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Local Missions · Providence Baptist Church - Sermons

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If you haven't been here in a while or you've been attending for quite some time, you know that we've been in the book of Romans for over a year.
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!
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So, we thought it would be good for a couple of weeks to really just talk about local missions this week and global missions next week.
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So, that's kind of the plan where we're headed.
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I was thinking earlier when Nathan was praying that we can say that we love Jesus.
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We can say that we love God.
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We can say that we honor Him and we glorify Him with this service and our singing.
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But unless there's action behind those words, those are just words.
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Unless there's true humility, repentance, believing, faith, unless any of that is behind those words, they're just words.
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And this morning, this sermon, as practical as it may be or as impractical, I hope it's practical,
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it's pointless and worthless if we don't have action attached to our love, attached to our faith, attached to our belief, and on and on and on.
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So, that's kind of where I really wanted to start this morning.
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We're going to be in John chapter 20, if you guys want to take your Bibles and turn there.
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We'll be there in just a few minutes.
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But let me kind of give you a quick summary of where we've been sitting in Romans chapter 10.
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Paul, in chapter 9 and a little bit into chapter 10, Paul, writing to the Christians in Rome,
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has just lamented over the unbelief of Israel, moved emotionally, just couldn't understand,
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can't understand why they haven't believed the truth of the Gospel.
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And that lamenting, that emotional stress and distress over the truth,
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moves him and brings him to chapter 10 in Romans,
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where I'm going to read, and you guys can turn there if you want.
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It brings him to the simplicity of the Gospel, as Nathan said last week,
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that Paul is brought, or the week before, Paul is brought to the simplicity of the Gospel
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after lamenting over Israel.
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Let me read in chapter 10, starting in verse 5.
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For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law,
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that the person who does the commandments shall live by them.
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But the righteousness based on faith says,
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do not say on your heart, who will ascend into heaven, that is, to bring Christ down,
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or who will descend into the abyss, that is, to bring Christ up from the dead.
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But what does it say?
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The Word is near you, in your mouth, and in your heart.
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That is, the Word of faith that we proclaim.
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Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord,
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and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
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For with the heart one believes and is justified,
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and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
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For the Scripture says, everyone who believes in Him will not be put to shame.
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For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek.
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For the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing His riches on all who call on Him.
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For everyone who calls in the name of the Lord will be saved.
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Now, moving into the next few verses, we get this practical outline that Paul gives us.
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He says, how then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed?
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And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have not heard?
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And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
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And how are they to preach unless they are sent?
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As it is written, how beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news.
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That's where we are.
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That's kind of where we sit this morning.
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Preaching the good news.
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Who will preach the good news?
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Who is sent?
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How will they hear if nobody is sent?
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How will they hear the good news?
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And that's where we are camped out.
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That's where we're kind of moving from.
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So this week, local missions.
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And next week, global missions.
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And I hope between the two weeks, it's really not a big difference.
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The difference will be where you go.
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That will be the big difference.
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I hope we can prove that to you.
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So, John chapter 20.
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We're going to start reading in verse 21.
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As Paul, in the book of Romans, is writing to the Christians in Rome,
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so too this morning is to Christians.
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This message is to those of you who once were dead and are now alive.
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Those who once had a heart of stone and now have a heart of flesh.
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Those who once lived, wallowed, and slept in your sin and in the muck of bad choice after bad choice after bad choice.
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Worshiping yourselves.
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Those of you who now worship God, live for God.
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Your purpose is to glorify Him and honor Him.
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And there's action behind that purpose.
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That's who I'm speaking to this morning.
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That's who this message is for.
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And if we're Christians, we bear the name of Christ.
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Christian.
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Simple as that.
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We belong to Him.
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So in John chapter 20,
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verse 21,
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Jesus said to them again,
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and this is the apostles, this is the disciples,
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Peace be with you as the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.
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And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them,
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Receive the Holy Spirit.
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If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them.
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If you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.
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Let's pray together.
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Father, I ask your grace this morning as we gather,
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as I preach this morning a sermon that I believe is from you.
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God, speak clearly to us.
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Communicate your will, your purposes to us.
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Show us areas in our lives where we need to step up.
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Areas where we're not painting a clear picture of the gospel.
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Our picture is muddied.
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And show us areas where our action needs to be to let go of some things.
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Our action needs to be to clean up our life a little bit
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so that we can be clear in communicating the hope that we have.
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Speak through me.
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God, if there's any error that comes from my mouth,
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let it fall from our ears.
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That we can honor you and glorify you completely
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through the preaching of your word and through the hearing of it this morning.
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In Jesus' name I pray.
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All of this.
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Amen.
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So, some quick background here in the book of John.
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Jesus has died.
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He has resurrected.
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And in this context, he has not yet appeared to the disciples.
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And if you look back a couple of verses to verse 19,
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this is where the disciples are.
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On the evening of that day, the first day of the week,
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the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews,
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Jesus came and stood among them and said to them,
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Peace be with you.
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Now, what I want you to see here is that the disciples are scared out of their mind,
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fearing for their life from the Jews
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because Jesus has died.
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They don't know that he's resurrected.
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They think all is lost.
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What they have put their hope in,
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what they had followed for these three and a half years
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has all just crumbled apart.
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Everything has just been broken down in their eyes.
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And so now they're hiding out,
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fearing for their lives,
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afraid of the religious leaders,
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afraid of the Jewish people,
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afraid of those that at some point
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they watch Jesus stand up against,
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Jesus call out,
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Jesus give them a piece of his mind.
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He's watched this.
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These are the guys that they are now afraid of.
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And for the kind of the first point here back into verse 21,
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what I want you to see is that we all,
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all of us in this room have been commissioned for a specific task.
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We have been commissioned for a specific task.
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And I know that word means something to a lot of you in here,
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those who are in military,
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those who are in the Corps at North Georgia,
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commissioned.
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And definition,
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empowered to carry out a particular task or duty.
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All of us have been commissioned to a specific task.
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We say a lot,
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Nathan said last week,
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the Great Commission,
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go,
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and in your going,
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make disciples.
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All of us have been sent to a specific place,
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to a specific area,
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a specific group of people.
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All of us have been sent.
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So all of us have been commissioned.
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We have been commissioned by Jesus,
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empowered to carry out a particular task or duty.
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You and I have been sent.
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Verse 21 says to the disciples,
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Peace be with you.
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As the Father has sent me,
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even so I am sending you.
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In America,
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we romanticize the daring.
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We romanticize the dangerous,
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the brave.
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We,
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sadly,
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in our churches,
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we do the same with missionaries.
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We romanticize the fact that they're willing to go
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to the ends of the earth,
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where it's dangerous,
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where it's not safe,
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where they may not see any conversions.
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And we say,
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These guys,
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they,
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you know,
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the whetstones,
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I think of the whetstones,
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and their willingness to put everything aside for the gospel.
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And I look at them,
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and I look at other missionaries,
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and I say,
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Man,
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that's,
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they're amazing.
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And,
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and what happens when I do that,
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is I disconnect global missions,
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and local missions from my life.
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I say,
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That's them.
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That's,
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that's their job.
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So we look at,
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like,
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frontier ministries,
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or we look at,
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the international mission board,
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or we look at,
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whatever the case may be,
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whatever group,
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ministry,
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missions,
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oriented group that you can think of,
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and we say,
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They're amazing.
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That's,
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that's their job.
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Global missions is their job.
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But,
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to be honest with you,
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all of us in this room,
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our call is global missions.
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We are the missionaries in this room.
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Likewise,
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we look at ministries in town,
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we look at,
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the Lauderdale Care Center,
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the Gainesville Care Center,
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we look at,
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all these places that are doing great things,
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the potter's house,
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we say,
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man,
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they are ministering,
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they are reaching people.
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We look at Set Free,
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see the conversions that,
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that God is doing,
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and changing lives there,
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and we say,
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man,
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God is doing something,
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and they are,
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they are part of what God is doing,
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and that is great stuff.
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What happens is,
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we disconnect ourselves from that.
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We say,
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that's them.
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But guys,
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we are local missions,
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here in this room.
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We,
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are the sent ones.
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Not somebody else,
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not some other ministry,
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not people going to India,
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or Afghanistan,
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or Burma,
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or wherever.
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We,
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our local missions,
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and global missions,
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sitting in this room.
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It's not thinking biblical,
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if we say it's them.
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To think biblically,
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it's all of us being sent.
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We have been commissioned,
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for a specific task.
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We have been empowered,
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to a specific place,
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for a specific reason,
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to a specific people.
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Now,
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your people may be in Afghanistan,
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like the Whetstones,
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but your people also may be at Chesity High School,
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or Gainesville High School,
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or Phenicity,
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or fill in the blank,
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North Georgia College,
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Truett McConnell College,
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wherever you are.
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You've been sent there,
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for a purpose,
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and a specific task.
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And you've been commissioned,
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you've been empowered,
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by Jesus,
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to go.
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Now,
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remember who Jesus is talking to.
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He's talking to his disciples.
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Now,
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context wise,
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they're in this room,
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scared out of their mind.
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But these are fishermen,
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tax collectors.
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These guys aren't,
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the smart of the smart,
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classroom,
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A plus students.
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These aren't,
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these aren't the,
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the elite of the elite,
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ranger,
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or,
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or Navy SEAL,
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or anything like that.
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These are just guys,
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who God set apart,
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to do a specific task.
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Just like you and I,
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in this room,
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we have been set apart,
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and commissioned,
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to do a specific task.
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So how do we do that?
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What are we,
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what are we to do?
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You know,
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if Jesus is our example,
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and all of us,
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and every Christian would say,
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yes,
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Jesus is our example.
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We need to strive,
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to be like Jesus.
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Well,
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if Jesus is that example,
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Jesus fulfilled everything,
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that the Father sent Him to do.
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All the way,
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to death on the cross,
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and resurrection.
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Now,
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are you willing,
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to fulfill everything,
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that God has called you,
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to do?
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Has called,
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has sent you to do?
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God has commissioned you,
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to do,
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to the specific area,
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in your life,
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the specific people group,
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around you.
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So what are we,
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to do then?
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As Christians,
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what are we to do?
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How do we,
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do this?
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Well,
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first of all,
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we must,
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need to engage,
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the culture we live in.
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We need to engage,
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the culture we live in.
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We need to get involved,
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in the culture.
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We need to get involved,
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in the lives of people,
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around us.
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For example,
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Jamie and I,
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took the kids,
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Friday night,
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to the movie,
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in the park,
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there in,
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in downtown,
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Dahlonega.
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Never been there before,
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but we,
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had a great time,
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met a lot of people,
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had just a great,
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fellowship time,
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with believers,
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and non-believers.
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Didn't have any,
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gospel centered,
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conversation per se,
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didn't lead anybody,
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to Christ,
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but we were there,
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with the people,
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of Dahlonega,
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sharing time together.
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Another example,
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that,
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a few weeks ago,
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we were,
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Nathan and I,
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and some of us,
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in this room,
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participated with,
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the Dahlonega Care Center.
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They had a family fund,
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it was a,
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you know,
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we were in a dunk tank.
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There's not much,
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gospel preaching,
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in a dunk tank.
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But we were in a dunk tank,
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because we believed,
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in what they were doing,
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and we wanted to support them,
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and we wanted to engage,
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what they were,
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trying to accomplish.
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Another example,
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in the political,
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circles right now,
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Mormonism is a big deal,
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especially in,
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in Christianity,
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do we,
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do we vote for a Mormon,
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do we not?
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Well,
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that's not,
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not even going to talk about that.
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Have you noticed,
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have you paid attention to,
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the,
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and I'm a Mormon videos,
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commercials?
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Have you seen any of those?
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Raise your hand,
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if you've seen any of those.
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Okay,
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so a lot of you have.
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The Church of Latter Day Saints,
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the Mormons,
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are trying really hard,
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to infiltrate culture,
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and to,
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dismiss,
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the stereotype,
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that they are,
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you know,
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multi-wives,
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multi-kids,
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going to take over the world,
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building their kingdom,
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so that when they die,
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they got all the,
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you know,
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whatever.
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They're trying to do this,
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and they're trying to strip away,
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that,
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that stereotype.
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Why?
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Because,
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because they believe,
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that the best way,
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to reach,
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the culture,
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the rest,
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best place to reach,
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people,
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is to show them,
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that they're cool.
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So you get,
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lead singers of,
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of the band,
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The Killers,
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you get,
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um,
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design,
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fashion designers,
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you get,
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architects,
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you get all these guys,
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to do commercials,
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and talk about,
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just their morality,
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and how God has led them,
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and then they say,
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and I'm a Mormon.
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Shows you,
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that they're,
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they're cool,
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that they're,
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they're mainstream now,
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instead of being,
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multi-wives,
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hundred kids,
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which,
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I'm sure that still exists,
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but they're,
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trying really hard.
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They're engaging the culture,
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showing that they're relevant,
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showing that they're cool.
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Um,
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do we need to make videos,
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and show how cool we are?
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No.
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We need to just show the world,
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that we're people,
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sinners,
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who need Jesus,
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who need the grace of God,
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and show them,
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that we're real,
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engaging culture.
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A biblical example,
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is Jesus' first miracle.
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His coming out party,
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was at a what?
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At a wedding.
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And he changed water,
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into wine.
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Now,
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the wedding,
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is a,
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is a culturally rich,
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celebration.
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Now,
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Jesus,
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could have said,
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um,
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to everyone,
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now we need to stop this wedding,
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because I have some things,
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I need to say.
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He could have done that,
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because he's Jesus.
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But he didn't.
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He,
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was there,
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he participated,
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and he blessed,
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the wedding.
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He blessed them,
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by changing the water,
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into wine.
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And he showed,
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his power.
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He showed,
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his grace.
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He showed,
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who he was.
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A hint,
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of who he was,
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even at that,
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wedding.
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And guys,
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let's,
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let's be honest.
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When,
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when Jesus goes through,
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and he travels,
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he doesn't stay,
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in the synagogue.
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Jesus doesn't,
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you know,
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mail out mailers,
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send out stuff,
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and say,
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I'm going to be here,
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at six o'clock,
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come hear my message.
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Jesus,
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preaches in the synagogue,
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and then he goes,
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to the people.
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He goes,
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to the city.
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He eats with,
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prostitutes,
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and tax collectors.
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He stays,
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with sinners.
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We too,
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have to,
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be with sinners.
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Be with people.
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We have to engage,
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the people like Jesus.
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Jesus went out,
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and he engaged,
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the people.
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And the whole time,
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Jesus did that,
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what did he do?
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He pointed out,
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who he was.
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He showed,
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the people,
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that he was God,
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that he was,
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the son of God.
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Showed his power,
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through his miracles.
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And he showed,
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and he told them,
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that he was the savior,
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of the world.
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He pointed,
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his conversation,
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his words,
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to the truth,
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that he was God.
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We too,
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do the same,
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should,
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do the same,
19:06
pointing people,
19:06
not that we're God,
19:07
pointing people,
19:08
to Jesus.
19:11
Pointing people,
19:11
to the better,
19:13
life.
19:17
We are to point,
19:19
people,
19:20
in 1 Corinthians 13,
19:23
we have the famous,
19:23
love chapter,
19:24
love is patient,
19:25
love is kind,
19:27
follow,
19:28
you know,
19:28
all the way through.
19:30
At the beginning,
19:31
of the chapter though,
19:31
it says,
19:32
if we don't have,
19:33
love,
19:35
what are we?
19:36
Noisy,
19:37
gong,
19:38
or clanging cymbal.
19:40
Our actions,
19:41
have to be,
19:44
filled with,
19:45
love.
19:47
As,
19:48
as we live,
19:50
and as we try,
19:52
to engage culture,
19:53
as we try,
19:54
to display,
19:56
the glory of God,
19:58
and the grace of God,
20:00
and the beauty of the gospel,
20:02
we're,
20:02
we're,
20:03
we're trying to paint,
20:05
a picture for people,
20:06
to,
20:06
to come,
20:07
and to see,
20:08
that,
20:09
this,
20:09
the way we live,
20:10
is better,
20:12
than the way,
20:14
a non-Christian is living.
20:15
And not because,
20:16
of anything in us,
20:17
not because,
20:18
of our decisions,
20:19
we have made,
20:20
although that is,
20:21
evidence of,
20:22
but because,
20:23
we have Christ,
20:24
and we have hope,
20:25
and we have joy,
20:26
and we have,
20:27
love,
20:28
for one another,
20:29
we have love,
20:29
for God,
20:30
that,
20:30
that is,
20:31
as Nathan,
20:32
prayed earlier,
20:33
because he first loved us,
20:35
we then love him.
20:37
We have that,
20:38
that love.
20:39
So,
20:40
if we don't have love though,
20:42
if we try to live this out,
20:43
and try to live,
20:44
in a specific way,
20:44
for people to see,
20:46
and we don't have love,
20:47
then,
20:47
we are,
20:48
noisy gong,
20:50
or a clanging cymbal.
20:52
So,
20:52
when we engage the culture,
20:54
we also must love the people,
20:55
in the culture.
20:58
And,
20:58
some of this is very elementary,
21:00
I understand,
21:01
but sometimes,
21:01
we need to hear the basics.
21:04
We need to be challenged,
21:05
in the basics,
21:05
so that we can,
21:06
strive more.
21:09
We need to love,
21:09
the people in the culture.
21:12
And the truth,
21:13
and I think why,
21:14
Paul wrote what he wrote,
21:16
in Corinthians 13,
21:18
in 1 Corinthians chapter 1,
21:20
is that Christians,
21:21
can come across,
21:22
as arrogant people.
21:24
We can come across,
21:25
as some arrogant people,
21:27
because,
21:27
we know the truth,
21:29
and we have the answer.
21:31
But the truth,
21:33
the reality,
21:34
I don't want to confuse you,
21:35
the reality is,
21:36
is that if we truly understood,
21:38
and had a true,
21:39
right understanding,
21:40
of the gospel,
21:43
arrogance,
21:43
arrogance wouldn't be,
21:44
even close,
21:46
to the emotion,
21:46
that we share,
21:47
with somebody,
21:48
the emotion,
21:49
that we show somebody.
21:51
We would be,
21:52
full of humility,
21:54
and full of thanksgiving,
21:55
and full,
21:57
of,
21:58
grace,
22:00
to others,
22:01
even,
22:01
because,
22:02
of that grace,
22:03
and that mercy,
22:04
that we have been shown,
22:05
through Christ,
22:06
through,
22:06
the gospel.
22:09
So,
22:10
how do we,
22:11
then,
22:12
love?
22:13
If we've got the right,
22:13
understanding of the gospel,
22:15
we're not going to come across,
22:16
arrogant.
22:16
So how do we love,
22:17
the people in the culture?
22:18
Well,
22:18
just three real quick.
22:19
We love them,
22:20
by inviting them,
22:21
into our life.
22:23
We invite them,
22:24
into our life.
22:27
In a big picture,
22:28
I shared this Thursday night,
22:30
with our little group,
22:30
afterwards,
22:31
in a big,
22:32
big,
22:33
humanity picture,
22:34
we love all,
22:35
humanity,
22:35
right?
22:35
Because,
22:36
every person,
22:38
is created,
22:39
in the image of God.
22:40
And I can look at you,
22:41
and I can say,
22:42
I love you,
22:43
because you're,
22:43
you're a man,
22:44
or you're a woman.
22:45
I'm you,
22:46
and if you're a Christian,
22:47
you and I,
22:48
are brothers and sisters,
22:49
so you're family too,
22:50
so now I love you even more.
22:51
But that love,
22:53
that love becomes even more,
22:55
intense,
22:57
more,
22:57
vibrant,
22:59
when we get to know,
23:00
said person.
23:01
When I get to know you,
23:02
I get to share life with you,
23:04
I get to invite you,
23:05
into my life,
23:06
and I get to learn about you,
23:07
and you,
23:08
the same with me,
23:10
that love becomes,
23:11
even more,
23:13
real,
23:14
even more,
23:14
flavorful,
23:15
more,
23:16
robust,
23:19
more emotional,
23:20
for you,
23:21
and for me.
23:22
So,
23:23
we love all people,
23:24
so we love the people,
23:25
of Dahlonegar,
23:26
we love the people,
23:26
of Hall County,
23:28
true statement,
23:29
but,
23:30
we really love somebody,
23:32
when we share life together,
23:33
and we share our lives,
23:35
we invite people,
23:36
into our lives,
23:39
by,
23:39
you know,
23:40
meals,
23:41
sharing hobbies together,
23:43
you get to know them,
23:45
we also,
23:46
love them,
23:47
by making sacrifices,
23:48
for them,
23:50
by making sacrifices,
23:51
for them,
23:51
for an example,
23:53
you have,
23:53
an extra room,
23:54
in your house,
23:55
that is your office,
23:57
your office,
23:58
could be just a desk,
24:00
make that office,
24:01
into an extra bedroom,
24:02
and have people,
24:03
stay with you,
24:04
who are in need,
24:05
who are suffering,
24:05
who have,
24:06
who God has brought to you,
24:07
now,
24:08
that's just an example,
24:09
I'm not saying,
24:09
go out and do that,
24:10
college students,
24:11
don't go out and do that,
24:12
because all you have,
24:12
is a desk,
24:13
and a bed,
24:14
I understand that,
24:15
don't go crazy,
24:17
but you understand,
24:19
what I'm saying,
24:20
make sacrifices,
24:22
your comfort,
24:22
may need to be,
24:23
sacrificed,
24:24
for the gospel,
24:26
and the advancement,
24:27
of the kingdom,
24:28
another example,
24:30
Nathan mentioned this,
24:30
this morning,
24:31
in our CFC 101,
24:33
love them,
24:33
by speaking to them,
24:34
in love,
24:36
that sounds very basic,
24:37
and elementary,
24:38
but if we're not,
24:39
speaking to people,
24:40
in love,
24:41
if I'm not speaking,
24:42
to you in love,
24:43
you're not going,
24:44
to listen to me,
24:45
you're not even,
24:45
going to hear me,
24:46
probably,
24:47
and that's just a given,
24:49
human tendency,
24:51
we need to speak,
24:52
to people in love,
24:53
we need to,
24:54
encourage them,
24:55
we need to,
24:56
stand,
24:57
for the right things,
24:59
stand,
25:00
for the right things,
25:01
not for the trivial things,
25:03
when Nathan,
25:04
was talking about it,
25:05
this morning,
25:06
in CFC 101,
25:07
we were talking about,
25:08
congregationalism,
25:09
and how,
25:10
and when is the right time,
25:12
to,
25:13
discuss issues,
25:14
and what kind of issues,
25:16
are worth discussing,
25:18
the color of the carpet,
25:22
we could talk about it,
25:23
but,
25:23
is that really important,
25:25
whether somebody,
25:26
is a member or not,
25:27
or we need to discipline them,
25:30
inviting somebody,
25:32
to be a member,
25:32
those types of things,
25:33
we need to talk about,
25:34
and we need to talk about it,
25:36
in love,
25:36
if somebody is,
25:37
is in sin,
25:39
and we need to go,
25:40
and confront them,
25:40
we confront them,
25:41
in love,
25:43
not,
25:44
arrogance,
25:45
not,
25:47
dude I've got it all figured out,
25:48
and you are messing up,
25:50
big time,
25:51
no,
25:52
we go and say man,
25:54
I understand it's hard,
25:57
you know I've,
25:58
you know I'm only here,
25:59
by the grace of God,
26:00
I have tasted,
26:01
God's mercy,
26:03
and let me share with you,
26:04
let me help you,
26:05
because I love you,
26:06
not because,
26:07
not because I want you,
26:08
to achieve,
26:09
said goals,
26:11
but I love you,
26:11
and I want to see the best,
26:13
for you,
26:13
that's totally different,
26:15
than speaking of them,
26:16
just out of,
26:18
straighten up,
26:18
or ship out,
26:20
so,
26:23
we have been commissioned,
26:25
we have been commissioned,
26:26
by Jesus,
26:28
to accomplish,
26:29
a specific task,
26:31
we've also been resourced,
26:33
to accomplish,
26:35
a specific task,
26:36
verse 22 says,
26:39
and when he had said this,
26:41
he breathed on them,
26:42
and said to them,
26:42
receive the Holy Spirit,
26:45
the only resource,
26:46
we need is Jesus,
26:48
is the Holy Spirit,
26:49
that is the only resource,
26:51
that you and I need,
26:52
to achieve,
26:53
what God has put before us,
26:55
Jesus breathes,
26:56
on the disciples,
26:57
to show that,
26:58
that part of him,
26:59
now resides,
27:00
in them,
27:02
part of him,
27:03
resides in them,
27:04
and thus,
27:05
in us,
27:06
now there's debate,
27:07
on whether,
27:08
they receive the Holy Spirit,
27:09
here,
27:09
or at Pentecost,
27:10
and,
27:11
it doesn't matter,
27:12
either way,
27:12
they've received,
27:13
the Holy Spirit,
27:14
and us,
27:15
have received,
27:16
we have received,
27:17
the Holy Spirit,
27:18
through Christ,
27:20
and he displays that,
27:22
here by breathing,
27:23
on them,
27:26
kind of puts a stamp,
27:27
on their commission,
27:29
you've been empowered,
27:30
now,
27:31
and this is how,
27:31
you're going to,
27:33
do the task,
27:34
I have laid out,
27:35
before you,
27:35
this is how,
27:38
you're going to do it,
27:39
in Matthew 28,
27:41
last week,
27:41
Nathan talked about,
27:42
the great commission,
27:43
and it says,
27:46
therefore,
27:46
go and make disciples,
27:49
and right before that,
27:50
Jesus says,
27:51
I have,
27:51
all authority,
27:52
in heaven,
27:53
and on earth,
27:53
have been given to me,
27:54
go therefore,
27:55
and make disciples,
27:56
of all nations,
27:59
God is,
28:00
Jesus is,
28:01
has commissioned,
28:01
the disciples,
28:02
he's commissioned us,
28:04
to go,
28:04
and make disciples,
28:06
Acts 1.8 says,
28:07
but you will receive power,
28:09
when the Holy Spirit,
28:10
has come upon you,
28:12
Nathan mentioned that,
28:13
last week as well,
28:14
and that,
28:15
that word power,
28:16
is the word we get,
28:17
in the Greek,
28:18
we get the word dynamite from,
28:20
so it's this explosive,
28:22
life altering power,
28:25
the power,
28:28
this power,
28:29
dwells in,
28:30
in you,
28:30
and in me,
28:31
and we have been resourced,
28:32
with it,
28:33
so that we can,
28:34
accomplish the task,
28:35
that God is,
28:36
calling us,
28:37
to do,
28:39
and just,
28:40
you know,
28:40
a reminder,
28:41
who Jesus is talking to,
28:43
and where they are,
28:45
they're held up,
28:46
in a room,
28:47
the door is locked,
28:48
they're scared out of their mind,
28:49
they think they're going to die,
28:52
fishermen,
28:53
tax collectors,
28:54
not the religious,
28:56
they're scared,
28:57
of the religious,
28:58
and you and I,
28:59
have been given,
29:00
power,
29:01
just like,
29:03
the disciples here,
29:05
to accomplish,
29:06
what he has commissioned us for,
29:08
God's not going to lead us,
29:13
into a situation,
29:15
that,
29:16
that he hasn't first prepared,
29:18
for us,
29:19
and prepared for us,
29:20
to go for that moment,
29:23
he's just,
29:24
he's just not,
29:26
he's preparing us,
29:27
for what's coming next,
29:28
he's preparing the people,
29:29
for who we're going to come,
29:30
in contact with next,
29:32
God is working,
29:34
and so as we live,
29:36
as we strive,
29:37
to live,
29:37
and to love,
29:39
to preach,
29:39
and to proclaim,
29:41
God is working in you,
29:42
and in me,
29:43
to accomplish his will,
29:44
he's using us,
29:46
to accomplish,
29:48
his will,
29:50
his plan,
29:50
his purpose,
29:52
that we've been sent to,
29:53
we've been called to,
29:54
we've been commissioned to,
29:56
so as missionaries,
29:58
all of us,
29:59
in this room,
30:00
are missionaries,
30:01
as missionaries,
30:02
we're all sent,
30:03
to where we are,
30:04
right now,
30:06
God sends us,
30:07
to specific places,
30:09
now,
30:10
we're sent,
30:11
to specific places,
30:13
where people are hurting,
30:15
people are suffering,
30:16
where pain,
30:17
and agony,
30:18
and sadness,
30:19
is,
30:21
all around us,
30:23
and to be honest with you,
30:24
where it's messy,
30:25
people around you,
30:27
are messy,
30:29
you're messy,
30:30
I'm messy,
30:31
ministry,
30:32
messy,
30:34
why?
30:35
Because in those moments,
30:37
we can share,
30:39
why we are hopeful,
30:40
we can share,
30:41
why we are joyful,
30:43
why we continue,
30:44
with patience,
30:44
and kindness,
30:45
with one another,
30:46
we can share,
30:47
why we love,
30:48
love,
30:49
and the other side,
30:49
of that is,
30:50
when we are suffering,
30:51
when we are in pain,
30:52
and agony,
30:53
and sadness,
30:55
we can lean,
30:57
on the promises,
30:59
that God has given us,
31:02
the promises,
31:03
that will occur,
31:05
that will happen,
31:07
and we can share,
31:08
the hope,
31:09
and the joy,
31:10
and the love,
31:11
and the mercy,
31:12
and the grace,
31:12
that we've been shown,
31:13
and we can share that,
31:14
with others,
31:15
in even those moments,
31:19
to the answer,
31:20
to all of these struggles,
31:22
the answer,
31:22
to all the pain,
31:24
the suffering,
31:24
the answer,
31:25
to all the,
31:25
the sadness,
31:28
of striving,
31:29
for something,
31:30
and never being able,
31:31
to achieve it in life,
31:32
because of sin,
31:33
the answer,
31:35
to,
31:36
to,
31:37
working,
31:40
out,
31:41
trying to be somebody,
31:43
but you just can't get there,
31:44
because it's not of God,
31:46
because you're doing it,
31:47
in your own power,
31:48
the answer,
31:49
is Jesus,
31:51
it's not,
31:52
anything else,
31:53
and that power,
31:54
is in us,
31:55
and it is greater,
31:56
than anything else,
31:57
and that's what we can try,
31:58
to communicate,
31:59
to the people around us,
32:02
1 John 4,
32:03
4 says,
32:04
he that is in you,
32:05
is greater than he,
32:06
that is in the world,
32:07
which means,
32:09
that no matter,
32:10
what circumstance,
32:11
no matter,
32:12
what hurt,
32:13
or pain,
32:14
Jesus is better,
32:15
Jesus is the great physician,
32:16
Jesus,
32:17
is,
32:18
better,
32:19
and greater,
32:20
than all the pain,
32:21
and all the suffering,
32:25
we have been resourced,
32:26
to accomplish,
32:27
exactly,
32:28
what God calls us to,
32:30
so we live out,
32:32
our life,
32:32
in the power,
32:33
of the Holy Spirit,
32:34
we walk,
32:34
by the Spirit,
32:35
we bear,
32:36
the fruit,
32:37
of the Spirit,
32:39
and when we do this,
32:40
we're painting a picture,
32:42
we're painting this picture,
32:44
of how we live,
32:46
a better way,
32:47
how we live,
32:49
so in our marriages,
32:51
we show,
32:52
a better way,
32:53
in our decisions,
32:54
we make about finances,
32:56
we show,
32:56
the better way,
32:58
in our unity,
33:00
that we have,
33:01
here and out,
33:02
among,
33:03
the world,
33:05
we show,
33:06
a better way,
33:06
in the way,
33:07
that we love,
33:08
one another,
33:08
and others,
33:09
we show,
33:10
a better way,
33:11
we're painting,
33:12
this picture,
33:13
that people will see,
33:14
and they will see,
33:15
Jesus,
33:15
not us,
33:17
we live,
33:18
a specific way,
33:19
to show Jesus,
33:20
not to show,
33:21
what we can accomplish,
33:22
not to show,
33:23
how articulate,
33:24
we are,
33:24
or how well,
33:25
we can teach,
33:26
we show,
33:27
we live,
33:28
a specific way,
33:29
to show,
33:30
Jesus,
33:32
now,
33:32
local missions,
33:33
is not just,
33:35
not just about,
33:36
demographics,
33:38
numbers,
33:39
about the area you are,
33:41
or getting to know,
33:42
the people around you,
33:43
it's not about strategy,
33:44
or plan,
33:45
although,
33:46
that comes into play,
33:47
it's not about,
33:48
door to door evangelism,
33:50
although it can be,
33:52
but it's about,
33:53
living in such a way,
33:55
that people see a difference,
33:57
that people are drawn,
33:58
to a better way,
34:00
that people see clearly,
34:02
the picture that you're painting,
34:03
which is,
34:04
Jesus,
34:06
I think of Daniel,
34:07
chapter 1,
34:08
where Daniel,
34:10
Daniel says,
34:11
you know,
34:12
I don't,
34:13
I don't eat that stuff,
34:14
we're not going to eat that stuff,
34:15
if that's okay with you,
34:16
we're just going to eat,
34:16
what God has created for us,
34:18
we're going to eat the fruits,
34:19
and the vegetables,
34:20
and drink the water,
34:22
and,
34:22
and all the other,
34:23
all the other guys drink,
34:25
or eat,
34:25
you know,
34:25
the meats,
34:26
and the kings,
34:27
food,
34:28
and the wine,
34:29
and,
34:29
and at the end of the 10 days,
34:31
or whatever it is,
34:32
you know,
34:33
Daniel,
34:33
and,
34:33
and the three other guys,
34:35
they,
34:35
Shadrach,
34:36
Meshach,
34:36
and Abednego,
34:36
they,
34:37
they look amazing,
34:38
they're glowing,
34:40
they're strong,
34:41
their,
34:41
their bodies look fit,
34:43
and the other guys,
34:45
look,
34:46
probably gray,
34:47
or green,
34:48
or just,
34:48
you know,
34:48
just blah,
34:50
and,
34:51
the,
34:52
the,
34:52
the point,
34:54
is that Daniel,
34:55
showed a better way,
34:56
Daniel,
34:57
Daniel communicated to them,
34:58
a better way,
34:58
now,
34:59
Jesus wasn't involved,
35:00
but,
35:00
but Daniel was able to point to,
35:02
my God,
35:03
this is,
35:05
why I eat this way,
35:06
because God has,
35:07
told me to eat this way,
35:09
and he was able to point people to that,
35:11
you and I can make,
35:13
decisions that point people,
35:15
likewise,
35:17
don't go out and eat the maker's diet,
35:19
or whatever,
35:19
I mean,
35:19
if you want to,
35:20
feel free,
35:21
but,
35:21
that's not what I'm saying,
35:22
I hope you understand that,
35:24
what I'm saying is,
35:24
is the decisions that you make,
35:26
the choices that you make,
35:28
can point people to Jesus,
35:30
and can give you opportunities,
35:31
to communicate that truth,
35:35
Daniel was able to communicate,
35:37
that truth,
35:37
so remember,
35:41
that you and I,
35:42
are missionaries,
35:43
that we are communicating,
35:44
we are painting a picture,
35:46
for people,
35:48
so,
35:49
the picture,
35:50
will allow people,
35:51
for example,
35:52
the addict,
35:53
can see that his addiction,
35:54
can be broken through Jesus,
35:56
the prostitute,
35:58
can see that her bondage,
35:59
can be freed,
36:01
through Jesus,
36:02
the liar,
36:03
can see that his lies,
36:04
can be forgiven,
36:05
through Jesus,
36:06
the idolater,
36:08
can see that his gods,
36:09
no longer supply his desires,
36:11
because he has seen,
36:13
Jesus,
36:15
all of this,
36:16
and more can happen,
36:17
not because,
36:18
of some religious activity,
36:20
that you do,
36:21
or because you're here,
36:21
at 1030,
36:22
or because you pray,
36:24
five times a day,
36:25
or whatever it is,
36:27
this stuff can happen,
36:28
because,
36:29
of the power that's in you,
36:30
and the life,
36:31
that you're trying to live,
36:32
and the picture,
36:33
that you're trying to paint,
36:34
for people,
36:35
we have been commissioned,
36:39
for a specific task,
36:41
we have been resourced,
36:42
for that task,
36:43
and we have been outsourced,
36:44
with a specific message,
36:47
verse 23,
36:49
if you forgive the sins of any,
36:52
they are forgiven them,
36:53
if you withhold,
36:54
withhold forgiveness from any,
36:55
it is withheld,
36:58
now when I first read this,
37:00
super confusing,
37:02
what,
37:03
he's giving forgiveness,
37:04
to the,
37:05
the power of forgiveness,
37:06
to his disciples,
37:07
like that,
37:08
doesn't make any sense,
37:11
well that's not what he's doing,
37:13
so first of all,
37:14
Jesus is not saying,
37:15
that forgiveness,
37:16
is the Christians,
37:17
to give out,
37:18
like tickets to a concert,
37:21
yes I like you,
37:22
so here's two tickets,
37:23
yes I like you,
37:24
you are forgiven,
37:25
no that's not what he's saying,
37:26
at all,
37:27
it is not our forgiveness,
37:29
to give,
37:29
we forgive,
37:31
because we have first been,
37:33
forgiven,
37:35
so Jesus is,
37:38
is telling his disciples,
37:40
and telling us this morning,
37:42
that our message,
37:44
is a message of forgiveness,
37:46
of sins,
37:46
that we are,
37:47
to preach forgiveness,
37:49
of sins,
37:50
and if we base,
37:52
if we look at Romans chapter 3,
37:54
through chapter 5,
37:55
we know,
37:56
that forgiveness,
37:57
forgiveness,
37:57
is directed,
37:58
to a right relation,
37:59
with God,
38:00
called justification,
38:01
God has forgiven our sins,
38:03
we have been justified,
38:03
in Christ,
38:05
and in Christ alone,
38:06
for the forgiveness,
38:07
of sins,
38:08
so if we know that,
38:10
which was probably,
38:11
a year ago,
38:11
when we went through those,
38:13
if we know that,
38:16
then we are to be,
38:17
ministers of forgiveness,
38:19
ministers,
38:19
another way,
38:20
Paul says this,
38:21
in 2nd Corinthians chapter 5,
38:22
ministers,
38:23
of reconciliation,
38:24
making a relationship,
38:26
right again,
38:28
preaching,
38:30
forgiveness,
38:32
so that people,
38:33
can be reconciled,
38:33
to God,
38:35
as we were created,
38:36
in God's image,
38:37
as we were created,
38:38
for his glory,
38:39
in his image,
38:42
sin came in,
38:43
and destroyed,
38:44
that image,
38:45
destroyed that relationship,
38:46
destroyed our ability,
38:47
to be,
38:49
proper image bearers,
38:51
of God,
38:52
and Jesus came,
38:55
and died,
38:56
and allowed us,
38:57
through his righteousness,
38:59
through his death,
39:01
life,
39:02
death,
39:02
and resurrection,
39:03
on the cross,
39:04
allowed us,
39:04
to be image bearers,
39:06
once again,
39:07
of the glory,
39:08
and the grace,
39:09
of God,
39:10
and that's what we're,
39:11
talking about this morning,
39:12
is we live out a life,
39:14
painting a picture,
39:15
showing,
39:16
the image,
39:17
of Jesus Christ,
39:18
who we now,
39:19
are image bearers,
39:20
of as well,
39:22
so we live out,
39:23
specifically,
39:25
we have this specific,
39:28
message,
39:30
so remember,
39:34
we are painting a picture,
39:38
now,
39:39
I was going to try to do,
39:41
like an art lesson,
39:41
for you,
39:42
and talk about this artist,
39:43
and this artist,
39:44
and how I hate this one,
39:45
and I like this one,
39:45
because this is clear,
39:46
but I'm not going to do that,
39:48
you guys,
39:50
all of us in here,
39:52
like art,
39:53
for some reason,
39:54
there's just a picture,
39:55
that really just,
39:55
stands out to us,
39:57
it communicates,
39:58
something to us,
39:59
and we see exactly,
40:00
what it communicates,
40:02
and we are just,
40:02
drawn to it,
40:04
shake your head,
40:04
if you agree,
40:05
everybody's agreeing,
40:07
and there's some pictures,
40:09
where you look at,
40:09
and you go,
40:10
I don't get it,
40:12
I don't get that one,
40:14
that guy was,
40:15
I don't know,
40:16
he was sleeping,
40:16
when he did that,
40:18
something,
40:19
we just,
40:19
we just don't get it,
40:20
because,
40:21
maybe because,
40:21
it just doesn't speak to us,
40:22
it doesn't communicate,
40:23
something clearly,
40:24
to us,
40:25
well,
40:26
for the painting,
40:27
that we're trying to paint,
40:28
the picture,
40:29
that we're trying to,
40:30
to show the world,
40:32
what makes that picture,
40:33
clear,
40:34
what makes that picture,
40:35
different,
40:36
than any other picture,
40:37
is our message,
40:38
of forgiveness,
40:39
is our message,
40:40
of reconciliation,
40:42
because,
40:44
every other religion,
40:45
may have forgiveness,
40:46
every other religion,
40:47
may have,
40:48
your sins,
40:48
have been,
40:49
forgiven,
40:51
but not by grace,
40:54
not by grace alone,
40:55
through faith alone,
40:57
they've got to do something,
40:59
there's a task,
41:00
that they have to accomplish,
41:01
there's a task,
41:02
or,
41:02
or many tasks,
41:04
that they have to do,
41:04
in order to be,
41:06
have their,
41:07
their weight,
41:08
leaning towards good,
41:09
instead of evil,
41:11
well,
41:11
you and I,
41:12
have a message,
41:13
of forgiveness,
41:14
by grace,
41:15
by grace alone,
41:17
undeserving,
41:18
are all of us,
41:19
in this room,
41:20
of this forgiveness,
41:21
undeserving,
41:22
of this grace,
41:24
we have done nothing,
41:25
we have not worked,
41:26
a specific way,
41:27
we have not made,
41:28
the right decision,
41:30
we are all recipients,
41:32
as Christians,
41:33
recipients,
41:34
of the grace of God,
41:35
and the forgiveness,
41:36
of our sins,
41:37
so this message,
41:39
clears up,
41:40
that painting,
41:41
clears up,
41:42
that picture,
41:43
the message,
41:43
of forgiveness,
41:44
that Jesus,
41:45
is the only way,
41:46
that Jesus,
41:47
is the only way,
41:47
you're going to receive,
41:48
forgiveness of sins,
41:49
that Jesus,
41:49
has died,
41:50
for that very sin,
41:51
that you are,
41:52
dead in,
41:54
the sin,
41:55
that you can't get out of,
41:56
Jesus,
41:56
has died for that,
41:57
and this picture,
41:58
let me show you,
41:59
let me show you,
42:00
what Jesus,
42:01
has done,
42:02
let me show you,
42:02
the truth of God's word,
42:04
and we live out,
42:05
a specific way,
42:06
so that people see that,
42:07
so people know that,
42:08
though there's no doubt,
42:10
so that you look at it,
42:11
and you say,
42:12
I like that,
42:13
because,
42:14
and everybody in here,
42:15
looks at the picture,
42:16
Jesus says,
42:17
I like that,
42:18
because,
42:18
I'm a recipient,
42:20
of grace,
42:21
and I've done nothing,
42:22
to deserve that,
42:23
and everyone in here,
42:24
looks the same way,
42:25
looks the same picture,
42:27
the picture the same,
42:28
so we were,
42:30
we were once,
42:32
the addict,
42:32
we were once,
42:33
the thief,
42:34
we were once,
42:34
the prostitute,
42:35
but by God's grace,
42:36
our story,
42:37
is changed,
42:38
by God's grace,
42:39
our hearts,
42:40
have been changed,
42:41
our desires,
42:42
have been changed,
42:43
our lives,
42:44
have been changed,
42:46
all by God's grace,
42:48
to paint a picture,
42:49
of who,
42:50
Jesus is,
42:51
why he came,
42:53
why he lived,
42:54
why he taught,
42:55
what he taught,
42:56
why he died,
42:57
on the cross,
42:58
and why he resurrected,
43:00
all,
43:01
in that one picture,
43:02
that we can paint,
43:02
with our lives,
43:04
we can paint,
43:05
so people can see it,
43:07
clearly,
43:08
local missions,
43:10
is painting this picture,
43:12
around,
43:13
so that people can see it,
43:15
painting this picture,
43:16
so people can clearly,
43:18
see,
43:19
Jesus,
43:20
local missions,
43:21
is also volunteering,
43:23
is also participating,
43:25
in groups,
43:25
and ministries,
43:26
that I mentioned,
43:27
at the beginning,
43:28
it is,
43:29
but if you don't,
43:31
get the picture right,
43:33
then for you,
43:35
it doesn't matter,
43:36
if you don't,
43:37
get the picture right,
43:38
if you're not painting,
43:39
the right picture,
43:40
then your intentions,
43:41
and your intentions,
43:42
are wrong,
43:42
and your decisions,
43:44
are wrong,
43:44
then you're not pointing,
43:45
to the right thing,
43:47
you're pointing,
43:47
to yourself,
43:48
you're pointing,
43:49
to confusion,
43:49
you're pointing,
43:50
to stuff,
43:50
that people don't get,
43:53
stuff,
43:53
that they're already hearing,
43:54
what's,
43:58
what's more important,
44:00
your activities,
44:02
what you can put,
44:02
on your calendar,
44:03
or the kingdom of God,
44:05
what's more important,
44:07
the activities,
44:07
that you accomplish,
44:08
or your heart,
44:09
all of that,
44:13
points to,
44:15
helps us,
44:16
paint this picture,
44:17
our intentions,
44:18
our heart,
44:19
the kingdom of God,
44:20
building,
44:21
the kingdom of God,
44:22
and we,
44:23
live,
44:25
a specific way,
44:27
for Jesus,
44:28
because,
44:28
we have been commissioned,
44:29
for a specific task,
44:31
God has sent,
44:32
all of us,
44:33
into the world,
44:35
into the circles,
44:36
of people,
44:37
and influence,
44:38
that we are around,
44:39
for a purpose,
44:41
for a reason,
44:43
and we have been commissioned,
44:44
we have been given,
44:45
his power to do so,
44:47
which,
44:48
we have been resourced,
44:49
for that task,
44:51
he has given us,
44:51
the Holy Spirit,
44:52
to accomplish,
44:53
what he has called us,
44:54
to accomplish,
44:56
and we have been outsourced,
44:57
with a specific message,
44:58
we have a message,
44:59
to proclaim,
45:01
to preach,
45:02
to display,
45:05
and God has called us,
45:06
to do,
45:07
to do it,
45:08
our message is different,
45:10
than any other message,
45:12
because forgiveness,
45:13
by grace alone,
45:15
through faith alone,
45:16
not by works,
45:18
lest any man,
45:19
should boast,
45:20
let's pray together,