1 00:00:29,939 --> 00:00:31,059 Forward to the preaching tonight. 2 00:00:31,299 --> 00:00:34,739 It's been such a wonderful time of fellowship with them this 3 00:00:34,739 --> 00:00:35,059 week. 4 00:00:35,699 --> 00:00:38,259 Looking forward to what the Lord has for us tonight. 5 00:00:38,739 --> 00:00:39,699 Thank you, Pastor. 6 00:00:39,699 --> 00:00:41,779 We've enjoyed it, too, very much. 7 00:00:43,139 --> 00:00:45,139 Okay, chapter 15. 8 00:00:45,459 --> 00:00:47,139 You know where we are, I think. 9 00:00:47,939 --> 00:00:48,979 Chapter 15. 10 00:00:48,979 --> 00:00:53,059 How many of you read chapter 15 today? 11 00:00:53,139 --> 00:00:54,419 I mean, for tonight. 12 00:00:54,419 --> 00:00:54,979 Okay. 13 00:00:55,709 --> 00:00:58,309 Well, good thing this is our last one. 14 00:00:58,309 --> 00:01:00,029 Cause the number's declining. 15 00:01:00,989 --> 00:01:03,069 Should be going the other way, but that's all right. 16 00:01:04,109 --> 00:01:04,669 All right. 17 00:01:05,069 --> 00:01:06,429 Numbers, let's say. 18 00:01:06,429 --> 00:01:07,229 Not numbers. 19 00:01:07,309 --> 00:01:09,709 Ezekiel, chapter 15. 20 00:01:11,549 --> 00:01:12,189 Incredible. 21 00:01:13,149 --> 00:01:13,629 Brief. 22 00:01:16,669 --> 00:01:19,389 Brief chapter, of course. 23 00:01:20,589 --> 00:01:22,069 Short text, short sermon. 24 00:01:22,069 --> 00:01:23,369 Isn't that the way it usually works? 25 00:01:25,119 --> 00:01:27,519 Not if you know anything about a good Baptist church. 26 00:01:27,519 --> 00:01:29,999 It's not always the right way, but anyway, we'll just see. 27 00:01:30,399 --> 00:01:32,479 All right, let's stand together and read, shall we? 28 00:01:32,799 --> 00:01:35,519 Chapter 15, verse 1. 29 00:01:35,519 --> 00:01:37,839 I want to read deliberately and carefully here. 30 00:01:39,278 --> 00:01:40,399 Ezekiel 15. 31 00:01:42,479 --> 00:01:50,569 And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, son of man, what 32 00:01:50,569 --> 00:01:57,369 is the vine tree more than any tree, or than a branch which is among 33 00:01:57,369 --> 00:01:58,569 the trees of the forest? 34 00:02:00,009 --> 00:02:05,769 Shall wood be taken thereof to do any work that is from the vine 35 00:02:05,769 --> 00:02:06,249 tree? 36 00:02:07,209 --> 00:02:13,209 Or will men take a pin of it to hang any vessel thereon? 37 00:02:15,139 --> 00:02:19,539 Behold, it is cast into the fire for fuel. 38 00:02:20,339 --> 00:02:24,339 The fire devoureth both ends, both the ends of it. 39 00:02:24,899 --> 00:02:26,819 And the midst of it is burned. 40 00:02:27,859 --> 00:02:31,219 Is it meat for any work? 41 00:02:33,379 --> 00:02:38,739 Behold, when it was whole, it was meet for no work. 42 00:02:39,619 --> 00:02:44,709 How much less shall it be meat for yet for any work, when the fire 43 00:02:44,709 --> 00:02:47,749 hath devoured it and it is burnt. 44 00:02:48,789 --> 00:02:51,269 Paragraph marker, properly placed. 45 00:02:51,989 --> 00:02:53,189 What's he talking about? 46 00:02:53,989 --> 00:02:55,349 Okay, Verse six. 47 00:02:55,509 --> 00:03:02,549 Therefore, thus saith the Lord God, as the vine tree among the trees 48 00:03:02,549 --> 00:03:08,359 of the forest which I have given to the fire for fuel, so will 49 00:03:08,359 --> 00:03:15,119 I give the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and I will set my face 50 00:03:15,439 --> 00:03:16,479 against them. 51 00:03:17,359 --> 00:03:23,039 They shall go out from one fire, and another fire shall devour 52 00:03:23,039 --> 00:03:23,359 them. 53 00:03:24,079 --> 00:03:28,639 And ye shall know that I am the Lord when I have set my face 54 00:03:28,959 --> 00:03:29,919 against them. 55 00:03:31,039 --> 00:03:35,549 And I will make the land desolate because they have committed 56 00:03:35,549 --> 00:03:39,069 a trespass, saith the Lord God. 57 00:03:40,509 --> 00:03:44,589 Father, we are grateful tonight again for the opportunity 58 00:03:44,589 --> 00:03:45,629 to assemble together. 59 00:03:45,949 --> 00:03:49,628 We thank you for the services that we've already had together, 60 00:03:49,629 --> 00:03:54,189 looking into your word, and particularly from these passages 61 00:03:54,349 --> 00:03:56,429 in the prophecy of Ezekiel. 62 00:03:57,149 --> 00:04:00,909 And I prayed you to help us tonight on this Wednesday night at 63 00:04:00,909 --> 00:04:07,939 Heritage Baptist Church, that you would help us to get the message, 64 00:04:08,179 --> 00:04:13,939 that you would help us, Lord, to understand by this peculiar approach 65 00:04:15,139 --> 00:04:20,859 what might sound strange and weird in the minds of some, the way 66 00:04:20,859 --> 00:04:23,219 that the chapter is written. 67 00:04:24,259 --> 00:04:26,499 How are we supposed to get Any meaning out of this. 68 00:04:27,299 --> 00:04:31,699 Well, Lord, I pray that your Holy Spirit would help and give us 69 00:04:31,779 --> 00:04:37,779 clarity of mind and clarity of thought and that we not be distracted 70 00:04:37,779 --> 00:04:42,019 by things that really are not that important right now, but that 71 00:04:42,019 --> 00:04:46,139 we give attention to the Word and that your Holy Spirit would accomplish 72 00:04:46,139 --> 00:04:50,899 your purpose and that we would all consider it a profitable time 73 00:04:50,899 --> 00:04:57,219 to have given consideration to these eight verses in this prophecy. 74 00:04:58,149 --> 00:05:01,189 So thank you again for your blessings upon this church. 75 00:05:01,189 --> 00:05:03,469 Thank you Lord, for the testimony. 76 00:05:03,469 --> 00:05:07,549 Thank you Lord, for the vision that lies ahead that has to do with 77 00:05:07,549 --> 00:05:08,309 what lies ahead. 78 00:05:08,869 --> 00:05:12,229 And I pray that you continue to have your hand upon it. 79 00:05:12,709 --> 00:05:17,669 We all read the words together that you said that you would turn 80 00:05:17,669 --> 00:05:25,759 your face against your holy city, the city of God, the city of 81 00:05:25,759 --> 00:05:27,519 David, the city of your people. 82 00:05:28,319 --> 00:05:31,799 And certainly we recognize that the sound of that is exactly 83 00:05:31,799 --> 00:05:32,959 what we don't want. 84 00:05:33,839 --> 00:05:35,039 We want your favor. 85 00:05:35,039 --> 00:05:36,079 We want your blessings. 86 00:05:36,079 --> 00:05:40,719 We want your guidance, your help, your power and fruitfulness. 87 00:05:41,679 --> 00:05:45,599 And so I pray that you would help us to see what it is that would 88 00:05:45,599 --> 00:05:49,599 cause you to say such a thing to a people and a place you love. 89 00:05:50,089 --> 00:05:52,089 I will set my face against them. 90 00:05:53,209 --> 00:05:59,049 So just help us and get glory to yourself and work in the lives 91 00:05:59,049 --> 00:06:01,129 of this your people and this your church. 92 00:06:01,129 --> 00:06:03,569 In Jesus name, Amen. 93 00:06:03,569 --> 00:06:04,329 Thank you very much. 94 00:06:04,329 --> 00:06:05,209 You may be seated. 95 00:06:14,009 --> 00:06:20,439 Allow me to be ridiculous here for just a second as I present some 96 00:06:20,919 --> 00:06:22,919 grandiloquent questions. 97 00:06:24,199 --> 00:06:28,159 Now, how many of you use the word grandiloquent today in your 98 00:06:28,159 --> 00:06:28,919 vocabulary? 99 00:06:28,919 --> 00:06:32,319 Yeah, well, it's not been a part of my vocabulary either, but 100 00:06:32,319 --> 00:06:36,479 I read it and probably could use to expand my vocabulary a little 101 00:06:36,479 --> 00:06:36,719 bit. 102 00:06:36,719 --> 00:06:42,439 And so I learned out what a grandiloquent question is. 103 00:06:43,149 --> 00:06:47,869 And it's almost meant to insult one's intelligence. 104 00:06:48,509 --> 00:06:51,669 In other words, the answer to the question is so obvious, it's 105 00:06:51,669 --> 00:06:53,709 like, why would you ask a question like that? 106 00:06:54,509 --> 00:06:56,829 And somebody says, so why are you gonna do that? 107 00:06:56,989 --> 00:07:01,389 Well, hang on and see if you can see why I'm doing that. 108 00:07:01,549 --> 00:07:03,149 For example, think about this. 109 00:07:04,109 --> 00:07:08,269 Think about the great eagle. 110 00:07:09,219 --> 00:07:14,739 Did you ever hear anybody say, look there, there go the eagles soaring 111 00:07:14,739 --> 00:07:15,619 with the buzzards? 112 00:07:17,539 --> 00:07:20,379 Well, no, because you don't think of eagles and buzzards in the 113 00:07:20,379 --> 00:07:21,779 same vein at all. 114 00:07:22,499 --> 00:07:25,779 Buzzards, nasty eagles. 115 00:07:26,419 --> 00:07:28,659 Strength, dignity, power. 116 00:07:29,459 --> 00:07:30,499 That's the way you think. 117 00:07:32,179 --> 00:07:34,759 Think about this Bill Gates. 118 00:07:34,759 --> 00:07:35,999 Most everybody's heard of him. 119 00:07:36,079 --> 00:07:38,879 One of the richest man, if not the richest man in the world, I guess 120 00:07:40,799 --> 00:07:43,039 what's his name is the Tesla guy. 121 00:07:43,439 --> 00:07:45,039 But Bill Gates. 122 00:07:45,359 --> 00:07:51,519 Famous, wealthy, powerful, and Bill Gates applying for a job at 123 00:07:52,079 --> 00:07:52,799 Walmart. 124 00:07:52,799 --> 00:07:55,599 Supercenter for the job of a greeter. 125 00:07:57,359 --> 00:07:57,759 No. 126 00:07:58,879 --> 00:08:01,229 Okay, well, think about this. 127 00:08:02,429 --> 00:08:02,989 Lions. 128 00:08:03,309 --> 00:08:05,709 We'll go back to the animal world. 129 00:08:06,429 --> 00:08:11,229 Lions, the king of beasts, scavengering for food with skunks. 130 00:08:12,509 --> 00:08:13,229 That doesn't. 131 00:08:14,269 --> 00:08:15,469 That's weird, isn't it? 132 00:08:17,869 --> 00:08:19,469 Or I could go on and on. 133 00:08:19,469 --> 00:08:20,349 I've got all kinds. 134 00:08:20,989 --> 00:08:23,949 Starbucks, a new line of coffee called Maxwell House. 135 00:08:24,589 --> 00:08:25,309 Stubble. 136 00:08:25,709 --> 00:08:26,109 No. 137 00:08:27,829 --> 00:08:31,189 And see, all of those things, they don't fit it all together. 138 00:08:33,429 --> 00:08:34,789 They do not belong together. 139 00:08:34,949 --> 00:08:37,189 Bill Gates and that kind of a job at the Walmart. 140 00:08:37,189 --> 00:08:37,989 Supercenter. 141 00:08:38,069 --> 00:08:39,189 A job of dignity. 142 00:08:39,189 --> 00:08:41,789 And I have more respect for people that do that than people that 143 00:08:41,789 --> 00:08:43,829 do some other things to get gain. 144 00:08:43,989 --> 00:08:46,029 But nonetheless, you just. 145 00:08:46,029 --> 00:08:46,909 You don't think that way. 146 00:08:46,909 --> 00:08:48,149 It doesn't even make any sense. 147 00:08:48,149 --> 00:08:50,669 Same way with the eagle and the buzzards and the skunk and the 148 00:08:50,669 --> 00:08:52,069 lions, things like that. 149 00:08:52,229 --> 00:08:52,499 They don't. 150 00:08:52,569 --> 00:08:53,329 That doesn't make any. 151 00:08:53,329 --> 00:08:55,769 There's no reason, there's no logic to it. 152 00:08:56,169 --> 00:08:59,889 Just like Ezekiel, by the Spirit of God is saying to these 153 00:08:59,889 --> 00:09:07,529 people that Israel has become a vine tree lost in the forest. 154 00:09:08,568 --> 00:09:10,729 A vine tree in the forest. 155 00:09:13,049 --> 00:09:17,369 That's as much of a misfit as anything I said or could think of 156 00:09:17,369 --> 00:09:18,009 saying tonight. 157 00:09:18,459 --> 00:09:22,459 Because a vine tree in the forest, it doesn't work. 158 00:09:24,379 --> 00:09:25,939 There's no sense to that. 159 00:09:25,939 --> 00:09:27,419 There's no reason to it. 160 00:09:28,059 --> 00:09:33,539 And yet God is saying that he is going to actually judge them and 161 00:09:33,539 --> 00:09:38,139 turn his face against them, because that's exactly what has happened, 162 00:09:38,939 --> 00:09:43,819 because Israel has become a vine tree in the forest. 163 00:09:44,919 --> 00:09:50,039 Now, let's look down at this monologue here, because this is God 164 00:09:51,079 --> 00:09:55,159 speaking to Ezekiel, therefore, speaking to the people 165 00:09:55,159 --> 00:09:55,879 of Israel. 166 00:09:56,119 --> 00:09:57,519 And God is speaking. 167 00:09:57,519 --> 00:09:59,399 Notice what he says in verse number two. 168 00:10:00,198 --> 00:10:06,039 He said, son of man questions, what is the vine tree more than any 169 00:10:06,359 --> 00:10:10,999 tree or than a branch which is among the trees of the forest? 170 00:10:11,399 --> 00:10:18,079 Son of man, does a vine tree belong in the trees of the forest? 171 00:10:21,279 --> 00:10:22,039 Well, God knows. 172 00:10:22,039 --> 00:10:23,279 He knows the answer to that question. 173 00:10:24,639 --> 00:10:27,719 God knows that anybody that would read this knows the answer 174 00:10:27,719 --> 00:10:28,319 to that question. 175 00:10:28,959 --> 00:10:30,159 So what's he trying to do? 176 00:10:30,239 --> 00:10:32,959 He's trying to show how ridiculous their situation is. 177 00:10:33,279 --> 00:10:34,959 He's trying to jar them. 178 00:10:34,959 --> 00:10:38,159 He's trying to get their attention and make them think about 179 00:10:38,159 --> 00:10:38,479 this. 180 00:10:39,119 --> 00:10:40,319 Here's a second question. 181 00:10:40,889 --> 00:10:45,449 Shall wood be taken thereof to do any work? 182 00:10:49,289 --> 00:10:49,969 Let's see. 183 00:10:49,969 --> 00:10:50,289 Yeah. 184 00:10:50,289 --> 00:10:53,769 Shall wood be taken thereof to do any work? 185 00:10:54,649 --> 00:10:55,929 Or question 3. 186 00:10:56,329 --> 00:11:02,969 Will men take a pen of it to hang any vessel thereon? 187 00:11:04,329 --> 00:11:08,759 In other words, when you consider the vine, then you don't 188 00:11:08,759 --> 00:11:12,039 think of it like you would the wood of a tree. 189 00:11:12,039 --> 00:11:16,519 And by the way, if you think the term vine tree sounds kind of 190 00:11:16,519 --> 00:11:21,079 strange just because we're not used to using that, if you do a little 191 00:11:21,079 --> 00:11:26,079 research on it, you'll see that those plants that stand up there 192 00:11:26,159 --> 00:11:30,799 and then spread out with these vines, those are called vine trees. 193 00:11:30,959 --> 00:11:33,439 That's technically right. 194 00:11:34,549 --> 00:11:39,269 And so he's got some questions about this and he wants to know, 195 00:11:39,909 --> 00:11:41,749 is there any use for this? 196 00:11:42,149 --> 00:11:45,349 Is there any good that can come of the wood? 197 00:11:45,349 --> 00:11:50,989 In other words, when you think of a vine tree, the tree that grows 198 00:11:50,989 --> 00:11:55,749 up and then the vines spread and people harvest grapes and such 199 00:11:55,749 --> 00:12:00,549 as that, do you ever think of that wood being used like you would 200 00:12:00,629 --> 00:12:03,479 the trees of the forest, how their wood is used? 201 00:12:03,959 --> 00:12:05,559 Well, no, you never think about that. 202 00:12:06,599 --> 00:12:10,599 And so he goes on, he tries to make it abundantly clear here with 203 00:12:10,599 --> 00:12:11,399 these questions. 204 00:12:11,399 --> 00:12:14,359 And he says, is it good for anything? 205 00:12:15,399 --> 00:12:18,518 Would you say, I'm going to make some furniture for the house? 206 00:12:18,599 --> 00:12:22,839 And so you say, I'm going to go cut down some vine trees and I'm 207 00:12:22,839 --> 00:12:23,919 going to make me some furniture? 208 00:12:23,919 --> 00:12:26,479 Well, no, because the constitution of it is not fit for 209 00:12:26,479 --> 00:12:26,759 that. 210 00:12:26,839 --> 00:12:27,959 You wouldn't do anything on it. 211 00:12:27,959 --> 00:12:29,599 You wouldn't make any furniture that you would want to 212 00:12:29,599 --> 00:12:31,929 set on or could sit on or. 213 00:12:32,169 --> 00:12:38,009 Well, okay, can you make a, can you take that wood then and make 214 00:12:38,009 --> 00:12:43,129 a pin and put it in the wall and hang your appliances on it? 215 00:12:43,769 --> 00:12:48,649 Or like men do their tools in their shop, could you take and hang 216 00:12:48,649 --> 00:12:49,929 anything on it? 217 00:12:50,089 --> 00:12:52,449 Well, no, because of the constitution of it. 218 00:12:52,449 --> 00:12:53,529 It wouldn't hold anything. 219 00:12:53,849 --> 00:12:57,049 It wouldn't take any weight at all for it to give in. 220 00:12:58,049 --> 00:12:59,249 It's not good for that. 221 00:12:59,809 --> 00:13:05,009 It just, that's not the nature of the vine tree at all. 222 00:13:05,969 --> 00:13:06,609 Okay. 223 00:13:07,409 --> 00:13:11,089 And so then he says, well, what about when I burn it? 224 00:13:12,289 --> 00:13:16,129 Because actually what he's doing is saying, I'm gonna judge 225 00:13:16,129 --> 00:13:19,889 Israel and I'm gonna burn em. 226 00:13:21,329 --> 00:13:27,849 And so Israel is the vine tree and the trees of the forest are all 227 00:13:27,849 --> 00:13:29,129 the nations around them. 228 00:13:30,089 --> 00:13:30,489 See? 229 00:13:30,649 --> 00:13:35,289 And so I've got four places here, four different books that refor 230 00:13:35,689 --> 00:13:43,209 prophets that refer to Israel as God's vine or God's vineyard. 231 00:13:43,609 --> 00:13:47,449 That would be in the book of Hosea, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Psalm 80. 232 00:13:47,849 --> 00:13:51,279 And all of these make reference to the fact that, that 233 00:13:51,279 --> 00:13:53,559 Israel is his vineyard. 234 00:13:53,879 --> 00:13:57,319 Or we can say it this way, Israel is his vine. 235 00:13:58,519 --> 00:14:01,999 And then when he talks about the trees of the forest, then he's 236 00:14:01,999 --> 00:14:05,759 talking about the plethora of nations that are about them and that 237 00:14:05,759 --> 00:14:09,599 they deal with, for instance, as you go through the Word of God 238 00:14:09,599 --> 00:14:12,719 and you read the prophets and the Old Testament history, then you 239 00:14:12,719 --> 00:14:16,839 realize that Israel has some major conflicts with people like 240 00:14:17,159 --> 00:14:21,639 the Moabites and the Ammonites and the Philistines, and they have 241 00:14:21,639 --> 00:14:26,959 problems with Assyria and they have problems with Lebanon, and they 242 00:14:26,959 --> 00:14:30,999 have problems with Egypt and all of those nations that are outside 243 00:14:30,999 --> 00:14:35,679 of the covenant that God made with Israel, his vineyard or his 244 00:14:35,679 --> 00:14:42,279 vine tree, all of those are just woods or they are trees in the 245 00:14:42,279 --> 00:14:42,759 forest. 246 00:14:43,679 --> 00:14:46,759 So we got to get the picture in our mind here what he's talking 247 00:14:46,759 --> 00:14:47,199 about here. 248 00:14:47,199 --> 00:14:48,919 He's talking about Israel. 249 00:14:48,919 --> 00:14:49,999 Let me say it this way. 250 00:14:50,159 --> 00:14:55,999 Israel being manifestly distinct from the trees of the forest, 251 00:14:56,879 --> 00:15:00,959 because if they wind up amongst the trees of the forest, 252 00:15:01,279 --> 00:15:05,039 they are good for absolutely nothing. 253 00:15:06,239 --> 00:15:06,719 Nothing. 254 00:15:06,959 --> 00:15:07,919 Their wood is not good. 255 00:15:07,919 --> 00:15:10,759 You might go into the forest and you might find that this serves 256 00:15:10,759 --> 00:15:13,889 this purpose and, and this tree will serve another purpose. 257 00:15:13,889 --> 00:15:16,369 And this tree, the wood of it is good for this. 258 00:15:16,449 --> 00:15:18,849 And this tree, the wood is good for another thing. 259 00:15:19,009 --> 00:15:23,089 But when you look at the vineyard or the vine tree, then all 260 00:15:23,089 --> 00:15:27,849 you can think about is it's good for one thing, growing and spreading 261 00:15:27,849 --> 00:15:30,369 those vines and producing grapes. 262 00:15:30,929 --> 00:15:33,809 That's all it's good for and nothing else. 263 00:15:34,769 --> 00:15:37,889 And so you got to remember also, as we've tried to explain, 264 00:15:37,889 --> 00:15:40,549 I'm not going to go into detail about it, but the condition 265 00:15:40,549 --> 00:15:44,989 that Israel is in, they are in pathetic condition. 266 00:15:45,709 --> 00:15:50,109 And so Babylonian oppression has already come upon them. 267 00:15:50,349 --> 00:15:54,429 So that here we go again, Jerusalem is sealed off by the Babylonian 268 00:15:54,429 --> 00:16:00,749 army, the royalty, some of the prime families and line of families, 269 00:16:00,829 --> 00:16:05,309 has their family members taken away to Babylon to be trained in 270 00:16:05,309 --> 00:16:06,469 the way of the Babylonians. 271 00:16:06,469 --> 00:16:08,429 Daniel is their prophet, you might recall. 272 00:16:08,479 --> 00:16:08,639 And. 273 00:16:08,869 --> 00:16:11,389 And then you got another group that was carried away into captivity 274 00:16:11,389 --> 00:16:15,989 and they're living in wretched conditions by the river Chebar at 275 00:16:15,989 --> 00:16:17,269 the town of Telabim. 276 00:16:17,429 --> 00:16:21,509 And so if you look at the overall picture of Israel, you can 277 00:16:21,509 --> 00:16:25,429 see that they are suffering in Jerusalem from the besiegement. 278 00:16:25,509 --> 00:16:30,549 And they are taken captive in the city of Babylon. 279 00:16:30,629 --> 00:16:34,229 And they might be eating well and dressing well, but they are being 280 00:16:34,229 --> 00:16:36,759 trained in the ways of the Babylonians who to serve the purpose 281 00:16:36,759 --> 00:16:37,839 of the Babylonians. 282 00:16:38,479 --> 00:16:42,199 And that's why Daniel is a prophet there, to try to get as any 283 00:16:42,199 --> 00:16:45,919 that will to be true to God, like he and Shadrach, Meshach and 284 00:16:45,919 --> 00:16:47,919 Abednego remain true to God. 285 00:16:47,919 --> 00:16:51,079 And then you got these that are by the river Chebar and they're 286 00:16:51,079 --> 00:16:55,239 in misery now, what tried to show last night and maybe some the 287 00:16:55,239 --> 00:16:56,399 night before that. 288 00:16:56,399 --> 00:17:02,549 What is so sad about this is all of these people, Jerusalem in 289 00:17:02,549 --> 00:17:07,469 Babylon and by the river Chebar to Labib, all of these people 290 00:17:07,469 --> 00:17:08,349 are in denial. 291 00:17:09,309 --> 00:17:11,189 All of them think they're going to be delivered. 292 00:17:11,189 --> 00:17:13,549 All of them think life is going to go on as normal. 293 00:17:13,549 --> 00:17:16,349 We're just here going through a little tough stretch right now, 294 00:17:16,429 --> 00:17:17,789 and it's not long. 295 00:17:18,109 --> 00:17:21,509 Their own prophets, not hearing anything from God, just saying 296 00:17:21,509 --> 00:17:24,669 they're hearing from God, are saying, peace, peace when there is 297 00:17:24,669 --> 00:17:25,309 no peace. 298 00:17:25,309 --> 00:17:28,149 And they're saying this, oh, well, if there's going to become 299 00:17:28,149 --> 00:17:32,569 any real oppression or invasion, like the prophet Ezekiel 300 00:17:32,569 --> 00:17:36,409 is talking about, or like the prophet Jeremiah prophesied, or like 301 00:17:36,409 --> 00:17:41,209 Isaiah prophesied 80 to 100 years before that, or like Habakkuk 302 00:17:41,209 --> 00:17:42,249 was made aware of. 303 00:17:42,249 --> 00:17:44,689 If you've read the book of Habakkuk lately, it's about the same 304 00:17:44,689 --> 00:17:44,969 thing. 305 00:17:45,129 --> 00:17:48,249 And all of these prophecies, if that's going to happen, it's way 306 00:17:48,569 --> 00:17:48,969 off. 307 00:17:49,129 --> 00:17:50,809 It's not anytime soon. 308 00:17:51,369 --> 00:17:52,569 And they're in denial. 309 00:17:52,969 --> 00:17:56,009 So basically what they are saying is, what's with God anyway? 310 00:17:56,889 --> 00:17:58,249 Why would he be allowing this? 311 00:17:58,249 --> 00:17:59,329 We haven't done anything wrong. 312 00:17:59,329 --> 00:18:02,489 And remember what they're doing, blaming the previous generation. 313 00:18:03,129 --> 00:18:06,769 They're refusing to take responsibility for their own spiritual 314 00:18:06,769 --> 00:18:07,369 condition. 315 00:18:07,609 --> 00:18:11,769 And God is saying to them, here's how I look at my people. 316 00:18:12,169 --> 00:18:14,569 My people, this is my vineyard. 317 00:18:14,649 --> 00:18:16,169 This is my vine tree. 318 00:18:16,169 --> 00:18:17,169 They are mine. 319 00:18:17,169 --> 00:18:20,969 And look at them as they are now. 320 00:18:21,449 --> 00:18:25,529 They are less useful to me than Babylon. 321 00:18:28,739 --> 00:18:31,459 If you think that's shocking. 322 00:18:31,859 --> 00:18:32,979 It's supposed to be. 323 00:18:33,859 --> 00:18:34,979 It's meant to be. 324 00:18:36,019 --> 00:18:38,419 Well, how would God have any use for Babylon? 325 00:18:39,059 --> 00:18:40,499 Read the book of Jeremiah. 326 00:18:41,619 --> 00:18:47,299 It says that Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon is his servant. 327 00:18:48,099 --> 00:18:55,429 It says that Babylon is like a weapon in God's hand that he is using 328 00:18:55,909 --> 00:19:00,229 to exercise discipline and judgment upon his own people. 329 00:19:01,509 --> 00:19:02,389 So what do we. 330 00:19:02,629 --> 00:19:04,789 How can we come to any other conclusion? 331 00:19:05,029 --> 00:19:11,949 As things are, Babylon is more useful for the purposes of God than 332 00:19:11,949 --> 00:19:12,949 Israel is. 333 00:19:13,589 --> 00:19:13,989 Why? 334 00:19:14,469 --> 00:19:16,229 Because they are his vineyard. 335 00:19:16,309 --> 00:19:17,589 And where are they? 336 00:19:17,909 --> 00:19:21,459 Lost among the trees of the forest. 337 00:19:22,179 --> 00:19:24,619 See, does that make any sense at all? 338 00:19:24,619 --> 00:19:25,339 I hope it does. 339 00:19:25,339 --> 00:19:30,379 I mean, that is the message of this chapter, that whereas there 340 00:19:30,379 --> 00:19:32,339 should be this distinct. 341 00:19:32,659 --> 00:19:34,219 Nobody drives by a vineyard. 342 00:19:34,219 --> 00:19:35,139 Come on, Sandra. 343 00:19:35,139 --> 00:19:38,299 And I've driven all over the country, Oklahoma, and probably there's 344 00:19:38,299 --> 00:19:40,899 places in Texas where they have some vineyards. 345 00:19:40,899 --> 00:19:44,019 And there's just a little spot here too, in Oklahoma. 346 00:19:44,099 --> 00:19:47,609 But, you know, you go to the places like California and And places 347 00:19:47,609 --> 00:19:50,409 where you can just drive for miles and miles and it's vineyards 348 00:19:50,409 --> 00:19:52,089 and you gotta look and it's impressive. 349 00:19:52,089 --> 00:19:54,969 And nobody looks out there and says, look at that forest out there. 350 00:19:56,649 --> 00:19:59,209 But then you can also drive places in California. 351 00:19:59,209 --> 00:20:02,569 You can see the trees and the tall trees and all of the beautiful, 352 00:20:02,569 --> 00:20:04,569 magnificent trees that are there. 353 00:20:04,729 --> 00:20:06,729 And you can look at that and say, look at that forest. 354 00:20:06,729 --> 00:20:07,729 It's just amazing. 355 00:20:07,729 --> 00:20:12,249 Massive, giant, beautiful redwoods and all kinds of trees there. 356 00:20:12,249 --> 00:20:15,689 And not nobody looks at that and confuses it with a vineyard. 357 00:20:15,689 --> 00:20:20,049 There's supposed to be a clear distinction between God's people, 358 00:20:20,449 --> 00:20:24,129 his vine, and the trees of the forest. 359 00:20:24,529 --> 00:20:28,928 But they are so intermingled and they are so much like the trees 360 00:20:28,928 --> 00:20:33,969 of the forest that now they have rendered themselves useless. 361 00:20:35,329 --> 00:20:36,449 Isn't that incredible? 362 00:20:37,169 --> 00:20:38,129 It's so sad. 363 00:20:39,899 --> 00:20:41,259 It's actually pathetic. 364 00:20:42,619 --> 00:20:46,699 They are at this point, boy, this sounds hard, but I'm gonna say 365 00:20:46,699 --> 00:20:46,939 it. 366 00:20:47,179 --> 00:20:48,299 They're good for nothing. 367 00:20:49,739 --> 00:20:50,779 They're good for nothing. 368 00:20:51,979 --> 00:20:55,019 As long as it's in that condition, they're not good for anything. 369 00:20:55,019 --> 00:20:56,539 How's God supposed to use them? 370 00:20:57,259 --> 00:21:00,139 We talked on the very first night from Ezekiel on Sunday night, 371 00:21:00,139 --> 00:21:04,539 that God situated them where he situated them in what is called 372 00:21:04,539 --> 00:21:07,579 the cradle of humanity, which for a definite purpose. 373 00:21:07,579 --> 00:21:12,539 And what was that to, by their distinction, point to the kind of 374 00:21:12,539 --> 00:21:13,659 God that God is. 375 00:21:14,299 --> 00:21:17,419 And they were there for the purpose of God and for the glory 376 00:21:17,419 --> 00:21:17,979 of God. 377 00:21:18,299 --> 00:21:21,179 And now as time goes on, things are not getting better, things 378 00:21:21,179 --> 00:21:21,979 are getting worse. 379 00:21:22,139 --> 00:21:27,499 Until God addresses them this way and says to them, you are like 380 00:21:27,499 --> 00:21:30,699 vines that are lost in the forest. 381 00:21:32,869 --> 00:21:37,189 Now, I can't believe it's been that long, but it was the year 2000. 382 00:21:38,869 --> 00:21:42,949 Sandra and I made a trip to Germany and I was going to preach 383 00:21:42,949 --> 00:21:47,669 there at a missionary retreat, the European missionaries of a certain 384 00:21:47,669 --> 00:21:48,068 group. 385 00:21:48,069 --> 00:21:52,669 And so preached, you know, what do you call a retreat or something 386 00:21:52,669 --> 00:21:55,509 like that, and spent time with them, it was wonderful. 387 00:21:55,509 --> 00:21:57,029 And then preached in some churches. 388 00:21:58,249 --> 00:22:02,849 And so the missionary Jim and Mary Garrison picked us up there. 389 00:22:02,849 --> 00:22:04,889 And they were in Darmstadt, Germany. 390 00:22:05,369 --> 00:22:08,169 And they worked with a lot of military people, but they were also 391 00:22:08,889 --> 00:22:11,289 endeavoring and reaching a few Germans. 392 00:22:11,849 --> 00:22:17,089 And so anyway, we got there, I think on a Friday, and he said, I 393 00:22:17,089 --> 00:22:20,049 know you might have jet lag or anything, but he said if we took 394 00:22:20,049 --> 00:22:23,159 about a two hour drive, we'd be along some of the beautiful parks, 395 00:22:23,869 --> 00:22:26,029 River Rhine, would you like to go? 396 00:22:26,029 --> 00:22:27,669 And we'd like to take you there. 397 00:22:27,669 --> 00:22:31,469 And we'll eat at one of their little resort area places there. 398 00:22:31,789 --> 00:22:34,109 And he Said, I think you'd really enjoy it. 399 00:22:34,109 --> 00:22:38,589 Rhine River, I believe to this day is still the number one commercial 400 00:22:38,589 --> 00:22:39,709 river in the world. 401 00:22:40,269 --> 00:22:44,709 More commerce and ships go up and down it for commercial reasons 402 00:22:44,709 --> 00:22:46,269 than any other river in the world. 403 00:22:46,829 --> 00:22:49,309 And besides that, there's some natural beauty there. 404 00:22:50,069 --> 00:22:53,069 And so, sure enough, we did the next day, and he drove us there 405 00:22:53,069 --> 00:22:55,669 and we drove along the Rhine River. 406 00:22:55,909 --> 00:23:00,709 And as you drive along for this good long stretch, then it was 407 00:23:00,709 --> 00:23:03,749 really fascinating because there is the river, one of the most 408 00:23:03,749 --> 00:23:07,829 significant rivers in all the world, and we have some rivers to 409 00:23:07,829 --> 00:23:11,389 be proud of here, but this is worldwide known as one of the great 410 00:23:11,389 --> 00:23:12,869 rivers in the world. 411 00:23:13,509 --> 00:23:18,619 And so on this side is the river, and then on this side, I'm 412 00:23:18,619 --> 00:23:22,299 sorry, on this side of the river, yeah, where we're driving 413 00:23:22,539 --> 00:23:24,659 are all kinds of little mountain villages. 414 00:23:24,659 --> 00:23:26,459 And you go this way and there's mountains there. 415 00:23:26,459 --> 00:23:29,219 Well, there's mountains on the other side, too, but there's mountains 416 00:23:29,219 --> 00:23:33,579 here and there's villages and, you know, quaint places and tourist 417 00:23:33,579 --> 00:23:35,979 traps, partly, and such as that. 418 00:23:36,299 --> 00:23:37,419 And so we did. 419 00:23:37,419 --> 00:23:37,939 We looked there. 420 00:23:37,939 --> 00:23:38,619 It's beautiful. 421 00:23:38,619 --> 00:23:41,779 The old architecture, ancient, much of it. 422 00:23:41,779 --> 00:23:41,999 And. 423 00:23:42,549 --> 00:23:45,949 And just the scenery and the beauty and the river, it was special, 424 00:23:45,949 --> 00:23:46,949 it was very neat. 425 00:23:47,669 --> 00:23:51,189 But on the other side of the river, when you look across, I've 426 00:23:51,189 --> 00:23:52,029 got a picture of it here. 427 00:23:52,029 --> 00:23:54,909 I know it's ridiculous, you can't see it from there, but I got 428 00:23:54,909 --> 00:24:00,469 a picture of it here, and it's a picture of miles of vineyards on 429 00:24:00,469 --> 00:24:01,669 the other side of the river. 430 00:24:02,149 --> 00:24:04,589 And these rivers go up the mount. 431 00:24:04,589 --> 00:24:07,669 I'm sorry, these vineyards, they go up the mountainside. 432 00:24:08,329 --> 00:24:10,849 And the way they do it is they got a row here, and then it's like 433 00:24:10,849 --> 00:24:11,689 a stair step. 434 00:24:11,849 --> 00:24:15,409 They work the land so that it's like a stair step, and there's 435 00:24:15,409 --> 00:24:18,529 another row and another row and another row, another step, and 436 00:24:18,529 --> 00:24:19,689 it goes up the mountain. 437 00:24:20,489 --> 00:24:26,969 And as it goes up the mountain, it's immaculate, it's kept, 438 00:24:27,529 --> 00:24:30,089 it's impressive, it's quite a sight to see. 439 00:24:30,809 --> 00:24:33,929 But you can see if I'll lay this picture down here, if you want 440 00:24:33,929 --> 00:24:34,569 to look at it after. 441 00:24:34,969 --> 00:24:38,769 But you can see that the vineyards go up so high and then 442 00:24:38,769 --> 00:24:40,409 manifestly they end. 443 00:24:41,289 --> 00:24:42,249 And what's then? 444 00:24:42,809 --> 00:24:46,649 The woods, the forest, the trees of the forest. 445 00:24:47,609 --> 00:24:51,609 Now, the interesting thing was he said that what he. 446 00:24:51,769 --> 00:24:54,489 From what he's read and studied and what he's talked to some 447 00:24:54,489 --> 00:24:58,569 of the locals, that some of these vineyards, many of these vineyards 448 00:24:58,889 --> 00:25:02,489 have been in the same family for over a thousand years. 449 00:25:03,609 --> 00:25:06,849 So that generation after generation after generation after 450 00:25:06,849 --> 00:25:11,289 generation of family or families have lived off of these 451 00:25:11,289 --> 00:25:11,929 vineyards. 452 00:25:12,889 --> 00:25:16,409 And again, they're so well kept, and they're beautiful and they're 453 00:25:16,409 --> 00:25:17,048 magnificent. 454 00:25:17,048 --> 00:25:21,769 And I thought, my soul, that's a long time ago, a thousand years 455 00:25:22,969 --> 00:25:24,649 growing there on that hillside. 456 00:25:26,089 --> 00:25:32,269 The forest above it stayed in the same families and been producing 457 00:25:32,989 --> 00:25:35,549 for a thousand years and more. 458 00:25:36,429 --> 00:25:36,909 Wow. 459 00:25:37,229 --> 00:25:38,269 Isn't that amazing? 460 00:25:39,469 --> 00:25:44,589 Now, as you look at this picture, you can't help but notice 461 00:25:44,669 --> 00:25:52,269 that somebody did something to keep the vineyard out of the forest 462 00:25:53,559 --> 00:25:55,079 or the forest out of the vineyard. 463 00:25:56,439 --> 00:26:02,159 What do you think would happen if, for, let's say out of the last 464 00:26:02,159 --> 00:26:07,079 thousand years, let's say that 300 of those years nobody watched 465 00:26:07,079 --> 00:26:10,919 the vineyard, what do you think would happen? 466 00:26:11,879 --> 00:26:15,999 Well, obviously, the vineyard would take over the forest and it 467 00:26:15,999 --> 00:26:17,319 would all become vineyard. 468 00:26:20,689 --> 00:26:25,729 Now, if you believe that, you believe eagles and buzzards soar 469 00:26:25,729 --> 00:26:26,049 together? 470 00:26:27,569 --> 00:26:29,169 No, that's not what would happen. 471 00:26:29,889 --> 00:26:30,849 So what would happen? 472 00:26:31,809 --> 00:26:35,729 The forest would come down and overgrow the vineyard. 473 00:26:36,849 --> 00:26:41,329 And when the forest comes and overgrows the vineyard, you might 474 00:26:41,329 --> 00:26:42,609 still have vines there. 475 00:26:43,729 --> 00:26:48,559 But the lack of sunshine and the nutrients necessary to make those 476 00:26:48,559 --> 00:26:54,439 grapes what they're supposed to be now going into the trees that 477 00:26:54,439 --> 00:26:58,839 were allowed to grow there, then all of a sudden, if those vines 478 00:26:58,919 --> 00:27:03,359 produced anything, they would not be usable and they would not 479 00:27:03,359 --> 00:27:04,039 be edible. 480 00:27:04,679 --> 00:27:05,719 They would be what? 481 00:27:05,959 --> 00:27:06,679 Worthless? 482 00:27:07,559 --> 00:27:10,959 Absolutely worthless right now. 483 00:27:10,959 --> 00:27:13,159 God, I'm not making all this stuff up. 484 00:27:13,159 --> 00:27:16,779 God's the one that put this picture in the Bible and wants us 485 00:27:16,779 --> 00:27:17,979 to stop and think about this. 486 00:27:17,979 --> 00:27:18,979 What is the lesson? 487 00:27:18,979 --> 00:27:21,059 What is it we're supposed to learn here? 488 00:27:21,219 --> 00:27:23,779 And God said, here's what happened to my people, Israel. 489 00:27:23,859 --> 00:27:28,099 I meant for my people to be my peculiar and my particular vineyard. 490 00:27:28,579 --> 00:27:33,259 And I was to use them to bear fruit and to shine the light and 491 00:27:33,259 --> 00:27:35,779 to be a testimony to the God that I am. 492 00:27:36,339 --> 00:27:41,819 And instead of them doing that and being the distinct vineyard that 493 00:27:41,819 --> 00:27:43,499 I meant for them to be, what. 494 00:27:43,649 --> 00:27:45,609 What they did is by their choice. 495 00:27:45,609 --> 00:27:51,009 Now, they're not like the trees here and the grapevines here 496 00:27:51,329 --> 00:27:52,449 that are inanimate. 497 00:27:52,609 --> 00:27:56,609 Israel had a will, and they had a choice. 498 00:27:57,569 --> 00:28:01,489 And they could either be what God meant for them to be a beautiful 499 00:28:01,489 --> 00:28:05,529 vineyard, productive for his glory, or they could mingle with 500 00:28:05,529 --> 00:28:09,609 the trees of the forest, which they did, and become absolutely useless 501 00:28:09,609 --> 00:28:10,209 to God. 502 00:28:11,619 --> 00:28:14,059 And that's what has happened to the people of Israel. 503 00:28:14,059 --> 00:28:18,979 And that's why Ezekiel, God is having Ezekiel confront them about 504 00:28:18,979 --> 00:28:22,539 their situation, because they're going to fall under the judgment 505 00:28:22,539 --> 00:28:23,299 of Babylon. 506 00:28:24,579 --> 00:28:25,859 They've already gone too far. 507 00:28:26,339 --> 00:28:27,499 God's already determined this. 508 00:28:27,499 --> 00:28:28,819 My face is against you. 509 00:28:29,299 --> 00:28:33,179 And Babylon is going to have power over you, and your city is 510 00:28:33,179 --> 00:28:37,179 going to be destroyed, and your families are going to suffer 511 00:28:37,179 --> 00:28:37,539 death. 512 00:28:38,629 --> 00:28:40,229 Blood is going to be shed. 513 00:28:40,949 --> 00:28:44,749 People are gonna die of starvation, and people are gonna 514 00:28:44,749 --> 00:28:46,789 die of poverty and misery. 515 00:28:47,829 --> 00:28:51,669 And God is saying, my fire of judgment is coming upon you. 516 00:28:52,229 --> 00:28:53,829 That's what he is saying to his people. 517 00:28:54,869 --> 00:28:59,669 And he is saying this to them and saying, you have become absolutely 518 00:28:59,669 --> 00:29:00,229 useless. 519 00:29:00,229 --> 00:29:05,679 And if you won't produce what I have you to produce for my glory, 520 00:29:05,839 --> 00:29:08,239 I mean, he is the Lord of the vineyard. 521 00:29:09,439 --> 00:29:12,799 I said he is the creator God, the Lord of the vineyard. 522 00:29:13,359 --> 00:29:16,159 It's not like he didn't have the right to expect this of his nation, 523 00:29:16,159 --> 00:29:16,799 Israel. 524 00:29:16,879 --> 00:29:19,359 They entered into a covenant with their eyes wide open. 525 00:29:19,519 --> 00:29:21,759 They said, whatsoever the Lord says, we will do. 526 00:29:21,759 --> 00:29:24,319 He gave them the Ten Commandments and the law of Moses. 527 00:29:24,319 --> 00:29:27,999 And they said, wherein Whatever the Lord says, that will 528 00:29:27,999 --> 00:29:28,639 we do. 529 00:29:28,879 --> 00:29:30,689 And then commence to rebel against. 530 00:29:30,759 --> 00:29:31,319 Against him. 531 00:29:33,079 --> 00:29:40,119 So here they are, a vineyard lost among the forest of trees. 532 00:29:41,559 --> 00:29:44,479 Well, you know, out in the forest of trees, idolatry is perfectly 533 00:29:44,479 --> 00:29:45,959 acceptable, expected. 534 00:29:46,839 --> 00:29:47,599 That's what they did. 535 00:29:47,599 --> 00:29:48,759 They worshiped idols. 536 00:29:49,319 --> 00:29:50,999 But not God's vineyard. 537 00:29:51,159 --> 00:29:52,199 Oh, yeah, they did. 538 00:29:52,839 --> 00:29:54,839 Sure, BAAL worshipped. 539 00:29:54,839 --> 00:29:55,199 Come on. 540 00:29:55,199 --> 00:29:58,439 We could name the gods of the pagans about them that they went 541 00:29:58,439 --> 00:30:02,429 after and chased after, ran after, made unto themselves idols 542 00:30:02,429 --> 00:30:05,149 even while they were under the judgment of God. 543 00:30:05,389 --> 00:30:09,469 And Ezekiel was confronting them, Jeremiah was confronting them, 544 00:30:09,549 --> 00:30:13,709 Habakkuk confronted them, Zephaniah confronted them even while 545 00:30:13,709 --> 00:30:15,549 they were under the judgment of God. 546 00:30:15,549 --> 00:30:17,229 You know what they were doing in secret? 547 00:30:17,629 --> 00:30:19,069 Worshiping idols. 548 00:30:19,869 --> 00:30:23,589 Looking into the stars and into the heavens for understanding 549 00:30:23,589 --> 00:30:26,749 rather than humbling themself before God who. 550 00:30:29,849 --> 00:30:35,689 And they became like the trees of the forest. 551 00:30:37,129 --> 00:30:38,489 Now, this picture, it really. 552 00:30:39,849 --> 00:30:41,089 When I realized. 553 00:30:41,089 --> 00:30:43,889 I studied this passage and I think we went to Germany. 554 00:30:43,889 --> 00:30:45,409 I wonder if I still have those pictures. 555 00:30:45,409 --> 00:30:48,809 And I did and had this one blown up. 556 00:30:49,529 --> 00:30:51,209 What a beautiful vineyard. 557 00:30:52,979 --> 00:30:58,099 And then you got the ragged forest up there, distinct between 558 00:30:58,419 --> 00:30:59,299 those families. 559 00:30:59,939 --> 00:31:05,179 If they'd have left it go for two or 300 years, then they'd have 560 00:31:05,179 --> 00:31:11,459 lost the value of the vineyard to start over and clean out the forest 561 00:31:11,459 --> 00:31:13,699 that grows up in a couple or three centuries. 562 00:31:13,699 --> 00:31:16,299 Come on, two or three centuries out of a thousand years. 563 00:31:16,299 --> 00:31:18,979 I mean, still, they would have worked it two thirds of the time, 564 00:31:18,979 --> 00:31:19,459 maybe. 565 00:31:21,069 --> 00:31:22,509 No, that was enough to lose it. 566 00:31:23,229 --> 00:31:24,269 They lost it. 567 00:31:25,309 --> 00:31:28,749 That's exactly what happened to Israel, my vineyard. 568 00:31:28,749 --> 00:31:29,469 Look at them. 569 00:31:29,789 --> 00:31:35,469 They made the choice to be a part of the trees, of the forest. 570 00:31:37,549 --> 00:31:38,509 So that was then. 571 00:31:39,629 --> 00:31:43,069 We could talk more about them and the judgment of God upon them. 572 00:31:43,469 --> 00:31:47,159 But we're living now, so is there any reason for us to discuss 573 00:31:47,239 --> 00:31:47,639 this? 574 00:31:48,359 --> 00:31:49,559 Well, I think there is. 575 00:31:50,839 --> 00:31:54,519 Jesus said to his disciples and all subsequent disciples, he 576 00:31:54,519 --> 00:31:58,359 said, I am the vine, ye are the branches. 577 00:31:58,919 --> 00:32:00,599 Come on, are we getting the picture? 578 00:32:01,079 --> 00:32:05,199 I mean, he still means for his people to be his vineyard. 579 00:32:05,199 --> 00:32:07,199 He said, I am the vine, ye are the branches. 580 00:32:07,199 --> 00:32:09,079 And then he told us what the purpose is. 581 00:32:09,159 --> 00:32:12,119 He said, I want you to abide in me. 582 00:32:12,509 --> 00:32:14,749 And if you abide in me, you'll bear fruit. 583 00:32:15,469 --> 00:32:17,429 But then he didn't just say, you'll bear fruit. 584 00:32:17,429 --> 00:32:19,389 He said, you'll bear much fruit. 585 00:32:20,429 --> 00:32:22,829 And then he said, you'll bear more fruit. 586 00:32:23,629 --> 00:32:25,349 And then he said, you'll bear fruit. 587 00:32:25,349 --> 00:32:31,549 That remains so evidently, when Jesus chose these disciples 588 00:32:31,709 --> 00:32:33,629 and then called them apostles. 589 00:32:33,949 --> 00:32:37,309 And they were the ones that laid the doctrinal foundation for 590 00:32:37,309 --> 00:32:38,469 the New Testament church. 591 00:32:38,469 --> 00:32:40,624 And Jesus said, upon this rock I'll build my church. 592 00:32:40,624 --> 00:32:40,739 And. 593 00:32:40,969 --> 00:32:43,129 And the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 594 00:32:43,529 --> 00:32:45,609 And lo, I am with you always to the end. 595 00:32:45,609 --> 00:32:48,409 In other words, Jesus established his church with those 596 00:32:48,409 --> 00:32:48,729 men. 597 00:32:49,209 --> 00:32:50,769 The church didn't begin at Pentecost. 598 00:32:50,769 --> 00:32:52,169 It began before that. 599 00:32:52,969 --> 00:32:55,769 And the church didn't begin sometime after Pentecost. 600 00:32:55,769 --> 00:32:58,169 It began with Jesus and those disciples. 601 00:32:58,249 --> 00:32:59,449 And what he started. 602 00:32:59,609 --> 00:33:02,969 He said, I'm going to be with you to the end of the age, to the 603 00:33:02,969 --> 00:33:03,689 end of the world. 604 00:33:04,649 --> 00:33:06,249 And so what was his purpose? 605 00:33:06,249 --> 00:33:07,769 Well, his purpose was stated. 606 00:33:07,849 --> 00:33:11,169 He said, I'm the vine, you're the branches, and abide in me. 607 00:33:11,729 --> 00:33:13,249 Why should we abide in you? 608 00:33:13,409 --> 00:33:16,449 Well, you can fulfill my purpose only if you abide in me. 609 00:33:16,449 --> 00:33:17,849 And what is your purpose? 610 00:33:17,849 --> 00:33:21,689 I want you to bear fruit, but I don't want you to bear just fruit. 611 00:33:21,689 --> 00:33:25,169 I want you to bear much fruit, but I don't want you to bear just 612 00:33:25,169 --> 00:33:25,689 much fruit. 613 00:33:25,689 --> 00:33:27,729 I want you to bear more fruit than much fruit. 614 00:33:28,209 --> 00:33:30,929 And not only that, I want you to bear fruit that remains. 615 00:33:31,009 --> 00:33:34,729 He means for the name of Jesus and the work of the gospel to be 616 00:33:34,729 --> 00:33:38,899 spread on this earth until the end of the age, until Jesus comes 617 00:33:38,899 --> 00:33:39,259 again. 618 00:33:39,979 --> 00:33:43,419 And he left that responsibility not to a plethora 619 00:33:43,419 --> 00:33:45,179 of organizations out here. 620 00:33:45,259 --> 00:33:50,779 He left that work to what could be identified as his church. 621 00:33:50,939 --> 00:33:53,019 We're not talking about anything universal. 622 00:33:53,499 --> 00:33:55,419 We're not talking about anything invisible. 623 00:33:55,419 --> 00:33:56,099 Wait a minute. 624 00:33:56,099 --> 00:33:57,019 I listened to Dr. 625 00:33:57,019 --> 00:34:00,619 So and so on the radio, and he certainly got me more degrees than 626 00:34:00,619 --> 00:34:01,099 you do. 627 00:34:01,179 --> 00:34:06,869 Well, Rudy, the idea is not how many degrees does a man have. 628 00:34:07,269 --> 00:34:12,069 The idea is does he believe what the Bible says or has his intelligence 629 00:34:12,069 --> 00:34:14,309 overcome things and he's teaching things that aren't even 630 00:34:14,309 --> 00:34:15,189 found in the Bible. 631 00:34:15,349 --> 00:34:21,509 Like a universal invisible church which doesn't even exist and 632 00:34:21,509 --> 00:34:23,589 common sense tells you it doesn't exist. 633 00:34:24,149 --> 00:34:29,749 The word church has to do with an assembly, a called out assembly. 634 00:34:30,609 --> 00:34:32,129 Universal assembly. 635 00:34:34,529 --> 00:34:35,089 Huh? 636 00:34:35,729 --> 00:34:38,369 I said a universal assembly. 637 00:34:39,569 --> 00:34:41,809 Invisible assembly. 638 00:34:42,289 --> 00:34:42,689 Come on. 639 00:34:42,689 --> 00:34:44,049 It doesn't even make any sense. 640 00:34:44,689 --> 00:34:47,489 Those kind of people remind me of the people that say, yeah, well 641 00:34:47,489 --> 00:34:52,889 we get the way we see baptism is you sprinkle or pour some water 642 00:34:52,889 --> 00:34:53,409 on them. 643 00:34:53,409 --> 00:34:55,169 That's we call that baptism. 644 00:34:55,169 --> 00:34:57,998 We'll call it whatever you want to it baptism. 645 00:34:59,358 --> 00:35:03,438 And if you're going to be true to the definition of what we have 646 00:35:03,438 --> 00:35:06,558 for the word church, then you've got to have an assembly. 647 00:35:07,038 --> 00:35:09,518 If you don't have assembly, you don't have a church. 648 00:35:10,318 --> 00:35:12,318 If it's invisible, it ain't. 649 00:35:15,998 --> 00:35:17,278 Is that right with me here? 650 00:35:17,838 --> 00:35:20,278 Well, don't get too carried away and start jumping around the 651 00:35:20,278 --> 00:35:20,958 aisles and everything. 652 00:35:21,038 --> 00:35:23,758 I'm just saying this is a reality. 653 00:35:23,838 --> 00:35:28,128 And Jesus left his church here and the church is called his body. 654 00:35:28,368 --> 00:35:30,928 This is not his body of believers. 655 00:35:31,808 --> 00:35:34,048 This is Jesus body of believers. 656 00:35:34,208 --> 00:35:37,328 Any authentic New Testament church. 657 00:35:37,728 --> 00:35:40,288 I said any authentic New Testament. 658 00:35:40,608 --> 00:35:43,328 I didn't say anybody's got church on the door. 659 00:35:43,328 --> 00:35:44,368 That's not what I said. 660 00:35:44,688 --> 00:35:48,768 Any authentic New Testament church that meets the qualifications 661 00:35:48,768 --> 00:35:49,728 of the word of God. 662 00:35:50,048 --> 00:35:52,048 That body of believers. 663 00:35:53,639 --> 00:35:53,879 His. 664 00:35:55,159 --> 00:35:59,719 It's his body of believers and no one else's. 665 00:36:00,519 --> 00:36:02,679 It's his body, see. 666 00:36:03,719 --> 00:36:06,759 Oh, I look at it as a big universe of all believers everywhere 667 00:36:06,839 --> 00:36:08,279 make up the body of Christ. 668 00:36:09,319 --> 00:36:11,879 Well, what a fancy thing to believe. 669 00:36:12,839 --> 00:36:14,999 But you didn't get that from studying the Bible. 670 00:36:16,759 --> 00:36:17,479 You didn't. 671 00:36:19,489 --> 00:36:20,889 I'm not saying if you believe that. 672 00:36:20,889 --> 00:36:22,529 I'm just saying if that's where you are. 673 00:36:22,609 --> 00:36:24,369 You didn't get that from the word of God. 674 00:36:24,449 --> 00:36:26,809 You didn't get that from trying to be true to the word of 675 00:36:26,809 --> 00:36:27,169 God. 676 00:36:27,729 --> 00:36:30,849 You got it from somebody on the radio or on TV or somebody that 677 00:36:30,849 --> 00:36:33,809 wrote a book and they've got PhDs and all kinds of things behind 678 00:36:33,809 --> 00:36:34,409 their name. 679 00:36:34,409 --> 00:36:35,769 And they may say many things. 680 00:36:35,769 --> 00:36:39,329 Well, and they may articulate and they may have high intellectual. 681 00:36:39,569 --> 00:36:41,969 But I'm just telling you right now, my friend, you don't have to 682 00:36:41,969 --> 00:36:44,499 be an intellectual to understand what, what church means. 683 00:36:47,139 --> 00:36:47,939 That's for sure. 684 00:36:49,459 --> 00:36:51,139 And Jesus said I'm divine. 685 00:36:52,499 --> 00:36:53,939 Nothing's changed about that. 686 00:36:54,259 --> 00:36:55,299 He is divine. 687 00:36:55,699 --> 00:36:57,179 The Best thing this church can do. 688 00:36:57,179 --> 00:36:57,779 Excuse me. 689 00:36:57,779 --> 00:37:01,139 I love the buildings, the property, the vision for the physical 690 00:37:01,139 --> 00:37:04,339 appearance and all of that, but nobody here is under the illusion 691 00:37:04,419 --> 00:37:05,739 that's what makes this church. 692 00:37:05,739 --> 00:37:06,899 It's the kind of buildings we're building. 693 00:37:06,899 --> 00:37:08,059 It's the kind of property we do. 694 00:37:08,059 --> 00:37:09,269 It's how we deal with our property. 695 00:37:09,419 --> 00:37:10,619 He says that's what makes the church. 696 00:37:10,619 --> 00:37:13,979 Nobody in this room believes that, you know, that if we don't 697 00:37:14,059 --> 00:37:18,219 abide in Jesus, in other words, if we don't stay true to him, 698 00:37:18,219 --> 00:37:22,259 if we don't walk with him, if we're not committed to him, if we 699 00:37:22,259 --> 00:37:23,259 don't love him. 700 00:37:23,259 --> 00:37:29,339 I'm just saying if we're not bent and determined to be obedient 701 00:37:29,339 --> 00:37:33,979 to Jesus and the purpose of his church, to evangelize here and 702 00:37:34,059 --> 00:37:37,379 baptize believers and make disciples and then do that to the 703 00:37:37,379 --> 00:37:40,269 uttermost parts of the earth, then we have no business calling 704 00:37:40,269 --> 00:37:41,269 ourselves his church. 705 00:37:41,589 --> 00:37:43,309 But a church that's committed to that. 706 00:37:43,309 --> 00:37:44,629 That's what Jesus is saying. 707 00:37:44,869 --> 00:37:48,149 Abide in me, and my word shall abide in you. 708 00:37:48,469 --> 00:37:50,149 And if you'll abide in me. 709 00:37:50,149 --> 00:37:52,629 I am the vine, you are the branches. 710 00:37:52,709 --> 00:37:58,309 You are capable of bearing fruit, much fruit, more fruit, fruit 711 00:37:58,469 --> 00:37:59,349 that remains. 712 00:38:00,709 --> 00:38:01,989 And that's his intent. 713 00:38:02,949 --> 00:38:03,989 That's his purpose. 714 00:38:05,529 --> 00:38:08,009 Any authentic New Testament church. 715 00:38:09,129 --> 00:38:09,609 Yeah. 716 00:38:10,729 --> 00:38:11,289 Amen. 717 00:38:11,289 --> 00:38:12,489 Boy, that's good preaching. 718 00:38:12,489 --> 00:38:13,369 Thank you very much. 719 00:38:14,089 --> 00:38:14,809 That's right. 720 00:38:16,649 --> 00:38:17,769 It's exactly right. 721 00:38:22,409 --> 00:38:22,889 Whoa. 722 00:38:22,969 --> 00:38:23,689 What are the. 723 00:38:24,009 --> 00:38:25,129 What's the forest? 724 00:38:26,249 --> 00:38:26,929 Well, let me see. 725 00:38:26,929 --> 00:38:28,249 I wrote down some things here. 726 00:38:28,489 --> 00:38:32,459 The forest of trees out here would be the government. 727 00:38:35,179 --> 00:38:37,179 That's a discouraging place to start, isn't it? 728 00:38:37,179 --> 00:38:41,659 But anyway, the government organizations, political organizations, 729 00:38:41,659 --> 00:38:45,579 financial institution, you know, the financial world, the commercial 730 00:38:45,579 --> 00:38:48,539 world, the consumer world, the medical world, the industrial world, 731 00:38:48,539 --> 00:38:54,299 the technical world, social and civic clubs and organizations, 732 00:38:54,299 --> 00:38:58,889 entertainment, sports, the sports world and such as that. 733 00:38:58,889 --> 00:39:02,089 Secret organizations or trees of the forest. 734 00:39:02,089 --> 00:39:05,729 You know, all of the secret organizations, I don't have to mention 735 00:39:05,809 --> 00:39:09,769 probably in ethnic organizations and businesses and 736 00:39:09,769 --> 00:39:15,009 military and veterans organizations and parachurch, meaning 737 00:39:15,089 --> 00:39:19,409 not church, but sort of related to Christian things. 738 00:39:19,409 --> 00:39:21,009 You know, parachurch stuff. 739 00:39:21,409 --> 00:39:22,489 Yeah, all of those are. 740 00:39:22,489 --> 00:39:31,589 The tree of the first forest around this church is a great variety 741 00:39:32,389 --> 00:39:33,749 of trees of the forest. 742 00:39:35,349 --> 00:39:36,789 See, I didn't even say they're bad. 743 00:39:37,829 --> 00:39:39,269 I didn't even say they're all bad. 744 00:39:40,949 --> 00:39:42,869 I had some pious guy last night. 745 00:39:42,869 --> 00:39:43,669 I know who it was. 746 00:39:43,669 --> 00:39:45,429 I'm just going to pick on him here a little bit. 747 00:39:45,829 --> 00:39:47,909 Where do you see sports in the Bible? 748 00:39:48,869 --> 00:39:52,659 Well, because people talk about sports and sports. 749 00:39:52,659 --> 00:39:53,859 Where do you see that in the Bible? 750 00:39:54,579 --> 00:39:55,979 Well, you do, but. 751 00:39:55,979 --> 00:39:57,459 Yeah, you kind of got to look for it. 752 00:39:58,099 --> 00:40:04,979 And I like to follow sports and I like OU when they play like 753 00:40:04,979 --> 00:40:05,779 ou, but. 754 00:40:07,619 --> 00:40:10,539 And by the way, all that Texas stuff you gave me for my birthday 755 00:40:10,539 --> 00:40:13,699 the first time I was here is floating down the Red river somewhere. 756 00:40:13,859 --> 00:40:16,349 I don't know what happened to all that. 757 00:40:18,349 --> 00:40:18,909 Yep. 758 00:40:19,149 --> 00:40:19,829 And I like. 759 00:40:19,829 --> 00:40:20,989 Well, I'm a Cardinal fan. 760 00:40:20,989 --> 00:40:22,429 They stink too, right now. 761 00:40:24,429 --> 00:40:26,229 But I like. 762 00:40:26,229 --> 00:40:27,349 Kind of like the thunder. 763 00:40:27,349 --> 00:40:31,789 You don't blame me for that, I hope, and stuff like that. 764 00:40:31,789 --> 00:40:33,549 Well, how do you justify that from the Bible? 765 00:40:33,629 --> 00:40:34,909 I'm still working on it. 766 00:40:35,389 --> 00:40:40,189 I haven't yet, but it's a part of the society at large, isn't it? 767 00:40:41,079 --> 00:40:43,879 And I didn't say that everything about the society at large. 768 00:40:44,039 --> 00:40:51,119 We need hospitals, we need lawyers, I guess we need the right 769 00:40:51,119 --> 00:40:51,959 kind of lawyers. 770 00:40:52,759 --> 00:40:54,279 We need politics. 771 00:40:54,999 --> 00:40:55,959 You gotta have policy. 772 00:40:56,039 --> 00:40:59,079 You can't function as a culture and a society without policy. 773 00:40:59,799 --> 00:41:02,799 If you have policy, then you have to have people to run it. 774 00:41:02,799 --> 00:41:05,959 They're called politicians, such as that. 775 00:41:06,849 --> 00:41:11,049 Some civic clubs do some real good for their community sometimes 776 00:41:11,049 --> 00:41:15,209 to help in times of crisis like been experienced here with the 777 00:41:15,209 --> 00:41:18,369 floods and different places around the country and the world. 778 00:41:18,849 --> 00:41:24,449 Sure, I didn't say they're all bad, but they're trees of the forest. 779 00:41:28,289 --> 00:41:29,169 What happened? 780 00:41:29,969 --> 00:41:33,009 If I can just pause and tell you, remind some of you this. 781 00:41:33,329 --> 00:41:38,849 That long about in the 1950s and 60s in the evangelical world, 782 00:41:38,849 --> 00:41:43,609 those that did have at least some message of the gospel of Jesus 783 00:41:43,609 --> 00:41:48,169 Christ, what happened was there began to be a shift to preach 784 00:41:48,169 --> 00:41:49,649 a social gospel. 785 00:41:50,449 --> 00:41:55,009 And there was less interested, there was less interest in personal 786 00:41:55,329 --> 00:41:59,169 salvation than they was to help with all the grief and the sorrow, 787 00:42:00,459 --> 00:42:02,619 poverty and the things that are in this world. 788 00:42:03,179 --> 00:42:05,499 And they started preaching a social gospel. 789 00:42:05,739 --> 00:42:10,019 And many of the denominations that at least knew that Jesus died 790 00:42:10,019 --> 00:42:13,779 for a reason and used to talk about it kind of departed from that 791 00:42:13,779 --> 00:42:18,859 message and started preaching about making society better, making 792 00:42:18,859 --> 00:42:19,899 a social gospel. 793 00:42:20,459 --> 00:42:24,779 When they do that, then they cease to be a vine tree of the forest, 794 00:42:25,019 --> 00:42:25,899 of the vineyard. 795 00:42:26,459 --> 00:42:29,019 When they do that, they begin to be another tree in the forest. 796 00:42:29,019 --> 00:42:30,139 Is everybody with me here? 797 00:42:30,459 --> 00:42:31,419 That's what they become. 798 00:42:35,099 --> 00:42:38,459 And so again, I never said they were all bad. 799 00:42:39,419 --> 00:42:44,219 I'm not up here to rant and rave against social society issues 800 00:42:44,379 --> 00:42:47,619 and corporations and such as that. 801 00:42:47,619 --> 00:42:49,179 No, I'm not against that at all. 802 00:42:49,339 --> 00:42:51,339 Jobs and help people coming. 803 00:42:52,039 --> 00:42:55,439 The tithes and offerings that are used to send for a church to 804 00:42:55,439 --> 00:42:58,359 function and send missionaries around the world come because there 805 00:42:58,359 --> 00:43:01,799 are some trees of the forest out here that provide jobs. 806 00:43:01,799 --> 00:43:02,679 And that's good. 807 00:43:02,679 --> 00:43:03,319 That's good. 808 00:43:03,399 --> 00:43:06,759 And some of them contribute in other good ways in our culture and 809 00:43:06,759 --> 00:43:07,399 our society. 810 00:43:07,639 --> 00:43:09,079 But I just want to say this. 811 00:43:09,479 --> 00:43:13,079 When we talk about the life and the work of a New Testament church, 812 00:43:13,399 --> 00:43:21,489 then only a New Testament church can be vine tree of his vineyard. 813 00:43:22,049 --> 00:43:26,369 Only an authentic New Testament church can be that. 814 00:43:28,209 --> 00:43:28,849 That's it. 815 00:43:29,809 --> 00:43:31,169 Nobody else can do that. 816 00:43:32,529 --> 00:43:33,889 And it is to be. 817 00:43:34,209 --> 00:43:35,649 Okay, hold on just a second. 818 00:43:35,889 --> 00:43:43,329 It is to be as distinct, distinctly separate from the trees 819 00:43:43,329 --> 00:43:44,129 of the forest. 820 00:43:44,359 --> 00:43:48,029 And vineyard is from the trees of that forest. 821 00:43:48,749 --> 00:43:56,029 And if that distinction is lost, the vineyard is worthless. 822 00:43:59,629 --> 00:44:10,149 If the distinction is lost, the vineyard worthless doesn't mean 823 00:44:10,149 --> 00:44:10,589 anything. 824 00:44:16,479 --> 00:44:21,359 Now, let's think about that in relation to a New Testament church. 825 00:44:23,519 --> 00:44:25,759 Only a new. 826 00:44:26,159 --> 00:44:33,279 Only an authentic New Testament church can do what he meant 827 00:44:33,279 --> 00:44:35,199 for his vineyard to do. 828 00:44:37,689 --> 00:44:38,729 Nobody else can do this. 829 00:44:41,449 --> 00:44:44,249 He gave his authority to the New Testament church. 830 00:44:44,329 --> 00:44:45,849 The authority to spread the gospel. 831 00:44:45,849 --> 00:44:47,529 The authority to baptize. 832 00:44:48,329 --> 00:44:50,009 I said the authority to baptize. 833 00:44:50,009 --> 00:44:53,529 He didn't give the authority to baptize to everybody out there 834 00:44:53,529 --> 00:44:54,969 that calls himself a church. 835 00:44:54,969 --> 00:44:57,049 I don't care if they dunk them 14 times. 836 00:44:57,129 --> 00:44:59,289 You got to have biblical authority. 837 00:44:59,769 --> 00:45:03,629 And that has to do with lining up with the teaching of Jesus in. 838 00:45:03,779 --> 00:45:06,899 And the apostles and what the apostles taught about Jesus. 839 00:45:08,179 --> 00:45:11,179 If you're not lined up with that doctrine, then you don't have 840 00:45:11,179 --> 00:45:12,499 the authority to baptize. 841 00:45:13,699 --> 00:45:14,099 See? 842 00:45:16,179 --> 00:45:18,339 And only a New Testament church can do that. 843 00:45:21,139 --> 00:45:22,419 Well, that sounds rather. 844 00:45:28,979 --> 00:45:34,299 Only a vineyard can produce what he wants produced. 845 00:45:36,619 --> 00:45:39,659 You want grapes, he wants grapes. 846 00:45:40,219 --> 00:45:42,219 Only a vineyard can produce grapes. 847 00:45:42,379 --> 00:45:45,019 These trees can never do what the vineyard does. 848 00:45:45,899 --> 00:45:47,179 They can never do it. 849 00:45:48,539 --> 00:45:54,939 Now, here's the business of a pastor and here's the business of 850 00:45:54,939 --> 00:45:57,889 church people and leaders of churches. 851 00:45:57,889 --> 00:45:58,849 Here's the business. 852 00:45:59,409 --> 00:46:03,969 Make sure we keep the forest out of the vineyard. 853 00:46:07,089 --> 00:46:12,929 I said we got to make sure we keep the forest out of the vineyard. 854 00:46:14,129 --> 00:46:19,409 Because when the forest gets in the vineyard, it ruins the vineyard, 855 00:46:19,969 --> 00:46:21,809 enlarges the forest. 856 00:46:25,259 --> 00:46:30,779 So the purpose of a business of a pastor, an overseer, a shepherd, 857 00:46:31,739 --> 00:46:32,939 part of the business is. 858 00:46:33,979 --> 00:46:37,539 And the business of deacons beside him and the business of all 859 00:46:37,539 --> 00:46:41,139 of God's people who love God and his Word and take their church 860 00:46:41,139 --> 00:46:43,179 membership seriously. 861 00:46:44,539 --> 00:46:52,629 Your business ought to be to help make sure that we keep the forest 862 00:46:53,909 --> 00:46:54,949 out of the vineyard. 863 00:46:57,189 --> 00:47:01,829 When the forest gets in the vineyard, the vineyard is ruined. 864 00:47:05,589 --> 00:47:06,909 Okay, let me just talk to you here. 865 00:47:06,909 --> 00:47:07,429 Just a second. 866 00:47:09,349 --> 00:47:10,189 It's hot in here. 867 00:47:10,189 --> 00:47:11,509 So I don't want to get all worked up. 868 00:47:11,589 --> 00:47:12,869 So anyway, let me just. 869 00:47:12,869 --> 00:47:14,639 Let me just talk to you just a second. 870 00:47:15,919 --> 00:47:19,119 I had the privilege of pastoring two wonderful churches, 871 00:47:19,759 --> 00:47:23,399 Bible Baptist, Stillwater for 16 years, and then Southwest Baptist 872 00:47:23,399 --> 00:47:25,039 Church, Oklahoma City for 20 years. 873 00:47:25,839 --> 00:47:31,359 And along the way, here's something that I had to, as a pastor, 874 00:47:31,359 --> 00:47:32,319 be on the lookout. 875 00:47:32,879 --> 00:47:36,359 There'd be those that would be a part in the church and involved 876 00:47:36,359 --> 00:47:39,359 in everything, and they would come from all walks of life. 877 00:47:39,359 --> 00:47:43,369 So some from the Oklahoma State University at Stillwater, some 878 00:47:43,369 --> 00:47:46,809 from the finance world, some business people. 879 00:47:47,129 --> 00:47:52,209 We've had some, you know, successful business people, ran their 880 00:47:52,209 --> 00:47:55,488 own companies and business things like that, along with all 881 00:47:55,488 --> 00:48:00,009 the GM workers before the General Motors plant closed and all 882 00:48:00,009 --> 00:48:02,569 the civilian workers out at Tinker Air Force Base. 883 00:48:02,569 --> 00:48:04,809 There's thousands of them out there. 884 00:48:04,889 --> 00:48:06,169 And so all of these people. 885 00:48:06,519 --> 00:48:10,239 And along the way, as we would carry on the business of a church, 886 00:48:10,239 --> 00:48:14,999 let's say in the matter of finance and distribution of funds 887 00:48:15,559 --> 00:48:20,599 and in buildings, we built buildings in both of those places 888 00:48:20,599 --> 00:48:25,119 and bought properties, I think we bought from the time I became 889 00:48:25,119 --> 00:48:33,979 pastor in 1990-2010, I think we bought 18 houses around us there 890 00:48:33,979 --> 00:48:38,019 to expand our parking and make it so we could stay right there where 891 00:48:38,019 --> 00:48:41,859 we were and then built buildings and then the Bible College 892 00:48:41,859 --> 00:48:44,419 and built buildings there and property and everything. 893 00:48:44,419 --> 00:48:48,298 I think we got 42 or 3 acres there now, right in Oklahoma City, 894 00:48:48,298 --> 00:48:49,739 and it's all debt free. 895 00:48:49,739 --> 00:48:50,339 Praise God. 896 00:48:50,339 --> 00:48:51,139 Hallelujah. 897 00:48:51,459 --> 00:48:54,939 And the college functioning, doing really well there and expecting 898 00:48:54,939 --> 00:48:56,339 a good enrollment this fall. 899 00:48:56,579 --> 00:48:57,379 Got all these things. 900 00:48:57,609 --> 00:49:00,489 And along the way there'd be those that would say, well, now, 901 00:49:00,889 --> 00:49:01,929 Brother Sam, I. 902 00:49:02,249 --> 00:49:06,409 And then state what area of work and business they're in. 903 00:49:06,569 --> 00:49:09,529 And, you know, things like this, we always try to do this. 904 00:49:10,089 --> 00:49:12,089 Well, I'm not saying there's no. 905 00:49:12,729 --> 00:49:16,249 I'm not saying it's right to ignore that. 906 00:49:16,329 --> 00:49:18,729 Sometimes it's wise to listen and pay attention. 907 00:49:19,849 --> 00:49:23,289 But how many times, without going into a lot of detail, did I 908 00:49:23,289 --> 00:49:25,019 have to say, this is not a business. 909 00:49:26,059 --> 00:49:27,659 We're not running a business here. 910 00:49:28,779 --> 00:49:31,259 Yeah, but in the business world, we're not interested in the 911 00:49:31,259 --> 00:49:31,819 business world. 912 00:49:32,939 --> 00:49:39,019 I'm interested in the business world for you, but I'm not interested 913 00:49:39,019 --> 00:49:40,619 in the business world for a church. 914 00:49:42,379 --> 00:49:45,419 Yeah, but I mean, there are certain principles of organization. 915 00:49:45,659 --> 00:49:50,019 If so, then if what you're talking about is right, I'll find 916 00:49:50,019 --> 00:49:55,789 it in the Bible, because he didn't leave us to function as a 917 00:49:55,789 --> 00:50:00,789 New Testament church with half the information we need and the Rest 918 00:50:00,789 --> 00:50:03,429 of it we're supposed to get from the trees of the forest. 919 00:50:03,669 --> 00:50:05,029 He didn't do it that way. 920 00:50:06,229 --> 00:50:08,069 He gave us this book, my friend. 921 00:50:08,229 --> 00:50:09,229 It's adequate. 922 00:50:09,229 --> 00:50:13,029 It is sufficient to do his work, to deal with the financial 923 00:50:13,269 --> 00:50:18,749 issues, to deal with personnel issues, to deal with conflict, to 924 00:50:18,749 --> 00:50:22,309 deal with strife, to deal with all the things that are found where 925 00:50:22,309 --> 00:50:26,189 human beings get together, where eventually there might be a 926 00:50:26,189 --> 00:50:29,789 little collision here and there and might be a little diversity 927 00:50:29,789 --> 00:50:32,629 here and there of opinion and of idea. 928 00:50:32,708 --> 00:50:38,349 He did not leave us out here to finally look to the trees of the 929 00:50:38,349 --> 00:50:41,989 forest to see how a New Testament church is supposed to function. 930 00:50:44,079 --> 00:50:48,519 And therefore, when a pastor says no, that's fine. 931 00:50:48,519 --> 00:50:50,239 In the business world, that doesn't work here. 932 00:50:50,239 --> 00:50:52,159 And if you can explain why, fine. 933 00:50:52,159 --> 00:50:55,999 If you can't, it's still the right thing to do to keep the trees 934 00:50:55,999 --> 00:50:59,199 of the forest out of church life. 935 00:50:59,519 --> 00:51:01,439 It ruins the vineyard. 936 00:51:02,799 --> 00:51:03,519 That's the business. 937 00:51:05,439 --> 00:51:06,239 That's the business. 938 00:51:07,199 --> 00:51:09,879 I remember as a pastor preaching, preached to the hall. 939 00:51:09,879 --> 00:51:11,279 You preach the whole counsel of God. 940 00:51:11,279 --> 00:51:13,679 You're going to have to eventually talk about matters of 941 00:51:13,679 --> 00:51:15,019 personal separation. 942 00:51:16,859 --> 00:51:18,139 There are those that you. 943 00:51:18,219 --> 00:51:19,819 Now, they hear the word separation. 944 00:51:19,819 --> 00:51:20,899 We used to hear it all the time. 945 00:51:20,899 --> 00:51:24,339 It was in almost every outline I heard growing up about the matter 946 00:51:24,339 --> 00:51:25,539 of personal separation. 947 00:51:25,539 --> 00:51:27,099 Our distinction from the world. 948 00:51:28,779 --> 00:51:30,539 Our distinction from the world. 949 00:51:31,259 --> 00:51:35,739 The difference between God's people and between us and the trees 950 00:51:35,739 --> 00:51:36,539 of the forest. 951 00:51:37,659 --> 00:51:41,499 The difference between a vineyard and a forest, the difference 952 00:51:41,899 --> 00:51:45,129 and distinct personal sanctification. 953 00:51:45,449 --> 00:51:48,849 Somebody said, I believe we have all kinds of freedom and all 954 00:51:48,849 --> 00:51:50,889 kinds of grace for personal sanctification. 955 00:51:51,129 --> 00:51:55,809 And besides, the old preachers used to preach too much about sanctification. 956 00:51:55,809 --> 00:51:59,409 Yeah, well, if Paul came today, you would say he talked way 957 00:51:59,409 --> 00:52:00,889 too much about sanctification. 958 00:52:03,369 --> 00:52:03,809 Cause. 959 00:52:03,809 --> 00:52:05,169 Well, I don't even know what it means. 960 00:52:05,169 --> 00:52:06,489 Well, I'm glad you told me. 961 00:52:06,569 --> 00:52:09,609 Cause the word sanctified means to be set apart. 962 00:52:10,089 --> 00:52:11,049 That's what it means. 963 00:52:11,289 --> 00:52:16,569 And the day you trusted Jesus as your personal savior, positionally, 964 00:52:17,129 --> 00:52:21,849 he set you apart unto himself. 965 00:52:24,408 --> 00:52:25,289 That's what he did. 966 00:52:25,929 --> 00:52:27,369 He sanctified you. 967 00:52:28,009 --> 00:52:29,609 You didn't make a choice about that. 968 00:52:29,769 --> 00:52:33,129 You just made a choice to believe in him unto salvation and 969 00:52:33,129 --> 00:52:34,729 trust him to be your Savior. 970 00:52:35,159 --> 00:52:39,239 And when he saved you, he sanctified you unto himself. 971 00:52:39,239 --> 00:52:40,079 You're now his. 972 00:52:40,079 --> 00:52:41,519 You don't belong out there anymore. 973 00:52:41,519 --> 00:52:44,359 You're his now. 974 00:52:44,359 --> 00:52:45,799 Guess what we're supposed to do. 975 00:52:46,839 --> 00:52:56,679 Live what we are, sanctified, set apart from distinction in our 976 00:52:56,679 --> 00:52:56,999 life. 977 00:52:57,239 --> 00:53:00,969 No, look, friend, it's all through the Bible, Pastor. 978 00:53:00,969 --> 00:53:05,889 I was at the lunch table, we were talking and I was telling about 979 00:53:05,889 --> 00:53:07,369 Brother Gaddis preaching back home. 980 00:53:07,369 --> 00:53:09,089 Right now he's in the book of First Peter. 981 00:53:09,089 --> 00:53:13,169 And he stopped right there in chapter number one where he says, 982 00:53:13,489 --> 00:53:18,609 but as he which has called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner 983 00:53:18,689 --> 00:53:21,729 of conversation, all manner of life. 984 00:53:22,049 --> 00:53:24,209 All of our manner of life conversation. 985 00:53:24,209 --> 00:53:26,129 I just have to do as they're talking back and forth. 986 00:53:26,439 --> 00:53:29,479 If you study the word out, it has to do with our day to day conduct, 987 00:53:30,279 --> 00:53:36,519 our conduct, the way we relate and live in this life, our day to 988 00:53:36,519 --> 00:53:37,319 day conduct. 989 00:53:37,319 --> 00:53:41,319 And he said to be holy in all manner of all areas of our life. 990 00:53:42,919 --> 00:53:43,559 Amen. 991 00:53:44,199 --> 00:53:44,679 Yeah. 992 00:53:45,319 --> 00:53:46,199 In other words. 993 00:53:47,239 --> 00:53:49,159 But do you know what most people are doing now? 994 00:53:49,639 --> 00:53:53,689 I know what the trees of the forest are doing, but I'm not a member 995 00:53:53,689 --> 00:53:54,849 of the trees of the forest. 996 00:53:55,169 --> 00:53:55,809 Are you? 997 00:53:58,529 --> 00:54:00,129 We don't feel like answering, huh? 998 00:54:00,129 --> 00:54:01,969 Well, if you're saved, you're not supposed to be. 999 00:54:03,089 --> 00:54:05,089 If you're saved, you're part of the vineyard. 1000 00:54:06,769 --> 00:54:08,609 Now you answer to me. 1001 00:54:08,609 --> 00:54:10,809 Is there supposed to be a difference between the trees, the 1002 00:54:10,809 --> 00:54:12,209 forest and the vineyard? 1003 00:54:12,449 --> 00:54:12,929 Yeah. 1004 00:54:15,329 --> 00:54:18,849 And where that distinction ought to be found is in the function 1005 00:54:18,849 --> 00:54:23,939 of and practice and life of an authentic New Testament Baptist church. 1006 00:54:24,579 --> 00:54:27,059 That's where the distinction ought to be. 1007 00:54:27,539 --> 00:54:28,979 Very, very clear. 1008 00:54:29,859 --> 00:54:35,659 See, and I don't mean to ruffle any feathers or anything like 1009 00:54:35,659 --> 00:54:39,059 that, but I'll just tell you the trend that swept across the land 1010 00:54:39,219 --> 00:54:42,179 about a casual approach to everything about the things of God. 1011 00:54:42,499 --> 00:54:43,699 That's not healthy. 1012 00:54:44,419 --> 00:54:45,299 That's not good. 1013 00:54:48,019 --> 00:54:48,659 That's not good. 1014 00:54:49,779 --> 00:54:52,019 I mean, this is the work of the Lord. 1015 00:54:52,579 --> 00:54:54,899 I said this is the work of the gospel. 1016 00:54:54,979 --> 00:54:58,419 When we assemble together, I could show you in the book of Ephesians, 1017 00:54:58,419 --> 00:55:02,099 chapter 3, where created beings that we commonly call angels. 1018 00:55:02,099 --> 00:55:05,899 There in Ephesians 3, it's called principalities and powers 1019 00:55:05,899 --> 00:55:06,979 in heavenly places. 1020 00:55:07,139 --> 00:55:08,379 Did you know that? 1021 00:55:08,379 --> 00:55:11,019 Principalities and powers in heavenly places. 1022 00:55:11,019 --> 00:55:11,939 Are you listening to this? 1023 00:55:12,419 --> 00:55:16,219 They observe the life and function of this church so that they 1024 00:55:16,219 --> 00:55:20,059 might see the wisdom of God and the power of God and give him 1025 00:55:20,059 --> 00:55:20,379 glory. 1026 00:55:20,379 --> 00:55:22,099 You study Ephesians 3 yourself. 1027 00:55:22,099 --> 00:55:23,939 It's right there. 1028 00:55:24,899 --> 00:55:27,299 So when you come to church, you're not just a part of the audience. 1029 00:55:27,619 --> 00:55:28,899 We have an audience. 1030 00:55:32,979 --> 00:55:34,659 Beings greater than ourselves. 1031 00:55:34,739 --> 00:55:36,899 Principalities and powers in heavenly places. 1032 00:55:36,899 --> 00:55:43,079 Beings lower than the angels and beings greater than ourselves 1033 00:55:43,399 --> 00:55:45,479 are observing our function. 1034 00:55:45,719 --> 00:55:47,239 What are they supposed to see? 1035 00:55:47,479 --> 00:55:50,639 The wisdom of God and the power of God. 1036 00:55:50,639 --> 00:55:51,879 Read it in Ephesians 3. 1037 00:55:51,959 --> 00:55:52,999 Study it yourself. 1038 00:55:53,638 --> 00:55:54,519 It's right there. 1039 00:55:54,839 --> 00:55:59,719 And Then in turn he is to get glory in the church right there. 1040 00:56:04,769 --> 00:56:06,209 Now, you may think that lends. 1041 00:56:06,289 --> 00:56:07,249 I don't think you do. 1042 00:56:07,569 --> 00:56:11,169 Some may think that lends itself to, oh, casual, whatever. 1043 00:56:12,849 --> 00:56:13,729 I'm not dressed. 1044 00:56:13,729 --> 00:56:15,809 Why would a guy dress up to go to church? 1045 00:56:20,529 --> 00:56:21,169 Say, why? 1046 00:56:23,329 --> 00:56:25,649 Cause you're not going to one of the trees of the forest. 1047 00:56:26,369 --> 00:56:35,139 You're not going to Walmart, you're not going to meet with your 1048 00:56:35,139 --> 00:56:35,739 buds. 1049 00:56:37,499 --> 00:56:38,859 This is the work of God. 1050 00:56:41,179 --> 00:56:41,659 Yeah. 1051 00:56:43,499 --> 00:56:48,139 Wouldn't it be sweet if I got up here tonight with flip flops and 1052 00:56:48,619 --> 00:56:53,579 open collar, cool 80 year old, coolest 80 year old man around here. 1053 00:56:54,229 --> 00:56:55,109 Wouldn't that be sweet? 1054 00:56:55,349 --> 00:56:59,549 Oh, it can't be all about us and how we want to be cool and fit 1055 00:56:59,549 --> 00:57:01,989 in and make sure everybody feels you feel comfortable when you 1056 00:57:01,989 --> 00:57:02,629 come in here. 1057 00:57:02,789 --> 00:57:05,629 The business of a New Testament church was not meant to 1058 00:57:05,629 --> 00:57:07,429 make the trees of the forest comfortable. 1059 00:57:09,109 --> 00:57:10,709 Somebody needs to get ahold of that. 1060 00:57:11,029 --> 00:57:14,389 The purpose of the and function of the assembling of a New 1061 00:57:14,389 --> 00:57:18,469 Testament church was never meant to make people on the outside 1062 00:57:18,949 --> 00:57:19,989 feel comfortable. 1063 00:57:23,619 --> 00:57:25,299 So you don't pursue visitors. 1064 00:57:25,299 --> 00:57:26,819 We have visitors every week. 1065 00:57:27,299 --> 00:57:29,139 We want visitors all every week. 1066 00:57:29,219 --> 00:57:31,619 Our church works hard and is productive. 1067 00:57:31,619 --> 00:57:34,179 And we're baptizing people on a regular basis. 1068 00:57:34,179 --> 00:57:35,139 Yes, indeed. 1069 00:57:35,219 --> 00:57:37,819 But our business is to confront them with the fact that 1070 00:57:37,819 --> 00:57:40,299 they are a sinner and Jesus died for their sins. 1071 00:57:40,299 --> 00:57:43,819 And there's no other way to get saved but by faith in Jesus Christ 1072 00:57:43,819 --> 00:57:45,139 and to trust in him. 1073 00:57:45,139 --> 00:57:47,839 But we are not there to make sure. 1074 00:57:47,839 --> 00:57:48,839 Is everything okay? 1075 00:57:48,839 --> 00:57:52,679 Did you like our music or do we need to pep it up a little bit? 1076 00:57:52,679 --> 00:57:55,719 I mean, do you think a band would get it going? 1077 00:57:55,719 --> 00:57:59,679 Or some drummers up here in a cage or lights flashing or a darker 1078 00:57:59,679 --> 00:58:00,359 auditorium? 1079 00:58:00,359 --> 00:58:01,639 Would that help us or not? 1080 00:58:01,719 --> 00:58:03,439 We're not competing with Las Vegas. 1081 00:58:03,439 --> 00:58:04,919 What in the world are you talking about? 1082 00:58:05,959 --> 00:58:09,359 We're not talking about trying to look like the trees of the forest. 1083 00:58:09,359 --> 00:58:11,879 Can't you see what God is saying to his people? 1084 00:58:12,599 --> 00:58:16,359 See this trees of the forest, that's the world. 1085 00:58:17,319 --> 00:58:19,479 See the vineyard, that's his. 1086 00:58:21,239 --> 00:58:23,639 Is there supposed to be a distinct difference? 1087 00:58:23,959 --> 00:58:26,919 If there isn't, it's useless. 1088 00:58:31,479 --> 00:58:32,599 It's that simple. 1089 00:58:35,799 --> 00:58:36,479 Along the way. 1090 00:58:36,479 --> 00:58:37,159 And I'm done. 1091 00:58:38,209 --> 00:58:41,569 I've had some families, you know. 1092 00:58:41,569 --> 00:58:43,489 Usually it's two or threes. 1093 00:58:46,209 --> 00:58:49,009 Buddy gets upset about something. 1094 00:58:49,489 --> 00:58:50,289 Legalist. 1095 00:58:50,289 --> 00:58:53,209 You talk about personal holiness and separation, you get 1096 00:58:53,209 --> 00:58:55,409 called a legalist, which is ridiculous. 1097 00:58:56,049 --> 00:58:57,089 Legalism is. 1098 00:58:58,129 --> 00:58:59,889 This is what gets you to heaven. 1099 00:59:00,289 --> 00:59:01,449 What you do and don't do. 1100 00:59:01,449 --> 00:59:02,649 That's what Gets you to heaven. 1101 00:59:02,649 --> 00:59:03,409 That's legalism. 1102 00:59:05,139 --> 00:59:06,979 I'm so far removed from that. 1103 00:59:06,979 --> 00:59:10,179 We're saved by grace through faith that not of ourselves, we are 1104 00:59:10,179 --> 00:59:12,179 saved by faith in Jesus Christ. 1105 00:59:12,739 --> 00:59:15,579 But if somebody doesn't call me a legalist every once in a while, 1106 00:59:15,579 --> 00:59:20,259 I get real worried about my preaching, you know, and somebody 1107 00:59:20,259 --> 00:59:24,579 come along and, you know, legalism and stuff like that and 1108 00:59:24,579 --> 00:59:29,659 separation and they're going to leave and go join another church 1109 00:59:29,659 --> 00:59:30,019 and. 1110 00:59:30,679 --> 00:59:33,719 And all this kind of thing just because. 1111 00:59:33,959 --> 00:59:35,639 You just talk too much about that. 1112 00:59:36,119 --> 00:59:38,679 Okay, well, do you think we're becoming too holy? 1113 00:59:42,679 --> 00:59:45,799 If we're becoming too holy, tell me where to draw the line here. 1114 00:59:46,679 --> 00:59:49,799 Or do we have a holier than thou attitude? 1115 00:59:49,959 --> 00:59:51,399 No, we're pursuing sinners. 1116 00:59:51,399 --> 00:59:53,479 We never meet anybody at the door and say, what are you doing 1117 00:59:53,479 --> 00:59:53,799 here? 1118 00:59:54,519 --> 00:59:55,799 You can't come in here. 1119 00:59:56,819 --> 00:59:58,259 No, no, no, no. 1120 00:59:58,259 --> 01:00:02,979 We're reaching the lost and bringing them in and work real hard 1121 01:00:02,979 --> 01:00:03,459 at it. 1122 01:00:03,939 --> 01:00:05,699 Yeah, well. 1123 01:00:05,699 --> 01:00:06,419 What do you mean? 1124 01:00:06,899 --> 01:00:10,419 Well, you talk too much about those kind of things, really. 1125 01:00:11,139 --> 01:00:16,979 You know, we just get tired of hearing about the holy life and the, 1126 01:00:16,979 --> 01:00:23,259 you know, the sanctified life and the separated life and such as 1127 01:00:23,259 --> 01:00:23,539 that. 1128 01:00:23,539 --> 01:00:24,979 We get tired of hearing about it. 1129 01:00:26,109 --> 01:00:29,629 And I told a couple one time, I said, I get tired of preaching 1130 01:00:29,629 --> 01:00:36,029 about it, but whether I get tired of preaching about it or not 1131 01:00:37,149 --> 01:00:40,829 has nothing to do with my responsibility to be faithful to 1132 01:00:40,829 --> 01:00:41,629 the word of God. 1133 01:00:42,109 --> 01:00:47,309 And you don't have to take a microscope and look through the Bible 1134 01:00:47,549 --> 01:00:51,129 to talk about holy living and sanctification and. 1135 01:00:51,279 --> 01:00:52,799 And separation from the world. 1136 01:00:52,959 --> 01:00:54,279 You just open your Bible. 1137 01:00:54,279 --> 01:00:57,439 You're gonna see it pretty quick almost anywhere you go. 1138 01:00:59,919 --> 01:01:00,719 Well, I just. 1139 01:01:01,119 --> 01:01:03,759 I don't wanna go to church to hear that kind of stuff, because 1140 01:01:03,839 --> 01:01:05,119 I believe I'm right. 1141 01:01:05,919 --> 01:01:08,079 I believe I'm okay the way I am. 1142 01:01:08,399 --> 01:01:11,839 So you've measured your life to the word of God and you've looked 1143 01:01:11,839 --> 01:01:12,399 to make sure. 1144 01:01:12,399 --> 01:01:14,159 There is a distinct difference between. 1145 01:01:14,159 --> 01:01:15,679 You see, I got two pictures. 1146 01:01:15,759 --> 01:01:19,089 You got the distinct difference between the vineyard and 1147 01:01:19,089 --> 01:01:22,769 the forest, and you're manifesting that and you're getting 1148 01:01:22,769 --> 01:01:30,569 tired of it when the more we are like this, the more we are able 1149 01:01:30,569 --> 01:01:39,289 to bear fruit and much fruit and more fruit and fruit that remains. 1150 01:01:40,009 --> 01:01:41,369 That's what he said, Pastor. 1151 01:01:41,449 --> 01:01:44,109 That's what Jesus said right there. 1152 01:01:44,749 --> 01:01:45,309 Yeah. 1153 01:01:47,069 --> 01:01:51,829 And so when the pastor gets up here and he clears off a spot and 1154 01:01:51,829 --> 01:01:55,989 he calls the congregation into account or says to the congregation, 1155 01:01:55,989 --> 01:01:58,509 let's not forget, we're not a social club. 1156 01:01:59,549 --> 01:02:01,229 This is not a public organization. 1157 01:02:01,469 --> 01:02:02,269 Social club. 1158 01:02:03,149 --> 01:02:05,869 We belong to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. 1159 01:02:06,429 --> 01:02:11,299 When he saved you, my dear brother, when he saved you, my dear 1160 01:02:11,299 --> 01:02:15,939 sister, he said that he made us a part of his royal priesthood. 1161 01:02:16,579 --> 01:02:19,139 We are priests unto God. 1162 01:02:19,699 --> 01:02:22,739 Kings and priests unto God. 1163 01:02:23,059 --> 01:02:27,699 We are doing the business and the work of God Almighty. 1164 01:02:27,779 --> 01:02:32,299 We are propagating the gospel of the King of Kings and the Lord 1165 01:02:32,299 --> 01:02:33,059 of Lords. 1166 01:02:33,379 --> 01:02:37,389 And you may want to take a casual look at it and make it feel 1167 01:02:37,389 --> 01:02:41,509 like you're more a part of the trees of the forest. 1168 01:02:41,749 --> 01:02:46,789 But when you do, you disqualify yourself from being this. 1169 01:02:50,149 --> 01:02:51,909 Producing his fruit. 1170 01:02:53,509 --> 01:02:54,309 His fruit. 1171 01:02:54,869 --> 01:02:58,629 So when the preacher gets up and preaches about matters of separation, 1172 01:02:58,869 --> 01:03:04,439 why don't you say, thanks, Pastor, you care for this flock and 1173 01:03:04,439 --> 01:03:07,359 you care about your accountability to the chief shepherd. 1174 01:03:07,679 --> 01:03:09,039 Because we will give an account. 1175 01:03:09,919 --> 01:03:13,479 We will give an account distinction. 1176 01:03:13,479 --> 01:03:17,919 If anything comes out of this whole thing, there is to be clear 1177 01:03:18,079 --> 01:03:22,559 distinction between this and this. 1178 01:03:23,439 --> 01:03:26,879 The trees of the forest and the vineyard.