1 00:00:30,179 --> 00:00:30,611 Amen. 2 00:00:30,635 --> 00:00:31,919 Enjoyed that song. 3 00:00:33,699 --> 00:00:36,683 We do have, of course, brother Jonathan Moore with us tonight. 4 00:00:36,731 --> 00:00:45,451 Brother Moore was our fearless youth pastor song leader for four 5 00:00:45,475 --> 00:00:46,039 years. 6 00:00:46,339 --> 00:00:48,587 Came on right after Covid happened. 7 00:00:48,683 --> 00:00:53,355 It's interesting story and it's now been down in College Station 8 00:00:53,467 --> 00:00:54,923 Brian air for over a year. 9 00:00:55,011 --> 00:00:56,043 Church is doing well. 10 00:00:56,131 --> 00:00:57,943 It's in your bulletin every week. 11 00:00:58,131 --> 00:01:02,415 Hope that you're praying for them and then praying for brother 12 00:01:02,447 --> 00:01:05,311 Wiggins out in Mobile, Alabama, and brother Lee Davis as 13 00:01:05,335 --> 00:01:05,899 well. 14 00:01:06,359 --> 00:01:13,023 And so this is a opportunity for our church to do what the Lord 15 00:01:13,071 --> 00:01:18,015 has commanded churches to do, and that is to plant other churches. 16 00:01:18,207 --> 00:01:21,819 And so I'm so glad and they're doing such a good job. 17 00:01:22,359 --> 00:01:23,419 Look at him. 18 00:01:26,529 --> 00:01:27,669 Appreciate you. 19 00:01:29,729 --> 00:01:30,697 Get him out of here earlier. 20 00:01:30,753 --> 00:01:31,349 No. 21 00:01:31,889 --> 00:01:32,361 All right. 22 00:01:32,385 --> 00:01:37,449 Well, it is good to be here this evening and I am going to just 23 00:01:37,569 --> 00:01:41,209 want to take a few seconds just to thank Heritage Baptist Church. 24 00:01:41,369 --> 00:01:42,949 But before I do that. 25 00:01:43,409 --> 00:01:45,189 Whoa, I got loud there. 26 00:01:46,129 --> 00:01:48,841 We just want to show a quick video is our first year anniversary 27 00:01:48,905 --> 00:01:50,569 on January 26th. 28 00:01:50,649 --> 00:01:52,473 So we're going to show that video and then I just want to say 29 00:01:52,481 --> 00:01:54,909 a few words before we get in the message this evening. 30 00:02:11,839 --> 00:02:20,743 Not some tragic struggle not some endless search Just the story 31 00:02:20,911 --> 00:02:25,099 of some kids growing up in church. 32 00:02:26,299 --> 00:02:34,803 We took in every moment with opened eyes and ears and one day 33 00:02:34,891 --> 00:02:43,519 took to heart what we saw in those years and we saw real people 34 00:02:44,299 --> 00:02:55,919 with real struggles and real life bruising real ways There was 35 00:02:56,699 --> 00:03:06,095 real joy oh, yeah real hope and through it all we found real 36 00:03:06,167 --> 00:03:22,847 faith we count it as a blessing to know such strength and 37 00:03:22,903 --> 00:03:30,419 peace oh, not that they were perfect but they lived with honesty 38 00:03:31,219 --> 00:03:40,059 and the evidence we witnessed daily in each life Helped pave the 39 00:03:40,099 --> 00:03:48,999 way for us to embrace the love of Christ and we knew real people 40 00:03:49,779 --> 00:04:01,399 with real struggles and real life Bruising real ways There was 41 00:04:02,079 --> 00:04:12,459 real joy and real hope and through it all we found real faith 42 00:04:15,519 --> 00:04:23,751 Remind us, oh Father that around us every day the innocent 43 00:04:23,815 --> 00:04:36,239 eyes are watching May they see our lives and say I see real people 44 00:04:37,019 --> 00:04:48,639 with real struggles and real lives Boozing real ways There was 45 00:04:49,339 --> 00:04:59,719 real joy and real hope and through it all we found we'll fade 46 00:05:02,619 --> 00:05:05,519 and through it all we found. 47 00:05:20,679 --> 00:05:25,423 Amen so we're thankful again for the opportunity to be in College 48 00:05:25,471 --> 00:05:27,295 Station for all my A and M fans. 49 00:05:27,327 --> 00:05:28,079 Gig Em. 50 00:05:28,199 --> 00:05:29,087 There we go. 51 00:05:29,223 --> 00:05:30,575 Only one of them, man. 52 00:05:30,727 --> 00:05:31,693 Come on, Tyler. 53 00:05:31,831 --> 00:05:34,289 I expect a little more than that, but that's all right. 54 00:05:34,409 --> 00:05:37,937 But no, we are excited to be there and I do want to just take 55 00:05:38,073 --> 00:05:41,989 a moment this evening and I told myself I wouldn't cry. 56 00:05:42,569 --> 00:05:47,649 But humanly speaking, this church has been such a blessing to 57 00:05:47,689 --> 00:05:48,749 me and my family. 58 00:05:49,369 --> 00:05:51,345 For us to be where we're at. 59 00:05:51,417 --> 00:05:57,057 There was much sacrifice, and that's because of a vision of Pastor 60 00:05:57,073 --> 00:06:02,733 Crawford, but also the people of this church that are willing to 61 00:06:02,821 --> 00:06:07,421 give faithfully to support the ministries here, but also to support 62 00:06:07,525 --> 00:06:11,837 missionaries around the world, as well as works right here in the 63 00:06:11,893 --> 00:06:12,557 United States. 64 00:06:12,613 --> 00:06:16,541 And so I just want to say I wasn't expecting to preach, so I 65 00:06:16,565 --> 00:06:17,213 honestly wasn't. 66 00:06:17,261 --> 00:06:20,317 I just wanted to get up and say thank you again from the bottom 67 00:06:20,333 --> 00:06:24,749 of my heart for what this church has meant to us, not just 68 00:06:24,789 --> 00:06:27,129 financially, but also in praying for us. 69 00:06:29,059 --> 00:06:32,651 I tell people all the time I need all this, thankfully for all 70 00:06:32,675 --> 00:06:34,091 the support that we get. 71 00:06:34,275 --> 00:06:37,195 But the most important thing is people that are praying for us. 72 00:06:37,267 --> 00:06:41,819 And every Sunday I can count on whether I'm discouraged going 73 00:06:41,859 --> 00:06:44,971 into that Sunday morning, I can count on a text from Pastor Crawford 74 00:06:45,035 --> 00:06:48,043 just saying he's praying for me and that he prays that our services 75 00:06:48,131 --> 00:06:48,539 go well. 76 00:06:48,579 --> 00:06:50,331 And that means so much to me. 77 00:06:50,355 --> 00:06:53,261 And so I just wanted to personally say thank you again to 78 00:06:53,285 --> 00:06:55,309 this church and my family. 79 00:06:55,429 --> 00:06:59,949 I want to say thank you to you for all that you mean to me and my 80 00:06:59,989 --> 00:07:02,989 family and just continue to serve the Lord, continue to live 81 00:07:03,029 --> 00:07:07,261 for him and continue to support ministries all across the 82 00:07:07,285 --> 00:07:08,889 United States and across the world. 83 00:07:09,189 --> 00:07:12,329 I'm so thankful for all that the Lord has allowed us to do. 84 00:07:12,629 --> 00:07:17,389 We average about 40 in attendance and then our high was 85 00:07:17,429 --> 00:07:17,885 on our. 86 00:07:17,957 --> 00:07:18,861 I love my church. 87 00:07:18,925 --> 00:07:24,119 Sunday we had 53 people and so it was a wonderful day that day. 88 00:07:24,239 --> 00:07:26,727 We've had four people get saved this year. 89 00:07:26,863 --> 00:07:28,119 We've baptized two. 90 00:07:28,159 --> 00:07:28,999 I just finished. 91 00:07:29,079 --> 00:07:29,991 I've been discipling. 92 00:07:30,055 --> 00:07:32,983 I've had about four people, four men that I've been discipling. 93 00:07:33,031 --> 00:07:35,719 My wife is discipling a couple of ladies as well. 94 00:07:35,759 --> 00:07:37,271 And so I just had one. 95 00:07:37,455 --> 00:07:41,111 If you follow us on any social media, we just posted on that one 96 00:07:41,135 --> 00:07:44,871 of the guys that is going, he'll be a senior next year, but 97 00:07:44,895 --> 00:07:46,679 he just finished the discipleship course. 98 00:07:46,719 --> 00:07:51,533 We met for 14 weeks and just to see him get grounded and desire 99 00:07:51,581 --> 00:07:53,661 to serve the Lord has just been awesome. 100 00:07:53,725 --> 00:07:57,405 So thank you for all that you do and it's not in vain. 101 00:07:57,517 --> 00:08:00,061 And just want to say again, thank you so much. 102 00:08:00,165 --> 00:08:04,429 If you would turn in your Bibles this evening to the book of 103 00:08:04,469 --> 00:08:05,089 Luke. 104 00:08:05,509 --> 00:08:10,009 The book of Luke, chapter 9, Luke, chapter 9. 105 00:08:11,109 --> 00:08:16,773 And we'll begin reading in verse 49, Luke, chapter 9 and verse 106 00:08:16,821 --> 00:08:17,541 49. 107 00:08:17,645 --> 00:08:20,949 I don't want To Caleb said I could drink the half drunk one. 108 00:08:20,989 --> 00:08:21,877 I don't want to do that. 109 00:08:21,933 --> 00:08:24,453 So found the one that hasn't been used yet. 110 00:08:24,621 --> 00:08:25,669 Luke, chapter nine. 111 00:08:25,709 --> 00:08:26,565 And we'll begin reading. 112 00:08:26,597 --> 00:08:37,849 In verse 49 the Bible says, and John answered and said, master, 113 00:08:38,349 --> 00:08:41,443 we saw one casting out devils in thy name. 114 00:08:41,621 --> 00:08:45,699 And we forbade him because he followed not with us. 115 00:08:47,119 --> 00:08:51,319 And Jesus said unto him, forbid him not, for he that is not 116 00:08:51,359 --> 00:08:53,459 against us is for us. 117 00:08:54,879 --> 00:08:58,103 And it came to pass when the time was come that he should be received 118 00:08:58,191 --> 00:09:03,847 up, he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem and sent 119 00:09:03,903 --> 00:09:05,495 messengers before his face. 120 00:09:05,567 --> 00:09:09,721 And they went and entered into a village of the Samaritans to make 121 00:09:09,745 --> 00:09:10,789 ready for him. 122 00:09:11,329 --> 00:09:14,889 And they did not receive him because his face was as though he 123 00:09:14,929 --> 00:09:16,429 would go to Jerusalem. 124 00:09:17,329 --> 00:09:22,057 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, lord, 125 00:09:22,233 --> 00:09:26,425 wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven and consume 126 00:09:26,457 --> 00:09:28,629 them, even as Elias did? 127 00:09:29,969 --> 00:09:33,657 But he turned and rebuked them and said, ye know not what manner 128 00:09:33,673 --> 00:09:38,341 of spirit ye are of, for the Son of man has not come to destroy 129 00:09:38,405 --> 00:09:41,649 men's lives, but to save them. 130 00:09:42,269 --> 00:09:44,437 And they went to another village. 131 00:09:44,533 --> 00:09:44,901 Let's go. 132 00:09:44,925 --> 00:09:48,245 Lord in prayer Father, we come to you in Jesus name and I thank 133 00:09:48,277 --> 00:09:50,709 you for the privilege to be in church this evening. 134 00:09:50,869 --> 00:09:53,989 Thank you for everyone that is faithfully that they are here. 135 00:09:54,029 --> 00:09:56,821 And I pray that you would bless them this evening. 136 00:09:56,965 --> 00:10:00,757 Lord, I pray that you would give me the words to say may whatever 137 00:10:00,773 --> 00:10:03,029 it is that you want me to say, I pray that I would say it. 138 00:10:03,069 --> 00:10:06,211 Whatever you don't want me to say, Lord, help me not to say it. 139 00:10:06,405 --> 00:10:09,591 And then Lord, as I ask each time I pray, I pray that you would 140 00:10:09,615 --> 00:10:11,099 give us listening ears. 141 00:10:11,439 --> 00:10:15,847 Lord, we don't come out of tradition, we don't come out of obligation. 142 00:10:15,943 --> 00:10:19,319 We come because we want to hear from your word. 143 00:10:19,399 --> 00:10:21,975 And so Lord, I pray that you would bless as I speak. 144 00:10:22,007 --> 00:10:25,559 I pray that you'd help us to hear and to allow you to change our 145 00:10:25,599 --> 00:10:28,039 lives as you desire to. 146 00:10:28,159 --> 00:10:30,119 And Lord, we'll praise you and thank you for it. 147 00:10:30,159 --> 00:10:32,219 For it's in Jesus name I pray. 148 00:10:32,819 --> 00:10:33,759 Amen. 149 00:10:36,179 --> 00:10:39,707 At the end of the book of Matthew, In Matthew, chapter 28, 150 00:10:39,763 --> 00:10:40,747 some of the most. 151 00:10:40,883 --> 00:10:46,107 If you are a believer, some of the most well known verses are recorded 152 00:10:46,283 --> 00:10:50,651 in Matthew chapter 28, verses 19 and 20. 153 00:10:50,835 --> 00:10:53,479 We have what is called the Great Commission. 154 00:10:53,859 --> 00:10:56,039 And God has given us the Great Commission. 155 00:10:56,739 --> 00:11:00,779 And it is our job, it is our obligation to go out and tell other 156 00:11:00,819 --> 00:11:03,799 people about the good news of Jesus Christ. 157 00:11:04,659 --> 00:11:08,459 And in fact I love what it says in verse 18 where he says this 158 00:11:08,499 --> 00:11:12,155 in Matthew, chapter 28, all power is given unto me in heaven 159 00:11:12,187 --> 00:11:13,387 and in earth. 160 00:11:13,563 --> 00:11:16,923 Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing in the name of 161 00:11:16,931 --> 00:11:19,419 the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost. 162 00:11:19,579 --> 00:11:22,571 And I'm so thankful as we go with the Great Commission, as we 163 00:11:22,595 --> 00:11:25,163 go and tell other people about Jesus Christ. 164 00:11:25,331 --> 00:11:29,489 I'm so thankful that I don't go in my own strength because I know 165 00:11:29,529 --> 00:11:30,433 my own personality. 166 00:11:30,481 --> 00:11:35,009 It's not always that I have all the courage to just go and tell 167 00:11:35,049 --> 00:11:36,577 someone about Jesus Christ. 168 00:11:36,713 --> 00:11:39,233 There are many times or sometimes it might be a little nerve 169 00:11:39,281 --> 00:11:42,961 wracking or wondering if I'm going to have the words to say or 170 00:11:42,985 --> 00:11:46,833 is someone going to ask a question, maybe that I don't know. 171 00:11:47,001 --> 00:11:49,857 And maybe you've been there in your life, maybe you experienced 172 00:11:49,873 --> 00:11:50,321 that as well. 173 00:11:50,345 --> 00:11:53,793 And I promise, if you determine to say no to this flesh 174 00:11:53,841 --> 00:11:56,591 and determine that you are going to tell someone about Jesus, 175 00:11:56,745 --> 00:11:59,759 I promise you, you've had these feelings at one time or another. 176 00:12:00,139 --> 00:12:04,259 But I'm so thankful that I can take courage and each of us can take 177 00:12:04,299 --> 00:12:10,083 courage in the very fact that as we go, Jesus is with us every 178 00:12:10,171 --> 00:12:10,979 step of the way. 179 00:12:11,019 --> 00:12:14,639 Cause he said, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. 180 00:12:14,939 --> 00:12:18,771 But it is our job, the Bible says to go therefore and teach all 181 00:12:18,795 --> 00:12:19,123 nations. 182 00:12:19,171 --> 00:12:20,451 Well, what are we teaching them? 183 00:12:20,555 --> 00:12:23,913 What we're teaching them to understand that there is a Savior 184 00:12:23,961 --> 00:12:27,657 that loved us and died on the cross and was buried and rose again. 185 00:12:27,713 --> 00:12:29,801 We call that the Gospel, the Good News. 186 00:12:29,905 --> 00:12:32,921 I'm sure each and every one of you would know the good news, the 187 00:12:32,945 --> 00:12:37,145 Gospel, the death, the burial and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 188 00:12:37,297 --> 00:12:41,273 And anyone that will put their faith and trust in Jesus can have 189 00:12:41,361 --> 00:12:47,737 a new life, a hope that lasts for eternity, and a life with Jesus 190 00:12:47,833 --> 00:12:48,991 forevermore. 191 00:12:49,185 --> 00:12:50,723 And it's a wonderful thing. 192 00:12:50,811 --> 00:12:54,435 I never want to get over the fact when I was 12 years old on the 193 00:12:54,507 --> 00:12:58,675 left side of the platform where I realized I was a sinner and 194 00:12:58,747 --> 00:12:59,747 gave my life to the Lord. 195 00:12:59,763 --> 00:13:01,347 I never want to get over that. 196 00:13:01,483 --> 00:13:04,611 And I never want to get over the fact that I have the opportunity. 197 00:13:04,675 --> 00:13:06,195 Wait, let me say it a different way. 198 00:13:06,267 --> 00:13:09,719 I have the obligation of telling other people about Jesus. 199 00:13:10,059 --> 00:13:11,283 This is the Great Commission. 200 00:13:11,371 --> 00:13:12,611 This isn't the. 201 00:13:12,795 --> 00:13:14,819 If I choose to, or if I want to. 202 00:13:14,859 --> 00:13:15,059 No. 203 00:13:15,099 --> 00:13:18,457 God has commissioned every one of us to give the Gospel to other 204 00:13:18,513 --> 00:13:22,073 people and to help them to understand that God loves them and 205 00:13:22,161 --> 00:13:26,469 God died for them and he wants to give them everlasting life. 206 00:13:28,849 --> 00:13:33,161 And what a wonderful truth knowledge it is that I don't know 207 00:13:33,185 --> 00:13:33,529 about you. 208 00:13:33,569 --> 00:13:36,553 And if the Lord has allowed you to take someone through the Scriptures 209 00:13:36,601 --> 00:13:40,601 and show them their need of salvation and to see them see that 210 00:13:40,625 --> 00:13:43,497 they're a sinner and them understand that they are lost before 211 00:13:43,553 --> 00:13:47,081 God and the understanding that there is a penalty, and then you 212 00:13:47,105 --> 00:13:50,041 ask them, hey, do you want to receive the gift of everlasting life? 213 00:13:50,065 --> 00:13:53,209 And to hear them say, yes, then they want to do that. 214 00:13:53,249 --> 00:13:56,937 And so they bow their head and they accept Jesus as their Savior. 215 00:13:57,033 --> 00:13:58,281 It's a wonderful time. 216 00:13:58,305 --> 00:13:59,449 It's an amazing time. 217 00:13:59,489 --> 00:14:01,033 It's a wonderful experience. 218 00:14:01,201 --> 00:14:04,869 I love it every time the Lord gives me the opportunity to do that. 219 00:14:05,729 --> 00:14:11,813 It is so enjoyable to just joy to the soul, to see people come to 220 00:14:11,821 --> 00:14:13,769 know Jesus as their personal savior. 221 00:14:15,229 --> 00:14:18,661 But the passage we're going to look at tonight is to understand 222 00:14:18,845 --> 00:14:22,005 that going with the Great Commission, yes, it is wonderful 223 00:14:22,037 --> 00:14:23,701 when someone realizes their need. 224 00:14:23,725 --> 00:14:26,885 And let me just say it right now, if you have never put your faith 225 00:14:26,917 --> 00:14:30,405 and trust in Jesus Christ, even if on a Sunday night, and it's 226 00:14:30,437 --> 00:14:32,645 one of the y'all are the faithful that are here all the time, 227 00:14:32,717 --> 00:14:35,333 but you can't think of a time where you personally accepted the 228 00:14:35,341 --> 00:14:37,429 gift of salvation, can I encourage you? 229 00:14:37,469 --> 00:14:39,797 Don't leave today without accepting Jesus as your personal 230 00:14:39,853 --> 00:14:40,489 savior. 231 00:14:41,229 --> 00:14:42,197 Hell is real. 232 00:14:42,253 --> 00:14:43,849 Eternity lasts forever. 233 00:14:44,749 --> 00:14:49,221 And everyone that dies will spend eternity in one place or the 234 00:14:49,245 --> 00:14:49,809 other. 235 00:14:51,549 --> 00:14:54,689 But we need to understand as we go with the Great Commission, 236 00:14:56,189 --> 00:15:00,129 that there are many times when we go with the Gospel of Jesus Christ 237 00:15:00,509 --> 00:15:02,485 that we meet rejection. 238 00:15:02,677 --> 00:15:05,285 In other words, every time I give the gospel to someone, they're 239 00:15:05,317 --> 00:15:08,169 not just super excited to accept the gift. 240 00:15:08,519 --> 00:15:10,975 In fact, there are people that say, in fact, I was just talking 241 00:15:11,007 --> 00:15:14,383 to a gentleman that came a couple Sundays ago for our Easter 242 00:15:14,431 --> 00:15:14,687 service. 243 00:15:14,743 --> 00:15:17,439 I went out to lunch with him, was answering all the questions he 244 00:15:17,479 --> 00:15:18,479 had and all those kind of things. 245 00:15:18,519 --> 00:15:21,423 And still he said, I want to believe, but I just don't know if 246 00:15:21,431 --> 00:15:23,579 I believe that everything in the Bible is real. 247 00:15:24,519 --> 00:15:27,759 And how heartbreaking it is to walk away from a conversation like 248 00:15:27,799 --> 00:15:30,863 that, knowing how much God loves them and how much God gave 249 00:15:30,911 --> 00:15:32,895 so that they can have everlasting life. 250 00:15:32,967 --> 00:15:37,089 And then to see them reject it, that's a difficult thing. 251 00:15:37,709 --> 00:15:40,517 And so Jesus wants them to understand this passage. 252 00:15:40,613 --> 00:15:42,741 And I hope it's an encouragement to you as it was to 253 00:15:42,765 --> 00:15:42,901 me. 254 00:15:42,925 --> 00:15:48,421 How do we respond to rejection when it comes in our lives as we 255 00:15:48,445 --> 00:15:50,849 go with the Gospel of Jesus Christ? 256 00:15:52,189 --> 00:15:55,701 And I'm so thankful that Jesus was willing to die. 257 00:15:55,845 --> 00:15:59,797 And in fact, as we approach our passage Tonight, in verse 51, 258 00:15:59,933 --> 00:16:02,085 Jesus is headed to Jerusalem. 259 00:16:02,117 --> 00:16:03,359 He's up in Galilee. 260 00:16:03,469 --> 00:16:06,635 But the Galilean ministry is, Is coming to a close. 261 00:16:06,707 --> 00:16:10,219 Chapter nine of Luke is a very transitional chapter in the life 262 00:16:10,259 --> 00:16:14,267 of Jesus as the Galilean ministry is ending and he is heading 263 00:16:14,363 --> 00:16:16,587 towards Jerusalem. 264 00:16:16,763 --> 00:16:20,491 And Jesus knows all that's that is going to await him in Jerusalem. 265 00:16:20,635 --> 00:16:21,627 Jesus know is. 266 00:16:21,683 --> 00:16:25,467 Knows it is going to be there, that he is going to be falsely accused, 267 00:16:25,563 --> 00:16:29,739 put on trial for crimes he did not commit, be beaten as we celebrated 268 00:16:29,819 --> 00:16:30,955 Easter, the resurrection. 269 00:16:30,987 --> 00:16:34,173 But we also have to remember, for the resurrection to happen, first 270 00:16:34,341 --> 00:16:36,877 he had to be beaten to where you couldn't even tell he was a human 271 00:16:36,933 --> 00:16:37,581 being. 272 00:16:37,765 --> 00:16:41,725 You had to be able to tell he was crucified on a cross, he was 273 00:16:41,797 --> 00:16:45,517 raised up to die, and, and he knew all that was going to happen 274 00:16:45,573 --> 00:16:48,129 when he went to Jerusalem. 275 00:16:49,749 --> 00:16:56,573 But as he was heading that way, the Bible says in verse 51, 276 00:16:56,661 --> 00:17:00,369 he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem. 277 00:17:00,749 --> 00:17:04,309 That means to have an established be established, to be 278 00:17:04,349 --> 00:17:07,285 set or to fix firmly. 279 00:17:07,477 --> 00:17:11,061 In other words, Jesus was determined to go to Jerusalem. 280 00:17:11,125 --> 00:17:15,189 And this set his face indicates a determined nation to 281 00:17:15,229 --> 00:17:18,325 accomplish a task, no matter what it cost him. 282 00:17:18,477 --> 00:17:22,901 Aren't you glad that Jesus was willing to accomplish the task for 283 00:17:22,925 --> 00:17:26,501 which Jesus came, no matter what came in his way? 284 00:17:26,685 --> 00:17:29,397 I'm so glad that Jesus didn't get to the place where they were 285 00:17:29,453 --> 00:17:32,309 spitting on him and saying, man, I'm not gonna go through this 286 00:17:32,349 --> 00:17:33,189 anymore. 287 00:17:33,349 --> 00:17:36,357 Maybe as they placed the crown of thorns on his head, look, I don't 288 00:17:36,373 --> 00:17:37,969 know if they're really worth it. 289 00:17:38,269 --> 00:17:40,369 As they begin to whip his side. 290 00:17:40,749 --> 00:17:43,701 I'm glad he didn't say, well, I don't know if it's worth it or 291 00:17:43,725 --> 00:17:44,053 not. 292 00:17:44,141 --> 00:17:46,453 He had set his face, he was fixed. 293 00:17:46,501 --> 00:17:50,341 He was determined to do and accomplish what God had called him 294 00:17:50,445 --> 00:17:50,869 to do. 295 00:17:50,909 --> 00:17:55,219 The very reason that Jesus had sent him, the reason God had sent 296 00:17:55,259 --> 00:17:56,439 him to this earth. 297 00:17:57,339 --> 00:18:01,139 It has the idea of someone that nothing is going to get in their 298 00:18:01,179 --> 00:18:01,759 way. 299 00:18:03,819 --> 00:18:05,731 You see, it takes courage to do that. 300 00:18:05,755 --> 00:18:08,035 There are two types of courage. 301 00:18:08,227 --> 00:18:13,199 There is courage in the moment which requires no previous thought, 302 00:18:13,739 --> 00:18:14,243 right? 303 00:18:14,331 --> 00:18:18,035 There's courage where someone, maybe you've seen a parent or maybe 304 00:18:18,067 --> 00:18:20,499 a kid is playing out in the street and they see the car coming 305 00:18:20,539 --> 00:18:24,151 and they run over and they grab the kid and pull them to safety. 306 00:18:24,275 --> 00:18:25,359 They didn't think about it. 307 00:18:25,399 --> 00:18:28,511 They didn't contemplate about it, they just saw something and it 308 00:18:28,535 --> 00:18:29,459 took courage. 309 00:18:29,959 --> 00:18:33,135 Maybe you think about someone in wartime where maybe a grenade 310 00:18:33,167 --> 00:18:35,551 is going to go off and that person is willing to jump on top 311 00:18:35,575 --> 00:18:37,583 of that and has the courage. 312 00:18:37,631 --> 00:18:38,511 They don't even think about it. 313 00:18:38,535 --> 00:18:41,807 It's just in the moment, they are going to accomplish the task 314 00:18:41,903 --> 00:18:46,619 for which they or what has come in front of them. 315 00:18:48,279 --> 00:18:52,615 But then there's also what's called planned courage, which sees 316 00:18:52,647 --> 00:18:56,499 the difficulty ahead instead fastly marches towards it. 317 00:18:57,439 --> 00:18:59,899 And Jesus had this kind of courage. 318 00:19:00,639 --> 00:19:04,663 In other words, he's looking at the cross and let's not Forget 319 00:19:04,711 --> 00:19:08,979 he was 100% God, but he was 100% man. 320 00:19:09,279 --> 00:19:12,631 He was 100% God, but He was 100% man. 321 00:19:12,655 --> 00:19:14,343 He knew what it meant to be hungry. 322 00:19:14,471 --> 00:19:16,455 He knew what it meant to be thirsty. 323 00:19:16,567 --> 00:19:18,455 He literally felt the pain. 324 00:19:18,487 --> 00:19:20,119 May we never forget that. 325 00:19:20,159 --> 00:19:22,859 He felt the pain of the nails that went into his hands and threw 326 00:19:22,919 --> 00:19:23,507 his feet. 327 00:19:23,603 --> 00:19:26,643 He felt the pain of the crown of thorns on his head. 328 00:19:26,731 --> 00:19:29,651 And though he is making his way over the next 10 chapters of 329 00:19:29,675 --> 00:19:33,715 Luke, he is going to be making his way from Galilee down to Jerusalem. 330 00:19:33,747 --> 00:19:37,759 He knows exactly what is going to happen, and yet he marches forward. 331 00:19:43,739 --> 00:19:45,411 I love what one commentator said. 332 00:19:45,435 --> 00:19:50,013 He said he saw the cross on the horizon, but still steadfastly 333 00:19:50,061 --> 00:19:53,089 set his face to go to Jerusalem. 334 00:19:54,069 --> 00:19:55,933 Here he sees the cross on the horizon. 335 00:19:55,981 --> 00:19:58,649 He says, I'm going to keep marching towards it. 336 00:19:59,829 --> 00:20:03,277 But how many can someone give us a phone call and they get upset 337 00:20:03,293 --> 00:20:07,357 about something we said or the flyer we put on their door and we're 338 00:20:07,373 --> 00:20:09,449 like, I'm done with that. 339 00:20:09,749 --> 00:20:12,049 I've been persecuted enough for Jesus. 340 00:20:12,469 --> 00:20:14,609 I just don't think I could do this anymore. 341 00:20:15,609 --> 00:20:19,825 But the courage that he had, he saw what was up ahead and he marched 342 00:20:19,937 --> 00:20:22,349 forward with the task at hand. 343 00:20:24,569 --> 00:20:29,953 And so while he's on the way to Jerusalem, Jesus sends messengers 344 00:20:30,081 --> 00:20:31,409 before his face. 345 00:20:31,529 --> 00:20:33,025 Look at verse 52. 346 00:20:33,177 --> 00:20:35,057 And sent messengers before his face. 347 00:20:35,113 --> 00:20:39,409 And they went and entered into a village of the Samaritans to make 348 00:20:39,449 --> 00:20:43,119 ready, and they did not receive Him. 349 00:20:43,899 --> 00:20:45,043 I'm so thankful. 350 00:20:45,171 --> 00:20:49,651 If you know Jewish history, you understand that many a time the 351 00:20:49,675 --> 00:20:51,795 Jews, they would not go through Samaria. 352 00:20:51,827 --> 00:20:54,227 In fact, even though it took three days journey to get around 353 00:20:54,283 --> 00:20:56,771 Samaria, they would go around because they wanted nothing to do 354 00:20:56,795 --> 00:20:57,987 with the Samaritans. 355 00:20:58,163 --> 00:20:59,795 The Samaritans were half breeds. 356 00:20:59,827 --> 00:21:01,299 They were half Gentile, half Jew. 357 00:21:01,379 --> 00:21:04,083 And the Jews hated the Gentiles, and the Gentiles hated 358 00:21:04,131 --> 00:21:06,453 the Jews, and they wanted no part of them. 359 00:21:06,611 --> 00:21:09,105 But I'm so glad that God loves everyone. 360 00:21:09,177 --> 00:21:12,097 God does not care more about one person than the other. 361 00:21:12,153 --> 00:21:12,833 I'm so thankful. 362 00:21:12,881 --> 00:21:15,681 I know it seems to be rare in its ugly head here lately, so I hit 363 00:21:15,705 --> 00:21:17,489 it on it a lot in my church. 364 00:21:17,569 --> 00:21:20,401 But I'm just saying God did not choose some for hell and some 365 00:21:20,425 --> 00:21:20,865 for heaven. 366 00:21:20,897 --> 00:21:21,761 No, I'm so thankful. 367 00:21:21,825 --> 00:21:25,425 He loves everyone and he wants everyone to have a personal relationship 368 00:21:25,457 --> 00:21:25,953 with him. 369 00:21:26,041 --> 00:21:27,633 He wants everyone to be saved. 370 00:21:27,681 --> 00:21:30,913 He wants everyone to realize they're a sinner and accept the gift 371 00:21:30,961 --> 00:21:31,719 of salvation. 372 00:21:31,849 --> 00:21:34,479 He wants everyone to have their sins forgiven. 373 00:21:36,259 --> 00:21:39,707 And so even though they are met with rejection, in fact they 374 00:21:39,763 --> 00:21:40,955 want nothing to do with the message. 375 00:21:40,987 --> 00:21:43,719 The Samaritans wanted nothing to do with that. 376 00:21:44,739 --> 00:21:47,563 But it's like the first end of a bookend. 377 00:21:47,611 --> 00:21:50,475 Because what's going to happen as soon as he gets to Jerusalem? 378 00:21:50,667 --> 00:21:53,035 You know, they can look and see the Samaritans, they want nothing 379 00:21:53,067 --> 00:21:53,755 to do with Jesus. 380 00:21:53,787 --> 00:21:56,523 But Jesus is going to get to Jerusalem and you know what's going 381 00:21:56,531 --> 00:21:57,217 to happen? 382 00:21:57,403 --> 00:21:59,049 He's going to be rejected. 383 00:21:59,629 --> 00:22:01,301 They're not going to want anything to do with him. 384 00:22:01,325 --> 00:22:04,181 In fact, they're going to, as we already said, put him on a cross 385 00:22:04,245 --> 00:22:05,049 to die. 386 00:22:08,109 --> 00:22:09,729 And so they did not. 387 00:22:10,109 --> 00:22:11,653 They were not accepted. 388 00:22:11,781 --> 00:22:16,805 They did not receive the messengers nor the message that was 389 00:22:16,877 --> 00:22:17,489 given. 390 00:22:20,189 --> 00:22:23,329 And the disciples, after hearing this, they did not. 391 00:22:24,229 --> 00:22:26,809 They did not receive the news well at all. 392 00:22:27,269 --> 00:22:28,525 They were not happy. 393 00:22:28,557 --> 00:22:32,125 In fact, they were furious about how the Samaritans had treated 394 00:22:32,157 --> 00:22:35,529 the message and the messengers and those that were sent. 395 00:22:36,549 --> 00:22:39,449 And look what it says in verse 54. 396 00:22:40,149 --> 00:22:45,277 And when the disciples, James and John saw this, they said, lord, 397 00:22:45,453 --> 00:22:48,967 wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven? 398 00:22:49,093 --> 00:22:51,719 And consumed them even as Elias. 399 00:22:52,059 --> 00:22:55,679 Now you need to understand, earlier in the book of chapter nine, 400 00:22:56,859 --> 00:23:00,039 we find the passage on the mount of Transfiguration. 401 00:23:00,779 --> 00:23:03,239 Guess who was on the Mount of Transfiguration? 402 00:23:04,219 --> 00:23:05,395 Little Sunday school lesson. 403 00:23:05,427 --> 00:23:06,339 Anybody want to. 404 00:23:06,459 --> 00:23:07,859 Peter, James and John, right? 405 00:23:07,899 --> 00:23:11,347 That inner circle go up on the mount of Transfiguration and they're 406 00:23:11,363 --> 00:23:11,955 there with Jesus. 407 00:23:11,987 --> 00:23:15,991 And they get to see Jesus the only time while he was on this earth 408 00:23:16,115 --> 00:23:18,539 where his glory just shone through. 409 00:23:19,079 --> 00:23:23,023 And everybody could, all three could see his glory that just shone 410 00:23:23,071 --> 00:23:24,687 through on the mount of Transfiguration. 411 00:23:24,783 --> 00:23:26,779 But you know who also showed up? 412 00:23:28,119 --> 00:23:30,975 Moses and Elijah. 413 00:23:31,167 --> 00:23:34,239 And so they're saying they've just experienced, they've just got 414 00:23:34,279 --> 00:23:37,695 to sit down with the prophets of the Old Testament and they're 415 00:23:37,727 --> 00:23:39,023 super excited about it. 416 00:23:39,111 --> 00:23:42,945 And here they find out these Samaritans did not receive the message. 417 00:23:42,977 --> 00:23:46,161 And the first thing I can just imagine in my mind goes back to Elias. 418 00:23:46,225 --> 00:23:47,281 And you know what they're asking? 419 00:23:47,345 --> 00:23:50,593 Hey, James is thinking, I know exactly how Jesus is going to respond. 420 00:23:50,641 --> 00:23:53,989 I know exactly what Jesus would do in this situation. 421 00:23:55,129 --> 00:23:57,681 Jesus, what if give us the authority. 422 00:23:57,745 --> 00:23:59,505 Because obviously he needed authority from Jesus. 423 00:23:59,617 --> 00:24:02,577 Give us the authority to call down fire from heaven. 424 00:24:02,673 --> 00:24:04,289 I can imagine James again. 425 00:24:04,329 --> 00:24:06,113 James and John, they're the sons of thunder. 426 00:24:06,161 --> 00:24:07,505 I can just imagine them saying, yeah. 427 00:24:07,537 --> 00:24:09,057 James going, yeah, I agree with John. 428 00:24:09,113 --> 00:24:10,013 Give us the power. 429 00:24:10,121 --> 00:24:14,261 Let us call fire down from heaven and just destroy them for 430 00:24:14,285 --> 00:24:15,769 rejecting the message. 431 00:24:17,949 --> 00:24:20,421 Well, time out for a second before we beat up on them too much. 432 00:24:20,445 --> 00:24:23,941 How many times can we have someone reject the message and just 433 00:24:24,125 --> 00:24:26,389 feel, lord, why don't you just destroy them, man? 434 00:24:26,429 --> 00:24:29,525 Their life is so in opposition to the word of God. 435 00:24:29,557 --> 00:24:31,009 I know you wouldn't admit that. 436 00:24:31,469 --> 00:24:32,805 I always say I'm too transparent. 437 00:24:32,837 --> 00:24:34,661 But in my mind it's, you can always have that. 438 00:24:34,685 --> 00:24:36,165 Like, well, they're not going to receive the message. 439 00:24:36,197 --> 00:24:38,461 Then just forget about them. 440 00:24:38,645 --> 00:24:39,293 Who cares? 441 00:24:39,341 --> 00:24:40,589 God just let them go. 442 00:24:40,629 --> 00:24:42,009 Who cares about them? 443 00:24:42,949 --> 00:24:46,221 And that's what they're desiring that Jesus would do, that 444 00:24:46,245 --> 00:24:49,409 he would be able to call fire down from heaven. 445 00:24:52,789 --> 00:24:58,529 But I have to say that James and John did not expect Jesus response 446 00:25:00,709 --> 00:25:04,109 because Jesus did not respond with praise. 447 00:25:04,929 --> 00:25:07,549 Jesus responds with a rebuke. 448 00:25:09,489 --> 00:25:11,737 Look at what verse 55 says. 449 00:25:11,793 --> 00:25:18,201 But he turned and rebuked them and said, ye know not what spirit 450 00:25:18,265 --> 00:25:19,669 ye are of. 451 00:25:21,409 --> 00:25:23,369 Well, what kind of spirit are you of? 452 00:25:23,409 --> 00:25:27,001 Well, that's not the spirit that Jesus has, because he says in 453 00:25:27,025 --> 00:25:31,317 verse 56, for the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, 454 00:25:31,473 --> 00:25:32,749 but to save them. 455 00:25:32,789 --> 00:25:33,213 You don't. 456 00:25:33,261 --> 00:25:36,685 He's saying, you don't know what the manner, the kind of spirit 457 00:25:36,797 --> 00:25:38,089 you are of. 458 00:25:38,469 --> 00:25:41,581 In fact, the spirit that you are manifesting and demonstrating 459 00:25:41,645 --> 00:25:44,809 right now reminds me of what John 10:10 says. 460 00:25:45,349 --> 00:25:49,821 The thief cometh not for to steal and to kill and destroy. 461 00:25:49,885 --> 00:25:53,769 I did not come to destroy men's lives, I came to save them. 462 00:25:54,229 --> 00:25:58,461 And so he's saying that the mindset that you have, that you would 463 00:25:58,485 --> 00:26:02,105 want to see them, their lives destroyed because of, of their rejection 464 00:26:02,137 --> 00:26:07,749 of the gospel is not in line with what I desire and what I want. 465 00:26:09,409 --> 00:26:10,009 I love. 466 00:26:10,049 --> 00:26:15,241 What Matthew, chapter 28:20, verse 28 says, even as the Son of 467 00:26:15,265 --> 00:26:18,841 Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give 468 00:26:18,865 --> 00:26:23,769 his life a ransom for many, he came to give his life. 469 00:26:23,809 --> 00:26:26,345 He didn't come to be ministered and want to be served. 470 00:26:26,377 --> 00:26:28,629 No, he came to give his life. 471 00:26:29,709 --> 00:26:31,925 I think we could all quote John 3:16. 472 00:26:31,997 --> 00:26:34,885 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, 473 00:26:34,917 --> 00:26:38,693 that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting 474 00:26:38,741 --> 00:26:38,949 life. 475 00:26:38,989 --> 00:26:41,861 But I love the verse that follows that says, for God sent not 476 00:26:41,885 --> 00:26:44,501 his Son to the world to condemn the world, but that the world 477 00:26:44,605 --> 00:26:46,889 through him might be saved. 478 00:26:47,469 --> 00:26:50,453 See, God doesn't desire men's lives to be destroyed. 479 00:26:50,581 --> 00:26:52,213 They might be in total opposition. 480 00:26:52,261 --> 00:26:56,121 But my mind's eye always goes to what Paul said when he said, some 481 00:26:56,145 --> 00:26:56,457 of you. 482 00:26:56,513 --> 00:26:59,529 And he lists all these heinous sins, and then he says the line, 483 00:26:59,569 --> 00:27:01,509 and such were some of you. 484 00:27:01,969 --> 00:27:06,633 I'm so thankful that no one is above the grace and the love of Jesus 485 00:27:06,681 --> 00:27:07,269 Christ. 486 00:27:08,849 --> 00:27:12,041 That's why First Timothy 1:15 says, this is a faithful saying and 487 00:27:12,065 --> 00:27:15,977 worthy of all acceptation that Christ Jesus came into the world 488 00:27:16,033 --> 00:27:19,909 to save sinners of whom I am chief. 489 00:27:21,499 --> 00:27:24,579 He says, look, disciples, you need to understand the spirit that 490 00:27:24,619 --> 00:27:29,283 you are demonstrating is in total opposition to what my spirit 491 00:27:29,331 --> 00:27:29,919 is. 492 00:27:31,179 --> 00:27:31,859 Y'all need. 493 00:27:31,899 --> 00:27:32,643 You need to under. 494 00:27:32,731 --> 00:27:35,891 He was texting, he said, y'all, you need to understand. 495 00:27:35,995 --> 00:27:40,675 I am headed to Jerusalem and I'm going to give my life because 496 00:27:40,747 --> 00:27:42,879 of my great love for others. 497 00:27:43,739 --> 00:27:50,149 I'm going to give my life for the redemption of all mankind. 498 00:27:53,929 --> 00:27:58,609 And so he wanted them to understand the importance of how 499 00:27:58,649 --> 00:28:00,869 a person responds to rejection. 500 00:28:01,609 --> 00:28:04,801 Because, can I say this right now, if you are serious about your 501 00:28:04,825 --> 00:28:08,353 walk with the Lord and you are serious about getting the message 502 00:28:08,401 --> 00:28:14,067 out, then let me tell you, there is going to be rejection. 503 00:28:14,243 --> 00:28:17,091 There is going to be times where no one, they don't want to 504 00:28:17,115 --> 00:28:19,731 hear the message that you have to give. 505 00:28:19,915 --> 00:28:23,011 But it's the greatest gift that could has ever been given and 506 00:28:23,035 --> 00:28:24,131 that anybody could receive. 507 00:28:24,195 --> 00:28:25,571 I know, and I understand that. 508 00:28:25,595 --> 00:28:27,891 But there are those that still say, yeah, I just don't know if I 509 00:28:27,915 --> 00:28:31,651 believe all that or, man, I can't believe you trust in all that. 510 00:28:31,835 --> 00:28:33,999 And I don't want anything to do with it. 511 00:28:34,619 --> 00:28:37,079 How do you respond to the rejection? 512 00:28:38,869 --> 00:28:40,829 Now let me encourage in this way. 513 00:28:40,949 --> 00:28:43,741 You don't have to worry about getting rejection if you don't tell 514 00:28:43,765 --> 00:28:44,929 anyone about Jesus. 515 00:28:46,069 --> 00:28:48,813 If you just keep the best news in the entire world to yourself, 516 00:28:48,861 --> 00:28:50,849 you don't have to worry about being rejected. 517 00:28:52,389 --> 00:28:53,741 Just keep it all to yourself. 518 00:28:53,805 --> 00:28:55,369 Don't tell anyone about it. 519 00:28:55,749 --> 00:28:59,309 But how sad is it to have the greatest news that anybody could 520 00:28:59,349 --> 00:29:00,093 ever hear? 521 00:29:00,261 --> 00:29:01,421 Makes Me think about the leper. 522 00:29:01,485 --> 00:29:03,249 Two lepers in the Old Testament. 523 00:29:04,189 --> 00:29:07,861 They came on and saw the city, then all the spoil that was there, 524 00:29:07,885 --> 00:29:09,125 and they began to feast themselves. 525 00:29:09,157 --> 00:29:12,629 And they said, it's wrong for us to know of this good news and 526 00:29:12,669 --> 00:29:14,929 not go back and tell other people about it. 527 00:29:15,229 --> 00:29:18,309 How can we have the greatest news that's ever been given and keep 528 00:29:18,349 --> 00:29:19,605 it to ourselves? 529 00:29:19,797 --> 00:29:21,669 And we know the right answer. 530 00:29:21,829 --> 00:29:23,301 We know this is what we should do. 531 00:29:23,325 --> 00:29:25,829 And we'd say, yes, I love Jesus and I want people to be saved. 532 00:29:25,909 --> 00:29:28,581 But can I ask you, what are you doing to see other people come 533 00:29:28,605 --> 00:29:29,547 to know Christ? 534 00:29:29,733 --> 00:29:31,871 What are you doing to give the gospel out? 535 00:29:31,895 --> 00:29:34,799 If you were to go over this last week, what did you spend more 536 00:29:34,839 --> 00:29:35,711 time on? 537 00:29:35,895 --> 00:29:39,983 Did you spend time getting the gospel out and passing out a tract? 538 00:29:40,031 --> 00:29:43,151 I encourage our people to take five tracts and just get them out 539 00:29:43,175 --> 00:29:44,059 during the week. 540 00:29:44,599 --> 00:29:47,295 Get the good news out, tell people about Jesus Christ. 541 00:29:47,367 --> 00:29:48,543 We don't have much time. 542 00:29:48,631 --> 00:29:51,391 Work for the night is coming when no man can work. 543 00:29:51,495 --> 00:29:55,071 So it's important that we get the gospel, the good news of Jesus 544 00:29:55,135 --> 00:29:55,739 out. 545 00:29:57,879 --> 00:30:01,535 But I will say we don't have to worry about rejection if we don't 546 00:30:01,727 --> 00:30:03,979 determine to get the gospel out. 547 00:30:07,239 --> 00:30:12,659 So how did Jesus teach his disciples to respond to rejection? 548 00:30:14,119 --> 00:30:15,519 How did Jesus teach him? 549 00:30:15,559 --> 00:30:20,639 How do you deal with rejection in your life when it comes to the 550 00:30:20,679 --> 00:30:22,299 gospel of Jesus Christ? 551 00:30:23,459 --> 00:30:28,279 Well, it's found at the end of verse 56. 552 00:30:30,019 --> 00:30:34,719 The Bible says, and they went to another village. 553 00:30:35,379 --> 00:30:37,355 I know I just wowed y'all with that deep knowledge. 554 00:30:37,387 --> 00:30:39,227 Everybody's impressed and amazed. 555 00:30:39,323 --> 00:30:42,123 In fact, next year I'll probably be preaching the Bible conference. 556 00:30:42,171 --> 00:30:42,667 No, I'm just kidding. 557 00:30:42,683 --> 00:30:43,519 I'm joking. 558 00:30:44,659 --> 00:30:46,491 But they went to another city. 559 00:30:46,675 --> 00:30:49,227 You know what Jesus said whenever these people. 560 00:30:49,283 --> 00:30:52,251 Whenever I go through this city and I tell people about the 561 00:30:52,275 --> 00:30:54,143 gospel and you tell them about who is. 562 00:30:54,291 --> 00:30:56,023 And they don't want anything to do with it. 563 00:30:56,111 --> 00:30:58,135 Yes, one day, if they reject and they. 564 00:30:58,207 --> 00:30:59,399 They die and they, they. 565 00:30:59,439 --> 00:31:01,175 They have not accepted Christ, they will. 566 00:31:01,247 --> 00:31:02,439 There is a judgment coming. 567 00:31:02,479 --> 00:31:04,871 We can't push that away and say there is no judgment coming. 568 00:31:04,975 --> 00:31:09,543 But God's desire is not to see them be judged and forever separated 569 00:31:09,591 --> 00:31:11,415 from God for all of eternity. 570 00:31:11,447 --> 00:31:13,207 That's not what he desires. 571 00:31:13,383 --> 00:31:15,959 He came that they might have life and then they might have it 572 00:31:15,999 --> 00:31:16,759 more abundantly. 573 00:31:16,839 --> 00:31:18,295 Okay, yeah, but they rejected. 574 00:31:18,327 --> 00:31:20,855 We should just call fire down from heaven and see them destroyed. 575 00:31:20,887 --> 00:31:21,831 That's what John and James said. 576 00:31:21,855 --> 00:31:23,481 No, no, we're not going to do that. 577 00:31:23,505 --> 00:31:24,761 In fact, I came to Save their lives. 578 00:31:24,785 --> 00:31:25,433 You know what we're going to do? 579 00:31:25,441 --> 00:31:28,217 We're going to go to the next city, we're going to go to the next 580 00:31:28,273 --> 00:31:31,849 village and tell them about the fact that Jesus is coming through 581 00:31:31,889 --> 00:31:35,481 their area and prepare them and give them the opportunity. 582 00:31:35,545 --> 00:31:37,049 Well, what if that city rejects? 583 00:31:37,129 --> 00:31:39,993 Well, then we're going to go to another city and you know what 584 00:31:40,001 --> 00:31:40,569 we're going to do there? 585 00:31:40,609 --> 00:31:42,761 We're going to give the news that Jesus is coming through the 586 00:31:42,785 --> 00:31:44,313 area and what if they reject? 587 00:31:44,441 --> 00:31:46,669 Okay, I think you get the picture. 588 00:31:47,329 --> 00:31:49,689 And that's what it should be in our lives as well. 589 00:31:49,729 --> 00:31:52,785 You say, man, that family member wanted nothing to do with 590 00:31:52,897 --> 00:31:53,617 Jesus Christ. 591 00:31:53,673 --> 00:31:54,961 Well, don't stop praying for them. 592 00:31:54,985 --> 00:31:56,785 Don't be like, well, just write them off. 593 00:31:56,937 --> 00:31:58,577 Pray for them that they would get saved. 594 00:31:58,673 --> 00:32:01,617 But maybe talk to another family member or maybe that co worker 595 00:32:01,633 --> 00:32:04,129 that seems to not want anything to do with Jesus Christ. 596 00:32:04,249 --> 00:32:06,929 Don't give up on them, keep praying for them, don't write them 597 00:32:06,969 --> 00:32:08,961 off, but go to the next person. 598 00:32:09,065 --> 00:32:12,497 That's our job, is to go with the Great Commission and tell other 599 00:32:12,553 --> 00:32:14,017 people about Jesus Christ. 600 00:32:14,153 --> 00:32:16,881 And how you respond to the rejection is simply going to the 601 00:32:16,905 --> 00:32:20,389 next person and telling them about the good news of Jesus Christ. 602 00:32:21,329 --> 00:32:24,905 So I ask you, how are you doing at fulfilling the Great Commission? 603 00:32:24,977 --> 00:32:26,793 Like I said at the beginning, it is wonderful. 604 00:32:26,841 --> 00:32:27,385 It's been. 605 00:32:27,457 --> 00:32:30,857 It's the most enjoyable thing about my life to share the gospel 606 00:32:30,873 --> 00:32:34,217 with Jesus Christ and to see them bow their knee and accept Christ 607 00:32:34,273 --> 00:32:35,529 as their personal savior. 608 00:32:35,689 --> 00:32:39,369 But along the way, in between those times, I've had 10, 15, 20, 609 00:32:39,489 --> 00:32:42,009 hundred people not want anything to do with it. 610 00:32:42,129 --> 00:32:43,529 Am I supposed to just give up? 611 00:32:43,569 --> 00:32:44,729 Am I just supposed to give in? 612 00:32:44,769 --> 00:32:47,629 Am I just say it's supposed to say it's not worth it? 613 00:32:49,609 --> 00:32:53,521 No, I just go to the next one and I tell them, hey, I want you 614 00:32:53,545 --> 00:32:54,561 to know that God loves you. 615 00:32:54,585 --> 00:32:56,785 I don't know if anybody's told you today God loves you, but God 616 00:32:56,817 --> 00:32:59,185 loves you and he wants you to know what it means to have your sins 617 00:32:59,217 --> 00:33:01,969 forgiven and you can have a personal relationship with him and 618 00:33:02,009 --> 00:33:05,349 you can know what it means to live with him for all of eternity. 619 00:33:05,929 --> 00:33:09,309 If that one rejects, I just go to the next one. 620 00:33:10,809 --> 00:33:15,169 We're going through a course on Wednesday nights, a book that 621 00:33:15,209 --> 00:33:17,441 y'all would know price everyone here would know about but 622 00:33:17,465 --> 00:33:20,469 Paul Chappell and talk about taking it personally. 623 00:33:21,209 --> 00:33:24,209 And I love the story of the end of it. 624 00:33:24,249 --> 00:33:27,793 This kid that was on the seashore and he was taking starfish 625 00:33:27,841 --> 00:33:32,785 and There was a bunch of them that just lined the seashore. 626 00:33:32,897 --> 00:33:34,081 And he was just picking one up. 627 00:33:34,105 --> 00:33:36,321 There was, like thousands of starfish there. 628 00:33:36,505 --> 00:33:39,995 And he was picking up one and throwing it back in the water, picking 629 00:33:40,027 --> 00:33:42,279 up another one, throwing it back in the water. 630 00:33:43,699 --> 00:33:46,635 And this older gentleman came up and said, what are you doing, 631 00:33:46,707 --> 00:33:47,291 son? 632 00:33:47,435 --> 00:33:50,587 He just kind of looked up at him, went back down, started throwing 633 00:33:50,603 --> 00:33:52,199 the starfish back in the water. 634 00:33:53,539 --> 00:33:55,003 He said, what are you doing, boy? 635 00:33:55,051 --> 00:33:58,559 There's no way that you can save all of these starfish. 636 00:33:59,859 --> 00:34:00,955 I just love this phrase. 637 00:34:00,987 --> 00:34:04,749 He picked up another starfish, threw it back in the water and said, 638 00:34:04,789 --> 00:34:06,649 made a difference in that one's life. 639 00:34:08,069 --> 00:34:09,289 That's our job. 640 00:34:09,829 --> 00:34:13,049 Can I ask you, how much are you going with the Great Commission? 641 00:34:14,069 --> 00:34:16,733 How much are you telling people that they can have their sins 642 00:34:16,781 --> 00:34:17,489 forgiven? 643 00:34:18,389 --> 00:34:19,693 Maybe you've been rejected. 644 00:34:19,741 --> 00:34:21,769 You feel like, man, it's just not worth it. 645 00:34:22,229 --> 00:34:27,901 Can I encourage you this evening to just get back up and go 646 00:34:27,925 --> 00:34:31,089 to the next person and tell them about the gospel? 647 00:34:32,589 --> 00:34:33,941 Share with them your. 648 00:34:34,045 --> 00:34:36,997 I always tell people, share with them your personal testimony. 649 00:34:37,093 --> 00:34:39,381 People may argue with a lot of things, but no one can argue with 650 00:34:39,405 --> 00:34:42,725 my personal testimony about when I was 12 years old and I accepted 651 00:34:42,757 --> 00:34:44,569 Jesus as my personal savior. 652 00:34:45,709 --> 00:34:51,249 But just get up and go, because let me help us all understand 653 00:34:53,309 --> 00:34:55,973 our personality is not going to matter when we stand before the 654 00:34:55,981 --> 00:34:56,651 Lord. 655 00:34:56,845 --> 00:34:57,695 Well, I'm just. 656 00:34:57,767 --> 00:34:59,871 I'm not really outgoing, so. 657 00:35:00,055 --> 00:35:02,303 Well, if you knew how my wife felt my hands before I came up here, 658 00:35:02,311 --> 00:35:03,219 I get nervous. 659 00:35:03,799 --> 00:35:07,183 I preached the other a couple weeks ago at another church, and 660 00:35:07,191 --> 00:35:10,671 my hand was all cold, and JJ was like, man, your hand's really 661 00:35:10,695 --> 00:35:10,847 cold. 662 00:35:10,863 --> 00:35:13,631 And I was like, yeah, I get nervous, and I just do what God told 663 00:35:13,655 --> 00:35:14,319 me to do. 664 00:35:14,439 --> 00:35:15,327 But we all get nervous. 665 00:35:15,343 --> 00:35:17,939 We all get nervous about sharing the gospel. 666 00:35:18,279 --> 00:35:20,339 And sometimes there is rejection. 667 00:35:20,999 --> 00:35:22,761 And I'll finish with this. 668 00:35:22,785 --> 00:35:26,069 But I remember while I was. 669 00:35:27,089 --> 00:35:31,513 We were filling up gas at an heb, and I got out, and it's just 670 00:35:31,521 --> 00:35:32,549 kind of my custom. 671 00:35:33,729 --> 00:35:34,937 I try to always have tracks. 672 00:35:34,953 --> 00:35:37,689 And I was filling up gas, and I took a car, and I went to someone, 673 00:35:37,729 --> 00:35:39,273 I said, I just want you to know God loves you. 674 00:35:39,281 --> 00:35:41,721 I don't know if anybody's told you that recently, but we'd love 675 00:35:41,745 --> 00:35:43,321 to have you come visit with us. 676 00:35:43,505 --> 00:35:48,121 And I got back in the vehicle, and my son JJ he was sitting there 677 00:35:48,145 --> 00:35:49,641 and he said, dad, there's a guy over here. 678 00:35:49,665 --> 00:35:50,329 Give me the track. 679 00:35:50,369 --> 00:35:51,409 And so I gave him one. 680 00:35:51,449 --> 00:35:53,969 He went over there, and normally it's exciting. 681 00:35:54,049 --> 00:35:56,561 It's good to have kids with you because usually they don't reject 682 00:35:56,625 --> 00:35:57,633 kids, right? 683 00:35:57,721 --> 00:35:59,629 They usually it's, you know. 684 00:36:00,329 --> 00:36:05,105 But on this occasion, JJ went up to this gentleman and said, hey, 685 00:36:05,217 --> 00:36:07,313 I just want you to know God loves you and we'd love to have you 686 00:36:07,321 --> 00:36:10,129 come visit with us at Twin Cities Baptist Church. 687 00:36:10,289 --> 00:36:11,777 And he said, no, I don't want it. 688 00:36:11,833 --> 00:36:12,161 Keep it. 689 00:36:12,185 --> 00:36:13,249 I don't want anything to do with it. 690 00:36:13,289 --> 00:36:17,309 Well, of course, JJ was very shell shocked when he got back in. 691 00:36:18,369 --> 00:36:20,217 But you know what we determine? 692 00:36:20,393 --> 00:36:22,549 Well, we're not going to let that stop us. 693 00:36:22,849 --> 00:36:23,673 You know what I'm going to do? 694 00:36:23,681 --> 00:36:25,929 I'm going to get up and I'm going to tell someone else because 695 00:36:25,969 --> 00:36:29,145 I have the commission, not because I'm a preacher, but because 696 00:36:29,217 --> 00:36:35,269 I am saved to tell people about the gospel of Jesus Christ. 697 00:36:36,129 --> 00:36:39,897 So may we with a clear conscience know that when Jesus comes 698 00:36:39,953 --> 00:36:42,559 back, we have fulfilled the Great Commission. 699 00:36:42,729 --> 00:36:46,403 And even when we face rejection, we say, I'm just going 700 00:36:46,411 --> 00:36:50,771 to go to the next person and tell them about the good news of 701 00:36:50,795 --> 00:36:51,179 Jesus Christ.