WEBVTT

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 Please take your copy of God's Word and turn to Matthew chapter 28.

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! Our text for this morning will be Matthew chapter 28, verses 18-20.

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!

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 The gospel has eternal weight. It has massive significance.

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 The world needs to be reconciled to God in Christ.

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 The penalty of sin is death and it's eternal separation from the Lord God Almighty.

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 And God has given to us the ministry of reconciliation.

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 Restoring relationship between God and mankind.

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 There's much talk these days about calling.

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 And what you can be sure of is that if you have been called to follow Christ,

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 you have been called to the ministry of reconciliation.

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 Let me read to you from 2 Corinthians chapter 5.

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 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.

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 The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come.

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 We've been given a new identity.

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 All of this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself

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 and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.

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 That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself,

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 not counting their trespasses against them,

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 and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

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 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ.

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 God making his appeal through us.

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 We implore you on behalf of Christ.

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 Be reconciled to God.

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 For our sake, he made him to be sin who knew no sin,

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 so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

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 This is the message of reconciliation that has been trusted to us as followers of Christ.

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 And you may have noticed this morning that I placed a globe on the lectern.

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 I really hope you noticed I placed a globe on the lectern.

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 We have other issues to address if you didn't notice that I did that.

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 This globe sat in my father's study when I was a child.

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 I don't even know if he realizes that I have it.

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 It's an old globe.

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 In fact, it has still on it the Soviet Union,

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 so it's not an accurate globe.

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 But as a child, I used to look at this globe

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 and dream about the places in the world that I might go.

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 I love it because it comes off the stand,

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 and I can play with it like a ball,

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 and dream about as a child where I'd want to go in the world.

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 When I discovered that it was being discarded,

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 I grabbed it up, and it now sits in my study.

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 And it sits right in front of where I sit in my study,

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 and it reminds me to dream about the places that our church might go

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 to declare the good news of Jesus Christ.

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 And so, not to prop for silly reasons,

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 but that's why it's sitting here this morning,

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 both for me and for you to dream together

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 about how God might use Christ's Family Church, Dahlonega,

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 to advance the good news of Christ to the world.

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 The world currently holds approximately 7.4 billion people.

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 I can't even fathom what that number means.

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 7.4 billion people.

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 And those 7.4 billion people are divided into 11,498 ethno-linguistic groups.

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 I don't know exactly what that even means.

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 But divided into peoples, 11,498.

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 6,803 of those people groups

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 have less than 2% evangelical Christians as part of their population.

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 Typically, missiologists talk in terms of 2% and above is a reached people,

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 which is a low statistic.

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 But 6,803 of those people groups

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 have less than 2% of evangelical Christians,

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 which I would say are the only type of Christians.

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 3,040 of those people groups are not engaged by any Christian work.

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 None whatsoever.

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 There's no one on the ground working amongst those people.

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 This means that today,

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 roughly 7 billion people do not have the gospel.

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 Today, 7 billion people could die eternally,

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 separated from the goodness of God,

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 if the gospel is not proclaimed to them,

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 and if they do not believe.

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 This is a great problem.

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 This is a massive problem.

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 And the great remedy to this great problem

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 is found in our text this morning.

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 It doesn't get any more complex than this.

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 Matthew 28, beginning in verse 18.

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 And Jesus came and said to the apostles,

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 All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

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 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,

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 baptizing them in the name of the Father,

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 and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,

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 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded

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 you.

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 And behold,

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 I am with you always to the end of the age.

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 Beloved, this is God's word to us.

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 It was written for His glory and for our good.

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 We would all do well this morning to listen to it

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 in order to believe its promises

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 and obey its commands.

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 Now, over the past four weeks,

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 we have been considering the Christian life.

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 We have been giving you so-called hooks

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 to hang the Christian life on,

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 beginning with our gospel identity.

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 And we've been kind of rolling out

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 some summary statements to you

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 and the summary statement for our gospel identity,

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 what we want you to have in your mind

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 when you see the church logo

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 and all of the many places that it shows up,

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 by grace alone,

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 through faith alone,

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 in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone.

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 So this is both the nature of our faith

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 and the object of our faith.

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 We are justified before God,

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 forgiven and adopted by Him.

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 This is the new identity.

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 This is now who we are

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 if we have believed,

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 by grace alone,

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 through faith alone,

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 in the personal work of Jesus Christ.

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 We're justified before Him,

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 forgiven and adopted.

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 This precious truth,

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 this gospel identity,

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 is our great motivation for worship.

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 So out of who we are

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 comes everything that we do.

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 We are accepted by God in Christ,

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 so we live how He wants us to

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 in all things.

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 And this is worship.

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 Not just music.

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 It includes music.

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 It's everything that we do

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 is a result of who we are

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 to God in Christ.

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 Having experienced the mercies of God

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 to us in Christ,

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 we live for Him.

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 Our identity motivates our action.

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 So we've been talking about

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 four areas of Christian living,

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 and they are as follows.

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 Gospel conviction.

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 Being justified before God,

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 forgiven and adopted by Him.

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 We worship Him through gospel conviction.

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 Knowing God,

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 through His word and prayer.

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 We worship Him through gospel community.

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 Loving the church

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 in varying means of fellowship and service.

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 Last week we talked about

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 worshiping Him through gospel character.

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 Conforming to Christ,

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 both in private and in public.

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 And today we come to the last of these

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 four C's and the conclusion

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 of this little five-week series

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 and our break from the book of Acts

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 to talk about gospel commission.

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 And the summary statement is

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 as follows.

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 It's found on your notes.

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 I hope you have.

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 Being justified before God,

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 forgiven and adopted by Him.

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 We're not tired of saying that, right?

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 Because of who we are.

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 Because of who we are.

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 Because of who we are.

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 Right?

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 Justified before God,

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 forgiven and adopted by Him.

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 We worship Him through gospel commission.

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 Proclaiming the gospel

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 to the ends of the earth.

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 We find in Matthew chapter 28,

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 verse 18 through 20,

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 what is most often referred to

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 as the great commission.

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 And we find in it a command.

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 But what is that command?

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 Many suggest that the command is go.

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 You see therefore in verse 19.

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 Go therefore.

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 Or that the command is go.

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 And the command is make disciples.

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 And that the command is baptize them.

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 And the command is teach them

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 all that I have commanded you.

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 Let me posit to you

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 that the command found

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 in Matthew 28,

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 18 through 20,

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 is make disciples.

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 And if you study the Greek,

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 if you look at these verbs,

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 not a single one of those

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 is an imperative form of the verb.

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 All of them are non-imperative forms

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 of the verbs.

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 The only imperative form,

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 which is the command form

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 in the Greek language,

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 is make disciples.

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 So when we look at go therefore,

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 we can rightly read it

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 in your going therefore.

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 Or as you're going along therefore.

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 This doesn't exclude the ends of the earth.

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 But what it does is it includes

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 everywhere we go.

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 It includes everything.

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 It actually makes the verse

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 much more powerful, right?

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 That the command is to make disciples.

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 As followers of Jesus Christ,

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 those who claim to follow Him,

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 we make disciples.

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 Jesus sums up His ministry in this way

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 in Luke 19, verse 10.

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 He says,

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 I came to seek and to save the lost.

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 And He imparts this ministry to us.

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 As followers of Christ,

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 disciples under His overview,

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 under His guidance,

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 we do what He did.

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 And what He does in us.

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 We should be about the very same work.

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 So what follows in Matthew 28

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 is the where and the how

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 of making disciples.

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 What does that look like?

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 What is the command to make disciples

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 look like in a broader sense?

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 And so let's address first the where.

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 The where.

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 To the ends of the earth.

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 He says,

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 last part of verse 19,

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 make disciples of all nations.

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 Matthew 24, 14,

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 Jesus says,

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 And this gospel of the kingdom

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 will be proclaimed throughout the whole world

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 as a testimony to all nations.

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 And then the end will come.

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 There could be much debate

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 about what is meant by all nations

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 or the whole world

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 or every tribe,

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 nation,

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 and tongue.

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 I've heard a lot of explanations

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 about what that could possibly mean.

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 We recently,

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 just a moment ago,

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 talked about the classification

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 of ethno-linguistic people groups.

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 Is that number exactly correct?

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 11,498?

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 I don't know.

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 We can't be sure.

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 But what we can be sure of

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 is that we are not done proclaiming

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 because the end has not come.

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 Disciple making,

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 which begins with gospel proclamation

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 as part of making disciples,

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 proclaiming the gospel.

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 It does not end with gospel proclamation, right?

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 Verse 19,

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 we're going to baptize them.

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 Verse 20,

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 we're going to teach them

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 all that Christ has commanded.

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 It includes guidance in obedience,

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 growing people up in Christ.

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 But disciple making begins

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 with gospel proclamation.

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 And it starts at home.

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 Go, therefore,

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 in your going,

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 as your going,

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 make disciples.

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 That means that we are to make disciples

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 of our roommates

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 and our classmates

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 and our co-workers

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 and our families

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 and people at the coffee shop

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 and those we encounter at restaurants

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 and that guy that cuts us off on the road.

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 We are to make disciples,

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 to regard no one any longer

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 according to the flesh.

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 We have the eyes of Christ, right?

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 To seek and to save the lost.

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 To see people as eternally secure

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 or eternally damned.

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 And to come to their rescue

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 with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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 And I find for many of us

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 the great problem

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 in proclaiming the gospel,

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 making disciples,

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 is that we don't find ourselves

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 that often around the unsaved.

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 Now this congregation

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 is a little unique

00:13:58.939 --> 00:14:00.699
 from many churches in this nation

00:14:00.699 --> 00:14:01.759
 in that a lot of you

00:14:01.759 --> 00:14:02.559
 are college students

00:14:02.559 --> 00:14:03.759
 and you're college students

00:14:03.759 --> 00:14:05.239
 on a secular campus.

00:14:05.659 --> 00:14:06.479
 And I say to you,

00:14:06.539 --> 00:14:08.539
 that is a wonderful opportunity.

00:14:08.919 --> 00:14:09.799
 Praise God

00:14:09.799 --> 00:14:11.799
 that you have at your fingertips

00:14:11.799 --> 00:14:14.120
 a bounding opportunity.

00:14:14.959 --> 00:14:15.479
 So many of you,

00:14:15.559 --> 00:14:17.179
 this is not very pertinent,

00:14:17.299 --> 00:14:18.299
 but for some of us it is.

00:14:18.399 --> 00:14:19.759
 For some of us it's extremely pertinent

00:14:19.759 --> 00:14:21.299
 that we have a difficult time

00:14:21.299 --> 00:14:22.459
 being around people

00:14:22.459 --> 00:14:23.740
 who need the gospel of Jesus Christ

00:14:23.740 --> 00:14:24.599
 because we tend

00:14:24.599 --> 00:14:27.099
 to sequester ourselves off.

00:14:27.740 --> 00:14:28.639
 We're being limited

00:14:28.639 --> 00:14:30.500
 in our exposure to people

00:14:30.500 --> 00:14:32.559
 because we're at home

00:14:32.559 --> 00:14:34.359
 and we're at work

00:14:34.359 --> 00:14:36.199
 and we're at church.

00:14:38.359 --> 00:14:40.620
 There's a sociologist,

00:14:40.759 --> 00:14:41.479
 a secular sociologist

00:14:41.480 --> 00:14:43.240
 by the name of Ray Oldenburg

00:14:43.240 --> 00:14:44.139
 who wrote a book

00:14:44.139 --> 00:14:45.500
 and a number of other books

00:14:45.500 --> 00:14:47.100
 on the idea

00:14:47.100 --> 00:14:48.139
 that this book is called

00:14:48.139 --> 00:14:50.159
 The Great Good Place.

00:14:50.240 --> 00:14:51.200
 And my brain got turned on

00:14:51.200 --> 00:14:52.060
 to this by John Cochran,

00:14:52.139 --> 00:14:52.539
 so thank you.

00:14:52.580 --> 00:14:53.379
 At least I think it did.

00:14:53.820 --> 00:14:55.240
 I think the information came to me

00:14:55.240 --> 00:14:57.180
 by way of John Cochran.

00:14:57.840 --> 00:14:58.539
 The Great Good Place.

00:14:58.700 --> 00:14:59.940
 And he talks about how

00:14:59.940 --> 00:15:02.899
 societies have thrived

00:15:02.899 --> 00:15:04.039
 because of these

00:15:04.039 --> 00:15:05.200
 common gathering places

00:15:05.200 --> 00:15:05.980
 that are informal,

00:15:06.120 --> 00:15:06.700
 that are public,

00:15:06.920 --> 00:15:07.820
 like the marketplace,

00:15:08.360 --> 00:15:08.560
 right?

00:15:08.559 --> 00:15:09.919
 or the pub,

00:15:10.000 --> 00:15:10.759
 places where people

00:15:10.759 --> 00:15:11.879
 gathered together

00:15:11.879 --> 00:15:12.759
 and the community

00:15:12.759 --> 00:15:13.799
 was drawn together

00:15:13.799 --> 00:15:14.819
 because of these

00:15:14.819 --> 00:15:17.239
 great good places.

00:15:18.039 --> 00:15:19.679
 He also calls The Great Good Place

00:15:19.679 --> 00:15:21.039
 a third place,

00:15:21.479 --> 00:15:21.599
 right?

00:15:21.639 --> 00:15:23.219
 So think in terms of work,

00:15:23.719 --> 00:15:24.259
 home,

00:15:25.059 --> 00:15:26.679
 and that other place

00:15:26.679 --> 00:15:27.539
 that you frequent

00:15:27.539 --> 00:15:28.679
 and that you're at.

00:15:29.179 --> 00:15:30.779
 The bordega on the corner,

00:15:30.779 --> 00:15:32.019
 it's where you go

00:15:32.019 --> 00:15:32.539
 consistently

00:15:32.539 --> 00:15:34.259
 and encounter people

00:15:34.259 --> 00:15:35.339
 in that way.

00:15:35.539 --> 00:15:37.279
 And we all need

00:15:37.279 --> 00:15:38.679
 a third place.

00:15:39.919 --> 00:15:41.659
 You need to be seeking out

00:15:41.659 --> 00:15:42.899
 a third place

00:15:42.899 --> 00:15:43.939
 where you can encounter

00:15:43.939 --> 00:15:45.779
 the lost people here

00:15:45.779 --> 00:15:48.699
 as you're going.

00:15:49.899 --> 00:15:50.519
 Now, moms,

00:15:50.620 --> 00:15:51.539
 this third place

00:15:51.539 --> 00:15:53.100
 could be at home

00:15:53.100 --> 00:15:54.959
 with your unbelieving children.

00:15:56.199 --> 00:15:56.839
 Students,

00:15:56.939 --> 00:15:57.860
 this could be at school,

00:15:57.860 --> 00:16:00.120
 what you would deem work

00:16:00.120 --> 00:16:00.840
 for many of you.

00:16:01.039 --> 00:16:02.419
 It could be at school.

00:16:02.539 --> 00:16:03.560
 It could be your place

00:16:03.560 --> 00:16:04.100
 of employment.

00:16:04.340 --> 00:16:04.940
 For some,

00:16:05.300 --> 00:16:06.220
 there's many,

00:16:06.360 --> 00:16:06.860
 many opportunities

00:16:06.860 --> 00:16:08.100
 to encounter lost people

00:16:08.100 --> 00:16:09.019
 at their place of employment.

00:16:09.139 --> 00:16:09.539
 For some,

00:16:09.779 --> 00:16:10.500
 they sit in a cubicle

00:16:10.500 --> 00:16:11.419
 and they put on a headset

00:16:11.419 --> 00:16:12.700
 and they might encounter

00:16:12.700 --> 00:16:13.360
 a couple people

00:16:13.360 --> 00:16:14.860
 from time to time.

00:16:15.240 --> 00:16:16.139
 It's not a good place

00:16:16.139 --> 00:16:17.159
 to foster relationships

00:16:17.159 --> 00:16:18.220
 of this nature,

00:16:18.759 --> 00:16:19.560
 although you should be

00:16:19.560 --> 00:16:20.139
 sharing the gospel

00:16:20.139 --> 00:16:21.960
 at your workplace as well.

00:16:22.480 --> 00:16:23.860
 We need to be creative

00:16:24.460 --> 00:16:26.980
 about this third place.

00:16:26.980 --> 00:16:28.800
 many of you,

00:16:28.920 --> 00:16:29.279
 I hope,

00:16:29.639 --> 00:16:31.180
 and I hope in a continuing way

00:16:31.180 --> 00:16:31.379
 as,

00:16:31.800 --> 00:16:32.759
 particularly as college students

00:16:32.759 --> 00:16:33.340
 come through,

00:16:33.620 --> 00:16:34.500
 the life of this church

00:16:34.500 --> 00:16:35.960
 will be sent elsewhere.

00:16:36.580 --> 00:16:38.300
 And I hope that many of you

00:16:38.300 --> 00:16:39.320
 are sent to the ends

00:16:39.320 --> 00:16:39.759
 of the earth.

00:16:39.960 --> 00:16:41.019
 I would love to see that.

00:16:41.060 --> 00:16:41.960
 It is a dream

00:16:41.960 --> 00:16:42.779
 of the leadership

00:16:42.779 --> 00:16:43.420
 of this church

00:16:43.420 --> 00:16:44.379
 that we would equip

00:16:44.379 --> 00:16:45.159
 and send people

00:16:45.159 --> 00:16:46.480
 to the farthest reaches

00:16:46.480 --> 00:16:47.500
 of this planet

00:16:47.500 --> 00:16:48.340
 to share the good news

00:16:48.340 --> 00:16:49.200
 of Christ.

00:16:49.899 --> 00:16:50.720
 But many of you

00:16:50.720 --> 00:16:51.960
 will stay right here.

00:16:52.080 --> 00:16:53.399
 You'll stay in North Georgia.

00:16:53.399 --> 00:16:54.460
 You might go as far

00:16:54.460 --> 00:16:55.060
 as Atlanta.

00:16:55.059 --> 00:16:59.519
 And you have a part

00:16:59.519 --> 00:16:59.979
 to play

00:16:59.979 --> 00:17:01.659
 in this glorious process

00:17:01.659 --> 00:17:02.299
 of advancing

00:17:02.299 --> 00:17:03.519
 the kingdom of God.

00:17:04.279 --> 00:17:06.000
 So many where we live

00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:07.039
 claim to be followers

00:17:07.039 --> 00:17:07.679
 of Christ,

00:17:08.179 --> 00:17:08.940
 claim to be

00:17:08.940 --> 00:17:09.579
 quote-unquote

00:17:09.579 --> 00:17:10.440
 Christian,

00:17:10.659 --> 00:17:11.720
 and they desperately

00:17:11.720 --> 00:17:12.899
 need the gospel.

00:17:13.319 --> 00:17:14.200
 They need to be shown

00:17:14.200 --> 00:17:15.200
 what it looks like

00:17:15.200 --> 00:17:16.859
 to follow Jesus.

00:17:16.859 --> 00:17:21.479
 There's been this trending

00:17:21.479 --> 00:17:24.699
 in relational evangelism,

00:17:24.839 --> 00:17:25.959
 and I think that it has

00:17:25.959 --> 00:17:27.639
 goodness at its root,

00:17:28.019 --> 00:17:29.439
 but so often,

00:17:29.859 --> 00:17:30.939
 people are investing

00:17:30.939 --> 00:17:32.419
 themselves into the lives

00:17:32.419 --> 00:17:33.559
 of other individuals

00:17:33.559 --> 00:17:34.619
 in the hopes

00:17:34.619 --> 00:17:35.799
 that maybe someday

00:17:35.799 --> 00:17:37.679
 something might happen

00:17:37.679 --> 00:17:38.939
 that will bring about

00:17:38.939 --> 00:17:40.119
 a gospel conversation,

00:17:40.399 --> 00:17:41.159
 and I'm just building

00:17:41.159 --> 00:17:41.819
 the relationship,

00:17:42.000 --> 00:17:42.419
 and I'm building

00:17:42.419 --> 00:17:43.000
 the relationship,

00:17:43.500 --> 00:17:44.119
 and I'm building

00:17:44.119 --> 00:17:45.099
 the relationship.

00:17:45.099 --> 00:17:46.619
 We see this happen often

00:17:46.619 --> 00:17:48.959
 with well-intentioned

00:17:48.959 --> 00:17:49.719
 individuals who get

00:17:49.719 --> 00:17:50.639
 involved with fraternities

00:17:50.639 --> 00:17:51.799
 and sororities on campus.

00:17:51.899 --> 00:17:52.139
 They say,

00:17:52.179 --> 00:17:52.839
 I'm going to get in there.

00:17:52.899 --> 00:17:53.579
 It's a mission field.

00:17:53.639 --> 00:17:54.399
 They're lost people.

00:17:54.559 --> 00:17:55.639
 I'm automatically connected.

00:17:55.719 --> 00:17:56.500
 We've got a club thing

00:17:56.500 --> 00:17:57.019
 going on,

00:17:57.119 --> 00:17:57.599
 and I'm going to get

00:17:57.599 --> 00:17:58.279
 in the midst of that,

00:17:58.359 --> 00:17:59.659
 and some years later,

00:18:00.199 --> 00:18:01.480
 the trouble persists,

00:18:01.480 --> 00:18:03.500
 and their life is declining

00:18:03.500 --> 00:18:04.220
 in holiness

00:18:04.220 --> 00:18:05.220
 rather than increasing

00:18:05.220 --> 00:18:06.099
 in holiness.

00:18:06.220 --> 00:18:07.180
 They're getting wrapped up

00:18:07.180 --> 00:18:10.500
 in the society of it all.

00:18:12.440 --> 00:18:13.599
 If you love people

00:18:13.599 --> 00:18:14.980
 and you set your intention

00:18:14.980 --> 00:18:16.140
 on them to be in relationship

00:18:16.140 --> 00:18:16.599
 with them,

00:18:16.700 --> 00:18:18.140
 the aim of it should be

00:18:18.140 --> 00:18:19.220
 that you would fellowship

00:18:19.220 --> 00:18:20.640
 with them around the things

00:18:20.640 --> 00:18:22.000
 that matter most.

00:18:23.099 --> 00:18:24.480
 If you're following Christ,

00:18:24.559 --> 00:18:26.860
 you have very little in common

00:18:26.860 --> 00:18:27.980
 with people who are not

00:18:27.980 --> 00:18:29.220
 following Christ.

00:18:29.220 --> 00:18:29.339
 Christ.

00:18:30.120 --> 00:18:31.120
 Some of you experience this

00:18:31.120 --> 00:18:31.819
 with your families,

00:18:31.920 --> 00:18:32.660
 how you just have nothing

00:18:32.660 --> 00:18:33.700
 to talk about anymore

00:18:33.700 --> 00:18:34.519
 when you go home

00:18:34.519 --> 00:18:36.240
 because you're pursuing the Lord

00:18:36.240 --> 00:18:37.299
 and your family's heading off

00:18:37.299 --> 00:18:39.019
 in an opposite direction

00:18:39.019 --> 00:18:40.259
 or your old friends

00:18:40.259 --> 00:18:41.019
 from high school.

00:18:41.980 --> 00:18:43.480
 You used to be so close

00:18:43.480 --> 00:18:44.839
 and have so much to say

00:18:44.839 --> 00:18:45.819
 and so much to do,

00:18:45.880 --> 00:18:46.700
 and suddenly you find

00:18:46.700 --> 00:18:48.000
 that the way they live their lives

00:18:48.000 --> 00:18:49.860
 is distasteful to you.

00:18:50.980 --> 00:18:51.880
 We need to press,

00:18:51.960 --> 00:18:52.600
 and we need to press

00:18:52.600 --> 00:18:53.940
 as quickly as we can

00:18:53.940 --> 00:18:55.000
 to gospel proclamation.

00:18:55.420 --> 00:18:55.960
 To some,

00:18:56.019 --> 00:18:56.480
 it's going to be

00:18:56.480 --> 00:18:59.120
 a precious gift to them.

00:18:59.559 --> 00:18:59.920
 And to some,

00:18:59.980 --> 00:19:00.680
 they're going to hate it.

00:19:01.100 --> 00:19:01.920
 And at least you know

00:19:01.920 --> 00:19:02.539
 where you stand

00:19:02.539 --> 00:19:04.120
 in your relationship with them.

00:19:05.200 --> 00:19:05.920
 So the where is

00:19:05.920 --> 00:19:06.640
 to the ends of the earth.

00:19:06.759 --> 00:19:07.360
 It's to everywhere.

00:19:07.559 --> 00:19:09.900
 It's to as you're going.

00:19:11.259 --> 00:19:11.819
 The how

00:19:11.819 --> 00:19:14.220
 is by the power of God.

00:19:14.819 --> 00:19:16.620
 We proclaim the gospel truth

00:19:16.620 --> 00:19:18.380
 by the power of God.

00:19:18.420 --> 00:19:19.400
 And I'm so thankful

00:19:19.400 --> 00:19:20.100
 for the way

00:19:20.100 --> 00:19:22.299
 that this gospel commission

00:19:22.299 --> 00:19:23.220
 is sandwiched.

00:19:24.400 --> 00:19:25.200
 Verse 18,

00:19:25.380 --> 00:19:26.220
 Jesus says to them,

00:19:26.220 --> 00:19:28.360
 All authority in heaven

00:19:28.360 --> 00:19:28.960
 and on earth

00:19:28.960 --> 00:19:30.019
 has been given to me.

00:19:30.019 --> 00:19:30.380
 Right?

00:19:31.140 --> 00:19:31.940
 I am the king.

00:19:32.339 --> 00:19:34.579
 I am reigning over all things.

00:19:35.059 --> 00:19:36.000
 And then he gives this command

00:19:36.000 --> 00:19:37.400
 to go and to make disciples

00:19:37.400 --> 00:19:38.440
 and to baptize them

00:19:38.440 --> 00:19:39.319
 and to teach them.

00:19:39.640 --> 00:19:40.620
 And then verse 20 he says,

00:19:40.740 --> 00:19:41.259
 And behold,

00:19:41.559 --> 00:19:42.779
 I am with you

00:19:42.779 --> 00:19:44.720
 always to the end of the age.

00:19:44.779 --> 00:19:45.900
 And so until this mission

00:19:45.900 --> 00:19:46.500
 is complete,

00:19:46.660 --> 00:19:47.799
 I am with you

00:19:47.799 --> 00:19:49.400
 with all of this authority

00:19:49.400 --> 00:19:50.680
 bringing about

00:19:50.680 --> 00:19:52.480
 my good will.

00:19:52.480 --> 00:19:54.620
 What a massive motivation

00:19:54.620 --> 00:19:55.720
 to share the gospel

00:19:55.720 --> 00:19:56.700
 of Jesus Christ

00:19:56.700 --> 00:19:57.759
 with the lost and dying

00:19:57.759 --> 00:19:58.420
 around us.

00:19:58.680 --> 00:19:59.740
 Jesus has all authority

00:19:59.740 --> 00:20:01.019
 and he is with us.

00:20:02.259 --> 00:20:03.819
 It is by the power of God

00:20:03.819 --> 00:20:04.779
 that the gospel

00:20:04.779 --> 00:20:05.579
 is proclaimed

00:20:05.579 --> 00:20:07.299
 and believed.

00:20:08.620 --> 00:20:09.740
 But it also happens

00:20:09.740 --> 00:20:10.839
 by the activity of men.

00:20:12.120 --> 00:20:13.180
 I promise you

00:20:13.180 --> 00:20:14.339
 that you will never

00:20:14.339 --> 00:20:15.860
 under some

00:20:15.860 --> 00:20:17.940
 imaginary

00:20:17.940 --> 00:20:19.140
 felt

00:20:19.140 --> 00:20:20.160
 compulsion

00:20:20.160 --> 00:20:21.779
 just start talking

00:20:21.779 --> 00:20:22.339
 and you are not going

00:20:22.339 --> 00:20:23.019
 to know what you are saying

00:20:23.019 --> 00:20:23.500
 and you are just going

00:20:23.500 --> 00:20:24.240
 to start sharing.

00:20:25.000 --> 00:20:26.019
 You are going to be moved

00:20:26.019 --> 00:20:26.700
 to get up

00:20:26.700 --> 00:20:27.619
 and call that friend

00:20:27.619 --> 00:20:28.420
 that you haven't talked to

00:20:28.420 --> 00:20:28.839
 in a while.

00:20:29.059 --> 00:20:29.579
 You are going to suddenly

00:20:29.579 --> 00:20:30.539
 find yourself hanging out

00:20:30.539 --> 00:20:31.019
 in that place

00:20:31.019 --> 00:20:31.720
 where people need to hear

00:20:31.720 --> 00:20:32.200
 the gospel

00:20:32.200 --> 00:20:34.099
 and declaring it

00:20:34.099 --> 00:20:34.899
 from the street corner.

00:20:35.359 --> 00:20:36.119
 It won't happen.

00:20:37.039 --> 00:20:38.559
 It is also by the activity

00:20:38.559 --> 00:20:39.480
 of man.

00:20:39.599 --> 00:20:40.639
 God gives this,

00:20:40.700 --> 00:20:41.779
 Jesus gives this command.

00:20:42.079 --> 00:20:42.200
 Right?

00:20:42.440 --> 00:20:43.240
 I have got all authority.

00:20:43.420 --> 00:20:44.279
 I am going to be with you.

00:20:45.279 --> 00:20:45.579
 Go

00:20:45.579 --> 00:20:46.899
 and make disciples

00:20:46.899 --> 00:20:48.579
 of all nations.

00:20:49.799 --> 00:20:50.500
 Baptize them.

00:20:50.500 --> 00:20:52.180
 Teach them.

00:20:54.059 --> 00:20:55.039
 There is command

00:20:55.039 --> 00:20:55.720
 that comes along

00:20:55.720 --> 00:20:56.279
 with this.

00:20:56.480 --> 00:20:57.460
 We must recognize

00:20:57.460 --> 00:20:59.160
 that we have a part

00:20:59.160 --> 00:20:59.940
 to play.

00:21:01.559 --> 00:21:02.660
 Romans chapter 10

00:21:02.660 --> 00:21:03.420
 verse 13

00:21:03.420 --> 00:21:04.720
 14

00:21:04.720 --> 00:21:05.660
 and 15

00:21:05.660 --> 00:21:07.200
 Paul writes

00:21:07.200 --> 00:21:07.900
 for everyone

00:21:07.900 --> 00:21:08.720
 who calls

00:21:08.720 --> 00:21:09.180
 on the name

00:21:09.180 --> 00:21:09.700
 of the Lord

00:21:09.700 --> 00:21:11.700
 will be saved.

00:21:12.839 --> 00:21:13.759
 How then

00:21:13.759 --> 00:21:14.940
 will they call

00:21:14.940 --> 00:21:15.440
 on Him

00:21:15.440 --> 00:21:16.359
 in whom

00:21:16.359 --> 00:21:17.259
 they have not

00:21:17.259 --> 00:21:17.920
 believed?

00:21:18.480 --> 00:21:19.380
 And how are they

00:21:19.380 --> 00:21:20.259
 to believe in Him

00:21:20.259 --> 00:21:21.000
 of whom

00:21:21.000 --> 00:21:22.119
 they have never

00:21:22.119 --> 00:21:23.079
 heard?

00:21:23.720 --> 00:21:24.599
 Hear this carefully,

00:21:24.759 --> 00:21:24.960
 beloved.

00:21:26.079 --> 00:21:27.140
 No one is getting

00:21:27.140 --> 00:21:28.379
 some revelation

00:21:28.379 --> 00:21:29.319
 of Christ

00:21:29.319 --> 00:21:30.339
 post-death.

00:21:31.420 --> 00:21:32.400
 They have to hear

00:21:32.400 --> 00:21:32.960
 the gospel

00:21:32.960 --> 00:21:33.819
 of Jesus Christ

00:21:33.819 --> 00:21:34.619
 and believe in it

00:21:34.619 --> 00:21:35.400
 to be saved.

00:21:36.539 --> 00:21:37.359
 How can they

00:21:37.359 --> 00:21:38.200
 call on Him

00:21:38.200 --> 00:21:38.819
 in whom they have not

00:21:38.819 --> 00:21:39.119
 believed?

00:21:39.319 --> 00:21:39.859
 And how are they

00:21:39.859 --> 00:21:40.420
 to believe in Him

00:21:40.420 --> 00:21:40.920
 of whom they have

00:21:40.920 --> 00:21:42.240
 never heard?

00:21:42.480 --> 00:21:43.420
 And how are they

00:21:43.420 --> 00:21:43.980
 to hear

00:21:43.980 --> 00:21:44.759
 without

00:21:44.759 --> 00:21:45.920
 someone

00:21:45.920 --> 00:21:47.059
 preaching?

00:21:47.059 --> 00:21:48.440
 Paul is not

00:21:48.440 --> 00:21:49.379
 just talking

00:21:49.379 --> 00:21:49.980
 about what I

00:21:49.980 --> 00:21:50.500
 do on Sunday

00:21:50.500 --> 00:21:50.819
 mornings

00:21:50.819 --> 00:21:51.259
 and what many

00:21:51.259 --> 00:21:51.700
 men do

00:21:51.700 --> 00:21:52.259
 on Sunday

00:21:52.259 --> 00:21:52.480
 mornings.

00:21:52.539 --> 00:21:52.899
 He's talking

00:21:52.899 --> 00:21:53.639
 about you

00:21:53.639 --> 00:21:54.700
 preaching the

00:21:54.700 --> 00:21:55.039
 good news

00:21:55.039 --> 00:21:55.599
 of Jesus

00:21:55.599 --> 00:21:56.079
 Christ

00:21:56.079 --> 00:21:56.659
 to your

00:21:56.659 --> 00:21:56.940
 friends

00:21:56.940 --> 00:21:57.179
 and your

00:21:57.179 --> 00:21:57.539
 co-workers

00:21:57.539 --> 00:21:57.779
 and your

00:21:57.779 --> 00:21:58.099
 classmates

00:21:58.099 --> 00:21:58.940
 and your

00:21:58.940 --> 00:21:59.259
 family.

00:22:00.599 --> 00:22:01.119
 Verse 15

00:22:01.119 --> 00:22:01.879
 And how are they

00:22:01.879 --> 00:22:02.460
 to preach

00:22:02.460 --> 00:22:04.179
 unless they are

00:22:04.179 --> 00:22:04.480
 sent?

00:22:04.659 --> 00:22:05.200
 As it is written,

00:22:05.279 --> 00:22:05.799
 how beautiful

00:22:05.799 --> 00:22:06.460
 are the feet

00:22:06.460 --> 00:22:07.579
 of those who

00:22:07.579 --> 00:22:07.940
 preach

00:22:07.940 --> 00:22:09.339
 the good news.

00:22:10.559 --> 00:22:11.179
 So gospel

00:22:11.179 --> 00:22:11.720
 proclamation

00:22:11.720 --> 00:22:13.360
 is the beginning

00:22:13.360 --> 00:22:14.400
 of

00:22:14.400 --> 00:22:16.059
 disciple making.

00:22:17.279 --> 00:22:18.059
 There are

00:22:18.059 --> 00:22:18.600
 two

00:22:18.600 --> 00:22:19.880
 axioms

00:22:19.880 --> 00:22:20.759
 I want to present

00:22:20.759 --> 00:22:21.240
 to you.

00:22:21.460 --> 00:22:21.940
 Axioms

00:22:21.940 --> 00:22:22.539
 are statements

00:22:22.539 --> 00:22:23.559
 that ideas

00:22:23.559 --> 00:22:24.299
 hinge upon

00:22:24.299 --> 00:22:24.960
 that change

00:22:24.960 --> 00:22:25.460
 things.

00:22:26.460 --> 00:22:26.980
 So two

00:22:26.980 --> 00:22:27.600
 axioms

00:22:27.600 --> 00:22:28.700
 for gospel

00:22:28.700 --> 00:22:29.940
 proclamation.

00:22:30.180 --> 00:22:30.779
 Number one,

00:22:32.860 --> 00:22:34.559
 we are all

00:22:34.559 --> 00:22:35.000
 different.

00:22:38.000 --> 00:22:39.200
 We are all

00:22:39.200 --> 00:22:39.660
 different.

00:22:40.140 --> 00:22:40.819
 This means

00:22:40.819 --> 00:22:42.460
 in order to

00:22:42.460 --> 00:22:42.939
 share the

00:22:42.939 --> 00:22:43.399
 gospel of

00:22:43.399 --> 00:22:44.000
 Jesus Christ

00:22:44.000 --> 00:22:44.439
 well,

00:22:44.559 --> 00:22:45.059
 you need

00:22:45.059 --> 00:22:45.419
 to know

00:22:45.419 --> 00:22:45.759
 people.

00:22:46.419 --> 00:22:46.919
 You need

00:22:46.919 --> 00:22:47.279
 to know

00:22:47.279 --> 00:22:47.659
 people.

00:22:48.119 --> 00:22:48.379
 You need

00:22:48.379 --> 00:22:48.939
 to learn

00:22:48.939 --> 00:22:49.740
 the art

00:22:49.740 --> 00:22:50.519
 of asking

00:22:50.519 --> 00:22:51.519
 questions

00:22:51.519 --> 00:22:52.740
 and listening

00:22:52.740 --> 00:22:54.000
 to answers.

00:22:55.480 --> 00:22:56.599
 I find it

00:22:56.599 --> 00:22:57.099
 fascinating

00:22:57.099 --> 00:22:57.839
 that so many

00:22:57.839 --> 00:22:58.240
 Christians

00:22:58.240 --> 00:22:59.359
 walk into

00:22:59.359 --> 00:23:00.919
 some form

00:23:00.919 --> 00:23:01.500
 of spiritual

00:23:01.500 --> 00:23:02.179
 conversation

00:23:02.179 --> 00:23:02.619
 and they

00:23:02.619 --> 00:23:03.200
 bear the

00:23:03.200 --> 00:23:03.480
 burden

00:23:03.480 --> 00:23:04.179
 of proof.

00:23:05.700 --> 00:23:07.220
 We have

00:23:07.220 --> 00:23:07.519
 the upper

00:23:07.519 --> 00:23:08.480
 hand in

00:23:08.480 --> 00:23:08.779
 this.

00:23:08.919 --> 00:23:09.119
 You know

00:23:09.119 --> 00:23:09.279
 that,

00:23:09.379 --> 00:23:09.519
 right?

00:23:09.519 --> 00:23:10.859
 We follow

00:23:10.859 --> 00:23:11.359
 the one

00:23:11.359 --> 00:23:11.720
 true

00:23:11.720 --> 00:23:12.099
 living

00:23:12.099 --> 00:23:12.660
 God.

00:23:13.000 --> 00:23:13.480
 We have

00:23:13.480 --> 00:23:13.700
 the

00:23:13.700 --> 00:23:14.119
 scripture

00:23:14.119 --> 00:23:15.119
 in our

00:23:15.119 --> 00:23:15.440
 hands,

00:23:15.500 --> 00:23:15.839
 I hope

00:23:15.839 --> 00:23:16.259
 in your

00:23:16.259 --> 00:23:16.960
 minds

00:23:16.960 --> 00:23:17.200
 and in

00:23:17.200 --> 00:23:17.379
 your

00:23:17.379 --> 00:23:18.319
 hearts.

00:23:19.839 --> 00:23:20.400
 I would

00:23:20.400 --> 00:23:20.920
 suggest that

00:23:20.920 --> 00:23:21.259
 the burden

00:23:21.259 --> 00:23:21.639
 of proof

00:23:21.639 --> 00:23:22.059
 lies on

00:23:22.059 --> 00:23:22.539
 the world.

00:23:24.539 --> 00:23:25.099
 Ask the

00:23:25.099 --> 00:23:25.799
 atheist to

00:23:25.799 --> 00:23:26.400
 help you

00:23:26.400 --> 00:23:26.940
 understand

00:23:26.940 --> 00:23:27.519
 how they've

00:23:27.519 --> 00:23:27.960
 arrived at

00:23:27.960 --> 00:23:28.200
 their

00:23:28.200 --> 00:23:29.420
 conclusion.

00:23:31.500 --> 00:23:32.019
 Ask the

00:23:32.019 --> 00:23:32.579
 agnostic.

00:23:33.200 --> 00:23:33.619
 Did you say

00:23:33.619 --> 00:23:33.900
 you believe

00:23:33.900 --> 00:23:34.279
 in a God?

00:23:34.339 --> 00:23:34.680
 How can you

00:23:34.680 --> 00:23:35.079
 believe in a

00:23:35.079 --> 00:23:36.259
 God and

00:23:36.259 --> 00:23:36.839
 not follow

00:23:36.839 --> 00:23:37.799
 some version

00:23:37.799 --> 00:23:38.379
 of his

00:23:38.379 --> 00:23:39.500
 way?

00:23:40.579 --> 00:23:41.119
 Ask good

00:23:41.119 --> 00:23:41.819
 questions and

00:23:41.819 --> 00:23:43.220
 listen to

00:23:43.220 --> 00:23:43.720
 the answers.

00:23:44.399 --> 00:23:44.839
 Get to

00:23:44.839 --> 00:23:45.579
 know people.

00:23:45.759 --> 00:23:46.879
 Just have

00:23:46.879 --> 00:23:47.839
 conversations.

00:23:48.079 --> 00:23:48.319
 And I will

00:23:48.319 --> 00:23:48.639
 tell you,

00:23:48.679 --> 00:23:49.199
 and I use

00:23:49.199 --> 00:23:49.599
 the word,

00:23:49.839 --> 00:23:50.279
 learn the

00:23:50.279 --> 00:23:50.639
 art.

00:23:51.500 --> 00:23:52.019
 The only

00:23:52.019 --> 00:23:52.379
 way to get

00:23:52.379 --> 00:23:52.740
 good at it

00:23:52.740 --> 00:23:53.119
 is to do

00:23:53.119 --> 00:23:53.319
 it.

00:23:54.199 --> 00:23:55.279
 Start talking

00:23:55.279 --> 00:23:55.959
 to the

00:23:55.959 --> 00:23:56.759
 people you

00:23:56.759 --> 00:23:58.059
 know about

00:23:58.059 --> 00:23:59.500
 religion,

00:23:59.980 --> 00:24:00.419
 about the

00:24:00.419 --> 00:24:00.879
 world,

00:24:01.619 --> 00:24:02.019
 about the

00:24:02.019 --> 00:24:02.339
 gospel.

00:24:03.439 --> 00:24:03.939
 Understand

00:24:03.939 --> 00:24:04.519
 people's

00:24:04.519 --> 00:24:04.899
 uniqueness.

00:24:05.339 --> 00:24:05.759
 People have

00:24:05.759 --> 00:24:06.039
 a unique

00:24:06.039 --> 00:24:06.440
 history.

00:24:07.019 --> 00:24:07.400
 They have

00:24:07.400 --> 00:24:07.700
 a unique

00:24:07.700 --> 00:24:08.079
 set of

00:24:08.079 --> 00:24:08.700
 circumstances.

00:24:08.879 --> 00:24:09.039
 They have

00:24:09.039 --> 00:24:09.420
 a unique

00:24:09.420 --> 00:24:10.059
 set of

00:24:10.059 --> 00:24:10.680
 hurts.

00:24:11.599 --> 00:24:12.000
 They have

00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.379
 a unique

00:24:12.379 --> 00:24:13.119
 worldview.

00:24:15.039 --> 00:24:15.759
 We're all

00:24:15.759 --> 00:24:16.240
 different.

00:24:18.119 --> 00:24:18.799
 But the

00:24:18.799 --> 00:24:19.119
 second

00:24:19.119 --> 00:24:20.400
 axiom,

00:24:21.720 --> 00:24:22.279
 we're all

00:24:22.279 --> 00:24:22.700
 the same.

00:24:24.759 --> 00:24:25.400
 We're all

00:24:25.400 --> 00:24:25.799
 the same.

00:24:26.779 --> 00:24:27.440
 We're all

00:24:27.440 --> 00:24:28.039
 a part of

00:24:28.039 --> 00:24:28.619
 God's

00:24:28.619 --> 00:24:29.579
 redemptive

00:24:29.579 --> 00:24:30.200
 story.

00:24:31.019 --> 00:24:31.640
 We have

00:24:31.640 --> 00:24:32.299
 all at

00:24:32.299 --> 00:24:33.259
 one time

00:24:33.259 --> 00:24:34.980
 set ourselves

00:24:34.980 --> 00:24:35.519
 against

00:24:35.519 --> 00:24:35.960
 God.

00:24:36.339 --> 00:24:36.579
 We have

00:24:36.579 --> 00:24:37.039
 rejected

00:24:37.039 --> 00:24:37.259
 His

00:24:37.259 --> 00:24:37.460
 good

00:24:37.460 --> 00:24:37.819
 word.

00:24:38.360 --> 00:24:38.620
 We have

00:24:38.620 --> 00:24:39.799
 said to

00:24:39.799 --> 00:24:40.360
 Him with

00:24:40.360 --> 00:24:40.539
 our

00:24:40.539 --> 00:24:41.099
 activity,

00:24:41.660 --> 00:24:42.360
 I hate

00:24:42.360 --> 00:24:42.599
 you.

00:24:42.880 --> 00:24:43.339
 All of

00:24:43.339 --> 00:24:43.960
 us have

00:24:43.960 --> 00:24:44.380
 been in

00:24:44.380 --> 00:24:44.860
 that

00:24:44.860 --> 00:24:45.480
 place.

00:24:46.539 --> 00:24:46.960
 All of

00:24:46.960 --> 00:24:48.500
 us deserve

00:24:48.500 --> 00:24:49.160
 the just

00:24:49.160 --> 00:24:50.000
 condemnation of

00:24:50.000 --> 00:24:50.759
 God for

00:24:50.759 --> 00:24:51.140
 the way

00:24:51.140 --> 00:24:51.480
 that we

00:24:51.480 --> 00:24:51.799
 have

00:24:51.799 --> 00:24:52.259
 treated

00:24:52.259 --> 00:24:52.779
 His

00:24:52.779 --> 00:24:53.079
 good

00:24:53.079 --> 00:24:53.480
 reign

00:24:53.480 --> 00:24:54.140
 over

00:24:54.140 --> 00:24:54.740
 our

00:24:54.740 --> 00:24:55.200
 lives.

00:24:55.860 --> 00:24:56.640
 All of

00:24:56.640 --> 00:24:57.180
 us need

00:24:57.180 --> 00:24:57.839
 the salvation

00:24:57.839 --> 00:24:58.180
 that is

00:24:58.180 --> 00:24:59.259
 found in

00:24:59.259 --> 00:24:59.640
 Christ.

00:25:01.539 --> 00:25:02.380
 We're all

00:25:02.380 --> 00:25:02.660
 part of

00:25:02.660 --> 00:25:03.019
 God's

00:25:03.019 --> 00:25:03.840
 redemptive

00:25:03.840 --> 00:25:04.620
 story.

00:25:05.620 --> 00:25:06.000
 We call

00:25:06.000 --> 00:25:06.279
 this,

00:25:06.360 --> 00:25:06.500
 if you

00:25:06.500 --> 00:25:06.840
 want a

00:25:06.840 --> 00:25:07.279
 big word,

00:25:07.380 --> 00:25:07.519
 the

00:25:07.519 --> 00:25:07.800
 meta

00:25:07.800 --> 00:25:08.180
 narrative.

00:25:09.040 --> 00:25:09.240
 There's

00:25:09.240 --> 00:25:09.680
 stories

00:25:09.680 --> 00:25:10.320
 within a

00:25:10.320 --> 00:25:10.779
 great,

00:25:10.920 --> 00:25:12.440
 big story.

00:25:13.019 --> 00:25:13.320
 God's

00:25:13.320 --> 00:25:14.140
 creation of

00:25:14.140 --> 00:25:14.620
 the world

00:25:14.620 --> 00:25:15.200
 and the

00:25:15.200 --> 00:25:15.720
 fall of

00:25:15.720 --> 00:25:16.300
 that world

00:25:16.300 --> 00:25:16.940
 and His

00:25:16.940 --> 00:25:18.340
 rescue of

00:25:18.340 --> 00:25:18.820
 that world

00:25:18.820 --> 00:25:19.240
 and His

00:25:19.240 --> 00:25:20.279
 soon-and-coming

00:25:20.279 --> 00:25:21.120
 restoration

00:25:21.120 --> 00:25:22.120
 of that

00:25:22.120 --> 00:25:22.460
 world.

00:25:22.960 --> 00:25:23.180
 It's a

00:25:23.180 --> 00:25:23.720
 big,

00:25:24.000 --> 00:25:24.380
 beautiful

00:25:24.380 --> 00:25:25.060
 story that

00:25:25.060 --> 00:25:25.300
 we are

00:25:25.300 --> 00:25:25.840
 all a

00:25:25.840 --> 00:25:26.100
 part of.

00:25:26.160 --> 00:25:26.360
 So we're

00:25:26.360 --> 00:25:27.019
 all different.

00:25:27.860 --> 00:25:28.140
 That means

00:25:28.140 --> 00:25:28.620
 we have

00:25:28.620 --> 00:25:28.900
 to get

00:25:28.900 --> 00:25:29.220
 into the

00:25:29.220 --> 00:25:29.720
 mix with

00:25:29.720 --> 00:25:29.960
 people.

00:25:30.080 --> 00:25:30.300
 We have

00:25:30.300 --> 00:25:30.740
 to love

00:25:30.740 --> 00:25:31.080
 people.

00:25:31.240 --> 00:25:31.480
 We have

00:25:31.480 --> 00:25:31.880
 to know

00:25:31.880 --> 00:25:32.259
 people.

00:25:32.660 --> 00:25:32.960
 And we're

00:25:32.960 --> 00:25:33.400
 all the

00:25:33.400 --> 00:25:33.620
 same.

00:25:34.620 --> 00:25:35.019
 We all

00:25:35.019 --> 00:25:35.340
 need that.

00:25:35.600 --> 00:25:36.019
 Our little

00:25:36.019 --> 00:25:36.420
 stories

00:25:36.420 --> 00:25:37.040
 connected to

00:25:37.040 --> 00:25:37.480
 the great,

00:25:37.860 --> 00:25:39.880
 big story.

00:25:41.200 --> 00:25:41.840
 I want to

00:25:41.840 --> 00:25:42.200
 show you,

00:25:42.259 --> 00:25:42.920
 I tend to

00:25:42.920 --> 00:25:43.240
 shy away

00:25:43.240 --> 00:25:43.580
 from stuff

00:25:43.580 --> 00:25:43.980
 like this,

00:25:44.040 --> 00:25:44.240
 I think

00:25:44.240 --> 00:25:44.660
 because of

00:25:44.660 --> 00:25:44.840
 the

00:25:44.840 --> 00:25:45.240
 hokiness

00:25:45.240 --> 00:25:45.820
 of so

00:25:45.820 --> 00:25:46.240
 many

00:25:46.240 --> 00:25:47.779
 churches

00:25:47.779 --> 00:25:48.300
 that do

00:25:48.300 --> 00:25:48.860
 multimedia

00:25:48.860 --> 00:25:49.500
 things.

00:25:50.420 --> 00:25:51.000
 That may

00:25:51.000 --> 00:25:51.400
 even be

00:25:51.400 --> 00:25:51.880
 sinful on

00:25:51.880 --> 00:25:52.580
 my part.

00:25:54.800 --> 00:25:55.360
 I want

00:25:55.360 --> 00:25:55.620
 to show

00:25:55.620 --> 00:25:55.740
 you,

00:25:55.759 --> 00:25:55.920
 I think

00:25:55.920 --> 00:25:56.220
 the guys

00:25:56.220 --> 00:25:56.460
 are getting

00:25:56.460 --> 00:25:56.740
 ready,

00:25:56.840 --> 00:25:57.259
 a video

00:25:57.259 --> 00:25:58.340
 that's a

00:25:58.340 --> 00:25:58.640
 little over

00:25:58.640 --> 00:25:59.340
 five minutes,

00:25:59.519 --> 00:26:00.080
 which is

00:26:00.080 --> 00:26:00.680
 the story.

00:26:01.000 --> 00:26:01.400
 It's actually

00:26:01.400 --> 00:26:01.700
 called

00:26:01.700 --> 00:26:02.200
 the story.

00:26:02.660 --> 00:26:03.759
 The story,

00:26:03.980 --> 00:26:04.640
 short film.

00:26:06.140 --> 00:26:07.000
 It's a

00:26:07.000 --> 00:26:08.000
 wonderful telling

00:26:08.000 --> 00:26:08.600
 of this

00:26:08.600 --> 00:26:08.960
 great,

00:26:09.120 --> 00:26:09.360
 big,

00:26:09.460 --> 00:26:10.220
 redemptive

00:26:10.220 --> 00:26:10.740
 picture.

00:26:11.240 --> 00:26:11.560
 It uses

00:26:11.560 --> 00:26:12.480
 that pattern,

00:26:12.620 --> 00:26:13.000
 creation,

00:26:13.220 --> 00:26:13.480
 fall,

00:26:14.040 --> 00:26:14.519
 rescue,

00:26:15.340 --> 00:26:15.720
 restoration.

00:26:16.040 --> 00:26:16.200
 So I'm going to

00:26:16.200 --> 00:26:16.580
 let those guys

00:26:16.580 --> 00:26:17.300
 play it for you

00:26:17.300 --> 00:26:17.820
 and then I'll

00:26:17.820 --> 00:26:18.240
 pop back up

00:26:18.240 --> 00:26:18.360
 here.

00:26:18.359 --> 00:26:23.279
 there is only

00:26:23.279 --> 00:26:23.979
 one story

00:26:23.979 --> 00:26:24.639
 that answers

00:26:24.639 --> 00:26:25.359
 life's most

00:26:25.359 --> 00:26:25.799
 essential

00:26:25.799 --> 00:26:26.419
 questions

00:26:26.419 --> 00:26:27.419
 and gives

00:26:27.419 --> 00:26:27.919
 a lasting

00:26:27.919 --> 00:26:28.439
 sense of

00:26:28.439 --> 00:26:28.939
 purpose

00:26:28.939 --> 00:26:29.699
 and meaning.

00:26:31.000 --> 00:26:31.839
 It's the

00:26:31.839 --> 00:26:32.299
 story that

00:26:32.299 --> 00:26:32.799
 inspires

00:26:32.799 --> 00:26:33.500
 all other

00:26:33.500 --> 00:26:33.919
 stories.

00:26:34.719 --> 00:26:35.519
 It's the

00:26:35.519 --> 00:26:36.199
 true story

00:26:36.199 --> 00:26:36.859
 that defines

00:26:36.859 --> 00:26:37.519
 every one

00:26:37.519 --> 00:26:37.879
 of us.

00:26:38.939 --> 00:26:39.839
 This is

00:26:39.839 --> 00:26:40.559
 that story.

00:26:42.179 --> 00:26:43.059
 How did

00:26:43.059 --> 00:26:43.419
 it all

00:26:43.419 --> 00:26:43.819
 begin?

00:26:44.219 --> 00:26:44.879
 Like all

00:26:44.879 --> 00:26:45.339
 stories,

00:26:45.679 --> 00:26:46.079
 this one

00:26:46.079 --> 00:26:46.819
 begins in the

00:26:46.819 --> 00:26:47.720
 beginning with

00:26:47.720 --> 00:26:48.179
 the author,

00:26:48.659 --> 00:26:49.259
 who is God.

00:26:49.819 --> 00:26:50.460
 He spoke

00:26:50.460 --> 00:26:51.359
 everything into

00:26:51.359 --> 00:26:51.700
 being.

00:26:52.299 --> 00:26:52.939
 With a word,

00:26:53.480 --> 00:26:54.399
 galaxies appeared

00:26:54.399 --> 00:26:55.379
 with stars and

00:26:55.379 --> 00:26:55.819
 planets.

00:26:56.619 --> 00:26:57.059
 Earth was

00:26:57.059 --> 00:26:57.720
 designed for

00:26:57.720 --> 00:26:58.359
 life to

00:26:58.359 --> 00:26:58.759
 flourish.

00:26:59.639 --> 00:27:00.339
 Everything God

00:27:00.339 --> 00:27:00.859
 made was

00:27:00.859 --> 00:27:01.819
 gloriously good

00:27:01.819 --> 00:27:03.139
 and breathtakingly

00:27:03.139 --> 00:27:03.579
 perfect.

00:27:04.339 --> 00:27:04.859
 The highlight

00:27:04.859 --> 00:27:05.399
 of God's

00:27:05.399 --> 00:27:06.059
 creation was

00:27:06.059 --> 00:27:06.899
 the first man

00:27:06.899 --> 00:27:07.539
 and woman,

00:27:08.019 --> 00:27:08.740
 Adam and

00:27:08.740 --> 00:27:09.059
 Eve.

00:27:10.240 --> 00:27:11.200
 God entrusted

00:27:11.200 --> 00:27:12.000
 everything he

00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:12.779
 created to his

00:27:12.779 --> 00:27:13.500
 beloved children,

00:27:14.139 --> 00:27:14.939
 giving just one

00:27:14.939 --> 00:27:15.240
 more.

00:27:15.960 --> 00:27:16.539
 They were not

00:27:16.539 --> 00:27:17.180
 to eat fruit

00:27:17.180 --> 00:27:17.980
 from a specific

00:27:17.980 --> 00:27:18.379
 tree.

00:27:19.379 --> 00:27:20.359
 They lived in

00:27:20.359 --> 00:27:21.220
 loving obedience,

00:27:21.680 --> 00:27:22.359
 worshiping God

00:27:22.359 --> 00:27:23.019
 as their heavenly

00:27:23.019 --> 00:27:24.099
 father, and

00:27:24.099 --> 00:27:25.039
 enjoying perfect

00:27:25.039 --> 00:27:25.700
 harmony with

00:27:25.700 --> 00:27:27.159
 creation, each

00:27:27.159 --> 00:27:28.279
 other, and

00:27:28.279 --> 00:27:28.659
 God.

00:27:31.859 --> 00:27:32.839
 Considering our

00:27:32.839 --> 00:27:33.500
 world today,

00:27:34.019 --> 00:27:34.700
 its obvious

00:27:34.700 --> 00:27:35.619
 perfect peace

00:27:35.619 --> 00:27:36.379
 didn't last.

00:27:37.259 --> 00:27:37.680
 Turmoil,

00:27:38.220 --> 00:27:38.519
! War,

00:27:39.240 --> 00:27:39.539
 sickness,

00:27:40.159 --> 00:27:40.539
 troubles.

00:27:41.319 --> 00:27:41.980
 We each have

00:27:41.980 --> 00:27:42.420
 our share.

00:27:43.319 --> 00:27:43.799
 What went

00:27:43.799 --> 00:27:44.180
 wrong?

00:27:44.180 --> 00:27:45.640
 It started

00:27:45.640 --> 00:27:46.259
 when a fallen

00:27:46.259 --> 00:27:47.039
 angel named

00:27:47.039 --> 00:27:47.620
 Satan grew

00:27:47.620 --> 00:27:48.240
 jealous of

00:27:48.240 --> 00:27:49.240
 God and

00:27:49.240 --> 00:27:50.019
 determined to

00:27:50.019 --> 00:27:50.480
 ruin the

00:27:50.480 --> 00:27:51.160
 perfection of

00:27:51.160 --> 00:27:51.660
 creation.

00:27:52.539 --> 00:27:53.080
 Satan took

00:27:53.080 --> 00:27:53.720
 the form of

00:27:53.720 --> 00:27:54.900
 a serpent and

00:27:54.900 --> 00:27:55.820
 enticed Adam

00:27:55.820 --> 00:27:56.500
 and Eve to

00:27:56.500 --> 00:27:57.400
 question God's

00:27:57.400 --> 00:27:58.500
 goodness and

00:27:58.500 --> 00:27:59.320
 rebel against

00:27:59.320 --> 00:28:00.200
 his one rule.

00:28:00.740 --> 00:28:01.660
 In disobedience

00:28:01.660 --> 00:28:02.400
 they ate the

00:28:02.400 --> 00:28:03.480
 fruit, and

00:28:03.480 --> 00:28:05.000
 peace unraveled,

00:28:05.299 --> 00:28:06.259
 ushering in sin

00:28:06.259 --> 00:28:07.700
 and death, which

00:28:07.700 --> 00:28:08.700
 still plagues us

00:28:08.700 --> 00:28:09.019
 today.

00:28:09.840 --> 00:28:10.480
 If we are

00:28:10.480 --> 00:28:11.580
 honest, we are

00:28:11.580 --> 00:28:12.320
 very much like

00:28:12.320 --> 00:28:12.960
 Adam and Eve.

00:28:12.960 --> 00:28:14.279
 We all rebel

00:28:14.279 --> 00:28:14.840
 against our

00:28:14.840 --> 00:28:15.519
 Heavenly Father,

00:28:16.120 --> 00:28:16.620
 making our

00:28:16.620 --> 00:28:17.340
 hearts heavy

00:28:17.340 --> 00:28:18.000
 with fear,

00:28:18.600 --> 00:28:19.640
 guilt, and

00:28:19.640 --> 00:28:19.980
 shame.

00:28:20.940 --> 00:28:21.779
 Our bodies are

00:28:21.779 --> 00:28:22.319
 weary with

00:28:22.319 --> 00:28:23.340
 sickness, disease,

00:28:24.000 --> 00:28:24.579
 and death.

00:28:25.319 --> 00:28:25.720
 Earth is

00:28:25.720 --> 00:28:26.460
 afflicted with

00:28:26.460 --> 00:28:27.799
 storms, calamities,

00:28:28.059 --> 00:28:28.720
 and disasters.

00:28:29.500 --> 00:28:30.559
 Even worse, sin

00:28:30.559 --> 00:28:31.620
 has separated us

00:28:31.620 --> 00:28:32.980
 from God, causing

00:28:32.980 --> 00:28:33.620
 a permanent

00:28:33.620 --> 00:28:35.000
 divide, a

00:28:35.000 --> 00:28:35.420
 miserable

00:28:35.420 --> 00:28:36.180
 separation

00:28:36.180 --> 00:28:37.039
 called hell.

00:28:38.400 --> 00:28:39.579
 The fallout of

00:28:39.579 --> 00:28:40.299
 sin has been

00:28:40.299 --> 00:28:41.059
 catastrophic.

00:28:41.059 --> 00:28:42.980
 it's inescapable

00:28:42.980 --> 00:28:43.940
 with no way to

00:28:43.940 --> 00:28:45.679
 fix it, leaving

00:28:45.679 --> 00:28:46.279
 us all to

00:28:46.279 --> 00:28:47.579
 wonder, is

00:28:47.579 --> 00:28:48.220
 there any

00:28:48.220 --> 00:28:48.659
 hope?

00:28:49.940 --> 00:28:50.940
 The love that

00:28:50.940 --> 00:28:51.779
 prompted God to

00:28:51.779 --> 00:28:53.079
 create us also

00:28:53.079 --> 00:28:54.039
 prompted him to

00:28:54.039 --> 00:28:55.039
 send a Savior who

00:28:55.039 --> 00:28:56.000
 would set everything

00:28:56.000 --> 00:28:56.619
 right again.

00:28:57.440 --> 00:28:58.079
 As centuries

00:28:58.079 --> 00:28:59.240
 passed, God

00:28:59.240 --> 00:29:00.079
 shared exact

00:29:00.079 --> 00:29:00.960
 details of the

00:29:00.960 --> 00:29:01.819
 coming Savior's

00:29:01.819 --> 00:29:03.159
 birth, life,

00:29:03.679 --> 00:29:04.099
 and death.

00:29:04.839 --> 00:29:05.759
 Everything in the

00:29:05.759 --> 00:29:06.599
 Bible points to

00:29:06.599 --> 00:29:07.279
 this rescuer.

00:29:07.279 --> 00:29:08.399
 Father, almost

00:29:08.399 --> 00:29:09.399
 2,000 years

00:29:09.399 --> 00:29:10.480
 ago, Jesus

00:29:10.480 --> 00:29:10.980
 came to

00:29:10.980 --> 00:29:11.700
 earth as God

00:29:11.700 --> 00:29:12.420
 the Son to

00:29:12.420 --> 00:29:13.019
 fulfill the

00:29:13.019 --> 00:29:13.379
 promise.

00:29:14.099 --> 00:29:14.660
 He was born

00:29:14.660 --> 00:29:16.139
 miraculously, as

00:29:16.139 --> 00:29:17.039
 his mother was a

00:29:17.039 --> 00:29:17.279
 virgin.

00:29:18.000 --> 00:29:19.399
 Just like us, Jesus

00:29:19.399 --> 00:29:20.099
 grew up and

00:29:20.099 --> 00:29:21.339
 experienced life on

00:29:21.339 --> 00:29:21.559
 earth.

00:29:22.079 --> 00:29:23.720
 But unlike us, Jesus

00:29:23.720 --> 00:29:24.859
 never sinned and

00:29:24.859 --> 00:29:26.039
 always obeyed the

00:29:26.039 --> 00:29:26.319
 Father.

00:29:26.859 --> 00:29:27.779
 When Jesus was in

00:29:27.779 --> 00:29:28.940
 his 30s, he began

00:29:28.940 --> 00:29:30.119
 teaching all around

00:29:30.119 --> 00:29:31.500
 Israel, pointing

00:29:31.500 --> 00:29:32.460
 people to God's

00:29:32.460 --> 00:29:33.799
 kingdom, and

00:29:33.799 --> 00:29:34.599
 performing many

00:29:34.599 --> 00:29:35.059
 miracles.

00:29:35.059 --> 00:29:36.819
 after a few

00:29:36.819 --> 00:29:37.700
 years, he was

00:29:37.700 --> 00:29:38.639
 wrongly accused

00:29:38.639 --> 00:29:39.579
 and sentenced to

00:29:39.579 --> 00:29:40.899
 an agonizing death

00:29:40.899 --> 00:29:41.539
 on a cross.

00:29:42.379 --> 00:29:43.639
 Jesus lovingly gave

00:29:43.639 --> 00:29:44.579
 up his perfect

00:29:44.579 --> 00:29:45.299
 life as a

00:29:45.299 --> 00:29:47.119
 sacrifice to pay

00:29:47.119 --> 00:29:48.079
 for the sins of

00:29:48.079 --> 00:29:48.440
 mankind.

00:29:49.519 --> 00:29:50.419
 He died a perfect

00:29:50.419 --> 00:29:52.059
 death, taking our

00:29:52.059 --> 00:29:53.259
 place, the

00:29:53.259 --> 00:29:54.659
 innocent for the

00:29:54.659 --> 00:29:54.940
 guilty.

00:29:56.419 --> 00:29:57.500
 But the grave

00:29:57.500 --> 00:29:58.220
 couldn't hold

00:29:58.220 --> 00:29:58.659
 Jesus.

00:29:59.259 --> 00:30:00.179
 Three days later,

00:30:00.299 --> 00:30:01.220
 God brought Jesus

00:30:01.220 --> 00:30:02.119
 to life again.

00:30:02.119 --> 00:30:05.139
 Jesus defeated

00:30:05.139 --> 00:30:06.299
 sin by dying on

00:30:06.299 --> 00:30:07.339
 the cross, and

00:30:07.339 --> 00:30:08.759
 defeated death by

00:30:08.759 --> 00:30:09.619
 rising from the

00:30:09.619 --> 00:30:09.879
 dead.

00:30:11.139 --> 00:30:12.839
 Today, Jesus sits

00:30:12.839 --> 00:30:13.659
 at God's right

00:30:13.659 --> 00:30:14.879
 hand as king and

00:30:14.879 --> 00:30:16.059
 judge over all

00:30:16.059 --> 00:30:16.579
 creation.

00:30:17.239 --> 00:30:18.079
 This is the story

00:30:18.079 --> 00:30:19.439
 of rescue God has

00:30:19.439 --> 00:30:19.819
 authored.

00:30:20.579 --> 00:30:21.559
 He invites us,

00:30:21.879 --> 00:30:22.639
 through repentance

00:30:22.639 --> 00:30:24.219
 and faith, to make

00:30:24.219 --> 00:30:25.439
 his story of rescue

00:30:25.439 --> 00:30:26.679
 the one we trust in

00:30:26.679 --> 00:30:27.579
 and live from.

00:30:28.139 --> 00:30:28.899
 When we do,

00:30:29.459 --> 00:30:30.879
 everything changes.

00:30:30.880 --> 00:30:33.700
 And now, what

00:30:33.700 --> 00:30:34.340
 will the future

00:30:34.340 --> 00:30:34.720
 hold?

00:30:35.280 --> 00:30:36.080
 For everyone who

00:30:36.080 --> 00:30:36.980
 trusts in Jesus

00:30:36.980 --> 00:30:38.080
 alone for rescue,

00:30:38.720 --> 00:30:39.820
 God has promised to

00:30:39.820 --> 00:30:40.880
 restore your heart

00:30:40.880 --> 00:30:42.140
 and set you free

00:30:42.140 --> 00:30:43.300
 from sin's hold,

00:30:43.860 --> 00:30:44.660
 because God is

00:30:44.660 --> 00:30:46.060
 loving, kind,

00:30:46.620 --> 00:30:48.120
 merciful, forgiving,

00:30:48.740 --> 00:30:50.200
 tenderhearted, and

00:30:50.200 --> 00:30:50.420
 true.

00:30:51.620 --> 00:30:52.500
 God has also

00:30:52.500 --> 00:30:53.280
 promised to make

00:30:53.280 --> 00:30:54.440
 all things new.

00:30:55.100 --> 00:30:56.200
 One day, there

00:30:56.200 --> 00:30:56.940
 will be a new

00:30:56.940 --> 00:30:57.940
 heaven and a new

00:30:57.940 --> 00:30:59.260
 earth, forever free

00:30:59.259 --> 00:30:59.920
 from sin.

00:31:00.420 --> 00:31:01.119
 Everything that

00:31:01.119 --> 00:31:02.480
 causes pain and

00:31:02.480 --> 00:31:03.539
 sadness will be

00:31:03.539 --> 00:31:03.920
 gone.

00:31:06.920 --> 00:31:07.980
 God has also

00:31:07.980 --> 00:31:08.700
 promised to be

00:31:08.700 --> 00:31:09.720
 with us forever.

00:31:10.379 --> 00:31:11.180
 The moment you

00:31:11.180 --> 00:31:12.000
 trust in Jesus,

00:31:12.299 --> 00:31:13.019
 your relationship

00:31:13.019 --> 00:31:13.759
 with God is

00:31:13.759 --> 00:31:14.799
 restored, because

00:31:14.799 --> 00:31:15.980
 Jesus has closed

00:31:15.980 --> 00:31:17.039
 the divide sin

00:31:17.039 --> 00:31:17.539
 caused.

00:31:18.859 --> 00:31:19.879
 Getting to know

00:31:19.879 --> 00:31:20.839
 this all-loving

00:31:20.839 --> 00:31:22.119
 God starts today

00:31:22.119 --> 00:31:23.519
 and continues

00:31:23.519 --> 00:31:24.140
 forever.

00:31:25.140 --> 00:31:26.339
 For God's story

00:31:26.339 --> 00:31:28.279
 never ends.

00:31:30.000 --> 00:31:31.000
 You can make

00:31:31.000 --> 00:31:31.839
 God's story the

00:31:31.839 --> 00:31:32.720
 foundation of your

00:31:32.720 --> 00:31:33.919
 life even now

00:31:33.919 --> 00:31:35.559
 by admitting your

00:31:35.559 --> 00:31:36.559
 need for God's

00:31:36.559 --> 00:31:36.980
 rescue,

00:31:38.259 --> 00:31:40.000
 asking forgiveness

00:31:40.000 --> 00:31:40.839
 for your sin,

00:31:42.399 --> 00:31:43.539
 trusting in Jesus

00:31:43.539 --> 00:31:44.779
 Christ alone to

00:31:44.779 --> 00:31:45.579
 rescue you,

00:31:46.839 --> 00:31:47.879
 following Jesus in

00:31:47.879 --> 00:31:49.119
 faith from this

00:31:49.119 --> 00:31:49.799
 moment on.

00:31:51.619 --> 00:31:53.159
 This is God's

00:31:53.159 --> 00:31:53.480
 story.

00:31:53.480 --> 00:31:55.880
 will you make

00:31:55.880 --> 00:31:56.400
 it yours?

00:32:00.140 --> 00:32:00.880
 So I think

00:32:00.880 --> 00:32:01.599
 that's a wonderful

00:32:01.599 --> 00:32:03.299
 like big flyover

00:32:03.299 --> 00:32:04.299
 of the redemptive

00:32:04.299 --> 00:32:05.259
 story of

00:32:05.259 --> 00:32:05.779
 scripture.

00:32:05.940 --> 00:32:06.700
 You have creation

00:32:06.700 --> 00:32:07.799
 and fall just in

00:32:07.799 --> 00:32:08.660
 the first three

00:32:08.660 --> 00:32:09.880
 chapters of the

00:32:09.880 --> 00:32:10.860
 book of Genesis.

00:32:11.200 --> 00:32:12.220
 And everything that

00:32:12.220 --> 00:32:13.120
 follows through the

00:32:13.120 --> 00:32:14.420
 Old Testament is

00:32:14.420 --> 00:32:15.519
 about pointing to

00:32:15.519 --> 00:32:16.620
 the future promise

00:32:16.620 --> 00:32:17.180
 of Christ.

00:32:17.279 --> 00:32:18.059
 People were saved

00:32:18.059 --> 00:32:19.519
 then by faith in

00:32:19.519 --> 00:32:21.299
 this future promise.

00:32:21.299 --> 00:32:22.119
 And we're now

00:32:22.119 --> 00:32:23.119
 drawn back to

00:32:23.119 --> 00:32:23.779
 believe in the

00:32:23.779 --> 00:32:25.460
 realized promise of

00:32:25.460 --> 00:32:26.240
 Christ and the

00:32:26.240 --> 00:32:26.779
 redemption of our

00:32:26.779 --> 00:32:27.639
 sin in his

00:32:27.639 --> 00:32:29.299
 person and his

00:32:29.299 --> 00:32:30.119
 work.

00:32:30.259 --> 00:32:31.279
 It's a wonderful,

00:32:31.579 --> 00:32:32.240
 wonderful story.

00:32:32.359 --> 00:32:32.899
 And this is what we

00:32:32.899 --> 00:32:33.839
 want to draw people

00:32:33.839 --> 00:32:34.259
 into.

00:32:34.859 --> 00:32:35.639
 They're unique,

00:32:35.899 --> 00:32:37.639
 but we are the

00:32:37.639 --> 00:32:37.940
 same.

00:32:39.240 --> 00:32:39.500
 Now,

00:32:40.720 --> 00:32:41.839
 each year,

00:32:42.220 --> 00:32:42.960
 Lifeway Research

00:32:42.960 --> 00:32:43.839
 conducts and

00:32:43.839 --> 00:32:44.980
 releases a

00:32:44.980 --> 00:32:45.839
 denominational

00:32:45.839 --> 00:32:46.759
 report entitled

00:32:46.759 --> 00:32:47.379
 the Annual

00:32:47.379 --> 00:32:48.379
 Church Profile

00:32:48.379 --> 00:32:49.059
 Report.

00:32:49.659 --> 00:32:50.279
 Some of you may

00:32:50.279 --> 00:32:50.779
 not know this,

00:32:50.779 --> 00:32:51.160
 but we're a

00:32:51.160 --> 00:32:51.619
 Southern Baptist

00:32:51.619 --> 00:32:52.639
 Church.

00:32:52.920 --> 00:32:53.420
 So this is for

00:32:53.420 --> 00:32:53.879
 the SBC.

00:32:54.660 --> 00:32:55.359
 In 2006,

00:32:55.619 --> 00:32:56.139
 they reported

00:32:56.139 --> 00:32:58.339
 that the member

00:32:58.339 --> 00:32:59.039
 to baptism

00:32:59.039 --> 00:33:00.359
 ratio for SBC

00:33:00.359 --> 00:33:01.339
 churches was

00:33:01.339 --> 00:33:03.160
 86 to 1.

00:33:04.379 --> 00:33:05.139
 So that's saying

00:33:05.139 --> 00:33:05.940
 that they're just

00:33:05.940 --> 00:33:06.839
 counting the stats

00:33:06.839 --> 00:33:07.859
 up and we know

00:33:07.859 --> 00:33:08.819
 stats can get all

00:33:08.819 --> 00:33:09.559
 skewed and funky

00:33:09.559 --> 00:33:10.500
 like probably a lot

00:33:10.500 --> 00:33:11.220
 of those people

00:33:11.220 --> 00:33:11.759
 that were counted

00:33:11.759 --> 00:33:12.399
 as members were

00:33:12.399 --> 00:33:12.960
 counted multiple

00:33:12.960 --> 00:33:13.639
 times because they

00:33:13.639 --> 00:33:13.940
 probably had

00:33:13.940 --> 00:33:14.500
 membership at

00:33:14.500 --> 00:33:15.940
 multiple churches.

00:33:16.920 --> 00:33:17.440
 Certainly,

00:33:17.579 --> 00:33:18.740
 we can't be

00:33:18.740 --> 00:33:20.279
 sure that every

00:33:20.279 --> 00:33:21.099
 baptism was a

00:33:21.099 --> 00:33:21.680
 true conversion

00:33:21.680 --> 00:33:22.279
 or that every

00:33:22.279 --> 00:33:22.859
 person that

00:33:22.859 --> 00:33:23.519
 converted was

00:33:23.519 --> 00:33:24.240
 necessarily

00:33:24.240 --> 00:33:25.099
 baptized,

00:33:25.399 --> 00:33:26.980
 recognizing full

00:33:26.980 --> 00:33:27.559
 well that

00:33:27.559 --> 00:33:29.980
 statistics can be

00:33:29.980 --> 00:33:30.359
 skewed,

00:33:30.480 --> 00:33:31.180
 but all the same,

00:33:32.180 --> 00:33:32.879
 this report

00:33:32.879 --> 00:33:33.759
 looks at the

00:33:33.759 --> 00:33:34.420
 number of

00:33:34.420 --> 00:33:35.059
 members of

00:33:35.059 --> 00:33:35.799
 SBC churches

00:33:35.799 --> 00:33:36.379
 and the number

00:33:36.379 --> 00:33:37.200
 of baptisms

00:33:37.200 --> 00:33:37.700
 reported,

00:33:37.839 --> 00:33:38.099
 and that's

00:33:38.099 --> 00:33:39.000
 86 to 1

00:33:39.000 --> 00:33:39.579
 in 2006.

00:33:39.799 --> 00:33:40.160
 So that's to

00:33:40.160 --> 00:33:40.539
 say that it

00:33:40.539 --> 00:33:42.139
 took 86 members

00:33:42.139 --> 00:33:43.899
 to see one

00:33:43.899 --> 00:33:44.759
 person converted

00:33:44.759 --> 00:33:45.599
 to faith in

00:33:45.599 --> 00:33:45.960
 Christ.

00:33:47.019 --> 00:33:47.720
 I hope that's

00:33:47.720 --> 00:33:48.160
 a staggering

00:33:48.160 --> 00:33:48.920
 number to you.

00:33:49.180 --> 00:33:49.579
 That means there's

00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:50.379
 a lot of

00:33:50.379 --> 00:33:51.920
 inactivity in

00:33:51.920 --> 00:33:53.519
 the church in

00:33:53.519 --> 00:33:53.920
 2006.

00:33:55.180 --> 00:33:55.819
 This year,

00:33:55.920 --> 00:33:56.420
 they reported,

00:33:56.579 --> 00:33:57.619
 so for last

00:33:57.619 --> 00:33:59.019
 year, an

00:33:59.019 --> 00:33:59.940
 improvement on

00:33:59.940 --> 00:34:00.599
 that ratio.

00:34:00.720 --> 00:34:01.519
 I'm thankful

00:34:01.519 --> 00:34:02.140
 for, praise

00:34:02.140 --> 00:34:03.440
 God, that it's

00:34:03.440 --> 00:34:04.259
 for last year,

00:34:04.839 --> 00:34:07.039
 2015, 52 to

00:34:07.039 --> 00:34:07.319
 1.

00:34:08.420 --> 00:34:09.900
 Better, but

00:34:09.900 --> 00:34:10.320
 not great.

00:34:10.320 --> 00:34:12.940
 Now our

00:34:12.940 --> 00:34:13.260
 church.

00:34:14.300 --> 00:34:15.180
 You recall

00:34:15.180 --> 00:34:15.920
 that we

00:34:15.920 --> 00:34:16.700
 have sent out

00:34:16.700 --> 00:34:17.620
 a survey for

00:34:17.620 --> 00:34:18.160
 our members,

00:34:18.580 --> 00:34:19.240
 we've called it

00:34:19.240 --> 00:34:19.760
 the Member Health

00:34:19.760 --> 00:34:20.880
 Survey, in

00:34:20.880 --> 00:34:21.360
 which we made

00:34:21.360 --> 00:34:22.000
 this statement

00:34:22.000 --> 00:34:22.700
 and we asked

00:34:22.700 --> 00:34:23.360
 people to

00:34:23.360 --> 00:34:24.700
 strongly disagree

00:34:24.700 --> 00:34:25.420
 or strongly

00:34:25.420 --> 00:34:26.260
 agree and a

00:34:26.260 --> 00:34:27.120
 range of

00:34:27.120 --> 00:34:27.720
 answers in

00:34:27.720 --> 00:34:28.940
 between, and

00:34:28.940 --> 00:34:29.240
 the statement

00:34:29.240 --> 00:34:29.700
 was this,

00:34:29.840 --> 00:34:30.620
 I have led

00:34:30.620 --> 00:34:31.539
 someone to

00:34:31.539 --> 00:34:31.920
 faith in

00:34:31.920 --> 00:34:32.840
 Christ this

00:34:32.840 --> 00:34:33.080
 year.

00:34:33.620 --> 00:34:34.240
 I have led

00:34:34.240 --> 00:34:34.580
 someone to

00:34:34.580 --> 00:34:34.840
 faith in

00:34:34.840 --> 00:34:35.180
 Christ this

00:34:35.180 --> 00:34:35.300
 year.

00:34:35.380 --> 00:34:35.660
 And again,

00:34:35.740 --> 00:34:36.380
 we recognize

00:34:36.380 --> 00:34:37.160
 that gathering

00:34:37.160 --> 00:34:37.519
 this kind of

00:34:37.519 --> 00:34:37.920
 information,

00:34:38.260 --> 00:34:39.220
 even the way

00:34:39.220 --> 00:34:39.880
 some people may

00:34:39.880 --> 00:34:40.300
 have read

00:34:40.300 --> 00:34:41.000
 the question

00:34:41.000 --> 00:34:41.760
 could be

00:34:41.760 --> 00:34:42.340
 misleading.

00:34:42.880 --> 00:34:44.060
 So we

00:34:44.060 --> 00:34:45.580
 recognize this

00:34:45.580 --> 00:34:46.300
 full well, but

00:34:46.300 --> 00:34:46.840
 all the same,

00:34:46.940 --> 00:34:48.000
 if we take

00:34:48.000 --> 00:34:49.460
 the answers

00:34:49.460 --> 00:34:49.940
 that were

00:34:49.940 --> 00:34:51.440
 given, three

00:34:51.440 --> 00:34:52.039
 people said

00:34:52.039 --> 00:34:54.120
 agree and

00:34:54.120 --> 00:34:54.640
 three people

00:34:54.640 --> 00:34:55.640
 said strongly

00:34:55.640 --> 00:34:55.980
 agree.

00:34:57.440 --> 00:34:58.400
 That's six.

00:34:59.620 --> 00:35:00.300
 That's six.

00:35:01.560 --> 00:35:02.200
 Which brings

00:35:02.200 --> 00:35:03.519
 our ratio, and

00:35:03.519 --> 00:35:04.180
 again, praise

00:35:04.180 --> 00:35:04.860
 God, praise

00:35:04.860 --> 00:35:05.519
 God our ratio

00:35:05.519 --> 00:35:06.320
 is better than

00:35:06.320 --> 00:35:07.060
 the average

00:35:07.060 --> 00:35:08.460
 Southern Baptist

00:35:08.460 --> 00:35:09.300
 church, I

00:35:09.300 --> 00:35:09.960
 suppose, with

00:35:09.960 --> 00:35:10.500
 this ratio of

00:35:10.500 --> 00:35:11.599
 52 to 1 to

00:35:11.599 --> 00:35:12.400
 15 to 1.

00:35:14.039 --> 00:35:14.699
 So this is

00:35:14.699 --> 00:35:16.460
 us right

00:35:16.460 --> 00:35:16.699
 now.

00:35:18.039 --> 00:35:18.760
 I'm thankful,

00:35:18.960 --> 00:35:19.300
 man I'm

00:35:19.300 --> 00:35:19.679
 thankful, I

00:35:19.679 --> 00:35:20.420
 am so thankful

00:35:20.420 --> 00:35:21.039
 that last

00:35:21.039 --> 00:35:22.400
 year, by the

00:35:22.400 --> 00:35:23.800
 work of six

00:35:23.800 --> 00:35:24.340
 members of our

00:35:24.340 --> 00:35:26.300
 church, or

00:35:26.300 --> 00:35:28.199
 maybe one, I

00:35:28.199 --> 00:35:28.559
 guess is

00:35:28.559 --> 00:35:29.599
 possible, no

00:35:29.599 --> 00:35:29.840
 it's not

00:35:29.840 --> 00:35:30.559
 possible, six

00:35:30.559 --> 00:35:31.119
 members, they

00:35:31.119 --> 00:35:31.460
 answered in

00:35:31.460 --> 00:35:32.099
 that way, agree

00:35:32.099 --> 00:35:32.760
 or strongly

00:35:32.760 --> 00:35:34.559
 agree, that

00:35:34.559 --> 00:35:35.240
 six people came

00:35:35.240 --> 00:35:35.659
 to faith in

00:35:35.659 --> 00:35:35.980
 Christ.

00:35:36.820 --> 00:35:37.159
 What a

00:35:37.159 --> 00:35:37.619
 wonderful,

00:35:37.800 --> 00:35:38.380
 wonderful reality,

00:35:38.380 --> 00:35:38.800
 we should

00:35:38.800 --> 00:35:39.440
 rejoice in

00:35:39.440 --> 00:35:39.880
 that, but I

00:35:39.880 --> 00:35:40.240
 would say to

00:35:40.240 --> 00:35:40.640
 you, beloved,

00:35:40.740 --> 00:35:41.280
 it's not

00:35:41.280 --> 00:35:42.099
 enough.

00:35:43.220 --> 00:35:43.720
 It's not

00:35:43.720 --> 00:35:44.000
 enough.

00:35:44.440 --> 00:35:44.840
 That means

00:35:44.840 --> 00:35:45.340
 that a lot

00:35:45.340 --> 00:35:46.200
 of us are

00:35:46.200 --> 00:35:47.059
 not actively

00:35:47.059 --> 00:35:48.079
 sharing the

00:35:48.079 --> 00:35:49.260
 gospel with

00:35:49.260 --> 00:35:49.680
 those around

00:35:49.680 --> 00:35:50.059
 us.

00:35:51.180 --> 00:35:51.640
 So the

00:35:51.640 --> 00:35:52.500
 challenge that

00:35:52.500 --> 00:35:54.480
 the elders of

00:35:54.480 --> 00:35:55.360
 CFC Dahlonega are

00:35:55.360 --> 00:35:56.539
 issuing to our

00:35:56.539 --> 00:35:57.180
 fellowship this

00:35:57.180 --> 00:35:58.900
 morning, we

00:35:58.900 --> 00:35:59.200
 want to see

00:35:59.200 --> 00:36:00.180
 happen across the

00:36:00.180 --> 00:36:01.220
 next year, is to

00:36:01.220 --> 00:36:01.840
 change that

00:36:01.840 --> 00:36:02.920
 ratio, to see

00:36:02.920 --> 00:36:03.300
 that ratio

00:36:03.300 --> 00:36:03.640
 change.

00:36:03.740 --> 00:36:04.280
 And I am not

00:36:04.280 --> 00:36:04.980
 saying that this

00:36:04.980 --> 00:36:05.660
 is not a work of

00:36:05.659 --> 00:36:05.879
 God.

00:36:06.299 --> 00:36:06.799
 I am not

00:36:06.799 --> 00:36:07.259
 saying that we

00:36:07.259 --> 00:36:07.500
 are going to

00:36:07.500 --> 00:36:08.960
 knuckle down and

00:36:08.960 --> 00:36:09.420
 get it done.

00:36:09.500 --> 00:36:09.759
 That is not

00:36:09.759 --> 00:36:09.980
 what I am

00:36:09.980 --> 00:36:10.239
 saying.

00:36:11.139 --> 00:36:11.679
 What I am

00:36:11.679 --> 00:36:12.179
 saying, though, is

00:36:12.179 --> 00:36:13.639
 that this work

00:36:13.639 --> 00:36:14.539
 of God also

00:36:14.539 --> 00:36:15.519
 requires work on

00:36:15.519 --> 00:36:16.099
 our part.

00:36:16.819 --> 00:36:17.079
 And I am going

00:36:17.079 --> 00:36:17.619
 to go on to

00:36:17.619 --> 00:36:18.179
 suggest to you

00:36:18.179 --> 00:36:18.699
 that I think

00:36:18.699 --> 00:36:19.179
 it is that we

00:36:19.179 --> 00:36:19.579
 are not doing

00:36:19.579 --> 00:36:20.159
 the work, not

00:36:20.159 --> 00:36:21.039
 that he doesn't

00:36:21.039 --> 00:36:22.099
 desire to work

00:36:22.099 --> 00:36:23.859
 out salvation in

00:36:23.859 --> 00:36:24.239
 the lives of

00:36:24.239 --> 00:36:24.739
 this community.

00:36:25.679 --> 00:36:25.960
 So the

00:36:25.960 --> 00:36:26.399
 challenge being

00:36:26.399 --> 00:36:27.179
 issued to our

00:36:27.179 --> 00:36:27.659
 fellowship this

00:36:27.659 --> 00:36:28.179
 morning is to

00:36:28.179 --> 00:36:28.759
 see this ratio

00:36:28.759 --> 00:36:29.799
 change next year

00:36:29.799 --> 00:36:31.500
 to one to

00:36:31.500 --> 00:36:31.759
 one.

00:36:31.760 --> 00:36:34.600
 And that

00:36:34.600 --> 00:36:35.180
 means, and this

00:36:35.180 --> 00:36:36.380
 is being pressed

00:36:36.380 --> 00:36:36.940
 upon and

00:36:36.940 --> 00:36:37.720
 expected of,

00:36:37.820 --> 00:36:38.340
 members of

00:36:38.340 --> 00:36:38.740
 Christ Family

00:36:38.740 --> 00:36:39.120
 Church, if

00:36:39.120 --> 00:36:39.620
 you are not a

00:36:39.620 --> 00:36:39.940
 member of

00:36:39.940 --> 00:36:40.380
 Christ Family

00:36:40.380 --> 00:36:41.140
 Church, you

00:36:41.140 --> 00:36:41.540
 should be a

00:36:41.540 --> 00:36:41.920
 member of a

00:36:41.920 --> 00:36:42.480
 church, whether

00:36:42.480 --> 00:36:42.920
 it is here or

00:36:42.920 --> 00:36:43.360
 not, so you are

00:36:43.360 --> 00:36:44.080
 not entirely off

00:36:44.080 --> 00:36:45.080
 the hook in this

00:36:45.080 --> 00:36:45.380
 regard.

00:36:45.480 --> 00:36:45.880
 If you are a

00:36:45.880 --> 00:36:46.240
 follower of

00:36:46.240 --> 00:36:46.940
 Jesus Christ, you

00:36:46.940 --> 00:36:47.640
 are not off the

00:36:47.640 --> 00:36:48.100
 hook, you are

00:36:48.100 --> 00:36:49.240
 meant to be sharing

00:36:49.240 --> 00:36:49.800
 the gospel of

00:36:49.800 --> 00:36:50.680
 Jesus Christ, but

00:36:50.680 --> 00:36:51.300
 we are going to

00:36:51.300 --> 00:36:52.460
 place an expectation

00:36:52.460 --> 00:36:53.760
 upon members of

00:36:53.760 --> 00:36:54.180
 our church that

00:36:54.180 --> 00:36:54.900
 they be working

00:36:54.900 --> 00:36:55.200
 at this.

00:36:55.280 --> 00:36:56.680
 Not that you

00:36:56.680 --> 00:36:57.680
 are going to get

00:36:57.680 --> 00:36:58.440
 your t-shirt when

00:36:58.440 --> 00:36:58.920
 you see somebody

00:36:58.920 --> 00:36:59.700
 come to faith in

00:36:59.700 --> 00:37:00.280
 Christ, that

00:37:00.280 --> 00:37:00.620
 we are going to

00:37:00.619 --> 00:37:02.519
 get some extra

00:37:02.519 --> 00:37:03.480
 points, a gold

00:37:03.480 --> 00:37:04.019
 star on your

00:37:04.019 --> 00:37:04.920
 chart, that you

00:37:04.920 --> 00:37:07.059
 get a new ESV

00:37:07.059 --> 00:37:07.839
 study Bible or

00:37:07.839 --> 00:37:08.279
 anything like

00:37:08.279 --> 00:37:08.679
 that.

00:37:10.679 --> 00:37:11.759
 But to set some

00:37:11.759 --> 00:37:12.759
 goals together and

00:37:12.759 --> 00:37:13.460
 say, we can do

00:37:13.460 --> 00:37:14.839
 this, let's start

00:37:14.839 --> 00:37:16.400
 encouraging and

00:37:16.400 --> 00:37:17.299
 pressing at one

00:37:17.299 --> 00:37:17.960
 another to be

00:37:17.960 --> 00:37:18.719
 actively sharing

00:37:18.719 --> 00:37:19.500
 our faith in a

00:37:19.500 --> 00:37:21.519
 way that we're

00:37:21.519 --> 00:37:22.859
 used like this by

00:37:22.859 --> 00:37:23.440
 God.

00:37:24.239 --> 00:37:25.059
 I'd love to see

00:37:25.059 --> 00:37:25.639
 it go beyond

00:37:25.639 --> 00:37:25.880
 this.

00:37:25.940 --> 00:37:26.400
 I'd love to see

00:37:26.400 --> 00:37:27.519
 it be 1 to 2

00:37:27.519 --> 00:37:28.779
 or 1 to 10

00:37:28.779 --> 00:37:30.259
 or 1 to 20.

00:37:30.619 --> 00:37:32.000
 Let's press

00:37:32.000 --> 00:37:32.759
 this next year

00:37:32.759 --> 00:37:33.920
 to see it be

00:37:33.920 --> 00:37:35.960
 1 to 1.

00:37:36.039 --> 00:37:36.960
 Not legalistically,

00:37:37.119 --> 00:37:38.019
 I'm not suggesting

00:37:38.019 --> 00:37:38.279
 that.

00:37:38.339 --> 00:37:38.739
 You won't be

00:37:38.739 --> 00:37:39.159
 kicked out of

00:37:39.159 --> 00:37:39.980
 the church if

00:37:39.980 --> 00:37:41.719
 you're not seeing

00:37:41.719 --> 00:37:42.400
 someone converted

00:37:42.400 --> 00:37:43.219
 in your life.

00:37:44.839 --> 00:37:45.619
 If this seems

00:37:45.619 --> 00:37:46.339
 extreme to you,

00:37:46.380 --> 00:37:46.639
 if you go,

00:37:46.719 --> 00:37:47.139
 but Nathan,

00:37:47.299 --> 00:37:47.940
 come on,

00:37:48.000 --> 00:37:48.279
 man.

00:37:48.799 --> 00:37:49.400
 We're going to

00:37:49.400 --> 00:37:51.559
 double the

00:37:51.559 --> 00:37:52.679
 fellowship in

00:37:52.679 --> 00:37:53.359
 this next year.

00:37:54.440 --> 00:37:55.199
 Let me say to

00:37:55.199 --> 00:37:56.239
 you that I

00:37:56.239 --> 00:37:56.759
 have for a

00:37:56.759 --> 00:37:57.839
 long time

00:37:57.839 --> 00:37:58.779
 operated under

00:37:58.780 --> 00:37:59.440
 this notion

00:37:59.440 --> 00:38:00.040
 that we live

00:38:00.040 --> 00:38:00.519
 in the days

00:38:00.519 --> 00:38:01.420
 of Jeremiah.

00:38:02.080 --> 00:38:02.380
 Jeremiah,

00:38:02.500 --> 00:38:02.680
 if you're not

00:38:02.680 --> 00:38:03.120
 familiar with

00:38:03.120 --> 00:38:03.440
 him as a

00:38:03.440 --> 00:38:03.800
 prophet,

00:38:04.060 --> 00:38:04.900
 we see some

00:38:04.900 --> 00:38:06.000
 evidence across

00:38:06.000 --> 00:38:06.820
 his whole ministry,

00:38:06.920 --> 00:38:07.420
 his lifelong

00:38:07.420 --> 00:38:08.019
 ministry of

00:38:08.019 --> 00:38:08.500
 calling people

00:38:08.500 --> 00:38:09.160
 back to God.

00:38:09.800 --> 00:38:10.660
 Possibly one

00:38:10.660 --> 00:38:11.440
 person who

00:38:11.440 --> 00:38:12.820
 turned back

00:38:12.820 --> 00:38:13.260
 to God,

00:38:13.340 --> 00:38:15.380
 a very fruitless

00:38:15.380 --> 00:38:17.100
 ministry as far

00:38:17.100 --> 00:38:18.300
 as following

00:38:18.300 --> 00:38:19.560
 God was

00:38:19.560 --> 00:38:20.120
 concerned.

00:38:21.380 --> 00:38:21.800
 And I have

00:38:21.800 --> 00:38:22.500
 long thought,

00:38:22.600 --> 00:38:23.019
 if we're going

00:38:23.019 --> 00:38:23.740
 to be true and

00:38:23.740 --> 00:38:24.100
 we're going to

00:38:24.100 --> 00:38:24.700
 be faithful,

00:38:24.820 --> 00:38:25.400
 that's not

00:38:25.400 --> 00:38:26.040
 appealing to

00:38:26.040 --> 00:38:26.280
 people.

00:38:26.380 --> 00:38:26.760
 We're just

00:38:26.760 --> 00:38:27.140
 going to have

00:38:27.139 --> 00:38:27.460
 to keep

00:38:27.460 --> 00:38:27.940
 grinding,

00:38:28.279 --> 00:38:28.420
 right?

00:38:28.480 --> 00:38:28.879
 We're just

00:38:28.879 --> 00:38:29.239
 going to keep

00:38:29.239 --> 00:38:29.619
 grinding,

00:38:29.719 --> 00:38:30.139
 keep doing

00:38:30.139 --> 00:38:30.619
 the thing

00:38:30.619 --> 00:38:31.400
 that we're

00:38:31.400 --> 00:38:31.699
 doing.

00:38:32.579 --> 00:38:32.960
 And I don't

00:38:32.960 --> 00:38:33.359
 think we live

00:38:33.359 --> 00:38:33.859
 in the days

00:38:33.859 --> 00:38:34.819
 of Jeremiah,

00:38:34.940 --> 00:38:35.159
 and I want

00:38:35.159 --> 00:38:35.559
 to show you

00:38:35.559 --> 00:38:35.659
 that.

00:38:35.739 --> 00:38:35.940
 I want you

00:38:35.940 --> 00:38:36.500
 to turn to

00:38:36.500 --> 00:38:37.019
 Luke chapter

00:38:37.019 --> 00:38:37.799
 10 with

00:38:37.799 --> 00:38:38.199
 me to see

00:38:38.199 --> 00:38:38.519
 this.

00:38:57.139 --> 00:38:58.619
 this is the

00:38:58.619 --> 00:38:58.960
 account of

00:38:58.960 --> 00:38:59.420
 Jesus sending

00:38:59.420 --> 00:39:00.519
 out a broader

00:39:00.519 --> 00:39:01.239
 group of

00:39:01.239 --> 00:39:02.279
 disciples to

00:39:02.279 --> 00:39:03.179
 proclaim the

00:39:03.179 --> 00:39:03.599
 good news of

00:39:03.599 --> 00:39:04.000
 the gospel.

00:39:05.460 --> 00:39:06.019
 Beginning in

00:39:06.019 --> 00:39:06.480
 verse 1,

00:39:06.559 --> 00:39:07.119
 after this the

00:39:07.119 --> 00:39:07.699
 Lord appointed

00:39:07.699 --> 00:39:09.460
 72 others

00:39:09.460 --> 00:39:10.879
 with 36 pairs

00:39:10.879 --> 00:39:11.579
 and sent them

00:39:11.579 --> 00:39:12.779
 on ahead of

00:39:12.779 --> 00:39:12.940
 him,

00:39:13.019 --> 00:39:13.659
 two by two,

00:39:14.059 --> 00:39:14.579
 into every

00:39:14.579 --> 00:39:15.159
 town and

00:39:15.159 --> 00:39:15.619
 place where

00:39:15.619 --> 00:39:16.199
 he himself

00:39:16.199 --> 00:39:16.799
 was about

00:39:16.799 --> 00:39:17.239
 to go.

00:39:17.319 --> 00:39:17.579
 They went

00:39:17.579 --> 00:39:17.940
 ahead of

00:39:17.940 --> 00:39:18.259
 him as

00:39:18.259 --> 00:39:19.359
 heralds.

00:39:20.480 --> 00:39:21.000
 And he

00:39:21.000 --> 00:39:21.379
 said to

00:39:21.379 --> 00:39:21.639
 them,

00:39:22.420 --> 00:39:23.039
 the harvest

00:39:23.039 --> 00:39:23.699
 is plentiful,

00:39:24.159 --> 00:39:24.699
 but the

00:39:24.699 --> 00:39:25.460
 laborers are

00:39:25.460 --> 00:39:25.759
 few.

00:39:25.760 --> 00:39:27.300
 Therefore,

00:39:27.860 --> 00:39:28.820
 pray earnestly

00:39:28.820 --> 00:39:29.240
 to the Lord

00:39:29.240 --> 00:39:29.640
 of the harvest

00:39:29.640 --> 00:39:30.560
 to send out

00:39:30.560 --> 00:39:32.180
 laborers into

00:39:32.180 --> 00:39:32.740
 his harvest.

00:39:33.880 --> 00:39:34.440
 Jesus goes

00:39:34.440 --> 00:39:35.000
 on to tell

00:39:35.000 --> 00:39:35.560
 them that

00:39:35.560 --> 00:39:36.000
 some will

00:39:36.000 --> 00:39:36.660
 receive them

00:39:36.660 --> 00:39:37.080
 and their

00:39:37.080 --> 00:39:37.720
 message and

00:39:37.720 --> 00:39:38.120
 others will

00:39:38.120 --> 00:39:38.480
 not.

00:39:39.240 --> 00:39:39.860
 There should

00:39:39.860 --> 00:39:40.040
 be an

00:39:40.040 --> 00:39:40.780
 expectation on

00:39:40.780 --> 00:39:41.100
 their part

00:39:41.100 --> 00:39:41.440
 that as

00:39:41.440 --> 00:39:42.200
 they're going

00:39:42.200 --> 00:39:43.000
 and proclaiming

00:39:43.000 --> 00:39:43.640
 the coming

00:39:43.640 --> 00:39:44.160
 of the kingdom,

00:39:44.280 --> 00:39:44.780
 the good news

00:39:44.780 --> 00:39:45.120
 of Jesus

00:39:45.120 --> 00:39:45.540
 Christ,

00:39:45.660 --> 00:39:46.060
 that some

00:39:46.060 --> 00:39:46.580
 will accept

00:39:46.580 --> 00:39:46.920
 it and

00:39:46.920 --> 00:39:48.060
 some will

00:39:48.060 --> 00:39:48.420
 not.

00:39:50.340 --> 00:39:50.700
 But then

00:39:50.700 --> 00:39:50.880
 he does

00:39:50.880 --> 00:39:51.540
 this really

00:39:51.540 --> 00:39:52.900
 curious thing.

00:39:53.160 --> 00:39:54.040
 Note carefully

00:39:54.040 --> 00:39:54.820
 this thing

00:39:54.820 --> 00:39:55.660
 that he does

00:39:55.659 --> 00:39:56.659
 say,

00:39:56.659 --> 00:39:57.339
 the harvest

00:39:57.339 --> 00:39:57.920
 is plentiful,

00:39:58.139 --> 00:39:59.000
 but the

00:39:59.000 --> 00:39:59.980
 laborers are

00:39:59.980 --> 00:40:00.359
 few,

00:40:00.440 --> 00:40:00.639
 and then he

00:40:00.639 --> 00:40:00.899
 tells them

00:40:00.899 --> 00:40:01.299
 to pray.

00:40:02.339 --> 00:40:02.779
 And he

00:40:02.779 --> 00:40:03.219
 doesn't suggest

00:40:03.219 --> 00:40:03.460
 that they

00:40:03.460 --> 00:40:03.719
 pray for

00:40:03.719 --> 00:40:04.139
 the harvest.

00:40:04.299 --> 00:40:04.440
 Now,

00:40:04.579 --> 00:40:04.899
 I don't

00:40:04.899 --> 00:40:05.420
 believe that

00:40:05.420 --> 00:40:05.799
 what we

00:40:05.799 --> 00:40:06.159
 should take

00:40:06.159 --> 00:40:06.460
 from this

00:40:06.460 --> 00:40:06.659
 is that

00:40:06.659 --> 00:40:07.019
 we ought

00:40:07.019 --> 00:40:07.559
 not pray

00:40:07.559 --> 00:40:07.940
 that people

00:40:07.940 --> 00:40:08.379
 be converted

00:40:08.379 --> 00:40:08.920
 to Christ.

00:40:08.980 --> 00:40:09.199
 We should

00:40:09.199 --> 00:40:09.559
 definitely

00:40:09.559 --> 00:40:09.980
 do that.

00:40:10.199 --> 00:40:10.559
 We should

00:40:10.559 --> 00:40:10.799
 definitely

00:40:10.799 --> 00:40:11.239
 be praying

00:40:11.239 --> 00:40:11.599
 that people

00:40:11.599 --> 00:40:12.299
 would respond

00:40:12.299 --> 00:40:12.759
 in faith

00:40:12.759 --> 00:40:13.519
 to the

00:40:13.519 --> 00:40:13.759
 gospel

00:40:13.759 --> 00:40:14.239
 proclaimed.

00:40:14.559 --> 00:40:14.920
 But that's

00:40:14.920 --> 00:40:15.159
 not what

00:40:15.159 --> 00:40:15.619
 he tells

00:40:15.619 --> 00:40:15.899
 them to

00:40:15.899 --> 00:40:16.039
 do.

00:40:16.139 --> 00:40:16.500
 He says,

00:40:16.779 --> 00:40:17.339
 there is

00:40:17.339 --> 00:40:18.239
 a harvest.

00:40:18.679 --> 00:40:18.980
 It's a

00:40:18.980 --> 00:40:19.759
 plentiful harvest.

00:40:20.279 --> 00:40:20.559
 It's a

00:40:20.559 --> 00:40:21.199
 huge harvest.

00:40:21.199 --> 00:40:22.219
 Souls ready to

00:40:25.659 --> 00:40:26.039
 but there's

00:40:26.039 --> 00:40:26.659
 a problem.

00:40:28.259 --> 00:40:28.420
 The

00:40:28.420 --> 00:40:29.139
 laborers

00:40:29.139 --> 00:40:30.460
 are few.

00:40:32.039 --> 00:40:32.699
 So pray

00:40:32.699 --> 00:40:34.039
 for

00:40:34.039 --> 00:40:34.759
 laborers.

00:40:35.839 --> 00:40:36.139
 Therefore,

00:40:36.399 --> 00:40:37.599
 pray earnestly

00:40:37.599 --> 00:40:38.619
 to the

00:40:38.619 --> 00:40:38.940
 Lord of the

00:40:38.940 --> 00:40:39.519
 harvest to

00:40:39.519 --> 00:40:40.359
 send out

00:40:40.359 --> 00:40:41.719
 laborers

00:40:41.719 --> 00:40:43.219
 into his

00:40:43.219 --> 00:40:44.259
 harvest.

00:40:45.500 --> 00:40:45.779
 And I

00:40:45.779 --> 00:40:46.239
 think reading

00:40:46.239 --> 00:40:47.000
 this rightly,

00:40:47.659 --> 00:40:48.420
 we should

00:40:48.420 --> 00:40:48.879
 see that

00:40:48.879 --> 00:40:49.259
 there is a

00:40:49.259 --> 00:40:49.920
 harvest in

00:40:49.920 --> 00:40:50.500
 the place

00:40:50.500 --> 00:40:50.960
 that we

00:40:50.960 --> 00:40:51.480
 live.

00:40:51.960 --> 00:40:52.579
 People that

00:40:52.579 --> 00:40:53.639
 God intends

00:40:53.639 --> 00:40:54.599
 to save.

00:40:55.659 --> 00:40:56.079
 And he

00:40:56.079 --> 00:40:56.279
 wants

00:40:56.279 --> 00:40:57.000
 laborers

00:40:57.000 --> 00:40:57.339
 to go

00:40:57.339 --> 00:40:57.719
 out and

00:40:57.719 --> 00:40:58.339
 bring the

00:40:58.339 --> 00:40:58.859
 harvest in.

00:40:58.940 --> 00:40:59.219
 There's a

00:40:59.219 --> 00:40:59.619
 harvest.

00:41:00.059 --> 00:41:00.659
 It is the

00:41:00.659 --> 00:41:01.099
 Lord's

00:41:01.099 --> 00:41:01.559
 harvest.

00:41:02.899 --> 00:41:03.299
 Pray for

00:41:03.299 --> 00:41:03.819
 laborers.

00:41:06.960 --> 00:41:07.500
 And we

00:41:07.500 --> 00:41:07.759
 asked some

00:41:07.759 --> 00:41:08.279
 other questions

00:41:08.279 --> 00:41:09.139
 in the

00:41:09.139 --> 00:41:09.839
 member health

00:41:09.839 --> 00:41:10.519
 survey.

00:41:12.500 --> 00:41:13.099
 We asked

00:41:13.099 --> 00:41:13.500
 the question,

00:41:13.579 --> 00:41:14.079
 I share the

00:41:14.079 --> 00:41:14.619
 gospel or

00:41:14.619 --> 00:41:14.899
 made the

00:41:14.899 --> 00:41:15.219
 statement,

00:41:15.460 --> 00:41:15.879
 I share the

00:41:15.879 --> 00:41:16.440
 gospel with

00:41:16.440 --> 00:41:17.159
 my friends,

00:41:17.739 --> 00:41:18.219
 co-workers,

00:41:18.819 --> 00:41:19.399
 classmates,

00:41:20.039 --> 00:41:20.659
 and or

00:41:20.659 --> 00:41:21.119
 family.

00:41:22.019 --> 00:41:22.399
 And we

00:41:22.399 --> 00:41:22.839
 went through

00:41:22.839 --> 00:41:23.059
 and we

00:41:23.059 --> 00:41:23.799
 scored this.

00:41:23.899 --> 00:41:24.279
 I hope that

00:41:24.279 --> 00:41:24.719
 you can hear

00:41:24.719 --> 00:41:25.199
 this right.

00:41:25.279 --> 00:41:25.539
 I don't want

00:41:25.539 --> 00:41:26.039
 to confuse

00:41:26.039 --> 00:41:26.400
 you with

00:41:26.400 --> 00:41:26.619
 the way

00:41:26.619 --> 00:41:27.059
 we scored

00:41:27.059 --> 00:41:27.199
 it,

00:41:27.279 --> 00:41:27.500
 but out

00:41:27.500 --> 00:41:27.800
 of a

00:41:27.800 --> 00:41:28.300
 hundred

00:41:28.300 --> 00:41:29.000
 possible

00:41:29.000 --> 00:41:29.639
 points,

00:41:30.460 --> 00:41:30.860
 the way

00:41:30.860 --> 00:41:31.119
 this

00:41:31.119 --> 00:41:31.739
 statement

00:41:31.739 --> 00:41:32.079
 was

00:41:32.079 --> 00:41:32.659
 answered,

00:41:33.380 --> 00:41:33.659
 we got

00:41:33.659 --> 00:41:34.119
 seventy.

00:41:36.039 --> 00:41:36.420
 Not too

00:41:36.420 --> 00:41:36.800
 bad,

00:41:36.880 --> 00:41:37.199
 but not

00:41:37.199 --> 00:41:38.219
 too good.

00:41:38.779 --> 00:41:39.099
 I share

00:41:39.099 --> 00:41:39.500
 the gospel

00:41:39.500 --> 00:41:39.800
 with my

00:41:39.800 --> 00:41:40.199
 friends,

00:41:40.800 --> 00:41:41.199
 co-workers,

00:41:41.420 --> 00:41:41.900
 classmates,

00:41:42.340 --> 00:41:42.719
 and or

00:41:42.719 --> 00:41:43.079
 family.

00:41:43.179 --> 00:41:43.579
 If I were

00:41:43.579 --> 00:41:44.099
 a college

00:41:44.099 --> 00:41:44.539
 professor,

00:41:44.739 --> 00:41:44.920
 that would

00:41:44.920 --> 00:41:45.079
 be a

00:41:45.079 --> 00:41:45.259
 failing

00:41:45.259 --> 00:41:45.519
 grade.

00:41:48.400 --> 00:41:48.840
 Secondly,

00:41:48.960 --> 00:41:49.440
 I frequent

00:41:49.440 --> 00:41:50.079
 a place

00:41:50.079 --> 00:41:50.659
 where I

00:41:50.659 --> 00:41:51.239
 interact

00:41:51.239 --> 00:41:51.619
 with the

00:41:51.619 --> 00:41:51.960
 lost.

00:41:53.079 --> 00:41:53.380
 Out of

00:41:53.380 --> 00:41:53.639
 a hundred

00:41:53.639 --> 00:41:54.159
 possible

00:41:54.159 --> 00:41:54.519
 points,

00:41:54.519 --> 00:41:55.139
 we scored

00:41:55.139 --> 00:41:56.460
 a seventy-five.

00:41:57.679 --> 00:41:57.880
 I think

00:41:57.880 --> 00:41:58.159
 a lot

00:41:58.159 --> 00:41:58.420
 of those

00:41:58.420 --> 00:41:59.099
 points,

00:41:59.239 --> 00:41:59.599
 possible

00:41:59.599 --> 00:42:00.099
 points,

00:42:00.280 --> 00:42:00.900
 came from

00:42:00.900 --> 00:42:01.599
 college student

00:42:01.599 --> 00:42:02.380
 members that

00:42:02.380 --> 00:42:02.880
 are responding.

00:42:03.820 --> 00:42:04.360
 Which means

00:42:04.360 --> 00:42:05.199
 particularly for

00:42:05.199 --> 00:42:06.460
 us non-college

00:42:06.460 --> 00:42:07.619
 adults,

00:42:08.039 --> 00:42:08.599
 we need a

00:42:08.599 --> 00:42:09.300
 third place.

00:42:10.179 --> 00:42:10.960
 We need a

00:42:10.960 --> 00:42:11.440
 place where

00:42:11.440 --> 00:42:12.219
 we're consistently

00:42:12.219 --> 00:42:13.679
 interacting with

00:42:13.679 --> 00:42:14.239
 lost people.

00:42:14.400 --> 00:42:14.759
 So we're going to

00:42:14.759 --> 00:42:15.300
 start expecting

00:42:15.300 --> 00:42:15.460
 that.

00:42:15.500 --> 00:42:15.639
 We're going to

00:42:15.639 --> 00:42:16.159
 start talking

00:42:16.159 --> 00:42:16.619
 about it with

00:42:16.619 --> 00:42:17.059
 members of the

00:42:17.059 --> 00:42:17.380
 church.

00:42:17.900 --> 00:42:18.340
 This doesn't

00:42:18.340 --> 00:42:18.820
 preclude you

00:42:18.820 --> 00:42:19.300
 non-members.

00:42:19.380 --> 00:42:19.599
 We'll be

00:42:19.599 --> 00:42:20.039
 talking about it

00:42:20.039 --> 00:42:20.480
 with you too.

00:42:20.980 --> 00:42:21.539
 What I'm

00:42:21.539 --> 00:42:21.880
 saying is that

00:42:21.880 --> 00:42:22.159
 it's going to

00:42:22.159 --> 00:42:22.340
 be an

00:42:22.340 --> 00:42:23.199
 expectation of

00:42:23.199 --> 00:42:23.419
 members.

00:42:23.519 --> 00:42:24.119
 You need a

00:42:24.119 --> 00:42:25.000
 third place.

00:42:25.139 --> 00:42:25.679
 And again,

00:42:25.759 --> 00:42:26.299
 that might be

00:42:26.299 --> 00:42:26.679
 work.

00:42:26.919 --> 00:42:27.199
 And it's

00:42:27.199 --> 00:42:27.799
 possible that

00:42:27.799 --> 00:42:28.239
 it's home.

00:42:28.519 --> 00:42:28.839
 And it's

00:42:28.839 --> 00:42:29.319
 possible that

00:42:29.319 --> 00:42:30.119
 it's school.

00:42:30.359 --> 00:42:30.779
 But the

00:42:30.779 --> 00:42:31.139
 place that

00:42:31.139 --> 00:42:31.319
 you're

00:42:31.319 --> 00:42:32.039
 intentionally

00:42:32.039 --> 00:42:32.639
 inserting

00:42:32.639 --> 00:42:33.839
 yourself to

00:42:33.839 --> 00:42:34.460
 build relationships

00:42:34.460 --> 00:42:35.460
 for the sake

00:42:35.460 --> 00:42:36.239
 of the kingdom.

00:42:37.039 --> 00:42:37.559
 This is a

00:42:37.559 --> 00:42:38.159
 weakness in my

00:42:38.159 --> 00:42:38.399
 life.

00:42:38.480 --> 00:42:38.779
 I'm going to

00:42:38.779 --> 00:42:39.219
 walk through

00:42:39.219 --> 00:42:39.960
 this with

00:42:39.960 --> 00:42:40.799
 you because

00:42:40.799 --> 00:42:41.239
 I preach

00:42:41.239 --> 00:42:41.679
 the gospel

00:42:41.679 --> 00:42:42.699
 all the

00:42:42.699 --> 00:42:43.099
 time.

00:42:43.779 --> 00:42:44.379
 Barely a

00:42:44.379 --> 00:42:44.739
 day goes

00:42:44.739 --> 00:42:45.239
 by that I

00:42:45.239 --> 00:42:45.619
 don't preach

00:42:45.619 --> 00:42:46.039
 the gospel

00:42:46.039 --> 00:42:46.639
 to somebody,

00:42:47.279 --> 00:42:48.319
 but it's

00:42:48.319 --> 00:42:49.379
 ninety-nine

00:42:49.379 --> 00:42:50.159
 percent believing

00:42:50.159 --> 00:42:50.519
 people.

00:42:51.480 --> 00:42:51.799
 Counsel,

00:42:51.800 --> 00:42:52.200
 I preach

00:42:52.200 --> 00:42:52.620
 the gospel.

00:42:52.740 --> 00:42:53.000
 I get up

00:42:53.000 --> 00:42:53.240
 here and

00:42:53.240 --> 00:42:53.500
 I preach

00:42:53.500 --> 00:42:53.940
 the gospel.

00:42:54.260 --> 00:42:55.019
 I interact

00:42:55.019 --> 00:42:55.800
 with believing

00:42:55.800 --> 00:42:57.480
 people most

00:42:57.480 --> 00:42:58.360
 of the time.

00:42:59.120 --> 00:42:59.760
 I need a

00:42:59.760 --> 00:43:00.340
 place to

00:43:00.340 --> 00:43:01.260
 plant myself.

00:43:01.720 --> 00:43:02.360
 I'm working

00:43:02.360 --> 00:43:02.920
 right now on

00:43:02.920 --> 00:43:03.780
 freeing up my

00:43:03.780 --> 00:43:04.180
 schedule.

00:43:04.320 --> 00:43:04.519
 You're going to

00:43:04.519 --> 00:43:04.900
 hear me say

00:43:04.900 --> 00:43:05.360
 more and more,

00:43:05.420 --> 00:43:05.880
 that's not my

00:43:05.880 --> 00:43:06.180
 job.

00:43:06.940 --> 00:43:07.440
 That's not my

00:43:07.440 --> 00:43:07.860
 responsibility.

00:43:08.019 --> 00:43:08.500
 Go see.

00:43:09.039 --> 00:43:09.740
 And one of the

00:43:09.740 --> 00:43:10.220
 things I'm trying

00:43:10.220 --> 00:43:10.560
 to free my

00:43:10.560 --> 00:43:11.120
 schedule up for

00:43:11.120 --> 00:43:11.720
 is for this.

00:43:12.260 --> 00:43:12.920
 I want to give

00:43:12.920 --> 00:43:13.680
 you leadership in

00:43:13.680 --> 00:43:13.840
 this.

00:43:13.880 --> 00:43:14.200
 I want to be

00:43:14.200 --> 00:43:14.860
 around lots of

00:43:14.860 --> 00:43:15.200
 people on a

00:43:15.200 --> 00:43:16.840
 consistent basis.

00:43:17.539 --> 00:43:18.260
 So ask me.

00:43:18.480 --> 00:43:18.920
 Nathan, where's

00:43:18.920 --> 00:43:19.340
 your third place?

00:43:19.400 --> 00:43:19.820
 I don't know where

00:43:19.820 --> 00:43:20.160
 it is yet.

00:43:20.159 --> 00:43:20.839
 I'm trying to

00:43:20.839 --> 00:43:21.299
 figure it out.

00:43:23.819 --> 00:43:24.460
 Another statement

00:43:24.460 --> 00:43:24.960
 we made,

00:43:25.539 --> 00:43:25.779
 right?

00:43:26.639 --> 00:43:27.179
 And I was

00:43:27.179 --> 00:43:27.699
 encouraged by

00:43:27.699 --> 00:43:28.059
 this.

00:43:28.539 --> 00:43:28.819
 The statement

00:43:28.819 --> 00:43:29.819
 was, I am

00:43:29.819 --> 00:43:30.519
 equipped to

00:43:30.519 --> 00:43:30.799
 share the

00:43:30.799 --> 00:43:31.099
 gospel.

00:43:32.399 --> 00:43:33.139
 I'm equipped to

00:43:33.139 --> 00:43:33.359
 share the

00:43:33.359 --> 00:43:33.659
 gospel.

00:43:35.299 --> 00:43:36.679
 Eighty-six of a

00:43:36.679 --> 00:43:37.339
 possible hundred

00:43:37.339 --> 00:43:39.199
 points are scored

00:43:39.199 --> 00:43:39.460
 here.

00:43:39.819 --> 00:43:40.299
 Let's say that the

00:43:40.299 --> 00:43:40.679
 members of our

00:43:40.679 --> 00:43:41.159
 church are saying,

00:43:41.259 --> 00:43:42.339
 yeah, we're

00:43:42.339 --> 00:43:42.659
 equipped.

00:43:43.179 --> 00:43:43.819
 We've got what

00:43:43.819 --> 00:43:44.980
 we need to share

00:43:44.980 --> 00:43:45.399
 the gospel.

00:43:45.400 --> 00:43:47.539
 But it's not

00:43:47.539 --> 00:43:48.139
 happening in the

00:43:48.139 --> 00:43:48.599
 same measure,

00:43:48.760 --> 00:43:49.000
 right?

00:43:50.500 --> 00:43:51.880
 And those who

00:43:51.880 --> 00:43:52.320
 are saying they

00:43:52.320 --> 00:43:53.340
 are equipped still

00:43:53.340 --> 00:43:55.039
 are not comfortable.

00:43:55.480 --> 00:43:56.000
 Another statement,

00:43:56.119 --> 00:43:56.720
 I am comfortable

00:43:56.720 --> 00:43:57.460
 sharing the gospel.

00:43:57.579 --> 00:43:58.119
 We only scored a

00:43:58.119 --> 00:43:59.480
 sixty-eight out of

00:43:59.480 --> 00:44:00.139
 a hundred there.

00:44:00.539 --> 00:44:01.880
 And I do not have

00:44:01.880 --> 00:44:02.940
 fears or anxieties

00:44:02.940 --> 00:44:03.559
 about sharing the

00:44:03.559 --> 00:44:03.840
 gospel.

00:44:03.940 --> 00:44:05.740
 A fifty-seven out

00:44:05.740 --> 00:44:06.660
 of a hundred there.

00:44:07.280 --> 00:44:08.340
 So the feeling of

00:44:08.340 --> 00:44:08.740
 members of our

00:44:08.740 --> 00:44:09.160
 church is that

00:44:09.160 --> 00:44:09.740
 they're equipped,

00:44:09.740 --> 00:44:10.960
 but they're not

00:44:10.960 --> 00:44:11.700
 equipped, which is

00:44:11.700 --> 00:44:12.200
 an interesting

00:44:12.200 --> 00:44:13.960
 response.

00:44:13.960 --> 00:44:16.780
 My guess would

00:44:16.780 --> 00:44:18.960
 be that members

00:44:18.960 --> 00:44:19.400
 of our church

00:44:19.400 --> 00:44:20.519
 have heard me

00:44:20.519 --> 00:44:21.260
 say, you are

00:44:21.260 --> 00:44:21.760
 equipped because

00:44:21.760 --> 00:44:22.500
 you believe the

00:44:22.500 --> 00:44:23.639
 gospel and you

00:44:23.639 --> 00:44:24.240
 have the word.

00:44:24.599 --> 00:44:25.000
 And they've gone,

00:44:25.099 --> 00:44:26.659
 okay, but they

00:44:26.659 --> 00:44:27.300
 still don't feel

00:44:27.300 --> 00:44:28.000
 that that's enough.

00:44:30.920 --> 00:44:31.760
 Final statement

00:44:31.760 --> 00:44:33.300
 to address today.

00:44:33.760 --> 00:44:34.380
 I have attended

00:44:34.380 --> 00:44:35.380
 an evangelism

00:44:35.380 --> 00:44:37.139
 training held by

00:44:37.139 --> 00:44:37.679
 our church.

00:44:38.059 --> 00:44:38.800
 There's a forty-eight

00:44:38.800 --> 00:44:39.340
 out of a hundred

00:44:39.340 --> 00:44:39.820
 for that.

00:44:40.260 --> 00:44:40.820
 Now, that could

00:44:40.820 --> 00:44:41.519
 be largely because

00:44:41.519 --> 00:44:42.240
 we haven't offered

00:44:42.240 --> 00:44:43.159
 that many evangelism

00:44:43.159 --> 00:44:43.559
 trainings.

00:44:43.960 --> 00:44:45.920
 That's going to

00:44:45.920 --> 00:44:46.300
 change.

00:44:47.740 --> 00:44:48.340
 Because we're

00:44:48.340 --> 00:44:48.820
 seeing this

00:44:48.820 --> 00:44:50.460
 response of, I'm

00:44:50.460 --> 00:44:51.159
 equipped, but I'm

00:44:51.159 --> 00:44:52.000
 not really equipped.

00:44:52.800 --> 00:44:53.119
 We're going to

00:44:53.119 --> 00:44:53.720
 hold evangelism

00:44:53.720 --> 00:44:54.000
 trainings.

00:44:54.099 --> 00:44:54.460
 We're planning

00:44:54.460 --> 00:44:55.440
 for three this

00:44:55.440 --> 00:44:55.760
 year.

00:44:56.240 --> 00:44:57.159
 So think of it

00:44:57.159 --> 00:44:57.500
 as a school

00:44:57.500 --> 00:44:57.760
 year.

00:44:58.320 --> 00:44:59.199
 Before summer's

00:44:59.199 --> 00:44:59.880
 out, we're going

00:44:59.880 --> 00:45:00.500
 to offer three

00:45:00.500 --> 00:45:01.099
 evangelism trainings.

00:45:01.159 --> 00:45:01.340
 There's going to

00:45:01.340 --> 00:45:02.099
 be three different

00:45:02.099 --> 00:45:02.860
 evangelism trainings.

00:45:03.199 --> 00:45:03.480
 We're going to

00:45:03.480 --> 00:45:04.139
 have guys that

00:45:04.139 --> 00:45:05.039
 are regularly

00:45:05.039 --> 00:45:05.840
 practiced in

00:45:05.840 --> 00:45:06.400
 this, that can

00:45:06.400 --> 00:45:07.400
 serve and lead

00:45:07.400 --> 00:45:08.639
 as models in

00:45:08.639 --> 00:45:09.980
 consistent and

00:45:09.980 --> 00:45:11.360
 clear gospel

00:45:11.360 --> 00:45:12.119
 presentation.

00:45:12.119 --> 00:45:14.079
 I fear that

00:45:14.079 --> 00:45:15.099
 we're having a

00:45:15.099 --> 00:45:15.599
 lot of gospel

00:45:15.599 --> 00:45:16.699
 conversations as

00:45:16.699 --> 00:45:17.319
 a church, but we

00:45:17.319 --> 00:45:17.940
 may not actually

00:45:17.940 --> 00:45:18.759
 be presenting the

00:45:18.759 --> 00:45:19.500
 gospel itself.

00:45:19.619 --> 00:45:20.699
 We may not be

00:45:20.699 --> 00:45:21.859
 presenting it in

00:45:21.859 --> 00:45:23.259
 its entirety to

00:45:23.259 --> 00:45:23.539
 people.

00:45:23.960 --> 00:45:24.299
 Maybe we're

00:45:24.299 --> 00:45:24.960
 having spiritual

00:45:24.960 --> 00:45:25.679
 conversations, but

00:45:25.679 --> 00:45:26.259
 we're not pressing

00:45:26.259 --> 00:45:27.940
 people to repentance.

00:45:29.579 --> 00:45:30.179
 So we're going to

00:45:30.179 --> 00:45:30.739
 have evangelism

00:45:30.739 --> 00:45:31.079
 trainings.

00:45:31.339 --> 00:45:32.059
 And of our

00:45:32.059 --> 00:45:33.480
 members, we're

00:45:33.480 --> 00:45:34.019
 going to expect

00:45:34.019 --> 00:45:34.819
 that you'll attend

00:45:34.819 --> 00:45:36.199
 one of those this

00:45:36.199 --> 00:45:36.440
 year.

00:45:37.079 --> 00:45:37.400
 They're going to

00:45:37.400 --> 00:45:37.679
 be different

00:45:37.679 --> 00:45:38.179
 formats.

00:45:38.239 --> 00:45:38.420
 We're going to

00:45:38.420 --> 00:45:38.859
 offer them at

00:45:38.859 --> 00:45:39.779
 different times.

00:45:39.780 --> 00:45:41.460
 If you are one

00:45:41.460 --> 00:45:43.200
 of those amongst

00:45:43.200 --> 00:45:43.780
 us that are

00:45:43.780 --> 00:45:44.960
 comfortable sharing

00:45:44.960 --> 00:45:46.420
 the gospel, good,

00:45:46.519 --> 00:45:47.140
 we need you to

00:45:47.140 --> 00:45:47.660
 come to the

00:45:47.660 --> 00:45:48.340
 training and help

00:45:48.340 --> 00:45:49.220
 those who are less

00:45:49.220 --> 00:45:50.640
 comfortable sharing

00:45:50.640 --> 00:45:51.360
 the gospel.

00:45:51.620 --> 00:45:52.100
 So no one's

00:45:52.100 --> 00:45:53.019
 excluded from this.

00:45:53.080 --> 00:45:53.700
 As a church, we

00:45:53.700 --> 00:45:54.320
 need to be growing

00:45:54.320 --> 00:45:55.960
 in this way, moving

00:45:55.960 --> 00:45:56.720
 forward.

00:45:57.340 --> 00:45:58.120
 In a week or two,

00:45:58.200 --> 00:45:58.400
 we're going to

00:45:58.400 --> 00:45:59.100
 have the first one

00:45:59.100 --> 00:45:59.740
 ready to go.

00:45:59.860 --> 00:46:00.060
 We're going to

00:46:00.060 --> 00:46:00.920
 have, we'll say

00:46:00.920 --> 00:46:01.700
 plenty about it.

00:46:01.740 --> 00:46:02.400
 We'll have sign-ups

00:46:02.400 --> 00:46:03.540
 for it, etc.

00:46:03.660 --> 00:46:04.140
 It's actually going

00:46:04.140 --> 00:46:05.240
 to be the video

00:46:05.240 --> 00:46:05.920
 that you watch,

00:46:06.040 --> 00:46:07.660
 the story training

00:46:07.659 --> 00:46:08.299
 that goes along

00:46:08.299 --> 00:46:10.019
 with that media

00:46:10.019 --> 00:46:10.739
 and the presentation

00:46:10.739 --> 00:46:11.339
 that you can

00:46:11.339 --> 00:46:12.399
 present with that.

00:46:13.739 --> 00:46:14.420
 So hear me,

00:46:14.519 --> 00:46:15.179
 members, an

00:46:15.179 --> 00:46:15.859
 evangelism training

00:46:15.859 --> 00:46:17.879
 across this next

00:46:17.879 --> 00:46:18.179
 year.

00:46:19.259 --> 00:46:19.839
 So being justified

00:46:19.839 --> 00:46:20.319
 before God,

00:46:20.420 --> 00:46:20.940
 forgiven and adopted

00:46:20.940 --> 00:46:21.759
 by Him, we worship

00:46:21.759 --> 00:46:22.559
 Him through gospel

00:46:22.559 --> 00:46:24.099
 commission, proclaiming

00:46:24.099 --> 00:46:24.899
 the gospel to the

00:46:24.899 --> 00:46:25.519
 ends of the earth.

00:46:25.759 --> 00:46:26.639
 Followers of Christ

00:46:26.639 --> 00:46:27.859
 proclaim the gospel

00:46:27.859 --> 00:46:29.659
 to make disciples

00:46:29.659 --> 00:46:31.099
 everywhere.

00:46:32.539 --> 00:46:33.519
 On your bulletin,

00:46:33.719 --> 00:46:34.519
 Spurgeon quote,

00:46:34.519 --> 00:46:36.940
 love this one.

00:46:44.420 --> 00:46:44.820
 I'm going to

00:46:44.820 --> 00:46:45.500
 explain a phrase

00:46:45.500 --> 00:46:45.940
 to you and I'm

00:46:45.940 --> 00:46:46.159
 just going to

00:46:46.159 --> 00:46:46.539
 read it.

00:46:47.340 --> 00:46:47.739
 I want you to

00:46:47.739 --> 00:46:48.000
 know what the

00:46:48.000 --> 00:46:48.800
 phrase means so

00:46:48.800 --> 00:46:49.239
 that you know it

00:46:49.239 --> 00:46:49.960
 when I get to it.

00:46:50.699 --> 00:46:51.179
 Towards the end

00:46:51.179 --> 00:46:52.239
 he says, in the

00:46:52.239 --> 00:46:53.159
 teeth of our

00:46:53.159 --> 00:46:54.860
 exertions, that is

00:46:54.860 --> 00:46:55.280
 to say, it's an

00:46:55.280 --> 00:46:55.820
 old phrase, it

00:46:55.820 --> 00:46:56.400
 is to say in the

00:46:56.400 --> 00:46:57.000
 face of our

00:46:57.000 --> 00:46:57.739
 exertions, right?

00:46:57.860 --> 00:46:59.039
 That we are

00:46:59.039 --> 00:47:01.739
 present in our

00:47:01.739 --> 00:47:02.280
 exertions.

00:47:02.960 --> 00:47:04.320
 So if sinners

00:47:04.320 --> 00:47:05.760
 be damned, at

00:47:05.760 --> 00:47:06.539
 least let them

00:47:06.539 --> 00:47:07.320
 leap to hell

00:47:07.320 --> 00:47:08.380
 over our dead

00:47:08.380 --> 00:47:08.800
 bodies.

00:47:09.220 --> 00:47:09.780
 And if they

00:47:09.780 --> 00:47:11.059
 perish, let them

00:47:11.059 --> 00:47:11.760
 perish with our

00:47:11.760 --> 00:47:12.800
 arms wrapped about

00:47:12.800 --> 00:47:13.240
 their knees,

00:47:13.360 --> 00:47:14.519
 imploring them to

00:47:14.519 --> 00:47:14.840
 stay.

00:47:15.420 --> 00:47:16.800
 If hell must be

00:47:16.800 --> 00:47:18.240
 filled, let it be

00:47:18.240 --> 00:47:19.360
 filled in the teeth

00:47:19.360 --> 00:47:20.340
 of our exertions,

00:47:20.500 --> 00:47:21.680
 and let not one

00:47:21.680 --> 00:47:23.980
 go unwarned and

00:47:23.980 --> 00:47:24.620
 unprayed for.

00:47:25.720 --> 00:47:27.000
 If you do not

00:47:27.000 --> 00:47:28.440
 share the gospel,

00:47:30.120 --> 00:47:31.300
 there are some

00:47:31.300 --> 00:47:31.700
 options.

00:47:32.200 --> 00:47:33.820
 Number one, you

00:47:33.820 --> 00:47:34.320
 may not be a

00:47:34.320 --> 00:47:34.559
 Christian.

00:47:35.840 --> 00:47:36.519
 If you do not

00:47:36.519 --> 00:47:37.019
 share the gospel,

00:47:37.160 --> 00:47:38.720
 you may not be a

00:47:38.720 --> 00:47:38.880
 Christian.

00:47:38.940 --> 00:47:39.559
 If you have no

00:47:39.559 --> 00:47:40.500
 desire for others

00:47:40.500 --> 00:47:41.360
 to experience the

00:47:41.360 --> 00:47:42.120
 mercy of God, you

00:47:42.120 --> 00:47:42.940
 may not have

00:47:42.940 --> 00:47:44.420
 experienced the

00:47:44.420 --> 00:47:44.980
 mercy of God.

00:47:46.600 --> 00:47:47.820
 Number two, you

00:47:47.820 --> 00:47:48.140
 may be a

00:47:48.140 --> 00:47:48.860
 Christian, but the

00:47:48.860 --> 00:47:49.400
 truth of the

00:47:49.400 --> 00:47:50.760
 gospel may have

00:47:50.760 --> 00:47:51.920
 grown cold in

00:47:51.920 --> 00:47:52.320
 your heart.

00:47:52.800 --> 00:47:53.260
 You've forgotten

00:47:53.260 --> 00:47:53.880
 who you are.

00:47:54.600 --> 00:47:55.539
 You're having an

00:47:55.539 --> 00:47:57.100
 identity crisis.

00:47:57.099 --> 00:47:59.639
 Christ family

00:47:59.639 --> 00:48:00.500
 church exists to

00:48:00.500 --> 00:48:02.319
 glorify God by

00:48:02.319 --> 00:48:02.900
 experiencing.

00:48:03.599 --> 00:48:04.299
 So there's a

00:48:04.299 --> 00:48:06.000
 reality of who

00:48:06.000 --> 00:48:06.819
 Christ is,

00:48:07.299 --> 00:48:08.380
 proclaiming and

00:48:08.380 --> 00:48:09.139
 displaying the

00:48:09.139 --> 00:48:10.019
 supremacy of Jesus

00:48:10.019 --> 00:48:10.799
 Christ in all

00:48:10.799 --> 00:48:11.380
 things to all

00:48:11.380 --> 00:48:11.759
 peoples.

00:48:12.759 --> 00:48:14.039
 So your experience

00:48:14.039 --> 00:48:14.860
 of the supremacy

00:48:14.860 --> 00:48:15.839
 of Christ, of the

00:48:15.839 --> 00:48:16.400
 beauty of the

00:48:16.400 --> 00:48:17.480
 gospel may have

00:48:17.480 --> 00:48:17.960
 grown cold.

00:48:18.000 --> 00:48:18.420
 And you need to

00:48:18.420 --> 00:48:19.279
 do the work that's

00:48:19.279 --> 00:48:20.299
 necessary to fan

00:48:20.299 --> 00:48:21.679
 that flame back.

00:48:21.980 --> 00:48:22.559
 You need to be in

00:48:22.559 --> 00:48:22.880
 the scripture.

00:48:23.019 --> 00:48:23.339
 You need to be

00:48:23.339 --> 00:48:23.579
 praying.

00:48:23.659 --> 00:48:23.920
 You need to be

00:48:23.920 --> 00:48:24.519
 with community.

00:48:24.839 --> 00:48:25.159
 You need to be

00:48:25.159 --> 00:48:25.579
 obedient.

00:48:25.579 --> 00:48:27.299
 Do those things

00:48:27.299 --> 00:48:28.840
 that your passions

00:48:28.840 --> 00:48:30.259
 may increase.

00:48:31.199 --> 00:48:32.279
 You talk about

00:48:32.279 --> 00:48:33.699
 what you love.

00:48:34.840 --> 00:48:35.480
 Isn't this true?

00:48:36.860 --> 00:48:37.619
 I used to be a

00:48:37.619 --> 00:48:38.440
 rock climber many

00:48:38.440 --> 00:48:39.179
 years ago.

00:48:39.679 --> 00:48:40.960
 I would say it in

00:48:40.960 --> 00:48:41.860
 many ways defined

00:48:41.860 --> 00:48:42.819
 me in an unhealthy

00:48:42.819 --> 00:48:43.219
 way.

00:48:43.799 --> 00:48:44.460
 And man, if you

00:48:44.460 --> 00:48:45.000
 wanted to talk about

00:48:45.000 --> 00:48:45.619
 rock climbing, I

00:48:45.619 --> 00:48:46.380
 would talk about it.

00:48:46.900 --> 00:48:48.139
 I love to talk

00:48:48.139 --> 00:48:48.559
 about it.

00:48:48.799 --> 00:48:50.380
 And so often you

00:48:50.380 --> 00:48:51.059
 try to strike up a

00:48:51.059 --> 00:48:51.699
 conversation about

00:48:51.699 --> 00:48:52.159
 it with a person

00:48:52.159 --> 00:48:52.500
 that would just

00:48:52.500 --> 00:48:53.319
 go, that seems

00:48:53.319 --> 00:48:53.940
 scary.

00:48:54.420 --> 00:48:54.819
 And you'd go,

00:48:54.820 --> 00:48:55.800
 I'm not going

00:48:55.800 --> 00:48:56.019
 to be able to

00:48:56.019 --> 00:48:56.500
 talk about it.

00:48:56.660 --> 00:48:57.200
 It's got its own

00:48:57.200 --> 00:48:57.760
 language.

00:48:58.400 --> 00:48:58.760
 It's got this

00:48:58.760 --> 00:48:59.600
 whole, like, the

00:48:59.600 --> 00:49:00.380
 vernacular is

00:49:00.380 --> 00:49:00.980
 totally different

00:49:00.980 --> 00:49:01.420
 for it.

00:49:01.580 --> 00:49:01.940
 You found a

00:49:01.940 --> 00:49:02.380
 person who knew

00:49:02.380 --> 00:49:02.620
 what you were

00:49:02.620 --> 00:49:03.039
 talking about.

00:49:03.059 --> 00:49:03.320
 It was so

00:49:03.320 --> 00:49:03.680
 exciting.

00:49:04.320 --> 00:49:04.980
 Talk about

00:49:04.980 --> 00:49:05.280
 climbing.

00:49:06.220 --> 00:49:07.240
 You talk about

00:49:07.240 --> 00:49:08.500
 what you love.

00:49:08.580 --> 00:49:09.120
 Pay attention to

00:49:09.120 --> 00:49:09.539
 what you talk

00:49:09.539 --> 00:49:09.780
 about.

00:49:10.420 --> 00:49:10.920
 It'll expose

00:49:10.920 --> 00:49:11.880
 kinds of

00:49:11.880 --> 00:49:13.059
 idolatry in

00:49:13.059 --> 00:49:13.400
 your heart.

00:49:13.500 --> 00:49:13.660
 And I'm not

00:49:13.660 --> 00:49:13.960
 saying we don't

00:49:13.960 --> 00:49:14.420
 talk about,

00:49:15.080 --> 00:49:15.920
 talk about, you

00:49:15.920 --> 00:49:16.420
 know, I got some

00:49:16.420 --> 00:49:17.059
 new pants today.

00:49:17.160 --> 00:49:17.480
 It doesn't mean I

00:49:17.480 --> 00:49:18.500
 worship my pants.

00:49:19.000 --> 00:49:20.620
 But what controls

00:49:20.620 --> 00:49:21.440
 your conversation?

00:49:21.440 --> 00:49:22.960
 What's controlling

00:49:22.960 --> 00:49:23.679
 your conversation?

00:49:23.820 --> 00:49:24.159
 What do you

00:49:24.159 --> 00:49:26.019
 mostly talk about?

00:49:26.079 --> 00:49:26.700
 You talk about

00:49:26.700 --> 00:49:27.519
 what you love.

00:49:27.559 --> 00:49:27.960
 So the truth of

00:49:27.960 --> 00:49:28.440
 the gospel may

00:49:28.440 --> 00:49:28.960
 have grown cold

00:49:28.960 --> 00:49:30.099
 in your heart.

00:49:30.519 --> 00:49:31.760
 Number three, you

00:49:31.760 --> 00:49:32.220
 might not know

00:49:32.220 --> 00:49:32.760
 lost people.

00:49:34.119 --> 00:49:34.860
 It might be like a

00:49:34.860 --> 00:49:35.539
 really like honest,

00:49:35.599 --> 00:49:36.119
 like I just don't

00:49:36.119 --> 00:49:37.099
 interact with lost

00:49:37.099 --> 00:49:37.380
 people.

00:49:37.460 --> 00:49:38.039
 And I'm suggesting

00:49:38.039 --> 00:49:38.619
 to you that needs

00:49:38.619 --> 00:49:39.320
 to change, right?

00:49:39.320 --> 00:49:40.099
 We need to press

00:49:40.099 --> 00:49:41.159
 out and change

00:49:41.159 --> 00:49:41.320
 that.

00:49:41.380 --> 00:49:42.159
 You need to know

00:49:42.159 --> 00:49:44.220
 people whose end

00:49:44.220 --> 00:49:45.720
 is hell and draw

00:49:45.720 --> 00:49:46.539
 them away from it.

00:49:46.539 --> 00:49:48.719
 Or fourthly, you

00:49:48.719 --> 00:49:49.519
 may not believe

00:49:49.519 --> 00:49:50.119
 that you can be

00:49:50.119 --> 00:49:51.300
 used by God to

00:49:51.300 --> 00:49:51.699
 proclaim the

00:49:51.699 --> 00:49:51.980
 gospel.

00:49:52.779 --> 00:49:54.480
 You may feel so

00:49:54.480 --> 00:49:55.119
 guilty for your

00:49:55.119 --> 00:49:55.800
 sin and you need

00:49:55.800 --> 00:49:56.279
 to remember who

00:49:56.279 --> 00:49:56.739
 you are, that

00:49:56.739 --> 00:49:57.460
 you're forgiven and

00:49:57.460 --> 00:49:58.460
 adopted and you're

00:49:58.460 --> 00:49:59.340
 equipped, right?

00:49:59.360 --> 00:50:00.139
 That God wants to

00:50:00.139 --> 00:50:00.860
 send you out.

00:50:01.380 --> 00:50:02.000
 He's given you the

00:50:02.000 --> 00:50:02.779
 gospel message.

00:50:03.000 --> 00:50:03.579
 We want to help

00:50:03.579 --> 00:50:05.119
 you wrap your mind

00:50:05.119 --> 00:50:05.980
 in clearer ways

00:50:05.980 --> 00:50:07.019
 around that to have

00:50:07.019 --> 00:50:07.980
 those tools to pick

00:50:07.980 --> 00:50:09.340
 up and go out and

00:50:09.340 --> 00:50:10.480
 share the gospel of

00:50:10.480 --> 00:50:10.880
 Christ.

00:50:11.779 --> 00:50:12.619
 So you may not be a

00:50:12.619 --> 00:50:13.980
 Christian at all or

00:50:13.980 --> 00:50:14.880
 you're a Christian

00:50:14.880 --> 00:50:16.320
 who's struggling and

00:50:16.320 --> 00:50:16.800
 there's some work

00:50:16.800 --> 00:50:18.039
 to be done in

00:50:18.039 --> 00:50:18.539
 these regards.

00:50:18.740 --> 00:50:19.300
 And so to that

00:50:19.300 --> 00:50:20.140
 end, I'm going to

00:50:20.140 --> 00:50:20.880
 pray for us and

00:50:20.880 --> 00:50:21.320
 then we'll take the

00:50:21.320 --> 00:50:21.640
 Lord's Supper

00:50:21.640 --> 00:50:22.019
 together.