WEBVTT 00:00:00.320 --> 00:00:05.400 Man, that's good. I'm telling you, this place will come up in a shout one day. It's going to scare most of you to death. 00:00:06.020 --> 00:00:08.300 That's good stuff. Thank you so much for the music. 00:00:08.419 --> 00:00:11.019 If you have your Bible, turn to John chapter 3. 00:00:12.240 --> 00:00:16.120 John chapter 3, probably the greatest passage in Scripture, 00:00:17.740 --> 00:00:19.420 at least the most well-known, was 00:00:19.420 --> 00:00:21.960 spoken first to a 00:00:21.960 --> 00:00:28.019 Jewish ruler that went to Jesus to find out more information. 00:00:28.019 --> 00:00:32.579 He snuck to him in the night, 00:00:33.060 --> 00:00:35.259 probably 00:00:35.259 --> 00:00:40.379 so that he could have some spiritual exploration, 00:00:41.259 --> 00:00:44.260 check things out without being seen 00:00:44.260 --> 00:00:46.260 by his friends and colleagues, 00:00:46.780 --> 00:00:49.019 keeping them from knowing it. 00:00:49.519 --> 00:00:53.460 And it was in that conversation that Jesus told Nicodemus 00:00:53.460 --> 00:00:57.000 in John 3, 16 and 17, 00:00:57.000 --> 00:00:59.320 For God so loved the world 00:00:59.320 --> 00:01:02.259 that he gave his only son 00:01:02.259 --> 00:01:05.040 that whoever believes in him 00:01:05.040 --> 00:01:07.599 should not perish but have eternal life. 00:01:08.460 --> 00:01:10.700 For God did not send his son into the world 00:01:10.700 --> 00:01:12.019 to condemn the world, 00:01:12.540 --> 00:01:15.039 but in order that the world might be saved 00:01:15.039 --> 00:01:16.620 through him. 00:01:17.920 --> 00:01:19.539 For the last three months, 00:01:19.620 --> 00:01:22.280 we've been studying the reality of eternity. 00:01:22.280 --> 00:01:24.079 And for the last month, 00:01:24.159 --> 00:01:27.739 we've been studying the brutal realities of hell. 00:01:28.239 --> 00:01:29.659 I love preaching on heaven. 00:01:29.980 --> 00:01:31.379 It makes people feel good, 00:01:31.640 --> 00:01:33.180 and they appreciate it. 00:01:33.680 --> 00:01:36.680 I tried to clarify some myths that Christians have 00:01:36.680 --> 00:01:39.439 about dying and about heaven, 00:01:39.659 --> 00:01:43.240 and it reminds us of what we had to look forward to. 00:01:44.260 --> 00:01:45.620 That's when we preach about heaven. 00:01:45.620 --> 00:01:49.280 Preaching about hell is a whole different place. 00:01:50.840 --> 00:01:51.320 Literally. 00:01:52.640 --> 00:01:53.579 To preach on it, 00:01:54.280 --> 00:01:55.560 light some people's fire, 00:01:55.719 --> 00:01:56.200 and they say, 00:01:56.340 --> 00:01:57.600 Hey, let them have it, preacher. 00:01:57.840 --> 00:01:58.880 Like that kind of preaching. 00:01:59.640 --> 00:02:01.460 While others think you're a jerk. 00:02:02.060 --> 00:02:04.680 Because the reality is stark, 00:02:05.420 --> 00:02:08.080 the finality is harsh, 00:02:08.080 --> 00:02:13.260 and the concept is horribly beyond us. 00:02:14.460 --> 00:02:17.300 To think about it much will make sure Christians, 00:02:17.800 --> 00:02:21.860 will be sure to make some Christians nervous, 00:02:22.680 --> 00:02:24.000 and it should. 00:02:25.060 --> 00:02:26.439 But it also shouldn't. 00:02:28.580 --> 00:02:32.300 If you have a doubt about your salvation, 00:02:32.939 --> 00:02:36.600 and you know that you've never really surrendered 00:02:36.600 --> 00:02:37.939 your life to Christ, 00:02:38.080 --> 00:02:41.780 I don't preach on the reality of hell to make you nervous, 00:02:41.920 --> 00:02:43.180 but it ought to make you nervous. 00:02:44.780 --> 00:02:45.620 It ought to. 00:02:46.760 --> 00:02:47.800 Life is short, 00:02:47.960 --> 00:02:49.180 and hell is real. 00:02:50.760 --> 00:02:51.200 However, 00:02:51.340 --> 00:02:53.000 if you know that you're saved, 00:02:53.480 --> 00:02:55.439 you don't have to be concerned about any chance 00:02:55.439 --> 00:02:56.740 of you facing hell. 00:02:57.060 --> 00:02:59.740 Please understand that salvation is more than just 00:02:59.740 --> 00:03:03.040 raising your hand when nobody's looking. 00:03:03.039 --> 00:03:08.259 That is, 00:03:08.419 --> 00:03:09.060 except God, 00:03:09.199 --> 00:03:09.859 he sees it, 00:03:10.400 --> 00:03:11.199 and the preacher, 00:03:11.759 --> 00:03:13.799 and then there's always a few people that's peeking, 00:03:14.239 --> 00:03:15.079 in case y'all didn't know it. 00:03:15.079 --> 00:03:15.419 All right. 00:03:18.219 --> 00:03:20.479 Raising your hand does not save you. 00:03:20.479 --> 00:03:24.780 I don't remember a time in Scripture, 00:03:25.859 --> 00:03:27.859 somebody will point out a Scripture when I'm done, 00:03:27.959 --> 00:03:28.259 probably, 00:03:28.519 --> 00:03:29.679 when I'm wrong, 00:03:29.780 --> 00:03:32.439 but where Jesus asked somebody to raise their hand 00:03:32.439 --> 00:03:33.379 when nobody was looking. 00:03:35.379 --> 00:03:36.879 And that's why I don't do it. 00:03:36.879 --> 00:03:40.159 But please also understand that salvation 00:03:40.159 --> 00:03:43.199 is also not repeating a prayer after someone. 00:03:45.079 --> 00:03:47.680 Mimicking someone does not make you a Christian. 00:03:48.859 --> 00:03:51.359 I took introductory classes. 00:03:51.579 --> 00:03:55.240 I took several classes in Hebrew in seminary, 00:03:55.340 --> 00:03:57.159 and when I took the introductory classes, 00:03:57.599 --> 00:03:58.599 it was overwhelming. 00:04:00.340 --> 00:04:04.439 A Hebrew Bible starts at the back, 00:04:04.439 --> 00:04:07.639 and it reads from right to left. 00:04:09.460 --> 00:04:11.219 It's a whole different concept. 00:04:12.500 --> 00:04:14.819 The consonants look like characters, 00:04:15.120 --> 00:04:17.939 but the vowels are just points, 00:04:18.300 --> 00:04:20.079 just period-looking things 00:04:20.079 --> 00:04:23.199 that are above the letter or below the letter, 00:04:23.360 --> 00:04:25.060 and so when you read Hebrew, 00:04:25.259 --> 00:04:26.439 you read it backwards, 00:04:26.779 --> 00:04:28.860 and you kind of zigzag through it 00:04:28.860 --> 00:04:30.920 to find the vowels that are in it. 00:04:30.920 --> 00:04:32.959 It can be overwhelming. 00:04:34.439 --> 00:04:36.219 I would say it's a language of the devil, 00:04:36.399 --> 00:04:37.040 but it's not 00:04:37.040 --> 00:04:38.279 because most of the Old Testament 00:04:38.279 --> 00:04:39.219 is written in Hebrew, 00:04:39.360 --> 00:04:40.040 so I can't say that. 00:04:41.199 --> 00:04:42.459 But when I went through seminary, 00:04:42.519 --> 00:04:43.980 there was no Internet, okay? 00:04:44.300 --> 00:04:47.980 So I know that that shocks 00:04:47.980 --> 00:04:50.879 the vast majority of you millennials 00:04:50.879 --> 00:04:53.279 that there was a time when there was not, 00:04:53.399 --> 00:04:56.519 but you couldn't just look something up like that. 00:04:56.519 --> 00:04:59.699 So I spent hours translating 00:04:59.699 --> 00:05:03.539 by taking the Bible text, 00:05:04.259 --> 00:05:05.519 put it on a copy, 00:05:05.579 --> 00:05:06.579 or blowing it up 00:05:06.579 --> 00:05:09.019 to where it's 8 1⁄2 by 11 sheet of paper, 00:05:09.680 --> 00:05:12.060 so I had enough space between the lines 00:05:12.060 --> 00:05:14.620 to write what the translation was, 00:05:14.879 --> 00:05:16.339 how to parse the verbs, 00:05:16.459 --> 00:05:18.180 and go through that whole process 00:05:18.180 --> 00:05:21.219 that we were asked to do for class, 00:05:21.220 --> 00:05:23.580 and then in class, 00:05:23.720 --> 00:05:25.940 we were to take the Hebrew Bible in our hand, 00:05:26.060 --> 00:05:28.320 and we were to translate it 00:05:28.320 --> 00:05:29.740 when he called on us. 00:05:30.900 --> 00:05:33.580 Well, I left my Hebrew Bible on the desk, 00:05:34.120 --> 00:05:36.640 and I took that 8 1⁄2 by 11 sheet of paper, 00:05:36.720 --> 00:05:38.260 and I tucked it right under that Bible, 00:05:38.259 --> 00:05:41.219 and so when he called on me to say it 00:05:41.219 --> 00:05:42.899 in introductory Hebrew, 00:05:43.259 --> 00:05:46.759 I would read what I had written the night before 00:05:46.759 --> 00:05:50.659 in a broken kind of slow kind of, 00:05:50.920 --> 00:05:52.959 I didn't mind if he thought I was remedial. 00:05:53.159 --> 00:05:54.139 It didn't bother me at all. 00:05:54.560 --> 00:05:55.899 I didn't want him calling on me 00:05:55.899 --> 00:05:57.159 cold turkey about something, 00:05:57.279 --> 00:05:59.519 and so, and that's kind of how I got through it. 00:05:59.579 --> 00:06:01.560 Now, did that make me a Hebrew scholar? 00:06:01.740 --> 00:06:03.519 No, but I said the words 00:06:03.519 --> 00:06:05.120 that I had written the night before, 00:06:05.120 --> 00:06:07.599 and therefore I got through the translation. 00:06:08.259 --> 00:06:09.819 That's kind of what I thought of 00:06:09.819 --> 00:06:10.819 when I thought about 00:06:10.819 --> 00:06:12.899 somebody repeating a prayer 00:06:12.899 --> 00:06:14.719 along with everybody else 00:06:14.719 --> 00:06:16.079 and hoping that it stuck. 00:06:16.360 --> 00:06:18.039 You're not saved when you're praying 00:06:18.039 --> 00:06:19.519 somebody else's prayer. 00:06:20.439 --> 00:06:21.519 It's not the way it works. 00:06:22.139 --> 00:06:24.120 You're saved when you admit you're a sinner, 00:06:24.539 --> 00:06:25.719 when you need a Savior, 00:06:25.899 --> 00:06:28.279 and when you surrender your life to Christ, 00:06:28.819 --> 00:06:32.240 that his way is the only way for my life. 00:06:33.319 --> 00:06:35.060 Following a friend down the aisle 00:06:35.060 --> 00:06:37.019 does not bring salvation, folks. 00:06:37.019 --> 00:06:40.519 Surrendering to Christ is what brings salvation, 00:06:40.519 --> 00:06:42.839 and I think you have to be adamant 00:06:42.839 --> 00:06:44.479 to make sure we know what we're doing. 00:06:45.579 --> 00:06:49.019 What horrifies me more about the Baptist faith, 00:06:49.099 --> 00:06:51.060 honestly, and the Baptist church 00:06:51.060 --> 00:06:54.539 is that manipulative tactics in the past 00:06:54.539 --> 00:06:56.839 have caused people to raise their hand 00:06:56.839 --> 00:06:57.979 when nobody was looking 00:06:57.979 --> 00:06:59.839 or repeat something after somebody, 00:07:00.039 --> 00:07:02.500 and nothing ever came of that. 00:07:02.659 --> 00:07:04.639 There was no fruit bore in their life. 00:07:04.639 --> 00:07:06.519 There's no evidence of their salvation, 00:07:06.519 --> 00:07:08.560 and they think because something they did 00:07:08.560 --> 00:07:10.360 at 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 00:07:10.360 --> 00:07:12.180 that they never followed up on 00:07:12.180 --> 00:07:13.360 and never did anything with, 00:07:13.459 --> 00:07:14.339 that they're safe. 00:07:16.319 --> 00:07:18.240 If we were to knock on doors today, 00:07:18.319 --> 00:07:19.659 most people wouldn't answer the door, 00:07:19.759 --> 00:07:20.560 but if we were 00:07:20.560 --> 00:07:22.479 and were to ask that question, 00:07:22.579 --> 00:07:23.539 do you know the Lord Jesus? 00:07:23.540 --> 00:07:25.439 They may not know how to answer that, 00:07:25.480 --> 00:07:26.020 but if you say, 00:07:26.100 --> 00:07:26.660 are you saved? 00:07:26.700 --> 00:07:28.240 They'd say, yeah, what happened? 00:07:28.300 --> 00:07:28.980 And they'd tell you. 00:07:29.100 --> 00:07:31.240 So that's why I think it's so important 00:07:31.240 --> 00:07:32.500 that anybody that makes a decision, 00:07:32.600 --> 00:07:34.080 we make sure that we thoroughly 00:07:34.080 --> 00:07:35.200 go through that with them 00:07:35.200 --> 00:07:36.840 and help them to understand that. 00:07:37.640 --> 00:07:39.640 Now, if you know that you've surrendered 00:07:39.640 --> 00:07:40.640 your life to Christ, 00:07:41.420 --> 00:07:43.060 and you know that you're a Christian, 00:07:43.060 --> 00:07:46.079 then why are we talking about hell? 00:07:47.620 --> 00:07:48.120 I mean, 00:07:49.120 --> 00:07:52.800 what is to come from having a conversation 00:07:52.800 --> 00:07:54.019 about the reality of hell 00:07:54.019 --> 00:07:56.139 with people who are secure in their salvation? 00:07:56.420 --> 00:07:58.360 How does the reality of hell 00:07:58.360 --> 00:08:01.120 change anything for the Christian? 00:08:02.300 --> 00:08:03.600 Well, if that's your question, 00:08:03.740 --> 00:08:04.860 I'm glad you ask, 00:08:06.060 --> 00:08:09.139 because I want to talk about that this morning. 00:08:11.819 --> 00:08:12.840 For the Christian, 00:08:13.060 --> 00:08:17.660 who knows that you've surrendered your life 00:08:17.660 --> 00:08:18.339 to the Lord, 00:08:20.079 --> 00:08:21.319 the reality of hell, 00:08:21.579 --> 00:08:22.860 due to the reality of hell, 00:08:23.959 --> 00:08:25.019 we ought to be godly. 00:08:26.720 --> 00:08:27.819 We ought to be godly. 00:08:28.280 --> 00:08:29.259 We ought to live for the Lord. 00:08:30.899 --> 00:08:32.240 Put even more simply, 00:08:32.340 --> 00:08:33.500 we need to stop sinning. 00:08:34.259 --> 00:08:36.340 I want you to listen to what Jesus says about it, 00:08:36.740 --> 00:08:38.840 and especially if you're not familiar with his passage, 00:08:38.879 --> 00:08:40.399 I want you to brace yourself, okay? 00:08:41.399 --> 00:08:43.360 It's in Matthew chapter 5, 00:08:43.439 --> 00:08:44.860 verse 29 and 30, 00:08:45.000 --> 00:08:46.600 and Jesus says, 00:08:46.600 --> 00:08:49.420 if your right hand causes you to sin, 00:08:49.879 --> 00:08:50.279 excuse me, 00:08:50.320 --> 00:08:51.820 your right eye causes you to sin, 00:08:51.920 --> 00:08:53.320 tear it out and throw it away. 00:08:54.259 --> 00:08:56.580 For it's better that you lose one of your members 00:08:56.580 --> 00:08:58.759 than your whole body be thrown into hell. 00:08:59.820 --> 00:09:01.620 And if your right hand causes you to sin, 00:09:01.700 --> 00:09:02.360 cut it off. 00:09:03.580 --> 00:09:04.220 Throw it away. 00:09:04.220 --> 00:09:06.500 For it's better that you lose one of your members 00:09:06.500 --> 00:09:09.159 than your whole body go to hell. 00:09:09.159 --> 00:09:11.500 Now, first off, men, 00:09:11.620 --> 00:09:13.959 keep your pocket knife in your pocket, okay? 00:09:14.600 --> 00:09:16.360 Let me explain something to you. 00:09:17.799 --> 00:09:19.299 Jesus didn't mean this literally. 00:09:20.500 --> 00:09:21.959 And if there's any man in here 00:09:21.959 --> 00:09:23.339 that says he believes the Bible 00:09:23.339 --> 00:09:26.059 is literally true all the time, 00:09:26.059 --> 00:09:27.159 and he has two eyes, 00:09:27.199 --> 00:09:28.620 he's lying, okay? 00:09:29.240 --> 00:09:30.620 If he's familiar with this passage. 00:09:31.959 --> 00:09:33.699 Jesus does not mean this literally. 00:09:34.480 --> 00:09:35.899 He uses hyperbole here, 00:09:35.899 --> 00:09:37.319 he uses exaggeration here, 00:09:37.439 --> 00:09:38.579 to get across a point, 00:09:38.699 --> 00:09:39.860 and his point is, 00:09:40.159 --> 00:09:40.899 stop sinning. 00:09:42.919 --> 00:09:44.439 Stop going to the places 00:09:44.439 --> 00:09:45.679 where you're prone to sin. 00:09:47.199 --> 00:09:48.939 Stop looking at the stuff 00:09:48.939 --> 00:09:50.379 that leads you to sin. 00:09:51.819 --> 00:09:53.539 Stop thinking on the things 00:09:53.539 --> 00:09:54.959 that throw you off. 00:09:55.100 --> 00:09:55.699 Stop it. 00:09:57.120 --> 00:09:59.059 As the great theologian Barney Fife said, 00:09:59.340 --> 00:10:00.299 nip it in the bud. 00:10:01.480 --> 00:10:02.419 Nip it in the bud 00:10:02.419 --> 00:10:04.720 and go to extreme measures 00:10:04.720 --> 00:10:06.320 to nip it in the bud. 00:10:06.860 --> 00:10:08.540 When there's a pattern of sin 00:10:08.540 --> 00:10:09.379 in your life, 00:10:09.840 --> 00:10:11.500 you're living like one 00:10:11.500 --> 00:10:12.860 going to hell. 00:10:14.120 --> 00:10:16.580 An indication of our salvation 00:10:16.580 --> 00:10:18.100 is one who's walking 00:10:18.100 --> 00:10:20.100 in a pattern of obedience 00:10:20.100 --> 00:10:21.639 for the Lord. 00:10:22.340 --> 00:10:23.399 Following the Lord. 00:10:23.519 --> 00:10:24.220 Not perfectly, 00:10:24.759 --> 00:10:26.180 but getting better at it. 00:10:26.620 --> 00:10:29.200 That's what sanctification process is. 00:10:30.060 --> 00:10:31.680 And an indication of lostness 00:10:31.679 --> 00:10:33.399 when there's no change 00:10:33.399 --> 00:10:34.279 in your life. 00:10:35.500 --> 00:10:37.500 You can go to a scary 00:10:37.500 --> 00:10:38.539 Christian presentation 00:10:38.539 --> 00:10:40.539 or some other judgment house 00:10:40.539 --> 00:10:41.339 kind of display 00:10:41.339 --> 00:10:42.739 and get the woolly scared 00:10:42.739 --> 00:10:43.259 out of you, 00:10:43.519 --> 00:10:45.639 but if your life doesn't change, 00:10:45.859 --> 00:10:47.779 it does not speak of salvation. 00:10:48.459 --> 00:10:50.519 It brings life change. 00:10:51.699 --> 00:10:52.419 Therefore, Christian, 00:10:52.500 --> 00:10:53.379 if you want the assurance 00:10:53.379 --> 00:10:54.259 that you're truly saved 00:10:54.259 --> 00:10:55.099 and walking with the Lord, 00:10:55.359 --> 00:10:56.259 nip it in the bud. 00:10:57.219 --> 00:10:58.219 Stop sinning. 00:10:58.220 --> 00:11:00.500 If the thought of hell 00:11:00.500 --> 00:11:02.500 does not help you stop sinning, 00:11:02.759 --> 00:11:03.840 you need to evaluate 00:11:03.840 --> 00:11:04.940 what it means 00:11:04.940 --> 00:11:06.759 to have Christ as Lord 00:11:06.759 --> 00:11:08.240 in your life. 00:11:09.180 --> 00:11:09.759 Be godly. 00:11:11.360 --> 00:11:12.360 Second thing is, 00:11:12.420 --> 00:11:13.399 due to the reality of hell, 00:11:13.779 --> 00:11:15.139 we ought to be serious. 00:11:16.360 --> 00:11:17.320 We ought to be serious. 00:11:18.240 --> 00:11:19.600 Hell is nothing to play with, 00:11:19.700 --> 00:11:20.800 and because hell is real, 00:11:21.080 --> 00:11:22.620 life is nothing to play with. 00:11:23.899 --> 00:11:25.920 How shall a Christian live? 00:11:25.919 --> 00:11:28.279 Listen to Romans 12. 00:11:28.519 --> 00:11:29.799 The Apostle Paul put it this way. 00:11:30.139 --> 00:11:31.039 Beginning in verse 1, 00:11:31.099 --> 00:11:31.319 he said, 00:11:31.399 --> 00:11:32.319 I appeal to you, 00:11:32.439 --> 00:11:33.120 therefore, brothers, 00:11:33.199 --> 00:11:34.419 by the mercies of God 00:11:34.419 --> 00:11:35.939 to present your bodies 00:11:35.939 --> 00:11:37.719 as a living sacrifice, 00:11:38.139 --> 00:11:39.799 holy and acceptable to God, 00:11:40.039 --> 00:11:41.919 which is your spiritual worship. 00:11:42.639 --> 00:11:44.019 Do not be conformed 00:11:44.019 --> 00:11:44.679 to this world, 00:11:44.879 --> 00:11:45.899 but be transformed 00:11:45.899 --> 00:11:47.339 by the renewal of your mind 00:11:47.339 --> 00:11:48.219 that by testing 00:11:48.219 --> 00:11:49.360 you may discern 00:11:49.360 --> 00:11:50.399 what is the will of God, 00:11:50.480 --> 00:11:51.219 what is good 00:11:51.219 --> 00:11:52.379 and acceptable 00:11:52.379 --> 00:11:53.459 and perfect. 00:11:53.460 --> 00:11:56.259 For by the grace 00:11:56.259 --> 00:11:57.060 given to me, 00:11:57.180 --> 00:11:58.340 I say to everyone 00:11:58.340 --> 00:11:58.980 among you 00:11:58.980 --> 00:11:59.980 not to think of himself 00:11:59.980 --> 00:12:00.700 more highly 00:12:00.700 --> 00:12:01.820 than you ought to think, 00:12:02.460 --> 00:12:03.360 but to think, 00:12:03.420 --> 00:12:03.920 and get this, 00:12:04.160 --> 00:12:05.740 with sober judgment, 00:12:06.700 --> 00:12:07.600 each according 00:12:07.600 --> 00:12:09.300 to the measure of faith 00:12:09.300 --> 00:12:11.379 that God has assigned. 00:12:13.100 --> 00:12:14.000 So in other words, 00:12:14.060 --> 00:12:15.340 we're to live our lives 00:12:15.340 --> 00:12:17.019 set apart for the Lord. 00:12:17.080 --> 00:12:18.259 That's what holy means, 00:12:18.300 --> 00:12:19.320 is to be set apart 00:12:19.320 --> 00:12:21.080 for the purposes of God. 00:12:21.080 --> 00:12:22.980 We are to be sacrificial 00:12:22.980 --> 00:12:24.040 to the Lord. 00:12:24.639 --> 00:12:25.639 I always say, 00:12:25.780 --> 00:12:26.560 Christ don't want you 00:12:26.560 --> 00:12:27.259 to die for him, 00:12:27.300 --> 00:12:28.379 he wants you to live for him. 00:12:28.480 --> 00:12:29.240 And that's what it means 00:12:29.240 --> 00:12:30.680 to be a living sacrifice 00:12:30.680 --> 00:12:31.560 for the Lord. 00:12:32.320 --> 00:12:33.240 Not through our death, 00:12:33.320 --> 00:12:34.120 but through our life. 00:12:35.139 --> 00:12:36.220 We should not conform 00:12:36.220 --> 00:12:37.280 to the ways of the world, 00:12:37.560 --> 00:12:39.280 but allow the truth 00:12:39.280 --> 00:12:40.000 of God's way 00:12:40.000 --> 00:12:41.420 to guide our lives. 00:12:41.820 --> 00:12:42.740 He will renew 00:12:42.740 --> 00:12:44.480 an old warped mind 00:12:44.480 --> 00:12:45.580 by the application 00:12:45.580 --> 00:12:46.960 of his word 00:12:46.960 --> 00:12:48.360 in our lives 00:12:48.360 --> 00:12:49.400 and by the power 00:12:49.400 --> 00:12:50.780 of the Holy Spirit of God. 00:12:50.779 --> 00:12:52.220 He will show us 00:12:52.220 --> 00:12:52.959 what is right. 00:12:53.500 --> 00:12:54.659 He will show us 00:12:54.659 --> 00:12:55.620 what is not. 00:12:56.639 --> 00:12:57.079 Lastly, 00:12:57.199 --> 00:12:57.679 in verse 3, 00:12:57.740 --> 00:12:58.860 it says that we ought 00:12:58.860 --> 00:13:00.399 to think soberly. 00:13:01.059 --> 00:13:01.860 We ought to use 00:13:01.860 --> 00:13:03.579 sober judgment. 00:13:04.779 --> 00:13:06.000 Now that means two things. 00:13:06.659 --> 00:13:07.240 One is, 00:13:07.299 --> 00:13:08.079 it means we ought 00:13:08.079 --> 00:13:08.819 to be sober. 00:13:10.799 --> 00:13:11.779 Few things compromise 00:13:12.439 --> 00:13:13.379 the Christian life 00:13:13.379 --> 00:13:14.699 and the Christian testimony 00:13:14.699 --> 00:13:15.839 like alcohol. 00:13:17.199 --> 00:13:18.600 It'll ruin your career, 00:13:19.139 --> 00:13:20.559 it'll ruin your family, 00:13:20.779 --> 00:13:22.620 it'll ruin your reputation, 00:13:22.620 --> 00:13:24.659 it is a strong tool 00:13:24.659 --> 00:13:25.419 in the toolbox 00:13:25.419 --> 00:13:26.740 of the evil one. 00:13:27.319 --> 00:13:29.259 Nobody has ever been 00:13:29.259 --> 00:13:31.299 benefited spiritually 00:13:31.299 --> 00:13:32.759 from drinking alcohol. 00:13:33.360 --> 00:13:35.500 And most are hindered by it 00:13:35.500 --> 00:13:37.699 because they drank it. 00:13:38.220 --> 00:13:39.639 And my advice is 00:13:39.639 --> 00:13:40.959 just stay away from it. 00:13:42.220 --> 00:13:43.620 But the reality is 00:13:43.620 --> 00:13:44.819 this speaks of a lot more 00:13:44.819 --> 00:13:46.000 than just a sobriety. 00:13:46.000 --> 00:13:47.279 As a matter of fact, 00:13:47.679 --> 00:13:48.700 it speaks of being 00:13:48.700 --> 00:13:50.059 serious minded 00:13:50.059 --> 00:13:51.899 about the things of God. 00:13:52.700 --> 00:13:53.379 And to be honest, 00:13:53.519 --> 00:13:54.279 I really believe 00:13:54.279 --> 00:13:54.980 that this passage 00:13:54.980 --> 00:13:55.500 when it speaks 00:13:55.500 --> 00:13:56.539 of being sober minded 00:13:56.539 --> 00:13:58.120 speaks more 00:13:58.120 --> 00:14:00.559 to being serious minded 00:14:00.559 --> 00:14:01.740 than it speaks 00:14:01.740 --> 00:14:02.740 to sobriety. 00:14:03.080 --> 00:14:04.460 But I have strong feelings 00:14:04.460 --> 00:14:05.320 about sobriety 00:14:05.320 --> 00:14:06.580 and because I've seen 00:14:06.580 --> 00:14:07.279 too many lives 00:14:07.279 --> 00:14:08.200 ruined by alcohol, 00:14:08.460 --> 00:14:09.559 anytime I get a chance 00:14:09.559 --> 00:14:10.580 I'll clean me out of spot 00:14:10.580 --> 00:14:11.639 and say something about it. 00:14:11.639 --> 00:14:13.779 Because the reality is 00:14:13.779 --> 00:14:14.439 it does nothing 00:14:14.439 --> 00:14:15.299 for you beneficial 00:14:15.299 --> 00:14:16.639 in your walk with the Lord. 00:14:16.980 --> 00:14:17.960 And it'll also lead 00:14:17.960 --> 00:14:18.860 other people astray 00:14:18.860 --> 00:14:20.299 if it don't adversely 00:14:20.299 --> 00:14:21.279 affect you. 00:14:22.819 --> 00:14:23.679 The reality of what 00:14:23.679 --> 00:14:24.480 he's saying is 00:14:24.480 --> 00:14:26.600 if you're not sober, 00:14:26.699 --> 00:14:27.539 you're not serious. 00:14:29.559 --> 00:14:31.299 And you need to be serious. 00:14:32.779 --> 00:14:34.100 We ought to be somber 00:14:34.100 --> 00:14:34.899 and serious 00:14:34.899 --> 00:14:35.919 about the things of God. 00:14:37.159 --> 00:14:38.639 Now, when do you get 00:14:38.639 --> 00:14:39.620 serious about things? 00:14:39.700 --> 00:14:40.159 I'll tell you when 00:14:40.159 --> 00:14:40.919 you get serious about things. 00:14:40.919 --> 00:14:42.039 You get serious about things 00:14:42.039 --> 00:14:43.779 when time is pressing. 00:14:44.699 --> 00:14:46.599 When the pressure is on. 00:14:48.139 --> 00:14:50.139 When a job needs to get done. 00:14:52.079 --> 00:14:53.699 That's when the pressure's on. 00:14:54.939 --> 00:14:56.159 And I'll just tell you, friend, 00:14:56.899 --> 00:14:57.579 it's time. 00:14:58.860 --> 00:15:00.360 It's time to live 00:15:00.360 --> 00:15:01.799 spiritually alert. 00:15:03.059 --> 00:15:05.279 It's time to live on task. 00:15:06.779 --> 00:15:08.120 It's time to live 00:15:08.120 --> 00:15:09.480 fully dedicated. 00:15:10.919 --> 00:15:12.559 Hell is ready 00:15:12.559 --> 00:15:14.979 and people are headed there. 00:15:15.839 --> 00:15:18.539 And so let's respond accordingly. 00:15:19.860 --> 00:15:21.839 Let's be godly. 00:15:22.979 --> 00:15:25.139 Let's be serious. 00:15:26.500 --> 00:15:28.120 Due to the reality of hell, 00:15:29.079 --> 00:15:29.979 let's be timely. 00:15:30.759 --> 00:15:31.379 Let's be timely. 00:15:32.199 --> 00:15:33.519 Take advantage of the time 00:15:33.519 --> 00:15:34.219 that we have. 00:15:35.259 --> 00:15:36.599 We don't have much time. 00:15:36.600 --> 00:15:39.379 Now, you may have more than me 00:15:39.379 --> 00:15:40.659 and I may have more than you 00:15:40.659 --> 00:15:42.220 and I don't know how much time 00:15:42.220 --> 00:15:43.040 is not much, 00:15:43.180 --> 00:15:44.240 but think about it this way. 00:15:45.519 --> 00:15:47.200 95 million people 00:15:47.200 --> 00:15:48.279 will die this year. 00:15:49.399 --> 00:15:50.259 Every second, 00:15:50.420 --> 00:15:52.019 three people slip into eternity. 00:15:53.200 --> 00:15:55.139 Within the time that I preach 00:15:55.139 --> 00:15:56.300 this sermon, 00:15:56.800 --> 00:15:57.659 and you can do the math 00:15:57.659 --> 00:15:57.980 if you want to know 00:15:57.980 --> 00:15:58.639 how long I'm going to preach, 00:15:58.879 --> 00:16:00.240 4,000 people 00:16:00.240 --> 00:16:02.720 will have gone to a place 00:16:02.720 --> 00:16:04.460 of everlasting beauty 00:16:04.460 --> 00:16:05.279 and bliss 00:16:05.279 --> 00:16:06.720 are into an eternal hell. 00:16:08.840 --> 00:16:10.360 And if the words of Christ 00:16:10.360 --> 00:16:10.920 are true, 00:16:10.980 --> 00:16:11.580 and they are, 00:16:12.580 --> 00:16:13.820 if wide is the road 00:16:13.820 --> 00:16:14.920 that leads to destruction 00:16:14.920 --> 00:16:16.620 and narrow is the gate, 00:16:16.700 --> 00:16:17.580 as Jesus said, 00:16:17.779 --> 00:16:19.379 most of the 4,000 00:16:19.379 --> 00:16:20.300 that will die 00:16:20.300 --> 00:16:21.379 while I'm preaching 00:16:21.379 --> 00:16:22.840 will go to hell. 00:16:22.840 --> 00:16:24.779 Most of them. 00:16:24.779 --> 00:16:27.819 we have to take advantage 00:16:27.819 --> 00:16:29.600 of the time that we have, 00:16:29.879 --> 00:16:31.139 however long it is. 00:16:31.819 --> 00:16:33.319 We need to get our lives straight. 00:16:33.439 --> 00:16:34.339 We need to help others 00:16:34.339 --> 00:16:35.579 through their journey 00:16:35.579 --> 00:16:37.039 and help for the cause of Christ, 00:16:37.360 --> 00:16:38.480 pointing folks to him 00:16:38.480 --> 00:16:41.360 while we have time. 00:16:42.779 --> 00:16:43.759 Be timely. 00:16:45.259 --> 00:16:46.299 As well, 00:16:46.480 --> 00:16:47.659 due to the reality of hell, 00:16:48.139 --> 00:16:49.079 we ought to be grateful. 00:16:50.059 --> 00:16:50.899 We ought to be grateful. 00:16:50.899 --> 00:16:53.559 If you're a Christian, 00:16:53.759 --> 00:16:54.879 you have acknowledged 00:16:54.879 --> 00:16:56.059 that you are a sinner 00:16:56.059 --> 00:16:57.439 in need of a Savior. 00:16:58.759 --> 00:17:00.199 You're also fully aware 00:17:00.199 --> 00:17:01.459 that you continue to sin, 00:17:01.600 --> 00:17:02.779 but for the grace of God 00:17:02.779 --> 00:17:04.420 would have had hell to pay. 00:17:04.920 --> 00:17:06.359 But thank God for his grace. 00:17:06.940 --> 00:17:08.559 So let's never forget that. 00:17:09.379 --> 00:17:09.980 But instead, 00:17:10.119 --> 00:17:11.819 let's live in response to that. 00:17:14.200 --> 00:17:16.139 St. Patrick is the man 00:17:16.139 --> 00:17:17.639 that St. Patrick's Day 00:17:17.639 --> 00:17:19.139 is named after. 00:17:19.139 --> 00:17:20.879 He's a good man. 00:17:21.780 --> 00:17:23.200 Saw a poem that he wrote 00:17:23.200 --> 00:17:24.480 that I wanted to read. 00:17:24.620 --> 00:17:25.420 And so I got to wondering, 00:17:25.600 --> 00:17:26.840 how could such a good man 00:17:26.840 --> 00:17:30.500 be what St. Patrick's Day 00:17:30.500 --> 00:17:32.340 is named after? 00:17:33.680 --> 00:17:35.080 I got to researching that 00:17:35.080 --> 00:17:35.820 and found out that 00:17:35.820 --> 00:17:37.100 St. Patrick's Day 00:17:37.100 --> 00:17:39.720 is a celebration of Christianity 00:17:39.720 --> 00:17:40.840 coming to Ireland. 00:17:42.300 --> 00:17:44.460 And in order to properly celebrate that, 00:17:44.560 --> 00:17:46.759 they lift the limits of Lent 00:17:46.759 --> 00:17:47.560 for a day 00:17:47.560 --> 00:17:49.480 so they can properly celebrate. 00:17:49.480 --> 00:17:51.799 And that's why they're 00:17:51.799 --> 00:17:52.799 turning rivers green 00:17:52.799 --> 00:17:53.700 and all that stuff, 00:17:54.160 --> 00:17:54.460 you know. 00:17:55.660 --> 00:17:56.880 That's why it's become 00:17:56.880 --> 00:17:58.480 a drunken mess. 00:17:59.200 --> 00:18:00.319 But in reality, 00:18:00.440 --> 00:18:01.500 the man, St. Patrick, 00:18:01.860 --> 00:18:03.519 was a missionary 00:18:03.519 --> 00:18:05.400 and a bishop in Ireland. 00:18:06.200 --> 00:18:08.339 Never canonized as a saint 00:18:08.339 --> 00:18:09.680 by the Catholic Church, 00:18:09.680 --> 00:18:11.880 but he was called saint 00:18:11.880 --> 00:18:12.940 out of respect 00:18:12.940 --> 00:18:14.320 and out of reverence. 00:18:14.940 --> 00:18:16.000 And there's a poem 00:18:16.000 --> 00:18:17.299 that's attributed to him 00:18:17.299 --> 00:18:18.960 that got my attention. 00:18:19.060 --> 00:18:19.680 It says this, 00:18:19.680 --> 00:18:21.840 God be in my head 00:18:21.840 --> 00:18:23.039 and in my understanding. 00:18:24.039 --> 00:18:26.100 God be in my eyes 00:18:26.100 --> 00:18:27.120 and in my looking. 00:18:28.380 --> 00:18:30.620 God be in my mouth 00:18:30.620 --> 00:18:31.700 and in my speaking. 00:18:32.840 --> 00:18:34.560 God be in my heart 00:18:34.560 --> 00:18:35.580 and in my thinking. 00:18:35.579 --> 00:18:39.679 God be at mine end 00:18:39.679 --> 00:18:42.220 and at my departing. 00:18:44.699 --> 00:18:47.799 Gratitude leads to an effort 00:18:47.799 --> 00:18:48.980 to make God 00:18:48.980 --> 00:18:51.259 the center of all of our lives 00:18:51.259 --> 00:18:52.779 and to realize 00:18:52.779 --> 00:18:55.000 that all that you are 00:18:55.000 --> 00:18:57.039 and all that you have 00:18:57.039 --> 00:18:58.480 is in him. 00:18:58.480 --> 00:19:02.220 We get most of our understanding 00:19:02.220 --> 00:19:02.720 of hell 00:19:02.720 --> 00:19:04.420 from the words of Christ 00:19:04.420 --> 00:19:07.380 and they are inadequate 00:19:07.380 --> 00:19:08.620 to describe 00:19:08.620 --> 00:19:10.079 the horrors of hell. 00:19:10.220 --> 00:19:12.200 Not because Jesus is inadequate 00:19:12.200 --> 00:19:13.220 in anything, 00:19:13.980 --> 00:19:15.680 but because we're inadequate 00:19:15.680 --> 00:19:17.440 to understand an eternity 00:19:17.440 --> 00:19:18.839 that is beyond us. 00:19:19.920 --> 00:19:21.420 But he understands 00:19:21.420 --> 00:19:24.839 and he knows what it means 00:19:24.839 --> 00:19:26.120 to be separated from the Father 00:19:26.119 --> 00:19:28.759 because he was on the cross. 00:19:30.679 --> 00:19:31.939 He's drank the cup 00:19:31.939 --> 00:19:33.000 of the wrath of God 00:19:33.000 --> 00:19:34.019 and tasted its bitterness. 00:19:35.299 --> 00:19:36.019 He's endured 00:19:36.019 --> 00:19:37.399 the agonizing pain. 00:19:39.039 --> 00:19:40.779 The Lord has laid on Christ 00:19:40.779 --> 00:19:42.619 the iniquity of us all. 00:19:44.279 --> 00:19:45.819 God did not spare his son, 00:19:46.119 --> 00:19:47.199 but had him experience 00:19:47.199 --> 00:19:49.039 the fury of judgment 00:19:49.039 --> 00:19:50.159 of God's holiness. 00:19:50.719 --> 00:19:51.779 1 Peter chapter 4 00:19:51.779 --> 00:19:53.079 and Ephesians chapter 4 00:19:53.079 --> 00:19:54.859 tells us that in the period 00:19:54.859 --> 00:19:56.019 in which Christ died, 00:19:56.119 --> 00:19:56.899 between the cross 00:19:56.899 --> 00:19:58.019 and the empty tomb, 00:19:58.479 --> 00:20:00.259 that Christ went to hell 00:20:00.259 --> 00:20:00.979 for us. 00:20:01.939 --> 00:20:03.099 He took the horror 00:20:03.099 --> 00:20:04.939 so we don't have to. 00:20:06.239 --> 00:20:07.379 And that's worth more 00:20:07.379 --> 00:20:09.299 than just some sentimental pause, 00:20:09.559 --> 00:20:10.799 more than just a bowing 00:20:10.799 --> 00:20:11.259 of the head, 00:20:11.500 --> 00:20:13.039 more than just a solemn moment 00:20:13.039 --> 00:20:14.139 of silent reflection. 00:20:14.539 --> 00:20:16.259 That is worth a life 00:20:16.259 --> 00:20:17.619 that is marked 00:20:17.619 --> 00:20:19.059 by gratitude 00:20:19.059 --> 00:20:20.399 because outside of Christ 00:20:20.399 --> 00:20:21.759 we have no hope. 00:20:21.759 --> 00:20:24.819 As the Apostle Paul put it 00:20:24.819 --> 00:20:26.519 in Galatians chapter 6 00:20:26.519 --> 00:20:27.440 verse 14, 00:20:28.220 --> 00:20:30.460 but far be it from me 00:20:30.460 --> 00:20:31.779 to boast 00:20:31.779 --> 00:20:33.879 except in the cross 00:20:33.879 --> 00:20:37.160 of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:20:39.160 --> 00:20:40.720 Do the realities of hell. 00:20:41.720 --> 00:20:43.140 We ought to be grateful 00:20:43.140 --> 00:20:44.700 and it ought to show. 00:20:44.700 --> 00:20:47.940 And lastly, 00:20:48.440 --> 00:20:50.940 due to the reality of hell, 00:20:51.680 --> 00:20:53.220 we ought to share Jesus. 00:20:54.420 --> 00:20:55.460 Do you believe in hell? 00:20:55.460 --> 00:21:00.500 How much does it mean to you 00:21:00.500 --> 00:21:03.059 that people avoid hell? 00:21:04.860 --> 00:21:06.279 People that you love, 00:21:07.880 --> 00:21:10.279 people that you live with, 00:21:11.740 --> 00:21:14.140 people that you relate to, 00:21:15.620 --> 00:21:18.059 people that you work with, 00:21:19.100 --> 00:21:21.860 people that you recreate with, 00:21:21.859 --> 00:21:25.879 how much difference does it make? 00:21:28.299 --> 00:21:29.099 I read this 00:21:29.099 --> 00:21:29.759 and I thought about it 00:21:29.759 --> 00:21:30.339 a lot this week. 00:21:31.179 --> 00:21:32.819 Paul said in Romans chapter 9 00:21:32.819 --> 00:21:33.679 that he wished 00:21:33.679 --> 00:21:34.919 that he would be accursed 00:21:34.919 --> 00:21:36.459 and cut off from Christ 00:21:36.459 --> 00:21:37.740 for the sake of his brothers 00:21:37.740 --> 00:21:39.719 and those related to him. 00:21:40.719 --> 00:21:41.679 What a statement. 00:21:45.339 --> 00:21:47.019 He's saying I'd go to hell 00:21:47.019 --> 00:21:49.179 if it would save 00:21:49.179 --> 00:21:50.119 the souls of others. 00:21:51.859 --> 00:21:52.819 And I'm just going to tell you, 00:21:52.839 --> 00:21:53.619 after we spent a month 00:21:53.619 --> 00:21:54.479 detailing hell, 00:21:55.579 --> 00:21:56.459 how many of us could say 00:21:56.459 --> 00:21:56.819 with Paul, 00:21:56.899 --> 00:21:57.500 I'd rather go to hell 00:21:57.500 --> 00:21:58.119 than others go? 00:21:59.439 --> 00:22:00.579 How many of us could say that? 00:22:01.639 --> 00:22:02.699 I'll just be honest with you. 00:22:04.019 --> 00:22:05.359 I could say it about a few people. 00:22:07.459 --> 00:22:08.819 I could say it about my family. 00:22:10.659 --> 00:22:11.839 Thank God the ones I'm thinking of 00:22:11.839 --> 00:22:12.779 are the ones that are saved, 00:22:12.899 --> 00:22:13.379 praise God. 00:22:16.059 --> 00:22:18.000 And he goes on in that chapter 00:22:18.000 --> 00:22:19.279 to say in that chapter 00:22:19.279 --> 00:22:21.940 that all will not be saved. 00:22:23.539 --> 00:22:25.339 And then he follows that up 00:22:25.339 --> 00:22:27.720 with Romans chapter 10. 00:22:29.440 --> 00:22:31.059 And in Romans chapter 10, 00:22:31.119 --> 00:22:31.960 beginning in verse 9, 00:22:32.000 --> 00:22:32.599 he said this, 00:22:32.599 --> 00:22:35.399 if you confess with your mouth 00:22:35.399 --> 00:22:36.420 that Jesus is Lord 00:22:36.420 --> 00:22:37.579 and believe in your heart 00:22:37.579 --> 00:22:38.980 that God raised him from the dead, 00:22:39.000 --> 00:22:39.859 you will be saved. 00:22:41.259 --> 00:22:42.579 For with the heart one believes 00:22:42.579 --> 00:22:43.359 and is justified, 00:22:43.619 --> 00:22:44.960 and with the mouth one confess 00:22:44.960 --> 00:22:46.819 and is saved. 00:22:46.819 --> 00:22:49.079 For the scripture says, 00:22:49.480 --> 00:22:50.539 everyone who believes in him 00:22:50.539 --> 00:22:51.899 will not be put to shame. 00:22:52.939 --> 00:22:54.000 For there's no distinction 00:22:54.000 --> 00:22:55.419 between Jew and Greek, 00:22:55.539 --> 00:22:57.200 for the same Lord is Lord of all, 00:22:58.259 --> 00:23:00.079 bestowing his riches on all 00:23:00.079 --> 00:23:01.220 who call on him. 00:23:01.919 --> 00:23:03.740 For everyone who calls upon 00:23:03.740 --> 00:23:04.480 the name of the Lord 00:23:04.480 --> 00:23:06.019 will be saved. 00:23:07.259 --> 00:23:09.679 How then will they call on him 00:23:09.679 --> 00:23:11.539 in whom they've not believed? 00:23:12.359 --> 00:23:13.019 Get this. 00:23:13.019 --> 00:23:15.440 And how are they to believe in him 00:23:15.440 --> 00:23:17.480 of whom they've never heard? 00:23:18.859 --> 00:23:20.440 And how are they to hear 00:23:20.440 --> 00:23:22.339 without somebody preaching? 00:23:23.559 --> 00:23:25.240 And how are they to preach 00:23:25.240 --> 00:23:26.859 unless they're sent? 00:23:28.000 --> 00:23:28.940 As it is written, 00:23:29.059 --> 00:23:30.160 how beautiful are the feet 00:23:30.160 --> 00:23:32.839 of those who preach the good news. 00:23:34.000 --> 00:23:36.980 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. 00:23:38.059 --> 00:23:39.559 For Isaiah says, 00:23:39.980 --> 00:23:41.099 Lord, who has believed 00:23:41.099 --> 00:23:42.519 what he has heard from us. 00:23:43.519 --> 00:23:45.339 So faith comes from hearing 00:23:45.339 --> 00:23:47.359 and hearing through 00:23:47.359 --> 00:23:49.639 the word of God. 00:23:51.119 --> 00:23:53.439 He goes on to quote Isaiah 00:23:53.439 --> 00:23:56.139 in Romans chapter 10, verse 20. 00:23:57.279 --> 00:23:57.759 It says, 00:23:57.939 --> 00:23:59.419 Then Isaiah is so boldly 00:23:59.419 --> 00:23:59.859 as to say, 00:23:59.939 --> 00:24:01.059 I have been found by those 00:24:01.059 --> 00:24:02.519 who did not seek me. 00:24:02.799 --> 00:24:04.719 I have shown myself to those 00:24:04.719 --> 00:24:06.579 who did not ask for me. 00:24:06.579 --> 00:24:07.519 Leave that up a moment 00:24:07.519 --> 00:24:08.740 because I want you to see that. 00:24:08.740 --> 00:24:10.500 Isaiah said, 00:24:10.880 --> 00:24:14.579 I realize God sent me to folks 00:24:14.579 --> 00:24:16.700 that didn't seek me out. 00:24:17.839 --> 00:24:19.900 They didn't ask me spiritual questions. 00:24:20.559 --> 00:24:22.019 God sent me to them. 00:24:23.079 --> 00:24:24.259 I've shown myself to those 00:24:24.259 --> 00:24:25.900 who didn't ask that for me. 00:24:27.180 --> 00:24:28.539 Don't wait for somebody 00:24:28.539 --> 00:24:30.559 to ask a spiritually exploring question 00:24:30.559 --> 00:24:32.079 for you to share Christ with them. 00:24:32.380 --> 00:24:33.859 They're dead in their transgressions 00:24:33.859 --> 00:24:34.620 and sins. 00:24:35.620 --> 00:24:36.799 Allow the Holy Spirit 00:24:36.799 --> 00:24:38.220 to use you to wake them up 00:24:38.220 --> 00:24:40.500 with the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:24:41.299 --> 00:24:42.579 We have a responsibility 00:24:42.579 --> 00:24:44.200 to share the gospel. 00:24:44.859 --> 00:24:45.379 Isaiah says, 00:24:45.500 --> 00:24:46.619 I showed up in people's lives 00:24:46.619 --> 00:24:47.700 that were not expecting me. 00:24:47.779 --> 00:24:48.980 I shared with many folks 00:24:48.980 --> 00:24:50.220 that did not ask. 00:24:50.599 --> 00:24:51.539 People's eternity 00:24:51.539 --> 00:24:53.460 is based upon our faithfulness. 00:24:54.559 --> 00:24:55.700 There were places 00:24:55.700 --> 00:24:56.559 Jesus went 00:24:56.559 --> 00:24:57.940 where he did little work 00:24:57.940 --> 00:24:59.559 because they didn't have the faith 00:24:59.559 --> 00:25:00.759 for him to work there. 00:25:01.259 --> 00:25:02.220 Scripture says that. 00:25:02.220 --> 00:25:06.000 Dr. Francis Schaeffer 00:25:06.000 --> 00:25:09.100 was a Presbyterian pastor, 00:25:09.240 --> 00:25:10.420 a writer, and theologian, 00:25:10.500 --> 00:25:13.259 and he was visibly moved 00:25:13.259 --> 00:25:14.299 by the thought of hell. 00:25:15.680 --> 00:25:16.600 He was meeting 00:25:16.600 --> 00:25:17.740 with some college students 00:25:17.740 --> 00:25:18.500 in Switzerland 00:25:18.500 --> 00:25:21.319 and discussing these things. 00:25:21.819 --> 00:25:22.900 When a young man 00:25:22.900 --> 00:25:24.039 asked him a question, 00:25:25.360 --> 00:25:25.880 he said, 00:25:25.960 --> 00:25:26.759 Dr. Schaeffer, 00:25:26.759 --> 00:25:28.640 what about those 00:25:28.640 --> 00:25:30.799 who've never heard the gospel? 00:25:30.799 --> 00:25:34.779 They waited. 00:25:35.759 --> 00:25:36.960 They paused 00:25:36.960 --> 00:25:39.099 for a brilliant answer. 00:25:40.899 --> 00:25:41.460 And instead, 00:25:42.339 --> 00:25:44.299 he didn't say a word. 00:25:45.879 --> 00:25:47.180 He just bowed his head 00:25:47.180 --> 00:25:49.079 and wept. 00:25:52.379 --> 00:25:54.940 God chose to use us 00:25:54.940 --> 00:25:55.859 as instruments 00:25:55.859 --> 00:25:57.399 to bring people to the Lord. 00:25:58.579 --> 00:26:00.079 He can save them 00:26:00.079 --> 00:26:01.139 without us. 00:26:01.740 --> 00:26:02.659 But why should he? 00:26:03.879 --> 00:26:05.919 When he has lived for us, 00:26:06.220 --> 00:26:08.359 he's died for us, 00:26:08.960 --> 00:26:10.619 he's rose for us, 00:26:11.179 --> 00:26:12.779 he's empowered us, 00:26:13.319 --> 00:26:14.980 he's commissioned us 00:26:14.980 --> 00:26:16.720 to go in his name 00:26:16.720 --> 00:26:17.919 and to share in eternity 00:26:17.919 --> 00:26:19.899 changing gospel. 00:26:22.240 --> 00:26:24.299 So what if reality of hell 00:26:24.299 --> 00:26:25.539 is really true 00:26:25.539 --> 00:26:27.480 as scripture says it is 00:26:27.480 --> 00:26:28.339 as I believe? 00:26:28.339 --> 00:26:30.679 If it is Christian, 00:26:31.740 --> 00:26:34.220 because hell is real, 00:26:34.779 --> 00:26:36.659 let's be godly. 00:26:37.740 --> 00:26:39.299 Because hell is real, 00:26:39.959 --> 00:26:40.980 let's be serious. 00:26:41.939 --> 00:26:43.359 Because hell is real, 00:26:43.480 --> 00:26:44.259 let's be timely. 00:26:45.500 --> 00:26:46.359 Let's make the most 00:26:46.359 --> 00:26:47.139 of our time. 00:26:48.699 --> 00:26:49.759 Let's be grateful. 00:26:51.679 --> 00:26:53.159 Let's be sharing Jesus. 00:26:53.160 --> 00:26:56.800 Because doing so 00:26:56.800 --> 00:26:58.880 makes an eternity 00:26:58.880 --> 00:27:00.840 of difference. 00:27:03.700 --> 00:27:04.940 With every head bowed 00:27:04.940 --> 00:27:07.800 and every eye closed, 00:27:08.500 --> 00:27:11.560 I just want you to think 00:27:11.560 --> 00:27:12.060 about something 00:27:12.060 --> 00:27:12.860 for just a moment. 00:27:13.380 --> 00:27:14.200 I want you to be honest 00:27:14.200 --> 00:27:14.640 with God. 00:27:14.640 --> 00:27:20.000 Can you rest in the fact 00:27:20.000 --> 00:27:20.620 that you've come 00:27:20.620 --> 00:27:21.580 to the point in your life 00:27:21.580 --> 00:27:22.140 where you know 00:27:22.140 --> 00:27:23.259 that you have eternity? 00:27:24.220 --> 00:27:25.120 You know that you've 00:27:25.120 --> 00:27:25.880 given your heart and life 00:27:25.880 --> 00:27:26.340 to the Lord 00:27:26.340 --> 00:27:27.620 and you go into heaven 00:27:27.620 --> 00:27:28.220 when you die. 00:27:29.780 --> 00:27:31.680 Hell hangs in the balance. 00:27:33.160 --> 00:27:34.500 And that's not a threat, 00:27:35.040 --> 00:27:36.780 it's not a scare, 00:27:37.380 --> 00:27:38.300 it's just the truth. 00:27:38.299 --> 00:27:41.240 So I encourage you, 00:27:42.119 --> 00:27:43.359 if there's any uncertainty 00:27:43.359 --> 00:27:44.079 in your life 00:27:44.079 --> 00:27:45.059 about your salvation, 00:27:45.960 --> 00:27:47.819 respond as we stand 00:27:47.819 --> 00:27:48.240 in the moment. 00:27:49.579 --> 00:27:50.539 Let's have a conversation 00:27:50.539 --> 00:27:51.180 about that. 00:27:51.399 --> 00:27:52.119 Let's deal with that. 00:27:54.579 --> 00:27:55.299 Maybe you're here 00:27:55.299 --> 00:27:55.759 this morning 00:27:55.759 --> 00:27:56.740 and you know 00:27:56.740 --> 00:27:59.019 that you are a Christian. 00:27:59.980 --> 00:28:00.899 You know that you've 00:28:00.899 --> 00:28:01.500 given your heart and life 00:28:01.500 --> 00:28:01.639 to the Lord, 00:28:01.680 --> 00:28:02.099 but you've never 00:28:02.099 --> 00:28:03.299 publicly acknowledged Him. 00:28:04.539 --> 00:28:05.240 You've never let others 00:28:05.240 --> 00:28:07.200 know what God's done 00:28:07.200 --> 00:28:07.859 in your life. 00:28:08.299 --> 00:28:09.079 And Christ, 00:28:09.220 --> 00:28:09.919 by His example 00:28:09.919 --> 00:28:10.799 and by His commission, 00:28:10.940 --> 00:28:11.539 tells us 00:28:11.539 --> 00:28:13.119 that we ought to 00:28:13.119 --> 00:28:14.039 let others know 00:28:14.039 --> 00:28:16.039 about our private decision 00:28:16.039 --> 00:28:16.579 publicly 00:28:16.579 --> 00:28:18.019 through baptism. 00:28:18.720 --> 00:28:19.799 If you've never done that, 00:28:19.859 --> 00:28:20.399 I encourage you 00:28:20.399 --> 00:28:21.139 to come this morning. 00:28:21.659 --> 00:28:22.579 We'll line that up, 00:28:23.000 --> 00:28:23.759 take care of that. 00:28:24.940 --> 00:28:25.759 Maybe, in fact, 00:28:25.819 --> 00:28:26.599 God's drawing you 00:28:26.599 --> 00:28:27.359 to this congregation. 00:28:28.639 --> 00:28:29.799 You've worshipped with us 00:28:29.799 --> 00:28:30.599 and you realize 00:28:30.599 --> 00:28:31.500 that this is the place 00:28:31.500 --> 00:28:32.220 that God would have you 00:28:32.220 --> 00:28:32.700 to serve 00:28:32.700 --> 00:28:35.019 alongside us. 00:28:35.899 --> 00:28:36.980 If that be the case, 00:28:36.980 --> 00:28:38.279 I encourage you to come. 00:28:39.220 --> 00:28:40.019 If you have questions, 00:28:40.399 --> 00:28:40.879 let's talk. 00:28:41.319 --> 00:28:42.079 Let's set up a time 00:28:42.079 --> 00:28:42.859 to talk about that. 00:28:45.279 --> 00:28:45.919 Maybe you're here 00:28:45.919 --> 00:28:46.339 this morning 00:28:46.339 --> 00:28:46.960 and you do know 00:28:46.960 --> 00:28:47.579 you're a Christian, 00:28:48.319 --> 00:28:49.359 but you're like me. 00:28:49.440 --> 00:28:50.180 You're weighed down 00:28:50.180 --> 00:28:51.059 about folks 00:28:51.059 --> 00:28:51.940 that don't know the Lord. 00:28:55.240 --> 00:28:56.440 Maybe God's laid somebody 00:28:56.440 --> 00:28:57.480 upon your heart today. 00:28:59.480 --> 00:29:00.359 Will you ask Him 00:29:00.359 --> 00:29:02.559 to just give you the words, 00:29:02.980 --> 00:29:03.639 empower you, 00:29:03.640 --> 00:29:05.060 to speak up, 00:29:05.620 --> 00:29:07.720 to make a difference 00:29:07.720 --> 00:29:08.460 in their lives? 00:29:10.020 --> 00:29:11.200 And if God's not 00:29:11.200 --> 00:29:12.020 put anybody 00:29:12.020 --> 00:29:13.140 on your heart and mind, 00:29:13.259 --> 00:29:13.780 would you do me 00:29:13.780 --> 00:29:14.620 a favor today 00:29:14.620 --> 00:29:15.320 and would you say, 00:29:15.380 --> 00:29:15.560 Lord, 00:29:15.920 --> 00:29:16.920 will you lay somebody 00:29:16.920 --> 00:29:17.580 on my heart 00:29:17.580 --> 00:29:18.800 that might need the Lord? 00:29:21.360 --> 00:29:22.220 Will you help me 00:29:22.220 --> 00:29:22.740 to walk through 00:29:22.740 --> 00:29:23.520 the doors of obedience 00:29:23.520 --> 00:29:24.300 and grow 00:29:24.300 --> 00:29:25.220 because I've simply 00:29:25.220 --> 00:29:25.740 followed you 00:29:25.740 --> 00:29:26.420 and obeyed you? 00:29:27.620 --> 00:29:27.940 Man, 00:29:27.980 --> 00:29:28.420 what a difference 00:29:28.420 --> 00:29:29.060 we could make 00:29:29.060 --> 00:29:31.360 and pickings 00:29:31.360 --> 00:29:32.519 in our surrounding area 00:29:32.519 --> 00:29:34.060 if we'd share 00:29:34.060 --> 00:29:34.539 our faith 00:29:34.539 --> 00:29:35.640 for the Lord Jesus Christ 00:29:35.640 --> 00:29:36.220 faithfully. 00:29:37.900 --> 00:29:38.560 Lord Jesus, 00:29:38.660 --> 00:29:39.160 I love you 00:29:39.160 --> 00:29:39.900 and I thank you 00:29:39.900 --> 00:29:42.120 for the opportunity 00:29:42.120 --> 00:29:43.000 that you give us 00:29:43.000 --> 00:29:44.140 to rest in you, 00:29:44.220 --> 00:29:44.720 dear God. 00:29:45.680 --> 00:29:46.420 I'm thankful, 00:29:46.759 --> 00:29:46.800 Lord, 00:29:46.900 --> 00:29:47.860 that even though 00:29:47.860 --> 00:29:48.740 hell is real, 00:29:49.279 --> 00:29:51.120 salvation is even more real 00:29:51.120 --> 00:29:51.900 and I'm thankful 00:29:51.900 --> 00:29:52.680 that we can rest 00:29:52.680 --> 00:29:53.360 in that today. 00:29:53.800 --> 00:29:54.860 I pray that every one 00:29:54.860 --> 00:29:55.420 of us will 00:29:55.420 --> 00:29:57.000 and if there's one 00:29:57.000 --> 00:29:57.539 struggling, 00:29:57.539 --> 00:29:59.019 or one needs 00:29:59.019 --> 00:29:59.819 to make a decision, 00:30:00.879 --> 00:30:01.180 Lord, 00:30:01.240 --> 00:30:01.920 I pray that you'll 00:30:01.920 --> 00:30:03.099 give them direction today. 00:30:04.000 --> 00:30:04.779 The boldness 00:30:04.779 --> 00:30:05.980 to step forward 00:30:05.980 --> 00:30:06.659 as you lead, 00:30:06.740 --> 00:30:07.159 dear God, 00:30:08.519 --> 00:30:09.139 to just simply 00:30:09.139 --> 00:30:09.819 follow your will 00:30:09.819 --> 00:30:10.319 and your way. 00:30:11.259 --> 00:30:12.059 We love you. 00:30:12.500 --> 00:30:13.159 Thank you for what 00:30:13.159 --> 00:30:13.879 you're about to do 00:30:13.879 --> 00:30:14.859 in our midst right now. 00:30:15.220 --> 00:30:16.799 In Jesus' precious name, 00:30:16.980 --> 00:30:17.220 amen.