1 00:00:30,019 --> 00:00:32,779 For one year of our church back in 2006. 2 00:00:32,779 --> 00:00:33,779 It's a long time ago. 3 00:00:35,219 --> 00:00:38,179 And that theme is Laborers together with God. 4 00:00:40,019 --> 00:00:41,299 Tonight, I just want to. 5 00:00:43,059 --> 00:00:46,499 The emphasis is the Great Commission. 6 00:00:47,379 --> 00:00:49,539 The emphasis is the work of God. 7 00:00:50,819 --> 00:00:56,259 The emphasis is when Jesus said, I came to do the work of my 8 00:00:56,259 --> 00:00:58,429 Father, what was the work? 9 00:00:59,789 --> 00:01:00,749 What is the work? 10 00:01:01,389 --> 00:01:03,829 And I know I'm preaching to the choir tonight, and we do have 11 00:01:03,829 --> 00:01:07,269 some new families, so I want to be clear. 12 00:01:07,269 --> 00:01:14,829 And in some ways, tonight will be very elementary and it's approach 13 00:01:14,909 --> 00:01:15,869 and application. 14 00:01:16,589 --> 00:01:21,189 But it's also a reminder for those of us who've been around a 15 00:01:21,189 --> 00:01:26,099 while that God intends for every church member to be a minister, 16 00:01:26,099 --> 00:01:29,339 but God intends for every Christian to be a witness. 17 00:01:31,259 --> 00:01:36,299 Every Christian owes it. 18 00:01:37,899 --> 00:01:42,139 Every Christian ought to feel an obligation. 19 00:01:44,299 --> 00:01:47,499 But that motivation only gets you so far. 20 00:01:48,299 --> 00:01:52,549 If you're teaching a class because you feel obligated or you 21 00:01:52,549 --> 00:01:56,629 are participating in whatever ministry it is because you feel obligated 22 00:01:56,629 --> 00:01:59,629 or you feel it's the right thing to do. 23 00:01:59,709 --> 00:02:00,429 And it is. 24 00:02:02,349 --> 00:02:04,749 But I want to remind you tonight that motivation is important. 25 00:02:07,469 --> 00:02:09,989 If you're walking daily with the Lord and you're spending time 26 00:02:09,989 --> 00:02:18,999 with him and you're loving him more and more, serving him will not 27 00:02:18,999 --> 00:02:20,119 be an obligation. 28 00:02:20,839 --> 00:02:21,719 It just won't. 29 00:02:22,999 --> 00:02:25,719 Now, again, I always clarify when I preach a message like this 30 00:02:25,719 --> 00:02:26,599 from time to time. 31 00:02:26,839 --> 00:02:29,239 There's going to be a Sunday morning, you wake up and you just, 32 00:02:29,479 --> 00:02:31,399 yeah, it hadn't gone well. 33 00:02:31,799 --> 00:02:32,679 I'm not talking about. 34 00:02:32,679 --> 00:02:34,439 That would be the exception to the rule. 35 00:02:35,079 --> 00:02:39,679 But the majority of the time, we ought to serve the Lord because 36 00:02:39,679 --> 00:02:40,359 we want to. 37 00:02:41,079 --> 00:02:44,199 Our motivation should be that the love of Christ constraineth us 38 00:02:44,199 --> 00:02:45,279 and what he did on Calvary. 39 00:02:45,279 --> 00:02:48,519 And just as we preached this morning, we need to go back to Calvary, 40 00:02:48,819 --> 00:02:51,299 go back and focus on what Jesus did for us. 41 00:02:51,539 --> 00:02:54,779 And that would include not only when it comes to living our 42 00:02:54,779 --> 00:02:57,139 life for Jesus, but serving him. 43 00:02:58,979 --> 00:03:01,979 If we're not careful, we find ourselves in the habit of just going 44 00:03:01,979 --> 00:03:02,659 through the motions. 45 00:03:02,659 --> 00:03:05,539 We've taught this or we've done this for years, and we find 46 00:03:05,539 --> 00:03:12,379 ourselves in a circular pattern and we need to be reminded. 47 00:03:12,379 --> 00:03:15,579 And our missionaries come through and they do it, and they 48 00:03:15,579 --> 00:03:17,179 remind us of the Great Commission a lot. 49 00:03:17,179 --> 00:03:17,539 And. 50 00:03:17,909 --> 00:03:21,349 But I think it's important as we approach Friend Day, that each 51 00:03:21,349 --> 00:03:24,869 of us take to heart what the work of God is. 52 00:03:25,909 --> 00:03:28,549 The work of God is what is that work? 53 00:03:28,629 --> 00:03:32,029 So look with me in 1 Corinthians 3, and we'll start in 54 00:03:32,029 --> 00:03:36,269 verse 1 and read through verse 9 or 10. 55 00:03:36,269 --> 00:03:36,789 Here we go. 56 00:03:37,029 --> 00:03:40,429 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, 57 00:03:40,429 --> 00:03:43,829 but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 58 00:03:43,829 --> 00:03:45,269 So we'll do a little running commentary. 59 00:03:46,039 --> 00:03:47,479 Everybody knows this is Paul. 60 00:03:47,479 --> 00:03:50,599 He is writing a letter to the church at Corinth. 61 00:03:50,679 --> 00:03:52,679 This is the Book of Corrections. 62 00:03:52,679 --> 00:03:53,959 He's correcting this church. 63 00:03:53,959 --> 00:03:57,639 This church had been very selfish, very carnal. 64 00:03:57,719 --> 00:04:00,879 And so he's addressing problems in the church and here in 65 00:04:00,879 --> 00:04:03,359 particular, he's saying to them, I can't even talk to you like 66 00:04:03,359 --> 00:04:03,879 adults. 67 00:04:04,279 --> 00:04:07,679 I've got to come down to a level of a child spiritually and 68 00:04:07,679 --> 00:04:08,359 talk to you. 69 00:04:09,799 --> 00:04:11,719 I have fed you with milk, verse two. 70 00:04:11,719 --> 00:04:13,169 And not with meat. 71 00:04:14,529 --> 00:04:16,449 In other words, you couldn't take the meat. 72 00:04:17,329 --> 00:04:21,209 For hitherto ye were not able to bear it neither yet now are ye 73 00:04:21,209 --> 00:04:23,329 able, for ye are yet carnal. 74 00:04:23,889 --> 00:04:27,649 For whereas there is among you envying and strife and division, 75 00:04:28,128 --> 00:04:31,329 are ye not carnal and walk as men? 76 00:04:32,449 --> 00:04:36,129 For while one saith, I am of Paul, and another, I am of Apollos, 77 00:04:37,089 --> 00:04:38,289 are ye yet carnal? 78 00:04:38,849 --> 00:04:39,809 Are you not carnal? 79 00:04:39,809 --> 00:04:42,289 Verse 5. Who then is Paul? 80 00:04:42,769 --> 00:04:47,329 And who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed? 81 00:04:47,649 --> 00:04:49,969 Even as the Lord gave to every man. 82 00:04:50,849 --> 00:04:54,289 In other words, the message Paul and Apollos preached, he gave 83 00:04:54,289 --> 00:04:55,009 to every man. 84 00:04:55,969 --> 00:04:56,769 They just be. 85 00:04:56,769 --> 00:04:58,609 They were just the ones who gave the message. 86 00:04:59,089 --> 00:05:02,729 In other words, he's going to describe it for us and tell us what 87 00:05:02,729 --> 00:05:03,169 it means. 88 00:05:03,649 --> 00:05:07,589 But Paul's again saying, I'm nothing. 89 00:05:07,749 --> 00:05:09,029 Apollos is nothing. 90 00:05:13,029 --> 00:05:13,749 Verse 6. 91 00:05:14,789 --> 00:05:17,349 Again, even as the Lord gave to every man. 92 00:05:17,829 --> 00:05:18,389 Verse 6. 93 00:05:18,389 --> 00:05:21,909 I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 94 00:05:23,509 --> 00:05:27,589 So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that 95 00:05:27,589 --> 00:05:29,749 watereth, but God that giveth the increase. 96 00:05:30,479 --> 00:05:32,639 Now, he that planteth and he that watereth are one. 97 00:05:33,919 --> 00:05:36,719 You got to have both to have growth. 98 00:05:37,519 --> 00:05:40,519 And every man shall receive his own reward according to his own 99 00:05:40,519 --> 00:05:41,119 labor. 100 00:05:41,679 --> 00:05:42,399 Verse nine. 101 00:05:42,399 --> 00:05:43,439 Our text tonight. 102 00:05:43,439 --> 00:05:46,559 For we are laborers together with God. 103 00:05:46,959 --> 00:05:48,399 Ye are God's husbandry. 104 00:05:48,639 --> 00:05:50,559 Ye are God's building. 105 00:05:50,639 --> 00:05:56,399 And the illustration from this first part is that of an agricultural 106 00:05:56,399 --> 00:05:56,959 illustration. 107 00:05:57,929 --> 00:06:01,049 And then it switches to a building illustration. 108 00:06:01,289 --> 00:06:04,569 So we're going to deal with just with the agricultural illustration 109 00:06:04,569 --> 00:06:05,409 here by Paul. 110 00:06:05,409 --> 00:06:08,369 Heavenly Father, we thank you for the opportunity we do have to 111 00:06:08,369 --> 00:06:10,129 serve you and labor together with you. 112 00:06:10,129 --> 00:06:13,929 Lord, what a blessing it is to serve in this wonderful church along 113 00:06:13,929 --> 00:06:14,889 with our church family. 114 00:06:15,209 --> 00:06:17,729 And I pray God that you would bless the efforts this week as we 115 00:06:17,729 --> 00:06:18,729 prepare for Friend Day. 116 00:06:18,969 --> 00:06:24,209 May each of us do our part in reaching others around us with the 117 00:06:24,209 --> 00:06:25,169 Gospel of Jesus Christ. 118 00:06:25,169 --> 00:06:27,689 May our hearts be burdened for those around us. 119 00:06:27,689 --> 00:06:28,609 We thank you again. 120 00:06:28,609 --> 00:06:29,359 We love you and Jesus. 121 00:06:29,509 --> 00:06:30,149 Jesus name. 122 00:06:30,549 --> 00:06:31,189 Amen. 123 00:06:32,149 --> 00:06:35,749 So we again see, primarily we'll deal with verses six. 124 00:06:36,149 --> 00:06:36,549 Forward. 125 00:06:36,869 --> 00:06:37,709 I have planted. 126 00:06:37,709 --> 00:06:40,229 Apollos is watered, but God gives the increase. 127 00:06:41,109 --> 00:06:42,229 God uses people. 128 00:06:42,949 --> 00:06:46,829 He even says that there at the end of verse five, even as the Lord 129 00:06:46,829 --> 00:06:47,989 gave to every man. 130 00:06:48,309 --> 00:06:51,189 This wasn't just the message given to Paul and Apollos. 131 00:06:51,749 --> 00:06:54,789 They're the ones who presented the gospel, the work. 132 00:06:55,459 --> 00:06:57,179 But he has given that to every man. 133 00:06:57,179 --> 00:07:01,219 All of us have that responsibility of giving the gospel, 134 00:07:01,779 --> 00:07:03,939 all of us as Christians. 135 00:07:04,099 --> 00:07:05,139 God uses people. 136 00:07:05,139 --> 00:07:07,699 He uses human instruments to do the work. 137 00:07:09,379 --> 00:07:11,859 By the way, the one I was going to quote this morning. 138 00:07:12,579 --> 00:07:14,579 We believe in the primacy of preaching at church. 139 00:07:14,739 --> 00:07:16,019 First Corinthians 1:21. 140 00:07:16,019 --> 00:07:19,059 It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save 141 00:07:19,059 --> 00:07:19,779 them that believe. 142 00:07:21,149 --> 00:07:21,709 I want you. 143 00:07:21,949 --> 00:07:24,469 You know one of these verses, so don't turn there. 144 00:07:24,469 --> 00:07:25,349 Matthew 28. 145 00:07:25,349 --> 00:07:29,309 All of us, for the most part, have it memorized or at least know 146 00:07:29,469 --> 00:07:30,109 the verse. 147 00:07:30,509 --> 00:07:33,149 And again, we are to go into all the world. 148 00:07:33,789 --> 00:07:36,029 I'm actually going to go over there and read it so that I point 149 00:07:36,029 --> 00:07:36,988 something out to you. 150 00:07:38,189 --> 00:07:41,629 And we've heard it said many, many times. 151 00:07:42,509 --> 00:07:43,509 It's good to be reminded. 152 00:07:43,509 --> 00:07:46,429 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, all power is given 153 00:07:46,429 --> 00:07:47,789 unto me in heaven and earth. 154 00:07:47,949 --> 00:07:51,229 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the Father 155 00:07:51,309 --> 00:07:54,249 of the Son and the Hol Ghost, teaching them to observe all things 156 00:07:54,249 --> 00:07:55,449 whatsoever I've commanded you. 157 00:07:55,609 --> 00:08:00,009 And lo, I am with you alway even unto the end of the world. 158 00:08:00,409 --> 00:08:01,689 We know this is the Great Commission. 159 00:08:01,769 --> 00:08:06,329 This is the commission that God gave the church before he ascended 160 00:08:06,329 --> 00:08:09,449 into heaven, that we are to give the gospel. 161 00:08:09,449 --> 00:08:14,009 We are to evangelize, we are to baptize converts, baptize. 162 00:08:14,009 --> 00:08:15,529 And then we are to stabilize. 163 00:08:15,529 --> 00:08:19,249 We are to teach and disciple those converts. 164 00:08:19,249 --> 00:08:20,649 It's up to us to do that. 165 00:08:20,649 --> 00:08:23,449 So the Great Commission is a threefold commission. 166 00:08:24,069 --> 00:08:27,589 It's to win them, wet them and work them. 167 00:08:28,389 --> 00:08:28,949 Okay? 168 00:08:29,669 --> 00:08:30,589 And I'll move on. 169 00:08:30,589 --> 00:08:33,149 Evangelize, baptize, stabilize, however you want to say 170 00:08:33,149 --> 00:08:35,109 it, that is a threefold commission. 171 00:08:35,669 --> 00:08:37,269 It's important that we do all three. 172 00:08:38,389 --> 00:08:41,069 The commission is not just give the gospel. 173 00:08:41,069 --> 00:08:42,549 The commission is give the gospel. 174 00:08:42,789 --> 00:08:45,349 And if they get saved by the way, it's the Lord who does that. 175 00:08:45,349 --> 00:08:46,149 He gives the increase. 176 00:08:46,549 --> 00:08:49,869 And then we are to do have just as much effort of following 177 00:08:49,869 --> 00:08:52,749 up them and making sure they get baptized as we did giving them 178 00:08:52,749 --> 00:08:53,269 the gospel. 179 00:08:53,269 --> 00:08:56,209 Because if we don't do that, we haven't fulfilled the Great Commission. 180 00:08:56,689 --> 00:08:59,529 And then we should give as much effort as to seeing to make 181 00:08:59,529 --> 00:09:01,809 sure they get discipled, whether they get into the church 182 00:09:01,809 --> 00:09:04,289 discipleship program, they're coming to Sunday school, coming to 183 00:09:04,289 --> 00:09:05,409 church and being discipled. 184 00:09:05,409 --> 00:09:11,009 It's important that all three of the Great Commission be done threefold 185 00:09:11,009 --> 00:09:11,329 Commission. 186 00:09:12,289 --> 00:09:15,729 I want to point out something, and we do generally point this out 187 00:09:15,889 --> 00:09:19,489 in the Great Commission when it says, when you do these three 188 00:09:19,489 --> 00:09:21,699 things, Jesus. 189 00:09:21,699 --> 00:09:24,459 Because those were Jesus words that I just read. 190 00:09:24,939 --> 00:09:29,099 Jesus said, and lo, I am with you always. 191 00:09:29,659 --> 00:09:33,899 Even unto the end of the world, I am with you. 192 00:09:34,699 --> 00:09:38,779 Another verse that we use a lot in dealing with the Great Commission 193 00:09:39,419 --> 00:09:45,259 because it is mark, chapter 16, mark 16. 194 00:09:45,419 --> 00:09:46,699 I'm going to turn there and read it. 195 00:09:47,909 --> 00:09:49,109 Most of you can quote this, too. 196 00:09:50,069 --> 00:09:51,869 Mark 16, verse 15. 197 00:09:51,869 --> 00:09:54,869 And he said unto them, all right, this is Jesus words once again, 198 00:09:55,269 --> 00:09:59,789 go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every. 199 00:09:59,789 --> 00:10:01,589 What creature? 200 00:10:01,589 --> 00:10:06,909 Most of us know the verse as he continues to say, he says, and 201 00:10:06,909 --> 00:10:08,909 he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. 202 00:10:08,909 --> 00:10:10,429 But he that believeth not shall be damned. 203 00:10:10,429 --> 00:10:14,999 By the way that does away with baptism, saving you says, yeah, he 204 00:10:14,999 --> 00:10:15,639 shall be saved. 205 00:10:15,639 --> 00:10:18,079 But those who do not believe will go to hell. 206 00:10:18,479 --> 00:10:21,359 And these signs shall follow them that believe in my name shall 207 00:10:21,359 --> 00:10:22,279 they cast out devils. 208 00:10:22,279 --> 00:10:25,279 They shall speak with new tongues, and they shall take up serpents. 209 00:10:25,359 --> 00:10:28,079 And if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them. 210 00:10:28,239 --> 00:10:30,879 And they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover. 211 00:10:30,879 --> 00:10:37,919 So these sign gifts are going to follow them as they preach the 212 00:10:37,919 --> 00:10:39,039 gospel and send the gospel. 213 00:10:39,039 --> 00:10:42,669 We know that those sign gifts were a part of the infant church. 214 00:10:43,149 --> 00:10:47,709 They're a way in which God was able to not only speak to his church, 215 00:10:47,869 --> 00:10:50,989 but also a way in which he was to authenticate the church. 216 00:10:51,389 --> 00:10:56,509 In other words, these powers, these sign gifts, followed them for 217 00:10:56,509 --> 00:10:59,629 God to be able to, you know, to say that, hey, God is in this. 218 00:11:00,429 --> 00:11:01,389 Everybody see that? 219 00:11:02,349 --> 00:11:04,109 So we're not taking up snakes today. 220 00:11:05,549 --> 00:11:08,029 That was the early church. 221 00:11:08,189 --> 00:11:09,829 Those sign gifts have been done away with. 222 00:11:09,829 --> 00:11:12,629 The Bible says in First Corinthians 15, they're no longer 223 00:11:12,629 --> 00:11:13,149 needed. 224 00:11:13,149 --> 00:11:17,349 The sign gifts of tongues and prophecy, those have all been done 225 00:11:17,349 --> 00:11:17,869 away with. 226 00:11:18,749 --> 00:11:20,349 But in the early church, they were there. 227 00:11:21,229 --> 00:11:27,269 But I didn't Finish reading verse 19 and 20, he says this. 228 00:11:27,269 --> 00:11:31,229 And so then, after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received 229 00:11:31,229 --> 00:11:35,149 up into heaven and sat on the right hand of God. 230 00:11:35,949 --> 00:11:38,469 So after he had spoken, he had given the Great Commission to The 231 00:11:38,469 --> 00:11:40,429 church, he ascends into heaven. 232 00:11:40,589 --> 00:11:42,109 We see this in Acts, chapter one. 233 00:11:42,429 --> 00:11:46,389 He ascends into heaven, sat at the right hand of God. 234 00:11:46,389 --> 00:11:48,109 And I'm going to read the last verse of the chapter. 235 00:11:48,429 --> 00:11:50,989 And they went forth talking about the disciples. 236 00:11:50,989 --> 00:11:53,389 They went forth and preached everywhere. 237 00:11:54,109 --> 00:11:55,949 The Lord listen to this. 238 00:11:56,029 --> 00:12:01,989 The Lord working with them and confirming the word with the signs 239 00:12:02,149 --> 00:12:02,789 following them. 240 00:12:02,789 --> 00:12:06,469 So the sign gifts were confirming the word of God and confirming 241 00:12:06,469 --> 00:12:06,869 the church. 242 00:12:06,869 --> 00:12:10,149 That God was going to use the church and he was using these disciples. 243 00:12:10,869 --> 00:12:11,869 But notice what it said. 244 00:12:11,869 --> 00:12:12,709 What did it say? 245 00:12:14,229 --> 00:12:16,229 The Lord working with them. 246 00:12:18,709 --> 00:12:19,229 I don't know. 247 00:12:19,229 --> 00:12:24,829 I just, I read that verse, those verses a thousand times and 248 00:12:24,829 --> 00:12:26,309 that just kind of popped out to me. 249 00:12:27,359 --> 00:12:28,639 Where was Jesus when he. 250 00:12:29,679 --> 00:12:30,879 When he said all these things? 251 00:12:31,199 --> 00:12:32,239 Where was Jesus at? 252 00:12:32,239 --> 00:12:33,919 It says he was ascended into heaven. 253 00:12:35,839 --> 00:12:38,479 Verse 19 says, he ascended into heaven. 254 00:12:39,439 --> 00:12:42,759 But then verse 20 says, as they went to preach and as they went 255 00:12:42,759 --> 00:12:48,039 to teach and as they spread the gospel, the Lord working with 256 00:12:48,039 --> 00:12:53,849 them, the Lord working with him, what did Matthew say? 257 00:12:53,929 --> 00:13:00,169 Matthew said, and Jesus said, there, lo, I am with you when you 258 00:13:00,169 --> 00:13:04,049 go, when you give the gospel, when you tell your neighbor, when 259 00:13:04,049 --> 00:13:06,649 you tell your co worker, when you tell your aunt or your family 260 00:13:06,649 --> 00:13:10,009 member and you're talking to them about the Lord or about church, 261 00:13:10,569 --> 00:13:14,689 it makes it very clear, very, very, very, very clear that you are 262 00:13:14,689 --> 00:13:15,369 not alone. 263 00:13:16,729 --> 00:13:21,049 You're not alone when you're discussing religion at the job, you're 264 00:13:21,049 --> 00:13:23,409 not alone when you're discussing religion with your family, 265 00:13:23,409 --> 00:13:24,469 you alone. 266 00:13:25,109 --> 00:13:29,269 If your purpose, and it ought to be the purpose of discussing religion 267 00:13:29,509 --> 00:13:32,469 at work or discussing, by the way, when you're at work, discuss 268 00:13:32,469 --> 00:13:36,149 religion in the appropriate time frame, not on the clock, right? 269 00:13:36,709 --> 00:13:38,549 Unless your boss allows that. 270 00:13:39,349 --> 00:13:41,749 But if you're discussing religion and you're discussing with 271 00:13:41,749 --> 00:13:46,669 your aunt, family, whatever, and your motivation for doing so 272 00:13:46,669 --> 00:13:51,839 is not just for argument's sake, whatever, but your motivation 273 00:13:51,839 --> 00:13:53,599 is to give them the gospel. 274 00:13:53,999 --> 00:13:55,119 That's what it ought to be. 275 00:13:55,599 --> 00:13:57,679 I'm developing this relationship with my neighbor. 276 00:13:57,679 --> 00:14:00,199 I'm developing relationship with a co worker, I'm developing 277 00:14:00,199 --> 00:14:03,759 relationship with whomever it may be, a family member, even in 278 00:14:03,759 --> 00:14:07,519 order that I might give them the gospel, period. 279 00:14:07,599 --> 00:14:11,359 I want them to receive Jesus Christ as their savior. 280 00:14:12,879 --> 00:14:18,219 And what the Bible's saying is that you're not alone when you're 281 00:14:18,219 --> 00:14:18,699 doing that. 282 00:14:20,379 --> 00:14:24,139 So many people are afraid to talk about Jesus to others. 283 00:14:24,459 --> 00:14:27,979 Not because they're afraid of even maybe what others may say. 284 00:14:28,219 --> 00:14:30,819 Sometimes that's the case, but more often than not, they're just 285 00:14:30,819 --> 00:14:31,259 nervous. 286 00:14:33,099 --> 00:14:36,259 I don't know what to say or I'm afraid I'll say something wrong 287 00:14:36,259 --> 00:14:39,179 or listen, you're not alone. 288 00:14:39,579 --> 00:14:44,529 When you're talking to someone about Jesus Christ, he's with you. 289 00:14:45,569 --> 00:14:48,369 It says the Lord working with them. 290 00:14:49,809 --> 00:14:52,929 And I love our text, love it. 291 00:14:53,809 --> 00:14:56,769 Co laborers with God. 292 00:14:59,329 --> 00:15:04,169 I know most of you know that as a kid, and even up until a few 293 00:15:04,169 --> 00:15:06,609 years ago, our family had a farm in Oklahoma. 294 00:15:07,339 --> 00:15:10,019 And I had lots of opportunities to go and work on the 295 00:15:10,019 --> 00:15:10,299 farm. 296 00:15:10,699 --> 00:15:15,259 When I was a kid, my dad and mom would meet my papa and grandma 297 00:15:15,259 --> 00:15:18,939 in Terrell, Texas or somewhere, and they'd swap, you know, 298 00:15:19,099 --> 00:15:22,539 mom and dad drop the kids off with papa and grandma and they would 299 00:15:22,778 --> 00:15:26,819 run, you know, I said, wonder why the car peeled out when they 300 00:15:26,819 --> 00:15:27,499 were leaving. 301 00:15:28,459 --> 00:15:31,019 Papa and grandma are going to keep us for a week or two. 302 00:15:31,579 --> 00:15:33,419 One time when I broke my arm. 303 00:15:33,999 --> 00:15:36,079 I've told you this story a hundred times, too, some of you. 304 00:15:36,319 --> 00:15:38,279 I stayed up there for three or four weeks. 305 00:15:38,279 --> 00:15:41,679 I'd stayed up there the entire time that my arm was broke. 306 00:15:41,679 --> 00:15:42,959 I couldn't do nothing else anyway. 307 00:15:42,959 --> 00:15:45,839 Might as well work there real quick for funny. 308 00:15:46,959 --> 00:15:49,798 I did everything in the world on the farm while my arm was broke. 309 00:15:49,798 --> 00:15:51,919 I had that back then, it was just a white cast. 310 00:15:52,639 --> 00:15:57,759 And by the end of that three weeks, that cast was so soft and 311 00:15:57,759 --> 00:15:59,759 just a mess. 312 00:15:59,839 --> 00:16:02,999 Just because I'd been driving the tractor, I'd been doing just 313 00:16:02,999 --> 00:16:03,279 about. 314 00:16:03,439 --> 00:16:07,359 I went swimming in it, in the pond, in the tank. 315 00:16:07,359 --> 00:16:07,759 Yeah. 316 00:16:08,879 --> 00:16:10,199 And it was just so. 317 00:16:10,199 --> 00:16:18,319 My pawpaw took white shoe polish, you know, did our best effort. 318 00:16:19,679 --> 00:16:20,959 What a great time we had. 319 00:16:22,719 --> 00:16:23,919 But laboring together. 320 00:16:24,719 --> 00:16:26,719 We think about laboring together again. 321 00:16:27,199 --> 00:16:29,919 The analogy here is agricultural. 322 00:16:31,519 --> 00:16:34,879 Many times, whether it was planting or plowing. 323 00:16:35,599 --> 00:16:39,919 One day, one time my grandmother planted a bunch of potatoes. 324 00:16:39,919 --> 00:16:45,559 And I don't know, it was a lot of potatoes, maybe a half acre of 325 00:16:45,559 --> 00:16:46,239 potatoes. 326 00:16:46,879 --> 00:16:50,119 And we helped plant them and then we helped, you know, take care 327 00:16:50,119 --> 00:16:50,479 of them. 328 00:16:50,479 --> 00:16:56,239 And wasn't a lot to take care of, but I remember taking that single 329 00:16:56,239 --> 00:16:58,159 plow with the handles. 330 00:16:58,719 --> 00:17:01,719 Of course, you didn't pull it with a horse anymore, but pulled 331 00:17:01,719 --> 00:17:02,479 it with a tractor. 332 00:17:02,479 --> 00:17:07,039 And you put that plow on the ground, a single plow, you know, 333 00:17:07,199 --> 00:17:11,679 and it just lay those potatoes over as you went, went down the roll. 334 00:17:12,399 --> 00:17:15,839 Then you had to pick them, you know, take them off the plant and. 335 00:17:16,479 --> 00:17:17,839 Well, they sure were good, though. 336 00:17:19,359 --> 00:17:21,679 All that work definitely paid off. 337 00:17:22,839 --> 00:17:26,599 Many of you could, you know, understand planting okra. 338 00:17:26,679 --> 00:17:27,799 Okra is amazing. 339 00:17:28,199 --> 00:17:30,719 Some of you from the north don't even understand how Good okra 340 00:17:30,719 --> 00:17:30,999 is. 341 00:17:32,119 --> 00:17:34,759 Some of you got to the south and went, I don't. 342 00:17:34,759 --> 00:17:35,719 This is yucky. 343 00:17:36,839 --> 00:17:37,719 It's so good. 344 00:17:38,279 --> 00:17:39,239 Okra is good. 345 00:17:39,239 --> 00:17:41,839 Fried okra is so good. 346 00:17:41,839 --> 00:17:44,199 Boiled, slimy. 347 00:17:44,919 --> 00:17:46,079 It's boiled good enough. 348 00:17:46,079 --> 00:17:47,519 You can just eat the stem and all. 349 00:17:47,519 --> 00:17:48,319 Just stick it down. 350 00:17:48,319 --> 00:17:50,599 It just kind of slides down your throat. 351 00:17:52,549 --> 00:17:54,469 Amazing, amazing stuff. 352 00:17:57,269 --> 00:18:01,789 But we even as a kid growing up at the house, my dad generally 353 00:18:01,789 --> 00:18:02,509 would plant a garden. 354 00:18:02,509 --> 00:18:04,789 But at my grandparents, there was always a big garden. 355 00:18:04,789 --> 00:18:08,869 And laboring together was a lot of work to put in. 356 00:18:09,429 --> 00:18:12,909 At my grandparents, when they would raise, you know, hay grazer 357 00:18:12,909 --> 00:18:17,549 or whatever to feed the cows so that you could have hay in the 358 00:18:17,549 --> 00:18:19,769 winter, a lot of work went into that. 359 00:18:19,849 --> 00:18:24,209 It meant you had to not only plant and, you know, disk plow, do 360 00:18:24,209 --> 00:18:27,489 all those things and plant, but also mean you had to many times 361 00:18:27,489 --> 00:18:31,529 in the summer, lay irrigation pipe and just lots of work. 362 00:18:32,649 --> 00:18:38,409 But I'm so thankful when we labored in those areas, we were always 363 00:18:38,409 --> 00:18:39,129 laboring together. 364 00:18:39,129 --> 00:18:41,449 I enjoyed laboring with my pawpaw. 365 00:18:41,929 --> 00:18:45,269 I have such fond memories of laboring with him, working with him, 366 00:18:45,269 --> 00:18:46,189 learning from him. 367 00:18:48,349 --> 00:18:52,869 Just wonderful, wonderful things of I enjoyed getting, hearing 368 00:18:52,869 --> 00:18:54,189 my brother get yelled at a lot. 369 00:18:58,109 --> 00:18:59,749 I was the one, I was the favorite. 370 00:18:59,749 --> 00:19:03,789 So man, laboring together. 371 00:19:04,109 --> 00:19:05,149 I wasn't alone. 372 00:19:06,189 --> 00:19:09,069 I'm thankful for my pawpaw, who knew way more than I did about 373 00:19:09,229 --> 00:19:10,029 any of that stuff. 374 00:19:10,029 --> 00:19:14,899 And whether it was plowing or disking or fertilizing or watering, 375 00:19:16,019 --> 00:19:22,459 working on a hay baler or swather or whatever equipment he 376 00:19:22,459 --> 00:19:23,139 was working on. 377 00:19:24,099 --> 00:19:25,939 But I sure enjoyed laboring with him. 378 00:19:26,579 --> 00:19:28,019 Why did I enjoy laboring with him? 379 00:19:28,019 --> 00:19:29,299 Because of the relationship I had with him. 380 00:19:30,019 --> 00:19:36,419 He was my pawpaw, a good godly Christian man who had a lot of wisdom, 381 00:19:37,119 --> 00:19:44,519 a lot of just good common sense and was mechanically inclined, 382 00:19:44,519 --> 00:19:45,599 which I enjoyed too. 383 00:19:46,159 --> 00:19:47,439 Not my brother so much. 384 00:19:51,759 --> 00:19:55,039 My pawpaw knew again, way more than I did. 385 00:19:55,119 --> 00:19:57,599 I'm glad I was laboring with somebody who could teach me. 386 00:19:58,879 --> 00:20:02,609 I was glad I was laboring with somebody who could help me, who could 387 00:20:02,609 --> 00:20:06,129 direct me and from time to time encouraged me. 388 00:20:06,129 --> 00:20:09,769 Though most time the encouragement was negative reinforcement. 389 00:20:12,489 --> 00:20:16,449 But I will say that at the end of the day, we knew grandma was going 390 00:20:16,449 --> 00:20:18,169 to have something good in supper. 391 00:20:19,449 --> 00:20:22,529 Many times if it was hot summer, man, we just head towards 392 00:20:22,529 --> 00:20:25,529 the pond and jump in and just some great times. 393 00:20:26,569 --> 00:20:30,189 But I was never alone working in the field. 394 00:20:30,829 --> 00:20:34,589 Whatever we were doing, we were laboring together, working together. 395 00:20:35,709 --> 00:20:36,429 Imagine now. 396 00:20:36,429 --> 00:20:39,749 And it's hard for us to even conceive this that God is working 397 00:20:39,749 --> 00:20:40,429 with us. 398 00:20:41,869 --> 00:20:44,469 When you are witnessing to that individual or you're talking 399 00:20:44,469 --> 00:20:48,509 to that individual and you have a long, you know, a long game 400 00:20:48,509 --> 00:20:51,549 plan, God is with you there. 401 00:20:53,479 --> 00:20:58,919 He's laboring together with us, the Lord working with us. 402 00:20:59,879 --> 00:21:01,319 Lo, I am with you alway. 403 00:21:05,239 --> 00:21:09,079 What a blessing it is to know that we're laboring with him. 404 00:21:10,199 --> 00:21:12,439 By the way, laboring develops our spiritual muscles. 405 00:21:12,759 --> 00:21:14,119 You ever thought about it this way? 406 00:21:14,599 --> 00:21:17,999 Laboring together develops our spiritual muscles. 407 00:21:17,999 --> 00:21:23,169 When I labored on the farm and working there, it was usually sometimes 408 00:21:23,169 --> 00:21:27,849 labor intensive and, you know, helped build muscle, helps keep the 409 00:21:28,169 --> 00:21:31,329 keep moving and working helps keep your health, right? 410 00:21:31,329 --> 00:21:35,409 And I'm just telling you, serving the Lord, serving the Lord 411 00:21:35,409 --> 00:21:37,049 develops spiritual muscles. 412 00:21:38,249 --> 00:21:41,929 Serving the Lord, working for the Lord, doing the work of the Lord. 413 00:21:43,289 --> 00:21:48,899 But the benefits, as it was on the farm too, are amazing. 414 00:21:49,219 --> 00:21:51,139 We receive the fruit of our reward. 415 00:21:51,139 --> 00:21:54,939 The fruit of planting the potatoes and working the field and 416 00:21:54,939 --> 00:21:59,419 then plowing the potatoes up was, I got to eat the potatoes and 417 00:21:59,419 --> 00:22:01,139 those were new potatoes and they were so good. 418 00:22:05,459 --> 00:22:06,979 Some of you have experienced this. 419 00:22:07,699 --> 00:22:12,179 You've labored, you've worked an opportunity to see someone you 420 00:22:12,179 --> 00:22:14,339 have worked on accept Christ as their Savior. 421 00:22:16,469 --> 00:22:16,949 Amen. 422 00:22:18,709 --> 00:22:19,909 How did that make you feel? 423 00:22:21,509 --> 00:22:22,869 How was the fruit of that? 424 00:22:23,109 --> 00:22:26,869 Some of you teachers who have had the opportunity to see teach 425 00:22:26,869 --> 00:22:30,869 for many years and to see your students come to the saving knowledge 426 00:22:30,869 --> 00:22:34,389 of Jesus Christ, how was that fruit? 427 00:22:35,429 --> 00:22:36,069 Amen. 428 00:22:36,389 --> 00:22:38,709 See, sometimes we forget the end result. 429 00:22:40,319 --> 00:22:44,639 We get so bogged down in the weeds, we forget to look up and remember 430 00:22:45,279 --> 00:22:47,199 that we're laboring together with God. 431 00:22:47,919 --> 00:22:52,959 We're working with him to see the gospel be given to those whom 432 00:22:52,959 --> 00:22:53,839 we're laboring for. 433 00:22:54,719 --> 00:22:56,079 Laborers together with God. 434 00:22:57,759 --> 00:22:58,999 Look back at the passage again. 435 00:22:58,999 --> 00:23:01,519 It says, for we are laborers together with God. 436 00:23:01,999 --> 00:23:03,759 We are God's husbandry. 437 00:23:05,199 --> 00:23:07,039 Again, we're laboring what together? 438 00:23:08,629 --> 00:23:10,469 Now this is again together with God. 439 00:23:10,469 --> 00:23:13,469 But we are unified together as a church, working together as a church 440 00:23:13,469 --> 00:23:15,829 to fulfill the Great Commission. 441 00:23:16,629 --> 00:23:19,349 And I know I'm a broken record, but I think it's important. 442 00:23:19,749 --> 00:23:22,669 Anytime we preach on this subject is to remind you that we 443 00:23:22,669 --> 00:23:26,229 have to be careful because the devil doesn't want our church to 444 00:23:26,389 --> 00:23:27,349 spread the gospel. 445 00:23:27,829 --> 00:23:28,909 So what is he going to do? 446 00:23:28,909 --> 00:23:31,429 Well, he's going to try to stop it. 447 00:23:32,549 --> 00:23:37,719 And one of his greatest tools is to get the church divided. 448 00:23:39,319 --> 00:23:45,279 One of his greatest tools is to allow schisms to get going in 449 00:23:45,279 --> 00:23:51,119 the church and people, you know, being ugly with each other 450 00:23:51,119 --> 00:23:53,639 and selfish with each other. 451 00:23:53,639 --> 00:23:56,719 And some of the things I mentioned this morning that you ought 452 00:23:56,719 --> 00:23:58,519 to have your foot on their neck. 453 00:23:58,519 --> 00:24:02,699 You know, pride and so many other things. 454 00:24:03,179 --> 00:24:04,459 But we got to stay unified. 455 00:24:05,979 --> 00:24:07,019 We got to stay unified. 456 00:24:07,019 --> 00:24:08,259 We are the army of the Lord. 457 00:24:08,259 --> 00:24:09,659 We are to be unified in the work. 458 00:24:09,659 --> 00:24:10,379 We're working together. 459 00:24:10,379 --> 00:24:11,939 We're striving together for the Lord. 460 00:24:11,939 --> 00:24:13,979 We're laboring together for the Lord. 461 00:24:19,019 --> 00:24:24,059 One purpose, to share the gospel. 462 00:24:25,899 --> 00:24:30,629 I enjoyed going up to the National Night Out Tuesday night 463 00:24:30,629 --> 00:24:34,109 just for a few minutes and shaking hands and holding babies. 464 00:24:34,109 --> 00:24:36,229 That's what pastors do, like politicians. 465 00:24:37,829 --> 00:24:40,989 I'm so appreciative of our church family and the work they put 466 00:24:40,989 --> 00:24:41,829 on Tuesday night. 467 00:24:42,469 --> 00:24:46,349 Lots of adults up there and kids working and, you know, passing 468 00:24:46,349 --> 00:24:48,789 out literature and sharing the gospel. 469 00:24:51,909 --> 00:24:52,789 That's what it's about. 470 00:24:54,879 --> 00:24:55,679 That's what it's about. 471 00:24:58,799 --> 00:25:01,679 That ought to unify us as a church. 472 00:25:03,119 --> 00:25:07,839 Ought to keep us unified and that we don't get distracted with 473 00:25:07,839 --> 00:25:11,599 all the peripheral things because it's easy to do that, too. 474 00:25:12,639 --> 00:25:14,159 Labors together with God. 475 00:25:14,479 --> 00:25:15,799 Again with God. 476 00:25:15,799 --> 00:25:16,799 That ought to humble us. 477 00:25:16,879 --> 00:25:17,999 That's a humbling thought. 478 00:25:19,209 --> 00:25:20,409 We are God's husbandry. 479 00:25:20,409 --> 00:25:22,729 We are a field under God's cultivation. 480 00:25:24,169 --> 00:25:26,009 I'm thankful God is still working on me. 481 00:25:26,089 --> 00:25:26,649 Amen. 482 00:25:26,969 --> 00:25:28,329 I know he's working on you. 483 00:25:29,049 --> 00:25:30,569 A field under God's care. 484 00:25:30,969 --> 00:25:33,489 I'm thankful for the care and love of God. 485 00:25:33,489 --> 00:25:34,009 Aren't you? 486 00:25:34,969 --> 00:25:38,489 That he's working in me in order that he might work through 487 00:25:38,489 --> 00:25:38,809 me. 488 00:25:39,849 --> 00:25:41,409 But this would go even further than that. 489 00:25:41,409 --> 00:25:43,489 We are his husbandry. 490 00:25:43,489 --> 00:25:44,009 We're. 491 00:25:44,499 --> 00:25:46,899 He is taking care of us. 492 00:25:47,859 --> 00:25:50,179 So many tonight need the tender touch of God. 493 00:25:51,299 --> 00:25:54,819 So many tonight who need the love of the Lord. 494 00:25:56,259 --> 00:26:00,899 Now I'm talking to Christians as well, who need to experience again 495 00:26:00,899 --> 00:26:05,459 that love, that genuine love, that true love, that amazing love 496 00:26:05,459 --> 00:26:06,659 that only God can give. 497 00:26:08,419 --> 00:26:11,489 And he is just working on us. 498 00:26:13,489 --> 00:26:14,929 Sometimes he has to prune us. 499 00:26:16,369 --> 00:26:18,049 Sometimes it is God who. 500 00:26:18,449 --> 00:26:19,369 Whom the Lord loveth. 501 00:26:19,369 --> 00:26:20,049 He chasteneth. 502 00:26:20,049 --> 00:26:20,289 Right? 503 00:26:20,289 --> 00:26:26,409 I worked in a peach orchard when I was a kid and they would keep 504 00:26:26,409 --> 00:26:27,449 me on in the winter. 505 00:26:27,449 --> 00:26:29,729 I did this for a few years, keep me on the winter and let me 506 00:26:29,729 --> 00:26:30,689 prune peach trees. 507 00:26:31,969 --> 00:26:33,249 That's an amazing thing. 508 00:26:34,609 --> 00:26:36,009 I don't know how many peach trees they were. 509 00:26:36,009 --> 00:26:37,209 I don't know if my dad would remember. 510 00:26:37,209 --> 00:26:39,729 There's a bunch of peach trees, maybe 200. 511 00:26:39,729 --> 00:26:40,969 I don't know, a lot. 512 00:26:41,929 --> 00:26:46,329 And what would you do when you prune a peach tree? 513 00:26:46,889 --> 00:26:50,249 When you prune a peach tree, you cut the dead branches off first, 514 00:26:52,249 --> 00:26:52,649 right? 515 00:26:53,529 --> 00:26:56,009 Then you got to cut those sucker Branches off. 516 00:26:56,969 --> 00:26:57,689 Usually they. 517 00:26:58,089 --> 00:27:01,209 Peach trees usually grow in the middle or. 518 00:27:01,609 --> 00:27:03,689 And in the winter, they'd even be a different color. 519 00:27:03,689 --> 00:27:06,229 Sometimes you could really tell they were kind of an orangish 520 00:27:06,229 --> 00:27:06,589 color. 521 00:27:06,589 --> 00:27:09,189 And you cut those things off. 522 00:27:10,069 --> 00:27:14,949 And then as you got closer to spring, you would create a bowl out 523 00:27:14,949 --> 00:27:18,629 of that peach tree as much as possible, with kind of the center 524 00:27:18,629 --> 00:27:22,549 open so the sun could shine down in the center of that tree. 525 00:27:22,549 --> 00:27:23,749 It's an amazing thing. 526 00:27:25,589 --> 00:27:26,509 And you want to. 527 00:27:26,509 --> 00:27:30,349 Every once in a while, as it budded, you'd actually shake a few 528 00:27:30,349 --> 00:27:31,029 of the buds off. 529 00:27:31,029 --> 00:27:32,299 And if, If. 530 00:27:32,299 --> 00:27:35,179 If you didn't already have that happen by the wind and some 531 00:27:35,179 --> 00:27:35,579 other things. 532 00:27:35,579 --> 00:27:37,019 That happens a lot in Texas. 533 00:27:38,059 --> 00:27:40,379 But you pruned it, and it was necessary. 534 00:27:40,379 --> 00:27:43,419 It produced a lot more if you pruned it, if you took care of it. 535 00:27:43,419 --> 00:27:48,579 And we would, you know, so many things we would do to those 536 00:27:48,579 --> 00:27:49,259 peach trees. 537 00:27:49,419 --> 00:27:53,499 And God's working on us, shaping us, conforming us to the 538 00:27:53,499 --> 00:27:56,699 image of his son, but also just working in our lives because 539 00:27:56,699 --> 00:27:57,579 he cares for us. 540 00:27:58,649 --> 00:28:01,529 We are his husbandry again. 541 00:28:01,529 --> 00:28:05,969 Sometimes it takes a little pruning to get us where we ought 542 00:28:05,969 --> 00:28:06,329 to be. 543 00:28:11,529 --> 00:28:15,929 Lastly, a harvest is only possible. 544 00:28:16,489 --> 00:28:17,609 This is going to be profound. 545 00:28:17,609 --> 00:28:18,329 Y' all ready? 546 00:28:19,129 --> 00:28:23,689 A harvest is only possible after you plant in water. 547 00:28:27,199 --> 00:28:28,159 I'm going to close my Bible. 548 00:28:28,159 --> 00:28:28,639 We're done. 549 00:28:30,159 --> 00:28:30,719 Profound. 550 00:28:30,719 --> 00:28:36,239 I know that blew you away, but that's really. 551 00:28:36,239 --> 00:28:36,799 Is it. 552 00:28:38,959 --> 00:28:40,158 We want a harvest. 553 00:28:40,719 --> 00:28:43,599 We want to see more people saved. 554 00:28:43,599 --> 00:28:46,799 We want to see more people receive Jesus as their Savior. 555 00:28:47,519 --> 00:28:49,839 We want to see more fruit. 556 00:28:50,099 --> 00:28:56,059 But in order to see the fruit, in order to do the harvest, there's 557 00:28:56,059 --> 00:28:57,859 got to be more planting and more watering. 558 00:28:59,219 --> 00:29:00,499 We all like the end result. 559 00:29:00,499 --> 00:29:04,939 We all liked the okra after it was done, or the squash after it's 560 00:29:04,939 --> 00:29:06,019 done, or the cucumbers. 561 00:29:06,098 --> 00:29:10,299 By the way, I love growing cucumbers in a garden because most 562 00:29:10,299 --> 00:29:12,939 of the cucumbers you buy at the store don't have a taste. 563 00:29:12,939 --> 00:29:14,499 It's like, why am I eating this? 564 00:29:14,499 --> 00:29:16,259 And then you eat one out of a garden, a fresh one. 565 00:29:16,669 --> 00:29:18,429 Yeah, that's what a cucumber is supposed to taste like. 566 00:29:20,989 --> 00:29:22,349 We all like the end result. 567 00:29:22,589 --> 00:29:25,549 When I was working again in that peach orchard all. 568 00:29:25,869 --> 00:29:30,469 Most of the winter, and I also helped with cows and horses and painted 569 00:29:30,469 --> 00:29:31,709 and lots of other stuff. 570 00:29:31,709 --> 00:29:35,069 But after I'd done all that pruning, and then I would get up 571 00:29:35,069 --> 00:29:37,709 early in the morning when those things started producing, and 572 00:29:37,709 --> 00:29:38,069 I would. 573 00:29:38,069 --> 00:29:40,709 I mean, talking about before the sun got up, we'd get out there 574 00:29:40,709 --> 00:29:44,029 And I have my basket, my strap wrapped around with my basket in 575 00:29:44,029 --> 00:29:46,149 front of me and start picking those. 576 00:29:46,709 --> 00:29:49,349 The first, we had two different kinds of peaches. 577 00:29:49,429 --> 00:29:52,269 The ranger peaches would produce first and then the golden 578 00:29:52,269 --> 00:29:54,309 globes, I think that's what they were called, globes of something. 579 00:29:54,709 --> 00:29:56,549 They would produce about two weeks later. 580 00:29:56,549 --> 00:30:00,389 And so they would have peaches to pick for about four to six weeks. 581 00:30:00,549 --> 00:30:04,949 But those ranger peaches, oh, my goodness, you can't buy a good 582 00:30:04,949 --> 00:30:10,189 peach at a store because they have to pick them. 583 00:30:10,269 --> 00:30:11,069 And we did, too. 584 00:30:11,069 --> 00:30:13,389 We had to pick them, you know, when they were still hard. 585 00:30:13,389 --> 00:30:16,149 And then you put them because you had to ship them and all those 586 00:30:16,149 --> 00:30:16,389 things. 587 00:30:16,389 --> 00:30:18,349 But, man, they called them coals. 588 00:30:18,509 --> 00:30:20,349 We take the culls and I'm telling. 589 00:30:20,349 --> 00:30:21,789 I'm not exaggerating at all. 590 00:30:21,789 --> 00:30:25,109 There would be some peaches on those ranger peach trees almost as 591 00:30:25,109 --> 00:30:26,589 big as a cantaloupe. 592 00:30:27,629 --> 00:30:29,949 And I'd pick that thing, fuzz and. 593 00:30:34,519 --> 00:30:37,119 And I would eat as I'm picking, and I would eat two or three 594 00:30:37,119 --> 00:30:37,959 peaches every morning. 595 00:30:38,519 --> 00:30:39,639 I love the end result. 596 00:30:40,599 --> 00:30:43,959 But in order to have the end result, there's got to be the planting, 597 00:30:43,959 --> 00:30:46,999 there's got to be the watering, there's got to be the work. 598 00:30:48,119 --> 00:30:49,559 And that's the work of the church. 599 00:30:50,519 --> 00:30:52,119 That's the work of us as Christians. 600 00:30:52,759 --> 00:30:54,199 That's the work we're to put in. 601 00:30:54,999 --> 00:30:57,399 And we have to continue in that work. 602 00:30:57,719 --> 00:31:00,759 We have to occupy, as I said this morning, occupy till he comes. 603 00:31:02,769 --> 00:31:04,209 We must continue in the work. 604 00:31:06,129 --> 00:31:15,289 Sometimes we do get, you know, we can get tired in the way, but 605 00:31:15,289 --> 00:31:16,769 we should never get tired of the way. 606 00:31:19,729 --> 00:31:23,489 And I think, again, that has a lot to do and everything to do with 607 00:31:23,489 --> 00:31:24,609 your walk with the Lord. 608 00:31:26,129 --> 00:31:30,229 If your walk with the Lord is right, you're fellowshipping with 609 00:31:30,229 --> 00:31:30,509 Him. 610 00:31:31,629 --> 00:31:35,429 Unless you just need a physical break, which that does happen 611 00:31:35,429 --> 00:31:36,109 sometimes. 612 00:31:37,549 --> 00:31:39,469 Then there ought to be a drive within you. 613 00:31:40,429 --> 00:31:44,309 There ought to be a motivation within you because of the love of 614 00:31:44,309 --> 00:31:48,829 Jesus and what he did, for you to share that with others. 615 00:31:50,269 --> 00:31:51,789 I'm asking the question tonight. 616 00:31:53,069 --> 00:31:58,929 Are you motivated by the love of Jesus to share him with others? 617 00:32:00,129 --> 00:32:01,569 When's the last time you did that? 618 00:32:03,489 --> 00:32:05,489 When's the last time you told somebody about Jesus? 619 00:32:05,889 --> 00:32:08,729 When's the last time you handed somebody a tract or. 620 00:32:08,729 --> 00:32:10,929 I mean, our missionaries come through here and they talk about 621 00:32:10,929 --> 00:32:13,409 it, but when's the last time you did that personally? 622 00:32:14,849 --> 00:32:18,369 Who do you have in mind that you have a game plan? 623 00:32:18,369 --> 00:32:20,579 I don't mean the way that sounds, but you have a game plan. 624 00:32:20,579 --> 00:32:24,339 You have a long range goal of developing a relationship in order 625 00:32:24,339 --> 00:32:27,099 that you might give them the gospel, you might see them come to 626 00:32:27,099 --> 00:32:28,499 the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. 627 00:32:29,619 --> 00:32:33,179 There ought to be some people in your brain right now that you 628 00:32:33,179 --> 00:32:35,379 just in your heart right now that should come to mind. 629 00:32:36,899 --> 00:32:40,579 Every Christian ought to be telling others about Jesus. 630 00:32:42,499 --> 00:32:44,579 God was so good to you in saving you. 631 00:32:45,869 --> 00:32:47,309 Jesus gave his life for you. 632 00:32:52,109 --> 00:32:53,789 It ought to motivate us to tell others. 633 00:32:54,589 --> 00:32:58,109 Doesn't matter what the preacher says, doesn't matter what 634 00:32:58,109 --> 00:32:59,389 the Sunday school teacher says. 635 00:32:59,869 --> 00:33:01,389 Are you motivated to tell others? 636 00:33:02,589 --> 00:33:03,749 Friend day is coming up. 637 00:33:03,749 --> 00:33:04,589 Who have you invited? 638 00:33:05,469 --> 00:33:07,629 It's just an excuse to invite somebody. 639 00:33:08,109 --> 00:33:09,309 You say, well that sounds bad. 640 00:33:09,789 --> 00:33:10,589 It really is. 641 00:33:10,669 --> 00:33:12,789 Hey, we're going to have chicken and we're going to have some 642 00:33:12,789 --> 00:33:14,669 barbecue and we're going to have some soup and we're going to 643 00:33:14,669 --> 00:33:18,009 have some pie and we're going to have a good fellowship after church 644 00:33:18,009 --> 00:33:18,649 and we want you. 645 00:33:18,649 --> 00:33:22,329 We'll have some kids games after church and would you come to 646 00:33:22,329 --> 00:33:23,129 church with me Sunday? 647 00:33:23,529 --> 00:33:24,729 He said, well that just sounds. 648 00:33:24,729 --> 00:33:31,609 No, no, no opportunity for them to be under the preaching of 649 00:33:31,609 --> 00:33:34,969 the gospel and may we each strive to do that. 650 00:33:35,929 --> 00:33:36,569 Amen. 651 00:33:39,209 --> 00:33:40,009 Let's all stand. 652 00:33:40,329 --> 00:33:41,849 I have a verse invitation tonight. 653 00:33:43,609 --> 00:33:44,889 Jesus paid it all.