1 00:00:30,099 --> 00:00:34,259 Have Jesus than anything this world affords. 2 00:00:35,619 --> 00:00:38,179 Well, how are we going to fill up these chairs? 3 00:00:40,259 --> 00:00:43,379 Either we bring somebody, or we all gain a lot of weight. 4 00:00:45,299 --> 00:00:49,459 The devil always likes to applaud when he walks in and sees 5 00:00:49,459 --> 00:00:50,339 empty chairs. 6 00:00:50,419 --> 00:00:53,459 But at least you are in your place where you ought to be. 7 00:00:53,699 --> 00:00:55,219 And a lot of people are spread out. 8 00:00:55,219 --> 00:00:56,299 I have to get used to that. 9 00:00:56,299 --> 00:00:58,419 Different rooms, doing, different ministries. 10 00:00:59,269 --> 00:01:02,149 But just thank God for faithful people like you. 11 00:01:02,149 --> 00:01:07,189 Some are out of town on vacation and some are sick. 12 00:01:07,269 --> 00:01:08,629 And so there's lots of things. 13 00:01:08,629 --> 00:01:11,509 But we praise God for who is here tonight. 14 00:01:11,989 --> 00:01:18,029 You know, Jesus sometimes had big crowds, big multitudes, and sometimes 15 00:01:18,029 --> 00:01:18,869 he had a few. 16 00:01:19,669 --> 00:01:22,589 And when he finally got to the end of his life on the cross, he 17 00:01:22,589 --> 00:01:23,429 only had one. 18 00:01:24,879 --> 00:01:30,399 I remember when the crowds began to disperse one time, and Jesus 19 00:01:30,799 --> 00:01:33,119 looked at Peter and said, will ye go away also? 20 00:01:34,239 --> 00:01:36,479 And he said, lord, where will we go? 21 00:01:37,199 --> 00:01:39,919 And so if you're not here tonight, where would you go? 22 00:01:39,999 --> 00:01:41,519 Where else would you rather be? 23 00:01:42,319 --> 00:01:45,639 And so I just praise God for those that are with us. 24 00:01:45,639 --> 00:01:47,479 You know that song, the Regions Beyond? 25 00:01:47,479 --> 00:01:50,479 I only heard it a couple of times, but it is a great mission 26 00:01:50,479 --> 00:01:54,169 song, and I need to try to memorize a great song. 27 00:01:54,729 --> 00:01:58,729 But, you know, there's levels of this thing of going. 28 00:01:59,689 --> 00:02:03,129 Sometimes people sing a song like that and they say, I should 29 00:02:03,129 --> 00:02:03,449 go. 30 00:02:04,889 --> 00:02:06,569 Probably that grows across their mind. 31 00:02:07,209 --> 00:02:10,409 Then somebody else will come along and say, well, I must go. 32 00:02:10,409 --> 00:02:12,009 And that's a little bit better. 33 00:02:12,489 --> 00:02:13,129 I must. 34 00:02:14,089 --> 00:02:17,889 And then there's a third one that says, I will go. 35 00:02:18,929 --> 00:02:20,889 And you think, that's good enough right there. 36 00:02:20,889 --> 00:02:21,489 I will go. 37 00:02:21,489 --> 00:02:22,849 No, there's still one more. 38 00:02:23,409 --> 00:02:24,049 I'm going. 39 00:02:25,009 --> 00:02:26,929 Okay, I'm going right now. 40 00:02:27,249 --> 00:02:30,729 Wherever you are, you don't have to cross the ocean to go and 41 00:02:30,729 --> 00:02:31,809 share the gospel. 42 00:02:32,289 --> 00:02:37,169 And so we praise God for that song and that we have a great outreach 43 00:02:37,169 --> 00:02:41,609 here at Heritage through our missions, and we hope to even see 44 00:02:41,609 --> 00:02:43,799 that grow in the years ahead. 45 00:02:43,799 --> 00:02:45,279 We don't have a lot of time left. 46 00:02:45,279 --> 00:02:50,879 Jesus is coming soon, sooner than we've ever, ever, ever imagined. 47 00:02:50,879 --> 00:02:52,479 We are right there at the edge. 48 00:02:52,479 --> 00:02:56,999 Take your Bible and go to First Peter, chapter number four. 49 00:02:57,079 --> 00:02:59,839 I'm going to read several passages, and I'd like you to try 50 00:02:59,839 --> 00:03:04,039 to turn with them, turn to them with me, because it kind of 51 00:03:04,199 --> 00:03:04,719 sets. 52 00:03:04,719 --> 00:03:08,159 Paints a backdrop of what I want to speak to you tonight for. 53 00:03:08,309 --> 00:03:09,029 For a few moments. 54 00:03:09,509 --> 00:03:10,269 Have you ever heard. 55 00:03:10,269 --> 00:03:12,309 Has anybody ever come to you and say, hey, how you doing? 56 00:03:12,309 --> 00:03:12,869 You said, fine. 57 00:03:12,869 --> 00:03:14,309 Say, how's the world treating you? 58 00:03:14,629 --> 00:03:16,789 Anybody ever ask you how the world's treating you. 59 00:03:18,869 --> 00:03:20,269 People ask me that all the time. 60 00:03:20,269 --> 00:03:22,229 And usually we always say, I'm doing all right. 61 00:03:22,709 --> 00:03:25,029 But, you know, stop and think about it for a moment. 62 00:03:25,509 --> 00:03:30,989 How the world treats us sometimes is a good indication of 63 00:03:30,989 --> 00:03:32,789 how we are doing spiritually. 64 00:03:35,039 --> 00:03:35,759 It really is. 65 00:03:36,879 --> 00:03:40,399 Because the Bible says, when you get saved, we're peculiar. 66 00:03:41,119 --> 00:03:42,479 We're peculiar people. 67 00:03:43,759 --> 00:03:47,119 And sometimes people raise their eyebrows, and sometimes people 68 00:03:47,519 --> 00:03:51,039 make fun, and sometimes people mock us. 69 00:03:51,039 --> 00:03:55,039 And sometimes people say, oh, great, another Christian. 70 00:03:56,879 --> 00:03:58,479 How's the world treating you? 71 00:03:58,799 --> 00:04:02,159 For the world to really treat us the way we'd like to be treated 72 00:04:02,159 --> 00:04:03,899 and to be liked. 73 00:04:03,979 --> 00:04:05,539 We all like to be liked. 74 00:04:05,539 --> 00:04:06,339 Let's be honest. 75 00:04:06,339 --> 00:04:08,459 We don't really want anybody to hate us. 76 00:04:09,579 --> 00:04:10,939 We like to be liked. 77 00:04:11,579 --> 00:04:15,899 But, you know, if we're living like Christ, Jesus said they hated 78 00:04:15,899 --> 00:04:16,219 me. 79 00:04:19,659 --> 00:04:21,899 And he said, they'll hate you. 80 00:04:23,019 --> 00:04:26,619 They persecuted me, they'll persecute you. 81 00:04:28,629 --> 00:04:29,349 Don't raise your hand. 82 00:04:29,349 --> 00:04:33,549 But how many of you could honestly say, tonight, I was persecuted 83 00:04:33,549 --> 00:04:35,269 this week for being a Christian? 84 00:04:38,069 --> 00:04:41,509 I think we have to stop and really take that serious for a moment. 85 00:04:42,389 --> 00:04:44,388 And here's what really hurts. 86 00:04:44,388 --> 00:04:48,469 And I was always taught, if a sermon doesn't hurt, throw it away. 87 00:04:49,349 --> 00:04:50,229 What good is it? 88 00:04:50,229 --> 00:04:50,709 Amen. 89 00:04:51,189 --> 00:04:52,429 I mean, we need to hurt. 90 00:04:52,429 --> 00:04:53,709 We need to get under conviction. 91 00:04:53,709 --> 00:04:55,269 We don't have to be negative and. 92 00:04:55,819 --> 00:04:56,939 And down on everything. 93 00:04:57,099 --> 00:05:00,339 But when come under the preaching of the word of God, we 94 00:05:00,339 --> 00:05:03,659 ought to feel something kind of sticking in our heart a little 95 00:05:03,659 --> 00:05:03,979 bit. 96 00:05:05,419 --> 00:05:09,819 And the fact of the matter is, a lot of times the reason Christians 97 00:05:09,819 --> 00:05:12,459 aren't persecuted like they used to be. 98 00:05:12,459 --> 00:05:15,139 And I know around the world right now, as we're sitting here, 99 00:05:15,139 --> 00:05:18,379 there are Christians giving their lives for their testimony in 100 00:05:18,379 --> 00:05:18,699 Christ. 101 00:05:19,339 --> 00:05:20,539 But we're not used to that. 102 00:05:20,539 --> 00:05:24,259 We don't see that usually much in Fort Worth or Haslett or Weatherford, 103 00:05:24,739 --> 00:05:25,459 read the news. 104 00:05:25,459 --> 00:05:31,019 Somebody was killed or stoned or locked up because they were a 105 00:05:31,019 --> 00:05:31,539 Christian. 106 00:05:31,539 --> 00:05:32,579 We don't hear that much. 107 00:05:32,659 --> 00:05:33,059 Why? 108 00:05:35,059 --> 00:05:41,299 I think sometimes because we compromise to avoid conflict. 109 00:05:42,019 --> 00:05:46,739 We keep our mouth shut, we blend a little bit. 110 00:05:46,739 --> 00:05:48,579 How do you think that makes the Lord feel? 111 00:05:50,429 --> 00:05:51,389 It's not time to pray. 112 00:05:51,389 --> 00:05:52,189 You can look up. 113 00:05:52,269 --> 00:05:53,629 Some of you are looking down. 114 00:05:54,909 --> 00:05:58,749 But I'm gonna be positive tonight because it's something we 115 00:05:58,749 --> 00:05:59,789 ought to think about. 116 00:06:00,429 --> 00:06:03,549 How's the world treating you? 117 00:06:04,349 --> 00:06:10,029 You see, sometimes we need to understand it's not strange for strange 118 00:06:10,029 --> 00:06:14,349 things to happen to us when we are strangers in a strange world. 119 00:06:15,959 --> 00:06:18,599 But a lot of times we want to fit in. 120 00:06:19,559 --> 00:06:22,039 And I don't Mean we ought to go out and pick a fight. 121 00:06:22,839 --> 00:06:26,039 I don't think we ought to go in and out and offend people on purpose. 122 00:06:26,039 --> 00:06:28,719 The Bible doesn't even teach that anywhere, that we're just to 123 00:06:28,719 --> 00:06:30,599 go out and say, I'm a Christian, you want to make something 124 00:06:30,599 --> 00:06:31,159 of it? 125 00:06:31,719 --> 00:06:33,159 No, it doesn't say that. 126 00:06:33,799 --> 00:06:36,919 But Jesus said, if you're going to follow me, you might as 127 00:06:36,919 --> 00:06:41,759 well take up the cross because you're going to to suffer some kind, 128 00:06:41,759 --> 00:06:43,079 at least to some degree. 129 00:06:43,159 --> 00:06:46,439 And I think probably the closer we get to the return to the 130 00:06:46,439 --> 00:06:49,799 rapture of Christ, the rapture of Christians to meet Christ in the 131 00:06:49,799 --> 00:06:53,079 air, I think the closer we get to that, we're gonna feel more and 132 00:06:53,079 --> 00:06:59,799 more of being alienated, of being shunned, of being mocked. 133 00:06:59,879 --> 00:07:00,879 Can you handle that? 134 00:07:00,879 --> 00:07:02,919 Somebody mocks you, somebody laughs at you. 135 00:07:03,639 --> 00:07:04,679 Can you handle that? 136 00:07:04,679 --> 00:07:09,729 Is it easy for you if somebody was to criticize you and call you 137 00:07:10,369 --> 00:07:13,569 holier than thou, or call you this or thou or the other? 138 00:07:14,849 --> 00:07:17,489 We have a different breed of Christians today. 139 00:07:18,769 --> 00:07:23,169 They're not as vocal as they used to be and they don't stick out. 140 00:07:23,649 --> 00:07:26,689 Years ago, I remember as a young teenager, I hear preachers 141 00:07:26,689 --> 00:07:29,409 say, you can't hardly tell the Christians from the non Christians. 142 00:07:29,649 --> 00:07:31,569 That was years and years ago. 143 00:07:32,539 --> 00:07:35,499 And you walk into a crowd and I know you can't see their heart 144 00:07:36,299 --> 00:07:37,099 and all that. 145 00:07:37,099 --> 00:07:38,139 I understand that. 146 00:07:38,379 --> 00:07:41,419 So don't hear me say something that I didn't say. 147 00:07:42,299 --> 00:07:46,819 But if we're followers of Christ, the world is not going to 148 00:07:46,819 --> 00:07:48,139 roll out the red carpet. 149 00:07:49,179 --> 00:07:52,339 The Bible says that this world, and it's not talking about 150 00:07:52,339 --> 00:07:55,339 the earth, it talks about the world system, the world philosophy, 151 00:07:55,499 --> 00:07:58,799 what makes the world go around, all that goes on, what people 152 00:07:58,799 --> 00:08:00,199 think about unsaved people. 153 00:08:00,199 --> 00:08:03,879 When the Bible speaks of the world, it's speaking of unsaved people 154 00:08:04,119 --> 00:08:05,079 who live different. 155 00:08:07,719 --> 00:08:10,119 And we're in the middle of that. 156 00:08:10,119 --> 00:08:11,279 We're not to isolate. 157 00:08:11,279 --> 00:08:12,199 Paul said, go. 158 00:08:12,279 --> 00:08:14,599 But we're to be in the world, but not of the world. 159 00:08:15,239 --> 00:08:19,679 We're not to keep staying here and lock the doors and pull the shades 160 00:08:19,679 --> 00:08:20,519 and hide out. 161 00:08:20,999 --> 00:08:25,889 We're to go out, but just not just necessarily. 162 00:08:25,889 --> 00:08:30,569 Although we need to hand out tracts and speak to people and talk 163 00:08:30,569 --> 00:08:30,929 to people. 164 00:08:30,929 --> 00:08:36,289 I understand that, but the way we live, I think God gave us a mouth 165 00:08:36,289 --> 00:08:38,609 and a tongue so we could share the Gospel. 166 00:08:40,209 --> 00:08:42,609 But is it more important or not? 167 00:08:42,849 --> 00:08:45,089 You make the call how we live. 168 00:08:45,089 --> 00:08:46,449 But does it matter how we live? 169 00:08:47,489 --> 00:08:49,409 I think you would say yes, both of them. 170 00:08:49,409 --> 00:08:51,849 It's important that we Speak it and it's important that we live 171 00:08:51,849 --> 00:08:52,129 it. 172 00:08:53,519 --> 00:08:59,319 But here in First Peter, chapter number four, look at verse 173 00:08:59,319 --> 00:08:59,679 12. 174 00:08:59,679 --> 00:09:05,359 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which 175 00:09:05,359 --> 00:09:07,359 is to try you. 176 00:09:08,238 --> 00:09:08,919 Trials. 177 00:09:08,919 --> 00:09:11,599 Trials come in all different kinds of ways. 178 00:09:13,679 --> 00:09:17,279 Don't think it's strange as some strange thing happened unto 179 00:09:17,279 --> 00:09:17,519 you. 180 00:09:18,409 --> 00:09:25,689 But rejoice inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's suffering. 181 00:09:26,169 --> 00:09:27,769 Let that sink in for a moment. 182 00:09:29,049 --> 00:09:29,689 Rejoice. 183 00:09:31,849 --> 00:09:36,049 When we have to suffer because we're a Christian, we're demoted 184 00:09:36,049 --> 00:09:39,529 instead of promoted, we're overlooked, we're declined. 185 00:09:40,409 --> 00:09:42,649 Nobody wants to speak to us. 186 00:09:44,419 --> 00:09:45,699 We're to rejoice in that. 187 00:09:45,699 --> 00:09:48,379 Well, let's just keep reading and let the Holy Spirit speak to 188 00:09:48,379 --> 00:09:49,059 our hearts. 189 00:09:49,379 --> 00:09:56,019 Rejoice, he says, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's suffering, 190 00:09:56,019 --> 00:10:00,499 that when his glory shall be revealed, speaking of the coming 191 00:10:00,499 --> 00:10:07,539 of Christ, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy if ye be reproached 192 00:10:08,419 --> 00:10:09,789 for the name of Christ. 193 00:10:11,549 --> 00:10:12,749 Now again, let me. 194 00:10:12,749 --> 00:10:14,429 I can't emphasize this enough. 195 00:10:14,909 --> 00:10:16,429 Most of us are not real. 196 00:10:17,949 --> 00:10:19,349 We're not real experienced with that. 197 00:10:19,349 --> 00:10:21,709 Most of us do not suffer a lot of reproach. 198 00:10:22,029 --> 00:10:25,869 We hang out with Christians and certainly birds of a feather 199 00:10:25,869 --> 00:10:26,549 flock together. 200 00:10:26,549 --> 00:10:28,709 And our best friends are Christian friends. 201 00:10:28,709 --> 00:10:29,709 I understand that. 202 00:10:30,029 --> 00:10:32,189 But we work with unsaved people. 203 00:10:32,189 --> 00:10:34,429 We live in neighborhoods filled with unsaved people. 204 00:10:36,879 --> 00:10:38,719 And reproach. 205 00:10:40,319 --> 00:10:47,799 Do you suffer reproach most teenagers today, thank God, we, the 206 00:10:47,799 --> 00:10:50,799 teenagers of this church, I've been impressed with them from the 207 00:10:50,799 --> 00:10:52,319 very first time I came here. 208 00:10:53,679 --> 00:10:57,279 No perfect teenagers, but a good group of kids. 209 00:10:58,799 --> 00:11:02,289 And our youth director doing a fine job. 210 00:11:02,289 --> 00:11:06,049 And what a great number he's taken to youth camp, told me today 211 00:11:06,369 --> 00:11:08,529 they're just not very far away from that. 212 00:11:10,049 --> 00:11:13,889 Most kids today are not interested in any of those things. 213 00:11:15,089 --> 00:11:16,329 But can our young people. 214 00:11:16,329 --> 00:11:18,609 Most young people today can't handle reproach. 215 00:11:19,089 --> 00:11:21,249 They want to be accepted in the crowd. 216 00:11:21,409 --> 00:11:23,809 I'm not talking about our kids, I'm talking about the world. 217 00:11:24,689 --> 00:11:25,809 Unsaved kids. 218 00:11:27,089 --> 00:11:30,769 And if they are saved, if they make a profession of faith in Christ, 219 00:11:31,889 --> 00:11:33,569 many times they keep it a secret. 220 00:11:35,889 --> 00:11:39,169 You remember the story of the little boy that had an old hound 221 00:11:39,169 --> 00:11:43,609 dog and one ear was missing and he was a real, real bad looking 222 00:11:43,609 --> 00:11:44,009 dog. 223 00:11:44,009 --> 00:11:45,729 Little Tiny wasn't a very big dog. 224 00:11:47,489 --> 00:11:51,169 And somebody came to him and said, what kind of dog is that? 225 00:11:51,899 --> 00:11:53,179 He says, police dog. 226 00:11:55,179 --> 00:11:55,859 Police dog. 227 00:11:55,859 --> 00:11:56,939 You don't look like a police. 228 00:11:58,219 --> 00:11:59,099 Secret service. 229 00:12:04,139 --> 00:12:07,339 How many Christians are in secret service for the Lord? 230 00:12:08,539 --> 00:12:11,179 Oh, if they ask us we'd say, yes, I'm a Christian. 231 00:12:11,739 --> 00:12:14,539 But how many of us suffer reproach? 232 00:12:18,469 --> 00:12:22,349 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye for 233 00:12:22,349 --> 00:12:26,229 the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you. 234 00:12:28,069 --> 00:12:31,469 On their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is 235 00:12:31,469 --> 00:12:32,149 glorified. 236 00:12:33,029 --> 00:12:37,389 Let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an 237 00:12:37,389 --> 00:12:38,229 evil doer. 238 00:12:39,989 --> 00:12:45,199 By the way, Jesus said, if you hate your brother, you've committed 239 00:12:45,199 --> 00:12:45,599 murder. 240 00:12:48,319 --> 00:12:49,679 I'm just quoting Jesus. 241 00:12:51,439 --> 00:12:54,639 Bible says, if we don't honor God with our tithes and offerings, 242 00:12:54,639 --> 00:12:55,599 we are robbers. 243 00:12:55,599 --> 00:12:56,239 We're thieves. 244 00:12:57,359 --> 00:12:58,559 That's what we just read. 245 00:12:59,119 --> 00:13:03,519 Let none of you suffer as a murderer, as a thief, or as an evildoer. 246 00:13:03,519 --> 00:13:06,959 He that knoweth to do good and doeth it not is a sin. 247 00:13:07,679 --> 00:13:09,039 Or as a busy body. 248 00:13:10,299 --> 00:13:11,419 You ever met one of those? 249 00:13:13,179 --> 00:13:16,379 As a busybody in other men's matters? 250 00:13:17,739 --> 00:13:24,739 Again he says, yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not 251 00:13:24,739 --> 00:13:31,819 be ashamed, but let him glorify God on this behalf. 252 00:13:33,419 --> 00:13:36,459 For the time has come that judgment must begin at the house 253 00:13:36,459 --> 00:13:36,939 of God. 254 00:13:36,939 --> 00:13:40,659 And if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that 255 00:13:40,659 --> 00:13:42,139 obey not the gospel of God? 256 00:13:42,139 --> 00:13:46,099 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly 257 00:13:46,099 --> 00:13:47,099 and the sinner appear? 258 00:13:47,499 --> 00:13:51,339 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit 259 00:13:51,739 --> 00:13:57,419 the keeping of their souls to him in well doing as unto a faithful 260 00:13:58,619 --> 00:13:59,339 creator. 261 00:14:01,019 --> 00:14:05,409 Now go back to the Gospel of John, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. 262 00:14:07,969 --> 00:14:10,049 I'll give you a minute cause I want you to see this. 263 00:14:10,529 --> 00:14:12,529 I'd like us to read the Scriptures together. 264 00:14:13,409 --> 00:14:16,449 And don't just sit and listen to somebody. 265 00:14:16,689 --> 00:14:23,329 Follow along in John, chapter 15, verse number 18. 266 00:14:24,609 --> 00:14:26,409 These are the words of Christ himself. 267 00:14:26,409 --> 00:14:34,499 If the world hate you, anybody hate you, you know that it hated 268 00:14:34,499 --> 00:14:35,819 me before it hated you. 269 00:14:36,539 --> 00:14:40,699 If you were of the world, the world would love his own. 270 00:14:42,219 --> 00:14:46,699 But because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out 271 00:14:46,699 --> 00:14:51,339 of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 272 00:14:52,299 --> 00:14:54,379 Remember the word that I said unto you. 273 00:14:54,759 --> 00:14:57,079 The servant is not greater than his Lord. 274 00:14:58,439 --> 00:15:01,959 If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you. 275 00:15:02,999 --> 00:15:06,039 If they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. 276 00:15:06,039 --> 00:15:10,039 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake. 277 00:15:10,679 --> 00:15:14,839 Because they know not him that sent me. 278 00:15:17,319 --> 00:15:27,969 Second Timothy, Book of second Timothy, Chapter number three, Verse 279 00:15:27,969 --> 00:15:28,689 number 12. 280 00:15:31,489 --> 00:15:32,849 I quoted it a moment ago. 281 00:15:32,849 --> 00:15:37,289 But I want you to see it right where it is in 2nd Timothy, chapter 282 00:15:37,289 --> 00:15:38,089 3, verse 12. 283 00:15:38,089 --> 00:15:41,409 Yea, and all that Will live godly. 284 00:15:42,049 --> 00:15:46,939 How would you define that to a 10 year old godly? 285 00:15:48,299 --> 00:15:51,019 If some little boy came up, a little girl came up to you and says 286 00:15:51,099 --> 00:15:52,459 what does godly mean? 287 00:15:54,299 --> 00:15:55,659 How would you explain that? 288 00:15:56,699 --> 00:15:59,259 What does it mean to you when you read that? 289 00:15:59,899 --> 00:16:01,579 Oh, that will live godly. 290 00:16:03,819 --> 00:16:06,779 Would that be some way somebody would describe you? 291 00:16:06,779 --> 00:16:08,459 Oh, they're such sweet people. 292 00:16:08,939 --> 00:16:12,589 She's so wonderful and so kind and, and all that and she's such 293 00:16:12,589 --> 00:16:14,229 a godly person. 294 00:16:17,909 --> 00:16:22,709 Men, you know, many times we say men of God, we thinking of preachers 295 00:16:23,589 --> 00:16:27,189 and a preacher ought to be a man of God, but what about the rest 296 00:16:27,189 --> 00:16:27,669 of the men? 297 00:16:27,669 --> 00:16:29,109 You don't have to be a man of God. 298 00:16:30,149 --> 00:16:31,429 Don't you want to be known? 299 00:16:31,829 --> 00:16:34,629 Don't you want one day your kids, your grandkids, your great 300 00:16:34,629 --> 00:16:38,869 grandkids say my dad wasn't perfect, but he was a godly man. 301 00:16:38,869 --> 00:16:40,069 He was a man of God. 302 00:16:41,019 --> 00:16:42,139 He wasn't ashamed. 303 00:16:43,659 --> 00:16:48,139 But all, not most, not some, but all that live godly in Christ 304 00:16:48,459 --> 00:16:51,059 Jesus shall suffer persecution. 305 00:16:51,059 --> 00:16:52,459 How's the world treating you? 306 00:16:52,459 --> 00:16:58,179 The world is against everything Jesus stood for, everything 307 00:16:58,179 --> 00:17:00,939 he preached about, everything he did. 308 00:17:01,579 --> 00:17:03,819 The world believes just the opposite. 309 00:17:07,109 --> 00:17:11,429 The Book of James, chapter number four. 310 00:17:12,549 --> 00:17:14,709 Some of you will maybe remember this one. 311 00:17:15,829 --> 00:17:17,589 James chapter four, verse four. 312 00:17:18,229 --> 00:17:20,589 Ye adulterers and adulteresses. 313 00:17:20,589 --> 00:17:24,069 And he was speaking to Christians and he wasn't necessarily 314 00:17:24,789 --> 00:17:30,709 speaking about a physical sin, a sexual sin, but what he's implying 315 00:17:30,709 --> 00:17:33,829 here and if we had time, we could read many other scriptures. 316 00:17:34,279 --> 00:17:36,879 The Bible says that when we fool around with the world and we 317 00:17:36,879 --> 00:17:40,199 live like the world and we hang out with the world, the unsaved, 318 00:17:40,599 --> 00:17:44,399 it's like committing adultery because in a way, in a sense, we're 319 00:17:44,399 --> 00:17:45,239 married to Christ. 320 00:17:46,759 --> 00:17:50,359 He's the heavenly groom, we're the bride. 321 00:17:51,959 --> 00:17:55,959 God is jealous when we go out on a date with the world. 322 00:17:57,959 --> 00:18:00,839 And you don't have to necessarily go on a date, sometimes 323 00:18:00,839 --> 00:18:04,589 you can go out on a date with, with the television right into the 324 00:18:04,589 --> 00:18:04,869 world. 325 00:18:07,669 --> 00:18:11,589 He says, you adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the 326 00:18:11,589 --> 00:18:16,949 friendship of the world is enmity, the enemy. 327 00:18:16,949 --> 00:18:18,149 We don't use that word a lot. 328 00:18:19,269 --> 00:18:21,989 The friendship of the world is enmity with God. 329 00:18:22,309 --> 00:18:27,709 Whosoever therefore shall be a friend of the world is the enemy 330 00:18:27,709 --> 00:18:28,669 of, of God. 331 00:18:29,869 --> 00:18:31,309 Does that make sense to you? 332 00:18:34,269 --> 00:18:37,229 Well, let's keep our thinking balanced, okay? 333 00:18:37,869 --> 00:18:40,749 We're not going to win people to Christ by making them enemies. 334 00:18:41,709 --> 00:18:45,869 We're to go out and hate sin, but love sinners. 335 00:18:46,349 --> 00:18:46,989 Amen. 336 00:18:47,629 --> 00:18:49,269 We're to go out with compassion. 337 00:18:49,269 --> 00:18:50,909 Jesus, with moved compassion. 338 00:18:50,909 --> 00:18:53,389 He had dinner with sinners often. 339 00:18:54,059 --> 00:18:56,299 He didn't avoid people that weren't saved. 340 00:18:57,099 --> 00:18:59,579 That's not what this is saying here. 341 00:19:00,379 --> 00:19:04,059 But it says if we try to win their friendship, if we try to get 342 00:19:04,059 --> 00:19:10,298 their approval, if we want them to think we're somebody and 343 00:19:11,179 --> 00:19:15,379 let them know that we're followers of Christ, he said, you're 344 00:19:15,379 --> 00:19:16,299 an enemy of God. 345 00:19:18,299 --> 00:19:22,349 It doesn't mean that we have a bad attitude and a negative critical 346 00:19:22,349 --> 00:19:22,869 attitude. 347 00:19:22,869 --> 00:19:27,509 In fact, part of our testimony is our expressions out in the world. 348 00:19:27,509 --> 00:19:30,669 When we're out there and bumping into people and introducing, 349 00:19:30,669 --> 00:19:31,869 meeting strangers. 350 00:19:31,949 --> 00:19:33,389 That's part of our testimony. 351 00:19:35,309 --> 00:19:36,029 But to what? 352 00:19:36,029 --> 00:19:37,229 The world's approval? 353 00:19:37,389 --> 00:19:39,829 You see what happened years and years ago. 354 00:19:39,829 --> 00:19:44,669 And I remember very distinctly as a teenager that a lot of evangelists 355 00:19:44,669 --> 00:19:48,359 started saying, hey, you know, if we could just drink a few beers 356 00:19:48,359 --> 00:19:50,519 with somebody, we might be able to win them to Christ. 357 00:19:51,319 --> 00:19:53,039 And that really ignited it. 358 00:19:53,039 --> 00:19:55,799 Said, we got to do what they do, join in with them. 359 00:19:56,599 --> 00:20:00,599 If we'll send with them, we'll win them to Christ. 360 00:20:00,919 --> 00:20:04,439 And a lot of people swallow that hook, line and sinker. 361 00:20:05,959 --> 00:20:07,399 It never works that way. 362 00:20:09,079 --> 00:20:12,199 What they never tell you is they think, hey, you're just like 363 00:20:12,199 --> 00:20:12,479 me. 364 00:20:12,479 --> 00:20:13,439 You just go to church. 365 00:20:13,439 --> 00:20:13,879 I don't. 366 00:20:13,879 --> 00:20:15,619 But we live the same. 367 00:20:17,779 --> 00:20:21,179 Does that mean that we meet people that live ungodly? 368 00:20:21,179 --> 00:20:25,859 That we say, don't touch me, don't breathe on me, don't get near 369 00:20:25,859 --> 00:20:27,819 me, get out of my way. 370 00:20:27,819 --> 00:20:29,899 I don't want anything to do with you if you do that. 371 00:20:29,899 --> 00:20:37,419 No, but we don't walk up to somebody who is living an ungodly 372 00:20:37,419 --> 00:20:40,679 life and tell them, why are you doing that? 373 00:20:40,679 --> 00:20:41,599 You're going to hell. 374 00:20:42,719 --> 00:20:45,759 No, I can't picture Jesus saying it like that. 375 00:20:51,759 --> 00:20:55,559 Go back to first John, not the Gospel of John, but near the end 376 00:20:55,559 --> 00:20:58,879 of your Bible, 1 John, chapter number two. 377 00:21:00,879 --> 00:21:05,559 I think I maybe got your attention at least 1 John, chapter 378 00:21:05,559 --> 00:21:11,409 two, verse number 15. 379 00:21:12,929 --> 00:21:19,569 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. 380 00:21:20,689 --> 00:21:25,889 If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 381 00:21:26,929 --> 00:21:28,929 It doesn't say, God doesn't love you. 382 00:21:29,409 --> 00:21:31,489 If you love the world, God doesn't love you. 383 00:21:31,489 --> 00:21:34,369 It says, the love of God is not in you, it's not flowing through 384 00:21:34,369 --> 00:21:34,689 you. 385 00:21:35,659 --> 00:21:39,179 People are not sensing God and the love of God in you. 386 00:21:41,019 --> 00:21:53,499 If we love the world, Look in verse number 16. 387 00:21:53,579 --> 00:21:57,099 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of 388 00:21:57,099 --> 00:22:01,349 the eyes, the pride of life is not of the Father, but is of the 389 00:22:01,349 --> 00:22:01,589 world. 390 00:22:01,589 --> 00:22:06,309 Look in chapter three, same book, verse 13. 391 00:22:07,429 --> 00:22:13,749 John says, Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. 392 00:22:15,349 --> 00:22:16,548 I don't want to be hated. 393 00:22:16,548 --> 00:22:17,549 I don't like to be hated. 394 00:22:17,549 --> 00:22:20,829 But I don't want to sell Jesus out. 395 00:22:20,829 --> 00:22:23,029 And I don't want to hide Christ. 396 00:22:23,349 --> 00:22:29,579 I don't want to deny Christ, keep my mouth shut. 397 00:22:30,939 --> 00:22:35,099 I don't want to do that just so somebody won't hate me. 398 00:22:35,099 --> 00:22:36,699 I don't want to make people hate me. 399 00:22:39,579 --> 00:22:43,739 Chapter four of First John, verse number five. 400 00:22:46,219 --> 00:22:48,139 They are of the world. 401 00:22:48,379 --> 00:22:54,909 Therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 402 00:22:58,349 --> 00:22:59,069 Verse 17. 403 00:22:59,229 --> 00:23:03,149 Herein is our love made perfect that we may have boldness 404 00:23:03,149 --> 00:23:04,189 in the day of judgment. 405 00:23:04,189 --> 00:23:07,549 Because as he is, so are we in this world. 406 00:23:08,189 --> 00:23:11,069 That is where we want to stop. 407 00:23:11,069 --> 00:23:16,109 And that's what I want you to remember in this message tonight. 408 00:23:16,989 --> 00:23:25,109 As he is, so are we in this world. 409 00:23:28,389 --> 00:23:29,749 How's the world treating you? 410 00:23:32,629 --> 00:23:35,989 The apostle Peter tried it for a few moments when he denied Christ, 411 00:23:36,709 --> 00:23:38,389 but he couldn't follow through with it. 412 00:23:38,389 --> 00:23:41,949 He wept bitterly and got his heart right with God. 413 00:23:41,949 --> 00:23:46,799 And my, what a great, great apostle and preacher Peter became. 414 00:23:47,279 --> 00:23:55,839 Even though he cursed and said, I don't know him, by the way. 415 00:23:56,399 --> 00:23:58,239 You know how that happened? 416 00:23:59,439 --> 00:24:00,879 You say, well, I'd never do that. 417 00:24:01,199 --> 00:24:05,479 Well, if you go back and read that the Bible says Peter followed 418 00:24:05,479 --> 00:24:06,239 afar off. 419 00:24:07,599 --> 00:24:09,519 He wasn't right up there against Jesus. 420 00:24:10,659 --> 00:24:13,619 He was way in the back, kind of looking out, and somebody said, 421 00:24:13,859 --> 00:24:15,499 hey, you're looking at Jesus. 422 00:24:15,499 --> 00:24:16,099 I know you. 423 00:24:16,099 --> 00:24:17,299 You're one of his followers. 424 00:24:17,299 --> 00:24:22,259 Said, I am not denied him three times. 425 00:24:23,219 --> 00:24:25,459 The last time with a curse. 426 00:24:26,659 --> 00:24:28,019 The beloved Peter. 427 00:24:28,339 --> 00:24:32,779 Yeah, but he wept bitterly. 428 00:24:32,779 --> 00:24:36,579 You see, God does not just watch us when we do wrong. 429 00:24:37,659 --> 00:24:40,059 He watches what we do after we do wrong. 430 00:24:41,499 --> 00:24:42,939 Does that make sense to you? 431 00:24:45,579 --> 00:24:46,939 He can see us when we sin. 432 00:24:46,939 --> 00:24:49,539 We think we get by with it and God doesn't know it. 433 00:24:49,539 --> 00:24:52,619 It's in the dark, and we're doing this and that and the other. 434 00:24:52,778 --> 00:24:53,659 Well, he does see. 435 00:24:53,739 --> 00:24:57,179 But God wants to watch our heart, watch our reaction to it. 436 00:24:57,179 --> 00:25:00,299 Because if we're really saved, the Holy Spirit is in our heart. 437 00:25:01,579 --> 00:25:04,709 We start feeling almost sick. 438 00:25:05,909 --> 00:25:09,469 You ever said something you shouldn't have said or went somewhere 439 00:25:09,469 --> 00:25:10,229 you shouldn't be? 440 00:25:11,269 --> 00:25:12,509 It's hard to enjoy it. 441 00:25:12,509 --> 00:25:16,709 You're feeling, oh, I'm not where I ought to be. 442 00:25:20,069 --> 00:25:25,989 God watches if it bothers us, a true child of God. 443 00:25:27,669 --> 00:25:30,269 But when we go out into the world, it's like a testing ground. 444 00:25:30,269 --> 00:25:31,989 We're in the world, but we're not of the world. 445 00:25:31,989 --> 00:25:32,869 We're to live a. 446 00:25:33,029 --> 00:25:38,389 A contrasting life, a better life. 447 00:25:38,789 --> 00:25:40,469 People ought to be jealous of us. 448 00:25:40,469 --> 00:25:44,949 They ought to go, I don't understand it, man, if I could be 449 00:25:44,949 --> 00:25:45,509 like you. 450 00:25:46,709 --> 00:25:48,709 But you know what most people say, don't you? 451 00:25:51,669 --> 00:25:54,629 I don't wanna be like that Christian. 452 00:25:56,149 --> 00:25:57,069 You ever heard that? 453 00:25:57,069 --> 00:25:59,349 You ever heard people use the word hypocrites? 454 00:26:03,629 --> 00:26:05,229 What does it mean to live godly? 455 00:26:06,749 --> 00:26:08,269 How's the world treating you? 456 00:26:09,789 --> 00:26:13,469 The world will often ignore you and avoid you. 457 00:26:14,909 --> 00:26:18,549 If you're really close to Christ because you don't fit in, 458 00:26:18,549 --> 00:26:19,629 you're a misfit. 459 00:26:20,509 --> 00:26:21,709 God's changed you. 460 00:26:21,709 --> 00:26:22,989 You didn't change your life. 461 00:26:24,509 --> 00:26:26,269 You and I can't change in our life. 462 00:26:26,819 --> 00:26:28,179 But God can change our life. 463 00:26:28,179 --> 00:26:31,779 And when he changes it, it's not just a little tune up. 464 00:26:31,939 --> 00:26:33,299 Old things have passed away. 465 00:26:33,299 --> 00:26:38,019 Behold, all things become new and we're different. 466 00:26:38,819 --> 00:26:42,538 And then as we grow and learn more and more about what it's like 467 00:26:42,538 --> 00:26:46,859 to be like Christ and how to handle temptation and how to carry 468 00:26:46,859 --> 00:26:49,579 ourselves and where we should be and where we shouldn't be. 469 00:26:49,579 --> 00:26:52,339 As we grow, we become more Christlike. 470 00:26:52,339 --> 00:26:53,939 That's his workmanship in us. 471 00:26:54,899 --> 00:26:57,139 That's why he hasn't taken you to heaven yet. 472 00:26:57,139 --> 00:27:01,539 He's still working on you to conform you to the image of Christ. 473 00:27:06,899 --> 00:27:10,419 Don't get your feelings hurt when you're left out and overlooked 474 00:27:10,419 --> 00:27:11,939 or mocked or made fun of. 475 00:27:12,179 --> 00:27:16,179 Take it as a compliment to rejoice. 476 00:27:16,179 --> 00:27:18,499 They must have seen something of Jesus in me. 477 00:27:18,499 --> 00:27:20,339 I don't know how, but they must have. 478 00:27:22,539 --> 00:27:23,659 The world will mock you. 479 00:27:23,739 --> 00:27:25,739 Laughter and scorn are hard to take. 480 00:27:26,299 --> 00:27:29,579 Jesus was mocked even as he hung on the cross. 481 00:27:30,299 --> 00:27:35,739 They were mocking him, making fun of him, laughing at him. 482 00:27:37,419 --> 00:27:43,379 Historians tell us that it was a big thing in Jerusalem when somebody 483 00:27:43,379 --> 00:27:47,139 was crucified and that a lot of times whole families would go 484 00:27:47,139 --> 00:27:47,739 to watch it. 485 00:27:49,619 --> 00:27:53,899 Josephus, one of the history Christian historians, or not a Christian, 486 00:27:53,899 --> 00:27:57,899 but a historian of that time, who had said they would go and the 487 00:27:57,899 --> 00:28:01,459 children would laugh and throw rocks and mock. 488 00:28:03,139 --> 00:28:04,899 That's kind of hard to imagine, isn't it? 489 00:28:06,499 --> 00:28:07,779 The world will mock you. 490 00:28:10,899 --> 00:28:11,899 How do you handle that? 491 00:28:11,899 --> 00:28:13,299 Well, you don't mock them back. 492 00:28:14,329 --> 00:28:16,769 You pray hard under your breath, but you keep going. 493 00:28:16,769 --> 00:28:18,729 You go on, you go on, you go on. 494 00:28:20,329 --> 00:28:21,769 The world will criticize you. 495 00:28:21,769 --> 00:28:25,609 The world loves to find fault with Christians. 496 00:28:26,809 --> 00:28:27,689 That's their goal. 497 00:28:27,689 --> 00:28:30,729 If they can catch you in an inconsistency. 498 00:28:30,889 --> 00:28:31,609 Aha. 499 00:28:31,609 --> 00:28:32,409 I knew it. 500 00:28:32,409 --> 00:28:34,169 I knew you wasn't a good Christian. 501 00:28:34,409 --> 00:28:35,769 You got everybody else fooled. 502 00:28:35,769 --> 00:28:36,849 But you didn't fool me. 503 00:28:36,849 --> 00:28:37,849 I caught you. 504 00:28:40,739 --> 00:28:41,779 The world loves that. 505 00:28:46,019 --> 00:28:46,779 We don't have to. 506 00:28:46,779 --> 00:28:47,579 We're not perfect. 507 00:28:47,579 --> 00:28:49,379 We're never going to be perfect or get to heaven. 508 00:28:50,579 --> 00:28:54,819 But don't make it easy for people to find fault in our life 509 00:28:54,819 --> 00:29:00,939 as Christians, the world sometimes will become very angry 510 00:29:00,939 --> 00:29:01,459 with you. 511 00:29:04,179 --> 00:29:05,699 It's kind of strange, isn't it? 512 00:29:06,519 --> 00:29:07,959 We love them and they hate us. 513 00:29:09,559 --> 00:29:10,919 Or do we really love them? 514 00:29:11,959 --> 00:29:12,879 How do we show? 515 00:29:12,879 --> 00:29:15,799 How do you convince a lost person that you really love them, 516 00:29:15,799 --> 00:29:17,079 that you really care about them? 517 00:29:17,559 --> 00:29:18,679 I'm just asking. 518 00:29:20,919 --> 00:29:23,399 The world sometimes will falsely accuse you. 519 00:29:23,399 --> 00:29:24,919 You ever been falsely accused? 520 00:29:26,519 --> 00:29:27,559 So is Jesus. 521 00:29:28,759 --> 00:29:29,719 You're in good company. 522 00:29:30,679 --> 00:29:31,679 Doesn't mean you enjoy. 523 00:29:32,929 --> 00:29:35,769 Doesn't mean you send out everybody and say, hey, guess what 524 00:29:35,929 --> 00:29:37,689 a great thing happened to me today? 525 00:29:38,409 --> 00:29:40,409 No, it still hurts. 526 00:29:41,529 --> 00:29:44,169 But then what we're talking about in these scriptures is we ought 527 00:29:44,169 --> 00:29:48,529 to rejoice that we could be in hell were it not for God's saving 528 00:29:48,529 --> 00:29:48,969 grace. 529 00:29:50,009 --> 00:29:54,489 And if there's anything good in us, it's Jesus in us. 530 00:29:55,929 --> 00:29:56,569 That's all. 531 00:29:57,779 --> 00:30:01,059 Paul said, I am what I am by the grace of God. 532 00:30:02,179 --> 00:30:03,899 He said, I'm the least of the apostles. 533 00:30:03,899 --> 00:30:05,139 I'm the least of thy servants. 534 00:30:05,139 --> 00:30:06,419 I'm the chief of sinners. 535 00:30:10,019 --> 00:30:12,819 And the world sometimes will seek ways to get rid of you. 536 00:30:15,459 --> 00:30:19,619 This world, especially this nation we live in, is not going to 537 00:30:19,619 --> 00:30:20,259 tolerate. 538 00:30:20,259 --> 00:30:21,219 Are you listening? 539 00:30:21,779 --> 00:30:25,299 They're not going to tolerate true Christianity very much longer. 540 00:30:26,219 --> 00:30:30,059 They will tolerate your normal, average churchgoer. 541 00:30:34,459 --> 00:30:39,819 But to live for Jesus to respond as he did and to treat people 542 00:30:39,819 --> 00:30:48,419 the way he did, and to live a godly, Christlike life, this world's 543 00:30:48,419 --> 00:30:49,019 not going to. 544 00:30:49,579 --> 00:30:51,499 They're not going to tolerate that much longer. 545 00:30:53,239 --> 00:30:59,399 Most preachers, if they preach the Bible, are considered hate mongers. 546 00:31:01,159 --> 00:31:05,519 You've heard of hate mail and things that people do well, it's 547 00:31:05,519 --> 00:31:10,399 coming quickly down the pike to where any preacher that preaches 548 00:31:10,399 --> 00:31:14,999 against sin and preaches about hell and preaches about morality. 549 00:31:19,009 --> 00:31:20,449 Is full of hate instead of love. 550 00:31:20,449 --> 00:31:21,169 Isn't that something? 551 00:31:21,729 --> 00:31:24,369 We love people and yet we are called. 552 00:31:24,929 --> 00:31:28,289 We're told that we hate people because we name sin. 553 00:31:30,689 --> 00:31:33,409 We don't throw rocks at sinners. 554 00:31:34,929 --> 00:31:38,689 But we preach and teach the Bible and try to live by example. 555 00:31:40,769 --> 00:31:43,969 And God says the Bible said, we just read it several times. 556 00:31:46,999 --> 00:31:53,199 If you live like me, if you follow me, the world is not going 557 00:31:53,199 --> 00:31:54,439 to put up with it very long. 558 00:31:57,399 --> 00:31:58,759 The world will tempt you. 559 00:32:00,919 --> 00:32:01,639 Am I right? 560 00:32:04,279 --> 00:32:05,159 I don't even know if that. 561 00:32:05,159 --> 00:32:09,359 Do you remember growing up some of you remember in the old carnivals 562 00:32:09,359 --> 00:32:14,369 you'd go to and they'd have them, what do they call them, barkers 563 00:32:14,369 --> 00:32:14,769 or something? 564 00:32:14,769 --> 00:32:19,209 They'd be out and step right up and you know, three rings for 565 00:32:19,449 --> 00:32:23,409 10 cents and man, you know, and they're all hollering and screaming, 566 00:32:23,409 --> 00:32:24,009 come on over here. 567 00:32:24,009 --> 00:32:24,609 Don't be afraid. 568 00:32:24,609 --> 00:32:25,049 Come on. 569 00:32:25,209 --> 00:32:26,329 You look like a winner. 570 00:32:27,849 --> 00:32:31,889 You ever read Pilgrim's Progress when he walked through that 571 00:32:31,889 --> 00:32:32,249 city? 572 00:32:34,649 --> 00:32:36,169 It's just like the carnival. 573 00:32:38,829 --> 00:32:39,989 And that's the way the world is. 574 00:32:39,989 --> 00:32:42,269 Waiting for Christians to walk down the street. 575 00:32:42,909 --> 00:32:45,469 And they want to tempt temptation. 576 00:32:49,869 --> 00:32:53,709 Sometimes we can't escape temptation. 577 00:32:55,869 --> 00:32:57,629 Sometimes it'll come out of nowhere. 578 00:32:59,549 --> 00:33:02,669 You ever had an evil thought and just almost embarrassed, you 579 00:33:02,669 --> 00:33:04,669 wonder, where in the world did that come from? 580 00:33:07,509 --> 00:33:07,989 The world. 581 00:33:08,629 --> 00:33:09,589 We're saturated. 582 00:33:10,229 --> 00:33:11,149 We live in a world. 583 00:33:11,149 --> 00:33:13,189 We're not of the world, but we're in that world. 584 00:33:13,429 --> 00:33:19,509 And they're constantly, constantly trying to lay traps and 585 00:33:20,309 --> 00:33:21,109 temptations. 586 00:33:24,229 --> 00:33:27,269 You know, if they can get a Christian to fall, they feel better. 587 00:33:28,309 --> 00:33:30,069 Men love darkness rather than light. 588 00:33:30,069 --> 00:33:33,769 If they get around an honest trouble, goodness, real Christian, 589 00:33:34,089 --> 00:33:35,209 they're uncomfortable. 590 00:33:37,849 --> 00:33:39,689 They don't want to invite you to their party. 591 00:33:40,409 --> 00:33:43,129 Not if it's one of them worldly wild parties. 592 00:33:43,129 --> 00:33:44,809 Why would they want a Christian there? 593 00:33:45,529 --> 00:33:47,529 That's the last person they want there. 594 00:33:49,609 --> 00:33:53,169 But if they can get you to come and they can get you to fall 595 00:33:53,169 --> 00:33:56,169 into sin, makes them feel better. 596 00:33:58,659 --> 00:34:00,019 They want you to sin with them. 597 00:34:02,259 --> 00:34:07,379 John Rice used to say, it is never right to do wrong in order 598 00:34:07,379 --> 00:34:08,819 to get a chance to do right. 599 00:34:10,339 --> 00:34:12,779 A lot of people say, well, I'm going to do it wrong. 600 00:34:12,779 --> 00:34:15,979 Because if I do wrong with them and they'll like me, then I'll 601 00:34:15,979 --> 00:34:16,899 give them the gospel. 602 00:34:17,459 --> 00:34:21,379 It's never right to do wrong in order to do right. 603 00:34:23,309 --> 00:34:24,509 That's a good thing to live by. 604 00:34:28,189 --> 00:34:30,029 The world will misunderstand you. 605 00:34:32,189 --> 00:34:33,629 You ever been misunderstood? 606 00:34:36,829 --> 00:34:38,309 100% here tonight. 607 00:34:38,309 --> 00:34:44,229 Every one of you has endured that pain of somebody totally misunderstanding 608 00:34:44,229 --> 00:34:45,709 you and judging you wrongly. 609 00:34:46,269 --> 00:34:47,709 That's not what you meant at all. 610 00:34:50,599 --> 00:34:55,719 But they believe it reminds me of that old song I sing. 611 00:34:55,719 --> 00:34:58,199 I think I've sung it here probably a couple of times. 612 00:34:59,559 --> 00:35:05,959 In the midst of faults and failures Stand by me in the midst 613 00:35:05,959 --> 00:35:10,119 of faults and failures Stand by me When I do the best I can but 614 00:35:10,119 --> 00:35:18,848 my friends misunderstand Thou who knowest all about me Stand by 615 00:35:18,848 --> 00:35:22,048 me and you know something? 616 00:35:22,608 --> 00:35:26,888 We'll probably never really see this or know this, but if we're 617 00:35:26,888 --> 00:35:29,808 the right kind of Christian, if it's Christ in us. 618 00:35:30,688 --> 00:35:32,368 We're not acting like Christ. 619 00:35:33,888 --> 00:35:34,928 Christ's in us. 620 00:35:35,408 --> 00:35:37,688 We want Christ's life to come out of us. 621 00:35:37,688 --> 00:35:38,768 We don't need to act. 622 00:35:38,848 --> 00:35:39,488 Amen. 623 00:35:39,488 --> 00:35:40,688 That's what a hypocrite is. 624 00:35:40,688 --> 00:35:41,568 It's an actor. 625 00:35:42,759 --> 00:35:54,119 We know how to act, but to be real and genuine and authentic, It's. 626 00:35:56,999 --> 00:36:03,239 If we'll really think about it, the world will almost miss us 627 00:36:03,479 --> 00:36:04,439 when we're gone. 628 00:36:05,799 --> 00:36:09,089 Even though they would deny it, even though they'd say no, good 629 00:36:09,089 --> 00:36:09,689 riddance. 630 00:36:12,249 --> 00:36:14,809 But deep down inside they know better. 631 00:36:17,369 --> 00:36:20,209 You ever had unsaved people that you try to get in church that 632 00:36:20,209 --> 00:36:20,609 won't come? 633 00:36:20,609 --> 00:36:23,608 And you try to do that, but when they're in the hospital, could 634 00:36:23,608 --> 00:36:24,729 you come pray with me? 635 00:36:25,209 --> 00:36:26,969 Could you have your church pray for me? 636 00:36:27,049 --> 00:36:29,049 Could I get on that prayer list you have? 637 00:36:32,729 --> 00:36:35,189 That's a pretty good testimony. 638 00:36:37,349 --> 00:36:40,629 That's a good thing to brag on your church about. 639 00:36:40,869 --> 00:36:43,309 You ought to brag on your church all the time about everything. 640 00:36:43,309 --> 00:36:45,429 But to say, well, I'll tell you one thing. 641 00:36:45,429 --> 00:36:47,669 Our church is not perfect, but it's a praying church. 642 00:36:50,869 --> 00:36:52,549 It's a Bible believing church. 643 00:36:54,069 --> 00:36:55,589 It's a church that loves people. 644 00:36:57,989 --> 00:37:01,839 It's a church that's striving together to do right. 645 00:37:08,639 --> 00:37:12,759 Sometimes people work as a Christian, they're Christians and 646 00:37:12,759 --> 00:37:13,639 they work with people. 647 00:37:13,639 --> 00:37:18,599 And sometimes somebody at work will come in the next day and say, 648 00:37:18,599 --> 00:37:19,559 guess what happened to me? 649 00:37:19,559 --> 00:37:19,919 What? 650 00:37:20,319 --> 00:37:21,999 I got saved yesterday. 651 00:37:22,559 --> 00:37:24,479 And a man will go, really? 652 00:37:25,879 --> 00:37:26,519 Praise the Lord. 653 00:37:26,519 --> 00:37:27,559 I'm saved too. 654 00:37:28,119 --> 00:37:28,759 You are? 655 00:37:30,119 --> 00:37:31,559 What you talking about, Willis? 656 00:37:32,839 --> 00:37:33,319 Saved. 657 00:37:33,719 --> 00:37:34,359 Come on. 658 00:37:36,119 --> 00:37:40,759 You know, we laugh at that, but that's a sad thing to be living 659 00:37:40,759 --> 00:37:44,279 next door to someone or working with someone for a long period 660 00:37:44,279 --> 00:37:48,199 of time and they don't even know that you're a Christian. 661 00:37:48,599 --> 00:37:49,319 Ouch. 662 00:37:51,169 --> 00:37:51,729 That hurts. 663 00:37:57,089 --> 00:37:59,129 How I'm through. 664 00:37:59,129 --> 00:38:01,329 But you know, I'm talking about, how is the world treating 665 00:38:01,329 --> 00:38:01,649 you? 666 00:38:02,609 --> 00:38:03,809 How does it treat me? 667 00:38:06,769 --> 00:38:08,129 How are you treating the world? 668 00:38:12,769 --> 00:38:14,929 We need to be careful when we go out in the world. 669 00:38:17,339 --> 00:38:19,099 Say, I don't care what they think about me. 670 00:38:19,419 --> 00:38:21,019 Come on now, you know better than that. 671 00:38:21,019 --> 00:38:22,459 You know better than that. 672 00:38:22,459 --> 00:38:23,819 We ought to care what they. 673 00:38:23,899 --> 00:38:28,539 We're not to please them, but we ought to care about how people 674 00:38:28,619 --> 00:38:32,619 perceive us as Christians because we are supposed to represent 675 00:38:33,099 --> 00:38:34,059 Jesus Christ. 676 00:38:37,739 --> 00:38:38,899 We need to be careful. 677 00:38:38,899 --> 00:38:42,459 The Bible says walk circumspectly toward them who are 678 00:38:42,459 --> 00:38:42,779 without. 679 00:38:44,129 --> 00:38:48,849 Circumspectly comes from the word circumference, the distance 680 00:38:48,849 --> 00:38:52,929 around the earth, around the circle, the circumference. 681 00:38:53,249 --> 00:38:56,889 We're to be walk we're to live like this all the time, looking in 682 00:38:56,889 --> 00:39:06,329 all directions so that we'll make sure that we're seeing people, 683 00:39:06,329 --> 00:39:10,139 that we need to make sure that we're living for Christ. 684 00:39:11,979 --> 00:39:13,979 We need to treat them with compassion. 685 00:39:15,179 --> 00:39:17,099 People need to feel that we care. 686 00:39:22,939 --> 00:39:26,019 They do say, well, I care. 687 00:39:26,019 --> 00:39:28,339 Yeah, I know you care, but that's not what I said. 688 00:39:28,339 --> 00:39:29,659 Does people know you care? 689 00:39:31,019 --> 00:39:39,549 Does your unsaved friends, your boss, wherever you go, can they 690 00:39:39,549 --> 00:39:40,469 feel that you care? 691 00:39:42,229 --> 00:39:43,669 We ought to walk humbly. 692 00:39:43,669 --> 00:39:45,589 I can't say enough about that word. 693 00:39:46,869 --> 00:39:49,349 Sometimes Christians have that proud look. 694 00:39:50,709 --> 00:39:54,309 I don't smoke and I don't chew, and I don't go with those that 695 00:39:54,309 --> 00:39:54,629 do. 696 00:39:56,069 --> 00:39:58,629 And that's how we carry ourselves sometimes. 697 00:39:59,349 --> 00:40:04,379 And it makes unsaved people almost throw up, pardon the expression, 698 00:40:05,419 --> 00:40:06,539 God hates pride. 699 00:40:09,099 --> 00:40:10,539 When we humble ourselves. 700 00:40:15,099 --> 00:40:18,259 I remember some of the first people I witnessed to when I was 701 00:40:18,259 --> 00:40:19,979 a new Christian as a teenager. 702 00:40:21,899 --> 00:40:25,979 I didn't know how to do it, and I didn't want to come across 703 00:40:25,979 --> 00:40:26,579 as proud. 704 00:40:26,579 --> 00:40:28,979 And I'm better than you, and you need to be like me, and you'll 705 00:40:28,979 --> 00:40:29,539 be a lot better. 706 00:40:29,539 --> 00:40:33,799 No, but I remember many times, distinctly, I remember one person 707 00:40:34,199 --> 00:40:38,479 I'm thinking about right now, and I'd say, look, I want to talk 708 00:40:38,479 --> 00:40:43,279 to you about something, but I don't really know how, and I'm a 709 00:40:43,279 --> 00:40:50,919 little nervous, and it's important, but can I talk to you? 710 00:40:52,679 --> 00:40:54,999 I remember doing that way when I first started. 711 00:40:55,799 --> 00:40:57,639 And I wasn't trying to be humble. 712 00:40:57,639 --> 00:40:58,439 I was humble. 713 00:40:59,299 --> 00:40:59,939 There's no way. 714 00:41:00,099 --> 00:41:01,179 I didn't know what I was doing. 715 00:41:01,179 --> 00:41:04,059 I didn't want to come across, hey, you need to get your act together, 716 00:41:04,059 --> 00:41:04,499 boy. 717 00:41:06,499 --> 00:41:07,939 And a lot of times they go, no. 718 00:41:09,059 --> 00:41:14,019 They would respond, okay, tell me, talk to me. 719 00:41:14,339 --> 00:41:15,219 I'm listening. 720 00:41:18,819 --> 00:41:20,419 We need to be consistent. 721 00:41:21,379 --> 00:41:23,859 Not like a light going off and on and off and on. 722 00:41:25,389 --> 00:41:28,589 We need to be convincing in our Christian walk. 723 00:41:30,029 --> 00:41:35,469 They may not believe what we believe, but they ought to be convinced 724 00:41:35,469 --> 00:41:36,749 you believe what you believe. 725 00:41:39,309 --> 00:41:41,549 And then approaching people as a servant. 726 00:41:41,549 --> 00:41:46,869 Jesus, the son of God, the creator of the world, got on his 727 00:41:46,869 --> 00:41:49,789 knees and washed the dirty feet of his disciples. 728 00:41:51,169 --> 00:41:52,849 And he said, now you go and do that. 729 00:41:54,609 --> 00:41:57,289 He wasn't talking about literally, get you a towel and some 730 00:41:57,289 --> 00:42:00,929 water, but he was saying, get down on your knees and serve people. 731 00:42:02,689 --> 00:42:04,529 You ever thought of yourself like that? 732 00:42:04,529 --> 00:42:08,809 You ever thought about maybe a way to win somebody that you have 733 00:42:08,809 --> 00:42:17,909 a burden for is maybe to serve them do something that cost you to 734 00:42:17,909 --> 00:42:18,629 do for them? 735 00:42:23,669 --> 00:42:25,509 A lot of times people don't know how to handle that. 736 00:42:26,629 --> 00:42:28,069 Makes them feel kind of weird. 737 00:42:29,029 --> 00:42:30,469 No one's ever done that before. 738 00:42:32,709 --> 00:42:34,629 You want to do that for me? 739 00:42:37,909 --> 00:42:39,189 A second miler? 740 00:42:40,149 --> 00:42:43,709 Jesus told those early Christians, if, if those Roman soldiers, 741 00:42:43,709 --> 00:42:44,789 you gotta keep the law. 742 00:42:44,789 --> 00:42:45,589 You're required. 743 00:42:45,589 --> 00:42:48,029 You gotta carry their bags for a mile. 744 00:42:49,149 --> 00:42:51,989 But Jesus said, but when you get to the mile marker, look at him 745 00:42:51,989 --> 00:42:54,949 and smile and says, I'm just gonna keep on carrying for you for 746 00:42:54,949 --> 00:42:55,949 a couple more miles. 747 00:42:57,469 --> 00:42:59,949 Sounds like a kind of ridiculous, doesn't it? 748 00:42:59,949 --> 00:43:03,629 Like a man that's a fanatic. 749 00:43:05,069 --> 00:43:10,839 Instead of doing what we just have to do, go beyond and beyond. 750 00:43:11,399 --> 00:43:13,719 You don't win many people on the first mile. 751 00:43:14,279 --> 00:43:17,439 Usually anybody you ever win to Christ, usually it's in the second 752 00:43:17,439 --> 00:43:18,359 or third mile. 753 00:43:21,399 --> 00:43:22,599 And then be patient. 754 00:43:25,239 --> 00:43:26,439 Be patient with people. 755 00:43:27,639 --> 00:43:31,639 Sometimes we get angry at lost people because they don't do right. 756 00:43:33,969 --> 00:43:36,609 That's what we would do, what they're doing if we weren't saved. 757 00:43:39,089 --> 00:43:40,769 We get real impatient with people. 758 00:43:41,969 --> 00:43:44,689 We almost make people think, you need to live like a Christian, 759 00:43:44,689 --> 00:43:45,729 then you'll become one. 760 00:43:46,369 --> 00:43:47,729 Well, we know that's not right. 761 00:43:51,409 --> 00:43:52,289 That's not right. 762 00:43:53,649 --> 00:43:56,449 Need to meet people where they are, love them and be patient. 763 00:43:57,009 --> 00:43:59,809 You may not win them the first time or the second time or the third 764 00:43:59,809 --> 00:44:00,089 time. 765 00:44:00,089 --> 00:44:04,349 Maybe not even the 10th time, or maybe a year or two, maybe longer. 766 00:44:07,069 --> 00:44:08,109 But you never know. 767 00:44:10,029 --> 00:44:14,909 Somebody dying in the hospital calls you up. 768 00:44:15,149 --> 00:44:15,869 Some woman. 769 00:44:16,029 --> 00:44:17,229 My husband's dying. 770 00:44:17,869 --> 00:44:20,109 You're the only Christian he ever really cared about. 771 00:44:20,349 --> 00:44:21,789 Respected that he knows. 772 00:44:23,229 --> 00:44:27,669 I know it's a lot to ask, but you think you could come and pray 773 00:44:27,669 --> 00:44:33,359 for my husband and maybe you could lean over the bed with an open 774 00:44:33,359 --> 00:44:38,879 Bible and tell them how to be saved because you were patient and 775 00:44:38,879 --> 00:44:42,919 you didn't check them off and you didn't have the attitude, well, 776 00:44:42,919 --> 00:44:43,799 go to hell then. 777 00:44:43,879 --> 00:44:45,559 If that's what you want to do, just go. 778 00:44:46,439 --> 00:44:50,039 No, no, you wouldn't do that. 779 00:44:50,279 --> 00:44:51,479 I know you wouldn't do that. 780 00:44:51,959 --> 00:44:53,239 I'm just making a point. 781 00:44:53,399 --> 00:44:58,079 I'm exaggerating on purpose that we don't do that. 782 00:44:59,039 --> 00:45:01,439 But it takes patience to win people to Christ. 783 00:45:02,319 --> 00:45:02,879 Amen. 784 00:45:03,519 --> 00:45:06,239 And you're looking at a very impatient person right here. 785 00:45:07,439 --> 00:45:12,959 I want everything today, this morning, early. 786 00:45:14,479 --> 00:45:16,079 I want it the way I want it. 787 00:45:16,959 --> 00:45:20,439 I don't have patience with people that set at a green light 788 00:45:20,439 --> 00:45:21,279 and they won't go. 789 00:45:24,079 --> 00:45:24,799 And I almost. 790 00:45:25,759 --> 00:45:28,079 I'm not really a horn honker, but I almost. 791 00:45:32,079 --> 00:45:33,119 Well, you can't do that. 792 00:45:33,119 --> 00:45:35,359 And you can't do that if you're going to Win people to Christ. 793 00:45:36,719 --> 00:45:37,679 It takes patience. 794 00:45:38,879 --> 00:45:41,639 Let's stand with our heads bowed and eyes closed for just another 795 00:45:41,639 --> 00:45:42,639 moment, we'll be through. 796 00:45:42,719 --> 00:45:43,839 Thank you for listening. 797 00:45:45,919 --> 00:45:50,399 I don't know if it's helped tonight or not, but spoke to me. 798 00:45:55,919 --> 00:45:57,559 We'll have a verse of invitation. 799 00:45:57,559 --> 00:46:01,719 And we always, most of the time, do that. 800 00:46:01,719 --> 00:46:03,719 If for some unusual reason, we wouldn't. 801 00:46:03,719 --> 00:46:09,679 But most of the time, give you an opportunity to maybe just come 802 00:46:09,679 --> 00:46:12,879 and pray about somebody that's not saved or pray about your life. 803 00:46:12,879 --> 00:46:17,339 You want to be more effective in your Christian life. 804 00:46:18,939 --> 00:46:22,139 You want to go that second mile. 805 00:46:23,339 --> 00:46:26,099 Maybe you'd like to come and say, lord, if I could just win one 806 00:46:26,099 --> 00:46:31,779 person before the end of this year in 2026, Lord, could you let 807 00:46:31,779 --> 00:46:32,299 me do that? 808 00:46:32,299 --> 00:46:34,059 Maybe you'd like to come and ask that. 809 00:46:34,379 --> 00:46:35,819 You can ask him where you're at. 810 00:46:35,819 --> 00:46:37,019 You don't have to come forward. 811 00:46:37,819 --> 00:46:39,419 Maybe God's touched your heart. 812 00:46:39,829 --> 00:46:40,709 You need a burden. 813 00:46:41,189 --> 00:46:42,949 You need a revival in your heart. 814 00:46:43,349 --> 00:46:44,869 You haven't wept in the years. 815 00:46:46,789 --> 00:46:51,509 You haven't really reached out to anyone. 816 00:46:53,589 --> 00:46:54,269 You're busy. 817 00:46:54,269 --> 00:46:55,069 Your life's been. 818 00:46:55,069 --> 00:46:56,589 You've had a lot of problems and trouble. 819 00:46:56,589 --> 00:47:00,029 You haven't had time to hardly even think about somebody that's 820 00:47:00,029 --> 00:47:00,589 not saved. 821 00:47:00,589 --> 00:47:02,709 But maybe tonight God's touched your heart. 822 00:47:02,869 --> 00:47:04,309 How's the world treating you? 823 00:47:05,759 --> 00:47:06,879 How are you treating the world? 824 00:47:08,159 --> 00:47:12,879 Heavenly Father, I pray these last few moments before we go home. 825 00:47:14,319 --> 00:47:17,639 I pray you would touch our hearts, Lord. 826 00:47:17,639 --> 00:47:23,279 We wouldn't just file it away in another sermon, but, Lord, you 827 00:47:23,279 --> 00:47:25,759 might help it to stay in our heart and our mind. 828 00:47:25,759 --> 00:47:30,439 Tomorrow and the days ahead and the weeks ahead, we walk out 829 00:47:30,439 --> 00:47:31,079 into that world. 830 00:47:31,079 --> 00:47:32,719 We're walking into a mission field. 831 00:47:34,319 --> 00:47:36,719 And we may be the only hope a person has. 832 00:47:39,759 --> 00:47:41,079 Lord, help us to be human. 833 00:47:41,079 --> 00:47:45,759 Roadblocks to get in the way of people going to hell. 834 00:47:50,639 --> 00:47:52,839 Help us, Lord, to do what we want to do. 835 00:47:52,839 --> 00:47:55,919 But we need grace to do it. 836 00:48:00,089 --> 00:48:02,409 I pray you would touch every heart in Jesus name. 837 00:48:02,409 --> 00:48:03,769 Heads are bowed, we're almost through. 838 00:48:03,769 --> 00:48:05,609 But still some praying.