1 00:00:31,139 --> 00:00:35,859 And I started doing the math and I said, I don't know. 2 00:00:36,339 --> 00:00:38,579 I don't know if I make it to the 300 or not. 3 00:00:39,299 --> 00:00:41,379 But I know that God's placed me here at 250. 4 00:00:41,859 --> 00:00:45,499 And it's interesting to look back over 250 years of history in 5 00:00:45,499 --> 00:00:50,699 our country and look back at God's hand of provision all along 6 00:00:50,699 --> 00:00:51,219 the way. 7 00:00:51,699 --> 00:00:56,099 In the last few years, there's been kind of a resurgence of scholarly 8 00:00:56,099 --> 00:00:58,379 study back into Christianity in early America. 9 00:00:58,379 --> 00:01:00,699 And we've had Brother Kraus and some other people like that come 10 00:01:00,699 --> 00:01:02,639 and explain it to us last couple years. 11 00:01:02,719 --> 00:01:06,039 And I think it's an important reminder as we look back that America 12 00:01:06,039 --> 00:01:07,919 is fundamentally a Christian nation. 13 00:01:08,799 --> 00:01:12,719 This is the nation that God has primarily used for the last 200 14 00:01:12,719 --> 00:01:15,839 years as a missionary light throughout the entire world. 15 00:01:17,839 --> 00:01:21,679 But if we're careful, we'll lose that, you know, per capita. 16 00:01:21,679 --> 00:01:24,439 Now the Philippines sends more missionaries out than the United 17 00:01:24,439 --> 00:01:25,119 States does. 18 00:01:27,449 --> 00:01:32,689 It's an interesting factor, but we have far, far more churches 19 00:01:32,689 --> 00:01:33,529 per capita. 20 00:01:34,649 --> 00:01:35,809 It's an interesting thought. 21 00:01:35,809 --> 00:01:39,449 When we think about it, our country is not without its flaws. 22 00:01:39,769 --> 00:01:42,409 We're not without our historical marks that we wish we 23 00:01:42,409 --> 00:01:44,009 could go back and erase or change. 24 00:01:44,889 --> 00:01:49,129 However, those flaws brought us to where we are today. 25 00:01:50,889 --> 00:01:53,809 The nation that we live in is still, in my opinion, the best one 26 00:01:53,809 --> 00:01:54,329 on earth. 27 00:01:55,879 --> 00:01:59,399 I believe that God has a great plan for America, just as I believe 28 00:01:59,639 --> 00:02:01,319 God has a great plan for this church. 29 00:02:02,279 --> 00:02:06,519 I believe that America once again will see revival that we saw 30 00:02:06,519 --> 00:02:08,759 in the 50s and the 60s and in the 70s. 31 00:02:09,559 --> 00:02:11,639 And that brings me to my subject matter this morning. 32 00:02:11,639 --> 00:02:14,279 That America is a nation worth praying for. 33 00:02:14,839 --> 00:02:16,079 A nation worth praying for. 34 00:02:16,079 --> 00:02:17,879 Look at two Timothy, chapter number two. 35 00:02:17,959 --> 00:02:20,639 Look at verse number one, first Timothy, chapter two, verse 36 00:02:20,639 --> 00:02:20,999 number one. 37 00:02:20,999 --> 00:02:22,039 Here's what the Bible says. 38 00:02:22,489 --> 00:02:27,129 I exhort, therefore, that first of all supplications, prayers, 39 00:02:27,449 --> 00:02:31,689 intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings 40 00:02:32,169 --> 00:02:35,649 and for all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet 41 00:02:35,649 --> 00:02:38,249 and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 42 00:02:38,489 --> 00:02:41,329 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our 43 00:02:41,329 --> 00:02:45,489 Savior, who will have all men to be saved and to come unto the 44 00:02:45,489 --> 00:02:46,569 knowledge of the truth. 45 00:02:46,729 --> 00:02:50,469 For there is one God and one mediator between God and man. 46 00:02:50,469 --> 00:02:55,909 The man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all to be testified 47 00:02:55,989 --> 00:02:56,949 in due time. 48 00:02:57,189 --> 00:03:00,469 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher and an apostle. 49 00:03:00,789 --> 00:03:04,869 I speak the truth in Christ and lie not a teacher of the Gentiles 50 00:03:04,869 --> 00:03:06,069 in faith and variety. 51 00:03:06,629 --> 00:03:09,989 I will therefore, that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy 52 00:03:09,989 --> 00:03:12,309 hands without wrath and doubting. 53 00:03:12,469 --> 00:03:13,189 Let's pray. 54 00:03:13,999 --> 00:03:15,719 Lord, I thank you for the opportunity to gather together in 55 00:03:15,719 --> 00:03:17,359 your house, Lord, as a free people. 56 00:03:17,519 --> 00:03:20,519 Lord, I pray that you help us as we do our best to worship you 57 00:03:20,519 --> 00:03:21,279 earnestly this morning. 58 00:03:21,279 --> 00:03:22,639 God, I pray that you would help me. 59 00:03:22,639 --> 00:03:24,119 Lord, I pray that you would hide me behind the cross. 60 00:03:24,119 --> 00:03:26,159 Lord, I pray that your Holy Spirit would meet with us in a very 61 00:03:26,159 --> 00:03:27,039 real and unique way. 62 00:03:27,039 --> 00:03:29,719 God, I pray that you would help us as we seek to live godly, 63 00:03:29,719 --> 00:03:31,159 peaceable lives as we seek out. 64 00:03:31,159 --> 00:03:32,399 Lord, in Jesus name I pray. 65 00:03:32,639 --> 00:03:33,279 Amen. 66 00:03:34,799 --> 00:03:38,079 As I opened, I told you guys about America and how I believe it 67 00:03:38,079 --> 00:03:39,399 is still a really great nation. 68 00:03:39,399 --> 00:03:42,059 It's one that we have that is worth praying for. 69 00:03:42,539 --> 00:03:45,019 But I would like to submit to you this morning that that is not 70 00:03:45,019 --> 00:03:47,259 the backdrop of first Timothy. 71 00:03:47,899 --> 00:03:50,419 In fact, if you go back and you read the last few chapter of 72 00:03:50,419 --> 00:03:53,619 the books of Acts, it's the end of Paul's missionary journeys 73 00:03:53,619 --> 00:03:56,739 and you start to realize that the Roman nation that these people 74 00:03:56,739 --> 00:04:00,179 lived under was not a very pleasant place to live if you were 75 00:04:00,179 --> 00:04:00,859 a Christian. 76 00:04:01,419 --> 00:04:05,019 The Apostle Paul on his third missionary journey suffered many 77 00:04:05,019 --> 00:04:05,339 things. 78 00:04:05,659 --> 00:04:07,099 In fact, you can kind of go out. 79 00:04:07,179 --> 00:04:09,979 His mantra on the third missionary journey was really kind 80 00:04:09,979 --> 00:04:14,869 of go to a city, get arrested or beaten or beaten, then arrested 81 00:04:14,949 --> 00:04:17,509 or arrested, beaten and then arrested again, right? 82 00:04:17,669 --> 00:04:20,709 And then either thrown out of the city or rescued out of the city 83 00:04:20,709 --> 00:04:21,909 for fear of being killed. 84 00:04:22,149 --> 00:04:24,669 That was kind of his mantra as he worked his way through what is 85 00:04:24,669 --> 00:04:28,229 now modern day Turkey and then crossed over into Greece and revisited 86 00:04:28,229 --> 00:04:28,909 some of the churches. 87 00:04:28,909 --> 00:04:31,709 They started over there in Ephesus and Colossae and some places 88 00:04:31,709 --> 00:04:32,149 like that. 89 00:04:32,229 --> 00:04:34,629 He went back and he visited and he just kept getting arrested 90 00:04:34,629 --> 00:04:36,709 and beaten in these places over and over and over again. 91 00:04:37,219 --> 00:04:40,939 And then as you come to the bottom, he makes headway towards 92 00:04:40,939 --> 00:04:42,739 Rome and that's where he wants to go. 93 00:04:42,899 --> 00:04:47,619 And he gets on a boat and he runs into a storm that was so bad 94 00:04:47,619 --> 00:04:52,339 they had to give it a name and his boat is wrecked and fortunately 95 00:04:52,339 --> 00:04:53,699 God spares everyone on there. 96 00:04:53,699 --> 00:04:56,739 But the whole third missionary journey is just kind of a wreck, 97 00:04:56,739 --> 00:04:57,859 to be honest with you. 98 00:04:58,339 --> 00:05:02,179 You ever have a time in life where things are just kind of a wreck? 99 00:05:02,829 --> 00:05:03,909 It's like, yeah, I'm gonna go do. 100 00:05:03,909 --> 00:05:05,709 Oh well, no, nevermind, I'm gonna go. 101 00:05:05,709 --> 00:05:07,789 Oh, no, never mind, not gonna do that either. 102 00:05:07,869 --> 00:05:09,069 How about door number three? 103 00:05:09,069 --> 00:05:10,189 Is that one gonna be any better? 104 00:05:10,589 --> 00:05:10,989 Right. 105 00:05:11,629 --> 00:05:16,149 That was kind of the Apostle Paul on this missionary journey as 106 00:05:16,149 --> 00:05:20,749 he comes Back he gets to going into Jerusalem, and all of Paul's 107 00:05:20,749 --> 00:05:21,789 friends tell him, don't go. 108 00:05:22,349 --> 00:05:23,349 Don't go into Jerusalem. 109 00:05:23,349 --> 00:05:24,109 You're gonna get arrested. 110 00:05:24,109 --> 00:05:24,989 You're gonna get killed. 111 00:05:25,389 --> 00:05:27,629 And Paul gives this statement here in Acts 28. 112 00:05:27,629 --> 00:05:29,029 He says, I have peace. 113 00:05:30,229 --> 00:05:33,389 I know that the Lord wants me to go to Jerusalem, and if it's because 114 00:05:33,389 --> 00:05:36,869 I'm going to be sent off to Rome and be killed, I'm at peace, 115 00:05:37,029 --> 00:05:37,989 I'm okay with it. 116 00:05:38,629 --> 00:05:40,829 Well, sure enough, as the story goes, as the book of Acts, 117 00:05:40,829 --> 00:05:43,309 Paul gets arrested in Jerusalem, and they sent him all 118 00:05:43,309 --> 00:05:45,509 the way to Rome to be killed. 119 00:05:46,309 --> 00:05:49,309 However, before he's killed in Rome, he's put in house arrest, and 120 00:05:49,309 --> 00:05:50,469 he's there for two years. 121 00:05:51,189 --> 00:05:53,949 It's during those two years that we see these last few letters 122 00:05:53,949 --> 00:05:57,909 from the Apostle Paul written out to the churches and to personal 123 00:05:57,989 --> 00:05:58,389 friends. 124 00:05:58,629 --> 00:06:01,869 And one of the personal friends he wrote, was Timothy a young 125 00:06:01,869 --> 00:06:02,229 man. 126 00:06:02,789 --> 00:06:04,229 A young man in the faith. 127 00:06:04,629 --> 00:06:05,149 How old? 128 00:06:05,149 --> 00:06:05,709 I don't know. 129 00:06:05,709 --> 00:06:06,229 He's young. 130 00:06:06,389 --> 00:06:09,189 By biblical standards, that could be like 100 or like 15. 131 00:06:09,349 --> 00:06:09,749 Right? 132 00:06:09,749 --> 00:06:11,589 Just depends on when you're talking about in the Bible. 133 00:06:11,989 --> 00:06:14,109 But the Bible classifies him as a young man. 134 00:06:14,109 --> 00:06:15,229 And Paul loves him very much. 135 00:06:15,229 --> 00:06:17,829 He calls him my own son in the faith many times. 136 00:06:18,229 --> 00:06:20,549 This is someone that is dear to Paul. 137 00:06:20,789 --> 00:06:24,869 And Paul is recognizing at this point that his time in ministry 138 00:06:24,869 --> 00:06:25,429 is done. 139 00:06:26,519 --> 00:06:27,079 He's done. 140 00:06:27,799 --> 00:06:30,119 There will be no more missionary journeys. 141 00:06:30,759 --> 00:06:34,039 There will be no more visits to the churches. 142 00:06:34,439 --> 00:06:36,719 And you see this sentiment a little bit throughout the books. 143 00:06:36,719 --> 00:06:37,959 Think of Philippians, chapter three. 144 00:06:37,959 --> 00:06:41,159 He says, if I'm able to come to you, then it'll be great. 145 00:06:41,159 --> 00:06:43,199 And if not, then I know the Lord will take care of it. 146 00:06:43,199 --> 00:06:44,519 Or Philippians one, I mean, Right. 147 00:06:44,679 --> 00:06:47,519 So you see this kind of sentiment in Paul's letters as he 148 00:06:47,519 --> 00:06:51,399 starts to seep in and realize that his earthly ministry is coming 149 00:06:51,399 --> 00:06:51,959 to an end. 150 00:06:53,809 --> 00:06:55,009 But yet he's not done. 151 00:06:56,449 --> 00:06:59,089 And he encourages Timothy to not be done either. 152 00:07:00,769 --> 00:07:03,169 The timeline of this book being written is somewhere in the 153 00:07:03,169 --> 00:07:04,129 AD 60s. 154 00:07:04,369 --> 00:07:08,609 And right now, the Roman Empire is ruled by a man named Nero. 155 00:07:09,569 --> 00:07:11,169 Nero is not a good man. 156 00:07:12,449 --> 00:07:15,769 Nero may be one of the most ruthless tyrants to have ever lived 157 00:07:15,769 --> 00:07:16,529 on this earth. 158 00:07:17,729 --> 00:07:22,789 He killed every Christian that he could openly. 159 00:07:23,589 --> 00:07:29,149 You know, I feel a little better if there was, like, trials 160 00:07:29,149 --> 00:07:30,869 and like, yeah, it's illegal to be a Christian, so we're going 161 00:07:30,869 --> 00:07:31,669 to kill you and we're putting you. 162 00:07:31,669 --> 00:07:33,349 No, they would just kill him in the streets. 163 00:07:33,749 --> 00:07:36,149 It was that level of violence in Rome at this Point. 164 00:07:38,069 --> 00:07:45,069 There's the cruise, the Coliseum, the Coliseum and all the 165 00:07:45,069 --> 00:07:47,029 games and everything that's going on there right now. 166 00:07:47,029 --> 00:07:49,109 That's all happening right here at this time. 167 00:07:49,509 --> 00:07:53,669 And that is the backdrop upon which Paul is writing to Timothy. 168 00:07:54,709 --> 00:07:57,789 Now, if you can, for a minute, I want you to put yourself in Timothy's 169 00:07:57,789 --> 00:07:58,149 shoes. 170 00:07:58,789 --> 00:08:03,189 Imagine yourself as a young man just starting out in ministry, 171 00:08:03,189 --> 00:08:09,149 just starting out on this gospel journey, and you're ministering 172 00:08:09,149 --> 00:08:10,629 in a very difficult area. 173 00:08:11,749 --> 00:08:15,709 You're well aware that more than likely the odds are that you 174 00:08:15,709 --> 00:08:18,789 will die preaching and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 175 00:08:20,449 --> 00:08:22,929 That is the backdrop of this. 176 00:08:23,729 --> 00:08:26,849 Now imagine, if you will, what Timothy's thoughts about the nation 177 00:08:26,849 --> 00:08:28,129 of Rome might have been. 178 00:08:29,969 --> 00:08:31,729 If he was a voting citizen. 179 00:08:31,809 --> 00:08:34,649 I think he probably would have voted opposite of the majority. 180 00:08:34,649 --> 00:08:39,889 Don't you think when the anti Christian campaign came up, he probably 181 00:08:39,889 --> 00:08:41,329 would have said, I'm going to vote no. 182 00:08:42,049 --> 00:08:43,649 Right, let's vote that thing down. 183 00:08:44,779 --> 00:08:47,819 He was probably in staunch disagreement with the nation of Rome. 184 00:08:48,459 --> 00:08:54,299 And yet the encouragement that Paul gave to Timothy was not to panic. 185 00:08:54,859 --> 00:08:58,979 It was not to live in fear, not to hide under the rocks, not 186 00:08:58,979 --> 00:09:02,819 to organize a revolt, but was to, under inspiration of the Holy 187 00:09:02,819 --> 00:09:05,019 Spirit, pray for the nation that they are in. 188 00:09:06,619 --> 00:09:09,019 So my question to you this morning is really simple. 189 00:09:09,659 --> 00:09:13,419 If Rome is worth praying for under this backdrop and under this 190 00:09:13,419 --> 00:09:17,639 situation, how much more is America worth praying for today? 191 00:09:19,239 --> 00:09:21,439 It's quite a simple thought, but I want you to notice just a few 192 00:09:21,439 --> 00:09:21,799 things here. 193 00:09:21,799 --> 00:09:24,119 I want you to notice first off this morning, the practice of prayer. 194 00:09:24,119 --> 00:09:25,119 Look at verse number one. 195 00:09:25,119 --> 00:09:26,279 The practice of prayer. 196 00:09:26,439 --> 00:09:30,279 Paul says, I exhort, therefore, that first of all supplications, 197 00:09:30,519 --> 00:09:35,079 prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all 198 00:09:35,479 --> 00:09:38,239 men, for kings and for all that are in authority, that we may 199 00:09:38,239 --> 00:09:42,079 lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and, and honesty. 200 00:09:42,079 --> 00:09:43,839 I want you to notice that prayer is primary. 201 00:09:44,479 --> 00:09:48,479 Prayer is the primary focus of a Christian that wants to get involved 202 00:09:48,479 --> 00:09:49,199 in their nation. 203 00:09:49,999 --> 00:09:52,039 Paul doesn't say, well, now it's time to go out and vote. 204 00:09:52,039 --> 00:09:53,359 By the way, I think you ought to vote. 205 00:09:53,439 --> 00:09:55,879 Paul doesn't say it's time to go out and serve in the army, which 206 00:09:55,879 --> 00:09:57,359 I think you ought to do that too, right? 207 00:09:58,159 --> 00:10:01,679 Not crazy, but Paul says the primary. 208 00:10:01,839 --> 00:10:06,039 First of all, the primary work of a Christian is to pray for the 209 00:10:06,039 --> 00:10:07,119 nation that they are in. 210 00:10:07,549 --> 00:10:10,829 Prayer is primary and we know that prayer has effect. 211 00:10:12,829 --> 00:10:14,669 Praying is not just wishful thinking. 212 00:10:14,749 --> 00:10:18,069 It is talking to the God of heaven who has ordained all powers 213 00:10:18,069 --> 00:10:20,269 and authorities here on this earth. 214 00:10:20,509 --> 00:10:24,189 Philippians chapter 4, verse 6 says, Be careful for nothing but 215 00:10:24,189 --> 00:10:24,749 in everything. 216 00:10:24,989 --> 00:10:28,029 By prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request 217 00:10:28,029 --> 00:10:29,069 be made known unto God. 218 00:10:29,069 --> 00:10:31,229 Do you think the nation you live in falls under everything? 219 00:10:32,109 --> 00:10:32,909 I sure do. 220 00:10:33,509 --> 00:10:33,749 Right. 221 00:10:33,909 --> 00:10:36,829 James chapter 5, verse 16 says, the effectual fervent prayer 222 00:10:36,829 --> 00:10:39,589 of a righteous man availeth much. 223 00:10:40,309 --> 00:10:44,069 Availeth much, not prevaileth, availeth. 224 00:10:44,949 --> 00:10:45,349 Right. 225 00:10:45,429 --> 00:10:48,949 That means God's will is done through the effectual fervent prayer. 226 00:10:49,029 --> 00:10:49,428 Right. 227 00:10:49,429 --> 00:10:52,069 Paul encourages in other places in first Thessalonians to 228 00:10:52,069 --> 00:10:57,869 pray without ceasing, not to stop, to always live in an attitude 229 00:10:57,869 --> 00:10:58,469 of prayer. 230 00:10:58,469 --> 00:11:00,969 And I would certainly suggest to you this morning that. 231 00:11:01,119 --> 00:11:03,839 That our nation is the subject that we ought to be praying for. 232 00:11:05,919 --> 00:11:09,679 Not only do we see that prayer is primary, but prayer is purposeful. 233 00:11:10,479 --> 00:11:11,679 Prayer is purposeful. 234 00:11:12,159 --> 00:11:13,679 Maybe I'm the only person here this morning. 235 00:11:13,919 --> 00:11:14,839 If I am, don't tell me. 236 00:11:14,839 --> 00:11:15,839 Cause I'll be embarrassed. 237 00:11:15,919 --> 00:11:19,039 Maybe I'm the only person here this morning that gets really distracted 238 00:11:19,039 --> 00:11:19,679 when I pray. 239 00:11:20,399 --> 00:11:21,279 Is that just me? 240 00:11:21,999 --> 00:11:22,999 Cause I'll be praying. 241 00:11:22,999 --> 00:11:24,159 I like to pray in the car. 242 00:11:24,239 --> 00:11:26,359 Like if I'm driving alone or something, that's a really good time 243 00:11:26,359 --> 00:11:27,039 to pray for me. 244 00:11:27,389 --> 00:11:32,069 And so I'll be praying in the car and I'm just chatting away, praying 245 00:11:32,069 --> 00:11:32,509 to God. 246 00:11:32,749 --> 00:11:36,509 And then 10 miles down the road I wake up and I realize I'm 247 00:11:36,509 --> 00:11:36,749 driving. 248 00:11:36,749 --> 00:11:37,629 You guys ever do that too? 249 00:11:37,629 --> 00:11:38,589 That's a scary moment. 250 00:11:38,749 --> 00:11:39,789 Oh, I'm driving. 251 00:11:40,029 --> 00:11:42,429 And then you realize what you're thinking about and you're 252 00:11:42,429 --> 00:11:45,229 like, have I even been praying anything? 253 00:11:46,829 --> 00:11:47,709 And then I always, like. 254 00:11:47,709 --> 00:11:50,829 You always restart the prayer, like, sorry, Lord, I got distracted. 255 00:11:50,829 --> 00:11:51,229 Right. 256 00:11:52,269 --> 00:11:53,949 Prayer ought to be purposeful, though. 257 00:11:54,319 --> 00:11:57,359 When we sit down to pray, there ought to be a reason behind 258 00:11:57,359 --> 00:11:57,759 it. 259 00:11:58,399 --> 00:11:58,799 Right. 260 00:11:58,879 --> 00:12:02,479 There ought to be something that we have that we are making request 261 00:12:02,479 --> 00:12:03,079 of God for. 262 00:12:03,079 --> 00:12:06,759 In verse two, Paul gives us a few things that we ought to be praying 263 00:12:06,759 --> 00:12:07,039 for. 264 00:12:07,839 --> 00:12:12,679 We ought to pray for kings and for all that are in authority, that 265 00:12:12,679 --> 00:12:16,119 we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and 266 00:12:16,119 --> 00:12:16,799 honesty. 267 00:12:17,519 --> 00:12:21,039 Again, if we consider the backdrop of this letter to Timothy, 268 00:12:21,369 --> 00:12:23,489 I think that makes a lot of sense right now. 269 00:12:23,489 --> 00:12:26,209 What's really interesting here is Nero's out there slaughtering 270 00:12:26,209 --> 00:12:28,929 Christians and Paul's writing to Timothy and goes, yeah, we better 271 00:12:28,929 --> 00:12:29,609 pray for him. 272 00:12:31,449 --> 00:12:31,809 Yeah. 273 00:12:31,809 --> 00:12:32,969 At the least, right? 274 00:12:33,049 --> 00:12:34,809 Like pray for the guy. 275 00:12:34,809 --> 00:12:37,448 But also if we could get rid of him, that'd be pretty cool too. 276 00:12:38,409 --> 00:12:38,809 Right. 277 00:12:39,929 --> 00:12:42,569 But that's not what Paul is suggesting here. 278 00:12:43,049 --> 00:12:46,529 He's Saying, pray for him, pray for the kings and for all that 279 00:12:46,529 --> 00:12:47,289 are in authority. 280 00:12:49,839 --> 00:12:52,039 When we think about the authorities in our life, those are 281 00:12:52,039 --> 00:12:53,199 God ordained authorities. 282 00:12:54,559 --> 00:12:56,679 You may say, well, as Americans, we voted. 283 00:12:56,679 --> 00:12:56,959 Yeah. 284 00:12:56,959 --> 00:12:59,039 And I believe that God works through the voting to work his will 285 00:12:59,039 --> 00:12:59,679 and his way. 286 00:13:00,639 --> 00:13:03,758 That means whoever is currently in authority, it is God's 287 00:13:03,758 --> 00:13:04,879 will for him to be leading the country. 288 00:13:04,879 --> 00:13:05,119 Why? 289 00:13:05,119 --> 00:13:07,919 Because the heart of the king is in the Lord's hand. 290 00:13:08,319 --> 00:13:10,959 He's the one that guides and directs the nations and the kings. 291 00:13:11,199 --> 00:13:13,839 As J.C. house always says, it's not falling apart, it's falling 292 00:13:13,839 --> 00:13:14,159 together. 293 00:13:14,779 --> 00:13:17,259 It's all part of God's plan that he's orchestrated from before 294 00:13:17,259 --> 00:13:17,979 time began. 295 00:13:18,459 --> 00:13:21,659 So when I look at the people that are in authority on the local 296 00:13:21,659 --> 00:13:24,739 level and on the state level and on the national level, I'm like, 297 00:13:24,739 --> 00:13:25,259 you know what? 298 00:13:25,339 --> 00:13:28,059 Those are the people that God has placed in authority in my life, 299 00:13:28,699 --> 00:13:34,619 therefore I ought to pray for them, especially on the local level. 300 00:13:36,299 --> 00:13:37,739 Those guys are crazy sometimes. 301 00:13:39,019 --> 00:13:40,699 It's okay, I want. 302 00:13:40,959 --> 00:13:42,239 I won't say anything else there. 303 00:13:42,799 --> 00:13:45,479 So not only do we see that, we see the practice of prayer in verses 304 00:13:45,479 --> 00:13:47,399 one and two, but I want you to notice, secondly, the pursuit of 305 00:13:47,399 --> 00:13:47,999 godliness. 306 00:13:48,799 --> 00:13:49,879 The pursuit of godliness. 307 00:13:49,879 --> 00:13:50,799 Look at verse number three. 308 00:13:51,439 --> 00:13:56,758 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our 309 00:13:56,758 --> 00:14:01,959 Savior, who will have all men to be saved and to come unto the 310 00:14:01,959 --> 00:14:03,439 knowledge of the truth. 311 00:14:04,159 --> 00:14:09,129 Can I inform you today that our conduct ought to be peaceful? 312 00:14:10,409 --> 00:14:11,929 We ought to be peaceful people. 313 00:14:13,129 --> 00:14:14,009 What does that mean? 314 00:14:14,569 --> 00:14:15,609 Full of peace. 315 00:14:17,209 --> 00:14:18,809 Pretty good at defining things, right? 316 00:14:19,529 --> 00:14:20,649 Full of peace. 317 00:14:21,689 --> 00:14:24,529 I wonder if someone were to take a step back and look at your 318 00:14:24,529 --> 00:14:27,929 life, if they would define you as a peaceful person. 319 00:14:30,409 --> 00:14:32,329 Would they describe me as a peaceful person? 320 00:14:35,249 --> 00:14:37,569 Maybe they would look at me and say, yeah, he's a peaceful person. 321 00:14:38,209 --> 00:14:40,769 Except for when his dog does something, then he comes unhinged, 322 00:14:40,929 --> 00:14:41,329 right? 323 00:14:41,889 --> 00:14:45,689 Or except for whenever, you know, the computers in the back don't 324 00:14:45,689 --> 00:14:47,169 work, then it's done. 325 00:14:47,169 --> 00:14:48,609 Now, whatever it is, right? 326 00:14:49,009 --> 00:14:51,249 We ought to be peaceful in all things in our life. 327 00:14:53,329 --> 00:14:58,369 The part of verse two, he says that we may lead a quiet and peaceable 328 00:14:58,369 --> 00:14:58,689 life. 329 00:14:59,689 --> 00:15:02,649 I find that part really interesting because when I think 330 00:15:02,649 --> 00:15:06,809 of Christians and I think of a zealous spreading of the gospel, 331 00:15:06,809 --> 00:15:10,089 I don't typically imagine a quiet person, do you? 332 00:15:11,209 --> 00:15:12,249 Because I don't. 333 00:15:12,489 --> 00:15:14,849 When I think of someone who's really over the top about sharing 334 00:15:14,849 --> 00:15:17,649 the gospel, I'm imagining a guy that's like knocking doors every 335 00:15:17,649 --> 00:15:17,849 day. 336 00:15:17,849 --> 00:15:21,049 He's spending his off time in Starbucks like, you ever have the 337 00:15:21,049 --> 00:15:23,009 guys in Starbucks or Walmart walk up to you and they're like, 338 00:15:23,009 --> 00:15:23,929 can I pray for you? 339 00:15:24,659 --> 00:15:26,019 Those guys are zealous about it, right? 340 00:15:27,379 --> 00:15:31,339 But yet the Bible says that we ought to live a quiet life and peaceable 341 00:15:31,339 --> 00:15:31,699 life. 342 00:15:31,859 --> 00:15:34,819 It's really interesting as we think about that dynamic, right? 343 00:15:35,219 --> 00:15:38,739 Being all in sharing the gospel, but being quiet and peaceable. 344 00:15:38,899 --> 00:15:41,899 I don't think this means that we are not having a voice. 345 00:15:41,899 --> 00:15:44,859 I don't think this means that we don't share the gospel, that we 346 00:15:44,859 --> 00:15:46,099 don't approach people randomly. 347 00:15:46,099 --> 00:15:47,459 I don't think that's what it's saying here. 348 00:15:47,539 --> 00:15:50,459 I think what this means is that whenever they walk into your 349 00:15:50,459 --> 00:15:52,839 neighborhood, when people drive into your neighborhood, they. 350 00:15:53,069 --> 00:15:56,309 When they look at your house, they shouldn't think, oh, those are 351 00:15:56,309 --> 00:15:56,989 the crazies. 352 00:15:59,309 --> 00:16:02,909 Those people we watch out for, right? 353 00:16:03,469 --> 00:16:06,429 We can go hang out with anyone on the block except for that house. 354 00:16:07,709 --> 00:16:09,949 We ought to live quiet lives, peaceable lives. 355 00:16:09,949 --> 00:16:12,909 I think that's something where people ought to look at us and not 356 00:16:12,909 --> 00:16:16,989 have a strong negative opinion simply off of the way we live our 357 00:16:16,989 --> 00:16:17,309 life. 358 00:16:18,919 --> 00:16:19,839 Live a peaceable life. 359 00:16:19,839 --> 00:16:21,559 Our conduct ought to be peaceful. 360 00:16:21,559 --> 00:16:24,399 By the way, this is a theme that is repeated multiple times throughout 361 00:16:24,399 --> 00:16:24,839 scripture. 362 00:16:24,919 --> 00:16:26,839 Romans, chapter 12, verse 18. 363 00:16:26,839 --> 00:16:30,199 Paul says again, he says, if it be possible, as much as lieth 364 00:16:30,199 --> 00:16:35,719 in you, live peaceably among all men, as much as is within you, 365 00:16:35,879 --> 00:16:36,759 live peaceably. 366 00:16:37,879 --> 00:16:41,039 I like the wording there because there have been times in 367 00:16:41,039 --> 00:16:46,799 my life that we have passed all that is within me, and I felt 368 00:16:46,799 --> 00:16:47,599 okay after that. 369 00:16:47,679 --> 00:16:49,679 I was like, well, you know, I did everything I could. 370 00:16:49,999 --> 00:16:51,599 Then I lost my cool, right? 371 00:16:52,559 --> 00:16:56,239 We ought to live peaceable lives as much that lies within us. 372 00:16:56,319 --> 00:16:59,079 Titus, chapter 2, verse 7 and 8. 373 00:16:59,079 --> 00:17:02,359 He says, in all things we ought to show thyself a pattern of 374 00:17:02,359 --> 00:17:03,119 good works. 375 00:17:03,759 --> 00:17:06,359 This kind of goes back to that pattern, that living lifestyle that 376 00:17:06,359 --> 00:17:07,039 we have, right? 377 00:17:07,119 --> 00:17:09,959 And then Matthew 5:16, from the words of Christ, he says, let 378 00:17:09,959 --> 00:17:14,719 your light so shine among men that they may see your good works 379 00:17:14,719 --> 00:17:16,919 and glorify your Father, which is in heaven. 380 00:17:17,159 --> 00:17:18,839 Living a good and peaceable life. 381 00:17:18,919 --> 00:17:22,119 Comes back to the works that we do in everyday life. 382 00:17:22,119 --> 00:17:25,319 Living a good life, living a quiet life, living a peaceable life. 383 00:17:25,479 --> 00:17:28,039 That is the command of a Christian person. 384 00:17:28,119 --> 00:17:31,199 So not only do we see that our conduct ought to be peaceful, but 385 00:17:31,199 --> 00:17:33,119 our character ought to be pure. 386 00:17:33,119 --> 00:17:37,159 Look at verse number, verse number four here. 387 00:17:38,128 --> 00:17:42,448 Who will that all men to be saved and come unto the knowledge 388 00:17:42,528 --> 00:17:43,488 of the truth? 389 00:17:43,648 --> 00:17:48,128 Can I tell you that the goal of a Christian is godliness and honesty. 390 00:17:49,648 --> 00:17:51,008 That's the goal of a Christian. 391 00:17:51,648 --> 00:17:54,888 If you live godly and you live honest, you will do everything else. 392 00:17:54,888 --> 00:17:57,528 In that you say, well, the goal of a Christian is to share the 393 00:17:57,528 --> 00:17:57,928 gospel. 394 00:17:57,928 --> 00:17:59,968 Well, if you're honest, you're going to tell people where they're 395 00:17:59,968 --> 00:18:00,768 going when they die. 396 00:18:02,848 --> 00:18:04,448 Well, I don't think so. 397 00:18:04,448 --> 00:18:07,008 I think that maybe we ought to try to live this. 398 00:18:07,008 --> 00:18:08,208 You ought to live godly. 399 00:18:08,579 --> 00:18:12,819 That is a really broad term and it's there for a reason, right? 400 00:18:12,979 --> 00:18:15,699 Anything that could be summed up as godliness is something we ought 401 00:18:15,699 --> 00:18:17,939 to strive to have in our lives and hold to. 402 00:18:18,419 --> 00:18:21,299 We ought to live to be godliness and peaceable. 403 00:18:22,339 --> 00:18:23,379 First Peter, chapter two. 404 00:18:23,379 --> 00:18:27,499 When Peter was talking about the Christians testimony among the 405 00:18:27,499 --> 00:18:32,099 Gentiles, he says, having your conversation honest among the Gentiles, 406 00:18:33,459 --> 00:18:36,909 do people go out of their way to do business with Christianity? 407 00:18:37,379 --> 00:18:38,019 Business people. 408 00:18:39,379 --> 00:18:41,779 I read it one time and I thought it was such a cool little 409 00:18:41,779 --> 00:18:45,539 saying that I jotted it down and it said, the way to be a Christian 410 00:18:45,539 --> 00:18:49,139 shoemaker is not to put a cross on the sole of every shoe. 411 00:18:50,259 --> 00:18:53,339 The way to be a Christian shoemaker is to make the very best 412 00:18:53,339 --> 00:18:55,219 quality shoe for the very best price. 413 00:18:56,019 --> 00:18:57,019 And I thought, you know what? 414 00:18:57,019 --> 00:18:57,779 That is so good. 415 00:18:58,499 --> 00:19:00,819 I think sometimes we get caught up with like, well, this place 416 00:19:00,819 --> 00:19:02,909 is Christian, so we have to support them because they put, you 417 00:19:02,909 --> 00:19:04,909 know, the little verse on the bottom of the cup or whatever. 418 00:19:05,629 --> 00:19:08,709 But I think that being a Christian business person, being 419 00:19:08,709 --> 00:19:12,029 a Christian in the workforce means doing our very, very best. 420 00:19:12,749 --> 00:19:18,029 They ought to get more from us than we take from them, right? 421 00:19:18,189 --> 00:19:20,069 That's living Godliness and living honesty. 422 00:19:20,069 --> 00:19:22,429 Our character ought to be pure. 423 00:19:23,789 --> 00:19:26,389 As we look at our nation and we think about the prayers that we 424 00:19:26,389 --> 00:19:29,949 give to it, it ought to give some self reflection back in us, 425 00:19:29,949 --> 00:19:30,189 right? 426 00:19:30,189 --> 00:19:32,949 Because it's so easy to be like, man, our nation is really going 427 00:19:32,949 --> 00:19:37,119 downhill, man, the people that voted in this guy, they're all trash 428 00:19:37,119 --> 00:19:38,159 or whatever it is, right? 429 00:19:38,319 --> 00:19:42,119 Whatever you're thinking with it, it's really easy to think that 430 00:19:42,119 --> 00:19:42,399 way. 431 00:19:42,479 --> 00:19:44,839 But then it starts getting real personal real fast. 432 00:19:44,839 --> 00:19:48,799 When you think, oh man, I voted in November 2, right? 433 00:19:49,758 --> 00:19:54,719 I'm part of that voting majority, right? 434 00:19:55,359 --> 00:19:57,119 So then it becomes a reflection of me. 435 00:19:58,079 --> 00:19:59,199 We don't like that one. 436 00:19:59,769 --> 00:20:02,729 It's much easier to point the finger at whoever we think is the 437 00:20:02,889 --> 00:20:05,049 bad side and say, well, look at you. 438 00:20:05,049 --> 00:20:07,689 You guys don't vote this way or you guys don't believe. 439 00:20:07,929 --> 00:20:10,129 But it really comes back to me, right? 440 00:20:10,129 --> 00:20:11,529 How is My character. 441 00:20:11,929 --> 00:20:13,929 How is my conduct as a citizen? 442 00:20:14,089 --> 00:20:17,209 Because I'm part of the nation, I make up part of it. 443 00:20:17,369 --> 00:20:21,049 So therefore I have to place my part, I have to do my part as 444 00:20:21,049 --> 00:20:24,089 I seek to be a godly Christian in America. 445 00:20:26,259 --> 00:20:29,099 Not only do we see that our character should be pure, but thirdly, 446 00:20:29,099 --> 00:20:31,339 we see the proclamation of the Gospel. 447 00:20:31,339 --> 00:20:34,419 Look at verse number five, the proclamation of the Gospel. 448 00:20:36,019 --> 00:20:40,899 For there is one God, one mediator between God and man. 449 00:20:41,379 --> 00:20:46,739 The man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all to be testified 450 00:20:46,739 --> 00:20:47,619 in due time. 451 00:20:48,019 --> 00:20:51,189 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher and an apostle. 452 00:20:52,539 --> 00:20:56,379 I think we would be amiss if we didn't stop for a second and recognize 453 00:20:56,379 --> 00:20:59,659 that Christ is the mediator of everything between God and man. 454 00:21:02,059 --> 00:21:04,859 I like the word mediator, right. 455 00:21:05,739 --> 00:21:08,299 Because my goal as a Christian is to live peaceably. 456 00:21:08,619 --> 00:21:09,019 Right? 457 00:21:09,419 --> 00:21:12,219 Verse number two, in case you forgot, it's up there just a little 458 00:21:12,219 --> 00:21:12,539 bit. 459 00:21:12,779 --> 00:21:14,699 Our goal is to live a peaceable life. 460 00:21:15,659 --> 00:21:22,069 Yet the concept of a mediator gives the implication that we are 461 00:21:22,069 --> 00:21:22,949 not at peace. 462 00:21:24,789 --> 00:21:25,189 Right? 463 00:21:25,749 --> 00:21:27,909 No need for a negotiator if you're not at war. 464 00:21:29,269 --> 00:21:32,948 No need to have someone to come between two sides if there's 465 00:21:32,948 --> 00:21:33,749 no disagreement. 466 00:21:35,349 --> 00:21:37,589 Yet Christ is the mediator for us. 467 00:21:39,749 --> 00:21:43,659 Jesus himself has placed himself between God and. 468 00:21:43,809 --> 00:21:47,569 And man as the man Christ Jesus. 469 00:21:48,369 --> 00:21:51,169 The wording here is very precise and it's very particular 470 00:21:51,169 --> 00:21:52,049 for a reason. 471 00:21:52,529 --> 00:21:57,489 It says the man Christ Jesus because there needed to be a man 472 00:21:58,609 --> 00:22:00,769 to come between man and God. 473 00:22:00,769 --> 00:22:03,729 You see, when we sinned, and all of us have sinned, by the way 474 00:22:03,729 --> 00:22:06,249 the Bible says, for all have sinned and come short of the glory 475 00:22:06,249 --> 00:22:06,769 of God. 476 00:22:06,849 --> 00:22:09,809 When we sin and each and every one of us choose to sin when we're 477 00:22:09,809 --> 00:22:12,769 born with our sinful nature and then we confirm it by being sinful, 478 00:22:13,249 --> 00:22:18,169 we are finding ourselves squarely at odds against a holy and 479 00:22:18,169 --> 00:22:23,769 just and pure God every single time we find ourselves as enemies 480 00:22:23,769 --> 00:22:24,289 of God. 481 00:22:24,289 --> 00:22:27,809 The Bible says when we are unsaved. 482 00:22:28,848 --> 00:22:32,289 But we needed a man to step in the gap and place himself between 483 00:22:32,289 --> 00:22:33,409 God and man. 484 00:22:33,489 --> 00:22:37,329 And that man was the man Christ Jesus, who's not just a man. 485 00:22:37,329 --> 00:22:38,609 He was the perfect man. 486 00:22:39,039 --> 00:22:40,039 He was not just a man. 487 00:22:40,039 --> 00:22:41,359 He was the sinless man. 488 00:22:41,599 --> 00:22:42,839 He was not just a man. 489 00:22:42,839 --> 00:22:44,079 He was the God man. 490 00:22:44,639 --> 00:22:47,199 The theological term is the hypostatic union. 491 00:22:47,199 --> 00:22:50,399 It's a big word that really means he was 100% God and he was 492 00:22:50,399 --> 00:22:51,599 100% man. 493 00:22:51,759 --> 00:22:55,078 And yet here in this place, we see that Paul is accrediting the 494 00:22:55,078 --> 00:22:56,279 manhood of Jesus Christ. 495 00:22:56,279 --> 00:23:00,159 For being the mediator between God and man, being the negotiator 496 00:23:00,159 --> 00:23:04,639 who gave his life as a ransom for all. 497 00:23:06,089 --> 00:23:09,409 The ransom was given for all that means. 498 00:23:09,409 --> 00:23:11,369 All that means everyone. 499 00:23:12,249 --> 00:23:14,249 That means every person who's ever lived. 500 00:23:14,249 --> 00:23:18,009 Christ gave himself a ransom for their life. 501 00:23:20,249 --> 00:23:22,089 I like the concept of ransom. 502 00:23:22,089 --> 00:23:24,249 I like the theological concept of ransom. 503 00:23:24,569 --> 00:23:28,169 I don't like the actual concept of ransom because I question 504 00:23:28,249 --> 00:23:29,369 what my worth is. 505 00:23:29,929 --> 00:23:32,289 You guys ever get here, you ever, like watch a TV show and you 506 00:23:32,289 --> 00:23:32,729 see the. 507 00:23:33,049 --> 00:23:35,049 The main character gets kidnapped and they send the letter 508 00:23:35,049 --> 00:23:36,089 with the cut up magazines? 509 00:23:36,089 --> 00:23:36,929 Who has time to do that? 510 00:23:36,929 --> 00:23:37,929 Just print it, right? 511 00:23:38,089 --> 00:23:40,729 But they cut up the magazines and they put the ransom letter together 512 00:23:40,729 --> 00:23:43,289 and they send it off to the protagonist's wife or whoever it 513 00:23:43,289 --> 00:23:43,569 may be. 514 00:23:43,569 --> 00:23:47,129 And they say, you know, we've taken Tyler and unless you give us 515 00:23:47,529 --> 00:23:50,569 $75,000, he won't come back alive. 516 00:23:51,609 --> 00:23:53,849 I always wondered, I watched that show and the first thing that 517 00:23:53,849 --> 00:23:57,729 comes through my mind is I wonder what someone would pay for 518 00:23:57,729 --> 00:23:58,009 me. 519 00:24:00,419 --> 00:24:02,019 I imagine myself in this situation. 520 00:24:02,339 --> 00:24:06,219 I've been taken, they're going to duct tape me because I'll yap 521 00:24:06,219 --> 00:24:07,739 so much, they'll duct tape me. 522 00:24:07,739 --> 00:24:12,419 But I imagine them writing the number and me like, it's too much. 523 00:24:12,579 --> 00:24:13,139 Too much. 524 00:24:13,219 --> 00:24:16,259 You're not going to get it lower down a little bit, buddy. 525 00:24:16,579 --> 00:24:16,979 Right? 526 00:24:18,019 --> 00:24:21,659 I always wondered what the concept of or how much my ransom 527 00:24:21,659 --> 00:24:26,599 would be worth now to certain people that maybe more than others, 528 00:24:28,039 --> 00:24:28,399 right? 529 00:24:28,399 --> 00:24:31,199 I would hope that probably my wife would ransom me for more than 530 00:24:31,199 --> 00:24:31,719 you would. 531 00:24:32,759 --> 00:24:36,719 Depending on the day, depending on what I've done, she 532 00:24:36,719 --> 00:24:39,239 might send back and be like, no, send me $75,000. 533 00:24:39,239 --> 00:24:40,279 I know how annoying he is. 534 00:24:40,519 --> 00:24:41,799 Send that back, right? 535 00:24:42,439 --> 00:24:45,159 Whatever it may be, we think about that concept and there's certain 536 00:24:45,399 --> 00:24:48,319 worth that we have to others in our lives, right? 537 00:24:48,319 --> 00:24:50,919 Maybe to your family, you're worth more than to your friends and 538 00:24:50,919 --> 00:24:51,559 everything else. 539 00:24:51,979 --> 00:24:55,419 But Christ looked at you and thought, man, he's worth everything. 540 00:24:56,859 --> 00:25:00,419 There's no worry about what our value is to God because he gave 541 00:25:00,419 --> 00:25:02,539 his life as a ransom for us. 542 00:25:03,659 --> 00:25:06,979 Now what's really interesting about that is that there really isn't 543 00:25:06,979 --> 00:25:09,259 anything left to give if you give your life. 544 00:25:10,059 --> 00:25:11,499 Christ gave all for us. 545 00:25:12,939 --> 00:25:15,339 Christ is the mediator between God and man. 546 00:25:15,339 --> 00:25:18,979 Jesus said In John chapter 14, he says, I am the way, the truth 547 00:25:18,979 --> 00:25:19,859 and the life. 548 00:25:19,859 --> 00:25:22,859 No man can come as unto the Father, but by me. 549 00:25:24,379 --> 00:25:27,099 Acts chapter four says, neither is there salvation in any 550 00:25:27,099 --> 00:25:27,419 other. 551 00:25:28,459 --> 00:25:30,819 There's only one person that you can be saved by that's the name 552 00:25:30,819 --> 00:25:31,739 of Jesus Christ. 553 00:25:32,939 --> 00:25:36,779 Hebrews chapter seven tells us that he is able to save them to the 554 00:25:36,779 --> 00:25:37,499 uttermost. 555 00:25:37,659 --> 00:25:38,619 From the uttermost. 556 00:25:38,619 --> 00:25:39,659 To the uttermost. 557 00:25:40,459 --> 00:25:40,859 Right. 558 00:25:41,019 --> 00:25:44,379 From whatever there has been in our life, any sin that we've committed, 559 00:25:44,379 --> 00:25:47,339 any wrong deed we've ever done, we can look at that and say, 560 00:25:47,339 --> 00:25:51,579 God saved me from any that and has saved me to the uttermost. 561 00:25:51,739 --> 00:25:54,299 There's no like degrees of salvation here. 562 00:25:54,619 --> 00:25:57,179 There's saved and there's unsaved. 563 00:25:57,419 --> 00:25:59,299 So there's the proclamation of the gospel. 564 00:25:59,299 --> 00:26:01,539 We see that Christ is the mediator. 565 00:26:01,539 --> 00:26:04,059 But I want you to notice letter B that Christ also has a message 566 00:26:04,059 --> 00:26:05,019 for mankind. 567 00:26:05,099 --> 00:26:11,539 Look at verse number six here, whereunto I am ordained a preacher 568 00:26:11,539 --> 00:26:12,619 and an apostle. 569 00:26:12,859 --> 00:26:16,229 That means I speak the truth and in Christ and lie not. 570 00:26:16,309 --> 00:26:19,429 A teacher of the Gentiles and faith and variety. 571 00:26:19,509 --> 00:26:25,109 I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands 572 00:26:25,109 --> 00:26:29,749 without wrath and doubting. 573 00:26:30,628 --> 00:26:35,509 Paul was ordained a preacher and a teacher to the Gentiles. 574 00:26:36,549 --> 00:26:38,829 By the way, that's a really good thing because if you're in here 575 00:26:38,829 --> 00:26:40,789 this morning, you're probably a Gentile. 576 00:26:41,589 --> 00:26:44,549 That means without Paul we're not here. 577 00:26:45,189 --> 00:26:45,589 Right? 578 00:26:46,309 --> 00:26:50,549 He took the gospel and really spread it throughout that early Roman 579 00:26:50,629 --> 00:26:51,989 world in the Gentile world. 580 00:26:51,989 --> 00:26:54,869 And Paul was ordained a preacher to the Gentiles. 581 00:26:55,509 --> 00:26:59,069 I am so thankful for the impact that preachers have had in 582 00:26:59,069 --> 00:26:59,589 my life. 583 00:27:00,469 --> 00:27:03,109 We were thinking about camp just a few weeks ago and some of 584 00:27:03,109 --> 00:27:05,509 the preachers that came and we had a spirited debate on the way 585 00:27:05,509 --> 00:27:08,719 up to camp on, on what was more impactful, whether a missions 586 00:27:08,719 --> 00:27:09,999 trip or camp. 587 00:27:10,159 --> 00:27:10,559 Right. 588 00:27:10,639 --> 00:27:13,679 And I'm so thankful the impact that preachers have had in my life 589 00:27:13,679 --> 00:27:17,399 at camp and in this pulpit here and at Bible College and all 590 00:27:17,399 --> 00:27:19,199 the other places I've heard preachers preach. 591 00:27:19,359 --> 00:27:23,479 But Paul was ordained a preacher and a teacher of the Gentiles. 592 00:27:23,479 --> 00:27:26,039 Can I tell you that God's heart is for all people to hear the 593 00:27:26,039 --> 00:27:26,559 gospel? 594 00:27:27,839 --> 00:27:29,199 That is the goal. 595 00:27:29,839 --> 00:27:32,959 The goal is for every single person on the world to hear the gospel. 596 00:27:34,209 --> 00:27:36,329 You may say, well, shouldn't the goal be for them to accept the 597 00:27:36,329 --> 00:27:36,849 gospel? 598 00:27:37,089 --> 00:27:37,889 Yeah, ideally. 599 00:27:37,889 --> 00:27:39,889 But we all know that's not going to happen, right? 600 00:27:41,089 --> 00:27:44,129 We don't determine the results. 601 00:27:45,089 --> 00:27:47,649 We determine to go and share. 602 00:27:48,289 --> 00:27:49,649 The results are up to Christ. 603 00:27:51,329 --> 00:27:53,649 So Christ has a message for all of mankind. 604 00:27:53,649 --> 00:27:58,569 It is in Matthew 28, quite simply that we go therefore and teach 605 00:27:58,569 --> 00:28:01,729 all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the 606 00:28:01,729 --> 00:28:04,669 Son and of the Holy Ghost to teaching them to observe all things 607 00:28:04,669 --> 00:28:07,469 Whatsoever I have commanded you and lo, I am with you alway even 608 00:28:07,469 --> 00:28:08,429 into the end of the world. 609 00:28:09,069 --> 00:28:11,869 Not only is it a message that we have to proclaim the gospel and 610 00:28:11,869 --> 00:28:13,989 move forward, but it's something that we have a personal 611 00:28:13,989 --> 00:28:14,909 promise from Christ. 612 00:28:15,069 --> 00:28:18,029 He will continue with us everywhere. 613 00:28:19,469 --> 00:28:20,189 Everywhere. 614 00:28:21,469 --> 00:28:22,749 You are never alone. 615 00:28:23,949 --> 00:28:25,309 You don't have no me time. 616 00:28:26,269 --> 00:28:27,549 It's God and I time. 617 00:28:28,029 --> 00:28:31,739 Every single time, it's God in high time. 618 00:28:33,419 --> 00:28:36,179 Romans chapter 10 says, for whosoever shall call upon the name 619 00:28:36,179 --> 00:28:37,579 of the Lord shall be saved. 620 00:28:39,179 --> 00:28:42,979 The Lord is not willing that any should perish, but that all should 621 00:28:42,979 --> 00:28:43,899 come to repentance. 622 00:28:44,699 --> 00:28:47,539 You may say, well, I think we've gotten off track a little bit 623 00:28:47,539 --> 00:28:47,699 here. 624 00:28:47,699 --> 00:28:49,779 No, no, no, we're right on track because we're about to circle 625 00:28:49,779 --> 00:28:50,459 right back here. 626 00:28:50,779 --> 00:28:52,779 America is a nation worth praying for. 627 00:28:55,749 --> 00:28:58,789 As I mentioned, America is sent to be a shining light to the 628 00:28:58,789 --> 00:29:01,269 nations, I believe God sent. 629 00:29:01,749 --> 00:29:03,749 You may say, well, that's a bit promiscuous. 630 00:29:03,749 --> 00:29:05,069 I don't see that in scriptures anywhere. 631 00:29:05,069 --> 00:29:09,229 Yeah, whatever God used America, he's used it immensely over 632 00:29:09,229 --> 00:29:10,469 and over and over and over again. 633 00:29:10,469 --> 00:29:12,789 And my desire would be that God would use America again. 634 00:29:14,309 --> 00:29:19,189 Not for our own prideful sake, but I would pray that our nation 635 00:29:19,189 --> 00:29:21,189 sends out more missionaries than anyone else. 636 00:29:21,839 --> 00:29:24,079 I don't know if that's a competition in America or in heaven, 637 00:29:24,079 --> 00:29:25,279 but I want to win that one. 638 00:29:25,599 --> 00:29:27,559 Let's send the most missionaries, let's start the most 639 00:29:27,559 --> 00:29:29,399 churches, let's reach the most people with the gospel. 640 00:29:29,399 --> 00:29:29,679 Why? 641 00:29:29,679 --> 00:29:31,919 Because that is the goal. 642 00:29:33,999 --> 00:29:36,839 America is a nation worth praying for because it gives us the 643 00:29:36,839 --> 00:29:38,639 freedom to do that. 644 00:29:39,919 --> 00:29:43,959 We never have to worry or be concerned that we're going to go 645 00:29:43,959 --> 00:29:50,869 to jail for starting a new church, for telling someone in Walmart 646 00:29:50,869 --> 00:29:51,629 about the gospel. 647 00:29:52,509 --> 00:29:53,789 We don't have to worry about that. 648 00:29:54,749 --> 00:29:57,389 A nation, it's a nation worth praying for because we don't want 649 00:29:57,389 --> 00:29:58,349 to lose that either. 650 00:29:59,149 --> 00:29:59,549 Right? 651 00:30:00,429 --> 00:30:03,869 That freedom is something that we all have to protect, we have to 652 00:30:03,869 --> 00:30:04,589 stand up for. 653 00:30:08,109 --> 00:30:12,349 But I think when it boils down to everything, when you take all 654 00:30:12,349 --> 00:30:17,949 of that away, America is a nation worth praying for because 655 00:30:17,949 --> 00:30:23,709 of the people that live there, because of the people who live across 656 00:30:23,709 --> 00:30:27,829 the street, the people who live in our communities and in our 657 00:30:27,829 --> 00:30:28,189 cities. 658 00:30:29,309 --> 00:30:29,709 Right? 659 00:30:31,869 --> 00:30:37,069 And how we live each and every day, the way we conduct ourselves, 660 00:30:38,909 --> 00:30:41,869 the way we speak to each other, the way we speak to others, 661 00:30:43,049 --> 00:30:47,169 the way we treat the lady in the McDonald's drive thru, whatever 662 00:30:47,169 --> 00:30:51,449 it may be, however we treat those people, it sends a message 663 00:30:51,449 --> 00:30:52,329 every single time. 664 00:30:53,609 --> 00:30:54,729 Of who we are. 665 00:30:56,649 --> 00:30:57,049 Right. 666 00:30:57,769 --> 00:30:59,449 It's the funniest joke in the world. 667 00:30:59,689 --> 00:31:02,849 And it's always funny whenever you get cut off in traffic and you 668 00:31:02,849 --> 00:31:05,049 look at the back of the car window and there's a church sticker 669 00:31:05,049 --> 00:31:05,289 there. 670 00:31:06,329 --> 00:31:07,609 Has that ever happened to anyone before? 671 00:31:08,099 --> 00:31:08,899 Happens to me a lot. 672 00:31:09,379 --> 00:31:13,659 I find it hilarious because they're like, you know what, the 673 00:31:13,659 --> 00:31:15,219 way you drive, you just shared a message. 674 00:31:15,219 --> 00:31:15,539 Right. 675 00:31:17,299 --> 00:31:19,859 And if it's up to me, I think you drive real poorly. 676 00:31:19,859 --> 00:31:20,179 Right. 677 00:31:20,179 --> 00:31:20,899 Whatever it is. 678 00:31:22,179 --> 00:31:25,379 But everything we do in our lives ought to be lived with a conscience. 679 00:31:25,539 --> 00:31:30,499 Understanding that we have a testimony to uphold. 680 00:31:32,019 --> 00:31:35,419 We have something that we are required to do as Christians, that 681 00:31:35,419 --> 00:31:38,899 is to live peaceably and quietly as much as lieth within us, 682 00:31:38,979 --> 00:31:42,679 to pray for those in authority and to share the gospel while having 683 00:31:42,679 --> 00:31:46,719 a pure character and trying to do our very best to live godly and 684 00:31:46,719 --> 00:31:47,319 holy lives. 685 00:31:47,319 --> 00:31:51,119 Because that is what makes America great. 686 00:31:54,079 --> 00:31:58,079 I'm thankful again that we sang the psalms earlier because if 687 00:31:58,079 --> 00:32:01,439 we were to think, what is success in my life? 688 00:32:03,439 --> 00:32:04,719 What is success in your life? 689 00:32:05,689 --> 00:32:13,049 Is success a really big 401k certainly wouldn't hurt, right? 690 00:32:13,929 --> 00:32:17,449 Is success driving the newest car, that doesn't hurt either. 691 00:32:18,489 --> 00:32:19,129 Is success. 692 00:32:19,129 --> 00:32:23,049 Having an AC right now, yes, that's a success, right? 693 00:32:23,769 --> 00:32:25,529 But what is true success in our life? 694 00:32:26,729 --> 00:32:29,369 It's being a godly Christian citizen. 695 00:32:32,339 --> 00:32:33,299 Our goal is prayer. 696 00:32:34,099 --> 00:32:36,739 Pray for our nation, pray for our people. 697 00:32:38,099 --> 00:32:40,179 And that is really the core of it. 698 00:32:40,979 --> 00:32:42,739 So we can look at it and be like, america's so great. 699 00:32:42,739 --> 00:32:43,099 America. 700 00:32:43,099 --> 00:32:43,459 Woo. 701 00:32:43,459 --> 00:32:44,779 Yeah, but what is America? 702 00:32:44,779 --> 00:32:45,379 It's the people. 703 00:32:47,059 --> 00:32:50,899 It's the person across the street, the person in the grocery 704 00:32:50,899 --> 00:32:54,099 store, the person getting gas across from you. 705 00:32:54,739 --> 00:32:58,289 The people we see each and every day are co workers, the regulars 706 00:32:58,289 --> 00:33:01,689 at our job, the people that just hang out, those are the people 707 00:33:01,689 --> 00:33:02,249 that we see. 708 00:33:02,889 --> 00:33:06,849 So when the Bible says we ought to pray for our nation, I think 709 00:33:06,849 --> 00:33:10,449 it's perfectly fine, good and biblical to pray for America and 710 00:33:10,449 --> 00:33:13,249 pray that America would once again get back to the point where 711 00:33:13,249 --> 00:33:15,609 it was shining light as it once was. 712 00:33:16,329 --> 00:33:19,329 But I think ultimately that means we need to look across the 713 00:33:19,329 --> 00:33:22,689 street and across the aisle at those around us and say, how can 714 00:33:22,689 --> 00:33:23,689 I pray for you today? 715 00:33:25,539 --> 00:33:26,979 The question is quite simple this morning. 716 00:33:28,019 --> 00:33:29,459 Are you practicing prayer? 717 00:33:30,259 --> 00:33:31,779 Are you pursuing godliness? 718 00:33:32,339 --> 00:33:33,779 And are you proclaiming Christ? 719 00:33:34,419 --> 00:33:37,419 Let's all stand as the musicians make their way. 720 00:33:37,419 --> 00:33:40,899 We'll have a verse of invitation after we pray. 721 00:33:45,539 --> 00:33:47,859 Lord, we thank you for the great nation that you've allowed 722 00:33:47,859 --> 00:33:48,499 us to live in. 723 00:33:48,499 --> 00:33:50,579 Lord, we thank you for the freedoms that we enjoy. 724 00:33:51,369 --> 00:33:54,689 Lord, we thank you for all the great blessings and gifts you've 725 00:33:54,689 --> 00:33:57,609 given us, Lord, and thank you for allowing us to celebrate 250 726 00:33:57,609 --> 00:33:58,889 years of that freedom this week. 727 00:33:59,129 --> 00:34:02,729 God, I pray that you'll help us as we take a moment and reflect 728 00:34:02,729 --> 00:34:04,729 on ourselves and on our own personalities. 729 00:34:04,729 --> 00:34:08,769 Lord, I pray that you would help us to show us how good of citizens 730 00:34:08,769 --> 00:34:11,769 we are, Lord, how well we are holding up to that threshold of being 731 00:34:11,769 --> 00:34:13,769 godly citizens that live peaceable lives. 732 00:34:13,849 --> 00:34:18,099 God, I pray that you would help us to have a fervor and a fire 733 00:34:18,099 --> 00:34:20,899 to reach those across the street, Lord, and across the world 734 00:34:20,899 --> 00:34:21,619 with the gospel. 735 00:34:21,619 --> 00:34:23,699 God, I pray that you'll help us as we seek to follow you. 736 00:34:23,699 --> 00:34:24,779 In Jesus name I pray. 737 00:34:24,859 --> 00:34:25,419 Amen.