WEBVTT

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 It is a great privilege to bring you the Word of God this evening. I want to invite you to go back to the parable of the mustard seed.

00:00:29.980 --> 00:00:46.359
 Mark 4, 30-32. Our Savior used parables, which are concrete pictures, to teach abstract ideas and truth.

00:00:47.100 --> 00:00:56.980
 Parable is a world picture. The mustard seed, as our Lord explains, is a very small seed.

00:00:56.979 --> 00:01:03.679
 But when it takes roots and begins to grow, it turns into an immense bush.

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 It is a simple picture, but with deep meaning and significant implications.

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 The mustard seed in this parable refers to the Kingdom of God in its present manifestation on earth.

00:01:52.360 --> 00:02:05.040
 The rule and leadership of God first in the hearts of believers, then in our midst as the body of Christ, and ultimately in the world.

00:02:05.040 --> 00:02:12.180
 Our Lord speaks of the Kingdom of God in three stages, or three manifestations.

00:02:12.900 --> 00:02:19.620
 First, the Kingdom of God must begin in you. It begins in our hearts.

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 The Kingdom of God begins in our hearts when the seed of the Gospel takes roots in us.

00:02:26.659 --> 00:02:31.879
 And we come to the knowledge of the Holy. We come to the knowledge of our Savior.

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 And the tomb that characterizes the human heart turns into the temple of the living God.

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 We who were naturally inclined to disobey the Lord and to rebel against the laws of God are now inclined,

00:02:51.280 --> 00:03:01.340
 also naturally by the Spirit who indwells us to obey and to follow His command and His wishes.

00:03:02.680 --> 00:03:06.060
 Now the Kingdom of God has come into our hearts.

00:03:06.520 --> 00:03:15.819
 When a group of people whose hearts the King has come into his heart, into those whose hearts the King has come,

00:03:15.819 --> 00:03:22.280
 assembled together, then we have the Kingdom of God in our midst this evening.

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 This is the Kingdom of God.

00:03:26.620 --> 00:03:35.900
 The Scripture also speaks of a day when the whole earth will be covered by the knowledge of God as the waters cover the face of the sea.

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 When evil will be covered by the earth and the face of the earth.

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 This is the Kingdom of God upon the whole earth.

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 The parable of the mustard seed is an account of the growth and expansion of the Church

00:03:57.979 --> 00:04:07.179
 from its small beginning in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost until the second coming of Christ.

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 A modest beginning but a staggering worldwide impact.

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 The Gospel, the message of our Lord to mankind, is also like a mustard seed.

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 It is simple, but when it takes roots in a person's heart, it brings about extraordinary transformation and change.

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 Not only in that person, but through that person in others like that person,

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 and ultimately transforms human societies and nations.

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 The Gospel and the body of Christ have impacted the world in incredible ways.

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 I was going about my life 38 years ago.

00:04:56.620 --> 00:04:59.459
 For the first time, I heard this message.

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 It changed my character.

00:05:04.439 --> 00:05:06.919
 It changed my perspective on life.

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 It completely changed me.

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 And changed the direction of my life.

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 And through my life, the lives of those whose lives were touched by my life,

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 was changed a ripple effect.

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 In these years that I have served our Savior,

00:05:28.779 --> 00:05:33.579
 I have seen the unfolding of this truth many times.

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 Some more dramatic than others,

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 but in every instance,

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 the conversion of a human being

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 is just as extraordinary and supernatural of an event.

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 I remember eight years ago,

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 when I was in Athens, Greece,

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 and I came in contact with a notorious criminal.

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 He was involved in drug dealing,

00:06:10.680 --> 00:06:11.879
 forging documents,

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 and you name it.

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 His name was Mohammed.

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 And he had a nickname called Laser

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 because of his prowess with his knife.

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 He would get into fights,

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 and he was very skilled with his knife,

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 and hence he had the nickname Mohammed the Laser.

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 The Lord had brought about a situation where I met him.

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 And in the course of our conversation,

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 he said,

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 since you say that you are a Christian,

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 I have heard that Christians are given a spirit

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 that gives them supernatural power.

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 I would like to have that spirit.

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 So I explained to him,

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 the spirit that he was referring to

00:07:10.279 --> 00:07:12.539
 was the Holy Spirit.

00:07:13.079 --> 00:07:14.599
 It was the Holy Spirit.

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 It was not the spirit of mischief.

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 And that spirit is only given to people

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 who believe on the Lord Jesus

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 in order to empower them

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 to follow him,

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 to obey him,

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 and to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord.

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 He said,

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 whatever it is,

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 I like to have it.

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 I explained to him again

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 the gospel.

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 And

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 the idea of the new birth.

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 And he said,

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 man, I am ready to be born again.

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 I didn't believe it.

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 But he was very insistent

00:08:01.579 --> 00:08:02.599
 that he wanted to

00:08:02.599 --> 00:08:06.019
 receive the Holy Spirit.

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 And he said,

00:08:08.180 --> 00:08:08.980
 what do I need to do?

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 I said, well,

00:08:09.719 --> 00:08:10.339
 I pray,

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 and you can follow in what I say

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 if you believe it.

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 And he did,

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 and made a profession of faith.

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 But there was a big question mark

00:08:20.500 --> 00:08:21.740
 in the back of my mind

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 as to the authenticity

00:08:25.220 --> 00:08:26.879
 and the sincerity

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 of his faith.

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 Next time,

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 and he insisted

00:08:33.560 --> 00:08:35.299
 that he did not want to have

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 any water

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 to be splattered on him.

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 And he needed,

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 he wanted to be baptized

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 in the sea.

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 So we took him to

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 the shores of Athens

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 to the Aegean Sea

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 and he was baptized.

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 To make the long story short,

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 the next time

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 I was in

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 Greece,

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 there was,

00:08:57.679 --> 00:08:58.879
 six months later,

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 an unbelievable

00:09:00.059 --> 00:09:00.899
 transformation

00:09:00.899 --> 00:09:02.399
 in the life

00:09:02.399 --> 00:09:03.579
 of Muhammad de Lazer.

00:09:06.079 --> 00:09:07.199
 When we met,

00:09:07.419 --> 00:09:07.860
 he said,

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 brother,

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 I can't,

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 with my reputation,

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 I am not able

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 to live in Athens

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 to live in Greece anymore.

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 Because my life

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 is in danger.

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 And I can't

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 use my knife,

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 I can't

00:09:21.480 --> 00:09:23.340
 defend myself.

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 So,

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 I think I'm

00:09:25.179 --> 00:09:26.460
 going to go to Germany.

00:09:27.240 --> 00:09:28.000
 Do you know

00:09:28.000 --> 00:09:28.899
 anyone in Germany?

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 And I had a friend

00:09:30.799 --> 00:09:32.340
 in Hamburg

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 and I contacted

00:09:33.580 --> 00:09:34.779
 my friend

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 and eventually

00:09:35.940 --> 00:09:37.759
 Muhammad ended up

00:09:37.759 --> 00:09:38.840
 to go

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 to Hamburg.

00:09:40.379 --> 00:09:42.620
 again,

00:09:42.759 --> 00:09:43.460
 to make the very

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 long story short,

00:09:45.240 --> 00:09:46.259
 he has become

00:09:46.259 --> 00:09:48.059
 quite an evangelist

00:09:48.059 --> 00:09:49.159
 for the Lord.

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 And his testimony

00:09:51.740 --> 00:09:52.939
 is very simple.

00:09:54.679 --> 00:09:56.139
 It is the transformation,

00:09:56.759 --> 00:09:57.379
 supernatural

00:09:57.379 --> 00:09:59.019
 transformation

00:09:59.019 --> 00:09:59.840
 that God

00:09:59.840 --> 00:10:00.500
 has brought

00:10:00.500 --> 00:10:01.679
 in the life

00:10:01.679 --> 00:10:03.139
 of this man.

00:10:03.840 --> 00:10:04.919
 He has led,

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 I don't know if he even

00:10:06.000 --> 00:10:07.200
 has a high school diploma,

00:10:07.200 --> 00:10:08.860
 but he has led

00:10:08.860 --> 00:10:10.980
 a very distinguished

00:10:10.980 --> 00:10:12.600
 biologist

00:10:12.600 --> 00:10:14.000
 in University of Hamburg

00:10:14.000 --> 00:10:14.640
 to the Lord

00:10:14.640 --> 00:10:16.280
 who looks up to him

00:10:16.280 --> 00:10:18.140
 as he is a spiritual

00:10:18.140 --> 00:10:20.060
 mentor

00:10:20.060 --> 00:10:21.259
 and a spiritual

00:10:21.259 --> 00:10:22.300
 guide.

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 I can tell you

00:10:26.360 --> 00:10:28.879
 tens of these stories

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 remarkable

00:10:30.879 --> 00:10:32.039
 supernatural

00:10:32.039 --> 00:10:33.039
 transformation

00:10:33.039 --> 00:10:34.939
 brought about

00:10:34.939 --> 00:10:36.620
 as a result

00:10:36.620 --> 00:10:37.960
 of the

00:10:37.960 --> 00:10:38.620
 gospel

00:10:38.620 --> 00:10:40.720
 and the power

00:10:40.720 --> 00:10:42.080
 of this

00:10:42.080 --> 00:10:43.120
 life-giving

00:10:43.120 --> 00:10:43.740
 message,

00:10:43.740 --> 00:10:45.220
 this little

00:10:45.220 --> 00:10:46.379
 mustard seed.

00:10:46.379 --> 00:10:49.480
 you never know

00:10:49.480 --> 00:10:50.740
 the consequences

00:10:50.740 --> 00:10:51.419
 of that

00:10:51.419 --> 00:10:52.000
 step

00:10:52.000 --> 00:10:53.120
 of faith

00:10:53.120 --> 00:10:53.539
 you took

00:10:53.539 --> 00:10:54.039
 to speak

00:10:54.039 --> 00:10:54.340
 to an

00:10:54.340 --> 00:10:54.879
 unbelieving

00:10:54.879 --> 00:10:55.480
 friend

00:10:55.480 --> 00:10:56.939
 or person,

00:10:57.539 --> 00:10:58.659
 that 30-second

00:10:58.659 --> 00:10:59.500
 encounter,

00:11:00.299 --> 00:11:01.059
 planting of the

00:11:01.059 --> 00:11:01.600
 seed of the

00:11:01.600 --> 00:11:02.000
 gospel

00:11:02.000 --> 00:11:03.480
 in a person's

00:11:03.480 --> 00:11:03.879
 heart,

00:11:04.379 --> 00:11:05.559
 where it would

00:11:05.559 --> 00:11:05.879
 lead.

00:11:05.879 --> 00:11:07.379
 the man

00:11:07.379 --> 00:11:08.059
 who gave me

00:11:08.059 --> 00:11:08.679
 the Bible

00:11:08.679 --> 00:11:10.580
 38 years ago

00:11:10.580 --> 00:11:13.200
 would have

00:11:13.200 --> 00:11:14.580
 never imagined

00:11:14.580 --> 00:11:16.419
 the consequences,

00:11:16.919 --> 00:11:17.679
 the ripple

00:11:17.679 --> 00:11:18.259
 effect

00:11:18.259 --> 00:11:19.539
 of that

00:11:19.539 --> 00:11:23.059
 stepping out

00:11:23.059 --> 00:11:23.360
 of his

00:11:23.360 --> 00:11:24.120
 comfort zone,

00:11:24.439 --> 00:11:25.320
 that 30-minute

00:11:25.320 --> 00:11:26.419
 encounter

00:11:26.419 --> 00:11:27.139
 with that

00:11:27.139 --> 00:11:28.139
 foreign student

00:11:28.139 --> 00:11:29.899
 on a university

00:11:29.899 --> 00:11:30.639
 campus in

00:11:30.639 --> 00:11:31.080
 Chicago.

00:11:32.600 --> 00:11:33.480
 A couple

00:11:33.480 --> 00:11:34.139
 of years ago,

00:11:34.139 --> 00:11:35.460
 I was in

00:11:35.460 --> 00:11:36.460
 one of our

00:11:36.460 --> 00:11:38.279
 house fellowships

00:11:38.279 --> 00:11:38.960
 in Middle East,

00:11:39.299 --> 00:11:41.360
 underground fellowships.

00:11:41.360 --> 00:11:41.980
 We are not

00:11:41.980 --> 00:11:43.059
 permitted to

00:11:43.059 --> 00:11:44.960
 worship.

00:11:47.139 --> 00:11:47.860
 Muslim

00:11:47.860 --> 00:11:48.539
 converts

00:11:48.539 --> 00:11:48.840
 to the

00:11:48.840 --> 00:11:49.639
 Christian faith

00:11:49.639 --> 00:11:50.720
 are not

00:11:50.720 --> 00:11:51.539
 permitted to

00:11:51.539 --> 00:11:52.580
 assemble together

00:11:52.580 --> 00:11:53.179
 publicly,

00:11:53.899 --> 00:11:55.059
 and if we

00:11:55.059 --> 00:11:55.639
 assemble

00:11:55.639 --> 00:11:56.500
 privately,

00:11:57.240 --> 00:11:58.139
 that is also

00:11:58.139 --> 00:11:58.600
 illegal.

00:11:59.100 --> 00:11:59.919
 If you are

00:11:59.919 --> 00:12:00.319
 caught,

00:12:00.860 --> 00:12:01.539
 your goose

00:12:01.539 --> 00:12:02.000
 is cooked.

00:12:02.220 --> 00:12:03.059
 You are going

00:12:03.059 --> 00:12:03.679
 to run into

00:12:03.679 --> 00:12:04.039
 great

00:12:04.039 --> 00:12:05.980
 difficulty.

00:12:06.539 --> 00:12:06.879
 But in

00:12:06.879 --> 00:12:07.199
 one of

00:12:07.199 --> 00:12:07.439
 these

00:12:07.439 --> 00:12:07.799
 house

00:12:07.799 --> 00:12:08.079
 groups,

00:12:08.259 --> 00:12:09.219
 I met

00:12:09.219 --> 00:12:09.799
 a man

00:12:09.799 --> 00:12:13.059
 who was

00:12:13.059 --> 00:12:13.519
 a Muslim

00:12:13.519 --> 00:12:14.179
 cleric.

00:12:14.299 --> 00:12:14.599
 He was

00:12:14.599 --> 00:12:15.259
 an imam

00:12:15.259 --> 00:12:16.719
 of a

00:12:16.719 --> 00:12:17.319
 mosque.

00:12:18.480 --> 00:12:19.179
 The story

00:12:19.179 --> 00:12:19.519
 of his

00:12:19.519 --> 00:12:19.939
 conversion

00:12:19.939 --> 00:12:20.879
 was that

00:12:20.879 --> 00:12:21.299
 he was

00:12:21.299 --> 00:12:21.779
 on his

00:12:21.779 --> 00:12:22.139
 way

00:12:22.139 --> 00:12:23.399
 to go

00:12:23.399 --> 00:12:23.719
 to the

00:12:23.719 --> 00:12:23.980
 local

00:12:23.980 --> 00:12:24.439
 mosque

00:12:24.439 --> 00:12:25.199
 to lead

00:12:25.199 --> 00:12:25.899
 the evening

00:12:25.899 --> 00:12:27.500
 communal

00:12:27.500 --> 00:12:28.039
 prayer

00:12:28.039 --> 00:12:28.799
 where they

00:12:28.799 --> 00:12:29.319
 all line

00:12:29.319 --> 00:12:30.379
 up behind

00:12:30.379 --> 00:12:31.019
 a person,

00:12:31.759 --> 00:12:32.299
 the imam.

00:12:32.299 --> 00:12:33.620
 and then

00:12:33.620 --> 00:12:34.059
 afterward

00:12:34.059 --> 00:12:35.059
 to deliver

00:12:35.059 --> 00:12:35.500
 the evening

00:12:35.500 --> 00:12:37.059
 sermon

00:12:37.059 --> 00:12:37.839
 and then

00:12:37.839 --> 00:12:38.299
 go home.

00:12:39.099 --> 00:12:39.839
 He got a

00:12:39.839 --> 00:12:40.199
 taxi

00:12:40.199 --> 00:12:41.719
 and the

00:12:41.719 --> 00:12:42.459
 taxi driver

00:12:42.459 --> 00:12:43.079
 as he

00:12:43.079 --> 00:12:43.679
 dropped him

00:12:43.679 --> 00:12:44.079
 off in

00:12:44.079 --> 00:12:44.439
 front of

00:12:44.439 --> 00:12:44.819
 the mosque

00:12:44.819 --> 00:12:45.219
 as he

00:12:45.219 --> 00:12:45.759
 opened the

00:12:45.759 --> 00:12:46.079
 door

00:12:46.079 --> 00:12:49.000
 to get

00:12:49.000 --> 00:12:49.339
 off,

00:12:49.959 --> 00:12:51.559
 this brave

00:12:51.559 --> 00:12:52.399
 taxi driver

00:12:52.399 --> 00:12:53.279
 turned around

00:12:53.279 --> 00:12:54.719
 and handed

00:12:54.719 --> 00:12:55.439
 him a book

00:12:55.439 --> 00:12:56.299
 and said to

00:12:56.299 --> 00:12:56.519
 him,

00:12:56.519 --> 00:12:57.159
 Sir,

00:12:57.679 --> 00:12:58.419
 if you

00:12:58.419 --> 00:12:59.100
 are truly

00:12:59.100 --> 00:12:59.720
 seeking

00:12:59.720 --> 00:13:00.639
 God,

00:13:00.980 --> 00:13:01.340
 you will

00:13:01.340 --> 00:13:02.000
 find him

00:13:02.000 --> 00:13:02.600
 in this

00:13:02.600 --> 00:13:02.980
 book.

00:13:03.840 --> 00:13:04.539
 Read it

00:13:04.539 --> 00:13:05.600
 and ask

00:13:05.600 --> 00:13:06.079
 God to

00:13:06.079 --> 00:13:06.639
 open your

00:13:06.639 --> 00:13:07.000
 eyes.

00:13:07.720 --> 00:13:07.939
 A

00:13:07.939 --> 00:13:08.399
 30,

00:13:08.539 --> 00:13:09.120
 25

00:13:09.120 --> 00:13:09.679
 second,

00:13:09.759 --> 00:13:10.439
 30 second

00:13:10.439 --> 00:13:11.340
 encounter.

00:13:11.740 --> 00:13:12.079
 He takes

00:13:12.079 --> 00:13:12.419
 the book,

00:13:12.600 --> 00:13:12.939
 puts it

00:13:12.939 --> 00:13:13.220
 in his

00:13:13.220 --> 00:13:13.600
 pocket,

00:13:14.319 --> 00:13:14.840
 goes off,

00:13:14.960 --> 00:13:15.460
 does his

00:13:15.460 --> 00:13:16.799
 reading of

00:13:16.799 --> 00:13:17.259
 the communal

00:13:17.259 --> 00:13:18.539
 prayer and

00:13:18.539 --> 00:13:21.220
 delivers the

00:13:21.220 --> 00:13:21.799
 sermon that

00:13:21.799 --> 00:13:22.419
 evening when

00:13:22.419 --> 00:13:23.000
 he goes to

00:13:23.000 --> 00:13:23.519
 his home

00:13:23.519 --> 00:13:24.960
 and pulls

00:13:24.960 --> 00:13:25.399
 out the

00:13:25.399 --> 00:13:26.100
 book that

00:13:26.100 --> 00:13:27.100
 he was

00:13:27.100 --> 00:13:27.419
 handed,

00:13:27.919 --> 00:13:28.399
 the taxi

00:13:28.399 --> 00:13:28.960
 driver had

00:13:28.960 --> 00:13:29.379
 handed to

00:13:29.379 --> 00:13:29.620
 him.

00:13:30.079 --> 00:13:30.500
 It says

00:13:30.500 --> 00:13:31.000
 the gospel

00:13:31.000 --> 00:13:31.559
 of Jesus

00:13:31.559 --> 00:13:33.779
 Christ and

00:13:33.779 --> 00:13:35.179
 he began

00:13:35.179 --> 00:13:36.860
 to read

00:13:36.860 --> 00:13:37.319
 the book

00:13:37.319 --> 00:13:38.639
 and what

00:13:38.639 --> 00:13:39.240
 happened to

00:13:39.240 --> 00:13:40.600
 him was

00:13:40.600 --> 00:13:41.299
 exactly what

00:13:41.299 --> 00:13:41.799
 happened to

00:13:41.799 --> 00:13:43.079
 me 38

00:13:43.079 --> 00:13:44.319
 years earlier.

00:13:44.899 --> 00:13:45.360
 He said

00:13:45.360 --> 00:13:47.559
 he recognized

00:13:47.559 --> 00:13:48.279
 all of his

00:13:48.279 --> 00:13:50.279
 training and

00:13:50.279 --> 00:13:50.980
 all that he

00:13:50.980 --> 00:13:52.159
 had done was

00:13:52.159 --> 00:13:52.840
 a complete

00:13:52.840 --> 00:13:53.660
 waste in

00:13:53.660 --> 00:13:54.000
 the eyes

00:13:54.000 --> 00:13:54.500
 of God.

00:13:55.180 --> 00:13:55.600
 And so

00:13:55.600 --> 00:13:55.940
 he took

00:13:55.940 --> 00:13:56.580
 his turban

00:13:56.580 --> 00:13:57.420
 and his

00:13:57.420 --> 00:13:58.660
 gown and

00:13:58.660 --> 00:13:59.120
 he burned

00:13:59.120 --> 00:14:00.480
 it and

00:14:00.480 --> 00:14:01.720
 moved from

00:14:01.720 --> 00:14:02.460
 where he was

00:14:02.460 --> 00:14:02.840
 to another

00:14:02.840 --> 00:14:04.240
 city and

00:14:04.240 --> 00:14:04.800
 he came in

00:14:04.800 --> 00:14:05.860
 contact with

00:14:05.860 --> 00:14:06.460
 the underground

00:14:06.460 --> 00:14:07.960
 church and

00:14:07.960 --> 00:14:08.519
 because of

00:14:08.519 --> 00:14:09.060
 his past

00:14:09.060 --> 00:14:09.639
 training,

00:14:10.060 --> 00:14:10.399
 he's very

00:14:10.399 --> 00:14:12.040
 articulate and

00:14:12.040 --> 00:14:12.759
 now he

00:14:12.759 --> 00:14:13.560
 has the

00:14:13.560 --> 00:14:14.320
 responsibility

00:14:14.320 --> 00:14:15.920
 of three of

00:14:15.920 --> 00:14:16.860
 these underground

00:14:16.860 --> 00:14:18.240
 fellowships.

00:14:18.400 --> 00:14:19.019
 And if

00:14:19.019 --> 00:14:19.580
 he's ever

00:14:19.580 --> 00:14:20.160
 caught,

00:14:20.500 --> 00:14:20.820
 they would

00:14:20.820 --> 00:14:21.440
 relish

00:14:21.440 --> 00:14:25.020
 chopping up

00:14:25.020 --> 00:14:25.700
 such a person

00:14:25.700 --> 00:14:26.140
 into a

00:14:26.140 --> 00:14:26.420
 thousand

00:14:26.420 --> 00:14:26.900
 piece.

00:14:27.580 --> 00:14:28.080
 But these

00:14:28.080 --> 00:14:30.800
 are just

00:14:30.800 --> 00:14:31.780
 sinful

00:14:31.780 --> 00:14:34.140
 examples of

00:14:34.140 --> 00:14:34.860
 the truth

00:14:34.860 --> 00:14:36.440
 of what

00:14:36.440 --> 00:14:37.140
 our Savior

00:14:37.140 --> 00:14:38.060
 is speaking

00:14:38.060 --> 00:14:38.500
 of.

00:14:39.200 --> 00:14:40.120
 A little

00:14:40.120 --> 00:14:41.680
 mustard seed

00:14:41.680 --> 00:14:43.320
 with profound

00:14:43.320 --> 00:14:44.620
 impact and

00:14:44.620 --> 00:14:45.020
 effect.

00:14:45.019 --> 00:14:49.360
 in the

00:14:49.360 --> 00:14:49.899
 gospel of

00:14:49.899 --> 00:14:50.199
 Matthew,

00:14:50.340 --> 00:14:50.919
 the parable

00:14:50.919 --> 00:14:51.319
 of the

00:14:51.319 --> 00:14:52.019
 mustard seed

00:14:52.019 --> 00:14:53.199
 is followed

00:14:53.199 --> 00:14:54.740
 by another

00:14:54.740 --> 00:14:55.539
 parable which

00:14:55.539 --> 00:14:56.259
 speaks of the

00:14:56.259 --> 00:14:57.120
 impact of the

00:14:57.120 --> 00:14:58.319
 church in

00:14:58.319 --> 00:14:58.960
 our world.

00:14:59.799 --> 00:15:00.399
 In Matthew,

00:15:01.079 --> 00:15:02.000
 we are told,

00:15:02.600 --> 00:15:03.299
 he told them

00:15:03.299 --> 00:15:04.179
 another parable,

00:15:04.860 --> 00:15:05.240
 the kingdom

00:15:05.240 --> 00:15:06.620
 of heaven is

00:15:06.620 --> 00:15:08.120
 like leaven

00:15:08.120 --> 00:15:10.000
 that a

00:15:10.000 --> 00:15:10.820
 woman took

00:15:10.820 --> 00:15:11.919
 and hid

00:15:11.919 --> 00:15:13.039
 in three

00:15:13.039 --> 00:15:14.000
 measures of

00:15:14.000 --> 00:15:14.379
 flour

00:15:14.379 --> 00:15:15.600
 till it

00:15:15.600 --> 00:15:16.299
 was all

00:15:16.299 --> 00:15:17.259
 leavened.

00:15:17.600 --> 00:15:18.440
 Matthew 13,

00:15:18.740 --> 00:15:19.360
 33.

00:15:20.860 --> 00:15:21.700
 No

00:15:21.700 --> 00:15:22.539
 religion,

00:15:23.159 --> 00:15:24.279
 no idea,

00:15:25.279 --> 00:15:26.200
 no philosophy

00:15:26.200 --> 00:15:26.759
 in the

00:15:26.759 --> 00:15:27.960
 history of

00:15:27.960 --> 00:15:29.139
 humankind

00:15:29.139 --> 00:15:30.500
 has had

00:15:30.500 --> 00:15:31.060
 such an

00:15:31.060 --> 00:15:31.879
 expansive,

00:15:32.960 --> 00:15:33.879
 significant,

00:15:34.940 --> 00:15:35.659
 positive,

00:15:35.659 --> 00:15:36.539
 and beneficial

00:15:36.539 --> 00:15:38.179
 influence in

00:15:38.179 --> 00:15:38.579
 the world.

00:15:39.419 --> 00:15:40.259
 I will be

00:15:40.259 --> 00:15:41.079
 standing here

00:15:41.079 --> 00:15:41.740
 until next

00:15:41.740 --> 00:15:42.199
 week,

00:15:43.059 --> 00:15:43.759
 reading the

00:15:43.759 --> 00:15:44.659
 list of

00:15:44.659 --> 00:15:45.639
 hospitals,

00:15:46.719 --> 00:15:47.240
 schools,

00:15:48.159 --> 00:15:48.980
 universities,

00:15:49.799 --> 00:15:50.559
 orphanages,

00:15:51.219 --> 00:15:51.779
 humanitarian

00:15:51.779 --> 00:15:52.779
 organizations,

00:15:53.639 --> 00:15:54.199
 humanitarian

00:15:54.199 --> 00:15:55.299
 undertakings

00:15:55.299 --> 00:15:56.319
 throughout the

00:15:56.319 --> 00:15:56.699
 world,

00:15:56.899 --> 00:15:57.699
 which all

00:15:57.699 --> 00:15:58.879
 have been

00:15:58.879 --> 00:16:01.079
 the byproducts

00:16:01.079 --> 00:16:01.639
 of the

00:16:01.639 --> 00:16:02.139
 gospel

00:16:02.139 --> 00:16:03.500
 and

00:16:03.500 --> 00:16:04.159
 Christian

00:16:04.159 --> 00:16:04.620
 church.

00:16:04.620 --> 00:16:06.320
 just

00:16:06.320 --> 00:16:07.060
 imagine

00:16:07.060 --> 00:16:08.000
 hundreds

00:16:08.000 --> 00:16:08.399
 of

00:16:08.399 --> 00:16:09.019
 thousands

00:16:09.019 --> 00:16:09.679
 if not

00:16:09.679 --> 00:16:10.600
 millions

00:16:10.600 --> 00:16:10.980
 of

00:16:10.980 --> 00:16:11.679
 missionaries

00:16:11.679 --> 00:16:12.560
 who have

00:16:12.560 --> 00:16:13.340
 taken the

00:16:13.340 --> 00:16:14.440
 light of

00:16:14.440 --> 00:16:14.960
 the gospel

00:16:14.960 --> 00:16:15.960
 into some

00:16:15.960 --> 00:16:16.240
 of the

00:16:16.240 --> 00:16:16.799
 darkest

00:16:16.799 --> 00:16:17.720
 corners

00:16:17.720 --> 00:16:18.320
 of the

00:16:18.320 --> 00:16:18.620
 world

00:16:18.620 --> 00:16:19.940
 and in

00:16:19.940 --> 00:16:20.440
 the process

00:16:20.440 --> 00:16:20.919
 some of

00:16:20.919 --> 00:16:21.240
 them have

00:16:21.240 --> 00:16:21.720
 given their

00:16:21.720 --> 00:16:22.139
 lives

00:16:22.139 --> 00:16:22.940
 for

00:16:22.940 --> 00:16:23.720
 betterment

00:16:23.720 --> 00:16:24.460
 of

00:16:24.460 --> 00:16:25.039
 others.

00:16:27.000 --> 00:16:28.019
 There are

00:16:28.019 --> 00:16:28.460
 people

00:16:28.460 --> 00:16:29.700
 who came

00:16:29.700 --> 00:16:30.159
 into

00:16:30.159 --> 00:16:31.120
 our world

00:16:31.120 --> 00:16:32.580
 and

00:16:32.580 --> 00:16:33.179
 they

00:16:33.179 --> 00:16:33.720
 brought

00:16:33.720 --> 00:16:34.679
 with

00:16:34.679 --> 00:16:34.919
 their

00:16:34.919 --> 00:16:35.340
 poisonous

00:16:35.340 --> 00:16:36.179
 ideas

00:16:36.179 --> 00:16:37.539
 misery

00:16:37.539 --> 00:16:38.200
 after

00:16:38.200 --> 00:16:38.639
 misery

00:16:38.639 --> 00:16:39.460
 to

00:16:39.460 --> 00:16:40.080
 humanity

00:16:40.080 --> 00:16:41.460
 and we

00:16:41.460 --> 00:16:41.840
 think

00:16:41.840 --> 00:16:42.799
 what a

00:16:42.799 --> 00:16:43.039
 better

00:16:43.039 --> 00:16:43.379
 world

00:16:43.379 --> 00:16:43.700
 we would

00:16:43.700 --> 00:16:43.860
 have

00:16:43.860 --> 00:16:44.279
 had

00:16:44.279 --> 00:16:44.940
 if

00:16:44.940 --> 00:16:45.240
 such

00:16:45.240 --> 00:16:45.700
 people

00:16:45.700 --> 00:16:46.379
 would

00:16:46.379 --> 00:16:46.560
 have

00:16:46.560 --> 00:16:46.879
 never

00:16:46.879 --> 00:16:47.120
 been

00:16:47.120 --> 00:16:47.460
 born.

00:16:49.139 --> 00:16:49.460
 But

00:16:49.460 --> 00:16:49.840
 for a

00:16:49.840 --> 00:16:50.259
 moment

00:16:50.259 --> 00:16:51.019
 imagine

00:16:51.019 --> 00:16:51.659
 a world

00:16:51.659 --> 00:16:52.879
 in which

00:16:52.879 --> 00:16:53.360
 the Lord

00:16:53.360 --> 00:16:53.799
 Jesus

00:16:53.799 --> 00:16:54.639
 would have

00:16:54.639 --> 00:16:54.879
 not

00:16:54.879 --> 00:16:55.279
 come.

00:16:55.279 --> 00:16:57.139
 a world

00:16:57.139 --> 00:16:58.699
 without

00:16:58.699 --> 00:16:59.659
 the Church

00:16:59.659 --> 00:17:00.240
 of Jesus

00:17:00.240 --> 00:17:00.799
 Christ

00:17:00.799 --> 00:17:01.720
 in spite

00:17:01.720 --> 00:17:02.100
 of

00:17:02.100 --> 00:17:02.819
 all

00:17:02.819 --> 00:17:03.039
 its

00:17:03.039 --> 00:17:03.980
 imperfections.

00:17:05.819 --> 00:17:06.180
 There are

00:17:06.180 --> 00:17:06.740
 people who

00:17:06.740 --> 00:17:07.119
 say

00:17:07.119 --> 00:17:08.319
 the Church

00:17:08.319 --> 00:17:09.000
 has lost

00:17:09.000 --> 00:17:09.660
 its voice.

00:17:10.519 --> 00:17:10.799
 It has

00:17:10.799 --> 00:17:11.480
 no place

00:17:11.480 --> 00:17:12.480
 in the

00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:13.200
 modern world.

00:17:14.160 --> 00:17:14.839
 It is

00:17:14.839 --> 00:17:15.319
 obsolete.

00:17:16.379 --> 00:17:17.160
 I disagree.

00:17:18.259 --> 00:17:18.539
 This

00:17:18.539 --> 00:17:19.200
 message

00:17:19.200 --> 00:17:20.339
 this

00:17:20.339 --> 00:17:21.180
 mustard seed

00:17:21.180 --> 00:17:22.480
 this

00:17:22.480 --> 00:17:23.039
 Church

00:17:23.039 --> 00:17:24.180
 has not

00:17:24.180 --> 00:17:24.599
 lost

00:17:24.599 --> 00:17:25.419
 its potency.

00:17:26.019 --> 00:17:26.480
 It is

00:17:26.480 --> 00:17:27.419
 timeless.

00:17:28.139 --> 00:17:28.619
 It is

00:17:28.619 --> 00:17:29.059
 the most

00:17:29.059 --> 00:17:29.759
 beautiful

00:17:29.759 --> 00:17:30.439
 message

00:17:30.439 --> 00:17:31.199
 ever.

00:17:32.019 --> 00:17:32.439
 It is

00:17:32.439 --> 00:17:32.659
 as

00:17:32.659 --> 00:17:33.399
 needful

00:17:33.399 --> 00:17:34.159
 as

00:17:34.159 --> 00:17:34.879
 oxygen

00:17:34.879 --> 00:17:35.480
 to a

00:17:35.480 --> 00:17:35.699
 living

00:17:35.699 --> 00:17:36.299
 organism.

00:17:37.500 --> 00:17:37.699
 The

00:17:37.699 --> 00:17:38.059
 Gospel

00:17:38.059 --> 00:17:38.480
 and the

00:17:38.480 --> 00:17:38.839
 Church

00:17:38.839 --> 00:17:39.819
 are as

00:17:39.819 --> 00:17:40.359
 irrelevant

00:17:40.359 --> 00:17:41.299
 today

00:17:41.299 --> 00:17:42.139
 as they

00:17:42.139 --> 00:17:42.279
 were

00:17:42.279 --> 00:17:42.779
 2,000

00:17:42.779 --> 00:17:43.359
 years ago.

00:17:45.619 --> 00:17:46.399
 Look

00:17:46.399 --> 00:17:46.719
 at our

00:17:46.719 --> 00:17:47.119
 world.

00:17:48.599 --> 00:17:48.879
 Look

00:17:48.879 --> 00:17:49.179
 at the

00:17:49.179 --> 00:17:49.839
 violence,

00:17:50.980 --> 00:17:51.139
 the

00:17:51.139 --> 00:17:51.859
 decadence,

00:17:52.699 --> 00:17:53.339
 fraud,

00:17:54.159 --> 00:17:54.579
 deception,

00:17:54.599 --> 00:17:55.919
 corruption,

00:17:55.919 --> 00:17:57.419
 lawlessness,

00:17:58.259 --> 00:17:58.919
 injustice,

00:17:59.559 --> 00:18:00.379
 hopelessness,

00:18:00.939 --> 00:18:01.919
 confusion which

00:18:01.919 --> 00:18:03.000
 characterizes it.

00:18:03.959 --> 00:18:04.559
 All

00:18:04.559 --> 00:18:05.359
 results of

00:18:05.359 --> 00:18:05.679
 either

00:18:05.679 --> 00:18:06.480
 ignorance

00:18:06.480 --> 00:18:07.259
 and

00:18:07.259 --> 00:18:07.939
 spiritual

00:18:07.939 --> 00:18:09.019
 darkness

00:18:09.019 --> 00:18:10.759
 or those

00:18:10.759 --> 00:18:11.099
 who have

00:18:11.099 --> 00:18:11.639
 turned their

00:18:11.639 --> 00:18:12.039
 back

00:18:12.039 --> 00:18:13.039
 upon the

00:18:13.039 --> 00:18:13.679
 light of

00:18:13.679 --> 00:18:14.139
 the world.

00:18:15.519 --> 00:18:16.159
 If the

00:18:16.159 --> 00:18:16.719
 restraining

00:18:16.719 --> 00:18:17.319
 power of

00:18:17.319 --> 00:18:17.719
 the Holy

00:18:17.719 --> 00:18:18.279
 Spirit

00:18:18.279 --> 00:18:19.740
 who dwells

00:18:19.740 --> 00:18:20.019
 in the

00:18:20.019 --> 00:18:20.379
 hearts

00:18:20.379 --> 00:18:21.159
 of God's

00:18:21.159 --> 00:18:21.559
 people,

00:18:22.279 --> 00:18:22.480
 these

00:18:22.480 --> 00:18:23.059
 temples

00:18:23.059 --> 00:18:24.079
 of the

00:18:24.079 --> 00:18:24.379
 living

00:18:24.379 --> 00:18:24.799
 God

00:18:24.799 --> 00:18:25.500
 were to

00:18:25.500 --> 00:18:26.200
 be removed,

00:18:27.079 --> 00:18:27.500
 men

00:18:27.500 --> 00:18:27.799
 will

00:18:27.799 --> 00:18:28.379
 completely

00:18:28.379 --> 00:18:28.879
 destroy

00:18:28.879 --> 00:18:29.319
 life

00:18:29.319 --> 00:18:30.220
 on this

00:18:30.220 --> 00:18:30.599
 planet.

00:18:31.659 --> 00:18:32.259
 Look at

00:18:32.259 --> 00:18:32.519
 those

00:18:32.519 --> 00:18:33.139
 nations,

00:18:34.480 --> 00:18:35.079
 societies,

00:18:35.539 --> 00:18:36.700
 which are

00:18:36.700 --> 00:18:37.179
 without

00:18:37.179 --> 00:18:37.799
 Christ

00:18:37.799 --> 00:18:39.379
 and benefit

00:18:39.379 --> 00:18:39.819
 of his

00:18:39.819 --> 00:18:40.259
 Church,

00:18:41.259 --> 00:18:41.700
 and then

00:18:41.700 --> 00:18:42.519
 compare those

00:18:42.519 --> 00:18:43.119
 societies

00:18:43.119 --> 00:18:44.399
 with those

00:18:44.399 --> 00:18:45.019
 in which the

00:18:45.019 --> 00:18:45.460
 Gospel

00:18:45.460 --> 00:18:46.759
 and the

00:18:46.759 --> 00:18:47.279
 people of

00:18:47.279 --> 00:18:47.620
 God

00:18:47.620 --> 00:18:48.660
 have been

00:18:48.660 --> 00:18:49.240
 a dominant

00:18:49.240 --> 00:18:50.240
 force.

00:18:51.500 --> 00:18:52.140
 What a

00:18:52.140 --> 00:18:52.640
 gift

00:18:52.640 --> 00:18:54.039
 Christ

00:18:54.039 --> 00:18:55.079
 and his

00:18:55.079 --> 00:18:55.579
 Church

00:18:55.579 --> 00:18:56.759
 are to

00:18:56.759 --> 00:18:57.480
 a society.

00:18:59.160 --> 00:18:59.880
 The

00:18:59.880 --> 00:19:00.360
 body of

00:19:00.360 --> 00:19:00.840
 Christ

00:19:00.840 --> 00:19:01.940
 is the

00:19:01.940 --> 00:19:02.360
 anchor

00:19:02.360 --> 00:19:03.059
 which holds

00:19:03.059 --> 00:19:03.960
 this Babylon,

00:19:04.840 --> 00:19:05.299
 the city

00:19:05.299 --> 00:19:05.799
 of man,

00:19:05.920 --> 00:19:06.600
 from judgment

00:19:06.600 --> 00:19:07.980
 and ruin.

00:19:09.279 --> 00:19:09.600
 This

00:19:09.600 --> 00:19:10.279
 seed is

00:19:10.279 --> 00:19:11.440
 not just

00:19:11.440 --> 00:19:12.220
 a seed,

00:19:12.220 --> 00:19:13.600
 it is

00:19:13.600 --> 00:19:14.220
 a treasure,

00:19:15.380 --> 00:19:15.819
 it is

00:19:15.819 --> 00:19:16.299
 the most

00:19:16.299 --> 00:19:17.160
 valuable

00:19:17.160 --> 00:19:18.279
 gift.

00:19:19.440 --> 00:19:19.799
 It is

00:19:19.799 --> 00:19:20.460
 important that

00:19:20.460 --> 00:19:21.200
 we understand

00:19:21.200 --> 00:19:21.759
 this truth.

00:19:21.900 --> 00:19:22.620
 People think

00:19:22.620 --> 00:19:23.519
 they do

00:19:23.519 --> 00:19:24.039
 God's

00:19:24.039 --> 00:19:24.420
 favor

00:19:24.420 --> 00:19:25.339
 when they

00:19:25.339 --> 00:19:26.740
 come to

00:19:26.740 --> 00:19:27.140
 Church

00:19:27.140 --> 00:19:27.660
 or when

00:19:27.660 --> 00:19:28.819
 they make

00:19:28.819 --> 00:19:29.319
 a profession

00:19:29.319 --> 00:19:29.980
 of faith,

00:19:30.880 --> 00:19:31.400
 when in

00:19:31.400 --> 00:19:31.759
 fact,

00:19:31.900 --> 00:19:32.299
 those of

00:19:32.299 --> 00:19:32.779
 us who

00:19:32.779 --> 00:19:33.799
 know the

00:19:33.799 --> 00:19:34.100
 Lord

00:19:34.100 --> 00:19:34.980
 and have

00:19:34.980 --> 00:19:35.420
 been the

00:19:35.420 --> 00:19:35.940
 recipient

00:19:35.940 --> 00:19:36.740
 of the

00:19:36.740 --> 00:19:38.039
 greatest

00:19:38.039 --> 00:19:40.539
 favor

00:19:40.539 --> 00:19:41.779
 and the

00:19:41.779 --> 00:19:42.099
 greatest

00:19:42.099 --> 00:19:42.599
 gift.

00:19:43.680 --> 00:19:44.359
 Let me

00:19:44.359 --> 00:19:45.019
 read to

00:19:45.019 --> 00:19:45.680
 you these

00:19:45.680 --> 00:19:46.440
 verses.

00:19:47.799 --> 00:19:48.359
 Paul,

00:19:48.680 --> 00:19:49.180
 reminding

00:19:49.180 --> 00:19:49.759
 Corinthians

00:19:49.759 --> 00:19:51.039
 of this

00:19:51.039 --> 00:19:51.480
 great

00:19:51.480 --> 00:19:51.879
 gift,

00:19:52.099 --> 00:19:52.420
 writes,

00:19:53.539 --> 00:19:53.960
 but we

00:19:53.960 --> 00:19:54.579
 have this

00:19:54.579 --> 00:19:55.039
 treasure

00:19:55.039 --> 00:19:56.920
 in earthen

00:19:56.920 --> 00:19:57.339
 vessels,

00:19:57.559 --> 00:19:58.039
 in jars

00:19:58.039 --> 00:19:58.639
 of clay,

00:19:59.680 --> 00:20:00.220
 to show

00:20:00.220 --> 00:20:00.639
 that the

00:20:00.639 --> 00:20:01.259
 surpassing

00:20:01.259 --> 00:20:01.819
 power

00:20:01.819 --> 00:20:03.159
 belongs

00:20:03.159 --> 00:20:03.779
 to God

00:20:03.779 --> 00:20:04.839
 and not

00:20:04.839 --> 00:20:05.420
 to us.

00:20:06.200 --> 00:20:07.059
 2 Corinthians

00:20:07.059 --> 00:20:07.859
 4, 7

00:20:07.859 --> 00:20:09.039
 Treasure.

00:20:09.039 --> 00:20:10.879
 Our

00:20:10.879 --> 00:20:11.180
 Savior

00:20:11.180 --> 00:20:11.940
 himself,

00:20:12.259 --> 00:20:12.759
 speaking,

00:20:13.539 --> 00:20:13.920
 says,

00:20:14.740 --> 00:20:15.139
 The kingdom

00:20:15.139 --> 00:20:15.839
 of heaven

00:20:15.839 --> 00:20:17.119
 is like

00:20:17.119 --> 00:20:17.940
 treasure

00:20:17.940 --> 00:20:18.680
 hidden in

00:20:18.680 --> 00:20:19.220
 a field,

00:20:19.980 --> 00:20:20.659
 which a

00:20:20.659 --> 00:20:21.460
 man found

00:20:21.460 --> 00:20:22.220
 and covered

00:20:22.220 --> 00:20:22.579
 up.

00:20:23.619 --> 00:20:24.099
 Then in

00:20:24.099 --> 00:20:24.720
 his joy

00:20:24.720 --> 00:20:25.319
 he goes

00:20:25.319 --> 00:20:25.899
 and sells

00:20:25.899 --> 00:20:26.940
 all that

00:20:26.940 --> 00:20:27.619
 he has

00:20:27.619 --> 00:20:28.899
 and buys

00:20:28.899 --> 00:20:29.619
 that field.

00:20:30.299 --> 00:20:30.659
 Matthew

00:20:30.659 --> 00:20:31.819
 13, 44.

00:20:32.339 --> 00:20:32.779
 The man

00:20:32.779 --> 00:20:33.399
 goes and

00:20:33.399 --> 00:20:33.740
 sells

00:20:33.740 --> 00:20:34.619
 everything

00:20:34.619 --> 00:20:35.379
 he has.

00:20:36.220 --> 00:20:36.740
 What this

00:20:36.740 --> 00:20:37.960
 action implies

00:20:37.960 --> 00:20:38.319
 in this

00:20:38.319 --> 00:20:38.819
 story,

00:20:39.039 --> 00:20:39.980
 is how

00:20:39.980 --> 00:20:40.819
 valuable

00:20:40.819 --> 00:20:42.119
 this treasure

00:20:42.119 --> 00:20:42.720
 is.

00:20:44.480 --> 00:20:45.500
 It is in

00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:45.920
 view of

00:20:45.920 --> 00:20:46.720
 this truth

00:20:46.720 --> 00:20:48.460
 that the

00:20:48.460 --> 00:20:49.359
 Apostle Paul

00:20:49.359 --> 00:20:50.220
 says,

00:20:51.019 --> 00:20:51.700
 But whatever

00:20:51.700 --> 00:20:52.639
 gain I

00:20:52.639 --> 00:20:53.099
 had,

00:20:53.680 --> 00:20:54.440
 I counted

00:20:54.440 --> 00:20:55.099
 as loss

00:20:55.099 --> 00:20:56.119
 for the

00:20:56.119 --> 00:20:56.519
 sake of

00:20:56.519 --> 00:20:56.980
 Christ.

00:20:57.879 --> 00:20:58.359
 Indeed,

00:20:58.500 --> 00:20:59.019
 I count

00:20:59.019 --> 00:20:59.759
 everything

00:20:59.759 --> 00:21:01.240
 as loss

00:21:01.240 --> 00:21:02.359
 because of

00:21:02.359 --> 00:21:03.200
 the surpassing

00:21:03.200 --> 00:21:04.519
 worth of

00:21:04.519 --> 00:21:05.559
 knowing Christ

00:21:05.559 --> 00:21:06.139
 Jesus,

00:21:06.339 --> 00:21:06.859
 my Lord.

00:21:06.859 --> 00:21:08.359
 for his

00:21:08.359 --> 00:21:09.500
 sake I

00:21:09.500 --> 00:21:10.019
 have suffered

00:21:10.019 --> 00:21:10.479
 the loss

00:21:10.479 --> 00:21:11.039
 of all

00:21:11.039 --> 00:21:12.119
 things and

00:21:12.119 --> 00:21:12.799
 count them

00:21:12.799 --> 00:21:13.779
 as rubbish

00:21:13.779 --> 00:21:14.979
 in order

00:21:14.979 --> 00:21:15.379
 that I

00:21:15.379 --> 00:21:15.899
 may gain

00:21:15.899 --> 00:21:16.519
 Christ

00:21:16.519 --> 00:21:17.619
 and be

00:21:17.619 --> 00:21:18.539
 found in

00:21:18.539 --> 00:21:18.819
 him.

00:21:19.379 --> 00:21:20.139
 What a

00:21:20.139 --> 00:21:20.919
 tremendous

00:21:20.919 --> 00:21:22.259
 gift has

00:21:22.259 --> 00:21:22.879
 been extended

00:21:22.879 --> 00:21:23.379
 to us,

00:21:23.439 --> 00:21:23.779
 has been

00:21:23.779 --> 00:21:24.279
 given to

00:21:24.279 --> 00:21:24.659
 us,

00:21:24.799 --> 00:21:25.799
 who believe.

00:21:27.219 --> 00:21:27.740
 Again,

00:21:27.859 --> 00:21:28.379
 our Lord is

00:21:28.379 --> 00:21:28.740
 speaking,

00:21:28.740 --> 00:21:29.940
 the kingdom

00:21:29.940 --> 00:21:30.579
 of heaven

00:21:30.579 --> 00:21:31.819
 is like

00:21:31.819 --> 00:21:32.500
 a merchant

00:21:32.500 --> 00:21:33.240
 in search

00:21:33.240 --> 00:21:33.900
 of fine

00:21:33.900 --> 00:21:34.819
 pearls,

00:21:35.980 --> 00:21:36.339
 who on

00:21:36.339 --> 00:21:37.220
 finding one

00:21:37.220 --> 00:21:37.799
 pearl of

00:21:37.799 --> 00:21:38.819
 great value,

00:21:39.680 --> 00:21:40.460
 went and

00:21:40.460 --> 00:21:41.299
 sold all

00:21:41.299 --> 00:21:41.740
 that he

00:21:41.740 --> 00:21:43.160
 had and

00:21:43.160 --> 00:21:44.039
 bought it.

00:21:45.319 --> 00:21:46.140
 In his

00:21:46.140 --> 00:21:46.940
 prayer in

00:21:46.940 --> 00:21:47.920
 John 17,

00:21:48.859 --> 00:21:49.440
 our Savior

00:21:49.440 --> 00:21:50.019
 says,

00:21:50.819 --> 00:21:51.400
 And this

00:21:51.400 --> 00:21:52.620
 is eternal

00:21:52.620 --> 00:21:53.200
 life,

00:21:54.059 --> 00:21:54.620
 the greatest

00:21:54.620 --> 00:21:55.140
 gift,

00:21:55.720 --> 00:21:56.460
 that they

00:21:56.460 --> 00:21:56.900
 may know

00:21:56.900 --> 00:21:57.220
 you,

00:21:57.380 --> 00:21:57.720
 the only

00:21:57.720 --> 00:21:58.400
 true God,

00:21:58.920 --> 00:21:59.480
 and Jesus

00:21:59.480 --> 00:22:00.059
 Christ,

00:22:00.500 --> 00:22:00.880
 whom you

00:22:00.880 --> 00:22:01.460
 have sent.

00:22:03.019 --> 00:22:04.039
 This seed

00:22:04.039 --> 00:22:04.900
 of life

00:22:04.900 --> 00:22:06.360
 planted in

00:22:06.360 --> 00:22:07.000
 each of our

00:22:07.000 --> 00:22:07.500
 hearts,

00:22:08.019 --> 00:22:08.519
 we call the

00:22:08.519 --> 00:22:08.960
 gospel,

00:22:09.299 --> 00:22:09.720
 the knowledge

00:22:09.720 --> 00:22:10.240
 of God,

00:22:10.680 --> 00:22:11.360
 through Jesus

00:22:11.360 --> 00:22:11.860
 Christ,

00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:12.420
 our Lord.

00:22:13.039 --> 00:22:14.180
 This organism

00:22:14.180 --> 00:22:15.259
 that we call

00:22:15.259 --> 00:22:15.920
 the body of

00:22:15.920 --> 00:22:16.339
 Christ,

00:22:16.940 --> 00:22:17.700
 are the most

00:22:17.700 --> 00:22:18.559
 cherished

00:22:18.559 --> 00:22:19.940
 gift given

00:22:19.940 --> 00:22:20.440
 to any

00:22:20.440 --> 00:22:20.920
 person,

00:22:21.559 --> 00:22:22.279
 to any

00:22:22.279 --> 00:22:22.920
 society.

00:22:23.940 --> 00:22:24.420
 And we

00:22:24.420 --> 00:22:24.860
 must not

00:22:24.860 --> 00:22:26.339
 forget that

00:22:26.339 --> 00:22:26.940
 it is a

00:22:26.940 --> 00:22:27.319
 gift,

00:22:27.720 --> 00:22:28.660
 it is an

00:22:28.660 --> 00:22:29.960
 unimaginable

00:22:29.960 --> 00:22:30.920
 blessing.

00:22:31.819 --> 00:22:32.940
 It is like

00:22:32.940 --> 00:22:33.940
 a gift of

00:22:33.940 --> 00:22:34.720
 sight to a

00:22:34.720 --> 00:22:35.339
 blind man.

00:22:36.019 --> 00:22:36.660
 It is like

00:22:36.660 --> 00:22:37.160
 saying to

00:22:37.160 --> 00:22:37.680
 an Afghan,

00:22:38.400 --> 00:22:38.900
 do you want

00:22:38.900 --> 00:22:39.279
 to live in

00:22:39.279 --> 00:22:39.839
 New York

00:22:39.839 --> 00:22:40.339
 or in

00:22:40.339 --> 00:22:40.660
 London?

00:22:41.480 --> 00:22:41.900
 It is

00:22:41.900 --> 00:22:42.819
 incomparable

00:22:42.819 --> 00:22:43.940
 gift.

00:22:45.019 --> 00:22:45.980
 This message

00:22:45.980 --> 00:22:47.059
 we call the

00:22:47.059 --> 00:22:47.880
 gospel of our

00:22:47.880 --> 00:22:48.480
 Lord Jesus

00:22:48.480 --> 00:22:49.100
 Christ

00:22:49.100 --> 00:22:51.460
 is timelessly

00:22:51.460 --> 00:22:52.400
 relevant.

00:22:53.839 --> 00:22:54.420
 It is the

00:22:54.420 --> 00:22:55.360
 most beautiful

00:22:55.360 --> 00:22:56.019
 message

00:22:56.019 --> 00:22:58.799
 message of

00:22:58.799 --> 00:23:00.400
 life in a

00:23:00.400 --> 00:23:01.579
 world obsessed

00:23:01.579 --> 00:23:02.279
 with death.

00:23:03.279 --> 00:23:03.740
 A message

00:23:03.740 --> 00:23:05.259
 of love in

00:23:05.259 --> 00:23:06.660
 a world filled

00:23:06.660 --> 00:23:07.660
 with hatefulness.

00:23:08.960 --> 00:23:09.639
 A message of

00:23:09.639 --> 00:23:11.259
 forgiveness in

00:23:11.259 --> 00:23:12.019
 a world where

00:23:12.019 --> 00:23:12.759
 men are

00:23:12.759 --> 00:23:14.240
 determined to

00:23:14.240 --> 00:23:15.319
 exact revenge.

00:23:16.319 --> 00:23:17.420
 A message of

00:23:17.420 --> 00:23:18.960
 hope in a

00:23:18.960 --> 00:23:19.779
 world drowning

00:23:19.779 --> 00:23:20.559
 in despair.

00:23:21.559 --> 00:23:22.420
 A message of

00:23:22.420 --> 00:23:23.960
 peace in a

00:23:23.960 --> 00:23:24.579
 world in

00:23:24.579 --> 00:23:25.120
 grips of

00:23:25.120 --> 00:23:25.799
 violence,

00:23:26.600 --> 00:23:27.039
 turmoil,

00:23:27.620 --> 00:23:28.440
 and destruction.

00:23:29.539 --> 00:23:30.240
 A message of

00:23:30.240 --> 00:23:31.640
 truth in a

00:23:31.640 --> 00:23:32.400
 world filled

00:23:32.400 --> 00:23:33.380
 with falsehood

00:23:33.380 --> 00:23:34.860
 and superstition.

00:23:35.900 --> 00:23:36.640
 A message of

00:23:36.640 --> 00:23:38.200
 freedom from

00:23:38.200 --> 00:23:39.140
 the bondage

00:23:39.140 --> 00:23:39.900
 and addiction

00:23:39.900 --> 00:23:41.059
 to sin.

00:23:41.740 --> 00:23:42.360
 The most

00:23:42.360 --> 00:23:43.180
 beautiful,

00:23:43.740 --> 00:23:44.720
 life-giving

00:23:44.720 --> 00:23:46.100
 message that

00:23:46.100 --> 00:23:46.720
 has been given

00:23:46.720 --> 00:23:48.400
 to all of us

00:23:48.400 --> 00:23:49.220
 as a gift

00:23:49.220 --> 00:23:50.600
 and has

00:23:50.600 --> 00:23:51.120
 brought the

00:23:51.120 --> 00:23:51.660
 transformation

00:23:51.660 --> 00:23:52.640
 and change

00:23:52.640 --> 00:23:53.460
 that it

00:23:53.460 --> 00:23:53.839
 has.

00:23:55.579 --> 00:23:56.620
 May I pray.