WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.400 I would like you to begin by turning in your Bible to a passage that we are going to study 00:00:10.400 --> 00:00:17.839 ! together this morning in Numbers chapter 27. Before we actually go to the passage, there are 00:00:17.839 --> 00:00:22.080 ! a couple practical things that I want to draw to your attention. First of all, I want you to know 00:00:22.080 --> 00:00:29.920 that if you are inclined to text Caleb and Charity, Caleb and Charity are preaching this morning, 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:38.159 not here, but they are in the process of raising money for missions and for the work that they're 00:00:38.159 --> 00:00:44.659 going to be doing in Jamaica. And so, if you want to text them right now, you'll find out whether 00:00:44.659 --> 00:00:50.960 Caleb's phone is on because he's in church, and you go ahead and his phone will go off and it'll 00:00:50.960 --> 00:00:54.780 be a lesson, won't it? And I was like, but you go ahead and let him know you're praying for him 00:00:54.780 --> 00:00:59.340 because you're praying for me and I know you're doing that, and I'm heavily dependent on that, 00:00:59.340 --> 00:01:06.060 and I know Caleb is as well. He is preaching at the church where his father is a pastor, and don't… 00:01:06.060 --> 00:01:12.060 I trust at least that he gets about 15, 20 texts that say, hey, Caleb, Charity, we're praying for 00:01:12.060 --> 00:01:17.939 you. We trust that God helps you in your ministry there and that you're encouraged by the opportunity 00:01:17.939 --> 00:01:23.300 you have of being there at that church. Second thing I want you to know is that we are going to 00:01:23.299 --> 00:01:31.340 have a business meeting on May 18th, May 18th, to look at the job description that is in your bulletin. 00:01:32.560 --> 00:01:40.420 And we want you to pay careful attention to all that follows in relationship to that, 00:01:40.519 --> 00:01:48.060 so you keep this matter in prayer. Now, I ask you to turn, if you would, to that passage in numbers, 00:01:48.060 --> 00:01:54.240 and before we actually look at the passage, I want us to take some time in prayer and then let me give 00:01:54.240 --> 00:01:58.439 you a little bit of background because I think it is very important. So let's pray together. 00:02:01.359 --> 00:02:06.560 Father, this morning as I listened to the special music in particular, 00:02:07.560 --> 00:02:11.560 I thought about the reminder that we cannot do anything without your help, 00:02:11.560 --> 00:02:27.240 God, that our strength is in you, and that we, frail, insufficient in ourselves, can rely upon 00:02:27.240 --> 00:02:35.080 your Spirit to lift up the name of Jesus, strengthen us for the tasks that we have, 00:02:35.080 --> 00:02:42.840 cause us to grow in our affection for Christ and for one another, and have a genuine passion 00:02:42.840 --> 00:02:53.120 for a world that needs Christ. So help us this morning that we would listen carefully, 00:02:53.760 --> 00:03:01.000 that the sufficiency and the authority of the Scriptures would mark our path, 00:03:01.000 --> 00:03:10.080 and that we would be pleasing to you. And I pray this in your precious name. Amen. 00:03:12.379 --> 00:03:16.280 Generally, when I come to the pulpit, I mean, you pretty well know what I'm going to say. 00:03:17.159 --> 00:03:20.500 I mean, I'm going to be in Ephesians. I'll say, let's turn to Ephesians such and such, 00:03:20.560 --> 00:03:23.860 and you have a fairly good idea of where we're going to go from there. 00:03:23.860 --> 00:03:32.540 I will be taking a different track this morning, and for you who are here for the baptismal service, 00:03:32.640 --> 00:03:38.740 I'm thankful that you are here, and we will get to that part. But this is a little different than 00:03:38.740 --> 00:03:46.820 a normal Sunday for us, not in the singing, because we love to blow the roof off. We think that when 00:03:46.820 --> 00:03:51.540 people gather together that know Jesus, they ought not sit there looking like they're grumpy. 00:03:51.539 --> 00:03:55.139 Do you follow what I'm saying? I mean, we ought to have fun saying, 00:03:55.419 --> 00:04:02.879 Jesus, we love you, and we're pretty excited to sing about it. And we are going to be a people 00:04:02.879 --> 00:04:06.939 that in our fellowship together are going to be governed by this book. And probably one of the 00:04:06.939 --> 00:04:11.560 things you'll notice is that there are a lot of people running around here that are there with a 00:04:11.560 --> 00:04:17.079 Bible. They have a Bible in their hand, and there's a reason for that. One of the things that 00:04:17.079 --> 00:04:20.920 has characterized this fellowship over the years is our commitment to the Scriptures. 00:04:21.540 --> 00:04:27.840 We believe that the Scriptures are really God's Word to us, and that they provide all that we need 00:04:27.840 --> 00:04:31.939 for life and godliness. That's what Peter said when he wrote to the church. He said, hey, listen, 00:04:32.280 --> 00:04:37.400 the Bible is what we have that gives us all that we need for life and godliness. 00:04:38.379 --> 00:04:43.480 And our commitment here in this fellowship to the Scriptures is seen in so many little different ways. 00:04:43.480 --> 00:04:49.480 For one, I already reflected on the fact that most of you here are carrying a copy of your Bible, 00:04:49.960 --> 00:04:54.140 either in hard copy or electronically. And when I say, turn in your Bible, 00:04:54.700 --> 00:04:59.780 you can go there, and you can, you know, and I am still looking for someone to write that app, 00:04:59.860 --> 00:05:06.960 that when you hit that electronic little note, it goes, you know, so that I, a little older than some 00:05:06.959 --> 00:05:13.299 of you others, take small comfort in the fact that I heard you turn, okay? But you have your Bibles 00:05:13.299 --> 00:05:19.839 with you. Our songs are rooted in Scripture, and one of the things that I was doing as I was sitting 00:05:19.839 --> 00:05:25.779 down there and just having a great time singing, I was multitasking. I was thinking about the words 00:05:25.779 --> 00:05:31.199 of the song, and a couple of them, I don't know those words, but anyway, following along and still 00:05:31.199 --> 00:05:38.300 trying to connect, what does the Bible say about that? Our dealings with one another are governed 00:05:38.300 --> 00:05:43.920 by the Word. In the end, really, the things that we decide can be really tracked back to what the 00:05:43.920 --> 00:05:51.079 Scriptures have to say. And it's no accident that our fellowship has been blessed by a history of open 00:05:51.079 --> 00:05:56.519 and honest communication. An illustration of this would be that if you were to walk out in the lobby 00:05:56.519 --> 00:06:02.439 after the morning service, you can see a record of our monthly giving and really every single expense 00:06:02.439 --> 00:06:07.579 that we've had in this month. There it is tracked out for you. The only thing that is not there for 00:06:07.579 --> 00:06:13.439 your public consideration is how the money that you have given to the deacons fund is dispersed. 00:06:13.579 --> 00:06:18.839 And there's a reason for that. We don't think it's appropriate to know where some of the particular 00:06:18.839 --> 00:06:24.379 needs are that we have responded to as a deacon, but as deacons and pastors. But apart from that, 00:06:24.379 --> 00:06:32.180 everything is up there. Furthermore, after every monthly deacons meeting where the pastor and deacons 00:06:32.180 --> 00:06:38.579 meet together on Saturday, what follows that is that you will have your watch care deacon on Wednesday 00:06:38.579 --> 00:06:44.219 sit down with you and go over the outcome of that meeting. And there's a paper that you receive. 00:06:44.860 --> 00:06:50.100 How many of you know the name of that paper? What is it called? It's called a 2020. How many of you 00:06:50.100 --> 00:06:58.100 know where the term 2020 came from? Raise your hand and wave at me if you know. It came from Acts 00:06:58.100 --> 00:07:04.680 chapter 20, verse 20. Strange thing about that, isn't that? You know, we're a Bible people, and so 00:07:04.680 --> 00:07:09.000 even when it comes down to naming some of our documents, they're rooted in the Scriptures. Acts 00:07:09.000 --> 00:07:15.100 2020, here's what it says. And at the top of the header on the 2020 that you will receive this 00:07:15.100 --> 00:07:22.240 this coming Wednesday will be the little statement, I kept back nothing from you that was profitable. 00:07:22.820 --> 00:07:28.820 And as a result of our commitment to follow the counsel of Scripture, we have made it part of our 00:07:28.820 --> 00:07:34.060 fellowship that we are open and forthright, and we let you know where we are and what's going on and 00:07:34.060 --> 00:07:42.300 why we're doing it. In addition to that, every time we have made a move, whether it has involved 00:07:42.300 --> 00:07:48.600 changing our music style a little bit, or whether it's being a decision with church discipline, 00:07:49.040 --> 00:07:56.180 or the matter of moving towards small groups, prior to our involving the congregation in that 00:07:56.180 --> 00:08:02.400 has been that I have come to the pulpit as a pastor, and I have opened up the Word of God and said, 00:08:02.400 --> 00:08:08.540 here is what the Scriptures have to say, and here is how we're going to apply it. 00:08:12.300 --> 00:08:22.680 And this morning is no exception. Today, as in every other day, we want to be a people that depend 00:08:22.680 --> 00:08:31.420 upon the Word. And so, before we actually go to our passage, let me ask that you turn to the paper 00:08:31.420 --> 00:08:37.159 that was put in your bulletin. Now, I'm curious, just out of curiosity, how many of you actually have 00:08:37.159 --> 00:08:42.839 read your bulletin now and know what is in it on this piece of paper? Raise your hand and wave at me. 00:08:42.839 --> 00:08:48.240 It's great. What that tells me is I don't have to give announcements in the future because you're 00:08:48.240 --> 00:08:56.059 a very well-informed congregation. But allow me, if I may, to read the first part. 00:08:56.059 --> 00:09:09.619 It is the recommendation of your leadership that our fellowship approve the search for a man to serve 00:09:09.619 --> 00:09:18.759 as Pastor Saul Green's replacement and as the potential successor to Pastor Knoyer on his future retirement. 00:09:18.759 --> 00:09:27.299 Second, our thinking reflects, first, the heart of leadership that looks to make a profitable transition 00:09:27.299 --> 00:09:37.600 to our future by adequate preparation and prayer. Second, three years that we have spent in prayerful 00:09:37.600 --> 00:09:47.200 deliberation and research in transition or succession planning. Third, a desire to follow the model of 00:09:47.200 --> 00:09:54.280 Scripture of discipling a man who would eventually, Lord willing, lead in our fellowship. Fourth, 00:09:55.520 --> 00:10:04.580 a respect for the time that proper discipleship for leadership requires. Now, how's that for a way to 00:10:04.580 --> 00:10:11.460 start a sermon? Because now you know pretty much what I'm going to say, don't you? But in keeping with 00:10:11.460 --> 00:10:19.940 the character of this pulpit and our desire that the Word of God is preeminent and clear, I start out by 00:10:19.940 --> 00:10:26.480 telling you what we're going to do, and I want to explain its premise on the structure of the Scripture 00:10:26.480 --> 00:10:32.340 and allow you as a people to pray and consider carefully, and then ultimately when we come together 00:10:32.340 --> 00:10:37.660 on May 18th, you have an opportunity to respond according to your prayerful consideration. 00:10:37.659 --> 00:10:45.939 So, I want you to recognize that as with every other week, when I come to the pulpit, 00:10:46.079 --> 00:10:52.500 my intention is this, is to explain what the Word of God has to say and ultimately put you on the spot 00:10:52.500 --> 00:11:01.339 of saying yes or no to God. And I trust that in the days to follow, when you reflect back on our study 00:11:01.340 --> 00:11:07.460 of the text this morning and our application of that text to our fellowship, that what you will say 00:11:07.460 --> 00:11:14.139 is, I understand what God is looking for us to do, and I desire to follow Him. The first and most 00:11:14.139 --> 00:11:22.399 important part of preaching is to make the issue clear of what God has said. What does God have to say? 00:11:23.240 --> 00:11:28.759 And so, when a man stands in this pulpit, regardless of who it is, at the end of the day, 00:11:28.759 --> 00:11:36.399 what you should walk away knowing is, I heard God's Word, and I understand what He wants from us. 00:11:37.519 --> 00:11:43.980 Secondly, the second part of preaching is helping people see the connection between what God has 00:11:43.980 --> 00:11:49.100 said already and what He wants from us as His people. So, we could say that preaching aims 00:11:49.100 --> 00:11:56.000 to be clear about what God wants as well. With that in mind, I want you to now turn in your Bible 00:11:56.000 --> 00:12:02.879 to Numbers chapter 27, and we are looking at a passage where we are looking into the life of 00:12:02.879 --> 00:12:08.820 Moses at the very end of his life. Let me give you a little background so you understand where we're 00:12:08.820 --> 00:12:15.240 coming from on this. You remember Moses had been born as a little baby and hidden and eventually 00:12:15.240 --> 00:12:21.320 taken into the wife of the Pharaoh or the daughter of the Pharaoh, and he was cared for there, grew up in 00:12:21.320 --> 00:12:29.420 Egypt, enjoyed all the blessings of that wonderful education and preeminence, and yet God intended 00:12:29.420 --> 00:12:34.960 for him to have a different path than to be one of significance, an individual of significance in 00:12:34.960 --> 00:12:40.460 the court of Pharaoh. He was taken out into the wilderness, and he spent another 40 years preparing. 00:12:40.460 --> 00:12:53.100 He came back, and God gave him the responsibility of being the leader of His people. One of the things 00:12:53.100 --> 00:13:01.639 that stands out in my thinking about Moses is that Moses, it would seem in his early life, was a man who 00:13:01.639 --> 00:13:06.840 was rather full of himself and pretty persuaded that he could pull off whatever he thought and do it on 00:13:06.840 --> 00:13:13.980 his own. After following sheep for 40 years and tapping them out the backside and moving them 00:13:13.980 --> 00:13:19.180 around, he came back with a completely different attitude. In fact, when God says, hey, I'm sending 00:13:19.180 --> 00:13:25.460 you to be the mouthpiece and to be the one who takes care of my people, his attitude was, not me, Lord, 00:13:25.680 --> 00:13:32.060 find somebody else. But God made it clear, Moses, you're the one I'm going to leave, I'm going to use. 00:13:32.059 --> 00:13:38.959 And for 40 years, his ministry to the nation of Israel was one that was marked by profound humility 00:13:38.959 --> 00:13:46.399 and by tenderness and care. And all you have to do is read your way through the book of Exodus in 00:13:46.399 --> 00:13:51.500 particular, and you'll find out over and over again, here was a man who had a heart for God's people. 00:13:52.819 --> 00:14:00.579 He cared for them. Did he get angry at them? Yes, he did. And I will tell you frankly, 00:14:00.580 --> 00:14:08.740 one of the things that marks our history together, one of the most significant moments in my life as 00:14:08.740 --> 00:14:14.800 an adult was when we closed the Christian school here. It was a very hard decision. It was one that 00:14:14.800 --> 00:14:20.000 was traumatic to me and traumatic to many people that I had loved very closely and had a close 00:14:20.000 --> 00:14:26.420 relationship with. And in the midst of that, as the barbs and stones began to follow, how many of you 00:14:26.420 --> 00:14:30.320 understand that sometimes not everybody is happy with all that you do, right? Do you understand that? 00:14:30.580 --> 00:14:36.940 I found myself in my flesh beginning to want to be a little bit like James and John, 00:14:37.280 --> 00:14:42.500 the sons of thunder. Do you remember the sons of thunder? They wanted to call down fire from heaven, 00:14:42.700 --> 00:14:48.840 and I actually, if I'd had that privilege, you know, there may have been some toasty posties out 00:14:48.840 --> 00:14:53.940 there, and I was… And then you know what? The Spirit of God reminded me, Tim, 00:14:53.940 --> 00:15:02.180 Moses paid a very serious price for losing his temper with God's people. I never forgot that. 00:15:04.620 --> 00:15:09.040 Moses lost his temper, and God said, you're not going into the promised land. 00:15:09.039 --> 00:15:20.179 And where we are in our passage here in Numbers 27 is God says to Moses, they're right up against 00:15:20.179 --> 00:15:25.259 the promised land, and God says to Moses, all right, you get a peak, and then you're done. 00:15:26.860 --> 00:15:34.740 You get a peak, and then you're done. And so, I want you to think with me about what Moses teaches 00:15:34.740 --> 00:15:39.639 us about the future. And as you look at this passage, one of the things that I want you to 00:15:39.639 --> 00:15:47.120 notice is that as soon as God says to Moses, you're going to die, Moses doesn't go into apoplexy 00:15:47.120 --> 00:15:52.879 about it, and, oh, Lord, you know, whining and carrying on, it's all right. And the next thing 00:15:52.879 --> 00:16:03.500 out of his mouth is indicative of the heart that he had. Jim Berg, in his book about progressive 00:16:03.500 --> 00:16:09.059 sanctification, he says this, you really can't blame hot water for the taste of the tea. I think 00:16:09.059 --> 00:16:13.879 it's a nice little statement because what it's saying is this, is that pressure brings out what's 00:16:13.879 --> 00:16:20.440 inside. Wouldn't you agree with that? I've had people say, I didn't mean to say that, or I just 00:16:20.440 --> 00:16:24.460 let my anger get the best of me. And the truth of the matter is, is, yeah, all those things 00:16:24.460 --> 00:16:28.740 may be true, but the fact of the matter is it had to be inside in order to come outside. 00:16:29.700 --> 00:16:36.660 And here is Moses under that duress where he has received the notification of his execution 00:16:36.660 --> 00:16:45.160 at the hand of God, I'm taking you home. And look at verse 15. 00:16:45.159 --> 00:16:55.079 Moses spoke to the Lord saying, let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man 00:16:55.079 --> 00:17:03.000 over the congregation who shall go out before them and come in before them, who shall lead them 00:17:03.000 --> 00:17:09.240 out and bring them in, that the congregation of the Lord may not be as sheep that have no shepherd. 00:17:09.240 --> 00:17:21.720 That was Moses' heart. Do you follow that? Here he was receiving the announcement of the fact that he 00:17:21.720 --> 00:17:30.940 was going to die at the hand of God because of the sin that he had committed. And what does Moses say? 00:17:30.940 --> 00:17:42.380 He said, listen, I want you to be careful. Father, creator of all, I want you to provide for your people. 00:17:47.360 --> 00:17:51.900 And I want you to understand that those who serve as shepherds of God's people 00:17:51.900 --> 00:17:57.759 care about people and their future. Do you follow that? 00:17:57.759 --> 00:18:05.819 Those who serve as shepherds of God's people care about people and their future. 00:18:07.839 --> 00:18:14.579 Moses recognized that God's people would benefit from a godly, humble leader that was willing to do 00:18:14.579 --> 00:18:21.279 what was necessary for the children of Israel. And by the way, just in case you don't remember, 00:18:21.279 --> 00:18:29.740 how had the children of Israel followed Moses? Does anybody have an idea? Huh? I mean, they were 00:18:29.740 --> 00:18:35.460 always giving him high fives and attaboys in the hallway. It's like, go for it, Moses. We love you. 00:18:35.639 --> 00:18:41.559 You're the best, you know. Moses was catching it all the time. Do you understand that? 00:18:41.559 --> 00:18:52.960 But his love for God translated into his love for people. And so when the time came for Moses to 00:18:52.960 --> 00:19:01.559 leave, he says, hey, what I want is for you to provide for your people an adequate leader. 00:19:01.559 --> 00:19:07.879 I want you to recognize that this characteristic in Moses is not unique to Moses. 00:19:10.179 --> 00:19:14.319 And that if you were to track your way through the Scriptures, you are going to find that 00:19:14.319 --> 00:19:21.240 one of the characteristics of those who have been appointed by God and are submissive to the 00:19:21.240 --> 00:19:26.220 leadership of God in their life to be servants of the bride of Christ or of the people of God, 00:19:26.220 --> 00:19:32.059 a characteristic of them is that they're interested in the well-being of others. 00:19:33.019 --> 00:19:38.860 I think for a moment about a passage that has always stood in my mind as very significant to 00:19:38.860 --> 00:19:43.440 pastoral ministry where Paul writes about Timothy in Philippians, and he says this, 00:19:43.819 --> 00:19:49.079 I have no man who is like-minded who will naturally care for your estate. He says, 00:19:49.160 --> 00:19:53.039 I can't think of anybody else that just kind of loves you flat out. 00:19:53.039 --> 00:20:01.559 Everybody else is interested in their own agenda, their own outcome, their own advantage. 00:20:02.740 --> 00:20:07.379 I got to tell you, as a sidebar every now and then, I've been at ministry now for going over 00:20:07.379 --> 00:20:12.180 30 years, and one of the things that periodically I bump into is a younger man who will say to me, 00:20:12.519 --> 00:20:16.819 oh, I have an opportunity to go to thus-and-so church, and standard question to me is, why are you 00:20:16.819 --> 00:20:25.799 going? I got to tell you, it always really makes my hair go on end when I hear a person say, well, 00:20:26.099 --> 00:20:35.720 it's a promotion for me. I think I have some advantages there. Now listen, I'm here because 00:20:35.720 --> 00:20:42.079 God assigned me here, and when I came here, I came because God appointed me to be a shepherd in this 00:20:42.079 --> 00:20:48.439 flock, and you have very graciously and tenderly allowed me to continue doing that, and I serve at 00:20:48.439 --> 00:20:55.279 your pleasure, but also God's appointment. And one of the things that God called me to do was to come 00:20:55.279 --> 00:21:03.759 here and love you and care for you and hold up the Scriptures and teach. I want you to see this model 00:21:03.759 --> 00:21:09.460 of other leaders in particular interested in the well-being of God's people, and so I want you to turn 00:21:09.460 --> 00:21:19.140 your Bible, if you would, now to Acts chapter 20. I referred to Paul's remark regarding Timothy, 00:21:19.319 --> 00:21:24.559 but we are going to look now at Acts chapter 20 where we find the apostle. He had spent a number 00:21:24.559 --> 00:21:32.840 of years actually teaching in the church at Ephesus, and you'll remember that eventually it ended up that 00:21:32.840 --> 00:21:38.799 he was going to go to Rome, and he was going to appeal the judgment that had been brought against him 00:21:38.799 --> 00:21:46.039 by false accusers, particularly by the Judaizers, and in making that appeal to go to Rome and to go to 00:21:46.039 --> 00:21:52.460 Caesar, he had to leave the church there at Ephesus, and so he stops by and talks with them, and he meets 00:21:52.460 --> 00:22:00.740 with them there to break bread and to talk with them before he leaves, and we see the scene in Acts 00:22:00.740 --> 00:22:05.720 chapter 20, picking up there in verse 28 through 36. Let me just kind of touch on a couple highlights. 00:22:08.480 --> 00:22:14.920 What Paul does, first of all, earlier in the passage is he explains the characteristic of the 00:22:14.920 --> 00:22:22.940 ministry that he had had among God's people. He refers to the care and to the pattern that he had set, 00:22:22.940 --> 00:22:31.279 but then he speaks very particularly to those who would someday in his absence care for the flock that God 00:22:31.279 --> 00:22:36.960 had raised up, and so look with me, if you will, in verse 28. It says, 00:22:37.140 --> 00:22:42.940 pay careful attention to yourself and to all the flock in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers 00:22:42.940 --> 00:22:46.120 to care for the church of God, which he's obtained with his own blood. 00:22:46.119 --> 00:22:53.459 You know what Paul was saying? Hey, guys, you need to pay attention to your own walk with Christ. 00:22:54.500 --> 00:22:59.599 First, you need to pay attention to your own walk with Christ. At the end of the day, 00:22:59.759 --> 00:23:04.719 spiritual leadership is never any better than their private personal walk with Christ. Does that make 00:23:04.719 --> 00:23:13.779 sense? You can't be anything other than what you are. You can play the game on the surface for a short 00:23:13.779 --> 00:23:17.740 period of time, but I think it was Abraham Lincoln that said you can fool most of the people most 00:23:17.740 --> 00:23:23.680 of the time, but you can't fool all the people all the time. So who you are, you eventually display. 00:23:25.220 --> 00:23:32.039 And Paul said this, you who are going to be leaders in the bride of Christ, shepherds to the flock of 00:23:32.039 --> 00:23:38.599 God, you have to pay attention to your own walk. Interestingly, later in 2 Timothy, 00:23:38.599 --> 00:23:47.259 1 Timothy, chapter 4, verse 16, when Paul writes to Timothy, he writes two different books to help 00:23:47.259 --> 00:23:52.379 Timothy at his pastoral ministry. Timothy didn't get it first time. He has 2 Timothy as well. 00:23:53.139 --> 00:23:55.059 1 Timothy chapter 4, it says this, 00:23:55.919 --> 00:24:00.599 Take heed unto thyself and to the doctrine. Bear with me on King James here. That's the way I learned 00:24:00.599 --> 00:24:05.199 it, but you know, take heed unto thyself and to the doctrine, for in doing so thou shalt save both 00:24:05.200 --> 00:24:12.960 thyself and them that hear thee. Pay attention to your walk. And here is the apostle saying to those 00:24:12.960 --> 00:24:17.620 he has gathered that are going to serve as shepherds of the bride of Christ. He says, listen, 00:24:17.799 --> 00:24:24.920 you need to pay attention to your walk before God. And then in verse 32, listen to what it says, 00:24:26.200 --> 00:24:31.620 And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give 00:24:31.619 --> 00:24:41.119 you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. As Paul thinks about his conclusion 00:24:41.119 --> 00:24:49.239 and his eventual departure, he says to the church, hey, listen, I want those who are leaders and I want 00:24:49.239 --> 00:24:55.119 to remind them of their responsibility because they are the ones that are going to care for the flock of 00:24:55.119 --> 00:25:03.079 God. And their responsibility is going to be to handle the word of God and live it in such a fashion that 00:25:03.079 --> 00:25:10.599 God's people can follow. It's interesting, and I referred to this earlier, that actually 00:25:10.599 --> 00:25:18.159 1 and 2 Timothy were written to Timothy to counsel him in his future ministry. 00:25:18.160 --> 00:25:31.000 And there is a sense in which 1 Timothy is an overview of congregational relations and issues, 00:25:31.300 --> 00:25:39.120 okay? Do you know what 2 Timothy is all about? It is very personal counsel to a guy who had been 00:25:39.120 --> 00:25:42.860 given the responsibility but wasn't getting all the pieces connected. 00:25:42.859 --> 00:25:51.579 Here it goes. I'm going to give you a free rendition just off the top of my head. 00:25:52.119 --> 00:26:00.599 Paul starts out and he says, don't be a wuss. It's really amazing how God uses all different 00:26:00.599 --> 00:26:04.399 kinds of personalities to call men into ministry. There's no one template. 00:26:04.400 --> 00:26:12.460 And so here is the Spirit of God writing to Timothy and he says, 00:26:12.880 --> 00:26:18.640 God has not given to us a spirit of fear. Now, why would Paul write that to Timothy? 00:26:19.680 --> 00:26:25.000 Because Timothy probably had a little bit of anxiety about not making everybody happy all the time. 00:26:25.540 --> 00:26:27.700 And can I tell you something? You can't do that. 00:26:27.700 --> 00:26:33.160 And so Paul says, Tim, don't be a wuss. 00:26:35.920 --> 00:26:39.640 And then he says this, 2 Timothy chapter 2, he says, 00:26:39.720 --> 00:26:43.120 Thou therefore as a good soldier of Christ endure hardness. 00:26:45.400 --> 00:26:46.180 Endure hardness. 00:26:51.180 --> 00:26:52.420 Don't ever kid yourself. 00:26:54.180 --> 00:26:56.740 Being a shepherd for God's people is not easy. 00:26:57.700 --> 00:27:03.059 And that's not said with rancor or ill spirit. It's just a fact. 00:27:08.960 --> 00:27:12.240 And if you're going to be a shepherd for God's people, you better suck it up and 00:27:12.240 --> 00:27:17.840 handle the objections and the ill spirit and the frailty of other men and women 00:27:17.840 --> 00:27:20.500 and do so with loving gentleness. 00:27:20.500 --> 00:27:28.579 We find then that Paul says to Timothy, you stay focused on the Word. 00:27:29.720 --> 00:27:31.859 And then thunder, chapter 4. 00:27:34.539 --> 00:27:35.819 Paul says this, he says, 00:27:35.940 --> 00:27:43.220 I charge you before the living and the dead that you are to preach the Word in season and out of season. 00:27:43.480 --> 00:27:44.180 Do you follow that? 00:27:44.180 --> 00:27:54.200 I got to tell you, we live in a day when in the days to come, it will be harder and harder to preach the Word. 00:27:54.200 --> 00:28:03.559 I think about young men who are going into ministry today. 00:28:05.180 --> 00:28:08.980 And I think about the battles that they are dealing with now. 00:28:08.980 --> 00:28:18.299 That when I was a young man in seminary, I didn't think would ever hit the fan. 00:28:18.299 --> 00:28:23.039 I never imagined 00:28:23.039 --> 00:28:27.899 that a fair percentage of the individuals that we contacted 00:28:27.899 --> 00:28:31.359 as we sought out a man to serve as a shepherd in this fellowship 00:28:31.359 --> 00:28:35.759 would actually be disqualified because of their moral purity. 00:28:36.680 --> 00:28:40.200 And they were actively involved in ministry in places. 00:28:42.500 --> 00:28:44.180 I never imagined. 00:28:45.619 --> 00:28:46.919 I never imagined. 00:28:46.920 --> 00:28:53.100 I never imagined that I would minister with a congregation, truthfully, 00:28:53.560 --> 00:28:59.060 that really viewed the Lord's Day as something that was kind of an add-on. 00:28:59.160 --> 00:29:00.480 I mean, maybe I'll go, maybe I won't. 00:29:00.500 --> 00:29:02.259 It all depends on whether my kids have a game. 00:29:04.960 --> 00:29:06.920 I was talking with a pastor over in Dayton, 00:29:07.620 --> 00:29:11.140 and we were talking about ministry, 00:29:11.240 --> 00:29:13.660 and I just asked him a question about corporate prayer, 00:29:13.660 --> 00:29:15.460 and, you know, we gave that up ten years ago. 00:29:16.920 --> 00:29:17.279 Why? 00:29:18.480 --> 00:29:19.240 Two things. 00:29:22.380 --> 00:29:25.019 Work and sports. 00:29:25.720 --> 00:29:26.940 I never imagined that. 00:29:26.940 --> 00:29:33.279 I want you to understand when Paul says to Timothy, 00:29:33.480 --> 00:29:35.840 you are to preach the word in season and out of season 00:29:35.840 --> 00:29:41.259 because the day is coming when people will no longer endure sound doctrine. 00:29:41.799 --> 00:29:43.900 He was saying to Tim, you do your job. 00:29:46.279 --> 00:29:51.779 Well, Moses, Paul, but the best example is guess who? 00:29:51.779 --> 00:29:52.779 Jesus. 00:29:52.779 --> 00:29:54.420 I mean, that makes sense, doesn't it? 00:29:56.480 --> 00:29:59.960 And so I want you to understand that when you think about planning for the future 00:29:59.960 --> 00:30:01.420 and loving on God's people, 00:30:01.799 --> 00:30:03.639 the clearest and undeniable illustration 00:30:03.639 --> 00:30:07.180 is that Jesus poured His life into twelve men 00:30:07.180 --> 00:30:09.160 that would be the future leaders of His church. 00:30:09.160 --> 00:30:14.940 The majority of His time was really not spent preaching to the crowds 00:30:14.940 --> 00:30:19.380 or healing the vast group of people that gathered around Him 00:30:19.380 --> 00:30:20.940 or feeding the 5,000. 00:30:20.940 --> 00:30:25.519 The majority of His time was spent caring for those twelve 00:30:25.519 --> 00:30:28.259 that He would leave the rest to. 00:30:28.259 --> 00:30:33.119 And so, in practical summary, 00:30:33.740 --> 00:30:36.859 from our study of what Moses was concerned about 00:30:36.859 --> 00:30:38.619 and what we see in the life of Paul 00:30:38.619 --> 00:30:40.180 and what we see in the life of Christ, 00:30:40.559 --> 00:30:45.660 we understand that those who love God's people 00:30:45.660 --> 00:30:51.099 are interested in helping them in transitions. 00:30:51.099 --> 00:30:56.639 And so I trust that you understand the Bible logic 00:30:56.639 --> 00:30:59.559 of me 00:30:59.559 --> 00:31:06.099 and every one of the pastors and deacons 00:31:06.099 --> 00:31:09.619 coming to you with humility 00:31:09.619 --> 00:31:13.199 and thoughtfulness and prayer 00:31:13.199 --> 00:31:15.159 to say, 00:31:15.799 --> 00:31:17.579 we want you to think about 00:31:17.579 --> 00:31:20.839 the next man we call 00:31:20.839 --> 00:31:25.639 being considered as the potential senior pastor 00:31:25.639 --> 00:31:27.659 for this congregation. 00:31:30.220 --> 00:31:31.480 So let's apply 00:31:31.480 --> 00:31:34.639 what the Scriptures have dealt with 00:31:34.639 --> 00:31:36.859 and let's kind of think it through a little bit more. 00:31:37.399 --> 00:31:37.579 Okay? 00:31:38.519 --> 00:31:41.240 And so, you probably have recognized already 00:31:41.240 --> 00:31:43.240 that today is a little bit different. 00:31:44.699 --> 00:31:46.259 Any of you that have been 00:31:46.259 --> 00:31:48.140 long-standing members here know 00:31:48.140 --> 00:31:50.279 that this is really the first time 00:31:50.279 --> 00:31:52.119 that we have put a job description 00:31:52.119 --> 00:31:53.359 in your bulletin. 00:31:53.400 --> 00:31:53.819 Am I right? 00:31:54.539 --> 00:31:55.879 The standard thing is, 00:31:56.079 --> 00:31:58.799 hey, we're going to have a meeting 00:31:58.799 --> 00:32:01.359 and our Constitution stipulates 00:32:01.359 --> 00:32:02.579 that before… 00:32:02.579 --> 00:32:03.079 By the way, 00:32:03.160 --> 00:32:05.079 did you know that we are congregationally governed 00:32:05.079 --> 00:32:06.619 and you're the ones who are deciders? 00:32:08.000 --> 00:32:09.200 We're recommenders. 00:32:11.500 --> 00:32:12.420 Now, by the way, 00:32:12.819 --> 00:32:14.220 you put us in the situation 00:32:14.220 --> 00:32:15.339 of being recommenders. 00:32:16.740 --> 00:32:17.799 And so we walk to you 00:32:17.799 --> 00:32:18.220 and we say, 00:32:18.279 --> 00:32:18.600 hey, listen, 00:32:18.900 --> 00:32:19.680 we've been praying 00:32:19.680 --> 00:32:20.759 and studying about this 00:32:20.759 --> 00:32:21.579 and thinking about this 00:32:21.579 --> 00:32:22.279 for quite a while 00:32:22.279 --> 00:32:24.140 and now we want you to think about it. 00:32:24.339 --> 00:32:25.500 And this is the first time 00:32:25.500 --> 00:32:26.559 we put it in your bulletin. 00:32:26.620 --> 00:32:27.839 Normally, it's out there on the table. 00:32:28.200 --> 00:32:29.559 Please go out there and grab one. 00:32:30.279 --> 00:32:32.480 And, you know, 00:32:32.519 --> 00:32:33.180 what happens is 00:32:33.180 --> 00:32:34.100 we have a business meeting 00:32:34.100 --> 00:32:34.920 and we talk about it. 00:32:34.920 --> 00:32:37.779 In this case, 00:32:38.259 --> 00:32:40.220 we put it in your bulletin 00:32:40.220 --> 00:32:41.380 because we want you to be 00:32:41.380 --> 00:32:43.100 well aware 00:32:43.100 --> 00:32:44.880 of the significance 00:32:44.880 --> 00:32:46.560 to you as a congregation 00:32:46.560 --> 00:32:47.640 of what we are recommending. 00:32:49.600 --> 00:32:50.759 I want you to notice 00:32:50.759 --> 00:32:52.060 that there are parts 00:32:52.060 --> 00:32:53.980 of the job description 00:32:53.980 --> 00:32:58.000 that are pretty standard fare for us. 00:32:58.060 --> 00:32:59.900 Let me see if I can find my copy of it here. 00:33:00.660 --> 00:33:02.140 Where did it go? 00:33:02.640 --> 00:33:03.360 I've got one. 00:33:03.359 --> 00:33:04.699 Believe me, I have one. 00:33:05.659 --> 00:33:06.359 Here it is. 00:33:10.279 --> 00:33:12.659 If you look at the job description, 00:33:12.799 --> 00:33:13.479 there's a part of it 00:33:13.479 --> 00:33:15.159 that if you've been here 00:33:15.159 --> 00:33:16.779 for any amount of time, 00:33:16.839 --> 00:33:21.159 you know that it's just standard qualifications. 00:33:22.179 --> 00:33:23.219 You could go back to 00:33:23.219 --> 00:33:26.099 when this congregation called me. 00:33:27.379 --> 00:33:28.639 Now, that was in the old days 00:33:28.639 --> 00:33:30.319 when we used mimeographs, I think. 00:33:30.459 --> 00:33:31.299 I know some of you are thinking 00:33:31.299 --> 00:33:33.720 about spirit stuff on your fingers 00:33:33.720 --> 00:33:34.059 or something. 00:33:34.139 --> 00:33:35.339 Now, we actually had copiers 00:33:35.339 --> 00:33:36.279 back in those days 00:33:36.279 --> 00:33:37.319 and light bulbs too, 00:33:37.399 --> 00:33:39.619 but this is, you know, 00:33:40.000 --> 00:33:41.740 the same, same. 00:33:41.859 --> 00:33:42.539 It was all there. 00:33:42.639 --> 00:33:43.200 You know, we said, 00:33:43.279 --> 00:33:44.700 hey, we're looking for someone 00:33:44.700 --> 00:33:45.940 who meets the qualifications 00:33:45.940 --> 00:33:48.799 of 1 Timothy chapter 3 and Titus. 00:33:48.859 --> 00:33:49.759 We're looking for a man 00:33:49.759 --> 00:33:50.500 who meets, 00:33:50.639 --> 00:33:51.259 let me say it again, 00:33:51.480 --> 00:33:52.680 man who meets 00:33:52.680 --> 00:33:54.000 the Bible qualifications 00:33:54.000 --> 00:33:54.759 for leadership. 00:33:54.759 --> 00:33:57.660 Second thing is that 00:33:57.660 --> 00:33:59.000 he shall be in complete agreement 00:33:59.000 --> 00:34:00.180 with the confession of faith. 00:34:01.480 --> 00:34:02.140 Complete agreement. 00:34:04.440 --> 00:34:05.400 I can't tell you 00:34:05.400 --> 00:34:06.160 how many times 00:34:06.160 --> 00:34:08.360 we talk to credible individuals 00:34:08.360 --> 00:34:11.719 who in every other area, 00:34:13.320 --> 00:34:13.920 their life, 00:34:14.039 --> 00:34:14.659 their walk, 00:34:15.900 --> 00:34:17.099 credible individuals 00:34:17.099 --> 00:34:18.519 to serve as a family youth pastor, 00:34:18.599 --> 00:34:19.440 but there are a number of them 00:34:19.440 --> 00:34:19.739 that said, 00:34:19.800 --> 00:34:19.940 you know, 00:34:20.000 --> 00:34:20.900 I just don't believe in this 00:34:20.900 --> 00:34:21.920 or I just don't believe in that. 00:34:21.920 --> 00:34:23.400 And, well, God bless you. 00:34:23.840 --> 00:34:24.260 You know what? 00:34:24.300 --> 00:34:25.400 We're going to be neighbors in heaven, 00:34:25.599 --> 00:34:27.019 but it's, 00:34:27.119 --> 00:34:27.900 and I believe that. 00:34:29.220 --> 00:34:29.960 There are going to be 00:34:29.960 --> 00:34:30.940 Presbyterians there. 00:34:32.480 --> 00:34:34.880 My sister is a Presbyterian, okay? 00:34:35.659 --> 00:34:37.260 There are going to be Nazarenes there. 00:34:37.860 --> 00:34:39.059 There are going to be Wesleyans there. 00:34:39.059 --> 00:34:40.480 My brother-in-law is a Wesleyan. 00:34:41.780 --> 00:34:43.740 There are going to be Charismatics there. 00:34:43.820 --> 00:34:44.480 There are going to be Church of God. 00:34:44.519 --> 00:34:45.680 There are a lot of people 00:34:45.680 --> 00:34:47.180 and we ought to love on all of them. 00:34:47.340 --> 00:34:49.500 Now, do we eat differently 00:34:49.500 --> 00:34:50.659 at the table sometimes? 00:34:50.659 --> 00:34:50.900 Yes. 00:34:50.900 --> 00:34:51.180 Yes. 00:34:52.200 --> 00:34:55.360 But when a person becomes a shepherd 00:34:55.360 --> 00:34:56.039 in our fellowship, 00:34:56.280 --> 00:34:59.240 we want them to be in our perspective. 00:34:59.320 --> 00:35:00.039 Does that make sense? 00:35:04.059 --> 00:35:05.420 So you recognize here 00:35:05.420 --> 00:35:08.380 that there's an aspect 00:35:08.380 --> 00:35:09.240 to this whole thing 00:35:09.240 --> 00:35:11.119 that makes complete sense 00:35:11.119 --> 00:35:11.820 according to the way 00:35:11.820 --> 00:35:12.660 we've done things. 00:35:12.659 --> 00:35:15.279 And I want you to know 00:35:15.279 --> 00:35:18.759 that behind this recommendation 00:35:18.759 --> 00:35:23.000 has been a lot of careful consideration 00:35:23.000 --> 00:35:23.480 and prayer. 00:35:26.279 --> 00:35:27.739 Pastor Saul announced 00:35:27.739 --> 00:35:29.139 his eventual retirement 00:35:29.139 --> 00:35:30.659 to us well in advance 00:35:30.659 --> 00:35:32.619 of the date he had set 00:35:32.619 --> 00:35:33.799 for May 5th, 00:35:34.679 --> 00:35:35.359 or is it May? 00:35:35.859 --> 00:35:36.699 May 3rd. 00:35:36.799 --> 00:35:38.039 Raise your fingers over there 00:35:38.039 --> 00:35:38.699 so I can... 00:35:38.699 --> 00:35:39.480 May 3rd. 00:35:39.500 --> 00:35:40.420 He knows the day. 00:35:40.719 --> 00:35:40.940 Okay? 00:35:41.159 --> 00:35:42.900 He told us 18 months out. 00:35:42.960 --> 00:35:43.340 Do you know why 00:35:43.340 --> 00:35:44.119 he told us that? 00:35:45.940 --> 00:35:47.219 That's a loving thing to do. 00:35:47.340 --> 00:35:47.980 Do you follow that? 00:35:48.639 --> 00:35:49.659 It says ahead of time, 00:35:49.840 --> 00:35:50.960 I care about you 00:35:50.960 --> 00:35:52.039 and I'm not going to walk in, 00:35:52.380 --> 00:35:53.500 walk up here to the platform 00:35:53.500 --> 00:35:53.940 and say, 00:35:54.099 --> 00:35:54.679 I quit. 00:35:56.099 --> 00:35:56.420 Tomorrow. 00:35:56.420 --> 00:35:56.519 Tomorrow. 00:35:56.519 --> 00:36:00.320 I've had many friends 00:36:00.320 --> 00:36:00.840 in the ministry 00:36:00.840 --> 00:36:02.780 who have done that 00:36:02.780 --> 00:36:03.380 to their church. 00:36:03.480 --> 00:36:04.739 I think it's unconscionable. 00:36:06.380 --> 00:36:07.400 I think it's unconscionable. 00:36:09.519 --> 00:36:10.820 Pastor Saul let us know 00:36:10.820 --> 00:36:11.780 well in advance. 00:36:12.000 --> 00:36:12.840 And if you'll remember 00:36:12.840 --> 00:36:13.780 from that meeting, 00:36:14.440 --> 00:36:15.400 you'll remember that 00:36:15.400 --> 00:36:16.639 after he announced 00:36:16.639 --> 00:36:17.340 his retirement, 00:36:17.500 --> 00:36:18.340 guess what followed that? 00:36:18.360 --> 00:36:19.300 I came up and I said, 00:36:19.780 --> 00:36:20.300 Lord willing, 00:36:20.360 --> 00:36:21.280 if you put up with me, 00:36:21.360 --> 00:36:22.280 my intention is to 00:36:22.280 --> 00:36:23.079 continue preaching 00:36:23.079 --> 00:36:25.019 and to serve as 00:36:25.019 --> 00:36:26.820 your under shepherd here 00:36:26.820 --> 00:36:28.019 until I'm about 70, 00:36:28.119 --> 00:36:28.679 give or take. 00:36:30.719 --> 00:36:31.420 I said, 00:36:31.500 --> 00:36:33.820 and we'll bring you 00:36:33.820 --> 00:36:34.639 a job description 00:36:34.639 --> 00:36:35.340 in the spring. 00:36:35.440 --> 00:36:35.800 How many of you 00:36:35.800 --> 00:36:36.739 remember me saying that? 00:36:37.380 --> 00:36:38.880 This is about as close 00:36:38.880 --> 00:36:39.840 to the end of spring 00:36:39.840 --> 00:36:40.659 as we could get. 00:36:43.780 --> 00:36:46.159 And we can say 00:36:46.159 --> 00:36:47.619 that God was in that detail. 00:36:49.340 --> 00:36:50.460 We had decided 00:36:50.460 --> 00:36:53.079 as pastors and deacons 00:36:53.079 --> 00:36:55.500 that if for some reason 00:36:55.500 --> 00:36:57.159 God had not providentially led 00:36:57.159 --> 00:36:57.920 in our calling 00:36:57.920 --> 00:36:58.819 Pastor Andrew 00:36:58.819 --> 00:36:59.940 and his bride Deanna 00:36:59.940 --> 00:37:01.199 to become part 00:37:01.199 --> 00:37:02.799 of our ministry team here, 00:37:02.860 --> 00:37:03.659 we were going to let you 00:37:03.659 --> 00:37:04.279 know the plan 00:37:04.279 --> 00:37:04.759 because we, 00:37:05.480 --> 00:37:06.840 Pastor Saul is retiring. 00:37:07.659 --> 00:37:08.519 Case closed. 00:37:09.920 --> 00:37:10.960 And so we thought 00:37:10.960 --> 00:37:12.159 we have to tell you anyway. 00:37:12.340 --> 00:37:12.460 I mean, 00:37:12.539 --> 00:37:13.380 we're not hiding 00:37:13.380 --> 00:37:14.059 anything from you 00:37:14.059 --> 00:37:15.259 but we wanted to be able 00:37:15.259 --> 00:37:16.759 to focus on calling 00:37:16.759 --> 00:37:18.099 Pastor Rowley 00:37:18.099 --> 00:37:19.019 before we said, 00:37:19.179 --> 00:37:19.900 hey, guess what? 00:37:19.960 --> 00:37:20.819 You get another chance. 00:37:20.820 --> 00:37:28.340 I want you to understand 00:37:28.340 --> 00:37:31.400 that what lies ahead 00:37:31.400 --> 00:37:32.000 for us is going 00:37:32.000 --> 00:37:32.580 to be a challenge. 00:37:34.360 --> 00:37:35.820 So why do we propose 00:37:35.820 --> 00:37:37.320 a succession plan? 00:37:39.900 --> 00:37:40.800 Our thought is 00:37:40.800 --> 00:37:41.920 that the next pastor 00:37:41.920 --> 00:37:42.720 to be hired 00:37:42.720 --> 00:37:44.640 will come 00:37:44.640 --> 00:37:45.740 in the hopes 00:37:45.740 --> 00:37:47.740 that over a period 00:37:47.740 --> 00:37:48.220 of time 00:37:48.220 --> 00:37:49.440 our discipleship 00:37:49.440 --> 00:37:49.900 of him 00:37:49.900 --> 00:37:51.220 would lead us 00:37:51.220 --> 00:37:53.240 to eventually 00:37:53.240 --> 00:37:53.960 call him 00:37:53.960 --> 00:37:55.039 to be our senior pastor. 00:37:58.139 --> 00:37:59.659 And the reason 00:37:59.659 --> 00:38:01.119 that we ask you 00:38:01.119 --> 00:38:01.960 to consider that 00:38:01.960 --> 00:38:02.920 is for one, 00:38:03.420 --> 00:38:04.579 preparing for the future 00:38:04.579 --> 00:38:06.200 is a wise thing to do. 00:38:08.780 --> 00:38:10.079 I want you to understand 00:38:10.079 --> 00:38:12.240 that successful businesses 00:38:12.240 --> 00:38:13.320 do it all the time. 00:38:15.559 --> 00:38:16.440 Successful businesses 00:38:16.440 --> 00:38:17.679 always plan 00:38:17.679 --> 00:38:19.559 for what their future is. 00:38:20.579 --> 00:38:21.579 Sadly enough, 00:38:23.220 --> 00:38:24.059 among churches 00:38:24.059 --> 00:38:24.900 that is generally 00:38:24.900 --> 00:38:25.639 not the case. 00:38:27.500 --> 00:38:29.099 As a result of that, 00:38:29.820 --> 00:38:31.059 there is a standard 00:38:31.059 --> 00:38:31.720 little ditty 00:38:31.720 --> 00:38:33.039 that is shared 00:38:33.039 --> 00:38:33.880 among pastors. 00:38:35.460 --> 00:38:36.519 And it's this. 00:38:37.659 --> 00:38:39.059 You don't want 00:38:39.059 --> 00:38:40.480 to be a pastor 00:38:40.480 --> 00:38:42.940 following a long-tenured 00:38:42.940 --> 00:38:43.599 pastor. 00:38:43.599 --> 00:38:43.679 pastor. 00:38:46.980 --> 00:38:47.860 You want 00:38:47.860 --> 00:38:48.900 to be the pastor 00:38:48.900 --> 00:38:49.920 who follows 00:38:49.920 --> 00:38:50.579 the pastor 00:38:50.579 --> 00:38:51.599 who followed 00:38:51.599 --> 00:38:52.759 a long-tenured 00:38:52.759 --> 00:38:53.319 pastor. 00:39:01.739 --> 00:39:02.519 I don't want 00:39:02.519 --> 00:39:03.339 to do that to you. 00:39:03.339 --> 00:39:02.519 I don't want 00:39:02.519 --> 00:39:03.339 to do that to you. 00:39:03.340 --> 00:39:04.340 I don't want 00:39:04.340 --> 00:39:04.340 00:39:17.340 --> 00:39:18.420 Discipling a man 00:39:18.420 --> 00:39:22.220 that hopefully 00:39:22.220 --> 00:39:22.780 would serve 00:39:22.780 --> 00:39:23.680 as your shepherd 00:39:23.680 --> 00:39:26.820 and future senior pastor 00:39:26.820 --> 00:39:27.640 will take time. 00:39:29.460 --> 00:39:30.380 Regardless of where 00:39:30.380 --> 00:39:31.079 he comes from, 00:39:31.079 --> 00:39:33.319 what his background 00:39:33.319 --> 00:39:33.960 is, 00:39:34.460 --> 00:39:36.299 what he's accomplished, 00:39:37.299 --> 00:39:38.900 it will take time 00:39:38.900 --> 00:39:39.639 for him to learn 00:39:39.639 --> 00:39:40.340 to love you 00:39:40.340 --> 00:39:42.639 and to be faithful 00:39:42.639 --> 00:39:43.539 to his charge. 00:39:45.000 --> 00:39:45.840 I thought it was 00:39:45.840 --> 00:39:46.380 interesting 00:39:46.380 --> 00:39:48.840 last Sunday 00:39:48.840 --> 00:39:49.199 when 00:39:49.199 --> 00:39:50.480 Ken Loro 00:39:50.480 --> 00:39:50.940 was here. 00:39:53.400 --> 00:39:53.900 Providentially, 00:39:54.179 --> 00:39:55.279 he was here 00:39:55.279 --> 00:39:55.860 for the wedding 00:39:55.860 --> 00:39:56.639 and Ken Loro 00:39:56.639 --> 00:39:57.619 came up here 00:39:57.619 --> 00:39:58.179 on stage 00:39:58.179 --> 00:39:58.980 and I asked him 00:39:58.980 --> 00:40:00.000 to pray for 00:40:00.000 --> 00:40:01.099 Andrew 00:40:01.099 --> 00:40:01.699 who is now 00:40:01.699 --> 00:40:02.419 Pastor Andrew. 00:40:02.559 --> 00:40:03.199 How many of you 00:40:03.199 --> 00:40:03.619 remember that? 00:40:05.000 --> 00:40:05.859 One of the things 00:40:05.859 --> 00:40:06.659 that Ken Loro 00:40:06.659 --> 00:40:07.299 said that 00:40:07.299 --> 00:40:08.419 I thought, 00:40:08.500 --> 00:40:08.659 hmm, 00:40:08.719 --> 00:40:09.500 that's interesting, 00:40:10.179 --> 00:40:11.559 he said he really 00:40:11.559 --> 00:40:12.419 appreciated the 00:40:12.419 --> 00:40:13.480 mentoring process. 00:40:16.059 --> 00:40:16.879 Whether you know 00:40:16.879 --> 00:40:17.460 it or not, 00:40:17.779 --> 00:40:18.940 in every single 00:40:18.940 --> 00:40:19.539 case, 00:40:19.539 --> 00:40:22.840 it's been about 00:40:22.840 --> 00:40:23.480 a three-year 00:40:23.480 --> 00:40:24.239 process to 00:40:24.239 --> 00:40:24.960 prepare a man 00:40:24.960 --> 00:40:26.659 to become 00:40:26.659 --> 00:40:27.559 productive and 00:40:27.559 --> 00:40:28.380 fully engaged 00:40:28.380 --> 00:40:28.779 in this 00:40:28.779 --> 00:40:29.119 fellowship. 00:40:30.699 --> 00:40:31.659 And in that 00:40:31.659 --> 00:40:32.039 three-year 00:40:32.039 --> 00:40:32.500 process, 00:40:32.500 --> 00:40:33.079 what has 00:40:33.079 --> 00:40:33.480 happened 00:40:33.480 --> 00:40:34.000 historically 00:40:34.000 --> 00:40:34.460 is either 00:40:34.460 --> 00:40:34.800 a man 00:40:34.800 --> 00:40:35.360 grows or he 00:40:35.360 --> 00:40:35.699 goes. 00:40:37.539 --> 00:40:38.039 Do you 00:40:38.039 --> 00:40:38.460 follow that? 00:40:39.659 --> 00:40:40.259 Let me say it 00:40:40.259 --> 00:40:40.519 again, 00:40:40.739 --> 00:40:41.059 a man 00:40:41.059 --> 00:40:41.599 grows or he 00:40:41.599 --> 00:40:42.000 goes. 00:40:42.000 --> 00:40:45.599 And we 00:40:45.599 --> 00:40:46.420 had the joy 00:40:46.420 --> 00:40:47.019 of watching 00:40:47.019 --> 00:40:48.219 Ken grow 00:40:48.219 --> 00:40:48.840 to be just 00:40:48.840 --> 00:40:49.639 a minister 00:40:49.639 --> 00:40:50.280 of the Lord 00:40:50.280 --> 00:40:51.059 Jesus and a 00:40:51.059 --> 00:40:51.800 blessing to us 00:40:51.800 --> 00:40:52.420 as a fellowship 00:40:52.420 --> 00:40:54.900 and what a joy 00:40:54.900 --> 00:40:55.420 to watch him 00:40:55.420 --> 00:40:56.340 now as he's 00:40:56.340 --> 00:40:56.960 in Awana 00:40:56.960 --> 00:40:57.559 and a missionary. 00:40:58.099 --> 00:40:58.599 It's our 00:40:58.599 --> 00:40:58.940 blessing. 00:41:00.860 --> 00:41:01.340 And I've got to 00:41:01.340 --> 00:41:01.639 tell you, 00:41:01.699 --> 00:41:02.119 when we were 00:41:02.119 --> 00:41:02.559 interviewing 00:41:02.559 --> 00:41:04.539 Andrew, 00:41:05.039 --> 00:41:05.500 who's now 00:41:05.500 --> 00:41:06.079 Pastor Andrew, 00:41:06.119 --> 00:41:06.480 how many of you 00:41:06.480 --> 00:41:06.800 are picking up 00:41:06.800 --> 00:41:07.019 on that? 00:41:07.059 --> 00:41:07.360 We call him 00:41:07.360 --> 00:41:07.860 Pastor now? 00:41:08.059 --> 00:41:08.880 Just in case. 00:41:08.880 --> 00:41:10.440 In fact, 00:41:10.519 --> 00:41:11.220 I had to tell 00:41:11.220 --> 00:41:12.599 Pastor Andrew 00:41:12.599 --> 00:41:13.180 the other day, 00:41:13.220 --> 00:41:13.720 he was answering 00:41:13.720 --> 00:41:14.079 the phone, 00:41:14.160 --> 00:41:14.420 he says, 00:41:15.099 --> 00:41:15.280 hello, 00:41:15.440 --> 00:41:15.940 this is Andrew. 00:41:16.019 --> 00:41:16.260 I said, 00:41:16.320 --> 00:41:16.519 no. 00:41:17.360 --> 00:41:17.720 Remember, 00:41:18.000 --> 00:41:18.700 discipleship three 00:41:18.700 --> 00:41:18.960 years? 00:41:19.360 --> 00:41:19.900 We'll get the 00:41:19.900 --> 00:41:20.440 Pastor Andrew 00:41:20.440 --> 00:41:21.140 part pretty quick 00:41:21.140 --> 00:41:21.280 here, 00:41:21.360 --> 00:41:21.960 but it's like, 00:41:22.099 --> 00:41:22.260 hey, 00:41:23.000 --> 00:41:23.300 hey, 00:41:23.820 --> 00:41:24.519 you know, 00:41:24.780 --> 00:41:25.460 your wife, 00:41:25.539 --> 00:41:26.059 you can say, 00:41:26.160 --> 00:41:26.800 this is Andrew, 00:41:27.519 --> 00:41:28.519 but to the 00:41:28.519 --> 00:41:29.300 bride of Christ, 00:41:30.200 --> 00:41:31.079 your ministry 00:41:31.079 --> 00:41:31.700 is as a 00:41:31.700 --> 00:41:32.039 pastor. 00:41:33.480 --> 00:41:33.980 And it's 00:41:33.980 --> 00:41:34.760 a responsibility 00:41:34.760 --> 00:41:37.240 that carries 00:41:37.240 --> 00:41:37.680 weight. 00:41:38.880 --> 00:41:39.200 So, 00:41:39.340 --> 00:41:39.680 we're going 00:41:39.680 --> 00:41:40.099 to be involved 00:41:40.099 --> 00:41:40.860 in discipleship 00:41:40.860 --> 00:41:41.320 if you allow 00:41:41.320 --> 00:41:41.579 us. 00:41:42.900 --> 00:41:43.460 I do want 00:41:43.460 --> 00:41:43.619 you to 00:41:43.619 --> 00:41:44.000 understand, 00:41:44.140 --> 00:41:44.559 furthermore, 00:41:44.980 --> 00:41:45.539 that a lot 00:41:45.539 --> 00:41:45.860 of thought 00:41:45.860 --> 00:41:46.180 and prayer 00:41:46.180 --> 00:41:46.500 has gone 00:41:46.500 --> 00:41:46.880 into this 00:41:46.880 --> 00:41:47.260 recommendation. 00:41:49.619 --> 00:41:50.440 I first 00:41:50.440 --> 00:41:50.980 asked our 00:41:50.980 --> 00:41:51.780 pastors and 00:41:51.780 --> 00:41:52.220 deacons to 00:41:52.220 --> 00:41:52.740 begin praying 00:41:52.740 --> 00:41:53.340 about this, 00:41:53.820 --> 00:41:54.400 I'm going 00:41:54.400 --> 00:41:54.900 to guess, 00:41:55.519 --> 00:41:55.760 what, 00:41:55.840 --> 00:41:56.240 four years 00:41:56.240 --> 00:41:56.500 ago? 00:41:58.700 --> 00:41:59.220 Does that 00:41:59.220 --> 00:41:59.640 sound funny 00:41:59.640 --> 00:41:59.960 to you? 00:42:00.900 --> 00:42:01.619 Four years 00:42:01.619 --> 00:42:01.880 ago. 00:42:02.559 --> 00:42:02.800 Now, 00:42:02.880 --> 00:42:03.460 it became a 00:42:03.460 --> 00:42:04.240 formal agenda 00:42:04.240 --> 00:42:04.800 item about 00:42:04.800 --> 00:42:05.240 three years 00:42:05.240 --> 00:42:05.460 ago. 00:42:06.460 --> 00:42:07.400 A formal 00:42:07.400 --> 00:42:08.019 presentation 00:42:08.019 --> 00:42:08.940 was made 00:42:08.940 --> 00:42:09.380 to our 00:42:09.380 --> 00:42:09.880 deacons 00:42:09.880 --> 00:42:10.559 about our 00:42:10.559 --> 00:42:11.039 planning, 00:42:11.960 --> 00:42:12.920 and a 00:42:12.920 --> 00:42:13.460 committee, 00:42:14.119 --> 00:42:14.599 succession 00:42:14.599 --> 00:42:15.199 planning 00:42:15.199 --> 00:42:15.639 committee, 00:42:15.759 --> 00:42:16.380 was formed 00:42:16.380 --> 00:42:17.519 and continued 00:42:17.519 --> 00:42:18.179 to work 00:42:18.179 --> 00:42:19.119 throughout the 00:42:19.119 --> 00:42:20.239 last several 00:42:20.239 --> 00:42:20.960 years behind 00:42:20.960 --> 00:42:21.659 the scenes. 00:42:22.259 --> 00:42:23.079 That committee 00:42:23.079 --> 00:42:24.500 has read a 00:42:24.500 --> 00:42:25.739 variety of 00:42:25.739 --> 00:42:26.460 resources, 00:42:26.980 --> 00:42:28.059 done interviews, 00:42:28.460 --> 00:42:29.039 talked with 00:42:29.039 --> 00:42:30.579 pastors and 00:42:30.579 --> 00:42:32.460 organizations that 00:42:32.460 --> 00:42:32.880 have both 00:42:32.880 --> 00:42:33.639 succeeded and 00:42:33.639 --> 00:42:34.699 failed at 00:42:34.699 --> 00:42:35.699 planning and 00:42:35.699 --> 00:42:36.759 making successions 00:42:36.760 --> 00:42:37.160 work. 00:42:37.940 --> 00:42:38.260 And I've got 00:42:38.260 --> 00:42:38.860 to tell you, 00:42:39.300 --> 00:42:39.560 there are 00:42:39.560 --> 00:42:40.440 probably more 00:42:40.440 --> 00:42:41.180 churches that 00:42:41.180 --> 00:42:41.980 fail at it 00:42:41.980 --> 00:42:42.880 than succeed. 00:42:44.400 --> 00:42:45.160 And we have 00:42:45.160 --> 00:42:45.820 given careful 00:42:45.820 --> 00:42:47.040 thought to why 00:42:47.040 --> 00:42:47.600 those churches, 00:42:47.680 --> 00:42:48.320 they can put 00:42:48.320 --> 00:42:48.960 their finger on 00:42:48.960 --> 00:42:49.400 this is what 00:42:49.400 --> 00:42:49.800 happened and 00:42:49.800 --> 00:42:50.280 here's why it 00:42:50.280 --> 00:42:50.520 happened. 00:42:51.000 --> 00:42:51.740 We don't want 00:42:51.740 --> 00:42:52.000 that. 00:42:53.000 --> 00:42:53.320 Do you know 00:42:53.320 --> 00:42:53.620 why? 00:42:54.660 --> 00:42:55.440 Because we 00:42:55.440 --> 00:42:57.560 believe that 00:42:57.560 --> 00:42:58.300 godly people 00:42:58.300 --> 00:42:59.060 depending upon 00:42:59.060 --> 00:42:59.620 the word of 00:42:59.620 --> 00:43:00.660 God and 00:43:00.660 --> 00:43:01.440 following His 00:43:01.440 --> 00:43:02.220 counsel can 00:43:02.220 --> 00:43:03.300 succeed at 00:43:03.300 --> 00:43:03.740 succession. 00:43:03.739 --> 00:43:06.339 there's going 00:43:06.339 --> 00:43:06.639 to be a 00:43:06.639 --> 00:43:08.519 day when 00:43:08.519 --> 00:43:09.039 if you call 00:43:09.039 --> 00:43:09.679 me pastor, 00:43:10.579 --> 00:43:12.239 I am not 00:43:12.239 --> 00:43:12.539 going to be 00:43:12.539 --> 00:43:13.439 disrespectful to 00:43:13.439 --> 00:43:13.839 you, but I 00:43:13.839 --> 00:43:14.219 would say, 00:43:14.459 --> 00:43:16.379 that's the 00:43:16.379 --> 00:43:16.679 man. 00:43:18.879 --> 00:43:19.479 Call him 00:43:19.479 --> 00:43:19.859 pastor. 00:43:20.599 --> 00:43:21.179 Now for some 00:43:21.179 --> 00:43:22.179 of you, since 00:43:22.179 --> 00:43:23.000 I've buried your 00:43:23.000 --> 00:43:23.879 father and I've 00:43:23.879 --> 00:43:24.379 married your 00:43:24.379 --> 00:43:24.839 children or 00:43:24.839 --> 00:43:25.359 whatever else, 00:43:25.399 --> 00:43:25.659 it's going to 00:43:25.659 --> 00:43:25.959 be a little 00:43:25.959 --> 00:43:26.579 hard to suck 00:43:26.579 --> 00:43:26.859 it up. 00:43:27.079 --> 00:43:27.979 But if I 00:43:27.979 --> 00:43:29.099 can't be Tim 00:43:29.099 --> 00:43:29.919 among you, 00:43:30.959 --> 00:43:31.399 do you follow 00:43:31.399 --> 00:43:31.699 that? 00:43:31.699 --> 00:43:32.099 and mow 00:43:32.099 --> 00:43:32.460 the lawn 00:43:32.460 --> 00:43:32.980 like everybody 00:43:32.980 --> 00:43:34.679 else, we 00:43:34.679 --> 00:43:35.239 got a problem 00:43:35.239 --> 00:43:37.460 because I 00:43:37.460 --> 00:43:38.039 want to be 00:43:38.039 --> 00:43:38.480 able to 00:43:38.480 --> 00:43:39.439 righteously 00:43:39.439 --> 00:43:41.679 and honorably 00:43:41.679 --> 00:43:42.679 hand off the 00:43:42.679 --> 00:43:43.739 responsibility to 00:43:43.739 --> 00:43:44.319 another man. 00:43:46.419 --> 00:43:47.399 We talked 00:43:47.399 --> 00:43:49.539 with leadership 00:43:49.539 --> 00:43:50.299 at ABWE. 00:43:50.960 --> 00:43:51.699 We talked 00:43:51.699 --> 00:43:52.199 with leadership 00:43:52.199 --> 00:43:53.419 at Cedarville. 00:43:53.919 --> 00:43:54.719 We talked 00:43:54.719 --> 00:43:55.319 with leadership 00:43:55.319 --> 00:43:56.039 at Word of 00:43:56.039 --> 00:43:56.379 Life. 00:43:57.199 --> 00:43:58.039 We've talked 00:43:58.039 --> 00:43:58.559 with literally 00:43:58.559 --> 00:43:59.480 dozens of 00:43:59.480 --> 00:43:59.980 pastors. 00:44:01.699 --> 00:44:02.460 deacons. 00:44:03.879 --> 00:44:05.059 We sought 00:44:05.059 --> 00:44:05.239 out. 00:44:05.339 --> 00:44:06.039 I've talked 00:44:06.039 --> 00:44:06.379 with the 00:44:06.379 --> 00:44:06.779 executive 00:44:06.779 --> 00:44:07.919 pastor at 00:44:07.919 --> 00:44:08.460 Bethlehem 00:44:08.460 --> 00:44:09.119 Baptist Church 00:44:09.119 --> 00:44:09.879 where John 00:44:09.879 --> 00:44:10.980 Piper just 00:44:10.980 --> 00:44:11.460 finished his 00:44:11.460 --> 00:44:12.279 ministry and 00:44:12.279 --> 00:44:12.679 they handed 00:44:12.679 --> 00:44:13.099 off the 00:44:13.099 --> 00:44:13.519 reins. 00:44:15.319 --> 00:44:16.039 And I want 00:44:16.039 --> 00:44:16.399 you to know 00:44:16.399 --> 00:44:16.759 that your 00:44:16.759 --> 00:44:17.439 pastors and 00:44:17.439 --> 00:44:18.419 deacons recommend 00:44:18.419 --> 00:44:20.639 unanimously that 00:44:20.639 --> 00:44:22.839 we consider and 00:44:22.839 --> 00:44:23.399 follow this 00:44:23.399 --> 00:44:26.319 path as a 00:44:26.319 --> 00:44:26.819 congregation. 00:44:27.619 --> 00:44:28.399 So what's 00:44:28.399 --> 00:44:28.739 next? 00:44:28.739 --> 00:44:31.219 Well first 00:44:31.219 --> 00:44:31.679 of all, 00:44:32.000 --> 00:44:33.059 and this is 00:44:33.059 --> 00:44:34.039 almost like I 00:44:34.039 --> 00:44:34.579 could say this 00:44:34.579 --> 00:44:35.059 with my eyes 00:44:35.059 --> 00:44:35.399 closed. 00:44:36.859 --> 00:44:37.639 Read over the 00:44:37.639 --> 00:44:38.959 material, pray 00:44:38.959 --> 00:44:40.479 about it, and 00:44:40.479 --> 00:44:41.259 if you have any 00:44:41.259 --> 00:44:42.079 questions, guess 00:44:42.079 --> 00:44:42.299 what? 00:44:42.359 --> 00:44:42.879 Guess what I'm 00:44:42.879 --> 00:44:43.179 going to say? 00:44:44.019 --> 00:44:44.819 Talk to your 00:44:44.819 --> 00:44:45.759 pastors or your 00:44:45.759 --> 00:44:46.059 deacon. 00:44:47.419 --> 00:44:48.659 Every one of the 00:44:48.659 --> 00:44:49.799 deacons that have 00:44:49.799 --> 00:44:50.500 been appointed by 00:44:50.500 --> 00:44:51.179 this congregation 00:44:51.179 --> 00:44:53.379 are fully aware 00:44:53.379 --> 00:44:54.859 of the planning and 00:44:54.859 --> 00:44:55.500 thought that has 00:44:55.500 --> 00:44:56.319 gone into that, 00:44:56.320 --> 00:44:58.019 and there may 00:44:58.019 --> 00:44:58.860 be a question or 00:44:58.860 --> 00:44:59.500 two that they 00:44:59.500 --> 00:45:00.120 don't know the 00:45:00.120 --> 00:45:00.640 answer to. 00:45:00.720 --> 00:45:01.559 That's all right. 00:45:01.860 --> 00:45:02.780 It's not a bad 00:45:02.780 --> 00:45:04.160 thing to say, I 00:45:04.160 --> 00:45:04.760 don't know for 00:45:04.760 --> 00:45:05.440 sure, let me get 00:45:05.440 --> 00:45:06.300 back with you, but 00:45:06.300 --> 00:45:07.680 I can tell you in 00:45:07.680 --> 00:45:08.539 the next couple 00:45:08.539 --> 00:45:09.900 weeks all our 00:45:09.900 --> 00:45:10.539 deacons are going 00:45:10.539 --> 00:45:11.160 to be putting their 00:45:11.160 --> 00:45:12.660 arms around us and 00:45:12.660 --> 00:45:13.519 giving us a hug and 00:45:13.519 --> 00:45:14.400 saying, do you have 00:45:14.400 --> 00:45:14.880 any questions? 00:45:15.200 --> 00:45:15.840 Does this make 00:45:15.840 --> 00:45:16.320 sense to you? 00:45:16.340 --> 00:45:16.800 Do you understand 00:45:16.800 --> 00:45:17.380 why we're thinking 00:45:17.380 --> 00:45:17.780 this? 00:45:17.780 --> 00:45:27.000 On May 18th, we're 00:45:27.000 --> 00:45:29.280 going to meet after 00:45:29.280 --> 00:45:30.160 the morning service 00:45:30.160 --> 00:45:32.420 to have a formal 00:45:32.420 --> 00:45:33.760 vote on the 00:45:33.760 --> 00:45:34.640 recommendation that 00:45:34.640 --> 00:45:35.400 we are bringing to 00:45:35.400 --> 00:45:36.080 you this morning. 00:45:37.620 --> 00:45:38.940 And we trust between 00:45:38.940 --> 00:45:42.360 now and then, you 00:45:42.360 --> 00:45:43.200 as a congregation 00:45:43.200 --> 00:45:44.660 have the opportunity 00:45:44.659 --> 00:45:47.859 to pray, to think 00:45:47.859 --> 00:45:49.920 carefully, to ask 00:45:49.920 --> 00:45:50.599 any and every 00:45:50.599 --> 00:45:51.359 question that you 00:45:51.359 --> 00:45:53.480 have, so that when 00:45:53.480 --> 00:45:55.239 we come to deliberate 00:45:55.239 --> 00:45:56.480 as a body of 00:45:56.480 --> 00:45:58.019 believers, that we 00:45:58.019 --> 00:45:59.639 have done our very 00:45:59.639 --> 00:46:01.059 best of being clear 00:46:01.059 --> 00:46:02.119 in our information 00:46:02.119 --> 00:46:04.659 and allowed you to 00:46:04.659 --> 00:46:05.480 consider the matter 00:46:05.480 --> 00:46:06.559 before the Lord. 00:46:08.679 --> 00:46:09.839 And all God's 00:46:09.839 --> 00:46:10.759 people said, 00:46:11.420 --> 00:46:12.159 Amen. 00:46:12.159 --> 00:46:14.500 John, would you 00:46:14.500 --> 00:46:15.519 come and lead us? 00:46:15.639 --> 00:46:16.739 Let me pray as the 00:46:16.739 --> 00:46:17.599 musicians are coming. 00:46:17.699 --> 00:46:18.480 We are going to look 00:46:18.480 --> 00:46:19.420 forward to baptism, 00:46:19.739 --> 00:46:20.699 and I ask the 00:46:20.699 --> 00:46:21.579 candidates to come 00:46:21.579 --> 00:46:23.480 at this time as we 00:46:23.480 --> 00:46:24.460 prepare for baptism. 00:46:24.639 --> 00:46:25.480 Let's pray as the 00:46:25.480 --> 00:46:26.299 musicians are coming, 00:46:26.739 --> 00:46:28.000 and then we will 00:46:28.000 --> 00:46:29.119 enjoy singing together.