WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.279 So not the tree's natural location, not where it once was, but by grace was rescued and moved and planted to where it can grow. 00:00:10.200 --> 00:00:14.099 It's a picture of what God has done for us by His grace and salvation. 00:00:14.240 --> 00:00:20.059 He's transferred us from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of His beloved Son. 00:00:20.140 --> 00:00:23.719 By His grace moved us when we were dwindling and dying. 00:00:23.719 --> 00:00:29.219 Picked us up by His grace and moved us and planted us where we could live and grow. 00:00:30.679 --> 00:00:41.320 So, it's a picture of studying God's Word and meditating on it day and night to remind ourselves of the truth and promises. 00:00:42.219 --> 00:00:46.379 We become like a spiritual tree that's planted by streams of water. 00:00:47.039 --> 00:00:52.920 And we won't grow dry and we won't blow over if we plant ourselves in by that stream. 00:00:54.079 --> 00:00:58.740 So, when we fail to realize that there are such rich treasures and found of God's Word, 00:00:58.740 --> 00:01:00.300 we tend to drift. 00:01:00.859 --> 00:01:02.700 We forget His promises. 00:01:02.880 --> 00:01:03.859 We forget His love. 00:01:05.000 --> 00:01:09.120 If you go to, I think it's Deuteronomy chapter 8. 00:01:09.960 --> 00:01:15.340 But in that chapter, I think God says almost six or seven times, 00:01:15.920 --> 00:01:17.740 remember, don't forget. 00:01:18.060 --> 00:01:19.640 Remember, don't forget. 00:01:19.900 --> 00:01:21.060 There's so many warnings. 00:01:21.960 --> 00:01:23.500 Sin causes us to forget. 00:01:23.500 --> 00:01:26.859 And we think, there's no way I'll ever forget this. 00:01:26.959 --> 00:01:28.019 Yes, you will. 00:01:28.120 --> 00:01:29.299 Like sin pulls on you. 00:01:30.159 --> 00:01:30.420 Right? 00:01:30.739 --> 00:01:33.680 And we need to look at God's Word with fresh eyes. 00:01:34.120 --> 00:01:36.180 It's almost to become dull and bored. 00:01:37.460 --> 00:01:38.960 Psalm 119, verse 18. 00:01:39.060 --> 00:01:43.340 Open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. 00:01:43.340 --> 00:01:52.020 That word wondrous means wonderful, far surpassing the ordinary, nearly unbelievable. 00:01:52.280 --> 00:01:53.340 That's like what that word means. 00:01:53.420 --> 00:01:56.120 I open my eyes to see that in your Word. 00:01:56.219 --> 00:01:58.240 Things that are just mind-blowing. 00:01:59.219 --> 00:01:59.700 Unbelievable. 00:02:00.859 --> 00:02:07.159 We learn from the prophet Jeremiah that God both listens, cares, and responds to the prayers of His people. 00:02:07.159 --> 00:02:16.859 And God calls out to him and He says, you know, call to me and I will answer you and I will show you great and unsearchable things that you do not know. 00:02:19.740 --> 00:02:28.680 And there's so much that God desires to give us if we would just come and drink from His Word and meditate on it day and night. 00:02:29.639 --> 00:02:32.780 Because some of you may have a desire, but you just lack the practicality of it. 00:02:32.780 --> 00:02:35.419 But you just need a time, a place, and a plan. 00:02:35.580 --> 00:02:37.560 And we can help you figure that out. 00:02:38.479 --> 00:02:39.780 Time and a place and a plan. 00:02:39.879 --> 00:02:40.780 You've got to fight for it. 00:02:42.020 --> 00:02:46.400 So that's the first way we learn how to worship God is that we've got to be in His Word. 00:02:47.659 --> 00:02:50.199 Secondly, and obviously, through prayer. 00:02:51.180 --> 00:02:53.180 Paul wrote in Colossians 4, 00:02:53.180 --> 00:02:58.039 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 00:02:58.039 --> 00:03:02.979 In our translation, it means be devoted to prayer. 00:03:03.219 --> 00:03:06.579 And that language means like the way that you're devoted to eating. 00:03:07.340 --> 00:03:10.359 Be devoted the same way to prayer. 00:03:11.539 --> 00:03:13.719 Many of you will be devoted to eating in an hour. 00:03:14.939 --> 00:03:16.319 In the same way. 00:03:17.000 --> 00:03:20.039 Fully devote yourselves to prayer. 00:03:20.039 --> 00:03:27.900 This kind of devotion reflects a soul that knows that it needs God's grace. 00:03:28.019 --> 00:03:33.139 And longs for God's presence to sit alone at the feet of Christ. 00:03:33.659 --> 00:03:35.399 Remember, He is a person. 00:03:35.979 --> 00:03:37.759 He is living. 00:03:38.799 --> 00:03:41.419 And the Holy Spirit has come to dwell in us. 00:03:41.680 --> 00:03:45.919 And prayer is that medium through which we experience speak, connect to God, 00:03:45.919 --> 00:03:52.719 to speak to Him as a beloved Father, a gift that we have through prayer. 00:03:54.060 --> 00:03:59.379 One of my favorite verses on prayer is Mark 1, verse 35. 00:03:59.579 --> 00:04:04.679 You get a glimpse into the life of Jesus, but it says in Mark 1, 35, 00:04:04.680 --> 00:04:10.620 early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up and left the house 00:04:10.620 --> 00:04:17.060 and went out to a secluded place of solitude and was praying there. 00:04:17.680 --> 00:04:20.400 Like this desire to want to be with God. 00:04:20.480 --> 00:04:23.780 And many people would ask, like, why would Jesus pray? 00:04:24.899 --> 00:04:25.199 You know? 00:04:25.480 --> 00:04:29.019 I mean, He longs to be with the Father is one simple answer to that. 00:04:29.019 --> 00:04:32.899 He wants to be with the one that He loves. 00:04:33.799 --> 00:04:38.740 And that He made Himself dependent on the Father when He was here. 00:04:38.859 --> 00:04:39.219 Needy. 00:04:40.279 --> 00:04:41.419 Going to the Father. 00:04:42.699 --> 00:04:47.219 And most of us don't pray because we just don't believe in prayer. 00:04:47.379 --> 00:04:48.899 We think that we have it figured out. 00:04:50.099 --> 00:04:54.599 And we're not aware of how dependent we truly are on God. 00:04:54.600 --> 00:04:58.840 Paul Miller in his book, Praying Life, wrote, 00:04:59.480 --> 00:05:02.100 we tell ourselves strong Christians pray a lot. 00:05:03.360 --> 00:05:06.040 If I were a stronger Christian, I'd pray more. 00:05:07.260 --> 00:05:08.900 Strong Christians don't pray more. 00:05:09.620 --> 00:05:12.580 But they pray more because they realize how weak they are. 00:05:13.540 --> 00:05:15.320 They don't try to hide it from themselves. 00:05:16.400 --> 00:05:19.660 Weakness is the channel that allows them to access grace. 00:05:19.660 --> 00:05:26.560 In fact, God wanted me depressed about myself and encouraged me about His Son. 00:05:27.280 --> 00:05:32.800 The Gospel uses my weakness for God's grace. 00:05:33.940 --> 00:05:40.200 And so, we pray sort of in proportion to the awareness of our need for God. 00:05:40.520 --> 00:05:43.180 And our longing to be with Him. 00:05:43.900 --> 00:05:46.879 When's the last time you prayed just because you wanted to be with God? 00:05:46.879 --> 00:05:49.120 And I'm not like, oh man, I've got this going on. 00:05:49.159 --> 00:05:49.699 Please help me. 00:05:50.100 --> 00:05:51.759 You know, I'll fix this problem. 00:05:52.740 --> 00:05:57.459 But a longing to actually just sit and be with Him. 00:05:57.500 --> 00:06:00.939 And from our Bible reading comes prayer. 00:06:02.339 --> 00:06:07.139 Almost there's an overflow of that time in reading His Word. 00:06:08.560 --> 00:06:09.540 Better move on. 00:06:10.920 --> 00:06:12.079 So that's number one. 00:06:12.300 --> 00:06:13.219 There's a lot here, sorry. 00:06:14.219 --> 00:06:15.899 Resolve to serve God's people. 00:06:15.899 --> 00:06:21.339 This is Ephesians chapter 2, verse 19 through 22. 00:06:22.620 --> 00:06:23.620 If you want to turn there. 00:06:23.819 --> 00:06:25.339 But Paul talking about the church. 00:06:25.459 --> 00:06:25.859 He says, 00:06:26.060 --> 00:06:31.359 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but are fellow citizens with the saints 00:06:31.359 --> 00:06:38.199 and members of the household of God built on a foundation of the apostles and the prophets. 00:06:38.879 --> 00:06:41.560 Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone 00:06:41.560 --> 00:06:47.740 in whom the whole structure being joined together grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 00:06:48.280 --> 00:06:55.500 In Him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. 00:06:55.500 --> 00:07:01.120 So again, remember who you were before Christ. 00:07:01.220 --> 00:07:03.060 You were a stranger and outsider. 00:07:03.939 --> 00:07:06.240 You were not a part of God's people. 00:07:07.220 --> 00:07:11.120 But through Christ, you have now become a fellow citizen with God's people 00:07:11.120 --> 00:07:13.519 and a partaker of His kingdom. 00:07:13.519 --> 00:07:16.399 You were once strangers. 00:07:17.120 --> 00:07:21.339 But now in Christ, you are a member of God's own household. 00:07:22.339 --> 00:07:24.819 Adopted as a child by His grace. 00:07:24.899 --> 00:07:29.479 With all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of being a child of God. 00:07:30.120 --> 00:07:32.240 We are a spiritual house. 00:07:32.240 --> 00:07:32.799 A temple. 00:07:32.800 --> 00:07:35.819 Where God meets with us. 00:07:36.759 --> 00:07:38.360 Indwelt by the Holy Spirit. 00:07:40.040 --> 00:07:41.639 So much here in this passage. 00:07:42.360 --> 00:07:46.100 And God is now building us, not just me or you, but us, 00:07:46.879 --> 00:07:51.920 together as the church, as the new spiritual temple. 00:07:52.800 --> 00:07:56.439 God gives us so many beautiful metaphors in the Scripture. 00:07:56.620 --> 00:07:58.160 Pictures of what the church is. 00:07:58.199 --> 00:07:58.879 There are so many. 00:07:59.639 --> 00:08:02.759 And every one of them implies like a communal aspect. 00:08:04.300 --> 00:08:04.480 Right? 00:08:04.680 --> 00:08:05.540 Biblical metaphors. 00:08:05.659 --> 00:08:06.159 The body. 00:08:06.279 --> 00:08:07.379 That's 1 Corinthians 12. 00:08:07.480 --> 00:08:12.719 To be a part of a body means to belong to a living, functioning, serving community. 00:08:14.219 --> 00:08:15.120 The flock. 00:08:15.779 --> 00:08:16.560 Means that. 00:08:16.980 --> 00:08:18.959 That's in Acts 20, verse 28. 00:08:19.759 --> 00:08:24.159 Means belonging to a community dependent on God for food, protection, and direction. 00:08:25.279 --> 00:08:28.180 And like we just said, there's the temple in Ephesians 2. 00:08:28.180 --> 00:08:33.019 A stone in God's temple means to belong to a worshiping community. 00:08:34.240 --> 00:08:35.580 And likewise, a household. 00:08:36.379 --> 00:08:41.480 To be a member of a family is to belong to the community bound by a common fatherhood. 00:08:42.379 --> 00:08:43.220 There's so much here. 00:08:43.299 --> 00:08:44.120 Maybe going on. 00:08:44.180 --> 00:08:45.100 The bride of Christ. 00:08:47.700 --> 00:08:50.180 So many analogies that God gives us. 00:08:50.240 --> 00:08:51.200 It's a picture of the church. 00:08:51.340 --> 00:08:53.320 But they are corporate. 00:08:54.279 --> 00:08:56.360 They're not just me and Jesus. 00:08:56.360 --> 00:08:59.860 I don't want to de-emphasize your personal relationship with Christ. 00:09:00.039 --> 00:09:00.899 That's vital. 00:09:01.560 --> 00:09:04.720 In fact, you can't be a part of the church unless that is actually there. 00:09:05.539 --> 00:09:07.600 But we need each other. 00:09:08.320 --> 00:09:10.240 Our ultimate need is for God. 00:09:11.519 --> 00:09:12.080 Period. 00:09:12.960 --> 00:09:13.879 The end. 00:09:14.960 --> 00:09:19.700 At the same time, for some reason, God has designed, ordained, 00:09:19.700 --> 00:09:25.259 that much of what we need in this life comes through the fellowship of being with the church. 00:09:27.020 --> 00:09:28.560 That's just how He's ordained it. 00:09:29.040 --> 00:09:32.640 Much of what we need in everyday life comes from the body of Christ. 00:09:33.600 --> 00:09:36.680 And Christ has come to dwell in each one of us. 00:09:36.759 --> 00:09:41.300 So, if we want to know our Lord better, we must get to know each other better. 00:09:41.299 --> 00:09:44.199 However, we need the Scripture. 00:09:44.759 --> 00:09:45.959 We need the church. 00:09:46.099 --> 00:09:47.759 And God designed it this way. 00:09:48.259 --> 00:09:52.779 That much of what I need in this life and what you need will come through the encouragement, 00:09:53.019 --> 00:09:58.359 the prayers, the service, the accountability, the counsel, the discipline, 00:09:59.439 --> 00:10:02.139 the love and service of other believers. 00:10:02.759 --> 00:10:04.399 That's just what He's designed to do. 00:10:04.399 --> 00:10:08.159 God's children are the apple of His eye. 00:10:08.259 --> 00:10:10.500 And if we touch His children, we touch Him. 00:10:11.699 --> 00:10:14.720 As we draw near to them, we draw nearer to Him. 00:10:16.000 --> 00:10:16.279 Right? 00:10:16.459 --> 00:10:20.079 So, Scripture says that Jesus didn't just die for you alone. 00:10:21.179 --> 00:10:22.879 He died for His people. 00:10:23.919 --> 00:10:26.019 It says in Acts 20, verse 18, 00:10:26.179 --> 00:10:29.860 that Jesus suffered and died for the church of God, 00:10:29.939 --> 00:10:33.480 which He obtained or He bought with His own blood. 00:10:34.399 --> 00:10:36.980 So, give your lives to your brothers and sisters. 00:10:37.179 --> 00:10:41.279 And two, practical applications with this is like, yeah, gather with the church. 00:10:42.419 --> 00:10:44.299 This is why online church doesn't work. 00:10:44.879 --> 00:10:47.959 Because there's a command to gather, to be together. 00:10:48.079 --> 00:10:55.000 We need the physical presence of other believers to see them, to touch them, to hear them. 00:10:55.579 --> 00:11:02.840 And this Sunday gathering that we're here at now is a wonderful privilege we have to worship God together 00:11:02.840 --> 00:11:05.360 as those who have been redeemed. 00:11:05.460 --> 00:11:07.600 Like, this is a sacred time. 00:11:07.720 --> 00:11:15.500 I know that noises and kids and snacks and all that can make it kind of just feel like an ordinary time. 00:11:15.680 --> 00:11:16.480 But it's not. 00:11:16.560 --> 00:11:18.280 It is a sacred time. 00:11:19.060 --> 00:11:25.120 That we've come together to engage in the worship of God with other believers around the world today. 00:11:25.120 --> 00:11:28.120 All over, worshiping God today. 00:11:28.240 --> 00:11:34.200 And then to join in with the voices that are also in heaven that never stop praising God. 00:11:34.279 --> 00:11:38.320 We come together to do that as a body through the preaching of God's Word, 00:11:38.419 --> 00:11:42.480 the singing of truthful songs to God and to each other. 00:11:43.820 --> 00:11:45.139 To worship God. 00:11:45.139 --> 00:11:53.279 Now, I'm not nitpicking on this, but we have this concept of like, music is worship. 00:11:54.419 --> 00:11:55.580 Preaching is not. 00:11:57.220 --> 00:11:59.899 If you spoke that way to people of old, they'd be confused. 00:12:00.019 --> 00:12:03.960 Because worship actually just meant sort of a lifestyle of all that we do 00:12:03.960 --> 00:12:07.659 that magnifies the greatness and worth of God. 00:12:08.879 --> 00:12:11.700 So all that we do today is geared towards that. 00:12:11.700 --> 00:12:18.240 But we are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession. 00:12:19.660 --> 00:12:22.500 A beautiful thing to be a part of the church. 00:12:23.140 --> 00:12:27.720 That we were once not God's people, and now we are the people of God. 00:12:27.800 --> 00:12:31.340 Once we had not received mercy, but now we have received mercy. 00:12:32.020 --> 00:12:34.000 1 Peter 2, 9-10. 00:12:35.220 --> 00:12:37.340 And outside of this, we must fight. 00:12:38.100 --> 00:12:38.900 And I mean, it's work. 00:12:38.900 --> 00:12:39.759 You have to find it. 00:12:39.759 --> 00:12:42.559 Like, find times to gather with other believers. 00:12:42.700 --> 00:12:45.840 We've been talking about kind of pumping community groups again. 00:12:45.960 --> 00:12:46.500 Find one. 00:12:47.360 --> 00:12:48.059 Be involved. 00:12:48.200 --> 00:12:48.799 Come around. 00:12:49.980 --> 00:12:51.600 Men, gather with other men. 00:12:51.700 --> 00:12:53.600 Women, gather with other women. 00:12:54.980 --> 00:12:56.580 Be around the body. 00:12:57.059 --> 00:12:58.019 Eat meals together. 00:12:58.159 --> 00:12:58.860 Go to the park. 00:12:58.939 --> 00:12:59.720 Whatever it is. 00:13:00.200 --> 00:13:01.819 Serve alongside each other. 00:13:02.639 --> 00:13:03.539 As Hebrews says, 00:13:03.539 --> 00:13:06.679 Consider how to stir up one another to love and good works. 00:13:06.679 --> 00:13:10.679 Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some. 00:13:11.179 --> 00:13:15.519 But encouraging one another all the more as you see the day drawing near. 00:13:16.519 --> 00:13:17.719 And pray for one another. 00:13:18.480 --> 00:13:22.019 It talks about how in Acts 2, verse 42, 00:13:22.019 --> 00:13:25.819 that they came together continually and faithfully, 00:13:25.939 --> 00:13:29.120 devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching, to fellowship, 00:13:30.019 --> 00:13:31.879 breaking of bread, and prayers. 00:13:32.919 --> 00:13:34.699 Praying for holiness. 00:13:34.919 --> 00:13:36.699 Praying for the mission of God. 00:13:37.600 --> 00:13:40.960 So, resolve to meet with the church regularly. 00:13:42.220 --> 00:13:44.699 Fight to be here on time. 00:13:45.600 --> 00:13:47.620 Fight to spend time with them. 00:13:48.080 --> 00:13:50.440 When I know the temptation is just to want to check out. 00:13:51.180 --> 00:13:51.340 Right? 00:13:52.700 --> 00:13:56.700 And then thirdly, just for five or six minutes here, 00:13:57.420 --> 00:14:01.040 resolve to adopt God's mission. 00:14:02.200 --> 00:14:03.600 You don't need to turn here, 00:14:03.820 --> 00:14:07.100 but just be reminded in Matthew 28, verse 19, 00:14:07.200 --> 00:14:10.860 that we are told to go and make disciples of all nations, 00:14:11.080 --> 00:14:14.600 baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 00:14:15.460 --> 00:14:17.759 And I've heard people explain this away by saying, 00:14:17.840 --> 00:14:18.980 that was just for the apostles. 00:14:19.140 --> 00:14:22.400 I'm like, well, did the world get reached to the apostles? 00:14:23.340 --> 00:14:24.060 It did not. 00:14:24.740 --> 00:14:26.520 Most of them didn't even make it out of that area. 00:14:27.420 --> 00:14:29.860 So, that's the very clear intended idea 00:14:29.860 --> 00:14:33.520 that it was meant to be carried on by future disciples 00:14:33.520 --> 00:14:34.879 to the ends of the earth. 00:14:35.940 --> 00:14:38.700 In another place, Acts 1, verse 8, 00:14:38.700 --> 00:14:40.620 Jesus says, you will be my witnesses. 00:14:41.580 --> 00:14:44.960 In Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth. 00:14:45.919 --> 00:14:49.080 Not really sure any disciple made it to the ends of the earth. 00:14:49.919 --> 00:14:50.379 Right? 00:14:51.220 --> 00:14:56.080 So, we know this command to make disciples and be witnesses for Christ 00:14:56.080 --> 00:14:58.980 wasn't just for them, but for every believer and disciple. 00:14:58.980 --> 00:15:02.740 And I know that most of us have different capacities. 00:15:03.200 --> 00:15:04.639 You have responsibilities. 00:15:04.840 --> 00:15:08.100 God ordained responsibilities to work for your family, 00:15:08.300 --> 00:15:10.300 to take care of your kids, to be at home. 00:15:11.060 --> 00:15:12.340 You have different capacities. 00:15:12.480 --> 00:15:14.519 Moms, like talk to other moms at the park. 00:15:14.720 --> 00:15:18.879 Talk to your neighbors, coworkers, whatever it may be. 00:15:19.639 --> 00:15:21.279 They're all around us. 00:15:21.279 --> 00:15:26.000 But most of us, it's our homes, our neighborhoods, our places of work 00:15:26.000 --> 00:15:31.399 that God has sovereignly placed us to go and be witnesses for Christ. 00:15:32.000 --> 00:15:33.059 To talk of Him. 00:15:33.179 --> 00:15:35.480 To weave Him into our conversation. 00:15:36.759 --> 00:15:38.860 And to give Him the glory for things. 00:15:39.039 --> 00:15:41.860 And the opportunities are all around us. 00:15:41.980 --> 00:15:47.079 Like, I just, I humbly just don't understand 00:15:47.079 --> 00:15:49.019 when people will say, 00:15:49.019 --> 00:15:50.340 well, I just don't know who to talk to. 00:15:50.399 --> 00:15:53.480 I'm like, they're all around you. 00:15:53.620 --> 00:15:55.100 Like, they're all around you. 00:15:56.159 --> 00:15:58.059 Just open your eyes. 00:15:59.460 --> 00:16:01.720 Like, going about your daily business. 00:16:02.419 --> 00:16:03.699 We can just grow dull to this. 00:16:03.779 --> 00:16:05.100 It's your neighbor down the street 00:16:05.100 --> 00:16:06.860 who's just going through the normal rat race 00:16:06.860 --> 00:16:08.779 trying to keep up with things. 00:16:08.939 --> 00:16:11.899 It's your coworker who complains about life 00:16:11.899 --> 00:16:13.899 and complains about his marriage and his kids 00:16:13.899 --> 00:16:17.000 and looking for the new rainbow to chase. 00:16:17.000 --> 00:16:20.179 It's a friend who's killing herself at the gym 00:16:20.179 --> 00:16:21.720 because she wants to find her value 00:16:21.720 --> 00:16:23.919 and what people think about her body. 00:16:25.460 --> 00:16:26.799 It's that outspoken mom 00:16:26.799 --> 00:16:29.259 that's hard to get along with sometimes. 00:16:30.419 --> 00:16:32.340 And we need to love them 00:16:32.340 --> 00:16:35.100 and bring them into the fold. 00:16:35.759 --> 00:16:37.659 It's that person who tries to find their joy 00:16:37.659 --> 00:16:39.379 and acceptance in the party scene. 00:16:39.379 --> 00:16:42.879 Someone who seeks to find their value 00:16:42.879 --> 00:16:44.200 in the dating and sex world 00:16:44.200 --> 00:16:46.200 all around us. 00:16:46.740 --> 00:16:47.539 College students. 00:16:49.299 --> 00:16:50.059 It's your roommate 00:16:50.059 --> 00:16:52.519 or your friend in the dorm or in your hall. 00:16:53.480 --> 00:16:55.379 It's that guy who never leaves his room 00:16:55.379 --> 00:16:57.360 and just plays video games 00:16:57.360 --> 00:16:59.539 because he's really depressed 00:16:59.539 --> 00:17:01.659 and hides from the reality of the world 00:17:01.659 --> 00:17:02.360 that's around him. 00:17:03.980 --> 00:17:06.960 A command in Proverbs 24, verse 11, 00:17:06.960 --> 00:17:10.840 rescue those who are being taken away to death. 00:17:11.840 --> 00:17:14.620 Hold back those who are stumbling to slaughter. 00:17:16.279 --> 00:17:19.360 So application, like just ask God 00:17:19.360 --> 00:17:20.519 to give you fresh eyes 00:17:20.519 --> 00:17:22.460 to see those people who are around you. 00:17:23.380 --> 00:17:24.480 Write their names down 00:17:24.480 --> 00:17:25.380 and begin praying 00:17:25.380 --> 00:17:28.299 that you'd be able to show them 00:17:28.299 --> 00:17:29.860 the love of Christ through service, 00:17:30.740 --> 00:17:31.720 acts of kindness, 00:17:32.420 --> 00:17:33.500 that you'd be able to speak 00:17:33.500 --> 00:17:34.779 the words of the gospel. 00:17:34.779 --> 00:17:37.579 I hate to tell you like that old saying, 00:17:37.740 --> 00:17:38.599 you know, preach the gospel 00:17:38.599 --> 00:17:39.759 and use words as necessary. 00:17:39.899 --> 00:17:40.500 It's nonsense. 00:17:41.039 --> 00:17:43.039 Like the gospel is a verbal message. 00:17:43.240 --> 00:17:44.799 It's not gestures. 00:17:45.000 --> 00:17:47.440 It's not just doing good things. 00:17:47.940 --> 00:17:50.720 It is a message that must be proclaimed. 00:17:50.980 --> 00:17:52.420 So share that with them. 00:17:52.980 --> 00:17:54.059 It doesn't mean just sit down 00:17:54.059 --> 00:17:55.379 and walk through five or six points. 00:17:55.440 --> 00:17:57.480 It just means talk about the gospel 00:17:57.480 --> 00:18:00.220 where there may be multiple conversations. 00:18:01.619 --> 00:18:03.539 Pray about those specific individuals 00:18:03.539 --> 00:18:06.099 that He would give you the heart 00:18:06.099 --> 00:18:09.339 to reach out and rescue them 00:18:09.339 --> 00:18:10.819 from being taken away to death. 00:18:11.799 --> 00:18:12.639 With all these things, 00:18:12.859 --> 00:18:14.079 all these resolutions for 00:18:14.079 --> 00:18:15.539 to worship God alone, 00:18:15.659 --> 00:18:17.420 to serve the church, 00:18:17.559 --> 00:18:18.539 to adopt God's mission, 00:18:19.259 --> 00:18:20.220 all these things, 00:18:20.960 --> 00:18:22.619 we're going to fail at them 00:18:22.619 --> 00:18:24.940 many ways over this coming year. 00:18:25.599 --> 00:18:26.440 And it's okay 00:18:26.440 --> 00:18:27.619 because we're not striving 00:18:27.619 --> 00:18:28.759 to earn God's love. 00:18:28.759 --> 00:18:31.000 We're striving in the midst. 00:18:31.319 --> 00:18:32.579 We need His help. 00:18:33.819 --> 00:18:35.160 I mean, I know some pretty strong, 00:18:35.359 --> 00:18:36.700 disciplined people like me. 00:18:36.740 --> 00:18:38.019 And they can almost do anything, 00:18:38.119 --> 00:18:38.480 I think. 00:18:38.839 --> 00:18:40.400 And I've seen them just brought low 00:18:40.400 --> 00:18:40.900 and humbled 00:18:40.900 --> 00:18:43.140 by different trials 00:18:43.140 --> 00:18:44.500 and circumstances in their life. 00:18:44.500 --> 00:18:46.579 we need God's help 00:18:46.579 --> 00:18:48.460 dependent on Him. 00:18:49.920 --> 00:18:50.299 And so, 00:18:50.400 --> 00:18:50.900 in a moment, 00:18:52.059 --> 00:18:53.559 the band's going to come up 00:18:53.559 --> 00:18:54.380 and we're going to sing 00:18:54.380 --> 00:18:56.099 a song 00:18:56.099 --> 00:19:00.099 that's based on 00:19:00.099 --> 00:19:00.559 a tune, 00:19:00.680 --> 00:19:01.279 a rendition 00:19:01.279 --> 00:19:02.720 of 00:19:02.720 --> 00:19:05.019 the old Scotsman 00:19:05.019 --> 00:19:05.779 Robert Burns. 00:19:07.079 --> 00:19:07.599 1788, 00:19:07.920 --> 00:19:09.339 he wrote a song 00:19:09.339 --> 00:19:09.640 called 00:19:09.640 --> 00:19:10.579 Odd La Insane. 00:19:10.579 --> 00:19:12.859 And it's traditionally sung 00:19:12.859 --> 00:19:13.899 around New Year's 00:19:13.899 --> 00:19:14.319 to like, 00:19:14.359 --> 00:19:15.379 welcome in the new year. 00:19:16.339 --> 00:19:16.619 And 00:19:16.619 --> 00:19:19.000 at the stroke of midnight, 00:19:19.119 --> 00:19:20.139 people typically sing it, 00:19:20.240 --> 00:19:20.359 but 00:19:20.359 --> 00:19:21.980 the words have been rewritten 00:19:21.980 --> 00:19:22.960 to focus on 00:19:22.960 --> 00:19:23.939 the glory of Christ 00:19:23.939 --> 00:19:24.559 with the tune 00:19:24.559 --> 00:19:25.919 is from that 00:19:25.919 --> 00:19:28.039 of the 1780s. 00:19:28.720 --> 00:19:29.559 But it's written 00:19:29.559 --> 00:19:31.039 for the glory of Christ. 00:19:31.220 --> 00:19:31.419 So, 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:33.240 may you declare 00:19:33.240 --> 00:19:34.779 when we sing that song 00:19:34.779 --> 00:19:35.339 in a moment 00:19:35.339 --> 00:19:37.279 a fresh resolve, 00:19:37.379 --> 00:19:38.339 a fresh desire 00:19:38.339 --> 00:19:40.879 to live this new year 00:19:40.879 --> 00:19:42.379 one day at a time, 00:19:42.480 --> 00:19:42.919 one week, 00:19:42.980 --> 00:19:43.839 one month at a time 00:19:43.839 --> 00:19:45.939 for the glory of Christ 00:19:45.939 --> 00:19:46.939 to take up your cross 00:19:46.939 --> 00:19:47.919 and follow Him. 00:19:48.599 --> 00:19:49.500 May you pray for us 00:19:49.500 --> 00:19:51.179 when the band comes up.