back to indexBerean Community Church Sunday Service 6/5/2022
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Good morning. Good morning, Church family. Happy Lord's Day. 00:10:37.640 |
"See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, 00:10:41.640 |
that we would be called children of God, and such we are. 00:10:45.640 |
As we begin our service by singing the song, "You Made Us Your Own," 00:10:50.640 |
I pray and encourage us to ponder and consider the great love our God has shown us. 00:11:17.640 |
♪ When your love reached out with sovereign hands, ♪ 00:11:23.640 |
♪ and beckoned us to come inside of the waters, ♪ 00:11:31.640 |
♪ made the powerful come forth with the lavish feast, ♪ 00:11:48.640 |
♪ You have loved us like you love your Son. ♪ 00:12:06.640 |
♪ Oh, how great the love that we've been shown. ♪ 00:13:10.640 |
♪ You have loved us like you love your Son. ♪ 00:13:28.640 |
♪ Oh, how great the love that we've been shown. ♪ 00:13:47.640 |
♪ You have loved us like you love your Son. ♪ 00:14:05.640 |
♪ Oh, how great the love that we've been shown. ♪ 00:14:43.640 |
I want to welcome you to this morning's service. 00:14:46.640 |
Those of you who are joining us for the first time, 00:14:50.640 |
After the service is done, please swing by our welcome booth. 00:14:53.640 |
You'll see the blue canopy and our team members with the blue lanyards. 00:14:57.640 |
We'd love to meet you, and if you have any questions, 00:15:00.640 |
just guide your way on how to get integrated into the church. 00:15:03.640 |
Also, for the newcomers, we have a special lunch 00:15:07.640 |
that's going to take place on Sunday the 26th, 00:15:11.640 |
And we ask that you just show up to the sanctuary at 1:15 p.m. 00:15:17.640 |
No later than 1:30 we'll get started with an informal lunch to greet you. 00:15:21.640 |
You'll have opportunities to meet some of our leaders and core members. 00:15:24.640 |
And I'll also be giving a presentation about just the core and philosophy 00:15:28.640 |
of our ministry, so it'll be a great time for you to come and participate. 00:15:32.640 |
You can sign up and give a heads up by emailing 00:15:36.640 |
welcometeam@briancc.com or just give a simple visit over at the booth. 00:15:41.640 |
Another announcement is that tonight the college students 00:15:44.640 |
will be having their college study hall from Sunday today to Tuesday 00:15:51.640 |
It's a great opportunity for people in the other ministries to swing by 00:15:55.640 |
if you'd like to drop off some snacks, some goodies. 00:15:59.640 |
Over in the cafe there will be a place designated for that, 00:16:04.640 |
You can also sign up to do that too on the link provided on the app. 00:16:08.640 |
Something that's also happening on Sunday the 26th 00:16:14.640 |
Just periodically we have a day where we can clean up, 00:16:21.640 |
just show up and participate in some good manual labor. 00:16:25.640 |
You can sign up. There's a link for you on the app. 00:16:32.640 |
The final announcement is that we've been highlighting some special sign-ups 00:16:39.640 |
And one of those things was our family ministry retreat. 00:16:42.640 |
Just as a heads up, the final day to sign up is going to be the 12th, 00:16:51.640 |
And then after that there's going to be an increase in the retreat fees. 00:16:55.640 |
Please know we're going to be highlighting the subjects of family and marriage, 00:17:00.640 |
related to both the vision of marriage and communication in the family, 00:17:05.640 |
So please make sure you take time to sign up for that as well. 00:17:09.640 |
Today, after our worship time, we have the privilege of hearing 00:17:14.640 |
Daniela Park come up and give her testimony, and she'll be baptized today. 00:17:28.640 |
The opportunity for us to come together to worship, we realize, 00:17:32.640 |
and acknowledge to you, God, is such a sweet privilege for us. 00:17:36.640 |
By the faith you have granted, by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, 00:17:42.640 |
we're united, we're brought together, and afforded this access to you. 00:17:47.640 |
And we recognize, God, that as much as we desire to lift up to you our service, 00:17:51.640 |
our hearts, and our song, we are all the more blessed for it. 00:17:55.640 |
And so we truly do want to render to you all of our heart. 00:18:01.640 |
that that would simply be an extension of that kind of desire to express to you 00:18:05.640 |
our gratitude, to lift up to you everything we have, 00:18:09.640 |
and a desire to continue to further your kingdom. 00:18:12.640 |
So we pray that you would have your blessings over the offering as well. 00:18:15.640 |
This morning, Lord, as we lift up to you our joint voices, 00:18:19.640 |
we do pray, God, that you would be honored and pleased. 00:28:03.300 |
I'm very thankful to be sharing my testimony today. 00:28:06.460 |
I just wanted to start off with the word holy. 00:28:35.340 |
our God is the only being full of life and holiness. 00:28:48.700 |
I mistook my head knowledge for true saving faith. 00:28:51.940 |
But in reality, I didn't have the slightest clue 00:29:04.340 |
of disappointing my parents and others around me. 00:29:07.680 |
And this led to difficult times during high school 00:29:20.100 |
But even that cry of desperation was full of nothing 00:29:30.180 |
as well as his sovereign will that goes beyond those nights. 00:29:34.100 |
In my junior year, I read through the book of James 00:29:38.080 |
I began to understand how my life is meant for others 00:29:47.600 |
but by God's grace, he continued to work through me 00:29:51.480 |
Despite coming to this revelation once prior, 00:29:57.740 |
where I was still apathetic towards my schoolwork 00:30:02.880 |
All of my attempts to feel better were futile. 00:30:06.120 |
I failed to find permanent fulfillment in my relationships 00:30:09.340 |
and even forced devotions completed for my own sake 00:30:13.220 |
could never quench my thirst for something more. 00:30:25.580 |
I can't even say that I came to this realization myself, 00:30:28.540 |
that it was a concept my brain evolved to fully understand 00:30:32.240 |
because that phrase had been present in my life 00:30:38.920 |
other than the fact that God's hand was in this. 00:30:42.300 |
His love is absolutely unfathomable and life-changing. 00:30:55.540 |
could never come close to his sacrifice for me. 00:31:01.600 |
had it been for God reaching out to me first. 00:31:11.480 |
And it's crazy to me that such an amazing God 00:31:14.200 |
cannot receive the little praise we humans have to offer 00:31:17.320 |
without intervening and raising us to life first. 00:31:30.860 |
and I serve this transcendentally separate God. 00:31:35.440 |
I'm not here for a good life full of things that I deserve. 00:31:50.520 |
He says, "Let it be the one business of my life 00:31:58.580 |
"by professing thy truth and by engaging all men, 00:32:01.900 |
"so far as in me lies to glorify and love thee." 00:32:09.420 |
and after a few recent events in my own life, 00:32:14.260 |
the natural consequences of being consecrated 00:32:18.620 |
Yet I remember God's providence as my redeemer 00:32:24.360 |
and I remain steadfast with an otherworldly hope. 00:32:27.580 |
And now my goal in life isn't my own glory or success, 00:32:34.780 |
"For from him and through him and to him are all things. 00:33:48.440 |
With each baptism, isn't it sweet to hear and fellowship, 00:33:53.760 |
because basically every one of our stories is like that. 00:34:03.680 |
You initiated, you loved first, and how can I thank you? 00:34:15.040 |
Go before the Lord, ask for his blessing upon our time. 00:34:25.240 |
We recognize, Lord, that the salvation that we have 00:34:48.240 |
and pray that you will bless her in her faith 00:34:54.280 |
We thank you now for your word that continues to lead us 00:34:59.920 |
We pray, God, that it would have its effect upon us. 00:35:09.480 |
As they serve you, as they minister to the lost people there, 00:35:14.300 |
would you empower them, grant them great boldness, 00:35:32.800 |
and he put up a message that I wanted to share 00:35:54.560 |
and eventually will go through a complicated process 00:35:56.960 |
to even come out, so we wanna continue to pray for that. 00:36:01.040 |
This morning, please turn your Bibles to Mark chapter six, 00:36:11.920 |
but I'll read for us now from verse seven through 13. 00:36:22.720 |
"He summoned the 12 and began to send them out in pairs 00:36:25.600 |
"and gave them authorities over the unclean spirits, 00:36:29.380 |
"and he instructed them that they should take nothing 00:36:41.980 |
"And he said to them, wherever you enter a house, 00:36:46.660 |
"Any place that does not receive you or listen to you 00:36:56.840 |
"They went out and preached that men should repent, 00:37:01.080 |
"and were anointing with oil many sick people 00:37:07.760 |
it says, "The apostles gathered together with Jesus 00:37:10.040 |
"and they reported to him all that they had done and taught. 00:37:18.720 |
"for there were many people coming and going, 00:37:43.160 |
where essentially Jesus, in his mode of ministry, 00:37:48.260 |
So I want to give you a little bit of context 00:37:53.520 |
Jesus was teaching and going from city to city 00:37:56.800 |
and everybody had to come to him for that teaching. 00:37:59.920 |
For the first pretty much two years of the ministry, 00:38:05.440 |
he was the one giving the message of the kingdom. 00:38:11.680 |
you would have to travel and go to where he was, 00:38:35.200 |
I want us to kind of think about an interesting scenario 00:38:50.140 |
Because this was a incredibly unique position 00:38:57.000 |
because in Coral Area, if you think about their scenario, 00:39:00.040 |
there were thousands of people who would follow Jesus, right? 00:39:06.720 |
but there were actually many people who said to Jesus, 00:39:09.660 |
"You're clearly a significant rabbi and teacher, 00:39:21.120 |
and of those many, many people who followed Jesus, 00:39:43.340 |
Maybe in the throw in there, I speak some Spanish, 00:39:48.880 |
you did, and then, lo and behold, you're chosen, right? 00:39:51.900 |
But, whereas in our day, you get to negotiate some terms, 00:40:09.340 |
but sometimes you'll negotiate who you work with. 00:40:11.940 |
Will I be underneath somebody who's gonna train me? 00:40:22.180 |
Is there going to be, and then the benefits for future, 00:40:25.960 |
will I also maybe get some stock, like that kind of stuff? 00:40:33.380 |
that you actually take the prerogative that you have 00:40:36.860 |
to negotiate the best case scenario for yourself. 00:40:41.020 |
so more power to you if you're skilled in it. 00:40:47.300 |
Jesus selects you, and you say something like, 00:40:50.780 |
will we be able to negotiate some expectations here 00:41:00.060 |
Can I start a little later after I set up my previous work 00:41:15.700 |
He told people, follow me, and they were willing, 00:41:36.660 |
That's a responsible thing to do, to at least say goodbye. 00:42:19.380 |
It's talking about the training up of the disciples. 00:42:43.520 |
And I ask that because within all of the difficulties 00:43:20.960 |
And so setting the background a little bit more 00:43:22.980 |
as a first step into the study of this passage, 00:43:25.600 |
because again, we are jumping into a narrative. 00:43:31.480 |
you go therefore and don't you make any money. 00:43:38.140 |
And there's corollary passages both in Matthew 10 00:43:42.720 |
And I was a little afraid because Pastor Peter 00:43:44.680 |
is going to eventually preach this passage in Luke 10. 00:43:57.980 |
what Jesus is doing is imagine if we had a summer retreat 00:44:16.460 |
"but I'm gonna prepare and train you how to go. 00:44:23.960 |
"although you have seen me do wonders and miracles, 00:44:26.280 |
"I'm going to empower you with authority to do the same. 00:44:40.160 |
is there are some implications for us to take home, 00:44:42.980 |
and there are some principles for us to take home, 00:44:47.480 |
that just remember that even though some of the things 00:44:50.240 |
that are expected of the disciples are extreme, 00:44:53.080 |
every single one of us actually has an expectation 00:44:57.680 |
placed upon us to serve the kingdom of God, amen? 00:45:06.640 |
and then stop there to say, "Good, I'm glad you came. 00:45:18.560 |
"and you will eventually have to carry this gospel." 00:45:22.840 |
Not every single one of us has to be a missionary. 00:45:29.680 |
we believe the church is unified by one gospel, 00:45:39.320 |
First Corinthians 12 tells us that there's variety. 00:45:43.440 |
We are one but many, and not every single one of you 00:45:46.320 |
should be serving in the children's ministry. 00:46:04.880 |
However, every single one of us has signed off to say, 00:46:13.600 |
doesn't matter whether you're one who preaches to 100, 00:46:16.880 |
but God will uniquely design you to place you 00:46:19.640 |
wherever you are in your home, in your workplace, 00:46:32.640 |
"Ministry where we go and share the gospel is not for me." 00:46:41.680 |
Jesus has told you that you cannot hide in the pews 00:46:45.920 |
because you were not designed as a candle of God 00:46:56.840 |
"I am the worker bee, but prayer people are others." 00:47:15.680 |
every single one of us are gonna play a part, 00:47:17.960 |
and God has designed us to do the work of ministry, 00:47:22.400 |
And so as a just exhortation and reminder to us, 00:47:26.280 |
we don't expect everyone to serve in the exact same way, 00:47:29.480 |
but you are a part of the redemptive ministry of God. 00:47:34.200 |
And therefore, we need to take home these points. 00:47:36.400 |
The first one being, it's kind of long, I apologize. 00:47:42.680 |
please be careful not to question God's wisdom. 00:47:46.760 |
Please be careful not to interject your own great ideas, 00:47:55.980 |
In summary, be willing to take the entire sum of ministry 00:48:09.760 |
Some of you are very gifted in administration, 00:48:15.820 |
Wait a minute, who's gonna take care of this part? 00:48:18.420 |
this part we haven't really thought through, good. 00:48:30.060 |
and the kind of just take it that I'm talking about 00:48:41.620 |
we are gonna say, that doesn't look like it's going to work. 00:49:07.420 |
I want you to take a moment now to think with me 00:49:13.940 |
You have to place yourself in the scenario of the gospels, 00:49:25.600 |
I mean, people of the entire town came together. 00:49:31.160 |
If stuff happens, yes, we see it on Facebook, 00:49:35.280 |
but back then, everyone would show up and just stay. 00:49:37.640 |
So if you recall, when there was healing going on, 00:49:43.960 |
And the reason why I'm asking you to think about that 00:49:47.520 |
is because just like the disciples would wonder, 00:49:58.160 |
you guys have heard that that only counts the men. 00:50:00.380 |
That means easily could have been double that, 00:50:08.720 |
we need to delegate the responsibility to the ministry, 00:50:11.740 |
so I pick 12, you know what I would have done? 00:50:26.960 |
You're talking about 5,000 people, 1,000 people, 00:50:42.400 |
Sometimes Jesus says things, and in my silly mind, 00:50:50.480 |
So I'm gonna take you down some of those things. 00:50:57.080 |
And then Jesus was like, if you force them to stop, 00:51:09.040 |
if we saw when everyone was gathered in Jerusalem, 00:51:14.160 |
wah, like worship, palm branches, and the rocks. 00:51:20.580 |
Hail the one who comes in the name of the Lord, 00:51:28.240 |
if you're already doing miracles and wonders, 00:51:36.360 |
And then if you were one of those very self-conscious people 00:51:44.520 |
He would always ask, like, wait, I don't see it, you know? 00:51:47.820 |
Then you would wonder, like, literally one year ago, 00:51:51.320 |
I did not deal with people, I just dealt with numbers, right? 00:51:57.200 |
Can you imagine people operating by their own sight, 00:52:00.560 |
determining for the Lord Jesus, this is not going to work? 00:52:20.560 |
that core hard message, that's not gonna work. 00:52:23.560 |
This discipleship stuff, that's not gonna work. 00:52:26.120 |
We need to first get them in here and da-da-da-da-da. 00:52:51.120 |
You call people to repentance by the power of God 00:52:55.320 |
and you take nothing with you but your own faith 00:53:01.280 |
And you bring with you the compassions of Christ 00:53:05.320 |
and you do it, you heal people, you minister to people. 00:53:08.940 |
The model of Jesus Christ was very, very simple, amen? 00:53:13.400 |
But then why is it that we tell him it's not going to work 00:53:20.520 |
that we dare not act as though we know better the outcome. 00:53:25.440 |
But it is unfortunate that if you think about it, 00:53:28.560 |
what has been a hindrance to evangelistic ministry, 00:53:31.280 |
even Christian counseling, even church ministry as a whole 00:53:45.240 |
Jesus did not tell you to do the things you need to do 00:53:48.440 |
in your life just because it's going to work. 00:53:50.880 |
I mean, think about the command to go reconcile 00:54:03.400 |
When you go and reach that person who's bitter with you 00:54:06.040 |
and you go over and say sorry, that's always going to work. 00:54:08.880 |
Or if you're mad because someone sinned against you, 00:54:13.600 |
No, he told you to do it because a lot of things. 00:54:21.360 |
because you can't come to worship clear conscience 00:54:28.880 |
making sure the church is purified and whole. 00:54:34.760 |
that by you doing that, there is the element of the gospel 00:54:39.080 |
He's doing so much more than just making it work for you. 00:54:46.560 |
to the Christian faith when I hear people say, 00:54:57.400 |
And sometimes he's just leaving a testimony for himself. 00:55:07.840 |
And that's why we must trust him and abide by his way. 00:55:12.060 |
As a matter of fact, I wanna emphasize this point 00:55:14.280 |
by looking over at Mark chapter six, verse one through six, 00:55:30.140 |
It says he came to his own hometown of Nazareth, 00:55:37.720 |
and the many listeners were astonished, saying, 00:55:45.880 |
And such miracles as these performed by his hands. 00:55:49.440 |
Wait a minute, is this, is not this the carpenter, 00:56:01.440 |
Jesus said to them, a prophet is not without honor, 00:56:04.960 |
except his own hometown, and among his own relatives, 00:56:11.720 |
except that he laid his hands on a few sick people, 00:56:17.400 |
and he was going around the villages teaching. 00:56:22.120 |
When it comes to the idea of it doesn't work, 00:56:27.960 |
in such an offensive, can you imagine us asking Jesus, 00:56:39.920 |
because of the absolute hardness of the ground there, 00:56:53.340 |
And God says, you're gonna speak to a bunch of people 00:56:56.180 |
who will keep on hearing, but not understand. 00:57:15.480 |
And if we are part of that, we dare not complain, 00:57:50.820 |
remember, you take with it the whole shebang, yes? 00:57:58.140 |
Please be careful not to secure your own benefits. 00:58:19.380 |
Take a look at the passage that we're looking at 00:58:28.540 |
"that they should take nothing for their journey 00:58:52.740 |
But that kind of model I don't think is correct. 00:58:58.100 |
why is Jesus making sure that these individuals 00:59:03.380 |
Is it because Jesus was like, put on the face mask stuff 00:59:18.700 |
And when you come back, you will be my soldiers. 00:59:25.080 |
So what I just shared with you now, cross that out. 00:59:27.940 |
And if you thought like that, I don't think it's correct. 00:59:42.020 |
Even if someone gives you something for the next day, 00:59:46.100 |
And then verse nine, he says, just take your sandals. 00:59:48.220 |
It's like, whew, we're gonna be walking a lot, 00:59:51.540 |
But then he says only one tunic, don't two, right? 01:00:05.380 |
So now I'm just reading into the white lines here 01:00:07.260 |
and thinking like, someone must have thought like, what? 01:00:13.000 |
You've already told us, like Jesus told them, 01:00:20.100 |
I'm sending you like sheep amongst wolves, right? 01:00:25.700 |
And then you're supposed to eat off the fruit of your work. 01:00:31.740 |
if I said to you two or you two, I'm gonna pair you up 01:00:50.300 |
Then you're calculating mind is basically concluding 01:01:00.420 |
No, I don't want your warranty, get out of here. 01:01:03.620 |
Like, nobody nowadays is gonna knock on a door 01:01:12.680 |
And no tunics, just one, just whatever's on your back. 01:01:23.580 |
Some of them don't fit now, but I still hold on to them, 01:01:29.860 |
I do know some pastors who have taken a vow of poverty. 01:01:54.980 |
but the case that I've already presented to you is, 01:02:12.020 |
you will care for my soul eternity and me today. 01:02:15.820 |
And you will empower me in my mind and my heart 01:02:24.620 |
and he will teach you what it means to follow. 01:02:28.300 |
And he will test you to see how willing you are. 01:02:34.060 |
to trust God that any follower of Jesus must know, 01:02:54.980 |
And just like everything under his power is under his care, 01:02:58.940 |
even if you suffer, even if the world hates you, 01:03:33.460 |
and they must trust the Lord rather than trust themselves. 01:03:41.140 |
their hearts were already compromised to some degree, 01:03:44.460 |
like, oh my gosh, how am I gonna take care of myself? 01:03:53.500 |
But if you are a miracle worker healing anybody 01:04:06.100 |
Come here, come here, save my son, the rich man said. 01:04:21.340 |
But you're healing and doing miracles, casting out demons. 01:04:29.740 |
you would be susceptible to temptation, would you not? 01:04:33.380 |
And I think Jesus was preparing these disciples. 01:04:37.700 |
Jesus, at certain points, people wanted to come around him 01:04:43.100 |
Some of the disciples were called Greek gods. 01:04:51.500 |
Can you imagine the temptation that would come to us, 01:04:54.060 |
to you and me, if we're doing the work of God, 01:05:02.940 |
And so it's not so much that you have to take a vow 01:05:05.740 |
of poverty and you're not allowed to have two suits. 01:05:13.300 |
I want you to know what it means to trust God, amen? 01:05:18.220 |
And now I share with you on a personal level. 01:05:20.460 |
I still, I've shared this almost like three out of four times 01:05:25.220 |
that I think, 'cause racial-wise that I preach, 01:05:30.900 |
If you've ever led a team, so much work to do, right? 01:05:39.340 |
about whether you are sufficient or you could do the job. 01:05:45.700 |
you are going to regularly feel deficiency, yes? 01:06:00.420 |
And this whole world is constantly teaching you, 01:06:04.940 |
you've got experience, don't worry, you can do it. 01:06:17.700 |
"No, even if you're 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 years old, 01:06:22.460 |
"you will never cease to be my dependent child. 01:06:28.060 |
As a grown adult, you know how humbling it is 01:06:31.860 |
to ask another adult for a provision for the day, right? 01:06:36.860 |
Your flesh keeps telling you to secure your own benefits, 01:06:41.460 |
to secure yourself in the midst of feeling needy, 01:06:47.740 |
"when you do my work, and you will never outgrow 01:06:51.420 |
"your childlike faith, your dependency with me." 01:07:01.260 |
Lord, teach me to know I will always depend on you, 01:07:06.260 |
and teach me to know if I don't, I'm compromised. 01:07:16.220 |
that I do believe this is what Jesus was teaching. 01:07:19.340 |
Because take a look at Luke chapter 22 in your Bibles, 01:07:27.340 |
after Jesus has sent them, and I want you to know 01:07:32.380 |
These 12 were primary because they are the apostles 01:07:40.620 |
who Jesus sent with the exact same instructions. 01:07:54.500 |
Have you guys been on a missions trip meeting, 01:08:04.380 |
And he said to them, "When I sent you out with money belts, 01:08:07.620 |
"oh, sorry, when I sent you out without money belts, 01:08:10.360 |
"and bags and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?" 01:08:24.740 |
And he said to them, "But now, whoever has a money belt 01:08:28.400 |
"Likewise, also a bag and whoever has no sword 01:08:35.620 |
oh, now it's okay, but what I'm trying to tell you, 01:08:46.940 |
It could be just as simple as you're at your workplace, 01:08:51.840 |
oh gosh, this is like a pretty opportune moment 01:08:56.620 |
or talk to them or ask them how they're doing, 01:09:08.380 |
Maybe you were thinking about a literal missions trip, 01:09:11.100 |
and you're all afraid, like I don't have $3,000 01:09:19.520 |
Did you not feel a sense of like, that was great? 01:09:26.300 |
Even if you were hungry, tired, and you didn't get to eat 01:09:32.840 |
didn't you feel like, I didn't necessarily lack anything. 01:09:42.040 |
Maybe not like that, but did you feel like regret 01:09:46.440 |
that you trusted God for your daily provision? 01:09:49.420 |
Did you feel a miss, like, oh, I shouldn't have done it. 01:09:54.300 |
I don't think there was ever a person who felt like that. 01:10:07.340 |
Jesus has the same review with his disciples, 01:10:14.540 |
And so I say again, we must heed the words of God 01:10:19.520 |
Luke chapter 12, he says, I say to you, my friends, 01:10:22.360 |
do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after 01:10:40.500 |
Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 01:10:48.760 |
And I say to you, everyone who confesses me before men, 01:10:51.700 |
the Son of Man will confess him also before the angels 01:10:55.140 |
of God, but he who denies me before men will be denied 01:11:03.700 |
of like this crazy up and down, or maybe down and up, 01:11:16.280 |
rather than trying to secure anything of our own, 01:11:18.740 |
we have to learn in ministry to trust the Lord fully. 01:11:31.640 |
but instead be willing always to simply be bold for Christ. 01:11:35.900 |
The summary there is be bold for Christ always, 01:11:39.720 |
but do not demand or expect the kind of success 01:11:44.260 |
Do not demand the kind of success that you saw 01:11:51.340 |
Pulpit ministry, lot of big crowds, X, Y, and Z. 01:12:05.240 |
We dare not demand of God a kind of success that we saw, 01:12:14.820 |
the last portion of Mark chapter six, verse 10 and 11, 01:12:20.600 |
meaning what do I mean just simply be bold in Christ? 01:12:26.100 |
"Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave town. 01:12:29.900 |
"Any place that does not receive you or listen to you 01:12:34.400 |
"but shake the dust off the soles of your feet 01:12:42.300 |
What I'm saying is Jesus was not giving any promises 01:12:54.140 |
Some people will ask you to come into their house and stay. 01:13:06.980 |
and I wonder if in our day, again, we wanna imagine, 01:13:21.860 |
"and just right in front of them, shake it off." 01:13:29.000 |
You know how we have Harvest Crusade here in Anaheim, 01:13:35.980 |
and everybody is moved and warmed, and they're challenged, 01:13:38.460 |
and then the pastor gives an altar call and says, 01:13:46.080 |
"Repent of your sins, and He'll forgive you." 01:13:53.000 |
"I noticed that a bunch of you have not come. 01:13:56.000 |
"For you have not come, you have rejected the only way, 01:13:59.280 |
"the only name, the only life, the only truth, 01:14:05.100 |
Like, oh, everyone's jaw would just drop, right? 01:14:13.080 |
But I want you to think about the disciples thinking like, 01:14:18.360 |
you want us to take off our shoes and dust the dirt off, 01:14:24.080 |
of like you're judged and condemned, and then leave? 01:14:29.040 |
And then can you imagine two of the guys going out, 01:14:31.440 |
and I kind of imagine myself in that scenario, 01:14:34.560 |
and I'd probably look at my friend and be like, 01:14:40.740 |
And then I'll do it so that as soon as we do it, 01:14:43.700 |
Just imagine the mentality that you would need to do that. 01:14:55.660 |
the mentality that you would need to go two by two 01:15:00.260 |
into all the cities is heightened by the fact 01:15:06.540 |
Let me highlight this for you just real briefly. 01:15:08.780 |
In Matthew chapter 10, verses one through 15, 01:15:12.160 |
Jesus gives the disciples, it's a corollary passage, 01:15:16.760 |
But what's very interesting about this passage 01:15:18.640 |
is that he summoned them, he gave them authority, 01:15:23.020 |
"The twelve were sent out after being instructed, 01:15:25.760 |
"and he said, 'Do not go in the way of the Gentiles. 01:15:30.480 |
"'but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.'" 01:15:36.660 |
don't take anything with you, don't take any provisions, 01:15:39.440 |
just live by the provisions that people give you, 01:15:41.620 |
and when they reject you, shake the dust off your feet. 01:15:45.900 |
Let me give you another picture in your head. 01:15:49.980 |
brothers and sisters, this summer, praise God, 01:15:53.040 |
the windows are open and we can go do evangelism overseas. 01:15:56.260 |
But rather than go to India, rather than go to China, 01:15:59.460 |
we're gonna go somewhere else, somewhere hard. 01:16:06.620 |
where there's just not even half a percent Christians, 01:16:09.900 |
Somalia, Algeria, Yemen, not even half a percent, right? 01:16:41.140 |
Therefore, you and I, that's right, just you and me, 01:16:48.260 |
No food, no provision, and we're gonna evangelize. 01:17:13.800 |
these people won't listen, this isn't working, 01:17:29.720 |
yeah, that's right, you didn't listen, so forget you. 01:17:34.560 |
I don't think it's right for us to say forget you, 01:17:46.680 |
They may have been a Jew going to the temple, 01:17:52.860 |
to go to cities and be like, repent, or forget you, 01:18:04.900 |
where it's, that's right, we're soldiers for Christ, 01:18:11.700 |
That's not the attitude by which the God of heavens 01:18:23.800 |
neither is the attitude when we go into a city scared. 01:18:34.520 |
when I was doing the, like, what you call the random EV, 01:18:42.360 |
God, give us divine appointment today, right? 01:18:45.800 |
And I remember not too long ago going to the UTC area, 01:18:48.320 |
and then there was a group of the Saturday bikers, 01:18:51.160 |
you know, the guys who are in the tight things 01:18:52.760 |
and in their shoes, and they're sitting around eating coffee. 01:18:58.800 |
So you go, would you mind taking a spiritual survey? 01:19:01.160 |
And you give it to him, and the first question is like, 01:19:07.160 |
And my first response was, oh, shoot, sorry, sorry, sorry. 01:19:10.160 |
And I actually said, like, sorry, sorry, you're right, 01:19:15.280 |
I just apologize to this guy, 'cause he rejected me. 01:19:18.360 |
You know, like, there's an emotional up and down 01:19:33.800 |
awkwardness is so massive, and everything doesn't work. 01:19:38.800 |
But God says you have such power to transform the world. 01:19:59.240 |
but according to his great divine appointment, 01:20:02.520 |
those who are worthy, those who God has called, 01:20:14.520 |
give me other people to preach to, or something like that. 01:20:41.860 |
I want you to be willing to preach that the king is here. 01:20:45.140 |
And so, I will read for you this passage in Matthew, 01:20:54.760 |
I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, 01:20:57.860 |
so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. 01:21:00.800 |
But beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts 01:21:05.540 |
and you will even be brought before governors 01:21:07.500 |
and kings for my sake, as a testimony to them 01:21:14.980 |
trust in God, about how or what you are to say, 01:21:21.340 |
what you are to say, for it is not you who speak, 01:21:23.740 |
but it is the spirit of your father who speaks in you. 01:21:27.100 |
You will hit a wall, and they will send you to the courts. 01:21:31.280 |
Don't be surprised, but it is to your blessing 01:21:35.300 |
that you can share in the sufferings of Christ. 01:21:40.880 |
I wanna conclude by encouraging you with this idea 01:21:45.660 |
of when does Jesus think you're ready to do his ministry? 01:22:08.300 |
just the fact that you don't know when you're not ready. 01:22:13.860 |
But actually, there are a lot of questions about readiness. 01:22:17.220 |
There are people with baptism who will ask me, 01:22:21.660 |
and I know I'm a sinner, and I know he's gracious, 01:22:23.940 |
but oh, I'm so wretched, and so many things are wrong. 01:22:30.300 |
Think about that question, and I wanna encourage your heart. 01:22:44.060 |
was not dependent on their resume of experience, 01:22:51.200 |
Because you actually know what happens soon after this. 01:22:58.620 |
before he is resurrected, you already know the story, 01:23:04.540 |
Scripture says they went out, they preached repentance, 01:23:07.140 |
they healed people, and with the authority of Christ, 01:23:21.580 |
Jesus is training your willingness and trust. 01:23:28.980 |
that you would take the whole shebang of ministry, 01:23:34.220 |
Are you willing to trust yourself and your provisions? 01:23:39.660 |
Are you willing to know that he has already prepared a way, 01:23:43.940 |
and you do not need to secure your own success, 01:23:52.620 |
And in that way, for us, I believe in our church, 01:23:57.480 |
there is actually a great readiness and opportunity 01:24:02.000 |
And in terms of the need, the need is always going to exceed 01:24:10.100 |
But nevertheless, the Lord is going to challenge us. 01:24:27.660 |
Ultimately, God, we're talking about evangelism, 01:24:40.520 |
but at the same time, we hear this exhortation, 01:24:45.800 |
I do pray, God, that you would teach us what that means, 01:24:57.240 |
but rather, God, with great, great confidence in you, 01:25:04.520 |
God, we would be used to great ends for your cause. 01:25:08.140 |
I pray, Father God, that just like the apostles 01:25:16.060 |
"we praise you for counting us worthy enough," 01:25:43.780 |
we would aspire to the full maturity of Christ. 01:25:46.900 |
We thank you, and it's in his name we pray, amen. 01:25:55.660 |
but before we do, we want to prepare our hearts, 01:26:15.940 |
"that my sins have been borne on his shoulders, 01:26:31.420 |
"Lord, you have been so good to me, thank you," right? 01:26:40.100 |
if you do not know you're standing with Christ, 01:26:45.140 |
You don't, please don't participate in the communion yet, 01:26:53.020 |
And ask yourself, do I believe that Jesus is the Son of God, 01:26:56.460 |
who was sent and came on a rescue mission for me? 01:27:09.240 |
you've already told us you're willing to forgive, 01:27:13.000 |
because you were already willing to sacrifice, to suffer, 01:27:18.320 |
And please know that you are able, even today, 01:27:21.160 |
to ask in the name of Christ to receive forgiveness. 01:27:27.260 |
to first hear the passage from the scripture, 01:27:36.600 |
"For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered 01:27:42.240 |
"in the night in which he was betrayed, took bread, 01:27:45.080 |
"and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, 01:27:51.600 |
"In the same way, he took the cup also after supper, 01:27:54.020 |
"saying, this cup is the new covenant in my blood. 01:27:58.360 |
"Do this as often as you drink it in remembrance of me. 01:28:01.620 |
"For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, 01:28:04.580 |
"you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. 01:28:07.960 |
"Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup 01:28:12.720 |
"shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. 01:28:15.580 |
"But a man must examine himself, and in so doing, 01:28:19.160 |
"he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 01:28:21.840 |
"For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment 01:28:24.560 |
"to himself if he does not judge the body rightly." 01:28:35.220 |
Please pray a prayer of thankfulness for the work of Christ 01:28:38.580 |
and who he is to you, but also if there's any unconfessed 01:28:42.180 |
sin, take time now to lift those up to the Lord. 01:28:45.140 |
And in a brief moment, I'll gather us together 01:30:02.700 |
please go ahead and join us in opening up the elements. 01:30:08.780 |
The top layer is clear, and when you peel it back, 01:30:14.660 |
And the Lord has said to us that this is his body, 01:30:32.060 |
And the Lord has said that this is his blood, 01:30:35.460 |
spilled on our behalf, the blood of the new covenant. 01:30:49.140 |
All right, God, as we as a church participate 01:30:53.900 |
in that together, we want to thank you, thank you, thank you. 01:30:58.340 |
God, again, this is not something, Lord, that we approach. 01:31:03.340 |
The communion is not something that we come to 01:31:16.780 |
I pray that you would truly use us to proclaim your name. 01:31:24.300 |
and I pray that we would be so willing to be bold, 01:31:29.940 |
But ultimately, Lord, help us simply to be found faithful, 01:31:38.700 |
And we pray that all of that would be pleasing in your sight. 01:31:41.980 |
We thank you, Lord, it's in Christ's name we pray, amen. 01:31:45.580 |
Please join me in rising for the closing song. 01:35:34.340 |
Our Father, we lift up the final prayer to you 01:35:44.420 |
Lord, that what we have in the gospel is so grand, 01:35:50.060 |
that it comes with power to change the world. 01:35:56.300 |
perhaps we're so apologetic and we lack the confidence, 01:36:00.860 |
almost acting as though we're trying to convince people 01:36:05.840 |
But rather, we know that what we have in the gospel 01:36:18.540 |
I also pray that you would grant to us the heart of Christ. 01:36:22.060 |
You have challenged us in our Bible study in 1 Peter, 01:36:25.260 |
that we are to glory in sharing the suffering 01:36:34.960 |
trying to evangelize to a family member or friend, 01:36:51.340 |
Now to him who was able to keep you from stumbling 01:36:54.300 |
and to make you stand in the presence of his glory, 01:36:58.580 |
to the only God our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord,