1 00:00:38,739 --> 00:00:39,945 Be still and know that I'm God. 2 00:00:39,977 --> 00:00:40,625 Amen. 3 00:00:40,777 --> 00:00:44,749 If you would turn to two Timothy, chapter two. 4 00:00:46,209 --> 00:00:50,009 And y'all put up with me when I diverge from what the bulletin 5 00:00:46,209 --> 00:00:50,629 says. 6 00:00:51,009 --> 00:00:52,509 We're going to do that tonight. 7 00:00:54,609 --> 00:00:56,449 I know some of you are excited about Daniel. 8 00:00:56,489 --> 00:00:57,291 I am too. 9 00:00:57,425 --> 00:01:01,575 We're studying that and I'm looking forward to continuing that 10 00:00:57,425 --> 00:01:02,179 series. 11 00:01:03,159 --> 00:01:06,375 This has been on my heart this week and so something's on my heart. 12 00:01:06,407 --> 00:01:07,935 I'd just like to share it. 13 00:01:08,087 --> 00:01:09,459 We'll be brief tonight. 14 00:01:10,039 --> 00:01:13,539 I mean that actually didn't just say it, I actually mean it. 15 00:01:16,519 --> 00:01:23,191 I'm just blessed to pastor a church of members who will work as 16 00:01:16,519 --> 00:01:24,359 hard as you guys have worked this 17 00:01:16,519 --> 00:01:24,979 week. 18 00:01:25,679 --> 00:01:32,335 And it's amazing to me the number of people, and not again, 19 00:01:25,679 --> 00:01:34,415 somewhat expect of staff to work 20 00:01:25,679 --> 00:01:35,695 hard and do those things. 21 00:01:35,767 --> 00:01:41,439 But we've had staff who've worked night and day almost this 22 00:01:35,767 --> 00:01:42,023 week as well. 23 00:01:42,071 --> 00:01:51,217 But many of you who have real jobs, staff don't have no, they have 24 00:01:42,071 --> 00:01:54,865 real jobs who put in 40, 60 hours 25 00:01:42,071 --> 00:01:58,625 a week and yet spent all day yesterday 26 00:01:42,071 --> 00:02:01,137 and then out this week, some of you again 27 00:01:42,071 --> 00:02:02,817 at the national night, out on Tuesday 28 00:01:42,071 --> 00:02:06,553 night, all anticipation of this fall 29 00:01:42,071 --> 00:02:06,913 fest. 30 00:02:06,961 --> 00:02:11,129 And again, for us to have almost 1000 again show up is a blessing. 31 00:02:11,169 --> 00:02:12,209 We do like it back there. 32 00:02:12,249 --> 00:02:14,349 I think everybody, that was the consensus. 33 00:02:14,849 --> 00:02:17,297 I do like that we have more visibility out front. 34 00:02:17,353 --> 00:02:19,119 But that was so much easier. 35 00:02:19,289 --> 00:02:23,323 It was easier on everyone and it was sure nice to have that nice 36 00:02:19,289 --> 00:02:24,987 grass to walk on, wasn't it? 37 00:02:25,123 --> 00:02:26,603 And wasn't as dusty. 38 00:02:26,691 --> 00:02:32,227 And so I believe we not, I believe we'll continue to have it 39 00:02:26,691 --> 00:02:35,859 back there and make life easier for 40 00:02:26,691 --> 00:02:36,479 everyone. 41 00:02:37,859 --> 00:02:39,363 A lot of work, a lot of effort. 42 00:02:39,451 --> 00:02:43,835 And again, I believe the Bible teaches very clearly that we are 43 00:02:39,451 --> 00:02:45,919 to work and God gives the increase. 44 00:02:46,239 --> 00:02:47,815 And we've seen this over the years. 45 00:02:47,847 --> 00:02:51,591 And when God has allowed our church to grow, it really has been 46 00:02:47,847 --> 00:02:54,151 that we haven't changed anything. 47 00:02:54,335 --> 00:02:57,903 Years ago, when we began to grow in 2007 and eight, we didn't 48 00:02:54,335 --> 00:02:58,519 change anything. 49 00:02:58,559 --> 00:03:00,579 God just blessed and we grew. 50 00:03:01,159 --> 00:03:03,991 And I think that same thing applies now. 51 00:03:04,095 --> 00:03:07,943 We haven't changed anything in ten years, but God continues to bless 52 00:03:04,095 --> 00:03:08,607 us. 53 00:03:08,783 --> 00:03:12,527 And so to see the amount of families that have been saved here 54 00:03:08,783 --> 00:03:14,321 in the last few weeks, I'm talking 55 00:03:08,783 --> 00:03:15,145 about adults again. 56 00:03:15,217 --> 00:03:20,241 We've had three or four adults saved in the last two weeks and God's 57 00:03:15,217 --> 00:03:21,069 just good. 58 00:03:21,529 --> 00:03:23,617 And so I'm reminded of the work that we are in. 59 00:03:23,673 --> 00:03:28,041 Two Timothy, two one thou therefore my son, be strong in the 60 00:03:23,673 --> 00:03:30,713 grace that is in Christ Jesus. 61 00:03:30,761 --> 00:03:33,865 I just want to remind you that in the title of this, if anybody 62 00:03:30,761 --> 00:03:37,745 cares, is finding strength in the Lord or 63 00:03:30,761 --> 00:03:39,097 finding strength in him. 64 00:03:39,233 --> 00:03:40,369 Where do you get your strength? 65 00:03:40,409 --> 00:03:41,629 I mentioned it this morning. 66 00:03:41,769 --> 00:03:43,013 That's what was on my heart. 67 00:03:43,141 --> 00:03:44,245 But where do you get your strength? 68 00:03:44,277 --> 00:03:47,493 It's important where your strength comes from when you are 69 00:03:44,277 --> 00:03:49,077 serving the Lord. 70 00:03:49,173 --> 00:03:49,581 Let's pray. 71 00:03:49,605 --> 00:03:54,117 Heavenly Father, I do pray tonight that again the message would 72 00:03:49,605 --> 00:03:56,373 be very clear and we'd be reminded 73 00:03:49,605 --> 00:03:59,061 of where our strength needs to come 74 00:03:49,605 --> 00:03:59,581 from. 75 00:03:59,725 --> 00:04:02,165 And Lord, we need to be dependent upon you. 76 00:04:02,317 --> 00:04:05,929 Again, we thank you, love you in Jesus name, amen. 77 00:04:06,709 --> 00:04:07,245 Grace. 78 00:04:07,317 --> 00:04:11,925 I'm not going to go into a detail, definitions and things of 79 00:04:07,317 --> 00:04:13,717 grace, but I do want to remind you 80 00:04:07,317 --> 00:04:16,317 that grace is God's unmerited favor, 81 00:04:07,317 --> 00:04:18,689 even unto enablement. 82 00:04:19,069 --> 00:04:21,781 That the grace of God is there at the time of salvation. 83 00:04:21,845 --> 00:04:23,165 And it's by grace that we're saved. 84 00:04:23,197 --> 00:04:26,901 But grace is also there to enable us as christians to live the 85 00:04:23,197 --> 00:04:27,849 christian life. 86 00:04:28,229 --> 00:04:31,797 The grace of God that's given to us is the inner working by way 87 00:04:28,229 --> 00:04:33,405 of the Holy Spirit to strengthen 88 00:04:28,229 --> 00:04:33,925 us. 89 00:04:34,037 --> 00:04:36,405 And that strength comes from goddess. 90 00:04:36,547 --> 00:04:37,937 That strength comes from God. 91 00:04:38,033 --> 00:04:40,669 It is the grace of God that enables us to witness. 92 00:04:41,169 --> 00:04:44,073 And I know Brother Stone's preaching on Wednesday night and 93 00:04:41,169 --> 00:04:45,257 I want to encourage you again to be 94 00:04:41,169 --> 00:04:46,309 here on Wednesday night. 95 00:04:46,769 --> 00:04:51,449 I mentioned Wednesday night at the end of the service that everybody 96 00:04:46,769 --> 00:04:53,249 has their own personalities, everybody 97 00:04:46,769 --> 00:04:55,721 has their own way of doing things. 98 00:04:55,865 --> 00:04:57,817 And all we're doing on Wednesday night is showing you the 99 00:04:55,865 --> 00:04:59,145 nuts and bolts of how to win somebody 100 00:04:55,865 --> 00:04:59,953 to Jesus. 101 00:05:00,081 --> 00:05:03,349 And then Brother Stone's just challenging to be bold about it. 102 00:05:03,449 --> 00:05:06,061 To be bold about it doesn't mean you have to do it exactly the 103 00:05:03,449 --> 00:05:07,941 way he is doing it or the way he's 104 00:05:03,449 --> 00:05:08,757 showing you. 105 00:05:08,893 --> 00:05:11,541 But again, learning the nuts and bolts of how to lead somebody 106 00:05:08,893 --> 00:05:14,445 to Jesus and then being bold, bolder. 107 00:05:14,557 --> 00:05:15,729 Bolder than me. 108 00:05:16,109 --> 00:05:18,325 I'm timid when it comes to knocking the door. 109 00:05:18,477 --> 00:05:19,493 I am so timid. 110 00:05:19,541 --> 00:05:23,933 And I get the butterflies every time I do new moving bags still. 111 00:05:24,101 --> 00:05:27,037 And I knock the door every time and so. 112 00:05:27,173 --> 00:05:29,501 But it's the grace of God that enables us to witness. 113 00:05:29,565 --> 00:05:31,813 It's the grace of God that enables us to witness to our neighbor 114 00:05:29,565 --> 00:05:33,885 or witness to a co worker or witness 115 00:05:29,565 --> 00:05:34,685 to a family member. 116 00:05:34,717 --> 00:05:37,473 It's the grace of God that enables us, empowers us to do those 117 00:05:34,717 --> 00:05:38,109 things. 118 00:05:38,729 --> 00:05:42,281 It's the grace of God that encourages us to be an encouragement 119 00:05:38,729 --> 00:05:43,069 to others. 120 00:05:43,729 --> 00:05:45,509 We're supposed to be encouraging others. 121 00:05:46,329 --> 00:05:50,425 And the only way we do that is by God's grace, enabling us to do 122 00:05:46,329 --> 00:05:51,057 that. 123 00:05:51,233 --> 00:05:54,673 It's the grace of God that enables us to love the unlovely. 124 00:05:54,841 --> 00:05:57,369 It's the grace of God that enables us to love our enemies. 125 00:05:57,449 --> 00:05:58,489 Jesus said, love your enemies. 126 00:05:58,529 --> 00:05:59,457 Isn't that amazing? 127 00:05:59,593 --> 00:06:01,207 We can't do that on our own. 128 00:06:01,393 --> 00:06:04,639 No one can love their enemies and do that naturally. 129 00:06:05,379 --> 00:06:06,119 Right? 130 00:06:06,659 --> 00:06:09,627 So it's the grace of God that enables us to do those things, to 131 00:06:06,659 --> 00:06:09,955 love them. 132 00:06:09,987 --> 00:06:10,179 Love. 133 00:06:10,219 --> 00:06:13,395 It's the grace of God that enables us to have peace. 134 00:06:13,507 --> 00:06:16,411 It's the grace of God that enables us to experience joy. 135 00:06:16,475 --> 00:06:22,611 It's the grace of God that enables us to experience long suffering 136 00:06:16,475 --> 00:06:24,011 in adversity. 137 00:06:24,155 --> 00:06:28,699 When we face adversity, when those detours come into our lives. 138 00:06:28,739 --> 00:06:29,395 And you know this. 139 00:06:29,427 --> 00:06:29,715 I know. 140 00:06:29,747 --> 00:06:33,103 But it's the grace of God that enables us to overcome and have victory 141 00:06:29,747 --> 00:06:34,619 through adversity. 142 00:06:35,559 --> 00:06:38,703 In Hebrews, chapter twelve, verse 28, the Bible says, wherefore 143 00:06:35,559 --> 00:06:41,063 we receiving a kingdom which cannot 144 00:06:35,559 --> 00:06:44,775 be moved, let us have grace whereby 145 00:06:35,559 --> 00:06:49,591 we may serve God acceptably, with reverence 146 00:06:35,559 --> 00:06:51,299 and godly fear. 147 00:06:51,879 --> 00:06:57,259 The grace of God that enables us to serve him acceptably. 148 00:06:58,849 --> 00:07:02,589 As I said this morning, we need to be careful of our motivation. 149 00:07:03,289 --> 00:07:03,841 No doubt. 150 00:07:03,865 --> 00:07:07,545 When Jesus walked by there at the pool of Bethsaida and he saw 151 00:07:03,865 --> 00:07:10,641 this helpless man, it was the grace 152 00:07:03,865 --> 00:07:13,049 of God and the mercy of God that 153 00:07:03,865 --> 00:07:14,905 he asked him the question, would thou 154 00:07:03,865 --> 00:07:15,909 be made whole? 155 00:07:16,329 --> 00:07:21,189 There was multiple people there, and yet he only asked one. 156 00:07:22,209 --> 00:07:23,705 God had grace on that one. 157 00:07:23,777 --> 00:07:24,789 Think about it. 158 00:07:25,799 --> 00:07:27,183 Why didn't he call so many others? 159 00:07:27,231 --> 00:07:28,219 Why didn't he just. 160 00:07:28,639 --> 00:07:30,219 He could have healed all of them. 161 00:07:31,479 --> 00:07:33,339 Aren't you glad he had mercy on you? 162 00:07:34,279 --> 00:07:36,259 Aren't you glad he had grace on you? 163 00:07:37,839 --> 00:07:43,863 God's grace is amazing, but it does need to be applied in every 164 00:07:37,839 --> 00:07:46,259 area of our life, not just at salvation, 165 00:07:37,839 --> 00:07:48,167 but this grace of God. 166 00:07:48,223 --> 00:07:53,359 It's the grace of God that enables us to serve him and do so 167 00:07:48,223 --> 00:07:56,255 acceptably, with reverence and godly 168 00:07:48,223 --> 00:07:56,899 fear. 169 00:07:57,479 --> 00:07:58,727 I'm afraid too many times. 170 00:07:58,783 --> 00:08:00,379 We serve in our own flesh. 171 00:08:00,759 --> 00:08:03,527 And when you serve in the flesh, when you're just serving out 172 00:08:00,759 --> 00:08:06,895 of your own energy, that energy becomes 173 00:08:00,759 --> 00:08:08,739 depleted very quickly. 174 00:08:09,999 --> 00:08:12,575 There is no doubt all of us experienced that. 175 00:08:12,727 --> 00:08:14,223 I have many, many times. 176 00:08:14,271 --> 00:08:18,389 And I find myself, when I am depleted and I get discouraged, I 177 00:08:14,271 --> 00:08:19,073 go, uh oh. 178 00:08:19,081 --> 00:08:20,549 I've been relying on myself. 179 00:08:21,609 --> 00:08:23,713 I've been relying on my own energy. 180 00:08:23,881 --> 00:08:25,129 How's my daily walk doing? 181 00:08:25,169 --> 00:08:27,229 How's my time with the Lord doing? 182 00:08:27,729 --> 00:08:32,549 Am I getting my battery, you know, charged? 183 00:08:33,209 --> 00:08:35,657 It's good for your preacher, by the way, to go to some conferences 184 00:08:33,209 --> 00:08:37,309 now and again and get preached to. 185 00:08:38,089 --> 00:08:38,873 I enjoy that. 186 00:08:38,921 --> 00:08:39,673 I need that. 187 00:08:39,721 --> 00:08:41,509 I want to get preached to as well. 188 00:08:42,129 --> 00:08:44,641 By the way, I preach to myself every time I put a message together. 189 00:08:44,825 --> 00:08:45,993 Like this one. 190 00:08:46,161 --> 00:08:47,241 This one's for me tonight. 191 00:08:47,265 --> 00:08:48,869 And you guys are just listening in. 192 00:08:49,209 --> 00:08:50,709 Grace to serve. 193 00:08:51,009 --> 00:08:52,361 Grace to serve. 194 00:08:52,505 --> 00:08:52,905 Again. 195 00:08:52,977 --> 00:08:54,389 We're to be servants. 196 00:08:54,849 --> 00:08:56,201 We are called to be servants. 197 00:08:56,265 --> 00:08:59,309 Jesus said, I came not to be ministered unto, but to minister. 198 00:09:00,129 --> 00:09:03,585 And again, being a servant requires sacrifice. 199 00:09:03,777 --> 00:09:08,249 It requires setting aside personal interest at the expense 200 00:09:03,777 --> 00:09:11,759 of others, doing for others, being there 201 00:09:03,777 --> 00:09:13,979 for others, helping people. 202 00:09:14,359 --> 00:09:17,311 Again, most of the time, when you think about it, when you are 203 00:09:14,359 --> 00:09:18,687 helping someone, most of the time, 204 00:09:14,359 --> 00:09:20,335 it's at times when it's not convenient 205 00:09:14,359 --> 00:09:20,807 for you. 206 00:09:20,863 --> 00:09:21,271 How's that? 207 00:09:21,295 --> 00:09:23,099 That always happens that way, doesn't it? 208 00:09:23,399 --> 00:09:25,399 It's like, oh, yeah, you need my. 209 00:09:25,439 --> 00:09:27,327 Oh, you know, okay. 210 00:09:27,503 --> 00:09:31,527 I mean, I wanted to, you know, go check the chickens or something, 211 00:09:27,503 --> 00:09:32,979 but I'll come help you. 212 00:09:33,919 --> 00:09:35,559 It's always at an inconvenient time. 213 00:09:35,599 --> 00:09:40,349 But again, helping others and serving others is nothing. 214 00:09:40,459 --> 00:09:45,489 It's not an act of scheduling, but an act of calling that God has 215 00:09:40,459 --> 00:09:47,273 called us to help others, to serve 216 00:09:40,459 --> 00:09:47,909 others. 217 00:09:48,209 --> 00:09:51,353 And many times, if we're not careful, serving others and doing 218 00:09:48,209 --> 00:09:54,569 so religiously, doing so consistently 219 00:09:48,209 --> 00:09:58,137 can lead to discouragement because people 220 00:09:48,209 --> 00:09:59,349 will let you down. 221 00:10:00,769 --> 00:10:03,241 As I said this morning, again, I know I'm repeating myself a little 222 00:10:00,769 --> 00:10:05,465 bit, but, man, your motivation better 223 00:10:00,769 --> 00:10:09,053 not be people to serve and work in 224 00:10:00,769 --> 00:10:11,365 a class or to serve and work yesterday 225 00:10:00,769 --> 00:10:12,365 or whatever it is. 226 00:10:12,477 --> 00:10:13,589 Motivation better not be people. 227 00:10:13,629 --> 00:10:15,589 It better be the Lord I love. 228 00:10:15,629 --> 00:10:18,277 The Lord, I love what he's done for me. 229 00:10:18,413 --> 00:10:22,493 I love him for who he is, and therefore I serve him. 230 00:10:22,621 --> 00:10:25,205 And in serving him, I do so by serving others. 231 00:10:25,397 --> 00:10:26,769 By doing for others. 232 00:10:27,949 --> 00:10:31,369 Again, you do such a great job of this, our church does. 233 00:10:32,679 --> 00:10:33,367 Consistently. 234 00:10:33,423 --> 00:10:36,655 Over the years, we have been servants of others and doing for 235 00:10:33,423 --> 00:10:37,259 others. 236 00:10:37,679 --> 00:10:40,911 Two Timothy two one again says, be strong in the grace that 237 00:10:37,679 --> 00:10:41,919 is in Christ Jesus. 238 00:10:41,959 --> 00:10:43,183 Be strong in the grace. 239 00:10:43,351 --> 00:10:47,943 It's his grace that enables us to be effective, to be effective 240 00:10:43,351 --> 00:10:49,551 and joyful in service. 241 00:10:49,615 --> 00:10:51,831 It's one thing to serve. 242 00:10:51,855 --> 00:10:54,859 It's another thing to do so effectively and joyfully. 243 00:10:55,319 --> 00:10:55,751 Right. 244 00:10:55,815 --> 00:10:57,271 I will use the kids as an example. 245 00:10:57,295 --> 00:10:57,455 Again. 246 00:10:57,487 --> 00:10:57,839 I'm sorry. 247 00:10:57,879 --> 00:10:59,375 I'll use the young people as an example. 248 00:10:59,407 --> 00:10:59,881 Again. 249 00:11:00,015 --> 00:11:02,533 It's one thing to tell your child, go do something. 250 00:11:02,581 --> 00:11:04,429 To do so effectively and joyfully. 251 00:11:04,509 --> 00:11:05,917 There's another one to tell them to go do it. 252 00:11:05,933 --> 00:11:09,849 And they go, you know, rolling their eyes. 253 00:11:10,469 --> 00:11:11,849 Roll your eyes at me. 254 00:11:12,229 --> 00:11:13,009 Anyway. 255 00:11:13,549 --> 00:11:14,289 Right? 256 00:11:15,469 --> 00:11:20,373 Again, doing so out of obligation or doing so out of love 257 00:11:15,469 --> 00:11:23,693 and affection, not only for God, 258 00:11:15,469 --> 00:11:26,859 but for that person whom you're serving. 259 00:11:29,359 --> 00:11:34,991 Again, so many have been wounded in the battle. 260 00:11:35,135 --> 00:11:39,183 Can I remind you, you were in a battle when you got saved. 261 00:11:39,231 --> 00:11:40,419 You entered the battle. 262 00:11:41,399 --> 00:11:45,339 When you entered serving service, you entered a battle. 263 00:11:45,719 --> 00:11:50,119 And the devil do anything he can to discourage you on the field 264 00:11:45,719 --> 00:11:50,979 of life. 265 00:11:51,889 --> 00:11:54,269 The devil will do anything. 266 00:11:54,609 --> 00:11:57,481 He will have people let you down. 267 00:11:57,665 --> 00:11:59,749 He will have people hurt you. 268 00:12:03,689 --> 00:12:05,949 Have you ever felt overworked and underpaid? 269 00:12:08,289 --> 00:12:10,029 I'm talking about in the secular world. 270 00:12:11,289 --> 00:12:14,229 But have you ever felt that way when it comes to serving Christ, 271 00:12:11,289 --> 00:12:16,789 we must be careful. 272 00:12:17,609 --> 00:12:21,409 Because at that point, when you feel that way, when you feel 273 00:12:17,609 --> 00:12:23,785 like you've been taking advantage 274 00:12:17,609 --> 00:12:26,369 of maybe or you've been hurt by someone, 275 00:12:17,609 --> 00:12:27,429 maybe me. 276 00:12:28,969 --> 00:12:33,361 If you're not careful, you become a casualty of the war, and 277 00:12:28,969 --> 00:12:35,121 you allow discouragement, and you 278 00:12:28,969 --> 00:12:39,593 allow others to take you out because 279 00:12:28,969 --> 00:12:41,029 you had their eyes on them. 280 00:12:41,449 --> 00:12:43,977 You had your eyes on your teacher. 281 00:12:44,033 --> 00:12:47,109 You had your eyes on me and not the Lord. 282 00:12:48,209 --> 00:12:51,709 And that's why it's so important that the Lord is the motivation 283 00:12:48,209 --> 00:12:54,109 and not a person. 284 00:12:56,329 --> 00:12:59,569 It doesn't matter whether it's me here preaching or brother Stone 285 00:12:56,329 --> 00:13:01,881 here preaching, or brother Wiggins, 286 00:12:56,329 --> 00:13:04,949 who I still miss terribly. 287 00:13:05,769 --> 00:13:08,071 We talk every week, but I miss him. 288 00:13:08,265 --> 00:13:09,399 It doesn't matter. 289 00:13:10,699 --> 00:13:12,159 We must serve. 290 00:13:12,819 --> 00:13:14,387 We must serve others. 291 00:13:14,563 --> 00:13:17,043 And our motivation should be the Lord. 292 00:13:17,211 --> 00:13:21,043 Again, in this service, we're going to face adversity. 293 00:13:21,091 --> 00:13:26,159 And grace is what enables us to overcome adversity in our life. 294 00:13:26,859 --> 00:13:31,459 Again, we cover this and understand this, but we're reminding 295 00:13:26,859 --> 00:13:33,843 ourselves that there is an enemy. 296 00:13:33,891 --> 00:13:35,255 The devil is our enemy. 297 00:13:35,387 --> 00:13:37,919 And, boy, brother Stone did a great job of that Wednesday night 298 00:13:35,387 --> 00:13:38,959 describing the devil. 299 00:13:38,999 --> 00:13:41,159 And it's been a while since I've heard that. 300 00:13:41,319 --> 00:13:43,311 And some of you who weren't here Wednesday might go back and 301 00:13:41,319 --> 00:13:44,095 listen to that message. 302 00:13:44,127 --> 00:13:48,055 You just really gave us a good overview of what the devil. 303 00:13:48,087 --> 00:13:49,023 The devil's our enemy. 304 00:13:49,111 --> 00:13:50,499 The world's our enemy. 305 00:13:51,199 --> 00:13:52,687 The world's our enemy. 306 00:13:52,863 --> 00:13:58,911 That world system out there, again, is lust of the eye, pride 307 00:13:52,863 --> 00:14:00,799 of life, the enemy. 308 00:14:00,879 --> 00:14:02,749 And again, we know that. 309 00:14:02,869 --> 00:14:05,725 I love that little cartoon I seen years ago. 310 00:14:05,797 --> 00:14:10,089 It says, I have met the enemy, and the enemy is me. 311 00:14:10,989 --> 00:14:13,621 And again, most of the time, it is us. 312 00:14:13,685 --> 00:14:16,221 And so again, two, Timothy, two three. 313 00:14:16,365 --> 00:14:19,557 Paul reminds Timothy, thou therefore endure hardness as a good 314 00:14:16,365 --> 00:14:21,293 soldier of Jesus Christ. 315 00:14:21,461 --> 00:14:25,245 The longer you serve in the battle, the more challenges you face 316 00:14:21,461 --> 00:14:26,209 in the battle. 317 00:14:26,749 --> 00:14:30,729 The longer you realize that you are not on a playground. 318 00:14:32,179 --> 00:14:33,643 You're not on a playground. 319 00:14:33,811 --> 00:14:35,759 This is real stuff, isn't it? 320 00:14:36,259 --> 00:14:39,891 This is stuff we call it, you know, in a secular sense, you call 321 00:14:36,259 --> 00:14:40,875 it adulting, right? 322 00:14:40,947 --> 00:14:43,987 Once you kind of get out of the house and you start your own 323 00:14:40,947 --> 00:14:45,731 family and whatever, and you start 324 00:14:40,947 --> 00:14:47,439 adulting, it's a little difficult. 325 00:14:47,859 --> 00:14:49,275 It's not a playground. 326 00:14:49,427 --> 00:14:52,347 But the Christian, the spiritual life is, in a sense, is 327 00:14:49,427 --> 00:14:52,875 the same way. 328 00:14:52,907 --> 00:14:54,619 It is not a playground. 329 00:14:54,659 --> 00:14:55,403 It's a battlefield. 330 00:14:55,491 --> 00:14:57,787 Well, preacher, you said this morning the greatest decision you'll 331 00:14:55,491 --> 00:14:59,547 ever make is to accept Christ as 332 00:14:55,491 --> 00:15:00,051 your savior. 333 00:15:00,115 --> 00:15:00,691 Absolutely. 334 00:15:00,715 --> 00:15:04,251 It's the greatest decision because all those other people out 335 00:15:00,715 --> 00:15:06,683 there, they're facing the same battle, 336 00:15:00,715 --> 00:15:07,999 but without Jesus. 337 00:15:08,979 --> 00:15:10,867 I'm facing that battle with Jesus. 338 00:15:11,003 --> 00:15:12,439 I'll take that any day. 339 00:15:12,739 --> 00:15:15,819 I'm thankful for that grace that I have experienced in my own 340 00:15:12,739 --> 00:15:17,799 life in the time of my need. 341 00:15:18,339 --> 00:15:20,931 But I do understand as the longer the battle goes on, the more 342 00:15:18,339 --> 00:15:22,171 adversity we face. 343 00:15:22,315 --> 00:15:26,835 Many times, again, with our motivation kind of getting off Kelter, 344 00:15:22,315 --> 00:15:28,941 we did be reminded many, many times 345 00:15:22,315 --> 00:15:32,049 that serving the Lord is not necessarily 346 00:15:22,315 --> 00:15:33,949 the easiest path in life. 347 00:15:36,529 --> 00:15:38,633 Sitting at home watching tv would be. 348 00:15:38,721 --> 00:15:39,989 I guess I don't. 349 00:15:40,889 --> 00:15:44,785 But in a sense, again, my yoke is easy. 350 00:15:44,817 --> 00:15:49,921 My burdens light has to do with in his yoke. 351 00:15:50,105 --> 00:15:54,273 In other words, whatever God has intended for me to be, whatever 352 00:15:50,105 --> 00:15:56,017 God has intended for my life to be, whatever 353 00:15:50,105 --> 00:15:57,673 plan God has in my life, I'm better 354 00:15:50,105 --> 00:15:59,189 off in that plan. 355 00:15:59,839 --> 00:16:02,699 Because in that plan, the yoke is easy. 356 00:16:03,879 --> 00:16:06,775 And though some people may from the outside look it in, go, 357 00:16:03,879 --> 00:16:08,823 well, a missionary, that's a hard 358 00:16:03,879 --> 00:16:12,215 job, but for the missionary, that's 359 00:16:03,879 --> 00:16:14,695 an easy job because he's in the yoke 360 00:16:03,879 --> 00:16:16,539 that God intended for him to be. 361 00:16:17,639 --> 00:16:21,799 I was reading about this yoke again, and somebody, one of the commentators 362 00:16:17,639 --> 00:16:23,887 said, yeah, the yoke of Jesus is 363 00:16:17,639 --> 00:16:26,689 a yoke like anyone else, but it's got 364 00:16:17,639 --> 00:16:30,029 velvet lining, it's got padded lining, 365 00:16:17,639 --> 00:16:32,749 you know, it's got leather seats. 366 00:16:33,969 --> 00:16:39,985 It's still a yoke, but it's easier to be in the direct will of 367 00:16:33,969 --> 00:16:43,189 God than it is to be out. 368 00:16:44,449 --> 00:16:49,601 Our goal, again, needs to be reviewed, and the why needs to be 369 00:16:44,449 --> 00:16:50,385 reviewed. 370 00:16:50,537 --> 00:16:52,305 Why did I do what I do? 371 00:16:52,457 --> 00:16:53,949 Why do I serve? 372 00:16:54,329 --> 00:16:55,441 Why do I teach? 373 00:16:55,505 --> 00:16:58,113 Why do I come out and visitation? 374 00:16:58,161 --> 00:16:59,409 Why do I do these things? 375 00:16:59,489 --> 00:17:00,569 Why do I sing in the choir? 376 00:17:00,609 --> 00:17:03,149 Whatever it is that you're involved in? 377 00:17:04,729 --> 00:17:06,777 Again, I don't want to leave out witnessing to our neighbor or 378 00:17:04,729 --> 00:17:08,225 witnessing to a co worker. 379 00:17:08,377 --> 00:17:12,429 Why did I help a family member? 380 00:17:13,369 --> 00:17:18,971 Well, to please the Lord and he will give you grace in the time 381 00:17:13,369 --> 00:17:19,707 of suffering. 382 00:17:19,843 --> 00:17:23,359 God is not attracted to our strength, but to our weakness. 383 00:17:23,699 --> 00:17:26,699 Again, you know the verse two, corinthians twelve, verse nine says, 384 00:17:23,699 --> 00:17:28,443 and Paul said, and he said unto me, 385 00:17:23,699 --> 00:17:30,235 my grace is sufficient for thee, 386 00:17:23,699 --> 00:17:33,079 for my strength is made perfect in weakness. 387 00:17:33,899 --> 00:17:35,719 Without the Lord, we can do nothing. 388 00:17:36,059 --> 00:17:37,571 I need God's help. 389 00:17:37,755 --> 00:17:39,899 And God wants us to recognize that. 390 00:17:40,059 --> 00:17:42,999 He wants us to recognize our dependence upon him. 391 00:17:43,469 --> 00:17:47,061 And when you are facing adversity, it is good to go to the 392 00:17:43,469 --> 00:17:49,089 Lord and say, Lord, I need your help. 393 00:17:49,549 --> 00:17:52,221 When you're facing times in which you are discouraged, it's good 394 00:17:49,549 --> 00:17:53,101 to go to the Lord and say, Lord, 395 00:17:49,549 --> 00:17:54,129 I need your help. 396 00:17:55,509 --> 00:18:00,405 He wants us to do that, and he will provide the grace we need, that 397 00:17:55,509 --> 00:18:01,329 enablement. 398 00:18:02,469 --> 00:18:07,109 If you'll go to God with that loneliness or that difficulty or 399 00:18:02,469 --> 00:18:08,197 all those things that are a part 400 00:18:02,469 --> 00:18:11,031 of life, if you'll go to God with it, 401 00:18:02,469 --> 00:18:13,511 you won't become a casualty in the 402 00:18:02,469 --> 00:18:14,219 battle. 403 00:18:15,399 --> 00:18:18,739 I think about some members of our church who've become casualties 404 00:18:15,399 --> 00:18:20,179 in the battle. 405 00:18:21,559 --> 00:18:22,699 I miss them. 406 00:18:23,959 --> 00:18:28,159 But as long as the grace of God is working in your heart, your 407 00:18:23,959 --> 00:18:29,259 future's bright. 408 00:18:30,799 --> 00:18:31,659 Amen. 409 00:18:32,479 --> 00:18:34,379 As long as you're depending upon him. 410 00:18:35,089 --> 00:18:40,193 And then it goes on to say again, he reminds Timothy again to 411 00:18:35,089 --> 00:18:41,585 that grace that is needed. 412 00:18:41,617 --> 00:18:45,313 Then he tells Titus to grow in grace again. 413 00:18:45,361 --> 00:18:48,825 That grace that gave us salvation also is the one who enables 414 00:18:45,361 --> 00:18:50,869 us again to live the christian life. 415 00:18:51,849 --> 00:18:53,429 You ever used miracle grow? 416 00:18:54,929 --> 00:18:58,473 I don't know that so much a miracle, but it will have an impact 417 00:18:54,929 --> 00:19:02,083 on a plant, even a tree. 418 00:19:02,171 --> 00:19:02,923 It's amazing. 419 00:19:03,011 --> 00:19:04,879 That stuff's like magic. 420 00:19:06,459 --> 00:19:07,619 I do not have a green thumb. 421 00:19:07,659 --> 00:19:11,475 And that's why around here, neither does most of our staff. 422 00:19:11,547 --> 00:19:13,923 And so we rely upon other people. 423 00:19:14,011 --> 00:19:18,531 We replaced all the green out that way, and we're fixing to redo 424 00:19:14,011 --> 00:19:19,195 the entire. 425 00:19:19,307 --> 00:19:23,459 By the way, we're redoing the entire little thing in front of the 426 00:19:19,307 --> 00:19:25,931 gym, number one, because the state 427 00:19:19,307 --> 00:19:27,435 of Texas says if we can't have standing 428 00:19:19,307 --> 00:19:28,799 water, if we have a daycare. 429 00:19:30,039 --> 00:19:34,567 Now, I've got you totally off the subject of the sermon, but we 430 00:19:30,039 --> 00:19:36,679 need the grace of God to deal with 431 00:19:30,039 --> 00:19:38,059 the state of Texas. 432 00:19:41,279 --> 00:19:45,343 And also that whole island has sank into the ground, like four inches, 433 00:19:41,279 --> 00:19:46,359 five inches. 434 00:19:46,519 --> 00:19:47,887 And so anyway. 435 00:19:47,983 --> 00:19:49,899 But I don't know where I was at now. 436 00:19:52,559 --> 00:19:53,979 Don't have a green thumb. 437 00:19:55,369 --> 00:19:56,161 I don't. 438 00:19:56,265 --> 00:19:58,229 But miracle grow is pretty amazing. 439 00:20:00,329 --> 00:20:03,709 Helps things grow better, greener. 440 00:20:04,649 --> 00:20:06,709 Can I tell you the grace of God's amazing? 441 00:20:07,209 --> 00:20:08,429 It really is. 442 00:20:09,169 --> 00:20:10,833 If you haven't been a christian very long. 443 00:20:10,921 --> 00:20:12,977 Maybe you haven't really had that. 444 00:20:13,073 --> 00:20:16,105 You know, that point in life where you can look back and go, I 445 00:20:13,073 --> 00:20:16,777 remember that. 446 00:20:16,833 --> 00:20:20,669 I remember when God's grace influenced me in a major way. 447 00:20:21,769 --> 00:20:25,321 I have many, many occasions I can go back to and say I'm thankful 448 00:20:21,769 --> 00:20:27,561 for the grace of God and if the grace 449 00:20:21,769 --> 00:20:29,113 of God will show up in my life in these 450 00:20:21,769 --> 00:20:30,961 instances, I know grace of God will 451 00:20:21,769 --> 00:20:33,529 show up in the future as well, relying 452 00:20:21,769 --> 00:20:35,029 and depending upon him. 453 00:20:35,369 --> 00:20:39,009 The grace was given to us to live a godly life, that we understand 454 00:20:35,369 --> 00:20:40,777 that grace is not given to us to live 455 00:20:35,369 --> 00:20:43,001 as we choose, but is given to us to 456 00:20:35,369 --> 00:20:45,449 enable us to deny ungodliness and 457 00:20:35,369 --> 00:20:47,149 worldly lust to live. 458 00:20:47,959 --> 00:20:49,495 To live for the Lord. 459 00:20:49,567 --> 00:20:53,095 That's Titus, chapter two, verse eleven through twelve, that 460 00:20:49,567 --> 00:20:55,015 it brings us salvation, but it's also 461 00:20:49,567 --> 00:20:58,367 there to help us to live a godly 462 00:20:49,567 --> 00:20:58,639 life. 463 00:20:58,679 --> 00:20:59,543 You can look that up later. 464 00:20:59,591 --> 00:21:02,019 Titus 211, twelve. 465 00:21:04,239 --> 00:21:07,543 We are to be a testimony of God's grace to others. 466 00:21:07,711 --> 00:21:10,619 Our lives should be testimony to God's grace. 467 00:21:11,919 --> 00:21:14,339 Is your life a testimony to God's grace? 468 00:21:16,769 --> 00:21:22,189 John Newton, who wrote amazing grace, he said this. 469 00:21:22,609 --> 00:21:24,909 He said, I am not what I might be. 470 00:21:25,249 --> 00:21:27,777 I am not what I ought to be. 471 00:21:27,953 --> 00:21:29,641 I am not what I wish to be. 472 00:21:29,745 --> 00:21:31,521 I am not what I hope to be. 473 00:21:31,665 --> 00:21:34,789 But thank God, I am not what I used to be. 474 00:21:35,409 --> 00:21:39,057 And he said this, he said, I can say with Paul, by the grace of 475 00:21:35,409 --> 00:21:41,439 God, I am what I am. 476 00:21:41,779 --> 00:21:44,779 And we all could say that tonight, it's by God's grace. 477 00:21:44,819 --> 00:21:46,499 We are what we are. 478 00:21:46,659 --> 00:21:48,679 I am what I am. 479 00:21:49,059 --> 00:21:51,795 And God is asking you to grow in that grace. 480 00:21:51,987 --> 00:21:53,259 To grow in that grace. 481 00:21:53,379 --> 00:21:56,819 He says, grow in the grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus 482 00:21:53,379 --> 00:21:57,107 Christ. 483 00:21:57,163 --> 00:21:59,507 The greatest way to grow in grace is to grow in the knowledge 484 00:21:57,163 --> 00:22:00,595 of Jesus Christ. 485 00:22:00,787 --> 00:22:05,411 The more you know the Lord, the more you know Jesus, the more 486 00:22:00,787 --> 00:22:07,251 you know everything about him, the 487 00:22:00,787 --> 00:22:08,987 more you'll grow in grace. 488 00:22:09,083 --> 00:22:10,279 He is the key. 489 00:22:10,929 --> 00:22:13,269 Be strong in God's grace. 490 00:22:14,169 --> 00:22:16,189 Can I remind you tonight you're not alone. 491 00:22:17,969 --> 00:22:19,509 I'm thankful I'm not alone. 492 00:22:20,249 --> 00:22:26,789 Like my wife sometimes, my kids around, not alone. 493 00:22:28,209 --> 00:22:31,709 Good church, good church, family, not alone. 494 00:22:32,729 --> 00:22:37,439 But more than that, I'm not alone because God's with me. 495 00:22:38,019 --> 00:22:40,355 Holy Spirit lives within me. 496 00:22:40,547 --> 00:22:43,603 And that Holy Spirit is there to enable me to give me that grace 497 00:22:40,547 --> 00:22:44,971 and strength and time that I need 498 00:22:40,547 --> 00:22:45,611 it. 499 00:22:45,795 --> 00:22:49,479 Sustaining grace is offered to all who will ask. 500 00:22:51,219 --> 00:22:53,199 It's not just about asking. 501 00:22:54,099 --> 00:22:58,083 It's really the grace of God that we ask for in our time of need. 502 00:22:58,131 --> 00:23:01,819 It's what the Bible says in revelation, grace to help in time 503 00:22:58,131 --> 00:23:02,599 of need. 504 00:23:03,069 --> 00:23:05,813 And God will never, never fail you. 505 00:23:05,981 --> 00:23:11,277 And God will never, ever refuse his grace to you. 506 00:23:11,413 --> 00:23:12,489 Isn't that good? 507 00:23:13,509 --> 00:23:15,877 If you're experiencing tonight, I don't know what you may 508 00:23:13,509 --> 00:23:16,981 be experiencing. 509 00:23:17,165 --> 00:23:19,117 And maybe like me, every once in a while you just kind of have 510 00:23:17,165 --> 00:23:21,757 to back up and go, okay, we've been 511 00:23:17,165 --> 00:23:23,089 doing this a long time. 512 00:23:23,389 --> 00:23:25,829 I want to make sure that my motivation is still what it should 513 00:23:23,389 --> 00:23:29,031 be and that I'm not just running on 514 00:23:23,389 --> 00:23:31,895 my own energy, but running on the 515 00:23:23,389 --> 00:23:33,087 grace of God. 516 00:23:33,263 --> 00:23:34,539 The grace of God. 517 00:23:34,999 --> 00:23:42,303 Because you cannot and will not make it to the end. 518 00:23:42,431 --> 00:23:48,295 I don't mean talking about salvation, but to the point of when 519 00:23:42,431 --> 00:23:49,607 Jesus says, well done, thou good 520 00:23:42,431 --> 00:23:51,463 and faithful servant, you're not going 521 00:23:42,431 --> 00:23:53,231 to make it to that point without the 522 00:23:42,431 --> 00:23:54,179 grace of God. 523 00:23:56,749 --> 00:23:58,049 The grace of God. 524 00:23:58,909 --> 00:23:59,653 God will. 525 00:23:59,741 --> 00:24:00,613 I like this statement. 526 00:24:00,701 --> 00:24:01,861 God will divine. 527 00:24:01,925 --> 00:24:02,933 I didn't come up with this one. 528 00:24:02,981 --> 00:24:05,661 God will divinely enable you. 529 00:24:05,805 --> 00:24:06,645 Listen to that. 530 00:24:06,757 --> 00:24:09,929 God will divinely enable you to serve. 531 00:24:11,469 --> 00:24:12,289 Hello. 532 00:24:12,749 --> 00:24:13,445 Divinely. 533 00:24:13,477 --> 00:24:16,069 That means that is a miracle. 534 00:24:16,109 --> 00:24:19,909 God is giving you the energy and the power you need to serve. 535 00:24:19,989 --> 00:24:22,965 God will divinely give you that if you'll ask for it. 536 00:24:23,157 --> 00:24:28,209 If you rely on him, God will give you that same divine enablement 537 00:24:23,157 --> 00:24:31,365 to go through suffering, to go through 538 00:24:23,157 --> 00:24:32,365 adversity. 539 00:24:32,557 --> 00:24:35,677 And he'll give you that same divine enablement, that grace that 540 00:24:32,557 --> 00:24:38,329 you need to live a life for him. 541 00:24:40,869 --> 00:24:45,899 We need to begin every morning alone with Goddesse. 542 00:24:46,049 --> 00:24:49,151 Spend every morning before you go to work, before you get in your 543 00:24:46,049 --> 00:24:53,191 car, spend a few minutes, spend some 544 00:24:46,049 --> 00:24:54,259 time with the Lord. 545 00:24:57,159 --> 00:24:59,219 We need to cast ourselves on him. 546 00:24:59,959 --> 00:25:00,775 Why? 547 00:25:00,967 --> 00:25:02,859 Because his grace is sufficient. 548 00:25:03,319 --> 00:25:04,779 Our energy is not. 549 00:25:05,959 --> 00:25:07,167 Our power is not. 550 00:25:07,263 --> 00:25:07,759 Let's all stand.