WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.620 You know, sometimes a passage you read, it just sticks out to you. 00:00:03.620 --> 00:00:07.379 It's almost like it's just spiritually highlighted off the page. 00:00:08.820 --> 00:00:12.380 ! I knew I had read it before, I'm sure many times. 00:00:13.439 --> 00:00:19.219 Several years ago, when I read Luke 9, verse 51, it just stuck out to me. 00:00:19.219 --> 00:00:29.440 It says, when the days drew near for him, speaking of Christ, to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. 00:00:30.839 --> 00:00:39.259 Up until that time, Jesus was healing the sick, he was raising the dead, he was teaching the kingdom, he was training the twelve. 00:00:40.719 --> 00:00:44.420 And something happened after that. Things began to change. 00:00:44.780 --> 00:00:51.039 Before that time, often he would tell people not to tell others what he had done. 00:00:51.859 --> 00:00:54.679 Sometimes he would tell them not to tell others what he had said. 00:00:55.920 --> 00:00:59.900 And the reason he did that was to make his ministry longer. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:03.060 To have more time with the disciples. 00:01:04.120 --> 00:01:12.519 But at this point in his ministry, he reached the point where he began to drive toward the cross. 00:01:12.519 --> 00:01:15.239 It is a pivotal passage. 00:01:15.739 --> 00:01:19.399 And one that is appropriate for us today. 00:01:20.519 --> 00:01:22.319 And in the Sundays to come. 00:01:23.420 --> 00:01:27.539 Because we are setting our face toward the cross. 00:01:28.359 --> 00:01:29.699 Toward the empty tomb. 00:01:30.739 --> 00:01:34.039 Toward the death and the resurrection of Christ. 00:01:35.359 --> 00:01:38.140 As we prepare for Easter. 00:01:38.140 --> 00:01:42.519 In July of last year. 00:01:43.319 --> 00:01:48.359 Three miners were trapped underground in British Columbia. 00:01:49.799 --> 00:01:52.859 At a mine called Red Chris. 00:01:53.120 --> 00:01:55.299 It's a copper and gold mine. 00:01:56.480 --> 00:02:00.319 There were two separate rock falls that had affected their exit. 00:02:00.879 --> 00:02:02.340 And they could not get out. 00:02:02.340 --> 00:02:04.280 They were alive. 00:02:05.020 --> 00:02:06.460 But they were not free. 00:02:07.400 --> 00:02:12.280 Now the mine had an underground emergency refuge area. 00:02:12.400 --> 00:02:13.000 It had air. 00:02:13.259 --> 00:02:13.980 It had water. 00:02:14.099 --> 00:02:14.740 It had food. 00:02:14.939 --> 00:02:16.080 It had communication. 00:02:17.219 --> 00:02:17.980 In other words. 00:02:18.719 --> 00:02:22.539 They had what they needed to be sustained for a while. 00:02:22.539 --> 00:02:29.199 But there was nothing in that chamber that would get them out of the hole that they were in. 00:02:29.280 --> 00:02:31.479 They could not live there forever. 00:02:32.719 --> 00:02:34.780 They could breathe. 00:02:35.519 --> 00:02:37.019 But not there forever. 00:02:38.199 --> 00:02:42.519 Their only hope was that someone on the outside would reach them. 00:02:43.519 --> 00:02:46.680 Someone would get through what was blocking them. 00:02:46.780 --> 00:02:51.340 They needed somebody to clear the way that they could not clear themselves. 00:02:51.340 --> 00:02:54.700 They needed someone to save them. 00:02:55.700 --> 00:03:05.360 And after 60 hours, thankfully, they broke loose, got to them, and they got out alive and saved. 00:03:06.659 --> 00:03:19.219 When I read that story, I thought about how that is a fitting picture of us in a human condition apart from Christ. 00:03:19.219 --> 00:03:25.719 We can survive this life without Christ. 00:03:26.800 --> 00:03:31.439 We can linger for a while, maybe for a long time, but we can't linger forever. 00:03:33.219 --> 00:03:38.680 We cannot cope with what's to come. 00:03:38.939 --> 00:03:40.819 We can cope with the daily. 00:03:40.819 --> 00:03:43.539 That is until we can't. 00:03:45.039 --> 00:03:55.879 We need somebody to lead us out of the hole we are within without Christ and lead us to Christ. 00:03:56.759 --> 00:04:00.199 Let's set our face toward the cross this morning. 00:04:01.280 --> 00:04:07.039 2 Corinthians chapter 5, beginning in verse 14 says, 00:04:07.039 --> 00:04:13.060 For the love of Christ controls us. 00:04:13.400 --> 00:04:15.879 He's talking about Paul and Timothy. 00:04:16.879 --> 00:04:22.420 Because we have concluded this, that one has died for all, therefore all have died. 00:04:22.500 --> 00:04:26.579 And he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves, 00:04:26.719 --> 00:04:30.279 but for him who for their sake died and was raised. 00:04:30.279 --> 00:04:35.039 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. 00:04:36.359 --> 00:04:42.339 Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 00:04:43.439 --> 00:04:46.139 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. 00:04:46.279 --> 00:04:47.579 The old has passed away. 00:04:47.739 --> 00:04:49.079 Behold, the new has come. 00:04:49.619 --> 00:04:54.500 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself 00:04:54.500 --> 00:04:58.139 and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. 00:04:58.139 --> 00:05:02.879 That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, 00:05:03.079 --> 00:05:05.259 not counting their trespasses against them 00:05:05.259 --> 00:05:09.219 and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 00:05:10.259 --> 00:05:14.099 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ. 00:05:15.099 --> 00:05:17.860 God making his appeal through us, 00:05:18.099 --> 00:05:21.379 we implore you on behalf of Christ, 00:05:22.159 --> 00:05:24.800 be reconciled to God. 00:05:24.800 --> 00:05:30.420 For our sake, he made him to be sin who knew no sin, 00:05:30.900 --> 00:05:35.139 so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 00:05:36.240 --> 00:05:40.800 In this passage, Paul is telling the Corinthians that he is in a struggle. 00:05:41.400 --> 00:05:42.300 He loves the Lord. 00:05:42.580 --> 00:05:43.920 He wants to see the Lord. 00:05:44.199 --> 00:05:45.680 He's been faithful to serve the Lord. 00:05:45.879 --> 00:05:48.460 And he looks forward to the day that he can see him face to face. 00:05:48.620 --> 00:05:51.560 But he also wants to live to please the Lord. 00:05:51.560 --> 00:05:55.699 And he knows for the time being that that's to be on the earth. 00:05:56.579 --> 00:05:57.780 And what he's saying here 00:05:57.780 --> 00:06:01.399 is that what he does for others, 00:06:01.540 --> 00:06:04.600 he does through the love of Christ. 00:06:04.639 --> 00:06:06.639 Because of what Christ has done for him. 00:06:07.120 --> 00:06:09.300 And thank God what Christ has done for us. 00:06:09.860 --> 00:06:12.319 The cross makes all the difference. 00:06:13.340 --> 00:06:15.560 And I want to show you the difference that the cross makes. 00:06:16.300 --> 00:06:19.959 First, I want you to understand the motive of the cross. 00:06:19.959 --> 00:06:27.139 The love of Christ is the controlling factor in the Apostles Paul's life. 00:06:28.259 --> 00:06:28.819 No wonder. 00:06:30.120 --> 00:06:35.639 Christ radically changed his life. 00:06:36.679 --> 00:06:39.839 In late 2014 and early 2015, 00:06:40.859 --> 00:06:47.039 ISIS militants abducted 21 migrant construction workers in Libya. 00:06:47.040 --> 00:06:50.900 All of them were from Egypt except for one. 00:06:51.960 --> 00:06:55.500 And he was from Ghana. 00:06:57.100 --> 00:07:00.260 These workers were passionate Coptic Christians. 00:07:00.879 --> 00:07:02.620 They were passionate for the Lord. 00:07:03.220 --> 00:07:04.360 They loved the Lord. 00:07:04.560 --> 00:07:08.820 And ISIS was trying to force them to convert to Islam. 00:07:08.819 --> 00:07:12.980 And in an ISIS propaganda video, 00:07:13.279 --> 00:07:16.459 they lined the men up on the beach. 00:07:18.379 --> 00:07:21.240 They announced in that setting 00:07:21.240 --> 00:07:24.360 that they were targeting, quote, 00:07:24.779 --> 00:07:26.339 people of the cross. 00:07:26.339 --> 00:07:31.979 And you could hear the kneeling men praying, 00:07:32.979 --> 00:07:33.859 Ya Rabbi, 00:07:34.619 --> 00:07:35.299 Ya Soha. 00:07:36.199 --> 00:07:37.979 Which in their language means, 00:07:38.179 --> 00:07:40.879 Oh my Lord Jesus. 00:07:42.519 --> 00:07:46.899 The one Guanian among the Egyptians said, 00:07:47.479 --> 00:07:49.599 while they were crying out to God, 00:07:50.379 --> 00:07:52.939 their God is my God. 00:07:52.939 --> 00:07:58.079 Shortly after this picture was taken, 00:07:58.860 --> 00:08:00.939 each man was decapitated 00:08:00.939 --> 00:08:05.259 and died on that beach 00:08:05.259 --> 00:08:09.560 because they would not back off the Lord. 00:08:09.659 --> 00:08:10.980 Now, I want you to look at that picture. 00:08:12.680 --> 00:08:15.060 When Paul was saved, 00:08:15.720 --> 00:08:18.159 he was on his way to Damascus 00:08:18.159 --> 00:08:20.360 to kill Christians. 00:08:20.360 --> 00:08:23.639 The guy in the white camouflage 00:08:23.639 --> 00:08:25.840 is the leader of this group. 00:08:25.960 --> 00:08:26.939 He was their spokesman. 00:08:27.379 --> 00:08:28.340 He was their leader. 00:08:30.699 --> 00:08:33.700 Paul went from being a guy like that 00:08:33.700 --> 00:08:37.080 to being one of the greatest men of God 00:08:37.080 --> 00:08:39.159 and proclaimers of the gospel 00:08:39.159 --> 00:08:40.580 to ever live. 00:08:42.139 --> 00:08:43.139 My friend, 00:08:43.820 --> 00:08:45.519 that's the kind of difference 00:08:45.519 --> 00:08:48.840 that Christ makes in someone's life. 00:08:48.840 --> 00:08:52.259 He went from being the one in white 00:08:52.259 --> 00:08:54.360 to the one in orange 00:08:54.360 --> 00:08:57.840 for the sake of the gospel. 00:08:59.160 --> 00:09:01.639 He is the man that writes in verse 15, 00:09:02.680 --> 00:09:03.960 and Christ died for all 00:09:03.960 --> 00:09:07.340 that those who live might no longer live 00:09:07.340 --> 00:09:08.180 for themselves, 00:09:08.320 --> 00:09:10.740 but for him who for their sake died 00:09:10.740 --> 00:09:12.360 and was raised. 00:09:12.680 --> 00:09:13.379 Let me tell you something. 00:09:13.480 --> 00:09:16.139 The motive of the cross, 00:09:16.139 --> 00:09:18.419 the reason Christ went to the cross 00:09:18.419 --> 00:09:20.279 is to miraculously save 00:09:20.279 --> 00:09:22.720 a lost and dying world. 00:09:22.799 --> 00:09:23.279 Not only that, 00:09:23.319 --> 00:09:24.980 I want you to see the miracle of the cross 00:09:24.980 --> 00:09:27.139 because the apostle Paul goes on 00:09:27.139 --> 00:09:28.460 to explain what happens 00:09:28.460 --> 00:09:30.799 through the cross. 00:09:31.299 --> 00:09:32.600 The miracle of the cross 00:09:32.600 --> 00:09:35.360 is not that Christ changes someone 00:09:35.360 --> 00:09:38.080 or that he restores someone 00:09:38.080 --> 00:09:40.659 or that he improves us. 00:09:40.659 --> 00:09:45.120 The miracle is that he makes us new 00:09:45.120 --> 00:09:46.339 is what scripture says. 00:09:47.139 --> 00:09:47.699 In other words, 00:09:48.059 --> 00:09:48.799 the sin 00:09:48.799 --> 00:09:51.399 and our lack of restraint 00:09:51.399 --> 00:09:52.439 toward temptation 00:09:52.439 --> 00:09:56.159 that comes before the sin 00:09:56.159 --> 00:09:57.059 is removed 00:09:57.059 --> 00:09:58.799 by the forgiveness of God, 00:10:01.399 --> 00:10:04.779 we have a lack of restraint. 00:10:04.779 --> 00:10:09.319 Once we come to Christ, 00:10:09.419 --> 00:10:09.919 things change. 00:10:10.000 --> 00:10:11.379 Now, I didn't say temptation's gone. 00:10:11.500 --> 00:10:12.000 It's not. 00:10:14.100 --> 00:10:15.439 What I'm saying is 00:10:15.439 --> 00:10:16.659 when we come to Christ, 00:10:16.799 --> 00:10:18.959 the powerlessness that we felt 00:10:18.959 --> 00:10:20.639 toward temptation is gone. 00:10:22.000 --> 00:10:23.079 In Christ, 00:10:23.240 --> 00:10:25.539 we have the power of the Holy Spirit 00:10:25.539 --> 00:10:27.720 to fight our battles for us. 00:10:27.779 --> 00:10:28.159 However, 00:10:28.799 --> 00:10:30.600 for that newness to come, 00:10:30.759 --> 00:10:32.419 the old has to pass away. 00:10:32.419 --> 00:10:36.199 Just like the picture of baptism shows us, 00:10:36.439 --> 00:10:38.799 we have to die to self. 00:10:40.339 --> 00:10:41.620 Jesus died 00:10:41.620 --> 00:10:44.959 that we might die to self 00:10:44.959 --> 00:10:48.819 than that we might live for Christ. 00:10:49.579 --> 00:10:51.899 And when we die to the old way 00:10:51.899 --> 00:10:53.459 and to the wants of ourselves, 00:10:53.719 --> 00:10:56.559 we come to life in a new way in Christ. 00:10:56.899 --> 00:10:58.939 No longer are we shackled to sin, 00:10:59.539 --> 00:11:02.120 unable to be free from it. 00:11:02.120 --> 00:11:03.019 In Christ, 00:11:03.179 --> 00:11:05.440 when we lean upon the Holy Spirit of God, 00:11:05.539 --> 00:11:06.580 we're free from it. 00:11:06.700 --> 00:11:07.919 We're made new from it. 00:11:08.139 --> 00:11:10.779 Our perspective on God is made new. 00:11:10.879 --> 00:11:12.519 Now, the devil loves for us 00:11:12.519 --> 00:11:14.500 to fall back into that old mindset 00:11:14.500 --> 00:11:16.639 and think that we can't walk away from it. 00:11:16.679 --> 00:11:17.620 But I want you to know 00:11:17.620 --> 00:11:18.519 that in Christ, 00:11:18.639 --> 00:11:21.019 we have the power of the Holy Spirit of God 00:11:21.019 --> 00:11:22.379 to walk away from it 00:11:22.379 --> 00:11:24.679 and to walk in freedom in Christ. 00:11:25.159 --> 00:11:26.060 Verse 16 says 00:11:26.060 --> 00:11:27.720 that we do not regard Christ 00:11:27.720 --> 00:11:29.299 according to the flesh anymore. 00:11:29.299 --> 00:11:31.339 In other words, 00:11:32.339 --> 00:11:35.059 we don't worship a babe in the manger. 00:11:36.659 --> 00:11:40.839 We don't worship the suffering servant of the garden. 00:11:42.299 --> 00:11:45.959 The cross, thank God, is empty. 00:11:47.299 --> 00:11:50.899 Don't wear jewelry with Christ still on the cross, okay? 00:11:51.120 --> 00:11:52.419 Because he's not on the cross. 00:11:52.679 --> 00:11:54.679 We serve a risen Savior. 00:11:54.679 --> 00:11:57.000 We worship a glorified Savior 00:11:57.000 --> 00:11:58.539 on the throne of God. 00:11:58.859 --> 00:12:01.279 And it is through that glorified Savior 00:12:01.279 --> 00:12:02.879 that we invest our lives 00:12:02.879 --> 00:12:04.039 and that we're made new. 00:12:04.120 --> 00:12:06.699 And that changes our perspective on things. 00:12:08.039 --> 00:12:09.879 It changes our view of people. 00:12:11.459 --> 00:12:12.319 In Christ, 00:12:12.419 --> 00:12:13.439 when walking with the fullness 00:12:13.439 --> 00:12:14.579 of the Holy Spirit of God, 00:12:14.719 --> 00:12:16.399 we see people that live in ways 00:12:16.399 --> 00:12:17.699 contrary to the ways of God. 00:12:17.779 --> 00:12:19.359 We see them in a new perspective. 00:12:19.360 --> 00:12:22.039 We don't see them as enemies. 00:12:23.039 --> 00:12:25.639 We see them as people that need Christ. 00:12:27.779 --> 00:12:30.560 They're not just lost friends 00:12:30.560 --> 00:12:33.659 and family and coworkers. 00:12:35.379 --> 00:12:37.740 They're lost sheep that need a shepherd. 00:12:39.000 --> 00:12:41.440 They're in a hole sustaining. 00:12:43.200 --> 00:12:47.120 They need somebody to clear the rock. 00:12:47.120 --> 00:12:47.220 They need a cross. 00:12:49.019 --> 00:12:52.299 To provide a way for them to come to Christ. 00:12:53.060 --> 00:12:57.039 And that leads to the ministry of the cross. 00:12:57.860 --> 00:12:58.960 This is powerful. 00:12:59.519 --> 00:13:03.240 Because as Christ has ministered to us and for us, 00:13:03.580 --> 00:13:05.259 we're to minister to others. 00:13:05.720 --> 00:13:09.100 And it's called here the ministry of reconciliation. 00:13:11.180 --> 00:13:12.580 As I travel, 00:13:12.740 --> 00:13:14.940 Dawn likes for me to bring her coins 00:13:14.940 --> 00:13:16.279 from around the world. 00:13:16.279 --> 00:13:17.740 And years ago, 00:13:17.740 --> 00:13:20.120 I was on my way to Africa on a mission trip 00:13:20.120 --> 00:13:23.299 and I stopped in Paris for a layover. 00:13:23.860 --> 00:13:24.500 And at that time, 00:13:24.539 --> 00:13:25.720 I had never been to Europe. 00:13:26.299 --> 00:13:28.459 And so I stopped at the money exchange 00:13:28.459 --> 00:13:29.360 in the airport. 00:13:29.919 --> 00:13:33.019 And I either gave the lady a $5 bill 00:13:33.019 --> 00:13:35.120 or a $10 bill or something like that. 00:13:35.159 --> 00:13:35.679 And I said, 00:13:35.919 --> 00:13:38.980 can I just get a mixture of coins 00:13:38.980 --> 00:13:40.159 with this money? 00:13:41.059 --> 00:13:42.339 And she said, no. 00:13:42.340 --> 00:13:47.300 She said, the fee is more than you're giving me. 00:13:48.100 --> 00:13:50.040 So I took my good old American money 00:13:50.040 --> 00:13:51.080 and I left. 00:13:54.360 --> 00:13:56.379 When I went to Europe just a month ago, 00:13:56.480 --> 00:13:57.379 before I went, 00:13:59.300 --> 00:14:01.800 I contacted my bank. 00:14:01.799 --> 00:14:05.019 And for an even exchange, 00:14:05.019 --> 00:14:08.219 I received euros in my mailbox 00:14:08.219 --> 00:14:11.500 just a couple of days later. 00:14:12.500 --> 00:14:13.199 Now, I want you to see this. 00:14:13.259 --> 00:14:14.259 In verse 18, it says, 00:14:15.259 --> 00:14:16.699 all this is from God, 00:14:17.259 --> 00:14:20.159 who through Christ reconciled us to himself 00:14:20.159 --> 00:14:24.259 and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. 00:14:24.259 --> 00:14:27.559 The word for reconcile there 00:14:27.559 --> 00:14:29.539 is a marketplace word. 00:14:30.840 --> 00:14:32.919 It's a word that speaks of someone 00:14:32.919 --> 00:14:35.139 exchanging money for another currency. 00:14:36.399 --> 00:14:37.240 And through Christ, 00:14:38.080 --> 00:14:40.740 because of what he did for us on the cross, 00:14:41.179 --> 00:14:43.399 we have the opportunity to go 00:14:43.399 --> 00:14:45.580 from being outside of Christ, 00:14:46.179 --> 00:14:46.879 thank God, 00:14:47.120 --> 00:14:48.840 to being in Christ. 00:14:49.419 --> 00:14:51.659 It is the great reconciliation. 00:14:51.659 --> 00:14:55.059 It is a faith exchange. 00:14:55.639 --> 00:14:57.459 Christ took on our sin 00:14:57.459 --> 00:15:00.199 and gives us life in return. 00:15:00.819 --> 00:15:01.539 And in return, 00:15:02.219 --> 00:15:03.899 we are simply to share 00:15:03.899 --> 00:15:06.419 that message with others. 00:15:06.839 --> 00:15:09.539 We join in to a ministry 00:15:09.539 --> 00:15:10.899 of reconciliation 00:15:10.899 --> 00:15:14.379 by sharing what Christ has done 00:15:14.379 --> 00:15:16.339 for us with others. 00:15:16.839 --> 00:15:18.639 As he did for us, 00:15:19.500 --> 00:15:21.039 we do for others. 00:15:21.039 --> 00:15:24.039 We share the change 00:15:24.039 --> 00:15:25.439 that Christ has made in our lives. 00:15:25.480 --> 00:15:26.360 Now, how do we do that? 00:15:27.019 --> 00:15:28.699 Well, he goes on to say in this passage 00:15:28.699 --> 00:15:31.819 that we are ambassadors for Christ. 00:15:33.099 --> 00:15:34.299 Now, what's an ambassador? 00:15:34.480 --> 00:15:36.299 An ambassador is a representative. 00:15:36.919 --> 00:15:38.059 I want you to hear me now. 00:15:38.860 --> 00:15:41.240 It's a representative of a different land. 00:15:43.240 --> 00:15:44.980 Ambassadors live in a foreign land 00:15:44.980 --> 00:15:47.019 among a people of a foreign language, 00:15:47.019 --> 00:15:49.279 and they live a different way of life. 00:15:51.519 --> 00:15:53.860 Ambassadors live in that land. 00:15:54.199 --> 00:15:56.079 They take part in that land, 00:15:56.079 --> 00:15:58.079 but they're not citizens of that land. 00:15:59.659 --> 00:16:02.340 Instead, they speak for their country 00:16:02.340 --> 00:16:03.019 they represent. 00:16:04.519 --> 00:16:06.980 The reputation of their country 00:16:06.980 --> 00:16:08.759 is in the hands of the ambassador. 00:16:09.899 --> 00:16:11.819 Their words are listened to. 00:16:11.820 --> 00:16:15.060 Their deeds are watched. 00:16:16.560 --> 00:16:18.300 Their duty is to carry out 00:16:18.300 --> 00:16:19.520 a definite message 00:16:19.520 --> 00:16:21.760 and implement definite policies, 00:16:22.160 --> 00:16:23.780 all while being sensitive 00:16:23.780 --> 00:16:25.340 to how they impact the country 00:16:25.340 --> 00:16:26.379 in which they live. 00:16:26.660 --> 00:16:28.060 My friends, I want you to understand something. 00:16:28.200 --> 00:16:30.460 We are resident aliens. 00:16:31.180 --> 00:16:32.180 We live here, 00:16:32.420 --> 00:16:33.860 but if you're in Christ today, 00:16:33.980 --> 00:16:35.820 you're a citizen of heaven, 00:16:36.140 --> 00:16:37.400 and we need to act like it. 00:16:37.760 --> 00:16:39.200 This world is not our home. 00:16:39.400 --> 00:16:40.600 We need to talk like it. 00:16:40.600 --> 00:16:43.000 Let's speak as an ambassador 00:16:43.000 --> 00:16:44.759 a definite message 00:16:44.759 --> 00:16:45.940 with boldness 00:16:45.940 --> 00:16:47.460 for what we represent. 00:16:48.519 --> 00:16:50.080 God has called us 00:16:50.080 --> 00:16:51.180 as Christians 00:16:51.180 --> 00:16:52.800 to be ambassadors 00:16:52.800 --> 00:16:54.460 for the gospel 00:16:54.460 --> 00:16:57.460 to a lost and dying world, 00:16:57.879 --> 00:16:58.980 and it is 00:16:58.980 --> 00:16:59.899 the ministry 00:16:59.899 --> 00:17:01.980 of the cross. 00:17:02.960 --> 00:17:05.240 If Christ has changed you 00:17:05.240 --> 00:17:07.839 through the Holy Spirit of God 00:17:07.839 --> 00:17:08.839 empowering you, 00:17:08.839 --> 00:17:10.779 you have the opportunity 00:17:10.779 --> 00:17:11.619 to participate 00:17:11.619 --> 00:17:12.899 in seeing other people 00:17:12.899 --> 00:17:13.639 change 00:17:13.639 --> 00:17:15.220 by the power 00:17:15.220 --> 00:17:16.579 of God. 00:17:17.179 --> 00:17:18.220 It's the ministry 00:17:18.220 --> 00:17:18.759 of the cross. 00:17:18.859 --> 00:17:19.339 Let me tell you, 00:17:19.599 --> 00:17:19.919 lastly, 00:17:20.039 --> 00:17:21.039 the ministry 00:17:21.039 --> 00:17:21.720 of the cross. 00:17:23.659 --> 00:17:25.019 One of the great passages 00:17:25.019 --> 00:17:25.599 of Scripture 00:17:25.599 --> 00:17:27.000 and one that defines 00:17:27.000 --> 00:17:27.699 why Easter 00:17:27.699 --> 00:17:29.299 is so very important 00:17:29.299 --> 00:17:30.259 is in verse 21, 00:17:31.259 --> 00:17:32.159 and it says, 00:17:32.160 --> 00:17:32.920 for our sake 00:17:32.920 --> 00:17:33.580 he made him 00:17:33.580 --> 00:17:34.160 to be sin 00:17:34.160 --> 00:17:35.160 who knew no sin 00:17:35.160 --> 00:17:37.100 that in him 00:17:37.100 --> 00:17:37.960 we might become 00:17:37.960 --> 00:17:38.640 the righteousness 00:17:38.640 --> 00:17:39.759 of God. 00:17:41.759 --> 00:17:42.200 Christ 00:17:42.200 --> 00:17:44.100 never sinned. 00:17:45.440 --> 00:17:46.500 He was not born 00:17:46.500 --> 00:17:47.440 with a sin nature. 00:17:50.320 --> 00:17:51.700 That is the significance, 00:17:51.840 --> 00:17:52.580 one of the significance 00:17:52.580 --> 00:17:53.519 of the virgin birth. 00:17:54.240 --> 00:17:55.320 He did not have 00:17:55.320 --> 00:17:56.000 a sin nature. 00:17:56.140 --> 00:17:56.980 He never sinned. 00:17:57.320 --> 00:17:58.640 He never felt a strain 00:17:58.640 --> 00:17:59.880 between he and the Father. 00:17:59.880 --> 00:18:01.420 He never felt 00:18:01.420 --> 00:18:02.380 the weight of guilt. 00:18:03.240 --> 00:18:04.000 He never felt 00:18:04.000 --> 00:18:04.640 the dread 00:18:04.640 --> 00:18:05.680 of the ramifications. 00:18:06.620 --> 00:18:07.620 He never felt 00:18:07.620 --> 00:18:08.300 the anticipation 00:18:08.300 --> 00:18:09.220 of the fallout 00:18:09.220 --> 00:18:09.660 that comes 00:18:09.660 --> 00:18:10.720 when somebody's in sin. 00:18:11.960 --> 00:18:13.580 That is until the cross. 00:18:14.720 --> 00:18:16.000 And on the cross, 00:18:16.240 --> 00:18:17.640 he took on 00:18:17.640 --> 00:18:18.720 all of our sin, 00:18:19.880 --> 00:18:22.320 felt the chasm 00:18:22.320 --> 00:18:23.200 of separation 00:18:23.200 --> 00:18:24.240 between he and the Father, 00:18:24.480 --> 00:18:25.660 and that darkness 00:18:25.660 --> 00:18:26.840 that covered the earth, 00:18:26.920 --> 00:18:28.200 as Scripture tells us, 00:18:28.400 --> 00:18:29.300 upon his death, 00:18:29.299 --> 00:18:31.379 that started 00:18:31.379 --> 00:18:32.119 within him. 00:18:34.000 --> 00:18:35.599 And he did all of it 00:18:35.599 --> 00:18:38.619 to allow us 00:18:38.619 --> 00:18:40.480 to become 00:18:40.480 --> 00:18:41.099 the righteousness 00:18:41.099 --> 00:18:43.559 of God. 00:18:45.500 --> 00:18:46.559 Ellen Vaughn 00:18:46.559 --> 00:18:48.879 is a journalist 00:18:48.879 --> 00:18:49.720 who wrote a book 00:18:49.720 --> 00:18:50.039 called 00:18:50.039 --> 00:18:51.159 The God Who Hung 00:18:51.159 --> 00:18:52.000 on the Cross. 00:18:52.000 --> 00:18:54.779 And in that book, 00:18:54.859 --> 00:18:55.859 she tells the story 00:18:55.859 --> 00:18:57.400 of a Cambodian pastor 00:18:57.400 --> 00:18:58.220 who traveled 00:18:58.220 --> 00:19:00.099 throughout his providence 00:19:00.099 --> 00:19:01.359 sharing the gospel. 00:19:02.359 --> 00:19:03.380 And in that providence 00:19:03.380 --> 00:19:04.039 of Cambodia, 00:19:04.039 --> 00:19:04.640 it was filled 00:19:04.640 --> 00:19:05.880 with small villages. 00:19:06.960 --> 00:19:07.660 And he would go 00:19:07.660 --> 00:19:08.400 from village 00:19:08.400 --> 00:19:09.079 to village. 00:19:09.160 --> 00:19:09.900 And one village 00:19:09.900 --> 00:19:10.519 he would go, 00:19:11.019 --> 00:19:11.960 they would not listen 00:19:11.960 --> 00:19:12.400 to him 00:19:12.400 --> 00:19:13.579 because they followed 00:19:13.579 --> 00:19:13.960 Buddha. 00:19:15.380 --> 00:19:16.420 He would go 00:19:16.420 --> 00:19:17.500 to another one, 00:19:17.500 --> 00:19:18.799 and they did not 00:19:18.799 --> 00:19:19.599 listen to him 00:19:19.599 --> 00:19:21.480 because they followed 00:19:21.480 --> 00:19:22.700 demonic spirits, 00:19:23.180 --> 00:19:23.880 spiritualism. 00:19:25.519 --> 00:19:26.240 Seemed like 00:19:26.240 --> 00:19:27.059 everywhere he went, 00:19:27.160 --> 00:19:27.980 they would not listen 00:19:27.980 --> 00:19:28.640 to the gospel 00:19:28.640 --> 00:19:29.460 until he got 00:19:29.460 --> 00:19:30.619 to one particular 00:19:30.619 --> 00:19:31.500 village 00:19:31.500 --> 00:19:33.299 that received him 00:19:33.299 --> 00:19:33.880 warmly. 00:19:35.579 --> 00:19:37.200 He asked the villagers 00:19:37.200 --> 00:19:38.460 about their openness 00:19:38.460 --> 00:19:39.299 to the gospel. 00:19:39.420 --> 00:19:40.160 Why were they different? 00:19:40.160 --> 00:19:42.660 And a woman 00:19:42.660 --> 00:19:43.580 shuffled forward, 00:19:43.759 --> 00:19:45.180 she bowed before him, 00:19:45.279 --> 00:19:46.420 she grasped his hands, 00:19:46.460 --> 00:19:47.180 and she said, 00:19:47.480 --> 00:19:48.779 we've been waiting 00:19:48.779 --> 00:19:49.900 on you for 20 years. 00:19:52.040 --> 00:19:53.160 And then she told him 00:19:53.160 --> 00:19:53.680 the story 00:19:53.680 --> 00:19:56.900 of the mysterious God 00:19:56.900 --> 00:19:58.220 who had hung 00:19:58.220 --> 00:19:59.740 on the cross. 00:20:01.360 --> 00:20:03.140 In the 1970s, 00:20:03.180 --> 00:20:04.040 there was a brutal 00:20:04.040 --> 00:20:05.960 communist-led regime 00:20:05.960 --> 00:20:07.519 that took over Cambodia. 00:20:07.519 --> 00:20:11.259 It caused destruction 00:20:11.259 --> 00:20:12.819 throughout its path, 00:20:13.920 --> 00:20:14.639 destroyed everything. 00:20:15.779 --> 00:20:16.799 And when the soldiers 00:20:16.799 --> 00:20:18.119 came to this village 00:20:18.119 --> 00:20:19.519 in 1979, 00:20:20.299 --> 00:20:21.779 they immediately 00:20:21.779 --> 00:20:23.160 rounded the villagers 00:20:23.160 --> 00:20:24.200 up and forced them 00:20:24.200 --> 00:20:25.259 to dig their own graves. 00:20:27.420 --> 00:20:28.579 After the villagers 00:20:28.579 --> 00:20:29.200 had finished 00:20:29.200 --> 00:20:30.799 digging their graves, 00:20:30.940 --> 00:20:31.960 they prepared 00:20:31.960 --> 00:20:33.180 themselves to die. 00:20:34.960 --> 00:20:36.119 Some screamed out, 00:20:36.119 --> 00:20:36.740 to Buddha, 00:20:37.519 --> 00:20:40.079 others screamed out, 00:20:40.279 --> 00:20:41.639 to demon spirits. 00:20:43.539 --> 00:20:44.639 Others cried out 00:20:44.639 --> 00:20:45.619 to their ancestors. 00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:48.599 But one woman 00:20:48.599 --> 00:20:50.680 started to cry 00:20:50.680 --> 00:20:51.259 for help 00:20:51.259 --> 00:20:52.559 based on a childhood memory. 00:20:54.599 --> 00:20:55.700 She said a story 00:20:55.700 --> 00:20:56.720 her mother told her 00:20:56.720 --> 00:20:57.559 about a God 00:20:57.559 --> 00:20:58.960 who hung on a cross. 00:21:00.660 --> 00:21:01.559 And the woman 00:21:01.559 --> 00:21:02.700 prayed to that 00:21:02.700 --> 00:21:03.359 unknown God 00:21:03.359 --> 00:21:04.039 on a cross. 00:21:04.039 --> 00:21:05.039 Surely, 00:21:05.039 --> 00:21:06.720 surely if this God 00:21:06.720 --> 00:21:07.799 had known suffering, 00:21:07.899 --> 00:21:08.720 he would have compassion 00:21:08.720 --> 00:21:09.339 on their plight. 00:21:09.720 --> 00:21:10.279 And suddenly, 00:21:10.559 --> 00:21:11.299 those people 00:21:11.299 --> 00:21:11.879 who had been 00:21:11.879 --> 00:21:13.180 calling on all 00:21:13.180 --> 00:21:14.359 their individual gods, 00:21:14.899 --> 00:21:15.559 all of a sudden, 00:21:15.659 --> 00:21:16.059 there became 00:21:16.059 --> 00:21:17.559 a solitary cry, 00:21:18.220 --> 00:21:19.599 just a great wail 00:21:19.599 --> 00:21:20.399 among them all 00:21:20.399 --> 00:21:21.759 praying to the God 00:21:21.759 --> 00:21:22.420 in which she was 00:21:22.420 --> 00:21:23.079 calling upon. 00:21:24.139 --> 00:21:25.079 All of them 00:21:25.079 --> 00:21:25.839 praying to this 00:21:25.839 --> 00:21:26.859 mysterious God 00:21:26.859 --> 00:21:27.720 who hung 00:21:27.720 --> 00:21:28.980 on the cross. 00:21:28.980 --> 00:21:31.440 as they continued 00:21:31.440 --> 00:21:33.420 facing their own graves, 00:21:33.980 --> 00:21:34.559 their wailing 00:21:34.559 --> 00:21:35.599 began to slow 00:21:35.599 --> 00:21:36.299 and they began 00:21:36.299 --> 00:21:36.920 to quiet 00:21:36.920 --> 00:21:37.519 and it just 00:21:37.519 --> 00:21:38.920 become quiet crying. 00:21:41.259 --> 00:21:42.759 There was an eerie 00:21:42.759 --> 00:21:44.140 silence 00:21:44.140 --> 00:21:45.460 in that muggy 00:21:45.460 --> 00:21:46.120 jungle air. 00:21:47.579 --> 00:21:48.380 And suddenly, 00:21:48.539 --> 00:21:48.900 they dared 00:21:48.900 --> 00:21:49.559 to turn around 00:21:49.559 --> 00:21:50.140 and look 00:21:50.140 --> 00:21:52.960 at those who 00:21:52.960 --> 00:21:53.380 were there 00:21:53.380 --> 00:21:54.120 to kill them. 00:21:54.119 --> 00:21:56.539 and they were gone. 00:22:01.119 --> 00:22:02.219 As the old woman 00:22:02.219 --> 00:22:04.359 finished telling 00:22:04.359 --> 00:22:05.000 that story, 00:22:06.279 --> 00:22:07.419 she told 00:22:07.419 --> 00:22:08.019 that pastor, 00:22:09.579 --> 00:22:09.919 she said, 00:22:10.119 --> 00:22:10.500 ever since 00:22:10.500 --> 00:22:11.419 that humid day 00:22:11.419 --> 00:22:13.500 20 years ago, 00:22:14.699 --> 00:22:15.859 the villagers 00:22:15.859 --> 00:22:16.659 have been waiting. 00:22:18.399 --> 00:22:19.479 Waiting for 00:22:19.479 --> 00:22:20.559 someone to come 00:22:20.559 --> 00:22:22.319 and share 00:22:22.319 --> 00:22:22.759 the rest 00:22:22.759 --> 00:22:23.439 of the story 00:22:23.440 --> 00:22:25.259 about the God 00:22:25.259 --> 00:22:26.820 who hung 00:22:26.820 --> 00:22:27.500 on the cross. 00:22:30.860 --> 00:22:31.420 Church, 00:22:32.740 --> 00:22:36.120 almost all 00:22:36.120 --> 00:22:36.720 of Pickens 00:22:36.720 --> 00:22:38.400 and the 00:22:38.400 --> 00:22:39.279 surrounding area, 00:22:40.279 --> 00:22:41.420 if not all 00:22:41.420 --> 00:22:41.779 of them, 00:22:43.080 --> 00:22:43.640 have heard 00:22:43.640 --> 00:22:44.240 of the God 00:22:44.240 --> 00:22:46.039 who hung 00:22:46.039 --> 00:22:46.740 on the cross. 00:22:49.420 --> 00:22:50.140 But many 00:22:50.140 --> 00:22:50.640 are waiting. 00:22:50.640 --> 00:22:53.360 whether they 00:22:53.360 --> 00:22:53.940 realize it 00:22:53.940 --> 00:22:54.500 or not, 00:22:55.060 --> 00:22:56.420 they're waiting 00:22:56.420 --> 00:22:57.259 for somebody 00:22:57.259 --> 00:23:00.060 to free 00:23:00.060 --> 00:23:00.500 their way 00:23:00.500 --> 00:23:00.860 out, 00:23:01.640 --> 00:23:03.300 to show 00:23:03.300 --> 00:23:03.920 them hope. 00:23:05.800 --> 00:23:06.440 God 00:23:06.440 --> 00:23:07.200 has surrounded 00:23:07.200 --> 00:23:07.820 us 00:23:07.820 --> 00:23:09.420 with a world 00:23:09.420 --> 00:23:10.180 that desperately 00:23:10.180 --> 00:23:11.700 needs Christ. 00:23:12.780 --> 00:23:13.500 And he's 00:23:13.500 --> 00:23:14.300 called us 00:23:14.300 --> 00:23:16.340 to a ministry 00:23:16.340 --> 00:23:18.020 of reconciliation. 00:23:18.019 --> 00:23:18.259 reconciliation. 00:23:20.039 --> 00:23:21.039 He's called 00:23:21.039 --> 00:23:22.000 us to be 00:23:22.000 --> 00:23:22.859 ambassadors, 00:23:24.420 --> 00:23:24.980 representatives 00:23:24.980 --> 00:23:25.759 for him. 00:23:27.440 --> 00:23:28.700 Living in a land 00:23:28.700 --> 00:23:30.980 that's truly 00:23:30.980 --> 00:23:31.720 not our home. 00:23:34.379 --> 00:23:35.700 To send a message, 00:23:36.759 --> 00:23:38.539 to stick 00:23:38.539 --> 00:23:39.240 to a calling 00:23:39.240 --> 00:23:41.339 that God 00:23:41.339 --> 00:23:41.940 placed upon 00:23:41.940 --> 00:23:42.539 our life 00:23:42.539 --> 00:23:44.519 when he 00:23:44.519 --> 00:23:44.819 changed 00:23:44.819 --> 00:23:45.259 our life. 00:23:47.779 --> 00:23:48.339 If you're 00:23:48.339 --> 00:23:48.720 here this 00:23:48.720 --> 00:23:49.019 morning 00:23:49.019 --> 00:23:51.319 and you've 00:23:51.319 --> 00:23:51.980 never surrendered 00:23:51.980 --> 00:23:52.519 your life 00:23:52.519 --> 00:23:52.899 to the Lord 00:23:52.899 --> 00:23:53.659 Jesus Christ, 00:23:53.740 --> 00:23:54.119 I got good 00:23:54.119 --> 00:23:54.799 news for you. 00:23:56.440 --> 00:23:57.059 He'll take 00:23:57.059 --> 00:23:57.599 you as you 00:23:57.599 --> 00:23:57.940 are. 00:24:00.200 --> 00:24:00.759 If you'll 00:24:00.759 --> 00:24:01.339 confess that 00:24:01.339 --> 00:24:01.879 you're a sinner 00:24:01.879 --> 00:24:03.159 and ask him 00:24:03.159 --> 00:24:03.779 to forgive you, 00:24:03.839 --> 00:24:04.279 he'll wash 00:24:04.279 --> 00:24:04.659 you clean 00:24:04.659 --> 00:24:05.339 of those sins. 00:24:07.659 --> 00:24:08.279 He'll make 00:24:08.279 --> 00:24:08.759 you new. 00:24:10.839 --> 00:24:11.240 Folks, 00:24:11.299 --> 00:24:11.519 he won't 00:24:11.519 --> 00:24:11.940 just clean 00:24:11.940 --> 00:24:12.400 you up. 00:24:13.400 --> 00:24:13.799 He'll make 00:24:13.799 --> 00:24:14.120 you new. 00:24:16.080 --> 00:24:16.620 Maybe you're 00:24:16.620 --> 00:24:16.920 here this 00:24:16.920 --> 00:24:17.320 morning and 00:24:17.320 --> 00:24:17.720 you have 00:24:17.720 --> 00:24:18.039 done that. 00:24:18.100 --> 00:24:18.519 Maybe like 00:24:18.519 --> 00:24:18.840 James, 00:24:18.900 --> 00:24:19.160 you did 00:24:19.160 --> 00:24:19.700 that years 00:24:19.700 --> 00:24:20.059 ago, 00:24:20.180 --> 00:24:20.440 but you 00:24:20.440 --> 00:24:21.820 never have 00:24:21.820 --> 00:24:22.320 acknowledged 00:24:22.320 --> 00:24:24.220 that publicly. 00:24:26.140 --> 00:24:26.840 And Jesus, 00:24:27.059 --> 00:24:27.400 by his 00:24:27.400 --> 00:24:28.299 commission and 00:24:28.299 --> 00:24:28.740 by his 00:24:28.740 --> 00:24:29.220 example, 00:24:29.400 --> 00:24:30.120 tells us 00:24:30.120 --> 00:24:32.080 that we 00:24:32.080 --> 00:24:32.360 need to 00:24:32.360 --> 00:24:34.180 follow him 00:24:34.180 --> 00:24:36.279 in baptism. 00:24:36.580 --> 00:24:36.779 If you've 00:24:36.779 --> 00:24:37.019 never been 00:24:37.019 --> 00:24:37.580 baptized as a 00:24:37.580 --> 00:24:37.779 believer, 00:24:37.920 --> 00:24:38.380 but you know 00:24:38.380 --> 00:24:38.880 that you are 00:24:38.880 --> 00:24:39.220 a believer, 00:24:39.779 --> 00:24:40.400 I encourage 00:24:40.400 --> 00:24:40.980 you to come. 00:24:41.940 --> 00:24:43.840 Maybe God's 00:24:43.840 --> 00:24:44.400 drawing you to 00:24:44.400 --> 00:24:44.960 Pickens First 00:24:44.960 --> 00:24:45.660 Baptist Church, 00:24:45.740 --> 00:24:46.299 doing a wonderful 00:24:46.299 --> 00:24:46.820 work in our 00:24:46.820 --> 00:24:47.019 church, 00:24:47.080 --> 00:24:47.480 I'm thankful 00:24:47.480 --> 00:24:47.940 for that. 00:24:48.019 --> 00:24:48.660 Maybe God's 00:24:48.660 --> 00:24:49.240 drawing you 00:24:49.240 --> 00:24:49.740 here. 00:24:50.860 --> 00:24:51.259 If that's 00:24:51.259 --> 00:24:51.539 the case, 00:24:51.600 --> 00:24:51.840 we'll be 00:24:51.840 --> 00:24:52.220 happy to 00:24:52.220 --> 00:24:52.660 guide you 00:24:52.660 --> 00:24:53.019 in what it 00:24:53.019 --> 00:24:53.400 means to 00:24:53.400 --> 00:24:53.820 be a member 00:24:53.820 --> 00:24:54.140 of First 00:24:54.140 --> 00:24:54.860 Baptist Church. 00:24:56.460 --> 00:24:57.100 We'll stand 00:24:57.100 --> 00:24:57.480 and sing in 00:24:57.480 --> 00:24:57.840 just a moment. 00:24:57.940 --> 00:24:58.320 You come 00:24:58.320 --> 00:24:58.680 as God 00:24:58.680 --> 00:24:59.059 leads. 00:24:59.059 --> 00:25:05.460 Christians, 00:25:06.179 --> 00:25:08.039 there's a 00:25:08.039 --> 00:25:08.599 message that's 00:25:08.599 --> 00:25:09.399 very clear in 00:25:09.399 --> 00:25:10.039 scripture again 00:25:10.039 --> 00:25:10.440 and again. 00:25:12.099 --> 00:25:12.879 The Apostle 00:25:12.879 --> 00:25:13.519 Paul makes it 00:25:13.519 --> 00:25:14.019 very clear, 00:25:14.079 --> 00:25:14.440 I hope I 00:25:14.440 --> 00:25:14.759 didn't muddy 00:25:14.759 --> 00:25:15.179 the waters 00:25:15.179 --> 00:25:15.639 this morning, 00:25:16.159 --> 00:25:18.379 that we 00:25:18.379 --> 00:25:19.059 have a job 00:25:19.059 --> 00:25:21.319 to share 00:25:21.319 --> 00:25:21.879 what Christ 00:25:21.879 --> 00:25:22.220 has done 00:25:22.220 --> 00:25:22.980 in our lives 00:25:22.980 --> 00:25:24.000 with others. 00:25:24.099 --> 00:25:24.500 We have a 00:25:24.500 --> 00:25:25.119 job to live 00:25:25.119 --> 00:25:25.740 it out before 00:25:25.740 --> 00:25:26.019 them. 00:25:26.019 --> 00:25:28.240 we have a 00:25:28.240 --> 00:25:28.799 job to share 00:25:28.799 --> 00:25:29.240 with them. 00:25:32.720 --> 00:25:33.339 Will you 00:25:33.339 --> 00:25:33.920 commit your 00:25:33.920 --> 00:25:34.759 life today 00:25:34.759 --> 00:25:35.359 to be an 00:25:35.359 --> 00:25:36.180 ambassador for 00:25:36.180 --> 00:25:36.680 Christ? 00:25:38.180 --> 00:25:38.980 To be one 00:25:38.980 --> 00:25:39.680 that properly 00:25:39.680 --> 00:25:40.720 represents the 00:25:40.720 --> 00:25:41.160 kingdom in 00:25:41.160 --> 00:25:41.599 which you are 00:25:41.599 --> 00:25:42.220 a part of? 00:25:44.339 --> 00:25:44.940 And will 00:25:44.940 --> 00:25:45.839 stay to the 00:25:45.839 --> 00:25:46.960 definite message. 00:25:48.139 --> 00:25:48.660 Stay on 00:25:48.660 --> 00:25:49.220 task. 00:25:51.500 --> 00:25:52.160 Walk the 00:25:52.160 --> 00:25:52.700 walk and 00:25:52.700 --> 00:25:53.119 talk the 00:25:53.119 --> 00:25:53.680 talk and 00:25:53.680 --> 00:25:54.039 make the 00:25:54.039 --> 00:25:54.539 difference 00:25:54.539 --> 00:25:56.000 for Christ 00:25:56.000 --> 00:25:57.720 that he's 00:25:57.720 --> 00:25:58.740 called us, 00:25:59.759 --> 00:26:00.880 enabled us, 00:26:01.200 --> 00:26:02.299 and commissioned 00:26:02.299 --> 00:26:03.859 us to do. 00:26:06.359 --> 00:26:07.099 No better 00:26:07.099 --> 00:26:07.720 time to do 00:26:07.720 --> 00:26:09.500 it than as 00:26:09.500 --> 00:26:10.140 we approach 00:26:10.140 --> 00:26:13.400 a celebration 00:26:13.400 --> 00:26:13.700 of the 00:26:13.700 --> 00:26:14.079 resurrection 00:26:14.079 --> 00:26:14.339 of the 00:26:14.339 --> 00:26:14.500 Lord. 00:26:16.640 --> 00:26:17.200 I don't 00:26:17.200 --> 00:26:17.480 know what 00:26:17.480 --> 00:26:18.000 God's telling 00:26:18.000 --> 00:26:18.259 you, I 00:26:18.259 --> 00:26:18.480 know what 00:26:18.480 --> 00:26:18.759 he told 00:26:18.759 --> 00:26:19.039 me. 00:26:20.619 --> 00:26:21.480 I encourage 00:26:21.480 --> 00:26:21.740 you to be 00:26:21.740 --> 00:26:23.900 obedient to 00:26:23.900 --> 00:26:24.640 whatever God's 00:26:24.640 --> 00:26:25.099 telling you to 00:26:25.099 --> 00:26:25.339 do. 00:26:26.460 --> 00:26:27.140 We'll stand 00:26:27.140 --> 00:26:27.599 in just a 00:26:27.599 --> 00:26:28.220 moment, we'll 00:26:28.220 --> 00:26:30.140 sing, but 00:26:30.140 --> 00:26:30.619 more important 00:26:30.619 --> 00:26:30.980 than that, you 00:26:30.980 --> 00:26:31.579 obey God. 00:26:31.839 --> 00:26:32.200 If you need to 00:26:32.200 --> 00:26:32.759 give your life to 00:26:32.759 --> 00:26:33.160 Christ, you 00:26:33.160 --> 00:26:33.460 come. 00:26:34.059 --> 00:26:34.619 If you need to 00:26:34.619 --> 00:26:35.460 be baptized, you 00:26:35.460 --> 00:26:35.759 come. 00:26:36.920 --> 00:26:37.660 If you feel led 00:26:37.660 --> 00:26:38.140 to join this 00:26:38.140 --> 00:26:38.519 church, you 00:26:38.519 --> 00:26:38.839 come. 00:26:39.799 --> 00:26:40.359 If you need to 00:26:40.359 --> 00:26:40.759 come to this 00:26:40.759 --> 00:26:41.279 altar, you 00:26:41.279 --> 00:26:41.619 come. 00:26:41.720 --> 00:26:42.099 If you need a 00:26:42.099 --> 00:26:42.599 pastor to pray 00:26:42.599 --> 00:26:43.059 for you, you 00:26:43.059 --> 00:26:43.319 come. 00:26:43.519 --> 00:26:43.900 If you need to 00:26:43.900 --> 00:26:44.400 pray where you 00:26:44.400 --> 00:26:44.740 are, you 00:26:44.740 --> 00:26:44.920 come. 00:26:45.160 --> 00:26:45.599 Don't do 00:26:45.599 --> 00:26:46.819 anything more 00:26:46.819 --> 00:26:47.579 than what God's 00:26:47.579 --> 00:26:48.259 told you to do. 00:26:48.900 --> 00:26:49.359 Don't do 00:26:49.359 --> 00:26:50.200 anything less than 00:26:50.200 --> 00:26:50.819 what you feel like 00:26:50.819 --> 00:26:51.420 he's told you to 00:26:51.420 --> 00:26:51.680 do. 00:26:52.420 --> 00:26:53.259 Just be obedient to 00:26:53.259 --> 00:26:53.480 follow. 00:26:54.339 --> 00:26:55.160 Heavenly Father, I 00:26:55.160 --> 00:26:55.859 love you and I 00:26:55.859 --> 00:26:56.740 thank you, dear God, 00:26:56.839 --> 00:26:58.359 for the love that 00:26:58.359 --> 00:26:59.319 you show us and 00:26:59.319 --> 00:27:00.460 how your word shows 00:27:00.460 --> 00:27:01.779 us that not only do 00:27:01.779 --> 00:27:02.900 you change us, but 00:27:02.900 --> 00:27:03.680 you give us the 00:27:03.680 --> 00:27:04.599 opportunity to be a 00:27:04.599 --> 00:27:05.359 part of change in 00:27:05.359 --> 00:27:06.200 other people's lives. 00:27:06.599 --> 00:27:07.539 And I pray that we'll 00:27:07.539 --> 00:27:08.539 be faithful to that 00:27:08.539 --> 00:27:08.980 today. 00:27:10.339 --> 00:27:11.279 Lead us, Lord, 00:27:11.839 --> 00:27:12.819 right now to simply 00:27:12.819 --> 00:27:13.579 be obedient to 00:27:13.579 --> 00:27:14.119 follow you. 00:27:14.119 --> 00:27:15.659 in Jesus' precious 00:27:15.659 --> 00:27:16.099 name. 00:27:16.500 --> 00:27:16.779 Amen.