1 00:00:30,099 --> 00:00:33,299 And church family for your faithfulness and serving the Lord 2 00:00:33,539 --> 00:00:36,059 where you're at here in Haslett, Texas. 3 00:00:36,059 --> 00:00:39,859 And I just wanted to show that video for which I'm very grateful 4 00:00:39,859 --> 00:00:41,299 that you gave your attention to it. 5 00:00:41,299 --> 00:00:45,419 I know it's a little bit lengthy, but for us to really show 6 00:00:45,419 --> 00:00:49,579 you in such a way that would impact your heart of what you have 7 00:00:49,579 --> 00:00:54,379 invested in since we've been here would be really like trying 8 00:00:54,379 --> 00:00:55,939 to give a haircut over the phone. 9 00:00:56,229 --> 00:00:56,469 Okay. 10 00:00:56,469 --> 00:00:57,909 It would be really difficult to do. 11 00:00:58,389 --> 00:01:02,869 And the best way that we know how to speak in a growing language 12 00:01:02,869 --> 00:01:05,269 is videography in our culture. 13 00:01:05,429 --> 00:01:11,309 And so for us to really show something that is of great, eternal 14 00:01:11,309 --> 00:01:13,109 value is just hard to encapsulate. 15 00:01:13,509 --> 00:01:17,389 And so you won't fully understand your investment until 16 00:01:17,389 --> 00:01:18,229 you see it. 17 00:01:18,229 --> 00:01:21,469 And so I know you all are going to Uganda, but if you want 18 00:01:21,469 --> 00:01:24,349 a real mission field, come to Leawood, Kansas, you know, and so 19 00:01:24,349 --> 00:01:27,509 I kind of tease tongue in cheek a little bit, but I'm very 20 00:01:27,509 --> 00:01:31,329 grateful to be where we're at for a variety of reasons. 21 00:01:31,329 --> 00:01:34,689 And it's just really mainly because of the people who the Lord 22 00:01:34,689 --> 00:01:35,249 has brought. 23 00:01:35,489 --> 00:01:38,209 And one of them is actually here today. 24 00:01:39,009 --> 00:01:41,609 He lives, him and his parents. 25 00:01:41,609 --> 00:01:45,529 They live about an hour, hour and 15 minutes from here, which is 26 00:01:45,529 --> 00:01:48,289 only, I think, three miles in Texas length, right? 27 00:01:48,449 --> 00:01:48,929 Yeah. 28 00:01:49,729 --> 00:01:50,289 Yeah. 29 00:01:51,249 --> 00:01:54,339 Keel brought his parents and Akhil came. 30 00:01:54,339 --> 00:01:56,619 The Lord led Akhil here to. 31 00:01:57,019 --> 00:02:00,699 Or I say here, to Ironwood Baptist Church in Kansas City through 32 00:02:00,699 --> 00:02:03,739 education, continuing education, and getting a master's 33 00:02:03,739 --> 00:02:08,339 degree in a university just not too far from where we're at. 34 00:02:08,339 --> 00:02:12,579 And he, like a lot of others, lived within communities and found 35 00:02:12,579 --> 00:02:13,739 Ironwood Baptist Church. 36 00:02:13,739 --> 00:02:14,859 The Lord led him there. 37 00:02:15,179 --> 00:02:16,219 He praised. 38 00:02:16,219 --> 00:02:19,619 The Lord had a mother who taught him Jesus Christ, and he had 39 00:02:19,619 --> 00:02:21,739 come accepting Christ as a savior. 40 00:02:21,819 --> 00:02:26,079 And then he was taught more about what God's word said and our 41 00:02:26,079 --> 00:02:30,279 responsibility to Jesus Christ and the Great Commission, et cetera. 42 00:02:30,279 --> 00:02:34,679 And I just know that through the life in which he had lived underneath 43 00:02:34,679 --> 00:02:38,039 the tutelage of his parents and combined with being faithful 44 00:02:38,039 --> 00:02:41,798 underneath God's word, that he's learned and growing more and 45 00:02:41,798 --> 00:02:45,639 has a burden and a fire in his own heart that continues to be kindled. 46 00:02:45,639 --> 00:02:49,759 And so anytime that we've been in Texas over the last seven, eight 47 00:02:49,759 --> 00:02:53,619 months, almost a year now, we let him know when we're going to 48 00:02:53,619 --> 00:02:54,819 be in the DFW area. 49 00:02:55,059 --> 00:02:56,819 And so he comes and finds us. 50 00:02:56,819 --> 00:02:58,179 And I'm very grateful for that. 51 00:02:58,179 --> 00:03:14,739 So thank you all for being here when kind of like, you know, 52 00:03:15,139 --> 00:03:23,309 parents and children as A parent, you pour yourself into them. 53 00:03:25,869 --> 00:03:26,469 Oh, man. 54 00:03:26,469 --> 00:03:30,629 And you want, you know, your own flesh and blood to suffer for 55 00:03:30,629 --> 00:03:32,189 them, to make it with Jesus. 56 00:03:32,189 --> 00:03:34,709 And I do wish that for my kids. 57 00:03:34,709 --> 00:03:38,789 And as much as we still have them forever long, however long we 58 00:03:38,789 --> 00:03:43,469 have them, we want to invest in them and show them to live a life 59 00:03:43,469 --> 00:03:45,229 that's pleasing and honoring to the Lord. 60 00:03:45,229 --> 00:03:49,379 But then those who are not a part of the family as the. 61 00:03:49,449 --> 00:03:52,409 The Lord brings them to you, who may have come from a background 62 00:03:52,409 --> 00:03:57,689 of Hinduism or Buddhism or New Ageism, or just an atheist or an 63 00:03:57,689 --> 00:04:01,369 agnostic or a Catholic convert, you know, you want what's 64 00:04:01,369 --> 00:04:04,809 very best for them, and you know that that life is through Jesus 65 00:04:04,809 --> 00:04:05,129 Christ. 66 00:04:05,129 --> 00:04:07,049 And so you pour yourself into them. 67 00:04:09,209 --> 00:04:13,689 And if you've ever planted a church, you know you need faithful 68 00:04:13,689 --> 00:04:14,009 people. 69 00:04:14,569 --> 00:04:17,369 But honestly, the Lord needs them more. 70 00:04:17,609 --> 00:04:20,729 So I'm grateful for those that just surrender the same attitude 71 00:04:21,519 --> 00:04:21,999 we have. 72 00:04:21,999 --> 00:04:25,599 And that is, Lord, here am I, just send me wherever. 73 00:04:25,919 --> 00:04:28,999 And I have to remind myself of that as we're starting to work. 74 00:04:28,999 --> 00:04:32,119 You'd expect that the church plant or pastor just be rooted and 75 00:04:32,119 --> 00:04:33,359 grounded and stay there forever. 76 00:04:33,519 --> 00:04:35,199 And that's kind of the mentality. 77 00:04:35,279 --> 00:04:39,239 Whenever the Lord decides to move us, remember that we own nothing. 78 00:04:39,239 --> 00:04:42,639 We're just stewards of his grace in which it has given us. 79 00:04:42,639 --> 00:04:43,919 And sometimes that's people. 80 00:04:44,319 --> 00:04:46,319 And so we realize that they are His. 81 00:04:46,319 --> 00:04:50,319 And so he can keep them there for a while, but then bring them 82 00:04:50,319 --> 00:04:51,239 along his way. 83 00:04:51,239 --> 00:04:56,939 And that may be even to the foreign country of the DFW land area. 84 00:04:58,459 --> 00:04:59,419 It's good, though. 85 00:04:59,579 --> 00:05:01,899 We love some of our fondest friends. 86 00:05:02,059 --> 00:05:04,819 Our Texans are very grateful for the relationship that we have 87 00:05:04,819 --> 00:05:05,339 with you all. 88 00:05:05,339 --> 00:05:11,859 And I'm going to be honest with you, this evening is a book 89 00:05:11,859 --> 00:05:14,939 that I preached through all 25 verses. 90 00:05:15,579 --> 00:05:19,419 It is a short book, and so I'm going to invite you to turn there. 91 00:05:19,499 --> 00:05:22,469 It's the book of Philemon, if you know where that's at. 92 00:05:22,469 --> 00:05:25,349 It's tucked in between Titus and Hebrews. 93 00:05:25,349 --> 00:05:27,589 Okay, I'll give you about 10 minutes to find it. 94 00:05:28,309 --> 00:05:29,349 No, I'm just kidding around. 95 00:05:30,549 --> 00:05:35,669 The book I already worked through once before as part of our 96 00:05:35,749 --> 00:05:39,989 theme, but honestly have gone back through it, and especially in 97 00:05:39,989 --> 00:05:45,269 recent days, as you know, our country is going through some things, 98 00:05:45,509 --> 00:05:46,269 processing. 99 00:05:46,269 --> 00:05:50,709 And so this kind of came back to my lap again and wanted to go 100 00:05:50,709 --> 00:05:53,849 back through it with a different lens and just to. 101 00:05:54,009 --> 00:05:55,129 To share with you. 102 00:05:56,409 --> 00:06:00,969 And so this is kind of a combination of a variety of different 103 00:06:00,969 --> 00:06:02,209 messages built into one. 104 00:06:02,209 --> 00:06:05,169 And I haven't preached this one before, so you'll have to bear 105 00:06:05,169 --> 00:06:06,089 with me if you could. 106 00:06:06,169 --> 00:06:07,609 I really appreciate that. 107 00:06:07,609 --> 00:06:11,009 Now, back home, we stand to honor the reading of God's word. 108 00:06:11,009 --> 00:06:13,569 If you wouldn't mind doing so, I sure would appreciate that. 109 00:06:13,569 --> 00:06:14,449 And stand with me. 110 00:06:14,449 --> 00:06:16,569 We're going to start in verse number 10. 111 00:06:16,649 --> 00:06:20,489 We're not going to read all 25 verses, so we'll just start in verse 112 00:06:20,489 --> 00:06:21,129 number 10. 113 00:06:26,499 --> 00:06:29,859 This is the apostle Paul writing a letter to his friend. 114 00:06:30,019 --> 00:06:31,019 And he says this. 115 00:06:31,019 --> 00:06:37,458 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in 116 00:06:37,458 --> 00:06:43,619 my bonds, which in times past was to thee unprofitable, but now 117 00:06:44,019 --> 00:06:45,699 profitable to thee, and. 118 00:06:45,699 --> 00:06:48,909 To me whom I have sent again. 119 00:06:49,709 --> 00:06:54,989 Thou Therefore receive him that is mine own bowels, whom I would 120 00:06:54,989 --> 00:07:00,069 have retained with me that in thy stead he might have ministered 121 00:07:00,069 --> 00:07:02,589 unto me in the bonds of the gospel. 122 00:07:03,789 --> 00:07:07,469 But without thy mind would I do nothing. 123 00:07:08,109 --> 00:07:13,189 That thy benefit should not be, as it were of necessity, but 124 00:07:13,189 --> 00:07:13,869 willingly. 125 00:07:14,559 --> 00:07:17,039 For perhaps he therefore departed for a. 126 00:07:17,039 --> 00:07:23,399 Season that thou shouldest receive him forever, not now as a 127 00:07:23,399 --> 00:07:38,279 servant, but above a servant, a brother, beloved, specially to 128 00:07:38,279 --> 00:07:38,559 me. 129 00:07:42,169 --> 00:07:48,729 But how much more unto thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord? 130 00:07:49,529 --> 00:07:54,889 If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. 131 00:07:56,009 --> 00:08:01,729 If he hath wronged thee or oweth thee, ought put that on mine 132 00:08:01,729 --> 00:08:02,009 account. 133 00:08:03,449 --> 00:08:05,849 I, Paul, have written it with mine own hand. 134 00:08:05,929 --> 00:08:09,009 I will repay it, albeit I do. 135 00:08:09,009 --> 00:08:13,709 Not say to thee how thou owest to me, even thine own self. 136 00:08:13,709 --> 00:08:22,029 Besides, yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord, refresh 137 00:08:22,029 --> 00:08:23,429 my bowels in the Lord. 138 00:08:23,909 --> 00:08:26,989 Having confidence in thy obedience, I wrote. 139 00:08:26,989 --> 00:08:32,709 Unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say, but 140 00:08:32,709 --> 00:08:33,349 withal. 141 00:08:33,349 --> 00:08:38,269 Prepare me also a lodging, for I trust that through your prayers 142 00:08:38,269 --> 00:08:39,989 I shall be given unto you. 143 00:08:40,749 --> 00:08:46,269 Therefore salute thee, Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ 144 00:08:46,269 --> 00:08:46,909 Jesus. 145 00:08:47,469 --> 00:08:55,229 Marcus and Aristarchus and Demas Lucas, my fellow laborer. 146 00:08:56,749 --> 00:09:01,069 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. 147 00:09:01,869 --> 00:09:02,509 Amen. 148 00:09:04,749 --> 00:09:09,279 Written from Rome to Philemon by Onesimus, a servant. 149 00:09:09,519 --> 00:09:16,159 Will you pray with me this evening, Lord? 150 00:09:16,159 --> 00:09:18,399 Gracious God in heaven, you're so good to us. 151 00:09:18,399 --> 00:09:24,479 And, Lord, we'd be remiss to approach the throne room of grace 152 00:09:24,719 --> 00:09:25,759 just flippantly. 153 00:09:27,759 --> 00:09:32,969 Lord, I pray that you'd allow, Lord, the glories of heaven to, Lord, 154 00:09:32,969 --> 00:09:34,609 open up our hearts and our minds to you. 155 00:09:34,609 --> 00:09:38,809 Because oftentimes I feel as though that is, we are raised in 156 00:09:38,809 --> 00:09:44,049 church or we become numb to it, and it's just a part of a routine, 157 00:09:44,049 --> 00:09:48,569 and we're here Monday through Sunday and then again Monday, and 158 00:09:49,129 --> 00:09:49,769 it just. 159 00:09:50,169 --> 00:09:51,849 Just feels like normal. 160 00:09:51,849 --> 00:09:55,289 And, Lord, we don't catch what it is that you have for us in this 161 00:09:55,529 --> 00:09:58,889 place called the sanctuary, this house of worship, this house 162 00:09:58,889 --> 00:10:00,649 of praise, the house of prayer. 163 00:10:02,119 --> 00:10:04,999 Lord, we come before you, Lord, just thinking that it's another 164 00:10:05,079 --> 00:10:08,799 evening or another year of focusing on missions or whatever 165 00:10:08,799 --> 00:10:09,559 the case may be. 166 00:10:09,559 --> 00:10:11,599 Let it just not be mundane, Lord. 167 00:10:11,599 --> 00:10:13,519 That with open hearts and an open. 168 00:10:13,519 --> 00:10:16,958 Mind that we would receive the holy and grafted word, Lord, knowing 169 00:10:16,958 --> 00:10:19,759 that you are speaking to us, we take what it is that you've said 170 00:10:19,759 --> 00:10:23,639 and saying to us, or that we'd apply it into our life to bring great 171 00:10:23,719 --> 00:10:24,159 glory. 172 00:10:24,159 --> 00:10:26,639 To you, Lord, for our good, for. 173 00:10:26,639 --> 00:10:29,519 Which it is that we're very blessed to have, Lord, I just pray 174 00:10:29,519 --> 00:10:32,669 a special blessing upon each and every single soul, Lord, here 175 00:10:32,819 --> 00:10:33,219 in this place. 176 00:10:33,219 --> 00:10:34,499 You know their heart and their mind. 177 00:10:35,059 --> 00:10:37,339 You know what it is that they're dealing with in their heart 178 00:10:37,339 --> 00:10:40,659 of hearts, Lord, what they're not dealing with. 179 00:10:41,299 --> 00:10:43,379 Lord, I pray that you help them, Lord, tonight. 180 00:10:43,459 --> 00:10:47,779 Encourage them to follow you whatsoever may come about. 181 00:10:47,779 --> 00:10:50,019 Lord, I do love you and I thank you for loving us. 182 00:10:50,259 --> 00:10:52,979 We pray for a holy unction, not only to hear but to do. 183 00:10:53,379 --> 00:10:54,619 Lord, help me in this hour. 184 00:10:54,619 --> 00:10:56,499 I pray in Jesus name. 185 00:10:56,499 --> 00:10:57,059 Amen. 186 00:10:57,619 --> 00:10:58,379 May be seated. 187 00:10:58,379 --> 00:11:08,329 Thank you for standing, boy. 188 00:11:08,329 --> 00:11:12,809 And I mean, honestly. 189 00:11:12,969 --> 00:11:20,289 In recent events, there's been such a turning of the heart, if you 190 00:11:20,289 --> 00:11:26,339 will, and no pun intended, but honestly, you can't help but be in 191 00:11:26,659 --> 00:11:30,699 the culture, even in this spiritual moment. 192 00:11:30,699 --> 00:11:34,299 I'm going to say it like that because really the focus is spiritual. 193 00:11:34,299 --> 00:11:39,019 When you come to church, what makes it even more relevant is when 194 00:11:39,019 --> 00:11:39,219 you. 195 00:11:39,219 --> 00:11:40,979 Apply that which it is that you experience. 196 00:11:41,379 --> 00:11:43,539 And our culture is experiencing something. 197 00:11:47,219 --> 00:11:48,819 I can't help but think about it. 198 00:11:49,139 --> 00:11:50,939 So maybe many of you are tired. 199 00:11:50,939 --> 00:11:54,819 Of it, especially if you spent any amount of time on social media. 200 00:11:56,419 --> 00:11:57,819 I'm not so much going to talk. 201 00:11:57,819 --> 00:12:01,659 About that, but we could draw out from it some things in which 202 00:12:01,659 --> 00:12:04,139 we could learn and apply in our own life. 203 00:12:04,139 --> 00:12:07,139 But it gave me cause. 204 00:12:07,139 --> 00:12:10,499 It gave me reason to think about Philemon and some of the things 205 00:12:10,499 --> 00:12:16,099 that was happening in Paul's day and even in our history, much 206 00:12:16,899 --> 00:12:19,299 further down the road than recent days. 207 00:12:20,039 --> 00:12:20,839 Do I have to use this? 208 00:12:20,839 --> 00:12:21,879 Can I push this way? 209 00:12:22,119 --> 00:12:24,319 All right, I'm going to point this towards you so I could hear 210 00:12:24,319 --> 00:12:25,159 you say amen. 211 00:12:25,159 --> 00:12:27,839 Okay, that was a bad joke. 212 00:12:27,839 --> 00:12:29,359 Okay, apparently it wasn't a joke. 213 00:12:29,359 --> 00:12:31,239 No one's laughing except for me and another guy. 214 00:12:31,239 --> 00:12:32,599 So that's all right. 215 00:12:34,279 --> 00:12:37,199 But just reading through the passage, I couldn't help but pick 216 00:12:37,199 --> 00:12:39,839 out some of these words, or the Lord just really kind of lifted 217 00:12:39,839 --> 00:12:41,279 them up off of the pages for me. 218 00:12:41,279 --> 00:12:43,079 And I hope that you're able to see them, too. 219 00:12:43,479 --> 00:12:46,239 I don't want to give it away because I'd like for the Holy Spirit. 220 00:12:46,239 --> 00:12:48,919 Of God just to speak to your heart in a special way this evening. 221 00:12:50,609 --> 00:12:51,809 So if you can imagine with me. 222 00:12:51,809 --> 00:12:57,609 Just a little bit, our country and the time also that the Apostle 223 00:12:57,609 --> 00:13:00,089 Paul is writing, he is certainly going through some cultural 224 00:13:00,089 --> 00:13:01,249 difficulties as well. 225 00:13:03,729 --> 00:13:07,649 Thankfully, within the birth of our country, we came from a mother 226 00:13:07,649 --> 00:13:09,249 country called England. 227 00:13:11,169 --> 00:13:17,409 Christianity helped pave both roads to the freedoms that we enjoy 228 00:13:17,409 --> 00:13:20,919 today, both for the United States and unfortunately, we still 229 00:13:21,069 --> 00:13:22,669 see England losing theirs. 230 00:13:24,029 --> 00:13:28,109 Quite frankly, that is what had influenced me just to surrender. 231 00:13:28,109 --> 00:13:33,069 About four rows back at South Nola Baptist Church is JA Green giving 232 00:13:33,069 --> 00:13:36,629 a testimony of the changes that was happening in England, as 233 00:13:36,629 --> 00:13:43,949 he was a missionary over there for over 30 some odd years, knowing 234 00:13:43,949 --> 00:13:47,859 that at one point in time it was extremely difficult for both 235 00:13:47,859 --> 00:13:53,179 countries who are extremely educated and really powerful. 236 00:13:53,179 --> 00:13:55,139 Over the course of history, we understand. 237 00:13:55,299 --> 00:13:59,499 England's world power dominance, but again, very educated 238 00:13:59,499 --> 00:14:00,579 and very powerful. 239 00:14:01,379 --> 00:14:07,859 But both countries had experienced the most grotesque atrocities. 240 00:14:08,419 --> 00:14:11,699 And if we're not careful in this society, we could allow just 241 00:14:11,699 --> 00:14:15,539 a particular isolated incident to overwhelm us. 242 00:14:15,619 --> 00:14:20,339 But us never having been in this particular day, we could only 243 00:14:20,339 --> 00:14:23,459 read of its history like our grandchildren would read. 244 00:14:23,459 --> 00:14:25,699 Of the history in which we're experiencing today. 245 00:14:27,139 --> 00:14:29,499 So demonstrating of great resolve, there was. 246 00:14:29,499 --> 00:14:36,299 A single influencer in England that moved the hearts and minds of 247 00:14:36,299 --> 00:14:37,539 people himself. 248 00:14:38,499 --> 00:14:43,419 He was bold, he was courageous, he was persistent. 249 00:14:43,419 --> 00:14:45,139 He was a great orator. 250 00:14:45,299 --> 00:14:48,959 He was very effective in his language, in his words. 251 00:14:50,879 --> 00:14:51,959 And he was probably. 252 00:14:51,959 --> 00:14:58,799 The single individual of which other powerful men filed behind to 253 00:14:58,799 --> 00:14:59,599 see a great. 254 00:14:59,599 --> 00:15:01,839 Movement happen in England. 255 00:15:02,879 --> 00:15:03,999 This is what he said. 256 00:15:05,439 --> 00:15:09,759 Let it not be said that I was silent when they needed me. 257 00:15:11,039 --> 00:15:13,839 Let the consequences be what they would. 258 00:15:14,159 --> 00:15:19,759 I from this time determined that I would never rest until I had 259 00:15:20,139 --> 00:15:22,539 affected its abolition. 260 00:15:23,819 --> 00:15:28,299 That was William Wilberforce speaking of slavery. 261 00:15:30,139 --> 00:15:34,059 Slavery was not effectively abolished in England. 262 00:15:34,459 --> 00:15:38,139 With William Wilberforce by himself. 263 00:15:39,259 --> 00:15:42,779 It was with other men, other people with power. 264 00:15:42,779 --> 00:15:46,459 Thomas Clarkson raised awareness, gathered necessary information 265 00:15:46,859 --> 00:15:49,099 and the evidence and the petitions needed. 266 00:15:50,089 --> 00:15:54,009 Granville Sharp was a key leader and influencer in the formation 267 00:15:54,009 --> 00:15:58,649 of a committee for the abolition of slave trade. 268 00:15:59,609 --> 00:16:03,249 William Pitt the Younger, a prime minister of England, provided 269 00:16:03,249 --> 00:16:08,129 the political backing and the means to investigate into the slave 270 00:16:08,129 --> 00:16:08,489 trade. 271 00:16:09,929 --> 00:16:11,849 And it Was John Newton, the former. 272 00:16:11,849 --> 00:16:15,859 Slave trader himself, who became a preacher and influence an 273 00:16:15,859 --> 00:16:18,099 entire community with his writings. 274 00:16:18,099 --> 00:16:22,499 And change the hearts of men and change the hearts of men in policy 275 00:16:22,659 --> 00:16:23,299 of government. 276 00:16:23,539 --> 00:16:28,339 And due to his own personal experience and his own biblical persuasions, 277 00:16:29,139 --> 00:16:35,379 that's as inspired through his experiences writing in 1772 the most 278 00:16:35,379 --> 00:16:39,219 sung song among churches today, and that is Amazing Grace. 279 00:16:42,589 --> 00:16:46,989 So what does it mean for us as Americans to know those names? 280 00:16:46,989 --> 00:16:50,909 Back in England, they were the individuals. 281 00:16:50,909 --> 00:16:57,269 That were consulted by were influencing Abraham Lincoln and Frederick 282 00:16:57,269 --> 00:17:01,629 Douglass and William Lloyd Garrison and Harriet Tubman and John 283 00:17:01,629 --> 00:17:03,789 Brown and Harriet Beecher Stowe. 284 00:17:03,869 --> 00:17:06,149 These people were moved by them. 285 00:17:07,739 --> 00:17:10,979 You would say, well, we don't know the exact numbers, and we don't. 286 00:17:10,979 --> 00:17:14,739 I mean, historians say that in the United States, 6 million people 287 00:17:14,739 --> 00:17:22,538 were affected by slavery, but over nearly 20, over almost 20 million 288 00:17:22,539 --> 00:17:24,019 people were affected by. 289 00:17:24,019 --> 00:17:25,979 The transatlantic slave trade. 290 00:17:27,499 --> 00:17:30,739 If the battle for freedom in the United States, Even through the 291 00:17:30,739 --> 00:17:35,219 19th and the 20th century, with civil unrest in the civil rights 292 00:17:35,219 --> 00:17:41,209 era, et cetera, struggled, can you imagine how much more of a struggle 293 00:17:41,209 --> 00:17:45,369 it would be for Paul, who is writing this letter from prison? 294 00:17:45,609 --> 00:17:52,409 And he is inside of a culture that has over 60 million slaves in 295 00:17:52,409 --> 00:17:53,449 the territory. 296 00:17:54,969 --> 00:17:59,729 Caesar, the head honcho, is wanting to hunt down and to kill 297 00:17:59,729 --> 00:18:00,769 and to get rid of it. 298 00:18:00,769 --> 00:18:02,809 As we know, Paul meets his surmise. 299 00:18:05,909 --> 00:18:09,469 What psychological and physical persuasion would it take 300 00:18:09,469 --> 00:18:09,829 there? 301 00:18:10,389 --> 00:18:15,669 What of the highest level for someone to revolt and just start 302 00:18:15,829 --> 00:18:20,109 60 million people as a domino effect come and just flip over a 303 00:18:20,109 --> 00:18:20,389 government? 304 00:18:20,469 --> 00:18:22,829 I mean, it could happen in the blink of an eye. 305 00:18:22,829 --> 00:18:25,269 So can you imagine the political pressure? 306 00:18:25,269 --> 00:18:28,469 Can you imagine the physical pressure that was put on these people 307 00:18:28,469 --> 00:18:29,579 to convince them otherwise? 308 00:18:31,249 --> 00:18:31,849 It was ugly. 309 00:18:31,849 --> 00:18:32,849 It was grotesque. 310 00:18:34,289 --> 00:18:40,809 The intensity of a rising popular teaching called the Gospel 311 00:18:40,809 --> 00:18:45,209 of Jesus Christ prophesied that a king would come and rule the 312 00:18:45,209 --> 00:18:47,169 world and setting the captives free? 313 00:18:47,569 --> 00:18:51,169 Well, just that teaching alone came with its own struggles. 314 00:18:52,689 --> 00:18:56,449 So whether it's political partnerships and organizations that 315 00:18:56,689 --> 00:19:02,189 move the youth and compel and motivate and change government in 316 00:19:02,189 --> 00:19:06,709 our nation's history, or whether it's a political movement 317 00:19:06,709 --> 00:19:11,029 of abolitionists that move against human slavery that changes 318 00:19:11,109 --> 00:19:17,989 world history, the Christians in Rome could not, through local 319 00:19:18,069 --> 00:19:23,029 democratic efforts, bring about change through political power. 320 00:19:23,509 --> 00:19:24,629 They couldn't do that. 321 00:19:27,839 --> 00:19:30,759 You see, for any change to take. 322 00:19:30,759 --> 00:19:38,079 Effect in many people on the outside, real change must start in 323 00:19:38,079 --> 00:19:40,799 one person on the inside. 324 00:19:42,079 --> 00:19:46,159 See, primarily, it's the message of Christianity that forever 325 00:19:46,159 --> 00:19:50,799 begins to change the individual first, and then as an 326 00:19:50,799 --> 00:19:55,449 outpouring of that change affects many outside The Gospel. 327 00:19:55,449 --> 00:20:01,129 Of Jesus Christ influenced first a single heart before it changed 328 00:20:01,129 --> 00:20:02,369 the hearts of the masses. 329 00:20:04,929 --> 00:20:08,609 Please know that and practice this idea. 330 00:20:09,009 --> 00:20:12,529 That the Gospel is not a political movement. 331 00:20:13,409 --> 00:20:17,489 The Gospel is the basic fundamental principles of living. 332 00:20:17,649 --> 00:20:26,259 That is first believed in and then worked out in the person singular 333 00:20:26,979 --> 00:20:34,019 in the home, and then outward in the home, in the community, in 334 00:20:34,019 --> 00:20:34,659 the church. 335 00:20:36,819 --> 00:20:41,059 You see, during this time, many people had many cultural issues 336 00:20:41,139 --> 00:20:43,139 and I believe Paul felt them all. 337 00:20:44,419 --> 00:20:48,579 He didn't not only feel them physically, but he also felt them 338 00:20:48,579 --> 00:20:49,539 spiritually, as. 339 00:20:49,949 --> 00:20:54,989 As he himself desired that his own name be removed, that his people 340 00:20:54,989 --> 00:20:56,909 would come to know Christ as their Savior. 341 00:20:57,709 --> 00:20:58,509 That's a heart. 342 00:20:59,469 --> 00:21:02,669 A heart not for self, but for Christ. 343 00:21:02,829 --> 00:21:07,389 Not for a political movement, not to change it to a republic nation, 344 00:21:09,389 --> 00:21:13,069 but to have the riches and the rewards of Christ Jesus. 345 00:21:15,319 --> 00:21:19,919 See, Paul chose in this particular letter not to make the 346 00:21:19,919 --> 00:21:25,959 issue at hand political, not to make the policies of a governing 347 00:21:25,959 --> 00:21:30,719 nation that allowed and permitted slavery to even commonly 348 00:21:30,719 --> 00:21:31,719 be discussed. 349 00:21:31,959 --> 00:21:36,999 Rather, he chose not to allow even his spiritual authority over 350 00:21:37,079 --> 00:21:41,439 a man who had authority in leading him to Christ and trying 351 00:21:41,439 --> 00:21:43,079 to persuade him into a decision. 352 00:21:43,639 --> 00:21:44,879 No, Paul did this. 353 00:21:44,879 --> 00:21:50,039 Paul chose to use the influence of Philemon's reputation 354 00:21:50,199 --> 00:21:52,159 of the faith and love. 355 00:21:52,159 --> 00:21:55,719 Towards Jesus Christ and other people to. 356 00:21:55,719 --> 00:21:57,079 Lead him to make a decision. 357 00:21:58,279 --> 00:21:59,879 He didn't force it upon him. 358 00:22:00,999 --> 00:22:04,999 Paul reminds Philemon, excuse me, that they are all together. 359 00:22:05,719 --> 00:22:10,599 All together in Christ and all for each other. 360 00:22:12,239 --> 00:22:16,799 He was giving us this idea is that there are some over here and 361 00:22:16,799 --> 00:22:20,959 some over here, and you come from here and this individual comes 362 00:22:20,959 --> 00:22:21,439 from here. 363 00:22:21,439 --> 00:22:26,079 But all of us collectively together in the spirit of unity for 364 00:22:26,079 --> 00:22:28,639 one cause can affect the heart and mind of. 365 00:22:28,799 --> 00:22:31,279 Individuals and lead them to Jesus Christ. 366 00:22:32,239 --> 00:22:35,519 Paul uses these words in verse number one. 367 00:22:36,809 --> 00:22:37,849 Fellow laborer. 368 00:22:39,129 --> 00:22:40,289 Look at verse number two. 369 00:22:40,289 --> 00:22:46,249 He uses another word there called fellow soldier, describing 370 00:22:46,249 --> 00:22:49,729 a special relationship between him and these individuals. 371 00:22:49,729 --> 00:22:53,609 These are individuals whom he loved in the church and in the ministry. 372 00:22:54,489 --> 00:22:56,329 But he also uses a different word. 373 00:22:56,329 --> 00:23:01,649 If you look at verse 17 for a moment, he said, if thou count me 374 00:23:01,649 --> 00:23:07,069 therefore, a partner, receive him as myself. 375 00:23:08,349 --> 00:23:09,029 A partner. 376 00:23:09,029 --> 00:23:12,509 One who shares a common connection with another individual 377 00:23:12,829 --> 00:23:17,629 by birth, by blood, physically and spiritually. 378 00:23:19,229 --> 00:23:22,349 Paul and Philemon were partnered with a potential problem. 379 00:23:23,629 --> 00:23:26,869 Praise the Lord that they were partnered together in Jesus Christ, 380 00:23:26,869 --> 00:23:29,389 as Paul had led Philemon, as I mentioned before. 381 00:23:29,389 --> 00:23:31,989 But they were not only partnered with a potential problem, 382 00:23:31,989 --> 00:23:33,269 but also with a. 383 00:23:33,739 --> 00:23:34,539 With a solution. 384 00:23:36,699 --> 00:23:41,899 And Paul cannot leave Colossae himself, so he has to send another, 385 00:23:43,579 --> 00:23:46,059 and he sends one named Onesimus. 386 00:23:46,859 --> 00:23:48,699 Philemon's runaway servant. 387 00:23:49,819 --> 00:23:53,659 He sends him alone with a couple of different messages from 388 00:23:53,659 --> 00:23:53,979 Paul. 389 00:23:53,979 --> 00:23:56,459 Two epistles, we call them Colossians and. 390 00:23:56,459 --> 00:23:57,339 Philemon. 391 00:23:59,509 --> 00:24:01,189 Verse number 12 and verse number 17. 392 00:24:01,189 --> 00:24:05,309 If I may give me liberty, to paraphrase Paul, speaking of Onesimus, 393 00:24:05,309 --> 00:24:08,629 he said, he's as close to me as my own heart. 394 00:24:09,509 --> 00:24:13,029 And the way that you treat him is the same way that you treat me. 395 00:24:13,269 --> 00:24:16,189 And if there's any love for me and there's any love for Christ, 396 00:24:16,189 --> 00:24:19,629 well, then you'll treat him this way again. 397 00:24:19,629 --> 00:24:23,029 He's not in this moment pushing or pressuring him to make 398 00:24:23,029 --> 00:24:27,549 a decision, but rather uses his reputation, as mentioned there 399 00:24:27,549 --> 00:24:29,419 in verse number five and six. 400 00:24:30,459 --> 00:24:34,259 Hearing of thy love and faith which thou hast towards the Lord 401 00:24:34,259 --> 00:24:37,779 Jesus Christ and toward all saints, that the communication of 402 00:24:37,779 --> 00:24:41,459 thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good 403 00:24:41,459 --> 00:24:44,779 thing which is in you, in Christ Jesus. 404 00:24:45,419 --> 00:24:50,099 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love because of 405 00:24:50,099 --> 00:24:53,099 the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee. 406 00:24:53,179 --> 00:24:55,539 The word bowels is just a seed of emotions. 407 00:24:55,539 --> 00:24:57,139 It's like where your gut is to your heart. 408 00:24:57,139 --> 00:24:58,579 You know, everything is right there. 409 00:24:58,579 --> 00:24:59,819 And it moves you, doesn't it? 410 00:24:59,819 --> 00:25:01,179 Okay, your heart moves you. 411 00:25:01,419 --> 00:25:04,459 It moves you and compels you to do some certain things. 412 00:25:04,459 --> 00:25:06,579 And for some of us, our stomach moves us. 413 00:25:06,579 --> 00:25:09,379 You know, at midnight, you get up out of bed, you go to the refrigerator, 414 00:25:09,379 --> 00:25:10,219 it moves you. 415 00:25:11,019 --> 00:25:12,779 There's emotions there. 416 00:25:14,619 --> 00:25:17,979 What a wonderful illustration this passage is of Jesus Christ and 417 00:25:17,979 --> 00:25:19,419 what he's done for the believers. 418 00:25:20,789 --> 00:25:23,149 Because the believer identifies with Jesus Christ, the 419 00:25:23,149 --> 00:25:27,429 Son of God, the Father then receives each believer as his own 420 00:25:27,429 --> 00:25:27,909 Son. 421 00:25:28,229 --> 00:25:35,829 And this is what Paul's after the believer is accepted and beloved 422 00:25:36,629 --> 00:25:40,349 because of the righteousness which is bestowed upon him to the 423 00:25:40,349 --> 00:25:41,669 praise and glory of his grace. 424 00:25:41,669 --> 00:25:45,659 Paul writes, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved, 425 00:25:46,769 --> 00:25:47,489 for he hath. 426 00:25:47,489 --> 00:25:50,449 In another book, he writes, for he hath made him to be sin for 427 00:25:50,449 --> 00:25:54,969 us who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of 428 00:25:54,969 --> 00:25:55,889 God in him. 429 00:25:57,089 --> 00:25:58,889 You see, we cannot approach God on. 430 00:25:58,889 --> 00:26:03,569 Our own merit, but we are received by Him. 431 00:26:04,529 --> 00:26:06,049 Look again at verse number 17. 432 00:26:07,089 --> 00:26:12,449 It says, but if thou count me therefore a partner, receive him 433 00:26:13,499 --> 00:26:14,299 as myself. 434 00:26:15,259 --> 00:26:15,819 Receive. 435 00:26:15,819 --> 00:26:17,179 Accepting into the family. 436 00:26:18,219 --> 00:26:21,499 Families that have pets, specifically dogs or cats. 437 00:26:22,059 --> 00:26:24,939 You receive that animal into your own home. 438 00:26:24,939 --> 00:26:28,099 And where we're from, you treat that. 439 00:26:28,099 --> 00:26:29,819 And I almost said it. 440 00:26:31,499 --> 00:26:36,299 Treat that pet as if it's an individual, as if it's a family member. 441 00:26:36,939 --> 00:26:41,979 There's hotel spas and there's doggy manicures. 442 00:26:42,139 --> 00:26:44,059 And they're matching outfits. 443 00:26:44,759 --> 00:26:45,839 There are a variety of different things. 444 00:26:45,839 --> 00:26:47,399 I'm not insulting the pet owner. 445 00:26:47,399 --> 00:26:50,439 I'm just letting you know there are living creatures in which 446 00:26:50,439 --> 00:26:51,999 you welcome into your family. 447 00:26:51,999 --> 00:26:57,479 You receive them, but yet you'll keep the estranged uncle way 448 00:26:57,719 --> 00:27:03,559 over there, way over there, maybe even thousands of miles over 449 00:27:03,559 --> 00:27:03,879 there. 450 00:27:05,719 --> 00:27:12,289 It's hard to imagine standing on a sail block. 451 00:27:14,929 --> 00:27:18,849 If you ever ran horses through the sale barn, get them in the corral 452 00:27:18,849 --> 00:27:21,089 and you move them from one side to another. 453 00:27:21,089 --> 00:27:29,209 But these stood still as the market of individuals crowd in. 454 00:27:29,209 --> 00:27:33,609 And the auctioneer begins it with a gavel slam. 455 00:27:33,609 --> 00:27:39,049 And the bidding begins on a on a living soul. 456 00:27:40,729 --> 00:27:43,929 It's hard to imagine that that servant would have no rights outside 457 00:27:43,929 --> 00:27:49,169 of those that it has been given to by what we would call a 458 00:27:49,169 --> 00:27:49,769 master. 459 00:27:51,449 --> 00:27:55,009 But instead of being treated poorly, that word received means 460 00:27:55,009 --> 00:28:00,329 that the master accepted that servant, that slave in as family. 461 00:28:01,929 --> 00:28:02,569 Now it would. 462 00:28:02,569 --> 00:28:06,129 It would be very difficult to imagine as even a guilty sinner right 463 00:28:06,129 --> 00:28:07,449 before the Holy God. 464 00:28:08,169 --> 00:28:10,929 And all you think is that how unworthy you are. 465 00:28:10,929 --> 00:28:16,809 But he, in receiving you as his child, you have become worthy. 466 00:28:18,089 --> 00:28:22,289 It's hard to imagine that he is right now making a place for you. 467 00:28:22,289 --> 00:28:23,689 And I to reside forever. 468 00:28:24,809 --> 00:28:25,929 It's pretty awesome. 469 00:28:28,809 --> 00:28:30,609 But notice what Paul is offering. 470 00:28:30,609 --> 00:28:32,849 Something I don't know if a lot. 471 00:28:32,849 --> 00:28:33,609 Of us would do. 472 00:28:34,879 --> 00:28:40,239 Verse number 18 says that if he hath wronged thee or oweth thee 473 00:28:40,239 --> 00:28:42,559 ought put that on mine account. 474 00:28:43,919 --> 00:28:49,479 19 says, I, Paul, have written it with mine own hand, I will repay 475 00:28:49,479 --> 00:28:49,759 it. 476 00:28:51,199 --> 00:28:55,519 This is a wonderful illustration of that, as you all 477 00:28:55,519 --> 00:28:57,959 probably are more familiar with in these recent days. 478 00:28:57,959 --> 00:28:59,649 A promissory note. 479 00:29:01,479 --> 00:29:04,959 It's a legal tender, legal document stating that, hey, you know 480 00:29:04,959 --> 00:29:05,159 what? 481 00:29:05,159 --> 00:29:07,439 I am going to make good on this debt. 482 00:29:07,439 --> 00:29:09,719 I'm going to pay it in full. 483 00:29:10,599 --> 00:29:12,999 Is that not what Jesus Christ did for us? 484 00:29:13,879 --> 00:29:16,719 He absolutely did and he came through. 485 00:29:16,719 --> 00:29:20,839 Paul was giving Philemon basically assurance that if anything 486 00:29:21,719 --> 00:29:26,409 was going to be owed, it would be Paul that would be paying it. 487 00:29:27,039 --> 00:29:30,919 He's promised it that he would not just pay it forward, but remove 488 00:29:30,919 --> 00:29:32,079 the debt completely. 489 00:29:32,559 --> 00:29:35,999 I'm so thankful that Jesus Christ did that for me. 490 00:29:37,199 --> 00:29:40,959 God in his holiness could not ignore that debt that we owe. 491 00:29:42,959 --> 00:29:45,199 God must be faithful to his word. 492 00:29:46,079 --> 00:29:48,319 So God paid the debt for both you and I. 493 00:29:49,919 --> 00:29:53,919 You see, the message of selfless love demonstrated by the 494 00:29:53,919 --> 00:29:55,519 Savior must be shared. 495 00:29:56,279 --> 00:30:01,159 And just as this letter was given to Onesimus to give to Philemon, 496 00:30:01,159 --> 00:30:04,319 but also to other churches, to the church that was even there out 497 00:30:04,319 --> 00:30:06,199 of Philemon's Son's home. 498 00:30:07,079 --> 00:30:10,519 It's made effective because of the messenger. 499 00:30:11,159 --> 00:30:12,239 I say it like this. 500 00:30:12,239 --> 00:30:16,079 The gospel message is most effective when it is delivered by 501 00:30:16,079 --> 00:30:20,479 the hand of one who has personally experienced the freedom 502 00:30:20,479 --> 00:30:23,079 from the bondage that held them to sin. 503 00:30:23,399 --> 00:30:24,359 Does it make sense? 504 00:30:24,839 --> 00:30:26,599 I know that God can use anybody. 505 00:30:26,599 --> 00:30:30,199 And my brothers and I tease around all the time, if God could 506 00:30:30,199 --> 00:30:30,479 use. 507 00:30:30,479 --> 00:30:32,079 You, he could certainly use anybody. 508 00:30:32,079 --> 00:30:35,679 But if God could use a donkey, he can use anybody. 509 00:30:35,679 --> 00:30:39,159 But oftentimes the effectiveness of the deliverance 510 00:30:39,159 --> 00:30:43,159 of the gospel of Jesus Christ is made yes, the power and the message, 511 00:30:43,159 --> 00:30:47,159 but also from the person who has experienced the forgiveness firsthand. 512 00:30:49,319 --> 00:30:53,879 And that effectiveness never really takes place half of the time 513 00:30:53,879 --> 00:30:57,399 because most Christians are not even willing to get outside of 514 00:30:57,399 --> 00:31:01,039 the comfort zone in a conversation or an interaction to 515 00:31:01,039 --> 00:31:04,519 share that testimony of what God has done for them. 516 00:31:04,679 --> 00:31:07,599 I'm not even talking about quoting like the Romans road. 517 00:31:07,599 --> 00:31:12,439 I mean, maybe have a John 3:16, as Little Brooklyn had quoted 518 00:31:12,439 --> 00:31:12,999 it to me earlier. 519 00:31:13,289 --> 00:31:14,609 Maybe have that in your back pocket. 520 00:31:14,609 --> 00:31:16,289 I mean, that's a gospel in a nutshell. 521 00:31:16,289 --> 00:31:19,689 But I mean, just to be willing, just to share what Jesus 522 00:31:19,689 --> 00:31:23,569 has done for you is all that it is that Jesus is asking for you 523 00:31:23,569 --> 00:31:23,889 to do. 524 00:31:23,889 --> 00:31:27,489 It is the very least that we could do for him, considering all 525 00:31:27,489 --> 00:31:29,129 that he has done for us. 526 00:31:32,009 --> 00:31:36,849 The effectiveness of this letter from Paul would have had to 527 00:31:36,849 --> 00:31:41,599 have a specific effect on the heart of Philemon, because how Paul 528 00:31:41,599 --> 00:31:45,959 had led Philemon to the Lord and to have Onesimus standing before 529 00:31:46,039 --> 00:31:48,839 him would have brought a greater impact. 530 00:31:48,919 --> 00:31:52,479 Because the forgiveness that Philemon experienced now he's going 531 00:31:52,479 --> 00:31:53,959 to have to exercise on. 532 00:31:53,959 --> 00:31:55,639 The person who ran away from him. 533 00:31:59,479 --> 00:32:02,039 Can I say comfortably, I don't want to be Philemon. 534 00:32:03,079 --> 00:32:04,279 That's an awkward situation. 535 00:32:04,439 --> 00:32:07,269 But God uses both the message and the messenger. 536 00:32:08,139 --> 00:32:11,139 He said to the church of Corinth, for the love of Christ constraineth 537 00:32:11,139 --> 00:32:15,659 us, because we thus judge that if one died for all, then we're all 538 00:32:15,659 --> 00:32:17,499 dead, and that he died for all. 539 00:32:17,499 --> 00:32:23,899 And that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, 540 00:32:24,699 --> 00:32:25,659 but unto him. 541 00:32:26,459 --> 00:32:28,299 Which died for them and rose again. 542 00:32:30,059 --> 00:32:36,119 So it is not only of greatest pleasure and privilege, but it is 543 00:32:36,119 --> 00:32:40,919 a most sincere desire that our family, among with all the other 544 00:32:40,919 --> 00:32:43,879 families that may be represented by these flags here, 545 00:32:44,439 --> 00:32:50,119 partner with churches like you remember, partner in verse 17 and 546 00:32:50,119 --> 00:32:54,039 how it defines that it is one who shares a common connection by 547 00:32:54,039 --> 00:32:57,399 another and by birth or by blood, physically or spiritually. 548 00:32:57,639 --> 00:33:04,709 In the Greek it says koinonus nonos, partakers, companion, fellowship. 549 00:33:05,749 --> 00:33:09,509 That word fellowship has the same meaning in Greek as it does 550 00:33:09,669 --> 00:33:10,309 partner. 551 00:33:11,189 --> 00:33:12,749 It's to participate. 552 00:33:12,749 --> 00:33:14,469 It's to share a gift. 553 00:33:15,509 --> 00:33:17,989 Collected, contributed. 554 00:33:18,629 --> 00:33:21,909 You see, the partner and the partnership and the fellowship that 555 00:33:21,909 --> 00:33:26,069 Paul had with Timothy and Philemon, he also had with Marcus 556 00:33:26,069 --> 00:33:26,389 and. 557 00:33:26,549 --> 00:33:26,909 And. 558 00:33:26,909 --> 00:33:28,789 And are a tarkus. 559 00:33:28,869 --> 00:33:33,999 And also Demas and Lucas as fellow laborers, both in verse number 560 00:33:33,999 --> 00:33:36,039 one and in verse number 24. 561 00:33:36,359 --> 00:33:37,079 But he also. 562 00:33:37,079 --> 00:33:37,679 Excuse me. 563 00:33:37,679 --> 00:33:38,519 Yeah, verse 24. 564 00:33:38,519 --> 00:33:39,319 But also as. 565 00:33:39,799 --> 00:33:40,199 As. 566 00:33:40,679 --> 00:33:41,519 What is her name? 567 00:33:41,519 --> 00:33:42,199 What is her name? 568 00:33:43,159 --> 00:33:43,719 Fear. 569 00:33:43,719 --> 00:33:44,679 Yeah, Fear. 570 00:33:44,839 --> 00:33:45,239 And. 571 00:33:45,239 --> 00:33:47,159 And Ericopus. 572 00:33:47,879 --> 00:33:50,559 These are individuals whom he said fellow soldiers. 573 00:33:50,559 --> 00:33:51,439 And then he. 574 00:33:51,439 --> 00:33:54,679 He named Epaphras as a fellow prisoner. 575 00:33:55,479 --> 00:33:58,599 They all had a common unity, a common bond together. 576 00:33:58,599 --> 00:34:02,279 That partnership is worked out into the ministry. 577 00:34:02,919 --> 00:34:06,239 But if there's no partnership between those who are willing to 578 00:34:06,239 --> 00:34:11,679 be sent or willing to share, it makes it more difficult for people 579 00:34:11,679 --> 00:34:15,239 to receive the forgiveness of God, the same forgiveness that you 580 00:34:15,239 --> 00:34:15,719 have received. 581 00:34:17,959 --> 00:34:19,959 So what is it that we can partner on? 582 00:34:19,959 --> 00:34:20,999 Look at verse 21. 583 00:34:22,359 --> 00:34:28,739 Having confidence in thy obedience, I wrote unto thee, knowing 584 00:34:28,739 --> 00:34:36,019 that thou wilt also do more than I say, but withal prepare me 585 00:34:36,019 --> 00:34:40,579 also lodging, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given 586 00:34:40,579 --> 00:34:41,259 unto you. 587 00:34:42,619 --> 00:34:43,818 Verse number 21. 588 00:34:43,818 --> 00:34:44,859 I believe that one of the things. 589 00:34:44,859 --> 00:34:46,259 In which we are going to partner. 590 00:34:46,259 --> 00:34:49,579 On and have been and need to continue to partner on is the obedience 591 00:34:49,739 --> 00:34:53,499 of God's word through a relationship, a personal relationship 592 00:34:53,499 --> 00:34:54,279 with Jesus Christ. 593 00:34:55,148 --> 00:34:58,428 Now, our personalities will separate us to a varying degree. 594 00:34:58,588 --> 00:35:00,748 Our last names may separate us. 595 00:35:00,748 --> 00:35:02,988 Our occupations might separate us. 596 00:35:03,228 --> 00:35:05,908 Our hobbies might separate us as well. 597 00:35:05,908 --> 00:35:09,308 Our geographical locations certainly separate us. 598 00:35:11,148 --> 00:35:11,868 And more. 599 00:35:13,068 --> 00:35:16,908 But the greatest connection that we have together is our companionship 600 00:35:16,908 --> 00:35:17,548 with the Lord. 601 00:35:17,548 --> 00:35:20,168 Jesus Christ through the word of God. 602 00:35:21,599 --> 00:35:23,959 Hey, listen, you can go through the. 603 00:35:23,959 --> 00:35:25,519 Process of being in church. 604 00:35:25,999 --> 00:35:27,359 That's perfectly fine. 605 00:35:28,079 --> 00:35:29,519 I mean, it's a safe place. 606 00:35:30,319 --> 00:35:32,159 I was actually in the womb. 607 00:35:32,159 --> 00:35:35,199 I was cooking for nine months in an independent Baptist church. 608 00:35:35,759 --> 00:35:36,879 I didn't know any better. 609 00:35:37,999 --> 00:35:40,239 And I grew up into the Baptist church. 610 00:35:40,799 --> 00:35:41,479 It was a fun. 611 00:35:41,479 --> 00:35:42,559 I had my friends there. 612 00:35:42,719 --> 00:35:43,719 My parents came there. 613 00:35:43,719 --> 00:35:45,439 Every time the doors were open, we were there. 614 00:35:46,409 --> 00:35:48,889 But there was a time in my life I made a conscious decision 615 00:35:48,889 --> 00:35:50,329 not to follow God's word. 616 00:35:50,329 --> 00:35:52,649 I knew that I had the fire insurance. 617 00:35:53,689 --> 00:35:56,249 So let me just test the market, see what happens. 618 00:35:57,529 --> 00:36:00,809 Man, I can't tell you how bad I fell flat on my face. 619 00:36:00,809 --> 00:36:01,968 You might kick me out of here. 620 00:36:01,968 --> 00:36:04,529 I'm not really for sure, but this. 621 00:36:04,529 --> 00:36:07,369 Is what I do know as this. 622 00:36:09,129 --> 00:36:15,779 As the father waited for this prodigal, he came. 623 00:36:18,659 --> 00:36:23,299 He came running, for which it is that I'm very grateful for. 624 00:36:24,259 --> 00:36:25,739 And there may be stories out of. 625 00:36:25,739 --> 00:36:28,419 This church and there may be stories from other places. 626 00:36:29,779 --> 00:36:30,979 I just want to let you know. 627 00:36:32,339 --> 00:36:35,859 Not to give up on them and partner in prayer. 628 00:36:37,229 --> 00:36:40,989 God is faithful by whom you are called into the fellowship of 629 00:36:40,989 --> 00:36:41,549 his Son. 630 00:36:41,549 --> 00:36:43,069 Jesus Christ our Lord. 631 00:36:43,629 --> 00:36:46,749 And he said in verse 24 and. 632 00:36:46,829 --> 00:36:51,469 Verse 4 the power of prayer, a. 633 00:36:51,469 --> 00:36:54,549 Spiritual connection to Jesus Christ and our church. 634 00:36:54,549 --> 00:36:58,509 Families together and those whom we partner with in the ministry 635 00:36:58,989 --> 00:37:01,189 are also sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. 636 00:37:01,189 --> 00:37:03,629 But none of these things happen without prayer. 637 00:37:04,219 --> 00:37:07,579 If the church is the vehicle for which missions is driven, then 638 00:37:07,739 --> 00:37:10,779 prayer is the engine that keeps the vehicle running. 639 00:37:11,179 --> 00:37:14,299 Prayer calls out missionaries from the church pews. 640 00:37:14,299 --> 00:37:17,739 The local church ought to be the manufacturing plant for preachers. 641 00:37:18,299 --> 00:37:20,779 Prayer empowers the message of the messenger. 642 00:37:20,859 --> 00:37:24,099 Prayer effectually opens the door to the hearts of men to receive 643 00:37:24,099 --> 00:37:25,419 the message of Jesus Christ. 644 00:37:25,899 --> 00:37:29,459 Prayer mobilizes members in the church to engage their communities 645 00:37:29,459 --> 00:37:33,699 with the Gospel and fortifies the spiritual protection of the messengers 646 00:37:33,779 --> 00:37:36,979 whom carry the Gospel to places that they cannot. 647 00:37:37,379 --> 00:37:41,219 Philippians 1, verse 3 through 6 says, I thank my God upon every 648 00:37:41,219 --> 00:37:45,459 remembrance of you always in every prayer of mine for you all, 649 00:37:45,619 --> 00:37:50,539 making requests with joy for your fellowship in the Gospel from 650 00:37:50,539 --> 00:37:54,339 the first day until now, being confident of this very thing that 651 00:37:54,339 --> 00:37:57,619 he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until 652 00:37:57,619 --> 00:37:58,899 the day of Jesus Christ. 653 00:37:59,379 --> 00:38:02,099 Additionally, we partner together in the work of ministries 654 00:38:02,339 --> 00:38:04,299 such as giving and missions. 655 00:38:04,299 --> 00:38:09,139 And Second Corinthians 8:4 explains that our giving must be 656 00:38:09,139 --> 00:38:13,179 first demonstrated in giving of ourselves and then making missions 657 00:38:13,179 --> 00:38:16,059 within the church more possible by partnering with other 658 00:38:16,059 --> 00:38:20,099 churches to send the gospel out, that is through Galatians, chapter 659 00:38:20,099 --> 00:38:21,059 two, verse nine. 660 00:38:21,299 --> 00:38:24,739 Listen, I digress and I'm coming to a close because of my time. 661 00:38:24,739 --> 00:38:28,809 I want to let you know that like Paul partnered with Philemon 662 00:38:28,809 --> 00:38:33,529 in a very difficult situation, in a very exhausting and difficult 663 00:38:33,529 --> 00:38:37,289 culture, Christians can partner with Jesus Christ and partner 664 00:38:37,289 --> 00:38:41,409 with other individuals to accomplish their will for, or excuse 665 00:38:41,409 --> 00:38:42,689 me, his will for their lives. 666 00:38:43,089 --> 00:38:44,849 And it's going to help you. 667 00:38:45,009 --> 00:38:47,249 It's going to help them help us. 668 00:38:47,249 --> 00:38:48,849 Love Christ and live for him. 669 00:38:49,169 --> 00:38:54,039 Glorifying God, yes, for his glory, but also for your good. 670 00:38:54,759 --> 00:38:56,159 Bow your head and close your eyes. 671 00:38:56,159 --> 00:38:58,919 Lord in heaven, thank you so much for the time which you allowed 672 00:38:58,919 --> 00:38:58,999 me. 673 00:38:58,999 --> 00:39:00,039 To be behind the pulpit. 674 00:39:00,039 --> 00:39:02,079 Lord, I pray God, Lord, that you. 675 00:39:02,079 --> 00:39:04,839 Had effectually used your words to minister. 676 00:39:04,839 --> 00:39:06,439 To the heart and mind of the believer. 677 00:39:06,519 --> 00:39:07,799 Lord, thank you for loving us. 678 00:39:07,799 --> 00:39:09,479 Thank you Lord, for the opportunity to. 679 00:39:09,479 --> 00:39:10,679 Be able to share your word. 680 00:39:10,759 --> 00:39:12,199 I thank you Lord for this church. 681 00:39:12,199 --> 00:39:15,439 Family and their willingness to support others to share your word. 682 00:39:15,439 --> 00:39:16,479 Lord, I love you and I thank. 683 00:39:16,479 --> 00:39:17,199 You for loving us. 684 00:39:17,199 --> 00:39:19,079 And in Jesus name, amen.