WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.640 We have been preaching verse by verse, 00:00:02.960 --> 00:00:06.160 expositionally through the gospel according to Mark, 00:00:06.160 --> 00:00:09.759 ! But this morning we're going to take a small break from that. 00:00:09.759 --> 00:00:14.919 And I'll ask you, I invite you to turn to Romans chapter 12 with me. 00:00:16.600 --> 00:00:19.260 We're going to do this for two reasons. 00:00:22.140 --> 00:00:29.580 Firstly, I often fail at teaching very practically. 00:00:30.359 --> 00:00:37.179 Giving you, spelling out for you the next steps that our text presents to us. 00:00:37.179 --> 00:00:41.320 And I've recognized this for some time as a bit of a failing in my preaching, 00:00:41.460 --> 00:00:43.600 and I'm working on it. 00:00:44.039 --> 00:00:48.280 Because I know altogether a theoretical Christianity is really of little value. 00:00:49.280 --> 00:00:52.280 Just knowing the doctrine isn't quite enough. 00:00:52.379 --> 00:00:55.799 The application of the doctrine is of massive importance. 00:00:56.820 --> 00:00:59.120 And so I kind of had that rolling around inside my heart. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:04.519 And sat down to work a little bit on announcements. 00:01:05.079 --> 00:01:09.040 There are some things that came to my mind that I think need to be addressed 00:01:09.040 --> 00:01:11.680 that would be fitting at this end of the year. 00:01:11.960 --> 00:01:15.760 Second reason is that as I did this and prayed about what ought to be done, 00:01:16.260 --> 00:01:22.180 having sitting before me completed notes for Mark chapter 14 verses 12 through 25. 00:01:22.560 --> 00:01:22.920 Done. 00:01:23.740 --> 00:01:24.420 Completely done. 00:01:24.420 --> 00:01:25.379 Ready to go. 00:01:25.879 --> 00:01:29.000 And having to start over and create notes altogether for this morning. 00:01:30.219 --> 00:01:32.820 In fact, my prayer was that that's not be what God would have me do. 00:01:33.240 --> 00:01:34.560 So I didn't have to create the notes, 00:01:34.719 --> 00:01:37.680 but I'm convinced that this is exactly what he would have me do this morning. 00:01:37.680 --> 00:01:44.120 So for those two reasons, we're going to begin in Romans 12, the first part of verse 2. 00:01:45.000 --> 00:01:49.820 And then we'll have some topic beyond that as well, which I'll tell you about in just a moment. 00:01:49.880 --> 00:01:50.640 So let me read that to you. 00:01:51.000 --> 00:01:51.280 It says, 00:01:51.440 --> 00:01:56.360 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind. 00:01:56.900 --> 00:01:57.580 Let's pray together. 00:01:57.579 --> 00:02:02.799 Father, we do thank you for your word that we have opened before us. 00:02:02.980 --> 00:02:07.519 It is a great gift to your church, and we have it in abundance. 00:02:07.840 --> 00:02:11.300 Copies upon copies and tools used to understand it. 00:02:12.960 --> 00:02:18.219 All of the application of these things is possible ultimately and finally by your spirit, 00:02:18.340 --> 00:02:23.860 who illuminates our minds to understand, to rightly understand what your text has to say to us. 00:02:23.860 --> 00:02:29.880 I pray today that that will be the case, that you will work a miracle amongst us in my speaking and in the hearing, 00:02:30.340 --> 00:02:32.480 that we will be changed by your word. 00:02:33.200 --> 00:02:37.400 You will get at the very core of who we are and that our hearts will be transformed. 00:02:38.020 --> 00:02:39.380 And we pray this in Christ's name. 00:02:40.360 --> 00:02:40.700 Amen. 00:02:42.020 --> 00:02:49.280 So Paul exhorts in chapter 12, after his beautiful systematic theology through the first 11 chapters of the book, 00:02:49.280 --> 00:02:55.159 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind. 00:02:55.240 --> 00:03:00.080 So there's a process by which we are transformed as Christians. 00:03:00.379 --> 00:03:05.420 Putting off the world itself, not being conformed to it, and being changed. 00:03:05.560 --> 00:03:10.139 And the prescription he gives here is by the renewal of our minds. 00:03:10.840 --> 00:03:17.699 Right here at the end of the year, we've entered into a season where many people make New Year's resolutions. 00:03:17.699 --> 00:03:25.039 They resolve to do something or another better, or to start doing something good, or to stop doing something harmful to them. 00:03:25.519 --> 00:03:33.459 Always with this positive idea in mind, positive resolves, bent on improvement and moving forward, 00:03:33.759 --> 00:03:39.000 putting aside the failures of the previous year and looking forward to the year ahead. 00:03:39.000 --> 00:03:50.080 I've always found resolutions to be a little bit trite, because most people keep their resolutions for a very brief amount of time. 00:03:50.180 --> 00:03:55.560 This effort to get in shape is one that's often thrown out there. 00:03:55.939 --> 00:03:59.520 In fact, the survival of gyms depend on New Year's resolutions. 00:03:59.520 --> 00:04:07.020 If you happen to know a gym owner, and if you talk to them about what they must charge to keep the place running, 00:04:07.520 --> 00:04:12.439 the people who actually show up and work out at the rate they pay could never keep a place like that open. 00:04:12.719 --> 00:04:15.439 What they depend upon is all the memberships they sell at the beginning of the year, 00:04:15.500 --> 00:04:18.240 and all the people who never come as a result. 00:04:18.400 --> 00:04:20.740 They drop their resolution. 00:04:21.259 --> 00:04:25.160 I've always said to myself, why not make resolutions at any other time of the year? 00:04:25.240 --> 00:04:28.220 Why must we wait until January 1st of the year? 00:04:28.220 --> 00:04:34.200 Why can we not start at the moment we realize we should be doing something differently to move forward? 00:04:35.280 --> 00:04:39.940 However, a lot of people do think in these terms around this time of year. 00:04:40.180 --> 00:04:41.520 Fresh starts. 00:04:41.640 --> 00:04:44.480 And as I know that some of this may be rolling around in your mind, 00:04:44.560 --> 00:04:50.560 I think it's appropriate that we make some suggested resolutions to you. 00:04:50.620 --> 00:04:52.560 And this was going to be part of my announcements, 00:04:52.560 --> 00:04:58.040 and it suddenly turned into two and three and four and now almost five pages of notes. 00:04:58.220 --> 00:05:01.700 So I just thought, let's do a sermon on it instead. 00:05:02.800 --> 00:05:07.860 Let's start by talking to you a little bit about the resolutions of Jonathan Edwards. 00:05:08.160 --> 00:05:11.040 In Jonathan Edwards' biography, he wrote 70 resolutions, 00:05:11.620 --> 00:05:12.960 excuse me, in his diary. 00:05:13.780 --> 00:05:17.380 In 1723, when he was just 20-year-old, 20s-year-old, 00:05:17.460 --> 00:05:20.480 70 things that he was committing his life to, 00:05:20.700 --> 00:05:23.080 these resolves, so to speak. 00:05:23.079 --> 00:05:27.680 To give you an example, the first and longest one, he says, 00:05:27.680 --> 00:05:32.860 Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God's glory 00:05:32.860 --> 00:05:37.160 and my own good, profit, and pleasure in the whole of my duration 00:05:37.160 --> 00:05:44.259 without any consideration of the time, whether now or never so many myriads of ages hence. 00:05:45.040 --> 00:05:48.639 Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good 00:05:48.639 --> 00:05:51.000 and advantage of mankind in general. 00:05:51.540 --> 00:05:54.019 Resolved to do this whatever difficulties I meet, 00:05:54.019 --> 00:05:57.419 how many and how great whatsoever. 00:05:58.099 --> 00:06:03.180 So he set forth these 70 things by which he would live his life. 00:06:03.439 --> 00:06:09.879 And in much simpler format today, I want to give you seven suggested resolutions. 00:06:10.500 --> 00:06:14.620 I will say to you that these are things for me that I am still working in, 00:06:14.680 --> 00:06:16.419 that I am still growing in, 00:06:16.420 --> 00:06:19.980 that I am still not being conformed to the world, 00:06:20.040 --> 00:06:24.120 and I'm still being transformed by the renewal of my mind. 00:06:25.340 --> 00:06:28.840 Paul's writing in Romans chapter 7 resonates with me so much, 00:06:29.220 --> 00:06:30.540 beginning in verse 21, 00:06:30.740 --> 00:06:33.400 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, 00:06:33.600 --> 00:06:34.939 evil lies close at hand. 00:06:35.480 --> 00:06:37.720 For I delight in the law of God in my inner being, 00:06:37.800 --> 00:06:41.720 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind 00:06:41.720 --> 00:06:44.800 and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 00:06:45.720 --> 00:06:47.300 Wretched man that I am, 00:06:47.680 --> 00:06:50.200 who will deliver me from this body of death? 00:06:50.880 --> 00:06:52.980 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 00:06:53.580 --> 00:06:55.560 So that I myself serve the law of God with my mind, 00:06:55.580 --> 00:06:57.240 but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. 00:06:57.680 --> 00:06:58.680 Chapter 8, verse 1, 00:06:58.740 --> 00:07:03.740 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 00:07:03.740 --> 00:07:09.019 So as we devote ourselves to new things or improvement of things, 00:07:09.139 --> 00:07:14.280 in the new year we can celebrate that we are found righteous before God, 00:07:14.340 --> 00:07:17.900 that we've begun by grace and that we continue by grace. 00:07:18.840 --> 00:07:21.439 So seven suggested resolutions. 00:07:22.699 --> 00:07:26.220 Firstly, pray more. 00:07:27.139 --> 00:07:28.699 Pray more. 00:07:28.699 --> 00:07:35.459 I know that this is a church that prays, that values prayer, 00:07:35.680 --> 00:07:39.180 but we can certainly pray more. 00:07:39.500 --> 00:07:42.659 As those who hold the sovereignty of God so high 00:07:42.659 --> 00:07:45.480 and seem to understand it so well, 00:07:45.579 --> 00:07:49.399 I fear that we often set prayer aside as if it doesn't matter at all 00:07:49.399 --> 00:07:53.459 because we know that God is ultimately and finally in control. 00:07:53.459 --> 00:07:59.139 But God uses the prayers of His people to accomplish His will. 00:07:59.959 --> 00:08:04.560 I think we often have the attitude of Job in Job 21.15 00:08:04.560 --> 00:08:05.379 where he says, 00:08:05.979 --> 00:08:08.060 What is the Almighty that we should serve Him? 00:08:08.159 --> 00:08:12.039 And what profit do we get if we pray to Him? 00:08:13.399 --> 00:08:17.679 Paul's exhortation is much different than Job's attitude in chapter 21. 00:08:17.819 --> 00:08:19.039 1 Thessalonians 5.17 00:08:19.040 --> 00:08:24.000 He exhorts the Thessalonian believers to pray without ceasing. 00:08:25.080 --> 00:08:27.420 And in Philippians 4.6-7, he says, 00:08:27.560 --> 00:08:30.040 Do not be anxious about anything, 00:08:30.520 --> 00:08:34.100 but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, 00:08:34.480 --> 00:08:36.220 let your requests be made known to God. 00:08:36.899 --> 00:08:38.580 And then a promise comes with that. 00:08:38.680 --> 00:08:41.500 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, 00:08:41.580 --> 00:08:45.500 will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 00:08:45.500 --> 00:08:50.000 I consider myself a praying person. 00:08:50.279 --> 00:08:52.580 I lift lots of things up to God. 00:08:52.659 --> 00:08:57.620 But I have recently been convicted of my faithless prayer. 00:08:57.720 --> 00:09:00.340 But I often ask things of God, 00:09:00.840 --> 00:09:05.299 not really expecting that He'll answer my prayers. 00:09:06.159 --> 00:09:10.159 An example of a story that happened not too recently, 00:09:10.240 --> 00:09:12.019 I serve as the chairman of the board of directors 00:09:12.019 --> 00:09:14.059 for the Dahlonega Care Center here in town. 00:09:14.059 --> 00:09:15.539 And after our last board meeting, 00:09:15.899 --> 00:09:18.699 there were some issues that were particularly vexing to me. 00:09:18.839 --> 00:09:20.000 And after our meeting, 00:09:20.919 --> 00:09:22.679 Wes and I talked about them at length. 00:09:23.599 --> 00:09:24.959 A couple of days later, 00:09:25.039 --> 00:09:27.219 in fact, this was Monday on Wednesday morning, 00:09:27.399 --> 00:09:30.519 I gave him a call with the very same issue on my mind. 00:09:30.579 --> 00:09:32.819 It had been bothering me all of that time. 00:09:32.899 --> 00:09:36.339 The thing that was constantly running in the background of my mind. 00:09:36.479 --> 00:09:38.759 And I realized as I was talking with him 00:09:38.759 --> 00:09:41.199 that I was having the exact same conversation. 00:09:41.200 --> 00:09:45.300 Like nothing had changed from Monday evening to Wednesday morning. 00:09:45.420 --> 00:09:46.340 Nothing had been resolved. 00:09:46.440 --> 00:09:49.920 There was really no new thing to address concerning it. 00:09:50.520 --> 00:09:54.220 And I realized that I had yet to really pray about it. 00:09:54.500 --> 00:09:55.440 Mentioned it, sure. 00:09:55.600 --> 00:09:57.240 But yet to really say to God, 00:09:57.360 --> 00:09:57.940 God, ultimately, 00:09:58.060 --> 00:10:00.000 you are fully and finally in control of this thing. 00:10:00.259 --> 00:10:03.100 There's nothing I can do about it apart from you. 00:10:03.280 --> 00:10:04.420 And I'm giving it to you. 00:10:04.480 --> 00:10:06.980 I'm not going to be anxious about it. 00:10:06.980 --> 00:10:10.620 I desire the peace of God which surpasses all understanding. 00:10:10.820 --> 00:10:12.680 And so when I got off the phone with Wes, 00:10:12.779 --> 00:10:16.180 I was driving the boys up to my mom and dad's house to spend the day. 00:10:16.399 --> 00:10:18.440 And I mean, a 10-second prayer. 00:10:18.879 --> 00:10:21.139 Lord, I don't know how to work this thing out. 00:10:21.240 --> 00:10:23.340 I don't know what's going to become of this circumstance. 00:10:23.340 --> 00:10:25.440 But I know that you have to do it. 00:10:26.080 --> 00:10:27.139 And I set it aside. 00:10:28.139 --> 00:10:30.539 And in the hour I was visiting with my father, 00:10:30.800 --> 00:10:33.659 I got an email which needed a phone call in response 00:10:33.659 --> 00:10:35.100 about an entirely different thing. 00:10:35.100 --> 00:10:38.779 And the thing I was concerned about came up in that conversation 00:10:38.779 --> 00:10:41.080 and was totally resolved. 00:10:41.680 --> 00:10:42.700 Like fixed. 00:10:43.220 --> 00:10:43.659 Set. 00:10:43.840 --> 00:10:44.200 Forever. 00:10:44.740 --> 00:10:46.259 This issue was. 00:10:47.080 --> 00:10:47.680 Incredible. 00:10:48.740 --> 00:10:51.779 And the thing that popped into my head as I'm having this conversation 00:10:51.779 --> 00:10:53.279 is the words, 00:10:53.399 --> 00:10:57.000 you do not have because you do not ask. 00:10:58.320 --> 00:11:01.600 One of Edwards' resolutions, 00:11:01.800 --> 00:11:02.580 Resolution 29, 00:11:02.740 --> 00:11:02.940 he says, 00:11:02.940 --> 00:11:21.600 So in plain English for you, 00:11:21.760 --> 00:11:22.020 he says, 00:11:22.019 --> 00:11:26.480 never to count it as a prayer unless I know that God can answer it. 00:11:26.840 --> 00:11:27.960 And if it's a confession, 00:11:28.120 --> 00:11:30.960 that God will accept that confession. 00:11:31.579 --> 00:11:33.519 And I find this to be true of myself sometimes. 00:11:33.620 --> 00:11:36.340 And I think the same would be true of you. 00:11:37.659 --> 00:11:41.059 We ought to pray more than we do. 00:11:41.159 --> 00:11:45.740 And we ought to be very intentional about the way in which we pray. 00:11:45.740 --> 00:11:48.560 I think we're all guilty of saying to somebody, 00:11:48.700 --> 00:11:49.680 somebody's sharing with you, 00:11:49.759 --> 00:11:50.720 something going on in their life, 00:11:50.759 --> 00:11:51.360 and you say to them, 00:11:51.840 --> 00:11:52.700 I'll pray for you. 00:11:53.340 --> 00:11:54.460 We've all done this. 00:11:54.759 --> 00:11:56.419 And then we never do. 00:11:57.759 --> 00:12:00.980 Why not stop in the moment and pray? 00:12:01.560 --> 00:12:02.799 It doesn't have to be a lengthy prayer. 00:12:03.039 --> 00:12:03.620 Say to somebody, 00:12:03.700 --> 00:12:04.299 I'll pray for you. 00:12:04.360 --> 00:12:04.860 In fact, 00:12:05.200 --> 00:12:07.100 why don't we pray now? 00:12:08.039 --> 00:12:08.440 Or, 00:12:09.139 --> 00:12:11.120 set some specific time aside. 00:12:11.279 --> 00:12:12.960 Write down the prayer. 00:12:12.960 --> 00:12:16.740 Be sure to pray for that person. 00:12:17.600 --> 00:12:20.220 Think about the people in your life and make lists. 00:12:20.340 --> 00:12:21.879 We have wonderful things. 00:12:22.060 --> 00:12:25.600 Writing utensils and digital ways that we can record things. 00:12:26.040 --> 00:12:28.280 Why not set specific time aside 00:12:28.280 --> 00:12:32.100 and pray through the concerns of our life 00:12:32.100 --> 00:12:33.960 and those who are around us? 00:12:34.379 --> 00:12:36.080 Set specific time aside. 00:12:36.460 --> 00:12:37.120 Closet time. 00:12:37.379 --> 00:12:38.080 Quiet time. 00:12:38.200 --> 00:12:39.440 Where you get alone with the Lord 00:12:39.440 --> 00:12:40.900 and offer up to Him 00:12:40.899 --> 00:12:43.299 those things that concern you. 00:12:44.439 --> 00:12:45.360 In addition to that, 00:12:45.879 --> 00:12:48.600 utter prayers throughout the day. 00:12:49.199 --> 00:12:50.199 Spend time in prayer. 00:12:50.579 --> 00:12:51.759 Pray continually, 00:12:52.039 --> 00:12:52.939 without ceasing, 00:12:53.340 --> 00:12:54.399 as Paul exhorts, 00:12:54.639 --> 00:12:57.179 as you're encountering the little things of the day, 00:12:57.459 --> 00:12:59.799 to stay connected to the source of all good things 00:12:59.799 --> 00:13:01.899 and offer those things up to Him. 00:13:03.179 --> 00:13:03.699 Journal. 00:13:04.220 --> 00:13:05.340 Is anybody in here journal? 00:13:05.539 --> 00:13:05.980 Prayer journal? 00:13:06.720 --> 00:13:07.360 I don't. 00:13:07.419 --> 00:13:08.679 It's something I'd really like to do. 00:13:08.679 --> 00:13:09.239 Good for you, 00:13:09.399 --> 00:13:10.379 the two that do it, 00:13:10.419 --> 00:13:10.939 I think I saw. 00:13:11.819 --> 00:13:12.059 Right? 00:13:12.479 --> 00:13:14.279 What a wonderful way to keep an account 00:13:14.279 --> 00:13:15.459 of the things that you've been praying 00:13:15.459 --> 00:13:18.639 and the way in which God answers those prayers. 00:13:18.859 --> 00:13:21.179 There are wonderful biographies that you can read 00:13:21.179 --> 00:13:24.000 that are essentially people's prayer journals. 00:13:24.079 --> 00:13:26.879 The accounts of the way in which they petitioned God 00:13:26.879 --> 00:13:28.659 and the way in which He answered. 00:13:29.019 --> 00:13:30.059 Use these as tools. 00:13:30.399 --> 00:13:32.839 I think that most people these days have smartphones. 00:13:33.639 --> 00:13:34.979 I'm an iPhone user, 00:13:35.039 --> 00:13:36.759 so speaking to those of you who have iPhones, 00:13:36.759 --> 00:13:38.759 there's this really, really great app 00:13:38.759 --> 00:13:40.559 that comes with it called Reminders, 00:13:41.039 --> 00:13:43.259 and you can set reminders for yourself 00:13:43.259 --> 00:13:44.879 to pray about things specifically. 00:13:45.319 --> 00:13:46.679 Our church leadership doesn't know this, 00:13:46.759 --> 00:13:48.720 but I have reminders programmed into my phone 00:13:48.720 --> 00:13:50.740 throughout the week to be praying for them, 00:13:50.779 --> 00:13:51.939 and it pops up a reminder, 00:13:52.179 --> 00:13:54.360 and I'm prompted then to pray 00:13:54.360 --> 00:13:56.039 for our church leadership. 00:13:56.679 --> 00:13:58.620 There's wonderful tools at our disposal. 00:13:59.000 --> 00:14:01.039 Reminders will remind you at a location. 00:14:01.340 --> 00:14:02.500 It locates you by GPS 00:14:02.500 --> 00:14:04.000 and tells you to pray 00:14:04.000 --> 00:14:05.120 when you get to a place 00:14:05.120 --> 00:14:06.659 or when you're leaving a place. 00:14:06.820 --> 00:14:08.259 We have such wonderful things 00:14:08.259 --> 00:14:09.220 at our disposal 00:14:09.220 --> 00:14:12.259 to pray more in 2015. 00:14:13.200 --> 00:14:14.159 So let me encourage you 00:14:14.159 --> 00:14:16.360 to make that a resolution this next year. 00:14:17.759 --> 00:14:18.200 Secondly, 00:14:19.779 --> 00:14:23.879 be resolved to read the Bible more. 00:14:24.500 --> 00:14:26.620 To read the Bible more. 00:14:26.620 --> 00:14:28.820 Beloved, 00:14:29.060 --> 00:14:30.840 our God has given to us 00:14:30.840 --> 00:14:33.480 a book that He wrote 00:14:33.480 --> 00:14:35.419 under the inspiration of the Spirit 00:14:35.419 --> 00:14:36.799 by various authors, 00:14:36.940 --> 00:14:39.120 but a book nonetheless that He wrote. 00:14:39.220 --> 00:14:42.019 It was breathed out by Him, 00:14:42.100 --> 00:14:43.879 and we neglect it. 00:14:44.519 --> 00:14:46.139 We do not know the Bible 00:14:46.139 --> 00:14:48.620 the way that we ought to. 00:14:49.620 --> 00:14:51.899 Resolve 28 of Edwards, 00:14:51.899 --> 00:14:53.639 resolved to study the Scripture 00:14:53.639 --> 00:14:54.639 so steadily, 00:14:55.159 --> 00:14:55.679 constantly, 00:14:56.000 --> 00:14:56.539 and frequently 00:14:56.539 --> 00:14:58.000 as that I may find 00:14:58.000 --> 00:14:59.679 and plainly perceive myself 00:14:59.679 --> 00:15:01.279 to grow in the knowledge 00:15:01.279 --> 00:15:02.259 of the same. 00:15:02.840 --> 00:15:03.439 He wanted to be able 00:15:03.439 --> 00:15:04.459 to mark out and measure 00:15:04.459 --> 00:15:05.559 that He understood 00:15:05.559 --> 00:15:06.539 and He knew it 00:15:06.539 --> 00:15:07.980 from day to day, 00:15:08.259 --> 00:15:08.759 week to week, 00:15:08.860 --> 00:15:09.439 month to month, 00:15:09.500 --> 00:15:10.000 that He was coming 00:15:10.000 --> 00:15:11.279 to a growing knowledge 00:15:11.279 --> 00:15:13.240 of the very Word of God. 00:15:13.439 --> 00:15:14.139 There's a promise 00:15:14.139 --> 00:15:14.860 that comes with this. 00:15:14.939 --> 00:15:16.139 Proverbs 3, 5, and 6. 00:15:16.480 --> 00:15:17.019 Trust in the Lord 00:15:17.019 --> 00:15:17.819 with all your heart, 00:15:18.279 --> 00:15:18.840 and do not lean 00:15:18.840 --> 00:15:19.819 on your own understanding, 00:15:19.820 --> 00:15:21.480 in all your ways acknowledge Him, 00:15:21.740 --> 00:15:23.560 and He will make straight 00:15:23.560 --> 00:15:24.940 your paths. 00:15:25.860 --> 00:15:27.379 I want my paths to be straight. 00:15:27.980 --> 00:15:29.180 I hope you do too. 00:15:29.780 --> 00:15:30.960 There's a joy that comes 00:15:30.960 --> 00:15:32.440 from studying and knowing 00:15:32.440 --> 00:15:34.220 and keeping the Word of God. 00:15:34.620 --> 00:15:37.440 Psalm 119, 9-16. 00:15:38.180 --> 00:15:39.300 How can a young man 00:15:39.300 --> 00:15:40.220 keep his way pure? 00:15:40.580 --> 00:15:41.760 By guarding it 00:15:41.760 --> 00:15:42.879 according to Your Word. 00:15:43.460 --> 00:15:45.340 With my whole heart I seek You. 00:15:45.680 --> 00:15:46.720 Let me not wander 00:15:46.720 --> 00:15:47.680 from Your commandments. 00:15:47.679 --> 00:15:49.719 I have stored up Your Word 00:15:49.719 --> 00:15:50.339 in my heart 00:15:50.339 --> 00:15:52.000 that I might not sin against You. 00:15:52.699 --> 00:15:54.279 Blessed are You, O Lord. 00:15:54.459 --> 00:15:56.299 Teach me Your statutes. 00:15:57.039 --> 00:15:58.419 With my lips I declare 00:15:58.419 --> 00:15:59.679 all the rules of Your mouth. 00:16:00.039 --> 00:16:01.459 In the way of Your testimonies 00:16:01.459 --> 00:16:03.000 I delight as much 00:16:03.000 --> 00:16:04.120 as in all riches. 00:16:04.779 --> 00:16:06.559 I will meditate on Your precepts 00:16:06.559 --> 00:16:08.419 and fix my eyes on Your ways. 00:16:09.099 --> 00:16:11.120 I will delight in Your statutes. 00:16:11.479 --> 00:16:14.339 I will not forget Your Word. 00:16:14.340 --> 00:16:17.480 The very essence of Christian living 00:16:17.480 --> 00:16:18.540 is that we are fueled 00:16:18.540 --> 00:16:20.160 by the very words of God. 00:16:20.879 --> 00:16:22.019 There's a sanctification 00:16:22.019 --> 00:16:23.280 and there's an equipping 00:16:23.280 --> 00:16:24.360 that comes by it. 00:16:24.420 --> 00:16:26.160 2 Timothy 3, 16-17. 00:16:26.720 --> 00:16:27.280 Paul writes, 00:16:27.379 --> 00:16:29.820 All Scripture is breathed out by God 00:16:29.820 --> 00:16:31.420 and is profitable for teaching, 00:16:31.860 --> 00:16:32.560 for reproof, 00:16:32.899 --> 00:16:33.540 for correction, 00:16:33.980 --> 00:16:35.980 and for training in righteousness. 00:16:36.480 --> 00:16:37.740 That the man of God 00:16:37.740 --> 00:16:38.620 or woman of God 00:16:38.620 --> 00:16:39.500 may be complete 00:16:39.500 --> 00:16:40.700 and equipped 00:16:40.700 --> 00:16:43.320 for every good work. 00:16:43.320 --> 00:16:45.340 It's the way in which 00:16:45.340 --> 00:16:46.879 our minds are transformed 00:16:46.879 --> 00:16:49.080 and we're no longer conformed then 00:16:49.080 --> 00:16:50.360 to the world. 00:16:50.940 --> 00:16:53.580 It's by the Word of God. 00:16:54.540 --> 00:16:55.560 So practically, 00:16:55.980 --> 00:16:57.440 you need to make a plan 00:16:57.440 --> 00:16:58.720 for how it is 00:16:58.720 --> 00:16:59.960 you will study 00:16:59.960 --> 00:17:01.720 the Word of God. 00:17:02.540 --> 00:17:03.640 Beloved, Sunday morning 00:17:03.640 --> 00:17:04.640 is not enough. 00:17:05.500 --> 00:17:08.400 The 30-45 to an hour 00:17:08.400 --> 00:17:09.440 that I give you 00:17:09.440 --> 00:17:11.000 is not enough. 00:17:11.259 --> 00:17:13.160 You must be saturating yourself 00:17:13.160 --> 00:17:14.680 with the Word of God. 00:17:14.740 --> 00:17:16.040 It is the very bread of life 00:17:16.040 --> 00:17:16.940 for you. 00:17:17.340 --> 00:17:18.480 So here's a couple of suggestions 00:17:18.480 --> 00:17:19.320 for you. 00:17:19.980 --> 00:17:20.880 A new one for me, 00:17:21.060 --> 00:17:21.660 the first one. 00:17:22.920 --> 00:17:23.840 Choose a book of the Bible. 00:17:25.180 --> 00:17:26.680 Start with a short one. 00:17:26.940 --> 00:17:27.920 It's good to build habits 00:17:27.920 --> 00:17:30.980 with achievable goals. 00:17:31.460 --> 00:17:32.660 Start with a short one 00:17:32.660 --> 00:17:33.259 like an epistle. 00:17:33.380 --> 00:17:34.300 Let me suggest to you 00:17:34.300 --> 00:17:35.400 the book of Ephesians. 00:17:36.519 --> 00:17:37.440 Read that book 00:17:37.440 --> 00:17:38.620 in its entirety. 00:17:38.920 --> 00:17:39.519 Whether you do that 00:17:39.519 --> 00:17:40.140 in one sitting 00:17:40.140 --> 00:17:41.240 or you do it over 00:17:41.240 --> 00:17:42.400 chapters at a time 00:17:42.400 --> 00:17:43.120 or a couple of verses 00:17:43.120 --> 00:17:43.700 at a time, 00:17:43.920 --> 00:17:44.680 read that book 00:17:44.680 --> 00:17:45.940 in its entirety. 00:17:47.300 --> 00:17:48.900 Then repeat step two 00:17:48.900 --> 00:17:50.280 20 times. 00:17:51.420 --> 00:17:52.240 Repeat step two 00:17:52.240 --> 00:17:53.000 20 times. 00:17:53.060 --> 00:17:53.720 Read it in its entirety 00:17:53.720 --> 00:17:54.820 in whatever format you do it 00:17:54.820 --> 00:17:56.000 20 times 00:17:56.000 --> 00:17:57.280 and repeat the whole process 00:17:57.280 --> 00:17:58.100 for every book of the Bible. 00:17:58.960 --> 00:18:00.600 You can have a great deal 00:18:00.600 --> 00:18:01.420 of understanding 00:18:01.420 --> 00:18:02.100 of the Scriptures 00:18:02.100 --> 00:18:03.000 if you'll do something 00:18:03.000 --> 00:18:04.220 like this. 00:18:05.180 --> 00:18:06.259 You could plan to 00:18:06.259 --> 00:18:07.120 read the Bible through 00:18:07.119 --> 00:18:07.719 in a year. 00:18:07.859 --> 00:18:09.079 There's lots of 00:18:09.079 --> 00:18:10.099 Bible reading plans 00:18:10.099 --> 00:18:11.299 for yearly Bible reading. 00:18:11.799 --> 00:18:12.779 It's a great way to do it. 00:18:12.919 --> 00:18:13.239 There's nothing 00:18:13.239 --> 00:18:14.599 particularly holy about it. 00:18:14.799 --> 00:18:15.319 It doesn't make you 00:18:15.319 --> 00:18:16.000 a better Christian 00:18:16.000 --> 00:18:17.219 because you cram it in 00:18:17.219 --> 00:18:17.859 into a year. 00:18:18.679 --> 00:18:19.679 You've got to keep up 00:18:19.679 --> 00:18:20.819 and you've got to struggle 00:18:20.819 --> 00:18:21.439 through some things 00:18:21.439 --> 00:18:22.579 like Numbers 00:18:22.579 --> 00:18:23.779 and Leviticus. 00:18:24.859 --> 00:18:26.519 But many Christians 00:18:26.519 --> 00:18:27.339 have never read 00:18:27.339 --> 00:18:28.639 all of the Scriptures. 00:18:29.500 --> 00:18:30.419 Have no idea 00:18:30.419 --> 00:18:31.000 what it says 00:18:31.000 --> 00:18:31.799 in some places. 00:18:32.479 --> 00:18:33.000 And for those of us 00:18:33.000 --> 00:18:33.639 who have 00:18:33.639 --> 00:18:34.939 you go back sometimes 00:18:34.939 --> 00:18:35.639 and you read and you go 00:18:35.639 --> 00:18:36.079 what? 00:18:36.079 --> 00:18:37.579 Like nutty stories 00:18:37.579 --> 00:18:38.119 that happen 00:18:38.119 --> 00:18:38.859 and we just totally 00:18:38.859 --> 00:18:39.559 forget them. 00:18:39.819 --> 00:18:40.659 That they even exist. 00:18:41.279 --> 00:18:42.039 So let me encourage you 00:18:42.039 --> 00:18:42.980 at some point in your life 00:18:42.980 --> 00:18:43.500 to do this 00:18:43.500 --> 00:18:44.139 and maybe to do it 00:18:44.139 --> 00:18:44.659 periodically. 00:18:44.960 --> 00:18:45.859 To set yourself 00:18:45.859 --> 00:18:46.460 on a schedule. 00:18:46.579 --> 00:18:47.419 To plan on reading it 00:18:47.419 --> 00:18:48.740 through in a year. 00:18:49.059 --> 00:18:49.720 We have a really 00:18:49.720 --> 00:18:50.679 really fantastic 00:18:50.679 --> 00:18:51.839 chronological Bible 00:18:51.839 --> 00:18:52.439 reading plan 00:18:52.439 --> 00:18:53.279 that helps you 00:18:53.279 --> 00:18:54.379 lay out the Scriptures 00:18:54.379 --> 00:18:55.480 in the way in which 00:18:55.480 --> 00:18:56.099 they happened 00:18:56.099 --> 00:18:57.079 in history 00:18:57.079 --> 00:18:57.819 versus the way 00:18:57.819 --> 00:18:58.500 they're organized 00:18:58.500 --> 00:18:59.500 in our Bibles. 00:18:59.599 --> 00:18:59.899 I don't know if you 00:18:59.899 --> 00:19:00.480 know this or not 00:19:00.480 --> 00:19:01.199 but the Old Testament 00:19:01.199 --> 00:19:01.759 is organized 00:19:01.759 --> 00:19:03.119 by types of books. 00:19:03.279 --> 00:19:03.740 So it can get 00:19:03.740 --> 00:19:04.460 a little confusing 00:19:04.460 --> 00:19:05.859 as to when these things 00:19:05.859 --> 00:19:06.740 actually happened. 00:19:07.099 --> 00:19:07.899 A chronological Bible 00:19:07.899 --> 00:19:08.479 reading plan 00:19:08.479 --> 00:19:09.519 is a great way 00:19:09.519 --> 00:19:10.099 to see the Scriptures 00:19:10.099 --> 00:19:10.899 unfold before you. 00:19:11.279 --> 00:19:11.979 There are many other 00:19:11.979 --> 00:19:13.059 fantastic ways 00:19:13.059 --> 00:19:14.179 to do that. 00:19:15.839 --> 00:19:16.240 Lastly, 00:19:16.419 --> 00:19:17.079 let me suggest to you 00:19:17.079 --> 00:19:17.559 which has been 00:19:17.559 --> 00:19:18.659 my typical habit 00:19:18.659 --> 00:19:20.359 in studying the Scriptures 00:19:20.359 --> 00:19:21.099 and that is to choose 00:19:21.099 --> 00:19:21.659 a book of the Bible. 00:19:21.819 --> 00:19:22.039 Again, 00:19:22.619 --> 00:19:23.619 pick a short one. 00:19:23.740 --> 00:19:24.799 Ephesians is a fantastic 00:19:24.799 --> 00:19:25.699 one to work through. 00:19:26.479 --> 00:19:27.419 And in day one, 00:19:27.719 --> 00:19:28.919 the first time you sit down, 00:19:29.079 --> 00:19:30.219 read the entire book. 00:19:30.319 --> 00:19:30.979 Remember that 00:19:30.979 --> 00:19:32.019 the book was written 00:19:32.019 --> 00:19:32.939 as a book. 00:19:32.940 --> 00:19:34.400 In this case of Ephesians, 00:19:34.460 --> 00:19:35.080 it's a letter. 00:19:35.519 --> 00:19:36.320 So it's addressed 00:19:36.320 --> 00:19:37.440 to a particular people. 00:19:37.820 --> 00:19:38.860 Read the whole thing. 00:19:38.960 --> 00:19:39.340 That's the way 00:19:39.340 --> 00:19:40.180 they would have heard it. 00:19:40.240 --> 00:19:41.299 Not given to them 00:19:41.299 --> 00:19:42.180 a verse at a time 00:19:42.180 --> 00:19:43.019 but they would have 00:19:43.019 --> 00:19:43.980 heard the entire thing. 00:19:44.039 --> 00:19:44.900 So read the entire book 00:19:44.900 --> 00:19:45.640 and get the context 00:19:45.640 --> 00:19:47.360 set properly for you. 00:19:47.860 --> 00:19:49.120 And then in the following days, 00:19:49.480 --> 00:19:51.340 read carefully the text. 00:19:51.440 --> 00:19:52.160 Read it carefully 00:19:52.160 --> 00:19:54.059 until God arrests 00:19:54.059 --> 00:19:54.740 your attention. 00:19:55.440 --> 00:19:56.600 So read it until 00:19:56.600 --> 00:19:57.759 something sticks out to you 00:19:57.759 --> 00:19:58.000 and you go, 00:19:58.180 --> 00:19:59.160 that is an interesting word 00:19:59.160 --> 00:20:00.360 and I never noticed it before. 00:20:00.459 --> 00:20:01.279 What does it mean? 00:20:01.500 --> 00:20:01.959 Does something 00:20:01.959 --> 00:20:02.939 arrest your attention 00:20:02.939 --> 00:20:04.059 and your heart 00:20:04.059 --> 00:20:05.819 is turned towards God? 00:20:06.559 --> 00:20:06.659 Right? 00:20:07.019 --> 00:20:08.599 The sleepiness of the morning, 00:20:08.779 --> 00:20:08.979 right, 00:20:09.000 --> 00:20:10.139 or the troubles of the day 00:20:10.139 --> 00:20:11.639 suddenly are far and distant 00:20:11.639 --> 00:20:12.299 in your mind 00:20:12.299 --> 00:20:13.719 and all you want to know 00:20:13.719 --> 00:20:15.579 is God revealed to you 00:20:15.579 --> 00:20:16.539 in the text. 00:20:16.659 --> 00:20:17.240 What you're reading 00:20:17.240 --> 00:20:18.159 right there before you, 00:20:18.219 --> 00:20:18.379 right? 00:20:18.379 --> 00:20:19.439 Your heart is saying, 00:20:19.599 --> 00:20:19.719 oh, 00:20:19.799 --> 00:20:21.039 what is this new thing 00:20:21.039 --> 00:20:22.159 that I'm now seeing 00:20:22.159 --> 00:20:23.359 and I want to understand 00:20:23.359 --> 00:20:24.719 in a greater degree? 00:20:24.979 --> 00:20:25.939 And then take that thing 00:20:25.939 --> 00:20:26.799 and meditate on it 00:20:26.799 --> 00:20:27.539 throughout your day. 00:20:28.099 --> 00:20:28.259 Right? 00:20:28.659 --> 00:20:29.379 Do this 00:20:29.380 --> 00:20:30.120 until you get to the end 00:20:30.120 --> 00:20:30.460 of the book 00:20:30.460 --> 00:20:31.440 and then pick a different book 00:20:31.440 --> 00:20:32.700 and keep moving on. 00:20:33.300 --> 00:20:33.380 Right? 00:20:33.400 --> 00:20:34.420 A fantastic way 00:20:34.420 --> 00:20:35.660 to study the scriptures. 00:20:36.320 --> 00:20:37.300 There are many other ways 00:20:37.300 --> 00:20:37.940 to do the same 00:20:37.940 --> 00:20:38.560 but those are three 00:20:38.560 --> 00:20:39.840 that I think are useful 00:20:39.840 --> 00:20:40.740 in your study 00:20:40.740 --> 00:20:41.620 of the Bible. 00:20:42.060 --> 00:20:42.200 So, 00:20:42.620 --> 00:20:43.220 think about, 00:20:43.360 --> 00:20:44.380 consider making that 00:20:44.380 --> 00:20:44.960 a resolution 00:20:44.960 --> 00:20:45.900 in 2015. 00:20:47.540 --> 00:20:47.940 Thirdly, 00:20:49.220 --> 00:20:50.980 read more books. 00:20:51.120 --> 00:20:51.900 Just in general, 00:20:52.240 --> 00:20:54.660 read more books. 00:20:55.120 --> 00:20:56.040 I'll say Christian 00:20:56.040 --> 00:20:56.820 or otherwise, 00:20:56.900 --> 00:20:57.560 although I would strongly 00:20:57.559 --> 00:20:59.859 encourage Christian writing 00:20:59.859 --> 00:21:00.700 upon you. 00:21:00.799 --> 00:21:02.240 And I say read more books, 00:21:02.279 --> 00:21:03.339 not just read more 00:21:03.339 --> 00:21:04.659 because there's lots 00:21:04.659 --> 00:21:05.500 of reading to be done 00:21:05.500 --> 00:21:06.480 these days on the internet. 00:21:06.659 --> 00:21:07.659 There are lots of articles. 00:21:08.339 --> 00:21:09.440 We call them blogs 00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:10.319 so readily 00:21:10.319 --> 00:21:11.599 and they have value 00:21:11.599 --> 00:21:12.700 but it's very, 00:21:12.819 --> 00:21:13.419 very difficult 00:21:13.419 --> 00:21:15.079 to totally divulge 00:21:15.079 --> 00:21:15.720 all that there is 00:21:15.720 --> 00:21:17.059 to say about a particular topic 00:21:17.059 --> 00:21:17.740 in an article. 00:21:18.399 --> 00:21:18.500 Right? 00:21:18.619 --> 00:21:19.419 There's lots of holes 00:21:19.419 --> 00:21:19.859 that are left 00:21:19.859 --> 00:21:20.559 in that type of thing 00:21:20.559 --> 00:21:22.099 but books tend 00:21:22.099 --> 00:21:23.000 not to do that. 00:21:23.119 --> 00:21:23.559 Good books 00:21:23.559 --> 00:21:25.299 tend not to do that. 00:21:25.299 --> 00:21:26.220 There are plenty 00:21:26.220 --> 00:21:27.759 of poor books 00:21:27.759 --> 00:21:28.220 out there. 00:21:29.419 --> 00:21:29.819 Christian books 00:21:29.819 --> 00:21:30.599 are fantastic. 00:21:30.839 --> 00:21:31.579 If they're well written, 00:21:31.759 --> 00:21:33.099 they expose to us 00:21:33.099 --> 00:21:34.460 the Scriptures themselves. 00:21:34.919 --> 00:21:35.379 A great way 00:21:35.379 --> 00:21:36.240 to test this 00:21:36.240 --> 00:21:37.079 is to look at the back 00:21:37.079 --> 00:21:37.539 of the book 00:21:37.539 --> 00:21:38.259 and see if it has 00:21:38.259 --> 00:21:39.619 a Scripture index. 00:21:40.019 --> 00:21:40.519 And if there's many, 00:21:40.599 --> 00:21:41.180 many pages 00:21:41.180 --> 00:21:41.919 of references, 00:21:42.819 --> 00:21:44.519 probably a good book. 00:21:45.159 --> 00:21:45.899 Many books 00:21:45.899 --> 00:21:47.659 claim to be Christian books 00:21:47.659 --> 00:21:48.200 and barely use 00:21:48.200 --> 00:21:48.960 the Scriptures at all 00:21:48.960 --> 00:21:49.599 or they use them 00:21:49.599 --> 00:21:51.279 very, very poorly. 00:21:51.440 --> 00:21:52.220 But we can come 00:21:52.220 --> 00:21:53.419 to a better understanding. 00:21:53.420 --> 00:21:53.860 Beloved, 00:21:53.940 --> 00:21:55.100 we have access 00:21:55.100 --> 00:21:56.440 to theologians 00:21:56.440 --> 00:21:57.440 throughout history 00:21:57.440 --> 00:21:58.240 through books. 00:21:58.420 --> 00:21:59.420 They have written down 00:21:59.420 --> 00:22:00.039 what they believe 00:22:00.039 --> 00:22:00.539 to be true 00:22:00.539 --> 00:22:01.560 on a particular topic 00:22:01.560 --> 00:22:02.740 and we can sit down 00:22:02.740 --> 00:22:03.900 with that person 00:22:03.900 --> 00:22:04.840 and understand 00:22:04.840 --> 00:22:06.019 what they would have to say. 00:22:06.720 --> 00:22:07.440 I hope, 00:22:07.820 --> 00:22:08.500 and this may not be true 00:22:08.500 --> 00:22:09.000 of all of you, 00:22:09.080 --> 00:22:09.980 but I hope 00:22:09.980 --> 00:22:10.980 that if suddenly 00:22:10.980 --> 00:22:11.680 Jonathan Edwards 00:22:11.680 --> 00:22:12.340 were here, 00:22:13.039 --> 00:22:13.640 they could sit down 00:22:13.640 --> 00:22:14.200 with us 00:22:14.200 --> 00:22:15.420 and we might ask 00:22:15.420 --> 00:22:16.240 him a question 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:17.039 like, 00:22:17.279 --> 00:22:18.680 what do you think 00:22:18.680 --> 00:22:19.900 about the freedom 00:22:19.900 --> 00:22:21.039 of the will? 00:22:21.820 --> 00:22:22.360 And that we would 00:22:22.360 --> 00:22:22.840 sit there 00:22:22.839 --> 00:22:23.859 and eagerly listen 00:22:23.859 --> 00:22:24.439 to the answer 00:22:24.439 --> 00:22:25.319 that he would give us. 00:22:25.459 --> 00:22:26.399 I hope that you would 00:22:26.399 --> 00:22:27.019 jot down many, 00:22:27.119 --> 00:22:27.720 many notes. 00:22:28.299 --> 00:22:28.959 Guess what? 00:22:29.019 --> 00:22:29.799 He wrote them down 00:22:29.799 --> 00:22:30.259 for you. 00:22:30.740 --> 00:22:31.199 He did it. 00:22:31.299 --> 00:22:32.119 He organized it 00:22:32.119 --> 00:22:32.519 in a way 00:22:32.519 --> 00:22:33.459 that you can sit down 00:22:33.459 --> 00:22:34.319 and approach 00:22:34.319 --> 00:22:35.279 and wrestle with 00:22:35.279 --> 00:22:36.339 and come to understand 00:22:36.339 --> 00:22:37.659 in a greater degree. 00:22:38.019 --> 00:22:38.720 It's a blessing. 00:22:39.359 --> 00:22:40.079 There's too many books 00:22:40.079 --> 00:22:40.379 out there. 00:22:40.419 --> 00:22:40.959 I will say, 00:22:41.059 --> 00:22:41.919 we could get rid 00:22:41.919 --> 00:22:42.799 of probably 90% 00:22:42.799 --> 00:22:43.059 of them 00:22:43.059 --> 00:22:43.799 because they're junk, 00:22:44.179 --> 00:22:44.799 but there's a lot 00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:46.539 of really good books 00:22:46.539 --> 00:22:47.879 to be read. 00:22:48.720 --> 00:22:49.459 The average person 00:22:49.459 --> 00:22:50.480 reads 300 words 00:22:50.480 --> 00:22:50.839 per minute. 00:22:50.839 --> 00:22:52.659 The average page 00:22:52.659 --> 00:22:53.000 of a book 00:22:53.000 --> 00:22:54.859 contains 300 words. 00:22:55.699 --> 00:22:56.599 The average book length 00:22:56.599 --> 00:22:57.139 is, 00:22:57.679 --> 00:22:59.000 it's actually 350 pages, 00:22:59.079 --> 00:22:59.740 but let's go with 300 00:22:59.740 --> 00:23:00.899 so we can remember easily 00:23:00.899 --> 00:23:01.720 across the board. 00:23:02.659 --> 00:23:03.519 So which means 00:23:03.519 --> 00:23:03.980 if you read 00:23:03.980 --> 00:23:04.980 for 30 minutes a day, 00:23:05.579 --> 00:23:06.679 five days a week, 00:23:06.939 --> 00:23:08.220 for 50 weeks, 00:23:08.559 --> 00:23:09.179 so we're going to give you 00:23:09.179 --> 00:23:10.699 two weeks off 00:23:10.699 --> 00:23:11.199 in the year 00:23:11.199 --> 00:23:12.659 and two days a week off, 00:23:12.799 --> 00:23:14.539 you can read 25 books 00:23:14.539 --> 00:23:15.279 in a year. 00:23:15.279 --> 00:23:19.000 It's pretty incredible, 00:23:19.099 --> 00:23:19.339 right? 00:23:19.599 --> 00:23:20.799 And it's not okay 00:23:20.799 --> 00:23:22.139 to be a Christian 00:23:22.139 --> 00:23:23.019 who just doesn't like 00:23:23.019 --> 00:23:23.379 to read. 00:23:23.460 --> 00:23:24.160 Oh, I just don't like 00:23:24.160 --> 00:23:24.519 to read. 00:23:25.099 --> 00:23:25.920 Well, guess what? 00:23:26.019 --> 00:23:26.839 The way that communication 00:23:26.839 --> 00:23:28.279 is translated 00:23:28.279 --> 00:23:30.139 is through words. 00:23:31.220 --> 00:23:32.019 And Sunday morning 00:23:32.019 --> 00:23:32.539 is not enough, 00:23:32.599 --> 00:23:33.059 so where's it going 00:23:33.059 --> 00:23:33.639 to come from? 00:23:34.399 --> 00:23:35.319 Got to get into books. 00:23:35.500 --> 00:23:35.940 The book 00:23:35.940 --> 00:23:37.019 and books that talk 00:23:37.019 --> 00:23:38.160 about the book. 00:23:38.720 --> 00:23:39.119 Right? 00:23:39.339 --> 00:23:40.119 So let me challenge 00:23:40.119 --> 00:23:40.720 you to something. 00:23:41.240 --> 00:23:41.839 I'm not going to challenge 00:23:41.839 --> 00:23:42.839 you to read 25 books 00:23:42.839 --> 00:23:43.459 this year. 00:23:44.599 --> 00:23:45.720 I wipe some sweat 00:23:45.720 --> 00:23:46.299 off your forehead. 00:23:48.099 --> 00:23:49.039 Let me challenge you 00:23:49.039 --> 00:23:49.980 to read five. 00:23:52.139 --> 00:23:52.819 Five books. 00:23:52.899 --> 00:23:54.059 Read five books. 00:23:54.339 --> 00:23:54.799 And let me challenge 00:23:54.799 --> 00:23:55.339 you to specifically 00:23:55.339 --> 00:23:57.179 read some Christian books. 00:23:57.279 --> 00:23:58.339 Five Christian books 00:23:58.339 --> 00:24:00.119 in this next year. 00:24:00.899 --> 00:24:01.959 They're bountiful. 00:24:02.319 --> 00:24:03.439 You can get PDFs 00:24:03.439 --> 00:24:04.359 of books, right? 00:24:04.559 --> 00:24:04.919 Free. 00:24:05.240 --> 00:24:06.279 All over the place. 00:24:06.779 --> 00:24:07.519 I'm going to suggest 00:24:07.519 --> 00:24:08.019 a few to you. 00:24:08.099 --> 00:24:09.059 So here's my short list. 00:24:09.439 --> 00:24:10.419 Really difficult to do 00:24:10.419 --> 00:24:11.079 for my study 00:24:11.079 --> 00:24:12.159 to pick five books. 00:24:12.160 --> 00:24:13.440 There are many other 00:24:13.440 --> 00:24:14.300 really fantastic books, 00:24:14.440 --> 00:24:15.019 but I'm going to suggest 00:24:15.019 --> 00:24:15.500 five to you. 00:24:15.560 --> 00:24:16.279 So if you have no idea 00:24:16.279 --> 00:24:16.759 where to start, 00:24:17.140 --> 00:24:17.660 here's five really 00:24:17.660 --> 00:24:19.000 fantastic books. 00:24:19.380 --> 00:24:20.100 The Pursuit of God 00:24:20.100 --> 00:24:21.019 by A.W. Tozer. 00:24:21.440 --> 00:24:22.100 I'm going to jot this down. 00:24:22.220 --> 00:24:22.820 I'll leave them up here 00:24:22.820 --> 00:24:23.720 after the service. 00:24:24.320 --> 00:24:24.900 The Pursuit of God 00:24:24.900 --> 00:24:25.660 by A.W. Tozer. 00:24:26.160 --> 00:24:27.660 A really, really fantastic read. 00:24:29.680 --> 00:24:30.540 Finally Alive 00:24:30.540 --> 00:24:31.860 by John Piper. 00:24:33.660 --> 00:24:34.140 Finally Alive 00:24:34.140 --> 00:24:34.560 by John Piper. 00:24:36.380 --> 00:24:37.540 The Trellis and the Vine 00:24:37.540 --> 00:24:39.019 by Colin Marshall 00:24:39.019 --> 00:24:40.140 and Tony Payne. 00:24:41.019 --> 00:24:41.660 Sorry, Tony Payne. 00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:42.980 Right? 00:24:44.100 --> 00:24:44.800 Wonderful book. 00:24:46.480 --> 00:24:46.920 Worship, 00:24:47.320 --> 00:24:48.620 The Ultimate Priority 00:24:48.620 --> 00:24:49.500 by John MacArthur. 00:24:49.660 --> 00:24:50.820 It's not about music. 00:24:54.320 --> 00:24:55.519 And then Good Biography 00:24:55.519 --> 00:24:56.420 is always fantastic. 00:24:56.620 --> 00:24:57.480 So George Mueller 00:24:57.480 --> 00:24:58.800 of Bristol, 00:24:58.880 --> 00:25:00.019 this particular copy, 00:25:00.580 --> 00:25:02.200 not this particular printing. 00:25:02.820 --> 00:25:03.980 George Mueller of Bristol 00:25:03.980 --> 00:25:05.400 by A.T. Pearson. 00:25:06.040 --> 00:25:06.180 Right? 00:25:06.300 --> 00:25:06.960 Good Biography 00:25:06.960 --> 00:25:07.440 will encourage 00:25:08.120 --> 00:25:09.840 your Christian living. 00:25:10.519 --> 00:25:10.720 Right? 00:25:10.819 --> 00:25:11.480 All about 00:25:11.480 --> 00:25:12.959 350 pages. 00:25:13.859 --> 00:25:14.059 Okay? 00:25:14.159 --> 00:25:14.899 Can be done 00:25:14.899 --> 00:25:15.740 in a year. 00:25:15.819 --> 00:25:16.519 Let me encourage you 00:25:16.519 --> 00:25:17.419 to set yourself to that. 00:25:17.639 --> 00:25:18.419 And you may be saying, 00:25:18.720 --> 00:25:19.159 well, Nathan, 00:25:19.220 --> 00:25:19.919 but you're a pastor. 00:25:20.079 --> 00:25:21.639 Like, you've been given time. 00:25:21.740 --> 00:25:22.740 Like, we pay you 00:25:22.740 --> 00:25:23.220 to study 00:25:23.220 --> 00:25:24.199 and to understand things 00:25:24.199 --> 00:25:24.859 and to know things. 00:25:25.500 --> 00:25:26.639 It's easier for you. 00:25:27.399 --> 00:25:28.059 I agree. 00:25:29.179 --> 00:25:29.959 For me to read 00:25:29.959 --> 00:25:30.819 five books in this year 00:25:30.819 --> 00:25:32.419 is not a difficult task. 00:25:33.059 --> 00:25:33.240 Right? 00:25:33.299 --> 00:25:34.559 Not a difficult task at all. 00:25:35.039 --> 00:25:35.479 Well, let me tell you 00:25:35.479 --> 00:25:35.979 what I'm doing 00:25:35.979 --> 00:25:36.579 in this next year. 00:25:36.579 --> 00:25:37.960 I'm reading 50 books 00:25:37.960 --> 00:25:39.000 in this year. 00:25:39.399 --> 00:25:39.659 Right? 00:25:39.779 --> 00:25:40.339 So I've got to 00:25:40.339 --> 00:25:41.519 chew through one a week 00:25:41.519 --> 00:25:43.000 to be able to accomplish 00:25:43.000 --> 00:25:43.919 this goal. 00:25:43.980 --> 00:25:44.579 If you step down 00:25:44.579 --> 00:25:45.099 into my study, 00:25:45.119 --> 00:25:46.019 you'll see the big stack 00:25:46.019 --> 00:25:46.539 on my desk, 00:25:46.619 --> 00:25:47.579 which is that. 00:25:47.839 --> 00:25:48.619 Those are the books 00:25:48.619 --> 00:25:49.720 that I'm intending 00:25:49.720 --> 00:25:50.119 on reading 00:25:50.119 --> 00:25:51.099 in this year. 00:25:51.220 --> 00:25:52.759 So if I can do this 00:25:52.759 --> 00:25:54.799 by the grace of God, 00:25:55.759 --> 00:25:56.799 the last couple of months 00:25:56.799 --> 00:25:57.460 I've been practicing 00:25:57.460 --> 00:25:58.439 getting to that pace 00:25:58.439 --> 00:25:59.779 of reading a book a week. 00:26:00.019 --> 00:26:01.199 If I can accomplish this, 00:26:01.220 --> 00:26:01.879 you can certainly 00:26:01.879 --> 00:26:03.379 do five. 00:26:03.779 --> 00:26:04.559 Pick good books 00:26:04.559 --> 00:26:05.240 that point you to 00:26:05.240 --> 00:26:06.379 the Word of God. 00:26:07.519 --> 00:26:08.319 So make it a resolution 00:26:08.319 --> 00:26:10.179 to read more books 00:26:10.179 --> 00:26:10.919 in 2015. 00:26:12.879 --> 00:26:13.319 Fourthly, 00:26:13.940 --> 00:26:15.379 I think I'm on the right count. 00:26:15.500 --> 00:26:15.879 Fourthly, 00:26:17.339 --> 00:26:19.259 eat better. 00:26:21.599 --> 00:26:22.000 Yes, 00:26:22.500 --> 00:26:24.819 eat better. 00:26:25.419 --> 00:26:25.879 And most people 00:26:25.879 --> 00:26:26.419 don't know this 00:26:26.419 --> 00:26:27.740 by coming here 00:26:27.740 --> 00:26:29.579 and first glance, 00:26:29.679 --> 00:26:30.579 but we are a 00:26:30.579 --> 00:26:31.740 Southern Baptist church 00:26:31.740 --> 00:26:32.859 and Southern Baptists 00:26:32.859 --> 00:26:34.339 are notoriously good 00:26:34.339 --> 00:26:36.039 at observing some things, 00:26:36.119 --> 00:26:36.759 some things that aren't 00:26:36.759 --> 00:26:37.699 even law, 00:26:38.099 --> 00:26:39.379 and really great 00:26:39.379 --> 00:26:41.220 at neglecting others. 00:26:42.559 --> 00:26:43.500 Proverbs 23, 00:26:44.199 --> 00:26:45.259 1-4 says, 00:26:45.720 --> 00:26:46.339 When you sit down 00:26:46.339 --> 00:26:47.019 to eat with a ruler, 00:26:47.519 --> 00:26:48.480 observe carefully 00:26:48.480 --> 00:26:49.359 what is before you 00:26:49.359 --> 00:26:50.759 and put a knife 00:26:50.759 --> 00:26:51.519 to your throat 00:26:51.519 --> 00:26:52.559 if you are given 00:26:52.559 --> 00:26:53.199 to appetite. 00:26:54.480 --> 00:26:55.599 Do not desire 00:26:55.599 --> 00:26:56.379 his delicacies 00:26:56.379 --> 00:26:56.899 for they are 00:26:56.899 --> 00:26:59.119 deceptive food. 00:26:59.439 --> 00:27:00.079 And to understand 00:27:00.079 --> 00:27:00.859 a little bit more 00:27:00.859 --> 00:27:02.459 what's being written here, 00:27:02.460 --> 00:27:03.799 do not toil 00:27:03.799 --> 00:27:05.039 to acquire wealth, 00:27:05.380 --> 00:27:06.680 be discerning enough 00:27:06.680 --> 00:27:08.620 to desist, 00:27:08.980 --> 00:27:09.900 to stop, 00:27:10.019 --> 00:27:10.640 to recognize 00:27:10.640 --> 00:27:12.079 that there is 00:27:12.079 --> 00:27:13.120 an abundance 00:27:13.120 --> 00:27:14.519 in our consumption, 00:27:14.660 --> 00:27:15.740 that we go above 00:27:15.740 --> 00:27:16.440 and beyond 00:27:16.440 --> 00:27:17.640 what we ought 00:27:17.640 --> 00:27:19.700 to consume. 00:27:20.559 --> 00:27:21.100 Paul says 00:27:21.100 --> 00:27:22.180 in 1 Corinthians 10-31, 00:27:22.319 --> 00:27:22.940 So whether you eat 00:27:22.940 --> 00:27:23.500 or drink 00:27:23.500 --> 00:27:25.100 or whatever you do, 00:27:25.980 --> 00:27:26.799 do all 00:27:26.799 --> 00:27:28.519 to the glory of God. 00:27:28.519 --> 00:27:30.200 And the major point 00:27:30.200 --> 00:27:30.759 that I would make 00:27:30.759 --> 00:27:31.220 to you 00:27:31.220 --> 00:27:32.099 is that 00:27:32.099 --> 00:27:34.240 we as a people, 00:27:34.539 --> 00:27:35.859 as an American people, 00:27:35.859 --> 00:27:37.859 are relatively unhealthy 00:27:38.420 --> 00:27:39.359 in the way 00:27:39.359 --> 00:27:40.359 we eat. 00:27:41.660 --> 00:27:43.119 And it seems to me 00:27:43.119 --> 00:27:43.759 that if I want to 00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:45.259 fit myself for service, 00:27:45.299 --> 00:27:46.579 if I want to be active 00:27:46.579 --> 00:27:48.000 in kingdom building, 00:27:48.539 --> 00:27:49.200 that the less 00:27:49.200 --> 00:27:50.019 I struggle 00:27:50.019 --> 00:27:51.660 with physical ailment, 00:27:51.799 --> 00:27:52.680 the better off 00:27:52.680 --> 00:27:53.440 I am 00:27:53.440 --> 00:27:54.220 to serve the Lord 00:27:54.220 --> 00:27:54.900 in the things 00:27:54.900 --> 00:27:55.279 I'm doing. 00:27:55.859 --> 00:27:56.660 Now certainly 00:27:56.660 --> 00:27:57.740 sin exists in this world, 00:27:57.740 --> 00:27:58.620 just eating well 00:27:58.620 --> 00:27:59.299 and exercising 00:27:59.299 --> 00:28:00.380 does not accomplish 00:28:00.380 --> 00:28:01.420 that in its entirety. 00:28:01.940 --> 00:28:03.480 Sin still runs rampant. 00:28:03.539 --> 00:28:04.000 There are going to be 00:28:04.000 --> 00:28:04.900 people who eat 00:28:04.900 --> 00:28:05.920 the strictest of diets 00:28:05.920 --> 00:28:07.299 and avoid everything 00:28:07.299 --> 00:28:08.500 that everybody says 00:28:08.500 --> 00:28:09.400 causes cancer. 00:28:09.559 --> 00:28:09.940 They're going to stay 00:28:09.940 --> 00:28:10.440 completely away 00:28:10.440 --> 00:28:10.900 from all of that 00:28:10.900 --> 00:28:11.279 and they're still 00:28:11.279 --> 00:28:11.799 going to get cancer 00:28:11.799 --> 00:28:12.120 and die. 00:28:12.240 --> 00:28:12.819 It's going to happen. 00:28:13.940 --> 00:28:14.339 But, 00:28:15.500 --> 00:28:15.980 the knowledge 00:28:15.980 --> 00:28:16.779 is at our fingertips. 00:28:17.079 --> 00:28:18.000 We know what is 00:28:18.000 --> 00:28:18.720 and isn't good 00:28:18.720 --> 00:28:19.559 for the most part 00:28:19.559 --> 00:28:20.539 for us. 00:28:21.160 --> 00:28:21.960 It seems to be changing 00:28:21.960 --> 00:28:22.980 kind of from week 00:28:22.980 --> 00:28:23.539 to week too, 00:28:23.700 --> 00:28:24.120 doesn't it? 00:28:24.839 --> 00:28:25.740 But we ought 00:28:25.740 --> 00:28:26.480 to strive, 00:28:26.480 --> 00:28:27.819 we ought to endeavor 00:28:27.819 --> 00:28:29.140 to be as healthy 00:28:29.140 --> 00:28:30.460 as we can be 00:28:30.460 --> 00:28:31.539 for the sake 00:28:31.539 --> 00:28:32.400 of serving 00:28:32.400 --> 00:28:33.400 the kingdom. 00:28:34.440 --> 00:28:34.839 Again, 00:28:34.940 --> 00:28:35.599 listen to Edwards. 00:28:36.259 --> 00:28:36.799 Resolve 20, 00:28:36.920 --> 00:28:38.380 resolved to maintain 00:28:38.380 --> 00:28:40.299 the strictest temperance 00:28:40.299 --> 00:28:41.480 in eating 00:28:41.480 --> 00:28:42.420 and drinking. 00:28:43.019 --> 00:28:43.799 Resolve 40, 00:28:44.220 --> 00:28:45.720 resolved to inquire 00:28:45.720 --> 00:28:46.519 every night 00:28:46.519 --> 00:28:47.599 before I go to bed 00:28:47.599 --> 00:28:48.920 whether I have acted 00:28:48.920 --> 00:28:49.819 in the best way 00:28:49.819 --> 00:28:50.900 I possibly could 00:28:50.900 --> 00:28:51.860 with respect 00:28:51.860 --> 00:28:53.079 to eating 00:28:53.079 --> 00:28:54.259 and drinking. 00:28:54.259 --> 00:28:55.619 And elsewhere 00:28:55.619 --> 00:28:56.140 in his diary 00:28:56.140 --> 00:28:56.640 he wrote, 00:28:57.039 --> 00:28:58.700 By a sparingness 00:28:58.700 --> 00:28:59.240 in diet 00:28:59.240 --> 00:29:00.319 and eating 00:29:00.319 --> 00:29:01.420 as much as may be 00:29:01.420 --> 00:29:02.240 what is light 00:29:02.240 --> 00:29:03.500 and easy 00:29:03.500 --> 00:29:04.319 of digestion, 00:29:05.039 --> 00:29:06.119 I shall doubtless 00:29:06.119 --> 00:29:06.980 be able to think 00:29:06.980 --> 00:29:07.660 more clearly 00:29:07.660 --> 00:29:09.900 and shall gain time, 00:29:10.420 --> 00:29:11.160 number one, 00:29:11.559 --> 00:29:12.240 by lengthening 00:29:12.240 --> 00:29:12.940 out my life, 00:29:13.559 --> 00:29:14.379 number two, 00:29:14.680 --> 00:29:16.559 shall need less time 00:29:16.559 --> 00:29:17.559 for digestion 00:29:17.559 --> 00:29:18.500 after meals, 00:29:18.940 --> 00:29:19.660 number three, 00:29:20.200 --> 00:29:20.779 shall be able 00:29:20.779 --> 00:29:22.480 to study more closely 00:29:22.480 --> 00:29:23.360 without injury 00:29:23.360 --> 00:29:24.160 to my health, 00:29:24.720 --> 00:29:25.640 number four, 00:29:26.039 --> 00:29:27.380 shall need less time 00:29:27.380 --> 00:29:28.140 for sleep, 00:29:28.660 --> 00:29:29.640 and number five, 00:29:29.819 --> 00:29:30.579 shall more seldom 00:29:30.579 --> 00:29:31.140 be troubled 00:29:31.140 --> 00:29:32.440 with the headache. 00:29:34.099 --> 00:29:35.200 Edwards had actually 00:29:35.200 --> 00:29:36.059 systematically 00:29:36.059 --> 00:29:37.079 really paid attention 00:29:37.079 --> 00:29:38.039 to what he ate 00:29:38.039 --> 00:29:38.920 and how it affected 00:29:38.920 --> 00:29:39.779 his ability 00:29:39.779 --> 00:29:40.819 to serve 00:29:40.819 --> 00:29:41.460 in the kingdom. 00:29:41.839 --> 00:29:42.140 Edwards, 00:29:42.299 --> 00:29:43.579 on most days, 00:29:43.940 --> 00:29:46.579 studied for 16 hours. 00:29:47.599 --> 00:29:49.079 A phenomenal application 00:29:49.079 --> 00:29:50.700 of his mind, 00:29:50.700 --> 00:29:51.420 and he tailored 00:29:51.420 --> 00:29:51.960 his diet 00:29:51.960 --> 00:29:52.580 in such a way 00:29:52.580 --> 00:29:53.920 that he could achieve 00:29:53.920 --> 00:29:54.700 that very thing, 00:29:54.759 --> 00:29:55.559 like an athlete, 00:29:55.920 --> 00:29:57.140 training his body 00:29:57.140 --> 00:29:57.700 so that he could 00:29:57.700 --> 00:29:58.500 understand the word 00:29:58.500 --> 00:29:58.860 of God 00:29:58.860 --> 00:29:59.660 and then rightly 00:29:59.660 --> 00:30:00.279 tell it 00:30:00.279 --> 00:30:01.900 to his people. 00:30:03.180 --> 00:30:04.340 As a side note, 00:30:05.220 --> 00:30:06.000 Edwards primarily 00:30:06.000 --> 00:30:06.740 ate vegetables 00:30:06.740 --> 00:30:08.519 with little bits 00:30:08.519 --> 00:30:08.940 of meat, 00:30:09.279 --> 00:30:11.039 so just a little note 00:30:11.039 --> 00:30:11.500 for you there. 00:30:12.740 --> 00:30:13.640 We have, 00:30:13.740 --> 00:30:14.100 again, 00:30:14.240 --> 00:30:14.759 resourced, 00:30:14.840 --> 00:30:15.380 our church 00:30:15.380 --> 00:30:16.200 has a lot 00:30:16.200 --> 00:30:17.120 of families in it 00:30:17.120 --> 00:30:17.660 that eat 00:30:17.660 --> 00:30:18.240 very, 00:30:18.380 --> 00:30:19.220 very healthy, 00:30:19.220 --> 00:30:19.680 so if you're 00:30:19.680 --> 00:30:20.140 interested 00:30:20.140 --> 00:30:21.039 in changing 00:30:21.039 --> 00:30:21.819 the way you eat, 00:30:22.140 --> 00:30:22.819 please do. 00:30:23.180 --> 00:30:23.960 I will tell you again 00:30:23.960 --> 00:30:25.240 a little personal story. 00:30:25.380 --> 00:30:26.980 I have for over a decade, 00:30:27.140 --> 00:30:28.140 since I was about 21, 00:30:28.620 --> 00:30:29.460 I'm now 34, 00:30:29.579 --> 00:30:30.539 about to be 35, 00:30:31.660 --> 00:30:33.000 experienced lots 00:30:33.000 --> 00:30:33.519 of muscle 00:30:33.519 --> 00:30:34.400 and tendon pain, 00:30:34.700 --> 00:30:36.140 been in quite a lot 00:30:36.140 --> 00:30:36.480 of pain. 00:30:36.660 --> 00:30:37.500 Like most days, 00:30:37.559 --> 00:30:38.740 I just didn't want 00:30:38.740 --> 00:30:39.200 to get up 00:30:39.200 --> 00:30:39.920 and get going. 00:30:40.900 --> 00:30:41.920 And this last year, 00:30:42.339 --> 00:30:43.860 through a massive change 00:30:43.860 --> 00:30:44.660 of diet, 00:30:44.759 --> 00:30:46.339 which is how I discovered 00:30:46.339 --> 00:30:47.299 I'm allergic to couscous 00:30:47.299 --> 00:30:48.039 because I never would 00:30:48.039 --> 00:30:48.659 have eaten couscous 00:30:48.659 --> 00:30:49.960 previously, 00:30:50.599 --> 00:30:52.859 have found that 00:30:52.859 --> 00:30:54.440 much of my pain 00:30:54.440 --> 00:30:55.019 and discomfort 00:30:55.019 --> 00:30:57.099 is tied to diet. 00:30:57.259 --> 00:30:59.059 I feel phenomenally better. 00:30:59.359 --> 00:31:00.200 Still experience it, 00:31:00.419 --> 00:31:01.659 still struggling with it, 00:31:01.700 --> 00:31:02.240 I think I'm still 00:31:02.240 --> 00:31:03.599 in a bit of a healing process, 00:31:03.899 --> 00:31:06.039 but feel way better. 00:31:06.839 --> 00:31:07.240 Sugar, 00:31:07.440 --> 00:31:08.899 being the primary thing 00:31:08.899 --> 00:31:10.539 that seems to cause me 00:31:10.539 --> 00:31:11.639 to ache. 00:31:11.960 --> 00:31:12.519 In fact, 00:31:12.519 --> 00:31:13.099 when I stopped 00:31:13.099 --> 00:31:14.460 consuming sugar altogether, 00:31:14.799 --> 00:31:15.379 started drinking 00:31:15.380 --> 00:31:16.980 primarily water, 00:31:18.200 --> 00:31:19.100 I felt like 00:31:19.100 --> 00:31:19.660 I had been kind of 00:31:19.660 --> 00:31:20.740 living in a fog. 00:31:20.840 --> 00:31:21.360 It was really hard 00:31:21.360 --> 00:31:22.220 to keep focus. 00:31:22.800 --> 00:31:23.100 And it's like 00:31:23.100 --> 00:31:24.120 the fog lifted 00:31:24.120 --> 00:31:25.260 and I could think 00:31:25.260 --> 00:31:25.820 more clearly. 00:31:25.940 --> 00:31:27.300 I could apply my mind 00:31:27.300 --> 00:31:28.260 more readily. 00:31:28.740 --> 00:31:29.240 And I have, 00:31:29.580 --> 00:31:30.500 in the meantime, 00:31:30.700 --> 00:31:31.760 cheated a few times 00:31:31.760 --> 00:31:32.800 and immediately, 00:31:32.940 --> 00:31:33.820 I mean immediately, 00:31:34.420 --> 00:31:35.160 I feel like I'm back 00:31:35.160 --> 00:31:35.940 in that fog again. 00:31:36.020 --> 00:31:36.920 Difficult to think, 00:31:37.220 --> 00:31:38.360 just want to go to sleep. 00:31:38.960 --> 00:31:39.060 Right? 00:31:39.200 --> 00:31:40.480 It's killing us. 00:31:41.080 --> 00:31:42.060 All this refined sugar 00:31:42.060 --> 00:31:43.000 and corn syrup 00:31:43.000 --> 00:31:43.779 and things 00:31:43.779 --> 00:31:44.660 that we're eating. 00:31:45.279 --> 00:31:45.420 Right? 00:31:45.539 --> 00:31:46.839 Some people process it better. 00:31:47.000 --> 00:31:47.920 We all know people 00:31:47.920 --> 00:31:48.559 who are going to live 00:31:48.559 --> 00:31:48.940 really, really 00:31:48.940 --> 00:31:49.880 to old ages 00:31:49.880 --> 00:31:50.619 and eat horribly. 00:31:51.319 --> 00:31:51.440 Right? 00:31:51.460 --> 00:31:52.220 But let me encourage, 00:31:52.480 --> 00:31:52.880 generally, 00:31:53.400 --> 00:31:54.619 for you to do some research, 00:31:55.039 --> 00:31:56.019 ask some folks 00:31:56.019 --> 00:31:57.000 in our church, 00:31:57.140 --> 00:31:59.220 and eat more healthy 00:31:59.220 --> 00:32:00.759 in 2015. 00:32:02.819 --> 00:32:03.359 All right. 00:32:03.460 --> 00:32:03.779 Fifthly, 00:32:05.259 --> 00:32:06.420 lead your family 00:32:06.420 --> 00:32:07.980 better. 00:32:08.619 --> 00:32:09.519 Lead your family 00:32:09.519 --> 00:32:10.380 better. 00:32:10.380 --> 00:32:10.860 And I mean, 00:32:10.940 --> 00:32:11.420 specifically, 00:32:11.600 --> 00:32:12.440 by leading in 00:32:12.440 --> 00:32:14.800 family worship. 00:32:14.920 --> 00:32:15.880 There are a lot of things 00:32:15.880 --> 00:32:16.920 that we need to be doing, 00:32:17.200 --> 00:32:17.740 men, 00:32:18.000 --> 00:32:18.660 women as well, 00:32:19.080 --> 00:32:19.420 in the leading 00:32:19.420 --> 00:32:20.140 of our family better. 00:32:20.240 --> 00:32:20.780 But specifically, 00:32:20.900 --> 00:32:21.520 let me think about, 00:32:21.740 --> 00:32:22.460 talk to you about, 00:32:22.520 --> 00:32:24.160 by leading in family worship 00:32:24.160 --> 00:32:25.160 this next year. 00:32:25.220 --> 00:32:26.200 And I will tell you up front 00:32:26.200 --> 00:32:27.820 that I struggle 00:32:27.820 --> 00:32:28.700 with this one. 00:32:29.360 --> 00:32:30.720 The schedule of our house, 00:32:31.000 --> 00:32:31.640 trying to deal with 00:32:31.640 --> 00:32:32.560 a four-year-old 00:32:32.560 --> 00:32:33.600 and a two-year-old, 00:32:33.940 --> 00:32:34.440 trying to get them 00:32:34.440 --> 00:32:35.400 to sit still 00:32:35.400 --> 00:32:36.260 in our home. 00:32:36.360 --> 00:32:37.040 It's a little bit easier 00:32:37.040 --> 00:32:37.740 here, in fact, 00:32:37.800 --> 00:32:38.340 but trying to get them 00:32:38.340 --> 00:32:39.060 to sit still 00:32:39.059 --> 00:32:40.220 and try to pay attention. 00:32:40.639 --> 00:32:41.419 Speaking to them 00:32:41.419 --> 00:32:42.179 at their different levels 00:32:42.179 --> 00:32:43.639 is really challenging. 00:32:44.539 --> 00:32:46.019 Sam and I ebb and flow 00:32:46.019 --> 00:32:46.980 out of success 00:32:46.980 --> 00:32:49.379 in leading family worship 00:32:49.379 --> 00:32:50.379 well. 00:32:50.899 --> 00:32:51.940 But the Scripture says to us, 00:32:52.000 --> 00:32:52.779 Deuteronomy 6, 00:32:52.899 --> 00:32:53.700 6 and 7, 00:32:54.240 --> 00:32:54.819 And these words 00:32:54.819 --> 00:32:55.639 that I command you today 00:32:55.639 --> 00:32:56.599 shall be on your heart. 00:32:56.960 --> 00:32:57.779 You shall teach them 00:32:57.779 --> 00:32:59.419 diligently to your children 00:32:59.419 --> 00:33:00.799 and shall talk of them 00:33:00.799 --> 00:33:01.839 when you sit in your house 00:33:01.839 --> 00:33:03.720 and when you walk by the way 00:33:03.720 --> 00:33:05.500 and when you lie down 00:33:05.500 --> 00:33:07.399 and when you rise. 00:33:07.400 --> 00:33:09.820 Many Christian homes 00:33:09.820 --> 00:33:11.759 are altogether devoid 00:33:11.759 --> 00:33:13.300 of the Word of God. 00:33:13.640 --> 00:33:14.680 We spend lots of time 00:33:14.680 --> 00:33:16.140 doing lots of other things, 00:33:16.259 --> 00:33:17.259 lots of energy, 00:33:17.759 --> 00:33:19.460 but yet we don't teach 00:33:19.460 --> 00:33:19.940 our children 00:33:19.940 --> 00:33:21.560 the most important thing, 00:33:21.620 --> 00:33:22.380 the only thing 00:33:22.380 --> 00:33:22.880 that's going to have 00:33:22.880 --> 00:33:24.400 eternal significance 00:33:24.400 --> 00:33:25.700 for them. 00:33:26.220 --> 00:33:27.740 If Christians would spend 00:33:27.740 --> 00:33:29.320 even half the time 00:33:29.320 --> 00:33:30.560 teaching their children 00:33:30.560 --> 00:33:31.320 the Word of God 00:33:31.320 --> 00:33:32.380 that they do, 00:33:32.860 --> 00:33:34.340 running around 00:33:34.340 --> 00:33:34.759 teaching them 00:33:34.759 --> 00:33:37.019 to be good ballerinas 00:33:37.019 --> 00:33:38.519 and football players 00:33:38.519 --> 00:33:39.559 and baseball players, 00:33:40.119 --> 00:33:40.900 etc., 00:33:40.900 --> 00:33:42.000 our children would be 00:33:42.000 --> 00:33:45.019 so much better off. 00:33:45.859 --> 00:33:48.379 God has a multi-generational 00:33:48.379 --> 00:33:49.680 idea in mind 00:33:49.680 --> 00:33:50.599 in the presentation 00:33:50.599 --> 00:33:51.539 of the Gospel. 00:33:51.700 --> 00:33:54.059 Psalm 78, 5-7 says, 00:33:54.119 --> 00:33:54.819 God established 00:33:54.819 --> 00:33:56.039 a testimony in Jacob 00:33:56.039 --> 00:33:57.500 and appointed a law 00:33:57.500 --> 00:33:57.940 in Israel 00:33:57.940 --> 00:33:58.619 which He commanded 00:33:58.619 --> 00:33:59.339 to our fathers 00:33:59.339 --> 00:34:00.339 to teach their children 00:34:00.339 --> 00:34:01.879 that the next generation 00:34:01.879 --> 00:34:02.680 might know them, 00:34:02.960 --> 00:34:04.200 the children yet unborn, 00:34:04.200 --> 00:34:04.840 and arise 00:34:04.840 --> 00:34:05.400 and tell them 00:34:05.400 --> 00:34:06.080 to their children 00:34:06.080 --> 00:34:07.200 so they should set 00:34:07.200 --> 00:34:08.380 their hope in God 00:34:08.380 --> 00:34:09.139 and not forget 00:34:09.139 --> 00:34:10.079 the works of God 00:34:10.079 --> 00:34:12.960 but keep His commandments. 00:34:14.159 --> 00:34:14.940 I don't know for sure 00:34:14.940 --> 00:34:15.639 but I think Paul 00:34:15.639 --> 00:34:16.260 has this in mind 00:34:16.260 --> 00:34:17.179 in Ephesians 6-4 00:34:17.179 --> 00:34:17.519 when he says, 00:34:17.639 --> 00:34:17.820 Fathers, 00:34:17.900 --> 00:34:18.360 do not provoke 00:34:18.360 --> 00:34:19.059 your children to anger 00:34:19.059 --> 00:34:20.460 but bring them up 00:34:20.460 --> 00:34:21.400 in the discipline 00:34:21.400 --> 00:34:22.519 and instruction 00:34:22.519 --> 00:34:23.880 of the Lord. 00:34:24.659 --> 00:34:26.260 We need to be 00:34:26.260 --> 00:34:27.559 leading our families. 00:34:28.220 --> 00:34:29.280 Fathers in this room, 00:34:29.500 --> 00:34:30.500 you are the pastors 00:34:30.500 --> 00:34:31.659 of your families. 00:34:32.000 --> 00:34:33.000 I'm your pastor, 00:34:33.000 --> 00:34:33.739 you pastor, 00:34:33.739 --> 00:34:35.119 your family. 00:34:36.199 --> 00:34:37.500 And the things 00:34:37.500 --> 00:34:38.440 that I think are necessary 00:34:38.440 --> 00:34:39.300 in family worship, 00:34:39.380 --> 00:34:39.980 it's going to vary 00:34:39.980 --> 00:34:42.699 dramatically from age to age 00:34:42.699 --> 00:34:44.179 but we need to be reading 00:34:44.179 --> 00:34:44.679 the Scriptures 00:34:44.679 --> 00:34:45.400 to our children 00:34:45.400 --> 00:34:47.119 or something that speaks 00:34:47.119 --> 00:34:47.900 of the Scriptures 00:34:47.900 --> 00:34:49.360 to the little ones, 00:34:49.860 --> 00:34:50.780 discussing it, 00:34:50.920 --> 00:34:51.739 asking them questions, 00:34:51.860 --> 00:34:52.980 making sure they understand, 00:34:53.619 --> 00:34:54.400 praying with them, 00:34:54.860 --> 00:34:55.820 singing with them, 00:34:56.139 --> 00:34:57.920 and memorizing with them, 00:34:57.980 --> 00:34:59.239 memorizing Scripture 00:34:59.239 --> 00:35:00.359 or working them 00:35:00.359 --> 00:35:01.879 through a catechism. 00:35:02.439 --> 00:35:03.539 The reason Aletheia Way 00:35:03.539 --> 00:35:04.419 is so simple 00:35:04.419 --> 00:35:06.379 is that it's not my job 00:35:06.379 --> 00:35:07.239 to teach your kids. 00:35:07.799 --> 00:35:08.799 I'm hoping to give them 00:35:08.799 --> 00:35:09.559 something that will get 00:35:09.559 --> 00:35:10.559 some energy out of them 00:35:10.559 --> 00:35:12.000 that gives you some support. 00:35:12.199 --> 00:35:12.859 So you can go home 00:35:12.859 --> 00:35:13.519 and sing the songs 00:35:13.519 --> 00:35:14.579 that we sing on Sunday mornings. 00:35:14.899 --> 00:35:15.619 We've got a Scripture 00:35:15.619 --> 00:35:16.179 memory verse 00:35:16.179 --> 00:35:16.699 that we're doing 00:35:16.699 --> 00:35:18.899 approximately one per month. 00:35:19.259 --> 00:35:19.959 You can pick up 00:35:19.959 --> 00:35:20.879 your favorite version 00:35:20.879 --> 00:35:21.679 of a catechism 00:35:21.679 --> 00:35:23.059 and work on that with them 00:35:23.059 --> 00:35:24.319 that we build the truth 00:35:24.319 --> 00:35:25.459 into our children. 00:35:25.659 --> 00:35:26.439 Some people call it 00:35:26.439 --> 00:35:27.059 brainwashing. 00:35:27.059 --> 00:35:27.960 I don't care. 00:35:28.900 --> 00:35:29.980 I want their brains 00:35:29.980 --> 00:35:30.779 to have access 00:35:30.779 --> 00:35:32.239 to really, really good, 00:35:32.400 --> 00:35:33.219 solid information 00:35:33.219 --> 00:35:34.139 so that their hearts 00:35:34.139 --> 00:35:34.779 will be changed. 00:35:35.380 --> 00:35:36.639 Pump the information 00:35:36.639 --> 00:35:37.840 into them. 00:35:38.860 --> 00:35:39.579 We'll say to you 00:35:39.579 --> 00:35:40.579 that when you do this 00:35:40.579 --> 00:35:42.039 isn't all that important. 00:35:42.460 --> 00:35:43.079 The Puritans, 00:35:43.139 --> 00:35:44.059 which value family worship 00:35:44.059 --> 00:35:44.699 very highly, 00:35:45.000 --> 00:35:46.299 did it both in the morning 00:35:46.299 --> 00:35:47.340 and in the evening 00:35:47.340 --> 00:35:48.500 of every single day. 00:35:48.699 --> 00:35:49.840 There is no way 00:35:49.840 --> 00:35:50.519 I could pull that off 00:35:50.519 --> 00:35:50.960 in my home. 00:35:51.079 --> 00:35:52.079 I have really seriously 00:35:52.079 --> 00:35:53.079 considered getting it done. 00:35:53.259 --> 00:35:54.039 There's just no way 00:35:54.039 --> 00:35:55.039 that we could pull it off. 00:35:55.219 --> 00:35:56.519 We typically do really well 00:35:56.519 --> 00:35:57.699 doing it once a week 00:35:57.699 --> 00:35:58.840 at dinner time. 00:35:59.119 --> 00:35:59.920 We pick a dinner time, 00:36:00.039 --> 00:36:00.559 a day of the week 00:36:00.559 --> 00:36:01.179 that we're going to do it. 00:36:01.920 --> 00:36:02.579 Consistency, I think, 00:36:02.599 --> 00:36:03.599 is the most important thing 00:36:03.599 --> 00:36:04.059 that we're spending 00:36:04.059 --> 00:36:05.639 a very consistent amount 00:36:05.639 --> 00:36:06.840 of time with our kids. 00:36:07.099 --> 00:36:07.920 There are wonderful resources 00:36:07.920 --> 00:36:08.639 for the young ones. 00:36:08.739 --> 00:36:09.759 The Jesus Storybook Bible, 00:36:10.039 --> 00:36:11.099 many of you are familiar with. 00:36:11.980 --> 00:36:13.199 I have this read with me 00:36:13.199 --> 00:36:14.059 which actually is not 00:36:14.059 --> 00:36:15.239 really great theologically, 00:36:15.820 --> 00:36:16.980 but this same guy, 00:36:17.039 --> 00:36:17.599 Dennis Jones, 00:36:17.679 --> 00:36:19.019 has a see with me Bible 00:36:19.019 --> 00:36:20.119 that's just pictures 00:36:20.119 --> 00:36:21.199 and they're awesome. 00:36:21.360 --> 00:36:22.139 This is Sam's favorite 00:36:22.139 --> 00:36:23.300 illustrator. 00:36:24.219 --> 00:36:24.719 So just to give you 00:36:24.719 --> 00:36:25.099 an example, 00:36:25.899 --> 00:36:26.759 there's John the Baptist. 00:36:27.179 --> 00:36:27.739 You guys can see 00:36:27.739 --> 00:36:28.439 from far away. 00:36:29.019 --> 00:36:29.980 Really good, right? 00:36:31.519 --> 00:36:32.859 Like, totally shifted 00:36:32.859 --> 00:36:33.419 the way I thought 00:36:33.419 --> 00:36:34.000 of John the Baptist, 00:36:34.239 --> 00:36:38.000 but pretty awesome. 00:36:38.139 --> 00:36:39.019 He's got a big split 00:36:39.019 --> 00:36:39.759 between his front teeth. 00:36:39.799 --> 00:36:40.259 It's cool. 00:36:41.719 --> 00:36:41.980 So really, 00:36:42.039 --> 00:36:42.539 but the see with me 00:36:42.539 --> 00:36:43.439 is really, really fantastic 00:36:43.439 --> 00:36:44.159 if you want to just tell 00:36:44.159 --> 00:36:44.980 your children the story. 00:36:45.339 --> 00:36:46.239 I read this morning, 00:36:46.319 --> 00:36:46.679 intentionally, 00:36:46.859 --> 00:36:47.799 read this morning from you 00:36:47.799 --> 00:36:48.519 from the Big Picture 00:36:48.519 --> 00:36:49.219 Storybook Bible. 00:36:49.899 --> 00:36:50.899 Very Christocentric 00:36:50.899 --> 00:36:51.819 as well as the 00:36:51.819 --> 00:36:52.739 Jesus Storybook Bible. 00:36:52.739 --> 00:36:54.119 fantastic ones 00:36:54.119 --> 00:36:54.799 for the little ones 00:36:54.799 --> 00:36:55.859 to tell the stories 00:36:55.859 --> 00:36:56.619 to them. 00:36:56.959 --> 00:36:57.859 If any of you are 00:36:57.859 --> 00:36:58.899 friends with us on Facebook, 00:36:59.219 --> 00:37:00.199 you'll note the one thing 00:37:00.199 --> 00:37:00.979 I asked for for Christmas 00:37:00.979 --> 00:37:02.139 was a felt board set, 00:37:02.559 --> 00:37:04.339 which I found out 00:37:04.339 --> 00:37:05.799 to my great pleasure 00:37:05.799 --> 00:37:07.059 that it was copyrighted 00:37:07.059 --> 00:37:07.799 in 1966, 00:37:08.139 --> 00:37:09.039 which means it's the exact 00:37:09.039 --> 00:37:09.939 same felt board set 00:37:09.939 --> 00:37:10.779 that I would have seen 00:37:10.779 --> 00:37:11.619 as a child. 00:37:12.639 --> 00:37:13.000 Unfortunately, 00:37:13.159 --> 00:37:14.019 I have to cut out 00:37:14.019 --> 00:37:15.059 every one of the pieces 00:37:15.059 --> 00:37:15.500 myself, 00:37:16.379 --> 00:37:17.000 which I'm not looking 00:37:17.000 --> 00:37:17.399 forward to, 00:37:17.599 --> 00:37:18.479 but I'm going to start 00:37:18.479 --> 00:37:19.579 doing some storyboarding 00:37:19.579 --> 00:37:21.000 at home with the kids 00:37:21.000 --> 00:37:22.099 to help them engage 00:37:22.099 --> 00:37:23.219 in the story. 00:37:23.420 --> 00:37:23.539 So, 00:37:23.920 --> 00:37:25.079 set aside a time, 00:37:25.500 --> 00:37:27.099 make it a resolve 00:37:27.099 --> 00:37:27.920 for you for 2015 00:37:27.920 --> 00:37:29.380 to lead your family 00:37:29.380 --> 00:37:30.960 better in the act 00:37:30.960 --> 00:37:32.119 of family worship. 00:37:33.159 --> 00:37:33.719 Number six, 00:37:35.539 --> 00:37:36.300 resolve in 2015 00:37:36.300 --> 00:37:37.699 to give 00:37:37.699 --> 00:37:38.960 more 00:37:38.960 --> 00:37:40.239 generously. 00:37:40.820 --> 00:37:41.679 To give more generously. 00:37:42.800 --> 00:37:43.360 Luke 12, 00:37:43.460 --> 00:37:44.139 turn to Luke 12 00:37:44.139 --> 00:37:44.559 with me. 00:37:44.800 --> 00:37:45.619 Get a drink of water. 00:37:45.619 --> 00:37:45.679 Get a drink of water. 00:37:51.000 --> 00:37:51.599 Luke 12, 00:37:51.599 --> 00:38:06.159 it's one of my favorite 00:38:06.159 --> 00:38:07.119 parables that Jesus told. 00:38:07.199 --> 00:38:07.579 Luke 12, 00:38:07.659 --> 00:38:08.440 beginning in verse 13. 00:38:09.019 --> 00:38:09.699 Someone in the crowd 00:38:09.699 --> 00:38:10.159 said to him, 00:38:10.239 --> 00:38:10.440 Teacher, 00:38:10.539 --> 00:38:11.059 tell my brothers 00:38:11.059 --> 00:38:12.019 to divide the inheritance 00:38:12.019 --> 00:38:12.440 with me. 00:38:13.099 --> 00:38:13.980 But he said to him, 00:38:14.280 --> 00:38:14.579 Man, 00:38:14.679 --> 00:38:15.480 who made me a judge 00:38:15.480 --> 00:38:16.760 or arbitrator over you? 00:38:16.960 --> 00:38:17.780 And he said to them, 00:38:18.139 --> 00:38:18.920 Take care 00:38:18.920 --> 00:38:19.880 and be on your guard 00:38:19.880 --> 00:38:21.559 against all covetousness 00:38:21.559 --> 00:38:22.659 for one's life 00:38:22.659 --> 00:38:23.599 does not consist 00:38:23.599 --> 00:38:24.539 in the abundance 00:38:24.539 --> 00:38:25.940 of his possessions. 00:38:26.059 --> 00:38:26.139 Now, 00:38:26.159 --> 00:38:26.860 let me stop for a minute 00:38:26.860 --> 00:38:27.760 and note there, 00:38:27.800 --> 00:38:28.159 he says, 00:38:28.240 --> 00:38:28.659 be on guard 00:38:28.659 --> 00:38:29.720 against all covetousness. 00:38:29.740 --> 00:38:30.840 Not just having stuff 00:38:30.840 --> 00:38:31.440 and coveting it, 00:38:31.539 --> 00:38:33.320 but also wanting things, 00:38:33.619 --> 00:38:33.880 right, 00:38:33.920 --> 00:38:35.059 that you don't have, 00:38:35.400 --> 00:38:36.480 thinking that the abundance 00:38:36.480 --> 00:38:36.900 of possessions 00:38:36.900 --> 00:38:37.960 will bring you joy. 00:38:38.480 --> 00:38:38.880 Verse 16, 00:38:39.420 --> 00:38:40.119 And he told them 00:38:40.119 --> 00:38:40.800 a parable saying, 00:38:41.240 --> 00:38:42.159 The land of a rich man 00:38:42.159 --> 00:38:42.960 produced plentifully. 00:38:43.139 --> 00:38:44.099 And he thought to himself, 00:38:44.360 --> 00:38:45.200 What shall I do? 00:38:45.280 --> 00:38:45.800 For I have nowhere 00:38:45.800 --> 00:38:46.639 to store my crops. 00:38:46.860 --> 00:38:47.559 And he said, 00:38:47.700 --> 00:38:48.519 I will do this. 00:38:48.519 --> 00:38:49.800 I will tear down my barns 00:38:49.800 --> 00:38:50.539 and build larger ones. 00:38:50.659 --> 00:38:51.400 And there I will store 00:38:51.400 --> 00:38:52.880 all my grain and my goods. 00:38:53.639 --> 00:38:54.659 And I will say to my soul, 00:38:55.000 --> 00:38:55.219 Soul, 00:38:55.539 --> 00:38:56.500 you have ample goods 00:38:56.500 --> 00:38:57.380 laid up for many years. 00:38:57.539 --> 00:38:57.920 Relax, 00:38:58.400 --> 00:38:58.679 eat, 00:38:58.960 --> 00:38:59.280 drink, 00:38:59.840 --> 00:39:00.340 be merry. 00:39:01.300 --> 00:39:02.420 But God said to him, 00:39:02.880 --> 00:39:03.159 Fool, 00:39:03.759 --> 00:39:05.119 this night your soul 00:39:05.119 --> 00:39:06.159 is required of you. 00:39:06.460 --> 00:39:07.800 In the things you have prepared, 00:39:08.019 --> 00:39:09.380 whose will they be? 00:39:10.019 --> 00:39:10.679 So is the one 00:39:10.679 --> 00:39:11.320 who lays up treasure 00:39:11.320 --> 00:39:11.900 for himself 00:39:11.900 --> 00:39:12.900 and is not rich 00:39:12.900 --> 00:39:15.239 towards God. 00:39:15.860 --> 00:39:16.300 Right? 00:39:16.300 --> 00:39:18.840 Let that sink 00:39:18.840 --> 00:39:19.480 for a moment. 00:39:20.440 --> 00:39:20.800 Now, 00:39:20.880 --> 00:39:21.800 this parable is not 00:39:21.800 --> 00:39:22.960 a warning against 00:39:22.960 --> 00:39:24.060 saving. 00:39:25.120 --> 00:39:26.440 It's a warning against 00:39:26.440 --> 00:39:27.820 storing up for yourself 00:39:27.820 --> 00:39:28.580 to the degree 00:39:28.580 --> 00:39:29.640 that that is 00:39:29.640 --> 00:39:31.820 the consistency 00:39:31.820 --> 00:39:32.820 of your life. 00:39:32.940 --> 00:39:33.700 Like we said before 00:39:33.700 --> 00:39:34.380 in verse 15, 00:39:34.480 --> 00:39:35.360 life does not consist 00:39:35.360 --> 00:39:36.240 in the abundance 00:39:36.240 --> 00:39:38.320 of possessions. 00:39:38.720 --> 00:39:39.400 The Proverbs tell us 00:39:39.400 --> 00:39:40.340 to observe the ant 00:39:40.340 --> 00:39:41.080 who stores up 00:39:41.080 --> 00:39:42.160 for the time 00:39:42.160 --> 00:39:43.400 when there is no food. 00:39:43.400 --> 00:39:44.099 It is okay 00:39:44.099 --> 00:39:44.960 that we do these types 00:39:44.960 --> 00:39:45.900 of preparatory things. 00:39:46.380 --> 00:39:46.980 In fact, 00:39:47.280 --> 00:39:48.119 year before last, 00:39:48.519 --> 00:39:49.240 Sam and I were very 00:39:49.240 --> 00:39:50.200 carefully saving, 00:39:50.519 --> 00:39:51.360 getting ahead. 00:39:51.559 --> 00:39:52.460 We had gotten ourselves 00:39:52.460 --> 00:39:53.579 a month ahead 00:39:53.579 --> 00:39:54.240 in our savings. 00:39:54.380 --> 00:39:55.380 We had money 00:39:55.380 --> 00:39:55.900 sitting aside 00:39:55.900 --> 00:39:56.400 in the savings. 00:39:56.559 --> 00:39:57.880 If we somehow 00:39:57.880 --> 00:39:59.079 didn't have an income, 00:39:59.460 --> 00:39:59.960 the guys decided 00:39:59.960 --> 00:40:00.519 to get rid of me, 00:40:00.780 --> 00:40:01.860 we would have had a month 00:40:01.860 --> 00:40:02.539 stored up. 00:40:02.579 --> 00:40:03.440 It was really fantastic 00:40:03.440 --> 00:40:04.400 and I felt so very good 00:40:04.400 --> 00:40:04.880 about that, 00:40:05.079 --> 00:40:05.860 but I wasn't really sure 00:40:05.860 --> 00:40:07.180 exactly why 00:40:07.180 --> 00:40:08.000 we were being led 00:40:08.000 --> 00:40:08.760 to save 00:40:08.760 --> 00:40:09.880 in this way. 00:40:10.500 --> 00:40:10.980 And then, 00:40:10.980 --> 00:40:12.280 we got our taxes 00:40:12.280 --> 00:40:13.380 all taken care of 00:40:13.380 --> 00:40:14.320 and discovered 00:40:14.320 --> 00:40:15.039 that the accountant 00:40:15.039 --> 00:40:16.340 that was taking care 00:40:16.340 --> 00:40:16.920 of our deductions 00:40:16.920 --> 00:40:17.579 here for the church 00:40:17.579 --> 00:40:18.639 had done it wrong 00:40:18.639 --> 00:40:20.059 and I owed 00:40:20.059 --> 00:40:21.719 quite a bit more 00:40:21.719 --> 00:40:23.139 than I thought 00:40:23.139 --> 00:40:24.079 that I had anticipated 00:40:24.079 --> 00:40:24.460 owing. 00:40:24.860 --> 00:40:25.519 And in fact, 00:40:25.740 --> 00:40:26.960 it came up within, 00:40:27.079 --> 00:40:28.480 once I paid the accountant 00:40:28.480 --> 00:40:30.059 the fees to sort it all out, 00:40:30.440 --> 00:40:31.679 within about $20 00:40:31.679 --> 00:40:32.940 of what we had saved 00:40:32.940 --> 00:40:34.440 in that year previous. 00:40:34.800 --> 00:40:35.019 So, 00:40:35.860 --> 00:40:36.340 as Sam and I 00:40:36.340 --> 00:40:37.000 kind of lamented 00:40:37.000 --> 00:40:38.159 that our savings 00:40:38.159 --> 00:40:38.860 was gone, 00:40:38.860 --> 00:40:39.079 I said, 00:40:39.159 --> 00:40:39.280 well, 00:40:39.320 --> 00:40:40.179 at least we know now 00:40:40.179 --> 00:40:41.019 what God was having us 00:40:41.019 --> 00:40:41.539 save it for, 00:40:41.739 --> 00:40:41.960 right? 00:40:42.019 --> 00:40:43.199 He was very aware 00:40:43.199 --> 00:40:44.319 of what was going 00:40:44.319 --> 00:40:45.259 to happen. 00:40:46.059 --> 00:40:47.239 But we ought to give 00:40:47.239 --> 00:40:48.759 generously to the kingdom 00:40:48.759 --> 00:40:49.799 of all of our resources, 00:40:49.899 --> 00:40:50.299 our money, 00:40:50.699 --> 00:40:51.319 our time, 00:40:51.940 --> 00:40:52.839 and our talents. 00:40:53.500 --> 00:40:54.559 I know many people 00:40:54.559 --> 00:40:55.480 in this room are young 00:40:55.480 --> 00:40:56.159 and they don't really 00:40:56.159 --> 00:40:57.440 have money, 00:40:57.559 --> 00:40:58.719 but you have time 00:40:58.719 --> 00:41:00.819 and you have talents 00:41:00.819 --> 00:41:02.019 and we must 00:41:02.019 --> 00:41:04.359 prioritize giving 00:41:04.359 --> 00:41:06.039 to the kingdom of God. 00:41:06.559 --> 00:41:07.059 The example 00:41:07.059 --> 00:41:07.539 in the Old Testament 00:41:07.539 --> 00:41:07.899 of giving 00:41:07.899 --> 00:41:09.339 is the tithe 00:41:09.340 --> 00:41:09.780 that it was meant 00:41:09.780 --> 00:41:10.320 to be done 00:41:10.320 --> 00:41:11.380 off the top, 00:41:11.559 --> 00:41:12.380 the very first, 00:41:12.579 --> 00:41:13.880 the first fruits, 00:41:14.019 --> 00:41:14.160 right? 00:41:14.260 --> 00:41:15.280 Not what's left over 00:41:15.280 --> 00:41:15.980 at the end. 00:41:16.200 --> 00:41:16.740 Let me take care 00:41:16.740 --> 00:41:17.600 of these obligations 00:41:17.600 --> 00:41:18.820 and then I'll give 00:41:18.820 --> 00:41:19.820 by setting first 00:41:19.820 --> 00:41:20.440 and foremost 00:41:20.440 --> 00:41:21.200 an obligation 00:41:21.200 --> 00:41:21.860 to the Lord 00:41:21.860 --> 00:41:22.600 to say, 00:41:22.960 --> 00:41:23.900 this is ultimately 00:41:23.900 --> 00:41:25.320 and finally His. 00:41:26.019 --> 00:41:26.960 I will give 00:41:26.960 --> 00:41:29.220 to kingdom work. 00:41:29.579 --> 00:41:30.160 And the other, 00:41:30.280 --> 00:41:31.100 and I will say to you 00:41:31.100 --> 00:41:32.160 that if you have a home 00:41:32.160 --> 00:41:32.820 and you have a car, 00:41:32.900 --> 00:41:33.920 which is okay to own, 00:41:34.180 --> 00:41:34.940 you own those things, 00:41:35.019 --> 00:41:35.980 you also need to see 00:41:35.980 --> 00:41:36.840 those things as belonging 00:41:36.840 --> 00:41:37.340 to the Lord 00:41:37.340 --> 00:41:38.820 and use them in ways 00:41:38.820 --> 00:41:40.460 that serve His purposes 00:41:40.460 --> 00:41:41.680 as well. 00:41:42.300 --> 00:41:43.539 You've got to prioritize it. 00:41:43.800 --> 00:41:45.000 Let me encourage upon you 00:41:45.000 --> 00:41:46.860 envelope budgeting. 00:41:47.420 --> 00:41:48.220 Set money aside 00:41:48.220 --> 00:41:49.860 specifically for the expenses 00:41:49.860 --> 00:41:50.559 that you know 00:41:50.559 --> 00:41:51.660 you have coming up. 00:41:51.980 --> 00:41:52.620 I would include 00:41:52.620 --> 00:41:53.500 kingdom giving 00:41:53.500 --> 00:41:54.579 in that. 00:41:55.059 --> 00:41:55.820 Sam and I plan 00:41:55.820 --> 00:41:57.079 every single month 00:41:57.079 --> 00:41:58.460 exactly what we budgeted out 00:41:58.460 --> 00:41:59.000 for the year, 00:41:59.079 --> 00:42:00.360 exactly what we're going to give 00:42:00.360 --> 00:42:01.640 as a standard, 00:42:02.160 --> 00:42:02.980 and then we try to go 00:42:02.980 --> 00:42:03.900 above and beyond that 00:42:03.900 --> 00:42:04.559 at times 00:42:04.559 --> 00:42:05.519 to prayerfully consider 00:42:05.519 --> 00:42:07.599 if we should give more. 00:42:08.239 --> 00:42:09.119 We consider that 00:42:09.119 --> 00:42:10.779 as an overflow 00:42:10.779 --> 00:42:12.079 when God is very, 00:42:12.159 --> 00:42:12.980 very good to us 00:42:12.980 --> 00:42:14.199 in our finances. 00:42:14.980 --> 00:42:15.860 Envelope budgeting 00:42:15.860 --> 00:42:17.159 ensures that you'll have 00:42:17.159 --> 00:42:17.920 what you need 00:42:17.920 --> 00:42:20.239 for your necessities 00:42:20.239 --> 00:42:21.599 as well as being able 00:42:21.599 --> 00:42:22.000 to give. 00:42:22.239 --> 00:42:23.199 The average family 00:42:23.199 --> 00:42:24.699 that uses envelope budgeting, 00:42:25.000 --> 00:42:25.779 some kind of a system, 00:42:26.119 --> 00:42:27.119 saves 10% 00:42:27.119 --> 00:42:28.159 of their household income. 00:42:28.759 --> 00:42:28.960 So, 00:42:29.139 --> 00:42:30.279 you're having difficult time 00:42:30.279 --> 00:42:31.239 giving to the church? 00:42:31.340 --> 00:42:31.980 Well, guess what? 00:42:32.079 --> 00:42:32.860 Start paying attention 00:42:32.860 --> 00:42:33.599 to your budget 00:42:33.599 --> 00:42:36.160 and the statistic holds 00:42:36.160 --> 00:42:36.700 that you're going to have 00:42:36.700 --> 00:42:37.760 10% free up. 00:42:38.320 --> 00:42:38.780 Wouldn't that be 00:42:38.780 --> 00:42:39.200 a wonderful, 00:42:39.340 --> 00:42:40.079 wonderful thing? 00:42:40.620 --> 00:42:41.519 The average evangelical 00:42:41.519 --> 00:42:42.900 only gives 2% 00:42:42.900 --> 00:42:43.579 of their income, 00:42:43.820 --> 00:42:44.440 which means 00:42:44.440 --> 00:42:46.360 a lot of evangelicals 00:42:46.360 --> 00:42:47.099 don't give anything 00:42:47.099 --> 00:42:47.700 at all, 00:42:48.160 --> 00:42:49.000 and a lot give 00:42:49.000 --> 00:42:49.700 much, much more 00:42:49.700 --> 00:42:50.079 than that, 00:42:50.140 --> 00:42:50.700 but 2% 00:42:50.700 --> 00:42:51.900 is a sad, 00:42:52.000 --> 00:42:53.880 sad number. 00:42:55.640 --> 00:42:56.160 Prioritize. 00:42:56.860 --> 00:42:57.480 As far as giving 00:42:57.480 --> 00:42:58.320 your time 00:42:58.320 --> 00:42:59.280 and talents 00:42:59.280 --> 00:43:00.120 young people, 00:43:00.720 --> 00:43:01.559 use a calendar. 00:43:01.559 --> 00:43:03.840 It is a fantastic tool. 00:43:04.360 --> 00:43:05.340 A day planner 00:43:05.340 --> 00:43:06.840 if you would like to. 00:43:07.119 --> 00:43:07.659 Once again, 00:43:07.779 --> 00:43:08.679 technology serves us 00:43:08.679 --> 00:43:10.059 so well in this way. 00:43:10.159 --> 00:43:10.739 You have tools 00:43:10.739 --> 00:43:11.900 at your disposal. 00:43:12.420 --> 00:43:13.259 Plan time 00:43:13.259 --> 00:43:14.119 to study. 00:43:14.659 --> 00:43:15.619 Plan some time 00:43:15.619 --> 00:43:16.199 to hang out 00:43:16.199 --> 00:43:16.860 with your friends. 00:43:17.159 --> 00:43:18.259 And if it's not that time, 00:43:18.500 --> 00:43:19.659 then do something good 00:43:19.659 --> 00:43:20.840 with your time. 00:43:21.360 --> 00:43:22.299 I know you feel 00:43:22.299 --> 00:43:23.059 very busy, 00:43:23.360 --> 00:43:23.559 right? 00:43:23.599 --> 00:43:24.599 I sympathize with you. 00:43:24.659 --> 00:43:25.279 I was there 00:43:25.279 --> 00:43:26.500 once upon a time 00:43:26.500 --> 00:43:27.539 quite a while ago. 00:43:28.019 --> 00:43:28.619 I know you feel 00:43:28.619 --> 00:43:29.239 very, very busy, 00:43:29.299 --> 00:43:29.719 but you have 00:43:29.719 --> 00:43:30.519 so much time. 00:43:31.039 --> 00:43:31.859 Go ahead and start 00:43:31.859 --> 00:43:32.819 being a good planner 00:43:32.819 --> 00:43:33.319 of time 00:43:33.319 --> 00:43:34.539 and using your time well 00:43:34.539 --> 00:43:35.119 because if you don't 00:43:35.119 --> 00:43:35.919 start doing it now, 00:43:36.039 --> 00:43:36.639 you're going to find 00:43:36.639 --> 00:43:37.939 that once you get married 00:43:37.939 --> 00:43:38.919 and have a job 00:43:38.919 --> 00:43:39.659 and a family, 00:43:39.759 --> 00:43:40.579 you're never going 00:43:40.579 --> 00:43:41.239 to make time 00:43:41.239 --> 00:43:42.399 to do things 00:43:42.399 --> 00:43:43.419 for the kingdom. 00:43:45.859 --> 00:43:46.899 Jesus gives this warning 00:43:46.899 --> 00:43:47.679 in Matthew 6, 00:43:47.959 --> 00:43:49.059 verse 19-21, 00:43:49.059 --> 00:43:50.019 Do not lay up for yourselves 00:43:50.019 --> 00:43:50.820 treasures on earth 00:43:50.820 --> 00:43:51.519 where moth and rust 00:43:51.519 --> 00:43:53.079 destroy and where thieves 00:43:53.079 --> 00:43:54.480 break in and steal. 00:43:54.579 --> 00:43:55.579 But lay up for yourselves 00:43:55.579 --> 00:43:56.480 treasures in heaven 00:43:56.480 --> 00:43:57.539 where neither moth 00:43:57.539 --> 00:43:58.480 nor rust destroys 00:43:58.480 --> 00:43:59.000 and where thieves 00:43:59.000 --> 00:44:00.139 do not break in and steal. 00:44:00.420 --> 00:44:01.860 For where your treasure is, 00:44:02.259 --> 00:44:02.860 there your heart 00:44:02.860 --> 00:44:03.820 will be also. 00:44:04.099 --> 00:44:04.900 The way in which 00:44:04.900 --> 00:44:06.159 we spend our resources 00:44:06.159 --> 00:44:07.039 says something 00:44:07.039 --> 00:44:09.119 about what we care about. 00:44:10.480 --> 00:44:11.420 I hope 00:44:11.420 --> 00:44:12.980 that you'll be resolved 00:44:12.980 --> 00:44:14.239 in this next year 00:44:14.239 --> 00:44:16.599 to give more generously. 00:44:17.239 --> 00:44:18.500 2 Corinthians 12-15, 00:44:18.500 --> 00:44:19.579 I want this to be 00:44:19.579 --> 00:44:20.519 something that sticks 00:44:20.519 --> 00:44:21.119 in your mind 00:44:21.119 --> 00:44:22.199 that we could 00:44:22.199 --> 00:44:24.280 repeat these words 00:44:24.280 --> 00:44:24.960 that Paul writes 00:44:24.960 --> 00:44:25.619 to the Corinthians. 00:44:26.099 --> 00:44:27.320 I will most gladly 00:44:27.320 --> 00:44:28.360 spend 00:44:28.360 --> 00:44:30.599 and be spent 00:44:30.599 --> 00:44:32.619 for your souls. 00:44:35.039 --> 00:44:35.559 Seventh, 00:44:35.760 --> 00:44:36.239 and lastly, 00:44:37.340 --> 00:44:38.900 be resolved in 2015 00:44:38.900 --> 00:44:39.679 to make 00:44:39.679 --> 00:44:40.920 more 00:44:40.920 --> 00:44:42.340 disciples. 00:44:43.679 --> 00:44:44.460 Most of us 00:44:44.460 --> 00:44:44.900 are familiar 00:44:44.900 --> 00:44:46.199 with Matthew 28, 00:44:46.280 --> 00:44:47.019 19-20. 00:44:47.139 --> 00:44:47.380 It's called 00:44:47.380 --> 00:44:48.059 the Great Commission. 00:44:48.500 --> 00:44:49.659 Go, therefore, 00:44:50.380 --> 00:44:51.320 and make disciples 00:44:51.320 --> 00:44:52.119 of all nations, 00:44:52.260 --> 00:44:53.019 baptizing in the name 00:44:53.019 --> 00:44:53.480 of the Father 00:44:53.480 --> 00:44:54.239 and of the Son 00:44:54.239 --> 00:44:55.539 and of the Holy Spirit, 00:44:56.159 --> 00:44:56.659 teaching them 00:44:56.659 --> 00:44:57.119 to observe 00:44:57.119 --> 00:44:58.019 all that I have 00:44:58.019 --> 00:44:58.579 commanded you. 00:44:58.639 --> 00:44:59.219 And behold, 00:44:59.679 --> 00:45:00.519 I am with you 00:45:00.519 --> 00:45:01.239 always 00:45:01.239 --> 00:45:02.420 to the end 00:45:02.420 --> 00:45:03.099 of the age. 00:45:04.159 --> 00:45:04.559 Beloved, 00:45:04.619 --> 00:45:05.519 it is our job 00:45:05.519 --> 00:45:06.139 as disciples 00:45:06.139 --> 00:45:06.960 of Jesus Christ 00:45:06.960 --> 00:45:07.840 to make disciples 00:45:07.840 --> 00:45:08.739 of Jesus Christ. 00:45:09.019 --> 00:45:10.159 If we were to follow Him, 00:45:10.219 --> 00:45:10.840 we're to be about 00:45:10.840 --> 00:45:13.059 His work. 00:45:13.599 --> 00:45:14.380 The Great Commission 00:45:14.380 --> 00:45:15.119 is a commission 00:45:15.119 --> 00:45:15.900 to go. 00:45:16.260 --> 00:45:18.460 It's a in your going, 00:45:18.599 --> 00:45:20.039 as you're going. 00:45:20.160 --> 00:45:20.619 The Great Commission 00:45:20.619 --> 00:45:21.900 is not just for 00:45:21.900 --> 00:45:23.079 the foreign missionary, 00:45:23.579 --> 00:45:24.260 but it is for 00:45:24.260 --> 00:45:25.519 all of us 00:45:25.519 --> 00:45:26.340 who claim 00:45:26.340 --> 00:45:27.039 the name 00:45:27.039 --> 00:45:28.320 of Christ. 00:45:29.039 --> 00:45:30.180 And it's go. 00:45:30.320 --> 00:45:31.400 It's not invite 00:45:31.400 --> 00:45:31.980 to come. 00:45:32.980 --> 00:45:33.660 And it's okay 00:45:33.660 --> 00:45:34.360 if you invite people 00:45:34.360 --> 00:45:34.820 to come, 00:45:34.900 --> 00:45:35.640 but it's take 00:45:35.640 --> 00:45:36.200 the gospel 00:45:36.200 --> 00:45:37.260 with you. 00:45:37.500 --> 00:45:39.119 It's not lean on 00:45:39.119 --> 00:45:40.019 a trained professional, 00:45:40.500 --> 00:45:41.260 and I have no training 00:45:41.260 --> 00:45:41.760 by the way. 00:45:42.160 --> 00:45:42.520 But, 00:45:42.920 --> 00:45:44.300 the professional 00:45:44.300 --> 00:45:45.360 to present the gospel, 00:45:45.500 --> 00:45:46.200 but it's you 00:45:46.200 --> 00:45:47.620 going and sharing, 00:45:48.100 --> 00:45:49.280 passionately loving people 00:45:49.280 --> 00:45:49.780 with the truth 00:45:49.780 --> 00:45:51.320 of Jesus Christ. 00:45:51.980 --> 00:45:53.020 There's an old 00:45:53.020 --> 00:45:54.340 nomiker 00:45:54.340 --> 00:45:55.100 that is thrown out 00:45:55.100 --> 00:45:55.500 all the time 00:45:55.500 --> 00:45:56.180 in mission circles. 00:45:56.520 --> 00:45:57.640 You have three options. 00:45:58.000 --> 00:45:58.300 Go, 00:45:58.700 --> 00:45:58.980 send, 00:45:59.120 --> 00:46:00.140 or be disobedient. 00:46:00.260 --> 00:46:00.880 I think that's been 00:46:00.880 --> 00:46:01.760 incredibly damaging 00:46:01.760 --> 00:46:02.320 to us. 00:46:03.160 --> 00:46:04.300 You have two options. 00:46:04.600 --> 00:46:05.040 Go, 00:46:05.040 --> 00:46:06.540 or be disobedient. 00:46:07.420 --> 00:46:08.080 The sending 00:46:08.080 --> 00:46:09.120 can be part of the going. 00:46:09.420 --> 00:46:09.760 Certainly, 00:46:10.280 --> 00:46:11.000 the way in which 00:46:11.000 --> 00:46:11.660 we go and love 00:46:11.660 --> 00:46:12.060 and serve 00:46:12.060 --> 00:46:12.700 can certainly mean 00:46:12.700 --> 00:46:13.400 that we support 00:46:13.400 --> 00:46:14.380 those who are going 00:46:14.380 --> 00:46:15.180 further, 00:46:15.720 --> 00:46:16.800 who are going beyond, 00:46:16.940 --> 00:46:18.200 those who may need 00:46:18.200 --> 00:46:19.720 to make a full-time 00:46:19.720 --> 00:46:21.260 living in the advancement 00:46:21.260 --> 00:46:21.880 of the gospel. 00:46:22.800 --> 00:46:23.880 But rightly, 00:46:24.040 --> 00:46:25.040 we should all 00:46:25.040 --> 00:46:27.040 be going. 00:46:27.920 --> 00:46:28.360 And the question 00:46:28.360 --> 00:46:29.060 always gets asked, 00:46:29.140 --> 00:46:29.200 though, 00:46:29.200 --> 00:46:29.960 but am I equipped 00:46:29.960 --> 00:46:30.540 to do this? 00:46:30.580 --> 00:46:31.040 I don't know. 00:46:31.080 --> 00:46:31.860 I don't know 00:46:31.860 --> 00:46:32.860 that I know how 00:46:32.860 --> 00:46:34.560 to go and make 00:46:34.560 --> 00:46:35.300 disciples. 00:46:35.480 --> 00:46:36.040 And there are some 00:46:36.040 --> 00:46:36.940 practical things 00:46:36.940 --> 00:46:38.040 to learn and to do 00:46:38.039 --> 00:46:40.219 to gain knowledge 00:46:40.219 --> 00:46:40.440 in, 00:46:40.500 --> 00:46:41.059 to be sure. 00:46:41.360 --> 00:46:41.940 I hope if you're 00:46:41.940 --> 00:46:43.039 sticking with resolution 00:46:43.039 --> 00:46:43.539 number two 00:46:43.539 --> 00:46:44.099 to read your scriptures 00:46:44.099 --> 00:46:44.360 more, 00:46:44.440 --> 00:46:45.119 you're gaining 00:46:45.119 --> 00:46:46.039 all of those things 00:46:46.039 --> 00:46:46.840 that you need. 00:46:47.179 --> 00:46:47.860 But I'll say to you 00:46:47.860 --> 00:46:48.400 very simply, 00:46:48.559 --> 00:46:49.219 if you want to know 00:46:49.219 --> 00:46:49.840 if you're equipped, 00:46:50.159 --> 00:46:50.980 if you're a Christian, 00:46:51.159 --> 00:46:51.519 yes. 00:46:52.400 --> 00:46:53.139 You've responded 00:46:53.139 --> 00:46:53.820 to the gospel 00:46:53.820 --> 00:46:55.000 so you understand it 00:46:55.000 --> 00:46:56.019 enough to share it 00:46:56.019 --> 00:46:56.759 with somebody else 00:46:56.759 --> 00:46:57.719 and you have 00:46:57.719 --> 00:46:58.619 the Spirit 00:46:58.619 --> 00:46:59.779 of God. 00:47:00.539 --> 00:47:01.519 In our study of Mark 00:47:01.519 --> 00:47:02.360 chapter 13, 00:47:02.840 --> 00:47:03.719 remember what Jesus said 00:47:03.719 --> 00:47:04.539 to the apostles? 00:47:04.679 --> 00:47:04.920 He's talking about 00:47:04.920 --> 00:47:05.420 all the things 00:47:05.420 --> 00:47:05.900 that are going to happen 00:47:05.900 --> 00:47:06.159 to them, 00:47:06.340 --> 00:47:07.059 the places that they're 00:47:07.059 --> 00:47:07.539 going to go, 00:47:07.699 --> 00:47:08.539 all the stuff 00:47:08.539 --> 00:47:09.299 that's coming 00:47:09.299 --> 00:47:10.239 their way. 00:47:10.619 --> 00:47:11.039 Ephesians 7, 00:47:11.099 --> 00:47:11.619 verse 11, 00:47:11.679 --> 00:47:12.360 and when they bring 00:47:12.360 --> 00:47:13.059 you to trial 00:47:13.059 --> 00:47:14.059 and deliver you over, 00:47:14.500 --> 00:47:15.440 do not be anxious 00:47:15.440 --> 00:47:16.320 beforehand what you 00:47:16.320 --> 00:47:16.840 are to say, 00:47:17.259 --> 00:47:18.320 but say whatever 00:47:18.320 --> 00:47:19.139 is given you 00:47:19.139 --> 00:47:19.820 in that hour, 00:47:19.920 --> 00:47:20.559 for it is not you 00:47:20.559 --> 00:47:21.139 who speak, 00:47:21.759 --> 00:47:22.500 but the Holy Spirit. 00:47:22.619 --> 00:47:23.460 We have a helper. 00:47:23.559 --> 00:47:23.980 The Great Commission 00:47:23.980 --> 00:47:24.360 says, 00:47:24.519 --> 00:47:24.840 and lo, 00:47:24.900 --> 00:47:25.380 I'm with you 00:47:25.380 --> 00:47:26.840 even to the end 00:47:26.840 --> 00:47:27.799 of the age. 00:47:27.860 --> 00:47:28.779 We have a helper, 00:47:29.119 --> 00:47:30.059 one who even goes 00:47:30.059 --> 00:47:30.960 before us. 00:47:31.059 --> 00:47:31.719 Prepare the hearts 00:47:31.719 --> 00:47:32.840 of people to hear 00:47:32.840 --> 00:47:34.860 the gospel message. 00:47:34.860 --> 00:47:36.920 Once again, 00:47:37.180 --> 00:47:38.240 this is a thing 00:47:38.240 --> 00:47:39.500 in which we need 00:47:39.500 --> 00:47:41.940 to be deliberate. 00:47:43.539 --> 00:47:45.180 I have walked into, 00:47:45.400 --> 00:47:46.460 happened upon, 00:47:46.920 --> 00:47:47.880 gospel conversations, 00:47:48.220 --> 00:47:49.700 but more often than not, 00:47:49.820 --> 00:47:50.800 these things happen 00:47:50.800 --> 00:47:52.460 when I prepare for them, 00:47:52.840 --> 00:47:54.059 I have a person in mind, 00:47:54.120 --> 00:47:55.140 a time I'm going, 00:47:55.519 --> 00:47:56.660 I know so-and-so works 00:47:56.660 --> 00:47:57.599 at such-and-such place 00:47:57.599 --> 00:47:58.579 at such-and-such hour, 00:47:58.720 --> 00:47:59.680 and I've been praying 00:47:59.680 --> 00:48:01.019 toward a chance 00:48:01.019 --> 00:48:01.780 to meet with them 00:48:01.780 --> 00:48:02.540 and to share 00:48:02.540 --> 00:48:03.700 the gospel with them. 00:48:04.140 --> 00:48:05.880 Be deliberate. 00:48:07.500 --> 00:48:08.620 Take some time 00:48:08.620 --> 00:48:09.440 this morning, 00:48:09.900 --> 00:48:10.580 right now, 00:48:11.240 --> 00:48:13.000 to think of three people 00:48:13.000 --> 00:48:13.680 in your life 00:48:13.680 --> 00:48:14.740 that you know 00:48:14.740 --> 00:48:16.460 are not believers, 00:48:17.740 --> 00:48:19.300 and set in your mind 00:48:19.300 --> 00:48:19.900 in 2015 00:48:19.900 --> 00:48:20.420 that you're going 00:48:20.420 --> 00:48:21.200 to look for opportunities 00:48:21.200 --> 00:48:21.920 to share the gospel 00:48:21.920 --> 00:48:22.340 with them, 00:48:22.700 --> 00:48:23.080 that you're going 00:48:23.080 --> 00:48:23.760 to pray for them, 00:48:23.900 --> 00:48:24.740 that it might be a hope 00:48:24.740 --> 00:48:25.500 that they too 00:48:25.500 --> 00:48:26.480 will become disciples 00:48:26.480 --> 00:48:27.820 of Jesus Christ. 00:48:27.960 --> 00:48:28.780 If you love 00:48:28.780 --> 00:48:29.519 and cherish 00:48:29.519 --> 00:48:30.260 the gospel, 00:48:30.260 --> 00:48:31.900 you adore 00:48:31.900 --> 00:48:32.620 the glory 00:48:32.620 --> 00:48:33.320 of our Lord, 00:48:33.480 --> 00:48:34.420 you should want 00:48:34.420 --> 00:48:35.380 people to be 00:48:35.380 --> 00:48:35.960 following you 00:48:35.960 --> 00:48:36.740 in that way. 00:48:37.600 --> 00:48:38.960 Think of three people 00:48:38.960 --> 00:48:40.580 that you could share with. 00:48:40.880 --> 00:48:41.640 Think of more, 00:48:41.780 --> 00:48:42.720 by all means, 00:48:42.920 --> 00:48:43.120 right? 00:48:43.220 --> 00:48:44.920 Three is not really enough. 00:48:45.580 --> 00:48:46.460 Think of those spheres 00:48:46.460 --> 00:48:47.320 that you walk in. 00:48:47.580 --> 00:48:48.920 You may be the only person 00:48:48.920 --> 00:48:49.360 that can share 00:48:49.360 --> 00:48:50.380 the gospel of Jesus Christ 00:48:50.380 --> 00:48:51.300 with an individual 00:48:51.300 --> 00:48:52.340 in those circles 00:48:52.340 --> 00:48:53.020 that you run in. 00:48:53.220 --> 00:48:53.800 Think of three people. 00:48:53.820 --> 00:48:54.220 Do it now, 00:48:54.320 --> 00:48:54.660 right now. 00:48:54.740 --> 00:48:55.360 Think of three people. 00:49:00.260 --> 00:49:02.400 They don't pop 00:49:02.400 --> 00:49:03.180 into your head readily. 00:49:03.900 --> 00:49:04.500 Spend some time 00:49:04.500 --> 00:49:05.400 doing that today. 00:49:07.200 --> 00:49:09.360 This is trite. 00:49:09.720 --> 00:49:10.760 I would never issue this 00:49:10.760 --> 00:49:11.820 as a serious 00:49:11.820 --> 00:49:15.080 and real challenge to you, 00:49:15.420 --> 00:49:17.260 but just as a thought. 00:49:17.580 --> 00:49:18.500 Just a thought. 00:49:18.580 --> 00:49:18.980 What if? 00:49:19.100 --> 00:49:22.320 As a what if circumstance. 00:49:22.320 --> 00:49:24.620 What if we each 00:49:24.620 --> 00:49:26.360 made one disciple 00:49:26.360 --> 00:49:27.460 next year? 00:49:27.460 --> 00:49:29.400 Whether that's somebody 00:49:29.400 --> 00:49:31.300 who's a fairly nominal Christian 00:49:31.300 --> 00:49:32.380 who's maybe responded already 00:49:32.380 --> 00:49:33.480 in faith to Jesus Christ 00:49:33.480 --> 00:49:35.559 but needs to be brought along 00:49:35.559 --> 00:49:36.220 and grown up 00:49:36.220 --> 00:49:36.740 to the place 00:49:36.740 --> 00:49:37.519 where they can then 00:49:37.519 --> 00:49:38.220 share their faith 00:49:38.220 --> 00:49:39.159 and bring people up 00:49:39.159 --> 00:49:40.440 in the same way. 00:49:41.420 --> 00:49:42.380 Or somebody who doesn't 00:49:42.380 --> 00:49:43.260 know the gospel at all 00:49:43.260 --> 00:49:44.119 and you present the gospel 00:49:44.119 --> 00:49:45.199 to them for the first time. 00:49:45.320 --> 00:49:46.860 Your discipleship of them 00:49:46.860 --> 00:49:48.420 begins with your teaching them 00:49:48.420 --> 00:49:49.699 the gospel itself 00:49:49.699 --> 00:49:50.579 and they come to faith 00:49:50.579 --> 00:49:51.800 and you work with them 00:49:51.800 --> 00:49:52.300 to the place 00:49:52.300 --> 00:49:53.639 where you grow them up 00:49:53.639 --> 00:49:54.559 that they can also then 00:49:54.559 --> 00:49:55.480 go share their faith 00:49:55.480 --> 00:49:57.900 and make another disciple. 00:49:59.119 --> 00:50:00.139 Do we believe 00:50:00.139 --> 00:50:01.440 that God desires 00:50:01.440 --> 00:50:02.440 to save people? 00:50:05.380 --> 00:50:06.500 I hope we do 00:50:06.500 --> 00:50:07.619 because He does. 00:50:09.119 --> 00:50:10.980 It's what He is here about 00:50:10.980 --> 00:50:11.719 and He's given us 00:50:11.719 --> 00:50:12.380 this commission 00:50:12.380 --> 00:50:13.480 to be His ambassadors 00:50:13.480 --> 00:50:14.159 in the world 00:50:14.159 --> 00:50:16.639 to be about the ministry 00:50:16.639 --> 00:50:18.320 of reconciliation. 00:50:20.320 --> 00:50:21.420 We're a small crowd 00:50:21.420 --> 00:50:21.980 this morning. 00:50:22.119 --> 00:50:23.400 Not our normal crowd. 00:50:23.519 --> 00:50:24.420 Our after Christmas 00:50:24.420 --> 00:50:25.480 college students 00:50:25.480 --> 00:50:26.200 home. 00:50:26.480 --> 00:50:27.639 A lot of people sick. 00:50:28.200 --> 00:50:28.559 Crowd. 00:50:28.680 --> 00:50:29.900 I think there are about 00:50:29.900 --> 00:50:31.700 70 people in the room. 00:50:32.220 --> 00:50:33.059 So let's just use that 00:50:33.059 --> 00:50:33.639 as a number. 00:50:34.099 --> 00:50:34.639 And if all of us 00:50:34.639 --> 00:50:35.380 in this next year 00:50:35.380 --> 00:50:37.659 were to make a disciple 00:50:37.659 --> 00:50:40.420 that 70 would become 140. 00:50:41.340 --> 00:50:41.940 And the next year 00:50:41.940 --> 00:50:44.280 that 140 would become 280. 00:50:44.960 --> 00:50:46.159 And that following year 00:50:46.159 --> 00:50:49.119 that 280 would become 560. 00:50:49.440 --> 00:50:50.440 And that following year 00:50:50.440 --> 00:50:51.840 that would become 1120. 00:50:52.360 --> 00:50:53.500 I'm going to lose the math here 00:50:53.500 --> 00:50:54.099 in a second. 00:50:55.519 --> 00:50:56.900 We need to begin moving 00:50:56.900 --> 00:50:58.420 away from addition. 00:50:59.219 --> 00:50:59.920 A little here 00:50:59.920 --> 00:51:00.559 and a little here 00:51:00.559 --> 00:51:01.219 and a little here. 00:51:01.280 --> 00:51:02.039 Our church grew by 00:51:02.039 --> 00:51:03.320 10 people this year. 00:51:04.219 --> 00:51:05.519 Praise God for those 10 people. 00:51:05.920 --> 00:51:06.639 But we need to be moving 00:51:06.639 --> 00:51:07.519 beyond that 00:51:07.519 --> 00:51:08.019 from addition 00:51:08.019 --> 00:51:09.119 to multiplication. 00:51:09.960 --> 00:51:10.579 Believing that God 00:51:10.579 --> 00:51:11.659 has plans 00:51:11.659 --> 00:51:12.980 for this place. 00:51:13.019 --> 00:51:13.699 And it includes 00:51:13.699 --> 00:51:14.139 the redemption 00:51:14.139 --> 00:51:14.940 of His people. 00:51:15.300 --> 00:51:16.300 And that's not a small 00:51:16.300 --> 00:51:16.960 little crowd 00:51:16.960 --> 00:51:18.079 but a number 00:51:18.079 --> 00:51:19.039 that will not 00:51:19.039 --> 00:51:19.860 be able to be 00:51:19.860 --> 00:51:20.920 counted one day 00:51:20.920 --> 00:51:22.000 in heaven. 00:51:23.380 --> 00:51:24.579 We need to set ourselves 00:51:24.579 --> 00:51:25.780 to this task. 00:51:26.940 --> 00:51:27.700 These things 00:51:27.700 --> 00:51:28.240 are the things 00:51:28.240 --> 00:51:28.740 that make up 00:51:28.740 --> 00:51:29.619 the Christian life. 00:51:29.840 --> 00:51:30.579 The other stuff 00:51:30.579 --> 00:51:31.400 is the details. 00:51:31.599 --> 00:51:32.800 The jobs that we work, 00:51:33.079 --> 00:51:34.240 the family activities 00:51:34.240 --> 00:51:35.119 that we involve ourselves in, 00:51:35.180 --> 00:51:36.059 those are just the details. 00:51:36.059 --> 00:51:37.119 But the way that we're supposed 00:51:37.119 --> 00:51:37.779 to be driven 00:51:37.779 --> 00:51:39.139 is towards these types 00:51:39.139 --> 00:51:40.279 of things. 00:51:41.699 --> 00:51:42.019 Edwards' 00:51:42.500 --> 00:51:43.579 resolution number six 00:51:43.579 --> 00:51:44.219 resolved 00:51:44.219 --> 00:51:45.259 to live 00:51:45.259 --> 00:51:46.880 with all my might 00:51:46.880 --> 00:51:48.539 while I do live. 00:51:49.179 --> 00:51:49.860 Number seven 00:51:49.860 --> 00:51:50.840 resolved 00:51:50.840 --> 00:51:52.639 never to do anything 00:51:52.639 --> 00:51:53.880 which I should be 00:51:53.880 --> 00:51:54.840 afraid to do 00:51:54.840 --> 00:51:56.000 if it were the last 00:51:56.000 --> 00:51:56.559 hour 00:51:56.559 --> 00:51:58.099 of my life. 00:51:58.759 --> 00:51:59.799 We waste 00:51:59.799 --> 00:52:00.860 far 00:52:00.860 --> 00:52:01.960 too much 00:52:01.960 --> 00:52:03.400 time. 00:52:04.400 --> 00:52:05.380 Let me encourage you 00:52:05.380 --> 00:52:06.160 to make it a 00:52:06.160 --> 00:52:06.760 resolution 00:52:06.760 --> 00:52:09.400 to make 00:52:09.400 --> 00:52:10.440 more disciples 00:52:10.440 --> 00:52:12.300 in 2015. 00:52:13.280 --> 00:52:14.000 Let's pray together 00:52:14.000 --> 00:52:14.460 for the grace 00:52:14.460 --> 00:52:14.940 to do so.