WEBVTT

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 This morning I'm going to talk to you about gospel advancing necessity.

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!

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 This phrase, advancing the gospel, he says,

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 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.

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 So the gospel is supposed to advance.

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 The gospel is supposed to spread.

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 The gospel is supposed to be moving along.

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 And that should be our natural expectation.

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 In fact, Paul said in Romans 1.15,

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 he said, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.

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 So we see here, Paul was eager to preach the gospel.

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 Let me ask this question.

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 Are we?

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 Are we eager to preach the gospel?

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 And if we say we are eager, the question is, how eager?

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 How eager was Paul?

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 1 Corinthians 9.16, Paul says,

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 If I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting.

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 Why?

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 Because necessity has laid it upon me.

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 Woe to me if I don't preach the gospel.

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 Okay?

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 Necessity has laid it upon me.

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 Woe to me if I don't preach the gospel.

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 That sounds pretty eager.

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 That sounds pretty motivated.

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 Right?

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 Are you this way?

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 Would you be able to say that necessity has laid it on you to preach the gospel?

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 Is the gospel being preached, is that optional for you?

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 Is it something you think about every once in a while?

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 Maybe when someone like myself stands behind this beautiful pulpit and encourages us for that?

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 Or is it something we think about on the regular?

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 Is it something that we think about when we're with lost people?

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 Is it something that we think about when there's no lost people around?

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 And maybe there's a pattern of our life where we're not having lost people around?

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 But we think, oh my goodness, necessity is laying it on me to preach the gospel to lost people.

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 And would we ever even go so far as to say, woe to me if I don't preach the gospel.

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 I mean, that's how driven Paul was.

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 That's how necessary gospel advancing was to Paul.

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 He says, woe to me if I don't preach the gospel.

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 What a phrase.

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 What a way of putting it, right?

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 Woe to me if I don't preach the gospel.

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 Maybe you've had a season where you could say that.

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 Yes, where you were really on fire for the gospel saying, I've got to preach the gospel.

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 I've got to find people who need to hear the gospel.

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 Then maybe you have seasons where not so much.

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 Maybe seasons where I'm not thinking about that.

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 I've got a lot of stuff going on.

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 I'm having kids.

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 I'm figuring out work stuff.

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 I've got a house.

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 I've got friendships and relationships and church stuff and all these different things.

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 And maybe we don't think as much about the lost.

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 But I'll tell you what.

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 If you really want to kill a church, stop thinking about the lost.

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 Okay?

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 You really want a church not to grow, not to move on beyond the people that are in their four walls when they gather?

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 Don't think about the gospel.

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 Stop preaching the gospel.

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 Don't start preaching the gospel.

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 You know why so many churches just say the same roughly size?

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 And this happens so often.

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 And it is a travesty that more churches don't ask the question, why does our church just keep staying the same size?

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 Especially when most often the answer is, because we're not preaching the gospel.

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 We're not actively seeking to save people who are lost and get into their lives and preach the gospel to them.

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 You can't grow as a church, and healthy things do grow, if we're not going to people who are currently not in the church, lost people, and preaching the gospel to them.

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 Okay?

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 One of the reasons the church you were sent out of has continued to grow every single year for 13 years, I think, is because of that.

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 It's because there's a culture of outreach.

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 There's a culture of mission.

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 There's a culture of reaching and seeking to get into the lives of lost people, and it never stops.

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 They also cheat by having a lot of kids.

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 That also is a way that they've grown.

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 So that's another way as well, as long as you make them disciples.

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 Okay?

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 But, which is why Gina's in here, because she was at a birth last night.

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 So, he says, necessity has laid it upon me.

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 If you don't have that necessity laying upon you or laying hold of you, you need to pray.

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 You need to get before the Lord and say, God, I don't feel it.

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 I don't experience it.

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 It's not on me.

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 Lay that necessity of gospel preaching on me.

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 Lay it on me.

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 And may you lay it on our whole church.

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 And may we never recover.

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 May you shake us to the core.

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 If we've gotten lazy, if we've gotten busy, if we've gotten too consumed with other things,

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 we can't ever get to a place where gospel advancement is not necessary in our minds.

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 We cannot.

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 We cannot.

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 We must advance the gospel.

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 Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9, 19 to 22,

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 Though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.

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 See his drive?

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 Gotta have more.

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 Okay?

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 This isn't a selfish more.

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 This is a good more.

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 More souls.

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 I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more.

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 I want more of them.

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 To the Jews, I became as a Jew in order to win the Jews.

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 To those under the law, I became as one under the law, though not being myself under the law,

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 that I might win those under the law.

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 To those outside the law, I became as one outside the law, not being outside the law of God,

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 but under the law of Christ.

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 Why?

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 That I might win those outside of the law.

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 Verse 22,

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 To the weak, I became weak, that I might win the weak.

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 I have become all things to all people, that by all means, I might save some.

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 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.

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 It says,

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 Become all things to all people, that by all means, I might save some.

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 I've taught on this before, and the details of this is not going to go on,

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 but just look at the passion, the drive behind him.

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 Less about the practicals, and more about the motivation of Paul.

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 Paul's saying, there's nothing off the table.

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 All things.

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 How many things?

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 All things.

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 Is that some things?

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 No.

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 Some doesn't mean all.

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 All is different than some.

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 Okay?

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 All things.

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 How many people?

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 Some people?

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 No.

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 No, no, no, no.

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 Not some people.

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 All people.

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 Okay.

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 Some means no.

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 No, not some means.

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 All means.

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 Why?

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 That he might, the only some here is that I might win some.

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 Okay?

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 Don't confuse that.

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 All means, all people, all things, that he might save some.

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 And he does it all for the sake of the gospel.

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 There is this pervasive motivation, necessity on Paul.

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 All things have to be at my disposal.

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 All means, all people.

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 Like, I am, I, woe to me if I don't preach the gospel.

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 May that be us.

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 May we be a healthy gospel advancing church that never forgets the necessity.

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 That never forgets where we came from.

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 Right?

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 David in the psalm says, renew to me the joy of my salvation.

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 Renew to me the joy of my salvation.

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 When you remember what you've been saved from.

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 When you remember that you have, like Sam was just saying, a high priest who is permanently in his high priest position.

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 Who constantly lives to make intercession for us.

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 That he has made us right.

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 That we've been justified in him.

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 That we're being sanctified by his power.

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 And that we were lost.

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 We were totally under the wrath of God with no hope in this world.

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 And he came to us.

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 Plucked us out of the fire.

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 Made us, gave us the right to become children of God.

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 How could we not tell other people?

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 And not just, not how could we not tell other people.

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 How could we not look for opportunities and not just wait for opportunities to come in our lap?

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 Listen, if you're just waiting for opportunities to come in your lap, you are missing it.

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 I don't think Paul was doing that.

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 I mean, these verses I just read.

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 Are you getting that impression?

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 That Paul was just bebopping through life waiting for opportunities?

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 I don't think so.

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 The language he's using here is one of aggressive action and intentionality.

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 He's not waiting for someone to come his way.

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 Now, I'm not talking about some obnoxious in the flesh making something happen that's not there.

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 I'm not talking about that.

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 Okay?

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 So don't, you know, there's ditches on both sides.

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 But listen, if you see Paul here, he's like, I am actively engaging the lost.

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 I'm actively looking for ways to reach lost people.

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 And we must do the same.

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 We can't just be waiting for some opportunity to land in our lap.

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 Although we should always pray for opportunities to land in our lap.

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 But you can't just wait for that.

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 Okay?

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 We have to make opportunities.

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 We have to make the most of those opportunities.

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 Paul saw that preaching the gospel is necessary.

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 Do we?

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 And if we don't, then why not?

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 Okay?

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 I want to talk about four obstacles to gospel advancement.

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 Okay?

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 As I talk about this this morning.

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 Four different obstacles.

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 First one.

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 Fear and unbelief.

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 Wait a second.

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 That's two.

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 I know.

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 But they kind of go together.

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 Okay?

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 Fear and unbelief.

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 All right?

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 Romans 1.16.

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 That verse that Martin Luther was really big on.

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 Right?

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 I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for the salvation of all who believe.

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 Okay?

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 Not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God.

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 All right?

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 A lot of times we say, God, I pray that there would be power in my preaching of the gospel.

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 You know, you really don't need to pray that.

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 The gospel is already power.

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 I think sometimes, and I don't think there's anything wrong with praying that, but really,

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 I want to ask you, is it actually a revealing of your lack of faith in the power of God that's already inherent in the gospel?

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 It's already there.

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 You know, you already have power in the gospel.

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 The gospel itself.

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 Oftentimes, when we're preaching the gospel, the devil whispers to us and says, this isn't powerful.

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 You're not going to do it right.

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 It's not going to be a powerful presentation of the gospel.

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 And I tell you what, Romans 1.16 says the gospel is the power of God.

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 And it's a specific power of God for what?

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 For salvation.

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 You need to know that.

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 You need to believe that.

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 When you're going to preach the gospel to someone, you're not, you might feel weak.

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 You might feel unqualified.

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 You might feel like, I'm going to bungle the words.

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 Let me ask you a question.

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 Has God ever saved anybody through a bungled up version of words that we called the gospel before?

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 Has he ever done that?

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 Has God ever saved someone through a bad presentation of the gospel?

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 You better believe he has.

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 Now, that doesn't mean you should be lazy and not try to preach the gospel in the right way.

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 But listen, do you believe or do you not believe that the gospel is what Romans 1.16 says it is?

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 That it is the power of God for the salvation of those who believe.

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 We so often believe that the gospel is impotent or that our presentation of it is impotent when it is in effect of itself powerful.

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 So much confidence can be derived from this one verse.

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 You know, if you possess something of power, it makes you confident in that power.

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 When you possess something that's weak, you start to get insecure about it.

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 You maybe want to hide it.

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 You don't really want to use it.

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 When you have something that's very powerful, you want to use it.

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 You want to share it.

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 When you don't believe that the gospel is the power of God for the salvation of all who believe,

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 you will most likely be hesitant to both share it, preach it, and even look for opportunities to give it.

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 If you possess something of great power in and of itself, you want to go out and declare it,

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 knowing that even if I'm weak and we are weak, even if I don't do a great job presenting it,

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 and sometimes we don't do a great job presenting it, even if I'm tired, even if I don't know what to say,

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 even if the person I'm talking to is smarter than me, has more knowledge than me,

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 so what?

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 Is the gospel power or not?

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 Like, think about that.

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 You might say, well, these other things are powerful too.

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 Really?

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 Are they as powerful as the good news of the gospel of Jesus?

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 It is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.

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 We need to put that in the bank and say, hey, I need to believe this.

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 Very important.

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 Isaiah 63 verse 1 speaks of God in a specific way.

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 It says that he is mighty to save.

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 When you preach the gospel, when you think of the gospel,

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 when you think of even trying to engage a lost person or try to get into contact or relationship with a lost person,

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 are you thinking, my God is mighty to save?

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 Do you think that?

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 Or do you most think of my presentation is not very good?

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 Or do you most think of I'm not a very good speaker?

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 Or do you most think of I'm not very good at presenting things?

00:14:36.019 --> 00:14:38.600
 Or do you most think of, you know, fill in the blank.

00:14:39.319 --> 00:14:40.659
 Where is our focus?

00:14:41.840 --> 00:14:48.860
 What could stop us in our gospel mission if we truly believe that the gospel is the power of God for all who believe,

00:14:48.860 --> 00:14:52.220
 and we believe that our God is mighty to save?

00:14:53.379 --> 00:14:54.720
 He's mighty to save.

00:14:55.620 --> 00:14:56.700
 I'm going to say it again.

00:14:57.279 --> 00:15:00.340
 He is mighty to save.

00:15:00.940 --> 00:15:06.060
 When you believe that, it will build your faith.

00:15:06.480 --> 00:15:07.860
 But sometimes we don't believe that.

00:15:08.320 --> 00:15:10.399
 Sometimes we're not engaging with that truth.

00:15:10.740 --> 00:15:12.240
 He is mighty to save.

00:15:12.240 --> 00:15:14.899
 This is why 2 Timothy 1.12 says,

00:15:15.220 --> 00:15:19.240
 I'm not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed.

00:15:19.580 --> 00:15:21.120
 What is the key to not being ashamed?

00:15:21.379 --> 00:15:22.299
 Knowing whom you believe.

00:15:22.460 --> 00:15:23.419
 What do you got to know about him?

00:15:23.580 --> 00:15:24.460
 That he's mighty to save.

00:15:25.740 --> 00:15:26.960
 And then you won't be ashamed.

00:15:27.899 --> 00:15:29.019
 Then you won't be ashamed.

00:15:29.799 --> 00:15:32.480
 And it's good to know that in Luke 9, verse 26,

00:15:32.940 --> 00:15:34.799
 Jesus had some pretty strong words for this.

00:15:34.860 --> 00:15:35.180
 He says,

00:15:35.180 --> 00:15:39.740
 Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed.

00:15:39.740 --> 00:15:43.480
 When he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

00:15:44.480 --> 00:15:47.379
 I don't want Jesus to be ashamed of me.

00:15:47.720 --> 00:15:49.820
 I don't want Jesus to be ashamed of you.

00:15:50.159 --> 00:15:52.240
 I don't want Jesus to be ashamed of Christ's church.

00:15:53.019 --> 00:15:53.200
 Okay?

00:15:54.159 --> 00:15:56.700
 I would hope when we get to those pearly gates,

00:15:57.360 --> 00:15:58.100
 Jesus is like,

00:15:58.240 --> 00:15:59.680
 Oh, Christ's church.

00:16:00.779 --> 00:16:02.340
 Aptly titled church.

00:16:02.720 --> 00:16:04.539
 I love these guys.

00:16:04.639 --> 00:16:07.700
 These guys believe that I was mighty to save.

00:16:07.700 --> 00:16:11.259
 This church believed that I was mighty to save.

00:16:11.640 --> 00:16:14.720
 And boy, I saved some people through this church.

00:16:15.340 --> 00:16:16.780
 Come into my inheritance.

00:16:16.980 --> 00:16:18.780
 I am not ashamed to call you my brothers.

00:16:19.560 --> 00:16:21.500
 I'm not ashamed to call you my children.

00:16:21.980 --> 00:16:23.280
 You guys weren't ashamed of me.

00:16:26.420 --> 00:16:27.340
 Number two.

00:16:29.240 --> 00:16:30.879
 Hindrance to gospel advancement.

00:16:32.100 --> 00:16:33.320
 Preaching the gospel is costly.

00:16:34.440 --> 00:16:34.640
 Okay?

00:16:34.639 --> 00:16:36.980
 Philippians 4 verse 3.

00:16:37.120 --> 00:16:37.480
 Paul said,

00:16:37.580 --> 00:16:39.559
 I ask you also, true companion,

00:16:40.000 --> 00:16:44.500
 help these women who have labored side by side with me in the gospel,

00:16:45.019 --> 00:16:48.019
 together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers,

00:16:48.500 --> 00:16:50.019
 whose names are in the book of life.

00:16:50.100 --> 00:16:51.080
 So he calls

00:16:51.080 --> 00:16:57.139
 this gospel activity he's doing,

00:16:57.279 --> 00:16:58.500
 he calls it laboring.

00:16:58.500 --> 00:17:01.159
 And then he calls the people who are doing it,

00:17:01.399 --> 00:17:02.559
 his fellow workers.

00:17:03.399 --> 00:17:03.500
 Okay?

00:17:04.119 --> 00:17:05.059
 It takes work.

00:17:05.940 --> 00:17:07.359
 Preaching the gospel takes work.

00:17:08.519 --> 00:17:12.059
 Preaching the gospel involves you getting out of your comfort zone.

00:17:12.180 --> 00:17:13.779
 It involves me getting out of my comfort zone.

00:17:14.140 --> 00:17:16.519
 It involves me going to people I'm not,

00:17:17.000 --> 00:17:17.680
 that I don't know.

00:17:18.380 --> 00:17:18.859
 Strangers.

00:17:19.700 --> 00:17:21.700
 Involves building relationships with strangers.

00:17:21.920 --> 00:17:25.539
 It involves speaking to people who I don't know,

00:17:25.619 --> 00:17:26.240
 who are strangers.

00:17:26.240 --> 00:17:26.799
 Okay?

00:17:28.420 --> 00:17:29.319
 It involves time.

00:17:30.299 --> 00:17:34.640
 It involves being rejected over and over and over and over again.

00:17:35.259 --> 00:17:36.799
 It involves being misunderstood.

00:17:37.920 --> 00:17:39.980
 Sometimes it involves actual persecution.

00:17:40.720 --> 00:17:42.519
 In the vast majority of the world,

00:17:43.019 --> 00:17:45.420
 it involves actual physical persecution.

00:17:46.000 --> 00:17:47.920
 And one day we'll hear as well.

00:17:48.240 --> 00:17:48.680
 As you said,

00:17:48.759 --> 00:17:51.759
 all nations will hate you on behalf of me.

00:17:51.940 --> 00:17:52.759
 It will happen.

00:17:53.220 --> 00:17:53.400
 Okay?

00:17:54.839 --> 00:17:55.519
 Right now,

00:17:55.640 --> 00:17:56.339
 we don't live in that,

00:17:56.420 --> 00:17:57.119
 but it will happen.

00:17:58.279 --> 00:17:59.039
 It's costly.

00:17:59.519 --> 00:18:00.279
 It takes work.

00:18:00.940 --> 00:18:02.160
 Are you up for the work?

00:18:02.640 --> 00:18:03.720
 Are you doing the work?

00:18:04.160 --> 00:18:05.559
 Or are we making excuses

00:18:05.559 --> 00:18:07.960
 because we don't want to do the work?

00:18:07.960 --> 00:18:08.660
 Because we're tired.

00:18:09.240 --> 00:18:09.920
 Because we already have,

00:18:10.140 --> 00:18:11.379
 we're busy with a lot of things.

00:18:11.660 --> 00:18:13.339
 What if we're busy with the wrong things?

00:18:14.220 --> 00:18:17.579
 And not busy with the work of gospel preaching.

00:18:17.940 --> 00:18:19.420
 The work of gospel building.

00:18:19.420 --> 00:18:22.300
 Where I'm actively looking to build relations with people.

00:18:22.380 --> 00:18:22.720
 You might say,

00:18:23.000 --> 00:18:24.580
 well, I just don't have those people in my life.

00:18:24.880 --> 00:18:25.380
 Well, guess what?

00:18:25.500 --> 00:18:26.640
 Someone in this church does.

00:18:27.240 --> 00:18:27.960
 Partner up with them.

00:18:29.140 --> 00:18:30.000
 Partner up with them.

00:18:30.779 --> 00:18:31.340
 You might say,

00:18:31.460 --> 00:18:32.480
 I don't have anyone in my life

00:18:32.480 --> 00:18:33.640
 and the people I'm partnering with

00:18:33.640 --> 00:18:34.500
 don't have anyone in their life.

00:18:34.800 --> 00:18:35.860
 Well, then partner in prayer.

00:18:38.039 --> 00:18:39.240
 There's no excuse, though.

00:18:39.740 --> 00:18:40.880
 The work must be done.

00:18:41.380 --> 00:18:42.220
 If you got people,

00:18:42.420 --> 00:18:43.000
 do the work.

00:18:43.279 --> 00:18:44.140
 If you don't have people,

00:18:44.759 --> 00:18:45.259
 do the work.

00:18:45.340 --> 00:18:46.640
 Say partner with someone else who does.

00:18:46.640 --> 00:18:48.000
 And if you don't have someone who does,

00:18:48.240 --> 00:18:50.200
 then do the work of partnering in prayer

00:18:50.200 --> 00:18:52.600
 knowing that God is mighty to save

00:18:52.600 --> 00:18:53.420
 and he wants to save.

00:18:55.100 --> 00:18:55.460
 Okay?

00:18:55.640 --> 00:18:56.440
 But it takes work.

00:18:57.920 --> 00:18:59.100
 2 Timothy 1 verse 8 says,

00:18:59.240 --> 00:19:01.300
 Do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord,

00:19:01.700 --> 00:19:02.720
 nor of me as prisoner,

00:19:02.820 --> 00:19:04.340
 but share in suffering for the gospel

00:19:04.340 --> 00:19:06.000
 by the power of God.

00:19:06.540 --> 00:19:06.759
 Okay?

00:19:08.040 --> 00:19:10.120
 It takes a willingness to work,

00:19:10.220 --> 00:19:11.280
 a willingness to suffer.

00:19:11.720 --> 00:19:12.420
 It costs.

00:19:13.020 --> 00:19:14.580
 It costs to be a gospel preacher.

00:19:14.579 --> 00:19:18.779
 And there's no way to think about

00:19:18.779 --> 00:19:21.319
 God didn't bring this church together

00:19:21.319 --> 00:19:23.859
 so we could just have a smaller church

00:19:23.859 --> 00:19:25.220
 with our buddies

00:19:25.220 --> 00:19:28.299
 and really have close, familiar relationships

00:19:28.299 --> 00:19:30.399
 and not invite other people

00:19:30.399 --> 00:19:31.500
 into the family of God.

00:19:33.119 --> 00:19:33.319
 Okay?

00:19:33.379 --> 00:19:36.619
 Not enjoy our right to be called children of God

00:19:36.619 --> 00:19:38.960
 and enjoy the fact that us being children of God

00:19:38.960 --> 00:19:40.259
 makes us brothers and sisters

00:19:40.259 --> 00:19:43.480
 and enjoy our meals like we're going to do today

00:19:43.480 --> 00:19:45.880
 and enjoy our time together

00:19:45.880 --> 00:19:46.839
 and enjoy our fellowship,

00:19:46.960 --> 00:19:48.039
 which is all good stuff,

00:19:48.039 --> 00:19:51.259
 but not actively, consistently

00:19:51.259 --> 00:19:54.880
 be looking to engage with lost people,

00:19:55.279 --> 00:19:56.660
 build relationships with lost people,

00:19:56.799 --> 00:19:57.819
 pray for lost people

00:19:57.819 --> 00:20:02.400
 so that they too can hear the good news of the gospel.

00:20:03.200 --> 00:20:04.480
 And that's going to take time.

00:20:04.819 --> 00:20:05.700
 It's going to take effort.

00:20:06.099 --> 00:20:07.400
 It's going to take sacrifice.

00:20:07.500 --> 00:20:08.299
 It's going to be costly.

00:20:09.299 --> 00:20:10.160
 Are we up for it?

00:20:10.660 --> 00:20:11.460
 Are we up for it?

00:20:11.640 --> 00:20:12.599
 Are we bought in?

00:20:12.599 --> 00:20:13.240
 And listen,

00:20:13.819 --> 00:20:16.240
 it's going to take consistent buying in.

00:20:17.299 --> 00:20:17.399
 Okay?

00:20:18.139 --> 00:20:19.059
 May 1st,

00:20:19.099 --> 00:20:20.159
 it's less than a month away,

00:20:20.359 --> 00:20:21.740
 will be one year as a church.

00:20:22.919 --> 00:20:23.199
 Okay?

00:20:24.319 --> 00:20:26.980
 Have we won a lot of people to Christ in this last year?

00:20:27.339 --> 00:20:27.759
 No.

00:20:29.119 --> 00:20:29.519
 Okay?

00:20:31.099 --> 00:20:32.399
 That means we've got to keep going.

00:20:33.359 --> 00:20:34.740
 It means we've got to persevere.

00:20:35.599 --> 00:20:38.000
 It means the shiny gloss,

00:20:38.119 --> 00:20:38.799
 the sexiness,

00:20:38.799 --> 00:20:41.240
 the glamour of a church plant.

00:20:41.779 --> 00:20:42.740
 If it hasn't worn off,

00:20:42.799 --> 00:20:44.259
 it's sure starting to wear off, right?

00:20:44.339 --> 00:20:45.839
 Now we're a year in.

00:20:47.359 --> 00:20:48.539
 Who's going to keep saying,

00:20:48.759 --> 00:20:50.720
 I wasn't doing it for that reason.

00:20:51.440 --> 00:20:53.559
 It wasn't just the shiny new objects.

00:20:55.079 --> 00:20:56.579
 It's the beauty of Christ.

00:20:56.579 --> 00:21:01.619
 It's the beauty of my Savior saving me

00:21:01.619 --> 00:21:05.119
 and His power and desire to save other people.

00:21:05.599 --> 00:21:07.919
 And I joined together with this group of people

00:21:07.919 --> 00:21:10.319
 to be a people that don't give up,

00:21:10.960 --> 00:21:12.339
 that keep pressing in in prayer,

00:21:12.859 --> 00:21:14.639
 that keep pressing in in building relationships,

00:21:14.799 --> 00:21:18.099
 that keep pressing in in speaking the gospel to people.

00:21:18.359 --> 00:21:19.799
 No matter how many times we're rejected,

00:21:19.939 --> 00:21:22.319
 no matter how many times that seed falls on the wrong soil,

00:21:22.319 --> 00:21:24.519
 we just keep going and we keep going.

00:21:24.819 --> 00:21:25.779
 And there's a consistency.

00:21:26.379 --> 00:21:27.700
 When everyone's discouraged,

00:21:28.359 --> 00:21:30.139
 there's people within our church who say,

00:21:30.319 --> 00:21:31.259
 keep going,

00:21:32.019 --> 00:21:32.619
 keep going,

00:21:32.700 --> 00:21:33.299
 don't give up.

00:21:34.039 --> 00:21:35.859
 We didn't sign up for the easy road.

00:21:36.599 --> 00:21:38.359
 We didn't sign up for some,

00:21:38.359 --> 00:21:39.039
 you know,

00:21:39.519 --> 00:21:41.259
 dog and pony show,

00:21:41.799 --> 00:21:42.000
 you know,

00:21:42.039 --> 00:21:43.740
 the Holy Trinity of church planting

00:21:43.740 --> 00:21:45.639
 with a charismatic speaker,

00:21:46.159 --> 00:21:48.019
 a killer children's ministry,

00:21:48.339 --> 00:21:50.639
 and the full band of hired musicians.

00:21:50.640 --> 00:21:52.520
 We didn't sign up for that.

00:21:53.020 --> 00:21:54.220
 No one's coming for that.

00:21:54.960 --> 00:21:56.800
 You can't just get comfortable and say,

00:21:57.200 --> 00:21:57.440
 well,

00:21:57.700 --> 00:21:59.920
 the preacher and the children's ministry

00:21:59.920 --> 00:22:01.080
 and the worship ministry,

00:22:01.360 --> 00:22:02.020
 they got it.

00:22:02.720 --> 00:22:04.140
 We're just going to grow through addition.

00:22:04.580 --> 00:22:06.280
 Those things will keep adding to a church.

00:22:06.520 --> 00:22:08.220
 We don't believe in growing by addition.

00:22:08.640 --> 00:22:10.700
 We believe by churches growing by multiplication.

00:22:11.360 --> 00:22:13.940
 Multiplication happens exponentially,

00:22:14.480 --> 00:22:15.660
 very slow on the front end,

00:22:16.360 --> 00:22:17.480
 very slow on the front end,

00:22:18.480 --> 00:22:19.860
 very slow on the front end.

00:22:20.640 --> 00:22:22.160
 Every single one of us,

00:22:22.440 --> 00:22:24.660
 building relationships with people,

00:22:25.060 --> 00:22:25.880
 preaching the gospel,

00:22:26.220 --> 00:22:27.000
 not giving up,

00:22:27.320 --> 00:22:29.140
 continuing to spread gospel seed,

00:22:30.000 --> 00:22:31.100
 continuing to get on mission

00:22:31.100 --> 00:22:33.220
 to specific people in specific places,

00:22:34.200 --> 00:22:36.280
 keep praying for people,

00:22:36.560 --> 00:22:38.160
 praying for men and women of peace,

00:22:39.020 --> 00:22:39.540
 continuing,

00:22:39.800 --> 00:22:40.280
 continuing,

00:22:40.480 --> 00:22:40.900
 continuing,

00:22:41.040 --> 00:22:41.860
 not giving up,

00:22:41.900 --> 00:22:42.560
 that consistency.

00:22:43.020 --> 00:22:43.759
 Are you consistent?

00:22:44.420 --> 00:22:45.400
 Are you up and down?

00:22:45.480 --> 00:22:46.080
 This last year,

00:22:46.140 --> 00:22:46.840
 have you been consistent?

00:22:46.839 --> 00:22:50.199
 Is your passion for what is true

00:22:50.199 --> 00:22:52.179
 based on your experience

00:22:52.179 --> 00:22:53.639
 of your feelings,

00:22:54.759 --> 00:22:56.619
 your church experience

00:22:56.619 --> 00:22:57.339
 of your friendships

00:22:57.339 --> 00:22:58.859
 here in this group of people?

00:22:59.199 --> 00:23:01.480
 Or is it based on the sustained,

00:23:01.919 --> 00:23:03.759
 unchanging nature of Jesus Christ,

00:23:03.919 --> 00:23:05.439
 who he is and what he's done?

00:23:06.480 --> 00:23:08.139
 And are you being fueled by him

00:23:08.139 --> 00:23:09.539
 or are you being fueled by novelty?

00:23:10.480 --> 00:23:12.059
 Are you being fueled by him?

00:23:12.059 --> 00:23:15.720
 Are you being fueled by the new shiny small object?

00:23:17.099 --> 00:23:19.659
 We must fix our eyes on Jesus,

00:23:20.000 --> 00:23:21.519
 the author and perfecter of our faith.

00:23:21.619 --> 00:23:24.460
 We must constantly be looking to him

00:23:24.460 --> 00:23:25.559
 and be fueled by him,

00:23:25.779 --> 00:23:27.179
 motivated by him,

00:23:27.259 --> 00:23:28.339
 motivated by his gospel.

00:23:29.500 --> 00:23:30.720
 Utmost importance.

00:23:31.599 --> 00:23:32.220
 Number three,

00:23:32.539 --> 00:23:34.440
 hindrance to gospel advancement.

00:23:35.720 --> 00:23:36.240
 Cynicism.

00:23:37.240 --> 00:23:37.859
 Cynicism.

00:23:38.539 --> 00:23:39.619
 What's the point?

00:23:39.960 --> 00:23:41.200
 Barely anyone gets saved.

00:23:41.200 --> 00:23:41.240
 Grief.

00:23:41.900 --> 00:23:42.160
 Okay?

00:23:42.759 --> 00:23:44.100
 I used to preach the gospel,

00:23:44.279 --> 00:23:44.580
 but it's,

00:23:44.920 --> 00:23:45.299
 you know what?

00:23:45.360 --> 00:23:46.279
 There's so many times

00:23:46.279 --> 00:23:47.580
 I've talked to people,

00:23:47.680 --> 00:23:48.400
 I've reached out to people,

00:23:48.480 --> 00:23:49.519
 we've been on a mission to people.

00:23:51.180 --> 00:23:52.860
 It's like people just aren't getting saved.

00:23:53.620 --> 00:23:55.220
 Matthew 7, 13 to 14.

00:23:56.279 --> 00:23:57.240
 I mean, good grief.

00:23:57.319 --> 00:23:58.200
 Jesus said it, right?

00:23:58.720 --> 00:23:59.799
 Enter by the narrow gate.

00:23:59.940 --> 00:24:01.019
 The gate is wide

00:24:01.019 --> 00:24:02.420
 and the way is easy

00:24:02.420 --> 00:24:04.539
 that leads to destruction.

00:24:05.400 --> 00:24:06.580
 For those who enter it,

00:24:06.819 --> 00:24:07.519
 enter by it,

00:24:08.000 --> 00:24:08.519
 are many.

00:24:09.240 --> 00:24:10.600
 It goes on in verse 14

00:24:10.600 --> 00:24:11.140
 and says,

00:24:11.200 --> 00:24:13.920
 the gate is narrow

00:24:13.920 --> 00:24:16.039
 and the way is hard

00:24:16.039 --> 00:24:17.680
 that leads to life

00:24:17.680 --> 00:24:19.759
 and those who find it

00:24:19.759 --> 00:24:20.519
 are few.

00:24:21.460 --> 00:24:22.840
 Those who find it are few.

00:24:24.200 --> 00:24:24.799
 Guess what?

00:24:25.700 --> 00:24:26.240
 You're right.

00:24:26.840 --> 00:24:27.559
 Few find it.

00:24:28.519 --> 00:24:29.840
 Most aren't saved.

00:24:30.680 --> 00:24:31.840
 Few will find it.

00:24:32.740 --> 00:24:32.940
 Okay?

00:24:33.519 --> 00:24:34.299
 So number one,

00:24:34.900 --> 00:24:35.700
 the great thing,

00:24:35.819 --> 00:24:37.000
 one of the great things about Jesus

00:24:37.000 --> 00:24:38.420
 is he tells us ahead of time

00:24:38.420 --> 00:24:39.460
 things are going to happen,

00:24:40.119 --> 00:24:41.079
 tells us ahead of time

00:24:41.079 --> 00:24:42.160
 things are going to be difficult

00:24:42.160 --> 00:24:44.160
 and that's loving and helpful

00:24:44.160 --> 00:24:45.619
 so we know how to handle it.

00:24:46.119 --> 00:24:47.160
 If you're expecting

00:24:47.160 --> 00:24:49.079
 the masses to get saved

00:24:49.079 --> 00:24:50.519
 when he said few will find it,

00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:51.740
 you're going to be disappointed.

00:24:52.799 --> 00:24:53.200
 Okay?

00:24:53.200 --> 00:24:55.180
 And we've been deluded

00:24:55.180 --> 00:24:57.279
 and fallen asleep a little bit

00:24:57.279 --> 00:24:59.380
 because 65% of America

00:24:59.380 --> 00:25:00.279
 says they're believers.

00:25:02.680 --> 00:25:03.080
 65%,

00:25:03.080 --> 00:25:03.700
 when you ask them,

00:25:03.720 --> 00:25:04.240
 are you a Christian?

00:25:04.340 --> 00:25:05.039
 They say yes.

00:25:05.640 --> 00:25:06.559
 But if you ask them

00:25:06.559 --> 00:25:08.120
 three other questions

00:25:08.120 --> 00:25:09.039
 and you say,

00:25:09.120 --> 00:25:09.840
 do you believe that Jesus

00:25:09.840 --> 00:25:10.600
 is the only way?

00:25:10.680 --> 00:25:11.880
 Do you believe that Jesus is God?

00:25:11.960 --> 00:25:12.759
 Do you believe that the Bible

00:25:12.759 --> 00:25:13.539
 is the Word of God?

00:25:13.900 --> 00:25:15.200
 That number drops to 6%.

00:25:15.880 --> 00:25:18.519
 That's like 10%

00:25:18.519 --> 00:25:20.160
 of the total people

00:25:20.160 --> 00:25:21.880
 who say they are Christians

00:25:21.880 --> 00:25:23.039
 actually believing

00:25:23.039 --> 00:25:24.700
 in some pretty minimum stuff

00:25:24.700 --> 00:25:25.880
 to be a Christian.

00:25:26.160 --> 00:25:27.680
 That means we can safely say

00:25:27.680 --> 00:25:30.039
 that 90% of professing Christians

00:25:30.039 --> 00:25:30.620
 in America

00:25:30.620 --> 00:25:32.240
 are not Christians.

00:25:34.380 --> 00:25:35.660
 Do you hear me on that?

00:25:36.319 --> 00:25:37.140
 So we've been deluded.

00:25:37.319 --> 00:25:37.940
 Oh, no, no, no.

00:25:38.059 --> 00:25:39.000
 So many people get saved.

00:25:39.319 --> 00:25:40.299
 Majority of America is saved.

00:25:40.380 --> 00:25:41.900
 65% of America is saved.

00:25:42.559 --> 00:25:43.080
 Hogwash.

00:25:43.180 --> 00:25:44.000
 There's no way.

00:25:45.200 --> 00:25:45.880
 We're lucky.

00:25:46.720 --> 00:25:48.980
 We're lucky if 6% is.

00:25:49.539 --> 00:25:51.039
 That means that a good 90%

00:25:51.039 --> 00:25:52.420
 of professing believers

00:25:52.420 --> 00:25:53.220
 are not Christians.

00:25:54.720 --> 00:25:56.000
 Means we got our work to do.

00:25:56.000 --> 00:25:56.400
 But,

00:25:56.960 --> 00:25:59.259
 just because few find it

00:25:59.259 --> 00:26:01.640
 doesn't mean that some don't.

00:26:02.580 --> 00:26:02.779
 I mean,

00:26:02.880 --> 00:26:03.840
 just because few find it

00:26:03.840 --> 00:26:04.299
 doesn't mean

00:26:04.299 --> 00:26:05.779
 that's telling you

00:26:05.779 --> 00:26:06.920
 some find it.

00:26:07.980 --> 00:26:08.180
 Okay?

00:26:08.440 --> 00:26:09.620
 And how do they find it?

00:26:10.319 --> 00:26:11.299
 Because that's the question.

00:26:11.620 --> 00:26:11.779
 Okay,

00:26:11.920 --> 00:26:13.420
 some do find it.

00:26:13.819 --> 00:26:14.220
 How?

00:26:15.200 --> 00:26:16.019
 How do they find it?

00:26:18.019 --> 00:26:18.420
 Exactly.

00:26:18.720 --> 00:26:18.960
 Romans,

00:26:19.039 --> 00:26:19.799
 that's my next verse.

00:26:19.940 --> 00:26:20.980
 Romans 10, 13.

00:26:22.480 --> 00:26:23.340
 Everyone who calls

00:26:23.340 --> 00:26:24.240
 on the name of the Lord

00:26:24.240 --> 00:26:25.360
 will be saved.

00:26:26.019 --> 00:26:26.680
 How then

00:26:26.680 --> 00:26:28.380
 will they call on Him

00:26:28.380 --> 00:26:29.700
 who they have not believed?

00:26:30.480 --> 00:26:31.559
 Great question, Paul.

00:26:32.620 --> 00:26:33.559
 And how are they

00:26:33.559 --> 00:26:34.440
 to believe in Him

00:26:34.440 --> 00:26:36.140
 of whom they have never heard?

00:26:36.480 --> 00:26:37.819
 And how are they to hear

00:26:37.819 --> 00:26:39.259
 without someone preaching?

00:26:39.259 --> 00:26:40.779
 And how are they to preach

00:26:40.779 --> 00:26:41.759
 unless they are sent?

00:26:42.180 --> 00:26:42.879
 And as it is written,

00:26:42.980 --> 00:26:44.019
 how beautiful are the feet

00:26:44.019 --> 00:26:45.980
 of those who preach good news.

00:26:46.879 --> 00:26:47.579
 Faith comes from hearing

00:26:47.579 --> 00:26:47.980
 the message

00:26:47.980 --> 00:26:48.680
 and the message is heard

00:26:48.680 --> 00:26:49.579
 through the word of Christ.

00:26:49.859 --> 00:26:50.019
 Okay?

00:26:50.460 --> 00:26:51.839
 How are they to believe in Him

00:26:51.839 --> 00:26:53.799
 whom they have never heard?

00:26:54.539 --> 00:26:55.700
 It's a rhetorical question.

00:26:56.099 --> 00:26:56.859
 They can't.

00:26:57.279 --> 00:26:58.000
 They won't.

00:26:59.000 --> 00:26:59.960
 How are they to hear

00:26:59.960 --> 00:27:00.819
 without someone preaching?

00:27:01.279 --> 00:27:02.480
 Someone's got to preach.

00:27:03.619 --> 00:27:04.519
 So you might say,

00:27:04.599 --> 00:27:04.759
 well,

00:27:04.819 --> 00:27:05.779
 I'm just kind of cynical.

00:27:06.220 --> 00:27:07.220
 People aren't getting saved.

00:27:07.220 --> 00:27:07.700
 Yes,

00:27:08.019 --> 00:27:09.180
 majority don't get saved,

00:27:09.380 --> 00:27:10.039
 but some do.

00:27:11.420 --> 00:27:11.920
 And Paul said,

00:27:12.240 --> 00:27:12.360
 hey,

00:27:12.400 --> 00:27:13.420
 I'm doing everything I can

00:27:13.420 --> 00:27:14.660
 so that some would.

00:27:15.980 --> 00:27:17.100
 And what is that

00:27:17.100 --> 00:27:17.860
 that you have to do?

00:27:18.059 --> 00:27:19.299
 They have to be preached to.

00:27:20.920 --> 00:27:22.079
 People have to be sent

00:27:22.079 --> 00:27:22.960
 to preach to them.

00:27:23.460 --> 00:27:24.600
 You have to go to them.

00:27:26.240 --> 00:27:27.220
 But we've created

00:27:27.220 --> 00:27:28.220
 for many years,

00:27:28.299 --> 00:27:29.200
 for a whole generation

00:27:29.200 --> 00:27:29.819
 of church,

00:27:30.220 --> 00:27:32.680
 we created this thing

00:27:32.680 --> 00:27:33.600
 where we think,

00:27:33.819 --> 00:27:34.039
 no,

00:27:34.140 --> 00:27:35.100
 it's all about people

00:27:35.100 --> 00:27:36.059
 coming to us.

00:27:36.059 --> 00:27:37.740
 We designed our churches

00:27:37.740 --> 00:27:38.839
 to be attractional,

00:27:39.039 --> 00:27:40.000
 and it's just about

00:27:40.000 --> 00:27:40.500
 getting people

00:27:40.500 --> 00:27:41.619
 to come to church services.

00:27:42.399 --> 00:27:43.779
 Totally not what you see

00:27:43.779 --> 00:27:44.220
 in the Bible.

00:27:45.000 --> 00:27:46.139
 Nobody's inviting people

00:27:46.139 --> 00:27:46.960
 to church services

00:27:46.960 --> 00:27:47.519
 in the Bible,

00:27:47.779 --> 00:27:48.579
 and yet we had

00:27:48.579 --> 00:27:49.419
 a whole generation

00:27:49.419 --> 00:27:51.000
 that taught church

00:27:51.000 --> 00:27:52.519
 that this is what church is.

00:27:53.099 --> 00:27:53.299
 You,

00:27:53.700 --> 00:27:55.059
 the work of evangelism

00:27:55.059 --> 00:27:56.099
 is inviting people

00:27:56.099 --> 00:27:56.539
 to church

00:27:56.539 --> 00:27:57.200
 so someone else

00:27:57.200 --> 00:27:58.339
 can preach the gospel to them.

00:27:59.179 --> 00:28:00.139
 This is wrong.

00:28:00.879 --> 00:28:01.639
 This is wrong.

00:28:02.859 --> 00:28:03.119
 Okay?

00:28:03.119 --> 00:28:06.179
 The attractional mindset

00:28:06.179 --> 00:28:07.919
 is missing so much.

00:28:08.059 --> 00:28:08.619
 I praise God

00:28:08.619 --> 00:28:09.479
 that Christ is preached

00:28:09.479 --> 00:28:11.000
 in attractional churches,

00:28:11.000 --> 00:28:12.179
 but this is not

00:28:12.179 --> 00:28:13.179
 what you see in the Bible.

00:28:13.479 --> 00:28:14.259
 In the Bible,

00:28:14.359 --> 00:28:15.059
 they were on mission

00:28:15.059 --> 00:28:16.019
 to people.

00:28:16.219 --> 00:28:17.059
 They went to where

00:28:17.059 --> 00:28:17.799
 the people were.

00:28:18.059 --> 00:28:18.979
 They didn't just expect

00:28:18.979 --> 00:28:20.000
 people to come to them,

00:28:20.159 --> 00:28:21.359
 and we need to do the same.

00:28:21.919 --> 00:28:22.359
 Jesus said,

00:28:22.459 --> 00:28:23.139
 I came to seek

00:28:23.139 --> 00:28:24.019
 and to save

00:28:24.019 --> 00:28:25.259
 that which is lost.

00:28:25.759 --> 00:28:26.959
 They're seeking them out.

00:28:27.519 --> 00:28:27.859
 Instead,

00:28:27.979 --> 00:28:28.619
 we turned it into

00:28:28.619 --> 00:28:30.339
 seeker-sensitive services.

00:28:30.839 --> 00:28:31.939
 Instead of seeking them out,

00:28:31.940 --> 00:28:32.640
 we said,

00:28:32.860 --> 00:28:33.720
 bring the seekers here.

00:28:34.240 --> 00:28:34.440
 It's like,

00:28:34.480 --> 00:28:34.559
 no,

00:28:34.640 --> 00:28:35.259
 you go to them

00:28:35.259 --> 00:28:36.220
 because you know what?

00:28:36.259 --> 00:28:37.039
 The majority of people

00:28:37.039 --> 00:28:37.779
 are never going to come

00:28:37.779 --> 00:28:38.660
 into our service

00:28:38.660 --> 00:28:40.080
 until they're Christians,

00:28:40.080 --> 00:28:41.120
 and that's fine

00:28:41.120 --> 00:28:41.840
 because the services

00:28:41.840 --> 00:28:42.920
 aren't for unbelievers,

00:28:43.039 --> 00:28:43.700
 they're for Christians.

00:28:44.680 --> 00:28:46.019
 Church is for Christians,

00:28:46.019 --> 00:28:47.620
 so we need to go out

00:28:47.620 --> 00:28:48.580
 to where people are at

00:28:48.580 --> 00:28:50.100
 and preach the gospel to them

00:28:50.100 --> 00:28:51.180
 because they're not going

00:28:51.180 --> 00:28:52.019
 to believe unless someone,

00:28:52.400 --> 00:28:53.100
 unless they hear,

00:28:53.240 --> 00:28:54.000
 and they're not going to hear

00:28:54.000 --> 00:28:55.240
 unless someone preaches,

00:28:55.559 --> 00:28:56.420
 and they're not going to be

00:28:56.420 --> 00:28:58.000
 preaching unless someone sent.

00:28:58.860 --> 00:29:00.019
 So we can all say,

00:29:00.019 --> 00:29:00.620
 here am I.

00:29:01.940 --> 00:29:02.340
 Send me.

00:29:02.740 --> 00:29:03.600
 I want to go.

00:29:04.140 --> 00:29:05.100
 Here we are as a church.

00:29:05.220 --> 00:29:05.860
 Send us.

00:29:06.500 --> 00:29:07.380
 And we keep going.

00:29:07.539 --> 00:29:08.580
 We go and we keep going.

00:29:09.980 --> 00:29:11.259
 Michael Tucci,

00:29:11.340 --> 00:29:12.140
 when we were talking about

00:29:12.140 --> 00:29:13.539
 some of this on Wednesday,

00:29:14.019 --> 00:29:15.500
 brought up the parable of the sower.

00:29:16.180 --> 00:29:16.960
 And a great point

00:29:16.960 --> 00:29:18.140
 about the parable of the sower

00:29:18.140 --> 00:29:20.019
 is that if you notice

00:29:20.019 --> 00:29:21.420
 when they were spreading the seed,

00:29:21.960 --> 00:29:22.820
 did the sower

00:29:22.820 --> 00:29:25.580
 only throw seed,

00:29:25.759 --> 00:29:25.900
 you know,

00:29:25.940 --> 00:29:26.700
 really make sure

00:29:26.700 --> 00:29:27.160
 that the seed

00:29:27.160 --> 00:29:28.220
 was thrown on the good soil?

00:29:28.220 --> 00:29:28.660
 No.

00:29:30.779 --> 00:29:31.579
 Mark 4,

00:29:32.299 --> 00:29:33.160
 3 through 8,

00:29:33.539 --> 00:29:34.279
 says some seed

00:29:34.279 --> 00:29:35.160
 fell on the path,

00:29:35.279 --> 00:29:36.700
 other seed fell on rocky ground,

00:29:37.039 --> 00:29:38.480
 other seed fell among the thorns,

00:29:38.980 --> 00:29:40.819
 and other seeds

00:29:40.819 --> 00:29:41.720
 fell into the good soil.

00:29:42.220 --> 00:29:43.160
 Four categories.

00:29:43.680 --> 00:29:44.680
 Three of them are not good.

00:29:45.039 --> 00:29:45.759
 One of them is.

00:29:46.240 --> 00:29:47.039
 What is he doing?

00:29:47.759 --> 00:29:48.839
 Why is he throwing seed

00:29:48.839 --> 00:29:49.620
 all over the place?

00:29:49.620 --> 00:29:51.059
 Do you see that?

00:29:51.299 --> 00:29:51.880
 We think,

00:29:52.039 --> 00:29:52.200
 oh,

00:29:52.579 --> 00:29:53.620
 I have to make sure

00:29:53.620 --> 00:29:53.960
 I only,

00:29:54.299 --> 00:29:54.480
 no,

00:29:54.519 --> 00:29:54.620
 no,

00:29:54.620 --> 00:29:54.720
 no.

00:29:54.720 --> 00:29:55.180
 We're just,

00:29:55.279 --> 00:29:56.440
 it's not our job

00:29:56.440 --> 00:29:58.079
 to make sure

00:29:58.079 --> 00:29:58.640
 that the seed

00:29:58.640 --> 00:29:59.640
 is only on good soil.

00:29:59.759 --> 00:30:00.319
 It's our job

00:30:00.319 --> 00:30:01.160
 to spread seed.

00:30:02.039 --> 00:30:02.819
 You don't know

00:30:02.819 --> 00:30:03.600
 if the soil's good.

00:30:03.680 --> 00:30:04.279
 You're not God.

00:30:05.019 --> 00:30:05.220
 Now,

00:30:05.279 --> 00:30:06.019
 there might be sometimes

00:30:06.019 --> 00:30:06.819
 where it seems like,

00:30:06.880 --> 00:30:07.059
 oh,

00:30:07.500 --> 00:30:07.680
 hey,

00:30:07.759 --> 00:30:08.700
 this guy seems

00:30:08.700 --> 00:30:09.559
 like he's not far

00:30:09.559 --> 00:30:10.079
 from the kingdom.

00:30:10.500 --> 00:30:11.019
 Praise God.

00:30:11.059 --> 00:30:12.180
 You can discern that sometimes.

00:30:12.660 --> 00:30:13.400
 But just because

00:30:13.400 --> 00:30:14.400
 someone doesn't seem

00:30:14.400 --> 00:30:15.259
 far from the kingdom

00:30:15.259 --> 00:30:16.559
 doesn't mean that

00:30:16.559 --> 00:30:17.799
 God couldn't save them.

00:30:20.039 --> 00:30:21.579
 That one hearing

00:30:21.579 --> 00:30:22.500
 of the gospel,

00:30:22.700 --> 00:30:23.400
 which is the power

00:30:23.400 --> 00:30:23.759
 of God

00:30:23.759 --> 00:30:24.460
 for the salvation

00:30:24.460 --> 00:30:25.599
 of those who believe

00:30:25.599 --> 00:30:27.000
 to the hardest heart

00:30:27.000 --> 00:30:28.599
 could break it

00:30:28.599 --> 00:30:29.220
 and melt it.

00:30:30.700 --> 00:30:31.099
 So,

00:30:31.220 --> 00:30:32.420
 we can't just go around

00:30:32.420 --> 00:30:32.660
 saying,

00:30:32.759 --> 00:30:32.940
 well,

00:30:33.839 --> 00:30:35.299
 I don't know.

00:30:35.400 --> 00:30:36.480
 I think he's pretty far here.

00:30:36.599 --> 00:30:37.900
 I don't want to preach

00:30:37.900 --> 00:30:38.379
 to this guy.

00:30:38.460 --> 00:30:40.119
 He's just a complete reprobate,

00:30:40.200 --> 00:30:40.319
 man.

00:30:40.339 --> 00:30:41.619
 He's just a God-hating,

00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:43.799
 not open to the gospel

00:30:43.799 --> 00:30:44.480
 kind of guy.

00:30:44.700 --> 00:30:45.319
 And I say,

00:30:45.640 --> 00:30:46.039
 again,

00:30:46.339 --> 00:30:47.119
 so what?

00:30:48.299 --> 00:30:49.180
 Is the gospel

00:30:49.180 --> 00:30:50.000
 the power of God

00:30:50.000 --> 00:30:50.640
 for the salvation

00:30:50.640 --> 00:30:51.940
 of all who believe?

00:30:52.160 --> 00:30:53.160
 Or is it just the power

00:30:53.160 --> 00:30:54.060
 of God for salvation

00:30:54.060 --> 00:30:55.080
 of those

00:30:55.080 --> 00:30:56.259
 who are really close

00:30:56.259 --> 00:30:56.740
 to believing

00:30:56.740 --> 00:30:57.779
 who look like good soil?

00:30:59.019 --> 00:31:00.060
 As far as what I've read,

00:31:00.100 --> 00:31:00.880
 it says it's to all

00:31:00.880 --> 00:31:01.360
 who believe,

00:31:01.740 --> 00:31:02.580
 and even the hardest

00:31:02.580 --> 00:31:03.460
 of heart can be

00:31:03.460 --> 00:31:04.840
 broken and melted

00:31:04.840 --> 00:31:06.540
 by the Son of God.

00:31:06.940 --> 00:31:07.880
 Do you believe that?

00:31:07.920 --> 00:31:08.380
 If you do,

00:31:08.460 --> 00:31:09.360
 you do with the sower,

00:31:09.440 --> 00:31:10.620
 you're just spreading seed.

00:31:11.000 --> 00:31:12.019
 That's our job.

00:31:12.960 --> 00:31:13.940
 One of the reasons

00:31:13.940 --> 00:31:15.740
 that we get mixed up

00:31:15.740 --> 00:31:16.300
 with this

00:31:16.300 --> 00:31:17.500
 is that,

00:31:18.100 --> 00:31:19.460
 which is my fourth one,

00:31:19.460 --> 00:31:20.720
 is that we think

00:31:20.720 --> 00:31:21.460
 it's on us

00:31:21.460 --> 00:31:22.319
 to save people.

00:31:23.340 --> 00:31:23.519
 Okay?

00:31:24.259 --> 00:31:24.920
 Number four is

00:31:24.920 --> 00:31:25.660
 we lose heart

00:31:25.660 --> 00:31:26.340
 because we think

00:31:26.340 --> 00:31:26.940
 it's on us.

00:31:27.000 --> 00:31:27.700
 That's a hindrance

00:31:27.700 --> 00:31:28.279
 to the gospel.

00:31:28.640 --> 00:31:29.380
 It's not on us

00:31:29.380 --> 00:31:30.140
 to save people.

00:31:30.559 --> 00:31:31.360
 Our job isn't

00:31:31.360 --> 00:31:31.880
 to make sure

00:31:31.880 --> 00:31:32.420
 that the seed

00:31:32.420 --> 00:31:33.440
 falls in the right soil.

00:31:33.720 --> 00:31:34.360
 Our job isn't

00:31:34.360 --> 00:31:34.880
 to make sure

00:31:34.880 --> 00:31:35.579
 that that soil

00:31:35.579 --> 00:31:36.420
 grows up.

00:31:36.799 --> 00:31:37.640
 Our job

00:31:37.640 --> 00:31:38.740
 is to spread

00:31:38.740 --> 00:31:39.279
 the seed

00:31:39.279 --> 00:31:39.840
 of the gospel.

00:31:40.700 --> 00:31:41.819
 God makes things grow.

00:31:42.380 --> 00:31:43.120
 1 Corinthians 3,

00:31:43.220 --> 00:31:43.920
 6-7,

00:31:44.340 --> 00:31:44.960
 Paul says,

00:31:45.100 --> 00:31:45.680
 I planted,

00:31:46.039 --> 00:31:47.039
 Apollos watered.

00:31:47.039 --> 00:31:48.339
 But who gave

00:31:48.339 --> 00:31:48.779
 the growth?

00:31:49.720 --> 00:31:50.079
 God.

00:31:51.079 --> 00:31:51.980
 So what's our job?

00:31:52.159 --> 00:31:52.519
 Planting,

00:31:52.819 --> 00:31:53.099
 watering,

00:31:53.339 --> 00:31:53.659
 planting.

00:31:54.019 --> 00:31:54.579
 Someone plants

00:31:54.579 --> 00:31:54.920
 the seeds

00:31:54.920 --> 00:31:55.480
 of the gospel.

00:31:55.920 --> 00:31:56.740
 Maybe you come along,

00:31:57.119 --> 00:31:58.500
 you give the gospel again

00:31:58.500 --> 00:31:59.139
 and you're watering

00:31:59.139 --> 00:31:59.779
 those seeds.

00:32:00.599 --> 00:32:01.299
 It's not your job

00:32:01.299 --> 00:32:01.960
 to make it grow.

00:32:02.220 --> 00:32:02.879
 It's not my job

00:32:02.879 --> 00:32:03.539
 to make it grow.

00:32:03.940 --> 00:32:04.940
 It's not any of our jobs

00:32:04.940 --> 00:32:05.619
 to make it grow.

00:32:05.920 --> 00:32:07.079
 That's God's job.

00:32:08.359 --> 00:32:09.079
 But sometimes

00:32:09.079 --> 00:32:09.960
 we lose heart

00:32:09.960 --> 00:32:11.099
 because we feel like,

00:32:11.159 --> 00:32:11.279
 oh,

00:32:11.319 --> 00:32:12.139
 I'm just not

00:32:12.139 --> 00:32:13.000
 being effective

00:32:13.000 --> 00:32:13.859
 to make the gospel

00:32:13.859 --> 00:32:14.819
 grow in someone's heart.

00:32:15.279 --> 00:32:15.839
 Whoever said

00:32:15.839 --> 00:32:16.659
 that was your job?

00:32:17.839 --> 00:32:18.720
 You're losing heart

00:32:18.720 --> 00:32:19.859
 for the wrong reasons.

00:32:20.659 --> 00:32:21.619
 2 Corinthians 4,

00:32:21.720 --> 00:32:22.559
 1-6,

00:32:23.460 --> 00:32:23.700
 says,

00:32:23.940 --> 00:32:23.940


00:32:24.079 --> 00:32:25.019
 having this ministry

00:32:25.019 --> 00:32:26.579
 by the mercy of God,

00:32:26.759 --> 00:32:28.960
 we do not lose heart.

00:32:30.059 --> 00:32:30.799
 Verse 3,

00:32:30.899 --> 00:32:31.720
 Even if our gospel

00:32:31.720 --> 00:32:32.279
 is veiled,

00:32:32.599 --> 00:32:33.579
 it's veiled to those

00:32:33.579 --> 00:32:34.279
 who are perishing.

00:32:34.779 --> 00:32:35.299
 In their case,

00:32:35.359 --> 00:32:36.299
 the God of this world

00:32:36.299 --> 00:32:38.180
 has blinded the minds

00:32:38.180 --> 00:32:39.039
 of the unbelievers

00:32:39.039 --> 00:32:40.420
 to keep them from seeing

00:32:40.420 --> 00:32:41.440
 the light of the gospel

00:32:41.440 --> 00:32:42.480
 of the glory of Christ,

00:32:42.819 --> 00:32:44.259
 who is the image of God.

00:32:45.259 --> 00:32:46.259
 For what we proclaim

00:32:46.259 --> 00:32:47.940
 is not ourselves,

00:32:48.480 --> 00:32:49.400
 but Jesus Christ

00:32:49.400 --> 00:32:49.960
 as Lord,

00:32:50.940 --> 00:32:51.799
 with ourselves

00:32:51.799 --> 00:32:52.660
 as your servants

00:32:52.660 --> 00:32:53.599
 for Jesus' sake.

00:32:53.920 --> 00:32:54.559
 For God who said

00:32:54.559 --> 00:32:55.259
 that light shine

00:32:55.259 --> 00:32:55.980
 out of darkness

00:32:55.980 --> 00:32:57.799
 has shown in our hearts

00:32:57.799 --> 00:32:59.160
 to give the light

00:32:59.160 --> 00:33:00.299
 of the knowledge

00:33:00.299 --> 00:33:01.599
 of the glory of God

00:33:01.599 --> 00:33:02.359
 in the face

00:33:02.359 --> 00:33:03.759
 of Jesus Christ.

00:33:04.420 --> 00:33:04.920
 Okay?

00:33:06.519 --> 00:33:07.039
 He says,

00:33:07.099 --> 00:33:08.160
 we don't proclaim ourselves.

00:33:08.339 --> 00:33:08.619
 Why?

00:33:08.720 --> 00:33:09.759
 Because we're not God.

00:33:09.920 --> 00:33:11.259
 We don't save people.

00:33:12.379 --> 00:33:13.059
 He says,

00:33:13.059 --> 00:33:14.159
 we don't lose heart.

00:33:14.980 --> 00:33:15.599
 Even though,

00:33:15.679 --> 00:33:16.240
 isn't it interesting?

00:33:16.359 --> 00:33:16.700
 He says,

00:33:16.779 --> 00:33:17.480
 we don't lose heart.

00:33:17.559 --> 00:33:18.159
 And then he goes on

00:33:18.159 --> 00:33:19.359
 to say how the God

00:33:19.359 --> 00:33:19.759
 of this world

00:33:19.759 --> 00:33:20.639
 has blinded the mind

00:33:20.639 --> 00:33:21.240
 of unbelievers.

00:33:21.720 --> 00:33:22.839
 Doesn't that kind of sound

00:33:22.839 --> 00:33:23.559
 like a good reason

00:33:23.559 --> 00:33:24.220
 to lose heart?

00:33:25.119 --> 00:33:25.879
 Wouldn't you say,

00:33:26.039 --> 00:33:26.279
 well,

00:33:26.579 --> 00:33:27.319
 wait a minute,

00:33:27.399 --> 00:33:28.519
 why aren't you losing heart?

00:33:28.859 --> 00:33:30.460
 The God of this world

00:33:30.460 --> 00:33:32.859
 has blinded the mind

00:33:32.859 --> 00:33:33.460
 of unbelievers.

00:33:33.460 --> 00:33:34.099
 That seems like

00:33:34.099 --> 00:33:34.819
 a pretty good reason

00:33:34.819 --> 00:33:35.559
 to lose heart.

00:33:36.179 --> 00:33:36.539
 Okay?

00:33:36.899 --> 00:33:38.000
 But they don't lose heart

00:33:38.000 --> 00:33:38.440
 because he says,

00:33:38.539 --> 00:33:39.339
 we're not proclaiming

00:33:39.339 --> 00:33:39.859
 ourselves.

00:33:40.419 --> 00:33:41.459
 We're proclaiming

00:33:41.459 --> 00:33:43.079
 Jesus as Lord.

00:33:43.459 --> 00:33:44.779
 We're just servants

00:33:44.779 --> 00:33:46.779
 proclaiming Jesus as Lord.

00:33:47.259 --> 00:33:49.039
 You think Jesus can't

00:33:49.039 --> 00:33:50.980
 open the eyes

00:33:50.980 --> 00:33:51.639
 of the blind?

00:33:52.159 --> 00:33:52.919
 What do we sing?

00:33:53.039 --> 00:33:53.740
 That great hymn,

00:33:53.839 --> 00:33:54.579
 Amazing Grace.

00:33:55.159 --> 00:33:55.959
 I was what?

00:33:56.259 --> 00:33:57.279
 I was blind.

00:33:57.980 --> 00:33:58.759
 But what now?

00:33:58.980 --> 00:33:59.939
 Now I see.

00:34:00.599 --> 00:34:02.519
 Why does that line

00:34:02.519 --> 00:34:03.059
 in that song

00:34:03.059 --> 00:34:03.740
 so popular?

00:34:04.019 --> 00:34:05.299
 Because that's what happens

00:34:05.299 --> 00:34:05.980
 in salvation.

00:34:06.779 --> 00:34:07.679
 So why do we get

00:34:07.679 --> 00:34:08.480
 so discouraged?

00:34:08.480 --> 00:34:09.860
 It's so amazing.

00:34:10.000 --> 00:34:10.920
 If you would ask us

00:34:10.920 --> 00:34:11.519
 all to get up

00:34:11.519 --> 00:34:12.639
 and share our testimonies,

00:34:12.920 --> 00:34:13.840
 at some point in time

00:34:13.840 --> 00:34:14.619
 we'd probably say,

00:34:14.699 --> 00:34:15.679
 maybe not with these words,

00:34:15.760 --> 00:34:17.940
 but with some similar language,

00:34:18.039 --> 00:34:18.619
 we would say,

00:34:18.900 --> 00:34:21.079
 at some point I was lost

00:34:21.079 --> 00:34:21.699
 and then I was found.

00:34:21.760 --> 00:34:23.539
 At some point I was blind

00:34:23.539 --> 00:34:25.079
 and then I saw.

00:34:25.740 --> 00:34:26.840
 But then for some reason

00:34:26.840 --> 00:34:28.420
 when we start ministering

00:34:28.420 --> 00:34:28.880
 to unbelievers

00:34:28.880 --> 00:34:29.960
 and we find out they're blind,

00:34:30.039 --> 00:34:30.960
 we get so discouraged

00:34:30.960 --> 00:34:31.599
 and lose heart.

00:34:34.460 --> 00:34:35.139
 Hold on.

00:34:35.619 --> 00:34:36.559
 Weren't you blind?

00:34:36.559 --> 00:34:37.679
 And you saw?

00:34:38.480 --> 00:34:39.400
 Wasn't the person

00:34:39.400 --> 00:34:40.679
 sitting next to you blind

00:34:40.679 --> 00:34:41.699
 and they saw?

00:34:42.800 --> 00:34:43.699
 Weren't we all

00:34:43.699 --> 00:34:44.639
 who are in Christ Jesus

00:34:44.639 --> 00:34:46.340
 at one time blinded

00:34:46.340 --> 00:34:47.659
 by the God of this world

00:34:47.659 --> 00:34:48.699
 and then we saw?

00:34:49.019 --> 00:34:50.760
 Why do we get so discouraged

00:34:50.760 --> 00:34:52.519
 by people's blindness?

00:34:52.519 --> 00:34:55.780
 Why do we get so discouraged

00:34:55.780 --> 00:34:56.659
 that someone's blind

00:34:56.659 --> 00:34:57.320
 and they can't see

00:34:57.320 --> 00:34:58.179
 that the God of this world

00:34:58.179 --> 00:34:59.239
 has blinded their eyes?

00:34:59.840 --> 00:35:01.000
 We're servants preaching

00:35:01.000 --> 00:35:02.019
 the one

00:35:02.019 --> 00:35:04.780
 who shines light

00:35:04.780 --> 00:35:05.679
 into darkness

00:35:05.679 --> 00:35:07.780
 in the face of Christ Jesus

00:35:07.780 --> 00:35:09.119
 and who opens

00:35:09.119 --> 00:35:10.159
 the eyes

00:35:10.159 --> 00:35:11.219
 of the blind.

00:35:12.679 --> 00:35:13.739
 Do you believe that?

00:35:14.519 --> 00:35:15.900
 He opened your eyes.

00:35:16.900 --> 00:35:17.679
 Why don't we believe

00:35:17.679 --> 00:35:18.759
 He can open someone else's?

00:35:18.760 --> 00:35:19.800
 But so many times

00:35:19.800 --> 00:35:20.340
 you say,

00:35:20.420 --> 00:35:21.420
 man, this guy's so blind.

00:35:21.600 --> 00:35:22.600
 This woman's so blind.

00:35:23.100 --> 00:35:23.540
 I don't know.

00:35:23.680 --> 00:35:25.120
 I don't even know

00:35:25.120 --> 00:35:25.620
 if I'm going to preach

00:35:25.620 --> 00:35:26.280
 the gospel to them.

00:35:26.340 --> 00:35:27.380
 I'm just kind of losing heart.

00:35:27.840 --> 00:35:28.580
 No, no, no, no, no.

00:35:29.100 --> 00:35:29.780
 Hold on.

00:35:30.060 --> 00:35:30.440
 Time out.

00:35:30.720 --> 00:35:32.060
 That is the best person

00:35:32.060 --> 00:35:33.180
 to preach the gospel to.

00:35:33.760 --> 00:35:34.900
 I'm just so hit

00:35:34.900 --> 00:35:35.780
 by how blind they are.

00:35:35.840 --> 00:35:36.700
 I don't know if I even

00:35:36.700 --> 00:35:37.860
 I kind of lost heart

00:35:37.860 --> 00:35:38.460
 to preach the gospel.

00:35:38.740 --> 00:35:39.480
 No, no, no, no, no.

00:35:39.760 --> 00:35:41.080
 No, you have to preach

00:35:41.080 --> 00:35:41.920
 the gospel to them.

00:35:42.200 --> 00:35:43.340
 That's the perfect people

00:35:43.340 --> 00:35:44.540
 to preach the gospel to.

00:35:45.219 --> 00:35:47.199
 But the God of this age

00:35:47.199 --> 00:35:47.880
 is blind to them.

00:35:49.099 --> 00:35:49.920
 So what?

00:35:51.400 --> 00:35:52.759
 Is God mighty to save?

00:35:53.420 --> 00:35:54.699
 God is mighty to save.

00:35:55.920 --> 00:35:57.380
 John 6, 44 says,

00:35:57.460 --> 00:35:58.380
 no one can come to me

00:35:58.380 --> 00:35:59.259
 unless the Father

00:35:59.259 --> 00:36:00.900
 who sent me draws him.

00:36:00.900 --> 00:36:02.340
 And you better believe

00:36:02.340 --> 00:36:05.500
 that when the Father

00:36:05.500 --> 00:36:07.079
 who sent Jesus draws them,

00:36:07.639 --> 00:36:08.119
 they're coming.

00:36:09.199 --> 00:36:09.980
 They're coming.

00:36:10.900 --> 00:36:11.079
 Okay?

00:36:11.860 --> 00:36:13.239
 And the only missing factor

00:36:13.239 --> 00:36:13.719
 then there,

00:36:13.719 --> 00:36:15.059
 and God will find someone,

00:36:15.239 --> 00:36:15.859
 if it's not you,

00:36:15.899 --> 00:36:16.759
 He'll find someone else,

00:36:17.099 --> 00:36:18.279
 is that they gotta be preached.

00:36:19.679 --> 00:36:20.839
 Someone's gotta preach to them.

00:36:20.879 --> 00:36:21.899
 But when He's drawn them,

00:36:22.639 --> 00:36:23.419
 next step is

00:36:23.419 --> 00:36:24.539
 someone preaches to them

00:36:24.539 --> 00:36:25.480
 and then

00:36:25.480 --> 00:36:27.459
 the God of this age,

00:36:27.599 --> 00:36:28.859
 the blinders come off.

00:36:29.199 --> 00:36:29.819
 They were blind

00:36:29.819 --> 00:36:30.719
 but now they see.

00:36:31.459 --> 00:36:32.579
 And what happened to us

00:36:32.579 --> 00:36:33.919
 happens to them.

00:36:36.359 --> 00:36:37.719
 So we have to target

00:36:37.719 --> 00:36:39.339
 specific people and places.

00:36:39.939 --> 00:36:40.539
 We have to.

00:36:40.939 --> 00:36:42.000
 We gotta keep at it.

00:36:42.059 --> 00:36:42.799
 We gotta keep finding

00:36:42.800 --> 00:36:44.680
 specific people and places.

00:36:45.560 --> 00:36:46.260
 Some of us already

00:36:46.260 --> 00:36:47.019
 have those existing.

00:36:47.260 --> 00:36:48.140
 Some of us don't.

00:36:48.200 --> 00:36:48.700
 If we don't,

00:36:48.740 --> 00:36:49.220
 we gotta partner

00:36:49.220 --> 00:36:49.860
 with those who do.

00:36:50.260 --> 00:36:50.860
 Some of us say,

00:36:50.960 --> 00:36:52.340
 I don't even have that.

00:36:52.760 --> 00:36:53.539
 Then we need to pray.

00:36:54.340 --> 00:36:55.019
 We need to pray.

00:36:55.140 --> 00:36:55.980
 We need to see the difference

00:36:55.980 --> 00:36:57.039
 between our own

00:36:57.039 --> 00:36:57.860
 individual mission

00:36:57.860 --> 00:36:58.519
 where we're just,

00:36:58.720 --> 00:36:59.200
 you know,

00:36:59.620 --> 00:37:00.680
 throwing out those lines,

00:37:01.019 --> 00:37:01.780
 fishers and men,

00:37:01.900 --> 00:37:04.580
 trying to cast in that line,

00:37:04.660 --> 00:37:05.720
 hoping it'll work out.

00:37:06.019 --> 00:37:06.740
 And then it's maybe

00:37:06.740 --> 00:37:07.500
 there starts to be

00:37:07.500 --> 00:37:08.060
 some drawing

00:37:08.059 --> 00:37:08.940
 or maybe there's

00:37:08.940 --> 00:37:10.480
 some natural teamwork

00:37:10.480 --> 00:37:11.279
 and partnership

00:37:11.279 --> 00:37:12.159
 where we can reach out

00:37:12.159 --> 00:37:12.920
 to people together.

00:37:13.420 --> 00:37:14.179
 We reach out

00:37:14.179 --> 00:37:14.779
 to people together.

00:37:14.900 --> 00:37:15.519
 We expose them

00:37:15.519 --> 00:37:16.519
 to the family of believers.

00:37:17.039 --> 00:37:18.239
 We keep praying for them.

00:37:18.320 --> 00:37:18.820
 We keep preaching

00:37:18.820 --> 00:37:19.739
 the gospel to them.

00:37:20.119 --> 00:37:22.019
 And then we get them saved

00:37:22.019 --> 00:37:23.199
 and we make them disciples.

00:37:23.739 --> 00:37:24.679
 And then we rinse and repeat.

00:37:24.779 --> 00:37:25.579
 We just keep doing this

00:37:25.579 --> 00:37:27.219
 over and over and over again.

00:37:27.480 --> 00:37:28.320
 Building relationships

00:37:28.320 --> 00:37:29.139
 with unbelievers.

00:37:29.900 --> 00:37:31.279
 Praying for those unbelievers

00:37:31.279 --> 00:37:32.000
 to get saved.

00:37:32.360 --> 00:37:33.659
 Preaching the gospel to them.

00:37:34.820 --> 00:37:35.019
 Right?

00:37:35.900 --> 00:37:37.059
 Making disciples of them.

00:37:37.059 --> 00:37:38.059
 And we just keep doing it

00:37:38.059 --> 00:37:39.259
 over and over and over again.

00:37:40.779 --> 00:37:42.239
 Close with Ephesians 6,

00:37:42.320 --> 00:37:43.219
 18 to 20.

00:37:44.259 --> 00:37:44.739
 Paul says,

00:37:44.960 --> 00:37:46.219
 Keep alert with all perseverance,

00:37:46.619 --> 00:37:47.059
 making supplication

00:37:47.719 --> 00:37:49.079
 for all the saints.

00:37:49.719 --> 00:37:50.259
 And then he says,

00:37:50.320 --> 00:37:51.059
 And also for me,

00:37:51.719 --> 00:37:53.779
 that words may be given to me

00:37:53.779 --> 00:37:56.039
 in opening my mouth boldly

00:37:56.039 --> 00:37:57.480
 to proclaim the mystery

00:37:57.480 --> 00:37:58.739
 of the gospel,

00:37:59.039 --> 00:38:00.239
 for which I am ambassador

00:38:00.239 --> 00:38:00.880
 in chains,

00:38:01.019 --> 00:38:02.440
 that I might declare boldly

00:38:02.440 --> 00:38:03.380
 as I ought to speak.

00:38:04.539 --> 00:38:05.119
 We are to pray

00:38:05.119 --> 00:38:05.920
 the same prayer.

00:38:05.920 --> 00:38:07.059
 And I would ask you,

00:38:07.119 --> 00:38:07.559
 if you're someone

00:38:07.559 --> 00:38:08.099
 that feels like

00:38:08.099 --> 00:38:09.000
 any of these illnesses

00:38:09.000 --> 00:38:09.780
 in your life,

00:38:10.019 --> 00:38:12.200
 there's one thing

00:38:12.200 --> 00:38:14.579
 that will take care

00:38:14.579 --> 00:38:15.680
 of the whole kit and caboodle.

00:38:16.059 --> 00:38:16.220
 Okay?

00:38:16.559 --> 00:38:17.240
 You know what it is?

00:38:17.900 --> 00:38:19.500
 Get filled with the Holy Spirit again.

00:38:20.320 --> 00:38:21.159
 Or maybe get filled

00:38:21.159 --> 00:38:21.680
 with the Holy Spirit

00:38:21.680 --> 00:38:22.400
 the first time

00:38:22.400 --> 00:38:23.700
 that we could be as witnesses.

00:38:24.180 --> 00:38:25.159
 You never stop

00:38:25.159 --> 00:38:26.059
 needing the Holy Spirit.

00:38:26.180 --> 00:38:27.059
 You never stop

00:38:27.059 --> 00:38:28.019
 needing to be filled

00:38:28.019 --> 00:38:28.539
 with the Spirit.

00:38:28.639 --> 00:38:29.159
 And when you're filled

00:38:29.159 --> 00:38:29.639
 with the Spirit,

00:38:29.740 --> 00:38:30.240
 you know what you do?

00:38:30.659 --> 00:38:32.280
 You speak the Word of God boldly.

00:38:32.780 --> 00:38:33.019
 Okay?

00:38:33.059 --> 00:38:34.440
 You do what he says right here.

00:38:34.440 --> 00:38:35.480
 When you're saying that,

00:38:35.579 --> 00:38:36.159
 pray that my words

00:38:36.159 --> 00:38:37.679
 may be given to me

00:38:37.679 --> 00:38:38.780
 in my opening my mouth

00:38:38.780 --> 00:38:39.880
 boldly to proclaim

00:38:39.880 --> 00:38:40.860
 the mystery of the gospel,

00:38:41.380 --> 00:38:42.619
 Acts 4.31 tells

00:38:42.619 --> 00:38:43.200
 how you speak

00:38:43.200 --> 00:38:44.139
 the Word of God boldly.

00:38:44.480 --> 00:38:45.000
 You get filled

00:38:45.000 --> 00:38:45.599
 with the Spirit.

00:38:46.579 --> 00:38:47.159
 You get filled

00:38:47.159 --> 00:38:47.599
 with the Spirit

00:38:47.599 --> 00:38:48.360
 and you keep getting

00:38:48.360 --> 00:38:49.039
 filled with the Spirit.

00:38:49.519 --> 00:38:49.800
 And so,

00:38:49.960 --> 00:38:50.840
 if any of these

00:38:50.840 --> 00:38:51.960
 are true of you,

00:38:52.019 --> 00:38:52.679
 if any of these

00:38:52.679 --> 00:38:54.460
 have hit home to you,

00:38:55.200 --> 00:38:55.460
 listen,

00:38:55.700 --> 00:38:56.800
 I'm not here to condemn you.

00:38:57.079 --> 00:38:58.179
 I'm in the same lot as you.

00:38:58.280 --> 00:38:59.420
 I get weary sometimes.

00:39:00.260 --> 00:39:00.440
 Okay?

00:39:00.480 --> 00:39:01.840
 I forget where I've come from sometimes.

00:39:01.940 --> 00:39:02.980
 I get afraid sometimes.

00:39:03.500 --> 00:39:04.600
 We're all in the same boat here.

00:39:05.059 --> 00:39:05.600
 But listen,

00:39:06.100 --> 00:39:07.059
 we can't give up.

00:39:07.880 --> 00:39:08.640
 God sent us

00:39:08.640 --> 00:39:09.800
 to establish this church

00:39:09.800 --> 00:39:10.559
 for His glory

00:39:10.559 --> 00:39:12.000
 and for the furthering

00:39:12.000 --> 00:39:12.980
 of the gospel.

00:39:13.180 --> 00:39:13.860
 And necessity

00:39:13.860 --> 00:39:15.240
 needs to be laid upon us

00:39:15.240 --> 00:39:16.079
 to preach it.

00:39:16.140 --> 00:39:16.980
 And if we've lost

00:39:16.980 --> 00:39:18.559
 a little bit of that necessity

00:39:18.559 --> 00:39:19.880
 or a lot of that necessity

00:39:19.880 --> 00:39:21.220
 or maybe that necessity

00:39:21.220 --> 00:39:21.920
 was never on us,

00:39:21.960 --> 00:39:23.220
 we were just kind of

00:39:23.220 --> 00:39:23.760
 psyched up

00:39:23.760 --> 00:39:24.340
 for that new

00:39:24.340 --> 00:39:25.460
 shiny church plant,

00:39:26.160 --> 00:39:26.660
 we need to pray,

00:39:26.800 --> 00:39:27.140
 God,

00:39:27.519 --> 00:39:28.780
 fill me afresh

00:39:28.780 --> 00:39:29.780
 with your Spirit.

00:39:30.400 --> 00:39:31.320
 Fill me up.

00:39:31.880 --> 00:39:32.720
 Fill me up

00:39:32.720 --> 00:39:33.559
 because when you do,

00:39:34.380 --> 00:39:35.440
 I'll tell you

00:39:35.440 --> 00:39:36.280
 what's coming out of my mouth.

00:39:36.940 --> 00:39:37.360
 Boldness.

00:39:38.380 --> 00:39:38.860
 Boldness.

00:39:39.320 --> 00:39:39.500
 Amen?

00:39:40.360 --> 00:39:40.840
 Amen.

00:39:40.940 --> 00:39:41.220
 Let's pray.

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