WEBVTT 00:00:00.240 --> 00:00:06.679 Well, hallelujah. Honey in the rock. Amen. Give 00:00:06.679 --> 00:00:16.140 the Lord one more good hand clap of praise. Yeah. 00:00:17.300 --> 00:00:22.000 Hallelujah. If you have your Bibles, turn with 00:00:22.000 --> 00:00:29.120 me to Matthew's Gospel. Continue to be in prayer 00:00:29.120 --> 00:00:33.200 for Brother Mills. They're going to take him 00:00:33.200 --> 00:00:36.539 to the hospital. Get him checked out. Sister 00:00:36.539 --> 00:00:38.460 Sandra said it just happened this morning. He 00:00:38.460 --> 00:00:42.560 just started feeling bad. So we want to remember 00:00:42.560 --> 00:00:46.780 him in prayer. Amen. Thank you for being in the 00:00:46.780 --> 00:00:52.460 house of the Lord today. For visiting with us. 00:00:52.500 --> 00:00:55.299 We trust that you've already felt and encountered 00:00:55.299 --> 00:00:57.200 the presence of the Lord through your worship. 00:00:58.350 --> 00:01:01.210 You do realize it's your worship that matters, 00:01:01.229 --> 00:01:04.689 not everyone else's. Amen. In spite of what anyone 00:01:04.689 --> 00:01:06.989 else does, if you will worship, the Spirit of 00:01:06.989 --> 00:01:11.109 the Lord will touch you. Amen. He comes to dwell 00:01:11.109 --> 00:01:13.810 in the praises of his people. And if you'll praise 00:01:13.810 --> 00:01:15.329 him, it doesn't matter what's going on around 00:01:15.329 --> 00:01:18.090 you. It doesn't matter what others are doing 00:01:18.090 --> 00:01:21.810 or what's going on. The Lord will come and meet 00:01:21.810 --> 00:01:24.689 you. The Spirit of the Lord will find you. Amen. 00:01:25.870 --> 00:01:28.730 He found Paul and Silas in a prison down deep 00:01:28.730 --> 00:01:33.469 in the bottom, and he can find you. Amen? And 00:01:33.469 --> 00:01:37.689 I'm thankful for that. Matthew's Gospel, very 00:01:37.689 --> 00:01:42.909 familiar in the 28th chapter. We're continuing 00:01:42.909 --> 00:01:45.989 in our Hand Me Down series. There's probably 00:01:45.989 --> 00:01:48.010 going to be a few more of these. I didn't realize 00:01:48.010 --> 00:01:53.010 when I started that this would go as far because 00:01:53.010 --> 00:01:56.379 you... been here very long, you know I'm not 00:01:56.379 --> 00:01:59.659 a series type. That's just never been my thing. 00:02:01.040 --> 00:02:03.359 So when I get in one, I tend to wear it out. 00:02:04.680 --> 00:02:08.860 We got a few more to go. I do know that. Amen. 00:02:09.580 --> 00:02:14.039 Matthew 28, 18 reads, and you've heard this if 00:02:14.039 --> 00:02:17.560 you've been in or around church at any point 00:02:17.560 --> 00:02:20.280 in your life, you've heard this. And Jesus came 00:02:20.280 --> 00:02:23.379 and spake unto them, saying, All power is given 00:02:23.379 --> 00:02:27.500 unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore 00:02:27.500 --> 00:02:30.479 and teach all nations, baptizing them in the 00:02:30.479 --> 00:02:32.539 name of the Father and of the Son and of the 00:02:32.539 --> 00:02:36.599 Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things 00:02:36.599 --> 00:02:39.780 whatsoever I have commanded you. And lo, I am 00:02:39.780 --> 00:02:43.479 with you always, even to the end of the age. 00:02:43.719 --> 00:02:46.360 In Acts chapter 1, verse 8, it's a very familiar 00:02:46.360 --> 00:02:50.180 passage of Scripture with us. as far as our missions 00:02:50.180 --> 00:02:53.259 emphasis goes. And after that, the Holy Ghost 00:02:53.259 --> 00:02:55.379 has come upon you. You shall be witnesses of 00:02:55.379 --> 00:02:59.500 me, unto me, in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and 00:02:59.500 --> 00:03:03.080 to the uttermost parts of the earth, to the world. 00:03:03.340 --> 00:03:06.919 You're going to be a witness. And today, on our 00:03:06.919 --> 00:03:10.060 emphasis of missions and just getting our mind 00:03:10.060 --> 00:03:13.099 back on the mission again, I want to speak to 00:03:13.099 --> 00:03:17.629 you on this thought until all have heard. We've 00:03:17.629 --> 00:03:20.189 got to pass to the next generation. We've got 00:03:20.189 --> 00:03:24.930 to hand down the desire to complete the Great 00:03:24.930 --> 00:03:27.669 Commission. You say, well, it'll never be completed. 00:03:27.750 --> 00:03:30.969 Well, just hold on a minute, and we'll see about 00:03:30.969 --> 00:03:33.629 that. I'll pray for you if you pray for me, and 00:03:33.629 --> 00:03:37.750 we'll make this as expedient as possible. Amen. 00:03:38.870 --> 00:03:41.270 How many of you discern and count what's in the 00:03:41.270 --> 00:03:46.419 atmosphere today? Anybody besides me? Okay. All 00:03:46.419 --> 00:03:51.319 right, so let's pray. Father, we love you. Thank 00:03:51.319 --> 00:03:53.520 you for your goodness, your mercy, the abundance 00:03:53.520 --> 00:03:56.379 of your love. I thank you, Lord, for the power 00:03:56.379 --> 00:04:00.360 of your grace and that supernatural touch from 00:04:00.360 --> 00:04:03.979 heaven as the Holy Ghost moves upon us. I pray, 00:04:04.039 --> 00:04:06.000 God, now that you'd have your way in the remainder 00:04:06.000 --> 00:04:09.120 of this service. Go with and be with our brother. 00:04:09.780 --> 00:04:11.520 Strengthen his body and those who are unable 00:04:11.520 --> 00:04:14.139 to be here in the house today. We have many of 00:04:14.139 --> 00:04:17.009 our church family who are sick. And I ask, God, 00:04:17.050 --> 00:04:19.790 that you would touch them physically today. Touch 00:04:19.790 --> 00:04:23.029 their body. Increase their strength, Lord, and 00:04:23.029 --> 00:04:24.589 we'll be quick to praise you. Now, Lord, help 00:04:24.589 --> 00:04:28.009 me preach in Jesus' name. And the church said, 00:04:28.189 --> 00:04:32.170 amen. You can be seated in the house of the Lord. 00:04:33.290 --> 00:04:35.730 Part of our mission statement for our church 00:04:35.730 --> 00:04:40.189 is that it's the whole gospel for the whole man, 00:04:40.209 --> 00:04:43.939 for the whole world. That's our statement. I 00:04:43.939 --> 00:04:46.360 remember coming a little over seven years ago, 00:04:46.480 --> 00:04:50.100 finding that statement, asking and finding that 00:04:50.100 --> 00:04:52.620 that is our mission statement is our church. 00:04:52.860 --> 00:04:56.319 And there was no reason to change that because 00:04:56.319 --> 00:05:00.579 that still is the goal. Amen. I have discovered 00:05:00.579 --> 00:05:02.899 over the years in pastoring different places, 00:05:03.079 --> 00:05:05.759 every time somebody would roll through in about 00:05:05.759 --> 00:05:07.819 two years, two and a half years, and they'd roll 00:05:07.819 --> 00:05:10.860 on, they'd leave an unfinished vision statement 00:05:10.860 --> 00:05:14.160 or a mission statement. And people were just 00:05:14.160 --> 00:05:16.620 so confused, we never stuck to anything. I thought, 00:05:16.660 --> 00:05:18.620 well, if there's anything we're going to stick 00:05:18.620 --> 00:05:21.000 to, it's going to be preaching the whole gospel 00:05:21.000 --> 00:05:24.339 for the whole man. for the whole world. Amen. 00:05:24.420 --> 00:05:26.620 I don't know that you could get any more clear 00:05:26.620 --> 00:05:29.480 in a statement than that. And then as we've adopted 00:05:29.480 --> 00:05:33.879 the verse 8 in chapter 1 of Acts as our means 00:05:33.879 --> 00:05:37.259 and purpose on how to do that, just simply taking 00:05:37.259 --> 00:05:40.959 the gospel both local, near, far, and wide. Amen. 00:05:41.620 --> 00:05:44.939 Jerusalem being our surroundings here at Hopewell, 00:05:45.040 --> 00:05:49.420 our Judea being our state of Tennessee, our Samaria 00:05:49.420 --> 00:05:51.759 being the United States of America, and then 00:05:51.759 --> 00:05:54.439 the other... parts or anything beyond that border. 00:05:54.660 --> 00:05:58.720 And we have endeavored to engage in some shape, 00:05:58.779 --> 00:06:03.579 form, or fashion in all four facets of that mission 00:06:03.579 --> 00:06:06.079 statement, amen? And I think that's the reason 00:06:06.079 --> 00:06:09.120 God is blessing us and God is blessing you, for 00:06:09.120 --> 00:06:12.779 we're looking beyond our own selves, amen? So 00:06:12.779 --> 00:06:15.240 many times, if we're not careful in a church, 00:06:15.360 --> 00:06:17.720 we'll just get so inward focused that we forget 00:06:17.720 --> 00:06:20.480 that there's a lost and dying world right outside 00:06:20.480 --> 00:06:24.019 our door, amen? And so it's not that we're perfect 00:06:24.019 --> 00:06:26.399 in doing it, not that we do everything we need 00:06:26.399 --> 00:06:29.759 to do, but we are trying our best, amen. And 00:06:29.759 --> 00:06:31.860 if the Lord will open our eyes, we'll get in 00:06:31.860 --> 00:06:34.240 a little bit deeper, amen. Just show us the way. 00:06:34.360 --> 00:06:37.569 So when we think about today being... Our mission, 00:06:37.610 --> 00:06:42.589 if it's a Sunday, and how that God is continuing 00:06:42.589 --> 00:06:45.709 to move, and God will always bless a people that 00:06:45.709 --> 00:06:48.670 involve themselves in missions. In our hand -me 00:06:48.670 --> 00:06:51.250 -down series continuing, I want to go with this 00:06:51.250 --> 00:06:54.389 thought until all have heard. Until all have 00:06:54.389 --> 00:06:57.209 heard. And you say, well, Pastor, that's impossible. 00:06:57.550 --> 00:06:59.750 Well, I don't think so because the Scripture 00:06:59.750 --> 00:07:02.550 gives us instruction to do that. So in light 00:07:02.550 --> 00:07:06.089 of last week's message of pass the gospel, please, 00:07:06.379 --> 00:07:09.800 today being reminded of the purpose and the plan 00:07:09.800 --> 00:07:12.500 and the mission of the heart of God to begin 00:07:12.500 --> 00:07:16.660 with. Matthew 24 and verse 14 reads thus, and 00:07:16.660 --> 00:07:20.000 thus this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached 00:07:20.000 --> 00:07:23.899 in all the world for a witness unto all nations 00:07:23.899 --> 00:07:27.660 and then shall the end come. Amen. I think there 00:07:27.660 --> 00:07:31.180 is a and then coming our way because there is 00:07:31.180 --> 00:07:34.639 an endeavor to declare the name of Jesus and 00:07:34.639 --> 00:07:37.720 the gospel. of Jesus Christ around this world. 00:07:37.939 --> 00:07:39.839 I met with a friend of mine a couple of weeks 00:07:39.839 --> 00:07:43.199 ago. He's from Singapore. I mean, he's just all 00:07:43.199 --> 00:07:45.600 over the world doing all types of missions. And 00:07:45.600 --> 00:07:48.160 he was in Cambodia, and he was talking with some 00:07:48.160 --> 00:07:50.720 pastors there about where they needed to get 00:07:50.720 --> 00:07:53.720 involved and what group or what tribe or what 00:07:53.720 --> 00:07:55.920 village, where do we need to take the gospel 00:07:55.920 --> 00:08:00.259 to in Cambodia. And he said, well, they've all 00:08:00.259 --> 00:08:03.639 heard. We've covered all of Cambodia. The gospel 00:08:03.639 --> 00:08:06.430 has been preached. where all the people in every 00:08:06.430 --> 00:08:09.670 tribe, they have been able and have access to 00:08:09.670 --> 00:08:12.230 the gospel of Jesus Christ. Now, I don't know 00:08:12.230 --> 00:08:13.910 about you, but that will stop and make you scratch 00:08:13.910 --> 00:08:16.449 your head just a little bit. Every area, every 00:08:16.449 --> 00:08:19.649 region has heard the opportunity. The gospel 00:08:19.649 --> 00:08:22.230 has been proclaimed in that region. People know 00:08:22.230 --> 00:08:24.790 it, and they are sharing it. And if you wanted 00:08:24.790 --> 00:08:27.209 to check one off, there's a nation to check off. 00:08:27.329 --> 00:08:29.490 The gospel has been proclaimed. And I know that's 00:08:29.490 --> 00:08:32.190 not the only nation in the world where the gospel 00:08:32.190 --> 00:08:35.830 has been proclaimed. And everyone has had an 00:08:35.830 --> 00:08:38.370 opportunity. Every nation, it's been presented. 00:08:38.429 --> 00:08:41.330 The gospel has come around them. It is possible, 00:08:41.509 --> 00:08:44.409 church, because you do realize that the Hopewell 00:08:44.409 --> 00:08:47.950 Church of God and the Church of God at large 00:08:47.950 --> 00:08:50.929 is not the only church in the world proclaiming 00:08:50.929 --> 00:08:54.129 the name of Jesus Christ. You do realize that, 00:08:54.149 --> 00:08:57.110 don't you? Everybody under the name of Jesus 00:08:57.110 --> 00:08:59.350 Christ, that blood -stained banner that there 00:08:59.350 --> 00:09:01.309 is only one way to heaven. They're going into 00:09:01.309 --> 00:09:04.240 the world, hallelujah. going to places that we 00:09:04.240 --> 00:09:06.220 haven't thought of to go yet, but yet they've 00:09:06.220 --> 00:09:09.179 already been. There's a time coming when the 00:09:09.179 --> 00:09:12.500 fulfillment of the gospel mandate to be declared 00:09:12.500 --> 00:09:21.080 into every nation. I have to kick the devil just 00:09:21.080 --> 00:09:23.779 right about between the eyes. I've had about 00:09:23.779 --> 00:09:26.639 all I can take this morning already. So let me 00:09:26.639 --> 00:09:29.000 just go ahead and serve him notice. Let me just 00:09:29.000 --> 00:09:31.360 serve you notice, devil. You better get off of 00:09:31.360 --> 00:09:34.720 me this morning because I don't have time for 00:09:34.720 --> 00:09:37.200 you today. I'm not going to take time for you. 00:09:37.740 --> 00:09:41.820 Just join me with rebuking him today. You do 00:09:41.820 --> 00:09:44.259 know the Bible declares resist the devil and 00:09:44.259 --> 00:09:46.860 he will flee from you. And we do so through the 00:09:46.860 --> 00:09:50.259 power of the name of Jesus Christ. and the enabling 00:09:50.259 --> 00:09:53.840 of the Holy Ghost that's on us and in us. Amen. 00:09:56.039 --> 00:10:01.879 He just knows how to push my buttons. So we think 00:10:01.879 --> 00:10:03.860 about proclaiming this gospel around the world. 00:10:03.919 --> 00:10:06.759 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached 00:10:06.759 --> 00:10:09.419 in all the world for a witness unto all nations. 00:10:09.480 --> 00:10:13.480 And then shall the end come. The mission of the 00:10:13.480 --> 00:10:16.279 mandate to preach the gospel, it is the great 00:10:16.279 --> 00:10:19.080 commission. And you do know that that is what 00:10:19.080 --> 00:10:21.700 we are to be about. You do realize that's why 00:10:21.700 --> 00:10:24.100 you have been called out of the darkness of sin 00:10:24.100 --> 00:10:27.299 that you were dying in. You've been plucked up 00:10:27.299 --> 00:10:29.899 out of that because of the work of Christ at 00:10:29.899 --> 00:10:32.399 Calvary. because of your dependence and acceptance 00:10:32.399 --> 00:10:34.960 of him as Lord and Savior and the confession 00:10:34.960 --> 00:10:38.059 of your sin and his blood purging you of your 00:10:38.059 --> 00:10:41.039 sin. You do realize that that mandate falls on 00:10:41.039 --> 00:10:44.399 you, not just me. It's not just on me. It's as 00:10:44.399 --> 00:10:47.379 you are going. It's every one of us. As you go 00:10:47.379 --> 00:10:50.059 about your daily living, you are to tell them 00:10:50.059 --> 00:10:53.120 about Jesus Christ. You are to tell people that 00:10:53.120 --> 00:10:55.860 they need him and their need of him is provided 00:10:55.860 --> 00:10:58.899 because of the Father's heart and concern toward 00:10:58.899 --> 00:11:02.980 them. Your and my responsibility. It's not just 00:11:02.980 --> 00:11:05.320 the preacher. Amen. We've all been commissioned. 00:11:05.639 --> 00:11:08.559 You have been commissioned. The disciples were 00:11:08.559 --> 00:11:10.860 commissioned and they went out. If you remember, 00:11:10.960 --> 00:11:13.320 Jesus sent them out two by two and there were 00:11:13.320 --> 00:11:17.120 70, not just 12. He sent 70 of them out two by 00:11:17.120 --> 00:11:19.379 two. He gave them authority and he gave them 00:11:19.379 --> 00:11:21.799 power. And as they went about, they cast out 00:11:21.799 --> 00:11:24.620 devils. Hallelujah. Amen. They laid hands on 00:11:24.620 --> 00:11:27.220 the sick and the sick recovered and they preached 00:11:27.220 --> 00:11:30.200 the gospel of the kingdom. And repentance was 00:11:30.200 --> 00:11:33.679 made. And people accepted the gospel of the kingdom 00:11:33.679 --> 00:11:36.629 and the goodness. Amen. Oh, that's what John 00:11:36.629 --> 00:11:39.269 said. He said, I've come to preach that you repent, 00:11:39.509 --> 00:11:42.409 and repentance is required of all men, right? 00:11:42.610 --> 00:11:45.509 And now we understand that the gospel is, in 00:11:45.509 --> 00:11:48.450 fact, the good news, that God loved this old 00:11:48.450 --> 00:11:51.389 world. That is the purpose, and that was the 00:11:51.389 --> 00:11:54.649 mission, that God loved this world. You do realize 00:11:54.649 --> 00:11:57.429 that when he created it all the way back in Genesis, 00:11:57.549 --> 00:12:01.330 after every act of creation, he declared of himself, 00:12:01.450 --> 00:12:06.669 it is good. Are you hearing me? It is good. God 00:12:06.669 --> 00:12:09.490 saw and was pleased with the creation. He was 00:12:09.490 --> 00:12:12.029 pleased with the creation of humanity. The thing 00:12:12.029 --> 00:12:14.669 that disappointed the heart of God was what man 00:12:14.669 --> 00:12:17.990 disobeyed. The one commandment in sin entered 00:12:17.990 --> 00:12:21.450 in. And God's heart has been hurting and longing 00:12:21.450 --> 00:12:25.169 ever since. Amen. He tried every way. He tried 00:12:25.169 --> 00:12:27.750 the possibility of a law. He tried that blood 00:12:27.750 --> 00:12:31.190 from a goat and a lamb would be the covering 00:12:31.190 --> 00:12:35.029 of their sin. Realized and knew from the foundation 00:12:35.029 --> 00:12:38.570 of the world. Before he ever said let there be. 00:12:38.809 --> 00:12:40.970 Even in the beginning of the thought process 00:12:40.970 --> 00:12:43.889 of humanity. God knew that his son would have 00:12:43.889 --> 00:12:46.389 to come. He knew that the Christ would have to 00:12:46.389 --> 00:12:49.850 be sent. But he made effort. He tried. He gave 00:12:49.850 --> 00:12:52.590 man opportunity. But I'm here to tell you. It's 00:12:52.590 --> 00:12:54.970 hard for you and I to take the opportunity extended 00:12:54.970 --> 00:12:57.950 to us. And not go beyond the boundaries that 00:12:57.950 --> 00:13:00.789 are set for us. And God knew there had to be 00:13:00.789 --> 00:13:03.720 a transformation. of the sinful heart of humanity. 00:13:03.960 --> 00:13:07.940 For God so loved the world that he gave his only 00:13:07.940 --> 00:13:11.899 begotten son that whosoever believeth in him 00:13:11.899 --> 00:13:14.779 should not perish but should have everlasting 00:13:14.779 --> 00:13:19.240 life. That was the purpose of the Christ. That's 00:13:19.240 --> 00:13:22.620 the purpose of the good news of the gospel is 00:13:22.620 --> 00:13:25.340 that you and I can have everlasting life with 00:13:25.340 --> 00:13:33.269 him in heaven, hallelujah. John 14, Jesus said 00:13:33.269 --> 00:13:36.389 it so lovingly. Let not your hearts be troubled. 00:13:36.450 --> 00:13:38.370 You believe in God, believe also in me. For in 00:13:38.370 --> 00:13:41.169 my Father's house are many mansions, and I'm 00:13:41.169 --> 00:13:43.309 going to prepare a place for you that if I go, 00:13:43.470 --> 00:13:45.929 surely I'm going to come again and receive you 00:13:45.929 --> 00:13:51.610 unto myself in the way you know. We don't know 00:13:51.610 --> 00:13:53.330 the way. What are you talking about? I told you 00:13:53.330 --> 00:13:58.690 back earlier, I am the way. I am the truth. I 00:13:58.690 --> 00:14:02.190 am the life. No man cometh unto the Father but 00:14:02.190 --> 00:14:05.950 by me, Jesus declared. So you know the way because 00:14:05.950 --> 00:14:09.769 I am the way. Let not your heart be troubled. 00:14:10.600 --> 00:14:13.059 As we've talked and discussed in the weeks past 00:14:13.059 --> 00:14:16.360 and prior to today, we've talked about the chaos 00:14:16.360 --> 00:14:19.200 of our world and the crisis that our world is 00:14:19.200 --> 00:14:21.919 in. It's not just the world that's in crisis, 00:14:22.000 --> 00:14:24.620 but I'm here to tell you the church is in crisis. 00:14:24.799 --> 00:14:27.379 When you begin to look at some of the foolishness 00:14:27.379 --> 00:14:30.080 that is out there, some of the foolishness that 00:14:30.080 --> 00:14:33.340 is going on in the name of God. in the name of 00:14:33.340 --> 00:14:36.820 his son. I'm telling you, it is ridiculous at 00:14:36.820 --> 00:14:40.179 what man can do that he thinks he has to perform 00:14:40.179 --> 00:14:43.179 in order to get others and entertain others. 00:14:43.440 --> 00:14:46.220 Look, this is not about entertainment. It's about 00:14:46.220 --> 00:14:49.980 eternity. Amen. It's not about you being pleased 00:14:49.980 --> 00:14:53.019 and comfortable when you go into the house of 00:14:53.019 --> 00:14:55.539 the Lord. It's that your heart be at peace with 00:14:55.539 --> 00:14:58.399 God. Amen. Not that you're comfortable and the 00:14:58.399 --> 00:15:00.820 preacher don't say something to stir you up and 00:15:00.820 --> 00:15:03.399 to make you you mad or I don't know if I can 00:15:03.399 --> 00:15:06.220 accept that. If it's in the binding of the book, 00:15:06.340 --> 00:15:09.220 you better learn to accept it and bend your will 00:15:09.220 --> 00:15:12.299 to it because it is the very article by which 00:15:12.299 --> 00:15:15.919 we all will stand and be judged. You will be 00:15:15.919 --> 00:15:18.899 judged by thus saith the Lord. You and I will 00:15:18.899 --> 00:15:21.539 stand and give an account. But listen, there 00:15:21.539 --> 00:15:24.519 is a message that is proclaiming that we do not 00:15:24.519 --> 00:15:27.600 have to receive judgment, that we could be justified. 00:15:27.779 --> 00:15:30.240 Hallelujah. You don't have to receive judgment 00:15:30.240 --> 00:15:32.740 of your sin. You can be pardoned of your sin. 00:15:32.840 --> 00:15:36.299 You can be forgiven of your sin and righteousness 00:15:36.299 --> 00:15:41.039 be imputed to you. You don't have to die and 00:15:41.039 --> 00:15:45.559 go to a devil's hell. That is the message of 00:15:45.559 --> 00:15:54.159 the mission. You don't have to go there. Some 00:15:54.159 --> 00:15:55.799 people live like they've got no other choice. 00:15:56.580 --> 00:16:00.299 Well, I'm not a Calvinist. I don't believe in 00:16:00.299 --> 00:16:08.340 selection. I believe in what the book says. The 00:16:08.340 --> 00:16:11.580 Bible says, and all that call upon the name of 00:16:11.580 --> 00:16:17.500 the Lord shall, where you at book readers? Shall 00:16:17.500 --> 00:16:20.980 be saved. I don't know about you, but I call 00:16:20.980 --> 00:16:24.139 on him daily. I remember the encounter that I 00:16:24.139 --> 00:16:26.899 had in an old -fashioned church altar when the 00:16:26.899 --> 00:16:29.639 pastor preached hell hot and heaven sweet and 00:16:29.639 --> 00:16:33.320 the conviction of my soul gripped till my knuckles 00:16:33.320 --> 00:16:36.159 turned white and I was scared to leave the house 00:16:36.159 --> 00:16:39.340 without knowing that my sins were washed away 00:16:39.340 --> 00:16:42.679 and I had been purged and cleansed by the blood 00:16:42.679 --> 00:16:45.580 that flows from Emmanuel's veins. I remember 00:16:45.580 --> 00:16:48.720 the day that peace come in like a river because 00:16:48.720 --> 00:16:51.919 the burden of my soul, the songwriter said, rolled 00:16:51.919 --> 00:16:59.820 away. The weight of sin was lifted until all 00:16:59.820 --> 00:17:05.259 had heard. That is the mandate that you and I 00:17:05.259 --> 00:17:08.930 live by. Romans 10, 14, Paul wrote to the church 00:17:08.930 --> 00:17:11.349 there and he declared, how then shall they call 00:17:11.349 --> 00:17:14.210 on him in whom they have not believed? And how 00:17:14.210 --> 00:17:16.529 shall they believe in him of whom they have not 00:17:16.529 --> 00:17:19.289 heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 00:17:19.569 --> 00:17:22.869 And how shall they preach except they be sent? 00:17:23.089 --> 00:17:27.170 You and I, we are all sent with the message of 00:17:27.170 --> 00:17:30.029 the hope of the gospel. We may not all be sent 00:17:30.029 --> 00:17:32.990 to this vocation. You may not all feel the call 00:17:32.990 --> 00:17:35.809 to be separated to come and declare before them. 00:17:35.950 --> 00:17:38.890 as I do, but I'm here to tell you, you have been 00:17:38.890 --> 00:17:42.490 called out of darkness as we all have, and you 00:17:42.490 --> 00:17:45.309 have responded to the wonderful good news, and 00:17:45.309 --> 00:17:48.329 you have received the same commission as I. You 00:17:48.329 --> 00:17:51.930 have been sent. Go ye into all the world, and 00:17:51.930 --> 00:17:54.430 as you go into all the world, teach and preach 00:17:54.430 --> 00:17:58.170 the gospel. Amen. Teaching them, baptizing them. 00:17:59.309 --> 00:18:08.940 Tell them everything that I told you. The mission 00:18:08.940 --> 00:18:11.539 remains in the forefront of the purpose of God. 00:18:12.859 --> 00:18:15.799 That remains God's love for a lost and dying 00:18:15.799 --> 00:18:19.700 world. God's love for humanity that is separated 00:18:19.700 --> 00:18:26.700 from him because of sin's action. We must remain 00:18:26.700 --> 00:18:34.160 focused on the purpose of the heart of God. The 00:18:34.160 --> 00:18:38.140 world is still in need of hearing. the gospel 00:18:38.140 --> 00:18:44.680 message. Until all have heard, you'd be amazed 00:18:44.680 --> 00:18:47.299 at people around you right here in Bradley County 00:18:47.299 --> 00:18:52.059 and the greater Cleveland, Tennessee area that 00:18:52.059 --> 00:18:56.099 don't know who Jesus is. They don't know who 00:18:56.099 --> 00:18:59.779 he is. They may even have a cross hanging around 00:18:59.779 --> 00:19:03.539 their neck for decoration. They may even wrap 00:19:03.539 --> 00:19:07.299 a Christmas gift or they may even celebrate at 00:19:07.299 --> 00:19:11.059 Easter, but they have no clue of why the celebration 00:19:11.059 --> 00:19:14.779 exists. And they won't hear until you tell them. 00:19:15.470 --> 00:19:18.490 You'd be amazed at your little sphere of friends 00:19:18.490 --> 00:19:21.710 and contacts and people you know that really 00:19:21.710 --> 00:19:24.710 don't know what you know and understand about 00:19:24.710 --> 00:19:27.250 Jesus Christ. They are people living in this 00:19:27.250 --> 00:19:29.470 world that think they have to live with the misery 00:19:29.470 --> 00:19:32.609 that is presented to them every day without hope, 00:19:32.910 --> 00:19:36.150 without a relief, and without any kind of help. 00:19:36.269 --> 00:19:38.730 But you and I are walking around with this great 00:19:38.730 --> 00:19:42.150 message that declares there is hope, there is 00:19:42.150 --> 00:19:45.849 peace, and there is help. Be at peace in this 00:19:45.849 --> 00:19:48.890 world without two nickels to rub together and 00:19:48.890 --> 00:19:50.950 not knowing where your next meal can come from. 00:19:51.029 --> 00:19:54.049 You can still be at peace with God and at rest 00:19:54.049 --> 00:19:56.650 in your soul, amen, because you have the hope 00:19:56.650 --> 00:20:00.029 of eternity living in you. My God, it's time 00:20:00.029 --> 00:20:03.349 we begin to tell one more time the hope of the 00:20:03.349 --> 00:20:07.170 world is the gospel, which is the good news that 00:20:07.170 --> 00:20:15.950 Jesus saves, Jesus saves, Jesus saves. I know 00:20:15.950 --> 00:20:18.470 I'm preaching to the choir today, and that's 00:20:18.470 --> 00:20:20.609 quite all right because I have discovered over 00:20:20.609 --> 00:20:23.470 30 years of pastoral ministry, sometimes the 00:20:23.470 --> 00:20:26.809 choir needs more preaching than everybody else. 00:20:30.470 --> 00:20:35.029 We grow comfortable in Zion. We grow at ease. 00:20:35.789 --> 00:20:38.269 We're no longer stirred by the compassion of 00:20:38.269 --> 00:20:41.349 the heart of God. When we see people, we're no 00:20:41.349 --> 00:20:45.470 longer moved or disturbed or care about their 00:20:45.470 --> 00:20:48.170 condition. My God, it ought to at least stir 00:20:48.170 --> 00:20:51.509 us till we pray if we don't do anything else. 00:20:51.529 --> 00:20:56.549 But at least tell them Jesus loves them. That's 00:20:56.549 --> 00:20:58.589 what I told the kids the night we met about them 00:20:58.589 --> 00:21:01.269 going downtown. I said, look, I'm not asking 00:21:01.269 --> 00:21:04.450 you to go present a theological statement. Just 00:21:04.450 --> 00:21:09.869 tell people Jesus loves them. Amen? And if they 00:21:09.869 --> 00:21:12.289 want to know him as Lord, surely you can lead 00:21:12.289 --> 00:21:15.630 them to Jesus. Yes, pastor, we can. Hallelujah. 00:21:17.690 --> 00:21:20.150 That's all we need to concern ourselves with 00:21:20.150 --> 00:21:22.890 at this moment. Reach out and touch them. Let 00:21:22.890 --> 00:21:25.250 them know somebody hadn't forgot them. Let them 00:21:25.250 --> 00:21:32.420 know somebody cares. Just tell them Jesus loves 00:21:32.420 --> 00:21:33.740 them. I don't care if you can tell them anything 00:21:33.740 --> 00:21:39.000 else. You've told them the gospel. Amen. The 00:21:39.000 --> 00:21:42.779 culture we need, live in need to know that God 00:21:42.779 --> 00:21:45.900 still cares and that God is still on the throne. 00:21:46.480 --> 00:21:50.559 The world truly is in still need of hearing because 00:21:50.559 --> 00:21:55.519 they haven't heard it all yet. In Acts 17, look 00:21:55.519 --> 00:21:58.779 over with me real quick. Another familiar story. 00:22:00.490 --> 00:22:03.410 The Apostle Paul's had his grandeur of conversion. 00:22:03.549 --> 00:22:07.329 He's been stricken by the light off of his donkey 00:22:07.329 --> 00:22:11.750 and fell blind. And a few days later, a scared 00:22:11.750 --> 00:22:15.950 disciple laid his hands on him and the scales 00:22:15.950 --> 00:22:18.809 fell off his eyes and he receives the baptism 00:22:18.809 --> 00:22:26.329 of the Holy Ghost. Hallelujah. And years later, 00:22:26.410 --> 00:22:30.779 somewhere around 50 AD, somewhere in here, He's 00:22:30.779 --> 00:22:32.960 on his second missionary journey and he's going 00:22:32.960 --> 00:22:39.319 through the city of Athens. Verse 16 of chapter 00:22:39.319 --> 00:22:44.319 17 begins thusly. Now while Paul waited for them 00:22:44.319 --> 00:22:47.099 at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him. My 00:22:47.099 --> 00:22:49.460 God, couldn't I just camp right there for a little 00:22:49.460 --> 00:22:52.579 bit? Just like I mentioned earlier, when was 00:22:52.579 --> 00:22:55.920 the last time your spirit was stirred for them? 00:22:57.039 --> 00:23:00.190 Paul's walking around a very wicked city. He's 00:23:00.190 --> 00:23:02.630 at a place called Mars Hill. He's at a place 00:23:02.630 --> 00:23:06.000 where there's idols. built for every God known 00:23:06.000 --> 00:23:10.339 to them and even one that is declared to the 00:23:10.339 --> 00:23:13.339 unknown God but they didn't want to be an offense 00:23:13.339 --> 00:23:16.059 to anyone that they didn't know or any God that 00:23:16.059 --> 00:23:18.900 they knew existed and there was an altar built 00:23:18.900 --> 00:23:22.200 and an idol for everyone and Paul's heart was 00:23:22.200 --> 00:23:25.339 stirred and look as he goes forward his heart 00:23:25.339 --> 00:23:29.259 was stirred because of them when he saw the city 00:23:29.259 --> 00:23:33.299 wholly given to idolatry therefore disputed he 00:23:33.420 --> 00:23:35.700 in the synagogue with the Jews. He started at 00:23:35.700 --> 00:23:38.509 the church house. Hello? He disputed with them 00:23:38.509 --> 00:23:40.950 in the synagogue with the Jews and with the devout 00:23:40.950 --> 00:23:44.150 persons and in the market daily with them that 00:23:44.150 --> 00:23:46.849 met with him. Folks kept coming. Can I tell you, 00:23:46.890 --> 00:23:49.109 all you got to do is start sharing the good news 00:23:49.109 --> 00:23:51.829 and people are going to show up to listen. They 00:23:51.829 --> 00:23:54.789 may be controversial at first as they were with 00:23:54.789 --> 00:23:57.410 him. But when they begin to open the door, can 00:23:57.410 --> 00:23:59.769 I tell you, you got to be ready to put a foot 00:23:59.769 --> 00:24:04.089 through the door until all have heard. Paul said, 00:24:04.190 --> 00:24:06.509 my Lord, as he stood up with his shoulders back. 00:24:06.670 --> 00:24:09.049 He said, let me declare unto you this unknown 00:24:09.049 --> 00:24:12.029 God. And he had to dig the dagger a little bit 00:24:12.029 --> 00:24:16.710 deeper to whom you worship ignorantly. Paul, 00:24:16.950 --> 00:24:18.809 my kind of preacher, lay it out there, preacher. 00:24:19.029 --> 00:24:21.250 Just tell them like it is. Y 'all so ignorant 00:24:21.250 --> 00:24:23.250 you don't even know who you're worshiping. And 00:24:23.250 --> 00:24:25.549 it's him that I want to declare to you today. 00:24:25.750 --> 00:24:28.470 My Lord, he squared his shoulders back and began 00:24:28.470 --> 00:24:31.490 to preach the good news of the gospel of Jesus 00:24:31.490 --> 00:24:34.170 Christ. And he preached the resurrection of Jesus 00:24:34.170 --> 00:24:38.079 Christ. Amen. were added and many clung to him 00:24:38.079 --> 00:24:41.480 as he preached the gospel of Jesus Christ. Not 00:24:41.480 --> 00:24:43.900 everybody's going to hear it. Not everyone will 00:24:43.900 --> 00:24:46.440 receive it. Are you listening to me this morning? 00:24:46.619 --> 00:24:49.940 But it's not about the everyone. It's the whosoever 00:24:49.940 --> 00:24:54.200 will. It's the whosoever will. Don't feel guilty. 00:24:54.220 --> 00:24:57.240 Don't feel bad. If all don't accept. If you want 00:24:57.240 --> 00:24:59.720 to step out of these young guys that are about 00:24:59.720 --> 00:25:01.779 ready to step into the ministry. If you really 00:25:01.779 --> 00:25:04.599 want your feelings hurt, you'll get it hurt when 00:25:04.599 --> 00:25:06.740 you be together. to put your own feeling out 00:25:06.740 --> 00:25:09.119 there. Like the rejection is they're rejecting 00:25:09.119 --> 00:25:11.779 you. I had to learn that early in my pastoral 00:25:11.779 --> 00:25:14.279 ministry. I preach my guts out, leave a lung 00:25:14.279 --> 00:25:16.359 hanging on the end of the altar, and they just 00:25:16.359 --> 00:25:19.180 walk out the door careless, callous, without 00:25:19.180 --> 00:25:22.779 concern. And you begin to wonder, is it me? Is 00:25:22.779 --> 00:25:25.720 it me? Every preacher worthy salt called of God 00:25:25.720 --> 00:25:28.799 has had this same conversation. Is it me? What 00:25:28.799 --> 00:25:31.119 have I done? Why won't it? And then the Lord 00:25:31.119 --> 00:25:33.539 had to get a hold of me one day and wake me up. 00:25:33.579 --> 00:25:35.799 He said, there. not rejecting you. By the way, 00:25:35.799 --> 00:25:38.119 who do you think you really are in the grand 00:25:38.119 --> 00:25:40.400 scheme of it? You're just an instrument, and 00:25:40.400 --> 00:25:43.279 he got my attention. It's not you they're denying. 00:25:43.460 --> 00:25:46.619 It's not you they're rejecting, but it's me because 00:25:46.619 --> 00:25:49.299 you're declaring my word. You're declaring my 00:25:49.299 --> 00:25:52.000 gospel. You're declaring my good news. They're 00:25:52.000 --> 00:25:54.900 not refusing you. Son, think about eternity. 00:25:55.339 --> 00:25:58.460 They're refusing me, and you want to melt in 00:25:58.460 --> 00:26:00.920 your tracks. You let the Spirit, you let the 00:26:00.920 --> 00:26:03.809 Holy Ghost drop that load on you. you'll feel 00:26:03.809 --> 00:26:10.150 about that big in a hurry. So don't take it personal 00:26:10.150 --> 00:26:13.410 when you witness to people and they don't accept 00:26:13.410 --> 00:26:23.529 your witness. Don't bully your witness. Don't 00:26:23.529 --> 00:26:28.450 hound your witness. Don't aggravate people with 00:26:28.450 --> 00:26:39.799 the gospel. Family members, how many of you just, 00:26:39.900 --> 00:26:43.980 you want them saved? Come on now. And so every 00:26:43.980 --> 00:26:49.660 opportunity you get, you lay into them. Now, 00:26:49.660 --> 00:26:52.779 where's your hand? Put it back up. Don't do that. 00:26:56.460 --> 00:27:01.559 Well, I love them. I know you do. But give the 00:27:01.559 --> 00:27:05.720 spirit room to work. You've shared. You've sowed 00:27:05.720 --> 00:27:08.660 the seed. Now get on your knees and pray the 00:27:08.660 --> 00:27:15.799 water from heaven down. Because what I'm doing 00:27:15.799 --> 00:27:18.799 is preaching to you from a former backslidden 00:27:18.799 --> 00:27:26.200 condition. Okay? When I was backslid, I lived 00:27:26.200 --> 00:27:30.000 there for a few years. And the more they came 00:27:30.000 --> 00:27:38.589 at me, the meaner I got. the more determined 00:27:38.589 --> 00:27:45.730 I was not to. Hello? You know what will happen 00:27:45.730 --> 00:27:48.049 if you quit harping and they come over to the 00:27:48.049 --> 00:27:50.009 house for supper and you let a whole meal go 00:27:50.009 --> 00:27:53.089 by and not harp? They're going to leave there 00:27:53.089 --> 00:28:00.569 going, do you notice anything? No, taters is 00:28:00.569 --> 00:28:06.589 good. Do you notice anything? Mama never said 00:28:06.589 --> 00:28:10.670 a word about it. Going to church. Wonder what 00:28:10.670 --> 00:28:12.349 that's all about. Right there, you've got them, 00:28:12.369 --> 00:28:17.410 honey. You've got them. Especially when you kiss 00:28:17.410 --> 00:28:19.069 them on the jaw, tell them how much you love 00:28:19.069 --> 00:28:20.349 them when they leave and they're going to leave 00:28:20.349 --> 00:28:26.509 without. We didn't even get one sermon today. 00:28:26.589 --> 00:28:30.549 Did you hear one? We didn't even get preached 00:28:30.549 --> 00:28:36.910 to today. Huh. But what happens? You prayed before 00:28:36.910 --> 00:28:40.029 they came, and you prayed when they leave. Don't 00:28:40.029 --> 00:28:41.990 harp on them. Don't harp on them. Look here. 00:28:42.190 --> 00:28:46.349 Look here. They know. How do you know, Pastor? 00:28:46.450 --> 00:28:54.809 Because you've been doing it for years. Huh? 00:28:56.630 --> 00:28:58.170 I can't believe you don't want me to tell them. 00:28:58.230 --> 00:29:01.630 You've told them. Well, the next time might. 00:29:01.750 --> 00:29:05.849 No. No. That's not what's going to turn their 00:29:05.849 --> 00:29:12.390 heart. The Holy Ghost is going to turn their 00:29:12.390 --> 00:29:17.650 heart. All they did was drive me further away. 00:29:20.450 --> 00:29:23.150 And they'll leave there scratching their head. 00:29:24.349 --> 00:29:26.789 Why? Because you have presented the gospel to 00:29:26.789 --> 00:29:28.369 them. You've lived it right in front of them. 00:29:28.910 --> 00:29:30.950 You're loving them in spite of their ignorance. 00:29:33.869 --> 00:29:37.470 In spite of their stupidity. Now look here. That's 00:29:37.470 --> 00:29:42.789 hard to do. But it's the gospel that'll do the 00:29:42.789 --> 00:29:48.869 job. Just love them. You've told them. They've 00:29:48.869 --> 00:29:53.930 heard you. Now just smile at them and pray. Love 00:29:53.930 --> 00:29:57.309 you. That's what got me. They quit. They quit. 00:29:57.470 --> 00:30:02.490 I thought, huh. I'll tell you what actually got 00:30:02.490 --> 00:30:05.440 me. When I realized I was going to end up being 00:30:05.440 --> 00:30:07.720 broke, busted, and disgusted until I got my life 00:30:07.720 --> 00:30:12.119 back right and started paying my tithe. God is 00:30:12.119 --> 00:30:15.700 my witness. That's what brought me back. I told 00:30:15.700 --> 00:30:17.640 Sister Kathy that one day. Just as lost, nobody 00:30:17.640 --> 00:30:20.779 preached to me. Nobody had said anything to me 00:30:20.779 --> 00:30:24.519 for months about getting back in church. But 00:30:24.519 --> 00:30:28.299 you see, somebody was praying. And I know who 00:30:28.299 --> 00:30:34.430 she was. And the spirit got a hold of my heart. 00:30:34.589 --> 00:30:37.210 He knows how to get them. Let him do his job. 00:30:39.049 --> 00:30:42.569 Until all have heard. Preacher proclaimed the 00:30:42.569 --> 00:30:45.650 gospel. Paul goes to Mars Hill and he declares 00:30:45.650 --> 00:30:49.589 to them this unknown God. He loved you so much 00:30:49.589 --> 00:30:53.109 that he sent his son and he died for you. But 00:30:53.109 --> 00:30:58.089 not just died, but he rose again. On the third 00:30:58.089 --> 00:31:02.390 day he rose, he resurrected. controversial teaching, 00:31:02.529 --> 00:31:05.450 controversial doctrine, but there was over 500 00:31:05.450 --> 00:31:09.029 witnesses. So how do you deny? Paul, I saw him 00:31:09.029 --> 00:31:12.690 out of a day of time. I saw this Lord, I'm declaring 00:31:12.690 --> 00:31:18.809 to you. Until all have heard. Until all have 00:31:18.809 --> 00:31:20.990 heard that there is a healing for whatever ails 00:31:20.990 --> 00:31:25.430 them. Until all have heard there's a peace that 00:31:25.430 --> 00:31:29.769 passes all their understanding. Until all have 00:31:29.769 --> 00:31:32.049 heard and bent and bowed their knee to the one 00:31:32.049 --> 00:31:35.029 and the only one who can redeem them from the 00:31:35.029 --> 00:31:41.049 sin that is destroying their life. Until all 00:31:41.049 --> 00:31:45.009 have heard. Preach the gospel. Preach the good 00:31:45.009 --> 00:31:47.589 news. Go into the places that are unpopular. 00:31:48.849 --> 00:31:52.589 Share the good news. And take whoever goes with 00:31:52.589 --> 00:31:57.549 you. Take whoever's connected. Because the rejection 00:31:57.549 --> 00:32:04.789 and the denial is not you. They deny and reject 00:32:04.789 --> 00:32:15.170 the Christ. But our hearts must be stirred. They 00:32:15.170 --> 00:32:21.230 must be stirred for places like Morocco. Must 00:32:21.230 --> 00:32:23.390 be stirred for the Indian reservations in the 00:32:23.390 --> 00:32:27.359 Dakotas and in New Mexico. They must be stirred. 00:32:28.519 --> 00:32:31.380 Our hearts must be stirred for the rural places 00:32:31.380 --> 00:32:33.539 in which you and I live and the ridges and the 00:32:33.539 --> 00:32:40.920 hollers. For the metro cities, the urbanites, 00:32:41.000 --> 00:32:46.180 they need to hear the gospel. But there are gospel 00:32:46.180 --> 00:32:52.240 agents planted all around this world. There are 00:32:52.240 --> 00:32:58.039 ambassadors living all around this world. Hopefully 00:32:58.039 --> 00:33:01.660 we can enable some to go further. Hopefully we 00:33:01.660 --> 00:33:05.319 can empower some to do more. And hopefully our 00:33:05.319 --> 00:33:08.079 hearts are stirred as the Apostle Paul. And our 00:33:08.079 --> 00:33:10.759 hearts get stirred for those who are around us 00:33:10.759 --> 00:33:17.619 who do not know him. Until they have heard the 00:33:17.619 --> 00:33:21.720 purpose and the mission. always remains in the 00:33:21.720 --> 00:33:25.079 forefront. But know this, I'm winding down right 00:33:25.079 --> 00:33:29.579 here. Know this, you're not dispatched in your 00:33:29.579 --> 00:33:34.640 own strength. We have not been sent out of our 00:33:34.640 --> 00:33:39.539 own accord. As Jesus gave the 70 authority and 00:33:39.539 --> 00:33:45.180 power, power is available for you and I. Remember 00:33:45.180 --> 00:33:47.660 the words of the Christ, it is expedient that 00:33:47.660 --> 00:33:51.240 I go away. If I do not go away, then the comforter 00:33:51.240 --> 00:33:57.339 cannot come. But when I go, greater works than 00:33:57.339 --> 00:34:00.240 these that you see me do, you shall do also because 00:34:00.240 --> 00:34:03.339 I'm going to the Father and authority and power's 00:34:03.339 --> 00:34:06.859 coming back. 24, Luke's gospel, go tear ye in 00:34:06.859 --> 00:34:10.380 Jerusalem before the ascension until you be endued 00:34:10.380 --> 00:34:16.679 with power from on high. That word power, dunamis, 00:34:16.860 --> 00:34:21.260 strength. Ability comes from that Greek word 00:34:21.260 --> 00:34:27.159 dunamai, which means to be able. To be able. 00:34:28.579 --> 00:34:35.059 One in eight of Acts, Jesus said you will receive 00:34:35.059 --> 00:34:39.219 power after that the Holy Ghost has come upon 00:34:39.219 --> 00:34:42.940 you. You're going to receive the ability to. 00:34:43.739 --> 00:34:48.420 You're going to be able to. You're going to receive 00:34:48.420 --> 00:34:53.179 strength too. You're going to have power too. 00:34:53.739 --> 00:34:56.139 Power to what? Shout? No, it's not about the 00:34:56.139 --> 00:35:00.840 shout. That's just a byproduct. Oh, I'm going 00:35:00.840 --> 00:35:04.360 to be able to speak in tongues? Again, that's 00:35:04.360 --> 00:35:07.239 just the initial byproduct of the infilling of 00:35:07.239 --> 00:35:10.539 the power that's come upon you. Everybody gets 00:35:10.539 --> 00:35:12.800 hung up on the very first thing, the initial, 00:35:12.980 --> 00:35:15.699 the initial, the initial, the beginning, the 00:35:15.699 --> 00:35:17.840 beginning stages, the outward evidence of what 00:35:17.840 --> 00:35:20.179 is working on the inside of you. And you shall 00:35:20.179 --> 00:35:22.639 receive power after the Holy Ghost has come upon 00:35:22.639 --> 00:35:24.900 you. And this is what the enablement of that 00:35:24.900 --> 00:35:27.099 power is going to do for you. It's going to cause 00:35:27.099 --> 00:35:30.199 you to be witnesses of me, unto me. It's going 00:35:30.199 --> 00:35:32.239 to cause you to have a boldness. It's going to 00:35:32.239 --> 00:35:34.199 cause you to have an ability. It's going to give 00:35:34.199 --> 00:35:37.019 you a strength too. That's what the baptism of 00:35:37.019 --> 00:35:39.980 the Holy Ghost is all about. It's about the ability 00:35:39.980 --> 00:35:44.000 to. To what? Until all have heard, shared the 00:35:44.000 --> 00:35:46.760 good news of Jesus Christ. Without the baptism 00:35:46.760 --> 00:35:48.599 of the Holy Ghost, Paul wouldn't have been able 00:35:48.599 --> 00:35:52.659 to stand. Look at Peter until the Spirit filled 00:35:52.659 --> 00:35:55.639 him and overflowed. He was running, denying, 00:35:56.099 --> 00:36:01.320 cursing. But the next thing you see after the 00:36:01.320 --> 00:36:04.619 Spirit, the dunamis comes upon him and he's made 00:36:04.619 --> 00:36:10.750 able to, he stands up. You need to read that 00:36:10.750 --> 00:36:16.070 beautiful story. Peter stands up. And the scripture 00:36:16.070 --> 00:36:21.710 said that he lifted his voice. He got everybody's 00:36:21.710 --> 00:36:28.750 attention. And began to preach to them. This 00:36:28.750 --> 00:36:32.789 is that which was prophesied by the prophet Joel 00:36:32.789 --> 00:36:38.260 hundreds, centuries before this occurrence. The 00:36:38.260 --> 00:36:44.460 prophets said it was coming. This is that. What 00:36:44.460 --> 00:36:46.380 do you hear when you're hearing this speech? 00:36:47.380 --> 00:36:50.800 They say to them, are these not all Galileans 00:36:50.800 --> 00:36:55.000 and how we hear them in our own tongue? Because 00:36:55.000 --> 00:37:01.800 they were made able to. Able to what? Speak their 00:37:01.800 --> 00:37:08.880 language. Purpose and the power of the Spirit 00:37:08.880 --> 00:37:16.420 is to enable you. To able us. To strengthen us. 00:37:17.440 --> 00:37:24.099 Amen? To embolden us. How many? You can raise 00:37:24.099 --> 00:37:25.500 your hand if you want to, if you're brave enough. 00:37:25.900 --> 00:37:28.559 How many of you, you know the Spirit's nudged 00:37:28.559 --> 00:37:31.199 your heart to speak to somebody about Jesus and 00:37:31.199 --> 00:37:34.820 you just wouldn't do it? How many? You just... 00:37:35.039 --> 00:37:39.239 And then when you leave, you're like, oh, you're 00:37:39.239 --> 00:37:42.000 crushed. You didn't get a number. You don't know 00:37:42.000 --> 00:37:44.380 where they're at. And about three miles down 00:37:44.380 --> 00:37:46.539 the road, you're in such misery on the inside 00:37:46.539 --> 00:37:48.659 because you disobeyed the Spirit. You want to 00:37:48.659 --> 00:37:50.699 turn around and go back and find them. And sometimes 00:37:50.699 --> 00:37:56.420 you do, and they're not there. That's why we 00:37:56.420 --> 00:38:01.300 need the Spirit. So that we are empowered, emboldened, 00:38:01.320 --> 00:38:04.579 and made able to when he speaks to us to say, 00:38:04.659 --> 00:38:08.159 hey, do you know Jesus? Don't overcomplicate 00:38:08.159 --> 00:38:11.280 this gospel. Stand with me, I'm quitting. Don't 00:38:11.280 --> 00:38:14.920 overcomplicate this good news. Like I told the 00:38:14.920 --> 00:38:16.760 kids, just go ahead and tell them Jesus loves 00:38:16.760 --> 00:38:19.059 them. Well, what if they ask more questions, 00:38:19.159 --> 00:38:21.139 pastor? Well, just simply tell them what he's 00:38:21.139 --> 00:38:23.199 done for you. That's all they're really concerned 00:38:23.199 --> 00:38:28.329 about anyway. You tell him what he's done for 00:38:28.329 --> 00:38:31.449 me, that doesn't mean a whole lot. But when you 00:38:31.449 --> 00:38:33.570 sit right there and say, well, let me just tell 00:38:33.570 --> 00:38:39.210 you what he's done for me. Until I'll have heard. 00:38:40.230 --> 00:38:43.409 Well, my story's not that great. Just a second 00:38:43.409 --> 00:38:49.489 here. People think, well, I don't have this great 00:38:49.489 --> 00:38:52.070 grand testimony. Well, somebody needs to be praising 00:38:52.070 --> 00:38:56.480 the Lord. That you haven't been drugged through 00:38:56.480 --> 00:39:00.199 the gutter, strung out, redeemed from addiction. 00:39:01.179 --> 00:39:04.380 Hello? Because there's some in here that have 00:39:04.380 --> 00:39:11.559 been. But hell just as hot for the stubborn hypocrite 00:39:11.559 --> 00:39:17.300 as it is for the junkie, for the drunkard, for 00:39:17.300 --> 00:39:20.300 the adulterer and the fornicator. It's just as 00:39:20.300 --> 00:39:23.980 hot for that good person. Maybe even went to 00:39:23.980 --> 00:39:26.619 church all their life. I'm about to rock some 00:39:26.619 --> 00:39:30.699 worlds right here. Gone to church, raised in 00:39:30.699 --> 00:39:33.079 church, took to church, always went to church, 00:39:33.260 --> 00:39:39.820 but never went to an altar. Never bowed a knee, 00:39:40.039 --> 00:39:43.159 never repented of their sin. Well, what sin? 00:39:43.360 --> 00:39:45.659 Well, let's just start with the original one 00:39:45.659 --> 00:39:51.489 because we're all condemned from hit. For all 00:39:51.489 --> 00:39:56.309 have sinned and fell short of the glory of God. 00:40:00.130 --> 00:40:02.289 But we have the opportunity to come out from 00:40:02.289 --> 00:40:05.090 under that. So you just simply tell them what 00:40:05.090 --> 00:40:09.849 he's done for you. Father, I love you today. 00:40:11.670 --> 00:40:18.090 Until all have heard. Lord, in a congregation 00:40:18.090 --> 00:40:20.710 this size this morning, there may be those here 00:40:20.710 --> 00:40:26.849 who haven't accepted. Oh, they've heard. They've 00:40:26.849 --> 00:40:28.909 heard the message. They've heard the gospel. 00:40:29.670 --> 00:40:38.469 But they've never accepted the gospel. They've 00:40:38.469 --> 00:40:46.150 never repented of their sins. Invited you into 00:40:46.150 --> 00:40:50.550 their heart to be Lord of their life. While heads 00:40:50.550 --> 00:40:53.829 are bowed all over this house, our hearts are 00:40:53.829 --> 00:41:00.650 to be stirred. I'm of the tradition, I don't, 00:41:00.650 --> 00:41:03.710 I think you gotta be living right when Jesus 00:41:03.710 --> 00:41:07.309 comes. That's just the way I read the scripture. 00:41:07.489 --> 00:41:09.630 I don't think you can go to an altar when you're 00:41:09.630 --> 00:41:12.190 five, six, seven years old and you're good for 00:41:12.190 --> 00:41:13.989 the rest of your life and live like the devil. 00:41:14.070 --> 00:41:18.230 I just don't. Jesus' blood is way too precious 00:41:18.230 --> 00:41:20.150 for you to just continue in your sin. Matter 00:41:20.150 --> 00:41:22.849 of fact, the Bible says that. Shall we continue 00:41:22.849 --> 00:41:28.449 in sin because grace abounds? God forbid. If 00:41:28.449 --> 00:41:30.369 you're continuing in sin today, you need to come 00:41:30.369 --> 00:41:34.590 and repent. Because Jesus could come at any day, 00:41:34.670 --> 00:41:38.429 any moment, any hour. Today could be the day. 00:41:39.530 --> 00:41:42.989 How do you know, Pastor? Well, the signs. That 00:41:42.989 --> 00:41:47.389 Jesus left us in Luke 21 and Matthew 24. And 00:41:47.389 --> 00:41:49.349 even in the book of Daniel and other places. 00:41:49.489 --> 00:41:54.309 The signs of the end are appearing. Did you not 00:41:54.309 --> 00:41:57.570 see what happened in Nepal and China on the border 00:41:57.570 --> 00:42:03.110 of Nepal and China? That rushing wall of rock, 00:42:03.269 --> 00:42:09.010 ice, water and mud. My heart was stirred. When 00:42:09.010 --> 00:42:14.340 I know. that the people that had overswept probably 00:42:14.340 --> 00:42:18.800 did not survive. And my first thought is, well, 00:42:18.820 --> 00:42:21.420 not what happened. My first thought was, I wonder 00:42:21.420 --> 00:42:26.400 if they knew Jesus. That should be our first 00:42:26.400 --> 00:42:28.880 thought and concern. Were they ready to meet 00:42:28.880 --> 00:42:34.300 the Lord? See, we're all appointed to die. For 00:42:34.300 --> 00:42:36.559 it's appointed unto man once to die and then 00:42:36.559 --> 00:42:38.940 to face the judgment. That's the issue here. 00:42:40.269 --> 00:42:42.250 It's not the dying. We're all going to do it 00:42:42.250 --> 00:42:45.250 eventually. It's going to happen unless the Lord 00:42:45.250 --> 00:42:50.889 comes. Father, I love you today. If you're here 00:42:50.889 --> 00:42:52.710 and you don't know Jesus Christ and free pardon 00:42:52.710 --> 00:42:55.530 of sin, nobody's looking. Just lift your hand 00:42:55.530 --> 00:42:57.989 up. I want to pray for you today. I need to know 00:42:57.989 --> 00:43:04.329 Jesus, Pastor. Yes. I need to know Jesus, Pastor. 00:43:06.230 --> 00:43:10.579 Yes. Any others? Come on. The first sign of getting 00:43:10.579 --> 00:43:15.019 help is realizing you need help. I need to know 00:43:15.019 --> 00:43:18.340 him. If I die today, I'll not go to heaven, and 00:43:18.340 --> 00:43:22.800 I want to. I want to go to heaven. Why no one's 00:43:22.800 --> 00:43:28.440 looking? I'm going to step right down here on 00:43:28.440 --> 00:43:32.460 the floor. If you raised your hand and you want 00:43:32.460 --> 00:43:35.289 to go to heaven. You want to know Jesus Christ, 00:43:35.409 --> 00:43:36.789 I want you to come down here. I'm going to lead 00:43:36.789 --> 00:43:39.570 you in a prayer. I want to pray with you. I want 00:43:39.570 --> 00:43:44.170 to pray with you. Say, Pastor, I'm not living 00:43:44.170 --> 00:43:46.750 right, and if the Lord comes today, I may not 00:43:46.750 --> 00:43:49.130 make it. Come on, come on. I want to pray with 00:43:49.130 --> 00:43:55.110 you. I want to pray with you. Sometimes I'll 00:43:55.110 --> 00:43:57.550 just lead a congregational, wide, repentant prayer, 00:43:57.670 --> 00:44:03.590 but I think it needs more than that today. You 00:44:03.590 --> 00:44:09.949 need Jesus. You need Jesus. Say, Pastor, do I 00:44:09.949 --> 00:44:11.409 have to come down there at the front? If you're 00:44:11.409 --> 00:44:14.630 going to be serious with God, the front's no 00:44:14.630 --> 00:44:19.110 different than where you are. You can accept 00:44:19.110 --> 00:44:21.210 the Lord right where you are. You can repent 00:44:21.210 --> 00:44:24.210 of your sin right where you stand. But if you 00:44:24.210 --> 00:44:28.190 do that, here's what you have to do. After you 00:44:28.190 --> 00:44:29.610 pray this prayer that I'm going to pray with 00:44:29.610 --> 00:44:32.880 you, you need to tell someone. That you accepted 00:44:32.880 --> 00:44:35.860 Jesus Christ today and you need to get me word 00:44:35.860 --> 00:44:39.079 of that. I need to know it. That's your first 00:44:39.079 --> 00:44:43.039 act. Act of testimony. Then here, not too long 00:44:43.039 --> 00:44:47.460 out, when we do our outdoor picnic this fall, 00:44:47.639 --> 00:44:49.860 we're going to fill the baptistry up and we're 00:44:49.860 --> 00:44:53.019 going to have a baptizing. You can eat chili, 00:44:53.219 --> 00:44:57.760 a hot dog, and follow in the footsteps of Jesus 00:44:57.760 --> 00:45:02.449 Christ all on the same day. But this is your 00:45:02.449 --> 00:45:05.989 first step. Heads bowed church, you pray with 00:45:05.989 --> 00:45:10.550 me. It don't hurt us all to live repentant. Jesus, 00:45:10.570 --> 00:45:14.849 if you mean this now, you pray it with me. Jesus, 00:45:14.989 --> 00:45:20.630 forgive me of my sin. Cleanse me of my unrighteousness. 00:45:21.570 --> 00:45:27.349 I believe that you are the Christ. That you were 00:45:27.349 --> 00:45:34.059 born. That you died. And you rose again to cleanse 00:45:34.059 --> 00:45:40.719 me from my sin. I believe. And you are Lord. 00:45:41.820 --> 00:45:47.420 Be Lord of my life. Amen. You say, Pastor, that 00:45:47.420 --> 00:45:50.599 seems so simple. The Bible simply says he is 00:45:50.599 --> 00:45:52.920 faithful and just to cleanse us of our sin because 00:45:52.920 --> 00:45:56.880 we confess our sin. If we confess our sin, he 00:45:56.880 --> 00:46:00.570 is faithful and just. To cleanse us of our sin, 00:46:00.590 --> 00:46:04.110 forgive us of all unrighteousness. Now what do 00:46:04.110 --> 00:46:07.829 I do? You start reading the book of John, the 00:46:07.829 --> 00:46:10.590 gospel of John. You get in the book of John and 00:46:10.590 --> 00:46:14.070 you start reading. And I don't have to tell you 00:46:14.070 --> 00:46:17.969 what sin, you already know what sin is. That's 00:46:17.969 --> 00:46:21.869 why you feel guilty when you do it. Don't do 00:46:21.869 --> 00:46:24.369 it. Well, what if I do? That little prayer we 00:46:24.369 --> 00:46:29.150 just prayed, pray it again. Well, what if I have 00:46:29.150 --> 00:46:34.570 to do that 15, 20 times a day? Do it 30. I don't 00:46:34.570 --> 00:46:36.829 know any other way than to keep myself under 00:46:36.829 --> 00:46:42.190 the blood, cleansed and pure. And his grace will 00:46:42.190 --> 00:46:45.949 help you and he'll lead you. Amen. Tell somebody, 00:46:46.190 --> 00:46:48.789 come by and tell me, I accepted Christ today. 00:46:49.969 --> 00:46:52.230 And we'll celebrate with you. Church, give the 00:46:52.230 --> 00:46:53.829 Lord a hand clap of praise, would you? He still 00:46:53.829 --> 00:46:58.420 saves. And until all have heard. We'll engage 00:46:58.420 --> 00:47:02.059 in the mission. Visitors, when you go out those 00:47:02.059 --> 00:47:04.099 doors to my left, there's a little counter there. 00:47:04.179 --> 00:47:05.420 There's going to be somebody there waiting on 00:47:05.420 --> 00:47:07.219 you just to give you something, just to hand 00:47:07.219 --> 00:47:08.599 you something, tell you how much we appreciate 00:47:08.599 --> 00:47:11.500 you being in worship with us today. So please 00:47:11.500 --> 00:47:14.139 stop by there. We love you. God bless you. Go 00:47:14.139 --> 00:47:15.599 in peace. Go in grace. You're dismissed.