WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.839 If you would, turn in your Bible to 2 Timothy chapter 3 and put your finger there, and then 00:00:08.839 --> 00:00:10.480 John chapter 17. 00:00:11.980 --> 00:00:20.039 2 Timothy chapter 3, and then John chapter 17, and just hold those places. 00:00:21.000 --> 00:00:23.460 There's going to be very little PowerPoint this morning. 00:00:25.719 --> 00:00:27.240 I messed it up. 00:00:27.239 --> 00:00:34.259 I couldn't figure out something that was very simple, user error, but I always do the PowerPoint 00:00:34.259 --> 00:00:35.199 last. 00:00:35.439 --> 00:00:41.899 I mean, last, last, because I fiddled with outlines and various things right up to the last minute, 00:00:42.339 --> 00:00:44.299 put the PowerPoint together, and come on down here. 00:00:44.859 --> 00:00:53.179 Well, I waited too late after my problem, and so there's very little PowerPoint, but I 00:00:53.179 --> 00:00:56.739 had someone say after the first service, they like it better without PowerPoint, and I'm 00:00:56.740 --> 00:00:59.900 sure some of you do too, so that'll balance out, I hope. 00:01:01.420 --> 00:01:08.240 Billy Graham was the world's most well-known evangelist, world's most well-known preacher 00:01:08.240 --> 00:01:10.939 for over half a century. 00:01:10.939 --> 00:01:24.359 It began in 1949 when God used his Los Angeles crusade as really an introduction of Billy Graham 00:01:24.359 --> 00:01:24.859 to the world. 00:01:25.200 --> 00:01:32.519 God actually used an unbelieving newspaper man, Randolph Hearst, who was so captured by the 00:01:32.519 --> 00:01:39.340 attendance and everything that he, through print media, thrust Billy Graham onto the national 00:01:39.340 --> 00:01:40.319 scene. 00:01:41.519 --> 00:01:54.060 Now, following that, he went on to preach the gospel to more people in person, live audiences 00:01:54.060 --> 00:01:56.980 than anyone else in history. 00:01:56.980 --> 00:02:06.100 According to their website, he preached in nearly 250 million people in over 185 countries 00:02:06.100 --> 00:02:07.760 in person. 00:02:08.659 --> 00:02:09.460 They were there. 00:02:11.000 --> 00:02:21.080 Hundreds of millions more people were influenced by his preaching and teaching through television, 00:02:21.080 --> 00:02:25.000 film, video, books. 00:02:26.000 --> 00:02:31.280 The Billy Graham Evangelistic Organization has gotten the gospel throughout the world in just 00:02:31.280 --> 00:02:35.380 unbelievable ways, media, and so forth. 00:02:36.500 --> 00:02:43.660 Well, Billy Graham made his final public appearance in 2013 on his 95th birthday. 00:02:43.659 --> 00:02:53.000 There were about 1,000 invited guests who packed the grand ballroom at the Omni Grove Park Inn to 00:02:53.000 --> 00:02:56.919 celebrate not just his birthday, but his life and his legacy. 00:02:58.060 --> 00:03:01.259 Franklin Graham, his son, said about him that night, 00:03:01.840 --> 00:03:05.800 it's been a burden on his heart for the last three years to preach one more time. 00:03:06.379 --> 00:03:08.280 He thought he could do it in a stadium. 00:03:08.280 --> 00:03:14.379 He realized he didn't have the strength, so he shot this video, The Cross. 00:03:14.840 --> 00:03:20.659 It was a 30-minute video, and that night, the Fox News Channel aired it. 00:03:21.099 --> 00:03:26.159 It was aired over the next week or so on numerous stations, numerous times. 00:03:27.319 --> 00:03:30.599 But Billy Graham did deliver a message that night. 00:03:30.599 --> 00:03:38.340 Shortly after he was rolled out in a wheelchair by his grandson, the lights went out in the 00:03:38.340 --> 00:03:45.379 grand ballroom, and three giant screens with Billy Graham's last filmed message. 00:03:46.799 --> 00:03:47.979 And he said this. 00:03:48.180 --> 00:03:49.840 You see it at the top of the screen there. 00:03:50.519 --> 00:03:54.060 With all my heart, I want to leave you with truth. 00:03:54.060 --> 00:04:01.120 Evidently, that's how he introduced the 30-minute message of the cross. 00:04:02.740 --> 00:04:10.699 Well, I want to use Billy Graham's final statement as the theme of my final five messages as your pastor. 00:04:12.620 --> 00:04:18.300 With all my heart, it is my desire to leave you with truth. 00:04:18.980 --> 00:04:22.779 That's my goal today and for the next four Sundays. 00:04:22.779 --> 00:04:27.779 That has been my goal every Sunday I've been here throughout all these 25 years. 00:04:27.899 --> 00:04:34.199 But we're going to focus on specific aspects of the truth over the next four weeks. 00:04:34.739 --> 00:04:39.559 Today, I want us to see that God's Word is truth. 00:04:40.679 --> 00:04:42.219 God's Word is truth. 00:04:42.639 --> 00:04:46.579 First note, God's Word is objective truth. 00:04:47.579 --> 00:04:49.279 The Bible, God's Word. 00:04:49.279 --> 00:04:59.799 God has given us His authoritative, right out there for us in black and white, objective truth. 00:05:00.459 --> 00:05:08.619 In Jesus' final prayer for His people, John chapter 17, He asks the Father to do this. 00:05:09.179 --> 00:05:11.719 Sanctify them in the truth. 00:05:12.579 --> 00:05:13.839 Your Word is truth. 00:05:13.839 --> 00:05:15.459 John 17, 17. 00:05:16.039 --> 00:05:18.000 Jesus praying for His people. 00:05:19.079 --> 00:05:20.139 That includes us. 00:05:21.060 --> 00:05:22.719 Sanctify them in the truth. 00:05:23.219 --> 00:05:24.299 Your Word is truth. 00:05:24.659 --> 00:05:30.399 That word sanctify simply means to set them apart, help them to grow. 00:05:30.399 --> 00:05:37.739 When God saves us, He does a work of regeneration and brings about a new birth. 00:05:38.879 --> 00:05:42.519 And through faith in Jesus, He declares we are right with Him. 00:05:43.459 --> 00:05:46.319 He justifies us through faith in Jesus, the Bible talks about. 00:05:46.979 --> 00:05:51.959 Well, from that moment on, God begins to work in us to sanctify us. 00:05:52.699 --> 00:05:55.120 When He saves us, He declares us to be His children. 00:05:55.399 --> 00:05:57.919 He declares us to be His holy, set-apart people. 00:05:57.920 --> 00:06:06.900 But from that moment on, He starts working us to make us actually live like, enable us to actually live like His holy, set-apart people. 00:06:07.840 --> 00:06:14.180 And the primary tool that God uses is His Word, the Bible. 00:06:15.120 --> 00:06:17.160 And so that's why Jesus prayed. 00:06:18.040 --> 00:06:20.139 Sanctify them with the truth. 00:06:20.740 --> 00:06:22.920 Your Word is truth. 00:06:22.920 --> 00:06:25.100 Now, I want you to think. 00:06:25.500 --> 00:06:34.080 Jesus did not use the word true as an adjective to describe God's Word as you might think He would. 00:06:34.199 --> 00:06:35.980 Like, your Word is true. 00:06:36.180 --> 00:06:38.240 That would be a truthful statement. 00:06:39.139 --> 00:06:40.360 But that's not what Jesus prayed. 00:06:40.500 --> 00:06:41.939 That's not how He expressed it. 00:06:42.180 --> 00:06:46.400 Jesus used the noun truth to describe God's Word. 00:06:46.399 --> 00:06:55.539 That was His way of emphasizing that God's Word is not only true, but it is truth itself. 00:06:56.479 --> 00:06:57.659 Think about it this way. 00:06:59.079 --> 00:07:05.459 Jesus came into this world, and He embodied the truth of God. 00:07:06.339 --> 00:07:07.560 He said it on one occasion. 00:07:07.719 --> 00:07:10.359 I am the way, the truth, and the life. 00:07:11.379 --> 00:07:13.099 No one can come to the Father except through Me. 00:07:13.100 --> 00:07:22.100 Jesus embodied, modeled, demonstrated the truth of God by the way He lived, the things He taught. 00:07:23.420 --> 00:07:36.480 Well, God's Word reveals the truth about God, about life in this world, about us as human beings, about the way of salvation, about the way of Christian living. 00:07:36.480 --> 00:07:48.879 Wayne Grudem explains why it's important to understand why Jesus used the word truth and said God's Word is truth, rather than just saying God's Word is truthful. 00:07:49.720 --> 00:07:58.580 Grudem says the Bible is God's Word, and God's Word is the ultimate definition of what is true and what is not true. 00:07:59.360 --> 00:08:03.259 God's Word in itself is truth. 00:08:03.259 --> 00:08:11.159 Now, this understanding of truth is what the Christian church has believed since the first century. 00:08:12.060 --> 00:08:17.180 What I just told you, God's Word, it is truth. 00:08:17.920 --> 00:08:23.959 It communicates the truth of what God wants us to know, believe, how He wants us to live. 00:08:24.319 --> 00:08:26.039 Well, the church has always understood it that way. 00:08:26.040 --> 00:08:32.680 In the book of Jude, if you want to turn there, turn to the back and go one more book over. 00:08:34.159 --> 00:08:36.460 Jude, there's only one chapter, verse 3. 00:08:37.740 --> 00:08:43.539 Jude described Christian teaching in absolute terms like this. 00:08:43.580 --> 00:08:48.700 He says, the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. 00:08:48.840 --> 00:08:51.700 The word faith there describes everything the apostles taught. 00:08:51.700 --> 00:09:00.680 When Jude was talking about the faith, everything that Christians have taught and believed. 00:09:00.900 --> 00:09:03.440 The apostles taught it, it's recorded in the New Testament. 00:09:03.920 --> 00:09:07.500 But the apostles also taught the Old Testament. 00:09:07.700 --> 00:09:14.180 If you've read through the New Testament, you know countless numbers of references, quotations from the Old Testament. 00:09:14.179 --> 00:09:20.439 So when Jude talked about the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints, 00:09:21.359 --> 00:09:28.120 he was talking about the Christian faith in its entirety, the truth of God. 00:09:28.419 --> 00:09:33.219 The phrase, once for all delivered to the saints, means that this body of truth, 00:09:33.479 --> 00:09:41.219 well, let's just say the Bible, was given by God to the church, and it will not change. 00:09:41.220 --> 00:09:43.460 It will stand forever. 00:09:44.240 --> 00:09:46.399 Look at this, Isaiah describes it well. 00:09:46.779 --> 00:09:53.540 The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the word of our God will stand forever. 00:09:55.240 --> 00:09:57.300 Everything in this world changes. 00:09:59.279 --> 00:10:01.360 You know where you can verify that? 00:10:01.620 --> 00:10:03.940 First, look in the mirror. 00:10:05.180 --> 00:10:06.899 We all change. 00:10:06.899 --> 00:10:11.759 I mean, as I look around this room, I thought about it earlier in first service. 00:10:12.600 --> 00:10:16.840 When I first came here, I was standing on this platform 25 years ago, 00:10:17.199 --> 00:10:21.199 and there were some godly men and women sitting out here, 00:10:22.000 --> 00:10:26.980 actively involved in this church, that are no longer here today. 00:10:27.559 --> 00:10:28.279 They've died. 00:10:28.399 --> 00:10:29.000 They're in heaven. 00:10:29.480 --> 00:10:33.259 Some of you, some of your spouses, parents, grandparents. 00:10:33.259 --> 00:10:40.000 But also, as I look around, there are some people sitting close by. 00:10:42.240 --> 00:10:43.480 They've aged. 00:10:45.200 --> 00:10:48.259 I mean, there's people in here that, when I first came, 00:10:49.000 --> 00:10:52.259 they were going to be considered, you know, young adults in their 30s. 00:10:53.279 --> 00:10:57.519 Now they've got AARP cards, some of them Medicare cards. 00:10:59.220 --> 00:11:00.439 Everything changes. 00:11:01.279 --> 00:11:02.580 Your house has changed. 00:11:02.580 --> 00:11:08.020 Your property, it changes. 00:11:08.180 --> 00:11:09.320 Everything changes. 00:11:10.460 --> 00:11:11.700 God does not change. 00:11:12.379 --> 00:11:14.759 And God's Word does not change. 00:11:15.660 --> 00:11:21.300 Now, when Jude described the Christian faith as he did, 00:11:22.780 --> 00:11:28.600 he was doing more than just giving a description about the faith. 00:11:28.740 --> 00:11:30.780 It's been once and for all delivered to the saints. 00:11:30.779 --> 00:11:38.079 He was calling for Christians to do something with this body of teaching that God has given us. 00:11:38.559 --> 00:11:40.279 Here's the full statement from Jude. 00:11:40.480 --> 00:11:41.659 It's in verse 3. 00:11:42.459 --> 00:11:42.779 He wrote, 00:11:42.779 --> 00:11:56.259 Jude is writing this letter. 00:11:56.259 --> 00:11:58.379 Jude is writing this letter. 00:11:59.220 --> 00:12:01.339 He says, you know, I wanted to write to you about something else. 00:12:01.340 --> 00:12:08.800 I wanted to write to you about some of the great things God has done for us in Christ about living a Christian life. 00:12:08.799 --> 00:12:12.399 But I have to deal with some difficult things. 00:12:12.399 --> 00:12:16.279 Because I want you to contend. 00:12:16.399 --> 00:12:19.819 I want you to fight for the faith. 00:12:19.820 --> 00:12:27.120 The body of truth that God has given us to believe and live by in this world. 00:12:27.620 --> 00:12:29.200 The word contend there. 00:12:29.600 --> 00:12:35.820 It was used in that day to describe an athlete's exertion, his strong effort, his hard work. 00:12:36.820 --> 00:12:39.660 It's really a defensive and offensive word. 00:12:39.659 --> 00:12:46.919 We're to put forth strong effort to defend the faith against false teaching and false teachers. 00:12:48.059 --> 00:12:51.319 You know, a lot of times today, we have the idea, live and let live. 00:12:51.500 --> 00:12:53.219 Don't stir up controversy. 00:12:54.639 --> 00:13:01.219 Well, you know, if you go home today, you got a family dinner, and you got all kinds of different world views there, liberals, conservatives. 00:13:01.220 --> 00:13:06.500 I don't think you need to contend for the faith around the family meal today. 00:13:07.759 --> 00:13:13.340 No use having a knockdown drag out, not be able to enjoy your fried chicken or whatever it is you're going to have. 00:13:14.720 --> 00:13:22.620 But generally speaking, as we live in this world as Christians, we cannot have this mindset, live and let live. 00:13:24.899 --> 00:13:28.680 That's why we're in the situation we're in right now that we'll come to in a moment. 00:13:28.679 --> 00:13:36.839 This word contend for the faith, for the truth of God's word, the whole thing. 00:13:38.539 --> 00:13:41.379 Defend the faith against false teachers and false teaching. 00:13:41.699 --> 00:13:53.259 But we're also to be on the offensive, actively and energetically promoting Christian truth and living it out, showing what it means to live like a Christian. 00:13:53.259 --> 00:13:58.379 Begin in your home, where you work, at school. 00:13:59.480 --> 00:14:01.159 That's how it will affect this community. 00:14:02.159 --> 00:14:06.100 You know, Christians have always been called to contend for the faith. 00:14:06.879 --> 00:14:10.240 And in the New Testament, it's described in different ways. 00:14:10.240 --> 00:14:24.440 Jesus used words like salt and light to describe how he expects us to be actively involved in this world, contending, fighting, defending for the truth, for the faith. 00:14:24.799 --> 00:14:27.820 I want you to think about what he's saying in Matthew chapter 5. 00:14:28.379 --> 00:14:31.580 Matthew 5, beginning in verse 13, he says, 00:14:31.580 --> 00:14:33.940 You are the salt of the earth. 00:14:34.800 --> 00:14:38.960 But if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? 00:14:39.320 --> 00:14:43.360 It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. 00:14:43.639 --> 00:14:47.580 Jesus said to us as Christians, you're the salt of the earth. 00:14:47.780 --> 00:14:51.860 You're supposed to be in this world, in this culture, flavoring. 00:14:54.660 --> 00:14:55.020 Preserving. 00:14:57.220 --> 00:14:59.879 We should count in this world. 00:14:59.879 --> 00:15:01.279 He goes on to say, 00:15:01.399 --> 00:15:02.779 You're the light of the world. 00:15:03.139 --> 00:15:05.320 A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 00:15:05.779 --> 00:15:09.539 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand. 00:15:09.860 --> 00:15:11.899 And it gives light to all in the house. 00:15:12.059 --> 00:15:20.080 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. 00:15:20.820 --> 00:15:24.940 We're supposed to be living in this world, living like Christians. 00:15:25.679 --> 00:15:28.100 Living like people who know Jesus and are following Jesus. 00:15:28.100 --> 00:15:36.680 And we're like shining the light of truth in the darkness around us. 00:15:37.540 --> 00:15:38.680 That's our job. 00:15:38.740 --> 00:15:39.860 That's what we're called to do. 00:15:40.960 --> 00:15:42.159 We're to be seen. 00:15:42.440 --> 00:15:46.200 People are, we're to be out, public, seen, visible, shining a light. 00:15:47.000 --> 00:15:52.440 So that as people see our good works, we do it in such a way that we don't hide that we're Christians. 00:15:52.440 --> 00:15:57.420 We let it be known we're doing this for the glory of God and the good of other people. 00:15:59.380 --> 00:16:04.540 And the scripture says when we do that and people see our good works, God will be praised. 00:16:04.660 --> 00:16:05.460 God will be honored. 00:16:06.780 --> 00:16:07.800 God will get the glory. 00:16:09.120 --> 00:16:15.640 That's how we can be witnesses in this world and contend for, fight for the faith. 00:16:15.639 --> 00:16:24.460 Do you realize that the call to contend for the faith in our church, or let me rephrase that. 00:16:24.960 --> 00:16:33.980 The call to contend for the faith is a part of our church's official statement of faith, the Baptist faith and message. 00:16:34.340 --> 00:16:39.299 Which is also the official statement of faith of the Southern Baptist Convention. 00:16:39.299 --> 00:16:41.199 I want you to listen to this. 00:16:42.299 --> 00:16:50.539 If you're not familiar with how we do this, we as a church, we believe the Bible is God's word and that is our ultimate source of authority. 00:16:51.000 --> 00:16:58.019 But we've also written a statement of faith explaining some of the things we believe about God's word. 00:16:59.519 --> 00:17:04.059 One of these, the article is called, is Article 15, The Christian and Social Order. 00:17:04.059 --> 00:17:12.940 I want you to listen to what we, as a church, through our statement of faith and all of Southern Baptists, what we understand our responsibility to be. 00:17:13.559 --> 00:17:24.319 It says, all Christians are under obligation to seek to make the will of Christ supreme in our own lives and in human society. 00:17:26.440 --> 00:17:27.619 You think about it. 00:17:28.079 --> 00:17:31.639 You may think this way and maybe even said it, but you've heard it. 00:17:31.640 --> 00:17:35.200 My faith is a private thing. 00:17:37.520 --> 00:17:45.759 You know, what we need more of in today's culture is for people to keep their beliefs to themselves and just have a private faith. 00:17:46.040 --> 00:17:46.460 No. 00:17:47.620 --> 00:17:49.080 If you think that, you're wrong. 00:17:50.780 --> 00:17:55.140 How can you be sought and liked privately? 00:17:55.140 --> 00:18:02.600 How can you contend for the faith and not let anyone ever know it? 00:18:03.900 --> 00:18:05.259 This article goes on. 00:18:05.380 --> 00:18:17.220 Every Christian should seek to bring industry, government, and society as a whole under the sway of the principles of righteousness, truth, and brotherly love. 00:18:17.220 --> 00:18:47.200 That's our job. 00:18:47.220 --> 00:19:05.039 Because Christians, as a whole, we've not taken our responsibility seriously and actually sought to be salt and light in our communities, which affects our state, which affects our country. 00:19:05.039 --> 00:19:11.119 As a result, we can't point to many success stories lately. 00:19:11.440 --> 00:19:18.740 How we've brought industry, government, and society as a whole under the sway of the principles of righteousness, truth, and brotherly love. 00:19:21.019 --> 00:19:21.920 I mean, you look around. 00:19:22.139 --> 00:19:22.740 Look, think. 00:19:22.740 --> 00:19:33.299 What have we, as God's people collectively, what have we done to promote the faith lately? 00:19:34.579 --> 00:19:38.799 To contend, to influence, to change? 00:19:38.799 --> 00:19:51.200 There's been times in the past when Christians made, brought about great changes in the Western world. 00:19:51.579 --> 00:19:55.500 The slave trade was stopped in England because of the influence of Christians. 00:19:56.500 --> 00:19:57.980 Some of you children in here. 00:19:57.980 --> 00:20:07.360 There was a time in this country when you, at 10 years of age, worked 40 or more hours a week in a factory. 00:20:08.319 --> 00:20:14.680 Child labor laws came about a lot of influence by Christians saying, this is not right. 00:20:14.680 --> 00:20:24.180 Many things have been affected in this country for the good of everyone, not just Christians, through the influence of Christians. 00:20:24.960 --> 00:20:30.720 But now we have so many failure stories where we just haven't done anything. 00:20:31.720 --> 00:20:34.299 We've remained silent or we've even retreated. 00:20:35.420 --> 00:20:42.940 This has resulted in almost a total rejection of biblical truth in just about every area of life now around about us. 00:20:42.940 --> 00:20:44.279 I want you to think. 00:20:45.460 --> 00:20:58.519 In most of us, in most of our lives, most of us in this room, in our lifetime, abortion has been legalized, protected under our Constitution. 00:20:59.640 --> 00:21:00.740 Think about that. 00:21:01.259 --> 00:21:12.820 In our lifetimes, most of us, a baby can be killed in the womb of its mother simply because that's what that mother wants to do. 00:21:12.940 --> 00:21:23.660 And we have leaders today that have been elected by this country, like our current president and vice president, 00:21:24.140 --> 00:21:31.140 who contend for a woman being able to kill her baby at any point in her pregnancy. 00:21:31.140 --> 00:21:33.140 Think about it. 00:21:33.759 --> 00:21:34.900 Think about it. 00:21:34.900 --> 00:21:42.400 In everyone in this room's lifetime, same-sex marriage has been legalized. 00:21:43.480 --> 00:21:44.460 Now you think about that. 00:21:45.920 --> 00:21:53.780 25 years ago when I became pastor of this church, I would never have dreamed that there would be a such thing as same-sex marriage. 00:21:53.779 --> 00:22:02.759 Not only has it become grown, but it's accepted, legalized under our Constitution. 00:22:06.700 --> 00:22:17.700 We know that all these matters, we know the truth about all these matters because God has revealed it to us. 00:22:18.079 --> 00:22:18.819 Life is sacred. 00:22:18.819 --> 00:22:24.139 Life is sacred in the womb all the way to the very end of natural life. 00:22:25.359 --> 00:22:26.659 We know that. 00:22:27.599 --> 00:22:38.899 But we've sat back and let others who reject the truth of God's Word contend for that secular, ungodly worldview, and they've succeeded. 00:22:40.480 --> 00:22:44.179 God has revealed to us His objective truth about such things. 00:22:44.180 --> 00:22:46.259 But I want you to look at one more thing. 00:22:46.560 --> 00:22:47.960 God also works in another way. 00:22:48.279 --> 00:22:56.519 God's Word is useful truth or practical truth or profitable truth. 00:22:56.960 --> 00:22:59.000 Here's where 2 Timothy 3 comes in. 00:22:59.340 --> 00:23:00.440 2 Timothy 3, 16. 00:23:00.519 --> 00:23:01.200 I hope you've got it open. 00:23:02.039 --> 00:23:10.340 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. 00:23:10.339 --> 00:23:15.639 The word profitable is translated in some of your translations, useful. 00:23:16.579 --> 00:23:18.240 Practical is what it's talking about as well. 00:23:19.059 --> 00:23:22.899 The Word of God is profitable, useful, practical. 00:23:23.279 --> 00:23:27.799 It works for us who are God's children. 00:23:28.619 --> 00:23:31.539 Paul identifies four ways the Bible is profitable for us to use. 00:23:31.720 --> 00:23:32.199 Look at it. 00:23:32.619 --> 00:23:34.359 The Bible is profitable for teaching. 00:23:34.519 --> 00:23:36.000 Let's talk about positive teaching. 00:23:36.000 --> 00:23:43.359 God makes His ways and will known to us through the pages of Scripture so that we can know how to live a life that pleases Him. 00:23:43.740 --> 00:23:44.480 That's real simple. 00:23:45.400 --> 00:23:48.980 Well, the Bible is also profitable for reproof or rebuking. 00:23:49.599 --> 00:23:51.599 This is the negative aspect of teaching. 00:23:51.900 --> 00:23:53.799 It describes correcting error. 00:23:55.339 --> 00:23:58.880 The Bible is like a referee in any sport, like a referee in basketball. 00:24:00.880 --> 00:24:05.059 It calls a foul when fouls are committed. 00:24:05.059 --> 00:24:09.839 It calls a person who steps out of line when they step out of bounds. 00:24:10.720 --> 00:24:23.559 The Spirit of God convicts us of sin when we break His rules of life, when we step out of bounds from what the Bible allows. 00:24:24.619 --> 00:24:30.960 Here's an example of how the Bible is profitable or useful for teaching and rebuking in terms of what we believe. 00:24:30.960 --> 00:24:39.480 One of the most popular things that is believed in our country today, taught today, is that there are many ways to God. 00:24:40.579 --> 00:24:45.120 In fact, there's a lot of people who think, and I hope there's no one in this room who actually thinks this, 00:24:45.539 --> 00:24:53.840 but a lot of people think, when all is said and done, all religions ultimately lead to God and heaven. 00:24:53.839 --> 00:24:56.019 Well, we need to understand. 00:24:57.119 --> 00:25:02.599 Jesus made it very clear there's only one way to be made right with God, and that's through Him. 00:25:03.379 --> 00:25:07.279 The Bible teaches, Jesus said, John 14, 6, 00:25:07.619 --> 00:25:15.799 I am the way and the truth and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through me. 00:25:15.799 --> 00:25:19.460 No one except through Him. 00:25:19.899 --> 00:25:22.419 The only way to be right with God is through faith in Jesus Christ. 00:25:22.859 --> 00:25:26.279 The Bible also rebukes anyone who would teach otherwise. 00:25:26.919 --> 00:25:29.139 Paul said this to the Galatian Christians. 00:25:30.919 --> 00:25:33.460 He said in chapter 1, verse 8, 00:25:33.940 --> 00:25:39.539 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preach to you, 00:25:40.279 --> 00:25:41.559 let him be accursed. 00:25:41.559 --> 00:25:45.279 Let him be doomed eternally. 00:25:46.799 --> 00:25:47.839 Think about this. 00:25:48.379 --> 00:25:52.460 The Bible is profitable or useful in that it teaches us the truth, 00:25:52.819 --> 00:25:57.440 and it rebukes us whenever we are in error. 00:25:58.019 --> 00:25:59.440 That's how practical the Bible is. 00:26:00.480 --> 00:26:07.079 You need to think in terms of developing your belief system based on what the Bible clearly teaches. 00:26:07.779 --> 00:26:10.779 You need to think in terms of how you're going to live in this world, 00:26:11.659 --> 00:26:13.440 your morals, your values, 00:26:13.440 --> 00:26:16.059 and base it on what the Bible teaches, 00:26:16.259 --> 00:26:18.200 what is clear in Scripture. 00:26:19.019 --> 00:26:21.779 It goes on and says the Bible is profitable for correction. 00:26:22.320 --> 00:26:25.420 Correction means to confront what is wrong and teach the correct way. 00:26:26.460 --> 00:26:29.820 The Bible gives us practical instruction for how to do that, 00:26:30.200 --> 00:26:32.259 how we should and should not live. 00:26:32.680 --> 00:26:34.000 And then look at the fourth one. 00:26:34.220 --> 00:26:37.620 The Bible is profitable for training and righteousness. 00:26:37.619 --> 00:26:40.779 God doesn't just correct us when we do wrong. 00:26:42.000 --> 00:26:46.139 God gives us positive instruction about how we can please Him. 00:26:46.539 --> 00:26:51.939 The Bible trains or disciplines us to live in a right relationship with God and other people. 00:26:51.940 --> 00:26:55.900 When you correct your children, 00:26:56.759 --> 00:27:00.019 you don't just say that's wrong, do you? 00:27:00.820 --> 00:27:05.100 You don't just punish them for something they did without explaining, 00:27:05.240 --> 00:27:06.960 this is wrong, this is what you should do. 00:27:07.019 --> 00:27:08.980 Or you know they know what they should do. 00:27:09.100 --> 00:27:10.240 That's the way God is with us. 00:27:11.080 --> 00:27:14.820 Here's an example of correction and training in righteousness. 00:27:16.299 --> 00:27:18.840 Same-sex marriage has become legal in this country. 00:27:18.839 --> 00:27:24.539 Today's culture willingly accepts homosexual behavior 00:27:24.539 --> 00:27:28.199 and condemns anyone who calls it sinful. 00:27:29.259 --> 00:27:32.220 There are liberal churches who do that. 00:27:32.879 --> 00:27:37.659 There are liberal churches that even ordain gay pastors. 00:27:39.240 --> 00:27:43.740 And there are liberal churches that even perform what they call weddings 00:27:43.740 --> 00:27:46.079 for people of the same sex. 00:27:46.079 --> 00:27:51.779 Well, the Bible really does correct this erroneous and sinful behavior 00:27:51.779 --> 00:27:56.079 by pointing out how God, He does not accept this. 00:27:56.480 --> 00:27:59.859 God condemns such relationships and behaviors. 00:28:00.099 --> 00:28:01.240 I'll give you one example. 00:28:01.679 --> 00:28:03.159 It's from 1 Corinthians chapter 6. 00:28:03.240 --> 00:28:06.179 If you want to turn to that, 1 Corinthians chapter 6, we'll look at verse 9. 00:28:06.579 --> 00:28:08.259 And the reason I'm going to use this one is, 00:28:08.259 --> 00:28:14.059 it lumps a lot of different things that God does not approve of together. 00:28:14.559 --> 00:28:16.200 It doesn't just single out homosexuality. 00:28:16.660 --> 00:28:20.799 And there's a positive part of this at the end, 00:28:21.599 --> 00:28:25.119 how people who are of this persuasion can be changed. 00:28:25.960 --> 00:28:27.440 Look at it if you've got your Bible open. 00:28:27.960 --> 00:28:29.460 1 Corinthians 6, 9. 00:28:30.460 --> 00:28:31.920 He's writing to the church. 00:28:31.920 --> 00:28:37.440 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? 00:28:37.700 --> 00:28:38.620 Do not be deceived. 00:28:39.039 --> 00:28:44.120 Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, 00:28:44.279 --> 00:28:49.060 nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, 00:28:49.519 --> 00:28:52.620 nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, 00:28:52.620 --> 00:28:54.220 will inherit the kingdom of God. 00:28:54.460 --> 00:28:56.000 So there's a broad list there. 00:28:56.000 --> 00:29:00.119 And Paul's point is, he's saying to people in that church, 00:29:00.700 --> 00:29:03.440 if you live an ungodly life, 00:29:03.519 --> 00:29:09.220 if your lifestyle is you're just a greedy person, selfish person, 00:29:09.500 --> 00:29:10.839 you're a lying person, 00:29:11.519 --> 00:29:14.779 you're somebody, you're not faithful to your wife or husband, 00:29:14.960 --> 00:29:17.200 you're just a serial adulterer, 00:29:17.680 --> 00:29:21.299 as well as involved in homosexual behavior. 00:29:22.119 --> 00:29:25.200 He says, if you just make it a practice, 00:29:25.200 --> 00:29:26.400 that's just who you are. 00:29:26.580 --> 00:29:28.960 You're living a sinful life of whatever type. 00:29:30.580 --> 00:29:31.660 You're not going to heaven. 00:29:32.600 --> 00:29:34.360 You will not inherit the kingdom of God. 00:29:34.500 --> 00:29:36.160 It's as clear as anything can be. 00:29:37.759 --> 00:29:39.000 But then he goes on to say, 00:29:40.360 --> 00:29:43.000 and such were some of you. 00:29:44.299 --> 00:29:45.380 People in that church, 00:29:45.940 --> 00:29:47.940 they came from that kind of background, 00:29:48.039 --> 00:29:49.019 those kind of backgrounds. 00:29:49.799 --> 00:29:51.220 But then he says, you were washed, 00:29:51.400 --> 00:29:53.259 you were sanctified, you were justified 00:29:53.259 --> 00:29:55.220 in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ 00:29:55.220 --> 00:29:57.720 and by the spirit of our God. 00:29:59.319 --> 00:30:01.980 There's a word of hope in this verse. 00:30:03.359 --> 00:30:05.460 Some members of the church of Corinth 00:30:05.460 --> 00:30:08.119 have been involved in sinful lifestyles, 00:30:08.379 --> 00:30:10.660 including a homosexual lifestyle. 00:30:10.660 --> 00:30:16.320 But God saved them, forgave them, changed them. 00:30:18.980 --> 00:30:22.340 You know, there are places in this country, 00:30:22.640 --> 00:30:25.120 it's being debated in a place in our state right now, 00:30:25.700 --> 00:30:29.700 where it is and can become illegal 00:30:29.700 --> 00:30:33.660 for a counselor, even a pastoral counselor, 00:30:33.660 --> 00:30:38.660 to lead somebody to understanding 00:30:39.420 --> 00:30:41.740 that homosexual behavior is sinful behavior, 00:30:42.160 --> 00:30:43.360 leading them to repent 00:30:43.360 --> 00:30:46.140 and seek God's help to change. 00:30:48.300 --> 00:30:50.320 In the good old United States of America, 00:30:51.560 --> 00:30:52.580 in some places, 00:30:53.600 --> 00:30:56.620 such counseling is illegal. 00:30:56.619 --> 00:31:01.739 God's word condemns sin. 00:31:03.500 --> 00:31:05.859 But God's word also offers salvation 00:31:05.859 --> 00:31:08.039 and forgiveness to all sinners 00:31:08.039 --> 00:31:10.979 who will admit it, 00:31:11.419 --> 00:31:12.699 this is wrong, this is sinful, 00:31:13.000 --> 00:31:13.899 turn from it, 00:31:14.799 --> 00:31:17.479 and turn to Jesus Christ in faith and commitment, 00:31:18.239 --> 00:31:20.419 which involves living life God's way 00:31:20.419 --> 00:31:21.399 as revealed in his word. 00:31:22.539 --> 00:31:24.659 The Bible also trains us in righteousness 00:31:24.659 --> 00:31:26.239 concerning this subject. 00:31:26.619 --> 00:31:29.919 By teaching us how God designed 00:31:29.919 --> 00:31:32.159 men and women to live together 00:31:32.159 --> 00:31:34.899 in what he considers a marriage relationship. 00:31:35.079 --> 00:31:36.659 Genesis 2.24, listen to this. 00:31:37.279 --> 00:31:39.659 Jesus echoes this, or quotes this, 00:31:40.119 --> 00:31:42.419 Matthew 19, Paul does the same thing. 00:31:44.199 --> 00:31:45.919 Genesis 2.24, the very beginning. 00:31:46.719 --> 00:31:49.259 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother 00:31:49.259 --> 00:31:51.659 and hold fast to his wife, 00:31:52.199 --> 00:31:53.539 and they shall become one flesh. 00:31:54.399 --> 00:31:55.819 The Bible's very clear. 00:31:56.619 --> 00:31:59.179 God designed, created marriage 00:31:59.179 --> 00:32:01.599 to be between one man and one woman 00:32:01.599 --> 00:32:03.319 in a one flesh relationship 00:32:03.319 --> 00:32:05.500 for all of their lives. 00:32:06.079 --> 00:32:07.159 And that's it. 00:32:07.579 --> 00:32:10.639 There is no other marriage relationship 00:32:10.639 --> 00:32:11.739 before God. 00:32:12.699 --> 00:32:13.919 There is none. 00:32:13.920 --> 00:32:18.560 The Bible is very useful or practical. 00:32:19.460 --> 00:32:21.620 The Spirit of God uses the word of God 00:32:21.620 --> 00:32:23.980 to correct us when we make sinful choices, 00:32:24.400 --> 00:32:27.600 and then to teach us, train us, 00:32:27.860 --> 00:32:31.900 to make right choices that will please God. 00:32:31.900 --> 00:32:35.500 And the kind of lifestyle that pleases God 00:32:35.500 --> 00:32:37.980 will be the most satisfying lifestyle for us. 00:32:38.540 --> 00:32:40.259 Because God created us. 00:32:40.680 --> 00:32:41.900 He knows what works best. 00:32:44.080 --> 00:32:46.620 And living life His way always works best. 00:32:47.820 --> 00:32:49.259 You know, the Bible is the Holy Spirit's 00:32:49.259 --> 00:32:52.820 most useful tool to teach, to rebuke, 00:32:52.819 --> 00:32:56.359 to correct, and train us in right living. 00:32:56.359 --> 00:33:00.179 Now, as God's people, 00:33:00.980 --> 00:33:07.119 we do not have to search for the truth 00:33:07.119 --> 00:33:09.879 about the things in life that matter most. 00:33:09.880 --> 00:33:14.780 God has revealed the things that matter most 00:33:14.780 --> 00:33:17.680 in His Word. 00:33:19.380 --> 00:33:20.580 And as Christians, 00:33:21.300 --> 00:33:23.760 God has put His Spirit in us 00:33:23.760 --> 00:33:26.340 to help us to understand it 00:33:26.340 --> 00:33:31.880 and to learn how to put it into practice. 00:33:32.520 --> 00:33:35.140 That's a lifetime endeavor. 00:33:36.660 --> 00:33:37.760 When God saves us, 00:33:37.800 --> 00:33:39.000 He puts His Spirit within us 00:33:39.000 --> 00:33:40.339 who gives us the desired ability 00:33:40.339 --> 00:33:41.220 to please God, 00:33:41.460 --> 00:33:42.819 to live according to the truth of God's Word. 00:33:43.200 --> 00:33:44.779 But we also have a sinful nature 00:33:44.779 --> 00:33:46.880 and we struggle with temptation 00:33:46.880 --> 00:33:48.700 and old habits. 00:33:50.319 --> 00:33:52.400 And throughout our lives, 00:33:53.000 --> 00:33:54.480 we're going to have to resist temptation, 00:33:54.680 --> 00:33:55.599 say no to sin, 00:33:55.720 --> 00:33:57.220 seek God's forgiveness when we don't. 00:33:58.259 --> 00:33:59.180 But by God's grace, 00:33:59.259 --> 00:34:00.400 we can make progress 00:34:00.400 --> 00:34:01.299 because God's going to work 00:34:01.299 --> 00:34:02.160 through His Word and Spirit 00:34:02.160 --> 00:34:03.299 to help us. 00:34:04.200 --> 00:34:05.039 Now, I want to ask you, 00:34:05.079 --> 00:34:05.940 we're going to wind this up. 00:34:07.539 --> 00:34:08.360 Do you believe the Bible 00:34:08.360 --> 00:34:09.620 as God's authoritative, 00:34:10.200 --> 00:34:12.500 infallible, inerrant Word? 00:34:12.500 --> 00:34:16.780 Do you believe that? 00:34:17.840 --> 00:34:20.460 Do you accept what the Bible teaches 00:34:20.460 --> 00:34:23.660 as God's objective 00:34:23.660 --> 00:34:26.780 and useful truth? 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:31.960 Now, if you say no, 00:34:31.960 --> 00:34:35.059 why are you here? 00:34:38.340 --> 00:34:39.400 Now, if you say no, 00:34:39.480 --> 00:34:40.159 I don't believe the Bible 00:34:40.159 --> 00:34:41.559 is God's inerrant Word. 00:34:42.179 --> 00:34:43.260 I don't accept it 00:34:43.260 --> 00:34:44.559 as His objective 00:34:44.559 --> 00:34:45.780 and useful truth. 00:34:46.300 --> 00:34:46.780 If you say, 00:34:46.860 --> 00:34:47.539 I don't believe that, 00:34:48.300 --> 00:34:50.519 but I'm open to you 00:34:50.519 --> 00:34:51.780 convincing me otherwise, 00:34:52.340 --> 00:34:53.199 that's okay. 00:34:54.099 --> 00:34:55.179 If you're an atheist 00:34:55.179 --> 00:34:56.039 here this morning, 00:34:56.400 --> 00:34:57.500 you don't believe anything 00:34:57.500 --> 00:34:58.920 about what the Bible says, 00:34:58.920 --> 00:35:01.039 but you're willing 00:35:01.039 --> 00:35:02.320 to listen. 00:35:04.280 --> 00:35:05.119 You're open. 00:35:06.039 --> 00:35:07.260 I'll be glad to talk with you. 00:35:07.639 --> 00:35:08.420 Other people in this church 00:35:08.420 --> 00:35:09.579 will be glad to talk with you. 00:35:09.680 --> 00:35:11.559 And I'm so glad you're here. 00:35:12.059 --> 00:35:12.440 Really. 00:35:14.220 --> 00:35:15.220 But if you're a member 00:35:15.220 --> 00:35:16.300 of this church 00:35:16.300 --> 00:35:19.059 and you say, 00:35:19.559 --> 00:35:20.900 I don't believe that the Bible 00:35:20.900 --> 00:35:21.920 is God's infallible, 00:35:22.059 --> 00:35:22.780 inerrant Word. 00:35:23.099 --> 00:35:24.500 And I don't accept what it says 00:35:24.500 --> 00:35:25.960 as God's objective 00:35:25.960 --> 00:35:27.019 and useful truth, 00:35:27.760 --> 00:35:28.639 then I say to you, 00:35:28.800 --> 00:35:29.980 why are you here? 00:35:32.300 --> 00:35:33.119 Because we, 00:35:33.260 --> 00:35:34.480 as Pickens First Baptist Church, 00:35:35.340 --> 00:35:36.679 we, in writing, 00:35:36.940 --> 00:35:37.740 confess, 00:35:38.159 --> 00:35:39.320 through our statement of faith, 00:35:39.579 --> 00:35:41.159 this is what we believe. 00:35:42.159 --> 00:35:43.599 This is what our denomination 00:35:43.599 --> 00:35:45.019 to the Baptist Convention believes. 00:35:47.539 --> 00:35:48.800 It's not a matter of me. 00:35:48.860 --> 00:35:49.260 You can say, 00:35:49.340 --> 00:35:49.519 well, 00:35:49.800 --> 00:35:50.659 if I can just endure 00:35:50.659 --> 00:35:51.599 four more weeks, 00:35:51.659 --> 00:35:52.500 you won't be here. 00:35:53.300 --> 00:35:54.059 Let me tell you something. 00:35:54.059 --> 00:35:56.619 It's in the Constitution and bylaws, 00:35:56.739 --> 00:35:57.799 and that's not going to change 00:35:57.799 --> 00:35:58.460 when I leave. 00:35:58.559 --> 00:35:59.759 That's still the statement 00:35:59.759 --> 00:36:00.880 of faith of this church. 00:36:02.860 --> 00:36:04.059 And I've got news for you. 00:36:04.179 --> 00:36:04.860 It'll disappoint you 00:36:04.860 --> 00:36:06.099 if you can't wait for me to leave 00:36:06.099 --> 00:36:06.900 because you want to try 00:36:06.900 --> 00:36:08.059 to liberalize things. 00:36:09.380 --> 00:36:10.940 I have the utmost confidence 00:36:10.940 --> 00:36:13.159 that whoever this church calls 00:36:13.159 --> 00:36:13.940 will be their pastor. 00:36:15.639 --> 00:36:17.320 As a matter of integrity, 00:36:17.539 --> 00:36:18.880 but also of conviction, 00:36:19.619 --> 00:36:20.400 he will embrace 00:36:20.400 --> 00:36:21.759 the Baptist faith and message. 00:36:21.760 --> 00:36:24.120 And so that means 00:36:24.120 --> 00:36:24.640 he will believe 00:36:24.640 --> 00:36:25.040 that the Bible 00:36:25.040 --> 00:36:26.020 is the infallible 00:36:26.020 --> 00:36:27.320 and inerrant word of God as well. 00:36:29.160 --> 00:36:30.240 So if you just 00:36:30.240 --> 00:36:32.040 hate the idea 00:36:32.040 --> 00:36:34.180 that God's word 00:36:34.180 --> 00:36:35.000 is truth, 00:36:35.940 --> 00:36:37.140 you ought to find 00:36:37.140 --> 00:36:37.920 somewhere else to go 00:36:37.920 --> 00:36:39.380 because you're going to live 00:36:39.380 --> 00:36:40.760 a life of real frustration 00:36:40.760 --> 00:36:41.720 in this church. 00:36:44.540 --> 00:36:45.660 But I have 00:36:45.660 --> 00:36:46.760 confidence 00:36:46.760 --> 00:36:47.440 confidence 00:36:47.440 --> 00:36:49.720 that 99% 00:36:49.720 --> 00:36:50.000 of people 00:36:50.000 --> 00:36:50.640 in this church, 00:36:51.440 --> 00:36:52.540 you believe that. 00:36:53.400 --> 00:36:54.120 You believe 00:36:54.120 --> 00:36:54.660 what I have 00:36:54.660 --> 00:36:55.400 spoken, 00:36:55.620 --> 00:36:56.620 taught this morning. 00:36:58.120 --> 00:36:58.920 So I want us 00:36:58.920 --> 00:36:59.700 to go a step further. 00:37:01.600 --> 00:37:02.380 You believe 00:37:02.380 --> 00:37:03.280 this is God's word. 00:37:04.560 --> 00:37:05.120 Will you ask 00:37:05.120 --> 00:37:05.520 God now 00:37:05.520 --> 00:37:05.980 to help you 00:37:05.980 --> 00:37:06.900 to faithfully 00:37:06.900 --> 00:37:08.120 and consistently 00:37:08.120 --> 00:37:09.520 read it, 00:37:10.900 --> 00:37:11.740 study it, 00:37:13.340 --> 00:37:14.140 believe it, 00:37:14.139 --> 00:37:17.079 obey it, 00:37:17.079 --> 00:37:19.980 and when you 00:37:19.980 --> 00:37:20.779 have the opportunity, 00:37:22.299 --> 00:37:22.799 teach it 00:37:22.799 --> 00:37:23.619 or share it 00:37:23.619 --> 00:37:24.679 with other people. 00:37:27.239 --> 00:37:28.679 I want to encourage you. 00:37:30.779 --> 00:37:31.079 Let God, 00:37:32.359 --> 00:37:33.279 ask God, 00:37:33.879 --> 00:37:34.420 and he will, 00:37:36.119 --> 00:37:36.759 ask him 00:37:36.759 --> 00:37:37.539 to show you 00:37:37.539 --> 00:37:39.460 what you should believe 00:37:39.460 --> 00:37:41.440 through his word 00:37:41.440 --> 00:37:42.219 and through his spirit. 00:37:42.219 --> 00:37:44.019 Ask God 00:37:44.019 --> 00:37:44.359 to show you 00:37:44.359 --> 00:37:45.319 what you should not 00:37:45.319 --> 00:37:45.559 believe, 00:37:45.599 --> 00:37:46.419 what you should reject. 00:37:48.339 --> 00:37:48.980 Ask God 00:37:48.980 --> 00:37:49.519 to show you 00:37:49.519 --> 00:37:50.879 how you should live 00:37:50.879 --> 00:37:51.619 as a Christian 00:37:51.619 --> 00:37:52.639 in this world, 00:37:53.279 --> 00:37:54.039 beginning at home. 00:37:55.779 --> 00:37:56.439 Ask God 00:37:56.439 --> 00:37:56.980 to show you 00:37:56.980 --> 00:37:57.699 how you should 00:37:57.699 --> 00:37:59.079 not live. 00:38:01.000 --> 00:38:02.159 He will do that. 00:38:02.980 --> 00:38:03.659 He is the God 00:38:03.659 --> 00:38:04.219 of truth. 00:38:04.859 --> 00:38:05.539 His word 00:38:05.539 --> 00:38:06.199 is truth. 00:38:07.159 --> 00:38:07.719 And if we want 00:38:07.719 --> 00:38:08.159 to live 00:38:08.159 --> 00:38:09.019 as God's 00:38:09.019 --> 00:38:09.980 people 00:38:09.980 --> 00:38:12.099 pleasing him 00:38:12.099 --> 00:38:13.079 honoring him, 00:38:13.360 --> 00:38:14.500 doing his will, 00:38:15.400 --> 00:38:16.079 we've got 00:38:16.079 --> 00:38:16.940 to embrace 00:38:16.940 --> 00:38:18.299 and live 00:38:18.299 --> 00:38:20.299 as though 00:38:20.299 --> 00:38:20.880 God's word 00:38:20.880 --> 00:38:21.699 is truth. 00:38:22.299 --> 00:38:23.059 Let's pray together. 00:38:24.059 --> 00:38:24.599 Father, 00:38:25.360 --> 00:38:27.819 we are so grateful 00:38:27.819 --> 00:38:28.599 that you have not 00:38:28.599 --> 00:38:29.339 left us alone 00:38:29.339 --> 00:38:30.099 in this world 00:38:30.099 --> 00:38:31.119 just to sort of 00:38:31.119 --> 00:38:31.719 figure it out 00:38:31.719 --> 00:38:32.480 for ourselves, 00:38:32.960 --> 00:38:33.639 but that you have 00:38:33.639 --> 00:38:34.360 given us 00:38:34.360 --> 00:38:35.500 your objective 00:38:35.500 --> 00:38:36.679 word 00:38:36.679 --> 00:38:37.779 clearly. 00:38:37.780 --> 00:38:40.840 and we're so 00:38:40.840 --> 00:38:41.160 thankful 00:38:41.160 --> 00:38:41.680 that it is 00:38:41.680 --> 00:38:42.480 practical, 00:38:43.580 --> 00:38:44.080 profitable, 00:38:44.640 --> 00:38:45.100 useful 00:38:45.100 --> 00:38:46.940 in teaching us 00:38:46.940 --> 00:38:48.300 how to live, 00:38:48.440 --> 00:38:49.140 what to believe. 00:38:51.180 --> 00:38:51.800 So dear God, 00:38:52.120 --> 00:38:53.260 I pray for Christians 00:38:53.260 --> 00:38:53.920 in this room. 00:38:56.200 --> 00:38:57.240 Help them to 00:38:57.240 --> 00:38:58.800 commit 00:38:58.800 --> 00:38:59.740 or recommit 00:38:59.740 --> 00:39:00.240 or just 00:39:00.240 --> 00:39:03.680 seek your help 00:39:03.679 --> 00:39:04.500 to continue 00:39:04.500 --> 00:39:05.139 on 00:39:05.139 --> 00:39:07.419 believing 00:39:07.419 --> 00:39:09.039 and obeying 00:39:09.039 --> 00:39:09.879 your word. 00:39:11.460 --> 00:39:11.659 And Lord, 00:39:11.699 --> 00:39:12.219 help us all 00:39:12.219 --> 00:39:12.699 together 00:39:12.699 --> 00:39:15.039 to live 00:39:15.039 --> 00:39:15.519 according to 00:39:15.519 --> 00:39:16.119 your truth 00:39:16.119 --> 00:39:17.719 and be more 00:39:17.719 --> 00:39:18.359 effective in the 00:39:18.359 --> 00:39:19.319 days to come 00:39:19.319 --> 00:39:22.159 to contend 00:39:22.159 --> 00:39:22.940 for the faith 00:39:22.940 --> 00:39:24.980 and truly 00:39:24.980 --> 00:39:27.980 make a difference 00:39:27.980 --> 00:39:28.940 as salt, 00:39:31.139 --> 00:39:31.839 flavoring 00:39:31.840 --> 00:39:32.900 and preserving 00:39:32.900 --> 00:39:34.880 and as light 00:39:34.880 --> 00:39:36.800 shining the truth 00:39:36.800 --> 00:39:37.420 of your word 00:39:37.420 --> 00:39:38.160 in a dark world. 00:39:39.500 --> 00:39:40.019 Show us how 00:39:40.019 --> 00:39:40.900 we all should 00:39:40.900 --> 00:39:41.700 respond now. 00:39:41.800 --> 00:39:42.240 Help us to do 00:39:42.240 --> 00:39:42.620 that in these 00:39:42.620 --> 00:39:43.400 next few minutes. 00:39:44.320 --> 00:39:44.720 So just with 00:39:44.720 --> 00:39:45.360 the heads bowed 00:39:45.360 --> 00:39:45.880 and eyes closed 00:39:45.880 --> 00:39:46.360 and attitude of 00:39:46.360 --> 00:39:46.579 prayer, 00:39:46.700 --> 00:39:47.200 let's listen to 00:39:47.200 --> 00:39:47.539 the Lord. 00:39:48.100 --> 00:39:49.240 Let's respond 00:39:49.240 --> 00:39:50.079 to him as we 00:39:50.079 --> 00:39:50.860 all need to. 00:39:52.539 --> 00:39:52.980 And for many 00:39:52.980 --> 00:39:53.400 people, 00:39:54.019 --> 00:39:54.960 reaffirm your 00:39:54.960 --> 00:39:55.600 commitment 00:39:55.600 --> 00:39:57.019 that God's 00:39:57.019 --> 00:39:57.760 word is true.