WEBVTT

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 We are, we are the church. All right, welcome to First Baptist Henrietta. My name is Sam Bedell. I'm the pastor here.

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 Has it been a good service so far? Amen, I agree. Let's go to, in your Bibles, to Matthew chapter 22.

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 Matthew 22. I want to read this by way of introduction to kind of set up what we're going to talk about today.

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 Matthew chapter 22 and verse 34. Jesus is meeting with the Pharisees. The Pharisees had heard that Jesus, by his wisdom and his knowledge of the law and his divine wisdom and understanding, had silenced the Sadducees, another group of religious leaders.

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 And so this kind of foremost group of religious leaders, the Pharisees, came together and they wanted to question Jesus and tried to nail him on something, try to catch him off guard and make him slip up.

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 And one of them, an expert in the law, asked a question of Jesus to test him.

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 Verse 36. Teacher, which command of the law is the greatest?

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 Which command in all of the law? Talking about the Mosaic law that God gave to the children of Israel way back in the Old Testament.

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 And then many more laws were given over the period of the next many hundred years.

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 And so what do we see here? They're trying to trip him up.

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 They say, which one of these is the greatest?

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 Jesus says in verse 37, love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind.

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 This is the greatest and most important command.

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 Verse 39. The second is like it.

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 Love your neighbor as yourself.

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 All the law and the prophets depend on these two commands.

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 All of the law.

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 All of the prophecies.

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 Everything that was given depend, hinge on those two commands.

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 Let me tell you, if man-made religion had followed that,

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 if they had wrapped their minds around what Jesus just said,

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 then religion on this earth would look very different than it has over the history of the church.

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 Oftentimes, what has been done in the name of Jesus has been nothing like what Jesus commanded.

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 Oftentimes, what has happened, what has been taught,

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 and what has been enacted in churches around the world

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 had nothing to do with loving the Lord or loving our neighbor as ourselves.

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 So, Jesus came to change it.

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 Jesus came to introduce, to reshape, to reform our thinking.

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 He came to ask us to pivot from something else.

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 So, let's get into it.

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 This morning, we're talking about ecclesiology.

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 We're talking about the doctrine of the church.

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 Our little introduction video reminded us that we are the church,

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 reminded us that the church is not a place.

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 It is a people, right?

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 So, this is a practical preaching series on we are the church.

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 Let's all say it together.

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 Ready?

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 We don't just go to church.

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 We are the church.

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 Y'all are going to get it on the first try next week, okay?

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 Let's do it again together.

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 Here we go.

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 We don't just go to church.

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 We are the church.

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 That's right.

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 And so, that kind of is a pivot away from the thinking that says the church is the place,

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 the church is a building,

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 it's somewhere we go.

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 Well, actually, it's a group of people.

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 One of the questions that the kids have submitted recently said something along the lines of,

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 I'm trying to remember the exact wording and I can't,

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 but basically, it was kind of like,

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 where is the church?

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 And where can we have church?

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 I think that was the question.

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 Where can we have church?

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 And my answer to that is anywhere.

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 You can have church as the body of Christ anywhere.

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 If we wanted to go have it at the park, we could, but we'd get a little warm.

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 We could have church anywhere, but we are grateful that God has provided this beautiful place for us to assemble.

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 It is certainly very functional for our needs.

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 It's got classroom space.

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 It's got a nice fellowship hall.

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 We can gather together and break bread, which is biblical.

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 All right.

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 It's not just Baptist.

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 It's biblical.

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 All right.

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 We can get together and eat together.

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 It's in the Bible.

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 Jesus did it.

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 It's okay.

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 It's all right for us to do it.

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 So, the church building provides all sorts of advantages and is a blessing for the church.

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 But the church building is not the church, is it?

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 We are the church.

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 This thing skipped ahead.

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 There we go.

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 Just as a reminder, again, ekklesia, that is the Greek word that we find in the Bible for the church,

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 and it literally means an assembly, a congregation.

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 And so, again, it is the gathering of people.

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 It is not the building.

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 So, ecclesiology is what we're talking about throughout this series, the doctrine of the church.

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 Two weeks ago, we talked about the church.

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 It's not about me.

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 It's about God.

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 Okay?

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 The church is not there to please me.

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 It's not all hinging on what I think, et cetera.

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 It's about God.

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 And so, everything we do in the church should be, first and foremost, bringing honor and glory to God.

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 If it's not, then we've got to put it on the magnifying glass and say,

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 Huh.

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 God isn't really getting glorified from this, so should we be doing it?

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 Or should we be changing it?

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 Should we be tweaking it to make sure that God gets the glory in whatever we're doing in this church?

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 All right?

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 Secondly, last week, we talked about how the church should find unity in its diversity.

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 Guess what?

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 We're not all the same.

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 I know that's shocking as you look around here that we've got kind of a colorful group of folks here this morning.

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 Colorful is a nice way to put it, isn't it?

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 Everybody's a little different.

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 Everybody does things a little differently.

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 We're all a little unique.

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 Come from unique backgrounds.

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 We've got different ideas about things.

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 And that's okay as long as that diversity brings us together in the body of Christ.

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 That in and of itself should bring glory to God and saying,

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 Wow.

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 How could God bring this diverse group of people together?

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 What binds them together to keep coming and hanging out each week?

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 Coming together on Sunday night, on Wednesday night.

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 Getting together in the community and doing things together.

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 Why are we all hanging out so much?

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 Because it's God that binds us together.

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 It's not necessarily common backgrounds.

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 It's not necessarily we're all in agreement and everything all the time.

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 We're certainly not.

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 But that's okay.

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 We can agree that God is good.

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 That God loves us.

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 That Jesus died for us.

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 That he rose again.

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 That he wants to save us.

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 He wants to change our lives.

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 He wants to mold us into his image.

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 And we're going to walk this road together as the body of Christ.

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 So there is unity in that diversity which brings glory to God.

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 Which is the purpose of the church.

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 So today we're talking about the church customer or minister.

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 Customer or minister.

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 We're going to fly through some of this.

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 So y'all hang with me if you will.

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 The church.

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 Customer or minister.

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 Turn it over in your Bibles to 2 Corinthians 5.18.

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 Listen, I'm going to give you a lot of different scriptures today.

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 You don't have to turn to each one physically in your Bible.

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 We have a good amount of material to cover today that I'd love to give to you.

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 And so if you just want to jot references down in your bulletin or wherever you'd like to do it, that's fine.

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 But we are going to bounce through several different parts of scripture.

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 Because we're teaching some biblical principles about the church.

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 And if we had about three hours, we could take the time to give the full context of each passage.

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 And teach that whole truth.

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 But in our limited time this morning, I just want to kind of spark your thinking about the church.

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 Mark some things down.

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 And then in your own personal quiet time or family devotional time, if you'd like to go back and study more about this, we certainly can.

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 So 2 Corinthians 5.18, let's look at it.

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 Everything is from God who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry.

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 See that word?

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 The ministry of reconciliation.

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 When he says us, he's talking about the children of God.

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 He's talking about the people of God.

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 The church of God.

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 Our First Baptist Church here in Henrietta, Texas is an expression, a local expression of the greater church, the body of Christ.

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 So we can self-identify with this.

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 As Paul was writing this in his second letter to the church at Corinth, the church in Henrietta can also take this and adapt it to us.

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 We can identify with what Paul's talking about.

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 So he says, God, Christ has given us the ministry of reconciliation.

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 Well, that right there qualifies you for ministry.

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 You are a minister.

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 Okay?

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 That doesn't mean you're a pastor.

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 That doesn't mean you get up and preach on Sunday mornings in a church.

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 But if you are a child of God, then you are a minister of God.

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 And you have a ministry that God has given you.

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 The grander spectrum of ministry that God has assigned to you is this ministry of reconciliation.

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 What does that mean?

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 Reconciliation means restoring a relationship, right?

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 Being reconciled.

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 Well, the first need of reconciliation for you and for me is reconciling God away from our sin and back into unity and fellowship with God.

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 So he does that at the moment of salvation.

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 He offers reconciliation.

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 He says he wants to reconcile us from darkness into light, from sin into salvation.

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 So that is the first reconciliation that we have.

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 Well, so how are you and I ministers of that reconciliation?

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 We get to go share that message with others.

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 We get to go take that gospel message and share it with people who have not yet been reconciled.

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 We thank God that somebody shared it with us.

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 But let that not die with us.

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 Let that be a ministry that continues on through us, our ministry.

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 And then the second reconciliation is reconciling each other to ourselves.

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 Making sure that there is no strife between one another.

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 Oftentimes in a church, as we're all striving toward the same goal,

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 sometimes we'll have different ideas on how to reach that goal.

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 Sometimes we'll be in disagreement with one another.

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 Being in disagreement is okay, isn't it?

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 Being in discord is not okay.

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 Disagreeing is fine.

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 But living in contention with each other, living in anger and strife with each other,

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 bitterness, that is not okay.

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 And so reconciliation must happen between each other.

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 So much of the thoughts that I'm giving you today come from this church.

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 It's one of the most effective books written about the church.

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 That has been, it's principles put into practice in thousands of churches across our nation

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 and around the world.

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 And so I want to let you know this is a good read for those who are interested in diving

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 more deeply into some of these subjects.

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 And we drew much of what we're talking about today from the principles of that book.

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 So number one, every Christian is created for ministry.

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 Every Christian is created for ministry.

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 How do we know that?

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 Ephesians chapter 2 and verse 10.

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 We, you and I, are his workmanship.

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 We are his creation.

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 Created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.

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 From the very beginning, God knew that he had a plan and a purpose for you and for me.

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 And if you are still breathing, then his plan and purpose for you is not done.

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 Okay?

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 Say, man, my time's over.

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 It's time for the young people to step up and take it.

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 Well, you're half right.

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 It is time for the young people to step up and take it.

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 But your time is not over.

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 God is still wanting to work through you.

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 God still has a plan and purpose.

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 It might look differently for you now than it did 30 years ago.

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 But God still has a purpose for you.

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 He still has good works that he created you for.

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 A ministry that he created you for.

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 So he created us, all of us, for ministry.

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 We find that in the Bible.

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 Number two, every Christian is saved for ministry.

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 We are saved for ministry.

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 Guess what?

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 God didn't just save you to keep you out of hell.

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 We believe in this church because it teaches in the Bible that if you sin, if you break

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 God's law, which guess what?

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 We all have.

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 Every one of us are in the same boat in that regard.

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 We've all done wrong.

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 We've all failed.

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 Not one of us are perfect.

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 If you say you are, you're lying and everybody knows it.

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 Okay?

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 You're not fooling anybody into thinking that you're perfect.

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 All of us have made mistakes.

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 And all of those sins, all of that wrongdoing has qualified us for punishment for our sin,

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 which is death in a terrible place called hell that God created for Satan and his demons.

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 But if we choose Satan's way, which is sin, which all of us do, even if we don't want to,

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 we find ourselves doing it.

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 The Apostle Paul wrote about that in the New Testament.

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 He said, the things that I want to do, I end up not doing.

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 And the things that I don't want to do, that's what I find myself doing.

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 I can identify with that.

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 Right?

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 Because we are surrounded by this weak flesh that ends up sinning.

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 So we are qualified for hell.

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 That is the punishment that God has prescribed for our sin.

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 That's why Jesus came.

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 Jesus came as the one sinless one.

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 The only one who didn't have to go to hell.

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 The only one who didn't sin.

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 He came down here.

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 He wasn't just God looking down at us and saying, why can't you be like me?

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 He came down here, was born.

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 As a little baby.

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 Grew up as a child.

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 Became a man.

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 Walked around on this earth.

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 Was tempted in all the same ways you and I are tempted.

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 And yet he never sinned.

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 Because of course, he was 100% man, but he was also 100% God.

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 So he could be perfect.

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 He could be sinless.

00:15:05.759 --> 00:15:07.620
 So even though he didn't deserve any punishment.

00:15:08.419 --> 00:15:09.620
 He didn't do anything wrong.

00:15:10.620 --> 00:15:14.220
 He allowed himself to be crucified.

00:15:15.220 --> 00:15:15.919
 Put to death.

00:15:15.919 --> 00:15:19.139
 Laid in the grave.

00:15:20.319 --> 00:15:21.279
 And then he came out of the grave.

00:15:22.319 --> 00:15:24.399
 To prove he is God.

00:15:25.219 --> 00:15:26.679
 He can conquer anything.

00:15:28.860 --> 00:15:30.059
 He can conquer death.

00:15:30.139 --> 00:15:31.000
 He can conquer sin.

00:15:31.639 --> 00:15:32.659
 He can conquer the grave.

00:15:33.559 --> 00:15:35.699
 And now he offers salvation to us.

00:15:36.740 --> 00:15:39.519
 And he says, since I took the punishment,

00:15:40.039 --> 00:15:43.079
 I died so you don't have to die that spiritual death.

00:15:43.080 --> 00:15:46.920
 So you don't have to suffer the punishment for your sins.

00:15:47.840 --> 00:15:49.980
 He says, now I offer you forgiveness.

00:15:50.180 --> 00:15:51.120
 I offer you salvation.

00:15:51.720 --> 00:15:54.320
 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord.

00:15:54.379 --> 00:15:57.780
 And you believe in your heart that God did raise him up from the dead.

00:15:57.940 --> 00:15:59.800
 Then you can be saved.

00:16:00.460 --> 00:16:01.960
 God can forgive you.

00:16:02.120 --> 00:16:05.180
 Cleanse you from all your unrighteousness.

00:16:05.600 --> 00:16:05.840
 Okay?

00:16:06.900 --> 00:16:08.160
 So he does that.

00:16:08.220 --> 00:16:09.060
 He offers that.

00:16:09.120 --> 00:16:10.920
 And if someone is in this room today,

00:16:10.920 --> 00:16:12.280
 I ask it every Sunday.

00:16:12.279 --> 00:16:14.839
 And I'm convinced that there are still people in the room

00:16:14.839 --> 00:16:18.159
 that haven't yet put that faith in Jesus to say,

00:16:18.199 --> 00:16:19.079
 God, I believe.

00:16:19.220 --> 00:16:19.459
 Okay?

00:16:19.559 --> 00:16:20.199
 I believe.

00:16:20.600 --> 00:16:21.379
 Sign me up.

00:16:22.319 --> 00:16:23.819
 I believe that you are God.

00:16:23.919 --> 00:16:25.220
 I believe you died on the cross.

00:16:25.299 --> 00:16:26.220
 You rose from the grave.

00:16:26.360 --> 00:16:29.319
 And I want you to forgive my sins.

00:16:29.959 --> 00:16:31.159
 Make me your child.

00:16:31.259 --> 00:16:32.120
 Part of your family.

00:16:32.819 --> 00:16:34.240
 If you have not done that,

00:16:34.319 --> 00:16:35.740
 don't leave here today without doing it.

00:16:36.480 --> 00:16:38.339
 In just a couple of minutes, we'll pray.

00:16:38.439 --> 00:16:39.799
 We'll have a time that you can come down.

00:16:40.079 --> 00:16:40.919
 I'll talk to you.

00:16:40.919 --> 00:16:42.159
 We can sit down.

00:16:42.279 --> 00:16:42.819
 We can pray.

00:16:43.039 --> 00:16:44.039
 We can pray together.

00:16:44.599 --> 00:16:45.839
 And we can work through that.

00:16:45.899 --> 00:16:48.399
 But please, please don't leave this place today

00:16:48.399 --> 00:16:51.139
 without making that most important decision.

00:16:51.740 --> 00:16:53.299
 Everything else we're talking about hinges

00:16:53.299 --> 00:16:55.699
 on that relationship with Jesus.

00:16:56.179 --> 00:16:56.279
 Okay?

00:16:57.919 --> 00:16:59.759
 And so when God saves us,

00:17:00.139 --> 00:17:01.919
 He saves us for a purpose.

00:17:02.079 --> 00:17:03.639
 It's not just to keep us out of hell.

00:17:04.460 --> 00:17:05.539
 It's not just to say,

00:17:05.639 --> 00:17:06.579
 okay, you're good now.

00:17:06.639 --> 00:17:07.639
 You don't have to pay the punishment

00:17:07.639 --> 00:17:08.539
 for your sins anymore.

00:17:09.039 --> 00:17:09.700
 Go have fun.

00:17:09.700 --> 00:17:11.720
 He's got a plan for you.

00:17:11.880 --> 00:17:13.319
 He's got a purpose for you.

00:17:13.539 --> 00:17:15.700
 How cruel would it be

00:17:15.700 --> 00:17:18.960
 for God to take you away from one master

00:17:18.960 --> 00:17:20.660
 and not give you another?

00:17:21.980 --> 00:17:24.240
 Now, sin is a terrible master.

00:17:25.360 --> 00:17:27.640
 It is a terrible boss.

00:17:27.920 --> 00:17:28.100
 Okay?

00:17:28.600 --> 00:17:30.740
 When you do what you want to do,

00:17:30.840 --> 00:17:32.059
 what sin wants you to do,

00:17:32.160 --> 00:17:34.940
 what your weak, sinful flesh wants you to do,

00:17:35.200 --> 00:17:36.819
 that gets you in all kinds of trouble.

00:17:36.819 --> 00:17:38.279
 That gets you in all kinds of places

00:17:38.279 --> 00:17:39.220
 that you don't want to be.

00:17:40.139 --> 00:17:42.119
 So when God frees you from that

00:17:42.119 --> 00:17:44.200
 and says, you don't have to serve that master anymore,

00:17:44.319 --> 00:17:46.119
 and then if He just left you and said,

00:17:46.200 --> 00:17:47.220
 okay, figure it out,

00:17:47.839 --> 00:17:49.039
 how cruel would that be?

00:17:49.099 --> 00:17:51.539
 But instead, He gives us the Holy Spirit.

00:17:51.879 --> 00:17:54.220
 He gives us His presence inside us

00:17:54.220 --> 00:17:55.579
 to go with us everywhere,

00:17:55.919 --> 00:17:57.159
 to admonish us,

00:17:57.200 --> 00:17:58.379
 to help guide us,

00:17:58.439 --> 00:17:59.159
 to help lead us,

00:17:59.220 --> 00:18:01.399
 to help us make decisions then

00:18:01.400 --> 00:18:02.940
 according to His will,

00:18:03.259 --> 00:18:04.220
 which is always right.

00:18:05.320 --> 00:18:07.540
 So that is what He saves us to do,

00:18:07.880 --> 00:18:10.460
 and those purposes that He has for us

00:18:10.460 --> 00:18:12.040
 is your ministry.

00:18:12.200 --> 00:18:14.420
 This comes from 2 Timothy 1 and verse 9.

00:18:14.420 --> 00:18:15.960
 He has saved us,

00:18:15.960 --> 00:18:19.580
 and He has called us with a holy calling,

00:18:19.860 --> 00:18:21.340
 not according to our works.

00:18:22.080 --> 00:18:23.300
 We're leaving that alone, right?

00:18:23.440 --> 00:18:24.560
 That gets us in trouble.

00:18:24.819 --> 00:18:28.059
 But according to His own purpose and grace,

00:18:28.799 --> 00:18:30.940
 which was given to us in Christ Jesus

00:18:30.940 --> 00:18:32.419
 before time began.

00:18:32.519 --> 00:18:33.940
 You notice a theme there?

00:18:34.139 --> 00:18:35.279
 All this was planned out.

00:18:36.220 --> 00:18:37.379
 We saw it in Ephesians.

00:18:37.460 --> 00:18:38.779
 We saw it in 2 Timothy here.

00:18:38.779 --> 00:18:40.039
 All this was planned out

00:18:40.039 --> 00:18:41.639
 before we were ever even created.

00:18:41.779 --> 00:18:43.819
 God knew what He was going to do with us.

00:18:44.619 --> 00:18:45.839
 He knew the job you'd be working.

00:18:46.339 --> 00:18:47.700
 He knew the kids you'd have.

00:18:47.779 --> 00:18:48.759
 He knew what you'd name them.

00:18:49.559 --> 00:18:51.079
 He knew the struggle that you would have

00:18:51.079 --> 00:18:52.200
 between husband and wife.

00:18:52.779 --> 00:18:54.000
 He knew the friendships.

00:18:55.319 --> 00:18:57.419
 He knew everything that would come into your life,

00:18:57.579 --> 00:19:00.559
 and He tailored it all for His divine purpose.

00:19:01.099 --> 00:19:02.960
 Are you fulfilling that purpose?

00:19:03.079 --> 00:19:04.539
 Are you fulfilling your ministry?

00:19:05.200 --> 00:19:05.700
 Number three,

00:19:05.700 --> 00:19:08.559
 every Christian is called into ministry.

00:19:09.379 --> 00:19:11.480
 Every Christian has a divine calling.

00:19:11.619 --> 00:19:14.279
 We just saw it a moment ago in 2 Timothy.

00:19:15.059 --> 00:19:15.899
 Did you see that?

00:19:18.619 --> 00:19:19.440
 Here we go.

00:19:21.480 --> 00:19:22.279
 There we are.

00:19:22.279 --> 00:19:25.460
 He has saved us and called us

00:19:25.460 --> 00:19:26.399
 with a holy calling.

00:19:26.779 --> 00:19:27.619
 So that's why we say

00:19:27.619 --> 00:19:30.240
 every Christian is called into ministry.

00:19:30.240 --> 00:19:32.379
 Over in 1 Peter 2 and verse 9,

00:19:32.759 --> 00:19:34.379
 you are a chosen race,

00:19:34.799 --> 00:19:36.000
 a royal priesthood,

00:19:36.059 --> 00:19:37.039
 a holy nation,

00:19:37.440 --> 00:19:39.399
 a people for God's own possession,

00:19:39.819 --> 00:19:41.059
 so that you may proclaim

00:19:41.059 --> 00:19:42.740
 the praises of Him,

00:19:42.879 --> 00:19:44.359
 the One who called you

00:19:44.359 --> 00:19:45.500
 out of darkness

00:19:45.500 --> 00:19:47.519
 into His marvelous light.

00:19:47.519 --> 00:19:49.099
 That is our ministry.

00:19:49.500 --> 00:19:51.319
 Proclaim the praises of God.

00:19:52.279 --> 00:19:52.460
 Okay?

00:19:52.980 --> 00:19:54.440
 Proclaim the praises of God.

00:19:54.440 --> 00:19:56.039
 In your relationships,

00:19:56.500 --> 00:19:58.119
 are you praising God?

00:19:59.720 --> 00:20:01.519
 Are you proclaiming His praises?

00:20:02.240 --> 00:20:03.359
 In your workplace,

00:20:03.660 --> 00:20:05.180
 are you proclaiming His praises?

00:20:06.180 --> 00:20:08.599
 Do His praises enter your mouth?

00:20:08.819 --> 00:20:10.059
 Are they on your lips?

00:20:10.059 --> 00:20:13.659
 Let His praise be forever on my lips.

00:20:14.740 --> 00:20:16.440
 None of us are praising God

00:20:16.440 --> 00:20:17.259
 as we should,

00:20:18.119 --> 00:20:20.579
 but we are called to do just that.

00:20:21.460 --> 00:20:22.259
 Number four,

00:20:22.539 --> 00:20:25.980
 every Christian is gifted for ministry.

00:20:26.119 --> 00:20:28.099
 We got into this extensively last week

00:20:28.099 --> 00:20:29.500
 when we talked about spiritual gifts,

00:20:29.740 --> 00:20:30.500
 and Sunday night,

00:20:30.599 --> 00:20:31.720
 we dove into it even more

00:20:31.720 --> 00:20:34.159
 and passed out individual spiritual gifts.

00:20:34.160 --> 00:20:36.420
 I don't know,

00:20:36.580 --> 00:20:37.460
 tests, exams,

00:20:37.580 --> 00:20:38.519
 whatever you want to call them.

00:20:39.900 --> 00:20:40.340
 Surveys,

00:20:40.680 --> 00:20:41.620
 just to kind of go through

00:20:41.620 --> 00:20:42.420
 and answer questions

00:20:42.420 --> 00:20:44.019
 that might help reveal to you

00:20:44.019 --> 00:20:46.000
 what God has gifted you,

00:20:46.120 --> 00:20:46.680
 prepared you,

00:20:46.779 --> 00:20:47.700
 equipped you for.

00:20:48.500 --> 00:20:49.580
 And so every Christian

00:20:49.580 --> 00:20:51.100
 is gifted for ministry.

00:20:51.220 --> 00:20:51.800
 How do we know that?

00:20:51.880 --> 00:20:53.420
 1 Peter chapter 4 and verse 10.

00:20:53.840 --> 00:20:54.640
 Each one,

00:20:54.800 --> 00:20:56.800
 each one has received a gift,

00:20:57.120 --> 00:20:58.320
 so we should use it

00:20:58.320 --> 00:20:59.600
 to serve others

00:20:59.600 --> 00:21:01.060
 as good stewards

00:21:01.060 --> 00:21:03.440
 of the buried grace of God.

00:21:03.440 --> 00:21:05.480
 The buried grace of God

00:21:05.480 --> 00:21:07.820
 is what God has given each one of us.

00:21:07.920 --> 00:21:08.480
 It's various.

00:21:08.759 --> 00:21:09.640
 It's changing.

00:21:09.820 --> 00:21:10.299
 It's different.

00:21:10.940 --> 00:21:11.680
 It's unique.

00:21:12.759 --> 00:21:13.620
 Each one of us

00:21:13.620 --> 00:21:15.180
 does not have the same gifts,

00:21:15.519 --> 00:21:17.220
 but each one of our gifts

00:21:17.220 --> 00:21:18.779
 are valuable.

00:21:20.220 --> 00:21:21.279
 And each one of us

00:21:21.279 --> 00:21:23.460
 has received a gift from God.

00:21:23.779 --> 00:21:25.420
 We are gifted for ministry.

00:21:25.700 --> 00:21:27.340
 That's not just to make you look good.

00:21:27.960 --> 00:21:29.660
 That's not to just impress people.

00:21:30.460 --> 00:21:32.400
 That gift that God has given you,

00:21:32.400 --> 00:21:34.120
 whatever it is,

00:21:34.920 --> 00:21:37.720
 that isn't just to help people like you

00:21:37.720 --> 00:21:39.480
 and raise you in the estimation of others.

00:21:39.660 --> 00:21:40.860
 It's to serve.

00:21:41.460 --> 00:21:42.680
 It's to serve others.

00:21:43.140 --> 00:21:44.540
 So if you don't find yourself

00:21:44.540 --> 00:21:48.019
 increasing in service each year,

00:21:48.440 --> 00:21:50.580
 then go back and say,

00:21:50.720 --> 00:21:52.280
 God, help me use my gift

00:21:52.280 --> 00:21:53.380
 more effectively for you.

00:21:54.380 --> 00:21:56.560
 I don't want my gift to go to waste.

00:21:56.559 --> 00:22:00.019
 Every year, we should walk

00:22:00.019 --> 00:22:01.319
 a little more closely with God.

00:22:01.759 --> 00:22:03.319
 Every year, He should work

00:22:03.319 --> 00:22:04.639
 a little more through us.

00:22:05.519 --> 00:22:08.119
 It's not a zero to a hundred overnight.

00:22:08.399 --> 00:22:10.599
 It's a slow, progressive walk

00:22:10.599 --> 00:22:12.059
 and journey with the Lord.

00:22:13.079 --> 00:22:14.599
 But we must be improving.

00:22:14.700 --> 00:22:16.599
 Otherwise, we start slipping back.

00:22:17.319 --> 00:22:18.240
 We start slipping back.

00:22:18.940 --> 00:22:20.220
 We start becoming more selfish,

00:22:20.399 --> 00:22:21.159
 more self-focused.

00:22:21.160 --> 00:22:23.640
 It starts becoming more about us.

00:22:23.720 --> 00:22:24.840
 The cares of this life,

00:22:24.980 --> 00:22:26.800
 the fear that is so tempting

00:22:26.800 --> 00:22:28.720
 to give into,

00:22:29.420 --> 00:22:30.900
 starts to distract us

00:22:30.900 --> 00:22:33.900
 from the purpose,

00:22:34.060 --> 00:22:35.480
 that great and glorious purpose

00:22:35.480 --> 00:22:36.500
 that God has given to us.

00:22:37.300 --> 00:22:38.279
 So if you don't feel like

00:22:38.279 --> 00:22:39.320
 you're accomplishing your purpose,

00:22:40.140 --> 00:22:41.100
 if you don't feel like maybe

00:22:41.100 --> 00:22:42.779
 that's what best describes

00:22:42.779 --> 00:22:43.759
 your life at this moment,

00:22:43.820 --> 00:22:44.940
 let's go back to the drawing board.

00:22:45.019 --> 00:22:45.540
 Let's sit down.

00:22:45.759 --> 00:22:46.700
 Let's sit down and talk.

00:22:46.700 --> 00:22:49.059
 But let's let the Scripture

00:22:49.059 --> 00:22:50.759
 be the magnifying glass

00:22:50.759 --> 00:22:52.059
 that shows us exactly

00:22:52.059 --> 00:22:53.240
 where we went wrong,

00:22:53.620 --> 00:22:54.860
 how we can go back

00:22:54.860 --> 00:22:56.940
 and start using our gifts for service.

00:22:58.279 --> 00:22:59.620
 And then number five,

00:23:00.039 --> 00:23:02.180
 every Christian is authorized

00:23:02.180 --> 00:23:03.640
 for ministry.

00:23:04.840 --> 00:23:06.440
 This doesn't mean that every Christian

00:23:06.440 --> 00:23:07.840
 is authorized for every ministry.

00:23:09.000 --> 00:23:09.180
 Okay?

00:23:11.640 --> 00:23:13.039
 There are some ministries

00:23:13.039 --> 00:23:15.180
 that I should not do.

00:23:16.700 --> 00:23:18.860
 If y'all put me in the kitchen to cook,

00:23:19.240 --> 00:23:19.960
 it's not going to work.

00:23:20.319 --> 00:23:20.480
 Okay?

00:23:21.039 --> 00:23:22.500
 I will come out with some

00:23:22.500 --> 00:23:24.400
 microwave cheese quesadillas

00:23:24.400 --> 00:23:25.140
 or something, okay,

00:23:25.180 --> 00:23:25.779
 for everybody.

00:23:26.500 --> 00:23:27.519
 Open up a can of salsa,

00:23:27.640 --> 00:23:27.940
 we're good.

00:23:28.759 --> 00:23:31.740
 But if you put me in the nursery,

00:23:32.019 --> 00:23:32.360
 you know,

00:23:32.539 --> 00:23:33.460
 that would maybe not be

00:23:33.460 --> 00:23:34.519
 the best fit for me.

00:23:35.240 --> 00:23:36.519
 Not everybody is authorized

00:23:36.519 --> 00:23:37.559
 for every ministry,

00:23:38.279 --> 00:23:39.400
 but everyone is authorized

00:23:39.400 --> 00:23:40.039
 for ministry.

00:23:40.420 --> 00:23:40.600
 Okay?

00:23:41.140 --> 00:23:42.299
 Don't let anybody tell you

00:23:42.299 --> 00:23:44.140
 you can't be a minister.

00:23:44.580 --> 00:23:45.720
 Don't let anybody tell you

00:23:45.720 --> 00:23:47.160
 you can't serve

00:23:47.160 --> 00:23:48.120
 with the gifts

00:23:48.120 --> 00:23:49.279
 that God has given you

00:23:49.279 --> 00:23:50.680
 in the local church.

00:23:51.400 --> 00:23:51.539
 Okay?

00:23:51.579 --> 00:23:52.600
 Every Christian is authorized

00:23:52.600 --> 00:23:53.319
 for ministry.

00:23:53.740 --> 00:23:55.180
 We know that from Matthew 28.

00:23:55.279 --> 00:23:56.660
 We call it the Great Commission.

00:23:56.819 --> 00:23:57.539
 That's where we received

00:23:57.539 --> 00:23:58.600
 our commission from God.

00:23:58.940 --> 00:23:59.519
 Jesus said,

00:23:59.819 --> 00:24:00.420
 all authority

00:24:00.420 --> 00:24:02.420
 has been given to me.

00:24:02.740 --> 00:24:03.500
 Say, well, that's great.

00:24:03.600 --> 00:24:04.900
 We know that Jesus is authorized.

00:24:05.200 --> 00:24:05.480
 Okay?

00:24:05.920 --> 00:24:07.680
 We know that God authorized Jesus.

00:24:08.079 --> 00:24:09.360
 What does that have to do with us?

00:24:09.680 --> 00:24:10.720
 Well, in verse 19,

00:24:10.720 --> 00:24:11.319
 he says,

00:24:11.720 --> 00:24:12.240
 you go.

00:24:12.660 --> 00:24:13.059
 Go.

00:24:13.779 --> 00:24:15.600
 Go, the royal you out there,

00:24:15.680 --> 00:24:16.759
 the church, us.

00:24:16.980 --> 00:24:17.759
 He says, go.

00:24:19.039 --> 00:24:21.259
 Because I have all authority,

00:24:22.160 --> 00:24:22.819
 you go.

00:24:22.980 --> 00:24:23.920
 What does that make sense?

00:24:24.660 --> 00:24:25.480
 How does that work?

00:24:26.019 --> 00:24:26.539
 You're the one

00:24:26.539 --> 00:24:27.220
 that has the authority.

00:24:27.319 --> 00:24:28.059
 Why don't you do it?

00:24:28.660 --> 00:24:29.839
 Because Jesus says,

00:24:30.160 --> 00:24:30.620
 you go,

00:24:30.900 --> 00:24:31.579
 make disciples,

00:24:31.960 --> 00:24:32.600
 baptize them

00:24:32.600 --> 00:24:33.779
 in the name of the Father,

00:24:33.880 --> 00:24:34.180
 the Son,

00:24:34.240 --> 00:24:34.799
 the Holy Spirit.

00:24:35.000 --> 00:24:35.660
 Teach them

00:24:35.660 --> 00:24:37.079
 to do all the things

00:24:37.079 --> 00:24:37.980
 I've commanded you

00:24:37.980 --> 00:24:40.099
 because he is with us.

00:24:40.160 --> 00:24:40.640
 I think I forgot

00:24:40.640 --> 00:24:41.640
 to put verse 20 in there.

00:24:41.720 --> 00:24:42.039
 He says,

00:24:42.420 --> 00:24:43.539
 I am with you.

00:24:43.640 --> 00:24:44.539
 The one who has

00:24:44.539 --> 00:24:45.319
 all the authority,

00:24:46.099 --> 00:24:47.779
 the one who's been authorized,

00:24:48.240 --> 00:24:49.200
 I go with you.

00:24:49.360 --> 00:24:50.279
 You have access

00:24:50.279 --> 00:24:51.240
 to all that power,

00:24:51.559 --> 00:24:52.339
 all that authority.

00:24:52.700 --> 00:24:53.980
 You are authorized to go.

00:24:55.339 --> 00:24:56.240
 So that's how we know.

00:24:57.299 --> 00:24:58.220
 Anybody says,

00:24:58.799 --> 00:25:00.900
 you shouldn't do that.

00:25:03.680 --> 00:25:04.559
 God says,

00:25:04.940 --> 00:25:06.140
 I sent you.

00:25:06.140 --> 00:25:07.640
 I sent you

00:25:07.640 --> 00:25:08.220
 to fulfill

00:25:08.220 --> 00:25:09.720
 your ministry.

00:25:11.480 --> 00:25:12.100
 You know,

00:25:12.140 --> 00:25:12.920
 the reality is,

00:25:13.440 --> 00:25:14.620
 sometimes we fail

00:25:14.620 --> 00:25:15.080
 on this earth.

00:25:15.640 --> 00:25:16.480
 Sometimes we fall

00:25:16.480 --> 00:25:17.040
 on this earth.

00:25:18.380 --> 00:25:19.600
 Sometimes the consequences

00:25:19.600 --> 00:25:20.620
 of what we do

00:25:20.620 --> 00:25:22.860
 disqualify us

00:25:22.860 --> 00:25:25.780
 from doing certain things

00:25:25.780 --> 00:25:27.020
 in the church for God.

00:25:27.080 --> 00:25:27.880
 You know why that happens?

00:25:28.500 --> 00:25:29.000
 You know why

00:25:29.000 --> 00:25:29.920
 it disqualifies us?

00:25:30.120 --> 00:25:30.820
 Because it hurts

00:25:30.820 --> 00:25:31.360
 our testimony.

00:25:32.340 --> 00:25:33.380
 We're going out

00:25:33.380 --> 00:25:34.460
 and presenting ourselves

00:25:34.460 --> 00:25:35.500
 as ambassadors

00:25:35.500 --> 00:25:36.720
 for Jesus Christ.

00:25:38.839 --> 00:25:40.480
 And so certain things

00:25:40.480 --> 00:25:41.740
 can compromise that.

00:25:43.579 --> 00:25:44.940
 So your ministry

00:25:44.940 --> 00:25:45.759
 might be limited

00:25:45.759 --> 00:25:46.619
 in certain areas.

00:25:47.619 --> 00:25:48.940
 But God never

00:25:48.940 --> 00:25:49.640
 takes back

00:25:49.640 --> 00:25:50.299
 his callings

00:25:50.299 --> 00:25:50.940
 on your life.

00:25:52.099 --> 00:25:53.420
 God never removed

00:25:53.420 --> 00:25:54.480
 his ministry

00:25:54.480 --> 00:25:55.660
 that he has

00:25:55.660 --> 00:25:56.319
 for you.

00:25:56.680 --> 00:25:58.059
 You can still minister.

00:25:58.259 --> 00:25:59.319
 You can still serve.

00:25:59.619 --> 00:26:00.500
 You can still fulfill

00:26:00.500 --> 00:26:01.359
 your purpose

00:26:01.359 --> 00:26:03.079
 even though

00:26:03.079 --> 00:26:04.859
 you might have messed up.

00:26:04.859 --> 00:26:05.299
 Guess what?

00:26:05.339 --> 00:26:05.859
 Everybody in here

00:26:05.859 --> 00:26:06.439
 is messed up.

00:26:07.479 --> 00:26:08.419
 There's not a man,

00:26:08.519 --> 00:26:09.159
 woman, or child

00:26:09.159 --> 00:26:09.779
 in this room

00:26:09.779 --> 00:26:11.179
 that hasn't messed up.

00:26:12.919 --> 00:26:14.039
 So whatever God

00:26:14.039 --> 00:26:15.019
 is still allowing you

00:26:15.019 --> 00:26:15.459
 to do,

00:26:15.879 --> 00:26:17.599
 don't let that

00:26:17.599 --> 00:26:18.199
 responsibility,

00:26:18.459 --> 00:26:19.000
 don't let that

00:26:19.000 --> 00:26:20.240
 ministry slide.

00:26:21.879 --> 00:26:23.799
 Fulfill your ministry.

00:26:23.799 --> 00:26:23.859
 ministry.

00:26:24.859 --> 00:26:25.960
 Because number six,

00:26:26.220 --> 00:26:26.779
 every Christian

00:26:26.779 --> 00:26:27.559
 is needed

00:26:27.559 --> 00:26:28.799
 for ministry.

00:26:28.960 --> 00:26:29.680
 We are all

00:26:29.680 --> 00:26:30.319
 needed.

00:26:30.680 --> 00:26:31.799
 Every single one

00:26:31.799 --> 00:26:32.180
 of you,

00:26:32.419 --> 00:26:33.819
 from Billy Carlton

00:26:33.819 --> 00:26:34.740
 who stands out there

00:26:34.740 --> 00:26:35.399
 and hands out

00:26:35.399 --> 00:26:36.180
 bulletins

00:26:36.180 --> 00:26:37.159
 when people come in,

00:26:37.839 --> 00:26:39.200
 to every one

00:26:39.200 --> 00:26:40.359
 of our children's

00:26:40.359 --> 00:26:40.839
 volunteers.

00:26:41.460 --> 00:26:42.099
 God bless

00:26:42.099 --> 00:26:42.680
 those people.

00:26:43.460 --> 00:26:44.339
 Those people

00:26:44.339 --> 00:26:45.240
 who will go in there

00:26:45.240 --> 00:26:47.180
 and from the babies

00:26:47.180 --> 00:26:48.079
 all the way up

00:26:48.079 --> 00:26:49.319
 to teenagers

00:26:49.319 --> 00:26:50.079
 and beyond,

00:26:50.079 --> 00:26:52.659
 that is such

00:26:52.659 --> 00:26:53.679
 a vital ministry

00:26:53.679 --> 00:26:54.480
 in this church.

00:26:55.439 --> 00:26:56.359
 To the people

00:26:56.359 --> 00:26:57.679
 who pick up trash,

00:26:58.119 --> 00:26:58.759
 to the people

00:26:58.759 --> 00:26:59.859
 who cook

00:26:59.859 --> 00:27:00.679
 on Wednesday nights,

00:27:00.799 --> 00:27:01.259
 to the people

00:27:01.259 --> 00:27:01.740
 who do

00:27:01.740 --> 00:27:02.639
 all the different

00:27:02.639 --> 00:27:03.159
 things

00:27:03.159 --> 00:27:04.740
 that make

00:27:04.740 --> 00:27:05.779
 this church tick,

00:27:05.879 --> 00:27:06.419
 that make us

00:27:06.419 --> 00:27:07.099
 keep going,

00:27:07.419 --> 00:27:08.419
 the kindness ministry

00:27:08.419 --> 00:27:09.000
 goes out

00:27:09.000 --> 00:27:09.539
 and sometimes

00:27:09.539 --> 00:27:10.119
 not everybody

00:27:10.119 --> 00:27:11.039
 jumps in and helps,

00:27:11.379 --> 00:27:12.199
 but they're out there

00:27:12.199 --> 00:27:13.019
 spreading the love

00:27:13.019 --> 00:27:13.419
 of Jesus

00:27:13.419 --> 00:27:14.179
 in the community.

00:27:14.559 --> 00:27:15.419
 I can tell you

00:27:15.419 --> 00:27:17.419
 that every single role

00:27:17.419 --> 00:27:18.299
 is needed.

00:27:18.299 --> 00:27:19.779
 It's vital.

00:27:20.779 --> 00:27:21.599
 And there are roles

00:27:21.599 --> 00:27:22.279
 that are currently

00:27:22.279 --> 00:27:23.119
 unfulfilled

00:27:23.119 --> 00:27:24.200
 that are needed.

00:27:25.619 --> 00:27:27.039
 There are slots

00:27:27.039 --> 00:27:27.859
 that we have

00:27:27.859 --> 00:27:28.659
 nobody in

00:27:28.659 --> 00:27:30.480
 that are absolutely

00:27:30.480 --> 00:27:30.899
 needed.

00:27:31.819 --> 00:27:33.299
 1 Corinthians 12, 27,

00:27:33.680 --> 00:27:35.359
 you are the body.

00:27:36.079 --> 00:27:36.940
 It is you.

00:27:37.279 --> 00:27:38.079
 If you come,

00:27:38.159 --> 00:27:38.740
 if you're a part

00:27:38.740 --> 00:27:39.359
 of this church,

00:27:39.819 --> 00:27:41.240
 then you're the body.

00:27:41.539 --> 00:27:42.299
 You're individual

00:27:42.299 --> 00:27:43.759
 members of the body.

00:27:44.839 --> 00:27:45.379
 Guess what?

00:27:45.379 --> 00:27:46.680
 We need all the parts

00:27:46.680 --> 00:27:47.779
 of our body, right?

00:27:48.299 --> 00:27:49.940
 If you lose

00:27:49.940 --> 00:27:50.619
 one of the parts

00:27:50.619 --> 00:27:51.299
 of your body,

00:27:51.619 --> 00:27:52.940
 you notice it.

00:27:54.039 --> 00:27:55.359
 Even the tiniest

00:27:55.359 --> 00:27:56.079
 little part,

00:27:56.399 --> 00:27:57.639
 you still notice it.

00:27:59.299 --> 00:28:00.180
 One time,

00:28:00.259 --> 00:28:00.819
 I just about

00:28:00.819 --> 00:28:01.759
 lost a toenail.

00:28:03.059 --> 00:28:03.680
 Stubbed my toe

00:28:03.680 --> 00:28:04.259
 so bad,

00:28:04.639 --> 00:28:05.220
 it just,

00:28:05.539 --> 00:28:05.759
 yeah,

00:28:06.359 --> 00:28:06.980
 it's not fun

00:28:06.980 --> 00:28:07.480
 to think about.

00:28:08.019 --> 00:28:08.480
 Just about

00:28:08.480 --> 00:28:09.480
 ripped that thing off.

00:28:10.339 --> 00:28:11.480
 That is a very,

00:28:11.779 --> 00:28:12.779
 very small part

00:28:12.779 --> 00:28:13.379
 of my body,

00:28:13.960 --> 00:28:15.399
 but I was very aware

00:28:15.399 --> 00:28:16.240
 of it in that moment.

00:28:16.240 --> 00:28:18.779
 I absolutely

00:28:18.779 --> 00:28:19.700
 noticed that

00:28:19.700 --> 00:28:20.579
 that part of the body

00:28:20.579 --> 00:28:21.720
 was just about gone

00:28:21.720 --> 00:28:23.480
 and it was not enjoyable.

00:28:25.220 --> 00:28:26.700
 Every single part

00:28:26.700 --> 00:28:27.620
 of our body

00:28:27.620 --> 00:28:28.620
 is essential

00:28:28.620 --> 00:28:29.660
 and every single

00:28:29.660 --> 00:28:30.500
 part of our church,

00:28:30.599 --> 00:28:31.359
 every single member

00:28:31.359 --> 00:28:32.039
 of our church

00:28:32.039 --> 00:28:33.140
 is needed.

00:28:33.740 --> 00:28:34.279
 Number seven,

00:28:34.380 --> 00:28:35.000
 every Christian

00:28:35.000 --> 00:28:36.240
 is accountable

00:28:36.240 --> 00:28:37.460
 for ministry.

00:28:37.859 --> 00:28:38.819
 We are accountable

00:28:38.819 --> 00:28:39.339
 for it.

00:28:39.599 --> 00:28:40.599
 God has given you

00:28:40.599 --> 00:28:41.099
 a ministry

00:28:41.099 --> 00:28:42.500
 and he wants to know

00:28:42.500 --> 00:28:42.980
 that you're going

00:28:42.980 --> 00:28:43.500
 to do it.

00:28:43.500 --> 00:28:44.180
 Okay?

00:28:44.680 --> 00:28:45.299
 First Corinthians,

00:28:45.559 --> 00:28:45.900
 I'm sorry,

00:28:46.000 --> 00:28:46.579
 second Corinthians

00:28:46.579 --> 00:28:47.420
 chapter five,

00:28:47.900 --> 00:28:49.160
 for we must all

00:28:49.160 --> 00:28:50.039
 appear before

00:28:50.039 --> 00:28:50.759
 the judgment seat

00:28:50.759 --> 00:28:51.140
 of Christ.

00:28:51.240 --> 00:28:51.680
 It's not just

00:28:51.680 --> 00:28:52.099
 the pastor,

00:28:52.339 --> 00:28:52.880
 it's not just

00:28:52.880 --> 00:28:53.380
 the staff,

00:28:53.559 --> 00:28:54.059
 it's not just

00:28:54.059 --> 00:28:54.779
 the committee members,

00:28:55.019 --> 00:28:55.519
 it's not just

00:28:55.519 --> 00:28:56.000
 the deacons

00:28:56.000 --> 00:28:56.500
 or trustees

00:28:56.500 --> 00:28:57.900
 or anybody else,

00:28:57.960 --> 00:28:58.400
 it's not just

00:28:58.400 --> 00:28:59.099
 the ministry team

00:28:59.099 --> 00:28:59.420
 leaders.

00:28:59.839 --> 00:29:00.940
 Every one of us

00:29:00.940 --> 00:29:01.819
 is going to appear

00:29:01.819 --> 00:29:02.660
 before the judgment

00:29:02.660 --> 00:29:03.359
 seat of Christ.

00:29:03.539 --> 00:29:04.119
 This is not

00:29:04.119 --> 00:29:05.299
 the great white throne

00:29:05.299 --> 00:29:05.700
 judgment.

00:29:06.119 --> 00:29:07.240
 That's where the lost

00:29:07.240 --> 00:29:08.559
 must be held

00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:09.920
 accountable for their sins.

00:29:10.339 --> 00:29:11.220
 Those who rejected

00:29:11.220 --> 00:29:11.640
 Jesus,

00:29:11.640 --> 00:29:12.580
 those who never

00:29:12.580 --> 00:29:13.759
 got saved

00:29:13.759 --> 00:29:14.320
 is what we like

00:29:14.320 --> 00:29:14.800
 to call it,

00:29:15.080 --> 00:29:15.980
 but putting our faith

00:29:15.980 --> 00:29:16.800
 in Jesus Christ,

00:29:17.080 --> 00:29:17.920
 they have to stand

00:29:17.920 --> 00:29:18.740
 before the great

00:29:18.740 --> 00:29:19.440
 white throne

00:29:19.440 --> 00:29:21.259
 seat of judgment

00:29:21.259 --> 00:29:22.160
 before Christ

00:29:22.160 --> 00:29:22.820
 and be judged

00:29:22.820 --> 00:29:23.720
 according to their sins.

00:29:24.040 --> 00:29:24.520
 You and I

00:29:24.520 --> 00:29:25.480
 will not be judged

00:29:25.480 --> 00:29:26.360
 according to our sins

00:29:26.360 --> 00:29:27.420
 if we put our faith

00:29:27.420 --> 00:29:27.880
 in Christ.

00:29:28.340 --> 00:29:29.540
 We then go to the

00:29:29.540 --> 00:29:30.520
 judgment seat of Christ.

00:29:30.880 --> 00:29:31.540
 We are judged

00:29:31.540 --> 00:29:32.200
 for the good

00:29:32.200 --> 00:29:33.220
 that we did for Christ

00:29:33.220 --> 00:29:34.360
 so that each one

00:29:34.360 --> 00:29:34.960
 may receive

00:29:34.960 --> 00:29:35.759
 what is due

00:29:35.759 --> 00:29:37.100
 for what he has done

00:29:37.100 --> 00:29:38.120
 in the body

00:29:38.120 --> 00:29:39.420
 whether good or evil.

00:29:39.820 --> 00:29:40.740
 The things we did

00:29:40.740 --> 00:29:41.540
 for ourselves,

00:29:41.640 --> 00:29:42.800
 that will be burned up.

00:29:43.620 --> 00:29:44.300
 We're not going to be

00:29:44.300 --> 00:29:44.940
 judged for it

00:29:44.940 --> 00:29:45.660
 and sent to hell.

00:29:45.980 --> 00:29:46.740
 That's all done.

00:29:46.900 --> 00:29:47.740
 Jesus paid that.

00:29:48.480 --> 00:29:49.540
 But it's not going

00:29:49.540 --> 00:29:50.940
 to produce anything good.

00:29:51.200 --> 00:29:52.220
 The things that we did

00:29:52.220 --> 00:29:52.900
 for God,

00:29:52.980 --> 00:29:53.860
 the work that we did

00:29:53.860 --> 00:29:54.500
 for him,

00:29:54.800 --> 00:29:55.800
 that will produce

00:29:55.800 --> 00:29:56.880
 gold, silver,

00:29:57.040 --> 00:29:57.740
 precious stones,

00:29:57.860 --> 00:29:58.880
 things of great value

00:29:58.880 --> 00:30:00.540
 and God will reward us

00:30:00.540 --> 00:30:01.000
 for that.

00:30:01.640 --> 00:30:03.000
 He will give us crowns.

00:30:03.340 --> 00:30:04.500
 He will reward us greatly

00:30:04.500 --> 00:30:05.759
 and we'll then turn around

00:30:05.759 --> 00:30:06.700
 and cast those crowns

00:30:06.700 --> 00:30:07.420
 at Jesus' feet

00:30:07.420 --> 00:30:08.040
 because we know

00:30:08.040 --> 00:30:08.600
 it was all through

00:30:08.600 --> 00:30:09.080
 his power.

00:30:09.079 --> 00:30:10.039
 We're accountable

00:30:10.039 --> 00:30:11.339
 for what we do

00:30:11.339 --> 00:30:12.359
 with the ministry

00:30:12.359 --> 00:30:13.679
 that God has given to us.

00:30:14.000 --> 00:30:14.659
 And then number eight,

00:30:14.859 --> 00:30:15.419
 every Christian

00:30:15.419 --> 00:30:16.179
 will be rewarded

00:30:16.179 --> 00:30:16.819
 for ministry.

00:30:17.539 --> 00:30:18.619
 We just talked about it

00:30:18.619 --> 00:30:19.179
 a moment ago

00:30:19.179 --> 00:30:20.599
 but in Colossians 3,

00:30:21.000 --> 00:30:21.779
 Paul writes about it.

00:30:21.819 --> 00:30:22.139
 He says,

00:30:22.240 --> 00:30:22.960
 whatever you do,

00:30:23.199 --> 00:30:24.119
 do it from the heart

00:30:24.119 --> 00:30:25.379
 as something done

00:30:25.379 --> 00:30:25.899
 for the Lord

00:30:25.899 --> 00:30:26.819
 and not for people

00:30:26.819 --> 00:30:28.259
 knowing that you will

00:30:28.259 --> 00:30:29.519
 receive the reward

00:30:29.519 --> 00:30:30.199
 of an inheritance

00:30:30.199 --> 00:30:31.439
 from the Lord.

00:30:31.799 --> 00:30:32.639
 You serve

00:30:32.639 --> 00:30:34.299
 the Lord Christ.

00:30:34.500 --> 00:30:35.240
 Guess what folks?

00:30:35.640 --> 00:30:36.940
 God is going to reward you

00:30:36.940 --> 00:30:37.620
 for ministry.

00:30:38.539 --> 00:30:39.519
 It doesn't matter

00:30:39.519 --> 00:30:40.460
 if you get all the pats

00:30:40.460 --> 00:30:40.940
 on the back

00:30:40.940 --> 00:30:41.859
 that you think you should

00:30:41.859 --> 00:30:42.440
 on this earth,

00:30:42.839 --> 00:30:43.720
 in this church.

00:30:44.740 --> 00:30:45.940
 We're not doing it

00:30:45.940 --> 00:30:47.700
 for each other.

00:30:47.819 --> 00:30:48.460
 We're doing it,

00:30:48.559 --> 00:30:48.940
 number one,

00:30:49.000 --> 00:30:49.480
 for the Lord.

00:30:50.099 --> 00:30:50.279
 Okay?

00:30:51.599 --> 00:30:52.880
 Now we should love each other.

00:30:52.960 --> 00:30:54.039
 We should try to help each other.

00:30:54.120 --> 00:30:55.480
 We should try to serve each other

00:30:55.480 --> 00:30:56.480
 but our motivation

00:30:56.480 --> 00:30:57.880
 is we are serving

00:30:57.880 --> 00:30:59.059
 Jesus Christ

00:30:59.059 --> 00:31:00.940
 and He is the one

00:31:00.940 --> 00:31:02.319
 who will reward us.

00:31:02.319 --> 00:31:03.679
 We will receive

00:31:03.679 --> 00:31:04.980
 the reward

00:31:04.980 --> 00:31:06.759
 of our ministry

00:31:06.759 --> 00:31:08.379
 from God.

00:31:09.579 --> 00:31:10.299
 Anybody know

00:31:10.299 --> 00:31:10.960
 what this stuff is?

00:31:12.379 --> 00:31:13.480
 Take a wild guess.

00:31:15.019 --> 00:31:16.480
 It's purposefully small.

00:31:16.679 --> 00:31:16.839
 Okay?

00:31:16.939 --> 00:31:18.200
 Because I'm not doing

00:31:18.200 --> 00:31:19.119
 advertisements here.

00:31:19.319 --> 00:31:19.579
 Okay?

00:31:20.859 --> 00:31:22.099
 The one on the left

00:31:22.099 --> 00:31:23.339
 is Southwest Airlines.

00:31:23.879 --> 00:31:24.859
 The one on the right

00:31:24.859 --> 00:31:25.599
 is Sam's Club.

00:31:26.019 --> 00:31:26.259
 Okay?

00:31:26.679 --> 00:31:28.159
 These are the two memberships

00:31:28.159 --> 00:31:29.619
 that I have

00:31:29.619 --> 00:31:30.939
 that I've reached

00:31:30.939 --> 00:31:33.559
 a certain status in.

00:31:33.879 --> 00:31:34.139
 Okay?

00:31:35.419 --> 00:31:36.579
 Let me tell you,

00:31:36.679 --> 00:31:38.359
 back in my previous job

00:31:38.359 --> 00:31:38.779
 when I was working

00:31:38.779 --> 00:31:39.759
 for Southwestern Seminary,

00:31:39.839 --> 00:31:40.759
 I was doing a lot of traveling

00:31:40.759 --> 00:31:42.719
 and I will never forget

00:31:42.719 --> 00:31:43.199
 the day

00:31:43.199 --> 00:31:44.219
 that I became

00:31:44.219 --> 00:31:44.919
 A-list

00:31:44.919 --> 00:31:46.259
 on Southwest Airlines.

00:31:46.959 --> 00:31:47.139
 Okay?

00:31:49.899 --> 00:31:51.359
 It was just a special moment.

00:31:53.279 --> 00:31:54.239
 Now unfortunately,

00:31:54.579 --> 00:31:56.119
 I was not A-list preferred

00:31:56.119 --> 00:31:57.159
 because of course

00:31:57.159 --> 00:31:58.459
 there's always another tier up

00:31:58.460 --> 00:31:59.519
 from where you are,

00:31:59.720 --> 00:32:00.039
 you know?

00:32:00.319 --> 00:32:01.079
 But still,

00:32:01.279 --> 00:32:02.420
 I wasn't just one

00:32:02.420 --> 00:32:03.700
 of those ragtag passengers

00:32:03.700 --> 00:32:05.259
 who had to like

00:32:05.259 --> 00:32:06.019
 board later,

00:32:06.360 --> 00:32:06.720
 you know?

00:32:07.100 --> 00:32:08.279
 I got to go on

00:32:08.279 --> 00:32:09.960
 in like the third

00:32:09.960 --> 00:32:10.519
 boarding group

00:32:10.519 --> 00:32:10.900
 or something.

00:32:12.160 --> 00:32:13.740
 It was really important.

00:32:14.100 --> 00:32:14.559
 How many of you guys

00:32:14.559 --> 00:32:15.259
 have flown

00:32:15.259 --> 00:32:16.039
 Southwest Airlines?

00:32:16.519 --> 00:32:17.180
 Slip your hands up

00:32:17.180 --> 00:32:17.500
 real quick.

00:32:18.380 --> 00:32:19.779
 I love it in the Metroplex

00:32:19.779 --> 00:32:20.200
 especially

00:32:20.200 --> 00:32:20.819
 because I get to go

00:32:20.819 --> 00:32:21.440
 to Love Field

00:32:21.440 --> 00:32:22.759
 and avoid the nightmare

00:32:22.759 --> 00:32:23.700
 that is DFW.

00:32:25.880 --> 00:32:26.860
 But yeah,

00:32:26.859 --> 00:32:28.019
 so you know

00:32:28.019 --> 00:32:29.139
 on Southwest Airlines

00:32:29.139 --> 00:32:30.319
 you have to check in

00:32:30.319 --> 00:32:32.119
 on the app

00:32:32.119 --> 00:32:32.539
 or whatever

00:32:32.539 --> 00:32:32.979
 when.

00:32:33.939 --> 00:32:34.459
 Anybody know?

00:32:35.319 --> 00:32:36.679
 24 hours in advance,

00:32:36.740 --> 00:32:36.939
 right?

00:32:37.439 --> 00:32:38.519
 If you want to get

00:32:38.519 --> 00:32:40.019
 any kind of decent seat,

00:32:40.119 --> 00:32:41.179
 you got to check in then.

00:32:42.299 --> 00:32:43.139
 Now they have

00:32:43.139 --> 00:32:43.659
 A group,

00:32:43.799 --> 00:32:44.479
 they have B group,

00:32:44.579 --> 00:32:45.259
 they have C group.

00:32:45.939 --> 00:32:46.759
 I quit paying attention

00:32:46.759 --> 00:32:47.219
 after that.

00:32:47.279 --> 00:32:47.500
 I don't know

00:32:47.500 --> 00:32:48.219
 how far it goes.

00:32:50.439 --> 00:32:51.399
 How many of you guys

00:32:51.399 --> 00:32:52.299
 have made A group

00:32:52.299 --> 00:32:52.959
 every time?

00:32:53.699 --> 00:32:54.459
 Just like every time.

00:32:54.460 --> 00:32:55.180
 Wow.

00:32:55.400 --> 00:32:55.640
 Okay,

00:32:55.720 --> 00:32:56.079
 Laura Lee,

00:32:56.180 --> 00:32:57.360
 just flex on everybody

00:32:57.360 --> 00:32:57.840
 right now.

00:32:59.240 --> 00:32:59.819
 That's called

00:32:59.819 --> 00:33:00.779
 blessed and highly favored

00:33:00.779 --> 00:33:01.200
 right there.

00:33:03.700 --> 00:33:04.100
 Yeah,

00:33:04.240 --> 00:33:04.579
 it's,

00:33:05.059 --> 00:33:05.620
 you know,

00:33:05.840 --> 00:33:06.779
 it's annoying

00:33:06.779 --> 00:33:07.799
 because you sit there

00:33:07.799 --> 00:33:08.759
 and my flight leaves

00:33:08.759 --> 00:33:10.360
 at 327.

00:33:10.620 --> 00:33:11.759
 So at 327

00:33:11.759 --> 00:33:12.299
 the day before,

00:33:12.420 --> 00:33:12.980
 I'm going to click

00:33:12.980 --> 00:33:13.360
 the button

00:33:13.360 --> 00:33:14.120
 and check in.

00:33:14.460 --> 00:33:14.680
 Man,

00:33:14.720 --> 00:33:15.620
 I still got B group.

00:33:15.700 --> 00:33:16.440
 How did that work,

00:33:16.480 --> 00:33:16.700
 right?

00:33:17.160 --> 00:33:18.059
 Because all us

00:33:18.059 --> 00:33:18.960
 A list people,

00:33:19.360 --> 00:33:21.440
 we don't have to check in.

00:33:21.779 --> 00:33:22.620
 It does it automatically

00:33:22.619 --> 00:33:23.159
 for us.

00:33:23.759 --> 00:33:24.599
 So we're guaranteed

00:33:24.599 --> 00:33:25.959
 to get A list.

00:33:27.559 --> 00:33:28.539
 I'm doing all this

00:33:28.539 --> 00:33:29.519
 like I still have it

00:33:29.519 --> 00:33:30.179
 and my A list

00:33:30.179 --> 00:33:31.119
 definitely expired

00:33:31.119 --> 00:33:32.979
 so it's gone now.

00:33:33.099 --> 00:33:33.979
 But let me tell you

00:33:33.979 --> 00:33:34.659
 it was so fun.

00:33:34.939 --> 00:33:35.699
 It was so fun.

00:33:36.619 --> 00:33:37.579
 The other one here,

00:33:38.699 --> 00:33:40.959
 I've reached a certain level

00:33:40.959 --> 00:33:42.679
 of financial prosperity

00:33:42.679 --> 00:33:44.019
 because I went from

00:33:44.019 --> 00:33:45.479
 Sam's Club club membership

00:33:45.479 --> 00:33:46.679
 to plus membership.

00:33:47.500 --> 00:33:47.759
 Yes,

00:33:48.179 --> 00:33:49.099
 that's the kind of coin

00:33:49.099 --> 00:33:49.500
 I got,

00:33:49.839 --> 00:33:50.019
 okay?

00:33:51.439 --> 00:33:52.479
 Sam's Club plus.

00:33:53.059 --> 00:33:54.479
 It's amazing,

00:33:54.819 --> 00:33:55.199
 I think.

00:33:55.359 --> 00:33:56.359
 I'm not 100% sure.

00:33:58.759 --> 00:34:00.059
 I'm looking at the X's.

00:34:00.839 --> 00:34:01.039
 Yeah,

00:34:01.239 --> 00:34:02.659
 the big thing we got it for

00:34:02.659 --> 00:34:03.379
 is the free shipping

00:34:03.379 --> 00:34:04.000
 that they do.

00:34:04.119 --> 00:34:04.559
 That's cool.

00:34:06.419 --> 00:34:06.719
 Yeah,

00:34:06.959 --> 00:34:08.159
 there's optical savings.

00:34:08.759 --> 00:34:09.699
 I don't even wear glasses.

00:34:09.980 --> 00:34:10.960
 So anyway,

00:34:11.219 --> 00:34:11.839
 I don't know.

00:34:12.000 --> 00:34:12.539
 But you know what?

00:34:12.559 --> 00:34:13.480
 It felt good to me

00:34:13.480 --> 00:34:14.319
 to be a plus member

00:34:14.319 --> 00:34:15.019
 and guess what?

00:34:15.159 --> 00:34:16.139
 You get a black card

00:34:16.139 --> 00:34:17.079
 instead of a blue card.

00:34:17.659 --> 00:34:19.319
 So that's always great.

00:34:20.179 --> 00:34:20.699
 Where am I going

00:34:20.699 --> 00:34:21.440
 with all this, right?

00:34:21.440 --> 00:34:22.460
 Most of you are wondering

00:34:22.460 --> 00:34:23.059
 where are you going

00:34:23.059 --> 00:34:23.659
 with all this?

00:34:23.860 --> 00:34:25.179
 We were on a roll

00:34:25.179 --> 00:34:25.920
 and now we're talking

00:34:25.920 --> 00:34:26.780
 about Southwest Airlines

00:34:26.780 --> 00:34:27.360
 and Sam's Club.

00:34:28.200 --> 00:34:29.599
 The idea here is

00:34:29.599 --> 00:34:32.139
 these are clubs, right?

00:34:32.340 --> 00:34:33.099
 These are members.

00:34:33.280 --> 00:34:34.139
 These are memberships.

00:34:34.700 --> 00:34:35.860
 It's really special

00:34:35.860 --> 00:34:37.179
 to be a part of this.

00:34:37.820 --> 00:34:38.960
 The problem is

00:34:38.960 --> 00:34:40.220
 no matter what level

00:34:40.220 --> 00:34:41.019
 I get to,

00:34:41.240 --> 00:34:41.920
 there's always

00:34:41.920 --> 00:34:42.559
 something better.

00:34:43.720 --> 00:34:44.920
 And those memberships

00:34:44.920 --> 00:34:45.539
 expire.

00:34:45.539 --> 00:34:48.380
 I was a Hilton Hotel

00:34:48.380 --> 00:34:50.219
 Diamond member

00:34:50.219 --> 00:34:50.619
 or whatever

00:34:50.619 --> 00:34:51.219
 for a while.

00:34:52.000 --> 00:34:52.679
 It was great.

00:34:53.679 --> 00:34:54.179
 Sort of.

00:34:54.440 --> 00:34:55.420
 It wasn't really worth it.

00:34:56.119 --> 00:34:57.460
 Then it expired.

00:34:58.739 --> 00:35:00.279
 The week after

00:35:00.279 --> 00:35:01.619
 my Diamond membership

00:35:01.619 --> 00:35:02.360
 expired,

00:35:03.179 --> 00:35:04.380
 they started putting in

00:35:04.380 --> 00:35:05.320
 this new policy

00:35:05.320 --> 00:35:06.599
 at Hilton Hotels

00:35:06.599 --> 00:35:07.900
 where they have

00:35:07.900 --> 00:35:09.159
 reserved parking

00:35:09.159 --> 00:35:10.300
 for Diamond members

00:35:10.300 --> 00:35:11.719
 right up next to the door.

00:35:11.719 --> 00:35:14.119
 the week after

00:35:14.119 --> 00:35:15.000
 my Diamond membership

00:35:15.000 --> 00:35:16.299
 expired.

00:35:17.179 --> 00:35:18.359
 I roll up to the hotel.

00:35:18.439 --> 00:35:19.159
 Again, I was doing

00:35:19.159 --> 00:35:19.699
 a lot of traveling.

00:35:20.039 --> 00:35:21.239
 Roll up to my next hotel

00:35:21.239 --> 00:35:22.239
 and right up there

00:35:22.239 --> 00:35:23.119
 I see Reserve

00:35:23.119 --> 00:35:24.279
 for Diamond members.

00:35:24.839 --> 00:35:25.139
 Platinum,

00:35:25.219 --> 00:35:25.959
 whatever they call it.

00:35:26.799 --> 00:35:27.319
 And I'm like,

00:35:27.399 --> 00:35:28.500
 are you kidding me?

00:35:29.579 --> 00:35:30.439
 I've been one

00:35:30.439 --> 00:35:31.799
 for a calendar year

00:35:31.799 --> 00:35:34.579
 and yeah.

00:35:35.059 --> 00:35:35.459
 Anyway,

00:35:35.839 --> 00:35:36.679
 it was a rough moment.

00:35:38.599 --> 00:35:39.759
 Y'all feel bad for me,

00:35:39.779 --> 00:35:40.059
 don't you?

00:35:40.599 --> 00:35:41.359
 First world problem.

00:35:41.719 --> 00:35:42.439
 Look,

00:35:44.000 --> 00:35:44.759
 those things

00:35:44.759 --> 00:35:46.139
 are more silly

00:35:46.139 --> 00:35:46.699
 than they are

00:35:46.699 --> 00:35:47.639
 anything else really.

00:35:48.839 --> 00:35:49.199
 Often,

00:35:49.859 --> 00:35:50.359
 usually,

00:35:50.579 --> 00:35:51.179
 especially with the

00:35:51.179 --> 00:35:52.059
 airlines and hotels,

00:35:52.179 --> 00:35:52.939
 what that means is

00:35:52.939 --> 00:35:53.359
 you're probably

00:35:53.359 --> 00:35:54.179
 traveling too much,

00:35:54.239 --> 00:35:54.980
 you're away from your family

00:35:54.980 --> 00:35:55.839
 more than you would

00:35:55.839 --> 00:35:56.199
 want to be

00:35:56.199 --> 00:35:57.419
 and that's certainly true.

00:35:58.059 --> 00:35:58.759
 And now I'm not

00:35:58.759 --> 00:35:59.679
 a Diamond member

00:35:59.679 --> 00:36:00.039
 with Hilton

00:36:00.039 --> 00:36:00.659
 and I'm not even

00:36:00.659 --> 00:36:01.439
 A-list with Southwest

00:36:01.439 --> 00:36:02.079
 Airlines anymore.

00:36:02.179 --> 00:36:02.679
 I'm just a regular

00:36:02.679 --> 00:36:03.159
 old person.

00:36:04.059 --> 00:36:04.599
 But listen,

00:36:05.799 --> 00:36:07.179
 the idea is

00:36:07.179 --> 00:36:08.299
 you and I

00:36:08.299 --> 00:36:10.079
 are members

00:36:10.079 --> 00:36:12.779
 of an exclusive

00:36:12.779 --> 00:36:13.400
 club.

00:36:15.000 --> 00:36:16.139
 But this is the

00:36:16.139 --> 00:36:17.440
 most inclusive,

00:36:18.559 --> 00:36:19.599
 exclusive club

00:36:19.599 --> 00:36:20.659
 you'll ever find.

00:36:21.699 --> 00:36:22.840
 It's the body

00:36:22.840 --> 00:36:23.639
 of Christ.

00:36:23.639 --> 00:36:26.059
 we are members

00:36:26.059 --> 00:36:26.819
 of it.

00:36:27.960 --> 00:36:28.819
 When man

00:36:28.819 --> 00:36:29.539
 puts a club

00:36:29.539 --> 00:36:30.000
 together,

00:36:30.559 --> 00:36:31.659
 he puts all

00:36:31.659 --> 00:36:32.679
 these strict

00:36:32.679 --> 00:36:34.239
 policies attached

00:36:34.239 --> 00:36:34.579
 to it.

00:36:35.139 --> 00:36:35.920
 He puts all

00:36:35.920 --> 00:36:36.519
 these hoops

00:36:36.519 --> 00:36:37.019
 that you gotta

00:36:37.019 --> 00:36:37.719
 jump through,

00:36:37.920 --> 00:36:38.819
 you gotta qualify,

00:36:39.420 --> 00:36:40.219
 you gotta spend

00:36:40.219 --> 00:36:40.799
 a certain amount

00:36:40.799 --> 00:36:41.239
 of money,

00:36:41.519 --> 00:36:42.000
 you gotta do

00:36:42.000 --> 00:36:42.679
 all this stuff

00:36:42.679 --> 00:36:43.440
 to be part of

00:36:43.440 --> 00:36:44.619
 their club

00:36:44.619 --> 00:36:46.099
 because the reality

00:36:46.099 --> 00:36:47.119
 is they're not

00:36:47.119 --> 00:36:48.139
 doing that club

00:36:48.139 --> 00:36:48.759
 or giving you

00:36:48.759 --> 00:36:49.460
 those perks

00:36:49.460 --> 00:36:50.359
 just because they

00:36:50.359 --> 00:36:51.059
 think you're cool.

00:36:51.059 --> 00:36:52.739
 they're not

00:36:52.739 --> 00:36:53.420
 doing it just

00:36:53.420 --> 00:36:54.480
 to be your buddy

00:36:54.480 --> 00:36:55.079
 and be nice

00:36:55.079 --> 00:36:55.440
 to you.

00:36:55.679 --> 00:36:56.659
 The reality is

00:36:56.659 --> 00:36:57.480
 they want more

00:36:57.480 --> 00:36:57.980
 customers,

00:36:58.480 --> 00:36:59.019
 they want you

00:36:59.019 --> 00:36:59.639
 to keep doing

00:36:59.639 --> 00:37:00.119
 your business

00:37:00.119 --> 00:37:01.019
 only with them

00:37:01.019 --> 00:37:01.699
 and they want

00:37:01.699 --> 00:37:02.139
 you to tell

00:37:02.139 --> 00:37:02.619
 other people

00:37:02.619 --> 00:37:03.079
 to come do

00:37:03.079 --> 00:37:03.559
 business with

00:37:03.559 --> 00:37:03.719
 them.

00:37:03.779 --> 00:37:04.079
 They want to

00:37:04.079 --> 00:37:04.460
 make money

00:37:04.460 --> 00:37:04.960
 off of it,

00:37:05.599 --> 00:37:05.880
 right?

00:37:06.460 --> 00:37:06.759
 I mean,

00:37:06.799 --> 00:37:07.480
 that's the point

00:37:07.480 --> 00:37:08.099
 of the workplace

00:37:08.099 --> 00:37:08.960
 is usually

00:37:08.960 --> 00:37:09.579
 to make money.

00:37:11.759 --> 00:37:13.099
 So they attract

00:37:13.099 --> 00:37:13.840
 us in by,

00:37:14.139 --> 00:37:14.159
 hey,

00:37:14.259 --> 00:37:14.799
 spend a certain

00:37:14.799 --> 00:37:15.079
 amount,

00:37:15.179 --> 00:37:15.960
 you can become

00:37:15.960 --> 00:37:16.900
 this important

00:37:16.900 --> 00:37:17.279
 person,

00:37:17.420 --> 00:37:17.699
 VIP.

00:37:17.699 --> 00:37:17.839
 VIP.

00:37:19.039 --> 00:37:20.319
 Jesus says,

00:37:20.799 --> 00:37:22.619
 come be part

00:37:22.619 --> 00:37:23.719
 of my club.

00:37:23.819 --> 00:37:24.579
 It's exclusive.

00:37:25.299 --> 00:37:26.279
 It is exclusive.

00:37:26.639 --> 00:37:27.579
 It excludes

00:37:27.579 --> 00:37:28.379
 all those

00:37:28.379 --> 00:37:29.239
 who will not

00:37:29.239 --> 00:37:29.899
 put their faith

00:37:29.899 --> 00:37:30.319
 in Jesus.

00:37:31.199 --> 00:37:32.199
 So it might

00:37:32.199 --> 00:37:32.839
 be excluding

00:37:32.839 --> 00:37:33.419
 some of you

00:37:33.419 --> 00:37:34.079
 here this morning.

00:37:35.739 --> 00:37:36.819
 But you get

00:37:36.819 --> 00:37:37.759
 a constant

00:37:37.759 --> 00:37:39.199
 24-hour,

00:37:39.599 --> 00:37:40.779
 never expires

00:37:40.779 --> 00:37:41.519
 invitation

00:37:41.519 --> 00:37:42.539
 to join the

00:37:42.539 --> 00:37:42.799
 club.

00:37:45.500 --> 00:37:46.319
 But there is

00:37:46.319 --> 00:37:47.159
 an expiration date

00:37:47.159 --> 00:37:47.559
 on that.

00:37:48.299 --> 00:37:49.000
 And that's

00:37:49.000 --> 00:37:49.319
 when your

00:37:49.319 --> 00:37:50.519
 death occurs.

00:37:51.739 --> 00:37:52.539
 There is

00:37:52.539 --> 00:37:53.199
 an expiration

00:37:53.199 --> 00:37:53.859
 date on the

00:37:53.859 --> 00:37:54.639
 offer to join

00:37:54.639 --> 00:37:55.039
 the club.

00:37:58.199 --> 00:37:58.799
 That's when

00:37:58.799 --> 00:37:59.319
 your time on

00:37:59.319 --> 00:37:59.859
 earth is over

00:37:59.859 --> 00:38:00.619
 and none of

00:38:00.619 --> 00:38:01.059
 us know

00:38:01.059 --> 00:38:02.000
 when that

00:38:02.000 --> 00:38:02.299
 will be.

00:38:03.500 --> 00:38:04.399
 So Jesus

00:38:04.399 --> 00:38:05.779
 wants you

00:38:05.779 --> 00:38:07.079
 in his

00:38:07.079 --> 00:38:07.439
 club.

00:38:08.960 --> 00:38:09.759
 And then

00:38:09.759 --> 00:38:11.379
 once you're

00:38:11.379 --> 00:38:11.599
 in,

00:38:12.599 --> 00:38:13.359
 you get to

00:38:13.359 --> 00:38:13.859
 go try to

00:38:13.859 --> 00:38:14.339
 bring in as

00:38:14.339 --> 00:38:14.859
 many other

00:38:14.859 --> 00:38:16.119
 members as

00:38:16.119 --> 00:38:16.519
 possible.

00:38:16.519 --> 00:38:17.739
 and it's

00:38:17.739 --> 00:38:17.960
 free.

00:38:18.400 --> 00:38:18.840
 There's no

00:38:18.840 --> 00:38:19.300
 cost to

00:38:19.300 --> 00:38:19.519
 join.

00:38:20.639 --> 00:38:21.300
 There's no

00:38:21.300 --> 00:38:21.840
 obligations.

00:38:23.059 --> 00:38:23.920
 But once you

00:38:23.920 --> 00:38:24.320
 become a

00:38:24.320 --> 00:38:24.539
 member,

00:38:25.259 --> 00:38:26.179
 you got some

00:38:26.179 --> 00:38:26.599
 assignments.

00:38:29.559 --> 00:38:30.219
 That's the

00:38:30.219 --> 00:38:30.719
 difference in

00:38:30.719 --> 00:38:31.380
 human membership

00:38:31.380 --> 00:38:35.179
 and church,

00:38:35.440 --> 00:38:35.960
 godly,

00:38:36.320 --> 00:38:36.719
 divine,

00:38:37.280 --> 00:38:37.619
 spiritual

00:38:37.619 --> 00:38:38.280
 membership of

00:38:38.280 --> 00:38:38.619
 the body.

00:38:38.619 --> 00:38:39.880
 when we

00:38:39.880 --> 00:38:40.219
 think of

00:38:40.219 --> 00:38:40.519
 the word

00:38:40.519 --> 00:38:40.880
 member,

00:38:41.179 --> 00:38:42.159
 we think

00:38:42.159 --> 00:38:42.739
 of perks.

00:38:43.519 --> 00:38:44.179
 We think,

00:38:44.339 --> 00:38:44.559
 what am I

00:38:44.559 --> 00:38:45.019
 getting from

00:38:45.019 --> 00:38:45.380
 this?

00:38:50.259 --> 00:38:51.139
 The church,

00:38:51.739 --> 00:38:52.679
 membership

00:38:52.679 --> 00:38:53.940
 versus

00:38:53.940 --> 00:38:54.920
 partnership.

00:38:54.920 --> 00:38:54.980
 membership.

00:38:55.599 --> 00:38:56.200
 I want to

00:38:56.200 --> 00:38:56.659
 introduce a

00:38:56.659 --> 00:38:57.200
 concept to

00:38:57.200 --> 00:38:57.380
 you.

00:38:58.780 --> 00:38:59.460
 What do you

00:38:59.460 --> 00:39:00.039
 think of

00:39:00.039 --> 00:39:01.079
 when you

00:39:01.079 --> 00:39:01.440
 think of

00:39:01.440 --> 00:39:01.840
 membership?

00:39:03.900 --> 00:39:04.599
 Leave church

00:39:04.599 --> 00:39:05.039
 out of it for

00:39:05.039 --> 00:39:05.300
 a minute.

00:39:06.119 --> 00:39:06.639
 When I think

00:39:06.639 --> 00:39:07.159
 of membership,

00:39:07.579 --> 00:39:08.380
 I think of

00:39:08.380 --> 00:39:08.840
 benefits.

00:39:09.639 --> 00:39:10.300
 I think,

00:39:10.400 --> 00:39:10.760
 how does it

00:39:10.760 --> 00:39:11.340
 benefit me?

00:39:11.700 --> 00:39:12.119
 What are the

00:39:12.119 --> 00:39:12.420
 perks?

00:39:13.980 --> 00:39:14.720
 When I think

00:39:14.720 --> 00:39:15.380
 of partnership,

00:39:16.200 --> 00:39:17.639
 I think of

00:39:17.639 --> 00:39:18.300
 responsibilities.

00:39:18.300 --> 00:39:18.500
 responsibilities.

00:39:20.240 --> 00:39:21.019
 So the

00:39:21.019 --> 00:39:21.740
 Bible says we

00:39:21.740 --> 00:39:22.260
 are individual

00:39:22.260 --> 00:39:23.100
 members of

00:39:23.100 --> 00:39:23.560
 the body of

00:39:23.560 --> 00:39:23.860
 Christ.

00:39:24.680 --> 00:39:25.660
 But we,

00:39:25.860 --> 00:39:26.500
 as members of

00:39:26.500 --> 00:39:27.039
 the church,

00:39:27.500 --> 00:39:28.740
 are supposed

00:39:28.740 --> 00:39:29.340
 to partner.

00:39:29.780 --> 00:39:30.539
 We are supposed

00:39:30.539 --> 00:39:31.800
 to partner with

00:39:31.800 --> 00:39:32.300
 one another

00:39:32.300 --> 00:39:33.240
 because we have

00:39:33.240 --> 00:39:33.920
 responsibilities.

00:39:34.420 --> 00:39:35.019
 We have a

00:39:35.019 --> 00:39:37.260
 ministry with

00:39:37.260 --> 00:39:38.220
 the church.

00:39:39.120 --> 00:39:39.700
 Members have

00:39:39.700 --> 00:39:40.200
 privileges.

00:39:41.900 --> 00:39:43.140
 Partners have

00:39:43.140 --> 00:39:43.800
 responsibilities.

00:39:44.860 --> 00:39:45.700
 Whether you

00:39:45.700 --> 00:39:46.860
 have officially

00:39:46.860 --> 00:39:47.420
 joined this

00:39:47.420 --> 00:39:47.940
 church as a

00:39:47.940 --> 00:39:48.280
 member or

00:39:48.280 --> 00:39:49.019
 not, I'm

00:39:49.019 --> 00:39:49.360
 talking to

00:39:49.360 --> 00:39:49.740
 everybody in

00:39:49.740 --> 00:39:50.160
 the room right

00:39:50.160 --> 00:39:50.380
 now.

00:39:51.080 --> 00:39:51.640
 That's not

00:39:51.640 --> 00:39:51.900
 what I'm

00:39:51.900 --> 00:39:52.400
 talking about.

00:39:53.100 --> 00:39:53.920
 I encourage

00:39:53.920 --> 00:39:54.460
 you to take

00:39:54.460 --> 00:39:55.140
 that step if

00:39:55.140 --> 00:39:55.560
 you haven't.

00:39:56.040 --> 00:39:56.580
 I encourage

00:39:56.580 --> 00:39:57.120
 you right now

00:39:57.120 --> 00:39:57.700
 today at the

00:39:57.700 --> 00:39:58.140
 close of the

00:39:58.140 --> 00:39:58.980
 service, if you

00:39:58.980 --> 00:39:59.700
 have not yet

00:39:59.700 --> 00:40:01.040
 put your

00:40:01.040 --> 00:40:01.960
 membership in

00:40:01.960 --> 00:40:02.640
 this church,

00:40:03.000 --> 00:40:03.580
 go ahead and

00:40:03.580 --> 00:40:04.320
 take that step.

00:40:04.400 --> 00:40:04.920
 I urge you to

00:40:04.920 --> 00:40:05.320
 do that.

00:40:05.540 --> 00:40:06.200
 And if God is

00:40:06.200 --> 00:40:06.620
 urging you to

00:40:06.620 --> 00:40:07.019
 do the same

00:40:07.019 --> 00:40:07.440
 thing, then

00:40:07.440 --> 00:40:08.200
 please step out

00:40:08.200 --> 00:40:09.000
 as soon as the

00:40:09.000 --> 00:40:09.580
 music starts.

00:40:09.680 --> 00:40:10.220
 Come talk to

00:40:10.220 --> 00:40:10.880
 me and we'll

00:40:10.880 --> 00:40:11.400
 get that taken

00:40:11.400 --> 00:40:12.019
 care of today.

00:40:12.940 --> 00:40:13.860
 But every

00:40:13.860 --> 00:40:15.320
 person who

00:40:15.320 --> 00:40:15.920
 attends this

00:40:15.920 --> 00:40:16.900
 church has a

00:40:16.900 --> 00:40:17.440
 responsibility.

00:40:17.440 --> 00:40:18.840
 responsibility in

00:40:18.840 --> 00:40:19.599
 this church, a

00:40:19.599 --> 00:40:20.539
 ministry that God

00:40:20.539 --> 00:40:21.039
 has given you.

00:40:21.280 --> 00:40:21.800
 So here's the

00:40:21.800 --> 00:40:22.380
 question, what's

00:40:22.380 --> 00:40:23.639
 the next step for

00:40:23.639 --> 00:40:23.860
 you?

00:40:24.519 --> 00:40:25.280
 What's the next

00:40:25.280 --> 00:40:26.200
 step for you?

00:40:26.260 --> 00:40:26.740
 Would you bow your

00:40:26.740 --> 00:40:27.220
 heads with me?

00:40:28.260 --> 00:40:28.960
 What's the next

00:40:28.960 --> 00:40:29.480
 step in your

00:40:29.480 --> 00:40:29.880
 ministry?

00:40:30.800 --> 00:40:31.420
 What's the next

00:40:31.420 --> 00:40:32.519
 step in this

00:40:32.519 --> 00:40:33.480
 church for you?

00:40:33.480 --> 00:40:36.460
 are you a customer

00:40:36.460 --> 00:40:37.539
 of the church or a

00:40:37.539 --> 00:40:37.900
 minister?

00:40:40.599 --> 00:40:41.199
 When we're

00:40:41.199 --> 00:40:42.039
 customers, whether

00:40:42.039 --> 00:40:42.579
 it's Southwest

00:40:42.579 --> 00:40:43.619
 Airlines or Sam's

00:40:43.619 --> 00:40:44.300
 Club or whatever

00:40:44.300 --> 00:40:45.619
 it is, those people

00:40:45.619 --> 00:40:46.579
 will do everything,

00:40:46.780 --> 00:40:47.360
 they will bend over

00:40:47.360 --> 00:40:48.199
 backwards to keep

00:40:48.199 --> 00:40:49.039
 our business to get

00:40:49.039 --> 00:40:49.679
 us to spend more

00:40:49.679 --> 00:40:50.280
 money with them.

00:40:51.219 --> 00:40:52.760
 And oftentimes, the

00:40:52.760 --> 00:40:53.699
 perks that sound so

00:40:53.699 --> 00:40:55.079
 great kind of leave

00:40:55.079 --> 00:40:55.840
 you feeling empty

00:40:55.840 --> 00:40:56.340
 afterwards.

00:40:56.559 --> 00:40:57.400
 Was it really worth

00:40:57.400 --> 00:40:57.539
 it?

00:40:57.539 --> 00:41:00.800
 We don't have

00:41:00.800 --> 00:41:01.619
 customers in the

00:41:01.619 --> 00:41:01.920
 church.

00:41:02.779 --> 00:41:04.440
 We are called to

00:41:04.440 --> 00:41:04.820
 minister.

00:41:06.239 --> 00:41:06.920
 Maybe you've been

00:41:06.920 --> 00:41:07.639
 in this church for a

00:41:07.639 --> 00:41:08.420
 long time and you've

00:41:08.420 --> 00:41:09.360
 been acting more like

00:41:09.360 --> 00:41:10.119
 a customer.

00:41:10.559 --> 00:41:11.019
 Where are my

00:41:11.019 --> 00:41:11.880
 membership privileges?

00:41:13.159 --> 00:41:13.860
 Where are my

00:41:13.860 --> 00:41:14.279
 benefits?

00:41:15.360 --> 00:41:16.659
 As opposed to saying

00:41:16.659 --> 00:41:18.019
 I am a God-called

00:41:18.019 --> 00:41:18.900
 minister in this

00:41:18.900 --> 00:41:19.219
 church.

00:41:20.940 --> 00:41:21.800
 Doesn't mean I'm up

00:41:21.800 --> 00:41:22.279
 on the platform

00:41:22.279 --> 00:41:23.079
 preaching, doesn't

00:41:23.079 --> 00:41:23.719
 mean I'm even

00:41:23.719 --> 00:41:25.019
 necessarily teaching

00:41:25.019 --> 00:41:26.759
 in a class.

00:41:26.820 --> 00:41:27.340
 It doesn't mean I'm

00:41:27.340 --> 00:41:28.000
 in charge of

00:41:28.000 --> 00:41:28.960
 something, but I

00:41:28.960 --> 00:41:30.079
 understand that Jesus

00:41:30.079 --> 00:41:31.280
 saved me and called

00:41:31.280 --> 00:41:32.360
 me and equipped me

00:41:32.360 --> 00:41:33.620
 and authorized me to

00:41:33.620 --> 00:41:36.280
 be a minister of

00:41:36.280 --> 00:41:37.440
 the gospel, a minister

00:41:37.440 --> 00:41:38.280
 of reconciliation.

00:41:39.539 --> 00:41:41.200
 So what's my next

00:41:41.200 --> 00:41:41.600
 step?

00:41:42.320 --> 00:41:43.539
 Every man, woman,

00:41:43.960 --> 00:41:45.940
 every teen, every

00:41:45.940 --> 00:41:48.120
 child must ask

00:41:48.120 --> 00:41:48.920
 themselves this

00:41:48.920 --> 00:41:49.880
 question this morning.

00:41:50.400 --> 00:41:51.860
 What is my next

00:41:51.860 --> 00:41:52.160
 step?

00:41:52.260 --> 00:41:52.980
 Every one of you

00:41:52.980 --> 00:41:53.480
 have one.

00:41:53.760 --> 00:41:54.260
 Has one.

00:41:54.260 --> 00:41:55.500
 It does not matter

00:41:55.500 --> 00:41:56.400
 how long you've been

00:41:56.400 --> 00:41:56.860
 a Christian.

00:41:56.860 --> 00:41:57.920
 It doesn't matter

00:41:57.920 --> 00:41:58.740
 how long you've been

00:41:58.740 --> 00:41:59.500
 in this church or

00:41:59.500 --> 00:42:00.019
 another one.

00:42:00.599 --> 00:42:01.640
 It doesn't matter

00:42:01.640 --> 00:42:03.220
 how short you've been

00:42:03.220 --> 00:42:03.700
 a Christian.

00:42:03.920 --> 00:42:04.960
 Every one of us,

00:42:05.539 --> 00:42:06.519
 myself included,

00:42:07.320 --> 00:42:08.720
 has something that

00:42:08.720 --> 00:42:09.760
 God wants us to do

00:42:09.760 --> 00:42:10.500
 next for him.

00:42:11.039 --> 00:42:11.920
 And it's going to

00:42:11.920 --> 00:42:12.800
 benefit all of us.

00:42:13.039 --> 00:42:13.740
 It's going to benefit

00:42:13.740 --> 00:42:14.420
 the whole church.

00:42:15.000 --> 00:42:16.099
 We need each other.

00:42:17.039 --> 00:42:18.260
 Lord, I ask that you

00:42:18.260 --> 00:42:18.900
 would work in each

00:42:18.900 --> 00:42:19.559
 heart right now.

00:42:20.140 --> 00:42:21.220
 Whether somebody needs

00:42:21.220 --> 00:42:22.039
 to step out of the

00:42:22.039 --> 00:42:22.980
 aisle in just a moment,

00:42:23.120 --> 00:42:23.680
 I know we're a little

00:42:23.680 --> 00:42:24.680
 past our time today,

00:42:24.679 --> 00:42:26.319
 but whether somebody

00:42:26.319 --> 00:42:27.159
 needs to step out of

00:42:27.159 --> 00:42:27.879
 the aisle in just a

00:42:27.879 --> 00:42:28.719
 moment and come down

00:42:28.719 --> 00:42:32.239
 and put their official

00:42:32.239 --> 00:42:33.119
 membership in this

00:42:33.119 --> 00:42:33.919
 church and join

00:42:33.919 --> 00:42:35.099
 together, partner

00:42:35.099 --> 00:42:37.000
 together with us for

00:42:37.000 --> 00:42:37.980
 this common ministry,

00:42:38.619 --> 00:42:39.460
 I ask that you would

00:42:39.460 --> 00:42:40.239
 give them the boldness

00:42:40.239 --> 00:42:40.899
 to go ahead and do

00:42:40.899 --> 00:42:41.359
 that today.

00:42:42.319 --> 00:42:43.159
 Let them understand

00:42:43.159 --> 00:42:44.379
 that, humanly speaking,

00:42:44.899 --> 00:42:45.960
 that's a big move to

00:42:45.960 --> 00:42:47.019
 identify and say,

00:42:47.099 --> 00:42:47.440
 you know what,

00:42:47.480 --> 00:42:48.179
 this is my church.

00:42:48.279 --> 00:42:48.759
 I'm going to be part

00:42:48.759 --> 00:42:49.219
 of this church.

00:42:49.219 --> 00:42:51.399
 It's not required in

00:42:51.399 --> 00:42:52.379
 scripture that we come

00:42:52.379 --> 00:42:54.099
 transfer a letter or

00:42:54.099 --> 00:42:54.879
 something like that,

00:42:54.959 --> 00:42:56.359
 but that is an

00:42:56.359 --> 00:42:57.879
 outstanding way to

00:42:57.879 --> 00:43:00.139
 signify this church is

00:43:00.139 --> 00:43:01.099
 my family, this is a

00:43:01.099 --> 00:43:03.099
 part of my life, and I

00:43:03.099 --> 00:43:04.079
 want to be a part of the

00:43:04.079 --> 00:43:04.899
 life of this church.

00:43:06.559 --> 00:43:08.439
 God, whether you've got

00:43:08.439 --> 00:43:09.079
 something else that

00:43:09.079 --> 00:43:09.879
 somebody needs to do,

00:43:10.759 --> 00:43:12.239
 start serving in a

00:43:12.239 --> 00:43:12.879
 ministry here.

00:43:13.899 --> 00:43:14.919
 Start telling others

00:43:14.919 --> 00:43:15.500
 about you.

00:43:15.579 --> 00:43:16.699
 Start inviting people to

00:43:16.699 --> 00:43:16.980
 come.

00:43:17.279 --> 00:43:18.199
 See what God's doing in

00:43:18.199 --> 00:43:18.679
 this church.

00:43:19.739 --> 00:43:20.659
 Start giving more.

00:43:21.139 --> 00:43:21.980
 Start giving it all.

00:43:23.339 --> 00:43:24.279
 There are all kinds of

00:43:24.279 --> 00:43:26.279
 ways to partner, to

00:43:26.279 --> 00:43:28.599
 minister, and I ask that

00:43:28.599 --> 00:43:30.039
 you would give us the

00:43:30.039 --> 00:43:31.879
 boldness to say yes to

00:43:31.879 --> 00:43:32.959
 whatever that next step

00:43:32.959 --> 00:43:33.459
 is.

00:43:33.579 --> 00:43:35.819
 Put our yes on the table

00:43:35.819 --> 00:43:38.059
 and then you tell us what

00:43:38.059 --> 00:43:38.659
 it's going to be.

00:43:40.099 --> 00:43:41.339
 That's what we pray right

00:43:41.339 --> 00:43:42.339
 now in Jesus' name.

00:43:43.199 --> 00:43:43.439
 Amen.

00:43:43.639 --> 00:43:44.279
 Brother Greg's going to

00:43:44.279 --> 00:43:44.839
 come sing.

00:43:45.219 --> 00:43:46.219
 We'll have just a moment,

00:43:46.480 --> 00:43:47.519
 so don't wait too long.

00:43:47.819 --> 00:43:48.480
 Just a moment.

00:43:48.480 --> 00:43:49.219
 I'll be right down

00:43:49.219 --> 00:43:49.579
 front.

00:43:49.960 --> 00:43:50.960
 You come talk to me if

00:43:50.960 --> 00:43:52.280
 you'd like to talk about

00:43:52.280 --> 00:43:52.960
 putting your faith in

00:43:52.960 --> 00:43:54.219
 Jesus, putting your

00:43:54.219 --> 00:43:55.139
 membership in this church

00:43:55.139 --> 00:43:55.760
 or something else

00:43:55.760 --> 00:43:56.139
 entirely.

00:43:56.539 --> 00:43:57.360
 Y'all stand together.

00:43:57.740 --> 00:43:58.240
 Come down here.

00:43:58.239 --> 00:44:07.719
 if you like, you're given a

00:44:07.859 --> 00:44:08.359
 accord.

00:44:08.359 --> 00:44:08.619
 You're so bloom.

00:44:08.679 --> 00:44:08.859
 You're damn good.

00:44:09.239 --> 00:44:09.679
 I'm gonna be right there.

00:44:09.679 --> 00:44:10.279
 Have just a moment.