WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.219 your one. 00:00:02.940 --> 00:00:05.600 That is what we are challenging you with right now. 00:00:05.700 --> 00:00:09.519 That question, each of us is facing, who is our one? 00:00:09.599 --> 00:00:14.140 And basically what that means is, who is the one person that God is going to lay on your 00:00:14.140 --> 00:00:19.960 heart to see turn from darkness to light, turn from sin to the Savior, turn to Jesus 00:00:19.960 --> 00:00:25.480 and place their faith in Him for forgiveness of sins to become God's child? 00:00:25.480 --> 00:00:33.880 Would you take your Bibles and turn to Luke chapter 5, the Gospel of Luke, third book of 00:00:33.880 --> 00:00:35.700 the New Testament, Matthew, Mark, Luke. 00:00:38.420 --> 00:00:43.600 We began this series last Sunday talking about who's your one. 00:00:43.700 --> 00:00:48.960 You just saw Pastor J.D. Greer, that's who the sermon came from last week that I preached. 00:00:49.400 --> 00:00:55.179 Today, this is the second sermon in that series that he preached to his church many years ago. 00:00:55.479 --> 00:00:57.399 The Summit Church in Raleigh, Durham, North Carolina. 00:00:57.939 --> 00:01:02.459 And this second sermon was preached by a member of his staff, but I'm going to share it with 00:01:02.459 --> 00:01:05.659 you today, a little bit personalized for us. 00:01:06.479 --> 00:01:13.599 But it's easy to get caught up in the idea of something without actually being an active 00:01:13.599 --> 00:01:15.340 participant in something. 00:01:15.780 --> 00:01:16.400 Let me say that again. 00:01:16.400 --> 00:01:23.159 It's easy to get caught up in the idea of something without actually actively participating in 00:01:23.159 --> 00:01:23.560 that. 00:01:23.560 --> 00:01:28.519 Would you let that kind of bounce around in your brain for a little bit while we read Luke 00:01:28.519 --> 00:01:35.180 chapter 5, verses 17 down through verse 26? 00:01:35.359 --> 00:01:39.540 Luke chapter 5, I'm reading out of the Christian Standard Bible. 00:01:40.340 --> 00:01:45.020 On one of those days while he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting 00:01:45.020 --> 00:01:45.300 there. 00:01:45.299 --> 00:01:51.399 They had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and also from Jerusalem. 00:01:52.259 --> 00:01:56.079 And the Lord's power to heal was in him. 00:01:57.819 --> 00:02:04.359 Just then, some men came, carrying on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed. 00:02:04.359 --> 00:02:08.659 They tried to bring him in and set him down before him. 00:02:09.319 --> 00:02:10.939 Of course, the him here is Jesus. 00:02:12.319 --> 00:02:19.259 Since they could not find a way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the 00:02:19.259 --> 00:02:26.340 roof, lowered him on the stretcher, threw the roof tiles into the middle of the crowd before 00:02:26.340 --> 00:02:26.800 Jesus. 00:02:26.800 --> 00:02:35.000 Seeing their faith, Jesus says, friend, your sins are forgiven. 00:02:37.120 --> 00:02:42.860 Then the scribes and the Pharisees began to think to themselves, who is this man who speaks 00:02:42.860 --> 00:02:43.659 blasphemies? 00:02:44.360 --> 00:02:46.640 Who can forgive sins but God alone? 00:02:46.639 --> 00:02:50.039 Well, they asked the right question, didn't they? 00:02:51.039 --> 00:02:53.459 It was God standing in front of them. 00:02:54.399 --> 00:03:00.719 But perceiving their thoughts, Jesus replied to them, why are you thinking this in your hearts? 00:03:01.519 --> 00:03:04.899 Which is easier to say, your sins are forgiven you? 00:03:05.339 --> 00:03:07.139 Or to say, get up and walk. 00:03:08.239 --> 00:03:15.979 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins, he told 00:03:15.979 --> 00:03:22.739 the paralyzed man, I tell you, get up, take your stretcher, and go home. 00:03:23.780 --> 00:03:28.939 And immediately, he got up before them, picked up what he had been lying on, and went home 00:03:28.939 --> 00:03:30.339 glorifying God. 00:03:30.500 --> 00:03:32.359 Then everyone was astounded. 00:03:33.000 --> 00:03:34.679 And they were giving glory to God. 00:03:34.679 --> 00:03:40.019 And they were filled with awe and said, we have seen incredible things today. 00:03:40.919 --> 00:03:42.739 You think they saw something incredible that day? 00:03:43.319 --> 00:03:44.819 I would have loved to be in that room. 00:03:44.819 --> 00:03:47.939 And let's pray and ask God to give us wisdom from his word today. 00:03:48.060 --> 00:03:50.620 God, I pray that you would enlighten us to your truth. 00:03:51.319 --> 00:03:54.799 I can get up here and give it my best shot. 00:03:54.919 --> 00:04:00.959 But unless your Holy Spirit reveals your word to us, it'll all be in vain. 00:04:01.879 --> 00:04:05.180 So I pray that you would speak to us through your word, by your spirit. 00:04:06.139 --> 00:04:11.079 And if anyone is here today who needs to turn to you in faith, let today be the day. 00:04:11.080 --> 00:04:12.200 It's in Jesus' name we pray. 00:04:12.340 --> 00:04:12.540 Amen. 00:04:15.500 --> 00:04:18.439 We read here this idea. 00:04:18.600 --> 00:04:19.860 Hold on, I need to turn this on. 00:04:20.800 --> 00:04:24.439 We read here this idea of actively participating. 00:04:25.340 --> 00:04:31.759 See, these guys saw a need in their friend's life, and they did the very best thing they 00:04:31.759 --> 00:04:33.560 knew to do about it. 00:04:33.560 --> 00:04:40.459 So, by way of review from last Sunday, we looked at Matthew chapter 6 and verse 10. 00:04:41.100 --> 00:04:45.920 We read this verse, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 00:04:46.199 --> 00:04:52.500 So we're setting the stage for what this whole series is about, God's will being done on earth 00:04:52.500 --> 00:04:53.779 as it is in heaven. 00:04:54.240 --> 00:04:55.819 And we kind of said this statement together. 00:04:55.939 --> 00:04:57.160 Can we read it again out loud? 00:04:57.279 --> 00:04:57.480 Ready? 00:04:58.160 --> 00:04:59.740 His will be done. 00:04:59.740 --> 00:05:01.519 Who's your one? 00:05:02.040 --> 00:05:02.740 Let's try it again. 00:05:03.079 --> 00:05:04.540 His will be done. 00:05:04.939 --> 00:05:06.120 Who's your one? 00:05:06.259 --> 00:05:08.680 That's what I hope each one of us can ask. 00:05:08.680 --> 00:05:15.579 If we want God's will to be done, not only on this earth, but in our lives, then who is 00:05:15.579 --> 00:05:19.680 the one that right now he wants us to go share him with? 00:05:20.860 --> 00:05:24.639 These friends that we read about in Luke chapter 5 had one, didn't they? 00:05:25.300 --> 00:05:26.780 They all had the same one. 00:05:26.779 --> 00:05:29.959 They said, this guy needs to get to Jesus. 00:05:30.699 --> 00:05:36.139 Is there someone in your life that you can point to and say, we need to introduce Jesus 00:05:36.139 --> 00:05:37.459 to this person? 00:05:38.659 --> 00:05:41.099 And our takeaway last Sunday was threefold. 00:05:41.439 --> 00:05:42.779 Said, what is your next step? 00:05:43.259 --> 00:05:44.019 Come and see? 00:05:44.379 --> 00:05:45.059 Come and die? 00:05:45.179 --> 00:05:45.979 Or go and tell? 00:05:46.359 --> 00:05:49.739 You see, God has placed a calling on each of our lives. 00:05:49.839 --> 00:05:52.739 We find them recorded in his life on this earth. 00:05:52.740 --> 00:05:56.199 His first calling that he issued was, come. 00:05:56.420 --> 00:05:57.079 Come and see. 00:05:57.319 --> 00:06:01.980 And that's what we talked about last Sunday as he was calling his disciples and they left 00:06:01.980 --> 00:06:02.439 everything. 00:06:02.600 --> 00:06:03.480 They left their families. 00:06:03.600 --> 00:06:04.480 They left their jobs. 00:06:04.660 --> 00:06:10.280 And they walked with him because his call was, his invitation was, come and see. 00:06:10.420 --> 00:06:13.819 I'm going to show you great things that you've never seen before. 00:06:14.579 --> 00:06:16.960 But then along the way, his calling changed. 00:06:16.959 --> 00:06:21.180 His invitation changed from come and see to then come and die. 00:06:21.560 --> 00:06:22.560 What does that mean? 00:06:22.899 --> 00:06:24.519 That's not very exciting, isn't it? 00:06:25.019 --> 00:06:26.279 That's not very appealing. 00:06:26.620 --> 00:06:27.620 It's not very alluring. 00:06:27.739 --> 00:06:30.199 You're not going to win big crowds with come and die. 00:06:32.379 --> 00:06:36.879 But the whole idea was, you've got to die to yourself. 00:06:37.639 --> 00:06:39.439 You've got to die to your way of thinking. 00:06:39.839 --> 00:06:41.659 You've got to die to your priorities. 00:06:42.300 --> 00:06:47.160 You've got to die to everything you've known up until this point because it's gotten you 00:06:47.160 --> 00:06:49.939 nowhere that I want to get you. 00:06:50.300 --> 00:06:52.720 I want to take you to something that you don't know about. 00:06:53.200 --> 00:06:57.140 I want to take you to a better way, a better life. 00:06:57.740 --> 00:06:59.940 That's what Jesus has waiting for us. 00:06:59.940 --> 00:07:06.700 So he said, come and die to the old self and live this new life that I'm offering you. 00:07:07.379 --> 00:07:10.000 Come and see and then come and die. 00:07:10.120 --> 00:07:11.240 Come and die is the hard part. 00:07:11.660 --> 00:07:14.040 It's hard to kill off some of our old habits. 00:07:14.700 --> 00:07:16.939 It's hard to kill off some of our old thinking. 00:07:17.800 --> 00:07:19.400 We still struggle with that. 00:07:19.460 --> 00:07:24.440 And we even see the great apostle Paul who wrote so many letters to those early churches 00:07:24.440 --> 00:07:28.320 struggling with that old self in putting it to death. 00:07:28.640 --> 00:07:29.900 But that's Jesus' calling. 00:07:30.040 --> 00:07:32.280 Come and see and then come and die. 00:07:32.360 --> 00:07:36.480 And then finally, the message changed to go and tell. 00:07:37.260 --> 00:07:38.020 Go and tell. 00:07:38.379 --> 00:07:39.640 That's the third phase. 00:07:39.639 --> 00:07:42.120 So where are you in your walk with Jesus? 00:07:42.680 --> 00:07:43.800 Is it come and see? 00:07:43.899 --> 00:07:48.180 Do you need to take that initial step and say, I choose to follow Jesus? 00:07:48.379 --> 00:07:51.259 We've seen so many people take that step lately in our church. 00:07:51.680 --> 00:07:52.779 We thank God for it. 00:07:52.779 --> 00:07:55.399 From children to adults and everybody in between. 00:07:55.399 --> 00:07:59.279 We've seen people stand up and say, I choose to follow Jesus. 00:07:59.599 --> 00:08:01.019 I'm going to stand before the church. 00:08:01.219 --> 00:08:02.139 I'm going to get baptized. 00:08:02.439 --> 00:08:03.699 I'm going to make my faith public. 00:08:04.019 --> 00:08:07.019 I'm going to come and see the Jesus way. 00:08:08.019 --> 00:08:10.399 Then all of us are called to come and die, right? 00:08:10.899 --> 00:08:11.759 And that's the struggle. 00:08:11.859 --> 00:08:12.919 That's the daily struggle. 00:08:12.920 --> 00:08:17.560 But is the third part maybe where God wants to take you now? 00:08:18.280 --> 00:08:20.280 Is it go and tell? 00:08:20.660 --> 00:08:23.600 Go invite someone else to come and see. 00:08:24.960 --> 00:08:27.500 Jesus is no longer walking on this earth. 00:08:27.819 --> 00:08:31.259 He's no longer walking on the beach calling his followers. 00:08:31.259 --> 00:08:38.039 He's now using his followers to help draw others into the kingdom. 00:08:38.740 --> 00:08:47.580 And through you and through me, God can draw people that can do incredible things. 00:08:48.519 --> 00:08:49.159 Isn't that weird? 00:08:49.899 --> 00:08:53.419 What God can use you and use me to do for him. 00:08:54.039 --> 00:08:55.000 It's amazing. 00:08:56.100 --> 00:09:01.100 The things I found myself saying and doing that God called me to do, 00:09:01.259 --> 00:09:04.879 and enabled me to do it, empowered me to do, have blown my mind. 00:09:05.559 --> 00:09:08.000 I know many of you can feel the same way. 00:09:08.500 --> 00:09:14.740 So is this where God now has you to take that next step in your relationship with him, 00:09:14.899 --> 00:09:19.480 in your followership with him of go and tell? 00:09:20.419 --> 00:09:23.659 You're not a complete disciple until you've come and seen, 00:09:24.059 --> 00:09:26.799 you've come and died, and you're going and telling. 00:09:27.779 --> 00:09:30.200 So maybe that's the third step we need to be in. 00:09:30.200 --> 00:09:38.460 So let's get back now to Luke chapter 5 and see what healing the paralytic has to say about our series here, 00:09:38.540 --> 00:09:39.379 Who's Your One? 00:09:39.600 --> 00:09:42.660 And what is God wanting to teach us from this? 00:09:43.720 --> 00:09:48.640 Number one, these men that we read about in this passage had a mission. 00:09:49.360 --> 00:09:50.240 They had a mission. 00:09:50.940 --> 00:09:52.980 And mission drives us, doesn't it? 00:09:52.980 --> 00:10:01.360 Before we dive into this mission part, I skipped over this, and I don't want to. 00:10:01.440 --> 00:10:02.139 This is kind of fun. 00:10:02.980 --> 00:10:04.639 First of all, what does this make you think of? 00:10:05.759 --> 00:10:06.159 Football. 00:10:06.960 --> 00:10:08.680 But do you see any football happening? 00:10:10.519 --> 00:10:11.360 Isn't that funny? 00:10:12.220 --> 00:10:14.060 We can put this up on the screen. 00:10:14.800 --> 00:10:16.820 There's not any football being played. 00:10:16.820 --> 00:10:19.360 I don't even think there's a football visible. 00:10:20.379 --> 00:10:21.700 But what do you think of? 00:10:22.460 --> 00:10:23.460 You think of football. 00:10:24.660 --> 00:10:25.700 Do you know why? 00:10:26.920 --> 00:10:29.920 Because we're looking at the trappings of football. 00:10:30.740 --> 00:10:32.360 We're looking at the extras. 00:10:32.820 --> 00:10:34.300 We're looking at the extra stuff. 00:10:34.879 --> 00:10:39.160 None of this, except those boys standing in uniform facing the other direction, 00:10:39.159 --> 00:10:43.480 none of that is essential to football. 00:10:46.279 --> 00:10:48.399 First of all, you got the fans on the left. 00:10:50.059 --> 00:10:51.759 And we make a lot of noise, don't we? 00:10:52.459 --> 00:10:54.399 Now, if you're not a bearcat, that's okay. 00:10:54.639 --> 00:10:55.980 All right, don't take it personally. 00:10:56.439 --> 00:10:57.819 This is First Baptist Henrietta. 00:10:58.179 --> 00:11:01.279 Okay, so we got a little bit of Henrietta favoritism. 00:11:01.379 --> 00:11:03.679 But we accept and embrace everybody. 00:11:04.319 --> 00:11:06.279 And if you root for somebody else, that's all right. 00:11:06.360 --> 00:11:07.019 God will work on you. 00:11:07.019 --> 00:11:09.639 So, I'm kidding. 00:11:12.419 --> 00:11:16.220 But you've got fans in the stands, and we're shaking our rattlers, 00:11:16.419 --> 00:11:19.159 and we're screaming, and we're making a lot of noise, 00:11:19.179 --> 00:11:21.659 and we're cheering on the football happening. 00:11:22.939 --> 00:11:24.819 Then you got the cheerleaders down there, 00:11:24.879 --> 00:11:26.759 and they're doing it a whole lot better than we are. 00:11:27.240 --> 00:11:28.899 They're trying to show us how to do it. 00:11:28.960 --> 00:11:30.019 We're just not very good learners. 00:11:30.659 --> 00:11:32.799 And, you know, they're out there cheering them on, 00:11:32.799 --> 00:11:33.899 and they're doing a great job. 00:11:34.240 --> 00:11:36.259 But they're not actually playing football. 00:11:37.019 --> 00:11:39.899 You got the band out there playing every time they score, 00:11:40.019 --> 00:11:42.840 and they come out and put on a great performance at halftime. 00:11:42.919 --> 00:11:46.319 We got band members in this room, and they're doing an awesome job. 00:11:46.399 --> 00:11:48.419 And they're all part of the organization. 00:11:48.659 --> 00:11:49.819 They're all part of the effort. 00:11:50.319 --> 00:11:52.439 But the band's not playing football either, are they? 00:11:52.440 --> 00:11:57.200 None of that is actual football. 00:12:00.500 --> 00:12:01.560 It helps. 00:12:02.340 --> 00:12:04.320 It's part of what you expect. 00:12:05.140 --> 00:12:11.580 But none of us are actually participating in the football game. 00:12:11.580 --> 00:12:16.980 We're not out there in the uniforms, running up and down the field, 00:12:17.680 --> 00:12:21.259 hitting, blocking, and tackling, and passing, and catching, and running. 00:12:22.440 --> 00:12:23.879 We're not doing any of that. 00:12:25.040 --> 00:12:27.860 We're not active participants. 00:12:27.860 --> 00:12:31.960 We're on the sidelines cheering them on. 00:12:33.580 --> 00:12:35.460 Do you understand there's a difference here? 00:12:37.680 --> 00:12:39.159 It's not too deep. 00:12:39.500 --> 00:12:40.899 I think you all get it. 00:12:42.519 --> 00:12:45.580 But you know what the problem here is? 00:12:45.580 --> 00:12:54.460 So many of us in this room find ourselves bystanders. 00:12:54.759 --> 00:12:59.300 We're on the sidelines cheering on what God is doing in the world. 00:12:59.900 --> 00:13:03.840 We're not actually actively on the field participating. 00:13:05.620 --> 00:13:08.660 And that's not what God called us to do. 00:13:09.379 --> 00:13:10.860 You know what the funny thing is? 00:13:10.860 --> 00:13:19.659 There is a group that is reserved for being on the sidelines cheering them on. 00:13:21.000 --> 00:13:26.659 Cheering on the active members of God's team in the world doing His work. 00:13:27.139 --> 00:13:28.320 You know who that group is? 00:13:29.700 --> 00:13:32.980 Hebrews chapter 12 and verse 1 gives us a little insight into it. 00:13:33.340 --> 00:13:37.360 We are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses. 00:13:37.360 --> 00:13:42.820 So let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles us. 00:13:43.120 --> 00:13:47.580 And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 00:13:47.919 --> 00:13:50.700 You know who that great cloud of witnesses is? 00:13:52.039 --> 00:13:55.320 It's the saints who have already gone on before us. 00:13:56.759 --> 00:13:58.960 And their time on this earth has ended. 00:13:59.560 --> 00:14:01.080 Their race has been run. 00:14:01.500 --> 00:14:06.360 And they're now in heaven looking down and cheering us on and witnessing and saying, 00:14:06.360 --> 00:14:08.500 Go build God's kingdom. 00:14:09.180 --> 00:14:10.860 Go do God's work. 00:14:11.320 --> 00:14:13.139 Go fulfill God's mission. 00:14:15.480 --> 00:14:17.139 They're the great cloud of witnesses. 00:14:17.779 --> 00:14:22.060 They're the cheerleaders and the bands and the fans in the stands saying, 00:14:22.539 --> 00:14:23.539 Yeah, go get them. 00:14:25.240 --> 00:14:27.000 You say, man, I did my time. 00:14:27.100 --> 00:14:27.620 No, no, no, no. 00:14:28.220 --> 00:14:29.539 Your time's not over. 00:14:29.539 --> 00:14:34.639 It might be the fourth quarter for you in your life. 00:14:35.360 --> 00:14:36.519 Some of you, it might be overtime. 00:14:37.860 --> 00:14:38.759 That was a joke. 00:14:40.939 --> 00:14:45.099 But that means it's the most important time because the game's almost over. 00:14:45.199 --> 00:14:46.879 So don't quit now. 00:14:48.319 --> 00:14:51.279 Thinking of a football coach, and we've got football coaches in this room. 00:14:51.819 --> 00:14:53.379 Thinking of a football coach who'd say, 00:14:53.480 --> 00:14:54.579 Guys, don't give up. 00:14:54.639 --> 00:14:55.860 The game's almost over. 00:14:55.860 --> 00:14:57.960 Don't quit now. 00:14:58.800 --> 00:15:00.519 Give everything you've got left. 00:15:01.000 --> 00:15:02.639 And you've got all you need left. 00:15:02.700 --> 00:15:07.680 Because the Holy Spirit will empower you to finish your race well. 00:15:09.080 --> 00:15:11.360 So don't ever take the stance. 00:15:11.519 --> 00:15:13.620 I don't have to be an active participant. 00:15:14.000 --> 00:15:19.139 I don't have to be an active player out there in the field of God's play. 00:15:19.399 --> 00:15:21.600 Because my time's over. 00:15:21.840 --> 00:15:25.240 I'm just going to stand back on the sidelines and cheer everybody else on. 00:15:25.240 --> 00:15:25.720 No, no, no. 00:15:26.440 --> 00:15:27.759 That's not your job yet. 00:15:28.560 --> 00:15:29.659 That time will come. 00:15:30.000 --> 00:15:33.440 And you'll join that great cloud of witnesses and cheer on everybody else. 00:15:33.720 --> 00:15:36.820 But until that day comes, you get in the game. 00:15:37.600 --> 00:15:38.560 You get in the game. 00:15:39.680 --> 00:15:45.100 So let's dive back in and see these guys who took on this mission. 00:15:45.220 --> 00:15:46.159 They believed in it. 00:15:47.279 --> 00:15:48.519 They had a mission. 00:15:49.039 --> 00:15:50.019 They believed in it. 00:15:50.139 --> 00:15:51.320 And they executed it. 00:15:51.740 --> 00:15:52.580 They had a burden. 00:15:52.580 --> 00:15:56.360 And there's something that drives you, isn't there? 00:15:56.759 --> 00:15:57.820 You have a mission. 00:15:58.560 --> 00:15:59.980 This church has a mission. 00:16:00.680 --> 00:16:02.900 Company you work for might have a mission. 00:16:03.720 --> 00:16:04.980 Everybody has a mission. 00:16:05.120 --> 00:16:06.860 They have something they believe in. 00:16:07.440 --> 00:16:09.280 Something that drives you. 00:16:10.200 --> 00:16:12.259 Might drive you as an individual. 00:16:13.340 --> 00:16:16.320 Our culture is certainly driven by different values. 00:16:16.320 --> 00:16:19.360 Some of you might be all-star Christians, man. 00:16:20.160 --> 00:16:22.340 You might have a mission statement for your family. 00:16:22.440 --> 00:16:23.780 It might be hanging up on your wall. 00:16:23.840 --> 00:16:25.980 As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. 00:16:26.520 --> 00:16:32.280 You might have different things marked in writing and posted. 00:16:32.480 --> 00:16:34.020 Places where you can see them. 00:16:34.520 --> 00:16:36.120 And that is what drives you. 00:16:36.300 --> 00:16:39.379 Sometimes we get away from our mission, don't we? 00:16:39.379 --> 00:16:46.000 Sometimes the values, even though they're stated and they're lifted up for everybody to see, 00:16:46.120 --> 00:16:47.399 hey, this is what we're about. 00:16:47.759 --> 00:16:53.159 But when you actually put a magnifying glass on our lives, that's not really what we're about, is it? 00:16:53.519 --> 00:16:55.399 Sometimes we get away from our mission. 00:16:55.720 --> 00:16:57.179 We get away from our values. 00:16:57.179 --> 00:17:01.579 So we develop mission statements. 00:17:02.620 --> 00:17:03.620 We vote on them. 00:17:04.240 --> 00:17:05.079 And we elect them. 00:17:05.159 --> 00:17:06.839 And we say, this is what we're going to be about. 00:17:08.079 --> 00:17:15.240 And when we get off course from those, all of a sudden we're not accomplishing the purpose that we set out to accomplish. 00:17:15.940 --> 00:17:17.179 You see it in business. 00:17:18.399 --> 00:17:19.879 You see it in social media. 00:17:21.200 --> 00:17:23.480 Anybody familiar with this company called Instagram? 00:17:23.480 --> 00:17:27.039 Part of the meta universe out there. 00:17:27.220 --> 00:17:27.839 Mark Zuckerberg. 00:17:27.920 --> 00:17:29.599 We don't have to dive into all that right now, okay? 00:17:29.880 --> 00:17:32.620 We're just talking about Instagram and their mission statement. 00:17:32.920 --> 00:17:34.220 You know what their mission statement is? 00:17:34.279 --> 00:17:36.960 To capture and share the world's moments. 00:17:37.559 --> 00:17:39.940 Do you think Instagram has accomplished that? 00:17:41.559 --> 00:17:42.579 I'd say yes. 00:17:43.360 --> 00:17:45.319 That's about what you do on Instagram. 00:17:45.319 --> 00:17:49.779 You go on there and you capture and you share the world's moments. 00:17:50.559 --> 00:17:52.779 So they have accomplished their mission. 00:17:53.740 --> 00:17:56.380 I'm not really even a big user of Instagram. 00:17:57.880 --> 00:18:00.480 Probably not of the age to do that. 00:18:00.860 --> 00:18:02.680 But that's all right. 00:18:03.319 --> 00:18:08.640 But they have a very clear, very simple mission statement. 00:18:08.839 --> 00:18:10.140 Very accomplishable. 00:18:11.420 --> 00:18:12.740 And they did it. 00:18:14.660 --> 00:18:17.180 What is our mission statement? 00:18:17.180 --> 00:18:22.720 Right now it's loving God, seeking truth, serving people. 00:18:22.840 --> 00:18:24.920 Right here at First Baptist Church, Henrietta, Texas. 00:18:25.320 --> 00:18:27.660 That's what we have adopted as our mission statement. 00:18:27.840 --> 00:18:30.640 Loving God, seeking truth, serving people. 00:18:30.779 --> 00:18:31.560 Are we doing that? 00:18:32.720 --> 00:18:37.440 Are we doing that as well as Instagram is capturing and sharing the world's moments? 00:18:37.440 --> 00:18:43.279 It should define the basics. 00:18:43.900 --> 00:18:45.000 Define the essentials. 00:18:46.740 --> 00:18:50.860 This group of friends had a mission. 00:18:50.859 --> 00:18:55.259 We have a friend who has a problem. 00:18:55.819 --> 00:18:57.639 We can't fix his problem. 00:18:58.479 --> 00:19:03.359 We need to get him to the one man who could fix his problem. 00:19:04.279 --> 00:19:06.639 Now let me stop just for a moment and say, 00:19:07.299 --> 00:19:11.899 do you have a friend who has a problem that you can't fix? 00:19:11.900 --> 00:19:14.160 You know what problem I'm talking about? 00:19:14.820 --> 00:19:15.700 Their sin problem. 00:19:18.740 --> 00:19:20.640 I'm not talking about one specific. 00:19:21.200 --> 00:19:24.180 I'm talking about the fact that they are sinners. 00:19:25.320 --> 00:19:26.500 Just like you. 00:19:26.780 --> 00:19:27.940 And just like me. 00:19:28.259 --> 00:19:29.960 They were born with this problem. 00:19:30.600 --> 00:19:33.400 And it's just manifested itself. 00:19:33.600 --> 00:19:37.360 It's shown itself time after time after time after time in our lives. 00:19:37.880 --> 00:19:39.940 We have this sin problem. 00:19:39.940 --> 00:19:42.019 And it's never going to go away. 00:19:43.240 --> 00:19:46.400 And there's only one person who can resolve it. 00:19:47.259 --> 00:19:49.340 And his name is Jesus. 00:19:50.140 --> 00:19:52.000 So do you have that friend? 00:19:52.380 --> 00:19:55.740 And you say, I need to get them to Jesus. 00:19:56.220 --> 00:19:58.700 That's what these guys were about. 00:19:58.900 --> 00:20:00.460 That's where they found themselves. 00:20:01.059 --> 00:20:02.519 So what drives you? 00:20:03.279 --> 00:20:04.400 What drives you? 00:20:04.940 --> 00:20:08.080 What thing spiritually has God put on your heart 00:20:08.079 --> 00:20:12.819 that you long to see become reality in your life? 00:20:13.379 --> 00:20:15.899 Do you have kingdom dreams? 00:20:16.379 --> 00:20:17.659 Is that a weird thing to think about? 00:20:18.099 --> 00:20:21.919 Do you have dreams that have to do with the kingdom of God? 00:20:22.079 --> 00:20:24.059 I'm not talking about the weird random stuff 00:20:24.059 --> 00:20:26.000 that pops into your mind when you're sleeping at night. 00:20:26.799 --> 00:20:29.399 I'm talking about the dreams that drive you. 00:20:30.139 --> 00:20:32.379 The dreams of having a comfortable retirement. 00:20:32.380 --> 00:20:36.680 The dreams of having the truck you want. 00:20:36.760 --> 00:20:38.040 Or the land you want. 00:20:38.380 --> 00:20:39.840 Or the job you want. 00:20:40.260 --> 00:20:42.020 Or the relationship you want. 00:20:42.500 --> 00:20:44.780 Or the physical appearance you want. 00:20:45.660 --> 00:20:48.140 Obviously, I haven't quite hit that dream in my life yet. 00:20:48.260 --> 00:20:49.300 But I'm working on it, alright? 00:20:49.299 --> 00:20:54.119 But what are the kingdom dreams you have? 00:20:54.220 --> 00:20:58.259 What are the dreams of the kingdom of God that you have? 00:20:58.319 --> 00:20:59.039 Do you have any? 00:20:59.599 --> 00:21:06.539 If not, maybe God wants to give you a kingdom dream for your life. 00:21:07.419 --> 00:21:09.879 Because he wants to accomplish something for you. 00:21:09.880 --> 00:21:15.560 But you haven't stopped to recenter your life on God's thinking. 00:21:16.460 --> 00:21:19.580 Are your dreams all tied up in this life? 00:21:20.220 --> 00:21:22.500 Or do you have kingdom dreams? 00:21:22.700 --> 00:21:25.740 And if so, if God has put something in your mind. 00:21:26.060 --> 00:21:27.500 If God has put something in your heart. 00:21:27.580 --> 00:21:28.320 Maybe it was recent. 00:21:28.400 --> 00:21:29.420 Maybe it was a long time ago. 00:21:29.720 --> 00:21:31.780 When was the last time you stopped and thought about that dream? 00:21:32.640 --> 00:21:35.860 Is God accomplishing his dream in my life? 00:21:36.300 --> 00:21:37.700 Or have I gotten in his way? 00:21:37.700 --> 00:21:42.019 So these men had a mission. 00:21:42.860 --> 00:21:45.880 And then these men had an eager expectation. 00:21:48.140 --> 00:21:49.900 They weren't hesitant. 00:21:51.039 --> 00:21:55.039 They jumped in and they ran straight to Jesus. 00:21:55.580 --> 00:21:57.640 Look back at Luke chapter 5. 00:22:00.000 --> 00:22:02.080 These men came, verse 18. 00:22:02.519 --> 00:22:04.880 Carrying on a stretcher, a man who was paralyzed. 00:22:04.880 --> 00:22:06.920 They tried to bring him in. 00:22:07.700 --> 00:22:09.100 And they couldn't. 00:22:09.759 --> 00:22:14.160 But these guys had an expectation that they would get to Jesus. 00:22:14.680 --> 00:22:16.720 And if they could just get to Jesus. 00:22:16.960 --> 00:22:18.680 And we see it with their tenacity. 00:22:19.039 --> 00:22:20.279 We see it with their drive. 00:22:20.319 --> 00:22:22.019 And we'll talk more about that in just a moment. 00:22:22.440 --> 00:22:24.220 But these guys had an expectation. 00:22:24.400 --> 00:22:26.400 If they could just get their buddy to Jesus. 00:22:26.920 --> 00:22:28.160 Jesus could help him. 00:22:28.840 --> 00:22:29.960 Jesus could fix him. 00:22:30.539 --> 00:22:31.000 Guess what? 00:22:31.100 --> 00:22:32.920 God can't fix your spouse. 00:22:32.920 --> 00:22:37.480 You believe that? 00:22:39.640 --> 00:22:40.420 I don't. 00:22:41.440 --> 00:22:42.380 I think he can. 00:22:43.820 --> 00:22:45.560 I think he can fix your spouse. 00:22:47.039 --> 00:22:52.019 But the way we live acts like we believe like God can't. 00:22:54.779 --> 00:22:56.920 God can't fix your sin problem. 00:22:58.039 --> 00:22:58.680 Do you believe that? 00:22:58.680 --> 00:23:00.940 I think he can. 00:23:02.779 --> 00:23:04.500 I think he can raise the dead. 00:23:05.720 --> 00:23:07.400 I think he can fix your addiction. 00:23:08.779 --> 00:23:11.120 I think he can fix that broken relationship. 00:23:13.380 --> 00:23:15.220 But you've got to believe it. 00:23:16.140 --> 00:23:18.220 You've got to have that eager expectation. 00:23:18.880 --> 00:23:21.480 You've got to let it become your kingdom dream. 00:23:21.840 --> 00:23:23.860 You've got to let it become your mission. 00:23:23.859 --> 00:23:26.339 And then have an eager expectation. 00:23:26.899 --> 00:23:30.199 If I can bring Jesus into this situation. 00:23:30.399 --> 00:23:32.979 If I can bring this situation to Jesus. 00:23:33.719 --> 00:23:35.079 He can heal it. 00:23:35.659 --> 00:23:37.019 He can resolve it. 00:23:38.139 --> 00:23:40.479 God can fix your spouse. 00:23:40.939 --> 00:23:42.619 God can fix your addiction. 00:23:43.179 --> 00:23:45.359 God can fix your son or daughter. 00:23:45.799 --> 00:23:48.599 God can fix your financial problem. 00:23:48.759 --> 00:23:50.679 God can fix whatever it is. 00:23:51.039 --> 00:23:52.299 God can resolve. 00:23:52.500 --> 00:23:53.339 God can heal. 00:23:53.339 --> 00:23:54.559 God can bless. 00:23:54.699 --> 00:23:55.759 God can change. 00:23:57.839 --> 00:23:58.939 It's up to him. 00:23:59.740 --> 00:24:00.480 In his timing. 00:24:00.759 --> 00:24:01.799 As he sees fit. 00:24:02.559 --> 00:24:03.939 He can help. 00:24:04.959 --> 00:24:07.199 He does fix. 00:24:11.099 --> 00:24:13.220 These guys had an eager expectation. 00:24:14.159 --> 00:24:17.179 They actually believed Jesus could heal this man. 00:24:17.180 --> 00:24:18.980 They probably thought maybe. 00:24:19.539 --> 00:24:20.100 Just maybe. 00:24:20.100 --> 00:24:23.680 If we can get our buddy to Jesus. 00:24:23.680 --> 00:24:24.840 This great healer. 00:24:26.000 --> 00:24:28.320 This great rabbi with shmeha. 00:24:28.600 --> 00:24:29.720 Remember shmeha last week? 00:24:30.480 --> 00:24:31.660 If you weren't here last Sunday. 00:24:31.740 --> 00:24:32.240 You're looking at me like. 00:24:32.320 --> 00:24:33.420 What are you talking about man? 00:24:33.480 --> 00:24:35.320 This word shmeha means authority. 00:24:35.680 --> 00:24:36.799 And it's what set aside. 00:24:37.019 --> 00:24:37.620 The chief. 00:24:37.740 --> 00:24:38.779 The best of the best. 00:24:38.860 --> 00:24:39.600 The most impressive. 00:24:39.599 --> 00:24:40.459 Most powerful. 00:24:40.819 --> 00:24:42.019 Most prominent rabbis. 00:24:42.079 --> 00:24:43.059 Who could do the miracles. 00:24:43.359 --> 00:24:44.599 They could introduce new teaching. 00:24:44.759 --> 00:24:45.119 All this. 00:24:45.379 --> 00:24:47.319 And Jesus was dripping with shmeha. 00:24:47.519 --> 00:24:49.659 Usually you had to have it conferred on you. 00:24:49.740 --> 00:24:52.159 By all these religious leaders within the system. 00:24:52.459 --> 00:24:53.480 Jesus didn't go that route. 00:24:53.579 --> 00:24:54.179 Of course not. 00:24:54.399 --> 00:24:55.599 He broke all those rules. 00:24:56.299 --> 00:24:57.199 He just had it. 00:24:57.199 --> 00:24:58.500 Because God gave it to him. 00:24:59.339 --> 00:25:00.459 And then God himself. 00:25:00.819 --> 00:25:02.679 Said this is my beloved son. 00:25:02.740 --> 00:25:04.919 In whom I am well pleased. 00:25:04.920 --> 00:25:08.019 So they said man. 00:25:08.180 --> 00:25:08.779 If anybody. 00:25:09.120 --> 00:25:10.200 Could heal our guy. 00:25:10.680 --> 00:25:11.779 It's this Jesus. 00:25:13.300 --> 00:25:14.700 So they took a risk. 00:25:15.500 --> 00:25:16.480 Because of. 00:25:16.820 --> 00:25:17.380 Their mission. 00:25:18.920 --> 00:25:20.340 This is true of men and women. 00:25:20.460 --> 00:25:21.140 All throughout the Bible. 00:25:21.759 --> 00:25:22.380 You realize that? 00:25:22.740 --> 00:25:23.840 It's not just these guys. 00:25:24.600 --> 00:25:25.080 Joshua. 00:25:25.440 --> 00:25:26.140 Took a risk. 00:25:26.259 --> 00:25:27.080 Leading the Israelites. 00:25:27.279 --> 00:25:28.279 Into the promised land. 00:25:28.580 --> 00:25:29.940 Elijah on Mount Carmel. 00:25:30.000 --> 00:25:31.720 Remember what happened with Elijah on Mount Carmel? 00:25:31.920 --> 00:25:32.920 We talked about it last. 00:25:32.920 --> 00:25:34.200 Last fall. 00:25:34.200 --> 00:25:35.539 Kind of late last summer. 00:25:35.620 --> 00:25:36.059 Whatever it was. 00:25:36.200 --> 00:25:36.660 We had the. 00:25:36.920 --> 00:25:38.360 We had the emergency Sunday. 00:25:38.559 --> 00:25:39.640 Over in the high school gym. 00:25:40.319 --> 00:25:40.819 Y'all remember that? 00:25:40.900 --> 00:25:41.600 Anybody here for that? 00:25:41.819 --> 00:25:42.440 Emergency Sunday. 00:25:42.539 --> 00:25:43.180 Over in the high school gym. 00:25:43.220 --> 00:25:43.559 It was fun. 00:25:43.640 --> 00:25:43.880 Wasn't it? 00:25:44.080 --> 00:25:44.799 We had a good time. 00:25:45.940 --> 00:25:46.259 Jamie. 00:25:46.380 --> 00:25:46.940 Thank you again. 00:25:47.059 --> 00:25:47.740 She was out of town. 00:25:47.819 --> 00:25:48.840 But she still opened up the gym. 00:25:48.900 --> 00:25:49.539 For us to meet in. 00:25:49.600 --> 00:25:50.160 That was awesome. 00:25:50.880 --> 00:25:52.539 Might try to make an annual thing out of it. 00:25:52.580 --> 00:25:53.559 Just because it's fun. 00:25:53.799 --> 00:25:54.100 You know. 00:25:54.259 --> 00:25:55.420 Let's go have church in the gym. 00:25:55.640 --> 00:25:56.100 It'd be awesome. 00:25:58.299 --> 00:25:58.620 And. 00:25:58.819 --> 00:26:00.600 We talked all about that Sunday. 00:26:00.779 --> 00:26:02.319 Elijah on Mount Carmel. 00:26:02.319 --> 00:26:04.439 And 400 prophets of Baal. 00:26:04.500 --> 00:26:05.240 The false god. 00:26:05.240 --> 00:26:06.659 Were gathered against him. 00:26:06.740 --> 00:26:08.720 Trying to prove that Baal is the real god. 00:26:08.799 --> 00:26:10.779 And Elijah the one prophet of god. 00:26:11.000 --> 00:26:12.639 Stood against them and said no no no. 00:26:12.939 --> 00:26:14.000 Baal is not real. 00:26:14.339 --> 00:26:15.619 He's a figment of your imagination. 00:26:15.619 --> 00:26:19.239 You made this idol and you called him God and he's not real. 00:26:19.459 --> 00:26:22.379 And I'm going to show you what God really is. 00:26:22.419 --> 00:26:24.579 And he took a real risk that day. 00:26:25.459 --> 00:26:27.319 Could have been killed for his faith. 00:26:27.719 --> 00:26:33.219 But instead God showed up in mighty power, sent down fire from heaven, 00:26:33.879 --> 00:26:40.399 burned up this sacrifice that Elijah had made and proved himself the one true God. 00:26:40.400 --> 00:26:46.240 When you take a risk for the kingdom of God, you know what happens? 00:26:46.780 --> 00:26:49.160 God shows up in a big way. 00:26:50.300 --> 00:26:55.200 When you take a risk for yourself, you win some, you lose some. 00:26:56.720 --> 00:27:01.000 When you take a risk for God, God's got your back. 00:27:02.440 --> 00:27:04.540 Peter learned that walking across the waves. 00:27:05.900 --> 00:27:08.960 Joshua learned that walking around Jericho. 00:27:08.960 --> 00:27:13.420 Gideon learned that leading his army against the Midianites. 00:27:13.640 --> 00:27:19.980 So many times throughout the Bible, we see people with expectation of God to show up. 00:27:20.380 --> 00:27:22.500 And God shows up. 00:27:23.460 --> 00:27:28.860 We now get to live on the other side of the cross. 00:27:29.240 --> 00:27:31.019 See, all these people we've been talking about, 00:27:32.059 --> 00:27:34.960 they were looking forward to Jesus coming. 00:27:34.960 --> 00:27:43.259 There was a promise that a Messiah, a deliverer, a king would come and die and save them. 00:27:44.640 --> 00:27:45.519 And he came. 00:27:46.360 --> 00:27:48.220 And we get to be on the other side of history. 00:27:48.720 --> 00:27:51.600 And we get to look back at something that already happened. 00:27:51.799 --> 00:27:53.940 A recorded historical fact and say, 00:27:54.299 --> 00:27:55.319 Jesus did come. 00:27:55.640 --> 00:27:56.920 The Messiah did come. 00:27:57.279 --> 00:27:58.220 And then he died. 00:27:58.420 --> 00:27:59.680 And then he rose from the dead. 00:27:59.680 --> 00:28:01.860 And now he has proven that he is God. 00:28:01.940 --> 00:28:03.880 And everything he said was true. 00:28:04.279 --> 00:28:06.259 And so now we can put our faith in him. 00:28:06.480 --> 00:28:08.960 And it still feels like a risk sometimes. 00:28:09.299 --> 00:28:12.480 But we know that as we follow Jesus, 00:28:12.880 --> 00:28:15.279 and as we bring people to Jesus, 00:28:15.720 --> 00:28:17.340 God will show up. 00:28:17.640 --> 00:28:18.940 And God will move. 00:28:19.180 --> 00:28:20.200 And God will work. 00:28:20.460 --> 00:28:21.600 And he will transform. 00:28:22.019 --> 00:28:22.940 And he will heal. 00:28:22.940 --> 00:28:28.420 So how much greater should our expectations be 00:28:28.420 --> 00:28:32.220 than all those who came before us? 00:28:33.440 --> 00:28:35.519 Do you have an eager expectation 00:28:35.519 --> 00:28:38.420 of someone coming to faith in Jesus? 00:28:41.120 --> 00:28:41.940 Who's your one? 00:28:43.799 --> 00:28:45.620 Does that eager expectation 00:28:45.620 --> 00:28:48.180 move you to action? 00:28:49.140 --> 00:28:50.380 Does it move you 00:28:50.380 --> 00:28:52.160 to go speak to them? 00:28:52.940 --> 00:28:53.940 Does it move you 00:28:53.940 --> 00:28:55.240 to invite them to church? 00:28:55.960 --> 00:28:56.980 Does it move you 00:28:56.980 --> 00:28:58.360 to pray for them? 00:28:59.400 --> 00:29:01.039 Does it move you to your knees 00:29:01.039 --> 00:29:02.680 and then move you to your feet? 00:29:04.160 --> 00:29:05.320 I can promise you this. 00:29:05.539 --> 00:29:06.759 It's not all sunshine and roses. 00:29:07.039 --> 00:29:08.140 You're going to encounter obstacles. 00:29:09.519 --> 00:29:10.880 As God gives you one, 00:29:11.259 --> 00:29:12.480 and you have an eager expectation 00:29:12.480 --> 00:29:14.680 that God's going to change that person, 00:29:14.900 --> 00:29:16.220 you're going to encounter an obstacle. 00:29:16.340 --> 00:29:17.519 That's what happened with these guys. 00:29:17.940 --> 00:29:18.480 What happened? 00:29:18.539 --> 00:29:20.960 They came to bring their friend to Jesus, 00:29:21.180 --> 00:29:22.380 and it wasn't easy. 00:29:22.380 --> 00:29:24.940 They got a paralyzed man on a stretcher, 00:29:25.020 --> 00:29:27.300 and they can't get to Jesus the healer. 00:29:28.140 --> 00:29:29.080 I mean, come on, people. 00:29:29.420 --> 00:29:32.100 Move aside and let the paralyzed guy through, right? 00:29:32.660 --> 00:29:33.280 But no. 00:29:33.820 --> 00:29:34.680 Everybody said, 00:29:34.840 --> 00:29:36.460 I got something for Jesus to heal. 00:29:36.960 --> 00:29:39.160 Why is his more important than mine? 00:29:39.540 --> 00:29:42.020 So they couldn't get through to the crowd, 00:29:42.580 --> 00:29:43.840 through the crowd to Jesus. 00:29:44.680 --> 00:29:46.020 And since verse 19, 00:29:46.020 --> 00:29:47.960 they could not find a way 00:29:47.960 --> 00:29:50.080 to bring him in because of the crowd. 00:29:50.559 --> 00:29:52.099 These guys went home and said, 00:29:52.159 --> 00:29:53.279 we'll try again next time. 00:29:54.039 --> 00:29:55.639 And that's the end of the story, right? 00:29:56.639 --> 00:29:58.019 No, that's not. 00:29:58.720 --> 00:30:01.240 These enterprising young men said, 00:30:01.399 --> 00:30:02.960 we're going to the roof, boys. 00:30:03.980 --> 00:30:05.699 We're going to the roof. 00:30:05.919 --> 00:30:07.399 So they went to the roof, 00:30:07.439 --> 00:30:09.799 and they lowered him on a stretcher 00:30:09.799 --> 00:30:11.819 through the roof tiles 00:30:11.819 --> 00:30:15.539 into the middle of the crowd before Jesus. 00:30:15.539 --> 00:30:15.740 Jesus. 00:30:16.180 --> 00:30:19.319 These guys had to have been young, right? 00:30:20.059 --> 00:30:21.859 Because I think it's not only 00:30:21.859 --> 00:30:23.420 the physical energy required 00:30:23.420 --> 00:30:24.659 to get this thing done, 00:30:25.240 --> 00:30:26.659 but just kind of the, 00:30:27.659 --> 00:30:29.579 try to put it nicely, 00:30:31.200 --> 00:30:33.460 just the dumb motivation 00:30:33.460 --> 00:30:36.379 that would rise up in you to say, 00:30:36.779 --> 00:30:38.420 we're digging a hole in the roof. 00:30:39.000 --> 00:30:40.119 It's not our house. 00:30:40.480 --> 00:30:41.839 We don't know these people, 00:30:42.059 --> 00:30:43.799 but we're digging a hole in this roof. 00:30:43.799 --> 00:30:45.119 Because last time I checked, 00:30:45.579 --> 00:30:47.559 roof tiles, you can't just get through. 00:30:47.759 --> 00:30:49.079 You have to remove them. 00:30:49.740 --> 00:30:52.259 They made a hole in this person's roof. 00:30:54.599 --> 00:30:56.399 They're like, whatever, man. 00:30:56.480 --> 00:30:59.200 We'll deal with the collateral damage later. 00:30:59.779 --> 00:31:01.940 We've got to get our buddy to Jesus, 00:31:02.200 --> 00:31:04.000 and nobody's getting in our way. 00:31:04.339 --> 00:31:06.299 Is that how tenacious you are 00:31:06.299 --> 00:31:08.700 about seeing your loved one 00:31:08.700 --> 00:31:09.980 come to faith in Jesus? 00:31:09.980 --> 00:31:10.180 Jesus. 00:31:10.860 --> 00:31:13.660 I'll deal with the collateral damage later. 00:31:14.000 --> 00:31:15.960 I've got to get them to Jesus. 00:31:18.039 --> 00:31:20.339 If you have that kind of tenacity, 00:31:20.880 --> 00:31:22.839 if you have that kind of drive, 00:31:23.720 --> 00:31:25.460 God will show up. 00:31:26.579 --> 00:31:27.799 He will move. 00:31:27.860 --> 00:31:28.720 I promise you. 00:31:29.279 --> 00:31:31.980 I've seen it time and time and time again. 00:31:31.980 --> 00:31:34.180 If you really care enough, 00:31:34.799 --> 00:31:37.299 and you'll do whatever it takes, 00:31:38.980 --> 00:31:43.220 God is unlocked for you. 00:31:43.940 --> 00:31:46.539 And his power is limitless. 00:31:49.500 --> 00:31:51.400 Well, it unlocked Jesus that day. 00:31:55.259 --> 00:31:57.660 He saw the obstacles they had overcome. 00:31:57.660 --> 00:32:01.900 What obstacles have kept you 00:32:01.900 --> 00:32:07.600 from sharing Jesus with somebody in your life? 00:32:10.040 --> 00:32:11.140 Have you given up? 00:32:11.960 --> 00:32:13.320 Have you thrown up a white flag? 00:32:14.720 --> 00:32:15.900 So there's no way in. 00:32:17.560 --> 00:32:19.340 This person's heart is too hard. 00:32:20.519 --> 00:32:23.120 The regulations at work are too severe. 00:32:25.380 --> 00:32:27.240 Just never seems to be an opportunity. 00:32:28.460 --> 00:32:29.880 I just don't see a way. 00:32:31.720 --> 00:32:32.600 So you stop. 00:32:33.140 --> 00:32:33.960 You go home. 00:32:34.519 --> 00:32:35.060 You give up. 00:32:38.759 --> 00:32:40.759 God hasn't opened a door for me yet. 00:32:41.800 --> 00:32:42.540 You ever heard that one? 00:32:44.259 --> 00:32:47.259 You know what we usually call open doors? 00:32:48.220 --> 00:32:49.900 It's just the path of least resistance. 00:32:53.180 --> 00:32:55.460 I'm waiting for God to make it easy for me. 00:32:55.460 --> 00:32:57.240 That's what we're saying. 00:32:59.240 --> 00:33:01.240 It might not be easy, folks. 00:33:02.180 --> 00:33:04.779 But anything worth doing is probably not easy. 00:33:04.779 --> 00:33:09.639 Do you care enough about that person's salvation? 00:33:10.160 --> 00:33:12.460 Do you care enough about their eternal destiny? 00:33:13.899 --> 00:33:18.920 Then are you willing to overcome the obstacles that pop up today, tomorrow, tonight? 00:33:18.920 --> 00:33:23.660 Are you willing to put up with the initial resistance? 00:33:24.660 --> 00:33:35.340 Are you willing to pray regularly, without ceasing, without stopping, for their salvation, 00:33:36.140 --> 00:33:40.720 and then put feet to that prayer, put action to that prayer? 00:33:40.720 --> 00:33:43.519 What will happen? 00:33:43.940 --> 00:33:44.839 What's the fruit? 00:33:45.380 --> 00:33:47.279 When Jesus was unlocked, what happened? 00:33:47.740 --> 00:33:52.680 Well, these men, after they encountered their obstacle, here's what happened. 00:33:52.940 --> 00:33:54.360 They got more than they bargained for. 00:33:54.900 --> 00:33:56.180 They got more than they bargained for. 00:33:56.180 --> 00:34:01.620 Don't settle for the mundane when Jesus wants to show you the miraculous. 00:34:02.240 --> 00:34:11.019 Don't settle for the mundane, the boring, what you expect, when Jesus wants to offer you the miraculous. 00:34:11.960 --> 00:34:13.800 Let's look back at the text. 00:34:14.159 --> 00:34:15.119 Luke chapter 5. 00:34:15.519 --> 00:34:17.920 Seeing their faith, Jesus said, 00:34:17.920 --> 00:34:22.099 Friend, your sins are forgiven. 00:34:23.720 --> 00:34:26.019 He didn't say you're healed. 00:34:26.880 --> 00:34:29.619 He said your sins are forgiven. 00:34:30.099 --> 00:34:36.920 The guy was paralyzed, and Jesus cared more about his spiritual problem than his physical problem. 00:34:37.619 --> 00:34:39.740 But he recognized the faith. 00:34:40.220 --> 00:34:41.539 The faith is what it took. 00:34:41.880 --> 00:34:44.079 They didn't have a perfect record of Sunday school attendance. 00:34:44.619 --> 00:34:47.240 They hadn't been to church every Sunday for the last 10 years. 00:34:47.239 --> 00:34:49.119 They hadn't given all their tithe. 00:34:49.339 --> 00:34:53.039 They weren't up to date on all their spiritual obligations. 00:34:53.599 --> 00:34:56.079 But they showed faith in Jesus. 00:34:56.439 --> 00:34:58.839 And that is what forgives sins. 00:34:59.500 --> 00:35:00.619 Faith in Jesus. 00:35:01.000 --> 00:35:06.319 So if you're trusting anything else to forgive your sins, you are hopeless. 00:35:07.199 --> 00:35:12.059 But if you're trusting faith in Jesus, then you got all the hope in the world. 00:35:12.059 --> 00:35:23.960 And I'm here to tell you that Jesus doesn't have a laundry list of items that you have to do, give, or accomplish to get to heaven. 00:35:24.759 --> 00:35:27.119 Jesus just says, give me your faith. 00:35:27.519 --> 00:35:28.639 Give me your belief. 00:35:29.079 --> 00:35:32.460 And if you do that, I'll heal you. 00:35:32.880 --> 00:35:33.900 I'll forgive you. 00:35:34.320 --> 00:35:35.340 I'll help you. 00:35:35.340 --> 00:35:37.039 I'll step in. 00:35:38.000 --> 00:35:40.840 That's what we call the gospel. 00:35:42.200 --> 00:35:43.460 It's the good news. 00:35:44.820 --> 00:35:48.440 These guys didn't even know half of what they were going to get accomplished that day. 00:35:49.180 --> 00:35:55.840 They just had enough faith to step out and fight through the obstacles that popped up. 00:35:56.260 --> 00:35:58.840 And then they got much more than they bargained for. 00:35:58.840 --> 00:36:03.980 So Jesus says, your sins are forgiven. 00:36:05.400 --> 00:36:09.039 People thought his primary need was his physical problem. 00:36:09.579 --> 00:36:13.700 But what Jesus did in this passage is true for everyone. 00:36:13.840 --> 00:36:18.120 He shows us that the greatest need is an internal posture of the heart. 00:36:18.420 --> 00:36:20.260 An internal posture of the heart. 00:36:20.519 --> 00:36:22.420 How is your heart postured right now? 00:36:23.079 --> 00:36:24.280 Is it postured toward you? 00:36:24.360 --> 00:36:26.000 Is it postured toward the things of this world? 00:36:26.000 --> 00:36:28.240 Or is it postured toward God? 00:36:29.559 --> 00:36:32.840 His internal posture needed to be changed. 00:36:32.960 --> 00:36:38.800 When Jesus addressed the deeper need, people were filled with awe. 00:36:39.079 --> 00:36:39.559 Like, wow. 00:36:40.100 --> 00:36:46.039 Jesus just jumped straight over this guy's obvious physical problem and just forgave his sins. 00:36:47.180 --> 00:36:49.260 People were like, oh my word, did you see that? 00:36:49.900 --> 00:36:51.860 And the religious leaders were like, how dare he? 00:36:52.519 --> 00:36:53.840 Who does he think he is? 00:36:54.740 --> 00:36:56.440 Sounds like religious leaders, doesn't it? 00:36:58.840 --> 00:37:00.860 But this is the heart of the gospel. 00:37:01.519 --> 00:37:03.380 Jesus goes straight to the root problem. 00:37:04.000 --> 00:37:05.240 The real problem. 00:37:06.260 --> 00:37:08.280 And then he can fix everything else. 00:37:09.700 --> 00:37:13.600 How did others play a role in you coming to faith to Jesus? 00:37:13.599 --> 00:37:19.000 If you have come to faith in Jesus, how have others played a role in that? 00:37:20.960 --> 00:37:22.559 Somebody probably invited you. 00:37:23.179 --> 00:37:24.559 Somebody probably brought you. 00:37:25.179 --> 00:37:26.500 Somebody probably taught you. 00:37:27.339 --> 00:37:31.420 Somebody probably introduced you for the first time to Jesus Christ. 00:37:31.960 --> 00:37:33.460 Somebody might have prayed with you. 00:37:34.940 --> 00:37:36.579 Somebody probably prayed for you. 00:37:36.579 --> 00:37:44.480 Somebody was invested in you placing your faith in Jesus Christ. 00:37:47.159 --> 00:37:49.099 Would you do the same for somebody else? 00:37:50.099 --> 00:37:52.639 Would you do the same for somebody else? 00:37:54.380 --> 00:37:57.500 This guy's got much more than they bargained for. 00:37:57.880 --> 00:37:58.500 For their one. 00:37:59.440 --> 00:38:01.199 And I'm telling you, God can do the same. 00:38:01.199 --> 00:38:05.919 If you bring somebody to Jesus, 00:38:07.339 --> 00:38:14.219 he can do more than you could ever imagine. 00:38:16.819 --> 00:38:18.759 If he fixes their root problem, 00:38:19.500 --> 00:38:21.259 they become his child. 00:38:22.059 --> 00:38:23.199 He becomes their father. 00:38:24.239 --> 00:38:26.139 God takes good care of his children. 00:38:27.460 --> 00:38:29.500 He can help them in so many other ways. 00:38:29.500 --> 00:38:32.639 In conclusion, I want to read this to you. 00:38:38.739 --> 00:38:39.840 It's a little bit long, 00:38:40.000 --> 00:38:41.820 but try to stick with me if you can. 00:38:42.199 --> 00:38:43.559 And we'll be finished when this is over. 00:38:44.800 --> 00:38:46.099 Now it came to pass 00:38:46.099 --> 00:38:47.659 that a group existed 00:38:47.659 --> 00:38:49.019 who called themselves fishermen. 00:38:50.679 --> 00:38:52.780 There were many fish in the waters 00:38:52.780 --> 00:38:55.019 all around that area. 00:38:55.420 --> 00:38:56.539 In fact, the whole area 00:38:56.539 --> 00:38:58.619 was surrounded by streams and lakes 00:38:58.619 --> 00:38:59.900 filled with fish. 00:39:00.480 --> 00:39:01.559 And these fish were hungry 00:39:01.559 --> 00:39:02.339 and ready to bite. 00:39:03.279 --> 00:39:04.259 Week after week, 00:39:04.460 --> 00:39:05.239 month after month, 00:39:05.380 --> 00:39:06.179 year after year, 00:39:06.859 --> 00:39:08.819 these people who called themselves fishermen 00:39:08.819 --> 00:39:10.219 met in meetings 00:39:10.219 --> 00:39:12.299 and talked about their call to fish, 00:39:12.719 --> 00:39:14.119 the abundance of fish, 00:39:14.299 --> 00:39:16.039 and how they might go about fishing. 00:39:16.440 --> 00:39:17.339 Year after year, 00:39:17.420 --> 00:39:18.460 they carefully defined 00:39:18.460 --> 00:39:19.679 what fishing means. 00:39:20.179 --> 00:39:22.319 They defended fishing as an occupation, 00:39:22.320 --> 00:39:24.600 and they declared that fishing 00:39:24.600 --> 00:39:26.660 should always be the primary task 00:39:26.660 --> 00:39:27.180 of fishermen. 00:39:28.380 --> 00:39:29.920 Continually, they searched for new 00:39:29.920 --> 00:39:31.519 and better methods of fishing 00:39:31.519 --> 00:39:33.700 and for new and better definitions 00:39:33.700 --> 00:39:34.240 of fishing. 00:39:34.960 --> 00:39:36.960 They created clever slogans 00:39:36.960 --> 00:39:38.360 and displayed them 00:39:38.360 --> 00:39:39.480 on big, beautiful banners. 00:39:40.380 --> 00:39:41.900 These fishermen built large, 00:39:42.019 --> 00:39:42.760 beautiful buildings 00:39:42.760 --> 00:39:44.400 called fishing headquarters. 00:39:45.260 --> 00:39:46.500 The plea was that everyone 00:39:46.500 --> 00:39:47.380 should be a fisherman 00:39:47.380 --> 00:39:48.720 and every fisherman 00:39:48.720 --> 00:39:49.619 should fish. 00:39:51.039 --> 00:39:53.160 The one thing they didn't do, 00:39:53.360 --> 00:39:53.599 however, 00:39:54.480 --> 00:39:56.320 was fish. 00:39:58.160 --> 00:40:00.000 In addition to meeting regularly, 00:40:00.140 --> 00:40:01.200 they organized a board 00:40:01.200 --> 00:40:02.160 to send out fishermen 00:40:02.160 --> 00:40:03.160 to other places 00:40:03.160 --> 00:40:04.519 where there were many fish. 00:40:04.880 --> 00:40:06.400 The board hired staffs, 00:40:06.619 --> 00:40:07.380 appointed committees, 00:40:07.579 --> 00:40:08.500 and held many meetings 00:40:08.500 --> 00:40:09.460 to define fishing, 00:40:09.780 --> 00:40:10.559 to defend fishing, 00:40:10.660 --> 00:40:11.300 and to decide 00:40:11.300 --> 00:40:13.220 what new streams of fish 00:40:13.220 --> 00:40:14.119 should be considered. 00:40:14.119 --> 00:40:16.880 But the staff and committee members 00:40:16.880 --> 00:40:18.000 did not fish. 00:40:19.039 --> 00:40:20.000 Large, elaborate, 00:40:20.179 --> 00:40:21.659 and expensive training centers 00:40:21.659 --> 00:40:22.159 were built 00:40:22.159 --> 00:40:24.299 whose original and primary purpose 00:40:24.299 --> 00:40:25.619 was to teach fishermen 00:40:25.619 --> 00:40:26.319 how to fish. 00:40:26.859 --> 00:40:27.440 Over the years, 00:40:27.579 --> 00:40:28.639 courses were offered 00:40:28.639 --> 00:40:29.980 on the needs of fish, 00:40:30.079 --> 00:40:30.960 the nature of fish, 00:40:31.259 --> 00:40:32.159 where to find fish, 00:40:32.380 --> 00:40:34.519 the psychological reactions of fish, 00:40:34.719 --> 00:40:35.859 and how to approach 00:40:35.859 --> 00:40:36.880 and feed fish. 00:40:38.359 --> 00:40:39.500 Those who taught 00:40:39.500 --> 00:40:41.639 had doctorates in fishology. 00:40:41.639 --> 00:40:45.359 But these teachers 00:40:45.359 --> 00:40:46.099 did not fish. 00:40:46.799 --> 00:40:48.099 They only taught fishing. 00:40:48.859 --> 00:40:49.799 Year after year, 00:40:49.960 --> 00:40:51.039 after tedious training, 00:40:51.619 --> 00:40:52.500 many graduated 00:40:52.500 --> 00:40:53.039 and were given 00:40:53.039 --> 00:40:53.960 fishing licenses. 00:40:55.019 --> 00:40:55.599 They were sent 00:40:55.599 --> 00:40:56.759 to do full-time fishing, 00:40:57.539 --> 00:40:58.799 some to distant waters 00:40:58.799 --> 00:40:59.699 filled with fish. 00:41:00.659 --> 00:41:01.799 Many who felt the call 00:41:01.799 --> 00:41:02.699 to be fishermen 00:41:02.699 --> 00:41:03.400 responded. 00:41:04.440 --> 00:41:05.159 They were commissioned 00:41:05.159 --> 00:41:06.819 and sent to fish. 00:41:07.659 --> 00:41:09.079 But like the fishermen 00:41:09.079 --> 00:41:09.739 back home, 00:41:10.319 --> 00:41:11.539 they never fished. 00:41:12.400 --> 00:41:13.339 They engaged 00:41:13.339 --> 00:41:14.000 in all kinds 00:41:14.000 --> 00:41:14.900 of other occupations. 00:41:15.980 --> 00:41:16.920 Some felt their job 00:41:16.920 --> 00:41:18.199 was to relate to the fish 00:41:18.199 --> 00:41:18.900 in a good way 00:41:18.900 --> 00:41:21.099 so the fish would know 00:41:21.099 --> 00:41:21.599 the difference 00:41:21.599 --> 00:41:22.699 between good fishermen 00:41:22.699 --> 00:41:23.440 and bad fishermen. 00:41:25.319 --> 00:41:26.139 Others felt 00:41:26.139 --> 00:41:27.400 that simply letting the fish 00:41:27.400 --> 00:41:28.139 know that they were 00:41:28.139 --> 00:41:29.699 nice, land-loving neighbors 00:41:29.699 --> 00:41:32.059 and how loving 00:41:32.059 --> 00:41:33.059 and kind they were 00:41:33.059 --> 00:41:33.679 was enough. 00:41:35.199 --> 00:41:35.960 It's true 00:41:35.960 --> 00:41:37.339 that many of the fishermen 00:41:37.339 --> 00:41:37.940 sacrificed 00:41:37.940 --> 00:41:38.619 and put up 00:41:38.619 --> 00:41:39.199 with all kinds 00:41:39.199 --> 00:41:39.739 of difficulties. 00:41:39.739 --> 00:41:41.399 Some lived 00:41:41.399 --> 00:41:42.119 near the water 00:41:42.119 --> 00:41:43.799 and you could smell 00:41:43.799 --> 00:41:44.539 dead fish 00:41:44.539 --> 00:41:45.519 on them every day. 00:41:46.579 --> 00:41:47.199 They received 00:41:47.199 --> 00:41:47.899 the ridicule 00:41:47.899 --> 00:41:48.979 of some who made fun 00:41:48.979 --> 00:41:50.199 of their fishermen's clubs 00:41:50.199 --> 00:41:51.159 and the fact 00:41:51.159 --> 00:41:51.739 that they claimed 00:41:51.739 --> 00:41:52.359 to be fishermen 00:41:52.359 --> 00:41:52.359 00:41:52.500 --> 00:41:54.239 But they still 00:41:54.239 --> 00:41:55.359 never fished. 00:41:57.019 --> 00:41:57.879 Imagine 00:41:57.879 --> 00:41:59.079 how offended 00:41:59.079 --> 00:42:01.419 these people were 00:42:01.419 --> 00:42:03.099 when one day 00:42:03.099 --> 00:42:05.039 somebody suggested 00:42:05.039 --> 00:42:06.659 that those 00:42:06.659 --> 00:42:07.579 who don't fish 00:42:07.579 --> 00:42:09.340 aren't really fishermen 00:42:09.340 --> 00:42:11.460 no matter how much 00:42:11.460 --> 00:42:12.279 they claim to be. 00:42:14.119 --> 00:42:15.319 But it did actually 00:42:15.319 --> 00:42:16.480 sound correct. 00:42:18.159 --> 00:42:19.299 Is a person 00:42:19.299 --> 00:42:19.960 a fisherman 00:42:19.960 --> 00:42:21.599 if year after year 00:42:21.599 --> 00:42:22.980 he never fishes? 00:42:24.639 --> 00:42:26.299 More plainly stated 00:42:26.300 --> 00:42:30.580 are we followers 00:42:30.580 --> 00:42:32.640 if we aren't 00:42:32.640 --> 00:42:33.060 fishing? 00:42:37.840 --> 00:42:38.580 I don't think 00:42:38.580 --> 00:42:39.100 I have to make 00:42:39.100 --> 00:42:39.780 the application. 00:42:44.160 --> 00:42:45.140 Is it time 00:42:45.140 --> 00:42:46.539 to start fishing? 00:42:48.840 --> 00:42:49.760 Is there a fish 00:42:49.760 --> 00:42:50.380 in your life 00:42:50.380 --> 00:42:52.340 that God wants 00:42:52.340 --> 00:42:52.860 you to catch? 00:42:54.840 --> 00:42:55.840 He'll help you do it. 00:42:56.300 --> 00:42:58.900 You've got to get 00:42:58.900 --> 00:42:59.200 them there. 00:42:59.940 --> 00:43:00.740 You've got to get 00:43:00.740 --> 00:43:01.460 through the obstacles. 00:43:02.400 --> 00:43:03.300 You've got to care 00:43:03.300 --> 00:43:03.620 enough. 00:43:04.300 --> 00:43:05.019 Here's our takeaway. 00:43:05.740 --> 00:43:06.680 Do you have a burden? 00:43:08.539 --> 00:43:09.440 Do you care 00:43:09.440 --> 00:43:10.039 about enough 00:43:10.039 --> 00:43:10.780 about somebody 00:43:10.780 --> 00:43:11.440 in your life? 00:43:12.340 --> 00:43:13.220 Is it time 00:43:13.220 --> 00:43:13.880 to dig a hole 00:43:13.880 --> 00:43:14.400 in the roof? 00:43:15.800 --> 00:43:16.600 Is it time 00:43:16.600 --> 00:43:17.220 to get through 00:43:17.220 --> 00:43:18.340 whatever obstacle 00:43:18.340 --> 00:43:19.080 pops up? 00:43:20.160 --> 00:43:21.000 And are you fishing 00:43:21.000 --> 00:43:22.519 or are you just 00:43:22.519 --> 00:43:23.180 talking about it? 00:43:23.179 --> 00:43:25.839 Are you being 00:43:25.839 --> 00:43:26.339 a Christian 00:43:26.339 --> 00:43:27.739 or do you just 00:43:27.739 --> 00:43:28.759 call yourself one? 00:43:29.179 --> 00:43:29.819 Because you know 00:43:29.819 --> 00:43:30.799 what a Christian does? 00:43:31.399 --> 00:43:32.500 A Christian follows 00:43:32.500 --> 00:43:32.839 Jesus. 00:43:33.759 --> 00:43:34.579 You know what a 00:43:34.579 --> 00:43:35.440 follower of Jesus 00:43:35.440 --> 00:43:35.879 does? 00:43:36.559 --> 00:43:37.819 A follower of Jesus 00:43:37.819 --> 00:43:38.919 does what Jesus 00:43:38.919 --> 00:43:39.440 did. 00:43:40.179 --> 00:43:40.960 You know what 00:43:40.960 --> 00:43:41.639 Jesus did? 00:43:42.639 --> 00:43:44.139 He came to seek 00:43:44.139 --> 00:43:44.879 and to save 00:43:44.879 --> 00:43:45.519 the lost. 00:43:45.779 --> 00:43:46.639 He went fishing. 00:43:47.379 --> 00:43:48.539 Jesus went fishing 00:43:48.539 --> 00:43:49.859 over and over 00:43:49.859 --> 00:43:51.000 and over again. 00:43:51.000 --> 00:43:52.039 He didn't fish 00:43:52.039 --> 00:43:52.659 for fish. 00:43:53.000 --> 00:43:53.519 Last Sunday 00:43:53.519 --> 00:43:54.239 He said boys 00:43:54.239 --> 00:43:55.099 you're not fishing 00:43:55.099 --> 00:43:56.019 for fish anymore. 00:43:56.420 --> 00:43:57.079 He said now 00:43:57.079 --> 00:43:57.619 you're fishing 00:43:57.619 --> 00:43:58.219 for people. 00:43:58.739 --> 00:43:59.179 And that's 00:43:59.179 --> 00:44:00.019 what Jesus did. 00:44:00.539 --> 00:44:01.139 So if you're 00:44:01.139 --> 00:44:01.599 going to call 00:44:01.599 --> 00:44:03.099 yourself a follower 00:44:03.099 --> 00:44:03.619 of Jesus 00:44:03.619 --> 00:44:04.880 you've got to 00:44:04.880 --> 00:44:05.260 go fishing 00:44:05.260 --> 00:44:05.699 for people. 00:44:06.539 --> 00:44:06.960 Let's pray 00:44:06.960 --> 00:44:07.559 together right now 00:44:07.559 --> 00:44:07.820 God. 00:44:08.280 --> 00:44:09.099 God please 00:44:09.099 --> 00:44:10.099 show us 00:44:10.099 --> 00:44:10.699 right now 00:44:10.699 --> 00:44:11.960 who our one 00:44:11.960 --> 00:44:12.519 is. 00:44:13.960 --> 00:44:15.139 God please 00:44:15.139 --> 00:44:16.079 don't let 00:44:16.079 --> 00:44:18.199 this church 00:44:18.199 --> 00:44:19.099 get to heaven 00:44:19.099 --> 00:44:19.760 someday. 00:44:21.000 --> 00:44:21.519 and we don't 00:44:21.519 --> 00:44:22.199 have any fish. 00:44:30.840 --> 00:44:31.860 This church 00:44:31.860 --> 00:44:33.639 this church 00:44:33.639 --> 00:44:34.179 is not the 00:44:34.179 --> 00:44:34.579 building. 00:44:36.000 --> 00:44:36.739 This church 00:44:36.739 --> 00:44:37.340 is not the 00:44:37.340 --> 00:44:37.880 staff. 00:44:38.039 --> 00:44:39.420 It's all of us. 00:44:40.800 --> 00:44:41.440 It's every 00:44:41.440 --> 00:44:42.139 one of us. 00:44:42.139 --> 00:44:43.019 Down a little bit. 00:44:47.119 --> 00:44:48.219 It's every one 00:44:48.219 --> 00:44:48.980 of us in this 00:44:48.980 --> 00:44:49.320 room. 00:44:49.320 --> 00:44:50.900 God what a 00:44:50.900 --> 00:44:51.700 crime would it 00:44:51.700 --> 00:44:53.019 be if we got 00:44:53.019 --> 00:44:53.400 to heaven 00:44:53.400 --> 00:44:54.180 someday and we 00:44:54.180 --> 00:44:54.640 didn't have 00:44:54.640 --> 00:44:55.100 one. 00:44:57.600 --> 00:44:58.519 There was a 00:44:58.519 --> 00:44:59.140 woman or a 00:44:59.140 --> 00:45:00.220 man, a 00:45:00.220 --> 00:45:01.680 teenager, a 00:45:01.680 --> 00:45:02.580 child who sat 00:45:02.580 --> 00:45:03.200 in this room 00:45:03.200 --> 00:45:04.960 heard your 00:45:04.960 --> 00:45:06.600 word and 00:45:06.600 --> 00:45:07.080 said no 00:45:07.080 --> 00:45:08.480 I don't have 00:45:08.480 --> 00:45:08.860 anybody. 00:45:11.320 --> 00:45:12.400 Give us one 00:45:12.400 --> 00:45:12.700 God. 00:45:12.700 --> 00:45:12.760 God. 00:45:15.119 --> 00:45:16.360 It means so 00:45:16.360 --> 00:45:16.800 much. 00:45:18.440 --> 00:45:19.200 We don't 00:45:19.200 --> 00:45:19.780 care about 00:45:19.780 --> 00:45:21.880 having huge 00:45:21.880 --> 00:45:22.660 crowds and 00:45:22.660 --> 00:45:23.579 impressive 00:45:23.579 --> 00:45:24.599 property and 00:45:24.599 --> 00:45:25.000 having the 00:45:25.000 --> 00:45:25.460 latest and 00:45:25.460 --> 00:45:25.960 greatest of 00:45:25.960 --> 00:45:26.320 everything. 00:45:26.599 --> 00:45:27.280 We care about 00:45:27.280 --> 00:45:27.700 people. 00:45:29.760 --> 00:45:30.639 And if we 00:45:30.639 --> 00:45:31.380 say we care 00:45:31.380 --> 00:45:32.019 about people 00:45:32.019 --> 00:45:33.639 then give us 00:45:33.639 --> 00:45:34.260 people to 00:45:34.260 --> 00:45:34.599 reach. 00:45:35.980 --> 00:45:36.740 Let it 00:45:36.740 --> 00:45:37.260 start with 00:45:37.260 --> 00:45:37.539 one. 00:45:37.539 --> 00:45:41.619 None of 00:45:41.619 --> 00:45:41.880 us are 00:45:41.880 --> 00:45:42.480 exempt God. 00:45:44.179 --> 00:45:44.840 Maybe the 00:45:44.840 --> 00:45:45.360 one is in 00:45:45.360 --> 00:45:45.759 this room 00:45:45.759 --> 00:45:46.179 right now. 00:45:46.759 --> 00:45:47.059 Maybe 00:45:47.059 --> 00:45:47.739 somebody's 00:45:47.739 --> 00:45:48.179 one is 00:45:48.179 --> 00:45:48.440 here. 00:45:48.980 --> 00:45:49.380 Maybe you 00:45:49.380 --> 00:45:49.779 know if 00:45:49.779 --> 00:45:50.059 you're the 00:45:50.059 --> 00:45:50.320 one. 00:45:51.079 --> 00:45:51.500 Maybe you 00:45:51.500 --> 00:45:52.099 know yeah 00:45:52.099 --> 00:45:52.619 people have 00:45:52.619 --> 00:45:52.940 been working 00:45:52.940 --> 00:45:53.440 on me for 00:45:53.440 --> 00:45:53.820 a while. 00:45:54.239 --> 00:45:54.579 People have 00:45:54.579 --> 00:45:55.019 been praying 00:45:55.019 --> 00:45:55.659 for me for 00:45:55.659 --> 00:45:56.079 a while. 00:45:57.039 --> 00:45:57.440 I finally 00:45:57.440 --> 00:45:57.920 showed up 00:45:57.920 --> 00:45:58.199 today. 00:46:01.539 --> 00:46:02.119 If you're 00:46:02.119 --> 00:46:02.539 the one 00:46:02.539 --> 00:46:04.099 they care 00:46:04.099 --> 00:46:04.659 enough about 00:46:04.659 --> 00:46:06.259 you to try 00:46:06.260 --> 00:46:06.720 to bring you 00:46:06.720 --> 00:46:07.280 to Jesus 00:46:07.280 --> 00:46:08.800 would you 00:46:08.800 --> 00:46:09.160 let him 00:46:09.160 --> 00:46:09.600 heal you? 00:46:10.340 --> 00:46:10.880 Would you 00:46:10.880 --> 00:46:11.220 let him 00:46:11.220 --> 00:46:11.840 forgive you? 00:46:12.980 --> 00:46:13.560 Would you 00:46:13.560 --> 00:46:14.280 believe enough 00:46:14.280 --> 00:46:15.920 to say I 00:46:15.920 --> 00:46:16.600 believe that 00:46:16.600 --> 00:46:17.120 I'm a sinner. 00:46:17.280 --> 00:46:17.660 I believe 00:46:17.660 --> 00:46:18.400 Jesus died 00:46:18.400 --> 00:46:19.060 for my sins. 00:46:19.180 --> 00:46:19.520 I believe 00:46:19.520 --> 00:46:20.100 he rose 00:46:20.100 --> 00:46:20.540 from the 00:46:20.540 --> 00:46:20.820 dead. 00:46:21.180 --> 00:46:21.660 He is 00:46:21.660 --> 00:46:22.580 God and 00:46:22.580 --> 00:46:23.040 he loves 00:46:23.040 --> 00:46:23.620 me enough 00:46:23.620 --> 00:46:24.500 to forgive 00:46:24.500 --> 00:46:24.860 me and 00:46:24.860 --> 00:46:25.160 make me 00:46:25.160 --> 00:46:25.680 his child. 00:46:27.100 --> 00:46:27.480 If that's 00:46:27.480 --> 00:46:28.000 you today 00:46:28.000 --> 00:46:29.060 would you 00:46:29.060 --> 00:46:29.380 slip your 00:46:29.380 --> 00:46:29.760 hand up 00:46:29.760 --> 00:46:30.000 and I'll 00:46:30.000 --> 00:46:30.320 pray for 00:46:30.320 --> 00:46:30.520 you. 00:46:30.900 --> 00:46:31.200 I actually 00:46:31.200 --> 00:46:31.480 want to 00:46:31.480 --> 00:46:31.960 invite you 00:46:31.960 --> 00:46:32.220 to come 00:46:32.220 --> 00:46:32.520 on up 00:46:32.520 --> 00:46:32.660 here. 00:46:32.720 --> 00:46:32.980 If that's 00:46:32.980 --> 00:46:33.400 you today 00:46:33.400 --> 00:46:36.040 thank you. 00:46:36.039 --> 00:46:36.320 how about 00:46:36.320 --> 00:46:36.659 the rest 00:46:36.659 --> 00:46:37.139 of us? 00:46:38.659 --> 00:46:39.239 Would you 00:46:39.239 --> 00:46:40.920 say I've 00:46:40.920 --> 00:46:41.599 got somebody 00:46:41.599 --> 00:46:43.159 I've got 00:46:43.159 --> 00:46:43.739 somebody on 00:46:43.739 --> 00:46:44.139 my mind 00:46:44.139 --> 00:46:44.460 I've got 00:46:44.460 --> 00:46:44.880 somebody on 00:46:44.880 --> 00:46:45.300 my heart 00:46:45.300 --> 00:46:46.639 that's my 00:46:46.639 --> 00:46:46.980 one. 00:46:48.840 --> 00:46:49.259 I'm going 00:46:49.259 --> 00:46:49.500 to ask 00:46:49.500 --> 00:46:49.860 God to 00:46:49.860 --> 00:46:50.179 help me 00:46:50.179 --> 00:46:50.599 do whatever 00:46:50.599 --> 00:46:51.099 it takes 00:46:51.099 --> 00:46:51.480 to bring 00:46:51.480 --> 00:46:51.820 them to 00:46:51.820 --> 00:46:52.079 Jesus. 00:46:52.179 --> 00:46:52.400 Would you 00:46:52.400 --> 00:46:52.739 slip your 00:46:52.739 --> 00:46:53.079 hand up 00:46:53.079 --> 00:46:53.539 and I'll 00:46:53.539 --> 00:46:53.860 pray for 00:46:53.860 --> 00:46:53.980 you. 00:46:54.059 --> 00:46:54.239 Thank 00:46:54.239 --> 00:46:54.420 you. 00:46:56.539 --> 00:46:56.900 Thank 00:46:56.900 --> 00:46:57.099 you. 00:46:58.779 --> 00:46:59.159 Thank 00:46:59.159 --> 00:46:59.360 you. 00:46:59.759 --> 00:47:00.000 You can 00:47:00.000 --> 00:47:00.239 put your 00:47:00.239 --> 00:47:00.639 hand down. 00:47:02.239 --> 00:47:02.759 For the 00:47:02.759 --> 00:47:03.159 rest of 00:47:03.159 --> 00:47:03.779 you how 00:47:03.779 --> 00:47:04.059 many of 00:47:04.059 --> 00:47:04.300 you would 00:47:04.300 --> 00:47:04.699 say I'm 00:47:04.699 --> 00:47:04.860 going to 00:47:04.860 --> 00:47:05.139 pray. 00:47:05.139 --> 00:47:05.659 I'm 00:47:05.659 --> 00:47:05.739 going to 00:47:05.739 --> 00:47:06.159 ask God 00:47:06.159 --> 00:47:06.500 to give 00:47:06.500 --> 00:47:06.659 me 00:47:06.659 --> 00:47:07.079 somebody. 00:47:07.719 --> 00:47:07.940 Maybe 00:47:07.940 --> 00:47:08.339 I started 00:47:08.339 --> 00:47:08.879 last week 00:47:08.879 --> 00:47:09.239 maybe I'm 00:47:09.239 --> 00:47:09.299 going to 00:47:09.299 --> 00:47:09.739 start this 00:47:09.739 --> 00:47:10.000 week. 00:47:10.199 --> 00:47:10.539 But I'm 00:47:10.539 --> 00:47:10.699 going to 00:47:10.699 --> 00:47:11.159 pray for 00:47:11.159 --> 00:47:12.559 God to 00:47:12.559 --> 00:47:13.059 give me 00:47:13.059 --> 00:47:14.759 somebody to 00:47:14.759 --> 00:47:15.219 bring to 00:47:15.219 --> 00:47:15.539 Jesus. 00:47:15.659 --> 00:47:15.879 Would you 00:47:15.879 --> 00:47:16.199 slip your 00:47:16.199 --> 00:47:16.500 hand up 00:47:16.500 --> 00:47:16.699 now? 00:47:17.199 --> 00:47:17.460 Thank 00:47:17.460 --> 00:47:17.619 you. 00:47:17.879 --> 00:47:18.119 Thank 00:47:18.119 --> 00:47:18.279 you. 00:47:18.460 --> 00:47:18.639 Thank 00:47:18.639 --> 00:47:18.819 you. 00:47:19.179 --> 00:47:19.339 All 00:47:19.339 --> 00:47:19.460 right. 00:47:19.500 --> 00:47:19.779 All around 00:47:19.779 --> 00:47:20.059 the room 00:47:20.059 --> 00:47:20.359 you put 00:47:20.359 --> 00:47:20.659 your hands 00:47:20.659 --> 00:47:20.900 down. 00:47:20.980 --> 00:47:21.219 God 00:47:21.219 --> 00:47:21.859 you see 00:47:21.859 --> 00:47:22.420 the hands 00:47:22.420 --> 00:47:23.139 you know 00:47:23.139 --> 00:47:23.799 the ones 00:47:23.799 --> 00:47:24.980 you know 00:47:24.980 --> 00:47:26.519 us and 00:47:26.519 --> 00:47:26.920 you know 00:47:26.920 --> 00:47:27.219 how to 00:47:27.219 --> 00:47:27.519 bring them 00:47:27.519 --> 00:47:28.579 together and 00:47:28.579 --> 00:47:28.980 bring them 00:47:28.980 --> 00:47:29.839 to yourself. 00:47:30.779 --> 00:47:31.480 Show us 00:47:31.480 --> 00:47:31.940 how you're 00:47:31.940 --> 00:47:32.259 going to do 00:47:32.259 --> 00:47:32.619 it God. 00:47:32.619 --> 00:47:33.440 we'll 00:47:33.440 --> 00:47:34.119 celebrate it. 00:47:34.440 --> 00:47:34.859 We'll give 00:47:34.859 --> 00:47:35.119 you the 00:47:35.119 --> 00:47:35.440 glory. 00:47:36.859 --> 00:47:37.079 We'll 00:47:37.079 --> 00:47:37.400 thank you 00:47:37.400 --> 00:47:37.719 for it. 00:47:37.759 --> 00:47:37.920 It's in 00:47:37.920 --> 00:47:38.359 Jesus name 00:47:38.359 --> 00:47:38.739 we pray. 00:47:39.179 --> 00:47:39.460 Amen.