WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.860 Please take your Bibles and open them up this morning to the book of Ephesians. 00:00:04.860 --> 00:00:10.960 We are continuing our series and our mission and our ministry priorities here as a church 00:00:10.960 --> 00:00:12.099 ! here in the month of January. 00:00:12.859 --> 00:00:17.760 And this morning we are in Ephesians chapter 4 verses 11 through 16. 00:00:17.760 --> 00:00:22.800 If you were in the Grow Class Hour, you got a little preview of this, but if not, either 00:00:22.800 --> 00:00:24.440 way we'll do this together this morning. 00:00:24.539 --> 00:00:27.660 So Ephesians chapter 4 verses 11 through 16. 00:00:27.660 --> 00:00:31.160 And when you found it, let's stand in honor of the reading of God's Word this morning. 00:00:44.659 --> 00:00:51.439 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers to 00:00:51.439 --> 00:00:56.760 equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ. 00:00:56.759 --> 00:01:02.879 Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to 00:01:02.879 --> 00:01:09.679 mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no 00:01:09.679 --> 00:01:15.640 longer be children tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, 00:01:16.079 --> 00:01:19.519 by human cunning, by craftiness and deceitful schemes. 00:01:19.519 --> 00:01:27.759 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, 00:01:28.119 --> 00:01:33.979 into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which 00:01:33.979 --> 00:01:40.819 it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself 00:01:40.819 --> 00:01:42.599 up in love. 00:01:42.599 --> 00:01:48.559 The grass withers and the flower fades, but the Word of the Lord endures forever. 00:01:48.759 --> 00:01:57.159 Father, we praise you that you have designs for your church, that its growth and its methodology 00:01:57.159 --> 00:02:00.079 and its mission is not up to us to invent. 00:02:00.239 --> 00:02:03.560 But God, you have set in motion, set in place. 00:02:03.639 --> 00:02:07.799 You have prescribed for us in your Word what you desire us to be and to do. 00:02:07.799 --> 00:02:11.479 And so we pray now, would we submit ourselves to it as we open up your Word? 00:02:11.879 --> 00:02:12.879 We pray in Jesus' name. 00:02:13.439 --> 00:02:13.680 Amen. 00:02:14.579 --> 00:02:15.639 You may be seated. 00:02:17.659 --> 00:02:23.740 Now, there is probably nothing more entertaining and sometimes frustrating than watching youth 00:02:23.740 --> 00:02:24.240 sports. 00:02:24.539 --> 00:02:27.219 And I say that from a place of experience. 00:02:27.579 --> 00:02:32.500 Amongst our three boys, we have gone to a lot of youth sports games. 00:02:32.539 --> 00:02:37.199 And you can tell pretty quickly as you're watching the games, there are some teams that get 00:02:37.199 --> 00:02:39.839 it and some teams that don't. 00:02:41.000 --> 00:02:45.119 And sometimes you watch the games and it's almost like these two teams, it's hard to know 00:02:45.119 --> 00:02:48.739 whether or not they even recognize that they're playing the same sport. 00:02:48.879 --> 00:02:51.359 You have kids running all over the place. 00:02:51.439 --> 00:02:56.239 You can tell sometimes the players, they don't really know the positions and where they're 00:02:56.239 --> 00:02:57.159 supposed to be. 00:02:57.319 --> 00:03:01.099 Sometimes they all just rush together in a big mob after the ball. 00:03:01.939 --> 00:03:06.299 Sometimes they get distracted by something on the ground or something that they see up in 00:03:06.300 --> 00:03:06.920 the sky. 00:03:07.360 --> 00:03:12.840 Sometimes it is one big, disorganized, chaotic mess. 00:03:12.920 --> 00:03:13.620 But it's fun to watch. 00:03:15.219 --> 00:03:19.620 But on the other hand, some teams actually get it. 00:03:19.680 --> 00:03:22.219 And it's actually, it's really awesome to see when it happens. 00:03:22.320 --> 00:03:23.620 It just kind of comes together. 00:03:23.740 --> 00:03:28.120 And sometimes you can tell, man, these guys, they really understand what they're trying to 00:03:28.120 --> 00:03:28.700 do. 00:03:28.820 --> 00:03:30.400 They have a shared purpose. 00:03:30.880 --> 00:03:32.620 They're all working in the same direction. 00:03:32.620 --> 00:03:35.420 All these players, they know their role. 00:03:35.560 --> 00:03:37.080 They understand their position. 00:03:37.640 --> 00:03:42.800 The coaches, they've done a good job setting the team up for success and training them for 00:03:42.800 --> 00:03:43.360 the task. 00:03:43.460 --> 00:03:46.080 And it all just seems to work together. 00:03:46.939 --> 00:03:49.020 It doesn't really matter the age. 00:03:49.500 --> 00:03:51.500 It doesn't really matter the sport. 00:03:51.500 --> 00:03:54.000 I think it's true across the board. 00:03:54.439 --> 00:03:59.379 For a team to be successful, they need to understand their roles. 00:04:00.240 --> 00:04:02.580 They need to understand their goals. 00:04:03.379 --> 00:04:06.879 And they need to understand their game plan. 00:04:07.159 --> 00:04:09.800 And of course, that isn't just true for youth sports. 00:04:09.840 --> 00:04:15.560 As we open up the word this morning to Ephesians chapter 4, we see that that is also true for 00:04:15.560 --> 00:04:16.899 the church. 00:04:17.899 --> 00:04:21.579 It is true for our church here at Seawee Bay. 00:04:22.240 --> 00:04:28.600 For us to thrive, for a church to be successful, we must understand our roles. 00:04:29.160 --> 00:04:31.379 We must understand our goals. 00:04:31.959 --> 00:04:35.920 And we must understand our game plan. 00:04:36.100 --> 00:04:38.980 So let's look at our passage this morning here in Ephesians 4. 00:04:39.160 --> 00:04:40.259 And we're going to see all three. 00:04:40.420 --> 00:04:42.199 We'll see our roles in the church. 00:04:42.259 --> 00:04:43.579 What are our positions? 00:04:43.579 --> 00:04:46.139 We'll see our goals for our ministry. 00:04:46.459 --> 00:04:51.039 And we're going to see our game plan for how we're going to go about it here at Seawee Bay. 00:04:51.159 --> 00:04:55.620 So first, what are our roles? 00:04:56.659 --> 00:04:59.060 What are our roles? 00:04:59.479 --> 00:05:03.680 And let's get our bearings here because we're jumping in halfway through the book of Ephesians. 00:05:04.199 --> 00:05:09.860 For the first three chapters of the book of Ephesians, what Paul does is he just unpacks 00:05:09.860 --> 00:05:14.540 the glorious good news of the gospel for the church there in Ephesus. 00:05:14.740 --> 00:05:20.180 Chapters 1 through 3 are all about what God has done in the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:05:20.319 --> 00:05:26.879 And so he says in chapter 1, all the way back in eternity past, God has chosen you, believer. 00:05:27.060 --> 00:05:28.840 He has predestined you. 00:05:28.980 --> 00:05:31.020 He has adopted you in Christ. 00:05:31.019 --> 00:05:35.199 He has loved you in Christ from before the foundations of the world. 00:05:35.799 --> 00:05:41.419 He says in chapter 2, you were dead in the trespasses and the sins in which you once walked. 00:05:41.579 --> 00:05:45.759 But now, but God has made you alive together in Christ. 00:05:46.479 --> 00:05:50.979 So he says in chapter 3 that the church, this gathering of believers, 00:05:50.980 --> 00:05:58.400 is God's eternal plan for making his wisdom known throughout the ages in heaven and on earth. 00:05:59.060 --> 00:06:05.900 In other words, the church exists by God's grace and for God's glory. 00:06:06.040 --> 00:06:07.080 That's chapters 1 through 3. 00:06:08.319 --> 00:06:16.180 Now here in 4 through 6, he takes that truth of the gospel and he applies it to the church. 00:06:16.180 --> 00:06:20.100 So chapters 1 through 3 of Ephesians are the what of the gospel. 00:06:20.660 --> 00:06:24.660 And chapters 4 through 6 are the so what of the gospel. 00:06:25.280 --> 00:06:33.800 And he says, because of what Christ has done in the gospel, we are members of one body. 00:06:34.740 --> 00:06:38.180 We all play on the same team. 00:06:38.180 --> 00:06:47.280 So he says in verse 4, there is one body, one spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 00:06:47.480 --> 00:06:52.480 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. 00:06:52.620 --> 00:06:56.699 In Christ, in the church, we all put on the same jersey. 00:06:57.399 --> 00:07:01.019 We are all members of the same team. 00:07:01.079 --> 00:07:05.860 But at the same time, we don't all play the same position. 00:07:05.860 --> 00:07:09.259 We are not all identical. 00:07:09.560 --> 00:07:11.819 Unity does not mean unanimity. 00:07:12.080 --> 00:07:13.160 We are distinct. 00:07:13.280 --> 00:07:14.360 We have different gifts. 00:07:14.520 --> 00:07:15.939 We have different abilities. 00:07:16.139 --> 00:07:17.980 We have different roles within the church. 00:07:18.080 --> 00:07:19.580 And so he says in verse 7, 00:07:20.100 --> 00:07:27.240 grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. 00:07:27.439 --> 00:07:28.819 And that's how teams work, isn't it? 00:07:28.819 --> 00:07:36.839 That we share one united purpose, but we have different complementary pieces, 00:07:37.040 --> 00:07:39.959 different positions working together to make it happen. 00:07:40.079 --> 00:07:42.259 The team doesn't need five point guards. 00:07:42.379 --> 00:07:44.439 I'm coaching basketball right now, if you can't tell. 00:07:45.139 --> 00:07:45.339 Right? 00:07:45.459 --> 00:07:50.199 And one of the first things you have to get across is that we can't have five people back here 00:07:50.199 --> 00:07:51.920 waiting to bring the ball up the court. 00:07:52.360 --> 00:07:55.159 We need somebody down there to pass the ball to. 00:07:55.160 --> 00:07:58.720 One point guard, one center, one small forward. 00:07:58.920 --> 00:08:02.220 We have different positions that make the team work. 00:08:02.360 --> 00:08:08.880 Paul, here in Ephesians 4, he's listing off the different positions in the church. 00:08:08.980 --> 00:08:09.740 Look there to verse 11. 00:08:10.680 --> 00:08:13.960 I see three main positions here. 00:08:14.600 --> 00:08:15.680 Three main positions. 00:08:15.920 --> 00:08:17.780 First, he starts with the head. 00:08:18.640 --> 00:08:21.640 There is one head of the church. 00:08:21.639 --> 00:08:25.099 See there in verse 11, the first name that he mentions. 00:08:25.199 --> 00:08:25.560 Who is it? 00:08:26.399 --> 00:08:26.779 He. 00:08:27.579 --> 00:08:29.399 And he gave. 00:08:29.639 --> 00:08:30.219 Who is that? 00:08:30.939 --> 00:08:34.279 It's the he that he's been raving about for the first three chapters. 00:08:34.439 --> 00:08:35.299 It's Christ. 00:08:36.299 --> 00:08:40.799 Christ lived and died and rose again to redeem his people. 00:08:41.319 --> 00:08:42.759 We are his creation. 00:08:43.299 --> 00:08:44.799 We are his bride. 00:08:45.080 --> 00:08:46.980 We are his blood-bought people. 00:08:47.399 --> 00:08:49.039 We are his body. 00:08:49.039 --> 00:08:53.120 So whatever else we may understand about the church, we have to start right here. 00:08:53.439 --> 00:08:54.959 Christ is the head. 00:08:55.299 --> 00:09:06.939 And every idea, every ministry philosophy, every thought that we have about what the church ought to be and ought to do must flow from Christ the head. 00:09:06.940 --> 00:09:21.720 But in his wisdom, verse 11, we see that Christ the head gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers. 00:09:21.720 --> 00:09:23.380 This is the second category here. 00:09:23.460 --> 00:09:24.540 This is the second position. 00:09:24.960 --> 00:09:29.480 These are formal, recognized offices of the church. 00:09:30.420 --> 00:09:33.560 Formal offices of the church. 00:09:33.559 --> 00:09:38.679 Christ gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers. 00:09:38.799 --> 00:09:47.679 And of course, we should understand and recognize that many of these offices are no longer in function in the modern day church. 00:09:48.559 --> 00:09:51.259 Many of these offices have ceased. 00:09:51.459 --> 00:09:53.799 In fact, all but one have ceased. 00:09:53.959 --> 00:09:56.419 We no longer have apostles today. 00:09:56.639 --> 00:10:01.919 We no longer have prophets today, despite what some may claim about themselves. 00:10:01.919 --> 00:10:08.099 Paul says in chapter 2, verse 20, that these are foundational offices. 00:10:08.299 --> 00:10:11.599 These were key for laying the foundation of the church. 00:10:12.559 --> 00:10:16.079 They spoke with all the authority of the Lord. 00:10:17.039 --> 00:10:22.199 Their writings are included and counted as holy scripture, the very word of God. 00:10:22.879 --> 00:10:25.919 The apostles were eyewitnesses of the resurrected Christ. 00:10:25.919 --> 00:10:31.559 But now, that foundation has been laid, and now those offices are no more. 00:10:31.679 --> 00:10:34.959 We do not have apostles, and we do not have prophets. 00:10:35.479 --> 00:10:41.079 And I would argue that we also no longer have the office of evangelist. 00:10:41.919 --> 00:10:44.559 That's not to say that we don't evangelize. 00:10:44.639 --> 00:10:45.419 Come back next week. 00:10:45.419 --> 00:10:53.979 But the office of evangelist, as a formal, official office of the church, 00:10:54.099 --> 00:10:57.379 these were pioneering foundational offices. 00:10:57.599 --> 00:11:03.219 The closest thing that we have today might be maybe a missionary going and pioneering, 00:11:03.279 --> 00:11:06.559 in a pioneering context where the gospel has never been proclaimed, 00:11:06.779 --> 00:11:08.379 and proclaiming the gospel there. 00:11:08.379 --> 00:11:15.039 To be clear, again, every Christian, every member of the church ought to be busy with the work of evangelism, 00:11:15.159 --> 00:11:20.879 but that specific formal office of evangelist is no more. 00:11:21.080 --> 00:11:23.299 So, what are we left with? 00:11:24.340 --> 00:11:28.200 There are two offices of the local church. 00:11:29.139 --> 00:11:31.879 And we have them both here, at Sea Wee Bay. 00:11:32.820 --> 00:11:36.159 The New Testament church has two offices. 00:11:36.159 --> 00:11:39.559 It's the office of deacon, not mentioned here in the passage, 00:11:40.059 --> 00:11:42.819 and the office of elder. 00:11:43.980 --> 00:11:49.959 And it's that last office, the office of elder, that he does mention here at the end of verse 11. 00:11:50.059 --> 00:11:54.100 It says, he gave the shepherds and teachers. 00:11:54.299 --> 00:11:54.600 Really? 00:11:55.360 --> 00:11:59.100 That would be better understood as one hyphenated office, 00:11:59.299 --> 00:12:02.179 one hyphenated term, this joined-together term. 00:12:02.360 --> 00:12:04.000 He gave the shepherd teachers. 00:12:04.000 --> 00:12:06.620 The shepherd teachers. 00:12:07.220 --> 00:12:08.960 The pastor teachers. 00:12:09.720 --> 00:12:10.679 Who is that? 00:12:10.779 --> 00:12:12.019 That's the elders. 00:12:12.320 --> 00:12:13.220 The pastors. 00:12:13.480 --> 00:12:16.879 The role of a pastor, or an elder, that's the same thing, 00:12:17.659 --> 00:12:20.639 is to shepherd the church of God. 00:12:20.740 --> 00:12:21.059 How? 00:12:22.419 --> 00:12:27.019 Primarily by teaching the word of God. 00:12:27.019 --> 00:12:33.539 Their ministry, my ministry, my position on the team, my role, Treg's role, Treg's position on the team, 00:12:33.679 --> 00:12:38.620 is primarily the ministry of the word and prayer. 00:12:38.740 --> 00:12:43.279 But not only this, it's the ministry of the word and prayer. 00:12:43.500 --> 00:12:51.659 And verse 12, the ministry of the pastor is to equip the saints for the work of ministry. 00:12:51.659 --> 00:12:53.480 This is the third position on the team. 00:12:54.279 --> 00:12:56.819 And it must not be overlooked. 00:12:58.600 --> 00:13:06.079 Christ, the head, officers of the church, and now we see third, the members of the church. 00:13:07.759 --> 00:13:15.240 Christ gave pastors to equip the members for the work of ministry. 00:13:15.379 --> 00:13:18.319 And now we start to see a team taking shape, don't we? 00:13:18.320 --> 00:13:26.520 The role of your elders is to equip you, members, for the work of ministry. 00:13:26.660 --> 00:13:28.980 Which means, guess what your role is, members? 00:13:30.000 --> 00:13:34.500 Your role is to be about doing the work of ministry. 00:13:35.840 --> 00:13:39.360 Look how much space here in this passage is spent talking about the pastors. 00:13:39.720 --> 00:13:40.180 You see that? 00:13:40.800 --> 00:13:44.500 It's one verse, not even, just a few words. 00:13:44.500 --> 00:13:52.720 And the rest of the passage is spent talking about what the church, the members, the saints is meant to be and meant to do. 00:13:53.019 --> 00:13:57.580 We are to equip you to do the work of ministry. 00:13:57.779 --> 00:14:02.840 The ministry of the minister is to equip the member for the work of ministry. 00:14:03.419 --> 00:14:04.879 Say that ten times fast. 00:14:05.000 --> 00:14:05.620 Maybe we'll get it. 00:14:05.620 --> 00:14:13.200 I wonder, church, is this how you see it? 00:14:15.919 --> 00:14:20.960 Is this how you understand that the church is meant to function? 00:14:21.100 --> 00:14:25.000 There's a bit of a problem, I think, zooming out of our own local context here. 00:14:25.000 --> 00:14:30.820 There's a bit of a problem with the church at large, especially the church in America, 00:14:30.820 --> 00:14:35.879 where many churches, many Christians, many pastors, 00:14:36.820 --> 00:14:42.440 simply do not line up with this simple vision of ministry that Paul gives us in Ephesians chapter 4. 00:14:43.600 --> 00:14:51.620 Many Christians, many churches, many pastors, think that the pastors are the ministers. 00:14:51.820 --> 00:14:53.200 That's what we pay them to do, right? 00:14:53.200 --> 00:14:56.100 We just outsource that to them. 00:14:56.220 --> 00:14:57.220 They're the professionals. 00:14:57.420 --> 00:14:58.460 People need to hear the gospel. 00:14:58.640 --> 00:14:59.340 Whose job is that? 00:14:59.379 --> 00:15:00.620 That's the pastor's job, right? 00:15:01.320 --> 00:15:02.780 People need to be discipled. 00:15:03.160 --> 00:15:05.340 Well, that's what we pay the pastors to do, right? 00:15:06.060 --> 00:15:07.800 Well, the sick need to be visited. 00:15:07.980 --> 00:15:09.200 The weak need to be encouraged. 00:15:09.500 --> 00:15:11.440 The wandering need to be rebuked. 00:15:11.620 --> 00:15:12.600 Whose job is that? 00:15:12.740 --> 00:15:13.620 That's the pastors. 00:15:13.720 --> 00:15:14.920 That's what we pay them to do, right? 00:15:16.780 --> 00:15:19.540 I'll tell you what happens if that's the perspective. 00:15:19.539 --> 00:15:24.799 If that's the perspective that we take, for one thing, pastors will burn out. 00:15:25.000 --> 00:15:25.240 Why? 00:15:26.120 --> 00:15:31.219 Because they are taking on more than they have ever been designed to take on. 00:15:31.299 --> 00:15:34.240 It was never meant to hang on one or two or three people. 00:15:34.360 --> 00:15:36.679 It was meant to be the whole body at work together. 00:15:36.679 --> 00:15:42.399 And for another, the church never grows up. 00:15:43.139 --> 00:15:47.359 They're left as infants, just expecting to be spoon-fed. 00:15:47.599 --> 00:15:51.259 They're never feeding themselves and certainly never feeding others. 00:15:52.859 --> 00:15:56.539 I think if we take a look at the landscape of churches, 00:15:56.539 --> 00:16:03.480 it's far too common for a church to have a consumer culture 00:16:03.480 --> 00:16:09.319 where you come to have your needs met, to get your fill, 00:16:09.579 --> 00:16:12.199 rather than what it's supposed to be, 00:16:12.299 --> 00:16:18.559 which is a provider culture where you come to be equipped to do the work of ministry. 00:16:18.559 --> 00:16:22.779 Would you agree that there's a world of difference 00:16:22.779 --> 00:16:28.259 between a church that exists to draw a crowd and entertain them 00:16:28.259 --> 00:16:33.059 and a church that exists to equip the saints for the work of ministry 00:16:33.059 --> 00:16:35.000 and then deploy them to do it? 00:16:37.259 --> 00:16:40.979 We need to ask which one do we want to be. 00:16:42.639 --> 00:16:44.559 I don't think that we have much of a choice. 00:16:44.719 --> 00:16:46.299 For one thing, I'm not very entertaining. 00:16:46.299 --> 00:16:50.120 But more importantly than that, 00:16:51.120 --> 00:16:53.319 God's design for His church is clear. 00:16:54.539 --> 00:16:59.779 Christ has given pastors to the church to equip the church, 00:16:59.859 --> 00:17:03.120 to equip the saints for the work of ministry. 00:17:03.359 --> 00:17:05.839 In other words, if you are a member of this church, 00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:07.759 you have a job. 00:17:08.480 --> 00:17:12.059 Every member is a minister of the gospel. 00:17:12.059 --> 00:17:18.940 Every member of the church is a minister of the gospel. 00:17:19.079 --> 00:17:20.539 You didn't know you were getting a job today, did you? 00:17:21.039 --> 00:17:22.059 You came in here. 00:17:22.299 --> 00:17:22.819 You're hired. 00:17:23.940 --> 00:17:27.359 In fact, you were hired the moment you joined the church. 00:17:28.679 --> 00:17:30.339 It's in your job description. 00:17:30.559 --> 00:17:32.779 You are a minister of the gospel. 00:17:32.919 --> 00:17:34.819 You're not just here for you. 00:17:35.000 --> 00:17:36.759 You are here for one another. 00:17:36.759 --> 00:17:40.900 My work is to equip you to do it. 00:17:41.019 --> 00:17:41.859 You have a job. 00:17:41.980 --> 00:17:44.440 So second, we ought to ask, 00:17:44.559 --> 00:17:46.819 well, what's the goal of this job? 00:17:46.920 --> 00:17:49.299 What's the goal that we're targeting? 00:17:49.440 --> 00:17:52.599 What are we measuring success by here? 00:17:52.640 --> 00:17:54.099 And that's important for any job, right? 00:17:54.879 --> 00:17:55.680 You have a job. 00:17:55.740 --> 00:17:57.759 You want to know, well, what does success look like here? 00:17:57.839 --> 00:17:58.740 What am I targeting? 00:17:58.819 --> 00:17:59.839 What am I shooting for? 00:18:00.180 --> 00:18:01.200 And some jobs, 00:18:01.279 --> 00:18:04.299 you better get some percentage of year-over-year growth, 00:18:04.299 --> 00:18:06.139 or you're probably going to get fired, right? 00:18:07.099 --> 00:18:09.139 And others, it's about customer service. 00:18:09.220 --> 00:18:10.700 You got to keep the customer satisfied 00:18:10.700 --> 00:18:12.279 so that they keep coming back 00:18:12.279 --> 00:18:15.180 and being repeat customers, coming back for more. 00:18:15.500 --> 00:18:18.440 How many times have you felt some pressure 00:18:18.440 --> 00:18:20.759 to fill out that survey at the end of the call 00:18:20.759 --> 00:18:23.519 just because you know that person's job is dependent on it, right? 00:18:24.799 --> 00:18:26.980 You have been given a job, 00:18:27.519 --> 00:18:28.599 and so you need to know, 00:18:28.599 --> 00:18:32.279 well, what is it that we're actually trying to accomplish? 00:18:32.279 --> 00:18:35.359 And here is, again, where sadly, 00:18:35.680 --> 00:18:37.740 it sometimes seems like churches 00:18:37.740 --> 00:18:39.599 aren't even playing the same sport. 00:18:40.759 --> 00:18:42.980 If you do a quick Google search 00:18:42.980 --> 00:18:46.119 for fastest growing church in America, 00:18:46.119 --> 00:18:46.960 what will you find? 00:18:47.980 --> 00:18:50.500 You will find a lot of different definitions 00:18:50.500 --> 00:18:52.460 of what that means, growing. 00:18:54.420 --> 00:18:56.319 And some measure success by, 00:18:56.440 --> 00:18:58.879 well, how many people are in the room? 00:18:58.980 --> 00:18:59.599 It's attendees. 00:18:59.599 --> 00:19:02.659 If the room is full, then that's a successful ministry. 00:19:02.879 --> 00:19:05.480 And so we do whatever it takes to get that room full, 00:19:05.699 --> 00:19:08.339 and if it's growing numerically, 00:19:08.559 --> 00:19:10.419 then we're happy it's successful, 00:19:10.539 --> 00:19:11.759 whether it's biblical or not. 00:19:13.519 --> 00:19:15.240 For others, the measure of success 00:19:15.240 --> 00:19:18.799 is getting some sort of visible response, 00:19:19.000 --> 00:19:20.599 some sort of visible decision, 00:19:21.399 --> 00:19:23.399 whether it's maybe walking an aisle 00:19:23.399 --> 00:19:24.740 or signing a card 00:19:24.740 --> 00:19:26.339 or even getting baptized. 00:19:26.680 --> 00:19:29.120 How many people can we get this year 00:19:29.120 --> 00:19:30.460 to do this thing? 00:19:30.900 --> 00:19:32.579 And then success the next year 00:19:32.579 --> 00:19:34.660 means more of that visible response. 00:19:36.660 --> 00:19:38.579 Still others, let's be honest, 00:19:38.759 --> 00:19:41.099 success is measured in dollars. 00:19:42.380 --> 00:19:43.180 It's giving. 00:19:43.579 --> 00:19:44.539 It's the bottom line. 00:19:44.680 --> 00:19:46.380 If the budget is increasing, 00:19:46.620 --> 00:19:48.759 then the ministry must be successful, right? 00:19:48.759 --> 00:19:51.720 And the thing is, church, 00:19:51.960 --> 00:19:55.099 none of those things are inherently wrong 00:19:55.099 --> 00:19:56.119 in and of themselves, 00:19:56.220 --> 00:19:57.240 especially if they're approached 00:19:57.240 --> 00:19:58.500 with the right heart, 00:19:58.619 --> 00:19:59.299 the right attitude. 00:19:59.680 --> 00:20:01.859 We want to see this church full. 00:20:02.039 --> 00:20:02.259 Amen? 00:20:03.660 --> 00:20:05.819 I hope that you are inviting others 00:20:05.819 --> 00:20:07.200 to come and join us for worship. 00:20:07.500 --> 00:20:09.579 We want others to come and join. 00:20:09.660 --> 00:20:11.160 We want this church to be full. 00:20:12.500 --> 00:20:15.240 We want to have responses to the gospel. 00:20:15.240 --> 00:20:18.700 We want to see non-believers come to faith. 00:20:18.779 --> 00:20:20.680 We want to see baptisms increasing, 00:20:20.819 --> 00:20:22.799 which means membership is increasing. 00:20:23.140 --> 00:20:24.240 We want you to give generously. 00:20:25.140 --> 00:20:26.519 I think that would be a good thing. 00:20:27.460 --> 00:20:29.180 But all of these, 00:20:29.299 --> 00:20:30.940 none of them are the primary target. 00:20:31.880 --> 00:20:33.799 All of these are secondary at best. 00:20:34.900 --> 00:20:36.000 We need to understand 00:20:36.000 --> 00:20:38.279 that the church is not a business 00:20:38.279 --> 00:20:40.299 where growth can be measured 00:20:40.299 --> 00:20:41.240 and manufactured 00:20:41.240 --> 00:20:43.500 and manipulated through human effort. 00:20:43.500 --> 00:20:47.599 The church is a spiritual work. 00:20:48.839 --> 00:20:51.759 And results are often invisible 00:20:51.759 --> 00:20:54.259 and often unimpressive 00:20:54.259 --> 00:20:55.700 to the natural eye. 00:20:57.200 --> 00:21:00.240 Paul gives us a slightly different metric 00:21:00.240 --> 00:21:01.619 for success here, doesn't he? 00:21:02.200 --> 00:21:04.400 He gave the shepherd teachers 00:21:04.400 --> 00:21:06.920 to equip the saints 00:21:06.920 --> 00:21:08.579 for the work of ministry. 00:21:08.720 --> 00:21:09.480 What work is that? 00:21:10.299 --> 00:21:12.619 Building up the body of Christ. 00:21:13.500 --> 00:21:15.259 Until we all attain 00:21:15.259 --> 00:21:16.900 to the unity of the faith 00:21:16.900 --> 00:21:19.599 and of the knowledge of the Son of God 00:21:19.599 --> 00:21:21.859 to mature manhood 00:21:21.859 --> 00:21:24.599 to the measure of the stature 00:21:24.599 --> 00:21:26.819 of the fullness of Christ 00:21:26.819 --> 00:21:28.759 so that we may no longer be children 00:21:29.299 --> 00:21:31.339 tossed to and fro by the waves 00:21:31.339 --> 00:21:33.859 and carried about by every wind of doctrine, 00:21:33.859 --> 00:21:35.359 by human cunning, 00:21:35.500 --> 00:21:38.339 by craftiness and deceitful schemes. 00:21:38.420 --> 00:21:39.759 Again, praise God. 00:21:39.759 --> 00:21:42.460 We don't have to define 00:21:42.460 --> 00:21:44.000 what success looks like. 00:21:44.359 --> 00:21:46.519 God has defined it for us. 00:21:47.400 --> 00:21:49.339 He gives us the target. 00:21:50.039 --> 00:21:52.519 He gives us the measure of success 00:21:52.519 --> 00:21:53.240 in the ministry. 00:21:53.379 --> 00:21:53.779 What is it? 00:21:53.799 --> 00:21:54.640 What are we shooting for? 00:21:55.220 --> 00:21:57.539 The goal of our ministry 00:21:57.539 --> 00:22:01.700 is building up the body of Christ. 00:22:01.700 --> 00:22:05.799 The goal is to be strong 00:22:05.799 --> 00:22:07.819 and stable. 00:22:08.819 --> 00:22:10.460 And that takes time, by the way. 00:22:10.539 --> 00:22:12.220 There's a reason why gyms are full 00:22:12.220 --> 00:22:13.559 in January and February 00:22:13.559 --> 00:22:16.080 and then it's a little bit less by March 00:22:16.080 --> 00:22:17.900 and then it's almost empty by April. 00:22:18.100 --> 00:22:18.340 Why? 00:22:18.460 --> 00:22:21.299 It's because people are chasing fast results. 00:22:21.680 --> 00:22:23.840 And the people that chase fast results 00:22:23.840 --> 00:22:26.340 get discouraged if it doesn't come quickly 00:22:26.340 --> 00:22:28.120 or as visibly as they expect. 00:22:28.119 --> 00:22:30.079 Well, the same is true for the church. 00:22:30.500 --> 00:22:32.779 We aren't chasing fast. 00:22:33.419 --> 00:22:35.500 We don't want show muscles. 00:22:36.679 --> 00:22:42.639 We want to build real, lasting, stable strength 00:22:42.639 --> 00:22:43.559 in the church. 00:22:43.699 --> 00:22:46.619 And listen, that takes time and hard work. 00:22:46.799 --> 00:22:49.939 It takes dedication and discipline. 00:22:50.159 --> 00:22:51.219 It takes perseverance. 00:22:51.399 --> 00:22:53.859 It takes faithfulness over the long haul 00:22:53.859 --> 00:22:55.539 to build up the body of Christ. 00:22:55.719 --> 00:22:56.719 That's what we're after. 00:22:56.720 --> 00:22:59.059 He says, 00:22:59.259 --> 00:23:01.960 we're chasing unity of the faith. 00:23:03.440 --> 00:23:06.039 It's not just how many people are here, 00:23:06.400 --> 00:23:09.039 but whether there are 50 or 500, 00:23:09.500 --> 00:23:12.480 are the members one in the faith? 00:23:13.559 --> 00:23:15.380 Do we know who the members are? 00:23:16.380 --> 00:23:19.660 Do the members know what binds us together as one? 00:23:19.740 --> 00:23:21.120 It's not common background. 00:23:21.360 --> 00:23:22.480 It's not common preference. 00:23:22.640 --> 00:23:23.779 It's the common gospel. 00:23:23.779 --> 00:23:29.119 He says, we're chasing knowledge of the Son of God, 00:23:29.180 --> 00:23:31.960 not just a decision made and then off you go. 00:23:32.160 --> 00:23:35.319 We are chasing knowledge to know Him 00:23:35.319 --> 00:23:39.379 and to know more about Him day after day after day, 00:23:39.519 --> 00:23:40.460 week after week. 00:23:40.740 --> 00:23:44.000 Success looks like members hungry and eager 00:23:44.000 --> 00:23:45.539 to open up God's Word together. 00:23:45.539 --> 00:23:48.180 members coming together, 00:23:48.180 --> 00:23:50.059 eager to know the Lord, 00:23:50.159 --> 00:23:54.039 not coming here to gain some sort of popularity contest, 00:23:54.279 --> 00:23:55.899 some sort of political points, 00:23:56.000 --> 00:24:00.420 to have influence or any sort of measure of man-made approval. 00:24:00.680 --> 00:24:03.420 You come to know God together. 00:24:03.420 --> 00:24:09.640 We're chasing maturity. 00:24:11.440 --> 00:24:16.600 We don't want to be this time next year where we are right now. 00:24:16.700 --> 00:24:19.080 We want to put on holiness. 00:24:19.340 --> 00:24:21.700 We want to put off the old man. 00:24:21.779 --> 00:24:23.320 We don't want to be stagnant. 00:24:23.400 --> 00:24:25.660 We want to grow in maturity. 00:24:25.820 --> 00:24:28.240 How mature are we aiming for? 00:24:28.340 --> 00:24:31.340 How do we know when we can just take our foot off the gas pedal? 00:24:31.339 --> 00:24:34.539 He tells us we can calm down a little bit 00:24:34.539 --> 00:24:38.599 when we've reached the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. 00:24:38.720 --> 00:24:39.759 How's that for a goal, church? 00:24:41.259 --> 00:24:42.799 Anybody hit that yet? 00:24:43.699 --> 00:24:44.539 I haven't. 00:24:45.779 --> 00:24:46.699 You haven't either. 00:24:47.980 --> 00:24:50.399 And whether you've been walking with the Lord for a day, 00:24:50.519 --> 00:24:53.000 for a year, for 50 years, 00:24:53.199 --> 00:24:58.500 none of us have arrived at this measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 00:24:58.500 --> 00:25:01.980 which means we all have room to grow up together. 00:25:03.799 --> 00:25:06.759 See, the goal isn't just more people. 00:25:07.720 --> 00:25:11.359 The goal is more mature people. 00:25:12.440 --> 00:25:14.980 More people maturing in Christ. 00:25:15.099 --> 00:25:16.160 And guess what will happen? 00:25:16.359 --> 00:25:20.339 As an overflow of that, I think we'll see all the other things. 00:25:20.339 --> 00:25:23.099 But none of that's primary. 00:25:24.419 --> 00:25:25.799 One more, verse 14. 00:25:26.720 --> 00:25:29.539 He says, we are chasing stability. 00:25:30.240 --> 00:25:30.779 You see that? 00:25:31.740 --> 00:25:34.779 So that we may no longer be like children, 00:25:34.980 --> 00:25:37.019 tossed to and fro by the waves 00:25:37.019 --> 00:25:40.099 and carried about by every wind of doctrine. 00:25:40.199 --> 00:25:41.119 Don't you love that imagery? 00:25:42.179 --> 00:25:44.679 Success looks like stability. 00:25:45.139 --> 00:25:46.519 You could rephrase it like this. 00:25:46.519 --> 00:25:52.099 We are not set into a frenzy by every post you see on Facebook 00:25:52.099 --> 00:25:55.720 or every reel that you see on TikTok. 00:25:56.119 --> 00:25:58.700 I mean, I know that all the time there's these videos. 00:25:59.000 --> 00:26:01.099 We found the new gospel. 00:26:02.279 --> 00:26:05.460 Evidence that the Bible's been corrupted and changed. 00:26:05.839 --> 00:26:08.400 There's all sorts of people all the time 00:26:08.400 --> 00:26:10.660 feeding your brains with nonsense. 00:26:10.920 --> 00:26:13.599 How do we know what's real from what's false? 00:26:13.599 --> 00:26:20.119 You grow up in maturity, stable, steadfast, mature. 00:26:20.619 --> 00:26:22.879 Church, is that your goal? 00:26:24.719 --> 00:26:28.980 Is that how you understand the goal of this church? 00:26:29.139 --> 00:26:33.959 We are aiming to grow up together in Christ. 00:26:34.119 --> 00:26:35.480 That's the measure of success. 00:26:36.899 --> 00:26:41.599 So then, third, how do we do it? 00:26:41.599 --> 00:26:44.119 How will we do it? 00:26:45.139 --> 00:26:48.339 Third, what is the game plan? 00:26:49.879 --> 00:26:51.079 What's the strategy? 00:26:52.279 --> 00:26:54.959 What play are we supposed to run? 00:26:55.019 --> 00:26:56.899 And once again, praise God, 00:26:57.019 --> 00:26:59.419 it is not up to us to decide. 00:27:00.719 --> 00:27:04.959 God has given us his game plan 00:27:04.959 --> 00:27:09.659 to grow his church as he sees fit. 00:27:09.660 --> 00:27:12.259 What's God's ministry strategy for the church? 00:27:12.340 --> 00:27:13.180 It's not up to us. 00:27:13.400 --> 00:27:15.480 What's God's ministry strategy for the church? 00:27:15.540 --> 00:27:16.460 Look there to verse 15. 00:27:17.940 --> 00:27:18.279 He says, 00:27:18.500 --> 00:27:23.100 Rather, speaking the truth in love, 00:27:24.220 --> 00:27:26.500 we are to grow up in every way 00:27:26.500 --> 00:27:28.160 into him who is the head, 00:27:28.220 --> 00:27:29.000 into Christ, 00:27:29.720 --> 00:27:31.140 from whom the whole body, 00:27:31.540 --> 00:27:33.920 joined and held together by every joint 00:27:33.920 --> 00:27:35.240 with which it is equipped, 00:27:35.240 --> 00:27:37.660 when each part is working properly, 00:27:38.039 --> 00:27:39.400 makes the body grow 00:27:39.400 --> 00:27:42.579 so that it builds itself up in love. 00:27:42.720 --> 00:27:45.099 What is God's playbook to grow the church? 00:27:46.740 --> 00:27:48.960 What must we do 00:27:48.960 --> 00:27:51.059 if we're going to grow up 00:27:51.059 --> 00:27:52.620 in the ways that God wants us to grow? 00:27:52.900 --> 00:27:53.660 It's right here. 00:27:54.880 --> 00:27:57.180 It is very simple, isn't it? 00:27:57.180 --> 00:27:59.500 The game plan is 00:27:59.500 --> 00:28:02.920 every member speaking the truth 00:28:02.920 --> 00:28:04.720 in love to one another. 00:28:06.160 --> 00:28:07.460 What are the pastors given 00:28:07.460 --> 00:28:08.820 to equip the saints for? 00:28:09.279 --> 00:28:11.519 It's the ministry of speaking. 00:28:12.299 --> 00:28:14.740 The ministry of proclaiming the truth. 00:28:15.380 --> 00:28:17.980 How will we hit these big ministry goals 00:28:17.980 --> 00:28:20.039 of unity and Christlikeness 00:28:20.039 --> 00:28:22.380 and stability and maturity in the faith 00:28:22.380 --> 00:28:24.779 by each and every member 00:28:24.779 --> 00:28:26.580 speaking the truth? 00:28:27.180 --> 00:28:31.539 That is not a flashy ministry strategy, is it? 00:28:33.299 --> 00:28:36.240 But it's the only ministry strategy 00:28:36.240 --> 00:28:39.220 that is 100% effective 00:28:39.220 --> 00:28:41.080 to accomplish what God intends. 00:28:42.960 --> 00:28:45.220 Listen to what he says in Isaiah 55. 00:28:45.519 --> 00:28:45.900 He says, 00:28:46.900 --> 00:28:49.340 As the rain and the snow 00:28:49.340 --> 00:28:50.620 come down from heaven 00:28:50.620 --> 00:28:52.220 and don't return there, 00:28:52.299 --> 00:28:53.660 but water the earth, 00:28:53.660 --> 00:28:55.680 making it bring forth and sprout, 00:28:55.680 --> 00:28:57.580 giving seed to the sower 00:28:57.580 --> 00:28:58.720 and bread to the eater, 00:28:59.980 --> 00:29:01.860 so shall my word be 00:29:01.860 --> 00:29:03.460 that goes out from my mouth. 00:29:03.600 --> 00:29:05.720 It shall not return to me empty, 00:29:05.940 --> 00:29:07.720 but it shall accomplish 00:29:07.720 --> 00:29:09.100 that which I purpose 00:29:09.100 --> 00:29:10.460 and shall succeed 00:29:10.460 --> 00:29:11.539 in the thing 00:29:11.539 --> 00:29:13.279 for which I sent it. 00:29:13.740 --> 00:29:14.519 Do you realize that 00:29:14.519 --> 00:29:16.019 every time the word of God 00:29:16.019 --> 00:29:16.560 is spoken, 00:29:16.779 --> 00:29:18.500 it is 100% effective 00:29:18.500 --> 00:29:20.440 to accomplish God's purpose 00:29:20.440 --> 00:29:21.220 for sending it out? 00:29:21.220 --> 00:29:26.299 Or listen to what Paul says 00:29:26.299 --> 00:29:27.279 in 2 Timothy. 00:29:27.400 --> 00:29:27.720 He says, 00:29:27.720 --> 00:29:31.059 All scripture is breathed out by God 00:29:31.059 --> 00:29:33.559 and is profitable for teaching, 00:29:33.819 --> 00:29:34.920 for reproof, 00:29:35.039 --> 00:29:35.799 for correction, 00:29:36.120 --> 00:29:37.720 and for training in righteousness 00:29:37.720 --> 00:29:38.819 that the man of God 00:29:38.819 --> 00:29:40.079 may be complete 00:29:40.079 --> 00:29:40.960 and equipped 00:29:40.960 --> 00:29:43.019 for every good work. 00:29:43.140 --> 00:29:43.880 Do you realize 00:29:43.880 --> 00:29:45.460 the word is sufficient 00:29:45.460 --> 00:29:46.420 for the work? 00:29:48.120 --> 00:29:48.920 Now, why should we think 00:29:48.920 --> 00:29:50.080 it would be any other way? 00:29:52.160 --> 00:29:53.140 The word of God 00:29:53.140 --> 00:29:54.120 was powerful enough 00:29:54.120 --> 00:29:56.240 to create all things 00:29:56.240 --> 00:29:56.980 in the beginning. 00:29:58.759 --> 00:30:00.279 It's the word of His power 00:30:00.279 --> 00:30:02.140 that upholds the universe, 00:30:02.240 --> 00:30:03.080 He says in Hebrews. 00:30:04.220 --> 00:30:05.500 It is His word 00:30:05.500 --> 00:30:07.120 that saves sinners, 00:30:07.279 --> 00:30:08.720 that calls us out of darkness 00:30:08.720 --> 00:30:11.120 and into His glorious light. 00:30:11.800 --> 00:30:12.539 It's His word 00:30:12.539 --> 00:30:13.980 that creates the church 00:30:13.980 --> 00:30:15.200 and sustains the church. 00:30:15.440 --> 00:30:16.800 Of course it's His word 00:30:16.800 --> 00:30:17.820 that will build the church. 00:30:19.740 --> 00:30:20.519 God's word 00:30:20.519 --> 00:30:21.220 is sufficient 00:30:21.220 --> 00:30:23.120 to do God's work. 00:30:23.440 --> 00:30:24.960 This is a no-fail approach 00:30:24.960 --> 00:30:25.480 to ministry. 00:30:25.680 --> 00:30:26.700 That's exciting for me. 00:30:28.480 --> 00:30:29.860 I want to give myself 00:30:29.860 --> 00:30:30.420 to something 00:30:30.420 --> 00:30:31.920 that is sure 00:30:31.920 --> 00:30:32.720 and that will last 00:30:32.720 --> 00:30:33.440 into eternity. 00:30:35.500 --> 00:30:36.900 We can put all of our eggs 00:30:36.900 --> 00:30:37.620 in this basket 00:30:37.620 --> 00:30:38.700 and trust that God 00:30:38.700 --> 00:30:39.580 will use it 00:30:39.580 --> 00:30:41.360 as He sees fit. 00:30:41.600 --> 00:30:42.000 But you know what 00:30:42.000 --> 00:30:42.860 is also exciting 00:30:42.860 --> 00:30:43.800 for me 00:30:43.800 --> 00:30:44.580 about this? 00:30:44.579 --> 00:30:47.339 every member 00:30:47.339 --> 00:30:48.720 can get in 00:30:48.720 --> 00:30:49.480 on this ministry. 00:30:51.339 --> 00:30:53.799 Every single member 00:30:53.799 --> 00:30:55.240 can be a part 00:30:55.240 --> 00:30:57.319 of the most fundamental, 00:30:57.539 --> 00:30:59.099 most important ministry 00:30:59.099 --> 00:31:00.319 of the church. 00:31:00.399 --> 00:31:01.039 Whether you are 00:31:01.039 --> 00:31:02.179 10 years old 00:31:02.179 --> 00:31:03.679 or 100 years old, 00:31:03.819 --> 00:31:05.439 you can be a part of this. 00:31:05.500 --> 00:31:05.980 You're called 00:31:05.980 --> 00:31:07.079 to be a part of this. 00:31:07.079 --> 00:31:09.359 You can speak the truth 00:31:09.359 --> 00:31:10.119 in love 00:31:10.119 --> 00:31:10.979 to one another. 00:31:11.259 --> 00:31:12.639 If you just survey 00:31:12.639 --> 00:31:14.219 the New Testament, 00:31:15.019 --> 00:31:16.199 read through the New Testament, 00:31:16.339 --> 00:31:16.919 you will see 00:31:16.919 --> 00:31:18.079 that it's filled 00:31:18.079 --> 00:31:19.579 with clear expectations 00:31:19.579 --> 00:31:20.439 that this ministry 00:31:20.439 --> 00:31:21.319 is happening 00:31:21.319 --> 00:31:22.259 in every church 00:31:22.259 --> 00:31:23.659 and that all the members 00:31:23.659 --> 00:31:24.939 ought to be engaged with it. 00:31:24.979 --> 00:31:25.859 It's not just the pastors. 00:31:26.539 --> 00:31:28.059 It is you, church, 00:31:28.099 --> 00:31:28.859 all of us. 00:31:30.599 --> 00:31:32.039 Paul teaches 00:31:32.039 --> 00:31:32.759 about the return 00:31:32.759 --> 00:31:33.319 of Christ 00:31:33.319 --> 00:31:35.159 in 1 Thessalonians 4 00:31:35.160 --> 00:31:35.980 and then he turns 00:31:35.980 --> 00:31:36.360 and says, 00:31:36.779 --> 00:31:37.779 you encourage 00:31:37.779 --> 00:31:38.320 one another 00:31:38.320 --> 00:31:39.259 with these words. 00:31:40.300 --> 00:31:40.960 He says later 00:31:40.960 --> 00:31:42.759 in 1 Thessalonians 5, 00:31:43.080 --> 00:31:44.080 you, church, 00:31:44.360 --> 00:31:45.400 admonish the idle. 00:31:45.860 --> 00:31:46.700 You, church, 00:31:46.980 --> 00:31:48.259 encourage the faint-hearted. 00:31:48.779 --> 00:31:50.000 You, church members, 00:31:50.340 --> 00:31:51.279 encourage one another. 00:31:51.500 --> 00:31:52.500 You, church, 00:31:52.759 --> 00:31:53.880 build one another up. 00:31:55.120 --> 00:31:55.860 He tells us 00:31:55.860 --> 00:31:56.980 the same church 00:31:56.980 --> 00:31:58.400 in 2 Thessalonians. 00:31:58.620 --> 00:31:59.880 If anyone doesn't receive 00:31:59.880 --> 00:32:00.720 Paul's teaching, 00:32:00.820 --> 00:32:01.100 he says, 00:32:01.360 --> 00:32:02.160 don't consider him 00:32:02.160 --> 00:32:02.840 as an enemy, 00:32:03.000 --> 00:32:04.820 but you warn him. 00:32:04.819 --> 00:32:05.480 You do that. 00:32:05.559 --> 00:32:06.700 The church does that. 00:32:07.879 --> 00:32:09.139 The author of Hebrews 00:32:09.139 --> 00:32:10.099 tells the church, 00:32:10.659 --> 00:32:11.679 consider how to 00:32:11.679 --> 00:32:13.119 stir one another up 00:32:13.119 --> 00:32:13.740 to love 00:32:13.740 --> 00:32:15.139 and to good works 00:32:15.139 --> 00:32:16.079 and don't neglect 00:32:16.079 --> 00:32:17.099 to gather together, 00:32:17.159 --> 00:32:17.939 to meet together 00:32:17.939 --> 00:32:18.859 as a church. 00:32:18.939 --> 00:32:19.500 He says later 00:32:19.500 --> 00:32:20.379 in Ephesians 4, 00:32:20.779 --> 00:32:21.000 you, 00:32:21.319 --> 00:32:22.720 let no corrupting talk 00:32:22.720 --> 00:32:23.839 come out of your mouths, 00:32:24.039 --> 00:32:25.960 but only such as is good 00:32:25.960 --> 00:32:27.299 for building up 00:32:27.299 --> 00:32:29.099 as fits the occasion 00:32:29.099 --> 00:32:30.200 that it may give grace 00:32:30.200 --> 00:32:31.500 to those who hear. 00:32:31.799 --> 00:32:32.980 In 1 Corinthians, 00:32:33.159 --> 00:32:33.720 we'll study this 00:32:33.720 --> 00:32:34.480 in the grow class, 00:32:34.480 --> 00:32:35.980 1 Corinthians 2. 00:32:37.059 --> 00:32:37.440 He says, 00:32:37.620 --> 00:32:38.440 my speech 00:32:38.440 --> 00:32:39.759 and my message 00:32:39.759 --> 00:32:40.980 were not in plausible 00:32:40.980 --> 00:32:41.980 words of wisdom, 00:32:42.400 --> 00:32:43.460 but in demonstration 00:32:43.460 --> 00:32:44.700 of the power 00:32:44.700 --> 00:32:45.759 of the Spirit 00:32:45.759 --> 00:32:47.160 so that your faith 00:32:47.160 --> 00:32:48.059 might not rest 00:32:48.059 --> 00:32:49.400 in the wisdom of men, 00:32:49.519 --> 00:32:51.000 but in the power of God. 00:32:51.099 --> 00:32:51.860 But it's not just 00:32:51.860 --> 00:32:52.759 my speech. 00:32:52.799 --> 00:32:53.460 He goes on to say, 00:32:53.700 --> 00:32:54.120 together, 00:32:54.400 --> 00:32:56.200 we impart wisdom. 00:32:56.660 --> 00:32:58.440 We impart a secret 00:32:58.440 --> 00:32:59.519 and hidden wisdom 00:32:59.519 --> 00:33:00.099 of God, 00:33:00.440 --> 00:33:01.400 which God decreed 00:33:01.400 --> 00:33:02.240 before the ages 00:33:02.240 --> 00:33:03.160 for our glory. 00:33:03.160 --> 00:33:04.779 We impart this 00:33:04.779 --> 00:33:05.279 in words 00:33:05.279 --> 00:33:06.079 not taught 00:33:06.079 --> 00:33:06.980 by human wisdom, 00:33:07.120 --> 00:33:07.420 but taught 00:33:07.420 --> 00:33:08.079 by the Spirit. 00:33:08.579 --> 00:33:09.480 We interpret 00:33:09.480 --> 00:33:10.599 spiritual truths 00:33:10.599 --> 00:33:11.779 to those who are spiritual. 00:33:12.339 --> 00:33:13.420 We preach 00:33:13.420 --> 00:33:14.539 Christ crucified. 00:33:15.019 --> 00:33:15.640 Whose ministry 00:33:15.640 --> 00:33:16.220 is this? 00:33:17.700 --> 00:33:19.120 This is our 00:33:19.120 --> 00:33:20.359 ministry 00:33:20.359 --> 00:33:21.339 together, 00:33:21.779 --> 00:33:22.180 church. 00:33:22.960 --> 00:33:24.319 What is the ministry? 00:33:24.319 --> 00:33:27.059 It is gospel 00:33:27.059 --> 00:33:28.200 proclamation. 00:33:29.839 --> 00:33:31.419 Word ministry. 00:33:31.759 --> 00:33:32.579 Who are the ministers? 00:33:34.079 --> 00:33:35.039 We are. 00:33:35.939 --> 00:33:37.419 The whole church. 00:33:38.879 --> 00:33:41.259 We are all called 00:33:41.259 --> 00:33:43.119 to speak the truth 00:33:43.119 --> 00:33:43.899 in love 00:33:43.899 --> 00:33:45.439 and in so doing, 00:33:45.799 --> 00:33:47.539 we will grow up 00:33:47.539 --> 00:33:48.700 in every way 00:33:48.700 --> 00:33:49.259 into Him 00:33:49.259 --> 00:33:50.799 who is the head. 00:33:50.799 --> 00:33:53.500 this is God's 00:33:53.500 --> 00:33:54.039 methodology 00:33:54.039 --> 00:33:54.599 for growing 00:33:54.599 --> 00:33:55.119 the church. 00:33:56.839 --> 00:33:58.059 I wonder, 00:33:58.379 --> 00:34:00.359 is that enough 00:34:00.359 --> 00:34:01.599 for us? 00:34:04.419 --> 00:34:05.720 Are you content 00:34:05.720 --> 00:34:06.619 with this? 00:34:08.880 --> 00:34:09.420 Do we have 00:34:09.420 --> 00:34:10.880 the same confidence 00:34:10.880 --> 00:34:12.000 in the Word 00:34:12.000 --> 00:34:12.559 of God 00:34:12.559 --> 00:34:13.980 to do the work 00:34:13.980 --> 00:34:14.500 that God 00:34:14.500 --> 00:34:15.579 intends to do 00:34:15.579 --> 00:34:16.239 in us? 00:34:16.300 --> 00:34:17.219 Do we really 00:34:17.219 --> 00:34:18.039 believe, 00:34:18.139 --> 00:34:18.840 do you really 00:34:18.840 --> 00:34:19.259 believe 00:34:19.260 --> 00:34:21.160 that the Word 00:34:21.160 --> 00:34:21.660 of God 00:34:21.660 --> 00:34:22.100 is enough 00:34:22.100 --> 00:34:22.400 to grow 00:34:22.400 --> 00:34:22.880 the church? 00:34:25.680 --> 00:34:26.260 I love 00:34:26.260 --> 00:34:26.780 this image 00:34:26.780 --> 00:34:28.580 of the church 00:34:28.580 --> 00:34:29.160 as a body. 00:34:29.280 --> 00:34:29.340 I mean, 00:34:29.380 --> 00:34:29.860 it's so easy 00:34:29.860 --> 00:34:30.640 for us to understand, 00:34:30.740 --> 00:34:30.900 right? 00:34:30.960 --> 00:34:31.780 We all have 00:34:31.780 --> 00:34:32.480 bodies. 00:34:32.640 --> 00:34:32.860 We know 00:34:32.860 --> 00:34:33.340 what it's like 00:34:33.340 --> 00:34:34.700 to have a head 00:34:34.700 --> 00:34:35.640 and to have 00:34:35.640 --> 00:34:36.820 members of our body, 00:34:36.940 --> 00:34:37.740 different parts 00:34:37.740 --> 00:34:38.280 and pieces, 00:34:38.460 --> 00:34:39.080 arms and ears 00:34:39.080 --> 00:34:39.920 and eyes and legs 00:34:39.920 --> 00:34:40.460 and we know 00:34:40.460 --> 00:34:41.120 what it's like 00:34:41.120 --> 00:34:42.620 to have a part 00:34:42.620 --> 00:34:43.140 of our body 00:34:43.140 --> 00:34:43.880 that's just not 00:34:43.880 --> 00:34:44.580 working quite 00:34:44.580 --> 00:34:45.560 like it should. 00:34:46.720 --> 00:34:47.400 It slows 00:34:47.400 --> 00:34:47.920 the whole thing 00:34:47.920 --> 00:34:48.220 down, 00:34:48.280 --> 00:34:48.680 doesn't it? 00:34:49.820 --> 00:34:50.600 Nothing's moving 00:34:50.600 --> 00:34:51.680 like it's supposed 00:34:51.680 --> 00:34:51.940 to. 00:34:52.040 --> 00:34:52.660 Everything's just 00:34:52.660 --> 00:34:54.100 kind of held up. 00:34:54.700 --> 00:34:55.760 It's gluing up 00:34:55.760 --> 00:34:56.580 the whole process. 00:34:56.820 --> 00:34:56.920 I mean, 00:34:56.940 --> 00:34:57.860 don't you just 00:34:57.860 --> 00:34:58.600 wish that you 00:34:58.600 --> 00:34:59.160 could have full 00:34:59.160 --> 00:34:59.660 use of all 00:34:59.660 --> 00:35:00.300 your parts again? 00:35:01.660 --> 00:35:02.300 Imagine what 00:35:02.300 --> 00:35:02.780 you could do. 00:35:05.420 --> 00:35:06.240 Paul ends 00:35:06.240 --> 00:35:06.920 our passage 00:35:06.920 --> 00:35:07.320 saying, 00:35:07.820 --> 00:35:09.180 this happens, 00:35:09.280 --> 00:35:09.920 this growth 00:35:09.920 --> 00:35:10.580 happens, 00:35:11.140 --> 00:35:12.160 when the whole 00:35:12.160 --> 00:35:12.960 body, 00:35:13.400 --> 00:35:14.400 joined and 00:35:14.400 --> 00:35:15.160 held together 00:35:15.160 --> 00:35:16.120 by every 00:35:16.120 --> 00:35:17.240 joint with 00:35:17.240 --> 00:35:17.780 which it is 00:35:17.780 --> 00:35:18.160 equipped, 00:35:18.159 --> 00:35:19.440 when each 00:35:19.440 --> 00:35:20.679 part is 00:35:20.679 --> 00:35:21.339 working 00:35:21.339 --> 00:35:22.219 properly, 00:35:22.500 --> 00:35:23.239 makes the 00:35:23.239 --> 00:35:24.139 body grow 00:35:24.139 --> 00:35:24.940 so that it 00:35:24.940 --> 00:35:25.879 builds itself 00:35:25.879 --> 00:35:27.719 up in love. 00:35:29.719 --> 00:35:31.039 Can I just be 00:35:31.039 --> 00:35:32.559 straightforward 00:35:32.559 --> 00:35:33.519 with you for a 00:35:33.519 --> 00:35:33.679 minute 00:35:33.679 --> 00:35:36.000 as we close? 00:35:36.000 --> 00:35:37.340 God bless you 00:35:37.340 --> 00:35:38.500 God bless you 00:35:38.500 --> 00:35:39.000 and I 00:35:39.000 --> 00:35:39.400 have never 00:35:39.400 --> 00:35:39.840 seen this 00:35:39.840 --> 00:35:40.179 before. 00:35:42.340 --> 00:35:43.599 I have never 00:35:43.599 --> 00:35:44.280 been a part 00:35:44.280 --> 00:35:44.800 of a church 00:35:44.800 --> 00:35:46.739 where every 00:35:46.739 --> 00:35:47.840 single member 00:35:47.840 --> 00:35:48.900 was working 00:35:48.900 --> 00:35:49.780 properly. 00:35:49.780 --> 00:35:49.820 body. 00:35:51.420 --> 00:35:51.960 I've seen some 00:35:51.960 --> 00:35:52.660 impressive growth 00:35:52.660 --> 00:35:53.320 with like a 00:35:53.320 --> 00:35:54.080 half active 00:35:54.080 --> 00:35:55.060 body or a 00:35:55.060 --> 00:35:55.880 three quarters 00:35:55.880 --> 00:35:57.140 healthy active 00:35:57.140 --> 00:35:57.820 body but I 00:35:57.820 --> 00:35:58.620 have never 00:35:58.620 --> 00:35:59.200 seen this 00:35:59.200 --> 00:35:59.820 before where 00:35:59.820 --> 00:36:01.180 every single 00:36:01.180 --> 00:36:01.640 part, 00:36:01.840 --> 00:36:02.800 every single 00:36:02.800 --> 00:36:03.240 member, 00:36:03.340 --> 00:36:03.960 down to every 00:36:03.960 --> 00:36:04.680 joint and 00:36:04.680 --> 00:36:05.440 every ligament, 00:36:05.760 --> 00:36:06.640 every single 00:36:06.640 --> 00:36:07.540 one of us 00:36:07.540 --> 00:36:08.220 was giving 00:36:08.220 --> 00:36:09.500 ourselves fully 00:36:09.500 --> 00:36:10.340 to this 00:36:10.340 --> 00:36:11.540 ministry of 00:36:11.540 --> 00:36:12.280 speaking the 00:36:12.280 --> 00:36:12.920 truth in love 00:36:12.920 --> 00:36:13.460 to one another. 00:36:13.460 --> 00:36:14.260 I can't even 00:36:14.260 --> 00:36:15.140 begin to imagine 00:36:15.140 --> 00:36:15.900 the growth that 00:36:15.900 --> 00:36:16.400 we would see 00:36:16.400 --> 00:36:18.099 this year if 00:36:18.099 --> 00:36:19.240 every single 00:36:19.240 --> 00:36:20.019 one of us 00:36:20.019 --> 00:36:20.960 said I'm 00:36:20.960 --> 00:36:21.320 going to be 00:36:21.320 --> 00:36:21.780 about this 00:36:21.780 --> 00:36:22.160 ministry. 00:36:23.039 --> 00:36:23.900 I'm going to 00:36:23.900 --> 00:36:24.400 speak the 00:36:24.400 --> 00:36:25.180 truth in love 00:36:25.180 --> 00:36:25.720 to my 00:36:25.720 --> 00:36:26.059 neighbor. 00:36:27.539 --> 00:36:27.940 What does 00:36:27.940 --> 00:36:28.240 this look 00:36:28.240 --> 00:36:29.240 like practically? 00:36:30.220 --> 00:36:31.019 It could 00:36:31.019 --> 00:36:32.500 be formal 00:36:32.500 --> 00:36:34.039 and organized 00:36:34.039 --> 00:36:34.559 in the ladies 00:36:34.559 --> 00:36:35.320 Bible study, 00:36:35.440 --> 00:36:36.019 men's Bible 00:36:36.019 --> 00:36:36.380 study. 00:36:36.460 --> 00:36:36.700 We have 00:36:36.700 --> 00:36:37.780 these church 00:36:37.780 --> 00:36:39.559 orchestrated 00:36:39.559 --> 00:36:40.559 functions where 00:36:40.559 --> 00:36:41.440 it's structured 00:36:41.440 --> 00:36:42.260 and it's 00:36:42.260 --> 00:36:43.000 orchestrated. 00:36:43.139 --> 00:36:43.800 I'm excited 00:36:43.800 --> 00:36:44.380 about those 00:36:44.380 --> 00:36:45.840 things but for 00:36:45.840 --> 00:36:46.500 the most 00:36:46.500 --> 00:36:46.940 part, 00:36:48.019 --> 00:36:48.940 this ministry 00:36:48.940 --> 00:36:49.519 is not 00:36:49.519 --> 00:36:50.260 structured and 00:36:50.260 --> 00:36:50.840 organized. 00:36:52.320 --> 00:36:52.940 This ministry 00:36:52.940 --> 00:36:53.519 is not from 00:36:53.519 --> 00:36:54.420 the top down 00:36:54.420 --> 00:36:54.900 scheduled, 00:36:55.059 --> 00:36:55.500 put on a 00:36:55.500 --> 00:36:56.260 calendar and 00:36:56.260 --> 00:36:57.360 made to 00:36:57.360 --> 00:36:57.840 happen by 00:36:57.840 --> 00:36:58.240 the leaders 00:36:58.240 --> 00:36:58.579 of the 00:36:58.579 --> 00:36:58.820 church. 00:36:58.940 --> 00:36:59.440 For the 00:36:59.440 --> 00:37:00.140 most part, 00:37:00.200 --> 00:37:00.519 here's what 00:37:00.519 --> 00:37:00.900 this looks 00:37:00.900 --> 00:37:01.240 like. 00:37:01.900 --> 00:37:02.800 This looks 00:37:02.800 --> 00:37:04.140 like you 00:37:04.140 --> 00:37:06.039 member looking 00:37:06.039 --> 00:37:06.519 at your 00:37:06.519 --> 00:37:07.480 other church 00:37:07.480 --> 00:37:08.420 member and 00:37:08.420 --> 00:37:08.920 saying how 00:37:08.920 --> 00:37:09.600 can I pray 00:37:09.600 --> 00:37:10.200 for you this 00:37:10.200 --> 00:37:10.519 week? 00:37:12.079 --> 00:37:12.600 This looks 00:37:12.600 --> 00:37:13.720 like you 00:37:13.720 --> 00:37:14.600 seeking out 00:37:14.600 --> 00:37:15.240 that member 00:37:15.239 --> 00:37:15.539 that you 00:37:15.539 --> 00:37:16.179 haven't seen 00:37:16.179 --> 00:37:16.679 in a while 00:37:16.679 --> 00:37:17.639 to encourage 00:37:17.639 --> 00:37:18.119 them and 00:37:18.119 --> 00:37:18.479 to call 00:37:18.479 --> 00:37:19.139 them back. 00:37:19.500 --> 00:37:20.000 It looks 00:37:20.000 --> 00:37:21.139 like you, 00:37:21.299 --> 00:37:21.879 more mature 00:37:21.879 --> 00:37:22.339 saint, 00:37:22.839 --> 00:37:23.639 looking around 00:37:23.639 --> 00:37:24.159 at the younger 00:37:24.159 --> 00:37:24.799 believers in 00:37:24.799 --> 00:37:25.339 the church and 00:37:25.339 --> 00:37:25.579 saying, 00:37:25.859 --> 00:37:26.619 would you come 00:37:26.619 --> 00:37:27.079 and spend 00:37:27.079 --> 00:37:27.579 some time 00:37:27.579 --> 00:37:28.579 with me so 00:37:28.579 --> 00:37:29.719 I can instruct 00:37:29.719 --> 00:37:30.419 you in the 00:37:30.419 --> 00:37:30.679 word? 00:37:31.519 --> 00:37:32.259 It may just 00:37:32.259 --> 00:37:32.699 look like, 00:37:32.899 --> 00:37:33.539 let's just spend 00:37:33.539 --> 00:37:34.899 a week together 00:37:34.899 --> 00:37:35.979 once a month. 00:37:36.319 --> 00:37:37.000 Once a month. 00:37:37.319 --> 00:37:37.979 We'll just open 00:37:37.979 --> 00:37:38.500 up the Bible, 00:37:38.639 --> 00:37:39.219 we'll bring our 00:37:39.219 --> 00:37:39.719 bulletins, 00:37:39.779 --> 00:37:40.339 we'll share what 00:37:40.339 --> 00:37:40.839 we're learning, 00:37:41.059 --> 00:37:41.619 and we'll just 00:37:41.619 --> 00:37:42.519 talk about the 00:37:42.519 --> 00:37:43.639 word and apply 00:37:43.639 --> 00:37:44.099 it to one 00:37:44.099 --> 00:37:44.739 another's life. 00:37:44.900 --> 00:37:45.539 It is so 00:37:45.539 --> 00:37:46.559 simple, 00:37:46.799 --> 00:37:47.119 church, 00:37:48.319 --> 00:37:48.900 that this is 00:37:48.900 --> 00:37:49.259 how the 00:37:49.259 --> 00:37:50.039 church grows 00:37:50.039 --> 00:37:52.119 when every 00:37:52.119 --> 00:37:53.759 single member 00:37:53.759 --> 00:37:55.719 is busy 00:37:55.719 --> 00:37:56.179 about the 00:37:56.179 --> 00:37:56.679 work of 00:37:56.679 --> 00:37:57.480 gospel 00:37:57.480 --> 00:37:58.380 proclamation 00:37:58.380 --> 00:38:00.039 to one 00:38:00.039 --> 00:38:01.159 another. 00:38:01.619 --> 00:38:02.219 Isn't that 00:38:02.219 --> 00:38:02.779 the pastor's 00:38:02.779 --> 00:38:03.099 job? 00:38:05.099 --> 00:38:05.940 To visit 00:38:05.940 --> 00:38:06.539 the sick 00:38:06.539 --> 00:38:08.219 and to 00:38:08.219 --> 00:38:08.940 make disciples 00:38:08.940 --> 00:38:09.719 and to 00:38:09.719 --> 00:38:10.960 pursue the 00:38:10.960 --> 00:38:11.639 lost and the 00:38:11.639 --> 00:38:12.039 wondering, 00:38:12.039 --> 00:38:12.539 to call 00:38:12.539 --> 00:38:13.099 back the 00:38:13.099 --> 00:38:13.940 sinners to 00:38:13.940 --> 00:38:14.340 repentance, 00:38:14.500 --> 00:38:14.900 to teach 00:38:14.900 --> 00:38:15.360 the word, 00:38:15.460 --> 00:38:15.900 to proclaim 00:38:15.900 --> 00:38:16.519 the gospel, 00:38:16.639 --> 00:38:16.920 isn't that 00:38:16.920 --> 00:38:17.519 the pastor's 00:38:17.519 --> 00:38:17.800 job? 00:38:18.119 --> 00:38:18.460 Yes, 00:38:18.579 --> 00:38:19.380 it is, 00:38:19.480 --> 00:38:19.980 and it 00:38:19.980 --> 00:38:20.279 is your 00:38:20.279 --> 00:38:20.779 job too. 00:38:24.000 --> 00:38:24.659 Do you 00:38:24.659 --> 00:38:25.079 want to 00:38:25.079 --> 00:38:25.539 see the 00:38:25.539 --> 00:38:26.119 church grow 00:38:26.119 --> 00:38:26.880 this year? 00:38:26.960 --> 00:38:27.259 I do. 00:38:28.820 --> 00:38:29.820 I desire 00:38:29.820 --> 00:38:31.079 to see 00:38:31.079 --> 00:38:32.099 you grow 00:38:32.099 --> 00:38:33.059 more and 00:38:33.059 --> 00:38:33.920 more and 00:38:33.920 --> 00:38:34.820 more into 00:38:34.820 --> 00:38:35.320 the image 00:38:35.320 --> 00:38:35.860 of Christ, 00:38:36.179 --> 00:38:36.559 into 00:38:36.559 --> 00:38:37.380 maturity. 00:38:37.679 --> 00:38:38.139 I want to 00:38:38.139 --> 00:38:38.480 see this 00:38:38.480 --> 00:38:38.980 church be 00:38:38.980 --> 00:38:40.179 stable and 00:38:40.179 --> 00:38:41.059 steadfast. 00:38:41.059 --> 00:38:41.500 that is 00:38:41.500 --> 00:38:42.400 my goal. 00:38:44.099 --> 00:38:44.719 Would you 00:38:44.719 --> 00:38:45.239 look around 00:38:45.239 --> 00:38:45.659 you to 00:38:45.659 --> 00:38:46.159 your left 00:38:46.159 --> 00:38:46.860 and to 00:38:46.860 --> 00:38:47.299 your right 00:38:47.299 --> 00:38:47.980 and see 00:38:47.980 --> 00:38:48.960 your brothers 00:38:48.960 --> 00:38:49.940 and sisters 00:38:49.940 --> 00:38:50.940 in Christ? 00:38:51.159 --> 00:38:51.900 See your 00:38:51.900 --> 00:38:52.679 fellow church 00:38:52.679 --> 00:38:53.500 members and 00:38:53.500 --> 00:38:53.840 would you 00:38:53.840 --> 00:38:54.639 just consider 00:38:54.639 --> 00:38:55.279 for a moment, 00:38:55.539 --> 00:38:56.579 how can I 00:38:56.579 --> 00:38:57.440 minister to 00:38:57.440 --> 00:38:58.299 them with 00:38:58.299 --> 00:38:58.739 the word? 00:39:01.139 --> 00:39:02.099 Who can I 00:39:02.099 --> 00:39:03.340 encourage with 00:39:03.340 --> 00:39:03.719 the word 00:39:03.719 --> 00:39:04.500 this week? 00:39:05.539 --> 00:39:06.639 How can I 00:39:06.639 --> 00:39:08.099 strengthen them? 00:39:08.219 --> 00:39:08.739 How can I 00:39:08.739 --> 00:39:09.719 teach them? 00:39:09.719 --> 00:39:10.259 How can I 00:39:10.259 --> 00:39:11.219 correct them? 00:39:11.299 --> 00:39:11.779 How can I 00:39:11.779 --> 00:39:12.759 love them 00:39:12.759 --> 00:39:13.099 with the 00:39:13.099 --> 00:39:13.559 word of 00:39:13.559 --> 00:39:14.399 God this 00:39:14.399 --> 00:39:14.899 week? 00:39:15.000 --> 00:39:15.379 Church, 00:39:15.480 --> 00:39:16.339 this is 00:39:16.339 --> 00:39:17.139 how we 00:39:17.139 --> 00:39:18.019 will grow. 00:39:19.019 --> 00:39:19.859 We will 00:39:19.859 --> 00:39:20.739 run God's 00:39:20.739 --> 00:39:21.279 playbook. 00:39:22.279 --> 00:39:23.119 We will 00:39:23.119 --> 00:39:23.739 speak the 00:39:23.739 --> 00:39:24.339 truth in 00:39:24.339 --> 00:39:25.379 love to 00:39:25.379 --> 00:39:25.980 one another 00:39:25.980 --> 00:39:27.439 as we 00:39:27.439 --> 00:39:28.159 seek together 00:39:28.159 --> 00:39:28.639 to grow 00:39:28.639 --> 00:39:30.259 up into 00:39:30.259 --> 00:39:30.739 Christ. 00:39:30.959 --> 00:39:31.599 Let's pray. 00:39:31.599 --> 00:39:35.500 Father, we 00:39:35.500 --> 00:39:36.339 believe your 00:39:36.339 --> 00:39:36.920 word is 00:39:36.920 --> 00:39:37.699 sufficient to 00:39:37.699 --> 00:39:38.000 do the 00:39:38.000 --> 00:39:38.339 work of 00:39:38.339 --> 00:39:38.719 ministry. 00:39:44.440 --> 00:39:45.059 And we 00:39:45.059 --> 00:39:45.779 pray, God, 00:39:45.819 --> 00:39:46.039 that you 00:39:46.039 --> 00:39:46.539 would create 00:39:46.539 --> 00:39:47.519 here a 00:39:47.519 --> 00:39:49.440 culture that's 00:39:49.440 --> 00:39:50.079 not just a 00:39:50.079 --> 00:39:51.460 consumer culture 00:39:51.460 --> 00:39:51.880 where we 00:39:51.880 --> 00:39:53.119 consume the 00:39:53.119 --> 00:39:54.219 word, but 00:39:54.219 --> 00:39:54.679 Lord, that 00:39:54.679 --> 00:39:55.480 out of that 00:39:55.480 --> 00:39:55.860 we would 00:39:55.860 --> 00:39:56.360 then go 00:39:56.360 --> 00:39:57.239 provide for 00:39:57.239 --> 00:39:57.739 others, that 00:39:57.739 --> 00:39:58.339 we would be 00:39:58.339 --> 00:39:59.179 active in the 00:39:59.179 --> 00:39:59.579 work of 00:39:59.579 --> 00:40:00.539 ministry, active 00:40:00.539 --> 00:40:00.940 in the work 00:40:00.940 --> 00:40:01.440 of gospel 00:40:01.440 --> 00:40:02.059 proclamation 00:40:02.059 --> 00:40:02.719 to one 00:40:02.719 --> 00:40:03.039 another. 00:40:03.239 --> 00:40:03.639 And we 00:40:03.639 --> 00:40:04.380 pray that in 00:40:04.380 --> 00:40:05.019 so doing, 00:40:05.279 --> 00:40:05.719 that this 00:40:05.719 --> 00:40:06.159 church would 00:40:06.159 --> 00:40:07.400 grow leaps 00:40:07.400 --> 00:40:08.199 and bounds 00:40:08.199 --> 00:40:09.059 into Christ 00:40:09.059 --> 00:40:09.579 this year. 00:40:10.460 --> 00:40:11.340 We pray this 00:40:11.340 --> 00:40:11.699 in Jesus' 00:40:11.860 --> 00:40:12.039 name. 00:40:12.960 --> 00:40:13.199 Amen.