WEBVTT

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 Okay, the title of my message is Wake Up and Keep Going.

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! We're going to read the passage together.

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! I'm going to read it out loud and then we'll pray.

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 I'm going to start at verse 9.

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 1 Thessalonians chapter 5, starting at verse 9.

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 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

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 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep, we might live with him.

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 Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

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 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord,

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 and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly and love because of their work.

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 Be at peace among yourselves.

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 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the faint-hearted, help the weak,

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 be patient with them all, see that no one repays anyone evil for evil,

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 but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.

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 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances,

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 for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

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 Do not quench the spirit, do not despise prophecies, but test everything.

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 Hold fast what is good, abstain from every form of evil.

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 Amen.

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 Heavenly Father, God, I pray that you would awaken our hearts to the Holy Spirit this morning.

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 God, I pray that you would fill me with the spirit this morning as I teach.

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 Lord, I pray that you would give me your burden for the church that you love so much, God.

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 Lord, I pray that the words from my mouth and the meditation from my heart would be pleasing to you, my God.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Good morning.

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 Good morning.

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 So my name is Sean.

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 I'm one of the partners members here at Christ Church.

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 And it is my privilege to walk through this passage of scripture with you.

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 And so we'll just go ahead and start.

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 I've broken up this passage into four points.

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 The first point is obey your leaders and be at peace among yourselves.

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 Verses 12 and 13.

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 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,

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 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work.

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 Be at peace among yourselves.

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 So right now, the leadership at Christ Church is Josh, and eventually we'll have elders appointed.

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 And they'll be the leaders that we're going to be supporting as a church.

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 We're called to do this unto the Lord and to scripture.

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 And so what this looks like is supporting and praying for your elders, supporting and praying for your future elders,

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 and also in the process of appointing elders.

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 And so one thing I was praying for for the church is I want us to just really be a warm welcome to the future elders here at Christ Church.

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 You know, when I was an elder at Bellicose, when my family was doing this, and we were doing this for five years,

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 it was so helpful when we got welcomed into the body at Bellicose.

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 And throughout the process, we felt the love.

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 We felt the love and support of the body throughout the whole season.

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 And I look back upon it with the fondest memories.

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 I'm so thankful for the church and for the body for that time because during that time,

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 there's things that happen that are tough.

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 When you're shepherding the body, there's things that happen that are difficult situations,

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 and it's so good to have the body behind you as family, cheering you on, praying for you, supporting you.

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 We had times when one of our kids was in the hospital.

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 The church was praying for us, bringing us meals.

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 Even on Sunday service, they were praying for our daughter that was in the hospital.

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 And it was such a blessing.

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 I was thinking about that the other day to know when we were sitting in the hospital that the church was praying for us.

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 And that's what I want.

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 I want this culture of Bellicose.

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 And we're a young church, and we have the opportunity to lay this foundation,

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 and we have the opportunity to lay this culture right.

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 And we want to be a church that is family together to support each other well.

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 And so cheer for each other instead of being critical.

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 And it is within our human nature, within our sinful nature, to be critical.

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 And that's something that we actually have to recognize that that's sin, to turn away from that.

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 Now, here Christ hurts our people with strong convictions and strong opinions, which is good.

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 It's good to have strong convictions.

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 It is good to have strong opinions, but it is sin to gossip.

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 And so that's one of the things that I want to warn us of.

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 And then verse 15 even talks about,

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 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.

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 And so how do you make sure that your convictions and your concerns are biblical?

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 Matthew 18.

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 You go and talk to that person one-on-one alone.

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 You don't go and talk to someone else about it.

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 You don't share your concerns with someone else, but you share your concerns with that person.

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 Because what we don't want to do is let the enemy have a foot bolt in our bodies.

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 We don't want him to come in and cause division.

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 We don't want to have the church be torn apart from the devil from the inside.

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 And so when the devil attacks the church from the outside, the church is stronger.

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 But when he attacks the church from the inside, it can be torn apart.

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 And God cares about the sin that can tear apart his church.

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 And he cares about you.

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 And that sin can tear apart you.

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 So be quick to recognize gossip and turn away from him.

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 And this is something that I think all of us have seen in the church.

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 This is not something that's probably happened from the very beginning of time.

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 And this is something that we have to be aware of.

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 Because there's an enemy, an adversary who seeks to steal, kill, and destroy.

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 And we want to be on guard against that.

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 Be patient with one another.

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 Have grace with one another.

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 Don't be so quick to be offended.

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 Remember your own sin and your failings.

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 There's a quote by Charles Spurgeon that I love.

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 If any man thinks ill of you, do not be angry with him.

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 For you are worse than he thinks you to be.

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 So true.

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 When we remember that, we're not offended.

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 We're like, you know what?

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 They're right.

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 And there's probably more.

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 There is more.

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 And so don't be so quick to take an offense.

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 Don't take yourself so seriously.

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 Remember the gospel and have grace with one another.

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 And one of the keys, too, is not being offended, is being humble.

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 That's the key right there.

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 Don't take it so seriously.

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 When someone says something, you know, I'm far worse than they even know.

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 And that's okay.

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 So let's not be critical of one another.

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 Let's not put each other under the microscope.

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 But let's actually, like it says in verse 13, be at peace among ourselves.

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 Let's pursue unity together in this.

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 And if something happens that you could be offended by, just say, you know what?

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 You're probably right.

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 You know, thank the Lord.

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 And don't take it so seriously.

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 Also, part of supporting our leaders is really the process of taking part in the church ministry together.

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 Don't let it all fall on their shoulders.

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 Don't let it all fall on your MC leader's shoulders.

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 Don't think other people are taking care of this.

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 Be part of this together.

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 And what that looks like here at Christ Church is in our MCs, in the missional communities.

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 This is how we do church.

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 And so what that looks like is MC gatherings, hosting the building, cleaning up after meetings,

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 caring the needs for others in the church.

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 Don't let other people care for the needs of others.

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 We need to be the church together.

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 We need to do this and partner with the church.

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 Giving up your resources, your time, and your money.

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 And sometimes we think that, you know, time, there's other people that can do that.

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 I'm too busy.

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 Well, if the Lord puts it on your heart to address a certain need, to bring a meal to someone,

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 to reach out to someone, to pray for someone, to let them know you're praying, that's the Holy Spirit.

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 Listen.

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 Listen to what the Holy Spirit is doing.

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 And be part of the body.

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 Partner together.

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 That brings me to point number two, which is care for the body.

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 Verses 14 and 15.

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 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the faint-hearted, help the weak,

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 be patient with them all.

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 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and

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 to every one.

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 The only way that we can really do verses 14 and 15 well is through relationship.

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 You know, look at verse 14.

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 Admonish the idle, encourage the faint-hearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.

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 If we don't have relational equity with one another, we're not able to do this well.

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 If we don't have relational equity, we're not able to receive correction very well.

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 If we don't have a relationship with one another, we're not able to sometimes even see these things.

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 Right?

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 Admonish the idle, encourage the faint-hearted.

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 How would you even know if you don't know someone well?

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 You have to be in each other's lives.

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 And that's how we have things set up and we desire to be functioning as a church together

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 within our mission communities.

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 It's to do life together, to do life on life together.

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 Where we're walking through life together is family.

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 Where we know what's going on.

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 Where we know how each other's doing.

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 And then when something happens, we're quick to respond.

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 We're quick to reach out.

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 When something tough is going on, we're quick to share what's going on.

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 We want to be the ones that each other counts on.

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 We want to be family, brothers and sisters.

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 And that's what we're called to do.

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 Unto the Lord.

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 And to keep going.

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 Right?

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 We need to wake up when the Holy Spirit is alert in our attention.

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 And then we need to respond and we need to keep going.

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 And so this is important.

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 We need to pray for the people in our mission communities by name.

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 You know, one thing that Mindy and I do, my wife, we pray for the people in our MCs by name.

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 We take turns with a different person.

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 We try to do each night.

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 And then we just pray together about that person.

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 We pray for them.

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 And when you start doing that, the Lord actually will put stuff in your heart for them.

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 And reach out to them.

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 Be specific.

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 Let them know.

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 We're praying for you.

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 The Lord really highlighted this to me.

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 Don't make it generic.

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 Don't just say, I was praying for you.

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 Just want to let you know that.

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 Say, hey, the Lord really highlighted something.

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 We need to listen and wake up to the Holy Spirit.

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 And I was praying for the church.

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 That's one thing that came highlighted.

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 Was I really want us.

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 We're open to the spirit.

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 And I know we are doing that.

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 But I want us to wake up to the Holy Spirit and respond.

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 And because that's the spirit of the living God.

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 Living inside of us.

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 For those that are followers of Christ.

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 And the Lord is a spirit for strengthening and building up the church through the giftings.

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 So is a church impacted by your presence?

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 How is a church impacted by your presence?

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 That's one thing I think we should really actually take an inventory of our lives.

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 What does the Lord want you to do more to build up the church and strengthen the church?

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 And don't look to other people to do that.

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 This is your church.

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 Or if you're a visitor, it's another church.

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 The Lord wants you to make an impact and to strengthen and build up your church.

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 That's what he's given the spiritual gifts for.

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 So use your spiritual gifts.

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 1 Corinthians 12.

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 The Lord has given these spiritual gifts for building up the church.

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 For building up the body.

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 And sometimes we rely on our own strength too much.

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 We actually think that we can do it.

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 That's very prideful.

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 We can't do it.

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 Apart from God, we can do nothing.

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 Matthew 15.5.

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 Apart from Jesus, we can do nothing.

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 We need actually to remember when Jesus went away, he said,

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 It is better that I go.

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 Because when I go, I am giving you a spirit.

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 And so we need to remember, he gave us a spirit for this.

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 Use the spiritual gifts.

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 Use the gifts the Lord has given for building up the church.

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 And if you don't know what your spiritual gifts are,

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 this is a question that I've had.

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 I would say, start serving.

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 And that's why I've told people, start serving.

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 Jump in and start serving.

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 Because the spiritual gifts are actually made for serving.

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 For service.

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 And so as you serve more, as you start stepping out there more,

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 as you start taking care of the needs of the body more,

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 you'll actually see the giftings come out.

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 And other people will recognize it too.

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 So jump in, start serving, and be open to the Holy Spirit.

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 Another thing I've found too is that the Lord, he is so faithful.

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 He takes care of the church.

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 We don't have to think about it.

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 He's the one that tells us and highlights things.

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 And if you notice a need, a lot of times,

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 that can be a heads up and that's how you're gifted.

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 I've had people talk to me before and say,

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 hey, how come we're not doing this?

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 And I thought, I didn't even think about that.

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 That could be a way that you're gifted.

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 Start praying into that.

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 Start helping out with that.

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 Start jumping in with your spiritual communities,

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 helping out with your MCs,

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 talk to your MC leaders,

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 and use those things that you have a burden for

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 for building up the church.

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 So instead of being frustrated,

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 I would say, take part.

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 Do this together.

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 Partner with the church well.

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 Be patient with one another as we're using our gifts.

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 Actually appreciate the gifts in others.

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 I've seen this before, and I'm sure you guys have too,

00:13:03.339 --> 00:13:04.759
 where sometimes you have a certain gifting,

00:13:05.620 --> 00:13:07.759
 and the other gifting is not your gifting,

00:13:07.939 --> 00:13:09.639
 and you don't understand that other person's gifting,

00:13:09.779 --> 00:13:11.939
 but we have to recognize that these gifts were made

00:13:11.939 --> 00:13:13.799
 actually to work together.

00:13:13.799 --> 00:13:16.379
 So we need to do this in love and humility.

00:13:17.299 --> 00:13:20.219
 And so sometimes you have a mercy gifting over here

00:13:20.219 --> 00:13:23.079
 that thinks someone with a prophetic gifting over here

00:13:23.079 --> 00:13:24.439
 is being too direct,

00:13:24.699 --> 00:13:26.299
 and you need to realize this is all meant

00:13:26.299 --> 00:13:28.059
 for building up the church together.

00:13:28.199 --> 00:13:29.559
 We need to operate in this well.

00:13:30.319 --> 00:13:32.079
 And so be patient, be humble,

00:13:32.159 --> 00:13:36.039
 and remember this is actually for building up the church

00:13:36.039 --> 00:13:37.419
 and to bring God glory.

00:13:38.139 --> 00:13:39.159
 So let's do this.

00:13:39.219 --> 00:13:41.000
 Let's pray and care for our church together.

00:13:41.000 --> 00:13:43.620
 And as we do this, we need to treasure Christ.

00:13:44.639 --> 00:13:45.960
 This is essential.

00:13:46.759 --> 00:13:50.480
 We need to remember that Christ is the reason why we're doing this.

00:13:50.639 --> 00:13:52.460
 This is the reason why we're gathered here today.

00:13:53.240 --> 00:13:55.000
 It's because of Christ, because of Jesus.

00:13:55.419 --> 00:13:56.139
 And we need him.

00:13:56.940 --> 00:14:00.139
 And he is the author and perfecter and the finisher of our faith.

00:14:00.720 --> 00:14:02.200
 So we need to do this unto the Lord.

00:14:02.240 --> 00:14:03.399
 We're not doing this for ourselves.

00:14:04.279 --> 00:14:07.139
 We're not doing this to see the church grow.

00:14:07.139 --> 00:14:12.580
 We're not doing this so that we can pat ourselves on the back.

00:14:12.659 --> 00:14:14.240
 We're doing this to bring God glory.

00:14:14.759 --> 00:14:16.199
 We're doing this because we treasure him.

00:14:18.360 --> 00:14:20.639
 And this brings me to point number three.

00:14:21.879 --> 00:14:22.779
 Take joy in the Lord.

00:14:23.659 --> 00:14:25.000
 Remember the gospel.

00:14:26.039 --> 00:14:27.120
 Rejoice always.

00:14:27.659 --> 00:14:28.919
 Pray without ceasing.

00:14:29.639 --> 00:14:31.259
 Give thanks in all circumstances.

00:14:31.860 --> 00:14:34.139
 For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

00:14:34.139 --> 00:14:40.279
 No, we cannot do this if we're not actually taking joy in the Lord and remembering the gospel.

00:14:41.419 --> 00:14:43.939
 And if we're being honest, we don't always do this.

00:14:45.179 --> 00:14:45.980
 Rejoice always.

00:14:46.799 --> 00:14:47.639
 Pray without ceasing.

00:14:47.840 --> 00:14:49.039
 Give thanks in all circumstances.

00:14:50.059 --> 00:14:51.019
 We don't do that.

00:14:51.740 --> 00:14:56.980
 You know, if we take an assessment of a given week of our lives and really take an inventory,

00:14:57.120 --> 00:15:00.019
 we realize we get upset about the silliest things.

00:15:01.000 --> 00:15:01.879
 We really do.

00:15:02.220 --> 00:15:03.460
 It's our own selfishness.

00:15:03.460 --> 00:15:08.160
 We get upset about traffic that happens sometimes, about maybe kids being naughty.

00:15:09.240 --> 00:15:11.900
 And the reality is all that stuff is temporary.

00:15:12.460 --> 00:15:13.780
 Traffic is bad sometimes.

00:15:13.860 --> 00:15:14.900
 Sometimes kids are naughty.

00:15:15.900 --> 00:15:19.780
 And we need to remember, like, actually, we're actually not that important.

00:15:19.879 --> 00:15:21.300
 My preferences are not that important.

00:15:22.259 --> 00:15:24.080
 What is important is actually what's eternal.

00:15:24.080 --> 00:15:29.900
 And when we remember the gospel, we remember that we sin, all of us, before a holy God.

00:15:29.899 --> 00:15:35.120
 And the just payment, penalty for our sin is eternity.

00:15:35.120 --> 00:15:38.360
 And now when we deserve hell, that we sin before God.

00:15:38.720 --> 00:15:39.519
 And he had mercy.

00:15:40.079 --> 00:15:41.340
 He had mercy and sent Jesus.

00:15:41.340 --> 00:15:47.259
 And Jesus took that punishment on the cross and paid the price for us.

00:15:47.259 --> 00:15:49.139
 That he paid the penalty for our sins.

00:15:49.519 --> 00:15:53.700
 And that through Christ, by following and believing him, that we get to spend eternity with him.

00:15:54.299 --> 00:15:58.039
 When we remember that, these little things that are so silly, they're nothing.

00:15:58.039 --> 00:16:04.459
 And it's actually a distraction that keeps us from taking joy and remembering what's important.

00:16:05.279 --> 00:16:10.699
 When we remember that we're going to reign with him forever, that one day Jesus is going to return and make all things new.

00:16:11.219 --> 00:16:14.279
 And all of this is going to be under his rule.

00:16:14.480 --> 00:16:15.199
 No more sin.

00:16:15.719 --> 00:16:16.539
 No more suffering.

00:16:17.199 --> 00:16:18.240
 We can't help but be joyful.

00:16:19.139 --> 00:16:23.480
 But if we're thinking about our present circumstances, we will get frustrated.

00:16:23.480 --> 00:16:28.139
 And what this means is to turn, right, turn our hearts to the Lord.

00:16:28.220 --> 00:16:32.019
 Remember, like, okay, I'm frustrated now because of this that happened.

00:16:32.100 --> 00:16:33.279
 This inconvenience in my life.

00:16:33.360 --> 00:16:36.000
 Whether it's work or whether it's this or that.

00:16:37.200 --> 00:16:38.680
 I need to remember the gospel.

00:16:38.860 --> 00:16:40.840
 I need to remember what's really important.

00:16:41.420 --> 00:16:42.539
 That Jesus is on the throne.

00:16:43.680 --> 00:16:49.200
 In 1 Thessalonians 5, if I go back to verse 2, which is just 10 verses prior.

00:16:50.420 --> 00:16:51.039
 It says,

00:16:51.039 --> 00:16:55.500
 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

00:16:56.799 --> 00:16:57.860
 I'm going to go to verse 9.

00:16:58.219 --> 00:17:06.859
 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to gain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we might live with him.

00:17:07.519 --> 00:17:11.000
 Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

00:17:11.940 --> 00:17:12.680
 I love that.

00:17:12.720 --> 00:17:14.279
 I love that reminder.

00:17:14.599 --> 00:17:17.180
 And also, Paul writes, just as you are doing.

00:17:17.720 --> 00:17:20.139
 And that's my encouragement to us this morning.

00:17:20.940 --> 00:17:22.500
 I think we're doing a good job.

00:17:22.880 --> 00:17:23.380
 I really do.

00:17:23.460 --> 00:17:24.160
 This is not a review.

00:17:24.280 --> 00:17:24.920
 This is an encouragement.

00:17:25.700 --> 00:17:26.740
 I'm building each other up.

00:17:27.320 --> 00:17:30.020
 Reminding each other of Jesus and the why.

00:17:30.200 --> 00:17:30.960
 Why we're doing this.

00:17:31.420 --> 00:17:32.120
 But let's keep going.

00:17:32.759 --> 00:17:34.920
 Let's awaken our hearts to the Holy Spirit.

00:17:36.120 --> 00:17:37.080
 And let's keep going.

00:17:37.160 --> 00:17:38.840
 Let's keep going, building each other up.

00:17:38.960 --> 00:17:39.780
 Let's not stop.

00:17:39.779 --> 00:17:43.180
 And as the church grows, as more people come in, keep doing that.

00:17:43.799 --> 00:17:45.519
 Keep doing that unto one another.

00:17:46.160 --> 00:17:47.759
 Remember, delight in the Lord.

00:17:48.399 --> 00:17:49.259
 Delight in his presence.

00:17:50.240 --> 00:17:51.440
 Are you a worshiper of God?

00:17:51.440 --> 00:17:55.299
 Not just on a Sunday morning, but are you a worshiper of God?

00:17:55.360 --> 00:17:56.539
 What is the rhythm of your life?

00:17:56.620 --> 00:17:58.840
 What is the pattern of your life in being a worshiper of God?

00:17:59.320 --> 00:18:03.680
 And that just doesn't mean worship in a song, which is very important.

00:18:03.799 --> 00:18:08.240
 But also worship in our everyday life, in our circumstances, in our day-to-day.

00:18:08.240 --> 00:18:11.480
 And if not, become a worshiper of God.

00:18:11.640 --> 00:18:12.339
 Get alone with him.

00:18:12.920 --> 00:18:13.660
 Spend time with him.

00:18:13.720 --> 00:18:14.500
 Take joy with him.

00:18:15.039 --> 00:18:17.240
 When you're, wherever you're at, worship him.

00:18:17.480 --> 00:18:18.339
 Thank him for his goodness.

00:18:18.559 --> 00:18:23.059
 When you're driving, when you're working, all the time, continually do that.

00:18:23.160 --> 00:18:23.660
 Don't cease.

00:18:24.160 --> 00:18:27.099
 Don't cease thanking God for his goodness, for what he's done for you.

00:18:27.480 --> 00:18:29.660
 And that's how we rejoice in him at all times.

00:18:30.120 --> 00:18:31.000
 It's worshiping him.

00:18:31.200 --> 00:18:31.799
 Remembering him.

00:18:31.880 --> 00:18:33.799
 Remembering why we're Christians.

00:18:34.779 --> 00:18:37.400
 And so how we think about God impacts our lives.

00:18:37.400 --> 00:18:39.519
 It impacts how we think about life.

00:18:39.900 --> 00:18:42.720
 It impacts how we react to circumstances.

00:18:43.640 --> 00:18:45.380
 It impacts how we respond to trials.

00:18:46.259 --> 00:18:51.620
 And this is the most important thing that we can do as Christians, is actually enjoy God.

00:18:51.780 --> 00:18:56.300
 This is the most important thing we can do to impact the lives of the people we care about, is to impact God.

00:18:56.600 --> 00:18:58.120
 His impact is to enjoy God.

00:18:59.019 --> 00:19:07.140
 And so as a dad, as a husband, the best thing I can do for my family, for my wife and my kids, is to enjoy God.

00:19:07.140 --> 00:19:08.240
 Just spend time with him.

00:19:09.120 --> 00:19:13.420
 When I was an elder, that was the best thing I could do for the church, was to enjoy God and spend time with him.

00:19:14.740 --> 00:19:17.940
 As a mom, as a wife, that's the best thing you can do for your kids.

00:19:18.600 --> 00:19:20.280
 And your husband is to enjoy the Lord.

00:19:20.380 --> 00:19:21.160
 Spend time with him.

00:19:21.240 --> 00:19:28.780
 Whether you're single, the best thing you can do in your singleness, for the people around you, your coworkers, your roommates, the people in your church, your friends.

00:19:29.259 --> 00:19:30.120
 Just enjoy God.

00:19:30.119 --> 00:19:33.559
 And that's how we're able to actually be filled.

00:19:33.679 --> 00:19:36.559
 We can't give if we're not filled by the Spirit.

00:19:37.399 --> 00:19:39.199
 And if we try to do that, we're going to run out.

00:19:39.379 --> 00:19:42.539
 And it's just going to be dead works, which is not pleasing to the Lord.

00:19:43.479 --> 00:19:46.279
 So remember that apart from him, we can do nothing.

00:19:46.579 --> 00:19:47.379
 John 15, 5.

00:19:47.459 --> 00:19:49.699
 We need to be filled by the Spirit.

00:19:49.799 --> 00:19:51.199
 We need to have oil in our lambs.

00:19:52.219 --> 00:19:53.979
 We can't live off of old man either.

00:19:54.860 --> 00:19:57.900
 We can't live off of the stuff that the Lord gave us years ago.

00:19:58.759 --> 00:19:59.799
 We need fresh food.

00:20:00.140 --> 00:20:01.420
 We need fresh food from him.

00:20:01.579 --> 00:20:02.700
 We need this.

00:20:02.880 --> 00:20:05.180
 We actually need to realize our need for the Lord.

00:20:06.019 --> 00:20:12.599
 I think that's one of the things that enters us and keeps us from receiving from him is we think we got him.

00:20:13.240 --> 00:20:15.339
 And the answer is we can't do anything without him.

00:20:15.620 --> 00:20:18.259
 We have to realize that without him, we are nothing.

00:20:18.259 --> 00:20:26.180
 Okay, number four, be open to and listen to the Holy Spirit.

00:20:28.019 --> 00:20:29.640
 Actually, I'm going to talk about discipleships.

00:20:30.619 --> 00:20:38.740
 This is one thing I wanted to talk about before we get into that, is we need to pursue, orient each other's lives.

00:20:39.579 --> 00:20:39.960
 Right?

00:20:39.980 --> 00:20:42.119
 We need to remember to do that well.

00:20:42.819 --> 00:20:45.379
 And that's part of caring for the body.

00:20:46.039 --> 00:20:46.240
 Right?

00:20:46.240 --> 00:20:54.920
 So there's a pastor that I'm friends with that was pastoring for over 30 years, and him and his wife are now in their 70s,

00:20:54.980 --> 00:20:58.019
 and now he's caring for his wife, who's having health issues.

00:20:58.180 --> 00:21:05.880
 But one thing he told me, that if he were to do it all over again, he would really aim at pouring into three people,

00:21:06.500 --> 00:21:09.220
 who would then pour into three people, who would then pour into three people.

00:21:10.099 --> 00:21:12.380
 Can you imagine the impact on the kingdom if we all did that?

00:21:12.380 --> 00:21:12.820
 Right?

00:21:13.280 --> 00:21:14.880
 Just ongoing discipleship.

00:21:15.820 --> 00:21:16.080
 Amen.

00:21:16.340 --> 00:21:18.940
 Okay, Lord, who are the people you want me to pour into right now?

00:21:19.060 --> 00:21:23.760
 Who are the people you want me to pour into and share a crisis in my life?

00:21:23.759 --> 00:21:25.680
 And look for these people.

00:21:25.759 --> 00:21:26.660
 And then they're going to do that.

00:21:26.859 --> 00:21:27.759
 And then they're going to do that.

00:21:28.660 --> 00:21:30.680
 Really, really focus on discipleship.

00:21:31.500 --> 00:21:34.599
 And we were talking on Wednesday night, some people stuck around in our house.

00:21:35.039 --> 00:21:37.879
 After our gathering, we were talking around the kitchen island.

00:21:38.640 --> 00:21:39.879
 And it was not planned.

00:21:39.960 --> 00:21:44.279
 We were just talking about just the Lord's faithfulness, the Lord's goodness.

00:21:44.279 --> 00:21:48.799
 And where we see, through discipleship, this person discipled this person.

00:21:48.940 --> 00:21:50.899
 Now look and see, they discipled this person.

00:21:51.000 --> 00:21:51.899
 It's like, praise God.

00:21:52.639 --> 00:21:55.019
 It's just a lineage of Christ followers.

00:21:56.200 --> 00:21:58.079
 And Paul and Timothy relationships.

00:21:58.700 --> 00:22:00.160
 And it's so encouraging to see.

00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:01.700
 And these people didn't plan it.

00:22:01.779 --> 00:22:03.000
 They just were doing this.

00:22:03.059 --> 00:22:05.099
 They were just doing this because the Lord says to do it.

00:22:05.700 --> 00:22:05.899
 Right?

00:22:05.940 --> 00:22:07.660
 They weren't trying to be strategic about it.

00:22:07.740 --> 00:22:09.539
 They were just, the Lord's the one that's strategic.

00:22:09.700 --> 00:22:12.339
 They were just actually saying yes to what the Lord was doing.

00:22:12.339 --> 00:22:17.000
 And so all of us should be aiming to have these relationships.

00:22:17.799 --> 00:22:19.159
 You know, Titus 2, men and women.

00:22:19.819 --> 00:22:22.899
 We should be aiming to look to mentor someone, disciple someone,

00:22:22.980 --> 00:22:24.899
 and also have people pour into our lives.

00:22:25.740 --> 00:22:26.159
 Right?

00:22:26.259 --> 00:22:29.639
 And the reality is we need to have humility to do this well.

00:22:29.879 --> 00:22:31.459
 We need to have humility to receive.

00:22:32.220 --> 00:22:35.919
 And we need to have humility to allow people to pour in

00:22:35.919 --> 00:22:37.619
 and to pour into someone else's life.

00:22:38.079 --> 00:22:39.839
 That has to be done with relationship.

00:22:39.839 --> 00:22:43.279
 The way we have it set up here is in the MCs.

00:22:44.159 --> 00:22:45.579
 But we're small enough.

00:22:45.879 --> 00:22:47.039
 The Lord's highlighting it to you.

00:22:47.099 --> 00:22:48.519
 I would say pour into that person.

00:22:49.500 --> 00:22:51.259
 We want to be following Jesus.

00:22:51.559 --> 00:22:52.599
 We want to be doing this together.

00:22:53.279 --> 00:22:53.379
 Right?

00:22:53.419 --> 00:22:55.799
 And as the church grows, keep doing this unto the Lord.

00:22:56.379 --> 00:22:58.019
 I'm going to read a part of Titus 2.

00:23:01.159 --> 00:23:03.619
 Verses 2 through 12.

00:23:03.619 --> 00:23:33.619


00:23:33.619 --> 00:23:59.279
 So this is what we are to be doing.

00:23:59.599 --> 00:24:00.980
 We are to be mentoring one another.

00:24:01.799 --> 00:24:04.079
 And when it talks about older men and older women,

00:24:04.819 --> 00:24:07.160
 I would say that speaks to mature Christians.

00:24:07.500 --> 00:24:07.599
 Right?

00:24:07.619 --> 00:24:09.859
 So don't look at it necessarily as biological age.

00:24:10.440 --> 00:24:10.559
 Right?

00:24:10.579 --> 00:24:13.799
 I've had many people older than me actually disciple me,

00:24:13.920 --> 00:24:14.639
 imploring to me.

00:24:15.200 --> 00:24:18.420
 And we need to be realizing that it's the Holy Spirit that's in us.

00:24:18.619 --> 00:24:18.779
 Right?

00:24:18.859 --> 00:24:20.539
 It's not man's wisdom.

00:24:21.059 --> 00:24:23.759
 It's actually the Spirit of the living God.

00:24:24.279 --> 00:24:24.500
 Right?

00:24:24.500 --> 00:24:27.720
 So we should be able to receive from someone much younger than us

00:24:27.720 --> 00:24:29.859
 because it's the Holy Spirit in them.

00:24:30.420 --> 00:24:30.779
 Right?

00:24:30.859 --> 00:24:31.480
 It's not just man.

00:24:31.539 --> 00:24:32.799
 Man's wisdom is like here.

00:24:33.460 --> 00:24:34.700
 And then we think sometimes like,

00:24:34.759 --> 00:24:35.740
 oh, this person's really wise,

00:24:35.819 --> 00:24:36.940
 so he's a little bit here.

00:24:37.500 --> 00:24:38.059
 And then you think,

00:24:38.119 --> 00:24:39.000
 oh, God, the Holy Spirit.

00:24:39.119 --> 00:24:41.099
 I can't even fathom.

00:24:41.279 --> 00:24:41.519
 Right?

00:24:42.039 --> 00:24:42.720
 How immeasurable.

00:24:43.039 --> 00:24:43.259
 Right?

00:24:43.660 --> 00:24:47.980
 And so we need to actually be humble and be willing to receive

00:24:47.980 --> 00:24:49.619
 from a young child that has the Holy Spirit

00:24:49.619 --> 00:24:52.599
 because it's the Spirit of the living God.

00:24:52.819 --> 00:24:53.720
 Of course I want to hear that.

00:24:54.500 --> 00:24:57.599
 And so there's many times where I receive from our kids

00:24:57.599 --> 00:24:58.259
 and I receive.

00:24:58.859 --> 00:25:00.039
 And the Lord corrected me.

00:25:00.119 --> 00:25:00.660
 I was like, wow.

00:25:01.720 --> 00:25:02.019
 Yep.

00:25:02.220 --> 00:25:03.019
 I'm sorry, Lord.

00:25:03.740 --> 00:25:05.700
 And so we need to have this humility to be able to do this

00:25:05.700 --> 00:25:06.240
 to one another.

00:25:08.400 --> 00:25:08.759
 Okay.

00:25:08.799 --> 00:25:09.380
 Going back.

00:25:10.759 --> 00:25:12.519
 I realize I skipped that part.

00:25:13.319 --> 00:25:14.380
 Be open to the Holy Spirit.

00:25:15.319 --> 00:25:17.039
 Verses 19 through 22.

00:25:20.799 --> 00:25:22.059
 Do not quench the Spirit.

00:25:22.059 --> 00:25:24.539
 Do not despise prophecies,

00:25:24.980 --> 00:25:25.980
 but test everything.

00:25:26.159 --> 00:25:27.519
 Hold fast what is good.

00:25:28.179 --> 00:25:29.579
 Abstain from every form of evil.

00:25:30.759 --> 00:25:32.519
 What are some ways that we quench the Spirit?

00:25:33.960 --> 00:25:36.200
 What are some ways that we're not open to the Holy Spirit?

00:25:36.200 --> 00:25:45.120
 John Piper, on this verse, he talks about quenching the Holy Spirit is virtually the opposite of fanning it into flame.

00:25:45.680 --> 00:25:50.740
 When we live our lives as if we don't really need Him and can do the Lord's work on our own strength.

00:25:51.680 --> 00:25:52.680
 Do we do that sometimes?

00:25:53.299 --> 00:25:54.460
 The answer is yes, we do.

00:25:55.460 --> 00:25:59.440
 And we need to actually realize our need for the Holy Spirit.

00:25:59.440 --> 00:26:03.580
 We need to realize that we must decrease and He must increase in our lives.

00:26:04.240 --> 00:26:06.100
 And so when God interrupts your thoughts, listen.

00:26:06.840 --> 00:26:08.240
 Don't be too quick to dismiss it.

00:26:08.980 --> 00:26:12.700
 I know there are people out here with giftings and prophetic giftings.

00:26:13.400 --> 00:26:15.720
 And my encouragement to you is this is from the Lord.

00:26:16.779 --> 00:26:18.860
 These giftings are meant for building up the church.

00:26:18.859 --> 00:26:24.899
 The beauty of the prophetic gifting is that it highlights, the Lord uses that to highlight things that are off,

00:26:25.000 --> 00:26:28.319
 that need to be brought in alignment unto fallen Christ.

00:26:28.579 --> 00:26:30.979
 And I would say this is super important.

00:26:32.099 --> 00:26:33.099
 Don't turn away from this.

00:26:33.159 --> 00:26:34.039
 Don't despise this.

00:26:34.639 --> 00:26:36.079
 And when the Lord gives you something, listen.

00:26:36.719 --> 00:26:38.039
 Because it's the gifting from the Lord.

00:26:38.119 --> 00:26:39.159
 It's the Holy Spirit that's talking.

00:26:39.859 --> 00:26:41.699
 And of course we need to do this biblically.

00:26:42.099 --> 00:26:43.679
 Everything needs to be tested biblically.

00:26:44.339 --> 00:26:45.979
 Everything needs to be done according to the Bible.

00:26:45.980 --> 00:26:50.099
 And if you have questions about that, feel free to talk to me after the service or one of the MC leaders.

00:26:50.519 --> 00:26:51.839
 But we need to be open to this.

00:26:52.660 --> 00:26:59.240
 And when I was praying for Christ Church, I actually felt like there was a mild lethargy.

00:26:59.799 --> 00:27:00.680
 I was praying over this.

00:27:01.480 --> 00:27:03.839
 And that maybe we've gotten a little bit comfortable.

00:27:06.079 --> 00:27:09.259
 Maybe we're not doing this as much as we used to.

00:27:09.440 --> 00:27:11.380
 We're slipped into a little bit of self-reliance.

00:27:12.220 --> 00:27:13.079
 Things are more manageable.

00:27:13.079 --> 00:27:15.920
 We're a little bit older now in the faith.

00:27:16.440 --> 00:27:18.539
 And that's really dangerous.

00:27:19.259 --> 00:27:21.920
 Because we're neglecting what the Lord's given us for His church.

00:27:22.740 --> 00:27:23.660
 And I want to remind us.

00:27:23.720 --> 00:27:29.980
 Remember years ago or a time ago when the Holy Spirit was really speaking in your life and you were responding.

00:27:30.140 --> 00:27:30.960
 And the Lord was really speaking.

00:27:31.120 --> 00:27:32.299
 Maybe it was a crisis mode.

00:27:32.900 --> 00:27:35.940
 Maybe it was something that was really crucial, really important.

00:27:36.039 --> 00:27:36.900
 And you had other people praying.

00:27:37.000 --> 00:27:38.120
 You were calling on people to pray.

00:27:38.680 --> 00:27:39.960
 It was a crisis situation.

00:27:40.079 --> 00:27:41.360
 It was a really important situation.

00:27:41.359 --> 00:27:43.699
 And the Lord spoke.

00:27:44.099 --> 00:27:44.699
 And He came through.

00:27:44.799 --> 00:27:45.419
 And He answered prayer.

00:27:46.139 --> 00:27:48.219
 We need to have that same fervency in response.

00:27:49.419 --> 00:27:54.059
 And my actual answer to this is we're currently in a battle.

00:27:55.099 --> 00:27:56.679
 This is important.

00:27:56.680 --> 00:27:57.759
 And this is crisis mode.

00:27:58.539 --> 00:28:03.580
 And one of the schemes of the devil is to have us slip into lethargy thinking things are fine.

00:28:03.880 --> 00:28:04.660
 Things are good.

00:28:05.380 --> 00:28:06.240
 The church is growing.

00:28:07.380 --> 00:28:08.480
 People are doing pretty good.

00:28:09.360 --> 00:28:10.320
 Work is good.

00:28:10.480 --> 00:28:11.240
 Family is good.

00:28:11.240 --> 00:28:13.519
 But the reality is we're in a battle.

00:28:13.960 --> 00:28:14.720
 Things are not good.

00:28:15.700 --> 00:28:20.620
 There's an enemy, an adversary who wants to destroy us, steal, kill, and destroy us.

00:28:21.400 --> 00:28:23.019
 He wants to tear you apart.

00:28:23.339 --> 00:28:24.779
 And he wants to tear apart this church.

00:28:25.259 --> 00:28:28.099
 And so we actually need to be on our toes.

00:28:28.799 --> 00:28:32.339
 And we need to realize that our present circumstances are not comfortable.

00:28:32.940 --> 00:28:38.180
 Even though the devil may have us in a comfortable thinking spot when we're thinking it's good.

00:28:38.180 --> 00:28:43.140
 But the reality is there's lots of people all around us that desperately need Jesus.

00:28:44.100 --> 00:28:44.240
 Right?

00:28:44.380 --> 00:28:45.440
 Outside of these walls.

00:28:45.500 --> 00:28:47.900
 There's a high school across the street where these kids need Jesus.

00:28:48.740 --> 00:28:50.220
 And we're on a mission.

00:28:50.519 --> 00:28:56.360
 The Lord wants us as soldiers for Christ to be going together and sharing the gospel with them, evangelizing.

00:28:56.940 --> 00:28:59.480
 We need to be fighting for souls.

00:29:00.200 --> 00:29:00.380
 Right?

00:29:00.480 --> 00:29:06.320
 Because when Jesus comes back, the day of the Lord, which we're going to look forward to that as Christians.

00:29:06.319 --> 00:29:09.639
 But if you're not in Christ, right?

00:29:09.700 --> 00:29:13.220
 And if you're not saved, you're going to spend eternity in hell.

00:29:14.000 --> 00:29:16.839
 And that should be on our hearts and our minds when we're looking at people.

00:29:17.460 --> 00:29:17.659
 Right?

00:29:17.700 --> 00:29:20.339
 When we're going to go to a latter day, when we're talking to people at work.

00:29:20.799 --> 00:29:23.319
 We should be alerted to the fact that life is short.

00:29:24.639 --> 00:29:26.939
 And I want to know where this person is going.

00:29:27.220 --> 00:29:27.419
 Right?

00:29:27.899 --> 00:29:30.559
 And I have a responsibility as a Christian to share the gospel with them.

00:29:31.220 --> 00:29:32.519
 The Lord has called me to do that.

00:29:32.519 --> 00:29:38.139
 And so I say the Lord has interrupted your thoughts about someone.

00:29:38.379 --> 00:29:41.039
 And the thought comes in, I should share the gospel with them.

00:29:41.220 --> 00:29:41.859
 Yes, you should.

00:29:42.000 --> 00:29:42.859
 We need to respond.

00:29:42.960 --> 00:29:43.920
 We need to not hesitate.

00:29:44.079 --> 00:29:49.940
 No matter how awkward it may feel, we need to respond to the Lord and have a yes in our hearts to the Lord when he's calling.

00:29:49.940 --> 00:30:02.480
 We need to, the other thing is, when I say prioritize our time and spiritual gifts for building up the church, we need to really make that a priority.

00:30:03.380 --> 00:30:07.140
 We prioritize all things that really don't matter, that don't have eternal value.

00:30:07.820 --> 00:30:09.340
 Entertainment, comfort.

00:30:09.339 --> 00:30:14.980
 Remember, we could take an inventory of our lives and realize we need to prioritize the kingdom of God.

00:30:15.939 --> 00:30:23.419
 We need to remember God's sovereign hand in our lives and remember that God has us here right now to build up and strengthen our church.

00:30:23.939 --> 00:30:24.819
 So we need to wake up.

00:30:25.039 --> 00:30:26.819
 We need to wake up spiritually from our distractions.

00:30:27.500 --> 00:30:33.000
 And I say this morning, if the Lord has even highlighted some of those things, I would encourage you guys to repent from those things.

00:30:33.619 --> 00:30:35.439
 This is something that we have to keep going on.

00:30:35.440 --> 00:30:43.500
 This is not something that we've ever arrived and we're good and we're in a spiritual spot where we don't need to repent from distractions.

00:30:43.820 --> 00:30:46.120
 We don't need to prioritize the kingdom.

00:30:46.200 --> 00:30:49.059
 This is something that we have to continue going until Christ returns.

00:30:49.779 --> 00:30:53.299
 This is something we have to continually deny our flesh in.

00:30:54.220 --> 00:30:56.740
 And sometimes what that means is we need to say no.

00:30:57.380 --> 00:31:04.880
 We need to say no to the things that are temporary so that we have time to say yes to the things that the Lord wants us to do for the kingdom.

00:31:05.980 --> 00:31:11.680
 And so sometimes that means praying, asking the Lord before we make a decision on things.

00:31:12.200 --> 00:31:14.440
 Because the Lord knows what he wants us to focus on.

00:31:14.840 --> 00:31:17.519
 And sometimes we've already said yes to something we shouldn't have said yes to.

00:31:18.120 --> 00:31:20.039
 And we don't have that time to do that.

00:31:20.640 --> 00:31:23.940
 And so we need to actually be strategic with how we spend the Lord's time.

00:31:24.940 --> 00:31:29.380
 You know, I think this church, I think we do a pretty good job caring for each other.

00:31:29.380 --> 00:31:35.460
 But I think we can actually wake up and realize there's more than the Lord has for us, right?

00:31:35.800 --> 00:31:39.400
 And as this church grows, I would say we need to be doing that more and more.

00:31:39.800 --> 00:31:41.760
 We need to be pouring into each other.

00:31:42.220 --> 00:31:43.700
 We need to pour into new relationships.

00:31:43.700 --> 00:31:45.780
 And we need to make disciples and make disciples.

00:31:46.520 --> 00:31:47.980
 We need to be aiming to pour into people.

00:31:48.140 --> 00:31:51.200
 We then will pour into people and make disciples and encourage one another.

00:31:51.920 --> 00:31:52.800
 Keep going, right?

00:31:52.799 --> 00:31:56.039
 Call out sin in each other's lives in love.

00:31:56.180 --> 00:31:57.099
 That has to be done in love.

00:31:57.819 --> 00:32:00.419
 We need to have a burden for each other to be following in peace.

00:32:01.159 --> 00:32:04.579
 And this needs to be done in a balance of love and in relationship.

00:32:05.180 --> 00:32:09.379
 But if we're not doing this, we're actually not doing what the Lord has called us to do in the Bible.

00:32:09.960 --> 00:32:11.960
 And so we need to obey what the Scripture says in this.

00:32:13.339 --> 00:32:14.180
 Verse 22.

00:32:15.339 --> 00:32:19.119
 Abstain from every form of evil.

00:32:19.519 --> 00:32:21.119
 This impacts how we hear from the Lord.

00:32:21.119 --> 00:32:24.719
 Now, if we're in unrepentant sin, we're not going to hear from the Lord.

00:32:24.799 --> 00:32:27.399
 We're not going to be able to partner and do these things.

00:32:28.299 --> 00:32:31.539
 And so there's a reason why Paul puts this in this letter after all this.

00:32:31.979 --> 00:32:34.000
 It's because this is what keeps us from being effective.

00:32:34.779 --> 00:32:37.079
 We need to turn away and repent from sin.

00:32:37.639 --> 00:32:38.879
 God takes sin seriously.

00:32:39.879 --> 00:32:41.339
 His church needs to take sin seriously.

00:32:41.599 --> 00:32:43.539
 We need to take sin seriously as Christians.

00:32:43.539 --> 00:32:49.339
 And we need to take this so seriously because it realized this is sin.

00:32:50.319 --> 00:32:51.420
 It can tear us apart.

00:32:52.119 --> 00:32:55.440
 It can keep us from actually hearing from the Lord.

00:32:55.619 --> 00:32:58.119
 And it can keep us from receiving what the Lord wants us to receive.

00:32:58.200 --> 00:32:59.379
 And it will tear apart this body.

00:32:59.380 --> 00:33:04.780
 So we need to be quick to call out sin, to repent and turn away from it.

00:33:04.820 --> 00:33:07.220
 And we need to spur each other on to do this in love.

00:33:07.680 --> 00:33:09.320
 We need to care for each other as family.

00:33:10.460 --> 00:33:12.040
 So I'm going to summarize with four points.

00:33:13.280 --> 00:33:15.820
 Number one, God has you here to build up and strengthen this church.

00:33:16.620 --> 00:33:17.740
 We need to pursue unity.

00:33:18.880 --> 00:33:20.140
 Number two, care for the body.

00:33:20.320 --> 00:33:21.840
 Be in a relationship with one another.

00:33:22.340 --> 00:33:23.700
 Love each other well.

00:33:24.260 --> 00:33:24.780
 And do this.

00:33:24.840 --> 00:33:26.540
 Be the one that people go to.

00:33:26.539 --> 00:33:26.899
 Right?

00:33:27.079 --> 00:33:30.859
 Sometimes people have people in their lives that they go to when there's something they want prayer for.

00:33:31.319 --> 00:33:32.119
 Or they have a need.

00:33:32.500 --> 00:33:33.379
 They need help with something.

00:33:33.500 --> 00:33:35.259
 A move or a yard project.

00:33:35.799 --> 00:33:37.379
 Be that person in the body.

00:33:37.619 --> 00:33:38.619
 Do that one another.

00:33:38.680 --> 00:33:41.960
 We don't want people to have to go outside of the church to have these relationships.

00:33:42.159 --> 00:33:43.579
 This is what we want to do for each other.

00:33:43.920 --> 00:33:44.740
 We want to be family.

00:33:45.740 --> 00:33:47.440
 Number three, remember what God did for you.

00:33:47.659 --> 00:33:48.460
 And take joy in the Lord.

00:33:49.059 --> 00:33:50.460
 Remember how God changed your life.

00:33:51.200 --> 00:33:53.659
 Without being filled by his spirit, we are nothing.

00:33:53.660 --> 00:33:53.700
 Right?

00:33:54.759 --> 00:33:56.920
 You know, remember, God changed my life.

00:33:57.440 --> 00:34:01.240
 Not only for eternity, which is the biggest thing we could ask for, right?

00:34:02.040 --> 00:34:02.960
 But also right now.

00:34:03.500 --> 00:34:04.519
 God has given me his spirit.

00:34:05.220 --> 00:34:06.160
 He changed my life.

00:34:06.820 --> 00:34:08.900
 And because of that, I'm going to take joy in him.

00:34:09.659 --> 00:34:10.780
 And listen to the Holy Spirit.

00:34:11.159 --> 00:34:14.960
 Number four, wake up spiritually from distractions and listen to what God is saying.

00:34:14.960 --> 00:34:19.579
 I'm going to close with this verse, Colossians 3, 1 through 2.

00:34:20.579 --> 00:34:23.760
 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above.

00:34:24.260 --> 00:34:26.500
 For Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

00:34:27.179 --> 00:34:29.980
 Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth.

00:34:30.380 --> 00:34:32.800
 For you have died, and your life has been with Christ and God.

00:34:33.440 --> 00:34:36.880
 And when Christ, who is your life, appears, then you will also appear with him in glory.

00:34:37.539 --> 00:34:37.840
 Amen.

00:34:37.840 --> 00:34:37.940
 Amen.

00:34:38.360 --> 00:34:38.579
 Amen.

00:34:38.579 --> 00:34:38.639
 Amen.

00:34:38.639 --> 00:34:38.639


00:34:38.639 --> 00:34:38.639


00:34:38.639 --> 00:34:38.639


00:34:38.639 --> 00:34:38.639