1 00:00:31,859 --> 00:00:32,819 Well, what a good song. 2 00:00:32,819 --> 00:00:33,459 Amen. 3 00:00:34,099 --> 00:00:35,699 What a very doctrinal song. 4 00:00:36,259 --> 00:00:39,899 I'm so thankful that the blood of Jesus redeems us, saved us from 5 00:00:39,899 --> 00:00:40,739 the wrath of God. 6 00:00:41,539 --> 00:00:43,379 And what a blessing. 7 00:00:43,779 --> 00:00:47,979 It's good to have the Moore family with us tonight for JJ and 8 00:00:47,979 --> 00:00:50,499 KJ and Bella and Jessa to sing for us. 9 00:00:51,379 --> 00:00:55,139 We don't care about Jonathan, and we do care about Ms. Edith. 10 00:00:58,109 --> 00:01:04,029 Our church planters out of our church to College Station and doing 11 00:01:04,029 --> 00:01:05,149 a fine job down there. 12 00:01:05,629 --> 00:01:09,309 Remember them in prayer and we ought to. 13 00:01:09,469 --> 00:01:14,909 Again, as you think about planting a church, planting a church, 14 00:01:15,629 --> 00:01:19,789 the biggest hurdle we found over the years is finding a building, 15 00:01:20,429 --> 00:01:21,789 you know, a permanent place. 16 00:01:21,789 --> 00:01:24,959 And so and ask our church to begin praying that way. 17 00:01:26,159 --> 00:01:30,679 And they have grown some and God's blessed and at some point you 18 00:01:30,679 --> 00:01:33,439 got to come out of the Holiday Inn, you know, and at some point 19 00:01:33,439 --> 00:01:35,759 maybe into another temporary building of some sort. 20 00:01:35,759 --> 00:01:39,439 But again, the biggest hurdle over the years has been purchasing 21 00:01:40,239 --> 00:01:41,399 a permanent place. 22 00:01:41,399 --> 00:01:43,199 So let's pray for our church planters. 23 00:01:43,439 --> 00:01:45,319 The church in the Kona is doing fantastic. 24 00:01:45,319 --> 00:01:48,399 I don't know if you probably have seen some of the social media 25 00:01:48,479 --> 00:01:52,509 pictures of the building there and just really has transformed. 26 00:01:52,509 --> 00:01:56,069 And brother Steve Scott, Ms. Barbara, the church in Rome, Brother 27 00:01:56,069 --> 00:01:57,789 Heath Van Zant, his wife. 28 00:01:57,789 --> 00:02:01,869 And that church has done a ton up there and working and giving, 29 00:02:02,429 --> 00:02:05,789 and it's just been a blessing to see it come along. 30 00:02:05,789 --> 00:02:10,109 And Brother Zach Doty is our church planter up there. 31 00:02:10,269 --> 00:02:14,509 And again, this is a church we're planting and restarting out 32 00:02:14,509 --> 00:02:15,549 of our church. 33 00:02:15,949 --> 00:02:18,649 Brother Lee Davis, keep him in your prayers and him. 34 00:02:18,649 --> 00:02:21,049 And I'll have lunch this week and just continue to be in prayer 35 00:02:21,049 --> 00:02:22,849 for his wife especially. 36 00:02:23,089 --> 00:02:27,289 She is, if you don't remember, she already had some health problems 37 00:02:27,289 --> 00:02:29,409 and then she had a heart attack here a few months ago and 38 00:02:29,889 --> 00:02:33,649 just really is still having some issues. 39 00:02:33,729 --> 00:02:37,169 And so keep her in your prayers and remember her. 40 00:02:38,049 --> 00:02:42,729 And God has been so good to allow us the opportunities to start 41 00:02:42,729 --> 00:02:47,859 churches, plant churches, re establish churches, and then and 42 00:02:47,859 --> 00:02:51,899 then Brother Wiggins and the family there in Mobile, Alabama, 43 00:02:52,059 --> 00:02:53,339 and they did sell their house. 44 00:02:53,339 --> 00:02:55,699 I don't know if some of y' all knew that they were trying to sell 45 00:02:55,699 --> 00:02:58,619 their house and they sold their house and bought another house 46 00:02:58,619 --> 00:03:01,059 and only five minutes from the church. 47 00:03:01,059 --> 00:03:03,498 And so they were excited about that. 48 00:03:03,498 --> 00:03:07,779 And so keep praying that that sale would go through and that would 49 00:03:07,779 --> 00:03:08,619 help them as well. 50 00:03:08,619 --> 00:03:11,739 Some things there that need to be taken care of. 51 00:03:11,739 --> 00:03:18,239 And just again, those four church plants, revitalizations out 52 00:03:18,239 --> 00:03:22,199 of our church and our church Planters need your prayers. 53 00:03:23,319 --> 00:03:26,599 Brother Jonathan Moore especially Ms. Edith needs our prayers. 54 00:03:27,959 --> 00:03:30,919 All the kids and then the big kid too. 55 00:03:30,999 --> 00:03:35,959 So I will say again, and I don't want to get too personal, but 56 00:03:36,839 --> 00:03:40,599 I'm so proud of brother Jonathan and just the job that he's 57 00:03:40,599 --> 00:03:41,239 done there. 58 00:03:41,319 --> 00:03:43,719 I do believe in hindsight's 20 20. 59 00:03:44,659 --> 00:03:48,019 Of course I have faith in the Lord will use anybody and do everything, 60 00:03:48,419 --> 00:03:49,699 anything with anybody. 61 00:03:50,019 --> 00:03:56,099 But that has been such a good fit for the Moore family and that 62 00:03:56,259 --> 00:04:01,219 city, that town, just the clientele. 63 00:04:02,659 --> 00:04:06,419 No, the people there as college students and everything. 64 00:04:06,739 --> 00:04:08,739 So just God's so good. 65 00:04:08,979 --> 00:04:11,179 Turning your Bibles tonight to Philippians chapter four. 66 00:04:11,179 --> 00:04:14,789 This will be the completion of the sermon I preached last Sunday 67 00:04:14,789 --> 00:04:15,189 morning. 68 00:04:15,829 --> 00:04:18,669 So kind of switched it up today we preached on Daniel this 69 00:04:18,669 --> 00:04:19,829 morning instead of tonight. 70 00:04:19,989 --> 00:04:24,109 And we'll finish up this of course, remembering that Philippians 71 00:04:24,109 --> 00:04:24,869 is my favorite book. 72 00:04:24,869 --> 00:04:28,309 We have touched on even these verses many, many, many times over 73 00:04:28,309 --> 00:04:29,669 the last 25 years. 74 00:04:30,309 --> 00:04:34,589 But it's such a great portion and we were emphasizing the kids 75 00:04:34,589 --> 00:04:39,129 as they go back to school, but also reminding us that we also need 76 00:04:39,129 --> 00:04:39,929 to stand fast. 77 00:04:39,929 --> 00:04:43,049 That we also need to be unified. 78 00:04:43,129 --> 00:04:46,089 That we also need to have confidence in the Lord. 79 00:04:46,329 --> 00:04:48,889 Praying to him and not worrying. 80 00:04:49,449 --> 00:04:50,249 Don't worry. 81 00:04:52,409 --> 00:04:57,849 And as we pray and as we trust in the Lord, he gives peace. 82 00:04:58,729 --> 00:05:00,729 He gives that peace that passes all understanding. 83 00:05:00,729 --> 00:05:02,169 So let's read the first seven verses. 84 00:05:02,649 --> 00:05:04,009 I understand the berean class. 85 00:05:04,009 --> 00:05:06,949 Me and my dad maybe trampled on each other a little bit on these 86 00:05:07,269 --> 00:05:08,789 verses last week. 87 00:05:08,949 --> 00:05:09,829 Look at verse one. 88 00:05:09,829 --> 00:05:14,309 Therefore, my brethren, dearly beloved and longed for my joy and 89 00:05:14,309 --> 00:05:14,789 crown. 90 00:05:15,109 --> 00:05:17,389 So stand fast in the Lord. 91 00:05:17,389 --> 00:05:24,509 My dearly beloved, I beseech Eudias and Sataki that they be of 92 00:05:24,509 --> 00:05:27,029 the same mind in the Lord. 93 00:05:27,269 --> 00:05:31,749 And I entreat thee also true yoke fellow, help those women which 94 00:05:31,749 --> 00:05:36,619 labored with me in the Gospel, with Clement also, and with other 95 00:05:36,939 --> 00:05:41,099 my fellow laborers whose names are in the book of life. 96 00:05:42,379 --> 00:05:43,739 Rejoice in the Lord always. 97 00:05:44,379 --> 00:05:45,899 And again I say rejoice. 98 00:05:46,459 --> 00:05:48,619 Let your moderation be known unto all men. 99 00:05:48,859 --> 00:05:51,259 The Lord is at hand. 100 00:05:51,579 --> 00:05:52,859 Be careful for nothing. 101 00:05:53,899 --> 00:05:55,019 Again, don't worry. 102 00:05:55,419 --> 00:05:58,379 But in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, 103 00:05:58,459 --> 00:06:00,459 let your requests be made known unto God. 104 00:06:00,989 --> 00:06:03,629 And the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep 105 00:06:03,629 --> 00:06:06,909 your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 106 00:06:07,309 --> 00:06:10,709 That's the only way our minds can be kept and we can have peace 107 00:06:10,709 --> 00:06:11,869 is through Jesus Christ. 108 00:06:12,269 --> 00:06:12,789 Let's pray. 109 00:06:12,789 --> 00:06:17,509 Heavenly Father, we do pray that you would be with the reading 110 00:06:17,509 --> 00:06:18,509 of the Word tonight. 111 00:06:18,749 --> 00:06:21,309 You've said that the word of God does not return void. 112 00:06:21,629 --> 00:06:26,349 I pray tonight that we all would be challenged and encouraged 113 00:06:27,159 --> 00:06:30,519 and Lord, by your word, and we'll thank you in Jesus name, Amen. 114 00:06:31,319 --> 00:06:32,079 Again, the theme. 115 00:06:32,079 --> 00:06:33,199 I'm not on my broken record. 116 00:06:33,199 --> 00:06:35,479 The theme of the book of Philippians is joy. 117 00:06:35,719 --> 00:06:36,679 But not just joy. 118 00:06:36,679 --> 00:06:39,319 It's joy produced by selflessness. 119 00:06:39,799 --> 00:06:43,639 As we look out for others, as we help others, as we do for others, 120 00:06:43,639 --> 00:06:46,919 as we serve others, we will experience joy. 121 00:06:47,239 --> 00:06:48,319 We will experience joy. 122 00:06:48,319 --> 00:06:51,079 And we see this in Paul's life as he's in prison. 123 00:06:51,479 --> 00:06:52,639 He's in prison. 124 00:06:52,639 --> 00:06:55,239 Yet not one time in the book of Philippians do you see him complain. 125 00:06:56,049 --> 00:06:56,649 Not one time. 126 00:06:56,649 --> 00:07:02,329 He's always talking about and emphasizing and looking out and encouraging 127 00:07:02,329 --> 00:07:04,129 others, others, others. 128 00:07:05,569 --> 00:07:09,649 He says there, the very first verse, therefore, and as we've learned 129 00:07:09,649 --> 00:07:12,649 so many times, stop and see what it's there for you go back to 130 00:07:12,649 --> 00:07:13,249 chapter three. 131 00:07:13,489 --> 00:07:15,889 And we find again that Christ is my goal. 132 00:07:16,449 --> 00:07:19,649 That Christ, to be Christlike, is the goal of every Christian. 133 00:07:20,369 --> 00:07:21,329 Let me say it again. 134 00:07:21,329 --> 00:07:24,529 To be Christlike is the goal of every Christian. 135 00:07:25,159 --> 00:07:26,839 To be an imitator of Jesus Christ. 136 00:07:27,479 --> 00:07:29,159 To love others as we love ourselves. 137 00:07:30,519 --> 00:07:35,519 To mimic what Jesus has done and what Jesus did. 138 00:07:35,519 --> 00:07:36,519 By serving others. 139 00:07:36,759 --> 00:07:38,199 By serving others, by the way. 140 00:07:38,199 --> 00:07:42,399 Not just mimicking it, because we're just mouthing it, but with 141 00:07:42,399 --> 00:07:46,439 a heart, having the heart of the Lord Jesus Christ. 142 00:07:47,079 --> 00:07:47,799 Beware. 143 00:07:48,919 --> 00:07:49,559 Beware. 144 00:07:50,449 --> 00:07:51,489 And then understand. 145 00:07:51,969 --> 00:07:55,649 Chapter three speaks about and talks about our citizenships in heaven. 146 00:07:56,129 --> 00:07:58,009 We are citizens of heaven. 147 00:07:58,009 --> 00:08:01,049 If you are saved tonight, when you accepted Christ as your Savior, 148 00:08:01,049 --> 00:08:03,409 you became a citizen of heaven. 149 00:08:04,049 --> 00:08:05,169 A citizen of heaven. 150 00:08:05,169 --> 00:08:09,009 You're already there because we are in Christ. 151 00:08:12,369 --> 00:08:18,639 And then in chapter four, here in chapter four, Paul presents practical 152 00:08:18,639 --> 00:08:20,639 principles, as we said last Sunday morning. 153 00:08:21,199 --> 00:08:24,399 And here are personal words from Paul. 154 00:08:24,879 --> 00:08:33,359 Personal words of admiration or of admiration and of application. 155 00:08:33,919 --> 00:08:34,439 All right. 156 00:08:34,439 --> 00:08:37,199 So now first we see Paul's affection. 157 00:08:37,839 --> 00:08:42,199 He says in chapter one, chapter four, and verse one, my dearly 158 00:08:42,199 --> 00:08:42,719 beloved. 159 00:08:43,159 --> 00:08:49,759 And what longed for Paul had affection and love for the church 160 00:08:49,759 --> 00:08:51,639 and for the Christians there in Philippi. 161 00:08:53,559 --> 00:08:57,159 I mentioned this last Sunday morning, but we call each other brother 162 00:08:57,159 --> 00:09:00,119 around here because we're brothers and sisters in Christ. 163 00:09:00,519 --> 00:09:01,839 We don't use the sister as much. 164 00:09:01,839 --> 00:09:02,519 I don't know why. 165 00:09:03,319 --> 00:09:05,399 When I was a kid, it wasn't used as much either. 166 00:09:05,879 --> 00:09:07,719 But we are brothers and sisters in Christ. 167 00:09:08,768 --> 00:09:12,768 And when Paul addresses them, he really is putting himself on their 168 00:09:12,768 --> 00:09:13,088 level. 169 00:09:13,888 --> 00:09:14,928 He says, we are. 170 00:09:15,088 --> 00:09:16,088 We're one and the same. 171 00:09:16,088 --> 00:09:18,768 We're brothers and sisters serving together. 172 00:09:19,088 --> 00:09:19,888 We're family. 173 00:09:21,088 --> 00:09:23,888 When he says, brethren and sisters, dearly beloved, he's talking 174 00:09:23,888 --> 00:09:25,728 about again, he esteemed them. 175 00:09:25,728 --> 00:09:26,768 They were dear to him. 176 00:09:29,168 --> 00:09:34,528 Speaking of affection for them, I said last Sunday morning 177 00:09:34,528 --> 00:09:38,609 that we need to be reminded from time to time that people want 178 00:09:38,609 --> 00:09:43,929 to know how much you love them before you start teaching them and 179 00:09:44,409 --> 00:09:45,449 preaching at them. 180 00:09:46,489 --> 00:09:48,529 They don't care how much you know until they know how much you 181 00:09:48,529 --> 00:09:48,809 care. 182 00:09:52,249 --> 00:09:55,369 Teaching from loving lips is much more effective. 183 00:09:56,889 --> 00:10:01,209 They say, well, how can I love you know, so well, we can love everybody. 184 00:10:01,419 --> 00:10:02,219 Jesus says we can. 185 00:10:02,459 --> 00:10:04,419 In fact, in First Thessalonians, y' all remember that 186 00:10:04,419 --> 00:10:04,699 book? 187 00:10:05,659 --> 00:10:10,139 He says to them, he says, and I'm summarizing, he says, I admire 188 00:10:10,539 --> 00:10:11,419 that you love. 189 00:10:12,059 --> 00:10:13,659 And he uses the word all. 190 00:10:14,779 --> 00:10:15,979 How can you love all? 191 00:10:16,539 --> 00:10:19,459 Well, you can on your own, but through the Lord Jesus Christ, you 192 00:10:19,459 --> 00:10:20,059 can love all. 193 00:10:20,619 --> 00:10:23,059 In fact, Jesus said again, as I said this morning, you love your 194 00:10:23,059 --> 00:10:28,539 enemies with the help and strength of the Lord Jesus Christ. 195 00:10:30,969 --> 00:10:38,529 Again, teaching a class or dealing with your children, it's 196 00:10:38,529 --> 00:10:40,729 much more effective with loving lips. 197 00:10:41,209 --> 00:10:44,529 And then he said, steadfast, steadfast. 198 00:10:44,529 --> 00:10:45,009 Look at that. 199 00:10:45,009 --> 00:10:47,929 Again, he says, but joy and stand fast in the Lord. 200 00:10:48,729 --> 00:10:51,609 Steadfast or standing fast is standing firm. 201 00:10:51,609 --> 00:10:52,689 It means to persevere. 202 00:10:52,689 --> 00:10:55,049 It means again, to be persistent. 203 00:10:56,059 --> 00:10:57,139 It takes effort to stand. 204 00:10:57,139 --> 00:10:59,859 I said last Sunday morning, I said, you know, it's a lot of fun 205 00:10:59,859 --> 00:11:02,539 if you can catch somebody, come up behind them as they're standing, 206 00:11:02,859 --> 00:11:06,659 you know, just standing tall, and you kind of nudge the middle 207 00:11:06,659 --> 00:11:09,099 of their knee from behind and watch them go down. 208 00:11:09,179 --> 00:11:09,979 That's awesome. 209 00:11:10,299 --> 00:11:13,579 Don't try that at home, but it's easy. 210 00:11:13,979 --> 00:11:17,419 Pretty easy sometimes to knock somebody over who's not standing 211 00:11:17,419 --> 00:11:18,619 firm, who's not ready. 212 00:11:19,659 --> 00:11:23,739 It's one thing to be ready for somebody who's coming at you is another 213 00:11:23,739 --> 00:11:24,099 thing. 214 00:11:24,899 --> 00:11:26,899 Again, to be loosely standing. 215 00:11:29,459 --> 00:11:30,659 Standing takes effort. 216 00:11:32,179 --> 00:11:35,939 Nothing moves without force being applied. 217 00:11:37,298 --> 00:11:41,499 And I used these three illustrations last Sunday, and I 218 00:11:41,499 --> 00:11:42,739 think it's worth repeating. 219 00:11:44,179 --> 00:11:48,759 When we stand, we must understand in our daily life, there 220 00:11:48,759 --> 00:11:50,079 is the grind of life. 221 00:11:51,439 --> 00:11:52,879 In other words, we. 222 00:11:52,879 --> 00:11:56,719 Every day, every day we experience gentle pressure. 223 00:11:57,599 --> 00:12:00,159 Every day we experience pressure. 224 00:12:02,319 --> 00:12:07,519 That gentle pressure of life, whether it's raising kids or whether 225 00:12:08,239 --> 00:12:13,439 it's going to work and driving in the Metroplex. 226 00:12:14,609 --> 00:12:16,769 It's that daily grind of life. 227 00:12:18,049 --> 00:12:21,969 If you're not careful, it will absolutely ground you into powder. 228 00:12:23,089 --> 00:12:26,089 If you think about the illustration, is the Sphinx over 229 00:12:26,089 --> 00:12:26,849 in Egypt? 230 00:12:27,329 --> 00:12:33,809 Why is the Sphinx so, you know, eroded away? 231 00:12:34,049 --> 00:12:36,369 Well, it's not necessarily because of some hu. 232 00:12:37,169 --> 00:12:40,209 Maybe it wasn't the flood, we won't go into that tonight. 233 00:12:41,479 --> 00:12:46,079 But it's that constant pressure of the sand every day blowing 234 00:12:46,079 --> 00:12:48,919 against it that erodes the sphinx. 235 00:12:48,999 --> 00:12:51,479 And so we have that same issue every day. 236 00:12:51,799 --> 00:12:55,079 And so we must be aware of that and we must stand firm. 237 00:12:55,719 --> 00:12:58,439 And then secondly, we have the sudden assaults. 238 00:12:58,839 --> 00:12:59,959 Sudden assaults. 239 00:13:00,039 --> 00:13:02,919 This is the sudden blows that we all experience from time to time. 240 00:13:02,919 --> 00:13:08,469 It's that losing of a job, or it's the doctor telling you some 241 00:13:08,469 --> 00:13:10,669 bad news or whatever it may be. 242 00:13:11,309 --> 00:13:16,149 We, all of us, if you've lived very long, experience these sudden 243 00:13:16,149 --> 00:13:16,749 blows. 244 00:13:16,829 --> 00:13:19,989 Also sudden temptations, something that maybe you haven't 245 00:13:19,989 --> 00:13:20,629 dealt with before. 246 00:13:20,629 --> 00:13:23,709 And you're tempted to do something suddenly because of something 247 00:13:23,709 --> 00:13:25,389 that's you've become aware of. 248 00:13:25,549 --> 00:13:29,189 Listen, we have to be careful and understand that the devil's a 249 00:13:29,189 --> 00:13:31,149 roaring lion seeking him may devour. 250 00:13:31,309 --> 00:13:32,149 He hates you. 251 00:13:32,149 --> 00:13:33,149 He hates your family. 252 00:13:33,659 --> 00:13:37,499 He hates that you are standing for the Lord and standing for faith. 253 00:13:37,659 --> 00:13:40,939 And he will do anything to destroy you and destroy your testimony. 254 00:13:41,419 --> 00:13:43,699 And he will bring about sudden assaults. 255 00:13:43,699 --> 00:13:46,979 He will bring around sudden temptations. 256 00:13:46,979 --> 00:13:49,099 And we must stand firm, stand fast. 257 00:13:53,579 --> 00:13:56,179 The Bible says that we ought to put on the whole armor of God 258 00:13:56,179 --> 00:13:58,859 that we might be able to stand what in the evil day. 259 00:13:59,829 --> 00:14:02,309 And I believe there, it's not talking about necessarily again, 260 00:14:02,309 --> 00:14:05,909 the everyday thing, but that sudden assault that might, that comes 261 00:14:06,389 --> 00:14:07,429 from time to time. 262 00:14:08,149 --> 00:14:11,349 And then thirdly, the up and down, up and down fluctuation in 263 00:14:11,349 --> 00:14:11,669 life. 264 00:14:12,309 --> 00:14:15,549 These are our feelings as we emotionally have these ups and downs. 265 00:14:15,549 --> 00:14:18,309 And there are many who are by nature. 266 00:14:18,309 --> 00:14:21,429 We all, by nature are selfish. 267 00:14:21,749 --> 00:14:24,349 And therefore we all exhibit some of this up and down. 268 00:14:24,349 --> 00:14:26,309 But the Christian life ought to be like this. 269 00:14:28,069 --> 00:14:31,509 And remember last time I did this, last Sunday morning. 270 00:14:31,669 --> 00:14:34,029 And then the Christian life ought to be like this, but the Christian 271 00:14:34,029 --> 00:14:35,029 life shouldn't be like this. 272 00:14:37,269 --> 00:14:41,709 They ought to understand that we as Christians should not be ruled 273 00:14:41,709 --> 00:14:42,709 by our emotions. 274 00:14:45,189 --> 00:14:49,149 Emotions will absolutely, absolutely steer you the wrong direction. 275 00:14:49,149 --> 00:14:53,039 Many times when somebody says, well, you just trust your heart. 276 00:14:53,119 --> 00:14:55,839 No, no, don't trust your heart. 277 00:14:56,239 --> 00:14:59,519 The Bible says your heart's deceitful, absolutely wicked. 278 00:15:00,079 --> 00:15:02,399 We gotta be careful when it comes to our feelings. 279 00:15:02,799 --> 00:15:04,079 And feelings are important. 280 00:15:04,239 --> 00:15:06,239 I'm not saying that, but be careful. 281 00:15:06,399 --> 00:15:09,359 Just because you feel a certain way doesn't make it right. 282 00:15:10,239 --> 00:15:11,159 Doesn't make it right. 283 00:15:11,159 --> 00:15:15,599 Be careful as we stand fast, as we stand firm. 284 00:15:17,759 --> 00:15:19,519 Careful about the ups and downs. 285 00:15:20,799 --> 00:15:25,599 I mentioned last Sunday about the hot, warm and cold cycle in a 286 00:15:25,599 --> 00:15:26,479 washing machine. 287 00:15:27,919 --> 00:15:29,279 Some Christians are that way. 288 00:15:30,479 --> 00:15:35,439 We need to be somewhere where the temperature is steady, just steady. 289 00:15:39,279 --> 00:15:39,999 A cave. 290 00:15:42,439 --> 00:15:43,119 Think about a cave. 291 00:15:43,119 --> 00:15:46,359 A cave stays the same temperature all the time. 292 00:15:46,919 --> 00:15:49,839 And that should be our goal, not to live in a cave. 293 00:15:49,839 --> 00:15:54,279 But be careful about the ups and downs. 294 00:15:55,239 --> 00:15:56,679 Again, Paul says to stand. 295 00:15:57,159 --> 00:15:58,039 Stand fast. 296 00:15:59,159 --> 00:16:02,119 Stand fast, stand fast. 297 00:16:02,119 --> 00:16:02,439 Where? 298 00:16:02,599 --> 00:16:03,399 In the Lord. 299 00:16:04,919 --> 00:16:05,799 In the Lord. 300 00:16:07,329 --> 00:16:08,449 He is the anchor. 301 00:16:09,729 --> 00:16:12,369 And the anchor ought to be firmly planted in the Lord Jesus 302 00:16:12,369 --> 00:16:17,729 Christ ought to be standing on the rock and not the sand. 303 00:16:19,969 --> 00:16:25,969 We ought to again place our life and trust him with it. 304 00:16:26,689 --> 00:16:30,049 Standing on this wonderful, wonderful book. 305 00:16:31,569 --> 00:16:32,529 There's a hymn. 306 00:16:33,229 --> 00:16:34,749 It's called I Shall Not Be Moved. 307 00:16:35,309 --> 00:16:37,949 We used to say it was the Baptist theme song. 308 00:16:39,309 --> 00:16:41,229 I think about Miss Bobbie Van Fleet. 309 00:16:42,509 --> 00:16:43,949 What a wonderful lady she was. 310 00:16:44,909 --> 00:16:48,349 And for years, she sat about four rows back. 311 00:16:48,349 --> 00:16:48,829 Right here. 312 00:16:49,629 --> 00:16:50,749 About four rows back. 313 00:16:50,989 --> 00:16:51,949 Her and Rick. 314 00:16:51,949 --> 00:16:53,949 Maybe five rows back or six rows back. 315 00:16:54,029 --> 00:16:55,629 Whatever it was, it was her seat. 316 00:16:56,749 --> 00:16:57,549 Yeah, that's right. 317 00:16:57,709 --> 00:16:58,509 You're a victim. 318 00:17:01,119 --> 00:17:02,159 So six rows back. 319 00:17:02,319 --> 00:17:06,559 I'm being corrected, and rightly so, because those were her 320 00:17:06,559 --> 00:17:08,879 seats, those two seats. 321 00:17:09,119 --> 00:17:14,439 And I found out pretty close, pretty early on that that was her 322 00:17:14,439 --> 00:17:14,878 seats. 323 00:17:14,879 --> 00:17:17,079 And she didn't like nobody sitting in her seat. 324 00:17:17,079 --> 00:17:18,559 And she might just tell you so. 325 00:17:19,759 --> 00:17:21,919 So early on, I began to tease her about it. 326 00:17:22,639 --> 00:17:23,999 I began to tease her about it. 327 00:17:24,399 --> 00:17:27,679 I would tease her so much about it that one time her and Rick 328 00:17:28,399 --> 00:17:29,599 weren't able to make it to church. 329 00:17:29,599 --> 00:17:30,679 And I took the two chairs. 330 00:17:30,679 --> 00:17:31,639 Some of y' all remember this. 331 00:17:31,639 --> 00:17:34,159 I took the two chairs and I put them up on the platform. 332 00:17:34,399 --> 00:17:38,039 And I don't remember if I said if it had a sign for rent or I just 333 00:17:38,039 --> 00:17:39,039 said it was for rent. 334 00:17:39,039 --> 00:17:41,039 And, boy, while they weren't here, I just. 335 00:17:41,199 --> 00:17:41,679 It was. 336 00:17:41,679 --> 00:17:42,479 It was awesome. 337 00:17:43,439 --> 00:17:45,759 And she laughed and we had a good time. 338 00:17:45,759 --> 00:17:49,759 And some people sat in her seat not too long after that. 339 00:17:49,759 --> 00:17:51,519 And she didn't say nothing. 340 00:17:53,369 --> 00:17:53,609 So. 341 00:17:53,849 --> 00:17:55,449 I shall not be moved. 342 00:17:56,569 --> 00:17:57,369 I know I make. 343 00:17:57,369 --> 00:18:00,929 I say to you guys, and I do mean this, it is comforting sometimes 344 00:18:00,929 --> 00:18:03,569 for you to sit somewhere in the same spot. 345 00:18:03,569 --> 00:18:04,489 Brother Kushel. 346 00:18:07,449 --> 00:18:08,609 I mean, Brother Cushl. 347 00:18:08,609 --> 00:18:10,089 Y' all just do you just. 348 00:18:10,649 --> 00:18:12,809 Y' all are like Bedouins. 349 00:18:13,609 --> 00:18:15,689 You just set your tent up there and there. 350 00:18:15,769 --> 00:18:19,379 You just try to keep me off key or wear a pink shirt like Clay. 351 00:18:22,259 --> 00:18:23,779 I shall not be moved. 352 00:18:24,179 --> 00:18:25,619 And we should be steadfast. 353 00:18:26,179 --> 00:18:31,979 We should steadfast understand that we are to be standing on the 354 00:18:31,979 --> 00:18:33,179 rock, by the way. 355 00:18:33,179 --> 00:18:33,698 The rock. 356 00:18:33,698 --> 00:18:34,379 Jesus Christ. 357 00:18:34,379 --> 00:18:36,099 The same today, yesterday and forever. 358 00:18:37,059 --> 00:18:40,099 The reason why we stand on him is because he cannot move. 359 00:18:40,739 --> 00:18:41,699 He will not move. 360 00:18:42,179 --> 00:18:43,739 It's contrary to his character. 361 00:18:43,739 --> 00:18:45,059 It's contrary to who he is. 362 00:18:45,939 --> 00:18:50,499 I'm thankful that there's one that we can truly rely on, one that 363 00:18:50,499 --> 00:18:51,539 we can truly trust. 364 00:18:51,619 --> 00:18:53,059 I can't trust mankind. 365 00:18:54,339 --> 00:18:55,699 They fail me all the time. 366 00:18:56,499 --> 00:18:57,859 I let myself down. 367 00:18:58,899 --> 00:19:01,859 But God will never let you down again. 368 00:19:01,939 --> 00:19:06,539 Standing fast and then verse two and three, there's some tough 369 00:19:06,539 --> 00:19:07,379 love going on. 370 00:19:08,179 --> 00:19:10,139 And you can notice how kind he is. 371 00:19:10,139 --> 00:19:10,739 He's not. 372 00:19:10,819 --> 00:19:13,659 Again, in Philippians, he's not really addressing a lot of problems. 373 00:19:13,659 --> 00:19:15,059 In fact, he's not addressing problems at all. 374 00:19:15,059 --> 00:19:17,589 He's courage in them, he's strengthening them. 375 00:19:17,829 --> 00:19:21,829 But he does address, apparently, two ladies who maybe 376 00:19:21,829 --> 00:19:23,429 were having a disagreement. 377 00:19:23,509 --> 00:19:27,749 And he says to them, because he loves them, he was very straightforward 378 00:19:27,749 --> 00:19:29,709 with them, going to be truthful with them. 379 00:19:29,709 --> 00:19:30,509 He warns them. 380 00:19:30,509 --> 00:19:35,029 In verse two, he beseeches them, he begs the two ladies to be 381 00:19:35,349 --> 00:19:37,269 unified, to work together. 382 00:19:37,989 --> 00:19:41,309 And I just want to encourage you once again, as we encourage you 383 00:19:41,309 --> 00:19:41,829 all the time. 384 00:19:42,129 --> 00:19:43,489 We as a church ought to be unified. 385 00:19:43,809 --> 00:19:45,249 We ought to be working together. 386 00:19:45,569 --> 00:19:47,969 And the only way you can do that is to stay focused on Jesus 387 00:19:47,969 --> 00:19:52,569 Christ again, because man will let you down, people will let you 388 00:19:52,569 --> 00:19:54,529 down, but God will never let you down. 389 00:19:54,849 --> 00:19:57,169 I don't come to church for you. 390 00:19:58,529 --> 00:20:00,929 I don't come to church for you. 391 00:20:01,249 --> 00:20:03,969 I come to church because of the Lord Jesus Christ. 392 00:20:04,529 --> 00:20:09,929 This is his church, this is his people, and we come together. 393 00:20:10,169 --> 00:20:15,369 And the way you can do, the way you can get past hurts and faults 394 00:20:15,369 --> 00:20:18,409 and failures of other people is to focus on Jesus Christ. 395 00:20:20,009 --> 00:20:25,449 I hear preachers say it, and I have never said it in a way that 396 00:20:25,929 --> 00:20:28,969 I was meaning that this is what I mean. 397 00:20:29,289 --> 00:20:31,209 But I've heard lots of preachers say the ministry would 398 00:20:31,209 --> 00:20:32,169 be great except for people. 399 00:20:32,649 --> 00:20:35,049 Well, number one, if there was no people, you wouldn't have ministry. 400 00:20:36,129 --> 00:20:38,209 And number two, I'm not in it for the people. 401 00:20:41,009 --> 00:20:41,649 I'm not. 402 00:20:41,889 --> 00:20:43,409 I would have quit a long time ago. 403 00:20:45,889 --> 00:20:49,489 Google when you get home, not now. 404 00:20:50,609 --> 00:20:54,689 How many ministers are leaving the ministry monthly? 405 00:20:55,489 --> 00:20:56,849 It will surprise you. 406 00:20:57,809 --> 00:21:00,929 It's an astronomical amount of people, I'm telling you. 407 00:21:00,929 --> 00:21:01,609 There's so many. 408 00:21:01,609 --> 00:21:05,049 Not just faithful members, but also ministers who get their eyes 409 00:21:05,049 --> 00:21:08,229 off Jesus and get their eyes on people. 410 00:21:09,029 --> 00:21:11,589 We must stay focused in order to stay unified. 411 00:21:12,229 --> 00:21:15,989 We must remember the main thing he said to them, Be of the 412 00:21:15,989 --> 00:21:16,669 same mind. 413 00:21:16,669 --> 00:21:19,669 And he says this in chapter two, and he says it in chapter three, 414 00:21:19,749 --> 00:21:21,509 that we ought to mind the same things. 415 00:21:21,749 --> 00:21:22,789 Well, what does he mean? 416 00:21:23,029 --> 00:21:24,389 He means Jesus Christ. 417 00:21:25,669 --> 00:21:30,069 He means having the mind of Christ being Selfless and considering 418 00:21:30,069 --> 00:21:31,989 others above yourself. 419 00:21:33,109 --> 00:21:35,589 And I know I use the same illustration, but it's still a good 420 00:21:35,589 --> 00:21:35,909 one. 421 00:21:36,069 --> 00:21:38,629 There's no reason to fight over the color of carpet. 422 00:21:39,189 --> 00:21:39,989 The carpet. 423 00:21:39,989 --> 00:21:41,029 It's the carpet. 424 00:21:41,429 --> 00:21:42,469 I love this carpet, though. 425 00:21:42,469 --> 00:21:43,349 I thought it turned out great. 426 00:21:43,429 --> 00:21:46,269 We love this carpet because you can take up a square and replace 427 00:21:46,269 --> 00:21:49,189 it when it gets, you know, when it gets truly stained. 428 00:21:51,189 --> 00:21:52,949 But we shouldn't fight over things like that. 429 00:21:55,429 --> 00:21:57,909 Silly, childish. 430 00:22:00,989 --> 00:22:01,709 I'll move on. 431 00:22:02,269 --> 00:22:03,869 I'm thankful our church doesn't. 432 00:22:08,029 --> 00:22:09,469 We must stay unified. 433 00:22:10,269 --> 00:22:14,388 And the way we stay unified is by keeping our minds on the same 434 00:22:14,388 --> 00:22:18,669 thing and following in the steps of Jesus, being mindful of 435 00:22:18,669 --> 00:22:21,869 the Holy Spirit's leading in our own lives. 436 00:22:23,309 --> 00:22:26,759 By the way, again, Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12. 437 00:22:27,399 --> 00:22:33,119 Every member has been given gifts from God to be used in the 438 00:22:33,119 --> 00:22:37,239 church to edify the body of Christ, to build up the body of Christ, 439 00:22:37,239 --> 00:22:42,759 to encourage and strengthen the body of Christ, to see our church 440 00:22:42,759 --> 00:22:43,679 grow spiritually. 441 00:22:43,679 --> 00:22:47,159 It's not just the pastor, but other great, other good teachers. 442 00:22:47,159 --> 00:22:47,959 Other good teachers. 443 00:22:47,959 --> 00:22:49,079 And we have many of them. 444 00:22:50,209 --> 00:22:51,329 I'm so thankful for that. 445 00:22:52,609 --> 00:22:57,089 And then verse three, it speaks about, again, laboring together. 446 00:22:57,969 --> 00:22:58,689 Laboring together. 447 00:22:58,689 --> 00:23:04,449 I entreat you also yoke fellow who labored, and then fellow laborers. 448 00:23:06,769 --> 00:23:11,049 I'm telling you, ministry and the work of the Lord is work, and 449 00:23:11,049 --> 00:23:12,289 the yoke fellow just talks. 450 00:23:12,289 --> 00:23:15,659 Yoke fellow means again, a team of oxen working together as 451 00:23:15,659 --> 00:23:19,619 they plow a field, as they disk a field, as they plant and do 452 00:23:19,619 --> 00:23:21,939 all the things that need to be done in a field. 453 00:23:22,179 --> 00:23:23,819 Working together to do what? 454 00:23:23,819 --> 00:23:24,739 Fulfill the Great Commission. 455 00:23:25,219 --> 00:23:28,659 And I've been reminded lately, a lot of times, I just say, well, 456 00:23:28,659 --> 00:23:33,179 we're here to put a hook in the water and get the gospel out. 457 00:23:33,179 --> 00:23:36,419 But can I remind you that the Great Commission is threefold. 458 00:23:36,739 --> 00:23:39,659 The great Commission given by the Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 459 00:23:39,659 --> 00:23:42,259 28 is that we are to evangelize. 460 00:23:42,659 --> 00:23:45,299 We're to give the gospel, yes, but we're also to baptize them who 461 00:23:45,299 --> 00:23:46,499 accept Christ as Savior. 462 00:23:46,579 --> 00:23:50,499 We're responsible to see them coming into the church and get baptized. 463 00:23:50,499 --> 00:23:52,499 And then we are to disciple them. 464 00:23:52,899 --> 00:23:55,619 Disciple them, Disciple them. 465 00:23:56,339 --> 00:23:59,139 The work of the ministry, the work of God. 466 00:23:59,699 --> 00:24:02,739 Jesus said in Luke, I came to seek and to save that which is lost. 467 00:24:03,539 --> 00:24:08,299 It's a threefold commission, and may we continue and be challenged 468 00:24:08,299 --> 00:24:09,619 to fulfill all three of them. 469 00:24:10,639 --> 00:24:14,199 Working together, laboring together, caring for people, keeping 470 00:24:14,199 --> 00:24:17,679 our eyes on the Lord and his work, by the way. 471 00:24:17,759 --> 00:24:20,479 Keeping our eyes on the Lord and His Work will also help us stay 472 00:24:20,479 --> 00:24:20,879 unified. 473 00:24:21,679 --> 00:24:24,559 If we keep our eye on the Great Commission and our thoughts 474 00:24:24,559 --> 00:24:25,119 on the Great Commission. 475 00:24:25,119 --> 00:24:28,679 We're all about reaching the loss with the Gospel of Jesus Christ 476 00:24:28,679 --> 00:24:31,279 and seeing them baptized and seeing them discipled. 477 00:24:31,439 --> 00:24:33,359 Then we won't get sidetracked. 478 00:24:34,799 --> 00:24:36,079 Being careful about that. 479 00:24:38,279 --> 00:24:42,719 He said, help these women, assist them, restoring them, building 480 00:24:42,719 --> 00:24:43,319 them up. 481 00:24:44,119 --> 00:24:49,119 As we labor together, we'll speak a lot about this throughout 482 00:24:49,119 --> 00:24:51,159 this year, especially next year too. 483 00:24:51,559 --> 00:24:54,039 Laboring together, we're laborers together with God. 484 00:24:54,039 --> 00:24:55,079 We're striving together. 485 00:24:56,199 --> 00:24:57,559 We're yoke fellows. 486 00:24:58,519 --> 00:25:00,519 But we are to work till Jesus comes. 487 00:25:01,969 --> 00:25:03,089 Be about the Father's business. 488 00:25:03,729 --> 00:25:09,129 And then in verses 4 and 5, it speaks about rejoicing in the Lord 489 00:25:09,129 --> 00:25:09,329 always. 490 00:25:09,329 --> 00:25:10,609 And again I say rejoice. 491 00:25:11,249 --> 00:25:14,049 And again aw tozer comes to mind. 492 00:25:14,049 --> 00:25:16,449 What comes into our mind when we think about God is the most important 493 00:25:16,449 --> 00:25:17,249 thing about us. 494 00:25:18,049 --> 00:25:21,089 What comes into our mind when we think about God is the most important 495 00:25:21,249 --> 00:25:22,009 thing about us. 496 00:25:22,009 --> 00:25:26,489 In other words, what we think about God influences our decisions 497 00:25:26,489 --> 00:25:29,719 in life, influences every decision in life. 498 00:25:30,199 --> 00:25:34,639 When something comes into my life, that's a distraction. 499 00:25:34,639 --> 00:25:37,799 When something comes to my life, that's an adversity, whatever 500 00:25:37,799 --> 00:25:41,999 it may be, then how I view God will determine my response to that 501 00:25:41,999 --> 00:25:42,599 adversity. 502 00:25:44,439 --> 00:25:50,599 By the way, our God is huge and so many people, in their mind's 503 00:25:50,599 --> 00:25:51,879 eye, God is way too small. 504 00:25:53,649 --> 00:25:57,409 And so we must look to God in every situation. 505 00:25:58,129 --> 00:26:00,369 We must see him for who he is. 506 00:26:01,089 --> 00:26:05,729 And as we see him for who he is, as we contemplate and think about 507 00:26:05,729 --> 00:26:16,289 his attributes, his all knowing, all powerful, he sees everything. 508 00:26:19,019 --> 00:26:20,339 His transcendent. 509 00:26:20,339 --> 00:26:21,259 He's holy Other. 510 00:26:22,619 --> 00:26:25,099 He's a God of grace and a God of mercy. 511 00:26:26,059 --> 00:26:27,659 He's an everlasting God. 512 00:26:27,899 --> 00:26:30,459 And we've already stated he's the God who never changes. 513 00:26:33,819 --> 00:26:35,419 Think about the goodness of God. 514 00:26:36,939 --> 00:26:38,539 Think about the wisdom of God. 515 00:26:39,259 --> 00:26:44,219 And as we contemplate God's attributes, it helps bring joy into 516 00:26:44,219 --> 00:26:48,649 our lives thinking about Him. 517 00:26:48,649 --> 00:26:49,649 Rejoice in the Lord. 518 00:26:49,649 --> 00:26:57,409 What alway we can rejoice and have joy in any circumstances. 519 00:26:57,489 --> 00:26:59,089 The good and the bad. 520 00:27:00,129 --> 00:27:03,249 By the way you choose, it's your choice. 521 00:27:04,849 --> 00:27:05,889 It is your choice. 522 00:27:09,729 --> 00:27:10,849 Rejoice in the Lord. 523 00:27:11,589 --> 00:27:12,389 Trust in Him. 524 00:27:14,789 --> 00:27:17,949 I know some of you get tired of me saying this, but God always 525 00:27:17,949 --> 00:27:19,269 has your best interest in mind. 526 00:27:20,869 --> 00:27:23,909 Think about Joseph and all that Joseph went through. 527 00:27:26,069 --> 00:27:30,229 Yet he told his brothers at the end, y' all meant it for evil, 528 00:27:30,549 --> 00:27:31,829 but God meant it for good. 529 00:27:33,109 --> 00:27:36,869 God is a God who cares and God who loves. 530 00:27:38,649 --> 00:27:41,769 He is an all wise Creator. 531 00:27:43,369 --> 00:27:46,009 And then verse six and seven, don't worry. 532 00:27:47,369 --> 00:27:50,649 Actually, I've skipped verse five because this is kind of important, 533 00:27:50,729 --> 00:27:53,209 because this verse is taken out of context so many times. 534 00:27:53,609 --> 00:27:59,609 We say, well, you know, you ought to be moderation in your eating 535 00:27:59,609 --> 00:28:00,249 and all these. 536 00:28:00,249 --> 00:28:00,809 Anyway. 537 00:28:01,209 --> 00:28:03,889 Sure, you ought to be moderating, I should moderate my 538 00:28:03,889 --> 00:28:04,199 eating. 539 00:28:05,069 --> 00:28:10,669 But this word, this verse is not speaking about our habit of eating 540 00:28:10,669 --> 00:28:11,549 or anything like that. 541 00:28:11,549 --> 00:28:14,349 It's speaking about forbearance and yieldedness. 542 00:28:15,629 --> 00:28:17,469 It means reasonableness. 543 00:28:17,469 --> 00:28:20,269 And he's telling the church there, and he's especially telling 544 00:28:20,269 --> 00:28:23,669 these ladies, let your moderation be known unto all men. 545 00:28:23,669 --> 00:28:25,469 In other words, your reasonableness. 546 00:28:26,189 --> 00:28:29,629 We ought to be reasonable when dealing with others. 547 00:28:31,739 --> 00:28:32,139 Amen. 548 00:28:32,939 --> 00:28:34,219 We ought to be forbear. 549 00:28:35,819 --> 00:28:37,339 That means we ought to put up with people. 550 00:28:41,419 --> 00:28:44,979 I spoke very kindly and lovingly of my brother this morning, 551 00:28:44,979 --> 00:28:47,779 bragged on his testimony in high school, did all those things 552 00:28:47,779 --> 00:28:48,099 tonight. 553 00:28:48,099 --> 00:28:52,059 I'll just say also, there's occasions where I had to forbear 554 00:28:52,059 --> 00:28:52,379 him. 555 00:28:55,419 --> 00:28:58,339 I put up with him, by the way, his occasions, he puts up with me 556 00:28:58,339 --> 00:28:58,619 too. 557 00:28:59,569 --> 00:29:00,449 But that's what it is. 558 00:29:00,609 --> 00:29:01,769 Families do, right? 559 00:29:01,769 --> 00:29:02,849 It's what families do. 560 00:29:03,969 --> 00:29:08,369 And we as a church family need again our moderation to be known, 561 00:29:08,769 --> 00:29:12,329 to be reasonable and to forbear one another, to love each 562 00:29:12,329 --> 00:29:14,929 other, to care for each other. 563 00:29:17,969 --> 00:29:20,049 And then it says there in verse five, why? 564 00:29:20,129 --> 00:29:21,329 Because the Lord is at hand. 565 00:29:21,809 --> 00:29:26,219 By the way, you come back today, I was reminded by a pastor, 566 00:29:26,219 --> 00:29:30,219 I was watching a particular sermon and pastor was preaching and 567 00:29:30,459 --> 00:29:33,579 just reminded again that Jesus could come today. 568 00:29:34,779 --> 00:29:38,979 Every time there is a funeral and we're at the graveside, I think 569 00:29:38,979 --> 00:29:39,539 about it. 570 00:29:39,539 --> 00:29:42,299 I think about here, this person has passed away. 571 00:29:42,299 --> 00:29:43,579 Here we're putting him in the ground. 572 00:29:44,779 --> 00:29:48,139 Maybe today the trumpet will sound. 573 00:29:50,069 --> 00:29:52,549 Maybe today is the day of the Lord. 574 00:29:53,589 --> 00:29:55,509 Maybe today, maybe it is today. 575 00:29:56,229 --> 00:29:59,709 And in light of that, Paul's saying, hey, be reasonable, be loving, 576 00:29:59,709 --> 00:30:04,589 be kind, be unified, work together, work till Jesus comes. 577 00:30:04,589 --> 00:30:05,749 Because he could come back today. 578 00:30:05,749 --> 00:30:07,429 We need to live in light of eternity. 579 00:30:08,309 --> 00:30:09,749 What if he came back tonight? 580 00:30:09,749 --> 00:30:10,549 Are you ready? 581 00:30:11,829 --> 00:30:13,429 We need to be ready for his return. 582 00:30:14,069 --> 00:30:18,919 We need to be living in sin, or we don't need to be bickering 583 00:30:18,919 --> 00:30:19,759 and fighting. 584 00:30:20,799 --> 00:30:23,359 But may the Lord find us faithful when he returns. 585 00:30:23,919 --> 00:30:27,599 And then verse six and seven, don't worry, be careful for nothing, 586 00:30:28,719 --> 00:30:32,959 don't have care for anything, not one thing. 587 00:30:32,959 --> 00:30:37,279 He says, why worry when you can pray? 588 00:30:37,679 --> 00:30:39,679 Trust Jesus, he'll be your stay. 589 00:30:40,159 --> 00:30:41,599 Don't be a doubting Thomas. 590 00:30:41,599 --> 00:30:43,039 Rest fully on his promise. 591 00:30:43,039 --> 00:30:45,999 Why worry, worry, worry, worry when you can pray. 592 00:30:47,159 --> 00:30:47,879 We need to pray. 593 00:30:49,159 --> 00:30:50,359 We don't need to worry. 594 00:30:51,639 --> 00:30:54,999 Worry is a lack of trust in God. 595 00:30:56,679 --> 00:30:57,759 Matthew, chapter six. 596 00:30:57,759 --> 00:30:59,239 And we could go read it. 597 00:30:59,239 --> 00:31:00,599 We won't take the time tonight. 598 00:31:00,599 --> 00:31:03,719 But he says I take care of the sparrow. 599 00:31:04,839 --> 00:31:06,599 I won't use that illustration tonight. 600 00:31:07,559 --> 00:31:13,889 But there are pagilions, tragillions, sparrows. 601 00:31:15,409 --> 00:31:17,889 Only one of the only birds we could shoot on the farm. 602 00:31:19,489 --> 00:31:20,929 Papa didn't care. 603 00:31:21,889 --> 00:31:23,169 Cared about a lot of the birds. 604 00:31:24,209 --> 00:31:26,209 He didn't mind us shooting blue jays. 605 00:31:27,809 --> 00:31:30,529 Oh, they're pretty, but they're mean. 606 00:31:31,649 --> 00:31:32,769 He didn't like blue jays. 607 00:31:32,769 --> 00:31:34,209 I don't know if dad remembers that or not. 608 00:31:34,369 --> 00:31:36,209 You could shoot any crow you wanted to. 609 00:31:36,609 --> 00:31:38,719 But crows, they don't die. 610 00:31:42,159 --> 00:31:43,279 It's scary actually. 611 00:31:44,639 --> 00:31:45,599 Evermore, right? 612 00:31:46,639 --> 00:31:47,839 Quote Evermore. 613 00:31:48,479 --> 00:31:49,359 Edgar Allan Poe. 614 00:31:49,359 --> 00:31:51,839 Some of y' all get that one Quote the Raven. 615 00:31:51,839 --> 00:31:52,799 Okay, nevermind. 616 00:31:54,959 --> 00:31:56,719 But we are allowed to shoot sparrows. 617 00:31:57,359 --> 00:31:59,759 And God says I take care of the sparrow. 618 00:32:02,239 --> 00:32:05,169 I feed him, I clothe him, provide for him. 619 00:32:05,169 --> 00:32:07,449 And if I'll take care of the sparrow, don't you think I'll take 620 00:32:07,449 --> 00:32:08,009 care of you? 621 00:32:11,449 --> 00:32:15,609 Why are you worrying about your what you may eat or drink or 622 00:32:16,009 --> 00:32:17,049 what you may put on? 623 00:32:18,729 --> 00:32:20,609 I've never seen the righteous forsaken. 624 00:32:20,609 --> 00:32:20,969 Right. 625 00:32:22,169 --> 00:32:23,209 God provides. 626 00:32:23,609 --> 00:32:24,649 Why are we worried? 627 00:32:24,889 --> 00:32:27,449 95% of what we worry about never comes to fruition. 628 00:32:28,809 --> 00:32:29,609 I would make. 629 00:32:29,799 --> 00:32:31,399 I say the percentage is probably higher than that. 630 00:32:32,039 --> 00:32:34,519 But that's the stats. 631 00:32:34,919 --> 00:32:36,599 Because I can't say the word. 632 00:32:39,719 --> 00:32:40,759 How close was I? 633 00:32:41,159 --> 00:32:41,719 Nope. 634 00:32:43,799 --> 00:32:45,799 95% of what you worry about. 635 00:32:46,199 --> 00:32:52,439 95% of what you stress about never happens. 636 00:32:55,649 --> 00:32:57,169 Why worry when you can pray? 637 00:32:59,809 --> 00:33:02,049 The word worry means to pull in different directions. 638 00:33:03,169 --> 00:33:07,009 Worry causes mental stress, as you know, and can cause physical 639 00:33:07,009 --> 00:33:10,289 problems and have high blood pressure and so many other things. 640 00:33:10,849 --> 00:33:14,369 Worry is wrong thinking in the mind and wrong feelings of the heart. 641 00:33:14,609 --> 00:33:15,889 Worry is the greatest. 642 00:33:16,129 --> 00:33:16,649 Listen. 643 00:33:16,649 --> 00:33:20,789 The greatest thief of joy is worrying. 644 00:33:21,579 --> 00:33:25,579 Why worry robs us of our joy. 645 00:33:27,099 --> 00:33:29,339 In order to stop worrying, we must pray. 646 00:33:30,699 --> 00:33:34,139 The Bible says here that they prayed with supplication and thanksgiving. 647 00:33:35,579 --> 00:33:37,259 Be careful for nothing but in everything. 648 00:33:37,739 --> 00:33:40,299 By prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests 649 00:33:40,299 --> 00:33:41,419 be made known unto God. 650 00:33:41,979 --> 00:33:47,099 And the result of that and the peace of God which passeth all understanding, 651 00:33:47,699 --> 00:33:49,859 should keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 652 00:33:50,819 --> 00:33:52,419 In conjunction with prayer. 653 00:33:52,899 --> 00:33:59,779 The result of prayer is peace supplication. 654 00:34:00,739 --> 00:34:04,019 Supplication has to do with sharing the needs of others. 655 00:34:05,379 --> 00:34:09,419 Supplication has to do with being persistent and earnest about 656 00:34:09,419 --> 00:34:10,339 praying for others. 657 00:34:11,539 --> 00:34:12,739 Intercessory prayer. 658 00:34:12,739 --> 00:34:17,359 Supplication how's your praying? 659 00:34:18,319 --> 00:34:24,959 Because praying affects your joy and keep you from worrying. 660 00:34:25,599 --> 00:34:31,519 With Thanksgiving, understand that we live in a day of unthankfulness. 661 00:34:31,919 --> 00:34:34,159 And we as Christians ought to be the most thankful people. 662 00:34:35,119 --> 00:34:37,959 And we know that in the last days, perilous times shall come. 663 00:34:37,959 --> 00:34:41,629 And on that list is that people will be unthankful. 664 00:34:41,789 --> 00:34:44,989 We live in that day today, man. 665 00:34:44,989 --> 00:34:50,269 So many who are unthankful, especially in America, the greatest 666 00:34:50,269 --> 00:34:53,949 nation on the planet, the richest nation on the planet. 667 00:34:54,029 --> 00:34:55,029 We take it for granted. 668 00:34:55,029 --> 00:34:56,349 I'm going to drive home tonight. 669 00:34:56,749 --> 00:34:57,949 I got plenty of food. 670 00:34:58,349 --> 00:35:00,829 Our chickens are laying about 30 eggs a day. 671 00:35:00,829 --> 00:35:03,149 I got eggs running out our ears. 672 00:35:04,189 --> 00:35:05,949 All my needs are taken care of. 673 00:35:08,449 --> 00:35:09,489 We take it for granted. 674 00:35:09,889 --> 00:35:10,769 We really do. 675 00:35:10,849 --> 00:35:12,049 And I do as well. 676 00:35:13,249 --> 00:35:14,289 We need to be thankful. 677 00:35:14,769 --> 00:35:16,049 We ought to be a thankful people. 678 00:35:16,289 --> 00:35:21,649 I see kids who are raised in homes where parents are not teaching 679 00:35:21,649 --> 00:35:23,409 them to be thankful. 680 00:35:24,609 --> 00:35:28,209 I see a kid who is given something and doesn't say thank you. 681 00:35:28,369 --> 00:35:30,929 I look at the parent and go, that is your fault. 682 00:35:32,299 --> 00:35:35,459 And you as a parent and you as a grandparent ought to be rehearsing 683 00:35:35,459 --> 00:35:37,099 with that child over and over again. 684 00:35:37,579 --> 00:35:38,779 Now say thank you. 685 00:35:39,819 --> 00:35:40,859 Now say thank you. 686 00:35:41,499 --> 00:35:41,859 Mm. 687 00:35:41,859 --> 00:35:42,299 Mm. 688 00:35:43,179 --> 00:35:44,139 Say thank you. 689 00:35:44,539 --> 00:35:45,739 Okay, well, let's give it back. 690 00:35:47,738 --> 00:35:52,139 Amen, child don't want to be thankful, then they shouldn't get 691 00:35:52,139 --> 00:35:53,579 what they were given. 692 00:35:54,459 --> 00:35:55,219 Be thankful. 693 00:35:55,219 --> 00:35:59,139 And it's taught when they're 2 and 3 and 4 year old all the way 694 00:35:59,139 --> 00:36:00,299 up to be thankful. 695 00:36:00,299 --> 00:36:00,619 People. 696 00:36:01,599 --> 00:36:02,319 Be thankful. 697 00:36:02,719 --> 00:36:06,519 And as we do again, as we pray for others, as we pray earnestly 698 00:36:06,519 --> 00:36:09,399 and share the needs and problems of others, as we thank the 699 00:36:09,399 --> 00:36:13,279 Lord and appreciate what God has done for us, we must be eager 700 00:36:13,919 --> 00:36:20,159 again to the Lord as we seek his power and understand that he 701 00:36:20,159 --> 00:36:23,079 is the creator of the universe, that he is the one who 702 00:36:23,079 --> 00:36:25,839 gives us the peace of God. 703 00:36:27,049 --> 00:36:27,849 Peace with God. 704 00:36:32,409 --> 00:36:34,969 I'm thankful for the peace that I have. 705 00:36:35,609 --> 00:36:36,649 I'm thankful for it. 706 00:36:37,689 --> 00:36:41,329 I'm thankful I can lay my head down at night and know that if I 707 00:36:41,329 --> 00:36:42,809 was to die, heaven would be my home. 708 00:36:44,329 --> 00:36:45,609 I'm thankful for my wife. 709 00:36:45,609 --> 00:36:46,729 I'm thankful for my kids. 710 00:36:47,609 --> 00:36:49,049 Thankful for my grandkid. 711 00:36:50,809 --> 00:36:51,969 Thankful for this church. 712 00:36:51,969 --> 00:36:54,099 Thankful for our church family. 713 00:36:55,219 --> 00:36:58,659 So thankful I pray for you. 714 00:37:00,099 --> 00:37:02,339 I pray through the directory every week. 715 00:37:02,819 --> 00:37:08,499 Pray for you as I pray and do for others. 716 00:37:09,139 --> 00:37:13,939 I experience the peace of God and wonderful peace it is. 717 00:37:14,899 --> 00:37:16,419 You want peace and contentment? 718 00:37:17,859 --> 00:37:18,539 Prayer. 719 00:37:19,569 --> 00:37:20,849 You want peace and contentment? 720 00:37:21,889 --> 00:37:23,169 Keep your eyes on Jesus. 721 00:37:24,529 --> 00:37:25,889 You want peace and contentment? 722 00:37:26,529 --> 00:37:27,729 Be truly thankful. 723 00:37:29,089 --> 00:37:33,489 We don't deserve anything in fact, we deserve hell. 724 00:37:34,849 --> 00:37:39,809 But God in his grace and mercy, what a wonderful Savior we 725 00:37:39,809 --> 00:37:40,289 serve. 726 00:37:42,529 --> 00:37:46,699 We must keep guard that God would keep our minds. 727 00:37:47,339 --> 00:37:55,379 We must keep guard and we'll experience that peace that passes 728 00:37:55,379 --> 00:37:56,299 all understanding. 729 00:37:56,859 --> 00:38:00,499 I don't know how many times I've been to a funeral or in a home 730 00:38:00,499 --> 00:38:05,419 of a Christian and see that individual or that family go through 731 00:38:06,059 --> 00:38:07,739 devastating circumstances. 732 00:38:08,299 --> 00:38:13,529 To see them maybe it is a loss of a loved one and to see them as 733 00:38:13,529 --> 00:38:15,889 they go through that adversity, as they go through that 734 00:38:15,889 --> 00:38:16,209 problem. 735 00:38:17,169 --> 00:38:22,209 And I'm still amazed as a preacher and I've been to hundreds 736 00:38:22,209 --> 00:38:23,249 of homes at this point. 737 00:38:23,489 --> 00:38:26,369 I've been to I don't know how many funerals now preached maybe 738 00:38:26,369 --> 00:38:26,849 200. 739 00:38:27,889 --> 00:38:34,129 And I'm still amazed at those who put their trust in God, at the 740 00:38:34,129 --> 00:38:36,849 peace that they experience during those times. 741 00:38:37,639 --> 00:38:41,399 I've experienced those peace when I have gone through the adversity, 742 00:38:41,399 --> 00:38:42,679 when I've lost loved ones. 743 00:38:43,799 --> 00:38:44,679 It's amazing. 744 00:38:45,079 --> 00:38:47,599 God's so good, isn't he, boy? 745 00:38:47,599 --> 00:38:48,279 He's so good. 746 00:38:48,599 --> 00:38:49,239 I don't know. 747 00:38:49,239 --> 00:38:49,919 I really don't. 748 00:38:49,919 --> 00:38:52,759 And as I get older, this becomes more and more true in my 749 00:38:52,759 --> 00:38:52,999 life. 750 00:38:53,159 --> 00:38:56,119 I don't know how people go, how they live without the Lord. 751 00:38:57,479 --> 00:38:58,199 I don't know. 752 00:38:59,639 --> 00:39:00,359 I just don't. 753 00:39:00,359 --> 00:39:01,079 I don't get it. 754 00:39:01,719 --> 00:39:06,729 As I said this morning, the man the most joyful life is the Christian 755 00:39:06,729 --> 00:39:07,049 life. 756 00:39:08,089 --> 00:39:09,129 It truly is. 757 00:39:09,369 --> 00:39:10,169 Let's all stand. 758 00:39:10,649 --> 00:39:12,249 We have verse invitation tonight.