1 00:00:30,099 --> 00:00:33,059 Song if you wouldn't your Bibles Tonight turn to 1 Peter, chapter 2 00:00:33,059 --> 00:00:37,739 3, a simple Bible study tonight. 3 00:00:37,739 --> 00:00:45,139 As we look at this epistle, we think about Peter writing, giving 4 00:00:45,139 --> 00:00:48,339 some basic principles of life here in this particular chapter and 5 00:00:48,739 --> 00:00:51,059 principles on marriage and many other things. 6 00:00:52,979 --> 00:00:58,819 One of those again he mentions the word or the phrase to inherit 7 00:00:58,819 --> 00:00:59,579 a blessing. 8 00:01:00,459 --> 00:01:05,339 He mentions a phrase that all that will love life and see good 9 00:01:05,339 --> 00:01:12,059 days just encourage you as we think about life in general, that 10 00:01:12,539 --> 00:01:15,899 God has promised if we do a few things, do these things, that 11 00:01:16,059 --> 00:01:19,339 he would bless those that life that he would. 12 00:01:19,499 --> 00:01:22,879 And those who would love life and do good, that God would bless 13 00:01:22,879 --> 00:01:23,519 that life. 14 00:01:23,999 --> 00:01:27,519 And so just look at a few principles tonight, a few in particular 15 00:01:28,719 --> 00:01:36,799 characteristics of a Christian who is and will be blessed and inherit 16 00:01:37,039 --> 00:01:37,839 a blessing. 17 00:01:38,479 --> 00:01:40,719 Look with me again First Peter, chapter three, verse eight. 18 00:01:40,879 --> 00:01:45,359 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion, one of another. 19 00:01:46,159 --> 00:01:51,359 Love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous, not rendering evil 20 00:01:51,359 --> 00:01:55,879 for evil, or railing for railing, but contrariwise, blessing, 21 00:01:56,359 --> 00:02:01,559 knowing that ye are thereunto called that ye should inherit a blessing. 22 00:02:02,039 --> 00:02:06,519 For he that will love life and see good days, let him refrain his 23 00:02:06,519 --> 00:02:11,439 tongue from evil and his lips that they speak no guile, let him 24 00:02:11,439 --> 00:02:17,149 eschew evil and do good, let him seek peace and ensue it. 25 00:02:17,389 --> 00:02:21,189 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous and his ears are 26 00:02:21,189 --> 00:02:24,989 open unto the prayers, their prayers, but the face of the Lord 27 00:02:24,989 --> 00:02:27,709 is against them that do evil. 28 00:02:27,949 --> 00:02:33,029 And he goes on to say that as we do good and we do right, that 29 00:02:33,029 --> 00:02:37,789 don't think it's strange that we, you know, encounter those who 30 00:02:37,789 --> 00:02:42,309 may be against us and that we may suffer for those things. 31 00:02:42,309 --> 00:02:46,349 He said, happy are you that you suffer for those things when 32 00:02:46,349 --> 00:02:52,029 you are living and doing good, right? 33 00:02:52,349 --> 00:02:56,189 Because as you live and do good, God has promised a blessing. 34 00:02:56,189 --> 00:02:56,789 Let's pray. 35 00:02:56,789 --> 00:03:01,149 Heavenly Father, again we pray that you'd be with the message tonight 36 00:03:01,709 --> 00:03:05,269 the biblical principles that are instilled here in your word. 37 00:03:05,269 --> 00:03:08,879 And may each of us yield and live according to these principles, 38 00:03:09,199 --> 00:03:09,639 Lord. 39 00:03:09,639 --> 00:03:13,479 And the reward of those things ought to be again a motivator for 40 00:03:13,479 --> 00:03:13,759 that. 41 00:03:13,839 --> 00:03:16,479 And we'll thank you in Jesus name, Amen. 42 00:03:17,599 --> 00:03:21,919 As we think about again, just some very simple principles found 43 00:03:21,919 --> 00:03:24,399 here in the Word of God by Peter. 44 00:03:24,559 --> 00:03:27,279 He speaks there in verse 8 of being of one mind. 45 00:03:27,679 --> 00:03:30,479 And we think about this, we always go back to Philippians, that 46 00:03:30,799 --> 00:03:35,349 the Christlike mind is a mind of selflessness. 47 00:03:35,829 --> 00:03:38,629 Let this mind be in you, which is also in Christ Jesus. 48 00:03:38,949 --> 00:03:42,749 And before that verse there in chapter two, Philippians Chapter 49 00:03:42,749 --> 00:03:43,029 two. 50 00:03:43,349 --> 00:03:47,309 He talks about that every man should look on the other person's 51 00:03:47,309 --> 00:03:51,749 stuff and the other person's life and look out for them. 52 00:03:51,749 --> 00:03:54,749 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the 53 00:03:54,749 --> 00:03:55,509 things of others. 54 00:03:55,589 --> 00:03:57,909 And we should be looking out for our neighbor. 55 00:03:57,909 --> 00:04:00,669 And when we should be looking out for our fellow brothers and sisters 56 00:04:00,669 --> 00:04:07,269 in Christ and looking out for them again, having that one mind 57 00:04:07,269 --> 00:04:09,069 together, the selfless mind. 58 00:04:09,149 --> 00:04:13,229 And then he says, having compassion, one of another, having 59 00:04:13,309 --> 00:04:17,629 compassion, we ought to have one mind and unity of compassion 60 00:04:17,629 --> 00:04:18,909 towards those around us. 61 00:04:19,469 --> 00:04:23,069 Again, our purpose in life is to glorify the Lord. 62 00:04:23,709 --> 00:04:27,629 Our mission in life, our mission in life collectively as a 63 00:04:27,629 --> 00:04:31,989 church and individually is to win the lost, to have compassion 64 00:04:31,989 --> 00:04:35,469 for our neighbor, to have compassion for them when it comes 65 00:04:35,469 --> 00:04:40,629 to sickness and many other things, financial adversity, whatever 66 00:04:40,629 --> 00:04:44,349 it may be, but more importantly, to do good for them 67 00:04:44,349 --> 00:04:45,949 is to give them the gospel. 68 00:04:46,189 --> 00:04:48,309 The greatest good we can do for our neighbor. 69 00:04:48,309 --> 00:04:51,869 The greatest good we can do for a co worker, the greatest good 70 00:04:51,869 --> 00:04:55,949 we can do for a family member is to share the gospel with them. 71 00:04:56,729 --> 00:05:00,209 Do good unto all men, especially those of the household 72 00:05:00,209 --> 00:05:00,729 of faith. 73 00:05:01,769 --> 00:05:08,489 Again, focus be of one mind as a church and again, unified together. 74 00:05:08,489 --> 00:05:10,729 He's speaking here of spirit. 75 00:05:11,049 --> 00:05:12,249 How do we stay unified? 76 00:05:12,249 --> 00:05:14,489 And we've talked about this here lately, the last couple of months, 77 00:05:14,489 --> 00:05:16,489 and it just seems like it's come up a lot. 78 00:05:16,489 --> 00:05:22,809 And unification of a church is determined by the focus of the church, 79 00:05:23,699 --> 00:05:24,899 staying focused. 80 00:05:25,219 --> 00:05:30,419 Our focus, number one, should be on Jesus Christ and glorifying 81 00:05:30,419 --> 00:05:30,819 him. 82 00:05:31,219 --> 00:05:32,499 And how do we glorify him? 83 00:05:32,499 --> 00:05:36,739 We glorify him as a church by fulfilling the Great Commission. 84 00:05:37,299 --> 00:05:41,299 And that is to give the gospel to the world. 85 00:05:41,619 --> 00:05:45,139 To go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature 86 00:05:45,459 --> 00:05:50,659 locally, regionally and around the world, and then to baptize them 87 00:05:51,409 --> 00:05:51,569 again. 88 00:05:51,569 --> 00:05:55,609 The gospel, the Great Commission, is threefold, and that 89 00:05:55,609 --> 00:05:57,169 is to see them get baptized. 90 00:05:57,569 --> 00:05:59,649 When we lead someone to Jesus. 91 00:05:59,649 --> 00:06:02,289 When you give somebody the gospel and they accept him as their 92 00:06:02,289 --> 00:06:06,569 Savior, it is your responsibility to make sure that 93 00:06:06,569 --> 00:06:10,009 you do your very utmost to see that they make it to the baptismal 94 00:06:10,009 --> 00:06:10,529 waters. 95 00:06:10,929 --> 00:06:11,569 Amen. 96 00:06:12,529 --> 00:06:15,569 There should be just as much effort to get them into the baptismal 97 00:06:15,569 --> 00:06:17,409 waters as there was to see them get saved. 98 00:06:17,999 --> 00:06:21,399 Because simply to give them the gospel and see them get saved 99 00:06:21,399 --> 00:06:23,039 is only one third of the commission. 100 00:06:23,519 --> 00:06:26,399 So if you don't fulfill the rest of it, you have not fulfilled 101 00:06:26,399 --> 00:06:26,799 the commission. 102 00:06:27,759 --> 00:06:28,399 Amen. 103 00:06:28,479 --> 00:06:32,199 As a church, we ought to be as determined to see them getting the 104 00:06:32,199 --> 00:06:35,279 water as we were Determined to see them get saved. 105 00:06:37,519 --> 00:06:38,239 Help me out. 106 00:06:38,799 --> 00:06:43,679 Because there has been in the past, especially among Baptists, 107 00:06:44,349 --> 00:06:49,509 many years, an emphasis upon getting the gospel out, but not near 108 00:06:49,509 --> 00:06:52,589 the effort of seeing them baptized and discipled. 109 00:06:54,509 --> 00:06:57,229 And what happens is we just have a lot of baby Christians out 110 00:06:57,229 --> 00:07:01,149 there who are floundering, who never got plugged in, who never got 111 00:07:01,389 --> 00:07:06,509 put into the church and never got discipled and never got to grow. 112 00:07:08,109 --> 00:07:12,479 We need to be united in our purpose, fulfilling the great commission. 113 00:07:13,199 --> 00:07:17,559 I'm thankful for the McGeorge family, I'm thankful for the Matney 114 00:07:17,559 --> 00:07:20,519 family and families that are willing to go to the foreign field 115 00:07:20,519 --> 00:07:24,319 and reach folks all around the world with the gospel. 116 00:07:24,719 --> 00:07:26,439 And we need to pray for our missionaries. 117 00:07:26,439 --> 00:07:30,959 And man, there's so much adversity going on today amongst 118 00:07:30,959 --> 00:07:33,599 our missionaries and just pray for them. 119 00:07:34,239 --> 00:07:39,129 We have over the years continue to give to missions and 120 00:07:39,609 --> 00:07:43,289 give liberally to missions, and I pray that we continue that 121 00:07:43,609 --> 00:07:46,969 and that we as a church continue to be mission minded. 122 00:07:47,449 --> 00:07:51,369 And that is the proof of that, is our local outreach. 123 00:07:51,849 --> 00:07:54,329 And we're going to have, by the way, again, we're coming up on 124 00:07:54,409 --> 00:07:56,569 a lot of local outreach coming up. 125 00:07:56,809 --> 00:08:01,769 And that is the fall fest and the effort that we put into that. 126 00:08:02,199 --> 00:08:06,679 I had someone again ask me, well, we bring in all those people, 127 00:08:07,319 --> 00:08:08,239 what do we do with them? 128 00:08:08,239 --> 00:08:09,719 I said, well, we give them the gospel. 129 00:08:10,359 --> 00:08:13,799 Everybody who comes and walks into the fall fest receives a bag. 130 00:08:13,799 --> 00:08:16,159 And then that bag is literature about the church. 131 00:08:16,159 --> 00:08:19,399 But more importantly, the gospel's in there and they take that 132 00:08:19,399 --> 00:08:21,159 bag home with the gospel in it. 133 00:08:21,479 --> 00:08:24,439 And every year, the last few years especially, we've given away 134 00:08:24,679 --> 00:08:26,999 around 150 of those bags every year. 135 00:08:28,049 --> 00:08:29,649 We want to reach people with the gospel. 136 00:08:30,289 --> 00:08:35,409 Takes a lot of effort and a lot of time and takes, you know, 137 00:08:35,489 --> 00:08:39,969 again, sacrifice on your part to volunteer to be a part of these 138 00:08:40,289 --> 00:08:41,209 special efforts. 139 00:08:41,209 --> 00:08:44,249 Friend day coming up in October, we've kind of changed some 140 00:08:44,249 --> 00:08:49,089 of those things around and made the activity actually simpler. 141 00:08:49,889 --> 00:08:53,939 But we still want to emphasize bringing people to church and reaching 142 00:08:53,939 --> 00:08:55,659 out to the community with the gospel. 143 00:08:55,739 --> 00:09:02,059 I did have brother Tyler, who heads up our door hanger department. 144 00:09:02,459 --> 00:09:04,139 There's a whole department for that. 145 00:09:04,699 --> 00:09:08,659 And as he designed that and we ordered those, we ordered, I think 146 00:09:08,659 --> 00:09:10,259 it was 12,500. 147 00:09:10,259 --> 00:09:13,539 I said, we've been doing 10,000 forever and we can do more 148 00:09:13,539 --> 00:09:13,979 than that. 149 00:09:14,379 --> 00:09:16,139 We can, we can do more than that. 150 00:09:16,299 --> 00:09:19,659 And so this year we want to see the door hanger, the canvassing 151 00:09:20,549 --> 00:09:22,189 our neighborhoods around here. 152 00:09:22,189 --> 00:09:23,749 We want our community to know we're Here. 153 00:09:23,829 --> 00:09:25,749 It's amazing how many people I meet still. 154 00:09:25,989 --> 00:09:28,989 And I have a tendency to talk to people, whether I'm at Dollar 155 00:09:28,989 --> 00:09:30,229 General or Walmart, wherever. 156 00:09:30,229 --> 00:09:31,189 I don't go to Walmart. 157 00:09:32,229 --> 00:09:33,109 Yeah, Home Depot. 158 00:09:33,109 --> 00:09:34,429 I went to Walmart the other day. 159 00:09:34,429 --> 00:09:35,909 Brother Matt Pappas was in there. 160 00:09:35,909 --> 00:09:40,509 He manages the Walmart over here in Haslett, and he's one of 161 00:09:40,509 --> 00:09:41,389 our trustees. 162 00:09:41,389 --> 00:09:43,669 And I saw him in there and I said, hey, Brother Matt, I just want 163 00:09:43,669 --> 00:09:45,989 you to know this is the first time I've been in this Walmart. 164 00:09:46,359 --> 00:09:49,599 My wife will testify in probably a year now. 165 00:09:49,599 --> 00:09:53,239 I will sit out in the parking lot and drop my wife off at the door. 166 00:09:53,239 --> 00:09:56,359 And then she calls me and then I pick her up at the door. 167 00:09:56,359 --> 00:09:58,839 It's cool the way she just walks out with all that stuff. 168 00:09:58,919 --> 00:10:00,439 And then we put it in the car and we go. 169 00:10:00,919 --> 00:10:01,639 It's awesome. 170 00:10:01,639 --> 00:10:03,159 I'm a bad husband, I guess. 171 00:10:03,799 --> 00:10:12,359 But getting the gospel out and every effort to do so, to put the 172 00:10:12,359 --> 00:10:17,799 door hangers out, to do more than we've done in the past, being 173 00:10:18,119 --> 00:10:22,439 unified in that purpose, this would trickle all the way down to 174 00:10:22,679 --> 00:10:27,319 every ministry of the church, whether it's the Sunday school, whether 175 00:10:27,319 --> 00:10:31,039 it's master clubs, whatever. 176 00:10:31,039 --> 00:10:38,799 You are involved in that your goal, your main desire is to see 177 00:10:38,799 --> 00:10:41,719 the gospel be presented to every person. 178 00:10:42,779 --> 00:10:44,939 I would tell our Sunday school teachers, and I'll remind you again, 179 00:10:45,179 --> 00:10:47,819 if you have a visitor in your class, adult teacher, if you have 180 00:10:47,819 --> 00:10:52,619 a visitor in your class, every, every Sunday school lesson 181 00:10:53,019 --> 00:10:57,739 can be redirected at least a little, and the gospel be given. 182 00:10:58,859 --> 00:11:02,099 If you are a teacher of first grade and up and you have a visitor 183 00:11:02,099 --> 00:11:08,589 come in, I would not allow that little kid to leave that classroom 184 00:11:08,589 --> 00:11:12,629 without giving the gospel in some form to them. 185 00:11:12,709 --> 00:11:13,349 Amen. 186 00:11:13,909 --> 00:11:17,029 Master clubs the same way if you're teaching in master clubs and 187 00:11:17,349 --> 00:11:20,509 you have visitors or kids that you don't know, you ought to take 188 00:11:20,509 --> 00:11:25,309 that opportunity to work the gospel in to your lesson. 189 00:11:25,309 --> 00:11:28,429 Because there should not be a lesson that you teach that the gospel 190 00:11:28,429 --> 00:11:29,749 could not be worked into. 191 00:11:30,469 --> 00:11:31,109 Amen. 192 00:11:31,589 --> 00:11:32,869 You guys are quiet tonight. 193 00:11:33,999 --> 00:11:38,159 One mind unified together, reaching people with the gospel. 194 00:11:38,479 --> 00:11:42,599 But here, especially speaking about being unified as brothers and 195 00:11:42,599 --> 00:11:46,159 sisters in Christ, may we be unified together having compassion. 196 00:11:46,159 --> 00:11:48,319 That word, compassion means sympathy. 197 00:11:48,879 --> 00:11:49,518 Sympathy. 198 00:11:49,518 --> 00:11:50,719 We see this in Christ. 199 00:11:51,119 --> 00:11:52,399 He had compassion. 200 00:11:52,879 --> 00:11:58,159 Some lacking compassion, Jude says, and he had compassion. 201 00:11:58,159 --> 00:12:00,609 He had sympathy for them. 202 00:12:00,609 --> 00:12:02,769 He was touched with them. 203 00:12:03,329 --> 00:12:07,569 To feel with others, to suffer with those that suffer, to feel deeply 204 00:12:07,569 --> 00:12:09,889 their hurts as if they were yours. 205 00:12:10,049 --> 00:12:15,569 Compassion, compassion, that is something we have to pray for. 206 00:12:17,329 --> 00:12:19,569 We're not careful, we become jaded. 207 00:12:20,769 --> 00:12:21,649 We just do. 208 00:12:23,089 --> 00:12:25,929 Life has its ups and downs and its twists and turns. 209 00:12:25,929 --> 00:12:30,679 And if we're not careful, we can become callous towards people 210 00:12:31,639 --> 00:12:40,199 and we can forget and we can become less sensitive to our neighbor's 211 00:12:40,199 --> 00:12:40,519 needs. 212 00:12:41,559 --> 00:12:43,399 We should pray for compassion. 213 00:12:43,479 --> 00:12:44,999 Lord, give me compassion. 214 00:12:44,999 --> 00:12:45,639 I need to. 215 00:12:46,119 --> 00:12:48,439 I find myself in this predicament all the time. 216 00:12:48,439 --> 00:12:49,639 I need compassion. 217 00:12:50,279 --> 00:12:51,639 I need more compassion. 218 00:12:51,639 --> 00:12:55,159 I need the compassion that Jesus Christ felt. 219 00:12:55,159 --> 00:12:57,059 And may we follow his example. 220 00:12:57,059 --> 00:13:02,659 And then brotherly love, brotherly love, giving honor, having 221 00:13:02,659 --> 00:13:05,699 compassion, one another, loving love as brethren. 222 00:13:06,979 --> 00:13:10,979 First, John says one of the proofs that we are saved is having 223 00:13:10,979 --> 00:13:12,739 a love for brothers and sisters. 224 00:13:13,539 --> 00:13:17,659 I love my brother and talk about him every once in a while because 225 00:13:17,659 --> 00:13:18,739 he needs to be talked about. 226 00:13:19,299 --> 00:13:25,709 He's four years older than me, and I do love him, and I love him 227 00:13:26,429 --> 00:13:27,229 like a brother. 228 00:13:29,389 --> 00:13:31,869 We don't always agree on everything, but I love him. 229 00:13:31,869 --> 00:13:32,589 He's my brother. 230 00:13:33,789 --> 00:13:37,029 And we need to be reminded again over and over and over again 231 00:13:37,029 --> 00:13:40,829 that as Christians, our heavenly Father is the same. 232 00:13:42,349 --> 00:13:44,189 We are brothers and sisters in Christ. 233 00:13:45,309 --> 00:13:47,069 And one of the proofs is first John. 234 00:13:47,149 --> 00:13:51,249 John says in his Epistle Paul that the proof that we're saved is 235 00:13:51,249 --> 00:13:52,729 that we do have a love for each other. 236 00:13:53,449 --> 00:13:54,889 That we have a love for each other. 237 00:13:55,369 --> 00:13:59,209 And there's always gonna come times of conflict in families. 238 00:14:00,329 --> 00:14:03,289 If you spend any time with family, there's gonna be conflict 239 00:14:04,329 --> 00:14:05,129 here and there. 240 00:14:05,289 --> 00:14:07,689 But maybe we love each other as we ought to. 241 00:14:08,009 --> 00:14:14,169 Love for family is amazing because it overlooks so many things. 242 00:14:15,559 --> 00:14:15,959 Amen. 243 00:14:16,519 --> 00:14:20,359 I overlook a lot of things my brother does or did. 244 00:14:20,919 --> 00:14:22,359 My brother was mean to me. 245 00:14:23,719 --> 00:14:25,479 My brother was really mean to me. 246 00:14:26,199 --> 00:14:29,959 Anybody have an older brother or older sister that's mean to you? 247 00:14:30,199 --> 00:14:30,679 Yeah. 248 00:14:31,239 --> 00:14:32,919 Testify good. 249 00:14:33,319 --> 00:14:35,639 Some of you adults raising your hand. 250 00:14:36,679 --> 00:14:38,679 So we used to have to ride the bus to school. 251 00:14:41,169 --> 00:14:43,569 My brother would beat me up on the bus. 252 00:14:45,249 --> 00:14:48,889 He would beat me up, you say? 253 00:14:48,889 --> 00:14:49,489 Not really. 254 00:14:49,649 --> 00:14:51,409 Yes, beat me up. 255 00:14:52,369 --> 00:14:52,849 Hurt. 256 00:14:52,849 --> 00:14:53,809 I would be crying. 257 00:14:54,929 --> 00:14:57,449 But what was great about my brother is no one else could touch 258 00:14:57,449 --> 00:14:59,649 me because he would beat them up. 259 00:15:01,329 --> 00:15:06,689 But I would pester him so badly that he would get so irritated 260 00:15:06,689 --> 00:15:07,169 at me. 261 00:15:07,869 --> 00:15:12,509 I had definitely had some issues with hyperness. 262 00:15:13,229 --> 00:15:15,709 And anyway, I dug my own hole many times. 263 00:15:15,709 --> 00:15:21,749 But my brother, you know, again, there was a lot of things 264 00:15:21,749 --> 00:15:22,429 growing up. 265 00:15:22,909 --> 00:15:25,269 One time he lied, oh, I'm going to tell that story, and then 266 00:15:25,269 --> 00:15:25,869 I'll move on. 267 00:15:27,069 --> 00:15:33,309 So apparently there was a match or something in the back bathroom 268 00:15:33,309 --> 00:15:33,869 trash can. 269 00:15:33,869 --> 00:15:36,039 I don't remember exactly the Whole thing. 270 00:15:36,519 --> 00:15:41,279 But my dad began his investigation as to why there had 271 00:15:41,279 --> 00:15:45,879 been a fire lit in the back bathroom of the house we grew up 272 00:15:45,879 --> 00:15:46,199 in. 273 00:15:47,399 --> 00:15:50,439 And in his investigation, he always goes to the older brother 274 00:15:50,439 --> 00:15:50,719 first. 275 00:15:50,719 --> 00:15:53,879 And the older brother is never wrong. 276 00:15:54,919 --> 00:15:56,759 He is the sage of the family. 277 00:16:02,269 --> 00:16:06,189 My brother said I did not do it, but Eric did. 278 00:16:07,149 --> 00:16:10,829 And I got the whipping of a lifetime for that. 279 00:16:12,109 --> 00:16:13,709 I told dad I didn't do it. 280 00:16:14,589 --> 00:16:17,509 And it was years later that my brother finally confessed to doing 281 00:16:17,509 --> 00:16:17,789 it. 282 00:16:19,549 --> 00:16:21,789 I just thought you might feel sorry for me now. 283 00:16:23,629 --> 00:16:24,749 I love my brother. 284 00:16:26,509 --> 00:16:30,699 We had a great time growing up for the most part, and we have a 285 00:16:30,699 --> 00:16:31,419 great time now. 286 00:16:33,019 --> 00:16:37,099 Having a love for the brethren means you do overlook. 287 00:16:37,099 --> 00:16:38,699 Love hides a multitude of sins. 288 00:16:40,059 --> 00:16:44,219 Having a love for each other, brethren, we ought to love one another. 289 00:16:44,939 --> 00:16:47,019 Sisters ought to love each other. 290 00:16:47,899 --> 00:16:49,659 Remember that we're family. 291 00:16:50,619 --> 00:16:54,349 That's why even in some of my letters to the church and many times 292 00:16:54,349 --> 00:16:57,629 when I refer to our services tonight, I'm thankful to be with 293 00:16:57,629 --> 00:17:01,509 our church family because that's what we are, family. 294 00:17:01,669 --> 00:17:04,149 Love for the brethren and then pitiful. 295 00:17:04,549 --> 00:17:05,229 Pitiful. 296 00:17:05,229 --> 00:17:07,589 The word pitiful here means tenderhearted. 297 00:17:08,069 --> 00:17:12,029 So as you think about dealing in our dealings with our fellow Christians, 298 00:17:12,029 --> 00:17:14,669 that we need to have compassion and love for each other 299 00:17:14,669 --> 00:17:16,789 and we need to be tender hearted towards each other. 300 00:17:17,269 --> 00:17:18,389 Tender hearted? 301 00:17:19,519 --> 00:17:20,639 Are you tender hearted? 302 00:17:21,199 --> 00:17:22,959 That word tenderhearted means sensitive. 303 00:17:23,279 --> 00:17:24,799 It means affectionate. 304 00:17:25,519 --> 00:17:27,279 We need to be sensitive to each other. 305 00:17:28,879 --> 00:17:30,799 People are our people. 306 00:17:31,839 --> 00:17:35,079 And I have learned over the years I'm still not that good at 307 00:17:35,079 --> 00:17:40,239 reading people or determining their type of personality per se, 308 00:17:40,239 --> 00:17:43,039 especially unless I spend a lot of time with someone. 309 00:17:43,759 --> 00:17:46,559 But we ought to be tender hearted, no matter their personality. 310 00:17:47,438 --> 00:17:50,038 We ought to be tender hearted and sensitive and affectionate towards 311 00:17:50,038 --> 00:17:51,838 them, no matter their attitude. 312 00:17:52,798 --> 00:17:56,358 I found it interesting, as I was looking for illustration of this, 313 00:17:56,358 --> 00:18:01,278 that the Roman Empire was not tenderhearted. 314 00:18:01,838 --> 00:18:09,838 Do you realize the Roman Empire had no rest homes in the Roman 315 00:18:09,838 --> 00:18:10,238 Empire? 316 00:18:10,638 --> 00:18:13,989 There were no assisted living homes in the Roman Empire. 317 00:18:13,989 --> 00:18:19,789 There was no net for those who could not make it. 318 00:18:20,589 --> 00:18:23,389 For those who were physically unable to make it. 319 00:18:23,949 --> 00:18:25,229 There was no public education. 320 00:18:25,869 --> 00:18:27,709 There was no help for the disabled. 321 00:18:28,589 --> 00:18:34,029 There was no compassion or tenderhearted. 322 00:18:34,029 --> 00:18:35,949 There was no sensitivity to those things. 323 00:18:40,119 --> 00:18:42,279 But I would tell you that Jesus was sensitive towards it. 324 00:18:44,359 --> 00:18:45,879 He was sensitive towards it. 325 00:18:46,919 --> 00:18:50,359 Touched and healed the lame. 326 00:18:52,279 --> 00:18:53,239 Touched a leper. 327 00:18:54,759 --> 00:18:57,159 Oh, Jesus was sensitive towards it. 328 00:18:58,119 --> 00:19:03,239 He had compassion sensitivity towards those who could not help 329 00:19:03,239 --> 00:19:06,809 themselves rise up and walk. 330 00:19:08,489 --> 00:19:10,409 Did Jesus have to do any of those things? 331 00:19:11,609 --> 00:19:13,129 No, he didn't have to do any of those. 332 00:19:13,129 --> 00:19:15,369 Things, but that's who he is. 333 00:19:16,409 --> 00:19:17,129 That's God. 334 00:19:17,369 --> 00:19:22,609 And I'll remind you, when we see Jesus and his actions, that's 335 00:19:22,609 --> 00:19:22,969 God. 336 00:19:24,089 --> 00:19:25,369 You say, well, how would God. 337 00:19:25,369 --> 00:19:26,609 How would God react to that? 338 00:19:26,609 --> 00:19:27,609 Or how would God do that? 339 00:19:27,609 --> 00:19:29,129 Or, well, watch the life of Jesus. 340 00:19:29,129 --> 00:19:30,249 That's how God would do it. 341 00:19:31,089 --> 00:19:32,849 That's how sensitive God is. 342 00:19:33,729 --> 00:19:35,569 That's how compassionate God is. 343 00:19:37,089 --> 00:19:40,209 And by the way, he's the same today, yesterday, and forever. 344 00:19:42,289 --> 00:19:43,089 Praise the Lord. 345 00:19:43,089 --> 00:19:43,369 Right. 346 00:19:43,369 --> 00:19:46,488 That same compassion we see in the life of Jesus, that's the same 347 00:19:46,488 --> 00:19:48,129 compassion that God has for us now. 348 00:19:48,929 --> 00:19:54,449 And that tenderheartedness we should exhibit in our own lives, 349 00:19:54,449 --> 00:19:55,929 being sensitive to those around us. 350 00:19:55,929 --> 00:19:59,469 And then number five is being courteous. 351 00:20:00,669 --> 00:20:05,149 Courteous just simply means to be friendly, be friendly. 352 00:20:06,349 --> 00:20:08,509 As Christians, we ought to be friendly. 353 00:20:09,869 --> 00:20:12,269 Just ought to be say, well, that's not my personality. 354 00:20:12,269 --> 00:20:13,469 I didn't write the book. 355 00:20:14,109 --> 00:20:20,749 It says to be courteous, be friendly, show thoughtfulness. 356 00:20:22,269 --> 00:20:22,949 The opposite. 357 00:20:22,949 --> 00:20:23,869 It would be rude. 358 00:20:24,789 --> 00:20:25,749 Did you ever just meet anybody? 359 00:20:25,749 --> 00:20:27,029 Somebody who was just rude? 360 00:20:27,749 --> 00:20:30,309 I'm like, seriously, you can't be from Texas. 361 00:20:31,029 --> 00:20:32,989 I do that all the time in my brain. 362 00:20:32,989 --> 00:20:33,349 My wife. 363 00:20:33,349 --> 00:20:34,789 And I'll say it out loud if my wife's around. 364 00:20:35,109 --> 00:20:37,269 You can't be rude like that, be raised in Texas. 365 00:20:37,509 --> 00:20:39,189 We don't raise our children like that. 366 00:20:42,309 --> 00:20:43,109 We shouldn't. 367 00:20:44,229 --> 00:20:50,229 A lot of rude people today, we ought to, again, be courteous to 368 00:20:50,229 --> 00:20:52,699 those around us and on our end. 369 00:20:52,699 --> 00:20:56,059 It has to do with having a humble spirit. 370 00:20:56,779 --> 00:21:00,459 In other words, if I'm being rude to somebody, it means I. 371 00:21:01,179 --> 00:21:06,099 In reality, it means I'm better than them, you know, in other 372 00:21:06,099 --> 00:21:08,739 words, maybe they're in line in front of me and I'm rude and I 373 00:21:08,739 --> 00:21:09,459 cut or whatever. 374 00:21:09,459 --> 00:21:13,619 I don't know, means I'm more important than them or my time is 375 00:21:13,619 --> 00:21:15,979 more important than their time or whatever it is. 376 00:21:16,459 --> 00:21:17,579 I'm not being courteous. 377 00:21:17,939 --> 00:21:19,939 I know I say this enough, but I'll say it again. 378 00:21:19,939 --> 00:21:24,579 If you live in Texas and you have come here from another state 379 00:21:25,299 --> 00:21:28,339 and you weren't taught to wave at people when they wave at you, 380 00:21:28,979 --> 00:21:29,939 wave at people. 381 00:21:31,219 --> 00:21:31,619 Right. 382 00:21:31,699 --> 00:21:33,419 We say, I have no idea who they are. 383 00:21:33,419 --> 00:21:34,099 It doesn't matter. 384 00:21:35,859 --> 00:21:36,859 You're in Texas. 385 00:21:36,859 --> 00:21:37,379 Yeah. 386 00:21:37,859 --> 00:21:44,949 If you're walking in the mall and somebody says hi to you, we ought 387 00:21:44,949 --> 00:21:47,469 to be courteous and say, hi back. 388 00:21:50,509 --> 00:21:51,229 Howdy. 389 00:21:52,189 --> 00:21:52,989 Howdy. 390 00:21:54,589 --> 00:21:56,829 We ought to teach our children to be courteous. 391 00:21:59,309 --> 00:21:59,749 Yeah. 392 00:21:59,749 --> 00:22:00,909 And not to be rude. 393 00:22:02,349 --> 00:22:02,989 Friendly. 394 00:22:03,709 --> 00:22:05,189 You say, well, that's your personality. 395 00:22:05,189 --> 00:22:05,749 You're a preacher. 396 00:22:05,749 --> 00:22:06,669 You have to be friendly. 397 00:22:06,669 --> 00:22:08,269 No, I didn't write the book. 398 00:22:08,349 --> 00:22:10,169 It says we ought to all be courteous. 399 00:22:11,759 --> 00:22:19,639 See, you don't have to be as you know, bouncing up and down like 400 00:22:19,639 --> 00:22:20,079 I do. 401 00:22:20,239 --> 00:22:21,599 I told you all the elevator story. 402 00:22:21,599 --> 00:22:22,639 I won't go into those things. 403 00:22:22,639 --> 00:22:26,159 But just being courteous, being kind to people around you, 404 00:22:26,799 --> 00:22:30,399 having that humbleness, a spirit of lowliness. 405 00:22:31,279 --> 00:22:32,879 By the way, that's the spirit of Jesus. 406 00:22:34,239 --> 00:22:39,529 Lowly, meek, mild, by the way, meekness is not weakness. 407 00:22:41,529 --> 00:22:45,449 Jesus Christ went to the temple and turned over the money 408 00:22:45,449 --> 00:22:49,769 chambers tables and took a whip and drove them out of the temple. 409 00:22:50,249 --> 00:22:52,249 And yet he was meek. 410 00:22:52,569 --> 00:22:53,849 Meekness is not weakness. 411 00:22:54,649 --> 00:22:56,889 Meekness is just being under control. 412 00:22:58,889 --> 00:22:59,849 Being under control. 413 00:23:01,579 --> 00:23:07,579 And then verse nine, not rendering evil for evil or railing 414 00:23:07,579 --> 00:23:09,979 for railing, but contrariwise, blessing. 415 00:23:10,859 --> 00:23:11,579 Blessing. 416 00:23:13,019 --> 00:23:14,219 So again towards others. 417 00:23:14,299 --> 00:23:16,459 And this has to do more with our enemies. 418 00:23:16,699 --> 00:23:20,219 Again, Jesus made it very plain that we should love our enemies. 419 00:23:20,539 --> 00:23:24,219 The only way we can do that is through the grace of God. 420 00:23:24,459 --> 00:23:28,939 You can't love your enemies or those who have despitefully used 421 00:23:28,939 --> 00:23:33,609 you unless you experience and know the grace of God. 422 00:23:34,409 --> 00:23:36,809 By the way, the Bible says, pray for those who despitefully use 423 00:23:36,809 --> 00:23:37,129 you. 424 00:23:39,449 --> 00:23:43,089 We ought to again be kind and gracious not only to those who are 425 00:23:43,089 --> 00:23:46,929 kind and gracious to us, but kind and gracious to those who are 426 00:23:46,929 --> 00:23:48,329 not kind and gracious to us. 427 00:23:49,209 --> 00:23:49,849 Amen. 428 00:23:50,489 --> 00:23:51,769 That's what the Bible's saying. 429 00:23:53,049 --> 00:23:56,169 And the Holy Spirit has to guide us and empower us to do so. 430 00:23:57,469 --> 00:24:01,069 And the Bible says if we'll do that, that we'll be blessed. 431 00:24:01,709 --> 00:24:06,749 The reward for not rendering evil for evil, the reward for not 432 00:24:06,909 --> 00:24:15,309 rendering railing for railing is that you or ye usin should inherit 433 00:24:15,309 --> 00:24:15,949 a blessing. 434 00:24:17,549 --> 00:24:18,429 You want a bless. 435 00:24:22,439 --> 00:24:25,799 Treat even your enemies as you would treat yourself. 436 00:24:27,959 --> 00:24:28,919 Render evil. 437 00:24:33,719 --> 00:24:34,999 Render good for evil. 438 00:24:36,919 --> 00:24:40,919 Rendering evil for good is satanic. 439 00:24:43,959 --> 00:24:45,879 Rendering good for good is the flesh. 440 00:24:46,199 --> 00:24:47,319 Anybody can do that. 441 00:24:49,169 --> 00:24:57,489 But rendering evil for evil is wrong. 442 00:24:58,609 --> 00:25:01,009 But good for evil, that's Jesus. 443 00:25:01,809 --> 00:25:03,089 That's the Holy Spirit. 444 00:25:03,969 --> 00:25:05,009 Let me say it this way. 445 00:25:05,009 --> 00:25:06,209 That's being a Christian. 446 00:25:07,649 --> 00:25:15,679 That's being a Christian years ago, I We have preached on forgiveness 447 00:25:15,679 --> 00:25:16,559 many, many times. 448 00:25:17,039 --> 00:25:18,399 We did a series on it. 449 00:25:18,479 --> 00:25:20,639 Hasn't been too long ago, maybe three or four years ago. 450 00:25:22,079 --> 00:25:24,559 And that we ought to forgive others as Christ forgave us. 451 00:25:26,239 --> 00:25:31,639 And as we deal with those who we have who have offended us, we 452 00:25:31,639 --> 00:25:35,199 deal with those who have treated us wrong. 453 00:25:35,199 --> 00:25:36,079 Or at least on R.E.M. 454 00:25:36,079 --> 00:25:36,919 we believe that. 455 00:25:36,919 --> 00:25:41,929 And you know, and if you believe it, then it needs to be taken 456 00:25:41,929 --> 00:25:42,489 care of. 457 00:25:44,809 --> 00:25:47,969 The best thing you can do for someone whom you're having a hard 458 00:25:47,969 --> 00:25:52,369 time forgiving the best thing you can do for someone who you would 459 00:25:52,369 --> 00:25:54,649 consider maybe again your enemy. 460 00:25:55,289 --> 00:25:57,929 The best thing you can do for them is to pray for them. 461 00:25:59,849 --> 00:26:08,629 And I don't mean like, Lord, I hope that you will, you know, you 462 00:26:08,629 --> 00:26:13,909 will be like David as David had prayed and rain down fire upon 463 00:26:13,909 --> 00:26:17,909 them and brimstone and Lord, just wipe them out. 464 00:26:17,909 --> 00:26:19,189 No, don't pray like that. 465 00:26:21,109 --> 00:26:22,469 But we should pray for them. 466 00:26:25,989 --> 00:26:28,549 We should pray for them like we pray for our own family. 467 00:26:31,109 --> 00:26:31,909 Pray for them. 468 00:26:32,769 --> 00:26:35,289 Another thing, the Bible, the biblical principle, and I gave this 469 00:26:35,289 --> 00:26:35,649 to you. 470 00:26:35,649 --> 00:26:36,849 It's been several years ago. 471 00:26:37,329 --> 00:26:43,529 Many times doing something for them, you just have to look for an 472 00:26:43,529 --> 00:26:44,209 opportunity. 473 00:26:44,769 --> 00:26:47,849 But many times when you have an odd against someone and you've 474 00:26:47,849 --> 00:26:51,729 prayed for them and you're praying God to help you to find forgiveness 475 00:26:51,729 --> 00:26:55,529 and have forgiveness for them, you're praying that God would again 476 00:26:55,529 --> 00:26:57,569 give you compassion for them. 477 00:26:58,769 --> 00:27:03,889 Many times, especially in big circumstances, maybe again giving 478 00:27:03,889 --> 00:27:08,209 them something, doing something for them on your end, you 479 00:27:08,209 --> 00:27:11,329 won't believe what that'll do for you. 480 00:27:12,609 --> 00:27:16,329 If you do it in the right spirit, of course, not like, okay, 481 00:27:16,329 --> 00:27:18,729 I gave you this, I feel so much better. 482 00:27:18,729 --> 00:27:22,889 No, it's as you praying for them, as you're asking for the grace 483 00:27:22,889 --> 00:27:26,779 of God and you do something for them, whether it's something 484 00:27:26,779 --> 00:27:30,419 you, you know, tangible or whatever it may be, maybe it's a 485 00:27:30,419 --> 00:27:32,699 letter, maybe it's an email, whatever it may be. 486 00:27:33,419 --> 00:27:37,259 But if you're struggling with someone, you're struggling getting 487 00:27:37,259 --> 00:27:41,139 along with someone, especially a brother or sister in Christ, pray 488 00:27:41,139 --> 00:27:41,659 for them. 489 00:27:42,939 --> 00:27:49,579 And then many times again, doing something good for them, doing 490 00:27:49,579 --> 00:27:51,259 something good for them, whatever that may be. 491 00:27:51,259 --> 00:27:57,269 One time I was struggling with an individual and they needed to 492 00:27:57,269 --> 00:27:59,709 borrow something, they borrowed something. 493 00:27:59,949 --> 00:28:02,869 And I said, well, by the way, the Bible says when you let somebody 494 00:28:02,869 --> 00:28:05,869 borrow something, you need to just kind of act like it may never 495 00:28:05,869 --> 00:28:06,349 come back. 496 00:28:07,149 --> 00:28:10,509 But in this case I was like, no, you can just have it. 497 00:28:11,389 --> 00:28:14,469 And I'd been praying for this individual and I remember again the 498 00:28:14,469 --> 00:28:16,109 load being lifted when I did that. 499 00:28:17,309 --> 00:28:20,429 In that particular circumstance, in that particular 500 00:28:20,429 --> 00:28:27,369 instance, it was the act of giving to them that enabled me to 501 00:28:28,569 --> 00:28:29,209 let go. 502 00:28:31,449 --> 00:28:34,009 I can't tell you why or how. 503 00:28:34,009 --> 00:28:36,569 I just know I'm thankful for the grace of God. 504 00:28:38,569 --> 00:28:39,369 Pray for them. 505 00:28:40,649 --> 00:28:41,449 Pray for them. 506 00:28:41,689 --> 00:28:46,969 We are not to render evil for evil. 507 00:28:48,009 --> 00:28:51,879 It's not our place to seek revenge. 508 00:28:53,799 --> 00:28:57,959 It's our place to have compassion and be courteous, to be 509 00:28:57,959 --> 00:29:03,199 tender hearted and be kind, to be sensitive towards those around 510 00:29:03,199 --> 00:29:03,559 us. 511 00:29:03,559 --> 00:29:09,199 And be of one mind to love our brothers and sisters in Christ and 512 00:29:09,199 --> 00:29:10,359 then to love our enemies. 513 00:29:11,239 --> 00:29:12,599 And what's the result? 514 00:29:15,079 --> 00:29:19,049 Well, again, not rendering evil for evil or railing for railing, 515 00:29:19,049 --> 00:29:20,769 but contrariwise, blessing. 516 00:29:21,729 --> 00:29:28,369 Be a blessing to them, knowing that ye are thereunto called that 517 00:29:28,369 --> 00:29:31,649 what ye should inherit a blessing. 518 00:29:32,209 --> 00:29:37,489 For he that will love life and see good days, let him refrain his 519 00:29:37,489 --> 00:29:41,249 tongue from evil and his lips that they speak no guile. 520 00:29:41,819 --> 00:29:43,059 We won't go into the rest of there. 521 00:29:43,059 --> 00:29:45,019 But again, you want a blessing? 522 00:29:46,619 --> 00:29:47,659 You want a blessing? 523 00:29:52,379 --> 00:29:53,339 Be a blessing. 524 00:29:54,619 --> 00:29:59,459 Be a blessing to those around you as Christ would be a blessing 525 00:29:59,459 --> 00:30:00,219 to those around him. 526 00:30:00,779 --> 00:30:04,859 Even those who may consider your enemies. 527 00:30:06,459 --> 00:30:07,579 Be a blessing to them. 528 00:30:08,599 --> 00:30:10,039 Heap coals of fire on their head. 529 00:30:10,119 --> 00:30:12,839 I'm telling you, God could do much more with the person you have 530 00:30:12,839 --> 00:30:14,119 an odd against than you can. 531 00:30:15,239 --> 00:30:17,319 And it's still funny to me how we. 532 00:30:17,879 --> 00:30:18,999 I still do this too. 533 00:30:19,319 --> 00:30:22,879 It's funny how so many times it's hurting you more than it's hurting 534 00:30:22,879 --> 00:30:23,319 that person. 535 00:30:24,199 --> 00:30:26,039 Sometimes they don't even know there's a problem. 536 00:30:27,799 --> 00:30:30,519 Boy, give that to the Lord. 537 00:30:31,079 --> 00:30:32,279 Be a blessing to them. 538 00:30:33,079 --> 00:30:36,279 In verse 12, he speaks about hearing our prayers, those that do 539 00:30:36,279 --> 00:30:38,519 good and those who live righteously. 540 00:30:38,519 --> 00:30:39,639 God will hear our pray. 541 00:30:40,619 --> 00:30:45,059 I'm thankful that God still answers prayers that he hears the 542 00:30:45,059 --> 00:30:45,939 prayer of the righteous. 543 00:30:45,939 --> 00:30:52,779 It says, and then being Christlike, being and living the 544 00:30:52,779 --> 00:30:56,859 Christ life will bring about blessing in your life. 545 00:30:57,419 --> 00:30:59,899 You'll say, well, I have to do all these things. 546 00:31:00,619 --> 00:31:05,419 You know, again, doing all those things that the Bible encourages 547 00:31:05,499 --> 00:31:10,049 to do or not do doesn't equate to spiritualness. 548 00:31:10,129 --> 00:31:13,889 It only puts us in a position where the Lord can make us spiritual 549 00:31:14,449 --> 00:31:17,409 because we can do things for others and have the wrong motives. 550 00:31:18,209 --> 00:31:21,809 But as we do for others and as we are a blessing to others and we 551 00:31:21,809 --> 00:31:25,369 pray and we have the right motives, God will just pour out a 552 00:31:25,369 --> 00:31:26,209 blessing on you. 553 00:31:27,169 --> 00:31:29,009 God will give you a river of blessings. 554 00:31:29,009 --> 00:31:31,569 And God will give you a softer heart. 555 00:31:31,569 --> 00:31:33,009 God will give you compassion. 556 00:31:34,539 --> 00:31:37,939 God will help you to be courteous with those who are not 557 00:31:37,939 --> 00:31:38,219 very. 558 00:31:38,299 --> 00:31:43,179 You ever wanted just to do something to a rude person like be 559 00:31:43,179 --> 00:31:43,819 rude back? 560 00:31:45,179 --> 00:31:45,579 No. 561 00:31:45,659 --> 00:31:49,259 God will give you the grace you need to handle those situations, 562 00:31:49,739 --> 00:31:52,299 especially when it comes to the family of God. 563 00:31:52,699 --> 00:31:55,259 When it comes to our brothers and sisters in Christ, let's all 564 00:31:55,259 --> 00:31:55,579 stand.