WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.399
 Today will be the second sermon in our series on partnership.

00:00:03.940 --> 00:00:09.040
! The series on partnership will be required listening for anyone who wants to become a

00:00:09.040 --> 00:00:10.320
! partner or member of our church.

00:00:10.320 --> 00:00:16.320
 When I say partnership, we use the word partnership and membership interchangeably here at Christchurch.

00:00:16.879 --> 00:00:20.320
 partnership is how we do membership here at Christchurch.

00:00:20.320 --> 00:00:26.320
 So, how important is partnership or church membership to you?

00:00:26.320 --> 00:00:27.280
 Does it really matter?

00:00:27.280 --> 00:00:32.160
 What's your disposition towards partnership?

00:00:32.160 --> 00:00:35.039
 Are you neutral about partnership or membership?

00:00:35.039 --> 00:00:38.079
 Are you embarrassed by partnership or membership?

00:00:38.079 --> 00:00:41.359
 Or are you convinced about partnership or membership?

00:00:41.359 --> 00:00:45.600
 Conviction is the state of being convinced of the benefit of something.

00:00:45.600 --> 00:00:50.320
 And we need people who are convinced of the benefit of partnership.

00:00:50.320 --> 00:00:53.040
 We need partnership enthusiasts.

00:00:53.040 --> 00:00:55.200
 Those who champion partnership.

00:00:55.200 --> 00:00:57.840
 We need people who are sold on the idea of partnership.

00:00:57.840 --> 00:01:05.439
 So, in light of that, I'm going to talk about 10 reasons to be convinced of the importance of church partnership or membership.

00:01:05.439 --> 00:01:08.079
 So, today's message is why partnership?

00:01:08.079 --> 00:01:08.480
 Okay?

00:01:09.359 --> 00:01:10.079
 Number one.

00:01:10.799 --> 00:01:12.719
 Membership is God's idea.

00:01:13.040 --> 00:01:14.320
 Membership is God's idea.

00:01:14.319 --> 00:01:17.519
 1 Corinthians 12, 27 says,

00:01:17.519 --> 00:01:21.439
 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

00:01:21.759 --> 00:01:25.679
 So, that concept of membership, it's not a man-made, made-up thing.

00:01:26.559 --> 00:01:27.679
 We find this in the scriptures.

00:01:27.679 --> 00:01:32.079
 In 1 Corinthians 12, you have this whole section about the church being a body.

00:01:32.079 --> 00:01:35.519
 And because we're a body, that means the body is made up of members.

00:01:35.519 --> 00:01:39.359
 You are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

00:01:39.359 --> 00:01:45.359
 The best way for people to be sold on an idea is for that idea to actually be God's idea.

00:01:45.920 --> 00:01:48.000
 And membership is God's idea.

00:01:48.000 --> 00:01:52.000
 So, the church being a body with members is God's idea.

00:01:52.000 --> 00:01:53.599
 That's not a Christ church idea.

00:01:53.599 --> 00:01:59.359
 The interdependence of each member and each member's effect on one another is God's idea.

00:01:59.359 --> 00:02:01.439
 That's not a Christ church idea.

00:02:01.439 --> 00:02:04.799
 Being careful how you build, that's God's idea.

00:02:04.799 --> 00:02:06.640
 That's not a Christ church idea.

00:02:07.680 --> 00:02:11.120
 Excluding certain people from the church is God's idea.

00:02:11.120 --> 00:02:12.800
 That's not a Christ church idea.

00:02:13.439 --> 00:02:18.560
 Holding people accountable and giving people specific responsibility is God's idea.

00:02:18.879 --> 00:02:20.319
 That's not a Christ church idea.

00:02:20.960 --> 00:02:25.920
 Elders, pastors, shepherds, caring for the church, paying careful attention to the flock,

00:02:25.920 --> 00:02:29.199
 and keeping watch over souls is God's idea.

00:02:29.599 --> 00:02:30.879
 It's not a Christ church idea.

00:02:31.439 --> 00:02:32.319
 Church discipline.

00:02:33.439 --> 00:02:34.719
 You're never going to guess this.

00:02:34.959 --> 00:02:36.000
 God's idea, right?

00:02:36.719 --> 00:02:37.919
 It's not a Christ church idea.

00:02:37.919 --> 00:02:39.839
 Judging the fruit of other believers.

00:02:40.959 --> 00:02:41.919
 That's God's idea.

00:02:42.639 --> 00:02:43.839
 That's not a Christ church idea.

00:02:45.759 --> 00:02:47.959
 Submission to leaders is God's idea.

00:02:48.079 --> 00:02:49.199
 It's not a Christ church idea.

00:02:49.759 --> 00:02:52.919
 Refreshing people through people is God's idea.

00:02:53.439 --> 00:02:54.679
 That's not a Christ church idea.

00:02:54.839 --> 00:02:58.759
 And the church being a specific kind of people is God's idea.

00:02:58.759 --> 00:03:00.120
 That's not a Christ church idea.

00:03:00.840 --> 00:03:03.560
 These are God's ideas taken from God's words.

00:03:03.799 --> 00:03:08.919
 So the question is, are you proud of those things?

00:03:09.079 --> 00:03:11.239
 Are you embarrassed or ashamed of those things?

00:03:11.719 --> 00:03:13.639
 Do we have confidence in the word of God?

00:03:13.759 --> 00:03:20.180
 Mark chapter 8 verse 38 says, whoever is ashamed of me and of my words.

00:03:20.280 --> 00:03:21.939
 That's an important thing that it says there.

00:03:22.000 --> 00:03:24.699
 A lot of people think, oh yeah, I don't ever want to be ashamed of Christ.

00:03:25.339 --> 00:03:25.539
 Right?

00:03:25.619 --> 00:03:28.479
 I don't ever want to be ashamed of Jesus and who he is.

00:03:28.519 --> 00:03:30.419
 But it says, not just that.

00:03:30.959 --> 00:03:34.659
 Mark 8 38 says, whoever is ashamed of me and my words.

00:03:34.739 --> 00:03:36.979
 Sometimes people say, well, I'm not ashamed of Jesus.

00:03:36.979 --> 00:03:39.899
 But we're a little bit embarrassed by the way Jesus talked.

00:03:39.979 --> 00:03:43.139
 We're a little bit embarrassed by the words he actually used.

00:03:43.579 --> 00:03:47.659
 And he says, whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation,

00:03:47.659 --> 00:03:53.520
 of him will the son of man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his father with the holy angels.

00:03:54.719 --> 00:04:00.099
 2 Timothy chapter 2 verse 15 says, do your best to present yourself to God as one approved,

00:04:00.340 --> 00:04:05.219
 a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

00:04:05.699 --> 00:04:10.960
 So don't be embarrassed or ashamed of a church being committed to the concept of membership.

00:04:11.519 --> 00:04:13.939
 This is God's idea from God's word.

00:04:13.939 --> 00:04:15.460
 Okay, so that's the first one.

00:04:15.960 --> 00:04:18.160
 Number two, why partnership?

00:04:19.319 --> 00:04:21.980
 We must be able to count on the parts.

00:04:22.379 --> 00:04:24.620
 We must be able to count on the parts.

00:04:25.160 --> 00:04:31.939
 1 Corinthians 12 26 says, if one member suffers, all suffer together.

00:04:32.120 --> 00:04:34.600
 One member suffers, all suffer together.

00:04:35.279 --> 00:04:41.699
 Okay, to build anything, you must be able to count on the parts that make up the whole to do their part.

00:04:41.860 --> 00:04:42.560
 All right.

00:04:42.779 --> 00:04:48.959
 So to build a good sports team, you must be able to count on all your players to do their part.

00:04:49.399 --> 00:04:54.620
 To build a sturdy house, you must be able to count on all the materials to do their part.

00:04:54.879 --> 00:04:58.419
 To build a good business, you must be able to count on all the employees to do their part.

00:04:58.839 --> 00:05:03.240
 To build a healthy body, you must be able to count on all the members to do their part.

00:05:03.659 --> 00:05:09.659
 And to build a healthy church, you must be able to count on a specific group of people to do their part.

00:05:10.520 --> 00:05:13.040
 We have to be able to count on the people to do their part.

00:05:13.720 --> 00:05:19.040
 1 Corinthians 12 multiple times talks about that we are part of the body.

00:05:19.840 --> 00:05:24.120
 And that 1 Corinthians 12, 20 says there are many parts, yet one body.

00:05:24.980 --> 00:05:28.560
 Romans 12, 4 to 5 says, as in one body we have many members,

00:05:28.680 --> 00:05:31.340
 and the members do not all have the same function.

00:05:31.340 --> 00:05:38.120
 So we, though many, are one body in Christ and individually members one of another.

00:05:38.120 --> 00:05:41.639
 Ephesians 4, 16 in the NIV says,

00:05:41.840 --> 00:05:46.740
 From him, the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament,

00:05:47.240 --> 00:05:52.639
 grows and builds itself up in love as each part does its work.

00:05:52.780 --> 00:05:54.699
 So we want the body to be built up.

00:05:55.019 --> 00:06:01.600
 We want the body to grow and to build itself up in love.

00:06:01.680 --> 00:06:03.319
 Well, how does that get done according to the Bible?

00:06:03.459 --> 00:06:08.079
 According to the Bible, the way that gets done is that each part is doing its work.

00:06:08.540 --> 00:06:09.920
 That's Ephesians 4, 16.

00:06:10.680 --> 00:06:15.939
 We need a group of people to build with who we can count on to do the work.

00:06:16.040 --> 00:06:17.780
 Can you be counted on to do the work?

00:06:18.720 --> 00:06:22.579
 Each part or each partner, or another way you could say it would be part owner,

00:06:23.319 --> 00:06:25.699
 are the ones we count on to do the work.

00:06:26.079 --> 00:06:29.100
 A healthy body is one where each part does its work.

00:06:29.340 --> 00:06:32.579
 In order for the body to be healthy, we have to be able to count on each part.

00:06:32.579 --> 00:06:38.439
 2 Corinthians 8, 4 expressed this kind of, I think, the right attitude towards this.

00:06:38.959 --> 00:06:44.339
 In 2 Corinthians 8, 4, it says that there were people who begged Paul earnestly

00:06:44.339 --> 00:06:48.240
 for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints.

00:06:48.819 --> 00:06:51.919
 Begged to Paul earnestly for the favor of taking part.

00:06:52.479 --> 00:06:54.799
 What is your attitude about taking part?

00:06:55.279 --> 00:06:56.039
 Being your part.

00:06:56.040 --> 00:06:58.439
 Are you begging earnestly for it?

00:06:58.680 --> 00:07:00.480
 Just let me be my part in the body.

00:07:00.580 --> 00:07:01.379
 Let me do stuff.

00:07:01.439 --> 00:07:02.000
 Let me give.

00:07:02.060 --> 00:07:02.840
 Let me give more.

00:07:03.460 --> 00:07:05.439
 I can't wait to give more.

00:07:05.960 --> 00:07:08.879
 Are you begging earnestly to do your part?

00:07:09.300 --> 00:07:10.100
 Well, they were here.

00:07:10.600 --> 00:07:11.480
 They were here.

00:07:12.160 --> 00:07:16.580
 Membership is how we effectively mobilize people for mission and discipleship.

00:07:16.920 --> 00:07:20.800
 The church should obviously be mobilizing people, each part doing its work,

00:07:20.800 --> 00:07:23.680
 so that mission happens, and so discipleship happens.

00:07:24.139 --> 00:07:27.079
 And in order to do that, we have to be able to mobilize people to do their part.

00:07:28.879 --> 00:07:33.120
 One of the hindrances to that is disqualifying yourself or disqualifying others.

00:07:33.400 --> 00:07:36.720
 We also see in 1 Corinthians 12, you see these two phrases,

00:07:36.960 --> 00:07:39.420
 I don't belong or you don't belong, right?

00:07:39.680 --> 00:07:44.080
 And so one of the ways the body can become handicapped is some of us can say,

00:07:44.220 --> 00:07:47.019
 well, because I'm not so-and-so or so-and-so,

00:07:47.080 --> 00:07:49.319
 I'm not this part of the body or I'm not that part of the body,

00:07:49.319 --> 00:07:52.120
 I don't belong, so we can reject ourselves.

00:07:52.939 --> 00:07:56.719
 And when we reject ourselves and we say, my part isn't important,

00:07:57.159 --> 00:07:58.459
 that's a problem.

00:07:58.560 --> 00:07:59.519
 It handicaps the body.

00:08:00.420 --> 00:08:01.459
 So that's the one way.

00:08:01.519 --> 00:08:04.439
 The other side is to say, well, actually, my part's really important.

00:08:04.800 --> 00:08:06.219
 Yours not so much, right?

00:08:06.360 --> 00:08:08.519
 I belong to the body, but you don't.

00:08:08.819 --> 00:08:10.379
 You're not, your part isn't important.

00:08:10.639 --> 00:08:13.620
 So we can either say, I don't belong, or we can say, you don't belong,

00:08:13.819 --> 00:08:17.759
 but both of them are going to hinder the body to function the way it's supposed to function.

00:08:17.759 --> 00:08:22.759
 Membership is God's idea for equal care of one another.

00:08:23.279 --> 00:08:26.199
 1 Corinthians 12, again, 24-26 says,

00:08:26.199 --> 00:08:31.219
 God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it,

00:08:31.279 --> 00:08:33.480
 that there may be no division in the body,

00:08:33.799 --> 00:08:36.980
 but that the members may have the same care for one another.

00:08:37.399 --> 00:08:40.039
 If one member suffers, all suffer together.

00:08:40.480 --> 00:08:42.840
 If one member is honored, all rejoice together.

00:08:43.740 --> 00:08:49.039
 So don't be embarrassed by requiring each part to do its work.

00:08:49.700 --> 00:08:52.659
 This is how the body grows and builds itself up in love

00:08:52.659 --> 00:08:54.559
 and has the same care for one another.

00:08:54.559 --> 00:08:58.319
 God is not honored by a handicapped body.

00:08:58.659 --> 00:08:58.839
 Amen?

00:09:00.019 --> 00:09:00.939
 Okay, number three.

00:09:01.579 --> 00:09:02.299
 Why partnership?

00:09:03.019 --> 00:09:05.459
 Because we must be careful how we build.

00:09:06.039 --> 00:09:07.599
 We must be careful how we build.

00:09:08.139 --> 00:09:13.879
 If we have to be able to count on the parts that make up the whole to do their part,

00:09:14.279 --> 00:09:17.399
 then that means that we need to be careful how we build.

00:09:17.399 --> 00:09:18.399
 Okay?

00:09:19.299 --> 00:09:20.779
 You know, if you're building a house,

00:09:21.379 --> 00:09:25.819
 and you kind of need that thing to stay up, right?

00:09:25.860 --> 00:09:28.439
 You don't want to be laying in your bed and have the ceiling collapse on you.

00:09:28.539 --> 00:09:29.220
 No one wants that.

00:09:29.639 --> 00:09:33.199
 So you have to be able to count on the materials that you use

00:09:33.199 --> 00:09:35.220
 to do what they were meant to do,

00:09:35.279 --> 00:09:37.319
 to do their part, so to speak.

00:09:37.419 --> 00:09:37.659
 Okay?

00:09:37.659 --> 00:09:40.120
 So you're not just picking any old material.

00:09:40.839 --> 00:09:41.939
 You're picky.

00:09:42.559 --> 00:09:44.919
 You're careful in how you build,

00:09:45.159 --> 00:09:47.039
 and you're careful with what you build.

00:09:47.559 --> 00:09:48.299
 You know, if someone,

00:09:49.120 --> 00:09:53.100
 you know, if Michael says he's got a contractor that you really got to use,

00:09:53.179 --> 00:09:53.539
 you're saying,

00:09:53.639 --> 00:09:55.740
 well, I'm going to find out for sure.

00:09:55.919 --> 00:09:56.480
 Make sure.

00:09:56.779 --> 00:09:57.860
 This is my house, you know.

00:09:58.120 --> 00:09:59.279
 I'm teasing Michael.

00:09:59.959 --> 00:10:00.319
 Okay?

00:10:00.640 --> 00:10:02.580
 You don't just want anybody building your house.

00:10:02.680 --> 00:10:05.379
 You got to make sure that it's the right guy, right?

00:10:05.560 --> 00:10:06.860
 And then when you get the right guy,

00:10:06.920 --> 00:10:08.840
 you got to make sure is he using the right materials.

00:10:09.940 --> 00:10:11.340
 I heard somebody once,

00:10:11.400 --> 00:10:12.460
 they built their whole deck,

00:10:12.540 --> 00:10:13.260
 beautiful deck.

00:10:13.980 --> 00:10:15.040
 They're using treated lumber.

00:10:15.240 --> 00:10:15.940
 It looked awesome.

00:10:16.060 --> 00:10:16.600
 It was great.

00:10:17.160 --> 00:10:18.379
 And when they finished the deck,

00:10:18.440 --> 00:10:21.580
 they realized that all the nails they used were not galvanized.

00:10:22.180 --> 00:10:24.560
 Well, if you know anything about how nails work,

00:10:25.240 --> 00:10:26.580
 and how treated lumber works,

00:10:26.580 --> 00:10:28.300
 treated lumber is filled with chemicals

00:10:28.299 --> 00:10:32.379
 that will literally eat those non-galvanized nails up

00:10:32.379 --> 00:10:34.079
 so that the nails will just disintegrate.

00:10:34.439 --> 00:10:36.699
 Well, what happens to a deck when all the nails disintegrate

00:10:36.699 --> 00:10:37.599
 that are holding it together?

00:10:38.059 --> 00:10:39.279
 It's not going to stay up.

00:10:39.879 --> 00:10:41.219
 In other words, materials are important.

00:10:41.379 --> 00:10:42.879
 And this is the same thing with God's church.

00:10:43.000 --> 00:10:45.740
 You see this in 1 Corinthians 3, 9 to 15.

00:10:46.179 --> 00:10:46.359
 Okay?

00:10:46.839 --> 00:10:47.079
 It says,

00:10:47.219 --> 00:10:48.379
 We are God's fellow workers.

00:10:48.639 --> 00:10:50.699
 You are God's field, God's building.

00:10:51.159 --> 00:10:52.719
 According to the grace of God given to me,

00:10:52.839 --> 00:10:54.059
 like a skilled master builder,

00:10:54.219 --> 00:10:55.339
 I laid a foundation.

00:10:55.759 --> 00:10:57.500
 Someone else is building upon it.

00:10:57.500 --> 00:10:58.679
 And then he says this,

00:10:59.159 --> 00:11:02.779
 Let each one take care how he builds upon it.

00:11:03.259 --> 00:11:05.980
 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid,

00:11:06.059 --> 00:11:07.080
 which is Jesus Christ.

00:11:07.500 --> 00:11:11.559
 Now, if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver,

00:11:11.720 --> 00:11:13.620
 precious stones, wood, hay, straw,

00:11:14.580 --> 00:11:16.080
 each one's work will become manifest,

00:11:16.320 --> 00:11:17.519
 for the day will disclose it,

00:11:17.820 --> 00:11:19.480
 because it will be revealed by fire.

00:11:19.559 --> 00:11:23.440
 And the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.

00:11:23.820 --> 00:11:26.759
 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives,

00:11:26.759 --> 00:11:28.279
 he will receive reward.

00:11:28.379 --> 00:11:30.500
 If anyone's work is burned up,

00:11:30.799 --> 00:11:31.759
 he will suffer loss,

00:11:31.819 --> 00:11:33.039
 though he himself will be saved,

00:11:33.539 --> 00:11:34.840
 but only as through fire.

00:11:35.439 --> 00:11:37.259
 Are we building with the right materials?

00:11:37.419 --> 00:11:40.379
 Gold, silver, precious stones?

00:11:40.860 --> 00:11:43.299
 Or are we building with wood, hay, and stubble?

00:11:43.299 --> 00:11:46.879
 Why are we so careful how we build?

00:11:47.219 --> 00:11:49.879
 Why are we so specific in what we require?

00:11:50.259 --> 00:11:54.299
 Because we want what we build to survive the fire.

00:11:54.779 --> 00:11:56.019
 We want it to last.

00:11:56.859 --> 00:11:59.459
 We want to build with gold, silver, and precious stones,

00:11:59.539 --> 00:12:00.659
 not with wood, hay, and stubble.

00:12:00.859 --> 00:12:03.479
 We can't just build with anyone in any way.

00:12:03.559 --> 00:12:07.819
 We need specific expectations on a specific group of people

00:12:07.820 --> 00:12:11.220
 so that when we build, it's healthy and sustainable.

00:12:11.940 --> 00:12:16.060
 Don't be embarrassed by being careful how we build.

00:12:16.200 --> 00:12:19.420
 It's not loving to give someone something that will not last.

00:12:19.680 --> 00:12:20.240
 Did you hear that?

00:12:20.580 --> 00:12:21.180
 That's important.

00:12:21.340 --> 00:12:21.920
 It's not love.

00:12:22.100 --> 00:12:25.300
 There's no love in giving someone something that's not going to last.

00:12:25.740 --> 00:12:26.700
 That's not loving.

00:12:27.040 --> 00:12:28.460
 So don't be embarrassed by that.

00:12:28.460 --> 00:12:30.480
 Number four.

00:12:31.360 --> 00:12:32.220
 Why partnership?

00:12:33.680 --> 00:12:33.940
 Okay?

00:12:34.639 --> 00:12:38.019
 Because we must exclude people in order to include people.

00:12:38.379 --> 00:12:40.100
 Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

00:12:40.259 --> 00:12:41.360
 What's that one all about?

00:12:42.639 --> 00:12:43.460
 Let's take a look.

00:12:43.800 --> 00:12:44.000
 Okay?

00:12:44.240 --> 00:12:46.780
 We must exclude people in order to include people.

00:12:47.240 --> 00:12:50.280
 If we're picky about how we build and who we build with,

00:12:50.340 --> 00:12:52.980
 then that feels like we're excluding people.

00:12:53.500 --> 00:12:53.860
 Yes.

00:12:54.540 --> 00:12:55.420
 But until what?

00:12:55.419 --> 00:13:01.019
 Exclusion in order to create healthy, loving inclusion.

00:13:01.319 --> 00:13:04.319
 If we include everyone on their terms,

00:13:05.099 --> 00:13:08.240
 then we create something that no one desires to be a part of.

00:13:08.919 --> 00:13:12.240
 And if we only include certain people on God's terms,

00:13:12.479 --> 00:13:15.099
 then we build something that people desire to be a part of

00:13:15.099 --> 00:13:18.299
 because what we build builds others up.

00:13:18.860 --> 00:13:19.779
 I want to say that again.

00:13:20.019 --> 00:13:20.139
 Okay?

00:13:20.959 --> 00:13:24.579
 Exclusion in order to create healthy, loving inclusion.

00:13:24.580 --> 00:13:28.000
 If we include everyone on their terms,

00:13:28.800 --> 00:13:29.740
 on their terms,

00:13:30.200 --> 00:13:32.879
 then we create something that no one desires to be a part of.

00:13:33.000 --> 00:13:36.340
 If we only include certain people on God's terms,

00:13:36.660 --> 00:13:39.360
 then we build something that people desire to be a part of

00:13:39.360 --> 00:13:42.259
 because what we build builds others up.

00:13:42.960 --> 00:13:43.200
 Okay?

00:13:43.480 --> 00:13:46.160
 I've witnessed a lot of anger over the years

00:13:46.160 --> 00:13:49.560
 over not accommodating people's different views

00:13:49.560 --> 00:13:51.379
 so they can feel included.

00:13:51.379 --> 00:13:55.340
 Especially those who want community without responsibility

00:13:55.340 --> 00:13:56.379
 or accountability.

00:13:57.159 --> 00:13:59.039
 Those who want church on their own terms.

00:13:59.460 --> 00:14:01.179
 I've seen people get all upset about this.

00:14:01.679 --> 00:14:03.279
 Thinking that they have a right

00:14:03.279 --> 00:14:07.259
 for us to accommodate all their views and all their terms.

00:14:07.980 --> 00:14:09.399
 The common mentality is,

00:14:09.399 --> 00:14:13.279
 I have a right to be welcomed into your community on my terms.

00:14:13.819 --> 00:14:16.379
 Not understanding that the terms themselves

00:14:16.379 --> 00:14:19.840
 are what make the community desirable to be welcomed into

00:14:19.840 --> 00:14:21.199
 in the first place.

00:14:21.840 --> 00:14:22.899
 Do you hear me on that?

00:14:24.059 --> 00:14:26.919
 The terms themselves are what make the community desirable

00:14:26.919 --> 00:14:29.519
 to be welcomed into into the first place.

00:14:29.519 --> 00:14:31.620
 In our church,

00:14:31.720 --> 00:14:34.379
 there are things that everyone is invited to

00:14:34.379 --> 00:14:37.579
 and there are things that some people are not invited to.

00:14:38.220 --> 00:14:40.439
 It's really important to get over your fear

00:14:40.439 --> 00:14:43.899
 of explaining to a newcomer that a meeting is exclusive.

00:14:45.579 --> 00:14:47.299
 There's great value and importance

00:14:47.299 --> 00:14:49.100
 in certain meetings being exclusive

00:14:49.100 --> 00:14:51.399
 and it's really good for people to feel

00:14:51.399 --> 00:14:53.100
 left out of those things.

00:14:53.799 --> 00:14:55.159
 Where am I getting this from?

00:14:55.600 --> 00:14:57.539
 Acts chapter 5, 12 to 14.

00:14:57.539 --> 00:14:59.740
 It says of the early church,

00:15:00.139 --> 00:15:02.659
 it says they were all together in Solomon's portico.

00:15:03.459 --> 00:15:04.019
 And then it says,

00:15:04.299 --> 00:15:05.899
 none of the rest dared join them,

00:15:06.199 --> 00:15:08.179
 but the people held them in high esteem.

00:15:08.480 --> 00:15:09.379
 And more than ever,

00:15:09.519 --> 00:15:11.000
 believers were added to the Lord.

00:15:11.480 --> 00:15:13.039
 Multitudes of both men and women.

00:15:13.799 --> 00:15:16.579
 But what's happened now in today's church

00:15:16.579 --> 00:15:17.539
 is we have it backwards.

00:15:18.360 --> 00:15:20.259
 Everyone dares to join the church

00:15:20.259 --> 00:15:22.500
 and not many believers are added to the Lord.

00:15:23.759 --> 00:15:24.659
 It's backwards.

00:15:25.439 --> 00:15:27.079
 And our effort to include people

00:15:27.080 --> 00:15:30.460
 we end up dumbing down what it means to be a part.

00:15:30.820 --> 00:15:32.960
 And then there's nothing beneficial about being a part,

00:15:33.240 --> 00:15:35.860
 which creates no incentive to be a part.

00:15:36.440 --> 00:15:38.240
 We end up working against ourselves

00:15:38.240 --> 00:15:40.580
 and we have a fear of not including people.

00:15:41.580 --> 00:15:43.540
 People feeling left out in many ways

00:15:43.540 --> 00:15:46.060
 is what gives value to being a part.

00:15:46.320 --> 00:15:48.460
 Because there's something there that is deep

00:15:48.460 --> 00:15:50.660
 and real and committed.

00:15:51.160 --> 00:15:52.500
 When you dilute that,

00:15:52.720 --> 00:15:54.500
 then being a part doesn't mean anything.

00:15:54.500 --> 00:15:58.519
 Exclusion gives the opportunity to include.

00:15:58.519 --> 00:16:00.360
 To exclude no one

00:16:00.360 --> 00:16:03.240
 is to have nothing to include people into.

00:16:04.460 --> 00:16:06.500
 Letting someone in out of fear

00:16:06.500 --> 00:16:11.320
 of leaving someone out

00:16:11.320 --> 00:16:13.720
 dilutes the potency and power

00:16:13.720 --> 00:16:15.480
 of what you are letting them into,

00:16:16.320 --> 00:16:18.500
 thereby not really loving them.

00:16:18.500 --> 00:16:21.759
 To love is to guard the whole

00:16:21.759 --> 00:16:24.500
 by not letting people in who are diluted.

00:16:24.740 --> 00:16:26.799
 By protecting the potency of the whole,

00:16:27.279 --> 00:16:28.940
 we love those who are excluded

00:16:28.940 --> 00:16:31.659
 because we now have something of value

00:16:31.659 --> 00:16:32.700
 to offer them

00:16:32.700 --> 00:16:34.500
 that can change their lives

00:16:34.500 --> 00:16:36.820
 for their good and God's glory.

00:16:38.120 --> 00:16:40.580
 Inclusion without regard for dilution

00:16:40.580 --> 00:16:42.299
 is unloving.

00:16:42.299 --> 00:16:45.259
 We exclude people for the sake of people.

00:16:46.059 --> 00:16:47.599
 This is why we can't have partners

00:16:47.599 --> 00:16:50.120
 just recommending people for partnership

00:16:50.120 --> 00:16:52.339
 just because he's a nice guy

00:16:52.339 --> 00:16:55.559
 who brings good food to potluck dinners

00:16:55.559 --> 00:16:58.259
 or because she's been coming around

00:16:58.259 --> 00:16:59.259
 for a long time

00:16:59.259 --> 00:17:00.539
 and everyone likes her.

00:17:01.539 --> 00:17:03.319
 They have to have fruit of partnership.

00:17:03.959 --> 00:17:04.919
 So people say,

00:17:05.039 --> 00:17:07.079
 well, I don't want to make it about a checklist.

00:17:07.539 --> 00:17:08.799
 And although the fruit of partnership

00:17:08.799 --> 00:17:10.940
 on the website is not a complete list,

00:17:10.940 --> 00:17:14.039
 it's most definitely a minimum required list.

00:17:17.240 --> 00:17:19.019
 Remember that Jesus was exclusive.

00:17:19.880 --> 00:17:22.680
 In Luke 14, starting verse 25,

00:17:23.200 --> 00:17:23.400
 it says,

00:17:23.519 --> 00:17:25.360
 Now great crowds accompanied him

00:17:25.360 --> 00:17:26.880
 and he turned and said to them,

00:17:26.940 --> 00:17:28.059
 If anyone comes to me

00:17:28.059 --> 00:17:30.380
 and does not hate his own father and mother

00:17:30.380 --> 00:17:31.900
 and wife and children

00:17:31.900 --> 00:17:33.400
 and brothers and sisters,

00:17:33.600 --> 00:17:35.080
 yes, and even his own life,

00:17:35.539 --> 00:17:38.100
 he cannot be my disciple.

00:17:38.980 --> 00:17:40.799
 Whoever does not bear his own cross

00:17:40.799 --> 00:17:41.759
 and come after me

00:17:41.759 --> 00:17:44.119
 cannot be my disciple.

00:17:45.079 --> 00:17:46.299
 And verse 33 says,

00:17:46.419 --> 00:17:47.619
 Any of you who does not renounce

00:17:47.619 --> 00:17:48.659
 all that he has

00:17:48.659 --> 00:17:50.299
 cannot be my disciple.

00:17:51.159 --> 00:17:53.799
 Jesus excluded people from discipleship

00:17:53.799 --> 00:17:55.399
 based on whether or not

00:17:55.399 --> 00:17:56.940
 they believed these things

00:17:56.940 --> 00:17:59.259
 and it fleshed out with specific fruit.

00:18:00.099 --> 00:18:02.639
 So much so that in John chapter 6,

00:18:03.240 --> 00:18:04.200
 in verse 60,

00:18:04.899 --> 00:18:07.039
 when many of the disciples heard Jesus

00:18:07.039 --> 00:18:08.099
 and what he had said,

00:18:08.799 --> 00:18:09.639
 they said this,

00:18:10.059 --> 00:18:11.379
 This is a hard saying.

00:18:11.819 --> 00:18:13.000
 Who can listen to it?

00:18:13.740 --> 00:18:14.460
 After this,

00:18:14.519 --> 00:18:16.059
 many of his disciples turned back

00:18:16.059 --> 00:18:17.319
 and no longer walked with him.

00:18:17.899 --> 00:18:19.579
 One of the problems with the church nowadays

00:18:19.579 --> 00:18:21.240
 is that many people don't listen

00:18:21.240 --> 00:18:22.079
 to what the preacher

00:18:22.079 --> 00:18:24.059
 or the church is saying

00:18:24.059 --> 00:18:25.420
 and come away saying,

00:18:25.539 --> 00:18:26.500
 This is a hard saying.

00:18:26.599 --> 00:18:27.579
 Who can listen to it?

00:18:27.659 --> 00:18:29.740
 And yet that's what people said about Jesus.

00:18:29.740 --> 00:18:32.099
 So are we making it easier

00:18:32.099 --> 00:18:33.039
 for people than Jesus?

00:18:33.720 --> 00:18:34.660
 Are we lowering the bar

00:18:34.660 --> 00:18:35.880
 below what Jesus had?

00:18:36.420 --> 00:18:37.259
 We should not.

00:18:37.839 --> 00:18:38.579
 And we cannot

00:18:38.579 --> 00:18:40.120
 if we're disciples of Jesus.

00:18:41.259 --> 00:18:42.120
 Truly after this,

00:18:42.220 --> 00:18:43.620
 many of his disciples turned back

00:18:43.620 --> 00:18:44.859
 and no longer walked with him

00:18:44.859 --> 00:18:47.120
 because it was hard sayings

00:18:47.120 --> 00:18:47.700
 that he said.

00:18:48.720 --> 00:18:50.640
 The early church was exclusive as well.

00:18:51.140 --> 00:18:52.759
 2 Corinthians 6, 14 says,

00:18:52.900 --> 00:18:54.200
 Do not be unequally yoked

00:18:54.200 --> 00:18:55.019
 with unbelievers.

00:18:55.539 --> 00:18:56.259
 For what partnership

00:18:56.259 --> 00:18:57.759
 is righteousness with lawlessness?

00:18:57.759 --> 00:18:59.039
 Or what fellowship

00:18:59.039 --> 00:19:00.079
 is light with darkness?

00:19:01.140 --> 00:19:03.779
 2 Thessalonians 3, 6 says,

00:19:03.900 --> 00:19:04.900
 Now we command you, brothers,

00:19:05.019 --> 00:19:06.680
 in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

00:19:06.859 --> 00:19:08.019
 that you keep away

00:19:08.019 --> 00:19:09.099
 from any brother

00:19:09.099 --> 00:19:11.160
 who is walking in idleness

00:19:11.160 --> 00:19:12.420
 and not in accord

00:19:12.420 --> 00:19:13.180
 with the tradition

00:19:13.180 --> 00:19:14.440
 that you receive from us.

00:19:15.319 --> 00:19:16.259
 Verse 14 says,

00:19:16.319 --> 00:19:17.220
 If anyone does not obey

00:19:17.220 --> 00:19:18.240
 what we say in this letter,

00:19:18.379 --> 00:19:19.700
 please take note of that person

00:19:19.700 --> 00:19:21.819
 and have nothing to do with him,

00:19:22.440 --> 00:19:23.480
 that he may be ashamed.

00:19:23.879 --> 00:19:25.099
 Do not regard him as an enemy,

00:19:25.220 --> 00:19:26.480
 but warn him as a brother.

00:19:26.480 --> 00:19:28.400
 Exclusivity.

00:19:29.059 --> 00:19:30.140
 Titus 3, 10 says,

00:19:30.220 --> 00:19:32.240
 As a person who stirs up division

00:19:32.240 --> 00:19:33.500
 after warning him once

00:19:33.500 --> 00:19:34.400
 and then twice,

00:19:34.759 --> 00:19:36.400
 have nothing more to do with him.

00:19:37.460 --> 00:19:39.880
 1 Corinthians 5, 9-13 says,

00:19:39.940 --> 00:19:41.059
 I wrote you in my letter

00:19:41.059 --> 00:19:42.440
 not to associate

00:19:42.440 --> 00:19:43.920
 with sexually immoral people,

00:19:44.339 --> 00:19:45.000
 not at all meaning

00:19:45.000 --> 00:19:46.420
 the sexually immoral of this world

00:19:46.420 --> 00:19:47.720
 or the greedy and swindlers

00:19:47.720 --> 00:19:48.900
 or idolaters,

00:19:49.099 --> 00:19:49.819
 since then you would

00:19:49.819 --> 00:19:51.079
 need to go out of the world.

00:19:51.079 --> 00:19:52.980
 But now I'm writing you

00:19:52.980 --> 00:19:53.960
 not to associate

00:19:53.960 --> 00:19:54.899
 with anyone

00:19:54.899 --> 00:19:56.279
 who bears the name of brother

00:19:56.279 --> 00:19:57.480
 if he is guilty

00:19:57.480 --> 00:19:59.199
 of sexual immorality or greed

00:19:59.199 --> 00:20:00.559
 or is an idolater,

00:20:00.740 --> 00:20:01.319
 reviler,

00:20:01.559 --> 00:20:02.119
 drunkard,

00:20:02.220 --> 00:20:02.879
 or swindler,

00:20:03.079 --> 00:20:04.119
 not even to eat

00:20:04.119 --> 00:20:04.980
 with such a one.

00:20:05.399 --> 00:20:06.379
 For what have I to do

00:20:06.379 --> 00:20:07.500
 with judging outsiders?

00:20:07.819 --> 00:20:09.039
 Is it not those

00:20:09.039 --> 00:20:10.359
 inside the church

00:20:10.359 --> 00:20:12.859
 whom you are to judge?

00:20:14.019 --> 00:20:14.859
 Wait a second,

00:20:14.919 --> 00:20:15.519
 I thought we're not

00:20:15.519 --> 00:20:16.279
 supposed to judge.

00:20:17.000 --> 00:20:17.480
 He says,

00:20:17.539 --> 00:20:18.159
 Is it not those

00:20:18.159 --> 00:20:19.019
 inside the church

00:20:19.019 --> 00:20:19.720
 whom you are to judge?

00:20:19.720 --> 00:20:21.160
 God judges those outside,

00:20:21.600 --> 00:20:22.640
 purge the evil person

00:20:22.640 --> 00:20:23.380
 from among you.

00:20:24.200 --> 00:20:24.839
 So we see here

00:20:24.839 --> 00:20:25.779
 in the scriptures again,

00:20:26.319 --> 00:20:27.019
 God is telling us

00:20:27.019 --> 00:20:28.539
 to look at specific fruit

00:20:28.539 --> 00:20:30.839
 and to exclude certain people.

00:20:31.779 --> 00:20:32.620
 Romans 16,

00:20:33.319 --> 00:20:34.279
 verse 17 says,

00:20:34.400 --> 00:20:35.120
 I appeal to you brothers

00:20:35.120 --> 00:20:35.799
 to watch out

00:20:35.799 --> 00:20:36.940
 for those who cause divisions

00:20:36.940 --> 00:20:38.440
 and create obstacles

00:20:38.440 --> 00:20:39.620
 contrary to the doctrine

00:20:39.620 --> 00:20:40.519
 that you have been taught.

00:20:41.079 --> 00:20:42.019
 Avoid them.

00:20:42.819 --> 00:20:43.740
 For such persons

00:20:43.740 --> 00:20:44.360
 do not serve

00:20:44.360 --> 00:20:45.480
 our Lord Jesus Christ

00:20:45.480 --> 00:20:46.960
 but their own appetites

00:20:46.960 --> 00:20:48.259
 and by smooth talk

00:20:48.259 --> 00:20:48.900
 and flattery

00:20:48.900 --> 00:20:49.680
 that deceive

00:20:49.680 --> 00:20:51.040
 the hearts of the naive.

00:20:51.740 --> 00:20:52.840
 One more verse on this.

00:20:52.920 --> 00:20:53.780
 2 Timothy 3,

00:20:53.860 --> 00:20:54.640
 1-5.

00:20:55.640 --> 00:20:56.740
 But understand this,

00:20:56.780 --> 00:20:57.560
 that in the last days

00:20:57.560 --> 00:20:58.000
 there will come

00:20:58.000 --> 00:20:59.019
 times of difficulty.

00:20:59.519 --> 00:21:00.259
 For people will be

00:21:00.259 --> 00:21:01.100
 lovers of self,

00:21:01.240 --> 00:21:01.900
 lovers of money,

00:21:02.380 --> 00:21:02.759
 proud,

00:21:02.940 --> 00:21:03.300
 arrogant,

00:21:03.540 --> 00:21:03.920
 abusive,

00:21:04.200 --> 00:21:05.540
 disobedient to their parents,

00:21:06.100 --> 00:21:06.720
 ungrateful,

00:21:06.960 --> 00:21:07.540
 unholy,

00:21:08.000 --> 00:21:08.500
 heartless,

00:21:08.680 --> 00:21:09.519
 unappeasable,

00:21:10.040 --> 00:21:10.640
 slanderous,

00:21:10.680 --> 00:21:11.620
 without self-control,

00:21:11.820 --> 00:21:12.100
 brutal,

00:21:12.280 --> 00:21:13.160
 not loving good,

00:21:13.360 --> 00:21:14.000
 treacherous,

00:21:14.460 --> 00:21:14.800
 reckless,

00:21:15.100 --> 00:21:16.360
 swollen with conceit,

00:21:16.359 --> 00:21:17.879
 lovers of pleasure

00:21:17.879 --> 00:21:20.000
 rather than lovers of God,

00:21:20.579 --> 00:21:21.519
 having the appearance

00:21:21.519 --> 00:21:22.359
 of godliness

00:21:22.359 --> 00:21:24.159
 but denying its power.

00:21:24.779 --> 00:21:25.199
 Notice,

00:21:25.339 --> 00:21:25.819
 these are the people

00:21:25.819 --> 00:21:26.519
 having the appearance

00:21:26.519 --> 00:21:27.159
 of godliness,

00:21:27.619 --> 00:21:28.819
 probably people professing

00:21:28.819 --> 00:21:29.319
 to be Christians,

00:21:30.099 --> 00:21:31.099
 but denying its power.

00:21:31.219 --> 00:21:31.740
 What does he say

00:21:31.740 --> 00:21:32.639
 to do with these people?

00:21:33.319 --> 00:21:34.959
 Avoid such people.

00:21:35.599 --> 00:21:36.619
 Avoid such people.

00:21:36.619 --> 00:21:38.539
 I would say

00:21:38.539 --> 00:21:39.439
 you don't be embarrassed

00:21:39.439 --> 00:21:40.579
 to exclude people

00:21:40.579 --> 00:21:41.919
 who want to join

00:21:41.919 --> 00:21:43.139
 on their own terms.

00:21:43.599 --> 00:21:44.479
 The terms themselves

00:21:44.479 --> 00:21:45.599
 are what make the community

00:21:45.599 --> 00:21:47.279
 desirable to be welcomed into.

00:21:47.779 --> 00:21:48.599
 Everything that people

00:21:48.599 --> 00:21:49.539
 desire to share

00:21:49.539 --> 00:21:50.559
 and to be a part of

00:21:50.559 --> 00:21:52.000
 only exists

00:21:52.000 --> 00:21:53.379
 because we don't just

00:21:53.379 --> 00:21:54.639
 let anyone be a part.

00:21:55.959 --> 00:21:56.979
 Number five,

00:21:57.479 --> 00:21:58.219
 why partnership?

00:21:59.059 --> 00:22:00.399
 Because there's no community

00:22:00.399 --> 00:22:01.500
 without responsibility

00:22:01.500 --> 00:22:02.339
 and accountability.

00:22:03.099 --> 00:22:04.479
 There's no community

00:22:04.479 --> 00:22:05.599
 without responsibility

00:22:05.599 --> 00:22:06.980
 and accountability.

00:22:08.139 --> 00:22:08.339
 Okay?

00:22:09.379 --> 00:22:10.259
 So many people say,

00:22:10.319 --> 00:22:11.119
 oh, I'm looking for community.

00:22:11.219 --> 00:22:11.939
 I'm looking for community.

00:22:12.699 --> 00:22:13.139
 Great.

00:22:13.319 --> 00:22:13.959
 That's awesome.

00:22:14.480 --> 00:22:15.539
 I think most people

00:22:15.539 --> 00:22:16.319
 are looking for that.

00:22:16.939 --> 00:22:17.619
 But do you want

00:22:17.619 --> 00:22:18.240
 responsibility

00:22:18.240 --> 00:22:19.799
 and accountability?

00:22:21.379 --> 00:22:22.819
 Do churches have the right

00:22:22.819 --> 00:22:24.240
 to require certain things

00:22:24.240 --> 00:22:24.759
 of their members?

00:22:25.799 --> 00:22:26.519
 I would say

00:22:26.519 --> 00:22:27.399
 there's a better question.

00:22:27.500 --> 00:22:28.439
 The better question would be,

00:22:28.799 --> 00:22:29.439
 do churches have

00:22:29.439 --> 00:22:30.480
 the responsibility

00:22:30.480 --> 00:22:32.759
 to require certain things

00:22:32.759 --> 00:22:33.359
 from their members?

00:22:34.019 --> 00:22:34.839
 Again, everyone says

00:22:34.839 --> 00:22:35.659
 they want community,

00:22:35.899 --> 00:22:37.119
 but there's no community

00:22:37.119 --> 00:22:38.139
 without responsibility

00:22:38.139 --> 00:22:38.899
 and accountability.

00:22:40.619 --> 00:22:41.259
 Do you say,

00:22:41.339 --> 00:22:41.859
 I want community?

00:22:42.299 --> 00:22:43.259
 And my question is typically,

00:22:43.839 --> 00:22:44.859
 well, do you?

00:22:45.599 --> 00:22:47.220
 Do you really want community?

00:22:48.220 --> 00:22:49.259
 You want community.

00:22:50.099 --> 00:22:51.379
 You don't want community

00:22:51.379 --> 00:22:52.720
 if you don't want responsibility

00:22:52.720 --> 00:22:53.459
 and accountability.

00:22:53.460 --> 00:22:54.920
 You can't have one

00:22:54.920 --> 00:22:55.900
 without the other.

00:22:56.519 --> 00:22:57.240
 You can't have one

00:22:57.240 --> 00:22:57.860
 without the others.

00:22:58.340 --> 00:22:59.460
 If a church doesn't require

00:22:59.460 --> 00:23:00.140
 responsibility

00:23:00.140 --> 00:23:00.940
 and accountability,

00:23:01.440 --> 00:23:02.680
 then a church doesn't have

00:23:02.680 --> 00:23:03.279
 any community

00:23:03.279 --> 00:23:04.240
 to offer people.

00:23:06.039 --> 00:23:07.340
 And there's no accountability

00:23:07.340 --> 00:23:08.200
 without judging

00:23:08.200 --> 00:23:09.180
 people's fruit.

00:23:10.299 --> 00:23:11.680
 1 Corinthians 5, 12,

00:23:11.940 --> 00:23:12.660
 what we read before,

00:23:12.799 --> 00:23:13.519
 is it not those

00:23:13.519 --> 00:23:14.600
 inside the church

00:23:14.600 --> 00:23:16.519
 whom you are to judge?

00:23:17.779 --> 00:23:19.180
 Matthew 12, 33 says,

00:23:19.180 --> 00:23:20.100
 a tree is known

00:23:20.100 --> 00:23:21.400
 by its fruit.

00:23:22.240 --> 00:23:23.820
 John 15, verse 8 says,

00:23:23.920 --> 00:23:24.759
 by this my Father

00:23:24.759 --> 00:23:25.539
 is glorified,

00:23:25.860 --> 00:23:27.620
 that you bear much fruit

00:23:27.620 --> 00:23:30.060
 and so prove yourselves

00:23:30.060 --> 00:23:31.620
 to be my disciples.

00:23:32.220 --> 00:23:33.960
 Fruit proves discipleship.

00:23:35.060 --> 00:23:36.060
 Never be embarrassed

00:23:36.060 --> 00:23:36.799
 or feel the need

00:23:36.799 --> 00:23:37.440
 to apologize

00:23:37.440 --> 00:23:40.080
 for requiring responsibility

00:23:40.080 --> 00:23:41.000
 and accountability

00:23:41.000 --> 00:23:42.460
 to people looking

00:23:42.460 --> 00:23:43.120
 for community.

00:23:44.019 --> 00:23:44.900
 There's no other way

00:23:44.900 --> 00:23:45.620
 to give it to them.

00:23:45.619 --> 00:23:47.299
 There's no other way

00:23:47.299 --> 00:23:47.979
 to give it to them.

00:23:49.500 --> 00:23:50.579
 Number six,

00:23:51.059 --> 00:23:51.819
 why partnership?

00:23:52.859 --> 00:23:53.459
 For care,

00:23:53.739 --> 00:23:54.579
 careful attention,

00:23:55.179 --> 00:23:55.919
 keeping watch,

00:23:56.139 --> 00:23:56.879
 and building up.

00:23:58.059 --> 00:23:58.559
 Church leaders

00:23:58.559 --> 00:23:59.259
 have the right

00:23:59.259 --> 00:24:00.279
 and the responsibility

00:24:00.279 --> 00:24:01.779
 to require certain things

00:24:01.779 --> 00:24:02.479
 from their members

00:24:02.479 --> 00:24:04.199
 in order to

00:24:04.199 --> 00:24:05.859
 pay careful attention

00:24:05.859 --> 00:24:06.859
 to all the flock

00:24:06.859 --> 00:24:08.419
 and to care

00:24:08.419 --> 00:24:09.319
 for the church of God.

00:24:09.399 --> 00:24:10.899
 This is Acts 20, 28.

00:24:11.639 --> 00:24:11.819
 Okay?

00:24:12.519 --> 00:24:13.339
 People want

00:24:13.339 --> 00:24:14.239
 to be cared for.

00:24:14.240 --> 00:24:15.859
 They want careful attention.

00:24:16.420 --> 00:24:17.539
 They want to be cared for

00:24:17.539 --> 00:24:19.079
 in the church of God.

00:24:19.500 --> 00:24:20.120
 Then church leaders

00:24:20.120 --> 00:24:21.240
 have the right responsibility

00:24:21.240 --> 00:24:22.539
 to require certain things

00:24:22.539 --> 00:24:23.019
 from their members

00:24:23.019 --> 00:24:24.079
 so that this can be done.

00:24:24.980 --> 00:24:25.380
 Okay?

00:24:25.960 --> 00:24:26.920
 And so that they can

00:24:26.920 --> 00:24:28.259
 keep watch over their souls.

00:24:28.380 --> 00:24:30.220
 Hebrews 13, 13, 17.

00:24:30.960 --> 00:24:32.039
 The Bible goes on to say,

00:24:32.240 --> 00:24:33.359
 let them do this with joy

00:24:33.359 --> 00:24:34.880
 and not with groaning,

00:24:35.279 --> 00:24:35.799
 for that would be

00:24:35.799 --> 00:24:36.940
 of no advantage to you.

00:24:37.539 --> 00:24:38.940
 So making it difficult

00:24:38.940 --> 00:24:40.180
 for elders to do this

00:24:40.180 --> 00:24:41.019
 is of no advantage.

00:24:41.140 --> 00:24:41.839
 Making it so that

00:24:41.839 --> 00:24:42.740
 there's no joy in it.

00:24:42.740 --> 00:24:44.160
 So in order for there

00:24:44.160 --> 00:24:44.980
 to be joy in it,

00:24:45.059 --> 00:24:45.819
 there has to be

00:24:45.819 --> 00:24:46.900
 some level of organization.

00:24:46.900 --> 00:24:47.680
 There has to be

00:24:47.680 --> 00:24:49.380
 some means and way

00:24:49.380 --> 00:24:50.740
 for shepherds

00:24:50.740 --> 00:24:51.299
 to be able to

00:24:51.299 --> 00:24:52.059
 shepherd the flock.

00:24:53.019 --> 00:24:55.160
 And having a group

00:24:55.160 --> 00:24:56.200
 of people we can count on

00:24:56.200 --> 00:24:56.920
 to do their part

00:24:56.920 --> 00:24:58.559
 is also the best way

00:24:58.559 --> 00:25:00.120
 to care for all the parts.

00:25:00.640 --> 00:25:00.819
 Okay?

00:25:01.039 --> 00:25:02.240
 If we have a body

00:25:02.240 --> 00:25:03.240
 that's not healthy,

00:25:03.579 --> 00:25:04.400
 then we know

00:25:04.400 --> 00:25:05.279
 that there's not going

00:25:05.279 --> 00:25:06.000
 to be parts,

00:25:06.259 --> 00:25:07.279
 we know there's going

00:25:07.279 --> 00:25:07.759
 to be parts

00:25:07.759 --> 00:25:08.620
 that aren't cared for.

00:25:08.619 --> 00:25:10.639
 And that's not okay.

00:25:11.639 --> 00:25:12.579
 Membership lets the elders

00:25:12.579 --> 00:25:13.919
 know who they are

00:25:13.919 --> 00:25:14.839
 responsible for

00:25:14.839 --> 00:25:15.799
 and lets the members

00:25:15.799 --> 00:25:17.519
 know who they are

00:25:17.519 --> 00:25:18.599
 responsible to.

00:25:19.639 --> 00:25:20.319
 Membership is an

00:25:20.319 --> 00:25:21.219
 official recognition

00:25:21.219 --> 00:25:21.859
 of the elders'

00:25:22.059 --> 00:25:22.639
 responsibility

00:25:22.639 --> 00:25:23.839
 to keep watch

00:25:23.839 --> 00:25:24.859
 over a member's soul

00:25:24.859 --> 00:25:25.659
 as those who will

00:25:25.659 --> 00:25:26.579
 have to give an account,

00:25:27.079 --> 00:25:28.119
 an official recognition

00:25:28.119 --> 00:25:29.459
 of a member's responsibility

00:25:29.459 --> 00:25:30.759
 to obey and submit

00:25:30.759 --> 00:25:31.759
 to the elders' authority

00:25:31.759 --> 00:25:32.879
 for building them up.

00:25:33.519 --> 00:25:34.219
 St. Corinthians 10,

00:25:34.279 --> 00:25:34.799
 verse 8 says,

00:25:34.799 --> 00:25:35.519
 the reason that

00:25:35.519 --> 00:25:36.379
 authority is given

00:25:36.379 --> 00:25:37.720
 is to build up.

00:25:38.139 --> 00:25:38.859
 A lot of people

00:25:38.859 --> 00:25:39.639
 will talk about

00:25:39.639 --> 00:25:40.500
 abuse of authority,

00:25:40.639 --> 00:25:41.779
 which is definitely

00:25:41.779 --> 00:25:42.700
 something that happens.

00:25:43.440 --> 00:25:44.180
 But very rarely

00:25:44.180 --> 00:25:45.139
 do people talk about

00:25:45.139 --> 00:25:46.399
 underuse of authority.

00:25:47.419 --> 00:25:48.440
 And if authority

00:25:48.440 --> 00:25:49.460
 is given for the

00:25:49.460 --> 00:25:50.819
 building up of the body,

00:25:51.539 --> 00:25:53.200
 to not use that authority

00:25:53.200 --> 00:25:54.339
 is to forfeit

00:25:54.339 --> 00:25:55.399
 the grace that God

00:25:55.399 --> 00:25:56.519
 has given to build up.

00:25:57.039 --> 00:25:57.919
 And that is also

00:25:57.919 --> 00:25:58.619
 a travesty.

00:25:58.899 --> 00:25:59.559
 Of course people

00:25:59.559 --> 00:26:00.460
 shouldn't abuse authority.

00:26:00.539 --> 00:26:01.099
 That's wrong.

00:26:01.819 --> 00:26:02.299
 That's not how

00:26:02.299 --> 00:26:03.319
 authority should be used.

00:26:03.319 --> 00:26:05.059
 But sometimes

00:26:05.059 --> 00:26:05.819
 in an effort

00:26:05.819 --> 00:26:06.960
 or because of a

00:26:06.960 --> 00:26:07.700
 trigger reaction

00:26:07.700 --> 00:26:08.939
 to abuse of authority,

00:26:09.259 --> 00:26:10.619
 we recoil at all authority

00:26:10.619 --> 00:26:11.439
 when authority

00:26:11.439 --> 00:26:13.159
 is a gift given by God

00:26:13.159 --> 00:26:14.119
 to build up

00:26:14.119 --> 00:26:15.240
 his church.

00:26:15.779 --> 00:26:16.159
 So authority

00:26:16.159 --> 00:26:17.000
 must be used.

00:26:17.639 --> 00:26:18.740
 Authority must be used.

00:26:18.839 --> 00:26:19.759
 It's used to give up.

00:26:20.179 --> 00:26:20.839
 And we

00:26:20.839 --> 00:26:22.500
 are against abuse,

00:26:22.599 --> 00:26:23.059
 but we're also

00:26:23.059 --> 00:26:24.480
 against underuse.

00:26:29.039 --> 00:26:29.919
 Our partners

00:26:29.919 --> 00:26:30.460
 are the ones

00:26:30.460 --> 00:26:31.439
 whom elders

00:26:31.439 --> 00:26:32.039
 are accountable

00:26:32.039 --> 00:26:32.599
 for leading

00:26:32.599 --> 00:26:33.439
 and who in return

00:26:33.439 --> 00:26:34.019
 are accountable

00:26:34.019 --> 00:26:34.659
 to elders

00:26:34.659 --> 00:26:35.619
 for growing

00:26:35.619 --> 00:26:36.399
 and participating

00:26:36.399 --> 00:26:37.119
 in the mission

00:26:37.119 --> 00:26:37.619
 of God.

00:26:38.399 --> 00:26:39.199
 So don't be embarrassed

00:26:39.199 --> 00:26:39.859
 by your leaders

00:26:39.859 --> 00:26:40.419
 using their

00:26:40.419 --> 00:26:41.439
 God-given authority

00:26:41.439 --> 00:26:42.500
 and requiring

00:26:42.500 --> 00:26:43.319
 a lot from people.

00:26:43.639 --> 00:26:44.179
 That's what the Bible

00:26:44.179 --> 00:26:46.159
 calls caring for people.

00:26:46.959 --> 00:26:47.639
 The kind of leadership

00:26:47.639 --> 00:26:48.779
 you should be embarrassed

00:26:48.779 --> 00:26:50.639
 by and apologize for

00:26:50.639 --> 00:26:51.500
 is the kind of leadership

00:26:51.500 --> 00:26:52.839
 that doesn't require

00:26:52.839 --> 00:26:53.719
 what God requires

00:26:53.719 --> 00:26:54.119
 of them

00:26:54.119 --> 00:26:55.399
 because that's a leadership

00:26:55.399 --> 00:26:56.379
 that doesn't care.

00:26:57.159 --> 00:26:58.039
 That's a leadership

00:26:58.039 --> 00:26:58.679
 that doesn't pay

00:26:58.679 --> 00:26:59.539
 careful attention.

00:26:59.539 --> 00:27:00.859
 And that's a leadership

00:27:00.859 --> 00:27:01.759
 that isn't keeping

00:27:01.759 --> 00:27:02.839
 watch over your soul.

00:27:03.559 --> 00:27:04.559
 And that's not the right

00:27:04.559 --> 00:27:05.139
 kind of leadership.

00:27:06.539 --> 00:27:07.420
 Number seven,

00:27:07.819 --> 00:27:08.480
 why partnership?

00:27:09.639 --> 00:27:10.639
 To be refreshed.

00:27:11.319 --> 00:27:12.119
 To be refreshed.

00:27:12.839 --> 00:27:14.099
 Bilemon 4-7

00:27:14.099 --> 00:27:14.500
 says,

00:27:14.500 --> 00:27:15.420
 I thank my God

00:27:15.420 --> 00:27:16.920
 always when I remember

00:27:16.920 --> 00:27:17.839
 you in my prayers

00:27:17.839 --> 00:27:18.920
 because I hear

00:27:18.920 --> 00:27:19.619
 of your love

00:27:19.619 --> 00:27:20.859
 and of the faith

00:27:20.859 --> 00:27:21.319
 that you have

00:27:21.319 --> 00:27:22.259
 toward the Lord Jesus

00:27:22.259 --> 00:27:23.859
 and for all the saints.

00:27:24.039 --> 00:27:24.720
 And I pray

00:27:24.720 --> 00:27:25.779
 that the sharing

00:27:25.779 --> 00:27:26.319
 of your faith

00:27:26.319 --> 00:27:27.779
 may become effective

00:27:27.779 --> 00:27:28.720
 for the full knowledge

00:27:28.720 --> 00:27:29.680
 of every good thing

00:27:29.680 --> 00:27:30.740
 that is in us

00:27:30.740 --> 00:27:31.859
 for the sake of Christ.

00:27:32.500 --> 00:27:33.180
 For I have derived

00:27:33.180 --> 00:27:34.220
 much joy

00:27:34.220 --> 00:27:35.180
 and comfort

00:27:35.180 --> 00:27:36.059
 from your love,

00:27:36.619 --> 00:27:37.019
 my brother,

00:27:37.119 --> 00:27:38.019
 because the hearts

00:27:38.019 --> 00:27:38.940
 of the saints

00:27:38.940 --> 00:27:40.319
 have been refreshed

00:27:40.319 --> 00:27:41.480
 through you.

00:27:41.480 --> 00:27:42.759
 Okay?

00:27:43.160 --> 00:27:43.860
 So I have derived

00:27:43.860 --> 00:27:44.819
 much joy

00:27:44.819 --> 00:27:46.059
 and comfort

00:27:46.059 --> 00:27:46.740
 from your love,

00:27:46.799 --> 00:27:47.180
 my brother,

00:27:47.259 --> 00:27:48.000
 because the hearts

00:27:48.000 --> 00:27:48.799
 of the saints

00:27:48.799 --> 00:27:50.299
 have been refreshed

00:27:50.299 --> 00:27:51.420
 through you.

00:27:52.059 --> 00:27:52.480
 He says,

00:27:52.660 --> 00:27:54.120
 he thanks God

00:27:54.120 --> 00:27:54.599
 whenever he even

00:27:54.599 --> 00:27:55.360
 thinks of them.

00:27:56.140 --> 00:27:56.279
 Okay?

00:27:56.319 --> 00:27:56.920
 What does it mean

00:27:56.920 --> 00:27:57.720
 to be refreshed?

00:27:57.819 --> 00:27:58.559
 What's the definition

00:27:58.559 --> 00:27:59.059
 of refresh?

00:28:00.480 --> 00:28:01.559
 Synonyms of refresh

00:28:01.559 --> 00:28:02.440
 are restore,

00:28:03.180 --> 00:28:03.680
 strengthen,

00:28:04.339 --> 00:28:05.120
 revive,

00:28:05.599 --> 00:28:06.339
 replenish,

00:28:06.860 --> 00:28:07.720
 reinvigorate.

00:28:08.220 --> 00:28:08.940
 When's the last time

00:28:08.940 --> 00:28:09.779
 you thought of being

00:28:09.779 --> 00:28:10.420
 with the saints

00:28:10.420 --> 00:28:11.420
 doing those things?

00:28:12.220 --> 00:28:12.819
 Okay?

00:28:12.960 --> 00:28:14.160
 The antonym of refresh

00:28:14.160 --> 00:28:15.519
 is exhaust,

00:28:15.819 --> 00:28:16.180
 tire,

00:28:16.779 --> 00:28:17.259
 drain,

00:28:17.440 --> 00:28:17.940
 deplete,

00:28:18.420 --> 00:28:18.700
 weary,

00:28:19.059 --> 00:28:19.559
 wear out,

00:28:19.759 --> 00:28:20.059
 burden.

00:28:21.480 --> 00:28:21.759
 Okay?

00:28:22.339 --> 00:28:23.360
 A while ago,

00:28:23.900 --> 00:28:25.380
 I heard of a pregnant woman

00:28:25.380 --> 00:28:27.480
 who said to someone

00:28:27.480 --> 00:28:28.400
 that she really wanted

00:28:28.400 --> 00:28:29.640
 to go to the monthly

00:28:29.640 --> 00:28:30.519
 partners meeting

00:28:30.519 --> 00:28:31.940
 because she knew

00:28:31.940 --> 00:28:33.120
 at the time

00:28:33.120 --> 00:28:34.180
 that she'd be missing

00:28:34.180 --> 00:28:35.079
 church gatherings

00:28:35.079 --> 00:28:36.579
 soon after she gives birth

00:28:36.579 --> 00:28:38.240
 and she loves to worship

00:28:38.240 --> 00:28:39.460
 and be with God's people.

00:28:39.460 --> 00:28:42.019
 But a lot of times

00:28:42.019 --> 00:28:42.700
 I've also heard

00:28:42.700 --> 00:28:43.519
 people say

00:28:43.519 --> 00:28:45.160
 things quite different

00:28:45.160 --> 00:28:46.079
 from this pregnant woman.

00:28:46.519 --> 00:28:47.039
 They might say

00:28:47.039 --> 00:28:47.579
 something like,

00:28:47.740 --> 00:28:48.920
 I'm staying home

00:28:48.920 --> 00:28:50.640
 because I have

00:28:50.640 --> 00:28:51.460
 so much going on

00:28:51.460 --> 00:28:52.360
 or

00:28:52.360 --> 00:28:53.759
 I'm staying home

00:28:53.759 --> 00:28:55.120
 because I'm exhausted,

00:28:55.519 --> 00:28:55.940
 tired,

00:28:56.200 --> 00:28:56.620
 drained,

00:28:56.799 --> 00:28:57.279
 depleted,

00:28:57.480 --> 00:28:57.779
 weary,

00:28:58.039 --> 00:28:58.460
 worn out,

00:28:58.500 --> 00:28:59.140
 or burdened,

00:28:59.480 --> 00:29:00.559
 which is all the antonyms

00:29:00.559 --> 00:29:01.259
 of refreshed.

00:29:01.799 --> 00:29:02.240
 People say,

00:29:02.319 --> 00:29:03.120
 that's why I'm staying home.

00:29:03.200 --> 00:29:04.019
 I'm not going to

00:29:04.019 --> 00:29:05.039
 gather with the saints

00:29:05.039 --> 00:29:05.839
 because I'm exhausted,

00:29:06.039 --> 00:29:06.579
 I'm tired,

00:29:06.720 --> 00:29:07.339
 I'm drained,

00:29:07.460 --> 00:29:08.379
 I'm depleted,

00:29:08.480 --> 00:29:08.779
 I'm weary,

00:29:08.879 --> 00:29:09.259
 I'm worn out,

00:29:09.299 --> 00:29:10.359
 I'm burdened.

00:29:10.779 --> 00:29:11.180
 Basically,

00:29:11.299 --> 00:29:12.220
 I'm staying home

00:29:12.220 --> 00:29:13.359
 because I'm not refreshed,

00:29:13.460 --> 00:29:13.700
 right?

00:29:14.319 --> 00:29:14.839
 Is that fair?

00:29:15.279 --> 00:29:15.920
 I'm staying home

00:29:15.920 --> 00:29:16.899
 because I'm not refreshed.

00:29:17.559 --> 00:29:18.460
 But let me just say,

00:29:18.559 --> 00:29:19.200
 this is important.

00:29:19.899 --> 00:29:20.539
 If you're doing that,

00:29:20.599 --> 00:29:21.839
 you're skipping the wrong thing

00:29:21.839 --> 00:29:24.220
 and you have a fundamental

00:29:24.220 --> 00:29:25.379
 misunderstanding

00:29:25.379 --> 00:29:26.619
 of the church.

00:29:27.399 --> 00:29:27.639
 Okay?

00:29:28.099 --> 00:29:28.500
 Remember,

00:29:28.740 --> 00:29:29.759
 Philemon 7 said,

00:29:29.759 --> 00:29:31.180
 I have derived much joy

00:29:31.180 --> 00:29:32.579
 and comfort from your love,

00:29:32.640 --> 00:29:33.099
 my brother,

00:29:33.519 --> 00:29:35.059
 because the hearts of the saints

00:29:35.059 --> 00:29:36.460
 have been refreshed

00:29:36.460 --> 00:29:37.680
 through you.

00:29:38.240 --> 00:29:39.160
 Do you have a view

00:29:39.160 --> 00:29:39.960
 of the church

00:29:39.960 --> 00:29:41.319
 that when you're tired

00:29:41.319 --> 00:29:41.960
 and weary

00:29:41.960 --> 00:29:42.599
 and broken

00:29:42.599 --> 00:29:43.960
 is actually

00:29:43.960 --> 00:29:44.879
 you're refreshing?

00:29:46.059 --> 00:29:47.599
 There's a worldly experience

00:29:47.599 --> 00:29:48.259
 of church

00:29:48.259 --> 00:29:50.740
 that attends gatherings

00:29:50.740 --> 00:29:51.400
 and meetings

00:29:51.400 --> 00:29:53.240
 out of a religious obligation

00:29:53.240 --> 00:29:54.779
 and deserts them

00:29:54.779 --> 00:29:56.220
 whenever needing refreshment.

00:29:56.940 --> 00:29:57.859
 And there's an experience

00:29:57.859 --> 00:29:58.259
 of church

00:29:58.259 --> 00:29:59.119
 that does its best

00:29:59.119 --> 00:30:00.319
 to come together often

00:30:00.319 --> 00:30:01.439
 out of longing

00:30:01.439 --> 00:30:02.959
 to be with one another

00:30:02.959 --> 00:30:05.619
 so that they might be refreshed.

00:30:06.239 --> 00:30:07.039
 Which is the version

00:30:07.039 --> 00:30:08.059
 of church that you see?

00:30:08.179 --> 00:30:08.739
 Do you see it

00:30:08.739 --> 00:30:10.339
 as some religious obligation

00:30:10.339 --> 00:30:11.199
 that when you're tired

00:30:11.199 --> 00:30:11.579
 and weary

00:30:11.579 --> 00:30:12.159
 you avoid?

00:30:12.859 --> 00:30:13.919
 Or do you see it

00:30:13.919 --> 00:30:14.479
 as something

00:30:14.479 --> 00:30:16.059
 that is a people

00:30:16.059 --> 00:30:17.459
 that you long for

00:30:17.459 --> 00:30:18.299
 to be with

00:30:18.299 --> 00:30:19.779
 so you can be refreshed?

00:30:20.299 --> 00:30:21.479
 This is the biblical view.

00:30:24.179 --> 00:30:25.319
 Philippians 4.1

00:30:25.319 --> 00:30:26.019
 says,

00:30:26.259 --> 00:30:26.739
 My brothers

00:30:26.739 --> 00:30:28.219
 whom I love

00:30:28.220 --> 00:30:29.420
 and long for

00:30:29.420 --> 00:30:30.600
 my joy and crown

00:30:30.600 --> 00:30:31.700
 stand firm thus

00:30:31.700 --> 00:30:32.259
 in the Lord

00:30:32.259 --> 00:30:33.299
 my beloved.

00:30:34.100 --> 00:30:34.759
 You know,

00:30:34.880 --> 00:30:36.120
 you're never going to be refreshed

00:30:36.120 --> 00:30:36.620
 by people

00:30:36.620 --> 00:30:37.299
 that you don't love

00:30:37.299 --> 00:30:37.980
 and long for.

00:30:38.700 --> 00:30:39.579
 But when you do

00:30:39.579 --> 00:30:40.720
 love and long for people

00:30:40.720 --> 00:30:41.500
 it's refreshing

00:30:41.500 --> 00:30:42.259
 to see them.

00:30:43.200 --> 00:30:43.839
 And if you've never

00:30:43.839 --> 00:30:44.779
 experienced church

00:30:44.779 --> 00:30:45.519
 in such a way

00:30:45.519 --> 00:30:46.680
 that when you see people

00:30:46.680 --> 00:30:48.559
 you feel filled up.

00:30:49.100 --> 00:30:49.759
 You feel

00:30:49.759 --> 00:30:51.100
 ah,

00:30:51.500 --> 00:30:52.680
 it's good to see you.

00:30:52.880 --> 00:30:53.799
 I miss you.

00:30:54.360 --> 00:30:55.000
 Seeing you

00:30:55.000 --> 00:30:56.559
 gets me excited.

00:30:56.839 --> 00:30:57.380
 Seeing you

00:30:57.380 --> 00:30:58.819
 makes me feel

00:30:58.819 --> 00:30:59.839
 rest.

00:31:00.660 --> 00:31:01.339
 Seeing you

00:31:01.339 --> 00:31:02.480
 being with you

00:31:02.480 --> 00:31:03.819
 singing with you

00:31:03.819 --> 00:31:05.180
 worshipping with you

00:31:05.180 --> 00:31:06.220
 is a relief.

00:31:06.660 --> 00:31:07.380
 It's a joy.

00:31:08.019 --> 00:31:08.519
 Some of you

00:31:08.519 --> 00:31:09.240
 maybe have never

00:31:09.240 --> 00:31:10.339
 known church that way

00:31:10.339 --> 00:31:11.299
 but I know

00:31:11.299 --> 00:31:12.000
 from experience

00:31:12.000 --> 00:31:12.980
 there is church

00:31:12.980 --> 00:31:13.480
 that way.

00:31:14.319 --> 00:31:15.000
 There is church

00:31:15.000 --> 00:31:15.519
 that way.

00:31:15.980 --> 00:31:16.940
 And in my experience

00:31:16.940 --> 00:31:17.880
 some of the most

00:31:17.880 --> 00:31:18.680
 refreshing thing

00:31:18.680 --> 00:31:19.660
 I've ever experienced

00:31:19.660 --> 00:31:19.720
 Christ

00:31:19.720 --> 00:31:21.259
 is the body

00:31:21.259 --> 00:31:21.880
 of Christ.

00:31:22.440 --> 00:31:23.440
 And at my lowest

00:31:23.440 --> 00:31:24.180
 times

00:31:24.180 --> 00:31:25.640
 my most weary

00:31:25.640 --> 00:31:26.420
 and discouraged

00:31:26.420 --> 00:31:27.019
 times

00:31:27.019 --> 00:31:28.800
 the people of God

00:31:28.800 --> 00:31:30.340
 putting on

00:31:30.340 --> 00:31:31.019
 the character

00:31:31.019 --> 00:31:31.779
 of Christ

00:31:31.779 --> 00:31:32.820
 have been

00:31:32.820 --> 00:31:34.259
 my most

00:31:34.259 --> 00:31:35.320
 greatest refreshment.

00:31:36.160 --> 00:31:36.560
 And if you

00:31:36.560 --> 00:31:36.860
 have never

00:31:36.860 --> 00:31:37.700
 experienced that

00:31:37.700 --> 00:31:38.440
 my hope

00:31:38.440 --> 00:31:39.500
 and my longing

00:31:39.500 --> 00:31:40.700
 is that you would

00:31:40.700 --> 00:31:41.759
 because this is

00:31:41.759 --> 00:31:42.180
 the way God

00:31:42.180 --> 00:31:42.759
 meant the church

00:31:42.759 --> 00:31:43.160
 to be.

00:31:43.380 --> 00:31:44.259
 Not just a

00:31:44.259 --> 00:31:45.460
 series of religious

00:31:45.460 --> 00:31:46.120
 obligations

00:31:46.120 --> 00:31:47.080
 that you avoid

00:31:47.080 --> 00:31:47.720
 when you're tired

00:31:47.720 --> 00:31:48.900
 but actually

00:31:48.900 --> 00:31:49.860
 a group of people

00:31:49.860 --> 00:31:50.779
 that are your

00:31:50.779 --> 00:31:51.460
 refreshment.

00:31:52.600 --> 00:31:53.279
 When you think

00:31:53.279 --> 00:31:53.920
 of refreshments

00:31:53.920 --> 00:31:54.500
 what do you think?

00:31:54.720 --> 00:31:55.339
 That's another word

00:31:55.339 --> 00:31:56.200
 for a drink, right?

00:31:56.779 --> 00:31:57.480
 You take a drink

00:31:57.480 --> 00:31:58.519
 to refresh yourself.

00:31:58.980 --> 00:31:59.339
 I would hope

00:31:59.339 --> 00:31:59.819
 the church

00:31:59.819 --> 00:32:00.539
 would become that

00:32:00.539 --> 00:32:01.180
 to one another.

00:32:02.200 --> 00:32:02.680
 Hebrews 10

00:32:02.680 --> 00:32:03.940
 24-25

00:32:03.940 --> 00:32:04.640
 says

00:32:04.640 --> 00:32:05.339
 Let us consider

00:32:05.339 --> 00:32:06.039
 how to stir up

00:32:06.039 --> 00:32:06.500
 one another

00:32:06.500 --> 00:32:07.980
 to love and good works

00:32:07.980 --> 00:32:09.079
 not neglecting

00:32:09.079 --> 00:32:09.839
 to meet together

00:32:09.839 --> 00:32:10.779
 as is the habit

00:32:10.779 --> 00:32:11.240
 of some

00:32:11.240 --> 00:32:12.000
 but encouraging

00:32:12.000 --> 00:32:12.620
 one another

00:32:12.620 --> 00:32:13.660
 and all the more

00:32:13.660 --> 00:32:14.120
 as you see

00:32:14.120 --> 00:32:14.960
 the day approaching.

00:32:15.740 --> 00:32:15.880
 Okay?

00:32:16.079 --> 00:32:17.000
 So that's what

00:32:17.000 --> 00:32:17.660
 it's to be a group

00:32:17.660 --> 00:32:18.039
 of people

00:32:18.039 --> 00:32:18.720
 that are encouraging

00:32:18.720 --> 00:32:19.220
 one another

00:32:19.220 --> 00:32:20.039
 which is why

00:32:20.039 --> 00:32:20.920
 it's so important

00:32:20.920 --> 00:32:22.299
 that the church

00:32:22.299 --> 00:32:23.460
 isn't just a group

00:32:23.460 --> 00:32:23.880
 of people

00:32:23.880 --> 00:32:24.500
 who are gathered

00:32:24.500 --> 00:32:25.480
 on their own terms

00:32:25.480 --> 00:32:26.660
 because if everybody

00:32:26.660 --> 00:32:27.240
 is looking for

00:32:27.240 --> 00:32:28.000
 their own terms

00:32:28.000 --> 00:32:28.880
 and their own desires

00:32:28.880 --> 00:32:29.579
 and their own

00:32:29.579 --> 00:32:30.680
 what I want

00:32:30.680 --> 00:32:31.960
 then no one

00:32:31.960 --> 00:32:32.559
 gets blessed

00:32:32.559 --> 00:32:33.220
 and no one

00:32:33.220 --> 00:32:33.900
 gets refreshed.

00:32:34.059 --> 00:32:34.740
 That's a great way

00:32:34.740 --> 00:32:35.740
 to build a church

00:32:35.740 --> 00:32:37.779
 in so much so

00:32:37.779 --> 00:32:38.779
 that it doesn't

00:32:38.779 --> 00:32:39.519
 refresh anybody.

00:32:40.640 --> 00:32:41.640
 And some of us

00:32:41.640 --> 00:32:42.259
 experience church

00:32:42.259 --> 00:32:42.680
 like that.

00:32:42.839 --> 00:32:43.519
 It's about as lame

00:32:43.519 --> 00:32:44.259
 as lame can be

00:32:44.259 --> 00:32:45.559
 and I have zero

00:32:45.559 --> 00:32:46.220
 interest in it

00:32:46.220 --> 00:32:46.759
 and I know you

00:32:46.759 --> 00:32:47.200
 do too.

00:32:47.579 --> 00:32:48.559
 So let's build

00:32:48.559 --> 00:32:49.100
 a church that

00:32:49.100 --> 00:32:49.759
 refreshes.

00:32:50.279 --> 00:32:51.000
 Well, we believe

00:32:51.000 --> 00:32:51.380
 we do that

00:32:51.380 --> 00:32:51.940
 through partnership.

00:32:52.160 --> 00:32:52.839
 Don't be embarrassed

00:32:52.839 --> 00:32:53.880
 by requiring people

00:32:53.880 --> 00:32:54.720
 to meet together.

00:32:55.620 --> 00:32:56.600
 Don't be embarrassed

00:32:56.600 --> 00:32:57.360
 by what God

00:32:57.360 --> 00:32:58.799
 designed to truly

00:32:58.799 --> 00:33:00.720
 refresh one another.

00:33:02.380 --> 00:33:03.200
 Number eight.

00:33:04.079 --> 00:33:05.140
 Got three more here.

00:33:05.420 --> 00:33:05.860
 Number eight.

00:33:05.980 --> 00:33:06.740
 Why partnership?

00:33:07.559 --> 00:33:07.740
 Okay?

00:33:08.039 --> 00:33:09.140
 Because the people

00:33:09.140 --> 00:33:10.640
 are the attraction.

00:33:11.259 --> 00:33:11.940
 The people

00:33:11.940 --> 00:33:12.839
 are the attraction.

00:33:12.839 --> 00:33:15.799
 Some of you

00:33:15.799 --> 00:33:16.480
 have come from

00:33:16.480 --> 00:33:17.220
 or are used to

00:33:17.220 --> 00:33:18.059
 or have only known

00:33:18.059 --> 00:33:19.079
 a form of church

00:33:19.079 --> 00:33:20.259
 where essentially

00:33:20.259 --> 00:33:21.599
 products and services

00:33:21.599 --> 00:33:22.720
 are the main

00:33:22.720 --> 00:33:24.059
 attraction for the church.

00:33:24.679 --> 00:33:25.579
 What I oftentimes

00:33:25.579 --> 00:33:26.599
 call the holy trinity

00:33:26.599 --> 00:33:27.399
 of church planting.

00:33:27.659 --> 00:33:27.779
 Right?

00:33:28.000 --> 00:33:28.639
 The worship,

00:33:28.819 --> 00:33:29.480
 the child care,

00:33:29.619 --> 00:33:31.259
 and the charismatic

00:33:31.259 --> 00:33:31.819
 preacher.

00:33:32.259 --> 00:33:32.459
 Right?

00:33:32.879 --> 00:33:33.399
 And so,

00:33:33.879 --> 00:33:34.299
 it's like,

00:33:34.439 --> 00:33:35.879
 what draws people

00:33:35.879 --> 00:33:36.639
 to the church?

00:33:36.839 --> 00:33:37.039
 Well,

00:33:37.119 --> 00:33:37.759
 it's because,

00:33:38.159 --> 00:33:38.339
 man,

00:33:38.399 --> 00:33:38.879
 that preacher,

00:33:39.000 --> 00:33:40.000
 he's a charismatic guy.

00:33:40.079 --> 00:33:41.299
 He knows how to really speak.

00:33:41.299 --> 00:33:42.279
 He's a great speaker.

00:33:42.779 --> 00:33:43.599
 That worship team

00:33:43.599 --> 00:33:44.220
 is incredible.

00:33:44.359 --> 00:33:44.879
 They're talented.

00:33:45.139 --> 00:33:46.779
 They're a well-oiled machine.

00:33:47.240 --> 00:33:47.519
 And man,

00:33:47.579 --> 00:33:47.960
 have you been to

00:33:47.960 --> 00:33:48.879
 the child care ministry?

00:33:49.379 --> 00:33:50.259
 It's amazing.

00:33:50.379 --> 00:33:51.079
 The kids love it.

00:33:51.240 --> 00:33:52.519
 It's over the top.

00:33:52.799 --> 00:33:53.819
 And that's what's

00:33:53.819 --> 00:33:54.519
 drawing people.

00:33:54.980 --> 00:33:55.240
 And so,

00:33:55.299 --> 00:33:55.779
 basically,

00:33:56.079 --> 00:33:57.440
 it's products and services

00:33:57.440 --> 00:33:58.259
 that are consumed

00:33:58.259 --> 00:33:59.000
 by the masses.

00:33:59.839 --> 00:34:00.180
 All right?

00:34:01.339 --> 00:34:01.819
 But,

00:34:02.139 --> 00:34:04.039
 that's not what

00:34:04.039 --> 00:34:04.759
 we're going after.

00:34:05.240 --> 00:34:06.019
 We're not going after

00:34:06.019 --> 00:34:06.960
 products and services

00:34:06.960 --> 00:34:08.079
 provided by a few.

00:34:08.300 --> 00:34:09.300
 We're actually going after

00:34:09.300 --> 00:34:09.920
 a demonstration

00:34:09.920 --> 00:34:10.740
 of the kingdom,

00:34:10.960 --> 00:34:12.139
 the king and the kingdom

00:34:12.139 --> 00:34:13.099
 by all.

00:34:13.780 --> 00:34:13.980
 Okay?

00:34:14.079 --> 00:34:14.880
 Let me say that again.

00:34:15.240 --> 00:34:15.880
 We're not looking for

00:34:15.880 --> 00:34:17.039
 products and services

00:34:17.039 --> 00:34:18.440
 provided by a few.

00:34:18.760 --> 00:34:19.579
 We're looking for

00:34:19.579 --> 00:34:20.220
 a demonstration

00:34:20.220 --> 00:34:21.180
 of the king

00:34:21.180 --> 00:34:21.960
 and the kingdom

00:34:21.960 --> 00:34:23.340
 provided by all.

00:34:24.440 --> 00:34:25.380
 That's what the church

00:34:25.380 --> 00:34:25.920
 should be.

00:34:26.500 --> 00:34:26.780
 Okay?

00:34:27.139 --> 00:34:27.800
 That's why we need

00:34:27.800 --> 00:34:28.300
 partnership.

00:34:29.099 --> 00:34:30.200
 Because without partnership,

00:34:30.680 --> 00:34:31.519
 you have a few people

00:34:31.519 --> 00:34:32.440
 doing all the work.

00:34:33.280 --> 00:34:34.860
 And instead of participants,

00:34:35.099 --> 00:34:35.860
 you have consumers.

00:34:36.920 --> 00:34:37.579
 A bunch of people

00:34:37.579 --> 00:34:38.320
 coming to get,

00:34:38.320 --> 00:34:39.400
 rather than a bunch of people

00:34:39.400 --> 00:34:40.059
 coming to give.

00:34:40.380 --> 00:34:41.000
 Which is why we,

00:34:41.420 --> 00:34:42.600
 at Bella Costa,

00:34:42.820 --> 00:34:43.440
 sending church

00:34:43.440 --> 00:34:44.200
 that sent us out,

00:34:44.280 --> 00:34:45.080
 we used to call

00:34:45.080 --> 00:34:46.340
 membership just membership.

00:34:46.900 --> 00:34:47.760
 And we realized that

00:34:47.760 --> 00:34:48.940
 everyone's view of membership

00:34:48.940 --> 00:34:49.900
 nowadays in our

00:34:49.900 --> 00:34:51.700
 Costco gym membership

00:34:51.700 --> 00:34:53.240
 culture just says

00:34:53.240 --> 00:34:54.220
 you get a membership

00:34:54.220 --> 00:34:54.600
 and it's like,

00:34:54.680 --> 00:34:54.860
 hey,

00:34:55.280 --> 00:34:56.059
 what do I get now?

00:34:56.380 --> 00:34:57.240
 What do I get?

00:34:57.340 --> 00:34:57.740
 And we're like,

00:34:58.160 --> 00:34:59.120
 no,

00:34:59.380 --> 00:34:59.860
 that's not what

00:34:59.860 --> 00:35:00.880
 we're trying to do here.

00:35:01.400 --> 00:35:02.400
 And so we started using

00:35:02.400 --> 00:35:03.519
 a different biblical word,

00:35:03.660 --> 00:35:04.059
 partnership,

00:35:04.420 --> 00:35:05.760
 to describe our membership

00:35:05.760 --> 00:35:06.680
 because that's really

00:35:06.680 --> 00:35:07.280
 what the Bible

00:35:07.280 --> 00:35:08.060
 is teaching when it's

00:35:08.060 --> 00:35:08.820
 talking about membership.

00:35:09.340 --> 00:35:09.880
 And that's what we're

00:35:09.880 --> 00:35:10.620
 trying to get across.

00:35:10.740 --> 00:35:11.720
 That actually when you come

00:35:11.720 --> 00:35:13.600
 and become a partner

00:35:13.600 --> 00:35:14.500
 or a member of our church,

00:35:14.500 --> 00:35:15.040
 we're saying,

00:35:15.580 --> 00:35:15.820
 hey,

00:35:16.180 --> 00:35:16.900
 what can I give?

00:35:16.960 --> 00:35:17.780
 How can I lock arms?

00:35:17.860 --> 00:35:18.460
 How can I become

00:35:18.460 --> 00:35:19.420
 a part owner

00:35:19.420 --> 00:35:21.180
 in what's going on here

00:35:21.180 --> 00:35:22.420
 and provide value

00:35:22.420 --> 00:35:22.980
 for people?

00:35:23.380 --> 00:35:24.540
 And that in and of itself

00:35:24.540 --> 00:35:26.000
 becomes the thing

00:35:26.000 --> 00:35:26.680
 that attracts.

00:35:27.019 --> 00:35:28.440
 We hope to build

00:35:28.440 --> 00:35:29.519
 a church

00:35:29.519 --> 00:35:30.200
 where

00:35:30.200 --> 00:35:31.880
 the people

00:35:31.880 --> 00:35:32.740
 are the attraction

00:35:32.740 --> 00:35:33.980
 because everyone's

00:35:33.980 --> 00:35:34.660
 participating.

00:35:34.659 --> 00:35:34.739
 quality.

00:35:35.779 --> 00:35:36.399
 It's quality,

00:35:36.639 --> 00:35:36.920
 you know,

00:35:37.399 --> 00:35:38.779
 and the old kind of way

00:35:38.779 --> 00:35:39.460
 of thinking about it,

00:35:39.500 --> 00:35:40.139
 it's the quality

00:35:40.139 --> 00:35:40.980
 of the service

00:35:40.980 --> 00:35:42.159
 versus the quality

00:35:42.159 --> 00:35:42.739
 of the people.

00:35:43.719 --> 00:35:44.639
 At the end of the day,

00:35:44.839 --> 00:35:45.879
 we want to have

00:35:45.879 --> 00:35:46.980
 good quality services

00:35:46.980 --> 00:35:47.879
 on Sunday mornings

00:35:47.879 --> 00:35:48.699
 and whenever we gather.

00:35:49.219 --> 00:35:49.779
 But, you know,

00:35:49.879 --> 00:35:50.859
 sometimes some aren't

00:35:50.859 --> 00:35:51.779
 maybe as good as others,

00:35:51.779 --> 00:35:52.799
 but at the end of the day,

00:35:53.159 --> 00:35:54.339
 we can always fall back

00:35:54.339 --> 00:35:55.279
 on the people.

00:35:56.420 --> 00:35:57.179
 We can always fall back

00:35:57.179 --> 00:35:57.699
 on the people.

00:35:57.960 --> 00:35:59.139
 If your service sucks

00:35:59.139 --> 00:36:00.259
 and your people suck,

00:36:00.799 --> 00:36:01.099
 well,

00:36:01.119 --> 00:36:01.920
 then you're in big trouble.

00:36:01.920 --> 00:36:02.360
 Right?

00:36:03.420 --> 00:36:03.680
 Right?

00:36:04.260 --> 00:36:05.500
 So, but hopefully

00:36:05.500 --> 00:36:06.460
 you're not just relying

00:36:06.460 --> 00:36:07.059
 on the service

00:36:07.059 --> 00:36:07.720
 because the service

00:36:07.720 --> 00:36:08.340
 can go bad.

00:36:08.420 --> 00:36:09.079
 But with people,

00:36:09.460 --> 00:36:10.659
 if Jesus actually lives

00:36:10.659 --> 00:36:11.380
 in a group of people

00:36:11.380 --> 00:36:12.559
 and those group of people

00:36:12.559 --> 00:36:14.079
 are connected to one another

00:36:14.079 --> 00:36:14.980
 in the right way,

00:36:15.240 --> 00:36:16.320
 we should benefit

00:36:16.320 --> 00:36:17.539
 and we should be blessed

00:36:17.539 --> 00:36:19.079
 by the people of God.

00:36:19.220 --> 00:36:19.460
 Okay?

00:36:19.800 --> 00:36:21.039
 It's also the difference

00:36:21.039 --> 00:36:22.800
 between just meeting-centric

00:36:22.800 --> 00:36:23.420
 Christianity

00:36:23.420 --> 00:36:24.599
 versus all of life

00:36:24.599 --> 00:36:25.539
 where the meetings

00:36:25.539 --> 00:36:26.579
 are what attract people

00:36:26.579 --> 00:36:27.559
 rather than just

00:36:27.559 --> 00:36:28.599
 people in the everyday

00:36:28.599 --> 00:36:29.280
 stuff of life

00:36:29.280 --> 00:36:31.700
 around dining room tables

00:36:31.699 --> 00:36:32.939
 and living room couches

00:36:32.939 --> 00:36:34.460
 and that kind of thing

00:36:34.460 --> 00:36:35.419
 and backyards

00:36:35.419 --> 00:36:36.579
 and front yard porches.

00:36:37.439 --> 00:36:38.179
 It's the difference

00:36:38.179 --> 00:36:39.319
 between gifting and character

00:36:39.319 --> 00:36:40.379
 where gifting is what

00:36:40.379 --> 00:36:41.299
 draws people

00:36:41.299 --> 00:36:42.259
 rather than character

00:36:42.259 --> 00:36:43.579
 and make no mistake,

00:36:43.659 --> 00:36:44.659
 what you build with your gift,

00:36:44.719 --> 00:36:45.219
 you can destroy

00:36:45.219 --> 00:36:45.960
 with your character.

00:36:46.559 --> 00:36:47.039
 And many of us

00:36:47.039 --> 00:36:47.719
 have seen that.

00:36:47.819 --> 00:36:48.759
 We've experienced that.

00:36:49.159 --> 00:36:50.139
 We don't want to draw people

00:36:50.139 --> 00:36:51.059
 with our giftings.

00:36:51.199 --> 00:36:52.079
 We want to draw people

00:36:52.079 --> 00:36:53.239
 with the character of Jesus.

00:36:54.099 --> 00:36:54.619
 And so,

00:36:54.759 --> 00:36:55.460
 we don't want a couple

00:36:55.460 --> 00:36:57.099
 charismatic superstars

00:36:57.099 --> 00:36:57.759
 to win everybody

00:36:57.759 --> 00:36:58.500
 to our church.

00:36:58.500 --> 00:37:00.940
 We want the person

00:37:00.940 --> 00:37:01.880
 of Jesus,

00:37:02.239 --> 00:37:03.539
 Jesus himself,

00:37:03.900 --> 00:37:05.420
 manifested in the body

00:37:05.420 --> 00:37:06.019
 of Christ

00:37:06.019 --> 00:37:06.559
 to be the one

00:37:06.559 --> 00:37:07.380
 that draws people.

00:37:07.840 --> 00:37:09.019
 I was drawn to Jesus

00:37:09.019 --> 00:37:09.780
 in a people.

00:37:09.900 --> 00:37:10.480
 That's what we want

00:37:10.480 --> 00:37:11.199
 people to say.

00:37:12.840 --> 00:37:14.059
 And this really,

00:37:14.920 --> 00:37:15.599
 when done this way,

00:37:15.639 --> 00:37:16.820
 you avoid hypocrisy

00:37:16.820 --> 00:37:18.619
 because if you have

00:37:18.619 --> 00:37:19.619
 products and services

00:37:19.619 --> 00:37:21.139
 disconnected from character,

00:37:21.659 --> 00:37:23.679
 you very much open yourself

00:37:23.679 --> 00:37:24.679
 up to hypocrisy

00:37:24.679 --> 00:37:26.300
 versus the character

00:37:26.300 --> 00:37:26.880
 and community

00:37:26.880 --> 00:37:27.680
 of a people,

00:37:28.380 --> 00:37:29.760
 if it's the character

00:37:29.760 --> 00:37:30.180
 and community

00:37:30.180 --> 00:37:30.660
 of the people

00:37:30.660 --> 00:37:31.760
 that are the drawing point,

00:37:32.120 --> 00:37:32.720
 then there's no room

00:37:32.720 --> 00:37:33.420
 for hypocrisy

00:37:33.420 --> 00:37:34.200
 because either God

00:37:34.200 --> 00:37:34.980
 or you don't.

00:37:35.640 --> 00:37:36.300
 Whereas if you're

00:37:36.300 --> 00:37:37.620
 trying to draw people

00:37:37.620 --> 00:37:38.760
 with products and services

00:37:38.760 --> 00:37:40.340
 disconnected from character,

00:37:40.720 --> 00:37:41.980
 you can have the

00:37:41.980 --> 00:37:42.760
 dog and pony show

00:37:42.760 --> 00:37:43.519
 pull off

00:37:43.519 --> 00:37:45.039
 and not have character

00:37:45.039 --> 00:37:46.100
 and you can draw people

00:37:46.100 --> 00:37:47.539
 and then disillusion them

00:37:47.539 --> 00:37:47.960
 with the fact

00:37:47.960 --> 00:37:48.680
 that there's no character

00:37:48.680 --> 00:37:50.500
 behind your good production.

00:37:51.320 --> 00:37:52.060
 And that's dangerous.

00:37:53.000 --> 00:37:53.560
 And then when you go

00:37:53.560 --> 00:37:54.220
 church shopping,

00:37:54.219 --> 00:37:55.739
 you can shop for products

00:37:55.739 --> 00:37:56.299
 and services

00:37:56.299 --> 00:37:57.199
 or you can shop

00:37:57.199 --> 00:37:58.539
 for a people to partner with.

00:37:58.819 --> 00:37:59.779
 And that's what we're after.

00:38:00.199 --> 00:38:01.379
 We want anyone who's here

00:38:01.379 --> 00:38:02.079
 who's not a partner,

00:38:02.139 --> 00:38:02.480
 we're saying,

00:38:02.699 --> 00:38:03.919
 don't just shop for products

00:38:03.919 --> 00:38:04.439
 and services.

00:38:04.639 --> 00:38:05.239
 And at the end of the day,

00:38:05.239 --> 00:38:05.959
 we can't compete

00:38:05.959 --> 00:38:06.939
 with products and services.

00:38:07.079 --> 00:38:08.000
 There's way better churches

00:38:08.000 --> 00:38:08.779
 with better products.

00:38:09.559 --> 00:38:11.099
 But I would hope

00:38:11.099 --> 00:38:12.279
 that where we can,

00:38:12.759 --> 00:38:13.459
 where we do have something

00:38:13.459 --> 00:38:13.959
 to offer,

00:38:14.319 --> 00:38:14.819
 is that there's

00:38:14.819 --> 00:38:15.599
 a quality people

00:38:15.599 --> 00:38:16.699
 and there's a people

00:38:16.699 --> 00:38:17.679
 that you can partner with.

00:38:18.079 --> 00:38:19.059
 And that's the goal.

00:38:19.919 --> 00:38:20.939
 One is volunteers

00:38:20.940 --> 00:38:21.760
 on your terms.

00:38:22.200 --> 00:38:23.579
 The other is disciples

00:38:23.579 --> 00:38:24.800
 on God's terms.

00:38:25.700 --> 00:38:25.860
 Okay?

00:38:26.420 --> 00:38:27.700
 John 13, 35 says,

00:38:27.780 --> 00:38:28.619
 by this all people

00:38:28.619 --> 00:38:29.159
 will know

00:38:29.159 --> 00:38:30.420
 that you are my disciples

00:38:30.420 --> 00:38:32.340
 if you're in love

00:38:32.340 --> 00:38:32.900
 for one another.

00:38:33.539 --> 00:38:33.760
 Right?

00:38:34.539 --> 00:38:35.599
 We'll know they are Christians

00:38:35.599 --> 00:38:36.260
 by their love.

00:38:36.340 --> 00:38:37.079
 We want people

00:38:37.079 --> 00:38:37.780
 to be attracted

00:38:37.780 --> 00:38:39.320
 to our church

00:38:39.320 --> 00:38:40.179
 because of the love

00:38:40.179 --> 00:38:41.119
 we have for one another.

00:38:41.400 --> 00:38:42.139
 Well, you can't do that

00:38:42.139 --> 00:38:42.880
 apart from partnership.

00:38:43.139 --> 00:38:43.880
 There has to be commitment

00:38:43.880 --> 00:38:44.720
 to one another

00:38:44.720 --> 00:38:45.619
 in order for there

00:38:45.619 --> 00:38:46.099
 to be love

00:38:46.099 --> 00:38:47.460
 for one another.

00:38:47.460 --> 00:38:48.960
 So don't be embarrassed

00:38:48.960 --> 00:38:49.579
 by a church

00:38:49.579 --> 00:38:50.800
 that values character

00:38:50.800 --> 00:38:51.619
 over gifting,

00:38:52.139 --> 00:38:53.340
 that aims to attract

00:38:53.340 --> 00:38:54.360
 people to Jesus

00:38:54.360 --> 00:38:56.059
 rather than to a few

00:38:56.059 --> 00:38:57.440
 charismatic superstars.

00:38:58.260 --> 00:38:58.400
 Okay?

00:38:59.179 --> 00:38:59.820
 Number nine,

00:39:00.280 --> 00:39:01.179
 why partnership?

00:39:02.059 --> 00:39:02.960
 Church discipline.

00:39:03.539 --> 00:39:04.280
 Church discipline.

00:39:05.280 --> 00:39:07.800
 Matthew 18, 15-17

00:39:07.800 --> 00:39:08.139
 says,

00:39:08.240 --> 00:39:08.579
 if your brother

00:39:08.579 --> 00:39:09.500
 sins against you,

00:39:09.860 --> 00:39:10.880
 go tell him his fault

00:39:10.880 --> 00:39:12.519
 between you and him alone.

00:39:13.880 --> 00:39:14.860
 When if he listens to you,

00:39:14.880 --> 00:39:15.740
 you have gained your brother.

00:39:16.360 --> 00:39:17.440
 But if he does not listen,

00:39:18.019 --> 00:39:19.039
 take one or two others

00:39:19.039 --> 00:39:19.800
 along with you,

00:39:20.240 --> 00:39:20.940
 that every charge

00:39:20.940 --> 00:39:21.700
 may be established

00:39:21.700 --> 00:39:22.460
 by the evidence

00:39:22.460 --> 00:39:23.500
 of two or three witnesses.

00:39:24.159 --> 00:39:25.400
 If he refuses to listen

00:39:25.400 --> 00:39:26.179
 to them,

00:39:26.320 --> 00:39:27.200
 tell it to the church.

00:39:27.539 --> 00:39:28.460
 And if he refuses

00:39:28.460 --> 00:39:29.800
 to listen even to the church,

00:39:30.200 --> 00:39:31.000
 let him be to you

00:39:31.000 --> 00:39:31.740
 as a Gentile

00:39:31.740 --> 00:39:32.679
 and a tax collector.

00:39:33.360 --> 00:39:34.280
 So this is in the Scriptures.

00:39:34.920 --> 00:39:35.900
 This is church discipline.

00:39:36.380 --> 00:39:37.579
 We believe in church discipline.

00:39:37.800 --> 00:39:39.260
 We exercise church discipline.

00:39:39.880 --> 00:39:41.159
 But there's no church discipline

00:39:41.159 --> 00:39:42.700
 of excluding someone

00:39:42.700 --> 00:39:43.500
 from your church

00:39:43.500 --> 00:39:44.700
 because of the fact

00:39:44.700 --> 00:39:45.380
 that they're not willing

00:39:45.380 --> 00:39:46.579
 to repent of sin

00:39:46.579 --> 00:39:47.559
 if there's nothing

00:39:47.559 --> 00:39:48.199
 that you've ever

00:39:48.199 --> 00:39:49.079
 included them into.

00:39:49.960 --> 00:39:51.019
 And there's something

00:39:51.019 --> 00:39:51.679
 about that

00:39:51.679 --> 00:39:52.880
 that causes someone

00:39:52.880 --> 00:39:53.900
 to be shaken

00:39:53.900 --> 00:39:55.079
 and it's ultimately

00:39:55.079 --> 00:39:56.099
 unto restoration.

00:39:56.719 --> 00:39:57.819
 We don't do church discipline

00:39:57.819 --> 00:39:58.759
 to put a scarlet letter

00:39:58.759 --> 00:39:59.319
 on someone.

00:39:59.739 --> 00:40:01.259
 Every step of church discipline

00:40:01.259 --> 00:40:02.659
 from the first confrontation

00:40:02.659 --> 00:40:03.819
 to the two people

00:40:03.819 --> 00:40:04.599
 confronting

00:40:04.599 --> 00:40:05.799
 to the telling it

00:40:05.799 --> 00:40:06.380
 to the church,

00:40:06.440 --> 00:40:07.819
 which is an all-hands-on-deck,

00:40:08.099 --> 00:40:08.719
 everybody love

00:40:08.719 --> 00:40:09.199
 and reach out

00:40:09.199 --> 00:40:09.860
 to this person,

00:40:09.860 --> 00:40:10.860
 to even excommunicating

00:40:11.500 --> 00:40:11.960
 a person

00:40:11.960 --> 00:40:13.240
 is all ultimately

00:40:13.240 --> 00:40:14.400
 unto restoration,

00:40:15.119 --> 00:40:15.820
 that their soul

00:40:15.820 --> 00:40:16.639
 might be saved.

00:40:16.900 --> 00:40:18.199
 Every step of the way.

00:40:18.760 --> 00:40:19.220
 It's not an,

00:40:19.340 --> 00:40:19.740
 it's not,

00:40:19.900 --> 00:40:20.720
 it's exclusion

00:40:20.720 --> 00:40:21.940
 for the sake of love

00:40:21.940 --> 00:40:22.480
 in the end,

00:40:22.820 --> 00:40:23.539
 for restoration,

00:40:23.720 --> 00:40:24.860
 for them to see their need.

00:40:25.280 --> 00:40:26.500
 It's turning them over

00:40:26.500 --> 00:40:26.920
 to Satan

00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:27.740
 so that their soul

00:40:27.740 --> 00:40:28.579
 might be saved.

00:40:29.119 --> 00:40:30.019
 So that their soul

00:40:30.019 --> 00:40:30.579
 might be saved.

00:40:30.659 --> 00:40:31.480
 That's the goal.

00:40:32.119 --> 00:40:32.900
 That's the goal.

00:40:33.340 --> 00:40:34.019
 All of the goal

00:40:34.019 --> 00:40:34.720
 of church discipline

00:40:34.720 --> 00:40:35.220
 is that.

00:40:36.159 --> 00:40:36.599
 Partnership

00:40:36.599 --> 00:40:37.380
 allows that

00:40:37.380 --> 00:40:38.280
 to be executed.

00:40:39.340 --> 00:40:40.500
 James 5, 19-20

00:40:40.500 --> 00:40:40.780
 says,

00:40:40.840 --> 00:40:41.219
 My brothers,

00:40:41.320 --> 00:40:42.119
 if anyone among you

00:40:42.119 --> 00:40:43.159
 wanders from the truth

00:40:43.159 --> 00:40:44.780
 and someone brings them back,

00:40:44.840 --> 00:40:45.599
 let them know that.

00:40:46.219 --> 00:40:47.079
 Whoever brings back

00:40:47.079 --> 00:40:48.300
 a sinner from his wandering

00:40:48.300 --> 00:40:49.400
 will save his soul

00:40:49.400 --> 00:40:50.000
 from death

00:40:50.000 --> 00:40:50.940
 and will cover

00:40:50.940 --> 00:40:52.179
 a multitude of sins.

00:40:53.000 --> 00:40:53.420
 And that's what

00:40:53.420 --> 00:40:54.000
 we want to do.

00:40:54.820 --> 00:40:55.719
 Don't ever be embarrassed

00:40:55.719 --> 00:40:56.539
 by a church

00:40:56.539 --> 00:40:57.460
 that loves people

00:40:57.460 --> 00:40:58.679
 enough to discipline them.

00:40:59.119 --> 00:40:59.960
 A church that doesn't

00:40:59.960 --> 00:41:00.539
 hate sin

00:41:00.539 --> 00:41:01.199
 and its power

00:41:01.199 --> 00:41:02.559
 to damn and destroy

00:41:02.559 --> 00:41:04.559
 enough to discipline people

00:41:04.559 --> 00:41:05.619
 is a church

00:41:05.619 --> 00:41:06.280
 that doesn't really

00:41:06.280 --> 00:41:06.920
 love people.

00:41:07.719 --> 00:41:08.400
 Never apologize

00:41:08.400 --> 00:41:09.219
 for loving people

00:41:09.219 --> 00:41:09.800
 the way God

00:41:09.800 --> 00:41:10.440
 says to love.

00:41:10.500 --> 00:41:12.820
 Number 10.

00:41:13.840 --> 00:41:14.539
 Why partnership?

00:41:14.800 --> 00:41:15.340
 Last one.

00:41:15.880 --> 00:41:17.059
 The indispensability

00:41:17.059 --> 00:41:17.940
 of unity.

00:41:18.400 --> 00:41:19.280
 The indispensability

00:41:19.280 --> 00:41:19.800
 of unity.

00:41:20.420 --> 00:41:21.679
 1 Corinthians 1, 10

00:41:21.679 --> 00:41:22.280
 says,

00:41:22.400 --> 00:41:22.940
 I appeal to you,

00:41:23.019 --> 00:41:23.199
 brothers,

00:41:23.300 --> 00:41:23.699
 by the name

00:41:23.699 --> 00:41:24.880
 of our Lord Jesus Christ

00:41:24.880 --> 00:41:26.199
 that all of you

00:41:26.199 --> 00:41:26.780
 agree

00:41:26.780 --> 00:41:28.079
 and that there may be

00:41:28.079 --> 00:41:29.679
 no divisions among you

00:41:29.679 --> 00:41:30.960
 and that you may be

00:41:30.960 --> 00:41:32.760
 united in the same mind

00:41:32.760 --> 00:41:33.900
 and the same judgment.

00:41:34.699 --> 00:41:35.659
 That's some pretty

00:41:35.659 --> 00:41:37.599
 inclusive language there

00:41:37.599 --> 00:41:38.320
 as far as like,

00:41:38.400 --> 00:41:38.559
 hey,

00:41:38.619 --> 00:41:39.579
 we've got to be together,

00:41:39.739 --> 00:41:40.000
 right?

00:41:40.820 --> 00:41:41.800
 All of you agree,

00:41:42.099 --> 00:41:43.260
 no divisions among you

00:41:43.260 --> 00:41:43.960
 and be united

00:41:43.960 --> 00:41:44.780
 in the same mind

00:41:44.780 --> 00:41:45.659
 and the same judgment.

00:41:46.340 --> 00:41:47.480
 This is why we do partnership

00:41:47.480 --> 00:41:49.579
 to help foster that,

00:41:49.659 --> 00:41:50.659
 to help build that.

00:41:51.500 --> 00:41:52.360
 Amos 3, 3

00:41:52.360 --> 00:41:53.860
 in the New King James

00:41:53.860 --> 00:41:54.099
 says,

00:41:54.199 --> 00:41:55.260
 can two walk together

00:41:55.260 --> 00:41:57.019
 unless they're agreed?

00:41:57.019 --> 00:41:58.920
 It's a rhetorical question.

00:41:58.920 --> 00:41:59.840
 No, they can't.

00:42:00.199 --> 00:42:01.159
 You can't walk together

00:42:01.159 --> 00:42:02.039
 unless you're agreed.

00:42:02.420 --> 00:42:03.159
 Partnership is saying,

00:42:03.280 --> 00:42:04.079
 hey, we agree on these

00:42:04.079 --> 00:42:04.840
 specific things

00:42:04.840 --> 00:42:06.000
 so we can walk together.

00:42:06.759 --> 00:42:07.840
 Mark 3, 25 says,

00:42:07.940 --> 00:42:08.800
 if a house is divided

00:42:08.800 --> 00:42:09.719
 against itself,

00:42:09.980 --> 00:42:11.300
 that house will not

00:42:11.300 --> 00:42:12.400
 be able to stand.

00:42:13.199 --> 00:42:13.340
 Okay?

00:42:13.400 --> 00:42:13.940
 A house divided

00:42:13.940 --> 00:42:14.539
 against itself

00:42:14.539 --> 00:42:15.340
 cannot stand.

00:42:15.880 --> 00:42:17.019
 It's not just agreement

00:42:17.019 --> 00:42:17.579
 in word,

00:42:17.699 --> 00:42:18.380
 but it's agreement

00:42:18.380 --> 00:42:19.179
 in action.

00:42:19.179 --> 00:42:20.339
 Okay?

00:42:20.340 --> 00:42:20.660
 So,

00:42:21.019 --> 00:42:21.720
 if we have different

00:42:21.720 --> 00:42:23.079
 priorities,

00:42:23.559 --> 00:42:24.940
 then we can't partner.

00:42:25.200 --> 00:42:26.460
 If you treasure one thing

00:42:26.460 --> 00:42:27.539
 and I treasure another,

00:42:27.940 --> 00:42:28.640
 then our hearts

00:42:28.640 --> 00:42:29.039
 will be going

00:42:29.039 --> 00:42:30.079
 in different directions.

00:42:30.600 --> 00:42:31.500
 Matthew 6, 21,

00:42:31.620 --> 00:42:32.660
 where your treasure is,

00:42:33.019 --> 00:42:33.440
 there your heart

00:42:33.440 --> 00:42:34.019
 will be also.

00:42:34.400 --> 00:42:34.660
 So,

00:42:34.720 --> 00:42:35.260
 if we don't treasure

00:42:35.260 --> 00:42:36.019
 the same things,

00:42:36.059 --> 00:42:36.440
 if we don't have

00:42:36.440 --> 00:42:37.320
 the same priorities,

00:42:38.260 --> 00:42:39.800
 then we'll be going

00:42:39.800 --> 00:42:40.740
 in different directions.

00:42:41.200 --> 00:42:42.160
 Partnership is shared

00:42:42.160 --> 00:42:42.800
 priorities.

00:42:43.480 --> 00:42:43.800
 All right?

00:42:44.320 --> 00:42:45.100
 And if we have

00:42:45.100 --> 00:42:46.019
 different visions

00:42:46.019 --> 00:42:48.800
 of how our priorities

00:42:48.800 --> 00:42:49.659
 flesh out,

00:42:49.900 --> 00:42:50.920
 then we also can't

00:42:50.920 --> 00:42:51.820
 partner with one another

00:42:51.820 --> 00:42:52.759
 because we have

00:42:52.759 --> 00:42:53.519
 two visions

00:42:53.519 --> 00:42:55.460
 or die vision.

00:42:55.679 --> 00:42:56.440
 Die means two.

00:42:56.920 --> 00:42:57.820
 And a house divided

00:42:57.820 --> 00:42:58.599
 can't stand.

00:42:59.159 --> 00:43:00.019
 Partnership is

00:43:00.019 --> 00:43:00.840
 shared vision.

00:43:01.320 --> 00:43:01.719
 Saying we have

00:43:01.719 --> 00:43:02.880
 the same priorities

00:43:02.880 --> 00:43:03.340
 and we have

00:43:03.340 --> 00:43:03.900
 the same vision

00:43:03.900 --> 00:43:05.340
 of how those priorities

00:43:05.340 --> 00:43:06.400
 should be fleshed out.

00:43:06.780 --> 00:43:07.599
 And it's based on

00:43:07.599 --> 00:43:09.179
 1 Corinthians 15, 58.

00:43:09.400 --> 00:43:10.420
 Always give yourselves

00:43:10.420 --> 00:43:11.780
 fully to the work

00:43:11.780 --> 00:43:12.280
 of the Lord.

00:43:12.780 --> 00:43:13.340
 So we have a vision

00:43:13.340 --> 00:43:14.340
 of it being fleshed out

00:43:14.340 --> 00:43:15.539
 always fully

00:43:15.539 --> 00:43:17.099
 in all of life.

00:43:17.519 --> 00:43:17.719
 Okay?

00:43:18.420 --> 00:43:19.340
 And then lastly,

00:43:19.440 --> 00:43:20.099
 if we have the same

00:43:20.099 --> 00:43:21.380
 priorities and the same

00:43:21.380 --> 00:43:21.820
 vision

00:43:21.820 --> 00:43:24.079
 of how those priorities

00:43:24.079 --> 00:43:24.559
 flesh out,

00:43:24.619 --> 00:43:25.539
 but we don't share

00:43:25.539 --> 00:43:26.400
 responsibility,

00:43:27.619 --> 00:43:28.500
 then we can't truly

00:43:28.500 --> 00:43:29.320
 partner with one another.

00:43:29.420 --> 00:43:30.219
 If one of us thinks

00:43:30.219 --> 00:43:31.400
 that we don't belong

00:43:31.400 --> 00:43:32.179
 or that we don't need

00:43:32.179 --> 00:43:32.679
 each other,

00:43:32.840 --> 00:43:33.840
 then we can't partner

00:43:33.840 --> 00:43:34.719
 because we're alone

00:43:34.719 --> 00:43:35.300
 and partnership

00:43:35.300 --> 00:43:35.940
 is together.

00:43:36.739 --> 00:43:37.400
 Partnership is

00:43:37.400 --> 00:43:38.420
 shared responsibility.

00:43:39.119 --> 00:43:39.900
 It's not just a few

00:43:39.900 --> 00:43:40.820
 people doing the work.

00:43:41.079 --> 00:43:41.960
 It's everybody doing

00:43:41.960 --> 00:43:42.619
 the work and doing

00:43:42.619 --> 00:43:43.099
 their part.

00:43:44.000 --> 00:43:45.059
 Never be embarrassed

00:43:45.059 --> 00:43:46.059
 to require unity.

00:43:46.739 --> 00:43:47.460
 It's never loving

00:43:47.460 --> 00:43:48.299
 to offer people

00:43:48.299 --> 00:43:49.179
 a house that will

00:43:49.179 --> 00:43:49.900
 not stand.

00:43:50.840 --> 00:43:51.480
 It's never loving

00:43:51.480 --> 00:43:52.279
 to offer people

00:43:52.279 --> 00:43:53.659
 a house that will

00:43:53.659 --> 00:43:54.219
 not stand.

00:43:54.340 --> 00:43:54.779
 And if you've ever

00:43:54.779 --> 00:43:55.519
 been a part of a

00:43:55.519 --> 00:43:56.079
 church split,

00:43:56.559 --> 00:43:57.400
 you really know this

00:43:57.400 --> 00:43:57.619
 one.

00:43:57.940 --> 00:43:58.519
 I have.

00:43:58.900 --> 00:43:59.380
 Trust me,

00:43:59.400 --> 00:44:00.099
 I don't ever want

00:44:00.099 --> 00:44:00.699
 to give someone

00:44:00.699 --> 00:44:01.460
 a church that's

00:44:01.460 --> 00:44:02.019
 going to split.

00:44:02.480 --> 00:44:02.759
 Now,

00:44:03.039 --> 00:44:04.460
 no one has control

00:44:04.460 --> 00:44:05.400
 over that completely,

00:44:05.900 --> 00:44:07.480
 but being in unity

00:44:07.480 --> 00:44:08.099
 is a good helper

00:44:08.099 --> 00:44:08.779
 for that, right?

00:44:09.119 --> 00:44:09.739
 Being in unity

00:44:09.739 --> 00:44:10.279
 is a good helper

00:44:10.279 --> 00:44:10.659
 for that.

00:44:10.659 --> 00:44:10.940
 So,

00:44:11.239 --> 00:44:11.739
 it's never loving

00:44:11.739 --> 00:44:12.460
 to offer people

00:44:12.460 --> 00:44:13.159
 a house that's

00:44:13.159 --> 00:44:15.139
 destined to fall,

00:44:15.519 --> 00:44:16.019
 that's destined

00:44:16.019 --> 00:44:16.879
 to not stand.

00:44:17.319 --> 00:44:17.500
 So,

00:44:17.579 --> 00:44:18.119
 let's be unified

00:44:18.119 --> 00:44:18.579
 together.

00:44:19.579 --> 00:44:20.500
 In conclusion,

00:44:20.699 --> 00:44:21.359
 closing this up,

00:44:21.440 --> 00:44:21.960
 wrap it up.

00:44:22.219 --> 00:44:23.159
 Partnership conviction,

00:44:23.960 --> 00:44:24.399
 we believe,

00:44:24.460 --> 00:44:25.500
 is extremely important

00:44:25.500 --> 00:44:26.539
 because it's God's

00:44:26.539 --> 00:44:27.480
 idea from God's

00:44:27.480 --> 00:44:27.759
 word.

00:44:28.079 --> 00:44:28.920
 And if we're ashamed

00:44:28.920 --> 00:44:29.500
 of his word,

00:44:29.759 --> 00:44:30.279
 he'll be ashamed

00:44:30.279 --> 00:44:30.839
 of us.

00:44:31.639 --> 00:44:32.420
 Indifference and

00:44:32.420 --> 00:44:33.599
 embarrassment is not

00:44:33.599 --> 00:44:34.059
 an option.

00:44:34.779 --> 00:44:36.059
 We need all of us

00:44:36.059 --> 00:44:36.719
 to be convicted

00:44:36.719 --> 00:44:37.559
 and convinced

00:44:37.559 --> 00:44:38.259
 of the value

00:44:38.260 --> 00:44:39.040
 and importance

00:44:39.040 --> 00:44:40.380
 of partnership.

00:44:40.920 --> 00:44:41.080
 Amen?

00:44:41.860 --> 00:44:42.300
 Amen.

00:44:42.420 --> 00:44:42.820
 Let's stand.