WEBVTT 00:00:04.559 --> 00:00:12.240 Take you through the fire again. You know what 00:00:12.240 --> 00:00:14.460 that literally means, don't you? That the last 00:00:14.460 --> 00:00:16.559 time you went through, you didn't get burned 00:00:16.559 --> 00:00:21.160 alive. Hallelujah. If you're going through again, 00:00:21.359 --> 00:00:24.280 it means you survived the last round. And he's 00:00:24.280 --> 00:00:27.320 not going to fail you in this round either. Amen. 00:00:28.579 --> 00:00:30.640 He's not going to forsake you. He's going to 00:00:30.640 --> 00:00:37.320 keep you. So just keep on keeping on. Amen. Give 00:00:37.320 --> 00:00:39.740 the Lord another praise for his ability to keep 00:00:39.740 --> 00:00:50.340 us. Well, hallelujah. If you have your Bibles 00:00:50.340 --> 00:00:52.920 this morning, be turning with me to 2 Timothy. 00:00:56.039 --> 00:01:03.130 Bit of a quandary this morning. I'm just depending 00:01:03.130 --> 00:01:05.189 on the Lord to straighten it out when we get 00:01:05.189 --> 00:01:15.689 there. Amen. I have two colliding thoughts this 00:01:15.689 --> 00:01:18.510 morning. I can't differentiate between the two, 00:01:18.709 --> 00:01:25.590 so we'll just see where it lands. Amen. God's 00:01:25.590 --> 00:01:36.290 faithful. 2 Timothy, the third chapter. I'm going 00:01:36.290 --> 00:01:42.349 to read verses 13 probably to 17 most likely. 00:01:45.670 --> 00:01:53.090 Paul writing to his son in the faith. Verse 13. 00:01:53.430 --> 00:01:55.890 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and 00:01:55.890 --> 00:02:00.790 worse, deceiving and being deceived. But continue 00:02:00.790 --> 00:02:03.950 thou in the things which thou hast learned and 00:02:03.950 --> 00:02:07.909 hast been assured of. Knowing of whom thou hast 00:02:07.909 --> 00:02:11.469 learned them. And that from a child thou hast 00:02:11.469 --> 00:02:16.449 known the holy scriptures. Which are able to 00:02:16.449 --> 00:02:20.030 make thee wise unto salvation through faith which 00:02:20.030 --> 00:02:24.689 is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by 00:02:24.689 --> 00:02:27.949 inspiration of God. And is profitable for doctrine, 00:02:28.009 --> 00:02:31.990 reproof, for correction, for instruction. In 00:02:31.990 --> 00:02:35.909 righteousness, that the man of God or the woman 00:02:35.909 --> 00:02:43.949 of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto 00:02:43.949 --> 00:02:47.430 all good works. With the help of the Lord, I'm 00:02:47.430 --> 00:02:51.509 going to attempt to preach on identity crisis 00:02:51.509 --> 00:02:57.349 this morning. Identity crisis. I desperately 00:02:57.349 --> 00:03:00.979 need your prayer as we need to hear what... Thus 00:03:00.979 --> 00:03:04.639 saith the Lord this morning. Amen. Father, I 00:03:04.639 --> 00:03:06.419 love you. I thank you for your goodness and your 00:03:06.419 --> 00:03:09.719 mercy and the abundance of your grace. I thank 00:03:09.719 --> 00:03:12.740 you for your presence that's in this atmosphere. 00:03:14.120 --> 00:03:18.139 And as one would say, may your sweet divine anointing 00:03:18.139 --> 00:03:22.699 permeate this house. I ask God that you would 00:03:22.699 --> 00:03:26.060 touch the ears of the hearers today. That they 00:03:26.060 --> 00:03:27.860 may hear what the Spirit of the Lord would say 00:03:27.860 --> 00:03:30.919 to the church. But Lord. I ask that you would 00:03:30.919 --> 00:03:34.379 touch the lip of the deliverer this morning. 00:03:35.439 --> 00:03:40.439 Lord, my heart is yielded. My mind is open. My 00:03:40.439 --> 00:03:44.840 spirit willing. Speak to us today. That when 00:03:44.840 --> 00:03:48.580 we leave this house, we will know that your spirit 00:03:48.580 --> 00:03:54.500 has stirred the depths of our soul. In Jesus' 00:03:54.599 --> 00:03:57.919 name, the church said, amen, amen. You can be 00:03:57.919 --> 00:04:07.129 seated. Identity crisis. We live in a day and 00:04:07.129 --> 00:04:14.490 time where labels, many labels are enlisted and 00:04:14.490 --> 00:04:24.209 demanded, prescribed. Once upon a time when you 00:04:24.209 --> 00:04:28.310 identified yourself as a Christian, today it's... 00:04:28.649 --> 00:04:33.790 Pronoun identification. But there was a time 00:04:33.790 --> 00:04:36.129 when you identified yourself as a Christian. 00:04:37.129 --> 00:04:42.069 Most people had a basic idea of what you meant 00:04:42.069 --> 00:04:50.389 by that. Some of the latest studies and information 00:04:50.389 --> 00:05:02.129 reveal. 2023, 67 .2 % of all Americans identified 00:05:02.129 --> 00:05:09.129 as Christian. But like many words, the word Christian 00:05:09.129 --> 00:05:15.870 has morphed and evolved in its definition. I 00:05:15.870 --> 00:05:19.569 can't say that that's a positive thing, because 00:05:19.569 --> 00:05:23.980 some things that evolve... go the opposite direction 00:05:23.980 --> 00:05:28.120 from the original intent. They become more diminished 00:05:28.120 --> 00:05:32.180 than they do edified. And I think in our world 00:05:32.180 --> 00:05:38.420 today that Christian is one of those words. But 00:05:38.420 --> 00:05:42.939 like had been put a few years ago, inquiring 00:05:42.939 --> 00:05:49.019 minds want to know, will the real Christian please 00:05:49.019 --> 00:05:55.500 stand up? The ambiguity in Christianity today 00:05:55.500 --> 00:06:00.560 and the identity of a Christian got to a point 00:06:00.560 --> 00:06:03.339 that in the 70s that the term born again had 00:06:03.339 --> 00:06:07.680 to be added. I'm a born again Christian. Why? 00:06:07.740 --> 00:06:10.259 Because too many Christians were living the same 00:06:10.259 --> 00:06:17.620 lifestyle as the world. So we had to add born 00:06:17.620 --> 00:06:26.980 again. Today, Christians have geopolitical labels 00:06:26.980 --> 00:06:35.180 such as the extreme right. Come on. Conservative. 00:06:37.180 --> 00:06:42.019 Even now, today, the term evangelical Christian 00:06:42.019 --> 00:06:53.110 is a geopolitical phrase. The faith of a true 00:06:53.110 --> 00:06:56.629 Christian as a mental illness. So who in their 00:06:56.629 --> 00:07:00.449 right mind could truly trust and believe something 00:07:00.449 --> 00:07:09.050 which they cannot see? Right? Tony Campalo tells 00:07:09.050 --> 00:07:13.269 a story and uses an illustration of a town similar 00:07:13.269 --> 00:07:16.290 to Whoville, but all of the residents in this 00:07:16.290 --> 00:07:22.120 little town are ducks. Every Sunday the ducks 00:07:22.120 --> 00:07:24.920 waddle out of their houses and waddle down Main 00:07:24.920 --> 00:07:29.860 Street to their little duck church. They waddle 00:07:29.860 --> 00:07:33.220 into the sanctuary and they squat in their proper 00:07:33.220 --> 00:07:37.399 pews. The duck choir waddles in and takes its 00:07:37.399 --> 00:07:41.060 place. And then the duck preacher comes forward 00:07:41.060 --> 00:07:45.540 and opens the duck Bible. And he reads to them, 00:07:45.879 --> 00:07:52.540 ducks, God has given you wings. With wings you 00:07:52.540 --> 00:07:55.319 can fly. With wings you can mount up and soar 00:07:55.319 --> 00:07:58.920 like the eagle. No walls can confine you. No 00:07:58.920 --> 00:08:01.959 fences can hold you. You have wings. God has 00:08:01.959 --> 00:08:04.980 given you wings and you can fly like other birds. 00:08:05.519 --> 00:08:11.540 And all the ducks shout, amen. And then they 00:08:11.540 --> 00:08:14.819 waddle out the door, waddle back down Main Street, 00:08:14.980 --> 00:08:20.449 or waddle back into their homes. Unfortunately, 00:08:20.490 --> 00:08:26.089 that's the way it is with many believers. We 00:08:26.089 --> 00:08:30.649 hear and we agree with what the Scripture has 00:08:30.649 --> 00:08:35.149 to say, but live beneath the privilege and the 00:08:35.149 --> 00:08:38.950 promise that it affords and forfeit the blessings 00:08:38.950 --> 00:08:50.550 which are provided through them by Christ. 67 00:08:50.550 --> 00:09:02.649 .2 % of 330 -something million Americans. That 00:09:02.649 --> 00:09:06.330 leaves 224 million in the count that identify 00:09:06.330 --> 00:09:10.090 as a Christian. But are they a duck Christian 00:09:10.090 --> 00:09:15.330 or what kind of Christian are they? There was 00:09:15.330 --> 00:09:18.409 a survey a few years ago co -sponsored by a leadership. 00:09:19.440 --> 00:09:22.899 The author, Helen Lee, and in this survey, she 00:09:22.899 --> 00:09:26.700 identified five different kinds of Christians. 00:09:26.960 --> 00:09:29.080 Now hold on, buckle your seatbelt, keep hands 00:09:29.080 --> 00:09:32.120 and feet in at all times until this ride comes 00:09:32.120 --> 00:09:38.919 to a complete stop. Understanding the disparity 00:09:38.919 --> 00:09:42.840 of those who call themselves Christian in America, 00:09:43.100 --> 00:09:48.620 an identification has been attempted. I don't 00:09:48.620 --> 00:09:51.299 know that this is exactly the way it is, but 00:09:51.299 --> 00:09:56.019 it kind of triggered my thought process in reading 00:09:56.019 --> 00:10:02.620 it. 19 % of the 67 % identify themselves as active 00:10:02.620 --> 00:10:07.379 Christians. An active Christian is identified 00:10:07.379 --> 00:10:11.460 as a person who believes salvation comes through 00:10:11.460 --> 00:10:14.720 Jesus Christ. They are committed church goers. 00:10:15.259 --> 00:10:18.000 They are Bible readers. They accept leadership 00:10:18.000 --> 00:10:21.519 positions in their church. They invest in personal 00:10:21.519 --> 00:10:25.559 faith development through the church in discipleship. 00:10:25.600 --> 00:10:28.519 They invest in their giving and they are committed 00:10:28.519 --> 00:10:36.100 to the church. And they feel obligated to share 00:10:36.100 --> 00:10:43.740 their faith. And 79 % of the 19 % actually share 00:10:43.740 --> 00:10:50.460 their faith. The second identifier was a professing 00:10:50.460 --> 00:10:54.379 Christian. They believe salvation comes through 00:10:54.379 --> 00:10:58.340 20 % of that 67. Believe salvation comes through 00:10:58.340 --> 00:11:00.559 Jesus Christ, and they're focused on personal 00:11:00.559 --> 00:11:05.639 relationship with Jesus. They have similar beliefs 00:11:05.639 --> 00:11:08.720 as to the active Christian, but different actions. 00:11:09.879 --> 00:11:13.059 Less involved in church, both attending and serving. 00:11:13.799 --> 00:11:17.320 Less commitment to... Bible reading or sharing 00:11:17.320 --> 00:11:20.879 their faith. Which moves on down to the next 00:11:20.879 --> 00:11:23.980 category, which is 16%, which are liturgical 00:11:23.980 --> 00:11:27.480 Christians, which make up largely predominantly 00:11:27.480 --> 00:11:30.379 by the Catholic Church and the Lutheran Church 00:11:30.379 --> 00:11:32.700 and other churches that predominantly follow 00:11:32.700 --> 00:11:35.440 through the liturgical actions of the church. 00:11:36.559 --> 00:11:40.179 Regular churchgoers, high level of spiritual 00:11:40.179 --> 00:11:43.279 activity, mostly expressed by serving in church 00:11:43.279 --> 00:11:47.879 or the community. recognizes the authority of 00:11:47.879 --> 00:11:50.860 the church. Notice no identifier as Christ fully 00:11:50.860 --> 00:11:55.120 as Savior. The next category, 24%, represents 00:11:55.120 --> 00:12:02.940 what's labeled private Christians. It's the largest 00:12:02.940 --> 00:12:06.460 group. And in that group, it's the youngest segment. 00:12:06.879 --> 00:12:10.759 They believe in God and do good things. They 00:12:10.759 --> 00:12:16.629 own a Bible, but don't read it. Spiritual interests 00:12:16.629 --> 00:12:22.009 but not within church context. Only about a third 00:12:22.009 --> 00:12:25.370 attend church at all and almost none are in leadership 00:12:25.370 --> 00:12:30.870 in their local church. And then 21%, the last 00:12:30.870 --> 00:12:35.529 category that they had, was what was called and 00:12:35.529 --> 00:12:40.470 identified as a cultural Christian. Little outward 00:12:40.470 --> 00:12:46.440 religious behavior or attitudes. God aware, but 00:12:46.440 --> 00:12:51.419 little personal involvement with God. Do not 00:12:51.419 --> 00:12:56.720 view Jesus as essential to salvation. Affirm 00:12:56.720 --> 00:13:04.779 many ways to God. Favor universality in their 00:13:04.779 --> 00:13:09.779 theology. Which means God is love and everybody's 00:13:09.779 --> 00:13:15.129 going to get to heaven. I call it the buffet 00:13:15.129 --> 00:13:29.750 church. God is love, but he's also holy. God 00:13:29.750 --> 00:13:35.210 is love, but he's also righteous. God is love, 00:13:35.450 --> 00:13:40.250 but he's also very jealous. And that we have 00:13:40.250 --> 00:13:43.879 no other gods before him. And he loved this world 00:13:43.879 --> 00:13:46.399 that he gave his only begotten son not to be 00:13:46.399 --> 00:13:53.080 shunned, but to be accepted. And so just any 00:13:53.080 --> 00:13:56.639 old way is not going to cut it with God. Right? 00:13:59.080 --> 00:14:02.340 There is only one way. Anybody care to tell me 00:14:02.340 --> 00:14:08.019 the way? Thank you. Before any labels were put 00:14:08.019 --> 00:14:14.100 on, we were simply known as disciples. Before 00:14:14.100 --> 00:14:16.679 the labeling begins, and what a disciple is, 00:14:16.879 --> 00:14:19.120 this is very slow today, probably ain't going 00:14:19.120 --> 00:14:20.940 to have a whole lot to shout about. It's just 00:14:20.940 --> 00:14:26.460 eye -opening, very pastoral, and a reminder that 00:14:26.460 --> 00:14:30.279 the church needs today. Because the society and 00:14:30.279 --> 00:14:33.559 the world in which you and I are living are looking 00:14:33.559 --> 00:14:37.490 for the authentic. and the authenticity of what 00:14:37.490 --> 00:14:41.309 a true Christian is and what it means to be one. 00:14:41.490 --> 00:14:44.190 They're not interested in your cultural acceptance. 00:14:44.529 --> 00:14:47.889 They're not interested in your private interpretation. 00:14:48.610 --> 00:14:51.710 They want the real deal to stand before them. 00:14:52.029 --> 00:14:54.789 They want somebody, when the fire's heaved up 00:14:54.789 --> 00:14:57.129 around them, to be able to say, let me tell you 00:14:57.129 --> 00:14:59.789 how I came through my situation. Let me tell 00:14:59.789 --> 00:15:02.870 you how I'm standing before you today. It's by 00:15:02.870 --> 00:15:05.870 the precious blood of Jesus Christ. I am not 00:15:05.870 --> 00:15:08.450 ashamed of the God. The others are ashamed. It's 00:15:08.450 --> 00:15:10.909 not liturgical. It's not by the letter. It's 00:15:10.909 --> 00:15:13.509 not by the rite. It's not by the act. It's by 00:15:13.509 --> 00:15:17.350 faith that we are saved. Through grace, by faith, 00:15:17.370 --> 00:15:20.129 we are saved and we are redeemed. And a world 00:15:20.129 --> 00:15:22.179 that is stark and growing, growing darker every 00:15:22.179 --> 00:15:24.879 day at the dimming of the light needs of people 00:15:24.879 --> 00:15:27.720 who have the light of the glorious Christ living 00:15:27.720 --> 00:15:30.740 in them to arise and to stand and come to attention 00:15:30.740 --> 00:15:33.779 and get over the identity crisis of our culture 00:15:33.779 --> 00:15:37.200 and begin to declare Jesus is the way, the truth, 00:15:37.200 --> 00:15:39.799 and the life. No man coming to the Father but 00:15:39.799 --> 00:15:48.059 by him. Hallelujah. They need you. They need 00:15:48.059 --> 00:15:50.360 your faith. They need my faith. They need our 00:15:50.360 --> 00:15:53.340 witness as we're on the job, in the marketplace, 00:15:53.639 --> 00:15:56.500 at the ball field, wherever we have to find ourselves. 00:15:56.620 --> 00:15:59.279 That's the reason we have the command that as 00:15:59.279 --> 00:16:03.220 you are going into all of the world, make disciples, 00:16:03.220 --> 00:16:10.820 not Christians. Make disciples. Because it's 00:16:10.820 --> 00:16:13.419 obvious from the world's definition of what a 00:16:13.419 --> 00:16:16.179 Christian is, it can be anything, but a disciple 00:16:16.179 --> 00:16:22.240 can only be one thing. Well, hallelujah. I'm 00:16:22.240 --> 00:16:27.080 about to preach myself happy. A disciple means 00:16:27.080 --> 00:16:31.700 student or follower. Matthew 4, 19, Jesus said, 00:16:31.720 --> 00:16:33.440 follow me and I will make you fishers of men. 00:16:34.440 --> 00:16:38.279 Matthew 11, 29 is a learner described. Take my 00:16:38.279 --> 00:16:44.120 yoke upon you and learn of me. Acts 11, 26, we 00:16:44.120 --> 00:16:47.639 see the identifier as an imitator. And it came 00:16:47.639 --> 00:16:49.820 to pass that a whole year they assembled themselves 00:16:49.820 --> 00:16:52.419 with the church and taught much people. And the 00:16:52.419 --> 00:16:56.820 disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. 00:16:59.960 --> 00:17:03.580 My little grandson, Grayson, he's in preschool. 00:17:04.440 --> 00:17:07.039 He's a pretty sharp little fella. Not head, but 00:17:07.039 --> 00:17:11.359 he's a pretty sharp little fella. So at least 00:17:11.359 --> 00:17:13.500 three days a week, they call on their way to 00:17:13.500 --> 00:17:16.819 school and daycare every morning. About 8 .30, 00:17:16.920 --> 00:17:19.579 and we have a conversation when they're in the 00:17:19.579 --> 00:17:21.660 mood to talk. Some days they're not. They're 00:17:21.660 --> 00:17:26.640 just cross. But on one particular ride to school 00:17:26.640 --> 00:17:30.380 the day before, he had learned what compound 00:17:30.380 --> 00:17:36.900 words were. And man, he was loaded. Poppy, Poppy, 00:17:37.099 --> 00:17:40.480 you know what a compound word is? Well, I do, 00:17:40.559 --> 00:17:42.700 but you tell me what one is. And here he goes 00:17:42.700 --> 00:17:50.119 on compound words. I really blew his mind the 00:17:50.119 --> 00:17:55.900 other morning. I said, Grayson, I got you a three 00:17:55.900 --> 00:18:03.900 -word compound. Really? So. He goes in to the 00:18:03.900 --> 00:18:06.099 daycare. Mama takes him in. She comes back out 00:18:06.099 --> 00:18:07.339 and gets on the phone and says, well, you just 00:18:07.339 --> 00:18:10.039 made his day. First thing he did was hit the 00:18:10.039 --> 00:18:12.680 teacher up. I know a three -word compound, so 00:18:12.680 --> 00:18:17.059 it's on. Christian is a compound Greek word. 00:18:18.900 --> 00:18:23.339 The first is Christ. And that word means anointed. 00:18:24.779 --> 00:18:31.319 Right? It means anointed. That second little 00:18:31.319 --> 00:18:34.960 word carries power and connotation. And I had 00:18:34.960 --> 00:18:39.019 it and just lost it. I was thinking about the 00:18:39.019 --> 00:18:41.299 two words past it, and I just lost that same 00:18:41.299 --> 00:18:49.799 word. Oh, it means little ones. T -I -N. It means 00:18:49.799 --> 00:18:51.960 little ones. So when you put the two together, 00:18:52.039 --> 00:18:56.140 you've got an anointed little one. An anointed 00:18:56.140 --> 00:18:58.839 little one. A little one what? A little believer. 00:18:59.589 --> 00:19:02.869 You've got an anointed little disciple. You've 00:19:02.869 --> 00:19:06.589 got one who is following and trying to imitate 00:19:06.589 --> 00:19:11.390 the actions of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. You've 00:19:11.390 --> 00:19:14.430 got an anointed little person. That's you and 00:19:14.430 --> 00:19:17.470 me. We are anointed, and we are in no way in 00:19:17.470 --> 00:19:20.349 comparison to the enormity of who God and who 00:19:20.349 --> 00:19:22.750 his son Jesus Christ, our Lord, Redeemer, and 00:19:22.750 --> 00:19:26.190 Savior is. So we are little anointed ones, and 00:19:26.190 --> 00:19:29.049 we are walking forth as imitators. Can I tell 00:19:29.049 --> 00:19:31.809 you today, the world sees enough fake in their 00:19:31.809 --> 00:19:35.230 imitation. They need to see the authentic imitator 00:19:35.230 --> 00:19:38.049 of Jesus Christ. They need to see a follower 00:19:38.049 --> 00:19:41.130 and a learner, and not only that, but one who 00:19:41.130 --> 00:19:43.880 applies what they are learning. The one who applies 00:19:43.880 --> 00:19:46.839 and releases the anointing upon which they possess. 00:19:47.119 --> 00:19:49.200 And you and I have been given some authority. 00:19:49.420 --> 00:19:51.579 We've been given authority over some spiritual 00:19:51.579 --> 00:19:54.539 things in this world. But we can't exercise that 00:19:54.539 --> 00:19:57.319 authority if we are beneath the privilege and 00:19:57.319 --> 00:19:59.700 the promise. And we are not illuminating the 00:19:59.700 --> 00:20:02.319 light that is growing in us. But I think that 00:20:02.319 --> 00:20:04.599 may be the problem. It's the light that we are 00:20:04.599 --> 00:20:06.779 illuminating. It's not the light of Christ. But 00:20:06.779 --> 00:20:09.019 it is the light of this world. And it's time 00:20:09.019 --> 00:20:13.299 that there be a renewal and a refreshing. so 00:20:13.299 --> 00:20:16.259 that while we illuminate this dark world, that 00:20:16.259 --> 00:20:20.720 we are the authentic little anointed ones walking 00:20:20.720 --> 00:20:24.440 into a dark world who needs the power which you 00:20:24.440 --> 00:20:28.700 and I have been entrusted with. Your friends, 00:20:28.779 --> 00:20:32.759 your neighbors, your family, they need what you 00:20:32.759 --> 00:20:39.109 have. But are you a cultural? Are you a private? 00:20:39.230 --> 00:20:40.849 A lot of people say, well, I'm just real private 00:20:40.849 --> 00:20:43.009 about my faith. Well, that's not good enough. 00:20:43.049 --> 00:20:48.089 I'm sorry. Scripture says that the Bible is of 00:20:48.089 --> 00:20:51.450 no personal or private interpretation. You can't 00:20:51.450 --> 00:20:59.250 just get your own little revelation. How shall 00:20:59.250 --> 00:21:02.769 they hear without a preacher? Wasn't that the 00:21:02.769 --> 00:21:06.170 question that was posed? How shall they hear? 00:21:07.389 --> 00:21:09.430 Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word 00:21:09.430 --> 00:21:11.970 of God. And how shall they hear without a preacher? 00:21:12.509 --> 00:21:14.690 Well, I'm not a preacher. Oh, yes, you are. You 00:21:14.690 --> 00:21:17.710 may not be my type in this formality of a preacher, 00:21:17.809 --> 00:21:20.890 but yes, you are. You are an anointed little 00:21:20.890 --> 00:21:25.970 one. And everywhere Christ went, he went declaring 00:21:25.970 --> 00:21:28.849 who he was and the authority of the power. So 00:21:28.849 --> 00:21:31.710 that's what you and I, we do so in love and let 00:21:31.710 --> 00:21:35.009 the honey of the rock that lives within us flow 00:21:35.009 --> 00:21:37.569 out. And those who are thirsty and hurting and 00:21:37.569 --> 00:21:45.630 starving, who are simply thriving and surviving 00:21:45.630 --> 00:21:48.529 on the bitterness of this world. The bitterness 00:21:48.529 --> 00:21:50.750 that they have to take in every day. They need 00:21:50.750 --> 00:21:53.630 the sweetness of the love of Christ that's in 00:21:53.630 --> 00:21:58.670 you. Sometimes the honey in my comb comes from 00:21:58.670 --> 00:22:06.390 sour clover. I need to work on the honey in my 00:22:06.390 --> 00:22:11.289 comb. Hello? Where's some more of you sour clover 00:22:11.289 --> 00:22:14.349 people? You know you're not as sweet as what 00:22:14.349 --> 00:22:19.180 you're supposed to be. Hello? hateful, ornery. 00:22:22.079 --> 00:22:30.019 What time is it? I got a minute. Yesterday, I'm 00:22:30.019 --> 00:22:32.539 in line at the tractor supply, and it's taking 00:22:32.539 --> 00:22:36.700 a little while, and there's this older gentleman 00:22:36.700 --> 00:22:40.500 in front of me, and he's just carrying on the 00:22:40.500 --> 00:22:42.299 in -line conversation, because it's kind of slow, 00:22:42.500 --> 00:22:44.380 and it's backed up about halfway down the aisle, 00:22:44.500 --> 00:22:46.960 you know. I'm standing there with a little... 00:22:47.319 --> 00:22:51.279 A little sack of hummingbird feed, and he's got 00:22:51.279 --> 00:22:56.259 some stuff. There was a little altercation with 00:22:56.259 --> 00:23:00.220 the lady at the register, and the old fellow 00:23:00.220 --> 00:23:05.420 kind of just let his frustration out there just 00:23:05.420 --> 00:23:07.500 a little bit. He said something to her. She said 00:23:07.500 --> 00:23:09.940 something. He said, well, you better. Pardon 00:23:09.940 --> 00:23:13.420 me. This is the way I talk. This old gal stood 00:23:13.420 --> 00:23:21.250 up and said, I what? And she tried to find the 00:23:21.250 --> 00:23:25.950 sweet honey in her cone, you know. And before 00:23:25.950 --> 00:23:29.029 they go back and forth a little bit, it calmed 00:23:29.029 --> 00:23:32.609 down just a little bit. And the old fellow looked 00:23:32.609 --> 00:23:34.670 at her and said, well, as he's paying, he said, 00:23:34.730 --> 00:23:38.170 well, he said, I'm sorry if I offended you. And 00:23:38.170 --> 00:23:41.670 then she lied. She said, oh, you didn't. I said, 00:23:41.690 --> 00:23:43.849 you lie. I thought, if you liar, I'd have seen 00:23:43.849 --> 00:23:48.460 you cross up. You know, and the old man didn't 00:23:48.460 --> 00:23:51.660 let it go either. He said, well, he said, I think 00:23:51.660 --> 00:23:53.920 I did. He said, I seen you back up there just 00:23:53.920 --> 00:23:59.099 a little bit. Ah, Lord, I'm like, whoo, yeah. 00:23:59.779 --> 00:24:03.880 And that's how quick sour clover can come out. 00:24:04.839 --> 00:24:07.900 crossed up at the register to try to get out, 00:24:07.960 --> 00:24:09.960 you know. And I thought, my Lord, either she's 00:24:09.960 --> 00:24:11.779 having a bad day and he's just plum crossed, 00:24:11.980 --> 00:24:13.619 but here I am right in the middle of all this. 00:24:13.880 --> 00:24:16.180 Oh, Lord, I just told that lady, I said, have 00:24:16.180 --> 00:24:21.140 a great day. And he's gone out the door. This 00:24:21.140 --> 00:24:23.779 world needs to see, they need to see a little 00:24:23.779 --> 00:24:26.390 bit more, amen. But I think on the wrong day, 00:24:26.450 --> 00:24:27.849 I sat there and thought to myself, well, that 00:24:27.849 --> 00:24:31.470 would have been you on another particular day. 00:24:31.589 --> 00:24:35.069 I'd have had her backed up too. But we've got 00:24:35.069 --> 00:24:37.759 to be more mindful, don't we? We have to be more 00:24:37.759 --> 00:24:41.019 mindful of who we are and whose we are and whom 00:24:41.019 --> 00:24:44.519 we represent in a dark world because she may 00:24:44.519 --> 00:24:47.519 have needed the honey, not the sour clover. She 00:24:47.519 --> 00:24:49.500 may have needed a little grace. Oh, I'm sorry, 00:24:49.599 --> 00:24:52.119 you know. Well, he realized he offended her, 00:24:52.140 --> 00:24:54.000 and then when she lied to him, he just put on 00:24:54.000 --> 00:24:56.099 the gas, you know, and went right home because 00:24:56.099 --> 00:24:59.210 he knew what he had done. We, disciples, students, 00:24:59.289 --> 00:25:02.190 followers, learners, and we have to become what 00:25:02.190 --> 00:25:05.670 we are called. Christ called Jesus, labeled disciples 00:25:05.670 --> 00:25:08.430 everywhere he traveled. Disciple or disciple 00:25:08.430 --> 00:25:12.750 is used 295 times in the New Testament alone. 00:25:13.349 --> 00:25:16.650 Characteristics of a disciple do represent dynamic 00:25:16.650 --> 00:25:20.690 changes to one's life. The authenticity. Look, 00:25:20.869 --> 00:25:23.210 the worst of sinners know that you're not supposed 00:25:23.210 --> 00:25:28.480 to be like them. Hello. They know we're supposed 00:25:28.480 --> 00:25:30.200 to sound different. They know we're supposed 00:25:30.200 --> 00:25:32.440 to look different. They know we're supposed to 00:25:32.440 --> 00:25:35.400 talk different. Hello? And then when we don't 00:25:35.400 --> 00:25:37.480 and we have that bad day and we get somebody 00:25:37.480 --> 00:25:41.119 backed up in a corner because we've misspoken. 00:25:41.339 --> 00:25:45.359 I really think she just misunderstood what the 00:25:45.359 --> 00:25:47.680 old fellow was trying to say. It's just one of 00:25:47.680 --> 00:25:49.720 those things that gets all crossed up in a hurry. 00:25:49.920 --> 00:25:52.339 But we need to be quick to repent if we find 00:25:52.339 --> 00:25:54.960 ourselves and let the Spirit be willing to quicken 00:25:54.960 --> 00:25:57.490 us and to convict us real quick. And fall down. 00:25:57.609 --> 00:26:00.190 And I am so sorry. I should not have said that. 00:26:00.390 --> 00:26:04.990 I apologize. I did not mean it the way that it 00:26:04.990 --> 00:26:07.210 sounded. So please forgive me. Put a little more 00:26:07.210 --> 00:26:09.349 honey in it and it will get sweeter as the day 00:26:09.349 --> 00:26:11.769 goes by. And then they may actually see that 00:26:11.769 --> 00:26:14.329 what you are proclaiming, what I am proclaiming 00:26:14.329 --> 00:26:17.170 as we walk through a dark world, I'm telling 00:26:17.170 --> 00:26:21.049 you the force of evil is intensifying the darkness 00:26:21.049 --> 00:26:25.069 daily. Amen. It's getting darker, darker, darker, 00:26:25.150 --> 00:26:28.660 darker. As every day comes and goes until the 00:26:28.660 --> 00:26:31.359 heavens will split and the Christ shall appear. 00:26:31.599 --> 00:26:35.380 And amen, us little anointed ones rise to meet 00:26:35.380 --> 00:26:38.640 him. It's going to get worse and worse. Paul 00:26:38.640 --> 00:26:41.839 actually even tells Timothy that in his third 00:26:41.839 --> 00:26:46.250 chapter. He says it, doesn't he? This know also 00:26:46.250 --> 00:26:48.130 that in the last days perilous times shall come. 00:26:48.289 --> 00:26:50.730 Men will be lovers of their own selves, covetous, 00:26:50.849 --> 00:26:53.750 boasters, blasphemers, proud, disobedient to 00:26:53.750 --> 00:26:55.329 their parents. My Lord, have you ever seen a 00:26:55.329 --> 00:26:57.589 generation where kids smart off more than their 00:26:57.589 --> 00:26:59.890 mom and daddy in the age in which you and I are 00:26:59.890 --> 00:27:02.769 living? Can I give you a little pastoral parenting 00:27:02.769 --> 00:27:09.089 advice? Risk the jail time. Risk the jail time. 00:27:09.549 --> 00:27:14.009 I said risk the jail time, but do not. Do not 00:27:14.009 --> 00:27:19.289 devoid your children of a godly upbringing that 00:27:19.289 --> 00:27:28.089 they need. Spare the rod. Spoil the child. There's 00:27:28.089 --> 00:27:31.230 a reason that it pleases the father that chasteneth 00:27:31.230 --> 00:27:34.529 his son. I'm talking about the heavenly father 00:27:34.529 --> 00:27:37.970 and us. Because he's not just going to leave 00:27:37.970 --> 00:27:43.410 us to our own devices. So don't leave them. to 00:27:43.410 --> 00:27:51.369 their own devices. Tear that hiney up. That's 00:27:51.369 --> 00:27:53.589 a little weak, you know, and as years go by, 00:27:53.690 --> 00:27:55.549 that type of preaching will get a boo and not 00:27:55.549 --> 00:28:02.109 a clap. Not even a good golf clap. Well, I want 00:28:02.109 --> 00:28:03.849 to be their friend. Look, I didn't bring the... 00:28:03.849 --> 00:28:19.059 I'm your daddy. I am not your friend. How do 00:28:19.059 --> 00:28:20.619 we get there? Let's move on. Somebody say, move 00:28:20.619 --> 00:28:24.759 on, preacher. I think I will. Characteristics 00:28:24.759 --> 00:28:29.000 of a disciple. First of all, Luke 9, 23, there 00:28:29.000 --> 00:28:34.440 is a great element of self -denial. And he said 00:28:34.440 --> 00:28:38.980 unto them, if any man will come after me, let 00:28:38.980 --> 00:28:45.440 him deny himself. Take up his cross daily. We 00:28:45.440 --> 00:28:48.000 leave that daily out a lot of times. We'll quote 00:28:48.000 --> 00:28:50.420 that. Take up your cross and follow me. No, we've 00:28:50.420 --> 00:28:52.400 got to get it all in there. Take up your cross 00:28:52.400 --> 00:28:58.740 daily and follow me. An element of self -denial. 00:28:58.819 --> 00:29:02.680 Now, we live in the most selfish age I think 00:29:02.680 --> 00:29:10.039 that's ever been known to humanity. Right? Such 00:29:10.039 --> 00:29:14.890 selfishness. But in order to be a follower, a 00:29:14.890 --> 00:29:22.190 disciple, a little anointed Christian, we have 00:29:22.190 --> 00:29:26.490 to deny ourselves. Because in order to put Christ 00:29:26.490 --> 00:29:30.230 first, you will find that it will cost you your 00:29:30.230 --> 00:29:36.109 pride. That alone will bring your haughty spirit 00:29:36.109 --> 00:29:41.359 down. Your spirit and your pride cannot be here 00:29:41.359 --> 00:29:44.279 where he is elevated. And when you recognize 00:29:44.279 --> 00:29:48.579 who Christ is and what he has done for you, it's 00:29:48.579 --> 00:29:51.720 not hard then to submit yourself under the mighty 00:29:51.720 --> 00:29:57.500 hand of God so that he may exalt you in due season. 00:29:58.720 --> 00:30:03.000 That's why we do not grow weary in well -doing 00:30:03.000 --> 00:30:08.670 for in that same due season. There is an appointed 00:30:08.670 --> 00:30:16.150 and an applied time in all of our lives. Luke 00:30:16.150 --> 00:30:19.130 14, 26, another characteristic is that there's 00:30:19.130 --> 00:30:22.170 this supreme love for Christ. Look, you cannot, 00:30:22.390 --> 00:30:25.490 well, let's look. If any man come to me and hate 00:30:25.490 --> 00:30:27.849 not his father and mother and wife and children 00:30:27.849 --> 00:30:31.369 and brethren and sisters, yea, and his own life 00:30:31.369 --> 00:30:40.279 also, he cannot be my disciple. Now, folks, that's 00:30:40.279 --> 00:30:44.880 pretty direct, right? And that's from the lips 00:30:44.880 --> 00:30:53.940 of the master. Now, we have to take great care 00:30:53.940 --> 00:30:58.259 in how we elevate the loving relationships that 00:30:58.259 --> 00:31:02.680 we have horizontally in this life. So that we 00:31:02.680 --> 00:31:05.660 do not elevate those horizontal relationships 00:31:05.660 --> 00:31:09.779 and love above the vertical love that is required. 00:31:12.880 --> 00:31:14.960 Now what does all that mean, Pastor? It means 00:31:14.960 --> 00:31:19.859 you can't love your wife, your children, your 00:31:19.859 --> 00:31:24.480 mama, your daddy, any of your family, yourself, 00:31:24.839 --> 00:31:31.109 more than you love him. That's why it's called 00:31:31.109 --> 00:31:35.349 idolatry. If you love yourself, and there's so 00:31:35.349 --> 00:31:37.849 many that love their self more than any other 00:31:37.849 --> 00:31:42.450 earthly relationship, there's no room for a heavenly 00:31:42.450 --> 00:31:48.190 relationship. Because there's denial, and that 00:31:48.190 --> 00:31:51.730 overwhelming sense of narcissism will not permit 00:31:51.730 --> 00:31:55.289 a person to love anything better than themselves, 00:31:55.730 --> 00:32:02.440 let alone anyone. But to be a disciple, you cannot 00:32:02.440 --> 00:32:07.539 be a disciple if you love yourself and any other 00:32:07.539 --> 00:32:11.220 human relationship more than you love Christ. 00:32:12.700 --> 00:32:17.259 That's pretty plain. I mean, there's just no 00:32:17.259 --> 00:32:21.160 way around it. If you love anything or anyone 00:32:21.160 --> 00:32:25.220 more than you love him, you can't be a disciple. 00:32:25.700 --> 00:32:27.500 Well, I just don't know about that. Well, you 00:32:27.500 --> 00:32:31.400 just kind of work that out. That's why there 00:32:31.400 --> 00:32:34.819 was those five different labels of Christianity. 00:32:35.759 --> 00:32:39.779 Which one are you? That sounds like that private 00:32:39.779 --> 00:32:42.339 cultural Christian, doesn't it? A little combo 00:32:42.339 --> 00:32:46.059 there. Don't love anything but themselves and 00:32:46.059 --> 00:32:49.339 their possession and there may be room for a 00:32:49.339 --> 00:33:01.359 little admiration of the Christ. Next characteristic. 00:33:03.299 --> 00:33:05.140 Man, y 'all will be wishing I didn't get the 00:33:05.140 --> 00:33:11.160 pulpit so early today. There must be a submission 00:33:11.160 --> 00:33:22.380 to the authority of the scripture. Then said 00:33:22.380 --> 00:33:24.779 Jesus to those Jews which believed on him in 00:33:24.779 --> 00:33:30.019 John 8, 31 and 2. If you continue in my word, 00:33:30.180 --> 00:33:36.259 then are ye my disciples indeed. And you shall 00:33:36.259 --> 00:33:39.420 know the truth, and the truth shall make you 00:33:39.420 --> 00:33:47.980 free. Now, it's hard to keep his word if you 00:33:47.980 --> 00:33:54.240 don't read the word. And there's a little phrase 00:33:54.240 --> 00:33:57.420 out there about... One says ignorance is bliss, 00:33:57.440 --> 00:33:59.660 and there's another one that something about 00:33:59.660 --> 00:34:02.599 ignorance not being an excuse. No, you're not 00:34:02.599 --> 00:34:04.460 going to be able to claim ignorance when it comes 00:34:04.460 --> 00:34:06.440 to, well, I didn't know that. He's going to say, 00:34:06.480 --> 00:34:08.099 well, why didn't you read it? I left the instructions. 00:34:11.820 --> 00:34:16.400 And I know for a fact on the fourth day of May 00:34:16.400 --> 00:34:20.739 in the year of our Lord, my son, 2025, he told 00:34:20.739 --> 00:34:29.409 you. So you've lost your defense before God Almighty. 00:34:31.829 --> 00:34:34.889 If you continue, you folks have just got a little 00:34:34.889 --> 00:34:36.829 ways and have quit doing what the Word says. 00:34:40.630 --> 00:34:44.710 Are we a disciple if we stop? If we're not continuing 00:34:44.710 --> 00:34:49.429 in His Word? Let's read it again. I mean, I don't 00:34:49.429 --> 00:34:51.789 want you to misunderstand that I'm saying something 00:34:51.789 --> 00:34:54.130 to you. I want you to know what the Word says 00:34:54.130 --> 00:34:57.920 to us. Because that's what matters, right? Then 00:34:57.920 --> 00:35:01.159 said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, 00:35:01.219 --> 00:35:05.599 If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples 00:35:05.599 --> 00:35:07.980 indeed, and you shall know the truth, and the 00:35:07.980 --> 00:35:14.059 truth shall make you free. I'm going to get on 00:35:14.059 --> 00:35:17.019 off of that. Move to the next characteristic. 00:35:18.820 --> 00:35:26.460 There has to be a genuine love for others. By 00:35:26.460 --> 00:35:28.800 a show of hands, if you're brave enough. How 00:35:28.800 --> 00:35:32.380 many of you know people that you just don't want 00:35:32.380 --> 00:35:43.340 to love? We've all got them. But can I share 00:35:43.340 --> 00:35:48.360 something with you? Christ loves them. I think 00:35:48.360 --> 00:35:50.599 that's where we have a little bit of leeway when 00:35:50.599 --> 00:35:54.519 the Apostle Paul says, where it is all possible. 00:35:57.260 --> 00:36:02.820 Be at peace with all men. He gives us a little 00:36:02.820 --> 00:36:06.679 grace, but let's see what the Lord says. A new 00:36:06.679 --> 00:36:11.000 commandment, not a suggestion. A new commandment 00:36:11.000 --> 00:36:13.920 I give unto you that you love one another as 00:36:13.920 --> 00:36:16.500 I have loved you. See, he always has to put that 00:36:16.500 --> 00:36:19.960 in there, right? Paul even had to repeat it when 00:36:19.960 --> 00:36:21.639 he talked to husbands about how they ought to 00:36:21.639 --> 00:36:24.500 love their wives. Love your wives as Christ loved 00:36:24.500 --> 00:36:30.900 the church. As I have loved you, that you also 00:36:30.900 --> 00:36:34.780 love one another. By this shall all men know 00:36:34.780 --> 00:36:41.039 that you are my disciples, if you have love one 00:36:41.039 --> 00:36:48.619 to another. I know it's hard. He didn't say it 00:36:48.619 --> 00:36:54.079 was easy. Right? And some folks, now I don't 00:36:54.079 --> 00:36:55.500 know if this is biblical, but this is the way 00:36:55.500 --> 00:36:57.710 I've tried to work it out in my faith. There's 00:36:57.710 --> 00:36:59.650 some folks I have to love at great distance. 00:37:06.550 --> 00:37:13.449 And I'm still trying to be his disciple. I'm 00:37:13.449 --> 00:37:15.949 trying to love them like he loved them. And he 00:37:15.949 --> 00:37:17.469 loved some of them from the other side of the 00:37:17.469 --> 00:37:24.429 world. From eternity. While we were yet sinners, 00:37:24.550 --> 00:37:28.059 Christ. You know what I'm saying? He loved us 00:37:28.059 --> 00:37:30.000 from heaven. And that's where I like to love 00:37:30.000 --> 00:37:40.860 some people from. I'm trying here. You're alive 00:37:40.860 --> 00:37:42.719 because you got those heavenly people you like 00:37:42.719 --> 00:37:49.059 to love too. And my potential to sin is a lot 00:37:49.059 --> 00:37:51.780 less when I love them from a heavenly distance. 00:37:54.340 --> 00:38:01.050 Oh, come on. It is. My sanctification is in less 00:38:01.050 --> 00:38:05.969 jeopardy when I avoid Paul Huff Parkway. You've 00:38:05.969 --> 00:38:08.449 heard me. You know that. The other day, Sister 00:38:08.449 --> 00:38:09.769 Kathy, I was coming through there, and I thought, 00:38:09.849 --> 00:38:14.309 for the love of the Lord, what is the problem? 00:38:14.789 --> 00:38:17.929 There's four lanes here. Why does everyone in 00:38:17.929 --> 00:38:21.389 Bradley County have to try to go down this road? 00:38:21.550 --> 00:38:24.070 And on the busiest hour of the day, they've got 00:38:24.070 --> 00:38:26.869 barrels lined up and only one lane. that you 00:38:26.869 --> 00:38:29.710 can get through. And 40 minutes it takes you 00:38:29.710 --> 00:38:35.550 to get. I thought, I said, I mean, we're being 00:38:35.550 --> 00:38:39.010 just clear, so let me go ahead. I'm sitting here 00:38:39.010 --> 00:38:44.630 fussing at myself. Cliff, you idiot. Calling 00:38:44.630 --> 00:38:47.750 myself that. Why would you call yourself that? 00:38:47.809 --> 00:38:54.170 For being there. Just for being in that mess. 00:38:55.369 --> 00:38:57.530 I told Sister Kathy, I know better than to go 00:38:57.530 --> 00:39:02.269 this way. And I turned right anyway. Thinking, 00:39:02.309 --> 00:39:10.369 well, at this time of day, maybe. Sitting down 00:39:10.369 --> 00:39:12.250 there at Home Depot and could see plumb to the 00:39:12.250 --> 00:39:14.510 top of the hill, nearly to the interstate, red 00:39:14.510 --> 00:39:20.250 taillights. Tried to take a picture, but there 00:39:20.250 --> 00:39:22.809 was a cop sitting beside me. I was going to send 00:39:22.809 --> 00:39:25.599 it. I send it to the staff sometimes. Pray, saints. 00:39:25.800 --> 00:39:28.980 I need prayer. And you say nothing but tell -outs. 00:39:29.059 --> 00:39:32.940 Oh, Pastor, you're on Paul Huff. Look, we will 00:39:32.940 --> 00:39:34.699 drive 10 minutes out of the way just to keep 00:39:34.699 --> 00:39:36.840 going down that road. I'll go straight through, 00:39:36.880 --> 00:39:38.900 go over the ridge, and come way out down there 00:39:38.900 --> 00:39:40.940 somewhere. Go down, and I hate driving Mouse 00:39:40.940 --> 00:39:42.539 Creek. Go all the way over there. Go down Mouse 00:39:42.539 --> 00:39:54.360 Creek. Let's go over to North Lee. So we're all 00:39:54.360 --> 00:39:57.079 endeavoring. So sometimes it's just better to 00:39:57.079 --> 00:40:00.239 love over on North Lee so that your sanctification 00:40:00.239 --> 00:40:04.599 isn't tested right in the middle of Paul. You 00:40:04.599 --> 00:40:06.420 know what? I've got to worry. Sometimes I'll 00:40:06.420 --> 00:40:11.960 just go to Athens to go to Lowe's. That's the 00:40:11.960 --> 00:40:16.159 truth. Can't say where we're going. I've got 00:40:16.159 --> 00:40:18.400 to run up to Lowe's. Well, why are we going to 00:40:18.400 --> 00:40:19.800 Athens? Because I don't want to go down Paul 00:40:19.800 --> 00:40:23.809 Love Parkway. And I know what you're thinking. 00:40:23.889 --> 00:40:25.650 Well, Pastor, you ought to be better than that. 00:40:25.710 --> 00:40:29.309 And you're right. I ought to be. But I'm not. 00:40:30.369 --> 00:40:39.369 I'm sorry. I know I should be more. Well, I'm 00:40:39.369 --> 00:40:47.309 under conviction, so let me move on. Identity 00:40:47.309 --> 00:40:53.639 crisis. This culture and society grows more Antichrist 00:40:53.639 --> 00:40:59.480 every day. And as believers and Christians, we 00:40:59.480 --> 00:41:02.360 need to make a stand. I've got to make a stand. 00:41:07.519 --> 00:41:13.059 I have to stand firm in my faith and not let 00:41:13.059 --> 00:41:16.980 something as non -sequential as a stretch of 00:41:16.980 --> 00:41:22.920 highway. Push me to that edge. To where I'll 00:41:22.920 --> 00:41:35.119 drive to the next city. Just to avoid it. I have 00:41:35.119 --> 00:41:39.920 to make a stand in my discipleship, in my faith. 00:41:40.639 --> 00:41:43.599 There's no greater example on how we can stand 00:41:43.599 --> 00:41:47.280 than if you go read the story of those Hebrew 00:41:47.280 --> 00:41:53.199 children. Knowing that we need God's grace to 00:41:53.199 --> 00:41:57.000 live day in and day out. Amen. To make it through 00:41:57.000 --> 00:42:00.820 every day. To survive every moment of every day. 00:42:01.360 --> 00:42:05.300 We have to have power to stand. In our text this 00:42:05.300 --> 00:42:07.260 morning, that's what Paul was telling young Timothy. 00:42:07.360 --> 00:42:12.739 I want you to continue in your faith. Learn to 00:42:12.739 --> 00:42:17.809 apply what you have learned, Timothy. Those two 00:42:17.809 --> 00:42:20.670 little letters are powerful little letters, personal 00:42:20.670 --> 00:42:23.710 letters that Paul writes to the young evangelist. 00:42:25.030 --> 00:42:27.730 He reminds him of the faith that he sees in him. 00:42:27.929 --> 00:42:32.570 Remember? I recall to my mind and I have you 00:42:32.570 --> 00:42:36.550 to stir up your mind and remember the faith that 00:42:36.550 --> 00:42:38.889 is instilled on you. I laid my hands on you. 00:42:38.949 --> 00:42:41.690 I've seen God impart that faith into your life. 00:42:41.829 --> 00:42:43.590 I've seen your grandmother and I've seen your 00:42:43.590 --> 00:42:46.380 mama. And the same faith is in you, Timothy. 00:42:46.460 --> 00:42:49.079 I see that. Know that perilous times are coming. 00:42:49.159 --> 00:42:51.559 Know that hardships are coming. Know that, young 00:42:51.559 --> 00:42:53.699 Timothy. But what I want you to do is continue 00:42:53.699 --> 00:42:57.400 in the faith, in the situation when identity 00:42:57.400 --> 00:43:01.019 crisis is all around you. I want you to reassure 00:43:01.019 --> 00:43:04.579 and to reaffirm your faith in Christ. I'm here 00:43:04.579 --> 00:43:07.519 to tell us this morning, in a condition of Christianity 00:43:07.519 --> 00:43:10.460 and identity crisis all around the world, will 00:43:10.460 --> 00:43:13.139 the true Christians, the true leaders, little 00:43:13.139 --> 00:43:16.380 anointed ones, please stand and let's make a 00:43:16.380 --> 00:43:18.420 difference. When we've done all to stand, Paul 00:43:18.420 --> 00:43:20.500 would tell the Ephesian church, when you haven't 00:43:20.500 --> 00:43:23.639 done all to stand, stand therefore. Then he tells 00:43:23.639 --> 00:43:26.219 them to equip themselves with the whole armor 00:43:26.219 --> 00:43:29.539 of God. Let us be equipped in an age of darkness 00:43:29.539 --> 00:43:42.300 and warfare. In an age of identity crisis. Christians 00:43:42.300 --> 00:43:46.320 don't even know what it means to be a Christian. 00:43:49.880 --> 00:43:54.139 And how that it's not suggested, it's commanded. 00:43:55.099 --> 00:44:00.039 A new commandment I give you. Pastor Cliff, you 00:44:00.039 --> 00:44:18.690 can't get around it. I know. Love others. Sometimes 00:44:18.690 --> 00:44:27.630 it must be at a distance. He said, love your 00:44:27.630 --> 00:44:29.329 enemies. He didn't say go to supper with them. 00:44:36.050 --> 00:44:46.670 He did say feed them though. Feed them. He loves 00:44:46.670 --> 00:44:50.219 them. So we are to love them through the love 00:44:50.219 --> 00:44:54.739 of Christ. Oh, there's some enemies in this world 00:44:54.739 --> 00:44:59.559 that you need to go look up and read the stats 00:44:59.559 --> 00:45:01.420 on how many Christians were killed on Easter 00:45:01.420 --> 00:45:07.920 Sunday around the world. Check that little stat 00:45:07.920 --> 00:45:11.780 out. On Easter, while we're here celebrating, 00:45:12.079 --> 00:45:18.539 others took the same step of faith. To worship 00:45:18.539 --> 00:45:22.480 the risen Savior and today are with Him in His 00:45:22.480 --> 00:45:27.320 presence. Simply because of no other reason than 00:45:27.320 --> 00:45:34.360 they were an authentic, illuminating, anointed 00:45:34.360 --> 00:45:41.559 little one. Showed up to worship on Easter Sunday. 00:45:42.820 --> 00:45:47.809 Identity crisis? I think maybe it's just the 00:45:47.809 --> 00:45:55.030 Western church that has the crisis. Many of our 00:45:55.030 --> 00:45:56.469 brothers and sisters, stand with me, I'm quitting. 00:45:57.690 --> 00:46:00.130 Many of our brothers and sisters around the world, 00:46:00.170 --> 00:46:06.969 they know the price of faith. They know the cost. 00:46:07.250 --> 00:46:12.489 And every opportunity that we forfeit to gather 00:46:12.489 --> 00:46:19.900 to worship for just whatever, We should be reminded, 00:46:20.079 --> 00:46:26.059 we should remind ourselves of our fellow brothers 00:46:26.059 --> 00:46:28.440 and sisters and the peril that they put themselves 00:46:28.440 --> 00:46:36.380 in every Sunday to worship. Identity crisis? 00:46:38.300 --> 00:46:40.599 I don't care how they label it, how they try 00:46:40.599 --> 00:46:44.639 to break it down. There's really only one Christian. 00:46:50.090 --> 00:46:52.449 Doesn't matter any other adjectives you put along 00:46:52.449 --> 00:47:00.050 with it. A Christian is a Christ follower. All 00:47:00.050 --> 00:47:13.530 that other, hypocrite. I'm sorry. Sometimes we 00:47:13.530 --> 00:47:15.769 need a little personal evaluation about our own 00:47:15.769 --> 00:47:25.760 faith. Our own practices. I'm not real proud 00:47:25.760 --> 00:47:30.699 of the way I let some things get to me. I know 00:47:30.699 --> 00:47:33.260 it's comical when it comes across this way. I 00:47:33.260 --> 00:47:35.099 have to do that or I'm just going to break down 00:47:35.099 --> 00:47:38.960 and cry in front of you. It shames me. It really 00:47:38.960 --> 00:47:45.739 does. When finally the traffic clears and I get 00:47:45.739 --> 00:47:51.559 beyond. Whatever it is. Conviction sits in my 00:47:51.559 --> 00:47:58.780 heart. The Holy Spirit says, really? You weren't 00:47:58.780 --> 00:48:05.500 going anywhere in a great hurry anyway. So I 00:48:05.500 --> 00:48:12.059 have to repent. Same goes with those people that 00:48:12.059 --> 00:48:15.179 I have to love at a distance. That little song 00:48:15.179 --> 00:48:17.739 we used to sing was... He's still working on 00:48:17.739 --> 00:48:23.000 me to make me what I ought to be. What was that 00:48:23.000 --> 00:48:25.300 like? Took him just a week to make the moon and 00:48:25.300 --> 00:48:28.119 the stars, Jupiter and Earth. You know how it 00:48:28.119 --> 00:48:33.760 goes. Oh, how loving and patient he must be. 00:48:36.900 --> 00:48:44.900 Because he's still working on me. If he's still 00:48:44.900 --> 00:48:46.900 working on you, would you just come join me down 00:48:46.900 --> 00:48:50.519 here? If he's still working on you, you're still 00:48:50.519 --> 00:48:55.360 working out some stuff. Come on down here and 00:48:55.360 --> 00:48:59.039 stand with me so I don't feel all alone in this 00:48:59.039 --> 00:49:06.480 dilemma of life. I know it hurts and I know it 00:49:06.480 --> 00:49:10.179 stings. I know they're aggravating. I know they're 00:49:10.179 --> 00:49:14.360 hateful. I know they're mean. But do you know 00:49:14.360 --> 00:49:17.119 what a good dose of Jesus will do for those hateful, 00:49:17.119 --> 00:49:26.219 mean people? It'll turn them into little anointed 00:49:26.219 --> 00:49:33.059 ones. Because what were we? Paul told those Corinthians, 00:49:33.239 --> 00:49:35.820 he went through a list of sins and what people 00:49:35.820 --> 00:49:39.360 were committing. And he said, and such were some 00:49:39.360 --> 00:49:45.210 of you. You used to be that, but you're not that 00:49:45.210 --> 00:49:50.329 anymore. So, Lord, help us to love. Amen.