All right, would you take the Word of God with me and turn to the book of Philippians?
Philippians chapter 1.
I am preaching an entire series of sermons in one day today.
I don't know why y'all laughing.
We will get out of here before 6 o'clock tonight, okay?
What time is the Super Bowl? 5? 5.30?
We'll get out of here before then, okay?
I'm kidding. We should be out around the normal time today.
And actually, we have a lunch for Discovering First Baptist.
Some of you received an invitation to that, so make sure you don't run out of here without coming to our lunch.
That is for, specifically, some of the guests we've been having with us recently,
some newer members to learn about our church, meet the staff, etc.
So if you received an invitation to that, I want to remind you about our Discovering First Baptist lunch right after the service.
That's at the Fellowship Hall toward the back of the building there.
Philippians chapter 1.
We're going to be looking specifically toward the end of the chapter.
But before we get into that,
I want to...
This really kind of is a series of sermons wrapped up in one sermon here.
So we're going to just touch on it lightly,
but I think it really ties in with the series we just concluded
from Matthew's Gospel about salt and light.
Talking, drawing from the Sermon on the Mount that Jesus preached.
Probably the most famous sermon ever preached on this earth.
And we took one of the core truths from it,
that God called us to be salt and light.
And that's who we are as a church.
We are the salt of the earth.
We are the light of the world.
And we covered that the last four Sundays.
That's available on the First Baptist Henrietta YouTube channel
if you'd like to get caught up on that.
But before we get into it,
let's look down at Philippians chapter 1.
The subject we're talking about today...
I don't know if I can get this to work.
How many of y'all were here on Wednesday night?
You remember my clicker wouldn't work?
It's still not working.
There we go.
It worked.
There we go.
All right.
The subject...
I think I had slid the...
It's usually user error.
It's not usually the guys up there.
Matt's laughing.
He's like, yeah, he's right.
It is user error.
The subject we're talking about today
draws straight from Philippians 1 and verse 27.
That's these two words,
striving together.
Striving together.
So,
I want to
focus primarily on that verse,
verse 27.
But for the context of it,
let's read the whole chapter together.
And so,
out of respect for God's word,
if you're able to join me in standing,
would you do so now?
I know we've been up and down a little bit
during the service,
but let's stand one more time together,
if you can,
and let's read Philippians chapter 1,
verse...
Beginning in verse 1,
together.
I'm reading this time from the English Standard Version.
Actually, I believe I'm reading from the NIV on this one,
so I apologize for that.
There are many...
Tell you what.
How many of you,
if you happen to know what translation of the Bible
you're looking at right now,
would you shout it out?
Ready?
One, two, three.
Yeah, you hear all those different kinds?
That's all right.
There's nothing wrong with that at all.
God has preserved His word
in the English language
for generation after generation after generation
through different Bibles,
the Geneva Bible,
the King James Bible,
the Wycliffe Bible.
There's all kinds of Bibles
that have come up
since God's word was translated
into the English language,
and we're thankful for all of them.
Many...
Some of them may be a little far afield
from the original manuscripts that were found,
but normally the ones you'll find at Mardell's
or at a Christian bookstore
are just fine,
and we'll say more or less the same thing,
maybe just slightly different language.
So let's read it together.
I'm reading out of the NIV.
Paul and Timothy,
servants of Jesus Christ,
to all God's holy people
in Christ Jesus at Philippi,
together with the overseers and deacons,
grace and peace to you
from God,
our Father,
and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Verse 3.
I thank my God
every time I remember you.
Anybody say that's me?
People thank their God
every time they think of me.
Anybody?
No, nobody's bold enough
to raise their hand.
That was apparently
the testimony of this church,
and how special is that?
It's actually one of the early sermons
I preached at this church
in my tenure here
was about this church
and their unique reputation.
In the mind of Paul,
he was able to thank God
every time he remembered them.
Verse 4.
In all my prayers for all of you,
I always pray with joy
because of your partnership
in the gospel
from the first day until now.
You see why he was so pleased
to think of them?
Why he had so much joy
filling his heart
when he prayed for this church?
It was because they partnered
with him in the gospel.
What is the gospel?
It's a word that simply means
good news.
Back in the old days,
you would say
there's a Roman general
coming back to Rome
from a far land,
and he's bringing the gospel
of victories
in his battles
with the Roman armies.
So he would bring back
the good news
back to his home country.
That is exactly
what Jesus did for us.
He went to a far country,
and he fought a battle
on our behalf,
and he brings back
good news of victory over sin.
That's why we call it
the good news.
That's why we call it
the gospel.
It's the story
that you and I were sinners,
we were prisoners of sin,
we were brought up in sin,
born in sin,
had no way to escape it,
but Jesus came
and brought us victory.
He laid down his life,
he fought the battle,
he willingly sacrificed himself
on a cross
to pay that penalty of sin,
and because he did that,
you and I now
have an opportunity
to be saved,
to find freedom,
to find victory
because of this gospel.
So that's why we have churches.
That's why we sing
songs of praise.
That's why we go out
and tell this good news
to other people,
and when we partner together
in that,
it brings great joy
to all of us.
So that's what Paul was saying.
It brings great joy to me
because of your partnership
in getting this gospel out
from the first day
until now.
Being confident in this,
verse 6,
that he who began
a good work in you
will carry it on
to completion
until the day
of Christ Jesus.
Y'all, there's a lot
we could stop along
through this passage
and spend the rest
of our time together
talking about,
but I'm trying to give you
the context
as we get down
to the end of the chapter.
So he said,
God began a good work
in all of us.
He's going to carry it on
to its finish.
We can thank God
for that.
He's not done with us.
He's still working on us.
Verse 7,
And it's right for me
to feel this way
about all of you.
Since I have you
in my heart,
and whether I'm in chains,
sometimes he was arrested
for preaching the gospel,
or defending
and confirming the gospel,
all of you share
in God's grace with me.
God can testify
how I long
for all of you
with the affection
of Christ Jesus.
Sometimes he was arrested,
he was thrown in prison.
Sometimes his journeys
would take him elsewhere,
and he would miss
those Christians
he would leave behind
in Philippi
and Ephesus
and Corinth
and all these cities
that he would go to
and visit these churches.
Verse 9,
This is my prayer,
that your love
may abound,
grow,
more and more
in knowledge
and in depth
of insight
so that you
may be able
to discern
what is best
and may be pure
and blameless
for the day of Christ
when Jesus
comes back.
This is probably
a good stopping
point right here.
So why don't we pray
and ask God's blessings
on our service
and then we'll continue
on reading
the rest
of Philippians 1.
Lord, I thank you
for your blessing
on our church.
I thank you
for giving us
these holy scriptures.
I thank you
for your sacrifice
for us
on our behalf.
May everything
we do
in this service
and through
the work
of this church
be to glorify you,
to grow your kingdom,
to partner together
with this gospel.
And it's in Jesus' name
we ask it.
Amen.
You may be seated.
Thanks for standing
so long.
Let's pick it up here
when he said,
my goal for you
is that your love grows,
your knowledge
and insight grows
into God
so that you can discern
what is best,
you can be pure
when Jesus comes back.
Verse 11,
you can be filled
with the fruit
of righteousness
that comes through
Jesus Christ
to the glory
and praise of God.
Now let's look
at verse 12.
Ready?
I want you to know,
brothers and sisters,
that what has happened
to me
has actually served
to advance
the gospel.
You know what that means?
Get it out more.
Spread this good news
everywhere.
Go tell it on the mountains,
over the hills
and everywhere.
So he said
all the bad things
that have happened
to me
when the religious leaders
didn't like
what I was saying,
when the government
didn't like
what I was saying,
when the soldiers
didn't like
what I was saying,
when I got shipwrecked,
when I got snakebitten,
when I got diseases,
all these things
that have happened
to me
have actually served
to advance
the gospel
and as a result
in verse 13,
it's become clear
throughout the whole
palace guard,
the guys that were
guarding him
and to everyone else
around him
that I am in chains
for Christ.
His reputation
was intact.
His reputation
was strong.
He was not suffering
because he was
a terrible man,
had committed
terrible crimes.
It was clear
to the prison guards
and to everybody else
that this man
was suffering
because of his faith
in Jesus.
So,
verse 14,
because of these chains,
most of the brothers
and sisters
have become confident
in the Lord
and dare all the more
to proclaim the gospel
without fear.
Y'all,
this church
existed in a day
when you could not
freely go
and share your faith
like we can here
in America.
And because Paul
was arrested
and locked in prison,
he was so confident
and refused to give up,
refused to have his spirit
broken
or his will
to accomplish
God's will
deterred,
this man
was like a dog
with a bone.
He just wouldn't stop.
Couldn't take it
away from him.
And so,
the church
latched onto that.
They said,
we need that kind
of confidence.
We need that kind
of spirit
like Paul has.
So,
Paul's imprisonment
was actually
driving them
all the more
to proclaim
the gospel
without fear.
Verse 15.
He addresses
some problems
that have come up.
He said,
it's true
that some people
that you will hear,
some preach Christ
out of envy
and rivalry,
but others
preach it
out of good will.
The ones
preaching out
of good will,
these latter ones,
they do so
out of love.
They know
that I am put here
for the defense
of the gospel.
The other ones
that preach
the gospel,
preach Christ
out of poor motives,
out of envy
and rivalry.
He said,
the former
preached Christ
out of selfish
ambition,
not sincerely,
supposing they can
stir up trouble
for me
while I'm in chains.
He said,
some people
will preach
the Bible,
they'll preach
Jesus,
they'll preach
the gospel
out of bad motives,
serving themselves,
they have their
own agenda.
Verse 18,
this was Paul's
perspective on that.
We recognize that
sometimes in churches
you go
or you turn on
the TV
and you hear people
supposedly preaching
Jesus and you just
feel like they don't
have the right motives.
It may not always
be saying
the exact truth.
Verse 18,
Paul says,
what does it matter?
The important thing
is that in every way,
whether from false
motives or true,
Christ is preached.
And because of this,
I rejoice.
Isn't that interesting?
Paul would not let
himself get drawn
into any controversies.
While Paul was locked
up in prison,
there'd be others
out there trying to
make him look bad,
trying to take his
place,
trying to get his
fame and influence
throughout these
churches
and this world.
Sometimes it was
for financial gain.
They'd think that
Paul's got to be
making all kinds
of money going
around traveling
to all these churches
and preaching.
Let me see if I can
get some of that money
while he's in prison.
Some of it was
influence.
There was all kinds
of reasons
why people
would be
preaching
Christ
out of wrong
motivations.
Paul said,
you're not going
to draw me
into
tearing those
people down.
You're not going
to start a war
between me and them.
You're not going
to distract me
from my focus,
my calling,
my purpose.
He said,
whatever their
motivations are,
I'm glad they're
telling people
about Jesus.
I'm glad that
God is using
them regardless
of what's in it
for them.
I'm glad that
God's name
is getting out.
It's an interesting
perspective that I
think we could do
well to learn from.
And he said,
because of this,
I rejoice.
And I will continue
to rejoice.
Verse 19,
because I know
that through your
prayers and God's
provision of the
spirit of Jesus
Christ, what has
happened to me
will turn out
for my deliverance.
God will use it
for good.
God will get me
out of here
when the time's
right.
God's not going
to let all my
work go to vain,
go in vain.
God is going
to come through
and he believed
it.
So verse 20,
I eagerly expect
and hope that I
will in no way
be ashamed,
but now I will
have sufficient
courage.
So now as always,
Christ will be
exalted in my
body, whether by
life or by death.
For to me,
to live is Christ.
It's what it's
about.
To die,
it's just gain.
It's more.
It's more of Christ.
I get to go home
and be in heaven
with Jesus forever.
How great is that
going to be?
You see how Paul
was single-minded?
He had such a
laser focus on God's
purpose for his life.
Verse 22,
if I am to go on
living in this body,
that will mean
fruitful labor for me.
But what should I
choose?
I don't know.
I'm torn between
these two options.
I desire to depart
and to be with
Christ,
and that's better
by far.
Verse 24,
but it's more
necessary for you
that I remain here
in this body
with you.
convinced of this.
I know that I
will remain.
He's not going to
end his life
before it's time.
He said,
I will remain
and I will
continue
with all of you
for your progress
and joy
in the faith
so that through
my being with you,
again,
your boasting
in Christ Jesus
will abound
on account
of me.
What's he saying?
If I stay with you
and pour myself
into God's work
for me,
God's purpose
for me,
and become so close
with Jesus
through walking
with him,
working with him
for your behalf,
then your faith
will grow
so much more.
And you're boasting
and everything
that you live
your life for
will not be
about yourself.
It will grow
and cause you
to be closer
to Jesus Christ
because of the work
that God does
through me.
That's what Paul's
telling us.
So now we get
to our key verse.
It's been a little
while getting there,
but thanks for
hanging with me
through that.
Verse 27.
Whatever happens,
here is his message
to them.
Whatever happens,
conduct yourselves
in a manner
worthy
of the gospel
of Christ.
Then,
whether I come
and see you
or only hear
about you
in my absence,
I will know
that you
stand firm
in one spirit,
striving
together
as one
for the faith
of the gospel.
Some of the greatest
words that Paul
ever wrote.
They clarify,
they crystallize,
they make very
understandable
and plain
our purpose
as followers
of Jesus
gathered together
in a church.
He makes it
so clear
what we are
to be about.
and not
being frightened
in any way
by those
who oppose you
because this
is a sign
to them
that they
will be
destroyed
but that
you will
be saved
by God.
So folks,
what it comes
down to
is the end
of verse 27
right there.
Standing firm
in one spirit,
God's spirit,
striving
together
as one
for the faith
of the gospel.
That's what
we are going
to talk about
today.
And in the
few minutes
we have left,
I hope that
you leave here
today with
an understanding
of what it
means to
strive together
for the faith
of the gospel.
Let's think
about that
word strive.
When I look
at it,
and I looked
at it in all
these different
translations,
and even went
back to the
root word that
was written
down originally
in Greek,
and looking
at this,
what does it
mean when it
says this
word strive?
Maybe your
Bible says
contend.
Maybe it
says struggle.
And what it
seems to be
is that
struggle.
Because Paul
understands that
it's a struggle.
We're fighting
something.
We're fighting
an enemy.
Something is
resisting us,
so we have
to strive,
we have to
fight, we have
to contend,
we have to
struggle.
So, you
know where
my mind
went?
My mind
went to
Philippians
127.
That's where
it came from
because that
was the text
we just read.
But you
know where
it went
after I
realized that
this is
talking about
a struggle?
It went
here.
The struggle
is real.
Paul knew
that, didn't
he?
He knew
that this
struggle that
we're in
is very
real.
Now, if you
spend time on
social media at
all, and I
can't say I
recommend it,
but you're
probably going to
do it whether I
recommend it or
not.
I find myself on
there sometimes,
not as much as I
used to be because
I just don't have
the time for it.
But you will see
sometimes memes or
people using this
phrase, the
struggle is real.
I don't know if
that came from the
millennial generation
or what it was.
That feels like
something that came
from the
millennials.
I is one, so
I get it.
The struggle is
real.
Now, normally,
that's kind of
said tongue-in-cheek
about something that
isn't really that
much of a hardship,
but it's kind of an
annoyance, you know?
Man, I ran out of
coffee this morning,
and I didn't know it,
and so I got up,
and I had to start my
morning without coffee.
Hashtag, the
struggle is real.
It's like, yeah,
first world problems,
man.
Your life is really
rough out there.
Normally, that's how
we use that.
However, this life
is a struggle,
genuinely.
There is real
struggle that you
and I have to face
all the time,
and it's not often
the things that make
us post on social
media, but there is
real struggle going
on in our hearts.
Anybody know what's
happening at 530
today?
Y'all look quiet
bunch, man.
What's happening at
530 today?
Super Bowl, there we
go, there we go,
there we go.
We've got to cut the
air down and wake
everybody up.
I don't know.
Patrick Mahomes
recently reopened up
about the Chiefs'
journey to Super Bowl
58.
Now, this year is
Super Bowl 59.
Last year, it was
Super Bowl 58, and
you know who won?
Chiefs, yes.
So glad for you,
man.
You did not watch
the whole entire game.
You were running in
and out some, man.
Listen, the Chiefs
won it.
They're trying to win
three in a row this
year.
If you don't care
about football at all,
that's okay.
Just listen to this
part of the story here.
Patrick Mahomes
opened up recently
about his team's
journey to Super Bowl
58 last year.
revealing why this
championship holds a
special place in his
heart.
In a candid interview
with NBC Sports,
Mahomes painted a
picture of a season
filled with unexpected
challenges and hard
fought victories.
They didn't just coast
to a Super Bowl last
year.
If they can pull it
off and beat a very
powerful Chiefs team
and win this third in
a row, you can
definitely look at
their season and see
that they didn't coast
to a Super Bowl this
year either.
But he's talking
about last season
and he says, this
interview says, he
didn't shy away from
accepting the team's
struggles, particularly
on offense.
Well, he's the
quarterback, so that's
his part of the team,
right?
He spoke of the
constant effort to
improve week after
week, adding, this
year it was the
defense that kind of
led the team.
And the offense, we
dealt with our
struggles.
We had to continue
to just work to get
better every single
week.
He even remembered a
moment that came after
the final regular season
game against the
Chargers.
Mahomes had a
conversation with
Travis Kelsey, the
tight end for the
team, surefire Hall of
Fame player, dating
Taylor Swift.
For those of you that
don't follow football,
put it in context.
Where he said, if we
win this one, it's
going to hurt those
guys, man, because
this isn't the one
we're supposed to
win.
See, the Chiefs have
established themselves
as a dynasty in
football, kind of the
team to beat.
Used to be the
Patriots under Tom
Brady.
There was a day when
it was the Cowboys.
Feels so long ago.
So long ago.
But the Chiefs have
kind of become that
team, you know, they're
the one to beat, and
that's why everybody
loves to hate the
Chiefs, because once
you reach the top of
the mountaintop,
everybody's gunning
for you.
But last year, they
showed struggle.
They looked beatable.
Many times during the
regular season, it was,
man, I don't think it's
going to be the Chiefs
this year.
So he said, I know it's
going to hurt that team
that lost to us, because
this wasn't supposed to
be our year.
This underdog mentality,
which would be unusual
for the Chiefs, seemed to
fuel their playoff run.
As the postseason
unfolded, the Chiefs
found their rhythm.
Each game presented a
new challenge from the
Dolphins in the wild
card, to the Bills in
the divisional round, the
Ravens in the AFC
championship, and finally,
the 49ers in the Super
Bowl.
Yet with each victory,
their confidence soared.
Mahomes finished his
interview by saying, the
struggle was extremely
real.
That struggle, from a
football perspective, was
real for them.
That wasn't said tongue
in cheek, wasn't a joke,
their struggle was very
real.
But it ended with that
scene.
It ended with that
picture.
I don't know what's
going to happen tonight
with this team.
I don't know what's
going to happen with
Mahomes, if he's going
to hold up another
trophy or not.
But that last year's
Super Bowl itself was a
dramatic overtime affair,
capped off by what is
considered one of the
greatest winning throws
of Mahomes' career.
The struggle from
beginning to end was
very real.
This word striving that
we see back in Philippians
1 and verse 27, let's
look at it together here.
Whatever happens, conduct
yourselves in a manner
worthy of the gospel of
Christ.
Whether I come and see you
or only hear about you in
my absence, I will know
that you stood firm in the
spirit.
Can we say these two
highlighted words together?
Striving together as one
for the faith of the gospel.
What does it mean?
It means fighting or
contending together.
It means fighting shoulder
to shoulder, or the
contemporary English
version says struggling
side by side.
This is what Paul was
hoping he would hear about
the churches he had
visited, specifically this
one here in Philippi.
This is what you and I
are supposed to be doing
in this life.
Struggling side by side.
Is that how we would
describe what we do as a
church?
This word,
synathleo, means to
struggle along with.
That's the word that we
get this word striving or
contending from.
To struggle along with.
Y'all, what I want to do
is struggle along with you
in our partnership in the
gospel.
What I hope you do with
each other is struggle along
together in our partnership
in the gospel.
That is what we're
supposed to be doing as a
church.
The struggle is real.
And we have an opportunity
to struggle together.
You're not alone.
You're not on an island.
Oftentimes it feels that way.
I've visited churches in
rural areas of this country
that felt like they were
alone, man.
They're the only ones that
really care and they're the
only ones trying to do
God's work.
And it's so refreshing to
be able to go and tell
those churches, y'all,
there's churches all across
your state, all across this
country, and all around the
world struggling together
with you.
Fighting the same fight.
And what we read in
Philippians here, striving
together.
So we are the church.
And we are together for
the gospel.
That's what we're here for.
We exist to propagate or
advance God's kingdom.
To get this message out.
That's what we're here for.
If not, if we have no purpose
left here on this earth, then
what's going to happen?
God's going to bring us on
home.
We're all going to get
together in heaven and have a
beautiful forever more.
But until that day comes, we do
have a purpose.
And it's to be together for the
gospel.
So how do we do this?
How do we strive or struggle
together?
Very quickly, there's some very
clear and obvious points I want
to share with you today before
we leave.
Number one, we gather together.
We gather together.
Well, hey, y'all got that part
down because you're here.
All right?
You're gathered.
That's what the word church
means.
The word we get that from in the
scripture is ecclesia.
It means a called out assembly.
People would use it in the local
governments back then.
They'd say it's time for a city
hall meeting or a town hall
meeting.
So let's get together into this
ecclesia and let's conduct our
business.
Let's gather and get this done.
That is what God established for
the church.
It's what he envisioned that the
church would be.
This called out assembly.
This gathering together of
believers.
It's not about this building.
We could do this in the park.
We could do this in somebody's
house.
But this place serves our needs
and purposes well and we thank God
for it.
But what it is is the gathering of
people.
So that is what we're called to do
and that's the first thing the very
basic foundation for our struggling
together is we've got to get
together.
We've got to gather.
So how do we do that?
Well, we have Sunday school classes at
930.
We have worship service at 1045.
Family worship on worship Wednesdays
at 6 p.m.
We have activities for all ages
following that.
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday we have
evening d groups that happen.
So we have all kinds of opportunities
for you to gather together because
the struggle is real and we've got
to struggle along side by side.
So we gather together.
The Chiefs were together for their
Super Bowl.
They gathered every Sunday and they
gave it their all and sometimes they
would mess up.
Sometimes they would lose.
But in the end they won.
Now listen, you might hate the Chiefs
and you might not care a lick about
football and that's okay.
You kind of wish I'd quit talking
about them and move on to the rest
of the sermon.
That's all right.
Listen, we're going to do that.
But today's Super Bowl Sunday so you
got to just kind of put up with a
little bit.
Listen, we may not always win every
victory.
We might lose some battles along the
way but we know that ultimately we
will hoist the trophy.
You know why?
Because Jesus paid the cost for us.
Jesus already won the victory for us.
So if we keep struggling along
together, we are assured of certain
victory.
So, how do we struggle together and win
the fights that we have to fight
every day?
We gather together.
Secondly, we grow together.
We grow together.
It's not just about gathering.
If you stop gathering, it's very
unlikely you'll get to the growing
stage.
Maybe at some point you were growing.
Maybe that growing has slowed down.
We have so many opportunities to
gather but not just gather but grow
together in those gatherings.
Sunday school.
We go deeper together in these
classes.
You get to know one another a little
bit better.
There's structured environment of
teaching.
Sunday school at 930.
We have classes for all ages from
the littles all the way up to those
who are not so little or little in
age anymore.
Sunday school is a wonderful
opportunity.
It's been around a long time and I
encourage you all to look at a
finding a class if you don't have one
at 930 to go deeper together.
That is a wonderful way to grow.
So starting point is an outstanding
option to lay a firm foundation in
this Christian faith.
What does the Bible teach us?
What do we know about God?
And how can we get to know him
better?
What purpose does he have for my
life?
And these are some basic foundations
of the Christian faith that we're
going to be starting next Sunday.
So that's why I encourage you look
into that.
See if you'd like to come join us
upstairs room 201 for starting
point Sunday sermon proclaiming and
applying the gospel.
God called certain of his shepherds to
stand before his people and proclaim
the good news of Jesus and apply it
not just read the scriptures but give
the understanding of them.
That has to come from the Holy Spirit.
So you have to look and listen and judge
everything that I say by the words of
scripture and then learn from it and
allow God to grow you from what is
preached what is taught in Sunday
school what is taught in starting point
what is preached on Sundays Wednesday
workshops these are specialized Bible
teaching.
We have it for the RAs and the GAs we
have it for the teens we have it for the
even younger ones who aren't quite old
enough for RAs and GAs with their
their what is that called worship
friends and what's that mission for I
think it used to be called mission
friends and now Nala's calling a
worship friends or something.
I don't know I can't keep it all
straight.
That's all right.
It's a wonderful class for a little
extra little kids but there is all
kinds of opportunities for specialized
Bible teaching on Wednesday nights.
So if you're not here on Wednesday
nights and you don't have a valid
reason not to be pray about and talk
about coming and joining us on Wednesday
nights God is working here in our
church all throughout this campus on
Wednesday nights and that's a great
opportunity to grow together as a whole
family.
It's not just a class for adults or a
class for kids or teens it's all of us
together worshiping together in here
and then we split off and we can all
grow together from our Wednesday night
time and then discipleship groups.
It's a wonderful opportunity to grow
together.
It's slightly a different vibe from
Sunday school.
Both are necessary and both are
important but discipleship groups are
we call them d groups are more about
community and sharpening each other and
we will maybe study through a book of
the Bible or study through a book about
the Bible or whatever the curriculum
might be for that that group each one
decides their own right now.
But these are wonderful opportunities to
get to know each other to let the the
walls drop to let trust start to build and
we'll talk about that more in just a
moment.
But growing together say man I can I can
read the Bible.
I've got everything I need right here.
Why do I need to go do it with other
people around?
Because if you've read the Bible then you
know a verse that says iron sharpens what?
Iron.
We sharpen one another.
God determined because he knew us because
he created us.
He set this whole thing up.
He knew that we would need each other in
order to grow well.
You can grow a little bit by yourself.
You can grow a whole lot more together
because that's how God designed it.
So if you want to take what he designed
and do it your own way you're never
going to see the results that he planned
to give you.
You've got to follow his recipe.
So we gather together for the purpose of
growing together.
Go to these dGroups.
We went to one on Wednesday night this
last semester at the Clark's house.
And I can tell you I know everyone in
that group so much better now than I did
when we started.
We've shared things that I would never
have known had we not been in that dGroup
together.
We prayed for things.
Talked about things.
We exposed vulnerability struggles in our
own lives.
Talking about faith over fear in our group.
This is an opportunity for growth that
does not happen outside of Christian
community.
So pray and seek God's face.
How can I grow together?
How can I see the opportunities that are
right in front of me that I could grow
together?
Take that next step.
One to gather together.
Two to grow together.
And then third we give together.
We give together.
Ephesians chapter 5 and verse 15 and 16.
Look carefully then how you walk.
Not as unwise but as wise.
Making the best use of the what?
Time.
So that's one thing we give.
We give our time.
We give our time to the Lord.
Say God I have a lot going on.
Especially if you've got kids.
How many of your kids are not involved in
anything that ever takes you away or ties you
up for anything.
I don't think there's a soul in here that
could raise their hand.
Kids are always involved in stuff.
And that's a good thing.
Keeps them out of trouble.
Right?
But it also can tie up your time.
So you've got to be very intentional in
giving your time to the Lord.
Because everybody's going to be coming for
your time.
Your family.
The school.
Your work.
Your friends.
Your neighbors.
The government sometimes.
Yourself.
Your own desires.
Passions.
Weaknesses.
It will all be coming for your time.
And usually who loses out on your time
is the Lord.
That should be the first fruits.
We've got to look wisely at our schedule
and how we walk every day
and make the best use of our time.
Say number one, I've got to make sure
my family's taken care of.
I've got to make sure they're safe,
healthy, provided for.
But I've got to also give my time to the Lord.
What does he want from me today?
Maybe there's a conversation he wants me to have.
Maybe there's a group he wants me to attend.
Maybe there's a gathering of the church
I need to make sure we're at.
Because I understand we've got to gather together.
We've got to grow together.
And we give together.
We give our time together.
If it was only a very few who gave their time,
this church would not be able to be
the church that it is today.
And if there are not more
who are willing to give their time,
then this church will never be the church
that God wants it to be tomorrow.
So we've got to together
make the best use of our time.
1 Peter chapter 4 and verse 10.
Each of you should use
whatever gift you have received.
To do what?
To serve others.
As faithful stewards of God's grace.
So we have talents.
We have time to give,
but we also have talents to give.
How many of y'all think
you are just super talented?
You're all too scared to raise your hand.
Thank you, Harlan.
We all know you're talented, man.
Listen, I appreciate somebody.
Yes, Tripp.
Yes, Bo.
Love you guys.
You're awesome.
Tripp's talented.
I'm not sure about Bo.
He takes after me.
I'm kidding, dude.
You're super talented too.
Look, truth is,
every one of you should be raising your hand.
You know why?
You may not be talented
at the things you wish you were talented at,
but the truth is,
God has given you talents,
and he's given you all you need
to use that talent for his glory.
That talent might be listening to somebody talk.
The talent might be praying for somebody.
The talent might be thinking kind thoughts
about somebody else
that then turn into actions of kindness.
There could be all kinds of talents
that you haven't necessarily been giving
or using to serve others
as faithful stewards of God's grace.
God has shown enough grace to us
to give us what we need
to make a powerful impact for his kingdom.
Why isn't a powerful impact being made?
Because so often,
we don't use the gifts and the talents we have
to serve him,
much less others.
So we give our talent together,
we give our time together,
and then finally,
we give our treasure together.
Matthew 6, 21,
where your treasure is,
there will your what?
Heart be also.
So.
What do you treasure?
Well, normally we treasure money.
Why do we treasure money?
Because of what money can do for us.
We think money is going to buy us happiness.
We think money is going to give us
that retirement that we need.
We think money is going to allow us
to go on that trip
or buy that toy
or whatever it is.
Kids are saying,
buy toys.
Adults buy toys too?
Just go look at the amount of big trucks
or ATVs or whatever.
You'll see the toys that adults buy, okay?
Boat, whatever.
There's nothing necessarily wrong
with those things
unless they become God to you,
unless they become more important
than giving that treasure to the Lord.
So we have to look,
take a hard look at ourselves
and say, where is our heart?
Where does our heart lie?
Where does the bulk of our treasure lie?
That's where our heart is.
So if you're not choosing to willingly,
from a willing, happy heart,
contribute some of your treasure
back to God's work,
then you're not investing
in what will bring you God's blessings.
If you invest in God's kingdom,
the return on that is so much greater
than any other investment you can make
because it's an eternal return.
Something that will never tarnish.
Something that will never fade away.
Something that will never break.
So God's kingdom is a place
for your treasure.
It's a safe place for your treasure.
Say, I don't always like everything
the church does
or I don't always like everything
that Christian organization does.
Say, that's true
because it's run by humans.
But God takes our investment
into his work,
however flawed it might be,
and blesses us accordingly.
That principle is all throughout the Bible.
If you give according to what God,
that thing just came undone
and I apologize.
Don't laugh at me, Nancy.
There we go.
All right.
That little clip came off.
That's what we give together.
We give our treasure.
Willingly.
Not because we're thinking,
not because we're guilt tripped
into doing it
and not thinking,
man, somebody's gonna be mad
if I don't give my tithe this month.
That's not what it's about.
That's not even what
will get God's blessings in return.
He blesses those who give
from a willing spirit.
So we give our time,
we give our talent,
and we give our treasure.
We gather together,
we grow together,
we give together,
and then here's the last thing.
We go together.
The Bible says,
you will be my witnesses,
Acts chapter one and verse eight,
in Jerusalem,
in Judea and Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth.
This is where we are supposed to go.
So what does that mean?
Do we all have to pack up
and go to Jerusalem,
Judea, Samaria,
and the ends of the earth?
No.
We can apply that.
Remember how we take scripture
and we read it
and then we apply it to ourselves?
What does it mean?
Jerusalem would mean our family,
our town,
our immediate area,
where we live.
That's where we go.
What do we go to do?
We go to share the gospel.
We go to share the good news.
We go to be salt and light.
So we go to our family,
our town,
our area,
then we move on to Judea and Samaria.
What would that be?
Our state,
our nation,
America,
the people that we understand sometimes,
the people that theoretically think
and look like us as Americans,
as Texans.
That's our Judea and Samaria.
And then the ends of the earth.
We can't forget about those
who have never heard the gospel,
those who don't have the same amount
of churches and opportunities
to grow together,
to gather together.
So we go there as well.
And that's through this idea
called foreign missions.
And we support it
through the International Mission Board.
We support what's being done
across our nation
through the North American Mission Board.
We support what's being done
across our state in missions
through Texas Baptists.
And we have a chance
to fulfill the command
that God gave us
all throughout.
Mark 16,
Matthew 28,
Acts 1,
to go together
to Jerusalem,
Judea,
Samaria,
and the ends
of the earth.
Now,
practically,
how do you do that?
Because I'm pretty sure
y'all have heard before
from a preacher
or a teacher
to go out
and share the gospel.
But practically,
how do you do that?
We've got invite cards.
See the top picture there?
We've got little square
invite cards,
have our logo on it,
have our service times
on the back.
Very,
very simple thing
to hand to somebody.
You can go to the office
and pick them up.
If we run out,
we'll order more.
They're not that expensive,
pretty easy to keep on top of.
We've got a budget line
item for it.
And we can equip you
with as many invite cards
as you need.
Men,
stick a couple of them
in your wallet.
Or if your wallet's
not the right size,
stick them in your pocket.
Ladies,
stick them in your purse.
Have those invite cards,
keep them in your car.
You never know
when God's gonna give you
an opportunity
to invite someone to church.
Why do we care about
them coming to church?
Talk back to me.
Why do we care about
people coming to our church?
Exposure to the gospel.
They'll hear the gospel here.
We know that.
We don't know
if they go to
just any church
around the whole area
if they're gonna hear
a clear presentation
of the gospel.
Some of them,
they will.
And we thank God for that.
But we know
they will hear
the gospel here.
They'll have a chance
to find Christian community here.
They'll have a chance
to grow together,
to gather together,
to give together,
and then in turn
to go back out together.
We know the opportunity
is here for them
to become disciples,
followers of Jesus.
So that's why
we invite them to come.
Now that doesn't always mean
that they're gonna come
right away.
Sometimes it takes
a long established
relationship and friendship
before someone opens up
to you enough
to trust you
to go try your church.
You know?
And that's alright.
Maybe that's how
it should be sometimes.
But we have opportunities,
utilities,
tools for you to take
and go invite somebody
to church.
And then that can start
a conversation
that could maybe allow you
to share the gospel.
How do you do that?
Man, your testimony,
your personal testimony
is a wonderful way
to share the gospel
with somebody else.
You know why?
Because they can't disagree
with you.
They can't argue
with your testimony.
Your story of how
you became a follower
of Jesus,
that's individual
and unique to you.
They can argue with you
about something in the Bible.
They can argue with you
about something you believe.
But they cannot dispute
your personal experience
with Jesus.
And if you share that
and use scripture
in doing it,
even if it's just
John 3, 16,
that is something
that God could use
to touch that person's heart
and over time
change their way of thinking
where they respond
to God calling them
into a relationship
with Him.
So your personal testimonies
are powerful.
I would have three
testimonies ready.
I would have the
30-second version.
You know,
I used to be a mess
and over time
God changed my life
and made me who I am today
and I'm not perfect
but He has made
such a powerful impact
in my life
and I give Him
all the glory for it.
It's your 15,
20-second version.
No more than 30 seconds
because oftentimes
you don't have time
to get into the whole story
with somebody
of what Jesus has done for you.
But you might have
30 seconds with them.
So have that ready.
And then I would have
a two-minute version
of your testimony ready.
Something a little bit longer,
a little more details
but it's still not
going to bog them down
where they feel like
they're never going to get
out of this conversation.
And then I would have
the full story ready.
If you have an opportunity,
you've got 10,
15,
20 minutes with somebody
where you could really
go through the whole story,
the fascinating,
powerful,
divine story
of what God has done
in your life.
That's your testimony.
I would have three of them ready.
Go back,
talk to your spouse,
look at yourself
in the mirror
and tell that story,
all three versions.
30 seconds,
two minutes
and then the full thing.
And then finally,
who's your one?
This is an initiative,
a campaign
that we're going to be
starting very soon.
So in the next several weeks,
we'll be rolling out
this evangelism campaign.
So this is to equip
our church
with tools
that will allow you
to go out
and share the gospel
with somebody else.
What it boils down to
is you thinking through
the people in your life
and choosing one name,
one face
that needs to hear
the gospel of Jesus
and then praying through
how can God use me
to help see that one person
respond to Jesus Christ,
choose to become his follower.
You'll hear so much more
about that
in the weeks to come,
but keep an eye out
for that.
Who's your one?
And start thinking
who is one person
that I could share Jesus with?
So our takeaway from today
is this.
We are the church
together for the gospel.
So let's ask ourselves,
what are the next step
that I can take
in gathering,
growing,
giving,
or going
so together
we can actually
make a difference
for God's kingdom?
Everybody has something
they wish was different
about their life.
Everybody has something
they wish was different
maybe about this church.
Everybody has something
they wish was different
about America.
You can't make a difference
on your own,
but together we can.
God never designed us
to do this life
on our own,
but together
we can.
Sounds like a political slogan
or something.
Together we can.
Probably has been.
But that is how
God decided.
So,
what about you?
Would you bow your heads
with me right now?
What about you?
Is it gathering?
Do you need to be more faithful
to the gatherings
of this church?
Is it growing?
Have you been ignoring
opportunities
to grow your faith
together?
Is it giving?
You've been holding back
in your time,
your talent,
or your treasure?
Or is it going?
Is there somebody
you can share
your testimony with?
Give an invite card to.
Who's the one person
that God could use you
to help change
their life?
What is the next step
in one of these areas?
Maybe it's more than one.
Maybe it's gathering
and growing.
Maybe it's giving
and going.
Whatever it is for you,
I'm asking right now
that God would speak
to you.
My voice isn't going
to get you far enough.
God's voice
has to come through
and speak to you
right now
to show you
what is my next step.
It's going to be
a struggle, folks,
but we can struggle together.
We can strive together
for the faith
of the gospel
and that's what's
going to change.
That's what's going
to make a difference.
God, right now,
I pray for this church.
I pray for your people
that are gathered here
in this room today.
I pray that you would
show us
how to do this life together,
how to struggle together
side by side
so our world is impacted
in ways that only you can.
It's in Jesus' name
we ask it.
Church,
if there's somebody here
who doesn't know
Jesus as Savior,
you need to place
your faith in Him
for the first time,
please come down
and talk to me.
I'd love to have
that conversation with you.
If you'd like to place
your membership
in our church,
let's meet down here
and talk about it.
If you'd like to get involved
in a different way
than you have been,
let's sit down
and talk about it.
But whatever it is,
you do business with God
right now
as Jared leads us in song.
love you, Lord.
Oh, your mercy never fails me.
all my days
I've been held
in your hand
the moment that I wake up
until I lay in my head
I will sing
of the goodness
of God.
and if you can
on this chorus
all my life
He's been faithful
all my life
you have been faithful
sir, if you need
to pray
all my life
you have been
so, so good
with every breath
that I am made
Oh, I will sing
of the goodness
of God
I love your voice
You have led me
through the fire
in darkest nights
You are close
like no other
I've known you
as a father
I've known you
as a friend
Oh, I have lived
in the goodness
of God
Chorus out
all my life
All my life
you have been faithful
All my life
you have been
so, so good
with every breath
that I am made
Oh, I will sing
of the goodness
of God
I will sing
God, you are good
You're so good
We are not
We struggle
we mess up
but thank you
for giving us
each other
to struggle together
Help us to be faithful
to gather
to grow
give and go
together
so your light
can shine brightly
in this world
in Jesus
in Jesus' name
we pray
Amen
Y'all, thanks for being
in church today
We will see you
next Sunday
Don't forget
Wednesday night
and if you are part
of our Discovering
First Baptist Lunch
we will see you
in the back
through the전
through the
Thank you.