Latest / Meadows Baptist Church Podcast / The Church, the Fullness of Christ - 2/8/26 - Meadows Baptist Church - Pastor Charlie Branch

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The Church, the Fullness of Christ - 2/8/26 - Meadows Baptist Church - Pastor Charlie Branch · Meadows Baptist Church Podcast

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Welcome to the podcast of Meadows
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Baptist Church of Walnut Cove, North
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Carolina. We're so glad you joined us
0:10
today. If you enjoy today's message, be
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sure to subscribe, follow, and share
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with your friends. Now, let's join
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Pastor Charlie Branch with a word from
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God.
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Amen. Not going to put a damper on the
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service, but um turn to Ephesians
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chapter 1 if you would please. And uh
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not not telling you you can't testify.
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You testify if the Lord is directing
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your heart to do so.
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Share this text with you this morning.
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and uh
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I uh was praying about the service today
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and just kind of what direction the Lord
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would have us to go in and uh
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sort of gotten out of rhythm and uh
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preparation. I've been able to study the
1:15
word and I've enjoyed that. just been
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able to spend time in God's word, not
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having to put a sermon together. I've
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enjoyed that, but um you get out of the
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routine of it, sometimes it gets
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difficult and to get back and uh I just
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felt the Lord pressing me to come back
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to this this text and and uh this is
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actually this this particular text. I
1:38
preached this text. I think it was the
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third message I preached when I first
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came to this church. Um, April of 2024,
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I guess it was. And, uh, God put this
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back on my heart again. And I just woke
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up with this on my mind this morning.
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Not this text, but this thought was on
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my mind. I just woke up and was thinking
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about the day and and u what service was
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going to be like and just sort of musing
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in my mind about
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today. And I just this thought
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overwhelmed me for just a minute just um
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how much I thank God for the church.
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>> And uh you realize what we're doing this
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morning is the reason Jesus died.
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>> Amen.
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>> I mean just stop and think about that
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for a minute.
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Jesus, God's son, came to earth and
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lived his life here on earth to die so
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that we could be doing what we're doing
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this morning, this afternoon. And uh the
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truth is we take it way too lightly.
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>> Way too lightly. And uh I want to share
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this thought with you, this message here
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this morning. Lord gave me some more
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thoughts here in this this text. And uh
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this is probably one of my favorite
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scriptures in all the word of God. And u
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I'm telling you, when it comes to your
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life and mine, the only way that you'll
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ever serve God faithfully is if you know
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who you are in God.
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>> And I think a lot of people don't really
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serve God because they've never really
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got a grip on what God has made them to
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be and what he does for them and what
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they can be. You see, everything in our
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life is dependent upon him. We have no
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ability to do anything in and of oursel.
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And uh you cannot live the Christian
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life by yourself. You will fail, fall,
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and fumble every time uh that you try to
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live the Christian life in the arm of
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the flesh. But that does not that does
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not do away with who God has made us to
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be. And I want to read just two verses
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for sake of time this morning in
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Ephesians chapter 1 verse 22 and 23.
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And uh I've uh brother brother Mike told
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me that I had to preach at least an hour
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and a half. And so I'm going to save
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about 45 minutes of introduction and
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give you about maybe 20 or 30 minutes of
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message here. Amen. And maybe we'll have
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a 15minute invitation. Amen. I tell you
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what I'd be all right with. I'd be all
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right. Somebody get saved this morning.
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>> And uh I tell you this, uh you say,
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"Preacher, what do you mean you'd be all
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right with that?" Well, you sit all
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winter long and all last year long lost
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and here you are find yourself again.
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and we've been out of church for three
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weeks uh basically and you found
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yourself back in church again and uh why
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in the world would you wait another week
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>> and uh I'm telling you I'm telling you
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just get saved. Amen. And man, I
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appreciate the testimonies and uh praise
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the Lord for it. Ephesians chapter 1
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verse 22, the Bible says in verse number
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22, Paul writing here to the church at
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Ephesus, he says, "And hath put all
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things under his feet." I don't know
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about you, but I'm glad that
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everything's went on here lately in our
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world. It's it's well in his control.
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>> And uh let me remind you, he knows what
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he's doing. Amen.
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>> And uh Abraham said, "Shall not the
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judge of all the earth do right?" I'll
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say this, he'll always do right. Amen.
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>> Hath put all things under his feet and
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gave him to be the head over all things.
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Notice those little three little words.
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to the church, which is his body, the
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fullness of him that fillth
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all in all. And I want to preach on this
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thought for just a little while. And I
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was thinking about it this morning. And
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you know the devil, when you preach a
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message you've dealt with before, a text
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you've dealt with before, the devil
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says, "Well, everybody's already heard
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that." Well, about half of you ain't
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never heard this. Amen. And uh there a
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lot of new people here. And I was
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thinking about that just bless the name
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of God. How many new people's come in
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here since the Lord brought us here?
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Amen. And I want to share this thought
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with you this morning out of verse 23.
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The Bible says we're the fullness of him
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that fillth all. And I want to deal with
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that thought, the fullness of Christ,
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the church, the fullness of Christ.
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Let's pray and ask the Lord to help us
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this morning. Father, thank you for this
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time. Thank you for the word of God.
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Thank you, Lord, for this church. Thank
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you for the testimonies this morning.
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And God, I think we would all be at this
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morning. We need some help. Lord, we
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come to this place, Father, and we're
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thirsty, God. I realize, Lord, at our
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very best, God, we've been able to study
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and pray each day, Lord, as we've been
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away. But God, we are hungry, Lord, for
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the preaching of your word. And I myself
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am this morning. And and God, I stand in
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desperate need of your touch. I pray
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Lord for a little while God that you
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would touch my throat God and and take
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this uh chain off of me for just a
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little while that I might preach and
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give me liberty. Pray you give me power
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this morning uncction. Fill me with the
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Holy Ghost. Rid me of the flesh. And
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God, I just pray you get glory unto
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yourself. And we pray for all our
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shutins, those that's homebound this
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morning due to the snow. I pray you'd be
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with them. And God, I pray most of all
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for that one that's lost this morning.
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God, I pray you'd deal with their heart.
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And I pray you'd bless these that
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testified this morning. I thank you for
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the genuiness, Lord, of their heart,
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their desire to be in the house of God.
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And Lord, it's I it echoes, Lord, from
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my heart this morning. I just want to
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say thank you for allowing us to be
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here. God, I know, Father, you could
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have come in those days we were out. And
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Lord, I'd have hated, Father, to leave
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this world. God, I'd been I'd been
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thankful to leave this world, but God,
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I'd have hated to leave this world, not
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been able to be at church. And God, I
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thank you. Give us another opportunity
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to be back in the house of God. and I
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bless your name for it. Thank you for
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giving sinners another chance to be
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saved.
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>> Amen.
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>> And Lord, thank you for giving your
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people, Lord, it's not right with you,
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another opportunity to get right. And
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Lord, I pray you'll help us this
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morning. Get glory to yourself. And I
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thank you for it because I love you and
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I ask it in Jesus name. Amen.
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>> Amen.
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>> Ephesians chapter 1 this morning, of
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course, the Apostle Paul is writing here
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to the church of Ephesus. And in this
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text I deal with normally in this
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message I always go back to verse number
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15. Of course he is writing this letter
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to the church at Ephesus. He's he's he's
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giving him them his desires for their
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spiritual growth. And he begins here in
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this chapter. He's going to lead up to
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what he says in verse number 22 and 23.
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But he he he knows some things verse 15
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and 16. He he says in verse 15, he said,
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"Where I wherefore I also after I heard
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of your faith in the Lord Jesus and love
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unto all the saints, cease not to give
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thanks for you, making mention of you in
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my prayers, that the God of our Lord
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Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may
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give unto you the spirit of wisdom and
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revelation." And notice that last phrase
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of verse 17, in the knowledge of him. I
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want to say this this morning. Knowledge
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has been cast down by a lot of our
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independent Baptist churches in these
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days. There's some people that would say
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that, you know, it's not salvation is
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not an intellectual thing. But I want to
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say this to you this morning that the
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Bible says faith cometh by hearing
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>> and hearing by what?
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>> By the word of God. And so if
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salvation's going to enter your life,
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the word of God's first going to have to
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enter your mind. and from your mind the
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word will enter your heart. And so if
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you do not know that you're lost and you
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do not know that you need to be saved,
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you cannot separate intellect from
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salvation. There must be a knowledge.
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And Paul says much about the knowledge
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of Christ in his epistles. He writes in
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to the Philippian church in chapter
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Philippians chapter 3 in verse number
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10. He said this. He said that I may
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know him in the power of his
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resurrection and the fellowship of his
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sufferings, being made conformable unto
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his death. And so Paul, he he would know
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him personally. And I'll say this this
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morning, as salvation is a personal
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thing, it is our responsibility
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after that we've been saved to further
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our knowledge of him personally. And the
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Apostle Paul, wouldn't you agree if
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anybody knew the Lord Jesus Christ, Paul
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did? Paul was acquainted, very well
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acquainted with the man from Galilee.
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And he knew Jesus. And but he still had
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to say at the end of his life down as he
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had traveled many years in the ministry
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for Christ that he wanted to know him
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more. Amen. And he said this in that
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same chapter, he said, "I count not
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myself to have apprehended." He said,
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"But this one thing I do." What what did
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he say? face and I'm pressing toward the
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mark for the prize of the high calling
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of God in Christ Jesus. And what is
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that? It's the knowledge of Jesus. And
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I'll say this this morning. If you have
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neglected to use these days that we've
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had of rest to increase your knowledge
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of him, you have failed your
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Christianity. Amen.
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>> If you have not taken the opportunity
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that's been delivered unto you TO DRAW
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NEAR TO GOD, I'll say this this morning,
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that's nobody's fault but your own.
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Amen. And I want to say this, you can
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start today. Amen. But I I think about
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he he would know he would know Christ
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personally. He says much about the
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knowledge of Christ personally, but he
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he would also say that not only for
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himself, but for the church, he would
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say that Christ he would know him
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preeminently. 1 Corinthians chapter 2
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and verse number two, he said this. He
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said, "I would know nothing among you
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save Jesus Christ and him crucified."
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When when the world looks at at this
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church, I'll say this. When I look at
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this church, I desire to see nothing
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else more or less than Jesus. Amen.
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That's why I got brother Galen to get up
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there and sing that song this morning.
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Because the truth is many times our
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conversations and sadly even our
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testimonies are about us or about our
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family or about our works or about our
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blessings. And really that's not a
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testimony.
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>> Amen. A testimony is about
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>> and him alone. Amen. And I want to say
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this, the central focus of Meta's
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Baptist Church, regardless of what you
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think or how you may feel this morning,
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is Jesus. And there is nothing that I
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would know of this church that I would
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desire to know than that Jesus Christ is
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the preeminent one in this place in
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every person's life. Amen. We're to know
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him preeminently. We're to know him
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personally. But I would say this. We're
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to know him and praise. I'm reminded of
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what Paul said in Philippians chapter
12:35
number three.
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Verse number 10. He said this in verse
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number Philippians chapter 3 and verse
12:42
number eight. He said, "Yeah, doubtless
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and I count all things but loss for the
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excellency, notice this, of the
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knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord." Paul
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had attained much in this life as Saul
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of Tarsus. God had given him a family
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line and his heritage. We know that he
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was a Hebrew of the Hebrews and God had
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allowed him to be raised in that family.
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He said, "But my pedigree and my
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personality and even my person, the
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gifts that I've been given," he said,
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"Every bit of that dung compared to
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knowing Jesus." Amen. Let me say this to
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you this morning. Whatever you have,
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whoever you may be in this life, it
13:21
ought to be counted but done in the face
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of the knowledge of the Lord and Savior
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Jesus Christ. The highest attainment,
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the the deepest glory AND THE GREATEST
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DEVOTION A MAN CAN know in this life is
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to know Jesus and to know him deeper.
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Amen. I like the old song number six in
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the Redback himnel. I want to know more
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about my Lord. I believe that was Paul's
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desire. Amen. And I'll say this as the
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church this morning. It ought to be our
13:49
desire to know him. And you say, "Well,
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what is that relevant with the message
13:54
this morning?" Well, we're going to get
13:55
there in just a minute. But Paul deals
13:58
with the knowledge of Christ in this
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chapter. And he he notes three things in
14:03
this chapter concerning the knowledge of
14:05
God. I want to give you these this
14:07
morning. Then we'll get into the
14:09
message. I consider first of all that
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the knowledge of God according to
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Ephesians chapter number one is given
14:15
through prayer. Notice what the Bible
14:17
says verse number 16 Paul says I cease
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not to give thanks for you making
14:22
mention of you in my prayers colon that
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the God of our Lord Jesus Christ the
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father of glory may give unto you the
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spirit of wisdom and revelation in the
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knowledge of him. So, I would say first
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of all this morning that if you're going
14:37
to know him, you're going to have to be
14:38
a praying person. Amen. The only way
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that you will know the Lord Jesus Christ
14:44
is through prayer. And you say,
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"Preacher, well, the Bible teaches us
14:47
that it's his word is how that we'll
14:49
know him." Well, let me just say this to
14:51
you. There's men in this world that know
14:53
this Bible backwards and forwards. And
14:55
matter of fact, the devil knows it
14:57
better than anybody does. But let me say
14:59
this to you. He does not know Jesus
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Christ in a personal relationship
15:04
manner. If you are going to know Jesus
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Christ, the knowledge of him is only
15:09
attained through prayer. James said it
15:11
this way in James chapter number one and
15:14
verse number five. What did he say? If
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any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of
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God that giveth to all men libery and
15:20
upgradeth not and it shall be given him.
15:23
And so if you lack wisdom, what is
15:25
wisdom? It's the knowledge of Jesus.
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Amen. If you lack wisdom, you're to ask.
15:30
How do you ask? It's a prayer. Jesus
15:32
said, "Ask and you shall receive. Seek
15:34
and you shall find. Knock and it shall
15:36
be opened unto you." He said, "Call unto
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me and I will answer thee and show thee
15:41
great and mighty things which THOU
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KNOWEST NOT." WHAT ARE THOSE GREAT AND
15:45
MIGHTY things that we don't know? Well,
15:47
it's about him. Amen. It's what what is
15:50
the essence of what I'm saying to you
15:52
this morning? If you're going to know
15:53
him, you're going to have to spend some
15:55
time with him. Amen. Amen.
15:57
>> The knowledge of Christ is given through
16:00
prayer. And I'll say this, you ought to
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pray for yourself that you would know,
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you ought to pray uh in your own time
16:06
that you would have a greater knowledge
16:07
of Christ. But you also ought to pray
16:09
for others that they ought they have a
16:12
greater knowledge in Christ. Paul is
16:14
interceding for the e the Ephesian
16:17
church here in the text that that God
16:19
may give unto you the spirit of wisdom
16:21
and revelation in the knowledge of him
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that they might know him more. Not only
16:26
the knowledge of God is given through
16:28
prayer, but it also has a glory promise
16:30
on on with it. Notice what the Bible
16:33
says in verse number 18. The eyes of
16:35
your understanding being enlightened
16:37
that you may know what is the hope of
16:39
his calling and what the riches of the
16:42
glory of his inheritance in the saints.
16:44
You seek to know Christ in his person is
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to know Christ in his plan.
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>> Amen. Because you can't separate Jesus
16:53
from his kingdom. Amen. The Bible says
16:55
in Matthew chapter 6 and verse number 33
16:58
to seek you first the kingdom of God and
17:00
his righteousness. Well, who is that?
17:02
That's Jesus. Amen. He is the kingdom of
17:05
God. And so, if you're going to know the
17:07
person, you will also know the plan. But
17:09
you won't only know the person and the
17:11
plan, but you'll know its power. You'll
17:13
see the express image of Christ in your
17:16
life. And so, there is a promise of
17:18
glory for those that believe. And what
17:20
is that? Notice it again in verse number
17:23
18. He said the eyes of your
17:24
understanding being enlightened. There's
17:26
some things that would be revealed. What
17:28
is revealed? What does he say? The hope
17:30
of his calling. What is that? That's the
17:32
expectancy of salvation. Let me remind
17:35
you that word hope in your Bible is not
17:37
the hope that we know in this day and
17:38
time. It's not a hope so hope. Amen. But
17:41
this hope is an earnest expectation.
17:44
It's a steadfast foundation. It's
17:46
something that cannot be moved. And he
17:48
said that you may know what is the hope
17:50
of his calling. That is salvation. And
17:53
then not only the hope of his calling
17:55
but what the riches of the glory of his
17:58
inheritance. And that inheritance is our
18:00
sanctification. You see it was for
18:03
ordained before the foundation of the
18:04
world that we be conformed into his
18:07
image. What did he say in Ephesians
18:08
chapter 2 and verse number eight? For by
18:10
grace are you saved through faith and
18:12
that not of yourselves. It's the gift of
18:14
God not of works lest any man should
18:16
boast. He said, "Wherefore you are for
18:18
ordained before." Let me turn there and
18:20
read it. Chapter 2 and verse number 10,
18:23
for we are his workmanship, created in
18:25
Christ Jesus unto good works, which God
18:28
hath before ordained that we should walk
18:30
in them. And so his calling, his
18:32
salvation, his inheritance is our
18:35
sanctification that is preserved for us
18:37
in heaven. But then there is his power
18:39
that's mentioned in verse number 19. And
18:42
I want to remind you all of this has to
18:44
do with the knowledge of Christ. Look
18:46
what he says. And what is the exceeding
18:48
greatness of his power? Notice this. To
18:51
usward who believe.
18:55
We're to know his calling. We're to know
18:58
his inheritance. That inheritance that
19:00
Peter says incorruptible, undefiled, and
19:02
reserved in heaven for you. We're to
19:05
know not only his calling and his
19:08
inheritance, but we're to know his
19:09
power. And all of these are attainable
19:11
on one term. What is the term? It's the
19:14
knowledge of him.
19:16
>> Notice it again. Verse number 19. And
19:20
what is the exceeding p greatness of his
19:22
power to us who believe? Notice this.
19:25
According to the working of his mighty
19:28
power. Now, of course, he reveals
19:30
redemption in verse number 20, which he
19:32
wrought in Christ when he raised him
19:34
from the dead. There's redemption and
19:36
resurrection. And then there is
19:38
revelation in verse 20. And set him at
19:40
his own right hand in the heavenly
19:42
places.
19:44
Let me remind you, he's still seated
19:45
there.
19:47
>> Amen. Some of y'all look like you've
19:48
been sucking on lemons for about six
19:50
months. Cheer up. Amen.
19:52
It's not a sin to grin. It's not It's
19:54
not wrong to be glad. Amen.
19:56
>> Hey, I'm still saved. Amen. Hallelujah.
19:59
I just thought I'd take time out there,
20:00
man. Y'all looking at me crosseyed. All
20:02
right. Is this right? Amen. This
20:04
morning,
20:05
>> I'm saying this afternoon or whatever
20:07
time it is. Amen. On whatever day this
20:09
is in the month of February. Amen.
20:13
This is the power of God that is
20:15
imparted to us. It's imparted. It's
20:17
exclusive. It is given to us in the
20:20
knowledge of Christ. Everything in your
20:23
Christian life is wrapped up in that one
20:25
thing,
20:26
>> knowing him. And I want you to get this
20:28
this morning. He lays out here in the
20:31
text, verse number 21, that he's far
20:34
above all principality. Christ is
20:36
exalted. That principality means the
20:40
beginning of authority, the commencement
20:42
or the chiefs of authority. Of course,
20:44
we know that those are the minions that
20:47
rule in the the uh high places of this
20:50
world, the Satan's wicked ones far above
20:53
all principality and power and might and
20:56
dominion. That means all of those that
20:58
have authority in this world. And if
21:00
that's not enough, he says, "And every
21:02
name that is named,
21:04
Christ is above it. Everything is under
21:08
his feet. Notice what he says in the
21:10
text. Not only in this world, but also
21:14
in that which is to come. So it's not
21:16
just present, but it is eternally.
21:19
Christ is above. Notice what the Bible
21:22
says in verse number 22. And hath put
21:25
all things under his feet. So he is
21:27
sovereign. First of all, he's in
21:29
control, but under him everything is
21:31
made to submit. What does the Bible tell
21:33
us? that every knee shall bow and every
21:36
tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ
21:39
is Lord to the glory of God the Father.
21:42
The entirety of creation will one day
21:44
bow at his feet in submission to the one
21:46
who is completely and totally sovereign.
21:49
You understand this morning? You must
21:51
realize and understand in order to be
21:53
saved that Jesus Christ has complete
21:56
control over this world. I think we've
21:58
forgotten that in this day and time.
22:00
Amen. You say, "Preacher, why does so
22:03
many bad things happen?" Well, it's
22:04
because of sin.
22:06
>> Amen. And I'm going to remind you just
22:08
like we know very well this morning the
22:11
fact that one of these days God's going
22:12
to take it like a four cornered sheet
22:15
and he's going to pick it up and go like
22:16
this and all of it's going to go
22:20
>> and be destroyed.
22:22
You say, "Preacher, what are you saying
22:23
all that for?" Well, I'm reminding you
22:26
who he is. First of all, remind you how
22:28
that we know him. But I want to remind
22:30
you thirdly, who are we this morning?
22:32
Look what he says in verse 22. And hath
22:35
put him put all things under his feet
22:38
and gave him to be the head over all
22:40
things to the church. Now I was reading
22:42
this actually this morning and I was
22:45
looking at this statement. Now remember,
22:47
everything that God has has been
22:49
entrusted to Christ. Notice it again.
22:52
Hath put all things under his feet. But
22:54
notice that next phrase. What's your
22:57
Bible say? and gave him. Now, what does
23:02
the Bible say in John 3:16? Somebody
23:04
tell me. For God so loved the world that
23:07
he gave his only begotten son that
23:10
whosoever believeth him should not
23:11
perish but have everlasting life. Now,
23:14
if God has put everything under Christ's
23:17
feet, and yet he is giving Christ,
23:21
notice what who he has given to in verse
23:23
number 22, and gave him to be head over
23:26
all things to the church. Now, let me
23:28
just give you some sanctified
23:31
imagination here. Remove that phrase to
23:33
be the head over all things. Notice that
23:35
text again. And gave him to the church.
23:41
You know who the sole proprietors
23:43
of Jesus are this morning?
23:50
>> Do you realize that he belongs to us?
23:53
Amen.
23:56
>> You say, "Preacher, what's the truth in
23:58
that?"
24:00
God gave him to us.
24:03
>> God presented his son,
24:06
>> Amen.
24:07
>> to this world first as a baby in a
24:09
manger and then as a sinless human
24:11
living his life in perfection and then
24:14
on Calvar's cross as a sinless
24:16
sacrifice. And in heaven, he has
24:18
PRESENTED AS THE GREAT HIGH PRIEST WHO
24:21
MAKES intercession for his children. You
24:24
say, "What is that?" Well, every bit of
24:25
that is given to you and I.
24:29
>> Notice the verse. And gave him to be the
24:32
head over all things to the church.
24:39
And the Bible says in verse 20, which
24:41
23, which is his body, the fullness of
24:44
him that fillth all and all. Now, I want
24:47
to give you just a couple of things here
24:48
and I'll be done this morning. I want to
24:51
say number one, Christ is the blessing
24:54
that God has delivered unto the church.
24:57
You say, "What do you mean by that?"
24:59
Well, I can give you this example. First
25:02
of all, that his salvation by the cross
25:04
was given to the church so that we might
25:06
be delivered from sin. The Bible tells
25:08
us in Ephesians chapter 2 and verse
25:10
number 13, but now in Christ Jesus, you
25:13
sometimes were far off are made nigh by
25:15
the blood of Christ. And so the church
25:17
is the the purpose of Jesus dying. But
25:20
you understand that Jesus is this word.
25:23
And who has this Bible been entrusted
25:24
to? It's been entrusted to the church.
25:27
It's been imparted to you and I. It's
25:29
been written on our inward parts. And it
25:32
belongs to us. He has g he gave him to
25:35
be the head over all things to the
25:39
church. He is the blessing that has been
25:42
imparted to the church. Now I want you
25:43
to think about that. Think about the
25:45
gift that we have this morning. The fact
25:47
that Christ belongs to us. You say,
25:50
"Preacher, what do you what do you
25:51
what's the point you're trying to make
25:53
by that?" Well, if everything belongs to
25:56
Christ,
25:57
if everything's under his feet, if
26:00
everything has to bow in submission to
26:02
him, and then he belongs to us,
26:06
don't we have the most immeasurable
26:09
power
26:11
>> at our fingertips that the world has
26:13
ever known?
26:16
>> You say, "Preacher, what does that
26:17
mean?" Well, that means that anything in
26:18
the realm of righteousness you can
26:20
possess this morning.
26:21
>> Amen.
26:23
Ain't none of y'all hooking up with this
26:25
this morning.
26:27
What did Jesus say? He said, 'You have
26:29
not because you ask not.
26:33
And how do we know him?
26:36
Through prayer.
26:38
>> And he is the blessing. He is the gift
26:42
to the church. Not only he is the
26:45
blessing to to the church, and this is
26:47
simple, real simple this morning, but we
26:49
are the body of Christ. Look what he
26:52
says. And gave him to be the head over
26:55
all things to the church. Verse 23.
26:58
Which is his
27:01
body.
27:04
Now, what does that denote this morning?
27:06
Well, there's a figure here that's
27:08
presented. We are his body. As Christ is
27:10
the head, he is the one that's in
27:12
control. We are under him. We carry him,
27:16
but he controls us.
27:19
>> He is the head. We are the body. The
27:22
figure is of the of the human organism
27:25
that Christ is the one who in in
27:28
control. But he is the only one that
27:30
leads the body. He does not do the
27:32
functions but he is the one who leads
27:34
the functions. And notice that there's
27:36
the figure. Then there's the fullness in
27:38
verse 23 which is his body, the fullness
27:40
of him. Now that word fullness means
27:42
completion.
27:44
And so if we complete Christ, what does
27:46
that mean? We're perfect.
27:48
If there's the completion of Christ,
27:50
that means there is perfection. Christ
27:52
is the epitome of perfection. And if we
27:55
are the completeness of him, that means
27:57
that we too have been made perfect. And
28:00
how is that? There is completion because
28:02
of perfection produced by redemption.
28:07
>> We've been purchased back. And so
28:10
because his new life has been imputed
28:12
into us, we are now connected to him.
28:15
Who has ever seen? And let me just don't
28:17
get crude in your mind with me, but how
28:19
many of you know that a a body without
28:21
the head cannot function?
28:23
>> Amen.
28:25
>> That's right. This morning, it cannot
28:27
function. And so there is the function
28:30
of the body in verse number 23. The
28:32
figure, the fullness, and notice the
28:34
function which is his body, the fullness
28:36
of him. Notice this, that fillth all in
28:39
all. Now that means that Christ is the
28:41
one that fills all. Now, I want you to
28:43
think about this. All right? We know
28:44
this this morning. Christ is alone is
28:47
alone the one who can fill an empty
28:49
soul.
28:51
>> Amen.
28:53
>> What did John say in John chapter number
28:54
one? And of his fullness have all we
28:56
received. Grace for grace. He is the
29:00
only one that can fill the empty soul.
29:02
But what does this teach us? If he is
29:04
the head and we are the body, that means
29:07
that we are the means. We are the method
29:10
by which he ministers to the world.
29:15
You say, "What do you mean, preacher?
29:16
The church, the fullness of Christ,
29:20
Christ has no voice in this world
29:22
without the church."
29:26
Notice 1 Corinthians chapter 3.
29:30
1 Corinthians chapter 3 and verse number
29:33
five.
29:35
Paul said, "Who then is Paul? And who is
29:37
Apollos? But ministers by whom ye
29:41
believed,
29:42
even as the Lord gave to every man.
29:45
Notice verse number nine. For we are
29:48
laborers together with God. You are
29:51
God's husbandry. You're God's building.
29:56
So if Christ is the head and we are the
29:58
body, that means there's no ministry
30:00
accomplished
30:01
without the church.
30:03
>> You say, "Preacher, how can that be?"
30:05
What did Jesus tell his disciples? He
30:07
says, "It's expedient for you that I go
30:09
away." Why is it expedient? Why was it
30:12
expedient for him that he that for us
30:14
that he go away? Because he said he
30:16
said, "Greater works than these shall ye
30:18
do because I send to my father." The
30:21
ministry of the church would have never
30:22
been accomplished
30:24
by Christ as an alone man on this earth.
30:28
He has called the church to be the one
30:32
to make his ministry. Now I say this
30:35
this morning this message I've said
30:38
before that number one we are the
30:41
purpose why he died Christ died for the
30:43
church his death was to purchase the
30:46
pardon for the church first Ephesians
30:49
chapter 3 and verse number 11 according
30:51
to the eternal purpose which he purposed
30:53
in Christ Jesus our Lord the church we
30:56
are the purpose why he died but not only
30:58
that we are not only the purpose why he
31:00
died but we're the proof that he lives
31:03
You know how the world knows that Jesus
31:05
is alive? It's because the church is
31:08
here.
31:09
>> And what did Jesus tell Peter? He said,
31:11
"Upon this rock, I'll build my church."
31:13
And what'd he say? And the gates of hell
31:15
shall not prevail against it.
31:19
>> Let me say this. As long as Jesus lives,
31:21
the church will live.
31:22
>> Amen.
31:24
>> And on this side, as long as the church
31:26
lives to a lost and dying world, you
31:28
know what that means? Jesus is still
31:30
living.
31:30
>> Amen. So, you know what that tells me?
31:33
It doesn't matter what the weather does.
31:36
>> It doesn't matter what this country
31:37
does. It doesn't matter what the
31:39
government does or the president does.
31:41
Let me tell you something. God's going
31:43
to have his church
31:44
>> somewhere, some way, somehow until he
31:48
decides
31:49
>> to take us home.
31:51
>> Because as long as Jesus is living, the
31:54
church is living.
31:56
>> You say, "Preacher, how is that?" Well,
31:58
we're his body. He's the head. If the
32:01
head is living, the body's living.
32:07
>> Some of y'all pick up on that in a
32:08
minute. Amen. Some of y'all's bodies are
32:11
dead, but your head's living. Okay.
32:13
Amen. Some of you's heads are dead, but
32:14
your body's living. Amen.
32:20
>> Do you hear what I'm saying?
32:23
As long as the head is alive,
32:26
the body's alive.
32:28
I'm not talking about this morning in
32:30
doctrinal terms. I'm talking about in
32:32
spiritual terms.
32:34
>> As long as Jesus lives, what did he say
32:37
in John chapter 10 verse number 10? He
32:38
said, "The thief cometh not but for to
32:40
steal, to kill and destroy." He said,
32:42
"But I am come that they might have life
32:44
and they might have it more abundantly."
32:47
And on heaven's side, as long as he
32:49
lives, and he will always live, we can
32:52
live.
32:54
But on this side, as long as we live, as
32:57
long as the church lives, Jesus lives
33:00
amidst the lost and dying world. We are
33:02
the purpose why he died. We are the
33:04
proof that he lives. But let me say
33:05
this, we're the promise that he's coming
33:08
again.
33:10
As long as the church is still present,
33:11
you know what that means? Jesus ain't
33:13
come yet.
33:13
>> That's right.
33:15
>> As long as the church is still present,
33:17
you know what that means for the future?
33:19
That there's coming a day when he will
33:20
come back.
33:25
He is the fullness. Notice that in verse
33:28
23, he fillth all and all. He is THE ONE
33:31
THAT ALONE CAN FILL THE EMPTY SOUL. HE
33:34
IS ALONE alone the one THAT CAN FILL THE
33:36
GOD-SHAPED void that's in the heart of
33:39
every person. But the Bible says that
33:41
we, those who have been filled,
33:45
we are the fullness of him.
33:49
I wrote this in my notes.
33:52
We are the fullness
33:54
because he filled us.
33:57
>> We complete Christ because he completed
34:01
us. You say, "Preacher, what does this
34:04
mean for us this morning?" Well, CH
34:07
Macintosh said this, and I think this is
34:09
one of the greatest statements I've ever
34:10
read concerning the church.
34:13
He said, "There are three substantial
34:15
reasons for life of holiness." Number
34:17
one, he said, "I am not to dishonor him
34:19
to whom I am united." That's God the
34:22
Father. Number two, he said, "I'm not to
34:25
grieve the spirit by whom I am united."
34:28
That's the Holy Ghost that we are united
34:30
to God the Father by. But thirdly, he
34:34
says that I'm not to grieve the members
34:36
to whom I am united. Say, "What does
34:39
that mean, preacher?" Well, you're
34:41
united to God, but you know what? We're
34:43
united together.
34:44
>> Amen.
34:46
>> And here's the fact that we miss. You
34:48
see, we're united through the Holy
34:50
Spirit. We're united unto God, but we're
34:53
united united together as the church.
34:56
Ephesians 4 and verse 16. From whom the
34:59
whole body fitly joined together and
35:01
compacted by that which every joint
35:03
supplieth according to the effectual
35:05
working in the measure of every part
35:08
maketh increase of the body under the
35:10
edifying of itself and love. Do you
35:12
understand? When you are not present,
35:14
you know what that means? There's a hand
35:16
gone. There's an arm gone, there's a
35:19
foot gone, or there's a leg gone.
35:23
When the body is not together, that
35:25
means there's a missing part.
35:28
>> Now, what do we know about a body this
35:30
morning? Without all the pieces, it's a
35:31
lot harder to function, isn't it?
35:35
>> And the truth is this morning, we are
35:37
the fullness of Christ. We complete
35:40
Christ. Now, let me ask you this.
35:43
Does Christ go around with an incomplete
35:45
body?
35:48
The imagery of this text, Paul is saying
35:51
in verse number 23, he said, "We are the
35:53
fullness of Christ." And what does he
35:56
remind them of in chapter 2 and verse
35:58
number one, notice that first two words
35:59
of chapter 2 of Ephesians, verse number
36:01
one, "And you," who is that? That's the
36:03
church hath he quickened who were dead
36:05
in trespasses and sins. He's saying,
36:08
"You're the fullness of Christ now, but
36:10
you need to remember who you was."
36:12
>> You know, it do some of you good to
36:13
remember who you were. Amen.
36:15
>> You say, "Preacher, why is that?" It's
36:17
because you've become so judgmental and
36:19
so hyperritical
36:21
>> that you can't function in the body.
36:24
>> You can't function in the body. BECAUSE
36:27
EVERY JOINT, EVERY part has to meet the
36:30
need of the body as a whole. Without the
36:32
hand, there is no reaching. Without the
36:34
foot, THERE'S NO WALKING. WITHOUT THE
36:36
HEART, THERE IS NO BLOOD PUMPING.
36:38
WITHOUT THE LUNGS, there's no breathing.
36:41
I'm saying IT TAKES THE ENTIRE BODY.
36:44
AMEN.
36:44
>> Because if we're the body,
36:48
that means that the ministry of the
36:50
gospel is up to us.
36:53
What's the truth of anatomy? The head
36:55
goes wherever the body goes.
36:59
The head gives whatever the body gives.
37:05
In your life and mine, in the life of
37:07
this church, our purpose is is to
37:10
complete Christ.
37:13
And the truth is that positionally we do
37:15
complete him. But let me ask you this
37:17
practically. Do you complete him?
37:20
He says and and I like what he said. He
37:23
said there are three substantial reasons
37:24
for a life of holiness. He said I cannot
37:26
dishonor God. I cannot grieve the Holy
37:29
Spirit and I cannot grieve those who I'm
37:31
who I'm connected to.
37:34
Let me ask you this morning where do you
37:36
stand?
37:38
You see, the truth is for every one of
37:40
our lives, if we refuse to be the
37:42
fullness, that means that his body has
37:46
become disenjoined,
37:48
dismembered.
37:51
And I don't know about you, but I'm
37:52
about tired
37:54
of looking at a dismembered church.
38:00
Say, "Preacher, that's a nice blunt
38:02
message for you to bring to us on the
38:03
day we come back.
38:07
Let me ask you, is it the truth?
38:12
I'm tired of the church going around
38:14
missing a hand,
38:17
limping, cause the legs out of joint.
38:23
You say, "Preacher, what makes the
38:24
difference
38:28
when every joint decides that we're
38:29
going to get in line with the head?"
38:33
You know what happens when the body
38:35
fails
38:37
neurologically? When the body fails, you
38:39
know what's happened? It has lost
38:40
connection
38:42
to the head.
38:45
When there is no nervous system
38:48
connection to the head, those functions
38:50
of the body are limited. And that's what
38:52
we're seeing this day and time.
38:55
>> People that want to be a part of the
38:57
body, but they're not connected to the
38:59
head.
39:02
Let me ask you this morning, where you
39:04
stand.
39:06
You say, "Preacher, you don't know where
39:08
I'm at." No, I don't. But he does.
39:11
>> Every head bowed and every eye closed
39:13
for just a moment a time.
39:20
We are the fullness of Christ.
39:23
We are his body.
39:26
That means that we are the function
39:29
of his faith.
39:32
What he has produced, what his will is
39:35
is what we are to obey.
39:40
Sometimes we get ahead of him and we
39:42
stumble.
39:43
Sometimes we get behind him and we
39:46
stumble.
39:49
But at the end of the day, anytime we go
39:52
away from his his direction, you know
39:55
what happens? We'll stumble.
39:59
But let me remind you, you're not the
40:02
only one connected to this body.
40:05
And when you stumble,
40:08
others fall.
40:11
When you become disenjoined,
40:15
others become disattached. If you
40:16
realize this morning, daddy, mama, you
40:19
might be the arm, but what about that
40:22
wrist and that hand that's connected to
40:24
you? If you get out of the way, what's
40:25
going to happen to that hand?
40:32
See, the truth is for all of our lives
40:34
this morning, the understanding of the
40:35
will of God comes down to this, that we
40:38
must all be obedient personally
40:41
to him.
40:43
Let me ask you this this morning. And
40:45
you say, "Preacher,
40:47
I know I'm not right with him. Preacher,
40:50
I know I'm not right with God, and I
40:51
need to get right with God. Preacher,
40:53
would you pray for me this morning?"
40:57
Wonder if anybody be honest with God.
40:58
You slip your hand up and back down.
41:01
God sees that.
41:05
Say, "Preacher, I'm not right with God.
41:07
You pray for me."
41:11
God sees those hands.
41:13
Let me say this to you this morning.
41:16
You can make it right today.
41:20
You say, "Preacher, what's the
41:21
motivation to make it right? Why why
41:23
should I do my why why should I change
41:26
the way I live just to fit
41:31
those around me?"
41:34
See, that's where you're wrong.
41:37
And as long as your mindset you're
41:39
trying to fit somebody else, you're
41:40
going to be wrong.
41:44
The reason you have to change is because
41:47
he changed you.
41:51
And maybe the reason you don't want to
41:52
change is because he's never changed
41:54
you.
41:57
You're not really a part of his body.
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Say, "Preacher, I don't know Jesus as my
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savior. I've never been saved.
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There's not a time that I can take you
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to. There's not a place that I remember
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where I asked God to forgive me of my
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sins and cleanse me.
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Say, "Preacher, would you pray for me
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this morning?" Somebody be here like
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that this morning. Preacher, I'm not
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saved. I don't know God.
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Preacher, I'm not saved.
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Anybody slip your hand up and right back
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down. I'll pray for you this morning.
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Let me say this. Jesus is right for
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whatever's wrong.
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Some of you that are cold and hard and
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bitter,
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you make the body real stiff.
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You need to get right with him today.
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Father,
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Lord, I know this service has been real
43:05
different,
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but God, I believe this is what you put
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on my heart.
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And Lord, just as much as we're
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connected to you as the church, Lord,
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we're also connected to each other,
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Lord, brothers and sisters in Christ.
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And God, when one brother, sister gets
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out of line and out of joint, father, it
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hinders the rest of the body.
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Lord, the body becomes broken because of
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those that are out of joint.
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Lord, I pray this morning, God, that
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those that are out of joint or out not
43:45
right with you, I pray they'd get right
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with you today.
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Whatever the need is, Lord, I pray.
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Please, Father, help and meet the need.
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But I would love to shouted and swung
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from the chandeliers today,
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but God, this is what I know.
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Lord, you'd rather give us what we need
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that we can get help from,
44:13
we can be strengthened from. We can go
44:15
forward for you, Lord, than just give us
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a little comfort to go on. Lord, I don't
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want a seditive,
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God. I want surgery.
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I want I don't want something to just
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ease the pain, but God, I want you to
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deal with the problem.
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And Lord, I pray that you deal with
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whatever's present here. Lord, I don't
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know what it is, but God, you do. And I
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just pray you'd work it out.
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I pray for that one that's here today
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and lost. I pray they'd get right with
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you, get saved, trust you before it's
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too late.
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Lord, I thank you so much for being so
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good,
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for blessing us so abundantly,
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Lord, allowing us to be your fullness.
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God, I have fell short every day. But
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God, I'm thankful. Lord, you still say
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that you complete me and I love you,
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Lord. And I thank you for that promise
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today
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and I give you praise.
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Please help our church in the days to
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come. We'll give you thanks. We ask it
45:19
in Jesus name. Amen.
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>> Thank you for joining our service today.
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We'd love it if you'd join us in person
45:27
the next time you are able at Meadows
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Baptist Church. Our physical address is
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2988 Stewart Road in Walnut Cove, North
45:36
Carolina. Our service times are Sunday
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school at 10:00 a.m., Sunday morning
45:41
worship at 11:00 a.m., Sunday evening
45:44
worship at 6:00 p.m., and Wednesday
45:46
evening Bible study at 7:00 p.m. For
45:49
more information, visit us at
45:51
meadowsbaptisturch.com.
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Thanks again for tuning in.