WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.540 To talk on God's answer to a people's cry. 00:00:05.060 --> 00:00:09.359 And in the passage we have read in Exodus. 00:00:09.359 --> 00:00:09.320 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:36.820 They were suffering as a result of the slavery that they had found themselves in. 00:00:38.100 --> 00:00:45.780 And that also reminds us of how we live in times where it would appear people are crying. 00:00:45.980 --> 00:00:51.019 And the manner in which people cry these days could take various forms. 00:00:52.100 --> 00:00:57.780 And I've always been amazed at how people respond to cries in different ways. 00:00:57.780 --> 00:01:01.920 I like looking at mothers with little infants. 00:01:03.020 --> 00:01:06.700 I've never been able to interpret the meaning of the cry of a child. 00:01:07.859 --> 00:01:15.740 But I've noticed that when a child cries, a mother somehow knows what that child is crying for and crying about. 00:01:16.760 --> 00:01:19.799 And it does not matter how busy a mother may be. 00:01:20.579 --> 00:01:22.200 She's quick to respond. 00:01:22.379 --> 00:01:26.599 She knows the voice of her child, even if there are many other infants. 00:01:26.599 --> 00:01:32.299 When a child cries, she rises and goes to attend to her child. 00:01:32.759 --> 00:01:39.979 There's something in the heart of a mother that causes her to understand the deep need of her child. 00:01:40.500 --> 00:01:42.379 And she responds to that need. 00:01:43.079 --> 00:01:47.019 I see in this passage we have read a similar thing. 00:01:47.019 --> 00:01:54.399 God, being the father of the Israelites, understood the children of Israel so very well, 00:01:54.920 --> 00:02:00.500 that even their wordless cry was very clear and plain to him. 00:02:01.179 --> 00:02:07.859 The passage we read tells us that when they suffered as a result of their slavery, 00:02:08.859 --> 00:02:10.259 they groaned. 00:02:10.259 --> 00:02:14.259 It was not just a wailing, external wailing. 00:02:14.959 --> 00:02:20.399 It was a deep, passionate expression of the pain in their hearts. 00:02:20.919 --> 00:02:26.519 They groaned because they found themselves in a situation that they did not expect, 00:02:26.699 --> 00:02:30.000 that shouldn't have been their story. 00:02:30.000 --> 00:02:33.400 They who had been favored by the Lord. 00:02:33.400 --> 00:02:40.139 They who had ancestors that had the promises of God, that had the covenants of God. 00:02:40.419 --> 00:02:50.840 They who were on the path to greatness found themselves in a situation that contradicts everything that the promise of God had for them. 00:02:52.180 --> 00:02:56.439 The Bible tells us that God heard their cry. 00:02:56.439 --> 00:03:02.000 When he heard their cry, he acted upon it. 00:03:02.900 --> 00:03:06.120 You know, each time I walk the streets of this city, 00:03:07.099 --> 00:03:10.740 I seem to see people crying in various ways. 00:03:11.659 --> 00:03:19.520 I have come to understand that one does not only cry when he opens his mouth to bow or shout out. 00:03:20.340 --> 00:03:25.099 There are many that their very actions is a form of crying. 00:03:25.099 --> 00:03:34.240 So for some, their persistence in a godless lifestyle seems to be an expression of a deep cry. 00:03:34.659 --> 00:03:44.060 Because I have talked with people who seem to be getting deeper and deeper into some horrible lifestyles, 00:03:44.060 --> 00:03:53.620 not because that is what they want, but because that is the only way they think they can quieten the cry, 00:03:53.759 --> 00:03:56.319 the desperate need of their hearts. 00:03:56.319 --> 00:04:01.919 I have been involved with alcoholics in the area we minister. 00:04:03.060 --> 00:04:10.199 And for many of the alcoholics, the first thing I hear is that I hate this lifestyle I found myself in. 00:04:10.199 --> 00:04:17.560 And so many of us are quick to look at them and pass by as though these are irresponsible people. 00:04:17.759 --> 00:04:22.920 Yet, discussing with them, they tell me that there is something eating me up. 00:04:23.019 --> 00:04:24.459 I hate this lifestyle. 00:04:24.759 --> 00:04:25.860 I am in bondage. 00:04:25.939 --> 00:04:28.199 I don't like what I am going through. 00:04:28.199 --> 00:04:38.779 And so the Lord tells me, as he is telling us here, when we meet such people, their cry reaches to God. 00:04:39.279 --> 00:04:46.819 Because the Bible tells us that when the children of Israel cry in verse 24 of chapter 2, 00:04:46.819 --> 00:04:55.240 it says God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. 00:04:55.240 --> 00:05:03.699 You see, we have a God who hears the cry of those whom he has created in his image and in his likeness. 00:05:04.420 --> 00:05:14.340 We have a God who is attentive to the desperate need of those he has called and prepared and intended to occupy his kingdom with him. 00:05:14.800 --> 00:05:18.579 We have a God who minds, who cares about his creation, 00:05:18.579 --> 00:05:25.659 who is not interested in the death and the destruction or the eternal separation of anyone from him. 00:05:26.120 --> 00:05:32.219 That is why in Christ Jesus, he prepared the way of restoration and salvation. 00:05:33.740 --> 00:05:35.879 So an interesting thing happens. 00:05:36.479 --> 00:05:42.060 In chapter 3, we are told, when God heard the cry of the children of Israel, 00:05:42.699 --> 00:05:43.659 he came down. 00:05:44.439 --> 00:05:45.759 He came down. 00:05:45.759 --> 00:05:51.939 He does not stand aloof from the cry of the desperate need of his children. 00:05:52.719 --> 00:05:57.199 Every time there is a cry for help, God always comes down. 00:05:57.759 --> 00:06:04.959 Every time there is a deep yearning for a visitation that will bring about the kingdom of God in the lives of people, 00:06:05.240 --> 00:06:06.480 God comes down. 00:06:07.139 --> 00:06:15.019 What I find strange is the manner of the coming of the Lord to these children of Israel here. 00:06:15.759 --> 00:06:20.019 When I started to read, when I first read this place several years ago, 00:06:20.300 --> 00:06:27.019 what I thought was that God in coming down would come to Egypt and confront Pharaoh 00:06:27.019 --> 00:06:33.579 and stand in the might of his glory and do something that will shake the throne of Pharaoh. 00:06:34.500 --> 00:06:38.939 That would have been a spectacular way of saving his children 00:06:38.939 --> 00:06:44.199 and proving that the children of Israel were indeed a chosen people. 00:06:45.019 --> 00:06:48.360 But that is not how God responded to the cry. 00:06:50.040 --> 00:06:54.079 God responded to the cry by sending a man, 00:06:54.839 --> 00:06:58.199 by going to the back sides of a desert, 00:06:58.759 --> 00:07:03.379 by going far from Egypt, the center of oppression. 00:07:03.379 --> 00:07:08.360 He located a man in Egypt, in the desert, 00:07:08.680 --> 00:07:11.000 and came to Moses in the desert. 00:07:11.899 --> 00:07:15.439 Why would God come to Moses in that secluded place? 00:07:15.680 --> 00:07:18.939 When Moses, in chapter 2 from verse 11, 00:07:19.219 --> 00:07:25.180 had demonstrated a personal passion for reaching out to help the children of Israel. 00:07:25.920 --> 00:07:29.579 From verse 11 we are told that when Moses was grown up, 00:07:29.579 --> 00:07:31.919 he went and was walking about, 00:07:32.139 --> 00:07:33.680 having come from the palace, 00:07:33.839 --> 00:07:37.699 free and insulated from the captivity and the oppression around, 00:07:38.099 --> 00:07:42.319 and he saw an injustice being done to an Israelite. 00:07:43.240 --> 00:07:45.519 Of course, he did not keep quiet, 00:07:45.659 --> 00:07:47.459 nor did he stand as a spectator, 00:07:47.699 --> 00:07:51.919 but he acted in killing the aggressor and he did. 00:07:51.920 --> 00:07:58.280 Oh, how I wish it would be that easy for us to think on our own, 00:07:58.360 --> 00:08:00.480 by our wisdom, by our ability. 00:08:00.800 --> 00:08:02.660 We can do the work of God. 00:08:03.000 --> 00:08:07.140 We can establish the kingdom of God by our strength. 00:08:07.259 --> 00:08:09.660 But that was not to be the strategy of God. 00:08:10.240 --> 00:08:14.520 And I'm judged that when God saw that act of Moses, 00:08:14.780 --> 00:08:16.639 even though I thought God would have said, 00:08:16.759 --> 00:08:18.560 well done, I found a man. 00:08:18.759 --> 00:08:20.960 I found a man who is passionate for me. 00:08:20.959 --> 00:08:25.180 I found a man who is interested in setting my people free. 00:08:25.439 --> 00:08:27.799 I thought he would just commission Moses. 00:08:28.519 --> 00:08:29.859 But God ignored him. 00:08:30.519 --> 00:08:34.259 Like he would always reject every human effort 00:08:34.259 --> 00:08:39.639 that we think is what matters in bringing about the salvation of souls. 00:08:40.899 --> 00:08:43.600 And God waited until Moses was ready. 00:08:44.299 --> 00:08:47.019 Forty years God waited. 00:08:47.879 --> 00:08:49.319 And that challenges me. 00:08:49.320 --> 00:08:54.680 That as long as God has not found the right instrument you will use, 00:08:55.080 --> 00:08:55.879 you will wait. 00:08:56.660 --> 00:08:58.379 Though people will be suffering, 00:08:58.740 --> 00:08:59.740 God will wait. 00:09:00.200 --> 00:09:04.460 Though they will be groaning and be dying under the oppression of the enemy, 00:09:04.800 --> 00:09:06.160 God will wait. 00:09:07.200 --> 00:09:11.379 Little wonder that thousands of years from the time man fell, 00:09:11.600 --> 00:09:12.480 God waited. 00:09:12.480 --> 00:09:17.300 The Bible tells us that in the fullness of time in Galatians chapter 4, 00:09:17.300 --> 00:09:19.720 in the fullness of time, 00:09:20.039 --> 00:09:22.580 God sent his son born of a woman 00:09:22.580 --> 00:09:26.080 to be the instrument of salvation. 00:09:26.539 --> 00:09:27.620 God waited. 00:09:28.300 --> 00:09:34.279 Until the time was right for him to effect the salvation of man. 00:09:34.420 --> 00:09:35.240 He waited. 00:09:35.240 --> 00:09:36.259 God waited. 00:09:36.259 --> 00:09:36.700 God waited. 00:09:36.700 --> 00:09:36.700 00:09:36.700 --> 00:09:37.680 God waited. 00:09:37.680 --> 00:09:38.180 God waited. 00:09:38.180 --> 00:09:40.419 And yes, everything has been made ready. 00:09:42.080 --> 00:09:44.600 Everything has been finished. 00:09:46.120 --> 00:09:49.940 Yet the question that I hear the Lord bringing to my heart, 00:09:50.139 --> 00:09:53.980 and the question that I hear the Lord bringing to us is, 00:09:53.980 --> 00:09:57.659 has he come down, you know, 00:09:58.100 --> 00:10:00.480 in the people that call upon him, 00:10:00.940 --> 00:10:01.840 in London, 00:10:02.460 --> 00:10:03.700 in the community, 00:10:04.000 --> 00:10:05.180 in this assembly, 00:10:05.320 --> 00:10:07.100 that is sitting in this church, 00:10:07.420 --> 00:10:08.779 has God come, you know, 00:10:08.879 --> 00:10:09.620 for us to, 00:10:09.700 --> 00:10:11.680 for us to hear him calling us, 00:10:11.899 --> 00:10:12.360 and say, 00:10:12.460 --> 00:10:15.320 have you heard the groaning that I hear? 00:10:15.800 --> 00:10:18.000 It's amazing that Paul was, 00:10:18.259 --> 00:10:19.379 that Moses, sorry, 00:10:19.620 --> 00:10:20.840 Moses was in Egypt, 00:10:20.840 --> 00:10:24.460 he had never heard the groaning that was going up to heaven. 00:10:26.560 --> 00:10:26.899 And, 00:10:27.980 --> 00:10:30.940 the same thing it seems is happening to many of us. 00:10:32.240 --> 00:10:33.660 We come and sit in church, 00:10:33.740 --> 00:10:35.440 and enjoy ourselves in church, 00:10:35.519 --> 00:10:37.040 and enjoy corporate worship. 00:10:37.200 --> 00:10:38.379 Wonderful as it is. 00:10:39.759 --> 00:10:41.759 I know there are many that are committed, 00:10:41.920 --> 00:10:42.680 that are quietly, 00:10:42.920 --> 00:10:43.480 actively, 00:10:44.080 --> 00:10:46.139 working for the kingdom of the Lord. 00:10:46.780 --> 00:10:47.300 But, 00:10:47.500 --> 00:10:49.120 many of us Christians, 00:10:49.120 --> 00:10:52.259 are oblivious to the groaning, 00:10:52.379 --> 00:10:53.299 and the cry, 00:10:53.539 --> 00:10:55.259 that is going up to heaven. 00:10:56.299 --> 00:10:57.200 We pass, 00:10:57.500 --> 00:10:57.639 we, 00:10:57.840 --> 00:10:58.440 in buses, 00:10:58.820 --> 00:10:59.539 on the streets, 00:10:59.840 --> 00:11:00.320 we see, 00:11:00.620 --> 00:11:01.879 various manifestations, 00:11:02.240 --> 00:11:03.259 of the cry, 00:11:03.659 --> 00:11:04.600 of the agony, 00:11:04.919 --> 00:11:05.679 of souls, 00:11:05.899 --> 00:11:07.980 that are under the taskmaster, 00:11:08.279 --> 00:11:10.080 that leads the children of God, 00:11:10.159 --> 00:11:10.759 unto sin. 00:11:10.960 --> 00:11:12.320 And we do not hear, 00:11:12.419 --> 00:11:13.740 we do not understand, 00:11:14.139 --> 00:11:15.279 that it is a cry, 00:11:15.419 --> 00:11:17.120 being lifted to the Father. 00:11:17.120 --> 00:11:17.639 And, 00:11:17.679 --> 00:11:18.460 many of us, 00:11:18.519 --> 00:11:19.620 myself included, 00:11:19.919 --> 00:11:20.940 have found myself, 00:11:21.159 --> 00:11:22.159 have found themselves, 00:11:22.340 --> 00:11:23.440 passing judgment, 00:11:25.039 --> 00:11:25.799 condemning, 00:11:27.259 --> 00:11:27.799 ignoring, 00:11:28.019 --> 00:11:29.480 looking down on them, 00:11:29.600 --> 00:11:31.539 and either writing them up, 00:11:31.679 --> 00:11:32.000 as, 00:11:32.100 --> 00:11:34.480 as poorly trained people, 00:11:34.740 --> 00:11:35.080 or, 00:11:35.259 --> 00:11:37.379 as people who do not know God. 00:11:38.000 --> 00:11:38.179 And, 00:11:38.259 --> 00:11:39.299 we pass them by. 00:11:39.299 --> 00:11:41.299 when I hear, 00:11:41.299 --> 00:11:42.120 someone, 00:11:42.399 --> 00:11:43.219 arguing, 00:11:43.439 --> 00:11:44.799 against the very existence, 00:11:45.059 --> 00:11:45.639 of God, 00:11:45.879 --> 00:11:46.859 and demonstrating, 00:11:47.079 --> 00:11:47.959 such knowledge, 00:11:48.219 --> 00:11:49.459 that is foolishness, 00:11:49.519 --> 00:11:50.159 before heaven, 00:11:50.500 --> 00:11:50.939 I, 00:11:50.939 --> 00:11:52.079 I recognize now, 00:11:52.299 --> 00:11:53.959 that it is a desperate cry, 00:11:54.659 --> 00:11:55.339 being lifted, 00:11:55.740 --> 00:11:56.120 to heaven. 00:11:57.219 --> 00:11:57.539 And, 00:11:58.039 --> 00:11:59.659 I'm wondering, 00:12:00.620 --> 00:12:01.899 when I meet such people, 00:12:02.939 --> 00:12:03.879 can I trust God, 00:12:04.519 --> 00:12:05.279 to rise, 00:12:05.919 --> 00:12:07.019 to be his representative, 00:12:07.019 --> 00:12:08.439 to rise, 00:12:09.079 --> 00:12:09.799 to be a channel, 00:12:10.299 --> 00:12:10.879 through which, 00:12:10.980 --> 00:12:12.159 he will address, 00:12:12.419 --> 00:12:13.379 that cry. 00:12:13.919 --> 00:12:14.419 Because, 00:12:14.519 --> 00:12:14.860 you see, 00:12:15.059 --> 00:12:15.899 you and I, 00:12:16.000 --> 00:12:17.120 on a daily basis, 00:12:17.379 --> 00:12:18.679 wherever the Lord sends us, 00:12:18.840 --> 00:12:20.059 he is sending us, 00:12:20.139 --> 00:12:20.340 as, 00:12:20.539 --> 00:12:21.340 the answer, 00:12:21.539 --> 00:12:22.460 to the cry, 00:12:22.620 --> 00:12:23.840 that is being lifted, 00:12:25.120 --> 00:12:26.059 wherever we are. 00:12:26.059 --> 00:12:29.079 God's desire, 00:12:29.079 --> 00:12:29.619 is that, 00:12:30.139 --> 00:12:30.759 because, 00:12:30.879 --> 00:12:31.879 you and I, 00:12:31.979 --> 00:12:32.519 are there, 00:12:33.859 --> 00:12:34.759 he would have found, 00:12:34.919 --> 00:12:35.659 the Moses, 00:12:36.279 --> 00:12:36.919 to send, 00:12:37.399 --> 00:12:38.039 to answer. 00:12:39.059 --> 00:12:39.899 He would have found, 00:12:40.039 --> 00:12:40.759 the person, 00:12:41.179 --> 00:12:42.439 that he would send, 00:12:42.879 --> 00:12:43.079 to respond, 00:12:44.159 --> 00:12:45.519 to the heart cry, 00:12:46.059 --> 00:12:46.859 of the people, 00:12:47.419 --> 00:12:48.219 that are around. 00:12:48.699 --> 00:12:49.679 Of those people, 00:12:50.119 --> 00:12:51.299 that are in sin. 00:12:51.419 --> 00:12:52.319 Of those people, 00:12:52.699 --> 00:12:53.279 that are, 00:12:53.339 --> 00:12:54.079 rebelling, 00:12:54.080 --> 00:12:55.379 against God. 00:12:55.420 --> 00:12:56.220 Of those people, 00:12:56.480 --> 00:12:57.259 that are living, 00:12:57.660 --> 00:12:58.620 the lifestyle, 00:12:58.920 --> 00:12:59.960 that you and I, 00:13:00.200 --> 00:13:00.400 have, 00:13:00.580 --> 00:13:01.780 by the mercy of God, 00:13:01.879 --> 00:13:02.700 come to learn, 00:13:02.840 --> 00:13:03.220 and know, 00:13:03.440 --> 00:13:04.660 is not what God, 00:13:04.759 --> 00:13:06.180 created us for. 00:13:06.639 --> 00:13:07.500 The Bible tells us, 00:13:07.540 --> 00:13:08.379 that we are created, 00:13:08.540 --> 00:13:09.379 for his glory. 00:13:09.620 --> 00:13:09.820 So, 00:13:09.820 --> 00:13:10.600 every life, 00:13:10.700 --> 00:13:11.440 that is not living, 00:13:11.620 --> 00:13:12.700 to glorify God, 00:13:12.920 --> 00:13:13.600 is a life, 00:13:13.840 --> 00:13:14.300 that is, 00:13:14.440 --> 00:13:16.100 is crying out, 00:13:16.360 --> 00:13:16.940 because, 00:13:17.100 --> 00:13:18.879 of a task master, 00:13:19.500 --> 00:13:20.360 that has placed, 00:13:20.520 --> 00:13:21.259 a task, 00:13:21.440 --> 00:13:22.360 on that life, 00:13:23.240 --> 00:13:24.020 that is difficult, 00:13:24.080 --> 00:13:24.660 to accomplish. 00:13:26.300 --> 00:13:26.759 So, 00:13:26.900 --> 00:13:27.259 Jesus, 00:13:28.780 --> 00:13:29.700 when he came, 00:13:29.940 --> 00:13:30.759 in response, 00:13:30.879 --> 00:13:31.560 to the cry, 00:13:31.639 --> 00:13:32.300 of the world, 00:13:32.600 --> 00:13:33.840 in John chapter 4, 00:13:33.900 --> 00:13:34.700 verse 31, 00:13:35.600 --> 00:13:36.420 speaking to, 00:13:36.420 --> 00:13:37.220 the woman, 00:13:37.400 --> 00:13:38.200 of Samaria, 00:13:39.100 --> 00:13:39.780 he was able, 00:13:39.900 --> 00:13:41.000 to tell his disciples, 00:13:41.320 --> 00:13:42.420 when they came to him, 00:13:42.620 --> 00:13:43.040 and say, 00:13:43.180 --> 00:13:43.560 eat, 00:13:43.660 --> 00:13:44.000 eat, 00:13:44.680 --> 00:13:44.940 he said, 00:13:45.020 --> 00:13:45.820 now I have food, 00:13:45.879 --> 00:13:46.240 to eat, 00:13:46.420 --> 00:13:46.980 that you do, 00:13:47.040 --> 00:13:48.379 that you do not know of. 00:13:49.560 --> 00:13:50.300 And for him, 00:13:50.740 --> 00:13:51.080 he said, 00:13:51.160 --> 00:13:51.900 my food, 00:13:52.240 --> 00:13:53.379 is to do the will, 00:13:53.379 --> 00:13:54.000 of him, 00:13:54.120 --> 00:13:55.080 who sent me, 00:13:55.399 --> 00:13:56.639 and to finish his walk. 00:13:56.720 --> 00:13:56.840 So, 00:13:57.059 --> 00:13:58.259 Jesus realized, 00:13:58.600 --> 00:13:59.299 that yes, 00:13:59.399 --> 00:14:00.299 he had a need, 00:14:00.379 --> 00:14:00.899 for food, 00:14:01.159 --> 00:14:02.000 but there was, 00:14:02.000 --> 00:14:03.279 something that more, 00:14:03.379 --> 00:14:04.439 there was more urgent, 00:14:04.559 --> 00:14:05.799 that was more important, 00:14:06.159 --> 00:14:07.419 than satisfying, 00:14:07.820 --> 00:14:09.500 the immediate need, 00:14:09.600 --> 00:14:10.939 of his physical body. 00:14:11.919 --> 00:14:12.679 When he met, 00:14:13.120 --> 00:14:14.200 the Samaritan woman, 00:14:15.259 --> 00:14:16.439 Jesus didn't just see, 00:14:16.519 --> 00:14:16.899 a woman, 00:14:17.059 --> 00:14:18.100 that was in argument, 00:14:18.299 --> 00:14:18.740 with him. 00:14:18.740 --> 00:14:19.940 he saw, 00:14:19.940 --> 00:14:20.399 a woman, 00:14:20.560 --> 00:14:21.220 whose life, 00:14:21.299 --> 00:14:22.240 was a cry, 00:14:22.360 --> 00:14:22.820 for her. 00:14:24.480 --> 00:14:25.460 And he understood, 00:14:25.879 --> 00:14:27.320 that the will of God, 00:14:27.460 --> 00:14:28.000 was for him, 00:14:28.080 --> 00:14:29.220 to stop at that moment, 00:14:29.299 --> 00:14:29.860 and respond, 00:14:30.120 --> 00:14:30.940 to that cry. 00:14:32.259 --> 00:14:33.539 And he could forget, 00:14:33.680 --> 00:14:34.840 his personal need. 00:14:35.560 --> 00:14:36.200 He could forget, 00:14:36.360 --> 00:14:37.019 his comfort. 00:14:37.940 --> 00:14:38.680 He could forget, 00:14:38.840 --> 00:14:39.240 that, 00:14:39.759 --> 00:14:40.840 which had caused, 00:14:40.919 --> 00:14:41.620 his disciples, 00:14:41.840 --> 00:14:43.159 to go into the town, 00:14:43.299 --> 00:14:44.299 to look for food, 00:14:44.360 --> 00:14:44.799 for him. 00:14:44.799 --> 00:14:46.279 And he would, 00:14:46.419 --> 00:14:47.299 ignore it. 00:14:48.120 --> 00:14:48.859 So that, 00:14:49.199 --> 00:14:49.620 he would, 00:14:49.919 --> 00:14:51.439 meet the cry, 00:14:52.459 --> 00:14:53.279 of a soul, 00:14:53.439 --> 00:14:54.019 in need, 00:14:54.740 --> 00:14:55.500 of the Savior. 00:14:57.479 --> 00:14:58.459 I don't know, 00:14:58.559 --> 00:14:59.259 how many times, 00:14:59.339 --> 00:15:00.039 the Lord causes, 00:15:00.179 --> 00:15:00.819 you and I, 00:15:01.079 --> 00:15:01.899 to meet with, 00:15:02.179 --> 00:15:02.359 the, 00:15:02.359 --> 00:15:02.679 the, 00:15:02.679 --> 00:15:03.079 the, 00:15:03.079 --> 00:15:03.259 the, 00:15:03.259 --> 00:15:03.719 the light, 00:15:03.819 --> 00:15:04.479 lightness, 00:15:04.659 --> 00:15:05.979 of the Samaritan woman. 00:15:07.500 --> 00:15:08.039 And those, 00:15:08.159 --> 00:15:08.979 we find ourselves, 00:15:09.079 --> 00:15:10.240 in discussion with, 00:15:11.199 --> 00:15:11.659 what, 00:15:11.719 --> 00:15:12.759 what do we sense, 00:15:13.120 --> 00:15:14.079 when we meet them? 00:15:14.660 --> 00:15:15.840 What do we hear, 00:15:16.180 --> 00:15:17.139 when we meet them? 00:15:17.840 --> 00:15:18.080 Oh, 00:15:18.139 --> 00:15:19.080 how do we need, 00:15:19.200 --> 00:15:19.820 the help, 00:15:19.900 --> 00:15:20.980 of the Spirit of God? 00:15:21.100 --> 00:15:21.480 So that, 00:15:21.540 --> 00:15:22.540 we will be sensitive, 00:15:22.879 --> 00:15:23.220 so that, 00:15:23.300 --> 00:15:24.379 beyond the argument, 00:15:24.600 --> 00:15:25.560 beyond the discussions, 00:15:25.840 --> 00:15:27.160 we find ourselves in, 00:15:27.280 --> 00:15:28.060 we would hear, 00:15:28.060 --> 00:15:29.560 the desperate cry, 00:15:29.860 --> 00:15:30.639 for a Savior. 00:15:31.400 --> 00:15:32.280 And trust God, 00:15:32.720 --> 00:15:33.460 for the wisdom, 00:15:34.240 --> 00:15:35.000 to respond, 00:15:35.580 --> 00:15:36.040 to such. 00:15:38.140 --> 00:15:38.740 Moses, 00:15:39.240 --> 00:15:42.100 didn't expect, 00:15:42.840 --> 00:15:43.980 that having left, 00:15:44.080 --> 00:15:44.639 Egypt, 00:15:45.500 --> 00:15:46.480 having run away, 00:15:46.480 --> 00:15:47.240 from Egypt, 00:15:47.600 --> 00:15:48.520 having created, 00:15:48.700 --> 00:15:49.280 for himself, 00:15:49.580 --> 00:15:50.860 a new livelihood, 00:15:51.500 --> 00:15:52.320 having found, 00:15:52.440 --> 00:15:53.060 a new job, 00:15:53.120 --> 00:15:54.320 having been comfortable, 00:15:54.540 --> 00:15:55.980 in Jethro's house, 00:15:56.660 --> 00:15:57.620 as a shepherd, 00:15:58.500 --> 00:15:59.340 and lived there, 00:15:59.480 --> 00:16:00.180 and built a life, 00:16:00.240 --> 00:16:00.680 for himself, 00:16:00.780 --> 00:16:01.600 for 40 years, 00:16:01.800 --> 00:16:03.000 he didn't expect, 00:16:03.300 --> 00:16:03.759 that God, 00:16:03.820 --> 00:16:04.420 would suddenly, 00:16:04.620 --> 00:16:05.120 show up, 00:16:05.840 --> 00:16:06.900 and disloach him, 00:16:06.980 --> 00:16:07.700 from his place, 00:16:07.759 --> 00:16:08.440 of comfort. 00:16:08.440 --> 00:16:08.640 God, 00:16:09.120 --> 00:16:10.460 I wonder, 00:16:10.460 --> 00:16:11.460 if we would need, 00:16:11.460 --> 00:16:11.880 God, 00:16:12.880 --> 00:16:13.420 to come, 00:16:13.560 --> 00:16:14.540 and disloach us, 00:16:14.540 --> 00:16:15.480 from their places, 00:16:15.480 --> 00:16:16.280 of comfort, 00:16:17.140 --> 00:16:18.900 from our comfort zones, 00:16:19.900 --> 00:16:20.920 from the worlds, 00:16:21.000 --> 00:16:21.880 we have created, 00:16:21.880 --> 00:16:22.760 for ourselves, 00:16:23.460 --> 00:16:24.840 from the comfortable, 00:16:24.840 --> 00:16:26.520 form of spirituality, 00:16:26.520 --> 00:16:27.500 we have created, 00:16:27.680 --> 00:16:28.380 for ourselves, 00:16:29.380 --> 00:16:29.920 so that, 00:16:30.020 --> 00:16:30.680 we would open, 00:16:30.680 --> 00:16:31.320 our ears, 00:16:31.320 --> 00:16:32.040 to hear, 00:16:32.160 --> 00:16:32.820 the cry, 00:16:33.120 --> 00:16:33.800 that is being, 00:16:33.800 --> 00:16:35.080 lifted to heaven, 00:16:35.480 --> 00:16:36.660 on a daily basis, 00:16:37.140 --> 00:16:37.640 and just, 00:16:37.820 --> 00:16:38.640 go out there, 00:16:38.920 --> 00:16:39.700 and trust, 00:16:39.840 --> 00:16:40.640 that God, 00:16:40.879 --> 00:16:41.940 will use us, 00:16:42.200 --> 00:16:43.040 as instruments, 00:16:43.160 --> 00:16:44.200 to bring a difference, 00:16:44.560 --> 00:16:45.120 in the life, 00:16:45.180 --> 00:16:46.300 of just one person. 00:16:48.620 --> 00:16:49.400 As a pastor, 00:16:49.520 --> 00:16:50.020 I would so, 00:16:50.180 --> 00:16:51.120 very much like, 00:16:51.220 --> 00:16:52.180 to see a church, 00:16:52.320 --> 00:16:53.220 filled like this, 00:16:53.480 --> 00:16:55.960 and be the pastor, 00:16:56.280 --> 00:16:57.180 of such a church, 00:16:57.420 --> 00:16:58.560 then I can say, 00:16:58.760 --> 00:17:00.260 I'm a successful pastor, 00:17:00.360 --> 00:17:01.020 with a huge, 00:17:01.019 --> 00:17:01.740 congregation, 00:17:02.299 --> 00:17:04.759 but beyond that, 00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:06.680 is the more, 00:17:06.680 --> 00:17:07.980 important need, 00:17:08.639 --> 00:17:09.759 to be people, 00:17:11.059 --> 00:17:12.139 who will be sensitive, 00:17:13.180 --> 00:17:14.139 to the call, 00:17:14.240 --> 00:17:15.119 and the commissioning, 00:17:15.220 --> 00:17:15.639 of God, 00:17:16.180 --> 00:17:16.799 to go, 00:17:16.980 --> 00:17:17.740 and reach out, 00:17:18.440 --> 00:17:19.420 and bring others, 00:17:19.639 --> 00:17:20.379 just as, 00:17:20.599 --> 00:17:21.799 the mercy of God, 00:17:21.960 --> 00:17:22.500 found us, 00:17:22.759 --> 00:17:23.279 just as, 00:17:23.460 --> 00:17:24.200 we cried, 00:17:24.279 --> 00:17:25.220 our whole lives, 00:17:25.480 --> 00:17:26.339 were a cry, 00:17:26.460 --> 00:17:27.359 for desperate help, 00:17:27.539 --> 00:17:28.460 and the Lord, 00:17:28.579 --> 00:17:29.480 came down, 00:17:29.779 --> 00:17:30.660 he came down, 00:17:30.660 --> 00:17:31.440 for us, 00:17:31.519 --> 00:17:32.380 for you and I, 00:17:33.240 --> 00:17:33.779 and that is, 00:17:33.860 --> 00:17:34.880 why we are here, 00:17:35.320 --> 00:17:36.320 in the same way, 00:17:36.920 --> 00:17:37.259 the Lord, 00:17:37.340 --> 00:17:38.840 has several others, 00:17:39.000 --> 00:17:39.420 outside, 00:17:39.640 --> 00:17:40.860 and you know, 00:17:40.940 --> 00:17:41.779 as long as, 00:17:42.140 --> 00:17:43.480 we do not rise, 00:17:43.880 --> 00:17:44.840 to go to them, 00:17:45.940 --> 00:17:47.040 we will continue, 00:17:47.460 --> 00:17:48.420 to suffer persecution, 00:17:48.420 --> 00:17:48.480 persecution, 00:17:49.160 --> 00:17:50.019 can I tell you, 00:17:50.019 --> 00:17:51.360 that is really, 00:17:51.759 --> 00:17:52.640 one of the reasons, 00:17:52.880 --> 00:17:53.120 why, 00:17:53.440 --> 00:17:54.240 the northern part, 00:17:54.300 --> 00:17:55.160 of Nigeria, 00:17:55.740 --> 00:17:56.320 is suffering, 00:17:56.460 --> 00:17:57.160 the persecution, 00:17:57.640 --> 00:17:59.039 that it is going through, 00:17:59.680 --> 00:18:00.560 because you see, 00:18:00.800 --> 00:18:01.580 there was a time, 00:18:01.820 --> 00:18:02.720 in Nigeria, 00:18:03.060 --> 00:18:03.840 when we were, 00:18:04.000 --> 00:18:04.720 so comfortable, 00:18:05.720 --> 00:18:06.400 we were, 00:18:06.480 --> 00:18:07.180 so comfortable, 00:18:07.420 --> 00:18:08.259 in our churches, 00:18:08.539 --> 00:18:08.860 we were, 00:18:08.920 --> 00:18:09.500 so comfortable, 00:18:09.500 --> 00:18:10.300 in our, 00:18:10.380 --> 00:18:11.220 in our growth, 00:18:11.440 --> 00:18:12.800 that we did not think, 00:18:12.900 --> 00:18:13.720 reaching out, 00:18:13.820 --> 00:18:14.480 to the Muslims, 00:18:14.840 --> 00:18:15.800 was a thing, 00:18:15.799 --> 00:18:16.700 that we needed, 00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:18.119 to take seriously, 00:18:19.019 --> 00:18:19.819 my church, 00:18:19.940 --> 00:18:20.500 for instance, 00:18:20.720 --> 00:18:22.019 was not active, 00:18:22.200 --> 00:18:23.200 in reaching out, 00:18:23.259 --> 00:18:24.180 even to Muslims, 00:18:24.460 --> 00:18:24.680 why, 00:18:24.839 --> 00:18:25.200 because, 00:18:25.419 --> 00:18:26.700 they were very friendly, 00:18:27.019 --> 00:18:27.740 and we thought, 00:18:27.879 --> 00:18:28.539 so long as, 00:18:28.659 --> 00:18:29.859 a person is friendly, 00:18:30.139 --> 00:18:30.779 so long as, 00:18:30.859 --> 00:18:31.559 they lived by, 00:18:31.659 --> 00:18:32.879 a set of rules, 00:18:33.099 --> 00:18:34.019 that made them, 00:18:34.139 --> 00:18:35.419 acceptable people, 00:18:35.700 --> 00:18:36.419 so long as, 00:18:36.419 --> 00:18:37.299 they were not drunk, 00:18:37.299 --> 00:18:38.559 they were not stealing, 00:18:38.899 --> 00:18:40.500 they were not committing adultery, 00:18:40.779 --> 00:18:41.599 so long as, 00:18:41.819 --> 00:18:42.180 they were, 00:18:42.279 --> 00:18:43.299 they were the kind of, 00:18:43.359 --> 00:18:43.960 respectable, 00:18:44.180 --> 00:18:45.419 and responsible people, 00:18:45.420 --> 00:18:46.340 that we should have, 00:18:46.519 --> 00:18:47.539 we were comfortable, 00:18:47.740 --> 00:18:48.380 in having them, 00:18:48.539 --> 00:18:49.779 but we did not hear, 00:18:49.900 --> 00:18:51.420 the cry of their hearts, 00:18:51.600 --> 00:18:52.960 for an eternal, 00:18:53.259 --> 00:18:53.620 savior, 00:18:55.620 --> 00:18:57.019 and we ignored that, 00:18:58.000 --> 00:18:59.360 we welcomed them, 00:18:59.440 --> 00:19:00.060 as neighbors, 00:19:01.460 --> 00:19:02.180 but we did not, 00:19:02.279 --> 00:19:02.900 share Christ, 00:19:02.980 --> 00:19:03.500 with them, 00:19:06.320 --> 00:19:07.580 and I think, 00:19:08.440 --> 00:19:09.680 because they didn't, 00:19:09.759 --> 00:19:10.640 get what they, 00:19:10.800 --> 00:19:11.640 hungered for, 00:19:11.779 --> 00:19:12.460 in our lives, 00:19:13.200 --> 00:19:14.880 because we didn't, 00:19:14.880 --> 00:19:15.400 present, 00:19:15.860 --> 00:19:16.660 that which would, 00:19:16.660 --> 00:19:17.420 change them, 00:19:17.500 --> 00:19:18.660 for eternity, 00:19:19.920 --> 00:19:22.000 when time of persecution, 00:19:22.260 --> 00:19:22.520 came, 00:19:23.380 --> 00:19:24.180 they were happy, 00:19:24.440 --> 00:19:25.080 to kill us, 00:19:26.080 --> 00:19:26.760 beloved, 00:19:27.560 --> 00:19:28.580 if we ignore, 00:19:28.780 --> 00:19:29.420 those who are, 00:19:29.540 --> 00:19:30.700 crying around us, 00:19:31.780 --> 00:19:32.660 if we continue, 00:19:32.840 --> 00:19:33.660 to keep quiet, 00:19:33.780 --> 00:19:35.080 concerning the cry, 00:19:35.160 --> 00:19:35.980 that is rising, 00:19:36.200 --> 00:19:37.260 on a daily basis, 00:19:37.400 --> 00:19:38.200 on our streets, 00:19:38.200 --> 00:19:39.900 very soon, 00:19:40.680 --> 00:19:41.480 our voices, 00:19:41.660 --> 00:19:42.620 will be silent, 00:19:43.720 --> 00:19:45.180 we will be silenced, 00:19:46.039 --> 00:19:47.360 but I thank God, 00:19:48.120 --> 00:19:48.420 that, 00:19:49.120 --> 00:19:49.680 I don't know, 00:19:49.759 --> 00:19:50.620 if it's just me, 00:19:50.680 --> 00:19:52.140 but in reminding me, 00:19:52.440 --> 00:19:53.980 of this word, 00:19:54.620 --> 00:19:55.660 this commissioning, 00:19:55.720 --> 00:19:56.519 of Moses, 00:19:57.160 --> 00:19:57.980 and a reminder, 00:19:58.200 --> 00:19:58.840 of the fact, 00:19:58.940 --> 00:19:59.600 that this is what, 00:19:59.680 --> 00:20:01.240 Jesus came and did, 00:20:01.580 --> 00:20:02.819 he is telling me, 00:20:02.980 --> 00:20:04.400 that I have a responsibility, 00:20:04.400 --> 00:20:07.040 to be his voice, 00:20:07.820 --> 00:20:09.200 he has come down, 00:20:10.300 --> 00:20:11.680 but he has come down, 00:20:12.640 --> 00:20:14.340 so that he will be expressed, 00:20:14.600 --> 00:20:16.100 in you and I, 00:20:17.380 --> 00:20:19.360 so that when you go out, 00:20:19.720 --> 00:20:21.120 when I go out, 00:20:21.660 --> 00:20:22.640 when I speak, 00:20:22.640 --> 00:20:24.160 to a person by the road, 00:20:24.680 --> 00:20:26.380 it will be the Lord himself, 00:20:26.519 --> 00:20:28.320 walking in and through me, 00:20:29.200 --> 00:20:30.060 how I pray, 00:20:30.300 --> 00:20:31.080 that you and I, 00:20:31.220 --> 00:20:32.320 will be the answer, 00:20:32.319 --> 00:20:34.079 that God is raising, 00:20:34.299 --> 00:20:35.259 for this generation, 00:20:35.399 --> 00:20:36.200 and this time, 00:20:37.200 --> 00:20:38.559 to bring the people, 00:20:39.220 --> 00:20:39.839 back to him, 00:20:40.419 --> 00:20:41.839 there is a promised land, 00:20:42.859 --> 00:20:44.339 there is a promised land, 00:20:44.419 --> 00:20:45.839 there is a promised rest, 00:20:46.200 --> 00:20:46.980 that the Lord, 00:20:47.220 --> 00:20:47.960 has prepared, 00:20:49.720 --> 00:20:50.399 would you, 00:20:51.099 --> 00:20:51.919 avail yourself, 00:20:52.599 --> 00:20:53.200 so that, 00:20:53.899 --> 00:20:54.379 he will, 00:20:55.339 --> 00:20:56.960 now use you and I, 00:20:57.299 --> 00:20:58.259 as the instrument, 00:20:58.619 --> 00:20:59.679 by which you will bring, 00:21:00.299 --> 00:21:01.299 people to Christ, 00:21:01.299 --> 00:21:02.579 to salvation, 00:21:03.279 --> 00:21:05.500 he sent his son, 00:21:07.639 --> 00:21:08.240 his son, 00:21:08.339 --> 00:21:09.319 whom you and I, 00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:10.379 most of us here, 00:21:10.579 --> 00:21:11.399 especially those, 00:21:11.519 --> 00:21:12.399 that have surrendered, 00:21:12.579 --> 00:21:13.399 their lives to Jesus, 00:21:14.059 --> 00:21:14.559 his son, 00:21:14.720 --> 00:21:15.539 who brought us, 00:21:15.680 --> 00:21:16.519 out of darkness, 00:21:16.700 --> 00:21:17.220 into life, 00:21:17.339 --> 00:21:18.460 faith in his son, 00:21:18.700 --> 00:21:19.859 who established us, 00:21:20.039 --> 00:21:21.519 as citizens of heaven, 00:21:22.299 --> 00:21:23.139 for which we have, 00:21:23.200 --> 00:21:23.799 the confidence, 00:21:24.200 --> 00:21:24.960 that if we were, 00:21:25.039 --> 00:21:26.019 to leave the earth now, 00:21:26.180 --> 00:21:26.700 we know, 00:21:26.779 --> 00:21:27.759 where we are going to, 00:21:27.899 --> 00:21:28.919 we are so happy, 00:21:28.920 --> 00:21:30.000 in the fact that, 00:21:30.160 --> 00:21:31.440 a departure from the earth, 00:21:31.519 --> 00:21:32.560 means being present, 00:21:32.680 --> 00:21:33.300 with Jesus, 00:21:35.380 --> 00:21:35.880 and yet, 00:21:35.980 --> 00:21:36.980 there are so many, 00:21:37.140 --> 00:21:38.019 who do not have, 00:21:38.140 --> 00:21:39.000 this assurance, 00:21:40.700 --> 00:21:41.440 and we know, 00:21:41.560 --> 00:21:42.560 a departure for them, 00:21:42.640 --> 00:21:43.240 from the earth, 00:21:44.060 --> 00:21:44.759 is not likely, 00:21:44.900 --> 00:21:45.460 to translate, 00:21:45.660 --> 00:21:46.620 into being present, 00:21:46.779 --> 00:21:47.380 with the Lord, 00:21:48.759 --> 00:21:49.180 yet, 00:21:49.900 --> 00:21:51.180 we are neighbors, 00:21:52.380 --> 00:21:52.880 yet, 00:21:52.880 --> 00:21:54.340 we pass them, 00:21:54.420 --> 00:21:55.040 on the streets, 00:21:56.380 --> 00:21:56.800 yet, 00:21:57.360 --> 00:21:58.100 we argue, 00:21:58.760 --> 00:21:59.920 and we discuss, 00:22:00.040 --> 00:22:00.480 with them, 00:22:01.840 --> 00:22:02.400 yet, 00:22:03.060 --> 00:22:04.440 we must be careful, 00:22:04.540 --> 00:22:05.260 can I tell you, 00:22:05.340 --> 00:22:06.380 something I have found, 00:22:06.480 --> 00:22:07.220 very difficult, 00:22:07.480 --> 00:22:08.480 in this country, 00:22:09.620 --> 00:22:10.720 is the challenge, 00:22:10.820 --> 00:22:12.200 of being very proper, 00:22:13.160 --> 00:22:14.920 in discussing, 00:22:15.120 --> 00:22:15.720 with people, 00:22:16.780 --> 00:22:17.020 I'm, 00:22:17.140 --> 00:22:17.460 I'm, 00:22:17.460 --> 00:22:17.760 I'm, 00:22:17.760 --> 00:22:18.780 I've been told, 00:22:18.940 --> 00:22:19.620 that I must be, 00:22:19.700 --> 00:22:20.680 very careful, 00:22:20.940 --> 00:22:21.720 what I say, 00:22:21.720 --> 00:22:22.839 so much so, 00:22:22.920 --> 00:22:23.900 that it would appear, 00:22:24.100 --> 00:22:25.279 sharing the gospel, 00:22:25.559 --> 00:22:26.680 is becoming a challenge, 00:22:26.799 --> 00:22:26.980 because, 00:22:27.240 --> 00:22:28.100 I have to be, 00:22:28.200 --> 00:22:29.120 very careful, 00:22:31.200 --> 00:22:31.620 I'm, 00:22:31.680 --> 00:22:32.000 I'm learning, 00:22:32.180 --> 00:22:32.740 I'm trying, 00:22:32.860 --> 00:22:33.279 but it's, 00:22:33.279 --> 00:22:33.680 it's the, 00:22:33.779 --> 00:22:34.539 it's the only, 00:22:34.839 --> 00:22:35.460 difficulty, 00:22:36.240 --> 00:22:36.839 I have, 00:22:39.000 --> 00:22:39.600 because, 00:22:40.360 --> 00:22:41.539 I see an emergency, 00:22:42.660 --> 00:22:43.579 I see, 00:22:43.940 --> 00:22:45.019 people dying, 00:22:45.360 --> 00:22:46.059 every day, 00:22:46.920 --> 00:22:47.700 and I wonder, 00:22:47.960 --> 00:22:48.579 whether I have, 00:22:48.680 --> 00:22:49.319 the luxury, 00:22:49.740 --> 00:22:50.620 of being careful, 00:22:50.619 --> 00:22:51.739 when I'm, 00:22:51.839 --> 00:22:52.239 facing, 00:22:52.699 --> 00:22:53.659 a dying person, 00:22:55.039 --> 00:22:55.579 I see, 00:22:56.139 --> 00:22:56.659 someone, 00:22:56.839 --> 00:22:57.439 that needs, 00:22:58.039 --> 00:22:58.779 to be encountered, 00:22:58.979 --> 00:22:59.799 with the offense, 00:22:59.959 --> 00:23:00.639 of the gospel, 00:23:00.779 --> 00:23:01.619 of Jesus Christ, 00:23:01.779 --> 00:23:02.519 and I wonder, 00:23:02.979 --> 00:23:03.699 whether I have, 00:23:03.779 --> 00:23:04.299 the luxury, 00:23:04.659 --> 00:23:05.759 of being careful, 00:23:06.179 --> 00:23:06.500 how, 00:23:06.839 --> 00:23:07.859 I present it, 00:23:09.239 --> 00:23:09.899 I remember, 00:23:10.039 --> 00:23:10.759 John the Baptist, 00:23:11.000 --> 00:23:12.039 who would meet people, 00:23:12.319 --> 00:23:12.479 who, 00:23:12.619 --> 00:23:13.559 whose hearts, 00:23:13.679 --> 00:23:14.039 are right, 00:23:14.219 --> 00:23:14.859 led him, 00:23:15.019 --> 00:23:16.359 to confronting them, 00:23:16.559 --> 00:23:17.179 in a very, 00:23:17.399 --> 00:23:17.939 frank manner, 00:23:18.059 --> 00:23:18.579 and he would say, 00:23:18.579 --> 00:23:20.119 you brood of vipers, 00:23:20.240 --> 00:23:20.439 who, 00:23:20.559 --> 00:23:21.559 who wants you, 00:23:21.740 --> 00:23:22.679 to flee the judgment, 00:23:22.960 --> 00:23:23.339 to come, 00:23:23.579 --> 00:23:24.199 and I wonder, 00:23:24.379 --> 00:23:24.799 how come, 00:23:24.919 --> 00:23:26.199 he was not careful, 00:23:26.639 --> 00:23:27.859 in his expression, 00:23:30.500 --> 00:23:30.960 and yet, 00:23:31.500 --> 00:23:32.639 we are required, 00:23:33.319 --> 00:23:34.099 to be careful, 00:23:34.879 --> 00:23:35.500 I have nothing, 00:23:35.579 --> 00:23:36.980 against being careful, 00:23:37.299 --> 00:23:38.059 but would we, 00:23:38.220 --> 00:23:38.699 would we, 00:23:38.779 --> 00:23:39.559 allow that, 00:23:40.559 --> 00:23:40.819 to, 00:23:40.919 --> 00:23:42.179 to affect, 00:23:43.359 --> 00:23:44.139 our presentation, 00:23:44.140 --> 00:23:45.780 of the gospel, 00:23:46.460 --> 00:23:47.160 to those, 00:23:47.740 --> 00:23:48.380 who are, 00:23:48.560 --> 00:23:49.180 crying, 00:23:49.700 --> 00:23:50.240 to heaven, 00:23:50.820 --> 00:23:51.860 maybe the cry, 00:23:52.100 --> 00:23:53.100 that is being lifted, 00:23:53.620 --> 00:23:54.300 is for people, 00:23:54.780 --> 00:23:55.320 that would, 00:23:56.520 --> 00:23:57.580 be confrontational, 00:23:57.759 --> 00:23:58.360 with the gospel, 00:23:58.520 --> 00:23:59.120 if need be, 00:24:00.240 --> 00:24:00.880 not saying, 00:24:01.000 --> 00:24:02.259 that is the acceptable mode, 00:24:02.620 --> 00:24:03.280 but I'm sure, 00:24:03.400 --> 00:24:03.720 you see, 00:24:04.040 --> 00:24:04.259 if, 00:24:04.420 --> 00:24:05.880 if we avail ourselves, 00:24:06.180 --> 00:24:07.240 to be the instruments, 00:24:07.400 --> 00:24:08.280 of response, 00:24:08.580 --> 00:24:09.640 to God's cry, 00:24:09.860 --> 00:24:11.120 as Moses did, 00:24:11.360 --> 00:24:12.460 when he places us, 00:24:12.460 --> 00:24:13.420 before the Pharaoh, 00:24:13.579 --> 00:24:14.160 of the day, 00:24:14.240 --> 00:24:14.940 he causes us, 00:24:15.019 --> 00:24:15.460 to meet with, 00:24:15.700 --> 00:24:16.340 he would give us, 00:24:16.380 --> 00:24:16.880 the wisdom, 00:24:17.360 --> 00:24:18.180 to speak to him, 00:24:18.420 --> 00:24:19.460 he would help us, 00:24:19.620 --> 00:24:20.940 on how to approach him, 00:24:21.160 --> 00:24:22.000 he will help us, 00:24:22.160 --> 00:24:23.460 on how to confront him, 00:24:23.660 --> 00:24:24.640 but one thing, 00:24:24.960 --> 00:24:26.200 we all need, 00:24:27.200 --> 00:24:28.299 is to be sensitive, 00:24:29.059 --> 00:24:30.500 to the cry around us, 00:24:31.880 --> 00:24:32.539 do we see, 00:24:32.640 --> 00:24:33.640 what the Lord sees, 00:24:34.480 --> 00:24:35.319 do we hear, 00:24:35.480 --> 00:24:36.620 what the Lord hears, 00:24:37.500 --> 00:24:38.620 are our hearts, 00:24:38.620 --> 00:24:39.500 on fire, 00:24:39.880 --> 00:24:40.880 with the kind of thing, 00:24:41.000 --> 00:24:41.860 that sets his heart, 00:24:42.039 --> 00:24:42.340 on fire, 00:24:42.460 --> 00:24:43.460 that causes him, 00:24:43.539 --> 00:24:44.380 to come down, 00:24:46.019 --> 00:24:47.180 maybe the encounter, 00:24:47.319 --> 00:24:47.860 with you, 00:24:48.299 --> 00:24:49.600 would be the only encounter, 00:24:49.740 --> 00:24:50.740 someone would have, 00:24:51.100 --> 00:24:52.000 with an opportunity, 00:24:52.860 --> 00:24:53.519 to make it, 00:24:53.600 --> 00:24:54.900 into eternal life, 00:24:55.279 --> 00:24:56.000 or exit, 00:24:56.140 --> 00:24:57.680 into eternal condemnation, 00:24:58.680 --> 00:25:01.279 what would we do, 00:25:02.440 --> 00:25:03.460 if we are faced, 00:25:04.200 --> 00:25:05.340 with such an opportunity, 00:25:06.279 --> 00:25:07.340 Moses of course, 00:25:07.480 --> 00:25:08.200 protested, 00:25:08.819 --> 00:25:09.319 and he said, 00:25:09.380 --> 00:25:10.460 Lord I'm not the person, 00:25:10.779 --> 00:25:11.559 I'm not the qualifier, 00:25:11.559 --> 00:25:12.279 I don't know, 00:25:12.279 --> 00:25:12.279 00:25:12.279 --> 00:25:12.960 how to speak, 00:25:13.200 --> 00:25:14.000 well I don't have, 00:25:14.079 --> 00:25:15.220 the decorum to speak, 00:25:15.279 --> 00:25:15.839 I don't know, 00:25:15.960 --> 00:25:17.119 how to stand before Jesus, 00:25:17.279 --> 00:25:17.960 I don't know, 00:25:18.079 --> 00:25:19.259 how I would confront him, 00:25:20.460 --> 00:25:21.759 and maybe that's the challenge, 00:25:21.839 --> 00:25:23.119 that many of us have, 00:25:24.399 --> 00:25:25.960 certainly there are times, 00:25:26.039 --> 00:25:27.279 that I have that challenge, 00:25:27.519 --> 00:25:28.579 I'll tell you truly, 00:25:29.779 --> 00:25:30.539 there are times, 00:25:30.619 --> 00:25:31.879 that I feel intimidated, 00:25:32.279 --> 00:25:33.359 by the kind of people, 00:25:33.519 --> 00:25:34.799 that I will be speaking to, 00:25:35.019 --> 00:25:35.839 or by the people, 00:25:35.839 --> 00:25:37.240 that I find myself, 00:25:37.240 --> 00:25:38.200 in discussions, 00:25:38.460 --> 00:25:38.960 because, 00:25:38.960 --> 00:25:40.160 I discover, 00:25:40.339 --> 00:25:41.380 that I'm not intelligent, 00:25:41.579 --> 00:25:41.839 enough, 00:25:42.039 --> 00:25:43.259 when they bring issues, 00:25:43.359 --> 00:25:44.359 and they bring arguments, 00:25:44.460 --> 00:25:45.700 that are way above me, 00:25:45.839 --> 00:25:46.640 I am lost, 00:25:46.720 --> 00:25:47.700 as to what to say, 00:25:49.259 --> 00:25:50.519 but God didn't say, 00:25:50.599 --> 00:25:51.099 we should go, 00:25:51.200 --> 00:25:51.819 in our wisdom, 00:25:51.819 --> 00:25:54.439 God has not told us, 00:25:54.460 --> 00:25:55.859 to depend on ourselves, 00:25:55.919 --> 00:25:56.980 like Moses tried, 00:25:57.079 --> 00:25:58.460 to depend on himself, 00:25:59.980 --> 00:26:01.939 Jesus in Acts 1, 00:26:02.480 --> 00:26:03.539 when he was sending, 00:26:03.740 --> 00:26:04.359 his disciples, 00:26:04.819 --> 00:26:05.220 to go, 00:26:05.460 --> 00:26:06.539 he was very clear, 00:26:06.659 --> 00:26:08.119 as to how they should go, 00:26:08.299 --> 00:26:09.619 not in their wisdom, 00:26:09.919 --> 00:26:11.299 not in their ability, 00:26:11.559 --> 00:26:13.139 not in their understanding, 00:26:15.279 --> 00:26:16.700 this is what he said, 00:26:16.939 --> 00:26:17.359 to them, 00:26:18.639 --> 00:26:19.980 in Acts chapter 1, 00:26:21.819 --> 00:26:23.539 verse 7, 00:26:23.899 --> 00:26:24.720 he said to them, 00:26:24.799 --> 00:26:25.579 it is not for you, 00:26:25.659 --> 00:26:26.579 to know the times, 00:26:26.759 --> 00:26:27.279 or debts, 00:26:27.419 --> 00:26:28.679 the father has sent me, 00:26:29.059 --> 00:26:29.779 by his, 00:26:29.919 --> 00:26:30.659 set by his, 00:26:30.839 --> 00:26:31.619 for own authority, 00:26:32.059 --> 00:26:34.019 but you will receive power, 00:26:34.399 --> 00:26:35.460 when the Holy Spirit, 00:26:35.639 --> 00:26:36.639 comes on you, 00:26:37.000 --> 00:26:37.659 and you, 00:26:37.839 --> 00:26:39.259 will be my witnesses, 00:26:39.419 --> 00:26:40.000 in Jerusalem, 00:26:40.500 --> 00:26:41.539 and in Judea, 00:26:41.740 --> 00:26:42.500 and Samaria, 00:26:42.899 --> 00:26:44.099 and to the ends, 00:26:44.099 --> 00:26:45.059 of the earth, 00:26:45.899 --> 00:26:46.720 the power, 00:26:47.519 --> 00:26:48.819 is in the presence, 00:26:49.099 --> 00:26:50.519 of the spirit of God, 00:26:50.519 --> 00:26:51.940 and the words, 00:26:52.079 --> 00:26:53.539 that the Lord himself, 00:26:53.839 --> 00:26:55.180 will inspire us, 00:26:55.339 --> 00:26:55.960 to say, 00:26:56.599 --> 00:26:57.879 and the things, 00:26:58.099 --> 00:26:59.559 he would inspire us, 00:26:59.619 --> 00:27:00.639 to act on, 00:27:00.900 --> 00:27:02.720 in the moment, 00:27:03.059 --> 00:27:04.059 that he causes us, 00:27:04.279 --> 00:27:05.480 to meet the people, 00:27:05.819 --> 00:27:07.779 in whom is a cry, 00:27:09.720 --> 00:27:10.639 I see all these, 00:27:10.799 --> 00:27:11.799 wise arguments, 00:27:12.519 --> 00:27:13.299 as an expression, 00:27:13.500 --> 00:27:14.160 of a cry, 00:27:15.160 --> 00:27:15.920 because, 00:27:16.139 --> 00:27:16.759 I have met, 00:27:16.859 --> 00:27:18.099 with very intelligent, 00:27:18.099 --> 00:27:19.279 children of God, 00:27:19.799 --> 00:27:20.959 who have responded, 00:27:21.219 --> 00:27:21.959 to the cry, 00:27:22.179 --> 00:27:23.059 of equally, 00:27:23.219 --> 00:27:24.480 intelligent people, 00:27:25.219 --> 00:27:26.019 and have seen, 00:27:26.119 --> 00:27:27.299 the wisdom of God, 00:27:27.839 --> 00:27:28.799 break the wisdom, 00:27:28.959 --> 00:27:29.740 of the world, 00:27:30.599 --> 00:27:31.319 so God, 00:27:31.579 --> 00:27:32.919 is able to use us, 00:27:33.259 --> 00:27:34.059 to bring many, 00:27:34.439 --> 00:27:35.099 to salvation, 00:27:36.000 --> 00:27:36.579 he is able, 00:27:36.719 --> 00:27:37.419 to use us, 00:27:37.740 --> 00:27:38.559 to bring many, 00:27:38.779 --> 00:27:39.959 out of the captivity, 00:27:40.319 --> 00:27:41.059 that they have, 00:27:41.139 --> 00:27:42.099 found themselves in, 00:27:42.500 --> 00:27:42.679 he, 00:27:42.839 --> 00:27:44.459 we have seen him, 00:27:44.659 --> 00:27:45.439 break yokes, 00:27:45.440 --> 00:27:46.460 in this country, 00:27:46.539 --> 00:27:47.120 in the lives, 00:27:47.180 --> 00:27:47.640 of people, 00:27:47.640 --> 00:27:48.960 in various ways, 00:27:49.120 --> 00:27:49.779 and he is, 00:27:49.860 --> 00:27:50.960 setting many free, 00:27:51.740 --> 00:27:52.779 or if only, 00:27:53.420 --> 00:27:54.240 we will be able, 00:27:54.380 --> 00:27:55.120 to avail ourselves, 00:27:55.240 --> 00:27:55.519 and say, 00:27:55.580 --> 00:27:56.519 Lord here I am, 00:27:57.100 --> 00:27:57.660 sent you, 00:27:58.759 --> 00:27:59.480 here I am, 00:28:00.200 --> 00:28:01.059 going beyond, 00:28:01.220 --> 00:28:01.840 the excuses, 00:28:02.259 --> 00:28:03.019 such as Moses, 00:28:03.180 --> 00:28:03.640 presented, 00:28:04.860 --> 00:28:05.440 to believe, 00:28:05.539 --> 00:28:05.960 the battle, 00:28:06.140 --> 00:28:06.900 is the most, 00:28:08.039 --> 00:28:08.440 to say, 00:28:08.519 --> 00:28:09.100 here I am, 00:28:09.180 --> 00:28:10.080 just help me, 00:28:10.900 --> 00:28:12.100 to be your voice, 00:28:12.580 --> 00:28:13.120 help me, 00:28:13.180 --> 00:28:14.340 to be your answer, 00:28:14.339 --> 00:28:16.159 to this generation, 00:28:16.819 --> 00:28:17.639 to a generation, 00:28:17.839 --> 00:28:18.699 that is hungry, 00:28:19.279 --> 00:28:19.980 a generation, 00:28:20.220 --> 00:28:21.119 that is crying, 00:28:21.959 --> 00:28:22.679 a generation, 00:28:23.539 --> 00:28:24.819 that is yearning, 00:28:25.379 --> 00:28:26.159 for a unique, 00:28:26.259 --> 00:28:26.579 reception, 00:28:26.919 --> 00:28:27.859 and you and I, 00:28:28.359 --> 00:28:29.319 are the answers, 00:28:29.879 --> 00:28:30.559 that God, 00:28:31.019 --> 00:28:31.819 has raised, 00:28:32.679 --> 00:28:33.159 will we, 00:28:33.399 --> 00:28:33.720 just, 00:28:34.659 --> 00:28:34.980 keep, 00:28:35.379 --> 00:28:36.059 enjoying, 00:28:36.559 --> 00:28:37.159 the fellowship, 00:28:37.299 --> 00:28:38.039 of one another, 00:28:38.919 --> 00:28:39.579 oh a fellowship, 00:28:39.740 --> 00:28:40.079 like this, 00:28:40.119 --> 00:28:40.939 is like heaven, 00:28:41.099 --> 00:28:41.459 to me, 00:28:41.459 --> 00:28:42.839 and I love it, 00:28:42.839 --> 00:28:44.959 but we are not, 00:28:45.039 --> 00:28:45.839 yet in heaven, 00:28:46.919 --> 00:28:47.399 and while, 00:28:47.500 --> 00:28:48.059 on this side, 00:28:48.119 --> 00:28:48.720 of eternity, 00:28:49.720 --> 00:28:50.619 there is work, 00:28:50.819 --> 00:28:51.179 to do, 00:28:52.659 --> 00:28:53.199 this work, 00:28:53.299 --> 00:28:53.699 for Jesus, 00:28:53.879 --> 00:28:54.859 ready at your hand, 00:28:55.539 --> 00:28:56.259 is a task, 00:28:56.379 --> 00:28:56.899 the master, 00:28:57.779 --> 00:28:58.439 for you, 00:28:58.579 --> 00:28:59.059 and I, 00:28:59.240 --> 00:29:00.179 he has called us, 00:29:00.259 --> 00:29:00.579 to do, 00:29:01.339 --> 00:29:02.459 let us pray together, 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:02.900 00:29:02.900 --> 00:29:32.880 Thank you.