WEBVTT 00:00:04.940 --> 00:00:07.519 These are some of my old favorites right here. 00:00:09.179 --> 00:00:16.800 Are you ready to leave this world? I don't even 00:00:16.800 --> 00:00:18.519 know if some of you would go this morning if 00:00:18.519 --> 00:00:20.359 the Lord showed up. You'd say, can we go tomorrow? 00:00:25.280 --> 00:00:30.920 Have you got Luke? Let me get this off of me 00:00:30.920 --> 00:00:37.079 and we'll go eat barbecue. Amen. Y 'all pray 00:00:37.079 --> 00:00:41.039 for your pastor. He needs prayer this morning. 00:00:42.719 --> 00:00:52.719 The rain sets lethargy on humanity. It's called 00:00:52.719 --> 00:00:57.399 the dropsies. And you got a bad case of it this 00:00:57.399 --> 00:01:08.370 morning. Okay. I'm going to try to get to number 00:01:08.370 --> 00:01:12.709 12. Y 'all believe me? Let's go. Luke 18, verse 00:01:12.709 --> 00:01:20.450 31. Then he took unto him the 12, and he said 00:01:20.450 --> 00:01:25.290 unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and 00:01:25.290 --> 00:01:28.109 all things that are written by the prophets concerning 00:01:28.109 --> 00:01:32.739 the Son of Man shall be accomplished. For he 00:01:32.739 --> 00:01:35.280 shall be delivered unto the Gentiles and shall 00:01:35.280 --> 00:01:39.819 be mocked and spitefully entreated and spitted 00:01:39.819 --> 00:01:45.140 on. And they shall scourge him and put him to 00:01:45.140 --> 00:01:49.640 death. And the third day he shall rise again. 00:01:52.359 --> 00:01:57.299 And they understood none of these things. And 00:01:57.299 --> 00:02:00.719 this saying was hid from them. Neither knew they 00:02:00.719 --> 00:02:07.480 the things which were spoken. Just a simple thought 00:02:07.480 --> 00:02:12.139 this morning. The countdown begins. The countdown 00:02:12.139 --> 00:02:15.819 begins. Father, I love you. Now, thank you, Lord. 00:02:15.879 --> 00:02:19.460 I need your help. Lord, only you know how much 00:02:19.460 --> 00:02:23.659 of your help I need this morning. So move and 00:02:23.659 --> 00:02:29.289 touch today, Father God. Use us. Lord, help me 00:02:29.289 --> 00:02:32.729 stay out of the way. Help my flesh remain at 00:02:32.729 --> 00:02:37.409 bay. And you be glorified today. And the body 00:02:37.409 --> 00:02:41.590 be edified this morning. For you are great and 00:02:41.590 --> 00:02:46.210 greatly to be praised. In Jesus' name, the church 00:02:46.210 --> 00:02:48.849 says, amen. Tell your neighbor the countdown 00:02:48.849 --> 00:03:00.550 has begun. The terms... Used in the church world 00:03:00.550 --> 00:03:04.490 and Christianity to describe and illustrate the 00:03:04.490 --> 00:03:12.509 life of Christians. We saw last week those terms 00:03:12.509 --> 00:03:21.229 are ministry and mission. These two help us define 00:03:21.229 --> 00:03:26.650 what I see ultimately is going to be the purpose 00:03:26.650 --> 00:03:34.270 of Christ. The phrase we used was to reach up 00:03:34.270 --> 00:03:40.150 as we extend our limits in worship. We reach 00:03:40.150 --> 00:03:44.650 inwardly as we extend our limits in service. 00:03:45.650 --> 00:03:51.009 We reach outwardly as we extend our limits in 00:03:51.009 --> 00:03:54.610 witness. We put ourselves out. We stretch. We 00:03:54.610 --> 00:03:57.409 go beyond the current barriers that we have placed 00:03:57.409 --> 00:04:01.199 upon ourselves. We remove barriers that the enemy 00:04:01.199 --> 00:04:06.379 places before us in order to serve, worship, 00:04:06.580 --> 00:04:10.360 and to witness. And for the body of Christ, that 00:04:10.360 --> 00:04:14.780 falls to us. These are not necessarily spirit 00:04:14.780 --> 00:04:20.279 -inspired, but they are self -disciplined. We 00:04:20.279 --> 00:04:22.879 should not have to be spiritually inspired by 00:04:22.879 --> 00:04:26.040 the Holy Ghost to worship a God who has redeemed 00:04:26.040 --> 00:04:29.050 our soul. It should be automatic in our life. 00:04:29.189 --> 00:04:32.970 Amen? It should be automatic. We should not have 00:04:32.970 --> 00:04:36.129 to feel the goose bump of the Spirit, those cold 00:04:36.129 --> 00:04:39.529 chills to rise up in order for us to lift our 00:04:39.529 --> 00:04:42.029 voices and to put our hands together. But we 00:04:42.029 --> 00:04:44.790 should extend our limits in worship as we reach 00:04:44.790 --> 00:04:47.930 up and we stretch to reach higher heights and 00:04:47.930 --> 00:04:51.029 deeper depths in God's grace and God's glory. 00:04:51.560 --> 00:04:54.420 Same goes with our service. We should not have 00:04:54.420 --> 00:04:57.980 to be spirit -inspired to serve others, but we 00:04:57.980 --> 00:05:01.199 should be self -motivated to see and to identify 00:05:01.199 --> 00:05:04.240 and to witness needs that are around us. And 00:05:04.240 --> 00:05:06.519 in the scope and the parameter of our capabilities, 00:05:06.920 --> 00:05:10.600 we serve others. We shouldn't have to be spirit 00:05:10.600 --> 00:05:14.959 -inspired to serve because we have been redeemed 00:05:14.959 --> 00:05:18.199 by love divine. Service should be automatic. 00:05:18.300 --> 00:05:21.629 It should be... Just a correspondence of our 00:05:21.629 --> 00:05:25.089 everyday life. We should serve one another and 00:05:25.089 --> 00:05:28.649 serve others. So we go beyond the limits that 00:05:28.649 --> 00:05:30.949 we put upon ourselves and put ourselves, sometimes 00:05:30.949 --> 00:05:34.189 you have to put yourself into a vulnerable place 00:05:34.189 --> 00:05:37.750 in order to serve. Because everyone's not always 00:05:37.750 --> 00:05:43.050 grateful for your service. But we must put ourselves 00:05:43.050 --> 00:05:46.269 out there. We should not have to be spirit inspired. 00:05:48.040 --> 00:05:54.060 As much as spirit empowered to witness. Help 00:05:54.060 --> 00:05:58.240 is starting to show up now. We are spirit empowered, 00:05:58.459 --> 00:06:02.459 not necessarily spirit inspired. But we have 00:06:02.459 --> 00:06:05.800 been empowered according to Acts 1 and 8. Jesus 00:06:05.800 --> 00:06:08.560 said, and after that the Holy Ghost has come 00:06:08.560 --> 00:06:12.680 upon you. You shall, not probably, not maybe, 00:06:12.860 --> 00:06:16.279 but after the spirit comes on you, you shall 00:06:16.279 --> 00:06:19.300 be witnesses of me. And then we take that four 00:06:19.300 --> 00:06:22.680 -part regional witness and we take it from next 00:06:22.680 --> 00:06:25.839 door to around the world and around the globe. 00:06:26.000 --> 00:06:28.899 And that's what we're doing. Jerusalem, Judea, 00:06:28.920 --> 00:06:31.860 Samaria, and the uttermost parts. It's Cleveland, 00:06:32.000 --> 00:06:35.459 Bradley County, Tennessee, the United States 00:06:35.459 --> 00:06:38.899 of America, and then globally. We take it around 00:06:38.899 --> 00:06:42.180 the world. But until we begin next door, we'll 00:06:42.180 --> 00:06:45.519 never go around the world. So we don't have to 00:06:45.519 --> 00:06:48.879 be spirit -inspired. as much as we need be Spirit 00:06:48.879 --> 00:06:51.560 -empowered. Because if we are Spirit -empowered, 00:06:51.699 --> 00:06:55.360 then witness is what automatically comes from 00:06:55.360 --> 00:06:58.439 our life. We are automatically going to witness. 00:06:58.519 --> 00:07:00.920 If you love the Lord enough, you won't be around 00:07:00.920 --> 00:07:04.800 anyone long until you're telling how good God 00:07:04.800 --> 00:07:08.800 really is. Amen? You can't get around a stranger 00:07:08.800 --> 00:07:10.759 long without something beginning to bubble up. 00:07:10.839 --> 00:07:13.480 Why? Because you're Spirit -empowered, not inspired. 00:07:13.720 --> 00:07:16.120 You're empowered. You're empowered because the 00:07:16.120 --> 00:07:18.110 Holy Spirit Holy Ghost has set it upon you. And 00:07:18.110 --> 00:07:20.529 when he sets it upon you, you are empowered to 00:07:20.529 --> 00:07:23.589 declare the good news of Jesus Christ. And it 00:07:23.589 --> 00:07:26.269 empowers you to go the next step and to serve 00:07:26.269 --> 00:07:29.250 others. It empowers you to want to worship in 00:07:29.250 --> 00:07:31.990 greater levels, in greater detail, to know who 00:07:31.990 --> 00:07:36.589 God is. So our text this morning marks the beginning 00:07:36.589 --> 00:07:39.930 of what some would call the end. This is the 00:07:39.930 --> 00:07:43.949 last three, four weeks of Christ's life here 00:07:43.949 --> 00:07:47.779 on earth. It begins to share, and I believe it 00:07:47.779 --> 00:07:51.839 actually just... just brings to a nice, sweet 00:07:51.839 --> 00:07:55.339 conclusion of the entire three and a half years 00:07:55.339 --> 00:07:57.939 of his ministry. It all comes down in this last 00:07:57.939 --> 00:08:01.339 month of his life. And as it marks what I said, 00:08:01.360 --> 00:08:04.980 as some would call the end, because of what he 00:08:04.980 --> 00:08:07.860 declares, it is finished. And some say, well, 00:08:07.879 --> 00:08:10.839 it was over and that was the end. No, I declare 00:08:10.839 --> 00:08:13.759 this to you today, that this only marks the end 00:08:13.759 --> 00:08:16.579 of the beginning. Hallelujah. It marks the end 00:08:16.579 --> 00:08:19.839 of the beginning of eternity. It marks the end 00:08:19.839 --> 00:08:22.680 of the purpose of Christ's coming to begin with. 00:08:22.759 --> 00:08:26.259 It marks the end and gives a declaration of who 00:08:26.259 --> 00:08:29.180 Jesus Christ ultimately is. When we begin to 00:08:29.180 --> 00:08:32.039 think about the earthly life of Christ, it is 00:08:32.039 --> 00:08:34.980 the expression of the love of the heavenly Father 00:08:34.980 --> 00:08:38.960 and what he has and what he desires toward all 00:08:38.960 --> 00:08:42.879 of his creation, but especially humanity. Why? 00:08:43.000 --> 00:08:45.700 Because we are made in his likeness. We are created 00:08:45.700 --> 00:08:49.009 in his image. Hallelujah. The reason that Christ 00:08:49.009 --> 00:08:52.470 has come is that that be the fulfillment of his 00:08:52.470 --> 00:08:55.830 destiny for you and I. That Christ come and that 00:08:55.830 --> 00:08:59.110 humanity be redeemed. You must remember that 00:08:59.110 --> 00:09:02.169 in the garden God created us that we would live 00:09:02.169 --> 00:09:05.210 forever. You understand that's the reason it's 00:09:05.210 --> 00:09:08.350 so tough for the body to die because it wasn't 00:09:08.350 --> 00:09:11.970 created to die. It was created to live. The curse 00:09:11.970 --> 00:09:15.029 of sin brings death. Oh, but the gift of God 00:09:15.029 --> 00:09:18.809 is eternal life. We were created. to live. Hallelujah. 00:09:19.210 --> 00:09:21.250 And how many times have you heard one say, well, 00:09:21.330 --> 00:09:23.289 I don't know why they're hanging on, but they 00:09:23.289 --> 00:09:25.470 take a breath and the heart continues to beat. 00:09:25.549 --> 00:09:29.049 Why? Because the original design of the body 00:09:29.049 --> 00:09:33.110 was to live and to not die. It was sin, the curse 00:09:33.110 --> 00:09:36.070 of sin that brought death upon humanity. It was 00:09:36.070 --> 00:09:38.789 no wonder that Methuselah lived to be over 900 00:09:38.789 --> 00:09:40.889 and something years old. It took a long time 00:09:40.889 --> 00:09:44.610 for sin's diseases to begin to run rampant and 00:09:44.610 --> 00:09:48.179 life was a whole lot longer then. even in death. 00:09:48.279 --> 00:09:51.720 Think about that. They lived for centuries in 00:09:51.720 --> 00:09:54.899 the age of humanity. Why? Because a body was 00:09:54.899 --> 00:09:58.059 created to live, and the love of the Father is 00:09:58.059 --> 00:10:00.980 expressed in the giving of his Son, Jesus Christ, 00:10:01.100 --> 00:10:04.000 through his death and through his life and through 00:10:04.000 --> 00:10:07.620 him living again. Hallelujah. It brings hope 00:10:07.620 --> 00:10:10.799 for humanity. It brings help for humanity and 00:10:10.799 --> 00:10:13.360 for our current life crisis, and it gives us 00:10:13.360 --> 00:10:17.019 a great expectation for eternity. Hallelujah. 00:10:17.019 --> 00:10:20.059 I've got a great expectation toward eternity. 00:10:20.399 --> 00:10:22.600 I don't know how you look. I don't know how you 00:10:22.600 --> 00:10:25.419 think about it. But my mind is starting to look 00:10:25.419 --> 00:10:28.679 toward heaven more and more and more and more 00:10:28.679 --> 00:10:32.100 every day. I want to see him. I want to look 00:10:32.100 --> 00:10:35.159 upon his face. I want to be there to sing forever 00:10:35.159 --> 00:10:38.500 of his wonderful, amazing grace. I'm longing 00:10:38.500 --> 00:10:41.059 for heaven and the hope that I have in eternity. 00:10:41.360 --> 00:10:44.159 I know of his good grace on earth, but the hope 00:10:44.159 --> 00:10:48.480 that I have. For eternity. And the father sent 00:10:48.480 --> 00:10:52.960 his son. The direct expression of his love for 00:10:52.960 --> 00:10:58.879 us. That we may know. In free pardon of sin. 00:11:00.779 --> 00:11:03.919 Relationship with our heavenly father. And when 00:11:03.919 --> 00:11:06.580 we think about these things. It causes my heart 00:11:06.580 --> 00:11:10.200 to go. Understand that no other life and no other 00:11:10.200 --> 00:11:13.559 death has impacted humanity in a greater level 00:11:13.559 --> 00:11:16.500 than that of Jesus Christ. You do understand 00:11:16.500 --> 00:11:19.899 that time is separated by his living and dying? 00:11:20.350 --> 00:11:23.289 But can I tell you that time will be culminated 00:11:23.289 --> 00:11:28.269 one more time with his return. Hallelujah, hallelujah, 00:11:28.269 --> 00:11:31.230 hallelujah. And we'll get to know him in his 00:11:31.230 --> 00:11:34.769 eternal being of who he is. We'll get to behold 00:11:34.769 --> 00:11:38.889 him in his eternal glory as divine God. Hallelujah. 00:11:39.110 --> 00:11:42.029 We'll get to see him and acknowledge him and 00:11:42.029 --> 00:11:48.669 realize him. And as this countdown begins. The 00:11:48.669 --> 00:11:52.429 humbleness of his beginning. John would put it 00:11:52.429 --> 00:11:54.009 this way. In the beginning was the Word. The 00:11:54.009 --> 00:11:57.149 Word was God. The Word was with God. The same 00:11:57.149 --> 00:11:58.929 was in the beginning with God. And all these 00:11:58.929 --> 00:12:02.070 things were made by him. and without him was 00:12:02.070 --> 00:12:05.629 not anything made that was made. In him was life, 00:12:05.870 --> 00:12:08.450 and the life was the light of men, and the light 00:12:08.450 --> 00:12:11.230 shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehended 00:12:11.230 --> 00:12:14.830 it not. In verse 14, and the word became flesh 00:12:14.830 --> 00:12:18.049 and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, 00:12:18.230 --> 00:12:21.149 the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, 00:12:21.289 --> 00:12:26.029 full of grace and truth. Paul, the apostle born 00:12:26.029 --> 00:12:28.649 out of time in another season, declares to the 00:12:28.649 --> 00:12:31.750 church at Colossae, chapter 1 and verse 16, for 00:12:31.750 --> 00:12:34.549 by him were all things created that are in heaven 00:12:34.549 --> 00:12:36.549 and that are in earth, visible and invisible, 00:12:36.710 --> 00:12:39.210 whether they be thrones or dominions, principalities, 00:12:39.350 --> 00:12:42.690 powers, all things were created by him and for 00:12:42.690 --> 00:12:47.169 him, and he is before all things, and by him 00:12:47.169 --> 00:12:55.720 all things consist. The countdown begins. The 00:12:55.720 --> 00:12:59.440 countdown for eternity and eternity's hope for 00:12:59.440 --> 00:13:06.519 humanity has begun. Four weeks out of Calvary's 00:13:06.519 --> 00:13:10.220 sight. Four weeks away. We understand as Jesus 00:13:10.220 --> 00:13:14.179 prayed in John 17, 24, Father, I will that they 00:13:14.179 --> 00:13:16.759 also whom thou hast given me be with me where 00:13:16.759 --> 00:13:20.059 I am, that they may behold my glory which thou 00:13:20.059 --> 00:13:23.320 hast given me. For thou lovest me before the 00:13:23.320 --> 00:13:28.809 foundation. Of the world. The countdown begun 00:13:28.809 --> 00:13:37.350 before time began. So how can it be the end when 00:13:37.350 --> 00:13:40.600 we're simply in the middle? How could it be the 00:13:40.600 --> 00:13:44.059 end, his crucifixion be the end of all when it's 00:13:44.059 --> 00:13:47.539 yet but the time that it breaks? Hallelujah. 00:13:47.799 --> 00:13:52.019 It breaks from glory to earth, the short hyphen 00:13:52.019 --> 00:13:56.220 of 33 1⁄2 years to build and span the gap between 00:13:56.220 --> 00:13:59.600 eternity's existence from before the world began 00:13:59.600 --> 00:14:03.779 to after the earth is again renewed and remade 00:14:03.779 --> 00:14:06.919 and consumed with fire and a heavenly throne 00:14:06.919 --> 00:14:10.139 set up and a city come down. Hallelujah. And 00:14:10.139 --> 00:14:13.799 God again sits upon the throne of the earth. 00:14:13.879 --> 00:14:17.720 It's just simply 33 and a half years of the hyphen 00:14:17.720 --> 00:14:20.799 of time in the span of eternity when the Son 00:14:20.799 --> 00:14:23.940 of God, the incarnate one, who walked upon the 00:14:23.940 --> 00:14:28.759 face of his creation. Walked upon the face of 00:14:28.759 --> 00:14:32.340 his creation. It's merely the hyphen of eternity's 00:14:32.340 --> 00:14:44.029 time span. Well. The church at Galatia, Paul 00:14:44.029 --> 00:14:47.549 wrote, when the fullness of time was come, God 00:14:47.549 --> 00:14:52.090 sent forth his son, made of a woman, under the 00:14:52.090 --> 00:14:56.269 law to redeem them that were under the law that 00:14:56.269 --> 00:15:02.629 we might receive the adoption of sons. Such an 00:15:02.629 --> 00:15:06.730 humble beginning. Bethlehem's declaration, the 00:15:06.730 --> 00:15:10.120 angel would declare. Fear not for behold I bring 00:15:10.120 --> 00:15:12.840 you good tidings of great joy which shall be 00:15:12.840 --> 00:15:16.419 to all people for unto you is born this day in 00:15:16.419 --> 00:15:20.240 the city of David a Savior which is Christ the 00:15:20.240 --> 00:15:25.559 Lord. Humble beginning. Luke 2, 41 and 52. The 00:15:25.559 --> 00:15:28.200 only enlightenment of Christ's childhood. We 00:15:28.200 --> 00:15:30.639 see that wonderful encounter after they have 00:15:30.639 --> 00:15:33.600 come to the city for sacrifice and worship. And 00:15:33.600 --> 00:15:35.960 Mary and Joseph are leaving and Jesus is not 00:15:35.960 --> 00:15:38.840 with them. And they are gone and they come back 00:15:38.840 --> 00:15:42.620 three days later. Hallelujah. And they find him 00:15:42.620 --> 00:15:45.240 teaching in the temple. We don't have time to 00:15:45.240 --> 00:15:47.600 get on three days, do we? We're going to get 00:15:47.600 --> 00:15:50.639 on that here in two weeks. We'll talk about some 00:15:50.639 --> 00:15:53.860 three days. Amen. But it was there they found 00:15:53.860 --> 00:15:56.500 him teaching in the temple. We see the inside 00:15:56.500 --> 00:16:00.179 that he knew that he must be about his heavenly 00:16:00.179 --> 00:16:03.799 father's business. Amen. Mama, you know I've 00:16:03.799 --> 00:16:06.860 got to get about the business. At 12 years old. 00:16:06.980 --> 00:16:09.779 Hallelujah. You've got to remember at 12 earth 00:16:09.779 --> 00:16:12.580 years he was still millennia old. Hallelujah. 00:16:12.860 --> 00:16:16.679 Amen. Eons of time. He had already been before. 00:16:16.779 --> 00:16:20.539 Abraham was. Jesus was. Amen. Are you hearing 00:16:20.539 --> 00:16:23.950 me? from the foundation before even all things 00:16:23.950 --> 00:16:27.269 existed. Christ was, and yet now in the span 00:16:27.269 --> 00:16:30.570 of his incarnation and his fleshly walk upon 00:16:30.570 --> 00:16:33.210 the face of this earth, he knew he must be about 00:16:33.210 --> 00:16:36.230 the Father's business. Can I tell you, he came 00:16:36.230 --> 00:16:38.789 on a mission, and his mission was to fulfill 00:16:38.789 --> 00:16:41.570 his ministry, and his mission and his ministry 00:16:41.570 --> 00:16:45.649 was his purpose. My God, he was born to die, 00:16:45.769 --> 00:16:49.629 but yet to live. He was born to die, but yet 00:16:49.629 --> 00:17:02.649 to live. His ministry, his mission was all about 00:17:02.649 --> 00:17:06.809 his purpose. His mission and ministry statements 00:17:06.809 --> 00:17:08.869 found in Luke's gospel in the fourth chapter. 00:17:11.170 --> 00:17:13.309 I mentioned it to you last week. The Spirit of 00:17:13.309 --> 00:17:14.930 the Lord is upon me. He's anointed me to preach 00:17:14.930 --> 00:17:21.579 the gospel to the poor. Right? And then how all 00:17:21.579 --> 00:17:24.539 that transpires on through the poor, the sick, 00:17:24.640 --> 00:17:28.019 the halt, the lame, the brokenhearted, the bruised, 00:17:28.019 --> 00:17:34.380 the imprisoned. That's his mission. Amen. And 00:17:34.380 --> 00:17:39.460 his purpose, his purpose was found. His purpose 00:17:39.460 --> 00:17:44.700 is found in that he came not to heal the well, 00:17:44.859 --> 00:17:49.980 but the sick. His purpose is found in this statement. 00:17:50.019 --> 00:17:52.859 It said that the sick are those who are in need 00:17:52.859 --> 00:17:56.119 of a position, not the well. He said, I've come 00:17:56.119 --> 00:17:59.579 to seek and to save that which is lost, for the 00:17:59.579 --> 00:18:03.039 righteous has no need of repentance. And I've 00:18:03.039 --> 00:18:06.819 come to declare myself to the lost and undone, 00:18:06.819 --> 00:18:10.779 for they need repentance. My purpose is to fulfill 00:18:10.779 --> 00:18:13.599 in our text today. That's what he told his disciples 00:18:13.599 --> 00:18:16.039 as he pulled them aside again. He said, listen, 00:18:16.119 --> 00:18:19.140 it's time now. We're just a few weeks away. The 00:18:19.140 --> 00:18:22.799 final countdown has begun. The countdown of my 00:18:22.799 --> 00:18:25.839 earthly life that will escort us into the hope 00:18:25.839 --> 00:18:29.299 of eternity. This is coming to an end. And I'm 00:18:29.299 --> 00:18:31.220 telling you what's going to happen. They're going 00:18:31.220 --> 00:18:33.619 to take me. They're going to spit on me. They're 00:18:33.619 --> 00:18:35.960 going to abuse me. They're going to rail on me. 00:18:36.019 --> 00:18:38.440 And then they're going to kill me. But it's okay, 00:18:38.599 --> 00:18:41.500 brethren. I'm going to rise again. Hallelujah. 00:18:41.900 --> 00:18:44.660 Oh, don't you just love it how he gave them hope? 00:18:44.839 --> 00:18:46.960 It's not the first time he declared. that to 00:18:46.960 --> 00:18:49.500 them. If you remember the day they were strolling 00:18:49.500 --> 00:18:51.859 by the temple and he stopped and he looked at 00:18:51.859 --> 00:18:54.259 the great temple in Jerusalem. He said, hey, 00:18:54.319 --> 00:18:56.900 they're going to tear this down, but in three 00:18:56.900 --> 00:18:59.400 days I'm going to build it right back up again. 00:18:59.519 --> 00:19:01.880 Why? Because he's telling them something that 00:19:01.880 --> 00:19:08.369 they couldn't get a hold of. He is the all circumference 00:19:08.369 --> 00:19:10.950 of what the temple was meant to be. It was in 00:19:10.950 --> 00:19:13.410 him. Hallelujah. He said, they're going to tear 00:19:13.410 --> 00:19:16.549 it down. But in three days, I'm going to put 00:19:16.549 --> 00:19:19.269 her back together again. As Jonah was in the 00:19:19.269 --> 00:19:21.750 belly of the whale, three days and three nights. 00:19:21.990 --> 00:19:25.589 So must the Son of Man be in the heart of the 00:19:25.589 --> 00:19:31.990 earth. They didn't get it then. They're not getting 00:19:31.990 --> 00:19:38.029 it now. They had no clue. The reality. that they 00:19:38.029 --> 00:19:42.089 were walking the earth with the Son of God. They 00:19:42.089 --> 00:19:44.829 couldn't really grasp a hold of it until after 00:19:44.829 --> 00:19:48.869 that third day. Hallelujah. Actually, they were 00:19:48.869 --> 00:19:53.809 still, well, I'm getting ahead of myself. Two 00:19:53.809 --> 00:19:57.529 weeks, we'll get to three days. Trying to lay 00:19:57.529 --> 00:20:04.519 a little groundwork. I get excited. You'll have 00:20:04.519 --> 00:20:06.799 to pardon me when I get to talking about Jesus. 00:20:08.059 --> 00:20:10.079 I don't know about you, but I actually know what 00:20:10.079 --> 00:20:16.880 he's done for me. I have no clue what he redeemed 00:20:16.880 --> 00:20:19.859 you from, but I know what he redeemed me out 00:20:19.859 --> 00:20:22.700 of. I know what he washed out of my life. I know 00:20:22.700 --> 00:20:26.339 the sin that he cleansed me from, and I get excited. 00:20:27.019 --> 00:20:29.480 And when I begin to declare that the countdown 00:20:29.480 --> 00:20:31.880 has begun because, see, my mind's going, I'm 00:20:31.880 --> 00:20:36.079 so far past Calvary, it ain't even funny. We 00:20:36.079 --> 00:20:39.259 just have to stop and pause at Calvary for a 00:20:39.259 --> 00:20:41.119 little bit here in a couple weeks. We'll have 00:20:41.119 --> 00:20:44.539 to make a pause at Calvary. Lord, it's not a 00:20:44.539 --> 00:20:47.680 cross that I worship. Hallelujah. Oh, come on 00:20:47.680 --> 00:20:49.240 now. I'm going to get on a little pet peeve. 00:20:49.380 --> 00:20:51.700 Everybody wants a cross, but if you look, it's 00:20:51.700 --> 00:20:53.960 empty. And if you've got one with a crucifix 00:20:53.960 --> 00:20:56.440 and Jesus still on it, then you need to get you 00:20:56.440 --> 00:20:58.940 another one because the cross is empty. And if 00:20:58.940 --> 00:21:01.519 you wear around a tomb with a stone rolled away 00:21:01.519 --> 00:21:03.700 from it, you might as well get something else 00:21:03.700 --> 00:21:06.279 because he's not there either. He's risen from 00:21:06.279 --> 00:21:10.400 the grave. Hallelujah. And the best glimpse I 00:21:10.400 --> 00:21:14.019 get of a throne is what? Oh, Ezekiel sees his 00:21:14.019 --> 00:21:17.579 calling when he begins to see a will inside of 00:21:17.579 --> 00:21:20.519 a will. My Lord, and the color and the splendor 00:21:20.519 --> 00:21:23.119 and the glory of the throne of God that moves 00:21:23.119 --> 00:21:26.660 at the very whim of his thought process. Ezekiel 00:21:26.660 --> 00:21:30.079 sees the glory. My God, there's no way to put 00:21:30.079 --> 00:21:32.279 that in a pendant. There's no way to hang it 00:21:32.279 --> 00:21:55.440 on a chain. I love Jesus. How about you? I love 00:21:55.440 --> 00:22:01.480 him. The earthly countdown began. The last month 00:22:01.480 --> 00:22:08.000 of his life began with a clear declaration to 00:22:08.000 --> 00:22:11.859 his disciples. It's time for us to go to Jerusalem 00:22:11.859 --> 00:22:17.019 now. And here's what's going to happen when we 00:22:17.019 --> 00:22:22.839 get there. As the scripture declares, in the 00:22:22.839 --> 00:22:25.460 fullness of time, God sent his son to be born 00:22:25.460 --> 00:22:34.160 of a woman. It's also foretold of Calvary's conclusion. 00:22:36.440 --> 00:22:39.559 Isaiah 53 paints the picture of the suffering 00:22:39.559 --> 00:22:43.940 servant. But Isaiah 61 declares the mission, 00:22:44.140 --> 00:22:53.190 ministry, and the purpose. Isaiah says he's going 00:22:53.190 --> 00:22:57.910 to be beaten beyond recognition. Isaiah would 00:22:57.910 --> 00:23:01.109 declare that he will bear in himself the iniquities 00:23:01.109 --> 00:23:05.910 of the sin of humanity. He would be bruised. 00:23:07.589 --> 00:23:14.130 He will be beaten. He will be punished for the 00:23:14.130 --> 00:23:19.529 sins of humanity. And Christ declares, I've come 00:23:19.529 --> 00:23:28.809 for them folk. Not the well, the sick. Not the 00:23:28.809 --> 00:23:36.430 righteous, but the sinner. The sinner. Not those 00:23:36.430 --> 00:23:40.190 outside of relationship with our Father. Not 00:23:40.190 --> 00:23:44.089 within, but those without. Not those who are 00:23:44.089 --> 00:23:48.130 serving to the fullest of their ability, living 00:23:48.130 --> 00:23:52.130 out the law of Moses. If they're doing that and 00:23:52.130 --> 00:23:55.329 they're under the blood covering, that was all 00:23:55.329 --> 00:24:00.309 they were required to do. Hello? To live out 00:24:00.309 --> 00:24:04.130 the law of Moses and to remain under the blood 00:24:04.130 --> 00:24:10.190 covering year after year. To offer said sacrifice 00:24:10.190 --> 00:24:16.450 that was required for said condition. Go read 00:24:16.450 --> 00:24:19.630 the Levitical. The Levitical law, read the book 00:24:19.630 --> 00:24:21.890 of Leviticus, read Numbers and others, and you'll 00:24:21.890 --> 00:24:30.750 see the ramifications for sin's action. But Jesus 00:24:30.750 --> 00:24:40.849 said, I've come. Not to abolish, but to fulfill 00:24:40.849 --> 00:24:46.069 all of that. His declaration, I am the grain 00:24:46.069 --> 00:24:52.960 offering. Right? I am the fat offering. Right? 00:24:53.619 --> 00:24:59.680 I am the drink. I pour myself out. My blood will 00:24:59.680 --> 00:25:03.799 be poured out for you. I am all of the totality 00:25:03.799 --> 00:25:08.140 of the law. That is me. I am the Passover lamb. 00:25:08.940 --> 00:25:26.269 As well as I am the scapegoat. Hey! Escape goat 00:25:26.269 --> 00:25:29.470 sins were transferred onto the head of the goat 00:25:29.470 --> 00:25:32.069 and he was driven out of the city, driven out 00:25:32.069 --> 00:25:36.950 into the wayfarer and driven off a cliff. He 00:25:36.950 --> 00:25:42.650 became that for you and I. Thus the reason John 00:25:42.650 --> 00:25:44.750 the Baptist would declare in Jordan's chilly 00:25:44.750 --> 00:25:50.279 waters. Behold the Lamb of God which takes away 00:25:50.279 --> 00:25:55.480 the sins of the world. These last closing moments 00:25:55.480 --> 00:25:59.440 in our text between now, Luke 18 and the close. 00:26:03.539 --> 00:26:06.339 Until we see his blessing of Bethany and they 00:26:06.339 --> 00:26:09.500 go out and they go back to Jerusalem and make 00:26:09.500 --> 00:26:11.880 their way to the upper room. In the meantime, 00:26:12.400 --> 00:26:18.809 Bartimaeus is healed. So we see his mission, 00:26:18.970 --> 00:26:22.650 his ministry, and his purpose all in these last 00:26:22.650 --> 00:26:27.269 few closing weeks. He displays his power over 00:26:27.269 --> 00:26:34.369 the physical. He heals a blind man. Amen? He 00:26:34.369 --> 00:26:38.190 displays his authority over that which cannot 00:26:38.190 --> 00:26:41.970 be seen because as he heals Bartimaeus and he's 00:26:41.970 --> 00:26:45.079 making his way. Down the road there's a man by 00:26:45.079 --> 00:26:48.740 the name of Zacchaeus, chief among the publicans 00:26:48.740 --> 00:26:51.240 and the tax collectors and a very wealthy man. 00:26:51.640 --> 00:26:54.720 Heard Jesus was coming but was short of stature 00:26:54.720 --> 00:26:58.940 and that he might see him climbed up in a sycamore 00:26:58.940 --> 00:27:09.220 tree. For the Lord he wanted to see. We see the 00:27:09.220 --> 00:27:14.069 fulfillment. Of his purpose as he stops beneath 00:27:14.069 --> 00:27:18.549 the limb that Zacchaeus is on. And he says, Zacchaeus, 00:27:18.589 --> 00:27:22.109 come down from there, son. I'm going to your 00:27:22.109 --> 00:27:28.069 house today. Lord, do you know who I am? He knew 00:27:28.069 --> 00:27:34.049 from eternity's beginning that he would be stopping 00:27:34.049 --> 00:27:38.130 beneath a sycamore tree during the final countdown. 00:27:39.400 --> 00:27:42.359 And he would call a sinner down. He said, I'm 00:27:42.359 --> 00:27:45.819 going to your house. Why? Because salvation is 00:27:45.819 --> 00:27:53.160 coming home with you today. We see his purpose 00:27:53.160 --> 00:27:57.880 in these closing countdown moments. He gives 00:27:57.880 --> 00:28:06.259 the parable of the ten pounds. Talks about how 00:28:06.259 --> 00:28:11.500 much we are aware. Of how zealous he is for everyone. 00:28:14.940 --> 00:28:17.799 The man given the one pound that hid it in a 00:28:17.799 --> 00:28:21.839 napkin. Because he knew how strict the master 00:28:21.839 --> 00:28:26.119 was. Instead of taking it and making a deposit 00:28:26.119 --> 00:28:29.480 and earning interest. He just simply hid it. 00:28:30.700 --> 00:28:35.039 To which the master said. Well if you know how 00:28:35.039 --> 00:28:38.859 strict. I am, then you of all knew better than 00:28:38.859 --> 00:28:42.859 to just hold it. Take it from him and give it 00:28:42.859 --> 00:28:49.460 to the one who had the ten. There's the triumphal 00:28:49.460 --> 00:28:52.039 entry that we'll celebrate next week on Palm 00:28:52.039 --> 00:28:56.599 Sunday. All of these things coming in the final 00:28:56.599 --> 00:29:02.150 countdown moments. Being in fulfillment. The 00:29:02.150 --> 00:29:04.450 words of the prophets. That's what Jesus told 00:29:04.450 --> 00:29:06.190 them. He said, all the words of the prophets 00:29:06.190 --> 00:29:14.009 are about to be tied up with a bow. I'm going 00:29:14.009 --> 00:29:23.450 to ride in, as Zacharias said. I will have the 00:29:23.450 --> 00:29:29.230 colt on which no man had ever sat. The countdown. 00:29:30.920 --> 00:29:35.740 Has begun. We're beginning to make our way toward. 00:29:37.339 --> 00:29:42.380 The saddest but yet most joy filled day. For 00:29:42.380 --> 00:29:47.440 humanity. There's no sadder day than the day 00:29:47.440 --> 00:29:51.980 of Christ's death. But yet no day filled with 00:29:51.980 --> 00:30:01.160 more joy. Than the day he died. He despised the 00:30:01.160 --> 00:30:06.500 shame of a Roman cross. But for the joy that 00:30:06.500 --> 00:30:13.480 was set before him, he endured it. Why? So that 00:30:13.480 --> 00:30:19.059 you and I on a rainy Sunday in April in 2025 00:30:19.059 --> 00:30:25.440 could one more time rehearse the final countdown. 00:30:27.319 --> 00:30:30.980 So that we understand. His mission statement 00:30:30.980 --> 00:30:35.400 and ministry statement of Luke 4, 18. To fully 00:30:35.400 --> 00:30:39.480 get a grasp on Luke 5 and his purpose statement 00:30:39.480 --> 00:30:46.880 as he come to heal the sick and to save the lost. 00:30:48.740 --> 00:30:56.779 All these things in the final countdown. The 00:30:56.779 --> 00:31:02.119 fullness of his ministry. Brought into the clothes 00:31:02.119 --> 00:31:06.720 of his earthly life. His ministry, his mission 00:31:06.720 --> 00:31:10.339 and purpose all lived out right to the very end. 00:31:11.579 --> 00:31:17.420 We see ministry on the cross. As he looks at 00:31:17.420 --> 00:31:22.220 a mother. And tells the disciple, take care of 00:31:22.220 --> 00:31:28.279 my mama, son. That's the water's parallel. Take 00:31:28.279 --> 00:31:39.049 care of my mama. Ministry. Compassion. Father, 00:31:39.089 --> 00:31:42.309 forgive them. They have no clue what they're 00:31:42.309 --> 00:31:49.390 really doing. Right? As he hangs his head. Stand 00:31:49.390 --> 00:31:59.849 with me this morning. Terry, you have our closing 00:31:59.849 --> 00:32:01.730 prayer today. Just begin to make your way on. 00:32:01.789 --> 00:32:09.079 Come on up there. I don't know how this morning 00:32:09.079 --> 00:32:14.119 to close. But Terry's going to lead us out with 00:32:14.119 --> 00:32:16.819 our corporate prayer. And there'll be a copy 00:32:16.819 --> 00:32:18.720 of it in the foyer for you to take home and pray 00:32:18.720 --> 00:32:26.059 this week. Other than to know this today. His 00:32:26.059 --> 00:32:31.900 ministry, his mission, and his purpose is you 00:32:31.900 --> 00:32:40.170 and I. All of it. You and I. Your being here. 00:32:40.210 --> 00:32:46.150 My being here. Was why he went to Calvary. Was 00:32:46.150 --> 00:32:55.009 why he came. And bore in a body. So that you 00:32:55.009 --> 00:33:04.380 and I may be redeemed. You. Me. And all the crazy 00:33:04.380 --> 00:33:09.920 stuff that we've done. Right? All the stupid 00:33:09.920 --> 00:33:19.940 things that I've committed. He didn't just have 00:33:19.940 --> 00:33:29.319 pity on me. He had compassion for me. And when 00:33:29.319 --> 00:33:32.920 I knelt and finally got it right, look. I love 00:33:32.920 --> 00:33:37.339 to tell you I got it right the first time. As 00:33:37.339 --> 00:33:43.200 you probably surmise, I didn't. I didn't get 00:33:43.200 --> 00:33:45.059 it right the second time. I didn't get it right 00:33:45.059 --> 00:33:50.240 the third time. I worked around that number of 00:33:50.240 --> 00:33:56.920 perfection, like seven. Probably actually the 00:33:56.920 --> 00:33:59.140 number of new beginnings, eight, before I actually 00:33:59.140 --> 00:34:02.740 got it. I've been baptized seven times. I take 00:34:02.740 --> 00:34:04.960 literally the word of God when he says, do your 00:34:04.960 --> 00:34:06.960 first works over. If you fail from your first 00:34:06.960 --> 00:34:09.099 love and you come back, do them first works over. 00:34:09.199 --> 00:34:15.739 I took that literally. Because in my heart of 00:34:15.739 --> 00:34:17.619 hearts, I knew if I'd have died in the condition 00:34:17.619 --> 00:34:19.739 that I was in, hell would have been my eternal 00:34:19.739 --> 00:34:23.059 abode. Didn't nobody have to try to tell me that? 00:34:23.119 --> 00:34:27.699 I knew. So I kept on, kept on, and he didn't 00:34:27.699 --> 00:34:33.250 give up on me. He knew a whole lot more than 00:34:33.250 --> 00:34:38.690 I did. Think about that. He saw in the expanse 00:34:38.690 --> 00:34:50.289 of time us here. He's a good God. So in that, 00:34:50.389 --> 00:34:52.710 he knows everything that has transpired up to 00:34:52.710 --> 00:34:56.090 this moment and all that will. He's sovereign. 00:34:58.530 --> 00:35:06.150 He's omniscient. omnipresent, omnipotent, all 00:35:06.150 --> 00:35:10.590 -seeing, knowing, and being all -powerful. If 00:35:10.590 --> 00:35:14.010 you have a special need this morning, just lift 00:35:14.010 --> 00:35:16.349 your hand up today. It doesn't matter if it's 00:35:16.349 --> 00:35:20.090 physical, financial, spiritual, emotional. Doesn't 00:35:20.090 --> 00:35:21.550 matter if it's family. Doesn't matter if it's 00:35:21.550 --> 00:35:23.949 a neighbor. Doesn't matter what it is. God knows. 00:35:25.190 --> 00:35:35.659 He knows. Father, Over this room filled with 00:35:35.659 --> 00:35:42.320 humanity this morning. It is my prayer. I pray. 00:35:43.559 --> 00:35:48.460 For each hand lifted, you know what they need. 00:35:50.280 --> 00:35:52.539 And your purpose was to come to fulfill that 00:35:52.539 --> 00:35:57.760 need. For the sick, you come to heal. We see 00:35:57.760 --> 00:35:59.659 this in the final countdown. You heal the blind 00:35:59.659 --> 00:36:04.639 man. You save a sinner. You fulfill Scripture. 00:36:05.840 --> 00:36:09.260 We'll continue the countdown next week as to 00:36:09.260 --> 00:36:14.280 see your life unfold and how powerful it is for 00:36:14.280 --> 00:36:17.920 us. Father, I thank you for hearing our prayer. 00:36:18.420 --> 00:36:23.639 And over every person in this room, heal, deliver, 00:36:24.039 --> 00:36:30.079 provide, set liberty, speak peace beyond their 00:36:30.079 --> 00:36:35.670 understanding. We will praise you for it. Now 00:36:35.670 --> 00:36:43.010 hear this prayer. I don't need to tell you another 00:36:43.010 --> 00:36:47.929 great sermon. The countdown begins. The focus 00:36:47.929 --> 00:36:55.110 of my prayer is holiness. Let us pray. Precious 00:36:55.110 --> 00:36:59.010 Heavenly Father, we bow humbly in your presence, 00:36:59.050 --> 00:37:04.559 giving you praise and honor and all glory. for 00:37:04.559 --> 00:37:07.659 bringing us out of darkness and into your marvelous 00:37:07.659 --> 00:37:11.659 light. We acknowledge there is none like you, 00:37:11.800 --> 00:37:16.559 and that not only are you omniscient, omnipotent, 00:37:16.559 --> 00:37:20.840 omnipresent, but you are holy, altogether holy, 00:37:21.099 --> 00:37:24.380 and that you are coming back for a holy church 00:37:24.380 --> 00:37:28.599 without spot or blemish, that throughout your 00:37:28.599 --> 00:37:31.960 holy word you have commanded us, your blood -bought 00:37:31.960 --> 00:37:35.630 church, to be holy, Nothing could be more clear 00:37:35.630 --> 00:37:39.309 to us in your word than be you holy for I am 00:37:39.309 --> 00:37:43.030 holy. And again, without holiness, no man shall 00:37:43.030 --> 00:37:46.949 see God. But now, oh God of heaven, we are troubled 00:37:46.949 --> 00:37:50.690 even as you're called to be holy church. The 00:37:50.690 --> 00:37:54.889 possibility that we might be grieving the Holy 00:37:54.889 --> 00:37:59.010 Spirit and failing to live up as we should to 00:37:59.010 --> 00:38:03.840 this high calling. Loving Lord, as your church, 00:38:04.039 --> 00:38:08.139 we repent and humbly pray that you would forgive 00:38:08.139 --> 00:38:11.980 us if in any way we have gravitated from this 00:38:11.980 --> 00:38:16.199 command, compromised your convictions, and allowed 00:38:16.199 --> 00:38:19.219 the spirit of this age to creep into our hearts. 00:38:19.579 --> 00:38:22.719 Our sincere prayer and cry of our hearts this 00:38:22.719 --> 00:38:25.840 morning is that you would search us as it were 00:38:25.840 --> 00:38:29.409 and examine our hearts. and that the Holy Spirit 00:38:29.409 --> 00:38:33.369 would reveal to us anything that might be lurking 00:38:33.369 --> 00:38:36.630 in us that's not holy and that's displeasing 00:38:36.630 --> 00:38:41.070 to our Lord. We pray that not only would you 00:38:41.070 --> 00:38:43.949 reveal those things to us, but that you would 00:38:43.949 --> 00:38:47.349 forgive us and deliver us and you would cleanse 00:38:47.349 --> 00:38:51.789 us. Lord, we invite you to examine every facet 00:38:51.789 --> 00:38:56.280 of our being, every area of our lives. That you 00:38:56.280 --> 00:38:59.119 purify our minds that in all things we might 00:38:59.119 --> 00:39:02.380 have the mind of Christ. Our wills that we'll 00:39:02.380 --> 00:39:05.539 seek to do your will. In all of our endeavors, 00:39:05.739 --> 00:39:08.280 our desires that it not be for the things of 00:39:08.280 --> 00:39:11.480 this world. Or anything that would pull us away 00:39:11.480 --> 00:39:15.440 from you. Our attitudes that they be godly and 00:39:15.440 --> 00:39:19.440 good attitudes that glorify you. That you sanctify 00:39:19.440 --> 00:39:23.139 our mouths. So that no corrupt communication 00:39:23.139 --> 00:39:26.570 would come out of our mouth. but words that edify 00:39:26.570 --> 00:39:29.949 and give grace to the hearer, that all bitterness 00:39:29.949 --> 00:39:32.909 and wrath and anger and evil speaking would be 00:39:32.909 --> 00:39:35.929 put away from us, and that unlike the world, 00:39:36.050 --> 00:39:39.570 we would be kind, tenderhearted, forgiving one 00:39:39.570 --> 00:39:43.650 another, even as you have forgiven us, that in 00:39:43.650 --> 00:39:47.030 a high -tech world where filth, vulgarity, immorality 00:39:47.030 --> 00:39:49.690 seeks to infiltrate our hearts, our homes, and 00:39:49.690 --> 00:39:53.059 even our church, that we would guard what we 00:39:53.059 --> 00:39:57.480 hear, shun the appearance of evil, and hold uncompromisingly 00:39:57.480 --> 00:40:01.940 to your command to be holy, for I am holy. Wonderful, 00:40:01.940 --> 00:40:05.559 precious, and holy God, we thank you for hearing 00:40:05.559 --> 00:40:09.219 our cry and answering our prayer. And that you 00:40:09.219 --> 00:40:12.340 not only command us to be holy, you have provided 00:40:12.340 --> 00:40:16.760 a way to be holy, that we are sanctified and 00:40:16.760 --> 00:40:19.860 made holy. by prayer, by the reading of your 00:40:19.860 --> 00:40:23.639 word, by the power of the Holy Spirit that dwells 00:40:23.639 --> 00:40:26.679 in us and enables us in an unholy world to live 00:40:26.679 --> 00:40:31.639 a godly, sanctified, and a holy life. This we 00:40:31.639 --> 00:40:35.780 pray. This prayer we pray in the name of your 00:40:35.780 --> 00:40:40.860 Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.