Happy Sabbath. Happy Sabbath.
00:00:13.44\00:00:17.35
As we sing, I just
invite you to stand and join us
00:00:17.38\00:00:20.68
as we sing power in the
blood and the rest of songs.
00:00:20.72\00:00:22.68
Would you be free
00:00:33.53\00:00:35.46
From your burden of sin
00:00:35.50\00:00:38.33
There's power in the blood
00:00:38.37\00:00:41.34
Power in the blood
00:00:41.37\00:00:43.97
Would you o'er
evil a victory win
00:00:44.01\00:00:48.84
There's wonderful
power in the blood
00:00:48.88\00:00:53.31
Sing there is power,
power Wonder-working power
00:00:53.35\00:00:58.85
In the blood of the Lamb
00:00:58.89\00:01:03.79
There is power,
power Wonder-working power
00:01:03.83\00:01:09.16
In the precious
blood of the Lamb
00:01:09.20\00:01:14.90
Would you be free
From your passion and pride
00:01:25.51\00:01:30.45
There's power in the blood
00:01:30.49\00:01:33.42
Power in the blood
00:01:33.46\00:01:36.12
Come for a
cleansing to Calvary's tide
00:01:36.16\00:01:41.03
There's wonderful
power in the blood
00:01:41.06\00:01:45.60
Sing there is power,
00:01:45.63\00:01:47.97
power Wonder-working power
00:01:48.00\00:01:51.34
In the blood of the Lamb
00:01:51.37\00:01:56.54
There is power,
power Wonder-working power
00:01:56.58\00:02:01.85
In the precious
blood of the Lamb
00:02:01.88\00:02:07.76
Would you be whiter
Much whiter than snow
00:02:07.79\00:02:12.66
There's power in the
blood Power in the blood
00:02:12.69\00:02:18.17
Sin stains are lost
in its life giving flow
00:02:18.20\00:02:23.00
There's wonderful
power in the blood
00:02:23.04\00:02:27.61
Sing there is power,
power Wonder-working power
00:02:27.64\00:02:33.21
In the blood of the Lamb
00:02:33.25\00:02:38.35
There is power,
power Wonder-working power
00:02:38.39\00:02:43.73
In the precious
blood of the Lamb
00:02:43.76\00:02:49.53
Would you do
service For Jesus your King
00:02:49.56\00:02:54.47
There's power in the
blood Power in the blood
00:02:54.50\00:03:00.04
Would you live
daily His praises to sing
00:03:00.08\00:03:05.01
There's wonderful
power in the blood
00:03:05.05\00:03:09.62
Sing there is power,
power Wonder-working power
00:03:09.65\00:03:15.19
In the blood of the Lamb
00:03:15.22\00:03:20.26
There is power,
power Wonder-working power
00:03:20.30\00:03:25.73
In the precious
blood of the Lamb
00:03:25.77\00:03:30.61
Sing there is power,
power Wonder-working power
00:03:30.64\00:03:36.31
In the blood of the Lamb
00:03:36.34\00:03:41.28
Sing there is power,
power Wonder-working power
00:03:41.32\00:03:46.96
In the precious
blood of the Lamb
00:03:46.99\00:03:52.39
In the precious
blood of the Lamb
00:03:52.43\00:03:57.80
In the precious
blood In the precious blood
00:03:57.83\00:04:03.17
In the precious blood
00:04:03.20\00:04:06.24
Of the Lamb
00:04:06.27\00:04:11.05
Amen. Amen.
00:04:11.08\00:04:12.61
Who am I that
You are mindful of me
00:04:31.10\00:04:37.51
That You hear me
00:04:37.54\00:04:41.34
when I call
00:04:41.38\00:04:46.11
Is it true that
You are thinking of me
00:04:46.15\00:04:52.65
How you love me
00:04:52.69\00:04:57.03
It's amazing
00:04:57.06\00:04:59.66
Who am I Who am I
00:04:59.69\00:05:02.80
That You are mindful of me
00:05:02.83\00:05:07.97
That You hear me
00:05:08.00\00:05:11.87
When I call
00:05:11.91\00:05:16.61
Is it true that
You are thinking of me
00:05:16.64\00:05:23.35
How you love me
00:05:23.39\00:05:27.69
It's amazing
00:05:27.72\00:05:30.36
I am a friend of
God I am a friend of God
00:05:30.39\00:05:34.10
I am a friend of
God I am a friend of God
00:05:34.13\00:05:36.16
I am a friend of
God I am a friend of God
00:05:36.20\00:05:42.27
He calls me friend
00:05:42.30\00:05:45.74
I am a friend of
God I am a friend of God
00:05:45.77\00:05:51.68
I am a friend of God
00:05:51.71\00:05:55.52
I am a friend of
God He calls me friend
00:05:55.55\00:06:01.36
Who am I Who am
00:06:01.39\00:06:03.66
I that You are mindful of me
00:06:03.69\00:06:09.83
That You hear me
00:06:09.86\00:06:13.70
When I call
00:06:13.74\00:06:18.57
Is it true that
You are thinking of me
00:06:18.61\00:06:25.28
How you love me It's amazing
00:06:25.31\00:06:29.88
It's amazing
00:06:29.92\00:06:31.79
It's amazing
00:06:31.82\00:06:33.82
It's amazing It's amazing
00:06:33.86\00:06:37.73
It's amazing
00:06:37.76\00:06:42.23
I am a friend of God
00:06:42.26\00:06:46.13
I am a friend of
God I am a friend of God
00:06:46.17\00:06:52.31
He calls me friend
00:06:52.34\00:06:55.81
I am a friend of
God I am a friend of God
00:06:55.84\00:06:59.55
I am a friend of
God I am a friend of God
00:06:59.58\00:07:05.59
I am a friend of God
00:07:05.62\00:07:07.96
He calls me friend
00:07:07.99\00:07:13.60
God Almighty
00:07:13.63\00:07:17.53
Lord of Glory
00:07:17.57\00:07:21.47
You have called me friend
00:07:21.50\00:07:26.24
God Almighty
00:07:26.27\00:07:29.44
God Almighty
00:07:29.48\00:07:33.68
Lord of Glory
00:07:33.72\00:07:37.72
You have called me friend
00:07:37.75\00:07:42.52
God Almighty
00:07:42.56\00:07:45.69
God Almighty
00:07:45.73\00:07:49.63
Lord of Glory
00:07:49.66\00:07:53.70
You have called me friend
00:07:53.74\00:07:58.37
God Almighty
00:07:58.41\00:08:01.51
God Almighty
00:08:01.54\00:08:05.35
Lord of Glory
00:08:05.38\00:08:09.15
You have called me friend
00:08:09.18\00:08:13.69
I am a friend of God
00:08:13.72\00:08:17.06
I am a friend of God
00:08:17.09\00:08:20.86
I am a friend of God
00:08:20.90\00:08:24.80
I am a friend of God
00:08:24.83\00:08:27.07
He calls me friend
00:08:27.10\00:08:29.64
I am a friend of God
00:08:29.67\00:08:32.71
I am a friend of God
00:08:32.74\00:08:36.58
I am a friend of God
00:08:36.61\00:08:40.55
I am a friend of God
00:08:40.58\00:08:42.85
He calls me friend
00:08:42.88\00:08:44.82
He calls me friend
00:08:44.85\00:08:46.79
He calls me friend
00:08:46.82\00:08:48.82
He calls me friend
00:08:48.86\00:08:50.89
He calls me friend
00:08:50.93\00:08:52.89
He calls me friend
00:08:52.93\00:08:56.56
He calls me friend
00:08:56.60\00:09:03.54
In the darkness we were waiting
00:09:18.42\00:09:22.39
Without hope without light
00:09:22.42\00:09:26.56
Till from
heaven You came running
00:09:26.59\00:09:29.76
There was mercy in Your eyes
00:09:29.80\00:09:34.07
To fulfill the law and prophets
00:09:34.10\00:09:37.51
To a virgin came the Word
00:09:37.54\00:09:41.71
From a throne of endless glory
00:09:41.74\00:09:45.11
To a cradle in the dirt
00:09:45.15\00:09:49.08
Praise the Father
00:09:55.42\00:09:59.36
Praise the Son
00:09:59.39\00:10:03.06
Praise the Spirit
00:10:03.10\00:10:06.84
Three in one
00:10:06.87\00:10:10.74
God of Glory,
00:10:10.77\00:10:14.61
Majesty Praise forever
00:10:14.64\00:10:21.15
to the King of kings
00:10:21.18\00:10:26.72
To reveal the kingdom coming
00:10:30.79\00:10:34.26
And to reconcile the lost
00:10:34.30\00:10:38.37
To redeem the whole creation
00:10:38.40\00:10:41.70
You did not despise the cross
00:10:41.74\00:10:45.91
For even in Your suffering
00:10:45.94\00:10:49.31
You saw to the other side
00:10:49.34\00:10:53.58
Knowing this was our salvation
00:10:53.62\00:10:57.12
Jesus for our sake You died
00:10:57.15\00:11:01.96
Praise the Father
00:11:07.56\00:11:11.27
Praise the Son
00:11:11.30\00:11:15.07
Praise the Spirit
00:11:15.10\00:11:18.77
Three in one
00:11:18.81\00:11:22.54
God of Glory,
00:11:22.58\00:11:26.31
Majesty Praise forever
00:11:26.35\00:11:32.89
To the King of kings
00:11:32.92\00:11:38.16
And the morning that You rose
00:11:42.73\00:11:46.27
All of heaven held its breath
00:11:46.30\00:11:50.31
Till that stone
was moved for good
00:11:50.34\00:11:53.71
For the Lamb had conquered death
00:11:53.74\00:11:58.01
And the dead
rose from their tombs
00:11:58.05\00:12:01.45
And the angels stood in awe
00:12:01.48\00:12:05.59
For the souls of all who'd come
00:12:05.62\00:12:08.99
To the Father are restored
00:12:09.02\00:12:13.09
And the Church
of Christ was born
00:12:13.13\00:12:16.26
Then the Spirit lit the flame
00:12:16.30\00:12:20.34
Now this gospel truth of old
00:12:20.37\00:12:23.71
Shall not kneel shall not faint
00:12:23.74\00:12:27.84
By His blood and in His Name
00:12:27.88\00:12:31.28
In His freedom I am free
00:12:31.31\00:12:35.18
For the love of Jesus Christ
00:12:35.22\00:12:38.42
Who has resurrected me
00:12:38.45\00:12:42.72
Praise the Father
00:12:48.43\00:12:52.20
Praise the Son
00:12:52.23\00:12:55.87
Praise the Spirit
00:12:55.90\00:12:59.54
Three in one
00:12:59.57\00:13:03.35
God of Glory,
00:13:03.38\00:13:06.88
Majesty Praise forever
00:13:06.92\00:13:13.46
To the King of kings
00:13:13.49\00:13:18.09
Praise the Father
00:13:18.13\00:13:21.56
Praise the Son
00:13:21.60\00:13:25.37
Praise the Spirit
00:13:25.40\00:13:28.94
Three in one
00:13:28.97\00:13:32.57
God of Glory, Majesty
00:13:32.61\00:13:39.58
Praise forever
00:13:39.61\00:13:42.68
To the King of kings
00:13:42.72\00:13:47.26
Praise forever
00:13:47.29\00:13:50.26
To the King of kings
00:13:50.29\00:13:57.27
Amen.
00:13:57.30\00:13:58.63
Later when
Peter came to Antioch,
00:14:05.21\00:14:08.04
I had a face to face
confrontation with him
00:14:08.08\00:14:10.98
because he was
clearly out of line.
00:14:11.01\00:14:13.92
Here's a situation.
00:14:13.95\00:14:15.85
Earlier, before certain
persons had come from James,
00:14:15.88\00:14:19.69
Peter regularly
ate with the non-Jews.
00:14:19.72\00:14:23.29
But when that conservative
group came from Jerusalem,
00:14:23.32\00:14:26.26
he cautiously pulled back
00:14:26.29\00:14:27.96
and put as much
distance as he could manage
00:14:28.00\00:14:30.20
between himself and
his non-Jewish friends.
00:14:30.23\00:14:33.17
That's how fearful he was
00:14:33.20\00:14:34.87
of the conservative Jewish
clique that's been pushing
00:14:34.90\00:14:37.84
the old system of circumcision,
00:14:37.87\00:14:40.51
but when I saw that
they were not maintaining
00:14:40.54\00:14:43.14
a steady straight course
according to the message,
00:14:43.18\00:14:46.08
I spoke up to Peter
in front of them all.
00:14:46.11\00:14:48.72
If you ain't Jew,
live like a non-Jew
00:14:48.75\00:14:51.55
when you're not being observed
00:14:51.59\00:14:53.05
by the watchdogs from Jerusalem.
00:14:53.09\00:14:55.22
What right do you have to
require non-Jews to conform
00:14:55.26\00:14:58.99
to Jewish customs just to
make a favorable impression
00:14:59.03\00:15:02.80
on your old Jerusalem buddies.
00:15:02.83\00:15:05.30
How to get along
with the brethren.
00:15:19.38\00:15:24.52
That's just a code word
00:15:24.55\00:15:27.06
for church leaders.
00:15:27.09\00:15:30.23
Someone once quipped to dwell,
00:15:30.26\00:15:34.40
to dwell with the saints above,
00:15:34.43\00:15:36.90
oh, that will be glory.
00:15:36.93\00:15:41.07
But to live with
the saints below, well,
00:15:41.10\00:15:44.71
that's another story.
00:15:44.74\00:15:48.54
We're gonna go to that
another story right now.
00:15:48.58\00:15:52.28
Because it's a
story you have never heard
00:15:52.31\00:15:54.35
presented from a pulpit.
00:15:54.38\00:15:57.42
I am certain.
00:15:57.45\00:16:00.39
It's the story of
the church leaders
00:16:00.42\00:16:04.89
failing Paul in the moment
00:16:04.93\00:16:08.40
of his most critical need.
00:16:08.43\00:16:12.33
Let's pray.
00:16:12.37\00:16:14.44
Oh, God, truth is
we all fail, don't we?
00:16:14.47\00:16:19.57
Yep.
00:16:19.61\00:16:21.71
But from this
failure, may we all learn
00:16:21.74\00:16:27.05
to live together in Jesus
00:16:27.08\00:16:30.85
right now.
00:16:30.89\00:16:33.59
Amen.
00:16:33.62\00:16:35.76
Once upon a time, the
church that Jesus built,
00:16:35.79\00:16:38.79
and then died
for, and then rose for
00:16:38.83\00:16:41.50
and returned to heaven for,
00:16:41.53\00:16:43.90
the church was divided.
00:16:43.93\00:16:46.10
You have the
Jewish Christians here.
00:16:46.13\00:16:48.57
You have the
Gentile Christians here.
00:16:48.60\00:16:53.11
First of all, it
was the Hellenists
00:16:53.14\00:16:54.81
or the Greek widows
00:16:54.84\00:16:56.18
who were complaining
to the Jewish leaders
00:16:56.21\00:16:57.95
of the newly established
Christian community and church,
00:16:57.98\00:17:01.92
that they are being ignored
in the distribution of food.
00:17:01.95\00:17:05.42
And so the brethren,
that would be the apostles
00:17:05.45\00:17:07.79
and the elders
gathered together.
00:17:07.82\00:17:11.36
And actually,
under the inspiration
00:17:11.39\00:17:12.73
of the Spirit, devise a
most ingenious solution,
00:17:12.76\00:17:16.67
a food delivery system,
00:17:16.70\00:17:18.50
a love on the move
system called deacons.
00:17:18.53\00:17:21.47
And it was a smashing success.
00:17:21.50\00:17:24.71
And then an angel
showed up to Peter
00:17:24.74\00:17:27.88
and instructed him
to go to, get this,
00:17:27.91\00:17:30.81
a Gentile pagan
Roman centurion's home,
00:17:30.85\00:17:36.48
and teach that
family the gospel.
00:17:36.52\00:17:39.52
And wouldn't you know it?
00:17:39.55\00:17:41.59
When Peter stands in
Cornelius's ornate mansion,
00:17:41.62\00:17:47.03
the Holy Spirit
pours himself out,
00:17:47.06\00:17:50.60
pours himself out on
those unclean Gentiles
00:17:50.63\00:17:53.84
the same way he had
already poured himself out
00:17:53.87\00:17:56.81
on the Jewish brethren in
the upper room in Pentecost.
00:17:56.84\00:18:00.61
My, my, my!
00:18:00.64\00:18:01.98
What is going on in the church?
00:18:02.01\00:18:05.01
And then Paul and
Barnabas come back
00:18:05.05\00:18:06.95
from that missionary
tour through Asia Minor
00:18:06.98\00:18:09.58
that we relived last Sabbath.
00:18:09.62\00:18:11.75
And they are telling
stories about Gentiles coming in
00:18:11.79\00:18:15.22
and Gentiles and Gentiles
and Gentiles becoming followers
00:18:15.26\00:18:19.49
of Jesus Christ.
00:18:19.53\00:18:20.86
Hallelujah.
00:18:20.90\00:18:23.30
Well, the brethren in
Jerusalem decide we have got
00:18:23.33\00:18:26.47
to have a church council,
00:18:26.50\00:18:28.40
because there were
some of the brethren
00:18:28.44\00:18:30.94
who were declaring that unless
these new Gentile believers
00:18:30.97\00:18:36.01
become circumcised,
and that's a little action
00:18:36.04\00:18:39.08
on the outside of a male,
00:18:39.11\00:18:41.25
unless these new Gentile
members become circumcised,
00:18:41.28\00:18:45.15
they cannot be full-fledged
card carrying Christians.
00:18:45.19\00:18:49.26
No way, Jose.
00:18:49.29\00:18:51.56
But there was another
group of the brethren that said,
00:18:51.59\00:18:53.36
"Wait a minute, wait a
minute, of course they are."
00:18:53.40\00:18:56.77
So it was a big
deal that gathering
00:18:56.80\00:18:59.40
in the city of Jerusalem.
00:18:59.43\00:19:02.17
First they heard the
stories from Paul and Barnabas.
00:19:02.20\00:19:04.77
Then Peter gets up and
tells the story about Cornelius
00:19:04.81\00:19:07.28
all over again.
00:19:07.31\00:19:08.98
And after
hearing all the stories,
00:19:09.01\00:19:10.75
James who's the
numero uno of the brethren,
00:19:10.78\00:19:14.82
he's the head.
00:19:14.85\00:19:17.02
James gets up and
says quiet, quiet.
00:19:17.05\00:19:21.12
You know what?
00:19:21.16\00:19:22.49
We must not make it
so hard for the Gentiles
00:19:22.52\00:19:24.89
to come into the
church of our Lord.
00:19:24.93\00:19:27.36
So I recommend
these three concessions.
00:19:27.40\00:19:31.27
We will limit our
requirements to one abstaining
00:19:31.30\00:19:34.04
from food
offered to idols and two,
00:19:34.07\00:19:38.07
abstaining from
sexual immorality, and three,
00:19:38.11\00:19:41.91
eating only kosher
that's no blood in it meat.
00:19:41.94\00:19:47.08
And all the people prayed.
00:19:47.12\00:19:49.08
And then they said amen.
00:19:49.12\00:19:51.25
And the word went out.
00:19:51.29\00:19:53.15
We've entered a new era
in the life of the church.
00:19:53.19\00:19:57.16
A few months later,
00:19:57.19\00:19:58.99
after Paul and Barnabas
have returned to Antioch
00:19:59.03\00:20:01.53
that church plant that
very hybrid church plant,
00:20:01.56\00:20:04.60
which is half Jewish Christian
00:20:04.63\00:20:06.13
and half Gentile Christian.
00:20:06.17\00:20:08.24
A few months later, Peter,
00:20:08.27\00:20:10.64
one of the brethren comes
up from Jerusalem to the city.
00:20:10.67\00:20:15.78
They're in northern Syria.
00:20:15.81\00:20:18.15
And oh, Peter, remember now
00:20:18.18\00:20:19.85
Peter at the Jerusalem
Council has made it clear
00:20:19.88\00:20:22.78
defending Gentile Christians'
right to join the church.
00:20:22.82\00:20:26.45
And so Peter sits down
00:20:26.49\00:20:27.86
with these new
Gentile Christian members,
00:20:27.89\00:20:30.83
and he eats with them.
00:20:30.86\00:20:32.19
And he laughs with
them, and he prays with them,
00:20:32.23\00:20:34.00
and he tells
stories of Jesus with them.
00:20:34.03\00:20:37.53
He just loved fellow
shipping with those new saints.
00:20:37.57\00:20:42.94
But then, dun, dun, dun.
00:20:42.97\00:20:47.71
Then unexpectedly,
00:20:47.74\00:20:51.18
a delegation from
the brethren in Jerusalem
00:20:51.21\00:20:54.68
shows up.
00:20:54.72\00:20:58.39
And the moment Peter sees it,
00:20:58.42\00:21:02.22
they're probably from
the circumcision party.
00:21:02.26\00:21:04.56
They're probably
from the Pharisee party
00:21:04.59\00:21:07.06
of the new Christian church.
00:21:07.10\00:21:09.20
And the moment Peter sees them,
00:21:09.23\00:21:13.34
he slips away, he slips away
00:21:13.37\00:21:17.17
from the Gentile Christians
and now only fellowships
00:21:17.21\00:21:21.24
with the Jewish Christians,
00:21:21.28\00:21:23.55
and Paul saw it all.
00:21:23.58\00:21:27.58
And he's not going to sit still.
00:21:27.62\00:21:29.75
Open your Bible with me
00:21:29.78\00:21:31.12
to that dramatic story.
00:21:31.15\00:21:32.52
Galatians Chapter 2,
00:21:32.55\00:21:33.89
come on, find it in your Bible.
00:21:33.92\00:21:35.26
It's on your lap right now.
00:21:35.29\00:21:36.62
Pull that Bible
out on your device.
00:21:36.66\00:21:37.99
Galatians Chapter 2,
00:21:38.03\00:21:39.36
you got to see it to believe it.
00:21:39.39\00:21:40.73
This is 2:11,
drop down to verse 11.
00:21:40.76\00:21:44.33
I'll be in the New
International Version
00:21:44.37\00:21:46.40
as we begin reading here.
00:21:46.43\00:21:49.37
Galatians 2:11,
00:21:49.40\00:21:50.91
"And when Cephas
came to Antioch..."
00:21:50.94\00:21:53.27
Now Cephas is
Peter's Aramaic nickname.
00:21:53.31\00:21:57.65
It's not a crazy name.
00:21:57.68\00:21:59.01
It just meant
stone like Peter does,
00:21:59.05\00:22:00.92
rock.
00:22:00.95\00:22:02.28
So we can read, "When
Peter came to Antioch,"
00:22:02.32\00:22:06.55
Paul's writing here," I
opposed him to his face,
00:22:06.59\00:22:09.89
because he stood condemned.
00:22:09.92\00:22:12.23
For before certain
men came from James,
00:22:12.26\00:22:14.46
he used to eat
with the Gentiles.
00:22:14.50\00:22:16.56
But when they
arrived, he began to draw back
00:22:16.60\00:22:19.33
and separate
himself from the Gentiles
00:22:19.37\00:22:21.10
because he was afraid of those
00:22:21.14\00:22:22.60
who belong to the
circumcision group.
00:22:22.64\00:22:25.87
The other Jews joined
Peter in his hypocrisy,
00:22:25.91\00:22:28.71
so that by their
hypocrisy even Barnabas,"
00:22:28.74\00:22:32.25
I'm talking about
my friend Barnabas,
00:22:32.28\00:22:34.62
"even Barnabas was led astray.
00:22:34.65\00:22:36.82
And when I saw that
they were not acting in line
00:22:36.85\00:22:38.82
with the truth of
the gospel, oh boy,
00:22:38.85\00:22:40.56
I said to Peter,
in front of them all,
00:22:40.59\00:22:43.09
'You are a Jew, yet
you live like a Gentile
00:22:43.12\00:22:46.19
and not like a Jew.
00:22:46.23\00:22:47.56
So how was it then
that you force the Gentiles
00:22:47.60\00:22:51.30
to follow Jewish customs?"
00:22:51.33\00:22:53.23
Come on, Pete.
00:22:53.27\00:22:55.30
That's exactly
what you're modeling,
00:22:55.34\00:22:57.04
you are enjoying, you
were enjoying fellowship
00:22:57.07\00:22:59.41
without racial or
religious segregation.
00:22:59.44\00:23:01.78
But as soon as this delegation
shows up from the brethren,
00:23:01.81\00:23:05.31
you turn tail,
00:23:05.35\00:23:07.35
what's going on here?
00:23:07.38\00:23:10.32
And by the way, by
that act, it appears that
00:23:10.35\00:23:12.05
you are now telling
the Gentile Christians,
00:23:12.09\00:23:14.49
you cannot have
full fellowship with us
00:23:14.52\00:23:17.29
unless you are
circumcised like the rest of us.
00:23:17.33\00:23:20.36
Shame on you, Peter.
00:23:20.40\00:23:23.73
Wow! It was a...
00:23:23.77\00:23:26.13
Come on, we all can imagine it
was a painful moment for Peter,
00:23:26.17\00:23:30.47
a painful moment
for Paul, for Barnabas,
00:23:30.51\00:23:33.48
and for everybody in that room
00:23:33.51\00:23:34.84
when Paul is led
by the Holy Spirit
00:23:34.88\00:23:36.85
to call a spade a spade.
00:23:36.88\00:23:40.25
And stands up for what is right.
00:23:40.28\00:23:43.45
But let's be honest,
00:23:43.49\00:23:45.29
the brethren are as
mortal as you and I are.
00:23:45.32\00:23:50.93
And at the end of a long day,
00:23:50.96\00:23:52.29
when they take
off their sandals,
00:23:52.33\00:23:54.46
they have feet of
clay, just like you and me,
00:23:54.50\00:23:57.93
meaning they carry
the same weaknesses
00:23:57.97\00:24:02.20
and foibles we all carry.
00:24:02.24\00:24:05.41
And that's why by the way,
00:24:05.44\00:24:06.78
we love the brethren,
00:24:06.81\00:24:08.14
I love the brethren
because they're just like me,
00:24:08.18\00:24:10.45
they're just like you.
00:24:10.48\00:24:12.75
How to live with the brethren?
00:24:12.78\00:24:15.75
Let me share with
you now five vital ways
00:24:15.78\00:24:18.85
from Paul himself and his life
00:24:18.89\00:24:21.99
and how you and I might
live with the church leaders,
00:24:22.02\00:24:24.39
how we might respond
to our church leaders,
00:24:24.43\00:24:27.06
how we might get along
and sometimes not get along
00:24:27.10\00:24:29.50
so well with our church leaders,
00:24:29.53\00:24:31.17
five how to's.
00:24:31.20\00:24:33.20
Let's share them right now.
00:24:33.23\00:24:35.54
How to number one,
you must know who you are,
00:24:35.57\00:24:39.97
begins with you.
00:24:40.01\00:24:41.34
Paul knows who he is.
00:24:41.38\00:24:42.84
In fact, let's read this
line from 1 Corinthians 15:9-10.
00:24:42.88\00:24:48.82
Paul writes to his
church plant in Corinth for,
00:24:48.85\00:24:51.65
hey, listen guys, I remind you,
00:24:51.69\00:24:53.39
I am the least of the apostles
00:24:53.42\00:24:55.52
and I do not even
deserve to be called an apostle
00:24:55.56\00:24:57.66
because I
persecuted the church of God.
00:24:57.69\00:25:00.03
Yes, I did.
00:25:00.06\00:25:01.40
But by the grace of
God who has forgiven me,
00:25:01.43\00:25:03.57
I am what I am.
00:25:03.60\00:25:06.84
And his grace to me
was not without effect.
00:25:06.87\00:25:09.34
No, I worked
harder than all of them,
00:25:09.37\00:25:11.77
yet not I but the grace of God
00:25:11.81\00:25:14.08
that was in me.
00:25:14.11\00:25:16.04
I am what I am.
00:25:16.08\00:25:19.35
Let me just let that line
hang in front of you and me
00:25:19.38\00:25:21.55
because I need
to get this as well.
00:25:21.58\00:25:23.25
By the grace of
God, I am what I am.
00:25:23.28\00:25:27.49
There is no more
secure position in life
00:25:27.52\00:25:30.53
than to be yourself.
00:25:30.56\00:25:32.79
Please.
00:25:32.83\00:25:34.33
It is a man, it is a woman,
00:25:34.36\00:25:36.13
it is a teen
00:25:36.16\00:25:37.50
who is always trying so
hard to be like someone else
00:25:37.53\00:25:39.83
that is the most insecure
human in our bunch right now.
00:25:39.87\00:25:44.47
Yeah, of course,
sometimes our parents,
00:25:44.51\00:25:49.28
and we love our parents,
00:25:49.31\00:25:50.91
and we seek to please
our parents as we should.
00:25:50.95\00:25:53.75
But sometimes our
parents want us to go one way.
00:25:53.78\00:25:57.22
And but there's
something deep inside of us.
00:25:57.25\00:25:58.89
And we even think it
might be the Spirit of God
00:25:58.92\00:26:01.46
inside of us
says, no, no, no, no,
00:26:01.49\00:26:02.89
you need to go this way.
00:26:02.92\00:26:05.16
Only you and God can decide
what you were wired to be.
00:26:05.19\00:26:08.46
What Paul is reminding us
00:26:08.50\00:26:09.83
is that by the grace
of God, I am what I am.
00:26:09.86\00:26:12.10
I was wired this way.
00:26:12.13\00:26:13.87
I cannot be
Cephas, I cannot be James,
00:26:13.90\00:26:17.14
I cannot be Barnabas, I
cannot be nobody but me.
00:26:17.17\00:26:20.44
I am what I am,
because I was made,
00:26:20.48\00:26:23.01
I was wired.
00:26:23.04\00:26:24.38
I have to
respond to life this way.
00:26:24.41\00:26:26.95
And by the way, I
want to tell you something,
00:26:26.98\00:26:28.75
if you don't show up,
00:26:28.78\00:26:30.39
listen to me carefully.
00:26:30.42\00:26:31.75
If you don't show
up, I'm talking about you
00:26:31.79\00:26:33.79
that was wired a certain way
00:26:33.82\00:26:35.42
and you're fighting
your wiring right now.
00:26:35.46\00:26:37.19
You're fighting it.
00:26:37.23\00:26:38.56
You're letting
others tell you no, no, no,
00:26:38.59\00:26:40.20
you can't be what
you're wired to be.
00:26:40.23\00:26:42.03
If you don't show up,
00:26:42.06\00:26:43.63
nobody will have what you have.
00:26:43.67\00:26:48.10
Because like snowflakes,
the Creator of us all
00:26:48.14\00:26:51.47
makes every
single one of us unique.
00:26:51.51\00:26:55.38
And if you don't show up,
00:26:55.41\00:26:56.81
we'll never have a
Milan ever, ever, ever.
00:26:56.85\00:27:00.88
I read a story
once about a rabbi,
00:27:00.92\00:27:03.35
a rabbi named Ben Ezra.
00:27:03.39\00:27:05.95
And this was so appreciate
that I scribbled it down.
00:27:05.99\00:27:08.56
Ben Ezra, Ben Ezra wrote,
00:27:08.59\00:27:11.73
When I get to
heaven, gave Rabbi Ben Ezra,
00:27:11.76\00:27:16.03
when I get to heaven,
00:27:16.06\00:27:17.47
God is not going to ask me,
00:27:17.50\00:27:19.17
why weren't you more like Moses?
00:27:19.20\00:27:23.47
No, God is gonna ask me.
00:27:23.51\00:27:25.57
Why weren't you
more like Ben Ezra?
00:27:25.61\00:27:29.94
Have you been
spending your life personally,
00:27:29.98\00:27:33.01
or professionally trying
to be like somebody else?
00:27:33.05\00:27:36.48
Quit the charade.
00:27:36.52\00:27:38.42
You were wired to be
who you are right now.
00:27:38.45\00:27:41.79
By the grace of
God, I am what I am.
00:27:41.82\00:27:46.36
And I thank God for it.
00:27:46.39\00:27:49.36
Now the brethren,
I love the brethren,
00:27:49.40\00:27:50.73
some of my best
friends are brethren.
00:27:50.77\00:27:54.37
The brethren once in
a while over the course
00:27:54.40\00:27:55.97
of my short life have
been in touch with me.
00:27:56.00\00:27:59.47
They say, hey,
Dwight, we want you to here.
00:27:59.51\00:28:02.34
Hey, Dwight, we
want you over there.
00:28:02.38\00:28:04.65
Hey, Dwight,
come and be with us.
00:28:04.68\00:28:07.05
And I'm always honored.
00:28:07.08\00:28:08.65
And I always say, thank you, no.
00:28:08.68\00:28:12.62
You know why?
00:28:12.65\00:28:14.36
Because I'm not that.
00:28:14.39\00:28:16.89
I'm a little pastor evangelist.
00:28:16.93\00:28:19.69
That's all I know how to do.
00:28:19.73\00:28:22.76
And so that's
all I'm going to do.
00:28:22.80\00:28:24.73
By the grace of
God, I am what I am,
00:28:24.77\00:28:27.57
and I thank God.
00:28:27.60\00:28:29.40
You can say the
same by the grace of God,
00:28:29.44\00:28:31.97
I am what I am, and I thank God.
00:28:32.01\00:28:34.11
There's nobody
like you in the world.
00:28:34.14\00:28:35.88
If you don't show up,
we will miss you forever,
00:28:35.91\00:28:39.28
because God
will never repeat it.
00:28:39.31\00:28:41.22
He never repeat
it, like the bells.
00:28:41.25\00:28:42.95
This was beautiful
by the way, wasn't it?
00:28:42.98\00:28:44.85
This was beautiful.
00:28:44.89\00:28:46.49
You take if just
one of those bells,
00:28:46.52\00:28:48.42
if you take just one
of these bells, okay?
00:28:48.46\00:28:50.63
If we have everybody
that plays this note,
00:28:54.60\00:28:57.83
if everybody plays this note,
00:28:57.87\00:28:59.20
this is the most
boring music on earth.
00:28:59.23\00:29:00.90
You got to have another
one, you got to have another one
00:29:03.87\00:29:05.71
and you got to have another one.
00:29:05.74\00:29:07.08
If one of those
does not show up,
00:29:07.11\00:29:09.04
we don't have complete music.
00:29:09.08\00:29:11.71
Am I telling the truth or what?
00:29:11.75\00:29:13.58
Of course, by the grace of God.
00:29:13.62\00:29:17.05
I'm this note.
00:29:17.09\00:29:19.45
And I'm part,
I'm part of a choir
00:29:19.49\00:29:23.79
of friends of
Jesus as we just sang,
00:29:23.83\00:29:25.66
I am a friend of God.
00:29:25.69\00:29:27.03
I'm a part of a choir,
00:29:27.06\00:29:28.63
a bell choir that
covers this planet
00:29:28.66\00:29:31.10
and every note is crucial
00:29:31.13\00:29:34.50
for the music to be complete.
00:29:34.54\00:29:38.67
Okay, five ways, five how to's.
00:29:38.71\00:29:42.11
Deliver the brethren.
00:29:42.14\00:29:43.48
Number one, you
must know who you are.
00:29:43.51\00:29:46.08
Number two,
respect your leaders.
00:29:46.11\00:29:48.15
Scribble that down in your mind.
00:29:48.18\00:29:50.49
And so Paul
does here in Galatia.
00:29:50.52\00:29:51.95
In fact, the story that
we just read in the opening
00:29:51.99\00:29:54.49
all around it are these verses,
00:29:54.52\00:29:56.02
I put them on
the screen for you,
00:29:56.06\00:29:57.39
Galatians 1:10,
00:29:57.43\00:29:58.76
"Am I now trying to win
the approval of human beings
00:29:58.79\00:30:00.70
or of God?"
00:30:00.73\00:30:02.06
I don't want to
prove, I don't want to...
00:30:02.10\00:30:04.47
I don't need your
approval, I need only God's,
00:30:04.50\00:30:06.33
that's what Paul is saying.
00:30:06.37\00:30:07.70
It's a good way to live.
00:30:07.74\00:30:09.07
"Or am I trying
to please people?"
00:30:09.10\00:30:10.91
We got a lot of people
pleasers in this culture.
00:30:10.94\00:30:14.44
You don't have to be.
00:30:14.48\00:30:16.31
"Or am I trying
to please people?
00:30:16.34\00:30:17.68
If I were still
trying to please people,
00:30:17.71\00:30:19.15
I would not be a
servant of Christ."
00:30:19.18\00:30:21.18
Keep reading.
00:30:21.22\00:30:22.55
"As for those who
were held in high esteem,
00:30:22.58\00:30:24.45
whatever they were
makes no difference to me,
00:30:24.49\00:30:26.79
God doesn't show favoritism."
00:30:26.82\00:30:28.62
If you're this
part of the brethren
00:30:28.66\00:30:30.79
or this part or not even
part of the brethren at all,
00:30:30.83\00:30:32.39
God doesn't care.
00:30:32.43\00:30:33.76
"God does not show favoritism.
00:30:33.80\00:30:36.00
They added
nothing to my message."
00:30:36.03\00:30:38.27
Keep reading.
00:30:38.30\00:30:39.63
"James, Cephas and John..."
00:30:39.67\00:30:41.00
Now this is not
James, the brother of John.
00:30:41.04\00:30:42.50
He's been beheaded. He's dead.
00:30:42.54\00:30:44.44
He was the first of the
disciples to be martyred.
00:30:44.47\00:30:46.41
This is James the
stepbrother of Jesus,
00:30:46.44\00:30:48.78
James, Peter and John.
00:30:48.81\00:30:51.15
Well, we know
John boy, of course.
00:30:51.18\00:30:53.58
"These esteemed as
pillars gave me and Barnabas
00:30:53.62\00:30:56.99
the right hand of fellowship
00:30:57.02\00:30:58.35
when they recognize
the grace given to me.
00:30:58.39\00:31:00.62
They agreed that we
should go to the Gentiles,
00:31:00.66\00:31:02.82
and they should go
to the circumcised."
00:31:02.86\00:31:04.83
Anybody have a
problem with that?
00:31:04.86\00:31:06.73
Not at all.
00:31:06.76\00:31:08.10
I am what I am, but
I respect my leaders.
00:31:08.13\00:31:12.40
In fact, there'll be an episode
00:31:12.43\00:31:17.54
where Paul will be
arrested in Jerusalem.
00:31:17.57\00:31:21.34
He will end up
before the Sanhedrin,
00:31:21.38\00:31:24.21
the very judicial body
00:31:24.25\00:31:26.48
he was once a
member of they hate Paul,
00:31:26.51\00:31:29.95
because he's a turncoat.
00:31:29.98\00:31:32.49
He will show up
before the Sanhedrin
00:31:32.52\00:31:35.19
and when he goes on trial,
00:31:35.22\00:31:37.79
the retired high priest Ananias
commands one of the guards,
00:31:37.83\00:31:42.03
slap that boy in the face.
00:31:42.06\00:31:45.33
Paul hears this man,
00:31:45.37\00:31:47.20
ask the stranger
maybe a soldier nearby
00:31:47.24\00:31:50.01
slap Paul in the
face and Paul turns,
00:31:50.04\00:31:52.64
Paul turns and he cries
at you whitewashed wall,
00:31:52.67\00:31:56.08
God will strike you.
00:31:56.11\00:31:58.31
And somebody
said, "Don't you know
00:31:58.35\00:32:00.52
that's the high priest."
00:32:00.55\00:32:02.72
Paul immediately apologizes,
00:32:02.75\00:32:05.09
"My lord, I've made a mistake."
00:32:05.12\00:32:07.22
Watch this. I'm
not making this up.
00:32:07.26\00:32:09.19
This is in the trial, Acts 23:5,
00:32:09.22\00:32:10.89
"Paul replied, 'Hey, brothers,
00:32:10.93\00:32:12.93
I did not realize that
he was the high priest,
00:32:12.96\00:32:15.86
for it is written in Exodus 22,
00:32:15.90\00:32:18.03
'Do not speak evil about
the ruler of your people.'"
00:32:18.07\00:32:22.40
Let me iso that line
00:32:22.44\00:32:23.84
so that it hangs in front
of your comprehending mind
00:32:23.87\00:32:26.47
for a moment, do not speak evil
00:32:26.51\00:32:28.68
about the leader of your people.
00:32:28.71\00:32:30.11
I'm going to tell you the truth.
00:32:30.15\00:32:32.28
I have sought to
live by that lie,
00:32:32.31\00:32:34.52
by that line in my ministry.
00:32:34.55\00:32:38.99
Do not speak evil about
the leader of your people.
00:32:39.02\00:32:41.82
Only the line I
learned it's identical to it.
00:32:41.86\00:32:44.19
But it happened
in the Old Testament.
00:32:44.23\00:32:45.86
And David is hiding in a
cave with his gorilla warriors.
00:32:45.89\00:32:50.07
And Saul, King Saul.
00:32:50.10\00:32:53.34
Paul, whose name was Saul
00:32:53.37\00:32:55.57
was named after the
first king of Israel.
00:32:55.60\00:32:57.21
Saul comes into this
cave to relieve himself,
00:32:57.24\00:33:00.04
and David is there.
00:33:00.08\00:33:02.34
And his guerrilla warriors
are there, this is the chance.
00:33:02.38\00:33:05.48
Saul comes in and
David doesn't flinch.
00:33:05.51\00:33:10.59
Emotions is made, don't move.
00:33:10.62\00:33:13.32
And finally Saul leaves.
00:33:13.36\00:33:15.96
And they said,
"Master, what are you thinking?
00:33:15.99\00:33:18.53
This guy has, is
out to destroy you.
00:33:18.56\00:33:20.80
And you could have taken him out
00:33:20.83\00:33:22.90
and ended this bitter war."
00:33:22.93\00:33:24.77
And David's reply, and
this is what I memorize
00:33:24.80\00:33:26.84
to my young ministry.
00:33:26.87\00:33:28.50
David's reply, "How
can I put forth my hand
00:33:28.54\00:33:33.01
and touch the anointed.
00:33:33.04\00:33:36.24
I will not touch the anointed."
00:33:36.28\00:33:38.18
And I made that the motto
of my life for the brethren,
00:33:38.21\00:33:41.65
any leader, any leader,
00:33:41.68\00:33:44.35
I will not put forth my hand
00:33:44.39\00:33:47.19
and touch the anointed.
00:33:47.22\00:33:50.76
Jesus says, if you have
something against somebody,
00:33:50.79\00:33:55.20
you go to him, you go to her
00:33:55.23\00:34:00.14
and you tell her
privately your concern.
00:34:00.17\00:34:02.47
I will not publicly or privately
00:34:05.87\00:34:08.64
take a leader down verbally,
00:34:08.68\00:34:11.28
or any other way.
00:34:11.31\00:34:13.82
I know that's uncomfortable.
00:34:13.85\00:34:15.18
And I sat in a group once
it was tearing apart a leader
00:34:15.22\00:34:17.09
who was not present.
00:34:17.12\00:34:18.45
My philosophy is if
the leader is not here,
00:34:18.49\00:34:20.32
if she is not here,
00:34:20.36\00:34:21.69
if he is not here,
00:34:21.72\00:34:23.06
we're not talking about him.
00:34:23.09\00:34:24.43
You can ask my
staff, get him in a corner,
00:34:24.46\00:34:26.70
say tell me the truth.
00:34:26.73\00:34:28.06
That's the truth.
00:34:28.10\00:34:29.43
If you're not in the
room, we don't talk about you.
00:34:29.46\00:34:32.60
If you're a
leader raised up by God,
00:34:32.63\00:34:35.94
I don't wanna
stretch forth my hand
00:34:35.97\00:34:37.64
and touch the Lord's anointed.
00:34:37.67\00:34:41.38
You know, what
happens, don't you?
00:34:41.41\00:34:44.01
It is a coward to
intimidate to speak up
00:34:44.05\00:34:48.55
to leaders that
tears down that leader
00:34:48.58\00:34:50.75
when the leader is not presence.
00:34:50.79\00:34:53.29
That's coward that's doing that.
00:34:53.32\00:34:56.06
Don't be a coward.
00:34:56.09\00:34:57.69
Matthew 18 says,
you got something, go.
00:34:57.73\00:35:00.93
Take care of it.
00:35:00.96\00:35:03.40
Wow. Respect your leaders.
00:35:03.43\00:35:06.00
And by the way, if you're
going to respect your leaders,
00:35:06.03\00:35:07.44
I do hope you'll pray for them.
00:35:07.47\00:35:08.94
I do.
00:35:08.97\00:35:10.31
I'm at the bottom
of the food chain.
00:35:10.34\00:35:12.21
So I start up way at the top.
00:35:12.24\00:35:14.38
And I know the leader
and his wife and I go down,
00:35:14.41\00:35:16.71
I go down every level
00:35:16.75\00:35:18.18
and I pray for the
leader and his wife,
00:35:18.21\00:35:19.71
the leader and his
wife, the leader and his wife
00:35:19.75\00:35:21.25
all the way down to me
00:35:21.28\00:35:22.62
and then I pray for the
leader on this campus as well,
00:35:22.65\00:35:24.69
that's no big deal.
00:35:24.72\00:35:26.45
But I have found
00:35:26.49\00:35:27.82
that if you're
praying for somebody,
00:35:27.86\00:35:29.19
you are less likely to tear them
00:35:29.22\00:35:32.06
apart and
criticize them privately.
00:35:32.09\00:35:36.00
Pray for your leaders.
00:35:36.03\00:35:37.37
That's what it means
to respect your leader.
00:35:37.40\00:35:39.87
All right.
00:35:39.90\00:35:42.50
There're three of these.
00:35:42.54\00:35:44.51
Here comes number three,
you must know who you are.
00:35:44.54\00:35:46.68
Number one,
respect your leaders.
00:35:46.71\00:35:48.18
Number two, number three,
00:35:48.21\00:35:49.58
stand up for what
you believe is right.
00:35:49.61\00:35:53.45
No matter who the leader is.
00:35:53.48\00:35:55.02
That's what
Paul does with Peter,
00:35:55.05\00:35:57.02
believing
rightfully that Peter's example
00:35:57.05\00:35:58.89
will destroy the
power of the gospel
00:35:58.92\00:36:00.39
they have been preaching.
00:36:00.42\00:36:01.76
And when Barnabas is led astray,
00:36:01.79\00:36:03.59
it just blows Paul's
mind and breaks his heart.
00:36:03.63\00:36:08.66
N.T. Wright in that
marvelous biography of Paul,
00:36:08.70\00:36:11.27
captures the moment
when Paul says in Galatians,
00:36:11.30\00:36:14.24
even Barnabas, watch this.
00:36:14.27\00:36:18.11
Here's Wright dealing with it.
00:36:18.14\00:36:19.47
"The lasting shock of
this moment is concentrated
00:36:19.51\00:36:21.81
in Paul's use of the word even.
00:36:21.84\00:36:24.45
There is pain in that word,
00:36:24.48\00:36:26.31
like someone trying
to take a step on a foot
00:36:26.35\00:36:28.52
with a broken bone in it.
00:36:28.55\00:36:30.39
Even Barnabas!
Barnabas had been with Paul
00:36:30.42\00:36:33.99
through the joys and trials
of the mission in Galatia.
00:36:34.02\00:36:36.62
They had shared everything,
00:36:36.66\00:36:38.59
they had prayed and
worked and celebrated
00:36:38.63\00:36:41.53
and suffered side by side.
00:36:41.56\00:36:43.83
They had themselves welcomed
many non-Jews into the family.
00:36:43.87\00:36:48.17
And now this,"
00:36:48.20\00:36:49.90
Barnabas goes
slinking away following Peter.
00:36:49.94\00:36:53.38
Heartbroken, even Barnabas.
00:36:57.38\00:37:02.35
Paul has to speak up.
00:37:02.38\00:37:03.72
Because if you must,
because you must stand up
00:37:03.75\00:37:05.85
for what you believe.
00:37:05.89\00:37:07.22
If you don't speak up,
00:37:07.26\00:37:08.76
if you don't stand up, who will?
00:37:08.79\00:37:11.13
Everybody's waiting for
you, you might as well do it.
00:37:11.16\00:37:14.80
Speak up, stand up
for what you believe.
00:37:14.83\00:37:19.23
In this day and age
in which the culture wars
00:37:19.27\00:37:21.34
of America have pitted
the wealthy against the poor,
00:37:21.37\00:37:24.67
the resident
against the immigrant,
00:37:24.71\00:37:26.64
the insider
against the outsider,
00:37:26.68\00:37:28.51
the white against the black,
00:37:28.54\00:37:30.01
the male against the female,
00:37:30.05\00:37:31.85
somebody has to become
a voice for the voiceless,
00:37:31.88\00:37:35.12
for the disenfranchised,
for the marginalized,
00:37:35.15\00:37:37.29
for the alienated
and that somebody is you,
00:37:37.32\00:37:40.16
speak up.
00:37:40.19\00:37:44.13
Be that voice for God
00:37:44.16\00:37:46.43
and stand up for
what you believe is right.
00:37:46.46\00:37:49.00
Number four,
00:37:49.03\00:37:50.63
disagree agreeably.
00:37:50.67\00:37:55.57
Paul wrote these
words, was it Ephesians 4:29.
00:37:55.60\00:37:59.67
Good counsel by the way.
00:37:59.71\00:38:01.31
"Do not let any unwholesome
talk come out of your mouths,
00:38:01.34\00:38:06.58
but only what is
helpful for building others up
00:38:06.61\00:38:08.95
according to their
needs that it may benefit
00:38:08.98\00:38:11.55
those who listen."
00:38:11.59\00:38:13.42
Listen, never
say in the morning,
00:38:13.46\00:38:16.39
or in the afternoon
what you will regret
00:38:16.42\00:38:19.33
when you crawl
into bed at night.
00:38:19.36\00:38:23.37
Just don't say it.
00:38:23.40\00:38:25.33
You're no hero.
00:38:25.37\00:38:28.90
Just don't say it.
00:38:28.94\00:38:31.44
And your
conscience will tell you
00:38:31.47\00:38:32.81
whether to say it or
not, trust the Holy Spirit.
00:38:32.84\00:38:37.11
We will not
always agree, I get it.
00:38:37.15\00:38:39.71
But we must always be agreeable.
00:38:39.75\00:38:42.95
Paul and Barnabas fall
apart over the decision,
00:38:42.98\00:38:45.92
we let John Mark come
back onto our team or not?
00:38:45.95\00:38:49.52
Paul says, no way after that,
00:38:49.56\00:38:52.49
that boy who
couldn't stand the heat,
00:38:52.53\00:38:54.73
who can't stand hardship.
00:38:54.76\00:38:56.16
No, we're not
letting him back on the team.
00:38:56.20\00:38:57.77
Barnabas says, "Come on, Paul,
00:38:57.80\00:38:59.13
give me a break
that he's just a boy.
00:38:59.17\00:39:01.40
He's maturing, he'll be..."
00:39:01.44\00:39:03.24
No, yes.
00:39:03.27\00:39:04.61
No, yes.
00:39:04.64\00:39:05.97
It gets so
intense that this word is,
00:39:06.01\00:39:09.44
this word is
actually in the Bible,
00:39:09.48\00:39:11.81
Acts 15:39.
"They had such a sharp,
00:39:11.85\00:39:17.29
such a sharp disagreement
that they parted company."
00:39:17.32\00:39:21.42
And as far as we know,
00:39:21.46\00:39:22.82
they never
worked together again.
00:39:22.86\00:39:28.76
It's okay.
00:39:28.80\00:39:31.13
Jesus says it's
okay to disagree.
00:39:31.17\00:39:35.04
But disagree in
an agreeable way.
00:39:35.07\00:39:39.41
Treat each other like
you'd want to be treated.
00:39:39.44\00:39:42.28
Finally, number five.
00:39:42.31\00:39:46.48
You must know who you are.
00:39:46.51\00:39:50.45
You want to picture that
screen you'll have these five,
00:39:50.49\00:39:53.36
you must know who
you are, number one.
00:39:53.39\00:39:55.99
Number two,
respect your leaders.
00:39:56.02\00:39:59.23
Number three,
00:39:59.26\00:40:00.60
stand up for what
you believe is right.
00:40:00.63\00:40:02.50
Number four, disagree agreeably.
00:40:02.53\00:40:05.53
And finally, number five,
00:40:05.57\00:40:07.87
follow the Leader and
notice the L is capitalized.
00:40:07.90\00:40:12.51
Because we come to
this heartbreaking story.
00:40:12.54\00:40:16.24
Most people ignore it.
00:40:16.28\00:40:18.91
But not a little book called
Sketches on the Life of Paul,
00:40:18.95\00:40:21.98
the veil is pulled
aside and we see dynamics
00:40:22.02\00:40:26.35
that we can easily
recognize ourselves.
00:40:26.39\00:40:30.89
It's one of the
saddest stories in Paul's life.
00:40:30.93\00:40:33.19
What happened
to him when he went
00:40:33.23\00:40:35.20
to all these
Gentile church plants
00:40:35.23\00:40:37.50
that he has personally planted
along with his sidekicks?
00:40:37.53\00:40:42.50
And he says, "Guys,
00:40:42.54\00:40:43.87
they're having this
devastating famine in Jerusalem.
00:40:43.91\00:40:47.18
The brethren are there.
00:40:47.21\00:40:49.14
Let's take an
offering for them."
00:40:49.18\00:40:51.05
Now, Paul's intention is
by the Gentile Christians
00:40:51.08\00:40:53.88
doing this act of
grace, this act of love,
00:40:53.92\00:40:56.89
it will win the hearts,
00:40:56.92\00:40:58.25
it will move the brethren
and they'll say you know what?
00:40:58.29\00:41:02.79
They're part of
the family like us.
00:41:02.82\00:41:05.99
That's what Paul
is hoping and praying.
00:41:06.03\00:41:07.86
But guess what happens
when he walks into Jerusalem?
00:41:07.90\00:41:11.47
We'll let sketches take
over from this point on.
00:41:11.50\00:41:15.14
Let me put it on
the screen for you.
00:41:15.17\00:41:16.67
Fills in the blanks
of a very sad, sad story.
00:41:16.71\00:41:20.21
Sketches from the Life of Paul.
00:41:20.24\00:41:21.58
"The Spirit of God impressed
the minds of the brethren,"
00:41:21.61\00:41:24.71
there it is, "and
affected their hearts
00:41:24.75\00:41:27.62
as they listen
to Paul's report,"
00:41:27.65\00:41:29.85
as he's given the offering.
00:41:29.88\00:41:32.22
"But beneath this
apparent harmony, prejudice
00:41:32.25\00:41:35.12
and dissatisfaction
were still smoldering."
00:41:35.16\00:41:39.09
Fire hasn't gone out.
00:41:39.13\00:41:41.63
"Some in the
church were still striving
00:41:41.66\00:41:44.13
to mold Christianity
after their old customs
00:41:44.17\00:41:47.24
and ceremonies
that were to pass away
00:41:47.27\00:41:49.30
at the death of Christ."
00:41:49.34\00:41:53.14
Isn't that amazing?
00:41:53.17\00:41:55.24
The church is still the same,
00:41:55.28\00:41:57.75
2000 years,
00:41:57.78\00:41:59.81
we have not changed.
00:41:59.85\00:42:02.62
What you're talking about?
00:42:02.65\00:42:03.99
Oh, it says here,
some are still trying
00:42:04.02\00:42:05.69
to preserve the old
customs and ceremonies.
00:42:05.72\00:42:07.86
The truth is, we
still have a hard time
00:42:07.89\00:42:10.36
in letting those
customs and ceremonies go.
00:42:10.39\00:42:15.13
I think of the church today,
00:42:15.16\00:42:17.37
relying upon ancient customs
00:42:17.40\00:42:18.93
and traditions to
defend practice that remands
00:42:18.97\00:42:22.40
a segment of its members
00:42:22.44\00:42:23.81
from sharing in the
ministry of the gospel.
00:42:23.84\00:42:25.41
No, no, no, no, no, you,
you can't serve that way.
00:42:25.44\00:42:29.44
That's only for us.
00:42:29.48\00:42:31.45
You cannot serve that way.
00:42:31.48\00:42:33.78
That's for us.
00:42:33.82\00:42:35.15
"The elders of the
church had been at fault
00:42:38.59\00:42:41.72
in allowing
themselves to be influenced
00:42:41.76\00:42:43.83
by the enemies of the apostles."
00:42:43.86\00:42:46.06
The Sanhedrin and its
spies, they've colored
00:42:46.09\00:42:48.56
the whole brethren in Jerusalem.
00:42:48.60\00:42:52.00
"Now was the
golden opportunity,"
00:42:52.03\00:42:54.14
at the end of Paul's report,
00:42:54.17\00:42:55.50
"for these leading
men to frankly confess
00:42:55.54\00:42:58.51
that they had been wronged,
00:42:58.54\00:43:00.94
that God had
wrought through Paul,
00:43:00.98\00:43:03.71
and that they were wrong
in permitting the reports
00:43:03.75\00:43:06.55
of his enemies to
create jealousy and prejudice
00:43:06.58\00:43:09.28
against him."
00:43:09.32\00:43:10.65
Oftentimes, the
debates of the church
00:43:10.69\00:43:13.02
are about jealousy and pride.
00:43:13.05\00:43:15.96
Not every time.
00:43:15.99\00:43:17.83
Of course not.
00:43:17.86\00:43:19.69
That's what took down Paul,
00:43:19.73\00:43:22.23
jealousy, prejudice.
00:43:22.26\00:43:27.34
We can't change now.
00:43:27.37\00:43:31.71
And instead, what happens?
00:43:31.74\00:43:33.98
James, the stepbrother of Jesus,
00:43:34.01\00:43:36.28
the leader of the brethren,
00:43:36.31\00:43:38.61
sets Paul up to
have to compromise
00:43:38.65\00:43:42.78
his strong
conviction that Mosaic Law
00:43:42.82\00:43:44.62
was no longer
binding on the church.
00:43:44.65\00:43:46.86
Paul, thank you so much
for everything you've done.
00:43:46.89\00:43:49.82
Listen, we have
a little something
00:43:49.86\00:43:51.19
we need you to do.
00:43:51.23\00:43:52.56
Just go through some of
those old purification rites,
00:43:52.59\00:43:54.60
you know, the Mosaic Law,
00:43:54.63\00:43:57.07
will take you about seven days,
00:43:57.10\00:43:58.43
it won't cost you much.
00:43:58.47\00:43:59.80
Just do it.
00:43:59.83\00:44:01.17
Let everybody out there
know you're not down on Moses.
00:44:01.20\00:44:04.77
Okay?
00:44:04.81\00:44:06.54
And Paul, so longing
00:44:06.57\00:44:10.65
to accommodate the
brethren says okay.
00:44:10.68\00:44:14.28
Sketches again.
00:44:19.02\00:44:21.29
"But the advice given by
James to Paul was not consistent
00:44:21.32\00:44:25.33
with what that
decision in Acts 15 had decided.
00:44:25.36\00:44:28.33
The Spirit of God did
not prompt this advice.
00:44:28.36\00:44:31.40
It was the fruit of cowardice."
00:44:31.43\00:44:33.50
Cowardice.
00:44:37.44\00:44:39.94
The brethren were afraid
of the political consequences.
00:44:39.97\00:44:44.58
And so in a political maneuver,
00:44:44.61\00:44:47.25
for the sake of
political expediency,
00:44:47.28\00:44:49.88
the brethren
convinced this intrepid warrior
00:44:49.92\00:44:52.39
for Christ to compromise
his strong conviction,
00:44:52.42\00:44:55.59
all because the
brethren were afraid
00:44:55.62\00:44:58.26
of what the people might say.
00:44:58.29\00:45:00.03
And the authorities might do.
00:45:04.10\00:45:07.27
And Paul, God bless him,
00:45:07.30\00:45:10.21
was willing to go along,
00:45:10.24\00:45:13.68
hoping that they
might then change their ways
00:45:13.71\00:45:16.04
and amend their strategy,
00:45:16.08\00:45:18.58
so that the full
church could participate
00:45:18.61\00:45:23.02
in the life of the church.
00:45:23.05\00:45:24.49
"Paul felt that if he
could by any lawful concession
00:45:30.13\00:45:33.73
on his part win the
brethren to the truth,
00:45:33.76\00:45:36.87
he would remove a
very great obstacle
00:45:36.90\00:45:39.43
to the success of the
gospel in other places."
00:45:39.47\00:45:42.44
So he compromises
his own conviction,
00:45:42.47\00:45:45.44
but he was, listen to this.
00:45:45.47\00:45:48.38
No punches pull for you to side.
00:45:48.41\00:45:50.71
"But he was not
authorized of God
00:45:50.75\00:45:53.52
to concede so
much as they had asked.
00:45:53.55\00:45:57.55
His advisers
were not infallible."
00:45:57.59\00:46:00.49
Now keep reading.
00:46:00.52\00:46:02.49
"Though some of these men wrote
00:46:02.52\00:46:04.33
under the inspiration
of the Spirit of God..."
00:46:04.36\00:46:06.49
Hit the pause
button right there.
00:46:06.53\00:46:07.93
Okay, who in the
brethren in that room,
00:46:07.96\00:46:11.10
who would write under
the inspiration of God?
00:46:11.13\00:46:12.90
Well, that would
be Peter for sure.
00:46:12.93\00:46:14.27
Right? Peter.
00:46:14.30\00:46:15.64
That would be
James and we have a book
00:46:15.67\00:46:17.01
of the New
Testament named after James,
00:46:17.04\00:46:19.37
the stepbrother.
00:46:19.41\00:46:20.74
Jude, the other
stepbrother of Jesus
00:46:20.78\00:46:22.28
has also a book in the Bible.
00:46:22.31\00:46:24.01
John boy who was one of the try,
00:46:24.05\00:46:27.25
try leaders, leadership team,
00:46:27.28\00:46:31.39
John boy who wrote the gospel
00:46:31.42\00:46:33.82
and Revelation.
00:46:33.86\00:46:37.06
Oh, my, what's going
on here? Keep reading.
00:46:37.09\00:46:38.89
"Though some of these men wrote
00:46:38.93\00:46:40.40
under the inspiration
of the Spirit of God,
00:46:40.43\00:46:42.66
yet when not under
its direct influence
00:46:42.70\00:46:46.00
they sometimes erred."
00:46:46.03\00:46:49.47
And now we know that you
can be an inspired writer.
00:46:49.50\00:46:54.74
And when you're not under
the inspiration of the spirit,
00:46:54.78\00:46:58.05
give poor counsel.
00:46:58.08\00:47:00.98
Every word is not inspired.
00:47:01.02\00:47:03.85
It wasn't of
Peter, it wasn't of James,
00:47:03.89\00:47:05.35
it wasn't of John,
00:47:05.39\00:47:06.72
it isn't anybody
else you might think
00:47:06.76\00:47:08.09
of that you
consider an inspired writer.
00:47:08.12\00:47:10.49
I didn't say that.
00:47:14.13\00:47:15.46
They were wrong.
00:47:20.97\00:47:23.84
Cowardice held them back
and the church was set back
00:47:23.87\00:47:26.98
by these beloved
leaders called the brethren.
00:47:27.01\00:47:31.21
In fact, after
Paul was arrested.
00:47:31.25\00:47:33.98
At the end of the seven days,
00:47:34.02\00:47:35.35
they should have known this
is the most recognizable face
00:47:35.38\00:47:36.75
in the Roman Empire right now.
00:47:36.79\00:47:38.12
This guy's gone to
every major city he's shown up
00:47:38.15\00:47:41.16
everybody knows,
there's no social media,
00:47:41.19\00:47:42.92
but they know this
face and he was spotted.
00:47:42.96\00:47:46.43
He almost lost his life.
00:47:46.46\00:47:50.13
There was a plot to assassinate
him on the way to court.
00:47:50.17\00:47:54.00
After Paul was
arrested, and he came,
00:47:59.07\00:48:01.74
and he comes this
close to being executed.
00:48:01.78\00:48:06.58
There's little angle here
that only Sketches points out.
00:48:06.61\00:48:09.45
And I thought you
might need to know.
00:48:09.48\00:48:12.65
"When Peter had
been made a prisoner
00:48:12.69\00:48:15.86
and condemned to death,
00:48:15.89\00:48:17.33
the brethren had offered
earnest prayer to God day
00:48:17.36\00:48:20.93
and night for his deliverance."
00:48:20.96\00:48:22.30
That's Acts Chapter 12.
00:48:22.33\00:48:25.17
"But no such interest was
manifested in behalf of Paul,
00:48:25.20\00:48:30.41
who was looked upon
as an apostate for Moses,
00:48:30.44\00:48:32.91
a teacher of
dangerous doctrines.
00:48:32.94\00:48:35.78
It was not to the elders
whose counsel had brought him
00:48:35.81\00:48:39.15
into this dangerous position
that Paul owed his escape
00:48:39.18\00:48:44.15
from a violent death."
00:48:44.19\00:48:45.82
They did not pray for him,
00:48:45.85\00:48:48.42
jealousy and pride.
00:48:48.46\00:48:51.69
We haven't changed at all.
00:48:51.73\00:48:56.53
They didn't even pray for him.
00:48:56.56\00:48:59.67
This champion
without whom you and I
00:48:59.70\00:49:03.71
would not be here today.
00:49:03.74\00:49:05.97
We would not be here.
00:49:06.01\00:49:07.34
There's not a
Jew in this building.
00:49:07.38\00:49:11.81
It took somebody to
break out of the old customs
00:49:11.85\00:49:14.45
and traditions and say no,
00:49:14.48\00:49:17.19
let them in.
00:49:17.22\00:49:19.05
Let them in.
00:49:19.09\00:49:23.09
And yet guess what?
00:49:23.12\00:49:24.89
Paul forgave the brethren.
00:49:24.93\00:49:29.83
Turns out, it's a
prayer of the cross,
00:49:29.86\00:49:31.93
Father forgive them,
00:49:31.97\00:49:34.04
for they don't know
00:49:34.07\00:49:35.57
what they are doing.
00:49:35.60\00:49:40.18
The prayer of Calvary,
00:49:40.21\00:49:42.28
bloodstain pressed
from the agonizing heart
00:49:42.31\00:49:47.75
of the Savior
Himself before He died.
00:49:47.78\00:49:50.89
That prayer of Calvary
for forgiveness was for you.
00:49:50.92\00:49:54.06
That prayer of Calvary
for forgiveness is for me.
00:49:54.09\00:49:57.59
And that prayer from Calvary
is for the brethren today.
00:49:57.63\00:50:02.60
He forgave us all.
00:50:02.63\00:50:04.53
Jesus forgave us all.
00:50:04.57\00:50:06.07
It's why Paul could forgive.
00:50:09.87\00:50:11.24
When you can
always follow a leader
00:50:16.68\00:50:18.35
you can and must
follow the capital L, Leader.
00:50:18.38\00:50:22.08
Don't follow me.
00:50:22.12\00:50:23.59
I'm a part of the brethren now.
00:50:23.62\00:50:25.79
Don't follow me.
00:50:25.82\00:50:28.16
You follow the
capital L, Leader.
00:50:28.19\00:50:29.99
That's who you follow.
00:50:30.03\00:50:32.29
Paul makes the point
himself in 1 Corinthians 11:1,
00:50:32.33\00:50:35.76
"Follow my example,
00:50:35.80\00:50:37.13
as I follow the
example of Christ."
00:50:37.17\00:50:41.10
Follow the Leader.
00:50:41.14\00:50:43.10
And what is the
mindset of a Leader,
00:50:43.14\00:50:45.14
the capital L, Leader?
00:50:45.17\00:50:46.51
Last line before I
sit down, Philippians 2,
00:50:46.54\00:50:49.94
"Let this mind be in you
which was also in Christ Jesus,
00:50:49.98\00:50:53.92
who made Himself nothing
00:50:53.95\00:50:55.55
by taking the very
nature of a servant."
00:50:55.58\00:50:57.92
You want to be a servant leader,
00:50:57.95\00:50:59.69
then this is what you do.
00:50:59.72\00:51:02.76
"Jesus who humbled Himself
00:51:02.79\00:51:06.36
and became obedient to death,
00:51:06.39\00:51:08.96
even the death of the cross."
00:51:09.00\00:51:13.70
Follow the leader,
the capital L, Leader.
00:51:13.74\00:51:17.74
Follow the Leader.
00:51:17.77\00:51:19.24
And by the way, when you do,
00:51:19.27\00:51:22.11
it will always lead you
00:51:22.14\00:51:26.51
to the cross
00:51:26.55\00:51:28.68
as we will find out next week.
00:51:28.72\00:51:31.92
Let us pray.
00:51:31.95\00:51:33.39
Oh, God,
00:51:33.42\00:51:36.22
give us the heart of Jesus
00:51:36.26\00:51:38.96
that we might love
all, we might forgive all,
00:51:38.99\00:51:43.20
we might embrace all,
00:51:43.23\00:51:45.63
and we might unite
with all in the high calling
00:51:45.67\00:51:48.54
of this hour at the
end of human history.
00:51:48.57\00:51:52.47
We cannot go to
heaven divided and we won't.
00:51:52.51\00:51:56.95
So grant us the
capital L, Leader's grace,
00:51:56.98\00:52:02.55
to follow Him.
00:52:02.58\00:52:04.62
We pray in His name.
00:52:04.65\00:52:08.09
Amen.
00:52:08.12\00:52:09.52
Amen.
00:52:09.56\00:52:12.39
Connect Paul 6
please to this number
00:52:12.43\00:52:15.50
for your electronic Connect card
00:52:15.53\00:52:17.10
269-281-2345.
00:52:17.13\00:52:20.44
When you do, you'll
find these next steps.
00:52:20.47\00:52:24.44
Number one, I want to follow
the leader capital L, Leader,
00:52:24.47\00:52:27.41
even if it means to the
cross, of course, I do too.
00:52:27.44\00:52:30.95
I put a check mark there.
00:52:30.98\00:52:32.31
Number two, I will
pray for the brethren
00:52:32.35\00:52:34.72
by name and position.
00:52:34.75\00:52:36.22
I invite you to do that please.
00:52:36.25\00:52:38.45
Love them through your prayers.
00:52:38.49\00:52:39.82
And finally, number three,
00:52:39.85\00:52:41.36
I want to follow
Jesus in baptism.
00:52:41.39\00:52:43.53
Some of you are thinking,
00:52:43.56\00:52:44.89
baptism is the next step for me.
00:52:44.93\00:52:46.73
Good for you.
00:52:46.76\00:52:49.26
269-281-2345,
00:52:49.30\00:52:51.80
it's all you have to do is text,
00:52:51.83\00:52:53.60
Paul 6 to that number.
00:52:53.64\00:52:56.54
And then you check.
I want to be baptized.
00:52:56.57\00:52:59.81
I want to be a
leader like Jesus.
00:52:59.84\00:53:02.14
I am who I am by His grace
00:53:02.18\00:53:03.91
and by His grace
I will live for Him
00:53:03.95\00:53:05.98
till He comes.
00:53:06.01\00:53:07.48
Amen. Come on
singers, lead us in that song.
00:53:07.52\00:53:10.15
We invite you all to stand
00:53:14.49\00:53:16.26
as we sing the last song.
00:53:16.29\00:53:17.69
Make us one,
00:53:41.45\00:53:45.95
Make us one
00:53:45.99\00:53:50.26
Your will be done
00:53:50.29\00:53:55.03
Make us one
00:53:55.06\00:53:58.67
One with the Father
00:54:19.05\00:54:21.36
One with the Spirit
00:54:21.39\00:54:23.63
One with the Son of God
00:54:23.66\00:54:28.06
One with our sister
00:54:28.10\00:54:30.37
One with our brother
00:54:30.40\00:54:32.63
One family by the blood
00:54:32.67\00:54:35.74
Make us one,
00:54:35.77\00:54:40.24
Make us one
00:54:40.28\00:54:44.45
Your will be done
00:54:44.48\00:54:49.18
Make us one
00:54:49.22\00:54:52.29
One heart with heaven
00:55:03.93\00:55:06.23
One mind connected
00:55:06.27\00:55:08.50
One body unified
00:55:08.54\00:55:12.97
Bind us together now and forever
00:55:13.01\00:55:17.55
Jesus be glorified
00:55:17.58\00:55:20.62
Make us one,
00:55:20.65\00:55:25.05
Make us one
00:55:25.09\00:55:29.36
Your will be done,
00:55:29.39\00:55:34.10
Make us one
00:55:34.13\00:55:38.47
Make us one,
00:55:38.50\00:55:42.94
Make us one
00:55:42.97\00:55:47.04
Your will be done,
00:55:47.08\00:55:51.65
Make us one
00:55:51.68\00:55:56.99
We confess all our offenses
00:55:57.02\00:55:59.29
We confess we've been afraid
00:55:59.32\00:56:01.82
We repent of all our pride
00:56:01.86\00:56:04.13
Let all the hurt be washed away
00:56:04.16\00:56:06.39
For all the wars and violence
00:56:06.43\00:56:08.60
Against our enemy
00:56:08.63\00:56:10.33
Come heal our land
With Your great river
00:56:10.37\00:56:13.10
Restore the
family and make us one
00:56:13.13\00:56:18.94
Make us one
00:56:18.97\00:56:23.01
Your will be done
00:56:23.04\00:56:27.75
Make us one
00:56:27.78\00:56:32.15
Make us one,
00:56:32.19\00:56:36.56
Make us one
00:56:36.59\00:56:40.66
Oh, make us one
00:56:40.70\00:56:45.27
Make us one
00:56:45.30\00:56:49.04
Let Your kingdom come
00:56:49.07\00:56:53.94
Make us one
00:56:53.98\00:56:58.11
Oh, make us one
00:56:58.15\00:57:01.28
We've been really
blessed by the financial support
00:57:07.79\00:57:09.52
that comes from our viewers,
00:57:09.56\00:57:11.03
and we've made a
conscious decision
00:57:11.06\00:57:12.49
not to continually
appeal to you for that support.
00:57:12.53\00:57:16.20
The fact is, as everyone
in the industry will tell you,
00:57:16.23\00:57:18.93
we're needing to make constant
upgrades to our technology.
00:57:18.97\00:57:22.24
So if God has blessed you
00:57:22.27\00:57:23.71
and you'd like to further
the work of this ministry,
00:57:23.74\00:57:25.94
we invite you
to partner with us.
00:57:25.97\00:57:27.44
Not a single penny of
your donation will go to me.
00:57:27.48\00:57:30.28
Every bit of your
gift goes to the mission
00:57:30.31\00:57:32.75
of blessing your
community and our world.
00:57:32.78\00:57:35.08
You can donate on our
website, newperceptions.tv
00:57:35.12\00:57:38.12
or call the number.
00:57:38.15\00:57:39.69
You know the
number 877-HIS-WILL.
00:57:39.72\00:57:42.29
Again, that number is 877,
00:57:42.32\00:57:44.43
the two words HIS-WILL.
00:57:44.46\00:57:46.59
And may the God
who has blessed you
00:57:46.63\00:57:48.13
continue to pour into your life
00:57:48.16\00:57:49.86
the gifts of His
joy and His hope.
00:57:49.90\00:57:52.67
Thank you.
00:57:52.70\00:57:54.04
And I'm looking
forward to seeing you,
00:57:54.07\00:57:55.40
right here, again, next time.
00:57:55.44\00:57:57.41