Alright, so the first lesson was the need for
prayer and dependence on God. Okay, we're now
coming to the end of our second lesson to them,
which is which God considers great versus what
man's consideration of great is. But before these
instructions, instructs them on this again, he
reminds them that he is is the model of the truly
humble person. One that puts others above self.
And that was a great example we just had. Right?
I mean, to get up, to give your seat. For Erica
to take a back seat. But that was a great example.
Perfect timing, right? The son of man is willingly
giving himself for them. The cross, which he
has not declared how he would die yet, was the
most humiliating, the most humble way to die.
Jesus did know that the cross was coming. He
knew the way. Should the disciples have known
that? Probably, because the Old Testament talked
about the crucifixion. I think it's in Psalms.
where it talks about the crucifixion. So they
should have known that, but it was something
that they weren't even thinking about. Something
that was way above what they were thinking about.
In verse 30, Mark tells us that they travel through
well -known areas and he wants to be quiet or
secretive when he goes through. So he's making
this trip, and that again is where he's wanting
to spend his time with these disciples. He's
not wanting to draw the crowds or anything. So
most scholars believe that he is going on the
outskirts of Galilee as he makes his descent
down. And it says in Mark 9 .30, he did not want
anyone to know. Another clue to a private ministry.
So on the trip from Caesarea to Philippi, they
come to Capernaum. They had been arguing about
who would be the greatest. And again, Capernaum
said they came to a house, more than likely this
was Andrew and Peter's house, because that was
the main hub where they ministered. Before it
was a well known, so that was a good place to
kind of stop off on his way through. Again, we
see these He's moving through and as he mentions
these areas he won't mention any more until after
the crucifixion. So these areas are the last
time and I'm sure that had an impact on Jesus
moving through these areas knowing that he wouldn't
see these people again until after the resurrection,
the ministries that he had had here. So I think
these places are mentioned. sometimes because
of that. They were talking about, so yeah, ask
what are they arguing about. They were arguing
about who would be the greatest. That was another
clue that they believed Jesus was setting up
his kingdom at that time. You know, they're coming
to Jerusalem and they're discussing. It could
be even Peter. James and John that brought up
this conversation because if you remember they
were just on that mountain trend transfiguration
not to Probably not too many days before this
maybe a couple weeks before this So they're kind
of maybe still on their high horse They've seen
that something that these others have not seen
but they weren't able to tell you know select
There's all kinds of possibilities, but anyhow
that was that was the discussion It wasn't talked
about with Jesus, but he probably overheard.
A spirit ordained time. Again, Jesus capitalized
on the opportunity to talk about who is truly
great in God's eyes. He doesn't bash them for
thinking, but instead he's going to give a visual
lesson or an example. He doesn't bash them for
thinking about Who is the greatest? And something
else. Does God condemn greatness? No, He doesn't
condemn greatness. He redefines greatness. What
greatness is in God's eyes. It's not what, it's
not what man's. Yes, Eddie. Can you hear? Yeah,
I can't hear. I can hear everybody. Did you see
there's a fly over there? No, no, no. I'm fine
because I cracked them up. I'm good. I'm good.
I'm telling you. We can put you right here. I'm
telling you. You don't want me to do it. OK.
You can hear that. Thank you. I can hear fine.
I turned it up. I'm good. Thank you. All right.
So he's going to give them a visual lesson. So
let's read our text. In verse 30 of Mark 9, it
says, they went on from there and passed through
Galilee, and he did not want anyone to know,
for he was teaching his disciples, saying to
them, the Son of Man is going to be delivered
into the hands of men, and they will kill him.
And when he is killed, after three days he will
rise. But they did not understand the saying,
and were afraid to ask him. And they came to
Capernaum, and when he was in the house, he asked
them, what were you discussing on the way? But
they kept silent, for on the way they had argued
with one another about who was the greatest.
You know, again, You can it's it's almost like
this person was there It's almost like a personal
testimony You know and we know again that Peter
Mark Mark is is got his information from Peter
who was actually there and witnessed all this
so that's why it sounds like it because mark
never really Walked with Jesus. He's probably
seen that he never really walked with, and he
wasn't one of his disciples per se, but he got
all his information from Peter. Why do you think
Mark wrote this gospel and not Peter? Because
Peter had his own gospel to write. Not gospel,
but his own letter. I don't know, that's a good
question. I don't know the answer to that. What
you're saying is that the writer here was eyewitness
of this. He was writing from what he saw himself.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. It seems like that, yeah. And
Dory's asking why did he not write this instead
of Mark. Yeah. Maybe he couldn't see very well.
He was older. Possibly. It's in the thought that
this is close to the first one of the first first
uh gossips let's do it i mean historians think
so relations was probably the first book yeah
but this would be yeah it was closed and uh so
i don't know right now either peter is already
dead no no this was written no it was still alive
One of the reasons we think that is it's not
until John that we learn that Peter was the one
that actually went and cut Malchus' ear off and
almost certainly because Peter was dead by that
point they already John says that at the end
of his gospel in chapter 21 that the Lord prophesied
his death right so his death was already known
in the church. He was already dead by the time
John wrote his Gospel. So he could publicly say
it was Peter, whereas these Gospels don't say
it. Because they didn't want you to know. Because,
yeah, he's still alive. He could get in trouble
for that. Only the people there in the gardens.
I mean, at that time, I saw him. Those who were
close by. They weren't worried about him at that
point. He was a little bit healed. Oh, you're
correct. I think another point about that is,
I think that was somewhat of a rhetorical question,
him asking that. He knew what they had been talking
about. Oh yeah, yeah. Yeah, he did. But he was
just trying to see if they would admit it. Yeah,
that's right. Bring up that conversation because
it's a good teaching. And the Spirit does that.
I think the Spirit orchestrated a lot of these.
Yeah, like the Spirit orchestrates, oftentimes
He'll orchestrate times when we can bring Christ
into the conversation. And a lot of times, if
it's with unbelievers, we shy back. But I think
the Spirit orchestrates. I was thinking about
when we do communion a lot of times. We don't
meet before that, but we start talking about
it, and next thing you know, a lot of our minds
is going towards the same point, the same. But
this is a great opportunity for Jesus to teach
on greatness. It's also, I think, interesting
that Mark, who at first was kind of at odds with
Paul about this. the second missionary journey,
Paul said, you're not going to take it. This
doesn't mean that Mark was cast away and never
used, because he was used to write one of the
gospels. I think Paul wasn't very fair to Mark.
I don't think he did that situation very well.
In the end, he reconciled, and the scripture
gives us reconciliation. Paul asked for John
Mark. I think he asked for John Mark toward the
end of his life. So that shows us that he had
reconciled with Mark. And it is easy to put people
up on pedestals. especially Paul. It was easy.
And he was admitting, I think, there that he'd
made a mistake in doing that. You know, I mean,
they make mistakes. You know, Peter, Peter's
one that's known for making the most mistakes,
probably, because he was the most vocal, right?
one of the loudest voices about who was the greatest.
And he wasn't totally baseless either. I mean,
he's one of the three. I thought one of the favorites.
Yeah, there was four of them that were really
close to Jesus. You know, he often talked about
favorites. I know. You know, and Peter was one
of them. He's always mentioned first. You know,
yeah. I'm sure he had a... I'm sure he had a
big head. He was the first one to speak, you
know, when, I'm not, you know, you're not gonna
wash my feet. You're right, Peter. You know,
all of them have the same idea, but Peter's the
one that vocalizes. So. He had to speak on the
mountain. I was chugging when I said, he said
this because he didn't know what else to say.
Yeah. We would all be quick to drop the dead
weight though. We'd all be quick to drop the
dead weight. These guys were on a mission. You
rely on everybody. And yeah, Mark was a young
man. Not totally committed to the cause. Yeah,
he pooped out and dropped out. And that was some
serious stuff, man. And these guys need to get
moving. They had stuff to do. And you're dead
weight. You're not reliable. And I really don't
have time for foolishness. And that was just
flat, young, young kid. foolishness right there.
And then you have a true mentor, you know, who
saw what needed to be done and slowed their self
down and said, I'll take Mark with me. Now that
didn't keep the first guy from getting them,
you know, what he needed to get done because
he got moving like he usually does. But then
the second guy is like, okay. Come on in here.
Let's try this again. You know? Mark was Ken
to Barnabas. So that's who he went with. And
I can see the connection. Barnabas wanting to
include him in the ministry. I mean, you know,
I want to encourage Brian in his teaching. And
Matt and Nick, I want to encourage them. I can
see Barnabas kind of kind of pushing his way.
I mean, that's our human nature, you know? And
you can see Paul not wanting to wait around.
Yeah, yeah. He needed to get boogey. Paul seems
like, to me, he was kind of a hard man. He had
to be. He had to be, kind of, for all the abuse
that he took. He was very serious. Oh yeah. He
was serious. Real serious. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah,
but he'd been taught by Jesus. I never understood
that. Why was Paul, why did Jesus come to him
later in life? I mean why was Paul so special
that he got all this extra time with Jesus by
himself and the 12 disciples? had to fight over
who could get attention with Jesus. Why was that?
Because of the Gentile people, I think. His ministry
was specifically to the Gentile people. These
other Jews had their ways. If you remember Peter
over toward Acts 11 or 12, when Peter gets this
vision, he don't want to have anything to do
with... With the Gentile people remember that
Jesus I already died before Paul came on the
scene Yeah, because yeah, so that doesn't make
sense I mean he doesn't do that with us. He doesn't
come and Paul was called being a possible and
one of the qualifications of a possible Since
the Lord had already died, he couldn't be. So
the Holy Spirit wasn't good enough? Sending the
Holy Spirit like the rest of them? He was called
for a special purpose. But he did go to the Jew
first. I mean, he made that qualification because
the Jew was first, and then the Gentiles. But
his ministry was to the Gentiles. There's no
doubt. And the others, I don't know if they didn't
have a heart or couldn't get a heart for that.
Yeah. Yeah, it was a culture. It was built into
the culture. And Paul, I think, had a, what was
it, a Gentile grandmother? He was both Jew and
Gentile. Somebody, somebody. Which makes which
makes his ministry to Gentiles Maybe that two
years he spent in the desert. There's a lot of
wrassling. I'm sure there's a lot of wrassling
going on there. Because he not only gave Barnabas
a hard time, but he gave people a hard time.
Oh yeah, he called them out. That takes a lot
of... It's all in the name of the study group.
That's right, we're inquiring. I'm inquiring.
Now we're listening, you teach. Well, I'm inquiring,
yeah. Okay, I think we got down to first, what,
34? 31? 34. I didn't finish the text yet. And
he took a child and put him in the midst of them,
and asking him, and taking him in his arms, he
said to them, whoever receives one such child
in my name receives me. And whoever receives
me, receives not me, but him who sent me." So
that was all review. That's all the things that
we've talked about. We talked more in depth as
we went through, starting in verse 35. It says,
and he sat down and called the twelve. Notice
first that it's not a casual conversation. So
Jesus is sitting down with him and what's he
talking about? What's he talking about? He's
talking about this awareness. Because this was
the question, if you remember, that he asked.
You know, what were you discussing on the way
down? He knew. He knew what they were discussing.
Somebody said that. Bob said that, I think. So
he sits down. So this is no casual conversation.
Jesus makes it clear that he's going to teach.
because he sits down. That was the proper thing
for a rabbi to do. So when he got ready to teach,
he would take his seat. Now, I don't know if
the disciples would sit or they would stand.
I couldn't find anything on that. They would
stand around him or they would sit around him
or whatever. But rabbis would often sit symbolizing
their authority. as would a king sit on his throne
to impart wisdom. That was a common thing. And
I also noticed Jesus singles out his 12 disciples.
It says that he sat down and called the 12, signifying
their role in his ministry or his leadership.
I would not have noticed that if I had not been
brought up by R .C. Sproul, which was a good
point. He called the 12, which again, that talks
about his private ministry that he had there.
But also we know that there was kids running
around in that house, because we're going to
see where he pulls one of them. The disciple
of the rabbi often lived with them, learning
their ways of studying, working, and living.
They would try to imitate the rabbi and to come
like him. just as we do with Jesus. It's an interesting
note from what I understand through Jewish history.
There were no women rabbis. That would be when
Jesus was and before. But in 1935, there was
the first woman rabbi that was ordained in Germany.
And in 1972 in America, the first woman right
rabbi was recognized I thought that was that
was interesting because I I wondered about that
you know so I looked at it but anyway that's
just a side note that's interesting just as these
disciples lived with Jesus we live with him too
for he lives with us and we learn from him right
we read his word And we try to imitate him, right?
I mean, that's why we read the scriptures, to
learn to be more like him, to imitate him as
much as we can, to try to think like he would
think. Now, there's no way possible, right? We
understand that we can't possibly think like
God thinks or like Jesus thinks, but we try to
get that. That's the main point though, isn't
it? Through the Holy Spirit. I mean, constant
growth to get to that level. When you have God
withdrawing, you know, withdrawing you. That
is the main point, is to absolutely get the 100
% emulation of the mindset of Jesus. Yeah, and
when we do that, we can share with others. Not
only share, but people will see that in us. People
watch you whether you know it or not. People
watch you. All things are possible, right? That's
right. All things are possible with Him. That's
right. We live with Jesus. We study His words.
We try to do what He would do. We want to please
Him. And He knows our heart. That's what he's
looking at. He's looking at the heart. He's not
looking at the outside He wants to look at he
wants to he wants to see a heart change not an
outside change we we judge people by what we
see on the outside most of the time and Hopefully
what's on the inside will come out eventually
it will be it will be made known Yeah, eventually.
We can fool people for a long time, but we can't
fool God, and He's the one that looks on your
heart. We come before the throne to be taught
and to ask questions for better understanding,
like we were talking about this morning. To mill
over things, to meditate over things when you
read the scripture. That's so important. I'm
learning that. how important that is more and
more. And just in my, just in songs that I hear
on the radio, I play 106 .9 a lot. Just in the
songs and the words of the songs and I'll say,
now how scriptural is that? How, you know, it
makes you really think. It seems the disciples
would sit also indicating their eagerness to
learn. And I don't know if that, it seems like
that they would. I couldn't imagine the disciples
standing around. Maybe they did, in honor of
the rabbi. Well, I think that Martha and Mary
said she sat at his feet. Yeah, yeah. Up a room,
he actually laid right up against them, right?
Yeah. Well, he was climbing at the table and
things like that. Just to listen to his words.
Yeah. So all eyes were cast upon the rabbi. And
then here comes the teaching. If anyone would
be first, he must be last of all and servant
of all. Again, Jesus doesn't condemn them for
wanting to be great, but he tells them how to
be great. He redefines greatness. They are to
strive to make each other great. That's hard
to do. We want to be great. And you know, I've
mentioned in a couple of our other Bible studies
about the upside down kingdom. And that's where
this idea comes from. Everything that is counterintuitive
to this world is what Jesus is teaching. This
being great, making the other person great, that's
not what we want to do. That's not our natural
way. We want to make ourselves great. We want
to be great. That's why I said, Pastor Peter
said that Jesus actually turned this world right
side up. The world don't see it like that, but
we know that's the way it is. But it's still
hard even though we know it. That's what we're
to strive for. That's hard because we want to
be great and in charge. True greatness of Jesus'
followers is found in humble service. Humble
service. to the downtrodden, to the weak. And
listen to this, to those who can't return the
favor. To those who can't return the favor. And
again, God looks at the heart. We can't see the
motives of people. You know your motives. We
know our motives. I know my motives when I do
things. But God is looking Look, why do we do
things? Matthew 20, 25, it says, you know that
the riches, you know that the rulers of the Gentiles
lord over them, and their great ones exercise
authority over them. It shall not be so among
you, but whoever would be great among you must
be your servant. and whoever would be first among
you must be your slave even as the son of man
came not to be served but to serve and to give
his life a ransom for many. Humble service for
others who we may not think deserves it or even
needs it. Humble service, that's what we're to,
and I think most of us, Most of us do that, especially
in church and things when people come. I mean,
you know, sometimes I think we run people away
because we're too friendly. You know, I mean,
I don't know. Don't only do good for God's people.
You know, and we can be guilty of that, only
doing good for God's people. but do it for the
undeserving. That's what Jesus did. Jesus did
that many times. He healed lepers. I mean, they
didn't even thank him. These days that he would
spend healing people and teaching people, most
of them did not thank him or appreciate it. You
know? Do it. Do it because you have a love for
Jesus. That's why we do it. And a love for people.
Bruce Walker said one time that this life is
the only thing that some people will get. So
he thinks they oughta just live it up. Because
this is the best thing they're gonna get. And
we ought to be gracious to people like that,
thinking of them. You know what I'm saying? Maybe
it's not coming out like it should. Yeah, kind
of like that. But be nice for them, pray for
them, earnestly pray for them. Matthew 5, 46
to 48. For if you love those who love you, what
reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors
do the same? And if you greet only your brothers,
what more are you doing than others? Do not even
the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must
be perfect, and that means complete or mature,
as your Heavenly Father is perfect. There's a
reward for the humble service, Luke 22, 27. Jesus
asks the question and then answers it. For who
is the great? One who reclines at the table or
the one who serves? It is not the one who reclines
at the table, but I am among you as the one who
serves. The one who reclines is the world's view.
Here again, Jesus states, he is the one who serves.
In contrast to being served, Jesus again gives
himself as the example. You are those who have
stayed with me in my trials. Again, this is Luke
27, 28. You are the ones who have stayed with
me in my trials, and I, assigned to you as my
Father, assigned to me the kingdom, that you
may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom.
Sit on thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel
It seems as they drove as they drew closer to
the cross Very close Jesus assures them of a
reward awaiting for them for their steadfastness
to the end So there's a reward at the end So
don't don't think this life is all that there
is. There's a reward in this life. You don't
have to wait till the end. What is that reward?
That reward is peace. Peace and joy. And things
like that. Those are rewards in this life. He
gives us peace here. Peace. You don't want peace
in this life? I said I don't. I don't have a
lot of peace in this life. There's always problems.
Yeah, there's gonna be problems. But you can
have peace in knowing where you're going. A lot
of people can't sleep in the night. That's another
reward. You can have peace. You know, Debbie
has. Where's she at? I oftentimes tell her when
she can't sleep, I says your conscience is bothering
you. That helps you sleep better, doesn't it?
That helps me sleep better. She has to work on
her servitude though. It seems they could have
not understood this physically. They have endured
and they will have places of honor in this physical
world. They will not have places on in this physical
world that they were thinking, like they were
thinking. So maybe they were thinking when Jesus
says that, that they're going to be judged right
there. It wasn't talking about a judgment, judgment
there. It was the judgment to come and the peace
to come. We should diligently look for opportunities
to help the unbeliever or the downtrodden. If
you don't have the desire to do this, pray God
gives it to you. Jesus was our example. In Mark
2, 17, and when Jesus heard it, he said to them,
those who are well have no need of a physician
but those who are sick. I came not to call the
righteous but sinners. Jesus came to serve the
sick or the sinner who will repent. So again
in verse mark 9 35 because the 12 and said to
them if anyone Would be first he must be last
of all and servant of all This is not a suggestion.
It's the only way to true greatness in God's
eyes It did not come to, that the Gentiles warded
over you. Yeah, okay. Twenty -seven, I think
it was. Anyway, that's in the upper room. And
that's, you know, we've been studying that. That's
that passage where Luke is the only one that
makes it clear they were, here we are, you know,
and this isn't the upper room yet, but this is
a lesson that they had to learn repeatedly. My
point is that as they were getting closer to
the cross, especially after, it seems to be especially
after the triumphal entry, they were, you know,
the resurrection of Lazarus two months before.
There's a lot of prominent Jews in Jerusalem,
wealthy, well -connected people that are putting
their trust in Christ and spreading the word.
All these God -fearing Jews coming to Jerusalem.
Passover, and they have this huge welcoming party,
you know. They've decided that in several days,
Jesus hammering those lawyers, hammering the
Pharisees, hammering the Sadducees, putting them
all in their place, you know. Yes, it's coming.
Our reward is coming. Our reward is coming. What's
interesting is in that context, what I haven't
mentioned is that what you just read is that
he does say, he does acknowledge, there are going
to be twelve... 12 thrones if you're going to
sit on them. There is a reward, it's just not
right now. That's right. They were thinking it
was right now. Their context was right now. And
I put you're very close to the cross. You're
right. They're very close to the cross. They
didn't understand that physically. They were
that close to the cross. They were thinking they
were that close to their kingdom. To the kingdom
being established to them. And them being sitting
up there judging. Yeah. You're right. You're
right. Very good. I think that's what we're going
to end, because it's almost this time after.
So we'll pick up. You know, there's one other
thing that struck me. I don't know if we can
get to 36 yet, but they took a child and sent
before them. And I've been thinking a lot about
that lately, that God loves the people that we
look past. And there's a lot of them. there's
a lot of just people undeserving people that's
right well all of us children children are some
of the some of the easiest not lily i don't ignore
her at all honey i don't know what your problem
is yeah there's a just i'm saying in general
there was a there was a cultural difference too
because children had a very high And it was not
a lot of, and we'll talk about this next time,
but there's not a lot of emphasis put on small
children because they wasn't beneficial to the
family. That was the reason, really, to have
large families. I mean, they had large families
to where they could be beneficial, right? To
work the stove. Right. We were talking this morning,
and that's what made me think of it, about the
war for women. You know, I was talking this morning.
We won't go into that conversation again. We'll
talk about it. We're just property. You already
got the gist of it, of our conversation this
morning. Anyhow. Anyhow. What did you guys say?
Yeah, you're worth two pounds. Alright, yeah,
sorry. Okay. But be careful. Through wisdom,
I mean, you can try to get up every morning and
say, I'm gonna be the lowliest. I'm gonna be
the servant of all. I'm just gonna really...
Don't exhaust yourself on the swine. I mean,
be wise in your decision. See if there is some...
desire from the person. Because after a while
you can just exhaust yourself on somebody who
is not worthy of your time. I mean, I've seen
it, where you just exhaust yourself. I'm making
a little servitude, you know, servitude. There's
many lost souls out there who need to hear the
gospel. And that person is rejecting. Move to
somebody else and cast the pearls to them. It
takes a lot to see that in a person. When do
you see that? Well, that's up to the Holy Spirit.
But don't just go into everything thinking you're
going to be the lowliest. I don't think. Just
slowly walk all over me lowly. I mean, you've
got something precious that needs to be shared.
And there's a certain amount of time that you
share it and you see no, you know, nothing coming
back at all as far as the desire to learn this
move. The thing I think is pointed out here though,
we've got to have a heart, a humble heart. You
know, it's not that we've become a doormat or
anything like that, but where is your heart?
You know, some people... Some people don't have
a heart of service. They want to be served all
the time You know and it was like these disciples,
you know and they were growing Something Jesus
had you know, there's other areas in our lives
that Jesus needs to needs to point out when you
read the scriptures or something like that Yeah,
we don't we don't want to waste our time But
we want to have a heart of service You know,
that's That's what he's looking at. He looks
at the heart. He knows, he knows our hearts.
I think I'm kind of like the disciples at the
well, you know, I have to go eat. Yeah. You know?
Yeah. Where it takes that real maturity. Yeah.
To, to battle the flesh. Yeah. Beat your flesh
and style for that woman at the well. Yeah. It
just comes through a lot of maturity. All that
was, all that was teaching. And that's what we're
learning as we read these stories. And as we
put them into practice every day. And Jesus wasn't
a doormat. Many times he'd present the gospel
and if somebody didn't like the rich young ruler.
Time to go. He turned around and walked off.
There was a hack about it, but he knew there
was no response there. He said he was very sad
about it. It doesn't beat a dead horse, so to
speak. You know, if it's not there, it's not
there. He presents it, and then he moves along.
That's right. And that's the way with us. We're
to build relationships, you know, like we're
building relationships with our neighbors, especially
this one back here, Pauline and Josh, and the
kids. And we're working on that. You've got to
work on that. Even sometimes if it's rejected,
you know, you just... She told us she didn't
want to have anything to do with the gospel or
anything like that. Didn't want anything to do
with church. Okay, we can live with that. Let's
just be friends. And now we see, after two years,
we see a softening. You don't have to push the
gospel down. You just have to be the example.
And that's what God... It's cool to see them
at priority. That's what God wants us to be the
example. He wants us to be a living testimony.
And that's what we do. Not for our own glory,
right? Because we can very easily say, okay,
they don't want it. Let's move on. Nice. We've
got a heart for people, especially people that
is right around us. So, Jesus looks at the heart.
I think that's what this whole thing is, the
humility. Not being uppity -up, oh, I'm better
than you, you know. Anyhow. Yes, Heavenly Father,
what a bonanza of a weekend. I'm just so thankful.
I know everybody here is just so thankful for
the fellowship, the people that we're trying
to connect, trying to bring to you. I've often
heard her say it, but I'll say it now. I can't
recall where it was, but God wants us to bring
the heart to Him, and then we're to let God do
the work. We're not there to try to push what
we think a person should be doing. I just get
on my knees and thank you for all this wonderful
fellowship, connection, good preaching, good
preaching this morning. That is joy. I've had
a lot of joy speaking. I just thank you for that.
I think so many times people miss the little
snippets of joy that if they had their eyes open
and maybe did some more study in the scripture
or whatever, they would recognize that you're
just, you're bountiful with your joy. Just thank
you so much. Thank you for the learning. I had
a woman that I... We did an AB class together.
She had four or five people in Charlotte and
she talked about the scholarship of the study.
There's a lot of scholarship here. I'm so appreciative
of the hard work that people put in and then
they're willing to give to us. So I just praise
you for that. And again, we just ask for guidance,
ask for safety, and ask to do your will. And
we ask this in Christ's name on that. Amen. Thank
you.