1 00:00:30,899 --> 00:00:31,619 God bless you. 2 00:00:32,419 --> 00:00:33,699 Glad you came so far. 3 00:00:33,699 --> 00:00:35,699 Say amen so far. 4 00:00:35,859 --> 00:00:37,099 If I don't mess it up. 5 00:00:37,099 --> 00:00:39,139 It hadn't been too bad so far. 6 00:00:39,779 --> 00:00:42,099 Thank you for your faithfulness and your prayers. 7 00:00:42,419 --> 00:00:46,659 Had a great, very positive staff meeting today. 8 00:00:46,659 --> 00:00:50,819 We have our staff meeting on Wednesday at 1:30 and it went very 9 00:00:50,819 --> 00:00:51,059 well. 10 00:00:51,059 --> 00:00:51,939 I learned more. 11 00:00:51,939 --> 00:00:52,899 I'm still learning. 12 00:00:53,299 --> 00:00:56,659 When I jumped on this train, it was moving still pretty fast. 13 00:00:57,439 --> 00:01:00,519 And so anyway, I'm trying to get caught up, but God bless you 14 00:01:00,519 --> 00:01:03,919 for your prayers and just keep on praying. 15 00:01:05,439 --> 00:01:09,279 I preached a sermon many years ago, and it wasn't new to me, but 16 00:01:09,279 --> 00:01:11,119 I, you know, simplicity. 17 00:01:11,279 --> 00:01:13,679 The older you get, the more you like to simplify. 18 00:01:13,679 --> 00:01:14,399 Am I right? 19 00:01:15,439 --> 00:01:19,679 And did you know the Bible says we're to serve God in simplicity 20 00:01:19,839 --> 00:01:21,679 and godly sincerity. 21 00:01:23,049 --> 00:01:23,689 Simplicity. 22 00:01:25,289 --> 00:01:30,169 The devil likes to get us all tangled up in things that matter 23 00:01:30,889 --> 00:01:31,849 in eternity. 24 00:01:32,649 --> 00:01:36,169 And sometimes people think, well, you're oversimplifying. 25 00:01:36,569 --> 00:01:40,249 But, you know, there's five things to me for you to not just 26 00:01:40,249 --> 00:01:43,609 survive these days, which you're living, but to thrive. 27 00:01:43,689 --> 00:01:46,089 And one of them is to come to church. 28 00:01:46,729 --> 00:01:50,669 Not everybody comes to church and they're not going to really prosper 29 00:01:50,669 --> 00:01:52,909 very long without the church. 30 00:01:53,629 --> 00:01:55,029 And that's the first thing. 31 00:01:55,029 --> 00:01:56,829 And then number two, praying. 32 00:01:58,509 --> 00:02:00,589 Okay, I'm simplifying. 33 00:02:01,069 --> 00:02:03,229 Come pray. 34 00:02:04,428 --> 00:02:07,389 Read the Bible, read. 35 00:02:07,789 --> 00:02:08,829 So far, so good. 36 00:02:08,909 --> 00:02:09,469 Simple. 37 00:02:10,589 --> 00:02:16,099 Come to church, pray, read the Bible, learn to give. 38 00:02:18,739 --> 00:02:20,379 Giving, that's living. 39 00:02:20,379 --> 00:02:21,539 That's what Jesus did. 40 00:02:21,539 --> 00:02:22,099 He gave. 41 00:02:22,099 --> 00:02:22,659 He gave. 42 00:02:22,659 --> 00:02:23,299 He gave. 43 00:02:23,939 --> 00:02:27,099 And he continues to tell us, give, and it shall be given unto 44 00:02:27,099 --> 00:02:27,339 you. 45 00:02:27,339 --> 00:02:32,179 And we're not to be storage tanks, we're to be pipelines. 46 00:02:32,819 --> 00:02:36,739 God wants to bring it to us through heaven and let us give to 47 00:02:36,739 --> 00:02:37,939 him and give to others. 48 00:02:38,819 --> 00:02:42,579 And a lot of people are trying to get through life, but they haven't 49 00:02:42,579 --> 00:02:43,419 learned to give yet. 50 00:02:43,419 --> 00:02:46,699 They think, well, I'm going to one day, but right now I can't afford 51 00:02:46,699 --> 00:02:46,939 it. 52 00:02:46,939 --> 00:02:48,539 Well, we can't afford not to give. 53 00:02:49,259 --> 00:02:50,619 It all belongs to God. 54 00:02:50,619 --> 00:02:55,339 He only asked 10 cents out of a dollar and he doesn't even make 55 00:02:55,339 --> 00:02:55,979 us do that. 56 00:02:55,979 --> 00:02:58,299 But he says, I'm gonna bless you if you do. 57 00:02:59,099 --> 00:03:02,699 And Malachi 3 says, you're gonna have some problems if you don't. 58 00:03:03,259 --> 00:03:03,859 Okay. 59 00:03:03,859 --> 00:03:05,659 And then there's one left. 60 00:03:06,139 --> 00:03:07,259 What was the first one? 61 00:03:08,109 --> 00:03:08,349 Come. 62 00:03:08,749 --> 00:03:09,629 Come to church. 63 00:03:09,709 --> 00:03:10,269 Simple. 64 00:03:10,349 --> 00:03:11,069 Just come. 65 00:03:11,789 --> 00:03:13,869 Number two is pray. 66 00:03:14,509 --> 00:03:17,549 Number three is to read the Bible. 67 00:03:18,189 --> 00:03:19,549 Number four is give. 68 00:03:20,029 --> 00:03:24,029 And number five is tell others about Jesus. 69 00:03:24,669 --> 00:03:26,829 You say, I wish life could be that simple. 70 00:03:27,949 --> 00:03:28,829 Well, so do I. 71 00:03:28,829 --> 00:03:31,989 And I haven't gotten there completely yet, but I'm working on 72 00:03:31,989 --> 00:03:32,269 it. 73 00:03:32,749 --> 00:03:35,389 And the sooner you can simplify, the better. 74 00:03:35,959 --> 00:03:38,199 You say, well, you don't have half the problems I have. 75 00:03:38,439 --> 00:03:41,959 Well, that's probably true, and I'm not minimizing that. 76 00:03:42,199 --> 00:03:46,439 But if you could just focus on those five things, it'll help you 77 00:03:46,439 --> 00:03:47,799 and it'll help the church. 78 00:03:48,519 --> 00:03:51,799 And so I hope that you'll continue faithfully. 79 00:03:51,799 --> 00:03:54,439 I know I'm preaching to those that do all those things already, 80 00:03:54,999 --> 00:03:57,399 but I just felt like sharing with you tonight. 81 00:03:57,399 --> 00:04:01,279 Take your Bible and go to Luke chapter number five and hold your 82 00:04:01,279 --> 00:04:04,279 finger there and we're gonna go over to Matthew chapter four. 83 00:04:04,979 --> 00:04:09,459 Tyler King was sharing some things with me today and I told him 84 00:04:09,539 --> 00:04:12,939 I'd like to share this with the church again for a matter of 85 00:04:12,939 --> 00:04:13,379 prayer. 86 00:04:14,259 --> 00:04:16,819 But he's our youth director, of course, and over there in another 87 00:04:16,819 --> 00:04:17,099 building. 88 00:04:17,099 --> 00:04:21,699 But he said, this Friday, not tomorrow, but the next Friday, from 89 00:04:21,699 --> 00:04:26,739 10 o' clock in the morning till 11, he'll be back at the Northwest 90 00:04:26,819 --> 00:04:30,339 High School speaking to the FCA club. 91 00:04:31,589 --> 00:04:34,469 There are usually around 200 people that comes to that club. 92 00:04:36,149 --> 00:04:37,749 Kids, young people, students. 93 00:04:38,709 --> 00:04:39,669 Be in prayer. 94 00:04:40,229 --> 00:04:42,949 As we resume our public school outreach. 95 00:04:43,909 --> 00:04:48,469 It currently exists in two parts, FCA clubs and athlete outreach. 96 00:04:48,789 --> 00:04:51,629 In the next week or two, we're going to meet with the coaches at 97 00:04:51,629 --> 00:04:56,309 Northwest High School to resume the athletic component of 98 00:04:56,309 --> 00:04:57,269 the outreach. 99 00:04:58,259 --> 00:05:01,499 That's getting harder and harder to do to even walk into a 100 00:05:01,499 --> 00:05:03,379 public school system if you're a Christian. 101 00:05:03,699 --> 00:05:09,859 And so I'm glad that Brother Tyler has a burden to reach young 102 00:05:09,859 --> 00:05:13,219 people not just here, but over there and over there and over there. 103 00:05:13,698 --> 00:05:18,499 And so this is an opportunity possibly for him to get more influence 104 00:05:18,499 --> 00:05:19,619 over those kids. 105 00:05:20,179 --> 00:05:23,779 And so please make that a matter of prayer. 106 00:05:24,309 --> 00:05:30,709 Okay, we're in Luke chapter number five, verse number two. 107 00:05:33,829 --> 00:05:35,189 Let's pick up at verse one. 108 00:05:35,189 --> 00:05:38,109 It came to pass that as the people pressed upon him to hear the 109 00:05:38,109 --> 00:05:44,189 word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret and saw two ships 110 00:05:44,189 --> 00:05:46,469 standing by the lake. 111 00:05:47,189 --> 00:05:52,019 But the fishermen were gone out of them and were washing their 112 00:05:52,419 --> 00:05:53,219 nets. 113 00:05:53,859 --> 00:05:56,059 I'd like you to focus on those. 114 00:05:56,059 --> 00:06:01,219 They were washing their nets, if you want to underline that. 115 00:06:01,699 --> 00:06:02,819 Washing their nets. 116 00:06:02,819 --> 00:06:04,499 But there was something else they were doing. 117 00:06:05,299 --> 00:06:08,819 And it says in verse four, you may remember this story. 118 00:06:09,459 --> 00:06:12,619 When he had left speaking, he said to Simon, launch out into the 119 00:06:12,619 --> 00:06:14,419 deep and let down your nets. 120 00:06:15,059 --> 00:06:17,939 He said, all the nets for a draught. 121 00:06:18,759 --> 00:06:22,079 And Simon answered and said unto him, master, we've toiled all 122 00:06:22,079 --> 00:06:24,599 night and have taken nothing. 123 00:06:25,559 --> 00:06:28,599 And then These next six words, these some of the most important 124 00:06:28,599 --> 00:06:32,599 words in our life, whether things make sense to us or not. 125 00:06:32,599 --> 00:06:35,239 And many times they don't, humanly speaking. 126 00:06:35,959 --> 00:06:36,959 But he said this. 127 00:06:36,959 --> 00:06:41,079 He said, nevertheless, we've done this all night. 128 00:06:42,519 --> 00:06:43,799 This is our profession. 129 00:06:44,399 --> 00:06:45,279 We're fishermen. 130 00:06:45,919 --> 00:06:54,279 Nevertheless, at thy word, I will let down the net. 131 00:06:54,279 --> 00:06:55,719 Well, he only let down one. 132 00:06:55,719 --> 00:06:57,159 I guess that's what it says. 133 00:06:57,159 --> 00:06:58,039 Jesus said, let down. 134 00:06:58,039 --> 00:06:58,879 The net's plural. 135 00:06:59,519 --> 00:07:03,039 But a lot of people say, well, I'll let down one. 136 00:07:04,479 --> 00:07:06,159 Well, you know the rest of the story. 137 00:07:07,519 --> 00:07:10,399 They beckoned unto their partners which were in the other 138 00:07:10,399 --> 00:07:10,799 ship. 139 00:07:11,639 --> 00:07:14,919 Because it says in verse six that when they had done this, they 140 00:07:14,919 --> 00:07:18,759 enclosed a great multitude of fishes and their net brake. 141 00:07:19,959 --> 00:07:20,599 Okay? 142 00:07:20,679 --> 00:07:21,839 So get that in your mind. 143 00:07:21,839 --> 00:07:22,679 You know this story. 144 00:07:22,679 --> 00:07:25,959 You've heard a lot of great sermons on this passage. 145 00:07:26,199 --> 00:07:30,919 Their net break, and it's interesting, they beckoned on other 146 00:07:30,919 --> 00:07:33,119 partners which were in the other ship that they should come 147 00:07:33,119 --> 00:07:33,519 help them. 148 00:07:33,519 --> 00:07:38,629 And they came, filled both the ships, both ships so that they began 149 00:07:38,629 --> 00:07:39,269 to sink. 150 00:07:39,269 --> 00:07:42,429 I don't know if we have any fishermen in here, but I doubt if 151 00:07:42,429 --> 00:07:45,749 any of you caught so many fish that your boat was fixing to sink, 152 00:07:45,749 --> 00:07:46,709 but maybe you have. 153 00:07:48,389 --> 00:07:53,428 And when Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus knees, saying, depart 154 00:07:53,509 --> 00:07:56,709 from me, for I'm a sinful man, O Lord. 155 00:07:57,189 --> 00:07:59,349 That was his reaction to the miracle. 156 00:07:59,829 --> 00:08:04,009 He'd never seen that happen before, for he was astonished, and 157 00:08:04,009 --> 00:08:07,729 all that were with him at the draught of fishes which they had 158 00:08:07,729 --> 00:08:08,089 taken. 159 00:08:09,769 --> 00:08:14,969 And then in verse 10, was that famous words of Christ that we sang 160 00:08:15,209 --> 00:08:16,169 when we were children. 161 00:08:17,209 --> 00:08:18,009 Fear not. 162 00:08:18,009 --> 00:08:20,169 From henceforth thou shalt catch men. 163 00:08:20,649 --> 00:08:25,489 I will make you fishers of men if you follow me. 164 00:08:25,489 --> 00:08:27,369 Some of you may remember that. 165 00:08:28,169 --> 00:08:30,969 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook 166 00:08:30,969 --> 00:08:33,299 all and followed him. 167 00:08:33,299 --> 00:08:34,979 So Jesus said, follow me. 168 00:08:35,619 --> 00:08:39,459 Follow me and thou shalt catch men. 169 00:08:41,219 --> 00:08:50,499 Back up to Matthew 4, 21 Matthew chapter 4, verse number 21. 170 00:08:52,499 --> 00:08:55,699 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the 171 00:08:55,699 --> 00:08:59,379 son of Zebedee and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee, 172 00:08:59,459 --> 00:09:04,179 their father, mending their nets. 173 00:09:04,819 --> 00:09:10,099 Okay, so we saw one where they were cleaning their nets, and now 174 00:09:10,659 --> 00:09:12,899 they are mending their nets. 175 00:09:14,179 --> 00:09:15,139 And he called them. 176 00:09:15,139 --> 00:09:19,019 And they immediately left the ship and their father and followed 177 00:09:19,019 --> 00:09:19,299 him. 178 00:09:19,859 --> 00:09:22,899 So you see, there was two things about fishermen those days. 179 00:09:23,959 --> 00:09:29,239 They had to clean the debris, the trash, the rocks, the sticks, 180 00:09:30,119 --> 00:09:31,039 whatever else. 181 00:09:31,039 --> 00:09:32,319 They had to clean them out. 182 00:09:32,319 --> 00:09:34,279 They couldn't just use them and never clean them. 183 00:09:35,639 --> 00:09:38,799 But because after they cleaned them, they saw that There was some 184 00:09:38,799 --> 00:09:45,719 tears, some rips in the things they were doing in the nets. 185 00:09:46,199 --> 00:09:46,919 They couldn't. 186 00:09:47,159 --> 00:09:51,609 They're all clean now, but there's holes in the net, so they 187 00:09:51,609 --> 00:09:52,449 had to mend them. 188 00:09:53,009 --> 00:09:55,489 And they had to do this on a pretty regular basis. 189 00:09:55,649 --> 00:09:56,289 You agree? 190 00:09:56,849 --> 00:10:00,449 If they caught anything, if they kept throwing those nets, you 191 00:10:00,449 --> 00:10:01,089 never know. 192 00:10:01,969 --> 00:10:05,649 I remember when my little kid, my grandfather, took me fishing and 193 00:10:06,369 --> 00:10:07,489 I caught an eel. 194 00:10:08,449 --> 00:10:10,529 You ever seen an eel or heard of an eel? 195 00:10:12,769 --> 00:10:13,409 Not good. 196 00:10:15,419 --> 00:10:16,699 They remind me of snakes. 197 00:10:18,059 --> 00:10:19,739 And I hate all snakes. 198 00:10:19,739 --> 00:10:25,979 Dead and alive, okay, but I just dropped the pole and ran. 199 00:10:26,139 --> 00:10:32,699 I was just a little kid, 21, maybe 22, but I dropped it and ran. 200 00:10:33,339 --> 00:10:34,099 I didn't want it. 201 00:10:34,099 --> 00:10:37,539 And so finally Granddad talked me into putting another line out, 202 00:10:37,539 --> 00:10:38,059 and I did. 203 00:10:38,059 --> 00:10:41,219 And something hit it and I didn't even wait to see what it was. 204 00:10:41,219 --> 00:10:42,969 I dropped it and ran again. 205 00:10:43,769 --> 00:10:47,369 Granddad pulled it up and it was a boot, an old boot on the bottom 206 00:10:47,529 --> 00:10:48,729 that had pulled up. 207 00:10:48,729 --> 00:10:51,729 But I didn't want to mess around with anything that wasn't 208 00:10:51,729 --> 00:10:52,249 a fish. 209 00:10:54,009 --> 00:10:59,689 Well, these fishermen had to do this on a regular basis. 210 00:11:00,249 --> 00:11:05,089 They first clean them, then they mend them, then they let them 211 00:11:05,089 --> 00:11:10,459 dry in the sun, and then they'd cast him out again and it 212 00:11:10,459 --> 00:11:12,099 would go round and round. 213 00:11:13,619 --> 00:11:14,179 So what? 214 00:11:15,619 --> 00:11:17,779 Jesus walked the streets of his day. 215 00:11:18,339 --> 00:11:22,019 I've walked on some of those streets where Jesus walked. 216 00:11:23,138 --> 00:11:25,699 He walked to the synagogue regularly. 217 00:11:26,339 --> 00:11:28,819 He walked to special places to pray. 218 00:11:28,899 --> 00:11:30,819 Do you have a special place to pray? 219 00:11:31,459 --> 00:11:32,419 Jesus did. 220 00:11:32,579 --> 00:11:36,369 There was a certain place that he went up on the mountain alone 221 00:11:36,929 --> 00:11:37,649 to pray. 222 00:11:38,849 --> 00:11:40,689 He walked in and out of homes. 223 00:11:42,369 --> 00:11:47,729 It's interesting, in Mark 2, the Bible says it was noised that 224 00:11:47,729 --> 00:11:49,249 Jesus was in the house. 225 00:11:50,769 --> 00:11:52,289 I think it was Peter's house. 226 00:11:54,209 --> 00:11:55,169 Wouldn't it be something? 227 00:11:55,169 --> 00:11:57,489 Would Jesus come to the house, to your house? 228 00:11:58,689 --> 00:12:00,049 Hopefully he lives there. 229 00:12:01,019 --> 00:12:02,219 He's already at your house. 230 00:12:04,379 --> 00:12:06,859 But Jesus would walk in and out of homes. 231 00:12:08,539 --> 00:12:13,579 Most of us love to imagine Jesus walking on the seashore. 232 00:12:13,979 --> 00:12:15,099 He did that often. 233 00:12:15,979 --> 00:12:17,339 He must have liked that. 234 00:12:17,419 --> 00:12:21,659 The sea in the Bible is always a picture of humanity, the world 235 00:12:22,619 --> 00:12:24,539 restless and lost humanity. 236 00:12:25,339 --> 00:12:27,739 And when he began to gather his disciples, he. 237 00:12:28,019 --> 00:12:34,339 He said to them, follow me and I will make you fishers of men. 238 00:12:34,579 --> 00:12:37,219 You do the following, I'll do the making. 239 00:12:38,099 --> 00:12:38,979 Did you hear that? 240 00:12:42,019 --> 00:12:43,379 He didn't say, sit down. 241 00:12:44,339 --> 00:12:50,339 He said, follow me and I'll make you fishers of men. 242 00:12:51,859 --> 00:12:54,019 Let me tighten the laces a little bit. 243 00:12:55,289 --> 00:12:59,929 When we're following Jesus, truly following, walking with Jesus, 244 00:13:00,649 --> 00:13:04,449 you're gonna have opportunities And Jesus said, I'll 245 00:13:04,449 --> 00:13:05,409 take care of that part. 246 00:13:05,409 --> 00:13:09,689 I'll make you a fisher of men if you'll stay close to me and follow 247 00:13:09,689 --> 00:13:10,089 me. 248 00:13:10,889 --> 00:13:12,489 Remember the prodigal son story? 249 00:13:12,489 --> 00:13:14,009 I never get tired of that story. 250 00:13:14,649 --> 00:13:17,849 The prodigal son said to his father, give me. 251 00:13:18,969 --> 00:13:23,009 But when he came home, he said, make me. 252 00:13:24,289 --> 00:13:25,849 Make me as one of thy hired servants. 253 00:13:25,849 --> 00:13:27,089 You don't have to give me a dime. 254 00:13:27,809 --> 00:13:29,009 Just let me serve. 255 00:13:29,409 --> 00:13:30,689 Big change in his life. 256 00:13:31,409 --> 00:13:36,608 There was a big change in the life of these disciples who had been 257 00:13:36,608 --> 00:13:38,129 fishing and fishing and fishing. 258 00:13:38,769 --> 00:13:43,009 And Jesus said, follow me, and I'll make you fishers of men. 259 00:13:44,049 --> 00:13:48,719 The primary purpose of the Christian life as we know is to glorify 260 00:13:48,719 --> 00:13:49,119 God. 261 00:13:50,399 --> 00:13:56,119 Not only in this building, but outside this building, in the world. 262 00:13:56,119 --> 00:13:58,959 Be in the world, but not of the world. 263 00:13:59,519 --> 00:14:01,119 Let your light so shine. 264 00:14:01,599 --> 00:14:03,199 We don't need to shine it in here. 265 00:14:03,199 --> 00:14:04,039 Nothing wrong with it. 266 00:14:04,039 --> 00:14:06,799 But most everybody lets their light shine at church. 267 00:14:07,359 --> 00:14:11,359 And then when they go out, they flip the switch and turn the 268 00:14:11,359 --> 00:14:12,559 light out till next service. 269 00:14:16,599 --> 00:14:18,519 Jesus said, you're the salt of the earth. 270 00:14:19,399 --> 00:14:23,079 Well, if we don't go out there and spread the salt around, what's 271 00:14:23,079 --> 00:14:23,559 going to happen? 272 00:14:23,559 --> 00:14:27,239 The nation's going to rot and die. 273 00:14:27,479 --> 00:14:28,638 That's what salt does. 274 00:14:28,638 --> 00:14:29,639 It preserves. 275 00:14:29,879 --> 00:14:31,159 Among many other things. 276 00:14:31,159 --> 00:14:31,719 It does. 277 00:14:33,319 --> 00:14:37,679 But most churches that I've been in, they keep all the salt stacked 278 00:14:37,679 --> 00:14:38,519 up in the church. 279 00:14:40,069 --> 00:14:42,469 They don't do a lot of spreading of the salt. 280 00:14:44,629 --> 00:14:47,669 And then we wonder why our world is in the shape it's in. 281 00:14:47,829 --> 00:14:53,189 We like to blame the liberals and the devil and everybody else. 282 00:14:54,069 --> 00:14:57,269 Well, I haven't heard too many say, well, it's our fault. 283 00:14:58,309 --> 00:14:59,909 We haven't put out enough salt. 284 00:14:59,909 --> 00:15:00,949 We've hidden our light. 285 00:15:01,909 --> 00:15:03,909 We've become secret Christians. 286 00:15:06,879 --> 00:15:13,599 We're to be in the world, to be convincing, compelling, consistent 287 00:15:14,479 --> 00:15:16,559 representatives of Jesus Christ. 288 00:15:17,679 --> 00:15:25,639 And as we do that, they see in us Christ less of us and more of 289 00:15:25,639 --> 00:15:25,919 him. 290 00:15:27,519 --> 00:15:28,159 Amen. 291 00:15:30,169 --> 00:15:32,849 I think we have a hard time winning people to Christ because 292 00:15:32,849 --> 00:15:36,569 they're just seeing too much of us and not of Christ. 293 00:15:37,769 --> 00:15:39,169 You say, well, I'm trying. 294 00:15:39,169 --> 00:15:40,489 I want to be like Jesus. 295 00:15:41,049 --> 00:15:44,569 Well, it was Tozer that said, nearness is likeness. 296 00:15:46,169 --> 00:15:46,809 Same thing. 297 00:15:46,809 --> 00:15:52,849 The nearer you are to Christ, the more like him you will be and 298 00:15:52,849 --> 00:15:55,129 the more like him you are. 299 00:15:56,179 --> 00:16:01,459 People out there in the world will see more of Christ instead of 300 00:16:01,459 --> 00:16:01,779 us. 301 00:16:02,899 --> 00:16:03,539 You agree? 302 00:16:04,819 --> 00:16:05,779 More of Jesus. 303 00:16:06,499 --> 00:16:09,859 Most people just see too much of us. 304 00:16:11,859 --> 00:16:18,499 John the Baptist said, he must increase and I must decrease. 305 00:16:22,349 --> 00:16:24,669 What in your life is most like Jesus? 306 00:16:25,229 --> 00:16:26,829 We don't imitate Jesus. 307 00:16:28,429 --> 00:16:35,869 That's religion trying to imitate follow Jesus, but to be with 308 00:16:35,869 --> 00:16:39,229 Jesus and let Jesus live in us and through us. 309 00:16:39,229 --> 00:16:39,989 That's the key. 310 00:16:39,989 --> 00:16:41,429 Let Jesus live through you. 311 00:16:41,429 --> 00:16:42,909 I'm crucified with Christ. 312 00:16:42,909 --> 00:16:49,879 Nevertheless, I live yet not I, but Christ liveth in me. 313 00:16:53,559 --> 00:16:56,119 Little Johnny got saved in children's church. 314 00:16:57,479 --> 00:17:01,799 He ran home, had lunch, and he went outside to meet his neighbor, 315 00:17:01,799 --> 00:17:06,359 his friend, a little girl named Susie. 316 00:17:06,359 --> 00:17:09,319 And she was a little bit of a smarty. 317 00:17:12,529 --> 00:17:17,089 And little Johnny said to Susie, guess what? 318 00:17:17,569 --> 00:17:18,529 She goes, what? 319 00:17:20,289 --> 00:17:21,969 He said, I got saved today. 320 00:17:22,689 --> 00:17:23,649 She goes, what? 321 00:17:24,449 --> 00:17:26,849 He said, yeah, Jesus is living in me. 322 00:17:27,649 --> 00:17:30,769 The little girl put her hands on her hip and says, oh, yeah? 323 00:17:31,089 --> 00:17:31,809 Show me. 324 00:17:34,689 --> 00:17:35,689 How can you show? 325 00:17:35,689 --> 00:17:37,329 Jesus is inside of you. 326 00:17:37,899 --> 00:17:39,579 People can't see inside of you. 327 00:17:40,299 --> 00:17:42,219 They can only see outside of you. 328 00:17:43,339 --> 00:17:48,459 Christ in us and coming out of us and speaking out of our mouth 329 00:17:48,459 --> 00:17:51,499 and looking out of our eyes and listening out of our ears. 330 00:17:51,659 --> 00:17:53,419 Sounds a little fanatical, doesn't it? 331 00:17:54,779 --> 00:17:58,859 In fact, so many Christians today, if you find one that really 332 00:17:58,859 --> 00:18:01,579 living the way I'm talking about, that we all shouldn't have, 333 00:18:01,579 --> 00:18:02,619 myself included. 334 00:18:03,509 --> 00:18:05,749 We often think somebody like that's a nut. 335 00:18:07,429 --> 00:18:10,589 Talks about Jesus right out in public, in the middle of God and 336 00:18:10,589 --> 00:18:11,109 everybody. 337 00:18:16,309 --> 00:18:21,349 Most people today have heard about Jesus, at least in our country, 338 00:18:23,189 --> 00:18:25,589 but very few people have seen Jesus. 339 00:18:28,719 --> 00:18:32,239 You see what a net is to a fisherman? 340 00:18:33,279 --> 00:18:36,639 That's what our testimony is to a Christian. 341 00:18:39,519 --> 00:18:40,759 Listen, get this. 342 00:18:40,759 --> 00:18:42,079 If you don't get anything else. 343 00:18:42,639 --> 00:18:45,199 Reputation is what people think of you. 344 00:18:47,119 --> 00:18:47,839 Am I right? 345 00:18:47,839 --> 00:18:48,759 That's what people think. 346 00:18:48,759 --> 00:18:49,679 You have a reputation. 347 00:18:49,679 --> 00:18:50,879 Oh, yeah, I've heard about you. 348 00:18:51,759 --> 00:18:52,719 I've watched you. 349 00:18:52,879 --> 00:18:54,239 You don't know me, but I know you. 350 00:18:54,239 --> 00:18:54,879 I've seen you. 351 00:18:55,349 --> 00:18:55,909 Reputation. 352 00:18:57,749 --> 00:18:59,149 And we got to be balanced. 353 00:18:59,149 --> 00:19:01,629 We got to be careful that we say, I don't care what people think 354 00:19:01,629 --> 00:19:02,309 about me. 355 00:19:02,309 --> 00:19:03,589 God knows me. 356 00:19:04,229 --> 00:19:07,709 Well, we ought to think a little bit about it because we're 357 00:19:07,709 --> 00:19:13,589 to represent Christ and we want to have a good reputation. 358 00:19:14,549 --> 00:19:23,839 Reputation is what people think about you, but testimony is 359 00:19:23,839 --> 00:19:27,039 what other people think about Jesus because of you. 360 00:19:28,479 --> 00:19:29,759 I'm gonna say that one more time. 361 00:19:29,759 --> 00:19:30,479 It's very important. 362 00:19:31,199 --> 00:19:33,799 And you could turn me off after this if you don't want to listen 363 00:19:33,799 --> 00:19:34,359 anymore. 364 00:19:34,359 --> 00:19:40,519 Okay, your reputation is what people think about you, but your 365 00:19:40,519 --> 00:19:46,019 testimony is what people think about Jesus because. 366 00:19:46,169 --> 00:19:49,609 Because of you, you're a Christian, a little Christ. 367 00:19:49,769 --> 00:19:56,489 That's what Christian meant, Reputation. 368 00:19:57,849 --> 00:20:06,249 And your testimony, just as a fish would get tangled up and caught 369 00:20:06,329 --> 00:20:14,469 in a net, unsaved People ought to get tangled up in our love for 370 00:20:14,469 --> 00:20:18,429 them and the love of Christ going through us. 371 00:20:19,069 --> 00:20:23,229 People ought to meet us and say that person told me something 372 00:20:23,229 --> 00:20:28,109 and I can't get out of my mind about Jesus died for me. 373 00:20:29,069 --> 00:20:30,349 And they get tangled up. 374 00:20:31,309 --> 00:20:32,389 They don't understand it. 375 00:20:32,389 --> 00:20:34,589 They haven't been explained yet, all the gospel. 376 00:20:35,069 --> 00:20:40,609 Maybe they're not ready yet, but they've gotten tangled up in 377 00:20:40,609 --> 00:20:41,169 your net. 378 00:20:45,969 --> 00:20:51,409 But what if the net has a hole in it and they get tangled up for 379 00:20:51,409 --> 00:20:56,809 a little while but then phew, they escape through the hole in the 380 00:20:56,809 --> 00:20:57,089 net. 381 00:20:57,329 --> 00:20:58,089 What is the net? 382 00:20:58,089 --> 00:21:01,169 I told you a while ago, it's your and mine testimony. 383 00:21:03,009 --> 00:21:03,929 Our testimony. 384 00:21:03,929 --> 00:21:06,879 Our representing Christ, Christ in us. 385 00:21:06,959 --> 00:21:11,359 And we throw out the net of our life as a Christian. 386 00:21:13,439 --> 00:21:17,599 But if there's a hole in it, we cast the net in vain. 387 00:21:19,519 --> 00:21:23,239 In one verse they're mending, in another they're washing. 388 00:21:23,239 --> 00:21:27,679 But it takes both too many holes in our testimony. 389 00:21:28,959 --> 00:21:33,689 God can't use a net that's got holes in it. 390 00:21:35,849 --> 00:21:39,289 He can't use a dirty net that's got all kinds of the world 391 00:21:39,369 --> 00:21:41,689 and junk and debris and trash. 392 00:21:44,009 --> 00:21:47,929 Washing their nets actually meant more of separating the trash 393 00:21:47,929 --> 00:21:49,289 and debris from them. 394 00:21:50,249 --> 00:21:56,849 That is what caused the holes so they could clean them and mend 395 00:21:56,849 --> 00:22:00,649 them and then lay them out in the sun. 396 00:22:02,169 --> 00:22:09,329 S O n I know they laid them out in the sun to dry, but when our 397 00:22:09,329 --> 00:22:16,009 nets are laid out in the sunlight of Jesus Christ, it makes 398 00:22:16,009 --> 00:22:21,129 the nets dry and bleaches them white and they're attractive. 399 00:22:22,569 --> 00:22:23,929 But then they cast them. 400 00:22:24,979 --> 00:22:26,499 Get that in your head in mind. 401 00:22:27,139 --> 00:22:33,139 Clean them, mend them, lay them out and then cast them again. 402 00:22:35,459 --> 00:22:40,179 Every Christian, if he's truly born again, cares about the lost. 403 00:22:41,299 --> 00:22:45,019 We don't always do much about it, but it'd be hard pressed for 404 00:22:45,019 --> 00:22:47,819 me somebody to say, you know, I know I'm a born again believer. 405 00:22:47,819 --> 00:22:50,099 I was there when it happened and I love Jesus. 406 00:22:51,059 --> 00:22:51,619 I love him. 407 00:22:51,619 --> 00:22:53,419 But I don't care about everybody else. 408 00:22:53,419 --> 00:22:54,419 They can go to hell. 409 00:22:55,859 --> 00:22:59,579 Something wrong with that person's salvation to not care. 410 00:22:59,579 --> 00:23:02,579 It's one thing to not go and not say anything, that's another 411 00:23:02,579 --> 00:23:03,219 sermon. 412 00:23:04,259 --> 00:23:05,939 But I think every truly born again. 413 00:23:05,939 --> 00:23:10,859 You know, when I wasn't saved hardly 3 or 4 minutes as a 14 year 414 00:23:10,859 --> 00:23:15,459 old boy that I ran home as fast as I could to tell my parents 415 00:23:15,459 --> 00:23:17,139 because I wanted them to get saved too. 416 00:23:18,489 --> 00:23:19,209 They were home. 417 00:23:22,009 --> 00:23:23,369 That was on a Saturday night. 418 00:23:23,369 --> 00:23:28,449 I went Sunday and then Monday I went to high school and led my 419 00:23:28,449 --> 00:23:30,969 best friend to Christ sitting on the Gym floor. 420 00:23:33,209 --> 00:23:35,289 I didn't know anything about leading people to Christ. 421 00:23:35,289 --> 00:23:37,929 I just said, I'm going to tell you what happened to me. 422 00:23:37,929 --> 00:23:39,689 His name was Rick, Rick Johnson. 423 00:23:39,849 --> 00:23:41,289 I said, rick, you got a minute? 424 00:23:41,289 --> 00:23:42,089 I want to tell you something. 425 00:23:42,489 --> 00:23:43,369 Yeah, go ahead. 426 00:23:44,899 --> 00:23:49,459 And I told him he came to church the next week and got saved, 427 00:23:50,739 --> 00:23:51,619 got baptized. 428 00:23:51,859 --> 00:23:55,219 Him and I would sing together in church as teenagers. 429 00:23:58,099 --> 00:24:02,899 But every Christian, if he's truly saved, I wish he didn't have 430 00:24:02,899 --> 00:24:03,859 to use that term. 431 00:24:04,659 --> 00:24:06,019 I wish it didn't exist. 432 00:24:06,659 --> 00:24:09,499 Some people profess to be saved, but they're not. 433 00:24:09,499 --> 00:24:10,539 I wish that wasn't true. 434 00:24:10,539 --> 00:24:16,729 But Jesus said, not everyone that calls me Lord, Lord shall intervene. 435 00:24:19,449 --> 00:24:21,729 I wouldn't try to make you doubt your salvation. 436 00:24:21,729 --> 00:24:23,529 But it might not be a bad thing to do. 437 00:24:23,529 --> 00:24:27,208 If somebody can talk you in that you're not saved, maybe you're 438 00:24:27,208 --> 00:24:27,689 not saved. 439 00:24:27,689 --> 00:24:28,329 I don't know. 440 00:24:29,449 --> 00:24:33,409 Am I making sense when I say that I don't know who's saved and 441 00:24:33,409 --> 00:24:33,849 who isn't? 442 00:24:33,849 --> 00:24:34,809 That's not my job. 443 00:24:34,969 --> 00:24:35,729 I don't think that. 444 00:24:35,729 --> 00:24:36,969 I don't want that job. 445 00:24:39,239 --> 00:24:40,519 I don't want to do that. 446 00:24:41,959 --> 00:24:46,959 But if somebody's truly saved, truly born again, old things have 447 00:24:46,959 --> 00:24:47,519 passed away. 448 00:24:47,519 --> 00:24:48,679 Behold all things new. 449 00:24:48,679 --> 00:24:50,439 Repentance means a change of mind. 450 00:24:50,679 --> 00:24:55,039 I've changed my mind about God and about heaven and hell and about 451 00:24:55,039 --> 00:24:55,399 people. 452 00:24:57,239 --> 00:24:57,959 It was me. 453 00:24:57,959 --> 00:24:59,799 Oh Lord, I was a sinner. 454 00:24:59,959 --> 00:25:02,919 I rebelled, I was selfish, I was self righteous. 455 00:25:04,149 --> 00:25:06,069 God have mercy and save me. 456 00:25:06,549 --> 00:25:06,989 That's. 457 00:25:06,989 --> 00:25:09,749 Repentance means change of mind. 458 00:25:10,949 --> 00:25:14,269 Before I was saved, I didn't ever think one time about somebody's 459 00:25:14,269 --> 00:25:17,469 eternal destiny, their soul, where they were gonna go. 460 00:25:17,469 --> 00:25:19,189 And it never even crossed my mind. 461 00:25:20,229 --> 00:25:23,909 But after I got saved, I'd go different places I'd go, I wonder 462 00:25:23,909 --> 00:25:27,909 if they're saved, all these people, man, can you imagine if all 463 00:25:27,909 --> 00:25:29,509 these people could hear the gospel? 464 00:25:30,209 --> 00:25:31,809 Didn't you have some thoughts like that? 465 00:25:36,609 --> 00:25:37,489 Our nets. 466 00:25:41,489 --> 00:25:45,768 Life is wasted if it doesn't touch others. 467 00:25:45,768 --> 00:25:54,929 For Christ in Philippians chapter number two, if you'll turn 468 00:25:54,929 --> 00:25:55,649 there with me. 469 00:26:01,009 --> 00:26:03,849 And just past Philippians, we'll come back to Philippians. 470 00:26:03,849 --> 00:26:05,409 But Colossians, interesting. 471 00:26:05,569 --> 00:26:08,449 In Colossians chapter four, verse five and six. 472 00:26:08,449 --> 00:26:09,169 Are you there? 473 00:26:10,449 --> 00:26:14,209 I try to get practice following the passages. 474 00:26:16,769 --> 00:26:20,209 I like the screens and the scripture and the music and I don't 475 00:26:20,209 --> 00:26:21,169 have a problem with that. 476 00:26:22,289 --> 00:26:25,329 But I am seeing less and less people bring their bible to church, 477 00:26:25,809 --> 00:26:27,129 say, why do I need my Bible for? 478 00:26:27,129 --> 00:26:28,529 They put the verses up there. 479 00:26:28,689 --> 00:26:29,849 Well, what about the verses? 480 00:26:29,849 --> 00:26:30,849 That's not up there. 481 00:26:36,689 --> 00:26:39,809 In Colossians chapter 4 and verse 5. 482 00:26:39,809 --> 00:26:47,579 It says, Walk in wisdom toward them that are what without, outside 483 00:26:47,659 --> 00:26:48,859 the family of God. 484 00:26:49,659 --> 00:26:50,059 Outside. 485 00:26:51,339 --> 00:26:52,779 They're on the outside looking in. 486 00:26:52,779 --> 00:26:54,299 We're on the inside looking out. 487 00:26:55,579 --> 00:27:00,539 Walk in wisdom toward, not away, toward them that are without 488 00:27:00,699 --> 00:27:01,699 redeeming the time. 489 00:27:01,699 --> 00:27:06,459 And notice, it says in verse six, and let your speech be always 490 00:27:06,539 --> 00:27:13,819 with grace seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to 491 00:27:13,819 --> 00:27:18,089 answer every man walking toward those without. 492 00:27:20,569 --> 00:27:22,809 I'm just reading straight out of the Bible. 493 00:27:24,569 --> 00:27:25,929 Let your light so shine. 494 00:27:25,929 --> 00:27:27,529 You know something, Brother Cox? 495 00:27:27,609 --> 00:27:30,329 You may have already known this, but I didn't realize this. 496 00:27:30,329 --> 00:27:34,609 I did a little study on the Olympics back when Paul was talking 497 00:27:34,609 --> 00:27:36,649 about the Olympics and the Games and stuff. 498 00:27:36,649 --> 00:27:40,249 He was living at that time, and that was a very big deal. 499 00:27:41,299 --> 00:27:44,179 And we heard about those runners that would hold the torch 500 00:27:44,179 --> 00:27:44,419 up. 501 00:27:44,419 --> 00:27:48,739 The Olympics do that as a symbol of the old Olympics. 502 00:27:49,139 --> 00:27:53,299 But actually, in those days, the runners would be in a race. 503 00:27:53,619 --> 00:27:55,059 And it wasn't just one guy. 504 00:27:55,059 --> 00:27:55,419 It was. 505 00:27:55,419 --> 00:27:57,059 Everyone had their own torch. 506 00:27:58,339 --> 00:28:00,259 But here's what I didn't realize. 507 00:28:02,099 --> 00:28:09,139 If they got there first and won but the torch was blown out because 508 00:28:09,139 --> 00:28:14,259 they were running through a windstorm or a rain, they were disqualified. 509 00:28:16,339 --> 00:28:21,219 You had to be first with your torch still burning. 510 00:28:22,339 --> 00:28:23,219 How about that? 511 00:28:24,739 --> 00:28:29,699 Jesus said, let your light so shine with a run, with a hurry. 512 00:28:31,299 --> 00:28:36,109 I wonder what difference it would make if we hurried more about 513 00:28:36,109 --> 00:28:37,069 winning the lost. 514 00:28:38,429 --> 00:28:39,629 We hurried to the hospital. 515 00:28:40,669 --> 00:28:42,509 We hurried to the grocery store. 516 00:28:43,309 --> 00:28:45,389 We hurry to get the tire fixed. 517 00:28:47,869 --> 00:28:52,349 How many of us hurry to share the Gospel? 518 00:28:54,589 --> 00:28:57,629 It seemed like we kind of go in slow motion when it goes to that. 519 00:29:01,319 --> 00:29:02,439 We're running with the light. 520 00:29:03,319 --> 00:29:07,679 But if we're not careful, we can run and run and run and run and 521 00:29:07,679 --> 00:29:10,359 run and look down and realize our light's gone out. 522 00:29:11,879 --> 00:29:14,119 Jesus said, I am the light of the world. 523 00:29:14,119 --> 00:29:16,679 But then later he said, now you're the light of the world. 524 00:29:17,879 --> 00:29:22,519 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works. 525 00:29:25,409 --> 00:29:29,009 If we're not winning souls, we're losing souls. 526 00:29:33,329 --> 00:29:35,169 We need to inspect our nets. 527 00:29:36,369 --> 00:29:38,009 What makes our nets useless? 528 00:29:38,009 --> 00:29:38,929 What damages them? 529 00:29:38,929 --> 00:29:39,889 What tears them? 530 00:29:41,009 --> 00:29:46,609 What makes holes in our nets that souls can possibly slip through 531 00:29:48,369 --> 00:29:49,249 into hell? 532 00:29:50,779 --> 00:29:53,499 Well, I can give you a few. 533 00:29:53,499 --> 00:29:56,859 I'm sure you could probably add some that I hadn't even thought 534 00:29:56,859 --> 00:29:57,179 about. 535 00:30:02,939 --> 00:30:07,659 But I think sometimes a negative spirit can cause a tear 536 00:30:09,259 --> 00:30:10,059 in our net. 537 00:30:11,339 --> 00:30:12,659 How we approach people. 538 00:30:12,659 --> 00:30:16,619 And if we are negative, why aren't you saved? 539 00:30:17,319 --> 00:30:18,239 What's the matter with you? 540 00:30:18,239 --> 00:30:19,879 Don't you know you're on Your way to hell. 541 00:30:22,119 --> 00:30:24,999 I know none of you would approach somebody like that, but 542 00:30:24,999 --> 00:30:28,279 I've been out door knocking with preachers that that was their 543 00:30:28,279 --> 00:30:28,599 approach. 544 00:30:29,639 --> 00:30:31,559 It's almost like they were ready to attack. 545 00:30:33,239 --> 00:30:37,919 I've seen men look through the window and see the preacher coming 546 00:30:37,919 --> 00:30:40,079 and run out the back door as fast as they could. 547 00:30:40,079 --> 00:30:41,639 And I could hear the door slam. 548 00:30:47,809 --> 00:30:52,849 I beseech verse chapter four, or excuse me, chapter two of Philippians, 549 00:30:52,849 --> 00:30:53,569 if you're there. 550 00:30:55,329 --> 00:30:56,449 Verse number two. 551 00:30:56,929 --> 00:31:03,089 Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be like minded having the same love, 552 00:31:03,729 --> 00:31:06,969 being of one accord, of one mind. 553 00:31:06,969 --> 00:31:12,419 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, but in lowliness 554 00:31:12,419 --> 00:31:16,299 of mind that each esteem other better than themselves. 555 00:31:17,979 --> 00:31:21,659 Can you imagine Jesus with a negative critical spirit? 556 00:31:23,259 --> 00:31:25,499 Ah, I can't stand this hot weather. 557 00:31:26,459 --> 00:31:28,739 Ah, so dirty out here. 558 00:31:28,739 --> 00:31:31,099 Here I am, I gotta go to this house and that house. 559 00:31:32,379 --> 00:31:34,299 I can't picture Jesus that way. 560 00:31:36,469 --> 00:31:39,629 I wonder if we as Christians would stop complaining so much to 561 00:31:39,629 --> 00:31:45,789 lost people if it would matter if people might say, how come you're 562 00:31:45,789 --> 00:31:47,589 not upset like everybody else? 563 00:31:50,949 --> 00:31:53,789 It's not easy to not be upset like everybody else. 564 00:31:53,789 --> 00:31:54,709 It takes faith. 565 00:31:55,589 --> 00:32:00,069 The Bible says end everything, give thanks. 566 00:32:01,509 --> 00:32:06,549 That is not easy to do in it, not for it, but in it. 567 00:32:06,549 --> 00:32:09,749 In the middle of tragedy and disappointment. 568 00:32:11,109 --> 00:32:18,389 Discouragement to be thankful and to let people see a different 569 00:32:18,389 --> 00:32:19,189 side of things. 570 00:32:19,749 --> 00:32:27,179 A real Christian in high school, my son Jason, he, he was 571 00:32:27,179 --> 00:32:30,099 senior and he had a good testimony. 572 00:32:30,899 --> 00:32:34,499 His teacher called him in one day, said, jason, you got a minute? 573 00:32:34,579 --> 00:32:35,179 Yes, ma'. 574 00:32:35,179 --> 00:32:35,379 Am. 575 00:32:37,379 --> 00:32:39,299 She said, you're a Christian, aren't you Jason? 576 00:32:42,338 --> 00:32:43,939 Jason said, yes I am. 577 00:32:44,579 --> 00:32:45,579 She said, no you don't. 578 00:32:45,579 --> 00:32:46,299 I don't think you get it. 579 00:32:46,299 --> 00:32:47,619 I mean, you're a real Christian. 580 00:32:51,539 --> 00:32:54,659 Why would somebody say you're a real Christian? 581 00:32:55,219 --> 00:32:58,739 Could it be that sometimes people think we're not real? 582 00:33:00,259 --> 00:33:03,579 We're one way one day, but we're different another day and then 583 00:33:03,579 --> 00:33:05,779 the day after that we're different again. 584 00:33:07,779 --> 00:33:13,419 Joy is one of the evidences of a spirit filled Christian love is 585 00:33:13,419 --> 00:33:13,939 evident. 586 00:33:14,019 --> 00:33:16,499 Luke, chapter, I mean First Corinthians, chapter 13. 587 00:33:17,859 --> 00:33:24,019 He mentions these having a negative spirit in verse 5. 588 00:33:24,019 --> 00:33:28,619 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, verse 7. 589 00:33:28,619 --> 00:33:33,259 Made Himself no reputation, took upon him the form of a servant. 590 00:33:35,179 --> 00:33:41,379 Listen, I'm preaching to myself tonight and you're listening 591 00:33:41,379 --> 00:33:47,059 maybe on the side, but if we daily walk with God in his word, 592 00:33:47,059 --> 00:33:48,299 that's the only way you can do it. 593 00:33:48,299 --> 00:33:50,979 Somebody can't say, I don't have time for the Bible, but I'm 594 00:33:50,979 --> 00:33:52,539 walking with Jesus every day. 595 00:33:52,619 --> 00:33:56,579 No, you're not walking with Jesus every day because Jesus doesn't 596 00:33:56,579 --> 00:33:57,899 speak in audible voices. 597 00:33:57,979 --> 00:33:59,499 He speaks through this book. 598 00:34:00,459 --> 00:34:01,899 He speaks through the Bible. 599 00:34:02,059 --> 00:34:05,819 You read the Bible and say that's God's word, that's Jesus speaking. 600 00:34:09,339 --> 00:34:13,989 But if you and I are daily walking in his word, you will not 601 00:34:13,989 --> 00:34:15,709 have to make yourself witness. 602 00:34:20,589 --> 00:34:26,109 It'll show they took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus. 603 00:34:30,269 --> 00:34:33,629 Out of your lips, your expressions, your actions, your reactions. 604 00:34:34,749 --> 00:34:36,469 And then what about selfishness? 605 00:34:36,469 --> 00:34:38,829 You think sometimes that can rip a hole in our net? 606 00:34:40,298 --> 00:34:41,658 Yeah, because it costs to share. 607 00:34:41,658 --> 00:34:49,778 It costs time and effort and uncomfortable situations to talk 608 00:34:49,778 --> 00:34:51,818 about Christ and to witness for Christ. 609 00:34:52,698 --> 00:34:58,218 And a lot of times we say, I just, I'd just rather go, I got to 610 00:34:58,218 --> 00:34:59,098 do something else. 611 00:35:00,298 --> 00:35:01,178 Selfishness. 612 00:35:06,069 --> 00:35:08,629 We're selfish by nature, but we have a new nature now. 613 00:35:12,949 --> 00:35:14,229 We always want to be right. 614 00:35:14,229 --> 00:35:17,829 We always don't want to admit we're selfish. 615 00:35:19,029 --> 00:35:21,589 Conversation between a six year old and a five year old. 616 00:35:21,749 --> 00:35:23,949 Oh, are you in Linda's room at school? 617 00:35:23,949 --> 00:35:25,669 He said, no, she's in my room. 618 00:35:28,549 --> 00:35:30,829 Everybody else is wrong, right? 619 00:35:34,909 --> 00:35:40,029 A cold wind was howling and a chilling rain was beating down when 620 00:35:40,029 --> 00:35:42,349 the telephone rang in the home of a doctor. 621 00:35:43,469 --> 00:35:48,189 The caller said that his wife needed urgent medical attention. 622 00:35:49,069 --> 00:35:49,789 Emergency. 623 00:35:50,909 --> 00:35:52,749 The doctor was understanding. 624 00:35:53,709 --> 00:35:58,119 He said, I'll be glad to come, but my car is broken down. 625 00:35:58,919 --> 00:36:00,279 Could you come and get me? 626 00:36:03,239 --> 00:36:06,079 After a pause, there was indignation at the other end of the 627 00:36:06,079 --> 00:36:07,479 phone with an angry voice. 628 00:36:07,639 --> 00:36:09,239 What, in this weather? 629 00:36:12,279 --> 00:36:15,239 He was thinking about inconvenience of himself. 630 00:36:15,239 --> 00:36:17,719 I want you to come and take care of my wife. 631 00:36:18,359 --> 00:36:20,759 But you don't expect me to come get you, do you? 632 00:36:24,049 --> 00:36:25,809 Sometimes that's kind of the way we are. 633 00:36:29,809 --> 00:36:31,049 Because we are Christians. 634 00:36:31,049 --> 00:36:33,089 The world need not cater to us. 635 00:36:33,169 --> 00:36:35,089 We are to be the caterers. 636 00:36:37,969 --> 00:36:45,209 How we are treated is not fun, but that's not important how we're 637 00:36:45,209 --> 00:36:45,729 treated. 638 00:36:46,779 --> 00:36:49,099 And by the way, next time somebody mistreats you. 639 00:36:49,819 --> 00:36:51,579 I didn't say if, I said when. 640 00:36:51,739 --> 00:36:52,779 When somebody else. 641 00:36:52,779 --> 00:36:53,699 Because you're going to get it. 642 00:36:53,699 --> 00:36:54,699 If you live for Christ. 643 00:36:56,059 --> 00:37:01,779 When that happens, remember you'll never be mistreated as much 644 00:37:01,779 --> 00:37:06,219 as Jesus was never. 645 00:37:10,859 --> 00:37:12,619 Paul talked about dying to self. 646 00:37:14,679 --> 00:37:17,959 If a grain of wheat fall into a ground, in a hole in the ground, 647 00:37:18,039 --> 00:37:19,319 it abideth alone. 648 00:37:20,439 --> 00:37:24,519 But if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. 649 00:37:26,599 --> 00:37:34,319 If we could die to self, we might be more fruitful in our sharing 650 00:37:34,319 --> 00:37:35,479 the gospel with other people. 651 00:37:35,559 --> 00:37:37,639 And we can't save anybody, can we? 652 00:37:38,529 --> 00:37:40,929 And Jesus didn't say, go out in the world and save everybody. 653 00:37:40,929 --> 00:37:43,009 He said, go out in the world and tell everybody. 654 00:37:45,009 --> 00:37:47,449 God's not gonna hold you accountable for people that didn't 655 00:37:47,449 --> 00:37:48,049 get saved. 656 00:37:48,289 --> 00:37:51,849 He's gonna hold us accountable for those that we tried or we didn't 657 00:37:51,849 --> 00:37:54,369 try, that we kept the gospel to ourself. 658 00:37:56,769 --> 00:37:59,169 There's been times that I failed miserably. 659 00:37:59,489 --> 00:38:02,289 I'd get in the car and think about it and start driving and say, 660 00:38:02,289 --> 00:38:06,569 man, I had a perfect opportunity to speak to that person 661 00:38:06,569 --> 00:38:08,449 about Christ, and I didn't do it. 662 00:38:09,249 --> 00:38:10,129 And it hurt. 663 00:38:11,329 --> 00:38:13,649 The Holy Spirit's in us and he convicts us. 664 00:38:14,129 --> 00:38:15,089 He'll tell us. 665 00:38:17,169 --> 00:38:19,889 Not in an audible voice, louder than that. 666 00:38:21,249 --> 00:38:27,569 He'll say, you could have told him a little bit more. 667 00:38:28,209 --> 00:38:29,329 He could have left a track. 668 00:38:30,299 --> 00:38:31,579 He could have invited them. 669 00:38:35,579 --> 00:38:38,699 The little boy returned home after his first Sunday school class. 670 00:38:38,779 --> 00:38:39,979 He'd never been there before. 671 00:38:41,259 --> 00:38:43,179 His mother asked him, who was your teacher? 672 00:38:43,979 --> 00:38:46,259 The little boy said, I don't remember her name, but she might 673 00:38:46,259 --> 00:38:49,459 have been Jesus Grandmother, because that's all she talked about, 674 00:38:49,459 --> 00:38:50,299 was Jesus. 675 00:38:54,219 --> 00:38:56,769 There was a little girl in our church in Victory. 676 00:38:56,769 --> 00:38:59,329 She's grown, married, has kids now. 677 00:39:00,529 --> 00:39:04,209 But as a little girl, her parents would, every Sunday would 678 00:39:04,209 --> 00:39:06,449 say, well, what'd you learn today? 679 00:39:06,449 --> 00:39:07,769 What did teacher teach about? 680 00:39:07,769 --> 00:39:09,849 And she was the cutest little girl. 681 00:39:09,849 --> 00:39:11,809 She'd say, jesus again. 682 00:39:13,889 --> 00:39:17,969 Jesus again and again and again. 683 00:39:19,089 --> 00:39:23,329 Would you ever be accused of talking too much about Jesus? 684 00:39:25,129 --> 00:39:27,489 And then there's the inconsistent Christian life. 685 00:39:27,489 --> 00:39:31,809 You know, we want to let our light shine, but sometimes it flashes 686 00:39:31,809 --> 00:39:37,689 on and off, on and off, on and off, blinking. 687 00:39:39,129 --> 00:39:42,169 And never has integrity been more scrutinized than today. 688 00:39:42,169 --> 00:39:43,089 And we need. 689 00:39:43,089 --> 00:39:43,609 I like. 690 00:39:43,929 --> 00:39:44,849 Do you like the word? 691 00:39:44,849 --> 00:39:47,769 We don't use it much, but I like the word authenticity. 692 00:39:48,649 --> 00:39:49,449 Authentic. 693 00:39:50,809 --> 00:39:55,009 Real people need to meet real Christians. 694 00:39:55,009 --> 00:39:55,609 Authentic. 695 00:39:55,609 --> 00:40:00,569 Not pretenders, not people that's been trained how to say it 696 00:40:00,569 --> 00:40:02,649 and when to say it and do this and do that. 697 00:40:03,129 --> 00:40:05,769 There's nothing wrong with learning how to be a better witness, 698 00:40:06,889 --> 00:40:08,649 but we need to be authentic. 699 00:40:09,689 --> 00:40:13,569 I remember talking to people about Christ when I was a new Christian. 700 00:40:13,569 --> 00:40:17,299 And I tell them right up front, I said, I'm just now learning 701 00:40:17,299 --> 00:40:20,979 the Bible and tell you the truth, I don't know a lot, but I 702 00:40:20,979 --> 00:40:22,099 can tell you what happened to me. 703 00:40:22,099 --> 00:40:23,459 I'm a little nervous right now. 704 00:40:24,179 --> 00:40:26,339 I'd actually tell people I'm a little nervous. 705 00:40:26,339 --> 00:40:29,619 But I'd like to tell you something, if you don't mind. 706 00:40:31,139 --> 00:40:32,579 And people are at ease. 707 00:40:33,379 --> 00:40:34,419 He's like me. 708 00:40:36,259 --> 00:40:38,899 It's not easy, but he's real. 709 00:40:40,179 --> 00:40:42,499 People respond to authenticity. 710 00:40:43,699 --> 00:40:44,739 They appreciate it. 711 00:40:46,579 --> 00:40:51,259 But sometimes we intimidate and we drive people away from Christ 712 00:40:51,259 --> 00:40:55,619 because we act like we got all the answers and you don't have anything 713 00:40:57,699 --> 00:40:59,459 holding forth the word of life. 714 00:40:59,939 --> 00:41:02,899 That doesn't mean carry your Bible and hold it up in the air everywhere 715 00:41:02,899 --> 00:41:03,299 you go. 716 00:41:04,259 --> 00:41:06,259 It means living out what you believe. 717 00:41:06,979 --> 00:41:10,429 Read the Bible, believe it, and then live it. 718 00:41:15,389 --> 00:41:16,869 We're talking about nets. 719 00:41:16,869 --> 00:41:17,349 Nets. 720 00:41:17,349 --> 00:41:22,229 And sometimes we need to just get them out, our testimony and our 721 00:41:22,229 --> 00:41:25,949 life, and get it cleaned up, get some of the junk and trash out 722 00:41:26,589 --> 00:41:31,589 and then wash them good and then mend them first. 723 00:41:31,589 --> 00:41:32,429 John 1:9. 724 00:41:33,959 --> 00:41:35,319 If we confess our sin. 725 00:41:38,679 --> 00:41:42,599 I'll close with this, but one day a woman was crossing a street 726 00:41:43,639 --> 00:41:46,199 in London station years ago. 727 00:41:47,639 --> 00:41:52,319 An old man stopped her and said, excuse me, ma', am, but I want 728 00:41:52,319 --> 00:41:52,919 to thank you. 729 00:41:52,999 --> 00:41:54,679 Just out of nowhere just came up. 730 00:41:54,679 --> 00:41:57,479 Excuse me, ma', am, just wanted to thank you. 731 00:41:58,279 --> 00:42:01,379 She looked up and exclaimed, exclaimed, thank me? 732 00:42:02,259 --> 00:42:03,419 He replied, yes, ma'. 733 00:42:03,419 --> 00:42:03,619 Am. 734 00:42:05,379 --> 00:42:06,099 Older man. 735 00:42:06,259 --> 00:42:08,819 He said, yeah, I used to be a ticket collector. 736 00:42:10,339 --> 00:42:13,739 And whenever you went by every day, you always gave me a cheerful 737 00:42:13,739 --> 00:42:16,179 smile and a good morning. 738 00:42:18,019 --> 00:42:22,099 And I knew that smile must come from inside somewhere. 739 00:42:23,619 --> 00:42:26,899 And then he said, one morning I noticed a little Bible in your 740 00:42:26,899 --> 00:42:27,219 hand. 741 00:42:28,499 --> 00:42:31,299 So I went down to the store and bought me one. 742 00:42:33,859 --> 00:42:36,899 And he said, I've come to know Christ as my Savior. 743 00:42:38,659 --> 00:42:40,739 You say, that's so what? 744 00:42:40,739 --> 00:42:41,379 Big deal. 745 00:42:42,179 --> 00:42:48,819 Sometimes a smile, sometimes a kindness, sometimes the littlest 746 00:42:48,819 --> 00:42:53,299 thing can at least make people open up and wonder about you and 747 00:42:55,149 --> 00:42:56,029 what makes you different. 748 00:42:57,069 --> 00:42:58,349 That's witnessing too. 749 00:43:00,429 --> 00:43:04,389 That's part of witnessing the way you approach, the way you leave 750 00:43:04,389 --> 00:43:08,629 a person leaving the door open, maybe to talk to them some 751 00:43:08,629 --> 00:43:12,269 more down the road instead of putting an X on them. 752 00:43:16,029 --> 00:43:18,109 That little lady's net was mended. 753 00:43:18,509 --> 00:43:19,949 She didn't have a hole in her net. 754 00:43:21,419 --> 00:43:22,459 Souls are at stake. 755 00:43:22,459 --> 00:43:25,099 Everyone you meet is a potential child of God. 756 00:43:26,539 --> 00:43:29,339 Or maybe just a few steps away from hell. 757 00:43:31,019 --> 00:43:33,059 Isn't that something to think about? 758 00:43:33,059 --> 00:43:34,699 It's not pleasant to think about. 759 00:43:35,978 --> 00:43:39,699 But you may have passed someone today at the store or checked 760 00:43:39,699 --> 00:43:43,979 out and that person could be in hell by midnight tonight. 761 00:43:47,029 --> 00:43:48,229 Say, well, it wasn't my fault. 762 00:43:48,309 --> 00:43:50,709 Well, maybe not. 763 00:43:50,709 --> 00:43:52,229 That's what I'm just trying to say. 764 00:43:52,229 --> 00:43:58,829 We need to be more soul conscious and get real and take some 765 00:43:58,829 --> 00:44:03,989 salt and light outside this building and take it out there tomorrow. 766 00:44:06,469 --> 00:44:08,949 Many are slipping away through holes in the net. 767 00:44:10,549 --> 00:44:12,229 People come into this church a lot. 768 00:44:12,229 --> 00:44:18,029 We had some first time visitors last Sunday, right In this 769 00:44:18,029 --> 00:44:21,589 auditorium, maybe sitting in the chair you're sitting now, or 770 00:44:21,589 --> 00:44:23,149 maybe in the row down, I don't know. 771 00:44:23,469 --> 00:44:29,069 Sit down and listening and may walk back out and never return. 772 00:44:31,069 --> 00:44:32,189 What happened to them? 773 00:44:33,229 --> 00:44:34,029 Who cares? 774 00:44:34,109 --> 00:44:34,829 I don't know. 775 00:44:37,709 --> 00:44:40,909 Maybe they got the impression from one person. 776 00:44:41,549 --> 00:44:41,869 Now. 777 00:44:41,869 --> 00:44:43,389 This isn't for me, this place. 778 00:44:44,029 --> 00:44:44,629 I don't know. 779 00:44:44,629 --> 00:44:46,429 I'm just asking you to think about it. 780 00:44:46,829 --> 00:44:48,509 I think about things like that. 781 00:44:53,149 --> 00:45:02,109 An Alaskan Airlines pilot was involved in investigation of a crash 782 00:45:03,229 --> 00:45:06,789 years ago, Alaska Flight 261. 783 00:45:07,989 --> 00:45:12,749 And he listened to the cockpit voice recorder from the downed plane, 784 00:45:12,749 --> 00:45:14,309 the black box that they found. 785 00:45:15,589 --> 00:45:19,269 And he reported that for the last nine minutes of that flight, 786 00:45:20,389 --> 00:45:28,149 the wife of a pastor from Monroe, Washington, you could hear 787 00:45:28,149 --> 00:45:33,719 her voice sharing the gospel with with passengers over the plane 788 00:45:33,719 --> 00:45:40,879 intercom system just before the final dive into the Pacific Ocean. 789 00:45:41,439 --> 00:45:46,519 She could actually be heard on that black box leading people in 790 00:45:46,519 --> 00:45:47,759 the center's prayer. 791 00:45:48,719 --> 00:45:51,039 Lord, I'm a sinner and can't save myself. 792 00:45:52,559 --> 00:45:53,079 Save me. 793 00:45:53,079 --> 00:45:54,239 I want to trust Christ. 794 00:45:56,879 --> 00:46:01,199 The pilot also reported that the flight data recorder from the 795 00:46:01,359 --> 00:46:06,639 plane indicate that there's no explanation for how the plane was 796 00:46:06,639 --> 00:46:08,959 able to stay in the air for nine minutes. 797 00:46:13,679 --> 00:46:17,239 It stayed in the air until that pastor's wife had a chance to 798 00:46:17,239 --> 00:46:22,559 share the gospel with the very attentive passengers. 799 00:46:23,679 --> 00:46:29,889 And who knows if some of them may have trusted Christ nine minutes 800 00:46:31,329 --> 00:46:33,649 before they went out into eternity. 801 00:46:34,609 --> 00:46:37,209 Most of us probably won't have that kind of opportunity. 802 00:46:37,209 --> 00:46:40,529 I hope we don't get a plane that's getting ready to crash. 803 00:46:41,969 --> 00:46:43,809 But what made that woman do that? 804 00:46:45,889 --> 00:46:49,369 In the midst of this tragedy, There were only 90. 805 00:46:49,369 --> 00:46:52,369 It was a small plane, only 90 passengers on board. 806 00:46:54,539 --> 00:46:58,459 But they had a chance to get right with their Maker. 807 00:46:59,819 --> 00:47:02,979 Let's stand with our heads bowed and eyes closed just for another 808 00:47:02,979 --> 00:47:03,819 moment or two. 809 00:47:06,139 --> 00:47:12,579 I know I covered a lot of ground tonight, but just think about 810 00:47:12,579 --> 00:47:18,539 you as a net, debris and trash that needs to get cleaned out nobody 811 00:47:18,539 --> 00:47:19,459 else even knows about. 812 00:47:20,929 --> 00:47:24,689 Could be a place, it could be a sin, it could be an attitude, it 813 00:47:24,689 --> 00:47:32,169 could be one of the thousands of things maybe your net needs mended. 814 00:47:32,169 --> 00:47:35,889 You've got it cleaned up, but there's some holes you need to get 815 00:47:35,889 --> 00:47:36,489 mended. 816 00:47:39,849 --> 00:47:41,449 Maybe God just touched your heart. 817 00:47:41,449 --> 00:47:42,969 I know I can do a little more. 818 00:47:45,779 --> 00:47:47,379 Maybe you've never won a soul to Christ. 819 00:47:47,379 --> 00:47:48,019 You want to. 820 00:47:48,019 --> 00:47:51,979 You've thought about it, you've come close, but you've never 821 00:47:51,979 --> 00:47:52,979 experienced that.