1 00:00:30,179 --> 00:00:31,859 Two or three things to accomplish tonight. 2 00:00:32,099 --> 00:00:34,659 One of those is nomination of officers and we'll do that at the 3 00:00:34,659 --> 00:00:35,779 very end of the service. 4 00:00:36,499 --> 00:00:42,659 And then tonight, of course, giving you the new theme and where 5 00:00:42,659 --> 00:00:44,339 we're headed for the year. 6 00:00:44,739 --> 00:00:47,379 And so the calendars are back there. 7 00:00:47,859 --> 00:00:49,379 Y' all don't have the calendars, do you? 8 00:00:49,939 --> 00:00:50,339 No. 9 00:00:50,899 --> 00:00:52,899 So we'll pass those out here in a little bit. 10 00:00:52,899 --> 00:00:55,339 So actually we'll pass the calendars out for ushers. 11 00:00:55,339 --> 00:00:55,899 Not now. 12 00:00:55,899 --> 00:00:56,699 It'll be a little bit. 13 00:00:56,699 --> 00:00:59,609 It'll be about 10 minutes or so and I'm going to preach first 14 00:00:59,769 --> 00:01:05,049 for a little bit and then we'll pass calendars out and then 15 00:01:05,209 --> 00:01:08,089 the nomination forms will be at the very end of the service. 16 00:01:08,169 --> 00:01:10,409 I didn't get a chance to talk to Brother Gentry before, so I'm 17 00:01:10,409 --> 00:01:11,689 kind of doing it from the pulpit. 18 00:01:13,289 --> 00:01:20,969 All right, If you win your Bibles Tonight, turn to 1 Peter chapter 19 00:01:20,969 --> 00:01:21,581 2. 20 00:01:21,717 --> 00:01:23,449 1 Peter chapter 2. 21 00:01:27,439 --> 00:01:38,559 In 2008, actually the end of 2007, I read a book by Charles Sheldon. 22 00:01:40,399 --> 00:01:46,439 The book has been, if not the most sold book besides the Bible. 23 00:01:46,439 --> 00:01:52,169 The Bible is the number one best selling book in the world and 24 00:01:52,169 --> 00:01:53,289 sold the most copies. 25 00:01:54,969 --> 00:01:59,409 Pilgrim's Progress is probably second, though this book would claim 26 00:01:59,409 --> 00:02:03,049 that it has more in circulation than Pilgrim's Progress, 27 00:02:03,529 --> 00:02:09,449 but there are over 30 million that have been published throughout 28 00:02:10,409 --> 00:02:11,529 the last hundred years. 29 00:02:11,769 --> 00:02:16,509 It's an amazing book called In His Steps, Charles Sheldon. 30 00:02:17,229 --> 00:02:20,909 And we will have it in the library or in the bookstore by next 31 00:02:20,909 --> 00:02:21,189 Sunday. 32 00:02:21,189 --> 00:02:23,989 We have some copies already, but you won't be able to buy them 33 00:02:23,989 --> 00:02:24,429 tonight. 34 00:02:24,749 --> 00:02:28,069 But we'll have them ready by Sunday for you to purchase some. 35 00:02:28,069 --> 00:02:31,789 And I would encourage you to get it, purchase it, read it, you 36 00:02:31,789 --> 00:02:33,069 can order it on Amazon. 37 00:02:33,469 --> 00:02:34,789 That's where we're going to order them from. 38 00:02:34,789 --> 00:02:36,269 But we're going to have them available for you. 39 00:02:36,429 --> 00:02:38,189 And they're, you know, seven or eight dollars. 40 00:02:38,749 --> 00:02:44,729 And it is a, and can be honestly a life changing book as 41 00:02:44,729 --> 00:02:48,929 far as inspiring and encouraging you as you follow the 42 00:02:48,929 --> 00:02:49,849 Lord Jesus Christ. 43 00:02:50,729 --> 00:02:55,289 And so in 2008, the first Sunday of 2008, I preached a message 44 00:02:55,289 --> 00:02:56,769 called Following Jesus. 45 00:02:56,769 --> 00:03:02,649 This is a long time ago and I still believe that it was the most 46 00:03:03,929 --> 00:03:07,209 I had ever seen of our membership come to the altar after 47 00:03:07,209 --> 00:03:08,009 I preached. 48 00:03:08,559 --> 00:03:13,119 Now we've had revival meetings and other things that we have seen, 49 00:03:13,519 --> 00:03:16,079 you know, large, large crowds come to the altar. 50 00:03:16,479 --> 00:03:18,039 But it wasn't my preaching. 51 00:03:18,039 --> 00:03:21,239 I'm just telling you that book along with the scriptures, of course, 52 00:03:21,239 --> 00:03:25,559 the scriptures convicted me so much it would just it just came out. 53 00:03:25,559 --> 00:03:27,039 I mean, it just came out. 54 00:03:27,519 --> 00:03:29,199 It is really that kind of. 55 00:03:29,679 --> 00:03:31,199 Because it is biblically based. 56 00:03:31,599 --> 00:03:35,319 I want to make sure you understand that other books other 57 00:03:35,319 --> 00:03:38,799 than the Bible don't change lives, but if they contain the word 58 00:03:38,799 --> 00:03:39,519 of God, they do. 59 00:03:39,919 --> 00:03:44,919 And Charles Sheldon as a pastor wrote these sermons out for 60 00:03:44,919 --> 00:03:45,759 his congregation. 61 00:03:45,999 --> 00:03:49,719 And so much so as he wrote the sermon, the first one, it was well 62 00:03:49,719 --> 00:03:53,999 attended, but after the first one, they packed the place out and 63 00:03:53,999 --> 00:03:59,039 within a couple of weeks, 100,000 books had been published 64 00:03:59,279 --> 00:03:59,679 already. 65 00:04:00,639 --> 00:04:02,079 And there was a copyright mess up. 66 00:04:02,319 --> 00:04:05,679 And 16 publishers got ahold of it and started publishing it. 67 00:04:06,399 --> 00:04:10,239 And Charles Sheldon, the pastor, never received really a dime 68 00:04:10,399 --> 00:04:11,839 for the book. 69 00:04:12,479 --> 00:04:15,719 And he said of his own self, he said, I'm glad, he said, because 70 00:04:15,719 --> 00:04:18,079 I did not, because the copyright was messed up. 71 00:04:18,799 --> 00:04:21,279 That meant not just one publisher was publishing it. 72 00:04:21,359 --> 00:04:24,079 Sixteen were publishing it around the world. 73 00:04:24,079 --> 00:04:27,279 It got, you know, translated into other languages. 74 00:04:27,439 --> 00:04:30,999 And again, the Lord just used this book as he's used the Pilgrim's 75 00:04:30,999 --> 00:04:31,319 Progress. 76 00:04:31,319 --> 00:04:34,859 If you've never read Pilgrim's Progress and you say, well, it's 77 00:04:34,859 --> 00:04:36,219 old English, it's hard to understand. 78 00:04:36,299 --> 00:04:36,859 I'm telling. 79 00:04:36,859 --> 00:04:39,579 I know you can probably buy one that's got the updated language. 80 00:04:39,579 --> 00:04:40,939 I like reading the old version. 81 00:04:40,939 --> 00:04:43,139 I like reading the old, you know. 82 00:04:43,139 --> 00:04:47,099 And so I encourage you read Pilgrim's Progress, the best book 83 00:04:47,099 --> 00:04:48,579 besides the Bible ever written. 84 00:04:48,579 --> 00:04:49,579 I mean, it really is. 85 00:04:49,739 --> 00:04:50,779 It's an allegory. 86 00:04:51,659 --> 00:04:55,019 You'll have to put yourself and maybe do a little bit of hard 87 00:04:55,019 --> 00:04:57,659 thinking, but it is really a good book. 88 00:04:58,719 --> 00:05:02,879 So he published these sermons, but as he preached them, he just 89 00:05:04,479 --> 00:05:05,679 packed his church out. 90 00:05:06,399 --> 00:05:12,439 And really, as far as we can tell in publishing, it's the first 91 00:05:12,439 --> 00:05:14,399 time what Would Jesus Do? 92 00:05:15,359 --> 00:05:16,799 Was published in writing. 93 00:05:17,279 --> 00:05:17,599 Right? 94 00:05:17,599 --> 00:05:19,999 We know that that's used all over the place now. 95 00:05:20,159 --> 00:05:23,559 But back in that day, you know, somebody had to come up with 96 00:05:23,559 --> 00:05:23,839 it. 97 00:05:24,279 --> 00:05:26,719 And I'm sure there was others who were using the term, but it was 98 00:05:26,719 --> 00:05:28,519 the first time it was published. 99 00:05:28,519 --> 00:05:30,119 What would Jesus Do? 100 00:05:30,199 --> 00:05:32,519 When I was a teenager, it was very popular to wear. 101 00:05:32,759 --> 00:05:33,679 I never wore it. 102 00:05:33,679 --> 00:05:34,119 I don't. 103 00:05:34,759 --> 00:05:36,879 I have an issue wearing anyway. 104 00:05:36,879 --> 00:05:39,878 But you could wear a little bracelet with what would Jesus do 105 00:05:39,878 --> 00:05:41,559 on it and all those things. 106 00:05:42,759 --> 00:05:46,599 And so his point was, ready. 107 00:05:48,119 --> 00:05:53,789 Charles Sheldon's point was we say we follow in his steps. 108 00:05:53,789 --> 00:05:58,429 We say we follow Jesus, but what does that really look like? 109 00:05:58,989 --> 00:06:00,269 Do we really do that? 110 00:06:00,909 --> 00:06:04,189 And I'm telling you, the book puts it in a very practical manner 111 00:06:04,189 --> 00:06:07,269 and applies it specifically to certain. 112 00:06:07,269 --> 00:06:08,669 It's individual stories. 113 00:06:08,989 --> 00:06:10,109 But they're all connected. 114 00:06:10,909 --> 00:06:17,159 And you could say they're moral stories connected to everyday 115 00:06:17,159 --> 00:06:19,799 events that will convict you. 116 00:06:21,319 --> 00:06:24,999 It's one thing for me to get up here and say we shouldn't drink, 117 00:06:25,319 --> 00:06:25,719 right? 118 00:06:25,959 --> 00:06:28,519 It's another thing for me to get up and say you shouldn't drink. 119 00:06:29,159 --> 00:06:32,319 Sometimes preachers will dance around the subject and just always 120 00:06:32,319 --> 00:06:32,999 use the word we. 121 00:06:32,999 --> 00:06:35,839 I think it's important for a pastor every once in a while to say, 122 00:06:35,839 --> 00:06:37,959 hey, you should not drink alcohol. 123 00:06:38,679 --> 00:06:40,039 The Bible is against it. 124 00:06:40,679 --> 00:06:41,959 You know, it's wrong. 125 00:06:42,729 --> 00:06:45,689 It's wrong to drink alcohol, period. 126 00:06:46,089 --> 00:06:47,289 Biblically, period. 127 00:06:49,769 --> 00:06:50,489 Everybody good? 128 00:06:51,529 --> 00:06:51,929 Alright. 129 00:06:51,929 --> 00:06:54,089 So you okay with your preacher saying that? 130 00:06:54,969 --> 00:06:57,929 Because it's in the Bible, don't look upon the wine when it's 131 00:06:57,929 --> 00:06:58,169 red. 132 00:06:59,049 --> 00:07:00,809 If you drink it, you had looked on it. 133 00:07:01,529 --> 00:07:02,089 Okay? 134 00:07:03,209 --> 00:07:04,249 But that's what it does. 135 00:07:04,249 --> 00:07:05,289 That's what the book does. 136 00:07:05,369 --> 00:07:06,129 It takes things. 137 00:07:06,129 --> 00:07:09,929 And I'm telling you, it's not done in a bad spirit at all. 138 00:07:10,009 --> 00:07:12,019 I'm just telling you, please read the book. 139 00:07:13,219 --> 00:07:15,059 It'll be a blessing to you, I promise you. 140 00:07:15,379 --> 00:07:22,179 But he practically applied in everyday life what it is to follow 141 00:07:22,179 --> 00:07:22,739 Jesus. 142 00:07:22,739 --> 00:07:25,059 What it is to follow and walk in his steps. 143 00:07:25,459 --> 00:07:27,218 And it's just a really good book. 144 00:07:27,219 --> 00:07:28,419 First Peter, chapter two. 145 00:07:29,059 --> 00:07:30,419 Let's read verse 21. 146 00:07:30,579 --> 00:07:32,339 Verse 21 is our theme verse. 147 00:07:32,579 --> 00:07:36,379 For even hereunto were ye called because Christ also suffered 148 00:07:36,379 --> 00:07:41,089 for us, leaving us an example that ye should what? 149 00:07:41,889 --> 00:07:43,129 Follow in his steps. 150 00:07:43,129 --> 00:07:47,649 So our theme this year is in his steps, in his steps, following 151 00:07:47,649 --> 00:07:49,169 in the footsteps of Jesus. 152 00:07:49,809 --> 00:07:52,129 How are we as Christians to live? 153 00:07:52,129 --> 00:07:53,889 Well, we're to be imitators of Christ. 154 00:07:54,529 --> 00:07:55,929 That's what Christian means. 155 00:07:55,929 --> 00:07:59,169 The word Christian means imitators of Jesus Christ. 156 00:07:59,649 --> 00:08:01,889 They were called Christians first at Antioch. 157 00:08:01,889 --> 00:08:03,089 Why were they called Christians? 158 00:08:03,809 --> 00:08:05,569 Because they were following Jesus. 159 00:08:05,569 --> 00:08:07,089 They were following his teachings. 160 00:08:07,889 --> 00:08:11,969 They did not act to a certain point. 161 00:08:11,969 --> 00:08:13,889 Didn't look like those around them. 162 00:08:13,889 --> 00:08:14,449 They were different. 163 00:08:15,729 --> 00:08:16,449 They were different. 164 00:08:16,529 --> 00:08:18,129 They were different than everybody else. 165 00:08:18,289 --> 00:08:20,049 They didn't go places other people went. 166 00:08:20,049 --> 00:08:24,049 And they didn't do things that other people did. 167 00:08:24,289 --> 00:08:25,649 They lived moral lives. 168 00:08:27,409 --> 00:08:28,529 They lived like Jesus. 169 00:08:29,899 --> 00:08:31,579 And they started being called Christians. 170 00:08:32,699 --> 00:08:35,659 Christians, Christ followers, imitators of Christ. 171 00:08:37,099 --> 00:08:41,019 Because again, they were obedient to the teachings of Christ, 172 00:08:41,019 --> 00:08:42,859 the faith and love. 173 00:08:44,059 --> 00:08:47,579 So what does it mean that we are to be Christians? 174 00:08:47,579 --> 00:08:49,339 It means we are to be imitators of Christ. 175 00:08:50,699 --> 00:08:51,979 Look back there with me again. 176 00:08:52,139 --> 00:08:55,739 Let's read the rest of that chapter, verse 22. Who did no sin, 177 00:08:56,349 --> 00:08:58,349 Neither was any guile found in his mouth. 178 00:08:58,349 --> 00:09:00,509 Who when he was reviled, reviled not again. 179 00:09:00,829 --> 00:09:03,869 When he suffered, he threatened not, but committed himself, 180 00:09:04,989 --> 00:09:08,029 but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously. 181 00:09:09,549 --> 00:09:13,909 So you can already get from first Peter where Peter is heading 182 00:09:13,909 --> 00:09:15,549 with this in the whole chapter. 183 00:09:15,549 --> 00:09:18,749 And we'll go back and we'll study the whole chapter this year. 184 00:09:19,149 --> 00:09:23,629 He's giving you what it is practically to follow in the footsteps 185 00:09:23,629 --> 00:09:26,479 of Jesus, to follow in his steps. 186 00:09:27,599 --> 00:09:30,719 Peter helps us to understand what it means to live a righteous 187 00:09:30,719 --> 00:09:34,679 life in the midst of adversity, but keep the character 188 00:09:34,679 --> 00:09:36,319 and conduct of Christ in view. 189 00:09:37,039 --> 00:09:42,719 In the midst of adversity, we are to keep the character and the 190 00:09:42,719 --> 00:09:44,879 conduct of Christ in focus. 191 00:09:45,679 --> 00:09:49,799 When I face sufferings, when I face adversity, I am to keep my eyes 192 00:09:49,799 --> 00:09:50,399 on Jesus. 193 00:09:50,999 --> 00:09:52,839 I am to follow in his steps. 194 00:09:52,919 --> 00:09:54,759 How would he conduct himself? 195 00:09:55,239 --> 00:09:56,039 How would he? 196 00:09:57,319 --> 00:09:58,519 What would he say? 197 00:09:58,519 --> 00:09:59,479 What would he do? 198 00:09:59,719 --> 00:10:01,559 And that's how I'm to conduct myself. 199 00:10:04,439 --> 00:10:10,599 Jesus Christ is our example of how we should respond to adversity. 200 00:10:11,399 --> 00:10:14,679 Christians ought to respond different to adversity than the world 201 00:10:15,959 --> 00:10:20,709 because we have the promise that God cares for us, that Christ 202 00:10:21,109 --> 00:10:26,069 loves us, that he will be with us, that he will strengthen us, that 203 00:10:26,069 --> 00:10:27,909 he will give us the grace that we need. 204 00:10:29,189 --> 00:10:32,789 Again, when it comes to adversity and things that we face 205 00:10:32,789 --> 00:10:36,309 in life, it really does come down to what is your view of Jesus? 206 00:10:37,429 --> 00:10:38,709 What is your view of God? 207 00:10:39,109 --> 00:10:42,309 Is your God big enough to handle the adversity that you're 208 00:10:42,309 --> 00:10:42,709 facing? 209 00:10:43,679 --> 00:10:44,159 Amen. 210 00:10:44,639 --> 00:10:45,599 It'll make you. 211 00:10:46,319 --> 00:10:51,359 It'll help you make a right decision when you have the proper 212 00:10:51,439 --> 00:10:53,359 view of Jesus Christ. 213 00:10:54,079 --> 00:10:59,039 Again, I know I repeat of tozer all the time, and I do the 214 00:10:59,039 --> 00:10:59,879 same quote all the time. 215 00:10:59,879 --> 00:11:02,999 But what you think about God is the most important thing about 216 00:11:02,999 --> 00:11:03,359 you. 217 00:11:04,239 --> 00:11:04,639 A.W. 218 00:11:04,719 --> 00:11:05,439 tozer. 219 00:11:05,439 --> 00:11:06,359 Knowledge of the holy. 220 00:11:06,359 --> 00:11:06,999 It's a good book. 221 00:11:06,999 --> 00:11:07,999 Knowledge of the holy. 222 00:11:08,719 --> 00:11:11,949 And because it's going to impact every decision you make, what 223 00:11:11,949 --> 00:11:15,309 you think of Jesus as an example of how we should evangelize 224 00:11:15,309 --> 00:11:15,749 of the lost. 225 00:11:15,749 --> 00:11:20,189 So not only is He Christ an example of how we should face adversity, 226 00:11:20,189 --> 00:11:23,829 and that's the context here found in 1 Peter, chapter 2. 227 00:11:23,909 --> 00:11:29,589 But also he is the example of how we should evangelize and reach 228 00:11:29,909 --> 00:11:31,749 the lost and reach unbelievers. 229 00:11:32,229 --> 00:11:33,789 We are to follow in his steps. 230 00:11:33,789 --> 00:11:35,029 How did Jesus do it? 231 00:11:35,109 --> 00:11:36,469 What did Jesus do? 232 00:11:36,789 --> 00:11:39,749 And we know that Jesus came to seek and to save that which is lost. 233 00:11:41,119 --> 00:11:41,399 Amen. 234 00:11:41,399 --> 00:11:42,079 That's why he came. 235 00:11:42,559 --> 00:11:43,999 We're to follow in his steps. 236 00:11:45,999 --> 00:11:48,799 In Peter, we are called first Peter, we are called to victory. 237 00:11:49,759 --> 00:11:50,999 How are we called to Victory. 238 00:11:50,999 --> 00:11:52,799 How are we challenged to have victory? 239 00:11:52,799 --> 00:11:56,959 Well, by remembering our position in Christ, by remembering 240 00:11:56,959 --> 00:11:58,719 what we have in Jesus Christ. 241 00:11:59,839 --> 00:12:00,519 Chapter one. 242 00:12:00,519 --> 00:12:03,879 By remembering that Jesus Christ was the lamb slain before 243 00:12:03,879 --> 00:12:05,039 the foundation of the world. 244 00:12:05,929 --> 00:12:10,249 That God didn't wake up or God wasn't surprised when Adam sinned, 245 00:12:10,969 --> 00:12:12,649 you know, he wasn't surprised. 246 00:12:14,089 --> 00:12:15,929 Redemption has always been God's plan. 247 00:12:16,329 --> 00:12:20,009 Sending Jesus into the world was always God's plan. 248 00:12:24,249 --> 00:12:28,329 We are called to victory because of our position in Christ. 249 00:12:29,849 --> 00:12:38,259 Remembering that we are in Christ, that we are children of God, 250 00:12:38,659 --> 00:12:44,179 that we are sons of God, and all the benefits that come from that. 251 00:12:44,419 --> 00:12:48,339 Now, book of Ephesians covers that very implicitly, very detailed. 252 00:12:49,299 --> 00:12:50,459 But I know. 253 00:12:50,459 --> 00:12:51,139 And I know. 254 00:12:51,139 --> 00:12:51,739 I know that. 255 00:12:51,739 --> 00:12:53,059 I know that I'm saved. 256 00:12:53,459 --> 00:12:56,819 And I know because I'm saved and because I'm a child of God, that 257 00:12:56,819 --> 00:13:01,119 all the tools that I need to face adversity, all the tools I need 258 00:13:01,119 --> 00:13:07,119 to make right decisions, have been given to me by the Lord because 259 00:13:07,919 --> 00:13:09,359 of my position in Christ. 260 00:13:10,159 --> 00:13:11,759 Again, how are we called to victory? 261 00:13:11,759 --> 00:13:15,279 Remembering that Jesus Christ was slain again, he gave his life 262 00:13:15,279 --> 00:13:15,759 for us. 263 00:13:16,239 --> 00:13:21,039 Remembering the blood that Jesus shed for us, the precious blood. 264 00:13:21,039 --> 00:13:24,639 Chapter one says, the incorruptible blood of Jesus Christ. 265 00:13:28,729 --> 00:13:30,169 How are we to follow Jesus? 266 00:13:31,529 --> 00:13:33,129 We are to submit to him. 267 00:13:34,409 --> 00:13:36,089 We're to follow in his steps. 268 00:13:36,249 --> 00:13:38,089 Why are we to follow in his steps? 269 00:13:41,769 --> 00:13:44,249 Because we have an incorruptible inheritance. 270 00:13:44,649 --> 00:13:46,009 Just kind of what I've just said. 271 00:13:46,329 --> 00:13:50,969 In other words, we've been giving all the benefits of being 272 00:13:51,049 --> 00:13:52,329 a son of God. 273 00:13:53,459 --> 00:13:56,179 Jesus biblically, is our big brother. 274 00:13:58,499 --> 00:14:02,579 We are co heirs with him, joint heirs with him. 275 00:14:03,059 --> 00:14:03,619 Amen. 276 00:14:05,059 --> 00:14:06,659 What a wonderful benefit. 277 00:14:06,819 --> 00:14:10,299 We are to submit and follow Jesus because of his incorruptible 278 00:14:10,299 --> 00:14:11,459 blood that he shed for us. 279 00:14:11,939 --> 00:14:15,539 We are to follow in his steps because of the incorruptible word 280 00:14:15,539 --> 00:14:16,179 of God. 281 00:14:16,499 --> 00:14:17,059 I love. 282 00:14:17,059 --> 00:14:22,769 Look at chapter one and look there with me in verse 23. 283 00:14:25,489 --> 00:14:28,769 Being born again, not of incorruptible seed, but of incorruptible. 284 00:14:29,569 --> 00:14:30,409 Let's read it again. 285 00:14:30,409 --> 00:14:33,489 Being born again not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible 286 00:14:33,969 --> 00:14:38,449 by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever. 287 00:14:40,289 --> 00:14:42,529 I don't know how many times I've heard Dr. Barber quote this. 288 00:14:43,009 --> 00:14:46,369 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower 289 00:14:46,369 --> 00:14:46,889 of grass. 290 00:14:46,889 --> 00:14:49,889 The grass withereth, the flower thereof falleth away. 291 00:14:49,889 --> 00:14:54,009 But the word of the Lord endureth forever. 292 00:14:55,129 --> 00:14:58,889 And this is the word which by the Gospel is preached unto you. 293 00:15:00,329 --> 00:15:03,689 We are to submit and follow in the footsteps of Jesus because of 294 00:15:03,689 --> 00:15:10,249 the word that he's given us, the incorruptible word that is forever. 295 00:15:11,929 --> 00:15:15,209 We're to follow in his steps because in chapter two and three 296 00:15:15,209 --> 00:15:18,369 speaks about the suffering that Christ, not only the suffering 297 00:15:18,369 --> 00:15:22,009 he did for us, but also the suffering that we would face, that 298 00:15:22,009 --> 00:15:23,729 we are partakers of that suffering. 299 00:15:24,049 --> 00:15:27,049 And if we are partakers of that suffering and he would give 300 00:15:27,049 --> 00:15:33,809 us grace, enabling power to go through that suffering, and because 301 00:15:33,809 --> 00:15:39,529 of that we ought to follow in his steps, then chapter three, verse 302 00:15:39,529 --> 00:15:43,769 13 through the end of the book, speaks about we should follow 303 00:15:43,769 --> 00:15:45,169 him because he's coming again. 304 00:15:46,859 --> 00:15:48,539 This has come up a lot lately, hasn't it? 305 00:15:49,339 --> 00:15:50,299 He's coming again. 306 00:15:51,499 --> 00:15:52,859 He's going to rule and reign. 307 00:15:53,739 --> 00:15:56,059 Remember, God is still on the throne. 308 00:15:56,859 --> 00:15:58,779 He will not forget his own. 309 00:16:00,379 --> 00:16:08,419 God rules in the affairs of men whether they Venezuela is toppled 310 00:16:08,419 --> 00:16:11,499 or our government does, makes wrong or good decisions. 311 00:16:12,029 --> 00:16:13,549 I mean, again, God is on the throne. 312 00:16:14,989 --> 00:16:19,189 You can't put your trust in the United States of America. 313 00:16:19,189 --> 00:16:20,429 You put your trust in the Lord. 314 00:16:24,029 --> 00:16:25,069 He is coming again. 315 00:16:25,309 --> 00:16:28,469 So if you kind of get the big picture of First Peter, the big picture 316 00:16:28,469 --> 00:16:34,189 is we should follow in Christ's steps because of what we 317 00:16:34,189 --> 00:16:39,979 have in Jesus, what Christ did for us, and that in turn gives us 318 00:16:40,219 --> 00:16:44,539 the rights as children of God, our citizenships in heaven. 319 00:16:46,699 --> 00:16:50,539 Then understanding that he suffered for us and we will suffer 320 00:16:51,419 --> 00:16:53,739 and he will give us the grace we need to go through those things 321 00:16:53,739 --> 00:16:55,099 as we follow in his steps. 322 00:16:55,739 --> 00:16:59,499 And we should react to suffering as he reacted. 323 00:17:01,739 --> 00:17:02,699 That's a hard one. 324 00:17:04,149 --> 00:17:07,349 In other words, we should follow in his steps when it comes 325 00:17:07,349 --> 00:17:11,749 to how the world sees us react to suffering. 326 00:17:13,349 --> 00:17:14,229 Do you do that? 327 00:17:14,629 --> 00:17:20,068 It's a great witness when you can go through adversity depending 328 00:17:20,068 --> 00:17:25,269 upon God and faith in him and people see that in you. 329 00:17:27,269 --> 00:17:28,949 We are to follow in his steps. 330 00:17:30,719 --> 00:17:40,799 We're to live disciplined, dutiful lives, but disciplined lives 331 00:17:40,799 --> 00:17:44,639 that are, you know, we submit to duty, we do what we're supposed 332 00:17:44,639 --> 00:17:47,599 to do as Christians does not make one spiritual. 333 00:17:48,719 --> 00:17:51,119 Following a set of rules does not make one spiritual. 334 00:17:52,879 --> 00:17:55,919 All the do's and the don'ts in the Bible which are there for our 335 00:17:56,739 --> 00:18:00,579 good does not necessarily make us spiritual. 336 00:18:01,139 --> 00:18:04,019 It only puts us in a position for God to make us spiritual. 337 00:18:04,499 --> 00:18:06,339 And so it's good to be reminded of that. 338 00:18:08,019 --> 00:18:11,219 In other words, my performance does not necessarily make me spiritual. 339 00:18:11,379 --> 00:18:14,259 My performance based even on the Word of God and what the Word 340 00:18:14,259 --> 00:18:16,579 of God tells me to do does not necessarily make me spiritual. 341 00:18:16,899 --> 00:18:19,539 The Pharisees and Sadducees, they follow the rules. 342 00:18:20,259 --> 00:18:21,779 They outwardly follow the rules. 343 00:18:22,689 --> 00:18:25,129 But Jesus looked at him and said, you outwardly clean the cup, 344 00:18:25,129 --> 00:18:26,769 but on the inside your cup is dirty. 345 00:18:27,489 --> 00:18:30,289 You outwardly wash the sepulcher, but on the inside you're 346 00:18:30,289 --> 00:18:31,409 full of dead men's bones. 347 00:18:32,369 --> 00:18:33,129 Hypocrites. 348 00:18:33,129 --> 00:18:35,489 He called them snakes, vipers. 349 00:18:37,009 --> 00:18:40,249 We can follow the rules and we can memorize the Scripture and we 350 00:18:40,249 --> 00:18:43,849 can do our due diligence when it comes to how we dress and what 351 00:18:43,849 --> 00:18:44,849 we do and all those things. 352 00:18:44,849 --> 00:18:49,239 And we could still be pious, hypocritical human beings that, that 353 00:18:49,239 --> 00:18:50,479 call themselves Christians. 354 00:18:52,959 --> 00:18:56,879 I was telling, we were talking a while ago about, with the men, 355 00:18:56,879 --> 00:19:03,399 about just Christians as a whole and how that in the ministry, 356 00:19:03,399 --> 00:19:06,399 if you're not careful, you can become jaded because people don't 357 00:19:06,399 --> 00:19:09,239 necessarily react the way you think a Christian should react, or 358 00:19:09,239 --> 00:19:12,079 people don't make decisions like you think a Christian should 359 00:19:12,079 --> 00:19:12,399 make. 360 00:19:13,599 --> 00:19:14,759 And that happens a lot. 361 00:19:14,759 --> 00:19:18,199 That's why from the pulpit, we've said many, many times, if you're 362 00:19:18,199 --> 00:19:21,569 in it just to please people and just to get a pat on the back, 363 00:19:21,809 --> 00:19:22,849 you're going to get hurt. 364 00:19:25,249 --> 00:19:25,889 You are. 365 00:19:26,609 --> 00:19:28,049 People will disappoint you. 366 00:19:28,849 --> 00:19:33,249 Your pastor will disappoint you, but Jesus Christ never will. 367 00:19:34,049 --> 00:19:36,128 It's the love of Christ that should constrain us. 368 00:19:36,128 --> 00:19:39,089 It's the love of Christ that should be our motivator. 369 00:19:40,929 --> 00:19:46,369 And again, Hudson Taylor in China, one of his famous quotes is, 370 00:19:47,049 --> 00:19:48,969 you know, hey, send me a thousand missionaries. 371 00:19:48,969 --> 00:19:50,409 We need a thousand missionaries. 372 00:19:50,809 --> 00:19:54,289 But as they began to send some, he wrote back at some point, 373 00:19:54,289 --> 00:19:58,649 he wrote back and said, if you are coming over here because people 374 00:19:58,729 --> 00:20:02,608 need a Savior, people need to be saved. 375 00:20:02,608 --> 00:20:09,769 If that is your only motivator is people, then don't come because 376 00:20:09,769 --> 00:20:10,569 they wouldn't stay. 377 00:20:12,499 --> 00:20:16,339 He said, we need people with a heart for Jesus Christ, who's motivated 378 00:20:16,339 --> 00:20:20,939 by their love for Jesus and would do what Jesus wants them to 379 00:20:20,939 --> 00:20:21,219 do. 380 00:20:22,819 --> 00:20:26,259 Not looking necessarily at people in their actions or their 381 00:20:26,259 --> 00:20:29,619 inaction, but only Jesus. 382 00:20:30,419 --> 00:20:30,939 That's it. 383 00:20:30,939 --> 00:20:32,259 Follow in his steps. 384 00:20:32,739 --> 00:20:33,859 Focus on Jesus. 385 00:20:33,859 --> 00:20:35,059 Keep your eyes on him. 386 00:20:35,379 --> 00:20:37,219 I don't know how many times we preach that from the pulpit. 387 00:20:37,219 --> 00:20:38,379 Turn your eyes upon Jesus. 388 00:20:38,379 --> 00:20:39,699 Look full in his wonderful face. 389 00:20:40,019 --> 00:20:42,379 The things of the earth will glow strangely dim in the light of 390 00:20:42,379 --> 00:20:43,299 his glory and his grace. 391 00:20:43,789 --> 00:20:45,229 We need to keep our eyes on the Lord. 392 00:20:48,349 --> 00:20:52,749 You really can live by the principle of what would Jesus do? 393 00:20:52,989 --> 00:20:56,429 You can actually live by that principle in everything. 394 00:20:57,309 --> 00:20:59,029 Would Jesus go where I'm going? 395 00:20:59,029 --> 00:21:02,229 Would Jesus say, what I'm Saying, would Jesus act the way that 396 00:21:02,229 --> 00:21:02,829 I'm acting? 397 00:21:03,789 --> 00:21:04,349 Hello. 398 00:21:04,589 --> 00:21:06,429 I mean, you really can live by the principle. 399 00:21:06,429 --> 00:21:07,549 You can live by that principle. 400 00:21:07,549 --> 00:21:11,029 And the closer you walk with Jesus, the closer you are intimate 401 00:21:11,029 --> 00:21:13,829 with him and create that and have that personal relationship with 402 00:21:13,829 --> 00:21:14,069 him. 403 00:21:14,069 --> 00:21:18,129 The more you know who he is is, the greater an opportunity you 404 00:21:18,129 --> 00:21:20,169 have and the greater you will walk like him. 405 00:21:20,889 --> 00:21:23,729 The more you know about a person, the more you can respond 406 00:21:23,729 --> 00:21:25,049 and act as they act. 407 00:21:25,529 --> 00:21:26,009 Hello. 408 00:21:27,209 --> 00:21:29,929 I've used the illustration many times about Abraham Lincoln. 409 00:21:29,929 --> 00:21:32,089 Abraham Lincoln is a fascinating character. 410 00:21:32,729 --> 00:21:36,129 Not just because he was a great president, but he was just 411 00:21:36,129 --> 00:21:36,969 a neat guy. 412 00:21:37,449 --> 00:21:39,929 You read about him, he was a big guy, he was tall. 413 00:21:40,329 --> 00:21:43,049 A lot of the pictures, I told you, a lot of the pictures don't 414 00:21:43,049 --> 00:21:43,769 do him justice. 415 00:21:43,769 --> 00:21:47,609 They kind of have him looks like he's pale faced and, you know, 416 00:21:48,409 --> 00:21:49,289 sickly looking. 417 00:21:49,689 --> 00:21:53,369 That was not the case maybe in his older years, maybe, but man, 418 00:21:53,369 --> 00:21:57,249 as a young man, he was the wrestling champion of like two or 419 00:21:57,249 --> 00:21:58,009 three counties. 420 00:22:00,089 --> 00:22:05,209 He was known for his physicalness, his ability bodily 421 00:22:05,209 --> 00:22:07,129 to do things that others could not do. 422 00:22:07,529 --> 00:22:10,849 And then of course, he had a wonderful mother who taught him right? 423 00:22:10,849 --> 00:22:15,609 And I mean, just raised in a godly home and he was Abraham Lincoln, 424 00:22:16,489 --> 00:22:17,929 you know, the truth teller. 425 00:22:17,929 --> 00:22:19,689 He just good man. 426 00:22:20,409 --> 00:22:22,329 The more I learn about him, the more I like him. 427 00:22:23,209 --> 00:22:32,329 And I can learn about Abraham Lincoln and try to be like him, But 428 00:22:32,329 --> 00:22:32,889 he will. 429 00:22:33,609 --> 00:22:35,689 Any character is always going to let you down. 430 00:22:36,249 --> 00:22:38,169 He wasn't perfect, but Jesus Christ was. 431 00:22:39,759 --> 00:22:41,919 The more you learn about him, the more you can follow in his steps. 432 00:22:41,919 --> 00:22:43,039 We're to follow in his steps. 433 00:22:43,039 --> 00:22:43,519 Amen. 434 00:22:44,079 --> 00:22:47,599 All right, so the splash is up on the screen. 435 00:22:47,679 --> 00:22:49,199 In his steps is our theme. 436 00:22:49,999 --> 00:22:50,599 We'll wait. 437 00:22:50,599 --> 00:22:54,159 They can get the calendars on their way out, but the new calendar 438 00:22:54,398 --> 00:22:55,279 encourage you. 439 00:22:55,599 --> 00:22:58,839 There's a new Bible reading schedule as well in your bulletin. 440 00:22:58,839 --> 00:23:01,319 Now, the Bible reading schedule this year is going from 441 00:23:01,319 --> 00:23:02,319 Genesis to Revelation. 442 00:23:02,719 --> 00:23:06,959 And I'd encourage you maybe if you're a new Christian and you've 443 00:23:06,959 --> 00:23:10,039 gotten saved, maybe this year read the Book of John, maybe read 444 00:23:10,039 --> 00:23:14,399 the Gospels through first but then go back and read from Genesis 445 00:23:14,399 --> 00:23:14,839 to Revelation. 446 00:23:14,839 --> 00:23:19,599 The Bible was meant to be read from Genesis 1 to Revelation, not 447 00:23:19,839 --> 00:23:22,639 Genesis 1 and then Matthew 1, Genesis. 448 00:23:22,639 --> 00:23:24,799 It was meant to be read from beginning to end. 449 00:23:24,799 --> 00:23:26,079 That's how it was meant to be read. 450 00:23:26,399 --> 00:23:29,359 Now once you've done that a couple of times, then you can vary 451 00:23:29,359 --> 00:23:32,339 it up and you could read Genesis chapter 1, 2 and 3, maybe 452 00:23:32,339 --> 00:23:35,739 Matthew chapter 1, 2 and 3, whatever the case is, but it was 453 00:23:35,739 --> 00:23:37,379 meant to be read from beginning to end. 454 00:23:37,539 --> 00:23:40,819 Everybody with me and don't pogo, stick around, don't go like 455 00:23:41,379 --> 00:23:45,859 Monday morning and just go, I'm going to read this. 456 00:23:45,859 --> 00:23:48,499 You know, don't do that. 457 00:23:48,819 --> 00:23:50,659 It is meant to be read from beginning to end. 458 00:23:51,059 --> 00:23:54,099 Again, if you want to read the New Testament, read the New Testament, 459 00:23:54,099 --> 00:23:57,939 the Gospels, the four Gospels, then go back and read Genesis all 460 00:23:57,939 --> 00:24:00,939 the way through the river of Revelation again. 461 00:24:00,939 --> 00:24:02,979 The New Testament writers wrote in light of that. 462 00:24:02,979 --> 00:24:06,339 You already know your Old Testament, encourage you to read 463 00:24:06,339 --> 00:24:06,739 your Bible. 464 00:24:06,739 --> 00:24:09,259 Maybe it'll take you a couple of years to read through it, but 465 00:24:09,259 --> 00:24:10,379 encourage you to read your Bible. 466 00:24:10,379 --> 00:24:12,779 Basically you can read three chapters a day and you can read your 467 00:24:12,779 --> 00:24:16,819 Bible through in a year and so encourage you to do that on Sunday 468 00:24:16,819 --> 00:24:17,139 morning. 469 00:24:17,139 --> 00:24:19,819 We're looking forward to preaching on First Peter. 470 00:24:20,299 --> 00:24:23,259 We won't preach the whole book, but we will preach several 471 00:24:23,259 --> 00:24:24,299 passages and several. 472 00:24:24,539 --> 00:24:28,689 We'll start in first Peter 1, get a good idea of where Peter was 473 00:24:28,689 --> 00:24:33,609 headed and get the context for chapter two and then we'll give you 474 00:24:33,609 --> 00:24:34,889 a summary of the rest of the book. 475 00:24:34,889 --> 00:24:38,129 So there'll be several messages in First Peter and then 476 00:24:38,129 --> 00:24:39,569 we'll go back to John. 477 00:24:39,569 --> 00:24:40,729 We didn't do that this year. 478 00:24:41,049 --> 00:24:42,089 You said go back to John. 479 00:24:42,089 --> 00:24:42,649 I don't even. 480 00:24:42,729 --> 00:24:44,729 I wasn't here when you preached some of the messages from 481 00:24:44,729 --> 00:24:45,049 John. 482 00:24:45,689 --> 00:24:48,689 Maybe you weren't, but we're going to go back and pick up some 483 00:24:48,689 --> 00:24:49,129 of John. 484 00:24:49,609 --> 00:24:52,439 And I planned on doing that this year and I got carried away 485 00:24:52,439 --> 00:24:53,119 with Joshua. 486 00:24:53,119 --> 00:24:54,679 So we'll see. 487 00:24:54,679 --> 00:24:56,559 We'll see if we get carried away with First Peter. 488 00:24:57,359 --> 00:25:00,759 But John speaking about following in his steps, following 489 00:25:00,759 --> 00:25:03,599 the life of Jesus out of the Book of John. 490 00:25:03,599 --> 00:25:08,159 The Gospel of John on pm I am going to start as soon as we're finished 491 00:25:08,159 --> 00:25:08,479 with Daniel. 492 00:25:08,479 --> 00:25:10,479 We got a couple more chapters in Daniel. 493 00:25:10,479 --> 00:25:12,559 As soon as we're finished with that, I'm going to preach the Sermon 494 00:25:12,559 --> 00:25:13,119 on the Mount. 495 00:25:13,599 --> 00:25:17,239 I know that Brother Stone just went through that here recently in 496 00:25:17,239 --> 00:25:20,169 his class and it won't matter, honestly. 497 00:25:20,169 --> 00:25:22,929 And I've been wanting to preach the Sermon on the Mount forever 498 00:25:22,929 --> 00:25:23,769 and ever and ever. 499 00:25:24,329 --> 00:25:27,209 Brother Zellner just put out a book here recently on. 500 00:25:27,529 --> 00:25:30,009 I do have that book, but I have many others. 501 00:25:31,529 --> 00:25:35,129 It is truly going to school with Jesus is what it is. 502 00:25:35,209 --> 00:25:37,809 It's setting down and it's going to school with Jesus. 503 00:25:37,809 --> 00:25:41,689 The disciples, as they sat down, Jesus taught them and so look 504 00:25:41,689 --> 00:25:45,909 forward to following in his steps, his teachings there. 505 00:25:45,989 --> 00:25:49,189 And then again we'll finish Daniel on Wednesday Nights, we're 506 00:25:49,189 --> 00:25:50,389 going to do the Book of Galatians. 507 00:25:51,349 --> 00:25:53,589 We have preached it before, years and years ago. 508 00:25:53,589 --> 00:25:55,229 We've taught some out of it. 509 00:25:55,229 --> 00:25:58,829 We've taught the walking in the Spirit and we've talked about 510 00:25:58,829 --> 00:26:01,189 the fruit of the Spirit and many of those things. 511 00:26:01,349 --> 00:26:04,069 We're going to go back though, from beginning and walk through the 512 00:26:04,069 --> 00:26:05,269 Book of Galatians this year. 513 00:26:05,749 --> 00:26:10,549 And there'll be intermittent this summer at some point I'm going 514 00:26:10,549 --> 00:26:16,059 to preach on the five musts of the Bible, M U S T and we'll do that. 515 00:26:16,059 --> 00:26:19,659 So we'll take a break because I have add and we'll take a little 516 00:26:19,659 --> 00:26:23,939 break somewhere in there and preach a little short series on something 517 00:26:23,939 --> 00:26:24,379 else. 518 00:26:24,379 --> 00:26:27,979 So that's the place we're going to be headed with the preaching, 519 00:26:28,619 --> 00:26:32,979 of course, with special days and special people coming in and 520 00:26:32,979 --> 00:26:33,659 preaching for us. 521 00:26:33,979 --> 00:26:35,819 We'll look forward to some diversity there. 522 00:26:35,979 --> 00:26:37,379 And then we think about loving God. 523 00:26:37,379 --> 00:26:39,539 We think about again, the preaching and the teaching from your 524 00:26:39,539 --> 00:26:41,099 Sunday school class or wherever it may be. 525 00:26:41,469 --> 00:26:46,989 Also about giving as we look at the purposes of the church of 526 00:26:46,989 --> 00:26:51,469 loving God again, corporately giving, giving your tithes. 527 00:26:52,029 --> 00:26:53,629 By the way, the tithe belongs to the Lord. 528 00:26:54,749 --> 00:26:55,429 That's just it. 529 00:26:55,429 --> 00:26:56,429 It belongs to the Lord. 530 00:26:56,589 --> 00:26:58,189 The offering is above that. 531 00:26:58,669 --> 00:27:01,829 And so offerings include giving to missions. 532 00:27:01,829 --> 00:27:05,149 And I can't just encourage you enough, be faithful in your missions 533 00:27:05,149 --> 00:27:05,549 giving. 534 00:27:05,629 --> 00:27:07,229 Our missionaries depend upon that. 535 00:27:07,949 --> 00:27:11,549 And our church has continued over the years to be blessed to support 536 00:27:12,669 --> 00:27:14,509 almost 100 foreign missionaries. 537 00:27:14,749 --> 00:27:16,869 And we would support 100 foreign missionaries. 538 00:27:16,869 --> 00:27:20,349 But it is kind of sad to think that we have enough coming off that. 539 00:27:20,349 --> 00:27:23,469 It's hard to keep 100 unless we just took a bunch of new ones 540 00:27:23,469 --> 00:27:23,788 on. 541 00:27:24,029 --> 00:27:26,829 And we'll take on a few more new ones this year, but. 542 00:27:27,709 --> 00:27:31,669 And our church plants Brother Jonathan Moore down in College Station 543 00:27:31,669 --> 00:27:35,509 and then Brother Zach Doty there in Nocona, praying for these 544 00:27:35,669 --> 00:27:38,309 campus development as we continue to go forward in the offerings 545 00:27:38,309 --> 00:27:41,109 there and giving offerings and the bridge building. 546 00:27:41,589 --> 00:27:43,669 And don't think I forgot about the triplex. 547 00:27:44,309 --> 00:27:46,429 Some of you are going, well, what happened with the triplex? 548 00:27:46,429 --> 00:27:47,669 Well, that was a city issue. 549 00:27:49,109 --> 00:27:55,349 And someday, someday, Billy, someday we'll have a triplex. 550 00:27:56,389 --> 00:27:59,869 We do know how and what to do now, or at least we've been told 551 00:27:59,869 --> 00:28:03,669 what to do now to get that accomplished with the city. 552 00:28:04,229 --> 00:28:07,029 But we get the bridge building up and done, we'll come back and 553 00:28:07,029 --> 00:28:07,469 revisit that. 554 00:28:07,469 --> 00:28:09,789 We are going to be putting in some other things. 555 00:28:09,789 --> 00:28:10,869 I'll talk about that in a moment. 556 00:28:11,349 --> 00:28:12,629 And then prayer meetings. 557 00:28:12,869 --> 00:28:16,988 We're moving our deacons prayer meeting to 8:45 on Sunday 558 00:28:16,988 --> 00:28:17,269 mornings. 559 00:28:17,269 --> 00:28:19,029 We used to have the deacons prayer meeting at 8:30. 560 00:28:19,429 --> 00:28:22,829 And when Covid happened, we switched it the prayer meeting to 561 00:28:22,829 --> 00:28:24,629 happen between Sunday school and church. 562 00:28:25,109 --> 00:28:26,309 And it's really just. 563 00:28:27,879 --> 00:28:28,999 Just not enough time. 564 00:28:28,999 --> 00:28:31,319 And because again, I talk too much. 565 00:28:31,639 --> 00:28:36,479 And so we're going to move that back to 8:45 with our deacons, 566 00:28:36,479 --> 00:28:38,199 but also including our pastoral staff. 567 00:28:38,839 --> 00:28:43,039 And so just pray for us as we pray for y'. 568 00:28:43,039 --> 00:28:43,199 All. 569 00:28:43,199 --> 00:28:45,599 And it's important that we take time. 570 00:28:45,599 --> 00:28:49,159 Especially that prayer meeting is meant primarily to pray for the 571 00:28:49,159 --> 00:28:50,519 service on Sunday mornings. 572 00:28:50,599 --> 00:28:54,129 And I hope that you are doing so in your home. 573 00:28:54,289 --> 00:28:57,929 And then worshiping together, the corporate worship again, we're 574 00:28:57,929 --> 00:29:00,249 learning some more new hymns and we sang that new hymn this morning 575 00:29:00,249 --> 00:29:01,569 that we've been singing for a couple years. 576 00:29:01,809 --> 00:29:04,209 Man, I love that the blood of Jesus speaks for me. 577 00:29:04,449 --> 00:29:08,609 And there's other again, God hasn't stopped inspiring music, especially 578 00:29:08,768 --> 00:29:09,409 hymns. 579 00:29:09,569 --> 00:29:11,169 And there are some new hymns. 580 00:29:11,169 --> 00:29:15,009 And here's what I told somebody that again, there's new 581 00:29:15,009 --> 00:29:15,889 music coming out. 582 00:29:15,969 --> 00:29:17,969 80% of it's just terrible. 583 00:29:18,779 --> 00:29:21,499 And you got to find the 20% that actually is good. 584 00:29:21,739 --> 00:29:23,579 By the way, that's in Southern gospel now too. 585 00:29:23,899 --> 00:29:26,699 And it's crazy the way that Christian music has gone. 586 00:29:26,779 --> 00:29:28,739 You got to be selective in what you're listening to. 587 00:29:28,739 --> 00:29:30,219 Be careful what you're listening to. 588 00:29:30,779 --> 00:29:34,219 And so again, singing out loud encourage you. 589 00:29:34,298 --> 00:29:36,779 You're supposed to be singing to the audience of one. 590 00:29:37,019 --> 00:29:39,139 And we as a church ought to be singing out loud. 591 00:29:39,139 --> 00:29:40,459 Visitors come in and sit around. 592 00:29:40,459 --> 00:29:42,659 You teenagers need to sing louder. 593 00:29:42,659 --> 00:29:45,669 I came over there, I. I actually can sing louder than every. 594 00:29:46,229 --> 00:29:47,429 All the teenagers together. 595 00:29:48,229 --> 00:29:51,829 I was doing it this morning and I had a family look over at me 596 00:29:51,829 --> 00:29:52,949 like I was weird. 597 00:29:57,989 --> 00:30:00,829 I just told that family, I said, I just have a big mouth. 598 00:30:00,829 --> 00:30:03,829 So anyway, but encourage it. 599 00:30:03,829 --> 00:30:04,469 Sing out. 600 00:30:05,029 --> 00:30:05,669 Sing out. 601 00:30:06,469 --> 00:30:07,389 An audience of one. 602 00:30:07,389 --> 00:30:09,669 Singing to the Lord and singing out. 603 00:30:09,669 --> 00:30:11,429 I appreciate again, our adult choir. 604 00:30:11,939 --> 00:30:13,059 You have a voice you ought to be singing. 605 00:30:13,059 --> 00:30:15,099 We'll talk about that next Sunday night in our ministry involvement 606 00:30:15,099 --> 00:30:16,659 night, but kids choir or youth choir. 607 00:30:16,819 --> 00:30:18,019 It's an amazing thing. 608 00:30:18,099 --> 00:30:22,739 So again, worshiping the Lord together is such an important part 609 00:30:22,979 --> 00:30:24,179 of our Christian life. 610 00:30:24,179 --> 00:30:24,819 Amen. 611 00:30:25,539 --> 00:30:28,779 Not only loving God in our private devotional time and taking 612 00:30:28,779 --> 00:30:31,459 that time, but also collectively, corporately together 613 00:30:31,699 --> 00:30:34,779 as a church family and then growing together the adult Sunday 614 00:30:34,779 --> 00:30:35,539 school classes. 615 00:30:35,539 --> 00:30:39,039 Reminding you that our theme for our adult classes for all the 616 00:30:39,039 --> 00:30:40,719 Sunday school is reach, teach and keep. 617 00:30:41,439 --> 00:30:43,719 The Sunday school was always meant to Be evangelistic. 618 00:30:43,719 --> 00:30:45,199 It was meant to reach people. 619 00:30:45,519 --> 00:30:46,439 To reach people. 620 00:30:46,439 --> 00:30:50,839 And I remind our teachers all the time that you think you're only 621 00:30:50,839 --> 00:30:52,479 there to teach, and that's not the case. 622 00:30:52,559 --> 00:30:54,719 You're there to reach, teach and keep. 623 00:30:54,959 --> 00:30:59,439 To help people to continue and be a part of a smaller community, 624 00:30:59,519 --> 00:31:03,919 a small group connected to their age group. 625 00:31:03,919 --> 00:31:07,249 Primarily, though some of you like to just used to love being with 626 00:31:07,249 --> 00:31:08,729 another group, which is fine. 627 00:31:08,729 --> 00:31:09,409 You're an adult. 628 00:31:09,409 --> 00:31:11,769 You can go to any Sunday school class that you want. 629 00:31:11,769 --> 00:31:12,809 Adult Sunday school class. 630 00:31:12,809 --> 00:31:15,049 You want going to a kid's class, it might be a problem. 631 00:31:15,849 --> 00:31:17,529 We had to do a background check on you. 632 00:31:17,609 --> 00:31:23,609 And so being a part of those things again, fellowships are important. 633 00:31:23,849 --> 00:31:26,729 And I know our classes have did a better job of that towards 634 00:31:26,729 --> 00:31:29,249 the end of the year and visiting and doing all those things. 635 00:31:29,249 --> 00:31:31,049 Conferences this year, normal conferences. 636 00:31:31,049 --> 00:31:33,869 I asked a few years ago about, hey, do we want to cut out a conference? 637 00:31:33,869 --> 00:31:36,589 And I had a unanimous decision from everybody. 638 00:31:36,589 --> 00:31:37,269 We don't want to. 639 00:31:37,269 --> 00:31:37,709 We still. 640 00:31:37,869 --> 00:31:40,309 We enjoy the conferences and the revival meetings. 641 00:31:40,309 --> 00:31:42,589 And a lot of churches have done away with them and I don't want 642 00:31:42,589 --> 00:31:43,549 to do away with them either. 643 00:31:43,629 --> 00:31:45,709 And I know it's hard to get here on a Monday night and Tuesday 644 00:31:45,709 --> 00:31:45,909 night. 645 00:31:45,909 --> 00:31:48,029 And you guys do such a wonderful job of showing up. 646 00:31:48,349 --> 00:31:48,909 Thank you. 647 00:31:48,909 --> 00:31:49,949 Commend you for that. 648 00:31:50,109 --> 00:31:52,189 And so our stewardship conference this year will be with 649 00:31:52,189 --> 00:31:54,749 Brother Wetherby and a retired pastor. 650 00:31:55,149 --> 00:31:55,589 Love him. 651 00:31:55,589 --> 00:31:57,309 He has the most melodious voice. 652 00:31:58,439 --> 00:31:59,319 Melodious voice. 653 00:31:59,399 --> 00:32:02,279 And he'd be singing for us and preaching to us. 654 00:32:02,599 --> 00:32:05,239 And then Monday night and Tuesday night, we are still going 655 00:32:05,239 --> 00:32:07,319 to continue our suppers that we have. 656 00:32:07,399 --> 00:32:10,199 Some of y' all call that dinner but supper. 657 00:32:10,439 --> 00:32:13,439 And so you'll sign up for one of the nights, Monday or Tuesday 658 00:32:13,439 --> 00:32:13,719 night. 659 00:32:13,719 --> 00:32:15,399 So it's the same sermon each night. 660 00:32:15,479 --> 00:32:19,039 Brother Weatherby will speak and preach a little more than normal 661 00:32:19,039 --> 00:32:20,039 like we did last year. 662 00:32:20,199 --> 00:32:24,049 And then I'll just have 10 or 15 minutes to talk to you about campus 663 00:32:24,049 --> 00:32:26,689 development and where we're headed in that area. 664 00:32:26,769 --> 00:32:27,969 I do want to continue to do that. 665 00:32:27,969 --> 00:32:28,609 I think it's important. 666 00:32:29,009 --> 00:32:32,569 Love to show you the final layout of the new building. 667 00:32:32,569 --> 00:32:33,809 Some of y' all haven't seen that. 668 00:32:34,129 --> 00:32:35,769 And so we'll be presenting that to you. 669 00:32:35,769 --> 00:32:36,689 Let you see that. 670 00:32:37,569 --> 00:32:39,808 And as we go forward. 671 00:32:39,809 --> 00:32:42,249 So stewardship conference and then Bible conference with Brother 672 00:32:42,249 --> 00:32:45,849 Stewart and then revival meeting this year is with Dave McCracken, 673 00:32:45,849 --> 00:32:49,849 one of our favorites and I think our church's favorite probably 674 00:32:49,849 --> 00:32:51,089 of all the people we have in. 675 00:32:52,369 --> 00:32:54,929 And then Our missions conference this year is. 676 00:32:55,889 --> 00:32:57,609 Yes, it's on the dealer. 677 00:32:57,609 --> 00:33:00,529 It's Folger, Kevin Folger. 678 00:33:01,009 --> 00:33:01,729 And so. 679 00:33:02,449 --> 00:33:04,849 And y' all liked him, if you may not remember him. 680 00:33:05,089 --> 00:33:09,129 But you guys, again, I think he was Yalls favorite mission speaker 681 00:33:09,129 --> 00:33:09,569 as well. 682 00:33:09,809 --> 00:33:12,649 And so we look forward to brother Folger being with us for 683 00:33:12,649 --> 00:33:16,529 that family conference coming up again with brother Dan Knickerbocker 684 00:33:17,339 --> 00:33:17,779 this year. 685 00:33:17,779 --> 00:33:20,379 And he'll be preaching on that Sunday, which is the second Sunday 686 00:33:20,379 --> 00:33:21,019 in February. 687 00:33:21,419 --> 00:33:25,219 And then couples retreat again and men and boys camp out. 688 00:33:25,219 --> 00:33:25,859 We did that last year. 689 00:33:25,859 --> 00:33:28,139 We're going to give the men and boys camp out a little longer 690 00:33:28,139 --> 00:33:31,819 this time where if you want to come on Thursday, it'll be available 691 00:33:31,819 --> 00:33:34,859 on Thursday or you could come early on Friday. 692 00:33:35,419 --> 00:33:36,939 So some of us will go out on Thursday. 693 00:33:37,099 --> 00:33:42,579 So you can kind of have an open invitation to come earlier if 694 00:33:42,579 --> 00:33:43,019 you want. 695 00:33:43,099 --> 00:33:44,779 A lot of you wanted that option. 696 00:33:45,299 --> 00:33:46,979 So we're going to offer that option this year. 697 00:33:47,379 --> 00:33:49,539 And we had a great time out there in East Texas. 698 00:33:49,539 --> 00:33:52,619 And then the men and women's of heritage, I just want to encourage 699 00:33:52,619 --> 00:33:53,659 you to get back involved. 700 00:33:53,659 --> 00:33:56,459 If you haven't come to one in a while, jump in some of your new 701 00:33:56,459 --> 00:33:56,659 people. 702 00:33:56,659 --> 00:33:58,099 Just jump in, be a part of that. 703 00:33:58,339 --> 00:34:01,579 And the men's advance vacation Bible School Ladies conference will 704 00:34:01,579 --> 00:34:02,899 be a Ladies conference this year. 705 00:34:03,059 --> 00:34:05,059 Discipleship on Wednesday nights. 706 00:34:05,059 --> 00:34:06,659 Brother Cox handles that. 707 00:34:06,659 --> 00:34:08,819 I'm just talking about again, Growing Together. 708 00:34:09,139 --> 00:34:14,709 Master clubs, the Heritage Bible Institute and all the things 709 00:34:14,709 --> 00:34:20,029 that we do to try and do our very best to learn more about Jesus. 710 00:34:20,829 --> 00:34:21,469 Amen. 711 00:34:22,029 --> 00:34:22,589 Amen. 712 00:34:23,069 --> 00:34:23,829 Y' all help me out. 713 00:34:23,829 --> 00:34:25,469 I'll just sit here and talk forever. 714 00:34:26,829 --> 00:34:27,989 Soul Winning Kickoff. 715 00:34:27,989 --> 00:34:28,549 Serving others. 716 00:34:28,549 --> 00:34:30,029 So now we're on the third purpose. 717 00:34:30,189 --> 00:34:31,589 Serving others again. 718 00:34:31,589 --> 00:34:32,229 Loving God. 719 00:34:32,229 --> 00:34:32,829 Growing together. 720 00:34:32,829 --> 00:34:33,549 Serving others. 721 00:34:33,869 --> 00:34:36,527 Soul winning Kickoff this year will be March 10th and September 722 00:34:36,611 --> 00:34:36,989 12th. 723 00:34:37,509 --> 00:34:41,189 And it's about a 10 week time period where we really concentrate 724 00:34:41,589 --> 00:34:42,309 on our community. 725 00:34:43,669 --> 00:34:48,069 Do door hangers and promoting Anniversary Sunday, Easter Sunday 726 00:34:48,069 --> 00:34:51,429 and then the fall promoting the Fall Fest and Friend Day. 727 00:34:51,909 --> 00:34:53,029 So we look forward to that. 728 00:34:53,029 --> 00:34:56,069 And then again, New move ins and I had them raise their hands 729 00:34:56,069 --> 00:34:56,389 this morning. 730 00:34:56,389 --> 00:34:59,789 Who all was a part and who got here the first time from New move 731 00:34:59,789 --> 00:34:59,949 ins. 732 00:34:59,949 --> 00:35:00,629 I'll never forget. 733 00:35:01,029 --> 00:35:04,189 And they haven't been able to come in a while and I went by and 734 00:35:04,269 --> 00:35:07,469 got to see them here recently is the Gibsons. 735 00:35:07,789 --> 00:35:12,269 And so in speaking with them I'm reminded that they came the very 736 00:35:12,269 --> 00:35:13,709 first time because they got egged. 737 00:35:13,709 --> 00:35:17,709 Their house got egged years ago for Easter we put advertisements 738 00:35:17,949 --> 00:35:19,189 in a Plastic egg. 739 00:35:19,189 --> 00:35:21,989 And we put them on the porches of every house instead of doing door 740 00:35:21,989 --> 00:35:22,429 hangers. 741 00:35:22,669 --> 00:35:25,949 And they came for the very first time because of an egg. 742 00:35:26,109 --> 00:35:27,389 Their house got egged. 743 00:35:27,949 --> 00:35:28,669 And so. 744 00:35:29,269 --> 00:35:32,749 And that's the case again, just many hooks in the water to reach 745 00:35:32,749 --> 00:35:36,629 our community, whether it's the Spring Fling or VBS Fall Fest. 746 00:35:37,189 --> 00:35:40,829 And again we'll look again at the option of doing Wallfield Bethlehem 747 00:35:40,829 --> 00:35:45,269 this year and community events again, Fourth of July events with 748 00:35:45,269 --> 00:35:47,829 the city of Haslett, National Night Out, Christmas in the park 749 00:35:47,989 --> 00:35:51,669 and all those things help to again fish for men. 750 00:35:51,669 --> 00:35:53,669 We're fishing, we're just fishing. 751 00:35:53,669 --> 00:35:56,599 We're putting as many hooks in the water as we can and then we're 752 00:35:56,599 --> 00:35:58,599 serving our community by the road cleanup. 753 00:35:58,599 --> 00:36:02,359 And I appreciate some of you signed up this morning and being 754 00:36:02,359 --> 00:36:05,839 a part of this little two mile stretch here of taking care and picking 755 00:36:05,839 --> 00:36:06,319 up trash. 756 00:36:06,399 --> 00:36:09,279 Don't take very long, especially if we more people we can 757 00:36:09,279 --> 00:36:10,479 get the merrier, right? 758 00:36:10,559 --> 00:36:13,959 Somebody brought us a bunch of these little claw thingies where 759 00:36:13,959 --> 00:36:14,959 you don't have to bend down. 760 00:36:15,839 --> 00:36:17,359 They brought a whole stack of them. 761 00:36:17,599 --> 00:36:20,199 And so if you don't, if you want to take the little claw thingy, 762 00:36:20,199 --> 00:36:22,079 I wish they had the little dinosaur heads on them though. 763 00:36:22,079 --> 00:36:22,879 I think that would be cool. 764 00:36:23,379 --> 00:36:24,459 But they don't. 765 00:36:24,459 --> 00:36:25,779 They're just a regular pickup thing. 766 00:36:25,779 --> 00:36:28,499 So didn't have to bend down to pick up the trash. 767 00:36:28,499 --> 00:36:30,899 And so that'll be this Saturday. 768 00:36:30,979 --> 00:36:32,179 But just things like that. 769 00:36:33,139 --> 00:36:36,699 I know some of you don't know, but we do also do Meals on Wheels 770 00:36:36,699 --> 00:36:40,779 here and we don't have right now any church members who are, who 771 00:36:40,779 --> 00:36:44,019 have volunteered for that, but maybe that is an area you would like 772 00:36:44,019 --> 00:36:44,979 to volunteer in. 773 00:36:45,219 --> 00:36:47,539 It's not necessarily again, connected to the church, but they 774 00:36:47,539 --> 00:36:52,129 meet here, they, they coordinate from here and they use 775 00:36:52,129 --> 00:36:54,529 our coffee shop to do that. 776 00:36:54,529 --> 00:36:57,289 It is an opportunity if you would like to volunteer for something 777 00:36:57,289 --> 00:36:57,889 like that. 778 00:36:58,289 --> 00:37:00,689 And then now the Mid Cities Women's Clinic. 779 00:37:01,409 --> 00:37:04,849 So the Women's clinic here in Haslett, some of you have already 780 00:37:04,849 --> 00:37:08,369 volunteering, some of you volunteered but wanted to wait till 781 00:37:08,369 --> 00:37:09,249 they got out here. 782 00:37:10,769 --> 00:37:13,409 They're here now, building's up and running. 783 00:37:13,969 --> 00:37:16,449 So I encourage you to reach out to Ms. Rachel James. 784 00:37:16,449 --> 00:37:19,779 Ms. Rachel James, raise your hand, reach out to Ms. Rachel James. 785 00:37:20,339 --> 00:37:23,139 Reach out to whomever if you would like to be a part of that and 786 00:37:23,219 --> 00:37:24,339 encourage you to do that. 787 00:37:24,339 --> 00:37:28,379 I appreciate those who are helping already in the women's clinic 788 00:37:28,379 --> 00:37:28,899 here in town. 789 00:37:29,459 --> 00:37:33,739 It's a great ministry and they're doing a fine job so those 790 00:37:33,739 --> 00:37:37,659 are areas in our community that we can help in the projects 791 00:37:37,659 --> 00:37:39,379 going forward, of course is the bridge building. 792 00:37:39,539 --> 00:37:43,019 And we'll talk more about this at the yearly administrative meeting 793 00:37:43,019 --> 00:37:43,699 here in a couple of weeks. 794 00:37:43,699 --> 00:37:45,509 But the bridge building, we're so close. 795 00:37:46,389 --> 00:37:48,149 We got the second driveway in. 796 00:37:48,149 --> 00:37:50,149 All the parking in the dirt, work's done. 797 00:37:51,189 --> 00:37:53,349 So it's a matter of just getting the permit. 798 00:37:53,589 --> 00:38:00,628 And we're this close to getting the, the site plan to pnz. 799 00:38:00,628 --> 00:38:05,349 Site plan has to go to PNC and then it had to go to city council. 800 00:38:05,429 --> 00:38:08,029 So we're, we're a month away because it'll take at least a month 801 00:38:08,029 --> 00:38:08,789 to get all that done. 802 00:38:09,269 --> 00:38:11,899 And so maybe four to six weeks. 803 00:38:11,979 --> 00:38:13,099 I'm praying and hoping. 804 00:38:14,859 --> 00:38:20,739 But the loan has been approved and that will be funded sometime 805 00:38:20,739 --> 00:38:21,179 this month. 806 00:38:21,179 --> 00:38:22,939 And so we can go ahead and order the steel. 807 00:38:23,259 --> 00:38:25,219 The steel takes a long time for that to get in. 808 00:38:25,219 --> 00:38:28,299 There'll be some things we can do to expedite and get this building 809 00:38:28,299 --> 00:38:28,619 up. 810 00:38:28,699 --> 00:38:31,939 I'm praying and hoping we're in it by sometime the end of the 811 00:38:31,939 --> 00:38:32,179 year. 812 00:38:32,179 --> 00:38:32,819 I really do. 813 00:38:32,819 --> 00:38:34,459 I think it is doable. 814 00:38:34,539 --> 00:38:35,579 You pray about it. 815 00:38:35,659 --> 00:38:38,989 Not saying that's going to happen, but we pray about it and 816 00:38:38,989 --> 00:38:39,789 we'll work towards that. 817 00:38:39,789 --> 00:38:40,869 It's going to be a beautiful building. 818 00:38:40,869 --> 00:38:45,109 It's going to be a great, great tool to use to reach our community. 819 00:38:45,989 --> 00:38:48,989 And we got playgrounds going in, new playgrounds going to be on 820 00:38:48,989 --> 00:38:50,069 this side for ages. 821 00:38:50,389 --> 00:38:53,428 You know, the four and down, five and down. 822 00:38:53,669 --> 00:38:56,269 We've had some kids hurt on this bigger one because that's really 823 00:38:56,269 --> 00:38:58,989 not made for the little bitty, itty bitty ones. 824 00:38:58,989 --> 00:39:01,029 And there's going to be a big playground over here for the, for 825 00:39:01,029 --> 00:39:03,189 the daycare and it will be undercover. 826 00:39:03,659 --> 00:39:06,059 And we're gonna, we plan on covering this one too at the same 827 00:39:06,059 --> 00:39:06,379 time. 828 00:39:06,379 --> 00:39:08,259 So this one will be covered. 829 00:39:08,259 --> 00:39:09,819 And then this big dirt area. 830 00:39:09,899 --> 00:39:12,059 We have finally come to the conclusion what we were gonna do 831 00:39:12,059 --> 00:39:12,179 there. 832 00:39:12,179 --> 00:39:14,179 We're just gonna put artificial grass down or do something 833 00:39:14,179 --> 00:39:14,619 like that. 834 00:39:14,939 --> 00:39:18,939 But then it just, it just dawned on us and it's gonna be covered. 835 00:39:19,899 --> 00:39:22,179 We are gonna do a half court basketball there. 836 00:39:22,179 --> 00:39:23,579 So we're gonna put cement there. 837 00:39:25,499 --> 00:39:28,539 But some of you who like the other sport that I will not name, 838 00:39:31,669 --> 00:39:35,669 pickleball, it will be a pickleball court. 839 00:39:36,229 --> 00:39:40,029 It will be set up for a pickleball court and it will also 840 00:39:40,029 --> 00:39:41,309 be half basketball court. 841 00:39:41,309 --> 00:39:44,869 So if you come here, you can play half court basketball. 842 00:39:45,669 --> 00:39:47,349 You don't have a key to get in the gym. 843 00:39:48,069 --> 00:39:48,869 I'm Just kidding. 844 00:39:49,189 --> 00:39:53,909 You can call us, by the way, but the pickleball. 845 00:39:53,909 --> 00:39:54,989 And again, it'll have a cover. 846 00:39:54,989 --> 00:39:59,649 And our plan is, at this point, a cover with lights on this 847 00:39:59,649 --> 00:39:59,969 side. 848 00:40:00,129 --> 00:40:04,409 This side may not have lights under the COVID Everybody, everybody 849 00:40:04,409 --> 00:40:05,169 listen closely. 850 00:40:05,169 --> 00:40:05,809 What I'm trying to. 851 00:40:05,809 --> 00:40:08,409 What I'm saying, so I don't want somebody to say something. 852 00:40:08,409 --> 00:40:11,849 I'm not saying the new playground will have a cover over 853 00:40:11,849 --> 00:40:12,129 it. 854 00:40:13,168 --> 00:40:14,089 It's going to be awesome. 855 00:40:14,089 --> 00:40:18,009 But it probably won't have lights under the COVID This cover. 856 00:40:18,009 --> 00:40:21,409 We hope to put lights under the COVID So literally, you could 857 00:40:21,409 --> 00:40:24,539 flip the lights on and you could play basketball at night. 858 00:40:25,499 --> 00:40:27,019 That's the undercover. 859 00:40:27,019 --> 00:40:27,419 Under. 860 00:40:27,499 --> 00:40:27,899 Under. 861 00:40:28,379 --> 00:40:30,619 You know, you could potentially play it in the rain. 862 00:40:31,499 --> 00:40:35,019 I don't know if you want to or not, or when it's snowing or something. 863 00:40:36,779 --> 00:40:40,139 I spent more time on that pickleball court. 864 00:40:41,419 --> 00:40:42,379 I will move on. 865 00:40:43,019 --> 00:40:44,259 It costs as much. 866 00:40:44,259 --> 00:40:47,339 I'm telling you to do what we're talking about doing now as 867 00:40:47,339 --> 00:40:48,219 it does to do the other. 868 00:40:48,719 --> 00:40:51,519 So the cement guy's like, well, won't we just do this? 869 00:40:52,159 --> 00:40:55,079 It's within a few hundred dollars of the other, so why wouldn't 870 00:40:55,079 --> 00:40:55,319 we? 871 00:40:55,319 --> 00:40:55,839 Anyway? 872 00:40:56,559 --> 00:40:58,719 Okay, because some of you are going to go, well, preacher, that's 873 00:40:58,719 --> 00:40:59,159 a lot of money. 874 00:40:59,159 --> 00:41:01,919 Well, the other way is a lot of money, too. 875 00:41:01,999 --> 00:41:05,959 And I think the church as a whole will get a lot more out of 876 00:41:05,959 --> 00:41:06,239 it. 877 00:41:07,679 --> 00:41:08,959 The basketball and pickleball. 878 00:41:08,959 --> 00:41:09,559 How many y'? 879 00:41:09,559 --> 00:41:09,759 All? 880 00:41:10,239 --> 00:41:10,919 No vote. 881 00:41:10,919 --> 00:41:11,519 No vote. 882 00:41:12,639 --> 00:41:14,559 We're not going to start voting on color carpet and stuff 883 00:41:14,559 --> 00:41:14,879 like that. 884 00:41:15,339 --> 00:41:16,139 We're not going there. 885 00:41:18,219 --> 00:41:20,259 And then there's some refreshing needs to be done in the 886 00:41:20,259 --> 00:41:20,979 activity center. 887 00:41:20,979 --> 00:41:24,099 I know some of y' all pointed that out, and there is some refreshing 888 00:41:24,099 --> 00:41:24,819 there that needs to be done. 889 00:41:24,819 --> 00:41:29,619 And so this summer we'll do some work on staircases and just 890 00:41:29,619 --> 00:41:33,299 some other things over there that did not get hit during the refresh 891 00:41:33,299 --> 00:41:34,379 when we did this building. 892 00:41:34,859 --> 00:41:35,659 Some lighting. 893 00:41:35,819 --> 00:41:39,419 We have started the new lighting in the gym itself, if you 894 00:41:39,419 --> 00:41:40,059 haven't noticed. 895 00:41:40,059 --> 00:41:42,539 So it looks really good and, boy, it brightened it up. 896 00:41:42,979 --> 00:41:45,459 And so we lack a few more lights on the other side. 897 00:41:45,859 --> 00:41:47,539 And so all that'll get done this year. 898 00:41:47,539 --> 00:41:49,099 Some restroom issues there also. 899 00:41:49,099 --> 00:41:49,939 We'll work on those things. 900 00:41:49,939 --> 00:41:51,939 So in conclusion, I got six minutes. 901 00:41:54,259 --> 00:41:55,619 Every member ought to be a minister. 902 00:41:56,819 --> 00:41:57,939 We ought to serve one another. 903 00:41:57,939 --> 00:41:58,499 Amen. 904 00:41:59,139 --> 00:42:04,619 Working together, the pastoral staff's goal is to recruit you to 905 00:42:04,619 --> 00:42:05,219 volunteer. 906 00:42:06,979 --> 00:42:10,379 I think the success of any staff member is how many volunteers 907 00:42:10,379 --> 00:42:11,139 are following you. 908 00:42:12,129 --> 00:42:12,849 It really is. 909 00:42:14,209 --> 00:42:18,329 I appreciate those of you who do volunteer and do help, most of 910 00:42:18,329 --> 00:42:18,769 you do. 911 00:42:20,209 --> 00:42:22,929 A staff run church is a staff ruined church. 912 00:42:23,649 --> 00:42:27,088 By that I mean does not mean that the staff doesn't head it up, 913 00:42:27,088 --> 00:42:28,449 whatever activity it is. 914 00:42:28,849 --> 00:42:32,089 But again, if there's not people working under him, church 915 00:42:32,089 --> 00:42:34,449 members involved, then we haven't done our job. 916 00:42:34,449 --> 00:42:36,769 We need to be a good steward of the community. 917 00:42:37,429 --> 00:42:38,709 By the way, we're in a growing community. 918 00:42:38,709 --> 00:42:39,509 It's amazing. 919 00:42:41,349 --> 00:42:43,189 It's amazing how this community is growing and we need 920 00:42:43,189 --> 00:42:44,229 to be a good steward of that. 921 00:42:44,949 --> 00:42:47,669 Jesus came to seek and to say that was just lost and we ought to 922 00:42:47,669 --> 00:42:48,509 follow in his steps. 923 00:42:48,509 --> 00:42:49,989 By the way, those are big shoes to fill. 924 00:42:51,429 --> 00:42:55,229 Remember one of your kids or whatever when they were little, trying 925 00:42:55,229 --> 00:43:00,229 to put your shoes on just doesn't work, does it? 926 00:43:02,869 --> 00:43:09,019 We cannot follow in the footsteps of Jesus in the flesh on 927 00:43:09,019 --> 00:43:09,499 our own. 928 00:43:09,899 --> 00:43:14,499 As I said this morning, you cannot abide in the vine. 929 00:43:14,499 --> 00:43:16,379 You can't live in the rest. 930 00:43:16,779 --> 00:43:21,499 R E S T. You cannot live in that abundant life without the power, 931 00:43:22,059 --> 00:43:23,659 strength and grace of the Holy Spirit. 932 00:43:23,659 --> 00:43:24,139 Amen. 933 00:43:24,539 --> 00:43:30,379 The Christian life is impossible without the grace of God. 934 00:43:31,019 --> 00:43:31,659 Amen. 935 00:43:32,539 --> 00:43:34,059 All right, we'll take a few minutes here. 936 00:43:34,539 --> 00:43:34,939 If.