1 00:00:01,700 --> 00:00:04,800 The church at Ephesus is truly an interesting church. 2 00:00:05,700 --> 00:00:08,700 We read about it in many different circumstances as found 3 00:00:08,700 --> 00:00:11,500 in the New Testament. For example, we read of the 4 00:00:11,500 --> 00:00:14,900 establishment of it in the book of Acts, and then we find a 5 00:00:14,908 --> 00:00:18,300 letter to them, divinely inspired by the Apostle, Paul in 6 00:00:18,300 --> 00:00:22,200 the Ephesian letter and finally John's letter to them in 7 00:00:22,200 --> 00:00:26,600 Revelation, chapter 20 and verses 1 through 7 where it is 8 00:00:26,600 --> 00:00:29,700 recorded there that the Lord recognize the fact that they had 9 00:00:29,700 --> 00:00:32,600 labored. The Lord recognize the fact that 10 00:00:32,600 --> 00:00:36,000 they were patient and how they could not bear those that were 11 00:00:36,000 --> 00:00:38,600 evil. And even stood against them that 12 00:00:38,600 --> 00:00:42,100 would say that they were Apostles and were not the Lord 13 00:00:42,100 --> 00:00:44,900 even recognized that they had not fainted they had not 14 00:00:44,900 --> 00:00:51,100 compromised one iota and yet the Lord had this to say of them. 15 00:00:51,800 --> 00:00:55,800 He said, nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee because 16 00:00:55,800 --> 00:00:59,600 thou Hast left thy First Love, he tells them to remember, 17 00:00:59,600 --> 00:01:03,700 therefore, from It's now art fallen and repent and do the 18 00:01:03,700 --> 00:01:07,400 first works or else he would come unto them quickly and would 19 00:01:07,400 --> 00:01:09,800 remove their Candlestick out of his place. 20 00:01:09,900 --> 00:01:13,700 Unless they repent. You see they had left their 21 00:01:13,700 --> 00:01:16,800 first love and they had gone through the motions of service 22 00:01:17,100 --> 00:01:21,400 from a legal standpoint, only and their labor ceased being 23 00:01:21,400 --> 00:01:25,100 what it was supposed to be. And that is a labor of love as 24 00:01:25,100 --> 00:01:28,200 Paul mentions to those in thessalonica, in 1st 25 00:01:28,200 --> 00:01:32,600 Thessalonians, chapter 1 and verse Verse 3 for a little while 26 00:01:32,600 --> 00:01:34,500 this morning, I want to discuss with you. 27 00:01:34,500 --> 00:01:36,900 How it is? That we can avoid losing our 28 00:01:36,900 --> 00:01:42,100 first love and how it is that we can all Supply our part. 29 00:01:42,400 --> 00:01:45,200 First of all, as I mentioned, briefly in passing in our 30 00:01:45,200 --> 00:01:49,400 introduction, I said we must recognize and remember that each 31 00:01:49,400 --> 00:01:54,800 and every member of the Lord's church is important equally. 32 00:01:56,000 --> 00:01:58,900 I don't know about you but I think that's great. 33 00:01:59,900 --> 00:02:03,500 I think it's a wonderful concept to realize and to see that in a 34 00:02:03,500 --> 00:02:06,200 world where we have pecking orders in a world, we have 35 00:02:06,200 --> 00:02:09,500 ranking systems in a world, we have people that are more 36 00:02:09,500 --> 00:02:12,200 powerful than others, more important than others. 37 00:02:12,600 --> 00:02:15,700 That among those that are members of the body of Christ 38 00:02:15,700 --> 00:02:20,900 each and every member is important equally and all are 39 00:02:20,900 --> 00:02:23,500 necessary. There's a work for each and 40 00:02:23,500 --> 00:02:26,400 every one of us, regardless of our abilities. 41 00:02:26,400 --> 00:02:30,900 All are needed. Let me just say this, God does 42 00:02:30,900 --> 00:02:35,500 not have a specific will for one person that he does not have for 43 00:02:35,500 --> 00:02:37,500 another person. For example, let me just say it 44 00:02:37,508 --> 00:02:41,200 like this, isn't it? True, or I'll just back up. 45 00:02:41,300 --> 00:02:46,600 I knew a doctor one time that was telling us his life story. 46 00:02:47,600 --> 00:02:50,800 And what he said is, he said that he's lived his entire life 47 00:02:50,800 --> 00:02:55,000 and every decision that he made, he would sit back and he would 48 00:02:55,000 --> 00:02:59,400 pray and God would direct him in the way that he would go for. 49 00:02:59,600 --> 00:03:02,700 Example, he used to say to the Lord in a prayer. 50 00:03:02,700 --> 00:03:05,700 If you want me to turn this way, make me turn that way. 51 00:03:05,800 --> 00:03:09,900 If you want me to turn that way, make me turn in that direction. 52 00:03:10,900 --> 00:03:14,900 But you know God never imparts his will on us to the degree 53 00:03:14,900 --> 00:03:19,900 that he removes the freedom of choice and to determine will of 54 00:03:19,900 --> 00:03:24,100 man. You know, God did not grab me by 55 00:03:24,100 --> 00:03:28,300 the back of the neck one day and say, you are going to be a 56 00:03:28,308 --> 00:03:31,100 preacher. You are going to be an 57 00:03:31,100 --> 00:03:35,400 evangelist. What God does is God, blesses us 58 00:03:35,500 --> 00:03:38,600 with ability. He blesses us all with talents 59 00:03:38,600 --> 00:03:42,600 and our talents are different. Our abilities are different but 60 00:03:42,600 --> 00:03:45,100 he doesn't have a specific will for me. 61 00:03:45,200 --> 00:03:49,900 That's separate from Bob Smith or Terry Osburn or anyone else 62 00:03:50,400 --> 00:03:53,900 what God. Choirs of me, he requires of 63 00:03:53,900 --> 00:03:59,800 you, whether you're a man or a woman and that is he requires 64 00:03:59,800 --> 00:04:03,300 that we will serve him with every fiber of our being with 65 00:04:03,300 --> 00:04:06,100 the talents that he's blessed us with will serve him with all 66 00:04:06,100 --> 00:04:08,300 that. We have all the days of our 67 00:04:08,300 --> 00:04:11,500 life. That's what God requires from 68 00:04:11,500 --> 00:04:14,400 each and every one of us. And, you know, that's what God 69 00:04:14,400 --> 00:04:16,700 requires from someone that's been a member of the Lord's 70 00:04:16,700 --> 00:04:20,600 church for 50 years. And it's also required from a 71 00:04:20,600 --> 00:04:23,400 person that's been been a member of the church for five minutes 72 00:04:23,600 --> 00:04:24,900 now. That's a babe in Christ. 73 00:04:24,900 --> 00:04:28,100 When we talk about somebody that's newly converted we are 74 00:04:28,100 --> 00:04:31,200 talking about someone that is a babe in Christ just like a 75 00:04:31,200 --> 00:04:33,700 little baby comes out of the womb. 76 00:04:33,800 --> 00:04:37,900 We know that but what God requires from that person is the 77 00:04:37,900 --> 00:04:40,300 same thing that he requires from someone. 78 00:04:40,400 --> 00:04:43,200 That's been a member of the church, all of their life, and 79 00:04:43,200 --> 00:04:48,400 that is to serve him with everything they can to the best. 80 00:04:49,300 --> 00:04:52,200 Of their ability in First Corinthians. 81 00:04:52,200 --> 00:04:56,300 Chapter 12 and verse 22 there. The Bible says nay much more 82 00:04:56,300 --> 00:05:00,300 those members of the body which seem to be more feeble are 83 00:05:00,300 --> 00:05:04,100 necessary and those members of the body, which we think to be 84 00:05:04,100 --> 00:05:09,200 less honorable upon these, we bestow more abundant honour and 85 00:05:09,200 --> 00:05:13,200 our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 86 00:05:13,600 --> 00:05:16,500 What I'm talking about is you remember last a couple weeks ago 87 00:05:16,500 --> 00:05:18,400 and I wanted to make a point here? 88 00:05:18,400 --> 00:05:23,100 I In the introduction that we talked about evangelism a couple 89 00:05:23,100 --> 00:05:25,500 of weeks ago. This sermon is not about 90 00:05:25,500 --> 00:05:27,200 evangelism. This is something that's 91 00:05:27,200 --> 00:05:29,900 different. This is something that every 92 00:05:29,900 --> 00:05:33,300 person can do that's under the sound of my voice right now, and 93 00:05:33,300 --> 00:05:36,500 you can do it from the very time that you obey the gospel, all 94 00:05:36,500 --> 00:05:40,300 the way to living the in the gospel, all of your life. 95 00:05:41,100 --> 00:05:46,000 Things that we can do specific things that we can do to help in 96 00:05:46,000 --> 00:05:48,800 a work. The point of these verses is in 97 00:05:48,800 --> 00:05:52,700 1st Corinthians chapter 12 is every member though is equally 98 00:05:52,700 --> 00:05:56,900 important and no one is insignificant in any way. 99 00:05:56,900 --> 00:06:00,600 You know Paul describes this idea and proves this out. 100 00:06:00,600 --> 00:06:04,600 When he describes the body of Christ being like the human body 101 00:06:04,600 --> 00:06:08,300 in First Corinthians chapter 12, notice a few verses that are 102 00:06:08,300 --> 00:06:11,500 found there. Beginning there in verse Verse 103 00:06:11,500 --> 00:06:14,700 First Corinthians chapter 12. Beginning in verse 12. 104 00:06:16,000 --> 00:06:20,500 For as the body is one and hath many members and all the members 105 00:06:20,500 --> 00:06:23,600 of that one, body being many are one body. 106 00:06:23,700 --> 00:06:27,200 So, also is Christ for by one Spirit. 107 00:06:27,200 --> 00:06:29,900 Are we all baptized into one body? 108 00:06:30,200 --> 00:06:34,300 Whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be Bond or free and 109 00:06:34,300 --> 00:06:38,400 have been all made to drink into one spirit for the body is not 110 00:06:38,400 --> 00:06:41,400 one member. But many if the foot shall say 111 00:06:41,400 --> 00:06:44,000 because I am not the hand, I am not of the body, is it? 112 00:06:44,000 --> 00:06:46,900 Therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, 113 00:06:46,900 --> 00:06:50,400 because I am not the eye, I am not of the body, is it? 114 00:06:50,400 --> 00:06:53,800 Therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye? 115 00:06:53,800 --> 00:06:57,500 Where were the hearing, if the whole were the hearing where 116 00:06:57,500 --> 00:07:01,500 were the smelling. But now hath God set in set, the 117 00:07:01,500 --> 00:07:05,800 members every one of them in the body as it hath, pleased him and 118 00:07:05,800 --> 00:07:08,900 if they were all one member where were the body. 119 00:07:08,900 --> 00:07:11,600 But now are they many members yet? 120 00:07:11,600 --> 00:07:15,000 But one body and the eye cannot say unto the hand. 121 00:07:15,008 --> 00:07:17,800 I have no. No need of view nor again the 122 00:07:17,800 --> 00:07:21,800 head to the feet. I have no need of you. 123 00:07:22,000 --> 00:07:26,600 We are all important, you know, one of the things that we need 124 00:07:26,600 --> 00:07:32,400 to do in working together is we need to know each other. 125 00:07:33,400 --> 00:07:36,300 You know, in verse 25. And 26 of this same chapter, the 126 00:07:36,300 --> 00:07:39,900 Bible says that there be no Schism in the body but that the 127 00:07:39,900 --> 00:07:43,800 members should have the same care one for the other. 128 00:07:44,000 --> 00:07:47,500 And whether one member suffers, all the members suffer with it, 129 00:07:47,500 --> 00:07:52,600 or one member be honoured all members Rejoice with it. 130 00:07:54,500 --> 00:07:58,300 You know, there is no way. There is no way. 131 00:07:59,500 --> 00:08:03,500 That we can be there for each other. if we don't know each 132 00:08:03,500 --> 00:08:09,000 other, There is no way that we can come to the aid of someone 133 00:08:09,000 --> 00:08:14,300 that's hurting or struggling if we don't know who they are, and 134 00:08:14,300 --> 00:08:18,600 we will never know who they are without spending time with each 135 00:08:18,600 --> 00:08:20,900 other. Do you remember when we talked 136 00:08:20,900 --> 00:08:23,500 about evangelism? We talked about how imperative 137 00:08:23,500 --> 00:08:27,100 it is, to establish relationships with people that 138 00:08:27,100 --> 00:08:31,300 are in the world or we will not have, we will not have any 139 00:08:31,300 --> 00:08:34,299 influence or impact in their life in converting them. 140 00:08:34,299 --> 00:08:37,900 That's all True. But the greatest relationships 141 00:08:37,900 --> 00:08:40,700 that we need to have our with each other. 142 00:08:42,100 --> 00:08:45,700 You know there I hear stories of days gone by. 143 00:08:45,800 --> 00:08:48,900 I remember a preacher a couple years ago at the preacher study. 144 00:08:48,900 --> 00:08:53,100 His topic was talking about church history and the history 145 00:08:53,100 --> 00:08:56,000 of the church in the state of California and so forth. 146 00:08:56,000 --> 00:08:59,700 And he was talking about how in the days that were before mine, 147 00:08:59,700 --> 00:09:04,100 the generation prior to me and how people spent so much time 148 00:09:04,100 --> 00:09:07,300 with one another, maybe it was because he said that people 149 00:09:07,300 --> 00:09:09,100 didn't have any money, they didn't have anything to do. 150 00:09:09,100 --> 00:09:12,600 So what they did is they got together and they spent Time 151 00:09:12,700 --> 00:09:15,600 with each other. That's why so many people went 152 00:09:15,600 --> 00:09:17,600 to gospel meetings. There was nothing else that they 153 00:09:17,600 --> 00:09:21,100 could afford to do. And he got up and he said, you 154 00:09:21,100 --> 00:09:23,400 know what we used to do when we had nothing else to do, we would 155 00:09:23,400 --> 00:09:27,100 get together and we would sing that was our entertainment. 156 00:09:27,100 --> 00:09:32,700 He said we spent time together. I'll tell you something folks, 157 00:09:33,000 --> 00:09:36,900 we can't help each other if we don't know what our problems 158 00:09:36,900 --> 00:09:40,300 are. If we don't know each other, you 159 00:09:40,300 --> 00:09:42,400 know what's sad is. Sometimes there are people that 160 00:09:42,400 --> 00:09:45,400 are on the fringes and they're struggling and yet we don't know 161 00:09:45,700 --> 00:09:49,000 that they're struggling, but the Apostle Paul would describe it 162 00:09:49,000 --> 00:09:51,200 like this. If he says, when one member 163 00:09:51,200 --> 00:09:54,900 suffer, all members suffer with it, or one member be honoured 164 00:09:55,000 --> 00:09:59,800 all members Rejoice with it. Then in verse 27, he gives the 165 00:09:59,800 --> 00:10:01,900 reason for this care, one for the other. 166 00:10:01,900 --> 00:10:06,500 When he said now, ye are the body of Christ and members. 167 00:10:06,800 --> 00:10:10,900 In particular, the next point is we need to consider each other 168 00:10:11,100 --> 00:10:14,400 to provoke unto love and good works. 169 00:10:14,800 --> 00:10:17,900 You know, the word provoke is often times used in a negative 170 00:10:17,900 --> 00:10:19,600 sense. For example, you might say, 171 00:10:19,700 --> 00:10:23,600 Well, he provoked me into an argument. 172 00:10:24,400 --> 00:10:26,800 He provoked me. It was his fault. 173 00:10:26,900 --> 00:10:30,100 I know I said the wrong things to him but it was his fault 174 00:10:30,100 --> 00:10:33,900 because after all either by his words or his actions, he 175 00:10:33,900 --> 00:10:39,500 provoked me and most of the time we use the word provoke in a 176 00:10:39,500 --> 00:10:44,200 negative sense. But in Hebrews chapter 10, you 177 00:10:44,200 --> 00:10:48,200 know we always talk about Hebrews chapter 10 and verse 25 178 00:10:48,200 --> 00:10:51,100 regarding forsaking the assembling and it's true, it's 179 00:10:51,100 --> 00:10:55,500 true that Hebrews 10:25 means that we need to make certain 180 00:10:55,500 --> 00:10:58,600 that when we, we will assemble with the Lord's church. 181 00:10:58,600 --> 00:11:01,900 That when we go out of town, every decision that we make, 182 00:11:02,300 --> 00:11:05,700 every decision that we make on where we're going to be is I'm 183 00:11:05,700 --> 00:11:08,700 going to get the directory out and find out where am I going to 184 00:11:08,700 --> 00:11:12,100 be on the Lord's Day? You know why? 185 00:11:13,300 --> 00:11:17,900 Because our whole life surrounds our service and the Lord has 186 00:11:17,900 --> 00:11:21,100 commanded, we cannot forsake the assembly in the bare minimum of 187 00:11:21,100 --> 00:11:24,700 the Lord's Day morning. We must assemble like we 188 00:11:24,700 --> 00:11:28,900 assemble here today. But look at verse 24. 189 00:11:30,800 --> 00:11:38,400 Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to Good 190 00:11:38,400 --> 00:11:41,600 Works. You know what that saying? 191 00:11:41,900 --> 00:11:43,600 You know what the word provoke means? 192 00:11:44,000 --> 00:11:50,000 It means to stimulate or induce. You know what, Paul, I, which I 193 00:11:50,000 --> 00:11:53,700 believe is the writer of Hebrews is saying he's saying to me that 194 00:11:53,700 --> 00:11:58,300 I needed to do something to provoke, stimulate encourage, 195 00:11:58,300 --> 00:12:02,700 whatever it might be, or induce you to good works. 196 00:12:03,000 --> 00:12:08,600 And you to me, That sounds like a an assignment for us to do 197 00:12:08,700 --> 00:12:12,400 work is involved and time is involved. 198 00:12:12,500 --> 00:12:15,700 Next, we must realize that we are members one of the other in 199 00:12:15,700 --> 00:12:19,600 Romans chapter 12 and verse 5, where Paul says, so we being 200 00:12:19,600 --> 00:12:24,600 many are one body in Christ and everyone members of another, I 201 00:12:24,600 --> 00:12:29,200 am a member of you or part of you and you are a part of me. 202 00:12:29,200 --> 00:12:33,500 And because of that, the Bible says that we love one another in 203 00:12:33,500 --> 00:12:37,900 John, chapter 13, Beginning in verse 34, the Bible says a new 204 00:12:37,900 --> 00:12:40,300 commandment. I give unto you that you love 205 00:12:40,300 --> 00:12:42,900 one. Another as I have loved you and 206 00:12:42,900 --> 00:12:47,000 that you also love one another. By this shall all men know that 207 00:12:47,000 --> 00:12:50,600 you are my disciples if you love one. 208 00:12:50,600 --> 00:12:54,100 Another another words we cannot be the Disciples of our Lord and 209 00:12:54,100 --> 00:12:58,700 Savior Jesus Christ without having this kind of love for 210 00:12:58,700 --> 00:13:00,700 one. Another one more point I'm going 211 00:13:00,700 --> 00:13:02,900 to sum up what we've talks about so far. 212 00:13:03,900 --> 00:13:09,700 And when we do that, and because of our loved one for the other, 213 00:13:10,200 --> 00:13:14,100 we help each other and Galatians chapter 6, and verse 10, Paul 214 00:13:14,100 --> 00:13:18,600 says as we therefore have opportunity let us do good unto 215 00:13:18,600 --> 00:13:23,300 all men especially unto them who are of the household of faith. 216 00:13:23,300 --> 00:13:26,900 So what did Paul say? Paul says all are necessary. 217 00:13:26,900 --> 00:13:30,300 He says that we must know each other and then when we know each 218 00:13:30,300 --> 00:13:31,600 other then what are we going to do? 219 00:13:31,800 --> 00:13:35,000 We are going to induce them. Going to entice them, we are 220 00:13:35,000 --> 00:13:37,700 going to stimulate them to Good Works. 221 00:13:37,700 --> 00:13:41,400 Considering them then we're going to realize that we are 222 00:13:41,400 --> 00:13:44,100 members one of the other working together. 223 00:13:44,100 --> 00:13:47,100 When that happens, we're going to have love one toward the 224 00:13:47,100 --> 00:13:48,900 other. And finally if we're going to 225 00:13:48,908 --> 00:13:51,300 have this kind of a relationship, we're going to be 226 00:13:51,300 --> 00:13:55,100 right there side by side and shoulder to shoulder to help one 227 00:13:55,100 --> 00:14:03,200 another get to heaven. Each member can supply something 228 00:14:03,800 --> 00:14:08,700 to make the church strong. God said certain in the early 229 00:14:08,700 --> 00:14:12,200 church and Ephesians 4 and verse 11 that we read in your hearing, 230 00:14:13,900 --> 00:14:17,700 Where it says, and he gave some Apostles and some prophets and 231 00:14:17,700 --> 00:14:22,100 some evangelists and some pastors and teachers. 232 00:14:22,700 --> 00:14:25,600 Now, there was a time when the apostles were the ones who 233 00:14:25,600 --> 00:14:29,100 brought the word to the world. There were those Apostles that 234 00:14:29,100 --> 00:14:32,700 were those that were inspired by the Holy Spirit and they became 235 00:14:32,700 --> 00:14:36,800 walking Bibles and they were able to bring God's word to man. 236 00:14:37,300 --> 00:14:40,200 We know though, that all of those things that happened back 237 00:14:40,200 --> 00:14:45,200 then Apostles prophets Miracle, spiritual And all of that, all 238 00:14:45,200 --> 00:14:49,000 of those things were for a time before the inspired written word 239 00:14:49,000 --> 00:14:54,000 was completed, but that which is perfect has come and therefore, 240 00:14:54,000 --> 00:14:59,100 we don't have apostles today. We don't have prophets today. 241 00:14:59,100 --> 00:15:03,200 We don't have Miracles today, miraculous measures of the Holy 242 00:15:03,200 --> 00:15:06,800 Spirit, and spiritual gifts that were passed down through the 243 00:15:06,800 --> 00:15:10,300 laying on of the Apostles. Hands to confirm the word of 244 00:15:10,300 --> 00:15:13,200 God. That was revealed to the people. 245 00:15:13,300 --> 00:15:16,100 Ew. We have this book. 246 00:15:17,000 --> 00:15:19,900 We have God's word, God's will toward man. 247 00:15:19,900 --> 00:15:26,100 And this is done to enable the church as it guides us today as 248 00:15:26,100 --> 00:15:30,400 the Lord desires beginning in verse 12 of Ephesians 4. 249 00:15:30,600 --> 00:15:33,700 It's for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the 250 00:15:33,700 --> 00:15:37,700 ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come 251 00:15:37,700 --> 00:15:40,800 in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God 252 00:15:40,800 --> 00:15:44,200 unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the 253 00:15:44,200 --> 00:15:46,400 fullness of Christ that we henceforth. 254 00:15:46,400 --> 00:15:50,700 Be Be no more children tossed to and fro and carried about by 255 00:15:50,700 --> 00:15:54,000 every wind of Doctrine by the sleight of man and cunning 256 00:15:54,000 --> 00:15:58,100 craftiness whereby, they lie in wait to deceive but speaking the 257 00:15:58,100 --> 00:16:01,700 truth in love may grow up into him, in all things, which is the 258 00:16:01,700 --> 00:16:07,300 head even Christ. The Saints will be perfected 259 00:16:07,900 --> 00:16:12,500 equipped and trained. For what? 260 00:16:14,400 --> 00:16:20,700 What do we train for? We are equipped and trained for 261 00:16:20,700 --> 00:16:25,000 a life of service. Now, that doesn't sound very 262 00:16:25,000 --> 00:16:28,800 much like fun in the world, a life of service. 263 00:16:29,900 --> 00:16:31,700 How many times have you talked to someone? 264 00:16:32,300 --> 00:16:35,300 And they talk about all the things they were not getting 265 00:16:35,300 --> 00:16:39,100 from whatever Church they were going to, People talk about 266 00:16:39,100 --> 00:16:42,300 there not being entertained, the world is filled with 267 00:16:42,300 --> 00:16:45,900 entertainment and entertainment has gone into the religious 268 00:16:45,900 --> 00:16:48,800 business to to get people to come and live. 269 00:16:48,800 --> 00:16:52,400 Whatever kind of Life they want to live and still have some sort 270 00:16:52,400 --> 00:16:56,000 of semblance of God in their life or some relationship with 271 00:16:56,000 --> 00:16:59,900 the Lord. And yet these things are to 272 00:16:59,900 --> 00:17:05,700 equip us for a life of service. Our life is to serve God and 273 00:17:05,700 --> 00:17:09,599 also serve our fellow man. Do you remember in Luke chapter 274 00:17:09,599 --> 00:17:13,500 10? when there was a lawyer and that 275 00:17:13,500 --> 00:17:18,099 lawyer came to Jesus and the lawyer says, what must I do to 276 00:17:18,099 --> 00:17:25,099 inherit eternal life And Jesus says what saith the law and how 277 00:17:25,099 --> 00:17:29,300 readest thou and the lawyer says that thou shalt love the Lord 278 00:17:29,300 --> 00:17:33,300 thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, with all thy 279 00:17:33,300 --> 00:17:36,400 strength. And with all thy mind, and my 280 00:17:36,400 --> 00:17:42,600 neighbor as myself. And Jesus says Thou sayest well, 281 00:17:42,600 --> 00:17:45,300 he says do this and thou shalt live. 282 00:17:46,200 --> 00:17:48,500 Now I'm not going to go into the parable of the Good Samaritan. 283 00:17:48,500 --> 00:17:52,200 I'm just going to talk about one aspect of what happened there in 284 00:17:52,200 --> 00:17:56,000 that Narrative of all the questions that this lawyer could 285 00:17:56,000 --> 00:17:58,900 have asked. He didn't have a problem with 286 00:17:58,900 --> 00:18:01,900 the concept of loving God, with all of his heart. 287 00:18:02,700 --> 00:18:05,800 He didn't have a problem with the idea of loving God, with all 288 00:18:05,800 --> 00:18:09,000 of his mind and all of his strength and all of his soul. 289 00:18:09,600 --> 00:18:11,800 He didn't have a problem with that concept. 290 00:18:11,800 --> 00:18:14,900 What he wasn't understanding is he wasn't understanding that the 291 00:18:14,900 --> 00:18:19,300 next part also demonstrates how we love God and how we serve 292 00:18:19,300 --> 00:18:23,000 God, and that is how we serve our fellow, man. 293 00:18:23,100 --> 00:18:26,700 So this is what he says, he says, well, who then is my 294 00:18:26,700 --> 00:18:30,100 neighbor. You know, Webster defines 295 00:18:30,100 --> 00:18:35,600 neighbor as an eye dweller. Somebody that lives close by, we 296 00:18:35,600 --> 00:18:38,000 all know the story of the Good Samaritan where Jesus just 297 00:18:38,000 --> 00:18:41,400 describes a certain man. Meaning this anybody we're 298 00:18:41,400 --> 00:18:44,900 responsible for helping anybody that we have the ability and the 299 00:18:44,900 --> 00:18:51,300 opportunity to We serve God today by the way that we serve 300 00:18:51,500 --> 00:18:54,500 each other. Let me just say this to When 301 00:18:54,500 --> 00:18:58,600 God's people get their feet in motion, when we get to work 302 00:18:58,600 --> 00:19:00,500 going, you know, I've been talking about momentum for the 303 00:19:00,508 --> 00:19:03,800 last few weeks and it's true. Momentum is a very powerful 304 00:19:03,800 --> 00:19:06,400 thing. Momentum is something that once 305 00:19:06,400 --> 00:19:09,800 it gets going, it's easier to keep it going sometimes. 306 00:19:09,800 --> 00:19:13,500 The hardest thing to do in any aspect of life in a work or 307 00:19:13,500 --> 00:19:17,600 whatever you're doing is to get it started sometimes. 308 00:19:17,600 --> 00:19:21,200 All we need is just somebody to stand behind it and push it so 309 00:19:21,200 --> 00:19:23,900 we can all just get moving and get started. 310 00:19:24,000 --> 00:19:26,200 David. I was talking to Darryl the 311 00:19:26,200 --> 00:19:30,500 other day about how, how impressed I am with the 312 00:19:30,500 --> 00:19:35,000 congregation here. Where everyone that I know and I 313 00:19:35,000 --> 00:19:37,500 know you will we have history together. 314 00:19:37,600 --> 00:19:41,100 We go way back. We know each other better than a 315 00:19:41,108 --> 00:19:44,000 lot of times a preacher can know a congregation when he just 316 00:19:44,000 --> 00:19:45,700 moves into a town that he's never been in. 317 00:19:45,700 --> 00:19:47,800 So we know each other. That's a good thing. 318 00:19:47,800 --> 00:19:50,900 It's a wonderful thing. One of the things that I have 319 00:19:50,900 --> 00:19:53,400 always noticed about these Brethren, all of you. 320 00:19:53,400 --> 00:19:57,600 Right here is your your ability and your willingness to do 321 00:19:57,600 --> 00:20:01,600 whatever it is, that's needed. I can't tell you how many people 322 00:20:01,600 --> 00:20:04,000 in the last couple weeks and it's not the first time I heard 323 00:20:04,000 --> 00:20:05,600 it. What can I do to help? 324 00:20:06,300 --> 00:20:09,700 Or people being excited? About inviting people over to 325 00:20:09,700 --> 00:20:13,200 their house and spending time with them spending time with the 326 00:20:13,200 --> 00:20:17,000 people of God. But you know, why we have to 327 00:20:17,000 --> 00:20:20,100 pull together. Do you know why that it's 328 00:20:20,100 --> 00:20:22,400 imperative? That we work side-by-side and 329 00:20:22,400 --> 00:20:25,400 pulled together? Do you remember what Jesus said 330 00:20:25,400 --> 00:20:27,700 about that? I'm going to say this so that we 331 00:20:27,700 --> 00:20:29,800 don't get discouraged because I'm going to tell you something, 332 00:20:29,800 --> 00:20:32,600 there's something going to happen when we get working, and 333 00:20:32,600 --> 00:20:35,000 we are going to get working and we have been working and we're 334 00:20:35,000 --> 00:20:37,700 doing it right now. But I'm going to tell you 335 00:20:37,700 --> 00:20:43,100 something, you can count on something happening - against 336 00:20:43,100 --> 00:20:46,200 the work. You know what Jesus said? 337 00:20:47,200 --> 00:20:50,600 Jesus in the parable of the tares, he describes it. 338 00:20:50,600 --> 00:20:55,500 The enemy goes and Fields that are not his and he sews also the 339 00:20:55,500 --> 00:20:59,200 tears. When God's people get moving, 340 00:20:59,900 --> 00:21:03,600 the devil does to in a field that is not his. 341 00:21:04,400 --> 00:21:08,100 And if the devil can get us to be opposed to one another, if 342 00:21:08,100 --> 00:21:11,200 the devil can get us to be at odds with one another, if the 343 00:21:11,200 --> 00:21:13,800 devil can figure out a way that we're going to backbite each 344 00:21:13,800 --> 00:21:16,900 other and snip out each other and cause her to one another. 345 00:21:17,300 --> 00:21:20,200 If they can do that, if the devil can do that. 346 00:21:21,200 --> 00:21:25,600 On the Lord's ground, he can destroy the work of the church. 347 00:21:26,900 --> 00:21:29,500 That's why we have to pull together. 348 00:21:30,200 --> 00:21:32,000 What does that mean? Then grow discouraged. 349 00:21:32,000 --> 00:21:35,000 No, just realize what's happening and when those things 350 00:21:35,000 --> 00:21:38,300 happen around us and these peripheral issues are happening 351 00:21:38,300 --> 00:21:40,700 around us. And the devil's working just 352 00:21:40,700 --> 00:21:43,200 recognize what it is. It's the devil. 353 00:21:43,400 --> 00:21:45,800 So what are we going to do? We're going to be closer than 354 00:21:45,800 --> 00:21:49,400 we've ever been before. We're going to love each other 355 00:21:49,400 --> 00:21:53,100 more than we ever have in days gone by we're going to grow 356 00:21:53,100 --> 00:21:56,100 together and be stronger together than we've ever been. 357 00:21:56,200 --> 00:21:59,000 We're going to study our Bibles, Ryan, praise about studying your 358 00:21:59,000 --> 00:22:03,000 Bible, every time he prays, we're going to study our Bibles 359 00:22:03,000 --> 00:22:06,100 more than we ever have and get more knowledge than we've ever 360 00:22:06,100 --> 00:22:09,800 had in days gone. By, we're going to pray to God, 361 00:22:09,800 --> 00:22:13,700 to we're going to wear our knees out, praying to God, for what 362 00:22:13,700 --> 00:22:17,000 for wisdom. So that God's going to help us 363 00:22:17,200 --> 00:22:20,100 in handling? Whatever Endeavor is before us 364 00:22:20,200 --> 00:22:25,500 handling any obstacle, that comes our way and the work will 365 00:22:25,500 --> 00:22:30,900 survive and it will Thrive and it will be the kind that the 366 00:22:30,900 --> 00:22:36,200 Lord talks about. That produces 100 fold if we 367 00:22:36,200 --> 00:22:39,900 pull together. If we stay together, if we work 368 00:22:39,900 --> 00:22:44,000 together. When we do this, the church is 369 00:22:44,000 --> 00:22:47,700 going to be edified. We are going to grow in number. 370 00:22:47,900 --> 00:22:50,300 We are going to grow and spiritual strength. 371 00:22:50,700 --> 00:22:53,800 This working would continue. Even though that they, we no 372 00:22:53,800 --> 00:22:57,400 longer have Apostles because that's been replaced, by the 373 00:22:57,400 --> 00:23:01,300 written word, every member is going to provide something to 374 00:23:01,300 --> 00:23:05,000 the strength of the church in Ephesians, 4 and 16 from whom 375 00:23:05,000 --> 00:23:08,700 the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that, 376 00:23:08,700 --> 00:23:11,800 which every joint supplieth get that. 377 00:23:13,100 --> 00:23:19,200 Every joint supplieth according to the effectual, working in the 378 00:23:19,200 --> 00:23:22,700 measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the 379 00:23:22,700 --> 00:23:25,200 edifying of itself. In love. 380 00:23:25,300 --> 00:23:27,600 The whole body is fitly joined together. 381 00:23:27,800 --> 00:23:31,300 According to this passage this joined together is compacted by 382 00:23:31,300 --> 00:23:35,000 everyone, supplying something, thirdly, this will work, 383 00:23:35,000 --> 00:23:38,400 effectually, fourthly. The body is going to grow and be 384 00:23:38,400 --> 00:23:41,400 edified. Number five, this growth comes 385 00:23:41,400 --> 00:23:45,500 because of whatever. Every single member is doing. 386 00:23:49,100 --> 00:23:52,700 We talked about some things that every member can supply. 387 00:23:53,800 --> 00:23:59,700 Number one, we can all Supply financial aid to the work. 388 00:24:00,700 --> 00:24:03,600 On the Lord's day, when we come together, one of the aspects of 389 00:24:03,608 --> 00:24:07,300 one of the items of worship is the contribution in the Bible 390 00:24:07,300 --> 00:24:10,800 tells us that we lay by him in store as God hath prospered. 391 00:24:10,800 --> 00:24:14,300 Us First Corinthians 16 1 and 2 says, now concerning the 392 00:24:14,308 --> 00:24:17,000 collection of the Saints is, I've given order to the churches 393 00:24:17,000 --> 00:24:21,500 of galatia, even, so do ye upon the first day of the week, let 394 00:24:21,500 --> 00:24:25,200 every one of you lay by him in store as God hath prospered him 395 00:24:25,400 --> 00:24:28,800 that there be no Gatherings. When I come second Corinthians 396 00:24:28,800 --> 00:24:32,700 chapter 9 beginning in verse, 6 Paul says, but this I say he 397 00:24:32,700 --> 00:24:38,000 which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly and he which 398 00:24:38,000 --> 00:24:42,200 soweth bountifully shall reap. Also bountifully every man 399 00:24:42,200 --> 00:24:44,400 according as he had purposed in his heart. 400 00:24:44,400 --> 00:24:48,800 So let him give not grudgingly or out of necessity for the lord 401 00:24:48,800 --> 00:24:54,100 loves a cheerful Giver. you know what happens though sometimes 402 00:24:55,600 --> 00:24:59,400 Isn't it true that sometimes the Lord just gets the rest? 403 00:25:00,400 --> 00:25:05,400 That the Lord just gets what's left over. remember when Jesus 404 00:25:05,400 --> 00:25:11,100 spoke about the Widow, when she gave the two mites, it was 405 00:25:11,100 --> 00:25:13,700 greater than all the others that were giving. 406 00:25:15,100 --> 00:25:19,400 And the amount was so small. and the Lord said, she gave more 407 00:25:19,400 --> 00:25:24,600 because she gave all she had Sometimes we allow the Lord to 408 00:25:24,600 --> 00:25:28,300 be an afterthought in our life and it's manifested in the 409 00:25:28,300 --> 00:25:32,400 contribution. You know, when we give of our 410 00:25:32,400 --> 00:25:37,500 means the gospel and a work is furthered I quote from the book 411 00:25:37,500 --> 00:25:39,900 of a Philippians quite often. But I want to notice another 412 00:25:39,900 --> 00:25:45,100 passage in Philippians, chapter 4 in verse 16 and 17. 413 00:25:46,500 --> 00:25:50,100 For even in thessalonica, you sent once again unto my 414 00:25:50,100 --> 00:25:55,800 necessity not because I desire a gift but I desire fruit that may 415 00:25:55,800 --> 00:26:00,000 abound to your account. You know, that's an amazing 416 00:26:00,000 --> 00:26:02,800 passage of scripture because I think that passage is saying 417 00:26:02,800 --> 00:26:07,200 this, that Paul was praising them for support. 418 00:26:07,300 --> 00:26:10,100 Paul was praising them for coming to his need. 419 00:26:10,200 --> 00:26:13,100 Paul was praising them for coming to his Aid. 420 00:26:13,700 --> 00:26:17,300 And he said this though, he says not I desire a gift. 421 00:26:17,300 --> 00:26:20,200 In other words, I'm not praising you because I desire to gift and 422 00:26:20,200 --> 00:26:23,700 you gave me a gift. He says I'm praising you because 423 00:26:23,700 --> 00:26:27,800 I desire fruit given or fruit on your account. 424 00:26:29,600 --> 00:26:32,100 You know, I believe that when you send me to the Philippines 425 00:26:33,500 --> 00:26:35,800 and financially, it takes money to do that. 426 00:26:37,400 --> 00:26:39,200 That when I go and preach the gospel. 427 00:26:40,400 --> 00:26:43,000 And there are people that you have never seen before. 428 00:26:43,500 --> 00:26:45,900 There are people that you have never known, you don't know who 429 00:26:45,900 --> 00:26:47,900 they are, you don't know their names, you don't know what they 430 00:26:47,900 --> 00:26:51,900 look like but they hear the gospel and the gospel is planted 431 00:26:51,900 --> 00:26:54,600 in their heart and God gives the increase and they're baptized 432 00:26:54,600 --> 00:26:58,400 into Christ that there's going to be people in heaven. 433 00:26:58,400 --> 00:27:02,500 One day that you have never met that are credited to your 434 00:27:02,500 --> 00:27:06,800 account because you gave to support the effort. 435 00:27:08,000 --> 00:27:10,300 That is something that all of us can do. 436 00:27:10,900 --> 00:27:13,400 In fact, the Bible says that this is proof of our love. 437 00:27:13,400 --> 00:27:15,200 Second Corinthians chapter 8, and verse 8. 438 00:27:15,200 --> 00:27:19,100 Paul says that the things that are that he was speaking of, was 439 00:27:19,100 --> 00:27:23,100 to prove the sincerity of their love and their liberality would 440 00:27:23,100 --> 00:27:25,900 prove that. Also, this is done cheerfully, 441 00:27:25,900 --> 00:27:29,700 because each has already been given a given themselves to the 442 00:27:29,700 --> 00:27:31,800 Lord. Second Corinthians, chapter 8 443 00:27:31,800 --> 00:27:33,400 and verse 5. Paul says. 444 00:27:33,700 --> 00:27:37,700 And this, they did not as we hoped but first gave unto their 445 00:27:37,700 --> 00:27:43,000 own Selves to the Lord and unto us by the will of God, we can 446 00:27:43,000 --> 00:27:48,300 give that way and do our part. The next thing is our presence 447 00:27:48,300 --> 00:27:51,900 at Services. Hebrews 10:25, not forsaking the 448 00:27:51,900 --> 00:27:54,800 assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is, but 449 00:27:54,800 --> 00:27:56,900 exhorting, one another, and so much, the more as you see the 450 00:27:56,900 --> 00:28:01,400 day approaching. Now, let me just say this, In 451 00:28:01,400 --> 00:28:07,100 case you didn't know every single one that's here. 452 00:28:07,100 --> 00:28:13,200 Under the sound of my voice encourages me and everybody else 453 00:28:13,300 --> 00:28:16,800 when you're here. The singing is better. 454 00:28:18,800 --> 00:28:23,100 The service is better. The edification is better. 455 00:28:23,800 --> 00:28:26,900 It helps the preacher it helps everyone. 456 00:28:27,400 --> 00:28:31,000 When we come together for services, we accomplish three 457 00:28:31,000 --> 00:28:33,700 things. One is we worship God, and God 458 00:28:33,700 --> 00:28:37,400 is to be worshiped. God is deserving of in every way 459 00:28:37,500 --> 00:28:39,700 of our service. That's first and foremost, and 460 00:28:39,700 --> 00:28:43,900 that ought to be enough. But there's more, we edify one 461 00:28:43,900 --> 00:28:46,500 another. We build each other up and we 462 00:28:46,500 --> 00:28:49,200 are also edified, we are encouraged. 463 00:28:49,200 --> 00:28:56,900 When all of us are here. When we assemble together with 464 00:28:56,900 --> 00:29:00,000 the Saints. The third thing that we can do 465 00:29:00,000 --> 00:29:04,400 is do all that we can. To restore those that have 466 00:29:04,400 --> 00:29:08,200 fallen. How many times have we said, if 467 00:29:08,200 --> 00:29:12,200 we only had the people that were once enlightened, by the gospel 468 00:29:12,200 --> 00:29:14,200 and have quit, if we just got them back. 469 00:29:14,700 --> 00:29:17,100 How many times we said, we'd have to build new buildings and 470 00:29:17,100 --> 00:29:19,100 so on. We wouldn't have a facility to 471 00:29:19,100 --> 00:29:22,900 house them and so forth. you know, I'll tell you something, 472 00:29:22,900 --> 00:29:25,400 one of the greatest ways to grow, and we've done that, by 473 00:29:25,400 --> 00:29:29,200 the way, in the past, one of the greatest ways to grow and to get 474 00:29:29,200 --> 00:29:32,200 things moving is to go and try to restore those that have 475 00:29:32,200 --> 00:29:35,300 fallen What a great work that is. 476 00:29:35,700 --> 00:29:39,700 Paul said in Galatians chapter 6 and verse 1 Brethren, If any man 477 00:29:39,700 --> 00:29:43,500 be overtaken in a fault ye which are spiritual restore, such an 478 00:29:43,500 --> 00:29:47,000 one in the spirit of meekness considering thyself lest thou 479 00:29:47,000 --> 00:29:50,500 also be tempted, those that are spiritual is talking about 480 00:29:50,500 --> 00:29:54,300 faithful Christians got talking about somebody that special or 481 00:29:54,300 --> 00:29:57,500 somebody that separate or apart is talking about someone that is 482 00:29:57,500 --> 00:30:02,900 a faithful member of the church go and try to restore such an 483 00:30:02,900 --> 00:30:05,200 one. It is the duty of every member 484 00:30:05,200 --> 00:30:09,200 of a congregation to actively work to try to restore the 485 00:30:09,200 --> 00:30:11,800 Fallen. But notice we do so, with 486 00:30:11,800 --> 00:30:16,200 meekness meaning without self-esteem, as if some 487 00:30:16,200 --> 00:30:22,900 Misfortune could never happen to us, It's true in Matthew 18. 488 00:30:22,900 --> 00:30:27,900 And also in Luke 15, Jesus talked about the lost sheep he 489 00:30:27,900 --> 00:30:31,600 said if a man has a hundred sheep He leaves the ninety and 490 00:30:31,600 --> 00:30:33,900 nine to go find the one that has left. 491 00:30:35,100 --> 00:30:38,000 Remember in Luke 15. Now whether this is one Parable 492 00:30:38,000 --> 00:30:40,200 with three illustrations or three different Parables, I 493 00:30:40,200 --> 00:30:43,700 don't know but here's the point. The first thing he does is he 494 00:30:43,700 --> 00:30:48,800 talks about the lost sheep and he says that the man leaves the 495 00:30:48,800 --> 00:30:52,600 ninety and nine to go find the one that's wandered away. 496 00:30:53,900 --> 00:30:56,200 Then he talks about the woman with the Lost coin. 497 00:30:57,200 --> 00:31:01,100 She sweeps, the floor to look for the one calling that was 498 00:31:01,100 --> 00:31:04,800 carelessly lost. But then the third one though, 499 00:31:05,500 --> 00:31:10,500 he talks about the Prodigal Son, the one who has rebelliously 500 00:31:11,100 --> 00:31:16,400 left, did you see that? Nobody ever went after that guy. 501 00:31:17,400 --> 00:31:22,300 Have you ever noticed that? Why didn't the father now if 502 00:31:22,300 --> 00:31:26,300 there's even more. So a picture of beauty, it's a 503 00:31:26,300 --> 00:31:30,000 picture of the father. More than the Sun that left. 504 00:31:30,700 --> 00:31:33,600 It's a picture and a story about the forgiving father and the 505 00:31:33,600 --> 00:31:36,700 father that longs to forgive his child. 506 00:31:37,100 --> 00:31:41,100 Waiting back there watching and waiting for the return of the 507 00:31:41,100 --> 00:31:45,500 one that left. But why didn't he go and go 508 00:31:45,500 --> 00:31:51,400 after the young son that left? Why didn't anybody go? 509 00:31:53,200 --> 00:31:57,300 I think that's different than somebody that just wandered 510 00:31:57,300 --> 00:31:59,400 away. That somebody that was 511 00:31:59,400 --> 00:32:02,000 carelessly lost, you know, sometimes a new member might 512 00:32:02,000 --> 00:32:05,500 slip through the cracks, maybe they were struggling and pretty 513 00:32:05,500 --> 00:32:07,600 soon we look around and we don't see him any longer? 514 00:32:08,200 --> 00:32:10,700 What are we going to do? Hey, we better sweep that floor. 515 00:32:11,200 --> 00:32:14,700 We got to find that coin. We got to bring that one back. 516 00:32:16,900 --> 00:32:19,300 But what about that? Prodigal, what's different. 517 00:32:20,200 --> 00:32:24,900 What's different is this father knew that it would do absolutely 518 00:32:24,900 --> 00:32:28,400 no good to try to stop the sun before the sun left. 519 00:32:28,400 --> 00:32:31,600 You know why? Because the heart was already 520 00:32:31,600 --> 00:32:34,300 gone. And you've heard me say this in 521 00:32:34,308 --> 00:32:38,400 the past, folks, apostasy of heart will always precede 522 00:32:38,400 --> 00:32:41,800 apostasy of life. That's a fancy way of saying the 523 00:32:41,800 --> 00:32:44,500 heart goes first. And that's what happened. 524 00:32:45,300 --> 00:32:50,500 The heart was gone first and this person went to see it, it's 525 00:32:50,500 --> 00:32:53,600 like this give you an example of a person like this. 526 00:32:55,200 --> 00:32:58,300 I am tired of doing, what's taught? 527 00:32:59,800 --> 00:33:02,500 There's too many rules. I'm sick of the rules. 528 00:33:02,800 --> 00:33:06,400 I'm sick of all that. I'm tired of hearing about. 529 00:33:06,400 --> 00:33:08,500 There are things in life that are wrong. 530 00:33:09,200 --> 00:33:12,900 I'm tired about having to give up things to be a Christian or a 531 00:33:12,900 --> 00:33:17,500 member of the Church of Christ. So I'm just not going to do it 532 00:33:17,500 --> 00:33:20,100 anymore, I'm going to turn my back and go and do whatever I 533 00:33:20,100 --> 00:33:23,600 want. You ever notice when somebody 534 00:33:23,600 --> 00:33:27,600 leaves like that, often times, they leave hateful hateful in 535 00:33:27,600 --> 00:33:31,300 their heart. Blaming someone else. 536 00:33:33,000 --> 00:33:38,300 That's when somebody re leaves with a rebellious heart. 537 00:33:39,300 --> 00:33:42,700 Isn't that kind of what Paul was talking about, in Hebrews 6, he 538 00:33:42,700 --> 00:33:45,900 said, if somebody knows all this, they've been enlightened 539 00:33:45,900 --> 00:33:49,800 by all this, and they leave. They depart, they rejected after 540 00:33:49,800 --> 00:33:52,700 they know it. No, we're not just talking about 541 00:33:52,700 --> 00:33:54,400 somebody that was weak and didn't know any better. 542 00:33:54,800 --> 00:33:56,900 We got to go teach them. We're talking about, somebody 543 00:33:56,900 --> 00:34:01,100 that knows what the book says, but they leave anyway, I think 544 00:34:01,100 --> 00:34:04,300 that's what Paul's meaning when he says it's impossible to 545 00:34:04,300 --> 00:34:07,200 restore such an one. I like what Richard golf says, 546 00:34:07,300 --> 00:34:09,800 is how he says it? Best way I've ever heard that. 547 00:34:09,800 --> 00:34:13,300 I think he says, you can't restore them. 548 00:34:13,600 --> 00:34:17,199 They got to restore themself, they got to come back to this. 549 00:34:18,699 --> 00:34:22,800 That's the only way when you re Bill, you've got to change your 550 00:34:22,800 --> 00:34:25,900 heart and get your heart going back in the proper direction. 551 00:34:26,000 --> 00:34:28,800 That's someone that leaves rebelliously. 552 00:34:30,400 --> 00:34:31,900 You know, I'll tell you something, we need to try to 553 00:34:31,900 --> 00:34:34,699 soften heart, but I don't think too just to a degree. 554 00:34:34,699 --> 00:34:37,500 They had their you get to the point where there's nothing more 555 00:34:37,500 --> 00:34:41,199 you can do. How can we do that though? 556 00:34:41,199 --> 00:34:44,000 To restore those that have fallen send a card? 557 00:34:45,600 --> 00:34:49,300 I appreciate so much folks that lately have sending cards to 558 00:34:49,308 --> 00:34:52,699 people that are out of Duty. Sometimes people say, I don't 559 00:34:52,699 --> 00:34:55,000 know what to say. Just say this, we miss you. 560 00:34:56,300 --> 00:34:59,400 We want you back. Have you ever been angry? 561 00:34:59,400 --> 00:35:01,600 Because somebody says, you know, Darryl, I really miss. 562 00:35:01,600 --> 00:35:02,900 You think he's gonna get mad at me. 563 00:35:04,300 --> 00:35:06,600 You can't even hear those words and get angry. 564 00:35:07,500 --> 00:35:10,100 And if you say it with the right kind of heart and you really 565 00:35:10,100 --> 00:35:12,300 mean it, we love you. And we miss you. 566 00:35:13,000 --> 00:35:17,600 How is anyone going to ever have a problem with that? 567 00:35:18,300 --> 00:35:20,900 We can talk to folks like that and do so with the spirit of 568 00:35:20,900 --> 00:35:23,600 meekness meaning without self-esteem. 569 00:35:24,500 --> 00:35:26,600 Like, it could never happen to me. 570 00:35:27,700 --> 00:35:29,500 I'm going to tell you something, folks, if there's one thing 571 00:35:29,500 --> 00:35:32,800 we've all learned, it can happen to anybody. 572 00:35:33,600 --> 00:35:36,600 If there's one thing that we've learned in our short lifetime, 573 00:35:38,100 --> 00:35:45,200 Anybody can fall. anyone can make a mistake, anyone can fall 574 00:35:45,200 --> 00:35:52,000 from grace, Another thing too that we can do is encourage the 575 00:35:52,000 --> 00:35:54,900 week and discouraged. Paul said in first 576 00:35:54,900 --> 00:35:57,000 Thessalonians, chapter 5 and verse 14. 577 00:35:57,000 --> 00:35:58,700 Now we exhort you Brethren, warn them? 578 00:35:58,700 --> 00:36:03,200 That are unruly Comfort, the feeble-minded support the week, 579 00:36:03,300 --> 00:36:07,800 be patient toward all men. The word feeble-minded here does 580 00:36:07,800 --> 00:36:10,900 not mean those who are not mentally responsible. 581 00:36:11,500 --> 00:36:13,100 When it says feeble-minded, it doesn't. 582 00:36:13,100 --> 00:36:15,800 It's not talking about those that are not all there. 583 00:36:15,900 --> 00:36:20,300 Mentally feeble, Minded. Here means faint-hearted those 584 00:36:20,300 --> 00:36:23,200 that grow discouraged. Thayer says, these are the 585 00:36:23,200 --> 00:36:26,900 disciples who are inclined to be easily discouraged in the 586 00:36:26,900 --> 00:36:33,400 presence of a trial. Now listen, We're all made up 587 00:36:33,400 --> 00:36:37,000 differently. There may be things that I can't 588 00:36:37,000 --> 00:36:40,800 handle that. You can There may be things that 589 00:36:40,800 --> 00:36:43,300 you could just go right through. Like it's nothing and it just 590 00:36:43,300 --> 00:36:48,100 kills me. Sometimes folks are more 591 00:36:48,100 --> 00:36:54,100 inclined to fall during a trial. Paul says comfort, those 592 00:36:54,400 --> 00:37:00,100 feeble-minded fight, for those who can't fight for themselves. 593 00:37:00,600 --> 00:37:04,300 It is always gracious to have an attitude of patience and 594 00:37:04,300 --> 00:37:08,300 long-suffering too. You know, someone once said, one 595 00:37:08,300 --> 00:37:11,900 time that now I love this. Listen to this. 596 00:37:13,400 --> 00:37:17,400 A word of encouragement during failure. 597 00:37:18,500 --> 00:37:23,100 Is worth more than a dictionary of Praise after success. 598 00:37:24,300 --> 00:37:27,500 I don't know about you when we talk about The Love Languages. 599 00:37:28,000 --> 00:37:33,800 Mine's words of affirmation. I like to hear positive things. 600 00:37:35,500 --> 00:37:40,200 It's well-made can't help it. And I enjoy that. 601 00:37:40,400 --> 00:37:45,400 We all enjoy, though. Hearing words of Praise after we 602 00:37:45,400 --> 00:37:48,700 do something good after a success. 603 00:37:49,100 --> 00:37:52,100 After Victory. We love to hear words of praise 604 00:37:53,700 --> 00:37:57,300 But as the poet said, though it's better to have a word of 605 00:37:57,300 --> 00:38:00,900 encouragement, just one word of encouragement during failure 606 00:38:01,700 --> 00:38:05,400 than a dictionary of Praise after success. 607 00:38:06,500 --> 00:38:10,400 Another thing we can do is live a Godly example of life in the 608 00:38:10,400 --> 00:38:12,300 community. Not long ago. 609 00:38:12,300 --> 00:38:15,900 We talked about in Matthew chapter 5, verses 13 through 16. 610 00:38:15,900 --> 00:38:20,500 Jesus said that we are the salt of the earth and we are the 611 00:38:20,500 --> 00:38:24,100 light of the world. We are the seasoning ability, it 612 00:38:24,100 --> 00:38:27,800 keeps this world standing and keeps it palatable in the eyes 613 00:38:27,800 --> 00:38:31,100 of God. While his patient long-suffering 614 00:38:31,100 --> 00:38:34,500 waits for those that are still lost, that have good hearts and 615 00:38:34,500 --> 00:38:38,200 would come to him. And Jesus says, we are lights, 616 00:38:38,200 --> 00:38:42,100 and we are a city. We are a light, take your light, 617 00:38:42,100 --> 00:38:44,500 don't put it under a bushel. If you want to know what you 618 00:38:44,500 --> 00:38:47,700 really can do, you can do this without speaking one word. 619 00:38:47,700 --> 00:38:51,900 You can live the Christian Life in the presence of man you can 620 00:38:51,900 --> 00:38:54,300 live the Christian Life in the world. 621 00:38:54,300 --> 00:38:57,400 You can have the kind of life that shows that you're a 622 00:38:57,400 --> 00:39:00,900 Christian and when people know that you are Are a certain way 623 00:39:01,100 --> 00:39:03,900 and it's because you serve God and because you are a child of 624 00:39:03,900 --> 00:39:08,300 God, then you are letting your light shine among men. 625 00:39:08,400 --> 00:39:18,300 Everyone can do that. But lastly, on this line, We can 626 00:39:18,300 --> 00:39:21,000 teach others by the word with the word of God. 627 00:39:21,300 --> 00:39:24,900 When the opportunity arises in First Peter chapter 3 and verse 628 00:39:24,900 --> 00:39:26,800 15. The Bible says, but sanctify, 629 00:39:26,800 --> 00:39:28,500 the Lord God in your hearts and be ready. 630 00:39:28,500 --> 00:39:30,300 Always to give an answer to every man. 631 00:39:30,300 --> 00:39:33,200 That asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with 632 00:39:33,200 --> 00:39:36,100 meekness and fear. Paul said, in first, Timothy 2 633 00:39:36,100 --> 00:39:38,200 and verse 2. And the things that thou Hast 634 00:39:38,200 --> 00:39:40,900 heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou 635 00:39:40,900 --> 00:39:46,400 to Faithful Men Who Shall be able to teach others also when 636 00:39:46,400 --> 00:39:49,700 we do this future. Leaders of the church come 637 00:39:49,900 --> 00:39:53,400 Elders in the future preachers and teachers are being 638 00:39:53,400 --> 00:39:55,400 developed. I wanted to share something with 639 00:39:55,400 --> 00:39:57,500 you. I was very impressed with this 640 00:39:57,500 --> 00:40:00,500 because I don't remember at any point in time in my life. 641 00:40:00,500 --> 00:40:03,500 I don't ever remember hearing this to the degree that we heard 642 00:40:03,500 --> 00:40:06,200 it in Oklahoma at the New Year's meeting during the young men 643 00:40:06,200 --> 00:40:10,200 talks the last night. Somebody had set up whoever it 644 00:40:10,200 --> 00:40:12,200 was that was putting this together. 645 00:40:12,200 --> 00:40:14,800 Had asked these men. When they got up in the Pulpit 646 00:40:14,800 --> 00:40:18,300 before they gave their little five-minute talk, they were 647 00:40:18,300 --> 00:40:23,100 asked, would you say who you are, where you're from, and what 648 00:40:23,100 --> 00:40:27,800 are your spiritual goals long-term for the future? 649 00:40:28,900 --> 00:40:31,600 Now, most of a time when you get young men that are in the Pulpit 650 00:40:31,600 --> 00:40:34,500 during these times, they say, I would like to be an evangelist, 651 00:40:34,500 --> 00:40:36,900 I would like to be a preacher. And there were those two that 652 00:40:36,900 --> 00:40:40,700 said, that they really were, that's great because we need 653 00:40:40,700 --> 00:40:42,900 preachers. I'll tell you some, we need 654 00:40:42,900 --> 00:40:47,100 preachers bad, we need preachers bad, especially in this state. 655 00:40:48,400 --> 00:40:51,600 Lord's church needs preachers. I'm going to say something. 656 00:40:51,600 --> 00:40:56,800 We need others to and you know what the most common thing that 657 00:40:56,800 --> 00:41:02,000 was spoken of these men as a goal, it was over and over 658 00:41:02,000 --> 00:41:05,100 again. I would like to be an elder one 659 00:41:05,100 --> 00:41:07,500 day. I don't know that I've ever 660 00:41:07,500 --> 00:41:12,600 heard it that much any one time one after the other after the 661 00:41:12,600 --> 00:41:15,300 other a young man stands up. Great speaking abilities. 662 00:41:15,400 --> 00:41:21,800 I want to be an elder. That's a wonderful thing. 663 00:41:23,000 --> 00:41:27,100 The Lord's church needs leaders. Sometimes things go by the 664 00:41:27,100 --> 00:41:31,100 wayside because we don't have good strong leadership. 665 00:41:31,100 --> 00:41:33,600 And I'm going to tell you this, this congregation is at peace 666 00:41:33,600 --> 00:41:36,300 and this congregation has good leadership. 667 00:41:36,400 --> 00:41:39,700 That's a wonderful thing working together for a common goal. 668 00:41:40,200 --> 00:41:42,300 It's not always like that in conclusion, though. 669 00:41:43,200 --> 00:41:46,600 Some failed to make the church stronger, like the man. 670 00:41:46,600 --> 00:41:49,000 That was described in First Corinthians chapter 5, when he 671 00:41:49,000 --> 00:41:51,800 was boastful about a sin, that wouldn't even have been named 672 00:41:51,800 --> 00:41:54,800 among the Gentiles. Paul said, Purge out the old 673 00:41:54,800 --> 00:41:58,100 leaven because a Leaven leaveneth, the whole lump sum 674 00:41:58,100 --> 00:42:01,800 are like diotrephes. They just want the preeminence. 675 00:42:01,800 --> 00:42:04,900 They just want the praise. They want the position of Honor. 676 00:42:07,700 --> 00:42:10,400 Some are like Dimas where Paul said in second Timothy 4 and 677 00:42:10,400 --> 00:42:14,000 verse 10, my Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present 678 00:42:14,000 --> 00:42:17,400 World. Some gossip complain and murmur 679 00:42:17,400 --> 00:42:20,400 as Paul warned against in Philippians 2 and verse 14. 680 00:42:20,700 --> 00:42:24,600 And by so doing these things they destroy the church instead 681 00:42:24,600 --> 00:42:27,400 of building it. You and I will give an account 682 00:42:27,400 --> 00:42:30,600 to how we provided for the strength of the church. 683 00:42:32,900 --> 00:42:36,800 The Lord's church is the greatest institution in all the 684 00:42:36,800 --> 00:42:40,300 world. It was blood bought by Jesus. 685 00:42:41,300 --> 00:42:44,400 It's in our care. And I'm going to tell you 686 00:42:44,400 --> 00:42:47,800 something, we're going to give an account to how we built it 687 00:42:47,800 --> 00:42:53,700 up, or did we tear it down? Did we build it up or tear it 688 00:42:53,700 --> 00:42:56,000 down? It's going to take all of us. 689 00:42:56,200 --> 00:42:59,500 It's going to take every single one of us working together for 690 00:42:59,500 --> 00:43:02,600 the common goal. Remember that the devil is going 691 00:43:02,600 --> 00:43:04,700 to do, all he can to undermine our efforts. 692 00:43:05,200 --> 00:43:09,100 But remember this remember that? The battle is the Lord's. 693 00:43:09,700 --> 00:43:13,000 The wars against the devil. If we're just recognize what it 694 00:43:13,000 --> 00:43:15,100 is will pull together and be stronger than we've ever been 695 00:43:15,100 --> 00:43:19,100 before and will move about in this world, serving God, the 696 00:43:19,100 --> 00:43:23,400 best we can We thank you for listening to our podcast, put on 697 00:43:23,400 --> 00:43:27,000 by the Church of Christ at 22:15 plans. 698 00:43:27,000 --> 00:43:30,500 Road in Bakersfield, if you would like any additional 699 00:43:30,500 --> 00:43:33,800 information or you would like to receive a free Bible 700 00:43:33,800 --> 00:43:39,300 correspondence, course by mail. Please email us at info at True 701 00:43:39,300 --> 00:43:41,700 Church of Christ Bakersfield.com. 702 00:43:42,400 --> 00:43:47,600 Our service times are on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. and 703 00:43:47,600 --> 00:43:52,100 Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. Please make plans to join us. 704 00:43:52,600 --> 00:43:54,800 We would love for you to be our honored guest.