1 00:00:07,800 --> 00:00:11,840 Well, good morning, Englewood. Don't you appreciate our worship 2 00:00:11,840 --> 00:00:14,040 team? Amen. 3 00:00:16,480 --> 00:00:20,120 Take your Bibles and turn to Nehemiah Chapter 3. 4 00:00:20,720 --> 00:00:23,240 As we continue our study in Nehemiah, let me share just a 5 00:00:23,240 --> 00:00:26,520 few things with you as we get to that place. 6 00:00:28,440 --> 00:00:29,760 So appreciative of you being here. 7 00:00:29,760 --> 00:00:31,800 It's good to meet some new visitors with us this morning. 8 00:00:31,800 --> 00:00:33,240 Thank you for braving the weather. 9 00:00:33,520 --> 00:00:37,080 We still have folks getting over the Super flu, but it's good to 10 00:00:37,080 --> 00:00:39,640 see some of you back and seeing that you're getting over it. 11 00:00:39,880 --> 00:00:42,200 Also, of course, have a few folks worried about the weather 12 00:00:42,200 --> 00:00:44,600 today, so I know we have several folks online listening. 13 00:00:44,600 --> 00:00:47,120 Welcome. Thank you for listening, and 14 00:00:47,320 --> 00:00:49,160 we're glad that you've joined us that way. 15 00:00:49,520 --> 00:00:50,920 I wanted to share an update with you. 16 00:00:50,920 --> 00:00:54,560 I shared this last Wednesday night, but I wanted you to hear 17 00:00:54,560 --> 00:00:57,520 the final word here. So our Happy Birthday Jesus 18 00:00:57,520 --> 00:01:00,360 offering, which goes to support our international and North 19 00:01:00,360 --> 00:01:03,080 American and local partnerships that we have. 20 00:01:03,640 --> 00:01:07,200 We have about 10 units who are out on the field from Inglewood. 21 00:01:07,200 --> 00:01:09,600 We appreciate all of them and their effort. 22 00:01:09,880 --> 00:01:12,640 We're so thankful for the Sullivans being with us today. 23 00:01:13,000 --> 00:01:15,760 Rackley's are back with us also. So, so thankful for that. 24 00:01:16,040 --> 00:01:19,960 And, and so our Happy Birthday Jesus offering goal. 25 00:01:20,200 --> 00:01:24,120 We needed 185,000 to kind of cover the partnerships and some 26 00:01:24,120 --> 00:01:30,360 of our future partnerships and to date $228,343.01. 27 00:01:31,120 --> 00:01:34,840 So thank you so much for giving to missions. 28 00:01:35,080 --> 00:01:38,680 I love that one cent on the end. I not really do I think that's 29 00:01:38,680 --> 00:01:40,400 neat. I don't know how, I don't want 30 00:01:40,400 --> 00:01:41,800 to know how that actually came about. 31 00:01:41,800 --> 00:01:43,760 I want to imagine some kid giving pennies. 32 00:01:43,760 --> 00:01:45,920 So I'm just so thankful for whoever that was. 33 00:01:45,920 --> 00:01:48,000 That was probably some rounded down or up thing. 34 00:01:48,000 --> 00:01:51,040 But, and then it was really interesting because at the end 35 00:01:51,040 --> 00:01:54,320 of last year, when you talk about a 202,025 budget, and I 36 00:01:54,320 --> 00:01:57,160 won't stay on this too long at all, but just to encourage you, 37 00:01:57,800 --> 00:02:01,040 and this may seem odd, but if you know the history of, of 38 00:02:01,040 --> 00:02:04,920 things here in the budget, when you count all of the giving and 39 00:02:04,920 --> 00:02:07,600 the interest that comes from some of the other revenues that 40 00:02:07,600 --> 00:02:11,520 we have, we only missed our annual budget last year by a 41 00:02:11,520 --> 00:02:14,360 little over $7000, which is really tremendous when you're 42 00:02:14,360 --> 00:02:16,360 talking about a multi $1,000,000 budget. 43 00:02:16,360 --> 00:02:18,680 So thank you so much for your faithfulness and you're giving 44 00:02:19,080 --> 00:02:23,320 let's beat the 2026 budget to death so that we can continue to 45 00:02:23,320 --> 00:02:24,760 grow and God will bless us for that. 46 00:02:24,800 --> 00:02:27,720 So just thank you for that. Members, appreciate you very 47 00:02:27,720 --> 00:02:32,720 much today, the third Sunday in in January has been designated 48 00:02:33,400 --> 00:02:36,360 to be the sanctity of a human life Sunday. 49 00:02:36,920 --> 00:02:40,520 Often that is a is associated primarily with abortion issues 50 00:02:40,520 --> 00:02:43,520 and, and rightfully so, it's a little bigger than that in the 51 00:02:43,520 --> 00:02:47,320 sense that when we're talking about the holiness of life, we 52 00:02:47,320 --> 00:02:50,640 would run want to recognize not only abortion issues, but end of 53 00:02:50,640 --> 00:02:55,320 life issues, also special need issues and just the value of 54 00:02:55,320 --> 00:02:58,880 life in general and the fact that life is valuable, it's 55 00:02:58,880 --> 00:03:02,120 worth something. It's no matter when the life is. 56 00:03:02,440 --> 00:03:06,880 But since about 1973, we estimate that about 70 million 57 00:03:06,880 --> 00:03:10,120 abortions have taken place in the US And, and what's 58 00:03:10,120 --> 00:03:14,640 interesting about that is, is if you consider Generation Z, which 59 00:03:14,640 --> 00:03:19,560 are people born from about 97 to 2010, one third of that 60 00:03:19,560 --> 00:03:22,760 generation was never born is the estimate. 61 00:03:23,600 --> 00:03:26,920 And so North Carolina has some of the most liberal abortion 62 00:03:26,920 --> 00:03:29,240 laws in the entire southeastern part of the United States. 63 00:03:29,240 --> 00:03:33,160 So people actually travel here to have abortions and so just 64 00:03:33,160 --> 00:03:36,520 continue to pray about how we can be a part of ministering to 65 00:03:36,520 --> 00:03:39,840 those who are considering that, also ministering to those who've 66 00:03:39,840 --> 00:03:43,200 already experienced that. One of the other statistics 67 00:03:43,200 --> 00:03:47,360 you'd want to think about is that about one in four post 68 00:03:47,360 --> 00:03:50,800 abortive women are sitting in our congregations. 69 00:03:51,240 --> 00:03:54,600 And so many of you here perhaps have been touched by this in one 70 00:03:54,600 --> 00:03:57,800 way or the other, and you're still working through that Even 71 00:03:57,800 --> 00:04:00,800 so we want to be ministering to you in that way as well. 72 00:04:00,800 --> 00:04:03,200 But out in the lobby, you can get some information from one of 73 00:04:03,200 --> 00:04:05,760 our partners that is supported by our, our budget. 74 00:04:06,120 --> 00:04:09,400 And that's the Your Choice Resource Center, which is a 75 00:04:09,400 --> 00:04:12,280 great place for folks who are considering abortion in their 76 00:04:12,280 --> 00:04:13,960 life and how you can support that. 77 00:04:13,960 --> 00:04:16,279 So you can learn about that. They have QR code on there For 78 00:04:16,279 --> 00:04:19,000 more information. In addition, tomorrow is Martin 79 00:04:19,000 --> 00:04:21,480 Luther King Junior Day, the office will be closed because of 80 00:04:21,480 --> 00:04:23,000 that. And it's a day where we 81 00:04:23,000 --> 00:04:25,920 recognize the effort of, of racial reconciliation and 82 00:04:25,920 --> 00:04:29,680 equality. And once again, I, I not that 83 00:04:29,760 --> 00:04:33,240 they're the same things at all, but but they are in the area of 84 00:04:33,240 --> 00:04:38,160 valuing life and the, and respecting in life and valuing 85 00:04:38,160 --> 00:04:41,360 one another. Whether, whether it's before we 86 00:04:41,360 --> 00:04:44,320 are born in the womb, when God says that he's knitting us 87 00:04:44,320 --> 00:04:47,000 together and he knows the number of our days, the purpose of our 88 00:04:47,000 --> 00:04:48,600 whole life before we're even born. 89 00:04:49,160 --> 00:04:53,000 Or how do we get along with each other now when we come from 90 00:04:53,000 --> 00:04:55,040 different backgrounds. So, so thankful for a 91 00:04:55,040 --> 00:04:58,760 congregation that that has we have folks from different racial 92 00:04:58,760 --> 00:05:01,800 and ethnic backgrounds and and all kinds of socio economic and 93 00:05:01,800 --> 00:05:04,840 educational backgrounds. Some of us are rednecks from the 94 00:05:04,840 --> 00:05:07,200 Ozarks and some of you are rednecks from Eastern North 95 00:05:07,200 --> 00:05:09,360 Carolina. So redneck redneckedness 96 00:05:09,360 --> 00:05:10,600 together. So here we go. 97 00:05:11,120 --> 00:05:14,080 But no, we're just so thankful. But how we can celebrate life 98 00:05:14,600 --> 00:05:16,880 and seek to bring it honor and value. 99 00:05:16,880 --> 00:05:19,640 So let's pray together about that and then we'll dive into 100 00:05:19,640 --> 00:05:21,400 Nehemiah. Father, we're so grateful for 101 00:05:21,400 --> 00:05:23,040 life. We didn't deserve it. 102 00:05:23,040 --> 00:05:26,440 Father, you gave it to us. Our own existence is a gift. 103 00:05:26,920 --> 00:05:30,080 And so, Father, we recognize that we don't create life. 104 00:05:30,080 --> 00:05:33,240 You create it before we're born, and you have a purpose for us. 105 00:05:33,480 --> 00:05:37,360 You tell us that you know us and you're forming us even even 106 00:05:37,360 --> 00:05:40,360 before we we ever, ever, ever step foot on this earth. 107 00:05:40,360 --> 00:05:43,360 So Lord, thank you for that. And Father, we pray that from 108 00:05:43,360 --> 00:05:46,960 before birth all the way to death, that Father, we would 109 00:05:46,960 --> 00:05:50,960 honor and value one another and bring worth to life because 110 00:05:50,960 --> 00:05:54,520 we're created in your image. And that means we have value and 111 00:05:54,520 --> 00:05:58,040 we have purpose and we have a plan to serve you and to know 112 00:05:58,040 --> 00:05:59,760 you. So Father, help us to be 113 00:05:59,760 --> 00:06:03,680 faithful in that honor. So thank you for the fact that 114 00:06:03,680 --> 00:06:07,680 life is is sacred. Life is holy. 115 00:06:08,040 --> 00:06:11,880 And I pray, Father, that we'll continue to do all we can to to 116 00:06:11,880 --> 00:06:15,040 not only promote that, but Father, to live that in our 117 00:06:15,040 --> 00:06:17,400 lives as well. Guide us now as we go to your 118 00:06:17,400 --> 00:06:19,840 word. Let us feast upon it in Christ's 119 00:06:19,840 --> 00:06:24,440 name, Amen. Well, for decades Teresa and I 120 00:06:25,240 --> 00:06:30,040 have seen God perform miracles to transform the lives of His 121 00:06:30,040 --> 00:06:32,720 churches. We've seen Him transform brand 122 00:06:32,720 --> 00:06:35,840 new churches. We've seen him transform 200 123 00:06:35,840 --> 00:06:38,440 plus year old churches. We've seen him transform 124 00:06:38,440 --> 00:06:40,080 churches that we're about to close your doors. 125 00:06:40,560 --> 00:06:43,440 We've seen him transform churches in the Bible Belt. 126 00:06:43,760 --> 00:06:46,040 We've seen him transform churches on the North American 127 00:06:46,040 --> 00:06:48,360 mission field. We've seen him transform many 128 00:06:48,360 --> 00:06:50,880 churches around the world on the international mission field. 129 00:06:50,880 --> 00:06:53,480 So all kinds of backgrounds, all kinds of context. 130 00:06:53,920 --> 00:06:56,720 And it's always interesting to me some of the commonalities of 131 00:06:56,720 --> 00:06:59,600 some of the issues that that these churches get into. 132 00:06:59,600 --> 00:07:03,680 And in my life as a consultant and, and a professor and 133 00:07:03,680 --> 00:07:06,320 travelling the world, et cetera, I've just seen so much of this. 134 00:07:06,320 --> 00:07:08,640 There's fear, there's doubt, there's worry, there's competing 135 00:07:08,640 --> 00:07:11,600 opinions, there are competing personalities often in the 136 00:07:11,600 --> 00:07:13,360 world's of these unhealthy churches. 137 00:07:13,800 --> 00:07:17,920 And so I have a formula that I have a poster that I've made and 138 00:07:18,040 --> 00:07:20,120 used to teach this to everybody who worked with me. 139 00:07:20,120 --> 00:07:22,560 And I've taught it here and you've heard it before, but I 140 00:07:22,560 --> 00:07:24,000 don't expect you to necessarily remember it. 141 00:07:24,000 --> 00:07:26,000 So let me show this formula with you one more time. 142 00:07:26,440 --> 00:07:31,480 If a person can possess biblical common sense, now another word 143 00:07:31,480 --> 00:07:35,120 for that might be wisdom, but I'm telling you, common sense is 144 00:07:35,120 --> 00:07:38,040 a superpower in today's world. Amen. 145 00:07:38,520 --> 00:07:41,520 Seriously, common sense and self-awareness. 146 00:07:41,520 --> 00:07:44,000 If you, if you just, you have those two pieces in today's 147 00:07:44,000 --> 00:07:48,320 world, you are unique, right? But if a person can possess 148 00:07:48,320 --> 00:07:51,960 biblical common sense or wisdom and retain objectivity, in other 149 00:07:51,960 --> 00:07:53,680 words, I can see the big picture. 150 00:07:53,840 --> 00:07:57,120 I'm not so focused just on my little things, my personal 151 00:07:57,120 --> 00:07:59,920 opinions, my personal agendas, my personal wants. 152 00:08:00,000 --> 00:08:03,600 I can see the bigger picture. It's rare, rare, rare, rare. 153 00:08:04,160 --> 00:08:07,160 And then the third part of the formula is I can keep my ego out 154 00:08:07,160 --> 00:08:09,600 of it. I can keep my own ego, my own 155 00:08:09,600 --> 00:08:13,400 pride out of it. Because the problem is, one of 156 00:08:13,400 --> 00:08:18,400 those three things is almost always missing, especially in 157 00:08:18,400 --> 00:08:21,240 unhealthy churches. I've seen it over and over and 158 00:08:21,240 --> 00:08:23,800 over and over and over again, literally hundreds of times. 159 00:08:24,040 --> 00:08:26,360 People lack wisdom or they can't see the big picture. 160 00:08:26,480 --> 00:08:30,000 They're so focused on their individual personal issues or 161 00:08:30,000 --> 00:08:34,360 desires or opinions, They can't see how it affects or how it 162 00:08:34,360 --> 00:08:37,480 distracts from the whole picture or the larger mission. 163 00:08:37,600 --> 00:08:41,960 Or they want the attention. They want the recognition, they 164 00:08:41,960 --> 00:08:43,679 constantly need a pat on the back. 165 00:08:43,960 --> 00:08:45,680 They, they actually want the glory. 166 00:08:46,120 --> 00:08:49,720 And we got to be careful because God must receive the glory for 167 00:08:49,720 --> 00:08:50,720 all that we do. Amen. 168 00:08:51,080 --> 00:08:53,040 Because our God is a jealous God. 169 00:08:53,040 --> 00:08:55,520 And sometimes we only think about that passage in terms of 170 00:08:55,520 --> 00:08:58,360 idolatry in the Old Testament 10 commandments or something to 171 00:08:58,360 --> 00:08:59,840 where we're talking about worshiping of the gods. 172 00:08:59,960 --> 00:09:03,800 But he's also not going to compete with us, not going to 173 00:09:03,800 --> 00:09:05,480 compete with you. He's not going to compete with 174 00:09:05,480 --> 00:09:08,080 me. So we we've watched people turn 175 00:09:08,080 --> 00:09:11,680 fear and faithlessness into faith in the future. 176 00:09:11,680 --> 00:09:14,840 We've watched them develop a burden for making true disciples 177 00:09:14,840 --> 00:09:18,480 and reaching a lost world. We've watched people being saved 178 00:09:18,480 --> 00:09:22,000 by God every single week. We got so used to that, we were 179 00:09:22,000 --> 00:09:24,240 spoiled. We began every single worship 180 00:09:24,240 --> 00:09:28,040 service, much, much like we did in 2025 here, but we began every 181 00:09:28,040 --> 00:09:31,400 single worship service. So with baptisms, often multiple 182 00:09:31,400 --> 00:09:33,800 baptisms every single Sunday. But that was our call to 183 00:09:33,800 --> 00:09:37,840 worship, and we put that testimony out there of Him 184 00:09:37,840 --> 00:09:41,040 before his people, before their lost friends, and before their 185 00:09:41,040 --> 00:09:44,120 families, because God was just blessing us so much in these 186 00:09:44,120 --> 00:09:46,240 churches. We saw atheists saved, we saw 187 00:09:46,240 --> 00:09:48,800 Mormons saved. We saw new age people saved. 188 00:09:48,800 --> 00:09:50,840 We saw people from other world religions saved. 189 00:09:51,000 --> 00:09:54,160 We saw the next generation saved, and we saw a bunch of old 190 00:09:54,160 --> 00:09:57,160 crusty sinners saved along the way. 191 00:09:57,880 --> 00:10:01,680 And we saw God's people revived, we saw him excited, we saw him 192 00:10:01,680 --> 00:10:05,720 passionate as they desperately pursued what God was doing and 193 00:10:05,720 --> 00:10:08,640 wanted for them. And we watched that change, that 194 00:10:08,640 --> 00:10:12,040 shift. And Inglewood, I believe, and I 195 00:10:12,040 --> 00:10:14,080 know I've been talking and harping on it a little bit last 196 00:10:14,080 --> 00:10:17,000 couple of weeks, and I promise we'll be moving on, but I 197 00:10:17,000 --> 00:10:20,040 believe in this. I believe that is exactly what 198 00:10:20,040 --> 00:10:23,400 he seeks to do right here, what he's already started. 199 00:10:23,400 --> 00:10:27,280 Frankly, I believe because I've seen what God can do when His 200 00:10:27,280 --> 00:10:29,560 people believe, when His people seek Him. 201 00:10:29,760 --> 00:10:35,040 I've seen true sweeping revival grip his church and in spiritual 202 00:10:35,040 --> 00:10:39,000 awakening overflow into the community and impacting entire 203 00:10:39,040 --> 00:10:42,720 areas of community. The reason I'm sharing all that 204 00:10:42,720 --> 00:10:46,920 is because the story of Nehemiah actually models much of this for 205 00:10:46,920 --> 00:10:48,920 us. Now, if you were just in your 206 00:10:48,920 --> 00:10:51,760 personal Bible study and you hit Nehemiah chapter 3, you'd skim 207 00:10:51,760 --> 00:10:54,000 over it. I, I don't blame you. 208 00:10:54,600 --> 00:10:57,040 When you look at chapter 3, it's a list of names and where they 209 00:10:57,040 --> 00:10:59,520 worked on the walls. And this person worked on this 210 00:10:59,520 --> 00:11:01,320 part of the wall and he built this gate and this person worked 211 00:11:01,320 --> 00:11:02,280 on this part of the wall and this way. 212 00:11:02,280 --> 00:11:05,520 And it's just this litany of, of, of really hard to pronounce 213 00:11:05,520 --> 00:11:09,760 Hebrew names and, and this list of people working. 214 00:11:09,760 --> 00:11:13,040 It might seem boring, it might seem unimportant, detailed, but 215 00:11:13,040 --> 00:11:15,520 be very careful about how you handle God's word. 216 00:11:15,680 --> 00:11:19,280 I actually believe this is one of the most important messages 217 00:11:19,280 --> 00:11:20,680 we'll get out of the book in Nehemiah. 218 00:11:21,760 --> 00:11:24,960 I told all the staff to pay very close attention to this one. 219 00:11:24,960 --> 00:11:28,240 And you're going to sit there and see this Scripture. 220 00:11:28,640 --> 00:11:30,960 And because we got to be careful how we deal with God's Word. 221 00:11:30,960 --> 00:11:33,680 In fact, this Wednesday night at midweek, thank you all for being 222 00:11:33,680 --> 00:11:34,640 here. Last week we talked about 223 00:11:34,640 --> 00:11:35,960 translation. We're talking about how do we 224 00:11:35,960 --> 00:11:38,280 engage the Bible and in the right way. 225 00:11:38,280 --> 00:11:40,800 This week we're actually going to talk about when I open my 226 00:11:40,800 --> 00:11:44,960 Bible up for my personal Bible study, what do I need to do 227 00:11:44,960 --> 00:11:47,000 first? How do I observe the Bible? 228 00:11:47,240 --> 00:11:50,280 What questions do I need to be asking so that I can get the 229 00:11:50,280 --> 00:11:53,600 most out of personal Bible study so that I can actually dig deep 230 00:11:53,600 --> 00:11:55,920 in my personal Bible study? Very, very practical. 231 00:11:55,920 --> 00:11:57,360 This Wednesday night you'll want to come back. 232 00:11:58,200 --> 00:12:01,000 But there are lessons that we need to learn from Chapter 3 233 00:12:01,000 --> 00:12:06,600 this morning, lessons as we see God's restoration. 234 00:12:07,760 --> 00:12:11,440 So Nehemiah and the leaders of Jerusalem have committed to rise 235 00:12:11,440 --> 00:12:13,480 up and to rebuild the walls and the gates that have been 236 00:12:13,480 --> 00:12:16,640 destroyed by the Babylonians. But by doing that, they were 237 00:12:16,640 --> 00:12:18,280 going to need more than just the leaders. 238 00:12:18,280 --> 00:12:20,120 It's going to take a whole lot more than just them. 239 00:12:20,120 --> 00:12:22,280 This is going to be very hard work. 240 00:12:22,920 --> 00:12:25,720 And it demanded everyone's participation. 241 00:12:26,040 --> 00:12:29,400 What percentage of participation am I asking you for? 242 00:12:32,040 --> 00:12:33,600 You don't think these things connect? 243 00:12:35,080 --> 00:12:36,640 You don't think we're building a train? 244 00:12:37,240 --> 00:12:41,840 Everything connects. So let us study this morning 245 00:12:41,840 --> 00:12:45,200 about building together. So God gives us this privilege 246 00:12:45,200 --> 00:12:47,280 to demonstrate our faith for His glory. 247 00:12:47,280 --> 00:12:50,720 We must all embrace His mission. We must all embrace His work, 248 00:12:50,720 --> 00:12:52,800 building toward the future that He has, not only for their 249 00:12:52,800 --> 00:12:54,360 church, but for our individual lives. 250 00:12:55,040 --> 00:12:57,960 So don't simply show up, Sit back and expect the staff, the 251 00:12:57,960 --> 00:13:00,240 pastors, the Connect group leaders, the deacons to do all 252 00:13:00,240 --> 00:13:01,520 the work. That's not how it works. 253 00:13:01,720 --> 00:13:05,800 Remember what Paul wrote in Ephesians 4 he said, and he gave 254 00:13:05,800 --> 00:13:07,920 the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and, 255 00:13:08,040 --> 00:13:09,480 and teachers. But why? 256 00:13:10,600 --> 00:13:16,400 To equip the Saints for the work of ministry, for building up the 257 00:13:16,400 --> 00:13:21,200 body of Christ. So your leaders are here to, to 258 00:13:21,200 --> 00:13:25,520 not to, to do to join in the work, certainly, but to teach 259 00:13:25,520 --> 00:13:27,760 you to equip you to join in the work. 260 00:13:28,040 --> 00:13:32,000 So as Hebrews reminds us in Hebrews 13 seven, he goes, 261 00:13:32,000 --> 00:13:34,760 remember your leaders, those who spoke to you, the word of God, 262 00:13:34,920 --> 00:13:38,800 consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their 263 00:13:38,800 --> 00:13:41,480 faith. So your pastors, your staff, 264 00:13:41,480 --> 00:13:43,000 we're we're not just hired hands. 265 00:13:43,240 --> 00:13:47,320 The the, the staff is a group of called men and women gifted for 266 00:13:47,320 --> 00:13:51,200 servant leadership and God's hand is on them and working 267 00:13:51,200 --> 00:13:52,960 through them. We've already seen it in what 268 00:13:52,960 --> 00:13:55,360 God has already begun to bless us with these last few months. 269 00:13:55,480 --> 00:13:57,880 So let me encourage you. Let me encourage you to join 270 00:13:57,880 --> 00:14:02,840 together since we're in Hebrews 13 seven, Add a one in there and 271 00:14:02,840 --> 00:14:07,400 look at Hebrews 1317. Obey your leaders and submit to 272 00:14:07,400 --> 00:14:09,960 them, for they are keeping watch over your souls. 273 00:14:10,400 --> 00:14:12,240 As those who will have to give an account. 274 00:14:12,240 --> 00:14:14,880 I promise you we will have to give an account. 275 00:14:15,800 --> 00:14:21,360 Let them do this with joy and not with groaning for that would 276 00:14:21,360 --> 00:14:25,040 be of no advantage to you. So so let's work together in a 277 00:14:25,040 --> 00:14:29,480 joyful love based, faith-based environment, working forward 278 00:14:29,480 --> 00:14:30,960 together. But that's hard for some. 279 00:14:30,960 --> 00:14:32,080 Some people don't want to join in. 280 00:14:32,080 --> 00:14:33,400 They don't want to have to work that hard. 281 00:14:33,640 --> 00:14:35,160 It's not what they think church is for. 282 00:14:35,760 --> 00:14:39,080 It's like 1 British comedian wrote one time he says I like 283 00:14:39,080 --> 00:14:42,200 work, it fascinates me. I can sit and watch it for 284 00:14:42,200 --> 00:14:46,800 hours. There's no room for spectators 285 00:14:46,800 --> 00:14:48,600 on what? What happens to a spectator on 286 00:14:48,600 --> 00:14:53,160 the train tracks? They get run over or they get 287 00:14:53,160 --> 00:14:55,680 left behind. We don't want either one of 288 00:14:55,680 --> 00:14:59,040 those things to happen to you. So there's plenty of room for 289 00:14:59,040 --> 00:15:01,480 workers on the wall, but we got to build together again. 290 00:15:01,480 --> 00:15:04,280 Just before we go to Nehemiah 3, listen to Ephesians 4. 291 00:15:04,560 --> 00:15:07,600 He goes on in verse 15 rather speaking the truth in love. 292 00:15:08,000 --> 00:15:10,560 We are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head into 293 00:15:10,560 --> 00:15:14,960 Christ, from whom the whole body joined and held together by 294 00:15:14,960 --> 00:15:17,520 every joint with which it is equipped. 295 00:15:17,760 --> 00:15:20,920 When each part is working properly, or, another 296 00:15:20,920 --> 00:15:26,280 translation would say, when each part is doing its share, makes 297 00:15:26,280 --> 00:15:29,480 the body grow, so it builds itself up in love. 298 00:15:29,640 --> 00:15:32,520 So we are called and gifted to carry out the work of ministry 299 00:15:32,520 --> 00:15:34,880 together. This is not some individual 300 00:15:34,880 --> 00:15:37,640 adventure, Christianity. This is not just about you. 301 00:15:37,640 --> 00:15:40,720 This is about how you're working with other believers in a 302 00:15:40,720 --> 00:15:44,080 community to build the future that God has for you. 303 00:15:44,320 --> 00:15:46,000 And leaders must set the example. 304 00:15:46,400 --> 00:15:48,480 And So what we're going to see is we're each need to take a 305 00:15:48,480 --> 00:15:50,040 section of the wall. We're each going to have to get 306 00:15:50,040 --> 00:15:52,240 busy. Leaders need to set the example. 307 00:15:52,240 --> 00:15:56,600 Leaders need to set the pace. But but don't, don't fall prey 308 00:15:56,600 --> 00:15:59,600 to what so many people think church is. 309 00:16:00,000 --> 00:16:03,400 It's a spectator sport for some. The great evangelist DL Moody 310 00:16:03,400 --> 00:16:06,160 once said a great many people have got a false idea about the 311 00:16:06,160 --> 00:16:07,840 church. They haven't. 312 00:16:07,960 --> 00:16:11,120 They got an idea that the church is supposed to rest in, to get 313 00:16:11,120 --> 00:16:14,120 into a nicely cushioned Pew and contribute to the charities, 314 00:16:14,120 --> 00:16:16,280 listen to the minister and do their share. 315 00:16:16,280 --> 00:16:18,560 To keep the church out of bankruptcy is all they want. 316 00:16:19,120 --> 00:16:22,600 The idea of work for them, actual work in the church never 317 00:16:22,600 --> 00:16:27,160 enters their minds. So one of our core vision areas, 318 00:16:27,160 --> 00:16:30,120 one of the seven essentials of discipleship we teach you about, 319 00:16:30,280 --> 00:16:33,080 is committing to service with generosity and compassion. 320 00:16:33,400 --> 00:16:38,040 So we are to give and use every gift we have to our very best to 321 00:16:38,040 --> 00:16:41,960 help edify and lead the church, to engage the Bible, to unite in 322 00:16:41,960 --> 00:16:45,360 fellowship, to abide in prayer, to respond in worship, to live 323 00:16:45,360 --> 00:16:47,720 out evangelism, and to participate in missions. 324 00:16:48,840 --> 00:16:50,680 There's a reason we're sharing these things. 325 00:16:51,000 --> 00:16:53,800 So success here is not how many people are necessarily in the 326 00:16:53,800 --> 00:16:57,000 room, it's it, the success here has to be about how many 327 00:16:57,000 --> 00:17:00,480 disciples are being made, how, how, how fruit is being 328 00:17:00,480 --> 00:17:03,600 produced, how you're reproducing yourself in the lives of others. 329 00:17:03,960 --> 00:17:07,440 So, so we, we must overcome any thought that this is, this is 330 00:17:07,440 --> 00:17:11,680 some show or performance up here that we put on for people to 331 00:17:11,680 --> 00:17:13,119 watch. And frankly, if that's the 332 00:17:13,119 --> 00:17:17,000 attitude to critique, that Facade will never be strong 333 00:17:17,000 --> 00:17:19,640 enough because there will always be another show in town that 334 00:17:19,640 --> 00:17:23,720 develops and, and, and, and people hop from show to show to 335 00:17:23,720 --> 00:17:26,720 performance to performance. Instead, we need to build 336 00:17:26,720 --> 00:17:28,480 together. We need to equip, we need to 337 00:17:28,480 --> 00:17:32,360 refuel, we need to worship the glorified God and equip the body 338 00:17:32,360 --> 00:17:34,600 so we can roll up our sleeves and get busy on the wall 339 00:17:34,600 --> 00:17:37,680 together, right? So, so, so people who don't get 340 00:17:37,680 --> 00:17:39,920 this, they don't even understand what the goals are. 341 00:17:39,920 --> 00:17:43,520 And it's easy to put yourself first. 342 00:17:44,040 --> 00:17:46,240 And we need to be careful that we better put ourselves in the 343 00:17:46,240 --> 00:17:49,760 best position for discipleship, for spiritual maturity so we can 344 00:17:49,760 --> 00:17:51,560 grow together. So filling, filling the 345 00:17:51,560 --> 00:17:54,240 building's not the primary goal, filling our hearts with the 346 00:17:54,240 --> 00:17:58,200 gospel and discipleship and transformation, those are our 347 00:17:58,200 --> 00:18:00,520 goals. So what we want to see is 348 00:18:00,720 --> 00:18:03,840 unfortunately, sometimes the, the world mocks the church. 349 00:18:04,640 --> 00:18:07,000 The, the, the, the world doesn't get the church. 350 00:18:07,000 --> 00:18:10,160 Sometimes they think we're irrelevant or they just ignore 351 00:18:10,160 --> 00:18:16,720 us sometimes because they don't see lives being transformed 352 00:18:16,720 --> 00:18:21,040 truly in a maturing way. So why are God's people not 353 00:18:21,040 --> 00:18:23,360 living out their faith and obedience and testifying the 354 00:18:23,360 --> 00:18:26,160 world to the world? And when they talk about the 355 00:18:26,160 --> 00:18:27,800 church that way, they're not talking about whether a 356 00:18:27,800 --> 00:18:29,200 building's floor or not. They're talking about the 357 00:18:29,200 --> 00:18:32,520 Christians that they know, and they don't see fruit in their 358 00:18:32,520 --> 00:18:35,200 life. So because this was the same 359 00:18:35,200 --> 00:18:38,200 situation, Nehemiah arrives in Jerusalem. 360 00:18:38,440 --> 00:18:41,720 The walls in the gates of Jerusalem had been destroyed and 361 00:18:41,720 --> 00:18:45,160 they need to be repaired for their protection, but also as a 362 00:18:45,160 --> 00:18:48,480 testimony of God fulfilling his promises. 363 00:18:49,400 --> 00:18:53,640 You got to recognize that many of the people he found there had 364 00:18:53,640 --> 00:18:57,200 been living there for decades. Many of them had, they came with 365 00:18:57,200 --> 00:19:00,120 earlier groups and they'd been there a long time, some of them. 366 00:19:01,040 --> 00:19:04,720 And, and so they, they were used to the way things were. 367 00:19:05,600 --> 00:19:09,320 It was normal for them. This is the way it's always been 368 00:19:09,920 --> 00:19:12,240 and when Nehemiah started working, I promise you, some of 369 00:19:12,240 --> 00:19:14,960 them said, well we ain't never done it that way before. 370 00:19:16,280 --> 00:19:21,320 You know the ruins had become normal for them, right? 371 00:19:21,680 --> 00:19:24,520 They were content with the disrepair in their life. 372 00:19:26,000 --> 00:19:30,520 My prayer is, is that we are never content with the disrepair 373 00:19:30,520 --> 00:19:33,480 in our lives that we're constantly working. 374 00:19:33,480 --> 00:19:35,760 How can we become who God wants us to become? 375 00:19:35,920 --> 00:19:37,880 Become? So Nehemiah challenges them to 376 00:19:37,880 --> 00:19:41,360 rise up and build a new normal because these walls were more 377 00:19:41,360 --> 00:19:44,360 than physical protectors. They encouraged the people of 378 00:19:44,360 --> 00:19:47,240 God to adopt A new a sense of identity, a sense of 379 00:19:47,240 --> 00:19:49,840 distinctiveness. They would create separation 380 00:19:49,840 --> 00:19:53,800 from the Pagan influence around them and and the reversal, this 381 00:19:53,800 --> 00:19:57,200 is key, the reversal of the great defeat they had suffered 382 00:19:57,200 --> 00:19:59,840 at the hands of the Babylonians because of their sin. 383 00:20:00,240 --> 00:20:04,320 This was a reversal, A restoration, A revival from 384 00:20:04,320 --> 00:20:07,760 their disobedience and sin before God that led him to the 385 00:20:07,760 --> 00:20:12,520 exile in the 1st place. So rebuilding symbolized the 386 00:20:12,520 --> 00:20:15,160 promise of God that His people will return and serve Him. 387 00:20:15,720 --> 00:20:19,080 And I pray what future generations are telling the 388 00:20:19,080 --> 00:20:21,080 amazing story of what God did at Inglewood. 389 00:20:22,000 --> 00:20:25,920 They will hear of God's people joining together in unity, side 390 00:20:26,280 --> 00:20:29,440 by side, building the future that God wanted for them. 391 00:20:30,200 --> 00:20:33,600 The commentator, Warren Weirsby, refers to this chapter as wall 392 00:20:33,600 --> 00:20:37,800 to wall workers, and it records the repairing the gates and the 393 00:20:37,800 --> 00:20:39,480 walls. They begin in the north. 394 00:20:39,800 --> 00:20:43,640 They go in a counterclockwise direction around the city. 395 00:20:43,640 --> 00:20:45,000 You say, what does that matter at all? 396 00:20:45,000 --> 00:20:48,320 I'll tell you in a minute. Nehemiah had a specific vision 397 00:20:48,320 --> 00:20:50,680 plan. He did, and he organized the 398 00:20:50,680 --> 00:20:53,440 work to fulfill it. He had about 45 sections of the 399 00:20:53,440 --> 00:20:58,600 wall, 42 work groups to do it. I've been working since last 400 00:20:58,600 --> 00:21:04,760 March on 36 initial assessment issues at Inglewood and trying 401 00:21:04,760 --> 00:21:09,000 to work to develop with leadership a vision plan to best 402 00:21:09,040 --> 00:21:13,560 address them and build his future for us and for him. 403 00:21:14,040 --> 00:21:17,480 But we need wall to wall workers. 404 00:21:17,960 --> 00:21:23,400 Nehemiah chapter 3, verse one. There's a whole lot of Hebrew 405 00:21:23,400 --> 00:21:28,400 names. Then Elisha, the high priest 406 00:21:28,400 --> 00:21:30,480 rose up with his brothers, the priest, and they built the sheep 407 00:21:30,480 --> 00:21:33,080 gate. They consecrated it and set its 408 00:21:33,080 --> 00:21:35,520 doors. They consecrated it as far as 409 00:21:35,520 --> 00:21:37,840 the tower of the 100, as far as the tower of Hanadel. 410 00:21:38,080 --> 00:21:39,880 And next to him the men of Jericho built. 411 00:21:39,880 --> 00:21:43,120 And next to them Zakur, the son of Emery, built, the son of 412 00:21:43,120 --> 00:21:45,720 Hassan Hassanaya built the fish gate. 413 00:21:46,160 --> 00:21:49,280 They laid its beams and set its doors, its bolts and its bars. 414 00:21:49,720 --> 00:21:52,920 And next to the Mirameth the son of Uriah, son of Hakos, 415 00:21:52,920 --> 00:21:56,000 repaired, and next to them Mushulam the son of Berekaya, 416 00:21:56,000 --> 00:22:00,400 the son of Meshizabel, repaired. And next to them Zadok, the son 417 00:22:00,400 --> 00:22:04,560 of Bahana, repaired. And next to them the Tokoaites 418 00:22:04,560 --> 00:22:06,800 repaired. But don't miss this. 419 00:22:07,880 --> 00:22:10,960 Their nobles would not stoop to serve their Lord. 420 00:22:12,320 --> 00:22:17,000 Joy, the son of Pasea and Mushulam, the son of Bessodia, 421 00:22:17,200 --> 00:22:20,120 repaired the gate of Hashanah. They laid his gates and set his 422 00:22:20,120 --> 00:22:22,760 doors, its boats, its bars. And next to them repaired 423 00:22:22,760 --> 00:22:26,400 militia, the Gibeonite and Jaden, the Marathonite, and men 424 00:22:26,400 --> 00:22:28,880 of Gibeon and Mitzvah, the seat of the governor of the province, 425 00:22:28,880 --> 00:22:30,560 beyond the river. And you say, what in the world? 426 00:22:30,560 --> 00:22:37,000 Who cares? Well, if you study the passage 427 00:22:37,320 --> 00:22:40,800 and you study the map, you'll understand it's a big deal 428 00:22:41,440 --> 00:22:44,040 because here's the first thing we need to recognize to move 429 00:22:44,040 --> 00:22:46,720 forward. We must focus first on the most 430 00:22:46,720 --> 00:22:51,280 strategic needs. You see, Nehemiah begins on the 431 00:22:51,280 --> 00:22:54,200 northern section of the wall. Again, why would you care? 432 00:22:54,200 --> 00:22:57,000 Well, here's why. Because it was the part of the 433 00:22:57,000 --> 00:22:59,440 wall that was attacked by the enemies the most. 434 00:22:59,880 --> 00:23:02,720 It was their weakest point. It was their most heavily 435 00:23:02,720 --> 00:23:05,320 damaged area. And if somebody was going to 436 00:23:05,320 --> 00:23:07,200 invade, that's going to be where they came. 437 00:23:07,720 --> 00:23:10,960 And so the towers there that they had to rebuild were 438 00:23:10,960 --> 00:23:14,920 significant and strategic, highly strategic for defense, 439 00:23:15,160 --> 00:23:19,760 for observation and for warfare. And so this had to be the first 440 00:23:19,760 --> 00:23:21,600 priority. We've got to get this part of 441 00:23:21,600 --> 00:23:23,720 the wall built. We've got to focus on this 442 00:23:23,720 --> 00:23:26,120 because it's just basically almost all gone. 443 00:23:27,560 --> 00:23:29,880 The first piece people mentioned here were priests. 444 00:23:30,720 --> 00:23:32,440 See, leaders have to set examples. 445 00:23:32,440 --> 00:23:34,200 They got to get in there and do hard work. 446 00:23:34,400 --> 00:23:37,360 And it's appropriate for them to work here because the walls that 447 00:23:37,360 --> 00:23:39,880 they were building here were closest to the rebuilt temple 448 00:23:39,920 --> 00:23:42,160 that they had just built. They want to re establish and 449 00:23:42,160 --> 00:23:45,320 protect the temple so that they could freely and obediently 450 00:23:45,320 --> 00:23:47,440 worship God. And you'll notice men from 451 00:23:47,440 --> 00:23:50,400 surrounding cities come to serve, like the men of Jericho 452 00:23:50,400 --> 00:23:53,880 and the men of Toccoa. But Please note that the men of 453 00:23:53,880 --> 00:23:59,000 Toccoa refused to participate. Some never will. 454 00:24:00,280 --> 00:24:04,120 The hard work was either beneath them or they didn't believe in 455 00:24:04,120 --> 00:24:06,200 it. And sometimes we have to ask the 456 00:24:06,200 --> 00:24:09,040 question, which am I? Am I willing to really roll up 457 00:24:09,040 --> 00:24:12,000 my sleeves to be a part of this? Because God will remember those 458 00:24:12,000 --> 00:24:13,400 who don't put their shoulder to the work. 459 00:24:13,480 --> 00:24:16,680 They're listed right here for us in his Word forever. 460 00:24:18,240 --> 00:24:21,480 So your leaders are focusing and working together to build the 461 00:24:21,480 --> 00:24:23,720 most strategic parts of the church first. 462 00:24:23,720 --> 00:24:26,440 Please listen to me congregation. 463 00:24:27,360 --> 00:24:30,040 Your leaders are focused on working on the most strategic 464 00:24:30,040 --> 00:24:33,000 parts of this church first, since I got here last March. 465 00:24:33,640 --> 00:24:38,640 OK, we, we, I need you to retain objectivity and help us work 466 00:24:38,640 --> 00:24:42,800 together on the big picture first, Understanding and 467 00:24:42,800 --> 00:24:46,240 defining God's mission. Understanding and defining the 468 00:24:46,240 --> 00:24:48,840 mission and vision of this church. 469 00:24:49,120 --> 00:24:53,080 Understanding our identity. Understanding the core that we 470 00:24:53,080 --> 00:24:55,800 must be involved in. Five things in the core. 7 471 00:24:55,800 --> 00:24:58,600 essentials of discipleship. These are more than words. 472 00:24:58,720 --> 00:25:01,600 There's more than artwork on a wall out there, more than bumper 473 00:25:01,600 --> 00:25:06,440 stickers and and and decals. These are driving issues and 474 00:25:06,440 --> 00:25:09,760 definitions. We recognize we only have your 475 00:25:09,760 --> 00:25:14,360 presence for a few hours a week, some of you even fewer than a a 476 00:25:14,360 --> 00:25:17,120 few hours. Sometimes it's it's singular. 477 00:25:17,720 --> 00:25:21,200 And we've got to think about every single moment we have 478 00:25:21,200 --> 00:25:24,520 together. What's the most vital strategic 479 00:25:24,520 --> 00:25:28,000 components that we need to be working on every time we meet? 480 00:25:28,120 --> 00:25:32,480 So This is why I'm on you about the core worship, midweek 481 00:25:32,640 --> 00:25:36,040 connect groups, service stewardship, what percentage, 482 00:25:37,480 --> 00:25:39,880 right? There's a reason for this. 483 00:25:40,760 --> 00:25:44,880 We have to focus because these opportunities must hold 484 00:25:44,880 --> 00:25:47,600 understood value. What does the worship service 485 00:25:47,600 --> 00:25:50,120 really mean to you? What's the value of a connect 486 00:25:50,120 --> 00:25:52,560 group and our age level ministries for you and your 487 00:25:52,560 --> 00:25:54,880 families? What how important is that 488 00:25:54,880 --> 00:25:58,520 midweek study for for you? How healthy is your service and 489 00:25:58,520 --> 00:26:01,360 stewardship? These are basic skeletal 490 00:26:01,360 --> 00:26:05,960 structures of the body, right? And we want them to help you 491 00:26:05,960 --> 00:26:10,240 grow in and to express the seven essentials of discipleship, to 492 00:26:10,240 --> 00:26:13,240 produce fruit and to reproduce others for His glory. 493 00:26:13,320 --> 00:26:16,040 But this also means that sometimes we must say no. 494 00:26:17,240 --> 00:26:20,880 People don't like that. Here's a truth. 495 00:26:20,880 --> 00:26:24,200 In ministry I've had to learn. No is a complete sentence. 496 00:26:27,560 --> 00:26:29,800 But sometimes we have to say no to some things. 497 00:26:29,800 --> 00:26:32,960 Right now I'm working on 36 assessment issues. 498 00:26:33,120 --> 00:26:37,840 I'll get 400 requests. So either we work on the four, 499 00:26:37,960 --> 00:26:41,680 the 36 strategic issues, or we spread ourselves out too thinly 500 00:26:41,680 --> 00:26:43,000 and we're not getting there. Does that make sense? 501 00:26:43,800 --> 00:26:44,800 So that's what we're dealing with. 502 00:26:44,800 --> 00:26:47,440 So just bear with us. So that means right now we have 503 00:26:47,440 --> 00:26:50,080 to say no sometimes to things right now because we must focus 504 00:26:50,080 --> 00:26:55,040 intently first and build the most strategic components. 505 00:26:55,320 --> 00:26:59,080 And we need everybody on the most strategic walls. 506 00:26:59,640 --> 00:27:02,720 Look at verse 8. All the names continue. 507 00:27:04,960 --> 00:27:07,040 You just love that in your personal quiet time, wouldn't 508 00:27:08,360 --> 00:27:09,880 you? Next to them was Uzio, the son 509 00:27:09,880 --> 00:27:12,400 of Haraha. There's too many AI's in his 510 00:27:12,400 --> 00:27:14,920 name. Harhaya, Harhaya. 511 00:27:15,040 --> 00:27:16,200 That's it. Harhaya. 512 00:27:17,720 --> 00:27:20,200 That was it. Harhaya, Goldsmiths. 513 00:27:20,560 --> 00:27:22,520 These were Goldsmiths. They repaired. 514 00:27:22,960 --> 00:27:25,520 Next to him Hananiah, one of the perfumers, repaired, and they 515 00:27:25,520 --> 00:27:27,480 restored Jerusalem as far as the broad wall. 516 00:27:27,840 --> 00:27:30,440 Next to them was Rafaya, the son of her ruler of half the 517 00:27:30,440 --> 00:27:34,120 district of Jerusalem, repaired. Next to them Jediah, the son of 518 00:27:34,360 --> 00:27:40,120 Hiram Hiramov repaired opposite his house, and next to him was 519 00:27:40,400 --> 00:27:44,640 next to him was Hatash the son of Hushabaniya. 520 00:27:45,280 --> 00:27:49,240 They repaired Makuja the son of Hiram and Hashab the son of 521 00:27:49,240 --> 00:27:51,280 Pahab. Moab repaired another section in 522 00:27:51,280 --> 00:27:54,360 the tower of the Ovens. Next to him Shalom, the son of 523 00:27:54,520 --> 00:27:57,480 Hallowhesh, ruler of half the district of Jerusalem. 524 00:27:57,520 --> 00:28:01,200 Notice these phrases repaired. He and his daughters Hanoon, in 525 00:28:01,200 --> 00:28:03,800 the inhabitants of Zenoa repaired the valley gate. 526 00:28:03,960 --> 00:28:06,760 They rebuilt it and set his doors as bolts, as bars, and 527 00:28:06,760 --> 00:28:10,640 repaired 1000 cubits of the wall as far as the Dung Gate. 528 00:28:11,200 --> 00:28:13,720 Once again, if you're just reading this alone, who cares? 529 00:28:14,840 --> 00:28:19,600 But in context, first we must focus on the most strategic 530 00:28:19,600 --> 00:28:22,680 needs, but secondly, we've got to unite together in the hard 531 00:28:22,680 --> 00:28:25,320 work. I want you to see this is a very 532 00:28:25,320 --> 00:28:27,200 long section of the wall. This is hard work. 533 00:28:27,320 --> 00:28:30,160 This has 2 gates and a tower. This required a whole lot of 534 00:28:30,160 --> 00:28:33,440 people to be involved. No one person can do this. 535 00:28:33,600 --> 00:28:36,520 And I want you to note the variety of people who served to 536 00:28:36,520 --> 00:28:39,960 do this very difficult work. You had dignitaries, you had 537 00:28:39,960 --> 00:28:44,920 businessmen, you had skilled artisans and Craftsman, and then 538 00:28:45,040 --> 00:28:47,960 once again, you had people from surrounding communities who came 539 00:28:47,960 --> 00:28:50,240 to help. It takes all kinds of people, 540 00:28:50,360 --> 00:28:53,640 but it takes all the people. That was a good sentence. 541 00:28:56,840 --> 00:29:00,120 And God created each of us with unique abilities, unique 542 00:29:00,120 --> 00:29:04,320 experiences, unique talents, unique skills, unique giftedness 543 00:29:04,320 --> 00:29:08,080 to be used to build this future. So we want to help you discover. 544 00:29:09,040 --> 00:29:12,840 We want to help you know your place on the wall. 545 00:29:12,960 --> 00:29:16,360 In fact, I encourage you to look at the screens right now and go 546 00:29:16,360 --> 00:29:21,120 to the following link or QR code on our website. 547 00:29:21,120 --> 00:29:23,400 You'll find a whole page that says here, here are the 548 00:29:23,400 --> 00:29:25,440 opportunities of service at Englewood. 549 00:29:25,840 --> 00:29:28,080 I don't know what you need me to do at Englewood. 550 00:29:28,080 --> 00:29:33,080 Well, take a picture of the QR code, go to the website, and 551 00:29:33,080 --> 00:29:34,520 you'll see a description. You're not signing up for 552 00:29:34,520 --> 00:29:36,120 anything. You're learning about things. 553 00:29:36,120 --> 00:29:38,960 Information will be there. A method of how do I learn more 554 00:29:38,960 --> 00:29:41,120 about this will be there. You go there and find out 555 00:29:41,120 --> 00:29:43,120 because we've got to work together to complete the hard 556 00:29:43,120 --> 00:29:46,760 work. In fact, Paul wrote about this. 557 00:29:47,640 --> 00:29:50,720 He wrote about this to a church that was having a hard time, not 558 00:29:50,720 --> 00:29:55,480 like us, a church that didn't have unity, not like us, a 559 00:29:55,480 --> 00:29:59,040 church that was struggling, not like us, but a church all the 560 00:29:59,040 --> 00:30:01,800 same. And in First Corinthians 12, he 561 00:30:01,800 --> 00:30:04,840 says, now there are a variety of gifts with the same Spirit, and 562 00:30:04,840 --> 00:30:07,200 there are a variety of service but the same Lord. 563 00:30:07,400 --> 00:30:09,640 And there are varieties of activities, but it's the same 564 00:30:09,640 --> 00:30:11,640 God who empowers them all in everyone. 565 00:30:12,120 --> 00:30:14,840 He goes on later. And all these are empowered by 1 566 00:30:14,840 --> 00:30:16,800 and the same Spirit who apportions to each one 567 00:30:16,800 --> 00:30:22,120 individually as he wills. So we're not all the same, but 568 00:30:22,120 --> 00:30:25,760 God and his mission is the unifying factor. 569 00:30:25,760 --> 00:30:29,040 It's what makes us a team, not a personality, not the best show 570 00:30:29,040 --> 00:30:32,320 in town, not a bigger, not a bigger event than anybody else 571 00:30:32,320 --> 00:30:34,640 has. We're saved and gifted to serve 572 00:30:34,640 --> 00:30:38,160 the body and to help her become stronger, to help her become 573 00:30:38,160 --> 00:30:40,840 more God glorifying. In fact, in this chapter it'll 574 00:30:40,840 --> 00:30:44,320 say everybody repaired. The word repair in the original 575 00:30:44,320 --> 00:30:47,640 language is used 35 times in Chapter 3. 576 00:30:49,040 --> 00:30:51,320 And the word actually means to make strong. 577 00:30:51,640 --> 00:30:55,360 It means to make firm. This was no flimsy quick job. 578 00:30:55,360 --> 00:30:57,920 This was not chewing gum, duct tape, and baling wire. 579 00:30:58,520 --> 00:31:01,200 This was real work. In fact, later in Nehemiah, 580 00:31:01,200 --> 00:31:03,480 we're going to look at the archaeological evidence to see 581 00:31:03,480 --> 00:31:06,000 how big these walls actually ended up being because the 582 00:31:06,000 --> 00:31:07,160 enemies are going to make fun of them. 583 00:31:08,160 --> 00:31:10,600 And so it meant, it meant that it was something that wasn't 584 00:31:10,600 --> 00:31:13,520 depended on a single person. It couldn't, it couldn't be 585 00:31:13,520 --> 00:31:16,520 depended upon a few. Everybody had to join in. 586 00:31:16,520 --> 00:31:20,720 This was big work or it would collapse under the pressure. 587 00:31:21,640 --> 00:31:23,200 So this was something to depend upon. 588 00:31:23,200 --> 00:31:24,640 This was something to stand upon. 589 00:31:24,640 --> 00:31:27,200 This was something firm. So we need all hands on deck to 590 00:31:27,200 --> 00:31:29,240 build a strong, long lasting future. 591 00:31:29,560 --> 00:31:32,240 And I'm telling you friends, the legacy of Inglewood will be 592 00:31:32,240 --> 00:31:36,280 defined to a large extent by how those of you who are here right 593 00:31:36,280 --> 00:31:39,760 now in this season respond. God is doing something 594 00:31:39,760 --> 00:31:44,080 historical here, but how you respond in these first couple of 595 00:31:44,080 --> 00:31:48,440 months of 2026 is going to define a lot about what happens 596 00:31:48,440 --> 00:31:51,840 next. Nehemiah chapter 3, verse 14, 597 00:31:51,840 --> 00:31:53,640 just one verse. Still a lot of names. 598 00:31:54,320 --> 00:31:58,240 Malkoja, the son of Rikab, A Rikab, probably a Rikab, 599 00:31:58,280 --> 00:32:04,200 probably something like that. It's hard after the Super flu. 600 00:32:05,680 --> 00:32:08,040 Ruler of the district of of Beth. 601 00:32:08,120 --> 00:32:10,200 Hakaram. Hakaram, it would be that. 602 00:32:10,200 --> 00:32:14,640 It would be that it would be Hakaram repaired the Dung Gate. 603 00:32:16,080 --> 00:32:18,800 He rebuilt it and said it's doors, it's bolts in his bars. 604 00:32:18,800 --> 00:32:20,360 Isn't it funny? They always have doors, bolts 605 00:32:20,360 --> 00:32:22,920 and bars, right? We got to focus on the most 606 00:32:22,920 --> 00:32:26,040 strategic need. We got to unite together in this 607 00:32:26,040 --> 00:32:28,240 hard work. But thirdly, we also need to be 608 00:32:28,240 --> 00:32:30,000 very careful. We got to guard what enters. 609 00:32:31,040 --> 00:32:32,640 See, they're working on these gates. 610 00:32:32,680 --> 00:32:36,000 This this southern sections, a shorter part, but they not only 611 00:32:36,000 --> 00:32:37,840 had to repair a wall, but they also had these gates. 612 00:32:37,840 --> 00:32:40,080 And you're going to see gates mentioned in all these passages. 613 00:32:40,080 --> 00:32:43,160 There's gate, there's gate, you know, with, with doors, bolts 614 00:32:43,160 --> 00:32:46,400 and bars, right? And this was important because 615 00:32:46,520 --> 00:32:50,000 they had to be made secure. Again, those were holes in the 616 00:32:50,000 --> 00:32:52,040 wall. That's where the enemy would 617 00:32:52,040 --> 00:32:54,160 come in. That's where attacks could take 618 00:32:54,160 --> 00:32:56,320 place. And they needed to be safe. 619 00:32:56,720 --> 00:32:58,120 They were surrounded. You got to remember this 620 00:32:58,120 --> 00:32:59,120 context. We're going to see it a whole 621 00:32:59,120 --> 00:33:01,880 lot more in the next few, in the next few bits, because there are 622 00:33:01,880 --> 00:33:04,640 enemies all around them and they really don't want them doing 623 00:33:04,640 --> 00:33:06,000 this. And they're going to do 624 00:33:06,000 --> 00:33:07,560 everything they can to stop them. 625 00:33:07,560 --> 00:33:10,640 All right. And so we need to be careful 626 00:33:10,640 --> 00:33:14,720 even in our world today, how secure are the gates of the 627 00:33:14,720 --> 00:33:19,120 church? How will we protect this church? 628 00:33:19,120 --> 00:33:22,800 Will we protect the sound doctrine of God's Word? 629 00:33:22,920 --> 00:33:27,560 Why do you think I've emphasized throughout the summer and 630 00:33:27,560 --> 00:33:30,080 midweek what we're doing right now in midweek? 631 00:33:30,080 --> 00:33:33,520 We've done doctrinal studies. We're going deep in on midweek 632 00:33:33,520 --> 00:33:36,280 and several studies where we're talking about the Word of God. 633 00:33:36,360 --> 00:33:38,040 Why do you think I emphasize worship? 634 00:33:38,040 --> 00:33:39,760 Why do you think I emphasize connect group? 635 00:33:39,760 --> 00:33:41,840 Why do you think I emphasize midweek so much? 636 00:33:42,280 --> 00:33:46,520 It's because we must be defined and led by the inerrant, 637 00:33:46,520 --> 00:33:49,240 infallible Word of God. See. 638 00:33:50,360 --> 00:33:52,400 Why do you believe we're doing podcasts about it? 639 00:33:52,400 --> 00:33:54,400 Why do you believe we're creating new studies about it? 640 00:33:54,520 --> 00:33:58,000 We must be completely defined. That we must engage the Bible 641 00:33:58,000 --> 00:33:59,440 with a humble and teachable spirit. 642 00:34:00,160 --> 00:34:04,240 So, will we secure the gate of doctrine and belief in our 643 00:34:04,240 --> 00:34:06,840 church? Will we secure the dates by 644 00:34:06,840 --> 00:34:10,639 pursuing high expectations for membership, membership covenants 645 00:34:10,639 --> 00:34:13,320 and processes and expectations? They've got to mean something. 646 00:34:13,960 --> 00:34:16,600 We've been reaching out, especially in the month of 647 00:34:16,600 --> 00:34:20,120 December to a ton of inactive church members and and guests 648 00:34:20,120 --> 00:34:23,280 that we've had over the years. And I assure you we will follow 649 00:34:23,280 --> 00:34:25,080 up on them. In fact, everybody needs to 650 00:34:25,080 --> 00:34:28,280 listen to me very clearly. This is a you work moment. 651 00:34:30,280 --> 00:34:33,159 You don't get to be a church member at Inglewood and not do 652 00:34:33,159 --> 00:34:37,800 anything that's not a church member. 653 00:34:38,920 --> 00:34:43,080 There's a church covenant and we're gathering together a list 654 00:34:43,080 --> 00:34:44,760 of names of inactive church members. 655 00:34:44,760 --> 00:34:47,560 We're reaching out to them as lovingly and graciously as we 656 00:34:47,560 --> 00:34:48,960 can. Thank you Connect groups for 657 00:34:48,960 --> 00:34:50,320 doing that. We've seen folks come back with 658 00:34:50,440 --> 00:34:52,800 welcome home, welcome home, welcome home. 659 00:34:52,840 --> 00:34:55,840 Thank you. We also have some who are kind 660 00:34:55,840 --> 00:34:59,360 of not excited about that. And I promise you, John Henry 661 00:34:59,360 --> 00:35:05,480 Ewart going to start knocking on doors because you don't get to 662 00:35:05,480 --> 00:35:10,720 be an inactive church member here and do nothing you don't 663 00:35:10,720 --> 00:35:12,720 get to. That's not a church member. 664 00:35:14,040 --> 00:35:15,960 Somehow you're supposed to contribute. 665 00:35:16,560 --> 00:35:18,680 I've been talking, visiting with our shut insurance man. 666 00:35:18,680 --> 00:35:21,000 They are a network of prayer warriors for us. 667 00:35:21,400 --> 00:35:23,240 They're getting those prayer requests every week from our 668 00:35:23,240 --> 00:35:25,720 reach models and they're praying for us every single week. 669 00:35:25,920 --> 00:35:27,640 And they're involved. They can't physically be here 670 00:35:27,640 --> 00:35:30,600 and they're doing stuff. So come on, let's get together 671 00:35:30,600 --> 00:35:31,320 on this. All right? 672 00:35:31,360 --> 00:35:32,960 That wasn't a threat, that was a promise. 673 00:35:34,040 --> 00:35:37,800 See you soon. Unsweetened iced tea. 674 00:35:37,800 --> 00:35:41,720 You're going to throw something at least and don't throw sugar. 675 00:35:41,840 --> 00:35:45,080 So we're going to guard stuff. And we and we also, how will we 676 00:35:45,080 --> 00:35:47,320 seek the seven essentials of discipleship? 677 00:35:47,520 --> 00:35:51,160 Will we make certain that we're growing, that the enemy has no 678 00:35:51,160 --> 00:35:54,000 entry point into our personal lives, into the life of our 679 00:35:54,000 --> 00:35:57,320 family, my mind and my heart, and this fellowship? 680 00:35:57,480 --> 00:36:01,480 Will we repent of any sin that allows that stronghold, that has 681 00:36:01,480 --> 00:36:04,760 allowed that doorway of the enemy into my life? 682 00:36:04,840 --> 00:36:09,440 Will we be absolutely dependent, defined by the word, dependent 683 00:36:09,440 --> 00:36:12,520 upon the Holy Spirit? It's like that old song, right? 684 00:36:13,360 --> 00:36:15,400 Let's shut the door and keep out the devil. 685 00:36:16,280 --> 00:36:20,560 Shut the door and what keep the devil where in the nights? 686 00:36:20,560 --> 00:36:21,840 And y'all never went to camp, did you? 687 00:36:23,960 --> 00:36:26,880 What openings in your heart, mind, and spirit need to be 688 00:36:26,880 --> 00:36:31,640 locked tight this morning? What gates are swinging wide 689 00:36:31,640 --> 00:36:33,440 open that need to be mended and shut? 690 00:36:34,240 --> 00:36:36,600 So join in the hard work. Find your place on the wall. 691 00:36:36,600 --> 00:36:38,440 Allow Christ to guard your heart and minds. 692 00:36:38,680 --> 00:36:41,440 Look at verse 15. Here's a lengthy passage and 693 00:36:41,440 --> 00:36:45,880 we'll be closing. And Shalom or Shalom, probably 694 00:36:46,360 --> 00:36:50,560 the son of Koh Joseph, ruler of the district of Mizpah, repaired 695 00:36:50,560 --> 00:36:52,680 the fountain gate. He rebuilt it and covered it, 696 00:36:52,680 --> 00:36:56,200 and set its doors, its boats, and its bars, and he built the 697 00:36:56,200 --> 00:36:59,360 wall of the pool of shala of that King's garden as far as the 698 00:36:59,360 --> 00:37:01,120 stairs that go down from the city of David. 699 00:37:01,400 --> 00:37:05,280 After him Nehemiah the son of Oz Book, ruler of half the district 700 00:37:05,280 --> 00:37:08,480 of Betheser, repaired to appoint opposite the tombs of David as 701 00:37:08,480 --> 00:37:10,320 far as the artificial pull and as far as the House of the 702 00:37:10,320 --> 00:37:13,320 mighty men. After him the Levites repaired, 703 00:37:13,440 --> 00:37:16,800 for whom the son of Bani. Next to him, Hashabiya, the 704 00:37:16,800 --> 00:37:19,640 ruler of half the district of Kayla, repaired for his 705 00:37:19,640 --> 00:37:21,600 district. After him, their brothers 706 00:37:21,600 --> 00:37:24,280 repaired Bavai the son of Hanadad, ruler of half the 707 00:37:24,280 --> 00:37:26,880 district of Kayla. Next to him, Ezra, the son of 708 00:37:26,880 --> 00:37:29,720 Joshua, ruler of Mitzvah, repaired another section 709 00:37:29,720 --> 00:37:31,640 opposite the ascent of the Armory of the buttress. 710 00:37:32,120 --> 00:37:34,840 After him, Baruch, the son of Zabai, repaired another section 711 00:37:34,840 --> 00:37:38,360 from the buttress to the door of the House of Eliashib, the high 712 00:37:38,360 --> 00:37:41,000 priest. After him, Mirameth, the son of 713 00:37:41,000 --> 00:37:45,440 Uriah son of Hakos, repaired another section from the door of 714 00:37:45,440 --> 00:37:48,400 the House of Eliashib to the end of the House of Eliashib. 715 00:37:49,040 --> 00:37:51,400 After him the priest. The men of the surrounding area 716 00:37:51,520 --> 00:37:53,960 repaired. After them, Benjamin and Hashib 717 00:37:54,160 --> 00:37:57,440 repaired opposite their house. After them, Azariah, the son of 718 00:37:57,440 --> 00:38:01,680 Ma Asea, son of Ananiyah, repaired beside his own house. 719 00:38:02,240 --> 00:38:06,280 After him the Ben Ben Ben Ben UE. 720 00:38:06,400 --> 00:38:08,400 Ben UE is actually how you pronounce it. 721 00:38:08,400 --> 00:38:10,880 The son of Hinadod repaired another section from the House 722 00:38:10,880 --> 00:38:13,440 of Azariah to the buttress into the corner. 723 00:38:13,960 --> 00:38:16,480 Palau, the son of Uzi, repaired opposite the buttress and the 724 00:38:16,480 --> 00:38:18,480 tower projecting from the upper house the king at the court of 725 00:38:18,480 --> 00:38:21,360 the Guard. After him, Padaya, the son of 726 00:38:21,360 --> 00:38:26,160 Porosh and the and the temple servants lived in OFA repaired 727 00:38:26,160 --> 00:38:28,160 to a point opposite the Watergate on the east and the 728 00:38:28,160 --> 00:38:30,200 projecting tower. After him. 729 00:38:30,200 --> 00:38:33,400 The the tech lights repaired another section opposite the 730 00:38:33,400 --> 00:38:36,520 great projecting tower as far as the wall of a fell above the 731 00:38:36,520 --> 00:38:38,040 horse gate. The priest repaired each one 732 00:38:38,040 --> 00:38:40,920 opposite his own house. After them Zadouk, the son of 733 00:38:40,920 --> 00:38:42,680 IMA, repaired opposite his own house. 734 00:38:43,040 --> 00:38:45,600 After him Shamaya, the son of Shecheniah, the keeper of the 735 00:38:45,600 --> 00:38:48,640 Eastgate, repaired. After him Hananiah, the son of 736 00:38:48,640 --> 00:38:52,560 Shalomiah, and Hanun, the sixth son of Zalath, repaired another 737 00:38:52,560 --> 00:38:54,840 section. After him, Mushulam, the son of 738 00:38:54,840 --> 00:38:57,560 Berekaya, repaired opposite his chamber. 739 00:38:58,000 --> 00:39:00,720 After him, Makija, one of the Goldsmiths, repaired as far as 740 00:39:00,720 --> 00:39:03,400 the House of the temple servants and of the merchants opposite 741 00:39:03,400 --> 00:39:06,280 the muster gate and to the upper Chamber of the corner. 742 00:39:06,480 --> 00:39:08,880 And between the upper Chamber of the corner and the sheep gate, 743 00:39:08,880 --> 00:39:11,280 the Goldsmiths and the merchants repaired. 744 00:39:11,280 --> 00:39:12,840 Now why in the world do I read all that? 745 00:39:15,480 --> 00:39:18,120 Because first we got to focus on the most strategic needs. 746 00:39:19,240 --> 00:39:22,200 Secondly, we've got to unite together in the hard work and 747 00:39:22,200 --> 00:39:25,640 guard whatever enters. And we've got to serve with 748 00:39:25,640 --> 00:39:31,440 intentional passion. Listen, the the eastern was the 749 00:39:31,440 --> 00:39:35,480 longest section, had five gates and a large tower. 750 00:39:35,480 --> 00:39:36,840 It's also built on the Crest of the hill. 751 00:39:36,840 --> 00:39:41,640 This was really hard work. So regional leaders, leading 752 00:39:41,640 --> 00:39:45,920 priests, temple servants, merchants, even Goldsmiths come 753 00:39:45,920 --> 00:39:48,520 together. The word built is used six times 754 00:39:48,520 --> 00:39:50,520 in this chapter, and it means to rebuild. 755 00:39:50,600 --> 00:39:54,440 They're going from rubble to a future, and people from all 756 00:39:54,440 --> 00:39:59,120 walks of life joined together to accomplish the rebuilding. 757 00:39:59,560 --> 00:40:02,200 Now there's a verse, verse 20, in the middle of all that. 758 00:40:03,800 --> 00:40:06,440 And another translation would read verse 20 this way. 759 00:40:06,440 --> 00:40:08,760 It's important. After him, Baruch the son of 760 00:40:08,760 --> 00:40:13,080 Zabai, carefully, carefully repaired the other section from 761 00:40:13,080 --> 00:40:15,280 the buttress to the doors of the House of Elishab the high 762 00:40:15,280 --> 00:40:17,880 priest. Still another translation would 763 00:40:17,880 --> 00:40:23,120 say that he did so zealously, so his work was especially noted. 764 00:40:23,120 --> 00:40:24,920 Notice that you're reading, you're reading, you're reading 765 00:40:24,920 --> 00:40:28,960 bars, gates, doors, people, you know, towers, pools, you know, 766 00:40:29,160 --> 00:40:31,320 cubit, cubit, cubit. What's a cubit? 767 00:40:31,520 --> 00:40:32,920 You know, you just go, keep going. 768 00:40:33,560 --> 00:40:37,440 But then you see this one guy, something about what he did 769 00:40:37,840 --> 00:40:42,400 zealously, carefully. So we noticed that his work was 770 00:40:42,400 --> 00:40:44,360 especially noted. Good examples. 771 00:40:44,360 --> 00:40:46,120 Role models need to be celebrated. 772 00:40:46,640 --> 00:40:49,920 You have leaders and servants in this church who are working so 773 00:40:49,920 --> 00:40:52,960 intentionally, so zealously. They're worth noting, They're 774 00:40:52,960 --> 00:40:55,440 worth emulating, they're worth celebrating, they're worth 775 00:40:55,440 --> 00:40:58,640 praying for, they're worth hugging and and thanking for 776 00:40:58,640 --> 00:41:01,200 what they're doing. Leaders and hard working 777 00:41:01,200 --> 00:41:04,600 servants like them who set the pace, they set the example for 778 00:41:04,600 --> 00:41:07,280 the rest of us. So we ask ourselves the 779 00:41:07,280 --> 00:41:11,640 question, how do I serve? Where do I serve with such 780 00:41:11,640 --> 00:41:15,240 passion? Where do I serve so carefully? 781 00:41:15,920 --> 00:41:20,240 Where do I serve zealously for my church right now? 782 00:41:20,240 --> 00:41:23,720 Remember, never forget, God wrote them down for us. 783 00:41:24,320 --> 00:41:25,920 There are others who wouldn't do it. 784 00:41:26,680 --> 00:41:33,120 The leaders of Teccoa would not stoop low enough to serve their 785 00:41:33,120 --> 00:41:35,680 Lord. What an interesting testament. 786 00:41:35,680 --> 00:41:38,200 What a contrast to Baruch, right? 787 00:41:39,040 --> 00:41:42,920 The Lord remembers. What will God say about us when 788 00:41:42,920 --> 00:41:49,200 life is done, when he returns? One of these days when he 789 00:41:49,200 --> 00:41:54,000 returns, what's he going to say about what we did here, about 790 00:41:54,000 --> 00:41:57,520 the responsibility, the stewardship of this assignment? 791 00:41:58,200 --> 00:42:01,760 I pray that he will congratulate us, but I'm afraid for some, 792 00:42:01,920 --> 00:42:04,120 some might be surprised in this life on earth. 793 00:42:04,360 --> 00:42:07,040 Jesus said that would be the way it is in Matthew 7. 794 00:42:07,320 --> 00:42:09,800 He said, not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord will enter the 795 00:42:09,800 --> 00:42:13,080 Kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father 796 00:42:13,080 --> 00:42:16,200 who is in heaven on that day. Many will say to me, Lord, Lord, 797 00:42:16,200 --> 00:42:18,680 did we not prophecy in your name and cast out demons in your name 798 00:42:18,680 --> 00:42:20,000 and do mighty works in your name? 799 00:42:20,600 --> 00:42:23,600 And then I would declare to them, I never knew you depart 800 00:42:23,600 --> 00:42:25,160 from me, you workers of lawlessness. 801 00:42:25,920 --> 00:42:29,840 Everyone then, who hears these words of mine and does them will 802 00:42:29,840 --> 00:42:32,120 be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 803 00:42:32,120 --> 00:42:34,080 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew 804 00:42:34,080 --> 00:42:37,360 and beat on that house, but it did not fall because it had been 805 00:42:37,360 --> 00:42:40,400 founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these 806 00:42:40,400 --> 00:42:42,760 words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man 807 00:42:42,760 --> 00:42:44,920 who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell and the floods 808 00:42:44,920 --> 00:42:46,640 came. The winds blew and beat against 809 00:42:46,640 --> 00:42:49,840 that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it. 810 00:42:51,560 --> 00:42:52,880 What? And where are we seeking to 811 00:42:52,880 --> 00:42:53,640 build? Why? 812 00:42:53,640 --> 00:42:59,240 For whom the people of me and I listened at this stage, they're 813 00:42:59,240 --> 00:43:02,760 listening to their leadership, they're listening to God, and 814 00:43:02,760 --> 00:43:04,360 they're focused on the same goals. 815 00:43:04,360 --> 00:43:07,160 They're united on those goals. They're serving together on 816 00:43:07,160 --> 00:43:10,280 those goals for God's purpose, and incredible progress is being 817 00:43:10,280 --> 00:43:12,960 made. Neither the enemies on the 818 00:43:12,960 --> 00:43:16,760 outside nor the problems that they will face, and they will 819 00:43:16,760 --> 00:43:20,120 face them very soon on the inside could keep them from 820 00:43:20,120 --> 00:43:23,920 God's mission at this point. They were intentional, they were 821 00:43:23,920 --> 00:43:26,520 careful, they were passionate, right? 822 00:43:27,080 --> 00:43:29,760 I pray that's us. I pray that's who we will be. 823 00:43:29,760 --> 00:43:33,360 I've seen it before, I've tasted it, I've experienced it before. 824 00:43:33,600 --> 00:43:37,040 I've seen God do the miraculous. I've seen him do the 825 00:43:37,040 --> 00:43:40,160 transforming. The only way I can describe what 826 00:43:40,160 --> 00:43:44,080 happened was God. And, and I want, I long, I beg 827 00:43:44,080 --> 00:43:46,280 to see it again. I said I long to see it today. 828 00:43:46,280 --> 00:43:48,800 I long to see it yesterday. I long to see it every week 829 00:43:49,760 --> 00:43:54,320 because I believe and I pray one day that what we will hear is 830 00:43:54,360 --> 00:43:58,440 from Matthew 25. And his master said to him, Well 831 00:43:58,440 --> 00:44:03,280 done, good and faithful servant. You've been faithful over a 832 00:44:03,280 --> 00:44:06,200 little. I will set you over much. 833 00:44:06,840 --> 00:44:12,080 Enter into the joy of your master, all that we might bring 834 00:44:12,080 --> 00:44:16,280 our master joy that we might bring him joy with surrendered 835 00:44:16,280 --> 00:44:20,360 lives and willing service. So we let us rise up and build 836 00:44:20,360 --> 00:44:21,600 together. Whether you're a skilled 837 00:44:21,600 --> 00:44:27,520 Goldsmith are just a common old Ozark boy like me who can haul 838 00:44:27,520 --> 00:44:31,480 rocks under his grace, there's a place for everybody. 839 00:44:32,120 --> 00:44:35,480 But first we got to surrender. We got to focus on the most 840 00:44:35,480 --> 00:44:38,840 strategic need in my life. I've got to commit to the core. 841 00:44:39,160 --> 00:44:43,800 I've got to commit to the seven 100%. 842 00:44:44,760 --> 00:44:47,000 And then what else could Ioffer him in service? 843 00:44:47,520 --> 00:44:49,080 What could Ioffer him in stewardship? 844 00:44:49,080 --> 00:44:50,720 What could Ioffer him in surrender? 845 00:44:51,000 --> 00:44:54,000 So in just a moment, we're going to have a time of reflection, a 846 00:44:54,000 --> 00:44:56,120 time of commitment, a time of response. 847 00:44:56,200 --> 00:44:58,840 We're going to pass the offering plates, which is something we're 848 00:44:58,840 --> 00:45:01,840 starting to do again, not not in order to get your money. 849 00:45:02,200 --> 00:45:04,600 If you're a guest here today, no monetary gift. 850 00:45:04,600 --> 00:45:06,360 Please put that next step card in there. 851 00:45:06,360 --> 00:45:08,520 Like Pastor Charles encourage you, put those prayer requests 852 00:45:08,520 --> 00:45:09,400 in there. We'll pray for you. 853 00:45:09,600 --> 00:45:11,360 We'll reach out to you. We want to know you. 854 00:45:11,600 --> 00:45:13,400 We want to love you. We want to minister to you, 855 00:45:14,000 --> 00:45:16,040 members. This is a time for us to reflect 856 00:45:16,200 --> 00:45:19,960 as that plate's in my hand. God, what do I need to surrender 857 00:45:19,960 --> 00:45:21,800 to you? What do I need to give to You? 858 00:45:21,800 --> 00:45:23,040 I'm not talking about just your money. 859 00:45:23,040 --> 00:45:25,280 I'm talking about your time, your energy, your gifts, your 860 00:45:25,280 --> 00:45:29,520 skills, your experience. What am I supposed to give you 861 00:45:29,520 --> 00:45:33,160 in my discipleship? What's the greatest gift? 862 00:45:33,160 --> 00:45:35,160 That greatest gift might be your time and energy. 863 00:45:36,000 --> 00:45:38,000 And then some of you need to receive. 864 00:45:38,280 --> 00:45:40,760 What's the gift you need to receive from Him today? 865 00:45:40,760 --> 00:45:44,400 Is it salvation for some of you? I've never really trusted in 866 00:45:44,440 --> 00:45:46,560 Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. 867 00:45:46,560 --> 00:45:49,760 This is the morning, this is the day, the Holy Spirit, Nehemiah 868 00:45:49,760 --> 00:45:52,800 chapter 3, one of the most non evangelistic passages you could 869 00:45:52,800 --> 00:45:54,960 ever imagine. That was the day God spoke to 870 00:45:54,960 --> 00:45:58,280 me. That's the way it works. 871 00:45:59,600 --> 00:46:02,040 Surrender to him. In just a moment. 872 00:46:02,040 --> 00:46:03,400 There'll be pastor standing here. 873 00:46:03,400 --> 00:46:05,520 Our next steps room will be open. 874 00:46:05,520 --> 00:46:06,760 You don't have to come talk to one of us. 875 00:46:06,760 --> 00:46:08,560 You can go in there. Their counselors just love to 876 00:46:08,560 --> 00:46:10,840 have a private conversation, prayer time with you. 877 00:46:11,400 --> 00:46:13,640 There's a next steps table out in the lobby too. 878 00:46:13,640 --> 00:46:18,040 You can stop on your way out. We just want you to be obedient. 879 00:46:18,840 --> 00:46:21,480 We want you to offer him your life as a testimony. 880 00:46:22,520 --> 00:46:28,440 Maybe it's baptism, Maybe it's church membership, recommitment. 881 00:46:29,400 --> 00:46:34,480 Whatever it is, let's pray that we can join together, get on the 882 00:46:34,480 --> 00:46:38,640 wall, work for Him and give him everything. 883 00:46:39,320 --> 00:46:43,600 Father, thank you. Thank you for the way that you 884 00:46:43,600 --> 00:46:47,400 created us. Thank you for the life you've 885 00:46:47,400 --> 00:46:50,680 given us. And thank you, Father, that that 886 00:46:50,680 --> 00:46:53,880 life has purpose, it has meaning, it has usefulness. 887 00:46:54,720 --> 00:46:56,760 You have something for us to do in this life. 888 00:46:56,760 --> 00:47:00,760 Father, You didn't just save us so you can take us to heaven. 889 00:47:01,640 --> 00:47:05,120 You saved us so we can serve and and help one another and help 890 00:47:05,120 --> 00:47:07,600 this world, Father, and to bring you glory. 891 00:47:09,160 --> 00:47:12,120 So Father, I pray that right now, in just a moment, when we 892 00:47:12,120 --> 00:47:14,800 sing, that Father will surrender. 893 00:47:15,440 --> 00:47:17,120 Some need to surrender in salvation. 894 00:47:17,120 --> 00:47:19,360 Some need to surrender in baptism and church membership. 895 00:47:19,360 --> 00:47:23,520 Some just need to come and pray, whatever it is. 896 00:47:24,800 --> 00:47:29,760 And so, Father, I pray Lord, that as we surrender to you, the 897 00:47:29,760 --> 00:47:31,160 Lord will give you all the glory. 898 00:47:32,560 --> 00:47:37,040 So now, as our ushers come and you stand, we're going to give 899 00:47:37,040 --> 00:47:43,480 back to the Lord, our offering, and our lives as we sing 900 00:47:43,480 --> 00:47:46,240 together in Christ's name. Amen.