WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.240 I'm going to continue Philippians tonight. 00:00:04.700 --> 00:00:09.120 It's an interesting passage we're looking at tonight, and there's a lot to be said about it. 00:00:09.120 --> 00:00:19.780 It's good to see everybody. I know it's been probably a busy day on campus, and the fact that you're here just shows that you really want to learn the Word of God and really apply it to your life. 00:00:19.780 --> 00:00:22.859 And I pray that it does that tonight. 00:00:22.859 --> 00:00:29.339 I hope that you leave walking away feeling challenged and encouraged and pushed a little bit. 00:00:30.859 --> 00:00:41.960 So, an introduction. I'll give you a brief introduction to this, but I think the focal point of what we're going to talk about is in verse 12 of what we just read. 00:00:42.480 --> 00:00:49.340 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the Gospel. 00:00:49.340 --> 00:01:00.280 And Paul is explaining this in such a way to where he's like, my imprisonment or my time here that I'm in Rome, don't feel bad about this. 00:01:00.700 --> 00:01:05.079 Because it's worked out for the greater good or the advancement of the Gospel. 00:01:05.219 --> 00:01:07.240 God has used it that way. 00:01:07.239 --> 00:01:13.579 And no matter what circumstance you find in, we're to be proclaiming Christ to a lost world. 00:01:13.819 --> 00:01:21.739 And no matter where you are in your life, not looking to do something later or when things work out a little better for you. 00:01:21.819 --> 00:01:28.239 It's like wherever you are is where God has you right now, and He wants you to be proclaiming the Gospel. 00:01:28.239 --> 00:01:40.039 And a focus, a really interesting thing we're going to look at in this first verse is where He says, has really served to advance the Gospel. 00:01:41.060 --> 00:01:44.739 That word advance is a really, really awesome word. 00:01:44.939 --> 00:01:46.159 It's a military word. 00:01:46.159 --> 00:01:53.519 It means like how, like when an army was on the march, people would have to go in front of the army and like clear the way. 00:01:53.599 --> 00:02:00.500 They'd have to cut down trees, cross rivers, and do all these things so that the army could move forward. 00:02:00.640 --> 00:02:03.400 It's the kind of context that that's kind of used in. 00:02:03.519 --> 00:02:06.959 Paul is like saying that that's happening with the Gospel. 00:02:06.959 --> 00:02:17.439 And, you know, I mean, I guess one of the best illustrations you could give, at least on earthly standards, I guess, I could talk forever about this. 00:02:17.500 --> 00:02:18.139 I'm not going to. 00:02:18.199 --> 00:02:24.120 Those of you who know me know I like stuff like this, but I'm resisting talking about the whole night about this. 00:02:24.120 --> 00:02:37.280 But imagine that you and I lived back in 200s BC, and I told you, okay, I want you to organize an army from several different nations, 00:02:37.659 --> 00:02:40.219 most of which nations don't really like each other too much. 00:02:40.300 --> 00:02:41.340 They all speak different languages. 00:02:42.040 --> 00:02:45.040 I want you to build an army of these people, train them, 00:02:45.039 --> 00:02:52.759 and I want you to march over 1,000 miles over rugged wilderness across rivers. 00:02:53.459 --> 00:03:00.039 And if you deal with, like, the native peoples there, you're just going to have to fight them and defeat them and keep moving on to the goal. 00:03:00.199 --> 00:03:06.120 And then eventually you're going to have to cross the Alps, cross those mountains in a really cold part of the year. 00:03:06.819 --> 00:03:12.639 And once you do that, after you've kept everything together, I want you to go down towards Rome, 00:03:12.639 --> 00:03:20.439 and I want you to, like, defeat or annihilate 10 Roman legions numbering around 70,000 men. 00:03:20.599 --> 00:03:21.339 You think you can do that? 00:03:21.699 --> 00:03:27.099 1,000 miles, like, going over all this rugged wilderness, and that actually happened. 00:03:28.519 --> 00:03:35.459 A general that a lot of people know about today, he's studied and admired over tons of different military campuses. 00:03:36.679 --> 00:03:38.279 Hannibal actually did this. 00:03:38.280 --> 00:03:46.620 He united people from many different nations and brought them together for a common cause, which was to fight against Rome. 00:03:47.000 --> 00:03:50.439 And Rome had devastated his country, which was Carthage. 00:03:50.439 --> 00:03:54.400 It was in North Africa at the time, modern-day Morocco area. 00:03:55.379 --> 00:03:59.099 And they had, you know, his father had fought against them. 00:03:59.159 --> 00:04:02.920 It was just a hatred to be, well, he just brought up to be just hating Rome. 00:04:02.919 --> 00:04:05.679 And so he was out to destroy Rome, and he did that. 00:04:05.819 --> 00:04:12.219 He gathered around 38,000 infantry by 8,000 cavalry, and he began this march. 00:04:12.839 --> 00:04:22.379 And about, he crossed over the land, he crossed over the Alps, and, like, eventually, he also had 37 war elephants. 00:04:22.519 --> 00:04:24.099 I forgot to answer, bring that up. 00:04:24.139 --> 00:04:24.879 That's pretty crazy. 00:04:24.879 --> 00:04:31.699 But he crossed over many different rivers, and one river, it was a huge river, he had to cross his army. 00:04:31.800 --> 00:04:36.860 On the other side of it, there was a large number of Romans he had to fight, just on the other side of the river. 00:04:37.399 --> 00:04:38.439 He was able to do that. 00:04:38.519 --> 00:04:40.219 He crossed them over in, like, rafts. 00:04:40.279 --> 00:04:44.420 When they landed, they just came around and, like, defeated the Romans. 00:04:44.839 --> 00:04:49.379 And he went through the Alps in the northern part of Italy. 00:04:49.540 --> 00:04:52.980 He crossed the Alps in, like, freezing weather. 00:04:52.980 --> 00:04:58.680 He cut through the mountains, pretty amazing, and made his own roads. 00:04:58.780 --> 00:05:04.540 And then he came down, and he faced a Roman army, about 70,000 or so. 00:05:04.700 --> 00:05:08.520 And he, it was known as the greatest defeat in Roman history. 00:05:08.680 --> 00:05:11.520 Around 70,000 men were killed at Cannae. 00:05:11.800 --> 00:05:14.520 Pretty crazy victory for Hannibal. 00:05:15.319 --> 00:05:19.580 And so, no matter what the obstacle was, like, he was just, didn't care. 00:05:19.579 --> 00:05:21.859 He was going to face it and overcome. 00:05:22.519 --> 00:05:28.539 And how crazy this must be for us to even hear about something like that. 00:05:28.620 --> 00:05:37.479 But it's really garbage compared to what God has done since the beginning of creation to bring man, you know, 00:05:37.479 --> 00:05:44.099 back into a relationship to himself and sending Christ to reconcile us to God. 00:05:44.100 --> 00:05:50.800 And God has committed, like we talked about this last week, to his saving purpose no matter what it takes. 00:05:50.900 --> 00:05:53.280 He will accomplish what he set out to do. 00:05:53.360 --> 00:05:58.460 He'll begin the good work that he began, and he will finish it. 00:05:58.879 --> 00:06:01.120 And so there's no power. 00:06:01.220 --> 00:06:01.879 I want you to turn. 00:06:02.520 --> 00:06:03.760 There's a few places to turn tonight. 00:06:03.860 --> 00:06:05.220 Isaiah 40. 00:06:05.340 --> 00:06:08.420 Hold your hand in Philippians, but turn to Isaiah 40. 00:06:08.420 --> 00:06:17.580 But no power in this world or in the spiritual realm will stop God's advancement of the gospel. 00:06:17.740 --> 00:06:20.620 He promises that he will achieve it. 00:06:20.680 --> 00:06:27.120 One day he will have a people from every nation, tribe, and tongue worshiping Jesus. 00:06:28.660 --> 00:06:34.500 And Isaiah 40, go to verse 3 and see if this passage sounds familiar to something in the New Testament. 00:06:34.500 --> 00:06:38.879 This is 7,000 years before Christ. 00:06:39.939 --> 00:06:40.459 And it says, 00:06:40.459 --> 00:07:07.039 This is what John the Baptist quoted. 00:07:07.040 --> 00:07:13.920 He's like, I am that voice crying in the wilderness, and the Messiah is here, and he's going to move forward. 00:07:14.020 --> 00:07:20.480 His kingdom will not have an end, and God will have his glory on this earth. 00:07:21.260 --> 00:07:26.340 So Paul understands this, that God is committed to his saving cause, 00:07:26.700 --> 00:07:30.960 and that no matter where he finds himself, even while he's being imprisoned in Rome, 00:07:30.980 --> 00:07:33.300 he knows that it's for the advancement of the gospel. 00:07:33.300 --> 00:07:41.379 So, we're going to look at four different things that Paul brings up here, 00:07:41.860 --> 00:07:46.240 as far as what does the gospel do to us, to those around us, 00:07:46.300 --> 00:07:47.819 and that's kind of what we're going to focus on. 00:07:48.759 --> 00:07:52.920 But number one is, sharing the gospel affects your soul. 00:07:53.580 --> 00:07:57.340 Like as a child of God, as a believer, as a follower of Christ, 00:07:57.879 --> 00:07:59.900 sharing the gospel is good for your soul. 00:08:00.379 --> 00:08:01.400 It affects your soul. 00:08:01.399 --> 00:08:08.679 So, he recognized that the power of the gospel was being released by his imprisonment. 00:08:09.319 --> 00:08:13.179 And he knew that God had sovereignly brought him there every step of the way. 00:08:13.319 --> 00:08:17.979 And he knew why he was there was for God to advance this cause. 00:08:18.159 --> 00:08:19.739 And he didn't complain. 00:08:19.919 --> 00:08:20.500 He didn't say, 00:08:20.739 --> 00:08:26.439 I wish I could just kind of get out of the situation and go do something else and get out on the streets. 00:08:26.439 --> 00:08:34.019 But he understood that, like Joseph in Genesis, that what was being meant for evil, God was going to use for good. 00:08:34.100 --> 00:08:39.759 He was aware of that thinking of God and how God carried out these plans. 00:08:40.820 --> 00:08:42.879 Flip to 2 Timothy 2. 00:08:45.179 --> 00:08:48.120 I think after this one, I just have three other places for you to look for the night. 00:08:48.120 --> 00:08:53.360 But 2 Timothy 2, I want to show you what he says here. 00:08:53.360 --> 00:09:05.379 So, one of the biggest services that clothes nations to the gospel and people that are hostile towards the gospel, 00:09:05.560 --> 00:09:11.860 one of the greatest things they actually do to serve the gospel and advance the gospel is like try to persecute it and throw people in prison. 00:09:12.139 --> 00:09:19.019 And it always ends up backfiring on whatever cause they're trying to carry out. 00:09:19.019 --> 00:09:22.480 But 2 Timothy 2, go to verse 8. 00:09:25.379 --> 00:09:26.319 Paul says, 00:09:26.480 --> 00:09:27.939 Timothy, probably this is, 00:09:28.399 --> 00:09:31.319 you should know 2 Timothy is probably the last letter Paul wrote, 00:09:31.480 --> 00:09:33.939 so, his last word, so to say. 00:09:35.000 --> 00:09:35.659 He says, 00:09:35.659 --> 00:09:40.399 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, 00:09:41.139 --> 00:09:42.759 as preached in my gospel, 00:09:43.759 --> 00:09:46.539 for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal, 00:09:46.539 --> 00:09:49.519 but the word of God is not bound. 00:09:50.679 --> 00:09:54.719 Therefore, I endure everything for the sake of the elect, 00:09:54.799 --> 00:10:00.139 that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, the eternal glory. 00:10:01.240 --> 00:10:03.319 So, he's rejoicing. 00:10:03.719 --> 00:10:06.219 And that's, he's stuck in this place. 00:10:06.339 --> 00:10:08.019 He can't get out. 00:10:08.379 --> 00:10:10.500 And in this go-around, 00:10:10.719 --> 00:10:13.079 this was not written in the same context as Philippians. 00:10:13.500 --> 00:10:14.959 He was in a dungeon cell. 00:10:14.960 --> 00:10:18.240 He was waiting for death. 00:10:19.480 --> 00:10:21.900 He wasn't waiting on trial like in this previous time. 00:10:22.440 --> 00:10:26.139 This was after Paul's fourth missionary journey when he wrote 2 Timothy. 00:10:26.340 --> 00:10:28.300 And this is after the second one when he wrote Philippians. 00:10:29.120 --> 00:10:32.400 But he understands that though I'm here and I can't really physically go anywhere, 00:10:33.060 --> 00:10:36.460 like God's power is not limited to my physical dimension. 00:10:36.759 --> 00:10:38.840 Like God's word is not bound. 00:10:38.960 --> 00:10:42.980 God's word is going to continue to move forward and change lives. 00:10:42.980 --> 00:10:45.879 And I'm willing to endure anything, he says, 00:10:46.259 --> 00:10:50.620 anything for the sake of those whom God is going to bring salvation to. 00:10:50.680 --> 00:10:57.460 I'm willing to endure hardship and suffering and even death if it means that they can be reached with the gospel. 00:10:58.500 --> 00:11:00.180 Very powerful words. 00:11:00.179 --> 00:11:01.939 Because I want that attitude. 00:11:02.079 --> 00:11:03.139 I don't always have it. 00:11:03.459 --> 00:11:05.519 And, but I want whatever it takes. 00:11:06.239 --> 00:11:07.739 You know, if it means my life, 00:11:07.799 --> 00:11:12.159 I want it to mean that for the sake of those who will be saved. 00:11:12.159 --> 00:11:15.879 So, I want you to think about this. 00:11:15.980 --> 00:11:18.719 How sharing the gospel affects you. 00:11:19.539 --> 00:11:21.019 You might not think about that that much. 00:11:21.100 --> 00:11:25.019 You always think of like sharing the gospel is just for the people on the outside. 00:11:26.319 --> 00:11:32.480 But what we love the most is what we glorify the most, is what we praise the most. 00:11:32.480 --> 00:11:39.800 So, what we talk about, what we do with our time, the activities we engage in, what we do with our money, 00:11:40.539 --> 00:11:42.779 it reveals like what you love. 00:11:43.700 --> 00:11:49.420 So, you can say that you love Christ, but if your life shows something totally different, 00:11:49.560 --> 00:11:51.580 you might want to recheck that. 00:11:52.139 --> 00:11:55.940 But it's like, have you ever wondered like why that's so? 00:11:56.920 --> 00:12:00.740 Why do we bring praise to the things that we love? 00:12:00.960 --> 00:12:05.380 And before C.S. Lewis was a Christian, he was like reading through the Bible, 00:12:05.580 --> 00:12:09.240 and he was kind of curious, like he was reading through the Psalms, 00:12:09.400 --> 00:12:12.440 and he was like, why does it always talk about praise God? 00:12:12.540 --> 00:12:14.160 Like, what's all this praise about? 00:12:15.180 --> 00:12:19.700 And while he was writing about that, this is something he said, 00:12:19.700 --> 00:12:27.740 I have noticed, excuse me, I had never noticed that all enjoyment spontaneously overflows into praise. 00:12:28.220 --> 00:12:29.980 The world rings with praise. 00:12:30.600 --> 00:12:31.940 Lovers praising their mistress. 00:12:32.280 --> 00:12:34.240 Readers praising their favorite poet. 00:12:34.960 --> 00:12:36.480 Walkers praising the countryside. 00:12:37.440 --> 00:12:39.440 And players praising their favorite game. 00:12:40.180 --> 00:12:42.020 I think, this is really cool, he says, 00:12:42.019 --> 00:12:45.079 I think we delight to praise that we enjoy, 00:12:45.759 --> 00:12:47.720 because the praise not merely expresses, 00:12:48.519 --> 00:12:50.559 but completes the enjoyment in it. 00:12:51.439 --> 00:12:53.340 It is the consummation of enjoyment. 00:12:53.799 --> 00:12:57.319 So, like we can't help but talk about what we're joyful about, 00:12:57.399 --> 00:12:59.519 and what we love, and so it comes out of us. 00:13:00.340 --> 00:13:05.699 And the gospel is not meant to be something that is hoarded by us. 00:13:05.740 --> 00:13:06.919 It's not designed that way. 00:13:07.299 --> 00:13:10.759 Christ didn't give you joy and save you so that you could hold it inside. 00:13:12.019 --> 00:13:15.720 And, often, he'll allow you to be very, very miserable, 00:13:16.480 --> 00:13:17.419 and you'll wonder why. 00:13:17.860 --> 00:13:19.679 That could be why, a lot of the times. 00:13:21.139 --> 00:13:24.779 A great analogy or picture I've heard this metaphor 00:13:24.779 --> 00:13:29.120 is like how the Dead Sea in Israel, 00:13:29.419 --> 00:13:33.360 there's a lot of water that flows into the Dead Sea from different places. 00:13:34.220 --> 00:13:36.620 And, there's a lot going into it, 00:13:36.639 --> 00:13:39.340 but there's no water coming out of the Dead Sea. 00:13:39.340 --> 00:13:42.420 And so, what happens is, like, everything in there dies. 00:13:42.500 --> 00:13:44.240 That's why it's called that. 00:13:44.960 --> 00:13:48.500 And that's what joy will be like in us 00:13:48.500 --> 00:13:51.519 if God is pouring himself into us 00:13:51.519 --> 00:13:53.720 and giving us much of himself, 00:13:53.899 --> 00:13:57.519 and he's increasing who he is in us, 00:13:57.800 --> 00:14:00.920 and we refuse to let it come out onto other people. 00:14:00.919 --> 00:14:05.740 And, we're meant to have such a joy and such a delight in God 00:14:05.740 --> 00:14:09.179 that it overflows onto the people that are around us, 00:14:09.360 --> 00:14:11.979 and to love him with our heart, soul, mind, and strength. 00:14:12.079 --> 00:14:15.599 And, the result of that is loving those around us. 00:14:16.019 --> 00:14:19.379 And, so, if we have Christ in us, he can't be held in. 00:14:19.479 --> 00:14:20.579 You have to talk about him. 00:14:21.139 --> 00:14:24.500 It's like this thing you just, like you're going to blow up if you don't. 00:14:24.500 --> 00:14:31.980 And, you know, so it does good to our souls 00:14:31.980 --> 00:14:34.000 to, like, express the joy that we have. 00:14:34.500 --> 00:14:36.100 You ever been so excited about something? 00:14:36.720 --> 00:14:39.679 I mean, just think about something you just got super stoked about, 00:14:40.000 --> 00:14:42.779 and then, like, you just couldn't talk about it. 00:14:42.840 --> 00:14:46.179 I mean, you're just like, like this thing that you just can't. 00:14:47.000 --> 00:14:49.039 You feel like you're about to explode, like I said. 00:14:49.419 --> 00:14:51.419 And, that's what enjoyment of God will do. 00:14:51.419 --> 00:14:52.539 It has to come out. 00:14:53.159 --> 00:14:57.079 And, Jeremiah said, if I don't speak in his name, 00:14:57.199 --> 00:14:58.879 there's like a fire that's shut up in me, 00:14:59.299 --> 00:15:01.219 and I have to let it out. 00:15:02.379 --> 00:15:07.099 So, first of all, sharing the gospel affects your soul. 00:15:07.939 --> 00:15:11.599 Secondly, the gospel affects the souls of the lost. 00:15:13.120 --> 00:15:16.019 And, this is probably the obvious one, 00:15:16.879 --> 00:15:19.799 but I want you to think about this. 00:15:19.799 --> 00:15:21.479 Let's go back to Philippians, sorry, 00:15:21.819 --> 00:15:24.639 and go to verse 13, and we'll see this. 00:15:26.759 --> 00:15:27.759 So, he's talking about, 00:15:27.919 --> 00:15:30.659 my imprisonment is turned out for the advancement of the gospel, 00:15:31.519 --> 00:15:34.859 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard, 00:15:35.439 --> 00:15:38.839 and to all the rest, that my imprisonment is for Christ. 00:15:38.840 --> 00:15:41.660 So, Paul is rejoicing, 00:15:42.320 --> 00:15:45.019 because, while he's being in prison, 00:15:45.180 --> 00:15:47.680 he's becoming well-known throughout the whole city of Rome. 00:15:48.700 --> 00:15:51.180 And, the imperial guard is, 00:15:51.820 --> 00:15:53.840 another word is the praetorian guard. 00:15:54.480 --> 00:15:57.340 We've mentioned them in the first night here. 00:15:57.420 --> 00:15:59.840 You can go back and listen to that message if you want to know more context. 00:15:59.840 --> 00:16:03.080 But, these are the guys, like I said, 00:16:03.240 --> 00:16:04.200 were in gladiator. 00:16:04.320 --> 00:16:05.139 They're wearing, like, the purple, 00:16:05.399 --> 00:16:07.420 and they're the dudes that are just jocking everybody up. 00:16:08.379 --> 00:16:11.180 But, they were the elite guard of the emperor. 00:16:11.320 --> 00:16:12.680 They guarded the Palatine Hill, 00:16:12.800 --> 00:16:13.680 where the palace was, 00:16:13.780 --> 00:16:17.139 and important places in Rome that are like the secret police. 00:16:17.139 --> 00:16:20.679 And, more than likely, 00:16:20.819 --> 00:16:25.059 Paul's case would have been heard by the commander of the praetorian guard. 00:16:25.939 --> 00:16:28.199 And, so, he's around these guys a lot. 00:16:29.299 --> 00:16:33.480 And, so, what's really cool is, you know, 00:16:33.860 --> 00:16:34.819 he could be saying, like, 00:16:34.840 --> 00:16:36.460 I wish that I could just get out of this position. 00:16:36.799 --> 00:16:38.480 And, you know, these guys come, 00:16:38.600 --> 00:16:41.100 and they change the guards all the time with him, probably. 00:16:41.639 --> 00:16:44.100 And, he's just kind of sitting there, 00:16:44.100 --> 00:16:47.600 and, I mean, you know they've got to be talking about stuff. 00:16:47.899 --> 00:16:50.120 You know, like, Paul's sitting there with these guards. 00:16:50.600 --> 00:16:53.340 And, so, I mean, what are you doing here? 00:16:53.440 --> 00:16:53.940 Why is this? 00:16:54.139 --> 00:16:56.560 Why are you here in Rome? 00:16:56.659 --> 00:16:57.720 This kind of seems ridiculous. 00:16:57.940 --> 00:16:59.759 And, he would just, well, 00:17:00.060 --> 00:17:02.800 and just kind of go into it with them. 00:17:03.040 --> 00:17:06.420 And, that just began to affect the whole guard. 00:17:06.700 --> 00:17:09.759 And, eventually, it would go into Caesar's own home, 00:17:10.440 --> 00:17:12.440 to the palace on the Palatine Hill. 00:17:12.440 --> 00:17:15.480 And, so, even the people in Caesar's household, 00:17:16.080 --> 00:17:17.680 which he mentions later in the letter, 00:17:17.820 --> 00:17:20.740 are knowing Christ and becoming believers. 00:17:21.700 --> 00:17:24.100 And, they probably tried to keep it on the down low, 00:17:24.160 --> 00:17:25.519 because that's, at the time, 00:17:25.600 --> 00:17:28.500 Nero was the head honcho of the Palatine Hill. 00:17:29.000 --> 00:17:34.019 And, so, he understood, like, 00:17:34.140 --> 00:17:35.299 this is why I'm here. 00:17:35.940 --> 00:17:37.840 And, like, my imprisonment here 00:17:37.840 --> 00:17:40.519 is affecting some of the elite of Rome. 00:17:40.519 --> 00:17:43.259 You know, these men that hold these positions 00:17:43.259 --> 00:17:46.660 as civil magistrates and guards, 00:17:46.900 --> 00:17:50.279 this is turning out for the advancement of the Gospel. 00:17:51.619 --> 00:17:54.079 And, so, our hearts, 00:17:54.579 --> 00:17:56.440 if you really know Christ, 00:17:57.519 --> 00:18:01.220 your heart should break for the lost. 00:18:01.480 --> 00:18:02.400 You have no hope. 00:18:02.500 --> 00:18:04.720 You have, they're thirsting for the water 00:18:04.720 --> 00:18:06.900 that only Christ can give them. 00:18:06.900 --> 00:18:09.720 They're seeking pleasure in everything but their Creator. 00:18:10.540 --> 00:18:13.019 They're living as masters of their own lives 00:18:13.019 --> 00:18:15.540 and seeking to determine their own destiny. 00:18:16.560 --> 00:18:18.320 And, I bet that a lot of them 00:18:18.320 --> 00:18:20.040 are actually pretty filled with fear. 00:18:20.500 --> 00:18:21.380 I know I would be. 00:18:21.940 --> 00:18:23.960 I can remember times that I was in my life. 00:18:24.280 --> 00:18:26.240 Like, who's piloting my ship right now? 00:18:26.480 --> 00:18:27.320 I hope it's not me, 00:18:27.380 --> 00:18:28.320 because I don't know the crap I'm doing. 00:18:28.319 --> 00:18:30.099 And, I really, 00:18:30.919 --> 00:18:33.539 it brings a lot of fear to us all to know that. 00:18:34.500 --> 00:18:36.819 And, they're longing to hear 00:18:36.819 --> 00:18:37.679 that they have a, 00:18:38.500 --> 00:18:41.879 something far greater to live for than themselves. 00:18:42.139 --> 00:18:44.639 And, I hope they can be found in Christ. 00:18:45.480 --> 00:18:47.759 And, they're waiting to hear that news. 00:18:48.399 --> 00:18:49.899 So, we should be able to go 00:18:49.899 --> 00:18:51.480 through whatever extremes necessary 00:18:51.480 --> 00:18:53.240 to reach those people. 00:18:53.279 --> 00:18:54.939 We're going to touch back on this at the end, 00:18:54.980 --> 00:18:56.099 so I don't want to wear it out now. 00:18:56.099 --> 00:18:59.000 But, in Jude 1, 22, it says, 00:18:59.659 --> 00:19:01.559 Have mercy on those who doubt. 00:19:02.299 --> 00:19:05.259 Save others by snatching them out of the fire. 00:19:06.059 --> 00:19:08.759 To others, show mercy with fear. 00:19:09.319 --> 00:19:11.740 And, if we're to rescue those people, 00:19:12.000 --> 00:19:13.799 like, be God's instrument to go to them 00:19:13.799 --> 00:19:17.199 and be the means by which He saves these people. 00:19:17.759 --> 00:19:20.740 So, second, sharing the gospel affects the lost souls. 00:19:20.799 --> 00:19:21.740 We're going to come back to that. 00:19:23.319 --> 00:19:25.059 Number three, sharing the gospel 00:19:25.059 --> 00:19:27.240 affects fellow believers. 00:19:28.899 --> 00:19:31.480 So, look at verse 14. 00:19:33.799 --> 00:19:35.259 And, most of the brothers, 00:19:35.460 --> 00:19:37.119 having become confident in the Lord 00:19:37.119 --> 00:19:38.200 by my imprisonment, 00:19:38.799 --> 00:19:40.960 are much more bold to speak the word 00:19:40.960 --> 00:19:41.759 without fear. 00:19:41.759 --> 00:19:46.200 So, the believers around that are in Rome 00:19:46.200 --> 00:19:47.799 and the Philippians who are reading this letter 00:19:47.799 --> 00:19:49.359 are becoming more and more bold 00:19:49.359 --> 00:19:50.839 to speak the gospel 00:19:50.839 --> 00:19:52.039 because they know, like, 00:19:52.079 --> 00:19:52.799 what Christ is, 00:19:52.940 --> 00:19:54.640 or what Paul is enduring there. 00:19:55.180 --> 00:19:57.660 His imprisonment is throwing them up 00:19:57.660 --> 00:19:58.759 to go and, like, 00:19:59.299 --> 00:20:00.180 to share more. 00:20:00.460 --> 00:20:02.799 And, I know that one of the biggest ways, 00:20:02.920 --> 00:20:03.960 I mean, I don't know how you do it, 00:20:03.980 --> 00:20:05.059 but one of the biggest ways 00:20:05.059 --> 00:20:07.559 that I get really fired up 00:20:07.559 --> 00:20:09.940 to go and share the gospel with people 00:20:09.940 --> 00:20:11.539 is, like, just for someone to even tell me, 00:20:11.580 --> 00:20:15.400 like, a story of the gospel advancing. 00:20:17.320 --> 00:20:19.200 You know, I've already mentioned this before, 00:20:19.259 --> 00:20:19.660 I believe, 00:20:19.759 --> 00:20:23.039 but I really loved living with John Overton 00:20:23.039 --> 00:20:23.840 and Josh Middleton 00:20:23.840 --> 00:20:26.259 because we would come together most nights 00:20:26.259 --> 00:20:27.900 and there would always be some kind of story 00:20:27.900 --> 00:20:28.640 we would just share, 00:20:29.220 --> 00:20:31.400 like the gospel going forward on campus 00:20:31.400 --> 00:20:32.780 or elsewhere, 00:20:33.140 --> 00:20:35.780 and it would just get us so pumped up 00:20:35.780 --> 00:20:36.900 to go out the next day 00:20:36.900 --> 00:20:37.920 and just find somebody 00:20:37.920 --> 00:20:40.100 just to go after some guy 00:20:40.100 --> 00:20:42.140 just to love and serve 00:20:42.140 --> 00:20:43.240 and give the truth to. 00:20:44.060 --> 00:20:46.240 And, or when I hear about stuff 00:20:46.240 --> 00:20:48.900 that's going on abroad in the U.S. 00:20:48.900 --> 00:20:49.519 or overseas, 00:20:49.740 --> 00:20:51.680 it gets me really excited. 00:20:51.680 --> 00:20:54.279 I met a guy 00:20:54.279 --> 00:20:58.400 while I was in Belfast 00:20:58.400 --> 00:20:59.420 a few summers ago 00:20:59.420 --> 00:21:01.420 in northern Ireland. 00:21:01.539 --> 00:21:03.279 There's a conflict going on there. 00:21:03.380 --> 00:21:04.820 I'm not going to get into that necessarily, 00:21:05.019 --> 00:21:06.480 but Irish Catholics 00:21:06.480 --> 00:21:07.140 against, like, 00:21:07.220 --> 00:21:09.759 the British, Scottish Protestants 00:21:09.759 --> 00:21:10.560 that are in the north, 00:21:10.740 --> 00:21:13.060 and this struggle has been going on 00:21:13.060 --> 00:21:14.380 for hundreds and hundreds of years, 00:21:14.620 --> 00:21:16.320 and they hate each other 00:21:16.320 --> 00:21:17.039 with a passion. 00:21:17.220 --> 00:21:17.539 It's not, 00:21:18.000 --> 00:21:18.880 they're brought up to, like, 00:21:18.920 --> 00:21:20.460 hate the other people, 00:21:20.460 --> 00:21:22.559 and I met a guy 00:21:22.559 --> 00:21:23.620 at a camp 00:21:23.620 --> 00:21:24.759 who, 00:21:25.120 --> 00:21:27.460 that was sharing 00:21:27.460 --> 00:21:29.100 that, 00:21:29.380 --> 00:21:31.240 I actually met this guy 00:21:31.240 --> 00:21:31.860 and it was pretty, 00:21:31.960 --> 00:21:33.220 pretty awesome, 00:21:33.440 --> 00:21:33.799 but he, 00:21:33.960 --> 00:21:36.059 he was a leader 00:21:36.059 --> 00:21:37.299 of one of the Protestant 00:21:37.299 --> 00:21:38.120 militia groups 00:21:38.120 --> 00:21:39.039 for a long time, 00:21:39.600 --> 00:21:41.319 the Ulster Defense Army, 00:21:41.940 --> 00:21:45.220 and he was a pretty jacked dude. 00:21:45.640 --> 00:21:46.340 He had tattoos 00:21:46.340 --> 00:21:47.240 all over his arm. 00:21:47.680 --> 00:21:48.460 He had scars 00:21:48.460 --> 00:21:49.279 all over his body 00:21:49.279 --> 00:21:50.299 from, like, knife fights 00:21:50.299 --> 00:21:51.639 and he had been shot 00:21:51.639 --> 00:21:52.359 in a few places 00:21:52.359 --> 00:21:53.940 and I know that he had definitely 00:21:53.940 --> 00:21:56.079 probably killed many men 00:21:56.079 --> 00:21:56.460 just, 00:21:56.539 --> 00:21:57.399 just standing there 00:21:57.399 --> 00:21:58.899 and he was telling 00:21:58.899 --> 00:21:59.619 these teenagers 00:21:59.619 --> 00:22:00.319 at this camp, 00:22:00.480 --> 00:22:00.700 like, 00:22:01.779 --> 00:22:04.559 don't fall into that mess, 00:22:04.759 --> 00:22:05.039 you know, 00:22:05.279 --> 00:22:06.180 it's not worth it. 00:22:06.200 --> 00:22:06.919 I gave my life 00:22:06.919 --> 00:22:07.680 for this cause 00:22:07.680 --> 00:22:07.899 and, 00:22:08.019 --> 00:22:09.480 and I was going down 00:22:09.480 --> 00:22:10.899 a long road 00:22:10.899 --> 00:22:11.619 to perishing, 00:22:11.899 --> 00:22:12.240 you know, 00:22:12.700 --> 00:22:13.619 and so please, 00:22:13.759 --> 00:22:14.079 like, 00:22:15.000 --> 00:22:16.299 Jesus is worth it 00:22:16.299 --> 00:22:17.639 and I asked him 00:22:17.639 --> 00:22:18.839 how he came 00:22:18.839 --> 00:22:19.519 to know Christ 00:22:19.519 --> 00:22:20.039 and he said 00:22:20.039 --> 00:22:20.480 that there was 00:22:20.480 --> 00:22:21.740 a believer 00:22:21.740 --> 00:22:22.879 just in that community 00:22:22.879 --> 00:22:24.359 that began, 00:22:24.519 --> 00:22:24.720 like, 00:22:25.480 --> 00:22:26.339 with some fear 00:22:26.339 --> 00:22:26.980 but went 00:22:26.980 --> 00:22:28.440 and just got 00:22:28.440 --> 00:22:29.579 into that group, 00:22:29.859 --> 00:22:30.740 just started hanging out 00:22:30.740 --> 00:22:30.859 with, 00:22:31.000 --> 00:22:31.159 like, 00:22:31.200 --> 00:22:32.139 being around those guys, 00:22:32.220 --> 00:22:32.980 not joining them 00:22:32.980 --> 00:22:33.940 but just being around them 00:22:33.940 --> 00:22:35.019 and, 00:22:35.200 --> 00:22:35.600 like, 00:22:36.080 --> 00:22:37.039 was pretty fearful, 00:22:37.200 --> 00:22:37.380 I mean, 00:22:37.420 --> 00:22:38.340 these guys could really 00:22:38.340 --> 00:22:39.620 jack me up 00:22:39.620 --> 00:22:40.140 or kill me 00:22:40.140 --> 00:22:41.240 just by me 00:22:41.240 --> 00:22:42.019 hanging out with them 00:22:42.019 --> 00:22:42.500 and, 00:22:43.120 --> 00:22:43.259 I mean, 00:22:43.259 --> 00:22:44.039 he kind of befriended 00:22:44.039 --> 00:22:44.640 this guy 00:22:44.640 --> 00:22:46.120 and just started 00:22:46.120 --> 00:22:46.920 sharing some life 00:22:46.920 --> 00:22:47.220 with him 00:22:47.220 --> 00:22:47.559 and this guy 00:22:47.559 --> 00:22:48.180 started planting 00:22:48.180 --> 00:22:48.940 seeds of truth 00:22:48.940 --> 00:22:49.500 and eventually 00:22:49.500 --> 00:22:50.860 this guy 00:22:50.860 --> 00:22:52.440 was born again 00:22:52.440 --> 00:22:53.160 and now he's, 00:22:53.220 --> 00:22:53.320 like, 00:22:53.360 --> 00:22:54.299 renounced all that 00:22:54.299 --> 00:22:55.160 and just going out 00:22:55.160 --> 00:22:56.900 to spread the gospel 00:22:56.900 --> 00:22:59.039 to these other guys 00:22:59.039 --> 00:22:59.960 there in Belfast 00:22:59.960 --> 00:23:01.980 and that just got so, 00:23:02.660 --> 00:23:03.420 when I think about that, 00:23:03.420 --> 00:23:04.400 I get so excited 00:23:04.400 --> 00:23:05.940 to see the gospel 00:23:05.940 --> 00:23:06.840 moving forward 00:23:06.840 --> 00:23:07.340 and, 00:23:08.240 --> 00:23:08.759 so, 00:23:08.980 --> 00:23:11.000 it does good to us, 00:23:11.140 --> 00:23:11.840 fellow believers, 00:23:11.940 --> 00:23:12.880 when you hear about 00:23:12.880 --> 00:23:14.580 the thing you love 00:23:14.580 --> 00:23:16.259 being spread 00:23:16.259 --> 00:23:17.100 to other people, 00:23:17.300 --> 00:23:18.340 it just excites you 00:23:18.340 --> 00:23:21.460 and gives your zeal 00:23:21.460 --> 00:23:23.700 a huge push 00:23:23.700 --> 00:23:25.180 and the fourth thing, 00:23:25.720 --> 00:23:26.580 then we're going to come back 00:23:26.580 --> 00:23:27.420 to some other things, 00:23:27.480 --> 00:23:28.500 but the fourth thing is 00:23:28.500 --> 00:23:29.920 sharing the gospel 00:23:29.920 --> 00:23:30.500 affects, 00:23:31.640 --> 00:23:32.220 I mean, 00:23:32.279 --> 00:23:33.180 I have to explain this word, 00:23:33.180 --> 00:23:34.220 it affects opponents 00:23:34.220 --> 00:23:36.980 and look at verse 15, 00:23:37.700 --> 00:23:39.380 verse 15, 00:23:39.900 --> 00:23:40.660 chapter 1, 00:23:40.759 --> 00:23:42.140 some indeed preach Christ 00:23:42.140 --> 00:23:43.960 from envy and rivalry, 00:23:44.120 --> 00:23:45.420 but others from good will, 00:23:46.440 --> 00:23:48.200 the latter do it out of love, 00:23:48.960 --> 00:23:50.220 knowing that I am put here 00:23:50.220 --> 00:23:51.460 for the defense of the gospel, 00:23:52.220 --> 00:23:53.600 the former proclaim Christ 00:23:53.600 --> 00:23:54.420 out of rivalry, 00:23:55.220 --> 00:23:56.019 not sincerely, 00:23:56.180 --> 00:23:58.279 but thinking to afflict my, 00:23:58.480 --> 00:24:00.060 afflict me in my imprisonment, 00:24:00.580 --> 00:24:01.160 what then, 00:24:01.160 --> 00:24:02.300 only that in every way, 00:24:02.420 --> 00:24:03.620 whether in pretense or truth, 00:24:03.759 --> 00:24:05.660 Christ is proclaimed, 00:24:06.320 --> 00:24:08.100 and in that I rejoice, 00:24:08.099 --> 00:24:12.259 so there is some stuff 00:24:12.259 --> 00:24:13.039 that you probably just, 00:24:13.099 --> 00:24:14.259 I want you to know about here, 00:24:14.379 --> 00:24:16.459 but Jesus warned 00:24:16.459 --> 00:24:18.459 that eventually 00:24:18.459 --> 00:24:19.639 the greatest, 00:24:19.719 --> 00:24:20.839 some of the greatest opponents 00:24:20.839 --> 00:24:21.539 to the gospel 00:24:21.539 --> 00:24:22.639 would be like from within 00:24:22.639 --> 00:24:23.480 the church itself, 00:24:23.480 --> 00:24:25.620 you would always just think 00:24:25.620 --> 00:24:26.819 from the outside of the church, 00:24:26.920 --> 00:24:28.779 but Jesus warned 00:24:28.779 --> 00:24:31.759 that many of the great battles 00:24:31.759 --> 00:24:32.599 the church had to fight 00:24:32.599 --> 00:24:33.460 would come from within 00:24:33.460 --> 00:24:35.099 its own ranks, 00:24:35.360 --> 00:24:37.240 and the danger would be 00:24:37.240 --> 00:24:37.880 from within 00:24:37.880 --> 00:24:39.120 as well as from without, 00:24:39.799 --> 00:24:41.519 and Paul understood that as well, 00:24:41.519 --> 00:24:45.599 and so he had witnessed 00:24:45.599 --> 00:24:49.539 hostility from different religious factions, 00:24:49.680 --> 00:24:51.000 the Jews or the pagans, 00:24:51.099 --> 00:24:51.460 you know, 00:24:51.559 --> 00:24:53.339 of other countries, 00:24:53.480 --> 00:24:56.980 and he understood that, 00:24:57.160 --> 00:25:00.019 but you would expect hostility 00:25:00.019 --> 00:25:02.539 to come from like the lost world around you, 00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:04.240 darkness doesn't like the light 00:25:04.240 --> 00:25:04.859 kind of thing, 00:25:04.859 --> 00:25:08.179 but it really does hurt 00:25:08.179 --> 00:25:10.779 to have a fellow believer 00:25:10.779 --> 00:25:12.199 slander you 00:25:12.199 --> 00:25:13.319 and attack you 00:25:13.319 --> 00:25:14.899 and falsely accuse you 00:25:14.899 --> 00:25:17.359 for something that's not true at all 00:25:17.359 --> 00:25:19.039 for different reasons, 00:25:19.039 --> 00:25:24.899 and so this word, 00:25:25.000 --> 00:25:26.219 I want you to look at that text 00:25:26.219 --> 00:25:28.139 where it says out of envy or strife, 00:25:28.799 --> 00:25:29.699 it means really to like 00:25:29.699 --> 00:25:30.799 to deprive someone 00:25:30.799 --> 00:25:32.319 of something that's rightfully theirs, 00:25:33.019 --> 00:25:34.559 to try to steal away 00:25:34.559 --> 00:25:36.059 because you're jealous, 00:25:36.179 --> 00:25:37.000 you want to steal away 00:25:37.000 --> 00:25:38.619 like the prominence somebody has 00:25:38.619 --> 00:25:40.779 or the crowds they're gathering 00:25:40.779 --> 00:25:42.220 or the popularity 00:25:42.220 --> 00:25:42.899 that they're gaining, 00:25:43.460 --> 00:25:44.259 you want that 00:25:44.259 --> 00:25:45.460 and you don't want them to get it, 00:25:45.519 --> 00:25:46.200 and that's kind of like 00:25:46.200 --> 00:25:47.099 what was going on, 00:25:47.700 --> 00:25:51.819 so they weren't doing it 00:25:51.819 --> 00:25:53.740 out of a spirit of love at all, 00:25:53.819 --> 00:25:54.200 they were doing it 00:25:54.200 --> 00:25:56.399 out of a divisive spirit, 00:25:57.139 --> 00:25:57.899 and the problem 00:25:57.899 --> 00:25:59.500 was not necessarily 00:25:59.500 --> 00:26:00.359 with their theology, 00:26:01.059 --> 00:26:02.000 but they were teaching 00:26:02.000 --> 00:26:02.819 the real gospel, 00:26:03.379 --> 00:26:04.460 the problem was in their 00:26:04.460 --> 00:26:05.160 their desires 00:26:05.160 --> 00:26:05.779 and their motives 00:26:05.779 --> 00:26:07.019 for why they were doing it, 00:26:07.740 --> 00:26:09.680 and there was, 00:26:09.759 --> 00:26:10.480 in the Old Testament, 00:26:10.680 --> 00:26:11.000 there was, 00:26:11.759 --> 00:26:12.880 false prophets 00:26:12.880 --> 00:26:14.059 were often called seers 00:26:14.059 --> 00:26:16.579 by the real prophets, 00:26:17.019 --> 00:26:18.000 they would come around 00:26:18.000 --> 00:26:18.720 to town to town 00:26:18.720 --> 00:26:19.319 and they would say, 00:26:19.759 --> 00:26:20.180 they would do like 00:26:20.180 --> 00:26:21.840 a little show, 00:26:21.960 --> 00:26:22.860 they would put on something, 00:26:23.500 --> 00:26:24.340 and they would say 00:26:24.340 --> 00:26:25.120 certain things 00:26:25.120 --> 00:26:25.680 that helped the people 00:26:25.680 --> 00:26:26.319 give them money 00:26:26.319 --> 00:26:27.860 for being a prophet, 00:26:27.980 --> 00:26:29.380 but they really had no power, 00:26:29.480 --> 00:26:30.240 and they weren't really 00:26:30.240 --> 00:26:31.000 from God, 00:26:31.759 --> 00:26:33.559 and so these seers 00:26:33.559 --> 00:26:37.720 were speaking the gospel, 00:26:37.880 --> 00:26:38.579 they were doing it 00:26:38.579 --> 00:26:39.240 because they were 00:26:39.240 --> 00:26:40.720 jealous of Paul, 00:26:40.819 --> 00:26:41.339 and they hated 00:26:41.339 --> 00:26:42.099 like the influence 00:26:42.099 --> 00:26:42.720 he had, 00:26:43.299 --> 00:26:44.599 and the authority 00:26:44.599 --> 00:26:45.539 he had been given, 00:26:46.140 --> 00:26:46.940 to the point where 00:26:46.940 --> 00:26:47.200 they're like, 00:26:47.240 --> 00:26:47.980 we wanted to gather, 00:26:48.200 --> 00:26:48.519 you know, 00:26:49.079 --> 00:26:49.779 these people that are 00:26:49.779 --> 00:26:50.319 listening to you, 00:26:50.359 --> 00:26:51.519 we want to steal them away, 00:26:51.620 --> 00:26:51.980 and like, 00:26:52.859 --> 00:26:53.700 have them a part 00:26:53.700 --> 00:26:54.819 of our group, 00:26:55.400 --> 00:26:56.079 so to say, 00:26:56.079 --> 00:26:57.859 and so they sought 00:26:57.859 --> 00:26:58.539 to dismantle 00:26:58.539 --> 00:26:59.279 his reputation 00:26:59.279 --> 00:27:00.119 by accusing him 00:27:00.119 --> 00:27:01.199 of a lot of false things 00:27:01.199 --> 00:27:02.639 that he didn't do, 00:27:03.359 --> 00:27:04.740 so Paul recognized this, 00:27:04.819 --> 00:27:05.619 but he also recognized 00:27:05.619 --> 00:27:06.279 that other people 00:27:06.279 --> 00:27:07.059 are doing this 00:27:07.059 --> 00:27:08.679 out of right motive, 00:27:08.759 --> 00:27:09.439 out of love, 00:27:09.539 --> 00:27:10.859 out of a righteous spirit 00:27:10.859 --> 00:27:11.599 that they have, 00:27:12.259 --> 00:27:14.139 and so he knows 00:27:14.139 --> 00:27:14.740 that both of these 00:27:14.740 --> 00:27:15.399 are going on 00:27:15.399 --> 00:27:16.319 at the same time, 00:27:16.539 --> 00:27:18.799 and Paul also knew, 00:27:19.699 --> 00:27:20.079 like, 00:27:20.119 --> 00:27:20.500 he would think, 00:27:20.579 --> 00:27:20.639 well, 00:27:20.639 --> 00:27:21.220 that's not cool, 00:27:21.319 --> 00:27:21.419 like, 00:27:21.439 --> 00:27:22.159 these people that are 00:27:22.159 --> 00:27:22.679 doing that, 00:27:22.740 --> 00:27:24.139 then why are they 00:27:24.139 --> 00:27:24.759 having success 00:27:24.759 --> 00:27:26.000 if they're doing this 00:27:26.000 --> 00:27:27.380 with the wrong motives? 00:27:28.839 --> 00:27:29.119 Well, 00:27:29.140 --> 00:27:29.900 Paul rejoices 00:27:29.900 --> 00:27:30.920 because he just understands, 00:27:31.019 --> 00:27:31.559 I don't care, 00:27:31.700 --> 00:27:33.599 this is not a competition, 00:27:33.900 --> 00:27:35.920 as long as Christ 00:27:35.920 --> 00:27:37.559 is being proclaimed clearly 00:27:37.559 --> 00:27:39.279 and doctrinally soundly, 00:27:39.299 --> 00:27:40.259 I don't really care, 00:27:40.900 --> 00:27:42.680 because Paul knew 00:27:42.680 --> 00:27:44.279 something tremendous 00:27:44.279 --> 00:27:45.240 about God 00:27:45.240 --> 00:27:47.099 that I try to think 00:27:47.099 --> 00:27:47.740 about a lot, 00:27:47.799 --> 00:27:48.660 but it really failed to, 00:27:49.000 --> 00:27:50.799 but God is not limited 00:27:50.799 --> 00:27:52.039 to circumstances, 00:27:52.240 --> 00:27:52.779 he will work, 00:27:53.180 --> 00:27:54.779 he will work 00:27:54.779 --> 00:27:56.000 even evil people 00:27:56.000 --> 00:27:57.000 and the things 00:27:57.000 --> 00:27:57.460 they do 00:27:57.460 --> 00:27:58.420 for his purpose, 00:27:58.940 --> 00:27:59.500 he'll work 00:27:59.500 --> 00:28:00.500 in spite of people, 00:28:01.220 --> 00:28:01.940 he'll work 00:28:01.940 --> 00:28:03.180 around all kind 00:28:03.180 --> 00:28:03.859 of situations 00:28:03.859 --> 00:28:04.680 to achieve 00:28:04.680 --> 00:28:05.420 what he wants, 00:28:06.180 --> 00:28:08.019 a great example 00:28:08.019 --> 00:28:08.339 of this 00:28:08.339 --> 00:28:09.160 is in Isaiah, 00:28:09.619 --> 00:28:11.599 years before 00:28:11.599 --> 00:28:13.500 this man lived, 00:28:14.220 --> 00:28:15.240 Isaiah names 00:28:15.240 --> 00:28:16.019 King Cyrus 00:28:16.019 --> 00:28:16.680 of Persia 00:28:16.680 --> 00:28:17.839 as the man 00:28:17.839 --> 00:28:19.079 who would eventually 00:28:19.079 --> 00:28:19.599 come 00:28:19.599 --> 00:28:22.179 and punish 00:28:22.179 --> 00:28:23.119 the Babylonians 00:28:23.119 --> 00:28:23.779 for their evil 00:28:23.779 --> 00:28:25.679 and at the same time 00:28:25.679 --> 00:28:26.439 restore Judah 00:28:26.439 --> 00:28:27.480 back to their homeland, 00:28:28.179 --> 00:28:29.059 so he's telling this 00:28:29.059 --> 00:28:30.559 years and years 00:28:30.559 --> 00:28:30.980 and years 00:28:30.980 --> 00:28:31.659 way before 00:28:31.659 --> 00:28:32.699 Cyrus was ever born 00:28:32.699 --> 00:28:33.879 and like Isaiah 00:28:33.879 --> 00:28:35.219 names him several times, 00:28:35.879 --> 00:28:36.679 like God is saying 00:28:36.679 --> 00:28:37.000 to him, 00:28:37.039 --> 00:28:37.379 Cyrus, 00:28:37.699 --> 00:28:38.819 you are my servant, 00:28:38.939 --> 00:28:39.740 I will do this 00:28:39.740 --> 00:28:40.259 through you, 00:28:40.319 --> 00:28:40.779 and then he says 00:28:40.779 --> 00:28:41.500 in there twice, 00:28:42.279 --> 00:28:43.079 though you do not 00:28:43.079 --> 00:28:43.579 know me, 00:28:44.319 --> 00:28:45.000 though you do not 00:28:45.000 --> 00:28:45.459 know me, 00:28:45.539 --> 00:28:46.599 I'm going to use you 00:28:46.599 --> 00:28:47.339 for my purpose, 00:28:47.459 --> 00:28:48.000 it's very, 00:28:48.159 --> 00:28:49.679 very crazy, 00:28:51.000 --> 00:28:52.179 so Paul understood, 00:28:53.079 --> 00:28:54.059 let these guys 00:28:54.059 --> 00:28:54.859 have their day, 00:28:55.019 --> 00:28:55.259 you know, 00:28:55.759 --> 00:28:57.240 like this is not 00:28:57.240 --> 00:28:58.019 going to bother me 00:28:58.019 --> 00:28:58.419 at all, 00:28:59.079 --> 00:28:59.779 they can preach 00:28:59.779 --> 00:29:00.399 all they want, 00:29:00.480 --> 00:29:00.919 but it's not going 00:29:00.919 --> 00:29:01.539 to do their souls 00:29:01.539 --> 00:29:02.019 any good, 00:29:02.500 --> 00:29:03.259 so as long as 00:29:03.259 --> 00:29:03.859 Christ is being 00:29:03.859 --> 00:29:04.399 proclaimed, 00:29:05.099 --> 00:29:05.879 it really doesn't 00:29:05.879 --> 00:29:06.939 bother me, 00:29:07.000 --> 00:29:08.059 I'm going to rejoice, 00:29:08.059 --> 00:29:11.139 and so I know 00:29:11.139 --> 00:29:13.519 that two camps 00:29:13.519 --> 00:29:15.059 possibly could be 00:29:15.059 --> 00:29:15.339 in here, 00:29:15.399 --> 00:29:15.899 those who aren't 00:29:15.900 --> 00:29:16.680 sharing our faith 00:29:16.680 --> 00:29:18.240 and some that are, 00:29:18.620 --> 00:29:20.360 but if you are, 00:29:20.440 --> 00:29:22.019 I want you to ask 00:29:22.019 --> 00:29:22.700 yourself the question, 00:29:22.820 --> 00:29:23.759 why am I doing it, 00:29:24.500 --> 00:29:25.860 why am I proclaiming 00:29:25.860 --> 00:29:26.160 Christ, 00:29:26.320 --> 00:29:27.380 check your motives 00:29:27.380 --> 00:29:29.060 for why you are 00:29:29.060 --> 00:29:29.940 doing those things, 00:29:31.000 --> 00:29:32.400 I'm sorry, 00:29:32.460 --> 00:29:32.840 I'm having a hard 00:29:32.840 --> 00:29:33.300 time breathing 00:29:33.300 --> 00:29:33.580 today, 00:29:33.740 --> 00:29:34.140 I've been trying 00:29:34.140 --> 00:29:35.800 to get my airways 00:29:35.800 --> 00:29:36.080 going, 00:29:36.080 --> 00:29:36.340 but, 00:29:37.160 --> 00:29:39.620 so I want to 00:29:39.620 --> 00:29:41.380 just ask a few 00:29:41.380 --> 00:29:41.860 things, 00:29:42.980 --> 00:29:45.000 why are you 00:29:45.000 --> 00:29:45.700 proclaiming the 00:29:45.700 --> 00:29:46.059 gospel, 00:29:46.200 --> 00:29:46.840 if you are, 00:29:47.620 --> 00:29:48.220 is it because 00:29:48.220 --> 00:29:49.600 people will look 00:29:49.600 --> 00:29:50.200 at you and be 00:29:50.200 --> 00:29:50.380 like, 00:29:50.460 --> 00:29:50.660 wow, 00:29:50.740 --> 00:29:51.220 he's really 00:29:51.220 --> 00:29:51.840 serious about 00:29:51.840 --> 00:29:52.340 his faith, 00:29:53.100 --> 00:29:54.640 he seems to 00:29:54.640 --> 00:29:55.620 be gathering a 00:29:55.620 --> 00:29:56.059 lot of people 00:29:56.059 --> 00:29:56.779 to himself, 00:29:57.360 --> 00:29:57.840 he's got a 00:29:57.840 --> 00:29:58.500 really big 00:29:58.500 --> 00:30:00.000 evangelistic 00:30:00.000 --> 00:30:00.580 Bible study 00:30:00.580 --> 00:30:01.259 going on, 00:30:01.420 --> 00:30:03.100 or all these 00:30:03.100 --> 00:30:03.420 things, 00:30:03.500 --> 00:30:04.259 I know people, 00:30:04.840 --> 00:30:05.279 I've met 00:30:05.279 --> 00:30:05.660 people, 00:30:06.940 --> 00:30:08.420 and like, 00:30:08.840 --> 00:30:09.120 you know, 00:30:09.160 --> 00:30:09.759 it'll be a 00:30:09.759 --> 00:30:10.640 girl or a 00:30:10.640 --> 00:30:11.799 guy who 00:30:11.799 --> 00:30:12.880 is getting 00:30:12.880 --> 00:30:13.480 all serious 00:30:13.480 --> 00:30:14.380 about evangelism 00:30:14.380 --> 00:30:14.740 because they're 00:30:14.740 --> 00:30:15.039 trying to 00:30:15.039 --> 00:30:16.120 impress somebody 00:30:16.120 --> 00:30:16.579 of the opposite 00:30:16.579 --> 00:30:17.360 sex about how 00:30:17.360 --> 00:30:18.220 serious they are 00:30:18.220 --> 00:30:19.160 about their 00:30:19.160 --> 00:30:19.539 faith, 00:30:20.160 --> 00:30:20.920 and like, 00:30:21.599 --> 00:30:22.299 just things like 00:30:22.299 --> 00:30:22.599 that, 00:30:22.680 --> 00:30:23.440 and ministries 00:30:23.440 --> 00:30:24.059 and churches 00:30:24.059 --> 00:30:25.759 that will also 00:30:25.759 --> 00:30:26.120 like, 00:30:26.180 --> 00:30:26.779 content with each 00:30:26.779 --> 00:30:27.000 other, 00:30:27.079 --> 00:30:27.240 like, 00:30:27.259 --> 00:30:27.519 because they 00:30:27.519 --> 00:30:28.500 want bigger 00:30:28.500 --> 00:30:29.059 numbers than 00:30:29.059 --> 00:30:29.519 the people down 00:30:29.519 --> 00:30:29.960 the street, 00:30:30.099 --> 00:30:30.599 and they want 00:30:30.599 --> 00:30:32.539 the most things 00:30:32.539 --> 00:30:33.059 going on, 00:30:33.120 --> 00:30:33.620 and so they'll 00:30:33.620 --> 00:30:35.360 slanderously 00:30:35.360 --> 00:30:37.099 sow things into 00:30:37.099 --> 00:30:37.759 people's hearts 00:30:37.759 --> 00:30:38.319 about those 00:30:38.319 --> 00:30:39.059 people so they 00:30:39.059 --> 00:30:40.279 will leave and 00:30:40.279 --> 00:30:40.860 come there, 00:30:40.859 --> 00:30:42.839 so examine 00:30:42.839 --> 00:30:43.539 why you do 00:30:43.539 --> 00:30:44.219 those things, 00:30:45.079 --> 00:30:46.919 you know, 00:30:47.000 --> 00:30:47.659 and I understand 00:30:47.659 --> 00:30:48.259 that your motives 00:30:48.259 --> 00:30:48.799 can sometimes 00:30:48.799 --> 00:30:49.339 change, 00:30:49.859 --> 00:30:50.399 you can have 00:30:50.399 --> 00:30:51.099 a pure desire 00:30:51.099 --> 00:30:51.679 to really make 00:30:51.679 --> 00:30:52.299 Christ known, 00:30:52.399 --> 00:30:53.399 and then you 00:30:53.399 --> 00:30:53.819 get caught up 00:30:53.819 --> 00:30:54.139 in like, 00:30:54.199 --> 00:30:54.319 yeah, 00:30:54.339 --> 00:30:54.859 I really want 00:30:54.859 --> 00:30:56.599 to be successful 00:30:56.599 --> 00:30:57.199 in this, 00:30:57.819 --> 00:30:59.439 so Jesus 00:30:59.439 --> 00:31:00.219 warned in 00:31:00.219 --> 00:31:01.419 Matthew 7, 00:31:01.459 --> 00:31:01.740 we don't have 00:31:01.740 --> 00:31:02.359 to turn there, 00:31:02.519 --> 00:31:03.939 but Matthew 00:31:03.939 --> 00:31:04.299 7, 00:31:04.359 --> 00:31:04.740 21, 00:31:04.939 --> 00:31:05.299 that a lot 00:31:05.299 --> 00:31:05.679 of people 00:31:05.679 --> 00:31:05.979 were going 00:31:05.979 --> 00:31:06.359 to come to 00:31:06.359 --> 00:31:07.000 him one day 00:31:07.000 --> 00:31:07.619 and say that, 00:31:08.159 --> 00:31:08.500 Jesus, 00:31:08.619 --> 00:31:09.240 we did all 00:31:09.240 --> 00:31:09.819 this stuff 00:31:09.819 --> 00:31:10.259 for you, 00:31:10.259 --> 00:31:10.740 we cast 00:31:10.740 --> 00:31:11.240 out demons 00:31:11.240 --> 00:31:11.879 in your name, 00:31:12.339 --> 00:31:13.160 we proclaim 00:31:13.160 --> 00:31:13.779 the gospel, 00:31:13.980 --> 00:31:14.500 so forth, 00:31:14.799 --> 00:31:15.440 and he's 00:31:15.440 --> 00:31:15.839 going to tell 00:31:15.839 --> 00:31:16.019 them, 00:31:16.079 --> 00:31:16.400 I never 00:31:16.400 --> 00:31:16.900 knew you, 00:31:17.500 --> 00:31:17.779 you know, 00:31:17.839 --> 00:31:18.259 you're doing 00:31:18.259 --> 00:31:18.640 that of your 00:31:18.640 --> 00:31:19.259 own accord, 00:31:19.400 --> 00:31:19.839 and you had 00:31:19.839 --> 00:31:20.359 your reward 00:31:20.359 --> 00:31:20.740 while you 00:31:20.740 --> 00:31:21.119 were there, 00:31:21.799 --> 00:31:23.480 I never 00:31:23.480 --> 00:31:24.039 knew you, 00:31:24.839 --> 00:31:25.319 and so, 00:31:25.680 --> 00:31:27.279 those are the 00:31:27.279 --> 00:31:27.980 four things, 00:31:28.140 --> 00:31:29.519 but what I 00:31:29.519 --> 00:31:30.019 mainly wanted 00:31:30.019 --> 00:31:30.539 to do is just 00:31:30.539 --> 00:31:31.200 focus on some 00:31:31.200 --> 00:31:31.740 application 00:31:31.740 --> 00:31:32.940 tonight, 00:31:33.420 --> 00:31:34.900 and I had 00:31:34.900 --> 00:31:35.740 a hard time 00:31:35.740 --> 00:31:36.559 really knowing 00:31:36.559 --> 00:31:37.099 how to talk 00:31:37.099 --> 00:31:37.519 about some 00:31:37.519 --> 00:31:37.879 of this, 00:31:38.539 --> 00:31:38.940 because I knew 00:31:38.940 --> 00:31:39.299 what I 00:31:39.299 --> 00:31:39.720 think needed 00:31:39.720 --> 00:31:40.279 to be said, 00:31:40.400 --> 00:31:41.200 but I 00:31:41.200 --> 00:31:41.539 didn't just 00:31:41.539 --> 00:31:42.039 want to jump 00:31:42.039 --> 00:31:43.400 over the 00:31:43.400 --> 00:31:43.759 passage, 00:31:43.880 --> 00:31:44.360 this is what 00:31:44.360 --> 00:31:44.820 the passage 00:31:44.820 --> 00:31:45.440 is about, 00:31:46.140 --> 00:31:46.720 and the essence 00:31:46.720 --> 00:31:47.140 of it, 00:31:47.160 --> 00:31:47.500 and how do 00:31:47.500 --> 00:31:47.820 we really 00:31:47.820 --> 00:31:48.320 bring this 00:31:48.320 --> 00:31:48.740 into our 00:31:48.740 --> 00:31:49.440 lives now, 00:31:50.120 --> 00:31:50.860 but the 00:31:50.860 --> 00:31:52.539 question is, 00:31:53.640 --> 00:31:54.200 you know, 00:31:55.320 --> 00:31:55.720 is the 00:31:55.720 --> 00:31:56.400 advancement of 00:31:56.400 --> 00:31:56.880 the gospel, 00:31:57.140 --> 00:31:57.900 or the progress 00:31:57.900 --> 00:31:58.660 of the gospel, 00:31:59.519 --> 00:31:59.960 one of the 00:31:59.960 --> 00:32:00.480 passions of 00:32:00.480 --> 00:32:00.940 your life, 00:32:01.000 --> 00:32:01.299 is it what 00:32:01.299 --> 00:32:02.039 you live for, 00:32:02.580 --> 00:32:03.080 is it what 00:32:03.080 --> 00:32:04.420 drives you, 00:32:04.420 --> 00:32:07.100 where does 00:32:07.100 --> 00:32:07.539 your energy 00:32:07.539 --> 00:32:07.880 go, 00:32:08.060 --> 00:32:08.519 is it to 00:32:08.519 --> 00:32:09.080 the advancement 00:32:09.080 --> 00:32:09.420 of the 00:32:09.420 --> 00:32:09.779 gospel, 00:32:11.279 --> 00:32:11.620 where do 00:32:11.620 --> 00:32:11.740 you, 00:32:11.860 --> 00:32:13.120 where is 00:32:13.120 --> 00:32:13.640 your reading 00:32:13.640 --> 00:32:13.940 and your 00:32:13.940 --> 00:32:14.340 thinking, 00:32:14.500 --> 00:32:14.700 and that 00:32:14.700 --> 00:32:14.960 kind of 00:32:14.960 --> 00:32:15.180 stuff, 00:32:15.220 --> 00:32:15.480 where does 00:32:15.480 --> 00:32:15.900 that go, 00:32:15.960 --> 00:32:16.400 is it for 00:32:16.400 --> 00:32:17.660 the advancement 00:32:17.660 --> 00:32:18.180 of the 00:32:18.180 --> 00:32:18.560 gospel, 00:32:19.720 --> 00:32:20.180 and because 00:32:20.180 --> 00:32:20.560 all those 00:32:20.560 --> 00:32:20.860 things are 00:32:20.860 --> 00:32:21.140 going to 00:32:21.140 --> 00:32:21.620 reveal where 00:32:21.620 --> 00:32:22.039 your heart 00:32:22.039 --> 00:32:22.380 is, 00:32:23.320 --> 00:32:24.880 and so 00:32:24.880 --> 00:32:25.060 we're going 00:32:25.060 --> 00:32:25.600 to look at 00:32:25.600 --> 00:32:26.160 just a few 00:32:26.160 --> 00:32:26.420 of these 00:32:26.420 --> 00:32:26.759 things, 00:32:26.880 --> 00:32:28.120 but what 00:32:28.120 --> 00:32:28.400 are some 00:32:28.400 --> 00:32:29.340 excuses that 00:32:29.340 --> 00:32:31.180 you might 00:32:31.180 --> 00:32:31.759 make up, 00:32:31.800 --> 00:32:32.500 and I've 00:32:32.500 --> 00:32:33.019 made these up 00:32:33.019 --> 00:32:33.680 myself in 00:32:33.680 --> 00:32:34.099 the past, 00:32:34.839 --> 00:32:35.480 what excuses 00:32:35.480 --> 00:32:36.019 do you make 00:32:36.019 --> 00:32:36.619 for not sharing 00:32:36.619 --> 00:32:37.160 the gospel, 00:32:37.960 --> 00:32:38.339 I'm going to 00:32:38.339 --> 00:32:38.819 look at some 00:32:38.819 --> 00:32:39.240 of these, 00:32:40.059 --> 00:32:40.420 but number 00:32:40.420 --> 00:32:40.879 one, 00:32:42.220 --> 00:32:42.900 one reason 00:32:42.900 --> 00:32:44.559 why we're 00:32:44.559 --> 00:32:44.960 not really 00:32:44.960 --> 00:32:45.980 interested in 00:32:45.980 --> 00:32:46.480 advancing the 00:32:46.480 --> 00:32:47.139 gospel is 00:32:47.139 --> 00:32:48.279 that our 00:32:48.279 --> 00:32:48.940 circumstances, 00:32:49.960 --> 00:32:50.579 we think 00:32:50.579 --> 00:32:52.339 that we're 00:32:52.339 --> 00:32:53.039 victims of 00:32:53.039 --> 00:32:53.879 our circumstances, 00:32:54.139 --> 00:32:55.059 if God 00:32:55.059 --> 00:32:55.379 would just 00:32:55.379 --> 00:32:55.859 work this 00:32:55.859 --> 00:32:56.180 out, 00:32:56.240 --> 00:32:56.500 if things 00:32:56.500 --> 00:32:56.900 weren't so 00:32:56.900 --> 00:32:57.500 busy right 00:32:57.500 --> 00:32:57.799 now, 00:32:57.920 --> 00:32:59.619 if I was 00:32:59.619 --> 00:33:00.200 just in this 00:33:00.200 --> 00:33:00.680 position, 00:33:00.779 --> 00:33:01.220 or not that 00:33:01.220 --> 00:33:01.720 position, 00:33:02.599 --> 00:33:03.000 if I'm 00:33:03.000 --> 00:33:03.799 stuck in 00:33:03.799 --> 00:33:04.539 this place, 00:33:05.299 --> 00:33:05.839 or if 00:33:05.839 --> 00:33:06.779 this didn't 00:33:06.779 --> 00:33:07.299 happen to 00:33:07.299 --> 00:33:07.599 me, 00:33:07.740 --> 00:33:08.000 then I 00:33:08.000 --> 00:33:08.180 wouldn't 00:33:08.180 --> 00:33:09.579 be quiet 00:33:09.579 --> 00:33:09.920 about 00:33:09.920 --> 00:33:10.460 Christ, 00:33:11.539 --> 00:33:12.279 even like, 00:33:13.119 --> 00:33:13.640 if God 00:33:13.640 --> 00:33:13.940 would just 00:33:13.940 --> 00:33:14.259 work out 00:33:14.259 --> 00:33:14.740 for me to 00:33:14.740 --> 00:33:15.019 go and 00:33:15.019 --> 00:33:15.279 have this 00:33:15.279 --> 00:33:15.599 awesome 00:33:15.599 --> 00:33:15.920 ministry 00:33:15.920 --> 00:33:16.339 position, 00:33:16.460 --> 00:33:16.680 then I 00:33:16.680 --> 00:33:16.859 would get 00:33:16.859 --> 00:33:17.519 so serious 00:33:17.519 --> 00:33:18.660 about sharing 00:33:18.660 --> 00:33:19.140 the gospel, 00:33:19.319 --> 00:33:20.200 or if 00:33:20.200 --> 00:33:20.480 God would 00:33:20.480 --> 00:33:20.799 just send 00:33:20.799 --> 00:33:20.980 me to 00:33:20.980 --> 00:33:21.619 this nation 00:33:21.619 --> 00:33:21.960 and I 00:33:21.960 --> 00:33:22.539 could go 00:33:22.539 --> 00:33:23.220 do missions 00:33:23.220 --> 00:33:23.599 in this 00:33:23.599 --> 00:33:24.460 place, 00:33:24.519 --> 00:33:24.660 I would 00:33:24.660 --> 00:33:24.980 be so 00:33:24.980 --> 00:33:25.400 serious 00:33:25.400 --> 00:33:25.920 about sharing 00:33:25.920 --> 00:33:26.519 my faith. 00:33:28.640 --> 00:33:28.920 I want 00:33:28.920 --> 00:33:29.319 you to know 00:33:29.319 --> 00:33:30.500 those are 00:33:30.500 --> 00:33:31.039 all lies, 00:33:31.220 --> 00:33:31.900 there's nothing 00:33:31.900 --> 00:33:32.680 justifiable, 00:33:32.680 --> 00:33:33.160 in any 00:33:33.160 --> 00:33:33.620 of that. 00:33:35.539 --> 00:33:36.180 If God 00:33:36.180 --> 00:33:36.560 puts you 00:33:36.560 --> 00:33:36.720 in a 00:33:36.720 --> 00:33:37.080 position, 00:33:37.220 --> 00:33:37.560 He has 00:33:37.560 --> 00:33:37.720 you 00:33:37.720 --> 00:33:38.259 sovereignly 00:33:38.259 --> 00:33:38.640 there, 00:33:39.259 --> 00:33:39.920 right now, 00:33:40.080 --> 00:33:40.400 like to 00:33:40.400 --> 00:33:41.019 be faithful 00:33:41.019 --> 00:33:41.560 where you 00:33:41.560 --> 00:33:42.759 are right 00:33:42.759 --> 00:33:43.100 now, 00:33:43.180 --> 00:33:43.500 to be 00:33:43.500 --> 00:33:43.799 sharing 00:33:43.799 --> 00:33:44.140 where you 00:33:44.140 --> 00:33:45.240 are right 00:33:45.240 --> 00:33:45.539 now, 00:33:45.600 --> 00:33:45.880 why would 00:33:45.880 --> 00:33:46.200 you ever 00:33:46.200 --> 00:33:46.720 think God 00:33:46.720 --> 00:33:47.799 would move 00:33:47.799 --> 00:33:48.140 you into a 00:33:48.140 --> 00:33:48.900 different place 00:33:48.900 --> 00:33:50.600 if you 00:33:50.600 --> 00:33:51.039 weren't being 00:33:51.039 --> 00:33:51.700 faithful with 00:33:51.700 --> 00:33:52.060 where you 00:33:52.060 --> 00:33:52.400 are? 00:33:53.160 --> 00:33:54.480 And if 00:33:54.480 --> 00:33:54.980 Christ is 00:33:54.980 --> 00:33:55.299 the love 00:33:55.299 --> 00:33:55.539 of your 00:33:55.539 --> 00:33:55.960 life, 00:33:56.039 --> 00:33:56.519 then you'll 00:33:56.519 --> 00:33:57.039 talk about 00:33:57.039 --> 00:33:57.140 Him. 00:33:57.140 --> 00:33:57.500 You're going 00:33:57.500 --> 00:33:58.860 to find 00:33:58.860 --> 00:33:59.480 ways to 00:33:59.480 --> 00:33:59.880 make this 00:33:59.880 --> 00:34:00.279 happen, 00:34:00.279 --> 00:34:01.740 and He'll 00:34:01.740 --> 00:34:02.559 take precedence 00:34:02.559 --> 00:34:03.000 over all 00:34:03.000 --> 00:34:03.680 those things. 00:34:06.059 --> 00:34:06.539 So, 00:34:06.779 --> 00:34:07.700 if you're 00:34:07.700 --> 00:34:08.079 not sharing 00:34:08.079 --> 00:34:08.539 the gospel 00:34:08.539 --> 00:34:08.900 tonight, 00:34:09.000 --> 00:34:09.320 there's either 00:34:09.320 --> 00:34:09.860 one or two 00:34:09.860 --> 00:34:10.159 reasons. 00:34:10.239 --> 00:34:10.719 One is, 00:34:11.340 --> 00:34:12.119 your love 00:34:12.119 --> 00:34:12.380 and your 00:34:12.380 --> 00:34:12.820 zeal for 00:34:12.820 --> 00:34:13.320 Christ has 00:34:13.320 --> 00:34:13.920 really been 00:34:13.920 --> 00:34:14.639 calmed down, 00:34:14.719 --> 00:34:15.079 it's been 00:34:15.079 --> 00:34:16.239 cooled off, 00:34:16.300 --> 00:34:16.579 and you've 00:34:16.579 --> 00:34:16.860 grown, 00:34:17.559 --> 00:34:18.320 you belong 00:34:18.320 --> 00:34:18.880 to Christ, 00:34:18.960 --> 00:34:19.279 but you've 00:34:19.279 --> 00:34:20.099 grown lukewarm. 00:34:22.059 --> 00:34:22.519 And the 00:34:22.519 --> 00:34:22.920 only other 00:34:22.920 --> 00:34:23.559 option after 00:34:23.559 --> 00:34:24.139 that is you 00:34:24.139 --> 00:34:24.460 might not 00:34:24.460 --> 00:34:25.039 know Christ, 00:34:25.099 --> 00:34:25.340 and that's 00:34:25.340 --> 00:34:25.579 why you 00:34:25.579 --> 00:34:25.900 don't have 00:34:25.900 --> 00:34:26.420 that passion. 00:34:26.420 --> 00:34:27.240 And those 00:34:27.240 --> 00:34:27.460 are the 00:34:27.460 --> 00:34:28.000 two only 00:34:28.000 --> 00:34:29.019 reasons for 00:34:29.019 --> 00:34:30.079 why we 00:34:30.079 --> 00:34:30.480 don't share 00:34:30.480 --> 00:34:31.039 our faith. 00:34:33.019 --> 00:34:34.320 And a 00:34:34.320 --> 00:34:34.960 second reason 00:34:34.960 --> 00:34:35.599 is, 00:34:37.280 --> 00:34:37.900 if you're 00:34:37.900 --> 00:34:38.139 at my 00:34:38.139 --> 00:34:38.500 community 00:34:38.500 --> 00:34:39.039 group last 00:34:39.039 --> 00:34:39.220 night, 00:34:39.280 --> 00:34:39.619 we actually 00:34:39.619 --> 00:34:40.099 touched on 00:34:40.099 --> 00:34:41.500 this briefly, 00:34:41.740 --> 00:34:43.240 but I'm 00:34:43.240 --> 00:34:44.900 afraid to 00:34:44.900 --> 00:34:45.300 share my 00:34:45.300 --> 00:34:45.519 faith. 00:34:45.559 --> 00:34:45.800 I have 00:34:45.800 --> 00:34:46.619 fear about 00:34:46.619 --> 00:34:47.320 going out 00:34:47.320 --> 00:34:48.700 and talking 00:34:48.700 --> 00:34:49.139 to my 00:34:49.139 --> 00:34:49.700 friends and 00:34:49.700 --> 00:34:49.980 the people 00:34:49.980 --> 00:34:50.360 that God 00:34:50.360 --> 00:34:50.780 puts into 00:34:50.780 --> 00:34:51.260 my life. 00:34:51.320 --> 00:34:51.680 I'm afraid 00:34:51.680 --> 00:34:52.099 of this. 00:34:52.099 --> 00:34:56.739 And if 00:34:56.739 --> 00:34:57.039 you look 00:34:57.039 --> 00:34:57.259 really, 00:34:57.420 --> 00:34:57.860 really hard, 00:34:58.219 --> 00:34:58.579 there's 00:34:58.579 --> 00:34:59.059 actually like 00:34:59.059 --> 00:34:59.539 a hidden 00:34:59.539 --> 00:35:01.279 idolatry in 00:35:01.279 --> 00:35:01.739 your life, 00:35:01.779 --> 00:35:01.980 and it's 00:35:01.980 --> 00:35:02.539 not fear. 00:35:03.460 --> 00:35:03.819 We don't 00:35:03.819 --> 00:35:04.259 live in a 00:35:04.259 --> 00:35:04.599 country, 00:35:05.099 --> 00:35:05.480 at least 00:35:05.480 --> 00:35:05.860 now we 00:35:05.860 --> 00:35:06.139 don't, 00:35:06.380 --> 00:35:07.199 that if 00:35:07.199 --> 00:35:07.480 you speak 00:35:07.480 --> 00:35:07.779 the name 00:35:07.779 --> 00:35:08.159 of Christ, 00:35:08.259 --> 00:35:08.460 you're not 00:35:08.460 --> 00:35:08.659 going to 00:35:08.659 --> 00:35:09.000 get thrown 00:35:09.000 --> 00:35:09.380 in prison, 00:35:09.539 --> 00:35:09.699 you're not 00:35:09.699 --> 00:35:09.799 going to 00:35:09.799 --> 00:35:10.039 get a 00:35:10.039 --> 00:35:10.199 bullet 00:35:10.199 --> 00:35:10.500 through your 00:35:10.500 --> 00:35:10.779 head. 00:35:11.420 --> 00:35:11.759 That's 00:35:11.759 --> 00:35:12.319 probably not 00:35:12.319 --> 00:35:12.759 going to 00:35:12.759 --> 00:35:13.019 happen. 00:35:13.119 --> 00:35:13.440 It can, 00:35:14.360 --> 00:35:15.759 but probably 00:35:15.759 --> 00:35:16.239 is not going 00:35:16.239 --> 00:35:16.599 to happen. 00:35:17.139 --> 00:35:17.339 If you're 00:35:17.339 --> 00:35:17.739 not afraid 00:35:17.739 --> 00:35:18.059 for your 00:35:18.059 --> 00:35:18.460 life, 00:35:19.099 --> 00:35:19.420 that might 00:35:19.420 --> 00:35:19.880 be a little 00:35:19.880 --> 00:35:20.480 different in 00:35:20.480 --> 00:35:20.719 some of 00:35:20.719 --> 00:35:21.039 these other 00:35:21.039 --> 00:35:21.739 nations where 00:35:21.739 --> 00:35:22.079 we have 00:35:22.079 --> 00:35:22.579 brothers and 00:35:22.579 --> 00:35:23.139 sisters that 00:35:23.139 --> 00:35:24.299 are advancing 00:35:24.299 --> 00:35:24.940 the gospel 00:35:24.940 --> 00:35:25.980 in those 00:35:25.980 --> 00:35:26.599 contexts. 00:35:26.759 --> 00:35:27.860 But the 00:35:27.860 --> 00:35:28.420 truth is 00:35:28.420 --> 00:35:28.719 here, 00:35:29.639 --> 00:35:30.400 you're not 00:35:30.400 --> 00:35:30.799 fearful, 00:35:31.079 --> 00:35:31.880 you're very 00:35:31.880 --> 00:35:32.460 prideful. 00:35:33.179 --> 00:35:33.819 You want 00:35:33.819 --> 00:35:34.559 to be seen 00:35:34.559 --> 00:35:36.000 as cool 00:35:36.000 --> 00:35:36.779 and acceptable 00:35:36.779 --> 00:35:37.819 and you 00:35:37.819 --> 00:35:38.099 want people 00:35:38.099 --> 00:35:38.679 to like 00:35:38.679 --> 00:35:39.000 you. 00:35:39.739 --> 00:35:40.880 And you're 00:35:40.880 --> 00:35:41.360 not willing 00:35:41.360 --> 00:35:41.739 to be 00:35:41.739 --> 00:35:43.000 humiliated for 00:35:43.000 --> 00:35:43.460 the sake of 00:35:43.460 --> 00:35:44.039 their soul. 00:35:44.840 --> 00:35:45.440 Whether they 00:35:45.440 --> 00:35:46.079 turn against 00:35:46.079 --> 00:35:46.579 you or don't 00:35:46.579 --> 00:35:47.059 turn against 00:35:47.059 --> 00:35:47.340 you, 00:35:48.019 --> 00:35:48.519 you're not 00:35:48.519 --> 00:35:48.920 willing to 00:35:48.920 --> 00:35:49.420 kind of shed 00:35:49.420 --> 00:35:50.039 that off 00:35:50.039 --> 00:35:51.420 and come 00:35:51.420 --> 00:35:51.900 to them 00:35:51.900 --> 00:35:53.079 regardless. 00:35:53.320 --> 00:35:53.639 So it's 00:35:53.639 --> 00:35:53.960 a hidden 00:35:53.960 --> 00:35:54.599 idolatry 00:35:54.599 --> 00:35:54.860 of your 00:35:54.860 --> 00:35:55.200 pride. 00:35:55.300 --> 00:35:55.599 You want 00:35:55.599 --> 00:35:56.019 to be 00:35:56.019 --> 00:35:57.280 known and 00:35:57.280 --> 00:35:57.740 loved and 00:35:57.740 --> 00:35:58.420 respected by 00:35:58.420 --> 00:35:58.800 those people 00:35:58.800 --> 00:35:59.340 around you. 00:35:59.980 --> 00:36:01.260 And you're 00:36:01.260 --> 00:36:01.720 aware that 00:36:01.720 --> 00:36:02.180 the gospel 00:36:02.180 --> 00:36:02.800 can be 00:36:02.800 --> 00:36:03.840 divisive. 00:36:05.940 --> 00:36:07.280 Derek Webb 00:36:07.280 --> 00:36:07.900 has a song 00:36:07.900 --> 00:36:09.000 where he has 00:36:09.000 --> 00:36:09.619 this one line 00:36:09.619 --> 00:36:10.119 in the song, 00:36:10.720 --> 00:36:11.460 the truth 00:36:11.460 --> 00:36:11.900 is never 00:36:11.900 --> 00:36:12.400 sexy, 00:36:12.960 --> 00:36:13.340 so it's 00:36:13.340 --> 00:36:13.860 never an 00:36:13.860 --> 00:36:14.460 easy sale. 00:36:15.280 --> 00:36:16.139 You can't 00:36:16.139 --> 00:36:16.840 just dress up 00:36:16.840 --> 00:36:17.380 the gospel 00:36:17.380 --> 00:36:17.940 to make it 00:36:17.940 --> 00:36:18.800 acceptable to 00:36:18.800 --> 00:36:20.039 a lost 00:36:20.039 --> 00:36:20.440 world. 00:36:20.600 --> 00:36:20.940 Some people 00:36:20.940 --> 00:36:21.220 are going 00:36:21.220 --> 00:36:21.680 to hate 00:36:21.680 --> 00:36:22.840 you because 00:36:22.840 --> 00:36:23.100 of it. 00:36:23.180 --> 00:36:23.320 I mean, 00:36:23.360 --> 00:36:23.980 Jesus taught 00:36:23.980 --> 00:36:24.460 these things. 00:36:24.539 --> 00:36:24.800 It happened 00:36:24.800 --> 00:36:25.220 to him. 00:36:25.340 --> 00:36:25.660 He said, 00:36:26.080 --> 00:36:26.380 if they 00:36:26.380 --> 00:36:27.140 persecute me, 00:36:27.260 --> 00:36:27.980 I promise 00:36:27.980 --> 00:36:28.200 they'll 00:36:28.200 --> 00:36:28.880 persecute you. 00:36:29.560 --> 00:36:30.200 I'm the 00:36:30.200 --> 00:36:30.720 spotless 00:36:30.720 --> 00:36:31.160 lamb of 00:36:31.160 --> 00:36:31.600 God and 00:36:31.600 --> 00:36:32.180 they hate 00:36:32.180 --> 00:36:32.560 me and 00:36:32.560 --> 00:36:32.920 they're going 00:36:32.920 --> 00:36:34.480 to crucify 00:36:34.480 --> 00:36:34.860 me. 00:36:35.340 --> 00:36:36.480 And so 00:36:36.480 --> 00:36:37.240 we have 00:36:37.240 --> 00:36:37.480 to, 00:36:38.560 --> 00:36:39.539 we're not 00:36:39.539 --> 00:36:39.920 afraid. 00:36:40.120 --> 00:36:41.140 Stop using 00:36:41.140 --> 00:36:41.820 that excuse. 00:36:42.019 --> 00:36:42.519 It's really 00:36:42.519 --> 00:36:43.480 something much 00:36:43.480 --> 00:36:43.780 deeper. 00:36:43.920 --> 00:36:44.460 Pray that God 00:36:44.460 --> 00:36:44.940 just breaks 00:36:44.940 --> 00:36:45.940 you and 00:36:45.940 --> 00:36:46.539 just shows 00:36:46.539 --> 00:36:47.019 you that 00:36:47.019 --> 00:36:48.639 it's not 00:36:48.639 --> 00:36:49.059 worth it. 00:36:49.099 --> 00:36:49.639 Your friends, 00:36:50.500 --> 00:36:51.300 you need to 00:36:51.300 --> 00:36:51.880 be willing to 00:36:51.880 --> 00:36:52.699 lose your 00:36:52.699 --> 00:36:53.980 reputation if 00:36:53.980 --> 00:36:54.719 necessary to 00:36:54.719 --> 00:36:55.119 reach your 00:36:55.119 --> 00:36:55.539 friends. 00:36:57.920 --> 00:36:58.779 And the 00:36:58.779 --> 00:36:59.320 question really 00:36:59.320 --> 00:37:00.159 isn't, 00:37:00.179 --> 00:37:00.659 should I 00:37:00.659 --> 00:37:01.360 be, I 00:37:01.360 --> 00:37:01.539 mean, 00:37:01.639 --> 00:37:02.059 ever heard 00:37:02.059 --> 00:37:02.500 anybody just 00:37:02.500 --> 00:37:02.900 say, I'm 00:37:02.900 --> 00:37:03.400 praying about 00:37:03.400 --> 00:37:03.599 it. 00:37:04.340 --> 00:37:04.860 That's the 00:37:04.860 --> 00:37:05.159 really 00:37:05.159 --> 00:37:06.440 Christianized 00:37:06.440 --> 00:37:06.900 way of 00:37:06.900 --> 00:37:07.659 like disguising 00:37:07.659 --> 00:37:08.279 your fear a 00:37:08.279 --> 00:37:08.519 lot of the 00:37:08.519 --> 00:37:08.980 time or your 00:37:08.980 --> 00:37:09.340 pride. 00:37:10.300 --> 00:37:10.960 I'm praying 00:37:10.960 --> 00:37:11.320 about it. 00:37:11.900 --> 00:37:12.199 You know 00:37:12.199 --> 00:37:12.420 what? 00:37:12.460 --> 00:37:12.679 You don't 00:37:12.679 --> 00:37:13.099 need to pray 00:37:13.099 --> 00:37:13.539 about what 00:37:13.539 --> 00:37:13.940 God's already 00:37:13.940 --> 00:37:14.420 commanded you 00:37:14.420 --> 00:37:14.800 to do. 00:37:15.500 --> 00:37:15.940 He says, 00:37:15.940 --> 00:37:16.659 go and 00:37:16.659 --> 00:37:16.840 make 00:37:16.840 --> 00:37:17.220 disciples. 00:37:17.340 --> 00:37:17.559 He says, 00:37:17.619 --> 00:37:18.079 go and 00:37:18.079 --> 00:37:18.460 reach the 00:37:18.460 --> 00:37:18.820 lost. 00:37:18.920 --> 00:37:19.340 They need 00:37:19.340 --> 00:37:20.519 me in 00:37:20.519 --> 00:37:21.119 their lives. 00:37:21.220 --> 00:37:21.440 But what you 00:37:21.440 --> 00:37:21.800 do need to 00:37:21.800 --> 00:37:22.300 pray about 00:37:22.300 --> 00:37:23.800 is how to 00:37:23.800 --> 00:37:24.260 go about 00:37:24.260 --> 00:37:25.280 it, the 00:37:25.280 --> 00:37:25.720 strength to 00:37:25.720 --> 00:37:26.079 carry it 00:37:26.079 --> 00:37:26.539 out, and 00:37:26.539 --> 00:37:28.000 pray for 00:37:28.000 --> 00:37:28.639 their soul 00:37:28.639 --> 00:37:29.460 because you 00:37:29.460 --> 00:37:29.760 know that 00:37:29.760 --> 00:37:30.079 you have 00:37:30.079 --> 00:37:30.519 no power 00:37:30.519 --> 00:37:30.880 to change 00:37:30.880 --> 00:37:30.980 them. 00:37:31.019 --> 00:37:31.240 That's the 00:37:31.240 --> 00:37:31.500 things you 00:37:31.500 --> 00:37:31.960 pray about. 00:37:32.059 --> 00:37:32.820 You don't 00:37:32.820 --> 00:37:33.619 negotiate the 00:37:33.619 --> 00:37:34.159 commands of 00:37:34.159 --> 00:37:34.820 God in 00:37:34.820 --> 00:37:35.119 prayer. 00:37:35.420 --> 00:37:35.840 God's like, 00:37:36.360 --> 00:37:36.700 make me 00:37:36.700 --> 00:37:37.039 known. 00:37:37.820 --> 00:37:38.500 Make me 00:37:38.500 --> 00:37:38.940 known to 00:37:38.940 --> 00:37:39.519 these people 00:37:39.519 --> 00:37:41.320 and seek 00:37:41.320 --> 00:37:41.860 me for 00:37:41.860 --> 00:37:42.380 direction, 00:37:42.639 --> 00:37:43.079 strength, 00:37:43.559 --> 00:37:44.139 and wisdom 00:37:44.139 --> 00:37:44.820 on how to 00:37:44.820 --> 00:37:45.340 reach them. 00:37:45.940 --> 00:37:46.760 So, 00:37:47.360 --> 00:37:47.780 they're in 00:37:47.780 --> 00:37:48.300 your lives 00:37:48.300 --> 00:37:48.740 for a 00:37:48.740 --> 00:37:49.019 reason. 00:37:49.659 --> 00:37:49.960 God has 00:37:49.960 --> 00:37:50.360 put them 00:37:50.360 --> 00:37:50.800 there so 00:37:50.800 --> 00:37:51.059 that you 00:37:51.059 --> 00:37:51.340 would be 00:37:51.340 --> 00:37:51.880 Christ in 00:37:51.880 --> 00:37:52.420 that spot 00:37:52.420 --> 00:37:53.760 to them. 00:37:54.860 --> 00:37:56.440 And I 00:37:56.440 --> 00:37:57.000 have another 00:37:57.000 --> 00:37:58.720 reason. 00:37:58.719 --> 00:38:04.739 well, I'll 00:38:04.739 --> 00:38:05.039 make one 00:38:05.039 --> 00:38:05.539 more comment 00:38:05.539 --> 00:38:06.099 about that. 00:38:06.179 --> 00:38:06.519 This kind 00:38:06.519 --> 00:38:06.939 of came to 00:38:06.939 --> 00:38:07.459 my mind. 00:38:07.899 --> 00:38:08.219 I want to 00:38:08.219 --> 00:38:08.500 have more 00:38:08.500 --> 00:38:08.679 of a 00:38:08.679 --> 00:38:09.039 discussion 00:38:09.039 --> 00:38:09.339 with you 00:38:09.339 --> 00:38:09.679 tonight. 00:38:12.079 --> 00:38:12.759 But there's 00:38:12.759 --> 00:38:13.419 something that 00:38:13.419 --> 00:38:14.699 a lot of 00:38:14.699 --> 00:38:15.500 ministries do, 00:38:15.599 --> 00:38:15.879 a lot of 00:38:15.879 --> 00:38:16.419 churches do 00:38:16.419 --> 00:38:16.959 this, and 00:38:16.959 --> 00:38:17.939 it's really 00:38:17.939 --> 00:38:18.859 trendy today 00:38:18.859 --> 00:38:19.500 for sure, 00:38:20.099 --> 00:38:20.359 but this 00:38:20.359 --> 00:38:22.399 idea of 00:38:22.399 --> 00:38:23.039 friendship 00:38:23.039 --> 00:38:24.219 evangelism. 00:38:24.579 --> 00:38:24.839 You ever 00:38:24.839 --> 00:38:25.319 heard of that 00:38:25.319 --> 00:38:25.679 or something 00:38:25.679 --> 00:38:26.179 like that? 00:38:26.859 --> 00:38:27.779 I have to 00:38:27.779 --> 00:38:28.559 be really 00:38:28.559 --> 00:38:29.039 good friends 00:38:29.039 --> 00:38:29.299 with this 00:38:29.299 --> 00:38:29.859 person and 00:38:29.859 --> 00:38:30.419 be around 00:38:30.419 --> 00:38:30.819 them for 00:38:30.819 --> 00:38:31.739 at least 00:38:31.739 --> 00:38:32.299 six months. 00:38:32.359 --> 00:38:32.579 I'm going 00:38:32.579 --> 00:38:32.960 to say at 00:38:32.960 --> 00:38:33.279 least six 00:38:33.279 --> 00:38:33.519 months. 00:38:34.199 --> 00:38:34.619 And then 00:38:34.619 --> 00:38:36.399 maybe they'll 00:38:36.399 --> 00:38:37.059 listen to me 00:38:37.059 --> 00:38:37.659 if I share 00:38:37.659 --> 00:38:38.099 the gospel 00:38:38.099 --> 00:38:38.539 with them. 00:38:39.659 --> 00:38:42.500 there's a lot 00:38:42.500 --> 00:38:43.159 of flaws in 00:38:43.159 --> 00:38:43.419 that. 00:38:43.879 --> 00:38:44.219 But what I 00:38:44.219 --> 00:38:44.619 don't want 00:38:44.619 --> 00:38:46.359 you to hear 00:38:46.359 --> 00:38:47.000 from me is 00:38:47.000 --> 00:38:48.079 don't love 00:38:48.079 --> 00:38:48.619 these people, 00:38:49.279 --> 00:38:49.899 don't befriend 00:38:49.899 --> 00:38:50.359 these people, 00:38:50.419 --> 00:38:50.899 and don't serve 00:38:50.899 --> 00:38:51.219 these people. 00:38:51.299 --> 00:38:51.639 I'm saying 00:38:51.639 --> 00:38:52.359 definitely do 00:38:52.359 --> 00:38:52.639 that. 00:38:52.639 --> 00:38:53.319 I'm only 00:38:53.319 --> 00:38:53.719 saying that 00:38:53.719 --> 00:38:54.039 you don't 00:38:54.039 --> 00:38:54.379 love them 00:38:54.379 --> 00:38:54.619 if you 00:38:54.619 --> 00:38:54.920 don't do 00:38:54.920 --> 00:38:55.199 that. 00:38:56.119 --> 00:38:56.699 You need 00:38:56.699 --> 00:38:57.079 to be a 00:38:57.079 --> 00:38:57.359 part of 00:38:57.359 --> 00:38:57.799 their life 00:38:57.799 --> 00:38:58.019 and a 00:38:58.019 --> 00:38:58.239 part of 00:38:58.239 --> 00:38:58.659 their world 00:38:58.659 --> 00:38:59.759 and find 00:38:59.759 --> 00:39:00.239 ways to 00:39:00.239 --> 00:39:00.719 show them 00:39:00.719 --> 00:39:01.059 the love 00:39:01.059 --> 00:39:01.539 of Christ 00:39:01.539 --> 00:39:03.059 and love 00:39:03.059 --> 00:39:04.119 them sacrificially. 00:39:04.379 --> 00:39:04.940 Do things 00:39:04.940 --> 00:39:05.960 for them. 00:39:06.039 --> 00:39:06.480 Be a part 00:39:06.480 --> 00:39:06.699 of their 00:39:06.699 --> 00:39:07.960 life and be 00:39:07.960 --> 00:39:08.199 in their 00:39:08.199 --> 00:39:08.519 world. 00:39:08.659 --> 00:39:08.980 Show them 00:39:08.980 --> 00:39:09.299 that you 00:39:09.299 --> 00:39:09.679 care. 00:39:10.559 --> 00:39:10.900 That is 00:39:10.900 --> 00:39:11.519 what good 00:39:11.519 --> 00:39:12.019 works, 00:39:12.539 --> 00:39:12.960 a lot of 00:39:12.960 --> 00:39:13.279 the old 00:39:13.279 --> 00:39:13.739 confessions 00:39:13.739 --> 00:39:14.059 say, 00:39:14.159 --> 00:39:14.639 good works 00:39:14.639 --> 00:39:15.460 adorn the 00:39:15.460 --> 00:39:15.819 gospel. 00:39:16.599 --> 00:39:17.259 They make 00:39:17.259 --> 00:39:18.199 beautiful the 00:39:18.199 --> 00:39:19.019 gospel by how 00:39:19.019 --> 00:39:19.460 we treat 00:39:19.460 --> 00:39:20.599 people with 00:39:20.599 --> 00:39:21.059 the love of 00:39:21.059 --> 00:39:21.519 Christ that 00:39:21.519 --> 00:39:21.920 he's shown 00:39:21.920 --> 00:39:22.339 us. 00:39:22.960 --> 00:39:23.319 So I'm 00:39:23.319 --> 00:39:23.819 not saying 00:39:23.819 --> 00:39:24.159 that. 00:39:24.799 --> 00:39:25.219 I'm just 00:39:25.219 --> 00:39:25.639 saying that 00:39:25.639 --> 00:39:25.960 I think 00:39:25.960 --> 00:39:26.420 that a lot 00:39:26.420 --> 00:39:26.739 of people 00:39:26.739 --> 00:39:27.480 use that 00:39:27.480 --> 00:39:28.679 as a 00:39:28.679 --> 00:39:29.639 disguise for 00:39:29.639 --> 00:39:30.199 not sharing 00:39:30.199 --> 00:39:30.659 the gospel. 00:39:32.119 --> 00:39:32.659 I'm just 00:39:32.659 --> 00:39:32.900 getting to 00:39:32.900 --> 00:39:33.199 know him. 00:39:34.019 --> 00:39:34.339 My bro, 00:39:34.420 --> 00:39:34.619 you've been 00:39:34.619 --> 00:39:34.859 getting to 00:39:34.859 --> 00:39:35.059 know him 00:39:35.059 --> 00:39:35.420 for five 00:39:35.420 --> 00:39:35.920 months now 00:39:35.920 --> 00:39:36.599 and you're 00:39:36.599 --> 00:39:36.819 with him 00:39:36.819 --> 00:39:37.299 every day. 00:39:38.059 --> 00:39:38.599 What's the 00:39:38.599 --> 00:39:38.879 deal? 00:39:39.400 --> 00:39:41.779 And it's 00:39:41.779 --> 00:39:42.819 wrong because 00:39:42.819 --> 00:39:43.900 you're living 00:39:43.900 --> 00:39:44.679 on presumption. 00:39:44.799 --> 00:39:45.199 You're saying 00:39:45.199 --> 00:39:45.839 that I know 00:39:45.839 --> 00:39:46.319 that in six 00:39:46.319 --> 00:39:47.400 months this 00:39:47.400 --> 00:39:47.799 guy's going 00:39:47.799 --> 00:39:48.219 to still be 00:39:48.219 --> 00:39:48.759 around and 00:39:48.759 --> 00:39:49.079 I'm still 00:39:49.079 --> 00:39:49.359 going to be 00:39:49.359 --> 00:39:49.839 around and 00:39:49.839 --> 00:39:50.779 this is going 00:39:50.779 --> 00:39:51.400 to work out. 00:39:51.500 --> 00:39:51.799 You don't 00:39:51.800 --> 00:39:52.380 know what 00:39:52.380 --> 00:39:53.160 tomorrow holds. 00:39:54.820 --> 00:39:55.660 You need to 00:39:55.660 --> 00:39:56.320 live if it 00:39:56.320 --> 00:39:56.880 is your last 00:39:56.880 --> 00:39:58.000 day and 00:39:58.000 --> 00:39:59.539 really seek 00:39:59.539 --> 00:40:00.320 to love 00:40:00.320 --> 00:40:00.740 these people 00:40:00.740 --> 00:40:01.060 and give 00:40:01.060 --> 00:40:01.580 them Christ 00:40:01.580 --> 00:40:01.940 while you 00:40:01.940 --> 00:40:02.140 have the 00:40:02.140 --> 00:40:02.600 opportunity. 00:40:03.120 --> 00:40:03.820 The gospel 00:40:03.820 --> 00:40:04.580 has urgency 00:40:04.580 --> 00:40:05.000 in it. 00:40:05.960 --> 00:40:06.500 I mean it 00:40:06.500 --> 00:40:06.980 does have 00:40:06.980 --> 00:40:07.300 to weigh the 00:40:07.300 --> 00:40:08.019 cost and 00:40:08.019 --> 00:40:09.119 think about 00:40:09.119 --> 00:40:09.440 what you're 00:40:09.440 --> 00:40:10.079 doing but 00:40:10.079 --> 00:40:11.139 it's not 00:40:11.139 --> 00:40:11.579 like saying 00:40:11.579 --> 00:40:12.199 I have 00:40:12.199 --> 00:40:12.800 the ability 00:40:12.800 --> 00:40:13.099 to put 00:40:13.099 --> 00:40:13.539 this off 00:40:13.539 --> 00:40:14.599 for months 00:40:14.599 --> 00:40:14.940 and months 00:40:14.940 --> 00:40:15.340 and months 00:40:15.340 --> 00:40:15.619 while I 00:40:15.619 --> 00:40:15.980 try to get 00:40:15.980 --> 00:40:16.260 to know 00:40:16.260 --> 00:40:16.699 this guy 00:40:16.699 --> 00:40:17.059 so he'll 00:40:17.059 --> 00:40:17.480 listen to 00:40:17.480 --> 00:40:17.679 me. 00:40:18.199 --> 00:40:18.579 God's 00:40:18.579 --> 00:40:19.119 power is 00:40:19.119 --> 00:40:19.559 greater than 00:40:19.559 --> 00:40:19.860 that. 00:40:21.619 --> 00:40:22.480 So I guess 00:40:22.480 --> 00:40:23.480 my word is 00:40:23.480 --> 00:40:23.960 just be 00:40:23.960 --> 00:40:24.420 obedient. 00:40:25.179 --> 00:40:25.780 If there's a 00:40:25.780 --> 00:40:26.159 person in 00:40:26.159 --> 00:40:26.619 your life 00:40:26.619 --> 00:40:28.139 and you're 00:40:28.139 --> 00:40:28.880 like I want 00:40:28.880 --> 00:40:29.119 to show 00:40:29.119 --> 00:40:29.519 Christ to 00:40:29.519 --> 00:40:29.760 them I 00:40:29.760 --> 00:40:30.199 don't know 00:40:30.199 --> 00:40:31.179 how to go 00:40:31.179 --> 00:40:31.719 about this 00:40:31.719 --> 00:40:31.940 but I'm 00:40:31.940 --> 00:40:32.480 going to do 00:40:32.480 --> 00:40:32.780 it I don't 00:40:32.780 --> 00:40:33.119 know how 00:40:33.119 --> 00:40:33.460 yet. 00:40:34.320 --> 00:40:34.900 Lord show 00:40:34.900 --> 00:40:35.179 me. 00:40:35.920 --> 00:40:36.480 Be obedient. 00:40:36.639 --> 00:40:37.079 He may be 00:40:37.079 --> 00:40:37.519 like just 00:40:37.519 --> 00:40:37.920 be with 00:40:37.920 --> 00:40:38.240 them right 00:40:38.240 --> 00:40:38.480 now. 00:40:39.079 --> 00:40:39.679 Just listen 00:40:39.679 --> 00:40:40.039 to them 00:40:40.039 --> 00:40:40.480 right now. 00:40:40.800 --> 00:40:41.880 Just serve 00:40:41.880 --> 00:40:42.240 them right 00:40:42.240 --> 00:40:42.480 now. 00:40:42.639 --> 00:40:43.220 When I'm 00:40:43.220 --> 00:40:43.659 ready I'm 00:40:43.659 --> 00:40:43.940 going to 00:40:43.940 --> 00:40:44.280 tell you. 00:40:44.360 --> 00:40:44.519 I'm going 00:40:44.519 --> 00:40:44.720 to make 00:40:44.720 --> 00:40:45.179 it clear. 00:40:45.880 --> 00:40:46.139 This is 00:40:46.139 --> 00:40:46.420 the time 00:40:46.420 --> 00:40:46.699 you need 00:40:46.699 --> 00:40:47.159 to speak. 00:40:48.079 --> 00:40:48.460 Be 00:40:48.460 --> 00:40:48.840 obedient. 00:40:50.199 --> 00:40:50.539 And then 00:40:50.539 --> 00:40:50.840 it could be 00:40:50.840 --> 00:40:51.099 the other 00:40:51.099 --> 00:40:51.539 way around. 00:40:52.300 --> 00:40:52.559 I remember 00:40:52.559 --> 00:40:52.980 going up in 00:40:52.980 --> 00:40:53.840 the dorms 00:40:53.840 --> 00:40:55.079 not this 00:40:55.079 --> 00:40:55.679 past August 00:40:55.679 --> 00:40:56.179 but last 00:40:56.179 --> 00:40:56.559 August. 00:40:58.460 --> 00:40:58.980 Up in 00:40:58.980 --> 00:41:00.760 it was 00:41:00.760 --> 00:41:01.300 Louis I 00:41:01.300 --> 00:41:01.519 believe 00:41:01.519 --> 00:41:01.900 yeah up 00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:02.280 in Louis 00:41:02.280 --> 00:41:02.519 and 00:41:02.519 --> 00:41:03.780 and I 00:41:03.780 --> 00:41:04.239 just barely 00:41:04.239 --> 00:41:04.739 met this 00:41:04.739 --> 00:41:05.059 guy. 00:41:07.099 --> 00:41:07.599 And I 00:41:07.599 --> 00:41:07.880 was just 00:41:07.880 --> 00:41:08.400 talking with 00:41:08.400 --> 00:41:08.699 him and 00:41:08.699 --> 00:41:08.960 he liked 00:41:08.960 --> 00:41:09.239 to just 00:41:09.239 --> 00:41:09.739 invite me 00:41:09.739 --> 00:41:10.019 in his 00:41:10.019 --> 00:41:10.380 room. 00:41:11.219 --> 00:41:11.559 I went 00:41:11.559 --> 00:41:12.219 and was 00:41:12.219 --> 00:41:12.800 just getting 00:41:12.800 --> 00:41:13.139 to know 00:41:13.139 --> 00:41:13.619 him and 00:41:13.619 --> 00:41:14.579 he asked 00:41:14.579 --> 00:41:15.019 me about 00:41:15.019 --> 00:41:16.259 who I 00:41:16.259 --> 00:41:16.780 was and 00:41:16.780 --> 00:41:17.259 stuff and 00:41:17.259 --> 00:41:18.239 I just 00:41:18.239 --> 00:41:18.759 really felt 00:41:18.759 --> 00:41:19.400 this strong 00:41:19.400 --> 00:41:20.679 urge and 00:41:20.679 --> 00:41:20.940 leave him 00:41:20.940 --> 00:41:21.199 I'm just 00:41:21.199 --> 00:41:22.400 going to 00:41:22.400 --> 00:41:23.659 give him 00:41:23.659 --> 00:41:24.139 everything 00:41:24.139 --> 00:41:24.800 right now 00:41:24.800 --> 00:41:25.659 and just 00:41:25.659 --> 00:41:26.059 poured out 00:41:26.059 --> 00:41:26.519 the gospel 00:41:26.519 --> 00:41:26.900 to this 00:41:26.900 --> 00:41:27.259 guy and 00:41:27.259 --> 00:41:27.460 he was 00:41:27.460 --> 00:41:27.880 just like 00:41:27.880 --> 00:41:28.980 wow 00:41:28.980 --> 00:41:30.280 never heard 00:41:30.280 --> 00:41:30.719 that before 00:41:30.719 --> 00:41:30.940 that's 00:41:30.940 --> 00:41:31.259 amazing. 00:41:31.260 --> 00:41:32.560 and wanted 00:41:32.560 --> 00:41:32.840 to meet 00:41:32.840 --> 00:41:33.340 up afterwards 00:41:33.340 --> 00:41:33.640 like I 00:41:33.640 --> 00:41:33.880 knew the 00:41:33.880 --> 00:41:34.160 guy for 00:41:34.160 --> 00:41:34.860 probably 15 00:41:34.860 --> 00:41:35.400 minutes before 00:41:35.400 --> 00:41:35.700 I started 00:41:35.700 --> 00:41:36.720 pumping him 00:41:36.720 --> 00:41:36.940 with the 00:41:36.940 --> 00:41:37.220 gospel. 00:41:37.540 --> 00:41:38.640 And that was 00:41:38.640 --> 00:41:39.040 just the 00:41:39.040 --> 00:41:39.400 leading of 00:41:39.400 --> 00:41:39.860 the spirit 00:41:39.860 --> 00:41:40.140 and the 00:41:40.140 --> 00:41:40.540 power of 00:41:40.540 --> 00:41:40.780 God. 00:41:41.320 --> 00:41:41.900 God might 00:41:41.900 --> 00:41:42.160 have said 00:41:42.160 --> 00:41:42.540 just back 00:41:42.540 --> 00:41:42.800 off of 00:41:42.800 --> 00:41:43.100 this guy 00:41:43.100 --> 00:41:43.480 right now 00:41:43.480 --> 00:41:43.840 and just 00:41:43.840 --> 00:41:44.620 hang out 00:41:44.620 --> 00:41:44.880 with him 00:41:44.880 --> 00:41:45.300 right now. 00:41:45.480 --> 00:41:45.940 Just be 00:41:45.940 --> 00:41:47.400 obedient to 00:41:47.400 --> 00:41:47.840 what's going 00:41:47.840 --> 00:41:48.120 on. 00:41:48.240 --> 00:41:48.520 It's not 00:41:48.520 --> 00:41:49.820 we want a 00:41:49.820 --> 00:41:50.220 rule where 00:41:50.220 --> 00:41:50.680 God says 00:41:50.680 --> 00:41:51.000 share it 00:41:51.000 --> 00:41:51.500 right now 00:41:51.500 --> 00:41:51.880 or don't 00:41:51.880 --> 00:41:52.100 share it 00:41:52.100 --> 00:41:52.480 right now. 00:41:53.000 --> 00:41:53.360 And that's 00:41:53.360 --> 00:41:53.780 not what 00:41:53.780 --> 00:41:54.220 God's going 00:41:54.220 --> 00:41:54.580 to do. 00:41:54.740 --> 00:41:55.320 He's about 00:41:55.320 --> 00:41:56.540 working in 00:41:56.540 --> 00:41:56.940 your heart 00:41:56.940 --> 00:41:57.400 and changing 00:41:57.400 --> 00:41:58.000 you as 00:41:58.000 --> 00:41:58.400 he's working 00:41:58.400 --> 00:41:58.800 in somebody 00:41:58.800 --> 00:41:59.539 else's life 00:41:59.539 --> 00:42:00.559 and growing 00:42:00.559 --> 00:42:00.880 you in 00:42:00.880 --> 00:42:01.380 relationship 00:42:01.380 --> 00:42:01.920 to him. 00:42:02.700 --> 00:42:02.880 So, 00:42:03.880 --> 00:42:04.340 but don't 00:42:04.340 --> 00:42:06.220 use friendship 00:42:06.220 --> 00:42:07.119 evangelism as 00:42:07.119 --> 00:42:08.000 like a disguise 00:42:08.000 --> 00:42:08.519 to like not 00:42:08.519 --> 00:42:08.840 share the 00:42:08.840 --> 00:42:09.200 gospel. 00:42:09.840 --> 00:42:10.320 I know a lot 00:42:10.320 --> 00:42:10.559 of people 00:42:10.559 --> 00:42:11.119 do that. 00:42:11.260 --> 00:42:11.599 Just be 00:42:11.599 --> 00:42:12.019 obedient. 00:42:13.320 --> 00:42:16.380 And when 00:42:16.380 --> 00:42:16.740 he says 00:42:16.740 --> 00:42:17.440 act, act. 00:42:18.220 --> 00:42:18.599 So, 00:42:19.619 --> 00:42:20.240 another one, 00:42:20.420 --> 00:42:21.079 and this is 00:42:21.079 --> 00:42:22.139 probably one of 00:42:22.139 --> 00:42:22.559 the last ones 00:42:22.559 --> 00:42:22.920 I can think 00:42:22.920 --> 00:42:23.300 of at the 00:42:23.300 --> 00:42:23.539 moment, 00:42:23.660 --> 00:42:24.539 but it's 00:42:24.539 --> 00:42:24.880 like I 00:42:24.880 --> 00:42:25.099 don't, 00:42:26.059 --> 00:42:26.680 my knowledge 00:42:26.680 --> 00:42:27.180 is limited. 00:42:27.340 --> 00:42:27.760 I feel like 00:42:27.760 --> 00:42:28.180 this guy's 00:42:28.179 --> 00:42:28.440 just going 00:42:28.440 --> 00:42:30.219 to throw 00:42:30.219 --> 00:42:30.539 all this 00:42:30.539 --> 00:42:30.919 stuff my 00:42:30.919 --> 00:42:31.139 way. 00:42:31.199 --> 00:42:31.399 I have 00:42:31.399 --> 00:42:31.879 no idea 00:42:31.879 --> 00:42:32.079 how to 00:42:32.079 --> 00:42:32.359 answer 00:42:32.359 --> 00:42:32.679 that. 00:42:33.799 --> 00:42:34.159 So, 00:42:35.239 --> 00:42:35.599 if God 00:42:35.599 --> 00:42:35.919 is all 00:42:35.919 --> 00:42:36.399 powerful 00:42:36.399 --> 00:42:36.899 and God 00:42:36.899 --> 00:42:37.379 is all 00:42:37.379 --> 00:42:37.899 good, 00:42:38.759 --> 00:42:39.099 you know, 00:42:39.119 --> 00:42:39.299 and he 00:42:39.299 --> 00:42:39.619 has the 00:42:39.619 --> 00:42:40.219 power to 00:42:40.219 --> 00:42:40.619 destroy 00:42:40.619 --> 00:42:41.139 evil and 00:42:41.139 --> 00:42:41.759 the desire 00:42:41.759 --> 00:42:42.199 to destroy 00:42:42.199 --> 00:42:42.539 evil, 00:42:43.019 --> 00:42:43.419 why is 00:42:43.419 --> 00:42:43.839 there evil? 00:42:45.319 --> 00:42:45.559 You know 00:42:45.559 --> 00:42:45.659 how to 00:42:45.659 --> 00:42:46.159 answer that? 00:42:46.960 --> 00:42:47.279 You know, 00:42:47.440 --> 00:42:48.079 like if they 00:42:48.079 --> 00:42:48.440 throw those 00:42:48.440 --> 00:42:48.719 kind of 00:42:48.719 --> 00:42:49.219 questions at 00:42:49.219 --> 00:42:49.299 you, 00:42:49.379 --> 00:42:50.779 and it 00:42:50.779 --> 00:42:51.299 actually makes 00:42:51.299 --> 00:42:51.599 you feel 00:42:51.599 --> 00:42:51.819 like I 00:42:51.819 --> 00:42:52.039 don't know 00:42:52.039 --> 00:42:52.259 how to 00:42:52.259 --> 00:42:52.559 answer 00:42:52.559 --> 00:42:52.819 these 00:42:52.819 --> 00:42:53.199 heavy 00:42:53.199 --> 00:42:54.440 philosophical 00:42:54.440 --> 00:42:54.899 theological 00:42:54.899 --> 00:42:55.539 questions. 00:42:55.639 --> 00:42:55.779 I don't 00:42:55.779 --> 00:42:56.000 know how 00:42:56.000 --> 00:42:56.319 to talk 00:42:56.319 --> 00:42:57.379 to an 00:42:57.379 --> 00:42:57.899 agnostic 00:42:57.900 --> 00:42:58.579 or atheist 00:42:58.579 --> 00:43:00.180 or someone 00:43:00.180 --> 00:43:00.460 who just 00:43:00.460 --> 00:43:00.960 doesn't care 00:43:00.960 --> 00:43:01.420 at all, 00:43:02.320 --> 00:43:03.180 or relativism 00:43:03.180 --> 00:43:04.079 where everything's 00:43:04.079 --> 00:43:04.940 true to 00:43:04.940 --> 00:43:06.160 each individual, 00:43:06.300 --> 00:43:06.800 whatever is 00:43:06.800 --> 00:43:07.220 true to them 00:43:07.220 --> 00:43:07.660 is true for 00:43:07.660 --> 00:43:07.960 them. 00:43:08.760 --> 00:43:09.680 It's okay. 00:43:10.099 --> 00:43:10.240 You know, 00:43:10.820 --> 00:43:11.380 don't wait 00:43:11.380 --> 00:43:11.619 till, 00:43:12.500 --> 00:43:13.059 you don't have 00:43:13.059 --> 00:43:13.460 to go to 00:43:13.460 --> 00:43:14.160 seminary and 00:43:14.160 --> 00:43:15.320 read all the 00:43:15.320 --> 00:43:15.920 greatest Christian 00:43:15.920 --> 00:43:16.480 authors and 00:43:16.480 --> 00:43:17.000 memorize the 00:43:17.000 --> 00:43:17.579 entire scripture 00:43:17.579 --> 00:43:18.300 before you go 00:43:18.300 --> 00:43:18.760 out and 00:43:18.760 --> 00:43:19.240 share the 00:43:19.240 --> 00:43:19.740 gospel with 00:43:19.740 --> 00:43:20.099 somebody. 00:43:20.099 --> 00:43:22.799 because it's 00:43:22.799 --> 00:43:23.420 the power of 00:43:23.420 --> 00:43:23.900 God that 00:43:23.900 --> 00:43:24.460 saves people. 00:43:25.019 --> 00:43:25.440 If it was 00:43:25.440 --> 00:43:26.019 up to us 00:43:26.019 --> 00:43:26.519 to go out 00:43:26.519 --> 00:43:26.980 and convince 00:43:26.980 --> 00:43:27.639 people and 00:43:27.639 --> 00:43:28.639 to argue 00:43:28.639 --> 00:43:29.059 them into 00:43:29.059 --> 00:43:29.339 heaven, 00:43:29.679 --> 00:43:30.759 then it 00:43:30.759 --> 00:43:31.019 would be 00:43:31.019 --> 00:43:31.299 different. 00:43:31.380 --> 00:43:31.659 But God 00:43:31.659 --> 00:43:32.039 has said 00:43:32.039 --> 00:43:32.920 that's not 00:43:32.920 --> 00:43:33.339 the case. 00:43:33.420 --> 00:43:33.559 You can 00:43:33.559 --> 00:43:33.900 read 1 00:43:33.900 --> 00:43:34.380 Corinthians 00:43:34.380 --> 00:43:35.360 1, 00:43:35.440 --> 00:43:35.579 2, 00:43:35.659 --> 00:43:36.039 and 3, 00:43:36.179 --> 00:43:36.480 and then 00:43:36.480 --> 00:43:36.839 Paul will 00:43:36.839 --> 00:43:37.139 tell you 00:43:37.139 --> 00:43:37.440 that. 00:43:38.259 --> 00:43:38.799 He tells 00:43:38.799 --> 00:43:39.000 them, 00:43:39.259 --> 00:43:39.480 when I 00:43:39.480 --> 00:43:39.860 came to 00:43:39.860 --> 00:43:40.000 you, 00:43:40.079 --> 00:43:40.339 I didn't 00:43:40.339 --> 00:43:41.559 come with 00:43:41.559 --> 00:43:42.219 wise and 00:43:42.219 --> 00:43:42.699 persuasive 00:43:42.699 --> 00:43:43.279 words. 00:43:44.039 --> 00:43:44.420 Because he 00:43:44.420 --> 00:43:44.900 knew that he 00:43:44.900 --> 00:43:45.400 didn't have 00:43:45.400 --> 00:43:45.500 that. 00:43:45.579 --> 00:43:45.819 He knew he 00:43:45.819 --> 00:43:46.299 wasn't an 00:43:46.299 --> 00:43:46.639 eloquent 00:43:46.639 --> 00:43:47.039 speaker. 00:43:47.039 --> 00:43:48.480 He didn't 00:43:48.480 --> 00:43:49.000 have that 00:43:49.000 --> 00:43:49.320 gift. 00:43:49.440 --> 00:43:49.699 He wasn't 00:43:49.699 --> 00:43:50.099 the greatest 00:43:50.099 --> 00:43:50.699 communicator. 00:43:50.800 --> 00:43:51.179 Paul knew 00:43:51.179 --> 00:43:51.500 that. 00:43:52.079 --> 00:43:52.259 And he 00:43:52.259 --> 00:43:52.699 told them, 00:43:52.800 --> 00:43:54.360 I decided 00:43:54.360 --> 00:43:54.900 not to come 00:43:54.900 --> 00:43:55.320 to you that 00:43:55.320 --> 00:43:55.759 way because 00:43:55.759 --> 00:43:56.039 I knew 00:43:56.039 --> 00:43:56.239 that I 00:43:56.239 --> 00:43:56.460 would be 00:43:56.460 --> 00:43:57.579 found wanting. 00:43:58.139 --> 00:43:58.460 But what 00:43:58.460 --> 00:43:58.800 I did 00:43:58.800 --> 00:43:59.300 do is I 00:43:59.300 --> 00:43:59.739 came and 00:43:59.739 --> 00:44:00.139 I spoke 00:44:00.139 --> 00:44:00.579 to you 00:44:00.579 --> 00:44:01.500 as a 00:44:01.500 --> 00:44:01.980 demonstration 00:44:01.980 --> 00:44:02.360 of the 00:44:02.360 --> 00:44:03.159 Holy Spirit's 00:44:03.159 --> 00:44:03.460 power. 00:44:04.139 --> 00:44:04.779 I resolved 00:44:04.779 --> 00:44:05.159 to preach 00:44:05.159 --> 00:44:05.719 nothing to 00:44:05.719 --> 00:44:06.079 you but 00:44:06.079 --> 00:44:06.639 Christ and 00:44:06.639 --> 00:44:07.239 him crucified. 00:44:08.239 --> 00:44:08.659 And so 00:44:08.659 --> 00:44:09.820 that the 00:44:09.820 --> 00:44:10.360 power would 00:44:10.360 --> 00:44:11.079 rest on God 00:44:11.079 --> 00:44:11.559 and not on 00:44:11.559 --> 00:44:11.739 me. 00:44:11.840 --> 00:44:12.159 That's kind 00:44:12.159 --> 00:44:12.420 of like what 00:44:12.420 --> 00:44:12.759 he says 00:44:12.759 --> 00:44:13.019 there. 00:44:14.860 --> 00:44:15.519 So God 00:44:15.519 --> 00:44:15.800 is not 00:44:15.800 --> 00:44:16.619 limited to 00:44:16.619 --> 00:44:17.019 how much 00:44:17.019 --> 00:44:17.599 you know. 00:44:18.179 --> 00:44:18.599 As long 00:44:18.599 --> 00:44:18.820 as you 00:44:18.820 --> 00:44:19.119 know the 00:44:19.119 --> 00:44:19.480 gospel, 00:44:19.639 --> 00:44:19.800 that's 00:44:19.800 --> 00:44:20.380 like enough. 00:44:20.980 --> 00:44:22.000 And God 00:44:22.000 --> 00:44:22.460 can use 00:44:22.460 --> 00:44:22.739 that. 00:44:23.639 --> 00:44:24.039 And don't 00:44:24.039 --> 00:44:24.440 be afraid 00:44:24.440 --> 00:44:24.719 to say 00:44:24.719 --> 00:44:25.159 to somebody, 00:44:25.440 --> 00:44:26.320 I don't 00:44:26.320 --> 00:44:26.539 know. 00:44:27.659 --> 00:44:28.239 I don't 00:44:28.239 --> 00:44:28.500 know. 00:44:30.300 --> 00:44:30.900 Maybe I 00:44:30.900 --> 00:44:31.440 can check 00:44:31.440 --> 00:44:31.860 into that 00:44:31.860 --> 00:44:32.259 for you. 00:44:32.800 --> 00:44:33.119 But don't 00:44:33.119 --> 00:44:33.880 feel like you 00:44:33.880 --> 00:44:34.239 have to have 00:44:34.239 --> 00:44:34.539 all the 00:44:34.539 --> 00:44:35.159 answers before 00:44:35.159 --> 00:44:35.679 you go and 00:44:35.679 --> 00:44:36.099 start sharing 00:44:36.099 --> 00:44:36.420 the truth 00:44:36.420 --> 00:44:36.920 with someone. 00:44:37.519 --> 00:44:37.639 There are 00:44:37.639 --> 00:44:38.019 people that 00:44:38.019 --> 00:44:38.420 are like, 00:44:39.280 --> 00:44:40.019 for some 00:44:40.019 --> 00:44:40.320 people, 00:44:40.440 --> 00:44:40.659 they're 00:44:40.659 --> 00:44:41.239 longing to 00:44:41.239 --> 00:44:41.880 hear this, 00:44:42.079 --> 00:44:43.059 and we're 00:44:43.059 --> 00:44:43.380 just like 00:44:43.380 --> 00:44:43.960 talking ourselves 00:44:43.960 --> 00:44:44.300 out of it. 00:44:45.199 --> 00:44:46.019 Maybe tomorrow. 00:44:46.199 --> 00:44:46.840 This isn't 00:44:46.840 --> 00:44:47.240 all right. 00:44:47.300 --> 00:44:47.559 It's kind 00:44:47.559 --> 00:44:47.880 of like all 00:44:47.880 --> 00:44:49.039 these things. 00:44:49.180 --> 00:44:50.900 Just go. 00:44:51.240 --> 00:44:51.400 You know? 00:44:52.039 --> 00:44:52.720 Just step 00:44:52.720 --> 00:44:53.420 out and trust 00:44:53.420 --> 00:44:53.900 the Lord. 00:44:54.800 --> 00:44:55.660 Be wise. 00:44:55.760 --> 00:44:56.180 Think about 00:44:56.180 --> 00:44:56.539 things. 00:44:56.620 --> 00:44:56.900 Use your 00:44:56.900 --> 00:44:57.240 head. 00:44:57.880 --> 00:44:58.260 Yes, 00:44:58.420 --> 00:44:58.780 use the 00:44:58.780 --> 00:44:59.400 wisdom God's 00:44:59.400 --> 00:44:59.940 given you. 00:45:00.180 --> 00:45:01.340 But ultimately, 00:45:01.579 --> 00:45:01.940 you have to 00:45:01.940 --> 00:45:02.539 learn to follow 00:45:02.539 --> 00:45:02.960 what the 00:45:02.960 --> 00:45:03.640 Spirit's leading 00:45:03.640 --> 00:45:04.260 in different 00:45:04.260 --> 00:45:05.579 situations. 00:45:05.579 --> 00:45:05.719 things. 00:45:05.719 --> 00:45:07.400 And so, 00:45:08.360 --> 00:45:11.599 this is 00:45:11.599 --> 00:45:12.039 something I 00:45:12.039 --> 00:45:12.480 journaled 00:45:12.480 --> 00:45:12.980 about this 00:45:12.980 --> 00:45:13.259 summer. 00:45:14.079 --> 00:45:14.420 But when 00:45:14.420 --> 00:45:17.519 we are 00:45:17.519 --> 00:45:18.319 fearful to 00:45:18.319 --> 00:45:18.980 share Christ 00:45:18.980 --> 00:45:19.440 with people, 00:45:19.980 --> 00:45:21.440 it makes the 00:45:21.440 --> 00:45:22.179 love of Christ, 00:45:22.259 --> 00:45:22.559 which was 00:45:22.559 --> 00:45:23.099 radical, 00:45:23.219 --> 00:45:23.420 right? 00:45:23.920 --> 00:45:24.539 The love of 00:45:24.539 --> 00:45:25.059 Christ was 00:45:25.059 --> 00:45:25.679 incredible. 00:45:26.579 --> 00:45:27.179 He left 00:45:27.179 --> 00:45:28.619 heaven to 00:45:28.619 --> 00:45:29.239 come here 00:45:29.239 --> 00:45:30.460 to die 00:45:30.460 --> 00:45:31.059 and to save 00:45:31.059 --> 00:45:31.319 us. 00:45:31.360 --> 00:45:31.539 Like, 00:45:31.579 --> 00:45:31.940 this just 00:45:31.940 --> 00:45:32.380 makes no 00:45:32.380 --> 00:45:32.659 sense. 00:45:32.659 --> 00:45:33.219 We're 00:45:33.219 --> 00:45:33.379 going to 00:45:33.379 --> 00:45:33.619 get to 00:45:33.619 --> 00:45:34.039 that in 00:45:34.039 --> 00:45:34.559 Philippians 00:45:34.559 --> 00:45:36.119 chapter 2 00:45:36.119 --> 00:45:36.799 really soon. 00:45:37.099 --> 00:45:38.639 But his 00:45:38.639 --> 00:45:39.199 love was 00:45:39.199 --> 00:45:39.839 amazing. 00:45:39.940 --> 00:45:40.079 There was 00:45:40.079 --> 00:45:40.500 no greater 00:45:40.500 --> 00:45:40.940 love than 00:45:40.940 --> 00:45:41.359 what Christ 00:45:41.359 --> 00:45:41.679 showed. 00:45:42.259 --> 00:45:42.500 And when 00:45:42.500 --> 00:45:43.099 we are 00:45:43.099 --> 00:45:43.879 afraid or 00:45:43.879 --> 00:45:44.279 when we 00:45:44.279 --> 00:45:45.399 are prideful 00:45:45.399 --> 00:45:46.940 or whatever 00:45:46.940 --> 00:45:47.239 and we're 00:45:47.239 --> 00:45:47.879 not going 00:45:47.879 --> 00:45:48.460 and proclaiming 00:45:48.460 --> 00:45:48.859 to people, 00:45:48.960 --> 00:45:49.599 it makes 00:45:49.599 --> 00:45:50.879 the love of 00:45:50.879 --> 00:45:51.359 Christ have 00:45:51.359 --> 00:45:52.179 to be weak 00:45:52.179 --> 00:45:53.039 and puny. 00:45:54.259 --> 00:45:54.659 You see 00:45:54.659 --> 00:45:55.000 that? 00:45:55.239 --> 00:45:55.420 Like, 00:45:55.960 --> 00:45:56.420 the love of 00:45:56.420 --> 00:45:56.859 our Savior 00:45:56.859 --> 00:45:57.500 is betrayed 00:45:57.500 --> 00:45:58.299 as puny 00:45:58.299 --> 00:45:58.839 when we don't 00:45:58.839 --> 00:45:59.519 live that way 00:45:59.519 --> 00:45:59.719 and we're 00:45:59.719 --> 00:46:00.139 not willing 00:46:00.139 --> 00:46:00.819 to go through 00:46:00.819 --> 00:46:01.839 whatever it 00:46:01.839 --> 00:46:02.319 takes to 00:46:02.319 --> 00:46:02.599 reach 00:46:02.599 --> 00:46:03.000 people. 00:46:03.920 --> 00:46:04.219 The love 00:46:04.219 --> 00:46:04.659 of Christ 00:46:04.659 --> 00:46:05.099 is put 00:46:05.099 --> 00:46:06.219 on display 00:46:06.219 --> 00:46:06.819 as weak 00:46:06.819 --> 00:46:08.239 and pathetic. 00:46:10.699 --> 00:46:11.179 So, 00:46:11.799 --> 00:46:13.279 if you're 00:46:13.279 --> 00:46:14.079 feeling bad 00:46:14.079 --> 00:46:14.420 and you have 00:46:14.420 --> 00:46:15.239 sympathy for 00:46:15.239 --> 00:46:16.519 your friends 00:46:16.519 --> 00:46:16.779 or your 00:46:16.779 --> 00:46:17.279 family and 00:46:17.279 --> 00:46:17.519 you're like, 00:46:17.579 --> 00:46:18.799 I see how 00:46:18.799 --> 00:46:19.299 miserable their 00:46:19.299 --> 00:46:19.759 lives are 00:46:19.759 --> 00:46:20.139 right now. 00:46:20.219 --> 00:46:20.639 I just feel 00:46:20.639 --> 00:46:21.079 so bad 00:46:21.079 --> 00:46:21.539 about it. 00:46:22.480 --> 00:46:22.659 You know, 00:46:23.319 --> 00:46:23.619 David 00:46:23.619 --> 00:46:24.019 Livingston 00:46:24.019 --> 00:46:24.460 said, 00:46:25.179 --> 00:46:25.519 sympathy 00:46:25.519 --> 00:46:26.519 is no 00:46:26.519 --> 00:46:26.960 substitute 00:46:26.960 --> 00:46:27.739 for action. 00:46:28.519 --> 00:46:28.880 You can't 00:46:28.880 --> 00:46:29.219 just feel 00:46:29.219 --> 00:46:29.639 bad for 00:46:29.639 --> 00:46:30.119 these people. 00:46:30.279 --> 00:46:30.619 You have 00:46:30.619 --> 00:46:30.860 to, 00:46:31.639 --> 00:46:32.259 God has 00:46:32.260 --> 00:46:32.580 you there, 00:46:32.700 --> 00:46:33.180 sovereignly 00:46:33.180 --> 00:46:33.800 there to 00:46:33.800 --> 00:46:34.800 be a 00:46:34.800 --> 00:46:35.180 light to 00:46:35.180 --> 00:46:35.420 them. 00:46:36.020 --> 00:46:36.440 He's not 00:46:36.440 --> 00:46:36.880 asking you 00:46:36.880 --> 00:46:37.240 to save 00:46:37.240 --> 00:46:37.440 them. 00:46:38.300 --> 00:46:38.600 That's 00:46:38.600 --> 00:46:39.140 his job. 00:46:39.260 --> 00:46:39.620 He's asking 00:46:39.620 --> 00:46:40.060 you to be 00:46:40.060 --> 00:46:40.560 an instrument 00:46:40.560 --> 00:46:40.960 in his 00:46:40.960 --> 00:46:41.480 hands to 00:46:41.480 --> 00:46:41.860 work in 00:46:41.860 --> 00:46:42.360 their life. 00:46:44.480 --> 00:46:44.920 So, 00:46:45.080 --> 00:46:45.420 they don't 00:46:45.420 --> 00:46:45.820 need your 00:46:45.820 --> 00:46:46.140 sympathy. 00:46:46.320 --> 00:46:46.620 They need 00:46:46.620 --> 00:46:47.060 Christ. 00:46:48.660 --> 00:46:49.300 We've got to 00:46:49.300 --> 00:46:49.820 stop being 00:46:49.820 --> 00:46:50.320 afraid of 00:46:50.320 --> 00:46:51.380 his unpopularity 00:46:51.380 --> 00:46:52.720 and looking 00:46:52.720 --> 00:46:53.320 like an idiot. 00:46:53.520 --> 00:46:53.940 It's okay. 00:46:54.040 --> 00:46:54.420 We can be 00:46:54.420 --> 00:46:54.880 fools for 00:46:54.880 --> 00:46:55.160 Christ. 00:46:55.260 --> 00:46:55.620 Paul said 00:46:55.620 --> 00:46:56.700 that in 00:46:56.700 --> 00:46:57.200 one place. 00:46:57.240 --> 00:46:57.700 We can be 00:46:57.700 --> 00:46:58.180 fools for 00:46:58.180 --> 00:46:58.580 Christ. 00:46:58.579 --> 00:46:59.579 So, 00:46:59.659 --> 00:47:00.539 start asking 00:47:00.539 --> 00:47:00.960 God, 00:47:01.799 --> 00:47:02.259 show me 00:47:02.259 --> 00:47:02.519 how to 00:47:02.519 --> 00:47:02.960 go about 00:47:02.960 --> 00:47:03.239 this. 00:47:03.299 --> 00:47:03.699 I know 00:47:03.699 --> 00:47:04.079 that I 00:47:04.079 --> 00:47:04.880 need to 00:47:04.880 --> 00:47:05.279 be doing 00:47:05.279 --> 00:47:05.500 this. 00:47:05.539 --> 00:47:05.960 I want 00:47:05.960 --> 00:47:06.279 to do 00:47:06.279 --> 00:47:06.639 this. 00:47:07.319 --> 00:47:07.719 Please 00:47:07.719 --> 00:47:08.299 show me. 00:47:09.119 --> 00:47:09.519 Who do 00:47:09.519 --> 00:47:09.880 you have 00:47:09.880 --> 00:47:10.799 me around 00:47:10.799 --> 00:47:11.279 right now 00:47:11.279 --> 00:47:11.639 that you 00:47:11.639 --> 00:47:11.980 would have 00:47:11.980 --> 00:47:13.139 me shed 00:47:13.139 --> 00:47:13.460 the love 00:47:13.460 --> 00:47:13.840 of Christ 00:47:13.840 --> 00:47:14.019 with? 00:47:14.139 --> 00:47:14.679 Turn to 00:47:14.679 --> 00:47:16.059 last place 00:47:16.059 --> 00:47:16.239 here. 00:47:16.319 --> 00:47:16.599 Turn to 00:47:16.599 --> 00:47:17.319 Acts 20. 00:47:17.320 --> 00:47:17.320 00:47:29.440 --> 00:47:29.980 We don't 00:47:29.980 --> 00:47:30.480 want to 00:47:30.480 --> 00:47:31.280 portray the 00:47:31.280 --> 00:47:31.600 love of 00:47:31.600 --> 00:47:32.120 our Savior 00:47:32.120 --> 00:47:32.720 as weak. 00:47:32.820 --> 00:47:33.180 I want it 00:47:33.180 --> 00:47:35.600 to, and I 00:47:35.600 --> 00:47:36.160 do, I make 00:47:36.160 --> 00:47:36.640 Christ love 00:47:36.640 --> 00:47:36.960 to be 00:47:36.960 --> 00:47:37.360 pathetic 00:47:37.360 --> 00:47:38.180 sometimes and 00:47:38.180 --> 00:47:39.600 it breaks 00:47:39.600 --> 00:47:40.160 my heart. 00:47:41.380 --> 00:47:42.019 Acts 20 00:47:42.019 --> 00:47:43.039 verse 24, 00:47:43.200 --> 00:47:43.380 sorry, 00:47:43.620 --> 00:47:45.019 verse 24. 00:47:46.200 --> 00:47:46.700 This is 00:47:46.700 --> 00:47:47.220 Paul talking 00:47:47.219 --> 00:47:47.679 here, and I 00:47:47.679 --> 00:47:48.179 hope that 00:47:48.179 --> 00:47:50.399 this can be 00:47:50.399 --> 00:47:51.039 kind of like 00:47:51.039 --> 00:47:51.639 a cry for 00:47:51.639 --> 00:47:52.239 your life, 00:47:52.539 --> 00:47:53.699 and mine 00:47:53.699 --> 00:47:54.199 as well. 00:47:54.299 --> 00:47:54.599 I want 00:47:54.599 --> 00:47:55.019 this so 00:47:55.019 --> 00:47:55.379 bad. 00:47:56.319 --> 00:47:56.719 He says, 00:47:56.779 --> 00:47:57.159 but I do 00:47:57.159 --> 00:47:57.959 not account 00:47:57.959 --> 00:47:58.879 my life of 00:47:58.879 --> 00:47:59.759 any value, 00:48:00.279 --> 00:48:01.239 nor as 00:48:01.239 --> 00:48:01.839 precious to 00:48:01.839 --> 00:48:02.359 myself, 00:48:02.480 --> 00:48:03.259 if only I 00:48:03.259 --> 00:48:03.859 may finish 00:48:03.859 --> 00:48:04.559 my course 00:48:04.559 --> 00:48:05.679 in the 00:48:05.679 --> 00:48:06.319 ministry that 00:48:06.319 --> 00:48:06.519 I have 00:48:06.519 --> 00:48:07.199 received from 00:48:07.199 --> 00:48:07.559 the Lord 00:48:07.559 --> 00:48:07.959 Jesus, 00:48:08.839 --> 00:48:09.559 to testify 00:48:09.559 --> 00:48:10.219 to the 00:48:10.219 --> 00:48:10.919 gospel of 00:48:10.919 --> 00:48:11.419 the grace 00:48:11.419 --> 00:48:11.959 of God. 00:48:13.239 --> 00:48:13.899 And now, 00:48:14.500 --> 00:48:15.219 behold, I 00:48:15.219 --> 00:48:15.679 know that 00:48:15.679 --> 00:48:16.319 none of you 00:48:16.319 --> 00:48:16.599 among 00:48:16.599 --> 00:48:17.639 whom I 00:48:17.639 --> 00:48:18.059 have gone 00:48:18.059 --> 00:48:18.420 about 00:48:18.420 --> 00:48:19.019 proclaiming 00:48:19.019 --> 00:48:19.440 the kingdom 00:48:19.440 --> 00:48:19.860 will see 00:48:19.860 --> 00:48:20.339 my face 00:48:20.339 --> 00:48:20.719 again. 00:48:21.279 --> 00:48:21.579 So Paul 00:48:21.579 --> 00:48:22.019 knew, like, 00:48:22.039 --> 00:48:22.239 you're not 00:48:22.239 --> 00:48:22.599 going to 00:48:22.599 --> 00:48:22.940 see me 00:48:22.940 --> 00:48:23.539 again, to 00:48:23.539 --> 00:48:24.699 these people 00:48:24.699 --> 00:48:25.219 he's writing 00:48:25.219 --> 00:48:25.579 to hear. 00:48:26.199 --> 00:48:26.779 Therefore, I 00:48:26.779 --> 00:48:27.519 testify to 00:48:27.519 --> 00:48:28.119 you this 00:48:28.119 --> 00:48:29.619 day that I 00:48:29.619 --> 00:48:30.119 am innocent 00:48:30.119 --> 00:48:30.819 of the blood 00:48:30.819 --> 00:48:31.360 of you all. 00:48:31.559 --> 00:48:32.079 And what he 00:48:32.079 --> 00:48:32.639 means is, 00:48:33.480 --> 00:48:33.900 like, I've 00:48:33.900 --> 00:48:34.279 done what 00:48:34.279 --> 00:48:34.880 God called 00:48:34.880 --> 00:48:35.539 me to do. 00:48:36.159 --> 00:48:36.839 When I was 00:48:36.839 --> 00:48:37.360 with you, I 00:48:37.360 --> 00:48:37.900 was obedient, 00:48:38.079 --> 00:48:38.400 and whatever 00:48:38.400 --> 00:48:39.059 happens is 00:48:39.059 --> 00:48:39.420 going to be 00:48:39.420 --> 00:48:40.019 on your head 00:48:40.019 --> 00:48:40.279 and not 00:48:40.279 --> 00:48:40.579 mine. 00:48:40.579 --> 00:48:41.960 I have 00:48:41.960 --> 00:48:42.599 carried out 00:48:42.599 --> 00:48:42.900 my 00:48:42.900 --> 00:48:43.679 responsibility. 00:48:45.380 --> 00:48:46.819 And he 00:48:46.819 --> 00:48:47.099 says, 00:48:47.179 --> 00:48:47.900 I did not 00:48:47.900 --> 00:48:49.279 shrink from 00:48:49.279 --> 00:48:50.059 declaring to 00:48:50.059 --> 00:48:50.380 you the 00:48:50.380 --> 00:48:51.179 whole counsel 00:48:51.179 --> 00:48:51.799 of God. 00:48:52.639 --> 00:48:53.279 Pay careful 00:48:53.279 --> 00:48:53.880 attention to 00:48:53.880 --> 00:48:54.659 yourselves and 00:48:54.659 --> 00:48:55.099 to all the 00:48:55.099 --> 00:48:56.299 flock in 00:48:56.299 --> 00:48:56.599 which the 00:48:56.599 --> 00:48:57.199 Holy Spirit 00:48:57.199 --> 00:48:57.659 has made 00:48:57.659 --> 00:48:58.539 you overseers, 00:48:59.000 --> 00:48:59.819 to care for 00:48:59.819 --> 00:49:00.179 the church 00:49:00.179 --> 00:49:00.599 of God, 00:49:00.679 --> 00:49:00.960 which he 00:49:00.960 --> 00:49:01.559 obtained with 00:49:01.559 --> 00:49:01.900 his own 00:49:01.900 --> 00:49:02.279 blood. 00:49:03.739 --> 00:49:04.259 Amazing 00:49:04.259 --> 00:49:04.759 passage. 00:49:04.900 --> 00:49:05.360 Paul's just 00:49:05.360 --> 00:49:06.779 like, I 00:49:06.779 --> 00:49:07.699 just don't 00:49:07.699 --> 00:49:08.119 care about 00:49:08.119 --> 00:49:08.699 my life 00:49:08.699 --> 00:49:09.779 anymore. 00:49:09.960 --> 00:49:10.359 Like, if I 00:49:10.359 --> 00:49:10.739 did, I 00:49:10.739 --> 00:49:11.000 wouldn't be 00:49:11.000 --> 00:49:11.259 doing what 00:49:11.259 --> 00:49:11.519 I'm doing 00:49:11.519 --> 00:49:11.980 right now. 00:49:12.599 --> 00:49:13.039 If my 00:49:13.039 --> 00:49:13.399 life was 00:49:13.399 --> 00:49:14.079 here, I'm 00:49:14.079 --> 00:49:15.179 like, wasting 00:49:15.179 --> 00:49:15.599 it in the 00:49:15.599 --> 00:49:16.159 greatest way, 00:49:16.279 --> 00:49:16.899 but my 00:49:16.899 --> 00:49:17.359 life is not 00:49:17.359 --> 00:49:17.599 here. 00:49:17.679 --> 00:49:18.219 My life is 00:49:18.219 --> 00:49:19.159 hidden in 00:49:19.159 --> 00:49:19.679 Christ in 00:49:19.679 --> 00:49:20.399 eternity, and 00:49:20.399 --> 00:49:20.879 I'm laboring 00:49:20.879 --> 00:49:22.419 for that 00:49:22.419 --> 00:49:23.079 kingdom and 00:49:23.079 --> 00:49:23.879 that reality, 00:49:24.019 --> 00:49:24.519 and so I 00:49:24.519 --> 00:49:25.099 don't care. 00:49:25.259 --> 00:49:25.699 I just want 00:49:25.699 --> 00:49:27.099 to be able to 00:49:27.099 --> 00:49:27.519 lay my head 00:49:27.519 --> 00:49:28.039 down at night 00:49:28.039 --> 00:49:28.379 and be like, 00:49:28.419 --> 00:49:29.299 I testify to 00:49:29.299 --> 00:49:30.000 the gospel of 00:49:30.000 --> 00:49:30.579 the grace of 00:49:30.579 --> 00:49:31.179 God today, 00:49:31.879 --> 00:49:33.480 and I don't 00:49:33.480 --> 00:49:33.960 care what it 00:49:33.960 --> 00:49:34.319 costs me. 00:49:34.359 --> 00:49:34.639 I didn't 00:49:34.639 --> 00:49:35.699 shriek from 00:49:35.699 --> 00:49:36.399 proclaiming to 00:49:36.399 --> 00:49:36.879 you the whole 00:49:36.879 --> 00:49:37.480 counsel of 00:49:37.480 --> 00:49:37.799 God. 00:49:38.699 --> 00:49:39.439 We want to 00:49:39.439 --> 00:49:39.879 be able to 00:49:39.879 --> 00:49:40.439 say that, 00:49:41.399 --> 00:49:44.839 and I 00:49:44.839 --> 00:49:45.239 pray that 00:49:45.239 --> 00:49:47.219 we, this 00:49:47.219 --> 00:49:48.079 really convicts 00:49:48.079 --> 00:49:48.539 some people 00:49:48.539 --> 00:49:49.359 here, and 00:49:49.359 --> 00:49:51.119 it's just a 00:49:51.119 --> 00:49:51.759 challenge and 00:49:51.759 --> 00:49:52.679 push to us as 00:49:52.679 --> 00:49:53.159 believers. 00:49:54.179 --> 00:49:54.859 It's not 00:49:54.859 --> 00:49:55.219 cool. 00:49:56.399 --> 00:49:56.939 I mean, 00:49:57.659 --> 00:49:58.259 there's some 00:49:58.259 --> 00:49:58.859 things that God 00:49:58.859 --> 00:49:59.539 is going to put 00:49:59.539 --> 00:50:00.299 you through of 00:50:00.299 --> 00:50:01.779 some miserable 00:50:01.779 --> 00:50:02.460 times, just 00:50:02.460 --> 00:50:02.919 like this isn't 00:50:02.919 --> 00:50:03.559 coming out of 00:50:03.559 --> 00:50:04.059 you into the 00:50:04.059 --> 00:50:04.679 lost world, 00:50:04.679 --> 00:50:07.460 and I want 00:50:07.460 --> 00:50:07.859 you to keep 00:50:07.859 --> 00:50:08.460 this verse in 00:50:08.460 --> 00:50:08.919 mind in 00:50:08.919 --> 00:50:09.799 James chapter 00:50:09.799 --> 00:50:11.480 one, be not 00:50:11.480 --> 00:50:12.259 hearers of the 00:50:12.259 --> 00:50:13.039 word, but be 00:50:13.039 --> 00:50:13.659 doers of the 00:50:13.659 --> 00:50:15.159 word, and 00:50:15.159 --> 00:50:18.679 we can't, I 00:50:18.679 --> 00:50:19.079 don't want you 00:50:19.079 --> 00:50:19.559 to come here 00:50:19.559 --> 00:50:20.359 every week and 00:50:20.359 --> 00:50:21.379 be like, oh, 00:50:21.399 --> 00:50:21.719 that was a 00:50:21.719 --> 00:50:22.199 great message, 00:50:22.319 --> 00:50:22.919 amen, and then 00:50:22.919 --> 00:50:24.259 go hang out 00:50:24.259 --> 00:50:25.000 somewhere and 00:50:25.000 --> 00:50:25.679 just go back to 00:50:25.679 --> 00:50:26.000 life. 00:50:26.139 --> 00:50:27.059 Like, that's not 00:50:27.059 --> 00:50:27.639 the purpose for 00:50:27.639 --> 00:50:28.279 why we gather. 00:50:28.879 --> 00:50:29.639 All you're doing 00:50:29.639 --> 00:50:30.379 is making yourself 00:50:30.379 --> 00:50:31.099 more accountable, 00:50:31.739 --> 00:50:32.219 and that's all 00:50:32.219 --> 00:50:32.599 you're doing. 00:50:32.599 --> 00:50:32.940 You're coming 00:50:32.940 --> 00:50:33.400 here and just 00:50:33.400 --> 00:50:34.500 trying to store 00:50:34.500 --> 00:50:35.219 up knowledge and 00:50:35.219 --> 00:50:36.099 store up theology, 00:50:36.880 --> 00:50:37.400 but then you do 00:50:37.400 --> 00:50:38.119 nothing with it. 00:50:38.179 --> 00:50:38.699 All you're doing 00:50:38.699 --> 00:50:39.179 is you're making 00:50:39.179 --> 00:50:39.739 yourself more 00:50:39.739 --> 00:50:40.420 accountable for 00:50:40.420 --> 00:50:41.019 truth that you've 00:50:41.019 --> 00:50:41.739 learned to God, 00:50:41.980 --> 00:50:46.019 and so I want 00:50:46.019 --> 00:50:47.279 you to learn. 00:50:47.420 --> 00:50:47.960 I want you to 00:50:47.960 --> 00:50:48.559 grow in your 00:50:48.559 --> 00:50:49.480 knowledge. 00:50:49.539 --> 00:50:49.719 We're going to 00:50:49.719 --> 00:50:50.259 talk about some 00:50:50.259 --> 00:50:51.139 great things this 00:50:51.139 --> 00:50:53.380 semester, but 00:50:53.380 --> 00:50:55.239 like, we have to 00:50:55.239 --> 00:50:55.799 be obedient. 00:50:55.940 --> 00:50:56.519 We have to put 00:50:56.519 --> 00:50:57.440 into practice what 00:50:57.440 --> 00:50:58.880 we know, and we 00:50:58.880 --> 00:50:59.679 need the grace of 00:50:59.679 --> 00:51:00.380 God to do it. 00:51:00.460 --> 00:51:01.139 It's an impossible 00:51:01.139 --> 00:51:02.019 task in and of 00:51:02.019 --> 00:51:02.460 ourselves. 00:51:03.259 --> 00:51:04.099 So, plea with 00:51:04.099 --> 00:51:06.400 God to make you 00:51:06.400 --> 00:51:07.239 an instrument of 00:51:07.239 --> 00:51:08.319 reconciliation to 00:51:08.319 --> 00:51:09.079 the lost world 00:51:09.079 --> 00:51:11.059 around you, and 00:51:11.059 --> 00:51:12.880 complete the joy 00:51:12.880 --> 00:51:14.980 that Christ has 00:51:14.980 --> 00:51:16.480 put into you by 00:51:16.480 --> 00:51:17.139 doing that. 00:51:18.739 --> 00:51:19.460 Well, we're 00:51:19.460 --> 00:51:20.739 going to, I'll 00:51:20.739 --> 00:51:21.259 close this in 00:51:21.259 --> 00:51:21.519 prayer. 00:51:21.659 --> 00:51:22.159 We might seem 00:51:22.159 --> 00:51:23.079 to have some 00:51:23.079 --> 00:51:23.339 time. 00:51:23.420 --> 00:51:23.980 We started just 00:51:23.980 --> 00:51:24.480 a little late 00:51:24.480 --> 00:51:25.000 tonight because 00:51:25.000 --> 00:51:25.339 of the fall 00:51:25.339 --> 00:51:25.839 jam, and I 00:51:25.839 --> 00:51:26.219 think we gained 00:51:26.219 --> 00:51:26.719 like one or two 00:51:26.719 --> 00:51:27.219 people because 00:51:27.219 --> 00:51:27.739 of that, but 00:51:27.739 --> 00:51:29.319 next week, no 00:51:29.319 --> 00:51:30.119 mercy, back to 00:51:30.119 --> 00:51:31.539 the normal time. 00:51:31.539 --> 00:51:32.059 That was 00:51:32.059 --> 00:51:32.480 intentional. 00:51:33.880 --> 00:51:35.139 So, I'm going 00:51:35.139 --> 00:51:35.860 to pray for us, 00:51:35.900 --> 00:51:36.199 and we're just 00:51:36.199 --> 00:51:36.739 going to respond 00:51:36.739 --> 00:51:37.119 and sing. 00:51:38.920 --> 00:51:42.059 Father, I feel 00:51:42.059 --> 00:51:43.259 very insufficient 00:51:43.259 --> 00:51:43.639 to even 00:51:43.639 --> 00:51:45.320 communicate this 00:51:45.320 --> 00:51:46.159 message tonight. 00:51:46.159 --> 00:51:48.940 Lord, I know 00:51:48.940 --> 00:51:49.940 that I do share 00:51:49.940 --> 00:51:50.759 the gospel, and I 00:51:50.759 --> 00:51:52.440 do desire for 00:51:52.440 --> 00:51:53.159 the lost to 00:51:53.159 --> 00:51:55.059 know you, but I 00:51:55.059 --> 00:51:56.259 don't anywhere as 00:51:56.259 --> 00:51:58.159 I should, and I 00:51:58.159 --> 00:51:59.079 overlook so many 00:51:59.079 --> 00:52:00.199 opportunities because 00:52:00.199 --> 00:52:02.179 of laziness or my 00:52:02.179 --> 00:52:05.000 pride, and so God, 00:52:05.059 --> 00:52:05.599 I pray that you 00:52:05.599 --> 00:52:06.519 would awaken to me 00:52:06.519 --> 00:52:07.440 and everyone here 00:52:07.440 --> 00:52:09.359 just a desire to 00:52:09.359 --> 00:52:11.659 make you known in 00:52:11.659 --> 00:52:12.460 the dark places 00:52:12.460 --> 00:52:13.239 where you have us, 00:52:13.239 --> 00:52:13.859 that we would be 00:52:13.859 --> 00:52:15.139 the light of 00:52:15.139 --> 00:52:16.359 Christ there, and 00:52:16.359 --> 00:52:18.099 we wouldn't be all 00:52:18.099 --> 00:52:18.799 fired up about 00:52:18.799 --> 00:52:20.559 going to the 00:52:20.559 --> 00:52:21.399 nations and other 00:52:21.399 --> 00:52:22.059 countries if we're 00:52:22.059 --> 00:52:22.759 not willing to walk 00:52:22.759 --> 00:52:23.539 across the hallway 00:52:23.539 --> 00:52:25.179 to share someone 00:52:25.179 --> 00:52:25.859 who's dying in 00:52:25.859 --> 00:52:26.759 their sin, and 00:52:26.759 --> 00:52:29.419 help us to be 00:52:29.419 --> 00:52:30.219 faithful where we 00:52:30.219 --> 00:52:31.279 are, Lord, and 00:52:31.279 --> 00:52:34.259 to trust you, to 00:52:34.259 --> 00:52:35.399 step out, and to 00:52:35.399 --> 00:52:36.199 be bold for the 00:52:36.199 --> 00:52:37.139 sake of Christ, and 00:52:37.139 --> 00:52:39.199 to not shriek, 00:52:40.500 --> 00:52:41.379 but to boldly 00:52:41.379 --> 00:52:42.199 proclaim the whole 00:52:42.199 --> 00:52:43.219 counsel of God, and 00:52:43.219 --> 00:52:44.919 to testify of the 00:52:44.919 --> 00:52:45.739 gospel of the grace 00:52:45.739 --> 00:52:46.199 of God. 00:52:47.539 --> 00:52:48.460 Help us do that, 00:52:48.539 --> 00:52:48.719 Lord. 00:52:48.779 --> 00:52:50.379 We are going to 00:52:50.379 --> 00:52:51.299 fail unless you be 00:52:51.299 --> 00:52:53.099 with us, and so 00:52:53.099 --> 00:52:54.939 Lord, make your name 00:52:54.939 --> 00:52:57.000 great at the North 00:52:57.000 --> 00:52:57.919 Georgia campus in 00:52:57.919 --> 00:52:58.899 Nalaunaga, and 00:52:58.899 --> 00:53:01.179 through what we do 00:53:01.179 --> 00:53:02.839 and how you lead 00:53:02.839 --> 00:53:03.339 us, God. 00:53:04.539 --> 00:53:05.259 Thank you for 00:53:05.259 --> 00:53:05.859 giving us the 00:53:05.859 --> 00:53:08.000 privilege of being 00:53:08.000 --> 00:53:09.099 those you use to 00:53:09.099 --> 00:53:09.719 accomplish your 00:53:09.719 --> 00:53:10.099 purpose. 00:53:10.099 --> 00:53:12.079 what an honor we 00:53:12.079 --> 00:53:12.380 have. 00:53:12.480 --> 00:53:12.980 You don't need 00:53:12.980 --> 00:53:13.259 us. 00:53:14.199 --> 00:53:14.839 You could have 00:53:14.839 --> 00:53:15.579 done this any way 00:53:15.579 --> 00:53:16.579 you chose, but you 00:53:16.579 --> 00:53:17.779 chose to use us, and 00:53:17.779 --> 00:53:20.000 we give you praise 00:53:20.000 --> 00:53:21.759 for that, and we 00:53:21.759 --> 00:53:22.199 love you. 00:53:22.299 --> 00:53:22.920 In Christ's name, 00:53:22.920 --> 00:53:23.300 amen. 00:53:23.300 --> 00:53:23.380 Amen.