WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.020 I want to give you a history lesson this morning to the young people in the room. 00:00:04.419 --> 00:00:07.480 ! People used to get their news from the newspaper. 00:00:09.439 --> 00:00:10.599 They really did. 00:00:11.120 --> 00:00:15.359 Even more than TV, you still got it from the paper. 00:00:16.140 --> 00:00:20.699 Papers were thrown in the driveway in the wee hours of the morning. 00:00:21.620 --> 00:00:24.920 And if my paper came after 6 a.m., just don't even bother bringing it. 00:00:25.300 --> 00:00:26.879 It's old news by that point. 00:00:27.519 --> 00:00:28.820 Too late to read. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:31.140 The day it already began. 00:00:33.039 --> 00:00:34.780 And some people didn't get it daily. 00:00:35.079 --> 00:00:36.759 We don't look down on those type folks. 00:00:37.619 --> 00:00:39.060 They got the Sunday paper, though. 00:00:39.060 --> 00:00:45.500 And, man, the Sunday paper was exploding with additional sections of meaningless articles 00:00:45.500 --> 00:00:53.140 and all kinds of sales ads and, drumroll please, the Sunday comics. 00:00:55.060 --> 00:00:57.820 One of my favorite was Family Circus. 00:00:57.820 --> 00:01:02.740 Bill Keene drew about the escapades of his children. 00:01:02.740 --> 00:01:06.379 And as a child, I enjoyed it. 00:01:06.379 --> 00:01:11.060 Especially when he showed little Billy searching for something. 00:01:11.740 --> 00:01:15.359 He would show these maps and all the places he'd go. 00:01:15.439 --> 00:01:17.719 And I'd trace little Billy everywhere. 00:01:17.900 --> 00:01:19.500 He went, man, that was a cool spot. 00:01:19.620 --> 00:01:21.120 That was neat and all that stuff. 00:01:21.120 --> 00:01:29.820 I thought about that map when I looked at something else that I enjoy for different reasons. 00:01:29.819 --> 00:01:37.679 And that is, as we work through the gospel of Mark to follow the travels of Jesus. 00:01:37.680 --> 00:01:45.140 It's fascinating to see Jesus where he has traveled to this point. 00:01:45.880 --> 00:01:48.060 He is all over the place. 00:01:48.880 --> 00:01:56.660 And those travels of Jesus seem long and strange and look possibly misguided. 00:01:56.659 --> 00:02:03.519 However, in reality, when you look close, all of those travels are strategic. 00:02:05.019 --> 00:02:11.379 Jesus moved the way he did to interact with the lives that he needed to see. 00:02:12.300 --> 00:02:14.300 And it was in the Father's will. 00:02:15.300 --> 00:02:17.560 And it was in the Father's time. 00:02:18.840 --> 00:02:19.979 Let me tell you something. 00:02:19.979 --> 00:02:28.519 He moved then in the Father's will and in the Father's time. 00:02:29.519 --> 00:02:31.539 And that's how he still moves today. 00:02:32.459 --> 00:02:35.659 Mark chapter 7, beginning in verse 31. 00:02:36.379 --> 00:02:37.739 And it says this. 00:02:37.819 --> 00:02:48.199 When he returned from the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee in the region of the Decapolis. 00:02:48.199 --> 00:02:54.359 And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment. 00:02:54.819 --> 00:02:57.079 And they begged him to lay his hand on him. 00:02:57.899 --> 00:03:04.500 And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers in his ears and after spitting, touched his tongue. 00:03:05.280 --> 00:03:09.479 And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, 00:03:10.659 --> 00:03:12.139 Ephthafta. 00:03:12.699 --> 00:03:14.780 That is, be opened. 00:03:14.780 --> 00:03:20.659 And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. 00:03:21.280 --> 00:03:23.580 And Jesus charged them to tell no one. 00:03:24.379 --> 00:03:27.960 But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. 00:03:28.580 --> 00:03:31.319 And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, 00:03:31.439 --> 00:03:32.819 He has done all things well. 00:03:33.460 --> 00:03:37.780 He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak. 00:03:37.780 --> 00:03:45.819 When you follow the travels of Jesus, you will see people bringing other people to Jesus. 00:03:46.400 --> 00:03:53.879 In Mark chapter 1, it tells us that the sick and the demon-possessed were brought to Jesus by their friends. 00:03:54.280 --> 00:03:59.699 When you look at Mark chapter 2, the four men carry the paralytic into Jesus. 00:03:59.699 --> 00:04:03.479 When you look at Mark chapter 6, he's in Gennesaret. 00:04:04.060 --> 00:04:08.639 And people brought friends there that needed a touch from Jesus. 00:04:09.159 --> 00:04:12.739 Later in Mark chapter 8, he's in Bethesda. 00:04:13.199 --> 00:04:16.399 And there they bring a blind man to him. 00:04:16.759 --> 00:04:21.180 In Mark chapter 10, they bring their children to him just so he can touch them. 00:04:21.180 --> 00:04:25.340 People are always bringing people to Jesus. 00:04:25.500 --> 00:04:25.840 Why? 00:04:26.699 --> 00:04:32.079 Because they knew that Jesus would make a difference in their lives. 00:04:32.920 --> 00:04:34.300 Can I ask you something? 00:04:36.000 --> 00:04:41.460 Do you believe that Jesus still makes a difference in people's lives? 00:04:42.460 --> 00:04:46.360 And if you really believe that, then bring them to Jesus. 00:04:46.360 --> 00:04:52.139 In today's passage, they bring a deaf man to Jesus. 00:04:53.240 --> 00:04:59.480 He cannot hear, and as usual with such a person, he is impeded with a speech impediment. 00:05:00.520 --> 00:05:02.360 Jesus heals him. 00:05:03.100 --> 00:05:05.800 And he does it in such a compassionate way. 00:05:06.600 --> 00:05:10.360 First, he takes him aside. 00:05:10.939 --> 00:05:12.600 Notice that it says that in verse 33. 00:05:12.600 --> 00:05:17.060 That he takes him aside. 00:05:18.080 --> 00:05:21.780 Jesus didn't want to do anything to embarrass him. 00:05:22.980 --> 00:05:26.520 And men, we can learn something from that. 00:05:28.320 --> 00:05:34.620 When a man ministers to another man, you better not embarrass him. 00:05:36.040 --> 00:05:39.820 If you embarrass him, you'll have no chance of reaching him. 00:05:39.819 --> 00:05:45.740 I try to make a point to deal with a man, man to man. 00:05:46.980 --> 00:05:47.759 One to one. 00:05:49.279 --> 00:05:50.740 Men don't want to be embarrassed. 00:05:51.639 --> 00:05:53.199 Men don't want to be called out. 00:05:54.399 --> 00:05:55.779 I'm not talking about the men in this room. 00:05:55.839 --> 00:05:56.719 I'm talking about every other man. 00:05:56.980 --> 00:05:57.699 They're prideful. 00:05:58.680 --> 00:05:59.959 They don't want that to happen. 00:06:01.180 --> 00:06:02.180 They'll run from it. 00:06:02.620 --> 00:06:06.259 And if they feel like they're going to be called out, they feel like they're going to be embarrassed, 00:06:06.740 --> 00:06:09.139 they won't involve themselves in the conversation at all. 00:06:09.139 --> 00:06:11.219 But God laid a man on my heart years ago. 00:06:11.300 --> 00:06:12.800 The rest of his family went to church. 00:06:13.079 --> 00:06:13.979 He didn't go to church. 00:06:14.039 --> 00:06:14.639 He's a good man. 00:06:15.579 --> 00:06:16.360 He just needed Jesus. 00:06:16.659 --> 00:06:17.500 He just didn't go to church. 00:06:18.479 --> 00:06:20.099 And he worked in his yard a lot. 00:06:20.419 --> 00:06:23.199 And I drove by his yard a lot. 00:06:23.279 --> 00:06:24.180 And I saw him in the yard. 00:06:25.180 --> 00:06:26.519 And I'd stop and talk to him. 00:06:27.360 --> 00:06:31.699 And I'd try my best to get him to give his life to Christ. 00:06:31.699 --> 00:06:37.620 And inevitably, I had been there just a short time when his dear wife, who was faithful in the church, 00:06:37.680 --> 00:06:39.839 would come to the door and say, y'all come in. 00:06:39.920 --> 00:06:40.639 Please come in. 00:06:41.360 --> 00:06:43.800 And I wanted to say in my heart, I don't want to come in. 00:06:44.599 --> 00:06:46.459 I want to stay right here and talk to him. 00:06:46.519 --> 00:06:47.360 Go back in the house. 00:06:47.360 --> 00:06:48.280 But I didn't say that. 00:06:49.720 --> 00:06:50.879 I went inside. 00:06:52.080 --> 00:06:53.520 Maybe got something to drink. 00:06:53.639 --> 00:06:54.639 Sat there for a few minutes. 00:06:55.180 --> 00:06:57.180 Had meaningless conversation. 00:06:57.660 --> 00:06:58.480 Prayed for him and left. 00:06:59.920 --> 00:07:02.340 He's out in the yard again another day. 00:07:03.139 --> 00:07:03.979 I went back by. 00:07:05.479 --> 00:07:06.439 Spoke to him again. 00:07:07.839 --> 00:07:09.639 I did this for years. 00:07:12.379 --> 00:07:17.459 There were two men that stayed on the prayer list of that church that were lost. 00:07:19.219 --> 00:07:20.519 Two men that had a burden for. 00:07:22.199 --> 00:07:25.299 And one day, there was something significant happened in that man's life. 00:07:25.719 --> 00:07:27.019 And I went by to see him. 00:07:28.159 --> 00:07:29.179 He was in the garage. 00:07:29.259 --> 00:07:31.319 And I was hiding from his wife. 00:07:31.319 --> 00:07:32.599 I didn't want to go in. 00:07:34.420 --> 00:07:37.519 I pulled up and I quickly got out there and started a conversation with him. 00:07:37.540 --> 00:07:43.399 And I said, man, when in the world are you ever going to give your life to Christ? 00:07:43.699 --> 00:07:45.219 He'd tell me, don't give up on me. 00:07:46.319 --> 00:07:47.800 He'd tell me I will one day. 00:07:50.259 --> 00:07:52.100 I said, time's going to run out on you one day. 00:07:53.519 --> 00:07:55.079 When are you ever going to give your life to Christ? 00:07:56.560 --> 00:07:57.879 He said, I think I will today. 00:08:00.560 --> 00:08:01.279 I said, what? 00:08:01.319 --> 00:08:08.000 I said, man, pray to receive Christ that Sunday. 00:08:08.719 --> 00:08:09.519 We were baptized. 00:08:10.759 --> 00:08:11.899 As a matter of fact, I told him. 00:08:12.019 --> 00:08:13.319 I said, we're baptized on Sunday. 00:08:14.439 --> 00:08:17.539 Wouldn't be a better time for you to give your life to Christ than to baptize you Sunday. 00:08:19.600 --> 00:08:21.399 Didn't tell the church about it. 00:08:22.779 --> 00:08:23.980 He's up in the baptism pool. 00:08:24.039 --> 00:08:24.659 They didn't know it. 00:08:25.120 --> 00:08:26.360 Been praying for this man for years. 00:08:27.319 --> 00:08:28.240 He walked in that pool. 00:08:28.240 --> 00:08:29.879 You could hear the gasp across the congregation. 00:08:30.759 --> 00:08:32.139 He gave his heart and life to Christ. 00:08:32.539 --> 00:08:33.539 I will tell you this. 00:08:33.600 --> 00:08:39.019 The second man on that list had a child that was about to be baptized. 00:08:39.019 --> 00:08:44.299 And I went to their home and visited with them. 00:08:44.299 --> 00:08:54.199 And before I left, I got that man alone and I said, if you've been waiting to publicly acknowledge Christ and give your heart to him, 00:08:55.299 --> 00:08:58.699 until one of your children makes a decision, your last child just made their decision. 00:08:58.700 --> 00:09:07.520 When in the world are you going to join your family and give your life to Christ? 00:09:08.759 --> 00:09:10.020 And he said, right now. 00:09:11.200 --> 00:09:15.040 And I had the joy of baptizing him with his daughter. 00:09:16.520 --> 00:09:22.560 I don't think I ever could have done that if I hadn't pulled those men alone, got them alone. 00:09:22.559 --> 00:09:29.619 If I'd have called out about that man's salvation with his wife serving me coffee in his living room, he would want nothing to do with me. 00:09:29.679 --> 00:09:30.379 I'm just telling you. 00:09:31.099 --> 00:09:33.439 He called this man out alone. 00:09:34.139 --> 00:09:35.939 Men, listen. 00:09:37.599 --> 00:09:39.619 Reach your friends for Christ. 00:09:41.799 --> 00:09:43.259 And do it one-on-one. 00:09:44.599 --> 00:09:48.119 Your impact is greater than you think it is. 00:09:48.120 --> 00:09:52.120 And if you call them out in front of everybody, it ain't going to work. 00:09:53.060 --> 00:09:54.039 One-on-one. 00:09:56.159 --> 00:09:59.060 Bring your friends to Christ. 00:10:00.840 --> 00:10:03.039 Jesus took him alone. 00:10:04.179 --> 00:10:06.220 And then he shows him what he's to do. 00:10:07.539 --> 00:10:09.960 He put his fingers in his ears. 00:10:10.779 --> 00:10:13.180 He's communicating with a man that can't hear him. 00:10:14.480 --> 00:10:16.279 He touches his tongue. 00:10:16.279 --> 00:10:19.279 He's communicating with a man. 00:10:19.980 --> 00:10:24.759 He looks up to heaven and says, in his language, be open. 00:10:25.759 --> 00:10:27.860 And the man could hear. 00:10:29.120 --> 00:10:33.019 The man could speak plainly. 00:10:33.899 --> 00:10:36.419 It was miraculous. 00:10:37.419 --> 00:10:38.699 People got excited. 00:10:39.659 --> 00:10:43.220 He then does something that may throw you off. 00:10:43.220 --> 00:10:46.360 He tells them, don't tell anyone. 00:10:49.240 --> 00:10:55.580 Scripture says he charges them, don't tell anyone. 00:10:56.320 --> 00:10:57.759 He made no bones about it. 00:10:58.560 --> 00:11:00.139 He did not want it talked about. 00:11:01.720 --> 00:11:02.860 Now let me ask you something. 00:11:02.960 --> 00:11:08.340 What do you do when something marvelous happens and somebody tells you, 00:11:08.340 --> 00:11:10.100 now don't tell it? 00:11:15.879 --> 00:11:19.399 Man, you're walking around going, man, I'm telling you something good happened. 00:11:19.759 --> 00:11:22.560 I can't tell you what it is, but it sure is good. 00:11:23.759 --> 00:11:25.300 I'll tell you what happened to these folks. 00:11:25.299 --> 00:11:30.199 They went and told everybody. 00:11:31.679 --> 00:11:35.199 They told everybody with zeal because they'd never seen anything like that before. 00:11:36.459 --> 00:11:40.959 Now I want to be clear that the reason Jesus told them not to tell was about timing. 00:11:41.819 --> 00:11:45.240 I've talked about this some as we went through the Gospel of Mark, but I want you to understand this. 00:11:45.519 --> 00:11:48.399 He needed time to train his disciples. 00:11:48.399 --> 00:11:56.879 He needed time for them to be more founded in their faith for a day when he would no longer physically be present with them. 00:11:57.439 --> 00:11:59.620 He needed time to teach people. 00:12:00.500 --> 00:12:02.220 He came to live as an example. 00:12:03.379 --> 00:12:06.240 He came to start the church through the apostles. 00:12:06.980 --> 00:12:08.620 And he needed to train them in that way. 00:12:08.860 --> 00:12:10.500 And he came to die for our sins. 00:12:11.019 --> 00:12:12.759 And it was not time for him to die. 00:12:13.199 --> 00:12:14.759 It was time for him to live. 00:12:15.059 --> 00:12:17.139 It was time for him to lay the foundation. 00:12:17.139 --> 00:12:20.840 So he wanted them quiet to give him more time. 00:12:21.299 --> 00:12:26.059 You know, I think it's ironic that he told them to be quiet and they told everybody. 00:12:26.620 --> 00:12:30.600 And he gave us the great commission and we too often fail to say anything. 00:12:33.740 --> 00:12:36.720 That is until Jesus moves. 00:12:38.699 --> 00:12:42.679 And when Jesus moves, people can't help him. 00:12:42.679 --> 00:12:48.039 I always say they get a bad case of the can't help us. 00:12:49.279 --> 00:12:53.259 I mean, when something good is going on, you just can't help it. 00:12:54.099 --> 00:12:55.779 You just want people to know about it. 00:12:56.479 --> 00:13:00.199 And folks, I'm going to tell you, we need a case of the can't help us. 00:13:01.319 --> 00:13:03.759 We need a case of the can't help us. 00:13:03.759 --> 00:13:07.600 Has God done anything good for you? 00:13:10.279 --> 00:13:11.480 He did for one. 00:13:12.220 --> 00:13:15.120 Has God done anything good for you? 00:13:16.600 --> 00:13:18.120 If he's done, I'll help you. 00:13:18.399 --> 00:13:21.220 If he's done anything good for you, say amen. 00:13:21.799 --> 00:13:22.919 Look at that. 00:13:23.039 --> 00:13:23.679 Look at that. 00:13:23.679 --> 00:13:29.659 Let's not only tell each other. 00:13:33.199 --> 00:13:34.819 Let's tell the world that we need Jesus. 00:13:38.039 --> 00:13:44.359 May it bubble up in us so much that we keep standing. 00:13:45.639 --> 00:13:47.079 We can't hold it in. 00:13:48.139 --> 00:13:50.059 Like a fire in our bones. 00:13:50.059 --> 00:13:53.139 May it come out. 00:13:53.919 --> 00:13:54.759 Tell somebody. 00:13:55.599 --> 00:13:57.439 Listen, he has commissioned us. 00:13:57.699 --> 00:13:59.059 He has empowered us. 00:13:59.279 --> 00:14:01.639 He has enabled us to tell somebody. 00:14:01.899 --> 00:14:03.000 So tell somebody. 00:14:03.319 --> 00:14:03.919 Tell anybody. 00:14:04.419 --> 00:14:07.939 Tell everybody what Christ has done in your life. 00:14:08.000 --> 00:14:11.739 Because when Jesus moves, people can't help us. 00:14:12.639 --> 00:14:15.239 I mean, when something real has happened in your life, 00:14:16.299 --> 00:14:17.679 you can't help but share. 00:14:20.059 --> 00:14:22.299 Now let me ask you. 00:14:23.839 --> 00:14:25.399 Have you shared lately? 00:14:30.539 --> 00:14:32.919 If not, why not? 00:14:35.099 --> 00:14:38.819 Because if Jesus moves, you can't help it. 00:14:39.479 --> 00:14:41.239 Maybe there's a hindrance in your life. 00:14:42.339 --> 00:14:43.699 That's kept Jesus from moving. 00:14:43.700 --> 00:14:47.480 He'll remove that too. 00:14:48.120 --> 00:14:49.540 If you'll give it over to him. 00:14:50.480 --> 00:14:52.360 When Jesus moves, people get to King Helps. 00:14:52.460 --> 00:14:52.700 Listen. 00:14:53.220 --> 00:14:55.720 When Jesus moves, hungry people will come. 00:14:56.780 --> 00:14:57.560 I want you to look at this. 00:14:57.640 --> 00:14:59.680 It's in Mark chapter 8, beginning of verse 1. 00:14:59.740 --> 00:15:00.220 It says this. 00:15:00.220 --> 00:15:05.580 In those days when again a great crowd had gathered, 00:15:06.139 --> 00:15:07.519 and they had nothing to eat, 00:15:07.560 --> 00:15:10.160 he called his disciples to him and said to them, 00:15:10.399 --> 00:15:15.700 I have compassion on the crowd because they have been with me now three days 00:15:15.700 --> 00:15:16.519 and have nothing to eat. 00:15:17.320 --> 00:15:20.000 And if I send them away hungry to their homes, 00:15:20.060 --> 00:15:22.139 they will faint on the way. 00:15:22.139 --> 00:15:25.699 And some of them have come from far away. 00:15:26.439 --> 00:15:27.439 And his disciples answered, 00:15:27.559 --> 00:15:31.080 How can one feed these people with bread here in this desolate place? 00:15:31.840 --> 00:15:33.659 And he asked them, How many loaves do you have? 00:15:34.220 --> 00:15:35.399 And they said, Seven. 00:15:36.000 --> 00:15:38.600 And he directed the crowd to sit down on the ground, 00:15:38.659 --> 00:15:39.960 and he took the seven loaves, 00:15:40.000 --> 00:15:41.059 and having given thanks, 00:15:41.100 --> 00:15:44.720 he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people, 00:15:44.919 --> 00:15:46.740 and they set them before the crowd. 00:15:47.500 --> 00:15:49.159 And they had a few small fish. 00:15:49.159 --> 00:15:50.919 And having blessed them, 00:15:50.980 --> 00:15:53.839 he said that these also should be set before them. 00:15:54.679 --> 00:15:57.500 And they ate and were satisfied. 00:15:58.279 --> 00:16:00.759 And they took up the broken pieces left over, 00:16:00.919 --> 00:16:02.500 seven baskets full, 00:16:02.980 --> 00:16:05.500 and there were about 4,000 people. 00:16:06.399 --> 00:16:07.519 And he sent them away. 00:16:08.339 --> 00:16:11.179 And immediately he got into the boat with his disciples 00:16:11.179 --> 00:16:14.839 and went to the district of Dalmanutha. 00:16:14.840 --> 00:16:19.960 Now, it's interesting when you look at this passage 00:16:19.960 --> 00:16:24.180 that how people sometimes get this mixed up 00:16:24.180 --> 00:16:26.500 with the feeding of the 5,000. 00:16:27.340 --> 00:16:29.440 And I don't want you to misunderstand that. 00:16:30.460 --> 00:16:33.860 He did two different miracles of feeding the masses in Scripture. 00:16:34.379 --> 00:16:35.720 One is of the 5,000. 00:16:35.820 --> 00:16:36.860 One is of the 4,000. 00:16:37.100 --> 00:16:40.080 It is not the same with some kind of different count. 00:16:40.420 --> 00:16:41.780 That is not the case at all. 00:16:41.779 --> 00:16:44.919 There are several differences between the two. 00:16:45.059 --> 00:16:49.240 One is he fed 5,000 people who had been with him for one day. 00:16:50.079 --> 00:16:53.879 Here he feeds 4,000 people who had been with him for three days. 00:16:54.399 --> 00:16:58.480 When he fed the 5,000, he fed them five loaves and two fish. 00:16:59.199 --> 00:17:03.600 When he feeds the 4,000, he feeds them seven loaves and a few fish. 00:17:04.420 --> 00:17:08.379 What he had left over for the 5,000 were 12 baskets. 00:17:08.380 --> 00:17:12.840 And a few weeks ago, I described to you that the original language tells us 00:17:12.840 --> 00:17:15.960 those were small baskets, almost individual baskets. 00:17:16.020 --> 00:17:18.000 We can think of them as lunch baskets. 00:17:18.280 --> 00:17:21.680 And I don't think it's ironic that 12 were left and he had 12 apostles. 00:17:22.540 --> 00:17:26.620 But this one, instead, is not that type of basket. 00:17:26.720 --> 00:17:27.600 It's a different word. 00:17:28.300 --> 00:17:34.960 These are seven hamper-style baskets, large baskets. 00:17:34.960 --> 00:17:38.680 The feeding of the 5,000 was to the Jews. 00:17:39.319 --> 00:17:43.519 Because of where he's located, this is almost surely to the Gentiles. 00:17:44.000 --> 00:17:48.140 Even in Mark 8, verse 1, it says, 00:17:48.279 --> 00:17:54.000 Again, he was with the crowd to remind us of the first feeding. 00:17:54.860 --> 00:18:00.240 With the 5,000, Jesus had compassion on them because they were like a sheep without a shepherd. 00:18:00.240 --> 00:18:08.120 Here, he has compassion on them because they had followed him for days and had little to nothing to eat. 00:18:09.099 --> 00:18:12.140 Jesus was thinking about the length of their journey. 00:18:13.000 --> 00:18:15.759 What would happen to them after they left? 00:18:16.279 --> 00:18:19.299 Because some of them had come from far away. 00:18:19.299 --> 00:18:24.839 Some of them would take a long, lonely journey ahead. 00:18:25.039 --> 00:18:27.519 And Jesus knew that they would get hungry. 00:18:28.079 --> 00:18:31.759 And that if they left hungry, they would faint along the way. 00:18:32.799 --> 00:18:35.180 You see, that's how the Lord works. 00:18:36.339 --> 00:18:39.359 Verse 4 says they were in a desolate place. 00:18:39.359 --> 00:18:47.839 That means, that reminds me of when God's people were in the wilderness, in the exodus. 00:18:48.759 --> 00:18:55.459 They were in the process of moving to the promised land, but they were in the wilderness, which is the desert. 00:18:55.919 --> 00:19:02.000 And they were scared, and they were worried, and they were ready to go back to slavery, even, 00:19:02.740 --> 00:19:04.740 to have what they thought they needed. 00:19:04.740 --> 00:19:13.839 However, in the wilderness, in the desolate place, God gave them everything they needed every morning. 00:19:13.900 --> 00:19:14.740 I want you to hear me. 00:19:15.099 --> 00:19:17.680 He gave them everything they needed every morning. 00:19:17.759 --> 00:19:19.279 He never gave them too much. 00:19:20.720 --> 00:19:22.420 He always gave them just enough. 00:19:24.220 --> 00:19:28.960 He taught them to trust him day by day. 00:19:28.960 --> 00:19:33.960 He provided, but he wanted them to trust him. 00:19:34.740 --> 00:19:37.559 Day by day, he still does. 00:19:38.799 --> 00:19:39.880 That's the way he works. 00:19:41.059 --> 00:19:43.359 We tend to think about the event. 00:19:44.859 --> 00:19:48.120 We think about a good experience with God. 00:19:49.160 --> 00:19:52.660 We go out of our way to hear what he has to say. 00:19:53.900 --> 00:19:57.779 We prioritize Sunday morning for that. 00:19:58.160 --> 00:20:00.539 And I appreciate you being here this morning. 00:20:00.720 --> 00:20:02.299 You could have done other things. 00:20:02.380 --> 00:20:04.400 You could have done not much of anything. 00:20:04.740 --> 00:20:05.940 I just hung out at the house. 00:20:06.019 --> 00:20:06.779 You could have done that. 00:20:07.019 --> 00:20:08.099 You could have found something else. 00:20:08.180 --> 00:20:09.559 All kinds of options. 00:20:09.880 --> 00:20:14.599 You prioritize, for some reason this morning, to be in worship this morning. 00:20:14.799 --> 00:20:16.420 We think of it as an event. 00:20:16.640 --> 00:20:24.559 I want to go there, be in the presence of God, worship the Lord together through music, hear a word from God, 00:20:24.559 --> 00:20:26.839 leave there encouraged in my faith. 00:20:26.839 --> 00:20:27.839 We think of the moment. 00:20:27.839 --> 00:20:31.099 We think of the moment, our hour together. 00:20:32.099 --> 00:20:35.199 He meets us in the moment of worship. 00:20:36.079 --> 00:20:39.199 But I want you to know God's thinking ahead. 00:20:42.299 --> 00:20:44.759 God's not only thinking about our hour together here. 00:20:45.319 --> 00:20:46.419 God's thinking ahead. 00:20:46.420 --> 00:20:46.480 God's thinking ahead. 00:20:47.080 --> 00:20:51.080 And he's giving us what we need for the journey. 00:20:51.880 --> 00:20:53.660 He knows what's waiting on Monday morning. 00:20:55.900 --> 00:20:57.019 We don't. 00:20:58.880 --> 00:21:00.220 Sometimes we think we do. 00:21:01.279 --> 00:21:03.240 The reality is we don't. 00:21:03.240 --> 00:21:06.160 He knows our struggles. 00:21:07.900 --> 00:21:09.259 He knows our fears. 00:21:10.759 --> 00:21:12.160 He knows our worries. 00:21:13.740 --> 00:21:15.240 He knows what is ahead. 00:21:16.700 --> 00:21:23.480 And he gives us what we need so that we don't grow faint along the way. 00:21:23.480 --> 00:21:25.579 And I like that term there. 00:21:27.380 --> 00:21:33.940 By the way, later in the New Testament, the way becomes a description of the Christian life. 00:21:35.460 --> 00:21:39.160 Later, the church would even be known as the way. 00:21:40.299 --> 00:21:45.160 And Jesus gives us what we need as we walk in the way. 00:21:45.220 --> 00:21:46.319 Now, I want to warn you something. 00:21:47.099 --> 00:21:51.440 The evil one wants to pull you away when times are tough. 00:21:51.440 --> 00:21:59.920 And the reality is when times are tough, those are the moments when we need the Lord the most. 00:22:00.900 --> 00:22:06.080 It's interesting to me that I've ran into people in ministry that have told me along the way. 00:22:06.140 --> 00:22:09.000 They've told me, they said, listen, we're going through a crunch right now. 00:22:10.580 --> 00:22:11.799 And it's difficult. 00:22:12.640 --> 00:22:14.000 We'll be back at church. 00:22:14.920 --> 00:22:16.380 But we're going through a hard time right now. 00:22:18.539 --> 00:22:19.960 We need to work these things out. 00:22:21.440 --> 00:22:24.279 Now, I'll tell you what I wanted to say. 00:22:25.960 --> 00:22:26.880 But I didn't say. 00:22:30.400 --> 00:22:34.180 And that is, that's a trap of the evil one. 00:22:36.100 --> 00:22:41.200 I think I did say, he wants his best to isolate you in the midst of your trouble. 00:22:41.940 --> 00:22:42.960 That's what he wants you to do. 00:22:42.960 --> 00:22:49.240 The reality is, God knew your trouble before you got in it. 00:22:50.360 --> 00:22:53.039 God knows your difficulty before you walked through it. 00:22:53.759 --> 00:22:56.160 He's already preparing the way along the way. 00:22:56.819 --> 00:23:05.860 And he provides that in one way by being together with God's people and hearing what he'd have for us. 00:23:05.859 --> 00:23:06.879 Let me tell you something. 00:23:07.099 --> 00:23:12.059 The reality is when times are tough, those are the moments when you need a word from God. 00:23:12.279 --> 00:23:14.779 Those are the moments when you need the encouragement for his people. 00:23:15.099 --> 00:23:19.199 Those are the moments when you need a clear direction by his spirit. 00:23:19.200 --> 00:23:24.360 Just as he did for the 4,000 in the desolate place. 00:23:25.779 --> 00:23:28.620 Just as he did to the Hebrews in the wilderness. 00:23:30.059 --> 00:23:33.180 God will provide what you need each and every time. 00:23:33.500 --> 00:23:35.920 So I want you to watch how this process works. 00:23:37.559 --> 00:23:39.819 Because Christ doesn't work among us. 00:23:39.819 --> 00:23:44.879 And when Christ doesn't work among us, we get a case that can't help us. 00:23:45.759 --> 00:23:49.000 And when we get a case that can't help us and we tell others what God's doing, 00:23:49.639 --> 00:23:51.599 if they're hungry, they'll come. 00:23:53.039 --> 00:23:54.579 Now the question is, who's hungry? 00:23:56.179 --> 00:23:57.299 Well, I want you to hear me this morning. 00:23:57.299 --> 00:24:03.480 I'm firmly convinced that anyone without the Lord cannot be filled by the things of the world and be satisfied. 00:24:03.480 --> 00:24:10.039 There is a God-shaped void in each and every one of us. 00:24:10.200 --> 00:24:12.380 We are made to be in relationship with him. 00:24:12.819 --> 00:24:16.579 Therefore, anyone who is without him is hungry. 00:24:17.240 --> 00:24:19.160 They may be searching in the wrong places. 00:24:19.420 --> 00:24:22.319 They may be trying to fill it with the wrong stuff. 00:24:22.319 --> 00:24:25.259 They may be, but I'm telling you, they're hungry. 00:24:25.720 --> 00:24:29.940 And you can make a point to invite them and you may be surprised. 00:24:30.120 --> 00:24:32.019 I don't care how much money they have. 00:24:32.019 --> 00:24:34.099 I don't care how many resources they have. 00:24:34.220 --> 00:24:35.920 I don't care how happy they look. 00:24:36.099 --> 00:24:38.619 I don't care how shiny their Facebook page looks. 00:24:38.740 --> 00:24:42.680 I don't care what they're doing, where they're going, who they're involved in. 00:24:42.680 --> 00:24:50.000 If they don't know Jesus, they have a need in their life that only Christ can fill. 00:24:51.519 --> 00:24:55.720 And if you'll make a point to invite them, even when you think they're not interested, 00:24:56.359 --> 00:24:59.200 you may be surprised. 00:24:59.200 --> 00:25:04.080 People that need the Lord are hungry. 00:25:06.799 --> 00:25:08.360 Another hungry group is this. 00:25:09.620 --> 00:25:12.319 Christians who are not in a right relationship with God. 00:25:14.080 --> 00:25:20.559 We can try the world and all its empty promises for a while, but it will never satisfy. 00:25:20.559 --> 00:25:24.039 And wayward Christians are a hungry bunch. 00:25:26.440 --> 00:25:29.500 Sometimes they're too prideful to acknowledge that, but they're a hungry bunch. 00:25:30.399 --> 00:25:36.159 But you get on fire for God and you let your light shine before Christ and like moss to a light, 00:25:36.559 --> 00:25:38.960 watch the hungry come to Christ. 00:25:39.240 --> 00:25:41.359 And when they do, they will be filled. 00:25:41.359 --> 00:25:50.240 Christ will give them everything they need to take home and sustain their lives through his word. 00:25:50.359 --> 00:25:54.979 When Jesus moves, God's people get to can't help us. 00:25:56.339 --> 00:25:57.240 They got to tell somebody. 00:25:57.240 --> 00:26:02.480 When Jesus moves, hungry people will come. 00:26:03.620 --> 00:26:08.279 But I want to warn you about something that Scripture is very clear about again and again. 00:26:09.400 --> 00:26:12.259 When Jesus moves, some still won't get it. 00:26:13.599 --> 00:26:14.559 They won't get it. 00:26:15.039 --> 00:26:18.960 I want you to look at Mark chapter 8, verses 11 through 13. 00:26:18.960 --> 00:26:19.360 It says, 00:26:19.440 --> 00:26:25.779 The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking for him a sign from heaven to test him. 00:26:26.900 --> 00:26:29.259 And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, 00:26:29.360 --> 00:26:31.059 Why does this generation seek a sign? 00:26:31.759 --> 00:26:34.900 Truly I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation. 00:26:35.079 --> 00:26:39.680 And he left them, got in the boat again, and went to the other side. 00:26:41.559 --> 00:26:45.400 As soon as Jesus gets back to the Jewish side of the water, 00:26:45.400 --> 00:26:49.380 where the established church of the day is, he is confronted. 00:26:51.940 --> 00:26:57.820 All their hope stood in front of them, in the man and in the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:26:58.000 --> 00:26:59.440 But they didn't recognize it. 00:27:00.060 --> 00:27:01.100 They didn't acknowledge it. 00:27:02.240 --> 00:27:08.580 All that that religious system prophesied about was standing right in front of them in the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:27:08.700 --> 00:27:09.560 But they missed it. 00:27:09.559 --> 00:27:15.700 They were seeking a sign, when in reality the Savior was standing right there. 00:27:16.159 --> 00:27:17.759 Again, this takes me to the wilderness. 00:27:19.000 --> 00:27:21.139 The Hebrews were led by Moses. 00:27:21.299 --> 00:27:24.319 They had received the manna from heaven in the morning. 00:27:24.460 --> 00:27:26.539 They had received the quail that came at night. 00:27:26.679 --> 00:27:30.079 And in the very next chapter, after it tells us about that, 00:27:30.599 --> 00:27:33.559 it says that they had a lack of faith. 00:27:33.559 --> 00:27:38.319 And they're saying that Moses had led them this far to die. 00:27:38.319 --> 00:27:42.379 They refused to be satisfied. 00:27:43.119 --> 00:27:46.899 And listen, because they didn't get in on what God was doing. 00:27:47.039 --> 00:27:51.679 They spent a generation wandering around, 00:27:52.439 --> 00:27:58.899 lost instead of receiving the promise from that that they could have had from him. 00:28:01.279 --> 00:28:03.599 So it is with the Pharisees in Mark chapter 8. 00:28:05.759 --> 00:28:07.460 They're looking for something else. 00:28:08.319 --> 00:28:14.939 When what they're looking for is standing right in front of them. 00:28:16.500 --> 00:28:18.259 And they don't even acknowledge it. 00:28:19.700 --> 00:28:20.500 What a shame. 00:28:23.220 --> 00:28:24.659 So I want you to understand something. 00:28:24.660 --> 00:28:32.080 When God moves, and he will, it can be among us. 00:28:33.960 --> 00:28:38.519 But if we're not receptive, if we're not responsive, 00:28:39.300 --> 00:28:45.500 if we're not appreciative, he'll move on to a people that are appreciated. 00:28:45.500 --> 00:28:51.779 I can show you the great movements in history, 00:28:52.319 --> 00:29:01.000 the evangelistic movements throughout history of how God moved for a time in a particular area. 00:29:01.000 --> 00:29:10.380 And when they lost their zeal, when their evangelistic fervor was chilled, 00:29:11.380 --> 00:29:14.720 God moved on to another people. 00:29:15.720 --> 00:29:17.259 Did a mighty work again. 00:29:18.839 --> 00:29:22.279 Roland Q. Level wrote a book years ago called Evangelism. 00:29:22.279 --> 00:29:28.319 And in his preface, he writes about historical movements of God 00:29:28.319 --> 00:29:32.339 and how God moved from one people to another 00:29:32.339 --> 00:29:35.579 when they were not receptive to what he had with them. 00:29:35.579 --> 00:29:44.720 When God moves, God's people need to get a case that can't help us. 00:29:46.639 --> 00:29:49.460 When God moves, he'll bring hungry people. 00:29:50.279 --> 00:29:50.879 He'll draw. 00:29:51.980 --> 00:29:52.659 It's him. 00:29:52.839 --> 00:29:53.500 It's not them. 00:29:54.220 --> 00:29:55.299 He gives them the hunger. 00:29:56.139 --> 00:29:56.919 He draws them. 00:29:58.079 --> 00:29:59.819 And when they come, but I want you to understand something. 00:30:00.460 --> 00:30:02.639 There'll be people who miss out on the whole thing. 00:30:02.759 --> 00:30:03.559 They won't get it. 00:30:03.559 --> 00:30:09.460 When God moves and people get it, they get a bad case that can't help us. 00:30:10.480 --> 00:30:12.399 As they share, hungry folks start coming. 00:30:12.519 --> 00:30:13.099 But be ready. 00:30:13.799 --> 00:30:14.859 Some are still not going to get it. 00:30:16.480 --> 00:30:17.740 So my question is this. 00:30:19.960 --> 00:30:21.299 Do you sense Christ moving? 00:30:24.379 --> 00:30:26.179 Are you telling anybody about it? 00:30:28.119 --> 00:30:30.019 Are you sharing with the hungry? 00:30:30.019 --> 00:30:36.379 Are you one who's continuing to still refuse to believe? 00:30:38.980 --> 00:30:44.039 Because the question really is not, is Christ moving? 00:30:45.980 --> 00:30:47.139 He is. 00:30:49.660 --> 00:30:52.779 The question is, are we responding? 00:30:52.779 --> 00:30:58.579 And if not, why not? 00:31:01.079 --> 00:31:06.460 If you've never given your heart and life to the Lord Jesus Christ, and you're here this morning, 00:31:07.460 --> 00:31:10.559 and God's speaking to your heart, 00:31:10.559 --> 00:31:17.159 I want you to know, you don't need to go home and clean up your life so you can come to Christ. 00:31:18.240 --> 00:31:20.200 He'll meet you where you are today. 00:31:20.859 --> 00:31:21.839 He'll do the work. 00:31:22.779 --> 00:31:25.799 You just surrender your life to follow Him. 00:31:26.519 --> 00:31:30.220 If there's any itching within you at all to come to Him, you didn't come up with that. 00:31:30.940 --> 00:31:33.500 Scripture says you're dead in your transgressions and sins. 00:31:33.500 --> 00:31:34.599 You couldn't come up with that. 00:31:36.119 --> 00:31:37.579 God's drawing you to Himself. 00:31:38.839 --> 00:31:39.920 You come to Christ today. 00:31:39.960 --> 00:31:42.140 We'd love to guide you in what that means. 00:31:43.539 --> 00:31:46.799 Maybe you're here this morning and you are a Christian, but the reality is, 00:31:47.339 --> 00:31:51.799 you don't sense the move of God in your life. 00:31:51.799 --> 00:31:59.659 You may admittedly say, I'm quenching what the Spirit is trying to do in my life 00:31:59.659 --> 00:32:04.000 because there's habits, there's problems in my life that I've not given over to the Lord. 00:32:05.359 --> 00:32:07.159 And I need to start afresh today. 00:32:08.399 --> 00:32:12.000 I need to forgive me and to cleanse me and renew me. 00:32:13.299 --> 00:32:15.579 And I'm thankful today He'll meet you where you are. 00:32:16.720 --> 00:32:18.639 You can do that to be where you stand in just a moment. 00:32:18.720 --> 00:32:19.379 You can do it at this altar. 00:32:19.779 --> 00:32:20.799 You can do it with me praying for you. 00:32:21.079 --> 00:32:21.399 Whatever. 00:32:21.799 --> 00:32:23.879 Maybe God's drawing you to Pickens First Baptist Church. 00:32:25.119 --> 00:32:26.720 God is doing a wonderful work in our church. 00:32:26.799 --> 00:32:27.599 I'm thankful for that. 00:32:27.619 --> 00:32:28.399 He continues to. 00:32:29.299 --> 00:32:32.639 It's wonderful to see the different ways that God works and moves. 00:32:32.759 --> 00:32:35.579 And if God's leading you to be a part of that, then you come. 00:32:35.759 --> 00:32:37.240 I'd love to guide you in what that means. 00:32:39.220 --> 00:32:42.079 I'm going to be very clear with you, and I'm always going to be very honest with you. 00:32:42.399 --> 00:32:47.200 I don't have a clue what God's telling you or what He's doing in your life. 00:32:47.240 --> 00:32:48.119 That's not my responsibility. 00:32:48.119 --> 00:32:53.039 My responsibility is to share with you what God told me to share with you. 00:32:53.039 --> 00:32:54.839 What He shows me. 00:32:54.839 --> 00:32:55.159 What He shows me. 00:32:55.159 --> 00:33:05.079 And as we just work through the Gospel of Mark, I am firmly convinced that everywhere we land is exactly when we need to land there. 00:33:05.079 --> 00:33:08.799 I think it was prescribed before I was even more. 00:33:08.799 --> 00:33:18.139 And He knew everything that was going on in your life this very day, exactly what you needed, what I needed. 00:33:18.419 --> 00:33:20.240 I think He's that big a God. 00:33:20.240 --> 00:33:26.819 And I think He'll meet you where you are and change your life from this day forward. 00:33:29.140 --> 00:33:30.640 It ain't about us. 00:33:31.500 --> 00:33:32.480 It's about Him. 00:33:33.759 --> 00:33:35.180 Give Him all you got today. 00:33:35.819 --> 00:33:44.720 Lord Jesus, lead us, oh God I pray, to hunger for the movement of Christ. 00:33:44.720 --> 00:33:47.460 To get in on it. 00:33:48.299 --> 00:33:50.339 To be obedient in the midst of it. 00:33:50.980 --> 00:33:53.079 And to watch you work and move as only you can. 00:33:53.559 --> 00:33:55.160 In Jesus' precious name. 00:33:55.680 --> 00:33:55.980 Amen.