WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.200 Now, I have a note written to myself, self, remember the blood drive, okay? 00:00:11.880 --> 00:00:16.399 ! So, how many of you out there are, I shouldn't ask that question, I won't. 00:00:16.399 --> 00:00:19.019 I was going to ask it, so I won't ask it, but I'll let you know what it was. 00:00:20.300 --> 00:00:22.820 I was going to ask how many of you are over 80 pounds, 00:00:22.900 --> 00:00:24.760 because I think that's under that you can't give blood. 00:00:26.460 --> 00:00:27.699 I think a lot of us are eligible. 00:00:27.699 --> 00:00:32.560 And so, if you are eligible to give blood, here's the happy news. 00:00:32.640 --> 00:00:34.299 We have an opportunity for you to do that. 00:00:35.399 --> 00:00:41.259 And Linda, our secretary, advised me that we still have a number of vacancies in the opportunities. 00:00:41.780 --> 00:00:48.159 And lest I go out into the lobby and have to personally encourage you on one knee, 00:00:48.500 --> 00:00:49.980 you can make my job easier. 00:00:50.120 --> 00:00:53.179 Get out there and sign up so that we have plenty of people that are giving blood. 00:00:53.640 --> 00:00:56.679 It's one of those things we do to minister to people around us, 00:00:56.679 --> 00:00:58.780 and it's our blessing to do that. 00:00:59.920 --> 00:01:03.140 Turn in your Bibles, if you would, to Ephesians chapter 2. 00:01:04.239 --> 00:01:05.640 I'm sorry, Ephesians chapter 3. 00:01:05.959 --> 00:01:09.879 Some of you are thinking there was a return to something previous. 00:01:10.219 --> 00:01:13.659 Chapter 3, verse 1 through 5, let me read it to you. 00:01:13.659 --> 00:01:21.239 For this reason, I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, on behalf of you Gentiles, 00:01:22.259 --> 00:01:26.539 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you, 00:01:27.280 --> 00:01:30.759 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation as I have written briefly. 00:01:31.679 --> 00:01:35.159 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 00:01:35.159 --> 00:01:39.200 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations, 00:01:39.619 --> 00:01:44.899 as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. 00:01:45.759 --> 00:01:46.459 Let's pray. 00:01:49.259 --> 00:01:53.539 Our Father God, prayer for us is never just an exercise of obedience, 00:01:53.859 --> 00:01:59.799 but it is a glad declaration of our dependence and our confidence in you. 00:01:59.799 --> 00:02:03.959 We know that you are our God and our Father and the provider of all good things 00:02:03.959 --> 00:02:07.620 because the Scriptures tell us that every good and every perfect thing 00:02:07.620 --> 00:02:11.719 comes from above, from the Father in whom is no variableness. 00:02:11.960 --> 00:02:14.859 And so we come to you and we say, listen, there are things we need. 00:02:15.020 --> 00:02:17.939 And this morning, we need the enabling of the Spirit of God 00:02:17.939 --> 00:02:21.379 that we who are your children may understand more of the truth 00:02:21.379 --> 00:02:27.439 and as a result of that growing understanding may grow to be more like the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:02:27.439 --> 00:02:31.819 We pray, Father, also as we who are believers pray, 00:02:31.939 --> 00:02:36.300 we ask that you would work in the lives of those that are here today that do not know Christ, 00:02:36.419 --> 00:02:38.960 that even as the teaching of the Scriptures, 00:02:39.460 --> 00:02:43.359 which is primarily focused on benefit and blessing for believers, 00:02:44.620 --> 00:02:49.520 would nevertheless be used by your Spirit to draw those who need Christ to the cross, 00:02:50.560 --> 00:02:54.400 that they would find complete forgiveness for all of their sins, 00:02:54.400 --> 00:02:57.900 deliverance from the curse of being under the wrath of God 00:02:57.900 --> 00:02:59.879 and the blessing of everlasting life. 00:02:59.939 --> 00:03:04.200 And Lord, we pray these things because we know Jesus is our Savior and we trust Him 00:03:04.200 --> 00:03:06.740 and we look forward to the day that we're going to see Him. 00:03:07.540 --> 00:03:07.879 Amen. 00:03:09.960 --> 00:03:17.040 Ephesians chapter 1 and 2 have been a wonderful unpacking or opening 00:03:17.040 --> 00:03:19.120 of the reality of our salvation. 00:03:19.120 --> 00:03:24.819 And I think it is important for us to have those two chapters kind of in view as we look at chapter 3 00:03:24.819 --> 00:03:30.879 because chapter 3 actually from verse 1 over to 13 where there is a break 00:03:30.879 --> 00:03:35.960 and Paul then moves back in to the discussion that he had engaged in previously, 00:03:36.560 --> 00:03:39.960 chapter 3 in some senses is a little bit of a diversion. 00:03:41.060 --> 00:03:44.140 How many of you have ever been involved in conversation with someone 00:03:44.139 --> 00:03:48.459 and they got on a rabbit trail and you ended up not knowing where they were? 00:03:49.719 --> 00:03:50.779 How many of you have done that? 00:03:51.979 --> 00:03:53.599 In fact, where was I? 00:03:54.639 --> 00:03:59.959 I have to confess on occasion that when I am telling a little anecdotal story or something like that, 00:04:00.000 --> 00:04:02.419 I have to remind myself, why did I start that? 00:04:02.599 --> 00:04:04.839 How important is that to the passage, etc.? 00:04:04.839 --> 00:04:06.199 We've all done that. 00:04:06.199 --> 00:04:11.060 And so when you hit this little phrase or this little portion, 00:04:11.619 --> 00:04:13.119 you may find yourself wondering, 00:04:13.259 --> 00:04:19.879 so how does this bear with the discussion that's been going on in Ephesians so far? 00:04:21.159 --> 00:04:24.719 Ephesians chapter 1 tells us, and I use broad terms, 00:04:25.079 --> 00:04:28.379 hey listen, God does a wonderful thing in saving us. 00:04:28.379 --> 00:04:34.180 It's unbelievable that he planned our salvation before the foundation of the world 00:04:34.180 --> 00:04:38.879 and he has called us to be holy and to be his family. 00:04:39.540 --> 00:04:41.699 And not because of anything we've done, right? 00:04:41.959 --> 00:04:44.360 I mean, that's what the book of Ephesians is all about, 00:04:44.420 --> 00:04:47.480 is the incredible blessing of God's salvation. 00:04:47.659 --> 00:04:48.959 And is salvation a good thing? 00:04:48.980 --> 00:04:49.579 What's the answer? 00:04:50.379 --> 00:04:50.600 Woo! 00:04:50.779 --> 00:04:51.399 It's great. 00:04:52.079 --> 00:04:53.040 Unbelievable, isn't it? 00:04:53.040 --> 00:04:55.319 How many of you would rather be saved than not saved? 00:04:55.319 --> 00:05:01.300 You ought to live with a daily thankfulness for the blessing. 00:05:01.680 --> 00:05:04.639 Every day should be a day in which you are saying, 00:05:04.920 --> 00:05:07.420 I can't believe he did this for me. 00:05:10.339 --> 00:05:15.539 Chapter 1 and chapter 2 are all about the good thing of God's salvation. 00:05:17.159 --> 00:05:22.159 And then in chapter 3, Paul turns around and answers a very telling question 00:05:22.160 --> 00:05:25.540 that's kind of niggling in the back of the minds of those who are listening. 00:05:25.860 --> 00:05:31.120 I mean, the people who were reading Paul's letter knew what was going on in Paul's life. 00:05:31.260 --> 00:05:32.660 And where was Paul? 00:05:34.160 --> 00:05:34.880 Where was he? 00:05:35.980 --> 00:05:38.160 He was kind of kicking it back in the Caribbean, 00:05:38.360 --> 00:05:42.680 kind of penning this little note as someone was bringing him coconut milk. 00:05:43.720 --> 00:05:45.800 I mean, things were good for Paul, am I right? 00:05:47.620 --> 00:05:48.400 Where's Paul? 00:05:49.440 --> 00:05:50.500 He was in prison. 00:05:50.500 --> 00:05:55.680 And you can understand the mind of the reader saying, 00:05:56.079 --> 00:05:59.480 hey, listen, if being part of God's family is so good, 00:05:59.800 --> 00:06:01.939 what is going on with the apostle? 00:06:02.459 --> 00:06:06.620 And is this any indication of the kind of life that I can expect? 00:06:07.939 --> 00:06:10.779 Years ago, when I was much younger, 00:06:11.519 --> 00:06:14.939 there was a little track going around called the Four Spiritual Laws. 00:06:15.040 --> 00:06:17.120 Now, I know you're going to age yourself, 00:06:17.220 --> 00:06:19.800 but does anybody here remember the Four Spiritual Laws? 00:06:19.800 --> 00:06:24.480 Get your hand up high so you who are younger can identify us oldies. 00:06:26.480 --> 00:06:29.620 Do you know what the first spiritual law or little statement was? 00:06:29.680 --> 00:06:30.199 Here's how it goes. 00:06:30.620 --> 00:06:33.259 God has a wonderful plan for your life. 00:06:35.720 --> 00:06:37.439 Now, that's entirely true. 00:06:37.439 --> 00:06:43.339 But you can understand how someone would be kind of scratching their head saying, 00:06:43.879 --> 00:06:46.480 if God has a wonderful plan for your life, Paul, 00:06:46.620 --> 00:06:48.180 how come you're in prison? 00:06:51.579 --> 00:06:52.920 Someone said to me this morning, 00:06:53.019 --> 00:06:55.060 I'm sure they didn't know what I was going to be preaching on, 00:06:55.079 --> 00:06:56.300 because they said, what are you going to be preaching on? 00:06:56.300 --> 00:06:58.360 And then before I actually answered it, 00:06:58.400 --> 00:07:00.259 I said, probably something about health and wealth, right? 00:07:00.520 --> 00:07:02.180 And I said, well, not actually. 00:07:05.620 --> 00:07:10.620 And what we're looking at here is Paul's discussion of suffering. 00:07:11.920 --> 00:07:15.800 Paul's discussion of the heartache and the difficulties that come with being a believer. 00:07:15.800 --> 00:07:23.500 And it is appropriate and it's valuable because one of the underlying and niggling questions 00:07:23.500 --> 00:07:26.780 that goes through the mind of all of us on occasion is, 00:07:27.079 --> 00:07:28.900 what is happening to me? 00:07:28.960 --> 00:07:30.840 Why am I having all these problems? 00:07:31.060 --> 00:07:33.400 You know, life is tough. 00:07:34.639 --> 00:07:35.280 Why? 00:07:35.279 --> 00:07:44.659 If salvation is really so wonderful and the believer is transformed from being the incredibly miserable slave of Satan 00:07:44.659 --> 00:07:46.199 into the child of God, 00:07:46.419 --> 00:07:50.859 why do Christians suffer so much heartache and difficulty? 00:07:51.959 --> 00:07:55.159 Why is it that Pastor Saeed is in prison in Iran? 00:07:56.539 --> 00:08:02.000 Why is it that this last week there were three pastors that were murdered in Tanzania? 00:08:02.000 --> 00:08:10.180 Why is it that there are thousands of believers in jail in China for nothing other than their faith? 00:08:12.160 --> 00:08:13.740 Why is it that in India, 00:08:14.939 --> 00:08:22.540 believers are regularly persecuted and suffer all kinds of public shame and difficulty 00:08:22.540 --> 00:08:26.240 and the complication of life as a believer is profound? 00:08:26.240 --> 00:08:33.980 Why does the media here in America have the gall to insult and mock Christians 00:08:33.980 --> 00:08:37.600 when it has nothing to say about Allah and Muhammad? 00:08:37.700 --> 00:08:39.000 Have you ever stopped and thought about that? 00:08:40.180 --> 00:08:40.960 I mean, what was that? 00:08:42.320 --> 00:08:44.860 Saturday Night Live did this great... 00:08:44.860 --> 00:08:45.659 I didn't watch it. 00:08:45.680 --> 00:08:46.360 I want you to know that. 00:08:46.740 --> 00:08:50.700 But I understood that they were going to do this mockery of Christ. 00:08:52.600 --> 00:08:53.659 They had... 00:08:53.659 --> 00:08:54.580 They planned it. 00:08:54.580 --> 00:08:57.360 They thought it was a great idea. 00:08:58.480 --> 00:09:04.120 Now, let's just pretend that you're one of these people that doesn't think the least of either Muhammad or Christ. 00:09:04.460 --> 00:09:07.500 Why is it that you pick on Christ and don't mess with Muhammad? 00:09:10.060 --> 00:09:12.379 Why is it that Christians endure what they endure? 00:09:13.720 --> 00:09:19.780 Paul looks at the question that lingered in people's minds. 00:09:19.779 --> 00:09:25.620 And one of the things you have to understand is that a good teacher is listening for the questions 00:09:25.620 --> 00:09:31.579 and uses the questions as a means of teaching and responding in a teachable moment. 00:09:31.659 --> 00:09:33.620 That's exactly what the apostle does. 00:09:33.879 --> 00:09:35.720 He's spent two chapters telling us, 00:09:35.799 --> 00:09:38.339 Hey, listen, it is wonderful to be saved. 00:09:38.860 --> 00:09:40.839 And then there's this little niggling thought going through. 00:09:40.939 --> 00:09:44.379 And so, if that's so wonderful, why are you having such a tough time, Paul? 00:09:44.379 --> 00:09:51.500 And he says, Oh, let's take advantage of that moment and explain what is going on. 00:09:51.759 --> 00:09:57.340 And I want you to know that Paul's view of his life and suffering tell us a great, great deal 00:09:57.340 --> 00:10:00.919 about some very practical truths in the believer's life. 00:10:01.000 --> 00:10:05.019 And so, let's kind of get down to this and deal with it practically as we work our way through. 00:10:05.019 --> 00:10:08.259 Let's consider, first of all, what Paul's status was. 00:10:09.159 --> 00:10:11.399 There in chapter 3, verse 1, it says this, 00:10:11.500 --> 00:10:16.059 For this reason, I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus. 00:10:17.000 --> 00:10:19.340 Paul's status, recognizably, he says this, 00:10:19.639 --> 00:10:23.179 He was a prisoner for his faithfulness to Christ and for the gospel. 00:10:23.279 --> 00:10:27.439 And I'm kind of blown away when I stop and think about what Paul is actually saying. 00:10:28.059 --> 00:10:32.039 He was in prison because of his relationship with Christ. 00:10:32.039 --> 00:10:39.839 I want you to know that he could have distanced himself adequately from Christ to avoid being in prison. 00:10:39.980 --> 00:10:46.360 And there are some of you sitting out here this morning that perhaps on occasion have distanced yourself from Christ 00:10:46.360 --> 00:10:50.599 so that the work environment that you're in doesn't cause undue tension. 00:10:51.919 --> 00:10:56.659 I mean, you've all been in situations where it's kind of politically correct to mock Christians 00:10:56.659 --> 00:10:58.779 and mock those who believe in Christ. 00:10:58.779 --> 00:11:06.059 And I'm sad to have to admit that on occasion, some of us who are professing believers don't act very much like Jesus. 00:11:07.199 --> 00:11:10.699 And I can understand why sometimes believers are mocked. 00:11:13.100 --> 00:11:15.539 I see some of the things happening on Facebook, and I'm thinking, 00:11:15.860 --> 00:11:17.980 Where do you come off with that kind of junk? 00:11:19.120 --> 00:11:22.860 I mean, how does that make Jesus look good when you post that kind of stuff? 00:11:23.039 --> 00:11:24.699 Everybody would say amen to that, wouldn't they? 00:11:25.779 --> 00:11:27.459 Well, I was blown away. My hair went back. 00:11:27.460 --> 00:11:30.519 But here's the deal. 00:11:30.920 --> 00:11:34.519 I understand that sometimes people misbehave, but the truth of the matter is, 00:11:34.560 --> 00:11:39.000 is a lot of times some of us kind of just duck being Christian because we don't want to deal with the flag. 00:11:41.019 --> 00:11:43.660 And here's Peter who says, 00:11:43.740 --> 00:11:46.920 Listen, I want you to understand that I'm in prison because of Jesus, 00:11:47.139 --> 00:11:52.720 and I'm in prison because of my commitment to the gospel and my faithfulness to proclaim what is true. 00:11:52.940 --> 00:11:54.680 He could have watered down the gospel. 00:11:54.679 --> 00:11:58.239 I want you to understand that Paul had a profoundly sharp intellect, 00:11:58.239 --> 00:12:01.120 and he could have wowed the crowds. 00:12:01.259 --> 00:12:03.659 He could have had people buying all of his books. 00:12:03.859 --> 00:12:06.099 He could have had people lining up for his seminars, 00:12:06.099 --> 00:12:11.839 and he could have hired, you know, the largest auditorium and stadium 00:12:11.839 --> 00:12:14.879 and packed people in with the health and wealth gospel. 00:12:15.500 --> 00:12:16.239 But he didn't do it. 00:12:17.679 --> 00:12:19.559 He was not there for entertainment. 00:12:19.559 --> 00:12:25.979 And all you have to do if you have a question about that is kind of go in your Bible over to 1 Corinthians 2, 00:12:26.219 --> 00:12:27.819 chapter 1, 2, and 3, actually, 00:12:27.859 --> 00:12:34.459 and you get a picture of what Paul's understanding of character and fidelity to the ministry meant. 00:12:34.799 --> 00:12:37.619 He preached the word, and he was not about entertainment. 00:12:38.519 --> 00:12:41.279 I want you to understand also that Paul was actually in prison 00:12:41.279 --> 00:12:46.360 because he preached the gospel for the Gentiles and to the Gentiles. 00:12:47.419 --> 00:12:49.620 Who was it that got Paul in trouble, really? 00:12:51.100 --> 00:12:53.319 It was Jews. 00:12:54.839 --> 00:12:57.579 And you'll remember, if you work your way through the book of Acts, 00:12:57.639 --> 00:13:00.000 that one of the things that characterized early ministry 00:13:00.000 --> 00:13:03.639 in the foundation of the New Testament church 00:13:03.639 --> 00:13:09.019 was that when an apostle or one of the preachers of the gospel would go into a community, 00:13:09.379 --> 00:13:12.840 the place that he would go was generally the what? 00:13:13.000 --> 00:13:13.159 What? 00:13:13.960 --> 00:13:14.500 The synagogue. 00:13:15.799 --> 00:13:19.620 And the reason for that is that in the synagogue, what did they believe in? 00:13:20.799 --> 00:13:22.679 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, 00:13:22.679 --> 00:13:27.059 who had made a promise of a coming Messiah. 00:13:27.059 --> 00:13:31.259 And Paul would announce, hey, listen, I've got incredible news. 00:13:31.519 --> 00:13:36.119 The Messiah has come, and there is salvation through his finished work. 00:13:37.439 --> 00:13:40.079 Now, at first, that sounded pretty good. 00:13:41.179 --> 00:13:44.039 And it was well-received for a little bit. 00:13:44.339 --> 00:13:47.219 And then Paul would explain, hey, and here's the blessing of it. 00:13:47.519 --> 00:13:49.199 Salvation is all of grace. 00:13:50.699 --> 00:13:53.159 There is nothing you get to do to earn it, 00:13:53.159 --> 00:13:56.079 and you can't keep it by virtue of being a good guy. 00:13:56.080 --> 00:13:56.139 Why? 00:13:57.020 --> 00:14:01.740 Because Christ has satisfied the debt of sin, 00:14:01.940 --> 00:14:04.280 and he has paid the full measure upon the cross. 00:14:04.420 --> 00:14:06.800 And he made the gospel undeniably clear, 00:14:07.100 --> 00:14:12.300 and the truth of the gospel was profoundly offensive to guess which category of people? 00:14:13.060 --> 00:14:13.759 The Jews. 00:14:13.860 --> 00:14:14.680 Did they like Paul? 00:14:15.580 --> 00:14:15.800 No. 00:14:16.020 --> 00:14:16.900 In fact, they wanted to kill him. 00:14:17.900 --> 00:14:22.200 And their desire to kill him was such that they brought false charges against him. 00:14:22.200 --> 00:14:24.240 He ended up in prison because of that. 00:14:24.240 --> 00:14:26.940 And eventually, you'll remember, if you work your way through the book of Acts, 00:14:27.000 --> 00:14:29.480 he says, listen, I appeal my case unto Caesar. 00:14:29.539 --> 00:14:31.100 He was a Roman citizen. 00:14:31.460 --> 00:14:32.860 And they said, you've appealed? 00:14:33.039 --> 00:14:33.740 You're going to go. 00:14:34.139 --> 00:14:36.220 You're going to go to see Caesar. 00:14:37.080 --> 00:14:45.340 Paul was in prison because of his commitment to the gospel's benefit to Gentiles in particular. 00:14:45.340 --> 00:14:46.899 So you look there, and he says, 00:14:47.040 --> 00:14:53.139 for this reason, I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles. 00:14:54.340 --> 00:14:56.300 I've got to tell you, somewhere along the line, 00:14:56.820 --> 00:15:02.580 we've been seduced by the success syndrome to think that if we're walking in faith, 00:15:02.860 --> 00:15:05.240 that things ought to be good all the time. 00:15:06.440 --> 00:15:07.680 Don't you wish it were that way, though? 00:15:07.720 --> 00:15:08.240 I mean, honestly? 00:15:09.700 --> 00:15:11.120 Here, do it this way. 00:15:11.120 --> 00:15:12.560 I did my devotions. 00:15:13.519 --> 00:15:14.820 I showed up in church. 00:15:15.639 --> 00:15:16.759 I gave 6%. 00:15:16.759 --> 00:15:18.600 I mean, you know, that's a lot more than some people give. 00:15:19.060 --> 00:15:20.860 And I said my prayer list. 00:15:20.940 --> 00:15:21.980 There are about five things on it. 00:15:22.019 --> 00:15:22.580 Lord, help me. 00:15:22.679 --> 00:15:23.919 Help people that I love. 00:15:24.279 --> 00:15:25.060 Help me in my work. 00:15:25.179 --> 00:15:28.120 Help me to get a safe journey back and forth and have no traffic tickets. 00:15:28.440 --> 00:15:31.399 You know, we pray about the very, very basic things, and everything else is, you know. 00:15:31.659 --> 00:15:37.060 But, hey, because I've done those things, how should it go for me? 00:15:37.059 --> 00:15:40.039 I should have a good day. 00:15:40.979 --> 00:15:45.959 I have people walk into my office periodically, and they're entirely flummoxed. 00:15:45.979 --> 00:15:49.019 And the word flummoxed means they're kind of confused. 00:15:49.439 --> 00:15:49.799 There you go. 00:15:51.139 --> 00:15:52.559 Pastor, I don't understand. 00:15:53.799 --> 00:15:57.859 I'm doing everything right, and look what's happening to me. 00:15:58.919 --> 00:16:00.179 And I think, really? 00:16:01.199 --> 00:16:03.659 Well, talk to me about what everything right is. 00:16:03.659 --> 00:16:08.919 But then, secondly, when I really piece the pieces together, I find out here are people 00:16:08.919 --> 00:16:13.799 who have this high expectation that kind of doing the to-do list of being righteous earns 00:16:13.799 --> 00:16:18.459 us the privilege of having a no-fault, no-pain existence. 00:16:18.719 --> 00:16:20.139 And Paul says, guess what? 00:16:20.219 --> 00:16:20.860 Ain't that way. 00:16:24.779 --> 00:16:30.240 Living as a Christian, living as a believer, is going to involve some suffering and challenge 00:16:30.240 --> 00:16:30.980 in this life. 00:16:30.980 --> 00:16:35.480 Let me point out a couple different passages that kind of emphasize this. 00:16:35.560 --> 00:16:41.879 Now, I'm not suggesting that you go into work this coming Monday and act like an absolute 00:16:41.879 --> 00:16:46.639 boor and get the stapler thrown at you and say, well, that was for Jesus. 00:16:48.000 --> 00:16:50.480 There's got to be a little common sense goes along with this. 00:16:50.519 --> 00:16:51.279 Do you understand that? 00:16:51.779 --> 00:16:57.720 Being a grumpy, frowny, unhappy, bristly person, and then going around saying, and people 00:16:57.720 --> 00:17:00.139 don't like me because I'm a Christian, doesn't cut it. 00:17:00.139 --> 00:17:03.899 Let's look at 2 Timothy 3, verse 12. 00:17:07.180 --> 00:17:14.519 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 00:17:14.960 --> 00:17:17.359 All who desire to live a godly life. 00:17:17.460 --> 00:17:18.980 What does a godly life look like? 00:17:19.819 --> 00:17:20.480 Everybody look up. 00:17:20.480 --> 00:17:27.920 It is not so much, and I want to say this in order so you understand me. 00:17:28.240 --> 00:17:31.880 It is not, first of all, a list of to-dos or don't-dos. 00:17:33.240 --> 00:17:42.039 It is, first of all, a heart attitude of humility and a sincere passion for the glory of Christ 00:17:42.039 --> 00:17:45.579 that then eventually brings us to a list of behaviors. 00:17:45.899 --> 00:17:48.599 We get the order reversed, and we end up in trouble. 00:17:48.599 --> 00:17:56.399 So, in simple terms, one of the big giveaways that you're a believer should be, first of all, 00:17:56.480 --> 00:18:00.079 the spirit and countenance that you have on a daily basis. 00:18:00.119 --> 00:18:00.980 Am I right or wrong? 00:18:02.240 --> 00:18:05.819 When you walk into work on Monday, people ought to look at you and say, 00:18:05.819 --> 00:18:13.379 wow, you must have had a rested and enjoyable weekend because your countenance is pretty good. 00:18:13.519 --> 00:18:15.319 How do the rest of the people come in on Monday? 00:18:16.379 --> 00:18:19.500 They come in dragging, complaining about what Monday is all about, right? 00:18:20.159 --> 00:18:26.659 I mean, there's a reason that we have a phrase in our culture that has kind of metastasized over 00:18:26.659 --> 00:18:29.419 into a restaurant name, T-G-I-F. 00:18:29.460 --> 00:18:30.159 What's that stand for? 00:18:30.160 --> 00:18:37.400 However, I'll use the theologically accurate statement, thank goodness it's Friday. 00:18:38.720 --> 00:18:41.300 Monday is that day where, oh, I've got to go back to work. 00:18:41.420 --> 00:18:42.340 And why are you going to work? 00:18:42.400 --> 00:18:43.620 Does anybody know why you're going to work? 00:18:43.800 --> 00:18:47.120 You're going to work to make Jesus look good, right? 00:18:48.140 --> 00:18:50.880 And when you go in, you're like one of those little dwarfs. 00:18:51.000 --> 00:18:55.000 Hi-ho, hi-ho, and off to work I go. 00:18:55.100 --> 00:18:56.840 You know, I mean, try that. 00:18:56.839 --> 00:19:01.539 People are going to look at you and say, what is wrong with him? 00:19:02.779 --> 00:19:04.299 Well, I'm here. 00:19:04.500 --> 00:19:06.139 I'm here to make Jesus look good. 00:19:06.839 --> 00:19:07.879 And you know what? 00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:08.759 It's going to happen. 00:19:09.759 --> 00:19:17.179 2 Timothy, I think I said, verse 12, it says, hey, listen, you're going to live for God. 00:19:17.240 --> 00:19:17.959 You're going to live for Christ. 00:19:18.319 --> 00:19:19.379 You're going to have a hard time. 00:19:19.380 --> 00:19:22.920 Turn over, if you would, also to 1 Peter 4, verse 13. 00:19:24.620 --> 00:19:27.140 1 Peter 4, verse 13. 00:19:28.320 --> 00:19:35.320 And when suffering does come to us as believers, when things are difficult, how should we respond? 00:19:35.319 --> 00:19:45.299 But rejoice insofar as you share in Christ's suffering, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 00:19:49.480 --> 00:19:50.700 Do you do that? 00:19:50.700 --> 00:20:04.799 Do you respect the privilege and blessing you have of receiving some of the tension and some of the heartache that comes for being a Christian? 00:20:04.920 --> 00:20:08.900 Do you say, wow, I am blessed and privileged to receive that for Christ's sake? 00:20:08.900 --> 00:20:15.360 Before we walk away from this point, let me remind you again of where we once were. 00:20:15.440 --> 00:20:17.060 I think it's important for us to remember that. 00:20:17.320 --> 00:20:25.340 If you kind of work your way back into Ephesians chapter 2 in particular, Paul reminds us that there was a time when we were dead in our sins. 00:20:25.480 --> 00:20:26.980 We were slaves to sin. 00:20:27.240 --> 00:20:28.820 We were under the wrath of God. 00:20:29.220 --> 00:20:30.460 We were without hope. 00:20:30.460 --> 00:20:36.220 And all we were doing was kind of trudging our way mercilessly towards the day of judgment. 00:20:36.220 --> 00:20:36.420 judgment. 00:20:39.640 --> 00:20:47.220 Hugo Chavez died this last week, and his funeral was an absolute farce from the standpoint of a theological reality. 00:20:47.920 --> 00:20:49.180 Now, don't misunderstand me. 00:20:49.200 --> 00:20:53.140 He was a public figure and an international figure and all that. 00:20:53.200 --> 00:20:55.160 But do you know what his last words were? 00:20:56.380 --> 00:20:57.279 Here they are. 00:20:58.500 --> 00:21:00.660 They're common for an unbeliever. 00:21:02.039 --> 00:21:03.980 He mouthed the words. 00:21:03.980 --> 00:21:11.860 He was so challenged and struggling with pain and suffering in his last moments, 57 years old, I think, when he died. 00:21:12.059 --> 00:21:12.860 And here's what he said. 00:21:13.240 --> 00:21:14.460 I don't want to die. 00:21:15.240 --> 00:21:17.360 Please don't let me die. 00:21:20.180 --> 00:21:27.319 I have watched, in over 30-some years of ministry, I've watched many, many people die. 00:21:27.319 --> 00:21:31.460 I grew up in a doctor's home. 00:21:32.460 --> 00:21:36.639 And I saw death indirectly, often. 00:21:37.460 --> 00:21:45.879 Later, I worked my way through college by working third shift in a, or second shift in a hospital, and I saw many people die. 00:21:45.880 --> 00:21:54.340 And in 30 years of being a pastor, I have been at the bedside of believers and unbelievers. 00:21:54.520 --> 00:21:56.040 And let me tell you something. 00:21:56.520 --> 00:22:00.680 Believers die differently than unbelievers. 00:22:00.680 --> 00:22:00.980 Believers. 00:22:06.980 --> 00:22:08.380 I want to tell you something. 00:22:10.000 --> 00:22:14.380 Paul says, hey, don't be thrown by the circumstances I am in. 00:22:14.700 --> 00:22:21.620 I am glad to tell you that I am in prison for your sakes and for Jesus. 00:22:21.619 --> 00:22:25.339 There's something else he says. 00:22:25.419 --> 00:22:36.099 Let's go back to Ephesians chapter 3 and mark the fact that he sees his life as a servant and a channel for the good of others. 00:22:38.539 --> 00:22:41.139 We see here in this first verse, he says, 00:22:41.139 --> 00:22:47.199 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, on behalf. 00:22:48.919 --> 00:22:49.759 It's about you. 00:22:51.619 --> 00:22:57.879 There was a time in which every one of us lived our lives entirely exclusively for ourselves. 00:22:58.119 --> 00:22:59.000 Do you remember those days? 00:23:00.279 --> 00:23:03.919 Some of you, some of you got saved at a later date in life, 00:23:04.119 --> 00:23:10.039 and you remember the just incredible baggage that goes along with being an unregenerate unbeliever. 00:23:10.439 --> 00:23:11.739 It's all about who? 00:23:12.659 --> 00:23:13.559 It's about you. 00:23:14.799 --> 00:23:18.119 And everything revolves around how it's working out for you. 00:23:18.119 --> 00:23:20.739 A good day is when things are going your way, right? 00:23:21.619 --> 00:23:24.619 Zippity-doo-dah and all that kind of stuff. 00:23:24.819 --> 00:23:26.179 And a bad day is when what? 00:23:27.359 --> 00:23:28.659 When it's not going our way. 00:23:29.639 --> 00:23:30.619 Paul says, hey, listen. 00:23:32.839 --> 00:23:34.779 I'm not put out by this at all. 00:23:34.899 --> 00:23:37.379 He says, number one, I'm a prisoner for Jesus Christ. 00:23:37.479 --> 00:23:40.479 And number two, it's all about you. 00:23:40.599 --> 00:23:42.119 I'm interested in how you're doing. 00:23:42.119 --> 00:23:53.819 And when he says, in behalf of you Gentiles, he is marking that the reason he is doing what he's doing is for the sake and the blessing of others. 00:23:54.019 --> 00:23:56.699 You look back there in verse one, for this reason. 00:23:56.779 --> 00:23:59.139 He's talking about the gospel that's been explained. 00:23:59.279 --> 00:24:02.519 And then he says, and it's attached directly to you guys. 00:24:02.519 --> 00:24:10.960 As he looked at his existence and the suffering that he was undergoing, he says, listen, it's because of you that I've received this grace. 00:24:11.079 --> 00:24:11.819 There in verse two. 00:24:12.240 --> 00:24:17.559 Assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you. 00:24:18.940 --> 00:24:19.420 Question. 00:24:20.519 --> 00:24:21.740 Why were you saved? 00:24:23.319 --> 00:24:25.740 It wasn't just about you. 00:24:25.819 --> 00:24:26.639 Do you understand that? 00:24:26.640 --> 00:24:35.860 Everybody nod your head so that at least in abstract theological terms, you understand that you're not the center of the circle. 00:24:36.580 --> 00:24:37.700 Nod, nod, nod, nod, nod. 00:24:38.360 --> 00:24:41.480 Could we ask the deacons to buy bobbleheads? 00:24:41.560 --> 00:24:44.740 We'll send them on the first two rows here just to make me feel better, okay? 00:24:45.840 --> 00:24:46.120 Okay. 00:24:47.780 --> 00:24:48.960 It's not about you. 00:24:48.960 --> 00:24:58.160 Paul says, hey, this business of being an instrument of God's righteousness and blessing is for your sakes. 00:25:00.140 --> 00:25:05.980 He goes on and says there in verse three that the revelation with which he has been blessed was for the sake of others. 00:25:06.100 --> 00:25:10.640 Verse three, how the mystery was made to me by revelation, as I've written briefly. 00:25:10.860 --> 00:25:12.079 Why did I get this blessing? 00:25:12.380 --> 00:25:13.640 How many of you would like to be? 00:25:13.640 --> 00:25:18.880 I mean, now we've got a couple people here in the church that are working on writing books. 00:25:18.960 --> 00:25:20.640 I'm going to embarrass Tom because he's doing it. 00:25:21.059 --> 00:25:27.019 Mandy, I don't know if you're working on it too, but, you know, hey, I'm writing a book and it's the gospel. 00:25:27.720 --> 00:25:29.480 I mean, would that make you feel good, Tom, honestly? 00:25:30.200 --> 00:25:31.860 Yeah, and it's not going to happen. 00:25:31.920 --> 00:25:32.880 I want you to understand that. 00:25:33.059 --> 00:25:35.700 Even if he is married to our church secretary, it's just not going to be there. 00:25:37.360 --> 00:25:42.759 Okay, but just think about the privilege of, I am getting gospel revelation. 00:25:44.240 --> 00:25:45.720 And it's for the sake of other people. 00:25:45.720 --> 00:25:53.620 I don't get to put on my bio vitae gospel revelation specialist. 00:25:54.640 --> 00:25:58.079 You know, it's like, hey, this is all happening for you. 00:25:59.400 --> 00:26:05.839 And so when was the last time, when was the last time that you thought about your salvation 00:26:05.839 --> 00:26:09.360 and you thought about the particular gifts that God has given to you, 00:26:09.359 --> 00:26:15.199 the particular skill set, the particular experiences that God has brought into your life, 00:26:15.359 --> 00:26:21.779 and you've recognized that all of those things were not about you but were for the sake of other people? 00:26:21.779 --> 00:26:36.639 Well, I, over the years, and many of you know that Tim Kenoyer was born an incredibly wicked and ungodly person 00:26:36.639 --> 00:26:40.379 who was profoundly self-centered and arrogant and stubborn, 00:26:40.639 --> 00:26:44.240 and God in His mercy beat me senseless numerous times. 00:26:45.519 --> 00:26:46.399 Still doesn't. 00:26:46.400 --> 00:26:52.800 And one of the particular areas that God had to teach me some very hard lessons was in the area of marriage. 00:26:54.620 --> 00:27:02.360 As a result, I get calls from people around the nation that are going through some of the challenges of marriage. 00:27:03.900 --> 00:27:06.800 And they'll call me at all times. 00:27:06.799 --> 00:27:11.680 And every time they call me, every time they call me, 00:27:12.139 --> 00:27:16.139 one of the things that comes out is they'll say, oh, I'm sorry to bother you again. 00:27:16.220 --> 00:27:18.779 I mean, you know, like a 17th time in the week or something like that. 00:27:18.919 --> 00:27:20.159 And here's my standard answer. 00:27:21.019 --> 00:27:22.940 I am a lifetime debtor to Jesus. 00:27:24.619 --> 00:27:25.919 I owe it all to Jesus. 00:27:27.019 --> 00:27:30.000 And I am thankful that He has rescued me from the pit, 00:27:30.119 --> 00:27:32.279 and He has taken me and changed my life, 00:27:32.399 --> 00:27:34.399 and He lets me talk about Him. 00:27:34.399 --> 00:27:34.460 Amen. 00:27:36.799 --> 00:27:37.200 Amen. 00:27:40.879 --> 00:27:47.740 I was honored Friday night to get a call from some of our youth workers. 00:27:48.899 --> 00:27:50.539 One of the young men that was here. 00:27:50.599 --> 00:27:53.839 By the way, it's a good thing that we won the dodgeball competition on Friday. 00:27:54.940 --> 00:27:56.039 I'm blessed by that. 00:27:56.139 --> 00:27:57.940 I understand it was a good competition. 00:27:58.159 --> 00:28:03.180 We probably need to give a little thought to how we put armored padding on some of the girls. 00:28:03.180 --> 00:28:04.740 But, you know, other than that, it was a good time. 00:28:04.740 --> 00:28:10.359 Now, I get a call from one of our youth workers who's in the hospital. 00:28:10.819 --> 00:28:15.200 Instead of going home, they went to the hospital to be with his family, visitor's family. 00:28:15.200 --> 00:28:23.100 Hey, do you think they wanted to be in bed and sleep? 00:28:23.240 --> 00:28:23.860 What's the answer? 00:28:25.140 --> 00:28:28.640 Well, at the time they finally got home, I guarantee you they probably were thinking, 00:28:28.819 --> 00:28:30.740 I wish I'd come here a little earlier. 00:28:34.460 --> 00:28:36.440 That's the kind of people I like to partner with. 00:28:36.460 --> 00:28:36.940 Do you follow me? 00:28:36.940 --> 00:28:42.039 People that are willing to be spent for something other than themselves. 00:28:44.059 --> 00:28:52.120 I think about how many of you do that with our young people, with our music ministry. 00:28:52.900 --> 00:29:00.220 I come in on Sunday morning and my heart is keyed in on the privilege of handling the Word of God before you. 00:29:00.220 --> 00:29:04.940 And I see people who are here before I am and they're putting their heart into this and I'm blessed. 00:29:05.519 --> 00:29:07.000 They're here on Wednesday night practicing. 00:29:07.339 --> 00:29:10.980 And, I mean, it all looks like it just happens pretty smoothly, doesn't it? 00:29:12.220 --> 00:29:13.839 There's a little secret behind it. 00:29:14.720 --> 00:29:18.299 There's people that pray and pray and practice. 00:29:18.700 --> 00:29:21.240 And they actually work to get along together. 00:29:21.620 --> 00:29:22.980 And they have a little spits. 00:29:23.079 --> 00:29:24.259 You know, it just happens. 00:29:24.519 --> 00:29:26.400 And they work it out for Jesus' sake. 00:29:26.400 --> 00:29:30.240 I think about our Sunday school teachers. 00:29:31.180 --> 00:29:31.820 I'll tell you what. 00:29:33.100 --> 00:29:37.000 The heroes in this fellowship often serve behind the scenes. 00:29:38.420 --> 00:29:41.540 And if you want to see who the real heroes of this ministry are, 00:29:41.640 --> 00:29:44.140 you walk down in those hallways on Sunday school 00:29:44.140 --> 00:29:48.100 and you'll see some people that have been here longer than the buildings. 00:29:49.280 --> 00:29:50.700 Now, you're thinking, can that really be true? 00:29:50.800 --> 00:29:51.060 No. 00:29:51.340 --> 00:29:53.640 That's known as hyperbole for you who are curious. 00:29:53.640 --> 00:29:57.920 In other words, they've been here a long time. 00:29:58.240 --> 00:30:00.880 And they're in there just as chipper and as happy. 00:30:01.240 --> 00:30:03.380 And they're putting their hearts into these little kids. 00:30:03.620 --> 00:30:06.780 And they're probably taking care of your kids. 00:30:07.080 --> 00:30:10.160 And they took care of you before when you were here. 00:30:13.500 --> 00:30:14.360 You know what? 00:30:16.740 --> 00:30:19.400 God saves us to be servants for other people, doesn't He? 00:30:19.860 --> 00:30:20.640 Doesn't He do that? 00:30:20.640 --> 00:30:23.800 You want to be a sour and unhappy person? 00:30:23.900 --> 00:30:25.600 Just kind of suck up around you. 00:30:28.759 --> 00:30:31.820 And if you want to be a person who knows the joy and the power of Christ, 00:30:32.300 --> 00:30:35.440 invest your life in ministry to other people. 00:30:37.000 --> 00:30:39.240 Well, let's take Paul's perspective just for a minute 00:30:39.240 --> 00:30:45.160 and mark the fact that here he is in prison, suffering. 00:30:45.160 --> 00:30:51.759 And I'm kind of struck by the fact that he's not the least bit put off by his humiliation 00:30:51.759 --> 00:30:54.340 or what others may have thought about him. 00:30:54.500 --> 00:30:56.740 Instead of ducking his circumstances. 00:30:56.960 --> 00:31:00.360 I mean, I want you to imagine that you are a preacher of the gospel that's saying, 00:31:00.440 --> 00:31:05.540 listen, the gospel is the best possible news that anybody could ever hear, 00:31:05.800 --> 00:31:07.060 and I'm in prison. 00:31:07.059 --> 00:31:12.619 I mean, hey, what's the logical thought you would have 00:31:12.619 --> 00:31:17.039 if you heard that Pastor Knoyer was in Franklin County Jail? 00:31:20.819 --> 00:31:24.799 I would venture to say that you would wonder, what did he do? 00:31:26.339 --> 00:31:28.960 There's got to be something that we didn't know about. 00:31:31.039 --> 00:31:31.799 There's Paul. 00:31:32.619 --> 00:31:34.740 He says, hey, I'm in prison. 00:31:34.839 --> 00:31:37.119 By the way, prison was a place reserved for criminals. 00:31:37.359 --> 00:31:40.220 It was a place for those who were dishonest, dishonorable men. 00:31:40.299 --> 00:31:42.000 And Paul says, hey, here's where I'm at. 00:31:44.379 --> 00:31:45.659 And he saw it as a blessing. 00:31:46.919 --> 00:31:49.740 Let me give you a couple instances to stand out in relationship to this. 00:31:49.819 --> 00:31:53.259 Go back, if you would, just for a second to 2 Corinthians chapter 12 00:31:53.259 --> 00:31:56.159 when he thought about some of the challenges that he faced. 00:31:56.659 --> 00:31:59.059 And he wasn't the least put off by those things. 00:31:59.059 --> 00:32:01.940 And he saw them actually as a means of blessing in his life. 00:32:02.220 --> 00:32:03.960 Have you received some hardship and challenge? 00:32:04.200 --> 00:32:09.379 It's for the testimony of Christ and for his glory and for your good and growth. 00:32:10.559 --> 00:32:14.700 2 Corinthians chapter 12, verse 9 through 11. 00:32:15.899 --> 00:32:19.099 Paul talks about the fact they ended up with a thorn in his flesh. 00:32:19.240 --> 00:32:25.059 And he said that in this whole process, he discovered the reality that he was weak. 00:32:25.179 --> 00:32:26.940 But when he was weak, guess what? 00:32:27.440 --> 00:32:28.000 What's it say? 00:32:28.000 --> 00:32:31.099 Then, then Christ is strong. 00:32:32.420 --> 00:32:35.759 I want you to also look at 2 Timothy chapter 4, just for a second. 00:32:35.920 --> 00:32:39.539 Mark 2 Timothy chapter 4, verse 16 and 17. 00:32:39.700 --> 00:32:41.519 In fact, I'll just kind of reference it for you. 00:32:41.960 --> 00:32:46.619 In 2 Timothy, Paul talks about the fact that in his last days, in his very last days, 00:32:46.839 --> 00:32:51.279 all those people that he had ministered to, the ones that he'd been at their bedside, 00:32:51.539 --> 00:32:53.599 the ones that he'd helped with different projects, 00:32:53.599 --> 00:32:57.500 the ones that he had encouraged when their marriages were coming about, 00:32:57.699 --> 00:33:02.740 when he was in jail, they didn't show up and be there with him. 00:33:02.740 --> 00:33:04.259 You know what Paul says? 00:33:05.359 --> 00:33:09.819 He says, hey, I want God not to hold this against their charge. 00:33:11.500 --> 00:33:14.000 He understood how the story ended for him. 00:33:14.440 --> 00:33:16.359 He says, I'm ready now to be offered up. 00:33:16.900 --> 00:33:19.480 He says, I've run my race. 00:33:19.480 --> 00:33:21.259 He says, I've kept the faith. 00:33:22.099 --> 00:33:25.339 I'm ready to have it closed off and finished. 00:33:25.940 --> 00:33:29.579 And Paul, here he is, looking at the reality of his circumstances, 00:33:29.799 --> 00:33:33.519 and instead of being overwhelmed and discouraged by the fact that he's in prison, 00:33:33.799 --> 00:33:36.700 he writes with a joy and a note of thankfulness. 00:33:36.700 --> 00:33:40.120 I love what you see later on in verse 13. 00:33:40.539 --> 00:33:43.580 And skipping to 13 doesn't mean that I won't preach the remaining verses, 00:33:43.700 --> 00:33:44.539 but just kind of reference. 00:33:46.240 --> 00:33:49.620 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, 00:33:49.960 --> 00:33:51.680 which is for your what? 00:33:52.400 --> 00:33:52.960 Glory. 00:33:53.819 --> 00:33:55.960 Hey, guys, pick it up. 00:33:56.559 --> 00:33:57.340 It's good. 00:33:57.880 --> 00:34:02.900 And what God is doing in allowing me, Paul, to suffer, it's for you. 00:34:02.900 --> 00:34:07.720 So let's apply the truth to our own lives. 00:34:08.900 --> 00:34:11.240 And there are three little closing thoughts that I want to leave with you here 00:34:11.240 --> 00:34:12.400 as we kind of work our way through. 00:34:12.760 --> 00:34:14.340 I want you to understand that for some, 00:34:14.780 --> 00:34:20.480 our suffering and challenge may well be for God's glory and our good, 00:34:20.539 --> 00:34:21.820 and we ought to hold it as a prize. 00:34:21.900 --> 00:34:25.320 In other words, some of the heartaches and difficulties that you are going through 00:34:25.320 --> 00:34:28.519 is not something to be ashamed and overwhelmed with, 00:34:28.519 --> 00:34:32.880 but to recognize that God's in the detail and he's doing something good. 00:34:32.900 --> 00:34:35.840 Are you listening to me? 00:34:38.260 --> 00:34:42.039 Most of you here have not come to grips with the reality of it, 00:34:42.079 --> 00:34:44.039 but everybody look up so you don't miss it. 00:34:45.619 --> 00:34:49.300 Getting old will probably be the hardest lap you run. 00:34:53.700 --> 00:34:57.340 And if you're not learning how to run for Jesus now, 00:34:58.840 --> 00:35:02.440 getting old will be the hardest one you run. 00:35:02.900 --> 00:35:12.360 I would suggest that in the midst of the hardship and difficulties 00:35:12.360 --> 00:35:15.320 that you're enduring in this present day, 00:35:15.460 --> 00:35:20.000 you stop and realize that God is doing a good thing in your life 00:35:20.000 --> 00:35:25.680 and that you are privileged to suffer for the sake of growth 00:35:25.680 --> 00:35:26.920 and the sake of testimony. 00:35:26.920 --> 00:35:35.240 Secondly, I want you to understand that suffering brings spiritual growth 00:35:35.240 --> 00:35:38.320 so that you can serve others and they go together. 00:35:39.059 --> 00:35:39.720 They go together. 00:35:40.900 --> 00:35:43.340 2 Corinthians 1, verse 4 says this. 00:35:43.400 --> 00:35:44.460 Interesting little connection. 00:35:44.659 --> 00:35:45.700 He says, hey, listen. 00:35:45.800 --> 00:35:50.139 He says that we are to comfort one another with the same comfort we've received. 00:35:50.480 --> 00:35:51.900 When do we need comfort? 00:35:51.900 --> 00:35:53.079 When do we need comfort? 00:35:54.380 --> 00:36:00.119 Hey, we do not need comfort when everything's going zippity-doo-dah, zippity-way. 00:36:00.200 --> 00:36:01.039 You know, you follow that? 00:36:01.240 --> 00:36:05.480 We need comfort when the wheels are coming off and we're not sure what's happening 00:36:05.480 --> 00:36:08.780 and then we find that God is sufficient. 00:36:10.740 --> 00:36:11.960 You know what I want to do? 00:36:12.019 --> 00:36:16.500 I want to talk with people who know God's sufficient that are veterans of the chase. 00:36:16.500 --> 00:36:20.480 I don't want some rookie telling me it's going to be okay. 00:36:21.360 --> 00:36:26.219 I want someone who has been knee-deep in alligators and understood that God's brought them through 00:36:26.219 --> 00:36:29.019 and they understand hardship and they understand heartache 00:36:29.019 --> 00:36:32.019 and they know that God is sufficient in those things 00:36:32.019 --> 00:36:34.559 and I'm not put off when I listen to that kind of guy. 00:36:37.099 --> 00:36:40.860 So, beloved, in the midst of your suffering, God's teaching you something 00:36:40.860 --> 00:36:44.780 and secondly, God's in the process of preparing you to bless somebody else. 00:36:46.500 --> 00:36:52.599 Can we, in the midst of suffering, decide that we're going to take the world's way out? 00:36:54.099 --> 00:36:55.440 I see it all the time. 00:36:59.360 --> 00:37:02.400 And when you take the world's way out, here's what happens. 00:37:03.800 --> 00:37:04.880 You'll end up 50. 00:37:05.500 --> 00:37:06.619 You'll end up 60. 00:37:07.179 --> 00:37:08.360 You'll end up 70. 00:37:08.760 --> 00:37:10.139 And you're going to keep on wondering, 00:37:10.300 --> 00:37:12.699 why am I taking basic Christianity 101? 00:37:14.019 --> 00:37:15.920 Because here's the nice thing about the Father. 00:37:16.699 --> 00:37:19.719 He will keep on bringing you back to introductory courses 00:37:19.719 --> 00:37:25.000 until you decide, all right, all right, all right, I'll do it. 00:37:26.099 --> 00:37:28.519 Now, you have to suck it up and kind of move up the food chain. 00:37:28.579 --> 00:37:29.239 Do you understand that? 00:37:30.659 --> 00:37:34.019 And so, if we're going to end up being like Paul, 00:37:34.099 --> 00:37:36.559 we have to be willing to kind of take the hardship to get there 00:37:36.559 --> 00:37:40.920 and begin saying, listen, Lord, I understand you're doing something in my life 00:37:40.920 --> 00:37:43.340 and I'm going to be yielded to it. 00:37:44.539 --> 00:37:45.300 I said three. 00:37:46.019 --> 00:37:46.760 There's a third thing. 00:37:49.420 --> 00:37:53.000 And this morning as we listen to Paul talking about suffering, 00:37:53.380 --> 00:37:55.340 I want you to understand that for the believer, 00:37:55.639 --> 00:37:59.280 suffering is the path of growth and maturity. 00:37:59.280 --> 00:38:06.280 On the other side, suffering is the means whereby God gets the attention 00:38:06.280 --> 00:38:08.180 of those who do not know Christ 00:38:08.180 --> 00:38:11.460 to bring them to the point of seeing their despair 00:38:11.460 --> 00:38:13.640 and their need for Jesus. 00:38:13.639 --> 00:38:17.980 I'll never forget, I'm trying to think of who it was, 00:38:18.539 --> 00:38:20.379 but that helps you for me to say that. 00:38:20.440 --> 00:38:22.480 I'm trying to remember who it was, but here's the point. 00:38:22.619 --> 00:38:23.619 I'll never forget, he said this. 00:38:23.679 --> 00:38:26.699 He says, everybody's one heart attack away from being open to the gospel. 00:38:28.900 --> 00:38:30.299 I've found that to be true. 00:38:32.179 --> 00:38:33.920 Hospitals are my favorite places. 00:38:35.319 --> 00:38:36.440 Truthfully, do you know why? 00:38:36.440 --> 00:38:40.079 Because when a person's life is coming unwrapped 00:38:40.079 --> 00:38:43.840 and they're not sure whether the next moment is going to be death, 00:38:45.200 --> 00:38:45.760 they're listening. 00:38:47.579 --> 00:38:52.320 A couple weeks ago, Larry DeBate, that's Denise Harless' dad, 00:38:53.000 --> 00:38:54.019 came to know Christ. 00:38:54.119 --> 00:38:54.980 I think he's 78. 00:38:55.119 --> 00:38:56.079 No, he's 80 years old. 00:38:56.539 --> 00:38:58.460 He had a heart attack three, four weeks ago, 00:38:58.840 --> 00:39:01.260 and he said it became a wake-up call. 00:39:01.260 --> 00:39:06.960 It kind of opened his eyes to realize that he was afraid to die. 00:39:08.380 --> 00:39:10.620 And the gospel began to make sense to him. 00:39:10.960 --> 00:39:13.240 And then he sat there and he wrestled in his own heart. 00:39:13.680 --> 00:39:16.100 He developed into a very bitter person. 00:39:16.180 --> 00:39:17.840 How many of you understand what bitterness looks like? 00:39:18.740 --> 00:39:19.880 He was struggling with bitterness. 00:39:21.220 --> 00:39:23.940 And he had to sit there and wrestle in his own mind, 00:39:24.380 --> 00:39:29.020 do I want to trust in Christ as my personal Savior 00:39:29.019 --> 00:39:32.519 or do I want to remain bitter and angry 00:39:32.519 --> 00:39:35.400 to all those who've hurt me in the past? 00:39:35.559 --> 00:39:36.579 And here's what he did. 00:39:37.480 --> 00:39:39.039 He said, I want Jesus. 00:39:39.860 --> 00:39:40.820 I want Jesus. 00:39:42.340 --> 00:39:43.280 And so I've got to tell you something. 00:39:43.400 --> 00:39:44.679 You may be sitting here this morning 00:39:44.679 --> 00:39:46.699 and you're a believer and you're wondering, 00:39:46.840 --> 00:39:47.619 what's going on? 00:39:47.659 --> 00:39:49.320 Well, God's in the process of helping you grow. 00:39:50.679 --> 00:39:52.579 You may be sitting here and you don't know Christ 00:39:52.579 --> 00:39:53.559 and here's what's going on. 00:39:53.559 --> 00:39:59.579 God is using circumstances to break down the hardness of your life 00:39:59.579 --> 00:40:02.779 and bring you to the point of seeing that apart from Jesus, 00:40:03.279 --> 00:40:06.960 there is no remedy and there is no salvation. 00:40:08.380 --> 00:40:09.360 Let's close in prayer. 00:40:09.360 --> 00:40:20.539 As we're praying this morning, 00:40:20.620 --> 00:40:22.220 I want to remind you that the purpose of preaching 00:40:22.220 --> 00:40:24.480 is to bring you to the point of saying yes or no to God. 00:40:25.940 --> 00:40:28.340 And I have no doubt that there are some of you here this morning 00:40:28.340 --> 00:40:31.140 as believers that as you stop and think about the life 00:40:31.140 --> 00:40:32.400 that you've been living, you mark it, 00:40:32.480 --> 00:40:34.059 but there's some challenge, there's some heartache. 00:40:35.200 --> 00:40:36.620 And my question to you is, 00:40:36.700 --> 00:40:38.559 how have you been responding to that heartache? 00:40:40.260 --> 00:40:42.099 Fussing and fuming, kicking with God, 00:40:42.160 --> 00:40:44.599 or are you saying, Lord, I want to grow, bring it on, 00:40:44.960 --> 00:40:46.420 because I want to be more like Jesus. 00:40:47.860 --> 00:40:50.140 And if you're sitting here and you've had a battle with Christ 00:40:50.140 --> 00:40:53.340 over the suffering that he has placed on your plate, 00:40:55.200 --> 00:40:57.500 today might be the day for you to humble yourself and say, 00:40:57.620 --> 00:41:00.460 Lord, I've got to stop acting and thinking like this, 00:41:00.680 --> 00:41:02.480 and I want you to be in control. 00:41:04.500 --> 00:41:06.599 If you're willing to do that and say that, 00:41:06.599 --> 00:41:10.480 I just ask that you slip your hand up and go ahead and share that with me. 00:41:10.940 --> 00:41:12.519 Lord, I want you to be in control. 00:41:12.659 --> 00:41:12.880 Yes. 00:41:12.940 --> 00:41:14.639 I am done messing with this. 00:41:14.739 --> 00:41:15.079 Yes. 00:41:15.259 --> 00:41:15.579 Yes. 00:41:15.880 --> 00:41:17.179 I want you to work. 00:41:18.779 --> 00:41:19.099 Yes. 00:41:19.719 --> 00:41:20.460 Anybody else? 00:41:21.819 --> 00:41:22.159 Yes. 00:41:22.159 --> 00:41:27.119 There may be some of you here today that the truth of the matter is, 00:41:27.179 --> 00:41:32.039 is you have never come to the place that you have trusted Christ 00:41:32.039 --> 00:41:35.559 as the Savior of your life. 00:41:35.559 --> 00:41:38.400 Your pride is interfered. 00:41:39.480 --> 00:41:41.420 And this morning you want to humble yourself and say, 00:41:41.619 --> 00:41:44.239 I don't have all the answers, but I know I need Jesus. 00:41:46.559 --> 00:41:48.139 And if that's the need of your heart, 00:41:48.239 --> 00:41:50.699 I want you to humble yourself and just slip your hand up and say, 00:41:51.059 --> 00:41:51.659 that's me. 00:41:51.900 --> 00:41:53.940 I need Jesus. 00:41:53.940 --> 00:42:04.800 Father, work among us that you produce the peaceable fruit of righteousness 00:42:04.800 --> 00:42:05.960 in the lives of believers, 00:42:06.099 --> 00:42:09.159 and you draw those who need Christ to the cross. 00:42:09.980 --> 00:42:11.740 We ask this in your precious name. 00:42:11.920 --> 00:42:12.139 Amen. 00:42:13.159 --> 00:42:15.639 I'm going to ask that we stand as we sing together, 00:42:15.740 --> 00:42:18.599 and if God's laid a matter on your heart that you need to care for publicly, 00:42:19.079 --> 00:42:22.920 would you come forward as we close our time this morning? 00:42:22.920 --> 00:42:24.480 Let's stand and sing. 00:42:29.480 --> 00:42:37.700 Jesus, draw me ever nearer 00:42:37.700 --> 00:42:45.159 As I labor through the storm 00:42:45.159 --> 00:42:52.420 You have called me to this passage 00:42:52.420 --> 00:42:56.240 And I'll follow 00:42:56.240 --> 00:43:00.980 Though I'm warm 00:43:00.980 --> 00:43:03.920 May this journey 00:43:03.920 --> 00:43:07.980 Bring a blessing 00:43:07.980 --> 00:43:13.039 May I rise 00:43:13.039 --> 00:43:16.200 On wings of pain 00:43:16.199 --> 00:43:23.759 And at the end of my heart's testing 00:43:23.759 --> 00:43:29.199 With your life rest 00:43:29.199 --> 00:43:32.199 Let me live 00:43:32.199 --> 00:43:40.019 Jesus, guide me 00:43:40.019 --> 00:43:43.199 Through the tempest 00:43:43.199 --> 00:43:45.199 Keep my spirit 00:43:45.199 --> 00:43:47.199 Keep my spirit 00:43:47.199 --> 00:43:50.199 Stayed and sure 00:43:50.199 --> 00:43:54.199 When the midnight 00:43:54.199 --> 00:43:56.199 When the midnight 00:43:56.199 --> 00:43:59.199 Bees the morning 00:43:59.199 --> 00:44:03.199 Let me love you 00:44:03.199 --> 00:44:06.199 Even more 00:44:06.199 --> 00:44:08.199 May this journey 00:44:08.199 --> 00:44:10.199 May this journey 00:44:10.199 --> 00:44:10.199 00:44:10.199 --> 00:44:14.259 Bring a blessing 00:44:14.259 --> 00:44:18.199 May I rise 00:44:18.199 --> 00:44:19.199 May I rise 00:44:19.199 --> 00:44:21.199 On wings of pain 00:44:21.199 --> 00:44:21.199 00:44:21.199 --> 00:44:21.199 00:44:21.199 --> 00:44:27.199 May I rise 00:44:27.199 --> 00:44:30.019 My heart's testing 00:44:30.019 --> 00:44:35.439 With your likeness 00:44:35.439 --> 00:44:38.599 Let me wait 00:44:38.599 --> 00:44:45.599 Let the treasures 00:44:45.599 --> 00:44:49.539 Of the trial 00:44:49.539 --> 00:44:54.539 Form within me 00:44:54.539 --> 00:44:56.860 As I know 00:44:56.860 --> 00:45:02.219 And at the end of 00:45:02.219 --> 00:45:04.900 This long passage 00:45:04.900 --> 00:45:10.079 Let me leave them 00:45:10.079 --> 00:45:12.000 At your throne 00:45:12.000 --> 00:45:16.539 May this journey 00:45:16.539 --> 00:45:20.460 Bring a blessing 00:45:20.460 --> 00:45:24.780 May I rise 00:45:24.780 --> 00:45:28.780 On wings of red 00:45:28.780 --> 00:45:33.280 And at the end of 00:45:33.280 --> 00:45:35.780 My heart's testing 00:45:35.780 --> 00:45:40.780 With your likeness 00:45:40.780 --> 00:45:45.100 Let me wait 00:45:45.100 --> 00:45:47.100 May this journey 00:45:47.100 --> 00:45:51.100 Bring a blessing 00:45:51.100 --> 00:45:55.100 May I rise 00:45:55.100 --> 00:45:59.100 On wings of red 00:45:59.099 --> 00:46:04.480 And at the end of 00:46:04.480 --> 00:46:07.420 My heart's testing 00:46:07.420 --> 00:46:13.039 With your likeness 00:46:13.039 --> 00:46:16.420 That you wait 00:46:16.420 --> 00:46:18.539 To wait 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:18.539 00:46:18.539 --> 00:46:48.519 piano plays softly 00:46:48.539 --> 00:47:18.519 piano plays softly 00:47:18.539 --> 00:47:48.519 piano plays softly 00:47:48.539 --> 00:48:18.519 piano plays softly 00:48:18.539 --> 00:48:48.519 piano plays softly 00:48:48.539 --> 00:49:18.519 piano plays softly