WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.899 Welcome to Ontario Community Church, 00:00:02.899 --> 00:00:04.799 where we're dedicated to encouraging, 00:00:04.799 --> 00:00:07.799 equipping, and engaging lives for Christ. 00:00:07.799 --> 00:00:10.000 Located in Ontario, Oregon, 00:00:10.000 --> 00:00:11.720 Pastor Patrick Daley preaches 00:00:11.720 --> 00:00:13.800 insightful sermons from the Word of God, 00:00:13.800 --> 00:00:16.760 offering practical applications for modern living. 00:00:16.760 --> 00:00:19.600 We're delighted to share this sermon with you. 00:00:19.600 --> 00:00:22.199 All right. Well, thank you for waiting. 00:00:22.199 --> 00:00:23.719 Good morning, everyone. 00:00:23.719 --> 00:00:28.760 Are we all keeping warm and enjoying this cold weather? 00:00:28.760 --> 00:00:31.000 I'm sure we all are, right? 00:00:31.000 --> 00:00:37.400 But really, today we're going to start 00:00:37.400 --> 00:00:41.439 our season this time of Advent. 00:00:41.439 --> 00:00:48.960 It's a wonderful time as we're shifting from Thanksgiving with full bellies, 00:00:48.960 --> 00:00:52.600 having cranberry sauce, turkey, 00:00:52.600 --> 00:00:54.560 a time with friends and family. 00:00:54.560 --> 00:00:58.719 For some of us, maybe you had some Black Friday shopping. 00:00:58.719 --> 00:01:01.240 I don't know. I'm getting more used to online shopping. 00:01:01.240 --> 00:01:03.960 I don't know about those crowds anymore. 00:01:03.960 --> 00:01:10.239 But as we end November and now we're in December, number one, 00:01:10.239 --> 00:01:13.879 we recognize the year's almost over. 00:01:13.879 --> 00:01:17.359 It's only a few more days, 00:01:17.359 --> 00:01:20.319 it seems, before Christmas. 00:01:20.319 --> 00:01:28.319 Time's slowed down where we should at least spend time with our friends and our family. 00:01:28.319 --> 00:01:30.639 And we look forward. 00:01:30.639 --> 00:01:37.319 We consider this idea of hoping for Jesus Christ. 00:01:37.319 --> 00:01:43.959 Advent reminds us of the pursuit of humanity, 00:01:43.959 --> 00:01:50.959 that God loved us so much that he sent his only son, 00:01:50.959 --> 00:01:56.239 that whosoever believes shall not perish but have life, 00:01:56.239 --> 00:01:59.239 life everlasting. 00:01:59.239 --> 00:02:03.000 And this mission is carried on. 00:02:03.000 --> 00:02:07.599 It starts from Jesus being born in the manger. 00:02:07.599 --> 00:02:10.519 It's carried on through the church, 00:02:10.519 --> 00:02:13.639 the Acts of the Apostles, and even to today, 00:02:13.639 --> 00:02:17.240 where the mission of the church is to proclaim 00:02:17.240 --> 00:02:20.560 the hope that is found in Jesus Christ, 00:02:20.560 --> 00:02:24.639 proclaiming the good news of the gospel. 00:02:24.639 --> 00:02:28.639 And we, I have a verse for you today. 00:02:28.639 --> 00:02:32.239 We're going to go ahead and turn our Bibles. 00:02:32.239 --> 00:02:34.839 Feel free to use your ESV Pew Bible. 00:02:34.839 --> 00:02:39.239 The title of this sermon is Relentless Hope, 00:02:39.239 --> 00:02:43.439 Finding Joy in What Was Lost. 00:02:43.439 --> 00:02:50.839 This is connected with our scripture reading from Jeremiah. 00:02:50.840 --> 00:02:58.640 So let us turn to Luke chapter 15 verses 8 through 10. 00:02:58.640 --> 00:03:02.640 It's going to be found in your ESV Pew Bible or Bible of your choice. 00:03:02.640 --> 00:03:08.439 You have the verses up there, your mobile devices. 00:03:08.439 --> 00:03:13.640 Or page 1039 if you're using the ESV Pew Bible. 00:03:13.640 --> 00:03:18.039 It's just two verses here, verses 8 through 10. 00:03:18.039 --> 00:03:22.439 And church, let's read it together. Are we all there? 00:03:22.439 --> 00:03:25.840 All right. 00:03:25.840 --> 00:03:28.039 Let's start from verse 7. 00:03:28.039 --> 00:03:32.439 Starting off with or is kind of strange, don't you think? 00:03:32.439 --> 00:03:38.239 Verse 7, just so I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven 00:03:38.239 --> 00:03:42.840 over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous persons 00:03:42.840 --> 00:03:45.039 who need no repentance. 00:03:45.039 --> 00:03:49.840 Verse 8, or what woman having 10 silver coins? 00:03:49.840 --> 00:03:53.439 If she loses one coins, does not light a lamp 00:03:53.439 --> 00:03:57.840 and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? 00:03:57.840 --> 00:04:03.840 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors saying what? 00:04:03.840 --> 00:04:08.639 Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost. 00:04:08.639 --> 00:04:12.639 Just so I tell you, there is joy before the angels 00:04:12.639 --> 00:04:17.240 over one sinner who repents. 00:04:17.240 --> 00:04:24.839 This verse reminds us on the surface the importance of the word repentance. 00:04:24.839 --> 00:04:29.439 Metanoia, to change one's mind. 00:04:29.439 --> 00:04:31.839 It's very, many of us, we may have heard before, 00:04:31.839 --> 00:04:34.839 that the idea of repentance is to turn away from sin, 00:04:34.839 --> 00:04:37.839 and certainly that does include it. 00:04:37.839 --> 00:04:44.639 But there's so much more depth in the idea of changing your mind on who the Lord is, 00:04:44.639 --> 00:04:54.239 on who Jesus Christ is, making thinking differently, 00:04:54.239 --> 00:04:59.539 and realizing that Jesus Christ is Savior and Lord. 00:04:59.539 --> 00:05:03.839 It's much greater than what we hear at times of just turning from sin. 00:05:03.839 --> 00:05:05.839 Repentance is the changing of mind. 00:05:05.839 --> 00:05:11.239 We constantly go through times of repentance as even upon being saved, 00:05:11.239 --> 00:05:14.839 even upon believing the Lord and being saved, 00:05:14.839 --> 00:05:18.039 that we continue to be transformed, 00:05:18.039 --> 00:05:23.839 going from children of the Lord to mature believers. 00:05:23.839 --> 00:05:25.839 That's something that is very powerful. 00:05:25.839 --> 00:05:29.339 Let's go to that next slide here. 00:05:29.339 --> 00:05:34.639 So the question then comes up is what is happening in these two 00:05:34.639 --> 00:05:37.439 seemingly small verses. 00:05:37.439 --> 00:05:39.039 But there's a lot that's happening here. 00:05:39.039 --> 00:05:42.039 You see here this image. 00:05:42.039 --> 00:05:47.639 So the parable of the lost coin, you have a woman here. 00:05:47.639 --> 00:05:49.839 So what happened? 00:05:49.839 --> 00:05:53.240 She loses her coin, right? 00:05:53.240 --> 00:05:56.240 Let's go back, I'm going to have my... 00:05:56.240 --> 00:05:59.939 If she loses one coin, does she not, right? 00:05:59.939 --> 00:06:02.039 Light a lamp, 00:06:02.040 --> 00:06:06.040 and sweep the house, I mean, what else do you sweep with your hand, right? 00:06:06.040 --> 00:06:09.040 So probably a broom or whatever, right? 00:06:09.040 --> 00:06:14.040 Does not sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it. 00:06:14.040 --> 00:06:17.439 And you see this image here, right? 00:06:17.439 --> 00:06:20.340 The woman is a representation. 00:06:20.340 --> 00:06:21.540 You see this entire scene. 00:06:21.540 --> 00:06:28.640 It's a representation of someone who is seeking diligently for something that is valuable. 00:06:28.640 --> 00:06:31.939 I'm sure for many of us, I want you to think that 00:06:31.939 --> 00:06:36.040 how many times have you lost your keys before? 00:06:36.040 --> 00:06:40.740 I mean, I guess a modern rendition would be someone who's searching their couch 00:06:40.740 --> 00:06:42.439 for their keys or their wallet. 00:06:42.439 --> 00:06:44.439 We've all been guilty of this. 00:06:44.439 --> 00:06:46.339 It's okay, right? 00:06:46.339 --> 00:06:49.139 But it's the same type of idea here. 00:06:49.139 --> 00:06:54.240 The woman lost her coin, there were 10 coins, 00:06:54.240 --> 00:06:56.040 and she loses one. 00:06:56.040 --> 00:07:00.439 So she turns on the lamp and she begins sweeping around until she finds it. 00:07:00.439 --> 00:07:05.639 I like to think of this image that, you know, you think of dirt floors, right? 00:07:05.639 --> 00:07:10.040 Such as in biblical times and even throughout the world, there's still dirt floors. 00:07:10.040 --> 00:07:13.939 How easy it might be for a coin to be covered in dirt, right? 00:07:13.939 --> 00:07:15.240 That's where the sweeping, right? 00:07:15.240 --> 00:07:17.240 This intentionality. 00:07:17.240 --> 00:07:20.839 So when we're looking at it in a literal sense, we're looking at it, okay, 00:07:20.839 --> 00:07:26.639 this person is looking around, holding the lamp, sweeping around until they find it. 00:07:26.639 --> 00:07:31.740 And hopefully you don't bury the coin any further in the process, right? 00:07:31.740 --> 00:07:33.439 And what we're seeing here, right? 00:07:33.439 --> 00:07:39.439 The coin obviously is representing that something that is precious. 00:07:39.439 --> 00:07:44.039 The lamp very commonly represents the light, right? 00:07:44.039 --> 00:07:48.039 The light of the world, the word of God, the sweeping. 00:07:48.039 --> 00:07:52.939 To some scholars has been viewed upon as examining, right? 00:07:52.939 --> 00:07:54.339 Searching diligently. 00:07:54.339 --> 00:08:01.639 Now, what's very powerful about this is there are three ways, and I'm sure there are more debates on scholars, 00:08:01.639 --> 00:08:04.539 on other ways to look at this. 00:08:04.539 --> 00:08:13.339 One way to look at this is how God is seeking that which is lost. 00:08:13.339 --> 00:08:15.439 Does that make sense? 00:08:15.439 --> 00:08:19.939 That when we think of the Jewish people, 00:08:19.939 --> 00:08:26.740 their idea of sin was to be separated from the presence of the Lord. 00:08:26.740 --> 00:08:28.639 How interesting, right? 00:08:28.639 --> 00:08:32.740 It's just like when we're thinking of the Garden of Eden. 00:08:32.740 --> 00:08:36.039 Well, when God is asking, where are you, Adam? 00:08:36.039 --> 00:08:42.039 Well, he knows where Adam is, but there's still that communication that's happening. 00:08:42.039 --> 00:08:48.039 So there's this truth where, okay, I'm not calling God this woman here. 00:08:48.039 --> 00:08:55.339 I'm saying this is a parallel to how God searches for that which is lost. 00:08:55.339 --> 00:08:59.240 So, okay, how do we look at this? 00:08:59.240 --> 00:09:06.939 God valuing each and every single person and seeking relentlessly to restore them with the other coins, 00:09:06.939 --> 00:09:12.539 much like the parable of the lost sheep, right? 00:09:12.539 --> 00:09:15.539 Seeking the one that runs away from the 99. 00:09:15.539 --> 00:09:17.740 There's a parallel there. 00:09:17.740 --> 00:09:23.940 We have the lamp which represents the word, the sweeping as God is removing. 00:09:23.940 --> 00:09:32.840 Now, get this, God removing obstacles, the things that are being swept away as it were 00:09:32.840 --> 00:09:38.139 so that you can see the Lord or find the Lord. 00:09:38.139 --> 00:09:40.340 You know how powerful that is? 00:09:40.340 --> 00:09:43.539 And then, of course, you have the celebration, right? 00:09:43.539 --> 00:09:48.439 Where there is the time of heaven rejoicing, right? 00:09:48.439 --> 00:09:54.539 Like it says at the end of the verse, there is joy before the angels over one sinner who repents. 00:09:54.539 --> 00:09:56.639 And I want you to think for a moment. 00:09:56.639 --> 00:10:05.639 If you knew that heaven, the angels, rejoiced over just one person being restored, 00:10:05.639 --> 00:10:10.639 wouldn't that shape the way that you share in the gospel with others? 00:10:10.639 --> 00:10:12.039 Wouldn't that change the way? 00:10:12.039 --> 00:10:17.939 I mean, how many of you guys have seen, it's that famous movie, it's a wonderful life, right? 00:10:17.939 --> 00:10:19.740 You guys have seen that, right? 00:10:19.740 --> 00:10:25.039 If you haven't, after today, go, that's your homework assignment, right? 00:10:25.039 --> 00:10:26.439 The ringing of the bell, right? 00:10:26.439 --> 00:10:28.740 What's that mean? 00:10:28.740 --> 00:10:30.639 An angel gets their wings, right? 00:10:30.639 --> 00:10:34.240 And it's supposed to be like representative of something that's really exciting, right? 00:10:34.240 --> 00:10:39.740 A time of celebration in a very similar but a more powerful way is the fact 00:10:39.740 --> 00:10:46.639 that when someone changes their mind about who God is coming to faith in Jesus Christ, 00:10:46.639 --> 00:10:49.340 there's a celebration in that. 00:10:49.340 --> 00:10:54.340 And I think of angels, I'm very overwhelmed by the image of angels, right? 00:10:54.340 --> 00:10:59.940 I know we have lots of artwork with little babies floating around, but you know, 00:10:59.940 --> 00:11:09.639 let's think of something angelic of great power celebrating over you or I turning to the Lord. 00:11:09.639 --> 00:11:12.039 Believing in the Lord, what are you talking about? 00:11:12.039 --> 00:11:14.240 But there's something that's very powerful in that. 00:11:14.240 --> 00:11:16.840 So that's the highway of looking at that. 00:11:16.840 --> 00:11:20.139 The other way is the church's mission. 00:11:20.139 --> 00:11:24.740 Now last week we were talking about the parable of the Ten Virgins, 00:11:24.740 --> 00:11:31.939 where you had the women who were holding the lamps that were some had oil, some did not. 00:11:31.939 --> 00:11:39.139 And one way of looking at that is that the women are representing the bride of Christ, 00:11:39.139 --> 00:11:40.939 representing churches. 00:11:40.939 --> 00:11:47.539 Another way to look at this is how churches are seeking out the ones that are lost. 00:11:47.539 --> 00:11:52.740 And it's a very beautiful tie in looking at the church's mission that we are to seek out those 00:11:52.740 --> 00:11:58.840 who are unchurched, de-churched people who might have been hurt and seek to restore them 00:11:58.840 --> 00:12:03.939 or encourage them, proclaim the good news of the gospel for the ones that have never believed 00:12:03.939 --> 00:12:09.039 in the Lord, that they will believe in Jesus Christ through faith, right? 00:12:09.039 --> 00:12:15.839 Or even the ones that might have been, look, a lot of us, let's get real for a second here. 00:12:15.839 --> 00:12:21.839 A lot of us have been hurt before by churches, by brothers and sisters in Christ. 00:12:21.839 --> 00:12:23.240 I have. 00:12:23.240 --> 00:12:29.539 We should seek out and allow for healing and restoration with our friends, our families. 00:12:29.539 --> 00:12:35.139 Because look, it's not, the most important thing is getting everyone to believe in Jesus Christ. 00:12:35.139 --> 00:12:39.939 But there's also an importance for restoration, right? 00:12:39.939 --> 00:12:46.639 Think of, I'm sure all of us can think of a family member who once was Christian and has walked away from the faith. 00:12:46.639 --> 00:12:54.639 Think of how important it is to cultivate those relationships and to let that healing pray for the ones who have walked away 00:12:54.639 --> 00:12:59.240 or pray for the ones who are yet to believe. 00:12:59.240 --> 00:13:09.940 If seeing this as not only God, right, clearing the way for you to believe in him, but how the church, the light of the word of God, 00:13:09.940 --> 00:13:23.039 right, the being the light that shines in the dark world, clearing the way for others to come to the Lord is also a very powerful image. 00:13:23.039 --> 00:13:25.039 And then the third way of looking at this. 00:13:25.039 --> 00:13:30.039 Now, this is really weird, but very fascinating. 00:13:30.039 --> 00:13:40.439 It's the great middle ground between the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man. 00:13:40.439 --> 00:13:48.240 Many of you may know there's a big debate on predestination and free will and I don't like going too much into that. 00:13:48.240 --> 00:13:58.440 But in the same way that God is extending the invitation, he has the light of the word and then the clearing out so that you can see the Lord, 00:13:58.440 --> 00:14:03.240 experience the Lord, feel the love, the grace and truth of God. 00:14:03.240 --> 00:14:07.440 Think of this on an individual level. 00:14:07.440 --> 00:14:19.240 A person who is seeking truth, a person who is searching for salvation. 00:14:19.240 --> 00:14:35.440 Now, the lamp in this case wouldn't necessarily mean the word, but it's someone recognizing the importance of restoration and how believers can turn to the word, the light. 00:14:35.440 --> 00:14:36.640 Does that make sense? 00:14:36.639 --> 00:14:44.639 Do you see this three layered, three layers as it were of one, two verses? 00:14:44.639 --> 00:14:46.240 Fascinating, right? 00:14:46.240 --> 00:15:00.039 And just as God is clearing the way for you to come to experience, it's so this is an image of someone who is coming very close to having faith in Christ. 00:15:00.039 --> 00:15:07.439 The light of the word and then the clearing of truth to come to know Jesus Christ. 00:15:07.439 --> 00:15:13.740 Fascinating, these three levels and now some scholars do debate. 00:15:13.740 --> 00:15:27.039 In fact, there's a famous Jewish rabbi that's not on your notes, but there has been debate in Jewish circles who have said that this is very interesting for Christ to teach this 00:15:27.039 --> 00:15:34.039 because the Jewish people were to study the word, to meditate and pray upon it day in and day out, right? 00:15:34.039 --> 00:15:39.240 To reflect on the word, meditate on the word, finding God through that. 00:15:39.240 --> 00:15:42.839 In this case, it's finding the Lord through study, right? 00:15:42.839 --> 00:15:45.539 Through all of that. 00:15:45.539 --> 00:15:47.439 It's just a wonderful thing to see here. 00:15:47.439 --> 00:15:50.339 So it's just this layer upon layer about that. 00:15:50.339 --> 00:15:55.539 The woman represent, the woman losing one of her 10 coins, something of great value. 00:15:55.539 --> 00:15:59.139 The lamp, the word, right? 00:15:59.139 --> 00:16:02.539 Being lit up, the sweeping of the house, right? 00:16:02.539 --> 00:16:09.939 Like I mentioned, the removing of obstacles and for our own personal view, it's self examination. 00:16:09.939 --> 00:16:19.039 Just like we take a time for communion to examine our hearts, so too should we examine our hearts and how are we with our relationship with the Lord? 00:16:19.039 --> 00:16:29.939 And then the next thing finally is the fact that there's the celebration, the celebration of the coin being found, 00:16:29.939 --> 00:16:36.839 that heaven rejoices when a sinner repents and is coming to faith in Jesus Christ. 00:16:36.839 --> 00:16:46.639 Just as the church, we are to celebrate when someone believes in Jesus Christ and how believers, 00:16:46.639 --> 00:16:54.439 when you believe in the Lord, even when you get baptized, that's a time of celebration. 00:16:54.439 --> 00:17:00.840 When you're growing and you're understanding and seeing the simplicity of the gospel and the transformation that comes from Him, 00:17:00.840 --> 00:17:04.039 that's a cause for celebration. 00:17:04.039 --> 00:17:09.740 And so I know we're running a little low on time here, so let's go through. 00:17:09.740 --> 00:17:12.139 What can we learn from this? 00:17:12.140 --> 00:17:19.940 Right, the first one is the value of the lost coin that each, every single person is valuable to the Lord. 00:17:19.940 --> 00:17:22.540 There's that invitation, right? 00:17:22.540 --> 00:17:25.340 No one is beyond God's reach. 00:17:25.340 --> 00:17:27.240 Do you realize that? 00:17:27.240 --> 00:17:30.840 The invitation is extended to every single person. 00:17:30.840 --> 00:17:35.440 It's the question of if you respond. 00:17:35.440 --> 00:17:40.740 The second thing is God's diligence and seeking that God's pursuit is relentless. 00:17:40.740 --> 00:17:50.339 It is carried forward by His word and His spirit, just as reflected in the church's mission, 00:17:50.339 --> 00:17:56.640 that we continue the work of ministry by proclaiming in the good news of the gospel, 00:17:56.640 --> 00:18:00.539 sharing in our testimony with others. 00:18:00.539 --> 00:18:05.640 The third thing then is heaven's joy and redemption, right? 00:18:05.640 --> 00:18:09.240 Restoration is shared by heaven, the church and the believer. 00:18:09.240 --> 00:18:16.440 That is how important it is for us to believe in the Lord and for us to celebrate in that, 00:18:16.440 --> 00:18:18.740 going from darkness to light. 00:18:18.740 --> 00:18:21.140 You're no longer in the domain of darkness. 00:18:21.140 --> 00:18:25.240 You're now in the kingdom of light. 00:18:25.240 --> 00:18:30.640 And then finally, we have here the connection to Jeremiah that God's faithfulness, 00:18:30.640 --> 00:18:35.039 you know, when we're thinking of the righteous branch, 00:18:35.039 --> 00:18:38.640 it is the fulfillment of prophecy. 00:18:38.640 --> 00:18:47.140 It is the showing that there God was paving the way for the hope of Christ. 00:18:47.140 --> 00:18:57.240 God is consistent in His word and we can trust in Him by looking to prophecies being fulfilled back then 00:18:57.240 --> 00:18:59.640 and knowing that prophecy will be fulfilled. 00:18:59.640 --> 00:19:02.440 We may not understand it. 00:19:02.440 --> 00:19:08.740 Like if you look at scripture when a maiden holding a baby, 00:19:08.740 --> 00:19:12.640 well, what did that mean in the Old Testament? 00:19:12.640 --> 00:19:15.039 How did that work? 00:19:15.039 --> 00:19:17.640 There's many verses that we may not understand, 00:19:17.640 --> 00:19:24.940 but we know God will have His way in the fulfillment of prophecy. 00:19:24.940 --> 00:19:31.840 So the righteous branch being the fulfillment of God's promise to seek and save the lost, 00:19:31.839 --> 00:19:37.539 because God desires for all of us to be saved. 00:19:37.539 --> 00:19:44.339 It's the question on, are you going to respond to the invitation or not? 00:19:44.339 --> 00:19:46.639 And so when all of this then the question then comes, 00:19:46.639 --> 00:19:49.639 how can I apply and live out these verses? 00:19:49.639 --> 00:19:50.639 I know we're pressed on time. 00:19:50.639 --> 00:19:52.839 We're going to wrap this up. 00:19:52.839 --> 00:19:56.639 First thing is to respond in faith to God's pursuit. 00:19:56.640 --> 00:20:03.040 Respond to His pursuit by faith in Him. 00:20:03.040 --> 00:20:05.240 Receive the invitation. 00:20:05.240 --> 00:20:10.740 Are you going to believe in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ? 00:20:10.740 --> 00:20:14.040 Are you going to have this idea of repentance, 00:20:14.040 --> 00:20:18.540 the changing of your mind from Jesus just being a cool guy? 00:20:18.540 --> 00:20:21.840 I mean, there's some people out there like, hey, Jesus got long hair. 00:20:21.840 --> 00:20:22.940 I got no problem with that. 00:20:22.940 --> 00:20:23.840 He's walking around. 00:20:23.840 --> 00:20:25.840 He's got his sandals and robe. 00:20:25.839 --> 00:20:27.240 You know, he's pretty enlightened. 00:20:27.240 --> 00:20:28.539 He's a pretty cool guy. 00:20:28.539 --> 00:20:35.039 The transformation of your mind from seeing Him from a guru to Savior, right? 00:20:35.039 --> 00:20:40.339 From seeing Him as the fabulous teacher to something beyond that, 00:20:40.339 --> 00:20:46.839 that we need Him and we need that free gift of salvation in Him. 00:20:46.839 --> 00:20:55.339 And then further, knowing that we're going to continue being transformed day in and day out, 00:20:55.339 --> 00:20:57.439 let the Word of God work in and through you. 00:20:57.439 --> 00:21:00.639 Let God work in your life. 00:21:00.639 --> 00:21:06.639 For those of us, you might be struggling with some decision to make. 00:21:06.639 --> 00:21:10.439 You might be wrestling with God's calling for your life. 00:21:10.439 --> 00:21:12.439 Maybe it's to contact a family member. 00:21:12.439 --> 00:21:16.240 Maybe it's to contact a friend that you haven't in a while. 00:21:16.240 --> 00:21:18.039 Maybe it's to have a serious discussion. 00:21:18.039 --> 00:21:18.539 Maybe not. 00:21:18.539 --> 00:21:22.639 Maybe it's to accept a promotion, right? 00:21:22.639 --> 00:21:24.439 Maybe it's to change your college major. 00:21:24.440 --> 00:21:25.840 I don't know, right? 00:21:25.840 --> 00:21:28.539 For everybody, it's different. 00:21:28.539 --> 00:21:31.539 The second thing then is to join in the church's mission. 00:21:31.539 --> 00:21:33.039 Be a light. 00:21:33.039 --> 00:21:34.039 There's a typo in there. 00:21:34.039 --> 00:21:40.240 Be a light in the dark by sharing in the hope of Christ. 00:21:40.240 --> 00:21:43.740 It is this continuing. 00:21:43.740 --> 00:21:50.440 Just as God has saved us, we are to share in that goodness. 00:21:50.440 --> 00:21:52.740 Knowing that you're saved by grace through faith, 00:21:52.740 --> 00:21:56.740 wouldn't you want to share that with your friends and family? 00:21:56.740 --> 00:22:00.839 Or is that just something you want to selfishly hold on to? 00:22:00.839 --> 00:22:01.539 I don't know. 00:22:01.539 --> 00:22:05.440 I mean, if someone bought me a brand new car, don't please don't. 00:22:05.440 --> 00:22:12.240 But if someone did, I'd want to tell everybody about it. 00:22:12.240 --> 00:22:18.640 If you had a debt, you know, $10,000, what, a $50,000 student loan debt, 00:22:18.640 --> 00:22:21.640 and somebody snapped their fingers and it's gone, 00:22:21.640 --> 00:22:24.540 you'd want to keep quiet about that. 00:22:24.540 --> 00:22:25.840 Are you serious? 00:22:25.840 --> 00:22:27.940 No, you'd want to share in that. 00:22:27.940 --> 00:22:30.640 That's why it's so important when it comes to salvation, 00:22:30.640 --> 00:22:34.540 knowing that believing in Jesus Christ is the greatest decision 00:22:34.540 --> 00:22:39.440 that you can make here on earth that has eternal consequences. 00:22:39.440 --> 00:22:43.740 It's a call for us to join in the church's mission, right? 00:22:43.740 --> 00:22:47.940 To go out into the world and make disciples and to baptize believers, 00:22:47.940 --> 00:22:54.140 to partake being an ambassador for Christ, sharing your testimony, 00:22:54.140 --> 00:22:56.840 sharing how God's worked in your life. 00:22:56.840 --> 00:22:59.539 If you don't know what to say, just turn to the Word, 00:22:59.539 --> 00:23:01.340 or just be present with them. 00:23:01.340 --> 00:23:02.740 Show them John 3.16. 00:23:02.740 --> 00:23:08.340 Show them the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 00:23:08.340 --> 00:23:09.840 That's pretty simple. 00:23:09.840 --> 00:23:12.440 Or sometimes you don't have to say anything at all. 00:23:12.440 --> 00:23:14.740 Just be present with someone. 00:23:14.740 --> 00:23:19.140 Doing simple words and actions can have a profound effect. 00:23:19.140 --> 00:23:22.140 And so join in the church's mission, be part of something, 00:23:22.140 --> 00:23:24.140 be part of the body of Christ, 00:23:24.140 --> 00:23:29.640 because we can do so much good in the name of Jesus Christ together. 00:23:29.640 --> 00:23:33.539 The next thing is to examine or sweep your heart clean. 00:23:33.539 --> 00:23:36.539 Examine your heart for distractions or sin, 00:23:36.539 --> 00:23:39.940 and clear the way for God's truth to work in your life. 00:23:39.940 --> 00:23:44.140 Sometimes we get very distracted, don't we? 00:23:44.140 --> 00:23:45.540 What's this? 00:23:45.540 --> 00:23:51.340 No, really. 00:23:51.340 --> 00:23:53.240 Is this a distraction? 00:23:53.240 --> 00:23:54.540 We don't... 00:23:54.540 --> 00:23:56.340 I don't mean to be radical when I say this, 00:23:56.340 --> 00:23:59.940 but we don't have idols anymore, do we? 00:23:59.940 --> 00:24:05.340 Don't some people get obsessed to the point where it becomes an addiction? 00:24:05.340 --> 00:24:09.040 There used to be television. 00:24:09.040 --> 00:24:11.040 And it might still be television, right? 00:24:11.040 --> 00:24:13.040 But this thing right here, 00:24:13.039 --> 00:24:14.139 we got to be mindful of it. 00:24:14.139 --> 00:24:16.839 We have to be careful in that. 00:24:16.839 --> 00:24:18.440 So examine your heart. 00:24:18.440 --> 00:24:20.240 Is there a distraction in your life? 00:24:20.240 --> 00:24:22.240 Is there a sin that's reoccurring in your life 00:24:22.240 --> 00:24:24.940 that may be distracting you from fulfilling 00:24:24.940 --> 00:24:28.039 what God has called for in your life? 00:24:28.039 --> 00:24:29.240 Very often I found it. 00:24:29.240 --> 00:24:30.039 It can get... 00:24:30.039 --> 00:24:32.539 It's so easy to get distracted, 00:24:32.539 --> 00:24:36.339 especially in the world that we live in today. 00:24:36.339 --> 00:24:39.440 Number four is to celebrate the loss being found. 00:24:39.440 --> 00:24:41.839 If someone believes in Jesus Christ, 00:24:41.839 --> 00:24:44.839 don't be like, that's cool, man. 00:24:44.839 --> 00:24:46.339 No, you've got to celebrate in that. 00:24:46.339 --> 00:24:49.439 And if you've done that, don't. 00:24:49.439 --> 00:24:50.939 Don't do that again. 00:24:50.939 --> 00:24:52.539 It's a cause for celebration, 00:24:52.539 --> 00:24:57.439 knowing that, hey, 00:24:57.439 --> 00:24:59.139 I'm going to see you soon. 00:24:59.139 --> 00:25:01.139 I see my time's running out here. 00:25:01.139 --> 00:25:03.339 The kids are coming back up. 00:25:03.339 --> 00:25:06.639 But really, it's something that we distraction, right, 00:25:06.639 --> 00:25:08.539 as I was talking about, right? 00:25:08.539 --> 00:25:10.639 No, I love my kids. 00:25:10.640 --> 00:25:13.440 But it's one of those things where we celebrate 00:25:13.440 --> 00:25:14.540 when someone says, 00:25:14.540 --> 00:25:19.540 I believe in Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord. 00:25:19.540 --> 00:25:20.440 I believe in Him. 00:25:20.440 --> 00:25:21.540 And then further, 00:25:21.540 --> 00:25:23.240 when people get baptized, 00:25:23.240 --> 00:25:26.040 that public declaration of an internal decision, 00:25:26.040 --> 00:25:28.640 that's another cause for celebration. 00:25:28.640 --> 00:25:30.440 Or when people begin to understand things 00:25:30.440 --> 00:25:31.840 that didn't make sense before, 00:25:31.840 --> 00:25:33.840 I finally get it. 00:25:33.840 --> 00:25:37.340 There's this proverb that never made sense to me anymore. 00:25:37.340 --> 00:25:39.040 Or there's this piece in Isaiah 00:25:39.040 --> 00:25:40.540 that I've been wrestling over. 00:25:40.539 --> 00:25:42.339 And by the grace of God, 00:25:42.339 --> 00:25:43.740 through the guiding of the Holy Spirit, 00:25:43.740 --> 00:25:45.039 I understand it now. 00:25:45.039 --> 00:25:47.139 That's a cause for celebration. 00:25:47.139 --> 00:25:49.740 So we continue being transformed. 00:25:49.740 --> 00:25:52.139 Celebrate the lost being found. 00:25:52.139 --> 00:25:54.740 And then number five, finally, 00:25:54.740 --> 00:25:56.039 what does that say? 00:25:56.039 --> 00:25:58.639 Prepare for Christ's what? 00:25:58.639 --> 00:26:00.240 First and second coming. 00:26:00.240 --> 00:26:01.539 That's the beautiful thing, 00:26:01.539 --> 00:26:03.339 the amazing thing about Advent, 00:26:03.339 --> 00:26:07.339 is that we are preparing with anticipation and hope 00:26:07.339 --> 00:26:09.539 for the first coming of Christ. 00:26:09.539 --> 00:26:10.839 Rightfully so. 00:26:10.839 --> 00:26:12.139 It's a wonderful time, right? 00:26:12.139 --> 00:26:13.839 We think of the nativity. 00:26:13.839 --> 00:26:16.440 We think of the prophecies being fulfilled. 00:26:16.440 --> 00:26:19.139 But we also have got to keep in mind 00:26:19.139 --> 00:26:21.039 the second coming of Christ. 00:26:21.039 --> 00:26:23.740 That in the same way that God fulfilled the promises 00:26:23.740 --> 00:26:25.740 and the prophecies of Jesus Christ 00:26:25.740 --> 00:26:28.139 at the first coming will be fulfilled 00:26:28.139 --> 00:26:29.240 in the second coming. 00:26:29.240 --> 00:26:31.339 Can I get an amen? 00:26:31.339 --> 00:26:33.940 So that's something we've got to live with hope, 00:26:33.940 --> 00:26:35.740 trusting in God's promises 00:26:35.740 --> 00:26:40.039 and remain ready for his return. 00:26:40.039 --> 00:26:43.339 And so as we close with this message, 00:26:43.339 --> 00:26:45.539 let us just remember 00:26:45.539 --> 00:26:48.839 that we as the body of Christ, 00:26:48.839 --> 00:26:51.640 we've got to understand that God is pursuing us 00:26:51.640 --> 00:26:54.039 by having that invitation. 00:26:54.039 --> 00:26:58.839 God sent his son, right? 00:26:58.839 --> 00:27:01.240 To be born in that manger, 00:27:01.240 --> 00:27:04.839 to perform miracles, 00:27:04.839 --> 00:27:07.839 to teach parables, 00:27:07.839 --> 00:27:09.939 to suffer, 00:27:09.939 --> 00:27:13.939 to die on that cross, 00:27:13.939 --> 00:27:16.240 to be buried. 00:27:16.240 --> 00:27:19.639 And on the third day rising again. 00:27:19.639 --> 00:27:21.439 Think about that. 00:27:21.439 --> 00:27:23.240 Think about the importance of that. 00:27:23.240 --> 00:27:25.740 And then knowing in that, 00:27:25.740 --> 00:27:28.139 we should pursue God. 00:27:28.139 --> 00:27:31.339 And in knowing for us as the body, as the church, 00:27:31.339 --> 00:27:34.740 we need to seek out the lost. 00:27:34.740 --> 00:27:37.039 We've got to have that reconnection 00:27:37.039 --> 00:27:38.939 for those who have been hurting, 00:27:38.939 --> 00:27:41.039 those who don't even know the Lord. 00:27:41.039 --> 00:27:42.939 That's how important. 00:27:42.939 --> 00:27:44.439 I've given this analogy before 00:27:44.439 --> 00:27:46.139 and I'll give it real quick. 00:27:46.139 --> 00:27:47.240 I want you to think 00:27:47.240 --> 00:27:51.240 if I put an empty chair here, 00:27:51.240 --> 00:27:55.240 imagine who could sit in the empty chair. 00:27:55.240 --> 00:27:57.139 If you want to make it more real, 00:27:57.139 --> 00:27:59.740 look next to you at the empty space. 00:27:59.740 --> 00:28:02.839 Who could be next to you? 00:28:02.839 --> 00:28:06.140 Who could be there that you know? 00:28:06.140 --> 00:28:09.440 Is it someone that's been hurt before? 00:28:09.440 --> 00:28:11.640 Is it someone that needs healing and restoration? 00:28:11.640 --> 00:28:15.240 Or is it someone that just simply needs Jesus? 00:28:15.240 --> 00:28:16.539 Something for us to think about 00:28:16.539 --> 00:28:21.140 as we keep in mind this parable of the lost coin. 00:28:21.140 --> 00:28:22.740 Let's pray together. 00:28:22.740 --> 00:28:24.240 Let's pray together. 00:28:24.240 --> 00:28:28.839 Father, we thank you for your word. 00:28:28.839 --> 00:28:32.439 We thank you for the truth and such insights, 00:28:32.439 --> 00:28:34.339 such things we can observe, 00:28:34.339 --> 00:28:35.539 things that we can learn 00:28:35.539 --> 00:28:39.039 and things that we can go out and do. 00:28:39.039 --> 00:28:42.439 But let us remember 00:28:42.439 --> 00:28:43.939 when it comes to salvation, 00:28:43.939 --> 00:28:45.240 it's not about what we do. 00:28:45.240 --> 00:28:46.539 It's what you have done 00:28:46.539 --> 00:28:50.439 by sending your Son Jesus Christ. 00:28:50.439 --> 00:28:53.039 I pray that we all, 00:28:53.039 --> 00:28:54.939 if we do not know the Lord, 00:28:54.939 --> 00:28:57.339 may we be on a path to knowing Jesus Christ 00:28:57.339 --> 00:29:00.240 and being saved by grace through faith. 00:29:00.240 --> 00:29:02.139 And if we know the Lord, 00:29:02.139 --> 00:29:04.539 or maybe we felt distant, 00:29:04.539 --> 00:29:09.139 maybe we've just had experiences of hurt, 00:29:09.139 --> 00:29:10.639 the failings of men, 00:29:10.639 --> 00:29:11.740 the failings of women, 00:29:11.740 --> 00:29:15.539 the failings of even people. 00:29:15.539 --> 00:29:18.639 May we trust in you that much more. 00:29:18.639 --> 00:29:22.439 May we rely on you and your word. 00:29:22.439 --> 00:29:24.539 And Father, 00:29:24.539 --> 00:29:29.539 we thank you for the hope that is found in Jesus Christ. 00:29:29.539 --> 00:29:31.539 May we seek you. 00:29:31.539 --> 00:29:33.539 May we know you. 00:29:33.539 --> 00:29:35.139 May we grow in you. 00:29:35.139 --> 00:29:37.240 And may we be moved to do good 00:29:37.240 --> 00:29:40.240 in the name of Jesus Christ. 00:29:40.240 --> 00:29:43.440 May we take to heart this message 00:29:43.440 --> 00:29:47.440 of the parable of the lost coin. 00:29:47.440 --> 00:29:48.440 We love you. 00:29:48.440 --> 00:29:49.740 We thank you. 00:29:49.740 --> 00:29:50.440 We praise you. 00:29:50.440 --> 00:29:52.639 We glorify you and we honor you. 00:29:52.640 --> 00:29:55.640 It is in the name of Jesus Christ, 00:29:55.640 --> 00:29:57.540 the righteous King, 00:29:57.540 --> 00:29:59.040 the Savior of all that we pray, 00:29:59.040 --> 00:29:59.940 and we all say together, 00:29:59.940 --> 00:30:00.940 Amen. 00:30:00.940 --> 00:30:01.940 Amen. 00:30:01.940 --> 00:30:02.940 Thank you for tuning in 00:30:02.940 --> 00:30:05.940 to the Ontario Community Church sermon podcast. 00:30:05.940 --> 00:30:07.440 For more about our church 00:30:07.440 --> 00:30:08.740 and how you can get involved 00:30:08.740 --> 00:30:10.140 or support our mission, 00:30:10.140 --> 00:30:13.940 please visit ontariocommunitychurch.org. 00:30:13.940 --> 00:30:22.940 May God's blessings be with you.