WEBVTT

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 Certainly in varying degrees, and it's certainly true in some degree in our church, that there's a gap in what we say we believe and the way in which we actually live that out.

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 That at given moments in any of our days, you can look at us and say, this person doesn't love Jesus at all.

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 And so two weeks ago, I kind of began this charge to discipleship as we're taking a bit of a break from Mark for the month of February,

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 and began by talking about how if we are going to follow him, then we have to care about what he cares about.

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 That the primary thing we should be concerned about is the advancement of the gospel, the building of the kingdom, the making of disciples.

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 This was his great commission, the big charge that he gave to the church.

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 Our church, as a local expression of the universal church, has a responsibility to this.

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 And not that it's a burden, but it's a joy that God has given us to his mission in the world.

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 Last week, we looked at the ongoing way that this activity is encouraged and supported, and that is in the life of a congregation,

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 in the way in which the church meets, or at very least, should meet together.

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 And I emphasized the fact that the primary way in which our church is going to do this,

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 the specific way that our church is going to do this, is through our community outreach groups.

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 We're going to be pressing at each other to have our actions match the things that we say that we believe.

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 That we're going to press at each other in this way.

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 And I said to you last week, as this week's sermon is going to be about the particulars, the biblical parameters for evangelism,

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 finding people becoming, that first step of becoming a disciple,

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 that one sermon on evangelism is not enough for you.

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 In fact, if I were to preach a sermon on evangelism, how to evangelize every single week for the rest of this year,

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 it wouldn't be enough, because you need more than that.

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 Not just hearing it, you need to be putting it into practice, and we need one another to do this.

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 The accountability and the pressing, we need to be encouraged in this direction.

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 Living for God in the kingdom opposes the desires of our flesh.

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 Praise God we have new spirits, we've been made new creations,

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 and God has given us a community called the church to push each other in this way.

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 And so this is what we talked about last week.

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 And so this week we're going to talk a bit more about the specifics of sharing the gospel,

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 and then next week, discipleship.

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 How do we go on from there?

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 Once we see people come to faith in Christ, what do we do?

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 What are the responsibilities we should take up?

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 And how do the scriptures guide us in that process?

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 And so our major text for today, I had you in Mark 8.

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 Turn back just a few pages to Mark chapter 4.

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 I'm going to read to you a rather large chunk of Jesus' teaching here.

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 I hope that you'll stick with me.

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 I'm going to come back and address specific parts of it,

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 but Jesus' teaching is taken here in this completion,

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 and he begins with this parable called the parable of the sower.

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 And I want to draw your attention before we read the entire thing together,

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 because in verse 10, we see that the disciples don't know exactly what he's talking about, right?

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 And when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables.

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 This one specifically, he says,

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 And he said to them,

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 To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God,

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 but for those outside everything in parables,

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 so that they may indeed see but not perceive,

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 may indeed hear but not understand,

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 lest they should turn and be forgiven.

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 And he's giving these parables in such a way that those with spiritual illumination will understand them,

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 and those without will not.

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 And then in verse 13, he says,

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 Do you not understand this parable?

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 How then will you understand all parables?

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 So this is a very important one for us to get right,

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 and he goes on with a couple of other parables.

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 Also, mostly, at least two of the three,

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 have this agrarian theme to them as well,

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 to help them get some understanding of the way in which the kingdom is going to come about,

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 and their part to play in that.

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 So follow along with me as I read Mark chapter 4,

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 verses 1 through 32.

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 Here we go.

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 Again, he began to teach beside the sea,

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 and a very large crowd gathered about him,

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 so that he got into a boat and sat in it on the sea,

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 and the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land.

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 And he was teaching them many things in parables,

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 and in his teaching he said to them,

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 Listen,

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 a sower went out to sow,

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 and as he sowed,

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 some seed fell along the path,

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 and the birds came and devoured it.

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 Other seed fell along the rocky ground

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 where it did not have much soil,

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 and immediately it sprang up

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 since it had no depth of soil.

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 And when the sun rose,

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 it was scorched,

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 and since it had no root,

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 it withered away.

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 Other seed fell among thorns,

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 and the thorns grew up and choked it

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 and yielded no grain.

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 And other seed fell into good soil

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 and produced grain,

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 growing up and increasing

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 and yielding thirtyfold

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 and sixtyfold

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 and a hundredfold.

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 And he said,

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 He who has ears to hear,

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 let him hear.

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 So we see that there's these

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 varying types of soil,

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 and the reality of this

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 is that the scene would have been

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 very familiar to them

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 as this was an agrarian society

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 by and large,

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 that they had many, many fields

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 around the cities,

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 and there would have been

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 these hard-worn paths in between.

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 And in fact,

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 a lot of the roads

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 that were traveled in this day

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 were simply these paths

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 between the fields.

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 So this hard path

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 is what he's referring to there.

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 And the sower goes out,

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 and as he's scattering his seed,

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 as he's throwing it to the wind

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 so that it'll be scattered

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 across the field,

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 it lands in various places

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 and various things happen.

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 We see good soil,

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 we see a rocky soil,

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 we see one that's choked out

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 by thorns,

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 and we see another

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 that the birds come along

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 and eat it up.

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 So he's giving us

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 this picture

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 that they would have

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 totally been able

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 to wrap their minds around

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 that this is the way

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 in which the word of God

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 is going to be received

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 in the world.

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 So let's get down

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 to his explanation.

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 Verse 14,

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 the sower sows the word.

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 The seed is the word of God.

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 It's the gospel.

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 And these are the ones

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 along the path

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 where the word is sown.

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 When they hear,

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 Satan immediately comes

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 and takes away the word

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 that is sown in them.

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 And these are the ones

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 sown on rocky ground,

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 the one who,

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 when they hear the word,

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 immediately receive it with joy.

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 And they have no root

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 in themselves,

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 but endure for a while.

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 Then, when tribulation

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 or persecution arises

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 on account of the word,

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 immediately they fall away.

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 And others are the ones

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 sown among thorns.

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 They are those who hear the word,

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 but the cares of the world

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 and the deceitfulness

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 of riches

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 and the desires

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 for other things

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 enter in and choke the word,

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 and it proves unfruitful.

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 But those who were sown

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 on the good soil

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 are the ones who hear the word

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 and accept it

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 and bear fruit,

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 thirtyfold

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 and sixtyfold

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 and a hundredfold.

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 And he said to them,

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 Is a lamp brought in

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 to be put under a basket

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 or under a bed

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 and not on a stand?

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 For nothing is hidden

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 except to be made manifest,

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 nor is anything secret

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 except to come to light.

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 If anyone has ears to hear,

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 let him hear.

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 And he said to them,

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 Pay attention to what you hear.

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 With the measure you use,

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 it will measure to you,

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 and still more will be added to you.

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 For the one who has,

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 more will be given.

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 And from the one who has not,

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 even what he has

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 will be taken away.

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 And he said,

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 The kingdom of God

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 is as if a man

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 should scatter seed

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 on the ground.

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 He sleeps and rises

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 night and day,

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 and the seed sprouts

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 and grows.

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 He knows not how.

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 The earth produces

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 by itself

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 first the blade,

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 then the ear,

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 then the full grain

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 in the ear.

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 But when the grain is ripe,

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 at once he puts in the sickle,

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 because the harvest

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 has come.

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 And he said,

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 With what can we compare

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 the kingdom of God,

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 or what parable

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 shall we use for it?

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 It is like a grain

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 of mustard seed,

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 which,

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 when sown on the ground,

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 is the smallest

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 of all the seeds

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 on the earth.

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 Yet when it is sown,

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 it grows up

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 and becomes larger

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 than all the garden plants

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 and puts out

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 large branches

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 so that the birds

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 of the air

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 can make nests

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 in its shade.

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 Let's pray together.

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 Father God,

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 I would ask today

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 as we open up your word

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 that you would humble us

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 before it.

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 we recognize

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 that all scripture

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 is breathed out by you

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 and that it's

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 profitable for us.

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 Not simply for us

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 to gain

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 for our own sake,

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 but that we might

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 live righteously

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 before you,

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 that we would

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 please you,

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 which is

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 certainly

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 great gain.

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 I pray,

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 Father,

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 that you will work in us

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 a miracle

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 by your Spirit,

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 that the scriptures

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 will be illuminated

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 to us this day,

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 that you will change

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 our hearts

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 by the listening

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 to it

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 and the application

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 of it.

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 Find us, God,

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 not to be

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 simply hearers,

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 but doers also

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 of your word.

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 Find

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 working in us

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 the great mark

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 of Christian

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 maturity,

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 which is obedience.

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 And we pray this

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 in Christ's name.

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 Amen.

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 So,

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 three points

00:09:38.100 --> 00:09:38.659
 I want to give

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 to you today.

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 And the first one is

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 that we must

00:09:42.120 --> 00:09:43.159
 share

00:09:43.159 --> 00:09:44.500
 the gospel.

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 We must

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 share

00:09:46.960 --> 00:09:47.740
 the gospel.

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 And I know

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 that that is

00:09:48.840 --> 00:09:50.220
 maybe even

00:09:50.220 --> 00:09:51.139
 somewhat trite

00:09:51.139 --> 00:09:51.700
 in your mind.

00:09:51.779 --> 00:09:52.620
 You've heard this

00:09:52.620 --> 00:09:53.899
 many times before.

00:09:54.039 --> 00:09:55.120
 Of course we must

00:09:55.120 --> 00:09:55.899
 share

00:09:55.899 --> 00:09:56.799
 the gospel.

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 But here is a

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 point at which

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 I think that we

00:09:59.259 --> 00:10:00.539
 know this to be true,

00:10:00.639 --> 00:10:01.879
 but so very rarely

00:10:01.879 --> 00:10:03.279
 prove it.

00:10:03.279 --> 00:10:04.000
 We very rarely

00:10:04.000 --> 00:10:05.159
 express that

00:10:05.159 --> 00:10:06.259
 and walk it

00:10:06.259 --> 00:10:06.919
 out.

00:10:07.600 --> 00:10:08.039
 Remember verse

00:10:08.039 --> 00:10:09.259
 20 of chapter 4.

00:10:09.399 --> 00:10:09.779
 Those that were

00:10:09.779 --> 00:10:10.559
 sown on the good

00:10:10.559 --> 00:10:11.939
 soil are the

00:10:11.939 --> 00:10:12.959
 ones who hear

00:10:12.959 --> 00:10:13.480
 the word.

00:10:13.620 --> 00:10:14.360
 We're all

00:10:14.360 --> 00:10:15.059
 saying,

00:10:15.139 --> 00:10:15.459
 we're all

00:10:15.459 --> 00:10:16.419
 expressing when

00:10:16.419 --> 00:10:16.799
 we say we're

00:10:16.799 --> 00:10:17.480
 disciples of Jesus

00:10:17.480 --> 00:10:18.159
 Christ that we

00:10:18.159 --> 00:10:19.500
 are good soil.

00:10:19.620 --> 00:10:20.559
 We have received

00:10:20.559 --> 00:10:21.179
 the word.

00:10:21.740 --> 00:10:22.860
 We accept it.

00:10:23.179 --> 00:10:23.879
 And he says

00:10:23.879 --> 00:10:25.019
 it bears fruit.

00:10:25.259 --> 00:10:25.919
 Thirty-fold,

00:10:26.519 --> 00:10:27.539
 sixty-fold,

00:10:28.639 --> 00:10:29.439
 a hundred-fold.

00:10:29.939 --> 00:10:30.539
 That this will be

00:10:30.539 --> 00:10:31.519
 a necessary

00:10:31.519 --> 00:10:32.439
 outcome of the

00:10:32.439 --> 00:10:33.259
 life of a

00:10:33.259 --> 00:10:33.799
 disciple of

00:10:33.799 --> 00:10:34.379
 Jesus Christ.

00:10:34.480 --> 00:10:35.039
 The bearing

00:10:35.039 --> 00:10:37.120
 of fruit.

00:10:38.279 --> 00:10:38.939
 Verse 21,

00:10:39.039 --> 00:10:39.439
 And he said to

00:10:39.439 --> 00:10:39.620
 them,

00:10:39.700 --> 00:10:40.340
 Is a lamp

00:10:40.340 --> 00:10:41.179
 brought in to

00:10:41.179 --> 00:10:41.639
 be put under

00:10:41.639 --> 00:10:43.000
 a basket or

00:10:43.000 --> 00:10:44.000
 under a bed and

00:10:44.000 --> 00:10:45.039
 not on a stand?

00:10:45.539 --> 00:10:46.240
 For nothing is

00:10:46.240 --> 00:10:46.679
 hidden except to

00:10:46.679 --> 00:10:47.139
 be manifest,

00:10:47.299 --> 00:10:47.819
 nor is anything

00:10:47.819 --> 00:10:49.519
 secret except to

00:10:49.519 --> 00:10:50.659
 come to light.

00:10:50.840 --> 00:10:51.240
 And he's being

00:10:51.240 --> 00:10:52.319
 very tongue-in-cheek.

00:10:52.379 --> 00:10:52.919
 Why would anybody

00:10:52.919 --> 00:10:54.379
 ever light a lamp?

00:10:54.899 --> 00:10:55.580
 Why would God

00:10:55.580 --> 00:10:56.899
 illuminate our

00:10:56.899 --> 00:10:57.840
 minds and our

00:10:57.840 --> 00:10:58.600
 hearts and then

00:10:58.600 --> 00:10:59.279
 have us hidden

00:10:59.279 --> 00:11:00.000
 away somewhere?

00:11:00.819 --> 00:11:01.399
 This is not the

00:11:01.399 --> 00:11:02.120
 job of the believer.

00:11:02.200 --> 00:11:02.659
 The job of the

00:11:02.659 --> 00:11:03.279
 believer is to be

00:11:03.279 --> 00:11:04.379
 out in the

00:11:04.379 --> 00:11:04.839
 darkness,

00:11:05.339 --> 00:11:06.759
 giving light to

00:11:06.759 --> 00:11:07.240
 people who

00:11:07.240 --> 00:11:08.679
 desperately need

00:11:08.679 --> 00:11:08.819
 it.

00:11:08.879 --> 00:11:09.639
 It's the obvious

00:11:09.639 --> 00:11:10.519
 thing that you do

00:11:10.519 --> 00:11:11.819
 with light as you

00:11:11.819 --> 00:11:14.579
 expose it to the

00:11:14.579 --> 00:11:14.939
 darkness.

00:11:16.139 --> 00:11:17.740
 I want us to have

00:11:17.740 --> 00:11:19.259
 the mind that was

00:11:19.259 --> 00:11:20.480
 Paul's mind as he

00:11:20.480 --> 00:11:21.819
 shares in Romans

00:11:21.819 --> 00:11:23.219
 and in 1 Corinthians.

00:11:23.759 --> 00:11:24.819
 Romans 1.16,

00:11:25.039 --> 00:11:25.459
 he says,

00:11:25.460 --> 00:11:26.860
 for I am not

00:11:26.860 --> 00:11:28.700
 ashamed of the

00:11:28.700 --> 00:11:29.100
 gospel.

00:11:30.000 --> 00:11:31.300
 We are so often

00:11:31.300 --> 00:11:32.740
 ashamed of the

00:11:32.740 --> 00:11:33.180
 good news of

00:11:33.180 --> 00:11:33.680
 Jesus Christ,

00:11:33.780 --> 00:11:34.800
 for it is the

00:11:34.800 --> 00:11:35.940
 power of God

00:11:35.940 --> 00:11:37.120
 for salvation to

00:11:37.120 --> 00:11:37.519
 everyone who

00:11:37.519 --> 00:11:38.720
 believes, to the

00:11:38.720 --> 00:11:39.879
 Jew first, and

00:11:39.879 --> 00:11:40.820
 also to the

00:11:40.820 --> 00:11:41.100
 Greek.

00:11:41.820 --> 00:11:42.840
 This message

00:11:42.840 --> 00:11:43.240
 that we

00:11:43.240 --> 00:11:44.300
 proclaimed is

00:11:44.300 --> 00:11:44.879
 the message by

00:11:44.879 --> 00:11:45.820
 which we came to

00:11:45.820 --> 00:11:46.840
 believe, and it

00:11:46.840 --> 00:11:48.420
 is the very power

00:11:48.420 --> 00:11:49.900
 of God to bring

00:11:49.900 --> 00:11:51.840
 others into his

00:11:51.840 --> 00:11:52.160
 kingdom.

00:11:52.159 --> 00:11:53.620
 those who are

00:11:53.620 --> 00:11:54.480
 without this

00:11:54.480 --> 00:11:55.579
 message eternally

00:11:55.579 --> 00:11:56.360
 damned, eternally

00:11:56.360 --> 00:11:57.240
 separated from him,

00:11:57.339 --> 00:11:58.000
 and they will

00:11:58.000 --> 00:11:58.980
 suffer torment

00:11:58.980 --> 00:11:59.839
 forever.

00:12:00.699 --> 00:12:01.579
 There's a general

00:12:01.579 --> 00:12:02.459
 grace to this

00:12:02.459 --> 00:12:03.299
 world right now

00:12:03.299 --> 00:12:04.120
 that keeps people

00:12:04.120 --> 00:12:04.620
 who have sinned

00:12:04.620 --> 00:12:05.319
 against God from

00:12:05.319 --> 00:12:06.240
 not being just

00:12:06.240 --> 00:12:07.199
 destroyed.

00:12:07.740 --> 00:12:08.899
 People generally

00:12:08.899 --> 00:12:10.039
 experience and

00:12:10.039 --> 00:12:11.360
 enjoy the warmth

00:12:11.360 --> 00:12:13.039
 of the sun, the

00:12:13.039 --> 00:12:14.199
 goodness of food,

00:12:14.579 --> 00:12:15.319
 the celebration

00:12:15.319 --> 00:12:17.399
 of family, but

00:12:17.399 --> 00:12:18.879
 someday when they

00:12:18.879 --> 00:12:20.439
 pass, those things

00:12:20.439 --> 00:12:21.240
 will pass away,

00:12:21.399 --> 00:12:21.959
 and they will be

00:12:21.960 --> 00:12:23.019
 tormented forever

00:12:23.019 --> 00:12:23.340
 and ever.

00:12:23.420 --> 00:12:23.920
 And it is the

00:12:23.920 --> 00:12:24.700
 gospel that is the

00:12:24.700 --> 00:12:25.820
 power of God to

00:12:25.820 --> 00:12:26.700
 save them from it.

00:12:27.660 --> 00:12:28.400
 Paul writes again

00:12:28.400 --> 00:12:29.820
 in Romans chapter

00:12:29.820 --> 00:12:30.720
 10, verse 13 and

00:12:30.720 --> 00:12:32.620
 14, for everyone

00:12:32.620 --> 00:12:34.220
 who calls on the

00:12:34.220 --> 00:12:34.820
 name of the Lord

00:12:34.820 --> 00:12:36.600
 will be saved.

00:12:37.440 --> 00:12:38.440
 How then will

00:12:38.440 --> 00:12:39.440
 they call on him

00:12:39.440 --> 00:12:40.740
 in whom they

00:12:40.740 --> 00:12:41.879
 have not believed?

00:12:42.340 --> 00:12:43.019
 And how are they

00:12:43.019 --> 00:12:43.639
 to believe in him

00:12:43.639 --> 00:12:44.019
 in whom they've

00:12:44.019 --> 00:12:44.600
 never heard?

00:12:44.680 --> 00:12:45.220
 And how are they

00:12:45.220 --> 00:12:46.660
 to hear without

00:12:46.660 --> 00:12:49.060
 someone preaching?

00:12:50.460 --> 00:12:51.200
 Beloved, don't

00:12:51.200 --> 00:12:52.120
 get caught up in

00:12:52.120 --> 00:12:52.780
 the cultural

00:12:52.780 --> 00:12:54.560
 narrative that

00:12:54.560 --> 00:12:55.320
 there are multiple

00:12:55.320 --> 00:12:56.100
 ways to heaven.

00:12:56.180 --> 00:12:56.640
 There are not.

00:12:56.720 --> 00:12:57.560
 Jesus is the way,

00:12:57.620 --> 00:12:58.180
 the truth, and

00:12:58.180 --> 00:12:58.500
 the life.

00:12:58.580 --> 00:12:59.620
 People must respond

00:12:59.620 --> 00:13:00.340
 in faith to

00:13:00.340 --> 00:13:01.840
 gospel proclamation.

00:13:03.200 --> 00:13:04.100
 And what Paul is

00:13:04.100 --> 00:13:04.800
 expressing to us

00:13:04.800 --> 00:13:05.600
 here is that we

00:13:05.600 --> 00:13:06.759
 are the tools by

00:13:06.759 --> 00:13:07.680
 which the gospel

00:13:07.680 --> 00:13:09.400
 is proclaimed.

00:13:10.700 --> 00:13:11.860
 I may feel like a

00:13:11.860 --> 00:13:13.000
 heavy burden laid

00:13:13.000 --> 00:13:14.080
 upon your shoulders,

00:13:14.080 --> 00:13:15.820
 but let me say to

00:13:15.820 --> 00:13:16.280
 you that God

00:13:16.280 --> 00:13:17.940
 doesn't need you.

00:13:18.620 --> 00:13:19.580
 God is God.

00:13:19.580 --> 00:13:20.360
 He would cease

00:13:20.360 --> 00:13:21.000
 to be God

00:13:21.000 --> 00:13:21.680
 if he needed

00:13:21.680 --> 00:13:22.540
 you.

00:13:23.780 --> 00:13:24.300
 But God,

00:13:24.379 --> 00:13:25.020
 in all of his

00:13:25.020 --> 00:13:26.300
 infinite wisdom

00:13:26.300 --> 00:13:27.300
 and his love

00:13:27.300 --> 00:13:27.900
 for us,

00:13:28.240 --> 00:13:29.160
 has chosen to

00:13:29.160 --> 00:13:30.139
 use us

00:13:30.139 --> 00:13:31.080
 to be the

00:13:31.080 --> 00:13:31.759
 instruments

00:13:31.759 --> 00:13:32.600
 for gospel

00:13:32.600 --> 00:13:33.120
 advancement

00:13:33.120 --> 00:13:34.280
 for the sake

00:13:34.280 --> 00:13:35.980
 of our joy.

00:13:36.320 --> 00:13:37.020
 To experience

00:13:37.020 --> 00:13:37.900
 the blessing

00:13:37.900 --> 00:13:39.180
 of being part

00:13:39.180 --> 00:13:39.960
 of his work

00:13:39.960 --> 00:13:40.920
 in the world.

00:13:41.639 --> 00:13:42.340
 So we must

00:13:42.340 --> 00:13:42.920
 preach.

00:13:43.259 --> 00:13:44.360
 We must go.

00:13:44.720 --> 00:13:45.400
 We are tools

00:13:45.400 --> 00:13:47.680
 in his hands.

00:13:47.679 --> 00:13:49.439
 In Romans 9,

00:13:49.519 --> 00:13:50.000
 1-3,

00:13:50.099 --> 00:13:50.659
 Paul says this,

00:13:50.719 --> 00:13:51.120
 I am speaking

00:13:51.120 --> 00:13:51.639
 the truth in

00:13:51.639 --> 00:13:52.019
 Christ.

00:13:52.379 --> 00:13:53.279
 I am not lying.

00:13:53.359 --> 00:13:53.979
 My conscience

00:13:53.979 --> 00:13:55.199
 bears me witness

00:13:55.199 --> 00:13:56.039
 in the Holy Spirit

00:13:56.039 --> 00:13:56.919
 that I have

00:13:56.919 --> 00:13:57.939
 great sorrow

00:13:57.939 --> 00:13:59.259
 and unceasing

00:13:59.259 --> 00:13:59.819
 anguish

00:13:59.819 --> 00:14:00.519
 in my heart.

00:14:01.039 --> 00:14:01.500
 For I could

00:14:01.500 --> 00:14:02.159
 wish that I

00:14:02.159 --> 00:14:02.979
 myself were

00:14:02.979 --> 00:14:03.620
 accursed

00:14:03.620 --> 00:14:04.639
 and cut off

00:14:04.639 --> 00:14:05.259
 from Christ

00:14:05.259 --> 00:14:06.199
 for the sake

00:14:06.199 --> 00:14:06.719
 of my brothers.

00:14:07.659 --> 00:14:08.519
 The longing

00:14:08.519 --> 00:14:09.219
 of Paul's

00:14:09.219 --> 00:14:09.959
 heart to see

00:14:09.959 --> 00:14:10.739
 those that

00:14:10.739 --> 00:14:11.439
 were his kin,

00:14:11.719 --> 00:14:12.679
 other Israelites,

00:14:12.899 --> 00:14:13.299
 those who had

00:14:13.299 --> 00:14:13.639
 been given

00:14:13.639 --> 00:14:14.719
 so much revelation

00:14:14.719 --> 00:14:15.279
 of the truth

00:14:15.279 --> 00:14:15.719
 of God,

00:14:15.879 --> 00:14:16.439
 and yet had

00:14:16.439 --> 00:14:17.079
 not responded

00:14:17.080 --> 00:14:18.020
 favorably to it.

00:14:18.220 --> 00:14:19.420
 He so desired

00:14:19.420 --> 00:14:19.840
 to see them

00:14:19.840 --> 00:14:20.600
 be part of

00:14:20.600 --> 00:14:21.060
 the kingdom

00:14:21.060 --> 00:14:22.259
 that he said

00:14:22.259 --> 00:14:23.139
 he himself

00:14:23.139 --> 00:14:23.639
 would be willing

00:14:23.639 --> 00:14:24.360
 to be cut off

00:14:24.360 --> 00:14:24.759
 from God

00:14:24.759 --> 00:14:25.639
 for eternity

00:14:25.639 --> 00:14:26.879
 to see that

00:14:26.879 --> 00:14:28.340
 be the case.

00:14:29.280 --> 00:14:30.139
 Is this true

00:14:30.139 --> 00:14:30.700
 of anybody

00:14:30.700 --> 00:14:31.480
 in this room?

00:14:34.259 --> 00:14:35.060
 1 Corinthians

00:14:35.060 --> 00:14:35.960
 chapter 9.

00:14:36.080 --> 00:14:36.660
 Turn to this one

00:14:36.660 --> 00:14:37.000
 with me.

00:14:47.080 --> 00:14:48.100
 1 Corinthians

00:14:48.100 --> 00:14:48.540
 chapter 9.

00:14:48.540 --> 00:14:48.820
 1 Corinthians

00:14:48.820 --> 00:14:48.820


00:14:48.820 --> 00:14:48.820


00:14:48.820 --> 00:14:48.920
 chapter 9.

00:14:48.920 --> 00:14:49.480
 Verse 19.

00:14:50.620 --> 00:14:51.560
 Paul gives up

00:14:51.560 --> 00:14:52.560
 his liberty,

00:14:53.160 --> 00:14:54.480
 puts aside

00:14:54.480 --> 00:14:54.840
 some of the

00:14:54.840 --> 00:14:55.220
 things that

00:14:55.220 --> 00:14:55.940
 he has been

00:14:55.940 --> 00:14:56.879
 granted access

00:14:56.879 --> 00:14:58.060
 to in the

00:14:58.060 --> 00:14:58.960
 gospel of grace

00:14:58.960 --> 00:15:00.600
 for the sake

00:15:00.600 --> 00:15:01.800
 of others.

00:15:02.379 --> 00:15:02.680
 He says,

00:15:02.800 --> 00:15:03.480
 For though I

00:15:03.480 --> 00:15:04.180
 am free from

00:15:04.180 --> 00:15:04.379
 all,

00:15:04.440 --> 00:15:05.100
 this is 9,

00:15:05.160 --> 00:15:05.500
 19,

00:15:06.180 --> 00:15:06.960
 I have made

00:15:06.960 --> 00:15:08.000
 myself a servant

00:15:08.000 --> 00:15:08.460
 to all,

00:15:08.759 --> 00:15:09.600
 that I might

00:15:09.600 --> 00:15:11.040
 win more of

00:15:11.040 --> 00:15:11.280
 them.

00:15:11.840 --> 00:15:12.360
 To the Jews

00:15:12.360 --> 00:15:12.960
 I became as a

00:15:12.960 --> 00:15:13.460
 Jew in order

00:15:13.460 --> 00:15:14.080
 to win Jews.

00:15:14.220 --> 00:15:14.700
 To those under

00:15:14.700 --> 00:15:15.300
 the law I became

00:15:15.300 --> 00:15:15.700
 as one under

00:15:15.700 --> 00:15:16.100
 the law,

00:15:16.400 --> 00:15:16.800
 though not

00:15:16.800 --> 00:15:17.580
 being myself

00:15:17.580 --> 00:15:18.120
 under the law,

00:15:18.379 --> 00:15:18.759
 that I might

00:15:18.759 --> 00:15:19.400
 win those

00:15:19.400 --> 00:15:20.220
 under the law.

00:15:20.840 --> 00:15:21.600
 To those outside

00:15:21.600 --> 00:15:22.280
 the law I became

00:15:22.280 --> 00:15:22.960
 as one outside

00:15:22.960 --> 00:15:23.480
 the law,

00:15:23.560 --> 00:15:24.280
 not being outside

00:15:24.280 --> 00:15:24.960
 the law of God,

00:15:25.020 --> 00:15:25.660
 but under the

00:15:25.660 --> 00:15:26.360
 law of Christ,

00:15:26.520 --> 00:15:27.140
 that I might

00:15:27.140 --> 00:15:27.960
 win those

00:15:27.960 --> 00:15:29.000
 outside the law.

00:15:29.600 --> 00:15:30.240
 To the weak I

00:15:30.240 --> 00:15:30.840
 became weak,

00:15:31.000 --> 00:15:31.400
 that I might

00:15:31.400 --> 00:15:32.060
 win the weak.

00:15:32.500 --> 00:15:33.180
 I become all

00:15:33.180 --> 00:15:34.420
 things to all

00:15:34.420 --> 00:15:34.740
 people,

00:15:34.800 --> 00:15:35.280
 that by all

00:15:35.280 --> 00:15:36.360
 means I might

00:15:36.360 --> 00:15:37.580
 save some.

00:15:38.200 --> 00:15:38.780
 I do it all

00:15:38.780 --> 00:15:39.160
 for the sake

00:15:39.160 --> 00:15:39.620
 of the gospel,

00:15:39.860 --> 00:15:40.520
 that I may

00:15:40.520 --> 00:15:41.200
 share with

00:15:41.200 --> 00:15:42.360
 them in its

00:15:42.360 --> 00:15:42.759
 blessings.

00:15:43.080 --> 00:15:43.440
 Now there is

00:15:43.440 --> 00:15:43.920
 so much that

00:15:43.920 --> 00:15:44.320
 could be said

00:15:44.320 --> 00:15:44.820
 about becoming

00:15:44.820 --> 00:15:45.460
 all things

00:15:45.460 --> 00:15:46.240
 to all people

00:15:46.240 --> 00:15:46.700
 and what that

00:15:46.700 --> 00:15:47.480
 means in our

00:15:47.480 --> 00:15:48.519
 day-to-day living.

00:15:48.660 --> 00:15:49.700
 But the emphasis

00:15:49.700 --> 00:15:50.340
 that I want you

00:15:50.340 --> 00:15:51.000
 to get from here

00:15:51.000 --> 00:15:52.680
 is how desperately

00:15:52.680 --> 00:15:53.420
 he wants to see

00:15:53.420 --> 00:15:54.560
 people come into

00:15:54.560 --> 00:15:55.019
 the kingdom,

00:15:55.340 --> 00:15:56.080
 that he might

00:15:56.080 --> 00:15:57.500
 share with them

00:15:57.500 --> 00:15:58.680
 in its blessings.

00:15:58.960 --> 00:15:59.440
 For the sake

00:15:59.440 --> 00:16:00.360
 of his joy,

00:16:00.540 --> 00:16:01.100
 he puts aside

00:16:01.100 --> 00:16:01.840
 trivial things,

00:16:02.060 --> 00:16:02.460
 things that are

00:16:02.460 --> 00:16:03.220
 not that important,

00:16:03.440 --> 00:16:03.980
 the way in which

00:16:03.980 --> 00:16:04.720
 he conducts himself,

00:16:04.820 --> 00:16:05.300
 what he eats,

00:16:05.360 --> 00:16:05.879
 what he drinks,

00:16:06.019 --> 00:16:07.480
 because he so

00:16:07.480 --> 00:16:08.440
 wants to enjoy

00:16:08.440 --> 00:16:09.180
 the blessing

00:16:09.180 --> 00:16:10.120
 of the gospel.

00:16:10.120 --> 00:16:12.080
 Back up a few

00:16:12.080 --> 00:16:12.440
 verses.

00:16:12.720 --> 00:16:13.440
 1 Corinthians 9,

00:16:13.440 --> 00:16:14.320
 16.

00:16:15.580 --> 00:16:16.080
 Paul says,

00:16:16.299 --> 00:16:17.580
 For if I preach

00:16:17.580 --> 00:16:18.179
 the gospel,

00:16:18.340 --> 00:16:18.899
 that gives me

00:16:18.899 --> 00:16:19.919
 no ground

00:16:19.919 --> 00:16:21.299
 for boasting.

00:16:21.779 --> 00:16:22.320
 I have no

00:16:22.320 --> 00:16:23.620
 space in this

00:16:23.620 --> 00:16:24.779
 to say I am

00:16:24.779 --> 00:16:25.419
 a preacher of

00:16:25.419 --> 00:16:26.019
 the gospel.

00:16:26.220 --> 00:16:27.740
 Good for me.

00:16:28.419 --> 00:16:28.759
 He says,

00:16:28.840 --> 00:16:29.740
 For necessity

00:16:29.740 --> 00:16:31.480
 is laid upon me.

00:16:31.679 --> 00:16:32.720
 Woe to me

00:16:32.720 --> 00:16:34.259
 if I do not

00:16:34.259 --> 00:16:35.940
 preach the gospel.

00:16:35.940 --> 00:16:39.000
 Is this the

00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:39.600
 mind that we

00:16:39.600 --> 00:16:40.680
 have within us?

00:16:40.720 --> 00:16:41.980
 That we must

00:16:41.980 --> 00:16:43.400
 preach the gospel.

00:16:43.880 --> 00:16:44.440
 That there is a

00:16:44.440 --> 00:16:45.740
 draw on our

00:16:45.740 --> 00:16:46.380
 hearts because

00:16:46.380 --> 00:16:47.240
 we so love

00:16:47.240 --> 00:16:47.900
 Jesus that we

00:16:47.900 --> 00:16:49.240
 love the things

00:16:49.240 --> 00:16:50.720
 that he loves.

00:16:51.200 --> 00:16:51.920
 That we recognize

00:16:51.920 --> 00:16:52.440
 that his great

00:16:52.440 --> 00:16:53.040
 work in this world

00:16:53.040 --> 00:16:53.480
 is about the

00:16:53.480 --> 00:16:54.100
 building of his

00:16:54.100 --> 00:16:54.680
 church.

00:16:55.440 --> 00:16:56.280
 The salvation of

00:16:56.280 --> 00:16:56.760
 souls that they

00:16:56.760 --> 00:16:57.400
 might come in

00:16:57.400 --> 00:16:58.200
 and be discipled,

00:16:58.240 --> 00:16:58.660
 that they might

00:16:58.660 --> 00:16:59.500
 sing his praises

00:16:59.500 --> 00:16:59.960
 forever.

00:17:00.520 --> 00:17:01.440
 We sang a song

00:17:01.440 --> 00:17:01.940
 and we said

00:17:01.940 --> 00:17:02.700
 again and again

00:17:02.700 --> 00:17:03.100
 and again,

00:17:03.440 --> 00:17:03.780
 Hallelujah,

00:17:04.259 --> 00:17:04.580
 which is a

00:17:04.580 --> 00:17:05.420
 Cobb Brown Hebrew

00:17:05.420 --> 00:17:05.720
 phrase,

00:17:05.720 --> 00:17:06.240
 which means

00:17:06.240 --> 00:17:07.059
 it's a command,

00:17:07.259 --> 00:17:08.000
 come and

00:17:08.000 --> 00:17:08.860
 praise my

00:17:08.860 --> 00:17:10.120
 God with me.

00:17:10.420 --> 00:17:10.779
 That's what that

00:17:10.779 --> 00:17:11.839
 phrasing means.

00:17:11.980 --> 00:17:13.000
 And that is the

00:17:13.000 --> 00:17:14.240
 hallelujah of our

00:17:14.240 --> 00:17:14.980
 life is that we

00:17:14.980 --> 00:17:15.500
 go and advance

00:17:15.500 --> 00:17:15.900
 the gospel.

00:17:16.000 --> 00:17:16.600
 We say to people,

00:17:16.720 --> 00:17:18.000
 come and praise

00:17:18.000 --> 00:17:19.100
 your God,

00:17:19.400 --> 00:17:19.940
 the God that

00:17:19.940 --> 00:17:20.680
 created you,

00:17:20.799 --> 00:17:21.519
 come back into

00:17:21.519 --> 00:17:22.440
 a right relationship

00:17:22.440 --> 00:17:23.240
 with him and

00:17:23.240 --> 00:17:24.660
 praise him with

00:17:24.660 --> 00:17:25.319
 me.

00:17:26.100 --> 00:17:26.920
 He is worthy of

00:17:26.920 --> 00:17:27.900
 all honor and

00:17:27.900 --> 00:17:28.839
 all praise.

00:17:29.279 --> 00:17:30.400
 We want people

00:17:30.400 --> 00:17:31.319
 as believers to

00:17:31.319 --> 00:17:32.440
 sing his praises

00:17:32.440 --> 00:17:33.700
 in greater and

00:17:33.700 --> 00:17:34.420
 higher degree,

00:17:34.420 --> 00:17:35.120
 at least I

00:17:35.120 --> 00:17:35.480
 hope.

00:17:35.720 --> 00:17:36.620
 That we do.

00:17:36.980 --> 00:17:38.059
 We must

00:17:38.059 --> 00:17:40.240
 preach the

00:17:40.240 --> 00:17:40.559
 gospel.

00:17:41.900 --> 00:17:42.700
 So do you

00:17:42.700 --> 00:17:43.180
 sow seed?

00:17:43.319 --> 00:17:43.960
 Do you sow

00:17:43.960 --> 00:17:44.640
 the word at

00:17:44.640 --> 00:17:44.940
 all?

00:17:45.940 --> 00:17:46.660
 And if you do,

00:17:46.819 --> 00:17:47.680
 how do you

00:17:47.680 --> 00:17:49.019
 sow the seed?

00:17:49.700 --> 00:17:50.220
 Because the

00:17:50.220 --> 00:17:50.720
 picture painted

00:17:50.720 --> 00:17:51.279
 for us here

00:17:51.279 --> 00:17:51.640
 would have been

00:17:51.640 --> 00:17:52.620
 a very liberal

00:17:52.620 --> 00:17:53.440
 sowing of the

00:17:53.440 --> 00:17:53.640
 seed.

00:17:53.779 --> 00:17:54.019
 There was

00:17:54.019 --> 00:17:54.660
 plenty of

00:17:54.660 --> 00:17:54.839
 seed,

00:17:54.920 --> 00:17:55.180
 so much

00:17:55.180 --> 00:17:55.460
 seed in

00:17:55.460 --> 00:17:55.740
 fact that

00:17:55.740 --> 00:17:56.200
 it was okay

00:17:56.200 --> 00:17:56.539
 that some

00:17:56.539 --> 00:17:56.960
 of it fell

00:17:56.960 --> 00:17:57.559
 on the

00:17:57.559 --> 00:17:57.900
 path.

00:17:58.000 --> 00:17:58.559
 It wasn't

00:17:58.559 --> 00:17:59.420
 all that

00:17:59.420 --> 00:18:00.039
 important that

00:18:00.039 --> 00:18:00.680
 every bit of

00:18:00.680 --> 00:18:01.079
 seed made

00:18:01.079 --> 00:18:01.460
 it onto

00:18:01.460 --> 00:18:02.000
 the field,

00:18:02.099 --> 00:18:02.659
 but that

00:18:02.659 --> 00:18:03.279
 the seed

00:18:03.279 --> 00:18:03.679
 was being

00:18:03.679 --> 00:18:04.939
 cast in

00:18:04.939 --> 00:18:06.039
 wide and

00:18:06.039 --> 00:18:06.559
 in liberal

00:18:06.559 --> 00:18:07.419
 ways.

00:18:08.259 --> 00:18:08.599
 Being

00:18:08.599 --> 00:18:09.480
 sown out

00:18:09.480 --> 00:18:10.379
 so generously

00:18:10.379 --> 00:18:11.000
 because we

00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:12.099
 so desire

00:18:12.099 --> 00:18:12.720
 to see

00:18:12.720 --> 00:18:13.599
 a yield.

00:18:14.339 --> 00:18:15.319
 We want

00:18:15.319 --> 00:18:15.960
 to find

00:18:15.960 --> 00:18:16.379
 the good

00:18:16.379 --> 00:18:16.779
 soil.

00:18:17.119 --> 00:18:17.659
 We want

00:18:17.659 --> 00:18:18.139
 the word

00:18:18.139 --> 00:18:18.759
 to fall

00:18:18.759 --> 00:18:19.039
 on the

00:18:19.039 --> 00:18:19.419
 good soil

00:18:19.419 --> 00:18:19.699
 that it

00:18:19.699 --> 00:18:20.179
 will bring

00:18:20.179 --> 00:18:21.740
 forth fruit,

00:18:21.819 --> 00:18:22.000
 that there

00:18:22.000 --> 00:18:22.419
 will be a

00:18:22.419 --> 00:18:22.720
 yield,

00:18:22.980 --> 00:18:23.599
 a harvest

00:18:23.599 --> 00:18:24.599
 to be had

00:18:24.599 --> 00:18:25.419
 at the

00:18:25.419 --> 00:18:26.039
 right time.

00:18:26.039 --> 00:18:28.119
 I think

00:18:28.119 --> 00:18:29.279
 that many

00:18:29.279 --> 00:18:29.740
 of us walk

00:18:29.740 --> 00:18:30.460
 around rather

00:18:30.460 --> 00:18:30.960
 than with

00:18:30.960 --> 00:18:32.259
 large bags

00:18:32.259 --> 00:18:32.639
 full of

00:18:32.639 --> 00:18:33.159
 seed that

00:18:33.159 --> 00:18:33.740
 we sow

00:18:33.740 --> 00:18:34.119
 and we

00:18:34.119 --> 00:18:34.460
 sow

00:18:34.460 --> 00:18:34.899
 and we

00:18:34.899 --> 00:18:35.240
 sow

00:18:35.240 --> 00:18:35.639
 and we

00:18:35.639 --> 00:18:35.899
 sow.

00:18:36.159 --> 00:18:36.519
 We have

00:18:36.519 --> 00:18:37.000
 maybe a

00:18:37.000 --> 00:18:37.519
 couple little

00:18:37.519 --> 00:18:38.819
 seeds we

00:18:38.819 --> 00:18:39.339
 carry around

00:18:39.339 --> 00:18:39.579
 in our

00:18:39.579 --> 00:18:40.599
 pocket and

00:18:40.599 --> 00:18:40.879
 we're maybe

00:18:40.879 --> 00:18:41.359
 looking for

00:18:41.359 --> 00:18:41.839
 that perfect

00:18:41.839 --> 00:18:42.440
 opportunity.

00:18:42.779 --> 00:18:44.680
 Maybe when

00:18:44.680 --> 00:18:45.480
 I spot some

00:18:45.480 --> 00:18:46.559
 good soil and

00:18:46.559 --> 00:18:47.259
 I'm confident

00:18:47.259 --> 00:18:47.659
 it's good

00:18:47.659 --> 00:18:48.039
 soil,

00:18:48.259 --> 00:18:48.879
 I've only got

00:18:48.879 --> 00:18:49.180
 a couple

00:18:49.180 --> 00:18:49.619
 of seeds so

00:18:49.619 --> 00:18:49.899
 I don't want

00:18:49.899 --> 00:18:50.180
 to put a

00:18:50.180 --> 00:18:50.659
 seed in any

00:18:50.659 --> 00:18:51.099
 kind of bad

00:18:51.099 --> 00:18:51.359
 soil,

00:18:51.700 --> 00:18:51.980
 I'll put

00:18:51.980 --> 00:18:53.279
 the seed in

00:18:53.279 --> 00:18:53.539
 the good

00:18:53.539 --> 00:18:53.819
 soil.

00:18:55.139 --> 00:18:55.639
 And I'll

00:18:55.639 --> 00:18:55.899
 say I'm

00:18:55.900 --> 00:18:56.340
 a Christian,

00:18:56.759 --> 00:18:57.420
 I'm following

00:18:57.420 --> 00:18:57.820
 Jesus,

00:18:57.940 --> 00:18:58.420
 I know I'm

00:18:58.420 --> 00:18:58.700
 supposed to

00:18:58.700 --> 00:18:59.060
 do this

00:18:59.060 --> 00:18:59.440
 thing.

00:19:00.700 --> 00:19:01.460
 Rather than

00:19:01.460 --> 00:19:02.940
 recognizing that

00:19:02.940 --> 00:19:03.780
 we have the

00:19:03.780 --> 00:19:04.600
 time and

00:19:04.600 --> 00:19:05.140
 the ability,

00:19:05.420 --> 00:19:05.960
 the grace of

00:19:05.960 --> 00:19:06.519
 God given

00:19:06.519 --> 00:19:06.920
 to us,

00:19:07.100 --> 00:19:07.300
 that we

00:19:07.300 --> 00:19:07.820
 would sow

00:19:07.820 --> 00:19:08.560
 and sow

00:19:08.560 --> 00:19:09.240
 and sow

00:19:09.240 --> 00:19:09.820
 and sow

00:19:09.820 --> 00:19:09.820


00:19:09.880 --> 00:19:10.040
 that we

00:19:10.040 --> 00:19:10.380
 would plant

00:19:10.380 --> 00:19:10.600
 the word

00:19:10.600 --> 00:19:10.920
 everywhere.

00:19:11.100 --> 00:19:11.340
 You want

00:19:11.340 --> 00:19:11.600
 to know how

00:19:11.600 --> 00:19:11.960
 you figure

00:19:11.960 --> 00:19:12.220
 out where

00:19:12.220 --> 00:19:12.519
 the good

00:19:12.519 --> 00:19:13.080
 soil is?

00:19:14.320 --> 00:19:14.900
 You sow

00:19:14.900 --> 00:19:15.259
 the seed

00:19:15.259 --> 00:19:15.800
 everywhere

00:19:15.800 --> 00:19:17.380
 and you

00:19:17.380 --> 00:19:17.759
 see where

00:19:17.759 --> 00:19:18.140
 the good

00:19:18.140 --> 00:19:18.800
 plants come

00:19:18.800 --> 00:19:19.580
 up that

00:19:19.580 --> 00:19:20.780
 stick around

00:19:20.780 --> 00:19:21.500
 and yield

00:19:21.500 --> 00:19:22.120
 fruit.

00:19:22.280 --> 00:19:22.620
 That's how

00:19:22.620 --> 00:19:22.960
 you know.

00:19:23.820 --> 00:19:24.440
 How do we

00:19:24.440 --> 00:19:24.880
 see where the

00:19:24.880 --> 00:19:25.440
 spirit's at

00:19:25.440 --> 00:19:25.779
 work,

00:19:26.539 --> 00:19:27.220
 plowing the

00:19:27.220 --> 00:19:27.519
 field,

00:19:27.700 --> 00:19:28.320
 preparing the

00:19:28.320 --> 00:19:28.620
 soil?

00:19:28.820 --> 00:19:29.200
 That's not

00:19:29.200 --> 00:19:29.640
 our work,

00:19:29.700 --> 00:19:30.120
 that's his

00:19:30.120 --> 00:19:30.480
 work.

00:19:30.700 --> 00:19:31.259
 How do we

00:19:31.259 --> 00:19:31.559
 know where

00:19:31.559 --> 00:19:31.799
 that's

00:19:31.799 --> 00:19:32.120
 happening?

00:19:32.360 --> 00:19:32.680
 We sow

00:19:32.680 --> 00:19:33.620
 seed and

00:19:33.620 --> 00:19:33.840
 we see

00:19:33.840 --> 00:19:34.440
 what happens

00:19:34.440 --> 00:19:35.100
 with the

00:19:35.100 --> 00:19:35.400
 seed.

00:19:36.080 --> 00:19:36.600
 So we

00:19:36.600 --> 00:19:36.840
 have to

00:19:36.840 --> 00:19:37.299
 be sowing.

00:19:37.680 --> 00:19:38.240
 We must

00:19:38.240 --> 00:19:39.320
 share the

00:19:39.320 --> 00:19:39.620
 gospel.

00:19:39.779 --> 00:19:40.180
 We must

00:19:40.180 --> 00:19:41.200
 go and

00:19:41.200 --> 00:19:42.039
 go and

00:19:42.039 --> 00:19:43.400
 go and

00:19:43.400 --> 00:19:43.700
 go.

00:19:44.980 --> 00:19:45.640
 In verse

00:19:45.640 --> 00:19:45.980
 30 of

00:19:45.980 --> 00:19:46.559
 chapter 4 of

00:19:46.559 --> 00:19:46.840
 Mark,

00:19:47.759 --> 00:19:48.360
 Jesus says,

00:19:48.900 --> 00:19:49.440
 with what can

00:19:49.440 --> 00:19:49.820
 we compare

00:19:49.820 --> 00:19:50.160
 the kingdom

00:19:50.160 --> 00:19:50.620
 of God or

00:19:50.620 --> 00:19:51.620
 what parable

00:19:51.620 --> 00:19:53.059
 shall we use

00:19:53.059 --> 00:19:53.600
 for it?

00:19:53.599 --> 00:19:54.959
 He tells

00:19:54.959 --> 00:19:55.219
 us about

00:19:55.219 --> 00:19:56.199
 this grain

00:19:56.199 --> 00:19:56.639
 of mustard

00:19:56.639 --> 00:19:56.879
 seed,

00:19:57.000 --> 00:19:57.199
 which is

00:19:57.199 --> 00:19:57.799
 incredibly

00:19:57.799 --> 00:19:58.259
 tiny.

00:19:58.339 --> 00:19:58.539
 A grain

00:19:58.539 --> 00:19:58.859
 of mustard

00:19:58.859 --> 00:19:59.279
 seed is

00:19:59.279 --> 00:20:00.119
 a speck.

00:20:00.639 --> 00:20:00.919
 It's so

00:20:00.919 --> 00:20:01.119
 easy.

00:20:01.219 --> 00:20:01.539
 If I had

00:20:01.539 --> 00:20:01.740
 one in

00:20:01.740 --> 00:20:02.099
 my hand

00:20:02.099 --> 00:20:02.399
 and I

00:20:02.399 --> 00:20:03.240
 breathed on

00:20:03.240 --> 00:20:03.399
 it, it

00:20:03.399 --> 00:20:03.639
 would blow

00:20:03.639 --> 00:20:03.939
 off my

00:20:03.939 --> 00:20:04.219
 hand and

00:20:04.219 --> 00:20:04.439
 we would

00:20:04.439 --> 00:20:05.099
 totally lose

00:20:05.099 --> 00:20:05.839
 it in

00:20:05.839 --> 00:20:06.319
 this room.

00:20:06.319 --> 00:20:07.039
 A tiny

00:20:07.039 --> 00:20:07.679
 little thing,

00:20:08.019 --> 00:20:08.659
 but it grows

00:20:08.659 --> 00:20:09.119
 up into

00:20:09.119 --> 00:20:09.799
 something that

00:20:09.799 --> 00:20:10.779
 is large

00:20:10.779 --> 00:20:11.199
 in the

00:20:11.199 --> 00:20:11.459
 garden.

00:20:11.599 --> 00:20:12.039
 It has a

00:20:12.039 --> 00:20:12.839
 great deal

00:20:12.839 --> 00:20:13.759
 of usefulness.

00:20:13.859 --> 00:20:14.039
 And what

00:20:14.039 --> 00:20:14.539
 he's saying

00:20:14.539 --> 00:20:15.379
 here is

00:20:15.379 --> 00:20:15.740
 that our

00:20:15.740 --> 00:20:16.599
 little sharing,

00:20:16.759 --> 00:20:17.359
 it seems

00:20:17.359 --> 00:20:18.199
 so insignificant

00:20:18.199 --> 00:20:18.839
 sometimes,

00:20:18.980 --> 00:20:19.619
 it feels

00:20:19.619 --> 00:20:21.059
 often pointless.

00:20:21.059 --> 00:20:21.659
 Have you

00:20:21.659 --> 00:20:21.980
 had those

00:20:21.980 --> 00:20:22.460
 gospel

00:20:22.460 --> 00:20:23.019
 conversations

00:20:23.019 --> 00:20:23.579
 with somebody

00:20:23.579 --> 00:20:23.879
 where you

00:20:23.879 --> 00:20:24.200
 just feel

00:20:24.200 --> 00:20:24.480
 like you're

00:20:24.480 --> 00:20:25.059
 beating your

00:20:25.059 --> 00:20:25.539
 head against

00:20:25.539 --> 00:20:25.899
 the brick

00:20:25.899 --> 00:20:26.659
 wall trying

00:20:26.659 --> 00:20:27.039
 to talk

00:20:27.039 --> 00:20:27.339
 to them,

00:20:27.500 --> 00:20:27.759
 and you

00:20:27.759 --> 00:20:28.000
 just go,

00:20:28.039 --> 00:20:28.200
 I just

00:20:28.200 --> 00:20:28.359
 don't

00:20:28.359 --> 00:20:28.980
 understand

00:20:28.980 --> 00:20:29.659
 how it

00:20:29.659 --> 00:20:30.200
 is that

00:20:30.200 --> 00:20:30.440
 God

00:20:30.440 --> 00:20:30.899
 intends to

00:20:30.899 --> 00:20:31.599
 use me

00:20:31.599 --> 00:20:32.240
 to advance

00:20:32.240 --> 00:20:32.720
 this kingdom.

00:20:33.119 --> 00:20:33.579
 It seems

00:20:33.579 --> 00:20:34.419
 totally

00:20:34.419 --> 00:20:35.240
 insignificant.

00:20:35.460 --> 00:20:35.679
 This is

00:20:35.679 --> 00:20:35.919
 what he's

00:20:35.919 --> 00:20:36.299
 trying to

00:20:36.299 --> 00:20:36.559
 say.

00:20:36.960 --> 00:20:37.279
 But guess

00:20:37.279 --> 00:20:37.460
 what?

00:20:37.500 --> 00:20:37.759
 When it's

00:20:37.759 --> 00:20:38.299
 planted in

00:20:38.299 --> 00:20:38.919
 good soil,

00:20:39.859 --> 00:20:40.399
 it yields

00:20:40.399 --> 00:20:41.179
 a wonderful

00:20:41.179 --> 00:20:42.099
 bush that

00:20:42.099 --> 00:20:43.220
 has great

00:20:43.220 --> 00:20:44.599
 usefulness in

00:20:44.599 --> 00:20:44.919
 the kingdom

00:20:44.919 --> 00:20:45.500
 of God.

00:20:47.419 --> 00:20:48.059
 Paul says

00:20:48.059 --> 00:20:48.599
 in 1 Corinthians

00:20:48.599 --> 00:20:49.000
 3,

00:20:49.779 --> 00:20:50.980
 5-9,

00:20:51.059 --> 00:20:53.059
 what then

00:20:53.059 --> 00:20:53.899
 is Apollos

00:20:53.899 --> 00:20:54.559
 who was a

00:20:54.559 --> 00:20:54.980
 disciple?

00:20:55.200 --> 00:20:55.759
 What is

00:20:55.759 --> 00:20:56.200
 Paul?

00:20:57.019 --> 00:20:57.539
 Servants

00:20:57.539 --> 00:20:57.940
 through whom

00:20:57.940 --> 00:20:58.599
 you believed

00:20:58.599 --> 00:20:59.000
 as the

00:20:59.000 --> 00:20:59.559
 Lord assigned

00:20:59.559 --> 00:21:00.179
 to each.

00:21:01.059 --> 00:21:01.799
 I planted,

00:21:02.379 --> 00:21:02.859
 Apollos

00:21:02.859 --> 00:21:03.460
 watered,

00:21:03.960 --> 00:21:04.879
 but God

00:21:04.879 --> 00:21:06.299
 gave the

00:21:06.299 --> 00:21:06.720
 growth.

00:21:07.440 --> 00:21:07.960
 So neither

00:21:07.960 --> 00:21:08.279
 he who

00:21:08.279 --> 00:21:08.779
 plants nor

00:21:08.779 --> 00:21:09.059
 he who

00:21:09.059 --> 00:21:09.500
 waters is

00:21:09.500 --> 00:21:09.859
 anything,

00:21:10.299 --> 00:21:10.759
 but only

00:21:10.759 --> 00:21:11.240
 God who

00:21:11.240 --> 00:21:11.740
 gives the

00:21:11.740 --> 00:21:12.139
 growth.

00:21:12.940 --> 00:21:13.259
 He who

00:21:13.259 --> 00:21:13.819
 plants and

00:21:13.819 --> 00:21:14.099
 he who

00:21:14.099 --> 00:21:14.659
 waters are

00:21:14.659 --> 00:21:15.079
 one,

00:21:15.299 --> 00:21:15.679
 and each

00:21:15.679 --> 00:21:16.119
 will receive

00:21:16.119 --> 00:21:16.539
 his wages

00:21:16.539 --> 00:21:16.980
 according to

00:21:16.980 --> 00:21:17.379
 his labor.

00:21:17.799 --> 00:21:18.139
 For we are

00:21:18.139 --> 00:21:19.000
 God's fellow

00:21:19.000 --> 00:21:19.359
 workers.

00:21:19.960 --> 00:21:20.419
 You are

00:21:20.420 --> 00:21:20.860
 God's

00:21:20.860 --> 00:21:21.320
 field,

00:21:21.920 --> 00:21:22.560
 God's

00:21:22.560 --> 00:21:23.300
 building.

00:21:24.300 --> 00:21:24.740
 So our

00:21:24.740 --> 00:21:25.700
 responsibility in

00:21:25.700 --> 00:21:26.000
 this, as you

00:21:26.000 --> 00:21:26.460
 can see Paul

00:21:26.460 --> 00:21:26.820
 saying,

00:21:26.980 --> 00:21:27.360
 Paul is

00:21:27.360 --> 00:21:28.060
 saying that

00:21:28.060 --> 00:21:28.800
 I planted.

00:21:29.700 --> 00:21:30.019
 Another

00:21:30.019 --> 00:21:30.600
 disciple came

00:21:30.600 --> 00:21:31.080
 along and

00:21:31.080 --> 00:21:31.660
 watered,

00:21:31.700 --> 00:21:32.200
 but ultimately

00:21:32.200 --> 00:21:32.660
 and finally

00:21:32.660 --> 00:21:33.680
 God gave

00:21:33.680 --> 00:21:34.400
 the growth.

00:21:34.500 --> 00:21:35.200
 It is his

00:21:35.200 --> 00:21:35.740
 kingdom and

00:21:35.740 --> 00:21:36.180
 we have a

00:21:36.180 --> 00:21:36.880
 part to

00:21:36.880 --> 00:21:37.360
 play in

00:21:37.360 --> 00:21:37.480
 this.

00:21:37.560 --> 00:21:37.660
 He's

00:21:37.660 --> 00:21:38.340
 invited us

00:21:38.340 --> 00:21:39.279
 into his

00:21:39.279 --> 00:21:40.779
 work to

00:21:40.779 --> 00:21:41.140
 sow the

00:21:41.140 --> 00:21:41.640
 seed, to

00:21:41.640 --> 00:21:42.019
 sow the

00:21:42.019 --> 00:21:42.800
 word of

00:21:42.800 --> 00:21:43.300
 the gospel

00:21:43.300 --> 00:21:44.120
 liberally

00:21:44.120 --> 00:21:45.160
 everywhere we

00:21:45.160 --> 00:21:45.279
 go.

00:21:45.360 --> 00:21:46.080
 We must

00:21:46.080 --> 00:21:47.860
 share the

00:21:47.860 --> 00:21:48.160
 gospel.

00:21:48.160 --> 00:21:52.019
 Secondly, we

00:21:52.019 --> 00:21:52.620
 must share the

00:21:52.620 --> 00:21:54.820
 gospel regularly.

00:21:56.200 --> 00:21:56.759
 It must

00:21:56.759 --> 00:21:57.660
 become a

00:21:57.660 --> 00:21:58.560
 natural part

00:21:58.560 --> 00:21:59.080
 of our

00:21:59.080 --> 00:22:00.160
 life and

00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:01.240
 our living.

00:22:01.779 --> 00:22:02.680
 There's a

00:22:02.680 --> 00:22:03.400
 parable again

00:22:03.400 --> 00:22:03.860
 that we read

00:22:03.860 --> 00:22:04.320
 together,

00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:05.000
 chapter 4,

00:22:05.100 --> 00:22:05.900
 verse 26

00:22:05.900 --> 00:22:06.560
 through 29.

00:22:07.840 --> 00:22:08.440
 The kingdom

00:22:08.440 --> 00:22:08.840
 of God is

00:22:08.840 --> 00:22:09.160
 if a man

00:22:09.160 --> 00:22:09.740
 should scatter

00:22:09.740 --> 00:22:10.320
 seed on the

00:22:10.320 --> 00:22:10.480
 ground.

00:22:10.560 --> 00:22:10.940
 Here again

00:22:10.940 --> 00:22:12.680
 we see the

00:22:12.680 --> 00:22:13.240
 scattering of

00:22:13.240 --> 00:22:13.519
 seed.

00:22:13.940 --> 00:22:14.480
 He sleeps

00:22:14.480 --> 00:22:14.940
 and rises

00:22:14.940 --> 00:22:15.420
 night and

00:22:15.420 --> 00:22:15.680
 day and

00:22:15.680 --> 00:22:15.900
 the seed

00:22:15.900 --> 00:22:16.360
 sprouts and

00:22:16.360 --> 00:22:16.560
 grows.

00:22:16.559 --> 00:22:17.059
 He knows

00:22:17.059 --> 00:22:18.079
 not how.

00:22:18.159 --> 00:22:18.419
 He doesn't

00:22:18.419 --> 00:22:19.179
 understand how

00:22:19.179 --> 00:22:20.000
 it is that

00:22:20.000 --> 00:22:21.139
 the seed takes

00:22:21.139 --> 00:22:21.740
 any effect

00:22:21.740 --> 00:22:22.339
 in anybody's

00:22:22.339 --> 00:22:22.759
 life.

00:22:23.079 --> 00:22:23.359
 There's a

00:22:23.359 --> 00:22:24.059
 great mystery

00:22:24.059 --> 00:22:24.359
 of the

00:22:24.359 --> 00:22:24.859
 gospel that

00:22:24.859 --> 00:22:25.259
 the spirit

00:22:25.259 --> 00:22:25.740
 of God

00:22:25.740 --> 00:22:26.599
 comes into

00:22:26.599 --> 00:22:27.059
 people and

00:22:27.059 --> 00:22:27.720
 changes their

00:22:27.720 --> 00:22:28.159
 hearts,

00:22:28.659 --> 00:22:29.119
 completely

00:22:29.119 --> 00:22:29.839
 changes their

00:22:29.839 --> 00:22:30.440
 affections,

00:22:30.740 --> 00:22:31.179
 causes them

00:22:31.179 --> 00:22:31.679
 to do a

00:22:31.679 --> 00:22:32.639
 180 from

00:22:32.639 --> 00:22:33.019
 being an

00:22:33.019 --> 00:22:33.519
 enemy of

00:22:33.519 --> 00:22:33.919
 God to

00:22:33.919 --> 00:22:34.259
 being a

00:22:34.259 --> 00:22:34.679
 friend of

00:22:34.679 --> 00:22:34.980
 God.

00:22:35.480 --> 00:22:35.980
 Causes them

00:22:35.980 --> 00:22:36.539
 to be

00:22:36.539 --> 00:22:37.339
 eternally

00:22:37.339 --> 00:22:37.859
 condemned

00:22:37.859 --> 00:22:38.559
 before him

00:22:38.559 --> 00:22:39.159
 to being

00:22:39.159 --> 00:22:39.940
 justified

00:22:39.940 --> 00:22:40.960
 before him

00:22:40.960 --> 00:22:41.839
 in Christ.

00:22:42.240 --> 00:22:42.319
 It's

00:22:42.319 --> 00:22:42.720
 incredible

00:22:42.720 --> 00:22:43.500
 miracle is

00:22:43.500 --> 00:22:43.799
 what he's

00:22:43.799 --> 00:22:44.339
 communicating

00:22:44.339 --> 00:22:45.359
 to himself.

00:22:45.500 --> 00:22:45.720
 The earth

00:22:45.720 --> 00:22:46.460
 produces by

00:22:46.460 --> 00:22:46.880
 itself,

00:22:46.980 --> 00:22:47.339
 the blade,

00:22:47.440 --> 00:22:47.860
 the ear.

00:22:48.240 --> 00:22:48.980
 We get the

00:22:48.980 --> 00:22:49.519
 science behind

00:22:49.519 --> 00:22:49.740
 this.

00:22:49.779 --> 00:22:50.240
 They certainly

00:22:50.240 --> 00:22:50.759
 didn't.

00:22:51.960 --> 00:22:52.799
 God's work

00:22:52.799 --> 00:22:53.339
 in bringing

00:22:53.339 --> 00:22:54.620
 about the

00:22:54.620 --> 00:22:55.120
 harvest.

00:22:56.079 --> 00:22:56.759
 And every

00:22:56.759 --> 00:22:57.360
 year when the

00:22:57.360 --> 00:22:57.920
 grain is ripe,

00:22:57.980 --> 00:22:58.480
 once he puts

00:22:58.480 --> 00:22:58.660
 in the

00:22:58.660 --> 00:22:58.960
 cycle because

00:22:58.960 --> 00:22:59.339
 the harvest

00:22:59.339 --> 00:22:59.759
 has come,

00:23:00.000 --> 00:23:00.360
 and this is

00:23:00.360 --> 00:23:00.660
 something that

00:23:00.660 --> 00:23:00.839
 would have

00:23:00.839 --> 00:23:01.259
 happened for

00:23:01.259 --> 00:23:01.640
 this person

00:23:01.640 --> 00:23:02.360
 every year,

00:23:02.420 --> 00:23:03.000
 this regular

00:23:03.000 --> 00:23:03.420
 sowing,

00:23:03.500 --> 00:23:03.880
 this regular

00:23:03.880 --> 00:23:04.220
 sowing,

00:23:04.319 --> 00:23:04.839
 this reaping,

00:23:05.079 --> 00:23:05.600
 seeing the

00:23:05.600 --> 00:23:05.940
 growth,

00:23:06.299 --> 00:23:06.740
 reaping the

00:23:06.740 --> 00:23:07.160
 reward,

00:23:07.640 --> 00:23:08.720
 we are to

00:23:08.720 --> 00:23:09.200
 share the

00:23:09.200 --> 00:23:11.180
 gospel regularly.

00:23:12.180 --> 00:23:12.700
 In the past

00:23:12.700 --> 00:23:13.200
 two weeks I've

00:23:13.200 --> 00:23:13.700
 shared with you

00:23:13.700 --> 00:23:14.640
 on a white

00:23:14.640 --> 00:23:14.920
 board,

00:23:15.039 --> 00:23:15.299
 we're going to

00:23:15.299 --> 00:23:15.759
 put it up on

00:23:15.759 --> 00:23:16.519
 the screen

00:23:16.519 --> 00:23:17.200
 today because

00:23:17.200 --> 00:23:17.880
 this is all I

00:23:17.880 --> 00:23:18.299
 needed on the

00:23:18.299 --> 00:23:18.559
 screen,

00:23:19.100 --> 00:23:19.920
 on the board,

00:23:20.680 --> 00:23:21.680
 that this

00:23:21.680 --> 00:23:22.519
 tri-county area

00:23:22.519 --> 00:23:23.140
 that we live in,

00:23:23.279 --> 00:23:24.039
 where our church

00:23:24.039 --> 00:23:25.000
 property is,

00:23:25.000 --> 00:23:25.600
 is pretty

00:23:25.600 --> 00:23:26.799
 equilaterally located

00:23:26.799 --> 00:23:28.100
 between Dawsonville

00:23:28.100 --> 00:23:29.519
 and Dahlonega and

00:23:29.519 --> 00:23:30.380
 Gainesville.

00:23:31.160 --> 00:23:31.779
 So in those three

00:23:31.779 --> 00:23:32.360
 counties, Hall,

00:23:32.440 --> 00:23:33.100
 Lumpkin, Dawson

00:23:33.100 --> 00:23:34.160
 counties, there's

00:23:34.160 --> 00:23:35.980
 approximately 232,000

00:23:35.980 --> 00:23:36.340
 people.

00:23:36.900 --> 00:23:37.340
 And I've shared

00:23:37.340 --> 00:23:38.480
 with you that the

00:23:38.480 --> 00:23:39.019
 Chattahoochee Baptist

00:23:39.019 --> 00:23:40.539
 Association estimates

00:23:40.539 --> 00:23:42.899
 that 80% of that

00:23:42.899 --> 00:23:43.759
 population is

00:23:43.759 --> 00:23:45.359
 unchurched.

00:23:45.500 --> 00:23:46.639
 It's a fairly loose

00:23:46.639 --> 00:23:47.940
 definition, the 20%,

00:23:47.940 --> 00:23:48.740
 they don't give a

00:23:48.740 --> 00:23:50.740
 denominational, not

00:23:50.740 --> 00:23:52.079
 necessarily a

00:23:52.079 --> 00:23:52.799
 Georgia Baptist

00:23:52.799 --> 00:23:54.000
 church, Southern

00:23:54.000 --> 00:23:55.220
 Baptist in

00:23:55.220 --> 00:23:56.299
 denomination, but

00:23:56.299 --> 00:23:58.740
 80% unchurched,

00:23:58.759 --> 00:24:00.799
 that's 185,600

00:24:00.799 --> 00:24:01.240
 people.

00:24:02.819 --> 00:24:03.680
 This is kind of a

00:24:03.680 --> 00:24:04.539
 staggering number,

00:24:04.639 --> 00:24:05.779
 185,600 people,

00:24:05.819 --> 00:24:07.359
 just in this area,

00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:08.859
 right here where we

00:24:08.859 --> 00:24:09.180
 live.

00:24:09.180 --> 00:24:10.120
 That if we're

00:24:10.120 --> 00:24:11.779
 optimistic as I

00:24:11.779 --> 00:24:12.660
 think they are in

00:24:12.660 --> 00:24:13.420
 this estimation,

00:24:13.580 --> 00:24:14.480
 because we know

00:24:14.480 --> 00:24:15.140
 that if somebody is

00:24:15.140 --> 00:24:16.060
 in a church, it

00:24:16.060 --> 00:24:16.740
 doesn't necessarily

00:24:16.740 --> 00:24:17.560
 mean that they're a

00:24:17.560 --> 00:24:18.740
 disciple of Jesus

00:24:18.740 --> 00:24:20.299
 Christ, but if we

00:24:20.299 --> 00:24:21.560
 just say this is the

00:24:21.560 --> 00:24:22.980
 lost population

00:24:22.980 --> 00:24:24.539
 around us, this is

00:24:24.539 --> 00:24:25.400
 a staggering,

00:24:26.000 --> 00:24:27.779
 staggering number,

00:24:28.480 --> 00:24:30.460
 beloved, that

00:24:30.460 --> 00:24:32.860
 leaves 46,400

00:24:32.860 --> 00:24:33.880
 churched.

00:24:33.880 --> 00:24:34.500
 So let's again be

00:24:34.500 --> 00:24:35.259
 optimistic and let's

00:24:35.259 --> 00:24:36.019
 say that all of

00:24:36.019 --> 00:24:37.180
 those people are in

00:24:37.180 --> 00:24:38.080
 fact disciples of

00:24:38.079 --> 00:24:38.599
 Jesus Christ.

00:24:38.980 --> 00:24:42.000
 46,400 people who

00:24:42.000 --> 00:24:43.839
 claim the name of

00:24:43.839 --> 00:24:44.460
 Jesus Christ.

00:24:44.599 --> 00:24:45.299
 And what I say to

00:24:45.299 --> 00:24:46.199
 you is that if

00:24:46.199 --> 00:24:47.819
 these 46,400 were

00:24:47.819 --> 00:24:49.139
 actively involved in

00:24:49.139 --> 00:24:51.579
 sowing seed, we

00:24:51.579 --> 00:24:52.279
 would be reaping a

00:24:52.279 --> 00:24:52.659
 harvest.

00:24:53.779 --> 00:24:55.039
 That seed would be

00:24:55.039 --> 00:24:56.679
 falling on good

00:24:56.679 --> 00:24:57.460
 soil.

00:24:58.240 --> 00:24:58.759
 Now something for

00:24:58.759 --> 00:24:59.399
 us to know and to

00:24:59.399 --> 00:24:59.980
 remember about these

00:24:59.980 --> 00:25:00.699
 parables is that

00:25:00.699 --> 00:25:01.740
 Jesus is also trying

00:25:01.740 --> 00:25:02.419
 to communicate to

00:25:02.419 --> 00:25:03.859
 them that some

00:25:03.859 --> 00:25:04.659
 people will not

00:25:04.659 --> 00:25:05.339
 receive the word.

00:25:05.339 --> 00:25:06.779
 don't become

00:25:06.779 --> 00:25:08.039
 discouraged by that.

00:25:08.379 --> 00:25:09.279
 There are going to

00:25:09.279 --> 00:25:11.019
 be bad soils.

00:25:11.359 --> 00:25:12.240
 Soils that just

00:25:12.240 --> 00:25:13.519
 will not reap

00:25:13.519 --> 00:25:14.000
 harvest.

00:25:14.319 --> 00:25:15.500
 At least now, maybe

00:25:15.500 --> 00:25:16.659
 a bad soil becomes a

00:25:16.659 --> 00:25:17.579
 good soil as the

00:25:17.579 --> 00:25:19.000
 plowing work of the

00:25:19.000 --> 00:25:20.059
 spirit works in their

00:25:20.059 --> 00:25:20.539
 life.

00:25:21.379 --> 00:25:22.639
 But we should be

00:25:22.639 --> 00:25:24.199
 reaping a harvest

00:25:24.199 --> 00:25:25.480
 if we're sowing, if

00:25:25.480 --> 00:25:26.559
 we're finding the good

00:25:26.559 --> 00:25:27.980
 soil and planting the

00:25:27.980 --> 00:25:29.500
 word in it.

00:25:29.500 --> 00:25:32.839
 Now, the current U.S.

00:25:32.920 --> 00:25:33.880
 mortality rate, just

00:25:33.880 --> 00:25:34.660
 to make this, give us

00:25:34.660 --> 00:25:35.619
 an eternal perspective

00:25:35.619 --> 00:25:37.059
 on this, I mean, all

00:25:37.059 --> 00:25:38.140
 of these people, again,

00:25:38.299 --> 00:25:40.039
 assuming 185,600 people

00:25:40.039 --> 00:25:41.799
 are not saved, they're

00:25:41.799 --> 00:25:42.660
 not experiencing the

00:25:42.660 --> 00:25:43.759
 joy of the gospel here

00:25:43.759 --> 00:25:44.599
 and now, they're

00:25:44.599 --> 00:25:45.559
 separated from God

00:25:45.559 --> 00:25:46.380
 here and now.

00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:47.059
 These things are

00:25:47.059 --> 00:25:48.619
 horrible, but for

00:25:48.619 --> 00:25:49.799
 eternity they will be

00:25:49.799 --> 00:25:50.759
 separated if they

00:25:50.759 --> 00:25:51.759
 don't respond in faith

00:25:51.759 --> 00:25:52.759
 to the gospel of

00:25:52.759 --> 00:25:53.079
 Christ.

00:25:53.579 --> 00:25:54.200
 The current U.S.

00:25:54.200 --> 00:25:55.140
 mortality rate means

00:25:55.140 --> 00:25:57.140
 that 1,500 of those

00:25:57.140 --> 00:25:59.319
 185,600 will die this

00:25:59.319 --> 00:25:59.700
 year.

00:26:00.460 --> 00:26:01.220
 1,500 of those

00:26:01.220 --> 00:26:01.919
 people will die,

00:26:02.740 --> 00:26:03.359
 presuming that they're

00:26:03.359 --> 00:26:05.000
 not saved, that they

00:26:05.000 --> 00:26:05.740
 have not yet been

00:26:05.740 --> 00:26:06.419
 saved from their sin,

00:26:06.460 --> 00:26:07.200
 they are still enemies

00:26:07.200 --> 00:26:08.759
 of God, they are doomed

00:26:08.759 --> 00:26:10.659
 to eternal damnation.

00:26:10.960 --> 00:26:12.700
 This should break our

00:26:12.700 --> 00:26:13.179
 hearts.

00:26:13.759 --> 00:26:14.619
 This should press us to

00:26:14.619 --> 00:26:15.480
 the point where Paul is

00:26:15.480 --> 00:26:16.000
 at, where we would say,

00:26:16.079 --> 00:26:16.919
 I wish that I would be

00:26:16.919 --> 00:26:18.079
 cut off, that I would be

00:26:18.079 --> 00:26:19.859
 cursed, if just some of

00:26:19.859 --> 00:26:21.299
 these would come to

00:26:21.299 --> 00:26:21.579
 faith.

00:26:22.339 --> 00:26:23.299
 I'm willing to become

00:26:23.299 --> 00:26:24.220
 all things to all

00:26:24.220 --> 00:26:25.200
 people, I'm willing to

00:26:25.200 --> 00:26:26.519
 lay aside all of my

00:26:26.519 --> 00:26:27.720
 desires, all of my

00:26:27.720 --> 00:26:29.240
 wishes, because I know

00:26:29.240 --> 00:26:30.960
 Jesus cares about

00:26:30.960 --> 00:26:31.480
 these people.

00:26:31.799 --> 00:26:33.960
 I know that he wants

00:26:33.960 --> 00:26:35.480
 them to hear the

00:26:35.480 --> 00:26:36.460
 gospel of Jesus

00:26:36.460 --> 00:26:37.940
 Christ, that he wants

00:26:37.940 --> 00:26:38.839
 to give them opportunity

00:26:38.839 --> 00:26:40.740
 to respond in faith to

00:26:40.740 --> 00:26:42.019
 the good news of the

00:26:42.019 --> 00:26:42.359
 gospel.

00:26:43.440 --> 00:26:44.839
 I believe that the

00:26:44.839 --> 00:26:46.980
 life, death, and

00:26:46.980 --> 00:26:48.039
 resurrection of Christ

00:26:48.039 --> 00:26:49.120
 has great power.

00:26:50.220 --> 00:26:51.359
 I said to you two weeks

00:26:51.359 --> 00:26:52.099
 ago that I think we

00:26:52.099 --> 00:26:53.420
 often operate under the

00:26:53.420 --> 00:26:54.160
 assumption that God

00:26:54.160 --> 00:26:55.620
 doesn't want to save

00:26:55.620 --> 00:26:55.980
 people.

00:26:56.640 --> 00:26:57.519
 Our actions at least

00:26:57.519 --> 00:26:58.799
 seem to reflect that,

00:26:59.339 --> 00:27:00.119
 rather than operating

00:27:00.119 --> 00:27:00.579
 under the assumption

00:27:00.579 --> 00:27:01.619
 that he does.

00:27:02.220 --> 00:27:03.579
 He has good, eternal,

00:27:03.759 --> 00:27:05.139
 loving plans for the

00:27:05.139 --> 00:27:06.119
 world around us, and I

00:27:06.119 --> 00:27:08.740
 so want our church to be

00:27:08.740 --> 00:27:10.180
 involved in that.

00:27:14.180 --> 00:27:15.539
 Now, Paul, in speaking of

00:27:15.539 --> 00:27:16.160
 the ministry of

00:27:16.160 --> 00:27:17.119
 reconciliation that God

00:27:17.119 --> 00:27:17.980
 has given us in Christ,

00:27:18.119 --> 00:27:19.259
 said in 2 Corinthians 5

00:27:19.259 --> 00:27:21.680
 16, we regard no one

00:27:21.680 --> 00:27:23.559
 according to the flesh.

00:27:23.559 --> 00:27:24.779
 And so keep this in mind

00:27:24.779 --> 00:27:26.379
 as you leave this place,

00:27:26.919 --> 00:27:27.879
 you go out into the world

00:27:27.879 --> 00:27:29.200
 around you, you go grab

00:27:29.200 --> 00:27:29.799
 some lunch.

00:27:30.240 --> 00:27:31.279
 We ought not be looking at

00:27:31.279 --> 00:27:33.299
 people as temporal things.

00:27:33.779 --> 00:27:34.559
 Everything else in this

00:27:34.559 --> 00:27:35.220
 world you can view as

00:27:35.220 --> 00:27:36.119
 temporal, because it is for

00:27:36.119 --> 00:27:36.359
 sure.

00:27:36.859 --> 00:27:38.000
 But people themselves have

00:27:38.000 --> 00:27:38.720
 eternal souls.

00:27:38.859 --> 00:27:40.519
 Do not regard any of them

00:27:40.519 --> 00:27:41.940
 according to flesh.

00:27:42.000 --> 00:27:43.019
 And they're following one

00:27:43.019 --> 00:27:43.539
 of two ways.

00:27:43.639 --> 00:27:44.759
 They're following God and

00:27:44.759 --> 00:27:45.659
 obedience to him.

00:27:46.119 --> 00:27:47.200
 They're found in him.

00:27:47.440 --> 00:27:48.679
 They've been saved.

00:27:48.899 --> 00:27:49.960
 They will one day

00:27:49.960 --> 00:27:51.839
 eternally rejoice with him

00:27:51.839 --> 00:27:53.419
 in glory, or they're not.

00:27:54.439 --> 00:27:55.639
 And their end is destruction.

00:27:56.539 --> 00:27:57.720
 And they need the gospel.

00:27:59.799 --> 00:28:00.980
 Now, I know that often

00:28:00.980 --> 00:28:02.419
 statistics can be really

00:28:02.419 --> 00:28:02.939
 challenging.

00:28:03.799 --> 00:28:04.619
 I mean, this is just a

00:28:04.619 --> 00:28:06.039
 number on a screen, right?

00:28:06.799 --> 00:28:08.000
 It's zeros and ones on a

00:28:08.000 --> 00:28:09.379
 computer that projected an

00:28:09.379 --> 00:28:11.159
 image up onto a screen.

00:28:11.240 --> 00:28:13.419
 Much different than reality.

00:28:13.720 --> 00:28:15.480
 And so, you need to think of

00:28:15.480 --> 00:28:17.559
 people that you know that are

00:28:17.559 --> 00:28:19.059
 in this category.

00:28:19.759 --> 00:28:21.319
 Real human souls.

00:28:21.319 --> 00:28:23.379
 Not simply a digit on a

00:28:23.379 --> 00:28:24.339
 screen together, but there's

00:28:24.339 --> 00:28:25.359
 a reality to this.

00:28:25.419 --> 00:28:26.839
 And there are people passing

00:28:26.839 --> 00:28:29.339
 all the time around us.

00:28:30.079 --> 00:28:31.279
 There are people currently

00:28:31.279 --> 00:28:33.179
 separated from God that need

00:28:33.179 --> 00:28:34.059
 to know him.

00:28:34.379 --> 00:28:35.659
 They need to be made right

00:28:35.659 --> 00:28:37.179
 again with him.

00:28:38.919 --> 00:28:39.799
 And so we're going to take a

00:28:39.799 --> 00:28:40.939
 break from the sermon.

00:28:42.000 --> 00:28:42.960
 When you guys all sat down,

00:28:43.000 --> 00:28:43.700
 there was a piece of paper,

00:28:44.099 --> 00:28:44.919
 mostly blank.

00:28:45.240 --> 00:28:47.639
 So, one verse at the top of it,

00:28:47.659 --> 00:28:48.480
 and I want you to get it out.

00:28:48.480 --> 00:28:54.079
 I know many of you bring

00:28:54.079 --> 00:28:55.220
 paper with you on Sunday

00:28:55.220 --> 00:28:56.059
 mornings, and that's good.

00:28:56.259 --> 00:28:57.259
 I encourage you to be an

00:28:57.259 --> 00:28:58.339
 active listener and take

00:28:58.339 --> 00:28:58.720
 notes.

00:29:02.980 --> 00:29:04.339
 But I don't want any excuses

00:29:04.339 --> 00:29:04.779
 this morning.

00:29:04.860 --> 00:29:05.779
 So, you all have paper.

00:29:07.620 --> 00:29:08.839
 And right now, if you need a

00:29:08.839 --> 00:29:10.460
 pen, I want you to raise your

00:29:10.460 --> 00:29:10.680
 hand.

00:29:10.819 --> 00:29:12.259
 We have got pens galore.

00:29:12.960 --> 00:29:13.400
 Here we go.

00:29:13.480 --> 00:29:14.099
 They're coming at you.

00:29:14.319 --> 00:29:15.160
 You might be ready to catch

00:29:15.160 --> 00:29:15.299
 them.

00:29:15.299 --> 00:29:17.579
 And the guys are going to

00:29:17.579 --> 00:29:18.379
 make their way around with a

00:29:18.379 --> 00:29:19.039
 pen, and I'm going to tell you

00:29:19.039 --> 00:29:19.559
 what we're going to do with

00:29:19.559 --> 00:29:19.779
 these.

00:29:33.940 --> 00:29:34.740
 And what we're going to do,

00:29:34.799 --> 00:29:37.279
 again, may seem trite to you.

00:29:38.259 --> 00:29:38.980
 I don't care.

00:29:40.079 --> 00:29:41.079
 I want you to do it anyway.

00:29:41.079 --> 00:29:44.059
 Because I think that we too

00:29:44.059 --> 00:29:46.559
 often place ourselves above some

00:29:46.559 --> 00:29:48.439
 kind of exercise and practice

00:29:48.439 --> 00:29:49.799
 like this, and therefore we do

00:29:49.799 --> 00:29:50.960
 just nothing at all.

00:29:51.379 --> 00:29:54.819
 There are 15 lines on this piece of

00:29:54.819 --> 00:29:55.059
 paper.

00:29:56.339 --> 00:29:57.500
 After the fact, after I had

00:29:57.500 --> 00:29:58.839
 printed all these up, I did a

00:29:58.839 --> 00:30:01.579
 little bit of math, and I was just

00:30:01.579 --> 00:30:02.259
 curious, really.

00:30:02.259 --> 00:30:07.000
 And I took this 46,400 churched

00:30:07.000 --> 00:30:07.559
 people, right?

00:30:07.599 --> 00:30:09.220
 The remainder above and beyond

00:30:09.220 --> 00:30:10.799
 that, this 46,400.

00:30:11.759 --> 00:30:12.839
 And I just did a little math, and I

00:30:12.839 --> 00:30:15.379
 just said, if we could just get 25% of

00:30:15.379 --> 00:30:17.420
 these people, just 25% of that

00:30:17.420 --> 00:30:19.119
 population to actively be sharing the

00:30:19.119 --> 00:30:19.980
 gospel with their neighbors,

00:30:20.379 --> 00:30:22.720
 relatives, friends, coworkers, etc.

00:30:22.859 --> 00:30:24.519
 All the people that run in their

00:30:24.519 --> 00:30:26.599
 spheres of influence that are not

00:30:26.599 --> 00:30:28.220
 followers of Christ.

00:30:28.680 --> 00:30:29.920
 Then the responsibility of each

00:30:29.920 --> 00:30:31.359
 individual, and I know that this is

00:30:31.359 --> 00:30:33.740
 kind of a vacuum number, I get that

00:30:33.740 --> 00:30:35.619
 there's a lot of overlaps in those

00:30:35.619 --> 00:30:37.479
 spheres, but provided they were

00:30:37.479 --> 00:30:38.659
 evenly spread out across these

00:30:38.659 --> 00:30:40.079
 three counties, would be 16 people.

00:30:40.539 --> 00:30:41.839
 So I wish I'd given you 16 lines,

00:30:41.899 --> 00:30:42.479
 but I gave you 15.

00:30:43.519 --> 00:30:44.879
 Feel free to use the margin at the

00:30:44.879 --> 00:30:46.439
 bottom if you would like.

00:30:47.099 --> 00:30:47.979
 So we're going to take a break,

00:30:48.000 --> 00:30:48.859
 just a five-minute break.

00:30:48.919 --> 00:30:50.119
 We've got one song that's going to

00:30:50.119 --> 00:30:52.459
 get played over the speakers, and I

00:30:52.459 --> 00:30:53.799
 want you to do your very best to

00:30:53.799 --> 00:30:56.379
 list 15 people that you don't

00:30:56.379 --> 00:30:57.659
 believe are followers of Jesus

00:30:57.659 --> 00:30:58.579
 Christ, right?

00:30:59.019 --> 00:30:59.799
 It's kind of tough to tell in our

00:30:59.799 --> 00:31:00.679
 culture sometimes, because everyone

00:31:00.680 --> 00:31:01.820
 seems to say they are.

00:31:02.340 --> 00:31:04.640
 People that you don't think are

00:31:04.640 --> 00:31:05.519
 followers of Jesus Christ.

00:31:05.680 --> 00:31:09.320
 And it could be as simple as a girl

00:31:09.320 --> 00:31:10.600
 with blonde hair at Subway.

00:31:10.720 --> 00:31:13.120
 Like, you may not know her name, but

00:31:13.120 --> 00:31:14.880
 maybe you need to figure out what her

00:31:14.880 --> 00:31:15.940
 name is.

00:31:16.640 --> 00:31:18.160
 You may have specific people that are

00:31:18.160 --> 00:31:18.980
 coming to your mind.

00:31:19.220 --> 00:31:21.200
 I want you to make a list, if you can,

00:31:21.279 --> 00:31:22.600
 in this amount of time, do your very,

00:31:22.660 --> 00:31:24.960
 very best to make a list of 15 people

00:31:24.960 --> 00:31:26.880
 that you know, your sphere, right?

00:31:26.880 --> 00:31:28.220
 That you personally encounter

00:31:28.220 --> 00:31:30.480
 throughout the week, that you may see

00:31:30.480 --> 00:31:32.579
 this coming week, that are not

00:31:32.579 --> 00:31:34.140
 disciples of Jesus Christ, as far as

00:31:34.140 --> 00:31:34.640
 you may know.

00:31:35.380 --> 00:31:36.579
 And then we'll get back together in

00:31:36.579 --> 00:31:37.000
 just a few minutes.

00:31:37.059 --> 00:31:38.819
 So if you bring that music up, guys,

00:31:38.940 --> 00:31:40.799
 in about five minutes.

00:31:43.940 --> 00:31:44.539
 All right.

00:31:45.380 --> 00:31:48.240
 Now, if you're astute at all, let me

00:31:48.240 --> 00:31:49.539
 first say that there are 20 lines.

00:31:49.539 --> 00:31:52.720
 Because I had 15 lines, and I made

00:31:52.720 --> 00:31:53.899
 the font size bigger to give you more

00:31:53.899 --> 00:31:55.960
 space to write, and it bumped the lines

00:31:55.960 --> 00:31:56.139
 up.

00:31:56.279 --> 00:31:58.259
 So I started counting mine.

00:31:58.359 --> 00:32:00.359
 I thought, my gosh, oh, okay, the lines.

00:32:00.399 --> 00:32:01.220
 Oh, the lines are all messed up.

00:32:01.259 --> 00:32:02.639
 Okay, so there are 20 lines.

00:32:02.759 --> 00:32:04.720
 And good for you if you fill them all up.

00:32:06.240 --> 00:32:09.899
 Now, I'm just going to assume, and maybe

00:32:09.899 --> 00:32:13.099
 a lot of you couldn't quite get to 15 on

00:32:13.099 --> 00:32:13.720
 your sheet of paper.

00:32:14.279 --> 00:32:17.160
 But if there are that many, there are a

00:32:17.160 --> 00:32:19.920
 lot of souls represented by the people

00:32:19.920 --> 00:32:21.860
 in this room, the influences that you

00:32:21.860 --> 00:32:23.299
 have, the people that you get to be

00:32:23.299 --> 00:32:26.559
 around and give gospel proclamation to.

00:32:27.900 --> 00:32:29.900
 I think it's also probably pretty safe

00:32:29.900 --> 00:32:31.220
 to presume that there's not a lot of

00:32:31.220 --> 00:32:31.660
 overlap.

00:32:31.839 --> 00:32:32.779
 A lot of you are college students.

00:32:32.839 --> 00:32:34.240
 You may know some of the same people.

00:32:34.600 --> 00:32:36.440
 As a friend group, you may be ministering

00:32:36.440 --> 00:32:38.640
 and loving on some of the same people.

00:32:38.640 --> 00:32:40.880
 But there's probably not a lot of

00:32:40.880 --> 00:32:41.400
 overlap.

00:32:41.400 --> 00:32:45.860
 What a massive opportunity to be going

00:32:45.860 --> 00:32:49.540
 and to be pressing and to be sharing.

00:32:50.740 --> 00:32:52.620
 Now, if you are not a person that likes

00:32:52.620 --> 00:32:53.860
 this kind of stuff, you don't like it

00:32:53.860 --> 00:32:55.380
 when I start talking about statistics.

00:32:56.080 --> 00:32:58.019
 Let me read something to you by Charles

00:32:58.019 --> 00:33:00.000
 Spurgeon in a book he wrote called

00:33:00.000 --> 00:33:00.600
 The Soul Winner.

00:33:01.640 --> 00:33:02.200
 He said,

00:33:02.240 --> 00:33:04.519
 I am not among those who decry statistics,

00:33:04.900 --> 00:33:06.700
 nor do I consider that they are productive

00:33:06.700 --> 00:33:08.180
 of all manner of evil.

00:33:08.180 --> 00:33:11.060
 For they do much good if they are accurate

00:33:11.060 --> 00:33:12.920
 and if men use them lawfully.

00:33:13.740 --> 00:33:14.980
 It is a good thing for people to see

00:33:14.980 --> 00:33:16.820
 the nakedness of the land which statistics

00:33:16.820 --> 00:33:17.660
 of decrease.

00:33:18.299 --> 00:33:19.779
 That they may have been driven on their

00:33:19.779 --> 00:33:21.640
 knees before the Lord to seek prosperity.

00:33:21.860 --> 00:33:22.799
 And on the other hand,

00:33:23.240 --> 00:33:25.340
 it is by no means an evil thing for workers

00:33:25.340 --> 00:33:27.460
 to be encouraged by having some account

00:33:27.460 --> 00:33:29.880
 of results set before them.

00:33:30.279 --> 00:33:31.900
 We should see the failing

00:33:31.900 --> 00:33:33.660
 as well as be encouraged

00:33:33.660 --> 00:33:35.420
 by the success.

00:33:35.820 --> 00:33:36.700
 I should be very sorry

00:33:36.700 --> 00:33:38.400
 if the practice of adding up

00:33:38.400 --> 00:33:39.540
 and deducting

00:33:39.540 --> 00:33:41.360
 and giving in the net result

00:33:41.360 --> 00:33:42.279
 were to be abandoned.

00:33:42.800 --> 00:33:44.500
 For it must be right to know

00:33:44.500 --> 00:33:45.900
 our numerical condition.

00:33:46.779 --> 00:33:47.660
 It has been noticed

00:33:47.660 --> 00:33:49.740
 that those who object to the process

00:33:49.740 --> 00:33:51.380
 are often brethren

00:33:51.380 --> 00:33:53.440
 whose unsatisfactory reports

00:33:53.440 --> 00:33:55.700
 should somewhat humiliate them.

00:33:56.600 --> 00:33:57.920
 This is not always so,

00:33:58.420 --> 00:34:01.120
 but it is suspiciously frequent.

00:34:01.640 --> 00:34:03.160
 People who don't want to talk about numbers,

00:34:03.160 --> 00:34:04.340
 and I want to talk about growth,

00:34:04.460 --> 00:34:05.720
 typically are those

00:34:05.720 --> 00:34:06.940
 who would be very embarrassed

00:34:06.940 --> 00:34:08.320
 if they did.

00:34:08.420 --> 00:34:10.019
 This is what he is suggesting to us.

00:34:10.119 --> 00:34:11.559
 So, what do I want you to do

00:34:11.559 --> 00:34:12.519
 with this little sheet?

00:34:12.639 --> 00:34:13.220
 You know, it is conveniently

00:34:13.220 --> 00:34:14.920
 the size of your Bible,

00:34:15.079 --> 00:34:15.380
 likely,

00:34:15.500 --> 00:34:16.900
 will fit very conveniently in there.

00:34:17.960 --> 00:34:18.360
 Firstly,

00:34:19.460 --> 00:34:21.139
 begin to pray for the people

00:34:21.139 --> 00:34:22.619
 on this sheet.

00:34:23.920 --> 00:34:25.800
 Intercessory prayer is number one.

00:34:26.480 --> 00:34:27.280
 Pray for them.

00:34:27.420 --> 00:34:28.539
 Ask that God will be working

00:34:28.539 --> 00:34:29.360
 in their hearts.

00:34:29.579 --> 00:34:31.200
 Ask that He would be plowing

00:34:31.200 --> 00:34:32.280
 the soil

00:34:32.280 --> 00:34:33.600
 so that good seed

00:34:33.600 --> 00:34:34.900
 can land on it.

00:34:34.900 --> 00:34:35.740
 It's very possible

00:34:35.740 --> 00:34:36.620
 that some of these people

00:34:36.620 --> 00:34:38.780
 may receive the word

00:34:38.780 --> 00:34:40.040
 from somebody else,

00:34:40.040 --> 00:34:41.220
 but be in the process

00:34:41.220 --> 00:34:42.700
 of praying for them.

00:34:43.120 --> 00:34:44.440
 Ask that God would save

00:34:44.440 --> 00:34:45.380
 the souls

00:34:45.380 --> 00:34:47.380
 of the people on your sheet.

00:34:48.840 --> 00:34:49.440
 Secondly,

00:34:50.280 --> 00:34:51.240
 look for opportunities

00:34:51.240 --> 00:34:52.840
 to love them sacrificially.

00:34:53.920 --> 00:34:54.100
 Right?

00:34:54.240 --> 00:34:55.519
 As circumstances arise,

00:34:55.620 --> 00:34:57.360
 be available for people.

00:34:57.740 --> 00:34:59.120
 Go that extra step

00:34:59.119 --> 00:34:59.819
 for people.

00:34:59.980 --> 00:35:00.940
 Show people

00:35:00.940 --> 00:35:02.599
 that you care about them.

00:35:03.059 --> 00:35:03.779
 There are opportunities

00:35:03.779 --> 00:35:04.960
 abound to step

00:35:04.960 --> 00:35:05.839
 into somebody's life

00:35:05.839 --> 00:35:06.719
 and be a part

00:35:06.719 --> 00:35:07.440
 of the hurt

00:35:07.440 --> 00:35:08.199
 that's going on

00:35:08.199 --> 00:35:08.480
 in the world.

00:35:08.900 --> 00:35:09.539
 As the pastor

00:35:09.539 --> 00:35:10.299
 of this church,

00:35:10.440 --> 00:35:10.900
 let me tell you

00:35:10.900 --> 00:35:12.159
 that there are hurts

00:35:12.159 --> 00:35:13.579
 in our church.

00:35:13.880 --> 00:35:14.579
 And this extends

00:35:14.579 --> 00:35:15.779
 out beyond these walls.

00:35:16.339 --> 00:35:16.519
 Right?

00:35:16.719 --> 00:35:18.659
 This world is sin-infected.

00:35:18.739 --> 00:35:19.839
 We are all hurting

00:35:19.839 --> 00:35:21.659
 because of the rampant

00:35:21.659 --> 00:35:22.380
 nature of sin

00:35:22.380 --> 00:35:23.420
 in this world.

00:35:23.759 --> 00:35:24.599
 I jokingly ask people

00:35:24.599 --> 00:35:24.799
 all the time,

00:35:24.839 --> 00:35:25.359
 people talk about

00:35:25.359 --> 00:35:25.880
 health issues

00:35:25.880 --> 00:35:26.339
 and things like that.

00:35:26.339 --> 00:35:26.519
 I say,

00:35:26.579 --> 00:35:27.179
 you know why, right?

00:35:27.259 --> 00:35:27.500
 And they go,

00:35:27.539 --> 00:35:28.099
 no, I go, sin?

00:35:28.480 --> 00:35:28.659
 Right?

00:35:28.679 --> 00:35:29.259
 That's the thing

00:35:29.259 --> 00:35:30.480
 that's messed everything up

00:35:30.480 --> 00:35:31.039
 in this world.

00:35:31.419 --> 00:35:32.419
 Anything that goes poorly,

00:35:32.519 --> 00:35:33.619
 it's because of sin.

00:35:33.699 --> 00:35:35.079
 And it's running rampant.

00:35:35.159 --> 00:35:35.919
 So there's all kinds

00:35:35.919 --> 00:35:36.440
 of opportunities

00:35:36.440 --> 00:35:37.599
 to come alongside people

00:35:37.599 --> 00:35:38.699
 and love on people.

00:35:38.879 --> 00:35:39.299
 I tell you,

00:35:39.319 --> 00:35:40.539
 I can't do it all myself.

00:35:40.919 --> 00:35:41.099
 Right?

00:35:41.119 --> 00:35:41.799
 I need your help.

00:35:41.919 --> 00:35:42.819
 You've got to be with people.

00:35:43.099 --> 00:35:43.699
 You've got to be out there

00:35:43.699 --> 00:35:44.219
 in the community

00:35:44.219 --> 00:35:45.779
 loving them sacrificially

00:35:45.779 --> 00:35:47.460
 as the circumstances arise.

00:35:48.460 --> 00:35:49.219
 And thirdly,

00:35:49.940 --> 00:35:51.679
 commit to proclaiming

00:35:51.679 --> 00:35:52.279
 the gospel

00:35:52.279 --> 00:35:53.940
 to three people

00:35:53.940 --> 00:35:54.659
 on this list

00:35:54.659 --> 00:35:56.739
 in the next two weeks.

00:35:57.179 --> 00:35:57.919
 I want you to make

00:35:57.919 --> 00:35:58.519
 a star,

00:35:58.899 --> 00:35:59.639
 an asterisk,

00:35:59.839 --> 00:36:00.759
 a smiley face,

00:36:01.799 --> 00:36:03.599
 a swirly thing.

00:36:03.659 --> 00:36:04.079
 I don't care.

00:36:04.139 --> 00:36:05.019
 Whatever you want to make,

00:36:05.299 --> 00:36:06.159
 I want you to put next

00:36:06.159 --> 00:36:07.199
 to three people on this,

00:36:07.439 --> 00:36:08.559
 three people that you believe

00:36:08.559 --> 00:36:09.299
 that you'll be able

00:36:09.299 --> 00:36:09.639
 to share,

00:36:09.779 --> 00:36:10.859
 make gospel proclamation

00:36:10.859 --> 00:36:12.359
 to in the next two weeks.

00:36:12.759 --> 00:36:12.919
 Right?

00:36:13.059 --> 00:36:13.959
 It's a simple thing.

00:36:14.039 --> 00:36:14.859
 Don't ask their permission

00:36:14.859 --> 00:36:15.299
 to do it.

00:36:15.359 --> 00:36:15.759
 Say, hey,

00:36:15.819 --> 00:36:16.519
 I have something

00:36:16.519 --> 00:36:17.579
 I want to tell you

00:36:17.579 --> 00:36:18.739
 that's really important

00:36:18.739 --> 00:36:19.859
 and preach the gospel

00:36:19.859 --> 00:36:20.179
 to them.

00:36:20.199 --> 00:36:20.639
 And I'm going to tell you

00:36:20.639 --> 00:36:21.059
 a little bit more

00:36:21.059 --> 00:36:22.000
 about that in a moment.

00:36:22.439 --> 00:36:23.059
 But let's do that.

00:36:23.159 --> 00:36:23.719
 Three people

00:36:23.719 --> 00:36:25.079
 over the next two weeks.

00:36:25.079 --> 00:36:26.519
 If you're part of

00:36:26.519 --> 00:36:27.460
 a community outreach group,

00:36:27.579 --> 00:36:28.340
 share it with them.

00:36:28.420 --> 00:36:29.139
 If you're not,

00:36:29.500 --> 00:36:30.579
 get involved with one.

00:36:30.639 --> 00:36:31.119
 If you're a guest

00:36:31.119 --> 00:36:31.679
 with us today,

00:36:31.819 --> 00:36:32.579
 find someone

00:36:32.579 --> 00:36:33.579
 back where you are,

00:36:34.000 --> 00:36:35.059
 a group of people

00:36:35.059 --> 00:36:35.500
 that you can be

00:36:35.500 --> 00:36:37.039
 accountable to doing this.

00:36:37.179 --> 00:36:38.059
 And be flexible.

00:36:38.400 --> 00:36:38.539
 Right?

00:36:38.739 --> 00:36:39.539
 You might find that

00:36:39.539 --> 00:36:40.420
 through the process

00:36:40.420 --> 00:36:41.139
 of loving people

00:36:41.139 --> 00:36:41.799
 sacrificially

00:36:41.799 --> 00:36:43.019
 as circumstances arise,

00:36:43.360 --> 00:36:44.819
 that your plan may change.

00:36:44.840 --> 00:36:45.579
 And that is good

00:36:45.579 --> 00:36:46.440
 and fine.

00:36:46.679 --> 00:36:47.400
 As the Spirit of God

00:36:47.400 --> 00:36:47.840
 is moving

00:36:47.840 --> 00:36:48.599
 and working

00:36:48.599 --> 00:36:49.099
 in the lives

00:36:49.099 --> 00:36:49.679
 of these people,

00:36:49.679 --> 00:36:50.339
 be willing

00:36:50.339 --> 00:36:51.379
 to be flexible

00:36:51.379 --> 00:36:52.539
 and to make

00:36:52.539 --> 00:36:54.359
 responses to it.

00:36:54.639 --> 00:36:54.819
 Now,

00:36:55.639 --> 00:36:57.059
 do I expect

00:36:57.059 --> 00:36:58.440
 that simply because

00:36:58.440 --> 00:36:59.639
 we get active

00:36:59.639 --> 00:37:00.399
 doing some things

00:37:00.399 --> 00:37:01.059
 like this

00:37:01.059 --> 00:37:02.339
 that people

00:37:02.339 --> 00:37:03.219
 are necessarily

00:37:03.219 --> 00:37:03.719
 going to come

00:37:03.719 --> 00:37:04.480
 to faith in Christ?

00:37:05.480 --> 00:37:05.779
 No.

00:37:06.339 --> 00:37:07.299
 I don't.

00:37:08.039 --> 00:37:09.259
 I think that the fact

00:37:09.259 --> 00:37:09.819
 that we don't see

00:37:09.819 --> 00:37:10.399
 more people

00:37:10.399 --> 00:37:11.480
 coming to faith in Christ

00:37:11.480 --> 00:37:12.639
 is indicative

00:37:12.639 --> 00:37:13.739
 that we don't do

00:37:13.739 --> 00:37:15.159
 this like we should.

00:37:15.659 --> 00:37:16.699
 I think that's very true

00:37:16.699 --> 00:37:17.699
 of our congregation.

00:37:17.699 --> 00:37:19.039
 That we're not going

00:37:19.039 --> 00:37:19.899
 and sharing the gospel

00:37:19.899 --> 00:37:21.259
 the way we ought to.

00:37:21.619 --> 00:37:23.419
 But God has at times

00:37:23.419 --> 00:37:23.980
 in history

00:37:23.980 --> 00:37:24.699
 withheld blessing

00:37:24.699 --> 00:37:25.219
 and we should be

00:37:25.219 --> 00:37:26.239
 very aware of this.

00:37:26.439 --> 00:37:26.519
 Right?

00:37:26.579 --> 00:37:27.019
 There are going to be

00:37:27.019 --> 00:37:28.379
 different types of soil.

00:37:28.500 --> 00:37:29.139
 Some of these people,

00:37:29.439 --> 00:37:30.219
 you're going to be faithful,

00:37:30.480 --> 00:37:31.299
 you're going to get in there,

00:37:31.480 --> 00:37:32.179
 you're going to do the thing

00:37:32.179 --> 00:37:32.980
 that you're supposed to do,

00:37:33.059 --> 00:37:34.039
 and they're going to reject you.

00:37:34.199 --> 00:37:35.199
 They're going to laugh at you.

00:37:35.399 --> 00:37:35.519
 Right?

00:37:35.539 --> 00:37:36.299
 They're going to mock at you.

00:37:36.339 --> 00:37:36.980
 They're just going to think

00:37:36.980 --> 00:37:37.579
 you're kind of nutty.

00:37:37.579 --> 00:37:38.899
 Or they may just not really care

00:37:38.899 --> 00:37:39.639
 at all.

00:37:39.739 --> 00:37:41.039
 This is going to happen.

00:37:41.279 --> 00:37:43.199
 And every time I think about this

00:37:43.199 --> 00:37:44.159
 and I experience this,

00:37:44.480 --> 00:37:45.659
 I'm always drawn

00:37:45.659 --> 00:37:46.919
 to the life of Jeremiah

00:37:46.920 --> 00:37:48.260
 who was a prophet,

00:37:48.320 --> 00:37:49.300
 one of the major prophets,

00:37:49.519 --> 00:37:52.059
 prophesied for a very long time,

00:37:52.119 --> 00:37:52.840
 for decades.

00:37:53.900 --> 00:37:55.320
 And it's presumed that he had,

00:37:55.400 --> 00:37:57.180
 depending on who you hear say,

00:37:57.260 --> 00:37:58.860
 that he had nobody turn back

00:37:58.860 --> 00:37:59.680
 to the ways of God

00:37:59.680 --> 00:38:00.420
 in his ministry.

00:38:00.780 --> 00:38:01.800
 Some people say won.

00:38:02.320 --> 00:38:03.659
 Guys, maybe he did.

00:38:04.059 --> 00:38:06.440
 The text gives us some clue to that.

00:38:06.440 --> 00:38:08.079
 He won in all of this time

00:38:08.079 --> 00:38:09.059
 that he was doing this.

00:38:09.460 --> 00:38:10.420
 And he was hated.

00:38:10.539 --> 00:38:11.680
 He was always telling people

00:38:11.680 --> 00:38:12.380
 about the destruction

00:38:12.380 --> 00:38:13.000
 that was going to come.

00:38:13.039 --> 00:38:14.159
 If they continued in their ways,

00:38:14.460 --> 00:38:15.760
 this destruction was coming on them.

00:38:15.760 --> 00:38:18.100
 Nobody liked Jeremiah.

00:38:19.040 --> 00:38:19.880
 And in chapter 20,

00:38:19.960 --> 00:38:21.500
 he laments this.

00:38:21.640 --> 00:38:22.880
 Chapter 20, verse 7,

00:38:22.960 --> 00:38:23.320
 he says,

00:38:23.320 --> 00:38:24.380
 Oh Lord,

00:38:24.600 --> 00:38:26.220
 you have deceived me

00:38:26.220 --> 00:38:28.300
 and I was deceived.

00:38:28.880 --> 00:38:30.300
 You are stronger than I

00:38:30.300 --> 00:38:31.440
 and you have prevailed.

00:38:31.920 --> 00:38:33.519
 I have become a laughingstock

00:38:33.519 --> 00:38:34.600
 all the day.

00:38:35.200 --> 00:38:36.280
 Everyone mocks me.

00:38:36.660 --> 00:38:37.840
 For whenever I speak,

00:38:37.920 --> 00:38:38.780
 I cry out,

00:38:38.880 --> 00:38:39.539
 I shout,

00:38:39.800 --> 00:38:41.240
 violence and destruction.

00:38:41.960 --> 00:38:42.820
 For the word of the Lord

00:38:42.820 --> 00:38:43.660
 has become for me

00:38:43.660 --> 00:38:45.720
 a reproach and derision

00:38:45.720 --> 00:38:46.840
 all day long.

00:38:47.080 --> 00:38:48.280
 God, you tricked me.

00:38:48.920 --> 00:38:49.519
 You said to me,

00:38:49.519 --> 00:38:51.099
 if I follow you,

00:38:51.579 --> 00:38:52.900
 I'm going to do great things

00:38:52.900 --> 00:38:53.480
 with you.

00:38:54.480 --> 00:38:55.259
 Fooled, right?

00:38:55.719 --> 00:38:57.320
 I'm a total laughingstock.

00:38:57.480 --> 00:38:58.280
 I'm always telling people

00:38:58.280 --> 00:38:58.960
 bad news.

00:39:00.019 --> 00:39:00.440
 In verse 9,

00:39:00.500 --> 00:39:00.699
 he says,

00:39:00.800 --> 00:39:01.360
 If I say,

00:39:01.480 --> 00:39:02.599
 I will not mention him

00:39:02.599 --> 00:39:04.099
 or speak any more

00:39:04.099 --> 00:39:04.639
 in his name,

00:39:04.940 --> 00:39:06.099
 there is in my heart,

00:39:06.179 --> 00:39:06.719
 as it were,

00:39:06.800 --> 00:39:08.039
 a burning fire

00:39:08.039 --> 00:39:09.539
 shut up in my bones

00:39:09.539 --> 00:39:10.739
 and I am weary

00:39:10.739 --> 00:39:12.000
 with holding it in

00:39:12.000 --> 00:39:13.360
 and I cannot.

00:39:14.400 --> 00:39:15.320
 The word of God

00:39:15.320 --> 00:39:16.039
 to Jeremiah

00:39:16.039 --> 00:39:18.000
 was so powerful in him

00:39:18.000 --> 00:39:20.080
 that he had to share it.

00:39:20.519 --> 00:39:21.480
 Even though he had

00:39:21.480 --> 00:39:22.480
 these emotions of,

00:39:22.559 --> 00:39:23.620
 Oh, I've been tricked.

00:39:24.140 --> 00:39:25.740
 What a path to walk in.

00:39:25.780 --> 00:39:26.580
 It's miserable.

00:39:27.320 --> 00:39:28.380
 But yet God had given him

00:39:28.380 --> 00:39:29.920
 a word to give to his people

00:39:29.920 --> 00:39:32.019
 and he had to share it.

00:39:32.880 --> 00:39:33.980
 So we ought to be

00:39:33.980 --> 00:39:34.840
 in that position.

00:39:34.960 --> 00:39:36.160
 If people are not responding

00:39:36.160 --> 00:39:37.019
 in faith to Christ

00:39:37.019 --> 00:39:37.760
 by our work,

00:39:37.980 --> 00:39:39.100
 we ought to still be

00:39:39.100 --> 00:39:40.400
 influenced in this way.

00:39:40.760 --> 00:39:41.480
 Pressing on.

00:39:41.720 --> 00:39:42.019
 Pushing.

00:39:42.340 --> 00:39:42.620
 Pushing.

00:39:42.960 --> 00:39:43.240
 Pushing.

00:39:43.559 --> 00:39:44.240
 Intercessory prayer.

00:39:44.360 --> 00:39:45.039
 Sacrificial love.

00:39:45.039 --> 00:39:45.880
 Gospel proclamation.

00:39:46.320 --> 00:39:47.519
 I believe God

00:39:47.519 --> 00:39:48.599
 will reward our efforts.

00:39:49.179 --> 00:39:49.820
 We'll see.

00:39:49.900 --> 00:39:50.960
 But if he doesn't,

00:39:51.099 --> 00:39:52.320
 if he delays the blessing

00:39:52.320 --> 00:39:53.380
 of our efforts,

00:39:53.460 --> 00:39:54.840
 we ought to still work

00:39:54.840 --> 00:39:55.759
 at this very thing.

00:39:59.219 --> 00:40:00.679
 So we must share the gospel.

00:40:00.900 --> 00:40:02.019
 We must share the gospel

00:40:02.019 --> 00:40:03.599
 regularly

00:40:03.599 --> 00:40:04.360
 and we must share

00:40:04.360 --> 00:40:06.119
 the gospel rightly.

00:40:06.500 --> 00:40:06.880
 We must share

00:40:06.880 --> 00:40:07.519
 the gospel rightly.

00:40:08.219 --> 00:40:09.000
 Alright, we're going to scoot.

00:40:09.079 --> 00:40:09.300
 You ready?

00:40:10.159 --> 00:40:10.980
 We're running out of time.

00:40:12.239 --> 00:40:13.679
 Verse 14 of Mark chapter 4

00:40:13.679 --> 00:40:14.320
 says,

00:40:14.320 --> 00:40:16.580
 The sower sows the word.

00:40:16.800 --> 00:40:19.620
 The good soil bears good fruit.

00:40:19.840 --> 00:40:22.180
 So the word brings forth

00:40:22.180 --> 00:40:23.539
 the word.

00:40:23.740 --> 00:40:25.320
 More proclamation.

00:40:25.660 --> 00:40:27.360
 More seed planting.

00:40:28.100 --> 00:40:29.539
 But in the doing of this,

00:40:29.640 --> 00:40:33.100
 we must preach the whole gospel.

00:40:33.600 --> 00:40:36.180
 We must preach the whole gospel.

00:40:36.400 --> 00:40:37.700
 And I hate that there's some kind

00:40:37.700 --> 00:40:39.440
 of a qualifier placed on gospel.

00:40:39.539 --> 00:40:40.500
 We should say gospel

00:40:40.500 --> 00:40:41.800
 and everybody knows exactly

00:40:41.800 --> 00:40:43.099
 what we're talking about.

00:40:43.239 --> 00:40:44.739
 The word simply means

00:40:44.739 --> 00:40:45.579
 good news.

00:40:45.719 --> 00:40:46.820
 We understand it to be

00:40:46.820 --> 00:40:47.639
 the good news

00:40:47.639 --> 00:40:49.039
 of Jesus Christ.

00:40:49.179 --> 00:40:49.860
 But there's this

00:40:49.860 --> 00:40:51.739
 cultural press

00:40:51.739 --> 00:40:53.000
 to say the whole gospel

00:40:53.000 --> 00:40:54.340
 because so often

00:40:54.340 --> 00:40:55.380
 people are being preached

00:40:55.380 --> 00:40:56.719
 the quote-unquote

00:40:56.719 --> 00:40:57.559
 gospel

00:40:57.559 --> 00:40:59.780
 in an abbreviated form.

00:40:59.940 --> 00:41:01.639
 And that is primarily

00:41:01.639 --> 00:41:03.480
 across our nation

00:41:03.480 --> 00:41:04.139
 this morning

00:41:04.139 --> 00:41:05.219
 even happening

00:41:05.219 --> 00:41:06.500
 as people are neutering

00:41:06.500 --> 00:41:06.920
 the gospel

00:41:06.920 --> 00:41:07.780
 because they're taking out

00:41:07.780 --> 00:41:08.640
 the judgment of God

00:41:08.640 --> 00:41:09.260
 for sin.

00:41:10.200 --> 00:41:11.560
 They're teaching simply

00:41:11.560 --> 00:41:12.380
 that God is love

00:41:12.380 --> 00:41:13.500
 which He most certainly is

00:41:13.500 --> 00:41:14.600
 but they're neglecting

00:41:14.600 --> 00:41:15.300
 the fact that God

00:41:15.300 --> 00:41:16.580
 is also full of wrath

00:41:16.580 --> 00:41:17.440
 and vengeance

00:41:17.440 --> 00:41:18.460
 against His enemies.

00:41:19.540 --> 00:41:20.120
 They're saying that

00:41:20.120 --> 00:41:21.080
 we need to be saved

00:41:21.080 --> 00:41:22.019
 from something

00:41:22.019 --> 00:41:22.820
 but what?

00:41:23.360 --> 00:41:24.180
 What exactly

00:41:24.180 --> 00:41:26.260
 are we being saved from?

00:41:26.380 --> 00:41:27.160
 Or being taught

00:41:27.160 --> 00:41:28.860
 that there's a God-sized hole

00:41:28.860 --> 00:41:29.840
 in the middle of our hearts

00:41:29.840 --> 00:41:31.019
 that only He can fill.

00:41:31.620 --> 00:41:31.780
 Right?

00:41:31.900 --> 00:41:32.540
 That our life

00:41:32.540 --> 00:41:33.400
 will just be better.

00:41:33.680 --> 00:41:34.240
 We can experience

00:41:34.240 --> 00:41:35.560
 our best life now

00:41:35.560 --> 00:41:36.400
 if we simply add

00:41:36.400 --> 00:41:37.880
 this little thing called Jesus

00:41:37.880 --> 00:41:38.820
 to the mix

00:41:38.820 --> 00:41:39.880
 of what's going on.

00:41:40.599 --> 00:41:41.460
 And I'll tell you

00:41:41.460 --> 00:41:42.720
 that this is a major reason

00:41:42.720 --> 00:41:44.660
 that there is rocky soil.

00:41:45.320 --> 00:41:45.639
 That they see

00:41:45.639 --> 00:41:46.500
 this little spring up

00:41:46.500 --> 00:41:46.860
 people go

00:41:46.860 --> 00:41:47.980
 that sounds fantastic.

00:41:48.500 --> 00:41:48.639
 Right?

00:41:48.800 --> 00:41:50.000
 Place my faith in Jesus Christ

00:41:50.000 --> 00:41:50.619
 and things are going to get

00:41:50.619 --> 00:41:51.220
 a little bit better

00:41:51.220 --> 00:41:52.320
 and then they don't.

00:41:52.680 --> 00:41:53.619
 They get worse.

00:41:54.440 --> 00:41:54.599
 Right?

00:41:54.880 --> 00:41:56.220
 The sun of tribulation comes

00:41:56.220 --> 00:41:58.139
 and those people fade away.

00:41:58.880 --> 00:41:59.579
 This is happening

00:41:59.579 --> 00:42:01.160
 in such massive

00:42:01.160 --> 00:42:03.160
 staggering degree.

00:42:03.660 --> 00:42:04.420
 False conversion

00:42:04.420 --> 00:42:05.480
 after false conversion

00:42:05.480 --> 00:42:06.440
 after false conversion

00:42:06.440 --> 00:42:07.800
 because the gospel itself

00:42:07.800 --> 00:42:09.360
 is not preached.

00:42:09.500 --> 00:42:10.940
 Some little trite version

00:42:10.940 --> 00:42:12.000
 of it is preached.

00:42:12.559 --> 00:42:12.920
 But not...

00:42:12.920 --> 00:42:13.559
 That's the third time

00:42:13.559 --> 00:42:14.179
 I've used that word

00:42:14.179 --> 00:42:14.579
 this morning.

00:42:14.659 --> 00:42:15.000
 Trite.

00:42:16.980 --> 00:42:18.139
 They're not being told

00:42:18.139 --> 00:42:19.280
 of the wrath to come.

00:42:19.400 --> 00:42:20.440
 People are not fleeing

00:42:20.440 --> 00:42:23.099
 from the destruction of God

00:42:23.099 --> 00:42:25.079
 to the salvation of God.

00:42:25.599 --> 00:42:25.780
 Right?

00:42:25.800 --> 00:42:26.440
 We are saved

00:42:26.440 --> 00:42:27.800
 from God

00:42:27.800 --> 00:42:28.619
 by God

00:42:28.619 --> 00:42:29.420
 to God.

00:42:29.559 --> 00:42:30.159
 Those are all

00:42:30.159 --> 00:42:31.099
 important elements

00:42:31.099 --> 00:42:32.300
 of good gospel

00:42:32.300 --> 00:42:33.300
 presentation.

00:42:33.300 --> 00:42:34.900
 A guy,

00:42:35.000 --> 00:42:35.560
 a street evangelist

00:42:35.560 --> 00:42:36.539
 by the name of Ray Comfort

00:42:36.539 --> 00:42:37.980
 wrote a book called

00:42:37.980 --> 00:42:39.019
 The Way of the Master.

00:42:39.120 --> 00:42:39.620
 You may or may not

00:42:39.620 --> 00:42:40.300
 be familiar with him.

00:42:40.360 --> 00:42:40.860
 Let me just give you

00:42:40.860 --> 00:42:42.019
 a couple of antidotes

00:42:42.019 --> 00:42:42.980
 from this book

00:42:42.980 --> 00:42:44.620
 about the nature

00:42:44.620 --> 00:42:46.420
 of this type of teaching,

00:42:46.620 --> 00:42:47.840
 this neutered version

00:42:47.840 --> 00:42:48.740
 of the gospel.

00:42:49.140 --> 00:42:49.860
 In Cleveland, Ohio,

00:42:49.980 --> 00:42:50.900
 an inner city outreach

00:42:50.900 --> 00:42:52.360
 brought 400 decisions.

00:42:53.039 --> 00:42:54.360
 The rejoicing no doubt

00:42:54.360 --> 00:42:54.960
 tapered off

00:42:54.960 --> 00:42:55.980
 when workers involved

00:42:55.980 --> 00:42:57.200
 in a follow-up campaign

00:42:57.200 --> 00:42:58.260
 couldn't find

00:42:58.260 --> 00:42:59.440
 a single one

00:42:59.440 --> 00:43:00.440
 of the 400

00:43:00.440 --> 00:43:01.480
 who had supposedly

00:43:01.480 --> 00:43:02.679
 made a decision.

00:43:03.599 --> 00:43:04.280
 In 1991,

00:43:04.539 --> 00:43:05.639
 organizer of a Salt Lake City

00:43:05.639 --> 00:43:06.800
 concert encouraged

00:43:06.800 --> 00:43:07.440
 follow-up.

00:43:07.960 --> 00:43:08.519
 They said

00:43:08.519 --> 00:43:09.960
 less than 5%

00:43:09.960 --> 00:43:10.920
 of those who respond

00:43:10.920 --> 00:43:11.840
 to an altar call

00:43:11.840 --> 00:43:13.059
 during a public crusade

00:43:13.059 --> 00:43:14.780
 are living a Christian life

00:43:14.780 --> 00:43:15.920
 one year later.

00:43:16.960 --> 00:43:17.780
 A pastor in Boulder,

00:43:17.900 --> 00:43:18.300
 Colorado,

00:43:18.420 --> 00:43:19.260
 sent a team to Russia

00:43:19.260 --> 00:43:20.039
 in 1991

00:43:20.039 --> 00:43:21.079
 and obtained

00:43:21.079 --> 00:43:22.619
 2,500 decisions.

00:43:23.039 --> 00:43:23.740
 The next year,

00:43:23.820 --> 00:43:24.480
 the team found

00:43:24.480 --> 00:43:25.380
 only 30

00:43:25.380 --> 00:43:27.059
 continuing in their faith.

00:43:27.059 --> 00:43:28.719
 That's a retention rate

00:43:28.719 --> 00:43:31.380
 of 1.2%.

00:43:31.380 --> 00:43:32.699
 George Barna

00:43:32.699 --> 00:43:33.460
 of the Barna Group

00:43:33.460 --> 00:43:34.340
 says that the majority

00:43:34.340 --> 00:43:35.940
 of people making decisions

00:43:35.940 --> 00:43:37.279
 leave the church

00:43:37.279 --> 00:43:40.139
 in six to eight weeks.

00:43:40.719 --> 00:43:42.039
 In Leeds, England,

00:43:42.199 --> 00:43:43.199
 a visiting American speaker

00:43:43.199 --> 00:43:44.679
 acquired 400 decisions

00:43:44.679 --> 00:43:45.579
 for a local church.

00:43:46.079 --> 00:43:47.039
 Six weeks later,

00:43:47.159 --> 00:43:49.099
 only two were still committed

00:43:49.099 --> 00:43:50.400
 and they eventually

00:43:50.400 --> 00:43:51.519
 fell away.

00:43:52.360 --> 00:43:53.539
 It's not a new problem.

00:43:53.739 --> 00:43:54.820
 In November 1970,

00:43:54.960 --> 00:43:55.619
 a number of churches

00:43:55.619 --> 00:43:56.679
 combined for a convention

00:43:56.679 --> 00:43:57.480
 in Fort Worth, Texas

00:43:57.480 --> 00:43:58.519
 and secured

00:43:58.519 --> 00:44:00.199
 30,000 decisions.

00:44:01.019 --> 00:44:01.699
 Six months later,

00:44:01.739 --> 00:44:02.339
 the follow-up committee

00:44:02.339 --> 00:44:03.799
 could find only 30

00:44:03.799 --> 00:44:05.119
 still continuing

00:44:05.119 --> 00:44:06.219
 in their faith.

00:44:07.059 --> 00:44:08.019
 In Omaha, Nebraska,

00:44:08.159 --> 00:44:09.299
 a pastor of a large church

00:44:09.299 --> 00:44:10.059
 said he was involved

00:44:10.059 --> 00:44:10.739
 with the crusade

00:44:10.739 --> 00:44:12.619
 where 1,300 decisions

00:44:12.619 --> 00:44:13.139
 were made,

00:44:13.519 --> 00:44:14.139
 yet not even

00:44:14.139 --> 00:44:15.819
 one convert

00:44:15.819 --> 00:44:17.219
 continued

00:44:17.219 --> 00:44:18.859
 in his or her faith.

00:44:20.119 --> 00:44:21.299
 Pastor Dennis Grinnell

00:44:21.299 --> 00:44:22.259
 from Auckland, New Zealand,

00:44:22.359 --> 00:44:23.159
 who has traveled to India

00:44:23.159 --> 00:44:24.539
 every year since 1980,

00:44:25.079 --> 00:44:26.219
 reported that he saw,

00:44:26.219 --> 00:44:26.679
 get this,

00:44:26.739 --> 00:44:29.119
 he saw 80,000 decision cards

00:44:29.119 --> 00:44:30.739
 stacked in a hut

00:44:30.739 --> 00:44:32.899
 in the city of Raja Mundri,

00:44:33.279 --> 00:44:34.219
 the results,

00:44:34.679 --> 00:44:35.139
 quote-unquote,

00:44:35.279 --> 00:44:37.639
 of past evangelistic crusades.

00:44:38.019 --> 00:44:39.000
 But he maintained

00:44:39.000 --> 00:44:40.599
 that one would be fortunate

00:44:40.599 --> 00:44:42.679
 to find even 80 Christians

00:44:42.679 --> 00:44:44.439
 in the entire city.

00:44:45.619 --> 00:44:47.279
 We must preach

00:44:47.279 --> 00:44:49.919
 the gospel rightly.

00:44:49.920 --> 00:44:52.280
 We see this to be the case

00:44:52.280 --> 00:44:54.240
 with the life of Jesus.

00:44:54.440 --> 00:44:55.039
 And I'm going to get there

00:44:55.039 --> 00:44:55.720
 in a moment

00:44:55.720 --> 00:44:56.740
 where he gives

00:44:56.740 --> 00:44:57.780
 the law

00:44:57.780 --> 00:44:59.380
 to the proud.

00:44:59.880 --> 00:45:01.240
 He tells the proud,

00:45:01.519 --> 00:45:02.440
 the self-righteous,

00:45:02.519 --> 00:45:03.240
 about the judgment

00:45:03.240 --> 00:45:04.320
 of God.

00:45:04.820 --> 00:45:06.420
 And he gives grace

00:45:06.420 --> 00:45:07.440
 to those who are

00:45:07.440 --> 00:45:08.380
 already humbled

00:45:08.380 --> 00:45:09.420
 by the law

00:45:09.420 --> 00:45:10.380
 and by the judgment

00:45:10.380 --> 00:45:11.059
 of God.

00:45:11.099 --> 00:45:12.260
 So they've already received

00:45:12.260 --> 00:45:13.180
 that component

00:45:13.180 --> 00:45:14.559
 of the gospel message

00:45:14.559 --> 00:45:15.320
 and then he just

00:45:15.320 --> 00:45:16.920
 simply gives them

00:45:16.920 --> 00:45:17.659
 grace.

00:45:17.659 --> 00:45:19.839
 Now the law serves us

00:45:19.839 --> 00:45:21.299
 in such great ways,

00:45:21.420 --> 00:45:21.639
 beloved.

00:45:21.759 --> 00:45:22.659
 Galatians 3,

00:45:22.899 --> 00:45:24.759
 23-27 says this,

00:45:25.039 --> 00:45:26.139
 Now before faith came,

00:45:27.079 --> 00:45:28.059
 we were held captive

00:45:28.059 --> 00:45:28.699
 under the law,

00:45:28.839 --> 00:45:29.299
 imprisoned

00:45:29.299 --> 00:45:31.000
 until the coming faith

00:45:31.000 --> 00:45:31.659
 would be revealed.

00:45:32.420 --> 00:45:33.460
 So then the law

00:45:33.460 --> 00:45:34.299
 was our guardian

00:45:34.299 --> 00:45:35.219
 until Christ came

00:45:35.219 --> 00:45:36.079
 in order that we might

00:45:36.079 --> 00:45:38.019
 be justified by faith.

00:45:38.599 --> 00:45:40.099
 But now that faith has come,

00:45:40.159 --> 00:45:40.940
 we are no longer

00:45:40.940 --> 00:45:41.819
 under a guardian

00:45:41.819 --> 00:45:42.980
 for in Christ Jesus

00:45:42.980 --> 00:45:45.539
 you are all sons of God

00:45:45.539 --> 00:45:46.759
 through faith.

00:45:46.760 --> 00:45:48.100
 Now the picture

00:45:48.100 --> 00:45:48.920
 that's happening here

00:45:48.920 --> 00:45:49.920
 for them is that

00:45:49.920 --> 00:45:50.940
 in this day

00:45:50.940 --> 00:45:52.520
 a wealthy man

00:45:52.520 --> 00:45:53.480
 who had a son

00:45:53.480 --> 00:45:54.460
 who was young

00:45:54.460 --> 00:45:56.060
 wasn't quite considered

00:45:56.060 --> 00:45:56.720
 a son yet.

00:45:56.800 --> 00:45:57.680
 While he had some

00:45:57.680 --> 00:45:59.460
 lineage there,

00:45:59.660 --> 00:46:00.440
 he was important

00:46:00.440 --> 00:46:01.320
 to the father.

00:46:01.400 --> 00:46:01.900
 He didn't have all

00:46:01.900 --> 00:46:03.280
 the rights of a son yet.

00:46:03.500 --> 00:46:03.980
 And the father

00:46:03.980 --> 00:46:04.900
 would hire for him

00:46:04.900 --> 00:46:05.660
 what was called

00:46:05.660 --> 00:46:06.340
 a guardian,

00:46:06.600 --> 00:46:07.820
 a tutor essentially.

00:46:08.100 --> 00:46:08.880
 And this man

00:46:08.880 --> 00:46:10.000
 raised the child

00:46:10.000 --> 00:46:10.480
 until the child

00:46:10.480 --> 00:46:11.480
 was ready to be

00:46:11.480 --> 00:46:12.280
 a son.

00:46:12.320 --> 00:46:13.320
 And this is the language

00:46:13.320 --> 00:46:14.480
 that Paul is using here.

00:46:14.820 --> 00:46:15.720
 That's what the law

00:46:15.720 --> 00:46:16.160
 is for us.

00:46:16.159 --> 00:46:16.859
 It's like a tutor.

00:46:16.960 --> 00:46:17.779
 It shows us

00:46:17.779 --> 00:46:18.599
 how desperately

00:46:18.599 --> 00:46:20.339
 we need to be saved.

00:46:20.460 --> 00:46:21.239
 It shows us

00:46:21.239 --> 00:46:22.239
 all our failings.

00:46:22.440 --> 00:46:23.019
 It's the light

00:46:23.019 --> 00:46:23.839
 that our dark hearts

00:46:23.839 --> 00:46:24.819
 are exposed to

00:46:24.819 --> 00:46:26.279
 so that we turn

00:46:26.279 --> 00:46:27.159
 to Christ.

00:46:27.259 --> 00:46:28.039
 That's why it's

00:46:28.039 --> 00:46:29.219
 significant in verse 26

00:46:29.219 --> 00:46:29.579
 he says,

00:46:29.719 --> 00:46:30.579
 for in Christ Jesus

00:46:30.579 --> 00:46:32.440
 you are all sons

00:46:32.440 --> 00:46:33.279
 of God

00:46:33.279 --> 00:46:34.399
 through faith.

00:46:34.460 --> 00:46:35.460
 We've been granted

00:46:35.460 --> 00:46:36.000
 sonship.

00:46:36.099 --> 00:46:36.859
 Even you ladies,

00:46:36.960 --> 00:46:37.480
 you want that

00:46:37.480 --> 00:46:38.079
 in this case

00:46:38.079 --> 00:46:38.759
 in this cultural

00:46:38.759 --> 00:46:39.359
 understanding.

00:46:39.500 --> 00:46:40.500
 You want all the

00:46:40.500 --> 00:46:41.819
 benefits of being

00:46:41.819 --> 00:46:42.759
 a son

00:46:42.759 --> 00:46:43.619
 of the living

00:46:43.619 --> 00:46:44.559
 God.

00:46:44.559 --> 00:46:44.599
 God.

00:46:45.279 --> 00:46:46.159
 The proud

00:46:46.159 --> 00:46:47.420
 need

00:46:47.420 --> 00:46:48.880
 the law.

00:46:49.960 --> 00:46:50.860
 Spurgeon in a sermon

00:46:50.860 --> 00:46:51.699
 which was particularly

00:46:51.699 --> 00:46:52.840
 addressed to preachers

00:46:52.840 --> 00:46:54.480
 but certainly applies

00:46:54.480 --> 00:46:55.079
 to anybody

00:46:55.079 --> 00:46:55.860
 who claims the name

00:46:55.860 --> 00:46:56.320
 of Christ

00:46:56.320 --> 00:46:57.139
 and will be speaking

00:46:57.139 --> 00:46:57.679
 the gospel

00:46:57.679 --> 00:46:59.299
 says it is absolutely

00:46:59.299 --> 00:47:00.239
 necessary to the

00:47:00.239 --> 00:47:00.880
 preaching the gospel

00:47:00.880 --> 00:47:01.380
 of Christ

00:47:01.380 --> 00:47:02.900
 that men be warned

00:47:02.900 --> 00:47:04.139
 as to what will happen

00:47:04.139 --> 00:47:04.980
 if they continue

00:47:04.980 --> 00:47:06.179
 in their sins.

00:47:07.039 --> 00:47:07.579
 Ho ho

00:47:07.579 --> 00:47:08.440
 sire surgeon

00:47:08.440 --> 00:47:09.700
 old English

00:47:09.700 --> 00:47:10.300
 kind of for you.

00:47:10.800 --> 00:47:11.599
 You are too delicate

00:47:11.599 --> 00:47:12.360
 to tell the man

00:47:12.360 --> 00:47:13.179
 that he is ill.

00:47:13.820 --> 00:47:14.579
 You hope to heal

00:47:14.579 --> 00:47:15.019
 the sick

00:47:15.019 --> 00:47:15.840
 without their knowing

00:47:15.840 --> 00:47:16.079
 it.

00:47:16.599 --> 00:47:17.260
 You therefore

00:47:17.260 --> 00:47:18.240
 flatter them

00:47:18.240 --> 00:47:19.320
 and what happens?

00:47:19.740 --> 00:47:20.659
 They laugh at you.

00:47:20.920 --> 00:47:21.720
 They dance upon

00:47:21.720 --> 00:47:22.480
 their own graves.

00:47:22.599 --> 00:47:23.119
 At last

00:47:23.119 --> 00:47:24.119
 they die.

00:47:24.880 --> 00:47:25.800
 Your delicacy

00:47:25.800 --> 00:47:26.900
 is cruelty.

00:47:27.559 --> 00:47:28.539
 Your flatteries

00:47:28.539 --> 00:47:29.539
 are poisons.

00:47:30.179 --> 00:47:30.860
 You are

00:47:30.860 --> 00:47:31.880
 a murderer.

00:47:33.039 --> 00:47:33.900
 Shall we keep men

00:47:33.900 --> 00:47:34.579
 in a fool's

00:47:34.579 --> 00:47:34.940
 paradise?

00:47:35.480 --> 00:47:36.119
 Shall we lull

00:47:36.119 --> 00:47:37.000
 them into soft

00:47:37.000 --> 00:47:37.400
 slumbers

00:47:37.400 --> 00:47:37.860
 from which they

00:47:37.860 --> 00:47:38.400
 will awake

00:47:38.400 --> 00:47:38.940
 in hell?

00:47:39.280 --> 00:47:40.220
 Are we to become

00:47:40.220 --> 00:47:41.019
 helpers

00:47:41.019 --> 00:47:42.360
 of their damnation

00:47:42.360 --> 00:47:43.519
 by our smooth

00:47:43.519 --> 00:47:44.019
 speeches?

00:47:45.500 --> 00:47:46.380
 In the name of God

00:47:46.380 --> 00:47:47.139
 we will not

00:47:47.139 --> 00:47:47.840
 is how he finishes

00:47:47.840 --> 00:47:49.380
 that particular

00:47:49.380 --> 00:47:49.860
 paragraph.

00:47:51.460 --> 00:47:52.420
 That preaching

00:47:52.420 --> 00:47:53.760
 the gospel wrongly

00:47:53.760 --> 00:47:54.880
 gives false

00:47:54.880 --> 00:47:55.860
 assurance to people.

00:47:56.680 --> 00:47:57.460
 Tells them that

00:47:57.460 --> 00:47:58.180
 they just must be

00:47:58.180 --> 00:47:58.700
 good enough

00:47:58.700 --> 00:47:59.260
 and have a little

00:47:59.260 --> 00:47:59.780
 Jesus.

00:48:00.400 --> 00:48:01.380
 Walk down an aisle

00:48:01.380 --> 00:48:02.360
 fill out a card

00:48:02.360 --> 00:48:03.260
 and now

00:48:03.260 --> 00:48:04.380
 they're saved.

00:48:05.099 --> 00:48:05.800
 I've heard many

00:48:05.800 --> 00:48:06.940
 many many times

00:48:06.940 --> 00:48:07.960
 in my life

00:48:07.960 --> 00:48:08.480
 that if you have

00:48:08.480 --> 00:48:09.019
 any doubt

00:48:09.019 --> 00:48:09.820
 of your salvation

00:48:09.820 --> 00:48:11.079
 simply remember

00:48:11.079 --> 00:48:11.679
 the day

00:48:11.679 --> 00:48:12.539
 that you responded.

00:48:13.300 --> 00:48:14.119
 A lot of people

00:48:14.119 --> 00:48:14.700
 will write it in

00:48:14.700 --> 00:48:15.159
 the front of their

00:48:15.159 --> 00:48:15.420
 Bible.

00:48:15.500 --> 00:48:16.039
 There's a spot

00:48:16.039 --> 00:48:16.559
 for you if you

00:48:16.559 --> 00:48:16.920
 flip to your

00:48:16.920 --> 00:48:17.220
 Bible.

00:48:17.360 --> 00:48:18.119
 The day that

00:48:18.119 --> 00:48:18.639
 you became

00:48:18.639 --> 00:48:19.300
 a Christian

00:48:19.300 --> 00:48:19.920
 you go look

00:48:19.920 --> 00:48:20.220
 at that and

00:48:20.220 --> 00:48:20.720
 you go oh

00:48:20.720 --> 00:48:21.099
 there's the

00:48:21.099 --> 00:48:21.400
 day.

00:48:21.720 --> 00:48:22.139
 There's the

00:48:22.139 --> 00:48:22.500
 date.

00:48:23.260 --> 00:48:23.380
 Right?

00:48:23.860 --> 00:48:24.340
 That is not

00:48:24.340 --> 00:48:25.099
 how we are

00:48:25.099 --> 00:48:26.639
 counted in

00:48:26.639 --> 00:48:27.119
 Christ.

00:48:27.760 --> 00:48:28.559
 It's by our

00:48:28.559 --> 00:48:29.519
 fruit.

00:48:29.900 --> 00:48:30.599
 The measure

00:48:30.599 --> 00:48:31.500
 of that.

00:48:32.079 --> 00:48:32.920
 The fruit

00:48:32.920 --> 00:48:33.559
 that we yield.

00:48:33.659 --> 00:48:34.059
 That's how we

00:48:34.059 --> 00:48:34.519
 know that we're

00:48:34.519 --> 00:48:35.679
 good soil.

00:48:36.360 --> 00:48:37.000
 How do I know

00:48:37.000 --> 00:48:37.679
 that I'm alive?

00:48:37.719 --> 00:48:38.619
 I never think

00:48:38.619 --> 00:48:39.019
 about my

00:48:39.019 --> 00:48:39.639
 birth date.

00:48:39.980 --> 00:48:40.820
 I get the

00:48:40.820 --> 00:48:41.500
 evidence that

00:48:41.500 --> 00:48:42.219
 I'm alive.

00:48:42.539 --> 00:48:43.340
 I'm alive.

00:48:43.500 --> 00:48:43.960
 I think

00:48:43.960 --> 00:48:45.000
 before I am.

00:48:45.179 --> 00:48:46.400
 I feel things.

00:48:46.780 --> 00:48:47.539
 Experience things.

00:48:47.599 --> 00:48:48.079
 I know that I'm

00:48:48.079 --> 00:48:48.900
 alive right now.

00:48:51.199 --> 00:48:52.179
 Robbie Flockhart

00:48:52.179 --> 00:48:52.480
 who was an

00:48:52.480 --> 00:48:53.199
 18th and 19th

00:48:53.199 --> 00:48:53.759
 century English

00:48:53.759 --> 00:48:54.179
 street preacher

00:48:54.179 --> 00:48:55.400
 said you must

00:48:55.400 --> 00:48:56.559
 preach the law

00:48:56.559 --> 00:48:57.699
 for the gospel

00:48:57.699 --> 00:48:58.599
 is a silken

00:48:58.599 --> 00:48:59.780
 thread and you

00:48:59.780 --> 00:49:00.659
 cannot get it

00:49:00.659 --> 00:49:01.460
 into the hearts

00:49:01.460 --> 00:49:02.179
 of men unless

00:49:02.179 --> 00:49:02.679
 you have made

00:49:02.679 --> 00:49:03.419
 a way for it

00:49:03.419 --> 00:49:04.379
 with a sharp

00:49:04.379 --> 00:49:04.739
 needle.

00:49:05.219 --> 00:49:05.719
 The sharp

00:49:05.719 --> 00:49:06.679
 needle of the

00:49:06.679 --> 00:49:07.480
 law will pull

00:49:07.480 --> 00:49:08.159
 the silken thread

00:49:08.159 --> 00:49:08.739
 of the gospel

00:49:08.739 --> 00:49:10.079
 after it.

00:49:11.059 --> 00:49:11.799
 Isn't that good?

00:49:12.839 --> 00:49:13.539
 One of my

00:49:13.539 --> 00:49:14.279
 very favorite

00:49:14.279 --> 00:49:14.819
 missionaries is a

00:49:14.819 --> 00:49:15.419
 guy named John G.

00:49:15.500 --> 00:49:16.079
 Patton who went

00:49:16.079 --> 00:49:16.779
 to a group of

00:49:16.779 --> 00:49:17.159
 islands called

00:49:17.159 --> 00:49:17.859
 the New Hebrides

00:49:17.859 --> 00:49:18.940
 now called

00:49:18.940 --> 00:49:19.899
 Vanuatu in the

00:49:19.899 --> 00:49:20.980
 South Pacific and

00:49:20.980 --> 00:49:21.539
 he went to this

00:49:21.539 --> 00:49:22.500
 little island of

00:49:22.500 --> 00:49:24.399
 headhunters where

00:49:24.399 --> 00:49:25.440
 one convert made

00:49:25.440 --> 00:49:26.480
 so this man would

00:49:26.480 --> 00:49:27.339
 stand over him

00:49:27.339 --> 00:49:28.359
 with a musket

00:49:28.359 --> 00:49:28.899
 while he was

00:49:28.899 --> 00:49:29.559
 doing his

00:49:29.559 --> 00:49:30.639
 studying and this

00:49:30.639 --> 00:49:31.699
 man was so bold

00:49:31.699 --> 00:49:34.039
 that these

00:49:34.039 --> 00:49:32.519
 headhunters would

00:49:32.519 --> 00:49:33.000
 come to him

00:49:33.000 --> 00:49:34.059
 with loaded

00:49:34.059 --> 00:49:34.980
 muskets ready

00:49:34.980 --> 00:49:35.559
 to kill him

00:49:35.559 --> 00:49:36.259
 and eat him

00:49:36.259 --> 00:49:36.779
 and he would

00:49:36.779 --> 00:49:37.359
 go up to the

00:49:37.359 --> 00:49:37.779
 leader of the

00:49:37.779 --> 00:49:38.199
 group and he

00:49:38.199 --> 00:49:38.659
 would grab the

00:49:38.659 --> 00:49:39.199
 musket in his

00:49:39.199 --> 00:49:40.119
 hand and lecture

00:49:40.119 --> 00:49:40.579
 him about how

00:49:40.579 --> 00:49:41.419
 evil he was

00:49:41.419 --> 00:49:42.239
 and the man

00:49:42.239 --> 00:49:42.619
 would be so

00:49:42.619 --> 00:49:43.319
 ashamed that he

00:49:43.319 --> 00:49:44.000
 would go away

00:49:44.000 --> 00:49:45.139
 and then a couple

00:49:45.139 --> 00:49:45.659
 days later they

00:49:45.659 --> 00:49:46.119
 would rebound

00:49:46.119 --> 00:49:47.679
 and come back to

00:49:47.679 --> 00:49:48.319
 him once again

00:49:48.319 --> 00:49:48.879
 and he went

00:49:48.879 --> 00:49:49.179
 through this

00:49:49.179 --> 00:49:50.119
 massive process

00:49:50.119 --> 00:49:50.639
 of this and

00:49:50.639 --> 00:49:51.139
 ended up seeing

00:49:51.139 --> 00:49:52.759
 many souls come

00:49:52.759 --> 00:49:53.759
 to Christ in

00:49:53.759 --> 00:49:55.099
 that incredible

00:49:55.099 --> 00:49:55.919
 boldness just to

00:49:55.919 --> 00:49:56.659
 go and tell people

00:49:56.659 --> 00:49:57.539
 that there is a

00:49:57.539 --> 00:49:58.319
 standard by which

00:49:58.319 --> 00:49:59.000
 they are to live

00:49:59.000 --> 00:49:59.659
 and that they've

00:49:59.659 --> 00:50:00.500
 transgressed it

00:50:00.500 --> 00:50:00.899
 and therefore

00:50:00.900 --> 00:50:02.220
 judgment is

00:50:02.220 --> 00:50:02.639
 theirs

00:50:02.639 --> 00:50:05.940
 so the proud

00:50:05.940 --> 00:50:06.579
 need the law

00:50:06.579 --> 00:50:07.780
 the humbled

00:50:07.780 --> 00:50:08.900
 need grace

00:50:08.900 --> 00:50:09.619
 those who have

00:50:09.619 --> 00:50:10.300
 already been

00:50:10.300 --> 00:50:11.480
 humbled by the

00:50:11.480 --> 00:50:12.220
 law by God's

00:50:12.220 --> 00:50:13.780
 standard they

00:50:13.780 --> 00:50:14.420
 need grace

00:50:14.420 --> 00:50:16.800
 we've been potty

00:50:16.800 --> 00:50:17.380
 training Judah

00:50:17.380 --> 00:50:18.240
 the past couple

00:50:18.240 --> 00:50:20.180
 of weeks which

00:50:20.180 --> 00:50:21.780
 has been pleasantly

00:50:21.780 --> 00:50:22.420
 enjoyable he

00:50:22.420 --> 00:50:23.740
 actually has done a

00:50:23.740 --> 00:50:24.519
 great great job

00:50:24.519 --> 00:50:25.740
 with it all and

00:50:25.740 --> 00:50:26.840
 he's very determined

00:50:26.840 --> 00:50:27.740
 to get his pants

00:50:27.740 --> 00:50:28.660
 off himself and

00:50:28.660 --> 00:50:29.599
 his little cute

00:50:29.599 --> 00:50:30.259
 little boy

00:50:30.259 --> 00:50:31.159
 underwear off

00:50:31.159 --> 00:50:32.639
 himself and get

00:50:32.639 --> 00:50:33.039
 on his little

00:50:33.039 --> 00:50:34.019
 froggy potty and

00:50:34.019 --> 00:50:34.559
 make it happen

00:50:34.559 --> 00:50:37.799
 and our tone has

00:50:37.799 --> 00:50:38.679
 changed with him

00:50:38.679 --> 00:50:39.480
 because we had in

00:50:39.480 --> 00:50:40.119
 the beginning some

00:50:40.119 --> 00:50:40.839
 just some accidents

00:50:40.839 --> 00:50:41.440
 right he's just

00:50:41.440 --> 00:50:42.500
 neglecting the work

00:50:42.500 --> 00:50:43.819
 itself he's playing

00:50:43.819 --> 00:50:44.420
 he's not paying

00:50:44.420 --> 00:50:45.639
 attention you ask him

00:50:45.639 --> 00:50:46.139
 if he needs to go

00:50:46.139 --> 00:50:46.900
 he tells you no and

00:50:46.900 --> 00:50:47.360
 then two minutes

00:50:47.360 --> 00:50:48.039
 later he's wetting

00:50:48.039 --> 00:50:49.159
 himself right and

00:50:49.159 --> 00:50:50.380
 your tone with him

00:50:50.380 --> 00:50:51.659
 then is not harsh

00:50:51.659 --> 00:50:52.519
 but you go oh buddy

00:50:52.519 --> 00:50:53.880
 like come on man

00:50:53.880 --> 00:50:54.940
 like we talked about

00:50:54.940 --> 00:50:55.940
 it I just asked you

00:50:55.940 --> 00:50:56.380
 you gotta pay

00:50:56.380 --> 00:50:57.059
 attention we gotta

00:50:57.059 --> 00:50:59.019
 go potty now now

00:50:59.019 --> 00:50:59.900
 he sometimes waits

00:50:59.900 --> 00:51:00.740
 too long the other

00:51:00.740 --> 00:51:01.539
 day he got himself

00:51:01.539 --> 00:51:02.500
 in there and said

00:51:02.500 --> 00:51:03.220
 Judy need my help

00:51:03.220 --> 00:51:03.460
 because you could

00:51:03.460 --> 00:51:03.900
 tell he was in a

00:51:03.900 --> 00:51:04.340
 hurry you need my

00:51:04.340 --> 00:51:05.480
 help he goes no I

00:51:05.480 --> 00:51:06.460
 got it daddy and he

00:51:06.460 --> 00:51:07.220
 goes in there and

00:51:07.220 --> 00:51:07.579
 all of a sudden I

00:51:07.579 --> 00:51:08.400
 just hear him bawling

00:51:08.400 --> 00:51:09.559
 and I open the door

00:51:09.559 --> 00:51:10.119
 to the bathroom and

00:51:10.119 --> 00:51:10.539
 he's standing like

00:51:10.539 --> 00:51:11.820
 this just standing in

00:51:11.820 --> 00:51:13.260
 a puddle with his

00:51:13.260 --> 00:51:14.280
 pants like pushed

00:51:14.280 --> 00:51:15.579
 down a little bit and

00:51:15.579 --> 00:51:16.280
 it just like totally

00:51:16.280 --> 00:51:17.420
 but he already was

00:51:17.420 --> 00:51:18.420
 broken about it like

00:51:18.420 --> 00:51:19.320
 he knew that he had

00:51:19.320 --> 00:51:20.139
 messed up and he

00:51:20.139 --> 00:51:20.740
 didn't need to go

00:51:20.740 --> 00:51:22.099
 oh man come on I

00:51:22.099 --> 00:51:22.860
 just asked you we

00:51:22.860 --> 00:51:23.920
 tried I asked you if

00:51:23.920 --> 00:51:24.740
 you needed help when

00:51:24.740 --> 00:51:25.420
 he needed it for me to

00:51:25.420 --> 00:51:26.440
 go buddy it's okay

00:51:26.440 --> 00:51:28.400
 it's okay like it's

00:51:28.400 --> 00:51:29.460
 alright you tried and

00:51:29.460 --> 00:51:31.000
 that's good right like

00:51:31.000 --> 00:51:31.760
 I'm not saying that's

00:51:31.760 --> 00:51:32.300
 what we do with the

00:51:32.300 --> 00:51:34.780
 law but there's a

00:51:34.780 --> 00:51:36.220
 there's a tone change

00:51:36.220 --> 00:51:37.380
 right you get you get

00:51:37.380 --> 00:51:38.240
 what I'm driving at

00:51:38.240 --> 00:51:40.059
 here there's a tone

00:51:40.059 --> 00:51:41.000
 change Martin Luther

00:51:41.000 --> 00:51:41.860
 in his commentary on

00:51:41.860 --> 00:51:43.159
 Galatians said to the

00:51:43.159 --> 00:51:43.980
 person who's broken

00:51:43.980 --> 00:51:45.400
 already says send

00:51:45.400 --> 00:51:46.820
 Moses away with his

00:51:46.820 --> 00:51:48.139
 law to those who are

00:51:48.139 --> 00:51:49.139
 complacent proud and

00:51:49.139 --> 00:51:50.519
 obstinate and in these

00:51:50.519 --> 00:51:51.920
 terrors and in this

00:51:51.920 --> 00:51:54.139
 anguish lay hold upon

00:51:54.139 --> 00:51:55.219
 Christ who was

00:51:55.219 --> 00:51:57.099
 crucified and died for

00:51:57.099 --> 00:51:58.719
 our sins right when

00:51:58.719 --> 00:51:59.699
 you are already broken

00:51:59.699 --> 00:52:00.539
 when a person comes to

00:52:00.539 --> 00:52:01.759
 you recognizing that

00:52:01.759 --> 00:52:02.960
 they are already guilty

00:52:02.960 --> 00:52:04.559
 before God show them

00:52:04.559 --> 00:52:06.639
 the mercy of God now I

00:52:06.639 --> 00:52:07.199
 had a bunch of

00:52:07.199 --> 00:52:07.960
 examples for you and

00:52:07.960 --> 00:52:08.779
 I'm going to skip over

00:52:08.779 --> 00:52:09.379
 them but let me just

00:52:09.379 --> 00:52:10.059
 tell you this is what

00:52:10.059 --> 00:52:10.900
 John the Baptist did

00:52:10.900 --> 00:52:12.019
 this is what Stephen did

00:52:12.019 --> 00:52:12.819
 is what Philip did is

00:52:12.819 --> 00:52:13.920
 what Peter did is what

00:52:13.920 --> 00:52:15.319
 Paul did and let's talk

00:52:15.319 --> 00:52:16.619
 about what Jesus did so

00:52:16.619 --> 00:52:17.739
 turn with me if you

00:52:17.739 --> 00:52:20.039
 will to I'm trying to

00:52:20.039 --> 00:52:23.059
 skip down a bit Luke

00:52:23.059 --> 00:52:24.440
 chapter 10 verse 29

00:52:24.440 --> 00:52:27.539
 excuse me verse 25

00:52:27.539 --> 00:52:35.579
 if you're getting

00:52:35.579 --> 00:52:36.440
 hungry don't be upset

00:52:36.440 --> 00:52:37.320
 at me be thankful I

00:52:37.320 --> 00:52:38.199
 just skipped a page and

00:52:38.199 --> 00:52:42.460
 a half of my notes I

00:52:42.460 --> 00:52:43.320
 just want you to see a

00:52:43.320 --> 00:52:45.119
 good clear example of

00:52:45.119 --> 00:52:46.960
 the way in which this

00:52:46.960 --> 00:52:47.779
 was done by Jesus

00:52:47.779 --> 00:52:48.880
 himself Luke chapter 10

00:52:48.880 --> 00:52:50.519
 beginning of verse 25

00:52:50.519 --> 00:52:51.680
 this is the parable of

00:52:51.680 --> 00:52:52.280
 the good Samaritan your

00:52:52.280 --> 00:52:53.700
 Bible probably subtitles

00:52:53.700 --> 00:52:54.760
 it for you it says and

00:52:54.760 --> 00:52:56.619
 behold a lawyer stood

00:52:56.619 --> 00:52:57.539
 up to put him to the

00:52:57.539 --> 00:53:00.160
 test saying teacher what

00:53:00.160 --> 00:53:00.960
 should I do to inherit

00:53:00.960 --> 00:53:01.900
 eternal life so here's a

00:53:01.900 --> 00:53:03.760
 man likely a scribe who

00:53:03.760 --> 00:53:04.820
 had a lot of religious

00:53:04.820 --> 00:53:06.160
 training and the point of

00:53:06.160 --> 00:53:07.019
 what he's doing is to put

00:53:07.019 --> 00:53:08.579
 Jesus to the test this is

00:53:08.579 --> 00:53:09.740
 a haughty thing this is

00:53:09.740 --> 00:53:11.260
 not a humble thing what

00:53:11.260 --> 00:53:11.940
 should I do to inherit

00:53:11.940 --> 00:53:12.920
 eternal life and he said

00:53:12.920 --> 00:53:14.200
 what is written the law

00:53:14.200 --> 00:53:16.480
 how do you read it and he

00:53:16.480 --> 00:53:17.720
 answered you shall love

00:53:17.720 --> 00:53:18.360
 the Lord your God with all

00:53:18.360 --> 00:53:19.220
 your heart with all your

00:53:19.220 --> 00:53:19.900
 soul with all your

00:53:19.900 --> 00:53:20.700
 strength with all your

00:53:20.700 --> 00:53:22.300
 mind and your neighbor as

00:53:22.300 --> 00:53:23.519
 yourself and Jesus says

00:53:23.519 --> 00:53:25.320
 you have answered correctly

00:53:25.320 --> 00:53:27.539
 do this and you will live

00:53:27.539 --> 00:53:32.200
 but he the lawyer desiring

00:53:32.200 --> 00:53:34.780
 to justify himself said to

00:53:34.780 --> 00:53:36.980
 Jesus and who is my

00:53:36.980 --> 00:53:38.660
 neighbor but define for me

00:53:38.660 --> 00:53:39.960
 exactly what it is the

00:53:39.960 --> 00:53:42.920
 thing I must fulfill and

00:53:42.920 --> 00:53:43.820
 Jesus goes on to tell the

00:53:43.820 --> 00:53:44.700
 parable of the good

00:53:44.699 --> 00:53:47.980
 Samaritan very shocking to

00:53:47.980 --> 00:53:48.659
 the people that would have

00:53:48.659 --> 00:53:49.719
 been listening to this in

00:53:49.719 --> 00:53:50.460
 fact that it was the

00:53:50.460 --> 00:53:52.199
 religious leaders that pass

00:53:52.199 --> 00:53:53.359
 around this man and it was

00:53:53.359 --> 00:53:55.179
 instead the Samaritan the one

00:53:55.179 --> 00:53:56.559
 that they considered totally

00:53:56.559 --> 00:53:58.619
 unholy totally unrighteous the

00:53:58.619 --> 00:54:00.139
 Samaritans were like a like an

00:54:00.139 --> 00:54:01.739
 inbreeding of Babylonians and

00:54:01.739 --> 00:54:02.719
 Jewish they were considered

00:54:02.719 --> 00:54:05.019
 dirty to the Jewish people and

00:54:05.019 --> 00:54:06.460
 he's the one that would be

00:54:06.460 --> 00:54:09.739
 justified before God so he gives

00:54:09.739 --> 00:54:12.559
 to this man the law another

00:54:12.559 --> 00:54:13.400
 good example of that if you

00:54:13.400 --> 00:54:16.279
 turn to Luke 18 there's a

00:54:16.279 --> 00:54:17.759
 story of the rich ruler

00:54:17.759 --> 00:54:31.619
 18 18 and a ruler asked him

00:54:31.619 --> 00:54:33.860
 good teacher what must I do to

00:54:33.860 --> 00:54:36.000
 inherit eternal life and Jesus

00:54:36.000 --> 00:54:37.460
 said to him why do you call me

00:54:37.460 --> 00:54:39.940
 good no one is good except God

00:54:39.940 --> 00:54:42.000
 alone you know the commandments

00:54:42.000 --> 00:54:43.219
 do not commit adultery do not

00:54:43.219 --> 00:54:45.139
 murder do not steal do not bear

00:54:45.139 --> 00:54:46.980
 false witness honor your father

00:54:46.980 --> 00:54:51.000
 and mother and he said all these

00:54:51.000 --> 00:54:54.119
 I have kept from my youth he's

00:54:54.119 --> 00:54:55.719
 certainly a liar at that point was

00:54:55.719 --> 00:54:57.980
 he not when Jesus heard this he

00:54:57.980 --> 00:54:59.360
 said to him one thing you still

00:54:59.360 --> 00:55:01.840
 lack sell all that you have and

00:55:01.840 --> 00:55:02.880
 distribute to the poor and you

00:55:02.880 --> 00:55:04.280
 will have measure treasure in

00:55:04.280 --> 00:55:07.199
 heaven and come follow me but when

00:55:07.199 --> 00:55:08.300
 he heard these things he became

00:55:08.300 --> 00:55:12.039
 very sad for he was extremely rich

00:55:12.039 --> 00:55:14.120
 he worshipped his goods he

00:55:14.120 --> 00:55:15.640
 worshipped his stuff he had

00:55:15.640 --> 00:55:17.980
 neglected the mercy of the law he

00:55:17.980 --> 00:55:19.539
 had not kept the law and Jesus

00:55:19.539 --> 00:55:21.820
 exposes that in him right and

00:55:21.820 --> 00:55:23.980
 unfortunately to this man's

00:55:23.980 --> 00:55:26.580
 condemnation he goes away sad

00:55:26.580 --> 00:55:28.660
 because he couldn't give up the

00:55:28.660 --> 00:55:29.860
 things he had in this earth for

00:55:29.860 --> 00:55:33.080
 eternal treasure in heaven now let's

00:55:33.080 --> 00:55:34.440
 look at example of the way Jesus

00:55:34.440 --> 00:55:36.179
 responds to a man who comes to him

00:55:36.179 --> 00:55:37.780
 humble John chapter 3

00:55:37.780 --> 00:55:56.320
 now there was a man of the

00:55:56.320 --> 00:55:58.980
 Pharisees named Nicodemus a ruler of

00:55:58.980 --> 00:56:01.599
 the Jews this man came to Jesus by

00:56:01.599 --> 00:56:04.059
 night and said to him rabbi we know

00:56:04.059 --> 00:56:05.059
 that you are a teacher come from

00:56:05.059 --> 00:56:07.019
 God for no one can do these signs

00:56:07.019 --> 00:56:09.779
 that you do unless God is with him

00:56:09.779 --> 00:56:10.639
 this man would have been

00:56:10.639 --> 00:56:12.599
 incredibly influential in this day

00:56:12.599 --> 00:56:14.239
 and the reason he's coming to him

00:56:14.239 --> 00:56:16.719
 at night is because the group he's

00:56:16.719 --> 00:56:18.820
 a part of is opposing Jesus at this

00:56:18.820 --> 00:56:20.960
 time but he says I've got to go talk

00:56:20.960 --> 00:56:23.079
 to him right humbled comes to him

00:56:23.079 --> 00:56:24.579
 to speak to him verse 3 Jesus

00:56:24.579 --> 00:56:26.440
 answered him truly truly I say to

00:56:26.440 --> 00:56:28.000
 you unless one is born again he

00:56:28.000 --> 00:56:29.579
 cannot see the kingdom of God

00:56:29.579 --> 00:56:31.519
 Nicodemus said to him how can a man

00:56:31.519 --> 00:56:33.099
 be born when he is old can he enter

00:56:33.099 --> 00:56:34.239
 a second time into his mother's

00:56:34.239 --> 00:56:36.500
 womb and be born Jesus answered

00:56:36.500 --> 00:56:38.519
 truly truly I say to you unless one

00:56:38.519 --> 00:56:39.719
 is born of water in the spirit he

00:56:39.719 --> 00:56:41.159
 cannot enter the kingdom of God

00:56:41.159 --> 00:56:42.799
 that which is born of the flesh is

00:56:42.799 --> 00:56:43.860
 flesh and that which is born of the

00:56:43.860 --> 00:56:45.839
 spirit is spirit do not marvel that I

00:56:45.839 --> 00:56:47.480
 said to you must be born again the

00:56:47.480 --> 00:56:48.880
 wind blows where it wishes and you

00:56:48.880 --> 00:56:50.339
 hear it sound but you do not where it

00:56:50.339 --> 00:56:51.980
 comes from or where it is going so it

00:56:51.980 --> 00:56:54.239
 is everyone who is born of the

00:56:54.239 --> 00:56:56.460
 spirit the Nicodemus says to him how

00:56:56.460 --> 00:56:59.239
 can these things be he says are you

00:56:59.239 --> 00:57:00.759
 the teacher of Israel and you do not

00:57:00.760 --> 00:57:02.840
 understand these things truly truly I

00:57:02.840 --> 00:57:04.160
 say to you we speak of what we know

00:57:04.160 --> 00:57:05.340
 and bear witness of what we have seen

00:57:05.340 --> 00:57:06.840
 but you do not receive our testimony

00:57:06.840 --> 00:57:08.880
 if I've told you earthly things you

00:57:08.880 --> 00:57:10.340
 don't believe how can you believe if I

00:57:10.340 --> 00:57:12.320
 tell you heavenly things no one has

00:57:12.320 --> 00:57:13.580
 ascended into heaven except he who

00:57:13.580 --> 00:57:15.940
 descended from heaven the son of man

00:57:15.940 --> 00:57:17.860
 and as Moses lifted up the servant in

00:57:17.860 --> 00:57:19.160
 the wilderness so must the son of man

00:57:19.160 --> 00:57:21.100
 be lifted up that whoever believes in

00:57:21.100 --> 00:57:23.140
 him may have eternal life so you see

00:57:23.140 --> 00:57:24.960
 this gospel presentation and then the

00:57:24.960 --> 00:57:29.480
 ever famous rightly so John 3 16 is on

00:57:29.480 --> 00:57:31.659
 the heels of this very thing do you

00:57:31.659 --> 00:57:33.320
 know that this is who Jesus is talking

00:57:33.320 --> 00:57:35.599
 about this leader of the Jews who

00:57:35.599 --> 00:57:37.780
 comes to him humbled he says for God

00:57:37.780 --> 00:57:39.780
 so loved the world that he gave his

00:57:39.780 --> 00:57:41.320
 only son that whoever believes in him

00:57:41.320 --> 00:57:43.440
 should not perish but have eternal

00:57:43.440 --> 00:57:45.139
 life for God did not send a son to the

00:57:45.139 --> 00:57:46.300
 world to condemn the world but in order

00:57:46.300 --> 00:57:48.840
 that the world might be saved through

00:57:48.840 --> 00:57:51.000
 him do you see the difference there

00:57:51.000 --> 00:57:53.039
 even though Jesus doesn't expressly

00:57:53.039 --> 00:57:54.900
 talk about the punishment of God for the

00:57:54.900 --> 00:57:57.779
 sins of man he does recognize that

00:57:57.779 --> 00:58:00.579
 Nicodemus is already aware of this he

00:58:00.579 --> 00:58:03.679
 already knows he knows the law and he

00:58:03.679 --> 00:58:05.759
 knows his inability to keep the law and

00:58:05.759 --> 00:58:08.259
 so therefore he gives to him the grace

00:58:08.259 --> 00:58:12.420
 of the gospel of Jesus Christ there are

00:58:12.420 --> 00:58:17.380
 literally hundreds of examples of gospel

00:58:17.380 --> 00:58:19.239
 proclamation in the scriptures the

00:58:19.239 --> 00:58:21.099
 epistles are full of them we see lots of

00:58:21.099 --> 00:58:22.679
 them in the historical narratives in the

00:58:22.679 --> 00:58:24.579
 gospels themselves in the book of Acts

00:58:24.579 --> 00:58:26.899
 they they abound as I said to you I

00:58:26.899 --> 00:58:28.299
 would have liked to share with you all

00:58:28.299 --> 00:58:30.159
 of the various ways in which let me

00:58:30.159 --> 00:58:31.899
 encourage you to go and read those

00:58:31.899 --> 00:58:33.960
 gospel proclamations right you're saying

00:58:33.960 --> 00:58:36.639
 but still what do I say right you know

00:58:36.639 --> 00:58:39.099
 the gospel if you don't know the gospel

00:58:39.099 --> 00:58:42.199
 very likely you're not a Christian if you

00:58:42.199 --> 00:58:45.219
 can't simply outline what it is that

00:58:45.219 --> 00:58:46.739
 you've been saved from and how it is

00:58:46.739 --> 00:58:49.599
 that you've been saved come to me I

00:58:49.599 --> 00:58:51.860
 will explain it to you clearly that you

00:58:51.860 --> 00:58:54.420
 might sort it out right you know the

00:58:54.420 --> 00:58:56.139
 gospel if you're a believer Jesus

00:58:56.139 --> 00:58:59.380
 Christ share the gospel Jesus Christ

00:58:59.380 --> 00:59:04.679
 your testimony is not the gospel it's a

00:59:04.679 --> 00:59:07.500
 result of the gospel you can very well

00:59:07.500 --> 00:59:10.500
 tell your story and interweave gospel

00:59:10.500 --> 00:59:12.699
 proclamation from the word of God but

00:59:12.699 --> 00:59:14.199
 let's be clear that you telling your

00:59:14.199 --> 00:59:16.139
 story about how you used to feel and

00:59:16.139 --> 00:59:18.179
 how you feel now is not the power of

00:59:18.179 --> 00:59:20.519
 God for salvation but the gospel is the

00:59:20.519 --> 00:59:22.940
 power of God for salvation know your

00:59:22.940 --> 00:59:24.960
 scriptures learn how to share your

00:59:24.960 --> 00:59:28.480
 faith it's scary it's scary you're

00:59:28.480 --> 00:59:30.779
 dealing with the things of God I tremble

00:59:30.779 --> 00:59:32.139
 to get up here and preach every Sunday

00:59:32.139 --> 00:59:33.199
 I don't know if you know that or not

00:59:33.199 --> 00:59:35.000
 sometimes I want to throw up in the

00:59:35.000 --> 00:59:36.299
 back of the room before I come up here

00:59:36.299 --> 00:59:39.159
 we do preaching earlier in the service

00:59:39.159 --> 00:59:41.480
 sometimes I wish we did it way at the

00:59:41.480 --> 00:59:42.619
 end all of a sudden we're doing the

00:59:42.619 --> 00:59:44.000
 offering I'm like what is it time oh my

00:59:44.000 --> 00:59:46.260
 gosh I got to get up there now I'm

00:59:46.260 --> 00:59:48.639
 extremely introverted maybe many of you

00:59:48.639 --> 00:59:50.219
 know that about me like I got to really

00:59:50.219 --> 00:59:52.800
 flip on a switch to get up and try to be

00:59:52.800 --> 00:59:55.239
 quasi charismatic when I get up here

00:59:55.239 --> 00:59:57.940
 right talking to people pressing into

00:59:57.940 --> 00:59:59.619
 things getting uncomfortable I love to

00:59:59.619 --> 01:00:01.260
 talk about politics I tremble talking

01:00:01.260 --> 01:00:03.059
 about that I don't want to make anybody

01:00:03.059 --> 01:00:06.000
 upset but there is eternal things on the

01:00:06.000 --> 01:00:08.340
 line here right who cares if you're a

01:00:08.340 --> 01:00:09.420
 Republican or a Democrat or a

01:00:09.420 --> 01:00:11.079
 Libertarian in the large scheme of

01:00:11.079 --> 01:00:12.500
 things but whether or not you're part

01:00:12.500 --> 01:00:16.699
 of God's family matters forever let's

01:00:16.699 --> 01:00:20.659
 be bold let's share how do we share it

01:00:20.659 --> 01:00:22.360
 we share the word we get into this

01:00:22.360 --> 01:00:24.460
 thing we understand it and we know it

01:00:24.460 --> 01:00:26.960
 you guys are equipped so much beyond

01:00:26.960 --> 01:00:28.920
 what you think and you have the spirit

01:00:28.920 --> 01:00:30.239
 of God within you who will give you

01:00:30.239 --> 01:00:33.079
 words to speak will give you words to

01:00:33.079 --> 01:00:35.179
 speak so you see we must share the

01:00:35.179 --> 01:00:38.199
 gospel we must share it regularly and

01:00:38.199 --> 01:00:41.300
 we must share it rightly let's pray

01:00:41.300 --> 01:00:43.300
 together