WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.560 All right, church, are you ready for this? 00:00:09.060 --> 00:00:12.859 Let's see if we can get it up on the screen just by way of reminder. 00:00:13.300 --> 00:00:14.419 ! God gives. 00:00:15.040 --> 00:00:16.120 We give back. 00:00:16.300 --> 00:00:17.519 How do we give back? 00:00:17.940 --> 00:00:20.059 When it is open to God's love. 00:00:20.080 --> 00:00:20.800 That's right. 00:00:21.160 --> 00:00:27.019 All right, we have been studying this concept in this series on generosity. 00:00:27.660 --> 00:00:29.940 And really the whole point of this is we want your money. 00:00:30.059 --> 00:00:30.260 Right? 00:00:32.500 --> 00:00:33.719 That was a trick question. 00:00:33.799 --> 00:00:34.520 The answer is no. 00:00:34.600 --> 00:00:37.000 That is not the whole point of this at all. 00:00:37.600 --> 00:00:42.439 If that is what you have been taking away, then I got to tell you, you're just not quite 00:00:42.439 --> 00:00:44.079 paying attention very well. 00:00:45.019 --> 00:00:51.000 So what I want to draw us to today is Matthew chapter 20. 00:00:51.000 --> 00:00:53.679 Would you go to Matthew chapter 20? 00:00:53.900 --> 00:00:58.179 As you're turning there, today's topic is this. 00:00:58.179 --> 00:01:01.359 Pick up your towel. 00:01:02.200 --> 00:01:03.820 Can you take me to the next slide? 00:01:03.899 --> 00:01:05.299 Because this one's not working right now. 00:01:08.840 --> 00:01:09.480 There we go. 00:01:09.539 --> 00:01:10.000 Thank you all. 00:01:10.739 --> 00:01:12.840 I'm going to flip this and see if that does any better. 00:01:14.120 --> 00:01:15.539 Pick up your towel. 00:01:15.780 --> 00:01:17.819 Anybody got a towel laying nearby you? 00:01:17.819 --> 00:01:18.299 No? 00:01:20.939 --> 00:01:21.299 No? 00:01:22.000 --> 00:01:23.279 Well, I guess we're out of luck then. 00:01:23.439 --> 00:01:24.759 Nobody's grabbing their towel today. 00:01:26.459 --> 00:01:27.299 Somebody's got a towel. 00:01:27.599 --> 00:01:27.959 Yes! 00:01:29.479 --> 00:01:30.339 Jaylee had a towel. 00:01:30.419 --> 00:01:31.619 Is that a towel or a blanket? 00:01:32.059 --> 00:01:33.159 By the way, hi, Jaylee. 00:01:34.799 --> 00:01:35.339 Look at it. 00:01:35.340 --> 00:01:39.719 We have so many people back from college, from out of town, coming in from Pioneer Union. 00:01:39.939 --> 00:01:40.680 It is awesome. 00:01:40.920 --> 00:01:43.340 So great to see some of you around. 00:01:44.040 --> 00:01:45.200 Matthew chapter 20. 00:01:47.240 --> 00:01:49.880 While you are turning there, some of you have already found it. 00:01:49.900 --> 00:01:50.380 That's fine. 00:01:50.460 --> 00:01:54.920 I want to share just a little story about my college exploits. 00:01:54.920 --> 00:02:02.519 And back in college, I was, well, let's just say I had a very prestigious athletic career. 00:02:04.219 --> 00:02:07.180 I don't understand why some people immediately laughed at that. 00:02:10.360 --> 00:02:15.920 Actually, yes, I was the water boy and the equipment manager. 00:02:16.300 --> 00:02:17.300 It was a dual role. 00:02:18.080 --> 00:02:22.420 I got to provide water, Gatorade, and wash the towels. 00:02:22.560 --> 00:02:23.139 It was great. 00:02:23.139 --> 00:02:25.500 Got to pick up a lot of dirty towels. 00:02:25.739 --> 00:02:26.500 It was fantastic. 00:02:26.619 --> 00:02:27.579 Did a lot of dirty laundry. 00:02:28.119 --> 00:02:31.839 Did a lot of mixing Gatorade and had my own special mix. 00:02:32.619 --> 00:02:34.199 Did you know it was actually Powerade? 00:02:34.299 --> 00:02:35.319 We couldn't afford Gatorade. 00:02:38.079 --> 00:02:45.359 Listen, did you know that if you mix lemon-lime Powerade with mountain blast Powerade, it tastes really good. 00:02:45.439 --> 00:02:46.339 It comes out green. 00:02:47.099 --> 00:02:47.859 It's fantastic. 00:02:48.799 --> 00:02:51.139 The guys called it squirrel juice. 00:02:53.139 --> 00:02:54.179 It's a long story. 00:02:54.239 --> 00:02:54.699 Don't ask. 00:02:54.859 --> 00:02:55.179 All right. 00:02:56.619 --> 00:03:04.519 Anyway, so yes, I was a very, very high-level athlete such that I washed the towels. 00:03:05.039 --> 00:03:12.019 But let me tell you, if I hadn't been there, that team would have been up a creek, man. 00:03:12.020 --> 00:03:14.620 I did it for the guys' basketball team. 00:03:14.700 --> 00:03:16.140 I did it for the guys' soccer team. 00:03:16.840 --> 00:03:17.939 And that was it. 00:03:18.780 --> 00:03:27.620 But look, those teams would have failed even more than they did on the field and court had I not been their manager. 00:03:27.620 --> 00:03:29.860 We had fun. 00:03:30.060 --> 00:03:31.319 We picked up a lot of towels. 00:03:31.319 --> 00:03:43.019 But you know, the funny thing is, if you go into any professional team or high-level college team, probably saw a lot of college football yesterday. 00:03:43.019 --> 00:03:46.060 If you got home in between Pioneer Union events at all. 00:03:46.840 --> 00:03:48.819 And there, of course, the NFL is playing today. 00:03:48.819 --> 00:03:55.500 If you walk in and you take away all the equipment staff from those teams, those high-level athletes wouldn't know what to do, man. 00:03:56.180 --> 00:03:59.359 It'd be like, how come nobody washed my towel? 00:04:00.099 --> 00:04:03.219 How come my locker doesn't smell like lavender like usual? 00:04:04.280 --> 00:04:06.240 We got some spoiled athletes out there today. 00:04:07.639 --> 00:04:14.859 Look, if you took away the whole equipment staff from all these programs, it would be a whole different ballgame. 00:04:15.259 --> 00:04:17.339 That team would not be in the right headspace. 00:04:17.339 --> 00:04:19.759 They'd be wearing dirty uniforms. 00:04:20.000 --> 00:04:21.560 It would not be any fun at all. 00:04:22.259 --> 00:04:26.479 Truth is, nobody's ever going to interview the towel guy. 00:04:28.139 --> 00:04:31.899 But he's very essential to the operation of a team. 00:04:32.560 --> 00:04:34.259 Now, look, we're having a little fun with it. 00:04:35.000 --> 00:04:37.519 But the truth is, you've experienced this too. 00:04:38.620 --> 00:04:41.939 How many of you remember COVID when they quit cleaning hotel rooms? 00:04:42.879 --> 00:04:44.559 And they just stopped that. 00:04:44.560 --> 00:04:48.240 And some of them haven't started back yet. 00:04:51.860 --> 00:04:54.100 And I'm pretty sure COVID just gave them an excuse. 00:04:54.360 --> 00:04:55.399 They were already not cleaning. 00:04:56.660 --> 00:05:05.680 Look, the truth is, when you go and you stay in a hotel and you throw the towel on the floor, what does that mean? 00:05:06.680 --> 00:05:07.340 It's dirty. 00:05:07.459 --> 00:05:08.480 You want it to be washed, right? 00:05:08.480 --> 00:05:11.140 If you hang it up, that means you're going to hold on to it. 00:05:12.319 --> 00:05:13.259 By the way, that's great. 00:05:13.360 --> 00:05:18.319 I don't think most of you throw the towel on the floor at your own home and then just expect it to magically be washed. 00:05:18.400 --> 00:05:19.240 Maybe some of you do. 00:05:19.860 --> 00:05:21.520 Some of the wives are like, yes, they do. 00:05:21.560 --> 00:05:22.259 They do do that. 00:05:22.660 --> 00:05:23.439 It's not right. 00:05:23.439 --> 00:05:29.079 The truth is, we don't think about these little menial things. 00:05:30.699 --> 00:05:32.600 Towels don't seem very important. 00:05:32.600 --> 00:05:42.860 But in Matthew chapter 20 and then over in John chapter 13, towels are very important. 00:05:43.520 --> 00:05:44.879 So I gave you a little sneak peek. 00:05:44.980 --> 00:05:50.060 If you want to stick a finger in John 13 or maybe if you've got one of these little ribbon bookmarks, you can put one there. 00:05:50.120 --> 00:05:51.300 We're going to go there in just a minute. 00:05:51.300 --> 00:05:58.500 But first, Matthew chapter 20, we've been talking about generosity. 00:05:59.420 --> 00:06:05.480 And any time you're going to study a subject from the Bible, you've got to go straight to see what Jesus had to say about it first. 00:06:06.160 --> 00:06:10.500 And so Jesus gave us a lot of teachings on generosity. 00:06:11.259 --> 00:06:13.460 And we've been looking at them for the last few weeks. 00:06:13.460 --> 00:06:20.819 And we're going to continue today from this new angle, which is pick up your towel and serve. 00:06:21.300 --> 00:06:26.160 Matthew 20 and verse 28, the highlight verse there in this passage said, 00:06:26.340 --> 00:06:29.379 The Son of Man came not to, what does that say? 00:06:29.900 --> 00:06:33.780 Be served, but to serve others. 00:06:34.780 --> 00:06:39.220 He didn't come as high and holy and important as He is. 00:06:39.540 --> 00:06:44.160 He didn't come to receive all that honor and be served. 00:06:44.280 --> 00:06:46.460 He came to serve others. 00:06:46.459 --> 00:06:53.779 So let's look at Matthew chapter 20, beginning in verse 25. 00:06:55.919 --> 00:06:59.699 By the way, have y'all noticed that we've been in Matthew quite a bit of this year? 00:07:00.879 --> 00:07:14.259 Going back to the very beginning of the year and throughout the year, we've spent more Sundays in the gospel of Matthew than any other book combined from all the other Sundays. 00:07:14.259 --> 00:07:20.219 So we're really diving into this gospel and seeing what Jesus has to teach us from it. 00:07:20.420 --> 00:07:21.240 Verse 25. 00:07:23.439 --> 00:07:29.579 You know, Jesus says, that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them. 00:07:30.860 --> 00:07:34.879 Those in high positions act as tyrants over them. 00:07:35.879 --> 00:07:39.240 It must not be like that among you. 00:07:39.240 --> 00:07:43.439 So if you're going to follow me, that's not how you act. 00:07:44.060 --> 00:07:46.360 You want to act like that, go follow them. 00:07:47.000 --> 00:07:48.000 My way is different. 00:07:49.699 --> 00:07:51.900 On the contrary, he says in verse 26, 00:07:52.019 --> 00:07:56.019 Whoever wants to become great among you must be your what? 00:07:57.100 --> 00:07:57.620 Servant. 00:07:58.560 --> 00:08:02.220 Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. 00:08:02.220 --> 00:08:06.160 We're going even a little deeper, a little harsher. 00:08:07.000 --> 00:08:15.080 Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. 00:08:16.080 --> 00:08:18.340 Everybody wants the interview. 00:08:19.340 --> 00:08:21.040 Everybody wants the paycheck. 00:08:21.880 --> 00:08:25.820 Everybody wants the notoriety, the applause, the pats on the back. 00:08:26.420 --> 00:08:28.980 Nobody wants to pick up a towel. 00:08:28.980 --> 00:08:32.680 Nobody wants to serve. 00:08:34.500 --> 00:08:40.700 But in the kingdom of God, the towel is the sign of true greatness. 00:08:42.600 --> 00:08:48.120 This is an indispensable perspective on generous living. 00:08:49.180 --> 00:08:51.420 Going beyond ourselves. 00:08:52.480 --> 00:08:54.779 Going beyond what we would even want. 00:08:55.720 --> 00:08:58.279 And picking up a towel to serve. 00:08:58.279 --> 00:09:00.600 So that's what we're talking about today. 00:09:00.720 --> 00:09:04.959 The world says, go get a title. 00:09:05.819 --> 00:09:08.919 Jesus says, go grab a towel. 00:09:09.199 --> 00:09:12.039 There is a distinct difference there, isn't there? 00:09:12.980 --> 00:09:14.679 Now this seems pretty obvious. 00:09:15.100 --> 00:09:20.500 But the problem is, it still doesn't drive us very often to go pick up a towel. 00:09:21.199 --> 00:09:23.639 So, let's go to John chapter 13. 00:09:23.740 --> 00:09:24.579 I said we'd get there. 00:09:24.580 --> 00:09:27.020 John chapter 13. 00:09:27.740 --> 00:09:34.060 And we're going to look at another example where Jesus actually picked up a towel. 00:09:35.259 --> 00:09:37.220 John chapter 13 and verse 3. 00:09:39.020 --> 00:09:41.060 For sake of time, I'm going to go ahead and read. 00:09:41.059 --> 00:09:45.979 Jesus knew that the Father had given everything into his hands. 00:09:46.539 --> 00:09:47.899 He had come from God. 00:09:48.019 --> 00:09:49.979 And he was going back to God. 00:09:50.599 --> 00:09:51.899 So he got up from supper. 00:09:52.539 --> 00:09:54.059 Laid aside his outer clothing. 00:09:54.500 --> 00:09:55.259 Took a towel. 00:09:56.019 --> 00:09:57.399 And tied it around himself. 00:09:58.219 --> 00:10:00.079 Next he poured water into a basin. 00:10:00.199 --> 00:10:03.000 And began to wash his disciples' feet. 00:10:04.000 --> 00:10:07.819 And to dry them with a towel tied around him. 00:10:07.820 --> 00:10:11.680 Do you see what Jesus is doing here? 00:10:12.920 --> 00:10:14.200 He's stooping. 00:10:15.140 --> 00:10:16.180 Humbling himself. 00:10:16.360 --> 00:10:21.060 The Bible says Jesus literally stepped off of his heavenly throne. 00:10:21.480 --> 00:10:24.920 Took upon him the form of a mighty conquering king. 00:10:25.440 --> 00:10:25.700 Right? 00:10:26.220 --> 00:10:26.520 No. 00:10:26.980 --> 00:10:29.300 Took upon him the form of a servant. 00:10:29.860 --> 00:10:32.920 Was made in the likeness of humble men. 00:10:33.380 --> 00:10:34.600 Just like you. 00:10:34.600 --> 00:10:35.920 And just like me. 00:10:37.800 --> 00:10:40.120 And being found in fashion as a man. 00:10:40.240 --> 00:10:41.120 He humbled himself. 00:10:41.440 --> 00:10:42.259 He was obedient. 00:10:42.960 --> 00:10:45.500 Even to his death on the cross. 00:10:46.100 --> 00:10:50.019 He went all the way down to the bottom. 00:10:50.519 --> 00:10:52.940 All the way down to death. 00:10:53.360 --> 00:10:58.340 To a sad, unfortunate ending to his story on this earth. 00:10:59.240 --> 00:11:00.420 That's what Jesus did. 00:11:00.419 --> 00:11:03.879 We get to look back with the benefit of hindsight. 00:11:03.879 --> 00:11:05.339 And say, no, no, no. 00:11:05.399 --> 00:11:06.240 That wasn't the end. 00:11:06.299 --> 00:11:07.219 He rose from the dead. 00:11:07.500 --> 00:11:08.579 Yeah, but nobody knew that. 00:11:09.659 --> 00:11:12.959 Even though he had said, I will tear this temple down. 00:11:13.039 --> 00:11:14.319 And build it back in three days. 00:11:14.319 --> 00:11:16.579 And they all thought he was talking about the temple in Jerusalem. 00:11:16.819 --> 00:11:18.219 And he was talking about his body. 00:11:20.019 --> 00:11:22.019 But even though we get to look back. 00:11:22.059 --> 00:11:23.500 Knowing the end of the story. 00:11:24.159 --> 00:11:25.959 To those who had walked with him. 00:11:26.360 --> 00:11:27.679 They didn't even all get it. 00:11:27.679 --> 00:11:30.739 To those who had listened and heard him teach. 00:11:30.819 --> 00:11:32.239 And seen him do mighty miracles. 00:11:32.819 --> 00:11:34.179 But he was always poor. 00:11:34.279 --> 00:11:35.319 He never owned anything. 00:11:35.539 --> 00:11:37.059 He never had a permanent home. 00:11:38.719 --> 00:11:40.039 Came from humble beginnings. 00:11:40.939 --> 00:11:43.539 His life seemed to have a sad conclusion. 00:11:45.139 --> 00:11:46.259 That's what he endured. 00:11:47.539 --> 00:11:48.859 He didn't come down. 00:11:50.319 --> 00:11:51.859 Riding a great white horse. 00:11:51.859 --> 00:11:53.839 And coming in as the conquering king. 00:11:54.000 --> 00:11:56.539 To free the Jewish people from Roman oppression. 00:11:57.679 --> 00:11:58.839 That's what they wanted. 00:11:59.639 --> 00:12:00.759 But it's not what he did. 00:12:01.679 --> 00:12:03.319 Because he knew the secret. 00:12:04.459 --> 00:12:09.739 He knew that you and I must learn to live humbly. 00:12:10.500 --> 00:12:14.959 You and I must learn to knock ourselves down a few pegs. 00:12:15.819 --> 00:12:20.559 And be willing to pick up a towel and serve someone else. 00:12:20.559 --> 00:12:22.279 And so even here. 00:12:22.959 --> 00:12:23.959 Shortly before. 00:12:24.879 --> 00:12:25.879 His death. 00:12:27.619 --> 00:12:28.739 He stoops. 00:12:29.939 --> 00:12:32.359 Washes his disciples dirty feet. 00:12:33.319 --> 00:12:34.359 Nasty from out there. 00:12:34.500 --> 00:12:35.319 Walking through. 00:12:36.519 --> 00:12:37.859 The dust and the dirt. 00:12:38.439 --> 00:12:40.199 In those open sandals. 00:12:41.279 --> 00:12:42.519 And he washes them. 00:12:42.879 --> 00:12:44.759 And he dries them with the towel. 00:12:46.259 --> 00:12:47.879 What an act of service. 00:12:47.879 --> 00:12:49.360 And of course Peter. 00:12:49.840 --> 00:12:51.480 Is fighting him every step of the way. 00:12:51.580 --> 00:12:52.500 No, no God. 00:12:53.059 --> 00:12:54.039 Don't do that. 00:12:54.120 --> 00:12:54.799 Don't do that. 00:12:55.320 --> 00:12:57.439 He said, well if I don't wash your feet. 00:12:57.580 --> 00:12:58.759 You can't be one of mine. 00:13:00.299 --> 00:13:01.559 That is the mark. 00:13:02.000 --> 00:13:03.879 Of being a disciple of Jesus. 00:13:04.399 --> 00:13:05.939 He serves us. 00:13:06.159 --> 00:13:07.899 And then commissions us. 00:13:08.039 --> 00:13:09.240 To serve others. 00:13:09.799 --> 00:13:11.159 He humbled himself. 00:13:11.519 --> 00:13:13.620 Made himself the lowest of the low. 00:13:13.820 --> 00:13:15.860 So you and I could be saved. 00:13:15.860 --> 00:13:17.120 So we could be forgiven. 00:13:17.440 --> 00:13:18.940 And then he showed us. 00:13:18.940 --> 00:13:19.940 The pathway. 00:13:20.200 --> 00:13:20.680 The template. 00:13:20.879 --> 00:13:21.320 The model. 00:13:21.440 --> 00:13:22.019 The example. 00:13:22.259 --> 00:13:23.300 Of how to live. 00:13:23.560 --> 00:13:24.360 And it was that. 00:13:24.779 --> 00:13:25.840 It was humbling yourself. 00:13:26.080 --> 00:13:27.680 And picking up a towel. 00:13:28.039 --> 00:13:29.279 So skip down now. 00:13:29.460 --> 00:13:30.279 To verse 12. 00:13:31.740 --> 00:13:33.659 When Jesus had washed their feet. 00:13:34.200 --> 00:13:36.220 And put on his outer clothing. 00:13:36.919 --> 00:13:37.879 He reclined again. 00:13:37.960 --> 00:13:38.720 And said to them. 00:13:39.240 --> 00:13:40.820 Do you know what I have done for you? 00:13:41.519 --> 00:13:43.779 You call me teacher and Lord. 00:13:43.779 --> 00:13:45.100 And you're speaking rightly. 00:13:45.100 --> 00:13:46.939 Because that's what I am. 00:13:47.899 --> 00:13:48.620 So if I. 00:13:49.199 --> 00:13:50.120 Your Lord. 00:13:50.120 --> 00:13:50.980 And your teacher. 00:13:51.699 --> 00:13:53.459 Have washed your feet. 00:13:54.860 --> 00:13:57.240 You think you guys also ought to wash each other's feet? 00:13:59.579 --> 00:14:01.019 What a powerful point. 00:14:01.879 --> 00:14:03.659 He didn't just sit there. 00:14:03.720 --> 00:14:05.679 As we probably would have done. 00:14:06.480 --> 00:14:07.720 I would have gotten up here. 00:14:07.839 --> 00:14:08.899 And preached a sermon. 00:14:08.899 --> 00:14:10.379 On how we ought to serve each other. 00:14:10.379 --> 00:14:13.679 Jesus didn't preach a sermon. 00:14:13.820 --> 00:14:15.000 He actually did it. 00:14:15.759 --> 00:14:17.320 He actually got down there. 00:14:17.500 --> 00:14:18.740 And modeled it for them. 00:14:20.100 --> 00:14:21.600 And it was gross. 00:14:22.000 --> 00:14:23.120 And it was nasty. 00:14:23.480 --> 00:14:24.639 And there were a lot of them. 00:14:25.460 --> 00:14:26.700 And his back probably hurt. 00:14:26.799 --> 00:14:27.840 By the time he was done. 00:14:29.700 --> 00:14:31.360 And over and over again. 00:14:31.659 --> 00:14:33.139 He washed their feet. 00:14:33.419 --> 00:14:34.960 And dried them with the towel. 00:14:34.960 --> 00:14:36.000 And he said. 00:14:36.280 --> 00:14:37.240 You guys. 00:14:37.240 --> 00:14:39.300 Ought to serve each other. 00:14:39.519 --> 00:14:40.400 Like this. 00:14:41.680 --> 00:14:42.160 So. 00:14:42.780 --> 00:14:43.440 Number one. 00:14:44.240 --> 00:14:44.620 Serving. 00:14:45.000 --> 00:14:46.060 Is generosity. 00:14:46.620 --> 00:14:47.379 In action. 00:14:48.280 --> 00:14:48.840 Serving. 00:14:49.220 --> 00:14:49.860 Is generosity. 00:14:50.519 --> 00:14:51.160 In action. 00:14:51.940 --> 00:14:52.740 Do you understand? 00:14:52.960 --> 00:14:54.320 That we can say. 00:14:54.680 --> 00:14:55.680 That we'll be generous. 00:14:56.680 --> 00:14:58.620 And what is the first thing. 00:14:58.720 --> 00:14:59.860 That comes to your mind. 00:14:59.960 --> 00:15:01.360 When somebody says. 00:15:01.840 --> 00:15:02.440 Generosity. 00:15:02.440 --> 00:15:02.560 Generosity. 00:15:02.559 --> 00:15:06.799 Set yourself apart. 00:15:06.979 --> 00:15:07.839 From what we've studied. 00:15:08.000 --> 00:15:08.599 In this series. 00:15:08.799 --> 00:15:09.059 All right. 00:15:09.139 --> 00:15:09.339 Just. 00:15:09.639 --> 00:15:10.519 Not thinking about. 00:15:10.639 --> 00:15:10.939 Biblical. 00:15:11.119 --> 00:15:11.379 Jesus. 00:15:11.559 --> 00:15:12.039 Generosity. 00:15:12.159 --> 00:15:13.259 But if somebody just said. 00:15:13.379 --> 00:15:13.519 Oh. 00:15:13.579 --> 00:15:14.539 He's a generous guy. 00:15:14.659 --> 00:15:15.479 What do you think. 00:15:15.559 --> 00:15:16.619 That means. 00:15:17.219 --> 00:15:17.699 Money. 00:15:18.019 --> 00:15:18.239 Right. 00:15:18.439 --> 00:15:18.979 They give. 00:15:19.599 --> 00:15:20.519 They give money away. 00:15:23.299 --> 00:15:25.659 You can give money away. 00:15:25.839 --> 00:15:27.759 Without being generous. 00:15:28.559 --> 00:15:29.679 Have we gotten that. 00:15:29.679 --> 00:15:30.699 Through our heads by now. 00:15:31.000 --> 00:15:32.279 I'm still trying to get that. 00:15:32.279 --> 00:15:32.959 Through my head. 00:15:34.539 --> 00:15:36.480 You can give money away. 00:15:36.480 --> 00:15:37.819 Without being generous. 00:15:37.819 --> 00:15:39.559 You can donate to charities. 00:15:39.559 --> 00:15:41.240 Without being generous. 00:15:41.480 --> 00:15:42.480 You can hand. 00:15:42.639 --> 00:15:43.860 A five dollar bill. 00:15:43.860 --> 00:15:44.939 Or a twenty dollar bill. 00:15:45.059 --> 00:15:46.019 To a homeless person. 00:15:46.199 --> 00:15:47.819 Without being generous. 00:15:48.139 --> 00:15:49.379 What matters. 00:15:49.379 --> 00:15:51.019 Whether you're generous or not. 00:15:51.159 --> 00:15:52.819 Is the condition of your heart. 00:15:53.600 --> 00:15:54.159 The how. 00:15:54.299 --> 00:15:54.819 And the why. 00:15:55.519 --> 00:15:56.959 Jesus has always been. 00:15:57.139 --> 00:15:58.159 Far more concerned. 00:15:58.379 --> 00:15:59.240 With the how. 00:15:59.399 --> 00:16:00.079 And the why. 00:16:00.240 --> 00:16:01.120 Rather than the what. 00:16:01.120 --> 00:16:03.120 The what. 00:16:03.120 --> 00:16:03.940 Can change. 00:16:04.700 --> 00:16:05.379 The what. 00:16:05.379 --> 00:16:05.940 Will adapt. 00:16:05.940 --> 00:16:06.960 To different situations. 00:16:06.960 --> 00:16:07.500 The what. 00:16:07.600 --> 00:16:07.879 For you. 00:16:07.879 --> 00:16:08.519 Might be different. 00:16:08.519 --> 00:16:08.940 Than the what. 00:16:09.019 --> 00:16:09.700 For somebody else. 00:16:09.700 --> 00:16:10.700 But the how. 00:16:10.820 --> 00:16:11.440 And the why. 00:16:11.600 --> 00:16:12.299 Will be the same. 00:16:12.440 --> 00:16:13.360 Because that. 00:16:13.500 --> 00:16:14.179 Is the change. 00:16:14.240 --> 00:16:14.980 God makes. 00:16:14.980 --> 00:16:16.179 On the inside. 00:16:16.460 --> 00:16:17.320 That's choosing. 00:16:17.320 --> 00:16:18.560 The Jesus way. 00:16:18.720 --> 00:16:19.799 All our life. 00:16:19.799 --> 00:16:20.659 He's been faithful. 00:16:20.659 --> 00:16:21.299 To us. 00:16:21.440 --> 00:16:22.179 We just heard. 00:16:22.179 --> 00:16:22.860 Heather and Jared. 00:16:22.860 --> 00:16:23.299 And the choir. 00:16:23.440 --> 00:16:23.679 Sing. 00:16:23.679 --> 00:16:25.759 All our life. 00:16:25.839 --> 00:16:26.899 He's been so good. 00:16:27.000 --> 00:16:28.059 He's been so. 00:16:28.519 --> 00:16:29.139 Generous. 00:16:29.679 --> 00:16:30.319 To us. 00:16:31.799 --> 00:16:33.199 He wants to teach us. 00:16:33.199 --> 00:16:34.259 How to be generous. 00:16:34.779 --> 00:16:36.019 That involves. 00:16:36.259 --> 00:16:36.659 Action. 00:16:37.519 --> 00:16:38.739 That involves. 00:16:39.319 --> 00:16:39.719 Serving. 00:16:40.059 --> 00:16:40.919 That involves. 00:16:41.039 --> 00:16:41.879 Going beyond. 00:16:42.099 --> 00:16:42.659 Just writing. 00:16:42.819 --> 00:16:43.359 A check. 00:16:44.120 --> 00:16:45.159 That goes. 00:16:45.859 --> 00:16:46.979 Into the area. 00:16:47.379 --> 00:16:48.019 Of giving. 00:16:48.559 --> 00:16:49.159 Yourself. 00:16:49.599 --> 00:16:50.479 There's a truth here. 00:16:50.480 --> 00:16:52.399 You can give. 00:16:53.180 --> 00:16:53.940 And we're talking. 00:16:54.039 --> 00:16:54.379 About money. 00:16:55.080 --> 00:16:56.159 You can give. 00:16:56.220 --> 00:16:57.000 Without making it. 00:16:57.060 --> 00:16:57.379 Personal. 00:16:58.460 --> 00:16:59.019 Can't you? 00:16:59.860 --> 00:17:00.259 Sometimes. 00:17:00.899 --> 00:17:01.600 It's easy. 00:17:01.600 --> 00:17:02.740 Just to cut a check. 00:17:03.039 --> 00:17:03.840 And get them. 00:17:03.960 --> 00:17:04.620 Off your doorstep. 00:17:05.779 --> 00:17:06.220 Sometimes. 00:17:06.220 --> 00:17:07.140 It's easier. 00:17:08.220 --> 00:17:09.079 Just to buy. 00:17:09.180 --> 00:17:09.519 The box. 00:17:09.539 --> 00:17:10.339 Of girl stout cookies. 00:17:10.460 --> 00:17:11.259 So they'll quit asking. 00:17:11.400 --> 00:17:11.579 Right? 00:17:12.700 --> 00:17:13.680 And then you eat them. 00:17:13.720 --> 00:17:14.120 And you're like. 00:17:14.180 --> 00:17:14.539 Oh yeah. 00:17:14.720 --> 00:17:15.539 Those are delicious. 00:17:17.539 --> 00:17:18.599 After you've frozen. 00:17:18.720 --> 00:17:19.240 The thin mints. 00:17:19.259 --> 00:17:19.920 Because everybody knows. 00:17:20.000 --> 00:17:20.420 Thin mints. 00:17:20.420 --> 00:17:21.080 Are best frozen. 00:17:22.320 --> 00:17:23.400 If you haven't had that. 00:17:23.460 --> 00:17:23.800 You're welcome. 00:17:23.800 --> 00:17:24.300 For the tip. 00:17:26.700 --> 00:17:27.960 So you can give. 00:17:27.960 --> 00:17:29.200 Without personally. 00:17:29.200 --> 00:17:30.920 Actually getting involved. 00:17:31.120 --> 00:17:32.980 But you can't serve. 00:17:33.039 --> 00:17:34.480 Without getting involved. 00:17:35.140 --> 00:17:36.360 You can't serve. 00:17:36.420 --> 00:17:37.279 Without making it. 00:17:37.600 --> 00:17:38.039 Personal. 00:17:39.440 --> 00:17:40.740 Whether you're doing it. 00:17:41.060 --> 00:17:41.620 Begrudgingly. 00:17:41.720 --> 00:17:42.480 Even if you don't. 00:17:42.640 --> 00:17:43.740 Really want to be there. 00:17:44.080 --> 00:17:45.560 You know what often happens. 00:17:45.740 --> 00:17:46.779 When you show up. 00:17:46.820 --> 00:17:47.380 And you serve. 00:17:47.500 --> 00:17:47.940 Anyway. 00:17:48.700 --> 00:17:49.560 The service. 00:17:49.559 --> 00:17:50.720 This changes your heart. 00:17:51.720 --> 00:17:53.200 It changes your want to. 00:17:53.799 --> 00:17:55.700 The feelings end up catching up. 00:17:57.099 --> 00:17:59.559 God just needed you to get your ugly mug out there. 00:17:59.639 --> 00:18:00.480 So he could use it. 00:18:00.559 --> 00:18:00.799 Right? 00:18:02.179 --> 00:18:03.839 It's been my experience at least. 00:18:03.839 --> 00:18:04.500 There's always a difference. 00:18:04.500 --> 00:18:08.439 There's always a difference. 00:18:08.720 --> 00:18:11.839 In how we look at other people. 00:18:12.079 --> 00:18:14.480 And how Jesus looks at us. 00:18:15.220 --> 00:18:18.379 We judge people whether they're worthy of our service. 00:18:18.959 --> 00:18:22.919 Whether we approve of this particular cause. 00:18:23.500 --> 00:18:24.480 Whatever it is. 00:18:24.559 --> 00:18:26.319 We have a high set of standards. 00:18:26.319 --> 00:18:26.679 Right? 00:18:26.680 --> 00:18:28.259 I don't know. 00:18:28.340 --> 00:18:30.700 I'm not sure what that person would do with the money. 00:18:31.299 --> 00:18:32.039 I don't know. 00:18:32.160 --> 00:18:33.519 What do they support? 00:18:34.340 --> 00:18:38.220 What has that organization ever supported or given money to in their time? 00:18:38.740 --> 00:18:42.039 And I'm not saying we don't be responsible with what God's given to us. 00:18:43.039 --> 00:18:43.720 But listen. 00:18:43.799 --> 00:18:45.240 There's a difference in the mindset. 00:18:45.240 --> 00:18:48.700 We've been talking about this the last couple of weeks. 00:18:49.779 --> 00:18:51.420 Bounded set versus centered set. 00:18:51.500 --> 00:18:52.700 I'm not going to spend a long time on it. 00:18:52.740 --> 00:18:55.359 But I just want to remind you of it and bring it back in. 00:18:56.120 --> 00:18:58.359 We are often bounded set. 00:18:58.480 --> 00:18:59.720 We create these boundaries. 00:19:00.480 --> 00:19:01.859 Think about this circle. 00:19:01.980 --> 00:19:02.620 These lines. 00:19:02.980 --> 00:19:04.220 And whoever's on the inside. 00:19:04.359 --> 00:19:05.099 That's our crowd. 00:19:05.180 --> 00:19:06.200 And whoever's on the outside. 00:19:06.400 --> 00:19:07.220 That's not our crowd. 00:19:08.200 --> 00:19:09.519 We don't affiliate with them. 00:19:09.579 --> 00:19:10.759 We don't associate with them. 00:19:10.980 --> 00:19:12.259 We don't want to be around them. 00:19:12.339 --> 00:19:13.180 They're not welcome here. 00:19:13.180 --> 00:19:17.240 That is often how we judge others. 00:19:17.860 --> 00:19:19.320 Jesus says, no. 00:19:19.580 --> 00:19:21.799 It's not about the lines that you've set. 00:19:21.880 --> 00:19:24.799 Because the problem is everybody's lines are going to be different. 00:19:26.200 --> 00:19:28.400 Your boundaries are going to be different than mine. 00:19:29.060 --> 00:19:30.700 And the person next to you. 00:19:31.140 --> 00:19:32.259 Maybe even your spouse. 00:19:32.920 --> 00:19:33.920 Maybe even your kids. 00:19:34.580 --> 00:19:37.560 You're going to have slightly different lines or boundaries. 00:19:37.740 --> 00:19:38.180 But listen. 00:19:38.580 --> 00:19:40.620 Jesus doesn't judge us that way. 00:19:40.619 --> 00:19:45.119 He judges us whether we're moving toward him or away from him. 00:19:46.019 --> 00:19:48.139 It's all about Jesus. 00:19:48.939 --> 00:19:53.159 So you might be coming from up here or down here or over here or over here. 00:19:53.239 --> 00:19:58.939 But if you're moving toward Jesus, he's drawing you in. 00:19:58.940 --> 00:20:04.720 And if you're moving away from him, he's trying to get you back. 00:20:06.420 --> 00:20:08.620 You might be inside those lines. 00:20:08.960 --> 00:20:10.779 But you might be moving away from Jesus. 00:20:12.640 --> 00:20:14.299 That is the condition of the heart. 00:20:14.980 --> 00:20:16.960 And that shows us whether we're generous. 00:20:17.759 --> 00:20:20.320 And often that determines on who we'll serve. 00:20:20.319 --> 00:20:25.960 Usually we only want to serve people or do things for people that we get along with. 00:20:26.439 --> 00:20:28.000 That fit inside our lines. 00:20:29.879 --> 00:20:33.679 Jesus says we're supposed to serve everybody. 00:20:34.259 --> 00:20:36.019 Even our enemies. 00:20:36.679 --> 00:20:37.619 That's the hard part. 00:20:38.819 --> 00:20:43.240 If you look across America today, it is as fractured, as divided as it's ever been. 00:20:43.240 --> 00:20:49.460 And one side, by and large, sees the other side as enemies and vice versa. 00:20:50.380 --> 00:20:51.720 You know what Jesus says? 00:20:52.420 --> 00:20:52.880 Love them. 00:20:53.900 --> 00:20:54.720 Love your enemies. 00:20:55.400 --> 00:20:56.259 Do good to them. 00:20:58.460 --> 00:20:59.539 That's a hard thing. 00:21:00.400 --> 00:21:05.099 But it shows us not only whether we're generous, but if we're following Jesus. 00:21:05.559 --> 00:21:09.059 If we're actually moving toward him. 00:21:09.059 --> 00:21:12.519 So, Romans 12 and verse 1. 00:21:13.659 --> 00:21:14.859 Paul talks about it. 00:21:16.019 --> 00:21:17.740 We see this teaching from Jesus. 00:21:17.960 --> 00:21:21.240 And then each Sunday we're able to find similar teaching from Paul. 00:21:21.339 --> 00:21:22.619 Because he studied Jesus. 00:21:22.779 --> 00:21:23.960 And he had an encounter with Jesus. 00:21:24.119 --> 00:21:25.299 And he met Jesus. 00:21:25.559 --> 00:21:27.839 And Jesus guided his teaching. 00:21:28.039 --> 00:21:29.799 And so in Romans 12 and verse 1. 00:21:29.799 --> 00:21:31.339 Dear brothers and sisters. 00:21:32.079 --> 00:21:36.779 I plead with you to give your bodies to God. 00:21:36.779 --> 00:21:39.099 That's not just writing a check. 00:21:39.319 --> 00:21:40.299 That's service. 00:21:40.899 --> 00:21:42.379 Those are action words. 00:21:42.899 --> 00:21:44.660 Give your bodies to God. 00:21:44.700 --> 00:21:46.899 Because of all he's done for you. 00:21:47.079 --> 00:21:48.240 That's our motivation. 00:21:49.039 --> 00:21:50.200 That's our why. 00:21:50.619 --> 00:21:52.839 Because of what Jesus did for me. 00:21:53.099 --> 00:21:55.759 Because of what Jesus did for you on the cross. 00:21:55.819 --> 00:21:57.079 And if you don't know that story. 00:21:57.079 --> 00:22:00.839 Then stick around and anybody here will be happy to tell you. 00:22:01.000 --> 00:22:03.240 How Jesus hung on a cross. 00:22:03.539 --> 00:22:06.119 Gave up his life for your sin and for mine. 00:22:06.379 --> 00:22:07.539 And then didn't stay dead. 00:22:07.619 --> 00:22:08.919 He proved that he was God. 00:22:09.079 --> 00:22:11.699 By doing what he said and coming back to life. 00:22:11.819 --> 00:22:13.139 God raised him from the dead. 00:22:13.319 --> 00:22:14.619 And now he's alive today. 00:22:14.740 --> 00:22:16.439 And offers forgiveness for your sin. 00:22:16.819 --> 00:22:18.039 Cleansing from all your sin. 00:22:18.179 --> 00:22:20.079 Past, present, and future. 00:22:21.220 --> 00:22:22.399 And that's the gospel. 00:22:22.400 --> 00:22:25.220 John 3.16 says, 00:22:25.400 --> 00:22:26.660 For God so loved the world, 00:22:26.740 --> 00:22:28.880 He gave His one and only Son, 00:22:29.160 --> 00:22:31.759 that whoever believes in Him will not perish, 00:22:31.880 --> 00:22:33.800 will not have to pay for the punishment for your sin, 00:22:34.320 --> 00:22:36.560 but will have eternal life. 00:22:37.640 --> 00:22:38.980 So he said, because of that, 00:22:39.220 --> 00:22:40.620 because of what God's done for you, 00:22:41.820 --> 00:22:46.280 let your bodies be a living and holy sacrifice. 00:22:46.920 --> 00:22:48.120 That's a scary word. 00:22:48.519 --> 00:22:49.000 Sacrifice. 00:22:49.820 --> 00:22:51.540 How many of you have looked in the Old Testament 00:22:51.539 --> 00:22:53.240 and you've seen all the animal sacrifices 00:22:53.240 --> 00:22:54.180 written about in there? 00:22:54.879 --> 00:22:55.700 How many of you are glad 00:22:55.700 --> 00:22:57.319 we don't do animal sacrifices 00:22:57.319 --> 00:22:59.079 in the name of God today anymore? 00:22:59.259 --> 00:23:00.180 That's really good, right? 00:23:00.500 --> 00:23:01.259 It would be weird. 00:23:01.379 --> 00:23:02.299 They'd be calling us a cult. 00:23:04.740 --> 00:23:06.019 But we don't do that anymore. 00:23:06.639 --> 00:23:08.619 Because Jesus was the final sacrifice. 00:23:09.279 --> 00:23:10.500 And now He's saying, 00:23:10.920 --> 00:23:12.859 I don't need a dead sacrifice from you. 00:23:13.379 --> 00:23:15.259 I need a living sacrifice from you. 00:23:15.579 --> 00:23:16.420 I need to offer, 00:23:16.420 --> 00:23:20.079 I need you to offer up your body alive and well. 00:23:20.079 --> 00:23:24.460 And useful for my purposes on earth 00:23:24.460 --> 00:23:28.019 because my purposes are higher and greater 00:23:28.019 --> 00:23:29.720 and better than your purposes. 00:23:31.699 --> 00:23:35.279 And if you write over a blank check 00:23:35.279 --> 00:23:36.740 with your life to me, 00:23:37.639 --> 00:23:38.919 then I will take that check 00:23:38.919 --> 00:23:40.859 and do much better for it, 00:23:41.339 --> 00:23:41.879 with it, 00:23:42.059 --> 00:23:44.659 for you than you ever could on your own. 00:23:44.660 --> 00:23:48.880 So let Him be a living and holy sacrifice. 00:23:49.540 --> 00:23:50.840 Not an own holy sacrifice. 00:23:51.840 --> 00:23:53.900 A holy set-apart sacrifice. 00:23:54.360 --> 00:23:57.560 Saying, God, I'm setting this apart for you. 00:23:57.660 --> 00:23:59.340 That's what makes it holy. 00:23:59.480 --> 00:24:00.360 It's not that you're perfect. 00:24:01.259 --> 00:24:02.620 It's not that you never mess up. 00:24:02.680 --> 00:24:04.279 It's not that you ever have an impure thought. 00:24:04.519 --> 00:24:06.060 It's not that you never do something 00:24:06.060 --> 00:24:08.440 that you wish you hadn't done five seconds later. 00:24:08.440 --> 00:24:11.279 Or said something that you wish you hadn't said. 00:24:11.539 --> 00:24:12.360 Maybe online. 00:24:14.460 --> 00:24:16.660 Yes, those are unholy, unrighteous things. 00:24:16.940 --> 00:24:19.259 But what makes it a holy sacrifice 00:24:19.259 --> 00:24:22.160 is when you offer it all up 00:24:22.160 --> 00:24:24.900 and you don't hold back. 00:24:26.519 --> 00:24:29.840 Holding back makes it an unholy sacrifice. 00:24:29.839 --> 00:24:33.759 But when you say, God, here I am. 00:24:35.439 --> 00:24:39.240 As messy and messed up as it is. 00:24:39.759 --> 00:24:41.139 I'm giving it to you. 00:24:43.299 --> 00:24:46.179 That's what makes it a living and holy sacrifice. 00:24:46.539 --> 00:24:49.139 And that's what He finds acceptable. 00:24:50.839 --> 00:24:54.079 This is truly the way to worship Him. 00:24:55.879 --> 00:24:58.480 Showing up at church on Sunday morning 00:24:58.480 --> 00:25:01.700 and singing, I will sing of the goodness of God. 00:25:01.799 --> 00:25:05.079 That's not the way to worship Him. 00:25:06.039 --> 00:25:08.039 That's a way to worship Him. 00:25:10.140 --> 00:25:11.740 But if you're not willing 00:25:11.740 --> 00:25:16.140 to offer yourself and all your mess 00:25:16.140 --> 00:25:18.759 as a living and holy sacrifice to God, 00:25:19.160 --> 00:25:21.019 then those words are hollow. 00:25:22.420 --> 00:25:23.680 Those words aren't worship. 00:25:23.680 --> 00:25:25.120 They're just words. 00:25:25.119 --> 00:25:29.639 So this is the way to worship. 00:25:32.599 --> 00:25:34.279 Number two, and we're almost done. 00:25:36.119 --> 00:25:37.699 God's kingdom grows 00:25:37.699 --> 00:25:40.000 when we grab our towels. 00:25:40.799 --> 00:25:42.519 Matthew chapter 5 and verse 16. 00:25:42.839 --> 00:25:45.539 Let your light shine before others. 00:25:46.379 --> 00:25:48.619 Let your light shine before others 00:25:48.619 --> 00:25:50.839 that they may see your good deeds 00:25:50.839 --> 00:25:54.119 and glorify your Father in heaven. 00:25:54.119 --> 00:25:55.699 Did you catch the difference there? 00:25:56.739 --> 00:25:57.859 It doesn't say, 00:25:58.079 --> 00:25:59.419 let your light shine before others 00:25:59.419 --> 00:26:01.339 so they can see your good deeds 00:26:01.339 --> 00:26:03.879 and think what a great gal or guy you are. 00:26:04.699 --> 00:26:05.799 That's not what it's about. 00:26:06.500 --> 00:26:08.399 It's about glorifying God. 00:26:08.619 --> 00:26:10.339 How does God get the glory? 00:26:10.559 --> 00:26:12.199 When we give Him the credit. 00:26:13.899 --> 00:26:15.719 When we do something for someone 00:26:16.259 --> 00:26:17.379 and say, you know, 00:26:17.539 --> 00:26:19.299 Jesus did everything for me, 00:26:19.699 --> 00:26:22.539 so I want to do whatever I can for you. 00:26:22.539 --> 00:26:27.159 That's how God gets the credit 00:26:27.159 --> 00:26:30.180 and that's how they end up giving Him the glory. 00:26:30.659 --> 00:26:32.879 That's letting our light shine. 00:26:33.119 --> 00:26:35.639 Not just doing something for someone, 00:26:35.960 --> 00:26:40.200 but letting the light of Jesus shine through you. 00:26:40.740 --> 00:26:41.859 That's the difference. 00:26:42.579 --> 00:26:45.460 So, I want to share this with you. 00:26:46.000 --> 00:26:48.940 The church doesn't grow on the gifts of a few, 00:26:48.940 --> 00:26:51.460 but on the service of many. 00:26:51.960 --> 00:26:53.860 It will take all of us 00:26:53.860 --> 00:26:55.980 letting our light shine 00:26:55.980 --> 00:26:59.100 to really see God's kingdom grow 00:26:59.100 --> 00:27:01.400 right here at First Baptist Henrietta. 00:27:01.400 --> 00:27:05.440 It's not just going to take the gifts 00:27:05.440 --> 00:27:08.800 or the talent or the service of me, 00:27:09.060 --> 00:27:10.120 Jared, Megan, 00:27:10.640 --> 00:27:11.800 the committee leaders, 00:27:12.740 --> 00:27:13.680 the choir members, 00:27:13.980 --> 00:27:14.700 the ushers, 00:27:15.940 --> 00:27:17.160 the Sunday school teachers, 00:27:17.780 --> 00:27:19.860 the people who really get involved, right? 00:27:19.940 --> 00:27:21.180 The people who are really committed. 00:27:21.480 --> 00:27:23.320 It's going to take all of us. 00:27:23.860 --> 00:27:26.200 It's going to take the service of many 00:27:26.200 --> 00:27:27.980 letting our light shine 00:27:27.980 --> 00:27:29.779 Monday through Saturday, 00:27:29.960 --> 00:27:31.299 not just on Sunday 00:27:31.299 --> 00:27:32.620 and not just on Wednesday night. 00:27:34.640 --> 00:27:37.120 It's letting God change us 00:27:37.120 --> 00:27:40.259 and letting that change shine out 00:27:40.259 --> 00:27:43.940 as messy as it can be sometimes. 00:27:45.480 --> 00:27:47.460 But when God does something through us, 00:27:47.539 --> 00:27:47.900 we say, 00:27:48.079 --> 00:27:49.500 that's God in me. 00:27:50.420 --> 00:27:52.279 And then the longer we walk with Jesus, 00:27:52.819 --> 00:27:54.460 the less messy it gets 00:27:54.460 --> 00:27:57.779 because He changes us. 00:27:58.980 --> 00:28:01.940 He conforms us into His image. 00:28:02.620 --> 00:28:02.819 So, 00:28:04.180 --> 00:28:06.920 God's kingdom grows 00:28:06.920 --> 00:28:09.160 when we grab our towels. 00:28:12.220 --> 00:28:13.920 What's the towel that you need to grab? 00:28:16.880 --> 00:28:18.079 What's a task 00:28:18.079 --> 00:28:20.200 that God has for you 00:28:20.200 --> 00:28:23.240 that seems beneath you, 00:28:24.339 --> 00:28:26.160 seems like something 00:28:26.160 --> 00:28:27.339 you just don't want to do? 00:28:27.980 --> 00:28:30.420 But that's a towel 00:28:30.420 --> 00:28:31.220 that you can grab 00:28:31.220 --> 00:28:32.819 and a service 00:28:32.819 --> 00:28:33.740 that you can do 00:28:33.740 --> 00:28:34.779 for God 00:28:34.779 --> 00:28:36.339 because of all He's done for us. 00:28:36.420 --> 00:28:37.180 What have we learned today? 00:28:37.799 --> 00:28:38.319 Number one, 00:28:38.440 --> 00:28:39.559 Jesus values 00:28:39.559 --> 00:28:41.160 willing service 00:28:41.160 --> 00:28:42.900 over self-importance. 00:28:43.140 --> 00:28:44.039 Every time, 00:28:45.039 --> 00:28:45.940 self-importance 00:28:45.940 --> 00:28:46.539 will lead you 00:28:46.539 --> 00:28:48.259 further away from Jesus, 00:28:48.740 --> 00:28:49.940 not toward Him. 00:28:50.599 --> 00:28:51.980 You can be self-important 00:28:51.980 --> 00:28:53.779 and stay inside that circle 00:28:53.779 --> 00:28:55.259 of how people think 00:28:55.259 --> 00:28:56.440 Christians ought to be. 00:28:57.440 --> 00:28:58.980 But you can't be self-important 00:28:58.980 --> 00:29:00.299 and moving toward Jesus. 00:29:00.299 --> 00:29:01.059 It's impossible. 00:29:02.420 --> 00:29:02.940 So, 00:29:03.019 --> 00:29:04.299 what He wants to teach you 00:29:04.299 --> 00:29:06.000 instead is willing service. 00:29:06.160 --> 00:29:06.599 Number two, 00:29:07.099 --> 00:29:07.819 serving God 00:29:07.819 --> 00:29:09.099 doesn't usually look glamorous. 00:29:10.220 --> 00:29:11.559 It usually looks like 00:29:11.559 --> 00:29:12.279 grabbing a towel. 00:29:12.640 --> 00:29:13.559 It usually looks like 00:29:13.559 --> 00:29:14.579 washing somebody's feet. 00:29:15.319 --> 00:29:16.460 It usually looks like 00:29:16.460 --> 00:29:17.319 going out of your way 00:29:17.319 --> 00:29:17.920 to do something 00:29:17.920 --> 00:29:18.640 for somebody else. 00:29:18.759 --> 00:29:19.879 It usually looks like 00:29:19.879 --> 00:29:21.480 seeing a need in the church 00:29:21.480 --> 00:29:21.940 and saying, 00:29:21.940 --> 00:29:22.340 you know what? 00:29:22.360 --> 00:29:23.140 I'm going to step in 00:29:23.140 --> 00:29:24.320 and fill that gap. 00:29:26.080 --> 00:29:27.440 I'm going to step up 00:29:27.440 --> 00:29:29.360 out of my comfort zone 00:29:29.360 --> 00:29:31.860 because I'm not serving them. 00:29:31.960 --> 00:29:32.920 I'm serving God 00:29:32.920 --> 00:29:35.220 and God wants me 00:29:35.220 --> 00:29:36.180 to serve them. 00:29:37.580 --> 00:29:38.360 And then number three, 00:29:38.860 --> 00:29:39.620 humbling ourselves 00:29:39.620 --> 00:29:40.799 can draw others 00:29:40.799 --> 00:29:42.279 to follow Jesus. 00:29:42.580 --> 00:29:44.299 When we pick up a towel, 00:29:44.840 --> 00:29:47.120 it says something 00:29:47.120 --> 00:29:48.640 to everybody else around us. 00:29:48.640 --> 00:29:51.420 when we dress up nice 00:29:51.420 --> 00:29:54.140 and dare not say a bad word 00:29:54.140 --> 00:29:56.460 and we go around 00:29:56.460 --> 00:29:57.380 looking important 00:29:57.380 --> 00:29:59.160 and say, 00:29:59.280 --> 00:30:00.120 I don't miss a Sunday 00:30:00.120 --> 00:30:00.580 over there 00:30:00.580 --> 00:30:01.820 at First Baptist Church, man. 00:30:03.280 --> 00:30:04.540 That probably doesn't draw 00:30:04.540 --> 00:30:05.660 very many people to Jesus. 00:30:08.680 --> 00:30:10.520 What does draw people to Jesus 00:30:10.520 --> 00:30:12.920 is when we go out of our way 00:30:12.920 --> 00:30:13.480 to help them 00:30:13.480 --> 00:30:15.620 and we give God 00:30:15.620 --> 00:30:16.420 the credit for it. 00:30:16.420 --> 00:30:18.600 humbling ourselves 00:30:18.600 --> 00:30:20.360 can literally draw 00:30:20.360 --> 00:30:21.140 other people 00:30:21.140 --> 00:30:22.300 into choosing 00:30:22.300 --> 00:30:23.240 to follow Jesus 00:30:23.240 --> 00:30:24.940 and that could get them 00:30:24.940 --> 00:30:26.840 out of an eternal hell, 00:30:27.000 --> 00:30:28.220 a punishment for their sin 00:30:28.220 --> 00:30:30.200 and into an eternal relationship 00:30:30.200 --> 00:30:30.740 with Jesus 00:30:30.740 --> 00:30:31.680 which will land them 00:30:31.680 --> 00:30:32.720 in heaven with God forever. 00:30:33.140 --> 00:30:34.180 You can change 00:30:34.180 --> 00:30:35.360 someone's destiny. 00:30:36.779 --> 00:30:38.080 I can change 00:30:38.080 --> 00:30:39.120 someone's destiny. 00:30:40.000 --> 00:30:41.259 We can do it 00:30:41.259 --> 00:30:43.019 by humbling ourselves. 00:30:43.019 --> 00:30:47.920 You all know 00:30:47.920 --> 00:30:48.660 who this guy is? 00:30:51.440 --> 00:30:52.059 What's that? 00:30:52.539 --> 00:30:52.819 AI. 00:30:53.660 --> 00:30:54.500 Well, yes, 00:30:54.579 --> 00:30:55.500 it is, I believe, 00:30:55.579 --> 00:30:56.220 an AI picture 00:30:56.220 --> 00:30:58.139 but that guy 00:30:58.139 --> 00:30:58.859 is a real guy 00:30:58.859 --> 00:30:59.460 who lived 00:30:59.460 --> 00:31:01.000 and is no longer alive. 00:31:04.819 --> 00:31:05.980 President John F. Kennedy 00:31:05.980 --> 00:31:06.879 many years ago 00:31:06.879 --> 00:31:07.960 toured NASA. 00:31:08.319 --> 00:31:08.740 Everybody know 00:31:08.740 --> 00:31:09.759 what NASA is, 00:31:10.359 --> 00:31:10.779 right? 00:31:10.779 --> 00:31:10.859 Right? 00:31:13.019 --> 00:31:14.059 astronauts. 00:31:15.460 --> 00:31:16.980 JFK was touring NASA. 00:31:17.579 --> 00:31:18.160 It was pretty cool. 00:31:18.639 --> 00:31:19.440 This was the height 00:31:19.440 --> 00:31:20.440 of the space race. 00:31:21.079 --> 00:31:21.839 America was going 00:31:21.839 --> 00:31:22.379 to the moon. 00:31:23.579 --> 00:31:24.599 Everybody was excited. 00:31:24.740 --> 00:31:25.660 They were racing Russia 00:31:25.660 --> 00:31:26.940 to try to get there first. 00:31:28.519 --> 00:31:29.500 It's a lot of confidence 00:31:29.500 --> 00:31:30.099 in America 00:31:30.099 --> 00:31:31.559 and their space program 00:31:31.559 --> 00:31:32.139 and all that 00:31:32.139 --> 00:31:32.859 and everybody was, 00:31:32.960 --> 00:31:33.480 a lot of money 00:31:33.480 --> 00:31:34.400 was being thrown at it 00:31:34.400 --> 00:31:35.579 so JFK goes 00:31:35.579 --> 00:31:37.379 and tours NASA 00:31:37.379 --> 00:31:38.420 as the president 00:31:38.420 --> 00:31:39.680 and he's talking 00:31:39.680 --> 00:31:40.839 with all the important people 00:31:40.839 --> 00:31:41.579 and the scientists 00:31:41.579 --> 00:31:42.480 and the astronauts 00:31:42.480 --> 00:31:43.119 and everybody 00:31:43.119 --> 00:31:44.179 and then they're walking 00:31:44.179 --> 00:31:44.939 him through a hallway 00:31:44.939 --> 00:31:46.959 and he sees this guy. 00:31:48.240 --> 00:31:49.419 He was a janitor 00:31:49.419 --> 00:31:52.699 and JFK 00:31:52.699 --> 00:31:55.899 trying to be 00:31:55.899 --> 00:31:56.679 a good leader, 00:31:57.279 --> 00:31:58.319 trying to notice 00:31:58.319 --> 00:31:59.099 the little people, 00:31:59.659 --> 00:32:00.399 he stops 00:32:00.399 --> 00:32:01.519 and he says, 00:32:01.899 --> 00:32:03.099 sir, 00:32:03.179 --> 00:32:03.759 what's your name 00:32:03.759 --> 00:32:04.699 and what do you do here? 00:32:05.480 --> 00:32:06.159 And the guy 00:32:06.159 --> 00:32:06.879 gave his name. 00:32:06.880 --> 00:32:09.320 I think it was Roy something 00:32:09.320 --> 00:32:11.320 and he said, 00:32:12.260 --> 00:32:12.920 Mr. President, 00:32:13.360 --> 00:32:14.860 I'm putting a man 00:32:14.860 --> 00:32:15.300 on the moon. 00:32:18.960 --> 00:32:20.360 He was the janitor 00:32:20.360 --> 00:32:23.040 but he felt like 00:32:23.040 --> 00:32:23.920 he was putting 00:32:23.920 --> 00:32:25.460 a man on the moon. 00:32:26.460 --> 00:32:26.940 Why? 00:32:28.760 --> 00:32:29.860 Because if they didn't 00:32:29.860 --> 00:32:30.960 have the facility, 00:32:31.480 --> 00:32:33.000 then they wouldn't 00:32:33.000 --> 00:32:33.960 be able to send 00:32:33.960 --> 00:32:34.880 a man to the moon 00:32:34.880 --> 00:32:36.720 and if they didn't 00:32:36.720 --> 00:32:38.240 keep the facility clean, 00:32:38.720 --> 00:32:39.480 then it wouldn't 00:32:39.480 --> 00:32:40.080 be usable. 00:32:41.580 --> 00:32:43.040 He had done the math 00:32:43.040 --> 00:32:44.220 and he had figured out 00:32:44.220 --> 00:32:45.740 my job is essential 00:32:45.740 --> 00:32:46.520 to the mission. 00:32:48.040 --> 00:32:49.020 My job 00:32:49.020 --> 00:32:49.920 will help 00:32:49.920 --> 00:32:50.680 put someone 00:32:50.680 --> 00:32:51.680 on the moon. 00:32:52.360 --> 00:32:53.220 If they didn't 00:32:53.220 --> 00:32:53.760 have me, 00:32:54.180 --> 00:32:55.100 they couldn't do it. 00:32:57.360 --> 00:32:58.700 I really believe 00:32:58.700 --> 00:32:59.960 God wants to get 00:32:59.960 --> 00:33:00.560 that mindset 00:33:00.560 --> 00:33:01.360 in every one 00:33:01.360 --> 00:33:02.020 of us here today. 00:33:03.360 --> 00:33:04.460 You might look up 00:33:04.460 --> 00:33:05.400 at me who gets up 00:33:05.400 --> 00:33:06.100 here most Sundays 00:33:06.100 --> 00:33:06.700 and preaches. 00:33:07.660 --> 00:33:08.420 You might look 00:33:08.420 --> 00:33:09.279 at Jared who leads 00:33:09.279 --> 00:33:09.620 the singing. 00:33:09.740 --> 00:33:10.160 You might look 00:33:10.160 --> 00:33:10.819 at Heather and the 00:33:10.819 --> 00:33:11.579 others in the choir 00:33:11.579 --> 00:33:12.840 who have these 00:33:12.840 --> 00:33:13.500 beautiful voices 00:33:13.500 --> 00:33:14.200 and they lead us 00:33:14.200 --> 00:33:14.620 in singing 00:33:14.620 --> 00:33:15.380 and they get more 00:33:15.380 --> 00:33:16.340 face time 00:33:16.340 --> 00:33:17.220 than most people. 00:33:18.880 --> 00:33:19.920 Maybe you're a child 00:33:19.920 --> 00:33:20.440 and you think 00:33:20.440 --> 00:33:20.920 of your Sunday 00:33:20.920 --> 00:33:21.519 school teacher, 00:33:21.640 --> 00:33:22.340 oh, they're the one, 00:33:22.400 --> 00:33:22.620 you know, 00:33:22.700 --> 00:33:24.059 that they're really 00:33:24.059 --> 00:33:24.759 getting it done. 00:33:26.480 --> 00:33:27.160 Maybe you're thinking 00:33:27.160 --> 00:33:27.600 of the building 00:33:27.600 --> 00:33:28.259 and grounds committee 00:33:28.259 --> 00:33:28.920 that goes around 00:33:28.920 --> 00:33:30.100 and puts in such 00:33:30.100 --> 00:33:31.799 time and labor 00:33:31.799 --> 00:33:32.900 into this church 00:33:32.900 --> 00:33:33.840 keeping the property 00:33:33.839 --> 00:33:34.659 up and guiding 00:33:34.659 --> 00:33:35.159 us forward. 00:33:35.559 --> 00:33:36.519 The finance committee, 00:33:36.639 --> 00:33:37.019 the committee 00:33:37.019 --> 00:33:37.639 on committees, 00:33:37.859 --> 00:33:38.439 that's a thing. 00:33:41.899 --> 00:33:42.659 All these 00:33:42.659 --> 00:33:43.659 different committees 00:33:43.659 --> 00:33:45.759 spend so much 00:33:45.759 --> 00:33:46.379 of their time 00:33:46.379 --> 00:33:47.319 but I promise you 00:33:47.319 --> 00:33:48.419 it's not just 00:33:48.419 --> 00:33:48.919 the people 00:33:48.919 --> 00:33:49.699 who sit around 00:33:49.699 --> 00:33:50.539 making important 00:33:50.539 --> 00:33:51.079 decisions. 00:33:52.339 --> 00:33:53.399 It's not just 00:33:53.399 --> 00:33:53.919 the people 00:33:53.919 --> 00:33:55.339 who actively 00:33:55.339 --> 00:33:56.299 are up in front 00:33:56.299 --> 00:33:56.720 of people 00:33:56.720 --> 00:33:57.419 on Sundays. 00:33:57.899 --> 00:33:58.899 It's the people 00:33:58.899 --> 00:33:59.639 who pick up 00:33:59.639 --> 00:34:00.319 the trash 00:34:00.319 --> 00:34:01.019 in the pew 00:34:01.019 --> 00:34:02.200 or on the floor. 00:34:03.200 --> 00:34:04.139 It's the people 00:34:04.139 --> 00:34:04.859 who show up 00:34:04.859 --> 00:34:05.539 and pray 00:34:05.539 --> 00:34:06.579 when nobody 00:34:06.579 --> 00:34:07.379 else is praying. 00:34:08.480 --> 00:34:09.380 It's the people 00:34:09.380 --> 00:34:10.059 who stop 00:34:10.059 --> 00:34:10.800 and check on 00:34:10.800 --> 00:34:11.320 somebody 00:34:11.320 --> 00:34:12.340 who just seems 00:34:12.340 --> 00:34:12.759 like they're 00:34:12.759 --> 00:34:13.599 not themselves. 00:34:14.300 --> 00:34:15.000 It's the people 00:34:15.000 --> 00:34:15.599 who go over 00:34:15.599 --> 00:34:16.079 to somebody 00:34:16.079 --> 00:34:17.079 they don't recognize 00:34:17.079 --> 00:34:17.920 and introduce 00:34:17.920 --> 00:34:18.500 themselves 00:34:18.500 --> 00:34:19.400 and say, 00:34:19.559 --> 00:34:19.780 welcome, 00:34:19.960 --> 00:34:20.400 thank you for 00:34:20.400 --> 00:34:21.159 joining us today. 00:34:23.320 --> 00:34:24.840 That is what 00:34:24.840 --> 00:34:25.659 sends the man 00:34:25.659 --> 00:34:26.159 to the moon. 00:34:27.420 --> 00:34:28.599 That is what 00:34:28.599 --> 00:34:29.579 builds God's 00:34:29.579 --> 00:34:30.579 kingdom on this 00:34:30.579 --> 00:34:30.880 earth. 00:34:31.319 --> 00:34:32.400 Let us not 00:34:32.400 --> 00:34:34.199 be another 00:34:34.199 --> 00:34:35.319 self-important 00:34:35.319 --> 00:34:36.019 First Baptist 00:34:36.019 --> 00:34:36.759 church in 00:34:36.759 --> 00:34:37.239 small town 00:34:37.239 --> 00:34:37.619 Texas. 00:34:38.759 --> 00:34:39.420 There are 00:34:39.420 --> 00:34:40.059 plenty of them. 00:34:40.480 --> 00:34:40.639 Okay? 00:34:41.739 --> 00:34:42.519 And I'm not 00:34:42.519 --> 00:34:42.840 going to go 00:34:42.840 --> 00:34:43.340 around naming 00:34:43.340 --> 00:34:43.819 names. 00:34:44.019 --> 00:34:44.360 I wouldn't 00:34:44.360 --> 00:34:44.759 want to do 00:34:44.759 --> 00:34:45.219 that and I'd 00:34:45.219 --> 00:34:45.619 probably get 00:34:45.619 --> 00:34:46.000 it wrong. 00:34:47.079 --> 00:34:47.779 But y'all 00:34:47.779 --> 00:34:48.380 know I'm not 00:34:48.380 --> 00:34:48.679 wrong. 00:34:50.199 --> 00:34:50.880 We don't 00:34:50.880 --> 00:34:51.400 have to be 00:34:51.400 --> 00:34:51.759 that. 00:34:52.980 --> 00:34:53.699 We can 00:34:53.699 --> 00:34:54.400 recognize 00:34:54.400 --> 00:34:55.500 that God 00:34:55.500 --> 00:34:56.299 needs every 00:34:56.299 --> 00:34:57.139 single one 00:34:57.139 --> 00:34:57.639 of us, 00:34:57.759 --> 00:34:58.679 myself included, 00:34:58.679 --> 00:34:59.659 to stop 00:34:59.659 --> 00:35:00.019 what we're 00:35:00.019 --> 00:35:00.559 doing and 00:35:00.559 --> 00:35:01.079 pick up a 00:35:01.079 --> 00:35:01.879 towel sometimes 00:35:01.879 --> 00:35:02.859 or grab a 00:35:02.859 --> 00:35:03.379 broom and 00:35:03.379 --> 00:35:05.739 sweep or 00:35:05.739 --> 00:35:06.500 speak a kind 00:35:06.500 --> 00:35:06.899 word to 00:35:06.899 --> 00:35:07.619 somebody else. 00:35:08.759 --> 00:35:09.599 Greatness in 00:35:09.599 --> 00:35:10.419 God's kingdom 00:35:10.419 --> 00:35:12.199 isn't found in 00:35:12.199 --> 00:35:13.000 grabbing a 00:35:13.000 --> 00:35:13.359 title. 00:35:13.719 --> 00:35:15.019 It's found in 00:35:15.019 --> 00:35:16.779 picking up a 00:35:16.779 --> 00:35:17.079 towel. 00:35:19.119 --> 00:35:19.980 When you 00:35:19.980 --> 00:35:20.440 change a 00:35:20.440 --> 00:35:21.079 baby's diaper 00:35:21.079 --> 00:35:21.699 in the nursery, 00:35:22.159 --> 00:35:22.899 what are you 00:35:22.899 --> 00:35:23.159 doing? 00:35:23.960 --> 00:35:24.859 You're actually 00:35:24.859 --> 00:35:25.599 building God's 00:35:25.599 --> 00:35:25.859 kingdom. 00:35:25.860 --> 00:35:25.940 kingdom. 00:35:26.820 --> 00:35:27.460 When you 00:35:27.460 --> 00:35:28.260 pick up trash 00:35:28.260 --> 00:35:28.880 in the pews, 00:35:29.019 --> 00:35:29.460 you're not 00:35:29.460 --> 00:35:30.120 just picking up 00:35:30.120 --> 00:35:31.059 trash, you're 00:35:31.059 --> 00:35:31.780 building God's 00:35:31.780 --> 00:35:32.019 kingdom. 00:35:32.640 --> 00:35:33.460 When you step 00:35:33.460 --> 00:35:33.960 out of your 00:35:33.960 --> 00:35:35.180 comfort zone and 00:35:35.180 --> 00:35:36.240 volunteer to help 00:35:36.240 --> 00:35:37.039 out in a kid's 00:35:37.039 --> 00:35:37.500 Sunday school 00:35:37.500 --> 00:35:38.380 class, you're 00:35:38.380 --> 00:35:39.180 not just helping 00:35:39.180 --> 00:35:39.860 a kid's Sunday 00:35:39.860 --> 00:35:40.400 school class, 00:35:40.539 --> 00:35:41.180 you're building 00:35:41.180 --> 00:35:42.280 God's kingdom. 00:35:43.180 --> 00:35:43.820 When you click 00:35:43.820 --> 00:35:44.620 through the words 00:35:44.620 --> 00:35:45.360 on the computer 00:35:45.360 --> 00:35:46.620 up there so the 00:35:46.620 --> 00:35:48.500 screen changes on 00:35:48.500 --> 00:35:49.240 time for the 00:35:49.240 --> 00:35:50.039 songs, you're not 00:35:50.039 --> 00:35:50.920 just clicking a 00:35:50.920 --> 00:35:51.840 button, you're 00:35:51.840 --> 00:35:53.400 building God's 00:35:53.400 --> 00:35:54.039 kingdom. 00:35:54.039 --> 00:35:54.159 kingdom. 00:35:55.340 --> 00:35:56.300 This is what I'm 00:35:56.300 --> 00:35:57.119 talking about when I 00:35:57.119 --> 00:35:58.440 say pick up a 00:35:58.440 --> 00:35:58.719 towel. 00:35:59.440 --> 00:36:01.099 So, we build 00:36:01.099 --> 00:36:02.679 God's kingdom when 00:36:02.679 --> 00:36:04.279 we pick up a 00:36:04.279 --> 00:36:04.519 towel. 00:36:05.119 --> 00:36:05.860 How do we do 00:36:05.860 --> 00:36:06.440 that this week? 00:36:06.920 --> 00:36:07.539 Sign up for 00:36:07.539 --> 00:36:07.920 service. 00:36:09.279 --> 00:36:10.059 Sign up for 00:36:10.059 --> 00:36:10.400 service. 00:36:11.079 --> 00:36:11.940 You can go back, 00:36:12.320 --> 00:36:13.119 you can check in at 00:36:13.119 --> 00:36:14.119 the office, they'll 00:36:14.119 --> 00:36:15.219 give you a gazillion 00:36:15.219 --> 00:36:16.860 different ministries 00:36:16.860 --> 00:36:17.679 that you could sign 00:36:17.679 --> 00:36:18.019 up for. 00:36:18.119 --> 00:36:18.719 Right now, I'll 00:36:18.719 --> 00:36:19.920 mention the sound 00:36:19.920 --> 00:36:20.519 deck up there. 00:36:20.920 --> 00:36:21.500 Harlan's up there 00:36:21.500 --> 00:36:22.119 clicking through the 00:36:22.119 --> 00:36:23.500 slides, Matt's up 00:36:23.500 --> 00:36:23.920 there at the 00:36:23.920 --> 00:36:24.880 sound deck, they 00:36:24.880 --> 00:36:25.639 need more people. 00:36:26.519 --> 00:36:27.199 We had somebody 00:36:27.199 --> 00:36:28.219 retire from after 00:36:28.219 --> 00:36:29.300 years of serving up 00:36:29.300 --> 00:36:30.420 there, they retired 00:36:30.420 --> 00:36:30.880 from that. 00:36:30.980 --> 00:36:31.699 We need somebody to 00:36:31.699 --> 00:36:32.420 take their place. 00:36:32.880 --> 00:36:34.059 We need to see this 00:36:34.059 --> 00:36:35.000 choir loft filled. 00:36:36.940 --> 00:36:38.139 We need more people 00:36:38.139 --> 00:36:38.880 involved in the 00:36:38.880 --> 00:36:39.579 children's ministry 00:36:39.579 --> 00:36:40.460 to specifically the 00:36:40.460 --> 00:36:40.739 nursery. 00:36:41.639 --> 00:36:42.820 There are ways 00:36:42.820 --> 00:36:44.900 right now today for 00:36:44.900 --> 00:36:45.599 you to pick up a 00:36:45.599 --> 00:36:45.780 towel. 00:36:46.599 --> 00:36:48.239 So, sign up for 00:36:48.239 --> 00:36:48.699 service. 00:36:49.199 --> 00:36:50.000 Try it out. 00:36:50.000 --> 00:36:51.820 If God tells you it's 00:36:51.820 --> 00:36:53.039 a bad fit, try 00:36:53.039 --> 00:36:53.940 something else out. 00:36:54.460 --> 00:36:56.039 But try it out first. 00:36:56.739 --> 00:36:57.500 And let's see how it 00:36:57.500 --> 00:36:57.719 goes. 00:36:57.820 --> 00:36:59.019 And number two, look 00:36:59.019 --> 00:37:00.219 for more opportunities. 00:37:00.960 --> 00:37:01.880 Don't just say, all 00:37:01.880 --> 00:37:02.739 right, I signed up to 00:37:02.739 --> 00:37:03.639 help with a kids class, 00:37:03.699 --> 00:37:04.300 now I'm done. 00:37:04.880 --> 00:37:06.219 Keep picking up a 00:37:06.219 --> 00:37:07.619 towel wherever you 00:37:07.619 --> 00:37:07.900 go. 00:37:08.340 --> 00:37:09.280 Church, let's say it 00:37:09.280 --> 00:37:09.539 together. 00:37:09.679 --> 00:37:10.320 God gives. 00:37:11.460 --> 00:37:12.599 How do we give back? 00:37:12.599 --> 00:37:13.719 And so 00:37:13.719 --> 00:37:14.599 give us back. 00:37:14.840 --> 00:37:15.780 So let's pick up our 00:37:15.780 --> 00:37:16.039 towels. 00:37:16.159 --> 00:37:16.920 God, right now I 00:37:16.920 --> 00:37:18.500 pray that you would 00:37:18.500 --> 00:37:20.279 show us the towel you 00:37:20.279 --> 00:37:21.079 have for us to pick 00:37:21.079 --> 00:37:21.279 up. 00:37:21.880 --> 00:37:23.599 You stopped what you 00:37:23.599 --> 00:37:24.119 were doing. 00:37:24.480 --> 00:37:25.639 You humbled yourself. 00:37:25.800 --> 00:37:27.320 You got down and you 00:37:27.320 --> 00:37:28.239 washed your disciples' 00:37:28.500 --> 00:37:28.659 feet. 00:37:28.800 --> 00:37:29.800 You dried them with the 00:37:29.800 --> 00:37:30.119 towel. 00:37:30.940 --> 00:37:32.019 Help us to be willing 00:37:32.019 --> 00:37:33.820 to go to that level for 00:37:33.820 --> 00:37:35.820 each other, for you, 00:37:36.759 --> 00:37:38.300 for those that you love 00:37:38.300 --> 00:37:39.239 and died for. 00:37:42.019 --> 00:37:43.039 We'll give you all the 00:37:43.039 --> 00:37:43.599 glory for it. 00:37:43.619 --> 00:37:44.239 We'll praise you. 00:37:44.739 --> 00:37:45.679 We'll see the change 00:37:45.679 --> 00:37:46.480 that you're making in 00:37:46.480 --> 00:37:46.779 us. 00:37:47.259 --> 00:37:48.000 And it's in Jesus' 00:37:48.179 --> 00:37:48.719 name we pray. 00:37:49.719 --> 00:37:50.019 Amen.