1 00:00:01,120 --> 00:00:03,400 Welcome to the Cross Power Church podcast. 2 00:00:03,720 --> 00:00:06,800 You're listening to a service from our church in Campbell, TX. 3 00:00:07,200 --> 00:00:10,480 We pray this message strengthens your faith and points you to the 4 00:00:10,480 --> 00:00:12,840 cross. Now let's join the service. 5 00:00:13,520 --> 00:00:14,840 Good to be in the House of the Lord. 6 00:00:15,720 --> 00:00:19,200 Have your Bible is going to be Genesis chapter 4. 7 00:00:22,200 --> 00:00:25,640 Got lots to cover this morning. I preached a short version of 8 00:00:25,640 --> 00:00:29,520 this serval. I don't know, years ago, weeks 9 00:00:29,520 --> 00:00:31,920 ago, whatever it was, they all run together now, don't they? 10 00:00:31,960 --> 00:00:34,560 Don't matter. But God always adds to it. 11 00:00:34,560 --> 00:00:38,360 So it always gets better. But I want to say around the 12 00:00:38,360 --> 00:00:42,320 Charlie Kirk time, I shared a little bit on this, but God's 13 00:00:42,320 --> 00:00:44,520 given me a lot more and I want to share it with you today. 14 00:00:46,640 --> 00:00:51,600 But I titled this message The Blood of the Martyrs. 15 00:00:52,360 --> 00:00:54,720 Would you say that with me as you stand this morning, The 16 00:00:54,720 --> 00:00:57,920 blood of the martyrs? Is the seed. 17 00:00:58,480 --> 00:01:01,600 Of the Church, Can I say that one more time? 18 00:01:01,600 --> 00:01:05,600 The blood of the martyrs. People that give their life for 19 00:01:05,600 --> 00:01:07,800 this gospel they were. Eyewitnesses. 20 00:01:07,960 --> 00:01:11,200 They believed it until. Death and there was nothing. 21 00:01:11,200 --> 00:01:14,600 That could sidetrack them or change their mind, they said. 22 00:01:14,600 --> 00:01:16,080 Go ahead and do. Whatever you want to do. 23 00:01:16,080 --> 00:01:19,240 To me, I don't seen this man called Jesus raised from the 24 00:01:19,240 --> 00:01:22,480 dead walk out of the tomb. I've done seen all the miracles 25 00:01:22,480 --> 00:01:24,640 that he's performed. And you or the. 26 00:01:24,640 --> 00:01:26,680 Devil in hell, they changing my mind. 27 00:01:27,760 --> 00:01:30,200 See the blood of the mortars. It was the seed. 28 00:01:30,200 --> 00:01:31,600 Of the church. The church. 29 00:01:31,760 --> 00:01:35,040 Sprung off of that a man and there's something about the 30 00:01:35,040 --> 00:01:38,120 blood I come by to tell you that today if you don't get. 31 00:01:38,120 --> 00:01:40,000 Anything else? There's something about the 32 00:01:40,000 --> 00:01:41,840 blood. And it will never lose its 33 00:01:41,840 --> 00:01:44,720 power. As early as Genesis chapter. 34 00:01:44,720 --> 00:01:49,400 Four, we all know the story in Genesis chapter 4 verse verse 35 00:01:49,400 --> 00:01:53,160 6:00 we we start reading. About what the Lord said to 36 00:01:53,160 --> 00:01:57,320 Cain, we know the story that that Cain has slew his brother 37 00:01:57,320 --> 00:01:59,440 Abel because they had both brought. 38 00:01:59,440 --> 00:02:02,160 Sacrifices. There's been mass confusion in 39 00:02:02,160 --> 00:02:03,240 the body of Christ. Many. 40 00:02:03,240 --> 00:02:06,800 Times about the sacrifices because both brought an offering 41 00:02:06,800 --> 00:02:09,600 to God, but one brought what was required. 42 00:02:09,759 --> 00:02:12,720 It was a blood sacrifice. Of an innocent. 43 00:02:13,360 --> 00:02:15,160 It was innocent. I don't know there was a lamb, 44 00:02:15,160 --> 00:02:16,400 but it was. Innocent, right? 45 00:02:16,640 --> 00:02:18,160 And he brought in the other one brought. 46 00:02:18,160 --> 00:02:20,680 Something from his. The work of his hands that he 47 00:02:20,680 --> 00:02:24,720 had toiled for Lord like that sacrifice there was nothing 48 00:02:24,960 --> 00:02:27,560 really wrong, but it wasn't the one he accepted. 49 00:02:27,560 --> 00:02:30,440 Hello, there's only. One that he accepts when you and 50 00:02:30,440 --> 00:02:31,960 I come to the end of this. Life. 51 00:02:32,120 --> 00:02:34,200 There's only one. Thing that brings. 52 00:02:34,200 --> 00:02:36,760 Us before Almighty God and. That's the blood of Jesus 53 00:02:36,760 --> 00:02:38,920 Christ, and that's what he's getting. 54 00:02:38,920 --> 00:02:42,920 Across right here Genesis 4 it said so the Lord said to Cain. 55 00:02:42,920 --> 00:02:46,000 Can you imagine being Cain the first lifes? 56 00:02:46,000 --> 00:02:48,800 Blood had been shed on. Planet Earth Death. 57 00:02:48,800 --> 00:02:51,720 Murder had been brought forth and and the. 58 00:02:51,720 --> 00:02:53,080 Lord said to Cain. He said. 59 00:02:53,080 --> 00:02:57,480 Why are you angry and why? Has your countenance fallen? 60 00:02:57,720 --> 00:03:00,880 You know, since the beginning of time, man still thought God 61 00:03:00,880 --> 00:03:03,840 would ask a question and it would He would lead them into a 62 00:03:03,840 --> 00:03:06,600 chance to spill the. Beans per SE, but yet. 63 00:03:06,760 --> 00:03:09,000 Man still thought God wasn't watching right? 64 00:03:09,120 --> 00:03:11,600 They still thought they could get away with something, as many 65 00:03:11,600 --> 00:03:12,760 do today. Why? 66 00:03:12,760 --> 00:03:16,120 Has your countenance, Felon Kane, Has your countenance 67 00:03:16,120 --> 00:03:18,560 fallen? If you do well. 68 00:03:18,680 --> 00:03:22,920 Will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, boy, 69 00:03:22,920 --> 00:03:26,240 I like this right here. Genesis 4, the 4th chapter of 70 00:03:26,240 --> 00:03:28,960 the Bible. He says if you do not do well, 71 00:03:29,040 --> 00:03:32,120 sin lies at your door when you're not. 72 00:03:32,120 --> 00:03:34,800 Trying when you're. Really not giving God the glory. 73 00:03:34,880 --> 00:03:37,960 Sin lies at your door because sin knows it's got a victim. 74 00:03:37,960 --> 00:03:41,480 Can I get an Amen and? If you do not, if you do well, 75 00:03:41,640 --> 00:03:45,800 if you do not do will sin lies at your door and it's desire. 76 00:03:45,800 --> 00:03:49,080 You know sin has a desire, and it's not for anything else but 77 00:03:49,080 --> 00:03:52,720 you, it's to destroy you. But look what he. 78 00:03:52,720 --> 00:03:55,240 Give him a commandment. Right here you. 79 00:03:56,080 --> 00:03:58,640 Should rule over it. Isn't that powerful? 80 00:03:58,880 --> 00:04:03,320 I said you should rule over it. A lot of times we don't, but God 81 00:04:03,320 --> 00:04:06,520 said we. Should and in verse 8 it says 82 00:04:06,520 --> 00:04:08,080 now. Can't talk with Abel his. 83 00:04:08,080 --> 00:04:10,240 Brother that came to pass when they were in the field. 84 00:04:10,240 --> 00:04:13,000 We know the story. Of what happened here, Life's 85 00:04:13,000 --> 00:04:15,120 blood. Had been, had been. 86 00:04:15,120 --> 00:04:19,720 Shed but God said what? Have you done the voice as we 87 00:04:19,720 --> 00:04:21,760 read on here? Let's read the rest of this in 88 00:04:21,760 --> 00:04:25,080 verse. 8 it says they were. In the field and Cain. 89 00:04:25,080 --> 00:04:28,040 Rose up against Abel, his. Brother And he did what? 90 00:04:28,440 --> 00:04:33,280 He killed him. Then the Lord said to Cain, 91 00:04:33,280 --> 00:04:38,560 Where is Abel your brother? He said I do not know him, I'm 92 00:04:38,560 --> 00:04:39,680 my. Brother's keeper. 93 00:04:40,280 --> 00:04:43,600 And he said, what have you done for the Voice? 94 00:04:43,600 --> 00:04:45,440 That's what I want to preach to you about today. 95 00:04:45,440 --> 00:04:51,720 The Voice of your brother's blood cries out to me from the 96 00:04:51,720 --> 00:04:54,320 ground. So now you're cursed from the 97 00:04:54,320 --> 00:04:55,920 earth, which has opened its mouth. 98 00:04:56,200 --> 00:04:59,800 And has received your brother's blood from your hand, When you 99 00:04:59,800 --> 00:05:01,400 till the ground it shall no longer. 100 00:05:01,400 --> 00:05:05,320 Yield its strength to you a. Fugitive and a Vagabond you 101 00:05:05,320 --> 00:05:08,120 shall be on the earth. And Cain said to the Lord, My 102 00:05:08,120 --> 00:05:11,160 punishment is greater. I cannot barely Barrett. 103 00:05:11,160 --> 00:05:13,920 Surely you have driven me out this day before the face of the 104 00:05:13,920 --> 00:05:15,400 ground. I shall be hidden from your 105 00:05:15,400 --> 00:05:17,440 face. I shall be a fugitive, a 106 00:05:17,440 --> 00:05:20,440 Vagabond on the earth. And it will happen when anyone 107 00:05:20,440 --> 00:05:22,680 who finds me will kill me. The Lord said no, it's not going 108 00:05:22,680 --> 00:05:26,000 to be that easy. Therefore, whoever kills Cain, 109 00:05:26,000 --> 00:05:28,440 vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. 110 00:05:28,720 --> 00:05:32,760 And the Lord set a mark on Cain, lest anyone finding him should 111 00:05:32,760 --> 00:05:36,440 kill him as we back. Up there to verse verse. 10, he 112 00:05:36,440 --> 00:05:37,680 said. What have you done? 113 00:05:38,480 --> 00:05:41,960 He said the voice of your brother's blood cries out to me 114 00:05:41,960 --> 00:05:44,840 from the ground. Father, we come to you today. 115 00:05:44,840 --> 00:05:47,440 We thank you for this word that it's real, it's a life, it's 116 00:05:47,440 --> 00:05:49,560 truth. We pray you'd blessed, you'd 117 00:05:49,560 --> 00:05:52,320 anoint this message today that would penetrate our hearts and 118 00:05:52,520 --> 00:05:56,000 it would stay with us in the days ahead to realize that the 119 00:05:56,000 --> 00:05:58,720 blood cries out. The blood is still crying out 120 00:05:58,720 --> 00:06:01,200 for the lost. The blood is still pleading the 121 00:06:01,200 --> 00:06:04,360 cause for those that are lost and out done without Jesus 122 00:06:04,360 --> 00:06:06,120 Christ. It's in your name we pray. 123 00:06:06,640 --> 00:06:08,720 Amen. So Cain. 124 00:06:08,720 --> 00:06:11,240 Murdered Abel out of jealousy. Because God did not. 125 00:06:11,240 --> 00:06:14,480 Accept what he had brought, God said. 126 00:06:14,480 --> 00:06:17,000 What have? You done the voice of your 127 00:06:17,000 --> 00:06:20,280 brother's blood, and now you're cursed. 128 00:06:20,680 --> 00:06:22,960 I got news. For those that thought by 129 00:06:22,960 --> 00:06:25,600 killing God's man. A few few months. 130 00:06:25,600 --> 00:06:27,120 Ago by killing. Charlie Kirk. 131 00:06:27,120 --> 00:06:29,840 That they could stop it. No, you better get ready. 132 00:06:29,840 --> 00:06:31,800 Hey, man. Those that thought they could 133 00:06:31,800 --> 00:06:34,320 kill the 12 apostles, what happened? 134 00:06:34,320 --> 00:06:37,080 The blood is still crying out today. 135 00:06:37,200 --> 00:06:40,800 You better get ready, because when the blood cries, get ready. 136 00:06:41,360 --> 00:06:43,160 How many remember when you heard the cry? 137 00:06:43,160 --> 00:06:46,600 Of the blood on your life. You you felt the the pulling 138 00:06:46,600 --> 00:06:49,000 toward the cross of Calvary. What was that? 139 00:06:49,120 --> 00:06:51,360 It was the blood. That was shed on Calvary. 140 00:06:51,440 --> 00:06:53,920 That was crying out for your soul today. 141 00:06:54,240 --> 00:06:57,240 I'm going to get real today. When we look at Calvary, when we 142 00:06:57,240 --> 00:07:00,200 look at the blood that hit the ground, there was some powerful 143 00:07:00,200 --> 00:07:01,640 things. That happened I'm. 144 00:07:01,640 --> 00:07:03,040 Not going to go. Back and cover it all. 145 00:07:03,040 --> 00:07:05,200 You can go read about it in the gospels, but. 146 00:07:05,320 --> 00:07:09,320 The earth shook, the sun hid, the veil of the temple was rent 147 00:07:09,440 --> 00:07:13,120 in two, and the dead Saints was found coming out of the graves. 148 00:07:13,120 --> 00:07:14,960 Can somebody give the Lord a praise? 149 00:07:15,160 --> 00:07:17,800 And they were found walking around in the towns when the 150 00:07:17,800 --> 00:07:20,360 blood cries out. There's something powerful 151 00:07:20,360 --> 00:07:21,160 happened. Why? 152 00:07:21,360 --> 00:07:24,680 Because there's power, there's power, there's wonder working 153 00:07:24,680 --> 00:07:27,480 power in the blood of the. Lamb and I got news. 154 00:07:27,480 --> 00:07:29,840 For you, it never loses its power. 155 00:07:29,840 --> 00:07:31,560 Can somebody give the Lord a praise? 156 00:07:32,520 --> 00:07:34,640 We go back. We Fast forward to Exodus 157 00:07:34,640 --> 00:07:39,240 Chapter 11 when the blood was applied to the door closed. 158 00:07:39,240 --> 00:07:41,520 When the first born was. Struck. 159 00:07:41,800 --> 00:07:43,640 There was a great cry throughout. 160 00:07:43,640 --> 00:07:45,800 I'm in the. Exodus 11/6 and seven. 161 00:07:46,040 --> 00:07:49,120 There was a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt. 162 00:07:49,480 --> 00:07:51,840 Such as was and not. Like it? 163 00:07:51,840 --> 00:07:54,160 Before nor. Shall it be like it? 164 00:07:54,160 --> 00:07:56,840 Again, it was bad. And there's some bad stuff 165 00:07:56,840 --> 00:07:58,960 that's going over there over there today. 166 00:07:58,960 --> 00:08:02,160 But against get what he said here, but against none. 167 00:08:02,480 --> 00:08:06,680 Of the children of Israel. Shall a dog move its tongue a 168 00:08:06,680 --> 00:08:09,600 gets man or beast that. You may know that the. 169 00:08:09,600 --> 00:08:12,440 Lord does make a difference. Man when I read. 170 00:08:12,640 --> 00:08:15,400 Can you think about Egypt? The first born that was slain on 171 00:08:15,400 --> 00:08:17,960 that terrible night. Of the flocks. 172 00:08:17,960 --> 00:08:20,320 And of the human babies. And he says. 173 00:08:20,320 --> 00:08:23,040 Here that there's not. The dogs were in the streets, 174 00:08:23,040 --> 00:08:24,720 and they were. Licking the blood. 175 00:08:24,720 --> 00:08:26,520 What a terrible night. Amen. 176 00:08:26,720 --> 00:08:29,880 Because God was causing trying to cause Pharaoh to let his 177 00:08:29,880 --> 00:08:31,560 people go. You know what that tells me? 178 00:08:31,560 --> 00:08:34,360 God will not go to all limits. Not. 179 00:08:34,520 --> 00:08:36,400 To let us perish. Amen and. 180 00:08:36,840 --> 00:08:40,919 But he said, I want you to get this, that the Lord does make a 181 00:08:40,919 --> 00:08:44,280 difference between the Egyptian and Israel. 182 00:08:45,080 --> 00:08:48,840 There's a difference between the church and the world. 183 00:08:49,240 --> 00:08:51,960 I get tired of people saying, well, what's the difference of 184 00:08:51,960 --> 00:08:54,480 serving God? People's rich that don't know 185 00:08:54,480 --> 00:08:57,440 God seem to be richer. Those that don't know God, well, 186 00:08:57,440 --> 00:08:59,760 if you have to riches, you ain't after God. 187 00:09:00,560 --> 00:09:02,320 Hello. And they say. 188 00:09:02,320 --> 00:09:03,960 Well, what's the difference? What's the use of being a 189 00:09:03,960 --> 00:09:06,240 Christian? A Christian gets cancer, someone 190 00:09:06,240 --> 00:09:10,200 is living like hell gets cancer, someone loses a child someone 191 00:09:10,360 --> 00:09:12,760 the the excuse goes on and on, but I. 192 00:09:12,760 --> 00:09:15,560 Come by to tell. You there is a difference a man 193 00:09:15,760 --> 00:09:19,560 God recognizes his children and when we come to the end of this 194 00:09:19,560 --> 00:09:22,080 life, we will have an eternal home in heaven. 195 00:09:22,320 --> 00:09:24,360 Why? Can't we get excited about that? 196 00:09:25,240 --> 00:09:27,800 He's no respecter of persons. He proved that. 197 00:09:28,080 --> 00:09:29,840 His own. His own children. 198 00:09:29,840 --> 00:09:32,240 That he brought out of. Bondage wouldn't bow, they 199 00:09:32,240 --> 00:09:34,800 wouldn't worship. And he said that's OK, I'm going 200 00:09:34,800 --> 00:09:37,920 to worship, I'm going to let a Gentile come in and thank God we 201 00:09:37,920 --> 00:09:42,160 were grafted into it. He's no respecter of persons, 202 00:09:42,520 --> 00:09:46,120 but God. Always honors and respects 203 00:09:46,320 --> 00:09:48,600 faith. Always. 204 00:09:48,760 --> 00:09:52,480 When he sees the blood and the cries of the blood, see the 205 00:09:52,480 --> 00:09:54,120 blood cries. With the voice from the. 206 00:09:54,120 --> 00:09:56,360 Ground. The blood has a voice. 207 00:09:56,360 --> 00:09:59,480 This morning, even over your life, because you're a child of 208 00:09:59,480 --> 00:10:02,560 God and you were bought with a price, the precious blood of 209 00:10:02,720 --> 00:10:06,000 Jesus, you must be born again to enter into the Kingdom of. 210 00:10:06,000 --> 00:10:08,560 Heaven, we're told, but see. What is born again? 211 00:10:08,560 --> 00:10:11,320 You need to realize that it's more than saying a Prince 212 00:10:11,320 --> 00:10:13,640 Sinner's prayer and walking down the aisle. 213 00:10:13,720 --> 00:10:16,520 It's more than just getting baptized and dunked under the 214 00:10:16,520 --> 00:10:18,800 water. Hey man, it's a blood covenant 215 00:10:18,920 --> 00:10:21,200 that was shed for you that you enter into. 216 00:10:21,440 --> 00:10:25,200 It's the life's blood that cried out from Galgotha that's still 217 00:10:25,200 --> 00:10:27,840 crying out today. Can somebody give him praise 218 00:10:27,840 --> 00:10:33,360 today? It's a blood covenant of grace. 219 00:10:34,400 --> 00:10:37,080 We get hung up at what we're doing or what we've done, Grace 220 00:10:37,080 --> 00:10:39,040 says. I don't see it when you accept. 221 00:10:39,040 --> 00:10:43,120 My blood over your life, the blood covenant of grace you 222 00:10:43,160 --> 00:10:49,120 entered into cries that you're redeemed by the blood of the 223 00:10:49,120 --> 00:10:51,000 Lamb. You know, that's all I need 224 00:10:51,000 --> 00:10:52,200 every day to know that I've been. 225 00:10:52,200 --> 00:10:53,280 Redeemed. Amen. 226 00:10:53,440 --> 00:10:55,880 I think I can walk. Through any situation in life, 227 00:10:56,000 --> 00:10:59,440 knowing that I'm redeemed, that at the end of this life, I have 228 00:10:59,440 --> 00:11:00,840 a blessed hope. Amen. 229 00:11:01,040 --> 00:11:03,680 I have a blessed hope. I've stood behind many. 230 00:11:03,680 --> 00:11:05,440 Caskets that there was no. Hope. 231 00:11:05,560 --> 00:11:08,760 The family didn't have no hope. They didn't have no hope. 232 00:11:08,760 --> 00:11:12,160 But I've stood behind those that have lived a life pleasing to 233 00:11:12,200 --> 00:11:15,000 God and Amen. It's a party that's going on 234 00:11:15,000 --> 00:11:16,800 because there's a new name in heaven. 235 00:11:16,960 --> 00:11:21,080 On that day, that's what. I want to be part of as Exodus 236 00:11:21,080 --> 00:11:24,200 chapter 12 and 12. There was something unique. 237 00:11:24,200 --> 00:11:26,480 Happened when the Lord seen the blood, he says. 238 00:11:26,480 --> 00:11:28,480 For I will. Pass through the land of Egypt 239 00:11:29,120 --> 00:11:33,960 on that night and I will strike all the first born in the land 240 00:11:33,960 --> 00:11:36,240 of Egypt, both man and beast. Can you imagine? 241 00:11:37,480 --> 00:11:41,240 Can you imagine and God and that didn't even get their attention. 242 00:11:41,240 --> 00:11:43,560 He started with the worst and ended up bringing. 243 00:11:43,760 --> 00:11:47,240 More plagues upon them, the locusts, the frogs, and all 244 00:11:47,240 --> 00:11:49,040 those. Things turning the water into 245 00:11:49,040 --> 00:11:52,040 blood. And the people still did not 246 00:11:52,040 --> 00:11:54,000 listen. But yet there's people. 247 00:11:54,000 --> 00:11:58,200 Today they we get as prideful as to say, well if God would just 248 00:11:58,200 --> 00:11:59,480 do. This I would serve him. 249 00:12:00,600 --> 00:12:04,840 He's already done it. I will pass through the land of 250 00:12:04,840 --> 00:12:07,320 Egypt on that night, and I will strike all the first born in the 251 00:12:07,320 --> 00:12:11,160 land of Egypt, both man and beast, and against all the gods 252 00:12:11,160 --> 00:12:13,920 of Egypt. I will execute judgment. 253 00:12:14,840 --> 00:12:17,040 And can I tell you he's about to do it again? 254 00:12:18,000 --> 00:12:21,600 He's about to do it again. He's about to do it again 255 00:12:21,600 --> 00:12:23,640 because when the. Rapture takes place. 256 00:12:23,640 --> 00:12:25,200 See. There's a restrainer. 257 00:12:25,200 --> 00:12:27,280 Called the Holy Spirit. Called the Church. 258 00:12:27,280 --> 00:12:29,880 That's going to be lifted from the Earth. 259 00:12:30,080 --> 00:12:32,320 He's at the four. Corners of the earth spoke of in 260 00:12:32,320 --> 00:12:35,880 Revelations right now holding. Back all these things, but when 261 00:12:35,880 --> 00:12:38,800 the Church is raptured out of here, guess what? 262 00:12:38,920 --> 00:12:40,240 All hell. 'S going to break. 263 00:12:40,240 --> 00:12:42,560 Loose up on this earth. And it's going to be. 264 00:12:42,560 --> 00:12:46,160 The tribulation period that has never been seen before. 265 00:12:47,280 --> 00:12:48,760 Thank God. We're going to be Why do you 266 00:12:48,760 --> 00:12:50,160 live? You don't want to be a part of 267 00:12:50,160 --> 00:12:50,920 that. Amen. 268 00:12:51,960 --> 00:12:54,200 Going to be. It's going to be very hard to 269 00:12:54,200 --> 00:12:55,880 be. Saved out of that, why not just 270 00:12:55,880 --> 00:13:01,600 say be saved now? He says I'm the Lord in verse 13 271 00:13:01,600 --> 00:13:05,040 of Exodus 11. He says now I believe that's 272 00:13:05,040 --> 00:13:07,080 where I'm at now. The blood will be a sign for you 273 00:13:07,080 --> 00:13:11,320 on the House where you are. And when I see the blood, he 274 00:13:11,320 --> 00:13:12,640 said. Take the blood and put it over 275 00:13:12,640 --> 00:13:15,880 the doorpost of your house. And when I see the blood, I'm 276 00:13:15,880 --> 00:13:20,880 going to Passover you. And a plague shall not be on you 277 00:13:20,880 --> 00:13:23,560 to. Destroy you when I strike the 278 00:13:23,560 --> 00:13:26,800 land of Egypt. I've done that several times to 279 00:13:26,800 --> 00:13:29,400 people that felt like there was a curse on their house. 280 00:13:29,400 --> 00:13:31,120 Occur. Done it to my own house. 281 00:13:31,120 --> 00:13:33,480 A man. Took the anointing oil and take 282 00:13:33,480 --> 00:13:36,760 some, take some tomatoes, you whatever you got to take. 283 00:13:36,760 --> 00:13:40,000 And begin to wipe it over the. Doorpost of your house, because 284 00:13:40,000 --> 00:13:42,160 see. It is symbolic of what can 285 00:13:42,160 --> 00:13:45,760 happen here, he said. When I see the blood, I'm going 286 00:13:45,760 --> 00:13:48,560 to pass over you. But wait a minute. 287 00:13:48,560 --> 00:13:51,920 Preacher, the people of. The world destroyed all 288 00:13:51,920 --> 00:13:54,120 disciples and they live for Jesus. 289 00:13:54,600 --> 00:13:58,360 They destroyed them. Oh no, they may have killed the. 290 00:13:58,360 --> 00:14:02,480 Flesh see Matthew met his. End in Ethiopia suffering 291 00:14:02,760 --> 00:14:05,680 martyrdom by a sword by a. Wound. 292 00:14:06,000 --> 00:14:07,760 His death would mark the beginning of the. 293 00:14:07,800 --> 00:14:10,680 End for many of the. Apostles that were spreading the 294 00:14:10,680 --> 00:14:12,480 truth. But can I tell you when the 295 00:14:12,480 --> 00:14:14,520 blood begin to fall from Matthew? 296 00:14:14,680 --> 00:14:16,920 The blood cried from Calvary, too. 297 00:14:17,040 --> 00:14:19,080 And no, you can't kill God's man. 298 00:14:19,440 --> 00:14:21,880 You look at Mark, his. Journey concluded in. 299 00:14:21,880 --> 00:14:25,120 Alexandria of Egypt, where he was drowned back through the 300 00:14:25,120 --> 00:14:29,240 streets by a horse until his demise and his legacy, however. 301 00:14:29,240 --> 00:14:32,720 Continues to galvanized believers today. 302 00:14:32,920 --> 00:14:35,320 We look at Luke, the physician who was hanged in. 303 00:14:35,320 --> 00:14:40,360 Greece met his favorite preaching of the. 304 00:14:40,360 --> 00:14:44,480 Gospel, but yet his. Words live on reaching those 305 00:14:44,640 --> 00:14:47,680 that he never met. John experienced what can. 306 00:14:47,680 --> 00:14:50,320 Only be. Described as miraculous escape 307 00:14:50,320 --> 00:14:52,800 from a boiling pot of of burning oil. 308 00:14:52,800 --> 00:14:55,600 And they couldn't kill John. Hey man, they would throw him in 309 00:14:55,600 --> 00:14:59,000 there and turn the fire up. History tales that it just he he 310 00:14:59,000 --> 00:15:01,040 would get out. They could not kill him, they 311 00:15:01,040 --> 00:15:01,760 said. So we're going to. 312 00:15:01,880 --> 00:15:03,760 Send him. To the Isle of Patmos. 313 00:15:03,880 --> 00:15:05,760 We're going to send him to the Isle of Patmos. 314 00:15:05,880 --> 00:15:08,320 And he said they're going. To send him out there and we're 315 00:15:08,320 --> 00:15:09,280 going to put. Him out with a. 316 00:15:09,280 --> 00:15:13,080 Bit with the prisoner, we can't kill the guy, so let's just send 317 00:15:13,080 --> 00:15:15,680 him out there and see what his God can do now. 318 00:15:15,840 --> 00:15:18,640 And my God, did he do something? He give us the book of 319 00:15:18,640 --> 00:15:22,160 Revelations and Amen. If you're not living for God 320 00:15:22,160 --> 00:15:24,400 today, Revelations ought to scare you to death. 321 00:15:24,600 --> 00:15:27,680 But if you're born again, it ought to hype you up and give 322 00:15:27,680 --> 00:15:30,240 you hope and give you a promise. Amen. 323 00:15:34,120 --> 00:15:36,520 See, there was 2 disciples. There was one named. 324 00:15:37,600 --> 00:15:40,280 John that was exiled to the Isle of Patmos. 325 00:15:41,280 --> 00:15:44,840 There was another one named Stephen that was stoned to death 326 00:15:44,840 --> 00:15:47,360 when we go. Back to Matthew chapter 16 and 327 00:15:47,360 --> 00:15:51,440 verse 28, Jesus was giving the disciples a great lecture and I 328 00:15:51,440 --> 00:15:54,480 wanted to preach on the first part of this today about he 329 00:15:54,480 --> 00:15:57,280 said, you got to take up your cross every day and you got to 330 00:15:57,280 --> 00:15:59,360 follow me. If you don't, you're not worthy 331 00:15:59,360 --> 00:16:01,280 of me. And then at the end of that text 332 00:16:01,280 --> 00:16:05,040 in Matthew 16 and 28, Jesus came and and he said. 333 00:16:05,040 --> 00:16:11,240 This just what I'm talking about now see in Matthew 1620. 8 As 334 00:16:11,240 --> 00:16:13,560 all these disciples, I could go on and on. 335 00:16:13,560 --> 00:16:17,720 Peter, he had came to the end of his journey and he said, don't 336 00:16:17,720 --> 00:16:19,800 even make it a cross like my savior died. 337 00:16:19,800 --> 00:16:21,200 Don't make it an. X Amen. 338 00:16:21,200 --> 00:16:25,120 I'm not worthy. I'm not worthy to die as Jesus 339 00:16:25,120 --> 00:16:27,440 did. Make it an X and hang me upside 340 00:16:27,440 --> 00:16:28,760 down. Don't let me die. 341 00:16:28,760 --> 00:16:32,080 Like my Savior did. But see, as Jesus was giving him 342 00:16:32,080 --> 00:16:35,360 them lecture on that day, he looked at his disciples and 343 00:16:35,360 --> 00:16:36,840 people. Have tried to discredit. 344 00:16:36,840 --> 00:16:41,040 This over the years, Jesus said not all of you will taste death 345 00:16:41,240 --> 00:16:43,360 until you see the Son of Man coming. 346 00:16:43,520 --> 00:16:47,360 In his great glory. But yet all the disciples died, 347 00:16:47,360 --> 00:16:50,080 right? They died before the 2nd coming 348 00:16:50,200 --> 00:16:52,920 of Jesus Christ. We it's very evident that that 349 00:16:52,920 --> 00:16:54,960 happened. But wait a minute, John was 350 00:16:54,960 --> 00:16:57,360 exiled on Patmos and what did he see? 351 00:16:57,440 --> 00:17:01,240 He said, I see the Son of man coming in great glory, Amen. 352 00:17:01,240 --> 00:17:05,319 And then we get over to Acts 8 at 7 and 8 Stephen, what 353 00:17:05,319 --> 00:17:07,800 happened to him as he was being stoned to death? 354 00:17:07,960 --> 00:17:12,160 He said I see the power of God and the only time in Scripture 355 00:17:12,160 --> 00:17:15,359 that you will find that Jesus wasn't sitting at the right hand 356 00:17:15,359 --> 00:17:17,400 of the Father. But when the stones begin to 357 00:17:17,400 --> 00:17:20,040 fly, what happened? It just Stephen said that the 358 00:17:20,040 --> 00:17:24,119 heavens were open and I see the Son of man standing at the right 359 00:17:24,200 --> 00:17:27,400 with somebody standing. Give him praises standing, give 360 00:17:27,400 --> 00:17:30,280 him praise this morning. See when you give it up for 361 00:17:30,280 --> 00:17:33,120 Jesus Christ, it, it brings him to his feet. 362 00:17:33,240 --> 00:17:35,240 Amen. He's no longer standing at the 363 00:17:35,240 --> 00:17:38,080 right hand of the Father. He's standing and he's 364 00:17:38,080 --> 00:17:44,320 worshipping God Almighty. Whoa man, the blood of the 365 00:17:44,320 --> 00:17:47,000 mortars is the seed of the church. 366 00:17:47,000 --> 00:17:48,800 You may think you. Kill God's man. 367 00:17:48,960 --> 00:17:52,160 You may think you turn the mic off and put him in prison, but 368 00:17:52,160 --> 00:17:55,520 that's when Jesus is about to get up from being seated at the 369 00:17:55,520 --> 00:17:58,280 right hand of the Father, and he's fixing to move. 370 00:17:58,280 --> 00:18:01,400 In our behalf, then, I. Feel his glory. 371 00:18:02,080 --> 00:18:04,600 James was the leader of the church in Jerusalem. 372 00:18:05,120 --> 00:18:07,360 He faced death by being. Thrown from the. 373 00:18:07,360 --> 00:18:10,520 Temple's pinnacle. Only it didn't kill him. 374 00:18:11,360 --> 00:18:13,080 It didn't kill him, God said. I protected. 375 00:18:13,080 --> 00:18:15,120 You let you dash your foot against a stone. 376 00:18:15,360 --> 00:18:18,240 But it didn't kill him, so they beat him to death. 377 00:18:19,080 --> 00:18:21,040 Can you imagine? All they had to do was deny 378 00:18:21,040 --> 00:18:24,480 Christ, but they said no. I cannot deny the things which I 379 00:18:24,480 --> 00:18:28,760 have seen. Wow, James. 380 00:18:28,760 --> 00:18:30,960 The son of Zedebee's. His leadership and his 381 00:18:30,960 --> 00:18:33,960 dedication to the ministry were cut short. 382 00:18:34,360 --> 00:18:39,480 By being beheaded in Jerusalem. Bartholomew's. 383 00:18:39,720 --> 00:18:44,880 Missionary work took him. But it was in Armenia where he 384 00:18:44,880 --> 00:18:48,040 met his in He was martyred by being flayed alive. 385 00:18:49,080 --> 00:18:51,640 His commitment to spreading the word was unyielding. 386 00:18:52,200 --> 00:18:54,280 And then we. Look at Andrew, he was crucified 387 00:18:54,280 --> 00:18:59,840 as Peter on the X shaped. Cross in Greece, Thomas. 388 00:19:00,040 --> 00:19:02,920 He was on he, he was. He was a missionary and went on 389 00:19:02,920 --> 00:19:05,800 endeavors into India and and it ended when he. 390 00:19:05,800 --> 00:19:10,600 Was stabbed with a spear. The blood of Thomas touched it, 391 00:19:10,600 --> 00:19:13,360 but God heard the cries of that blood. 392 00:19:13,360 --> 00:19:15,400 We. Look at all of these disciples, 393 00:19:15,560 --> 00:19:18,760 Jude, he was killed. With arrows for refusing to 394 00:19:18,760 --> 00:19:22,880 renounce his faith, a testament of his unwavering belief. 395 00:19:24,120 --> 00:19:28,480 Matthius, chosen to replace Judas, was stoned and then 396 00:19:28,480 --> 00:19:31,120 beheaded. And during a martyr's death. 397 00:19:31,320 --> 00:19:34,640 Think about it. But yet steadfastness and faith. 398 00:19:35,120 --> 00:19:40,440 Paul was faced and tortured and was ultimately beheaded by Nero 399 00:19:40,440 --> 00:19:42,480 in Rome. Think about this. 400 00:19:42,480 --> 00:19:47,080 His writings, most of them born from prison and came out of 401 00:19:47,080 --> 00:19:51,440 prison, continue to guide and lead the church today. 13 out of 402 00:19:51,440 --> 00:19:56,280 the 14 books of the were written by Paul of the books of the 403 00:19:56,280 --> 00:19:57,440 Apostles. Wow. 404 00:19:57,840 --> 00:20:03,120 What a God we serve. So my question is who I'm going 405 00:20:03,120 --> 00:20:04,640 to preach to you. The Wednesday night crowd said 406 00:20:04,640 --> 00:20:06,880 y'all needed this a Sunday morning crowd, something to give 407 00:20:06,880 --> 00:20:09,680 it to you. I asked if they think I need to 408 00:20:09,680 --> 00:20:13,400 preach it on Sunday. They said yes, but the blood of 409 00:20:13,400 --> 00:20:18,360 the martyrs is the seed of the church looking When Charlie Kurt 410 00:20:18,360 --> 00:20:23,080 was killed the church stood. People begin to profess Jesus 411 00:20:23,080 --> 00:20:25,880 Christ and I believe it's open the door for a lot more of them. 412 00:20:26,280 --> 00:20:28,880 To profess today we're. Here, in the name of Jesus on 413 00:20:28,880 --> 00:20:31,120 national TV, more than we ever. Have. 414 00:20:32,240 --> 00:20:34,960 When the blood of the martyrs is shed is the seed of the church. 415 00:20:34,960 --> 00:20:40,760 It makes the church grow, and I see this in the world, but I'm 416 00:20:40,760 --> 00:20:42,520 not seeing in the church a whole lot. 417 00:20:43,720 --> 00:20:47,440 Why isn't the seed growing? Because the seed is. 418 00:20:47,960 --> 00:20:50,360 We've got it all mixed up. He didn't say that. 419 00:20:50,360 --> 00:20:52,680 The seed. Of the mortars would build big 420 00:20:52,680 --> 00:20:54,800 buildings and have more functions, he said. 421 00:20:55,000 --> 00:20:58,400 If you believe in me, signs and miracles and wonders will follow 422 00:20:58,400 --> 00:21:04,640 those who believe. But we go to Acts Chapter 7 and 423 00:21:04,640 --> 00:21:06,320 we can. Find so much of this in verse 424 00:21:06,320 --> 00:21:08,680 51. I'm going to read because it's I 425 00:21:08,680 --> 00:21:12,200 think it's one of the most important and most powerful 426 00:21:12,200 --> 00:21:16,720 passage of Scripture that we ever read concerning a ministry. 427 00:21:17,880 --> 00:21:23,840 Go home and read. Starting in chapter 6 of Acts, 428 00:21:23,840 --> 00:21:24,920 I'm going to cover a little bit of this. 429 00:21:24,920 --> 00:21:26,720 You go home and read in case I miss something. 430 00:21:26,720 --> 00:21:30,480 There's no way I can cover it all but in Acts 6 and one it 431 00:21:30,480 --> 00:21:31,920 says in those. Days. 432 00:21:32,080 --> 00:21:34,280 Talking about when the early. Church was spreading. 433 00:21:34,280 --> 00:21:37,520 After the day of Pentecost in those days, the number of the 434 00:21:37,520 --> 00:21:39,440 disciples were multiplying. But. 435 00:21:39,640 --> 00:21:42,720 There are rows of complaint against the Hebrews. 436 00:21:43,960 --> 00:21:46,440 By the Helenus, that because they're widows. 437 00:21:46,440 --> 00:21:49,840 Were neglected in the daily distribution and then the 12 got 438 00:21:49,840 --> 00:21:52,640 together and had a meeting and and a. 439 00:21:52,640 --> 00:21:56,000 Multitude of the disciples. And they said it's not desirable 440 00:21:56,000 --> 00:21:59,880 that we should leave the. Word of God and serve tables, 441 00:22:01,480 --> 00:22:02,360 they said. We're busy. 442 00:22:02,360 --> 00:22:03,600 We're. Preaching the gospel. 443 00:22:03,600 --> 00:22:07,120 But yet, you know we. Got we got people that need 444 00:22:07,120 --> 00:22:09,800 something to eat in the ministry, an orphan or a widow. 445 00:22:09,800 --> 00:22:11,960 But but. We're going to take. 446 00:22:11,960 --> 00:22:15,040 Those that are. Full of the Holy Spirit and 447 00:22:15,040 --> 00:22:17,040 we're going to take them out. We're going to keep preaching. 448 00:22:17,200 --> 00:22:18,720 They had. This meeting and they said I 449 00:22:18,720 --> 00:22:22,200 want you to seek. Out from among you 7 men of good 450 00:22:22,200 --> 00:22:24,200 reputation, and boy did the church. 451 00:22:24,200 --> 00:22:27,960 Run with that. I told the church. 452 00:22:27,960 --> 00:22:29,640 One time a. Baptist minister, I said the 453 00:22:29,640 --> 00:22:32,280 only thing y'all really pre I'm going to get, I'm just going to 454 00:22:32,280 --> 00:22:34,560 tell it how it is the only thing you really preach out of the 455 00:22:34,560 --> 00:22:37,960 book of Acts because you skip over the day of Pentecost, you 456 00:22:37,960 --> 00:22:40,280 skip over the. Holy Ghost, pretty much. 457 00:22:40,480 --> 00:22:42,480 And tell people it was for the disciples. 458 00:22:42,600 --> 00:22:44,560 I said that's the only thing y'all got out of the book of 459 00:22:44,560 --> 00:22:47,320 Acts was a saved and dignified deacons. 460 00:22:47,520 --> 00:22:49,000 And I said you got it wrong. We're. 461 00:22:54,440 --> 00:22:58,240 Going to get 7 and y'all going to go out and minister the 462 00:22:58,240 --> 00:23:03,000 orphans and widows? I wonder how many deacons do 463 00:23:03,000 --> 00:23:07,560 that today. Good men, good reputation. 464 00:23:07,560 --> 00:23:08,640 And you know, most of them don't even. 465 00:23:08,640 --> 00:23:10,520 Fulfill the law. Fulfill those callings. 466 00:23:10,960 --> 00:23:13,920 The husband of a one wife, blameless in the side of the 467 00:23:13,920 --> 00:23:16,840 Lord, giving them, giving them no drink and things like that. 468 00:23:16,840 --> 00:23:19,640 But it's hard to. Find them full of the Holy 469 00:23:19,640 --> 00:23:23,240 Spirit and. Wisdom go find me 7. 470 00:23:24,640 --> 00:23:25,960 Whom? We may appoint over this 471 00:23:25,960 --> 00:23:28,960 business, that's where they got it, business meeting. 472 00:23:31,160 --> 00:23:32,680 But we'll give ourselves continually. 473 00:23:32,680 --> 00:23:36,240 The prayer into this ministry, but get this in verse 5 it says 474 00:23:36,240 --> 00:23:37,680 in C. In saying. 475 00:23:37,680 --> 00:23:39,480 Please. The whole multitude. 476 00:23:39,720 --> 00:23:43,600 It pleased them, so they chose. Stephen, but get this about. 477 00:23:43,600 --> 00:23:46,880 Stephen, he wasn't just like a lot of the others, it says. 478 00:23:46,880 --> 00:23:48,600 He was a man full of faith and the holy. 479 00:23:48,600 --> 00:23:51,360 Spirit. And it goes on to tell those 480 00:23:51,800 --> 00:23:54,600 those who they called. And they laid hands upon them, 481 00:23:54,760 --> 00:23:58,160 and they sent them forth right. And the word of God begin to 482 00:23:58,160 --> 00:24:01,040 spread. You know, Stephen, a lot of 483 00:24:01,040 --> 00:24:02,840 people would have a problem doing what he did. 484 00:24:02,840 --> 00:24:03,880 Because. He's full of the holy. 485 00:24:03,880 --> 00:24:06,080 Ghost. And he thought, I'm sure he 486 00:24:06,080 --> 00:24:08,080 thought, you know, I'm just as good as these. 487 00:24:08,080 --> 00:24:09,640 Others that preaching the gospel. 488 00:24:09,640 --> 00:24:13,240 Evidently he was better. He stirred them till they wanted 489 00:24:13,240 --> 00:24:18,200 to kill him. But I bet Stephen never. 490 00:24:18,200 --> 00:24:19,920 Thought that going out here. And tending orphans. 491 00:24:19,920 --> 00:24:24,400 And with us, serving tables would cost him his life. 492 00:24:25,360 --> 00:24:26,720 But he got a chance to preach while. 493 00:24:26,720 --> 00:24:28,400 He was there. You can read about most of that, 494 00:24:28,400 --> 00:24:31,920 about his address and the call to Abraham and verse 7 you can 495 00:24:31,920 --> 00:24:34,640 go read about that. But Stephen was appointed to 496 00:24:34,640 --> 00:24:37,440 orphans and with us it what they. 497 00:24:37,440 --> 00:24:40,480 'D already said it wasn't desirable that they should leave 498 00:24:40,480 --> 00:24:43,120 the work of the Lord and serve the tables. 499 00:24:43,120 --> 00:24:45,800 Hello, but Stephen. Said I will do it. 500 00:24:46,960 --> 00:24:50,240 He said I will do it. My question What is God calling 501 00:24:50,240 --> 00:24:53,480 you? To do that seems insignificant 502 00:24:54,200 --> 00:24:58,080 because many Christians aren't doing anything for the Kingdom. 503 00:24:58,600 --> 00:25:00,800 Doesn't have to. Be just at this church, wherever 504 00:25:00,800 --> 00:25:03,560 you're placed, you can do something for the Kingdom. 505 00:25:04,160 --> 00:25:07,600 He began to preach and he began to talk about all the things and 506 00:25:07,600 --> 00:25:10,480 the patriarchs, and it says God was with him and he. 507 00:25:10,480 --> 00:25:13,840 Goes and tells all the. Stories about what had happened. 508 00:25:14,880 --> 00:25:17,680 And when we get over to verse 54, go home and read Chapter 7 509 00:25:17,680 --> 00:25:19,960 tonight. But 7 and 54? 510 00:25:20,080 --> 00:25:24,040 It says that when they heard these things that Steven was. 511 00:25:24,040 --> 00:25:27,320 Preaching says they were. Cut to the heart. 512 00:25:28,320 --> 00:25:30,600 Waiting tables led him from tendon. 513 00:25:30,600 --> 00:25:32,440 Orphans and widows. Maybe they were feeding them in 514 00:25:32,440 --> 00:25:34,120 the synagogue. I don't know or in the little 515 00:25:34,120 --> 00:25:36,040 building, but yet. He ended up on the. 516 00:25:36,040 --> 00:25:40,080 Streets preaching when they. Heard these things that were cut 517 00:25:40,080 --> 00:25:45,200 to the heart. 7 and 54 of Acts. And they gnashed at him with 518 00:25:45,200 --> 00:25:46,800 their teeth. They were think about it, they 519 00:25:46,800 --> 00:25:48,400 made him some mad. They were biting him. 520 00:25:50,600 --> 00:25:52,480 But he being full of the Holy Spirit, he. 521 00:25:52,480 --> 00:25:55,120 Gazed into heaven. He looked. 522 00:25:55,120 --> 00:26:00,840 Beyond this fleshly life and he's seen the glory of God and 523 00:26:00,840 --> 00:26:03,240 Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 524 00:26:03,240 --> 00:26:06,800 And he said, look, I see the heavens open, and the Son of Man 525 00:26:06,880 --> 00:26:10,960 standing at the right hand of God, see what seemed 526 00:26:10,960 --> 00:26:12,200 insignificant. What? 527 00:26:12,200 --> 00:26:14,720 Seemed. Not a very big ministry at all. 528 00:26:15,560 --> 00:26:18,760 LED Stephen to see the Jesus standing at the right hand of 529 00:26:18,760 --> 00:26:22,360 the simply because he obeyed. Makes me wonder where I miss God 530 00:26:22,360 --> 00:26:25,320 in the little things. I get to preach to a lot of. 531 00:26:25,320 --> 00:26:28,280 Folk on Sunday morning because I did what nobody else wanted to 532 00:26:28,280 --> 00:26:30,920 do, started a church from scratch and it's a great 533 00:26:30,920 --> 00:26:32,280 blessing to come and preach to y'all. 534 00:26:32,280 --> 00:26:35,000 I'll never take it for granted. I thank God for it. 535 00:26:36,920 --> 00:26:39,360 But I'm telling you when you. Refuse to do what others don't 536 00:26:39,360 --> 00:26:41,840 want to do. God will open you a bigger door. 537 00:26:42,560 --> 00:26:47,680 He will put it on you. He said I found me somebody, but 538 00:26:47,680 --> 00:26:50,840 Steven didn't run. From it didn't. 539 00:26:50,840 --> 00:26:53,480 He didn't run. From it, he was. 540 00:26:53,480 --> 00:26:56,120 Maybe he wasn't. Expecting anything but see if 541 00:26:56,120 --> 00:26:58,720 there was bloodshed. For this thing that I'm talking 542 00:26:58,720 --> 00:27:01,400 about this morning, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 543 00:27:01,680 --> 00:27:04,840 And it's a seed that Jesus referred to that must be 544 00:27:04,840 --> 00:27:07,000 planted. Then maybe I might ought. 545 00:27:07,000 --> 00:27:09,080 To be looking for a place to. Plant it. 546 00:27:09,080 --> 00:27:11,200 Hey, man, Steven. Didn't say. 547 00:27:11,200 --> 00:27:14,160 Oh no, there's no need. To wait tables, it's not. 548 00:27:14,440 --> 00:27:16,360 My calling boy, I hear that a lot. 549 00:27:17,640 --> 00:27:19,680 Tell me we need it but it's. Not your calling. 550 00:27:21,080 --> 00:27:26,200 Who no need to wait tables. It's not my calling. 551 00:27:26,640 --> 00:27:28,880 When I hear this today. From a lot of people, I think it 552 00:27:28,880 --> 00:27:32,760 really probably is your calling. But see, the truth is. 553 00:27:33,000 --> 00:27:34,560 This is going to hurt. Just get ready. 554 00:27:36,000 --> 00:27:41,080 The truth is, most never get. Past the complaining to the. 555 00:27:41,080 --> 00:27:44,360 Calling you got to get plastic complaining. 556 00:27:44,560 --> 00:27:48,280 To find the calling of God. Most never get past the. 557 00:27:48,280 --> 00:27:50,680 Complaining and the burden of. Having to go to church so you 558 00:27:50,680 --> 00:27:53,960 can grow. Hey man, God's trying to get. 559 00:27:53,960 --> 00:27:56,960 You to the church so you can grow, so some will be stirred 560 00:27:56,960 --> 00:27:58,400 within you. When a brother says whoa, 561 00:27:58,640 --> 00:28:01,680 Hallelujah, some begins to stir up inside of me. 562 00:28:01,680 --> 00:28:05,480 But most, it's a lot easier. Well, it's a lot easier. 563 00:28:05,800 --> 00:28:07,280 It's a lot easier. Can I just stop? 564 00:28:07,480 --> 00:28:10,320 And right, we're at 12:00. I'm just going to stop and I'm 565 00:28:10,320 --> 00:28:14,280 just going to sing. Come by y'all or? 566 00:28:14,280 --> 00:28:17,160 Whatever it is they do, my mind went blank. 567 00:28:18,880 --> 00:28:22,720 What's the old hymnal? I surrender all. 568 00:28:23,400 --> 00:28:27,400 Good song. I can just stop right now. 569 00:28:27,400 --> 00:28:29,720 Way easier on me. I'd have less of these. 570 00:28:29,720 --> 00:28:31,120 Great, but I got to dig a little deeper. 571 00:28:31,960 --> 00:28:35,400 I can't stop right there. That's why I had to spend so 572 00:28:35,400 --> 00:28:37,760 many hours getting these messages and just driving just. 573 00:28:38,040 --> 00:28:41,400 But see, most start doing anything unless the occasion 574 00:28:41,400 --> 00:28:44,480 arises because they haven't got past the complaining. 575 00:28:46,440 --> 00:28:48,640 But when I get past the complaining. 576 00:28:49,240 --> 00:28:50,560 I do it at my desk. I. 577 00:28:50,760 --> 00:28:53,240 You know I get to hurt. I just got it a study to read 578 00:28:53,240 --> 00:28:54,920 to. My back's hurt my so I go. 579 00:28:54,920 --> 00:28:56,640 Get in the recliners. Still got the Bible there. 580 00:28:57,680 --> 00:28:59,360 Sometimes I'll. Break it up. 581 00:28:59,360 --> 00:29:01,040 I can't. Stand the word that I'm just. 582 00:29:01,640 --> 00:29:04,800 I have a attention. Deficit this, whatever they 583 00:29:04,800 --> 00:29:07,320 call, I got to be moving. So I'll I'll put my. 584 00:29:07,320 --> 00:29:09,400 Phone in my jacket. And I'll get a message. 585 00:29:09,400 --> 00:29:11,440 On that from somebody go to picking things up and. 586 00:29:11,440 --> 00:29:14,320 Gathering them instead of complaining about having to sit. 587 00:29:14,320 --> 00:29:16,560 There, if you can't sit there, walk around with it. 588 00:29:17,440 --> 00:29:21,440 But somehow I got to get it but most aren't looking. 589 00:29:21,920 --> 00:29:23,320 At doing, you only skip these notes. 590 00:29:24,480 --> 00:29:25,920 Most aren't. Look, I'd like to. 591 00:29:26,800 --> 00:29:29,440 Most aren't looking at doing anything unless the occasion 592 00:29:29,440 --> 00:29:33,480 arises. But when I obey, even waiting 593 00:29:33,480 --> 00:29:38,600 tables, even taking out whatever it is I have to do, sometimes 594 00:29:38,600 --> 00:29:41,040 it's just making myself approachable and available. 595 00:29:42,360 --> 00:29:46,840 I'm planting a seed. There might be somebody by the 596 00:29:46,840 --> 00:29:49,280 dumpster. There might be somebody. 597 00:29:49,280 --> 00:29:51,520 I've LED people to. Christ by an old dumpster. 598 00:29:52,280 --> 00:29:54,480 I looked in the parking lot 1 time I told him any Jesus. 599 00:29:54,480 --> 00:29:56,400 We knelt down by an old dumpster and he accepted. 600 00:29:56,400 --> 00:30:00,160 Jesus in church today. Save from a bad life. 601 00:30:01,400 --> 00:30:05,520 There might just be someone here today and you realize I got to 602 00:30:05,520 --> 00:30:09,120 do something for the Kingdom. Jesus has done so much for me. 603 00:30:09,200 --> 00:30:13,160 I got to do something. We can have functions, but a 604 00:30:13,160 --> 00:30:15,240 function does nothing unless it's effective. 605 00:30:16,960 --> 00:30:19,800 Does nothing when I was. Bucking all the bulls and horses 606 00:30:19,800 --> 00:30:21,880 and leading a lot of people to Christ because of the bulls. 607 00:30:21,880 --> 00:30:24,680 And horses they would. Come, if I said no bulls and 608 00:30:24,680 --> 00:30:26,600 horses this week, we're just going to preach the Word. 609 00:30:26,600 --> 00:30:31,920 I would go from 120 to 10. Was the function effective? 610 00:30:33,520 --> 00:30:37,040 But if I delight myself in the Lord Psalm 37 and four, He will 611 00:30:37,040 --> 00:30:40,880 give me the desires of my heart to see so many Christians today. 612 00:30:40,880 --> 00:30:43,280 They're looking at the church to get offended or someone in the 613 00:30:43,280 --> 00:30:45,200 church to offend them so they don't have to return to the 614 00:30:45,200 --> 00:30:49,320 church. So I become a stumbling block 615 00:30:49,320 --> 00:30:52,720 maybe, huh? Smile at someone that don't 616 00:30:52,720 --> 00:30:55,680 smile back. You know that sucker ain't 617 00:30:55,680 --> 00:30:56,320 gonna. Smile. 618 00:30:56,520 --> 00:30:58,360 I don't Smile at him 10 times he don't. 619 00:30:58,360 --> 00:31:00,520 Speak unless I speak. You got him in your. 620 00:31:00,520 --> 00:31:01,600 Family. There's some people in your 621 00:31:01,600 --> 00:31:02,600 family. Be the function. 622 00:31:02,760 --> 00:31:04,680 They won't even talk. To you, unless you speak first. 623 00:31:04,880 --> 00:31:08,920 Anybody got any of those? And I ain't never done nothing 624 00:31:08,920 --> 00:31:11,520 to them. You know what it is? 625 00:31:11,840 --> 00:31:14,800 They don't like what they see in you because they can never be 626 00:31:14,800 --> 00:31:17,560 what you are until they're willing to pay the price that 627 00:31:17,560 --> 00:31:20,880 you paid to become what you are. So it's easier to push. 628 00:31:20,880 --> 00:31:24,480 Away you ain't. Done nothing. 629 00:31:24,480 --> 00:31:27,760 God ain't done nothing. It's a devil convicting them 630 00:31:27,760 --> 00:31:30,960 that they need to be more like Christ and they see Christ in 631 00:31:30,960 --> 00:31:34,480 you so they begin to box Christ. Whoo. 632 00:31:37,600 --> 00:31:39,520 I told a boy that one time. I said you ain't never going to 633 00:31:39,520 --> 00:31:41,200 be like me if you don't willing to pay. 634 00:31:41,200 --> 00:31:44,000 The price that I pray. To smile at someone that don't 635 00:31:44,000 --> 00:31:47,600 smile back, it don't cost you nothing, they said it's harder 636 00:31:47,600 --> 00:31:49,720 to frown. It takes way more muscles to 637 00:31:49,720 --> 00:31:51,240 frown than it does to smile. So just. 638 00:31:53,480 --> 00:31:54,600 And then you know what they going to do They're. 639 00:31:54,600 --> 00:31:56,320 Going to say he didn't really smile at me, he was a fake 640 00:31:56,320 --> 00:31:58,120 smile. I've seen him, I've seen him 641 00:31:58,120 --> 00:31:59,880 smile. When he smiles, it's like this 642 00:31:59,880 --> 00:32:05,720 and he just did this. Am I right? 643 00:32:07,560 --> 00:32:10,000 I smile. Whether it's fake or not, you. 644 00:32:10,000 --> 00:32:14,560 Discern it, but I smile. I may not even like you, but I 645 00:32:14,560 --> 00:32:18,360 smiled. Baba, don't say I got to. 646 00:32:18,360 --> 00:32:21,560 Like you, but it says. Eternally and heartfully and 647 00:32:21,560 --> 00:32:25,840 soulfully, I got to love you. Speak to someone that's never 648 00:32:25,840 --> 00:32:28,600 spoke talking about planting seed. 649 00:32:29,400 --> 00:32:33,000 Make yourself approachable. Do what no one else wants to do, 650 00:32:33,000 --> 00:32:34,960 but watch out when you do because God will open more 651 00:32:34,960 --> 00:32:37,680 doors. Teach a class that you really 652 00:32:37,680 --> 00:32:39,440 don't want to teach. Well, that's hard, ain't it? 653 00:32:40,360 --> 00:32:43,720 Sow seed. What's that done for me? 654 00:32:44,760 --> 00:32:46,600 Can I tell you that when you really do something you don't 655 00:32:46,600 --> 00:32:49,360 want to do, such as some of those things I'm that I just 656 00:32:49,360 --> 00:32:51,600 spoke of, What does that really do for me? 657 00:32:52,240 --> 00:32:56,040 Nothing at the time that's going to make the enemy's going to end 658 00:32:56,080 --> 00:32:58,120 end up in your mind and he's going to say, man, why did you 659 00:32:58,120 --> 00:32:59,120 do that? You didn't really want to do 660 00:32:59,120 --> 00:33:01,280 that wasn't heartfelt. You know that wasn't for Jesus. 661 00:33:01,280 --> 00:33:02,680 You just did it because you wanted to do it. 662 00:33:02,680 --> 00:33:04,120 Bye, bye bye. Just go on and on. 663 00:33:04,360 --> 00:33:08,120 Does he ever do that to y'all to get your mind off the prize? 664 00:33:09,440 --> 00:33:13,040 See nothing at the. Time makes you feel good. 665 00:33:13,040 --> 00:33:15,120 Sometimes it even puts you on the edge, makes you pull your 666 00:33:15,120 --> 00:33:15,760 hair. Out. 667 00:33:16,720 --> 00:33:21,120 But it might enable somebody else to hear the gospel, Amen. 668 00:33:21,200 --> 00:33:24,080 And you could be a big part of that. 669 00:33:24,600 --> 00:33:28,640 And God recognizes that, right? But instead we. 670 00:33:28,640 --> 00:33:32,720 Miss out on the blessing because we don't want to be put out. 671 00:33:34,440 --> 00:33:36,480 If Steven had to. Refuse and I'm going to close. 672 00:33:36,480 --> 00:33:41,800 I got a lot more on this, but if Steven would have. 673 00:33:41,800 --> 00:33:45,120 Said or would have left the early church. 674 00:33:45,120 --> 00:33:47,680 You know, he just said, look, I, I've been traveling with Jesus. 675 00:33:47,680 --> 00:33:49,800 I've been doing all these things that these others have doing. 676 00:33:49,800 --> 00:33:52,680 Why the I got to go? I think I'll just go over here 677 00:33:52,680 --> 00:33:56,120 and start me an old church and call it the second Church of the 678 00:33:56,120 --> 00:33:59,880 first born or something. You know I'm full of the holy. 679 00:33:59,880 --> 00:34:01,720 Spirit, I'm full of faith and you already. 680 00:34:01,720 --> 00:34:04,480 Said back there. That it ain't desirable to me to 681 00:34:04,480 --> 00:34:05,440 go serve. Tables. 682 00:34:05,440 --> 00:34:07,800 Y'all ain't going to do it, but you want me to do it? 683 00:34:10,480 --> 00:34:12,800 I'm going somewhere with this. Same. 684 00:34:12,800 --> 00:34:15,960 Very insignificant. For Steven, a man, after we see 685 00:34:15,960 --> 00:34:17,560 what he, what he was really made of. 686 00:34:17,560 --> 00:34:20,440 See, as I said Wednesday night, time tells everything. 687 00:34:20,880 --> 00:34:22,800 It shows the fake. It shows the real you don't 688 00:34:22,800 --> 00:34:25,840 believe, look in the mirror. Time tells everything. 689 00:34:28,520 --> 00:34:30,000 It's not desirable that I should do that. 690 00:34:30,000 --> 00:34:35,120 I think I'm just going to leave. I'm going to leave this and I'm 691 00:34:35,719 --> 00:34:39,320 going to go do my own thing. But what does Steven do? 692 00:34:39,320 --> 00:34:43,040 He used it as a platform. He said Wherever I'm at, I can 693 00:34:43,040 --> 00:34:46,000 still be full of faith. I can still produce signs, 694 00:34:46,000 --> 00:34:49,159 wonders and miracles. You want to think about this? 695 00:34:49,159 --> 00:34:50,960 Look at the importance of what Stephen did. 696 00:34:51,120 --> 00:34:53,159 We all know the story they got. They gnashed him. 697 00:34:53,159 --> 00:34:55,280 Where there's people biting him. There was blood running out of 698 00:34:55,280 --> 00:34:57,320 his body. But guess what that blood was? 699 00:34:57,320 --> 00:34:59,520 About to hit the ground. And God said that. 700 00:34:59,520 --> 00:35:02,400 Blood's about to cry out and Stephen said just go. 701 00:35:02,400 --> 00:35:05,040 On and throw that old stone. Just go ahead and throw it at 702 00:35:05,040 --> 00:35:06,280 me. Just go ahead and kill me 703 00:35:06,400 --> 00:35:08,760 because I don't see my savior stand up at the right. 704 00:35:08,760 --> 00:35:11,480 Hand of God and open the heavens to receive. 705 00:35:11,480 --> 00:35:16,160 Me, but here's the importance. He did not. 706 00:35:16,160 --> 00:35:21,560 Realize it at the time but in chapter 8 and verse one of acts, 707 00:35:21,560 --> 00:35:24,200 go home and read it, it says. That there was a man. 708 00:35:25,240 --> 00:35:27,160 Man, I get this. Gets in my spirit when I read 709 00:35:27,160 --> 00:35:29,240 it. There was a man named Saul that 710 00:35:29,240 --> 00:35:32,480 was watching. There was a man named Saul that 711 00:35:32,480 --> 00:35:35,120 was approving that. Go ahead, throw the throw the 712 00:35:35,120 --> 00:35:37,560 stones at that old Christian and cussing him and. 713 00:35:37,680 --> 00:35:40,120 He said I got the. Letters in my pocket from the 714 00:35:40,120 --> 00:35:42,120 Roman government. We can kill them all. 715 00:35:42,120 --> 00:35:47,280 Just go ahead and kill him. Go ahead and kill him, it's OK. 716 00:35:47,440 --> 00:35:49,240 I can get you out of jail when you murder them. 717 00:35:49,240 --> 00:35:55,520 Sorry Christian, I can just do. It Think about it, Stephen said. 718 00:35:55,520 --> 00:35:59,400 Keep throwing them. God knew that Saul's name would 719 00:35:59,400 --> 00:36:01,480 soon be changed to the apostle Paul. 720 00:36:02,600 --> 00:36:04,160 What? Was it a chapter later? 721 00:36:05,760 --> 00:36:09,800 He wasn't hearing and God blinded him on the Damascus Road 722 00:36:11,000 --> 00:36:12,520 and told him. He said you go to the man's 723 00:36:12,520 --> 00:36:15,480 house on straight straight St. and your eyes will be healed. 724 00:36:16,040 --> 00:36:17,440 But he said there's something. Within you. 725 00:36:17,640 --> 00:36:19,640 You stand to your feet, he said. There, but there's. 726 00:36:19,640 --> 00:36:22,520 Something within you, he said. See, Paul you. 727 00:36:22,720 --> 00:36:25,720 Your name's going to be changed to from Saul to Paul. 728 00:36:25,720 --> 00:36:28,800 But see the importance of. What Steven did, he could have 729 00:36:28,800 --> 00:36:29,920 got mad. He could have left. 730 00:36:29,920 --> 00:36:32,400 The church he could have. Left the faith, but there was 731 00:36:32,400 --> 00:36:34,600 somebody watching. There was. 732 00:36:34,600 --> 00:36:37,400 Somebody watching and God had. Him a man named. 733 00:36:37,400 --> 00:36:41,320 Saul and it looked like the most unlikely man in the world to 734 00:36:41,320 --> 00:36:43,880 carry this gospel on because he didn't believe it. 735 00:36:44,000 --> 00:36:47,080 He was trained as good as you could be trained in the Jewish. 736 00:36:47,080 --> 00:36:47,960 Custody. He knew it all. 737 00:36:49,280 --> 00:36:51,960 For the wrong side. But God said I'm about to change 738 00:36:51,960 --> 00:36:55,520 his heart. Could it be that Paul got a 739 00:36:55,520 --> 00:36:58,360 glimpse that day? In Acts 8 and 1, he got a 740 00:36:58,360 --> 00:37:00,400 glimpse. I don't know if he got a 741 00:37:00,400 --> 00:37:03,520 glimpse, but he had to be thinking what faith to die for 742 00:37:03,520 --> 00:37:05,480 what you believe. Did Paul know at that time that 743 00:37:05,480 --> 00:37:08,720 he would die for what he was about to be changed over a few 744 00:37:08,720 --> 00:37:10,680 years later? And he went three years and got 745 00:37:10,680 --> 00:37:13,600 a little bit of teaching and his life was forever changed. 746 00:37:13,800 --> 00:37:16,800 And Can you imagine the lies I'm here today? 747 00:37:16,800 --> 00:37:18,800 Because of the right, the blood of Jesus. 748 00:37:18,800 --> 00:37:21,920 But as I'm still surviving because of the letters of an 749 00:37:21,920 --> 00:37:25,720 Apostle Paul that I can open and read every day, when I'm placed 750 00:37:25,720 --> 00:37:29,800 in an old sinful prison and the blood begins to cry out because 751 00:37:29,800 --> 00:37:32,840 it was shed and it landed. Upon my heart what a. 752 00:37:32,920 --> 00:37:35,880 About you we read of these things. 753 00:37:36,240 --> 00:37:38,320 We talk of these things, but are. 754 00:37:38,680 --> 00:37:43,080 We willing to die for these? Things see when we look to hear 755 00:37:43,080 --> 00:37:46,360 a small act of obedience of what Stephen did. 756 00:37:47,320 --> 00:37:50,080 Stephen was one of them that Jesus was talking about said you 757 00:37:50,080 --> 00:37:53,080 will not die you to see the son of a man coming and in 758 00:37:53,080 --> 00:37:58,280 Revelations chapter 12 and 11. It says that they overcame by 759 00:37:58,280 --> 00:38:03,480 the blood of what the lamb and the word of their testimony. 760 00:38:03,920 --> 00:38:06,560 See the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church. 761 00:38:07,400 --> 00:38:11,640 You never know what a planted seed can turn into but there's 762 00:38:11,640 --> 00:38:14,720 one thing I can assure you if you don't plant it, it will not 763 00:38:14,720 --> 00:38:18,320 turn into anything. A seed has to be planted. 764 00:38:18,320 --> 00:38:21,160 You never know what a planted seed can turn into when you 765 00:38:21,160 --> 00:38:25,560 plant it because we look at Steve Stevens humble lowly 766 00:38:25,560 --> 00:38:28,440 response. It got him an entrance into 767 00:38:28,440 --> 00:38:32,800 heaven, but it also softened the heart of of old Saul, the 768 00:38:32,800 --> 00:38:37,560 apostle Paul that started so many churches and wrote 13 of 769 00:38:37,560 --> 00:38:41,200 the 14 books of the New Testament while he was in prison 770 00:38:41,200 --> 00:38:44,320 many times. But I ask you today, what is God 771 00:38:44,320 --> 00:38:47,040 calling you to do that you've placed his insignificant in your 772 00:38:47,040 --> 00:38:48,520 life? Would you bow your heads? 773 00:38:49,840 --> 00:38:54,400 It's because of the blood. See the blood cries from the 774 00:38:54,400 --> 00:38:57,800 ground? We read it all through the 775 00:38:57,800 --> 00:38:59,840 Bible, from Genesis to Revelations. 776 00:38:59,840 --> 00:39:02,680 The blood, it will never lose its power. 777 00:39:03,440 --> 00:39:06,000 Thanks for listening to the Cross Power Church podcast. 778 00:39:06,360 --> 00:39:09,960 May you know that true hope, peace, and salvation can only be 779 00:39:09,960 --> 00:39:13,360 found in Jesus. If you're near Campbell, TX, we 780 00:39:13,360 --> 00:39:15,520 would love for you to join us in person. 781 00:39:15,920 --> 00:39:19,080 You can find service times at crosspowerchurch.com.