WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.880 Amen. 00:00:05.679 --> 00:00:12.740 Next week, Lord willing, as we've already said, when we gather for worship, we will gather 00:00:12.740 --> 00:00:16.199 together as Seaweed Bay Baptist Church. 00:00:17.219 --> 00:00:22.080 And as we celebrate what God is doing here, I hope that you realize we have this precious 00:00:22.080 --> 00:00:28.240 opportunity right in front of us to really clarify who it is that we feel like the Lord 00:00:28.239 --> 00:00:33.799 has called us to be and what it is that we believe the Lord has called us to be about. 00:00:34.000 --> 00:00:37.859 And so over the past several weeks, we have been walking through our mission and vision 00:00:37.859 --> 00:00:40.239 for the church, our mission statement. 00:00:40.399 --> 00:00:42.820 I'm sure you can just rattle it off by now. 00:00:42.920 --> 00:00:44.519 Feel free to speak it with me. 00:00:44.599 --> 00:00:52.700 Our mission, we exist to magnify the glory of God in the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:00:52.840 --> 00:00:56.840 And the way that we plan to go about that is threefold is by enjoying him. 00:00:56.840 --> 00:01:04.980 As we gather, as we proclaim, as we enjoy and delight in his glory is by equipping the saints 00:01:04.980 --> 00:01:07.280 to reflect his glory. 00:01:07.500 --> 00:01:13.939 And as we'll see this morning in our passage, it is as we evangelize the lost and proclaim 00:01:13.939 --> 00:01:15.780 his glory. 00:01:16.340 --> 00:01:21.540 This morning, we're focusing in on that last part of our vision to proclaim the glory of 00:01:21.540 --> 00:01:21.900 God. 00:01:21.900 --> 00:01:26.380 So if you would, please open up your Bibles this morning to the book of Colossians. 00:01:27.100 --> 00:01:29.540 We're going to be in the book of Colossians this morning. 00:01:29.620 --> 00:01:34.580 And our passage is chapter one, verses 28 and 29. 00:01:35.120 --> 00:01:40.420 Colossians chapter one, verses 28 and 29. 00:01:40.760 --> 00:01:42.900 And if you would follow along with me as I read. 00:01:42.900 --> 00:01:57.000 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom that we may present 00:01:57.000 --> 00:01:59.460 everyone mature in Christ. 00:02:00.160 --> 00:02:06.719 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. 00:02:07.200 --> 00:02:08.439 Would you pray with me once more? 00:02:08.439 --> 00:02:15.819 Lord, we thank you for your word and for the privilege that it is to get to open it up and 00:02:15.819 --> 00:02:20.280 to sit under it with the confidence that you will use it as you see fit. 00:02:21.120 --> 00:02:27.659 And we pray that as we hear these words from the Apostle Paul, that we would leave here encouraged 00:02:27.659 --> 00:02:30.860 and moved to go and proclaim your glory. 00:02:31.560 --> 00:02:32.919 We pray this in Christ's name. 00:02:33.900 --> 00:02:34.199 Amen. 00:02:34.199 --> 00:02:34.360 Amen. 00:02:34.360 --> 00:02:34.400 Amen. 00:02:36.900 --> 00:02:42.700 But you can tell a lot about a person by the way they read a book. 00:02:43.820 --> 00:02:45.260 People are strange. 00:02:46.400 --> 00:02:51.120 And some of that strangeness, whether you're aware of it or not, comes out in the way that 00:02:51.120 --> 00:02:53.640 they read a book and their reading habits. 00:02:53.740 --> 00:02:58.640 So for example, I wonder if you can place yourself in any of these examples. 00:02:59.200 --> 00:03:03.680 For example, there are the inaudible word mouthers. 00:03:04.640 --> 00:03:07.980 They don't know that you see it or maybe they don't care. 00:03:08.099 --> 00:03:11.379 But as they read over a book, they read over a word. 00:03:11.599 --> 00:03:14.439 They mouth the word with their lips. 00:03:14.540 --> 00:03:15.379 They move their lips. 00:03:15.500 --> 00:03:16.840 Sometimes a sound comes out. 00:03:17.000 --> 00:03:18.840 Sometimes a whisper comes out. 00:03:18.939 --> 00:03:21.200 Sometimes nothing comes out at all. 00:03:21.620 --> 00:03:22.640 But it's inaudible. 00:03:22.819 --> 00:03:25.819 They mouth the word with their mouths. 00:03:25.920 --> 00:03:26.980 There's actually a word for this. 00:03:27.020 --> 00:03:28.840 It's called sub-vocalization. 00:03:28.840 --> 00:03:30.740 That may be some of you. 00:03:32.080 --> 00:03:34.599 There are the page sniffers. 00:03:35.800 --> 00:03:37.740 Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about. 00:03:38.800 --> 00:03:40.580 Books have a certain smell. 00:03:40.719 --> 00:03:41.480 You know what that is. 00:03:41.500 --> 00:03:45.280 When you go into a library, you get that scent of a fresh book. 00:03:45.400 --> 00:03:50.319 And these are the people that they are just as happy sniffing a page of a book as they 00:03:50.319 --> 00:03:52.020 are reading the book. 00:03:52.099 --> 00:03:53.159 That may be some of you. 00:03:54.159 --> 00:03:57.060 And there are the multitaskers. 00:03:57.159 --> 00:03:59.859 These people, they can't just read one book at a time. 00:03:59.939 --> 00:04:05.500 So they have two or three or four or five or maybe even six books laying around at different 00:04:05.500 --> 00:04:09.699 places in their home, jumping from book to book, chapter to chapter. 00:04:10.219 --> 00:04:13.419 They cannot stay with one book from beginning to end. 00:04:13.479 --> 00:04:15.819 And I'll be honest with you, this one is me. 00:04:16.159 --> 00:04:17.480 It drives Amanda crazy. 00:04:17.480 --> 00:04:25.439 But worse than that, and in my humble opinion, the worst one of them all are the ending spoilers. 00:04:27.480 --> 00:04:29.319 This may be some of you. 00:04:29.580 --> 00:04:36.100 These are the sick type of people who before they even begin reading a book, they take it 00:04:36.100 --> 00:04:41.819 off of the shelf and they open it up to the very last page, read it. 00:04:42.280 --> 00:04:46.140 And so now they know what is going to happen at the end of the book. 00:04:46.139 --> 00:04:48.019 They find out how the book ends. 00:04:48.139 --> 00:04:50.759 If this is you, I invite you to let it be known. 00:04:51.379 --> 00:04:54.240 The people need to know what we're dealing with here. 00:04:54.899 --> 00:04:58.740 This is, in my opinion, completely unacceptable. 00:05:01.099 --> 00:05:06.659 But those who do this, they say that it lets them know whether or not the book is worth reading. 00:05:06.919 --> 00:05:11.680 It prepares them for any would-be surprises before they get there. 00:05:11.680 --> 00:05:17.860 But church, I cannot simply just get on board with this because even if they do decide to 00:05:17.860 --> 00:05:20.959 start reading the book, they know the end. 00:05:21.560 --> 00:05:23.019 Now they know the beginning. 00:05:23.519 --> 00:05:30.920 But they have no idea how the author plans to get them from point A to point B. 00:05:30.920 --> 00:05:40.199 As ridiculous as this is, church, this is how many Christians approach this book. 00:05:41.480 --> 00:05:42.699 The Word of God. 00:05:43.840 --> 00:05:50.020 And I'll admit, this is the one book where we should take joy in knowing the end of the story. 00:05:50.379 --> 00:05:50.580 Right? 00:05:50.660 --> 00:05:55.840 We know the ending, that God has made it clear to us one day Christ will return. 00:05:55.839 --> 00:06:03.719 And as we've been studying in Sunday school in the book of Revelation, we know at the end a great multitude that no one can number. 00:06:04.319 --> 00:06:12.699 From every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages will stand before the throne of God and magnify His glory. 00:06:12.839 --> 00:06:22.120 Saying, blessing and glory and wisdom and honor and thanksgiving and power and might be to our God forever and ever. 00:06:22.120 --> 00:06:28.019 And this group of the redeemed will enjoy eternity in the presence of God. 00:06:28.120 --> 00:06:29.660 That's the end of the story. 00:06:30.540 --> 00:06:33.980 And we know the beginning of the story, don't we? 00:06:34.720 --> 00:06:38.019 That in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 00:06:38.160 --> 00:06:40.519 He created man and our first parents. 00:06:40.660 --> 00:06:42.360 They rebelled against the Lord. 00:06:42.500 --> 00:06:43.459 They sinned. 00:06:43.519 --> 00:06:47.519 They brought upon all of creation this curse of sin. 00:06:47.519 --> 00:06:52.620 And I hope that we even know the most important part of the story. 00:06:53.620 --> 00:06:55.419 The cross of Jesus Christ. 00:06:56.299 --> 00:07:02.539 That God's plan of redemption is to send His own Son to live and to die and to rise. 00:07:02.659 --> 00:07:03.699 To purchase forgiveness. 00:07:03.939 --> 00:07:05.000 To purchase salvation. 00:07:05.199 --> 00:07:07.060 Eternal life for all His people. 00:07:07.060 --> 00:07:18.360 But even still, many Christians are not exactly clear on how God plans to get us from point A to point B. 00:07:19.199 --> 00:07:23.980 But in our passage today, Paul tells us. 00:07:25.439 --> 00:07:26.620 Paul tells us. 00:07:26.620 --> 00:07:32.980 God's plan for magnifying His glory for the rest of eternity. 00:07:33.720 --> 00:07:37.300 For redeeming what was lost and broken in the fall. 00:07:37.420 --> 00:07:44.280 His plan for gathering and rescuing and transforming sinners from every tribe, tongue, and nation. 00:07:44.280 --> 00:07:55.720 His plan for bringing us from point A to point B to the end of the story is the proclamation of Jesus Christ. 00:07:55.720 --> 00:07:58.580 This is what we call evangelism. 00:07:59.860 --> 00:08:00.540 Evangelism. 00:08:00.740 --> 00:08:04.640 It's sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. 00:08:04.760 --> 00:08:07.940 And it is for every Christian. 00:08:08.100 --> 00:08:13.220 In other words, we're not meant to just read this book passively. 00:08:13.220 --> 00:08:16.000 We're meant to share it actively. 00:08:17.180 --> 00:08:20.780 God has written us into this story. 00:08:20.940 --> 00:08:24.860 We have a role to play in bringing it to its end. 00:08:24.860 --> 00:08:32.440 And so this morning, as we seek to understand this great task, we're going to see three aspects of the task of evangelism. 00:08:33.240 --> 00:08:36.620 Three aspects of the task of evangelism. 00:08:36.700 --> 00:08:38.159 This is our outline this morning. 00:08:38.300 --> 00:08:42.039 If you're taking notes, I invite you to follow along with this outline. 00:08:42.200 --> 00:08:46.759 Three aspects of the task of evangelism. 00:08:46.759 --> 00:08:52.200 First, we see our role in evangelism. 00:08:53.100 --> 00:08:55.840 We see our role in evangelism. 00:08:55.939 --> 00:08:57.980 I don't want to overcomplicate this. 00:08:58.120 --> 00:08:59.419 And so here it is. 00:08:59.460 --> 00:09:00.620 Look here to verse 28. 00:09:00.939 --> 00:09:01.840 This is our role. 00:09:02.019 --> 00:09:02.700 Paul says, 00:09:03.840 --> 00:09:06.259 Him we proclaim. 00:09:07.639 --> 00:09:11.100 Him we proclaim. 00:09:11.100 --> 00:09:21.100 The plan of God for the spread of the good news of salvation to the ends of the earth is summed up right here in just three words. 00:09:21.180 --> 00:09:21.680 Do you see it? 00:09:22.320 --> 00:09:24.960 Him we proclaim. 00:09:25.279 --> 00:09:28.360 This is our role in evangelism. 00:09:28.580 --> 00:09:34.540 We, all those who have been redeemed, not just a few of us, but all of us in Christ. 00:09:34.539 --> 00:09:43.299 We are called to proclaim, that is to speak, to herald, to announce, to communicate verbally. 00:09:43.500 --> 00:09:46.199 We're to go around talking about something. 00:09:46.659 --> 00:09:51.039 And the content of our proclamation is Him. 00:09:52.199 --> 00:09:53.339 It's Christ Jesus. 00:09:53.659 --> 00:09:56.059 Him we proclaim. 00:09:56.399 --> 00:10:02.120 You see, the mission of the church, before it is anything else, is a mission of proclamation. 00:10:02.120 --> 00:10:02.399 Proclamation. 00:10:03.240 --> 00:10:06.259 And this is a mission for all of us. 00:10:06.340 --> 00:10:12.779 I've heard some of you say, several of you say, that evangelism is somewhat intimidating for you. 00:10:13.639 --> 00:10:16.779 Maybe a lot intimidating for you. 00:10:16.879 --> 00:10:18.159 You don't know what to expect. 00:10:18.299 --> 00:10:20.019 You don't know where to start. 00:10:20.159 --> 00:10:23.240 And I want you to know that I can relate to that. 00:10:24.000 --> 00:10:24.159 Okay? 00:10:24.200 --> 00:10:27.000 You are not alone in that struggle. 00:10:27.000 --> 00:10:32.360 And it's so easy, isn't it, to overcomplicate what evangelism is. 00:10:32.440 --> 00:10:35.879 It's so easy to make it more complicated than it is. 00:10:35.919 --> 00:10:40.960 But at its most basic level, evangelism is simply sharing. 00:10:41.679 --> 00:10:42.840 It's speaking. 00:10:43.179 --> 00:10:48.220 It's proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ. 00:10:48.919 --> 00:10:50.980 It is proclaiming Him. 00:10:50.980 --> 00:10:57.180 And I want you to see, that's exactly what Paul has already been doing here in the book of Colossians. 00:10:57.259 --> 00:11:01.759 If you look back to verse 15 of chapter 1. 00:11:01.840 --> 00:11:02.139 Excuse me. 00:11:02.220 --> 00:11:04.279 Verse 15 of chapter 1. 00:11:05.920 --> 00:11:06.600 Paul says, 00:11:06.600 --> 00:11:09.540 He is the image of the invisible God. 00:11:10.240 --> 00:11:12.139 The firstborn of all creation. 00:11:12.360 --> 00:11:17.240 For by Him, by Christ, all things were created in heaven and on earth. 00:11:17.360 --> 00:11:18.920 Visible and invisible. 00:11:19.480 --> 00:11:22.519 Whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. 00:11:22.759 --> 00:11:26.480 All things were created through Him and for Him. 00:11:27.279 --> 00:11:30.120 And He, Christ, is before all things. 00:11:30.200 --> 00:11:33.000 And in Him, in Christ, all things hold together. 00:11:33.000 --> 00:11:37.019 And He, Christ, is the head of the body, the church. 00:11:37.440 --> 00:11:39.039 Christ, He is the beginning. 00:11:39.240 --> 00:11:40.840 The firstborn from the dead. 00:11:40.940 --> 00:11:44.539 That in everything, Christ might be preeminent. 00:11:45.100 --> 00:11:50.460 For in Him, in Christ, all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell. 00:11:50.639 --> 00:11:55.320 And through Christ, to reconcile to Himself all things. 00:11:55.399 --> 00:11:56.759 Whether on earth or in heaven. 00:11:56.879 --> 00:12:00.539 Making peace by the blood of His cross. 00:12:00.539 --> 00:12:03.240 This is proclamation, isn't it? 00:12:04.319 --> 00:12:08.099 And He's just gushing over the beauty of Christ. 00:12:08.219 --> 00:12:09.839 He's proclaiming Him. 00:12:09.939 --> 00:12:12.759 And while I doubt that we'll sound exactly like Paul. 00:12:13.259 --> 00:12:16.539 If you know Christ, you have something to share. 00:12:17.860 --> 00:12:23.699 If you know Christ, you are capable and ready to proclaim Him. 00:12:24.679 --> 00:12:27.099 To share how glorious He is. 00:12:27.159 --> 00:12:29.259 To share how He saved you. 00:12:29.259 --> 00:12:33.659 To share how Christ alone is your hope and your peace and your joy. 00:12:34.480 --> 00:12:38.139 Our role, church, is to proclaim Christ. 00:12:38.259 --> 00:12:46.879 But sometimes, if you're like me, you might be tempted to put a burden on yourself that's heavier than what God has called you to do. 00:12:48.319 --> 00:12:57.519 For example, we need to remember our role is to proclaim Christ, not to save sinners. 00:12:57.519 --> 00:13:04.519 Our role is to proclaim Christ, not to save sinners. 00:13:05.399 --> 00:13:07.600 We can save no one. 00:13:08.500 --> 00:13:11.659 That's God's work and God's work alone. 00:13:11.860 --> 00:13:15.679 Our confidence in evangelism is not in our speech. 00:13:15.860 --> 00:13:17.519 It's not in our persuasiveness. 00:13:18.299 --> 00:13:23.259 It's not in our presentation or our ability to close a sale. 00:13:23.259 --> 00:13:26.179 We simply speak the truth. 00:13:26.259 --> 00:13:31.799 And God takes that word as it comes fumbling and bumbling out of our mouths. 00:13:31.899 --> 00:13:35.639 And He plants it into the hearts of His people. 00:13:36.279 --> 00:13:43.559 And He empowers it with His Spirit so that it bears the fruit of faith and repentance and new life. 00:13:43.559 --> 00:13:49.219 It is effective to accomplish the purposes for which He sends it. 00:13:50.559 --> 00:13:57.839 Our role is to proclaim Christ, not to know exactly who will respond in faith. 00:13:58.500 --> 00:14:01.979 I wonder if you're ever tempted with this one. 00:14:01.980 --> 00:14:08.779 It would be wonderful if I could just look out in a group of people, look out in a crowd, 00:14:08.899 --> 00:14:17.120 and see with 100% confidence exactly who it is who would come to faith if I would simply share the gospel with them. 00:14:17.180 --> 00:14:18.500 I don't have that knowledge. 00:14:19.320 --> 00:14:20.639 We don't have that ability. 00:14:20.879 --> 00:14:25.519 God alone knows whom He has appointed to eternal life. 00:14:25.519 --> 00:14:31.699 God alone knows exactly who will receive that proclaimed word and believe in faith. 00:14:31.840 --> 00:14:32.720 We don't. 00:14:33.439 --> 00:14:41.319 And so our role is simply to scatter seed as freely and as broadly and as widely as possible 00:14:41.319 --> 00:14:48.539 with the confidence that through our proclamation, the Lord will save His people. 00:14:49.600 --> 00:14:53.399 How many times do you see that word everyone here in this passage? 00:14:53.399 --> 00:14:56.120 Warning everyone. 00:14:56.759 --> 00:15:00.740 Teaching everyone that we might present everyone. 00:15:02.100 --> 00:15:07.579 See, church, God knows exactly whom He will effectively call to believe the gospel, 00:15:07.740 --> 00:15:12.439 but that belief comes through the general call of the gospel, 00:15:13.220 --> 00:15:18.439 through our proclamation as we proclaim Christ to everyone. 00:15:18.440 --> 00:15:26.640 Our role is to proclaim Christ not to be able to answer every possible objection. 00:15:27.480 --> 00:15:28.880 Now, I know some of y'all deal with this one. 00:15:30.860 --> 00:15:35.380 I wonder if some of you feel this hesitancy that I sometimes feel that, 00:15:35.500 --> 00:15:39.300 well, somebody might say something that might make me look silly. 00:15:40.280 --> 00:15:42.060 They might say something. 00:15:42.160 --> 00:15:44.680 They might ask a question that I don't know the answer to. 00:15:44.679 --> 00:15:48.199 They might give a rebuttal that I can't respond to. 00:15:48.399 --> 00:15:53.219 So hear me when I say that, yes, we should be ready to defend the faith. 00:15:54.079 --> 00:15:59.899 Yes, we should be aware of the potential objections that are recirculated every several years, 00:15:59.899 --> 00:16:08.639 but you could spend the rest of your life studying and preparing and training to answer every possible objection 00:16:08.639 --> 00:16:14.139 and still not feel ready if that's your measure for readiness. 00:16:14.139 --> 00:16:20.419 But if you know the gospel, church, you are ready to share it. 00:16:21.679 --> 00:16:28.439 And that foolishness to the world, the wisdom of God will always be foolish in the eyes of the world. 00:16:28.519 --> 00:16:35.379 But that foolish gospel is the power of God for salvation to any who believe it. 00:16:35.460 --> 00:16:38.819 But how are they to believe in him of whom they've never heard? 00:16:38.820 --> 00:16:43.240 And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 00:16:44.560 --> 00:16:51.860 Church, our role is simply to proclaim the risen Lord Jesus Christ who alone can save sinners. 00:16:52.000 --> 00:16:55.160 And Paul tells us what that looks like in two ways here, doesn't he? 00:16:55.280 --> 00:16:55.840 Two ways. 00:16:58.220 --> 00:17:00.960 Warning and teaching. 00:17:00.960 --> 00:17:07.759 We proclaim Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone. 00:17:07.880 --> 00:17:10.340 And we have to have both here, don't we? 00:17:11.000 --> 00:17:12.319 We have to have both. 00:17:12.420 --> 00:17:16.860 You see, if our message is all teaching with no warning, 00:17:17.860 --> 00:17:23.420 we may educate a lot of people on the way to hell. 00:17:23.420 --> 00:17:31.740 Now, to be saved, you must first understand the bad news of the gospel. 00:17:32.759 --> 00:17:36.060 The bad news that you have sinned against a holy God, 00:17:36.160 --> 00:17:38.700 that you are separated from him, 00:17:38.779 --> 00:17:40.880 that you are under the curse of sin, 00:17:40.960 --> 00:17:43.840 that you are hell-bound apart from the grace of God. 00:17:43.940 --> 00:17:46.259 This is not a popular message, church. 00:17:47.460 --> 00:17:49.400 I remember when I lived in Charlotte, 00:17:50.400 --> 00:17:52.320 we lived in this apartment complex, 00:17:52.319 --> 00:17:56.839 and before too long, word got out that I was training to be a pastor, 00:17:57.039 --> 00:17:58.019 training for the ministry, 00:17:58.339 --> 00:18:00.200 and so they started calling me Preacher Boy. 00:18:01.200 --> 00:18:04.299 But one guy in particular, he told me, 00:18:04.619 --> 00:18:06.399 just straightforward, he said, 00:18:06.779 --> 00:18:11.179 Hey, Preacher Boy, you can talk to me about anything you want to talk to me about, 00:18:11.279 --> 00:18:13.639 but do not talk to me about hell. 00:18:15.000 --> 00:18:16.039 Don't bring it up. 00:18:16.759 --> 00:18:17.679 Don't say it. 00:18:18.220 --> 00:18:19.139 Don't warn me. 00:18:19.259 --> 00:18:20.819 And I responded, well, okay. 00:18:20.819 --> 00:18:23.159 But you know, it's real, 00:18:23.439 --> 00:18:25.939 and I wonder just why you don't want me to talk. 00:18:26.000 --> 00:18:27.539 He said, Didn't you hear what I just said? 00:18:29.460 --> 00:18:30.700 He didn't want to hear it, 00:18:30.720 --> 00:18:33.240 and most people don't want to hear it. 00:18:33.299 --> 00:18:35.700 But unless someone warns them clearly, 00:18:35.700 --> 00:18:39.240 they will not realize their guilt and repent. 00:18:40.419 --> 00:18:43.119 See, we have to warn about the dangers of sin. 00:18:43.299 --> 00:18:45.519 Sin is eternally dangerous, 00:18:45.519 --> 00:18:49.639 and you are not safe unless you are safe in Christ. 00:18:51.099 --> 00:18:52.680 But we can't stop there. 00:18:53.619 --> 00:18:54.480 So what does Paul say? 00:18:54.579 --> 00:18:59.879 We also must teach about the glory of Christ. 00:18:59.980 --> 00:19:03.200 If our message is all warning and no teaching, 00:19:03.359 --> 00:19:05.879 you might have a bunch of very scared converts, 00:19:06.579 --> 00:19:09.019 but not mature disciples, right? 00:19:09.019 --> 00:19:12.779 They need to be taught, educated, 00:19:12.900 --> 00:19:15.440 who he is, the glorious son of God, 00:19:15.539 --> 00:19:18.160 what he's done, how he's come in the flesh, 00:19:18.240 --> 00:19:22.079 how he's lived perfectly in our place where we've all failed, 00:19:22.839 --> 00:19:26.400 how he died on the cross in the place of the guilty, 00:19:26.559 --> 00:19:29.480 in the place of sinners like you and like me, 00:19:29.559 --> 00:19:33.759 how he rose from the grave to conquer sin and death and the devil, 00:19:33.859 --> 00:19:38.799 how he stands to offer forgiveness to any who would come to him in faith, 00:19:38.799 --> 00:19:44.960 how you could be saved this moment if you turn from your sin and trust in him. 00:19:44.960 --> 00:19:49.919 For everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 00:19:50.079 --> 00:19:51.299 Him we proclaim, 00:19:51.759 --> 00:19:57.059 warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom. 00:19:57.399 --> 00:20:01.159 That is our role in evangelism, church. 00:20:02.240 --> 00:20:07.680 But second, the second aspect of evangelism that we see here in this passage 00:20:07.680 --> 00:20:11.140 is our goal in evangelism. 00:20:11.220 --> 00:20:11.940 That's our role. 00:20:12.060 --> 00:20:13.680 What is our goal? 00:20:13.880 --> 00:20:15.539 Second, in verse 28, 00:20:16.160 --> 00:20:21.640 Paul says that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 00:20:21.720 --> 00:20:22.400 That's the goal. 00:20:23.220 --> 00:20:26.980 That we may present everyone mature in Christ. 00:20:26.980 --> 00:20:28.140 Now, if you're paying attention, 00:20:28.860 --> 00:20:29.680 you might say, 00:20:29.740 --> 00:20:31.279 I thought we talked about this last week. 00:20:32.339 --> 00:20:36.380 Didn't we cover that last week with reflecting the glory of God? 00:20:36.460 --> 00:20:37.900 And you would be right. 00:20:38.559 --> 00:20:41.660 We talked last week about that second part of our vision 00:20:41.660 --> 00:20:44.279 that we want to equip the saints to reflect, 00:20:44.500 --> 00:20:47.380 to grow up into the glory of God. 00:20:47.460 --> 00:20:50.579 But I want you to see these three parts of this vision 00:20:50.579 --> 00:20:54.059 are not just separated and distinct. 00:20:54.059 --> 00:20:59.980 They are all interconnected with the glory of God at the center of them all. 00:21:00.059 --> 00:21:01.519 As we enjoy Him, 00:21:01.579 --> 00:21:03.539 as we equip one another, 00:21:03.639 --> 00:21:05.359 as we evangelize the lost, 00:21:05.440 --> 00:21:06.960 they are connected. 00:21:08.220 --> 00:21:10.839 Church, we want to see people converted 00:21:10.839 --> 00:21:12.899 as we share the gospel, 00:21:13.759 --> 00:21:17.399 but we do not want to stop at conversion. 00:21:18.679 --> 00:21:19.960 Are you tracking with me? 00:21:19.960 --> 00:21:24.319 We want to see people converted as we proclaim Christ, 00:21:24.440 --> 00:21:26.299 but we don't want to stop there 00:21:26.299 --> 00:21:28.840 as if that is job well done. 00:21:28.920 --> 00:21:29.799 What do I mean by this? 00:21:31.019 --> 00:21:32.440 What I mean is that 00:21:32.440 --> 00:21:34.039 when we as a church 00:21:34.039 --> 00:21:37.519 see someone come to faith in Christ, 00:21:37.660 --> 00:21:39.620 we together, collectively, 00:21:40.319 --> 00:21:42.180 ought to be chomping at the bit 00:21:42.180 --> 00:21:44.900 to see them grow up in Christ. 00:21:44.900 --> 00:21:47.420 The conversion to Christ 00:21:47.420 --> 00:21:48.880 isn't the finish line. 00:21:49.040 --> 00:21:49.960 It's the beginning. 00:21:51.060 --> 00:21:52.680 Our goal in evangelism, 00:21:52.759 --> 00:21:54.580 as we go and share the good news, 00:21:54.660 --> 00:21:57.640 is not just to reach some moment of decision 00:21:57.640 --> 00:21:59.860 and then consider our job well done 00:21:59.860 --> 00:22:01.900 and then leave them out to dry 00:22:01.900 --> 00:22:03.960 and to figure it out themselves. 00:22:05.100 --> 00:22:08.060 I've heard far too many testimonies, 00:22:08.840 --> 00:22:10.320 far too many stories 00:22:10.320 --> 00:22:11.820 that sound something like this. 00:22:11.819 --> 00:22:12.839 I went to church. 00:22:13.519 --> 00:22:15.619 Maybe I heard a friend talk about Jesus. 00:22:15.799 --> 00:22:17.599 I was convicted of my sin. 00:22:17.700 --> 00:22:19.179 I knew I needed Christ. 00:22:19.599 --> 00:22:22.539 God gave me genuine faith in the Lord. 00:22:22.659 --> 00:22:23.700 I was saved. 00:22:24.579 --> 00:22:25.859 Then I had no place to go. 00:22:27.059 --> 00:22:32.700 Had no idea how to grow up in my faith in Christ. 00:22:32.899 --> 00:22:34.779 Nobody there to help me read my Bible. 00:22:35.779 --> 00:22:37.759 I didn't know how to pray. 00:22:38.599 --> 00:22:41.379 No idea how to put sin to death. 00:22:41.819 --> 00:22:44.139 No idea how to live the Christian life. 00:22:44.220 --> 00:22:46.139 And so for years and years, 00:22:46.139 --> 00:22:48.379 I've tried my best on my own. 00:22:48.480 --> 00:22:49.240 I've been converted, 00:22:49.419 --> 00:22:52.879 but I've not grown up in maturity in Christ. 00:22:53.019 --> 00:22:55.379 Does that sound familiar to any of you? 00:22:57.879 --> 00:22:59.539 That is not meant to be 00:22:59.539 --> 00:23:01.000 how the Christian life works. 00:23:02.500 --> 00:23:04.939 You are not meant to stay 00:23:04.939 --> 00:23:08.079 in spiritual infancy forever. 00:23:08.079 --> 00:23:11.119 And if that has been your story in church 00:23:11.119 --> 00:23:12.359 up to this point, 00:23:12.460 --> 00:23:14.559 I want us collectively, 00:23:15.119 --> 00:23:15.599 together, 00:23:16.159 --> 00:23:18.619 to change that for you. 00:23:19.759 --> 00:23:21.379 See, the church is meant to be 00:23:21.379 --> 00:23:22.659 a family of believers 00:23:22.659 --> 00:23:23.779 who are committed 00:23:23.779 --> 00:23:26.079 to locking arms together 00:23:26.079 --> 00:23:28.699 to help one another grow up 00:23:28.699 --> 00:23:30.159 in Christ 00:23:30.159 --> 00:23:31.779 until we all attain 00:23:31.779 --> 00:23:33.539 to the unity of the faith 00:23:33.539 --> 00:23:36.159 and of the knowledge of the Son of God 00:23:36.160 --> 00:23:37.660 to mature manhood 00:23:37.660 --> 00:23:39.980 to the measure of the stature 00:23:39.980 --> 00:23:42.120 of the fullness of Christ 00:23:42.120 --> 00:23:44.860 so that we may no longer be children, 00:23:45.140 --> 00:23:46.060 as Paul says 00:23:46.060 --> 00:23:48.100 in Ephesians chapter 4. 00:23:49.680 --> 00:23:51.640 You know, I love being a dad. 00:23:52.540 --> 00:23:53.779 It's one of the greatest things 00:23:53.779 --> 00:23:55.220 that's ever happened to me, 00:23:55.340 --> 00:23:56.220 but I have learned 00:23:56.220 --> 00:23:57.779 that fatherhood is a lot more 00:23:57.779 --> 00:23:59.300 than just bringing the baby home 00:23:59.300 --> 00:24:00.000 from the hospital. 00:24:00.000 --> 00:24:04.380 And nobody in their right mind 00:24:04.380 --> 00:24:05.720 takes a newborn baby 00:24:05.720 --> 00:24:07.059 home from the hospital, 00:24:07.180 --> 00:24:08.579 just lays it in the crib 00:24:08.579 --> 00:24:10.640 and considers the job is done. 00:24:12.099 --> 00:24:13.980 They know that's just the beginning. 00:24:14.200 --> 00:24:15.180 Every parent ought to know 00:24:15.180 --> 00:24:15.819 that their goal 00:24:15.819 --> 00:24:17.480 is not just to bring a child home, 00:24:17.559 --> 00:24:19.579 but to raise a child up 00:24:19.579 --> 00:24:20.779 in maturity, 00:24:21.000 --> 00:24:23.740 to raise them to adulthood. 00:24:24.539 --> 00:24:25.940 But too many churches 00:24:25.940 --> 00:24:29.339 consider bringing the child home 00:24:29.339 --> 00:24:31.839 as the end of their duty. 00:24:31.959 --> 00:24:33.119 The same is true for us 00:24:33.119 --> 00:24:34.159 here in evangelism. 00:24:34.259 --> 00:24:35.879 We want to see new birth. 00:24:36.419 --> 00:24:37.959 We want to bring home 00:24:37.959 --> 00:24:39.119 spiritual infants 00:24:39.119 --> 00:24:40.619 as we share the good news 00:24:40.619 --> 00:24:42.639 and God gives new life. 00:24:42.740 --> 00:24:44.559 We want to see spiritual babies 00:24:44.559 --> 00:24:46.259 born into this family. 00:24:46.740 --> 00:24:50.439 But they should not remain infants. 00:24:51.819 --> 00:24:52.599 And those of us 00:24:52.599 --> 00:24:55.159 who are spiritually further along, 00:24:55.279 --> 00:24:55.879 more mature, 00:24:56.019 --> 00:24:58.220 ought to come alongside them 00:24:58.220 --> 00:24:59.420 as spiritual mothers 00:24:59.420 --> 00:25:01.319 and spiritual fathers 00:25:01.319 --> 00:25:02.279 and see to it 00:25:02.279 --> 00:25:03.019 that that child 00:25:03.019 --> 00:25:04.220 is fed 00:25:04.220 --> 00:25:06.200 and clothed 00:25:06.200 --> 00:25:07.460 and nourished 00:25:07.460 --> 00:25:08.240 and nurtured 00:25:08.240 --> 00:25:09.339 and corrected 00:25:09.339 --> 00:25:10.220 and trained 00:25:10.220 --> 00:25:11.360 and raised up 00:25:11.360 --> 00:25:12.460 in the discipline 00:25:12.460 --> 00:25:13.180 and instruction 00:25:13.180 --> 00:25:14.640 of the Lord. 00:25:14.720 --> 00:25:15.940 That's our goal 00:25:15.940 --> 00:25:17.680 in evangelism. 00:25:18.880 --> 00:25:19.120 And you know, 00:25:19.180 --> 00:25:20.680 that was Paul's goal 00:25:20.680 --> 00:25:21.819 as well. 00:25:23.100 --> 00:25:23.279 You know, 00:25:23.279 --> 00:25:24.100 sometimes Paul gets 00:25:24.100 --> 00:25:24.860 a bad rap. 00:25:24.920 --> 00:25:25.740 I don't know if you know this. 00:25:25.839 --> 00:25:26.400 He gets kind of 00:25:26.400 --> 00:25:27.800 mischaracterized a bit 00:25:27.800 --> 00:25:29.200 as this church planter 00:25:29.200 --> 00:25:30.860 who just parachutes in, 00:25:31.340 --> 00:25:32.360 plants a church, 00:25:32.519 --> 00:25:33.800 and then zips out 00:25:33.800 --> 00:25:35.380 so someone else can do 00:25:35.380 --> 00:25:37.200 all that hard pastoral work. 00:25:37.300 --> 00:25:37.920 And can I just say 00:25:37.920 --> 00:25:39.800 that that is not true at all? 00:25:40.360 --> 00:25:41.540 I want to defend Paul 00:25:41.540 --> 00:25:42.500 here for a minute. 00:25:43.500 --> 00:25:45.480 1 Thessalonians chapter 2. 00:25:46.560 --> 00:25:48.660 1 Thessalonians chapter 2 00:25:48.660 --> 00:25:51.400 shows us Paul's concern 00:25:51.400 --> 00:25:53.820 concern for every one 00:25:53.820 --> 00:25:54.860 of his converts. 00:25:54.980 --> 00:25:55.660 He says this. 00:25:56.720 --> 00:25:56.940 He says, 00:25:57.160 --> 00:25:59.259 We had boldness in our God 00:25:59.259 --> 00:26:00.519 to declare to you 00:26:00.519 --> 00:26:01.680 the gospel of God. 00:26:01.759 --> 00:26:02.840 That's proclamation. 00:26:04.259 --> 00:26:05.120 But verse 7, 00:26:05.920 --> 00:26:07.460 We were gentle among you 00:26:07.460 --> 00:26:09.400 like a nursing mother 00:26:09.400 --> 00:26:11.400 taking care of her own children. 00:26:11.519 --> 00:26:12.019 Do you hear that? 00:26:13.120 --> 00:26:16.759 So being affectionately desirous of you, 00:26:16.840 --> 00:26:18.780 we were ready to share with you 00:26:18.779 --> 00:26:21.039 not only the gospel of God, 00:26:21.160 --> 00:26:23.799 but also our own selves 00:26:23.799 --> 00:26:25.579 because you had become 00:26:25.579 --> 00:26:28.160 very dear to us. 00:26:28.259 --> 00:26:28.899 For you know, 00:26:28.980 --> 00:26:29.559 verse 11, 00:26:29.680 --> 00:26:30.899 how like a father 00:26:30.899 --> 00:26:32.299 with his children, 00:26:32.859 --> 00:26:34.619 we exhorted each one of you 00:26:34.619 --> 00:26:35.660 and encouraged you 00:26:35.660 --> 00:26:36.839 and charged you 00:26:36.839 --> 00:26:37.740 to walk in a manner 00:26:37.740 --> 00:26:38.879 worthy of God 00:26:38.879 --> 00:26:40.000 who calls you 00:26:40.000 --> 00:26:41.819 into his own kingdom 00:26:41.819 --> 00:26:43.259 and glory. 00:26:43.379 --> 00:26:44.059 Do you hear that? 00:26:44.059 --> 00:26:47.919 This is not the language 00:26:47.919 --> 00:26:49.700 of hit and run evangelism, 00:26:49.960 --> 00:26:50.659 is it? 00:26:51.899 --> 00:26:54.460 This is language of affection. 00:26:56.039 --> 00:26:58.919 This is language of love for God 00:26:58.919 --> 00:27:00.539 and love for neighbor. 00:27:00.679 --> 00:27:01.240 Do you see that? 00:27:03.460 --> 00:27:04.659 You see, evangelism 00:27:04.659 --> 00:27:08.159 with this goal of maturity in mind 00:27:08.159 --> 00:27:10.879 is an act of love for our neighbor. 00:27:10.880 --> 00:27:13.140 And when you give yourself, 00:27:13.540 --> 00:27:14.420 give of your time, 00:27:14.560 --> 00:27:15.660 give of your resources, 00:27:15.920 --> 00:27:17.340 give of your prayers, 00:27:17.600 --> 00:27:19.580 give of whatever knowledge you have 00:27:19.580 --> 00:27:21.440 to see them grow up 00:27:21.440 --> 00:27:23.020 into Christ-likeness, 00:27:23.120 --> 00:27:24.580 not just come to Christ, 00:27:24.680 --> 00:27:25.380 but to grow, 00:27:25.980 --> 00:27:27.920 that is an act of love. 00:27:28.300 --> 00:27:28.860 Congratulations, 00:27:29.340 --> 00:27:31.320 you have become a spiritual father, 00:27:32.320 --> 00:27:33.800 a spiritual mother. 00:27:35.020 --> 00:27:37.320 But it's also an act of love for God, 00:27:37.760 --> 00:27:38.300 isn't it? 00:27:39.120 --> 00:27:40.420 What does Paul say here? 00:27:40.420 --> 00:27:40.820 He says, 00:27:41.200 --> 00:27:42.279 Him we proclaim, 00:27:42.480 --> 00:27:43.500 warning everyone 00:27:43.500 --> 00:27:44.840 and teaching everyone 00:27:44.840 --> 00:27:45.800 with all wisdom 00:27:45.800 --> 00:27:48.860 that we may present everyone 00:27:48.860 --> 00:27:50.660 mature in Christ. 00:27:50.779 --> 00:27:51.680 Who are we presenting 00:27:51.680 --> 00:27:52.740 these grown-up, 00:27:52.900 --> 00:27:54.140 mature disciples to? 00:27:55.400 --> 00:27:57.120 We're presenting them to God. 00:27:58.180 --> 00:28:00.440 We're bringing them before the Lord 00:28:00.440 --> 00:28:01.800 as an offering 00:28:01.800 --> 00:28:03.140 to say, 00:28:03.220 --> 00:28:04.420 look what you've done. 00:28:05.160 --> 00:28:06.560 Look what you've done, 00:28:06.860 --> 00:28:07.140 Lord, 00:28:07.300 --> 00:28:09.060 in taking this sinner, 00:28:09.059 --> 00:28:11.220 taking this rebel 00:28:11.220 --> 00:28:13.200 who was so far from you, 00:28:13.259 --> 00:28:14.559 so deep in his sin, 00:28:14.639 --> 00:28:16.099 so blind to your glory. 00:28:16.440 --> 00:28:17.500 He was angry. 00:28:18.159 --> 00:28:19.039 He was addicted. 00:28:19.279 --> 00:28:20.359 He was blind. 00:28:20.720 --> 00:28:23.240 And you not only gave him eyes to see, 00:28:23.339 --> 00:28:25.019 but you raised him up 00:28:25.019 --> 00:28:26.299 and grew him up 00:28:26.299 --> 00:28:28.379 so that now he looks like you. 00:28:28.380 --> 00:28:31.620 And you used me to do it. 00:28:34.240 --> 00:28:34.680 Church, 00:28:34.820 --> 00:28:36.660 the greatest command 00:28:36.660 --> 00:28:38.440 is to love the Lord your God 00:28:38.440 --> 00:28:39.420 with all your heart, 00:28:39.840 --> 00:28:40.700 all your mind, 00:28:40.800 --> 00:28:41.580 all your soul, 00:28:41.880 --> 00:28:42.780 all your strength. 00:28:42.880 --> 00:28:44.020 And the second is like it, 00:28:44.040 --> 00:28:45.280 to love your neighbor 00:28:45.280 --> 00:28:46.560 as yourself. 00:28:47.700 --> 00:28:49.040 We do this 00:28:49.040 --> 00:28:50.860 when we proclaim 00:28:50.860 --> 00:28:53.260 the glory of Christ 00:28:53.259 --> 00:28:55.299 so that those who hear 00:28:55.299 --> 00:28:56.240 might believe 00:28:56.240 --> 00:28:57.519 and grow up 00:28:57.519 --> 00:28:59.099 in Christ likeness 00:28:59.099 --> 00:29:01.400 and be presented to God 00:29:01.400 --> 00:29:04.059 as trophies of his grace 00:29:04.059 --> 00:29:06.099 to the glory of God. 00:29:06.220 --> 00:29:07.599 That's the goal. 00:29:10.720 --> 00:29:11.740 But church, 00:29:11.839 --> 00:29:13.240 there is one final aspect 00:29:13.240 --> 00:29:15.000 of this task 00:29:15.000 --> 00:29:17.599 that we must understand. 00:29:17.599 --> 00:29:22.359 And I want you to hear me clearly 00:29:22.359 --> 00:29:25.619 because the task of evangelism 00:29:25.619 --> 00:29:28.019 is not easy. 00:29:29.359 --> 00:29:30.339 So third, 00:29:31.559 --> 00:29:34.559 we see the toll of evangelism. 00:29:35.639 --> 00:29:38.439 We see the toll of evangelism. 00:29:39.919 --> 00:29:40.179 You see, 00:29:40.419 --> 00:29:41.740 the Christian life 00:29:41.740 --> 00:29:42.799 and ministry 00:29:42.799 --> 00:29:44.139 and this great task 00:29:44.139 --> 00:29:45.099 of evangelism 00:29:45.099 --> 00:29:47.079 is not easy. 00:29:47.079 --> 00:29:47.839 If you were wanting me 00:29:47.839 --> 00:29:48.639 to come up here 00:29:48.639 --> 00:29:50.119 and make evangelism 00:29:50.119 --> 00:29:51.259 easy for you, 00:29:51.339 --> 00:29:52.599 I hope that you know by now 00:29:52.599 --> 00:29:53.439 I love you enough 00:29:53.439 --> 00:29:54.759 to tell you the truth. 00:29:55.279 --> 00:29:57.240 The task is very simple, 00:29:57.500 --> 00:29:59.819 but it is rarely easy. 00:30:00.659 --> 00:30:01.799 Look here to what Paul says 00:30:01.799 --> 00:30:03.000 in verse 29. 00:30:05.019 --> 00:30:05.899 Paul says here, 00:30:06.319 --> 00:30:08.079 for this I toil, 00:30:08.939 --> 00:30:11.439 struggling with all his energy 00:30:11.439 --> 00:30:13.179 that he powerfully works 00:30:13.179 --> 00:30:14.539 within me. 00:30:15.240 --> 00:30:16.079 See, evangelism 00:30:16.079 --> 00:30:16.720 evangelism 00:30:16.720 --> 00:30:18.220 and proclaiming 00:30:18.220 --> 00:30:19.619 the glory of God 00:30:19.619 --> 00:30:22.199 is hard work. 00:30:23.720 --> 00:30:24.439 A commitment 00:30:24.439 --> 00:30:26.679 to faithful gospel proclamation 00:30:26.679 --> 00:30:28.500 will require you 00:30:28.500 --> 00:30:29.500 to toil. 00:30:30.939 --> 00:30:31.539 And it may be 00:30:31.539 --> 00:30:32.019 that the Lord 00:30:32.019 --> 00:30:32.639 just chooses 00:30:32.639 --> 00:30:34.919 to radically save someone 00:30:34.919 --> 00:30:35.559 the moment 00:30:35.559 --> 00:30:36.720 you open up your mouth 00:30:36.720 --> 00:30:37.639 and speak the name 00:30:37.639 --> 00:30:38.159 of Jesus, 00:30:38.419 --> 00:30:40.139 but more often than not, 00:30:40.720 --> 00:30:42.119 it will take time, 00:30:43.000 --> 00:30:43.779 an effort, 00:30:43.779 --> 00:30:45.940 an intentionality, 00:30:46.740 --> 00:30:47.720 an sacrifice. 00:30:48.099 --> 00:30:49.180 And I know many of you 00:30:49.180 --> 00:30:50.279 have been praying 00:30:50.279 --> 00:30:51.299 and laboring 00:30:51.299 --> 00:30:52.259 for family members 00:30:52.259 --> 00:30:53.139 or friends 00:30:53.139 --> 00:30:54.019 for years. 00:30:54.119 --> 00:30:54.940 You've been toiling, 00:30:55.180 --> 00:30:56.339 laboring to faithfully 00:30:56.339 --> 00:30:57.180 share the gospel 00:30:57.180 --> 00:30:58.240 with them. 00:30:58.639 --> 00:31:00.139 Do not be discouraged. 00:31:01.519 --> 00:31:03.019 The Lord is pleased 00:31:03.019 --> 00:31:05.500 with your faithful struggle 00:31:05.500 --> 00:31:06.639 and toil. 00:31:06.640 --> 00:31:08.720 He will bring the fruit 00:31:08.720 --> 00:31:10.020 in His time 00:31:10.020 --> 00:31:12.200 according to His wisdom. 00:31:12.380 --> 00:31:12.800 Continue. 00:31:14.780 --> 00:31:15.240 The commitment 00:31:15.240 --> 00:31:16.860 to faithful gospel proclamation 00:31:16.860 --> 00:31:19.740 is often a struggle. 00:31:21.020 --> 00:31:22.800 And history will tell us 00:31:22.800 --> 00:31:25.040 that it is often costly. 00:31:26.640 --> 00:31:28.080 Just consider with me 00:31:28.080 --> 00:31:29.320 for a moment 00:31:29.320 --> 00:31:30.560 what happened 00:31:30.560 --> 00:31:31.600 to the disciples 00:31:31.600 --> 00:31:32.860 of Christ. 00:31:32.859 --> 00:31:32.979 Christ. 00:31:34.599 --> 00:31:36.219 This struggle 00:31:36.219 --> 00:31:37.219 has been experienced 00:31:37.219 --> 00:31:38.319 in some degree 00:31:38.319 --> 00:31:40.459 by every faithful evangelist, 00:31:40.599 --> 00:31:42.939 every faithful proclaimer 00:31:42.939 --> 00:31:43.759 of the gospel 00:31:43.759 --> 00:31:45.039 throughout the history 00:31:45.039 --> 00:31:46.419 of the church. 00:31:48.000 --> 00:31:49.639 The apostle Andrew 00:31:49.639 --> 00:31:52.319 went to take the gospel 00:31:52.319 --> 00:31:53.079 to what is now 00:31:53.079 --> 00:31:54.719 modern day Soviet Union 00:31:54.719 --> 00:31:55.879 and Asia Minor, 00:31:56.119 --> 00:31:56.459 Turkey, 00:31:56.659 --> 00:31:58.000 and then ultimately Greece 00:31:58.000 --> 00:32:00.079 where he was crucified 00:32:00.079 --> 00:32:02.099 for preaching Christ. 00:32:02.859 --> 00:32:06.439 The apostle Peter 00:32:06.439 --> 00:32:08.839 was crucified upside down 00:32:08.839 --> 00:32:10.259 under the emperor Nero 00:32:10.259 --> 00:32:11.199 in Rome. 00:32:12.679 --> 00:32:13.659 Tradition has it 00:32:13.659 --> 00:32:15.240 that Thomas went to India, 00:32:15.379 --> 00:32:16.799 he proclaimed the gospel there, 00:32:16.899 --> 00:32:18.539 and he was speared to death. 00:32:19.579 --> 00:32:20.659 Philip went to Carthage 00:32:20.659 --> 00:32:21.519 in North Africa 00:32:21.519 --> 00:32:22.279 in Asia Minor 00:32:22.279 --> 00:32:23.839 where he proclaimed the gospel 00:32:23.839 --> 00:32:24.919 and saw the wife 00:32:24.919 --> 00:32:26.319 of a Roman proconsul 00:32:26.319 --> 00:32:26.879 converted 00:32:26.879 --> 00:32:28.699 which angered 00:32:28.699 --> 00:32:29.559 the proconsul, 00:32:30.699 --> 00:32:32.339 got him ultimately arrested 00:32:32.339 --> 00:32:33.579 and executed. 00:32:35.019 --> 00:32:36.199 Matthias proclaimed 00:32:36.199 --> 00:32:37.539 the gospel in Syria 00:32:37.539 --> 00:32:38.759 and was burned. 00:32:39.000 --> 00:32:40.579 James also went to Syria 00:32:40.579 --> 00:32:41.740 and was beaten 00:32:41.740 --> 00:32:43.099 and clubbed to death 00:32:43.099 --> 00:32:44.419 for preaching the gospel. 00:32:44.579 --> 00:32:45.799 Simon preached Christ 00:32:45.799 --> 00:32:46.859 in Persia 00:32:46.859 --> 00:32:47.679 and was murdered 00:32:47.679 --> 00:32:49.299 for refusing to bow down 00:32:49.299 --> 00:32:49.839 and worship 00:32:49.839 --> 00:32:51.039 the sun god there. 00:32:51.379 --> 00:32:52.240 Are you encouraged 00:32:52.240 --> 00:32:53.819 to share the gospel yet? 00:32:53.819 --> 00:32:58.019 And Paul 00:32:58.019 --> 00:33:01.759 shares in 2 Corinthians 00:33:01.759 --> 00:33:03.240 how he suffered 00:33:03.240 --> 00:33:04.259 imprisonments 00:33:04.259 --> 00:33:05.939 with countless beatings, 00:33:06.000 --> 00:33:07.079 often near death. 00:33:07.179 --> 00:33:08.579 Five times I received 00:33:08.579 --> 00:33:09.659 at the hands of the Jews 00:33:09.659 --> 00:33:10.519 the forty lashes 00:33:10.519 --> 00:33:11.200 less one. 00:33:12.119 --> 00:33:13.500 Three times I was beaten 00:33:13.500 --> 00:33:14.240 with rods. 00:33:14.359 --> 00:33:15.500 Once I was stoned. 00:33:16.240 --> 00:33:17.980 Three times I was shipwrecked. 00:33:18.019 --> 00:33:18.859 A night and a day 00:33:18.859 --> 00:33:20.079 I was adrift at sea 00:33:20.079 --> 00:33:21.399 on frequent dangers 00:33:21.400 --> 00:33:22.560 and journeys 00:33:22.560 --> 00:33:23.860 and danger from rivers, 00:33:24.140 --> 00:33:25.140 danger from robbers, 00:33:25.300 --> 00:33:26.500 danger from my own people, 00:33:26.700 --> 00:33:27.860 danger from Gentiles, 00:33:28.040 --> 00:33:29.019 danger in the city, 00:33:29.580 --> 00:33:30.500 danger in the wilderness, 00:33:30.780 --> 00:33:31.740 danger at sea, 00:33:31.960 --> 00:33:33.340 danger from false brothers 00:33:33.340 --> 00:33:35.080 in toil and hardship 00:33:35.080 --> 00:33:37.480 through many a sleepless night 00:33:37.480 --> 00:33:38.560 and hunger and thirst, 00:33:38.720 --> 00:33:39.940 often without food 00:33:39.940 --> 00:33:41.560 and cold and exposure. 00:33:42.440 --> 00:33:43.360 Paul struggled. 00:33:44.480 --> 00:33:45.680 He toiled. 00:33:45.680 --> 00:33:47.600 He suffered. 00:33:48.560 --> 00:33:49.259 And ultimately, 00:33:49.640 --> 00:33:51.740 he was beheaded in Rome 00:33:51.740 --> 00:33:53.640 for the sake of proclaiming 00:33:53.640 --> 00:33:56.100 the name of Christ. 00:34:00.100 --> 00:34:02.120 You and I likely won't suffer 00:34:02.120 --> 00:34:03.220 in these ways. 00:34:03.299 --> 00:34:03.680 You might. 00:34:04.620 --> 00:34:05.700 But probably not. 00:34:07.140 --> 00:34:08.639 And definitely not 00:34:08.639 --> 00:34:09.820 if we stay silent. 00:34:12.539 --> 00:34:14.139 More likely is that 00:34:14.139 --> 00:34:15.599 we'll suffer rejection, 00:34:16.519 --> 00:34:18.619 loss of friendship, 00:34:19.879 --> 00:34:21.859 tension at home, 00:34:22.440 --> 00:34:24.179 tension at work. 00:34:24.619 --> 00:34:25.059 Certainly, 00:34:25.299 --> 00:34:26.819 you'll suffer inconvenience, 00:34:27.779 --> 00:34:29.219 hardship to your plans 00:34:29.219 --> 00:34:30.940 and your schedule. 00:34:31.879 --> 00:34:33.319 But if you hear this 00:34:33.319 --> 00:34:34.019 and you wonder 00:34:34.019 --> 00:34:35.879 how any person 00:34:35.879 --> 00:34:37.920 could possibly do this, 00:34:38.019 --> 00:34:39.679 how you could possibly risk 00:34:39.679 --> 00:34:40.579 the humiliation, 00:34:41.199 --> 00:34:42.099 the toil, 00:34:42.279 --> 00:34:42.900 the suffering, 00:34:42.900 --> 00:34:43.780 the exhaustion, 00:34:44.059 --> 00:34:45.000 even death 00:34:45.000 --> 00:34:46.460 for the sake of proclaiming 00:34:46.460 --> 00:34:47.260 the name of Jesus. 00:34:48.340 --> 00:34:49.400 Remember what Paul says 00:34:49.400 --> 00:34:50.260 here in verse 29. 00:34:53.039 --> 00:34:54.380 How can he do this? 00:34:55.420 --> 00:34:56.220 He struggles 00:34:56.220 --> 00:34:58.780 with all his energy 00:34:58.780 --> 00:35:01.340 that he powerfully works 00:35:01.340 --> 00:35:02.880 within me. 00:35:04.380 --> 00:35:05.360 If you hear this 00:35:05.360 --> 00:35:06.059 and you don't think 00:35:06.059 --> 00:35:07.680 that you have that in you, 00:35:07.800 --> 00:35:09.760 you are 100% correct. 00:35:09.760 --> 00:35:13.620 But if we are committed 00:35:13.620 --> 00:35:16.000 to the mission of Christ, 00:35:16.080 --> 00:35:18.400 we can be 100% certain 00:35:18.400 --> 00:35:19.460 that he is committed 00:35:19.460 --> 00:35:20.880 to supply us 00:35:20.880 --> 00:35:21.900 with the energy 00:35:21.900 --> 00:35:22.820 needed 00:35:22.820 --> 00:35:24.140 for the mission. 00:35:24.360 --> 00:35:25.120 Your task, 00:35:25.300 --> 00:35:25.520 church, 00:35:25.520 --> 00:35:26.440 is to proclaim 00:35:26.440 --> 00:35:28.140 the person of Christ 00:35:28.140 --> 00:35:29.600 for the good 00:35:29.600 --> 00:35:31.120 of the people of Christ 00:35:31.120 --> 00:35:33.280 with all the limitless 00:35:33.280 --> 00:35:34.700 energy of Christ 00:35:34.700 --> 00:35:35.620 for the glory 00:35:35.620 --> 00:35:37.060 of Christ. 00:35:37.180 --> 00:35:37.920 That's the task 00:35:37.920 --> 00:35:38.860 of evangelism. 00:35:38.860 --> 00:35:42.280 I want to close 00:35:42.280 --> 00:35:43.720 with these words 00:35:43.720 --> 00:35:45.140 from Christ himself 00:35:45.140 --> 00:35:46.420 to his disciples 00:35:46.420 --> 00:35:47.880 from Matthew chapter 10. 00:35:49.300 --> 00:35:50.660 Listen to these words. 00:35:52.400 --> 00:35:53.079 Behold, 00:35:53.180 --> 00:35:54.480 I am sending you out 00:35:54.480 --> 00:35:55.019 as sheep 00:35:55.019 --> 00:35:56.220 in the midst of wolves. 00:35:56.840 --> 00:35:57.680 So be wise 00:35:57.680 --> 00:35:58.660 as serpents 00:35:58.660 --> 00:35:59.400 and innocent 00:35:59.400 --> 00:36:00.599 as doves. 00:36:01.599 --> 00:36:02.400 Beware of men 00:36:02.400 --> 00:36:03.519 for they will deliver you 00:36:03.519 --> 00:36:04.420 over to courts 00:36:04.420 --> 00:36:05.260 and flog you 00:36:05.260 --> 00:36:06.340 in their synagogues 00:36:06.340 --> 00:36:07.800 and you will be dragged 00:36:07.800 --> 00:36:08.539 before governors 00:36:08.539 --> 00:36:09.140 and kings 00:36:09.140 --> 00:36:10.000 for my sake 00:36:10.000 --> 00:36:11.059 to bear witness 00:36:11.059 --> 00:36:11.900 before them 00:36:11.900 --> 00:36:12.880 and the Gentiles. 00:36:13.660 --> 00:36:15.000 When they deliver you 00:36:15.000 --> 00:36:15.440 over, 00:36:15.900 --> 00:36:17.300 do not be anxious 00:36:17.300 --> 00:36:18.960 how you are to speak 00:36:18.960 --> 00:36:20.780 or what you are to say 00:36:20.780 --> 00:36:22.360 for what you are to say 00:36:22.360 --> 00:36:23.559 will be given to you 00:36:23.559 --> 00:36:24.240 in that hour 00:36:24.240 --> 00:36:25.019 for it is not you 00:36:25.019 --> 00:36:25.620 who speak 00:36:25.620 --> 00:36:26.380 but the spirit 00:36:26.380 --> 00:36:27.220 of your father 00:36:27.220 --> 00:36:28.400 speaking through you. 00:36:29.620 --> 00:36:30.539 Brother will deliver 00:36:30.539 --> 00:36:31.820 brother over to death 00:36:31.820 --> 00:36:33.039 and father his child 00:36:33.039 --> 00:36:33.579 and children 00:36:33.579 --> 00:36:34.860 will rise against parents 00:36:34.860 --> 00:36:36.260 and have them put to death 00:36:36.260 --> 00:36:37.820 and you will be hated 00:36:37.820 --> 00:36:38.400 by all 00:36:38.400 --> 00:36:39.460 for my namesake 00:36:39.460 --> 00:36:41.539 but the one who endures 00:36:41.539 --> 00:36:42.220 to the end 00:36:42.220 --> 00:36:43.480 will be saved. 00:36:44.480 --> 00:36:45.500 When they persecute you 00:36:45.500 --> 00:36:46.280 in one town 00:36:46.280 --> 00:36:47.220 flee to the next 00:36:47.220 --> 00:36:48.820 for truly I say to you 00:36:48.820 --> 00:36:50.280 you will not have gone 00:36:50.280 --> 00:36:51.099 through all the towns 00:36:51.099 --> 00:36:51.620 of Israel 00:36:51.620 --> 00:36:52.780 before the son of man 00:36:52.780 --> 00:36:53.320 comes. 00:36:54.360 --> 00:36:55.280 A disciple 00:36:55.280 --> 00:36:57.240 is not above his teacher 00:36:57.240 --> 00:36:58.539 nor a servant 00:36:58.539 --> 00:36:59.780 above his master. 00:37:00.740 --> 00:37:01.360 It is enough 00:37:01.360 --> 00:37:02.140 for the disciple 00:37:02.140 --> 00:37:03.599 to be like his teacher 00:37:03.599 --> 00:37:04.099 and the servant 00:37:04.099 --> 00:37:05.159 like his master 00:37:05.159 --> 00:37:05.860 if they have called 00:37:05.860 --> 00:37:06.960 the master of the house 00:37:06.960 --> 00:37:07.579 Beelzebul 00:37:07.579 --> 00:37:08.759 how much more 00:37:08.759 --> 00:37:09.539 will they malign 00:37:09.539 --> 00:37:10.559 those of the household? 00:37:11.380 --> 00:37:13.079 So have no fear of them 00:37:13.079 --> 00:37:15.279 for nothing is covered 00:37:15.279 --> 00:37:16.599 that will not be revealed 00:37:16.599 --> 00:37:17.699 or hidden 00:37:17.699 --> 00:37:18.980 that will be not known. 00:37:19.779 --> 00:37:20.420 What I tell you 00:37:20.420 --> 00:37:20.920 in the dark 00:37:20.920 --> 00:37:21.960 say in the light 00:37:21.960 --> 00:37:23.299 what you hear whispered 00:37:23.299 --> 00:37:23.960 proclaim 00:37:23.960 --> 00:37:25.920 on the housetops 00:37:25.920 --> 00:37:27.659 and do not fear 00:37:27.659 --> 00:37:28.940 those who kill the body 00:37:28.940 --> 00:37:30.000 but cannot kill 00:37:30.000 --> 00:37:30.579 the soul 00:37:30.579 --> 00:37:32.400 rather fear him 00:37:32.400 --> 00:37:33.460 who can destroy 00:37:33.460 --> 00:37:34.319 both soul 00:37:34.319 --> 00:37:35.219 and body 00:37:35.219 --> 00:37:35.900 in hell. 00:37:37.099 --> 00:37:38.039 Are not two sparrows 00:37:38.039 --> 00:37:39.000 sold for a penny? 00:37:39.920 --> 00:37:40.920 And not one of them 00:37:40.920 --> 00:37:42.079 will fall to the ground 00:37:42.079 --> 00:37:43.259 apart from your father 00:37:43.259 --> 00:37:44.519 but even the hairs 00:37:44.519 --> 00:37:45.279 of your head 00:37:45.279 --> 00:37:46.440 are all numbered. 00:37:47.340 --> 00:37:48.079 Fear not 00:37:48.079 --> 00:37:48.659 therefore 00:37:48.659 --> 00:37:50.659 you are of more value 00:37:50.659 --> 00:37:51.880 than many sparrows. 00:37:52.420 --> 00:37:53.340 So everyone 00:37:53.340 --> 00:37:54.799 who acknowledges me 00:37:54.799 --> 00:37:55.579 before men 00:37:55.579 --> 00:37:57.259 I also will acknowledge 00:37:57.259 --> 00:37:58.239 before my father 00:37:58.239 --> 00:37:59.079 who is in heaven 00:37:59.079 --> 00:38:01.059 but whoever denies me 00:38:01.059 --> 00:38:02.039 before men 00:38:02.039 --> 00:38:03.719 I also 00:38:03.719 --> 00:38:05.019 will deny 00:38:05.019 --> 00:38:06.519 before my father 00:38:06.519 --> 00:38:08.079 who is in heaven. 00:38:13.440 --> 00:38:14.940 How do you read this book? 00:38:17.420 --> 00:38:19.000 You can tell a lot 00:38:19.000 --> 00:38:20.179 about a person 00:38:20.179 --> 00:38:22.380 and you can tell a lot 00:38:22.380 --> 00:38:23.400 about a church 00:38:23.400 --> 00:38:25.039 by the way 00:38:25.039 --> 00:38:26.059 they read this book. 00:38:26.059 --> 00:38:29.299 This is not meant 00:38:29.299 --> 00:38:30.139 to just be 00:38:30.139 --> 00:38:31.699 read passively 00:38:31.699 --> 00:38:32.799 from the outside 00:38:32.799 --> 00:38:34.480 but to be lived 00:38:34.480 --> 00:38:35.480 actively 00:38:35.480 --> 00:38:36.900 to be proclaimed 00:38:36.900 --> 00:38:38.539 faithfully. 00:38:39.480 --> 00:38:40.759 What a joy it is 00:38:40.759 --> 00:38:41.179 to know 00:38:41.179 --> 00:38:42.179 that God 00:38:42.179 --> 00:38:43.500 has written us 00:38:43.500 --> 00:38:44.799 into his story 00:38:44.799 --> 00:38:45.460 of redemption 00:38:45.460 --> 00:38:47.019 not just to receive it 00:38:47.019 --> 00:38:48.380 but to proclaim it 00:38:48.380 --> 00:38:49.500 so that 00:38:49.500 --> 00:38:50.279 not only 00:38:50.279 --> 00:38:51.279 do we get to see 00:38:51.279 --> 00:38:52.039 God's plan 00:38:52.039 --> 00:38:52.779 unfold 00:38:52.779 --> 00:38:53.920 in real time 00:38:53.920 --> 00:38:55.500 but we get 00:38:55.500 --> 00:38:56.079 to play 00:38:56.079 --> 00:38:56.940 a part 00:38:56.940 --> 00:38:57.980 in bringing 00:38:57.980 --> 00:38:59.500 it to completion. 00:39:00.420 --> 00:39:01.200 We get to 00:39:01.200 --> 00:39:02.220 bear witness 00:39:02.220 --> 00:39:03.200 to the glory 00:39:03.200 --> 00:39:03.900 of God 00:39:03.900 --> 00:39:05.220 in the gospel 00:39:05.220 --> 00:39:07.000 of Jesus Christ. 00:39:07.159 --> 00:39:07.700 Do you want to know 00:39:07.700 --> 00:39:08.900 the grand plans 00:39:08.900 --> 00:39:09.460 that we have 00:39:09.460 --> 00:39:09.900 for the growth 00:39:09.900 --> 00:39:10.500 of this church? 00:39:11.960 --> 00:39:13.019 What the grand strategy 00:39:13.019 --> 00:39:13.740 is that 00:39:13.740 --> 00:39:14.559 Treg and I 00:39:14.559 --> 00:39:15.320 have been cooking up 00:39:15.320 --> 00:39:15.820 for months 00:39:15.820 --> 00:39:16.240 and months 00:39:16.240 --> 00:39:16.599 and months 00:39:16.599 --> 00:39:16.940 you want to know 00:39:16.940 --> 00:39:17.500 what it is? 00:39:19.559 --> 00:39:20.639 Him we proclaim. 00:39:20.639 --> 00:39:24.079 Him we proclaim. 00:39:25.339 --> 00:39:26.480 If this church 00:39:26.480 --> 00:39:27.199 is to be known 00:39:27.199 --> 00:39:28.059 for anything 00:39:28.059 --> 00:39:29.159 in the days 00:39:29.159 --> 00:39:29.920 and weeks 00:39:29.920 --> 00:39:30.539 and years 00:39:30.539 --> 00:39:31.119 to come 00:39:31.119 --> 00:39:31.920 let it not be 00:39:31.920 --> 00:39:32.480 for the good 00:39:32.480 --> 00:39:33.019 we do. 00:39:34.059 --> 00:39:34.759 Let it not be 00:39:34.759 --> 00:39:35.819 for the programs 00:39:35.819 --> 00:39:37.059 that we offer. 00:39:37.239 --> 00:39:37.879 Let it not be 00:39:37.879 --> 00:39:39.659 for any individual 00:39:39.659 --> 00:39:40.420 person, 00:39:40.559 --> 00:39:40.980 pastors, 00:39:41.239 --> 00:39:42.079 ministry leaders 00:39:42.079 --> 00:39:42.500 here. 00:39:42.719 --> 00:39:43.460 Let it be 00:39:43.460 --> 00:39:44.420 that in this 00:39:44.420 --> 00:39:45.759 church family 00:39:45.759 --> 00:39:47.759 we proclaim 00:39:47.759 --> 00:39:48.339 Christ. 00:39:49.440 --> 00:39:50.219 Let's pray. 00:39:50.639 --> 00:39:53.699 Lord, 00:39:53.779 --> 00:39:54.819 that's our desire. 00:39:57.039 --> 00:39:58.259 We have proclaimed 00:39:58.259 --> 00:39:59.539 Him this morning 00:39:59.539 --> 00:40:00.460 and now we ask 00:40:00.460 --> 00:40:00.940 that you would 00:40:00.940 --> 00:40:02.239 take that proclamation 00:40:02.239 --> 00:40:03.579 and use it 00:40:03.579 --> 00:40:04.619 as you see fit. 00:40:05.299 --> 00:40:06.079 But we ask 00:40:06.079 --> 00:40:06.779 and we desire 00:40:06.779 --> 00:40:07.579 that if there are 00:40:07.579 --> 00:40:08.379 any here 00:40:08.379 --> 00:40:09.480 who don't know 00:40:09.480 --> 00:40:10.179 Christ 00:40:10.179 --> 00:40:11.839 that right now 00:40:11.839 --> 00:40:12.779 you would convict 00:40:12.779 --> 00:40:13.739 them of their sin 00:40:13.739 --> 00:40:14.579 and draw them 00:40:14.579 --> 00:40:15.659 to faith in Christ. 00:40:16.819 --> 00:40:17.559 And we ask 00:40:17.559 --> 00:40:18.400 Lord for those 00:40:18.400 --> 00:40:19.000 of us who 00:40:19.000 --> 00:40:20.139 have been 00:40:20.139 --> 00:40:20.920 sluggish 00:40:20.920 --> 00:40:22.139 in evangelism 00:40:22.139 --> 00:40:23.379 we confess 00:40:23.379 --> 00:40:24.339 that to you 00:40:24.339 --> 00:40:25.039 and we ask 00:40:25.039 --> 00:40:25.519 that you would 00:40:25.519 --> 00:40:26.259 move us 00:40:26.259 --> 00:40:26.759 Lord. 00:40:27.960 --> 00:40:28.279 And that we 00:40:28.279 --> 00:40:28.920 wouldn't leave 00:40:28.920 --> 00:40:29.579 here just 00:40:29.579 --> 00:40:30.859 hearing a sermon 00:40:30.859 --> 00:40:31.559 and going about 00:40:31.559 --> 00:40:32.059 our way 00:40:32.059 --> 00:40:32.539 but that we 00:40:32.539 --> 00:40:33.259 would be eager 00:40:33.259 --> 00:40:34.059 to share 00:40:34.059 --> 00:40:34.839 who you are 00:40:34.839 --> 00:40:35.319 and what you've 00:40:35.319 --> 00:40:35.539 done. 00:40:36.679 --> 00:40:37.339 We ask all 00:40:37.339 --> 00:40:37.559 of this 00:40:37.559 --> 00:40:38.239 in Jesus name. 00:40:39.239 --> 00:40:39.480 Amen. 00:40:39.480 --> 00:40:39.599 Amen. 00:40:39.599 --> 00:40:39.619 Amen. 00:40:39.619 --> 00:40:39.659 Amen. 00:40:39.659 --> 00:40:39.679 Amen. 00:40:39.679 --> 00:40:39.699 Amen. 00:40:39.699 --> 00:40:39.719 Amen. 00:40:39.719 --> 00:40:39.759 Amen. 00:40:39.759 --> 00:40:39.799 Amen. 00:40:39.799 --> 00:40:40.199 Amen. 00:40:40.199 --> 00:40:40.259 Amen. 00:40:40.259 --> 00:40:41.759 Amen. 00:40:41.759 --> 00:40:41.799 Amen. 00:40:41.799 --> 00:40:42.199 Amen. 00:40:42.199 --> 00:40:42.259 Amen. 00:40:42.259 --> 00:40:42.319 Amen. 00:40:42.319 --> 00:40:42.400 Amen. 00:40:42.400 --> 00:40:42.420 Amen. 00:40:42.420 --> 00:40:42.440 Amen. 00:40:42.440 --> 00:40:42.519 Amen. 00:40:42.519 --> 00:40:42.539 Amen. 00:40:42.539 --> 00:40:42.559 Amen. 00:40:42.559 --> 00:40:42.579 Amen. 00:40:42.579 --> 00:40:42.639 Amen.