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Good morning!

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This afternoon we have a membership meeting.

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After service, it shouldn't take too long.

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But it is important that we can talk about things that pertain to us as members.

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And regular attenders of U.S. fellowship Baptist church.

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We'll lift up some folks who have some Red Bull sickness going around.

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And folks who are trying to be here and having trouble with that.

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So the word is promotion. You know what it means? You promote. And I think that song

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just said Jesus lived a life to shout your fame. And I was really just waiting to see

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what the Lord wanted to do. And so promote your ministries. Promote what we're doing.

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I have a friend, a brother in the Lord, that was in the same church I was at. He's going

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through a lot of time. Back in the day I'd have to have a horse and I'd have to walk

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and get a letter to my brother, take three days. But I get to say, hey, check out our

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podcast and he's listening to it. And he gets to hear the truth. Now I want you to understand

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that it's not easy promoting love and goodness when you have a heart that's so full of love

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when people are rude and disrespectful. But what were we when we were first saved? The

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disciples that Jesus had were zealots. Those were called assassins. They assassinated people.

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Killers, thugs, the fishermen weren't always nice. People were disrespectful. Look at John

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and James, the sons of thunder. They wanted to burn down a village. They were not nice

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people. But when you reach out and you promote what we're doing here, listen, we are all

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gems to this crowd. Every one of us is a nugget to the treasure. You guys, the briskards,

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talking to all you guys. Every one of your ministries is so important right now. And

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if you don't start plugging them, I'm going to start plugging them. I wonder why we're

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all these people are going to start coming. Because people are hungry. People want to

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hear the truth. And I know people are going to try to take advantage. It doesn't matter

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about them. It's about the people. We're going to find out who really, really wants

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to live for Jesus. And if we don't start promoting it, I'm going to finish with this because

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I can tell you, it's the word. Jesus, when he got baptized, I was going to do a bunch

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of statements, quick announcements. Jesus got baptized and the first thing he was driven

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to the desert. What's the next thing he did? Perform miracles? No. He promoted. The kingdom

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of heaven is near, repent and believe in the good news. The kingdom of heaven is near,

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repent and believe. Just start telling everybody. Walking villages and the day would come to

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him and there would be miracles. There would be signs. There would be wonders and God would

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speak to them. But he promoted it. So it's in you to promote this. You can't, I can't

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share your ministry. Because you have a great testimony. You all have a great testimony

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that I can never have. My testimony is exciting because I'm excited Jesus saved me at 23.

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I was dead in my life. Dead. Dead. No one even told me except a 70 year old man decided to

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say, I don't know this guy, but I'll do what God says. I would have died at 22, 21, 16,

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25, 24. I see God and I'm like, okay. I didn't know I was going to hell. It doesn't matter.

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God's wrath is there. It's nothing I can do. Jesus saved me through that person. You have

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a testimony. You have to, if you don't want to share the glorious things you have every

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day. I share people with the music I have, the things I hear. We have an app. Share the

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app. It's working now. It's awesome. Awesome app by the way. Websites. I'll enter just

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real quick. A quick testimony. Two people that I was scared to walk up to down the street.

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People I would have never walked up to. I'm like, okay. I'm going to do what I'm going

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to do. Shaking as I can. They're going to kill me. They're going to beat me up. Not

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saying they're going to. I'm scared. Very scared. I walk up and I just say, hey, just

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want to let you know we deliver groceries over here. It's 419-242-3340. They're like,

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hey thanks. They did not want me to come up in their car and talk to them. As soon as

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I started rejoicing and sharing the Lord Jesus, they're like, where's your church and stuff?

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It's almost like you can't take the thud, you can't take the hurt, the bitterness out

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of a person until you share the truth. Until you share hope. They're not going to let go

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because they have nothing to give into. They have nothing to have. We have to do this.

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You don't. You don't want to. You don't. But we have to do this. Promote. That's my word.

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Promotion. Promote your ministries. Promote everything that you have. Let's do it.

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Alright, let's pray together and then we'll worship God. I'm just going to put this up

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here. My uncle Art has been in the hospital. He's been in the hospital for a couple weeks

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now with a long one. He got it, got over it, got it again. And according to my mom I got

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comfortable yesterday, he's at the point now where he's giving up. He's been through a

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lot of that so we need to pray for him. He essentially told her don't expect any more

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of that. We'll pray God you'll turn that around. Okay, did you have your hand up, careful?

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Alright, let's pray. Father in heaven, you are a giving God. You have loved us. You have

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strengthened us. You have encouraged us. You've given us passion. You've given us energy.

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Lord, you've blessed us with love in our lives, family members, and friends, and church members

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who are united, who care about one another. You've blessed us with finances. You've blessed

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us with a roof over our head. You've blessed us with a place to worship. You've blessed

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us with sunshine, even on the days when it's cold. Lord, you've blessed us with fresh

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air. You've blessed us with freedom. The list just goes on and on and on. You've been given

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forever since before we were here. And then the reality is Lord, we have misused some

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of those great blessings. We have to do some of the things that we should. We have to be

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strong like we could, or we confess our weakness to you. We ask your forgiveness. We're grateful

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that we're taught and we understand in our heart of hearts that forgiveness is available

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for all sins through Jesus Christ who died upon the cross. Lord, I thank you for every

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person that made it here today. Every person that overcame barriers and difficulties to

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do that. Every person that had it in their heart to be here but didn't make it. Thank

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you for all those who were in the app this week or on the podcast or listening on Facebook

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or on their Alexa in their living room. Father, I thank you that our church, which by some

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human standards is not very big, is actually very big. And in the kingdom of God, we are

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a tool that you can use. I thank you that our key verse, 1 John 1-3, and it simply says

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that we proclaim what we have seen and heard. Lord, that we've got a story to tell that

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we have seen and we have heard. We praise you, Lord, that you called us to that. And

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we would share that we need your courage, we need your strength, we need your wisdom,

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we know exactly when to speak up and what to do. Lord, I think there's almost no time

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that we couldn't bring up the awesome things that you've done and glorify you. We intend

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to sing songs of praise to you today, Lord. We intend to stand and sit, to work together

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to study your word. Teachers in the children's department have prepared. Children have come

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expecting to learn about Jesus. But I hope we've all come expecting today. Father, I

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thank you for being our God. The truth is, Lord, we need you every moment of every day,

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including right now. Would you take over this service? Give every strung of every string

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and every push of every button and every pass of every click and every encouraging word.

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We talk about what we've seen in the scripture this week as we read the Bible and learn

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from you and hear from your Holy Spirit. Lord, would you work in this place? We pray this

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in Jesus' precious name. Amen.

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Alright, stand up, stretch a little. We're going to move around a bit. We're going to

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dance and praise and enjoy the beautiful weather. It's warm and it's not hot in here, not yet.

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Come on.

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Let's stand in your name.

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Let's stand in your name.

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Let's stand in your name.

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Let the dark night fall in heaven. Still I will stand. Let's stand in the name of the Lord. Let's stand in your name.

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Let's stand in the name of the Lord. Let's stand in the name of the Lord. Let's stand in your name.

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Let the light shine down on me. Let the world of the legend shine on me. Let's stand in your name.

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Let our hearts dance our praise. Oh, stand in the arm of the Lord. Let's stand in your name.

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Let the light shine down on me. Let the world of the legend shine on me. Let the world of the legend shine on me. Come on.

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I could be your name

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I could be the light of the night

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I could be a warrior's name

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Come out and take away

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Come out and take away

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My heart will just set on you

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I could be your name

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Every black field, a foreign land

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I'm trying to make you brave

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When the darkness is near, the sea runs

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Still they will stay

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I could be the name of the light

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I could be your name

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I could be the light of the night

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I could be a warrior's name

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Through the wall, through the valley

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Of the shadow of death

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Your love and love is passing out there

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Through the wall, through the hill

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Of a storm of its light

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We will come back and do you a favor

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I will be your evil

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My heart is ending

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And it's fighting with me

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Oh, then shall I feel

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Oh, then shall I feel

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Oh, no, you'll never let go

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Through the darkness, through the storm

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Oh, no, you'll never let go

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Every heart and every love

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Oh, no, you'll never let go

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Oh, no, you'll never let go of me

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The night has come

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It's full of my damn notes

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The night is making my heart

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The night is making my heart

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Only only I can

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Only only I can

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But until that day comes

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The day will be on you

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And I will be on you

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For I'm fighting with me

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And it's fighting with me

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Oh, then shall I feel

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Oh, no, you'll never let go

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Through the darkness, through the storm

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Oh, no, you'll never let go

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Every heart and every love

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Oh, no, you'll never let go

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Oh, no, you'll never let go of me

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Oh, no, you'll never let go of me

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The night is making my heart

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The night is making my heart

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Only only I can

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Only only I can

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But until that day comes

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The day will be on you

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And I will be on you

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For I'm fighting with me

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And it's fighting with me

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Oh, no, you'll never let go

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Through the darkness, through the storm

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The night is making my heart

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The night is making my heart

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Only only I can

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Only only I can

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But until that day comes

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The day will be on you

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And I will be on you

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Oh, no, you'll never let go

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Through the calm and through the storm

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Oh, no, you'll never let go

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Every heart and every love

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Oh, no, you'll never let go

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Oh, no, you'll never let go of me

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Oh, no, you'll never let go

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Through the calm and through the storm

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Oh, no, you'll never let go

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Every heart and every love

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Oh, no, you'll never let go

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Of me, of me

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Alright, we didn't get to do this last week

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because we had our special Easter service program going on

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and so maybe you've seen last week prepared to share

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maybe you're prepared to share today, I hope so

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How have you been studying your Bibles?

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What have you seen? What have you heard?

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Even as you were walking

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God sort of said to you in your spirit

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the Holy Spirit spoke to you and said,

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Hey, pay attention

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There's something I want you to see

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What do you got, Arjun?

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Um, I'm pretty sure we've heard the drugs

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So there was a, me and the kids have been watching

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this show, Fortune Fire

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Really cool show

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and they make knives and swords and stuff

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and it's really cool

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and, but there's something that I found really interesting

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in the show and it's how you test the sharpness of a knife

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So if, a lot of people would say, well, if some

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if it could cut through wood, it's obviously sharp

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but if you look at it like an actual like axe

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that chops wood, they're not that sharp

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They're not as sharp as like a utility knife or something like that

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and the reason is because it has to have a thicker edge

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so it can do more of chopping

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and it brought to the mind of having the right tool for the job

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and for us as a Christian, the right tool for our job

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is the Holy Spirit

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We can't do anything

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Come up, sit down

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We can't do anything without the help of Jesus

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and when we look at our toolbox of stuff that we need as a Christian

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that should be the first thing we go to

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and it's a very important tool because

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Jesus' Holy Spirit will give you the strength to carry out the stuff that he tells you to do

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but like I said, there's other parts of it too

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We also have to have the Bible

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because without the Word, we don't have the wisdom

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and there's also, we have to have our faith

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because without faith, all the works we do are dead

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so we have to look at it from, I guess this is the way I look at it is

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because I'm a mechanic, I have a bunch of tools

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but I use all of those tools

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and as a Christian, we are provided so many tools from God

265
00:21:11,120 --> 00:21:15,120
our own gifts, our own abilities, we are provided so many things from God

266
00:21:15,120 --> 00:21:18,120
that we can use

267
00:21:18,120 --> 00:21:21,120
but what we fail to do is we fail to use all of them

268
00:21:21,120 --> 00:21:26,120
We want to hone in on one specific thing, one specific tool

269
00:21:26,120 --> 00:21:31,120
but in reality, you have this giant toolbox full of different things that you can do

270
00:21:31,120 --> 00:21:37,120
instead of trying to grow and put all of your blood, sweat, and tears in one specific thing

271
00:21:37,120 --> 00:21:41,120
you have to learn how to expand your horizon and grow from there

272
00:21:41,120 --> 00:21:44,120
and use all of your abilities, use all of your gifts

273
00:21:44,120 --> 00:21:49,120
because you might find out that something you do is better than what you think you're good at

274
00:21:49,120 --> 00:21:51,120
That's a good word, that's a good word

275
00:21:51,120 --> 00:21:53,120
Alright, who else?

276
00:21:53,120 --> 00:21:56,120
Ms. Chris

277
00:21:56,120 --> 00:21:58,120
There you go, video

278
00:21:58,120 --> 00:22:00,120
The internet is not working

279
00:22:00,120 --> 00:22:04,120
The internet is down, so we can get audio from your phone if we need to

280
00:22:04,120 --> 00:22:07,120
Okay, I guess I could just read the song

281
00:22:07,120 --> 00:22:09,120
Okay, let's do that

282
00:22:09,120 --> 00:22:14,120
Alright, so there's a song, it's an old song by Simon and Garfunkel

283
00:22:14,120 --> 00:22:16,120
and then now just George does it

284
00:22:16,120 --> 00:22:18,120
Oh, I love that song

285
00:22:18,120 --> 00:22:22,120
I like George better, but I like the video better

286
00:22:22,120 --> 00:22:28,120
So it says, Hello darkness, my old friend, I've come to talk to you again

287
00:22:28,120 --> 00:22:33,120
Because a vision softly creeping, left its seeds while I was sleeping

288
00:22:33,120 --> 00:22:39,120
And a vision that was planted in my brain still remains within the sound of silence

289
00:22:39,120 --> 00:22:43,120
In restless dreams I walked alone, narrow streets of cobblestone

290
00:22:43,120 --> 00:22:48,120
Meet the halo of a street lamp, I turned my collar to the cold and damp

291
00:22:48,120 --> 00:22:55,120
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light that split the night and touched the sound of silence

292
00:22:55,120 --> 00:23:00,120
And in the naked light I saw ten thousand people, maybe more

293
00:23:00,120 --> 00:23:05,120
People talking without speaking, people hearing without listening

294
00:23:05,120 --> 00:23:12,120
People writing songs that voices never shared and no one dared disturb the sound of silence

295
00:23:12,120 --> 00:23:19,120
Fools, said I, you don't know, silence like a cancer growth

296
00:23:19,120 --> 00:23:24,120
Hear my words so I may teach you, take my arms so I may meet you

297
00:23:24,120 --> 00:23:30,120
But my words like silent raindrops fell and echoed in the wells of silence

298
00:23:30,120 --> 00:23:34,120
And the people bowed and prayed to the neon god they made

299
00:23:34,120 --> 00:23:38,120
And a sign flashed out its warning in the words that it was forming

300
00:23:38,120 --> 00:23:46,120
Then the sign said the words of the prophets are written on the subway walls in tenement halls

301
00:23:46,120 --> 00:23:51,120
And whispered in the sound of silence

302
00:23:51,120 --> 00:23:57,120
So to me this obviously is not a Christian song, it's a secular song

303
00:23:57,120 --> 00:24:05,120
But it goes to show something that we are laughing in society today

304
00:24:05,120 --> 00:24:15,120
So I text out, what's the first, what do you think of when you hear the word intimacy?

305
00:24:15,120 --> 00:24:26,120
Most people said sex, which is not surprising because that's what people think of when they think of intimacy

306
00:24:26,120 --> 00:24:31,120
But there are many aspects of intimacy besides sex

307
00:24:31,120 --> 00:24:38,120
And I'm just going to share four, and the worst one is emotional intimacy

308
00:24:38,120 --> 00:24:42,120
Candid, authentic sharing of thoughts and feelings

309
00:24:42,120 --> 00:24:50,120
Being able to tell each other your deepest fears, dreams, disappointments, and most complicated emotions

310
00:24:50,120 --> 00:24:54,120
As well as feeling seen and understood when you do

311
00:24:54,120 --> 00:25:01,120
This is gained by each person refraining from judgment or context when the other is sharing

312
00:25:01,120 --> 00:25:05,120
So Matthew 7, 1-6

313
00:25:05,120 --> 00:25:10,120
Do not judge so that you will not be judged, for in the way you judge you will be judged

314
00:25:10,120 --> 00:25:14,120
And by your standard of measure it will be measured to you

315
00:25:14,120 --> 00:25:21,120
Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the blob that it is in your own eye?

316
00:25:21,120 --> 00:25:28,120
Or how can you say to your brother, let me take the speck of your eye, and behold the blob is in your own eye

317
00:25:28,120 --> 00:25:36,120
You hypocrite, first take the blob out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye

318
00:25:36,120 --> 00:25:41,120
Do not give what is willing to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before a spline

319
00:25:41,120 --> 00:25:47,120
For they will trample them under their feet and turn and tear you to pieces

320
00:25:47,120 --> 00:25:56,120
You have to be emotional people, you have to build that emotional intimacy

321
00:25:56,120 --> 00:26:01,120
You will build that by texting somebody

322
00:26:01,120 --> 00:26:06,120
You do not build that by just putting something on Twitter or Facebook

323
00:26:06,120 --> 00:26:12,120
It is done face to face

324
00:26:12,120 --> 00:26:17,120
Second one, intellectual intimacy

325
00:26:17,120 --> 00:26:24,120
Comfort with communicating beliefs and viewpoints without worrying about potential conflicts

326
00:26:24,120 --> 00:26:35,120
Each person in the relationship has the freedom to think for themselves and believes their opinions are valued instead of feeling pressured to agree

327
00:26:35,120 --> 00:26:56,120
Luke 6.31

328
00:26:56,120 --> 00:27:02,120
Treat others the same way you want them to treat you

329
00:27:02,120 --> 00:27:15,120
It is okay to have a conversation, it is okay to disagree on whatever point it is

330
00:27:15,120 --> 00:27:24,120
But you have to have the confidence that you can do that without somebody saying, I hate you, I will never talk to you

331
00:27:24,120 --> 00:27:29,120
You just have to get over that fear and just do it

332
00:27:29,120 --> 00:27:41,120
And the more you talk something out, the more you may find out you are not as far apart as you thought you were

333
00:27:41,120 --> 00:27:46,120
Number three, experiential intimacy

334
00:27:46,120 --> 00:27:54,120
Shared experiences lead to inside jokes and private memories that can intensify a connection

335
00:27:54,120 --> 00:28:04,120
The act of teamwork and moving in unison toward a common goal like grading and experience also establishes a feeling of up-closeness

336
00:28:04,120 --> 00:28:13,120
We are going to go to Ecclesiastes 4, 9-12

337
00:28:13,120 --> 00:28:20,120
Old Testament

338
00:28:20,120 --> 00:28:25,120
Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor

339
00:28:25,120 --> 00:28:29,120
For either of them falls, the other one will lift up his companions

340
00:28:29,120 --> 00:28:34,120
But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up

341
00:28:34,120 --> 00:28:40,120
Furthermore, if two lie down together, they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone?

342
00:28:40,120 --> 00:28:45,120
If one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him

343
00:28:45,120 --> 00:28:51,120
A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart

344
00:28:51,120 --> 00:28:58,120
The more we share experiences, the stronger you get

345
00:28:58,120 --> 00:29:04,120
The more we know about each other, the more we know how someone is going to react to something

346
00:29:04,120 --> 00:29:18,120
The more we can joke about the fact that Pastor Dan doesn't like to have black nail polish on his fingernails

347
00:29:18,120 --> 00:29:23,120
If you ever want to know about it, ask him

348
00:29:23,120 --> 00:29:30,120
It's these kind of connections that we make, spirits and light together

349
00:29:30,120 --> 00:29:38,120
That we are able to share things and turn that sharing towards God

350
00:29:38,120 --> 00:29:43,120
The fourth one I have is spiritual intimacy

351
00:29:43,120 --> 00:29:50,120
This closeness forms when you share poignant moments with others through praying and worshiping

352
00:29:50,120 --> 00:29:53,120
It can also be done in other ways too

353
00:29:53,120 --> 00:30:03,120
Like observing the creation of God, observing a sunset, a flower, beautiful trees

354
00:30:03,120 --> 00:30:09,120
Studying together

355
00:30:09,120 --> 00:30:14,120
These are just a couple of ways, I'm sure there are hundreds of ways

356
00:30:14,120 --> 00:30:24,120
And for that we're going to go to 1 John 1 through 4

357
00:30:35,120 --> 00:30:40,120
What is from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at

358
00:30:40,120 --> 00:30:45,120
And touched with our hands concerning the word of life, and the life was manifested

359
00:30:45,120 --> 00:30:50,120
And we have seen and testified and proclaimed to you the eternal life which was with the Father

360
00:30:50,120 --> 00:30:52,120
And was manifested to us

361
00:30:52,120 --> 00:30:57,120
What we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also

362
00:30:57,120 --> 00:31:04,120
That you too may have fellowship with us, indeed our fellowship is with the Father, with the Son Jesus Christ

363
00:31:04,120 --> 00:31:10,120
These things we write so that our joy may be seen, please

364
00:31:10,120 --> 00:31:14,120
Now you're probably wondering how this ties into that song

365
00:31:14,120 --> 00:31:22,120
Think about it, without intimacy between people you turn to darkness

366
00:31:22,120 --> 00:31:25,120
You don't have someone to turn to

367
00:31:25,120 --> 00:31:31,120
Without the intimacy between you and God you turn to the darkness

368
00:31:31,120 --> 00:31:38,120
All these people are talking and nobody is listening it says

369
00:31:38,120 --> 00:31:41,120
People are speaking and no one is hearing

370
00:31:41,120 --> 00:31:45,120
That's the way our society is today when you think about it

371
00:31:45,120 --> 00:31:48,120
People talk on the surface

372
00:31:48,120 --> 00:31:52,120
People don't talk about deep things

373
00:31:52,120 --> 00:31:56,120
They don't get deep down

374
00:31:56,120 --> 00:32:04,120
And if we don't do that starting here in the church, building intimacy between us and between God

375
00:32:04,120 --> 00:32:10,120
How are we going to show them the whole color stuff

376
00:32:10,120 --> 00:32:16,120
Good stuff, alright, anybody else?

377
00:32:16,120 --> 00:32:21,120
I think I want to just touch on one thing, I'm not going to share what I'm going to share because I'll share it for next week

378
00:32:21,120 --> 00:32:28,120
But Ms. Chris just shared experiences, spiritual intimacy

379
00:32:28,120 --> 00:32:31,120
Experiential intimacy and stuff

380
00:32:31,120 --> 00:32:37,120
Our inspirational moment, if you go to another church you will not find anything like this what we're doing right here

381
00:32:37,120 --> 00:32:39,120
And I'll tell you why

382
00:32:39,120 --> 00:32:43,120
I went through Bible college in Lansing and I first found it there

383
00:32:43,120 --> 00:32:47,120
And then I ran into a very heavily in seminary and I'm being completely transparent with you

384
00:32:47,120 --> 00:32:51,120
And that is that pastors do not trust their church

385
00:32:51,120 --> 00:32:52,120
That's why

386
00:32:52,120 --> 00:32:55,120
Now we have an understanding if somebody says something that's unbiblical in the inspirational moment

387
00:32:55,120 --> 00:32:57,120
Somebody else will correct it

388
00:32:57,120 --> 00:32:59,120
We're working together here

389
00:32:59,120 --> 00:33:03,120
If you stood up and you said, you know God told me I could be rich if I just do this and this

390
00:33:03,120 --> 00:33:05,120
Whatever, we would correct it

391
00:33:05,120 --> 00:33:10,120
We once had somebody stand in the inspirational moment and tell us that God had told them that they were going to win American Idol

392
00:33:10,120 --> 00:33:13,120
And we corrected it, it's been a long time ago but it happened

393
00:33:13,120 --> 00:33:17,120
So the point is this is us experiencing together

394
00:33:17,120 --> 00:33:20,120
You read something in your Bible?

395
00:33:20,120 --> 00:33:24,120
You're not going to find in the Bible God teaching you something that wasn't meant for you to share with anybody else

396
00:33:24,120 --> 00:33:26,120
It's not going to happen

397
00:33:26,120 --> 00:33:27,120
It isn't there

398
00:33:27,120 --> 00:33:32,120
A disciple listens to the teachings of the master and then conveys those teachings to other people

399
00:33:32,120 --> 00:33:39,120
None, zero, absolutely zero amount of your learning from the Bible was meant for you alone

400
00:33:39,120 --> 00:33:45,120
In the least, the fruits that arise out of those teachings were meant for other people

401
00:33:45,120 --> 00:33:46,120
That's in the least

402
00:33:46,120 --> 00:33:49,120
But more likely you're meant to share whatever it is that you discover

403
00:33:49,120 --> 00:33:52,120
And we get this opening, this opportunity to do that

404
00:33:52,120 --> 00:33:56,120
And so I encourage you today to experience this Christian walk

405
00:33:56,120 --> 00:33:58,120
To spend it together

406
00:33:58,120 --> 00:34:04,120
That is what the church is and you will find untold resources, untold untapped strength

407
00:34:04,120 --> 00:34:10,120
In sharing your thoughts about the Word, your experience, what you've been through, what you're struggling with

408
00:34:10,120 --> 00:34:16,120
I can't tell you the number of times I've felt relief or strength just sharing with somebody what I was feeling

409
00:34:16,120 --> 00:34:20,120
And ironically I've had a number of people come to me and share what they're going through

410
00:34:20,120 --> 00:34:22,120
And it's a heavy burden, they're going through a heavy burden

411
00:34:22,120 --> 00:34:26,120
And I am kind of empathic, not a spiritual gift type of empathic

412
00:34:26,120 --> 00:34:28,120
But I feel for people when they're hurting

413
00:34:28,120 --> 00:34:31,120
And after they tell me, normally I hurt, I ache, right?

414
00:34:31,120 --> 00:34:36,120
But at the same time, because they shared with me, I felt strength

415
00:34:36,120 --> 00:34:42,120
And after the fact I felt rejuvenated and energized because I realized that we're in it together

416
00:34:42,120 --> 00:34:46,120
And so that when I feel like I'm alone, I know I'm not alone because you're with me

417
00:34:46,120 --> 00:34:49,120
Because I'm with you when you're feeling like you're alone

418
00:34:49,120 --> 00:34:51,120
And so that's what she's talking about

419
00:34:51,120 --> 00:34:53,120
That's part of what Inspirational Moments is about

420
00:34:53,120 --> 00:34:56,120
It's also about what singing spiritual songs is like

421
00:34:56,120 --> 00:34:58,120
You look at the New Testament church, that's what he did

422
00:34:58,120 --> 00:35:00,120
So as we worship, which we're about to do again

423
00:35:00,120 --> 00:35:05,120
Those of you who are choosing maybe not to sing or just to kind of meditate on the words

424
00:35:05,120 --> 00:35:07,120
Be aware you're missing out on a great experience

425
00:35:07,120 --> 00:35:10,120
You're like, well I don't sing good, I'm not a good singer

426
00:35:10,120 --> 00:35:13,120
Okay, well I don't sing good either, I'm not a good singer either

427
00:35:13,120 --> 00:35:17,120
Okay, the point is, it's a joyful noise made unified unto the Lord

428
00:35:17,120 --> 00:35:20,120
And when we're unified and doing that, it's experiential

429
00:35:20,120 --> 00:35:23,120
There was a certain Sunday on Main Street

430
00:35:23,120 --> 00:35:27,120
When outside on Saturday night, Sunday morning, it just dumped snow

431
00:35:27,120 --> 00:35:29,120
Snow just dumped

432
00:35:29,120 --> 00:35:33,120
We got like, I don't know, 15 inches or something in 20 hours or whatever

433
00:35:33,120 --> 00:35:38,120
And those of us who were like the main core group

434
00:35:38,120 --> 00:35:40,120
Like, you know, I'm not missing church no matter what

435
00:35:40,120 --> 00:35:43,120
Showed up, we were like three families

436
00:35:43,120 --> 00:35:46,120
About 15 people that showed up

437
00:35:46,120 --> 00:35:50,120
And we worshiped God and it was powerful, it was phenomenal, it was an awesome experience

438
00:35:50,120 --> 00:35:53,120
We had to go outside with shovels before the service and shovel

439
00:35:53,120 --> 00:35:55,120
And there was everybody out there doing that

440
00:35:55,120 --> 00:35:57,120
Just to get from their car, to find a place to put their car and so on

441
00:35:57,120 --> 00:36:00,120
Because it had been stolen right up until before service

442
00:36:00,120 --> 00:36:04,120
That's an experience and we went through it together

443
00:36:04,120 --> 00:36:07,120
Some of you were here or were around at that time

444
00:36:07,120 --> 00:36:11,120
We've had other experiences, good and bad, sometimes bad things happen

445
00:36:11,120 --> 00:36:15,120
And we're raising our children together

446
00:36:15,120 --> 00:36:18,120
Ariana, thank you

447
00:36:18,120 --> 00:36:20,120
We're raising our children together, right

448
00:36:20,120 --> 00:36:23,120
We're kind of airing our dirty laundry

449
00:36:23,120 --> 00:36:26,120
We know we make mistakes, right, we have issues

450
00:36:26,120 --> 00:36:31,120
And that experiential intimacy becomes spiritual intimacy

451
00:36:31,120 --> 00:36:34,120
And we together can stand for the Lord

452
00:36:34,120 --> 00:36:37,120
So she's absolutely right on target, this is what we're trying to do with this

453
00:36:37,120 --> 00:36:40,120
And we, that we, every time you see we proclaim

454
00:36:40,120 --> 00:36:43,120
Remember the we and we proclaim what we have seen and heard

455
00:36:43,120 --> 00:36:47,120
That we is all of us believers in the local church, it's all of us

456
00:36:47,120 --> 00:36:50,120
So you're part of the we, so you proclaim

457
00:36:50,120 --> 00:36:53,120
That's who we say we are, and that is who we are, alright

458
00:36:53,120 --> 00:36:56,120
We're going to be together at this time and then we'll worship the Lord a little bit more

459
00:36:56,120 --> 00:36:59,120
And we'll do more of that, I encourage you, if you discover something in scripture

460
00:36:59,120 --> 00:37:02,120
You come, you say, listen, if we come in here

461
00:37:02,120 --> 00:37:05,120
And the inspirational note, now mind you, it's got to be God's stuff

462
00:37:05,120 --> 00:37:08,120
But if you come in here and it's God's stuff and it's packed out

463
00:37:08,120 --> 00:37:11,120
Then we will shorten or dismiss the sermon for the day

464
00:37:11,120 --> 00:37:14,120
Or we'll cut songs out of the worship, we'll do what we have to do

465
00:37:14,120 --> 00:37:17,120
Because this is about speaking for God and hearing from God

466
00:37:17,120 --> 00:37:19,120
That's what it's about, okay

467
00:37:19,120 --> 00:37:22,120
And if you're amongst people like, man I have a hard time listening when somebody else is talking

468
00:37:22,120 --> 00:37:25,120
Check your heart condition, figure out why that is

469
00:37:25,120 --> 00:37:28,120
Because a drunk man or a small child or somebody on their deathbed

470
00:37:28,120 --> 00:37:31,120
Can speak the most profound word of God

471
00:37:31,120 --> 00:37:34,120
And I have been present at all three of those instances

472
00:37:34,120 --> 00:37:37,120
When that happened, and I went, pfft

473
00:37:37,120 --> 00:37:40,120
God just spoke, that was powerful, I'll never forget it

474
00:37:40,120 --> 00:37:43,120
And I can share those stories with you, we're not going to do that now

475
00:37:43,120 --> 00:37:46,120
The point is, you can hear the voice of God

476
00:37:46,120 --> 00:37:49,120
In the voices of other people, right Ariana?

477
00:37:49,120 --> 00:37:52,120
We're not going to do that, can we?

478
00:37:52,120 --> 00:37:55,120
So Aaron, my brother and my son, would you pray for us as we transition

479
00:37:55,120 --> 00:37:58,120
Tithes and offerings and more worship?

480
00:37:58,120 --> 00:38:01,120
We're ending to this day, and before

481
00:38:01,120 --> 00:38:04,120
Aaron is here getting us

482
00:38:04,120 --> 00:38:07,120
Let's just still lead together in this

483
00:38:07,120 --> 00:38:10,120
Crazy time in the world

484
00:38:10,120 --> 00:38:13,120
And you would give us the strength to encourage you to allow

485
00:38:13,120 --> 00:38:16,120
And speak your message into the world

486
00:38:16,120 --> 00:38:19,120
And we would be true, we would be true

487
00:38:19,120 --> 00:38:22,120
And we would be true to those people who are here

488
00:38:22,120 --> 00:38:25,120
And where we're at

489
00:38:25,120 --> 00:38:28,120
And I feel those of us that are sick, those that couldn't be here

490
00:38:28,120 --> 00:38:31,120
They feel

491
00:38:31,120 --> 00:38:34,120
They're frustrated, always sort of sick and hurting

492
00:38:34,120 --> 00:38:37,120
And we would be there for them

493
00:38:37,120 --> 00:38:40,120
Do you get it?

494
00:38:40,120 --> 00:38:43,120
It's like seeing you

495
00:38:43,120 --> 00:38:46,120
Listen

496
00:40:13,120 --> 00:40:18,120
Alright, we're going to break the rules for a minute.

497
00:40:18,120 --> 00:40:20,120
We're doing every move I make.

498
00:40:20,120 --> 00:40:25,120
Children, if you think you know the motions enough to help lead, you can stand on the stage.

499
00:40:25,120 --> 00:40:27,120
And face that way.

500
00:40:27,120 --> 00:40:31,120
Come on, let's go. If not, you can stand on the floor and face this way.

501
00:40:31,120 --> 00:40:43,120
If you want to help lead, you can stand up in the middle.

502
00:40:43,120 --> 00:40:54,120
Don't hit each other when you're doing motions.

503
00:40:54,120 --> 00:41:03,120
Every move I make I take in you. You make me move, Jesus. Every breath I take I breathe in you.

504
00:41:03,120 --> 00:41:12,120
Every step I take I take in you. You are my way, Jesus. Every breath I take I breathe in you.

505
00:41:12,120 --> 00:41:29,120
Jesus, mercy with a prayer. Everywhere I move I see your face. Your love has captured me. Oh my God, it's love.

506
00:41:29,120 --> 00:41:40,120
Oh, can it be?

507
00:41:40,120 --> 00:41:49,120
Every move I make I take in you. You make me move, Jesus. Every breath I take I breathe in you.

508
00:41:49,120 --> 00:41:59,120
Every step I take I take in you. You are my way, Jesus. Every breath I take I breathe in you.

509
00:41:59,120 --> 00:42:19,120
Jesus, mercy with a prayer. Everywhere I move I see your face. Your love has captured me. Oh my God, it's love. Oh, can it be?

510
00:42:19,120 --> 00:42:29,120
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la.

511
00:42:29,120 --> 00:42:42,120
I'm not good with emotions, or the words, or the sound.

512
00:42:42,120 --> 00:42:47,120
I'm a big kid.

513
00:42:47,120 --> 00:42:54,120
If you ever up front get into emotions, don't follow me.

514
00:43:17,120 --> 00:43:26,120
The moon in Sunday winds, morning sun was set

515
00:43:26,120 --> 00:43:32,120
The savior of the world was fallen

516
00:43:32,120 --> 00:43:39,120
His body on the cross, his blood pouring out the runs

517
00:43:39,120 --> 00:43:45,120
The weight of every nerve upon him

518
00:43:45,120 --> 00:43:57,120
Ooh, ooh, ooh

519
00:43:57,120 --> 00:44:05,120
The final breath again, his heaven locked away

520
00:44:05,120 --> 00:44:11,120
The son of God was made in darkness

521
00:44:11,120 --> 00:44:18,120
The battle in the rain, the war runs at his wage

522
00:44:18,120 --> 00:44:24,120
The power of hell forever broken

523
00:44:24,120 --> 00:44:31,120
The ground began to shake, the storm flew all away

524
00:44:31,120 --> 00:44:37,120
His path was broken, and he overcome

525
00:44:37,120 --> 00:44:43,120
Now nothing is left to see, all that is earned can be

526
00:44:43,120 --> 00:44:48,120
As will every soul to be

527
00:44:48,120 --> 00:44:54,120
Forever he is, for his blood

528
00:44:54,120 --> 00:45:01,120
Forever he is, living on

529
00:45:01,120 --> 00:45:09,120
Forever he is, living, he is alive

530
00:45:09,120 --> 00:45:14,120
He is alive

531
00:45:14,120 --> 00:45:22,120
The ground began to shake, the storm flew all away

532
00:45:22,120 --> 00:45:28,120
His path was broken, and he overcome

533
00:45:28,120 --> 00:45:34,120
Now nothing is left to see, all that is earned can be

534
00:45:34,120 --> 00:45:39,120
As will every soul to be

535
00:45:39,120 --> 00:45:46,120
Forever he is, for his blood

536
00:45:46,120 --> 00:45:52,120
Forever he is, living on

537
00:45:52,120 --> 00:46:00,120
Forever he is, living, he is alive

538
00:46:00,120 --> 00:46:05,120
He is alive

539
00:46:05,120 --> 00:46:29,120
We sing hallelujah

540
00:46:29,120 --> 00:46:44,120
The Lamb has overcome

541
00:46:44,120 --> 00:47:07,120
We sing hallelujah

542
00:47:07,120 --> 00:47:16,120
The ground began to shake, the storm flew all away

543
00:47:16,120 --> 00:47:21,120
His path was broken, and he overcome

544
00:47:21,120 --> 00:47:28,120
Now nothing is left to see, all that is earned can be

545
00:47:28,120 --> 00:47:33,120
As will every soul to be

546
00:47:33,120 --> 00:47:39,120
Forever he is, for his blood

547
00:47:39,120 --> 00:47:46,120
Forever he is, living on

548
00:47:46,120 --> 00:47:54,120
Forever he is, living, he is alive

549
00:47:54,120 --> 00:48:03,120
He is alive

550
00:48:24,120 --> 00:48:27,120
He is alive

551
00:48:30,120 --> 00:48:34,120
Who but you

552
00:48:34,120 --> 00:48:40,120
Can breathe in me, the trail of galaxies

553
00:48:40,120 --> 00:48:47,120
Can dream of me, what kind of love

554
00:48:47,120 --> 00:48:53,120
Is writing my story till the end

555
00:48:53,120 --> 00:49:02,120
With mercy sent from above

556
00:49:02,120 --> 00:49:07,120
What kind of king

557
00:49:07,120 --> 00:49:12,120
Chose to wear a crown that bleeds and stars

558
00:49:12,120 --> 00:49:15,120
To win my heart

559
00:49:15,120 --> 00:49:20,120
What kind of lord

560
00:49:20,120 --> 00:49:25,120
Tells me all the reason he can't see

561
00:49:25,120 --> 00:49:29,120
Inside the grave

562
00:49:29,120 --> 00:49:35,120
Who but you

563
00:49:35,120 --> 00:49:38,120
Standing here before my eyes

564
00:49:38,120 --> 00:49:41,120
Every part of my heart cries

565
00:49:41,120 --> 00:49:50,120
He is alive

566
00:49:50,120 --> 00:49:51,120
When my mercy's doing up

567
00:49:51,120 --> 00:49:54,120
Let this heart's and pain turn to one

568
00:49:54,120 --> 00:50:01,120
He is alive

569
00:50:01,120 --> 00:50:04,120
Hallelujah, risen Lord

570
00:50:04,120 --> 00:50:07,120
You're the one I'm falling for

571
00:50:07,120 --> 00:50:14,120
I am free, because he is

572
00:50:14,120 --> 00:50:19,120
Alive

573
00:50:27,120 --> 00:50:31,120
Who could see

574
00:50:31,120 --> 00:50:36,120
And send the demons back from where they came

575
00:50:36,120 --> 00:50:43,120
I'm just one day, one other night

576
00:50:43,120 --> 00:50:49,120
Let it so, be broken every time

577
00:50:49,120 --> 00:50:53,120
Till he hears my

578
00:50:53,120 --> 00:50:59,120
Hallelujah

579
00:50:59,120 --> 00:51:03,120
Sometimes the darkness is too dark

580
00:51:03,120 --> 00:51:06,120
To bring crying into your heart

581
00:51:06,120 --> 00:51:12,120
Alive

582
00:51:12,120 --> 00:51:15,120
There's one more, so we come

583
00:51:15,120 --> 00:51:18,120
That's the one, the one and the one

584
00:51:18,120 --> 00:51:25,120
Alive

585
00:51:25,120 --> 00:51:28,120
Hallelujah, risen Lord

586
00:51:28,120 --> 00:51:31,120
You're the one I'm falling for

587
00:51:31,120 --> 00:51:38,120
I am free, because he is

588
00:51:38,120 --> 00:51:41,120
There's a will, a promise, a key

589
00:51:41,120 --> 00:51:44,120
That may be hope, it ain't nothing

590
00:51:44,120 --> 00:51:48,120
Sadness, and the world's desires

591
00:51:48,120 --> 00:51:51,120
Healing, breathing in our lives

592
00:51:51,120 --> 00:51:54,120
The answer to our mystery

593
00:51:54,120 --> 00:51:57,120
The answer to our victory

594
00:51:57,120 --> 00:52:01,120
We never got away

595
00:52:01,120 --> 00:52:10,120
We're starting from everything

596
00:52:16,120 --> 00:52:22,120
Alive

597
00:52:22,120 --> 00:52:25,120
Look on my things, how they come

598
00:52:25,120 --> 00:52:31,120
Death has lost, and love has won

599
00:52:31,120 --> 00:52:45,120
Alive

600
00:52:45,120 --> 00:52:48,120
Because I see you

601
00:52:48,120 --> 00:53:02,120
Alive

602
00:53:18,120 --> 00:53:32,120
Alive

603
00:53:32,120 --> 00:53:59,120
Question

604
00:53:59,120 --> 00:54:02,120
Answer

605
00:54:02,120 --> 00:54:05,120
Insanity or Christianity

606
00:54:05,120 --> 00:54:08,120
You've heard the saying that says that

607
00:54:08,120 --> 00:54:11,120
Insanity is doing something over and over again

608
00:54:11,120 --> 00:54:14,120
Expecting a different result

609
00:54:14,120 --> 00:54:18,120
You realize that now we've been going for nearly 2000 years

610
00:54:18,120 --> 00:54:21,120
Since Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection

611
00:54:21,120 --> 00:54:26,120
Awaiting his second coming, that he's coming back again

612
00:54:26,120 --> 00:54:30,120
We have been performing some of the basic functions of the Kingdom of God

613
00:54:30,120 --> 00:54:34,120
Supposedly, sometimes maybe we don't do it so well

614
00:54:34,120 --> 00:54:38,120
Loving one another, a new commandment I give you that you love one another

615
00:54:38,120 --> 00:54:40,120
Sharing the Gospel witness

616
00:54:40,120 --> 00:54:43,120
Telling people about the Christ, the risen Lord

617
00:54:43,120 --> 00:54:45,120
How Jesus lived, died, and was resurrected

618
00:54:45,120 --> 00:54:51,120
We talked last week about, from 1 Corinthians 15, about the Gospel, the essentials of the Gospel

619
00:54:51,120 --> 00:55:00,120
Surely someone, over the last 2000 years, can be attributed with holding onto the true Gospel of Jesus Christ

620
00:55:00,120 --> 00:55:04,120
I submit to you that there is a perverted Gospel, we talked about that last week

621
00:55:04,120 --> 00:55:11,120
And there are those who have warped, and not done, what it was that Jesus really told us to do

622
00:55:11,120 --> 00:55:15,120
Not simply been who it was that we were supposed to be in Christ

623
00:55:15,120 --> 00:55:20,120
But surely there are those, somewhere is a strain of Christianity

624
00:55:20,120 --> 00:55:23,120
I believe that it leads to this place

625
00:55:23,120 --> 00:55:31,120
Somewhere there is a strain of Christianity that has continued to be and to do that which Jesus commanded us to be and to do

626
00:55:31,120 --> 00:55:37,120
And I submit to you that by and large, in large numbers, that strain of Christianity

627
00:55:37,120 --> 00:55:44,120
That biblical message that goes back to the basics of what Jesus taught, what he asked the disciples to be

628
00:55:44,120 --> 00:55:52,120
Has not seen the fruit that the perverted Gospels have seen, that other methods of the Gospel have seen

629
00:55:52,120 --> 00:55:57,120
If it becomes about money, if it becomes about prosperity, if it becomes about health

630
00:55:57,120 --> 00:56:02,120
When there are miraculous healings, even though miraculous healings may not truly be God healings

631
00:56:02,120 --> 00:56:05,120
It still gathers a crowd

632
00:56:05,120 --> 00:56:10,120
But Christianity, the Christianity that Jesus preached, that if you would follow me

633
00:56:10,120 --> 00:56:14,120
Take up your cross daily, deny yourself and come follow after me

634
00:56:14,120 --> 00:56:21,120
The willingness to set aside oneself, to deny oneself, one's desires and what one wants in the flesh

635
00:56:21,120 --> 00:56:26,120
To take up the cross, meaning to die if necessary, and to follow Jesus

636
00:56:26,120 --> 00:56:36,120
That that form of Christianity has yielded to some extent the same thing over and over and over again

637
00:56:36,120 --> 00:56:44,120
And it is persecution, a need to persevere, a barely scraping by, struggling, satisfying faith

638
00:56:44,120 --> 00:56:50,120
Yes, I understand people have gotten saved, we wouldn't be here today if somebody hadn't stuck to the Gospel and shared the Gospel with us

639
00:56:50,120 --> 00:57:01,120
Yes, I understand that people have, I have, in my lifetime experienced an amazing turnaround because of the Gospel

640
00:57:01,120 --> 00:57:11,120
But in reality, the Church, while having spread the world wide, has continued to be perverted over the years

641
00:57:11,120 --> 00:57:22,120
Is it insanity to think that another Church, another Christian, another field seeded with the Gospel can prosper and grow

642
00:57:22,120 --> 00:57:28,120
When so many are not interested in hearing it, or are more interested in hearing a perverted Gospel

643
00:57:28,120 --> 00:57:35,120
Or even a completely false religion, a cult, do you realize that we live in a day at which a man who believes in Allah

644
00:57:35,120 --> 00:57:40,120
Who is not God, though they will claim he is the same God of Abraham, it is not

645
00:57:40,120 --> 00:57:43,120
You read who Allah is, it is not God

646
00:57:43,120 --> 00:57:51,120
That a person who believes in Allah and follows Allah with a fanatic faith will strap on a bomb suit

647
00:57:51,120 --> 00:57:58,120
And blow up a coffee shop just to kill 12 people so that they can go to heaven forever and get themselves 23 virgins

648
00:57:58,120 --> 00:58:05,120
But Christians who believe in absolute certainty and know that they have been saved, born again

649
00:58:05,120 --> 00:58:13,120
Will not inconvenience themselves or give beyond what they are financially able or sacrifice themselves

650
00:58:13,120 --> 00:58:17,120
To do what it is that God would really have them do

651
00:58:17,120 --> 00:58:24,120
The thought of giving up our job, meaning we might not be able to provide for our families, might not be able to provide for our food

652
00:58:24,120 --> 00:58:32,120
So scares us in comparison to the thought of cults who would go, well I am going to strap on a vest and blow myself

653
00:58:32,120 --> 00:58:36,120
Clearly they are not going to have a job the next day, they are not going to take care of their family the next day

654
00:58:36,120 --> 00:58:42,120
And the reality is they are going to hell the next day, but they believe to lie and therefore are willing to so fanatically commit themselves

655
00:58:42,120 --> 00:58:45,120
To the course of action that they will lose their life in doing so

656
00:58:45,120 --> 00:58:50,120
Yet the true faith of Jesus Christ, the following of Christ when the Holy Spirit comes in

657
00:58:50,120 --> 00:58:56,120
Regenerates you and seals you for the day of redemption so that you will one day spend eternity in heaven with God

658
00:58:56,120 --> 00:59:02,120
Is not by and large in most cases seem to be leading people to a fanatic following of Jesus

659
00:59:02,120 --> 00:59:08,120
Insanity or Christianity?

660
00:59:08,120 --> 00:59:12,120
We are going to look at a sermon today entitled going over, going on, going in

661
00:59:12,120 --> 00:59:19,120
And it is an episode in the lives of the disciples as they encounter the risen Christ who is after Jesus is alive

662
00:59:19,120 --> 00:59:29,120
And I submit to you that there is a lot to be learned about the second coming of Christ from the first coming of Christ

663
00:59:29,120 --> 00:59:36,120
So if you grab your Bibles if you would and turn with me to John chapter 21

664
00:59:36,120 --> 00:59:40,120
Thank you so much, this is the word of God, doesn't matter whether I get it right or not

665
00:59:40,120 --> 00:59:45,120
You listen to Jesus, you listen to the Holy Spirit, you learn and grow from this text

666
00:59:45,120 --> 00:59:48,120
John chapter 21 beginning in verse 1

667
00:59:48,120 --> 00:59:51,120
So again you already know, I have already set the context for you

668
00:59:51,120 --> 00:59:56,120
This is an appearance of Jesus after his death, burial and resurrection

669
00:59:56,120 --> 00:59:57,120
John 21 verse 1

670
00:59:57,120 --> 01:00:02,120
After these things Jesus manifested himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias

671
01:00:02,120 --> 01:00:07,120
And he manifested himself in this way, meaning the way that he is about to describe

672
01:00:07,120 --> 01:00:10,120
The sea of Tiberias is also known as the sea of Galilee

673
01:00:10,120 --> 01:00:13,120
Essentially over there there is kind of like two big bodies of water

674
01:00:13,120 --> 01:00:21,120
They divide, really they are the eastern border of the promised land

675
01:00:21,120 --> 01:00:24,120
And east of that is not really the promised land

676
01:00:24,120 --> 01:00:27,120
But there were God's people who settled over there because it was a very fertile land

677
01:00:27,120 --> 01:00:30,120
And God allowed that to the tribes

678
01:00:30,120 --> 01:00:35,120
And the men of those tribes were required to come across the Jordan and work and help everybody else get their land

679
01:00:35,120 --> 01:00:38,120
They were allowed to settle and then they were allowed to settle on the other side of the river

680
01:00:38,120 --> 01:00:43,120
That river which connects these two bodies of water, one of which is the sea of Galilee

681
01:00:43,120 --> 01:00:46,120
And he manifested himself in this way, verse 2

682
01:00:46,120 --> 01:00:53,120
There were together Simon Peter and Thomas called Didymus and Nathaniel of Cana in Galilee

683
01:00:53,120 --> 01:00:58,120
And the sons of Zebedee and two others of his disciples

684
01:00:58,120 --> 01:01:02,120
Simon Peter said to them all, I am going fishing

685
01:01:02,120 --> 01:01:05,120
And they said to him, we will also come with you

686
01:01:05,120 --> 01:01:09,120
They went out and they got in the boat and that night they caught nothing

687
01:01:09,120 --> 01:01:13,120
And so here they are on the side of the sea of Galilee, boats available

688
01:01:13,120 --> 01:01:18,120
They got no fish, no sustenance really per se

689
01:01:18,120 --> 01:01:21,120
But they got skill, they can fish

690
01:01:21,120 --> 01:01:24,120
Some of them have been fishermen their whole lives

691
01:01:24,120 --> 01:01:26,120
Some of them not so much

692
01:01:26,120 --> 01:01:29,120
But there are fishermen amongst them who have been fishermen their whole lives

693
01:01:29,120 --> 01:01:31,120
They can fish

694
01:01:31,120 --> 01:01:34,120
And so Simon Peter says, I am going fishing

695
01:01:34,120 --> 01:01:37,120
And they say, alright, we will go with you

696
01:01:37,120 --> 01:01:41,120
And they get in the boat and they go out on the sea of Galilee and they begin to fish

697
01:01:41,120 --> 01:01:43,120
But all night long they fish

698
01:01:43,120 --> 01:01:48,120
Now this is net fishing, you toss a big net, weighted net in the boat with a rope tied to it

699
01:01:48,120 --> 01:01:52,120
And then as you pull on that rope it kind of closes the net a little and pulls it up out of the water

700
01:01:52,120 --> 01:01:55,120
And the idea is it is supposed to have fish in it

701
01:01:55,120 --> 01:01:58,120
And all night long they are rowing or partly sailing that little boat

702
01:01:58,120 --> 01:02:02,120
Or not so little really, around the water, tossing the net

703
01:02:02,120 --> 01:02:06,120
And it goes, wait for it to settle down, pull the ropes, haul it up

704
01:02:06,120 --> 01:02:10,120
It is no small task to haul it up anyway even when it is empty

705
01:02:10,120 --> 01:02:15,120
Which probably it was rarely totally empty, there was bits of stuff in it but never fish

706
01:02:15,120 --> 01:02:18,120
All night long, let's go try over here

707
01:02:18,120 --> 01:02:23,120
No fish, let's go try over here

708
01:02:23,120 --> 01:02:27,120
No fish, all night long and it seems they are literally beating their heads

709
01:02:27,120 --> 01:02:29,120
Against the brick wall of fishing

710
01:02:29,120 --> 01:02:34,120
Now they have done this before, probably they have fished before without any great results

711
01:02:34,120 --> 01:02:37,120
Don't know that for sure but it has probably happened

712
01:02:37,120 --> 01:02:41,120
This might be bizarre that they would go all night long with no fish

713
01:02:41,120 --> 01:02:43,120
That is probably peculiar

714
01:02:43,120 --> 01:02:48,120
But in this case they go all night long throwing the net in, hauling the net out

715
01:02:48,120 --> 01:02:53,120
Maybe more than one net and they catch nothing, verse 4

716
01:02:53,120 --> 01:02:58,120
But when the day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach

717
01:02:58,120 --> 01:03:01,120
Yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus

718
01:03:01,120 --> 01:03:04,120
So there they are in the water, it is the dim, the day is coming, the sun is coming up

719
01:03:04,120 --> 01:03:07,120
There would be mist, fog if you will

720
01:03:07,120 --> 01:03:09,120
Visibility would be somewhat limited

721
01:03:09,120 --> 01:03:13,120
And when you first read this you think that might be why they don't recognize that it is Jesus

722
01:03:13,120 --> 01:03:15,120
He is over on the shore

723
01:03:15,120 --> 01:03:20,120
There isn't night light, there isn't necessarily a great big moon

724
01:03:20,120 --> 01:03:23,120
Or low cloud canopy or anything like that, it is dark

725
01:03:23,120 --> 01:03:26,120
But it is just starting to get brighter outside

726
01:03:26,120 --> 01:03:28,120
And there stands a man on the shore

727
01:03:28,120 --> 01:03:31,120
They didn't know that he was Jesus, verse 5

728
01:03:31,120 --> 01:03:33,120
Jesus therefore said to them

729
01:03:33,120 --> 01:03:37,120
Children, you did not have any fish, do you?

730
01:03:37,120 --> 01:03:41,120
Now what is interesting in the original language is that this comment is just a little bit snarky

731
01:03:41,120 --> 01:03:43,120
It comes with a little bit of attitude

732
01:03:43,120 --> 01:03:46,120
It is more like, hey you have no fish do you?

733
01:03:46,120 --> 01:03:49,120
You can think of it like a New Yorker kind of thing

734
01:03:49,120 --> 01:03:52,120
You have no fish do you?

735
01:03:52,120 --> 01:03:56,120
Now people have read a ton of stuff into that over the years

736
01:03:56,120 --> 01:03:59,120
You could say, well what the heck were they doing fishing anyway?

737
01:03:59,120 --> 01:04:01,120
They were told to be waiting for him to come

738
01:04:01,120 --> 01:04:06,120
So that the Holy Spirit would come on them and they would go and spread the word to all the world

739
01:04:06,120 --> 01:04:08,120
Why are they fishing anyway?

740
01:04:08,120 --> 01:04:10,120
Why are they going back to what they used to do?

741
01:04:10,120 --> 01:04:12,120
They are not supposed to be fishers of fish anymore, now fishers of man

742
01:04:12,120 --> 01:04:14,120
There is a lot of things that one could say about it

743
01:04:14,120 --> 01:04:18,120
But the bottom line is he says, you have no fish do you?

744
01:04:18,120 --> 01:04:20,120
And they answered him, no

745
01:04:20,120 --> 01:04:22,120
Which is a fact, what are they going to say?

746
01:04:22,120 --> 01:04:24,120
No

747
01:04:24,120 --> 01:04:26,120
And then verse 6 says, and he said to them

748
01:04:26,120 --> 01:04:29,120
Cast the net on the right hand side of the boat

749
01:04:29,120 --> 01:04:31,120
And you will find a catch

750
01:04:31,120 --> 01:04:35,120
So they have already cast the net on the right hand side of the boat

751
01:04:35,120 --> 01:04:37,120
That has already happened

752
01:04:37,120 --> 01:04:39,120
They have done it a dozen times all night long

753
01:04:39,120 --> 01:04:43,120
Probably more than one net maybe, we do not know for sure

754
01:04:43,120 --> 01:04:46,120
Interestingly enough, if you have ever been out fishing

755
01:04:46,120 --> 01:04:48,120
And I went fishing a number of times when I was younger

756
01:04:48,120 --> 01:04:50,120
I kind of like fishing because I could spend time with people who I was with

757
01:04:50,120 --> 01:04:52,120
But I kind of do not like fishing because

758
01:04:52,120 --> 01:04:56,120
As far as I can see, fishing is sitting and waiting for your dinner to come

759
01:04:56,120 --> 01:04:59,120
And it is the waiting part that kills me

760
01:04:59,120 --> 01:05:04,120
I would almost rather eat a square fish on a cheesy bun for McDonald's

761
01:05:04,120 --> 01:05:07,120
Than wait 3-4 hours for the first bite

762
01:05:07,120 --> 01:05:09,120
But here is an experience that I have had on more than one occasion

763
01:05:09,120 --> 01:05:11,120
My limited experience with fishing

764
01:05:11,120 --> 01:05:13,120
I have been out fishing

765
01:05:13,120 --> 01:05:17,120
And I have seen someone catching a lot of fish while I am catching none

766
01:05:17,120 --> 01:05:21,120
And in my heart I said

767
01:05:21,120 --> 01:05:24,120
Why are they catching a lot of fish when I am catching none?

768
01:05:24,120 --> 01:05:25,120
A couple of times I even said

769
01:05:25,120 --> 01:05:27,120
What bait are you using?

770
01:05:27,120 --> 01:05:30,120
And they said, well it is a worm or it is a fly or so this or that

771
01:05:30,120 --> 01:05:33,120
And I had one fisherman out on the pier, out on the lake

772
01:05:33,120 --> 01:05:36,120
Actually give me one of the same exact flies that he was using

773
01:05:36,120 --> 01:05:39,120
He said, here try this

774
01:05:39,120 --> 01:05:42,120
One time I went out on the boat with my dad and my brother

775
01:05:42,120 --> 01:05:43,120
And it was just the three of us

776
01:05:43,120 --> 01:05:45,120
We had a little boat my dad had bought back in the day

777
01:05:45,120 --> 01:05:48,120
Went out on the boat, we were out by the water treatment plant out on Lake Erie

778
01:05:48,120 --> 01:05:52,120
And literally every time I put my hook on the water

779
01:05:52,120 --> 01:05:55,120
Within about a minute I would get a fish

780
01:05:55,120 --> 01:05:57,120
Every time, put it in the water

781
01:05:57,120 --> 01:06:00,120
It didn't matter if it was down a few feet, down 5 feet, 10 feet

782
01:06:00,120 --> 01:06:02,120
Put it in the water and within about a minute I would get a fish

783
01:06:02,120 --> 01:06:04,120
I am like, oh there is another one, I will reel it in

784
01:06:04,120 --> 01:06:06,120
And eventually I caught my quota

785
01:06:06,120 --> 01:06:08,120
There is a certain amount of fish that you are allowed to catch

786
01:06:08,120 --> 01:06:10,120
And we were going to try to honor that

787
01:06:10,120 --> 01:06:14,120
But my dad had caught, guess what, zero fish

788
01:06:14,120 --> 01:06:17,120
My dad is on the left side of the boat, we are on the right side of the boat

789
01:06:17,120 --> 01:06:19,120
I caught a fish every one to three minutes

790
01:06:19,120 --> 01:06:21,120
And my brother caught a fish about every five minutes

791
01:06:21,120 --> 01:06:24,120
So pretty soon we caught 24 fish between the two of us

792
01:06:24,120 --> 01:06:26,120
I think tomorrow was the amount you are allowed or something like that

793
01:06:26,120 --> 01:06:30,120
And we were throwing back little fish and only trying to keep the biggest fish

794
01:06:30,120 --> 01:06:32,120
Because we were technically not allowed to catch any more fish

795
01:06:32,120 --> 01:06:36,120
And my dad is kind of mad and he goes over and he says, hey let me in there

796
01:06:36,120 --> 01:06:38,120
And he shoves his way into that spot

797
01:06:38,120 --> 01:06:42,120
And he puts his hook in the water and all three of us waited apprehensively

798
01:06:42,120 --> 01:06:44,120
Until three minutes had passed

799
01:06:44,120 --> 01:06:46,120
And then five

800
01:06:46,120 --> 01:06:48,120
And then ten

801
01:06:48,120 --> 01:06:50,120
And not a bite

802
01:06:50,120 --> 01:06:52,120
And we are watching, my dad with his hook in the water

803
01:06:52,120 --> 01:06:54,120
So for the first three minutes he is expecting

804
01:06:54,120 --> 01:06:56,120
He is like, okay here we go, going to catch a fish

805
01:06:56,120 --> 01:06:58,120
And then five minutes he is like, resigned

806
01:06:58,120 --> 01:07:00,120
Ten minutes he was angry

807
01:07:00,120 --> 01:07:04,120
And he said, you put your rod back in the water to my brother

808
01:07:04,120 --> 01:07:07,120
So my brother puts his rod back in the water

809
01:07:07,120 --> 01:07:09,120
Within like two minutes

810
01:07:09,120 --> 01:07:11,120
Catches a fish

811
01:07:11,120 --> 01:07:13,120
This is the thing about fishing

812
01:07:13,120 --> 01:07:15,120
Sometimes it is there and sometimes it is not

813
01:07:15,120 --> 01:07:19,120
You have to fish all night and not catch anything to know for sure it is not there

814
01:07:19,120 --> 01:07:20,120
You know what I am saying?

815
01:07:20,120 --> 01:07:22,120
But the fact is they knew they were fishing the water

816
01:07:22,120 --> 01:07:24,120
They had fished these waters before

817
01:07:24,120 --> 01:07:26,120
They had always caught fish before

818
01:07:26,120 --> 01:07:28,120
So is the miracle that they caught no fish?

819
01:07:28,120 --> 01:07:30,120
Is that the miracle?

820
01:07:30,120 --> 01:07:32,120
The miracle is that they were brought to a moment in time

821
01:07:32,120 --> 01:07:35,120
In which they had resigned and said, look we are not going to catch any fish

822
01:07:35,120 --> 01:07:37,120
The night of fishing is coming to an end

823
01:07:37,120 --> 01:07:39,120
We have done everything that we know to do

824
01:07:39,120 --> 01:07:41,120
We have done it just the way we always did it

825
01:07:41,120 --> 01:07:43,120
And we have caught no fish

826
01:07:43,120 --> 01:07:46,120
And there is a nagging question about whether they should keep fishing

827
01:07:46,120 --> 01:07:47,120
Whether they should try again

828
01:07:47,120 --> 01:07:49,120
Whether they should march to the nearest town

829
01:07:49,120 --> 01:07:51,120
And try to buy loaves of bread with a penny that is in their pocket

830
01:07:51,120 --> 01:07:54,120
Whatever, they are at the moment of question

831
01:07:54,120 --> 01:07:59,120
That nagging feeling that I have been abandoned

832
01:07:59,120 --> 01:08:03,120
That all my efforts are for naught

833
01:08:03,120 --> 01:08:07,120
And now it is time to either continue or not

834
01:08:07,120 --> 01:08:10,120
And he says, cast the net on the right hand side of the boat

835
01:08:10,120 --> 01:08:11,120
And you will find a catch

836
01:08:11,120 --> 01:08:13,120
Now, again they have already done that

837
01:08:13,120 --> 01:08:17,120
So you think as these fishermen are in the boat

838
01:08:17,120 --> 01:08:19,120
That they have ever had a time in the past

839
01:08:19,120 --> 01:08:22,120
Where somebody else was catching fish and they were not

840
01:08:22,120 --> 01:08:24,120
And somebody else said, well try this

841
01:08:24,120 --> 01:08:26,120
Sure, they have been there before

842
01:08:26,120 --> 01:08:30,120
And most of the time it changed nothing

843
01:08:30,120 --> 01:08:33,120
But here is a man, they don't know who he technically is

844
01:08:33,120 --> 01:08:36,120
But they have got a feeling maybe that something is a little odd

845
01:08:36,120 --> 01:08:37,120
They know that Jesus has been resurrected

846
01:08:37,120 --> 01:08:41,120
They have seen him since he has been resurrected already

847
01:08:41,120 --> 01:08:44,120
And they think, what the heck?

848
01:08:44,120 --> 01:08:46,120
What do I got to lose?

849
01:08:46,120 --> 01:08:50,120
And it says, they catch, they cast therefore

850
01:08:50,120 --> 01:08:52,120
And then they were not able to haul it in

851
01:08:52,120 --> 01:08:54,120
Because of the great number of fish

852
01:08:54,120 --> 01:08:55,120
There were so many fish in the net

853
01:08:55,120 --> 01:08:57,120
They couldn't get the net up into the boat

854
01:08:57,120 --> 01:08:59,120
They started hauling it like, oh this is heavier

855
01:08:59,120 --> 01:09:01,120
Must be more boots than this one

856
01:09:01,120 --> 01:09:02,120
And they haul it up

857
01:09:02,120 --> 01:09:05,120
And sure enough, there is a literal almost ton of fish

858
01:09:05,120 --> 01:09:13,120
There is a ton of fish, hundreds of pounds of fish

859
01:09:13,120 --> 01:09:18,120
Then seven says, that disciple therefore whom Jesus loved

860
01:09:18,120 --> 01:09:19,120
And I have mentioned this to you before

861
01:09:19,120 --> 01:09:21,120
That a lot of times in the book of John

862
01:09:21,120 --> 01:09:23,120
When you hear that phrase, that disciple whom Jesus loved

863
01:09:23,120 --> 01:09:26,120
You know that is usually talking, probably talking about John

864
01:09:26,120 --> 01:09:28,120
They didn't normally name themselves and say like I said

865
01:09:28,120 --> 01:09:30,120
It was very rare for that to happen

866
01:09:30,120 --> 01:09:32,120
Especially if it was something positive

867
01:09:32,120 --> 01:09:34,120
They almost never did that because it would be considered unhumble

868
01:09:34,120 --> 01:09:35,120
And then people wouldn't read your writings

869
01:09:35,120 --> 01:09:37,120
They would dismiss them

870
01:09:37,120 --> 01:09:39,120
That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved

871
01:09:39,120 --> 01:09:42,120
A pretty good title, except we know Jesus loved all the disciples

872
01:09:42,120 --> 01:09:47,120
But just means that guy that was there said to Peter

873
01:09:47,120 --> 01:09:49,120
It is the Lord

874
01:09:49,120 --> 01:09:54,120
So he, in his ecstatic recognition, suddenly says

875
01:09:54,120 --> 01:09:55,120
It is the Lord

876
01:09:55,120 --> 01:09:57,120
That's why there are so many fish

877
01:09:57,120 --> 01:09:58,120
When there were no fish, there are so many fish now

878
01:09:58,120 --> 01:10:00,120
Because it is the Lord

879
01:10:00,120 --> 01:10:03,120
And so when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord

880
01:10:03,120 --> 01:10:06,120
He put his outer garment on for he was stripped for work

881
01:10:06,120 --> 01:10:09,120
And it was common for them to have an outer garment like a robe

882
01:10:09,120 --> 01:10:12,120
And then to strip that off and work in basically their undergarments

883
01:10:12,120 --> 01:10:15,120
Which just would look like a cloth wrapped towel

884
01:10:15,120 --> 01:10:17,120
Like a big man's diaper basically

885
01:10:17,120 --> 01:10:20,120
And he was working in that as many of them probably were

886
01:10:20,120 --> 01:10:23,120
And he put it on and then he kind of ties it up

887
01:10:23,120 --> 01:10:24,120
Because otherwise it interferes with your leg swimsuit

888
01:10:24,120 --> 01:10:26,120
He ties it around, it was typically tied up

889
01:10:26,120 --> 01:10:27,120
And pulled the strap tight

890
01:10:27,120 --> 01:10:31,120
And so now it looks like he's got a three times oversized under big man's diaper on

891
01:10:31,120 --> 01:10:36,120
And he throws himself into the water

892
01:10:36,120 --> 01:10:38,120
But the other disciples come in the little boat

893
01:10:38,120 --> 01:10:40,120
For they were not far from the lance

894
01:10:40,120 --> 01:10:41,120
He really wasn't that far

895
01:10:41,120 --> 01:10:43,120
There really was no reason to go through all that rigmarole

896
01:10:43,120 --> 01:10:45,120
And jump in the water and try to swim to shore

897
01:10:45,120 --> 01:10:47,120
And get there and be the first, right?

898
01:10:47,120 --> 01:10:53,120
Except if there's a reason why you might want to do that

899
01:10:53,120 --> 01:10:55,120
The other disciples came in the little boat

900
01:10:55,120 --> 01:10:57,120
For they were not far from the lance

901
01:10:57,120 --> 01:10:59,120
But about 100 yards away

902
01:10:59,120 --> 01:11:01,120
It's really not that far

903
01:11:01,120 --> 01:11:03,120
Dragging the net full of fish

904
01:11:03,120 --> 01:11:05,120
Here they come, they can't even get it in the boat

905
01:11:05,120 --> 01:11:07,120
And Peter of course left them in that predicament

906
01:11:07,120 --> 01:11:09,120
You're stuck, I'm not

907
01:11:09,120 --> 01:11:11,120
Jumped out of the boat, swam to shore

908
01:11:11,120 --> 01:11:14,120
And so when they got out upon the lance

909
01:11:14,120 --> 01:11:17,120
They saw a charcoal fire already laid

910
01:11:17,120 --> 01:11:20,120
It's just a coal fire that has been cooked down to being hot

911
01:11:20,120 --> 01:11:22,120
Without having necessarily open flames

912
01:11:22,120 --> 01:11:24,120
It's the best kind for cooking

913
01:11:24,120 --> 01:11:26,120
And they saw fish already on it

914
01:11:26,120 --> 01:11:28,120
And bread

915
01:11:28,120 --> 01:11:30,120
And Jesus said to them, bring some of the fish

916
01:11:30,120 --> 01:11:32,120
Which you have now caught

917
01:11:32,120 --> 01:11:36,120
So they were supposed to bring some of the fish from that net

918
01:11:36,120 --> 01:11:38,120
Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land

919
01:11:38,120 --> 01:11:40,120
Full of large fish

920
01:11:40,120 --> 01:11:44,120
So then he goes and helps the other disciples

921
01:11:44,120 --> 01:11:45,120
And they can't get out of the boat

922
01:11:45,120 --> 01:11:47,120
Because that's a vertical straight up over the ledge of the boat

923
01:11:47,120 --> 01:11:50,120
But they can drag it up along the shore

924
01:11:50,120 --> 01:11:51,120
Up onto the beach

925
01:11:51,120 --> 01:11:53,120
And they do, they find it full of large fish

926
01:11:53,120 --> 01:11:56,120
It says 153 fish

927
01:11:56,120 --> 01:11:57,120
That's what they counted

928
01:11:57,120 --> 01:11:59,120
There's been a lot made out of that phrase

929
01:11:59,120 --> 01:12:00,120
That there was 153 fish

930
01:12:00,120 --> 01:12:02,120
You're like, first of all, why would they care?

931
01:12:02,120 --> 01:12:03,120
Well of course you care

932
01:12:03,120 --> 01:12:04,120
There's no fish all night long

933
01:12:04,120 --> 01:12:05,120
And then suddenly there's a ton of fish

934
01:12:05,120 --> 01:12:07,120
And we're like, someday someone's going to wonder how many fish

935
01:12:07,120 --> 01:12:09,120
We're going to have to tell this tale someday

936
01:12:09,120 --> 01:12:11,120
We better count or at least get a basic idea

937
01:12:11,120 --> 01:12:12,120
And so somebody counted

938
01:12:12,120 --> 01:12:14,120
And there were 153 large fish

939
01:12:14,120 --> 01:12:16,120
Fishermen always tell how many they catch

940
01:12:16,120 --> 01:12:18,120
Yeah, but usually they inflate the number

941
01:12:18,120 --> 01:12:19,120
In this case they didn't have to

942
01:12:19,120 --> 01:12:20,120
Okay

943
01:12:20,120 --> 01:12:22,120
So in this case they didn't have to inflate the number

944
01:12:22,120 --> 01:12:23,120
Because our salt was already large

945
01:12:23,120 --> 01:12:25,120
And people, they're probably thinking

946
01:12:25,120 --> 01:12:26,120
Well someday we're going to tell this tale

947
01:12:26,120 --> 01:12:27,120
And we're going to

948
01:12:27,120 --> 01:12:28,120
Everybody's going to think we're inflating the number

949
01:12:28,120 --> 01:12:29,120
But we don't want to inflate the number

950
01:12:29,120 --> 01:12:31,120
So we all need to know an exact number

951
01:12:31,120 --> 01:12:32,120
And get our story straight if you will

952
01:12:32,120 --> 01:12:34,120
But anyway they counted the fish

953
01:12:34,120 --> 01:12:37,120
Also there's a study called gematria

954
01:12:37,120 --> 01:12:38,120
That people have done

955
01:12:38,120 --> 01:12:40,120
Gematria means when you take letters

956
01:12:40,120 --> 01:12:42,120
And you use the numbers that they represent like code

957
01:12:42,120 --> 01:12:43,120
But in the Greek language

958
01:12:43,120 --> 01:12:46,120
All letters also represent numbers

959
01:12:46,120 --> 01:12:49,120
So aoda, which is the first letter

960
01:12:49,120 --> 01:12:52,120
Represents a number 1

961
01:12:52,120 --> 01:12:53,120
And there are 24 numbers

962
01:12:53,120 --> 01:12:54,120
So it goes up to 24

963
01:12:54,120 --> 01:12:56,120
Or 24 letters goes up to 24

964
01:12:56,120 --> 01:12:58,120
And so people have tried to figure out

965
01:12:58,120 --> 01:13:00,120
What might the 153 fish represent

966
01:13:00,120 --> 01:13:04,120
And they found out that a number of key phrases

967
01:13:04,120 --> 01:13:06,120
An example might be

968
01:13:06,120 --> 01:13:09,120
Cana of G for Galilee

969
01:13:09,120 --> 01:13:13,120
Cana of G which was where?

970
01:13:13,120 --> 01:13:16,120
Where Jesus completed his first ever miracle

971
01:13:16,120 --> 01:13:17,120
Which was what?

972
01:13:17,120 --> 01:13:19,120
Shut your minds

973
01:13:19,120 --> 01:13:22,120
Turn the water into wine at the wedding feast

974
01:13:22,120 --> 01:13:24,120
So people said well did you know

975
01:13:24,120 --> 01:13:30,120
That the gematria value of cana of G is 153

976
01:13:30,120 --> 01:13:31,120
So that was his first miracle

977
01:13:31,120 --> 01:13:36,120
And this was essentially the close in the backside miracle

978
01:13:36,120 --> 01:13:37,120
Of that miracle

979
01:13:37,120 --> 01:13:42,120
People found out that you can make the feeding of the 5000

980
01:13:42,120 --> 01:13:44,120
Using certain phrases

981
01:13:44,120 --> 01:13:45,120
Certain Greek words

982
01:13:45,120 --> 01:13:46,120
You can make the feeding of the 5000

983
01:13:46,120 --> 01:13:48,120
Equal to 153

984
01:13:48,120 --> 01:13:50,120
But in order to do it you have to misspell one word

985
01:13:50,120 --> 01:13:52,120
So they said well if it was 157 it would be exact

986
01:13:52,120 --> 01:13:54,120
So they said well the original scribe

987
01:13:54,120 --> 01:13:55,120
Or maybe they miscounted the fish

988
01:13:55,120 --> 01:13:57,120
Where it was actually 157

989
01:13:57,120 --> 01:13:59,120
And this is just like the feeding of the 5000

990
01:13:59,120 --> 01:14:02,120
So bottom line is people have studied the 153

991
01:14:02,120 --> 01:14:04,120
I'm going to say to you that the number 153

992
01:14:04,120 --> 01:14:06,120
May have some symbolic significance

993
01:14:06,120 --> 01:14:09,120
But I don't frankly care

994
01:14:09,120 --> 01:14:12,120
What I care about is what my Jesus is doing in this story

995
01:14:12,120 --> 01:14:16,120
What am I supposed to learn about the circumstances here

996
01:14:16,120 --> 01:14:17,120
And what am I supposed to do about it

997
01:14:17,120 --> 01:14:18,120
That's what I really care about

998
01:14:18,120 --> 01:14:20,120
I mean I want to know anything that God wants me to know

999
01:14:20,120 --> 01:14:23,120
But what I really want to know is God who am I in you

1000
01:14:23,120 --> 01:14:27,120
What am I supposed to do and so on

1001
01:14:27,120 --> 01:14:29,120
So he says bring some of the fish

1002
01:14:29,120 --> 01:14:31,120
He goes to this net full of large fish

1003
01:14:31,120 --> 01:14:33,120
153 of them

1004
01:14:33,120 --> 01:14:35,120
And although there were so many

1005
01:14:35,120 --> 01:14:36,120
The net was not torn

1006
01:14:36,120 --> 01:14:38,120
Now there is another story over in the book of Luke

1007
01:14:38,120 --> 01:14:39,120
Where they had fished

1008
01:14:39,120 --> 01:14:40,120
And he cast the net in

1009
01:14:40,120 --> 01:14:42,120
They got so many fish

1010
01:14:42,120 --> 01:14:43,120
This is a similar instance

1011
01:14:43,120 --> 01:14:45,120
Which might also be why

1012
01:14:45,120 --> 01:14:48,120
John, if it was John, recognized Jesus

1013
01:14:48,120 --> 01:14:50,120
Because John was present at that instance

1014
01:14:50,120 --> 01:14:51,120
He said cast the net in

1015
01:14:51,120 --> 01:14:53,120
But they hauled the nets out

1016
01:14:53,120 --> 01:14:54,120
And the nets were breaking

1017
01:14:54,120 --> 01:14:56,120
There were so many fish

1018
01:14:56,120 --> 01:14:59,120
But here despite the fact that there were 153 fish

1019
01:14:59,120 --> 01:15:02,120
And to draw similarities to the other instance

1020
01:15:02,120 --> 01:15:07,120
This net was not torn

1021
01:15:07,120 --> 01:15:08,120
A little further

1022
01:15:08,120 --> 01:15:12,120
Jesus said to them come and have breakfast

1023
01:15:12,120 --> 01:15:14,120
Now he is already cooking

1024
01:15:14,120 --> 01:15:17,120
But probably not enough for everybody necessarily

1025
01:15:17,120 --> 01:15:18,120
And they cooked some more

1026
01:15:18,120 --> 01:15:19,120
And he has got something for them to eat

1027
01:15:19,120 --> 01:15:21,120
Some bread and fish for them to eat

1028
01:15:21,120 --> 01:15:23,120
While they are waiting for the others to be cooked

1029
01:15:23,120 --> 01:15:26,120
None of the disciples ventured to question him

1030
01:15:26,120 --> 01:15:28,120
Who are you Lord?

1031
01:15:28,120 --> 01:15:29,120
Knowing that it was the Lord

1032
01:15:29,120 --> 01:15:32,120
Now it is interesting that they make that mention isn't it?

1033
01:15:32,120 --> 01:15:35,120
Remember that when he appeared to them in the room

1034
01:15:35,120 --> 01:15:36,120
The upper room

1035
01:15:36,120 --> 01:15:38,120
They had a hard time believing it was him

1036
01:15:38,120 --> 01:15:40,120
Even though they were seeing him with their own eyes

1037
01:15:40,120 --> 01:15:43,120
Because of the joy that they were experiencing

1038
01:15:43,120 --> 01:15:45,120
The more joy you have in Christ

1039
01:15:45,120 --> 01:15:46,120
At what God is doing in you

1040
01:15:46,120 --> 01:15:49,120
The more difficult it is sometimes to truly believe

1041
01:15:49,120 --> 01:15:52,120
It is like you have to divorce yourself of all reason

1042
01:15:52,120 --> 01:15:54,120
You have to move away from the logic

1043
01:15:54,120 --> 01:15:55,120
And the step by step deduction

1044
01:15:55,120 --> 01:15:57,120
That you have got to get where you are at

1045
01:15:57,120 --> 01:16:02,120
And instead go well I just believe because it is true

1046
01:16:02,120 --> 01:16:04,120
They kind of had a nagging question

1047
01:16:04,120 --> 01:16:07,120
Who are you inside them?

1048
01:16:07,120 --> 01:16:08,120
But they were dismissing that question

1049
01:16:08,120 --> 01:16:12,120
Despite the fact that it was there nagging at them

1050
01:16:12,120 --> 01:16:14,120
They were dismissing it because they knew

1051
01:16:14,120 --> 01:16:18,120
They knew it says that he was Jesus

1052
01:16:18,120 --> 01:16:21,120
Verse 13

1053
01:16:21,120 --> 01:16:22,120
Jesus came and took the bread

1054
01:16:22,120 --> 01:16:25,120
And gave them and the fish likewise

1055
01:16:25,120 --> 01:16:26,120
And then it says in 14

1056
01:16:26,120 --> 01:16:29,120
This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested

1057
01:16:29,120 --> 01:16:33,120
To the disciples after he was raised from the dead

1058
01:16:33,120 --> 01:16:36,120
Now that is a reference by John to the three stories

1059
01:16:36,120 --> 01:16:41,120
That was the three that he has shared

1060
01:16:41,120 --> 01:16:44,120
And he is not including the women

1061
01:16:44,120 --> 01:16:48,120
But it is not the third actual chronological time necessarily

1062
01:16:48,120 --> 01:16:50,120
It is the third time that John has recorded

1063
01:16:50,120 --> 01:16:54,120
Alright so out of this text and these 14 verses here

1064
01:16:54,120 --> 01:16:58,120
I think there is a few kind of like almost poetic aspects of it

1065
01:16:58,120 --> 01:17:00,120
So the first thing I want you to see is that

1066
01:17:00,120 --> 01:17:03,120
They had to make the choice to going over

1067
01:17:03,120 --> 01:17:05,120
So they are in the boat thinking about coming to shore

1068
01:17:05,120 --> 01:17:07,120
They are about 100 yards out

1069
01:17:07,120 --> 01:17:10,120
And he says cast the net on the right side of the boat

1070
01:17:10,120 --> 01:17:14,120
And you will pull up a great harvest of fish

1071
01:17:14,120 --> 01:17:16,120
So they had to make the choice to do that

1072
01:17:16,120 --> 01:17:22,120
Having received useless advice to spectators over the years

1073
01:17:22,120 --> 01:17:25,120
And even other fishermen who did not know any better than they did

1074
01:17:25,120 --> 01:17:28,120
How to throw a net in the water and haul up fish

1075
01:17:28,120 --> 01:17:32,120
Over the years having received tons and tons of useless advice

1076
01:17:32,120 --> 01:17:35,120
Having worked all through the night tirelessly

1077
01:17:35,120 --> 01:17:39,120
Or really let's just say very tiredly probably all through the night

1078
01:17:39,120 --> 01:17:41,120
Stripped to their man diapers

1079
01:17:41,120 --> 01:17:44,120
Haulin in the nets all night long

1080
01:17:44,120 --> 01:17:45,120
And the sun starts to come up

1081
01:17:45,120 --> 01:17:47,120
And every hour of the night that passed

1082
01:17:47,120 --> 01:17:50,120
And every toss of the net that was drawn back

1083
01:17:50,120 --> 01:17:51,120
They were in disbelief

1084
01:17:51,120 --> 01:17:52,120
They could not believe it

1085
01:17:52,120 --> 01:17:55,120
They were like how are we not catching any fish

1086
01:17:55,120 --> 01:17:56,120
Can this still be true

1087
01:17:56,120 --> 01:17:58,120
I've done this my whole life

1088
01:17:58,120 --> 01:18:00,120
My daddy taught me to do this when I was just a little boy

1089
01:18:00,120 --> 01:18:04,120
I've always put my trust in this skill

1090
01:18:04,120 --> 01:18:06,120
And now this skill is failing me

1091
01:18:06,120 --> 01:18:07,120
My strength is failing me

1092
01:18:07,120 --> 01:18:08,120
My intellect is failing me

1093
01:18:08,120 --> 01:18:10,120
My experience is failing me

1094
01:18:10,120 --> 01:18:11,120
My training is failing me

1095
01:18:11,120 --> 01:18:13,120
It's all coming to naught in this moment

1096
01:18:13,120 --> 01:18:18,120
And I cannot believe that now here comes this stranger telling me

1097
01:18:18,120 --> 01:18:23,120
That all I have to do to be successful is what I have already done

1098
01:18:23,120 --> 01:18:24,120
That's it

1099
01:18:24,120 --> 01:18:28,120
All you have to do to be successful says the stranger on the shore

1100
01:18:28,120 --> 01:18:30,120
Is just cast the net again

1101
01:18:30,120 --> 01:18:34,120
And he doesn't say that you might get a fish

1102
01:18:34,120 --> 01:18:37,120
He says that you will get a harvest of fish

1103
01:18:37,120 --> 01:18:38,120
A haul of fish

1104
01:18:38,120 --> 01:18:40,120
You will get a net full of fish

1105
01:18:40,120 --> 01:18:43,120
So I'm not saying if now you're in the area where fish are

1106
01:18:43,120 --> 01:18:45,120
And if you cast the net in you'll get a few fish

1107
01:18:45,120 --> 01:18:47,120
And you can cast it in a few more times

1108
01:18:47,120 --> 01:18:50,120
And you're going to cast and haul and cast and haul

1109
01:18:50,120 --> 01:18:52,120
And haul up 40, 50 fish to sell at market today

1110
01:18:52,120 --> 01:18:54,120
So you all can have money for the next few days

1111
01:18:54,120 --> 01:18:55,120
That's not what he's saying

1112
01:18:55,120 --> 01:18:57,120
He said cast the net one more time

1113
01:18:57,120 --> 01:18:59,120
Do it one more time

1114
01:18:59,120 --> 01:19:01,120
Go over to the other side of the boat

1115
01:19:01,120 --> 01:19:03,120
Which is no different from this side of the boat

1116
01:19:03,120 --> 01:19:05,120
And cast the net one more time

1117
01:19:05,120 --> 01:19:10,120
And you'll get a haul of fish

1118
01:19:10,120 --> 01:19:14,120
They had to listen and know whether or not to accept this advice

1119
01:19:14,120 --> 01:19:16,120
That was a choice they had to make

1120
01:19:16,120 --> 01:19:20,120
There are many voices in the world

1121
01:19:20,120 --> 01:19:24,120
It happens that there are many people telling us how to do

1122
01:19:24,120 --> 01:19:26,120
What we have already been doing

1123
01:19:26,120 --> 01:19:29,120
I'm a member of a pastor group on Facebook

1124
01:19:29,120 --> 01:19:31,120
That's only open to SBC pastors

1125
01:19:31,120 --> 01:19:33,120
At least supposedly because there's some folks in there

1126
01:19:33,120 --> 01:19:36,120
That comment even will say I'm not really technically an SBC pastor

1127
01:19:36,120 --> 01:19:39,120
But nobody's kicked them out of the group or that kind of thing

1128
01:19:39,120 --> 01:19:43,120
But anyway they'll say this is what our church is doing

1129
01:19:43,120 --> 01:19:46,120
And we're having this huge revival

1130
01:19:46,120 --> 01:19:48,120
And you get down the list of things they're doing

1131
01:19:48,120 --> 01:19:49,120
Guess what they're doing

1132
01:19:49,120 --> 01:19:51,120
They're preaching the word like it's written

1133
01:19:51,120 --> 01:19:53,120
They're doing Bible study

1134
01:19:53,120 --> 01:19:56,120
They're sharing and giving and caring about each other

1135
01:19:56,120 --> 01:19:59,120
Basically developing compassion amongst members

1136
01:19:59,120 --> 01:20:03,120
They're going out in the community, spreading the word, inviting people to come to church

1137
01:20:03,120 --> 01:20:09,120
You're going to get down that list and you're going to find absolutely zero, nothing, nada, not a thing that we're not doing

1138
01:20:09,120 --> 01:20:14,120
Ironically what you will find is that they're not doing a lot of things that we are doing

1139
01:20:14,120 --> 01:20:18,120
And the things that we are doing are similar things to the kind of things they're doing

1140
01:20:18,120 --> 01:20:20,120
Like community sharing, outreach, that kind of thing

1141
01:20:20,120 --> 01:20:26,120
Well we do it and we maybe even do it more actively or more creatively or more aggressively than they do

1142
01:20:26,120 --> 01:20:30,120
And yet at times, like well I'm just going to be transparent

1143
01:20:30,120 --> 01:20:37,120
There's never been a time, never been a time where our numbers swole from 50 to 250 in a month or in three months

1144
01:20:37,120 --> 01:20:41,120
But they'll get on the group and they'll say well this is what we're doing and it's working

1145
01:20:41,120 --> 01:20:43,120
Just do this

1146
01:20:43,120 --> 01:20:46,120
Like the fisherman who says, you go to the fisherman and say well what kind of fly bait are you using there

1147
01:20:46,120 --> 01:20:48,120
Well I've got this, well that's the exact same kind I have

1148
01:20:48,120 --> 01:20:50,120
What kind of rod do you got, same kind of rod I got

1149
01:20:50,120 --> 01:20:52,120
Same kind of reel you got, same kind of reel you got

1150
01:20:52,120 --> 01:20:54,120
I'm like literally three feet away from you in the water

1151
01:20:54,120 --> 01:20:57,120
And you've caught seven fish in the last hour and I've caught none

1152
01:20:57,120 --> 01:21:01,120
And it begins to not make any sense

1153
01:21:01,120 --> 01:21:03,120
Why would you keep putting your rod in the water

1154
01:21:03,120 --> 01:21:06,120
Why would you keep doing the same things that you need to do

1155
01:21:06,120 --> 01:21:11,120
And Jesus says, just do this and it'll work

1156
01:21:11,120 --> 01:21:14,120
And you look at him and you go, well that is the thing that we're doing

1157
01:21:14,120 --> 01:21:17,120
That is exactly what we're doing

1158
01:21:17,120 --> 01:21:22,120
But they had to have the will and the desire to go over to the right side of the boat

1159
01:21:22,120 --> 01:21:25,120
I did that backwards, it should be go over to the right side of the boat

1160
01:21:25,120 --> 01:21:27,120
Or your right side is over here, right

1161
01:21:27,120 --> 01:21:29,120
Go over to the right side of the boat and throw the net in

1162
01:21:29,120 --> 01:21:31,120
They had the will to do it again

1163
01:21:31,120 --> 01:21:36,120
The very same thing that they already knew would work, should work, but didn't

1164
01:21:36,120 --> 01:21:44,120
And all the voices that are in the world are trying to tell you that there is another way, a better way

1165
01:21:44,120 --> 01:21:50,120
Something different, short circuit it, pervert it a little bit, strain it, change it, make it different

1166
01:21:50,120 --> 01:21:54,120
I am doing nothing different today than I have done for the last 15 years

1167
01:21:54,120 --> 01:21:58,120
I've studied the Word and I'm bringing to you what I feel like the Holy Spirit has convicted me to share

1168
01:21:58,120 --> 01:22:02,120
It is the third sermon that I wrote this week in preparation for today

1169
01:22:02,120 --> 01:22:04,120
And the other two are now sitting out

1170
01:22:04,120 --> 01:22:07,120
In two weeks I've written three sermons that I've not preached

1171
01:22:07,120 --> 01:22:10,120
Because I wrote them and the Lord says I want you to see this

1172
01:22:10,120 --> 01:22:13,120
And then He says now go write the sermon for Sunday

1173
01:22:13,120 --> 01:22:17,120
And so here I am preaching to you what the Lord God shared with me

1174
01:22:17,120 --> 01:22:21,120
It's written on this piece of paper

1175
01:22:21,120 --> 01:22:25,120
I'm not doing anything different than I've been doing for over a decade

1176
01:22:25,120 --> 01:22:32,120
Yet to me this Word spoke to me so powerfully that it is in a way different

1177
01:22:32,120 --> 01:22:40,120
Are you willing to go over to the other side of the boat and do again today what it is that Jesus has called you to do

1178
01:22:40,120 --> 01:22:43,120
But I don't have enough friends, I don't have enough money, my health is not quite right

1179
01:22:43,120 --> 01:22:47,120
I'm struggling with my relationships, if I say the right thing they'll do what I want them to do

1180
01:22:47,120 --> 01:22:50,120
And if I don't say the right thing they won't do, I've got to manipulate them or otherwise

1181
01:22:50,120 --> 01:22:54,120
I've got to be angry and upset in order to get people to listen to me

1182
01:22:54,120 --> 01:23:00,120
None of that is true, if you warp it, if you change it, if you twist it, if you've already warped it, changed it or twisted it

1183
01:23:00,120 --> 01:23:04,120
Then you're not even talking about doing the same thing you've been doing, you need to repent and begin to do the right things

1184
01:23:04,120 --> 01:23:08,120
But if you haven't done that and now you're contemplating it, you're tempted

1185
01:23:08,120 --> 01:23:13,120
You say, well I can walk away from that which God has called me to do and do this

1186
01:23:13,120 --> 01:23:18,120
About 12 years ago I realized that I was frustrated with what I was doing

1187
01:23:18,120 --> 01:23:21,120
First we thought the Lord was going to move us out of state

1188
01:23:21,120 --> 01:23:24,120
And then the Lord said, no you're going to stay and do what you're doing

1189
01:23:24,120 --> 01:23:28,120
And I'm like, okay, we're going to do what we're doing, that's fine, we're just going to do what we're doing

1190
01:23:28,120 --> 01:23:35,120
And I was frustrated, I was like, man, God, this is, you know, this is like beating my head against a brick wall of preaching and teaching and serving and being in the church

1191
01:23:35,120 --> 01:23:37,120
And it's not moving, it's not taking off

1192
01:23:37,120 --> 01:23:41,120
But I hear about people who, they had their launch Sunday, which we didn't use the launch model

1193
01:23:41,120 --> 01:23:46,120
They had a launch Sunday, they had 300 people come and then in six months they have 150 come, but those 150 stick

1194
01:23:46,120 --> 01:23:50,120
We've never had 150 people and all these passion online, what are they doing?

1195
01:23:50,120 --> 01:23:54,120
They're nothing but preaching the word, teaching, serving, all the same things

1196
01:23:54,120 --> 01:23:58,120
I'm like, Lord, it just doesn't seem to, and this is what I said to myself

1197
01:23:58,120 --> 01:24:05,120
I said, self, you can go somewhere else, you can teach Sunday school, you can preach pulpit supply

1198
01:24:05,120 --> 01:24:10,120
You know you will never stop preaching and teaching the word because that's what you're called to

1199
01:24:10,120 --> 01:24:14,120
But maybe you just don't have to do it here, maybe you just don't have to be the pastor for New Heights

1200
01:24:14,120 --> 01:24:21,120
Maybe they're pushing for something and you're yielding your will and your desire to these people rather than to God

1201
01:24:21,120 --> 01:24:24,120
So you can just walk away from doing what you're doing and go over here instead

1202
01:24:24,120 --> 01:24:27,120
And then whatever church you wind up in, you're going to be teaching or preaching the gospel

1203
01:24:27,120 --> 01:24:30,120
So that's your calling is to teach and preach the gospel

1204
01:24:30,120 --> 01:24:33,120
You're not going to miss out on that, you're not going to abandon God

1205
01:24:33,120 --> 01:24:38,120
You're just going to do it in a different way than what God told you to do it

1206
01:24:42,120 --> 01:24:44,120
And the sound of silence

1207
01:24:47,120 --> 01:24:50,120
And as you can see, I didn't do it

1208
01:24:50,120 --> 01:24:55,120
I almost did it, I debated with myself, asked my wife, I talked to her about it

1209
01:24:55,120 --> 01:24:58,120
In fact we've had that conversation a couple of times

1210
01:24:58,120 --> 01:25:03,120
I want to say to you that there is nothing more exhausting for me personally, and I'm being transparent

1211
01:25:03,120 --> 01:25:07,120
Than to preach the word of God the way it's written and see people not living it by my estimation

1212
01:25:07,120 --> 01:25:10,120
And I always have to curb myself and I understand that's my flesh

1213
01:25:10,120 --> 01:25:14,120
I understand that can be sinful if you're judging whether people are doing it or not, whatever

1214
01:25:14,120 --> 01:25:16,120
I understand it's a very dangerous road

1215
01:25:16,120 --> 01:25:20,120
But for me to preach the gospel the way it's written and see people not living it out the way it's written

1216
01:25:20,120 --> 01:25:24,120
Even in a body of 40, 50, 60 people, that is exhausting

1217
01:25:24,120 --> 01:25:28,120
You say I get it because I'm doing what it is I think I'm supposed to do it

1218
01:25:28,120 --> 01:25:32,120
And I'm looking at other Christians and I don't think they're doing what they're supposed to be doing

1219
01:25:32,120 --> 01:25:36,120
And it's exhausting for me to continue doing what I think I'm supposed to be doing in the Lord

1220
01:25:36,120 --> 01:25:39,120
When I see other people who aren't doing what they're supposed to be doing

1221
01:25:39,120 --> 01:25:41,120
Just look at the world for a minute

1222
01:25:41,120 --> 01:25:47,120
It's exhausting to live the way we have been called to live, to do the thing that we've been called to do

1223
01:25:47,120 --> 01:25:52,120
While we live amongst people who are prospering for their wickedness

1224
01:25:55,120 --> 01:26:00,120
Young 17 year old millionaires who are on TikTok flirting with their skin flashing

1225
01:26:00,120 --> 01:26:03,120
And now they're millionaires

1226
01:26:05,120 --> 01:26:10,120
All because they were willing to show more than they ever should have been showing in the first place

1227
01:26:10,120 --> 01:26:16,120
And because there's freakish people who are willing to watch them over and over and over again

1228
01:26:16,120 --> 01:26:19,120
Just do seven second dances enough that they can get advertisement

1229
01:26:19,120 --> 01:26:21,120
And now they're making a million dollars a year or whatever

1230
01:26:21,120 --> 01:26:24,120
Because they're willing to walk a road of wickedness

1231
01:26:25,120 --> 01:26:29,120
And before you say well that couldn't be me anyway because ain't nobody attractive in this room that could do that

1232
01:26:29,120 --> 01:26:34,120
We have girls in this room who are going to be tempted to do that, you're going to be tempted to do that

1233
01:26:34,120 --> 01:26:40,120
Because wickedness is prospering them, they're getting ahead

1234
01:26:40,120 --> 01:26:45,120
Start up businesses, side incomes

1235
01:26:45,120 --> 01:26:51,120
Leaving behind my job for another job that will pay more

1236
01:26:51,120 --> 01:26:59,120
And we as Christians we're asked to switch our course, go over and do the very same things that we were already doing

1237
01:26:59,120 --> 01:27:05,120
And if you can honestly say I'm not really studying my Bible then you're asked to study your Bible because that's what you were commanded to do in the first place

1238
01:27:05,120 --> 01:27:10,120
And you say I'm not really telling anybody about Jesus, we are asked to go over and tell people about Jesus

1239
01:27:10,120 --> 01:27:13,120
But nobody's going to get saved, you don't get to decide that

1240
01:27:13,120 --> 01:27:22,120
You're called to go over and do the things that you were already called by God, by Jesus to do and to do them again today

1241
01:27:22,120 --> 01:27:27,120
Will it sometime look like insanity? Yes it very well might sometime look like insanity

1242
01:27:27,120 --> 01:27:32,120
In fact to the reasoning world, to those who are applying their estimation of what you should be doing

1243
01:27:32,120 --> 01:27:35,120
Most of them are probably looking at you going what are you nuts?

1244
01:27:35,120 --> 01:27:46,120
You give 13% of your income into the church service, you do that every paycheck, you give 13% or 15 or 18 or 10 even

1245
01:27:46,120 --> 01:27:50,120
You could give 5 they still think you're crazy, you do that consistently

1246
01:27:50,120 --> 01:27:53,120
What are you getting for that? What is your advantage for that? How are you getting ahead?

1247
01:27:53,120 --> 01:27:55,120
Do you have more money in your checking account? No

1248
01:27:55,120 --> 01:27:57,120
I don't have more money in my checking account because I do that

1249
01:27:57,120 --> 01:28:03,120
But probably you actually do but it's not that the world would see it or that you could see it mathematically

1250
01:28:03,120 --> 01:28:09,120
It requires faith and then you exercise your faith and you do the things that you do like RJ said earlier today

1251
01:28:09,120 --> 01:28:14,120
Without faith our works are dead, if you're doing the things that God would call you if you've already gone over

1252
01:28:14,120 --> 01:28:19,120
Then you're not going to have any benefit for the kingdom, any benefit for God, any benefit for you spiritually

1253
01:28:19,120 --> 01:28:22,120
But if you're doing them because it's what God wants you to do

1254
01:28:22,120 --> 01:28:26,120
It's because you believe in the Lord, you trust in the Lord, you're waiting on the Lord

1255
01:28:26,120 --> 01:28:35,120
If you're going over again, you know I wonder, I wonder what would have happened if he had said go over to the right side of the boat

1256
01:28:35,120 --> 01:28:41,120
Put the net in and you'll get a haul of fish and they'd have put it in and now I got any fish

1257
01:28:41,120 --> 01:28:46,120
And then a minute later if he'd have said now go to the left side and put it in and you'll get fish

1258
01:28:46,120 --> 01:28:49,120
Would they have had the strength? Would they have had the endurance?

1259
01:28:49,120 --> 01:28:53,120
Could they have stayed the course and I'm getting ahead of myself?

1260
01:28:53,120 --> 01:28:56,120
Would they have done it again?

1261
01:28:56,120 --> 01:29:00,120
I submit to you I believe they would have done it again

1262
01:29:00,120 --> 01:29:04,120
And they'd have put it on the left and got no fish and then the right and got no fish and the left and got no fish

1263
01:29:04,120 --> 01:29:07,120
And the right and got no fish and they'd have went until sundown

1264
01:29:07,120 --> 01:29:12,120
If they knew it was Jesus telling them they'd have went until sundown left and right and left and right

1265
01:29:12,120 --> 01:29:15,120
And finally hauled in that giant load of fish

1266
01:29:15,120 --> 01:29:21,120
Because they knew it was Jesus and he was asking them to go over and do it again

1267
01:29:21,120 --> 01:29:26,120
You're like well I used to study my Bible a lot, go over and do it again

1268
01:29:26,120 --> 01:29:30,120
I used to pray a lot, go over and do it again

1269
01:29:30,120 --> 01:29:34,120
The very same things that God said would provide fruit almost 2000 years ago

1270
01:29:34,120 --> 01:29:38,120
Wait a minute it was before Jesus was ever born

1271
01:29:38,120 --> 01:29:44,120
So 5000 years ago the very same things that God said would provide fruit will provide fruit today

1272
01:29:44,120 --> 01:29:49,120
If you want to be with the Lord, taken care of by the Lord, if you want to abide in the Lord and He and you

1273
01:29:49,120 --> 01:29:56,120
You will go over and do the very same things that God called you to do before

1274
01:29:56,120 --> 01:29:59,120
Secondly they had to go on and as I said I got a little ahead of myself

1275
01:29:59,120 --> 01:30:05,120
They had to continue, they were pressed to continue after they were already tired

1276
01:30:05,120 --> 01:30:11,120
And had done so much of what they thought they were supposed to be doing

1277
01:30:11,120 --> 01:30:16,120
They had to go on, you've got to go on, my goodness Jesus talks about going on

1278
01:30:16,120 --> 01:30:19,120
So many texts about going on

1279
01:30:19,120 --> 01:30:22,120
Turn with me if you will to Matthew chapter 25

1280
01:30:22,120 --> 01:30:24,120
Is it 25 or 24?

1281
01:30:24,120 --> 01:30:26,120
I'll let you know in one second

1282
01:30:26,120 --> 01:30:28,120
You can head that way

1283
01:30:36,120 --> 01:30:38,120
It is 24, there we go

1284
01:30:38,120 --> 01:30:42,120
Matthew 24 verse 6 I'll start in

1285
01:30:42,120 --> 01:30:46,120
No particular reason, this is the discourse of Jesus

1286
01:30:46,120 --> 01:30:48,120
And Jesus is speaking and He says

1287
01:30:48,120 --> 01:30:51,120
And you will be hearing of wars and rumour of wars

1288
01:30:51,120 --> 01:30:54,120
See that you are not frightened for those things must take place

1289
01:30:54,120 --> 01:30:56,120
But that is not yet the end

1290
01:30:56,120 --> 01:30:58,120
For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom

1291
01:30:58,120 --> 01:31:01,120
And in various places there will be famines, that means going without food

1292
01:31:01,120 --> 01:31:04,120
And earthquakes, you know what that is

1293
01:31:04,120 --> 01:31:07,120
But all of these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs

1294
01:31:07,120 --> 01:31:10,120
Then they will deliver you to tribulation and will kill you

1295
01:31:10,120 --> 01:31:13,120
And you will be hated by all nations on account of My name

1296
01:31:13,120 --> 01:31:17,120
That's pretty rough stuff right there

1297
01:31:17,120 --> 01:31:21,120
That the disciples of Jesus which would include us will be killed

1298
01:31:21,120 --> 01:31:25,120
And hated by all nations on account of Jesus' name

1299
01:31:25,120 --> 01:31:28,120
And at that time many will fall away

1300
01:31:28,120 --> 01:31:32,120
And will deliver up one another and hate one another

1301
01:31:32,120 --> 01:31:36,120
And many false prophets will arise and they will mislead many

1302
01:31:36,120 --> 01:31:39,120
And because lawlessness is increased

1303
01:31:39,120 --> 01:31:43,120
Most people's love will grow cold

1304
01:31:43,120 --> 01:31:45,120
Wait for it right here

1305
01:31:45,120 --> 01:31:50,120
But the one who endures to the end he shall be saved

1306
01:31:50,120 --> 01:31:52,120
There will be one more verse and it says

1307
01:31:52,120 --> 01:31:55,120
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world

1308
01:31:55,120 --> 01:32:01,120
For a witness to all the nations and then the end shall come

1309
01:32:01,120 --> 01:32:05,120
I get it, there is every kind of fear and rumour of fear

1310
01:32:05,120 --> 01:32:09,120
There is every kind of reason to surrender, to give up

1311
01:32:09,120 --> 01:32:12,120
There is every kind of reason to be distracted

1312
01:32:12,120 --> 01:32:15,120
We are right now in our house in a raging debate praying

1313
01:32:15,120 --> 01:32:18,120
It's not really a debate, it's more like just how to get it done

1314
01:32:18,120 --> 01:32:21,120
At this point a programming session, a thinking, plotting session

1315
01:32:21,120 --> 01:32:22,120
How are we going to get it done?

1316
01:32:22,120 --> 01:32:25,120
To get rid of some of the influences of Satan

1317
01:32:25,120 --> 01:32:29,120
Of the evil spirits of the world system that have infiltrated our house

1318
01:32:29,120 --> 01:32:31,120
And it's like, oh you got your stuff all together pastor

1319
01:32:31,120 --> 01:32:33,120
You got no problems like that, oh yes I do, we all do

1320
01:32:33,120 --> 01:32:39,120
And you should be thinking about what hooks does Satan and the world system have in your home

1321
01:32:39,120 --> 01:32:42,120
You want your home to be a place of peace, a place where you can serve God and continue on to the end

1322
01:32:42,120 --> 01:32:46,120
Ask yourself, what have you allowed to influence you?

1323
01:32:46,120 --> 01:32:51,120
What voices are telling you that you can stray slightly off course until everything will be okay?

1324
01:32:51,120 --> 01:32:55,120
Grace was not designed to cover your stupidity

1325
01:32:55,120 --> 01:32:59,120
Grace was designed to cover your sin

1326
01:32:59,120 --> 01:33:03,120
God is no fool, you shall reap what you sow

1327
01:33:03,120 --> 01:33:08,120
They had to go on, they had to go on after they were tired

1328
01:33:08,120 --> 01:33:14,120
They had to go on after their minds would say the effort is spent, it's over, it's done

1329
01:33:14,120 --> 01:33:17,120
They had to go on, and you could be there

1330
01:33:17,120 --> 01:33:21,120
If you are not there today you will be there sometime in your Christian walk

1331
01:33:21,120 --> 01:33:26,120
If you have been there before and you went on after that then you know what today is like

1332
01:33:26,120 --> 01:33:31,120
You say well I've been there before and I'm there again today, then you already know what to do

1333
01:33:31,120 --> 01:33:37,120
You go on, you do again what you were already told to do in the first place

1334
01:33:37,120 --> 01:33:42,120
It might not be a bad idea to question yourself to find out as you feel like you're so tired and fatigued

1335
01:33:42,120 --> 01:33:44,120
And you feel like you're so wore out, you feel like you can't go on

1336
01:33:44,120 --> 01:33:47,120
Ask yourself, are you even doing the things that you're supposed to be doing

1337
01:33:47,120 --> 01:33:53,120
Or have those things been pushed aside by the things that you want to do or the world has led you to do

1338
01:33:53,120 --> 01:33:57,120
Or the strange teachings and instructions of the enemy have brought you to do

1339
01:33:57,120 --> 01:34:01,120
Are you truly doing that which it is that God would have you to do

1340
01:34:01,120 --> 01:34:05,120
We have workers, we have people who work, we have sharers, we have servers, we have compassionate people in our church

1341
01:34:05,120 --> 01:34:09,120
And they are going about doing the things that they feel like they are supposed to do

1342
01:34:09,120 --> 01:34:14,120
I submit to you it is entirely possible that you will begin to do things that you think are for the Lord

1343
01:34:14,120 --> 01:34:18,120
And can prosper the kingdom that were never yours to do in the first place

1344
01:34:18,120 --> 01:34:22,120
And you might check yourself and go I'm running out of steam, I'm at the end of my rope

1345
01:34:22,120 --> 01:34:25,120
I've gotten next to nothing, I don't know how to keep this

1346
01:34:25,120 --> 01:34:29,120
It's become insanity not Christianity

1347
01:34:29,120 --> 01:34:34,120
And when it's become insanity not Christianity, you give up, give out, give in and quit

1348
01:34:34,120 --> 01:34:38,120
You say all those times you said I would never quit on Jesus

1349
01:34:38,120 --> 01:34:43,120
All those times you said I will always stick with Jesus and do the things that Jesus would have me to do

1350
01:34:43,120 --> 01:34:47,120
When you get to the moment in time where he's asking you to go on

1351
01:34:47,120 --> 01:34:51,120
It just could be that you already left him

1352
01:34:51,120 --> 01:34:56,120
That you already walked away and began to do things, good things that you like and enjoy

1353
01:34:56,120 --> 01:35:00,120
And that have filled your life and you may have to go no I said I would never allow those things

1354
01:35:00,120 --> 01:35:04,120
Those good things to press out the good things that Jesus commanded

1355
01:35:04,120 --> 01:35:10,120
And Jesus is saying to you read your Bible and pray and serve and give and love the other believers

1356
01:35:10,120 --> 01:35:15,120
I mean show up for them face to face, talk to them, compassionate, lift them up, encourage them

1357
01:35:15,120 --> 01:35:18,120
Work with them, bear their burdens as they bear yours

1358
01:35:18,120 --> 01:35:23,120
Blend your life together with the community of God, those are the commands of Jesus

1359
01:35:23,120 --> 01:35:27,120
They're not suggestions, it's not one way you can live for Jesus

1360
01:35:27,120 --> 01:35:30,120
It's the only way you can live for Jesus

1361
01:35:30,120 --> 01:35:35,120
And you got to the point where there were other things, important things, good things

1362
01:35:35,120 --> 01:35:40,120
Maybe even somewhat godly things and those things began to press out the basics

1363
01:35:40,120 --> 01:35:46,120
And now someone would walk right up to you and they would say what must I do to be saved?

1364
01:35:46,120 --> 01:35:54,120
And you would go well come to church with me on Sunday

1365
01:35:54,120 --> 01:36:00,120
You got to ask that question, you really need to talk to my pastor because he knows the answer to that question

1366
01:36:00,120 --> 01:36:06,120
Or you'd give over those responsibilities over to somebody like Tony Tate who has his own issues

1367
01:36:06,120 --> 01:36:13,120
Probably I think he would willingly say more than most and yet you'd go but he's fine

1368
01:36:13,120 --> 01:36:18,120
He can trust the gospel of God, the soul of that person over to him because he's willing to speak up

1369
01:36:18,120 --> 01:36:20,120
Messed up as he is he can speak up

1370
01:36:20,120 --> 01:36:23,120
I'm not so messed up but I'm not willing to speak up

1371
01:36:23,120 --> 01:36:33,120
Are you hearing the logic that we're following as we're not going on doing what it is that Jesus would have us to do?

1372
01:36:33,120 --> 01:36:35,120
Where does it come from?

1373
01:36:35,120 --> 01:36:39,120
It's older than you are

1374
01:36:39,120 --> 01:36:41,120
It's older than any of us in this room

1375
01:36:41,120 --> 01:36:45,120
It's older than all of us in this room combined

1376
01:36:45,120 --> 01:36:48,120
Because it was present in the Garden of Eden

1377
01:36:48,120 --> 01:36:53,120
All Adam had to do

1378
01:36:53,120 --> 01:36:59,120
All Adam and Eve had to do was just go on attending the Garden of Eden

1379
01:36:59,120 --> 01:37:07,120
But see day in or out or whatever they attended the Garden thinking you know what's this really getting us?

1380
01:37:07,120 --> 01:37:12,120
You know we're going to get all these kids and be healthy, safe

1381
01:37:12,120 --> 01:37:19,120
Another day walk with God and coolness the Garden I do enjoy that time we have with him

1382
01:37:19,120 --> 01:37:21,120
But now here's something

1383
01:37:21,120 --> 01:37:24,120
This fruit is good like all the other fruits

1384
01:37:24,120 --> 01:37:29,120
But now I see it may also be beneficial for wisdom

1385
01:37:29,120 --> 01:37:31,120
Well God never said we're going to eat of the fruit

1386
01:37:31,120 --> 01:37:36,120
He only just said we could tend the fruit

1387
01:37:36,120 --> 01:37:40,120
Well of course we want to be like God

1388
01:37:40,120 --> 01:37:44,120
Everybody should want to be like God, God's a good guy

1389
01:37:44,120 --> 01:37:48,120
So we just eat of the fruit

1390
01:37:48,120 --> 01:37:51,120
Fear of the Lord? No

1391
01:37:51,120 --> 01:37:57,120
God is too good, He wouldn't destroy us for that

1392
01:37:57,120 --> 01:37:59,120
No fear

1393
01:37:59,120 --> 01:38:02,120
And it goes back to the beginning and it's been with man ever since

1394
01:38:02,120 --> 01:38:07,120
And we do the same things instead of going on doing what it is we should have been doing

1395
01:38:07,120 --> 01:38:10,120
Or going over and doing it in a slightly different way

1396
01:38:10,120 --> 01:38:15,120
But it's the thing that God wants us to do the way he wants us to do it

1397
01:38:15,120 --> 01:38:23,120
We allow our thought processes, our choices to be invaded by the teachings of the enemy

1398
01:38:23,120 --> 01:38:29,120
If you're following along in your Bible turn with me to 2 Thessalonians

1399
01:38:29,120 --> 01:38:34,120
2 Thessalonians chapter 3

1400
01:38:34,120 --> 01:38:36,120
It's in the T's

1401
01:38:36,120 --> 01:38:42,120
2 Thessalonians chapter 3

1402
01:38:42,120 --> 01:38:45,120
I'll begin reading in verse 10 so you get there

1403
01:38:45,120 --> 01:38:50,120
2 Thessalonians chapter 3 verse 10 it says this

1404
01:38:50,120 --> 01:38:56,120
It says, For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order

1405
01:38:56,120 --> 01:38:59,120
If anyone will not work, neither let him eat

1406
01:38:59,120 --> 01:39:02,120
In other words, there is a basic process by which you're supposed to live

1407
01:39:02,120 --> 01:39:04,120
You need to be doing what you're supposed to be doing

1408
01:39:04,120 --> 01:39:07,120
If you're doing what you're supposed to be doing, then you can reap the rewards for that

1409
01:39:07,120 --> 01:39:12,120
And it's as simple as if you won't work you shouldn't eat

1410
01:39:12,120 --> 01:39:16,120
But he's saying that because in verse 11 he says for because

1411
01:39:16,120 --> 01:39:19,120
We hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life

1412
01:39:19,120 --> 01:39:24,120
In other words, you're not being intentional about doing the things you're supposed to do

1413
01:39:24,120 --> 01:39:26,120
Doing no work at all

1414
01:39:26,120 --> 01:39:28,120
But acting like busybodies

1415
01:39:28,120 --> 01:39:30,120
You've always got something to say about everything

1416
01:39:30,120 --> 01:39:34,120
But you're not doing anything about anything that really matters

1417
01:39:34,120 --> 01:39:39,120
Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ

1418
01:39:39,120 --> 01:39:42,120
To work in quiet fashion and eat their own bread

1419
01:39:42,120 --> 01:39:49,120
In other words, you do your work, earn your keep, and take care of yourself

1420
01:39:49,120 --> 01:39:56,120
13, but as for you brethren, do not grow weary of doing good

1421
01:39:56,120 --> 01:39:59,120
See, it doesn't matter whether or not those people who were being busybodies

1422
01:39:59,120 --> 01:40:02,120
Those people who were stirring up trouble and not actually doing what they're supposed to be doing

1423
01:40:02,120 --> 01:40:05,120
It doesn't matter whether they were going to start doing what they're supposed to be doing

1424
01:40:05,120 --> 01:40:07,120
Or they're going to start working and earning their keep

1425
01:40:07,120 --> 01:40:09,120
Or they're going to haul their load or not

1426
01:40:09,120 --> 01:40:13,120
He says, but as for you, you don't grow weary in doing good

1427
01:40:13,120 --> 01:40:15,120
Now that's assuming you're doing good

1428
01:40:15,120 --> 01:40:20,120
Don't grow weary in doing good

1429
01:40:20,120 --> 01:40:25,120
Verse 14, it says, and if anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter

1430
01:40:25,120 --> 01:40:32,120
Take special note of that man and do not associate with him so that he may be put to shame

1431
01:40:32,120 --> 01:40:34,120
And yet, do not regard him as an enemy

1432
01:40:34,120 --> 01:40:36,120
So even if they will not take our direction

1433
01:40:36,120 --> 01:40:39,120
Even if they will not start to do the things they're supposed to do

1434
01:40:39,120 --> 01:40:41,120
Don't regard him as an enemy

1435
01:40:41,120 --> 01:40:46,120
But admonish him, that means correct him, encouraging him as a brother

1436
01:40:46,120 --> 01:40:50,120
You got a problem with somebody in the church that ain't know what they're supposed to be doing?

1437
01:40:50,120 --> 01:40:54,120
Then you go to them and correct them and admonish them and encourage them as a brother or a sister

1438
01:40:54,120 --> 01:40:57,120
If you've ever been corrected or admonished as a brother or sister

1439
01:40:57,120 --> 01:41:02,120
You need to realize that the person who corrected you is probably the person in this world who loves you the most

1440
01:41:02,120 --> 01:41:06,120
This whole concept of if they leave me alone, they love me and let me do what I want, then they love me

1441
01:41:06,120 --> 01:41:07,120
That isn't true

1442
01:41:07,120 --> 01:41:10,120
The person who won't correct you doesn't love you at all

1443
01:41:10,120 --> 01:41:13,120
Or at least they're too busy doing something else to love you right now

1444
01:41:13,120 --> 01:41:20,120
But the person who would come to you and correct you and encourage you and admonish you and set you on the right course loves you so much

1445
01:41:20,120 --> 01:41:25,120
Zoe will throw a fit because she's not allowed to play with something she's not allowed to play with

1446
01:41:25,120 --> 01:41:29,120
But I submit to you that she never doubts for one second

1447
01:41:29,120 --> 01:41:31,120
The great emotion that exists between her and her mother

1448
01:41:31,120 --> 01:41:35,120
When her mother's picking her up and carrying her away from what she so desires to play with

1449
01:41:35,120 --> 01:41:40,120
You need to understand that the person who corrects you probably loves you more than anybody else

1450
01:41:40,120 --> 01:41:43,120
But even if your correction is not heard

1451
01:41:43,120 --> 01:41:47,120
Even if your correction is lost on deaf ears

1452
01:41:47,120 --> 01:41:49,120
You are not to grow weary

1453
01:41:49,120 --> 01:41:52,120
You are supposed to be continuing to do the basic things that you were given to do

1454
01:41:52,120 --> 01:41:55,120
Those we talk about calling spiritual disciplines

1455
01:41:55,120 --> 01:41:57,120
We talk about exercising our spiritual gifts

1456
01:41:57,120 --> 01:41:59,120
We talk about being the church, loving one another

1457
01:41:59,120 --> 01:42:02,120
We're supposed to be doing that which we are called to do

1458
01:42:02,120 --> 01:42:04,120
You say it looks like insanity, not Christianity

1459
01:42:04,120 --> 01:42:09,120
It's because you have allowed the reason of the world to creep into your thought processes

1460
01:42:09,120 --> 01:42:12,120
Will the son of man find faithfulness on the earth?

1461
01:42:12,120 --> 01:42:15,120
It is largely going to be determined by the fact whether or not we have faith

1462
01:42:15,120 --> 01:42:20,120
If we have faith we will be full of niss

1463
01:42:20,120 --> 01:42:22,120
When somebody else comes and tries to give you another niss

1464
01:42:22,120 --> 01:42:29,120
You'll say that's not my niss, I just want my faithfulness

1465
01:42:29,120 --> 01:42:32,120
And then third, so first of all it was about going over

1466
01:42:32,120 --> 01:42:37,120
Secondly about going on, and then third they had to go in

1467
01:42:37,120 --> 01:42:39,120
They had to go in

1468
01:42:39,120 --> 01:42:41,120
I love how they went in, don't you?

1469
01:42:41,120 --> 01:42:44,120
I mean Peter girds himself up in his giant man diaper

1470
01:42:44,120 --> 01:42:46,120
Robe thing that he tied all around his waist

1471
01:42:46,120 --> 01:42:48,120
And got it up in between his legs so he could swim

1472
01:42:48,120 --> 01:42:50,120
And jumps off the boat and swims a hundred yards

1473
01:42:50,120 --> 01:42:53,120
And his clothes soaking wet and heavy

1474
01:42:53,120 --> 01:42:58,120
Surely without his sandals to get to Jesus

1475
01:42:58,120 --> 01:43:02,120
And then the one who sat at the dinner the night before Jesus' crucifixion

1476
01:43:02,120 --> 01:43:05,120
He said, Lord, I go with you, I'm with you

1477
01:43:05,120 --> 01:43:10,120
I will not abandon you no matter what even if I will be crucified

1478
01:43:10,120 --> 01:43:13,120
Even if I will be destroyed

1479
01:43:13,120 --> 01:43:19,120
And Jesus said, no actually you'll deny me three times before it's through

1480
01:43:19,120 --> 01:43:25,120
The one whom Jesus loved, the one whom Jesus laid back on at that same dinner

1481
01:43:25,120 --> 01:43:28,120
He thought, fish, he's fishing, fishing in the boat

1482
01:43:28,120 --> 01:43:30,120
No fish, all night long fishing in the boat

1483
01:43:30,120 --> 01:43:32,120
Stranger on the shore, Jesus is resurrected

1484
01:43:32,120 --> 01:43:37,120
A plus B plus C equals, oh it's the Lord

1485
01:43:37,120 --> 01:43:42,120
And Peter's like, alright I'm out of here

1486
01:43:42,120 --> 01:43:45,120
Are you following Jesus? Are you following somebody's idea of Jesus?

1487
01:43:45,120 --> 01:43:50,120
Do you not understand that Jesus the Christ was God the Son?

1488
01:43:50,120 --> 01:43:54,120
He was God in the flesh, nothing was created except that which was created through Him

1489
01:43:54,120 --> 01:43:58,120
He was the living Word, while there is the spoken Word and the written Word

1490
01:43:58,120 --> 01:44:02,120
He was the living Word, Jesus

1491
01:44:02,120 --> 01:44:08,120
Don't run to your pastor or your church, run to your Jesus the next time you're hurting

1492
01:44:08,120 --> 01:44:13,120
You've got to go in, you've got to

1493
01:44:13,120 --> 01:44:21,120
There's going to come a time when going into Jesus is all that's left

1494
01:44:21,120 --> 01:44:26,120
And if you're not willing to go into Jesus now, you may not be willing to go into Jesus then

1495
01:44:26,120 --> 01:44:30,120
And that would be a pretty scary situation, wouldn't it?

1496
01:44:30,120 --> 01:44:35,120
If the only road left to you that's healthy and hopeful, that gives you anything

1497
01:44:35,120 --> 01:44:43,120
Is responding to Jesus' call, when He calls, you better be in the habit of it

1498
01:44:43,120 --> 01:44:47,120
That's a muscle you had better train

1499
01:44:47,120 --> 01:44:52,120
And to do that you're going to have to get out of your head some other ideas, some other controversial things

1500
01:44:52,120 --> 01:44:57,120
Think, well, I could just do this for a while and then come back to Jesus

1501
01:44:57,120 --> 01:45:05,120
Oh my gosh, the world is such a crazy place, how can we keep just going on like it's the same as it was yesterday? It's not

1502
01:45:05,120 --> 01:45:11,120
How can we still meet for worship on 11.30 on Sunday mornings when we know that there might be people who walk in our building and try to blow some people away?

1503
01:45:11,120 --> 01:45:19,120
How can we still meet for worship and praise when the war over political ideologies is so rampant in America?

1504
01:45:19,120 --> 01:45:27,120
How can we keep our eyes focused on what Jesus taught when there are so many things that we need to know and learn about what's going on in the world

1505
01:45:27,120 --> 01:45:30,120
In the political arena and what might be dangerous to us?

1506
01:45:30,120 --> 01:45:38,120
Do you understand that in the Ukraine right now in the middle of war, churches to this day, to this Sunday right here

1507
01:45:38,120 --> 01:45:45,120
With bombs going off and whatever have continued to meet for worship and prayer and actually extended their worship times more

1508
01:45:45,120 --> 01:45:52,120
The churches that the buildings have been blown up and are gone, they're meeting in subway stations and underground basements

1509
01:45:52,120 --> 01:45:57,120
And wherever they can find it, they're cramming people in as much as they can and their numbers have grown

1510
01:45:57,120 --> 01:46:04,120
Do we need a war in the United States of America to reach people for Jesus or are we just going to do it because it's what he told us to do?

1511
01:46:04,120 --> 01:46:09,120
We're worshiping still, we're talking about, can we worship when we're in COVID and praise God we did

1512
01:46:09,120 --> 01:46:15,120
But a lot of folks did, a lot of churches gave it up, they didn't go on, they didn't continue to go in

1513
01:46:15,120 --> 01:46:19,120
They decided not to go over and do it again

1514
01:46:19,120 --> 01:46:29,120
Some of them even decided not to worship God and meet because they were afraid that that would be a bad witness to people they were trying to reach

1515
01:46:29,120 --> 01:46:37,120
Serving Jesus unfailingly, serving Jesus without stopping is never going to be a bad witness

1516
01:46:37,120 --> 01:46:41,120
It's always going to be just exactly what you were supposed to do in the first place

1517
01:46:41,120 --> 01:46:46,120
Matthew 24 beginning in verse 29, we were here before, we're back again

1518
01:46:46,120 --> 01:46:50,120
And then we're in the conclusion, Matthew 24 beginning in verse 29

1519
01:46:50,120 --> 01:46:59,120
It says this about the second coming of Jesus, Matthew 24 verse 29

1520
01:46:59,120 --> 01:47:07,120
But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light

1521
01:47:07,120 --> 01:47:11,120
And the stars will fall from the sky and the powers of heavens will be shaken

1522
01:47:11,120 --> 01:47:16,120
And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn

1523
01:47:16,120 --> 01:47:20,120
And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory

1524
01:47:20,120 --> 01:47:32,120
Don't miss the fact that all the tribes of the earth will mourn when they see the signs of the coming of Jesus

1525
01:47:32,120 --> 01:47:38,120
I suppose we had better not be in that number mourning when they see the signs

1526
01:47:38,120 --> 01:47:42,120
And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory

1527
01:47:42,120 --> 01:47:50,120
And he will send forth his angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together his elect from the four winds

1528
01:47:50,120 --> 01:47:54,120
That is to say those whom God has chosen for himself, the ones that God chose

1529
01:47:54,120 --> 01:47:57,120
And whether or not you respond to the gospel as the primary qualifier

1530
01:47:57,120 --> 01:48:05,120
He will gather together the elect from the four winds from one end of the earth to the other

1531
01:48:05,120 --> 01:48:09,120
Now skip down to verse 35

1532
01:48:09,120 --> 01:48:19,120
He says, Heaven and earth will pass away, that means every single thing you could possibly ever experience while you are alive will pass away

1533
01:48:19,120 --> 01:48:23,120
But my words shall not pass away

1534
01:48:23,120 --> 01:48:28,120
But of that day and hour no one knows, no one knows exactly when it's going to happen

1535
01:48:28,120 --> 01:48:34,120
Not even the angels of heaven nor the Son, but the Father alone

1536
01:48:34,120 --> 01:48:39,120
For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah

1537
01:48:39,120 --> 01:48:40,120
Wait for it

1538
01:48:40,120 --> 01:48:48,120
For as in those days which were before the flood, they were eating and drinking, were marrying and giving in marriage

1539
01:48:48,120 --> 01:48:50,120
Until the day that Noah entered the ark

1540
01:48:50,120 --> 01:48:55,120
And they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away

1541
01:48:55,120 --> 01:48:59,120
So shall the coming of the Son of Man be

1542
01:48:59,120 --> 01:49:03,120
We'll go a little further in a second, just two more verses

1543
01:49:03,120 --> 01:49:10,120
I want you to understand that because it sometimes looks like insanity

1544
01:49:10,120 --> 01:49:15,120
The world will decide not to go over and do it again

1545
01:49:15,120 --> 01:49:25,120
Because it sometimes looks like insanity, the world will decide not to go on and persevere and not grow weary and doing good

1546
01:49:25,120 --> 01:49:30,120
Because it sometimes looks like insanity, when everything starts to fall apart and it will

1547
01:49:30,120 --> 01:49:34,120
The world will find all kinds of systems and other methods to stick close to what they appreciate

1548
01:49:34,120 --> 01:49:39,120
Their money, their time, their talents, their sex, their drugs, their rock and roll, their alcohol, whatever

1549
01:49:39,120 --> 01:49:40,120
Whatever they appreciate

1550
01:49:40,120 --> 01:49:42,120
Many of those things are not bad things by the way

1551
01:49:42,120 --> 01:49:46,120
But the bottom line is they'll put that first before God in that moment

1552
01:49:46,120 --> 01:49:47,120
That'll be their sustenance

1553
01:49:47,120 --> 01:49:52,120
When the horn sounds to announce the coming of Jesus and people are mourning all the world over

1554
01:49:52,120 --> 01:49:54,120
Someone will crank their music

1555
01:49:54,120 --> 01:49:57,120
When the horn sounds to announce the coming of Jesus and all the world over

1556
01:49:57,120 --> 01:50:01,120
Someone will snort a little bit of coke to feel better about that instant

1557
01:50:01,120 --> 01:50:07,120
When the horn sounds, Jesus is coming and all the world over mourns at his approach

1558
01:50:07,120 --> 01:50:09,120
Someone will punch a time clock

1559
01:50:09,120 --> 01:50:17,120
When the horn sounds to announce the coming of Jesus and all the world over and his approach is obvious

1560
01:50:17,120 --> 01:50:19,120
Someone will grab the TV remote

1561
01:50:19,120 --> 01:50:23,120
Someone will pull their children to them for one last hug

1562
01:50:23,120 --> 01:50:27,120
Someone will look longingly at their wife or their husband

1563
01:50:27,120 --> 01:50:31,120
Someone will stop to sniff a rose going, yeah, I always knew I should have done that

1564
01:50:31,120 --> 01:50:35,120
Never did it for 50 years and they'll stop and just get one sniff in before they go to hell

1565
01:50:41,120 --> 01:50:43,120
They don't understand

1566
01:50:43,120 --> 01:50:45,120
They don't understand implies that there are those who do understand

1567
01:50:45,120 --> 01:50:47,120
You know who did understand?

1568
01:50:47,120 --> 01:50:49,120
Noah and his family

1569
01:50:49,120 --> 01:50:50,120
In the ark

1570
01:50:50,120 --> 01:50:51,120
Having wait for it

1571
01:50:51,120 --> 01:50:56,120
Built an ark

1572
01:50:56,120 --> 01:51:01,120
And allowed the animals to come and fill it and store up the feed and everything else

1573
01:51:01,120 --> 01:51:04,120
On dry ground

1574
01:51:04,120 --> 01:51:06,120
On a planet

1575
01:51:06,120 --> 01:51:12,120
On which a drop of rain had never fallen

1576
01:51:12,120 --> 01:51:15,120
That's not fishing all night and getting no fish

1577
01:51:15,120 --> 01:51:18,120
That's fishing for months and getting no fish

1578
01:51:18,120 --> 01:51:21,120
And yet he built the ark

1579
01:51:21,120 --> 01:51:23,120
And then the rain began

1580
01:51:23,120 --> 01:51:26,120
And God himself shut the door

1581
01:51:26,120 --> 01:51:29,120
And it'll be like that in the day when Jesus comes again

1582
01:51:29,120 --> 01:51:34,120
Don't let it be like that in the day when Jesus comes again for you

1583
01:51:34,120 --> 01:51:36,120
Choose to be like Noah and build the ark

1584
01:51:36,120 --> 01:51:39,120
Choose to be like his family and trust my words

1585
01:51:39,120 --> 01:51:43,120
Choose to be like God's people and follow God

1586
01:51:43,120 --> 01:51:45,120
And do what it is that God would have us to do

1587
01:51:45,120 --> 01:51:49,120
Going over again to do what we were supposed to do in the first place

1588
01:51:49,120 --> 01:51:52,120
Going on to continue doing the things that we're supposed to be doing

1589
01:51:52,120 --> 01:51:54,120
Despite all that's falling apart around us

1590
01:51:54,120 --> 01:51:58,120
Going into Jesus over and over again

1591
01:51:58,120 --> 01:52:00,120
And every time he beckons and every time he calls

1592
01:52:00,120 --> 01:52:01,120
Every time he makes himself available

1593
01:52:01,120 --> 01:52:04,120
Which is basically all day every day

1594
01:52:04,120 --> 01:52:07,120
Abiding in the Lord

1595
01:52:07,120 --> 01:52:09,120
Verse 40 says this

1596
01:52:09,120 --> 01:52:12,120
He says, Then there shall be two men in the field

1597
01:52:12,120 --> 01:52:14,120
One will be taken and one will be left

1598
01:52:14,120 --> 01:52:16,120
Two women will be grinding at the mill

1599
01:52:16,120 --> 01:52:18,120
And one will be taken and one will be left

1600
01:52:18,120 --> 01:52:20,120
There is a dividing line in the sand

1601
01:52:20,120 --> 01:52:23,120
And it has nothing to do with what you're doing on a day by day basis

1602
01:52:23,120 --> 01:52:26,120
It has to do with if you will respond affirmatively

1603
01:52:26,120 --> 01:52:28,120
When your commander in chief

1604
01:52:28,120 --> 01:52:29,120
When the Lord of the universe

1605
01:52:29,120 --> 01:52:31,120
When the creator of all things

1606
01:52:31,120 --> 01:52:32,120
For the purchaser of your soul

1607
01:52:32,120 --> 01:52:35,120
The one who brought you back from the dead

1608
01:52:35,120 --> 01:52:40,120
When he calls, will you come?

1609
01:52:40,120 --> 01:52:42,120
And these things, all of this

1610
01:52:42,120 --> 01:52:45,120
That's around us including all those idiots

1611
01:52:45,120 --> 01:52:47,120
That try to tell you you've got to be one thing or another

1612
01:52:47,120 --> 01:52:50,120
All of that was given for us to enjoy

1613
01:52:50,120 --> 01:52:52,120
And we laugh

1614
01:52:52,120 --> 01:52:54,120
And we enjoy

1615
01:52:54,120 --> 01:52:58,120
But we do so all the while going when Jesus calls

1616
01:52:58,120 --> 01:53:00,120
I will be ready

1617
01:53:00,120 --> 01:53:02,120
And you do that by going over

1618
01:53:02,120 --> 01:53:05,120
And doing what you were supposed to do in the first place

1619
01:53:05,120 --> 01:53:08,120
By going on doing what you know to be right in the Lord

1620
01:53:08,120 --> 01:53:12,120
And by going in daily when he calls

1621
01:53:18,120 --> 01:53:21,120
It may look like insanity

1622
01:53:21,120 --> 01:53:23,120
For those who don't know Jesus

1623
01:53:23,120 --> 01:53:28,120
But if you were dead in your trespasses and sins

1624
01:53:28,120 --> 01:53:32,120
And you he hath quickened, you he hath made alive

1625
01:53:32,120 --> 01:53:36,120
By grace, through faith

1626
01:53:36,120 --> 01:53:39,120
Then you know

1627
01:53:39,120 --> 01:53:44,120
He's nobody to be trifled with

1628
01:53:44,120 --> 01:53:46,120
The scripture says that some

1629
01:53:46,120 --> 01:53:47,120
Having believed in the Lord

1630
01:53:47,120 --> 01:53:49,120
Return to their wicked ways

1631
01:53:49,120 --> 01:53:55,120
Hebrew says that how will God treat those who knew?

1632
01:53:55,120 --> 01:54:01,120
And then trampled the Son of God again

1633
01:54:01,120 --> 01:54:03,120
And it is a fearful thing

1634
01:54:03,120 --> 01:54:07,120
To fall into the hands of the living God

1635
01:54:07,120 --> 01:54:10,120
Ours is a relationship with the living Christ

1636
01:54:10,120 --> 01:54:12,120
Because he is alive

1637
01:54:12,120 --> 01:54:16,120
Because he died for you, you now live for him who died for you

1638
01:54:16,120 --> 01:54:18,120
Because you are alive in Christ

1639
01:54:18,120 --> 01:54:20,120
All old things have passed away

1640
01:54:20,120 --> 01:54:22,120
And everything has become made new

1641
01:54:22,120 --> 01:54:25,120
And you can partake in lots of things that go on in the world

1642
01:54:25,120 --> 01:54:28,120
But none of them can ever be important

1643
01:54:28,120 --> 01:54:31,120
He said, what about my kids?

1644
01:54:31,120 --> 01:54:34,120
What about my family members? What about my loved ones?

1645
01:54:34,120 --> 01:54:38,120
None of them can ever be important compared to Jesus

1646
01:54:38,120 --> 01:54:42,120
Elsewise, if I am in my house one day

1647
01:54:42,120 --> 01:54:45,120
Dodging my little Roomba vacuum cleaner

1648
01:54:45,120 --> 01:54:47,120
And Jesus calls

1649
01:54:47,120 --> 01:54:50,120
And Ariana calls at the same time

1650
01:54:50,120 --> 01:54:54,120
Which call will I answer?

1651
01:54:54,120 --> 01:54:56,120
Be careful

1652
01:54:56,120 --> 01:55:00,120
It's so easy to fall in love

1653
01:55:00,120 --> 01:55:03,120
With the things of this life

1654
01:55:03,120 --> 01:55:05,120
But we are asked to go over again

1655
01:55:05,120 --> 01:55:07,120
And do the things that he has called us to

1656
01:55:07,120 --> 01:55:09,120
To go on doing what we are supposed to do

1657
01:55:09,120 --> 01:55:11,120
To go in to him

1658
01:55:11,120 --> 01:55:13,120
To recognize him

1659
01:55:13,120 --> 01:55:15,120
To want to be the first

1660
01:55:15,120 --> 01:55:17,120
Not because we despise anyone else

1661
01:55:17,120 --> 01:55:19,120
But because this I know

1662
01:55:19,120 --> 01:55:22,120
I belong with him

1663
01:55:22,120 --> 01:55:24,120
To the point that I will wrap up my man diaper

1664
01:55:24,120 --> 01:55:26,120
And jump in the water and swim a hundred yards

1665
01:55:26,120 --> 01:55:32,120
To get to be with Jesus

1666
01:55:32,120 --> 01:55:35,120
In the Old Testament there is a story in the book of Ezra

1667
01:55:35,120 --> 01:55:37,120
The Israelites have come home

1668
01:55:37,120 --> 01:55:39,120
Some of them

1669
01:55:39,120 --> 01:55:42,120
It's estimated that less than 20% of the people who were carried off in captivity

1670
01:55:42,120 --> 01:55:45,120
Ever came back into the land

1671
01:55:45,120 --> 01:55:47,120
One of those two times was led by a man named Ezra

1672
01:55:47,120 --> 01:55:48,120
He was basically a priest

1673
01:55:48,120 --> 01:55:51,120
And they were going to re-institute under Cyrus

1674
01:55:51,120 --> 01:55:53,120
He gave them permission and offered resources

1675
01:55:53,120 --> 01:55:58,120
To go back and re-institute temple worship in Jerusalem

1676
01:55:58,120 --> 01:56:00,120
So they come back and they settle in the land around Jerusalem

1677
01:56:00,120 --> 01:56:01,120
There is no walls to Jerusalem

1678
01:56:01,120 --> 01:56:03,120
The city is unprotected

1679
01:56:03,120 --> 01:56:05,120
So it's regularly abused

1680
01:56:05,120 --> 01:56:07,120
There is no temple anymore

1681
01:56:07,120 --> 01:56:08,120
The land is there

1682
01:56:08,120 --> 01:56:10,120
But everything is in ruin

1683
01:56:10,120 --> 01:56:12,120
And they say well we know why we are here

1684
01:56:12,120 --> 01:56:14,120
But they settle down and they are starting to get ready

1685
01:56:14,120 --> 01:56:16,120
They are building their houses

1686
01:56:16,120 --> 01:56:20,120
They have tents, taverns, whatever they need to be ready to live

1687
01:56:20,120 --> 01:56:22,120
So that they can start building

1688
01:56:22,120 --> 01:56:26,120
And then they look out and they see all around them in the land are all these enemies

1689
01:56:26,120 --> 01:56:28,120
Enemies that have been

1690
01:56:28,120 --> 01:56:30,120
I don't use this term lightly but it's a reality

1691
01:56:30,120 --> 01:56:35,120
But enemies that have been raping Jerusalem on a regular basis

1692
01:56:35,120 --> 01:56:39,120
And all are looking at them and they are like ah what is this all about?

1693
01:56:39,120 --> 01:56:43,120
And they look out at those enemies and they realize ok now we are in danger

1694
01:56:43,120 --> 01:56:45,120
We are in danger of quitting

1695
01:56:45,120 --> 01:56:47,120
We are in danger of our mission failing

1696
01:56:47,120 --> 01:56:49,120
We are in danger of not having enough

1697
01:56:49,120 --> 01:56:51,120
We are in danger of being eliminated

1698
01:56:51,120 --> 01:56:53,120
They could come in here and they could kill us

1699
01:56:53,120 --> 01:56:56,120
We are in danger of failing in our mission

1700
01:56:56,120 --> 01:57:00,120
Cyrus gave us the resources and the manpower and sent us out here and let us go back to our home

1701
01:57:00,120 --> 01:57:04,120
But we are in danger of not doing what God wants us to do

1702
01:57:04,120 --> 01:57:07,120
And they have to make a decision

1703
01:57:07,120 --> 01:57:08,120
A battle plan

1704
01:57:08,120 --> 01:57:11,120
They have to decide what to do as they are sitting in a city, Jerusalem

1705
01:57:11,120 --> 01:57:13,120
With no defenses

1706
01:57:13,120 --> 01:57:16,120
Very limited weaponry, no walls, no siege engines

1707
01:57:16,120 --> 01:57:18,120
No trenches to keep the enemy at bay

1708
01:57:18,120 --> 01:57:20,120
No picket fences

1709
01:57:20,120 --> 01:57:22,120
And they look out and the enemies surrounding them

1710
01:57:22,120 --> 01:57:27,120
All these different peoples that have been storming Jerusalem for decades

1711
01:57:27,120 --> 01:57:31,120
Over half a century

1712
01:57:31,120 --> 01:57:35,120
And they are like what do we do?

1713
01:57:35,120 --> 01:57:38,120
And so you know what they did?

1714
01:57:38,120 --> 01:57:42,120
They built the temple

1715
01:57:42,120 --> 01:57:46,120
They did what God sent them to do

1716
01:57:46,120 --> 01:57:49,120
They turned their back on their enemies

1717
01:57:49,120 --> 01:57:52,120
And they built the temple

1718
01:57:52,120 --> 01:57:55,120
They collected the supplies

1719
01:57:55,120 --> 01:57:58,120
They focused their building at first on the sacrificial area

1720
01:57:58,120 --> 01:58:04,120
And the truth is the building got stopped before the foundation was ever laid

1721
01:58:04,120 --> 01:58:07,120
But the sacrificial area

1722
01:58:07,120 --> 01:58:11,120
They built it and they began sacrificing to God

1723
01:58:11,120 --> 01:58:13,120
When you go in

1724
01:58:13,120 --> 01:58:17,120
You will find the strength to go over and go on

1725
01:58:17,120 --> 01:58:24,120
When you go in, God will purify that in you that is right now corrupted

1726
01:58:24,120 --> 01:58:33,120
When you go in, God will show up and make happen what he said he was going to do through you

1727
01:58:33,120 --> 01:58:39,120
If you won't go in, you will eventually quit going over, quit going on

1728
01:58:39,120 --> 01:58:42,120
You will back down off of some of the things you know the Lord would have you do

1729
01:58:42,120 --> 01:58:46,120
And I submit to you, you will be in severe danger of not answering that call when the time comes

1730
01:58:46,120 --> 01:58:50,120
And he who doesn't answer the call never really got saved in the first place

1731
01:58:50,120 --> 01:58:55,120
Go over, go on, and go in

1732
01:58:55,120 --> 01:59:01,120
The next time you are faced with a real problem, start in your Bible, start in prayer, start in worship

1733
01:59:01,120 --> 01:59:07,120
Turn your music up, but not because you just love loud music, but because you are praising God

1734
01:59:07,120 --> 01:59:10,120
And if you go in, you will go over

1735
01:59:10,120 --> 01:59:12,120
And if you go over, you will go on

1736
01:59:12,120 --> 01:59:17,120
I mean seriously, once you have hauled up one net load of fish, 153 fish

1737
01:59:17,120 --> 01:59:22,120
Once one time, you have seen God do amazingly in your life

1738
01:59:22,120 --> 01:59:26,120
And I hope you have already seen it, but once you have done that, why would you ever back down?

1739
01:59:26,120 --> 01:59:32,120
If God is the only one that can do that, why would you ever back down?

1740
01:59:32,120 --> 01:59:35,120
The next time you are faced with an enemy, a trial, or a difficulty

1741
01:59:35,120 --> 01:59:44,120
Go into Jesus and get the strength to go over, maybe do it a little differently, but do the things you are supposed to do

1742
01:59:44,120 --> 01:59:48,120
And to go on doing what it was you were supposed to be doing from the beginning

1743
01:59:48,120 --> 01:59:55,120
If you are waiting for me to give you a rocket science recipe on how to be a great person, how to become more intellectual, how to make yourself more beautiful and more healthy

1744
01:59:55,120 --> 01:59:57,120
It ain't going to happen

1745
01:59:57,120 --> 02:00:03,120
I am not that kind of preacher, I preach the word of God, and God calls us into him

1746
02:00:03,120 --> 02:00:06,120
Go into Jesus

1747
02:00:06,120 --> 02:00:09,120
If you are here today and you have never seen God do that kind of miracle in your life

1748
02:00:09,120 --> 02:00:13,120
You have never seen God transform somebody's soul, somebody's heart

1749
02:00:13,120 --> 02:00:17,120
Then you need to admit it, admit that you are separated from God

1750
02:00:17,120 --> 02:00:23,120
You need to believe that he will save you and commit your life to following him today

1751
02:00:23,120 --> 02:00:26,120
And get saved for the first time

1752
02:00:26,120 --> 02:00:31,120
If you are here today and you have been saved, but you have been unwilling to go over and do it

1753
02:00:31,120 --> 02:00:34,120
Do that one thing that God is really calling you to do

1754
02:00:34,120 --> 02:00:38,120
Because you say, well this other stuff isn't working so well, so why would that work any better?

1755
02:00:38,120 --> 02:00:42,120
Or you have been unwilling to go on because you have been doing it over and over again

1756
02:00:42,120 --> 02:00:48,120
You feel like you are doing it, you feel like you are faithful, but you have discovered in yourself a lack of endurance

1757
02:00:48,120 --> 02:00:50,120
And you are ready to quit

1758
02:00:50,120 --> 02:00:59,120
Go into Jesus and let him give you the strength to continue and persevere in what it is that he called you to

1759
02:00:59,120 --> 02:01:02,120
I ask the praise team to come forward at this time

1760
02:01:02,120 --> 02:01:07,120
And lead us in a hymn of really kind of like closing our services, but also in the name of the invitation

1761
02:01:07,120 --> 02:01:12,120
If you happen to be here today and you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior

1762
02:01:12,120 --> 02:01:15,120
This is the opportunity to make that public decision to do that

1763
02:01:15,120 --> 02:01:18,120
And if you are here today and you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior

1764
02:01:18,120 --> 02:01:21,120
But you realize you have not been going on doing the things that he would have you to do

1765
02:01:21,120 --> 02:01:25,120
Or you have been going on doing those things but distracted, unwilling to do them in the way

1766
02:01:25,120 --> 02:01:32,120
And he is now calling you to do it and you commit your life to him and you follow him and you do what he would have you to do

1767
02:01:32,120 --> 02:01:36,120
But it isn't about me, I am not imploring you for my sake

1768
02:01:36,120 --> 02:01:41,120
I have already wrestled with this and I am already looking at places where I am not going over

1769
02:01:41,120 --> 02:01:43,120
And other things that I was supposed to do

1770
02:01:43,120 --> 02:01:46,120
And I am already looking at things that maybe I am not going on to do

1771
02:01:46,120 --> 02:01:49,120
And I am repenting in my own life

1772
02:01:49,120 --> 02:01:53,120
I am asking you to do the same for your sake and for Jesus sake

1773
02:01:53,120 --> 02:01:56,120
As we sing this song, would you stand with us and sing

1774
02:01:56,120 --> 02:01:59,120
And if you are responding in some way and you don't have to sing

1775
02:01:59,120 --> 02:02:01,120
Just come and share with us what is on your heart today

1776
02:02:01,120 --> 02:02:05,120
How God has called you to go over or to go on or to go in

1777
02:02:11,120 --> 02:02:19,120
Just as I am without one thing

1778
02:02:19,120 --> 02:02:28,120
But that Thy blood was shed for me

1779
02:02:28,120 --> 02:02:37,120
And that Thy blood has come to me

1780
02:02:37,120 --> 02:02:49,120
And the blood of God I come

1781
02:02:49,120 --> 02:02:52,120
As we sing this next verse, you sing along with me, that's great

1782
02:02:52,120 --> 02:02:55,120
But if the Lord is putting something in your house

1783
02:02:55,120 --> 02:02:58,120
Think about what you are spending most of your time and your effort on

1784
02:02:58,120 --> 02:03:03,120
What you are doing, it could be your job, it could be your finances

1785
02:03:03,120 --> 02:03:07,120
It could be your health, whatever you think about that

1786
02:03:07,120 --> 02:03:10,120
How would I do that thing, that thing that I am doing

1787
02:03:10,120 --> 02:03:13,120
It's a good thing, but how would I do that

1788
02:03:13,120 --> 02:03:16,120
Jesus' way, specifically His way

1789
02:03:16,120 --> 02:03:20,120
If Jesus were in my skin, how would Jesus do it

1790
02:03:20,120 --> 02:03:23,120
Think about that for a moment, that's not how you are doing it

1791
02:03:23,120 --> 02:03:26,120
That I am asking you to stand with me and say I am going to do it

1792
02:03:26,120 --> 02:03:29,120
The way Jesus would do it, that's going over

1793
02:03:29,120 --> 02:03:34,120
Think about that for a moment, by the last time you are tired

1794
02:03:34,120 --> 02:03:37,120
Or frustrated about what you were doing before

1795
02:03:37,120 --> 02:03:39,120
Or what you are doing in general

1796
02:03:39,120 --> 02:03:41,120
And you are thinking about quitting

1797
02:03:41,120 --> 02:03:44,120
If it's something you weren't doing it for Jesus, then quit

1798
02:03:44,120 --> 02:03:48,120
You are like what? Remember I just said you can do your job for Jesus

1799
02:03:48,120 --> 02:03:51,120
If I tell you to quit your job, I am telling you to do your job for Jesus

1800
02:03:51,120 --> 02:03:55,120
If you are not doing it for Jesus, then quit

1801
02:03:55,120 --> 02:03:59,120
If you are not doing it for Jesus, then quit