WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.980 Once again, we thank God for the opportunity to be here to worship with you this morning 00:00:09.980 --> 00:00:13.660 and to share the word of God with you. 00:00:14.880 --> 00:00:23.519 We thank God for some members of this church that we have known for many years, 00:00:23.900 --> 00:00:27.879 including Matt, who introduced us this morning. 00:00:27.879 --> 00:00:32.320 We also thank God for Robin Town, who is not with us. 00:00:33.439 --> 00:00:35.060 We have known her for many years. 00:00:35.179 --> 00:00:41.039 She has been in Africa for many times, even before Brian came. 00:00:41.140 --> 00:00:42.739 I think she came before Brian. 00:00:43.679 --> 00:00:55.120 And then we also thank God for Brian Nekala, our friends and ministers with us with the missions upfield for many years. 00:00:55.119 --> 00:00:56.799 We've known Brian Nekala. 00:00:57.919 --> 00:01:13.420 In fact, I just realized it is over 20 years because we met them in 1997 when we joined Trinity and joined the school for our training. 00:01:13.420 --> 00:01:20.859 And so we thank God that, you know, we have heard very many things about Christ the King. 00:01:21.760 --> 00:01:32.280 And now we have the opportunity to be able to worship with you and just be blessed together as we have been blessed through the first session of the worship, 00:01:32.859 --> 00:01:37.740 through wonderful songs and everything just lifting our souls. 00:01:38.299 --> 00:01:40.740 So it was a wonderful experience. 00:01:40.739 --> 00:01:54.719 This morning, as you have it in your bulletin, we are going to share the word of God from Matthew 25, verse 14 to 30. 00:01:54.719 --> 00:02:10.639 And this is the parable of the talents. 00:02:12.159 --> 00:02:16.500 Before we get into this parable, I am a teacher. 00:02:17.360 --> 00:02:21.879 I teach pastors in different, even theological schools. 00:02:21.879 --> 00:02:24.960 And teachers like giving exams. 00:02:26.180 --> 00:02:28.879 Although sometimes marking exams is not fun. 00:02:29.620 --> 00:02:32.939 But today I want to begin by giving you a short exam. 00:02:33.879 --> 00:02:37.139 But this exam, you don't have to answer and you don't have to mark. 00:02:37.699 --> 00:02:42.139 So it's a good thing because nobody has to do extra work. 00:02:42.560 --> 00:02:49.019 But these are just questions that I want to ask in the beginning so that we can think about them as we go to the text. 00:02:49.020 --> 00:02:51.939 And the first question is this. 00:02:53.159 --> 00:03:06.120 How would you respond to a person who accuses God of exploiting him or of taking advantage of him and his resources? 00:03:07.020 --> 00:03:08.840 How would you respond to that person? 00:03:09.420 --> 00:03:12.280 If a person comes and says, God is an exploiter. 00:03:13.000 --> 00:03:14.540 He takes advantage of people. 00:03:15.700 --> 00:03:16.740 Just think about it. 00:03:16.740 --> 00:03:18.980 Second question. 00:03:20.420 --> 00:03:27.260 What comes to your mind when a person is asked to be faithful? 00:03:28.879 --> 00:03:40.600 Of late in Kenya, in many ministries of the government, we have been experiencing many corruption scandals. 00:03:40.599 --> 00:03:59.120 And so the president was talking and he told his cabinet ministers and his permanent secretaries, if you don't do your work properly or if money is rooted in your ministry, I will take care of you. 00:03:59.120 --> 00:04:05.439 Basically, he was telling them, you have to be faithful in whatever you are doing. 00:04:05.879 --> 00:04:13.560 Therefore, what he was meaning is stop stealing public funds. 00:04:15.640 --> 00:04:16.720 Question number three. 00:04:16.720 --> 00:04:27.660 What comes to your mind when an employer asks his employees to be faithful? 00:04:28.760 --> 00:04:28.940 Okay. 00:04:29.600 --> 00:04:31.360 An employer comes and says, be faithful. 00:04:31.360 --> 00:04:41.080 Most likely, I would say that he means stop stealing my time or my resources. 00:04:42.879 --> 00:04:45.780 Because we can be faithful. 00:04:45.939 --> 00:04:49.460 We can be unfaithful by stealing time of our boss. 00:04:49.459 --> 00:05:11.259 And so today, I want us to go beyond that and ask ourselves, as we get to this passage, you know, why should we be faithful to God as his servants? 00:05:11.740 --> 00:05:15.339 Why should we be faithful to God as his servants? 00:05:15.339 --> 00:05:24.619 And also, what does it mean to be faithful to God as his servants? 00:05:26.060 --> 00:05:29.959 This leads us to the parable that we have just mentioned. 00:05:30.279 --> 00:05:33.759 If you want, turn with me in the book of Matthew 25. 00:05:34.639 --> 00:05:39.120 And I will highlight just a few things before as we continue. 00:05:39.120 --> 00:05:47.780 Number one, you find that there are other parables that come before this parable. 00:05:49.079 --> 00:05:57.100 And the first one, it is in Matthew 24, verse 42 to 44. 00:05:57.819 --> 00:06:03.180 And this is the parable of the homeowner and the thief. 00:06:03.180 --> 00:06:08.560 And the key lesson from this parable, it is preparedness. 00:06:10.360 --> 00:06:17.019 Also, we have another parable that begins from verse 45 to 51 of chapter 24. 00:06:18.139 --> 00:06:23.399 And this is the story of the wise and unwise household servants. 00:06:23.399 --> 00:06:36.979 And the key there, it is also, it is performance of the servants, especially when the master was away. 00:06:39.179 --> 00:06:42.279 Then we have the parable of the ten virgins. 00:06:42.759 --> 00:06:47.659 That it begins from chapter 25, verse 1 to 13. 00:06:47.660 --> 00:07:01.160 And again, the key lesson here is preparedness and readiness for the return of Jesus Christ. 00:07:01.740 --> 00:07:03.380 Or for the return of the master. 00:07:04.240 --> 00:07:05.920 I mean, for the coming of Christ. 00:07:07.840 --> 00:07:12.460 Then now we come to our parable, which is Matthew 25, 14 to 30. 00:07:12.459 --> 00:07:25.959 And the focus here is on the faithful improvement of the talents allocated to each servant. 00:07:26.560 --> 00:07:33.519 Faithful improvement of the talents allocated to each servant. 00:07:33.819 --> 00:07:36.399 That is the focus. 00:07:36.399 --> 00:07:42.779 So, in addition to the preparedness, that becomes the key focus. 00:07:43.959 --> 00:07:50.659 Allow me to quickly explain some words so that when we use them, we know what we are talking about. 00:07:51.699 --> 00:07:53.060 I say this is a parable. 00:07:53.919 --> 00:08:01.419 And a parable is a story designed to illustrate or to teach some truth. 00:08:03.739 --> 00:08:05.019 Or a moral lesson. 00:08:05.019 --> 00:08:14.279 So, in this passage, the purpose of the parable is to teach some biblical truths. 00:08:14.659 --> 00:08:16.879 And that is what we are going to see soon. 00:08:21.359 --> 00:08:34.819 It is very important to note that in this passage, there is an idea that the master went away for a long time. 00:08:35.019 --> 00:08:39.100 And so, this is also important to pay attention to. 00:08:41.399 --> 00:08:42.480 What about the talent? 00:08:43.980 --> 00:08:45.299 What does it mean here? 00:08:45.779 --> 00:08:46.480 It says this. 00:08:47.419 --> 00:08:54.480 For it will be like a man going on a journey who called his servants and entrusted them with a property. 00:08:55.299 --> 00:08:58.000 To one, he gave five talents. 00:08:58.000 --> 00:09:01.779 So, the word talent here becomes very important. 00:09:01.779 --> 00:09:14.259 In our modern English, the way you talk about English here, the word talent is used for skills and abilities. 00:09:14.259 --> 00:09:20.179 Or if you want mental abilities that God has given to people. 00:09:20.980 --> 00:09:23.019 So, we ask, what are your talents? 00:09:23.259 --> 00:09:26.439 Maybe playing basketball, doing this, singing. 00:09:26.899 --> 00:09:31.779 We think of those kind of skills and talents that God has given them. 00:09:31.779 --> 00:09:45.339 But, in the New Testament times, the word talent was used as a unit for exchange or as money. 00:09:47.259 --> 00:09:55.159 The estimate of talent's value vary from different, you know, writers. 00:09:55.159 --> 00:09:59.819 But, it is commonly agreed that it was a lot of money. 00:10:01.519 --> 00:10:08.899 And the many agree that it was about or around $300,000. 00:10:10.019 --> 00:10:11.679 So, it was something small. 00:10:12.000 --> 00:10:17.139 Even the one who was given one talent, somebody may think he was given very little. 00:10:17.139 --> 00:10:23.939 But, the point is, he was given around $300,000 to do business with. 00:10:26.059 --> 00:10:33.000 Therefore, we go now to our key points here. 00:10:33.799 --> 00:10:38.840 And I want to ask, why should we be faithful as God's servants? 00:10:40.519 --> 00:10:44.620 And through this question, and also asking the question, what does it mean to be faithful? 00:10:44.620 --> 00:10:54.299 We are going to highlight, okay, four main biblical truths. 00:10:55.220 --> 00:11:02.039 Or, if you want, biblical principles that can guide us, that we can deduce, that we can come up from this particular story. 00:11:02.039 --> 00:11:14.220 And I believe that these truths or biblical principles are going to help us as we serve the Lord, as we live our Christian life. 00:11:14.620 --> 00:11:21.379 The first one, turn with me, look at me, or look with me on the verse 14. 00:11:22.580 --> 00:11:23.100 It says, 00:11:24.419 --> 00:11:34.179 For it will be like a man going on a journey who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 00:11:35.779 --> 00:11:38.419 This property, we know it was talent. 00:11:38.419 --> 00:11:48.899 Therefore, the first thing here is that God, I mean, the master or the man called his servants. 00:11:49.939 --> 00:11:53.979 And he entrusted them with his property, asset. 00:11:54.620 --> 00:11:58.059 But this property, we know it was in terms of cash talents. 00:11:58.059 --> 00:12:07.439 And therefore, the first truth that I see from this text, and I want to apply it straight to us, is this. 00:12:09.119 --> 00:12:15.299 We, as Christians, again, I'm speaking with the Christians here, are God's servants. 00:12:16.899 --> 00:12:21.159 And all our resources belong to our God. 00:12:21.159 --> 00:12:22.799 I feel like saying, 00:12:22.980 --> 00:12:27.179 You know, praise the Lord. 00:12:28.500 --> 00:12:30.539 In other words, a small thing here. 00:12:31.919 --> 00:12:33.279 This person is a servant. 00:12:34.240 --> 00:12:36.719 And whatever he needed was entrusted to him. 00:12:37.240 --> 00:12:45.419 And so I come straight to us, and I say that as Christians, all what we have, and even ourselves, we are God's servants. 00:12:45.419 --> 00:12:53.339 In the ancient world, again, slaves or servants were owned by their masters. 00:12:54.079 --> 00:12:56.939 And they were bought, and they were controlled. 00:12:58.639 --> 00:13:07.039 Likewise, in the Bible throughout, the language that is used is that we, as Christians, are God's servants. 00:13:07.479 --> 00:13:07.799 Why? 00:13:07.799 --> 00:13:19.839 Because, as Christians, we are owned by God, for we were purchased with the blood of his son, Jesus Christ. 00:13:20.579 --> 00:13:22.240 That is very clear in the Bible. 00:13:24.000 --> 00:13:27.599 You can read it somewhere, but in the 1 Corinthians 6, 12 to 20. 00:13:29.179 --> 00:13:31.079 1 Corinthians 6, 12 to 20. 00:13:31.080 --> 00:13:39.620 Paul instructs believers to flee immorality because their bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. 00:13:41.000 --> 00:13:41.580 1 Corinthians 6, 12 to 20. 00:13:41.580 --> 00:13:42.100 It says, 00:13:43.000 --> 00:13:45.560 For you are bought with a price. 00:13:47.120 --> 00:13:53.139 And that price, we know, it is the blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ. 00:13:56.200 --> 00:13:58.780 The Bible continues to say this also. 00:13:58.779 --> 00:14:09.539 In Romans 6, 22, the Bible teaches that we are God's slaves. 00:14:10.179 --> 00:14:11.779 We are slaves of God. 00:14:11.860 --> 00:14:15.039 That is a language, again, of the servants of the Lord. 00:14:17.139 --> 00:14:17.299 Okay? 00:14:18.480 --> 00:14:20.839 6, 22. 00:14:20.840 --> 00:14:32.300 And that is why Paul can use this biblical truth in this passage and argue that Christians are no longer slaves to sin. 00:14:33.580 --> 00:14:33.860 Okay? 00:14:34.700 --> 00:14:39.259 But they are slaves to righteousness, leading to sanctification. 00:14:39.840 --> 00:14:42.080 Because we are slaves of God. 00:14:42.399 --> 00:14:44.879 And he continues to say we are slaves of righteousness. 00:14:44.879 --> 00:14:51.299 And Ephesians 11 to 16. 00:14:52.299 --> 00:15:00.720 The apostle Paul, again, makes it clear that all saints, that is believers, are to be equipped for the work of the ministry. 00:15:00.840 --> 00:15:01.439 Verse 22. 00:15:01.779 --> 00:15:02.279 Verse 12. 00:15:02.679 --> 00:15:04.679 For the work of the ministry. 00:15:05.399 --> 00:15:08.039 Therefore, the church is viewed as a body of Christ. 00:15:08.039 --> 00:15:14.039 And each part or each member is required to work for the growth of the whole body. 00:15:15.740 --> 00:15:30.139 Again, according to this passage of Ephesians 4, 11 to 16, it is very clear that the work of pastors and the pastor teachers is not just to do the work of the ministry, 00:15:30.599 --> 00:15:35.919 but to train the church members so that they can be able to do the ministry. 00:15:35.919 --> 00:15:38.199 That is why they are equipped. 00:15:38.579 --> 00:15:50.299 You know, you read verse 11 downward until verse 12 and verse 14, and it says God has given people gifts as teachers, as a family, to equip the church for the ministry. 00:15:51.159 --> 00:15:56.039 Therefore, all of us are called to do the ministry. 00:15:56.559 --> 00:15:58.219 We are God's servants. 00:15:58.220 --> 00:16:08.440 It is not just us as pastors or teachers, but all of us are called to be involved in the work of the ministry. 00:16:10.220 --> 00:16:16.420 Let me also remind us that we are also God's resources. 00:16:18.000 --> 00:16:25.500 We are also, whatever we have has been entrusted to us by God. 00:16:25.500 --> 00:16:33.179 There are many biblical passages that I can begin to talk about and try to explain this. 00:16:33.960 --> 00:16:44.820 But it's very clear that we as God's people, and even anybody in this world, the Bible tells us we have nothing that we not get from God. 00:16:45.539 --> 00:16:51.960 Everything that we have, our abilities and our resources, we guard them from our God. 00:16:51.960 --> 00:17:08.360 And so, in this sense, it is very clear that it is wrong to accuse God of being exploited or taking advantage of his people. 00:17:08.940 --> 00:17:13.200 Because we are servants, and all that we have. 00:17:13.799 --> 00:17:17.340 The Bible says even God wanted even animals in the hills. 00:17:17.559 --> 00:17:18.620 He would not ask us. 00:17:18.680 --> 00:17:19.660 He would just get them. 00:17:19.660 --> 00:17:21.700 And we know the story very well. 00:17:22.700 --> 00:17:31.720 The many hurricanes that happen sometimes in this part of the country and other parts of the world, they come and they devastate everybody. 00:17:32.279 --> 00:17:37.800 Because God can choose to do whatever he wants to do with the world and with all of us. 00:17:38.040 --> 00:17:40.960 And we all belong to God. 00:17:40.960 --> 00:17:46.840 And that is why also the story of the rich poor in Luke chapter 12, you can wait somewhere. 00:17:47.759 --> 00:17:53.039 Luke chapter 12, verse 13, 21, brings this point on. 00:17:54.160 --> 00:18:03.680 When this rich man accumulated all things that he had, and he told his heart, let you sit down and enjoy yourself. 00:18:03.680 --> 00:18:11.519 God told him, I mean, the parable, you know, Jesus told him, look. 00:18:12.860 --> 00:18:19.519 I mean, from now on, the things that you have, you will not enjoy them anymore. 00:18:19.519 --> 00:18:21.940 And we know that story outhanded. 00:18:22.639 --> 00:18:28.180 The man said that the man passed on, passed away, and he left everything. 00:18:28.299 --> 00:18:31.559 Because everything belongs to God. 00:18:32.299 --> 00:18:37.359 Therefore, as we conclude this point, we say we are God's servants. 00:18:38.000 --> 00:18:40.539 We were bought by the blood of his son. 00:18:40.539 --> 00:18:49.460 And therefore, we have all reasons to call ourselves children of God, God's servants. 00:18:50.279 --> 00:18:58.159 Because the blood of Jesus Christ that paid for us and of our sins, there is nothing that could surpass that blood. 00:18:58.160 --> 00:19:08.180 The question as we move away from this point is, do you feel yourself as a servant of the Lord? 00:19:08.720 --> 00:19:12.200 Not just a child of God, but as a servant of the Lord. 00:19:13.900 --> 00:19:15.320 Do we feel ourselves? 00:19:15.860 --> 00:19:21.880 Do we look at ourselves and say, all our resources and our abilities are God's? 00:19:22.500 --> 00:19:23.720 They don't belong to us. 00:19:23.720 --> 00:19:33.420 Including our education, our training, and all what we have belong to our God. 00:19:34.019 --> 00:19:37.180 I believe this is very important for us as Christians. 00:19:37.839 --> 00:19:39.259 We have to begin there. 00:19:40.279 --> 00:19:41.299 We are God's children. 00:19:41.860 --> 00:19:42.579 We are his servants. 00:19:42.759 --> 00:19:43.559 He died for us. 00:19:44.480 --> 00:19:50.500 And even that is why Paul said, the life that I live now, I no longer live for myself. 00:19:50.500 --> 00:19:52.460 But I live for Christ. 00:19:52.940 --> 00:19:56.819 Because it's Christ who died for me and saved me. 00:19:57.160 --> 00:19:58.039 You can say that. 00:19:58.380 --> 00:19:59.660 And we should be able to say that. 00:20:01.000 --> 00:20:06.059 The second truth or biblical principle is this. 00:20:09.779 --> 00:20:14.480 It is seen, let me see again in verse 15. 00:20:14.480 --> 00:20:17.680 To one, he gave five talents. 00:20:18.160 --> 00:20:19.319 To another, two. 00:20:19.799 --> 00:20:20.779 To another, one. 00:20:21.579 --> 00:20:23.920 To each according to his ability. 00:20:24.839 --> 00:20:26.079 Then he went away. 00:20:26.579 --> 00:20:28.819 The point I want to take here is just one. 00:20:29.519 --> 00:20:37.059 He gave each of these servants talents according to their abilities. 00:20:37.059 --> 00:20:43.039 And so, without even wasting out of time, I want to say this second principle is that. 00:20:44.119 --> 00:20:48.319 God knows our abilities and our resources. 00:20:49.159 --> 00:20:51.440 He knows. 00:20:51.799 --> 00:20:52.659 Praise the Lord. 00:20:53.460 --> 00:20:54.359 God knows. 00:20:55.899 --> 00:20:58.980 You know, our abilities and our resources. 00:20:59.059 --> 00:21:00.299 If you want, our gifts. 00:21:01.039 --> 00:21:02.139 Everything that we have. 00:21:02.140 --> 00:21:07.040 And he does not ask anything more than what he has given us. 00:21:08.020 --> 00:21:08.880 He knows that. 00:21:09.000 --> 00:21:11.759 And he is not asking us for more than that. 00:21:13.759 --> 00:21:16.660 The master knew the abilities of each of these guys. 00:21:18.120 --> 00:21:20.000 And he knew one can only handle five. 00:21:20.160 --> 00:21:21.180 Another one can handle two. 00:21:21.280 --> 00:21:22.320 Another one can handle one. 00:21:22.640 --> 00:21:23.680 Because he knew them. 00:21:23.680 --> 00:21:29.960 It's very clear in this passage. 00:21:30.660 --> 00:21:33.720 The one who was given five, he went immediately. 00:21:34.039 --> 00:21:40.299 I like the way it is said that he who had received the five talents went at once. 00:21:41.340 --> 00:21:42.140 That's verse 16. 00:21:42.700 --> 00:21:44.120 And it trended with them. 00:21:44.400 --> 00:21:46.320 And he made the five talents. 00:21:46.539 --> 00:21:47.060 Immediately. 00:21:48.000 --> 00:21:49.180 He did not waste time. 00:21:50.860 --> 00:21:51.220 Wow. 00:21:52.360 --> 00:21:53.400 Began his work. 00:21:53.680 --> 00:21:55.080 They did the business. 00:21:57.080 --> 00:21:58.180 And what happened? 00:21:59.360 --> 00:22:00.720 He was able to bring what? 00:22:01.420 --> 00:22:01.840 Ten. 00:22:02.900 --> 00:22:06.860 He was able to bring ten back. 00:22:07.600 --> 00:22:08.440 Or hundred more. 00:22:09.620 --> 00:22:11.160 Five talents. 00:22:12.600 --> 00:22:14.080 So also, verse 17. 00:22:14.620 --> 00:22:16.080 The one who had two talents. 00:22:17.100 --> 00:22:18.279 Meant two talents more. 00:22:20.060 --> 00:22:21.440 Verse 17, the same thing. 00:22:21.440 --> 00:22:22.759 But verse 18. 00:22:23.680 --> 00:22:30.539 But he who had received one talent went and had done in the ground and ate his master's money. 00:22:31.539 --> 00:22:32.019 Money. 00:22:32.420 --> 00:22:32.740 Stalin. 00:22:33.560 --> 00:22:34.120 Verse 19. 00:22:34.779 --> 00:22:36.740 Now, after a long time. 00:22:37.100 --> 00:22:39.039 Again, I told you, look at the long time here. 00:22:39.600 --> 00:22:44.440 The master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 00:22:44.440 --> 00:22:46.940 That is a language of accounting. 00:22:47.539 --> 00:22:49.380 You know, you come and you do the accounting. 00:22:49.380 --> 00:22:50.519 You bring everything. 00:22:50.720 --> 00:22:51.680 They do the calculation. 00:22:52.180 --> 00:22:53.779 And the idea of long time here. 00:22:54.019 --> 00:22:56.259 You know, sometimes when we serve the Lord, we get tired. 00:22:56.380 --> 00:22:58.740 I say, I've been serving the Lord since I was a young person. 00:22:58.980 --> 00:23:00.220 Since I was in Sunday school. 00:23:00.460 --> 00:23:01.279 What is happening? 00:23:01.279 --> 00:23:03.619 I don't see anything that is happening. 00:23:03.920 --> 00:23:05.779 And you know, that can happen to us even today. 00:23:06.559 --> 00:23:07.519 And we get tired. 00:23:07.639 --> 00:23:08.440 We just quit. 00:23:09.240 --> 00:23:09.559 You know. 00:23:09.559 --> 00:23:12.599 I think this long time. 00:23:13.099 --> 00:23:14.980 And you know, Jesus said, I'm still coming. 00:23:15.039 --> 00:23:16.039 And I'm coming soon. 00:23:16.500 --> 00:23:17.679 We know he is coming. 00:23:18.419 --> 00:23:20.339 His one day may be so many days. 00:23:20.339 --> 00:23:28.319 And again, we also know that our days, he may call us to himself anytime. 00:23:28.980 --> 00:23:34.159 And so, the idea of long time, we need to take it and say, you know, for me to live, 00:23:34.619 --> 00:23:39.099 for this time that God is extending for me to continue living, it is for his grace. 00:23:39.359 --> 00:23:41.619 And it's for me to continue serving the Lord. 00:23:42.199 --> 00:23:47.359 Instead of seeing, I see which is just, you know, delay that does not make sense. 00:23:48.019 --> 00:23:49.419 These people are discouraged. 00:23:49.420 --> 00:23:51.940 And I think the same thing with the story of the virgins. 00:23:52.480 --> 00:23:54.600 Because for them, they just laxed, you know. 00:23:54.960 --> 00:23:55.740 They laxed. 00:23:56.440 --> 00:23:57.640 We are out of lax. 00:23:58.440 --> 00:24:00.539 Even if it goes, even if it's not coming soon. 00:24:01.200 --> 00:24:02.440 We are supposed to be up there. 00:24:03.220 --> 00:24:07.800 So, the one who was given one talent, I like his language. 00:24:08.460 --> 00:24:09.300 It's very interesting. 00:24:10.980 --> 00:24:18.180 It says that, and he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents 00:24:18.180 --> 00:24:23.880 more, saying, Master, you have delivered to me five talents. 00:24:24.400 --> 00:24:26.160 Here I have met the five talents. 00:24:27.480 --> 00:24:31.259 His master said to him, well done, good and faithful servant. 00:24:31.880 --> 00:24:33.440 You have been faithful of a little. 00:24:33.440 --> 00:24:36.059 I will set you of a much. 00:24:36.500 --> 00:24:40.360 Enter into the joy of your master. 00:24:40.359 --> 00:24:48.359 He who had the two talents came forward, saying, Master, you have delivered to me two talents. 00:24:48.579 --> 00:24:50.519 Here I have met two talents more. 00:24:51.319 --> 00:24:51.839 Verse 23. 00:24:52.839 --> 00:24:55.459 His master said to him, the same comments here. 00:24:55.819 --> 00:24:57.679 Well done, good and faithful servant. 00:24:57.919 --> 00:24:59.419 You have been faithful of a little. 00:25:00.019 --> 00:25:01.500 I will set you of a much. 00:25:02.019 --> 00:25:04.019 Enter into the joy of your master. 00:25:04.539 --> 00:25:05.219 Verse 24. 00:25:05.220 --> 00:25:14.920 He also who had received one talent came forward, saying, Master, I knew you were a very hard man. 00:25:16.680 --> 00:25:18.319 Reaping where you did not sow. 00:25:18.519 --> 00:25:19.160 Exploiting. 00:25:19.319 --> 00:25:19.980 That's the idea. 00:25:20.160 --> 00:25:20.220 Yeah. 00:25:20.579 --> 00:25:21.660 Exploiting people. 00:25:22.600 --> 00:25:24.140 That's what he's trying to say here. 00:25:25.360 --> 00:25:28.319 And then gathering where you scurried no seed. 00:25:29.160 --> 00:25:29.460 Wow. 00:25:29.460 --> 00:25:31.840 So, I was afraid. 00:25:32.640 --> 00:25:36.480 And I went and hid your talent in the ground. 00:25:37.319 --> 00:25:39.299 Here you have what is yours. 00:25:40.400 --> 00:25:42.059 Here you have what is yours. 00:25:42.160 --> 00:25:43.440 He never did anything with it. 00:25:44.900 --> 00:25:47.940 And there, the story continues. 00:25:48.940 --> 00:25:56.559 So, in this, I gather key points. 00:25:56.559 --> 00:26:04.419 First, I've just said, God knows each one of us. 00:26:05.159 --> 00:26:12.579 And he shall not give us tasks or expect us to do beyond our abilities and our resources. 00:26:13.679 --> 00:26:15.639 For he has given us, he knows what he has. 00:26:16.259 --> 00:26:17.919 And I can agree with this. 00:26:18.339 --> 00:26:23.299 From the Bible, when you read 1 Corinthians 10, 13, and I'm going to turn that soon. 00:26:23.639 --> 00:26:24.659 I'll read that. 00:26:24.660 --> 00:26:27.220 1 Corinthians 10, 13. 00:26:30.120 --> 00:26:33.180 Let me see whether I can just read that quickly. 00:26:34.680 --> 00:26:37.380 10, 13 is a verse that we know very well. 00:26:39.380 --> 00:26:41.300 No temptation has overtaken you. 00:26:41.759 --> 00:26:43.019 That is not common to man. 00:26:43.660 --> 00:26:44.540 God is faithful. 00:26:45.140 --> 00:26:48.580 And he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability. 00:26:48.579 --> 00:26:53.399 But with temptations, he will also provide the way of escape. 00:26:54.039 --> 00:26:56.240 That you may be able to endure. 00:26:56.919 --> 00:27:01.599 Although this particular passage is talking about, you know, how God takes care of us. 00:27:02.019 --> 00:27:04.599 How God will not allow us to be tempted beyond our strength. 00:27:05.139 --> 00:27:07.079 The point that I see also here. 00:27:07.079 --> 00:27:11.899 The Bible says that God is faithful. 00:27:12.639 --> 00:27:15.819 He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability. 00:27:16.460 --> 00:27:19.519 That means God knows our abilities. 00:27:20.419 --> 00:27:21.199 Praise the Lord. 00:27:21.960 --> 00:27:23.519 He knows what you are capable of doing. 00:27:24.039 --> 00:27:25.259 He knows what you can endure. 00:27:25.259 --> 00:27:28.220 Although we are not talking about temptation. 00:27:28.440 --> 00:27:29.660 He knows what you are able to do. 00:27:29.819 --> 00:27:31.039 He knows what I am able to do. 00:27:31.660 --> 00:27:34.640 And therefore, this guy should not have excuse. 00:27:35.839 --> 00:27:39.259 And so, as we serve the Lord, be reminded. 00:27:39.480 --> 00:27:43.519 Let us be reminded that he knows our abilities. 00:27:44.279 --> 00:27:50.940 And he will not ask us to do things that are beyond our own strength and resources. 00:27:50.940 --> 00:27:54.140 Principle number three. 00:27:56.200 --> 00:27:57.059 Principle number three. 00:27:59.920 --> 00:28:02.700 When I look at verse 21 and 23. 00:28:03.820 --> 00:28:07.180 And I look at the comments that he makes. 00:28:08.600 --> 00:28:14.279 Because I mean these two guys who did a good job of trading with the talents. 00:28:15.840 --> 00:28:18.980 I see he says his master, verse 21. 00:28:18.980 --> 00:28:21.920 His master said to him, well done. 00:28:22.259 --> 00:28:24.279 Good and faithful servant. 00:28:24.880 --> 00:28:26.339 I want to say here. 00:28:27.960 --> 00:28:29.299 Yes, good is there. 00:28:30.420 --> 00:28:31.360 Well done is there. 00:28:31.740 --> 00:28:35.860 But the emphasis is on the faithfulness of this man. 00:28:36.680 --> 00:28:37.680 Who did this. 00:28:38.220 --> 00:28:40.380 And the same words are repeated. 00:28:41.299 --> 00:28:43.360 To the person who also. 00:28:43.740 --> 00:28:45.960 Or to the servant who brought to. 00:28:45.960 --> 00:28:51.079 I like the language. 00:28:52.980 --> 00:28:54.799 They were faithful. 00:28:56.860 --> 00:28:57.380 Faithfulness. 00:28:57.519 --> 00:28:59.360 You have been faithful of a little. 00:29:00.519 --> 00:29:02.140 You have been faithful of a little. 00:29:03.140 --> 00:29:05.079 That means they worked hard. 00:29:06.860 --> 00:29:08.740 When I look at this particular comment. 00:29:09.259 --> 00:29:15.000 It helps me to understand the faithfulness that God expects from us. 00:29:15.000 --> 00:29:23.319 And so I can say that God requires faithfulness. 00:29:24.700 --> 00:29:29.140 Regardless of how many more is our abilities and our resources. 00:29:30.299 --> 00:29:33.000 God requires faithfulness. 00:29:33.740 --> 00:29:38.160 Regardless of how many more we can say our abilities and our resources are. 00:29:38.380 --> 00:29:38.960 It doesn't matter. 00:29:39.480 --> 00:29:40.000 He requires faithfulness. 00:29:40.000 --> 00:29:42.400 Faithfulness in that little thing that we have. 00:29:45.519 --> 00:29:45.920 Therefore. 00:29:46.660 --> 00:29:48.259 What does it mean to be faithful? 00:29:49.119 --> 00:29:50.160 I was trying to think. 00:29:50.799 --> 00:29:52.000 What does it mean to be. 00:29:52.140 --> 00:29:53.880 How do we demonstrate faithfulness? 00:29:55.480 --> 00:29:58.359 And we know faithfulness has to do with honesty. 00:29:59.339 --> 00:30:01.019 People who are honest in their own dealing. 00:30:01.599 --> 00:30:02.640 That as God's servants. 00:30:02.779 --> 00:30:04.960 We are called to be honest in whatever we do. 00:30:04.960 --> 00:30:07.880 I was also thinking of transparency. 00:30:09.240 --> 00:30:11.920 That people have to be transparent as God's servants. 00:30:12.600 --> 00:30:13.500 In whatever they do. 00:30:14.500 --> 00:30:15.940 I was thinking of obedience. 00:30:17.539 --> 00:30:18.720 Obedience to our masters. 00:30:19.680 --> 00:30:22.180 Also is part of that faithfulness. 00:30:23.000 --> 00:30:25.799 The Bible talks about slaves obey your masters. 00:30:25.799 --> 00:30:27.399 You know. 00:30:27.399 --> 00:30:29.559 That is still part of the faithfulness. 00:30:31.019 --> 00:30:31.599 And also. 00:30:31.839 --> 00:30:33.200 If we love our masters. 00:30:33.680 --> 00:30:38.680 We are also going to try and seek to live righteous. 00:30:39.899 --> 00:30:40.500 Righteously. 00:30:40.960 --> 00:30:41.799 Or uprightly. 00:30:42.059 --> 00:30:42.619 Before them. 00:30:43.279 --> 00:30:43.960 Uprightness. 00:30:45.779 --> 00:30:46.599 Good servants. 00:30:47.039 --> 00:30:48.579 Who want to be blameless. 00:30:49.259 --> 00:30:52.259 Before their boss or their masters. 00:30:52.259 --> 00:30:54.359 But again also. 00:30:54.879 --> 00:30:56.980 A good servant works hard. 00:30:57.140 --> 00:30:57.799 That is why. 00:30:58.619 --> 00:30:59.640 He tells them. 00:31:00.019 --> 00:31:00.279 Look. 00:31:01.119 --> 00:31:01.759 He tells them. 00:31:02.299 --> 00:31:02.839 Well done. 00:31:03.579 --> 00:31:04.480 But the other guy. 00:31:04.640 --> 00:31:05.059 He is told. 00:31:05.359 --> 00:31:05.720 Lazy. 00:31:06.180 --> 00:31:06.640 And wicked. 00:31:07.720 --> 00:31:07.859 So. 00:31:08.079 --> 00:31:09.339 A faithful. 00:31:10.660 --> 00:31:11.259 Servant. 00:31:11.339 --> 00:31:12.519 Is supposed to be upright. 00:31:12.640 --> 00:31:13.180 Not wicked. 00:31:13.819 --> 00:31:15.259 If we combine all this. 00:31:15.460 --> 00:31:17.319 We come up with all these ideas. 00:31:17.500 --> 00:31:18.559 That there is uprightness. 00:31:18.700 --> 00:31:20.140 In terms of faithfulness. 00:31:20.640 --> 00:31:21.160 Righteousness. 00:31:21.160 --> 00:31:22.240 Hard work. 00:31:22.700 --> 00:31:24.259 All these things are here. 00:31:24.559 --> 00:31:26.500 Expected of our faithful servants. 00:31:27.160 --> 00:31:28.220 I see them there. 00:31:28.359 --> 00:31:28.759 Honesty. 00:31:29.119 --> 00:31:29.700 Transparency. 00:31:30.019 --> 00:31:30.559 Obedience. 00:31:30.900 --> 00:31:31.579 Uprightness. 00:31:32.220 --> 00:31:32.500 Okay. 00:31:32.759 --> 00:31:33.460 Hard work. 00:31:34.740 --> 00:31:35.500 All these. 00:31:36.319 --> 00:31:37.259 Are really. 00:31:37.920 --> 00:31:40.119 Things that demonstrate our faithfulness. 00:31:40.440 --> 00:31:41.539 Before the Lord. 00:31:41.700 --> 00:31:42.259 As his servants. 00:31:46.259 --> 00:31:47.460 Are we faithful? 00:31:47.460 --> 00:31:47.519 Are we faithful? 00:31:48.339 --> 00:31:49.420 Are we faithful? 00:31:50.079 --> 00:31:50.640 To our God? 00:31:51.299 --> 00:31:51.940 In this way? 00:31:52.259 --> 00:31:54.160 There is a challenge to us. 00:31:54.759 --> 00:31:56.500 That is the challenge. 00:31:57.140 --> 00:31:58.259 That is before you. 00:31:59.220 --> 00:31:59.559 And. 00:32:00.180 --> 00:32:00.579 Before. 00:32:01.220 --> 00:32:02.019 All of us. 00:32:03.579 --> 00:32:04.980 The last point. 00:32:05.779 --> 00:32:06.599 In this passage. 00:32:06.599 --> 00:32:09.139 I want to say. 00:32:09.139 --> 00:32:09.159 I want to say. 00:32:09.160 --> 00:32:09.720 That. 00:32:09.720 --> 00:32:09.800 God. 00:32:09.800 --> 00:32:10.160 I want to say. 00:32:10.160 --> 00:32:10.400 I want to say. 00:32:10.400 --> 00:32:10.660 I want to say. 00:32:10.660 --> 00:32:11.160 I want to say. 00:32:11.160 --> 00:32:11.560 God. 00:32:11.800 --> 00:32:11.900 That. 00:32:11.960 --> 00:32:12.720 As. 00:32:12.900 --> 00:32:13.900 God. 00:32:14.060 --> 00:32:15.100 A. 00:32:15.100 --> 00:32:15.600 See. 00:32:15.600 --> 00:32:16.460 A. 00:32:16.460 --> 00:32:19.700 Mark. 00:32:19.700 --> 00:32:22.500 Here and in the life to come. 00:32:23.259 --> 00:32:24.880 God rewards his servants. 00:32:25.700 --> 00:32:29.100 I owe you to what they have done here and also in the life to come. 00:32:30.000 --> 00:32:37.400 When you look at the response of God, he tells them, you have been faithful of a little. 00:32:38.080 --> 00:32:40.120 I will set you over much. 00:32:40.980 --> 00:32:42.880 I will give you more responsibility. 00:32:44.080 --> 00:32:45.279 And I want to say this. 00:32:45.279 --> 00:32:54.720 Sometimes this and other passages in the book of Corinthians, where it talks about, you know, that God will give us more. 00:32:55.259 --> 00:33:03.839 Some people tend to think we can be playing games with God of what we are calling nowadays prosperity gospel. 00:33:04.399 --> 00:33:08.119 You give as much as possible so that God can give you as much as possible. 00:33:08.660 --> 00:33:09.980 This is not the idea here. 00:33:10.639 --> 00:33:13.879 You know, we give to God because he saved us. 00:33:13.879 --> 00:33:15.180 We are servants. 00:33:15.759 --> 00:33:21.519 Not just because we want him to give us more to enjoy or to show that we have. 00:33:21.920 --> 00:33:33.200 But because God is able to give us more so that we can continue glorifying him and serving him more. 00:33:33.299 --> 00:33:38.059 That is the whole idea even in the book of Corinthians where he's talking about he loves the cheerful givers and all this. 00:33:38.059 --> 00:33:49.460 Although the passengers has been misused by the prosperity gospel preachers, try to bring the idea of it's like we give as much as possible as if we are bribing God so that he can give us more. 00:33:49.839 --> 00:33:53.740 And then you can continue enjoying and living that abundant life. 00:33:53.940 --> 00:33:55.299 That's not the whole idea here. 00:33:56.240 --> 00:33:57.639 It is adding responsibility. 00:33:57.640 --> 00:34:03.060 So the God, the more God blesses us, he is adding more responsibility to us. 00:34:03.700 --> 00:34:04.220 To us. 00:34:04.340 --> 00:34:05.440 So that we can serve him more. 00:34:05.780 --> 00:34:06.820 That is the whole thing here. 00:34:06.920 --> 00:34:08.240 And that's why he gave him more. 00:34:08.440 --> 00:34:09.160 He gave them more. 00:34:09.159 --> 00:34:18.420 And then he also says that come and enjoy my king. 00:34:18.579 --> 00:34:21.359 Enter into the joy of your master. 00:34:21.360 --> 00:34:23.920 We know at the end of the day. 00:34:24.740 --> 00:34:28.700 We as Christians, we shall enjoy our life with Christ. 00:34:29.160 --> 00:34:31.200 When he appears, we shall be like him. 00:34:31.480 --> 00:34:33.820 We shall live with him forever and ever. 00:34:34.160 --> 00:34:36.539 And he shall reward us according to our deeds. 00:34:36.940 --> 00:34:37.820 According to what we have done. 00:34:38.240 --> 00:34:39.640 How he's going to do it? 00:34:40.280 --> 00:34:40.960 He knows. 00:34:41.400 --> 00:34:43.000 I know there will be no enemy in heaven. 00:34:43.260 --> 00:34:44.660 But we shall not be all equal. 00:34:44.840 --> 00:34:47.000 We shall not be all equal. 00:34:47.000 --> 00:34:49.199 I think there is something there. 00:34:49.340 --> 00:34:52.800 Because he says he shall reward us according to what we have done. 00:34:53.440 --> 00:34:54.760 But God is so amazing. 00:34:55.420 --> 00:34:57.440 That he's telling you and telling me. 00:34:58.019 --> 00:34:58.559 You know what? 00:34:59.179 --> 00:35:00.139 God will come. 00:35:00.719 --> 00:35:02.239 And he will reward us. 00:35:03.219 --> 00:35:04.119 Those who are faithful. 00:35:04.639 --> 00:35:07.320 He rewards the faithful servants. 00:35:08.039 --> 00:35:09.820 Here and in the life to come. 00:35:10.400 --> 00:35:11.239 How he does it? 00:35:12.300 --> 00:35:13.820 Something that we don't know. 00:35:13.820 --> 00:35:14.340 Revelation. 00:35:15.940 --> 00:35:16.420 Revelation. 00:35:17.000 --> 00:35:18.280 22 verse 12. 00:35:19.260 --> 00:35:21.119 I think I can read that quickly. 00:35:21.659 --> 00:35:23.119 Revelation 22 verse 12. 00:35:23.940 --> 00:35:24.619 It's a good verse. 00:35:26.780 --> 00:35:28.199 Allow me to read that. 00:35:29.820 --> 00:35:30.960 22 verse 12. 00:35:31.099 --> 00:35:31.420 It says, 00:35:31.619 --> 00:35:32.599 Beyond I am coming. 00:35:33.619 --> 00:35:36.219 Bringing my recompense with me. 00:35:37.039 --> 00:35:40.000 To repay everyone for what he has done. 00:35:40.739 --> 00:35:42.400 I am the halver and the omega. 00:35:42.920 --> 00:35:44.079 The past and the last. 00:35:44.079 --> 00:35:46.019 The beginning and the end. 00:35:46.019 --> 00:35:47.699 Jesus is coming. 00:35:48.039 --> 00:35:49.500 He will repay us. 00:35:50.139 --> 00:35:50.820 And sometimes. 00:35:51.179 --> 00:35:52.259 I want to say. 00:35:52.719 --> 00:35:54.639 He begins to bless us. 00:35:55.039 --> 00:35:56.039 And to repay us. 00:35:56.400 --> 00:35:57.519 Even in this world. 00:35:58.219 --> 00:35:58.480 So. 00:35:58.840 --> 00:36:00.039 That we can serve. 00:36:00.699 --> 00:36:00.900 Him. 00:36:00.900 --> 00:36:03.480 As for the weekend servant. 00:36:03.480 --> 00:36:07.440 As for the weekend servant. 00:36:08.519 --> 00:36:10.139 We know it was not good. 00:36:11.280 --> 00:36:13.000 We know that he was told. 00:36:13.840 --> 00:36:14.400 You are less. 00:36:15.400 --> 00:36:16.240 You are less. 00:36:16.320 --> 00:36:17.460 Even what you have. 00:36:18.059 --> 00:36:18.920 Will be taken. 00:36:18.980 --> 00:36:19.440 Was taken. 00:36:19.680 --> 00:36:20.760 What he had was taken. 00:36:21.059 --> 00:36:22.099 And given to the one. 00:36:22.320 --> 00:36:23.079 Who had 10. 00:36:23.079 --> 00:36:24.960 And so sometimes. 00:36:25.679 --> 00:36:26.380 I want to say. 00:36:26.880 --> 00:36:28.500 That God may give us resources. 00:36:29.440 --> 00:36:30.880 And depending on how we use them. 00:36:31.340 --> 00:36:32.139 I do not know. 00:36:34.960 --> 00:36:36.380 They may be given to other people. 00:36:37.420 --> 00:36:38.819 They may be given to other people. 00:36:40.119 --> 00:36:41.460 This was not a good thing. 00:36:41.699 --> 00:36:42.779 For this servant. 00:36:43.539 --> 00:36:44.599 Because what he had. 00:36:45.139 --> 00:36:45.739 Was given. 00:36:46.179 --> 00:36:46.559 To the one. 00:36:47.079 --> 00:36:47.779 Who had more. 00:36:48.699 --> 00:36:49.340 And therefore. 00:36:50.099 --> 00:36:51.199 It was not good. 00:36:51.199 --> 00:36:52.480 One. 00:36:53.059 --> 00:36:54.000 Bible commendator. 00:36:55.059 --> 00:36:56.259 Commending on this verse. 00:36:56.379 --> 00:36:57.059 Said this. 00:36:58.279 --> 00:36:59.799 Grace never condones. 00:36:59.960 --> 00:37:00.759 Irresponsibility. 00:37:01.579 --> 00:37:02.239 And lessness. 00:37:03.379 --> 00:37:04.299 Even those. 00:37:05.079 --> 00:37:05.859 Given less. 00:37:06.739 --> 00:37:07.699 Are obligated. 00:37:08.339 --> 00:37:08.939 To use. 00:37:09.500 --> 00:37:10.559 And to develop that. 00:37:10.939 --> 00:37:11.419 They have. 00:37:12.319 --> 00:37:12.839 Grace. 00:37:13.399 --> 00:37:14.299 Never condones. 00:37:14.679 --> 00:37:15.359 Irresponsibility. 00:37:15.500 --> 00:37:16.059 And lessness. 00:37:16.719 --> 00:37:17.839 We have God's grace. 00:37:18.179 --> 00:37:18.480 Yes. 00:37:19.419 --> 00:37:20.599 But it doesn't call us. 00:37:20.599 --> 00:37:21.139 To be less. 00:37:21.960 --> 00:37:23.000 And to just compromise. 00:37:23.719 --> 00:37:24.480 We have to work. 00:37:25.179 --> 00:37:26.139 With what God. 00:37:26.879 --> 00:37:27.579 Has given. 00:37:28.339 --> 00:37:28.619 Us. 00:37:30.679 --> 00:37:31.679 It's my prayer. 00:37:32.619 --> 00:37:33.039 That. 00:37:33.960 --> 00:37:34.859 We will keep in mind. 00:37:35.980 --> 00:37:36.799 These points. 00:37:36.960 --> 00:37:37.839 That we have established. 00:37:38.139 --> 00:37:38.599 Number one. 00:37:40.919 --> 00:37:41.679 Number one. 00:37:42.559 --> 00:37:43.199 It is that. 00:37:44.039 --> 00:37:44.519 God. 00:37:45.699 --> 00:37:46.960 We are God's servants. 00:37:47.960 --> 00:37:49.419 And everything that we have. 00:37:49.420 --> 00:37:50.960 All our resources. 00:37:50.960 --> 00:37:51.119 All our resources. 00:37:51.760 --> 00:37:53.300 Are trusted towards by God. 00:37:54.099 --> 00:37:54.800 And number two. 00:37:55.800 --> 00:37:56.260 Number two. 00:37:57.680 --> 00:37:58.960 God knows our abilities. 00:37:59.300 --> 00:37:59.860 And our resources. 00:38:01.440 --> 00:38:03.039 It doesn't matter how little they are. 00:38:03.680 --> 00:38:04.599 God knows them. 00:38:04.760 --> 00:38:05.940 And he is not asking anything. 00:38:06.099 --> 00:38:07.099 Anything more than that. 00:38:07.639 --> 00:38:08.099 Number three. 00:38:09.099 --> 00:38:09.960 God requires faithfulness. 00:38:09.960 --> 00:38:10.599 Faithfulness. 00:38:11.320 --> 00:38:12.760 Regardless of how minimal. 00:38:12.760 --> 00:38:14.920 Our abilities and our resources are. 00:38:15.840 --> 00:38:17.720 And the faithfulness means so many things. 00:38:17.920 --> 00:38:18.280 Honesty. 00:38:18.720 --> 00:38:19.320 Transparency. 00:38:19.740 --> 00:38:20.280 Obedience. 00:38:20.579 --> 00:38:21.159 Uptightness. 00:38:21.360 --> 00:38:21.940 Hard work. 00:38:22.720 --> 00:38:23.639 And the like. 00:38:23.639 --> 00:38:25.359 Number four. 00:38:26.039 --> 00:38:27.299 God rewards his servants. 00:38:27.960 --> 00:38:28.639 How do what. 00:38:29.119 --> 00:38:29.719 They have done. 00:38:30.259 --> 00:38:30.500 Here. 00:38:31.339 --> 00:38:32.460 And in the life to come. 00:38:35.299 --> 00:38:36.159 So I thought of this. 00:38:37.159 --> 00:38:38.699 I thought of some practical examples. 00:38:40.079 --> 00:38:41.539 Just practical examples. 00:38:41.819 --> 00:38:44.179 To help us understand this a little bit. 00:38:44.699 --> 00:38:45.960 And cement it a little bit. 00:38:45.960 --> 00:38:47.219 So you can include. 00:38:47.219 --> 00:38:51.219 I remember the story of Saul. 00:38:52.619 --> 00:38:53.459 King Saul. 00:38:54.459 --> 00:38:55.159 Write it down. 00:38:55.299 --> 00:38:56.139 And you can read it later. 00:38:56.399 --> 00:38:57.199 Samuel 15. 00:38:57.739 --> 00:38:58.279 Only one. 00:38:58.639 --> 00:38:59.439 The story of Saul. 00:38:59.759 --> 00:39:00.619 It's a very good illustration. 00:39:01.019 --> 00:39:01.839 Of unfaithfulness. 00:39:03.599 --> 00:39:04.000 Saul. 00:39:04.799 --> 00:39:06.099 Was given instruction. 00:39:06.359 --> 00:39:07.259 Very clear instruction. 00:39:08.199 --> 00:39:10.219 Go and strike Amalekites. 00:39:11.839 --> 00:39:13.259 Destroy all of them. 00:39:13.959 --> 00:39:15.480 Devote them to destruction. 00:39:15.480 --> 00:39:18.139 We know the story. 00:39:18.500 --> 00:39:19.079 He goes. 00:39:20.260 --> 00:39:21.320 He looks. 00:39:22.179 --> 00:39:23.539 After defeating the Amalekites. 00:39:24.000 --> 00:39:25.559 He is attracted by sheep. 00:39:25.880 --> 00:39:26.460 And auction. 00:39:26.579 --> 00:39:27.360 That are good. 00:39:27.980 --> 00:39:29.340 And they take some of them. 00:39:30.980 --> 00:39:32.679 When Samuel approached him. 00:39:33.860 --> 00:39:34.519 He says. 00:39:35.360 --> 00:39:35.619 You know. 00:39:35.699 --> 00:39:37.360 People are also trying to find excuse. 00:39:37.519 --> 00:39:37.719 You know. 00:39:38.360 --> 00:39:39.519 The men you gave me. 00:39:39.619 --> 00:39:40.119 The people. 00:39:41.219 --> 00:39:42.960 Have taken the best. 00:39:43.579 --> 00:39:43.900 Sheep. 00:39:44.619 --> 00:39:45.240 And auction. 00:39:45.480 --> 00:39:47.480 To offer. 00:39:47.679 --> 00:39:48.420 To your Lord. 00:39:48.699 --> 00:39:48.860 You know. 00:39:48.920 --> 00:39:49.480 Even not to. 00:39:49.559 --> 00:39:50.659 To offer to your Lord. 00:39:50.719 --> 00:39:51.519 That's what he said. 00:39:53.519 --> 00:39:55.019 We know the story was not good. 00:39:56.139 --> 00:39:57.139 As a result of that. 00:39:57.559 --> 00:39:58.000 Disobedience. 00:39:58.659 --> 00:39:59.420 And unfaithfulness. 00:40:00.240 --> 00:40:00.980 He was rejected. 00:40:01.280 --> 00:40:02.679 He was rejected as a king. 00:40:03.880 --> 00:40:04.980 It's a long story. 00:40:06.159 --> 00:40:06.960 It was not good. 00:40:07.019 --> 00:40:08.719 Because he was not faithful. 00:40:09.360 --> 00:40:10.119 To what God. 00:40:10.820 --> 00:40:11.420 Had given. 00:40:12.199 --> 00:40:12.400 Him. 00:40:12.400 --> 00:40:15.000 There is also a story. 00:40:15.000 --> 00:40:15.340 Of. 00:40:15.340 --> 00:40:15.360 Of. 00:40:15.840 --> 00:40:17.000 The time of Joshua. 00:40:18.139 --> 00:40:18.599 The time. 00:40:18.780 --> 00:40:20.019 Also in the time of Joshua. 00:40:20.780 --> 00:40:21.619 A man called. 00:40:22.480 --> 00:40:22.920 Akan. 00:40:24.420 --> 00:40:25.059 Akan. 00:40:26.220 --> 00:40:27.380 When they went. 00:40:28.240 --> 00:40:29.360 And they were fighting. 00:40:29.780 --> 00:40:30.360 At. 00:40:30.860 --> 00:40:31.139 Ai. 00:40:32.019 --> 00:40:32.420 Ai. 00:40:33.720 --> 00:40:34.460 And the man. 00:40:34.660 --> 00:40:35.519 A man called. 00:40:35.780 --> 00:40:35.900 Akan. 00:40:35.980 --> 00:40:36.380 Akan. 00:40:37.380 --> 00:40:37.820 He went. 00:40:37.900 --> 00:40:38.619 They were taught again. 00:40:38.680 --> 00:40:39.539 To destroy everything. 00:40:39.760 --> 00:40:40.460 But this guy. 00:40:40.660 --> 00:40:41.440 He saw gold. 00:40:41.720 --> 00:40:42.420 And the silver. 00:40:43.079 --> 00:40:44.420 And the other good cloths. 00:40:44.599 --> 00:40:45.280 He took them. 00:40:45.500 --> 00:40:46.800 And hid them in his tent. 00:40:47.539 --> 00:40:48.280 As a result. 00:40:49.140 --> 00:40:50.480 The Israelites were defeated. 00:40:50.480 --> 00:40:51.579 Like nothing. 00:40:52.940 --> 00:40:54.660 So Joshua goes to the Lord. 00:40:55.340 --> 00:40:56.360 What is this happening? 00:40:57.360 --> 00:40:59.300 And God reveals to Joshua. 00:40:59.860 --> 00:41:00.800 And he tells them. 00:41:01.420 --> 00:41:02.380 There is a man there. 00:41:02.380 --> 00:41:04.980 A man who has done. 00:41:05.380 --> 00:41:06.180 What is not good. 00:41:06.900 --> 00:41:07.840 And as a result. 00:41:08.820 --> 00:41:10.280 God is allowing them. 00:41:10.360 --> 00:41:11.500 To defeat them. 00:41:12.780 --> 00:41:13.760 It was not a good thing. 00:41:14.539 --> 00:41:15.640 Akan and his family. 00:41:15.780 --> 00:41:16.800 And all what he had had. 00:41:16.900 --> 00:41:17.360 Were taken. 00:41:17.780 --> 00:41:19.220 And they were burnt alive. 00:41:20.820 --> 00:41:22.079 So that God will continue. 00:41:22.200 --> 00:41:22.900 Working with Israelites. 00:41:24.180 --> 00:41:24.780 I thank God. 00:41:24.840 --> 00:41:25.380 Because today. 00:41:25.500 --> 00:41:26.420 We have God's grace. 00:41:27.640 --> 00:41:28.460 God's grace. 00:41:28.720 --> 00:41:29.700 Even when we don't meet. 00:41:29.700 --> 00:41:30.140 His standard. 00:41:30.619 --> 00:41:32.000 He is giving us grace. 00:41:32.380 --> 00:41:33.780 So that we can realize. 00:41:34.400 --> 00:41:35.300 Where we can improve. 00:41:35.500 --> 00:41:36.180 And move on. 00:41:38.079 --> 00:41:38.880 But there is a story. 00:41:39.000 --> 00:41:39.660 Of two people. 00:41:40.079 --> 00:41:40.820 That I love. 00:41:41.119 --> 00:41:41.700 In the Bible. 00:41:42.720 --> 00:41:43.800 The story of Joseph. 00:41:44.559 --> 00:41:45.599 It's a wonderful story. 00:41:46.760 --> 00:41:48.140 This man was so faithful. 00:41:48.800 --> 00:41:49.700 Even to a king. 00:41:49.780 --> 00:41:50.840 He would never knew the Lord. 00:41:52.700 --> 00:41:53.960 To the point where. 00:41:54.360 --> 00:41:55.579 The king did not know anything. 00:41:55.740 --> 00:41:56.559 In his house. 00:41:56.940 --> 00:41:57.820 He was faithful. 00:41:58.420 --> 00:41:59.260 And when his. 00:41:59.480 --> 00:42:00.579 Waiver approached him. 00:42:00.780 --> 00:42:01.119 We know. 00:42:01.119 --> 00:42:02.400 To a relationship with him. 00:42:02.400 --> 00:42:03.599 This man stood. 00:42:03.900 --> 00:42:04.420 And said. 00:42:04.679 --> 00:42:06.259 How can I do this. 00:42:06.480 --> 00:42:07.719 Again as my king. 00:42:07.920 --> 00:42:10.019 Who has given me everything. 00:42:10.139 --> 00:42:11.039 Authority of everything. 00:42:11.400 --> 00:42:11.859 But now. 00:42:11.980 --> 00:42:12.559 Here you are. 00:42:12.799 --> 00:42:13.159 And he said. 00:42:13.279 --> 00:42:14.299 I can't do this sin. 00:42:14.339 --> 00:42:15.199 Before the Lord. 00:42:16.719 --> 00:42:18.339 A man who was faithful. 00:42:18.500 --> 00:42:18.980 To God. 00:42:19.639 --> 00:42:20.400 And faithful. 00:42:20.639 --> 00:42:22.400 Even to the earthly kings. 00:42:24.000 --> 00:42:25.079 And because of that. 00:42:26.079 --> 00:42:26.639 God. 00:42:27.039 --> 00:42:27.900 Was with Joseph. 00:42:27.900 --> 00:42:30.139 Even during hard times. 00:42:30.519 --> 00:42:30.960 Sometimes. 00:42:31.119 --> 00:42:32.360 When we are faithful brothers. 00:42:32.500 --> 00:42:33.599 I'm not promising that. 00:42:33.840 --> 00:42:35.480 It's going to be bread and butter. 00:42:36.300 --> 00:42:37.320 It's going to be hard. 00:42:38.660 --> 00:42:39.700 It's going to be hard. 00:42:39.760 --> 00:42:40.519 When you are faithful. 00:42:40.800 --> 00:42:41.780 Even where you work. 00:42:41.860 --> 00:42:43.099 People are going to think you are stupid. 00:42:43.240 --> 00:42:44.400 You don't take things from people. 00:42:45.660 --> 00:42:46.320 But you know what? 00:42:46.639 --> 00:42:47.780 God is seeing you. 00:42:47.980 --> 00:42:48.860 And he's seeing me. 00:42:49.099 --> 00:42:49.920 And he's telling you. 00:42:50.160 --> 00:42:50.780 Be faithful. 00:42:50.880 --> 00:42:51.980 Regardless of the situation. 00:42:51.980 --> 00:42:54.280 And God. 00:42:54.980 --> 00:42:56.340 Knows what to do with you. 00:42:56.500 --> 00:42:57.420 And he'll protect you. 00:42:57.719 --> 00:42:59.400 Even when people are against you. 00:42:59.599 --> 00:43:01.039 He'll give you the grace to endure. 00:43:01.599 --> 00:43:01.780 That. 00:43:02.179 --> 00:43:03.099 Even that boss. 00:43:03.340 --> 00:43:04.860 That you doesn't care about you. 00:43:04.960 --> 00:43:05.699 And your faith. 00:43:07.240 --> 00:43:07.780 My friends. 00:43:08.420 --> 00:43:10.039 It has to be so strong. 00:43:10.139 --> 00:43:11.699 To be faithful before the Lord. 00:43:12.059 --> 00:43:14.460 And this is what God is calling us to do. 00:43:14.820 --> 00:43:15.880 I remember the story of. 00:43:16.820 --> 00:43:18.119 The story of Caleb. 00:43:18.119 --> 00:43:18.719 You know. 00:43:18.980 --> 00:43:20.599 The man who was faithful. 00:43:20.599 --> 00:43:22.420 He did what God. 00:43:22.759 --> 00:43:23.279 Wanted him to. 00:43:23.460 --> 00:43:24.699 And he prolonged his life. 00:43:24.960 --> 00:43:25.960 He gave him the strength. 00:43:28.059 --> 00:43:28.460 My friends. 00:43:28.519 --> 00:43:29.099 It doesn't matter. 00:43:29.279 --> 00:43:30.019 What you do. 00:43:30.099 --> 00:43:30.940 Even in the church. 00:43:31.539 --> 00:43:32.699 It does not matter. 00:43:34.159 --> 00:43:35.639 Reminds me of a old man. 00:43:36.219 --> 00:43:37.420 In one local church. 00:43:37.519 --> 00:43:38.380 In the rural areas. 00:43:38.900 --> 00:43:40.279 Where they had no toilets. 00:43:40.380 --> 00:43:41.219 Like flush toilets. 00:43:41.380 --> 00:43:41.980 We have here. 00:43:42.440 --> 00:43:43.519 They had pit latrine. 00:43:43.839 --> 00:43:44.579 And this man. 00:43:45.860 --> 00:43:46.299 Somehow. 00:43:46.299 --> 00:43:47.400 He just realized. 00:43:47.559 --> 00:43:48.000 It was good. 00:43:48.119 --> 00:43:49.360 To have a clean. 00:43:49.900 --> 00:43:50.099 Pit. 00:43:50.099 --> 00:43:50.940 Toilet. 00:43:51.960 --> 00:43:53.039 And they would wake up. 00:43:53.179 --> 00:43:53.900 Very early in the morning. 00:43:53.960 --> 00:43:54.579 Every Sunday. 00:43:54.920 --> 00:43:55.460 And they go. 00:43:55.619 --> 00:43:56.500 And they clean the toilet. 00:43:56.759 --> 00:43:57.839 And they put ashes. 00:43:58.079 --> 00:43:58.639 You know ashes. 00:43:58.920 --> 00:43:59.739 Like a sanitizer. 00:44:00.199 --> 00:44:01.460 Because there was nothing. 00:44:01.599 --> 00:44:02.539 You could do. 00:44:02.779 --> 00:44:03.360 You would use. 00:44:03.759 --> 00:44:05.219 That hood ashes. 00:44:05.480 --> 00:44:05.799 Hush. 00:44:06.259 --> 00:44:07.039 And they put it there. 00:44:07.119 --> 00:44:07.480 And they make sure. 00:44:07.519 --> 00:44:08.259 That it's very clean. 00:44:10.779 --> 00:44:11.779 For some reason. 00:44:11.960 --> 00:44:13.519 He did not even want people to know. 00:44:13.699 --> 00:44:14.539 Who used to clean. 00:44:14.539 --> 00:44:15.420 Those toilets. 00:44:17.139 --> 00:44:17.839 The kids. 00:44:18.039 --> 00:44:18.619 After Sunday school. 00:44:18.619 --> 00:44:19.559 They would come and mess them. 00:44:19.799 --> 00:44:20.579 But you still go. 00:44:20.679 --> 00:44:21.219 And they clean. 00:44:22.739 --> 00:44:24.440 So when this man passed on. 00:44:25.559 --> 00:44:26.779 The pastor and the leaders. 00:44:26.779 --> 00:44:27.639 Of the local church. 00:44:27.739 --> 00:44:31.380 Found that the place was so bad. 00:44:31.500 --> 00:44:32.559 It was clean. 00:44:33.119 --> 00:44:34.339 Until they realized. 00:44:34.880 --> 00:44:35.619 And they realized. 00:44:35.739 --> 00:44:36.460 The old man. 00:44:37.099 --> 00:44:38.079 What he used to do. 00:44:38.859 --> 00:44:39.699 Cleaning that toilet. 00:44:40.759 --> 00:44:42.319 I know of another local church. 00:44:42.400 --> 00:44:42.699 Somewhere. 00:44:42.699 --> 00:44:43.559 In the city. 00:44:43.699 --> 00:44:44.460 Where there is dust. 00:44:44.940 --> 00:44:46.579 Because our roads are not good sometimes. 00:44:46.579 --> 00:44:48.179 And this woman. 00:44:48.420 --> 00:44:48.860 Young woman. 00:44:49.179 --> 00:44:49.980 Offered herself. 00:44:50.079 --> 00:44:51.279 To be cleaning the peels. 00:44:51.519 --> 00:44:52.880 On Saturday afternoon. 00:44:53.299 --> 00:44:53.880 Or evening. 00:44:54.019 --> 00:44:54.579 Early evening. 00:44:55.019 --> 00:44:56.619 Or on Sunday morning. 00:44:57.099 --> 00:44:58.039 And she would come. 00:44:58.239 --> 00:44:59.460 And pack her car out there. 00:44:59.699 --> 00:45:01.299 And clean the peels. 00:45:05.799 --> 00:45:06.480 One day. 00:45:06.639 --> 00:45:07.380 This man came. 00:45:07.480 --> 00:45:08.219 With his own car. 00:45:08.739 --> 00:45:10.099 And he found this woman. 00:45:10.699 --> 00:45:11.679 Cleaning the peels. 00:45:11.679 --> 00:45:13.899 And she was. 00:45:14.000 --> 00:45:14.659 He was thinking. 00:45:14.960 --> 00:45:15.899 She was an employee. 00:45:16.579 --> 00:45:17.799 A very poor woman. 00:45:18.119 --> 00:45:19.000 Who was just employed. 00:45:19.000 --> 00:45:19.639 To do the work. 00:45:19.699 --> 00:45:20.599 Of cleaning the peels. 00:45:21.559 --> 00:45:22.339 And when she finished. 00:45:22.480 --> 00:45:23.359 Cleaning the peels. 00:45:24.059 --> 00:45:24.960 The man said. 00:45:25.519 --> 00:45:25.859 Sister. 00:45:25.940 --> 00:45:27.259 Can I give you a ride. 00:45:27.359 --> 00:45:28.719 To the place. 00:45:28.839 --> 00:45:29.440 Where you live. 00:45:30.460 --> 00:45:31.500 This lady said. 00:45:32.339 --> 00:45:32.799 No. 00:45:33.319 --> 00:45:34.139 I'm okay. 00:45:35.000 --> 00:45:35.379 And as. 00:45:35.599 --> 00:45:36.579 She walked out. 00:45:36.659 --> 00:45:37.519 They walked outside. 00:45:38.119 --> 00:45:39.399 This woman took her keys. 00:45:39.639 --> 00:45:40.719 And got in her car. 00:45:40.719 --> 00:45:42.099 And she went off. 00:45:43.299 --> 00:45:44.480 This man was like. 00:45:44.679 --> 00:45:44.939 What? 00:45:45.619 --> 00:45:46.339 This woman. 00:45:46.679 --> 00:45:47.099 Has even. 00:45:47.259 --> 00:45:47.919 How many cars. 00:45:48.159 --> 00:45:48.859 She has everything. 00:45:49.239 --> 00:45:49.579 And yet. 00:45:49.659 --> 00:45:50.279 She is doing. 00:45:50.399 --> 00:45:51.899 This very low work. 00:45:52.019 --> 00:45:52.619 In the church. 00:45:54.439 --> 00:45:55.279 My friends. 00:45:55.719 --> 00:45:57.219 It does not matter. 00:45:57.879 --> 00:45:58.759 What we do. 00:45:59.419 --> 00:46:00.879 It is God's faithfulness. 00:46:01.500 --> 00:46:01.959 I believe. 00:46:02.079 --> 00:46:02.879 That is so important. 00:46:03.619 --> 00:46:04.819 Those who are going to preach. 00:46:05.319 --> 00:46:06.819 Those who are going to organize. 00:46:06.819 --> 00:46:07.399 This mic. 00:46:07.480 --> 00:46:08.279 So that you can be able. 00:46:08.359 --> 00:46:09.279 To hear what I'm saying. 00:46:09.280 --> 00:46:12.620 Those who are going to take care of the kids. 00:46:13.120 --> 00:46:15.680 Those who are going to organize finances. 00:46:15.920 --> 00:46:18.960 Because not everybody is gifted in organizing finances. 00:46:19.600 --> 00:46:21.000 God is just telling us. 00:46:21.840 --> 00:46:23.060 All the abilities. 00:46:23.780 --> 00:46:25.240 And the resources that we have. 00:46:25.960 --> 00:46:27.680 Are given to us. 00:46:27.900 --> 00:46:28.540 By God. 00:46:28.800 --> 00:46:30.600 And God wants faithfulness. 00:46:31.140 --> 00:46:33.460 I have been moved by faithfulness of many people. 00:46:33.460 --> 00:46:37.000 One church. 00:46:37.179 --> 00:46:37.980 In the Boston area. 00:46:39.000 --> 00:46:40.780 Where we did our masters. 00:46:41.340 --> 00:46:42.440 It was a very small church. 00:46:43.139 --> 00:46:43.679 And one day. 00:46:43.760 --> 00:46:44.900 We visited the local church. 00:46:46.240 --> 00:46:47.220 This church. 00:46:47.480 --> 00:46:48.320 Many of the people there. 00:46:48.460 --> 00:46:49.720 Were retired people. 00:46:49.980 --> 00:46:50.500 My friends. 00:46:51.380 --> 00:46:51.880 Old women. 00:46:52.099 --> 00:46:52.500 Retired. 00:46:53.619 --> 00:46:54.820 And as I talked with the pastor. 00:46:55.780 --> 00:46:57.280 This was our fourth year. 00:46:57.460 --> 00:46:58.840 As we were finishing our masters. 00:46:59.240 --> 00:47:00.039 At Gordon Coney World. 00:47:00.099 --> 00:47:00.860 Theological Seminary. 00:47:00.860 --> 00:47:01.620 In New England. 00:47:03.079 --> 00:47:04.019 I just went there. 00:47:04.079 --> 00:47:04.760 To say thank you. 00:47:04.920 --> 00:47:05.840 To this local church. 00:47:06.039 --> 00:47:06.720 With my wife. 00:47:08.500 --> 00:47:09.360 And as we listened. 00:47:09.440 --> 00:47:10.380 To the story of the pastor. 00:47:11.140 --> 00:47:11.880 And the mission. 00:47:12.340 --> 00:47:13.000 Committee there. 00:47:13.840 --> 00:47:14.420 They said. 00:47:14.599 --> 00:47:15.920 We committed ourselves. 00:47:16.200 --> 00:47:16.620 To you. 00:47:16.780 --> 00:47:17.660 When you came. 00:47:18.079 --> 00:47:19.220 And although our congregation. 00:47:19.880 --> 00:47:21.420 Has not been increasing. 00:47:21.420 --> 00:47:22.740 And we have been struggling. 00:47:24.680 --> 00:47:25.780 Pastor told me. 00:47:26.140 --> 00:47:27.039 The mission said. 00:47:27.039 --> 00:47:28.940 They will continue supporting. 00:47:29.259 --> 00:47:29.800 The missionaries. 00:47:29.940 --> 00:47:30.820 That they had committed to. 00:47:31.920 --> 00:47:32.719 And the pastor. 00:47:34.659 --> 00:47:35.519 Even he was. 00:47:36.159 --> 00:47:37.539 Forced to do attend making. 00:47:37.860 --> 00:47:38.860 And his wife was working. 00:47:39.239 --> 00:47:39.739 For them. 00:47:39.940 --> 00:47:40.599 To support themselves. 00:47:40.759 --> 00:47:41.300 But yet. 00:47:41.619 --> 00:47:42.440 They were there. 00:47:42.940 --> 00:47:44.219 Supporting us. 00:47:46.300 --> 00:47:47.559 I want to say this. 00:47:48.360 --> 00:47:49.380 These are some of the things. 00:47:49.480 --> 00:47:50.300 That moved me. 00:47:50.420 --> 00:47:51.119 Within my wife. 00:47:51.940 --> 00:47:52.920 Even when we finished. 00:47:52.920 --> 00:47:53.679 Our school here. 00:47:54.099 --> 00:47:54.940 We never stayed. 00:47:54.940 --> 00:47:55.639 One year. 00:47:55.860 --> 00:47:56.300 Of practical. 00:47:57.599 --> 00:47:58.480 We had to go back. 00:47:59.599 --> 00:48:00.440 Because I looked at. 00:48:00.519 --> 00:48:01.240 The faithfulness. 00:48:01.579 --> 00:48:02.480 Of men and women. 00:48:03.000 --> 00:48:03.780 Who support us. 00:48:03.840 --> 00:48:04.539 In different places. 00:48:05.159 --> 00:48:05.840 Some in Kenya. 00:48:06.159 --> 00:48:06.639 Some here. 00:48:07.940 --> 00:48:08.280 I mean. 00:48:08.360 --> 00:48:09.659 It was time for us to go. 00:48:10.280 --> 00:48:11.099 As of the Lord. 00:48:11.619 --> 00:48:12.119 When you look at. 00:48:12.280 --> 00:48:12.780 The faithfulness. 00:48:12.900 --> 00:48:13.280 Of the people. 00:48:14.059 --> 00:48:14.800 What do we do. 00:48:14.900 --> 00:48:15.380 In Kenya. 00:48:15.579 --> 00:48:16.019 Of traveling. 00:48:16.099 --> 00:48:16.860 To different places. 00:48:18.000 --> 00:48:19.200 And reaching pastors. 00:48:19.500 --> 00:48:20.039 Training them. 00:48:20.119 --> 00:48:20.740 On how to preach. 00:48:20.840 --> 00:48:21.900 Biblical mass messengers. 00:48:22.539 --> 00:48:23.079 And teaching. 00:48:23.280 --> 00:48:24.019 In different seminaries. 00:48:24.019 --> 00:48:24.820 That have no money. 00:48:24.940 --> 00:48:25.679 To pay us. 00:48:26.360 --> 00:48:26.740 We. 00:48:26.740 --> 00:48:28.039 We are not. 00:48:28.200 --> 00:48:28.840 About to do it. 00:48:29.599 --> 00:48:30.119 Without. 00:48:30.360 --> 00:48:30.920 Also men. 00:48:31.539 --> 00:48:32.039 And women. 00:48:32.539 --> 00:48:33.159 Few churches. 00:48:33.760 --> 00:48:34.619 Men and women. 00:48:35.099 --> 00:48:36.079 Who have stood with us. 00:48:37.039 --> 00:48:37.240 So. 00:48:37.380 --> 00:48:37.960 As the Lord. 00:48:38.079 --> 00:48:39.139 Will be rewarding us. 00:48:40.099 --> 00:48:41.480 For what we have been doing. 00:48:42.220 --> 00:48:42.760 I know. 00:48:43.840 --> 00:48:44.840 They shall be rewarded. 00:48:45.780 --> 00:48:47.079 For we could not do it. 00:48:47.619 --> 00:48:48.240 Without them. 00:48:49.280 --> 00:48:49.740 May the Lord. 00:48:49.840 --> 00:48:50.380 Be with us. 00:48:50.880 --> 00:48:51.720 And whatever gift. 00:48:51.780 --> 00:48:52.480 He has given you. 00:48:52.539 --> 00:48:53.019 My brother. 00:48:53.280 --> 00:48:53.900 And my sister. 00:48:53.900 --> 00:48:55.180 My mom. 00:48:55.360 --> 00:48:55.820 My dad. 00:48:57.400 --> 00:48:58.039 Use it. 00:48:58.559 --> 00:48:59.599 For God's glory. 00:49:00.079 --> 00:49:01.059 As we are in defense. 00:49:01.700 --> 00:49:02.579 The kingdom of God. 00:49:02.700 --> 00:49:03.180 Let's pray. 00:49:07.019 --> 00:49:07.800 Our father. 00:49:08.039 --> 00:49:08.619 And our God. 00:49:09.820 --> 00:49:10.619 This morning. 00:49:10.740 --> 00:49:11.579 We want to thank you. 00:49:12.320 --> 00:49:13.079 For you speak. 00:49:13.079 --> 00:49:13.840 To us. 00:49:14.639 --> 00:49:15.680 Through your word. 00:49:16.400 --> 00:49:17.039 And your word. 00:49:17.039 --> 00:49:18.260 Is so clear to us. 00:49:18.260 --> 00:49:19.940 We thank you. 00:49:19.940 --> 00:49:20.620 For your grace. 00:49:20.700 --> 00:49:21.540 And for your mercy. 00:49:22.420 --> 00:49:23.700 Because many times. 00:49:25.040 --> 00:49:26.180 We do not. 00:49:27.940 --> 00:49:28.420 Measure. 00:49:28.700 --> 00:49:29.500 To your standards. 00:49:31.740 --> 00:49:32.920 Maybe many times. 00:49:33.040 --> 00:49:34.380 We don't use the gifts. 00:49:35.660 --> 00:49:36.460 The resources. 00:49:36.800 --> 00:49:37.260 The abilities. 00:49:37.460 --> 00:49:38.420 That you have given us. 00:49:38.820 --> 00:49:39.700 To serve you. 00:49:40.240 --> 00:49:41.020 I pray. 00:49:41.460 --> 00:49:42.240 And I thank you. 00:49:42.239 --> 00:49:44.059 Because of your mercy. 00:49:44.139 --> 00:49:44.819 And your grace. 00:49:45.679 --> 00:49:46.579 May you cause us. 00:49:46.659 --> 00:49:48.199 To evaluate. 00:49:49.399 --> 00:49:49.879 Ourselves. 00:49:50.179 --> 00:49:50.739 And our abilities. 00:49:50.879 --> 00:49:51.419 And the resources. 00:49:53.319 --> 00:49:54.399 And cause us. 00:49:54.479 --> 00:49:54.979 To move. 00:49:56.659 --> 00:49:57.479 To be quickly. 00:49:58.479 --> 00:49:59.459 Not to waste time. 00:50:00.000 --> 00:50:01.019 Like the man. 00:50:01.079 --> 00:50:01.619 Who was given. 00:50:02.119 --> 00:50:02.919 Five talents. 00:50:03.639 --> 00:50:04.579 To go immediately. 00:50:05.299 --> 00:50:06.019 And begin. 00:50:06.019 --> 00:50:07.119 To serve you. 00:50:07.940 --> 00:50:08.859 And find opportunities. 00:50:09.619 --> 00:50:10.440 To serve you. 00:50:10.920 --> 00:50:11.859 As we continue. 00:50:12.039 --> 00:50:12.319 Cause. 00:50:12.839 --> 00:50:14.079 Building the body of Christ. 00:50:14.460 --> 00:50:15.339 Because all together. 00:50:16.159 --> 00:50:17.460 We are supposed to serve you. 00:50:18.719 --> 00:50:19.960 To build one another. 00:50:21.400 --> 00:50:22.400 To identify one another. 00:50:23.219 --> 00:50:23.940 And also. 00:50:24.199 --> 00:50:24.759 To advance. 00:50:24.940 --> 00:50:25.440 Your gospel. 00:50:26.079 --> 00:50:26.880 Because there are many. 00:50:27.059 --> 00:50:28.019 Who have not heard the gospel. 00:50:28.639 --> 00:50:29.119 Thank you. 00:50:29.179 --> 00:50:30.339 For this local church. 00:50:30.779 --> 00:50:31.119 Thank you. 00:50:31.119 --> 00:50:31.679 For the pastors. 00:50:32.199 --> 00:50:32.440 Thank you. 00:50:32.519 --> 00:50:32.940 For the elders. 00:50:33.639 --> 00:50:33.940 Thank you. 00:50:34.019 --> 00:50:34.599 For each member. 00:50:35.099 --> 00:50:35.839 And I ask you. 00:50:35.920 --> 00:50:36.519 To bless them. 00:50:36.519 --> 00:50:37.759 And I continue. 00:50:38.340 --> 00:50:39.039 Abholding them. 00:50:39.599 --> 00:50:40.719 With your gracious hands. 00:50:41.239 --> 00:50:41.980 We thank you. 00:50:42.659 --> 00:50:43.800 In Christ's name we pray. 00:50:44.139 --> 00:50:44.739 And ask. 00:50:45.219 --> 00:50:45.480 Amen.