WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.280 I'm going to talk this morning about church growth. 00:00:04.020 --> 00:00:04.820 ! Church growth. 00:00:10.919 --> 00:00:15.679 Everyone, I would assume, wants their church to grow, right? 00:00:15.679 --> 00:00:21.780 ! I mean, we don't want to just have a little spot for us and our friends. 00:00:21.780 --> 00:00:23.320 We want the church to grow. 00:00:23.420 --> 00:00:24.320 We want to reach new people. 00:00:24.400 --> 00:00:25.539 We want to reach lost people. 00:00:25.539 --> 00:00:26.219 Okay? 00:00:27.039 --> 00:00:31.980 But there's a lot of thoughts on church growth. 00:00:32.219 --> 00:00:34.259 People, you know, how a church grows. 00:00:34.799 --> 00:00:35.899 Should a church grow? 00:00:37.519 --> 00:00:40.820 And a lot of times when you talk about church growth, people talk about, 00:00:40.939 --> 00:00:43.759 well, you got to get, you know, a really nice building 00:00:43.759 --> 00:00:45.879 or you got to get a really good worship team. 00:00:45.980 --> 00:00:48.759 You got to get a really charismatic preacher 00:00:48.759 --> 00:00:51.439 or you got to have really good childcare. 00:00:53.600 --> 00:00:55.280 Slick marketing campaign. 00:00:56.159 --> 00:00:57.200 You know, I don't know. 00:00:57.879 --> 00:00:59.100 Figure out the list, right? 00:00:59.700 --> 00:01:01.359 You got to have all these different things. 00:01:02.379 --> 00:01:05.060 And it's a good thing to want the church to grow. 00:01:05.219 --> 00:01:06.379 We should want the church to grow. 00:01:06.780 --> 00:01:10.539 But we have to ask the question, how does the church grow biblically? 00:01:11.299 --> 00:01:13.180 Like, what does the Bible say about church growth? 00:01:14.759 --> 00:01:17.819 As we seek, as a church, been a church for a year, 00:01:18.299 --> 00:01:20.379 as we seek to say, okay, how do we grow in a healthy way? 00:01:20.379 --> 00:01:22.500 How do we grow according to God's way? 00:01:22.500 --> 00:01:24.739 How do we grow according to what the scriptures say? 00:01:26.400 --> 00:01:27.680 We have to ask that question. 00:01:27.780 --> 00:01:28.920 What do the scriptures say? 00:01:29.359 --> 00:01:32.359 So I'm going to look at four verses 00:01:32.359 --> 00:01:36.799 and extrapolate five different things out of these verses 00:01:36.799 --> 00:01:39.000 that I think are relevant to us as a church. 00:01:39.659 --> 00:01:42.400 Okay, first one's Acts chapter 9, 31. 00:01:42.960 --> 00:01:44.439 Acts chapter 9, 31. 00:01:44.439 --> 00:01:45.200 It says, 00:01:45.299 --> 00:01:49.719 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria 00:01:49.719 --> 00:01:53.140 had peace and was being built up. 00:01:53.819 --> 00:01:55.539 And walking in the fear of the Lord 00:01:55.539 --> 00:01:59.739 and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied. 00:02:00.719 --> 00:02:00.959 Okay? 00:02:01.280 --> 00:02:03.200 So here you see two different things 00:02:03.200 --> 00:02:05.680 that caused the church to multiply. 00:02:06.319 --> 00:02:09.620 Notice it doesn't say anything about the slick marketing campaign 00:02:09.620 --> 00:02:14.980 or their new worship pastor or whatever else. 00:02:15.060 --> 00:02:15.439 It says, 00:02:15.800 --> 00:02:19.280 Walking in the fear of the Lord and the comfort, 00:02:19.860 --> 00:02:22.340 some versions say encouragement of the Holy Spirit, 00:02:23.039 --> 00:02:23.840 it multiplied. 00:02:24.920 --> 00:02:25.539 It multiplied. 00:02:26.939 --> 00:02:27.879 You know, a lot of times we can think of 00:02:27.879 --> 00:02:31.099 so many different things as far as it comes to church growth. 00:02:31.099 --> 00:02:34.519 And how often do we ignore just the plain teaching of Scripture? 00:02:35.479 --> 00:02:37.759 Just what the Scripture just lays out, right? 00:02:38.259 --> 00:02:40.079 Here we see plainly that in Acts chapter 9, 00:02:40.159 --> 00:02:41.740 the church was growing. 00:02:42.500 --> 00:02:43.439 It was multiplying. 00:02:43.780 --> 00:02:44.159 How? 00:02:44.560 --> 00:02:45.819 They were walking in the fear of the Lord 00:02:45.819 --> 00:02:46.960 and the comfort of the Holy Spirit. 00:02:48.000 --> 00:02:48.199 Okay? 00:02:49.419 --> 00:02:50.199 Second verse. 00:02:50.659 --> 00:02:52.459 Acts chapter 6, a little earlier. 00:02:52.639 --> 00:02:54.180 Acts chapter 6, verse 7. 00:02:55.039 --> 00:02:55.500 It says, 00:02:55.639 --> 00:02:57.659 The word of God continued to increase. 00:02:58.340 --> 00:02:59.560 The CSB says spread. 00:02:59.560 --> 00:03:01.939 So the word of God continued to increase or spread. 00:03:02.560 --> 00:03:06.879 And the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, 00:03:07.180 --> 00:03:10.500 and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. 00:03:10.819 --> 00:03:11.000 Okay? 00:03:11.360 --> 00:03:14.400 So here we see another verse talking about the church growing. 00:03:14.819 --> 00:03:16.340 Disciples multiplying greatly. 00:03:17.159 --> 00:03:18.620 What was going on there? 00:03:19.180 --> 00:03:21.199 The word of God was being spread. 00:03:21.340 --> 00:03:22.340 The word of God was increasing. 00:03:22.879 --> 00:03:24.460 Or you could say the gospel. 00:03:25.020 --> 00:03:25.180 Okay? 00:03:26.039 --> 00:03:28.659 Was being spread all over the place 00:03:28.659 --> 00:03:31.400 and increase the number of the disciples greatly. 00:03:32.199 --> 00:03:32.639 Greatly. 00:03:33.280 --> 00:03:33.520 Okay? 00:03:34.919 --> 00:03:35.759 Third verse. 00:03:36.599 --> 00:03:39.740 Ephesians 4, verse 16. 00:03:40.359 --> 00:03:41.780 I'm going to read this one in the NIV. 00:03:42.840 --> 00:03:43.079 It says, 00:03:43.159 --> 00:03:44.340 From him the whole body, 00:03:44.500 --> 00:03:46.840 joined and held together by every supporting ligament, 00:03:47.379 --> 00:03:50.240 grows and builds itself up in love 00:03:50.240 --> 00:03:53.120 as each part does its work. 00:03:53.599 --> 00:03:55.479 As each part does its work. 00:03:55.560 --> 00:03:56.139 How did it grow? 00:03:56.139 --> 00:03:58.079 How did it get built up? 00:03:58.699 --> 00:04:02.039 Well, as each part of the church did its work. 00:04:02.899 --> 00:04:03.099 Okay? 00:04:03.459 --> 00:04:04.419 Seeing this? 00:04:05.359 --> 00:04:06.079 Fourth verse. 00:04:06.500 --> 00:04:08.599 Colossians 2, 19. 00:04:09.439 --> 00:04:09.639 It says, 00:04:09.899 --> 00:04:11.379 Holding fast to the head, 00:04:11.799 --> 00:04:12.879 from whom the whole body, 00:04:12.959 --> 00:04:14.000 nourished and knit together, 00:04:14.379 --> 00:04:15.560 through its joints and ligaments, 00:04:16.060 --> 00:04:19.240 grows with a growth that is from God. 00:04:19.680 --> 00:04:19.939 Okay? 00:04:20.099 --> 00:04:21.120 What did they do? 00:04:21.439 --> 00:04:22.000 Colossians. 00:04:22.459 --> 00:04:24.560 They were holding fast to the head. 00:04:24.560 --> 00:04:27.720 And agree with the growth that is from God. 00:04:28.079 --> 00:04:28.280 Okay? 00:04:28.519 --> 00:04:30.120 We want a growth that is from God. 00:04:30.480 --> 00:04:32.160 You can have artificial growth. 00:04:32.319 --> 00:04:34.180 Or you can have growth that is from God. 00:04:34.680 --> 00:04:34.980 All right? 00:04:36.180 --> 00:04:37.740 Whatever you draw people with, 00:04:37.759 --> 00:04:38.699 you have to keep them with. 00:04:40.180 --> 00:04:40.579 Okay? 00:04:41.120 --> 00:04:42.779 You draw them with all the slick, 00:04:43.220 --> 00:04:45.459 shiny objects, 00:04:45.879 --> 00:04:46.879 you got to keep them with the slick, 00:04:46.980 --> 00:04:47.680 shiny objects. 00:04:48.079 --> 00:04:49.139 You draw them with entertainment, 00:04:49.259 --> 00:04:50.120 you got to keep them entertained. 00:04:50.120 --> 00:04:50.600 Okay? 00:04:52.280 --> 00:04:53.280 What are you drawing with? 00:04:53.360 --> 00:04:54.819 Is God the one drawing them? 00:04:56.139 --> 00:04:57.699 Do you want that to be on us? 00:04:57.899 --> 00:04:59.199 That it's something, 00:04:59.780 --> 00:05:02.399 our cleverness that draws them? 00:05:02.459 --> 00:05:03.420 Well, then we got to keep being 00:05:03.420 --> 00:05:04.500 more and more clever. 00:05:05.680 --> 00:05:07.040 Or is it God himself? 00:05:07.680 --> 00:05:09.740 The church grows with a growth that is from God. 00:05:10.100 --> 00:05:10.319 Okay? 00:05:10.699 --> 00:05:12.040 So you see these five things 00:05:12.040 --> 00:05:14.280 that cause the church to grow in the Bible. 00:05:14.740 --> 00:05:15.819 Walking in the fear of the Lord, 00:05:16.199 --> 00:05:17.019 spreading the gospel, 00:05:17.300 --> 00:05:18.399 each part doing its work, 00:05:18.399 --> 00:05:20.279 walking in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, 00:05:20.620 --> 00:05:22.000 and holding fast to the head. 00:05:22.359 --> 00:05:22.599 Okay? 00:05:22.859 --> 00:05:24.039 I want to look at all five of them. 00:05:24.879 --> 00:05:26.319 Because I think it's important for us 00:05:26.319 --> 00:05:26.859 to make sure, 00:05:27.199 --> 00:05:27.399 hey, 00:05:27.599 --> 00:05:29.019 are we doing what the Bible says to do 00:05:29.019 --> 00:05:30.019 when it comes to church growth? 00:05:30.459 --> 00:05:31.919 I'm not interested in some fad. 00:05:31.919 --> 00:05:32.699 I'm not interested in 00:05:32.699 --> 00:05:35.259 some slick marketing campaign. 00:05:35.379 --> 00:05:36.500 What does the Bible say 00:05:36.500 --> 00:05:37.799 about church growth? 00:05:38.000 --> 00:05:38.719 I want to do that. 00:05:39.439 --> 00:05:40.459 We should want to do that. 00:05:40.699 --> 00:05:41.379 That's important. 00:05:42.099 --> 00:05:42.839 So the question is, 00:05:42.959 --> 00:05:43.439 are we? 00:05:44.120 --> 00:05:44.359 Right? 00:05:44.519 --> 00:05:45.259 That's a fair question. 00:05:46.219 --> 00:05:46.779 So number one, 00:05:46.779 --> 00:05:48.439 walking in the fear of the Lord. 00:05:49.819 --> 00:05:51.299 Acts 9.31 said, 00:05:51.639 --> 00:05:52.500 walking in the fear of the Lord 00:05:52.500 --> 00:05:53.419 and the comfort of the Holy Spirit, 00:05:53.539 --> 00:05:54.199 it multiplied. 00:05:54.839 --> 00:05:55.819 The church multiplied. 00:05:56.739 --> 00:05:56.899 Okay, 00:05:56.919 --> 00:05:58.219 what is the fear of the Lord? 00:06:00.000 --> 00:06:01.299 Proverbs 8.13 says, 00:06:01.379 --> 00:06:02.939 the fear of the Lord is to hate evil. 00:06:03.939 --> 00:06:04.139 It says, 00:06:04.239 --> 00:06:05.619 I hate pride and arrogance. 00:06:07.079 --> 00:06:07.959 God says this, 00:06:08.000 --> 00:06:08.179 right? 00:06:08.659 --> 00:06:10.339 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil. 00:06:10.639 --> 00:06:13.719 What is your attitude towards evil, 00:06:13.819 --> 00:06:14.659 particularly sin? 00:06:15.120 --> 00:06:15.939 The fear of the Lord says, 00:06:16.060 --> 00:06:16.760 I hate sin. 00:06:16.939 --> 00:06:18.260 I don't want to get close to sin. 00:06:18.500 --> 00:06:19.800 I'm not going to play with sin. 00:06:20.040 --> 00:06:21.320 I'm not going to mess with sin. 00:06:21.960 --> 00:06:22.860 As a church, 00:06:23.240 --> 00:06:24.300 we're saying, 00:06:24.460 --> 00:06:24.720 hey, 00:06:25.480 --> 00:06:26.280 if we're going to fear the Lord, 00:06:26.320 --> 00:06:27.380 we have to care about holiness. 00:06:28.220 --> 00:06:28.740 We have to make sure 00:06:28.740 --> 00:06:30.140 I'm not even getting close to sin. 00:06:31.340 --> 00:06:32.260 Proverbs 34, 00:06:32.680 --> 00:06:33.000 I'm sorry, 00:06:33.160 --> 00:06:34.020 Psalm 34, 00:06:34.840 --> 00:06:35.840 11 to 14, 00:06:36.320 --> 00:06:36.960 says, 00:06:37.060 --> 00:06:37.240 come, 00:06:37.300 --> 00:06:37.660 oh children, 00:06:37.800 --> 00:06:38.400 listen to me 00:06:38.400 --> 00:06:39.660 and I will teach you 00:06:39.660 --> 00:06:40.340 the fear of the Lord. 00:06:40.900 --> 00:06:41.280 All right? 00:06:41.860 --> 00:06:42.320 I'm listening. 00:06:42.319 --> 00:06:44.860 How do I learn the fear of the Lord? 00:06:46.079 --> 00:06:46.860 What man is there 00:06:46.860 --> 00:06:47.819 who desires life 00:06:47.819 --> 00:06:48.819 and loves many days 00:06:48.819 --> 00:06:50.060 that he may see good? 00:06:50.519 --> 00:06:52.219 Keep your tongue from evil 00:06:52.219 --> 00:06:53.379 and your lips 00:06:53.379 --> 00:06:54.639 from speaking deceit. 00:06:55.060 --> 00:06:55.959 Turn away from evil 00:06:55.959 --> 00:06:56.680 and do good. 00:06:57.139 --> 00:06:57.899 Seek peace 00:06:57.899 --> 00:06:59.120 and pursue it. 00:06:59.659 --> 00:06:59.819 Okay? 00:07:00.300 --> 00:07:01.019 So often, 00:07:01.319 --> 00:07:02.420 when it comes to the fear of the Lord, 00:07:02.519 --> 00:07:03.120 the way we can 00:07:03.120 --> 00:07:04.600 be flippant 00:07:04.600 --> 00:07:05.800 and not fear the Lord 00:07:05.800 --> 00:07:07.120 is with our lips. 00:07:07.699 --> 00:07:08.139 Right? 00:07:08.180 --> 00:07:08.779 With our tongue. 00:07:09.219 --> 00:07:10.480 Being careful what we say. 00:07:10.480 --> 00:07:11.340 All right? 00:07:11.600 --> 00:07:13.100 And it's easy to complain 00:07:13.100 --> 00:07:14.240 or it's easy to 00:07:14.240 --> 00:07:16.340 just kind of, 00:07:16.340 --> 00:07:16.740 you know, 00:07:17.160 --> 00:07:18.379 voice our complaints 00:07:18.379 --> 00:07:18.980 about things 00:07:18.980 --> 00:07:20.580 or about different people 00:07:20.580 --> 00:07:20.900 or, 00:07:21.280 --> 00:07:21.480 you know, 00:07:21.580 --> 00:07:23.060 and if we're a church 00:07:23.060 --> 00:07:23.900 that fears the Lord, 00:07:24.259 --> 00:07:25.000 none of that 00:07:25.000 --> 00:07:25.860 can be on our lips. 00:07:26.660 --> 00:07:27.259 We have to say, 00:07:27.340 --> 00:07:27.560 no, 00:07:28.200 --> 00:07:28.680 I want to learn 00:07:28.680 --> 00:07:29.220 the fear of the Lord. 00:07:29.360 --> 00:07:30.420 The fear of the Lord 00:07:30.420 --> 00:07:31.780 keeps my tongue 00:07:31.780 --> 00:07:33.080 from evil. 00:07:33.560 --> 00:07:34.400 I'm not going to, 00:07:34.439 --> 00:07:35.300 I'm going to be very careful 00:07:35.300 --> 00:07:35.740 with my words. 00:07:36.140 --> 00:07:37.700 The Proverbs 18 says, 00:07:37.699 --> 00:07:40.039 the tongue has the power 00:07:40.039 --> 00:07:40.979 of life and death. 00:07:41.860 --> 00:07:42.019 Okay? 00:07:42.479 --> 00:07:43.199 Tongue has the power 00:07:43.199 --> 00:07:44.039 of life and death. 00:07:45.560 --> 00:07:45.920 Remember, 00:07:46.019 --> 00:07:46.879 it's both sides too. 00:07:47.439 --> 00:07:47.939 It's easy to say, 00:07:48.019 --> 00:07:48.300 oh yeah, 00:07:48.339 --> 00:07:48.459 man, 00:07:48.459 --> 00:07:48.899 you got to be careful 00:07:48.899 --> 00:07:49.439 of that tongue. 00:07:50.099 --> 00:07:50.819 Watch your tongue, 00:07:50.939 --> 00:07:51.139 man. 00:07:51.639 --> 00:07:51.759 You're, 00:07:51.759 --> 00:07:52.120 you're, 00:07:52.360 --> 00:07:54.039 that's the power of death. 00:07:54.680 --> 00:07:54.839 Like, 00:07:54.899 --> 00:07:55.279 yes, 00:07:55.639 --> 00:07:56.180 you're right. 00:07:56.659 --> 00:07:57.560 What about the other side? 00:07:58.300 --> 00:07:59.120 What else is it? 00:07:59.699 --> 00:08:00.899 It's the power of life. 00:08:01.620 --> 00:08:02.680 It's the power of life. 00:08:03.240 --> 00:08:04.060 So the fear of the Lord 00:08:04.060 --> 00:08:04.339 says, 00:08:04.480 --> 00:08:05.539 I want to use 00:08:05.540 --> 00:08:06.920 this amazing tool, 00:08:07.180 --> 00:08:07.700 not for death, 00:08:07.740 --> 00:08:08.420 but for life. 00:08:09.140 --> 00:08:09.860 I'm going to be careful 00:08:09.860 --> 00:08:10.540 about my tongue. 00:08:10.600 --> 00:08:11.040 I'm going to turn 00:08:11.040 --> 00:08:12.480 my tongue from evil. 00:08:12.819 --> 00:08:13.939 I'm going to hate evil. 00:08:14.540 --> 00:08:14.720 Okay? 00:08:15.520 --> 00:08:16.500 That same word 00:08:16.500 --> 00:08:16.960 that was used 00:08:16.960 --> 00:08:18.020 in Acts chapter nine 00:08:18.020 --> 00:08:19.020 for the fear of the Lord, 00:08:19.020 --> 00:08:21.060 it's used multiple times 00:08:21.060 --> 00:08:22.439 in the book of Acts 00:08:22.439 --> 00:08:23.680 and it's translated 00:08:23.680 --> 00:08:24.700 in different ways 00:08:24.700 --> 00:08:25.980 and then in other ways, 00:08:26.220 --> 00:08:26.960 it just gives you 00:08:26.960 --> 00:08:27.879 a little more context 00:08:27.879 --> 00:08:28.700 of what it could mean. 00:08:28.820 --> 00:08:29.000 Okay? 00:08:29.720 --> 00:08:30.980 Acts 2.43 uses 00:08:30.980 --> 00:08:32.500 that same Greek word 00:08:32.500 --> 00:08:33.120 for fear 00:08:33.120 --> 00:08:34.159 and it says, 00:08:34.320 --> 00:08:34.820 instead of fear, 00:08:34.820 --> 00:08:35.100 it says, 00:08:35.280 --> 00:08:36.240 and awe came about, 00:08:36.660 --> 00:08:38.900 awe came upon every soul. 00:08:39.800 --> 00:08:41.240 Do you have an awe of God? 00:08:42.379 --> 00:08:42.820 Do you, 00:08:42.940 --> 00:08:44.020 when you think about God, 00:08:44.040 --> 00:08:44.900 when we worship God, 00:08:44.960 --> 00:08:45.700 do you think of God 00:08:45.700 --> 00:08:46.700 as so much greater 00:08:46.700 --> 00:08:47.800 than anything 00:08:47.800 --> 00:08:48.540 you've ever seen? 00:08:48.640 --> 00:08:48.900 Do you, 00:08:49.180 --> 00:08:50.260 are you awed by him 00:08:50.260 --> 00:08:51.760 or kind of smitten by him, 00:08:51.840 --> 00:08:53.740 like taken back by him? 00:08:54.100 --> 00:08:55.280 The fear of the Lord says, 00:08:55.620 --> 00:08:55.820 God, 00:08:55.879 --> 00:08:57.020 you are so other, 00:08:57.160 --> 00:08:58.100 you are so greater, 00:08:58.260 --> 00:08:59.440 you are so magnificent. 00:09:00.720 --> 00:09:02.580 It says in the book of Acts 00:09:02.580 --> 00:09:03.520 in Acts chapter two, 00:09:03.519 --> 00:09:04.899 that awe was upon every soul. 00:09:05.439 --> 00:09:06.419 When the fear of the Lord 00:09:06.419 --> 00:09:07.120 comes upon us, 00:09:07.159 --> 00:09:08.019 there's a sense of awe 00:09:08.019 --> 00:09:08.960 that comes on us. 00:09:09.840 --> 00:09:10.699 There's a sense of awe. 00:09:11.799 --> 00:09:12.039 Okay? 00:09:12.980 --> 00:09:14.500 We also see in the book of Acts 00:09:14.500 --> 00:09:16.159 the story of Ananias and Sapphira 00:09:16.159 --> 00:09:17.699 and that same word fear 00:09:17.699 --> 00:09:18.460 is used there. 00:09:19.299 --> 00:09:20.059 It says after, 00:09:22.860 --> 00:09:24.639 when he confronted Ananias 00:09:24.639 --> 00:09:25.720 in Acts chapter five, 00:09:25.819 --> 00:09:26.419 because Ananias 00:09:26.419 --> 00:09:28.319 was not being totally honest 00:09:28.319 --> 00:09:29.279 about what he had given 00:09:29.279 --> 00:09:29.960 to the Lord. 00:09:29.960 --> 00:09:31.580 in Acts five, 00:09:31.620 --> 00:09:32.019 verse five, 00:09:32.100 --> 00:09:32.240 it says, 00:09:32.360 --> 00:09:33.639 when Ananias heard these words, 00:09:33.740 --> 00:09:34.500 he fell down 00:09:34.500 --> 00:09:36.060 and breathed his last 00:09:36.060 --> 00:09:37.139 and great fear 00:09:37.139 --> 00:09:37.940 came upon all 00:09:37.940 --> 00:09:38.560 who heard of it. 00:09:38.820 --> 00:09:39.080 Okay? 00:09:39.160 --> 00:09:41.620 So he's lying to God 00:09:41.620 --> 00:09:42.840 and to other people. 00:09:42.920 --> 00:09:43.600 He's making things 00:09:43.600 --> 00:09:44.780 look better than they were 00:09:44.780 --> 00:09:47.700 and God put him to death. 00:09:48.700 --> 00:09:48.900 You think, 00:09:49.000 --> 00:09:49.280 whoa, 00:09:49.840 --> 00:09:51.200 that's, 00:09:51.240 --> 00:09:51.700 that's where, 00:09:51.840 --> 00:09:52.500 that's where you have 00:09:52.500 --> 00:09:53.120 a sense of awe 00:09:53.120 --> 00:09:53.800 and a sense of fear. 00:09:53.879 --> 00:09:54.120 It says, 00:09:54.340 --> 00:09:56.139 great fear came upon 00:09:56.139 --> 00:09:58.080 all who heard of it. 00:09:58.080 --> 00:09:58.639 Well, 00:09:58.680 --> 00:09:59.240 of course. 00:10:00.420 --> 00:10:01.139 And you realize, 00:10:01.480 --> 00:10:01.720 you know, 00:10:01.800 --> 00:10:02.780 I read a tweet 00:10:02.780 --> 00:10:04.000 this last week 00:10:04.000 --> 00:10:05.580 that said the sun 00:10:05.580 --> 00:10:06.259 is what, 00:10:06.379 --> 00:10:08.240 93,000 miles, 00:10:08.620 --> 00:10:08.740 no, 00:10:08.840 --> 00:10:09.040 million, 00:10:09.160 --> 00:10:09.500 what was it, 00:10:09.540 --> 00:10:09.720 million? 00:10:10.060 --> 00:10:11.500 93 million miles 00:10:11.500 --> 00:10:12.340 away from us. 00:10:13.100 --> 00:10:13.660 And yet, 00:10:13.700 --> 00:10:14.620 if you look at it 00:10:14.620 --> 00:10:16.639 just too long, 00:10:16.700 --> 00:10:17.480 which is not very long 00:10:17.480 --> 00:10:17.879 at all, 00:10:18.139 --> 00:10:19.120 it'll burn your eyes 00:10:19.120 --> 00:10:20.460 and we think we can 00:10:20.460 --> 00:10:21.160 flippantly come 00:10:21.160 --> 00:10:22.240 into the presence of God, 00:10:22.900 --> 00:10:23.960 the one who created 00:10:23.960 --> 00:10:24.420 the sun. 00:10:24.920 --> 00:10:26.120 Isn't that a crazy thought? 00:10:26.120 --> 00:10:28.779 That the sun 00:10:28.779 --> 00:10:30.620 is 93 million miles away 00:10:30.620 --> 00:10:31.539 and it'll burn your eyes 00:10:31.539 --> 00:10:32.179 if you look at it 00:10:32.179 --> 00:10:33.940 for seconds too long. 00:10:34.519 --> 00:10:35.879 And the creator 00:10:35.879 --> 00:10:36.679 of the sun, 00:10:37.340 --> 00:10:38.779 we so flippantly 00:10:38.779 --> 00:10:39.700 come to the creator 00:10:39.700 --> 00:10:40.320 of the sun. 00:10:40.860 --> 00:10:41.419 How much more 00:10:41.419 --> 00:10:42.340 of a consuming fire 00:10:42.340 --> 00:10:42.799 is he? 00:10:43.620 --> 00:10:43.799 Okay? 00:10:44.019 --> 00:10:44.720 He's the one 00:10:44.720 --> 00:10:46.240 who put Ananias to death 00:10:46.240 --> 00:10:47.159 and then Sapphira 00:10:47.159 --> 00:10:47.879 in verse 11 00:10:47.879 --> 00:10:49.419 and after she was 00:10:49.419 --> 00:10:49.919 put to death 00:10:49.919 --> 00:10:50.180 it said, 00:10:50.419 --> 00:10:50.980 great fear came 00:10:50.980 --> 00:10:51.919 upon the whole church 00:10:51.919 --> 00:10:52.840 and upon all 00:10:52.840 --> 00:10:53.620 who heard of these things. 00:10:53.779 --> 00:10:54.639 That kind of fear 00:10:54.639 --> 00:10:55.139 is basically, 00:10:55.139 --> 00:10:55.779 it says, 00:10:55.980 --> 00:10:56.199 hey, 00:10:56.799 --> 00:10:58.759 I'm in Christ 00:10:58.759 --> 00:11:01.120 but I have reverence 00:11:01.120 --> 00:11:01.600 for God. 00:11:01.720 --> 00:11:03.299 I have a certain sense 00:11:03.299 --> 00:11:04.840 of I don't want to sin. 00:11:05.120 --> 00:11:05.679 I don't want to get 00:11:05.679 --> 00:11:06.500 close to sin. 00:11:06.840 --> 00:11:07.419 I don't want to, 00:11:07.419 --> 00:11:09.559 I don't want to mess around 00:11:09.559 --> 00:11:12.319 with just even a hint 00:11:12.319 --> 00:11:13.639 of unholiness. 00:11:13.799 --> 00:11:15.879 Like I want to be pure. 00:11:16.679 --> 00:11:18.100 And you see that the church 00:11:18.100 --> 00:11:19.139 that was here, 00:11:19.340 --> 00:11:19.899 it grew. 00:11:20.100 --> 00:11:20.679 In what? 00:11:21.179 --> 00:11:21.960 Walking in the fear 00:11:21.960 --> 00:11:22.279 of the Lord. 00:11:22.279 --> 00:11:24.159 this kind of fear, 00:11:24.879 --> 00:11:25.819 this kind of awe, 00:11:26.699 --> 00:11:29.259 this kind of seriousness 00:11:29.259 --> 00:11:29.860 that says, 00:11:30.360 --> 00:11:31.159 there's a sense 00:11:31.159 --> 00:11:32.459 of a lack of flippancy. 00:11:33.360 --> 00:11:34.120 And sometimes 00:11:34.120 --> 00:11:34.779 maybe we can get 00:11:34.779 --> 00:11:35.720 a little too flippant 00:11:35.720 --> 00:11:36.959 in our church experience 00:11:36.959 --> 00:11:38.000 where we forget 00:11:38.000 --> 00:11:38.819 who God is. 00:11:39.579 --> 00:11:39.779 Right? 00:11:40.419 --> 00:11:41.299 There was this kind 00:11:41.299 --> 00:11:41.720 of flippancy 00:11:41.720 --> 00:11:42.459 you also saw 00:11:42.459 --> 00:11:43.600 in Acts chapter 19. 00:11:43.759 --> 00:11:44.959 Remember the story 00:11:44.959 --> 00:11:45.659 of the itinerant 00:11:45.659 --> 00:11:47.299 Jewish exorcists 00:11:47.299 --> 00:11:48.959 who undertook 00:11:48.959 --> 00:11:49.419 to invoke 00:11:49.419 --> 00:11:50.439 the name of the Lord Jesus 00:11:50.440 --> 00:11:51.000 over those 00:11:51.000 --> 00:11:51.920 who had evil spirits? 00:11:52.040 --> 00:11:52.740 Remember that story? 00:11:53.580 --> 00:11:54.180 And they said, 00:11:54.240 --> 00:11:54.900 I adjure you 00:11:54.900 --> 00:11:55.580 by Jesus 00:11:55.580 --> 00:11:57.040 whom Paul proclaims. 00:11:57.480 --> 00:11:58.160 Seven sons 00:11:58.160 --> 00:11:59.160 of a Jewish high priest 00:11:59.160 --> 00:11:59.900 named Sceva 00:11:59.900 --> 00:12:01.060 were doing this. 00:12:01.140 --> 00:12:01.980 But the evil spirit 00:12:01.980 --> 00:12:02.640 answered them, 00:12:03.040 --> 00:12:04.060 Jesus I know 00:12:04.060 --> 00:12:06.160 and Paul I recognize. 00:12:07.520 --> 00:12:08.540 But who are you? 00:12:09.820 --> 00:12:10.300 Okay? 00:12:10.880 --> 00:12:11.520 And then the man 00:12:11.520 --> 00:12:12.680 in whom was the evil spirit 00:12:12.680 --> 00:12:13.460 leaped on them, 00:12:13.580 --> 00:12:14.480 mastered all of them 00:12:14.480 --> 00:12:15.400 and overpowered them 00:12:15.400 --> 00:12:16.360 so that they fled 00:12:16.360 --> 00:12:17.080 out of that house 00:12:17.080 --> 00:12:18.120 naked and wounded. 00:12:18.120 --> 00:12:20.179 That's a bad day. 00:12:20.460 --> 00:12:20.700 Right? 00:12:21.440 --> 00:12:22.100 It's like, 00:12:22.600 --> 00:12:22.980 hey, you know, 00:12:23.039 --> 00:12:24.060 this can't be too hard. 00:12:24.159 --> 00:12:24.639 What the heck? 00:12:24.860 --> 00:12:25.740 I see they're casting 00:12:25.740 --> 00:12:26.240 out demons. 00:12:26.879 --> 00:12:28.039 I think I'll try this. 00:12:28.080 --> 00:12:28.299 Right? 00:12:29.740 --> 00:12:30.980 No, you don't 00:12:30.980 --> 00:12:32.060 flippantly deal 00:12:32.060 --> 00:12:32.820 with things 00:12:32.820 --> 00:12:34.000 like that. 00:12:34.100 --> 00:12:35.419 You don't get flippant 00:12:35.419 --> 00:12:36.139 about the things 00:12:36.139 --> 00:12:36.560 of God. 00:12:37.700 --> 00:12:38.700 Look at what happened. 00:12:39.139 --> 00:12:39.700 They fled out 00:12:39.700 --> 00:12:40.080 of the house 00:12:40.080 --> 00:12:40.860 naked and wounded 00:12:40.860 --> 00:12:42.200 and this became known 00:12:42.200 --> 00:12:43.080 to all the residents 00:12:43.080 --> 00:12:43.560 of Ephesus, 00:12:43.720 --> 00:12:44.600 both Jews and Greeks. 00:12:45.180 --> 00:12:46.379 And then that next phrase 00:12:46.379 --> 00:12:47.340 has that same word 00:12:47.340 --> 00:12:47.879 that was used 00:12:47.879 --> 00:12:48.660 in Acts chapter 9. 00:12:48.759 --> 00:12:48.960 It says, 00:12:49.300 --> 00:12:50.860 and fear fell upon all them 00:12:50.860 --> 00:12:52.019 and the name 00:12:52.019 --> 00:12:52.500 of the Lord Jesus 00:12:52.500 --> 00:12:53.540 was extolled. 00:12:53.639 --> 00:12:54.399 Also many of those 00:12:54.399 --> 00:12:55.139 who are now believers 00:12:55.139 --> 00:12:56.500 came confessing 00:12:56.500 --> 00:12:57.000 and divulging 00:12:57.000 --> 00:12:57.600 their practices 00:12:57.600 --> 00:12:58.440 and a number of those 00:12:58.440 --> 00:12:59.019 who had practiced 00:12:59.019 --> 00:12:59.899 magic arts 00:12:59.899 --> 00:13:00.980 brought their books 00:13:00.980 --> 00:13:01.740 together and burned 00:13:01.740 --> 00:13:02.639 them in the sight of all. 00:13:03.680 --> 00:13:04.139 And they counted 00:13:04.139 --> 00:13:04.759 the value of them 00:13:04.759 --> 00:13:05.360 and found it came 00:13:05.360 --> 00:13:06.360 to 50,000 pieces 00:13:06.360 --> 00:13:06.879 of silver. 00:13:07.420 --> 00:13:08.580 So the word of the Lord 00:13:08.580 --> 00:13:09.860 continued to increase 00:13:09.860 --> 00:13:10.759 and prevail mightily. 00:13:11.040 --> 00:13:11.860 You see that again? 00:13:12.259 --> 00:13:13.220 There's this tying 00:13:13.220 --> 00:13:15.139 to the sense of fear 00:13:15.139 --> 00:13:16.440 that came upon the church 00:13:16.440 --> 00:13:17.680 and then the word 00:13:17.680 --> 00:13:18.040 of the Lord 00:13:18.040 --> 00:13:19.020 continued to increase 00:13:19.020 --> 00:13:19.860 and prevail mightily. 00:13:20.160 --> 00:13:20.620 It was like, 00:13:20.700 --> 00:13:22.240 it caused the spread 00:13:22.240 --> 00:13:23.140 of the gospel. 00:13:24.200 --> 00:13:24.360 Okay? 00:13:25.120 --> 00:13:28.140 Which really goes together 00:13:28.140 --> 00:13:28.820 with 2 Corinthians 00:13:28.820 --> 00:13:29.680 chapter 5, 00:13:29.780 --> 00:13:30.360 10 to 11. 00:13:31.120 --> 00:13:31.880 He says, 00:13:32.500 --> 00:13:33.560 we must all appear 00:13:33.560 --> 00:13:34.620 before the judgment seat 00:13:34.620 --> 00:13:35.200 of Christ 00:13:35.200 --> 00:13:37.320 so that each one 00:13:37.320 --> 00:13:38.860 may receive what is due 00:13:38.860 --> 00:13:40.020 for what he has done 00:13:40.020 --> 00:13:40.560 in the body, 00:13:40.940 --> 00:13:41.800 whether good or evil. 00:13:42.660 --> 00:13:43.020 Therefore, 00:13:43.019 --> 00:13:43.759 okay, 00:13:43.879 --> 00:13:45.079 so look before it 00:13:45.079 --> 00:13:45.939 to see what it's there for. 00:13:46.639 --> 00:13:46.879 He says, 00:13:46.980 --> 00:13:47.639 we must all appear 00:13:47.639 --> 00:13:48.240 before the judgment 00:13:48.240 --> 00:13:48.699 of Christ. 00:13:49.079 --> 00:13:49.319 Therefore, 00:13:49.539 --> 00:13:50.679 so in light of the fact 00:13:50.679 --> 00:13:51.620 that we must all appear 00:13:51.620 --> 00:13:52.500 before the judgment seat 00:13:52.500 --> 00:13:53.000 of Christ, 00:13:53.559 --> 00:13:54.559 knowing the fear 00:13:54.559 --> 00:13:55.079 of the Lord, 00:13:55.620 --> 00:13:56.379 we do what? 00:13:56.500 --> 00:13:57.759 We persuade others. 00:13:58.559 --> 00:13:59.159 Do you see that? 00:13:59.220 --> 00:14:00.259 Do you see that tie there? 00:14:00.759 --> 00:14:01.559 You saw the fear 00:14:01.559 --> 00:14:02.639 that came upon the church 00:14:02.639 --> 00:14:03.960 when these seven sons 00:14:03.960 --> 00:14:04.659 of schema thought, 00:14:04.759 --> 00:14:04.919 oh, 00:14:05.059 --> 00:14:05.539 no big deal, 00:14:05.579 --> 00:14:06.539 I'll just cast out demons. 00:14:07.019 --> 00:14:07.279 No. 00:14:08.139 --> 00:14:08.840 Where's your fear 00:14:08.840 --> 00:14:09.279 of the Lord? 00:14:09.600 --> 00:14:10.179 And great fear 00:14:10.179 --> 00:14:11.220 came upon the church 00:14:11.220 --> 00:14:12.980 and then it caused 00:14:12.980 --> 00:14:13.940 the word of the Lord 00:14:13.940 --> 00:14:14.500 to spread, 00:14:14.779 --> 00:14:15.740 the gospel spread. 00:14:16.360 --> 00:14:17.060 In the same way 00:14:17.060 --> 00:14:17.700 when the fear 00:14:17.700 --> 00:14:18.360 of judgment, 00:14:18.540 --> 00:14:19.200 when you're realizing, 00:14:19.360 --> 00:14:19.500 hey, 00:14:19.620 --> 00:14:20.560 we're all going to stand 00:14:20.560 --> 00:14:21.500 before the judgment seat, 00:14:21.800 --> 00:14:23.779 I better be cognizant 00:14:23.779 --> 00:14:24.519 of what I'm doing, 00:14:24.720 --> 00:14:25.940 how I'm conducting myself 00:14:25.940 --> 00:14:28.000 and know that 00:14:28.000 --> 00:14:29.200 no one's going 00:14:29.200 --> 00:14:29.960 to escape judgment. 00:14:30.240 --> 00:14:30.680 Therefore, 00:14:31.060 --> 00:14:32.060 knowing the fear 00:14:32.060 --> 00:14:32.620 of the Lord, 00:14:32.940 --> 00:14:34.160 we persuade others. 00:14:34.759 --> 00:14:35.560 Knowing the fear 00:14:35.560 --> 00:14:35.899 of the Lord, 00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:36.740 we persuade others. 00:14:36.840 --> 00:14:37.580 Knowing that everyone 00:14:37.580 --> 00:14:38.340 is going to stand 00:14:38.340 --> 00:14:39.379 before that judgment seat, 00:14:39.660 --> 00:14:40.480 I've got to persuade 00:14:40.480 --> 00:14:41.200 as many people 00:14:41.200 --> 00:14:41.879 as possible 00:14:41.879 --> 00:14:43.139 with the gospel. 00:14:43.820 --> 00:14:43.960 Okay? 00:14:44.200 --> 00:14:44.840 So the fear 00:14:44.840 --> 00:14:45.300 of the Lord 00:14:45.300 --> 00:14:46.259 is very much tied 00:14:46.259 --> 00:14:46.940 to the spread 00:14:46.940 --> 00:14:47.539 of the gospel. 00:14:48.200 --> 00:14:48.759 Could it be that 00:14:48.759 --> 00:14:49.539 perhaps sometimes 00:14:49.539 --> 00:14:50.340 we don't spread 00:14:50.340 --> 00:14:50.779 the gospel 00:14:50.779 --> 00:14:51.519 because we lack 00:14:51.519 --> 00:14:52.300 a fear of the Lord? 00:14:53.500 --> 00:14:54.039 Have you ever 00:14:54.039 --> 00:14:54.820 thought about that? 00:14:55.220 --> 00:14:55.460 Have you ever 00:14:55.460 --> 00:14:56.360 thought that maybe 00:14:56.360 --> 00:14:56.899 the reason we're 00:14:56.899 --> 00:14:58.899 not persuading others 00:14:58.899 --> 00:15:00.920 is because we don't 00:15:00.920 --> 00:15:01.379 know the fear 00:15:01.379 --> 00:15:01.759 of the Lord? 00:15:02.279 --> 00:15:03.460 We're not cognizant 00:15:03.460 --> 00:15:03.980 of the fact that 00:15:03.980 --> 00:15:04.480 one day, 00:15:04.879 --> 00:15:05.740 there is a day coming 00:15:05.740 --> 00:15:06.560 and it is coming soon 00:15:06.560 --> 00:15:07.139 and we will all 00:15:07.139 --> 00:15:08.720 stand before the Lord? 00:15:08.720 --> 00:15:10.460 We'll all stand 00:15:10.460 --> 00:15:10.759 and we'll have 00:15:10.759 --> 00:15:11.420 to give an account 00:15:11.420 --> 00:15:12.899 and not just us 00:15:12.899 --> 00:15:13.879 but all those people 00:15:13.879 --> 00:15:14.920 outside of these walls 00:15:14.920 --> 00:15:15.759 who don't know Jesus, 00:15:15.940 --> 00:15:17.399 who have not trusted Him, 00:15:17.920 --> 00:15:18.560 who are not covered 00:15:18.560 --> 00:15:19.040 in the blood, 00:15:19.320 --> 00:15:20.060 those whose sins 00:15:20.060 --> 00:15:20.879 will be counted 00:15:20.879 --> 00:15:21.560 against them 00:15:21.560 --> 00:15:24.720 unless they turn 00:15:24.720 --> 00:15:25.720 and trust to Jesus 00:15:25.720 --> 00:15:27.500 and have their stain 00:15:27.500 --> 00:15:28.080 removed. 00:15:29.120 --> 00:15:30.080 Knowing the fear 00:15:30.080 --> 00:15:30.620 of the Lord, 00:15:30.920 --> 00:15:31.899 we persuade others. 00:15:32.440 --> 00:15:33.740 We persuade others. 00:15:35.000 --> 00:15:35.420 Okay? 00:15:35.480 --> 00:15:36.000 So it brings us 00:15:36.000 --> 00:15:37.080 to that second point, 00:15:37.180 --> 00:15:38.000 spreading the gospel. 00:15:38.000 --> 00:15:40.039 It says in Acts 6-7, 00:15:40.120 --> 00:15:40.299 right, 00:15:40.379 --> 00:15:41.320 the number of the disciples 00:15:41.320 --> 00:15:42.840 multiplied greatly 00:15:42.840 --> 00:15:44.460 after the word of God 00:15:44.460 --> 00:15:45.919 continued to increase 00:15:45.919 --> 00:15:47.980 or continued to spread. 00:15:48.700 --> 00:15:48.879 Okay? 00:15:49.200 --> 00:15:50.139 When the word of God 00:15:50.139 --> 00:15:50.600 spreads, 00:15:50.740 --> 00:15:51.899 when the gospel spreads, 00:15:52.279 --> 00:15:53.779 the number of disciples 00:15:53.779 --> 00:15:55.519 multiplies greatly. 00:15:55.899 --> 00:15:56.559 You saw this also 00:15:56.559 --> 00:15:58.240 in Acts 12-24. 00:15:58.440 --> 00:15:59.279 It says the word of God 00:15:59.279 --> 00:16:01.059 increased or spread 00:16:01.059 --> 00:16:01.960 and multiplied. 00:16:03.139 --> 00:16:03.580 Okay? 00:16:03.580 --> 00:16:03.679 Okay? 00:16:03.679 --> 00:16:08.339 I'm convinced 00:16:08.339 --> 00:16:09.459 one of the main reasons 00:16:09.459 --> 00:16:10.359 why so many churches 00:16:10.359 --> 00:16:11.459 stay the same size 00:16:11.459 --> 00:16:12.559 is because people 00:16:12.559 --> 00:16:13.099 aren't persuaded 00:16:13.099 --> 00:16:13.899 to preach the gospel. 00:16:14.899 --> 00:16:16.059 Because you get comfortable 00:16:16.059 --> 00:16:17.339 with a group of friends, 00:16:17.519 --> 00:16:18.599 you get to know each other, 00:16:18.659 --> 00:16:20.000 our kids get to know each other, 00:16:20.419 --> 00:16:21.019 we're able to just 00:16:21.019 --> 00:16:22.419 really gel together well, 00:16:22.779 --> 00:16:23.259 and it's like, 00:16:23.419 --> 00:16:23.679 you know, 00:16:23.739 --> 00:16:24.479 us four no more, 00:16:24.559 --> 00:16:25.599 it's kind of going pretty well. 00:16:25.679 --> 00:16:25.799 I mean, 00:16:25.859 --> 00:16:26.339 what's that? 00:16:26.679 --> 00:16:27.519 I'm enjoying life, 00:16:27.599 --> 00:16:28.279 you're enjoying life. 00:16:28.359 --> 00:16:28.539 I mean, 00:16:28.759 --> 00:16:29.500 we don't want to break up 00:16:29.500 --> 00:16:30.019 a good thing. 00:16:30.059 --> 00:16:30.179 I mean, 00:16:30.179 --> 00:16:31.019 I don't want to make 00:16:31.019 --> 00:16:31.819 it more uncomfortable. 00:16:32.079 --> 00:16:32.239 I mean, 00:16:32.359 --> 00:16:33.639 if we had more people, 00:16:34.019 --> 00:16:34.299 I mean, 00:16:34.319 --> 00:16:34.799 I kind of like 00:16:34.799 --> 00:16:35.459 what's going on here. 00:16:35.519 --> 00:16:36.219 I got my friends 00:16:36.219 --> 00:16:37.839 where everything's going well, 00:16:38.500 --> 00:16:39.059 and yet, 00:16:39.379 --> 00:16:41.259 there's people dying 00:16:41.259 --> 00:16:41.859 and going to hell. 00:16:41.979 --> 00:16:42.439 There's people 00:16:42.439 --> 00:16:43.719 who don't know the truth. 00:16:43.819 --> 00:16:44.479 The fear of the Lord 00:16:44.479 --> 00:16:45.639 should be persuading us 00:16:45.639 --> 00:16:45.979 and saying, 00:16:46.139 --> 00:16:47.339 we've got to spread 00:16:47.339 --> 00:16:48.139 the good news. 00:16:48.620 --> 00:16:49.079 We've got to be 00:16:49.079 --> 00:16:49.879 highly intentional. 00:16:50.379 --> 00:16:51.299 I've got to reorient 00:16:51.299 --> 00:16:52.859 my life around the gospel. 00:16:53.159 --> 00:16:54.299 It can't be just this thing 00:16:54.299 --> 00:16:55.719 I wait for these opportunities. 00:16:56.139 --> 00:16:56.240 No, 00:16:56.240 --> 00:16:57.059 I need to go and make 00:16:57.059 --> 00:16:58.059 the most of every opportunity. 00:16:58.139 --> 00:16:59.099 I need to open, 00:16:59.219 --> 00:17:00.120 open door, 00:17:00.179 --> 00:17:01.659 and look for places 00:17:01.659 --> 00:17:02.919 where I can preach the gospel. 00:17:05.240 --> 00:17:06.279 God save us 00:17:06.279 --> 00:17:07.399 if we ever, 00:17:08.159 --> 00:17:08.919 as a church, 00:17:09.139 --> 00:17:09.879 let up on that. 00:17:11.319 --> 00:17:12.839 And be sure that if we do, 00:17:13.419 --> 00:17:14.200 that will be the end 00:17:14.200 --> 00:17:14.779 of any growth 00:17:14.779 --> 00:17:15.299 that we'll see. 00:17:16.379 --> 00:17:16.619 Because 00:17:16.619 --> 00:17:19.019 you grow 00:17:19.019 --> 00:17:21.220 by reaching people 00:17:21.220 --> 00:17:21.859 with the gospel. 00:17:22.940 --> 00:17:23.119 Okay? 00:17:23.339 --> 00:17:24.059 In the fear of the Lord, 00:17:24.119 --> 00:17:25.079 we are persuaded. 00:17:26.319 --> 00:17:27.019 Colossians 1, 00:17:27.099 --> 00:17:28.079 3 to verse 7, 00:17:28.419 --> 00:17:29.339 3 through 7, 00:17:29.659 --> 00:17:30.039 says, 00:17:30.039 --> 00:17:30.879 We always thank God, 00:17:30.960 --> 00:17:32.460 the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:17:32.559 --> 00:17:33.379 when we pray for you, 00:17:34.000 --> 00:17:35.000 since we heard of your faith 00:17:35.000 --> 00:17:35.720 in Christ Jesus 00:17:35.720 --> 00:17:36.779 and of the love that you have 00:17:36.779 --> 00:17:37.539 for all the saints, 00:17:37.960 --> 00:17:39.099 because of the hope 00:17:39.099 --> 00:17:40.359 laid up for you 00:17:40.359 --> 00:17:40.960 in heaven. 00:17:41.460 --> 00:17:42.500 Of this you have heard 00:17:42.500 --> 00:17:43.059 before 00:17:43.059 --> 00:17:44.740 in the word of truth, 00:17:44.980 --> 00:17:45.759 the gospel, 00:17:46.039 --> 00:17:47.059 which has come to you, 00:17:47.259 --> 00:17:48.539 as indeed in the whole world 00:17:48.539 --> 00:17:49.460 it is bearing fruit 00:17:49.460 --> 00:17:50.159 and increasing. 00:17:50.559 --> 00:17:51.399 That word increasing 00:17:51.399 --> 00:17:52.200 is the same word 00:17:52.200 --> 00:17:52.680 that was used 00:17:52.680 --> 00:17:53.420 in multiplied, 00:17:53.659 --> 00:17:53.899 right? 00:17:54.220 --> 00:17:55.019 Or spread. 00:17:55.019 --> 00:17:57.059 So this word of the truth, 00:17:57.180 --> 00:17:57.779 the gospel, 00:17:58.400 --> 00:17:59.299 it came to you 00:17:59.299 --> 00:18:00.339 and it's bearing fruit 00:18:00.339 --> 00:18:01.119 and increasing. 00:18:01.299 --> 00:18:02.039 It's being spread, 00:18:02.660 --> 00:18:03.819 as it also does among you, 00:18:03.859 --> 00:18:04.859 since the day you heard it 00:18:04.859 --> 00:18:06.759 and understood the grace 00:18:06.759 --> 00:18:07.740 of God and truth, 00:18:07.799 --> 00:18:08.639 just as you learned it 00:18:08.639 --> 00:18:09.440 from Epaphras, 00:18:09.539 --> 00:18:10.720 our beloved fellow servant. 00:18:11.180 --> 00:18:12.279 He is a faithful minister 00:18:12.279 --> 00:18:12.940 of Christ 00:18:12.940 --> 00:18:14.299 on your behalf. 00:18:14.859 --> 00:18:16.480 I love how he just points out 00:18:16.480 --> 00:18:17.839 this guy Epaphras. 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:18.759 Epaphras, 00:18:18.859 --> 00:18:19.660 from the verses you see, 00:18:19.720 --> 00:18:20.400 there's not a lot of him, 00:18:20.400 --> 00:18:20.980 but he seemed like 00:18:20.980 --> 00:18:21.639 a pretty awesome, 00:18:21.859 --> 00:18:22.839 awesome guy. 00:18:23.439 --> 00:18:23.619 Right? 00:18:24.579 --> 00:18:26.099 He's commending Epaphras 00:18:26.099 --> 00:18:26.679 because he said, 00:18:26.980 --> 00:18:27.859 you learned this 00:18:27.859 --> 00:18:28.799 from Epaphras. 00:18:29.319 --> 00:18:31.720 He's a beloved fellow servant. 00:18:32.119 --> 00:18:33.319 He's a faithful minister 00:18:33.319 --> 00:18:34.099 of Christ 00:18:34.099 --> 00:18:35.679 on your behalf. 00:18:35.919 --> 00:18:36.939 If we want to be a church 00:18:36.939 --> 00:18:37.679 that grows the way 00:18:37.679 --> 00:18:38.539 God grows churches, 00:18:38.639 --> 00:18:39.399 if we want to be a church 00:18:39.399 --> 00:18:40.619 that grows the way 00:18:40.619 --> 00:18:41.599 that the Bible talks 00:18:41.599 --> 00:18:42.299 about growing, 00:18:42.859 --> 00:18:43.699 we need Epaphras. 00:18:44.699 --> 00:18:46.319 We need faithful ministers 00:18:46.319 --> 00:18:47.279 of Christ 00:18:47.279 --> 00:18:48.240 on others' behalf 00:18:48.240 --> 00:18:50.119 who will be spreading 00:18:50.119 --> 00:18:50.819 the good news 00:18:50.819 --> 00:18:51.439 of the gospel. 00:18:51.440 --> 00:18:53.420 more seed being sowed, 00:18:53.740 --> 00:18:54.880 more seed being sowed. 00:18:55.039 --> 00:18:55.460 And remember, 00:18:55.720 --> 00:18:56.559 it's never your job 00:18:56.559 --> 00:18:57.220 to save people. 00:18:58.519 --> 00:18:59.000 Never. 00:19:00.200 --> 00:19:01.340 That's a good relief. 00:19:02.080 --> 00:19:02.920 It's not my job 00:19:02.920 --> 00:19:03.380 to save anybody. 00:19:03.480 --> 00:19:04.059 It's not your job 00:19:04.059 --> 00:19:04.660 to save anybody. 00:19:04.880 --> 00:19:05.960 That's God's job. 00:19:06.460 --> 00:19:07.360 What's our job? 00:19:07.840 --> 00:19:08.799 Spread the word. 00:19:09.279 --> 00:19:10.440 Spread the good news. 00:19:10.880 --> 00:19:11.940 Give people a hearing. 00:19:12.420 --> 00:19:13.480 People need a hearing. 00:19:14.420 --> 00:19:15.400 God makes things grow. 00:19:15.820 --> 00:19:16.259 We plant, 00:19:16.360 --> 00:19:16.799 we water, 00:19:16.940 --> 00:19:17.299 we plant, 00:19:17.400 --> 00:19:17.759 we water, 00:19:17.820 --> 00:19:18.120 we plant, 00:19:18.119 --> 00:19:18.479 we water, 00:19:18.599 --> 00:19:19.619 God makes things grow. 00:19:20.659 --> 00:19:21.939 Are you that kind of person? 00:19:22.459 --> 00:19:22.859 Where is, 00:19:23.259 --> 00:19:23.479 you know, 00:19:23.559 --> 00:19:24.519 I know maybe in the beginning 00:19:24.519 --> 00:19:25.359 when we planted the church, 00:19:25.419 --> 00:19:25.639 it's like, 00:19:25.679 --> 00:19:25.839 yes, 00:19:25.859 --> 00:19:26.739 we got to preach the gospel. 00:19:27.119 --> 00:19:29.519 Where is your drive 00:19:29.519 --> 00:19:30.779 to preach the gospel now? 00:19:31.979 --> 00:19:32.919 Is it still there? 00:19:33.919 --> 00:19:34.679 Maybe some of us 00:19:34.679 --> 00:19:36.599 need just a fresh feeling 00:19:36.599 --> 00:19:37.199 of the spirit 00:19:37.199 --> 00:19:38.000 to say, 00:19:38.039 --> 00:19:38.299 God, 00:19:39.000 --> 00:19:40.639 I'm feeling a little empty. 00:19:40.719 --> 00:19:41.759 I'm not really motivated 00:19:41.759 --> 00:19:42.659 to preach the gospel. 00:19:44.039 --> 00:19:44.259 Okay? 00:19:44.259 --> 00:19:47.000 Some of us feel that. 00:19:47.099 --> 00:19:47.400 Marianne, 00:19:47.440 --> 00:19:48.019 are you feeling that? 00:19:50.799 --> 00:19:51.480 But what are we going 00:19:51.480 --> 00:19:52.140 to do about it? 00:19:52.559 --> 00:19:53.299 Are we sunk? 00:19:53.900 --> 00:19:54.819 Is there no hope? 00:19:56.400 --> 00:19:57.140 We need to get filled 00:19:57.140 --> 00:19:57.759 with the spirit. 00:19:58.599 --> 00:19:59.140 We need to get filled 00:19:59.140 --> 00:19:59.660 with the spirit. 00:20:01.339 --> 00:20:01.740 You know, 00:20:01.759 --> 00:20:02.579 I was actually thinking 00:20:02.579 --> 00:20:04.079 when you guys sang 00:20:04.079 --> 00:20:06.500 that Issa song, 00:20:06.920 --> 00:20:07.879 Your Name's My Reward. 00:20:10.660 --> 00:20:11.240 Let's see here. 00:20:11.319 --> 00:20:12.359 18 years ago, 00:20:12.440 --> 00:20:13.019 I was doing like 00:20:13.019 --> 00:20:13.940 an extended fast. 00:20:14.340 --> 00:20:16.420 Went to Nashville 00:20:16.420 --> 00:20:18.799 for the Psalm Assembly, 00:20:18.860 --> 00:20:19.620 the call there. 00:20:20.220 --> 00:20:21.299 And I was feeling 00:20:21.299 --> 00:20:22.120 really burnt out. 00:20:22.220 --> 00:20:22.460 I'm like, 00:20:22.480 --> 00:20:23.440 why am I doing this? 00:20:23.480 --> 00:20:24.580 What's the point of this? 00:20:27.019 --> 00:20:29.120 And walked into the stadium 00:20:29.120 --> 00:20:29.620 where they're having 00:20:29.620 --> 00:20:30.320 the prayer meeting. 00:20:30.920 --> 00:20:31.920 I got there like 00:20:31.920 --> 00:20:32.480 two, 00:20:32.600 --> 00:20:33.460 three hours early. 00:20:34.160 --> 00:20:35.600 And Issa was on the stage. 00:20:36.160 --> 00:20:36.580 And she was, 00:20:37.259 --> 00:20:38.380 I think it might have been 00:20:38.380 --> 00:20:39.380 singing that song. 00:20:39.620 --> 00:20:40.480 And I walked in 00:20:40.480 --> 00:20:41.480 and I just wept. 00:20:42.000 --> 00:20:42.779 And I just wept. 00:20:42.779 --> 00:20:43.639 And I feel like I just, 00:20:44.279 --> 00:20:45.099 it was just clear. 00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:46.480 I just got filled 00:20:46.480 --> 00:20:47.039 with the spirit. 00:20:47.039 --> 00:20:47.940 And I was renewed. 00:20:48.139 --> 00:20:48.960 I was refreshed. 00:20:49.639 --> 00:20:50.180 And I was just thinking, 00:20:50.299 --> 00:20:50.420 actually, 00:20:50.420 --> 00:20:51.240 when we were singing 00:20:51.240 --> 00:20:51.700 that song, 00:20:51.740 --> 00:20:52.500 we were worshiping. 00:20:53.099 --> 00:20:53.779 I was thinking, 00:20:53.879 --> 00:20:54.359 I was surprised. 00:20:54.420 --> 00:20:55.420 It was so tender to me. 00:20:55.420 --> 00:20:56.720 I started crying just even 00:20:56.720 --> 00:20:57.460 singing the song. 00:20:57.539 --> 00:20:57.759 I was like, 00:20:57.920 --> 00:20:59.300 that was 18 years ago. 00:20:59.560 --> 00:21:00.860 And just thinking about it, 00:21:01.060 --> 00:21:01.460 I'm getting, 00:21:01.860 --> 00:21:03.300 I'm crying, 00:21:03.700 --> 00:21:04.500 thinking about it. 00:21:04.980 --> 00:21:05.640 And I was thinking about 00:21:05.640 --> 00:21:06.580 how important it is 00:21:06.580 --> 00:21:08.220 to have a history in God 00:21:08.220 --> 00:21:09.600 of those moments. 00:21:09.920 --> 00:21:11.300 And so many times people think, 00:21:11.420 --> 00:21:12.640 oh, Christianity should be this, 00:21:12.759 --> 00:21:12.880 like, 00:21:13.039 --> 00:21:14.420 one mountaintop to the other. 00:21:14.680 --> 00:21:14.920 It's like, 00:21:14.960 --> 00:21:15.080 no, 00:21:15.120 --> 00:21:16.060 that's not what it is. 00:21:16.700 --> 00:21:17.620 But there are those 00:21:17.620 --> 00:21:18.519 meaningful moments 00:21:18.519 --> 00:21:19.160 that you have 00:21:19.160 --> 00:21:19.860 that you remember. 00:21:20.719 --> 00:21:20.899 And, 00:21:21.000 --> 00:21:21.299 you know, 00:21:21.379 --> 00:21:22.319 sometimes they're a little bit 00:21:22.319 --> 00:21:23.639 further apart 00:21:23.639 --> 00:21:24.699 than you'd like them to be. 00:21:25.279 --> 00:21:26.479 But those are so important. 00:21:27.179 --> 00:21:28.319 And if you haven't had 00:21:28.319 --> 00:21:29.619 one of those recently, 00:21:30.159 --> 00:21:31.159 go to him. 00:21:31.779 --> 00:21:32.639 Go to him. 00:21:33.399 --> 00:21:33.579 Okay? 00:21:33.979 --> 00:21:34.859 Get filled up. 00:21:35.019 --> 00:21:35.939 He is the one 00:21:35.939 --> 00:21:36.959 who baptizes us 00:21:36.959 --> 00:21:37.779 with the Holy Spirit. 00:21:38.199 --> 00:21:39.319 That's what John preached. 00:21:39.419 --> 00:21:39.819 Do you remember? 00:21:40.899 --> 00:21:41.199 He says, 00:21:41.279 --> 00:21:41.959 he who's coming, 00:21:42.439 --> 00:21:43.079 I'm not even worthy 00:21:43.079 --> 00:21:44.179 to untie his sandals. 00:21:44.299 --> 00:21:44.740 This guy, 00:21:44.819 --> 00:21:46.319 he baptizes with the Holy Spirit 00:21:46.319 --> 00:21:46.839 with fire. 00:21:48.359 --> 00:21:49.379 That's what he does. 00:21:49.380 --> 00:21:50.980 He wants to fill you up. 00:21:51.640 --> 00:21:52.360 And if you're empty, 00:21:52.560 --> 00:21:53.940 don't just be satisfied with that. 00:21:54.040 --> 00:21:54.960 Don't just keep going 00:21:54.960 --> 00:21:55.700 through the motions. 00:21:55.980 --> 00:21:56.960 Don't just think, 00:21:57.080 --> 00:21:57.160 oh, 00:21:57.180 --> 00:21:58.300 I don't really have a heart 00:21:58.300 --> 00:21:59.420 for the loss right now, 00:21:59.480 --> 00:22:00.460 but I'm just doing it. 00:22:00.500 --> 00:22:01.520 I'm just showing up 00:22:01.520 --> 00:22:01.940 and doing this. 00:22:02.240 --> 00:22:02.460 No. 00:22:02.880 --> 00:22:04.720 Is his name your reward or not? 00:22:05.800 --> 00:22:06.420 Is it? 00:22:07.760 --> 00:22:07.900 Well, 00:22:07.920 --> 00:22:08.660 then come to him. 00:22:09.380 --> 00:22:10.600 Come to him in your brokenness. 00:22:10.640 --> 00:22:11.980 You don't have to dress yourself up. 00:22:12.200 --> 00:22:13.360 Put on your religious cosmetics 00:22:13.360 --> 00:22:14.220 and be something. 00:22:14.640 --> 00:22:15.600 He loves you for who you are, 00:22:15.640 --> 00:22:16.460 not who you should be 00:22:16.460 --> 00:22:17.980 because no one is as they should be. 00:22:17.980 --> 00:22:19.180 You come to him. 00:22:20.040 --> 00:22:21.860 And believe that he is who he is. 00:22:22.200 --> 00:22:23.780 What ravishes the heart of God? 00:22:23.900 --> 00:22:24.140 Faith. 00:22:24.220 --> 00:22:24.680 Without faith, 00:22:24.720 --> 00:22:25.920 it's impossible to please God, 00:22:25.960 --> 00:22:26.180 right? 00:22:27.220 --> 00:22:28.520 Can you possess that 00:22:28.520 --> 00:22:29.660 which ravishes his heart? 00:22:29.760 --> 00:22:30.480 Can you possess 00:22:30.480 --> 00:22:31.800 that which pleases him? 00:22:31.980 --> 00:22:32.680 Every time, 00:22:32.760 --> 00:22:33.340 if you have faith. 00:22:34.640 --> 00:22:34.940 Yeah, 00:22:34.980 --> 00:22:35.580 but I'm empty. 00:22:35.820 --> 00:22:36.280 So what? 00:22:36.600 --> 00:22:37.120 I'm broken. 00:22:37.280 --> 00:22:37.680 So what? 00:22:37.720 --> 00:22:38.360 I'm burnt out. 00:22:38.600 --> 00:22:39.080 So what? 00:22:39.120 --> 00:22:39.620 I'm tired. 00:22:39.980 --> 00:22:40.560 So what? 00:22:40.780 --> 00:22:41.640 Do you have faith? 00:22:42.240 --> 00:22:42.960 When he comes, 00:22:44.000 --> 00:22:45.380 there was only one question he said. 00:22:45.560 --> 00:22:46.800 Will I find faith on earth? 00:22:47.759 --> 00:22:49.140 Do you have the kind of faith 00:22:49.140 --> 00:22:50.660 that keeps on pursuing them, 00:22:50.680 --> 00:22:51.380 that keeps going back, 00:22:51.440 --> 00:22:52.680 that develops a history in God, 00:22:52.860 --> 00:22:53.920 that looks back, 00:22:54.120 --> 00:22:54.960 you know, 00:22:55.460 --> 00:22:56.340 at the altars 00:22:56.340 --> 00:22:58.060 that the Israelites put there 00:22:58.060 --> 00:22:58.320 and say, 00:22:58.440 --> 00:22:58.640 yeah, 00:22:58.880 --> 00:22:59.160 I mean, 00:22:59.200 --> 00:23:00.200 that story I'm telling you 00:23:00.200 --> 00:23:00.820 18 years ago, 00:23:00.860 --> 00:23:01.560 that was an altar. 00:23:02.280 --> 00:23:03.400 And so he sang that song 00:23:03.400 --> 00:23:03.759 and I think, 00:23:03.860 --> 00:23:04.020 man, 00:23:04.040 --> 00:23:04.860 I remember that time. 00:23:05.680 --> 00:23:06.420 Makes me hungry 00:23:06.420 --> 00:23:07.380 to want to come to him 00:23:07.380 --> 00:23:07.860 for more, 00:23:08.720 --> 00:23:09.080 you know, 00:23:09.400 --> 00:23:10.240 fresh filling. 00:23:10.779 --> 00:23:11.080 Why? 00:23:11.840 --> 00:23:12.700 Because this gospel 00:23:12.700 --> 00:23:13.740 must be spread. 00:23:15.360 --> 00:23:15.580 It's like, 00:23:15.620 --> 00:23:16.420 there's so many things 00:23:16.420 --> 00:23:17.320 that are important in the world 00:23:17.320 --> 00:23:18.259 and they get overwhelming, 00:23:18.440 --> 00:23:18.820 don't they? 00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:19.840 It's like, 00:23:19.920 --> 00:23:20.740 it's Father's Day, 00:23:20.820 --> 00:23:21.460 your kids, 00:23:21.900 --> 00:23:23.440 that gets overwhelming sometimes. 00:23:23.980 --> 00:23:24.840 Gets a little heavy. 00:23:25.000 --> 00:23:25.259 It's like, 00:23:25.320 --> 00:23:25.500 man, 00:23:25.539 --> 00:23:26.360 this is a lot of work. 00:23:26.440 --> 00:23:27.519 This is a lot of responsibility. 00:23:28.100 --> 00:23:29.200 Are we doing a good job? 00:23:29.759 --> 00:23:30.019 You know, 00:23:30.100 --> 00:23:31.200 are we screwing them up? 00:23:31.320 --> 00:23:32.440 Are we screwing our kids up? 00:23:32.860 --> 00:23:33.100 Do you know, 00:23:33.140 --> 00:23:34.380 I had that conversation 00:23:34.380 --> 00:23:35.259 too many times, 00:23:35.340 --> 00:23:35.640 you know, 00:23:35.640 --> 00:23:36.360 like, 00:23:36.400 --> 00:23:37.360 I think we're screwing it up. 00:23:37.400 --> 00:23:37.920 What are we doing? 00:23:41.200 --> 00:23:42.360 Where do you go with that? 00:23:43.440 --> 00:23:44.240 And what is, 00:23:44.420 --> 00:23:44.780 what's, 00:23:45.000 --> 00:23:45.520 like, 00:23:45.600 --> 00:23:46.259 that's important, 00:23:46.360 --> 00:23:46.500 but, 00:23:47.380 --> 00:23:48.460 and as important as that seems 00:23:48.460 --> 00:23:49.080 in your job 00:23:49.080 --> 00:23:49.880 and making money 00:23:49.880 --> 00:23:51.180 and paying the bills 00:23:51.180 --> 00:23:52.080 and all this kind of stuff, 00:23:52.580 --> 00:23:52.980 friendships, 00:23:53.259 --> 00:23:54.160 these things all weigh on you, 00:23:54.220 --> 00:23:55.880 but there are people 00:23:55.880 --> 00:23:58.060 who are justly under the wrath 00:23:58.060 --> 00:23:59.020 of God in our city. 00:24:00.120 --> 00:24:00.480 Like, 00:24:00.480 --> 00:24:01.320 apart from Christ, 00:24:01.500 --> 00:24:02.540 they will spend eternity 00:24:02.540 --> 00:24:03.259 away from him 00:24:03.259 --> 00:24:05.040 where the fire 00:24:05.039 --> 00:24:05.859 does not go out 00:24:05.859 --> 00:24:07.000 and the worm never dies, 00:24:07.259 --> 00:24:07.960 where the pain 00:24:07.960 --> 00:24:08.420 and suffering 00:24:08.420 --> 00:24:09.180 never go away. 00:24:09.440 --> 00:24:09.659 Like, 00:24:09.680 --> 00:24:10.180 that's true. 00:24:11.099 --> 00:24:11.980 And it's just 00:24:11.980 --> 00:24:12.599 and it's right 00:24:12.599 --> 00:24:15.460 and they will not believe 00:24:15.460 --> 00:24:16.139 unless they hear. 00:24:16.460 --> 00:24:17.279 They gotta hear. 00:24:17.639 --> 00:24:18.539 Who's gonna tell them? 00:24:18.539 --> 00:24:19.460 Only the people 00:24:19.460 --> 00:24:20.200 who have the truth, 00:24:20.279 --> 00:24:20.859 that's us. 00:24:22.859 --> 00:24:23.440 That's the way 00:24:23.440 --> 00:24:24.539 God wants to build 00:24:24.539 --> 00:24:25.059 his church, 00:24:25.220 --> 00:24:25.960 is people spreading 00:24:25.960 --> 00:24:26.420 the gospel. 00:24:27.159 --> 00:24:27.960 And if we're in a place 00:24:27.960 --> 00:24:28.319 where he says, 00:24:28.460 --> 00:24:28.500 like, 00:24:28.519 --> 00:24:28.759 yes, 00:24:28.839 --> 00:24:29.299 I get it, 00:24:29.339 --> 00:24:29.579 Josh, 00:24:29.619 --> 00:24:30.099 I know, 00:24:30.359 --> 00:24:31.279 I know that's what 00:24:31.279 --> 00:24:32.099 I'm supposed to do, 00:24:32.319 --> 00:24:32.639 but man, 00:24:32.680 --> 00:24:33.579 I'm just not there. 00:24:34.339 --> 00:24:35.240 Go to him. 00:24:35.399 --> 00:24:36.500 Get filled again. 00:24:37.180 --> 00:24:38.259 He wants to fill you. 00:24:38.940 --> 00:24:39.220 You know, 00:24:39.779 --> 00:24:40.359 how about a great 00:24:40.359 --> 00:24:41.240 Father's Day verse? 00:24:41.659 --> 00:24:42.079 Luke 8, 00:24:42.139 --> 00:24:42.599 13, 00:24:42.879 --> 00:24:43.139 right? 00:24:43.139 --> 00:24:44.519 If you know 00:24:44.519 --> 00:24:45.279 how to give good gifts 00:24:45.279 --> 00:24:45.859 to your children, 00:24:45.859 --> 00:24:47.240 how much more 00:24:47.240 --> 00:24:48.459 does your Heavenly Father, 00:24:48.759 --> 00:24:49.740 Happy Father's Day, 00:24:50.199 --> 00:24:50.939 give good gifts? 00:24:51.479 --> 00:24:52.159 He doesn't say 00:24:52.159 --> 00:24:52.819 give good gifts. 00:24:53.579 --> 00:24:54.359 You'd think he would 00:24:54.359 --> 00:24:55.339 because he just said, 00:24:55.659 --> 00:24:55.839 hey, 00:24:56.219 --> 00:24:56.919 if you know how 00:24:56.919 --> 00:24:58.279 to give good gifts, 00:24:58.419 --> 00:24:58.859 you would think 00:24:58.859 --> 00:24:59.359 he's gonna say, 00:24:59.439 --> 00:24:59.679 okay, 00:25:00.079 --> 00:25:00.719 how much more 00:25:00.719 --> 00:25:01.719 does the Heavenly Father 00:25:01.719 --> 00:25:02.919 give good gifts? 00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:03.779 He doesn't say that. 00:25:04.639 --> 00:25:04.979 He says, 00:25:05.039 --> 00:25:05.559 if you know how 00:25:05.559 --> 00:25:06.299 to give good gifts, 00:25:06.559 --> 00:25:07.319 how much more 00:25:07.319 --> 00:25:08.219 does your Heavenly Father 00:25:08.219 --> 00:25:10.079 give the Holy Spirit 00:25:10.079 --> 00:25:10.979 for those who ask? 00:25:11.659 --> 00:25:12.259 I don't know about you, 00:25:12.319 --> 00:25:13.359 but I love how specific, 00:25:13.539 --> 00:25:14.419 he didn't go with 00:25:14.419 --> 00:25:15.419 the generic good gifts 00:25:15.420 --> 00:25:15.920 and he said, 00:25:16.200 --> 00:25:16.519 listen, 00:25:16.920 --> 00:25:17.920 if you were wondering, 00:25:18.100 --> 00:25:19.240 if you had this kind of thing, 00:25:19.320 --> 00:25:20.380 I don't know if he wants 00:25:20.380 --> 00:25:21.180 to give me the Spirit, 00:25:21.680 --> 00:25:23.279 he knocks that out 00:25:23.279 --> 00:25:23.820 of your mind 00:25:23.820 --> 00:25:24.680 right with that verse 00:25:24.680 --> 00:25:25.160 and says, 00:25:25.519 --> 00:25:25.779 yes, 00:25:25.880 --> 00:25:26.320 I do. 00:25:27.080 --> 00:25:27.620 If you know 00:25:27.620 --> 00:25:28.380 how to give good gifts, 00:25:28.460 --> 00:25:28.880 how much more 00:25:28.880 --> 00:25:29.560 do I want to give you 00:25:29.560 --> 00:25:30.279 the Holy Spirit 00:25:30.279 --> 00:25:32.700 to those who ask? 00:25:32.920 --> 00:25:34.120 Some of us need to ask. 00:25:35.300 --> 00:25:36.000 Some of us may be 00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:36.460 a little tired, 00:25:36.560 --> 00:25:37.220 a little burnt out, 00:25:37.440 --> 00:25:37.960 you're into this 00:25:37.960 --> 00:25:38.900 whole church plant thing 00:25:38.900 --> 00:25:39.580 and thinking, 00:25:39.840 --> 00:25:40.620 I don't have the same 00:25:40.620 --> 00:25:41.480 gumption I had 00:25:41.480 --> 00:25:42.300 when we first started. 00:25:42.740 --> 00:25:43.019 Okay, 00:25:43.019 --> 00:25:45.660 go to your father. 00:25:46.879 --> 00:25:47.779 Go to your father. 00:25:47.900 --> 00:25:48.440 Ask him. 00:25:50.379 --> 00:25:51.059 Ask him. 00:25:52.180 --> 00:25:52.519 All right, 00:25:52.759 --> 00:25:53.599 that was definitely 00:25:53.599 --> 00:25:54.299 a sidetrack. 00:25:54.799 --> 00:25:55.579 Number three, 00:25:56.460 --> 00:25:57.920 number three, 00:25:58.420 --> 00:26:00.019 each part doing its work. 00:26:01.519 --> 00:26:02.440 Ephesians 4 says 00:26:02.440 --> 00:26:03.480 that the body grows 00:26:03.480 --> 00:26:04.440 and builds itself up 00:26:04.440 --> 00:26:04.859 in love 00:26:04.859 --> 00:26:06.039 as each part 00:26:06.039 --> 00:26:06.839 does its work. 00:26:06.839 --> 00:26:08.500 You know, 00:26:08.539 --> 00:26:09.139 I've been a Christian 00:26:09.139 --> 00:26:10.399 now for 31 years 00:26:10.399 --> 00:26:11.699 and hands down 00:26:11.699 --> 00:26:13.059 one of the worst parts 00:26:13.059 --> 00:26:14.099 about the church 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:15.579 that is the most 00:26:15.579 --> 00:26:16.259 difficult thing 00:26:16.259 --> 00:26:16.879 to deal with 00:26:16.879 --> 00:26:17.959 is when people 00:26:17.959 --> 00:26:18.779 are trying to be 00:26:18.779 --> 00:26:19.599 someone they're not. 00:26:21.000 --> 00:26:22.000 It's the worst. 00:26:23.439 --> 00:26:24.500 And it's not just, 00:26:24.559 --> 00:26:25.899 it's not just bad 00:26:25.899 --> 00:26:27.359 because it doesn't work. 00:26:27.659 --> 00:26:28.599 It's bad because 00:26:28.599 --> 00:26:29.879 you feel bad for them. 00:26:30.659 --> 00:26:32.179 I hate watching someone 00:26:32.179 --> 00:26:32.899 who's trying to be 00:26:32.899 --> 00:26:33.699 someone they're not, 00:26:34.279 --> 00:26:34.740 number one, 00:26:34.799 --> 00:26:35.599 because they're not 00:26:35.599 --> 00:26:36.519 and it's very difficult, 00:26:36.699 --> 00:26:37.279 but then number two, 00:26:37.359 --> 00:26:38.000 because they're missing 00:26:38.000 --> 00:26:39.139 then who they really are. 00:26:39.480 --> 00:26:40.219 And to know that 00:26:40.219 --> 00:26:40.799 who they are 00:26:40.799 --> 00:26:42.059 is who God made them. 00:26:42.919 --> 00:26:44.019 That God was the one 00:26:44.019 --> 00:26:44.659 who made them 00:26:44.659 --> 00:26:45.399 the way they are. 00:26:45.819 --> 00:26:47.799 And the weirdness 00:26:47.799 --> 00:26:48.519 and the wonkiness 00:26:48.519 --> 00:26:49.299 of trying to be 00:26:49.299 --> 00:26:50.379 someone that you're not, 00:26:51.099 --> 00:26:51.619 it just, 00:26:51.879 --> 00:26:53.299 it's not the way 00:26:53.299 --> 00:26:54.000 God meant it to be. 00:26:54.079 --> 00:26:55.240 There's so much freedom 00:26:55.240 --> 00:26:56.379 and, you know, 00:26:56.779 --> 00:26:58.099 it's just like 00:26:58.099 --> 00:26:59.299 the psalmist said, 00:26:59.359 --> 00:27:00.000 how great is it 00:27:00.000 --> 00:27:00.839 when brothers 00:27:00.839 --> 00:27:01.939 dwell together in unity? 00:27:02.399 --> 00:27:04.039 There's a level of unity. 00:27:05.000 --> 00:27:05.419 You know, 00:27:05.420 --> 00:27:06.580 even over at Bellicose, 00:27:06.640 --> 00:27:07.100 I've been walking 00:27:07.100 --> 00:27:08.120 with those elders now 00:27:08.120 --> 00:27:08.580 for, 00:27:09.380 --> 00:27:10.300 I don't know, 00:27:11.680 --> 00:27:12.180 I can't remember, 00:27:12.400 --> 00:27:14.000 almost 10 years, 00:27:14.140 --> 00:27:14.440 I think, 00:27:14.519 --> 00:27:15.380 a bunch of them. 00:27:15.960 --> 00:27:16.600 And it's like, 00:27:17.259 --> 00:27:17.519 you know, 00:27:17.539 --> 00:27:18.060 you go through 00:27:18.060 --> 00:27:18.900 these different things 00:27:18.900 --> 00:27:19.420 where it's just like, 00:27:19.480 --> 00:27:19.620 okay, 00:27:19.620 --> 00:27:20.279 how are you gifted? 00:27:20.380 --> 00:27:21.039 How am I gifted? 00:27:21.279 --> 00:27:21.500 Like, 00:27:21.740 --> 00:27:22.019 I don't know 00:27:22.019 --> 00:27:22.940 if that's how you're gifted. 00:27:23.220 --> 00:27:23.500 I don't know 00:27:23.500 --> 00:27:24.400 if that's how you're gifted. 00:27:24.600 --> 00:27:25.660 You have these conversations. 00:27:26.060 --> 00:27:27.039 You compare yourselves 00:27:27.039 --> 00:27:27.640 with one another. 00:27:27.880 --> 00:27:29.320 But when people work together 00:27:29.320 --> 00:27:29.759 where it's like, 00:27:29.840 --> 00:27:30.680 this is how you're gifted, 00:27:30.820 --> 00:27:30.960 yep, 00:27:31.019 --> 00:27:31.440 I agree. 00:27:31.560 --> 00:27:32.180 This is how you're gifted, 00:27:32.320 --> 00:27:32.480 yep, 00:27:32.480 --> 00:27:32.920 I agree. 00:27:33.259 --> 00:27:34.500 And there's this synergy 00:27:34.500 --> 00:27:35.339 and this unity. 00:27:35.900 --> 00:27:36.200 Man, 00:27:36.279 --> 00:27:37.200 it's so powerful. 00:27:38.140 --> 00:27:38.940 People have the freedom 00:27:38.940 --> 00:27:39.960 to not have to be something 00:27:39.960 --> 00:27:40.680 that they're not. 00:27:41.640 --> 00:27:42.480 The church grows 00:27:42.480 --> 00:27:43.460 and builds itself up 00:27:43.460 --> 00:27:44.759 as each part does its work. 00:27:45.019 --> 00:27:45.980 What is your work? 00:27:47.759 --> 00:27:49.279 Who are you in the body? 00:27:49.960 --> 00:27:51.099 Do you know your work? 00:27:52.099 --> 00:27:52.599 You might say, 00:27:52.700 --> 00:27:53.620 I want this church to grow. 00:27:53.759 --> 00:27:54.599 I want it to be 00:27:54.599 --> 00:27:55.360 healthy growing. 00:27:55.700 --> 00:27:56.980 Then you gotta know your work. 00:27:57.380 --> 00:27:58.799 How are you gonna do your work 00:27:58.799 --> 00:27:59.759 if you don't know your work? 00:28:00.420 --> 00:28:01.980 What is your part to play? 00:28:03.220 --> 00:28:03.680 You might say, 00:28:03.720 --> 00:28:04.440 I don't have a part. 00:28:04.599 --> 00:28:05.259 No, no, no, no, no. 00:28:05.440 --> 00:28:06.299 You have a part. 00:28:07.440 --> 00:28:08.400 What is your part? 00:28:09.599 --> 00:28:10.500 And some of us, 00:28:10.819 --> 00:28:11.740 this is the bad part, 00:28:11.819 --> 00:28:12.799 some of us might know our part 00:28:12.799 --> 00:28:13.759 but we're not doing it. 00:28:14.559 --> 00:28:15.460 If you know your part, 00:28:15.519 --> 00:28:16.200 you gotta do it. 00:28:16.980 --> 00:28:17.640 Be your part. 00:28:18.440 --> 00:28:20.039 You don't have to be someone else. 00:28:20.160 --> 00:28:21.240 Don't compare yourself 00:28:21.240 --> 00:28:21.920 to someone else. 00:28:22.319 --> 00:28:23.180 You be the part 00:28:23.180 --> 00:28:24.400 that God called you to be. 00:28:24.759 --> 00:28:26.400 When you get to those pearly gates 00:28:26.400 --> 00:28:27.500 and he holds you to account, 00:28:27.620 --> 00:28:28.840 he's not going to say 00:28:28.840 --> 00:28:30.400 you weren't like so-and-so. 00:28:32.620 --> 00:28:33.259 He's gonna say, 00:28:33.340 --> 00:28:34.600 hey, were you the part 00:28:34.600 --> 00:28:35.900 that I made you to be? 00:28:36.920 --> 00:28:38.460 Did you do what I had you to do? 00:28:39.380 --> 00:28:40.400 The church grows 00:28:40.400 --> 00:28:41.440 and builds itself up in love 00:28:41.440 --> 00:28:42.960 as each part does its work. 00:28:44.800 --> 00:28:46.220 How focused are you on that? 00:28:48.080 --> 00:28:48.880 If you don't know, 00:28:49.019 --> 00:28:50.440 have you gotten any help on it? 00:28:51.080 --> 00:28:52.759 Have you asked the Lord? 00:28:52.840 --> 00:28:53.759 Have you asked other people? 00:28:54.500 --> 00:28:55.820 But we have to each do our work 00:28:55.819 --> 00:28:56.579 and when we're doing that, 00:28:56.759 --> 00:28:57.740 it's a beautiful thing. 00:28:58.399 --> 00:28:59.519 It's a beautiful thing. 00:29:01.139 --> 00:29:01.579 Have you ever, 00:29:02.039 --> 00:29:03.819 in your experience of church, 00:29:04.359 --> 00:29:06.099 stopped doing certain things 00:29:06.099 --> 00:29:06.759 because you realized 00:29:06.759 --> 00:29:07.740 that's not who I am? 00:29:09.980 --> 00:29:10.899 It's a really good, 00:29:10.939 --> 00:29:11.679 it's a good thing. 00:29:12.700 --> 00:29:12.980 It's a, 00:29:13.039 --> 00:29:13.500 it's a, 00:29:13.539 --> 00:29:14.980 it's like, 00:29:15.000 --> 00:29:15.859 it's like a relief, 00:29:16.059 --> 00:29:16.519 isn't it? 00:29:16.899 --> 00:29:17.439 They're just like, 00:29:17.939 --> 00:29:18.379 you know what? 00:29:18.500 --> 00:29:19.839 I'm gonna stop trying to do that. 00:29:19.899 --> 00:29:20.799 That's not who I am. 00:29:21.559 --> 00:29:22.599 I'm just gonna be my, 00:29:22.720 --> 00:29:23.200 myself. 00:29:23.200 --> 00:29:24.480 I'm gonna get in my lane 00:29:24.480 --> 00:29:25.319 and stay in my lane. 00:29:25.660 --> 00:29:26.279 I'm gonna let the people 00:29:26.279 --> 00:29:27.120 who are that do what 00:29:27.120 --> 00:29:27.680 they're gonna do. 00:29:28.000 --> 00:29:28.779 I don't need to compare. 00:29:28.940 --> 00:29:29.600 I don't need to say, 00:29:29.920 --> 00:29:30.000 well, 00:29:30.019 --> 00:29:31.180 I wish I was this person. 00:29:31.240 --> 00:29:31.779 I wanna be that, 00:29:31.840 --> 00:29:32.220 that person. 00:29:32.340 --> 00:29:32.519 No, 00:29:32.860 --> 00:29:33.880 I'm just gonna be me. 00:29:34.620 --> 00:29:35.759 The way God called me to be. 00:29:36.080 --> 00:29:36.660 And then the church 00:29:36.660 --> 00:29:37.519 builds itself up. 00:29:38.819 --> 00:29:39.519 Number four, 00:29:40.519 --> 00:29:41.120 they were walking 00:29:41.120 --> 00:29:41.740 in the comfort 00:29:41.740 --> 00:29:42.660 of the Holy Spirit. 00:29:42.819 --> 00:29:43.519 This goes together 00:29:43.519 --> 00:29:44.000 with a little bit 00:29:44.000 --> 00:29:44.640 with what I talked about 00:29:44.640 --> 00:29:45.120 last week, 00:29:45.220 --> 00:29:45.960 strengthening yourself 00:29:45.960 --> 00:29:46.460 in the Lord. 00:29:47.240 --> 00:29:47.460 Okay? 00:29:47.460 --> 00:29:47.980 The church 00:29:47.980 --> 00:29:48.259 so much 00:29:48.259 --> 00:29:49.240 all Judea and Galilee 00:29:49.240 --> 00:29:49.720 and Samaria 00:29:49.720 --> 00:29:50.779 had peace 00:29:50.779 --> 00:29:51.700 and was being built up 00:29:51.700 --> 00:29:52.360 and walking 00:29:52.360 --> 00:29:53.360 in the fear of the Lord 00:29:53.360 --> 00:29:54.440 and in the comfort, 00:29:55.100 --> 00:29:56.059 the CSB says, 00:29:56.220 --> 00:29:56.759 encouragement 00:29:56.759 --> 00:29:57.740 of the Holy Spirit 00:29:57.740 --> 00:29:58.460 and multiply. 00:30:00.840 --> 00:30:01.579 How often 00:30:01.579 --> 00:30:02.079 do you get 00:30:02.079 --> 00:30:02.900 your encouragement 00:30:02.900 --> 00:30:05.079 from the Holy Spirit? 00:30:05.880 --> 00:30:06.700 Your comfort 00:30:06.700 --> 00:30:07.660 from the Holy Spirit? 00:30:08.160 --> 00:30:08.340 You know, 00:30:08.360 --> 00:30:08.840 we talk about 00:30:08.840 --> 00:30:09.860 comfort foods. 00:30:11.140 --> 00:30:11.360 Yeah, 00:30:11.460 --> 00:30:12.380 we talk about, 00:30:13.059 --> 00:30:13.779 I don't know, 00:30:13.799 --> 00:30:14.420 there's all kinds of things 00:30:14.420 --> 00:30:15.279 we do to get comfort. 00:30:15.279 --> 00:30:16.559 How often 00:30:16.559 --> 00:30:16.980 do you think 00:30:16.980 --> 00:30:17.759 of the Holy Spirit 00:30:17.759 --> 00:30:18.539 as your comforter? 00:30:19.859 --> 00:30:20.039 You know, 00:30:20.099 --> 00:30:20.980 John 14, 00:30:21.119 --> 00:30:21.839 your comforter. 00:30:22.940 --> 00:30:23.519 He is. 00:30:24.139 --> 00:30:24.859 He is. 00:30:25.680 --> 00:30:26.180 How often 00:30:26.180 --> 00:30:26.559 do we go 00:30:26.559 --> 00:30:27.279 to the Holy Spirit 00:30:27.279 --> 00:30:28.000 for comfort? 00:30:28.920 --> 00:30:29.160 You know, 00:30:29.180 --> 00:30:29.559 it's just like 00:30:29.559 --> 00:30:29.879 what I was talking 00:30:29.879 --> 00:30:30.619 about with getting filled. 00:30:32.399 --> 00:30:33.279 There's a comforting 00:30:33.279 --> 00:30:34.379 that happens 00:30:34.379 --> 00:30:34.859 when you're filled 00:30:34.859 --> 00:30:35.599 with the Holy Spirit 00:30:35.599 --> 00:30:37.039 and we need 00:30:37.039 --> 00:30:37.599 to go to Him. 00:30:38.279 --> 00:30:38.779 And that's 00:30:38.779 --> 00:30:39.940 how the church 00:30:39.940 --> 00:30:42.899 throughout all Judea 00:30:42.899 --> 00:30:43.259 and Galilee 00:30:43.259 --> 00:30:43.740 and Samaria, 00:30:44.279 --> 00:30:45.220 that's how 00:30:45.220 --> 00:30:46.240 it multiplied. 00:30:47.120 --> 00:30:48.539 It seems so simple. 00:30:49.259 --> 00:30:50.180 It almost seems like, 00:30:50.900 --> 00:30:51.900 really? 00:30:52.920 --> 00:30:53.880 The fear of the Lord 00:30:53.880 --> 00:30:54.440 and the comfort 00:30:54.440 --> 00:30:55.000 of the Holy Spirit, 00:30:55.600 --> 00:30:56.620 that's just too, 00:30:57.640 --> 00:30:58.579 it's too simple. 00:30:59.640 --> 00:30:59.900 And yet, 00:30:59.980 --> 00:31:00.960 how often do we miss 00:31:00.960 --> 00:31:01.779 the fear of the Lord 00:31:01.779 --> 00:31:02.360 and the comfort 00:31:02.360 --> 00:31:02.980 of the Holy Spirit? 00:31:03.400 --> 00:31:04.799 How often do we get flippant 00:31:04.799 --> 00:31:05.620 when it comes to 00:31:05.620 --> 00:31:06.140 the fear of the Lord 00:31:06.140 --> 00:31:06.900 and how often 00:31:06.900 --> 00:31:08.660 do we go other places 00:31:08.660 --> 00:31:09.360 for our comfort 00:31:09.360 --> 00:31:10.279 and encouragement 00:31:10.279 --> 00:31:11.539 instead of the Holy Spirit? 00:31:12.920 --> 00:31:13.539 How often do we get 00:31:13.539 --> 00:31:14.039 discouraged 00:31:14.039 --> 00:31:15.159 for so many things 00:31:15.159 --> 00:31:16.299 when the Holy Spirit 00:31:16.299 --> 00:31:17.639 is there to encourage us? 00:31:18.420 --> 00:31:19.180 The Holy Spirit 00:31:19.180 --> 00:31:20.480 is here to encourage us. 00:31:20.879 --> 00:31:21.740 Are we taking advantage 00:31:21.740 --> 00:31:22.159 of that? 00:31:22.859 --> 00:31:23.460 It's huge. 00:31:24.559 --> 00:31:24.879 Lastly, 00:31:24.980 --> 00:31:25.599 number five, 00:31:26.159 --> 00:31:26.899 holding fast 00:31:26.899 --> 00:31:27.539 to the head. 00:31:28.500 --> 00:31:29.319 Colossians 2.19 00:31:29.319 --> 00:31:29.579 said, 00:31:29.639 --> 00:31:30.099 holding fast 00:31:30.099 --> 00:31:30.440 to the head 00:31:30.440 --> 00:31:31.440 from whom the whole body, 00:31:31.920 --> 00:31:32.799 nourished and knit together 00:31:32.799 --> 00:31:33.460 through its joints 00:31:33.460 --> 00:31:33.960 and elements, 00:31:34.420 --> 00:31:35.480 grows with the growth 00:31:35.480 --> 00:31:36.480 that is from God. 00:31:38.079 --> 00:31:39.059 John 15.5 00:31:39.059 --> 00:31:39.319 said, 00:31:39.319 --> 00:31:40.000 I'm the vine, 00:31:40.079 --> 00:31:40.720 you're the branches. 00:31:40.879 --> 00:31:41.899 Whoever abides in me 00:31:41.899 --> 00:31:42.639 and I in him, 00:31:43.159 --> 00:31:44.740 he it is that bears much fruit 00:31:44.740 --> 00:31:45.700 for apart from me 00:31:45.700 --> 00:31:46.859 you can do nothing. 00:31:47.500 --> 00:31:48.240 Are we abiding 00:31:48.240 --> 00:31:49.019 in the Lord? 00:31:49.740 --> 00:31:50.960 Holding fast to the head 00:31:50.960 --> 00:31:51.639 like the sailors 00:31:51.639 --> 00:31:52.519 used to have hold 00:31:52.519 --> 00:31:53.639 fast on their, 00:31:53.759 --> 00:31:54.839 tattooed on their knuckles, 00:31:55.419 --> 00:31:55.720 right? 00:31:56.639 --> 00:31:57.179 Because they'd have to 00:31:57.179 --> 00:31:58.240 hold on to the mast. 00:31:59.019 --> 00:32:00.000 Are we holding on 00:32:00.000 --> 00:32:00.779 to God like that? 00:32:01.259 --> 00:32:02.220 Are we so quick 00:32:02.220 --> 00:32:02.839 to let go? 00:32:02.839 --> 00:32:04.819 Are we so quick 00:32:04.819 --> 00:32:06.919 to lose faith, 00:32:07.119 --> 00:32:07.740 lose hope, 00:32:08.539 --> 00:32:09.639 lose motivation? 00:32:11.839 --> 00:32:12.019 Okay? 00:32:12.460 --> 00:32:12.859 Listen. 00:32:15.179 --> 00:32:16.079 In this world 00:32:16.079 --> 00:32:16.779 you will have trouble, 00:32:17.319 --> 00:32:18.019 but take heart. 00:32:18.720 --> 00:32:19.799 He has overcome the world. 00:32:20.240 --> 00:32:21.399 We have to hold fast. 00:32:21.579 --> 00:32:22.500 Hold fast to what? 00:32:22.759 --> 00:32:23.859 Hold fast to the head. 00:32:26.179 --> 00:32:27.220 And so often 00:32:27.220 --> 00:32:27.960 when we're busy, 00:32:27.960 --> 00:32:29.079 when we're overwhelmed, 00:32:29.480 --> 00:32:30.159 when we're tired, 00:32:30.419 --> 00:32:31.200 what's the first thing 00:32:31.200 --> 00:32:31.700 that goes? 00:32:33.139 --> 00:32:34.179 Times of encouragement 00:32:34.180 --> 00:32:34.940 of the Holy Spirit. 00:32:35.120 --> 00:32:36.080 Times of time 00:32:36.080 --> 00:32:36.840 in the Word of God. 00:32:37.000 --> 00:32:39.279 Times of going to the head, 00:32:39.360 --> 00:32:40.539 holding fast to the head. 00:32:42.980 --> 00:32:44.380 What if we had as a goal 00:32:44.380 --> 00:32:46.180 to put on display 00:32:46.180 --> 00:32:51.720 the fruit that comes forth 00:32:51.720 --> 00:32:53.500 from he who abides in him? 00:32:54.060 --> 00:32:56.279 To be a shining example 00:32:56.279 --> 00:32:57.400 of this is the fruit 00:32:57.400 --> 00:32:59.620 that comes from the abiders, 00:33:00.480 --> 00:33:01.759 the ones who abide in him, 00:33:01.880 --> 00:33:03.400 who hold fast to the head. 00:33:04.120 --> 00:33:04.280 Okay? 00:33:05.759 --> 00:33:07.060 There's all kinds of challenges 00:33:07.060 --> 00:33:08.560 that will be coming our way. 00:33:09.100 --> 00:33:10.060 And as you walk with the Lord, 00:33:10.180 --> 00:33:11.640 it's a constant 00:33:11.640 --> 00:33:15.060 up and down with that. 00:33:15.700 --> 00:33:16.540 Who are the ones 00:33:16.540 --> 00:33:17.980 who will hold fast to the head? 00:33:18.800 --> 00:33:19.900 When you see discouragement, 00:33:20.000 --> 00:33:20.800 do you come under it? 00:33:21.160 --> 00:33:22.440 Are you holding fast to the head? 00:33:22.620 --> 00:33:23.460 When your feelings 00:33:23.460 --> 00:33:24.340 start to overwhelm you, 00:33:24.360 --> 00:33:25.360 do you come under your feelings 00:33:25.360 --> 00:33:26.960 or do you hold fast to the head? 00:33:27.780 --> 00:33:28.019 Okay? 00:33:28.180 --> 00:33:29.500 When you look with your eyes, 00:33:29.780 --> 00:33:30.200 you see, 00:33:30.340 --> 00:33:31.259 oh, things aren't happening 00:33:31.259 --> 00:33:32.240 the way I thought they were. 00:33:32.240 --> 00:33:34.240 I'm not seeing what I wanted. 00:33:34.319 --> 00:33:34.980 I'm not experiencing 00:33:34.980 --> 00:33:35.620 what I wanted. 00:33:35.859 --> 00:33:37.339 Are you holding fast to the head? 00:33:38.420 --> 00:33:39.720 What are you holding fast to? 00:33:39.779 --> 00:33:41.160 Because whatever you're holding fast to 00:33:41.160 --> 00:33:42.160 is how strong you are. 00:33:42.700 --> 00:33:44.039 You're holding fast to something 00:33:44.039 --> 00:33:45.900 that is very shaky. 00:33:46.180 --> 00:33:47.240 You're going to be very shaky. 00:33:47.680 --> 00:33:48.980 You're holding fast to something 00:33:48.980 --> 00:33:50.660 that can be taken away from you. 00:33:50.660 --> 00:33:53.300 That's not a very strong hope. 00:33:53.620 --> 00:33:54.740 You need to put your hope, 00:33:54.920 --> 00:33:55.840 I need to put my hope, 00:33:56.060 --> 00:33:56.860 we need to put our hope 00:33:56.860 --> 00:33:57.560 in something that can never 00:33:57.560 --> 00:33:58.500 be taken away from us. 00:33:58.720 --> 00:34:00.220 We need to hold fast to the anchor. 00:34:00.540 --> 00:34:01.900 We need to hold fast to the head. 00:34:02.460 --> 00:34:03.360 We need to put our hope 00:34:03.360 --> 00:34:04.660 in the one who never disappoints. 00:34:06.420 --> 00:34:07.300 Do you know if there's a hope 00:34:07.300 --> 00:34:08.480 that never disappoints? 00:34:09.000 --> 00:34:09.960 Let me ask this question. 00:34:10.200 --> 00:34:11.360 Don't answer this out loud. 00:34:11.880 --> 00:34:12.900 Are any of you disappointed? 00:34:14.740 --> 00:34:15.619 Are any of you disappointed 00:34:15.619 --> 00:34:16.460 right now in life? 00:34:16.460 --> 00:34:17.059 Okay? 00:34:18.179 --> 00:34:19.480 Is there anything particular 00:34:19.480 --> 00:34:20.780 you're feeling like, 00:34:20.860 --> 00:34:22.139 yeah, I'm feeling disappointed. 00:34:22.539 --> 00:34:22.820 Okay. 00:34:23.880 --> 00:34:25.019 There is a hope 00:34:25.019 --> 00:34:26.880 that doesn't disappoint. 00:34:27.019 --> 00:34:28.280 Says this in Romans 5, right? 00:34:29.280 --> 00:34:30.420 So if you're disappointed, 00:34:30.960 --> 00:34:32.220 that's the area 00:34:32.220 --> 00:34:33.960 where you're not holding fast to the head. 00:34:35.539 --> 00:34:36.400 That's the area. 00:34:37.440 --> 00:34:39.220 Turn from that hope 00:34:39.220 --> 00:34:40.760 to the head. 00:34:41.300 --> 00:34:42.280 Turn from that hope 00:34:42.280 --> 00:34:43.260 and abide in Him. 00:34:44.019 --> 00:34:45.699 And know that the hope in Him 00:34:45.699 --> 00:34:47.239 will never disappoint you. 00:34:47.619 --> 00:34:48.500 And some of you are thinking, 00:34:48.739 --> 00:34:50.239 I don't know if I believe that. 00:34:50.759 --> 00:34:51.159 Exactly. 00:34:51.579 --> 00:34:52.659 That's what I'm talking about. 00:34:54.619 --> 00:34:55.759 You've got to address that. 00:34:56.339 --> 00:34:57.839 Is the Word of God true or not? 00:34:57.939 --> 00:34:58.599 Is there a hope 00:34:58.599 --> 00:34:59.500 that doesn't disappoint? 00:34:59.699 --> 00:35:00.239 There is. 00:35:01.159 --> 00:35:01.819 There is. 00:35:03.559 --> 00:35:04.500 Faith will go there 00:35:04.500 --> 00:35:05.559 and will hold fast to it. 00:35:05.779 --> 00:35:06.899 That's the kind of faith 00:35:06.899 --> 00:35:07.759 that Jesus requires 00:35:07.759 --> 00:35:09.139 that holds fast to the head 00:35:09.139 --> 00:35:09.559 and says, 00:35:09.960 --> 00:35:10.980 I trust 00:35:10.980 --> 00:35:13.299 that if I put all my hope in you, 00:35:13.339 --> 00:35:14.359 I will not be disappointed. 00:35:14.360 --> 00:35:18.220 And that all my disappointments in life 00:35:18.220 --> 00:35:19.579 are really truly 00:35:19.579 --> 00:35:21.260 when I put my hope in other things. 00:35:21.760 --> 00:35:22.800 Lord, reveal them. 00:35:23.300 --> 00:35:25.500 Lord, shake every single one to the core. 00:35:25.780 --> 00:35:26.480 Who wants to pray 00:35:26.480 --> 00:35:27.720 that dangerous prayer with me? 00:35:28.120 --> 00:35:29.920 Lord, shake all our false hopes 00:35:29.920 --> 00:35:31.000 to the core 00:35:31.000 --> 00:35:32.559 so that all we are 00:35:32.559 --> 00:35:34.200 is holding fast to the head. 00:35:35.019 --> 00:35:36.000 That's all we got left. 00:35:36.400 --> 00:35:37.400 That's all we got left. 00:35:37.640 --> 00:35:38.940 And when that's all you got left, 00:35:39.220 --> 00:35:40.140 you've got quite a bit. 00:35:40.760 --> 00:35:41.039 Right? 00:35:41.039 --> 00:35:41.099 Right? 00:35:41.099 --> 00:35:41.180 Right? 00:35:44.360 --> 00:35:46.820 I believe 00:35:46.820 --> 00:35:48.099 God wants to grow our church. 00:35:48.860 --> 00:35:49.860 I think you believe 00:35:49.860 --> 00:35:51.019 that God wants to grow our church. 00:35:51.720 --> 00:35:52.860 But so what? 00:35:53.120 --> 00:35:53.760 If we're not going to 00:35:53.760 --> 00:35:54.980 do it God's way, 00:35:55.980 --> 00:35:57.980 my challenge to you this morning is 00:35:57.980 --> 00:35:59.160 do we have 00:35:59.160 --> 00:36:00.980 our lives, 00:36:01.120 --> 00:36:02.280 our focus, 00:36:02.460 --> 00:36:03.360 our hearts, 00:36:03.519 --> 00:36:04.099 our minds 00:36:04.099 --> 00:36:05.539 set on the things 00:36:05.539 --> 00:36:06.620 that God has 00:36:06.620 --> 00:36:08.300 set for us as a church 00:36:08.300 --> 00:36:09.760 to grow in a healthy way 00:36:09.760 --> 00:36:11.099 for His glory 00:36:11.099 --> 00:36:11.660 and our good? 00:36:11.659 --> 00:36:13.639 then we've got to pay attention 00:36:13.639 --> 00:36:14.319 to these things. 00:36:15.119 --> 00:36:16.039 We've got to pay attention 00:36:16.039 --> 00:36:16.920 to these five things. 00:36:17.299 --> 00:36:17.960 Are you walking 00:36:17.960 --> 00:36:18.819 in the fear of the Lord? 00:36:19.819 --> 00:36:21.259 Are you spreading the gospel? 00:36:22.319 --> 00:36:23.679 Are you doing your work, 00:36:23.759 --> 00:36:24.239 your part? 00:36:25.460 --> 00:36:26.119 Are you walking 00:36:26.119 --> 00:36:26.899 in the comfort 00:36:26.899 --> 00:36:27.739 of the Holy Spirit 00:36:27.739 --> 00:36:28.299 or the encouragement 00:36:28.299 --> 00:36:28.960 of the Holy Spirit? 00:36:29.420 --> 00:36:30.779 And are you holding fast 00:36:30.779 --> 00:36:31.779 to the head, 00:36:31.899 --> 00:36:32.359 to the hope 00:36:32.359 --> 00:36:33.579 that never disappoints? 00:36:34.039 --> 00:36:34.279 Amen? 00:36:34.279 --> 00:36:34.440 Amen? 00:36:35.299 --> 00:36:35.859 Amen.