 --> 00:23:51.879 you're celebrating 00:23:51.879 --> 00:23:52.359 the victory 00:23:52.359 --> 00:23:52.899 because you know 00:23:52.899 --> 00:23:53.379 you won 00:23:53.379 --> 00:23:54.619 because the game's 00:23:54.619 --> 00:23:55.420 already been played. 00:23:55.420 --> 00:23:58.000 In reality, 00:23:58.779 --> 00:23:59.320 in heaven, 00:23:59.980 --> 00:24:01.220 they see it different, folks. 00:24:01.340 --> 00:24:02.019 And they celebrate. 00:24:02.440 --> 00:24:03.340 They cheer us on. 00:24:03.960 --> 00:24:05.340 It's kind of like a parade. 00:24:06.200 --> 00:24:07.120 Dawn and I celebrated 00:24:07.120 --> 00:24:08.180 our 20th anniversary 00:24:08.180 --> 00:24:09.060 a few years ago 00:24:09.060 --> 00:24:10.779 by going to New York City. 00:24:11.259 --> 00:24:12.120 A dream of hers, 00:24:12.220 --> 00:24:13.180 a bucket list item, 00:24:13.259 --> 00:24:13.920 had always been 00:24:13.920 --> 00:24:14.900 to see the Macy's 00:24:14.900 --> 00:24:15.980 Thanksgiving Parade. 00:24:16.580 --> 00:24:17.560 And one thing 00:24:17.560 --> 00:24:18.480 on my bucket list 00:24:18.480 --> 00:24:19.279 every Thanksgiving 00:24:19.279 --> 00:24:21.080 was always not to see 00:24:21.080 --> 00:24:21.820 the Macy's 00:24:21.820 --> 00:24:22.620 Thanksgiving Parade. 00:24:22.619 --> 00:24:26.059 But she dreamed of that. 00:24:26.119 --> 00:24:26.459 But I'll tell you 00:24:26.459 --> 00:24:27.199 what I did want to do. 00:24:27.279 --> 00:24:28.139 I wanted to go 00:24:28.139 --> 00:24:30.339 to a renowned steakhouse 00:24:30.339 --> 00:24:31.699 and eat a New York steak. 00:24:31.839 --> 00:24:32.219 I did. 00:24:32.679 --> 00:24:33.699 I wanted to do that. 00:24:34.459 --> 00:24:35.019 So first, 00:24:35.179 --> 00:24:36.199 on Thanksgiving Day, 00:24:36.299 --> 00:24:38.159 we went to the parade. 00:24:38.579 --> 00:24:39.259 We stood about 00:24:39.259 --> 00:24:40.119 eight thick 00:24:40.119 --> 00:24:42.199 with us in the middle 00:24:42.199 --> 00:24:43.559 watching the floats come by. 00:24:43.659 --> 00:24:44.639 It was a long 00:24:44.639 --> 00:24:46.039 and it was a fun experience. 00:24:46.859 --> 00:24:47.599 We anticipated 00:24:47.599 --> 00:24:48.939 when Santa would come 00:24:48.939 --> 00:24:50.519 and the parade would come 00:24:50.519 --> 00:24:52.119 to its climactic conclusion. 00:24:52.619 --> 00:24:54.179 And for a long time, 00:24:54.399 --> 00:24:56.219 we could never see that. 00:24:58.159 --> 00:24:59.119 I know what time 00:24:59.119 --> 00:25:00.019 my reservation was. 00:25:00.059 --> 00:25:01.039 I was checking my clock. 00:25:02.959 --> 00:25:04.239 However, overhead, 00:25:04.899 --> 00:25:06.019 there were helicopters. 00:25:06.839 --> 00:25:07.719 I would imagine 00:25:07.719 --> 00:25:08.479 they had cameras. 00:25:08.599 --> 00:25:09.059 I would imagine 00:25:09.059 --> 00:25:10.039 they used those cameras 00:25:10.039 --> 00:25:10.719 for television. 00:25:11.799 --> 00:25:13.179 And those in those helicopters 00:25:13.179 --> 00:25:14.039 could see 00:25:14.039 --> 00:25:15.399 the whole trek 00:25:15.399 --> 00:25:16.519 of two and a half miles 00:25:16.519 --> 00:25:18.639 that we had walked 00:25:18.639 --> 00:25:19.439 the day before. 00:25:19.440 --> 00:25:21.820 The night before, 00:25:21.960 --> 00:25:23.000 we had went to Central Park 00:25:23.000 --> 00:25:23.820 and watched them 00:25:23.820 --> 00:25:24.759 blow up 00:25:24.759 --> 00:25:26.880 those great floats. 00:25:27.500 --> 00:25:28.000 Watched them 00:25:28.000 --> 00:25:28.779 net them down 00:25:28.779 --> 00:25:29.500 and weigh them down 00:25:29.500 --> 00:25:30.460 so they didn't float away. 00:25:30.820 --> 00:25:31.720 We had seen that 00:25:31.720 --> 00:25:32.279 at the beginning. 00:25:33.240 --> 00:25:34.019 And then right outside 00:25:34.019 --> 00:25:34.740 our hotel room, 00:25:34.799 --> 00:25:35.940 we had walked down the street 00:25:35.940 --> 00:25:37.100 and saw the middle 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.740 of the parade 00:25:37.740 --> 00:25:39.200 and watched as that went by. 00:25:39.580 --> 00:25:40.580 But we could only see 00:25:40.580 --> 00:25:41.920 as the individual floats 00:25:41.920 --> 00:25:42.220 came by. 00:25:42.259 --> 00:25:42.820 I tried to remember 00:25:42.820 --> 00:25:43.600 the order they were in 00:25:43.600 --> 00:25:44.320 from the night before 00:25:44.319 --> 00:25:45.779 and watching those things 00:25:45.779 --> 00:25:46.359 come by. 00:25:47.559 --> 00:25:49.480 But those in that helicopter 00:25:49.480 --> 00:25:51.700 could see the beginning 00:25:51.700 --> 00:25:54.179 and they could see the end 00:25:54.179 --> 00:25:56.000 and they could see it all. 00:25:56.179 --> 00:25:57.399 I just saw a float 00:25:57.399 --> 00:25:58.039 at a time. 00:25:59.279 --> 00:26:00.559 They saw the whole thing. 00:26:02.460 --> 00:26:03.859 That's the way life is. 00:26:05.339 --> 00:26:06.379 Heaven sees 00:26:06.379 --> 00:26:07.919 the whole thing. 00:26:08.919 --> 00:26:10.559 We live one float 00:26:10.559 --> 00:26:11.319 at a time. 00:26:11.319 --> 00:26:13.659 We watch our event 00:26:13.659 --> 00:26:14.740 a day at a time. 00:26:14.819 --> 00:26:15.799 But heaven sees it 00:26:15.799 --> 00:26:17.579 from a different perspective. 00:26:18.460 --> 00:26:19.579 They see the glorious 00:26:19.579 --> 00:26:21.179 climactic conclusion 00:26:21.179 --> 00:26:22.439 to all of this. 00:26:22.539 --> 00:26:23.379 Therefore, they celebrate. 00:26:24.139 --> 00:26:25.339 They see the good things 00:26:25.339 --> 00:26:25.960 and the bad 00:26:25.960 --> 00:26:27.159 but they know how it ends. 00:26:28.059 --> 00:26:29.179 They see what we don't. 00:26:31.220 --> 00:26:32.539 But what about those? 00:26:32.759 --> 00:26:34.119 Let me readdress this. 00:26:34.939 --> 00:26:35.899 What about those 00:26:35.899 --> 00:26:37.419 who don't go to heaven? 00:26:37.419 --> 00:26:40.119 Do they know if loved ones 00:26:40.119 --> 00:26:41.179 are missing from heaven? 00:26:42.200 --> 00:26:43.240 Are they aware 00:26:43.240 --> 00:26:44.639 of those not in heaven? 00:26:46.220 --> 00:26:47.379 The Bible's clear 00:26:47.379 --> 00:26:48.299 that there's no grief, 00:26:48.419 --> 00:26:49.599 crying, or mourning in heaven. 00:26:50.399 --> 00:26:51.539 That being the case, 00:26:51.619 --> 00:26:52.319 what about those 00:26:52.319 --> 00:26:53.240 that we know and love 00:26:53.240 --> 00:26:54.019 that don't make it? 00:26:55.439 --> 00:26:56.139 Well, I want you to hear 00:26:56.139 --> 00:26:57.279 listen to this hard truth 00:26:57.279 --> 00:26:58.899 because the Bible's 00:26:58.899 --> 00:26:59.779 pretty clear about it. 00:27:01.039 --> 00:27:02.240 In Psalm chapter 9, 00:27:02.379 --> 00:27:03.139 Psalm 9, 00:27:03.240 --> 00:27:03.519 excuse me, 00:27:03.559 --> 00:27:04.019 it's not a chapter, 00:27:04.139 --> 00:27:04.579 it's a psalm. 00:27:04.759 --> 00:27:06.419 Psalm 9 verse 5, 00:27:07.079 --> 00:27:07.439 it says, 00:27:07.579 --> 00:27:09.000 you have rebuked the nations. 00:27:09.419 --> 00:27:10.980 You have made the wicked perish. 00:27:11.319 --> 00:27:13.859 You have blotted out their name 00:27:13.859 --> 00:27:16.519 forever and ever. 00:27:18.299 --> 00:27:20.039 Psalm 69 verse 28, 00:27:20.779 --> 00:27:21.619 speaking of those 00:27:21.619 --> 00:27:23.379 that do not have salvation said, 00:27:24.000 --> 00:27:25.259 you have rebuked, 00:27:25.559 --> 00:27:25.939 excuse me, 00:27:26.179 --> 00:27:27.240 let them be blotted 00:27:27.240 --> 00:27:28.639 out of the book of the living. 00:27:29.299 --> 00:27:30.859 Let them not be enrolled 00:27:30.859 --> 00:27:32.419 among the righteous. 00:27:32.960 --> 00:27:33.639 Did you get that? 00:27:33.720 --> 00:27:35.319 Let them be blotted out 00:27:35.319 --> 00:27:36.079 of the book of living. 00:27:36.899 --> 00:27:37.579 Now to me, 00:27:37.579 --> 00:27:38.919 that brings a whole new meaning 00:27:38.919 --> 00:27:40.079 of the Lamb's book of life 00:27:40.079 --> 00:27:41.980 because I thought 00:27:41.980 --> 00:27:42.639 it was the names 00:27:42.639 --> 00:27:43.619 of those who made it 00:27:43.619 --> 00:27:45.379 but in reality, 00:27:45.559 --> 00:27:46.460 it's the name of those 00:27:46.460 --> 00:27:48.339 who really experienced life 00:27:48.339 --> 00:27:51.699 because those outside of Christ 00:27:51.699 --> 00:27:54.179 never really experienced life. 00:27:55.179 --> 00:27:56.699 Not the way Christ can give it. 00:27:56.700 --> 00:28:00.160 it's like the walking dead folks 00:28:00.160 --> 00:28:00.819 of sorts. 00:28:02.319 --> 00:28:03.740 Until you know Christ, 00:28:04.220 --> 00:28:05.819 you haven't really lived. 00:28:07.600 --> 00:28:08.539 I want you to listen 00:28:08.539 --> 00:28:09.880 to what Jesus said about Judas. 00:28:11.279 --> 00:28:12.360 Jesus said this. 00:28:13.240 --> 00:28:14.940 In Matthew 26 verse 24, 00:28:15.059 --> 00:28:15.360 he said, 00:28:15.360 --> 00:28:16.440 it would have been better 00:28:16.440 --> 00:28:17.019 for that man 00:28:17.019 --> 00:28:18.519 if he had not been born. 00:28:18.519 --> 00:28:22.460 Now did he say that 00:28:22.460 --> 00:28:24.160 because Judas betrayed him? 00:28:25.359 --> 00:28:26.000 No. 00:28:27.599 --> 00:28:29.879 He said that because Judas, 00:28:30.420 --> 00:28:31.440 although he hung out 00:28:31.440 --> 00:28:32.379 with the church folk, 00:28:32.799 --> 00:28:33.759 although he walked 00:28:33.759 --> 00:28:35.099 along with Christ, 00:28:35.559 --> 00:28:37.940 never knew the Lord Jesus personally. 00:28:38.579 --> 00:28:39.819 He never surrendered 00:28:39.819 --> 00:28:40.799 his life to the Lord 00:28:40.799 --> 00:28:43.059 and he would have been better off 00:28:43.059 --> 00:28:46.200 to have never been born 00:28:46.200 --> 00:28:49.900 because the only true life 00:28:49.900 --> 00:28:52.299 is eternal life in Christ. 00:28:53.460 --> 00:28:54.940 Revelation 20 verse 15 says, 00:28:55.259 --> 00:28:56.059 and if anyone's name 00:28:56.059 --> 00:28:56.840 was not found 00:28:56.840 --> 00:28:57.460 in the book of life, 00:28:57.600 --> 00:28:58.640 he was thrown 00:28:58.640 --> 00:29:00.019 into the lake of fire. 00:29:00.620 --> 00:29:01.140 In other words, 00:29:01.220 --> 00:29:03.660 it's as if they never lived at all. 00:29:04.840 --> 00:29:05.620 Now don't misunderstand me. 00:29:05.620 --> 00:29:06.580 No, they were here. 00:29:08.279 --> 00:29:09.080 But in heaven, 00:29:09.180 --> 00:29:09.779 there will only be 00:29:09.779 --> 00:29:11.120 a faded memory 00:29:11.120 --> 00:29:12.860 because there's no real life. 00:29:13.140 --> 00:29:14.160 There's no real existence 00:29:14.160 --> 00:29:15.200 outside of Christ. 00:29:15.200 --> 00:29:18.080 However, for those in Christ, 00:29:18.259 --> 00:29:20.039 there's an eternal celebration 00:29:20.039 --> 00:29:21.120 that never stops 00:29:21.120 --> 00:29:22.539 until all are saved 00:29:22.539 --> 00:29:25.740 that will and we're all in heaven. 00:29:28.440 --> 00:29:29.519 Then we'll have 00:29:29.519 --> 00:29:30.240 what is described 00:29:30.240 --> 00:29:32.140 as the marriage feast. 00:29:32.920 --> 00:29:33.900 They describe it that way 00:29:33.900 --> 00:29:35.360 because the church, 00:29:35.960 --> 00:29:37.759 those saints in the Lord Jesus 00:29:37.759 --> 00:29:39.000 are considered 00:29:39.000 --> 00:29:40.140 the bride of Christ. 00:29:40.380 --> 00:29:40.880 They're described 00:29:40.880 --> 00:29:42.039 as the bride of Christ 00:29:42.039 --> 00:29:44.200 and Christ is the groom 00:29:44.200 --> 00:29:45.200 and together around 00:29:45.200 --> 00:29:46.120 the table of the Lord 00:29:46.120 --> 00:29:47.340 will celebrate 00:29:47.340 --> 00:29:48.840 we all come home. 00:29:49.120 --> 00:29:50.720 Those in Christ Jesus. 00:29:50.940 --> 00:29:52.319 I can hardly wait. 00:29:53.880 --> 00:29:54.860 Do those in heaven 00:29:54.860 --> 00:29:55.840 know what's happening on earth? 00:29:55.900 --> 00:29:56.460 Yes, they do. 00:29:56.519 --> 00:29:57.700 They know how God is working 00:29:57.700 --> 00:29:59.400 and they rejoice in that. 00:30:02.140 --> 00:30:03.000 Winning glory 00:30:03.000 --> 00:30:05.680 will be rewarded. 00:30:06.120 --> 00:30:06.880 Give me just a minute. 00:30:06.980 --> 00:30:07.759 Let me finish this. 00:30:07.759 --> 00:30:11.299 1 Corinthians 3 00:30:11.299 --> 00:30:12.220 verse 10 through 15 00:30:12.220 --> 00:30:12.799 says this. 00:30:13.500 --> 00:30:14.599 According to the grace 00:30:14.599 --> 00:30:15.500 of God given to me 00:30:15.500 --> 00:30:16.879 like a skilled master builder 00:30:16.879 --> 00:30:17.900 I laid a foundation 00:30:17.900 --> 00:30:19.160 and someone else 00:30:19.160 --> 00:30:20.019 is building upon it. 00:30:20.099 --> 00:30:21.819 Let each one take care 00:30:21.819 --> 00:30:23.039 how he builds upon it 00:30:23.039 --> 00:30:23.940 for no one can lay 00:30:23.940 --> 00:30:24.480 a foundation 00:30:24.480 --> 00:30:25.220 other than that 00:30:25.220 --> 00:30:25.720 which is laid 00:30:25.720 --> 00:30:26.779 which is Jesus Christ. 00:30:27.519 --> 00:30:27.940 Now if anyone 00:30:27.940 --> 00:30:28.859 builds on a foundation 00:30:28.859 --> 00:30:29.740 with gold, silver, 00:30:29.879 --> 00:30:30.559 precious stones, 00:30:30.720 --> 00:30:31.579 wood, hay, straw, 00:30:31.879 --> 00:30:32.900 each one's work 00:30:32.900 --> 00:30:33.980 will become manifest 00:30:33.980 --> 00:30:34.660 for the day 00:30:34.660 --> 00:30:35.420 will disclose it 00:30:35.420 --> 00:30:36.700 because it will reveal 00:30:36.700 --> 00:30:37.400 by fire 00:30:37.400 --> 00:30:38.700 and the fire 00:30:38.700 --> 00:30:39.880 will test what sort of work 00:30:39.880 --> 00:30:41.019 each one has done. 00:30:41.800 --> 00:30:42.880 If the work has anyone 00:30:42.880 --> 00:30:44.400 has, if the work 00:30:44.400 --> 00:30:45.400 that anyone has built 00:30:45.400 --> 00:30:46.060 on the foundation 00:30:46.060 --> 00:30:46.460 survives 00:30:46.460 --> 00:30:47.640 he will receive a reward. 00:30:48.300 --> 00:30:49.039 If anyone's work 00:30:49.039 --> 00:30:49.740 is burned up 00:30:49.740 --> 00:30:50.620 he'll suffer loss 00:30:50.620 --> 00:30:51.600 though he himself 00:30:51.600 --> 00:30:52.140 will be saved 00:30:52.140 --> 00:30:54.140 only as through fire. 00:30:54.220 --> 00:30:54.840 In other words 00:30:54.840 --> 00:30:55.660 it's kind of like 00:30:55.660 --> 00:30:56.759 the story of the little pigs. 00:30:57.320 --> 00:30:59.440 Only the house of brick 00:30:59.440 --> 00:31:00.480 withstood the winds 00:31:00.480 --> 00:31:01.019 in the end 00:31:01.019 --> 00:31:02.660 and the only thing 00:31:02.660 --> 00:31:03.740 that really lasts 00:31:03.740 --> 00:31:04.860 past this life 00:31:04.859 --> 00:31:05.879 is what we do 00:31:05.879 --> 00:31:06.459 for the Lord. 00:31:07.479 --> 00:31:08.259 That's really it 00:31:08.259 --> 00:31:09.159 and as Christians 00:31:09.159 --> 00:31:10.279 we are building 00:31:10.279 --> 00:31:11.240 our lives 00:31:11.240 --> 00:31:12.139 but what is our 00:31:12.139 --> 00:31:13.279 motivation in that? 00:31:15.059 --> 00:31:15.419 Well listen 00:31:15.419 --> 00:31:15.939 you can fool 00:31:15.939 --> 00:31:16.599 some of the people 00:31:16.599 --> 00:31:17.559 all of the time 00:31:17.559 --> 00:31:18.259 and you can fool 00:31:18.259 --> 00:31:18.819 all the people 00:31:18.819 --> 00:31:19.579 some of the time 00:31:19.579 --> 00:31:20.399 but you can't fool 00:31:20.399 --> 00:31:20.779 the Lord 00:31:20.779 --> 00:31:21.839 any other time 00:31:21.839 --> 00:31:22.859 he knows your heart 00:31:22.859 --> 00:31:25.319 and what is done 00:31:25.319 --> 00:31:25.959 in accordance with 00:31:25.959 --> 00:31:26.219 scripture 00:31:26.219 --> 00:31:27.219 for the right reasons 00:31:27.219 --> 00:31:28.119 to honor 00:31:28.119 --> 00:31:29.439 and glorify the Lord 00:31:29.439 --> 00:31:31.279 and not to worry 00:31:31.279 --> 00:31:32.299 about glorifying 00:31:32.299 --> 00:31:32.839 ourselves 00:31:32.839 --> 00:31:34.139 that will shine 00:31:34.139 --> 00:31:35.019 forth in eternity 00:31:35.019 --> 00:31:35.859 and we shall 00:31:35.859 --> 00:31:37.179 receive a reward 00:31:37.179 --> 00:31:38.079 and the reward 00:31:38.079 --> 00:31:38.699 is not based 00:31:38.699 --> 00:31:39.279 on how great 00:31:39.279 --> 00:31:40.359 the accomplishment is 00:31:40.359 --> 00:31:41.259 it's based upon 00:31:41.259 --> 00:31:42.279 our faithfulness 00:31:42.279 --> 00:31:43.500 to his work 00:31:43.500 --> 00:31:44.559 and to his service. 00:31:44.980 --> 00:31:45.559 Now I'm not talking 00:31:45.559 --> 00:31:45.980 about earning 00:31:45.980 --> 00:31:46.619 your salvation 00:31:46.619 --> 00:31:47.220 you can't earn 00:31:47.220 --> 00:31:47.879 your salvation 00:31:47.879 --> 00:31:48.740 period 00:31:48.740 --> 00:31:49.720 you can't 00:31:49.720 --> 00:31:50.980 we are saved 00:31:50.980 --> 00:31:52.039 through Christ 00:31:52.039 --> 00:31:53.199 only because 00:31:53.199 --> 00:31:54.079 of what he's done 00:31:54.079 --> 00:31:55.699 but after that point 00:31:55.699 --> 00:31:57.099 we are to serve him 00:31:57.099 --> 00:31:58.259 in the opportunities 00:31:58.259 --> 00:31:59.519 that he gives us 00:31:59.519 --> 00:32:00.400 in this life 00:32:00.400 --> 00:32:02.460 and what we do 00:32:02.460 --> 00:32:04.299 in service to him 00:32:04.299 --> 00:32:05.259 with those opportunities 00:32:05.259 --> 00:32:07.200 they'll be represented 00:32:07.200 --> 00:32:07.980 they'll be responded 00:32:07.980 --> 00:32:08.720 to in eternity. 00:32:09.799 --> 00:32:10.160 Now there are 00:32:10.160 --> 00:32:10.859 different levels 00:32:10.859 --> 00:32:11.839 of rewards in heaven 00:32:11.839 --> 00:32:12.599 because we all 00:32:12.599 --> 00:32:13.519 serve him differently 00:32:13.519 --> 00:32:14.839 but listen 00:32:14.839 --> 00:32:15.900 what's cool about this 00:32:15.900 --> 00:32:17.400 there'll be no pride 00:32:17.400 --> 00:32:19.680 there'll be no envy 00:32:19.680 --> 00:32:22.440 there'll be no jealousy 00:32:22.440 --> 00:32:24.200 I heard it explained 00:32:24.200 --> 00:32:24.759 like this 00:32:24.759 --> 00:32:26.879 little boy had a dream 00:32:26.879 --> 00:32:28.599 he wanted to be a bat boy 00:32:28.599 --> 00:32:29.419 in the World Series 00:32:29.419 --> 00:32:31.179 he dreamed of being 00:32:31.179 --> 00:32:31.639 a bat boy 00:32:31.639 --> 00:32:32.240 in the World Series 00:32:32.240 --> 00:32:34.279 that was his ultimate dream 00:32:34.279 --> 00:32:35.659 what a reward 00:32:35.659 --> 00:32:36.319 to do that 00:32:36.319 --> 00:32:39.279 and with that being 00:32:39.279 --> 00:32:39.779 his dream 00:32:39.779 --> 00:32:40.339 it brought 00:32:40.339 --> 00:32:42.480 unmeasurable pleasure 00:32:42.480 --> 00:32:43.659 to do such a task 00:32:43.659 --> 00:32:45.459 however there's another 00:32:45.459 --> 00:32:45.799 little boy 00:32:45.799 --> 00:32:46.799 that dreamed of playing 00:32:46.799 --> 00:32:48.319 center field 00:32:48.319 --> 00:32:49.980 in the World Series 00:32:49.980 --> 00:32:52.339 and he went on 00:32:52.339 --> 00:32:53.099 to be able to play 00:32:53.099 --> 00:32:53.779 center field 00:32:53.779 --> 00:32:55.419 in the World Series 00:32:55.419 --> 00:32:57.199 both them boys 00:32:57.199 --> 00:32:57.639 are happy 00:32:57.640 --> 00:32:59.700 just as happy 00:32:59.700 --> 00:33:00.759 as they can be 00:33:00.759 --> 00:33:01.460 the ball boy 00:33:01.460 --> 00:33:02.060 never realized 00:33:02.060 --> 00:33:02.540 he could have been 00:33:02.540 --> 00:33:02.920 playing 00:33:02.920 --> 00:33:04.540 he doesn't feel 00:33:04.540 --> 00:33:05.020 slighted 00:33:05.020 --> 00:33:05.720 in the least 00:33:05.720 --> 00:33:06.500 because the levels 00:33:06.500 --> 00:33:07.400 of reward are different 00:33:07.400 --> 00:33:08.680 but the joy is equal 00:33:08.680 --> 00:33:10.580 now I'm not telling you 00:33:10.580 --> 00:33:11.480 there's baseball in heaven 00:33:11.480 --> 00:33:12.100 there's not 00:33:12.100 --> 00:33:14.520 but I'm saying this 00:33:14.520 --> 00:33:16.720 everyone will be content 00:33:16.720 --> 00:33:17.480 in their status 00:33:17.480 --> 00:33:18.000 in heaven 00:33:18.000 --> 00:33:19.620 because any reward 00:33:19.620 --> 00:33:20.160 we receive 00:33:20.160 --> 00:33:20.740 we'll just lay 00:33:20.740 --> 00:33:21.620 at the feet of Jesus 00:33:21.620 --> 00:33:22.980 we'll be rewarded 00:33:22.980 --> 00:33:24.920 that might have been 00:33:24.920 --> 00:33:25.780 my cue to quit 00:33:25.780 --> 00:33:26.540 but I'm not 00:33:26.539 --> 00:33:29.960 winning glory 00:33:29.960 --> 00:33:30.659 this is it 00:33:30.659 --> 00:33:32.000 listen quick 00:33:32.000 --> 00:33:34.159 we will reign 00:33:34.159 --> 00:33:35.819 we'll reign 00:33:35.819 --> 00:33:38.279 Revelation 22 verse 5 00:33:38.279 --> 00:33:38.960 says a night 00:33:38.960 --> 00:33:40.240 will be no more 00:33:40.240 --> 00:33:42.700 don't need no light 00:33:42.700 --> 00:33:44.059 of lamp or sun 00:33:44.059 --> 00:33:44.839 for the Lord God 00:33:44.839 --> 00:33:45.559 will be their light 00:33:45.559 --> 00:33:46.200 and they will reign 00:33:46.200 --> 00:33:46.819 forever and ever 00:33:46.819 --> 00:33:48.480 that does not mean 00:33:48.480 --> 00:33:49.579 that we'll lord over people 00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:50.420 and it does not mean 00:33:50.420 --> 00:33:50.799 that we'll 00:33:50.799 --> 00:33:53.599 we'll be gods 00:33:53.599 --> 00:33:54.779 it's not what it means 00:33:54.779 --> 00:33:55.599 it means that we'll 00:33:55.599 --> 00:33:56.480 celebrate victory 00:33:56.480 --> 00:33:58.339 victory over every battle 00:33:58.339 --> 00:33:59.119 that we faced 00:33:59.119 --> 00:34:00.200 victory over every 00:34:00.200 --> 00:34:01.160 physical sickness 00:34:01.160 --> 00:34:02.200 over every spiritual 00:34:02.200 --> 00:34:02.660 sickness 00:34:02.660 --> 00:34:03.660 over every struggle 00:34:03.660 --> 00:34:04.920 the battle will be over 00:34:04.920 --> 00:34:05.700 we'll be champions 00:34:05.700 --> 00:34:06.119 with the Lord 00:34:06.119 --> 00:34:06.899 and we'll be celebrating 00:34:06.899 --> 00:34:09.279 and we will reign 00:34:09.279 --> 00:34:11.900 I know 00:34:11.900 --> 00:34:14.320 that does not answer 00:34:14.320 --> 00:34:15.300 all your questions 00:34:15.300 --> 00:34:18.500 but don't be concerned 00:34:18.500 --> 00:34:19.559 about the uncertainties 00:34:19.559 --> 00:34:20.139 that you have 00:34:20.139 --> 00:34:20.900 about eternity 00:34:20.900 --> 00:34:23.259 tell you what you need 00:34:23.260 --> 00:34:24.000 to be concerned about 00:34:24.000 --> 00:34:25.700 is the state 00:34:25.700 --> 00:34:26.300 of your heart 00:34:26.300 --> 00:34:31.520 if the Lord Jesus 00:34:31.520 --> 00:34:32.620 was to return today 00:34:32.620 --> 00:34:35.280 are you going to 00:34:35.280 --> 00:34:36.280 walk out that front door 00:34:36.280 --> 00:34:37.140 and get hit by a car 00:34:37.140 --> 00:34:38.040 and go on to eternity 00:34:38.040 --> 00:34:42.580 have you ever come 00:34:42.580 --> 00:34:43.440 to the point in your life 00:34:43.440 --> 00:34:43.880 where you know 00:34:43.880 --> 00:34:44.420 for certainty 00:34:44.420 --> 00:34:45.520 you have eternal life 00:34:45.520 --> 00:34:46.160 and you'll go to heaven 00:34:46.160 --> 00:34:46.880 when you die 00:34:46.880 --> 00:34:49.640 can you rest in that today 00:34:49.640 --> 00:34:51.540 that's not a threat 00:34:51.540 --> 00:34:52.780 it's just true 00:34:52.780 --> 00:34:54.380 but you need to have 00:34:54.380 --> 00:34:55.100 that nailed down 00:34:55.100 --> 00:34:56.760 all of heaven 00:34:56.760 --> 00:34:57.620 waits for you 00:34:57.620 --> 00:34:58.940 eternal life 00:34:58.940 --> 00:34:59.560 waits for you 00:34:59.560 --> 00:35:00.260 right here 00:35:00.260 --> 00:35:01.260 now today 00:35:01.260 --> 00:35:02.519 because Christ said 00:35:02.519 --> 00:35:03.140 I've come that you 00:35:03.140 --> 00:35:03.760 might have life 00:35:03.760 --> 00:35:04.600 and have it more abundantly 00:35:04.600 --> 00:35:05.100 he's not talking 00:35:05.100 --> 00:35:05.380 about heaven 00:35:05.380 --> 00:35:06.060 he's talking about here 00:35:06.060 --> 00:35:08.800 he'll give an uptick 00:35:08.800 --> 00:35:09.360 to your life 00:35:09.360 --> 00:35:10.480 that'll change you forever 00:35:10.480 --> 00:35:11.900 if you're surrender 00:35:11.900 --> 00:35:12.820 your life to Christ 00:35:12.820 --> 00:35:14.180 but don't ever think 00:35:14.180 --> 00:35:14.920 your affiliation 00:35:14.920 --> 00:35:15.620 with this church 00:35:15.620 --> 00:35:16.460 will take care of that 00:35:16.460 --> 00:35:18.580 don't ever think 00:35:18.580 --> 00:35:19.440 that some service 00:35:19.440 --> 00:35:20.080 that you've done 00:35:20.080 --> 00:35:20.940 for somebody else 00:35:20.940 --> 00:35:21.860 will take care of that 00:35:21.860 --> 00:35:23.519 don't ever think 00:35:23.519 --> 00:35:24.059 that preaching 00:35:24.059 --> 00:35:24.840 will take care of that 00:35:24.840 --> 00:35:25.300 or teaching 00:35:25.300 --> 00:35:26.079 will take care of that 00:35:26.079 --> 00:35:27.000 or volunteering 00:35:27.000 --> 00:35:27.760 will take care of that 00:35:27.760 --> 00:35:28.200 no no no 00:35:28.200 --> 00:35:28.740 the only thing 00:35:28.740 --> 00:35:29.519 that takes care of that 00:35:29.519 --> 00:35:30.280 is saying 00:35:30.280 --> 00:35:31.300 there's nothing 00:35:31.300 --> 00:35:32.599 I can do to earn it 00:35:32.599 --> 00:35:35.539 and I need you 00:35:35.539 --> 00:35:36.079 to forgive me 00:35:36.079 --> 00:35:36.579 and to cleanse me 00:35:36.579 --> 00:35:37.480 and to come into my life 00:35:37.480 --> 00:35:39.380 and if that's never 00:35:39.380 --> 00:35:40.180 happened to you 00:35:40.180 --> 00:35:41.660 today's the day 00:35:41.660 --> 00:35:42.280 of salvation 00:35:42.280 --> 00:35:44.400 if you feel 00:35:44.400 --> 00:35:45.320 a tugging in your heart 00:35:45.320 --> 00:35:45.980 you didn't come up 00:35:45.980 --> 00:35:46.400 with that 00:35:46.400 --> 00:35:47.960 God gave that to you 00:35:47.960 --> 00:35:49.460 because he's burdened 00:35:49.460 --> 00:35:49.639 for you 00:35:49.639 --> 00:35:50.260 and loves you 00:35:50.260 --> 00:35:52.199 and the saints 00:35:52.199 --> 00:35:52.740 of glory 00:35:52.740 --> 00:35:54.159 are ready to celebrate 00:35:54.159 --> 00:35:56.260 your salvation 00:35:56.260 --> 00:35:57.740 maybe you're here 00:35:57.740 --> 00:35:58.400 and you have done that 00:35:58.400 --> 00:35:59.000 but you've never 00:35:59.000 --> 00:36:00.099 acknowledged that publicly 00:36:00.099 --> 00:36:01.119 you never tell anybody 00:36:01.119 --> 00:36:01.699 to know that 00:36:01.699 --> 00:36:03.559 Jesus by his example 00:36:03.559 --> 00:36:04.400 and by his commission 00:36:04.400 --> 00:36:05.340 told us to be baptized 00:36:05.340 --> 00:36:06.699 and acknowledge 00:36:06.699 --> 00:36:07.440 what we've done 00:36:07.440 --> 00:36:08.400 a physical picture 00:36:08.400 --> 00:36:08.900 of what happened 00:36:08.900 --> 00:36:09.519 to us spiritually 00:36:09.519 --> 00:36:11.360 you come take care of that 00:36:11.360 --> 00:36:12.240 maybe God's drawing you 00:36:12.240 --> 00:36:12.900 to this church 00:36:12.900 --> 00:36:13.760 God's blessing us 00:36:13.760 --> 00:36:14.280 in mighty ways 00:36:14.280 --> 00:36:15.420 I'm thankful for that 00:36:15.420 --> 00:36:16.099 and you want to be a part 00:36:16.099 --> 00:36:16.780 of that and feel led 00:36:16.780 --> 00:36:17.320 to be a part of that 00:36:17.320 --> 00:36:17.680 you come 00:36:17.680 --> 00:36:18.320 we'll guide you 00:36:18.320 --> 00:36:19.000 in that process 00:36:19.000 --> 00:36:20.360 maybe you just need 00:36:20.360 --> 00:36:21.340 to do business with God 00:36:21.340 --> 00:36:22.740 I don't know what it is 00:36:22.740 --> 00:36:25.680 listen I'll be honest 00:36:25.680 --> 00:36:26.280 with you folks 00:36:26.280 --> 00:36:28.760 I struggled with this sermon 00:36:28.760 --> 00:36:29.200 this week 00:36:29.200 --> 00:36:31.580 because I knew 00:36:31.580 --> 00:36:32.260 what time it'd be 00:36:32.260 --> 00:36:32.860 when I was done 00:36:32.860 --> 00:36:34.740 and I don't like 00:36:34.740 --> 00:36:35.420 doing that to you 00:36:35.420 --> 00:36:38.240 I didn't feel led 00:36:38.240 --> 00:36:39.240 to take a thing out 00:36:39.240 --> 00:36:44.720 so let's just give God 00:36:44.720 --> 00:36:45.660 a couple more minutes 00:36:45.659 --> 00:36:47.980 and respond to him 00:36:47.980 --> 00:36:48.440 in obedience 00:36:48.440 --> 00:36:50.279 I'll never ask you 00:36:50.279 --> 00:36:50.879 to do anything 00:36:50.879 --> 00:36:51.699 that God didn't tell you 00:36:51.699 --> 00:36:52.079 to do 00:36:52.079 --> 00:36:53.940 but when God 00:36:53.940 --> 00:36:54.799 leads you to do something 00:36:54.799 --> 00:36:55.759 don't you dare 00:36:55.759 --> 00:36:57.000 stay there 00:36:57.000 --> 00:36:58.119 and not do it 00:36:58.119 --> 00:36:59.940 Lord Jesus 00:36:59.940 --> 00:37:00.500 I love you 00:37:00.500 --> 00:37:01.019 and I thank you 00:37:01.019 --> 00:37:01.480 dear God 00:37:01.480 --> 00:37:03.059 for this day 00:37:03.059 --> 00:37:03.960 and for the opportunity 00:37:03.960 --> 00:37:04.940 to serve you dear Lord 00:37:04.940 --> 00:37:05.659 and for eternity 00:37:05.659 --> 00:37:06.460 and we can celebrate 00:37:06.460 --> 00:37:08.379 Lord speak to our hearts 00:37:08.379 --> 00:37:09.000 and help us to have 00:37:09.000 --> 00:37:10.159 the obedience to respond 00:37:10.159 --> 00:37:11.679 in Jesus name 00:37:11.679 --> 00:37:12.000 Amen 00:37:12.000 --> 00:37:13.659 thank you 00:37:17.539 --> 00:37:18.019 I love you 00:37:18.460 --> 00:37:24.860 to hear 00:37:24.860 --> 00:37:25.579 I love you 00:37:26.280 --> 00:37:28.320 I love you 00:37:28.320 --> 00:37:28.559 I love you 00:37:28.559 --> 00:37:28.820 I love you 00:37:28.820 --> 00:37:29.320 I love you