WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.099 So we continue this morning in the book of Colossians. 00:00:04.099 --> 00:00:12.359 This morning we'll be looking at verse 24 of chapter 1 through verse 5 of chapter 2. 00:00:12.880 --> 00:00:18.699 And if you brought your Bible with you, I would ask you to open it and locate the book of Colossians. 00:00:19.940 --> 00:00:25.280 And that would allow you to read along or to listen along as I read up front. 00:00:25.280 --> 00:00:34.320 So as you locate that, I ask if you would, in honor of God's word, stand this morning as we read this passage out of the book of Colossians. 00:00:38.100 --> 00:00:41.340 Paul is speaking to the church at Colossae. 00:00:42.439 --> 00:00:45.180 And we pick up in verse 24 and it says this. 00:00:45.180 --> 00:00:49.359 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake. 00:00:49.359 --> 00:00:58.259 And in my flesh, I'm filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is the church. 00:00:58.840 --> 00:01:06.079 Of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you. 00:01:06.859 --> 00:01:08.939 To make the word of God fully known. 00:01:09.120 --> 00:01:16.120 The mystery hidden for ages and generations, but now revealed to his saints. 00:01:16.120 --> 00:01:24.740 To them, God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, 00:01:24.880 --> 00:01:28.380 which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 00:01:28.920 --> 00:01:38.380 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 00:01:38.600 --> 00:01:45.600 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. 00:01:46.120 --> 00:01:52.700 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea. 00:01:53.240 --> 00:01:56.120 And for all who have not seen me face to face. 00:01:56.600 --> 00:02:00.859 That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love. 00:02:01.180 --> 00:02:08.040 To reach all the riches of the full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, 00:02:08.680 --> 00:02:09.659 which is Christ. 00:02:10.819 --> 00:02:15.020 In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 00:02:15.020 --> 00:02:20.580 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 00:02:21.360 --> 00:02:27.460 For though I am absent in body, yet am I with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order 00:02:27.460 --> 00:02:30.800 and the firmness of your faith in Christ. 00:02:30.900 --> 00:02:32.920 God, we thank you for your word. 00:02:32.980 --> 00:02:38.219 And we ask this morning that you would open our hearts to receive what you have for us, 00:02:38.260 --> 00:02:41.180 our ears that we could hear and understand your word. 00:02:41.180 --> 00:02:44.219 God, we desire for you to speak and I pray in Christ's name. 00:02:44.680 --> 00:02:44.960 Amen. 00:02:45.960 --> 00:02:46.400 Amen. 00:02:46.520 --> 00:02:47.319 You can have a seat. 00:02:50.580 --> 00:02:52.939 So when we look at this passage this morning, 00:02:53.379 --> 00:02:58.760 there's three things that I want us to see this morning in this passage. 00:02:58.920 --> 00:03:02.659 The first of which is the ministry of Paul. 00:03:02.659 --> 00:03:07.620 I want you to see the ministry of Paul. 00:03:09.219 --> 00:03:11.159 Now, Paul received this ministry. 00:03:11.379 --> 00:03:13.819 You can see here in the passage. 00:03:14.300 --> 00:03:20.460 He said, I became a minister because God called me in the ministry. 00:03:20.639 --> 00:03:21.919 How can he make that claim? 00:03:21.919 --> 00:03:24.819 Well, if we were to turn back to the book of Acts, 00:03:25.259 --> 00:03:29.159 we would read about the encounter of Paul, 00:03:29.280 --> 00:03:37.239 how he, as a good Jew, was going to Damascus to put in prison or kill 00:03:37.239 --> 00:03:42.079 those who claimed that Christ was Messiah. 00:03:42.979 --> 00:03:45.019 Those who believed in Jesus. 00:03:46.159 --> 00:03:50.339 The Jews hated this heresy, what they called a heresy. 00:03:50.340 --> 00:03:54.539 And Paul was leading the charge to be on the front lines, 00:03:54.640 --> 00:03:57.039 to be the one who went and did this. 00:03:57.800 --> 00:03:59.340 And so he's going to Damascus. 00:04:00.099 --> 00:04:04.920 And as he's going, he and his companions are stopped on the road. 00:04:05.280 --> 00:04:07.500 He sees this bright light from heaven. 00:04:08.020 --> 00:04:11.599 And he hears this voice that says, Paul, why are you persecuting me? 00:04:11.659 --> 00:04:13.159 He's like, who are you? 00:04:13.680 --> 00:04:14.659 I hear a voice. 00:04:15.240 --> 00:04:16.840 I have no idea who you are. 00:04:17.360 --> 00:04:18.519 Who's talking to me? 00:04:18.519 --> 00:04:22.439 He says, I'm Jesus whom you're persecuting. 00:04:23.979 --> 00:04:28.560 And so in that encounter, he meets Jesus on the road. 00:04:28.699 --> 00:04:33.479 He hears the voice of Christ speaking to him in a miraculous way. 00:04:33.939 --> 00:04:38.799 And he is woken up from his pursuit of that which is alive. 00:04:39.120 --> 00:04:43.680 He's woken up from this pushing against Christianity. 00:04:43.680 --> 00:04:47.280 And he's given a mission. 00:04:47.500 --> 00:04:51.079 So if you remember the story in the book of Acts, 00:04:51.220 --> 00:04:53.699 he was blinded because of the greatness of the light. 00:04:53.800 --> 00:04:56.519 And so he gropes his way to Damascus. 00:04:56.759 --> 00:04:58.480 And he's brought into a room. 00:04:59.079 --> 00:05:00.939 And he can't see a thing. 00:05:01.139 --> 00:05:02.340 And he begins to pray. 00:05:02.420 --> 00:05:04.939 Because he's had this encounter that surprised him. 00:05:04.939 --> 00:05:10.259 He could not explain what just happened fully. 00:05:10.980 --> 00:05:14.040 But he knew he heard the voice of Jesus speaking to him. 00:05:14.339 --> 00:05:16.860 And he knew as accompanied by a bright light, 00:05:17.079 --> 00:05:18.519 he knew something was going on. 00:05:18.579 --> 00:05:19.579 And so he began to pray. 00:05:19.740 --> 00:05:20.120 He didn't eat. 00:05:20.759 --> 00:05:21.420 He prayed. 00:05:22.980 --> 00:05:25.519 And as he's praying, he sees a vision. 00:05:25.519 --> 00:05:29.579 And in his vision, there's a guy named Ananias 00:05:29.579 --> 00:05:31.060 that comes knocking on the door. 00:05:31.459 --> 00:05:32.919 And Ananias speaks to him. 00:05:33.259 --> 00:05:35.560 And so God prepped his heart for a message 00:05:35.560 --> 00:05:37.120 that God wanted to give to him. 00:05:38.439 --> 00:05:41.339 And so Ananias, sure enough, God says, 00:05:41.419 --> 00:05:42.279 Ananias, I want you to go. 00:05:42.379 --> 00:05:42.779 He said, wait a minute. 00:05:42.899 --> 00:05:43.339 Whoa, whoa, whoa. 00:05:44.680 --> 00:05:45.099 To him? 00:05:46.000 --> 00:05:47.399 He's the one that kills Christians. 00:05:48.019 --> 00:05:48.919 He said, no, go to him. 00:05:49.000 --> 00:05:50.740 And I want you to tell him what I want him to hear. 00:05:50.979 --> 00:05:52.099 And I said, yes, Lord, he goes. 00:05:52.159 --> 00:05:54.180 And what did God say to Paul? 00:05:55.519 --> 00:05:57.899 In the book of Acts. 00:05:59.399 --> 00:06:01.159 The Lord said to Ananias, go. 00:06:01.299 --> 00:06:02.899 He is a chosen instrument of mine 00:06:02.899 --> 00:06:06.359 to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings 00:06:06.359 --> 00:06:08.240 and the children of Israel. 00:06:08.359 --> 00:06:12.180 For I will show him how much he must suffer 00:06:12.180 --> 00:06:14.319 for the sake of my name. 00:06:15.459 --> 00:06:21.519 He is a vessel that I'm sending to the Gentiles 00:06:21.519 --> 00:06:26.359 and to kings and to Jews. 00:06:29.159 --> 00:06:34.479 And his particular path is going to be full of suffering. 00:06:35.859 --> 00:06:38.000 So we look in the book of Colossians 00:06:38.000 --> 00:06:41.399 and we see that God gave him, 00:06:41.479 --> 00:06:42.359 this is Paul speaking, 00:06:42.519 --> 00:06:44.319 he gave me this ministry. 00:06:44.839 --> 00:06:46.859 He's the one that gave it to me 00:06:46.860 --> 00:06:49.780 and I'm walking in this ministry he's called me to. 00:06:51.160 --> 00:06:55.759 He says that he's given me this call to go. 00:06:55.900 --> 00:06:56.240 Where? 00:06:56.639 --> 00:06:58.560 To go wherever he calls me to go, 00:06:58.860 --> 00:07:00.800 to go to the Gentile world 00:07:00.800 --> 00:07:03.540 and proclaim the message of the gospel, 00:07:04.420 --> 00:07:07.379 the same message he used to go and persecute 00:07:07.379 --> 00:07:08.439 that he didn't believe. 00:07:09.720 --> 00:07:11.500 You know what's interesting too? 00:07:11.500 --> 00:07:13.060 Not only did he send him, 00:07:13.920 --> 00:07:15.819 but he also empowered him. 00:07:16.120 --> 00:07:18.519 Do you see that in verse 29? 00:07:22.040 --> 00:07:23.899 He called him to ministry. 00:07:24.279 --> 00:07:27.379 In verse 29 it says that there is this power 00:07:27.379 --> 00:07:31.379 that he placed within Paul, 00:07:32.660 --> 00:07:35.139 that God's doing a work in the heart, 00:07:35.300 --> 00:07:36.500 in the life of Paul 00:07:36.500 --> 00:07:38.680 that is characterized by powerful, 00:07:39.279 --> 00:07:40.319 by this word power. 00:07:40.319 --> 00:07:42.599 There is a power within 00:07:42.599 --> 00:07:44.319 that enables Paul 00:07:44.319 --> 00:07:46.319 to endure the difficulty 00:07:46.920 --> 00:07:49.219 of this suffering that he's walking into. 00:07:49.540 --> 00:07:50.420 Do you know that 00:07:50.420 --> 00:07:54.279 suffering for Christians 00:07:54.279 --> 00:07:56.480 who take the gospel to faraway places 00:07:56.480 --> 00:07:57.079 is not rare? 00:08:00.959 --> 00:08:02.539 And in Paul's case, 00:08:02.839 --> 00:08:04.500 it's pretty intense. 00:08:04.740 --> 00:08:06.759 If we were to read in the book of Acts 00:08:06.759 --> 00:08:07.959 the things that he endured, 00:08:07.959 --> 00:08:10.939 he was beat with whips many times. 00:08:11.120 --> 00:08:12.239 He was beat with rods. 00:08:12.500 --> 00:08:16.419 He was attacked 00:08:16.419 --> 00:08:19.139 because he was taking this gospel message. 00:08:19.620 --> 00:08:22.079 And we'll talk about that here in a minute. 00:08:22.740 --> 00:08:25.019 But the ministry he was called to 00:08:25.019 --> 00:08:28.319 is a ministry to take the message of the word. 00:08:28.419 --> 00:08:29.120 Where do we see that? 00:08:29.179 --> 00:08:29.839 Look with me. 00:08:29.839 --> 00:08:33.240 In verse 25, 00:08:34.240 --> 00:08:35.299 it says, 00:08:35.299 --> 00:08:36.559 As God gave him, 00:08:36.639 --> 00:08:37.699 I became a minister 00:08:37.699 --> 00:08:39.639 according to the stewardship from God 00:08:39.639 --> 00:08:41.819 that was given to me for you 00:08:41.819 --> 00:08:43.799 to make the word of God fully known. 00:08:44.219 --> 00:08:47.039 To make the word of God fully known. 00:08:49.839 --> 00:08:52.199 The power of the word 00:08:52.199 --> 00:08:54.839 is what he was taking. 00:08:54.840 --> 00:08:59.040 And I don't know if you've asked this question yet, 00:08:59.160 --> 00:09:01.980 but how is it that the Colossians 00:09:01.980 --> 00:09:04.560 are interested in what Paul's saying? 00:09:04.639 --> 00:09:06.399 Because in chapter two, 00:09:06.480 --> 00:09:08.700 we just saw that he's never seen them face to face. 00:09:08.879 --> 00:09:10.740 Why is it that the Colossians 00:09:10.740 --> 00:09:13.440 would receive a letter from Paul 00:09:13.440 --> 00:09:16.100 who's never physically seen them before? 00:09:16.300 --> 00:09:19.160 How is it that there is any kind of interest 00:09:19.160 --> 00:09:22.480 to care for that body of believers? 00:09:22.480 --> 00:09:25.420 Have you seen the relationship 00:09:25.420 --> 00:09:27.080 between Paul and Epaphras? 00:09:28.600 --> 00:09:29.899 In chapter one, 00:09:29.980 --> 00:09:32.960 it talks about Epaphras is a fellow servant. 00:09:33.920 --> 00:09:37.039 He's someone that visited Paul in his imprisonment. 00:09:37.200 --> 00:09:39.980 So Paul writes this from prison. 00:09:41.220 --> 00:09:44.500 And he's gathering intel from Epaphras, 00:09:44.659 --> 00:09:48.039 his co-worker in the gospel. 00:09:48.240 --> 00:09:50.220 Epaphras is from this area. 00:09:50.220 --> 00:09:52.759 Epaphras knows this church. 00:09:53.160 --> 00:09:55.540 Epaphras knows the people in the church 00:09:55.540 --> 00:09:57.440 and he's sharing it with Paul. 00:09:57.879 --> 00:09:59.160 What is Paul's link? 00:09:59.220 --> 00:09:59.980 Let me share this. 00:10:02.120 --> 00:10:06.320 When Paul was called by God to be a minister 00:10:06.320 --> 00:10:08.540 and to take the gospel to faraway places, 00:10:08.639 --> 00:10:09.200 you know where he went? 00:10:09.500 --> 00:10:10.960 He went on free missionary journeys. 00:10:11.700 --> 00:10:14.840 His second missionary journey took him through Ephesus, 00:10:14.840 --> 00:10:19.620 but God prompted him to go through Ephesus and keep going. 00:10:19.740 --> 00:10:21.820 He did not stay on that second missionary journey 00:10:21.820 --> 00:10:23.780 the first time he was in Ephesus. 00:10:23.980 --> 00:10:26.820 But he did share the gospel for a short time 00:10:26.820 --> 00:10:29.519 and he did have someone else who was a believer 00:10:29.519 --> 00:10:30.899 stay and share the gospel. 00:10:31.100 --> 00:10:33.160 But he continued on this second journey 00:10:33.160 --> 00:10:36.000 and then God called him on the third missionary journey 00:10:36.000 --> 00:10:37.220 to spend time in Ephesus. 00:10:37.879 --> 00:10:39.480 Why am I talking about Ephesus? 00:10:39.660 --> 00:10:41.480 Aren't we studying about Colossae? 00:10:41.480 --> 00:10:42.840 Colossae? 00:10:43.740 --> 00:10:45.480 So Ephesus is on the coast. 00:10:45.600 --> 00:10:47.539 If you were to try to locate Colossians, 00:10:47.639 --> 00:10:49.460 it's about 100 miles east. 00:10:51.379 --> 00:10:53.320 And you know what Acts reveals 00:10:53.320 --> 00:10:57.240 about this time that Paul spent in Ephesus? 00:10:57.399 --> 00:10:59.440 He was there in the synagogue, 00:10:59.680 --> 00:11:00.500 the Jewish synagogue, 00:11:01.139 --> 00:11:03.700 teaching for three months until they threw him out. 00:11:03.960 --> 00:11:05.279 They were tired of hearing about Jesus. 00:11:06.200 --> 00:11:08.600 They were tired of hearing about this message 00:11:08.600 --> 00:11:10.180 of Christ being the Messiah 00:11:10.179 --> 00:11:11.439 and they kicked him out. 00:11:11.519 --> 00:11:12.139 So where did he land? 00:11:12.239 --> 00:11:14.479 He landed in a different school 00:11:14.479 --> 00:11:15.620 of a guy named, 00:11:15.719 --> 00:11:17.399 according to the book of Acts, Tyrannus. 00:11:18.000 --> 00:11:20.559 So he taught in that school for two years. 00:11:20.659 --> 00:11:22.299 You know what the gospel says about this time? 00:11:24.059 --> 00:11:27.759 It says all who were in Asia Minor, 00:11:28.120 --> 00:11:29.559 all, Asia Minor's huge. 00:11:30.500 --> 00:11:31.759 If you were to look on a map, 00:11:31.819 --> 00:11:33.719 it includes Colossae, 00:11:34.099 --> 00:11:35.339 includes Laodicea, 00:11:35.500 --> 00:11:37.099 and many, many other places. 00:11:37.100 --> 00:11:39.300 He said that after those two years 00:11:39.300 --> 00:11:40.200 of teaching the school, 00:11:40.540 --> 00:11:43.560 the gospel was heard by everybody in Asia Minor. 00:11:44.379 --> 00:11:46.100 The message of the gospel 00:11:46.100 --> 00:11:48.360 started to be talked about. 00:11:48.620 --> 00:11:49.200 Have you heard? 00:11:49.720 --> 00:11:51.000 Have you heard what Paul said? 00:11:51.080 --> 00:11:52.420 That's God's teaching in Ephesus. 00:11:53.139 --> 00:11:55.320 Do you think that that would have trickled 00:11:55.320 --> 00:11:56.920 its way to Colossae, 00:11:57.300 --> 00:11:58.120 100 miles east? 00:11:58.220 --> 00:11:58.399 Yes. 00:11:58.960 --> 00:12:01.080 That's part of that area that heard the gospel. 00:12:01.660 --> 00:12:02.720 And I would guess, 00:12:02.860 --> 00:12:04.340 the scripture does not tell us this, 00:12:04.340 --> 00:12:06.320 but it would not be a far stretch to think 00:12:06.320 --> 00:12:08.600 that Epaphras and Tychicus 00:12:08.600 --> 00:12:11.420 found themselves in Ephesus 00:12:11.420 --> 00:12:13.360 wanting to hear about this gospel. 00:12:13.960 --> 00:12:15.460 But one way or the other, 00:12:15.580 --> 00:12:16.920 the impact made it. 00:12:17.280 --> 00:12:18.360 And so Epaphras, 00:12:18.420 --> 00:12:19.899 who was from this location, 00:12:20.280 --> 00:12:22.720 he wanted to minister with Paul. 00:12:22.820 --> 00:12:24.639 He became a companion with Paul. 00:12:24.920 --> 00:12:26.820 And so they ministered together 00:12:26.820 --> 00:12:27.940 where God led them. 00:12:27.940 --> 00:12:34.800 And so I ask about ministry. 00:12:35.420 --> 00:12:39.100 What is the content of what God asked Paul to do? 00:12:39.800 --> 00:12:42.080 What does ministry look like, Paul? 00:12:42.260 --> 00:12:45.220 What are you trying to accomplish with ministry? 00:12:45.620 --> 00:12:47.300 And here's what the passage says. 00:12:51.880 --> 00:12:52.840 It says this, 00:12:52.900 --> 00:12:55.460 to make the word of God fully known. 00:12:55.460 --> 00:12:57.480 We jump to 28. 00:12:57.600 --> 00:12:58.160 It says this, 00:12:58.519 --> 00:12:59.320 Him, Jesus, 00:12:59.519 --> 00:13:01.500 we proclaim warning everyone 00:13:01.500 --> 00:13:04.080 and teaching everyone with all wisdom. 00:13:04.680 --> 00:13:05.920 Warning everyone 00:13:05.920 --> 00:13:07.800 and teaching everyone. 00:13:10.240 --> 00:13:12.360 We want to tell you about Christ. 00:13:13.960 --> 00:13:15.340 We want to tell you, 00:13:15.500 --> 00:13:16.120 as Paul would say, 00:13:16.200 --> 00:13:18.300 about this Christian life. 00:13:23.440 --> 00:13:25.280 How does he share the word of God? 00:13:25.460 --> 00:13:26.720 You know, 00:13:26.780 --> 00:13:28.740 the word of God is powerful unto salvation. 00:13:29.519 --> 00:13:32.860 Paul is not using some tricky language 00:13:32.860 --> 00:13:35.240 or some impressive speech 00:13:35.240 --> 00:13:37.280 to talk about the gospel. 00:13:37.540 --> 00:13:38.920 He's using the word of God 00:13:38.920 --> 00:13:40.860 because he knows the word of God 00:13:40.860 --> 00:13:42.280 is powerful unto salvation. 00:13:42.800 --> 00:13:44.680 The word of God is what touches hearts. 00:13:46.160 --> 00:13:47.759 And yet he says this, 00:13:47.800 --> 00:13:48.259 he says, 00:13:49.840 --> 00:13:51.400 there's a warning. 00:13:52.019 --> 00:13:53.780 And what would the warning be about? 00:13:53.779 --> 00:13:56.600 Why would he be warning the church? 00:13:57.220 --> 00:13:59.779 He's warning them about these false teachers, 00:14:00.639 --> 00:14:02.240 these false messages. 00:14:02.639 --> 00:14:04.740 We will talk about that in the next two weeks. 00:14:04.839 --> 00:14:06.860 If you were to sneak a peek ahead, 00:14:07.000 --> 00:14:10.339 you would see in verse 8 of chapter 2, 00:14:10.879 --> 00:14:12.659 see that no one takes you captive 00:14:12.659 --> 00:14:14.339 with philosophies 00:14:14.339 --> 00:14:17.360 that aren't in line with the gospel, 00:14:17.360 --> 00:14:19.360 with tradition, 00:14:19.360 --> 00:14:19.879 with tradition, 00:14:20.019 --> 00:14:20.759 human tradition, 00:14:21.300 --> 00:14:22.840 with empty deceit, 00:14:23.320 --> 00:14:25.919 with elemental spirits of the world, 00:14:26.220 --> 00:14:28.220 not according to the gospel. 00:14:32.220 --> 00:14:35.720 Paul recognizes the need 00:14:35.720 --> 00:14:39.720 to clearly share the message of the gospel 00:14:39.720 --> 00:14:42.159 and to warn the people about lies 00:14:42.159 --> 00:14:44.560 that are going to infiltrate the church. 00:14:44.559 --> 00:14:47.779 And he's warning them not to believe those lies, 00:14:48.000 --> 00:14:49.599 to embrace the truth. 00:14:50.139 --> 00:14:51.559 And so he teaches everyone. 00:14:52.219 --> 00:14:53.759 It says the ministry looks like this. 00:14:54.000 --> 00:14:55.279 It's a teaching ministry. 00:14:56.179 --> 00:14:57.419 Like we said before, 00:14:57.519 --> 00:14:59.839 he's over two years in Ephesus doing what? 00:14:59.979 --> 00:15:01.339 Teaching the truth. 00:15:01.779 --> 00:15:02.919 Teaching the word. 00:15:03.059 --> 00:15:03.519 Because why? 00:15:03.599 --> 00:15:05.259 The word changes lives. 00:15:06.419 --> 00:15:07.919 What does ministry look like? 00:15:08.539 --> 00:15:08.959 Beware. 00:15:09.919 --> 00:15:11.119 Let me share you the truth. 00:15:11.379 --> 00:15:12.279 Share with you the truth. 00:15:12.279 --> 00:15:17.259 And we want to see you mature in Christ. 00:15:17.379 --> 00:15:19.039 So look at, again, 28. 00:15:19.419 --> 00:15:20.779 Him we proclaim, Jesus, 00:15:21.000 --> 00:15:22.779 warning everyone and teaching everyone 00:15:22.779 --> 00:15:23.600 with all wisdom 00:15:23.600 --> 00:15:26.740 that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 00:15:30.419 --> 00:15:34.240 Paul's desire was for Christians 00:15:34.240 --> 00:15:35.279 to become mature. 00:15:37.299 --> 00:15:39.279 Paul's desire was for unbelievers 00:15:39.860 --> 00:15:41.779 to accept the message of the gospel. 00:15:42.279 --> 00:15:44.159 That's what ministry looks like. 00:15:44.439 --> 00:15:45.779 It's a ministry to those 00:15:45.779 --> 00:15:47.240 who are outside of the church, 00:15:47.779 --> 00:15:49.399 those who don't know the gospel. 00:15:49.639 --> 00:15:50.959 It's to share the truth 00:15:50.959 --> 00:15:52.600 so they can embrace the gospel 00:15:52.600 --> 00:15:53.720 that they're sinners, 00:15:54.579 --> 00:15:56.959 separated from Christ in need of Savior, 00:15:58.339 --> 00:15:59.980 in need of reconciliation, 00:16:00.379 --> 00:16:01.539 in need of redemption. 00:16:01.539 --> 00:16:05.079 And inside the church, 00:16:05.079 --> 00:16:06.480 he preaches the word 00:16:06.480 --> 00:16:10.899 day after day after day after day 00:16:10.899 --> 00:16:14.179 that the believers might embrace the truth 00:16:14.179 --> 00:16:15.379 and live for Christ. 00:16:16.980 --> 00:16:19.399 What does ministry look like in our day and time? 00:16:20.360 --> 00:16:21.259 Is it similar? 00:16:21.259 --> 00:16:21.319 Yeah. 00:16:25.600 --> 00:16:28.159 You know, just to take an aside here for a second, 00:16:29.319 --> 00:16:30.840 Paul was called to ministry 00:16:30.840 --> 00:16:33.000 and the ministry was the ministry of the gospel 00:16:33.000 --> 00:16:37.799 so that Christians would grow strong in faith. 00:16:37.879 --> 00:16:39.559 It's like the Psalm 1 Christian, 00:16:39.960 --> 00:16:40.939 when the wind blows, 00:16:41.080 --> 00:16:41.879 the roots are deep 00:16:41.879 --> 00:16:42.480 and he does not, 00:16:42.480 --> 00:16:43.419 he is not swayed. 00:16:43.419 --> 00:16:47.559 You know, and that's the hope 00:16:47.559 --> 00:16:49.519 of the ministry here 00:16:49.519 --> 00:16:51.759 is that we as believers grow mature. 00:16:52.240 --> 00:16:53.399 We grow strong 00:16:53.399 --> 00:16:54.959 in the philosophies 00:16:54.959 --> 00:16:55.819 and the ideas 00:16:55.819 --> 00:16:57.799 that aren't according to the word of God, 00:16:58.139 --> 00:17:00.139 that we see them for what they are 00:17:00.139 --> 00:17:01.120 and we stand against them 00:17:01.120 --> 00:17:01.679 and say, no way, 00:17:01.719 --> 00:17:02.579 I don't receive that. 00:17:03.360 --> 00:17:04.379 That's the warning. 00:17:05.000 --> 00:17:07.159 Beware, there's all these philosophies 00:17:07.159 --> 00:17:08.639 that are going to come at you 00:17:08.639 --> 00:17:11.599 and try to disprove the gospel 00:17:11.599 --> 00:17:14.259 that Christ is who he says he is, 00:17:14.299 --> 00:17:14.819 the Messiah. 00:17:15.379 --> 00:17:16.099 Don't believe them. 00:17:17.039 --> 00:17:18.039 And you know what happens 00:17:18.039 --> 00:17:19.699 when we mature in the faith 00:17:19.699 --> 00:17:22.079 is we begin to understand the word of God. 00:17:22.399 --> 00:17:24.379 We begin to recognize those things 00:17:24.379 --> 00:17:25.419 for just what they are, 00:17:25.500 --> 00:17:26.019 they're lies. 00:17:26.719 --> 00:17:28.659 Some of them are bold and straightforward. 00:17:28.839 --> 00:17:29.740 Some of them are subtle 00:17:29.740 --> 00:17:31.339 and it's hard to catch. 00:17:32.019 --> 00:17:33.480 But that's what happens 00:17:33.480 --> 00:17:34.799 as we mature in the faith. 00:17:34.959 --> 00:17:37.439 So ministry here is a ministry 00:17:37.439 --> 00:17:39.439 inside the walls of the church, 00:17:39.679 --> 00:17:41.559 a ministry that helps us grow. 00:17:41.599 --> 00:17:44.240 helps us understand 00:17:44.240 --> 00:17:45.519 the depth of God's word 00:17:45.519 --> 00:17:48.079 so that we're not swayed by the world, 00:17:48.379 --> 00:17:50.759 but we want to live faithfully with God. 00:17:50.959 --> 00:17:51.159 Amen? 00:17:52.579 --> 00:17:54.059 Has God given you a ministry? 00:17:58.799 --> 00:17:59.480 You know, 00:18:00.019 --> 00:18:02.379 we will talk about that in just a second. 00:18:03.559 --> 00:18:05.240 That's point number three. 00:18:05.459 --> 00:18:06.879 But point number one is this, 00:18:06.939 --> 00:18:09.179 that God called Paul to ministry 00:18:09.180 --> 00:18:11.200 so that the world might be 00:18:11.200 --> 00:18:13.080 turned upside down by Christianity, 00:18:13.480 --> 00:18:15.279 so that people might accept him 00:18:15.279 --> 00:18:16.180 as Lord and Savior, 00:18:16.560 --> 00:18:18.740 so that people's lives would be changed. 00:18:19.700 --> 00:18:20.500 That's ministry. 00:18:21.140 --> 00:18:22.960 And that's what we hope happens here. 00:18:23.900 --> 00:18:24.279 Ministry. 00:18:26.140 --> 00:18:26.920 Number two, 00:18:27.039 --> 00:18:27.680 point number two, 00:18:27.720 --> 00:18:28.799 I want you to see this, 00:18:29.960 --> 00:18:30.480 is that, 00:18:30.640 --> 00:18:31.840 I don't know if you notice, 00:18:32.340 --> 00:18:33.740 I think you probably do, 00:18:33.740 --> 00:18:35.480 if you've read much in the scripture, 00:18:36.000 --> 00:18:38.160 you recognize that wherever there's ministry, 00:18:38.299 --> 00:18:38.960 there's opposition. 00:18:43.900 --> 00:18:46.400 Paul met opposition 00:18:46.400 --> 00:18:48.960 every step of the way, 00:18:49.039 --> 00:18:49.480 it seems. 00:18:50.259 --> 00:18:51.660 And he's writing this from prison. 00:18:51.759 --> 00:18:52.680 Why is Paul in prison? 00:18:53.740 --> 00:18:54.559 You know why he's in prison? 00:18:54.640 --> 00:18:56.440 Because he would not step down 00:18:56.440 --> 00:18:58.079 from the message of the gospel. 00:18:58.079 --> 00:19:01.619 He continued to share the gospel. 00:19:01.879 --> 00:19:03.379 And who got frustrated with him? 00:19:03.659 --> 00:19:05.339 The Jews got really frustrated, right? 00:19:07.500 --> 00:19:09.679 When he was on the road to Damascus, 00:19:09.740 --> 00:19:11.000 he ends up in Damascus. 00:19:11.339 --> 00:19:12.919 He's sitting there for three days blind. 00:19:13.019 --> 00:19:13.960 He can't see a thing. 00:19:14.079 --> 00:19:15.319 Ananias walks in and says, 00:19:15.619 --> 00:19:17.539 brother, receive Christ. 00:19:18.379 --> 00:19:20.139 It's him who met you on the road, 00:19:20.299 --> 00:19:21.299 and he's calling you 00:19:21.299 --> 00:19:23.139 to be a minister to the Gentiles. 00:19:23.259 --> 00:19:24.939 You're going to have to suffer a lot. 00:19:25.419 --> 00:19:26.579 But he's calling you for this. 00:19:26.579 --> 00:19:27.859 He's going to strengthen you for this. 00:19:28.779 --> 00:19:30.139 And then he goes in what? 00:19:30.199 --> 00:19:32.859 He goes to the tabernacle in Damascus 00:19:32.859 --> 00:19:34.480 after he gets to see him back. 00:19:34.519 --> 00:19:34.960 And what does he do? 00:19:35.159 --> 00:19:36.839 He preaches Jesus as the Messiah. 00:19:37.419 --> 00:19:38.619 And what did the Jews do? 00:19:39.259 --> 00:19:40.539 Man, they're throwing rocks at him. 00:19:40.599 --> 00:19:41.539 They're ready to kill him. 00:19:41.859 --> 00:19:43.379 They literally chase him, 00:19:43.439 --> 00:19:44.399 trying to arrest him. 00:19:44.419 --> 00:19:45.119 And what did he have to do? 00:19:45.259 --> 00:19:46.839 He had to be let down the wall 00:19:46.839 --> 00:19:48.519 on the outside of the city wall 00:19:48.519 --> 00:19:49.599 by a rope, 00:19:49.639 --> 00:19:50.619 and he took off. 00:19:51.740 --> 00:19:53.179 Because they were trying to kill him 00:19:53.179 --> 00:19:54.579 on almost day one 00:19:54.579 --> 00:19:57.099 of him accepting Christ as Lord and Savior 00:19:57.099 --> 00:19:58.059 for who he really is. 00:19:58.500 --> 00:19:59.740 And what had happened to him 00:19:59.740 --> 00:20:01.960 as he went on his missionary journeys? 00:20:03.220 --> 00:20:04.339 He got stoned 00:20:04.339 --> 00:20:05.759 because they didn't... 00:20:05.759 --> 00:20:06.299 Who was it? 00:20:06.319 --> 00:20:07.139 It was the Jews 00:20:07.139 --> 00:20:09.339 that were so offended at first. 00:20:09.460 --> 00:20:10.159 It was the Jews. 00:20:10.899 --> 00:20:12.299 And they were chasing him. 00:20:12.359 --> 00:20:12.519 I mean, 00:20:12.539 --> 00:20:13.339 they had a group of Jews 00:20:13.339 --> 00:20:14.679 trying to track this dude down 00:20:14.679 --> 00:20:15.199 and kill him. 00:20:15.460 --> 00:20:16.439 They thought they'd succeeded. 00:20:16.639 --> 00:20:17.879 They threw stones at him. 00:20:17.919 --> 00:20:18.740 He looked like he was dead. 00:20:18.740 --> 00:20:21.420 They clapped. 00:20:21.539 --> 00:20:22.000 They cheered. 00:20:22.120 --> 00:20:22.319 They said, 00:20:22.380 --> 00:20:23.220 we finally got him. 00:20:23.779 --> 00:20:24.359 And they go. 00:20:26.000 --> 00:20:27.680 Why did the Jews... 00:20:27.680 --> 00:20:30.259 Why are they so mad against Paul? 00:20:30.880 --> 00:20:33.039 Why are they so adamant 00:20:33.039 --> 00:20:34.759 to destroy this thing 00:20:34.759 --> 00:20:35.559 called Christianity? 00:20:36.620 --> 00:20:37.480 Are they worried? 00:20:37.480 --> 00:20:42.720 What's behind all of that? 00:20:43.720 --> 00:20:44.860 Let me tell you what's behind it. 00:20:45.579 --> 00:20:46.720 It's this guy named Satan. 00:20:47.000 --> 00:20:47.740 He's behind it. 00:20:49.319 --> 00:20:51.259 And Satan has a lot of people 00:20:51.259 --> 00:20:51.960 that work for him. 00:20:52.019 --> 00:20:52.720 They're called demons. 00:20:52.720 --> 00:20:55.759 The whole demonic kingdom 00:20:55.759 --> 00:20:58.100 is against anything 00:20:58.100 --> 00:20:59.839 having to do with Christ. 00:21:01.759 --> 00:21:03.079 Satan attempted 00:21:03.079 --> 00:21:04.940 all along the way 00:21:04.940 --> 00:21:06.259 to destroy the line 00:21:06.259 --> 00:21:07.600 that was leading up to the Messiah 00:21:07.600 --> 00:21:08.779 to destroy David, 00:21:09.100 --> 00:21:09.960 threw spears at him, 00:21:10.420 --> 00:21:11.420 all kind of things at him. 00:21:11.799 --> 00:21:13.380 Everybody was in the line 00:21:13.380 --> 00:21:13.960 of the Messiah. 00:21:14.160 --> 00:21:15.259 Guess what Satan tried to do? 00:21:15.339 --> 00:21:16.100 Tried to destroy him 00:21:16.100 --> 00:21:17.200 all along the way 00:21:17.200 --> 00:21:18.680 until the point at which 00:21:18.680 --> 00:21:19.480 Christ was born 00:21:19.480 --> 00:21:20.339 and what did he do with Christ? 00:21:20.440 --> 00:21:21.640 Tried to destroy Christ. 00:21:23.279 --> 00:21:23.620 Christ, 00:21:23.740 --> 00:21:25.660 he did ultimately 00:21:25.660 --> 00:21:28.460 through different means 00:21:28.460 --> 00:21:31.380 elevate Christ on a cross 00:21:31.380 --> 00:21:33.059 but God had a purpose in that 00:21:33.059 --> 00:21:34.420 for the salvation of men. 00:21:34.740 --> 00:21:35.960 The gospel story 00:21:35.960 --> 00:21:38.120 is pictured in Christ on the cross 00:21:38.120 --> 00:21:39.440 and resurrected, right? 00:21:41.319 --> 00:21:43.400 Satan hates anything 00:21:43.400 --> 00:21:45.559 that has to do with honoring God 00:21:45.559 --> 00:21:47.059 and worshiping God 00:21:47.059 --> 00:21:49.120 and following God 00:21:49.120 --> 00:21:51.440 and sharing the gospel message. 00:21:51.440 --> 00:21:53.660 He hates the church. 00:21:56.259 --> 00:21:58.820 He wants to infiltrate the church, 00:21:58.960 --> 00:21:59.680 water it down, 00:21:59.740 --> 00:22:00.500 and destroy it. 00:22:00.620 --> 00:22:04.160 Every faithful church worldwide, 00:22:04.660 --> 00:22:07.059 Satan desires to destroy. 00:22:09.059 --> 00:22:11.920 And what tools does Satan tend to use? 00:22:11.920 --> 00:22:14.740 We see here, 00:22:15.640 --> 00:22:17.900 I rejoice in my sufferings. 00:22:17.980 --> 00:22:19.200 Paul's writing from prison. 00:22:19.340 --> 00:22:21.039 He's suffering because he was a Christian 00:22:21.039 --> 00:22:22.580 because Satan can't stand 00:22:22.580 --> 00:22:24.440 what's happening through the life of Paul. 00:22:24.620 --> 00:22:26.920 God is doing amazing, miraculous things. 00:22:27.160 --> 00:22:28.920 He's bringing people into the kingdom. 00:22:29.279 --> 00:22:30.980 The gospel's exploding. 00:22:32.680 --> 00:22:35.180 And Satan can't seem to plug all the holes. 00:22:35.180 --> 00:22:38.200 He sends the demons up here. 00:22:38.259 --> 00:22:39.000 He sends them over there. 00:22:39.080 --> 00:22:39.600 He sends them there. 00:22:39.660 --> 00:22:40.380 He can't plug those. 00:22:40.560 --> 00:22:42.100 I've got to destroy this guy. 00:22:47.480 --> 00:22:49.620 He uses religion. 00:22:50.880 --> 00:22:53.400 Do you recognize that Satan uses religion, 00:22:53.580 --> 00:22:54.240 false religion, 00:22:54.240 --> 00:22:55.480 to try to destroy the church? 00:22:55.480 --> 00:23:00.039 The Jewish faith was in chasing hard 00:23:00.039 --> 00:23:01.620 after Christianity to destroy it. 00:23:04.240 --> 00:23:05.480 What else does he use? 00:23:10.099 --> 00:23:11.620 He uses false teachers. 00:23:12.799 --> 00:23:14.400 He used the Roman Empire. 00:23:15.680 --> 00:23:17.460 Who was it that arrested Paul? 00:23:18.799 --> 00:23:20.620 Ultimately, he ended up in Rome 00:23:20.620 --> 00:23:23.480 and he was killed. 00:23:25.480 --> 00:23:28.700 Executed by Nero of the Roman Empire. 00:23:29.019 --> 00:23:34.900 So Satan is able to use many forces 00:23:34.900 --> 00:23:36.420 against Christianity. 00:23:36.960 --> 00:23:40.960 It's not surprising that Paul 00:23:40.960 --> 00:23:43.220 would suffer many things 00:23:43.220 --> 00:23:45.559 as he took the gospel into these places 00:23:45.559 --> 00:23:49.640 that Satan had held captive for centuries. 00:23:55.480 --> 00:23:56.700 Do you think that Satan 00:23:56.700 --> 00:23:58.700 would do the same thing here? 00:24:00.160 --> 00:24:02.480 We talked this morning in Grow Class 00:24:02.480 --> 00:24:09.660 about how Satan loves to try to destroy churches. 00:24:09.900 --> 00:24:13.120 How he has a big target on the back of ministers 00:24:13.120 --> 00:24:14.900 that are genuinely preaching the gospel. 00:24:16.299 --> 00:24:18.539 Is there suffering here? 00:24:18.680 --> 00:24:19.019 Yes. 00:24:19.180 --> 00:24:20.579 Is there opposition? 00:24:20.980 --> 00:24:21.279 Yes. 00:24:21.339 --> 00:24:23.900 Is it quite as straightforward as Paul endured? 00:24:24.019 --> 00:24:24.779 Probably not. 00:24:25.480 --> 00:24:26.039 Hopefully not. 00:24:27.099 --> 00:24:31.799 But Satan desires to destroy the church. 00:24:31.940 --> 00:24:34.019 He desires to stop ministry. 00:24:36.599 --> 00:24:39.920 Third, what's the value of ministry? 00:24:40.460 --> 00:24:42.099 So first, Paul was called to ministry 00:24:42.099 --> 00:24:43.620 and you and I are too, by the way. 00:24:44.160 --> 00:24:46.140 It's not just the guy who's standing up here teaching. 00:24:46.519 --> 00:24:48.440 It's not just the guy back there who's teaching. 00:24:48.440 --> 00:24:50.580 It's every single one of us. 00:24:50.660 --> 00:24:51.480 We're called to ministry. 00:24:53.400 --> 00:24:55.580 But what's the value of ministry? 00:24:55.720 --> 00:24:57.759 We see it in the passage here, don't we? 00:24:57.759 --> 00:25:03.940 So Paul is talking to the Colossian church 00:25:03.940 --> 00:25:07.740 that he feels a pastoral responsibility for. 00:25:07.819 --> 00:25:08.440 Isn't it interesting? 00:25:08.660 --> 00:25:12.140 Paul teaches in Ephesus for over two years. 00:25:12.539 --> 00:25:15.599 All these people flock to hear what Paul has to say 00:25:15.599 --> 00:25:16.220 and what happens. 00:25:16.220 --> 00:25:17.779 They understand the truth. 00:25:17.779 --> 00:25:20.200 They become Christians and they go back to their communities 00:25:20.200 --> 00:25:20.920 and what happens? 00:25:21.399 --> 00:25:23.779 The gospel begins to impact those communities. 00:25:24.599 --> 00:25:27.200 And Paul knows these people from these cities. 00:25:27.559 --> 00:25:30.059 He knows the representatives from these churches. 00:25:30.299 --> 00:25:31.680 His heart goes out to these churches. 00:25:32.500 --> 00:25:33.920 He loves these churches. 00:25:33.920 --> 00:25:37.680 People have come into the kingdom. 00:25:37.860 --> 00:25:40.300 There's a church, this body of Christ 00:25:40.300 --> 00:25:44.340 that Paul has been called to give his life away for. 00:25:44.900 --> 00:25:46.480 The bride of Christ. 00:25:46.920 --> 00:25:49.240 Jesus came, he suffered, he died on the cross. 00:25:49.360 --> 00:25:49.539 Why? 00:25:49.740 --> 00:25:50.640 For the church. 00:25:51.539 --> 00:25:51.980 Us. 00:25:52.539 --> 00:25:53.200 For saints. 00:25:53.200 --> 00:25:56.220 That we might be able to enjoy the eternal kingdom. 00:25:57.580 --> 00:25:59.360 And Paul's doing the same thing. 00:25:59.420 --> 00:26:01.720 He's willing to die for the sake of the gospel. 00:26:01.720 --> 00:26:04.779 He's willing to suffer that he might take the gospel 00:26:04.779 --> 00:26:06.039 to the far reaches of the world. 00:26:06.279 --> 00:26:09.680 He recognizes the difficulty the enemy throws at him. 00:26:17.460 --> 00:26:18.620 It says this. 00:26:19.240 --> 00:26:20.940 What is the result of ministry? 00:26:22.200 --> 00:26:23.019 Verse 27. 00:26:23.160 --> 00:26:26.079 To them, saints, God chose to make known 00:26:26.079 --> 00:26:27.860 how great among the Gentiles 00:26:27.860 --> 00:26:30.700 are the riches of the glory of this mystery. 00:26:30.700 --> 00:26:31.900 What mystery? 00:26:33.600 --> 00:26:34.900 Let me stop for a second. 00:26:35.360 --> 00:26:35.759 Mystery. 00:26:35.940 --> 00:26:36.880 This concept of mystery. 00:26:36.980 --> 00:26:38.580 You know all the false teachers says 00:26:38.580 --> 00:26:40.440 there's that which is mysterious? 00:26:41.220 --> 00:26:44.440 That if you really want to be high on the spiritual plane, 00:26:44.519 --> 00:26:46.400 if you really want to be close to God, 00:26:46.640 --> 00:26:48.259 then you've got to understand these mysteries. 00:26:48.759 --> 00:26:49.700 And what are their mysteries? 00:26:50.559 --> 00:26:51.039 Asceticism. 00:26:51.400 --> 00:26:53.220 You've got to beat your body 00:26:53.220 --> 00:26:55.180 and give it no pleasure at all. 00:26:55.180 --> 00:26:58.860 All these lies that are in this category 00:26:58.860 --> 00:27:00.740 of mystery. 00:27:01.440 --> 00:27:03.360 You need extra knowledge. 00:27:03.740 --> 00:27:04.880 You need to be enlightened. 00:27:05.620 --> 00:27:06.279 You hear that? 00:27:06.779 --> 00:27:08.820 You've heard those phrases in other religions. 00:27:09.039 --> 00:27:09.660 They're lies. 00:27:10.680 --> 00:27:11.380 You know what he's saying? 00:27:11.519 --> 00:27:12.240 Here's what you need. 00:27:12.299 --> 00:27:13.740 You need one thing and one thing, 00:27:13.799 --> 00:27:14.519 only Jesus. 00:27:14.779 --> 00:27:17.039 Let me tell you what the mystery really is, 00:27:17.620 --> 00:27:18.460 you false teachers. 00:27:18.840 --> 00:27:20.120 Here's the mystery, Jesus. 00:27:20.119 --> 00:27:24.939 And it's so mysterious that Jesus is in you 00:27:24.939 --> 00:27:26.019 if you're a Christian. 00:27:26.659 --> 00:27:27.779 Look what he says. 00:27:29.159 --> 00:27:31.519 To them God chose to make known how great, 00:27:31.619 --> 00:27:32.000 to who? 00:27:32.199 --> 00:27:33.179 Christians, saints. 00:27:34.059 --> 00:27:36.039 How great among the Gentiles, 00:27:36.119 --> 00:27:37.500 that is Gentile saints, 00:27:38.059 --> 00:27:39.459 that this is not a Jewish thing, 00:27:39.500 --> 00:27:40.579 this is a worldwide thing. 00:27:41.779 --> 00:27:44.719 This mystery which is Christ in you. 00:27:46.599 --> 00:27:48.079 Have you ever pondered that? 00:27:50.119 --> 00:27:51.439 You know, it's interesting 00:27:51.439 --> 00:27:54.559 that the scriptures talk about Christ in you, 00:27:54.739 --> 00:27:56.379 not just the Holy Spirit in you. 00:27:56.959 --> 00:27:59.299 Have you ever chased that 00:27:59.299 --> 00:28:00.500 in the thread in the scripture? 00:28:00.859 --> 00:28:02.939 You know that the word of God says God's in you, 00:28:03.039 --> 00:28:04.000 it says Christ is in you, 00:28:04.039 --> 00:28:05.039 it says the Holy Spirit's in you. 00:28:05.339 --> 00:28:07.679 The three, the Trinity, is in you 00:28:07.679 --> 00:28:09.179 according to the word of God. 00:28:10.159 --> 00:28:11.339 And don't take my word for it. 00:28:11.419 --> 00:28:13.319 Let me read a passage or two. 00:28:13.479 --> 00:28:17.319 So 2 Corinthians 13.5 says this, 00:28:17.319 --> 00:28:20.859 examine yourself to see whether you are in the faith. 00:28:22.059 --> 00:28:22.919 Test yourselves. 00:28:23.740 --> 00:28:26.539 Do you not realize that this about yourselves, 00:28:26.700 --> 00:28:28.799 that Jesus Christ is in you? 00:28:29.679 --> 00:28:31.200 Unless you don't pass the test. 00:28:31.980 --> 00:28:32.939 In other words, it's saying, 00:28:33.200 --> 00:28:38.359 all Christians who are born again, 00:28:38.480 --> 00:28:40.299 who genuinely believe the gospel, 00:28:40.439 --> 00:28:41.619 accept Christ as Lord and Savior, 00:28:41.619 --> 00:28:44.299 are indwelt by God, 00:28:45.099 --> 00:28:47.000 are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. 00:28:48.079 --> 00:28:49.139 You know what that's called? 00:28:49.199 --> 00:28:49.979 It's called salvation. 00:28:51.099 --> 00:28:53.179 When we are saved, 00:28:53.839 --> 00:28:55.919 when we recognize our sin 00:28:55.919 --> 00:28:57.259 and the fact that our sin 00:28:57.259 --> 00:28:59.000 has separated us from the Holy God, 00:28:59.219 --> 00:29:02.359 and we realize why God sent Jesus down, 00:29:02.439 --> 00:29:04.979 that is, He lived in our place perfectly, 00:29:05.379 --> 00:29:06.419 which God deserves, 00:29:06.420 --> 00:29:10.360 and He died on a cross in our place, 00:29:10.420 --> 00:29:11.340 which we deserved, 00:29:12.140 --> 00:29:13.680 He gave us His righteousness, 00:29:13.840 --> 00:29:15.180 He took on our sin. 00:29:15.460 --> 00:29:17.380 You know, that's the simple gospel message 00:29:17.380 --> 00:29:20.460 that apart from Jesus dying on a cross in my place, 00:29:20.500 --> 00:29:21.100 I have no hope. 00:29:22.860 --> 00:29:25.080 Apart from the forgiveness of my sins 00:29:25.080 --> 00:29:27.180 through the sacrifice of Jesus, 00:29:27.340 --> 00:29:28.200 I have no hope. 00:29:28.680 --> 00:29:30.220 That's the gospel message. 00:29:30.960 --> 00:29:31.740 And you know what it's called? 00:29:31.779 --> 00:29:32.660 It's called salvation. 00:29:32.800 --> 00:29:34.080 And you know what happens when we're saved? 00:29:34.079 --> 00:29:36.599 As the Holy Spirit comes to live inside of us, 00:29:36.639 --> 00:29:37.460 isn't that mysterious? 00:29:38.579 --> 00:29:40.899 How is it that you can contain God? 00:29:42.960 --> 00:29:45.980 It's not like you take God as an entity, 00:29:46.220 --> 00:29:46.939 God's a spirit, 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:49.980 but God somehow dwells in me. 00:29:51.359 --> 00:29:53.179 Have you ever noticed it being true 00:29:53.179 --> 00:29:54.119 in your heart and your life? 00:29:54.839 --> 00:29:58.519 Have you ever experienced the change of salvation? 00:29:58.659 --> 00:29:59.279 You know what it does? 00:29:59.359 --> 00:30:00.679 It makes you a new person. 00:30:01.299 --> 00:30:02.500 The old man dies, 00:30:02.500 --> 00:30:06.119 the new man is able to now walk in newness of life, 00:30:06.200 --> 00:30:06.819 Romans 6. 00:30:07.720 --> 00:30:09.599 We're now in union with Christ. 00:30:09.700 --> 00:30:11.680 He comes to live and dwell within us. 00:30:12.880 --> 00:30:14.400 He strengthens us. 00:30:14.539 --> 00:30:16.359 He leads us into all truth, 00:30:16.440 --> 00:30:17.799 helping us understand the scriptures. 00:30:18.700 --> 00:30:21.720 So what is the value of this ministry? 00:30:22.000 --> 00:30:24.200 People come to Christ. 00:30:24.720 --> 00:30:26.599 People come into the kingdom. 00:30:26.859 --> 00:30:28.119 People are saved. 00:30:28.559 --> 00:30:29.339 Has it happened here? 00:30:29.339 --> 00:30:29.339 00:30:29.339 --> 00:30:29.420 Has it happened here? 00:30:32.500 --> 00:30:33.279 I'm looking at you, brother. 00:30:34.619 --> 00:30:36.660 I'm so thankful what God's done in your life, 00:30:37.200 --> 00:30:37.880 in your life, 00:30:38.519 --> 00:30:40.039 your life, Carl. 00:30:41.440 --> 00:30:42.279 I mean, I look around. 00:30:42.359 --> 00:30:43.980 I don't want to miss out on it. 00:30:44.019 --> 00:30:46.559 There's multiple people, Savannah. 00:30:47.680 --> 00:30:51.759 There's multiple people that have come to know Christ as Lord and Savior, 00:30:51.980 --> 00:30:53.680 and it changes your life, doesn't it? 00:30:53.680 --> 00:30:56.080 It changes your life. 00:30:56.140 --> 00:30:57.240 It gives you a new desire, 00:30:57.380 --> 00:30:58.840 a desire to worship and honor God. 00:30:59.100 --> 00:31:00.460 That's the value of ministry. 00:31:00.620 --> 00:31:03.980 Is it worth us to step into ministry if that would happen through you? 00:31:07.360 --> 00:31:10.180 Have you ever longed to be used by God in that way? 00:31:12.299 --> 00:31:14.360 Oh, he's ready to use all of us, 00:31:14.420 --> 00:31:15.880 every single one of us in that way, 00:31:15.940 --> 00:31:18.060 so that people might come into the kingdom and be saved. 00:31:18.560 --> 00:31:19.519 You know another value? 00:31:20.400 --> 00:31:21.319 Let's look at it here. 00:31:27.859 --> 00:31:28.779 Paul says this, 00:31:28.839 --> 00:31:30.220 For this I toil, 00:31:30.460 --> 00:31:35.000 struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. 00:31:35.000 --> 00:31:37.139 What is it, Paul, that you're struggling with? 00:31:37.519 --> 00:31:41.319 What is it that your energy is being used for? 00:31:41.400 --> 00:31:44.039 It says that everyone might be mature in Christ. 00:31:44.039 --> 00:31:53.639 Have you ever interacted with a Christian that is just like a rock? 00:31:54.619 --> 00:31:57.839 That God has changed his or her life? 00:31:58.480 --> 00:32:03.920 There is a genuine love of God that kind of seeps out of their pores. 00:32:04.559 --> 00:32:07.659 There's a gentleness and a quietness and a humility. 00:32:08.180 --> 00:32:10.980 There's a commitment to walk and live by faith. 00:32:10.980 --> 00:32:16.940 And you can tell that there's just this closeness to God. 00:32:17.019 --> 00:32:22.779 It's almost like when you're in the presence of somebody who is deeply committed to Christ, 00:32:23.059 --> 00:32:25.220 who is very mature in the faith. 00:32:25.680 --> 00:32:27.599 It is powerful. 00:32:29.000 --> 00:32:30.099 It's inspiring. 00:32:30.099 --> 00:32:44.899 It's like we long for that type of depth in our personal walk, in our life, in our Christian life. 00:32:45.139 --> 00:32:52.679 And that's what Paul longs for, that Christians would not be tossed like a tree when the wind blows. 00:32:52.680 --> 00:32:55.820 You can picture even those little palm trees out here. 00:32:55.880 --> 00:32:59.840 When the winds blow, man, these things, they're just all over the place. 00:32:59.960 --> 00:33:01.320 Like a hurricane does that. 00:33:02.380 --> 00:33:09.060 And what he's saying in the word of God is that there is this Christian life that's like this humongous tree 00:33:09.060 --> 00:33:14.140 with the roots that are so deep that the wind blows and they don't even budge. 00:33:14.140 --> 00:33:16.259 Why? 00:33:16.560 --> 00:33:22.880 Because they're seated on the rock, Jesus, that they've come to know the truth. 00:33:23.220 --> 00:33:32.560 They so believe it and they so have been impacted personally that those philosophies and all the junk that the enemy wants to throw doesn't stick. 00:33:34.180 --> 00:33:35.900 It's like, I see what you're doing. 00:33:36.020 --> 00:33:36.360 No, no, no. 00:33:36.440 --> 00:33:37.480 I don't accept that. 00:33:37.840 --> 00:33:40.400 I see the temptation you're bringing me by the power of God. 00:33:40.480 --> 00:33:41.280 Get away from me. 00:33:41.360 --> 00:33:41.640 No. 00:33:42.020 --> 00:33:43.160 I don't want to step into that. 00:33:43.160 --> 00:33:45.180 You know what happens when a Christian matures? 00:33:46.360 --> 00:33:48.440 Is they're more faithful in their walk with Christ? 00:33:50.160 --> 00:33:52.660 There's a faithfulness that happens. 00:33:56.340 --> 00:33:57.340 Let me ask this. 00:33:58.460 --> 00:34:00.200 Would you want to be used in that way? 00:34:00.960 --> 00:34:02.460 Would you want to live that way? 00:34:03.220 --> 00:34:05.140 Would you want to be mature in your faith? 00:34:05.279 --> 00:34:05.640 Do you? 00:34:05.800 --> 00:34:06.160 Are you? 00:34:06.160 --> 00:34:10.000 Are you hungry to know his word? 00:34:13.159 --> 00:34:15.559 Do you invest time in his word? 00:34:15.639 --> 00:34:18.299 You know, maturity doesn't happen unless you invest time in his word. 00:34:20.159 --> 00:34:22.420 You know what my longing is for all of you? 00:34:22.539 --> 00:34:27.980 I so desire that not just you, me, that all of us would be mature. 00:34:27.980 --> 00:34:31.579 That all of us would stand for the gospel. 00:34:31.780 --> 00:34:34.639 That we wouldn't be swayed by all the mess. 00:34:35.719 --> 00:34:37.900 And boy, there's a lot of mess nowadays, isn't there? 00:34:38.539 --> 00:34:40.559 We were talking about that this morning in Grove class. 00:34:40.559 --> 00:34:49.840 Just with the internet and with social media and all the influences that are just flying at us nowadays. 00:34:50.320 --> 00:34:54.920 It's harder than ever, it seems, to be faithful and to live faithfully for God 00:34:54.920 --> 00:34:58.119 and really have our hearts set on ministry. 00:34:59.299 --> 00:35:00.779 So let me, I'm going to end with this. 00:35:00.780 --> 00:35:07.920 Fourth, have you ever pondered what your purpose in life is? 00:35:10.360 --> 00:35:12.260 If you're like me, the answer is yes. 00:35:13.240 --> 00:35:17.620 Sometimes I've been in places like, man, I just seem like I'm wasting my life. 00:35:17.720 --> 00:35:18.440 I mean, what is it? 00:35:19.040 --> 00:35:20.200 What am I supposed to do? 00:35:20.240 --> 00:35:21.920 Especially when I was really, really young. 00:35:22.680 --> 00:35:26.840 When I had a wife and kids, by the grace of God, that kind of settled me. 00:35:26.840 --> 00:35:31.960 And it gave me a reason to invest. 00:35:32.260 --> 00:35:33.600 And certainly in my kids. 00:35:33.820 --> 00:35:37.180 And thankfully, God has given Regina a lot of patience. 00:35:37.800 --> 00:35:41.579 While he is gradually changing me and shaping me. 00:35:41.940 --> 00:35:43.519 But there's a purpose in that. 00:35:43.600 --> 00:35:44.079 But you know what? 00:35:44.140 --> 00:35:45.539 God showed me a greater purpose. 00:35:46.260 --> 00:35:48.180 The greater purpose is for his kingdom. 00:35:49.460 --> 00:35:51.180 You know, and that's what the word of God says. 00:35:51.280 --> 00:35:53.660 It says that, here's what Christ said. 00:35:53.700 --> 00:35:55.340 He says, you know, I know you have needs. 00:35:55.340 --> 00:35:57.120 I know all that. 00:35:57.460 --> 00:36:00.180 He said, but I don't want you to worry about the needs. 00:36:00.340 --> 00:36:01.460 I want you to trust me. 00:36:01.640 --> 00:36:03.600 Here's what I want you to really focus on. 00:36:03.840 --> 00:36:05.620 Is my kingdom and my righteousness. 00:36:07.579 --> 00:36:10.740 As if he's saying, I want to give you your purpose for life. 00:36:10.800 --> 00:36:11.200 Here it is. 00:36:11.600 --> 00:36:13.860 My kingdom and my righteousness. 00:36:14.180 --> 00:36:16.900 If you will focus on my kingdom and my righteousness. 00:36:17.100 --> 00:36:17.940 All that other stuff. 00:36:18.140 --> 00:36:21.059 You're going to watch me provide it in a way that's supernatural. 00:36:21.059 --> 00:36:22.639 And you're going to say, wow. 00:36:25.179 --> 00:36:26.440 You know what else he said? 00:36:26.559 --> 00:36:27.420 He gave us a purpose. 00:36:27.539 --> 00:36:28.079 You know what he said? 00:36:28.799 --> 00:36:35.719 After he was resurrected and he met the apostles on the mountain he told them to go to. 00:36:35.980 --> 00:36:36.779 He said this. 00:36:36.840 --> 00:36:39.420 He said, all authority is given to me in heaven and earth. 00:36:39.420 --> 00:36:44.400 You, apostles, go and make disciples of all nations. 00:36:44.639 --> 00:36:46.639 Baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 00:36:47.159 --> 00:36:50.280 And teaching them to obey everything that I've commanded you. 00:36:50.380 --> 00:36:51.880 Lo, I'm with you. 00:36:53.220 --> 00:36:54.860 It's not only with, he's within, right? 00:36:55.380 --> 00:36:56.200 I'm with you. 00:36:56.199 --> 00:37:01.739 I will give you the strength to endure whatever suffering comes your way. 00:37:02.000 --> 00:37:03.939 I will give you the wisdom to share. 00:37:04.419 --> 00:37:06.439 I will give you promptings to speak. 00:37:07.099 --> 00:37:09.980 I will bring up verses in your memory as you interact with people. 00:37:10.319 --> 00:37:11.239 Go and make disciples. 00:37:11.419 --> 00:37:13.219 Teach them to obey all that I've commanded you. 00:37:13.460 --> 00:37:15.199 And I am with you to the end of the age. 00:37:15.219 --> 00:37:16.219 You know what our purpose is? 00:37:16.500 --> 00:37:19.859 Listen, if you're a Christian, God's given you a purpose. 00:37:20.980 --> 00:37:22.159 God's given us a purpose. 00:37:22.779 --> 00:37:23.319 You know what it is? 00:37:23.480 --> 00:37:24.119 It's his kingdom. 00:37:24.519 --> 00:37:25.460 What does it look like? 00:37:25.460 --> 00:37:26.559 It looks like ministry. 00:37:26.659 --> 00:37:27.780 What does ministry look like? 00:37:29.039 --> 00:37:31.360 Sharing the gospel with those that are not in the kingdom. 00:37:31.960 --> 00:37:34.159 Sharing the gospel with those who are in the kingdom 00:37:34.159 --> 00:37:36.420 so that we all will grow in the faith. 00:37:36.940 --> 00:37:39.420 You know what Christ said about his church? 00:37:40.159 --> 00:37:42.420 That he's doing a work in the life of his church 00:37:42.420 --> 00:37:44.360 that will be without spot and without wrinkle. 00:37:45.380 --> 00:37:46.720 You know what he's referring to? 00:37:47.900 --> 00:37:52.820 He's referring to this concept that even if you think about the Passover lamb, 00:37:52.980 --> 00:37:54.500 they could only select one lamb. 00:37:54.500 --> 00:37:57.139 It had to be the most pure Passover lamb possible. 00:37:57.480 --> 00:38:02.380 There's this concept that he's doing a work in our lives to make us like Jesus. 00:38:04.159 --> 00:38:05.739 Did Jesus have a spot or a blemish? 00:38:05.780 --> 00:38:06.159 Not one. 00:38:06.599 --> 00:38:08.380 He was the perfect Passover lamb. 00:38:08.460 --> 00:38:09.719 Not one spot and one blemish. 00:38:10.519 --> 00:38:11.460 And what is he doing? 00:38:11.539 --> 00:38:14.340 He's changing us into the image of Christ so that one day, 00:38:14.340 --> 00:38:16.680 one day when we go home to be in glory, 00:38:16.760 --> 00:38:17.320 you know what he's going to do? 00:38:17.380 --> 00:38:18.840 He's going to give us a glorified body. 00:38:20.440 --> 00:38:25.579 All the sin that still we struggle with is going to be washed away. 00:38:26.360 --> 00:38:27.140 No more sin. 00:38:28.559 --> 00:38:30.300 He's going to give us the glorified body. 00:38:30.300 --> 00:38:33.980 He's going to allow us to enjoy him forever in his kingdom. 00:38:35.080 --> 00:38:37.280 That is what he's called us to live for. 00:38:37.940 --> 00:38:41.880 That we would live to know him more, 00:38:42.120 --> 00:38:43.680 to live faithfully for him, 00:38:43.680 --> 00:38:45.120 and to make his gospel. 00:38:45.119 --> 00:38:45.739 Hold on, let's pray. 00:38:47.139 --> 00:38:47.579 Father, 00:38:49.159 --> 00:38:53.920 thank you for the ministry that you sent my way. 00:39:03.519 --> 00:39:04.940 Father, when I was lost, 00:39:05.619 --> 00:39:07.960 I did not know you. 00:39:09.299 --> 00:39:10.799 I thought I knew something, 00:39:10.940 --> 00:39:12.179 but I had swallowed a lie. 00:39:12.179 --> 00:39:17.559 You sent someone into my life to tell me the truth. 00:39:20.759 --> 00:39:22.319 And you changed my life forever. 00:39:24.940 --> 00:39:28.659 Lord, I thank you for the times that you use this church 00:39:28.659 --> 00:39:32.659 to touch people with the gospel. 00:39:33.399 --> 00:39:36.539 Some that have come to receive you as Lord and Savior. 00:39:36.779 --> 00:39:40.299 Some that are continuing to walk in a way 00:39:40.299 --> 00:39:41.940 that honors you or trying to, God. 00:39:41.940 --> 00:39:46.099 I just pray that you would do a work here among us 00:39:46.099 --> 00:39:48.960 that would help us all to grow 00:39:48.960 --> 00:39:52.179 and to walk in a faithful way in our lives with you. 00:39:52.579 --> 00:39:54.639 But Father, I pray that you would stir us 00:39:54.639 --> 00:39:55.659 to all be ministers, 00:39:55.920 --> 00:39:58.460 to be ones that take the gospel message 00:39:58.460 --> 00:40:00.079 and share it with people. 00:40:01.880 --> 00:40:04.740 God, I pray that you would use this church 00:40:04.740 --> 00:40:06.500 for your glory, 00:40:06.579 --> 00:40:07.400 and I pray in your name. 00:40:07.700 --> 00:40:07.840 Amen. 00:40:07.840 --> 00:40:07.940 Amen. 00:40:07.940 --> 00:40:08.000 Amen. 00:40:08.000 --> 00:40:08.000 00:40:08.000 --> 00:40:08.000 00:40:08.000 --> 00:40:08.000 00:40:08.000 --> 00:40:08.000