1 00:00:30,979 --> 00:00:33,739 Listen, being able to go around to a bunch of different churches 2 00:00:33,739 --> 00:00:37,499 while I was with the abcp, now pastoring a church there in Rockwall 3 00:00:37,499 --> 00:00:41,139 and seeing how this world is changing, it reminds me that we as 4 00:00:41,139 --> 00:00:44,819 God's people need to be busy about the Lord's work. 5 00:00:46,179 --> 00:00:49,099 In chapter three of the Book of Acts, we'll get to four in a minute. 6 00:00:49,099 --> 00:00:52,139 I'm not going to read out of chapter three, but in chapter three, 7 00:00:52,139 --> 00:00:56,499 Peter and John, they heal this lame man and made the religious people 8 00:00:56,499 --> 00:00:58,499 of that day just angry at them. 9 00:01:00,139 --> 00:01:03,979 It seems sometimes that the worldly crowd, even some Christian 10 00:01:04,059 --> 00:01:07,659 people, they get angry when God moves in a mighty way. 11 00:01:10,459 --> 00:01:11,859 Now as we get to Acts, chapter. 12 00:01:11,859 --> 00:01:14,219 Number four, verse number one, the Bible says this. 13 00:01:14,939 --> 00:01:17,819 And as they spake unto the people, the priests and the captain 14 00:01:17,819 --> 00:01:21,459 of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them being grieved 15 00:01:21,459 --> 00:01:24,459 that they taught the people and preached through Jesus the resurrection 16 00:01:24,459 --> 00:01:25,099 from the dead. 17 00:01:25,499 --> 00:01:28,899 And they laid hands on them and put them hold and hold until 18 00:01:28,899 --> 00:01:29,499 the next day. 19 00:01:29,499 --> 00:01:30,819 For it was now eventide. 20 00:01:30,819 --> 00:01:33,099 So all they were doing was doing something good. 21 00:01:33,099 --> 00:01:35,899 And as they were doing something good, here comes the religious 22 00:01:35,899 --> 00:01:36,539 leaders, and they're. 23 00:01:36,539 --> 00:01:38,139 Like, hey, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa,. 24 00:01:38,139 --> 00:01:39,499 You can't do that anymore. 25 00:01:40,139 --> 00:01:41,659 And they laid hands on them and. 26 00:01:41,659 --> 00:01:43,099 They put them in prison. 27 00:01:45,099 --> 00:01:46,339 Verse number four, I like this. 28 00:01:46,339 --> 00:01:49,979 It says, how be it many of them which heard the word believed, 29 00:01:50,379 --> 00:01:52,379 and the number of men was about 5,000. 30 00:01:52,379 --> 00:01:54,259 I'm thankful that even during the times. 31 00:01:54,259 --> 00:01:57,189 Of persecution, I'm thankful that even during. 32 00:01:57,189 --> 00:01:59,509 Times where it seems like we're doing what we're supposed to 33 00:01:59,509 --> 00:02:02,669 be doing and the results aren't the way that we think they 34 00:02:02,669 --> 00:02:06,469 should be, even in those times that God always prevails. 35 00:02:06,469 --> 00:02:06,949 Amen. 36 00:02:08,469 --> 00:02:11,029 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed. 37 00:02:11,589 --> 00:02:12,469 Verse number five. 38 00:02:12,469 --> 00:02:13,429 The Bible says this. 39 00:02:13,829 --> 00:02:16,709 And it came to pass on the morrow that their rulers and their 40 00:02:16,709 --> 00:02:19,589 elders and scribes and Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and 41 00:02:19,589 --> 00:02:22,709 John and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the 42 00:02:22,709 --> 00:02:24,649 high priest were gathered together at Jerusalem. 43 00:02:24,649 --> 00:02:27,539 And so they had all of this group of people there gathered together. 44 00:02:27,939 --> 00:02:31,139 In verse seven, it says, and when they had set them in the midst,. 45 00:02:31,939 --> 00:02:36,419 They asked him, by what power or by what name have you done this? 46 00:02:38,659 --> 00:02:42,899 What power or by what name have you done what you've just done? 47 00:02:44,259 --> 00:02:47,979 In verse number eight, the Bible says, then Peter, filled with 48 00:02:47,979 --> 00:02:54,509 the Holy Ghost said, he said unto them, ye rulers of the people 49 00:02:54,509 --> 00:03:00,509 and the elders of Israel, Let's pray. 50 00:03:00,509 --> 00:03:01,389 Father, we thank you. 51 00:03:01,389 --> 00:03:04,909 God, for this, Lord, I pray that you would use me now in a mighty 52 00:03:04,909 --> 00:03:05,149 way. 53 00:03:06,109 --> 00:03:08,269 God, I pray that you'd help us not to be distracted. 54 00:03:09,469 --> 00:03:12,109 God, I pray that you would help us to take your word, Father, 55 00:03:12,509 --> 00:03:13,629 apply it to our heart. 56 00:03:14,109 --> 00:03:16,509 And God, you promised you would accomplish what you will in 57 00:03:17,079 --> 00:03:17,799 through your word. 58 00:03:18,359 --> 00:03:21,039 God, I pray that you would accomplish things in each person's 59 00:03:21,039 --> 00:03:21,559 life today. 60 00:03:22,039 --> 00:03:23,879 In Jesus name, Amen. 61 00:03:25,639 --> 00:03:29,319 As they set them in the midst, the rulers asked them this question. 62 00:03:30,119 --> 00:03:32,079 By what power or by what name. 63 00:03:32,079 --> 00:03:33,079 Have you done this? 64 00:03:33,399 --> 00:03:35,919 This morning in Sunday school, as I talked about our motivation, 65 00:03:35,919 --> 00:03:38,879 about the constraining love of Christ, and I asked, why did you 66 00:03:38,879 --> 00:03:39,679 come to church today? 67 00:03:39,679 --> 00:03:40,479 What brought you here? 68 00:03:40,479 --> 00:03:42,519 What was the reason behind you coming to church? 69 00:03:43,999 --> 00:03:45,079 I could have asked it like this. 70 00:03:45,079 --> 00:03:46,799 What power brought you here today? 71 00:03:47,199 --> 00:03:49,519 What was the cause of you coming here today? 72 00:03:49,999 --> 00:03:53,159 Look, these religious people, they saw that, they healed the layman. 73 00:03:53,159 --> 00:03:54,799 They're preaching the resurrection of Christ. 74 00:03:55,199 --> 00:03:58,279 They're just basically doing things that they weren't supposed 75 00:03:58,279 --> 00:04:00,479 to be doing according to the religious leaders. 76 00:04:00,559 --> 00:04:01,879 And it just dumbfounded them. 77 00:04:01,879 --> 00:04:05,039 And they asked the question, by what power are you doing this? 78 00:04:05,039 --> 00:04:05,919 Have you done this? 79 00:04:06,719 --> 00:04:10,159 Jonathan Edwards, the American revivalist preacher, he said this. 80 00:04:10,159 --> 00:04:13,919 He said, I assert that nothing ever comes to pass without a cause. 81 00:04:15,149 --> 00:04:18,269 Nothing in our lives ever comes to pass without a cause. 82 00:04:18,509 --> 00:04:22,029 Listen, all across our world today, all across our world, there 83 00:04:22,029 --> 00:04:25,109 are many causes that affect people to completely give their lives 84 00:04:25,109 --> 00:04:25,629 to it. 85 00:04:26,029 --> 00:04:28,789 Oh, they cause people to be devoted in such a way that there 86 00:04:28,789 --> 00:04:31,389 is no doubt as to what they stand for. 87 00:04:32,189 --> 00:04:33,029 Look, we see it. 88 00:04:33,029 --> 00:04:34,069 We see bumper stickers. 89 00:04:34,069 --> 00:04:36,989 We see people out marching, protesting, doing this, doing that. 90 00:04:37,149 --> 00:04:39,469 People are devoted to these causes. 91 00:04:40,099 --> 00:04:42,939 And sadly, many people today doubt that. 92 00:04:42,939 --> 00:04:45,179 Christians all across this world, what we. 93 00:04:45,179 --> 00:04:46,499 Are actually standing for. 94 00:04:48,099 --> 00:04:50,739 If somebody knows that you're a Christian, do they know what you 95 00:04:50,739 --> 00:04:51,299 stand for? 96 00:04:51,539 --> 00:04:54,019 Do they know why you do what you do? 97 00:04:54,499 --> 00:04:58,259 When people drive by Heritage Baptist Church or come to visit Heritage 98 00:04:58,259 --> 00:05:03,059 Baptist Church, do they know that what we do here, do they know 99 00:05:03,059 --> 00:05:04,819 what's going on in this church? 100 00:05:05,389 --> 00:05:07,309 Do they know what this church stands for? 101 00:05:08,349 --> 00:05:11,349 Listen, for the early church and these early Christians, this 102 00:05:11,349 --> 00:05:12,669 is exactly the case. 103 00:05:13,229 --> 00:05:16,589 They had to stand upon the cause of Jesus Christ in order to 104 00:05:16,589 --> 00:05:17,229 do anything. 105 00:05:17,309 --> 00:05:19,629 You got to understand that they weren't liked by many. 106 00:05:20,189 --> 00:05:21,629 They weren't liked by most. 107 00:05:22,509 --> 00:05:25,829 Look, they were following this religion for years and years and 108 00:05:25,829 --> 00:05:26,029 years. 109 00:05:26,029 --> 00:05:29,069 And then here comes this man and completely changes everything. 110 00:05:29,309 --> 00:05:32,229 And these people had to leave families, had to leave jobs, had 111 00:05:32,229 --> 00:05:33,539 to leave their livelihood to. 112 00:05:33,689 --> 00:05:34,449 To follow this man. 113 00:05:34,449 --> 00:05:35,849 And now this man is gone. 114 00:05:35,849 --> 00:05:39,409 And this man told them to go out and to continue doing what I 115 00:05:39,409 --> 00:05:39,929 was doing. 116 00:05:39,929 --> 00:05:43,769 And listen, they only could do that if they had a cause, and that 117 00:05:43,769 --> 00:05:44,649 cause was him. 118 00:05:47,369 --> 00:05:49,009 Listen, coming out of the Gospels, where. 119 00:05:49,009 --> 00:05:53,129 Christ started this church, into this great transition book of 120 00:05:53,129 --> 00:05:57,809 Acts, the apostles, these early Christians, they had to make 121 00:05:57,809 --> 00:06:02,089 their lives, everything that they did all about Jesus Christ. 122 00:06:03,579 --> 00:06:04,939 It had to be all about him. 123 00:06:05,979 --> 00:06:09,259 Listen, this church was started to be about Jesus Christ. 124 00:06:09,819 --> 00:06:12,019 In my prayers, this church stays to. 125 00:06:12,019 --> 00:06:14,219 Be about what Jesus Christ is all about. 126 00:06:14,699 --> 00:06:17,659 Listen, we have to understand that Christianity, again, it was 127 00:06:17,659 --> 00:06:21,219 not well received among the leaders, the Jewish leaders, and 128 00:06:21,219 --> 00:06:22,059 the Roman leaders. 129 00:06:23,339 --> 00:06:26,059 Can I remind you today that Christianity is not well received 130 00:06:26,859 --> 00:06:27,539 even in the. 131 00:06:27,539 --> 00:06:28,979 Greatest state on the face of the. 132 00:06:28,979 --> 00:06:31,169 Planet, Texas, it's not well received. 133 00:06:33,089 --> 00:06:35,769 If you don't know that, go knock on somebody's door, go try 134 00:06:35,769 --> 00:06:36,049 to pass. 135 00:06:36,049 --> 00:06:37,249 Out a Bible and see what kind. 136 00:06:37,249 --> 00:06:38,209 Of response you get. 137 00:06:40,289 --> 00:06:44,409 They didn't want these new Christians disrupting the policies 138 00:06:44,409 --> 00:06:45,369 that had already established. 139 00:06:45,369 --> 00:06:48,849 You realize that the Jewish people, they were in cahoots really, 140 00:06:48,849 --> 00:06:51,129 with the Roman leaders, that they can just kind of do their own 141 00:06:51,129 --> 00:06:51,289 thing. 142 00:06:51,289 --> 00:06:54,249 And they would just kind of just let go of some of the things 143 00:06:54,249 --> 00:06:57,329 that they were supposed to be doing just to appease the Roman people. 144 00:06:59,719 --> 00:07:02,359 And they didn't want these Christian people disturbing anything 145 00:07:02,359 --> 00:07:03,319 that was going on. 146 00:07:04,519 --> 00:07:07,159 They got comfortable living the way that they were living. 147 00:07:08,039 --> 00:07:11,199 I feel like all too often Christian people in churches all 148 00:07:11,199 --> 00:07:11,959 across our world,. 149 00:07:11,959 --> 00:07:16,159 We've got comfortable living by the values of the world and stopped 150 00:07:16,159 --> 00:07:18,039 living by the values of the word of God. 151 00:07:18,839 --> 00:07:22,679 Our churches are full of people that just live by these values 152 00:07:22,679 --> 00:07:24,679 and they don't stand upon this book. 153 00:07:26,299 --> 00:07:28,059 We got to remember why we are here. 154 00:07:29,339 --> 00:07:33,419 Listen, too many Christians in this world are too comfortable with 155 00:07:33,419 --> 00:07:34,579 the way that things are going. 156 00:07:34,579 --> 00:07:36,219 And can I remind you again this. 157 00:07:36,219 --> 00:07:40,339 Morning that this world is not our own, our home, so we should not. 158 00:07:40,339 --> 00:07:41,979 Be comfortable in this world. 159 00:07:43,339 --> 00:07:44,939 Look, there was work to be done. 160 00:07:45,819 --> 00:07:46,939 Christ is gone. 161 00:07:48,059 --> 00:07:49,739 The leader of their church was gone. 162 00:07:49,739 --> 00:07:53,339 And so Peter and John, they had to do something. 163 00:07:54,809 --> 00:07:57,849 And they were thrown in jail for doing exactly what their leader 164 00:07:57,849 --> 00:07:58,809 left them to do. 165 00:08:00,489 --> 00:08:01,929 See that in verses 2 and 3. 166 00:08:01,929 --> 00:08:02,889 Listen to me this morning. 167 00:08:02,889 --> 00:08:05,569 Church, there is work to be done. 168 00:08:05,569 --> 00:08:06,089 Amen. 169 00:08:06,889 --> 00:08:10,929 There's work to be done not only in this church, but there's 170 00:08:10,929 --> 00:08:13,489 work to be done in the neighborhoods that are surrounding 171 00:08:13,489 --> 00:08:14,089 this church. 172 00:08:14,489 --> 00:08:16,209 And if this church is not doing. 173 00:08:16,209 --> 00:08:18,129 What they're supposed to be doing for. 174 00:08:18,129 --> 00:08:21,089 The cause of Jesus Christ, then Those neighborhoods are not 175 00:08:21,089 --> 00:08:22,089 ever going to hear. 176 00:08:22,249 --> 00:08:23,719 The glorious gospel message. 177 00:08:23,719 --> 00:08:24,239 Amen. 178 00:08:27,279 --> 00:08:31,919 It's a work of sharing hope with the hopeless. 179 00:08:34,239 --> 00:08:40,119 I know some of you, I don't know some of you, but every one of 180 00:08:40,119 --> 00:08:45,879 us at one point in our life was just absolutely hopeless until 181 00:08:45,879 --> 00:08:47,359 somebody shared hope with us. 182 00:08:48,969 --> 00:08:53,529 And that is the work that this church still has, is to share hope 183 00:08:53,769 --> 00:08:54,969 with the hopeless. 184 00:08:57,609 --> 00:09:01,449 Listen, I'm thankful that you and I, we have a hope, and that has 185 00:09:01,449 --> 00:09:04,649 cause enough for us to boldly take a stand for the cause of Jesus 186 00:09:04,649 --> 00:09:04,969 Christ. 187 00:09:05,849 --> 00:09:09,889 When we get to verses 8 through 13 of chapter 4, here we 188 00:09:09,889 --> 00:09:10,049 see. 189 00:09:10,049 --> 00:09:11,689 The first cause or the why they. 190 00:09:11,689 --> 00:09:13,469 Did and what they were doing when. 191 00:09:13,538 --> 00:09:16,138 Listen, can I remind you that everything in our church and our 192 00:09:16,138 --> 00:09:18,498 Christian life should start and end with Christ. 193 00:09:19,138 --> 00:09:20,898 Listen, it's not because I say it. 194 00:09:20,898 --> 00:09:22,738 It's not because another preacher says it. 195 00:09:22,738 --> 00:09:25,138 It's not because I'm your husband or. 196 00:09:25,298 --> 00:09:26,578 I'm the wife or whatever. 197 00:09:26,818 --> 00:09:28,738 I'm the mom, I'm the dad, et cetera. 198 00:09:29,138 --> 00:09:31,778 It's because of the person of Jesus Christ. 199 00:09:32,098 --> 00:09:34,658 Listen, the reason for salvation is because of him. 200 00:09:34,658 --> 00:09:37,058 The reason why we baptize is because of him. 201 00:09:37,058 --> 00:09:39,538 The reason for church membership is because of him. 202 00:09:39,618 --> 00:09:40,178 Listen. 203 00:09:40,498 --> 00:09:43,618 Forsaking not the assembly of God, the reason why we come to church 204 00:09:43,698 --> 00:09:45,218 is not because of our neigh. 205 00:09:45,519 --> 00:09:46,799 It's not because of the preacher. 206 00:09:46,799 --> 00:09:47,879 It's because of him. 207 00:09:47,879 --> 00:09:48,479 Amen. 208 00:09:48,959 --> 00:09:51,759 Oh, the reason why we give the reason why we yield ourselves. 209 00:09:51,759 --> 00:09:54,839 The reason why we plant the reason why we sing the reason why 210 00:09:54,839 --> 00:09:55,279 we go. 211 00:09:55,439 --> 00:09:58,879 The reason why we do anything is because of Jesus Christ. 212 00:09:59,119 --> 00:10:02,479 And these people, they asked him, by what power have you done 213 00:10:02,479 --> 00:10:02,799 this? 214 00:10:02,799 --> 00:10:04,399 And he's like, good question. 215 00:10:05,199 --> 00:10:06,639 Now I'm about to give you an answer. 216 00:10:08,159 --> 00:10:12,329 Paul Chappell says in his book, keep the Faith, he says, we 217 00:10:12,329 --> 00:10:14,089 don't serve the Lord to prove anything. 218 00:10:15,449 --> 00:10:17,449 We serve because Jesus paid everything. 219 00:10:17,449 --> 00:10:18,089 Amen. 220 00:10:18,969 --> 00:10:21,689 The reason why we serve is not to prove anything. 221 00:10:22,249 --> 00:10:24,249 I don't have to prove anything to you. 222 00:10:24,249 --> 00:10:26,009 You don't have to prove anything to me. 223 00:10:26,329 --> 00:10:30,249 But I serve because Jesus Christ has paid it all. 224 00:10:31,529 --> 00:10:35,689 Chapel goes on to say in his book, what God has done for me is 225 00:10:35,689 --> 00:10:37,529 secondary to who God is to me. 226 00:10:38,079 --> 00:10:41,319 Let me ask you this morning, Church, who is God to you? 227 00:10:41,319 --> 00:10:41,999 This morning? 228 00:10:43,359 --> 00:10:46,559 I believe the reason why we have seen or could see a decline 229 00:10:46,559 --> 00:10:49,959 in salvations or baptism, et cetera, is because of the cause that 230 00:10:49,959 --> 00:10:51,199 we're doing what we do. 231 00:10:51,999 --> 00:10:54,239 Oh, there's too many Christians that are doing things 232 00:10:54,239 --> 00:10:57,839 so God will bless them and not because of who God is to them. 233 00:11:00,719 --> 00:11:01,519 This quote. 234 00:11:01,519 --> 00:11:03,759 I remember when I first started going to Bible college, and 235 00:11:04,969 --> 00:11:06,089 I don't remember what class it was. 236 00:11:06,089 --> 00:11:07,849 I think it was probably Bible Doctrine 1. 237 00:11:08,089 --> 00:11:09,289 There's this quote from A.W. 238 00:11:09,369 --> 00:11:11,849 Tozer that I will never get away from. 239 00:11:12,329 --> 00:11:13,689 He says, the first thing that you. 240 00:11:13,689 --> 00:11:16,009 Think about when you think about God is the most important thing 241 00:11:16,009 --> 00:11:16,649 about you. 242 00:11:18,409 --> 00:11:22,009 If I were to ask you, what do you think about God right now? 243 00:11:22,649 --> 00:11:26,329 The response in your mind is the most important thing about us. 244 00:11:27,129 --> 00:11:31,449 For this early church, for these early Christians, they knew 245 00:11:31,449 --> 00:11:32,249 who God was. 246 00:11:32,669 --> 00:11:35,349 They knew that he was the answer to every problem that all 247 00:11:35,349 --> 00:11:36,189 of these people had. 248 00:11:36,189 --> 00:11:38,109 Because he answered their problem. 249 00:11:39,149 --> 00:11:41,389 He answered the things that they were longing for. 250 00:11:42,349 --> 00:11:45,949 Oh, listen, Peter and John were facing persecution for standing 251 00:11:45,949 --> 00:11:46,989 up for this cause. 252 00:11:47,629 --> 00:11:49,989 Listen, in verse number 29, we're not going to get there, but 253 00:11:49,989 --> 00:11:50,589 you can go look. 254 00:11:50,589 --> 00:11:53,549 It says in verse 29, talking about this early church, it says, 255 00:11:53,549 --> 00:11:56,909 and now, Lord, behold their threatenings and grant unto thy servants 256 00:11:56,909 --> 00:11:59,069 that with all boldness they may speak thy word. 257 00:11:59,069 --> 00:12:02,189 Do you realize in Acts, in Acts, chapter four, going down to 258 00:12:02,269 --> 00:12:05,329 verse number 29, this church is being persecuted. 259 00:12:05,329 --> 00:12:07,449 This church was being basically destroyed. 260 00:12:07,449 --> 00:12:10,369 I believe it was the Apostle Paul probably out there trying to 261 00:12:10,369 --> 00:12:13,129 destroy this church before he became the Apostle Paul. 262 00:12:13,209 --> 00:12:16,449 And their prayer was, and now, Lord, behold their threatenings and 263 00:12:16,449 --> 00:12:19,089 grant unto thy servants with all boldness that they may speak 264 00:12:19,089 --> 00:12:19,569 that word. 265 00:12:19,569 --> 00:12:22,609 Do you realize there's people all around this church that wants 266 00:12:22,609 --> 00:12:25,609 this church to fail, that wants the door shut on this church, 267 00:12:25,609 --> 00:12:27,449 that wants this church to be no more. 268 00:12:27,929 --> 00:12:30,809 And look, they were not fighting with each other. 269 00:12:30,889 --> 00:12:33,209 They were not fighting among these people. 270 00:12:33,619 --> 00:12:36,739 They were simply on their face before God and they were praying, 271 00:12:36,739 --> 00:12:40,339 God, give us boldness that we can speak your word in the midst 272 00:12:40,339 --> 00:12:41,219 of persecution. 273 00:12:41,219 --> 00:12:41,779 Amen. 274 00:12:42,259 --> 00:12:43,459 That's what they were praying. 275 00:12:43,619 --> 00:12:44,899 That was their mindset. 276 00:12:44,899 --> 00:12:45,859 That was their focus. 277 00:12:46,019 --> 00:12:49,939 Because they made their calls about Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ 278 00:12:49,939 --> 00:12:50,419 alone. 279 00:12:51,779 --> 00:12:52,819 You know what happened? 280 00:12:53,619 --> 00:12:54,899 God answered their prayer. 281 00:12:55,619 --> 00:12:58,019 You go look the next few verses down. 282 00:12:59,709 --> 00:13:00,949 It says in verse number 31. 283 00:13:00,949 --> 00:13:03,429 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were 284 00:13:03,429 --> 00:13:06,509 assembled together and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost. 285 00:13:06,509 --> 00:13:07,389 And what happened? 286 00:13:07,709 --> 00:13:09,669 And it says, and they spake the. 287 00:13:09,669 --> 00:13:11,069 Word of God with boldness. 288 00:13:11,629 --> 00:13:16,189 Imagine that they prayed to the Lord not for selfish reasons, 289 00:13:16,429 --> 00:13:19,469 but they prayed to the Lord for unselfish reasons. 290 00:13:19,469 --> 00:13:23,069 And God immediately answered their prayer and gave them boldness 291 00:13:23,069 --> 00:13:25,109 to go out and speak the word of God. 292 00:13:25,109 --> 00:13:25,629 Amen. 293 00:13:26,229 --> 00:13:27,909 That's the God that you and I serve. 294 00:13:27,909 --> 00:13:29,669 That's who we're coming to worship today. 295 00:13:29,829 --> 00:13:30,709 That's the God. 296 00:13:30,709 --> 00:13:31,269 Amen. 297 00:13:37,269 --> 00:13:38,549 You ever wonder what would happen? 298 00:13:40,629 --> 00:13:43,389 I'm talking about all churches, all Christian God following 299 00:13:43,389 --> 00:13:46,069 churches that are in existence today. 300 00:13:46,709 --> 00:13:50,549 You ever wonder what would happen if that 1st century church 301 00:13:51,679 --> 00:13:53,839 was made up of 21st century believers? 302 00:13:56,159 --> 00:13:57,279 You ever think about that? 303 00:13:58,719 --> 00:14:05,159 If we were back there and they were threatening us, they were wanting 304 00:14:05,159 --> 00:14:08,799 our demise, There was slaughter. 305 00:14:08,879 --> 00:14:10,639 People were dying for their faith. 306 00:14:12,639 --> 00:14:14,079 I wonder that sometimes. 307 00:14:15,039 --> 00:14:23,059 Would the church still be around 2,000 years later, Thank God 308 00:14:23,539 --> 00:14:26,299 that the same cause that they had 2,000 years ago was the same 309 00:14:26,299 --> 00:14:27,379 cause that we have today. 310 00:14:28,979 --> 00:14:34,259 So the answer to the question when they asked him, by what power 311 00:14:34,979 --> 00:14:37,619 or by what name have you done this? 312 00:14:38,259 --> 00:14:41,659 In verse number eight says, then Peter, filled with the Holy 313 00:14:41,659 --> 00:14:42,899 Ghost said this, Number one. 314 00:14:43,969 --> 00:14:45,089 It's the person of Christ. 315 00:14:45,889 --> 00:14:47,089 He's the reason why. 316 00:14:48,049 --> 00:14:50,169 He's the reason why I'm doing what I'm doing. 317 00:14:50,169 --> 00:14:52,369 He's the reason why this lame man is healed. 318 00:14:52,449 --> 00:14:54,049 Listen, look at verse number 10. 319 00:14:54,609 --> 00:14:56,329 In verse number 10 of Acts, chapter. 320 00:14:56,329 --> 00:14:57,129 4, he says this. 321 00:14:57,129 --> 00:14:59,088 Be it known unto you all and. 322 00:14:59,088 --> 00:15:02,289 To all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ 323 00:15:02,289 --> 00:15:05,209 of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the 324 00:15:05,209 --> 00:15:08,609 dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 325 00:15:09,579 --> 00:15:13,259 In verse number 10, we see that we have the ability to stand 326 00:15:13,899 --> 00:15:17,339 not just here, but we have the ability to stand everywhere because 327 00:15:17,339 --> 00:15:17,739 of him. 328 00:15:17,739 --> 00:15:18,299 Amen. 329 00:15:18,859 --> 00:15:19,259 Listen. 330 00:15:19,259 --> 00:15:22,179 Peter stands here boldly and preaches to them the truth of the 331 00:15:22,179 --> 00:15:22,619 Gospel. 332 00:15:22,779 --> 00:15:26,419 I can stand here before you today whole because I am complete 333 00:15:26,419 --> 00:15:26,859 in him. 334 00:15:26,939 --> 00:15:30,059 You can sit there today, you can leave the church today and you 335 00:15:30,059 --> 00:15:32,979 can proclaim the name of Jesus Christ because him. 336 00:15:32,979 --> 00:15:33,499 Amen. 337 00:15:33,819 --> 00:15:34,259 Listen. 338 00:15:34,259 --> 00:15:39,299 We as Christians, we can stand and proclaim boldly because of the 339 00:15:39,299 --> 00:15:40,529 person of Jesus Christ. 340 00:15:41,079 --> 00:15:43,959 What a wonderful name is the name of Jesus. 341 00:15:44,999 --> 00:15:46,359 You ever think about his name? 342 00:15:47,479 --> 00:15:48,519 The name Jesus? 343 00:15:49,399 --> 00:15:50,679 You know what Jesus means? 344 00:15:51,559 --> 00:15:53,159 Jehovah is Savior. 345 00:15:54,119 --> 00:15:55,159 You know what Christ means? 346 00:15:55,159 --> 00:15:56,319 He means he's the anointed One. 347 00:15:56,319 --> 00:15:59,039 He's the Messiah, Emmanuel. 348 00:15:59,039 --> 00:16:00,199 He's God with us. 349 00:16:01,079 --> 00:16:02,559 He's the Master, He's Lord. 350 00:16:02,559 --> 00:16:03,359 He's Light of the world. 351 00:16:03,359 --> 00:16:04,319 He's the Rose of Sharon. 352 00:16:04,319 --> 00:16:05,239 He's the Almighty God. 353 00:16:05,239 --> 00:16:05,879 He's the counselor. 354 00:16:05,879 --> 00:16:06,519 He's the Son of God. 355 00:16:06,519 --> 00:16:07,199 He's the Son of Man. 356 00:16:07,199 --> 00:16:08,359 He's He's Savior. 357 00:16:08,359 --> 00:16:09,519 He's the Amen. 358 00:16:09,519 --> 00:16:12,879 And we can go on and on and on about this wonderful name. 359 00:16:12,879 --> 00:16:15,639 And it's by this name that this man stands here before you whole. 360 00:16:15,799 --> 00:16:16,239 Listen. 361 00:16:16,239 --> 00:16:18,519 He's the one that all the prophets were waiting on. 362 00:16:18,599 --> 00:16:20,119 He's the one that the one crying. 363 00:16:20,119 --> 00:16:21,959 In the wilderness was paving the way for. 364 00:16:22,039 --> 00:16:23,399 He's the one that I needed. 365 00:16:23,399 --> 00:16:24,719 He's the one that you needed. 366 00:16:24,719 --> 00:16:25,079 Amen. 367 00:16:25,079 --> 00:16:28,279 It is by this person of Christ that any of us have any hope. 368 00:16:29,959 --> 00:16:31,799 It's because of him that we can pray. 369 00:16:33,649 --> 00:16:35,409 It's because of him that we have forgiveness. 370 00:16:36,129 --> 00:16:38,209 It's because of him that this church exists. 371 00:16:38,849 --> 00:16:40,729 And it's because of him that we. 372 00:16:40,729 --> 00:16:44,689 Have something to look forward to when our eyes close in death. 373 00:16:47,809 --> 00:16:49,489 How good has he been to you today? 374 00:16:51,489 --> 00:16:53,809 How good has he been to you throughout your life? 375 00:16:55,889 --> 00:16:58,689 How many of y' all are thinking, why does he need a microphone? 376 00:16:59,639 --> 00:17:00,119 Amen. 377 00:17:02,279 --> 00:17:07,959 The fact that you're even here today shows that you serve God. 378 00:17:09,799 --> 00:17:12,919 The fact that you're here today shows or tells me that you 379 00:17:12,919 --> 00:17:18,639 want something, that you need something, that you want to worship 380 00:17:18,639 --> 00:17:18,999 someone. 381 00:17:20,679 --> 00:17:22,279 Let me ask you, do you know him today? 382 00:17:24,449 --> 00:17:26,609 As the songwriter says, please don't turn him away. 383 00:17:27,889 --> 00:17:29,009 Listen, he's our rock. 384 00:17:29,009 --> 00:17:29,769 He's our shield. 385 00:17:29,769 --> 00:17:30,569 He's our buckler. 386 00:17:30,569 --> 00:17:31,169 He's our joy. 387 00:17:31,169 --> 00:17:31,969 He's our peace. 388 00:17:32,609 --> 00:17:33,649 He's our brother. 389 00:17:34,209 --> 00:17:34,849 Amen. 390 00:17:34,929 --> 00:17:35,889 And he's our friend. 391 00:17:36,849 --> 00:17:39,089 He's a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. 392 00:17:41,009 --> 00:17:42,729 Over in Philippians chapter two. 393 00:17:42,729 --> 00:17:43,969 I want to read this to you. 394 00:17:44,769 --> 00:17:45,889 Philippians chapter two. 395 00:17:45,889 --> 00:17:47,769 It says if there in verse number one. 396 00:17:47,769 --> 00:17:51,868 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort 397 00:17:51,868 --> 00:17:55,108 of love, if any fellowship of the spirit, if any bows and mercies 398 00:17:55,108 --> 00:17:56,108 fulfill ye my joy,. 399 00:17:56,108 --> 00:17:58,948 That ye be like minded, having the same love, being of one accord, 400 00:17:58,948 --> 00:17:59,228 of. 401 00:17:59,228 --> 00:18:01,308 One mind, Let nothing be done through. 402 00:18:01,308 --> 00:18:04,308 Strife or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem 403 00:18:04,308 --> 00:18:05,508 other better than themselves. 404 00:18:05,988 --> 00:18:08,868 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the 405 00:18:08,868 --> 00:18:09,348 things of others. 406 00:18:09,348 --> 00:18:12,428 And then verse five says, let this mind be in you, which was also. 407 00:18:12,428 --> 00:18:15,228 In Christ Jesus, who, being in the. 408 00:18:15,228 --> 00:18:17,788 Form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, but 409 00:18:17,788 --> 00:18:21,548 made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, 410 00:18:21,548 --> 00:18:24,569 and was made in the likeness of men and being found in the fashion 411 00:18:24,569 --> 00:18:27,449 as man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto the death, even 412 00:18:27,449 --> 00:18:31,049 the death of the cross, whereof God also hath highly exalted 413 00:18:31,049 --> 00:18:33,089 him, and given him a name which is above every name. 414 00:18:33,169 --> 00:18:36,489 That in the name of Jesus, every knee should bow of things in 415 00:18:36,489 --> 00:18:39,009 heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth, and that 416 00:18:39,009 --> 00:18:41,529 every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to. 417 00:18:41,529 --> 00:18:46,929 The glory of the Father this is the same name that was the power 418 00:18:47,329 --> 00:18:51,579 behind those men getting up about those men getting up and preaching 419 00:18:51,579 --> 00:18:54,459 and talking about the resurrection, about this man being 420 00:18:54,459 --> 00:18:55,019 healed. 421 00:18:57,019 --> 00:18:58,035 In Colossians 2. 422 00:18:58,083 --> 00:18:59,979 9, it tells us, for in him. 423 00:18:59,979 --> 00:19:02,139 Dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. 424 00:19:03,019 --> 00:19:05,099 And to that I say, what a cause. 425 00:19:05,899 --> 00:19:07,019 What a cause. 426 00:19:08,619 --> 00:19:09,339 Number two. 427 00:19:09,339 --> 00:19:10,859 We see the placement of Christ. 428 00:19:11,659 --> 00:19:13,259 The placement of Christ in their life. 429 00:19:13,259 --> 00:19:13,899 Look here with me. 430 00:19:13,899 --> 00:19:14,619 Verse number 11. 431 00:19:15,939 --> 00:19:16,619 Verse number 11. 432 00:19:16,619 --> 00:19:17,619 The Bible says this. 433 00:19:19,539 --> 00:19:22,659 It says, this is the stone which was set at naught of you builders, 434 00:19:22,659 --> 00:19:24,339 which has become the head of the corner. 435 00:19:25,539 --> 00:19:28,539 Listen, whenever they ask what power, he says, first of all, the 436 00:19:28,539 --> 00:19:29,299 person of Christ. 437 00:19:29,539 --> 00:19:31,459 Number two, the placement of where he's at. 438 00:19:31,859 --> 00:19:34,699 Listen, it says there in verse number 11 that he is the cornerstone, 439 00:19:34,699 --> 00:19:36,579 the foundation, the chief cornerstone. 440 00:19:36,579 --> 00:19:39,899 Let me ask you this morning, where do you have Christ in your 441 00:19:39,899 --> 00:19:40,499 life today? 442 00:19:41,319 --> 00:19:43,159 Where is Christ placed in your life? 443 00:19:43,639 --> 00:19:47,039 The placement of Christ is so important to what we're going to 444 00:19:47,039 --> 00:19:47,959 be doing for Christ. 445 00:19:48,279 --> 00:19:52,479 Psalm 118, verse 22 tells us the stone which the builders refuse 446 00:19:52,479 --> 00:19:54,279 has become the head of the stone of the corner. 447 00:19:54,359 --> 00:19:54,679 Look. 448 00:19:54,679 --> 00:19:57,279 The chief cornerstone is the rock upon which the weight of the 449 00:19:57,279 --> 00:19:58,679 entire structure rests. 450 00:19:58,679 --> 00:20:01,399 Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone of our faith. 451 00:20:01,719 --> 00:20:02,239 Listen. 452 00:20:02,239 --> 00:20:02,839 Our faith. 453 00:20:02,839 --> 00:20:03,399 Your faith. 454 00:20:03,399 --> 00:20:05,399 My faith is only as good as. 455 00:20:05,399 --> 00:20:07,079 The object that it's placed in. 456 00:20:07,559 --> 00:20:11,119 If Christ is the object of your faith, then your faith is doing 457 00:20:11,119 --> 00:20:11,479 well. 458 00:20:11,479 --> 00:20:13,699 Is he the object of your faith this morning? 459 00:20:15,379 --> 00:20:18,339 In Isaiah 28, verse 16, the Bible says this. 460 00:20:19,299 --> 00:20:20,939 Therefore, thus saith the Lord God. 461 00:20:20,939 --> 00:20:23,699 Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation, a stone. 462 00:20:25,779 --> 00:20:27,459 And I'm thankful it doesn't stop there. 463 00:20:28,579 --> 00:20:30,859 It says, I lay in Zion for. 464 00:20:30,859 --> 00:20:31,819 A foundation of stone. 465 00:20:31,819 --> 00:20:34,179 But then it says, a tried stone. 466 00:20:35,059 --> 00:20:38,259 Do you realize that our chief cornerstone has been tried? 467 00:20:39,279 --> 00:20:42,639 He's been tested, and he's been proven perfect. 468 00:20:43,439 --> 00:20:46,159 It says, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation. 469 00:20:46,559 --> 00:20:48,559 He that believeth shall not make haste. 470 00:20:48,879 --> 00:20:50,479 Oh, I'm so thankful that you and. 471 00:20:50,479 --> 00:20:54,759 I, we can rest upon Christ, our tried stone, tempted in all points, 472 00:20:54,759 --> 00:20:55,839 yet without sin. 473 00:20:56,479 --> 00:20:58,159 He is our sure foundation. 474 00:20:58,719 --> 00:21:01,639 Listen, the fact that Christ is our sure foundation should be 475 00:21:01,639 --> 00:21:03,519 the cause for you and I to take a stand. 476 00:21:04,649 --> 00:21:05,009 Number three. 477 00:21:05,009 --> 00:21:05,649 And I'm hurrying. 478 00:21:05,649 --> 00:21:06,249 I promise. 479 00:21:07,049 --> 00:21:08,489 We see the power of Christ. 480 00:21:08,729 --> 00:21:09,569 Verse number 12. 481 00:21:09,569 --> 00:21:11,609 The Bible says, neither is there salvation in any other. 482 00:21:11,609 --> 00:21:14,169 For there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby 483 00:21:14,169 --> 00:21:15,209 we must be saved. 484 00:21:15,449 --> 00:21:18,329 Listen, Christ has the power to save the entire world. 485 00:21:18,809 --> 00:21:21,609 The reason why that you and I should take a stand. 486 00:21:21,769 --> 00:21:23,969 You and I have the cause and. 487 00:21:23,969 --> 00:21:27,249 Effect of Christ, if you will, is because he has the power to save 488 00:21:27,249 --> 00:21:28,249 the entire world. 489 00:21:28,569 --> 00:21:31,609 Peter was telling these religious rulers that their salvation 490 00:21:31,609 --> 00:21:34,649 was not based on anything that they could do, but the power rests 491 00:21:34,649 --> 00:21:37,429 solely in the name Lord Jesus Christ. 492 00:21:37,989 --> 00:21:41,749 And the fact that every single person in this world can be saved 493 00:21:41,909 --> 00:21:44,629 should motivate us to stand with boldness. 494 00:21:45,509 --> 00:21:47,629 Second Peter, chapter three, verse nine. 495 00:21:47,629 --> 00:21:49,309 I'm thankful for this verse being in the Bible. 496 00:21:49,309 --> 00:21:49,989 I hope you are too. 497 00:21:49,989 --> 00:21:53,469 It says the Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men 498 00:21:53,469 --> 00:21:56,909 count slackness, but is long suffering toward usward not willing 499 00:21:56,909 --> 00:21:59,589 that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 500 00:22:01,029 --> 00:22:02,069 The power of Christ. 501 00:22:03,319 --> 00:22:04,479 The reason why they did not care. 502 00:22:04,479 --> 00:22:10,879 About their own life is because they knew the power of the 503 00:22:10,879 --> 00:22:12,919 name of Jesus Christ, what power it had. 504 00:22:13,559 --> 00:22:14,999 If there was a man that needed. 505 00:22:14,999 --> 00:22:17,839 Something, and if there was a bunch of people that needed to hear 506 00:22:17,839 --> 00:22:21,799 about the resurrection of Christ, then why not give up their 507 00:22:21,799 --> 00:22:26,119 life to stand and boldly proclaim the word of the Lord? 508 00:22:27,479 --> 00:22:28,119 The power. 509 00:22:28,489 --> 00:22:29,609 There's power in that name. 510 00:22:30,649 --> 00:22:34,569 And one day the Bible says that every knee is going to bow and 511 00:22:34,569 --> 00:22:37,929 every tongue is going to confess Jesus Christ. 512 00:22:39,849 --> 00:22:40,489 Number four. 513 00:22:41,129 --> 00:22:44,929 We see the presence of Christ, verse number 13. 514 00:22:44,929 --> 00:22:45,929 The Bible says this. 515 00:22:47,209 --> 00:22:48,009 Just imagine. 516 00:22:48,329 --> 00:22:50,249 I like to imagine being there. 517 00:22:50,649 --> 00:22:51,449 And maybe one day. 518 00:22:51,449 --> 00:22:53,609 I don't know how heaven's going to be other than what we see 519 00:22:53,609 --> 00:22:54,049 in the Bible. 520 00:22:54,049 --> 00:22:56,489 I don't know if we're going to be able to replay things that happened. 521 00:22:56,489 --> 00:22:57,089 I would love that. 522 00:22:57,089 --> 00:22:58,089 How many of y' all would love that? 523 00:22:58,499 --> 00:22:59,939 Like, see a movie of things happen? 524 00:23:00,659 --> 00:23:06,099 Hey, God, would you let me see Acts chapter four in live action? 525 00:23:08,419 --> 00:23:13,619 They're standing there and they're not apologizing for healing 526 00:23:13,619 --> 00:23:14,019 the man. 527 00:23:14,419 --> 00:23:17,019 They're not apologizing for preaching the resurrection of the 528 00:23:17,019 --> 00:23:17,379 dead. 529 00:23:17,699 --> 00:23:20,899 They're just simply preaching Jesus Christ to them, telling them 530 00:23:20,899 --> 00:23:22,179 why they're doing what they're doing. 531 00:23:22,739 --> 00:23:24,419 And then verse number 13 says this. 532 00:23:24,419 --> 00:23:27,599 Now, when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and perceived 533 00:23:27,599 --> 00:23:31,279 that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled and took 534 00:23:31,279 --> 00:23:33,519 knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus. 535 00:23:34,159 --> 00:23:39,719 What caused them to stand was the presence of Jesus Christ in their 536 00:23:39,719 --> 00:23:39,999 life. 537 00:23:40,639 --> 00:23:44,479 We will never be able to properly do what we should be doing 538 00:23:45,039 --> 00:23:47,039 if we're never in the presence of him. 539 00:23:49,599 --> 00:23:52,639 Listen, our being with the Lord should be evident on our life. 540 00:23:54,829 --> 00:23:57,069 Look, it makes me always think about Moses when he went up in the 541 00:23:57,069 --> 00:23:58,669 mountain and was with him. 542 00:23:59,469 --> 00:24:01,629 He comes down and his face was glowing. 543 00:24:02,509 --> 00:24:07,229 He had no idea that it was glowing, but everybody else did because 544 00:24:07,229 --> 00:24:08,429 he had been with Jesus. 545 00:24:09,229 --> 00:24:11,469 When's the last time somebody came to you and was like, have you 546 00:24:11,469 --> 00:24:12,189 been with Jesus? 547 00:24:15,149 --> 00:24:17,869 The presence of Christ is where we gain strength. 548 00:24:19,559 --> 00:24:22,519 Zechariah 4, 6 says, then he answered and spake unto me. 549 00:24:22,519 --> 00:24:23,599 This is the word of the Lord. 550 00:24:23,599 --> 00:24:28,079 Unto Zerubbabel, saying, not by might nor by power, but by my 551 00:24:28,079 --> 00:24:29,359 spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. 552 00:24:29,359 --> 00:24:32,519 The way that we get the spirit of God and walk in the spirit of 553 00:24:32,519 --> 00:24:33,639 God is being with God. 554 00:24:33,639 --> 00:24:34,199 Amen. 555 00:24:35,879 --> 00:24:39,519 Let me ask you, how much does the presence of Christ in your life 556 00:24:39,519 --> 00:24:40,119 change you? 557 00:24:41,399 --> 00:24:45,449 I was in chapel last year at the school, and many of y' all know 558 00:24:45,449 --> 00:24:46,209 Brother Shelton. 559 00:24:46,369 --> 00:24:47,569 Brother Shelton's a great. 560 00:24:47,569 --> 00:24:48,769 I love listening to him preach. 561 00:24:48,769 --> 00:24:53,649 But he preached chapel that day, and he asked us this question. 562 00:24:54,369 --> 00:24:59,369 If the Holy Spirit was removed from your life today, how much would 563 00:24:59,369 --> 00:25:00,849 your life be different? 564 00:25:02,609 --> 00:25:04,089 And he said that, Ms. Weatherby. 565 00:25:04,089 --> 00:25:05,169 And I was like, good night. 566 00:25:05,249 --> 00:25:06,209 That's a good question. 567 00:25:07,329 --> 00:25:09,969 Because sadly, a lot of my life would be the exact same. 568 00:25:10,869 --> 00:25:11,829 I would still get up. 569 00:25:11,909 --> 00:25:13,109 I would still go to work. 570 00:25:13,669 --> 00:25:16,389 I would still be friendly to the people that I work with. 571 00:25:16,629 --> 00:25:18,149 I would still provide for my family. 572 00:25:20,309 --> 00:25:21,589 Let me ask you that question. 573 00:25:21,669 --> 00:25:24,389 If the Holy Spirit of God was removed from your life, if the presence 574 00:25:24,389 --> 00:25:28,509 of God was removed from your life right now, how much would your 575 00:25:28,509 --> 00:25:29,189 life be different? 576 00:25:29,429 --> 00:25:30,709 Now, let me say it this way. 577 00:25:31,349 --> 00:25:34,389 If the presence of the Holy Spirit of God was removed from this 578 00:25:34,389 --> 00:25:38,319 church, how much would this church be different? 579 00:25:40,319 --> 00:25:48,159 Does this church rely on the power and the presence of God, or 580 00:25:48,159 --> 00:25:50,319 do we rely on things that we've always done? 581 00:25:58,879 --> 00:26:04,069 These religious people who did not know Christ, they looked at these 582 00:26:04,069 --> 00:26:06,549 two men and they're like, they've been with him. 583 00:26:08,069 --> 00:26:10,389 I perceived that they had been with Jesus Christ. 584 00:26:12,949 --> 00:26:14,869 Does anybody know that you've been with Jesus? 585 00:26:15,429 --> 00:26:18,308 There are too many Christians out there that make Christ prominent 586 00:26:18,869 --> 00:26:20,189 without making him preeminent. 587 00:26:20,189 --> 00:26:21,189 There's a difference there. 588 00:26:23,429 --> 00:26:25,909 God being prominent in our lives is a good thing. 589 00:26:25,909 --> 00:26:26,949 That means he's big. 590 00:26:27,679 --> 00:26:29,439 I pray that he's big in all of our life. 591 00:26:30,479 --> 00:26:32,319 It means he's large in our life. 592 00:26:33,039 --> 00:26:37,679 But making him preeminent in our life means that he surpasses 593 00:26:37,679 --> 00:26:38,239 all others. 594 00:26:40,719 --> 00:26:46,679 God is not going to say, well, brother Cox, you made me preeminent, 595 00:26:46,679 --> 00:26:48,879 so I'm just going to remove everything good out of your life. 596 00:26:50,479 --> 00:26:51,759 No, he's not going to do that. 597 00:26:52,399 --> 00:26:54,929 He's going to say, where you been? 598 00:26:56,609 --> 00:26:57,009 Here. 599 00:26:58,929 --> 00:27:02,369 Jesus Christ came to give us life and life abundant Amen. 600 00:27:02,529 --> 00:27:06,369 Are you living in the abundance that Jesus Christ has promised 601 00:27:06,369 --> 00:27:06,689 us? 602 00:27:07,649 --> 00:27:10,049 When you and I look at the person of Christ, we look at the 603 00:27:10,049 --> 00:27:13,289 placement of Christ, the power of Christ, and are in the presence 604 00:27:13,289 --> 00:27:13,809 of Christ. 605 00:27:15,009 --> 00:27:21,579 I believe it will cause number one a proclamation and persistence. 606 00:27:22,779 --> 00:27:27,499 In verse 16 through 20, he says this and his name through faith. 607 00:27:27,739 --> 00:27:28,939 Excuse me, 16. 608 00:27:29,019 --> 00:27:32,259 And chapter number four, he says, saying, what shall we do to 609 00:27:32,259 --> 00:27:32,779 these men? 610 00:27:33,259 --> 00:27:35,258 They're like, they've been with Jesus. 611 00:27:35,339 --> 00:27:37,979 In verse 16, it says, now what shall we do with these men? 612 00:27:37,979 --> 00:27:40,579 For that, indeed a notable miracle had been done by them is 613 00:27:40,579 --> 00:27:42,939 manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem. 614 00:27:42,939 --> 00:27:43,899 And we cannot deny it. 615 00:27:43,899 --> 00:27:45,619 They're like, I don't know what we're supposed to do now. 616 00:27:45,619 --> 00:27:48,249 These guys, they've already started disrupting everything. 617 00:27:48,249 --> 00:27:49,849 And a lot of people have already believed. 618 00:27:49,849 --> 00:27:51,649 Now what are we doing that we put them in prison? 619 00:27:51,649 --> 00:27:54,209 And now we've asked them these questions and they're still talking 620 00:27:54,209 --> 00:27:55,169 about Jesus. 621 00:27:55,409 --> 00:27:56,449 What are we going to do? 622 00:27:56,929 --> 00:27:59,969 And verse number 17 says, but that it spread no further among the 623 00:27:59,969 --> 00:28:00,129 people. 624 00:28:00,129 --> 00:28:03,169 Let us straightly threaten them that they speak henceforth to 625 00:28:03,169 --> 00:28:04,009 no man in his name. 626 00:28:04,009 --> 00:28:05,289 They're like, I got it. 627 00:28:05,289 --> 00:28:06,769 This is what we're going to threaten them. 628 00:28:06,929 --> 00:28:09,009 You better not do it, or else, you know. 629 00:28:09,489 --> 00:28:12,049 Verse 18 it says, and they called them, and they commanded them 630 00:28:12,049 --> 00:28:14,234 not to speak at all, nor teach in the name of Jesus. 631 00:28:14,234 --> 00:28:17,489 And they said, just shut up, be quiet, don't say anything else 632 00:28:17,489 --> 00:28:18,009 about him. 633 00:28:21,209 --> 00:28:27,649 But if he is our cause, the effect is we proclaim, have a persistence, 634 00:28:27,649 --> 00:28:28,489 proclamation. 635 00:28:28,889 --> 00:28:30,009 Look here what it says. 636 00:28:30,649 --> 00:28:33,569 Verse number 19, it says, but Peter and John answered and said 637 00:28:33,569 --> 00:28:34,089 unto them,. 638 00:28:34,489 --> 00:28:35,969 Whether it be right in the sight. 639 00:28:35,969 --> 00:28:40,319 Of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. 640 00:28:41,349 --> 00:28:42,709 What does it say here in verse number 20? 641 00:28:43,429 --> 00:28:47,109 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. 642 00:28:48,389 --> 00:28:52,709 He's like, threaten me all you want, put me in prison all you want, 643 00:28:53,189 --> 00:28:54,309 kill me if you want. 644 00:28:54,869 --> 00:29:00,309 But we cannot help but speak the things which we have seen and 645 00:29:00,309 --> 00:29:00,709 heard. 646 00:29:04,709 --> 00:29:06,709 Is there anything that's keeping you from speaking today? 647 00:29:08,029 --> 00:29:10,149 Is there anything that's keeping this church from speaking 648 00:29:10,149 --> 00:29:10,509 today? 649 00:29:12,269 --> 00:29:14,749 Lastly, number two, there was a passing of faith. 650 00:29:16,109 --> 00:29:17,309 Verse number 21. 651 00:29:21,389 --> 00:29:25,309 Says, so when they had further threatened them, they let them go, 652 00:29:25,309 --> 00:29:28,669 finding nothing how they might punish them because of the people. 653 00:29:29,309 --> 00:29:32,589 For all men glorified God for that which was done. 654 00:29:33,749 --> 00:29:34,509 See what happened there? 655 00:29:34,509 --> 00:29:38,589 The effect was all of these people that were around them started 656 00:29:38,589 --> 00:29:40,469 glorifying God for what had been done. 657 00:29:42,549 --> 00:29:45,229 Now, how many of you Want the neighborhoods around Heritage Baptist 658 00:29:45,229 --> 00:29:49,709 Church to glorify God for all that's been done at Heritage Baptist 659 00:29:49,709 --> 00:29:50,069 Church. 660 00:29:51,189 --> 00:29:53,269 I know the negativity that's been going on. 661 00:29:54,229 --> 00:29:57,509 My wife worked here up until just a little bit ago. 662 00:30:00,879 --> 00:30:03,399 What many of the neighborhoods around this church want this church 663 00:30:03,399 --> 00:30:05,519 to do is to completely shut its doors and fail. 664 00:30:07,119 --> 00:30:10,879 But if we have the proper cause, we'll have the proper effect. 665 00:30:11,679 --> 00:30:18,159 And that proper effect is that all men will glorify God for what 666 00:30:18,159 --> 00:30:18,799 has been done. 667 00:30:19,199 --> 00:30:21,399 Do you believe that God will get the glory out of Heritage Baptist 668 00:30:21,399 --> 00:30:21,679 Church? 669 00:30:21,679 --> 00:30:22,159 I do. 670 00:30:23,199 --> 00:30:24,809 But we have to have the proper cause. 671 00:30:25,199 --> 00:30:26,639 We have to have the proper motivation. 672 00:30:27,679 --> 00:30:32,799 The Bible tells us to let our light so shine before men that he 673 00:30:32,799 --> 00:30:36,359 may see our good works and glorify our Father, which is in heaven. 674 00:30:36,359 --> 00:30:36,879 Amen. 675 00:30:37,519 --> 00:30:40,719 Let me ask you, is Jesus Christ your cause? 676 00:30:41,519 --> 00:30:45,359 Is the reason why this church here for Christ and Christ alone? 677 00:30:46,719 --> 00:30:47,839 What is your purpose? 678 00:30:48,159 --> 00:30:49,679 What's the purpose of this church? 679 00:30:52,409 --> 00:30:53,769 Why did we come to meet today? 680 00:30:55,209 --> 00:30:56,489 Is it to check a box? 681 00:30:57,209 --> 00:31:02,769 Or is it to get fired up and to go shine as lights for the Lord 682 00:31:02,769 --> 00:31:03,369 Jesus Christ? 683 00:31:03,769 --> 00:31:04,529 Let's pray, Father. 684 00:31:04,529 --> 00:31:06,769 We thank you, God, for this, Lord. 685 00:31:06,769 --> 00:31:10,049 I pray, Father, that you would take this message now and help us 686 00:31:10,049 --> 00:31:11,209 to apply it to our lives. 687 00:31:12,089 --> 00:31:14,329 God, I pray that your spirit, Father, would deliver it in such 688 00:31:14,329 --> 00:31:16,729 a way that it's undoubtedly you that has delivered it. 689 00:31:17,849 --> 00:31:20,089 God, I pray that you get the glory from this invitation time. 690 00:31:20,089 --> 00:31:21,689 I pray these things in Jesus name. 691 00:31:21,849 --> 00:31:22,329 Amen. 692 00:31:22,329 --> 00:31:23,209 Let's all stand together. 693 00:31:34,889 --> 00:31:37,209 Several occasions, Paul said, we preach Christ. 694 00:31:38,569 --> 00:31:41,969 And this sermon that we heard is exactly what that means to preach 695 00:31:41,969 --> 00:31:42,329 Christ. 696 00:31:43,339 --> 00:31:46,099 There's a little chorus sometimes we sing Christ is all I 697 00:31:46,099 --> 00:31:46,299 need. 698 00:31:46,299 --> 00:31:49,659 And people say, yeah, but you don't understand all my other needs. 699 00:31:51,179 --> 00:31:53,019 Christ is all we need. 700 00:31:54,219 --> 00:31:56,699 You say, well, that's easy for you to say, you're a preacher. 701 00:31:59,099 --> 00:32:00,659 Someone said, I've never forgotten it. 702 00:32:00,659 --> 00:32:05,019 They said, when you get to the place to where Christ is all you 703 00:32:05,019 --> 00:32:09,979 have, then the light comes on and you realize he's all you need. 704 00:32:11,319 --> 00:32:14,359 A lot of our troubles and trials that we go through is to try 705 00:32:14,839 --> 00:32:18,679 to wean us off the things of the world and find out that Christ 706 00:32:18,679 --> 00:32:19,879 is really all we need. 707 00:32:20,999 --> 00:32:23,439 We'll sing a verse of invitation and some have already 708 00:32:23,439 --> 00:32:24,759 come and you might want to join. 709 00:32:25,319 --> 00:32:28,639 Come and kneel for a few minutes and pray and go back to your 710 00:32:28,639 --> 00:32:28,999 seat. 711 00:32:29,399 --> 00:32:32,039 If you need someone to help you, just come right now.