WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.000 In 1 Thessalonians, we find that when somebody turns to Christ from your sin and your 00:00:07.000 --> 00:00:10.919 ! former life that things are different. You know, we see that, you know, if you remember 00:00:10.919 --> 00:00:15.980 in the Bible, you can see many examples of this. You know, you think in Jesus, when he talked to 00:00:15.980 --> 00:00:23.140 a man named Zacchaeus, you know, Zacchaeus was transformed when he came to a saving knowledge 00:00:23.140 --> 00:00:29.240 of Christ. He was a different man than he was before. We find this happened also to the woman 00:00:29.239 --> 00:00:35.879 at the well. She was a different woman after she had an interaction of salvation with Jesus, 00:00:36.019 --> 00:00:41.539 recognizing him as the Savior. You know, you think about the maniac of Gadara. He was a totally 00:00:41.539 --> 00:00:49.060 different individual when it came to after salvation. It's seen, the change there is seen, 00:00:49.140 --> 00:00:55.759 just as it was for those in Thessalonica. You know, we looked back in Acts chapter 17 and talked about 00:00:55.759 --> 00:01:02.039 Jason, the one whose house the church had been established in, and the others understood 00:01:02.039 --> 00:01:09.719 the very fact that Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ, and believed. They trusted in the word of truth, 00:01:09.840 --> 00:01:16.539 having the promise of the Holy Spirit seal them with the promise of God. And we're going to see 00:01:16.539 --> 00:01:21.719 here this morning, we're going to read about how Paul declares how he could know that this was real 00:01:21.719 --> 00:01:27.099 and what took place. Because if you found 1 Thessalonians this morning, let's stand together 00:01:27.099 --> 00:01:31.959 in chapter 1. We'll pick up here in verse 5 as we read the word of God here this morning. 00:01:33.400 --> 00:01:34.500 Notice this, it says, 00:01:34.500 --> 00:01:41.719 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much 00:01:41.719 --> 00:01:49.099 assurance. As ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And ye became followers of us 00:01:49.099 --> 00:01:56.780 and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy in the Holy Ghost, so that ye were 00:01:56.780 --> 00:02:03.179 a sample to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the word of the 00:02:03.179 --> 00:02:08.919 Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith, the God word, is spread 00:02:08.919 --> 00:02:15.719 abroad so that we need not speak anything. For they themselves show us what manner of entering in we had 00:02:15.719 --> 00:02:22.360 unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for 00:02:22.360 --> 00:02:29.560 his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. 00:02:29.860 --> 00:02:36.199 Let's pray. Heavenly Fathers, we take a few moments here this morning to look into your word, Lord, 00:02:36.259 --> 00:02:43.520 to look into the reality of salvation, the reality that takes place, the change that takes place. 00:02:43.520 --> 00:02:50.000 What leads to that change, Lord, what things you have set in place. But Lord, help us to understand 00:02:50.000 --> 00:02:56.360 the reality of it, Lord. We can talk around it, and we can talk about it, but Lord, it's only effectual 00:02:56.360 --> 00:03:02.200 if we apply it to our lives. And Lord, we pray we just would grab a hold of the truth today and the 00:03:02.200 --> 00:03:08.000 necessity not only for ourselves, but for others also. And Lord, we just ask it all in your precious name. 00:03:08.000 --> 00:03:18.099 Amen. May be seated. You know, today I want you to see that your salvation is not determined by your 00:03:18.099 --> 00:03:23.919 ability or how good you are. You know, we find that oftentimes people get that mindset. They say, 00:03:24.259 --> 00:03:29.800 well, I want to trust Christ, but then I want to trust what I can do. I want to trust Christ, but, 00:03:29.800 --> 00:03:36.340 you know, maybe I still need to do this in order to be saved. You know, people love to have Jesus plus. 00:03:37.240 --> 00:03:42.840 You know, they want Jesus and they want to do, I want my part in it. You know, I want to be able to 00:03:42.840 --> 00:03:49.900 do what I can do in my abilities and my goodness. But I want you to understand the truth is very simple 00:03:49.900 --> 00:03:58.640 that Jesus Christ provided the only way and the only means of redemption. Our salvation is built solely 00:03:58.639 --> 00:04:06.159 in him. There's nothing else. There's not any action you can take. There's not some good deeds you can 00:04:06.159 --> 00:04:12.799 do. There's not some class you can take. You can't become good enough to get to heaven. You know, you 00:04:12.799 --> 00:04:18.719 can't perform enough rituals to get to heaven. I want you to understand it's only the way and the means to 00:04:18.719 --> 00:04:24.240 heaven is through Jesus Christ. There is no other way. And we're going to see here this morning as 00:04:24.240 --> 00:04:30.519 Paul talks about those and what happened there at Thessalonica. Because remember, this was only a few 00:04:30.519 --> 00:04:36.660 weeks past the time he had been there. He was now down in Athens and he was writing back to them. 00:04:37.199 --> 00:04:42.800 And he's really, this is a letter complimenting them. The words already reached me that there's 00:04:42.800 --> 00:04:48.579 something different that took place in Thessalonica. It impacted not only them, but others. 00:04:48.579 --> 00:04:56.599 It impacted those around about them. And we understand this dynamic that Jesus was the one 00:04:56.599 --> 00:05:02.360 that changed him. He is the one that's everything that we need. You know, if you've been listening a 00:05:02.360 --> 00:05:07.039 little bit in the news this week, there's been some discussion about the comments that our president 00:05:07.039 --> 00:05:13.299 made regarding one's confidence in going to heaven. You know, he made some comments about, 00:05:13.620 --> 00:05:18.039 well, I'm not sure I'm going to heaven. And people were on both sides. I mean, they're playing all 00:05:18.040 --> 00:05:22.360 sorts of things. You know what? When you start talking about how you get to heaven, it quickly 00:05:22.360 --> 00:05:34.280 separates people. People with misunderstandings and half-truths. People who outright lie. But there's 00:05:34.280 --> 00:05:41.259 truth. And the question is, where do we get our solid foundation of how one gets to heaven? 00:05:41.259 --> 00:05:49.599 what opens that door? What's the truth about it? Because that's important to understand. He was 00:05:49.599 --> 00:05:56.000 not sure, didn't know. Yet we see time and time again that what is offered through the blood of Jesus 00:05:56.000 --> 00:06:03.099 Christ is something we can know. Paul says, look back up in verse four in our text. Notice that first 00:06:03.100 --> 00:06:13.300 word of that verse, it says what? What's the word? Knowing. Knowing. It's something you can know. 00:06:13.500 --> 00:06:19.180 If you know something, you have what? You have assurance about it. It's something you can know. 00:06:19.600 --> 00:06:26.240 You know, the Bible tells us in 1 John chapter 5, John the apostle here, he tells us this. He says, 00:06:26.240 --> 00:06:31.139 these things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God that ye might what? 00:06:32.180 --> 00:06:39.400 Know that ye have eternal life and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. I want you 00:06:39.400 --> 00:06:44.319 to see here. He says, I want you to know that if you're saved, you're secure. And if you're not saved, 00:06:44.400 --> 00:06:48.879 I want you to understand there's a way you can know that you are. If you're here today, I hope that 00:06:48.879 --> 00:06:57.199 you have a know-so salvation, not a hope-so salvation. There's a lot of people today walk 00:06:57.199 --> 00:07:02.560 around hope they get to heaven. They'll talk and say, well, I did this and I did that and I did this 00:07:02.560 --> 00:07:08.360 over here. And, and, uh, you know, I went to church and, you know, grandma took me as a kid, 00:07:08.439 --> 00:07:13.939 so I must be okay. Or they did a confirmation class of some kind and somebody said, okay, you know, 00:07:13.939 --> 00:07:19.040 you're okay. You know, you got your, got your graduation certificate that says you get to get 00:07:19.040 --> 00:07:22.800 to heaven. You know what? I want you to understand the certificate of getting to heaven is the Holy 00:07:22.800 --> 00:07:28.980 Spirit dwelling within you. It's not on a piece of paper. It's not what the preacher can declare. 00:07:29.319 --> 00:07:35.079 It's not what somebody else can declare. It's only what you, between you and God can declare. 00:07:35.540 --> 00:07:42.399 Because when you trust God, God says, I declare you righteous before me. And he says, I give you my 00:07:42.399 --> 00:07:48.659 spirit as a seal and an earnest of what's to come and that you can know what's going to happen. 00:07:49.299 --> 00:07:53.219 But I want you to understand in order for somebody to know, there's some things that need to take place 00:07:53.219 --> 00:07:58.839 because Paul lines out some things about the process that took place here at Thessalonica, 00:07:58.839 --> 00:08:05.219 because in order for somebody to get saved, there is a process. There's some things that need to take 00:08:05.220 --> 00:08:13.700 place. It's not just some mystical thing that happens. Or it's not some amazing thing that you 00:08:13.700 --> 00:08:18.960 can just, uh, a one, two, three, repeat after me. Now you're okay. You know, that's one of the problems 00:08:18.960 --> 00:08:25.580 we have today is people are looking for the quick, easy fix. Just say this and you'll be fine. You know 00:08:25.580 --> 00:08:29.940 what? You better understand what you're saying. If you don't understand it, because the Bible says you 00:08:29.939 --> 00:08:34.820 can say words, but if they're not from your heart before God with an honest, open heart before God, 00:08:34.879 --> 00:08:39.240 you know what? They're just words. We've all learned very quickly. People can say the right thing, 00:08:39.340 --> 00:08:47.639 but their heart is not in it. When it comes to salvation, when you confess before God that he's 00:08:47.639 --> 00:08:53.100 your, you need him as a savior, that you're a sinner. It's a heart change that takes place. It's from the 00:08:53.100 --> 00:08:59.919 heart. It's not because somebody said, repeat these words. Salvation is not a magical incantation. 00:08:59.940 --> 00:09:07.700 It's not some mystical thing that happens. It's something that transforms a life in a moment 00:09:07.700 --> 00:09:12.560 when they call upon him and God says there's something that takes place there. And we'll 00:09:12.560 --> 00:09:17.620 look at that here in just a moment. But I want you to see here, the process of salvation is important 00:09:17.620 --> 00:09:23.520 because it involves a course or operation that opens the door for one to call upon the Lord. 00:09:24.300 --> 00:09:29.920 You know, the first step in this process involves the word of God. Notice what it tells 00:09:29.919 --> 00:09:36.439 us in our text here, for our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power. 00:09:37.099 --> 00:09:43.319 Now I want you to see here, the word, the spoken word is important. You know, the context here 00:09:43.319 --> 00:09:50.240 is very clear. Turn back to Acts chapter 17 for a moment. Acts chapter 17, what is Paul talking 00:09:50.240 --> 00:09:54.899 about here? Well, let's go back and look and see what the book of Acts tells us about Paul's time here. 00:09:54.899 --> 00:10:01.399 Because what word is he talking about? What's he talking about here? Because in Acts chapter 17 00:10:01.399 --> 00:10:07.620 and verse 2, we find from the word of God, look what it says, and Paul, as his manner was, went in 00:10:07.620 --> 00:10:15.899 unto them and three Sabbath days reasoned with them from what? The scripture. Paul didn't come in and 00:10:15.899 --> 00:10:20.679 said, hey guys, I want you to listen to me. I have a divine revelation from God. You know, there's a lot of 00:10:20.679 --> 00:10:27.259 people get caught up when somebody says, I have a revelation. I want you to understand that Paul 00:10:27.259 --> 00:10:32.719 started in the right foundation. That's the word of God. He said he reasoned with them from what? The 00:10:32.719 --> 00:10:39.500 scripture. Because our foundation of our faith is not built on what the preacher says. It's not built 00:10:39.500 --> 00:10:46.639 on what anybody else says. It's built upon the word of God. Because we know what God has said. 00:10:46.639 --> 00:10:51.100 But notice what it says. He didn't just say that he reasoned with them. Notice this verse 3, 00:10:51.460 --> 00:10:57.399 opening and alleging. In other words, I want you to see here, he opened the Bible and he began to show 00:10:57.399 --> 00:11:03.220 them that Jesus is the one they were looking for. Now you've got to understand the audience. Remember 00:11:03.220 --> 00:11:08.720 where Paul was? He was in the synagogue. You know, some people wonder why did Paul preach 00:11:08.720 --> 00:11:13.019 different things, different places? Paul understood where his audience was beginning. 00:11:13.019 --> 00:11:20.000 It's important, especially when you're witnessing, to try to get a grasp. Where's the person you're 00:11:20.000 --> 00:11:26.500 talking to at? You know, that's one of the things because it's hard for somebody to understand. 00:11:26.600 --> 00:11:31.679 They don't know they're a sinner. It's hard to understand the need of a savior. Well, 00:11:31.679 --> 00:11:35.019 I'm a good person. I don't need that. You've got to understand where they're at. 00:11:35.019 --> 00:11:41.500 We live in a nation today where people are righteous in their own eyes. I can believe what 00:11:41.500 --> 00:11:48.899 I want to be, what I want to believe because of how I feel about it. You know, we get in a lot of 00:11:48.899 --> 00:11:55.220 trouble because of how we feel. Because I want you to understand, sometimes your feelings line up with 00:11:55.220 --> 00:11:59.120 reality. But I'll give you a little clue. You'll find the older you get, the more mature you get. 00:11:59.220 --> 00:12:04.220 Oftentimes your feelings might have contained a little reality, but don't line up with reality. 00:12:05.019 --> 00:12:09.179 Because they're your perception of what's going on, not the reality. 00:12:11.000 --> 00:12:15.220 And we get caught up and we start leading by not reality, but by how we feel. 00:12:16.419 --> 00:12:20.439 And people begin to think, well, I can get to heaven however I feel I can get there. 00:12:21.399 --> 00:12:25.740 I don't feel God's going to judge me. Well, you know, that doesn't matter how you feel about it. 00:12:25.740 --> 00:12:34.500 You know? That'd be like saying I can go down here and rob a place, 00:12:34.500 --> 00:12:38.919 listen, I don't feel the police should arrest me. And the majority of people in reality would go, 00:12:39.559 --> 00:12:43.200 doesn't matter how you feel about that. Truth is the only thing that matters. 00:12:43.960 --> 00:12:50.320 But notice what he preached. He preached a very specific message that Christ must have suffered 00:12:50.320 --> 00:12:55.600 and risen again from the dead and that this Jesus whom I preach unto you is Christ. 00:12:56.100 --> 00:13:00.799 You know what he's saying? Hey guys, the one that you see pictured throughout the whole Old Testament, 00:13:00.799 --> 00:13:05.639 I believe Paul, when it says he opened in a ledge, he went back to the Old Testament 00:13:05.639 --> 00:13:08.599 and began walking through the sacrifices that they did. 00:13:09.679 --> 00:13:13.579 He began showing them of what each of the sacrifices meant, 00:13:13.799 --> 00:13:17.879 what it did, and how it pointed to the Savior. 00:13:19.139 --> 00:13:21.319 And he said, the guy, he said, men and women, 00:13:22.439 --> 00:13:26.419 what you've been practicing your whole life has been pointing you to this. 00:13:26.419 --> 00:13:31.939 Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of all these things. 00:13:33.500 --> 00:13:36.819 His sacrifice didn't just roll sin forward. 00:13:38.439 --> 00:13:40.620 His sacrifice covered it. 00:13:42.379 --> 00:13:44.779 His sacrifice took care of it. 00:13:45.019 --> 00:13:48.860 It was sufficient for all. 00:13:49.099 --> 00:13:50.719 It was a containment of everything. 00:13:50.720 --> 00:13:57.820 Just as he said in Romans chapter 10, verse 15, you know, 00:13:58.000 --> 00:14:01.399 the reality is when Paul was there, he said this, he says, 00:14:01.500 --> 00:14:06.220 as it is written, how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace 00:14:06.220 --> 00:14:09.060 and bring glad tidings of good things. 00:14:09.720 --> 00:14:13.460 You know, I want you to understand that the word of God needs to be presented 00:14:13.460 --> 00:14:14.840 for somebody to be saved. 00:14:14.840 --> 00:14:21.180 Now, the means of presentation can be spoken, it can be written, it can be on a video. 00:14:21.379 --> 00:14:23.980 I mean, we have so many different means of communication today, 00:14:24.060 --> 00:14:28.580 but I want you to understand the word of God has to be communicated in some form 00:14:28.580 --> 00:14:31.660 for an individual to understand their need of salvation. 00:14:32.120 --> 00:14:32.860 It's important. 00:14:33.000 --> 00:14:38.120 It was the scripture that we could know who Jesus is and what he had accomplished. 00:14:38.600 --> 00:14:40.480 Look back to John chapter 6 for a moment. 00:14:41.940 --> 00:14:44.240 Here's Jesus, and he makes this statement. 00:14:44.240 --> 00:14:46.299 He says, it is written in the prophets. 00:14:46.500 --> 00:14:47.919 Now, what's Jesus referring to? 00:14:48.000 --> 00:14:50.320 He's referring to the Old Testament. 00:14:50.700 --> 00:14:52.779 And they shall be all taught of God. 00:14:52.820 --> 00:14:53.879 Where are they taught from? 00:14:54.980 --> 00:14:56.180 The word of God. 00:14:57.220 --> 00:15:02.480 Every man, therefore, that hath heard and hath learned of the Father cometh unto me. 00:15:02.519 --> 00:15:03.360 You know what Jesus said? 00:15:03.600 --> 00:15:06.940 You come unto me because you understand what the scripture says about me. 00:15:08.180 --> 00:15:11.039 You understand the truth that declares who I am, 00:15:11.580 --> 00:15:13.659 the truth that declares what I've done. 00:15:14.240 --> 00:15:16.519 The truth that declares what's been accomplished. 00:15:17.560 --> 00:15:21.019 You know, it's a means through which we learn that we have come short. 00:15:21.139 --> 00:15:21.539 You know what? 00:15:21.740 --> 00:15:24.279 If it wasn't for the Bible, we'd all be self-righteous. 00:15:26.360 --> 00:15:28.399 You know, by nature, we're self-righteous. 00:15:28.399 --> 00:15:30.360 I mean, you've talked about this before. 00:15:30.439 --> 00:15:30.919 You think about it. 00:15:31.240 --> 00:15:33.179 Everybody's like, I'm not as badass. 00:15:33.379 --> 00:15:33.939 You know what that is? 00:15:33.959 --> 00:15:35.179 That's self-righteousness. 00:15:35.360 --> 00:15:36.379 I'm a little bit better. 00:15:37.000 --> 00:15:39.360 You know, Romans 3.10, though, makes it very clear. 00:15:39.500 --> 00:15:42.879 As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one. 00:15:43.100 --> 00:15:47.000 I want you to understand that when that was written, 00:15:47.240 --> 00:15:48.840 it's saying it's already been written. 00:15:48.919 --> 00:15:50.419 I'm just telling you what's already there. 00:15:50.419 --> 00:15:53.399 I'm not giving you a new concept. 00:15:53.599 --> 00:15:55.860 I'm giving you an old concept that stands true. 00:15:56.699 --> 00:15:58.919 There's not a one of us that are born righteous. 00:15:59.439 --> 00:16:01.539 The Word of God being preached is important. 00:16:01.599 --> 00:16:02.979 Look over to Hebrews chapter 4. 00:16:03.479 --> 00:16:05.719 Hebrews chapter 4 and verse 2 says, 00:16:05.879 --> 00:16:10.839 For unto us was the gospel preached as well as it was unto them. 00:16:10.840 --> 00:16:15.639 But I want you to notice here, the gospel can be preached, 00:16:15.840 --> 00:16:17.840 but something has to take place. 00:16:19.660 --> 00:16:20.680 Notice what it says, 00:16:20.780 --> 00:16:23.240 But the word preached did not profit them, 00:16:23.420 --> 00:16:26.639 not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. 00:16:26.780 --> 00:16:30.060 Now, this is very important to understand 00:16:30.060 --> 00:16:32.680 because you can listen your whole life to the gospel, 00:16:32.860 --> 00:16:37.660 but until you make it effectual for yourself, it's irrelevant. 00:16:38.120 --> 00:16:40.220 You can know what you ought to do, 00:16:40.220 --> 00:16:41.500 but the only problem is, 00:16:41.720 --> 00:16:44.200 it's only good if you do what you ought to do. 00:16:44.480 --> 00:16:46.000 To take action upon it. 00:16:46.680 --> 00:16:48.259 Mix it with faith. 00:16:49.700 --> 00:16:51.600 Now, faith is something that's not just, 00:16:51.920 --> 00:16:52.899 Well, I hope so. 00:16:53.060 --> 00:16:55.060 I'm going to put all my money over here. 00:16:55.139 --> 00:16:56.040 It's not a gamble. 00:16:59.399 --> 00:17:01.980 Biblical faith is not like going down here and saying, 00:17:02.060 --> 00:17:04.700 I hope my team wins, so I'm going to put $100 on them. 00:17:06.779 --> 00:17:08.860 You know, there's people today that treat Jesus 00:17:08.859 --> 00:17:10.819 like I'm placing my bet with Jesus. 00:17:12.919 --> 00:17:16.099 I want you to understand it's not placing a bet with Jesus. 00:17:16.579 --> 00:17:19.500 Faith is saying, I know, he's all I got. 00:17:19.719 --> 00:17:20.979 There's no other means. 00:17:21.259 --> 00:17:23.419 There's nothing else I can have but him. 00:17:25.000 --> 00:17:28.679 To understand, Romans chapter 10, verse 17 says this, 00:17:28.680 --> 00:17:30.259 So then faith cometh by what? 00:17:30.799 --> 00:17:32.420 Hearing and hearing by what? 00:17:32.820 --> 00:17:34.140 The word of God. 00:17:35.759 --> 00:17:37.259 When Paul says, he says, 00:17:37.320 --> 00:17:38.060 How do I know? 00:17:38.140 --> 00:17:40.820 Because the gospel was preached unto you. 00:17:41.299 --> 00:17:43.120 The good news is just that. 00:17:43.240 --> 00:17:48.580 It is a notification of the way 00:17:48.580 --> 00:17:50.700 and the means to come to God 00:17:50.700 --> 00:17:51.920 has been accomplished. 00:17:51.920 --> 00:17:55.300 How do we know the word is going to be effectual? 00:17:55.380 --> 00:17:58.539 Because Paul says that the word of God is powerful. 00:17:59.620 --> 00:18:02.240 He said the word didn't just come in speech, 00:18:02.400 --> 00:18:03.860 but it came in power. 00:18:04.640 --> 00:18:07.060 That's the reason he knew it was going to do some work 00:18:07.060 --> 00:18:08.279 in lives of individuals. 00:18:09.420 --> 00:18:10.500 But I want you to understand, 00:18:10.840 --> 00:18:12.980 people can hear the gospel and ignore it. 00:18:12.980 --> 00:18:17.839 Because if it's not mixed with faith, 00:18:17.940 --> 00:18:20.240 it becomes just words. 00:18:21.700 --> 00:18:23.380 It just rolls through their mind. 00:18:25.299 --> 00:18:27.160 But the word of God is a tool 00:18:27.160 --> 00:18:28.420 that we're going to see here in just a moment 00:18:28.420 --> 00:18:30.380 because he also talks about the Holy Spirit. 00:18:31.099 --> 00:18:33.039 And the Holy Spirit takes the word of God 00:18:33.039 --> 00:18:35.039 and does something with it when people hear it. 00:18:36.519 --> 00:18:37.819 Because it affects something, 00:18:37.880 --> 00:18:39.539 it affects the heart of an individual. 00:18:39.960 --> 00:18:42.180 It impacts what we call the conscience. 00:18:42.180 --> 00:18:43.740 And no matter what people try to say, 00:18:43.820 --> 00:18:44.900 everybody has a conscience. 00:18:46.880 --> 00:18:48.220 Some might be seared, 00:18:48.360 --> 00:18:49.240 some might be hardened, 00:18:49.580 --> 00:18:50.620 but they still function. 00:18:51.620 --> 00:18:52.940 But notice in power, 00:18:53.240 --> 00:18:55.560 that which is spoken is important, 00:18:55.680 --> 00:18:57.259 but it must have something behind it. 00:18:57.299 --> 00:18:59.500 The power is God himself. 00:19:00.120 --> 00:19:00.920 You know, look a little later 00:19:00.920 --> 00:19:02.799 in 1 Thessalonians chapter 2. 00:19:03.180 --> 00:19:04.759 Look over there in verse 13. 00:19:05.600 --> 00:19:07.120 And we'll talk about this a little more 00:19:07.120 --> 00:19:09.799 when we get over there here in a few weeks. 00:19:09.880 --> 00:19:11.080 But look here in verse 13. 00:19:11.079 --> 00:19:11.439 It says, 00:19:11.519 --> 00:19:14.159 For this cause also we thank God without ceasing, 00:19:14.639 --> 00:19:16.939 because you received the word of God, 00:19:16.980 --> 00:19:17.960 which you heard of us, 00:19:18.139 --> 00:19:20.939 and you received it not as the word of what? 00:19:21.779 --> 00:19:22.259 Men, 00:19:22.779 --> 00:19:25.099 but as in truth, 00:19:25.480 --> 00:19:26.559 the word of God, 00:19:26.639 --> 00:19:28.639 which effectually worketh also 00:19:28.639 --> 00:19:30.899 in you that believe. 00:19:31.339 --> 00:19:33.419 The gospel is the power of God 00:19:33.419 --> 00:19:35.480 operating, working, and stirring 00:19:35.480 --> 00:19:37.139 the human heart. 00:19:37.140 --> 00:19:40.400 You know, Paul says in Romans chapter 1 00:19:40.400 --> 00:19:41.660 in verse 16, 00:19:41.759 --> 00:19:42.000 he says, 00:19:42.100 --> 00:19:44.020 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, 00:19:44.320 --> 00:19:45.880 for it is the power of God 00:19:45.880 --> 00:19:47.620 unto salvation to everyone 00:19:47.620 --> 00:19:48.259 that what? 00:19:49.020 --> 00:19:50.300 Believeth to the Jew first 00:19:50.300 --> 00:19:51.440 and also to the Greek. 00:19:51.700 --> 00:19:53.180 Look up in the gospel of John. 00:19:53.240 --> 00:19:55.160 Look in John chapter 1 in verse 12. 00:19:55.700 --> 00:19:55.960 It says, 00:19:56.080 --> 00:19:57.300 But many as received him, 00:19:57.340 --> 00:19:58.340 to them gave he what? 00:19:59.080 --> 00:20:01.160 Power to become the sons of God, 00:20:01.200 --> 00:20:02.040 even to them that what? 00:20:02.100 --> 00:20:04.500 Believe on his name. 00:20:04.500 --> 00:20:06.339 The word is the tool 00:20:06.339 --> 00:20:07.700 that is present 00:20:07.700 --> 00:20:09.740 with the power of God behind it, 00:20:09.799 --> 00:20:10.779 but it's the tool 00:20:10.779 --> 00:20:12.240 the Holy Spirit uses 00:20:12.240 --> 00:20:14.359 to convict and convince the sinner 00:20:14.359 --> 00:20:15.980 of their condition 00:20:15.980 --> 00:20:18.400 and the solution to the problem. 00:20:18.740 --> 00:20:19.279 You know, today, 00:20:19.440 --> 00:20:20.259 I want you to understand 00:20:20.259 --> 00:20:21.500 the great thing about the gospel 00:20:21.500 --> 00:20:22.799 and the great thing about what God did, 00:20:22.880 --> 00:20:24.019 God doesn't just condemn 00:20:24.019 --> 00:20:24.339 and say, 00:20:24.420 --> 00:20:25.240 Hey, here's your problem. 00:20:25.559 --> 00:20:26.740 You know, we have a lot of that today 00:20:26.740 --> 00:20:27.319 amongst people. 00:20:27.420 --> 00:20:27.539 You know, 00:20:27.640 --> 00:20:29.299 I can identify the problem, 00:20:29.420 --> 00:20:30.140 but you know what? 00:20:30.180 --> 00:20:31.140 God understood we needed 00:20:31.140 --> 00:20:32.000 something more important 00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:33.220 than identifying the problem. 00:20:33.220 --> 00:20:36.100 We needed the solution. 00:20:38.759 --> 00:20:40.240 The scripture tells us 00:20:40.240 --> 00:20:41.799 our problem is sin, 00:20:41.960 --> 00:20:43.420 separates us from God, 00:20:43.759 --> 00:20:44.360 and he says, 00:20:44.539 --> 00:20:45.660 I've made the means 00:20:45.660 --> 00:20:46.039 and the way 00:20:46.039 --> 00:20:47.299 I've provided the solution. 00:20:49.220 --> 00:20:50.660 That's the good news, you know? 00:20:50.839 --> 00:20:52.819 The problem is never the good news, 00:20:53.700 --> 00:20:54.480 but you know what? 00:20:54.500 --> 00:20:55.620 You can never solve a problem 00:20:55.620 --> 00:20:56.700 if you don't know what it is. 00:20:58.360 --> 00:20:59.160 But once you know 00:20:59.160 --> 00:20:59.980 what the problem is, 00:21:00.039 --> 00:21:00.980 what people are looking for, 00:21:01.059 --> 00:21:01.279 they say, 00:21:01.339 --> 00:21:02.200 What do I do with it? 00:21:02.200 --> 00:21:03.200 What do I do with it? 00:21:03.220 --> 00:21:04.980 What do you do with your sin 00:21:04.980 --> 00:21:06.440 that separates you from God? 00:21:06.620 --> 00:21:08.500 You place it on the cross 00:21:08.500 --> 00:21:09.539 with Jesus Christ 00:21:09.539 --> 00:21:10.980 who took it upon himself. 00:21:11.980 --> 00:21:13.620 The Holy Spirit, though, 00:21:13.660 --> 00:21:14.299 is present. 00:21:14.420 --> 00:21:15.500 The word is presented, 00:21:15.700 --> 00:21:17.259 but the task of the Holy Spirit 00:21:17.259 --> 00:21:18.420 is to use the truth 00:21:18.420 --> 00:21:20.299 in the heart of a person. 00:21:20.480 --> 00:21:20.980 Notice here, 00:21:21.360 --> 00:21:22.920 back in our text in verse 5, 00:21:22.980 --> 00:21:23.279 it says, 00:21:23.700 --> 00:21:25.120 In the Holy Ghost. 00:21:25.500 --> 00:21:25.660 You know, 00:21:25.839 --> 00:21:27.240 in not in word only, 00:21:27.319 --> 00:21:28.100 but in power 00:21:28.100 --> 00:21:29.839 and in the Holy Ghost. 00:21:29.839 --> 00:21:30.559 You know, 00:21:30.559 --> 00:21:33.459 Jesus told his disciples 00:21:33.459 --> 00:21:34.859 that the Holy Spirit 00:21:34.859 --> 00:21:37.619 would come and do a work 00:21:37.619 --> 00:21:38.619 in the lives of people. 00:21:39.939 --> 00:21:40.439 Now, 00:21:40.579 --> 00:21:41.799 I want you to understand 00:21:41.799 --> 00:21:43.059 that when you're witnessing 00:21:43.059 --> 00:21:43.759 to somebody, 00:21:44.879 --> 00:21:46.359 you're not witnessing 00:21:46.359 --> 00:21:47.199 in your power. 00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:49.559 You're not witnessing 00:21:49.559 --> 00:21:50.659 in what you can do. 00:21:50.939 --> 00:21:52.299 A witness is one 00:21:52.299 --> 00:21:53.740 that just tells what's happened 00:21:53.740 --> 00:21:56.019 or what they understand, 00:21:56.339 --> 00:21:57.579 what's transpired. 00:21:57.579 --> 00:22:00.379 God is the one 00:22:00.379 --> 00:22:01.799 who works on the heart 00:22:01.799 --> 00:22:02.519 of an individual. 00:22:04.299 --> 00:22:06.139 Look at John chapter 16. 00:22:06.519 --> 00:22:07.839 John chapter 16 00:22:07.839 --> 00:22:08.799 here in verse 8, 00:22:09.179 --> 00:22:09.500 it says, 00:22:09.639 --> 00:22:10.779 And when he has come, 00:22:10.819 --> 00:22:11.419 who's he talking about? 00:22:11.439 --> 00:22:12.659 He's talking about the Holy Ghost, 00:22:12.740 --> 00:22:13.519 the Holy Spirit. 00:22:14.720 --> 00:22:17.119 He will reprove the world of sin 00:22:17.119 --> 00:22:17.980 and of righteousness, 00:22:18.199 --> 00:22:18.759 of judgment, 00:22:19.119 --> 00:22:21.799 of sin because they believe not on me, 00:22:22.039 --> 00:22:24.500 of righteousness because I go to my Father 00:22:24.500 --> 00:22:25.720 and you see me no more, 00:22:25.720 --> 00:22:27.980 of judgment because the prince 00:22:27.980 --> 00:22:28.640 and the power 00:22:28.640 --> 00:22:30.380 or the prince of this world 00:22:30.380 --> 00:22:31.920 is judged. 00:22:32.380 --> 00:22:32.559 You know, 00:22:32.600 --> 00:22:33.559 I want you to understand 00:22:33.559 --> 00:22:35.299 that the Holy Spirit's task 00:22:35.299 --> 00:22:36.819 takes what's been planted 00:22:36.819 --> 00:22:38.039 with the word of God 00:22:38.039 --> 00:22:39.700 and begins impacting 00:22:39.700 --> 00:22:40.860 the heart of an individual. 00:22:41.640 --> 00:22:43.019 They're the one that convicts 00:22:43.019 --> 00:22:44.240 and convinces somebody 00:22:44.240 --> 00:22:46.140 of the truth of God's word 00:22:46.140 --> 00:22:46.839 because you know what? 00:22:47.019 --> 00:22:48.620 It's written upon our heart. 00:22:48.740 --> 00:22:48.860 You know, 00:22:48.900 --> 00:22:50.539 read Romans chapter 1 and 2. 00:22:50.880 --> 00:22:51.860 People understand 00:22:51.860 --> 00:22:52.960 they're going to stand accountable, 00:22:53.160 --> 00:22:54.120 but people don't like it. 00:22:54.119 --> 00:22:56.500 One day we're going to stand before God. 00:22:56.779 --> 00:22:57.139 But you know, 00:22:57.179 --> 00:22:58.179 the good part is, 00:22:58.699 --> 00:22:59.599 as we're going to look here 00:22:59.599 --> 00:23:00.419 in just a little bit, 00:23:01.559 --> 00:23:02.879 that if you're saved, 00:23:02.939 --> 00:23:05.500 you don't look at God's return in fear. 00:23:05.919 --> 00:23:08.439 You look at God's return with joy 00:23:08.439 --> 00:23:11.179 because it's like a going home to family. 00:23:12.179 --> 00:23:14.039 You're not standing in judgment. 00:23:14.239 --> 00:23:15.439 You're standing in acceptance. 00:23:15.440 --> 00:23:18.400 If you're saved, 00:23:18.480 --> 00:23:20.059 you're accepted in the beloved. 00:23:21.400 --> 00:23:23.440 It's a different perspective of God 00:23:23.440 --> 00:23:24.039 when he comes. 00:23:24.539 --> 00:23:25.480 If you're not saved, 00:23:25.539 --> 00:23:26.400 you ought to be scared. 00:23:28.320 --> 00:23:29.660 It's a fearful thing 00:23:29.660 --> 00:23:32.779 to stand in the presence of God. 00:23:33.059 --> 00:23:34.299 The Bible makes it clear 00:23:34.299 --> 00:23:36.220 that God is just. 00:23:36.320 --> 00:23:37.640 He's going to hold to account. 00:23:39.580 --> 00:23:41.039 But notice this next, 00:23:41.180 --> 00:23:42.200 in much assurance. 00:23:42.200 --> 00:23:45.900 Despite the circumstances of life 00:23:45.900 --> 00:23:47.360 that surrounded these things, 00:23:47.700 --> 00:23:48.779 I want you to see here, 00:23:48.900 --> 00:23:50.500 Paul was very clear here. 00:23:50.539 --> 00:23:51.680 This assurance here, 00:23:52.059 --> 00:23:52.720 yeah, I don't believe 00:23:52.720 --> 00:23:56.900 is tied to the Holy Spirit directly, 00:23:57.000 --> 00:23:57.700 even though the Holy Spirit 00:23:57.700 --> 00:23:58.680 gives us assurance. 00:23:58.819 --> 00:24:00.340 I think what he's writing here 00:24:00.340 --> 00:24:01.140 is a little different 00:24:01.140 --> 00:24:01.980 because Paul says, 00:24:02.100 --> 00:24:03.140 why did I go ahead 00:24:03.140 --> 00:24:04.519 and preach the gospel? 00:24:04.640 --> 00:24:05.759 Now, you need a little context, 00:24:05.840 --> 00:24:06.080 remember. 00:24:06.460 --> 00:24:07.960 Paul came to Thessalonica 00:24:07.960 --> 00:24:08.420 from where? 00:24:08.500 --> 00:24:09.160 From Philippi. 00:24:09.160 --> 00:24:13.160 What had happened at Philippi? 00:24:14.480 --> 00:24:14.820 Well, 00:24:15.820 --> 00:24:17.400 him and Silas 00:24:17.400 --> 00:24:17.980 had been beaten 00:24:17.980 --> 00:24:18.759 and put in prison. 00:24:19.120 --> 00:24:20.720 I imagine when they got 00:24:20.720 --> 00:24:21.820 to Thessalonica, 00:24:22.360 --> 00:24:24.800 they probably still 00:24:24.800 --> 00:24:25.900 weren't looking too good. 00:24:27.340 --> 00:24:28.340 They may have looked 00:24:28.340 --> 00:24:29.200 a little rough yet. 00:24:30.940 --> 00:24:32.320 Because I don't know about you, 00:24:32.660 --> 00:24:33.360 but if you study 00:24:33.360 --> 00:24:34.740 and understand what happens 00:24:34.740 --> 00:24:35.620 when they beat people 00:24:35.620 --> 00:24:36.640 in ancient times, 00:24:36.820 --> 00:24:38.680 it wasn't a slap on the wrist. 00:24:38.680 --> 00:24:39.420 Paul said, 00:24:39.519 --> 00:24:40.900 we're not the best presentation. 00:24:41.400 --> 00:24:41.820 But he said, 00:24:42.000 --> 00:24:43.640 my presentation doesn't matter 00:24:43.640 --> 00:24:44.600 because I have assurance 00:24:44.600 --> 00:24:46.100 because we have the power of God 00:24:46.100 --> 00:24:46.920 and the Holy Spirit 00:24:46.920 --> 00:24:49.000 working and mixing with His Word. 00:24:49.080 --> 00:24:50.180 That's going to be effectual. 00:24:51.720 --> 00:24:53.140 It will do its job. 00:24:53.539 --> 00:24:54.240 Paul, you know what? 00:24:54.259 --> 00:24:54.880 If you read through 00:24:54.880 --> 00:24:56.480 the Apostle Paul's writings, 00:24:56.820 --> 00:24:58.000 the one thing you'll find 00:24:58.000 --> 00:24:59.480 that I think is clear, 00:24:59.600 --> 00:25:00.880 it totally debunks 00:25:00.880 --> 00:25:02.560 this wealth 00:25:02.560 --> 00:25:05.740 and prosperity gospel. 00:25:05.740 --> 00:25:09.460 He preached it in times 00:25:09.460 --> 00:25:11.279 when it wasn't too good 00:25:11.279 --> 00:25:12.579 for the prosperity gospel. 00:25:13.920 --> 00:25:14.740 You imagine Paul 00:25:14.740 --> 00:25:15.980 standing up in the synagogue, 00:25:16.579 --> 00:25:17.339 still getting up 00:25:17.339 --> 00:25:18.099 a little slow 00:25:18.099 --> 00:25:19.539 because he's still sore 00:25:19.539 --> 00:25:20.079 and beaten, 00:25:20.460 --> 00:25:20.680 and say, 00:25:20.740 --> 00:25:21.160 hey guys, 00:25:21.220 --> 00:25:22.079 I got something for you 00:25:22.079 --> 00:25:22.700 that got me beat 00:25:22.700 --> 00:25:23.480 at the last place. 00:25:23.660 --> 00:25:24.720 That's not good advertising. 00:25:25.079 --> 00:25:25.460 But you know what? 00:25:25.500 --> 00:25:25.940 Paul said, 00:25:26.019 --> 00:25:27.980 it doesn't matter who I am 00:25:27.980 --> 00:25:29.039 or what's happened to me. 00:25:29.120 --> 00:25:30.240 It matters who God is 00:25:30.240 --> 00:25:31.160 and what God can do. 00:25:31.799 --> 00:25:32.299 He said, 00:25:32.299 --> 00:25:33.579 God makes the difference. 00:25:35.139 --> 00:25:36.599 In much assurance. 00:25:37.539 --> 00:25:37.779 You know, 00:25:37.839 --> 00:25:38.399 we see here 00:25:38.399 --> 00:25:39.680 the power of the gospel 00:25:39.680 --> 00:25:41.019 worked in their lives 00:25:41.019 --> 00:25:42.159 and they became followers. 00:25:42.500 --> 00:25:43.299 They became disciples. 00:25:44.079 --> 00:25:45.000 Notice in verse 6, 00:25:45.339 --> 00:25:46.599 and you became followers 00:25:46.599 --> 00:25:47.579 of us 00:25:47.579 --> 00:25:48.359 and of the Lord 00:25:48.359 --> 00:25:49.899 having received the Word 00:25:49.899 --> 00:25:51.659 in much affliction 00:25:51.659 --> 00:25:52.440 and with joy 00:25:52.440 --> 00:25:53.339 of the Holy Ghost. 00:25:53.639 --> 00:25:53.839 You know, 00:25:53.899 --> 00:25:54.700 what does this mean, 00:25:54.859 --> 00:25:55.339 followers? 00:25:57.119 --> 00:25:57.480 You know? 00:25:58.000 --> 00:25:58.379 Well, 00:25:58.419 --> 00:25:59.299 in this context, 00:25:59.299 --> 00:26:00.379 it tells us this, 00:26:00.419 --> 00:26:01.279 that when you're saved, 00:26:01.279 --> 00:26:02.399 the Scripture tells us 00:26:02.399 --> 00:26:03.200 that you're born again. 00:26:03.259 --> 00:26:04.299 Let's look at this practically. 00:26:04.680 --> 00:26:05.460 You're born again. 00:26:05.559 --> 00:26:07.519 You became a child of God. 00:26:09.339 --> 00:26:10.799 And like any child, 00:26:10.920 --> 00:26:11.799 you need training 00:26:11.799 --> 00:26:13.779 and an example to follow. 00:26:13.879 --> 00:26:14.039 Now, 00:26:14.519 --> 00:26:16.160 if anybody has any questions, 00:26:16.399 --> 00:26:16.619 you know, 00:26:17.379 --> 00:26:17.920 kids, 00:26:18.079 --> 00:26:18.759 little ones, 00:26:18.799 --> 00:26:20.220 will follow the example 00:26:20.220 --> 00:26:21.039 that they're around. 00:26:21.359 --> 00:26:23.139 How a young child acts 00:26:23.139 --> 00:26:24.500 is a direct reflection 00:26:24.500 --> 00:26:26.200 of the adults in their life. 00:26:26.500 --> 00:26:26.839 Why? 00:26:26.839 --> 00:26:30.319 Because they're following the example. 00:26:31.279 --> 00:26:34.000 As a young child of God 00:26:34.000 --> 00:26:35.519 also needs an example 00:26:35.519 --> 00:26:36.099 to follow. 00:26:36.240 --> 00:26:37.700 We have a fancy name for it today. 00:26:37.819 --> 00:26:38.879 It's called discipleship. 00:26:39.240 --> 00:26:40.500 What's discipleship about? 00:26:40.720 --> 00:26:42.539 Having somebody to encourage 00:26:42.539 --> 00:26:43.240 and to follow 00:26:43.240 --> 00:26:44.079 and to direct 00:26:44.079 --> 00:26:45.940 into maturity. 00:26:46.399 --> 00:26:47.559 Paul's telling them 00:26:47.559 --> 00:26:48.680 very clearly 00:26:48.680 --> 00:26:50.039 that they became followers. 00:26:50.259 --> 00:26:50.660 They became, 00:26:50.920 --> 00:26:52.079 they wanted to do 00:26:52.079 --> 00:26:53.619 what Paul had done. 00:26:53.839 --> 00:26:55.039 And so we see here 00:26:55.039 --> 00:26:57.019 that even in much affliction, 00:26:57.559 --> 00:26:57.700 you know, 00:26:57.759 --> 00:26:58.619 you need to remember, 00:26:58.619 --> 00:27:00.039 if you go back to Acts 17, 00:27:00.599 --> 00:27:01.519 we're not going to read there, 00:27:01.559 --> 00:27:02.559 but I just want to remind you, 00:27:02.619 --> 00:27:03.319 remember what happened 00:27:03.319 --> 00:27:04.299 after Paul left? 00:27:04.379 --> 00:27:05.439 They had a stir 00:27:05.439 --> 00:27:06.159 and they left 00:27:06.159 --> 00:27:07.659 because they came 00:27:07.659 --> 00:27:08.919 to the house of Jason 00:27:08.919 --> 00:27:10.079 and they drew him 00:27:10.079 --> 00:27:10.799 out of the house, 00:27:10.899 --> 00:27:11.459 him and others, 00:27:11.559 --> 00:27:12.039 and brought him 00:27:12.039 --> 00:27:12.879 before the city 00:27:12.879 --> 00:27:15.279 and they paid a fine 00:27:15.279 --> 00:27:17.899 because of a complaint 00:27:17.899 --> 00:27:18.679 against them. 00:27:18.939 --> 00:27:19.099 You know, 00:27:19.139 --> 00:27:20.479 sometimes following God 00:27:20.479 --> 00:27:21.459 costs you physically, 00:27:21.619 --> 00:27:23.059 sometimes it costs you financially. 00:27:23.059 --> 00:27:25.379 But it's an affliction. 00:27:25.380 --> 00:27:28.400 There's a price to pay 00:27:28.400 --> 00:27:30.360 to follow God. 00:27:30.660 --> 00:27:31.940 It doesn't get you saved, 00:27:32.060 --> 00:27:33.260 but the reality is 00:27:33.260 --> 00:27:33.940 is you're going to have, 00:27:34.020 --> 00:27:35.020 it doesn't exempt you 00:27:35.020 --> 00:27:35.760 from problems. 00:27:36.060 --> 00:27:36.800 It doesn't mean 00:27:36.800 --> 00:27:37.620 everything's going to go 00:27:37.620 --> 00:27:38.260 hunky-dory 00:27:38.260 --> 00:27:38.960 and everything's going 00:27:38.960 --> 00:27:40.060 to fall into place. 00:27:41.240 --> 00:27:42.280 It just means 00:27:42.280 --> 00:27:43.080 that you have somebody 00:27:43.080 --> 00:27:44.220 walking with you 00:27:44.220 --> 00:27:45.220 who has a plan 00:27:45.220 --> 00:27:46.440 and already knows 00:27:46.440 --> 00:27:47.260 what's ahead. 00:27:48.880 --> 00:27:50.120 He knows what you're 00:27:50.120 --> 00:27:50.600 going to need, 00:27:50.660 --> 00:27:51.480 when you're going to need it, 00:27:51.520 --> 00:27:52.500 how you're going to need it. 00:27:52.720 --> 00:27:52.900 You know, 00:27:52.920 --> 00:27:53.800 when we see this, 00:27:53.840 --> 00:27:54.740 this assurance, 00:27:54.740 --> 00:27:56.319 there of them, 00:27:56.359 --> 00:27:57.480 they became followers. 00:27:57.640 --> 00:27:57.920 He says, 00:27:58.000 --> 00:28:00.079 I know because of what I've seen 00:28:00.079 --> 00:28:00.839 and how you wanted 00:28:00.839 --> 00:28:02.500 to imitate the things of us 00:28:02.500 --> 00:28:04.240 as we were imitating the Lord. 00:28:04.299 --> 00:28:05.160 Now that's important 00:28:05.160 --> 00:28:06.059 because if you're going 00:28:06.059 --> 00:28:07.539 to follow after somebody, 00:28:07.620 --> 00:28:08.220 you need to follow, 00:28:08.599 --> 00:28:08.819 say, 00:28:08.920 --> 00:28:10.460 how are they following the Lord? 00:28:10.759 --> 00:28:12.259 Let me make a statement here. 00:28:12.380 --> 00:28:13.720 I think that if you're mature, 00:28:13.880 --> 00:28:15.279 you don't need to be following 00:28:15.279 --> 00:28:16.500 anybody but the Lord, 00:28:16.579 --> 00:28:16.960 but you ought, 00:28:17.160 --> 00:28:18.160 if you're following the Lord, 00:28:18.240 --> 00:28:19.039 you'll be in church. 00:28:20.279 --> 00:28:21.620 You'll be following the things 00:28:21.620 --> 00:28:22.539 in the order of God 00:28:22.539 --> 00:28:23.359 because you're mature enough 00:28:23.359 --> 00:28:25.199 to recognize this is what God has said. 00:28:25.339 --> 00:28:26.679 But when you're young in the Lord, 00:28:26.759 --> 00:28:27.559 you need other people 00:28:27.559 --> 00:28:28.819 to come alongside and say, 00:28:28.879 --> 00:28:29.039 hey, 00:28:29.099 --> 00:28:30.319 this is what you need to do. 00:28:31.279 --> 00:28:33.159 Let me share a little experience with you. 00:28:34.259 --> 00:28:35.039 Let me show you 00:28:35.039 --> 00:28:36.699 what God's word says about that. 00:28:37.319 --> 00:28:38.699 Let me keep you out of some trouble 00:28:38.699 --> 00:28:39.599 that I got into 00:28:39.599 --> 00:28:41.439 because we need to follow 00:28:41.439 --> 00:28:42.059 the word of God. 00:28:42.139 --> 00:28:43.240 People need to be brought up 00:28:43.240 --> 00:28:44.159 into the word of God. 00:28:45.019 --> 00:28:45.219 You know, 00:28:45.379 --> 00:28:46.859 we ought to encourage one another. 00:28:47.059 --> 00:28:47.319 What ought to, 00:28:47.539 --> 00:28:48.699 when people are mature, 00:28:49.059 --> 00:28:51.139 it's a process of encouraging 00:28:51.140 --> 00:28:52.660 and keeping each other focused 00:28:52.660 --> 00:28:54.820 on the truth of God's word. 00:28:55.259 --> 00:28:57.400 We see here that this is important 00:28:57.400 --> 00:28:59.560 because the process is the gospel 00:28:59.560 --> 00:29:01.720 is that when we hear the truth 00:29:01.720 --> 00:29:02.920 and believe and acknowledge 00:29:02.920 --> 00:29:04.220 and accept that truth, 00:29:04.440 --> 00:29:06.440 which causes us to trust the Lord, 00:29:06.540 --> 00:29:07.160 to rescue, 00:29:07.600 --> 00:29:09.600 and to secure the sinner. 00:29:10.220 --> 00:29:10.360 Now, 00:29:10.420 --> 00:29:11.280 I want you to see here 00:29:11.280 --> 00:29:13.420 when Paul's talking here about this, 00:29:13.660 --> 00:29:14.600 it's very clear 00:29:14.600 --> 00:29:17.420 because we find the process laid out 00:29:17.420 --> 00:29:18.420 that the word 00:29:18.420 --> 00:29:19.680 and then the Holy Spirit 00:29:19.680 --> 00:29:21.200 and then they became, 00:29:21.680 --> 00:29:22.980 they called upon the Lord 00:29:22.980 --> 00:29:24.180 and they changed 00:29:24.180 --> 00:29:25.519 and they did a different direction. 00:29:26.060 --> 00:29:26.300 Now, 00:29:27.240 --> 00:29:28.740 turn over to Ephesians chapter 1 00:29:28.740 --> 00:29:29.240 for a moment. 00:29:29.600 --> 00:29:30.600 Notice this process. 00:29:30.860 --> 00:29:31.120 It says, 00:29:31.220 --> 00:29:32.580 in whom ye also trusted, 00:29:32.720 --> 00:29:33.380 verse 13, 00:29:33.920 --> 00:29:34.960 after that ye heard 00:29:34.960 --> 00:29:35.779 the word of truth, 00:29:35.860 --> 00:29:37.200 the gospel of your salvation, 00:29:37.360 --> 00:29:37.920 and also, 00:29:38.360 --> 00:29:40.400 whom also after that ye believed, 00:29:40.660 --> 00:29:41.600 ye were sealed 00:29:41.600 --> 00:29:43.120 with that Holy Spirit of promise. 00:29:43.200 --> 00:29:44.300 You see the process there? 00:29:45.259 --> 00:29:46.800 The same process took place 00:29:46.800 --> 00:29:47.600 in Thessalonica. 00:29:47.599 --> 00:29:48.939 They heard 00:29:48.939 --> 00:29:50.439 the word of God 00:29:50.439 --> 00:29:51.619 stirred within them 00:29:51.619 --> 00:29:53.139 by the power of the Holy Spirit. 00:29:53.539 --> 00:29:54.939 They made a decision to say, 00:29:55.079 --> 00:29:55.299 yes, 00:29:55.459 --> 00:29:57.480 I know who I am before God. 00:29:57.639 --> 00:29:59.740 I know my accountability before God 00:29:59.740 --> 00:30:01.599 and I understand my need 00:30:01.599 --> 00:30:03.199 to put all my faith 00:30:03.199 --> 00:30:03.719 and trust 00:30:03.719 --> 00:30:04.500 in what He says 00:30:04.500 --> 00:30:06.199 He's accomplished for me, 00:30:06.299 --> 00:30:07.539 that He would apply it 00:30:07.539 --> 00:30:08.439 to my account. 00:30:09.439 --> 00:30:10.139 And He says, 00:30:10.240 --> 00:30:11.019 when that happens, 00:30:11.059 --> 00:30:11.759 when you believe, 00:30:11.879 --> 00:30:12.799 truly believe, 00:30:13.699 --> 00:30:14.980 that's to trust, 00:30:15.339 --> 00:30:16.959 to rest assured upon, 00:30:16.960 --> 00:30:18.500 to say my only hope 00:30:18.500 --> 00:30:19.840 is in not what I can do, 00:30:20.039 --> 00:30:21.600 it's not what a church can do, 00:30:21.740 --> 00:30:23.380 but it's only what Christ can do. 00:30:23.640 --> 00:30:24.000 Then He says, 00:30:24.100 --> 00:30:24.700 you were sealed 00:30:24.700 --> 00:30:26.299 with that Holy Spirit of promise. 00:30:26.700 --> 00:30:27.960 What a wonderful reality. 00:30:29.579 --> 00:30:30.680 But look at verse 7, 00:30:31.279 --> 00:30:32.319 because I want you to see next 00:30:32.319 --> 00:30:33.759 the product of salvation. 00:30:34.759 --> 00:30:34.880 Yeah, 00:30:35.059 --> 00:30:35.380 product, 00:30:35.880 --> 00:30:37.259 salvation produces some. 00:30:37.500 --> 00:30:38.600 It produces a life 00:30:38.600 --> 00:30:39.240 that's different. 00:30:39.600 --> 00:30:40.120 Notice it, 00:30:40.119 --> 00:30:40.419 He says, 00:30:40.459 --> 00:30:41.479 so you were a sample 00:30:41.479 --> 00:30:42.839 to all that believe 00:30:42.839 --> 00:30:44.579 in Macedonia and Akedah. 00:30:44.659 --> 00:30:45.799 From you sounded out 00:30:45.799 --> 00:30:46.519 the word of the Lord, 00:30:46.579 --> 00:30:48.079 not only in Macedonia and Akedah, 00:30:48.379 --> 00:30:49.899 but also in every place 00:30:49.899 --> 00:30:50.959 your faith to God 00:30:50.959 --> 00:30:52.000 were to spread abroad 00:30:52.000 --> 00:30:53.119 so that you need not to, 00:30:53.339 --> 00:30:55.859 we need not to speak anything. 00:30:58.199 --> 00:30:58.599 Now, 00:30:58.719 --> 00:30:59.539 in context here, 00:30:59.599 --> 00:31:00.239 this is really, 00:31:00.359 --> 00:31:03.079 I found a very interesting dynamic, 00:31:03.259 --> 00:31:04.159 because you know what Paul's saying? 00:31:04.259 --> 00:31:04.459 Remember, 00:31:04.539 --> 00:31:05.539 this has been a few weeks 00:31:05.539 --> 00:31:07.559 after he left, 00:31:07.599 --> 00:31:08.039 and he says, 00:31:08.659 --> 00:31:09.980 we're already getting reports 00:31:09.980 --> 00:31:11.000 from all over 00:31:11.000 --> 00:31:12.639 about what took place 00:31:12.639 --> 00:31:13.960 and the lives 00:31:13.960 --> 00:31:14.819 that were changed 00:31:14.819 --> 00:31:15.740 at Thessalonica. 00:31:16.819 --> 00:31:17.339 Now, 00:31:17.399 --> 00:31:18.759 to understand that a little bit, 00:31:18.799 --> 00:31:19.539 I want you to understand 00:31:19.539 --> 00:31:21.180 Thessalonica was a hub 00:31:21.180 --> 00:31:23.299 in the area. 00:31:24.940 --> 00:31:27.379 When the Romans conquered Greece, 00:31:28.119 --> 00:31:29.639 they divided Greece 00:31:29.639 --> 00:31:30.379 into a northern 00:31:30.379 --> 00:31:31.680 and southern area. 00:31:32.759 --> 00:31:34.299 Those areas we find 00:31:34.299 --> 00:31:35.279 mentioned here 00:31:35.279 --> 00:31:36.579 Macedonia 00:31:36.579 --> 00:31:37.799 and Achaia. 00:31:39.559 --> 00:31:40.559 In other words, 00:31:40.639 --> 00:31:41.639 what Paul's saying, 00:31:41.720 --> 00:31:42.099 he says, 00:31:42.339 --> 00:31:44.720 within a few weeks, 00:31:44.799 --> 00:31:46.059 these people that came in 00:31:46.059 --> 00:31:47.220 to conduct business 00:31:47.220 --> 00:31:48.619 and going in and out 00:31:48.619 --> 00:31:49.940 and all these things, 00:31:50.000 --> 00:31:50.299 he says, 00:31:50.339 --> 00:31:51.720 there's reports all over 00:31:51.720 --> 00:31:53.379 about what took place 00:31:53.379 --> 00:31:54.220 at Thessalonica. 00:31:54.539 --> 00:31:54.859 He said, 00:31:54.899 --> 00:31:55.839 there's reports about, 00:31:55.960 --> 00:31:56.039 man, 00:31:56.079 --> 00:31:56.740 there's some change 00:31:56.740 --> 00:31:57.339 happening there. 00:31:57.539 --> 00:31:58.039 There's something 00:31:58.039 --> 00:31:58.980 that took place there. 00:31:59.059 --> 00:32:00.240 It was sounded out. 00:32:02.200 --> 00:32:03.099 They were as samples. 00:32:03.279 --> 00:32:03.399 They were, 00:32:03.559 --> 00:32:04.119 somebody said, 00:32:04.119 --> 00:32:05.599 they were to be imitated 00:32:05.599 --> 00:32:05.959 to say, 00:32:06.039 --> 00:32:06.159 hey, 00:32:06.639 --> 00:32:08.239 this is a result 00:32:08.239 --> 00:32:10.039 of our salvation. 00:32:10.339 --> 00:32:11.219 Things change. 00:32:11.639 --> 00:32:13.459 This hub city, 00:32:13.579 --> 00:32:14.679 a place of commerce 00:32:14.679 --> 00:32:15.359 and government 00:32:15.359 --> 00:32:16.279 within the region 00:32:16.279 --> 00:32:18.719 would now impact everything. 00:32:18.899 --> 00:32:20.419 Notice what it says here 00:32:20.419 --> 00:32:20.839 in verse 8. 00:32:20.899 --> 00:32:21.519 For from you 00:32:21.519 --> 00:32:22.579 sounded out the word 00:32:22.579 --> 00:32:22.979 of the Lord, 00:32:23.039 --> 00:32:24.219 not only in Macedonia, 00:32:24.220 --> 00:32:26.600 but also in every place 00:32:26.600 --> 00:32:28.319 your faith to God 00:32:28.319 --> 00:32:29.420 word is spread abroad 00:32:29.420 --> 00:32:31.180 so that we need not 00:32:31.180 --> 00:32:32.319 to speak anything. 00:32:33.100 --> 00:32:33.319 You know, 00:32:33.440 --> 00:32:34.460 that's quite a product. 00:32:34.960 --> 00:32:36.380 People saw something different. 00:32:36.500 --> 00:32:38.000 Think about 2 Corinthians 5, 00:32:38.059 --> 00:32:38.579 17, 00:32:38.680 --> 00:32:39.880 what the Bible tells us. 00:32:40.279 --> 00:32:40.579 It says, 00:32:40.900 --> 00:32:40.900 00:32:41.059 --> 00:32:42.220 if any man be in Christ, 00:32:42.299 --> 00:32:43.579 he is what a new creature. 00:32:44.059 --> 00:32:45.500 Old things are passed away. 00:32:45.600 --> 00:32:45.920 Behold, 00:32:45.980 --> 00:32:47.299 all things are become new. 00:32:47.360 --> 00:32:47.860 You know what? 00:32:48.059 --> 00:32:49.000 When you get saved, 00:32:49.079 --> 00:32:50.120 you become a different product. 00:32:50.579 --> 00:32:51.200 Something new 00:32:51.200 --> 00:32:51.960 has been produced. 00:32:51.960 --> 00:32:55.240 There's a change in your life. 00:32:55.400 --> 00:32:56.200 Paul and the others 00:32:56.200 --> 00:32:57.200 had heard the report 00:32:57.200 --> 00:32:58.740 about what had happened. 00:32:58.840 --> 00:32:59.920 This is great to hear 00:32:59.920 --> 00:33:00.620 and to see 00:33:00.620 --> 00:33:02.640 the change in people's lives 00:33:02.640 --> 00:33:03.579 after they've received 00:33:03.579 --> 00:33:04.779 the word by faith. 00:33:06.600 --> 00:33:07.960 Because this change 00:33:07.960 --> 00:33:09.100 will be a new direction 00:33:09.100 --> 00:33:10.319 with a new priority. 00:33:12.220 --> 00:33:12.740 You know, 00:33:12.759 --> 00:33:13.640 look at verse 9. 00:33:15.420 --> 00:33:16.019 It says, 00:33:16.160 --> 00:33:17.079 for they themselves 00:33:17.079 --> 00:33:18.299 show of us 00:33:18.299 --> 00:33:19.600 what manner of entering in 00:33:19.600 --> 00:33:20.579 we had unto you. 00:33:20.860 --> 00:33:21.600 Notice this. 00:33:21.960 --> 00:33:24.079 Paul says that 00:33:24.079 --> 00:33:26.860 there's something seen 00:33:26.860 --> 00:33:28.900 and notice what this, 00:33:29.240 --> 00:33:30.920 how you turn to God 00:33:30.920 --> 00:33:31.779 from idols 00:33:31.779 --> 00:33:33.620 to serve the living 00:33:33.620 --> 00:33:35.259 and true God. 00:33:35.880 --> 00:33:37.519 They turned to God 00:33:37.519 --> 00:33:38.440 from idols 00:33:38.440 --> 00:33:40.759 to serve him. 00:33:41.460 --> 00:33:42.779 I want you to understand 00:33:42.779 --> 00:33:43.700 the gospel, 00:33:43.940 --> 00:33:44.799 when you get saved, 00:33:44.860 --> 00:33:45.460 ought to change 00:33:45.460 --> 00:33:46.259 your priorities. 00:33:47.880 --> 00:33:49.039 It ought to change 00:33:49.039 --> 00:33:49.799 your worship. 00:33:49.799 --> 00:33:52.259 and it ought to change 00:33:52.259 --> 00:33:53.220 who you serve. 00:33:56.079 --> 00:33:57.339 Those things are important. 00:33:57.399 --> 00:33:58.259 Look at verse 10. 00:33:59.619 --> 00:34:00.899 And to wait for his son 00:34:00.899 --> 00:34:01.519 from heaven 00:34:01.519 --> 00:34:02.440 whom he raised 00:34:02.440 --> 00:34:03.079 from the dead, 00:34:03.539 --> 00:34:04.519 even Jesus, 00:34:04.720 --> 00:34:05.899 which delivered us up, 00:34:06.740 --> 00:34:07.299 delivered us 00:34:07.299 --> 00:34:08.119 from the wrath 00:34:08.119 --> 00:34:09.860 to come. 00:34:10.079 --> 00:34:11.199 Verse 10 is clear 00:34:11.199 --> 00:34:11.980 that your focus 00:34:11.980 --> 00:34:12.800 is going to change 00:34:12.800 --> 00:34:14.059 because your focus 00:34:14.059 --> 00:34:15.079 changes from 00:34:15.079 --> 00:34:15.920 what can I get 00:34:15.920 --> 00:34:17.279 out of this life now 00:34:17.280 --> 00:34:18.500 to about the one 00:34:18.500 --> 00:34:19.300 that's going to come. 00:34:20.500 --> 00:34:22.060 The one we're looking for 00:34:22.060 --> 00:34:23.360 and to wait 00:34:23.360 --> 00:34:24.400 for his son 00:34:24.400 --> 00:34:25.360 from heaven 00:34:25.360 --> 00:34:26.800 whom he raised 00:34:26.800 --> 00:34:27.760 from the dead. 00:34:28.100 --> 00:34:28.300 You know, 00:34:28.340 --> 00:34:29.160 the rest of the book 00:34:29.160 --> 00:34:29.980 of Thessalonians 00:34:29.980 --> 00:34:30.560 you're going to find 00:34:30.560 --> 00:34:31.540 throughout talks 00:34:31.540 --> 00:34:32.540 about Jesus 00:34:32.540 --> 00:34:33.780 coming 00:34:33.780 --> 00:34:34.860 and talks about 00:34:34.860 --> 00:34:35.500 eternity. 00:34:36.000 --> 00:34:37.160 You know what the reality is? 00:34:37.159 --> 00:34:38.259 We ought to be walking 00:34:38.259 --> 00:34:38.899 in the light 00:34:38.899 --> 00:34:39.559 of eternity. 00:34:41.079 --> 00:34:42.199 Walking in the fact 00:34:42.199 --> 00:34:43.239 that our motivations 00:34:43.239 --> 00:34:44.059 have changed. 00:34:44.559 --> 00:34:45.940 We have a newness 00:34:45.940 --> 00:34:46.879 in our life 00:34:46.879 --> 00:34:48.219 and a different motivation. 00:34:50.159 --> 00:34:51.159 Your focus 00:34:51.159 --> 00:34:52.159 ought to change. 00:34:53.119 --> 00:34:53.719 You ought to have 00:34:53.719 --> 00:34:55.179 a new life 00:34:55.179 --> 00:34:56.219 with a new eternity, 00:34:56.440 --> 00:34:57.199 a confidence 00:34:57.199 --> 00:34:58.519 beyond this life 00:34:58.519 --> 00:34:59.460 knowing that those 00:34:59.460 --> 00:35:00.460 that believe 00:35:00.460 --> 00:35:01.480 will not face 00:35:01.480 --> 00:35:02.099 the wrath 00:35:02.099 --> 00:35:03.059 that is to come. 00:35:03.379 --> 00:35:03.839 The wrath 00:35:03.839 --> 00:35:04.559 that is to come 00:35:04.559 --> 00:35:05.159 is judgment 00:35:05.159 --> 00:35:06.119 upon all those 00:35:06.119 --> 00:35:06.739 who refuse 00:35:06.739 --> 00:35:07.380 the gospel 00:35:07.380 --> 00:35:08.679 because God says 00:35:08.679 --> 00:35:09.559 sin has to be 00:35:09.559 --> 00:35:10.279 accounted for. 00:35:10.579 --> 00:35:11.500 There's only two ways 00:35:11.500 --> 00:35:12.099 for sin to be 00:35:12.099 --> 00:35:12.739 accounted for. 00:35:14.219 --> 00:35:15.239 You either take 00:35:15.239 --> 00:35:15.820 the penalty 00:35:15.820 --> 00:35:16.779 that's due you 00:35:16.779 --> 00:35:17.759 or Jesus 00:35:17.759 --> 00:35:18.579 what he did 00:35:18.579 --> 00:35:19.360 for you 00:35:19.360 --> 00:35:20.719 in taking your sin 00:35:20.719 --> 00:35:23.159 puts it on your account 00:35:23.159 --> 00:35:24.299 because what Christ 00:35:24.299 --> 00:35:24.840 has done 00:35:24.840 --> 00:35:25.519 was sufficient 00:35:25.519 --> 00:35:26.440 to make a paid 00:35:26.440 --> 00:35:27.039 and full 00:35:27.039 --> 00:35:27.779 on the penalty 00:35:27.779 --> 00:35:28.480 of your sin. 00:35:28.659 --> 00:35:30.000 No longer a problem. 00:35:30.299 --> 00:35:30.820 The penalty 00:35:30.820 --> 00:35:31.840 has been removed. 00:35:33.719 --> 00:35:33.900 You know, 00:35:33.900 --> 00:35:34.380 today 00:35:34.380 --> 00:35:35.320 has the gospel 00:35:35.320 --> 00:35:36.019 worked 00:35:36.019 --> 00:35:38.119 in your life? 00:35:38.360 --> 00:35:39.300 What have you done 00:35:39.300 --> 00:35:40.280 with the truth 00:35:40.280 --> 00:35:42.280 about Jesus Christ? 00:35:42.500 --> 00:35:43.119 The fact that 00:35:43.119 --> 00:35:43.760 he came 00:35:43.760 --> 00:35:44.480 and took upon 00:35:44.480 --> 00:35:44.980 himself 00:35:44.980 --> 00:35:45.760 the sin 00:35:45.760 --> 00:35:47.800 of the whole world. 00:35:48.119 --> 00:35:48.780 The fact that 00:35:48.780 --> 00:35:49.260 he came 00:35:49.260 --> 00:35:49.940 and took upon 00:35:49.940 --> 00:35:50.500 himself 00:35:50.500 --> 00:35:52.119 my sin 00:35:52.119 --> 00:35:54.039 and your sin. 00:35:54.300 --> 00:35:54.740 So I want you 00:35:54.740 --> 00:35:55.220 to understand 00:35:55.220 --> 00:35:56.400 sin's not generic 00:35:56.400 --> 00:35:57.360 sin is personal. 00:35:57.700 --> 00:35:58.119 And when we 00:35:58.119 --> 00:35:58.760 understand 00:35:58.760 --> 00:35:59.300 it's not 00:35:59.300 --> 00:36:00.900 it's nice to think 00:36:00.900 --> 00:36:02.160 Jesus died for sin 00:36:02.160 --> 00:36:02.740 that becomes 00:36:02.740 --> 00:36:03.559 a kind of abstract. 00:36:03.900 --> 00:36:04.420 We need to 00:36:04.420 --> 00:36:05.000 understand 00:36:05.000 --> 00:36:06.240 that blocked 00:36:06.240 --> 00:36:06.760 and grouped 00:36:06.760 --> 00:36:07.380 into that 00:36:07.380 --> 00:36:08.460 is my sin 00:36:08.460 --> 00:36:09.180 and your sin. 00:36:09.440 --> 00:36:10.119 That he took it 00:36:10.119 --> 00:36:10.760 and nailed it 00:36:10.760 --> 00:36:11.619 to the cross 00:36:11.619 --> 00:36:12.119 and taking 00:36:12.119 --> 00:36:12.740 its penalty 00:36:12.740 --> 00:36:13.660 upon himself. 00:36:15.260 --> 00:36:16.539 Taking God's 00:36:16.539 --> 00:36:17.099 wrath 00:36:17.099 --> 00:36:18.800 in our place. 00:36:19.119 --> 00:36:19.260 You know, 00:36:19.300 --> 00:36:20.280 John 3.36 00:36:20.280 --> 00:36:21.099 says this, 00:36:21.180 --> 00:36:21.880 He that believeth 00:36:21.880 --> 00:36:22.559 on the Son 00:36:22.559 --> 00:36:24.539 hath everlasting life 00:36:24.539 --> 00:36:25.480 and he that believeth 00:36:25.480 --> 00:36:26.240 not the Son 00:36:26.240 --> 00:36:27.619 shall not see life 00:36:27.619 --> 00:36:29.500 but the wrath 00:36:29.500 --> 00:36:30.779 of God 00:36:30.779 --> 00:36:31.940 abideth 00:36:31.940 --> 00:36:34.039 on him. 00:36:34.199 --> 00:36:34.420 You know, 00:36:34.440 --> 00:36:34.799 this morning 00:36:34.799 --> 00:36:35.400 I want you to 00:36:35.400 --> 00:36:35.900 understand 00:36:35.900 --> 00:36:37.259 salvation is really 00:36:37.259 --> 00:36:39.259 boils down to this. 00:36:39.339 --> 00:36:40.259 Does God's wrath 00:36:40.259 --> 00:36:41.519 still abide upon you 00:36:41.519 --> 00:36:42.699 or has Jesus Christ 00:36:42.699 --> 00:36:43.239 taken it? 00:36:43.420 --> 00:36:44.199 What about you 00:36:44.199 --> 00:36:45.480 today? 00:36:47.159 --> 00:36:48.199 What have you done 00:36:48.199 --> 00:36:48.900 with the gospel? 00:36:48.900 --> 00:36:51.279 Is it just information 00:36:51.279 --> 00:36:52.679 or is it effectual 00:36:52.679 --> 00:36:53.879 to say that he took 00:36:53.879 --> 00:36:54.699 my sin 00:36:54.699 --> 00:36:56.719 upon him? 00:36:58.159 --> 00:36:59.159 I need to call 00:36:59.159 --> 00:36:59.819 upon him. 00:37:01.000 --> 00:37:01.699 His heads are bowed 00:37:01.699 --> 00:37:02.419 and eyes are closed 00:37:02.419 --> 00:37:02.899 this morning. 00:37:03.159 --> 00:37:04.359 We just take a few moments. 00:37:04.659 --> 00:37:05.639 Maybe you're not sure 00:37:05.639 --> 00:37:06.859 today about where 00:37:06.859 --> 00:37:07.500 you stand 00:37:07.500 --> 00:37:08.099 with the Lord. 00:37:09.579 --> 00:37:10.359 Maybe you've heard 00:37:10.359 --> 00:37:11.619 the gospel many times. 00:37:11.719 --> 00:37:12.819 You know the information 00:37:12.819 --> 00:37:13.739 but have you taken 00:37:13.739 --> 00:37:14.500 that information 00:37:14.500 --> 00:37:15.119 personally? 00:37:16.599 --> 00:37:17.940 Is the Holy Spirit 00:37:17.940 --> 00:37:20.719 speaking to you today? 00:37:20.940 --> 00:37:21.460 Has there been 00:37:21.460 --> 00:37:22.639 that moment in time 00:37:22.639 --> 00:37:25.639 when you recognized 00:37:25.639 --> 00:37:26.500 you were a sinner 00:37:26.500 --> 00:37:28.799 and said, 00:37:28.940 --> 00:37:29.039 Lord, 00:37:29.119 --> 00:37:29.799 I'm not placing 00:37:29.799 --> 00:37:30.839 my trust in anything 00:37:30.839 --> 00:37:32.199 else but your promise 00:37:32.199 --> 00:37:35.039 of what you've done 00:37:35.039 --> 00:37:35.599 for me? 00:37:35.739 --> 00:37:36.440 If there's never been 00:37:36.440 --> 00:37:37.219 a moment like that, 00:37:37.259 --> 00:37:38.359 I encourage you today 00:37:38.359 --> 00:37:40.359 that today would be 00:37:40.359 --> 00:37:41.139 the day you'd call 00:37:41.139 --> 00:37:41.639 upon him. 00:37:41.819 --> 00:37:42.500 There's no greater 00:37:42.500 --> 00:37:43.539 day than the day 00:37:43.539 --> 00:37:44.079 that you know 00:37:44.079 --> 00:37:45.039 that God's wrath 00:37:45.039 --> 00:37:45.980 has been removed. 00:37:46.299 --> 00:37:47.039 It's no longer 00:37:47.039 --> 00:37:47.659 upon you. 00:37:48.940 --> 00:37:49.879 What about you 00:37:49.879 --> 00:37:50.259 today?