1 00:00:00,600 --> 00:00:03,300 From our text that we just read a moment ago. 2 00:00:04,400 --> 00:00:08,500 We find that Daniel knew that Nebuchadnezzar was an idolater 3 00:00:09,200 --> 00:00:13,000 and that a portion of the royal Provisions was given over to 4 00:00:13,000 --> 00:00:16,900 consecrate the idol in connection with the feasts. 5 00:00:17,600 --> 00:00:20,900 And for this reason, his conscience would not consent for 6 00:00:20,900 --> 00:00:25,800 him to take part in the false religion by accepting food. 7 00:00:26,400 --> 00:00:30,600 And so he requested the prince to be excused from are taking 8 00:00:31,500 --> 00:00:34,700 the prince of the eunuchs was responsible for the development 9 00:00:34,700 --> 00:00:38,800 of these specially chosen men and he would naturally be 10 00:00:38,800 --> 00:00:42,300 unwilling to Grant to Daniel the exemption requested. 11 00:00:43,000 --> 00:00:45,900 But God took a hand in the matter and caused him to have a 12 00:00:45,908 --> 00:00:49,900 tender love for Daniel. Which led him at least to be 13 00:00:49,900 --> 00:00:52,400 personally disposed to favor him. 14 00:00:53,500 --> 00:00:57,200 This is but one example that we can find in God's word, where a 15 00:00:57,200 --> 00:01:03,000 man purpose tour resolved in his heart, the course of action that 16 00:01:03,000 --> 00:01:05,700 he is going to take or he was going to do. 17 00:01:06,600 --> 00:01:11,900 I believe that the Bible upholds resolving or purposing with many 18 00:01:11,900 --> 00:01:15,500 examples that are found throughout all the pages of 19 00:01:15,500 --> 00:01:19,700 divine inspiration. We find in God's word, how it 20 00:01:19,700 --> 00:01:23,200 was that God himself, truly purposed. 21 00:01:23,700 --> 00:01:27,800 We find often that the Apostle Paul did the very same, he 22 00:01:27,800 --> 00:01:32,300 purposed, and he would also exhort others to purposes, well 23 00:01:32,600 --> 00:01:36,900 regarding their giving and second Corinthians chapter 9 and 24 00:01:36,900 --> 00:01:40,100 verse. Number seven, the entire idea 25 00:01:40,100 --> 00:01:44,500 was that a man needs to purpose in his heart, purpose in his 26 00:01:44,500 --> 00:01:50,400 mind, well, in advance before an action is taken, if we wait 27 00:01:50,400 --> 00:01:53,500 until we are stuck in a Crossroads of making A 28 00:01:53,500 --> 00:01:58,200 determination or a decision for changes in our life. 29 00:01:58,700 --> 00:02:03,700 Chances are we are not going to make those changes and as we 30 00:02:03,700 --> 00:02:07,900 look back across the landscape of the previous year we will 31 00:02:07,900 --> 00:02:12,900 find that we are no different than we were a year ago and so 32 00:02:12,900 --> 00:02:17,400 it is something that we must do we must take stock and we must 33 00:02:17,400 --> 00:02:22,500 take a view into our life, into our heart, into the things that 34 00:02:22,500 --> 00:02:28,100 mean something You are in this life and determine the changes 35 00:02:28,100 --> 00:02:32,100 that we must make. I will say this though that not 36 00:02:32,100 --> 00:02:37,000 necessarily in our life, do we have to have negative things or 37 00:02:37,000 --> 00:02:42,100 bad things going on for us to realize that we need to make 38 00:02:42,300 --> 00:02:45,100 changes? If we are going to stand? 39 00:02:45,100 --> 00:02:47,700 You know the old saying that if we do the same things we've 40 00:02:47,700 --> 00:02:50,600 always done. We are going to be in the same 41 00:02:50,600 --> 00:02:55,000 place that we've always been. With reference to the body of 42 00:02:55,000 --> 00:02:59,300 Christ in the goals that we have congregationally here at this 43 00:02:59,300 --> 00:03:04,100 place or congregationally across town with those that call the 44 00:03:04,100 --> 00:03:07,900 Brundage Lane congregation in their home or all throughout the 45 00:03:07,900 --> 00:03:11,000 Brotherhood of wherever the Lord's Church meets in any 46 00:03:11,000 --> 00:03:14,700 designated area. In order for there to be growth 47 00:03:14,700 --> 00:03:20,600 and development, there needs to be change a constant changing. 48 00:03:21,400 --> 00:03:24,300 The message that I wish to convey for a few moments this 49 00:03:24,300 --> 00:03:28,700 afternoon is that we as Christians need to take that 50 00:03:28,800 --> 00:03:34,000 retrospective view of ourselves in order that we might grow. 51 00:03:34,600 --> 00:03:37,800 The only way that we can determine or purpose where we 52 00:03:37,800 --> 00:03:40,500 want to go. As the body of Christ. 53 00:03:40,900 --> 00:03:45,600 Is to first, take inventory to decide where we are. 54 00:03:46,200 --> 00:03:48,700 Businesses must do the very same thing. 55 00:03:49,100 --> 00:03:53,600 If a person is going to have a This plan that individual is 56 00:03:53,600 --> 00:03:57,900 going to have to look as the lead individual of that 57 00:03:57,900 --> 00:04:02,000 business, they have to take a look at where they are today. 58 00:04:02,300 --> 00:04:05,100 They have to ask their self, where do they want to be in the 59 00:04:05,100 --> 00:04:07,500 future? And then there must of 60 00:04:07,500 --> 00:04:12,800 necessity, be a plan of action in order to get there. 61 00:04:13,300 --> 00:04:17,300 If we don't do that, we will never grow as the body of 62 00:04:17,300 --> 00:04:19,600 Christ. You know, the problem with 63 00:04:19,600 --> 00:04:23,200 resolutions today, Especially those that the world makes 64 00:04:23,200 --> 00:04:27,800 especially at the very dawning of a brand new year is that 65 00:04:27,800 --> 00:04:33,100 shortly after the year begins usually by February or March. 66 00:04:33,100 --> 00:04:37,700 What we have resolved to do what we have purpose to do, goes by 67 00:04:37,700 --> 00:04:41,100 the wayside. I would say, perhaps the most 68 00:04:41,100 --> 00:04:46,400 common resolution that people make around New Year's is I am 69 00:04:46,400 --> 00:04:51,100 going to lose a few pounds or I am going to get a membership. 70 00:04:51,200 --> 00:04:54,000 Better Jim. I'm going to do something to 71 00:04:54,000 --> 00:04:57,400 improve my health. I want to do something by way of 72 00:04:57,400 --> 00:05:00,700 my eating habits, so that I might be healthier. 73 00:05:00,900 --> 00:05:04,500 If I have a problem with my health, I want to do the things 74 00:05:04,500 --> 00:05:09,800 that will alter my health for the good, but oftentimes those 75 00:05:09,800 --> 00:05:14,500 resolutions go by the wayside quite frequently. 76 00:05:14,800 --> 00:05:18,700 After they start and changes are never made. 77 00:05:19,100 --> 00:05:22,800 I want you to know too that I understand that when people 78 00:05:22,800 --> 00:05:27,300 resolve to make changes in their life, I do believe with all of 79 00:05:27,300 --> 00:05:30,400 my heart that there are many well-meaning people that have 80 00:05:30,400 --> 00:05:33,700 all of the best intentions about them. 81 00:05:34,400 --> 00:05:38,700 They just like a plan and they lack the focus to see it 82 00:05:38,700 --> 00:05:42,900 through, but did you know that when one makes a resolution for 83 00:05:42,900 --> 00:05:46,700 that, which is good regarding their spiritual life, it is 84 00:05:46,700 --> 00:05:50,000 never to be broken. Hear the words of old that's 85 00:05:50,000 --> 00:05:53,900 found in. Estes chapter 5 and Verses 4 and 86 00:05:53,900 --> 00:06:00,000 5, which says when thou Hast a vow unto God, defer not to pay 87 00:06:00,000 --> 00:06:04,500 it for, he hath. No pleasure in fools pay that 88 00:06:04,500 --> 00:06:09,100 which thou Hast vow'd better. Is it that thou shouldst not vow 89 00:06:09,300 --> 00:06:12,200 them. That thou shouldst thou and not 90 00:06:12,200 --> 00:06:15,100 pay. Those things for good. 91 00:06:15,100 --> 00:06:17,800 Spiritually are not to be broken. 92 00:06:18,300 --> 00:06:22,200 Let me just say this if I may that the only way that we can 93 00:06:22,200 --> 00:06:26,700 take a good look at ourself and determine where we are. 94 00:06:27,000 --> 00:06:30,600 Perhaps is one of the most difficult things that we must do 95 00:06:30,600 --> 00:06:34,600 in the flesh. And that is we must be 96 00:06:34,600 --> 00:06:38,800 completely and brutally honest with ourselves. 97 00:06:39,500 --> 00:06:41,200 You know, it's pretty easy for me to be honest. 98 00:06:41,200 --> 00:06:45,300 About Ryan's faults, that's real easy or someone else. 99 00:06:46,000 --> 00:06:51,400 What's difficult is for me to be honest about my deficiencies. 100 00:06:51,400 --> 00:06:54,100 Now that's tough. Let me illustrate it this way. 101 00:06:54,600 --> 00:06:57,800 Sometimes, we don't see that, we don't see outside of our self 102 00:06:58,000 --> 00:07:02,200 and recognize that anyone who has ever played the game of golf 103 00:07:02,200 --> 00:07:04,400 will understand when I give this illustration. 104 00:07:04,400 --> 00:07:10,100 Exactly what I mean, about being honest with yourself, A story 105 00:07:10,100 --> 00:07:13,800 was once told where two fellows went out on a golf course and 106 00:07:13,800 --> 00:07:16,400 they were good buddies and they were traveling in a golf cart 107 00:07:16,400 --> 00:07:20,400 together enjoying the day. And as they finished one hole, 108 00:07:20,400 --> 00:07:23,800 there was one fellow and he'd be the guy that kept score, you 109 00:07:23,800 --> 00:07:26,800 know how that goes and they got back into the cart. 110 00:07:26,800 --> 00:07:29,700 And he took that card and he's thinking about the whole that he 111 00:07:29,700 --> 00:07:34,000 just played and he's counting up The Strokes that he had taken 112 00:07:34,100 --> 00:07:37,200 for that whole. Well as he added those things 113 00:07:37,200 --> 00:07:40,800 up, he writes down. Well, I think I had it 6 and he 114 00:07:40,800 --> 00:07:44,400 writes that number down. Then he asks his good buddy. 115 00:07:44,400 --> 00:07:47,600 He says what do you have? Well, he thought for just a 116 00:07:47,608 --> 00:07:53,800 moment and he said Better give me a 62 and then after awhile as 117 00:07:53,800 --> 00:07:56,500 time went on, he was thinking over the next few seconds. 118 00:07:56,500 --> 00:07:57,700 And he says, no. Wait a minute. 119 00:07:57,700 --> 00:07:59,300 Wait, wait, wait, that's not right. 120 00:07:59,600 --> 00:08:03,300 That's not right. I don't think I had a six. 121 00:08:04,000 --> 00:08:08,300 I think I had a five. Well, his buddy looks at him and 122 00:08:08,300 --> 00:08:11,200 kind of pauses for a moment took that pencil and writes down an 123 00:08:11,200 --> 00:08:14,300 eighth. He said, what'd you do that for, 124 00:08:14,800 --> 00:08:17,500 why'd you write down eight? I didn't have an eight. 125 00:08:17,900 --> 00:08:21,500 He said, well, this is the reason you said you had a six, 126 00:08:21,800 --> 00:08:27,000 then you said you had a 5. You had a seven, why'd you put 127 00:08:27,000 --> 00:08:30,600 down eight? He said that's the penalty for 128 00:08:30,600 --> 00:08:35,200 improving your lie. Very difficult sometimes to 129 00:08:35,200 --> 00:08:41,600 examine ourselves and look to exactly how we all and what we 130 00:08:41,600 --> 00:08:44,500 do. Number one, I want to talk to 131 00:08:44,500 --> 00:08:46,800 you for a few minutes. Now, about four things that are 132 00:08:46,800 --> 00:08:51,000 worth resolving worth purposing in our life. 133 00:08:51,300 --> 00:08:55,400 Number one, let's take this time from this point forward and 134 00:08:55,400 --> 00:08:58,600 let's make the resolve the serious resolve in our hearts 135 00:08:58,600 --> 00:09:02,200 and our minds in our lives. And so on that, we're going to 136 00:09:02,200 --> 00:09:05,400 be more faithful in church attendance. 137 00:09:06,000 --> 00:09:09,900 You know let me say this, it has to be said right now because it 138 00:09:09,900 --> 00:09:12,900 is part of our job as fellow Christians not just preaching. 139 00:09:13,000 --> 00:09:16,100 Teachers and teachers, but fellow Christians to encourage 140 00:09:16,100 --> 00:09:19,500 one another and exhort one another about assembling with 141 00:09:19,500 --> 00:09:22,200 the Lord's church, when the debt, when the doors are open. 142 00:09:22,200 --> 00:09:27,300 But I have to say, also, it is also necessary to commend and 143 00:09:27,300 --> 00:09:31,000 recognize when Brethren have done that, which is good. 144 00:09:31,300 --> 00:09:34,600 I Want To Praise all of you that have come to this meeting. 145 00:09:34,900 --> 00:09:37,500 You've turned out and come out to Services. 146 00:09:37,500 --> 00:09:41,100 Last night, we had a full house. That was wonderful Friday. 147 00:09:41,100 --> 00:09:45,200 Wasn't much shorter than a full house It's very important that 148 00:09:45,200 --> 00:09:47,600 we recognize when Brethren do good. 149 00:09:47,600 --> 00:09:52,200 To not only are we supposed to admonish, not only are we 150 00:09:52,200 --> 00:09:57,100 supposed to bring up things that are negative reprove and rebuke. 151 00:09:57,100 --> 00:10:00,500 Remember, that's what Paul said. You have to be instant in season 152 00:10:00,500 --> 00:10:03,500 and out of season to a young evangelist Timothy. 153 00:10:03,600 --> 00:10:08,400 He told them this reprove, any and rebuke, that's easy because 154 00:10:08,400 --> 00:10:12,900 that's all the negative stuff then he says you have to exhort 155 00:10:13,000 --> 00:10:15,100 With all long-suffering and Doctrine. 156 00:10:15,200 --> 00:10:19,300 That's to encourage people to do what they already know is, 157 00:10:19,300 --> 00:10:21,500 right? And they already know what they 158 00:10:21,500 --> 00:10:26,600 should do, but we need to praise Brethren to When they do that, 159 00:10:26,600 --> 00:10:29,900 which is good when they do that, which is right. 160 00:10:30,300 --> 00:10:33,600 And I appreciate very much the attendance of all the Brethren 161 00:10:34,000 --> 00:10:37,800 that have come to be with us, you have truly added to this 162 00:10:37,800 --> 00:10:40,200 meeting. But, you know, there are far too 163 00:10:40,200 --> 00:10:43,700 many people that aren't sick. They're not old, they're not 164 00:10:43,700 --> 00:10:47,700 feeble, but they want to take their Christianity in capsule 165 00:10:47,700 --> 00:10:50,400 form administered and Sunday morning. 166 00:10:50,400 --> 00:10:54,800 Doses, they want to be the Sunday morning crowd, you know, 167 00:10:54,800 --> 00:10:56,700 very sadly. We look out throughout the 168 00:10:56,700 --> 00:10:58,100 Brotherhood. Why is that? 169 00:10:58,700 --> 00:11:01,100 Why is it that we have a Sunday morning crowd. 170 00:11:01,100 --> 00:11:05,900 It's one size, a Sunday, evening crowd, another size and a 171 00:11:05,908 --> 00:11:10,000 Wednesday evening crowd, still another size. 172 00:11:10,400 --> 00:11:13,700 Why is that? Couldn't it be that as we look 173 00:11:13,700 --> 00:11:17,900 to the lives of all of all of us and Brothers and Sisters in 174 00:11:17,900 --> 00:11:22,400 Christ, couldn't it be that we need to make a resolution that 175 00:11:22,400 --> 00:11:25,500 we need to take a full examination being very honest. 176 00:11:25,600 --> 00:11:30,200 With ourself and ask ourself the question we're really is my 177 00:11:30,200 --> 00:11:32,200 heart. I believe this with all my 178 00:11:32,200 --> 00:11:33,600 heart. Folks are say it with all the 179 00:11:33,600 --> 00:11:36,300 love, I can possibly muster, here's the deal. 180 00:11:37,000 --> 00:11:41,600 If we go out and do other things except come and worship with the 181 00:11:41,600 --> 00:11:45,600 Saints, when the doors are open, there's no way around it. 182 00:11:45,700 --> 00:11:47,700 We have to accept it for what it is. 183 00:11:47,800 --> 00:11:49,900 You know the saying you are, what you are? 184 00:11:50,300 --> 00:11:54,400 Or it is what it is. We have to accept the fact that 185 00:11:54,400 --> 00:11:59,300 we truly have I made a decision to do something else. 186 00:11:59,800 --> 00:12:02,700 Let's call it. What it is, that's what it is. 187 00:12:03,000 --> 00:12:07,200 We've just made a willful choice to do other things. 188 00:12:07,600 --> 00:12:09,900 Why would I constantly bring that out? 189 00:12:09,900 --> 00:12:12,900 Why would it constantly be mentioned in Bible studies? 190 00:12:12,900 --> 00:12:16,200 And constantly be mentioned by congregational teachers 191 00:12:16,200 --> 00:12:20,400 everywhere who stand in a public forum and teach on this quite 192 00:12:20,400 --> 00:12:24,000 simply is this? Jesus said if there's anything 193 00:12:24,000 --> 00:12:27,200 else in your life that's more. Important than I am. 194 00:12:27,300 --> 00:12:31,800 You cannot be my disciple. That's as simple as that. 195 00:12:32,900 --> 00:12:36,700 How would it be if we have chosen to do something else and 196 00:12:36,700 --> 00:12:41,300 we're in the middle of doing all of that, at the Lord comes back, 197 00:12:42,000 --> 00:12:45,900 sobering things to think about. I hope but understand this far 198 00:12:45,900 --> 00:12:47,700 too many Christians. Want this. 199 00:12:48,200 --> 00:12:52,000 They want the lines drawn, they want the parameters drum. 200 00:12:52,000 --> 00:12:56,400 They want to know where does it begin, and where does it end? 201 00:12:56,500 --> 00:13:01,400 So, all I have to do is that which is in between and then all 202 00:13:01,400 --> 00:13:03,200 I have to do is survive. Serve God. 203 00:13:03,200 --> 00:13:07,400 That way, the bare minimum. And I can go to heaven. 204 00:13:08,000 --> 00:13:12,000 Let me just say this. If a person is seeking after the 205 00:13:12,000 --> 00:13:17,800 bare minimum, it's their heart, that needs to change a man needs 206 00:13:17,800 --> 00:13:21,300 to change his heart. It's all about the heart. 207 00:13:22,200 --> 00:13:25,600 Did you know that? When the heart. 208 00:13:26,300 --> 00:13:31,800 Is one way it determines where that person will spend eternity. 209 00:13:32,400 --> 00:13:34,200 Because if the heart is not, right? 210 00:13:34,200 --> 00:13:37,900 Jesus said, the seed of the Gospel will not produce fruit. 211 00:13:38,400 --> 00:13:42,400 If the heart is not right, that person will not make the right 212 00:13:42,400 --> 00:13:47,200 decisions in his or her life understand this too. 213 00:13:47,200 --> 00:13:51,100 And that's why it's so important that we keep encouraging, one 214 00:13:51,100 --> 00:13:55,900 another to guard the heart. The reason for that is a 215 00:13:56,100 --> 00:14:04,400 Apostasy begins in the heart. The heart goes first, it's the 216 00:14:04,400 --> 00:14:08,600 heart that comes to Jesus first and it's the heart that leaves 217 00:14:09,000 --> 00:14:12,700 first as well. When we come and we, well 218 00:14:12,700 --> 00:14:15,700 actually when we miss Services, we miss an opportunity to do 219 00:14:15,700 --> 00:14:18,800 some wonderful things. Number one, we missed the 220 00:14:18,800 --> 00:14:22,600 opportunity to worship God what a wonderful opportunity. 221 00:14:22,600 --> 00:14:24,900 We've been given in life to do so. 222 00:14:25,500 --> 00:14:29,300 We've been given the opportunity to come together and edify and 223 00:14:29,300 --> 00:14:32,500 uplift each other. We've also been given the 224 00:14:32,500 --> 00:14:35,300 opportunity to come and be edified. 225 00:14:35,400 --> 00:14:40,000 You will never get that moment in time back ever again. 226 00:14:40,600 --> 00:14:46,000 Don't lose those opportunities. Don't let the Lord be second in 227 00:14:46,000 --> 00:14:48,600 your life. It won't be acceptable in the 228 00:14:48,600 --> 00:14:51,600 day of judgment. We must put him first in all 229 00:14:51,600 --> 00:14:54,700 that we do. Ladies and gentlemen, it begins. 230 00:14:55,300 --> 00:14:58,500 In the heart. Now one more thing about this, 231 00:14:59,500 --> 00:15:03,200 if you're a person that has no problem with church attendance, 232 00:15:04,300 --> 00:15:08,100 Great. And make the resolution, make 233 00:15:08,100 --> 00:15:11,600 the purpose in your heart, make the calm resolved in the serious 234 00:15:11,600 --> 00:15:15,200 resolve that you're going to do what you have to do to encourage 235 00:15:15,200 --> 00:15:20,700 others, to be the same way. Let's make that resolution and 236 00:15:20,700 --> 00:15:25,600 let's stick to that. Number two, let's be mindful of 237 00:15:25,600 --> 00:15:30,600 and make the resolve that we're going to be more prayerful that 238 00:15:30,600 --> 00:15:35,100 we're going to have prayer, be a part of our everyday life that 239 00:15:35,100 --> 00:15:39,000 it's going to Main part in a large portion of our day. 240 00:15:39,700 --> 00:15:43,300 We must understand that God is willing to listen. 241 00:15:44,000 --> 00:15:45,500 Have you ever stopped to consider that? 242 00:15:45,500 --> 00:15:47,300 I know we've prayed we prayed tonight. 243 00:15:47,300 --> 00:15:51,100 Our brother prayed for us and we said, Amen to that prayer and in 244 00:15:51,100 --> 00:15:53,200 doing. So, that was our prayer. 20. 245 00:15:54,100 --> 00:15:57,400 We believe in prayer. And prayer is had all the time, 246 00:15:58,100 --> 00:16:01,700 but don't lose sight of what exactly is happening when we 247 00:16:01,700 --> 00:16:05,600 pray. We, as a child of God is 248 00:16:05,700 --> 00:16:09,900 Speaking to our heavenly father and he is listening. 249 00:16:11,500 --> 00:16:14,300 How many times do we get confused in life? 250 00:16:14,500 --> 00:16:16,600 How many times do we go through struggles? 251 00:16:17,100 --> 00:16:19,600 Because we don't lay our cares in our burdens on. 252 00:16:19,600 --> 00:16:23,200 The only one that can help. You know, that's what we do, 253 00:16:23,200 --> 00:16:25,900 isn't it? We take our problems to our 254 00:16:25,900 --> 00:16:27,100 friends. They can't help. 255 00:16:28,000 --> 00:16:31,300 They can't relieve those burdens another time. 256 00:16:31,300 --> 00:16:32,700 To you. Give somebody something that's 257 00:16:32,700 --> 00:16:34,800 not there to carry. They'll pass it on to somebody 258 00:16:34,800 --> 00:16:37,500 else. Lay your burdens. 259 00:16:39,000 --> 00:16:42,200 On got shoulders. First Peter, chapter 3 and verse 260 00:16:42,200 --> 00:16:44,000 12. The Bible says, for the eyes of 261 00:16:44,000 --> 00:16:48,500 the Lord are over the righteous. And his ears are open unto their 262 00:16:48,500 --> 00:16:51,200 hearts. But the face of the Lord is 263 00:16:51,200 --> 00:16:56,100 against them that do evil God has promised not only to listen 264 00:16:56,100 --> 00:16:59,500 to our prayers, but he's also promised that he will answer 265 00:16:59,700 --> 00:17:03,800 those prayers as well. In first John chapter 5 and 266 00:17:03,800 --> 00:17:06,300 verse 15. The Bible says, and if we know 267 00:17:06,300 --> 00:17:10,800 that he hear us whatsoever, we ask We ask, we know that we have 268 00:17:10,800 --> 00:17:14,300 the petitions that we desired of him. 269 00:17:14,700 --> 00:17:16,200 You know, Jesus caught on prayer. 270 00:17:16,200 --> 00:17:19,700 He surely did there were times when people would see Jesus 271 00:17:19,700 --> 00:17:23,599 praying, and they would know that he was a man of prayer and 272 00:17:23,599 --> 00:17:26,599 they would congregate to him, and they would be drawn to him 273 00:17:26,700 --> 00:17:30,300 and they would even ask him, would you teach us a little more 274 00:17:30,400 --> 00:17:32,900 about prayer? You know, we can learn a lot 275 00:17:32,900 --> 00:17:37,100 from Jesus, about prayer, in all the times that we can find that 276 00:17:37,100 --> 00:17:41,100 he prayed by Bowl. And also all the times that he 277 00:17:41,100 --> 00:17:45,800 gave instruction about prayer, will not go into the story, but 278 00:17:45,800 --> 00:17:50,400 you remember Jesus one time taught about pretension in 279 00:17:50,400 --> 00:17:54,200 prayer and the heart that a man is supposed to have. 280 00:17:54,300 --> 00:17:57,600 When he prays to the almighty God, we know that with the 281 00:17:57,600 --> 00:18:01,700 Pharisee and the Publican, we know all of what the religious 282 00:18:01,800 --> 00:18:04,700 Elite. The Pharisee did with his broad 283 00:18:04,700 --> 00:18:08,500 and phylacteries as his robes were behind him as he was swept 284 00:18:08,500 --> 00:18:10,100 up. Those stairs that day in the 285 00:18:10,100 --> 00:18:13,000 hour of worship, as he stood there in the presence of the 286 00:18:13,000 --> 00:18:16,900 almighty, God gazing up toward heaven and told God how great he 287 00:18:16,900 --> 00:18:21,100 was. Nobody ever taught this whole 288 00:18:21,100 --> 00:18:23,000 hapless Publican. How to pray? 289 00:18:25,100 --> 00:18:26,900 There wasn't a rule book at the door. 290 00:18:28,600 --> 00:18:31,400 He just found himself in the presence of the almighty God. 291 00:18:31,400 --> 00:18:33,400 And when he did, he recognized his sin. 292 00:18:35,000 --> 00:18:38,100 He smote his breath, which is a his breast which is an outward 293 00:18:38,100 --> 00:18:42,200 sign of inward anguish. He wouldn't even look up toward 294 00:18:42,200 --> 00:18:43,800 Heaven. He bowed his head down toward 295 00:18:43,800 --> 00:18:47,100 the ground and he said, father be merciful God. 296 00:18:47,100 --> 00:18:51,700 Be merciful to me a sinner. You know what Jesus said, he 297 00:18:51,700 --> 00:18:54,900 went home Justified. You know what that word means to 298 00:18:54,900 --> 00:18:57,300 have acquitted. That's right. 299 00:18:58,300 --> 00:19:01,000 That'll happen public in and all the extortion and all the 300 00:19:01,000 --> 00:19:04,600 horrible sin that was guilty in his life, he went away, 301 00:19:04,600 --> 00:19:09,000 forgiven, the other one, all of his wonderful works. 302 00:19:09,100 --> 00:19:13,800 All of his wonderful attributes that he told God, what he was. 303 00:19:14,500 --> 00:19:20,900 He went home with all of those and his sins to Jesus. 304 00:19:20,900 --> 00:19:23,300 Also, taught something that you and I need to think about 305 00:19:23,300 --> 00:19:26,200 though, I don't know anyone. I really don't, I don't know 306 00:19:26,200 --> 00:19:28,000 anyone in the sound of my voice tonight. 307 00:19:28,100 --> 00:19:29,100 Night. I don't know that. 308 00:19:29,100 --> 00:19:31,300 I know anyone. Personally, that's a Christian 309 00:19:31,500 --> 00:19:34,500 that would fall into the category of one who was guilty 310 00:19:34,500 --> 00:19:37,100 of pretentious prayer. I don't know anybody like that. 311 00:19:37,900 --> 00:19:40,600 But, you know, Jesus talk something else about prayer. 312 00:19:40,600 --> 00:19:47,600 He taught persistence in prayer to you remember, when Jesus gave 313 00:19:47,600 --> 00:19:51,400 the parable of the friend at midnight, he was teaching about 314 00:19:51,400 --> 00:19:57,000 persistence in prayer, and as he gave that Parable and talk that 315 00:19:57,000 --> 00:19:58,700 sermon so long. Go. 316 00:19:58,900 --> 00:20:04,400 He said this, which one of you that has a good friend? 317 00:20:04,400 --> 00:20:08,400 That's your neighbor, your dear friend, and it's midnight. 318 00:20:08,500 --> 00:20:12,200 And somebody that's also a friend of yours comes into town, 319 00:20:12,200 --> 00:20:15,400 comes to your house. Comes to your door and you open 320 00:20:15,400 --> 00:20:19,200 the door and you let him in. But you go back inside the house 321 00:20:19,300 --> 00:20:22,600 and you open up the cupboards as it were and you look in there. 322 00:20:22,600 --> 00:20:26,200 And you see that there's no nothing to give your dear 323 00:20:26,200 --> 00:20:28,900 friend. You are short of Of provision. 324 00:20:28,900 --> 00:20:32,600 So what do you do? Jesus says, you go at midnight 325 00:20:32,600 --> 00:20:36,700 to your friend's house. When you do though, I could just 326 00:20:36,700 --> 00:20:39,900 imagine in my mind's eye, the picture of this, you knock on 327 00:20:39,900 --> 00:20:42,300 the door. Your friend is a good friend. 328 00:20:42,300 --> 00:20:44,200 He calls out. What do you want? 329 00:20:44,200 --> 00:20:46,000 And you said, and you tell them what happened? 330 00:20:46,100 --> 00:20:49,200 Someone's come to my house, I'm short of provision. 331 00:20:49,300 --> 00:20:53,100 Please, let me have loaves of bread that I might feed a friend 332 00:20:53,100 --> 00:20:56,300 that has come through. You know what Jesus said? 333 00:20:58,300 --> 00:21:01,600 even though he's your friend, He'll say no. 334 00:21:01,600 --> 00:21:06,300 Don't bother me with that. Don't bother me with that right 335 00:21:06,300 --> 00:21:08,200 now. It's midnight. 336 00:21:08,900 --> 00:21:15,500 I'm in bed, my children are fast asleep, Don't burden me with 337 00:21:15,500 --> 00:21:20,300 that right now. But Jesus says, this person 338 00:21:20,300 --> 00:21:24,200 talking to the same friend is persistent. 339 00:21:25,300 --> 00:21:29,900 In fact, he says this, when he's persistent, he won't give them 340 00:21:29,900 --> 00:21:32,900 the bread because of his friendship. 341 00:21:33,300 --> 00:21:38,200 He'll give him the bread because of his importunity. 342 00:21:38,500 --> 00:21:41,800 That's what the King James version, says means persistence 343 00:21:42,000 --> 00:21:46,000 because of his persistence. He'll finally say, okay, here it 344 00:21:46,000 --> 00:21:48,300 is. Here's the bread. 345 00:21:49,300 --> 00:21:51,800 I hope we know what Jesus was talking about. 346 00:21:52,400 --> 00:21:56,500 He was talking about this. If your friend at midnight, you 347 00:21:56,500 --> 00:21:59,300 can persuade your friend at midnight to give you bread. 348 00:21:59,400 --> 00:22:03,300 If you're persistent, surely you can be persistent in the heart. 349 00:22:03,300 --> 00:22:06,700 In the eyes of God and pray and receive the same. 350 00:22:07,200 --> 00:22:11,100 He continues to teach an application about that Parable. 351 00:22:11,300 --> 00:22:16,000 And he goes on to say this, What, father, in the world, 352 00:22:16,000 --> 00:22:20,600 which by the way, Earthly fleshly father's can be Wicked. 353 00:22:20,600 --> 00:22:23,000 They surely, can they can be evil? 354 00:22:23,300 --> 00:22:27,800 In fact, there are wicked evil fathers in life that are evil to 355 00:22:27,800 --> 00:22:30,700 other people and Jesus painted that picture. 356 00:22:30,700 --> 00:22:35,900 But then Jesus said the same father with his with his own 357 00:22:35,900 --> 00:22:41,900 son, he's going to be completely and thoroughly different. 358 00:22:42,500 --> 00:22:44,900 Notice what Jesus says. Says about that. 359 00:22:46,300 --> 00:22:51,900 He says, first of all, for us to continue to do, so continue to 360 00:22:51,900 --> 00:22:58,200 ask he says, and I say unto you ask, and it shall be given you 361 00:22:58,600 --> 00:23:03,700 seek, and ye shall find knock and it shall be opened unto you, 362 00:23:04,300 --> 00:23:08,500 for every one that asketh receiveth and he that seeketh 363 00:23:08,600 --> 00:23:12,900 findeth and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened. 364 00:23:13,500 --> 00:23:16,300 I think we understand and looking at the verbiage That's 365 00:23:16,300 --> 00:23:19,900 described there. That, that is a continual asking 366 00:23:20,200 --> 00:23:24,900 a person that will continually ask continually knock 367 00:23:24,900 --> 00:23:28,500 continually pursue. That's the person that's going 368 00:23:28,500 --> 00:23:33,100 to receive the blessings of god. Notice what Jesus says really 369 00:23:33,100 --> 00:23:35,900 quickly. Now in the scriptures as he 370 00:23:35,900 --> 00:23:40,500 Compares a physical father in the flesh that could very well 371 00:23:40,800 --> 00:23:42,100 be a wicked. Man. 372 00:23:42,400 --> 00:23:45,900 In comparison to god, notice verse 11. 373 00:23:46,400 --> 00:23:50,100 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father. 374 00:23:50,100 --> 00:23:54,900 Will he give him a stone? Why surely not or if he asks for 375 00:23:54,900 --> 00:23:59,300 a fish, will he give for a fish? Give him a serpent or if he ask 376 00:23:59,300 --> 00:24:03,900 an egg, will he give him a scorpion if ye then being evil 377 00:24:03,900 --> 00:24:08,300 know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more 378 00:24:08,300 --> 00:24:12,200 shall your heavenly father? Give the Holy Spirit to them 379 00:24:12,200 --> 00:24:16,400 that ask him by the way, this Holy Spirit here Some 380 00:24:16,400 --> 00:24:20,900 manuscripts a good spirit. What he's talking about is the 381 00:24:20,900 --> 00:24:23,400 same language. He was talking about on the 382 00:24:23,400 --> 00:24:27,500 great Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 7, when it talks about 383 00:24:27,500 --> 00:24:32,600 good things, how much more will your heavenly father? 384 00:24:32,600 --> 00:24:40,500 Give good spirit or good things to those, who ask, You know, I 385 00:24:40,508 --> 00:24:43,400 think it's important that we're persistent in prayer. 386 00:24:44,100 --> 00:24:47,100 Prayer needs to be a focal point of our day. 387 00:24:47,900 --> 00:24:51,800 Someone said this about prayer prayer, may cause us to Quick 388 00:24:51,800 --> 00:24:56,600 sinning, but sin will cause us to quit praying trouble. 389 00:24:56,600 --> 00:25:01,100 Drives us to prayer, but prayer drives us away from trouble. 390 00:25:01,600 --> 00:25:04,800 We should pray without ceasing very sadly. 391 00:25:04,800 --> 00:25:08,700 Some cease without praying prayer needs to be an important 392 00:25:08,700 --> 00:25:10,300 part of our life. Life. 393 00:25:10,500 --> 00:25:13,400 We must pray daily as if everything depends on the 394 00:25:13,400 --> 00:25:17,700 almighty God and we must work every day as if everything. 395 00:25:17,700 --> 00:25:22,600 Depends on us. Start your day in prayer, Pray 396 00:25:22,600 --> 00:25:26,600 during your day and certainly never pill your head at night 397 00:25:26,900 --> 00:25:29,200 without clearing things up with your maker. 398 00:25:30,100 --> 00:25:35,500 That's a wonderful blessing. We're not perfect. we can go to 399 00:25:35,500 --> 00:25:39,000 the god of Heaven in an attitude of prayer before our heads, our 400 00:25:39,000 --> 00:25:42,400 pillowed at night before we drift deep into the 401 00:25:42,400 --> 00:25:45,300 unconsciousness of night, we can pray to God and ask God, 402 00:25:45,300 --> 00:25:48,800 sincerely from the bottom of our heart, to forgive us of any 403 00:25:48,800 --> 00:25:52,700 transgression or anything that stands between us, so that we 404 00:25:52,700 --> 00:25:56,500 can know and feel confident, and sure, and comfortable with all 405 00:25:56,500 --> 00:26:00,300 the Blessed, hope that if the Lord came back that night, or if 406 00:26:00,300 --> 00:26:05,300 your soul shall be required of you that night, You would be 407 00:26:05,300 --> 00:26:09,600 okay. One man said this though he who 408 00:26:09,600 --> 00:26:13,500 runs from the Lord in the morning, we are scarcely, find 409 00:26:13,500 --> 00:26:18,400 him the rest of the day. Begin your day in prayer. 410 00:26:19,000 --> 00:26:23,000 Thirdly let's make the resolve and we're going to do better 411 00:26:23,000 --> 00:26:27,300 about visiting those who are less fortunate and those that 412 00:26:27,300 --> 00:26:30,300 are in need. Remember what Jesus pictured, 413 00:26:30,300 --> 00:26:32,800 when he pictured the Judgment seat in Matthew, the 25th 414 00:26:32,800 --> 00:26:37,300 chapter in the Judgment scene. There, beginning in verse 34 415 00:26:37,300 --> 00:26:41,300 Jesus said then shall the king say unto them on his right hand. 416 00:26:41,600 --> 00:26:45,000 Come you blessed of my father inherit the Kingdom prepared for 417 00:26:45,000 --> 00:26:47,600 you from the foundation of the world. 418 00:26:47,900 --> 00:26:50,200 For I was an hungred and ye gave me meat. 419 00:26:50,200 --> 00:26:52,300 I was thirsty and you gave me drink. 420 00:26:52,700 --> 00:26:56,900 I was a stranger and you took me in naked and you clothed me. 421 00:26:57,200 --> 00:27:01,300 I was sick and you visited me. I was in prison and you came to 422 00:27:01,300 --> 00:27:04,600 me then shall the righteous answer him saying. 423 00:27:04,600 --> 00:27:09,000 Lord, when saw we thee and Hungered and fed thee or thirsty 424 00:27:09,000 --> 00:27:11,600 and gave thee. Drink when saw we thee a 425 00:27:11,600 --> 00:27:15,200 stranger and took thee in or naked and clothed thee? 426 00:27:15,600 --> 00:27:19,600 Or when saw we thee sick or in prison and came unto thee? 427 00:27:20,000 --> 00:27:22,500 And the King shall answer and say unto them, verily? 428 00:27:22,500 --> 00:27:26,200 I say unto you inasmuch, as ye have done, it unto the least of 429 00:27:26,200 --> 00:27:30,000 these my brethren You have done it unto me. 430 00:27:31,300 --> 00:27:34,300 But notice the sobering were just found in verse 41. 431 00:27:35,400 --> 00:27:37,900 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand? 432 00:27:38,600 --> 00:27:44,000 Depart from me depart from me. You cursed into Everlasting fire 433 00:27:44,400 --> 00:27:49,500 prepared for the devil and his angels for I was an hungred and 434 00:27:49,500 --> 00:27:53,200 ye gave me no meat. I was thirsty and you gave me no 435 00:27:53,200 --> 00:27:55,800 drink. I was a stranger and you took me 436 00:27:55,800 --> 00:27:59,900 not in naked and you clothed me not sick and in prison and you 437 00:27:59,900 --> 00:28:02,900 visited me. Not then, shall they also answer 438 00:28:02,900 --> 00:28:07,300 him saying, Lord, when saw thee we The hungered or thirst or a 439 00:28:07,308 --> 00:28:11,900 stranger or naked or sick or in prison and did not Minister unto 440 00:28:11,900 --> 00:28:14,300 thee. Then I shall be answered. 441 00:28:14,300 --> 00:28:18,200 He answered them saying, verily, I say unto you inasmuch. 442 00:28:18,200 --> 00:28:20,900 As you did it. Not to one of the least of these 443 00:28:20,900 --> 00:28:24,900 my brethren. You did it not unto me? 444 00:28:25,600 --> 00:28:28,300 Jesus said, and these shall go away into Everlasting 445 00:28:28,300 --> 00:28:33,400 punishment, but the righteous into life eternal, I realize 446 00:28:33,400 --> 00:28:35,000 that there are many wonderful people. 447 00:28:35,200 --> 00:28:38,500 This congregation right now. Also, from Brundage Lane, I know 448 00:28:38,500 --> 00:28:40,600 you personally. I know you do this. 449 00:28:40,600 --> 00:28:43,600 I've seen you do it. We all know that, by the way, if 450 00:28:43,600 --> 00:28:45,900 you think you're doing things and secret, which is the way we 451 00:28:45,900 --> 00:28:48,300 do it, we don't want to blow the horn, but I'll tell you 452 00:28:48,300 --> 00:28:51,800 something, you cannot, go and continually do good deeds for 453 00:28:51,800 --> 00:28:54,200 others in your life and not have people know it. 454 00:28:54,200 --> 00:28:57,100 People will know it. You influence will scream 455 00:28:57,100 --> 00:28:59,600 volumes Without You uttering, even a word. 456 00:28:59,900 --> 00:29:02,900 So I do appreciate all those that do that. 457 00:29:02,900 --> 00:29:05,700 They go and they see to the sick, they take Things to the 458 00:29:05,700 --> 00:29:09,300 needy and so on, especially those of the household of faith. 459 00:29:09,400 --> 00:29:14,300 And we're so thankful for you, But if you notice, we're getting 460 00:29:14,300 --> 00:29:19,400 bigger, we're growing, that means there are more that have 461 00:29:19,400 --> 00:29:22,300 needs. Now, that means that there are 462 00:29:22,300 --> 00:29:28,500 others that are among us, that need something from us in every 463 00:29:28,500 --> 00:29:32,400 way shape, or form. You know, we can defeat that old 464 00:29:32,400 --> 00:29:34,300 devil and we can get to heaven, one day, but I'm going to tell 465 00:29:34,300 --> 00:29:35,800 you this right now. It's going to take every one of 466 00:29:35,800 --> 00:29:37,700 us. I believe that with all my 467 00:29:37,700 --> 00:29:42,100 heart, a few people cannot do the work of the church. 468 00:29:42,400 --> 00:29:45,000 A few people. Cannot go out and see to the 469 00:29:45,000 --> 00:29:47,200 needs of the sick. And those that are in need, 470 00:29:47,600 --> 00:29:52,300 it'll take us all. Let us be resolved to do that to 471 00:29:52,300 --> 00:29:54,500 be better than we've ever been in the past. 472 00:29:54,900 --> 00:29:58,200 Let's help others. Especially help us all get to 473 00:29:58,200 --> 00:30:00,600 heaven. But finally, this afternoon 474 00:30:01,700 --> 00:30:05,300 Let's make the resolve that we're going to be better about 475 00:30:05,300 --> 00:30:09,600 telling others about Jesus. Sometimes, I think that church 476 00:30:09,600 --> 00:30:13,500 members think that as long as they live the Christian Life and 477 00:30:13,800 --> 00:30:17,100 live their life away from sin and and attend Services of the 478 00:30:17,100 --> 00:30:20,700 church that that's really all that's required that we really 479 00:30:20,700 --> 00:30:24,400 don't have any other responsibilities that we live 480 00:30:24,400 --> 00:30:28,900 our life as Christians over here in like a group or I hate to say 481 00:30:28,900 --> 00:30:31,000 the word but like a click or something. 482 00:30:32,100 --> 00:30:35,900 That's not Christian Living because Jesus said that I'm 483 00:30:35,900 --> 00:30:38,700 supposed to go out and tell somebody about it and you too, 484 00:30:39,500 --> 00:30:47,300 not just the preachers you too. Oh, that's a responsibility that 485 00:30:47,300 --> 00:30:52,000 all of us have to share. Let me ask you this question, 486 00:30:52,000 --> 00:30:55,500 though. I want you to think back of when 487 00:30:55,500 --> 00:30:59,900 you became a Christian. When you once heard the gospel 488 00:30:59,900 --> 00:31:03,500 preached, many of you grew up in families that were Christians. 489 00:31:04,100 --> 00:31:07,500 I was very fortunate that. I was a young boy when my 490 00:31:07,500 --> 00:31:09,900 parents were converted, very thankful for that. 491 00:31:11,200 --> 00:31:16,100 What about the folks that did not have parents that were 492 00:31:16,200 --> 00:31:20,800 instrumental in converting them somewhere in your in the course 493 00:31:20,800 --> 00:31:24,800 of your life? Somebody preach the gospel to 494 00:31:24,800 --> 00:31:29,300 you. What if go back in time in your 495 00:31:29,300 --> 00:31:31,800 mind? What if that person would have 496 00:31:31,800 --> 00:31:35,300 never said a word? What if they would have never 497 00:31:35,300 --> 00:31:38,900 invited yet to come to services to a gospel meeting where 498 00:31:38,900 --> 00:31:40,300 preacher? Preach the gospel? 499 00:31:41,200 --> 00:31:44,800 What if Where would you be today? 500 00:31:45,200 --> 00:31:47,900 And where would you be an eternity if no one took an 501 00:31:47,900 --> 00:31:52,700 interest in your soul? Why do you suppose that the 502 00:31:52,700 --> 00:31:55,900 truth is often the best kept secret in town? 503 00:31:56,700 --> 00:31:58,000 Here's some reasons. Why folks. 504 00:31:58,000 --> 00:32:02,000 Say excuse is often given they say well I don't have enough 505 00:32:02,000 --> 00:32:07,000 knowledge, you know, something I am convinced that you will do, 506 00:32:07,000 --> 00:32:09,200 you will know exactly what you want to know. 507 00:32:09,200 --> 00:32:11,600 If you're truly interested in something, you will learn it, 508 00:32:11,600 --> 00:32:13,500 you will study it. It will, you will think about 509 00:32:13,500 --> 00:32:15,700 it, you will talk about it until, you know, it. 510 00:32:16,500 --> 00:32:21,200 Some people say, well, I would I just don't know any candidates. 511 00:32:21,700 --> 00:32:24,500 I just don't have any leads. I don't know anybody. 512 00:32:26,000 --> 00:32:28,700 You go to school. Go to work. 513 00:32:29,400 --> 00:32:31,200 Have you ever gone to the grocery store? 514 00:32:32,400 --> 00:32:36,700 The ever seen a trashman a gardener and the ever lived in 515 00:32:36,700 --> 00:32:39,200 between two houses and those people next year called 516 00:32:39,200 --> 00:32:42,900 Neighbors. You ever been part of a club you 517 00:32:42,900 --> 00:32:46,300 ever been in a sport, have you ever known somebody? 518 00:32:46,600 --> 00:32:49,600 Have you ever conversed with another human being? 519 00:32:51,200 --> 00:32:54,200 Oh, we know people, we surely do. 520 00:32:55,800 --> 00:32:58,500 You know, don't be fearful either. 521 00:32:59,600 --> 00:33:03,400 Don't be fearful of rejection. Just remember what Jesus said 522 00:33:03,400 --> 00:33:05,600 when they reject it. They're not rejecting you. 523 00:33:05,600 --> 00:33:08,400 They're rejecting me. That's what Jesus said. 524 00:33:09,800 --> 00:33:13,500 But think about this never met a Salesman that didn't sell. 525 00:33:14,500 --> 00:33:16,300 You ever met a ball player who didn't play? 526 00:33:17,500 --> 00:33:20,500 Here amid a Christian. It didn't save Souls. 527 00:33:21,800 --> 00:33:23,800 I hope we would never be indifferent. 528 00:33:24,200 --> 00:33:27,000 I would hope and pray that we would never be lulled into 529 00:33:27,000 --> 00:33:31,200 complacency security. Where were just content with 530 00:33:31,200 --> 00:33:32,800 where we are? Because I'll tell you something, 531 00:33:32,800 --> 00:33:36,300 if we want to grow as the body of Christ and we do we've had 532 00:33:36,300 --> 00:33:38,100 some tremendous growth in this area. 533 00:33:38,200 --> 00:33:39,900 We've had growth amongst our members. 534 00:33:39,900 --> 00:33:43,500 We've had growth of those that have been baptized into Christ 535 00:33:43,500 --> 00:33:45,200 and, and have been converted. That's great. 536 00:33:45,200 --> 00:33:48,600 That's wonderful. But listen, we are not done. 537 00:33:48,800 --> 00:33:51,300 We are not finished. We have so much more to do. 538 00:33:51,300 --> 00:33:55,500 And we are not satisfied because the Lord's not satisfied either. 539 00:33:56,500 --> 00:33:58,500 We have work to do until he comes back. 540 00:33:59,200 --> 00:34:02,200 Don't be lulled into complacency and security. 541 00:34:02,700 --> 00:34:05,600 Let's not hold back. Let's resolve that we're going 542 00:34:05,600 --> 00:34:08,000 to build bridges into the lives of others. 543 00:34:08,300 --> 00:34:11,600 Let's continue to spread the gospel to those that are lost 544 00:34:11,800 --> 00:34:14,600 and hope and pray that they have good and honest hearts. 545 00:34:14,800 --> 00:34:17,800 Let's take the word of God and try the very best we can to 546 00:34:17,800 --> 00:34:19,900 soften even the hardest of hearts. 547 00:34:21,100 --> 00:34:24,800 So they can go to heaven, too. I want you to listen to these 548 00:34:24,800 --> 00:34:29,800 very sobering words. As found in Ezekiel chapter 3, 549 00:34:29,800 --> 00:34:34,199 beginning in verse 18. Where the Bible says when I say 550 00:34:34,199 --> 00:34:38,199 unto the wicked Thou shalt surely die and thou givest him. 551 00:34:38,199 --> 00:34:42,100 Not warning nor speakers to warn the wicked from his Wicked way 552 00:34:42,400 --> 00:34:47,300 to save his soul the same Wicked man shall die in his iniquity 553 00:34:47,300 --> 00:34:52,199 but his blood I will require at thine hand. 554 00:34:53,000 --> 00:34:55,699 Yet if thou warn the wicked and he turned not from his 555 00:34:55,699 --> 00:34:58,900 wickedness nor from his Wicked way, he shall die in his 556 00:34:58,900 --> 00:35:02,800 iniquity. But thou Hast delivered thy Soul 557 00:35:03,600 --> 00:35:06,900 again, when a righteous man does turn from his righteousness and 558 00:35:06,900 --> 00:35:10,700 commit iniquity and I lay a stumbling block before him, he 559 00:35:10,700 --> 00:35:14,000 shall die. Because thou Hast not given him 560 00:35:14,000 --> 00:35:18,200 warning. He shall die in his sin and his 561 00:35:18,200 --> 00:35:20,200 righteousness, which he hath done. 562 00:35:20,800 --> 00:35:24,700 Shall not be remembered but his blood will. 563 00:35:24,700 --> 00:35:30,600 I require At thine hand. That perhaps is some of the most 564 00:35:30,600 --> 00:35:35,900 chilling words in all the Bible. I wonder how many folks would 565 00:35:35,900 --> 00:35:38,500 have been receptive if we would have just been brave and 566 00:35:38,500 --> 00:35:42,300 courageous and bold. If you don't know what to do you 567 00:35:42,300 --> 00:35:45,400 and just invite him. You don't know what to say, get 568 00:35:45,400 --> 00:35:49,000 me involved, I'll say it, but let's reach into the lives of 569 00:35:49,000 --> 00:35:51,400 people that we come in contact with, and let's save. 570 00:35:51,400 --> 00:35:57,800 So in conclusion, let me just say this, In order for us to 571 00:35:57,800 --> 00:36:02,000 take a good view of our self and be really honest of where we are 572 00:36:02,000 --> 00:36:05,300 today. We must realize that often 573 00:36:05,300 --> 00:36:09,100 times, we like to inflate our self. 574 00:36:09,900 --> 00:36:12,700 We like to give ourself a little too much credit. 575 00:36:13,500 --> 00:36:16,500 We can see the faults in others. We don't see them in ourselves 576 00:36:16,500 --> 00:36:18,400 because after all it doesn't apply to me. 577 00:36:18,900 --> 00:36:22,700 Sometimes we exalt ourselves or we esteem ourself more than we 578 00:36:22,700 --> 00:36:25,500 ought to think. We need to get out of that 579 00:36:25,500 --> 00:36:29,700 mentality and get out of that spirit, and that heart, because 580 00:36:29,700 --> 00:36:31,700 that won't make change in our life. 581 00:36:32,100 --> 00:36:34,400 Let me illustrate it. This trailer really quickly. 582 00:36:35,200 --> 00:36:39,200 The story was once told about a fellow that was a very well-off 583 00:36:39,200 --> 00:36:42,300 well-to-do, man. He was the CEO of a very large 584 00:36:42,300 --> 00:36:45,100 corporation. I understand, he was a very, 585 00:36:45,100 --> 00:36:49,200 very important Land. One day being in all his 586 00:36:49,200 --> 00:36:52,800 importance, he's in his important car with his wife and 587 00:36:52,800 --> 00:36:55,300 the driving down the road and they see a gas station. 588 00:36:55,300 --> 00:36:57,600 They decide to pull in there and get some gas. 589 00:36:58,100 --> 00:37:02,000 Well, here, the CEO wish his car into that gas pump jumps out of 590 00:37:02,000 --> 00:37:06,100 his car and the gasoline. Comes over he no more even looks 591 00:37:06,100 --> 00:37:08,700 up at this fellow. He just says fill it as he walks 592 00:37:08,700 --> 00:37:13,000 on by and goes inside the store area there and wait for it's 593 00:37:13,000 --> 00:37:17,900 time for his time to pay. Well, after a little while, the 594 00:37:17,900 --> 00:37:20,700 gas station attendant was finished and the gas was done 595 00:37:20,700 --> 00:37:25,600 pumping, he looks out the window and he sees that his wife is 596 00:37:25,600 --> 00:37:30,500 having an animated discussion with this gasoline attendant. 597 00:37:31,400 --> 00:37:35,800 He thought will how odd she can't surely know him. 598 00:37:37,500 --> 00:37:41,900 But then he pays for his gas, goes out to his car, the 599 00:37:41,900 --> 00:37:44,000 gasoline, attendant waves, goodbye. 600 00:37:44,700 --> 00:37:48,000 He gets in that car and he pulls away and when he does he says to 601 00:37:48,000 --> 00:37:52,100 his wife, you know, I couldn't help but realize or I couldn't 602 00:37:52,100 --> 00:37:54,600 help but see that you were talking to that fella like you 603 00:37:54,600 --> 00:37:56,900 knew him. Did you know that man? 604 00:37:59,000 --> 00:38:02,500 She said, yeah, I knew him. Went to high school with him. 605 00:38:03,900 --> 00:38:06,700 Well, he inquired a little further, he said, well, was he a 606 00:38:06,700 --> 00:38:08,600 friend? An acquaintance of classmate who 607 00:38:08,600 --> 00:38:12,500 was he? She says, well, no actually we 608 00:38:12,500 --> 00:38:17,900 dated quite extensively while we were in school. first thing out 609 00:38:17,900 --> 00:38:21,600 of his mouth, he said this Man honey. 610 00:38:21,600 --> 00:38:24,700 Are you lucky? She looked at him, kind of 611 00:38:24,700 --> 00:38:26,600 surprised and said, well, why am I lucky? 612 00:38:27,500 --> 00:38:30,800 Oh, are you lucky that I came around? 613 00:38:31,800 --> 00:38:33,900 You are so lucky that I came around. 614 00:38:33,900 --> 00:38:37,300 She said, well, how's that? He said, if I hadn't come 615 00:38:37,300 --> 00:38:40,300 around, you would not be the wife of a CEO. 616 00:38:41,000 --> 00:38:43,700 You'd be the wife of a gasoline attendant. 617 00:38:44,700 --> 00:38:47,300 She looked him dead straight in his eyes and she said this, 618 00:38:47,500 --> 00:38:49,500 let's get one thing straight honey. 619 00:38:50,500 --> 00:38:53,700 If I hadn't married him, he'd have been the CEO and you'd have 620 00:38:53,700 --> 00:38:58,800 been the gas station attendant. Sometimes we exalt how we really 621 00:38:58,800 --> 00:39:01,700 are. We need to step out of ourselves 622 00:39:01,700 --> 00:39:07,000 and see ourselves for what and who we are and make the results. 623 00:39:07,400 --> 00:39:09,200 We're going to change in conclusion. 624 00:39:10,300 --> 00:39:13,200 If there are changes that you need to make this afternoon in 625 00:39:13,200 --> 00:39:16,700 your life, I implore you don't put it off for tomorrow. 626 00:39:17,500 --> 00:39:21,600 Don't do that one man. Wrote this about tomorrow. 627 00:39:23,100 --> 00:39:26,300 He said, tomorrow is the great enemy of advancement. 628 00:39:27,400 --> 00:39:31,200 Boasting of Tomorrow is the Lazy Man's way of evading. 629 00:39:31,200 --> 00:39:36,200 Today's duties tomorrow leaves more tasks, undone more books 630 00:39:36,200 --> 00:39:40,500 on, read more houses, unclean, more programs unlocked, more 631 00:39:40,500 --> 00:39:43,300 resolutions unkept than any other factor in life. 632 00:39:44,400 --> 00:39:48,000 Tomorrow, is the great enemy of the church are great. 633 00:39:48,000 --> 00:39:52,700 Liability is not our ignorance or our unconcerned or our 634 00:39:52,700 --> 00:39:57,600 unwillingness. But tomorrow, more absentees 635 00:39:57,600 --> 00:40:00,800 have been neglected, more lessons have gone, unprepared 636 00:40:00,800 --> 00:40:04,200 more prospects have gone unlisted and more lost. 637 00:40:04,200 --> 00:40:09,400 People have gone unsaved because of tomorrow, where one man being 638 00:40:09,400 --> 00:40:13,300 an atheist or an agnostic died in a lost condition, losing his 639 00:40:13,300 --> 00:40:16,000 soul. There are thousands of 640 00:40:16,000 --> 00:40:18,500 well-meaning people who found themselves in that same 641 00:40:18,500 --> 00:40:23,300 condition because they were waiting in counting on tomorrow. 642 00:40:24,100 --> 00:40:27,200 Tomorrow is Satan's best scheme and keeping lost men. 643 00:40:27,200 --> 00:40:29,500 Lost. Yes, Satan knows. 644 00:40:29,500 --> 00:40:33,100 He will never destroy your faith in the Bible or your belief in 645 00:40:33,100 --> 00:40:36,600 the love of God. He does not care when you 646 00:40:36,600 --> 00:40:39,800 realize that you are lost and that you need to be a Christian. 647 00:40:40,800 --> 00:40:46,100 He knows all of these things are of no avail to you. if he could 648 00:40:46,100 --> 00:40:50,100 just keep you waiting, For tomorrow. 649 00:40:52,300 --> 00:40:56,200 Are you not a Christian? Are you not a Christian this 650 00:40:56,200 --> 00:40:59,400 afternoon? The Bible, clearly states. 651 00:40:59,400 --> 00:41:03,000 So then Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God, 652 00:41:03,800 --> 00:41:07,300 when we hear God's word, that's what moves us to make a 653 00:41:07,300 --> 00:41:10,000 decision. We believe what we've heard and 654 00:41:10,000 --> 00:41:12,900 believed in Jesus, for whom he is as the Son of God. 655 00:41:13,500 --> 00:41:16,500 We make the determination in our life that we no longer want to 656 00:41:16,500 --> 00:41:18,500 travel in that way. We want to go a different 657 00:41:18,500 --> 00:41:21,100 direction. That's called repentance, I'm 658 00:41:21,100 --> 00:41:23,700 making a change, I'm making a resolution. 659 00:41:23,800 --> 00:41:26,000 I am making a purpose in my heart. 660 00:41:26,000 --> 00:41:29,800 I'm going to change this. Then the Bible says that a man 661 00:41:29,800 --> 00:41:35,300 must confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and upon these 662 00:41:35,300 --> 00:41:37,000 steps. As we noticed this morning, 663 00:41:37,000 --> 00:41:41,200 these things are unto or up to a man's salvation. 664 00:41:41,500 --> 00:41:46,000 But Galatians 3, and 27 says, it is, when a man is baptized, he 665 00:41:46,000 --> 00:41:49,300 is baptized into the body of Jesus Christ. 666 00:41:49,500 --> 00:41:53,500 His sins are washed away. He is saved in a safe condition. 667 00:41:53,800 --> 00:41:57,400 Added to the body of Christ. The Lord's church and starts his 668 00:41:57,400 --> 00:42:01,200 life. The only one that matters right 669 00:42:01,200 --> 00:42:04,300 then. We thank you for listening to 670 00:42:04,300 --> 00:42:09,100 our podcast, put on by the Church of Christ at 22:15 plans. 671 00:42:09,100 --> 00:42:12,600 Road in Bakersfield, if you would like any additional 672 00:42:12,600 --> 00:42:15,900 information, or you would like to receive a free Bible 673 00:42:15,900 --> 00:42:21,400 correspondence, course by mail. Please email us at info at her 674 00:42:21,400 --> 00:42:23,800 Church of Christ Bakersfield.com. 675 00:42:24,500 --> 00:42:29,700 Our service times are on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. and 676 00:42:29,700 --> 00:42:34,100 Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. Please make plans to join us. 677 00:42:34,700 --> 00:42:36,900 We would love for you to be our honored guest.