1 00:00:00,600 --> 00:00:05,500 It's great to see everyone here this morning and it's great to 2 00:00:05,500 --> 00:00:09,200 be here and I'm so thankful to be back in Bakersfield. 3 00:00:09,700 --> 00:00:12,000 I believe this is the second time I've preached in 4 00:00:12,008 --> 00:00:15,800 Bakersfield, the first time was over at Brundage Lane, that was 5 00:00:15,800 --> 00:00:18,400 about 15 years ago. I think that was when I was just 6 00:00:18,400 --> 00:00:22,100 starting out preaching. And when I was first starting 7 00:00:22,100 --> 00:00:26,700 out, Matt Trent was working in El Cajon, that's where I live 8 00:00:26,700 --> 00:00:29,300 and work. So whenever I'd go to a meeting 9 00:00:29,300 --> 00:00:31,400 or something. I'll go up to come up here to 10 00:00:31,400 --> 00:00:34,500 the valley or go up to Sacramento area. 11 00:00:34,500 --> 00:00:37,500 Matt would always call somebody. And I get a call and say, hey, 12 00:00:37,600 --> 00:00:40,900 we want you to come speak and they had no idea who I was. 13 00:00:41,000 --> 00:00:43,800 They never heard me before. I wasn't very, I wasn't good at 14 00:00:43,800 --> 00:00:49,200 all, but they really wanted to encourage me to preach and to 15 00:00:49,200 --> 00:00:51,100 get going. So I really appreciate you 16 00:00:51,600 --> 00:00:54,100 inviting me. For those of you that don't know 17 00:00:54,100 --> 00:00:58,700 me, I work with the congregation and El Cajon down in San Diego 18 00:00:58,700 --> 00:01:00,600 area. The last, Ten Years. 19 00:01:01,000 --> 00:01:03,600 Also, the last two years I've been working for a congregation 20 00:01:03,600 --> 00:01:06,500 and Tecate Mexico, very thankful for that. 21 00:01:07,800 --> 00:01:11,900 And of course, we have a three-week-old baby that we 22 00:01:11,908 --> 00:01:15,000 decided to bring up here where our drive this morning, and she 23 00:01:15,000 --> 00:01:17,100 did great, by the way, we were the ones running behind the baby 24 00:01:17,100 --> 00:01:22,500 did find, but I'm so thankful to be here to worship god with you. 25 00:01:22,500 --> 00:01:26,100 That's what we're doing. We came here as a church, the 26 00:01:26,100 --> 00:01:30,600 body of Christ to worship. Our God, our savior I don't know 27 00:01:30,600 --> 00:01:34,600 everyone here, I do know, there are some sports fans here and 28 00:01:34,600 --> 00:01:37,000 I'll MIT in El Cajon. I gave a lot of sports 29 00:01:37,000 --> 00:01:41,000 analogies, I've coached a played Sports, I try to limit them, but 30 00:01:41,000 --> 00:01:43,600 the two lessons I brought I open with the sports analogy. 31 00:01:43,600 --> 00:01:46,300 So, if you don't like sports, well, tell me later at maybe. 32 00:01:46,300 --> 00:01:52,900 After I'm done, When I was in fifth grade in our area, we are 33 00:01:52,900 --> 00:01:56,600 all really excited because the Chargers we're going to be in 34 00:01:56,607 --> 00:02:00,700 the Super Bowl and that's a team that used to be in San Diego, 35 00:02:00,700 --> 00:02:02,400 which I don't pay attention to them. 36 00:02:02,400 --> 00:02:08,300 Now, they Traders, LA, but growing up in San Diego, in my 37 00:02:08,300 --> 00:02:11,300 elementary school went to very small, M Elementary School, half 38 00:02:11,300 --> 00:02:14,000 the kids or charger fans, it seemed like and half. 39 00:02:14,000 --> 00:02:18,300 The kids were 49er fans, their bandwagon fans, of course, Is 40 00:02:18,900 --> 00:02:20,300 there probably Patriots fans now. 41 00:02:22,000 --> 00:02:26,100 Well, at that time, we were not getting cited for the Super 42 00:02:26,100 --> 00:02:27,700 Bowl. We're getting ready for the big 43 00:02:27,700 --> 00:02:30,000 game and that's cool. We were, you know, kind of going 44 00:02:30,000 --> 00:02:31,500 back and forth who was going to win. 45 00:02:31,700 --> 00:02:36,000 Of course, I was so confident the Chargers were going to beat 46 00:02:36,000 --> 00:02:39,300 the 49ers not Super Bowl. So we got a good defense. 47 00:02:39,400 --> 00:02:42,900 We got a good running back. I mean, Steve Young. 48 00:02:42,900 --> 00:02:45,300 What has he ever done? You know, he's never won 49 00:02:45,300 --> 00:02:46,500 anything. You don't have Joe Montana 50 00:02:46,500 --> 00:02:49,300 anymore. We were so Confident that the 51 00:02:49,308 --> 00:02:53,200 Chargers were going to win. And then of course, the game 52 00:02:53,200 --> 00:02:57,700 started and it was over within the first five minutes of the 53 00:02:57,700 --> 00:02:59,900 game. It was very clear. 54 00:03:00,100 --> 00:03:03,700 The 49ers were a much better team and not only will we not 55 00:03:03,700 --> 00:03:05,800 going to win? We were embarrassed. 56 00:03:06,100 --> 00:03:09,200 And I remember thinking I do not want to go back to school on 57 00:03:09,200 --> 00:03:13,600 Monday, the face, all my friends who were 49er fans well, 58 00:03:13,600 --> 00:03:18,600 sometimes in life we're so confident that something's going 59 00:03:18,600 --> 00:03:21,300 to happen. We're so confident in the way 60 00:03:21,300 --> 00:03:24,600 that We think that we can't even comprehend that we could be 61 00:03:24,600 --> 00:03:27,200 wrong. I'm sure every single one of you 62 00:03:27,200 --> 00:03:33,300 here is confident that where you need to be is here part of the 63 00:03:33,300 --> 00:03:37,200 Church of Christ that you understand, the scriptures that 64 00:03:37,200 --> 00:03:41,600 you understand the Bible and that you are confident that you 65 00:03:41,600 --> 00:03:45,100 are in the right place. Worshiping God today. 66 00:03:46,500 --> 00:03:49,900 You know, there was, there have been people in the Bible who 67 00:03:49,900 --> 00:03:52,700 felt that way and we're gonna learn about one of these 68 00:03:52,700 --> 00:03:58,500 characters in The Apostle, Paul, the Apostle Paul lived his life 69 00:03:58,900 --> 00:04:03,600 with complete confidence. Now we're going to talk a little 70 00:04:03,600 --> 00:04:07,800 bit about before he became Paul and when he was solved, but when 71 00:04:07,800 --> 00:04:15,600 he was Saul, He was completely confidence in his mind set now. 72 00:04:15,600 --> 00:04:20,300 Paul was a zealous Jew, this is how he referred to himself in 73 00:04:20,300 --> 00:04:23,400 scriptures. Now, Zeal is great energy or 74 00:04:23,400 --> 00:04:28,200 enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective writing about 75 00:04:28,200 --> 00:04:32,200 his own life and acts 22. And three has, I am a Jew born 76 00:04:32,200 --> 00:04:35,100 in Tarsus. It's in Celia, but brought up in 77 00:04:35,100 --> 00:04:38,100 the city educated at the feet of Gamaliel, according to the 78 00:04:38,100 --> 00:04:42,600 strict manner of a law of our A father's being zealous for God, 79 00:04:42,900 --> 00:04:49,100 as all you are this day. The Apostle Paul lived a 80 00:04:49,100 --> 00:04:54,800 privileged life. He was educated in the Jewish 81 00:04:54,800 --> 00:04:57,800 law. He says he was a Pharisee 82 00:04:58,500 --> 00:05:01,100 Brothers. I am a Pharisee, a son of 83 00:05:01,100 --> 00:05:04,200 Pharisees now, he's explaining to this to show is his 84 00:05:04,200 --> 00:05:08,700 credentials. It says, I was, I was so 85 00:05:08,700 --> 00:05:12,300 immersed in the law. I was zealous for God. 86 00:05:13,500 --> 00:05:17,300 Not only that but I was educated in the way of the Greeks in 87 00:05:17,300 --> 00:05:22,500 philosophy and Paul really saw himself, as kind of the bridge 88 00:05:22,500 --> 00:05:27,100 between two worlds. Here is a man that says he was 89 00:05:27,100 --> 00:05:29,500 zealous. For God. 90 00:05:30,400 --> 00:05:33,200 Now, that's something that we, I think we talked about and 91 00:05:33,200 --> 00:05:40,600 worship that were zealous. Well, In Jewish culture to say 92 00:05:40,600 --> 00:05:43,900 that you were zealous, I think it has a greater meaning than we 93 00:05:43,900 --> 00:05:46,100 actually understand today as Christians. 94 00:05:46,900 --> 00:05:53,100 When Paul says that he was zealous, he was willing to use 95 00:05:53,100 --> 00:05:58,100 violence on behalf of God, think about his persecution of the 96 00:05:58,100 --> 00:06:04,300 church, it was an outward sign. It was a badge that you could be 97 00:06:04,300 --> 00:06:09,300 zealous in this way. Now he had great influences in 98 00:06:09,300 --> 00:06:13,200 being a Pharisee and his knowledge of the scriptures and 99 00:06:13,200 --> 00:06:19,100 in my understanding of Jewish history There was a folk hero in 100 00:06:19,100 --> 00:06:22,900 the Bible that as Christians we don't pay a lot of attention to 101 00:06:23,800 --> 00:06:27,000 but Jews. They knew about him and when you 102 00:06:27,300 --> 00:06:30,400 say you were zealous, you were kind of in the same mindset. 103 00:06:30,400 --> 00:06:34,500 This man, his name is Phineas, he was a folk hero among Jewish 104 00:06:34,500 --> 00:06:37,900 people. Now the story of finit Phineas 105 00:06:38,200 --> 00:06:41,800 not a long story, but it begins and numbers 25. 106 00:06:42,200 --> 00:06:44,800 We find ourselves and course God's people. 107 00:06:44,800 --> 00:06:49,600 The children of Israel have. Taking upon false gods, they're 108 00:06:49,600 --> 00:06:52,400 not living the right way. They're not living a lightweight 109 00:06:52,400 --> 00:06:57,300 all, and Phineas the son of Aaron now says, while Israel or 110 00:06:57,300 --> 00:07:00,100 main that shit on the people began to play the Harlot with 111 00:07:00,100 --> 00:07:03,400 the daughters of Moab for they invited the people to the 112 00:07:03,400 --> 00:07:07,100 sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to 113 00:07:07,100 --> 00:07:09,700 their gods. So Israel joined themselves to 114 00:07:09,700 --> 00:07:12,800 Baal peor and the Lord was angry against Israel. 115 00:07:13,500 --> 00:07:16,800 The Lord said to Moses, take all the leaders of the people. 116 00:07:16,900 --> 00:07:20,400 People and execute them in broad daylight before the Lord, so 117 00:07:20,400 --> 00:07:23,500 that the fierce anger of the Lord may turn away from Israel. 118 00:07:23,900 --> 00:07:26,000 So Moses had the judges of Israel. 119 00:07:26,100 --> 00:07:29,600 Each of you slay, his men who have joined themselves to bail. 120 00:07:29,600 --> 00:07:36,600 Pure God is mad, he's not happy. He told Moses you have all 121 00:07:36,600 --> 00:07:40,800 straight, you know, I want all these men to be executed. 122 00:07:43,300 --> 00:07:46,700 We see here in verse 6. Then behold, one of the sons of 123 00:07:46,700 --> 00:07:50,100 Israel came in brought to his relatives, a midianite woman and 124 00:07:50,100 --> 00:07:53,300 a side of Moses in the sight of all the congregation of the son 125 00:07:53,300 --> 00:07:57,100 of the real sons of Israel, while they were Weeping at the 126 00:07:57,100 --> 00:08:01,100 doorway of the tent meeting. What, what is he saying? 127 00:08:02,900 --> 00:08:05,900 While this Proclamation was being made, that there's going 128 00:08:05,900 --> 00:08:10,400 to be Mass execution. Everyone's crying, everyone's in 129 00:08:10,400 --> 00:08:14,100 tears, they're all weeping. And here. 130 00:08:15,700 --> 00:08:18,800 A man takes a woman into his tent. 131 00:08:20,900 --> 00:08:25,900 Right in front of everyone that I don't know if you've ever been 132 00:08:25,900 --> 00:08:29,900 in the situation like this. Usually I can think of with my 133 00:08:29,900 --> 00:08:35,200 kids where the boldness to disobey in front of everybody 134 00:08:35,299 --> 00:08:39,799 maybe in school, you seen some lesser at work but everyone's 135 00:08:39,799 --> 00:08:46,900 about to get executed and The reason why is because of their 136 00:08:46,900 --> 00:08:49,400 fornication and they're serving false gods. 137 00:08:49,400 --> 00:08:53,700 And here is a man that does the act right in front of everybody, 138 00:08:53,700 --> 00:08:57,100 right? When this is happening, now I 139 00:08:57,100 --> 00:09:01,200 don't think I can put myself in Moses, his shoes, but I tried to 140 00:09:01,600 --> 00:09:04,100 and as a preacher I think you would just be shocked. 141 00:09:04,100 --> 00:09:07,500 Just be speechless, you wouldn't even know what to say, like, the 142 00:09:07,500 --> 00:09:11,500 audacity like people are not going to die, and you're going 143 00:09:11,500 --> 00:09:13,500 to disobey God right in front of everybody. 144 00:09:15,000 --> 00:09:19,100 Well, it doesn't say what everyone was thinking, but 145 00:09:19,100 --> 00:09:24,800 obviously, everyone knew this was wrong but one man had enough 146 00:09:25,400 --> 00:09:28,700 he had enough and that was Phineas says verse 7. 147 00:09:28,700 --> 00:09:31,000 When it's finding a son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, the 148 00:09:31,000 --> 00:09:33,900 priest saw it. He hurt a Euros for the midst of 149 00:09:33,908 --> 00:09:37,100 the congregation took a spear in his hand and he went after the 150 00:09:37,100 --> 00:09:41,000 man of Israel into the tent and Pierce both of them through the 151 00:09:41,000 --> 00:09:42,900 man of Israel and the woman through the body. 152 00:09:42,900 --> 00:09:45,800 So the plagues of the sons of Israel was checked. 153 00:09:46,300 --> 00:09:50,100 Those who died by the plague with 24,000, the Lord spoke to 154 00:09:50,100 --> 00:09:53,200 Moses saying, phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, 155 00:09:53,500 --> 00:09:57,200 the priest has turned away, my wrath and the sons of Israel in 156 00:09:57,200 --> 00:10:00,700 that he was jealous with my jealousy among them, so that I 157 00:10:00,700 --> 00:10:05,800 did not destroy the sons of Israel in my jealousy. 158 00:10:07,300 --> 00:10:14,400 Phineas was a man of zeal. he saw what needed to be done, and 159 00:10:14,400 --> 00:10:19,500 he in a violent way, stood up for God, and because of that, 160 00:10:21,200 --> 00:10:24,500 God relented, we read about this occasion. 161 00:10:24,500 --> 00:10:29,800 In Psalm 106. 28 to 31, says the psalmist writes. 162 00:10:29,800 --> 00:10:32,900 Then they yoke themselves Avail of P or 1/8 sacrifices. 163 00:10:32,900 --> 00:10:35,900 Offered to the dead, they provoked, the Lord to anger with 164 00:10:35,900 --> 00:10:38,700 their deeds and a plague broke out broke out among them. 165 00:10:39,200 --> 00:10:42,000 Then Phineas stood up and intervened and the plague was 166 00:10:42,000 --> 00:10:45,100 stayed and that was counted to him as righteousness from 167 00:10:45,100 --> 00:10:47,700 generation to generation forever. 168 00:10:49,300 --> 00:10:55,100 Phineas is essentially a minor character in The Bible, but to a 169 00:10:55,100 --> 00:10:58,700 Jewish person, he was a hero the same language. 170 00:10:58,700 --> 00:11:02,100 That is talked about, Ibrahim, as mentioned here, but Phineas 171 00:11:03,000 --> 00:11:06,600 the, someone who was counted to him as righteousness. 172 00:11:06,800 --> 00:11:10,400 When you hear that, in your Jewish person, your ears perk 173 00:11:10,400 --> 00:11:11,900 up. You know what that means and 174 00:11:11,900 --> 00:11:17,900 Everlasting Covenant with God. We see another example, someone 175 00:11:17,900 --> 00:11:21,500 has such as Elijah and just real quickly in First Kings, chapter 176 00:11:21,500 --> 00:11:23,900 18. Of course he had a prophets of 177 00:11:23,900 --> 00:11:28,300 Baal slaughtered and he says, later in Spurs Kings chapter, 19 178 00:11:28,400 --> 00:11:32,900 kind of reflecting on his past, I have been very zealous for the 179 00:11:32,900 --> 00:11:41,800 Lord God Almighty, These people fought for God and people die 180 00:11:41,800 --> 00:11:44,900 because of it. Well, the Apostle Paul looked 181 00:11:44,900 --> 00:11:49,400 upon the Zeal of Phineas and Elijah and others in his 182 00:11:49,400 --> 00:11:52,300 persecution of the church. This is why I'm telling you 183 00:11:52,300 --> 00:11:54,500 about this. It may not seem why we talking 184 00:11:54,500 --> 00:11:56,500 about Phineas and Elijah thought were talking about Paul. 185 00:11:56,500 --> 00:12:00,500 Well, This is the pasta. Paul's influence. 186 00:12:01,800 --> 00:12:06,000 Why did he persecute the church? He saw himself like Elijah. 187 00:12:06,600 --> 00:12:12,300 He saw himself like Phineas that hears, these false prophets 188 00:12:12,300 --> 00:12:14,700 rising up and they're defiling God. 189 00:12:15,300 --> 00:12:17,500 Paul sighs. Paul says, I'm gonna stand up, 190 00:12:18,300 --> 00:12:21,600 I'm going to stop this. He was zealous in. 191 00:12:21,600 --> 00:12:24,000 Paul's defense of King Agrippa and x26 inverse. 192 00:12:24,100 --> 00:12:29,300 Starting in verse 9, he says I myself was Inst they got to do 193 00:12:29,300 --> 00:12:34,100 many things in opposition, the name of Jesus of Nazareth and I 194 00:12:34,100 --> 00:12:36,100 did. So in Jerusalem, I not only 195 00:12:36,100 --> 00:12:37,900 locked up. Many of the Saints in prison 196 00:12:37,900 --> 00:12:40,100 after receiving Authority from the chief priests. 197 00:12:40,500 --> 00:12:44,200 But when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them and 198 00:12:44,200 --> 00:12:47,000 I punished them often and all the synagogues and tried to make 199 00:12:47,000 --> 00:12:50,300 them blaspheme and in Raging Fury against them. 200 00:12:50,300 --> 00:12:57,100 I persecuted them even to foreign cities Starting to make 201 00:12:57,100 --> 00:13:02,900 sense, isn't it? Apostle Paul saw the church 202 00:13:03,100 --> 00:13:09,300 Jesus as the enemy of God. Now. 203 00:13:11,600 --> 00:13:15,800 There are many people in this world who are like, Paul. 204 00:13:16,900 --> 00:13:22,000 Or who were like, Paul. Fully convinced what they were 205 00:13:22,000 --> 00:13:25,300 doing was right there, people out there who are fully 206 00:13:25,300 --> 00:13:30,800 convinced that there's no God. They're fully convinced that 207 00:13:30,800 --> 00:13:34,900 their religion is correct. They're fully convinced of that, 208 00:13:34,900 --> 00:13:38,700 their understanding of the scriptures is right. 209 00:13:41,700 --> 00:13:45,200 Paul support all the before he became Paul, when he was solved, 210 00:13:46,000 --> 00:13:49,000 he felt this way and not just as well. 211 00:13:49,000 --> 00:13:51,000 I'm excited about my religion and I talk. 212 00:13:51,000 --> 00:13:53,400 No, he was willing to persecute people. 213 00:13:53,400 --> 00:13:57,000 Throw them in prison, do whatever it takes just like 214 00:13:57,000 --> 00:14:02,400 Phineas just like Elijah. But that all changed one day, 215 00:14:02,400 --> 00:14:07,600 didn't it that all changed his eyes were opened and acts 22. 216 00:14:08,800 --> 00:14:12,800 He says, I persecuted this way to the death binding and 217 00:14:12,800 --> 00:14:16,200 delivering to prison, both men and women as the high priest, in 218 00:14:16,200 --> 00:14:19,900 the whole Council of Elders, can bear me witness from then I 219 00:14:19,908 --> 00:14:23,100 received letters to the brothers and I journey toward Damascus to 220 00:14:23,100 --> 00:14:26,300 take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to 221 00:14:26,300 --> 00:14:29,700 Jerusalem to be punished. As I was on my way and Drew 222 00:14:29,700 --> 00:14:31,800 near. To Damascus about noon, a great 223 00:14:31,800 --> 00:14:35,000 light from Heaven. Suddenly Shone around me and I 224 00:14:35,000 --> 00:14:37,200 fell to the ground. Heard a Voice saying to me, Saul 225 00:14:37,200 --> 00:14:39,700 Saul, why are you persecuting me? 226 00:14:40,000 --> 00:14:44,200 And I answered, who are you? Lord and said to me, I am Jesus 227 00:14:44,200 --> 00:14:52,800 of Nazareth whom you are persecuting Saul's life was 228 00:14:52,800 --> 00:14:59,900 forever changed. when he met Jesus Christ, Course, Jesus had 229 00:14:59,900 --> 00:15:03,600 instructions for him to go speak to ananias, skipping ahead here 230 00:15:03,600 --> 00:15:07,000 in verse 12 and one and I said devout man, according to the 231 00:15:07,008 --> 00:15:09,700 law, well spoken, while the Jews and lived there who lived, there 232 00:15:10,100 --> 00:15:14,500 came to me standing by me, said to me, brother Saul, receive 233 00:15:14,500 --> 00:15:18,000 your sight and that very I received my sight and saw him 234 00:15:18,000 --> 00:15:21,700 and he said the god of our fathers appointed, you to know, 235 00:15:21,700 --> 00:15:25,200 his will to see the righteous one and to hear a voice from his 236 00:15:25,200 --> 00:15:28,000 mouth. For you will be a witness for 237 00:15:28,000 --> 00:15:32,000 him to every one of whom you have seen and heard. 238 00:15:32,100 --> 00:15:34,600 And now why are you wait? Why do you wait arise, and be 239 00:15:34,600 --> 00:15:39,300 baptized and wash away? Your sins calling on his name? 240 00:15:41,400 --> 00:15:43,600 The Apostle Paul met Jesus Christ. 241 00:15:45,000 --> 00:15:49,000 And, of course, we're just getting abbreviated version but 242 00:15:49,000 --> 00:15:55,200 we see the transformation. He got baptized into Christ that 243 00:15:55,200 --> 00:15:59,500 day. Underline. 244 00:15:59,500 --> 00:16:03,900 This passage right here, it says and you will be a witness for 245 00:16:03,900 --> 00:16:07,800 him. The other. 246 00:16:07,800 --> 00:16:11,600 What do you want to do? You ever wonder why some people 247 00:16:11,600 --> 00:16:14,600 in the Bible? Get more things written about 248 00:16:14,600 --> 00:16:18,400 them than other people. I often think about that is 249 00:16:18,400 --> 00:16:20,700 that, you know, like to know more about this person. 250 00:16:20,700 --> 00:16:21,700 I like to know more about this person. 251 00:16:21,700 --> 00:16:25,600 Why is there so much about Paul, is that Paul wrote so many of 252 00:16:25,600 --> 00:16:28,400 the books? And why is he so important? 253 00:16:29,000 --> 00:16:31,700 Obviously, he's not as important as Jesus. 254 00:16:31,700 --> 00:16:34,400 We understand that, but why is so much written about him? 255 00:16:36,600 --> 00:16:42,200 The life of the Apostle, Paul was to be a testimony for all 256 00:16:42,200 --> 00:16:46,100 people. He was the bridge of Two Worlds. 257 00:16:47,000 --> 00:16:50,900 He was a Jew who fought for the Jewish way. 258 00:16:51,600 --> 00:16:54,800 Even to put people to death, starting us. 259 00:16:54,800 --> 00:16:57,300 Teaming, the Stephen, the Apostle Paul was there holding 260 00:16:57,300 --> 00:16:59,000 their clothes watching over everything? 261 00:17:00,000 --> 00:17:05,800 That's what he was. Well, not only was the Apostle 262 00:17:05,800 --> 00:17:12,400 Paul converted. God how to use for him, and he 263 00:17:12,400 --> 00:17:16,000 became one of the most prolific preachers in the church. 264 00:17:17,200 --> 00:17:20,900 What a powerful testimony? What a powerful testimony from 265 00:17:20,900 --> 00:17:26,200 Jesus? In 1st Timothy 1:15, this is a 266 00:17:26,200 --> 00:17:28,000 faithful saying and who were they accepted that? 267 00:17:28,000 --> 00:17:32,500 Jesus Christ came to the world to save Sinners of whom. 268 00:17:33,100 --> 00:17:40,100 I am chief Paul said I was against the church, I was the 269 00:17:40,100 --> 00:17:44,600 worst sinner. What are we supposed to do with 270 00:17:44,600 --> 00:17:47,500 that information? It's like, well, that's 271 00:17:47,500 --> 00:17:50,100 interesting. That's good thing to know. 272 00:17:51,800 --> 00:17:55,900 God's telling us. you know, those people out there who think 273 00:17:55,900 --> 00:18:00,400 they're lost, Well, many of them of course are lost. 274 00:18:01,000 --> 00:18:04,300 They think that, you know, what the Christian life is just too 275 00:18:04,300 --> 00:18:08,500 hard. I can't overcome my sins. 276 00:18:09,900 --> 00:18:13,200 I don't think I can change. Have you ever heard those words 277 00:18:13,200 --> 00:18:16,000 from somebody? I know I have. 278 00:18:17,900 --> 00:18:21,800 I know people in the church that have told me that they don't 279 00:18:21,800 --> 00:18:26,700 think they're going to heaven. Because they can't overcome the 280 00:18:26,700 --> 00:18:31,500 things that they struggle with. Paul says. 281 00:18:33,100 --> 00:18:38,700 I was the worst sinner, but Jesus Christ, changed me. 282 00:18:39,900 --> 00:18:45,200 And I use that Zeal that I had against the church to be zealous 283 00:18:45,200 --> 00:18:54,200 for the Lord in Jesus Christ. the point of this is, Do not 284 00:18:54,200 --> 00:18:59,000 lose hope do not lose. Hope on yourself on your family, 285 00:18:59,500 --> 00:19:01,800 on your friends, to those you meet. 286 00:19:03,900 --> 00:19:08,500 The gospel can change your life and can change the life of 287 00:19:08,500 --> 00:19:13,000 others. In Colossians chapter 3 verses 1 288 00:19:13,000 --> 00:19:15,900 through 4. If you if then you have been 289 00:19:15,900 --> 00:19:18,400 raised with Christ seek, the things that are above where 290 00:19:18,400 --> 00:19:21,600 Christ is sitting, at the right hand of God, say your mind on 291 00:19:21,600 --> 00:19:24,200 things that are above not on things on the earth for you have 292 00:19:24,200 --> 00:19:26,800 died, and your life is hidden with Christ, in God. 293 00:19:27,100 --> 00:19:30,700 When Christ, who is your life appears, then you also will 294 00:19:30,700 --> 00:19:38,200 appear with him in glory God knew that we were going to need 295 00:19:38,200 --> 00:19:43,400 a savior that we were weak. That we could not do this on her 296 00:19:43,400 --> 00:19:46,600 own. That's why he sent Jesus to die 297 00:19:46,600 --> 00:19:49,800 on the cross for our sins. That's the thing. 298 00:19:50,700 --> 00:19:54,500 We're not strong enough. If you feel that you do on this, 299 00:19:54,500 --> 00:19:57,600 not strong enough to be a Christian, you're actually at a 300 00:19:57,600 --> 00:20:01,800 good starting point because once you feel like that I am strong, 301 00:20:02,100 --> 00:20:05,100 I can do I can do anything on my own. 302 00:20:06,100 --> 00:20:08,600 Well, that's your kind of starting off on the wrong foot. 303 00:20:08,900 --> 00:20:11,900 Well, starting out Paul realize that he had sinned. 304 00:20:12,600 --> 00:20:15,900 So he he received the Forgiveness of his sins and he 305 00:20:15,900 --> 00:20:19,300 rebuilt his life in Christ, that's what God wants to do said 306 00:20:19,300 --> 00:20:22,800 once he been raised with Christ, now we're getting Seekers of 307 00:20:22,800 --> 00:20:26,100 things. Above set, our mind on things, 308 00:20:26,300 --> 00:20:29,300 not on the Earth, but things in heaven. 309 00:20:32,700 --> 00:20:37,700 Many times you hear a lesson and course, that ends with an 310 00:20:37,700 --> 00:20:43,000 invitation to be baptized to have your sins washed away, 311 00:20:43,800 --> 00:20:48,000 prayers of the church. And for many of us here, I'm 312 00:20:48,000 --> 00:20:50,300 sure many of us are not all the adults. 313 00:20:50,300 --> 00:20:56,000 At least are probably baptized. And you here you here versus 314 00:20:56,000 --> 00:20:59,600 like this and you think well you know I was raised a long time 315 00:20:59,600 --> 00:21:02,800 ago in Christ, I was baptized a long time ago. 316 00:21:04,500 --> 00:21:09,400 And that renewal Port of that, renewal part of my life is over. 317 00:21:10,800 --> 00:21:14,300 But that's not true. We need to be renewed in Christ 318 00:21:14,400 --> 00:21:18,600 each and every day, we have to work on putting the old self 319 00:21:18,600 --> 00:21:20,400 off. It's not a one-time thing where 320 00:21:20,500 --> 00:21:24,300 we get baptized and say, okay? I got rid of all the ways of the 321 00:21:24,300 --> 00:21:27,400 world and now I'm just going to start, you know, living the life 322 00:21:27,400 --> 00:21:30,100 perfectly. Yes, that's a great mindset, but 323 00:21:30,100 --> 00:21:32,000 that's not reality. We're going to continually 324 00:21:32,000 --> 00:21:35,800 struggle with things, it's gonna be a continual renewal. 325 00:21:35,800 --> 00:21:39,100 If you look at Colossians chapter 3 verses 5 through 13, 326 00:21:39,400 --> 00:21:43,100 we're told that put off the old self and it I just kind of broke 327 00:21:43,100 --> 00:21:47,300 this down in a list form, sexual immorality, impurity evil, 328 00:21:47,300 --> 00:21:53,100 desire covetousness, Going back to. 329 00:21:55,100 --> 00:21:58,900 The people that we had talked to that feel that, you know, these 330 00:21:58,900 --> 00:22:02,000 things, these things are just too strong. 331 00:22:03,000 --> 00:22:08,500 They can't be overcome. You know, Paul was here right 332 00:22:08,500 --> 00:22:10,600 now. He would say, you know what, 333 00:22:10,600 --> 00:22:14,200 it's not true. I overcame the world. 334 00:22:15,200 --> 00:22:21,400 I was 100% confident in the way, in which I thought, I did a 180. 335 00:22:22,600 --> 00:22:24,400 Because his eyes were open to the scriptures. 336 00:22:26,500 --> 00:22:30,200 We continually put on the new self, compassionate Hearts, 337 00:22:30,200 --> 00:22:34,100 kindness humility, meekness patients forgiveness. 338 00:22:35,000 --> 00:22:36,900 You know, it's it can be overwhelming. 339 00:22:36,900 --> 00:22:41,100 Sometimes, look at the fruit of the spirit or or look at Peter, 340 00:22:41,100 --> 00:22:43,400 or look at passages here where it says, you know, we need to 341 00:22:43,400 --> 00:22:45,200 add all these things to our faith. 342 00:22:45,200 --> 00:22:47,300 We need to be accomplished all these things. 343 00:22:49,000 --> 00:22:55,200 But it's a lifelong journey. It's a daily process. 344 00:22:57,200 --> 00:23:01,900 We can we can look at these and say where can I grow today? 345 00:23:01,900 --> 00:23:06,700 How can I be kinds? Now I'm a, I'm a I'm a list 346 00:23:06,700 --> 00:23:08,800 person. I like to write things out. 347 00:23:09,200 --> 00:23:14,100 I did a lesson recently about having a vision, not going to 348 00:23:14,100 --> 00:23:15,700 preach you a sermon within a sermon. 349 00:23:16,500 --> 00:23:21,000 However, What do you visualize yourself? 350 00:23:21,000 --> 00:23:23,600 Being, let's say three years from now. 351 00:23:24,400 --> 00:23:28,200 That's a good amount of time. You know, you may not be able to 352 00:23:28,208 --> 00:23:29,900 improve all these things tomorrow. 353 00:23:31,300 --> 00:23:34,600 What about three years from now? What do you, how do you envision 354 00:23:34,600 --> 00:23:37,100 visualize yourself or three years from now? 355 00:23:37,900 --> 00:23:41,300 I see myself having memorized parts of the Bible. 356 00:23:41,700 --> 00:23:46,800 Maybe I've read it three years in a row from here and then And 357 00:23:47,000 --> 00:23:50,000 I've learned to become more kind and compassionate. 358 00:23:50,000 --> 00:23:53,200 When I see someone that needs help along the road, you know, 359 00:23:53,200 --> 00:23:56,100 I'm going to stop and help them. I used to not be that way, but 360 00:23:56,100 --> 00:24:00,100 I'm going to do that. When I'm at the grocery store 361 00:24:00,900 --> 00:24:03,900 and I'm really, this is I'm talking to myself here. 362 00:24:04,500 --> 00:24:07,000 I'm at the grocery store, I'm focused. 363 00:24:07,100 --> 00:24:09,900 I got my all my gross, I used to work at the grocery store. 364 00:24:09,900 --> 00:24:15,000 So I got all the items separated from cold too Frozen to dry. 365 00:24:15,200 --> 00:24:16,700 I got the heavy stuff in the back. 366 00:24:16,700 --> 00:24:20,500 I'm ready to go the cashiers at how you doing, like, good throw 367 00:24:20,500 --> 00:24:23,600 my things across, get my bags and go. 368 00:24:23,600 --> 00:24:27,000 So you know what? The new improved Andrew. 369 00:24:27,400 --> 00:24:29,700 I'm going to make conversation with the cashier. 370 00:24:30,200 --> 00:24:32,300 I'm going to ask her. Hey how's your day going? 371 00:24:33,800 --> 00:24:36,400 No, it's look a little down. Is everything, okay? 372 00:24:38,200 --> 00:24:42,800 The we can make subtle changes each and every day of our life. 373 00:24:45,500 --> 00:24:50,300 We understand the Apostle. Paul wrote about this is that we 374 00:24:50,300 --> 00:24:54,100 are saved by God's grace. We're not saying because we're 375 00:24:54,100 --> 00:24:58,100 strong people, it's because God was willing to save us in 376 00:24:58,100 --> 00:25:01,100 Galatians, chapter 1, verse 11, through 16 for, I would have 377 00:25:01,100 --> 00:25:03,900 never have, you know, brothers that the gospel that was 378 00:25:03,900 --> 00:25:06,100 preached by me is not man's gospel. 379 00:25:06,500 --> 00:25:09,600 Far, did not receive from any man, nor was I taught it. 380 00:25:09,700 --> 00:25:12,200 But I received it through the revelation of Jesus Christ for 381 00:25:12,200 --> 00:25:14,600 you have heard from my former life in Judaism. 382 00:25:15,100 --> 00:25:18,700 How Oh, I persecuted the Church of God violently and tried to 383 00:25:18,700 --> 00:25:22,200 destroy it. And I was advancing in Judaism 384 00:25:22,200 --> 00:25:26,700 Beyond many of my own age among my people, so, extremely 385 00:25:26,700 --> 00:25:28,400 zealous. Was I from the traditions of my 386 00:25:28,400 --> 00:25:33,900 father's, but when he who had set me apart before I was born 387 00:25:34,200 --> 00:25:38,800 and he who called me by his grace was pleased to reveal his 388 00:25:38,800 --> 00:25:45,100 son to me in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles 389 00:25:46,400 --> 00:25:50,700 Paul saying my upbringing, really did it matter. 390 00:25:52,000 --> 00:25:56,600 I knew all these things about the Jewish way, but really, it 391 00:25:56,600 --> 00:26:00,500 was God's grace that saved me that let me come to god. 392 00:26:00,900 --> 00:26:06,700 Notice here in Ephesians 2, but God being rich in Mercy because 393 00:26:06,700 --> 00:26:08,800 of the great love of which he loved us. 394 00:26:09,200 --> 00:26:11,500 Even when we were dead in our trespasses made us alive 395 00:26:11,500 --> 00:26:14,000 together. With Christ by Grace, you have 396 00:26:14,000 --> 00:26:18,200 been saved and raised us up with him and seated us with him in 397 00:26:18,200 --> 00:26:21,600 Heavenly places in Christ Jesus. So here in the coming ages, he 398 00:26:21,600 --> 00:26:24,100 might Might show the immeasurable Riches of his grace 399 00:26:24,100 --> 00:26:28,100 and kindness toward us and Jesus Christ for by Grace, you have 400 00:26:28,100 --> 00:26:32,200 been saved through faith and this is not your own doing. 401 00:26:32,400 --> 00:26:36,700 It is the gift of God. Not a result of works so that no 402 00:26:36,700 --> 00:26:39,700 one may boast. Paul knew this better than 403 00:26:39,700 --> 00:26:45,800 anyone, he follow the law perfectly, he understood that I 404 00:26:46,400 --> 00:26:49,100 know all this the statutes of the Old Testament. 405 00:26:49,100 --> 00:26:55,700 I know all the the Commandments. he says, even knowing all that, 406 00:26:55,700 --> 00:27:00,700 and following that I had sinned, That's why it took God's grace 407 00:27:00,700 --> 00:27:05,500 for me to be saved. I realize in the church, 408 00:27:05,500 --> 00:27:11,100 sometimes we can be a little reactor reactionary and of 409 00:27:11,100 --> 00:27:15,300 course, I understand. Why is that someone will come to 410 00:27:15,300 --> 00:27:21,000 us and say, you're saved by faith only or your only saved by 411 00:27:21,000 --> 00:27:24,600 God's grace that you can't do anything to earn your salvation. 412 00:27:24,600 --> 00:27:27,400 And immediately, you say, well, that's not true. 413 00:27:27,400 --> 00:27:32,400 You have to get Sized. Well, yes, you have to get 414 00:27:32,400 --> 00:27:35,500 baptized but we shouldn't be afraid to say that we are saved 415 00:27:35,500 --> 00:27:39,800 by grace. The means is, yes, the process 416 00:27:39,800 --> 00:27:43,200 is we get baptized, that's where we have our sins forgiven, but 417 00:27:43,200 --> 00:27:45,800 it's because of God's grace that's been possible. 418 00:27:47,100 --> 00:27:51,300 I think sometimes we kind of overthink it and I know I have 419 00:27:51,300 --> 00:27:54,100 in the past as where where someone says we are saved by 420 00:27:54,100 --> 00:27:57,800 grace, you say absolutely. But when were your sins 421 00:27:57,800 --> 00:28:01,000 forgiven? Well, my sins were forgiven when 422 00:28:01,000 --> 00:28:03,000 I got baptized into Christ, that's what it says in the 423 00:28:03,000 --> 00:28:07,600 scriptures. But the point is, if you feel 424 00:28:07,600 --> 00:28:12,200 weak, that's okay. We all feel weak Paul was weak 425 00:28:12,300 --> 00:28:15,400 but God is strong. The last thing we want to 426 00:28:15,400 --> 00:28:18,800 mention very briefly, this morning is that we want to be 427 00:28:18,800 --> 00:28:23,200 like Paul here. Is that once we realized the 428 00:28:23,200 --> 00:28:26,700 riches that God has poured out on us that that he has given us 429 00:28:26,700 --> 00:28:30,400 the tools and the ability to not only saved for us to be saved. 430 00:28:30,400 --> 00:28:32,300 The other people can be saved as well. 431 00:28:32,300 --> 00:28:35,400 In Philippians chapter 3, verse starting at risk for, if anyone 432 00:28:35,400 --> 00:28:38,600 else thinks, he has reason for confidence in the flesh. 433 00:28:38,600 --> 00:28:43,200 I have more circumcised on the eighth day of the people of 434 00:28:43,200 --> 00:28:47,500 Israel of The Tribe of Benjamin. A Hebrew of Hebrews asked, Allah 435 00:28:47,500 --> 00:28:50,300 Pharisee. As to Zeal persecuting. 436 00:28:50,800 --> 00:28:53,300 Either the church as to righteousness under the law 437 00:28:53,400 --> 00:28:56,200 blameless. This is his credentials, isn't 438 00:28:56,200 --> 00:28:59,400 it? But whatever gain I had I 439 00:28:59,400 --> 00:29:01,800 counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 440 00:29:02,100 --> 00:29:05,100 Indeed, I count everything a loss because of the surpassing 441 00:29:05,100 --> 00:29:08,800 worth of knowing Christ. Jesus, my Lord for his sake, I 442 00:29:08,808 --> 00:29:11,500 have suffered the loss of all things and count them as 443 00:29:11,500 --> 00:29:14,200 rubbish. In order that I may gain Christ 444 00:29:14,200 --> 00:29:17,900 and be found in him not having a righteousness of my own that 445 00:29:17,900 --> 00:29:20,900 comes from the law. But that of which comes through 446 00:29:20,900 --> 00:29:23,200 faith, in Christ, the righteousness from God, that 447 00:29:23,200 --> 00:29:27,100 depends on faith, that I may know him and the power of his 448 00:29:27,100 --> 00:29:29,800 resurrection. And they share his sufferings 449 00:29:29,800 --> 00:29:33,300 becoming like him in his death, that any, by any means possible 450 00:29:33,300 --> 00:29:36,300 by May attain the resurrection from the dead. 451 00:29:36,300 --> 00:29:39,000 I realize that's a long passage, but it's important to 452 00:29:39,000 --> 00:29:42,700 understand, Apostle, Paul's mindset when he's preaching. 453 00:29:44,500 --> 00:29:47,600 This past. It's just trash to him. 454 00:29:47,600 --> 00:29:52,000 That's what it means to him. Now, now that he's in Christ He 455 00:29:52,000 --> 00:29:54,400 realizes what he was missing out on. 456 00:29:57,200 --> 00:29:59,800 And this is where it comes back to us. 457 00:30:02,100 --> 00:30:04,400 The Paul had an understanding of zeal. 458 00:30:05,600 --> 00:30:11,000 Was that mean a violence? That's was the way that he 459 00:30:11,000 --> 00:30:16,600 learned through Phineas Elijah through Samson. 460 00:30:17,200 --> 00:30:21,100 All these people that stood up for God and led the armies into 461 00:30:21,100 --> 00:30:25,000 battle King David Saul. That's what they pulse. 462 00:30:25,000 --> 00:30:27,900 Appalled, thought he needed to do. 463 00:30:29,100 --> 00:30:33,100 But then he met Christ and realize that Zealand Christ was 464 00:30:33,100 --> 00:30:35,800 something different Zealand Christ. 465 00:30:36,000 --> 00:30:39,200 Meant it was through love and patience. 466 00:30:40,800 --> 00:30:46,100 Not ref. Do you realize that? 467 00:30:47,400 --> 00:30:53,100 You have a different way of thinking and probably 95% of the 468 00:30:53,100 --> 00:30:56,800 rest of the world. Now, I'm not saying that to Puff 469 00:30:56,800 --> 00:31:01,800 anybody up here. But people think that we're weak 470 00:31:02,600 --> 00:31:06,500 because we're not willing to fight, we're not willing to take 471 00:31:06,500 --> 00:31:11,700 up arms, we're not willing to destroy the enemies of the 472 00:31:11,700 --> 00:31:15,100 world. People look down on us for that. 473 00:31:15,200 --> 00:31:18,200 Say, you're leaving that up to someone else. 474 00:31:19,900 --> 00:31:21,500 But that's not the way his Christ. 475 00:31:22,700 --> 00:31:25,700 We are to love our enemies zealous. 476 00:31:25,700 --> 00:31:29,600 For Christ means to put others ahead of ourselves. 477 00:31:29,600 --> 00:31:34,500 Even our enemies in the Paul realized that that was actually 478 00:31:34,500 --> 00:31:39,500 more powerful. That was much more powerful than 479 00:31:39,500 --> 00:31:41,100 running a spear through somebody. 480 00:31:42,400 --> 00:31:47,600 It says, no, he allowed himself to be persecuted and he saw the 481 00:31:47,600 --> 00:31:50,800 church grow because of it. And people were inspired by 482 00:31:50,800 --> 00:31:54,500 that. Romans 12 verses 1721 repay. 483 00:31:54,500 --> 00:31:58,400 No one evil for evil, but give thought to what is Honorable in 484 00:31:58,400 --> 00:32:01,300 all in the sight of all if possible as so far as. 485 00:32:01,300 --> 00:32:05,700 It depends upon, you live peaceably with all beloved never 486 00:32:05,700 --> 00:32:08,300 avenge ourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God for his 487 00:32:08,300 --> 00:32:10,000 written vengeance. Is mine? 488 00:32:10,000 --> 00:32:13,600 I will repay says the Lord to the Contrary, if your enemy is 489 00:32:13,600 --> 00:32:17,600 hungry, feed him if he is thirsty give him some drink for 490 00:32:17,600 --> 00:32:19,000 by doing. So you will Heap. 491 00:32:19,000 --> 00:32:22,600 Burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil but 492 00:32:22,600 --> 00:32:28,700 overcome evil with good. This world. 493 00:32:29,000 --> 00:32:30,600 There's depression. There's sadness. 494 00:32:30,600 --> 00:32:35,200 There's loneliness. Who better than us to bring a 495 00:32:35,208 --> 00:32:39,000 light of Christ to them people that were without hope to give 496 00:32:39,000 --> 00:32:44,000 them the hope to the scriptures. Never think that someone is a 497 00:32:44,008 --> 00:32:48,800 lost cause Apostle Paul, to Testament to that Christ can 498 00:32:48,800 --> 00:32:51,200 change. Anyone who's willing to submit 499 00:32:51,500 --> 00:32:55,600 and come to him through faith. Paul says, for I am not ashamed 500 00:32:55,600 --> 00:32:58,900 of the gospel for it is the power of God, for salvation, for 501 00:32:58,900 --> 00:33:02,100 everyone, who believes to the Jew first, and also, to the 502 00:33:02,100 --> 00:33:04,900 Greek for in it, the righteousness of God revealed 503 00:33:04,900 --> 00:33:08,300 from Faith to Faith as written, the righteous shall live by 504 00:33:08,300 --> 00:33:16,500 faith, when Paul says, I am not ashamed of the Gospel, he's 505 00:33:16,500 --> 00:33:21,100 actually being a little sarcastic and this was custom to 506 00:33:21,100 --> 00:33:25,000 Jewish culture. He was willing to sacrifice his 507 00:33:25,000 --> 00:33:29,000 life for God and he was, he was very zealous. 508 00:33:29,000 --> 00:33:31,200 So I would even say I'm not ashamed of the Gospel. 509 00:33:32,600 --> 00:33:36,100 He's being sarcastic. How well why would I be ashamed? 510 00:33:36,100 --> 00:33:39,900 Of the Gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone, 511 00:33:40,400 --> 00:33:44,100 everyone who believes. Do you believe the scriptures 512 00:33:44,100 --> 00:33:47,700 are powerful? Do you believe that today that 513 00:33:47,700 --> 00:33:50,500 the scriptures can change people's lives? 514 00:33:51,300 --> 00:33:54,900 That someone who is addicted to drugs and abuse? 515 00:33:54,900 --> 00:33:59,900 ER, who is just completely lost can come to Christ and be 516 00:33:59,900 --> 00:34:04,100 changed. We thank you for listening to 517 00:34:04,100 --> 00:34:09,000 our podcast, put on by the Church of Christ at 22:15 plans. 518 00:34:09,000 --> 00:34:12,500 Road in Bakersfield, if you would like any additional 519 00:34:12,500 --> 00:34:15,800 information or you would like to receive a free Bible 520 00:34:15,800 --> 00:34:21,199 correspondence, course by mail. Please email us at info at True 521 00:34:21,199 --> 00:34:23,699 Church of Christ Bakersfield.com. 522 00:34:24,400 --> 00:34:29,600 Our service times are on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. and 523 00:34:29,600 --> 00:34:34,000 Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. M, please make plans to join us. 524 00:34:34,500 --> 00:34:36,699 We would love for you to be our honored guest