WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.879 I want you to turn to Luke chapter 13. 00:00:03.580 --> 00:00:04.799 Luke chapter 13. 00:00:04.940 --> 00:00:12.519 I am glad today to know that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. 00:00:13.939 --> 00:00:14.460 Amen. 00:00:14.939 --> 00:00:20.559 And if I fall out here today and be assured, I'll be in glory. 00:00:21.039 --> 00:00:22.160 And that'll be fine with me. 00:00:22.400 --> 00:00:25.440 Y'all got to clean up afterwards, but I'll be fine. 00:00:25.740 --> 00:00:28.160 And I am thankful for that today. 00:00:28.160 --> 00:00:29.480 But I'll tell you what else he is. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:32.000 He's also a wonderful teacher. 00:00:33.000 --> 00:00:44.460 And with a personal relationship with Christ, the Holy Spirit is committed daily to teach us through the word of God, 00:00:44.560 --> 00:00:53.100 as well as through the illustrations of life, what it means to be in the Lord, how to look for the movement of God. 00:00:53.200 --> 00:00:56.840 And when you look for the movement of God, you will, you'll find it. 00:00:56.840 --> 00:01:00.660 But I'll tell you, it will not always be as it seems. 00:01:02.440 --> 00:01:05.960 A lot of times, God's doing a whole lot more than what we think he's doing. 00:01:06.920 --> 00:01:11.840 God has a tendency to work contrary to our expectations. 00:01:11.840 --> 00:01:16.840 He works contrary to our experiences. 00:01:16.840 --> 00:01:22.020 And we can easily miss what God's up to because it's not how we expect it. 00:01:23.140 --> 00:01:29.960 In our passage today, the setting is that there's a lady who needs to be touched by the Lord. 00:01:29.959 --> 00:01:31.159 And it's on the Sabbath. 00:01:31.159 --> 00:01:37.319 And when he heals and exercises a demon from this lady, the church becomes upset with him. 00:01:37.379 --> 00:01:39.780 The church leaders, they didn't like it because it's the Sabbath. 00:01:40.139 --> 00:01:44.539 And to heal somebody or to cleanse somebody is work. 00:01:44.540 --> 00:01:49.840 And Jesus responds by, in a very kind way, by saying, you hypocrites. 00:01:52.300 --> 00:02:01.020 If your donkey needs water on the Sabbath, don't you untie him from his manger and take him to get him water. 00:02:01.860 --> 00:02:04.920 And yet this lady needed a touch of the Lord. 00:02:05.520 --> 00:02:07.280 And I gave it to her. 00:02:08.360 --> 00:02:11.580 Just not what they expected. 00:02:11.580 --> 00:02:15.560 And in response to that, Jesus begins a teaching. 00:02:15.680 --> 00:02:16.480 It's a teaching time. 00:02:17.440 --> 00:02:20.900 And he gives illustrations that explain how God works. 00:02:21.180 --> 00:02:23.380 And he speaks of the kingdom of God. 00:02:23.480 --> 00:02:30.740 Now, when he speaks of the kingdom of God, there were a lot of misunderstandings about it. 00:02:30.840 --> 00:02:34.040 There are a lot of misunderstandings about it. 00:02:34.439 --> 00:02:39.300 The tendency in that day were for them to look back and look at King David and see what King David did. 00:02:39.300 --> 00:02:41.020 That was the mightiest king that Israel ever had. 00:02:41.020 --> 00:02:44.500 That Israel grew like it never had under King David. 00:02:44.659 --> 00:02:46.760 And it kind of fell apart after King David. 00:02:46.840 --> 00:02:48.620 And so they always looked back to King David. 00:02:48.719 --> 00:02:52.240 And when they thought of the Messiah and when they read those prophetic passages, 00:02:52.240 --> 00:02:56.260 they often thought maybe God will raise up another King David. 00:02:56.560 --> 00:02:58.580 Maybe we can conquer the land again. 00:02:58.700 --> 00:03:01.900 So their thought was often King David. 00:03:02.680 --> 00:03:09.260 And when they met Jesus, is Jesus the one that's going to bring back the kingdom the way we knew it under David? 00:03:09.259 --> 00:03:12.139 Others looked ahead. 00:03:13.000 --> 00:03:14.939 They looked at the circumstances of their day. 00:03:15.079 --> 00:03:17.219 They knew what the Roman Empire was doing to them. 00:03:17.280 --> 00:03:18.659 And they felt the pressures of that. 00:03:18.899 --> 00:03:23.620 And they looked to the day when God would intervene in a powerful way, 00:03:23.939 --> 00:03:28.659 defeat the evil of the kingdom of Rome, the world power at the time, and take over the world. 00:03:28.659 --> 00:03:34.819 And so when Christ spoke of the kingdom of God, that's what they thought of. 00:03:35.319 --> 00:03:36.859 But that's not what Jesus was talking about. 00:03:36.860 --> 00:03:43.300 Jesus said in all of the synoptic gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, 00:03:43.740 --> 00:03:49.000 very early on, it's recorded that he said the kingdom of God is at hand. 00:03:51.500 --> 00:03:52.940 That don't mean it's coming. 00:03:54.680 --> 00:03:55.940 It means it's here. 00:03:55.939 --> 00:04:02.639 Jesus was saying don't miss the moment. 00:04:03.819 --> 00:04:12.680 Now, thank God under his revelation, it continues to reveal itself and will continue as the kingdom of God will throughout the ages. 00:04:13.319 --> 00:04:16.959 But I don't want you to misunderstand today because we live in a wicked world. 00:04:17.980 --> 00:04:19.939 God is ruling and reigning right now. 00:04:20.839 --> 00:04:22.939 We're not waiting on God to take control. 00:04:23.040 --> 00:04:23.920 He's already in control. 00:04:23.920 --> 00:04:26.800 He is ruling and reigning now. 00:04:27.080 --> 00:04:29.520 That means we don't have to wait on him to win. 00:04:31.520 --> 00:04:33.520 Nor are we waiting on him to win. 00:04:34.460 --> 00:04:37.759 They were to watch Christ and watch God win. 00:04:38.400 --> 00:04:42.240 And we are to acknowledge that Christ has won. 00:04:42.400 --> 00:04:45.000 The battle of sin and death was won on Calvary. 00:04:45.379 --> 00:04:46.620 It was done. 00:04:47.120 --> 00:04:50.259 And the last buzzer hasn't sounded yet, make no mistake. 00:04:50.379 --> 00:04:51.200 But the battle's over. 00:04:52.200 --> 00:04:53.180 The war's won. 00:04:53.920 --> 00:04:56.140 It kind of reminds me of the Battle of New Orleans. 00:04:56.340 --> 00:05:07.480 And on January the 8th, 1815, after many skirmishes and smaller territorial battles, the Americans profoundly defeated the British in the Battle of New Orleans. 00:05:07.720 --> 00:05:12.100 It was the last chapter in the War of 1812, or so it seemed. 00:05:12.600 --> 00:05:13.720 And what a chapter it was. 00:05:13.800 --> 00:05:15.460 The British suffered 2,000 casualties. 00:05:15.840 --> 00:05:17.600 The Americans suffered 71. 00:05:17.600 --> 00:05:20.260 It seemed to be the tell-all. 00:05:20.260 --> 00:05:27.080 And what those soldiers did not know on that battlefield was the war was already over. 00:05:28.439 --> 00:05:35.060 The Treaty of Ghent had been signed on Christmas Eve two weeks before the ending of the war. 00:05:35.180 --> 00:05:36.160 Ending the war. 00:05:37.500 --> 00:05:39.020 But yet, word had not got back. 00:05:39.580 --> 00:05:40.540 And they were still fighting. 00:05:40.540 --> 00:05:45.939 Due to a lack of communication in those days, cell phone batteries were dead. 00:05:47.280 --> 00:05:48.680 The message didn't get out. 00:05:49.740 --> 00:05:52.200 And hundreds died fighting a battle. 00:05:52.700 --> 00:05:57.320 They didn't have to fight because the war was over. 00:05:57.319 --> 00:06:00.040 Make no mistake today, friend. 00:06:00.540 --> 00:06:03.939 God has won the war through Christ on Calvary. 00:06:04.500 --> 00:06:09.120 The rule and the reign of God will culminate in his return. 00:06:09.579 --> 00:06:16.560 But we better not miss the opportunity or the power or the relevance of the kingdom of God right now. 00:06:17.180 --> 00:06:23.819 Jesus spends a lot of time talking about the kingdom when he uses his parables. 00:06:23.819 --> 00:06:32.300 And he spoke to clarifying that the kingdom has come and to help us understand exactly what that means. 00:06:32.939 --> 00:06:35.060 I want to look at three of them today. 00:06:35.500 --> 00:06:38.459 Two of them are right there together in Luke chapter 13. 00:06:39.159 --> 00:06:40.620 First one's in verse 18. 00:06:41.560 --> 00:06:42.399 Jesus said this. 00:06:42.500 --> 00:06:45.500 He said, therefore, what is the kingdom of God like? 00:06:46.579 --> 00:06:48.500 And to what shall I compare it? 00:06:48.500 --> 00:06:55.500 It's like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden and it grew and become a tree. 00:06:55.639 --> 00:06:58.259 And the birds of the air made nests in its branches. 00:06:58.399 --> 00:07:01.220 And again he said, to what shall I compare the kingdom of God? 00:07:02.480 --> 00:07:07.500 It's like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour until it was all leavened. 00:07:07.500 --> 00:07:15.560 His message is that the kingdom of God is not what it appears. 00:07:16.259 --> 00:07:19.920 There's more going on around us than we think. 00:07:21.500 --> 00:07:22.620 Let me explain. 00:07:24.519 --> 00:07:30.819 The first lesson he teaches us in this first parable is that God's work may seem small. 00:07:30.819 --> 00:07:38.659 The whole point of bringing up a mustard seed was the mustard seed was the smallest known seed of that time in that culture. 00:07:39.040 --> 00:07:49.199 However, it grew to be a large bush about 10 or 12 feet high, so large that birds could nest in it. 00:07:50.480 --> 00:07:53.360 Some have made a lot out of these birds that are mentioned. 00:07:53.539 --> 00:07:59.339 There's a story of a tree in Daniel chapter 4 where the birds are a negative force. 00:07:59.339 --> 00:08:11.819 And because those birds represent demonic activity or evil, then some believe they reveal an evil presence that nest in the kingdom or in God's work. 00:08:12.000 --> 00:08:15.120 And so because of that, they carry that over to this parable. 00:08:15.859 --> 00:08:22.439 And the parable of the sower as well where the birds steal the seeds of the gospel that fall on hard hearts. 00:08:22.579 --> 00:08:24.319 They parallel that together. 00:08:24.319 --> 00:08:30.899 And I really believe Jesus mentions birds here to just tell you how big the tree is. 00:08:31.319 --> 00:08:39.139 To tell you that it's just a very small seed that grows into something very large considering the seed. 00:08:40.799 --> 00:08:44.659 But we often misjudge the power of something by its size. 00:08:44.659 --> 00:08:49.500 We think a little is just a little. 00:08:51.199 --> 00:08:54.740 And we misjudge that little is much when God is in it. 00:08:54.860 --> 00:08:59.480 When God gets into things, he changes them exponentially. 00:08:59.480 --> 00:09:11.500 Did you know that if you go home today and put a penny in a jar and you double that amount tomorrow 00:09:11.500 --> 00:09:15.720 and you double what you put in the next day 00:09:15.720 --> 00:09:22.680 and you double what you put in the next day and then the next day and the next day 00:09:22.679 --> 00:09:28.039 and you double that in 28 days, you'll be a millionaire. 00:09:29.479 --> 00:09:33.059 And you'll be responsible to tithe on that to your local church. 00:09:38.099 --> 00:09:42.039 Go home and try it, but don't come begging in about a week, okay? 00:09:42.039 --> 00:09:54.779 Did you know that if everyone in this room would commit to win one person to the Lord this year in Pickens 00:09:54.779 --> 00:10:02.159 and next year we'd commit to do the same and everybody that had been one would do the same as well, 00:10:03.599 --> 00:10:08.579 that within five years all the city of Pickens would be saved. 00:10:08.580 --> 00:10:12.400 And that's assuming that nobody is saved in Pickens except us. 00:10:17.300 --> 00:10:19.080 God has a tendency to work. 00:10:20.139 --> 00:10:25.780 If we're just willing to do a little bit, you know, Peter preached a sermon in Acts chapter 2 00:10:25.780 --> 00:10:27.980 and 3,000 got saved that day. 00:10:29.340 --> 00:10:36.280 And just 10 years later, the persecution grew so strong that the Christians had to scatter 00:10:36.279 --> 00:10:40.159 and where they scattered, they took the gospel message with them. 00:10:40.539 --> 00:10:43.279 And from that, the world was reached. 00:10:44.319 --> 00:10:47.740 The gospel message got out of that small region. 00:10:48.139 --> 00:10:56.699 And just like Jesus told us to do to start in Jerusalem and then Judea and Samaria and the uttermost, 00:10:57.639 --> 00:10:59.959 that's exactly what they did when persecution came. 00:11:00.220 --> 00:11:02.439 They took the gospel with them as they scattered. 00:11:02.440 --> 00:11:03.880 They shared it where it was. 00:11:04.100 --> 00:11:06.140 And you know who are the recipients of that? 00:11:07.020 --> 00:11:07.540 Us. 00:11:08.360 --> 00:11:09.320 We are. 00:11:09.600 --> 00:11:12.660 Because they took it out of that and just shared it. 00:11:14.640 --> 00:11:25.760 Who would have thought 12 uneducated, untalented, grungy men could have spread the church from 12 to thousands and today billions? 00:11:26.100 --> 00:11:26.520 Jesus. 00:11:28.220 --> 00:11:29.460 That's what he said. 00:11:29.460 --> 00:11:31.980 That's what he's telling you. 00:11:32.060 --> 00:11:33.920 What starts as a mustard seed. 00:11:35.600 --> 00:11:43.480 Don't ever discount the small matters in God's kingdom because God blesses and grows the small. 00:11:46.060 --> 00:11:50.860 The second thing that I learned from this, and it's in the second parable that I read, 00:11:51.080 --> 00:11:53.600 is that God's work may be hidden. 00:11:53.600 --> 00:11:57.840 It's that story of the leaven and the yeast and the bread. 00:11:58.879 --> 00:12:03.759 And it's saying that, and again, sometimes leaven is used in a negative sense in Scripture. 00:12:03.879 --> 00:12:04.960 It's not meant that here. 00:12:06.040 --> 00:12:14.600 Instead, he's speaking of the kingdom of God and how leaven or yeast gets into that dough and does something that you can't see happening. 00:12:14.740 --> 00:12:17.019 But in reality, it's working. 00:12:17.200 --> 00:12:18.200 It's moving. 00:12:18.200 --> 00:12:21.860 And even though you can't see it at work, it changes things. 00:12:23.520 --> 00:12:32.180 The same way, God's kingdom gets into your life and the Holy Spirit begins to work in your life and in others. 00:12:32.600 --> 00:12:34.320 Things happen that you cannot see. 00:12:35.180 --> 00:12:36.440 You can't quite put your finger on. 00:12:36.440 --> 00:12:40.100 Jesus speaks of leaven and other stories as evil. 00:12:40.220 --> 00:12:41.080 That's not the intent here. 00:12:41.340 --> 00:12:51.300 Instead, he's speaking of the penetrating influence of the gospel and how the Spirit moves and works in unseen but very powerful fashions in ways that we can't describe. 00:12:51.600 --> 00:12:55.540 God's doing a work in people around you, and you can't even see it, folks. 00:12:55.539 --> 00:13:17.179 He's slowly progressing, and when it's real, when he really works in us, when the kingdom of God is in our lives and he's really ruling and reigning in us, he changes things. 00:13:19.179 --> 00:13:20.759 It progresses. 00:13:20.759 --> 00:13:30.559 When you ask the Lord Jesus to come into your life and you seek his face with your life, he'll begin to change your conscience. 00:13:34.279 --> 00:13:38.480 He'll begin to convict you about things that you thought were just fine the day before. 00:13:40.500 --> 00:13:44.980 But he'll begin to show you what's wrong with what you're doing. 00:13:44.980 --> 00:13:59.220 It goes from that until he begins to change your mindset to where you begin to build parameters in your mind. 00:14:00.580 --> 00:14:04.279 And you may think you're just getting better, but in reality, you're not. 00:14:05.039 --> 00:14:06.759 Just as sorry as you ever were. 00:14:07.580 --> 00:14:08.940 It's just that God's in you. 00:14:08.940 --> 00:14:18.780 He's changing the things and how you see them, and he's changing your mindset, and then he'll begin to change your will. 00:14:21.600 --> 00:14:27.600 He'll change the things from what you used to do to what you don't do anymore. 00:14:29.680 --> 00:14:31.620 And then he'll change your lifestyle. 00:14:31.620 --> 00:14:38.759 And while he's changing you, somebody else will be watching. 00:14:40.679 --> 00:14:43.580 And it'll change in them. 00:14:45.340 --> 00:14:47.299 Because God works like that. 00:14:48.480 --> 00:14:50.639 He progresses like that. 00:14:52.200 --> 00:14:53.980 He'll do things that you can't see. 00:14:55.179 --> 00:14:56.180 I think of Philip. 00:14:56.419 --> 00:14:57.379 What a cool story. 00:14:57.379 --> 00:15:03.779 Philip couldn't see when God told him to go to the crossroads and meet a man. 00:15:05.399 --> 00:15:09.820 And I got a feeling he was thinking as he went to the crossroads that God told him to go to. 00:15:11.620 --> 00:15:12.639 How am I going to know? 00:15:13.820 --> 00:15:14.059 You know? 00:15:14.740 --> 00:15:18.480 What exactly am I looking for? 00:15:19.700 --> 00:15:21.279 And when he got to the crossroads, 00:15:23.379 --> 00:15:26.279 God had also led another man to be at the crossroads. 00:15:26.279 --> 00:15:32.539 And by the Spirit of God, that man was reading a prophetic passage about Jesus. 00:15:34.279 --> 00:15:35.559 And Philip heard him. 00:15:36.539 --> 00:15:38.179 And as Philip approached the chariot, 00:15:39.279 --> 00:15:43.500 it appears he had no knowledge of what he was walking into until he heard the man reading. 00:15:43.699 --> 00:15:47.459 And he asked him if he understood what he was reading. 00:15:47.559 --> 00:15:48.299 He said, how can I? 00:15:48.379 --> 00:15:50.720 And when he explained that he was speaking of Christ, 00:15:51.179 --> 00:15:53.579 that Ethiopian was gloriously saved. 00:15:53.580 --> 00:15:56.740 And I love that passage where he says, water's right here. 00:15:57.020 --> 00:15:58.040 Why not be baptized? 00:15:58.259 --> 00:15:58.480 Amen. 00:15:58.860 --> 00:16:01.280 And he was baptized right then on the spot. 00:16:03.020 --> 00:16:06.500 Or what about the man who heard sermon after sermon after sermon, 00:16:06.500 --> 00:16:07.940 and he finally got saved? 00:16:09.740 --> 00:16:11.879 And when the preacher, all proud for himself, 00:16:13.000 --> 00:16:13.940 walked up to him and said, 00:16:14.000 --> 00:16:17.620 sir, can you tell me which sermon did I preach that touched you? 00:16:17.620 --> 00:16:20.620 And the man said, none of them. 00:16:24.080 --> 00:16:26.700 He said, instead I was leaving church one day, 00:16:26.860 --> 00:16:30.360 and an elderly widow stumbled on the steps ahead of me, 00:16:30.500 --> 00:16:31.980 and I reached and caught her. 00:16:34.379 --> 00:16:37.039 And as I reached out for her, she thanked me, 00:16:37.120 --> 00:16:41.220 and she said, do you love my Savior Jesus Christ? 00:16:41.220 --> 00:16:45.060 He means all the world to me. 00:16:47.680 --> 00:16:49.700 The repeated gospel message 00:16:49.700 --> 00:16:52.279 and the personal testimony 00:16:52.279 --> 00:16:55.120 was used by the Spirit of God 00:16:55.120 --> 00:16:59.220 to convict and save that man. 00:17:00.220 --> 00:17:04.360 So much of the work of God he's doing in lives 00:17:04.360 --> 00:17:08.539 is influential, is penetrating and permeating, 00:17:08.539 --> 00:17:12.759 but never seen outside. 00:17:14.059 --> 00:17:14.740 Understand, 00:17:15.440 --> 00:17:19.460 the dough does not change itself. 00:17:21.980 --> 00:17:24.759 The dough has no power to change itself. 00:17:26.399 --> 00:17:29.279 It takes the penetrating force of the leaven 00:17:29.279 --> 00:17:31.399 to make that difference, 00:17:31.579 --> 00:17:32.799 and much like us, 00:17:32.980 --> 00:17:35.359 as much as we may want to change, 00:17:35.579 --> 00:17:37.220 we can't do it on our own. 00:17:37.220 --> 00:17:40.079 It takes an indwelling unseen, 00:17:40.220 --> 00:17:43.200 but surely felt force of the Holy Spirit of God. 00:17:43.360 --> 00:17:45.860 That's why the Greek word for Holy Spirit 00:17:45.860 --> 00:17:47.819 is breath or wind. 00:17:49.039 --> 00:17:50.839 Can't quite put your finger on it. 00:17:51.460 --> 00:17:53.120 I don't see the wind, 00:17:53.920 --> 00:17:55.299 but I see the evidence of it. 00:17:59.120 --> 00:18:00.920 And when the leaven of the power 00:18:00.920 --> 00:18:02.920 of the Holy Spirit of God takes over 00:18:02.920 --> 00:18:05.799 in lives or in a people, 00:18:05.799 --> 00:18:07.099 what a change it brings, 00:18:07.419 --> 00:18:09.960 in the midst of the explosive growth 00:18:09.960 --> 00:18:12.460 of Christianity in the book of Acts, 00:18:12.740 --> 00:18:14.819 in Acts chapter 17, verse 6, 00:18:14.899 --> 00:18:19.019 it tells what was said about the empowered Christians 00:18:19.019 --> 00:18:21.960 when a mob came to attack them. 00:18:22.579 --> 00:18:23.859 This is what the mob said. 00:18:23.940 --> 00:18:24.299 They said, 00:18:24.579 --> 00:18:28.059 these men who have turned the world upside down 00:18:28.059 --> 00:18:29.059 have come here also. 00:18:29.059 --> 00:18:31.200 They came with a reputation 00:18:31.200 --> 00:18:34.399 because God had done a work in their life 00:18:34.399 --> 00:18:37.579 and they wanted God to work and move through them. 00:18:39.019 --> 00:18:40.779 God's work is not always seen. 00:18:40.940 --> 00:18:42.139 It may be hidden 00:18:42.139 --> 00:18:45.500 and it sure is often underestimated. 00:18:45.500 --> 00:18:48.859 But if the parable of the seed speaks 00:18:48.859 --> 00:18:51.579 to the gospel progressing in the world, 00:18:52.339 --> 00:18:56.099 this one speaks to the gospel progressing in us. 00:18:57.799 --> 00:19:02.319 Never underestimate what God is doing around you. 00:19:03.200 --> 00:19:06.380 Never underestimate what God is doing in you. 00:19:06.380 --> 00:19:08.560 And by the way, 00:19:09.560 --> 00:19:12.940 let me just say, 00:19:14.020 --> 00:19:18.920 I am thankful for volunteers 00:19:18.920 --> 00:19:21.860 in a church 00:19:21.860 --> 00:19:24.360 who are sensitive 00:19:24.360 --> 00:19:28.160 to hear what God would have them to do 00:19:28.160 --> 00:19:30.960 and are willing to do 00:19:30.960 --> 00:19:33.220 what God leads them to do. 00:19:33.220 --> 00:19:36.600 those that prepare ministries, 00:19:37.539 --> 00:19:39.160 those that care for children, 00:19:40.299 --> 00:19:41.819 those that keep us secure, 00:19:43.079 --> 00:19:44.940 those that work behind the scenes. 00:19:45.000 --> 00:19:46.400 You don't even know who does it, 00:19:46.460 --> 00:19:47.620 but it just gets done. 00:19:48.779 --> 00:19:50.299 Those who invite guests, 00:19:50.600 --> 00:19:51.839 those who welcome guests, 00:19:51.839 --> 00:19:54.799 those who encourage others that feel unseen. 00:19:56.799 --> 00:19:58.339 We don't know who those people are. 00:19:58.740 --> 00:20:00.680 I could name them today if I wanted to, 00:20:00.680 --> 00:20:03.480 but God's work is sometimes hidden, 00:20:04.320 --> 00:20:05.220 but it's very real. 00:20:07.100 --> 00:20:08.640 And God is well aware 00:20:08.640 --> 00:20:11.900 because we serve an audience of one. 00:20:14.700 --> 00:20:16.600 Now I've been preaching for several weeks 00:20:16.600 --> 00:20:18.360 on the parables of Jesus 00:20:18.360 --> 00:20:20.100 in the gospel of Luke, 00:20:20.960 --> 00:20:22.799 but I'm going to break a rule here 00:20:22.799 --> 00:20:24.940 and I'm going to go to Mark 4 00:20:24.940 --> 00:20:28.460 because there's another parable that's there 00:20:28.460 --> 00:20:31.220 where he talks about 00:20:31.220 --> 00:20:34.039 the kingdom of God. 00:20:34.620 --> 00:20:36.200 It's in Mark chapter 4, 00:20:36.299 --> 00:20:38.880 verse 26 and 29. 00:20:39.079 --> 00:20:42.079 I love to hear the paper turning. 00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:46.059 It's a good thing to bring your Bible, folks. 00:20:46.340 --> 00:20:46.860 It is. 00:20:47.299 --> 00:20:48.420 Make sure I'm on key. 00:20:48.559 --> 00:20:49.579 Make sure I didn't make it up. 00:20:49.740 --> 00:20:49.920 You know, 00:20:50.319 --> 00:20:51.740 it's good to have it in your hand. 00:20:51.980 --> 00:20:52.680 I'm not fussing. 00:20:52.740 --> 00:20:53.579 I'm just encouraging. 00:20:54.960 --> 00:20:55.819 It says this, 00:20:55.819 --> 00:20:57.099 and he said, 00:20:58.099 --> 00:20:59.439 the kingdom of God 00:20:59.439 --> 00:21:03.500 is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. 00:21:07.159 --> 00:21:08.659 Lord, help us get this today. 00:21:11.859 --> 00:21:14.419 He sleeps and rises night and day 00:21:14.419 --> 00:21:15.579 and seed sprouts and grows. 00:21:16.019 --> 00:21:17.099 He knows not how. 00:21:19.220 --> 00:21:21.319 The earth produces by itself 00:21:21.319 --> 00:21:22.179 first the blade, 00:21:22.319 --> 00:21:22.799 then the ear, 00:21:22.899 --> 00:21:24.119 then the full grain in the earth, 00:21:24.119 --> 00:21:25.819 but when the grain is ripe, 00:21:26.639 --> 00:21:28.099 at once he puts in the sickle 00:21:28.099 --> 00:21:30.799 because the harvest has come. 00:21:31.799 --> 00:21:32.599 I love it. 00:21:33.659 --> 00:21:35.019 He just puts the seed in the ground. 00:21:35.719 --> 00:21:36.199 It grows. 00:21:36.359 --> 00:21:37.359 He's not sure why. 00:21:38.679 --> 00:21:39.839 He's not sure how. 00:21:41.319 --> 00:21:43.099 He doesn't know all the details. 00:21:43.099 --> 00:21:45.099 He doesn't know all the details. 00:21:49.179 --> 00:21:51.139 I recently pastored a church 00:21:51.139 --> 00:21:52.779 that had a lot of farmers in it. 00:21:53.480 --> 00:21:54.740 It's an agrarian county. 00:21:56.359 --> 00:21:57.779 An adjacent city calls itself 00:21:57.779 --> 00:21:59.240 the sweet potato capital of the world. 00:22:00.679 --> 00:22:01.500 Self-appointed. 00:22:03.980 --> 00:22:05.459 Sweet potatoes and soybeans 00:22:05.459 --> 00:22:06.259 are all you see 00:22:06.259 --> 00:22:07.379 when you come into that county 00:22:07.379 --> 00:22:08.299 from any direction. 00:22:10.399 --> 00:22:11.539 I was preparing a sermon 00:22:11.539 --> 00:22:12.500 something like this. 00:22:12.879 --> 00:22:13.980 I don't know which one it was. 00:22:15.059 --> 00:22:16.220 I texted one of my farmers 00:22:16.220 --> 00:22:16.659 and I said, 00:22:16.720 --> 00:22:17.339 let me tell you something. 00:22:17.359 --> 00:22:18.099 Let me ask you something. 00:22:18.220 --> 00:22:18.500 I said, 00:22:19.639 --> 00:22:21.339 fertilizer's high 00:22:21.339 --> 00:22:24.000 and there's not a lot of promise 00:22:24.000 --> 00:22:26.000 of pleasing weather. 00:22:28.059 --> 00:22:29.559 The prospects don't look good. 00:22:31.279 --> 00:22:32.680 Do you still put seed in the ground? 00:22:35.379 --> 00:22:35.940 He said, 00:22:36.000 --> 00:22:37.119 we still put seed in the ground. 00:22:37.119 --> 00:22:40.039 We just trust God 00:22:40.039 --> 00:22:40.739 to bring us through. 00:22:42.079 --> 00:22:43.559 Whether it's a good season 00:22:43.559 --> 00:22:45.519 or a bad season, 00:22:46.259 --> 00:22:48.399 we just keep at it. 00:22:51.399 --> 00:22:53.000 Just expect a harvest 00:22:53.000 --> 00:22:54.799 to come. 00:22:55.919 --> 00:22:57.599 You just enjoy watching 00:22:57.599 --> 00:22:58.519 what was planted 00:22:58.519 --> 00:22:59.799 become full grown. 00:23:01.679 --> 00:23:02.219 Folks, 00:23:02.299 --> 00:23:03.519 I want you to trust 00:23:03.519 --> 00:23:04.980 trust the Lord 00:23:04.980 --> 00:23:06.819 for the harvest 00:23:06.819 --> 00:23:08.779 and to get busy 00:23:08.779 --> 00:23:10.420 planting seeds 00:23:10.420 --> 00:23:11.460 for the Lord. 00:23:13.279 --> 00:23:14.700 You ain't got to figure out 00:23:14.700 --> 00:23:15.160 how. 00:23:16.799 --> 00:23:17.879 You ain't got to figure out 00:23:17.879 --> 00:23:18.460 why. 00:23:19.960 --> 00:23:21.180 You're not going to figure out 00:23:21.180 --> 00:23:21.900 how it's going to happen. 00:23:23.900 --> 00:23:24.819 But everybody needs 00:23:24.819 --> 00:23:25.639 to be planting something. 00:23:26.299 --> 00:23:27.240 And you can make some choices 00:23:27.240 --> 00:23:27.759 in your life. 00:23:27.839 --> 00:23:28.859 You can plant different things. 00:23:28.859 --> 00:23:30.259 Some people plant 00:23:30.259 --> 00:23:31.259 seeds of discord. 00:23:31.259 --> 00:23:34.339 Did you hear 00:23:34.339 --> 00:23:35.339 what so-and-so's doing? 00:23:36.920 --> 00:23:37.140 You know? 00:23:38.259 --> 00:23:39.420 Just scattering a rumor. 00:23:41.480 --> 00:23:43.460 Or maybe a condescending word. 00:23:45.240 --> 00:23:46.519 Some folks plant seeds 00:23:46.519 --> 00:23:47.099 of discord. 00:23:47.519 --> 00:23:49.680 Some people plant seeds 00:23:49.680 --> 00:23:50.759 of judgmentalism. 00:23:53.519 --> 00:23:54.339 Pointing a finger 00:23:54.339 --> 00:23:54.940 at other people. 00:23:55.839 --> 00:23:56.440 Putting down 00:23:56.440 --> 00:23:57.339 someone over here. 00:23:57.339 --> 00:24:00.339 I'm a whole lot better 00:24:00.339 --> 00:24:01.419 picking out your sins 00:24:01.419 --> 00:24:02.159 than I am mine. 00:24:04.399 --> 00:24:05.279 Some people make 00:24:05.279 --> 00:24:06.019 a sport of it. 00:24:07.439 --> 00:24:08.319 Could be seeds 00:24:08.319 --> 00:24:08.959 of negativity. 00:24:10.740 --> 00:24:11.579 Just an effort 00:24:11.579 --> 00:24:12.459 to drag people 00:24:12.459 --> 00:24:13.419 down to your level. 00:24:14.699 --> 00:24:15.599 And I'll just tell you 00:24:15.599 --> 00:24:16.740 none of that 00:24:16.740 --> 00:24:17.619 is of God. 00:24:18.339 --> 00:24:19.459 And all of it 00:24:19.459 --> 00:24:20.379 is unsure 00:24:20.379 --> 00:24:21.339 and unsteady 00:24:21.339 --> 00:24:24.339 and of the evil one. 00:24:24.339 --> 00:24:27.639 But God's work 00:24:27.639 --> 00:24:29.619 is sure. 00:24:31.480 --> 00:24:32.699 It's a sure thing. 00:24:37.699 --> 00:24:39.039 God took a brother 00:24:39.039 --> 00:24:41.579 who had been sold 00:24:41.579 --> 00:24:42.379 into slavery 00:24:42.379 --> 00:24:45.379 and he made the best 00:24:45.379 --> 00:24:46.399 of those circumstances 00:24:46.399 --> 00:24:48.119 and progressed his way 00:24:48.119 --> 00:24:50.339 to where he was given 00:24:50.339 --> 00:24:51.339 responsibility 00:24:51.339 --> 00:24:54.559 over a leader 00:24:54.559 --> 00:24:56.019 in the enemy's house 00:24:56.019 --> 00:24:59.279 only to be falsely accused 00:24:59.279 --> 00:25:02.259 while he was there 00:25:02.259 --> 00:25:03.240 and put in prison. 00:25:05.240 --> 00:25:06.579 Only to be restored 00:25:06.579 --> 00:25:08.819 from prison 00:25:08.819 --> 00:25:11.779 and govern 00:25:11.779 --> 00:25:14.179 the strongest country 00:25:14.179 --> 00:25:15.019 in the world 00:25:15.019 --> 00:25:17.139 that in fact 00:25:17.139 --> 00:25:18.259 was so plentiful 00:25:18.259 --> 00:25:20.740 that it provided 00:25:20.740 --> 00:25:21.960 for his own land 00:25:21.960 --> 00:25:23.140 in the midst 00:25:23.140 --> 00:25:23.680 of a famine. 00:25:26.119 --> 00:25:27.460 Did Joseph feel that 00:25:27.460 --> 00:25:28.059 when he was in 00:25:28.059 --> 00:25:28.960 Potiphar's house 00:25:28.960 --> 00:25:30.720 and Potiphar's wife 00:25:30.720 --> 00:25:31.339 was falsely 00:25:31.339 --> 00:25:32.039 accusing him? 00:25:32.240 --> 00:25:32.539 No. 00:25:32.819 --> 00:25:34.379 But God's work 00:25:34.379 --> 00:25:35.099 is sure. 00:25:37.440 --> 00:25:38.900 He'll take the slow 00:25:38.900 --> 00:25:39.819 tongue 00:25:39.819 --> 00:25:41.319 of Moses. 00:25:43.640 --> 00:25:44.900 Did he feel like 00:25:44.900 --> 00:25:45.940 God's work was sure 00:25:45.940 --> 00:25:46.660 when he was wandering 00:25:46.660 --> 00:25:47.339 around the desert 00:25:47.339 --> 00:25:48.240 with a bunch of Baptists? 00:25:48.259 --> 00:25:51.519 A trip that could have 00:25:51.519 --> 00:25:52.839 took a few days 00:25:52.839 --> 00:25:54.099 took 40 years? 00:25:58.119 --> 00:25:59.420 But God's work 00:25:59.420 --> 00:26:02.400 God's work is sure. 00:26:04.440 --> 00:26:05.960 He'll take the least 00:26:05.960 --> 00:26:06.579 significant 00:26:06.579 --> 00:26:07.640 and raise him 00:26:07.640 --> 00:26:08.940 to lead Israel 00:26:08.940 --> 00:26:11.720 to expand its borders 00:26:11.720 --> 00:26:12.539 and be as strong 00:26:12.539 --> 00:26:14.299 as it ever has been. 00:26:14.500 --> 00:26:15.920 A man with frailties 00:26:15.920 --> 00:26:17.379 a man with mistakes 00:26:17.380 --> 00:26:18.820 a man who was overlooked 00:26:18.820 --> 00:26:19.800 in the very beginning. 00:26:20.800 --> 00:26:21.720 And yet he did that 00:26:21.720 --> 00:26:22.200 with David. 00:26:24.100 --> 00:26:24.920 Do you think 00:26:24.920 --> 00:26:25.740 he felt warm 00:26:25.740 --> 00:26:26.260 and cozy 00:26:26.260 --> 00:26:26.800 when he was 00:26:26.800 --> 00:26:28.140 getting a spear 00:26:28.140 --> 00:26:29.220 chucked at him 00:26:29.220 --> 00:26:29.840 by Saul 00:26:29.840 --> 00:26:30.540 when all he was 00:26:30.540 --> 00:26:31.100 trying to do 00:26:31.100 --> 00:26:31.620 was soothe 00:26:31.620 --> 00:26:32.260 the madman 00:26:32.260 --> 00:26:33.140 by playing a harp 00:26:33.140 --> 00:26:33.580 for him? 00:26:33.580 --> 00:26:33.980 No. 00:26:33.980 --> 00:26:35.240 No. 00:26:35.240 --> 00:26:35.319 No. 00:26:37.240 --> 00:26:38.880 But God's work 00:26:38.880 --> 00:26:40.819 is sure. 00:26:43.299 --> 00:26:44.420 God will take 00:26:44.420 --> 00:26:45.120 a babe 00:26:45.120 --> 00:26:47.500 born to a virgin 00:26:47.500 --> 00:26:50.180 to live a sinless life 00:26:50.180 --> 00:26:52.900 die on a Roman cross 00:26:52.900 --> 00:26:55.799 rise out of a barred tomb 00:26:55.799 --> 00:26:58.220 and return to receive 00:26:58.220 --> 00:26:59.579 his own to him 00:26:59.579 --> 00:27:00.759 and will save 00:27:00.759 --> 00:27:02.279 anyone who calls 00:27:02.279 --> 00:27:03.319 upon his name 00:27:03.319 --> 00:27:04.399 and surrenders 00:27:04.399 --> 00:27:05.299 his or her life 00:27:05.299 --> 00:27:05.980 to Christ? 00:27:07.039 --> 00:27:08.740 I don't understand that. 00:27:09.059 --> 00:27:10.539 But God's work 00:27:10.539 --> 00:27:11.539 is sure. 00:27:12.419 --> 00:27:13.299 I am thankful 00:27:13.299 --> 00:27:13.939 that he'll take 00:27:13.939 --> 00:27:15.019 a foot-shaped 00:27:15.019 --> 00:27:16.000 mouth fisherman 00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:16.779 named Simon 00:27:16.779 --> 00:27:19.480 and save him 00:27:19.480 --> 00:27:20.199 and call him 00:27:20.199 --> 00:27:21.220 and empower him 00:27:21.220 --> 00:27:22.199 to unlock 00:27:22.199 --> 00:27:22.839 the truths 00:27:22.839 --> 00:27:23.419 of the kingdom 00:27:23.419 --> 00:27:24.059 and reach 00:27:24.059 --> 00:27:25.240 a previously 00:27:25.240 --> 00:27:26.339 unreached 00:27:26.339 --> 00:27:27.559 Gentile world 00:27:27.559 --> 00:27:28.659 and change 00:27:28.659 --> 00:27:29.799 the world 00:27:29.799 --> 00:27:30.980 for the gospel 00:27:30.980 --> 00:27:32.539 out of a man 00:27:32.539 --> 00:27:33.039 who said 00:27:33.039 --> 00:27:34.139 the wrong thing 00:27:34.139 --> 00:27:34.960 too often. 00:27:36.399 --> 00:27:37.679 But God's work 00:27:37.679 --> 00:27:39.279 is sure. 00:27:40.480 --> 00:27:41.619 Did it look like it 00:27:41.619 --> 00:27:42.339 when he was arguing 00:27:42.339 --> 00:27:43.000 with Jesus 00:27:43.000 --> 00:27:43.720 and yet Jesus 00:27:43.720 --> 00:27:44.480 changed his name 00:27:44.480 --> 00:27:45.059 to Rock 00:27:45.059 --> 00:27:45.879 right in the middle 00:27:45.879 --> 00:27:46.220 of it 00:27:46.220 --> 00:27:47.659 because he knew 00:27:47.659 --> 00:27:48.539 he'd be such a 00:27:48.539 --> 00:27:49.819 strong foundation 00:27:49.819 --> 00:27:51.019 for the word of God? 00:27:51.619 --> 00:27:51.980 No. 00:27:52.119 --> 00:27:53.480 But God's work 00:27:53.480 --> 00:27:53.940 is sure. 00:27:53.940 --> 00:27:57.519 God will take 00:27:57.519 --> 00:27:58.019 a student 00:27:58.019 --> 00:27:59.080 of religious law 00:27:59.080 --> 00:28:00.019 and a persecutor 00:28:00.019 --> 00:28:00.640 of Christians 00:28:00.640 --> 00:28:01.900 and he'll meet him 00:28:01.900 --> 00:28:02.460 on the road 00:28:02.460 --> 00:28:03.160 to Damascus, 00:28:03.559 --> 00:28:04.240 blind him, 00:28:04.640 --> 00:28:05.220 call him, 00:28:05.259 --> 00:28:06.000 and then open 00:28:06.000 --> 00:28:06.539 his eyes 00:28:06.539 --> 00:28:07.840 to a whole new world 00:28:07.840 --> 00:28:08.799 and he'll lead 00:28:08.799 --> 00:28:09.580 that man 00:28:09.580 --> 00:28:10.200 to write 00:28:10.200 --> 00:28:11.460 most of the 00:28:11.460 --> 00:28:12.100 New Testament. 00:28:12.920 --> 00:28:13.720 Were those believers 00:28:13.720 --> 00:28:14.720 that first met 00:28:14.720 --> 00:28:16.320 the saved Paul 00:28:16.320 --> 00:28:17.500 sure that God 00:28:17.500 --> 00:28:18.539 had done such a work? 00:28:18.680 --> 00:28:18.980 No. 00:28:19.080 --> 00:28:19.580 They were scared 00:28:19.580 --> 00:28:19.980 to death. 00:28:20.220 --> 00:28:21.680 But God's work 00:28:21.680 --> 00:28:22.519 is sure. 00:28:22.519 --> 00:28:25.420 he'll send 00:28:25.420 --> 00:28:26.240 his Holy Spirit 00:28:26.240 --> 00:28:29.500 to a people 00:28:29.500 --> 00:28:30.799 gathered in Jerusalem 00:28:30.799 --> 00:28:32.139 and out of that group 00:28:32.139 --> 00:28:33.220 spread the Christian 00:28:33.220 --> 00:28:34.359 message one person 00:28:34.359 --> 00:28:34.879 to another 00:28:34.879 --> 00:28:35.960 throughout the world 00:28:35.960 --> 00:28:36.660 for generations 00:28:36.660 --> 00:28:37.759 so that you 00:28:37.759 --> 00:28:38.839 and I 00:28:38.839 --> 00:28:39.960 can hear that 00:28:39.960 --> 00:28:41.079 same message 00:28:41.079 --> 00:28:41.960 and have that 00:28:41.960 --> 00:28:43.359 same opportunity 00:28:43.359 --> 00:28:44.420 to respond. 00:28:44.799 --> 00:28:45.500 Do we deserve 00:28:45.500 --> 00:28:46.420 to be saved 00:28:46.420 --> 00:28:47.099 and changed? 00:28:47.379 --> 00:28:47.859 No. 00:28:48.160 --> 00:28:49.299 But God's 00:28:49.299 --> 00:28:49.980 work 00:28:49.980 --> 00:28:51.200 is sure. 00:28:52.519 --> 00:28:54.599 just like a seed. 00:28:56.420 --> 00:28:57.539 It's planted 00:28:57.539 --> 00:28:58.480 and then sprouts 00:28:58.480 --> 00:28:59.619 and grows a blade 00:28:59.619 --> 00:29:02.180 and then another. 00:29:03.660 --> 00:29:04.639 And then that grain 00:29:04.639 --> 00:29:07.319 grows into the ear 00:29:07.319 --> 00:29:09.799 in the same way 00:29:09.799 --> 00:29:12.220 we just plant seeds. 00:29:14.559 --> 00:29:15.279 Church, 00:29:15.379 --> 00:29:16.420 if we'll plant seeds 00:29:16.420 --> 00:29:18.700 in God's time, 00:29:19.420 --> 00:29:20.500 it'll grow. 00:29:20.500 --> 00:29:24.579 So I ask you, 00:29:25.519 --> 00:29:27.900 even if you ain't 00:29:27.900 --> 00:29:28.500 scattering, 00:29:29.839 --> 00:29:30.440 there's seeds 00:29:30.440 --> 00:29:30.960 falling out 00:29:30.960 --> 00:29:31.440 your pocket. 00:29:33.500 --> 00:29:34.220 You're leaving 00:29:34.220 --> 00:29:34.799 a mark. 00:29:37.200 --> 00:29:38.220 What kind of seeds 00:29:38.220 --> 00:29:38.759 are you planting? 00:29:41.599 --> 00:29:42.519 Because when the 00:29:42.519 --> 00:29:43.119 Spirit gets 00:29:43.119 --> 00:29:43.779 in the works, 00:29:44.420 --> 00:29:46.339 the work of God 00:29:46.339 --> 00:29:47.220 will rise. 00:29:47.220 --> 00:29:49.559 and it may 00:29:49.559 --> 00:29:50.180 seem small 00:29:50.180 --> 00:29:52.839 and it may 00:29:52.839 --> 00:29:53.440 seem hidden 00:29:53.440 --> 00:29:57.039 but little 00:29:57.039 --> 00:29:57.740 is much 00:29:57.740 --> 00:29:59.279 when God 00:29:59.279 --> 00:29:59.779 is in it. 00:30:00.720 --> 00:30:01.720 And my friend, 00:30:02.920 --> 00:30:05.299 God is in it. 00:30:06.900 --> 00:30:08.120 It's a sure thing. 00:30:10.400 --> 00:30:11.500 God is at work. 00:30:11.500 --> 00:30:14.460 So let's get in 00:30:14.460 --> 00:30:16.440 on what God's doing. 00:30:18.180 --> 00:30:19.559 With every head bowed 00:30:19.559 --> 00:30:22.019 and every eye closed, 00:30:22.279 --> 00:30:24.640 I ask you this morning, 00:30:25.640 --> 00:30:28.480 have you ever committed 00:30:28.480 --> 00:30:29.160 your life 00:30:29.160 --> 00:30:30.819 to follow the Lord 00:30:30.819 --> 00:30:31.599 Jesus Christ? 00:30:31.599 --> 00:30:35.419 Have you ever said, 00:30:35.539 --> 00:30:35.619 Lord, 00:30:35.699 --> 00:30:36.299 I understand 00:30:36.299 --> 00:30:37.179 that on my own 00:30:37.179 --> 00:30:38.740 I can't do it. 00:30:40.619 --> 00:30:41.879 I need your touch. 00:30:43.500 --> 00:30:44.179 I need you 00:30:44.179 --> 00:30:44.779 to change me, 00:30:44.879 --> 00:30:45.039 Lord. 00:30:45.500 --> 00:30:46.079 Forgive me, 00:30:46.279 --> 00:30:47.039 wash me clean 00:30:47.039 --> 00:30:48.859 and change my life. 00:30:50.659 --> 00:30:51.319 Good news 00:30:51.319 --> 00:30:51.839 for you today 00:30:51.839 --> 00:30:52.619 is if you've never 00:30:52.619 --> 00:30:53.079 done that 00:30:53.079 --> 00:30:53.500 and you're willing 00:30:53.500 --> 00:30:54.119 to do that, 00:30:54.539 --> 00:30:55.139 you didn't come up 00:30:55.139 --> 00:30:55.939 with that on your own. 00:30:56.319 --> 00:30:57.279 Holy Spirit of God 00:30:57.279 --> 00:30:57.699 is moving 00:30:57.699 --> 00:30:58.139 and working 00:30:58.139 --> 00:30:58.959 in your life 00:30:58.959 --> 00:30:59.439 and you need 00:30:59.439 --> 00:30:59.919 to choose 00:30:59.919 --> 00:31:00.699 to follow Him. 00:31:02.279 --> 00:31:02.719 Today 00:31:02.719 --> 00:31:05.199 as He speaks to you. 00:31:07.019 --> 00:31:07.719 Maybe you're here 00:31:07.719 --> 00:31:08.639 and you have done that 00:31:08.639 --> 00:31:09.459 but the reality is 00:31:09.459 --> 00:31:10.139 you've never told 00:31:10.139 --> 00:31:10.919 anybody about it, 00:31:10.980 --> 00:31:11.819 just a private deal 00:31:11.819 --> 00:31:12.339 for you. 00:31:14.639 --> 00:31:15.339 Jesus says, 00:31:15.480 --> 00:31:16.299 don't be ashamed of me 00:31:16.299 --> 00:31:18.039 and I won't be ashamed 00:31:18.039 --> 00:31:19.039 of you before my Father. 00:31:20.339 --> 00:31:21.259 Let others know, 00:31:21.519 --> 00:31:22.019 follow Him 00:31:22.019 --> 00:31:23.179 with baptism today. 00:31:25.279 --> 00:31:25.719 Proclaiming 00:31:25.719 --> 00:31:27.399 publicly 00:31:27.399 --> 00:31:29.379 and physically 00:31:29.380 --> 00:31:30.960 what God 00:31:30.960 --> 00:31:31.400 has done 00:31:31.400 --> 00:31:31.820 in you 00:31:31.820 --> 00:31:32.900 privately 00:31:32.900 --> 00:31:33.760 and spiritually. 00:31:35.300 --> 00:31:36.000 Maybe God's 00:31:36.000 --> 00:31:36.280 leading you 00:31:36.280 --> 00:31:36.660 to be a part 00:31:36.660 --> 00:31:37.380 of this church. 00:31:38.940 --> 00:31:39.540 God's leading 00:31:39.540 --> 00:31:40.220 you in that way. 00:31:40.340 --> 00:31:40.740 We'd love 00:31:40.740 --> 00:31:41.360 for you to come, 00:31:42.400 --> 00:31:42.980 join us 00:31:42.980 --> 00:31:43.680 in our journey, 00:31:45.080 --> 00:31:45.460 seeking 00:31:45.460 --> 00:31:46.420 to scatter seed 00:31:46.420 --> 00:31:47.940 for the Lord 00:31:47.940 --> 00:31:49.120 and anticipating 00:31:49.120 --> 00:31:50.000 mightily 00:31:50.000 --> 00:31:50.540 what God's 00:31:50.540 --> 00:31:50.860 going to do 00:31:50.860 --> 00:31:51.400 as we do. 00:31:52.760 --> 00:31:53.280 We'd love 00:31:53.280 --> 00:31:53.760 to talk to you 00:31:53.760 --> 00:31:54.280 about that. 00:31:54.279 --> 00:31:56.619 Maybe you're here 00:31:56.619 --> 00:31:57.019 and you don't need 00:31:57.019 --> 00:31:57.599 to make any of those 00:31:57.599 --> 00:31:58.000 decisions, 00:31:58.119 --> 00:31:58.819 you just need to decide 00:31:58.819 --> 00:31:59.619 to scatter some seed. 00:32:01.779 --> 00:32:02.700 You just need to decide 00:32:02.700 --> 00:32:03.519 to live your life 00:32:03.519 --> 00:32:04.339 for the Lord Jesus. 00:32:06.160 --> 00:32:07.039 To trust Him 00:32:07.039 --> 00:32:08.799 when you can't see Him, 00:32:09.799 --> 00:32:11.639 when it seems slow, 00:32:12.079 --> 00:32:14.619 when it seems unsure, 00:32:16.200 --> 00:32:16.920 just trust Him. 00:32:17.940 --> 00:32:18.379 Take Him 00:32:18.379 --> 00:32:18.980 at His word 00:32:18.980 --> 00:32:21.460 because God's work 00:32:21.460 --> 00:32:22.879 is sure. 00:32:22.880 --> 00:32:24.720 Heavenly Father, 00:32:24.840 --> 00:32:25.700 I pray right now 00:32:25.700 --> 00:32:26.580 that you'll guide 00:32:26.580 --> 00:32:27.620 each and every one 00:32:27.620 --> 00:32:28.500 of us today 00:32:28.500 --> 00:32:30.100 to follow your will 00:32:30.100 --> 00:32:30.600 and your way 00:32:30.600 --> 00:32:31.400 exactly the way 00:32:31.400 --> 00:32:31.980 you'd have us 00:32:31.980 --> 00:32:32.520 to do it. 00:32:33.820 --> 00:32:34.700 Lord, I pray 00:32:34.700 --> 00:32:35.840 that we won't do 00:32:35.840 --> 00:32:36.740 more than you ask us 00:32:36.740 --> 00:32:37.000 to do 00:32:37.000 --> 00:32:37.840 and we sure won't do 00:32:37.840 --> 00:32:38.740 less than you ask us 00:32:38.740 --> 00:32:39.060 to do. 00:32:39.640 --> 00:32:40.620 We'll just be obedient 00:32:40.620 --> 00:32:41.360 as you speak 00:32:41.360 --> 00:32:42.320 to our hearts and lives. 00:32:43.100 --> 00:32:43.800 Bless our time 00:32:43.800 --> 00:32:44.260 right now, 00:32:44.320 --> 00:32:45.240 oh God, I pray 00:32:45.240 --> 00:32:47.360 in Jesus' precious name. 00:32:47.520 --> 00:32:47.780 Amen.