WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.740 If you would open up your Bibles to 1 Corinthians 15, Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial 00:00:10.740 --> 00:00:11.939 start to summer. 00:00:12.120 --> 00:00:12.580 Rejoicing. 00:00:13.500 --> 00:00:15.000 It's about time. 00:00:17.140 --> 00:00:22.580 Summer in southeastern Wisconsin is full of unprecedented opportunities. 00:00:22.580 --> 00:00:25.580 Just think about what's going to happen down at the lake this summer. 00:00:25.579 --> 00:00:31.359 There's the 4th of July festivities, food folks and spokes right here in the square. 00:00:31.739 --> 00:00:33.939 We've got tall ships coming in early August. 00:00:34.060 --> 00:00:35.119 I'm really looking forward to that. 00:00:35.200 --> 00:00:36.519 But you know what I'm looking forward to most? 00:00:37.700 --> 00:00:41.140 The bright sunshine on my face. 00:00:42.879 --> 00:00:45.980 And listening to the cicadas croon one another. 00:00:46.459 --> 00:00:47.759 That's what I'm looking forward to. 00:00:47.759 --> 00:00:58.420 Well, as fellow followers of Jesus living in southeastern Wisconsin, this summer affords 00:00:58.420 --> 00:01:03.219 us an unprecedented gospel opportunity. 00:01:04.359 --> 00:01:10.319 Okay, six to nine months of the year, we are all cooped up in our homes, running around in 00:01:10.319 --> 00:01:17.119 our cars, rarely seeing anybody else because in Wisconsin, we're all holed up in our homes 00:01:17.119 --> 00:01:18.000 during the cold months. 00:01:18.099 --> 00:01:22.559 But now it's time to get out and mix it up and mix it up for Jesus. 00:01:23.099 --> 00:01:29.719 So this morning, I just want to let you know up front, I am going to motivate you to step 00:01:29.719 --> 00:01:37.399 out of your comfort zones this summer in order to move towards others with the gospel of Jesus, 00:01:37.819 --> 00:01:38.659 Jesus Christ. 00:01:38.659 --> 00:01:44.799 A couple months ago, the elders were talking about, hey, how do we help the church see and 00:01:44.799 --> 00:01:48.439 take advantage of the gospel opportunities that this summer has? 00:01:48.519 --> 00:01:52.459 And so this morning, we're going to take a break out of our series in the book of Revelation 00:01:52.459 --> 00:01:57.920 so that we can focus on 1 Corinthians 15, which is all about the gospel. 00:01:59.500 --> 00:02:05.560 And so this morning, from 1 Corinthians 15, 1 through 11, I'm going to motivate you to step 00:02:05.560 --> 00:02:10.219 out of your comfort zone in order to tell others about Jesus this summer. 00:02:10.780 --> 00:02:12.140 And I'm going to do it in three ways. 00:02:12.599 --> 00:02:15.939 First, I'm going to remind you of the content of the gospel. 00:02:16.280 --> 00:02:19.039 That's 1 Corinthians 15, 1 through 4. 00:02:19.400 --> 00:02:25.640 And then I'm going to impress upon you the power of the gospel, which is going to come later 00:02:25.640 --> 00:02:27.520 on in 1 Corinthians 15. 00:02:27.740 --> 00:02:29.280 You're going to see that in 8 through 11. 00:02:29.280 --> 00:02:35.300 And then I've saved a significant amount of time at the end of the sermon to point you 00:02:35.300 --> 00:02:41.620 to five practical steps to move out of your comfort zone towards others this summer. 00:02:41.620 --> 00:02:50.939 So, what I want you to see is that the gospel of Jesus Christ motivates the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:02:51.319 --> 00:02:57.280 When you understand what God and Christ has done for you, you're going to want to tell other people about it. 00:02:58.219 --> 00:03:04.620 So let's first look at the content of the gospel in 1 Corinthians 15. 00:03:04.620 --> 00:03:08.120 Chapter 15, 1, let's go 15, 1 through 8. 00:03:08.599 --> 00:03:12.480 Let me give you a little background of what's going on in 1 Corinthians. 00:03:12.939 --> 00:03:18.800 1 Corinthians, the apostle Paul is writing to a church in the first century in the city of Corinth. 00:03:19.520 --> 00:03:24.020 This group of Christians, they were immature and they were unhealthy. 00:03:24.020 --> 00:03:35.200 And Paul addresses issue after issue throughout this letter to this church to address issues that were of dissension and disunity. 00:03:35.900 --> 00:03:42.200 In fact, by the end of 1 Corinthians, he turns his attention to a small group of people in the church 00:03:42.200 --> 00:03:45.939 who believed that there was no resurrection from the dead. 00:03:46.900 --> 00:03:51.379 And so he's going to address that issue and correct that issue in 1 Corinthians 15 00:03:51.379 --> 00:03:55.539 by first explaining what the gospel is. 00:03:56.299 --> 00:03:57.699 And then he addresses it. 00:03:58.620 --> 00:04:01.240 And so if you look at 1 Corinthians 15, 1 and 2, he says, 00:04:01.620 --> 00:04:05.579 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, 00:04:05.659 --> 00:04:09.120 which you received and which you stand and by which you are being saved, 00:04:09.359 --> 00:04:12.199 if you hold fast to the word I preached to you unless you believed in vain. 00:04:12.199 --> 00:04:15.039 And so he's like, I'm going to tell you what the gospel is. 00:04:16.279 --> 00:04:17.939 Let's get on all the same page. 00:04:17.939 --> 00:04:25.180 Now when you hear that word gospel, here's what you need to understand about it. 00:04:25.420 --> 00:04:27.759 Originally, it was not a religious word. 00:04:29.259 --> 00:04:33.019 Remember back in the day, first century, they had no TVs. 00:04:34.240 --> 00:04:35.720 They had no radios. 00:04:36.540 --> 00:04:38.819 The internet wasn't discovered yet. 00:04:40.000 --> 00:04:41.800 There were no smartphones. 00:04:41.800 --> 00:04:49.600 And so when something good happened, there would be a herald, an announcer, 00:04:50.240 --> 00:04:55.600 that would go from town to town heralding the good news of something that has happened. 00:04:57.819 --> 00:05:04.100 And so in its most general basic sense, gospel is the announcement of good news. 00:05:04.160 --> 00:05:04.960 And it could be anything. 00:05:05.560 --> 00:05:08.259 So do you remember when the Cubs won the World Series a couple years ago? 00:05:08.259 --> 00:05:10.579 It was gospel. 00:05:11.180 --> 00:05:11.819 Cubs win. 00:05:13.319 --> 00:05:14.480 They're victorious. 00:05:16.300 --> 00:05:18.439 It was gospel to Cubs fans everywhere. 00:05:18.680 --> 00:05:19.860 Made believers out of many. 00:05:21.779 --> 00:05:30.079 Or maybe you've seen pictures, old black and white photos of 1945 and people holding up newspapers that says, 00:05:30.539 --> 00:05:31.459 it's VE Day. 00:05:32.659 --> 00:05:33.719 It's gospel. 00:05:34.000 --> 00:05:35.719 It's the announcement of good news. 00:05:36.139 --> 00:05:37.019 Victory in Europe. 00:05:37.019 --> 00:05:41.060 May 7th, Germany surrenders. 00:05:41.579 --> 00:05:43.019 Allies win in Europe. 00:05:44.539 --> 00:05:45.620 It's great rejoicing. 00:05:46.680 --> 00:05:51.279 And so that newspaper headline was gospel announcing. 00:05:51.579 --> 00:05:53.079 It's, this is what's happened. 00:05:55.799 --> 00:05:59.859 And so we see, even in our day, the gospel of economics. 00:06:00.039 --> 00:06:04.079 Every quarter, the Fed will either offer good news or not good news. 00:06:04.079 --> 00:06:07.680 There are gospel of medicine. 00:06:07.680 --> 00:06:09.959 A cure has been discovered. 00:06:10.079 --> 00:06:10.859 That's good news. 00:06:12.439 --> 00:06:13.699 Something has happened. 00:06:15.039 --> 00:06:18.539 So gospel simply means the announcement of good news. 00:06:18.979 --> 00:06:22.620 Something good has happened that you need to know about. 00:06:22.620 --> 00:06:34.879 Now, when it comes to 1 Corinthians 15 and the Christian gospel, it's all about Jesus Christ and what he has done. 00:06:34.879 --> 00:06:39.879 It's the good news of what Jesus Christ has accomplished. 00:06:39.879 --> 00:06:43.980 So, so good that everyone needs to know about it. 00:06:43.980 --> 00:06:50.200 And the good news of Jesus Christ, the Christian gospel, is not about athletics. 00:06:50.500 --> 00:06:52.759 It's not about politics, economics, or medicine. 00:06:53.439 --> 00:07:03.980 The gospel of Jesus Christ is the good news that sinners who were separated from God because of their sin have been reconciled. 00:07:03.980 --> 00:07:08.360 God has made a way through Christ to reunite them with God. 00:07:08.360 --> 00:07:16.040 And so it's this gospel that Paul spells out in 1 Corinthians 15, 3-4. 00:07:16.139 --> 00:07:18.840 We see the content of the gospel. 00:07:19.379 --> 00:07:21.080 What is to be proclaimed? 00:07:21.800 --> 00:07:26.319 What gets announced when we proclaim the gospel to other people? 00:07:26.699 --> 00:07:30.160 And we all need to be on the same page on it because simply saying, 00:07:30.160 --> 00:07:32.880 Hey, God loves you and offers a wonderful plan for your life. 00:07:32.960 --> 00:07:34.320 That's not the gospel. 00:07:36.820 --> 00:07:39.280 It's saying true things, but it's not the gospel. 00:07:41.920 --> 00:07:49.040 So in 1 Corinthians 15, 3-4, Paul points us to the content of the gospel. 00:07:49.340 --> 00:07:53.160 What Jesus has done to reconcile sinners to God. 00:07:53.260 --> 00:07:59.379 And I want to show you to see three all-important truths in verses 3 and 4 of the Christian gospel. 00:07:59.379 --> 00:08:01.279 You see it, first of all, in this. 00:08:02.420 --> 00:08:04.219 The gospel is all about Jesus. 00:08:06.240 --> 00:08:07.040 Verse 3, 00:08:07.159 --> 00:08:10.180 For I deliver to you as of first importance what I also received, 00:08:10.819 --> 00:08:14.680 that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, 00:08:15.139 --> 00:08:17.360 that He, Christ, was buried, 00:08:17.740 --> 00:08:21.379 that He, Christ, was raised on the third day in accordance to the scriptures. 00:08:22.180 --> 00:08:27.339 What you see in the Christian gospel is a message of good news 00:08:27.339 --> 00:08:31.019 that is centered on the person of Jesus Christ. 00:08:31.019 --> 00:08:36.439 And did you notice in verse 3 that Paul calls Jesus Christ? 00:08:37.439 --> 00:08:39.220 It's not His last name. 00:08:40.759 --> 00:08:42.000 It's a title. 00:08:43.439 --> 00:08:46.220 It means Messiah, anointed one. 00:08:46.220 --> 00:08:52.019 The Old Testament, from very early on, spoke repeatedly, 00:08:52.220 --> 00:08:55.920 anticipating one sent from God, a Messiah king, 00:08:56.000 --> 00:09:01.279 who would come and deliver God's people and establish a kingdom on earth. 00:09:01.639 --> 00:09:07.920 This long-awaited Messiah was God's hero to deliver His people. 00:09:07.919 --> 00:09:13.779 And what you see in the book of Acts is that Paul goes from city to city, 00:09:14.139 --> 00:09:16.939 from synagogue, Jewish synagogue after Jewish synagogue, 00:09:17.219 --> 00:09:20.399 and he is arguing to those Jews that will listen 00:09:20.399 --> 00:09:25.500 that Jesus of Nazareth is the hero, the Christ. 00:09:25.500 --> 00:09:29.879 It's all about Jesus. 00:09:30.399 --> 00:09:32.600 The Christian gospel is all about Jesus, 00:09:32.799 --> 00:09:35.899 but it's not just about who Jesus is. 00:09:36.159 --> 00:09:37.899 It is that, but it's more. 00:09:38.379 --> 00:09:40.799 And so the second all-important truth you need to see 00:09:40.799 --> 00:09:46.960 is that the Christian gospel is all about what Jesus has done. 00:09:49.059 --> 00:09:50.039 Past tense. 00:09:51.419 --> 00:09:52.019 Finished. 00:09:52.019 --> 00:09:58.819 You see that in the past tense verbs in verses 3 and 4. 00:10:00.079 --> 00:10:02.639 For I deliver to you as first importance what I also received, 00:10:02.779 --> 00:10:06.879 that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 00:10:07.259 --> 00:10:10.939 that He, Christ, was buried past tense, 00:10:11.120 --> 00:10:14.759 and that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 00:10:15.279 --> 00:10:16.100 past tense. 00:10:16.299 --> 00:10:18.559 These are all things that have happened. 00:10:19.960 --> 00:10:20.399 Done. 00:10:20.399 --> 00:10:20.519 Done. 00:10:21.860 --> 00:10:22.459 Historic. 00:10:23.779 --> 00:10:24.379 Facts. 00:10:24.879 --> 00:10:25.959 Objective realities. 00:10:26.779 --> 00:10:28.919 That every Christian can point to and say, 00:10:29.139 --> 00:10:30.100 it really happened. 00:10:31.319 --> 00:10:33.120 The Christ was crucified, 00:10:33.840 --> 00:10:34.340 dead, 00:10:34.740 --> 00:10:35.079 buried, 00:10:35.459 --> 00:10:35.939 raised. 00:10:37.699 --> 00:10:38.860 Here's the significance. 00:10:39.480 --> 00:10:40.740 He died for our sins. 00:10:41.539 --> 00:10:44.960 What this raises is humanity's greatest problem. 00:10:44.960 --> 00:10:47.780 Our greatest problem is that sin, 00:10:47.960 --> 00:10:48.420 our sin, 00:10:48.480 --> 00:10:50.460 has separated us from the living God. 00:10:50.860 --> 00:10:52.420 And so we are under His judgment. 00:10:52.879 --> 00:10:53.580 And so when Jesus, 00:10:53.800 --> 00:10:55.740 we learn in 1 Corinthians 15, 3, 00:10:55.800 --> 00:10:56.840 that He died for our sin, 00:10:56.920 --> 00:10:58.480 that the Christ died for our sins, 00:10:58.900 --> 00:11:00.060 our hero, 00:11:00.259 --> 00:11:01.920 who was sinless, 00:11:02.320 --> 00:11:03.820 died as a substitute 00:11:03.820 --> 00:11:06.519 in our place for our sins. 00:11:06.519 --> 00:11:10.019 That is how God saves people. 00:11:12.980 --> 00:11:14.419 He died for us. 00:11:14.500 --> 00:11:15.439 In Mark 10, 45, 00:11:15.620 --> 00:11:16.059 Jesus says, 00:11:16.159 --> 00:11:17.699 I came not to be served, 00:11:17.759 --> 00:11:18.299 but to serve, 00:11:18.439 --> 00:11:22.079 and to give my life as a ransom payment for many. 00:11:23.079 --> 00:11:25.059 The sinless Son of God 00:11:25.059 --> 00:11:27.360 hung on a cross 00:11:27.360 --> 00:11:30.500 and died for the sins of all those who would believe in Him. 00:11:30.500 --> 00:11:34.659 He's the perfect mediator between God and man. 00:11:34.899 --> 00:11:36.700 He died for our sins, 00:11:36.840 --> 00:11:39.000 but that's just one aspect of the gospel. 00:11:39.360 --> 00:11:40.779 He was also buried. 00:11:43.299 --> 00:11:45.559 In fulfillment of Isaiah 53, 9, 00:11:45.639 --> 00:11:47.759 He was buried in the tomb of a rich man, 00:11:47.899 --> 00:11:49.279 Joseph of Arimathea. 00:11:50.100 --> 00:11:52.100 If after Jesus was crucified, 00:11:52.519 --> 00:11:54.500 you rolled out your EKG machine 00:11:54.500 --> 00:11:57.019 and you hicked it up to Jesus' body in the tomb, 00:11:57.019 --> 00:11:58.899 it would be flatline. 00:12:00.500 --> 00:12:03.200 Dead. 00:12:05.100 --> 00:12:08.200 The point of Paul saying he was buried 00:12:08.200 --> 00:12:10.539 points back to Isaiah 53, 9 00:12:10.539 --> 00:12:12.279 and also communicates, 00:12:12.740 --> 00:12:15.120 hey, there was no life in his body whatsoever. 00:12:19.799 --> 00:12:22.559 He died for our sins. 00:12:22.919 --> 00:12:24.019 He was buried. 00:12:24.980 --> 00:12:25.580 And then third, 00:12:25.580 --> 00:12:27.700 this historic fact, 00:12:27.899 --> 00:12:29.899 he was raised on the third day. 00:12:30.500 --> 00:12:34.419 It's an extraordinary claim. 00:12:37.919 --> 00:12:39.440 If you've grown up in the church, 00:12:39.860 --> 00:12:42.519 the teaching that Jesus was raised from the dead, 00:12:42.600 --> 00:12:45.200 it can kind of be like wallpaper on the church building. 00:12:45.360 --> 00:12:46.779 It's kind of like, okay, I'm used to that, 00:12:46.879 --> 00:12:47.399 familiar with that. 00:12:47.460 --> 00:12:50.539 But when you start realizing what the actual claim is, 00:12:50.899 --> 00:12:52.620 the gospel that we proclaim 00:12:52.620 --> 00:12:54.059 is that the Christ, 00:12:54.059 --> 00:12:55.299 the long-awaited hero, 00:12:55.679 --> 00:12:56.759 he, the sinless one, 00:12:56.860 --> 00:12:57.679 died for sinners, 00:12:57.820 --> 00:12:59.519 was buried to fulfill a prophecy, 00:12:59.519 --> 00:13:01.620 and then was raised to fulfill a prophecy, 00:13:01.939 --> 00:13:03.079 and raised from the dead, 00:13:05.799 --> 00:13:07.840 you're proclaiming a miracle. 00:13:09.500 --> 00:13:12.120 You're declaring something supernatural. 00:13:13.079 --> 00:13:16.039 Because we all know that dead people 00:13:16.039 --> 00:13:18.779 typically don't rise from the dead, 00:13:19.019 --> 00:13:20.879 especially those who say, 00:13:20.879 --> 00:13:23.539 I'm going to raise from the dead three days after I die, 00:13:23.600 --> 00:13:24.360 and then do it. 00:13:29.059 --> 00:13:30.159 So on Friday, 00:13:30.559 --> 00:13:32.220 Jesus died for sin, 00:13:32.519 --> 00:13:34.299 payment made, 00:13:34.539 --> 00:13:35.259 and on Sunday, 00:13:35.419 --> 00:13:37.460 Jesus was raised from the dead, 00:13:37.580 --> 00:13:38.939 which communicates 00:13:38.939 --> 00:13:40.559 that that payment of sin 00:13:40.559 --> 00:13:42.559 was fully accepted by God, 00:13:42.559 --> 00:13:44.320 and this Savior 00:13:44.320 --> 00:13:46.000 is fully vindicated. 00:13:47.159 --> 00:13:48.399 Victorious over sin, 00:13:48.639 --> 00:13:48.879 death, 00:13:48.879 --> 00:13:49.360 and the devil. 00:13:53.580 --> 00:13:55.039 It's all about Jesus, 00:13:55.340 --> 00:13:55.939 this gospel, 00:13:56.439 --> 00:13:58.240 and it's all about what Jesus has done. 00:13:59.179 --> 00:14:00.340 So the picture is 00:14:00.340 --> 00:14:01.840 of us showing up 00:14:01.840 --> 00:14:03.279 and declaring to people, 00:14:03.620 --> 00:14:04.559 did you know 00:14:04.559 --> 00:14:06.200 that the long-awaited hero, 00:14:06.480 --> 00:14:08.500 he died for sin, 00:14:08.899 --> 00:14:09.259 buried, 00:14:09.519 --> 00:14:10.980 and he's alive today. 00:14:11.059 --> 00:14:12.519 He was raised three days later. 00:14:12.740 --> 00:14:14.100 That's the gospel. 00:14:14.100 --> 00:14:17.860 And then do you know what Paul does 00:14:17.860 --> 00:14:19.080 in verses five through eight? 00:14:20.420 --> 00:14:21.460 In this text, 00:14:21.759 --> 00:14:23.379 Paul does something really interesting. 00:14:23.820 --> 00:14:24.820 Here, let me just read it for you. 00:14:25.960 --> 00:14:27.139 He was raised on the third day 00:14:27.139 --> 00:14:28.040 in accordance with the scriptures, 00:14:28.159 --> 00:14:28.620 verse four, 00:14:28.980 --> 00:14:29.500 verse five, 00:14:29.879 --> 00:14:31.720 and that he appeared to Cephas, 00:14:31.879 --> 00:14:32.980 that's another name for Peter, 00:14:33.139 --> 00:14:33.860 then to the twelve, 00:14:34.220 --> 00:14:35.920 then he appeared to more than 500 brothers 00:14:35.920 --> 00:14:36.639 at one time, 00:14:36.899 --> 00:14:38.720 most of whom are still alive, 00:14:38.800 --> 00:14:39.940 although some have fallen asleep, 00:14:40.259 --> 00:14:41.360 then he appeared to James, 00:14:41.460 --> 00:14:42.340 then to all the apostles, 00:14:42.340 --> 00:14:43.040 last of all, 00:14:43.120 --> 00:14:44.139 as to one untimely board, 00:14:44.500 --> 00:14:45.560 he appeared to me. 00:14:45.620 --> 00:14:46.360 Do you see what he does? 00:14:48.740 --> 00:14:49.340 Paul says, 00:14:49.519 --> 00:14:51.639 oh, this is a historic reality. 00:14:51.759 --> 00:14:52.160 In fact, 00:14:52.379 --> 00:14:54.379 let me roll out 500 witnesses for you 00:14:54.379 --> 00:14:55.700 that you can actually talk to. 00:14:55.759 --> 00:14:56.840 If Paul had a smartphone, 00:14:57.259 --> 00:14:57.759 he'd be like, 00:14:57.980 --> 00:14:59.280 hey, do you want to talk to, 00:14:59.280 --> 00:14:59.660 you know, 00:14:59.800 --> 00:15:00.920 Cephas or James 00:15:00.920 --> 00:15:01.700 or one of those 500? 00:15:02.060 --> 00:15:03.820 Hey, I can share the contact with you. 00:15:03.879 --> 00:15:04.920 You can reach out to them 00:15:04.920 --> 00:15:06.160 because in verse six, 00:15:06.240 --> 00:15:07.639 most of them are still alive anyway. 00:15:07.960 --> 00:15:09.940 You can hear from them yourself 00:15:09.940 --> 00:15:11.840 how they saw Jesus 00:15:11.840 --> 00:15:13.540 after he was raised from the dead. 00:15:13.879 --> 00:15:15.660 It's eyewitness accounts. 00:15:16.740 --> 00:15:18.019 The point is this. 00:15:18.560 --> 00:15:20.000 It's a historic event. 00:15:22.139 --> 00:15:25.480 We don't proclaim wishful thinking. 00:15:26.800 --> 00:15:29.780 We proclaim objective realities. 00:15:31.360 --> 00:15:32.540 The gospel is something 00:15:32.540 --> 00:15:33.639 that Christ has done. 00:15:35.660 --> 00:15:36.639 And in verse eight, 00:15:37.539 --> 00:15:38.259 Paul says, 00:15:38.639 --> 00:15:39.240 last of all, 00:15:39.319 --> 00:15:40.559 as once and timely born, 00:15:40.659 --> 00:15:41.659 he appeared also to me. 00:15:41.740 --> 00:15:43.519 Do you see what he's saying? 00:15:45.399 --> 00:15:46.740 I'm writing you this 00:15:46.740 --> 00:15:50.100 and I myself have seen Jesus 00:15:50.100 --> 00:15:51.779 after he was raised from the dead. 00:15:52.879 --> 00:15:54.500 I am an eyewitness. 00:15:54.500 --> 00:15:57.179 And you know what? 00:15:57.220 --> 00:15:58.879 You can read of that eyewitness account 00:15:58.879 --> 00:16:00.519 in Acts chapter nine 00:16:00.519 --> 00:16:03.600 when Paul has this very interesting encounter 00:16:03.600 --> 00:16:05.019 with the risen Christ 00:16:05.019 --> 00:16:07.200 on the road to Damascus. 00:16:10.799 --> 00:16:13.259 These historical facts about Jesus, 00:16:13.419 --> 00:16:14.919 his death, burial, and resurrection, 00:16:15.480 --> 00:16:18.980 this is what's accomplished our salvation. 00:16:19.200 --> 00:16:22.279 This is what reconciles sinners to God. 00:16:22.279 --> 00:16:25.000 It's the heart of the gospel. 00:16:26.699 --> 00:16:30.039 So we've seen that it's all about Jesus 00:16:30.039 --> 00:16:34.339 and it's all about what Jesus has past tense done. 00:16:34.839 --> 00:16:36.639 We proclaim something that's happened. 00:16:38.759 --> 00:16:39.339 And then third, 00:16:39.480 --> 00:16:41.240 I want you to see this all important truth 00:16:41.240 --> 00:16:44.939 is that it's all according to God's plan 00:16:44.939 --> 00:16:46.199 for the fullness of time. 00:16:47.500 --> 00:16:49.639 Did you notice in verses three and four 00:16:49.639 --> 00:16:51.759 that Jesus, that Christ died 00:16:51.759 --> 00:16:52.960 in accordance with the scriptures? 00:16:54.100 --> 00:16:55.960 That on the third day he was raised 00:16:55.960 --> 00:16:57.259 in accordance with the scriptures? 00:16:58.799 --> 00:17:00.699 Christ's death, burial, and resurrection? 00:17:01.399 --> 00:17:03.899 These are not random events. 00:17:05.779 --> 00:17:09.519 These are actually the purposed fulfillments 00:17:09.519 --> 00:17:10.839 of God's plan, 00:17:11.279 --> 00:17:13.639 fulfilling a passage like Isaiah 53, 3-12, 00:17:13.639 --> 00:17:17.559 where the Messiah dies on behalf of others. 00:17:17.559 --> 00:17:19.440 He's buried in a rich man's tomb, 00:17:20.179 --> 00:17:22.059 and then he's vindicated resurrection. 00:17:26.119 --> 00:17:27.440 But here's what you need to see. 00:17:27.579 --> 00:17:29.539 If this is according to the scriptures, 00:17:29.639 --> 00:17:31.359 that means it's according to a plan. 00:17:31.720 --> 00:17:33.059 God had this plan set out 00:17:33.059 --> 00:17:34.759 from before the foundation of the world. 00:17:36.299 --> 00:17:37.619 And so in order for Jesus 00:17:37.619 --> 00:17:40.859 to fulfill something written 700 plus years 00:17:40.859 --> 00:17:42.639 before he walked the earth in Isaiah, 00:17:43.299 --> 00:17:45.220 that means that there was something else 00:17:45.220 --> 00:17:46.919 going on to orchestrate it all. 00:17:47.880 --> 00:17:49.779 That God had a sovereign plan 00:17:49.779 --> 00:17:51.000 that he is carrying out 00:17:51.000 --> 00:17:52.519 to rescue sinners. 00:17:52.640 --> 00:17:54.480 What the Old Testament anticipated, 00:17:54.980 --> 00:17:56.539 Jesus Christ accomplished. 00:17:59.140 --> 00:18:00.880 And so this, according to the scriptures, 00:18:01.120 --> 00:18:03.279 reveals a plan for the fullness of time. 00:18:03.500 --> 00:18:04.519 And when there's a plan, 00:18:04.700 --> 00:18:05.800 there's intentionality. 00:18:06.019 --> 00:18:07.259 And when there's intentionality, 00:18:07.360 --> 00:18:08.019 there's a motive. 00:18:08.019 --> 00:18:12.279 Do you know what the motive is of this plan? 00:18:12.279 --> 00:18:16.180 For God so loved the world 00:18:16.180 --> 00:18:19.379 that he gave his one and only son, 00:18:20.619 --> 00:18:22.399 that whoever believes in him 00:18:22.399 --> 00:18:24.379 shall not perish but have eternal life. 00:18:25.879 --> 00:18:28.899 God loves this world, 00:18:29.019 --> 00:18:30.319 the sinners of this world, 00:18:30.379 --> 00:18:33.079 and he wants to reconcile them to himself, 00:18:33.079 --> 00:18:37.799 which gets at the goal of this plan. 00:18:41.139 --> 00:18:42.859 The goal of this plan 00:18:42.859 --> 00:18:45.079 is not your self-esteem. 00:18:46.679 --> 00:18:48.559 The goal of this plan 00:18:48.559 --> 00:18:52.419 is for you to be reconciled to God. 00:18:52.420 --> 00:18:55.039 Hear the word of God. 00:18:55.140 --> 00:18:56.460 1 Peter 3.18 00:18:56.460 --> 00:19:01.100 For Christ also suffered once for sins, 00:19:01.180 --> 00:19:02.560 the righteous for the unrighteous, 00:19:03.279 --> 00:19:09.560 that he might bring us to God. 00:19:09.559 --> 00:19:12.000 The goal of the gospel 00:19:12.000 --> 00:19:13.899 is God 00:19:13.899 --> 00:19:16.500 to reconcile us 00:19:16.500 --> 00:19:17.940 to God 00:19:17.940 --> 00:19:21.139 so that we can see him for who he is 00:19:21.139 --> 00:19:22.899 and give him the praise and glory 00:19:22.899 --> 00:19:23.899 due his name, 00:19:23.980 --> 00:19:25.399 that we could live lives 00:19:25.399 --> 00:19:27.179 that actually please him. 00:19:29.379 --> 00:19:31.279 This morning, I just want to remind you 00:19:31.279 --> 00:19:34.179 of the content of the gospel. 00:19:34.359 --> 00:19:35.099 It's all about Jesus. 00:19:35.220 --> 00:19:35.839 He's the Christ. 00:19:35.980 --> 00:19:37.339 It's all about what he has done, 00:19:37.879 --> 00:19:39.379 died, buried, raised, 00:19:39.559 --> 00:19:41.259 and it's all about God's plan 00:19:41.259 --> 00:19:42.299 for the fullness of time. 00:19:42.700 --> 00:19:46.679 The goal is to reconcile sinners to God. 00:19:49.980 --> 00:19:52.159 You know, you all know this already 00:19:52.159 --> 00:19:53.859 because you're probably all Packers fans 00:19:53.859 --> 00:19:55.119 with the exception of a couple of you 00:19:55.119 --> 00:19:55.919 who are Bears fans, 00:19:56.000 --> 00:19:57.519 maybe one of you who's a Seahawks fan. 00:20:02.619 --> 00:20:03.480 Vince Lombardi, 00:20:03.559 --> 00:20:04.599 at the beginning of every season, 00:20:04.700 --> 00:20:08.240 would gather his Packers football club together 00:20:08.240 --> 00:20:09.539 and he would hold up a football 00:20:09.539 --> 00:20:10.620 and say to those men, 00:20:10.819 --> 00:20:11.539 this is a football. 00:20:13.039 --> 00:20:14.140 Start with the basics. 00:20:14.620 --> 00:20:15.400 What he's saying is, 00:20:15.779 --> 00:20:17.400 this game has everything to do 00:20:17.400 --> 00:20:19.299 with the movement of this ball. 00:20:20.359 --> 00:20:21.220 And this morning, 00:20:21.460 --> 00:20:23.680 at the outset of the summer of 2019, 00:20:24.039 --> 00:20:26.500 I am holding up the gospel to you. 00:20:27.880 --> 00:20:30.359 Christ died, buried, raised. 00:20:30.359 --> 00:20:33.380 It's all about the movement of this gospel 00:20:33.380 --> 00:20:37.380 and how you can maximize it this summer. 00:20:40.020 --> 00:20:41.400 I have in my notes here 00:20:41.400 --> 00:20:43.780 to correct a common misunderstanding. 00:20:44.780 --> 00:20:46.080 I'm not going to expand on it 00:20:46.080 --> 00:20:46.880 for the sake of time, 00:20:46.960 --> 00:20:48.160 but I can tell you what it is. 00:20:49.060 --> 00:20:51.680 There are a bunch of people out there 00:20:51.680 --> 00:20:52.900 who say things like this. 00:20:52.960 --> 00:20:54.120 They think that they're quoting 00:20:54.120 --> 00:20:55.380 Francis of Assisi. 00:20:55.680 --> 00:20:56.120 They say, 00:20:56.460 --> 00:20:57.420 proclaim the gospel 00:20:57.420 --> 00:20:58.840 and if you have to, 00:20:58.960 --> 00:20:59.800 use words. 00:20:59.799 --> 00:21:02.359 It couldn't be further from the truth. 00:21:03.379 --> 00:21:03.919 First of all, 00:21:03.980 --> 00:21:05.319 Francis of Assisi never said it. 00:21:06.159 --> 00:21:06.639 And second, 00:21:07.399 --> 00:21:09.579 we don't proclaim the gospel 00:21:09.579 --> 00:21:11.359 with our actions. 00:21:11.539 --> 00:21:13.859 Our actions will either verify 00:21:13.859 --> 00:21:15.359 or deny the gospel, 00:21:15.700 --> 00:21:17.279 but we proclaim the gospel 00:21:17.279 --> 00:21:18.200 with our mouths. 00:21:21.379 --> 00:21:22.779 Nobody's going to become a Christian 00:21:22.779 --> 00:21:24.079 by watching your life. 00:21:25.639 --> 00:21:27.019 But people will become Christians 00:21:27.019 --> 00:21:28.799 when they see your life, 00:21:29.619 --> 00:21:30.680 verifies the gospel, 00:21:30.799 --> 00:21:31.139 and they say, 00:21:31.259 --> 00:21:31.339 hey, 00:21:31.839 --> 00:21:33.480 how can I be saved? 00:21:34.259 --> 00:21:36.259 How can I live for God like that? 00:21:36.460 --> 00:21:38.079 And you're able to tell them 00:21:38.079 --> 00:21:39.839 the good news 00:21:39.839 --> 00:21:41.900 of what Christ has done for them 00:21:41.900 --> 00:21:43.980 in order to reconcile them to God. 00:21:46.879 --> 00:21:47.359 Okay. 00:21:49.099 --> 00:21:50.379 We've got to be square 00:21:50.379 --> 00:21:51.859 on the content of the gospel. 00:21:51.859 --> 00:21:54.419 And this summer 00:21:54.419 --> 00:21:55.159 is going to be 00:21:55.159 --> 00:21:56.719 an unprecedented opportunity 00:21:56.719 --> 00:21:57.759 to proclaim it. 00:21:59.279 --> 00:22:00.379 We've got to be clear 00:22:00.379 --> 00:22:01.099 on the content, 00:22:01.379 --> 00:22:03.039 but now I want to impress upon you 00:22:03.039 --> 00:22:04.899 the power of the gospel. 00:22:06.459 --> 00:22:07.819 In my desire right now, 00:22:08.119 --> 00:22:09.359 when we look at this, 00:22:09.859 --> 00:22:12.479 I want you to sense something. 00:22:13.379 --> 00:22:14.759 I want you to sense 00:22:14.759 --> 00:22:16.719 that this message of the gospel 00:22:16.719 --> 00:22:18.879 is God's power. 00:22:18.880 --> 00:22:21.880 that the gospel alone 00:22:21.880 --> 00:22:22.820 can do something 00:22:22.820 --> 00:22:24.080 that nothing else can. 00:22:25.380 --> 00:22:26.740 There's nothing else 00:22:26.740 --> 00:22:27.440 on the planet 00:22:27.440 --> 00:22:28.400 or in the universe 00:22:28.400 --> 00:22:30.200 that is able to reconcile 00:22:30.200 --> 00:22:31.060 a sinner 00:22:31.060 --> 00:22:32.700 to a holy God. 00:22:36.160 --> 00:22:37.520 So let me impress upon you 00:22:37.520 --> 00:22:38.500 the power of the gospel. 00:22:39.900 --> 00:22:41.240 In chapter 15 00:22:41.240 --> 00:22:42.840 of 1 Corinthians 3-8, 00:22:42.940 --> 00:22:43.920 Paul kind of walks through 00:22:43.920 --> 00:22:45.200 the content of the gospel, 00:22:45.380 --> 00:22:47.100 and then in verse 8-11, 00:22:47.260 --> 00:22:47.860 he turns, 00:22:47.960 --> 00:22:48.620 he pivots. 00:22:48.880 --> 00:22:50.400 And the gospel 00:22:50.400 --> 00:22:52.460 gets extremely personal. 00:22:53.580 --> 00:22:54.100 Did you notice 00:22:54.100 --> 00:22:55.940 the shift in language 00:22:55.940 --> 00:22:57.560 to first person plural, 00:22:57.820 --> 00:22:58.660 first person singular? 00:22:59.420 --> 00:23:00.040 Here's what I mean. 00:23:00.380 --> 00:23:00.980 Last of all, 00:23:01.060 --> 00:23:02.160 as to one untimely born, 00:23:02.300 --> 00:23:03.580 he appeared also to me. 00:23:05.380 --> 00:23:06.940 For I am the least 00:23:06.940 --> 00:23:07.580 of the apostles 00:23:07.580 --> 00:23:08.500 and worthy to be called 00:23:08.500 --> 00:23:08.960 an apostle 00:23:08.960 --> 00:23:10.260 because I persecuted 00:23:10.260 --> 00:23:10.980 the church of God. 00:23:11.260 --> 00:23:12.360 But by the grace of God, 00:23:12.440 --> 00:23:13.340 I am what I am, 00:23:13.560 --> 00:23:14.900 and his grace toward me 00:23:14.900 --> 00:23:15.880 was not in vain. 00:23:15.960 --> 00:23:16.560 On the contrary, 00:23:16.720 --> 00:23:17.480 I worked harder 00:23:17.480 --> 00:23:18.200 than any of them, 00:23:18.200 --> 00:23:19.200 though it was not I, 00:23:19.259 --> 00:23:20.000 but the grace of God 00:23:20.000 --> 00:23:21.120 that is with me. 00:23:21.779 --> 00:23:22.620 Whether then it was 00:23:22.620 --> 00:23:23.600 I or they, 00:23:24.259 --> 00:23:24.980 so we preach 00:23:24.980 --> 00:23:25.660 and you believe. 00:23:27.120 --> 00:23:28.240 It gets personal. 00:23:30.140 --> 00:23:32.220 Paul knew something 00:23:32.220 --> 00:23:33.480 about the power 00:23:33.480 --> 00:23:34.600 of this message 00:23:34.600 --> 00:23:35.200 firsthand. 00:23:35.200 --> 00:23:35.880 First hand. 00:23:35.880 --> 00:23:40.640 earlier in the book 00:23:40.640 --> 00:23:41.360 of 1 Corinthians, 00:23:41.360 --> 00:23:42.400 if you want to flip back 00:23:42.400 --> 00:23:44.080 to 1 Corinthians 1, 00:23:45.260 --> 00:23:46.700 verse 18, 00:23:47.660 --> 00:23:48.960 Paul talks about 00:23:48.960 --> 00:23:50.140 the gospel 00:23:50.140 --> 00:23:51.180 in the most interesting 00:23:51.180 --> 00:23:51.640 of ways. 00:23:52.040 --> 00:23:52.440 He says, 00:23:52.800 --> 00:23:53.820 for the word of the cross, 00:23:54.080 --> 00:23:54.520 verse 18, 00:23:54.620 --> 00:23:55.320 the word of the cross, 00:23:55.440 --> 00:23:56.020 another way of talking 00:23:56.020 --> 00:23:56.600 about the gospel, 00:23:57.260 --> 00:23:58.080 is folly 00:23:58.080 --> 00:23:59.140 to those who are perishing. 00:23:59.480 --> 00:24:00.540 It's stupid 00:24:00.540 --> 00:24:01.400 to people 00:24:01.400 --> 00:24:02.920 who don't have a heart 00:24:02.920 --> 00:24:03.700 to believe it. 00:24:03.700 --> 00:24:05.880 But to us 00:24:05.880 --> 00:24:07.360 who are being saved, 00:24:07.580 --> 00:24:08.580 who actually believe 00:24:08.580 --> 00:24:09.140 the gospel, 00:24:09.640 --> 00:24:11.140 it is the power 00:24:11.140 --> 00:24:11.799 of God. 00:24:15.080 --> 00:24:16.460 God's power 00:24:16.460 --> 00:24:19.400 explodes 00:24:19.400 --> 00:24:21.380 through the message 00:24:21.380 --> 00:24:22.160 of the gospel. 00:24:23.960 --> 00:24:24.340 Do you remember 00:24:24.340 --> 00:24:25.259 Romans 1, 16? 00:24:25.460 --> 00:24:25.840 Paul says, 00:24:25.980 --> 00:24:26.799 I am not ashamed 00:24:26.799 --> 00:24:27.480 of the gospel. 00:24:27.480 --> 00:24:30.360 the objective reality 00:24:30.360 --> 00:24:31.400 of who Christ is 00:24:31.400 --> 00:24:32.299 and what he's done. 00:24:33.299 --> 00:24:33.759 Died, 00:24:33.940 --> 00:24:34.200 buried, 00:24:34.380 --> 00:24:34.799 raised. 00:24:35.480 --> 00:24:36.559 This gospel 00:24:36.559 --> 00:24:37.960 is God's power 00:24:37.960 --> 00:24:38.860 unto salvation 00:24:38.860 --> 00:24:39.860 for all who believe. 00:24:40.620 --> 00:24:41.200 So here's what 00:24:41.200 --> 00:24:42.099 I want to put before you. 00:24:43.319 --> 00:24:44.039 The gospel 00:24:44.039 --> 00:24:45.480 is not just 00:24:45.480 --> 00:24:46.220 a set 00:24:46.220 --> 00:24:47.339 of historic 00:24:47.339 --> 00:24:48.700 objective realities 00:24:48.700 --> 00:24:50.079 about who Jesus is 00:24:50.079 --> 00:24:50.779 and what he's done. 00:24:51.099 --> 00:24:51.980 It is that, 00:24:52.120 --> 00:24:53.299 but it's not just that. 00:24:54.539 --> 00:24:55.500 The gospel, 00:24:55.500 --> 00:24:56.680 this message 00:24:56.680 --> 00:24:57.900 about who Jesus is 00:24:57.900 --> 00:24:58.859 and what he's done, 00:24:59.240 --> 00:25:01.460 it is God's power 00:25:01.460 --> 00:25:03.799 to save. 00:25:09.920 --> 00:25:11.539 It's God's power 00:25:11.539 --> 00:25:14.240 to save, 00:25:14.519 --> 00:25:15.119 transform, 00:25:16.079 --> 00:25:16.759 and enable. 00:25:18.319 --> 00:25:19.680 In this passage, 00:25:19.819 --> 00:25:21.579 in 1 Corinthians 15, 00:25:21.980 --> 00:25:22.420 Paul 00:25:22.420 --> 00:25:23.880 doesn't use 00:25:23.880 --> 00:25:24.620 the word power. 00:25:25.480 --> 00:25:26.640 He uses another word. 00:25:27.240 --> 00:25:27.500 It's used, 00:25:27.720 --> 00:25:28.460 repeated three times. 00:25:28.519 --> 00:25:29.779 You probably saw it. 00:25:30.800 --> 00:25:31.980 Look at verse 10. 00:25:33.600 --> 00:25:34.900 But by the grace 00:25:34.900 --> 00:25:35.779 of God, 00:25:35.880 --> 00:25:36.980 I am what I am. 00:25:37.600 --> 00:25:38.759 And his grace 00:25:38.759 --> 00:25:39.460 toward me 00:25:39.460 --> 00:25:40.380 was not in vain. 00:25:41.100 --> 00:25:41.820 But the grace 00:25:41.820 --> 00:25:42.440 of God 00:25:42.440 --> 00:25:43.340 that is with me, 00:25:43.480 --> 00:25:43.900 grace, 00:25:44.340 --> 00:25:44.660 grace, 00:25:44.759 --> 00:25:44.920 grace, 00:25:45.039 --> 00:25:45.440 grace. 00:25:46.460 --> 00:25:47.000 Paul, 00:25:47.700 --> 00:25:48.820 throughout his writings, 00:25:49.100 --> 00:25:49.759 will use 00:25:49.759 --> 00:25:51.019 God's power 00:25:51.019 --> 00:25:52.599 and God's grace 00:25:52.599 --> 00:25:54.619 virtually synonymously. 00:25:56.299 --> 00:25:57.640 And what God's grace 00:25:57.640 --> 00:25:58.480 emphasizes 00:25:58.480 --> 00:25:59.920 is God's 00:25:59.920 --> 00:26:01.220 loving motive 00:26:01.220 --> 00:26:02.640 in the exercise 00:26:02.640 --> 00:26:03.640 of his power. 00:26:04.799 --> 00:26:05.700 Think about it this way. 00:26:06.079 --> 00:26:06.799 Through the gospel 00:26:06.799 --> 00:26:07.680 of Jesus Christ, 00:26:08.079 --> 00:26:09.180 God graciously 00:26:09.180 --> 00:26:10.879 exercises his power 00:26:10.879 --> 00:26:12.200 for the good 00:26:12.200 --> 00:26:12.920 of sinners. 00:26:14.539 --> 00:26:15.539 That's his grace. 00:26:15.539 --> 00:26:16.440 God's riches 00:26:16.440 --> 00:26:17.579 at Christ's expense. 00:26:17.579 --> 00:26:17.659 grace. 00:26:18.439 --> 00:26:19.779 It's a power. 00:26:20.220 --> 00:26:21.399 It gets stuff done. 00:26:21.799 --> 00:26:22.879 It saves. 00:26:23.919 --> 00:26:24.839 For by grace, 00:26:24.939 --> 00:26:25.519 you've been saved 00:26:25.519 --> 00:26:26.279 through faith. 00:26:29.099 --> 00:26:31.159 This gospel grace, 00:26:31.480 --> 00:26:32.240 this power, 00:26:32.539 --> 00:26:33.559 reconciles 00:26:33.559 --> 00:26:34.639 sinners to God 00:26:34.639 --> 00:26:35.139 so that 00:26:35.139 --> 00:26:36.019 a sinner, 00:26:36.339 --> 00:26:37.119 upon believing 00:26:37.119 --> 00:26:37.819 the gospel, 00:26:38.259 --> 00:26:39.419 has a whole new 00:26:39.419 --> 00:26:40.079 relationship 00:26:40.079 --> 00:26:40.980 with the living God. 00:26:41.419 --> 00:26:42.240 The sin 00:26:42.240 --> 00:26:43.220 that had separated 00:26:43.220 --> 00:26:43.899 them because 00:26:43.899 --> 00:26:44.619 of Christ's death, 00:26:44.619 --> 00:26:45.859 it removed 00:26:45.859 --> 00:26:46.799 the obstacle 00:26:46.799 --> 00:26:47.559 so that 00:26:47.559 --> 00:26:48.579 a sinner 00:26:48.579 --> 00:26:49.319 can now be 00:26:49.319 --> 00:26:49.680 in a new 00:26:49.680 --> 00:26:50.240 relationship 00:26:50.240 --> 00:26:51.059 with the living God 00:26:51.059 --> 00:26:52.579 without fear. 00:26:54.579 --> 00:26:55.559 He goes from 00:26:55.559 --> 00:26:56.339 being a rebel 00:26:56.339 --> 00:26:57.019 to a son 00:26:57.019 --> 00:26:57.579 or a daughter. 00:26:59.379 --> 00:27:00.119 Nothing else 00:27:00.119 --> 00:27:00.799 can do that. 00:27:01.619 --> 00:27:02.419 Brothers and sisters, 00:27:02.680 --> 00:27:03.539 there's nothing else 00:27:03.539 --> 00:27:04.399 that can do that 00:27:04.399 --> 00:27:05.119 but the gospel. 00:27:08.460 --> 00:27:09.180 Someone who 00:27:09.180 --> 00:27:10.139 believes the gospel, 00:27:11.339 --> 00:27:12.079 that God 00:27:12.079 --> 00:27:12.480 and Christ 00:27:12.480 --> 00:27:12.940 has done this 00:27:12.940 --> 00:27:13.460 for them, 00:27:14.079 --> 00:27:15.019 they believe that, 00:27:15.119 --> 00:27:15.639 their sins 00:27:15.640 --> 00:27:16.160 are forgiven, 00:27:16.320 --> 00:27:16.900 their eternity 00:27:16.900 --> 00:27:17.660 is changed, 00:27:17.960 --> 00:27:18.580 they're transferred 00:27:18.580 --> 00:27:19.200 from the kingdom 00:27:19.200 --> 00:27:19.700 of darkness 00:27:19.700 --> 00:27:20.440 into the kingdom 00:27:20.440 --> 00:27:21.360 of the beloved son. 00:27:21.820 --> 00:27:23.120 They are no longer 00:27:23.120 --> 00:27:24.460 indwelt and controlled 00:27:24.460 --> 00:27:26.220 only by their sinful nature 00:27:26.220 --> 00:27:27.280 but the spirit of God 00:27:27.280 --> 00:27:27.920 has come to live 00:27:27.920 --> 00:27:28.500 within them. 00:27:28.900 --> 00:27:29.820 They are a walking 00:27:29.820 --> 00:27:31.240 temple of the Holy Spirit. 00:27:32.620 --> 00:27:33.860 Instead of being hostile 00:27:33.860 --> 00:27:34.540 to God 00:27:34.540 --> 00:27:35.380 and being at enmity 00:27:35.380 --> 00:27:35.800 with them 00:27:35.800 --> 00:27:37.200 because of Christ's blood 00:27:37.200 --> 00:27:38.000 and his resurrection, 00:27:38.460 --> 00:27:39.500 we have peace 00:27:39.500 --> 00:27:40.560 now with God. 00:27:40.559 --> 00:27:41.240 God 00:27:41.240 --> 00:27:44.079 the gospel 00:27:44.079 --> 00:27:44.799 does that. 00:27:45.240 --> 00:27:46.099 There's nothing else. 00:27:46.799 --> 00:27:47.859 There's nothing else. 00:27:47.940 --> 00:27:49.039 The 100,000 people 00:27:49.039 --> 00:27:49.839 of Kenosha, 00:27:50.059 --> 00:27:51.059 there's nothing else 00:27:51.059 --> 00:27:51.700 they can hear 00:27:51.700 --> 00:27:52.299 or believe 00:27:52.299 --> 00:27:53.579 that will reconcile 00:27:53.579 --> 00:27:54.419 them to God. 00:27:56.559 --> 00:27:58.579 But it just doesn't save. 00:28:00.759 --> 00:28:02.500 This gospel grace, 00:28:02.619 --> 00:28:03.940 this power of God, 00:28:04.319 --> 00:28:06.000 it transforms. 00:28:07.679 --> 00:28:08.460 It gives you 00:28:08.460 --> 00:28:09.139 a new relationship 00:28:09.140 --> 00:28:09.960 and a new identity. 00:28:10.960 --> 00:28:11.900 And you see it right here 00:28:11.900 --> 00:28:12.380 in the text. 00:28:13.880 --> 00:28:14.960 Paul says in verse 9, 00:28:15.080 --> 00:28:15.780 For I am the least 00:28:15.780 --> 00:28:17.520 of the apostles, 00:28:18.160 --> 00:28:19.640 unworthy to be called 00:28:19.640 --> 00:28:20.259 an apostle 00:28:20.259 --> 00:28:22.040 because I persecuted 00:28:22.040 --> 00:28:23.259 the church of God. 00:28:25.220 --> 00:28:26.400 But by the grace of God 00:28:26.400 --> 00:28:27.160 I am what I am. 00:28:28.440 --> 00:28:29.820 By the grace of God 00:28:29.820 --> 00:28:30.640 I am what I am. 00:28:31.440 --> 00:28:33.759 He was a persecutor 00:28:33.759 --> 00:28:34.820 and destroyer 00:28:34.820 --> 00:28:35.820 of God's church 00:28:35.820 --> 00:28:38.140 and then he encountered 00:28:38.140 --> 00:28:39.220 Jesus on the road 00:28:39.220 --> 00:28:39.960 to Damascus, 00:28:40.040 --> 00:28:41.000 the risen Christ 00:28:41.000 --> 00:28:42.920 and all of a sudden 00:28:42.920 --> 00:28:44.320 he's no longer 00:28:44.320 --> 00:28:45.220 a persecutor 00:28:45.220 --> 00:28:46.000 and destroyer. 00:28:46.320 --> 00:28:47.640 He's an apostle 00:28:47.640 --> 00:28:48.240 too 00:28:48.240 --> 00:28:49.000 and builder 00:28:49.000 --> 00:28:50.280 of God's church. 00:28:51.280 --> 00:28:52.060 Do you see 00:28:52.060 --> 00:28:52.860 the transformation? 00:28:55.960 --> 00:28:57.380 Given a whole new identity. 00:28:57.640 --> 00:28:58.580 When someone believes 00:28:58.580 --> 00:28:59.080 the gospel 00:28:59.080 --> 00:29:00.240 and they're reconciled 00:29:00.240 --> 00:29:00.520 to God, 00:29:00.580 --> 00:29:01.540 they have a new relationship, 00:29:02.020 --> 00:29:03.200 they have a new identity, 00:29:03.380 --> 00:29:04.460 they're no longer sinners, 00:29:04.620 --> 00:29:05.400 they're saints, 00:29:05.860 --> 00:29:06.880 they're no longer rebels, 00:29:06.880 --> 00:29:07.700 they're children. 00:29:09.900 --> 00:29:11.460 They're no longer 00:29:11.460 --> 00:29:12.740 enslaved, 00:29:13.100 --> 00:29:13.780 they're free. 00:29:16.520 --> 00:29:17.620 Free to do what? 00:29:19.780 --> 00:29:21.560 To live out your new identity 00:29:21.560 --> 00:29:22.540 in new activity. 00:29:23.780 --> 00:29:25.080 We see it in the text. 00:29:26.020 --> 00:29:27.460 The new activity for Paul 00:29:27.460 --> 00:29:29.100 upon his conversion 00:29:29.100 --> 00:29:30.720 and his transformation, 00:29:31.040 --> 00:29:31.720 new identity, 00:29:32.160 --> 00:29:33.680 he is now no longer 00:29:33.680 --> 00:29:34.820 crushing the church, 00:29:34.819 --> 00:29:36.000 he's building the church 00:29:36.000 --> 00:29:37.359 in his apostolic ministry. 00:29:38.819 --> 00:29:39.519 God's grace 00:29:39.519 --> 00:29:40.740 working within Paul 00:29:40.740 --> 00:29:41.579 enabled him, 00:29:41.659 --> 00:29:42.579 enabled him 00:29:42.579 --> 00:29:43.700 to work hard 00:29:43.700 --> 00:29:44.240 at preaching 00:29:44.240 --> 00:29:45.799 and planting churches. 00:29:46.639 --> 00:29:47.319 You see that? 00:29:47.659 --> 00:29:48.399 In verse 10, 00:29:48.559 --> 00:29:49.240 on the contrary, 00:29:49.399 --> 00:29:50.079 I worked harder 00:29:50.079 --> 00:29:50.679 than any of them, 00:29:50.919 --> 00:29:51.879 though it was not I, 00:29:52.099 --> 00:29:53.240 but the grace of God 00:29:53.240 --> 00:29:54.119 that is with me, 00:29:54.539 --> 00:29:55.039 within me. 00:29:55.299 --> 00:29:56.000 Flip back 00:29:56.000 --> 00:29:58.500 to Colossians chapter 1, 00:29:58.740 --> 00:30:00.200 verses 28 and 29. 00:30:00.599 --> 00:30:01.319 Paul uses 00:30:01.319 --> 00:30:02.599 similar language 00:30:02.599 --> 00:30:04.639 describing his toil 00:30:04.639 --> 00:30:06.259 for building the church. 00:30:06.599 --> 00:30:07.099 He says, 00:30:07.240 --> 00:30:07.839 in verse 28, 00:30:07.960 --> 00:30:08.579 him we proclaim, 00:30:08.759 --> 00:30:09.480 Jesus the Christ 00:30:09.480 --> 00:30:10.000 we proclaim, 00:30:10.460 --> 00:30:11.159 warning everyone 00:30:11.159 --> 00:30:11.939 and teaching everyone 00:30:11.939 --> 00:30:12.659 with all wisdom 00:30:12.659 --> 00:30:14.059 that we may present 00:30:14.059 --> 00:30:15.539 everyone mature in Christ 00:30:15.539 --> 00:30:17.299 for this I toil, 00:30:17.460 --> 00:30:18.159 presenting everyone 00:30:18.159 --> 00:30:18.960 mature in Christ, 00:30:19.279 --> 00:30:20.139 this I toil, 00:30:20.599 --> 00:30:21.659 struggling with all 00:30:21.659 --> 00:30:22.559 his energy 00:30:22.559 --> 00:30:23.519 that he powerfully 00:30:23.519 --> 00:30:24.559 works within me, 00:30:25.559 --> 00:30:26.740 his gracious power. 00:30:26.740 --> 00:30:28.539 You see, 00:30:28.799 --> 00:30:31.680 the gospel grace 00:30:31.680 --> 00:30:33.539 that is poured out 00:30:33.539 --> 00:30:36.000 enables gospel ministry. 00:30:39.000 --> 00:30:40.000 As Christians, 00:30:40.620 --> 00:30:43.200 you have a new relationship 00:30:43.200 --> 00:30:43.720 with God. 00:30:44.079 --> 00:30:45.180 You have a new identity 00:30:45.180 --> 00:30:45.819 in Christ, 00:30:46.059 --> 00:30:47.259 and now you've been given 00:30:47.259 --> 00:30:48.240 new activity 00:30:48.240 --> 00:30:48.920 to be a part of. 00:30:49.099 --> 00:30:50.640 In addition to new ways 00:30:50.640 --> 00:30:52.059 we go about our marriages 00:30:52.059 --> 00:30:53.339 and our parenting 00:30:53.339 --> 00:30:54.220 and our singleness 00:30:54.220 --> 00:30:55.299 and our occupations 00:30:55.299 --> 00:30:56.299 and our leisure time, 00:30:56.740 --> 00:30:57.720 we have been given 00:30:57.720 --> 00:30:59.000 a whole new gospel 00:30:59.000 --> 00:31:00.319 activity as well, 00:31:01.900 --> 00:31:03.120 fulfilling the great commission. 00:31:05.059 --> 00:31:07.299 Jesus commissioned us 00:31:07.299 --> 00:31:07.700 to this. 00:31:07.779 --> 00:31:07.980 He said, 00:31:08.180 --> 00:31:08.940 go make disciples 00:31:08.940 --> 00:31:09.539 of the nations, 00:31:09.620 --> 00:31:10.380 and the way we do that 00:31:10.380 --> 00:31:12.200 is by going and proclaiming 00:31:12.200 --> 00:31:13.220 the gospel to all 00:31:13.220 --> 00:31:13.900 who will hear. 00:31:15.519 --> 00:31:17.859 Let me just throw this by you. 00:31:21.099 --> 00:31:22.120 Sharing the gospel 00:31:22.120 --> 00:31:22.920 with people 00:31:22.920 --> 00:31:24.779 isn't just one nice thing 00:31:24.779 --> 00:31:25.740 we do for people. 00:31:26.740 --> 00:31:28.019 It is the greatest, 00:31:28.259 --> 00:31:29.240 most loving thing 00:31:29.240 --> 00:31:30.140 we can do for people 00:31:30.140 --> 00:31:33.420 because it's this message 00:31:33.420 --> 00:31:34.900 in which God unleashes 00:31:34.900 --> 00:31:35.539 his power 00:31:35.539 --> 00:31:37.240 to reconcile sinners 00:31:37.240 --> 00:31:38.039 to himself. 00:31:38.720 --> 00:31:39.819 The goal is God, 00:31:40.779 --> 00:31:42.380 and it's the most loving thing 00:31:42.380 --> 00:31:43.319 we can do for people 00:31:43.319 --> 00:31:43.779 to say, 00:31:44.200 --> 00:31:45.539 here's how you can be reconciled 00:31:45.539 --> 00:31:46.799 to God through Jesus Christ. 00:31:47.019 --> 00:31:48.279 Here's how God takes care 00:31:48.279 --> 00:31:48.859 of your sin. 00:31:49.380 --> 00:31:50.599 Here's what he has done. 00:31:50.660 --> 00:31:51.539 He's been raised from the dead 00:31:51.539 --> 00:31:52.359 in order to demonstrate 00:31:52.359 --> 00:31:53.279 it's all true. 00:31:53.279 --> 00:31:59.799 We get to proclaim 00:31:59.799 --> 00:32:03.000 God's power to people 00:32:03.000 --> 00:32:04.639 in the person and work 00:32:04.639 --> 00:32:05.559 of Jesus Christ. 00:32:09.339 --> 00:32:11.779 God's gracious power 00:32:11.779 --> 00:32:14.619 supplies what we need 00:32:14.619 --> 00:32:16.700 to proclaim the gospel. 00:32:16.700 --> 00:32:20.100 gospel grace, 00:32:20.100 --> 00:32:22.039 it is able to move us 00:32:22.039 --> 00:32:23.539 out of our comfort zones 00:32:23.539 --> 00:32:25.500 and move us to people 00:32:25.500 --> 00:32:27.080 in order to make known 00:32:27.080 --> 00:32:28.640 to them what Christ has done 00:32:28.640 --> 00:32:30.819 and what only Christ can do. 00:32:30.819 --> 00:32:37.859 this power saves, 00:32:38.039 --> 00:32:39.299 this power transforms, 00:32:39.659 --> 00:32:40.960 this power enables 00:32:40.960 --> 00:32:42.299 whole new activities, 00:32:42.879 --> 00:32:43.679 new relationship, 00:32:43.980 --> 00:32:44.619 new identity, 00:32:44.819 --> 00:32:45.519 new activity. 00:32:46.679 --> 00:32:49.639 I know what can give you pause 00:32:49.639 --> 00:32:51.059 in sharing the gospel 00:32:51.059 --> 00:32:51.740 with other people 00:32:51.740 --> 00:32:53.000 because I experience it too. 00:32:53.879 --> 00:32:54.559 Let me ask you, 00:32:54.599 --> 00:32:55.539 is there someone in your life 00:32:55.539 --> 00:32:56.079 right now 00:32:56.079 --> 00:32:57.919 that when you think about 00:32:57.919 --> 00:32:59.119 sharing the gospel with them, 00:32:59.200 --> 00:32:59.460 you're like, 00:32:59.500 --> 00:33:00.059 there's no way? 00:33:00.059 --> 00:33:00.799 There's no way. 00:33:00.819 --> 00:33:01.779 Man, I could be like 00:33:01.779 --> 00:33:03.720 crystal clear gospel presentation 00:33:03.720 --> 00:33:04.740 and there's just no way 00:33:04.740 --> 00:33:05.639 that they would respond. 00:33:06.039 --> 00:33:06.779 And what you're saying 00:33:06.779 --> 00:33:07.740 in the back of your mind is, 00:33:08.099 --> 00:33:09.000 oh, they wouldn't respond 00:33:09.000 --> 00:33:10.299 because they're too successful. 00:33:10.939 --> 00:33:12.000 Oh, they wouldn't respond 00:33:12.000 --> 00:33:13.279 because they're too intelligent. 00:33:13.779 --> 00:33:14.819 Oh, they wouldn't respond 00:33:14.819 --> 00:33:16.059 because they're too entrenched 00:33:16.059 --> 00:33:16.819 in their sinful lifestyle. 00:33:17.579 --> 00:33:18.279 There's just no way 00:33:18.279 --> 00:33:19.339 that they would respond. 00:33:20.339 --> 00:33:22.480 It's too hard for the gospel. 00:33:22.480 --> 00:33:27.259 And what we're really saying is, 00:33:27.700 --> 00:33:30.039 God's power is insufficient 00:33:30.039 --> 00:33:32.400 to radically change this person. 00:33:32.960 --> 00:33:34.380 If the gospel is able 00:33:34.380 --> 00:33:37.299 to transform a destroyer of the church 00:33:37.299 --> 00:33:38.779 into a builder of the church, 00:33:38.860 --> 00:33:40.120 it can transform anybody. 00:33:40.440 --> 00:33:41.880 If the gospel was able 00:33:41.880 --> 00:33:42.980 to change me, 00:33:43.220 --> 00:33:44.360 it can change anybody. 00:33:44.539 --> 00:33:45.360 If the gospel is able 00:33:45.360 --> 00:33:45.980 to change you, 00:33:46.920 --> 00:33:47.799 it can change anybody. 00:33:47.799 --> 00:33:54.680 The gospel is not insufficient 00:33:54.680 --> 00:33:55.659 for the task. 00:33:57.419 --> 00:33:58.619 And that's where I want 00:33:58.619 --> 00:33:59.659 to move your trust. 00:34:00.940 --> 00:34:03.119 To trust in God's power 00:34:03.119 --> 00:34:05.700 made known through this message. 00:34:06.759 --> 00:34:07.519 The last few days, 00:34:07.599 --> 00:34:08.539 I've been so encouraged 00:34:08.539 --> 00:34:09.360 by this verse, 00:34:09.579 --> 00:34:11.019 2 Corinthians 5.20. 00:34:12.519 --> 00:34:13.759 We read this. 00:34:14.699 --> 00:34:15.900 Therefore, we are ambassadors 00:34:15.900 --> 00:34:16.759 for Christ. 00:34:17.800 --> 00:34:20.460 God making His appeal through us. 00:34:21.240 --> 00:34:22.160 Did you hear that? 00:34:23.440 --> 00:34:27.080 God making His appeal through us? 00:34:27.800 --> 00:34:30.180 When we move towards people 00:34:30.180 --> 00:34:31.860 and share the gospel with them, 00:34:32.560 --> 00:34:35.660 God is making His powerful appeal 00:34:35.660 --> 00:34:37.019 through us. 00:34:38.580 --> 00:34:40.400 How's that for perspective? 00:34:40.400 --> 00:34:50.240 God's power is unrivaled. 00:34:50.980 --> 00:34:55.139 It alone reconciles sinners 00:34:55.139 --> 00:34:55.920 to the living God. 00:34:57.360 --> 00:34:59.039 Okay, we've looked at the content 00:34:59.039 --> 00:34:59.660 of the gospel. 00:35:00.039 --> 00:35:02.619 We've dwelt on the power 00:35:02.619 --> 00:35:03.460 of the gospel. 00:35:03.960 --> 00:35:04.360 And now, 00:35:04.639 --> 00:35:05.500 I want to point you 00:35:05.500 --> 00:35:07.059 to five practical steps 00:35:07.059 --> 00:35:08.079 you can take this summer 00:35:08.079 --> 00:35:10.019 to move out of your comfort zone 00:35:10.019 --> 00:35:11.679 and to move towards others 00:35:11.679 --> 00:35:13.360 for Christ. 00:35:14.000 --> 00:35:14.299 You ready? 00:35:14.559 --> 00:35:15.000 Number one. 00:35:16.340 --> 00:35:17.860 The first thing to do 00:35:17.860 --> 00:35:18.900 is to get clear 00:35:18.900 --> 00:35:20.400 on what the gospel is 00:35:20.400 --> 00:35:22.619 and what the gospel is not. 00:35:23.039 --> 00:35:23.940 And to that end, 00:35:24.039 --> 00:35:24.900 I'd like to recommend 00:35:24.900 --> 00:35:26.500 this book for you 00:35:26.500 --> 00:35:27.819 by Greg Gilbert, 00:35:27.980 --> 00:35:29.799 produced by Nine Marks. 00:35:29.800 --> 00:35:31.400 And what this book does 00:35:31.400 --> 00:35:33.360 is it provides 00:35:33.360 --> 00:35:35.220 a very helpful outline 00:35:35.220 --> 00:35:36.680 for you to understand 00:35:36.680 --> 00:35:37.780 what the gospel is 00:35:37.780 --> 00:35:39.060 so that you can communicate 00:35:39.060 --> 00:35:39.800 it faithfully. 00:35:40.160 --> 00:35:40.900 It's very simple. 00:35:41.400 --> 00:35:44.560 God, man, Jesus, respond. 00:35:45.300 --> 00:35:46.300 It's very helpful. 00:35:46.900 --> 00:35:47.880 I use it in my own 00:35:47.880 --> 00:35:48.860 personal evangelism 00:35:48.860 --> 00:35:50.100 to keep me on task. 00:35:50.480 --> 00:35:51.120 And wouldn't you know, 00:35:51.220 --> 00:35:51.519 look it, 00:35:51.539 --> 00:35:52.940 I have ten copies up here 00:35:52.940 --> 00:35:53.720 ready to give away 00:35:53.720 --> 00:35:54.840 like pancakes. 00:35:54.840 --> 00:35:55.400 So, 00:35:57.880 --> 00:35:59.019 after the service 00:35:59.019 --> 00:36:00.400 first ten up here, 00:36:00.480 --> 00:36:01.600 I will gladly give it to you. 00:36:01.760 --> 00:36:02.640 One per family. 00:36:02.980 --> 00:36:03.840 I would just ask 00:36:03.840 --> 00:36:04.660 that you exercise 00:36:04.660 --> 00:36:05.640 the golden rule 00:36:05.640 --> 00:36:08.440 when you come down for them. 00:36:09.460 --> 00:36:10.500 So the first one is 00:36:10.500 --> 00:36:12.360 get clear on what the gospel is 00:36:12.360 --> 00:36:13.019 and what it's not 00:36:13.019 --> 00:36:14.700 and this will help you do that. 00:36:15.579 --> 00:36:16.500 It'll motivate you 00:36:16.500 --> 00:36:17.980 to move out of your comfort zone 00:36:17.980 --> 00:36:19.079 towards others. 00:36:19.180 --> 00:36:19.920 The second thing, 00:36:21.280 --> 00:36:23.220 and if there's one thing 00:36:23.219 --> 00:36:24.639 I would want you to walk away with, 00:36:24.679 --> 00:36:25.399 an immediate step 00:36:25.399 --> 00:36:26.319 you can do tomorrow morning, 00:36:26.399 --> 00:36:27.059 it's this. 00:36:29.019 --> 00:36:29.819 Be grateful. 00:36:31.899 --> 00:36:33.639 Be grateful for what God 00:36:33.639 --> 00:36:34.299 through Christ 00:36:34.299 --> 00:36:35.519 has done for you. 00:36:36.339 --> 00:36:37.779 Return to me, God, 00:36:37.819 --> 00:36:39.139 the joy of salvation. 00:36:40.659 --> 00:36:41.839 Let me show you how to do it. 00:36:43.079 --> 00:36:44.319 Would you open up your Bible 00:36:44.319 --> 00:36:45.980 to Ephesians chapter 2 00:36:45.980 --> 00:36:47.119 verses 1 through 10. 00:36:48.759 --> 00:36:49.639 Here's what you can do 00:36:49.639 --> 00:36:50.459 tomorrow morning 00:36:50.459 --> 00:36:52.019 in order to, 00:36:52.519 --> 00:36:53.179 by faith, 00:36:53.219 --> 00:36:55.539 cultivate gratitude 00:36:55.539 --> 00:36:56.359 in your heart 00:36:56.359 --> 00:36:57.500 for what God 00:36:57.500 --> 00:36:58.659 has done for you 00:36:58.659 --> 00:36:59.319 through Christ. 00:37:00.179 --> 00:37:01.000 And what it is 00:37:01.000 --> 00:37:02.379 is you take Ephesians 2, 00:37:02.480 --> 00:37:03.179 1 through 10 00:37:03.179 --> 00:37:04.839 and you make it personal. 00:37:05.399 --> 00:37:06.000 I'm going to show you 00:37:06.000 --> 00:37:06.539 how to do it. 00:37:06.679 --> 00:37:07.019 You ready? 00:37:09.359 --> 00:37:10.319 You can do this 00:37:10.319 --> 00:37:11.259 as a prayer 00:37:11.259 --> 00:37:12.539 tomorrow morning. 00:37:15.980 --> 00:37:16.679 Chapter 2, 00:37:16.759 --> 00:37:17.959 verse 1 through 10. 00:37:19.059 --> 00:37:20.219 You're swapping out 00:37:20.219 --> 00:37:23.039 pronouns. 00:37:24.539 --> 00:37:27.119 And I was dead 00:37:27.119 --> 00:37:29.419 in the trespasses 00:37:29.419 --> 00:37:29.959 and sin 00:37:29.959 --> 00:37:31.679 in which I once walked 00:37:31.679 --> 00:37:33.500 following the course 00:37:33.500 --> 00:37:34.159 of this world, 00:37:34.259 --> 00:37:34.879 following the prince 00:37:34.879 --> 00:37:35.819 of the power of the air, 00:37:35.899 --> 00:37:36.859 the spirit that is now 00:37:36.859 --> 00:37:37.239 at work 00:37:37.239 --> 00:37:37.699 and the sons 00:37:37.699 --> 00:37:38.699 of disobedience 00:37:38.699 --> 00:37:39.679 among whom 00:37:39.679 --> 00:37:41.319 I once lived 00:37:41.319 --> 00:37:42.019 in the passions 00:37:42.019 --> 00:37:42.899 of my flesh, 00:37:43.639 --> 00:37:44.579 carrying out the desires 00:37:44.579 --> 00:37:45.859 of my body 00:37:45.859 --> 00:37:46.599 and my mind 00:37:46.599 --> 00:37:47.860 and I was by nature 00:37:47.860 --> 00:37:48.839 a child of wrath 00:37:48.839 --> 00:37:49.659 like the rest 00:37:49.659 --> 00:37:50.420 of mankind. 00:37:50.839 --> 00:37:51.539 That was me. 00:37:53.839 --> 00:37:55.380 But God, 00:37:56.339 --> 00:37:57.400 being rich 00:37:57.400 --> 00:37:59.019 in mercy 00:37:59.019 --> 00:38:00.500 because of the great love 00:38:00.500 --> 00:38:01.980 with which he loved 00:38:01.980 --> 00:38:03.099 me, 00:38:05.599 --> 00:38:07.279 even when I was 00:38:07.279 --> 00:38:08.059 dead 00:38:08.059 --> 00:38:09.339 in my trespasses, 00:38:09.699 --> 00:38:11.059 made me alive 00:38:11.059 --> 00:38:12.159 together with Christ. 00:38:12.159 --> 00:38:12.859 By grace 00:38:12.859 --> 00:38:13.920 I have been saved 00:38:13.920 --> 00:38:15.819 and raised me 00:38:15.819 --> 00:38:16.480 up with him 00:38:16.480 --> 00:38:17.139 and seated me 00:38:17.139 --> 00:38:17.480 with him 00:38:17.480 --> 00:38:18.259 in the heavenly places 00:38:18.259 --> 00:38:19.039 in Christ Jesus 00:38:19.039 --> 00:38:20.719 so that in the coming ages 00:38:20.719 --> 00:38:21.359 he might show 00:38:21.359 --> 00:38:22.559 the immeasurable riches 00:38:22.559 --> 00:38:23.359 of his grace 00:38:23.359 --> 00:38:23.920 in kindness 00:38:23.920 --> 00:38:24.619 towards me 00:38:24.619 --> 00:38:25.480 in Christ Jesus. 00:38:26.299 --> 00:38:27.159 For by grace 00:38:27.159 --> 00:38:28.019 I have been saved 00:38:28.019 --> 00:38:28.659 through faith. 00:38:29.480 --> 00:38:30.739 This is not my doing, 00:38:31.099 --> 00:38:31.960 it's the gift of God, 00:38:32.039 --> 00:38:33.359 not a result of my works 00:38:33.359 --> 00:38:34.759 so that I'm not going 00:38:34.759 --> 00:38:35.159 to boast 00:38:35.159 --> 00:38:37.859 for I am his workmanship 00:38:37.859 --> 00:38:40.299 created in Christ Jesus 00:38:40.299 --> 00:38:41.480 for good works 00:38:41.480 --> 00:38:43.059 which God prepared 00:38:43.059 --> 00:38:43.719 beforehand 00:38:43.719 --> 00:38:45.820 that I should walk 00:38:45.820 --> 00:38:46.199 in them. 00:38:46.840 --> 00:38:47.579 You see how that works? 00:38:49.099 --> 00:38:49.679 Do you see how that 00:38:49.679 --> 00:38:50.300 can cultivate 00:38:50.300 --> 00:38:51.619 gospel gratitude 00:38:51.619 --> 00:38:52.280 in your heart 00:38:52.280 --> 00:38:52.960 tomorrow morning? 00:38:54.880 --> 00:38:55.780 Here's what's going 00:38:55.780 --> 00:38:56.139 to happen. 00:38:56.719 --> 00:38:57.539 When you walk 00:38:57.539 --> 00:38:58.179 through a passage 00:38:58.179 --> 00:38:58.820 and apply it 00:38:58.820 --> 00:38:59.860 to yourself like that, 00:39:00.400 --> 00:39:01.539 personal gratitude 00:39:01.539 --> 00:39:02.880 for the gospel 00:39:02.880 --> 00:39:04.019 starts bubbling up 00:39:04.019 --> 00:39:05.159 and that personal 00:39:05.159 --> 00:39:05.599 gratitude 00:39:05.599 --> 00:39:06.480 for the gospel 00:39:06.480 --> 00:39:08.699 fuels personal 00:39:08.699 --> 00:39:09.440 proclamation 00:39:09.440 --> 00:39:10.400 of the gospel. 00:39:10.400 --> 00:39:10.519 gospel. 00:39:10.980 --> 00:39:12.160 This is the 00:39:12.160 --> 00:39:15.019 94 oxhane 00:39:15.019 --> 00:39:16.079 of motivation 00:39:16.079 --> 00:39:16.980 for the Christian. 00:39:17.660 --> 00:39:18.300 Gratitude, 00:39:18.840 --> 00:39:19.340 joy 00:39:19.340 --> 00:39:20.480 for what God 00:39:20.480 --> 00:39:20.820 has done. 00:39:21.099 --> 00:39:22.980 It is a really 00:39:22.980 --> 00:39:24.500 powerful motivator. 00:39:25.860 --> 00:39:27.380 So when you realize 00:39:27.380 --> 00:39:28.539 of what God 00:39:28.539 --> 00:39:28.860 has done 00:39:28.860 --> 00:39:29.220 for you 00:39:29.220 --> 00:39:29.800 in Christ 00:39:29.800 --> 00:39:30.480 and you have 00:39:30.480 --> 00:39:31.119 this growing 00:39:31.119 --> 00:39:31.680 gratitude 00:39:31.680 --> 00:39:32.720 for his gracious 00:39:32.720 --> 00:39:33.320 power 00:39:33.320 --> 00:39:34.360 on your behalf 00:39:34.360 --> 00:39:34.960 through Christ, 00:39:35.300 --> 00:39:35.639 you know what 00:39:35.639 --> 00:39:35.980 you're going to want 00:39:35.980 --> 00:39:36.300 to do, 00:39:38.539 --> 00:39:40.000 who can I tell? 00:39:42.420 --> 00:39:43.380 Who can I tell? 00:39:45.719 --> 00:39:46.940 My brother needs 00:39:46.940 --> 00:39:47.139 to hear, 00:39:47.139 --> 00:39:48.079 my sister needs 00:39:48.079 --> 00:39:48.800 to hear this. 00:39:51.740 --> 00:39:52.679 My neighbor needs 00:39:52.679 --> 00:39:53.300 to hear this. 00:39:55.099 --> 00:39:56.039 If you walk away 00:39:56.039 --> 00:39:56.719 with just one thing, 00:39:56.780 --> 00:39:57.579 walk away with that 00:39:57.579 --> 00:39:58.260 this morning. 00:39:58.260 --> 00:40:01.260 the third step, 00:40:02.400 --> 00:40:03.200 tell your story 00:40:03.200 --> 00:40:04.400 as a story. 00:40:05.100 --> 00:40:06.040 Tell your story 00:40:06.040 --> 00:40:06.680 as a story. 00:40:07.760 --> 00:40:08.560 And this book 00:40:08.560 --> 00:40:09.720 by Sam Chan, 00:40:09.820 --> 00:40:10.100 it's called 00:40:10.100 --> 00:40:11.800 Evangelism in a Skeptical World. 00:40:12.980 --> 00:40:13.660 Matt Sear, 00:40:13.800 --> 00:40:14.380 Billy Nye, 00:40:14.520 --> 00:40:15.160 and I have been 00:40:15.160 --> 00:40:16.140 working slowly 00:40:16.140 --> 00:40:17.060 through this book. 00:40:17.880 --> 00:40:18.960 In chapter two, 00:40:19.800 --> 00:40:20.980 it's titled 00:40:20.980 --> 00:40:22.420 Everyday Evangelism. 00:40:22.420 --> 00:40:23.400 And in chapter two, 00:40:23.539 --> 00:40:24.840 Sam Chan spells out 00:40:24.840 --> 00:40:25.900 six strategies 00:40:25.900 --> 00:40:27.480 for everyday evangelism. 00:40:27.760 --> 00:40:29.360 And the sixth strategy 00:40:29.360 --> 00:40:31.880 is to tell our story 00:40:31.880 --> 00:40:32.720 as story. 00:40:33.760 --> 00:40:36.619 And what he so skillfully does 00:40:36.619 --> 00:40:38.780 is he helps Christians 00:40:38.780 --> 00:40:42.519 prepare a unique explanation 00:40:42.519 --> 00:40:44.519 for how God's grace 00:40:44.519 --> 00:40:46.539 intersected their life 00:40:46.539 --> 00:40:47.599 and changed them 00:40:47.599 --> 00:40:49.400 in story form. 00:40:50.360 --> 00:40:51.420 And so here's what I've done. 00:40:51.420 --> 00:40:52.840 I've had Mary 00:40:52.840 --> 00:40:54.680 produce 30 copies 00:40:54.680 --> 00:40:56.680 just of this strategy. 00:40:56.880 --> 00:40:58.400 They're on both tables 00:40:58.400 --> 00:40:59.180 as your lead, 00:40:59.260 --> 00:41:00.220 15 and 15, 00:41:01.019 --> 00:41:02.220 14 and 15. 00:41:03.860 --> 00:41:05.159 But pick one up 00:41:05.159 --> 00:41:06.139 as you're going along. 00:41:06.320 --> 00:41:08.599 And here's what you can do 00:41:08.599 --> 00:41:09.180 with this. 00:41:09.780 --> 00:41:11.240 It's going to take some effort. 00:41:12.180 --> 00:41:13.680 It'll take 10 to 30 minutes 00:41:13.680 --> 00:41:14.900 to get something together, 00:41:15.059 --> 00:41:16.119 maybe more than that. 00:41:16.780 --> 00:41:18.260 But you're going to find yourself 00:41:18.260 --> 00:41:20.139 having a very effective 00:41:20.139 --> 00:41:21.280 gospel tool. 00:41:22.079 --> 00:41:23.860 A very effective gospel tool 00:41:23.860 --> 00:41:24.500 that can be used 00:41:24.500 --> 00:41:25.559 in our life groups. 00:41:25.980 --> 00:41:26.720 Life group leaders. 00:41:27.000 --> 00:41:27.539 I'm going to bring 00:41:27.539 --> 00:41:28.260 our life group 00:41:28.260 --> 00:41:29.280 through this in the fall. 00:41:29.659 --> 00:41:30.460 I want everybody 00:41:30.460 --> 00:41:31.280 in our life group 00:41:31.280 --> 00:41:32.280 being able to say, 00:41:32.680 --> 00:41:34.480 explain their unique story 00:41:34.480 --> 00:41:35.460 and how the gospel, 00:41:35.820 --> 00:41:36.680 objective gospel, 00:41:36.840 --> 00:41:37.639 changed them. 00:41:39.119 --> 00:41:40.159 And then you share it 00:41:40.159 --> 00:41:40.599 with each other 00:41:40.599 --> 00:41:41.260 in your life group. 00:41:41.320 --> 00:41:41.860 Our life groups 00:41:41.860 --> 00:41:42.880 are our small groups. 00:41:43.579 --> 00:41:44.460 They're a central part 00:41:44.460 --> 00:41:45.200 of our life together. 00:41:45.199 --> 00:41:47.179 And then, 00:41:47.259 --> 00:41:47.859 here's the other way 00:41:47.859 --> 00:41:48.500 you can use something 00:41:48.500 --> 00:41:49.079 like this. 00:41:49.439 --> 00:41:50.579 If you put this together 00:41:50.579 --> 00:41:51.199 and you're like, 00:41:51.299 --> 00:41:53.079 man, I want to use this, 00:41:53.460 --> 00:41:54.359 come talk to me. 00:41:54.699 --> 00:41:55.219 Here's why. 00:41:55.759 --> 00:41:57.439 We're looking to introduce 00:41:57.439 --> 00:41:58.359 more and more 00:41:58.359 --> 00:42:00.279 gospel testimonies 00:42:00.279 --> 00:42:02.119 during our Sunday morning service. 00:42:02.579 --> 00:42:04.539 We want more and more people 00:42:04.539 --> 00:42:06.019 hearing what God, 00:42:06.139 --> 00:42:06.799 by His grace, 00:42:06.879 --> 00:42:08.419 has done in the lives 00:42:08.419 --> 00:42:09.859 of the people in this room. 00:42:10.280 --> 00:42:10.559 And so, 00:42:10.640 --> 00:42:11.519 if you put this together 00:42:11.519 --> 00:42:11.940 and you're like, 00:42:12.039 --> 00:42:12.220 yeah, 00:42:12.300 --> 00:42:13.599 I want to give that a shot 00:42:13.599 --> 00:42:14.180 on a Sunday morning, 00:42:14.240 --> 00:42:14.960 come talk to me. 00:42:17.200 --> 00:42:17.559 Finally, 00:42:18.760 --> 00:42:19.760 when you have 00:42:19.760 --> 00:42:21.079 a personal testimony, 00:42:22.059 --> 00:42:24.260 it's a very effective 00:42:24.260 --> 00:42:25.539 and personal evangelism. 00:42:25.720 --> 00:42:26.960 When I share my faith, 00:42:27.039 --> 00:42:27.980 when I share the gospel, 00:42:28.300 --> 00:42:29.300 I introduce it 00:42:29.300 --> 00:42:30.079 in two ways. 00:42:30.360 --> 00:42:31.160 I either ask 00:42:31.160 --> 00:42:31.960 a very straightforward, 00:42:32.140 --> 00:42:32.880 have you ever heard 00:42:32.880 --> 00:42:34.440 the gospel of Jesus Christ before? 00:42:34.880 --> 00:42:35.640 You'd be amazed 00:42:35.640 --> 00:42:36.480 at how many people say, 00:42:36.579 --> 00:42:37.360 no, I've never heard it. 00:42:38.000 --> 00:42:38.460 And then I say, 00:42:38.519 --> 00:42:39.200 can I explain it to you? 00:42:39.220 --> 00:42:39.519 And you're like, 00:42:39.519 --> 00:42:39.800 sure. 00:42:39.860 --> 00:42:42.079 And then I go, 00:42:42.400 --> 00:42:44.840 God, man, Jesus, respond. 00:42:46.660 --> 00:42:47.880 But there's another way 00:42:47.880 --> 00:42:48.880 to communicate the gospel 00:42:48.880 --> 00:42:49.800 that Sam Chan 00:42:49.800 --> 00:42:50.780 really helps us with. 00:42:51.680 --> 00:42:53.160 It's when you approach 00:42:53.160 --> 00:42:53.760 someone and you say, 00:42:53.820 --> 00:42:54.760 can I tell you 00:42:54.760 --> 00:42:56.300 how I became a Christian? 00:42:57.820 --> 00:42:59.220 It's a very effective 00:42:59.220 --> 00:43:00.200 evangelistic tool. 00:43:01.440 --> 00:43:02.599 Let me encourage you 00:43:02.599 --> 00:43:03.260 to pick this up 00:43:03.260 --> 00:43:03.900 because this is 00:43:03.900 --> 00:43:05.920 just one step this summer 00:43:05.920 --> 00:43:06.860 you can take 00:43:06.860 --> 00:43:07.760 to move outside 00:43:07.760 --> 00:43:08.700 of your comfort zones 00:43:08.700 --> 00:43:09.519 and towards 00:43:09.519 --> 00:43:10.519 other people. 00:43:11.900 --> 00:43:13.400 The fourth step 00:43:13.400 --> 00:43:14.659 is what Matt 00:43:14.659 --> 00:43:15.500 was talking about 00:43:15.500 --> 00:43:16.579 during the announcements, 00:43:16.579 --> 00:43:18.199 The Art of Neighboring. 00:43:18.599 --> 00:43:20.019 It's this book. 00:43:21.539 --> 00:43:22.980 It's a six-week course 00:43:22.980 --> 00:43:24.259 that provides clear 00:43:24.259 --> 00:43:25.739 and very practical steps 00:43:25.739 --> 00:43:26.619 to move towards 00:43:26.619 --> 00:43:27.239 those people 00:43:27.239 --> 00:43:28.500 living immediately 00:43:28.500 --> 00:43:29.219 around you. 00:43:29.599 --> 00:43:30.340 And over the course 00:43:30.340 --> 00:43:30.699 of the year, 00:43:30.739 --> 00:43:31.219 Jenny and I 00:43:31.219 --> 00:43:33.079 have put these principles 00:43:33.079 --> 00:43:34.199 into practice. 00:43:34.199 --> 00:43:35.819 and we've been 00:43:35.819 --> 00:43:36.659 so encouraged 00:43:36.659 --> 00:43:38.159 how we've gotten 00:43:38.159 --> 00:43:38.960 to know our neighbors, 00:43:39.259 --> 00:43:40.339 how it's opened doors. 00:43:40.699 --> 00:43:42.259 This is an evangelistic 00:43:42.259 --> 00:43:43.719 long-term strategy 00:43:43.719 --> 00:43:44.359 with the people 00:43:44.359 --> 00:43:45.339 that you're living around. 00:43:49.579 --> 00:43:50.559 We're going to have, 00:43:50.719 --> 00:43:51.159 offer these 00:43:51.159 --> 00:43:51.839 throughout the summer, 00:43:52.000 --> 00:43:52.639 Tuesday night, 00:43:52.960 --> 00:43:53.679 Thursday night. 00:43:54.039 --> 00:43:54.539 Jenny and I 00:43:54.539 --> 00:43:55.039 are hosting 00:43:55.039 --> 00:43:56.119 the Tuesday night group. 00:43:56.460 --> 00:43:57.539 Matt and Elise here 00:43:57.539 --> 00:43:58.039 are hosting 00:43:58.039 --> 00:43:59.219 the Thursday night group. 00:43:59.219 --> 00:44:00.079 And I would just 00:44:00.079 --> 00:44:00.879 encourage you 00:44:00.879 --> 00:44:02.699 to participate in this 00:44:02.699 --> 00:44:03.879 because the genius of it 00:44:03.879 --> 00:44:06.039 is having loving accountability 00:44:06.039 --> 00:44:06.719 to do it together. 00:44:07.399 --> 00:44:09.079 You will not regret it. 00:44:10.359 --> 00:44:10.739 Six, 00:44:10.980 --> 00:44:12.259 just six, 00:44:12.619 --> 00:44:13.839 six sessions. 00:44:15.659 --> 00:44:18.239 The last step 00:44:18.239 --> 00:44:19.879 you see in your bulletin. 00:44:21.579 --> 00:44:24.039 Summer picnics in the park. 00:44:24.239 --> 00:44:25.299 Summer outreaches. 00:44:25.300 --> 00:44:29.760 We're seeing 00:44:29.760 --> 00:44:30.740 these outreaches 00:44:30.740 --> 00:44:33.260 as opportunities 00:44:33.260 --> 00:44:34.940 to connect people 00:44:34.940 --> 00:44:38.940 with a gospel-driven church. 00:44:39.400 --> 00:44:40.500 This church 00:44:40.500 --> 00:44:43.240 is a gospel resource. 00:44:44.300 --> 00:44:46.240 Christ in us. 00:44:47.280 --> 00:44:48.780 So here's how you can use 00:44:48.780 --> 00:44:50.600 the summer outreaches. 00:44:51.280 --> 00:44:52.800 First way is this. 00:44:53.500 --> 00:44:54.300 If you're aware 00:44:54.300 --> 00:44:55.039 of Christians 00:44:55.039 --> 00:44:57.239 who are on the outskirts 00:44:57.239 --> 00:44:58.039 of our church, 00:44:58.480 --> 00:45:00.820 we want to weave them 00:45:00.820 --> 00:45:02.259 into the fabric 00:45:02.259 --> 00:45:03.719 of our life together. 00:45:04.099 --> 00:45:04.659 And so the way 00:45:04.659 --> 00:45:05.279 that you do that 00:45:05.279 --> 00:45:06.460 is you risk a little bit, 00:45:06.539 --> 00:45:07.219 you approach them, 00:45:07.259 --> 00:45:07.519 and you say, 00:45:07.579 --> 00:45:07.679 hey, 00:45:08.000 --> 00:45:10.519 we got a July 9th 00:45:11.380 --> 00:45:12.199 picnic in the park. 00:45:12.300 --> 00:45:13.320 Do you want to come with us? 00:45:13.900 --> 00:45:15.119 And when they come with you, 00:45:15.360 --> 00:45:16.779 you introduce them 00:45:16.779 --> 00:45:17.559 to people 00:45:17.559 --> 00:45:18.779 from our church. 00:45:19.360 --> 00:45:19.800 You're like, 00:45:19.880 --> 00:45:20.139 oh, 00:45:20.139 --> 00:45:21.480 you like cycling. 00:45:21.619 --> 00:45:21.719 Oh, 00:45:21.779 --> 00:45:22.679 you need to meet Matt Sear 00:45:22.679 --> 00:45:23.800 who's another avid cyclist. 00:45:24.039 --> 00:45:24.219 Oh, 00:45:24.219 --> 00:45:25.119 you like smoking pipes. 00:45:25.399 --> 00:45:25.519 Oh, 00:45:25.559 --> 00:45:26.119 you need to talk 00:45:26.119 --> 00:45:27.119 to Garrett Goldberg 00:45:27.119 --> 00:45:27.879 about pipes. 00:45:35.219 --> 00:45:35.579 Now, 00:45:35.659 --> 00:45:36.399 if you're new 00:45:36.399 --> 00:45:37.419 to Christ the King Church 00:45:37.419 --> 00:45:38.519 and you don't know anybody, 00:45:39.519 --> 00:45:40.259 you know what you should do? 00:45:40.619 --> 00:45:41.699 Just approach anybody 00:45:41.699 --> 00:45:41.939 and say, 00:45:42.000 --> 00:45:42.099 hey, 00:45:42.139 --> 00:45:43.000 can we come with you? 00:45:43.000 --> 00:45:45.340 You're not overstepping 00:45:45.340 --> 00:45:45.920 your bounds. 00:45:47.820 --> 00:45:49.039 But brothers and sisters 00:45:49.039 --> 00:45:50.340 of Christ the King, 00:45:50.460 --> 00:45:51.679 let's move towards others 00:45:51.679 --> 00:45:52.980 to get them in. 00:45:53.079 --> 00:45:53.199 Now, 00:45:53.260 --> 00:45:54.320 the second group of people, 00:45:55.179 --> 00:45:57.820 there are non-Christians 00:45:57.820 --> 00:45:58.840 outside of the faith 00:45:58.840 --> 00:46:01.239 that we're all interacting with 00:46:01.239 --> 00:46:02.360 on a weekly basis. 00:46:03.159 --> 00:46:04.280 Let's invite them 00:46:04.280 --> 00:46:06.639 to come to one of these picnics, 00:46:06.820 --> 00:46:07.780 one of these outreaches. 00:46:07.780 --> 00:46:08.780 And here's why. 00:46:09.460 --> 00:46:10.960 We want to introduce 00:46:10.960 --> 00:46:12.120 non-Christians 00:46:12.120 --> 00:46:14.920 to genuine followers 00:46:14.920 --> 00:46:16.500 of Jesus Christ 00:46:16.500 --> 00:46:17.740 because we want 00:46:17.740 --> 00:46:18.840 our non-Christian friends 00:46:18.840 --> 00:46:19.960 to be saying things like this. 00:46:20.180 --> 00:46:20.400 Oh, 00:46:20.580 --> 00:46:20.780 whoa. 00:46:21.500 --> 00:46:21.720 Wait, 00:46:21.880 --> 00:46:23.100 there are other rational 00:46:23.100 --> 00:46:24.000 human beings 00:46:24.000 --> 00:46:25.060 besides you 00:46:25.060 --> 00:46:26.400 that have decided 00:46:26.400 --> 00:46:27.180 to follow Jesus. 00:46:28.300 --> 00:46:30.160 It forms what 00:46:30.160 --> 00:46:30.980 Chan calls 00:46:30.980 --> 00:46:32.200 a plausibility structure. 00:46:32.199 --> 00:46:36.480 we want to bring people 00:46:36.480 --> 00:46:37.699 to these picnics 00:46:37.699 --> 00:46:39.759 to step out in faith, 00:46:39.899 --> 00:46:41.259 to move towards others 00:46:41.259 --> 00:46:42.960 outside of our comfort zones 00:46:42.960 --> 00:46:43.699 and to say, 00:46:43.859 --> 00:46:44.319 come, 00:46:44.759 --> 00:46:47.259 come meet these people 00:46:47.259 --> 00:46:48.619 who have been changed 00:46:48.619 --> 00:46:49.659 by the gospel. 00:46:51.480 --> 00:46:53.079 Imagine that you bring someone there 00:46:53.079 --> 00:46:55.219 and one of your church friends 00:46:55.219 --> 00:46:57.480 shares their story 00:46:57.480 --> 00:46:59.179 of how the risen Christ 00:46:59.179 --> 00:47:01.980 graciously interrupted their life. 00:47:02.199 --> 00:47:03.839 Now, 00:47:03.899 --> 00:47:04.779 that's what I'm talking about. 00:47:06.639 --> 00:47:07.079 Okay, 00:47:07.119 --> 00:47:07.759 I've reminded you 00:47:07.759 --> 00:47:08.919 of the content of the gospel. 00:47:09.339 --> 00:47:10.659 I've sought to impress upon you 00:47:10.659 --> 00:47:11.659 the power of the gospel 00:47:11.659 --> 00:47:13.059 and now I've pointed you 00:47:13.059 --> 00:47:14.899 to five practical steps 00:47:14.899 --> 00:47:15.899 to move you outside 00:47:15.899 --> 00:47:16.879 of your comfort zone 00:47:16.879 --> 00:47:17.719 towards others. 00:47:17.779 --> 00:47:17.899 Now, 00:47:17.960 --> 00:47:18.579 imagine this. 00:47:19.579 --> 00:47:20.359 A bunch of us 00:47:20.359 --> 00:47:21.539 from Christ the King Church, 00:47:22.179 --> 00:47:23.419 imagine what would happen, 00:47:23.559 --> 00:47:24.799 what will God do 00:47:24.799 --> 00:47:26.519 if we step out 00:47:26.519 --> 00:47:27.859 in full confidence 00:47:27.859 --> 00:47:29.460 in the power of the gospel 00:47:29.460 --> 00:47:30.980 to change anybody, 00:47:31.359 --> 00:47:31.899 anybody, 00:47:32.199 --> 00:47:33.799 to save them 00:47:33.799 --> 00:47:35.159 and transform them 00:47:35.159 --> 00:47:36.099 and enable them 00:47:36.099 --> 00:47:37.599 to live new lives. 00:47:39.159 --> 00:47:40.879 Imagine what God can do 00:47:40.879 --> 00:47:43.579 if we just step out 00:47:43.579 --> 00:47:44.939 confident 00:47:44.939 --> 00:47:45.839 that God's, 00:47:45.839 --> 00:47:47.319 that the gospel 00:47:47.319 --> 00:47:48.279 is able to do 00:47:48.279 --> 00:47:48.939 what it says 00:47:48.939 --> 00:47:49.679 it's able to do. 00:47:50.659 --> 00:47:50.919 Do you know 00:47:50.919 --> 00:47:51.179 what I think 00:47:51.179 --> 00:47:51.659 is going to happen? 00:47:53.859 --> 00:47:55.119 It may not be 00:47:55.119 --> 00:47:56.199 hundreds of people 00:47:56.199 --> 00:47:56.619 coming, 00:47:56.759 --> 00:47:57.519 becoming Christians, 00:47:57.519 --> 00:47:59.219 but I think 00:47:59.219 --> 00:47:59.679 it's going to be 00:47:59.679 --> 00:48:00.420 a steady stream. 00:48:01.599 --> 00:48:03.280 God making his appeal 00:48:03.280 --> 00:48:04.239 through us 00:48:04.239 --> 00:48:06.199 and people responding 00:48:06.199 --> 00:48:06.840 in repentance 00:48:06.840 --> 00:48:07.619 and faith, 00:48:09.039 --> 00:48:10.239 being reconciled 00:48:10.239 --> 00:48:10.679 to God. 00:48:12.259 --> 00:48:13.059 I don't know 00:48:13.059 --> 00:48:13.539 about you, 00:48:14.980 --> 00:48:16.900 but I can't think 00:48:16.900 --> 00:48:18.659 of anything 00:48:18.659 --> 00:48:20.099 more worthy 00:48:20.099 --> 00:48:21.380 than the summer 00:48:21.380 --> 00:48:22.759 of 2019. 00:48:22.760 --> 00:48:24.360 let's pray. 00:48:26.360 --> 00:48:27.220 God in heaven, 00:48:28.220 --> 00:48:29.520 we are so grateful 00:48:29.520 --> 00:48:31.420 that you would 00:48:31.420 --> 00:48:32.580 send the Christ 00:48:32.580 --> 00:48:33.900 to die for us, 00:48:34.020 --> 00:48:34.700 to be buried 00:48:34.700 --> 00:48:35.760 and to be raised 00:48:35.760 --> 00:48:36.860 from the dead. 00:48:36.860 --> 00:48:38.340 that you are alive 00:48:38.340 --> 00:48:38.780 now, 00:48:38.920 --> 00:48:39.420 Lord Jesus. 00:48:40.240 --> 00:48:41.280 And so now we ask 00:48:41.280 --> 00:48:42.180 that you would 00:48:42.180 --> 00:48:43.480 pour out your spirit 00:48:43.480 --> 00:48:44.220 upon us 00:48:44.220 --> 00:48:45.380 and embolden 00:48:45.380 --> 00:48:46.320 our witness 00:48:46.320 --> 00:48:47.360 in this city, 00:48:48.140 --> 00:48:49.059 that you 00:48:49.059 --> 00:48:50.420 would make your 00:48:50.420 --> 00:48:51.680 appeal through us 00:48:51.680 --> 00:48:53.480 and that many 00:48:53.480 --> 00:48:54.740 would respond 00:48:54.740 --> 00:48:55.420 in repentance 00:48:55.420 --> 00:48:56.079 and faith 00:48:56.079 --> 00:48:57.059 this summer 00:48:57.059 --> 00:48:58.539 and come September, 00:48:59.579 --> 00:49:00.320 that there would 00:49:00.320 --> 00:49:00.920 be singing, 00:49:01.099 --> 00:49:01.900 people singing 00:49:01.900 --> 00:49:02.920 who are not singing 00:49:02.920 --> 00:49:03.800 to you right now. 00:49:04.780 --> 00:49:05.980 Worthy are you 00:49:05.980 --> 00:49:07.900 of our every breath. 00:49:10.240 --> 00:49:12.199 Worthy is the Lord. 00:49:12.820 --> 00:49:13.960 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:49:14.440 --> 00:49:14.740 Amen.