The title of our message
00:01:02.74\00:01:03.96
is "The
Magnificence of Their Ministry."
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What is it that made the
ministry of the early church
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so powerful, so far reaching?
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"The Magnificence
of Their Ministry."
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The two Christians
huddled together in the dungeon
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that had become their home.
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They knew that soon
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they would be called to
either deny Christ and live,
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or to retain their
belief in Christ and die.
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These two Christian friends made
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a covenant with each other.
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They said that when
our names are called,
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when they call us to burn,
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if the pain is bearable,
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if Jesus helps you through it
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then the one of us that is there
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on the stake
first, if it's bearable,
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we will throw up
our hands not one hand
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but both hands, to
signal to the other,
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that Jesus was
able to sustain us.
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The morning came when
their names were called.
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They looked at each other
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and reminded each
other of the sign,
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the sign that they would
make if the pain was bearable,
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if Christ was able to
see them through this ordeal.
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Neither one of
those young men denied
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their faith in the Lord Jesus.
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And just when it seemed
that the flames, the smoke,
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and the heat had
completely taken its toll,
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when all seem to be finished,
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a chart believer in
Christ not only raised
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his hands but lifted his hand,
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signaling that Christ
was able to sustain them.
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What is it that
made the ministry
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of the early church so powerful?
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And why don't we see
it today? Let's pray.
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Father in
Heaven, we ask you today
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that you will pour out
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your spirit beyond measure.
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That we can
understand from your word.
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How we too can have a ministry
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that is
magnificent for your glory.
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Lord, we ask that
your spirit will convict
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our hearts that
you will teach us,
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and that we will
follow you and Your word.
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In Jesus name we pray, amen.
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Friends we are going
to look at four things
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that made the ministry of
the early church magnificent.
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Four things that
made the early church
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and its work magnificent.
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And then we are
going to find out
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that because of
those four things,
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that their names will be written
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in the
foundations of New Jerusalem.
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The first point we
are going to talk about
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is that the
disciples were effective.
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Their ministry was magnificent
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because their
ministry was more important
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to them than
their physical life.
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The ministry of
the early church,
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the success of the
early church was due important
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to the fact that their ministry
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was more important to them
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than their own physical life.
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Let's open our
Bibles to the New Testament,
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Book of Acts.
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Matthew, Mark, Luke, John,
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Acts, Chapter 20 and verse 24.
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Acts Chapter 20 and verse 24.
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The Bible says here
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in Acts Chapter 20 and
verse 24, Paul is talking.
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Paul says, "None of
these things move me.
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Neither count I my
life dear unto myself,
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so that I might
finish my course with joy
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and the ministry,
which I have received
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of the Lord Jesus
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to testify the
gospel of the grace of God."
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Paul said, "I do not
count my life dear unto me."
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Paul said that when
it comes to making sure
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that people hear the
gospel of Jesus Christ
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that is more important to me
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than my own physical life.
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Friends we know this
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because Paul gave
his life for the gospel.
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It is Paul that said that,
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I am not ashamed of
the gospel of Christ.
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It is Paul that first took
the message to the Gentiles.
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Paul lived his life in
a way that glorified God
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because in Paul's ministry,
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sharing the gospel
of Jesus with others
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was more important to him
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than his own
physical well being.
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There were two
men that were chosen
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at the council in Jerusalem,
to represent the council
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to the gentile
nations. Two men were chosen.
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Let's look at these two
men and why they were chosen.
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Let's go to
Acts, the 15th Chapter.
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Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts,
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we're still in Acts.
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Let's go to Chapter 15 verse 22.
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Acts Chapter 15 verse 22.
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The Bible says, "The pleased
it the apostles and elders,
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with the whole church,
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to send chosen men
of their own company
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to Antioch with
Paul and Barnabas namely,
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Judas surnamed
Barsabas, and Silas,
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chief men among the brethren."
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They choose this
two men Judas and Silas
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to go along with Paul
and Barnabas to the Gentiles.
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Now these two men are chosen,
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because they are chief
men among the brethren.
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What is it that made
these two men standout
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above the rest of
the other followers
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of these new Christian religion?
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What is it that made
these men so different?
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Look at verse 25.
"It seemed good unto us,
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being assembled with one accord,
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to send chosen men unto you
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with our beloved
Barnabas and Paul."
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We are sending chosen men,
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these men weren't
just selected randomly,
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they were chosen.
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They were handpicked individuals
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to go with Paul and Barnabas.
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Verse 26, "Men that
have hazarded their lives
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for the name of
our Lord Jesus Christ."
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The reason that
these two men were chosen
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was because they were chief men.
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What made them chief
men among the brethren?
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The fact that they were
willing to risk their lives
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to share the gospel of
Jesus with other people.
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Verse 26 and the New
International Version
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reads, "Men who
have risked their lives
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for the name of
our Lord Jesus Christ."
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The ministry of
the early church,
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the ministry of the apostles
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was significant and magnificent
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because when it
came to their own life
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or to sharing the
gospel with someone else,
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the gospel came first.
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How is it in
your life my friend?
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Is the gospel
always first in your life?
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Or does the gospel
take second, third, fourth
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and even fifth place.
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Turn with me to
Galatians, Galatians Chapter 2.
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You've turn to the
right from where we were,
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you gonna go through Corinthians
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then you gonna
come to Galatians.
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Galatians
Chapter 2 and verse 20.
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This must be the
Magna Carta of our lives.
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If we want our ministry
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for Jesus Christ
to be magnificent.
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Paul writes here in his
letter to the Galatians.
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Chapter 2 verse 20, "I
am crucified with Christ.
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Nevertheless I live.
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Yet not I, but
Christ liveth in me
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and the life which I
now live in the flesh
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I live by the
faith of the Son of God,
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who loved me, and
gave himself for me."
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Friends, is it possible
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that if we put the
ministry of the gospel
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before our very
own wants and desires,
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that we will see our
churches grow at the rate
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that the early church grew?
00:11:15.42\00:11:17.12
The early churches
ministry was magnificent
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because their
ministry was more important
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to them than
their physical life.
00:11:29.33\00:11:32.16
When a crucified man is
behind a crucified message,
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there are always fresh victories
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for the crucified
risen and glorified Lord.
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Let me read this again.
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When a crucified man is
behind a crucified message,
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there are always fresh victories
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for a crucified
risen and glorified Lord.
00:12:01.29\00:12:07.17
Fresh victories.
00:12:07.18\00:12:08.76
Have you been
crucified with Christ?
00:12:11.60\00:12:13.79
The life that you
now live in the flesh,
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you live by th
faith of the son of God
00:12:18.70\00:12:20.28
that gave His life for you.
00:12:20.29\00:12:21.38
The disciples were effective,
00:12:30.65\00:12:31.97
their ministry was magnificent,
00:12:31.98\00:12:33.28
because it was more important
00:12:33.29\00:12:34.42
to them than
their physical life.
00:12:34.43\00:12:35.93
I can't go and outreach
you at the church this week.
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I can't do it, I got
to go home and take a nap.
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You know that fellowship meals
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weighing heavy on my belly.
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I'm way too busy
to do that Jesus.
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I'm way too busy, you know,
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I got to make a living.
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You can't expect
me to make a living
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and to be that for you.
00:13:05.52\00:13:07.16
Look at the Apostle
Paul, he made tents.
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He made his living
and he did that for Jesus,
00:13:15.47\00:13:18.23
and his
ministry was magnificent.
00:13:18.24\00:13:22.56
Point number two, the
disciples were effective
00:13:22.57\00:13:27.51
in their ministry
and their ministry
00:13:27.52\00:13:29.63
was magnificent,
because it was based
00:13:29.64\00:13:32.78
on divine good news.
00:13:32.79\00:13:38.18
They didn't have a
hordy tordy message.
00:13:38.19\00:13:41.43
They didn't have a message
00:13:41.44\00:13:42.42
that was full of
clowns and craziness.
00:13:42.43\00:13:45.61
They had a message
00:13:48.76\00:13:49.74
that was based
on divine good news.
00:13:49.75\00:13:54.17
The leading truths that
they preached with the life,
00:13:54.18\00:13:56.72
the death and the
resurrection of Jesus Christ.
00:13:56.73\00:14:02.56
The Spirit's
power my friend is never
00:14:02.57\00:14:04.77
manifested unless the
word He inspired is preached.
00:14:04.78\00:14:08.76
The Spirit's power
is never manifested
00:14:08.77\00:14:10.71
unless the word that
spirit inspired is preached.
00:14:10.72\00:14:14.34
The Disciples
Ministry was magnificent,
00:14:17.06\00:14:18.89
because it was
based on divine good news.
00:14:18.90\00:14:21.15
People who believe their doubts
00:14:21.16\00:14:22.79
and doubt their beliefs
00:14:22.80\00:14:24.36
cannot turn the
world upside down.
00:14:24.37\00:14:29.09
People who believe their doubts
00:14:29.10\00:14:30.82
and doubt their beliefs
00:14:30.83\00:14:31.91
cannot be the generation
that turns the world upside down
00:14:31.92\00:14:35.39
and seize Jesus return.
00:14:35.40\00:14:36.85
Acts Chapter 3 and verse 15.
00:14:42.21\00:14:45.23
To the left from
where we're in Galatians.
00:14:45.24\00:14:47.58
Let's turn back
to the Book of Acts,
00:14:47.59\00:14:50.59
Chapter 3 and verse 15.
00:14:50.60\00:14:54.06
The Bible says here,
let's start in verse 12.
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"And when Peter saw it,
he answered unto the people,
00:14:59.52\00:15:01.63
you men of Israel,
why marvel you at this?
00:15:01.64\00:15:04.61
Or why look you
so earnestly on us,
00:15:04.62\00:15:06.37
as though by our
own power or holiness
00:15:06.38\00:15:08.65
we had made this man to walk?
00:15:08.66\00:15:12.47
The God of Abraham,
and of Isaac, and of Jacob,
00:15:12.48\00:15:14.61
the God of our fathers,
has glorified his Son Jesus,
00:15:14.62\00:15:17.86
whom you delivered up,
00:15:17.87\00:15:19.12
and denied him in
the presence of Pilate,
00:15:19.13\00:15:22.04
when he was
determined to let him go.
00:15:22.05\00:15:23.81
But you denied the
Holy One and the Just,
00:15:23.82\00:15:27.08
and desired a murderer
to be granted unto you.
00:15:27.09\00:15:30.44
And killed the Prince of life,
00:15:30.45\00:15:32.40
whom God has
raised from the dead,
00:15:32.41\00:15:34.57
where of we are witnesses."
00:15:34.58\00:15:40.47
Peter is saying right here,
00:15:40.48\00:15:41.89
we saw it with our own eyes.
00:15:41.90\00:15:45.86
We know that this is
true that Jesus was alive,
00:15:45.87\00:15:51.25
He was crucified, He was buried.
00:15:51.26\00:15:53.83
He is alive today.
00:15:53.84\00:15:55.48
We saw it with our eyes,
00:15:55.49\00:15:57.24
we are and I
witness of this account.
00:15:57.25\00:15:59.94
Because these as apostles,
00:16:04.61\00:16:06.26
because the disciples
had been there and seen it,
00:16:06.27\00:16:08.95
they could preach
it with conviction,
00:16:08.96\00:16:11.41
because they knew it was true,
00:16:11.42\00:16:14.04
because they saw it
with their very own eyes.
00:16:14.05\00:16:16.81
You know they say
seeing is believing.
00:16:16.82\00:16:21.52
But we weren't there,
how do we know it's true,
00:16:21.53\00:16:23.57
how do we know?
00:16:23.58\00:16:24.97
We went there, we didn't see it.
00:16:24.98\00:16:27.14
Let's look at Acts
Chapter 4 verse 20.
00:16:31.89\00:16:33.95
This will not
answer the question
00:16:33.96\00:16:35.34
we just asked but
we will answer that.
00:16:35.35\00:16:38.78
Acts Chapter 4
verse 20, the Bible says,
00:16:38.79\00:16:40.96
"For we cannot
but speak the things
00:16:40.97\00:16:42.96
which we have seen and heard."
00:16:42.97\00:16:48.46
Their ministry was
based on the divine good news
00:16:48.47\00:16:51.13
that those men
experienced by being with Jesus,
00:16:51.14\00:16:54.92
they saw it and
they heard. Verse 21,
00:16:54.93\00:17:01.46
"So when they had
further threatened them,
00:17:01.47\00:17:02.94
they let them
go, finding nothing
00:17:02.95\00:17:08.06
how they might punish
them, because of the people
00:17:08.07\00:17:11.36
for all men glorified
God for that which was done.
00:17:11.37\00:17:16.05
For the man was
above forty years old,
00:17:16.06\00:17:17.70
on whom the miracle
of healing was showed."
00:17:17.71\00:17:22.84
These people in
the early church could
00:17:22.85\00:17:25.36
preach with conviction and power
00:17:25.37\00:17:27.27
because they saw
it, they heard it
00:17:27.28\00:17:29.60
and friends they experienced it.
00:17:29.61\00:17:31.65
But where does that leave us,
00:17:31.66\00:17:33.28
we've not
answered that question.
00:17:33.29\00:17:35.33
Let's go to the New
Testament Book of 2 Peter.
00:17:35.34\00:17:39.07
Remember we're talking
about eye witnesses here.
00:17:39.08\00:17:41.93
People who have seen it,
people who have heard it,
00:17:41.94\00:17:44.52
people who felt it,
people that lived through it.
00:17:44.53\00:17:46.89
We're in 2 Peter Chapter 1.
00:17:46.90\00:17:49.95
Second Peter Chapter 1
verse 16 through verse 19.
00:17:49.96\00:17:54.98
The Bible says here in 2
Peter Chapter 1 verse 16,
00:17:54.99\00:17:59.84
"For we have not followed
cunningly devised fables,
00:17:59.85\00:18:04.43
when we made
known unto you the power
00:18:04.44\00:18:06.95
and coming of our
Lord Jesus Christ,
00:18:06.96\00:18:10.12
but were
eyewitnesses of his majesty."
00:18:10.13\00:18:15.32
We didn't
follow some fairy tale,
00:18:15.33\00:18:17.69
we didn't make this up,
00:18:17.70\00:18:19.92
it's not something
that we all can cock it,
00:18:19.93\00:18:22.07
so that people
could be deceived.
00:18:22.08\00:18:24.67
This is something
that we experienced it.
00:18:24.68\00:18:28.56
"We were eye
witnesses of his majesty."
00:18:28.57\00:18:30.81
Verse 17, "For
he received from God
00:18:30.82\00:18:35.56
the Father honour and
glory, when there came such
00:18:35.57\00:18:39.41
a voice to him from
the excellent glory,
00:18:39.42\00:18:42.33
This is my beloved Son,
00:18:42.34\00:18:45.32
in whom I am well pleased."
00:18:45.33\00:18:51.24
"And this voice," verse 18,
00:18:51.25\00:18:53.17
"which came
from heaven we heard,
00:18:53.18\00:18:55.52
when we were with
him in the holy mount."
00:18:55.53\00:18:59.86
They were eye
witnesses, they saw Jesus
00:18:59.87\00:19:03.39
transfigured on the
mount of transfiguration.
00:19:03.40\00:19:06.55
They saw Jesus
hanging on a cross.
00:19:06.56\00:19:08.76
They were the ones that
help get Jesus off the cross.
00:19:08.77\00:19:12.05
They watched Joseph of Arimathea
00:19:12.06\00:19:14.16
laid Jesus in a tomb.
00:19:14.17\00:19:18.60
They went to the
tomb on the third day
00:19:18.61\00:19:21.34
to see if Jesus was there
00:19:21.35\00:19:22.73
and he was gone, hallelujah!
00:19:22.74\00:19:28.25
They were eye witnesses.
This is where we come in.
00:19:28.26\00:19:34.33
Verse 19, the Bibles says here
00:19:34.34\00:19:37.80
in 2 Peter Chapter 1 verse 19,
00:19:37.81\00:19:39.89
"We have also a more
sure word of prophecy,
00:19:39.90\00:19:46.80
we have also a more
sure word of prophecy."
00:19:46.81\00:19:49.73
More sure than
what my dear friend?
00:19:49.74\00:19:51.76
More sure than an
eyewitness account.
00:19:51.77\00:19:57.67
The word of prophecy
that the Bible gives us
00:19:57.68\00:20:00.21
is more sure than
if we had experienced
00:20:00.22\00:20:02.63
what the apostles experienced.
00:20:02.64\00:20:05.83
They can preach with conviction,
00:20:05.84\00:20:07.91
because they knew
the message was true,
00:20:07.92\00:20:10.50
because they lived through it.
00:20:10.51\00:20:11.80
But Peter says right
here to you dear friend,
00:20:11.81\00:20:14.21
to you dear friend,
to those of you at home,
00:20:14.22\00:20:16.67
Peter says to you,
00:20:16.68\00:20:19.65
"We have a more
sure word of prophecy."
00:20:19.66\00:20:24.20
More sure than even
an eyewitness account.
00:20:24.21\00:20:28.62
"Whereunto," verse 19 still,
00:20:28.63\00:20:31.61
"ye do well that you take heed,
00:20:31.62\00:20:34.34
as unto a light that
shineth in a dark place,
00:20:34.35\00:20:37.88
until the day dawn,
00:20:37.89\00:20:38.99
and the day star
arise in your hearts.
00:20:39.00\00:20:42.84
Knowing this first,
00:20:42.85\00:20:44.10
that no
prophecy of the scripture
00:20:44.11\00:20:46.69
is of any
private interpretation.
00:20:46.70\00:20:52.11
For the prophecy
came not in old time
00:20:52.12\00:20:53.93
by the will of man,
but holy men of God spake
00:20:53.94\00:20:56.21
as they were moved
by the Holy Ghost."
00:20:56.22\00:21:00.21
Friends the Disciples Ministry
00:21:00.22\00:21:02.16
was magnificent,
because their ministry
00:21:02.17\00:21:04.78
was more important to them
00:21:04.79\00:21:06.48
than their own
physical well being.
00:21:06.49\00:21:09.38
The Disciples and
the Apostles Ministry
00:21:14.35\00:21:16.49
was magnificent,
because it was based
00:21:16.50\00:21:18.94
on divine good news.
00:21:18.95\00:21:20.83
It was based on
something they had experienced
00:21:20.84\00:21:24.08
something they had gone through.
00:21:24.09\00:21:25.80
I remember when I met
the Lord Jesus Christ.
00:21:35.35\00:21:40.57
I was in the
living room of my home.
00:21:40.58\00:21:43.51
I was sitting on the
armchair of my couch.
00:21:43.52\00:21:46.08
Now you have to understand
00:21:46.09\00:21:47.06
that's very significant for me,
00:21:47.07\00:21:48.70
because probably like you,
00:21:48.71\00:21:50.51
I was raised with
my mother telling me,
00:21:50.52\00:21:52.47
you can sit on the
cushions of the couch
00:21:52.48\00:21:54.21
but not the arm of the couch.
00:21:54.22\00:21:55.89
This day I was so distort,
00:21:55.90\00:21:57.40
I was sitting on
the arm of the couch.
00:21:57.41\00:21:59.61
My children's mother had told me
00:21:59.62\00:22:01.43
that she was moving that
she was going to Tennessee.
00:22:01.44\00:22:04.94
And I left that
mediation session
00:22:08.42\00:22:10.16
where we had
talked with this mediator,
00:22:10.17\00:22:12.01
and I go home and I
sat down on the edge
00:22:12.02\00:22:13.85
of my couch and I
looked up at the ceiling
00:22:13.86\00:22:15.91
and I yelled at God.
00:22:15.92\00:22:19.83
And when I got
finished yelling to God,
00:22:19.84\00:22:21.58
God said listen
00:22:21.59\00:22:22.56
what's keeping you
from your children.
00:22:22.57\00:22:23.93
And I knew exactly
what it was my friends.
00:22:27.02\00:22:30.11
I knew exactly the
things that I was doing.
00:22:30.12\00:22:32.97
And so I made a deal with God.
00:22:32.98\00:22:34.16
Have you ever
made a deal with God?
00:22:34.17\00:22:35.83
Come on you can admit that,
00:22:35.84\00:22:37.26
even if you are at
home, you can admit that,
00:22:37.27\00:22:38.71
maybe there is nobody around,
00:22:38.72\00:22:39.86
you just admit it its true.
00:22:39.87\00:22:42.72
I made a deal
with God. I said God,
00:22:42.73\00:22:45.68
this is what I will do for you.
00:22:45.69\00:22:47.17
You keep my children here,
00:22:47.18\00:22:49.63
and I'll serve you
for the rest of my life.
00:22:49.64\00:22:54.58
God said deal, I said we'll see.
00:22:54.59\00:22:58.84
The first mediation session
we went to was on a Tuesday.
00:22:58.85\00:23:01.86
The next mediation session
we went to was that Friday.
00:23:01.87\00:23:05.21
The first words out
of my children's mother's
00:23:05.22\00:23:07.75
mouth were this,
we are not moving.
00:23:07.76\00:23:13.36
Now just two, three days
before that they were going,
00:23:13.37\00:23:15.73
no ifs, no ands, no buts,
00:23:15.74\00:23:17.26
and then she says we
are not moving, four words.
00:23:17.27\00:23:20.76
And I knew that God
was real, I experienced,
00:23:25.05\00:23:31.28
I experienced the
relationship with Jesus
00:23:31.29\00:23:34.31
that I had not
had prior to that.
00:23:34.32\00:23:36.76
I said right,
God, now what do I do.
00:23:40.02\00:23:42.80
I've made a mess of
this whole life of mine,
00:23:42.81\00:23:45.08
what do I do? He
worked it all along.
00:23:45.09\00:23:50.38
Then here I am preaching
the gospel to you my friend.
00:23:50.39\00:23:54.40
Don't think that you
cannot have a ministry
00:23:57.33\00:23:59.32
that is magnificent
for the Lord Jesus Christ,
00:23:59.33\00:24:01.39
because of your past.
00:24:01.40\00:24:02.73
God knows where you've been,
00:24:02.74\00:24:04.26
but God my friend
cares where you're going.
00:24:04.27\00:24:07.95
He knows where you've been,
00:24:07.96\00:24:09.27
but He cares where you're going
00:24:09.28\00:24:10.57
and that decision is up to you.
00:24:10.58\00:24:15.23
We can't make
that decision for you.
00:24:15.24\00:24:16.93
Your mom can't make
that decision for you,
00:24:16.94\00:24:18.81
your dad can't do
it, your brothers,
00:24:18.82\00:24:20.20
your sisters, your
aunts, your uncles,
00:24:20.21\00:24:21.85
you have to make that decision.
00:24:21.86\00:24:23.23
Six months later I
told my good friend
00:24:26.27\00:24:28.97
Mark Howard, I said Mark
00:24:28.98\00:24:29.96
I can't do this
religion thing anymore.
00:24:29.97\00:24:33.05
It's driving me
crazy. He said good.
00:24:33.06\00:24:37.55
I said what do you mean good.
00:24:37.56\00:24:39.96
He said the honeymoon is over,
00:24:39.97\00:24:40.99
now make your real decision.
00:24:41.00\00:24:42.49
Praise God, we made it.
00:24:46.94\00:24:50.67
Friends, your
ministry can be magnificent,
00:24:50.68\00:24:52.83
if you put your physical life
00:24:52.84\00:24:55.40
behind sharing the gospel.
00:24:55.41\00:25:00.86
Your ministry can be magnificent
00:25:00.87\00:25:02.89
because it is based on the
divine good news that Jesus
00:25:02.90\00:25:06.08
Christ was dead and is alive.
00:25:06.09\00:25:09.15
And we have a more
sure word of prophecy
00:25:14.21\00:25:16.41
than even an eyewitness.
00:25:16.42\00:25:17.99
The third reason that
the Disciples Ministry
00:25:20.71\00:25:24.27
was magnificent was
because the Disciples Ministry
00:25:24.28\00:25:28.54
was based on prayer.
00:25:28.55\00:25:32.05
The Disciple Ministry my
friend was based on prayer.
00:25:32.06\00:25:35.86
Now many times people struggle
00:25:35.87\00:25:37.36
with their prayer
life. What do you say to God?
00:25:37.37\00:25:41.32
Prayer is open in your heart
to God just as your friend.
00:25:41.33\00:25:46.83
Often times when
I'm driving in my car,
00:25:46.84\00:25:48.88
I'll just pretend that
Jesus is sitting next to me
00:25:48.89\00:25:51.37
and I will talk to Him.
00:25:51.38\00:25:52.56
There was an elderly gentleman
00:25:56.44\00:25:57.71
that I was in a hospital
00:25:57.72\00:25:59.71
and his daughter
called the pastor and said,
00:25:59.72\00:26:03.20
please can you
come visit my dad.
00:26:03.21\00:26:07.00
And so the pastor
went over to visit this man
00:26:07.01\00:26:09.91
that was in the
hospital and he goes in
00:26:09.92\00:26:11.84
and he sees if there is a
chair on one side of the bed,
00:26:11.85\00:26:14.11
there is a chair on
the other side of the bed
00:26:14.12\00:26:15.42
and he goes to sit down
in the chair that's closest.
00:26:15.43\00:26:18.72
And the elderly gentleman
00:26:18.73\00:26:20.13
that's in the bed there he says,
00:26:20.14\00:26:21.50
please don't sit in that chair.
00:26:21.51\00:26:22.90
And the pastor
not wanting to upset
00:26:26.80\00:26:28.56
this elderly
gentleman because he knew
00:26:28.57\00:26:30.14
that he didn't have
much longer to live says,
00:26:30.15\00:26:31.90
that's okay I'll
sit on the other side
00:26:31.91\00:26:33.58
and they begin to
talk to each other.
00:26:33.59\00:26:36.48
Then the pastor
gets up the nerve
00:26:36.49\00:26:37.84
and he asks the question.
00:26:37.85\00:26:39.09
Tell me why I couldn't I sit
on the chair next to the bed?
00:26:39.10\00:26:43.88
He said because that's the
chair that Jesus sits here.
00:26:43.89\00:26:49.33
I spend a lot of time
in this room by myself
00:26:49.34\00:26:54.25
and I like talking to
Jesus, and that's his chair.
00:26:54.26\00:27:00.21
They had an incredible visit,
00:27:00.22\00:27:01.54
the pastor went
home and two days later,
00:27:01.55\00:27:04.65
he received the
phone call from the friend,
00:27:04.66\00:27:06.41
took young lady,
please come to the hospital,
00:27:06.42\00:27:09.28
dad is, didn't make it,
he just wanted to get help,
00:27:09.29\00:27:12.39
he was just trying to get help.
00:27:12.40\00:27:13.84
Please come down and he
was just trying to get help.
00:27:13.85\00:27:16.16
The pastor goes
down to the hospital.
00:27:20.77\00:27:24.87
This young lady
that is so distort says,
00:27:24.88\00:27:27.16
dad was just trying to get help.
00:27:27.17\00:27:29.01
He got up out of the bed
00:27:29.02\00:27:30.31
and he tried to get to the door,
00:27:30.32\00:27:32.27
but he fell down here
00:27:32.28\00:27:33.60
and his head was on this chair.
00:27:33.61\00:27:35.04
And the pastor had
the opportunity to share
00:27:38.51\00:27:40.37
with this daughter
that was so distort.
00:27:40.38\00:27:44.20
Who it was that
sat in that chair?
00:27:44.21\00:27:47.18
And in whose lap her
father had rested his head.
00:27:47.19\00:27:53.40
The ministry of the disciples
00:27:53.41\00:27:55.18
of the early
church was magnificent,
00:27:55.19\00:27:57.66
because it was a
ministry based on prayer,
00:27:57.67\00:28:02.88
based on conservations with God.
00:28:02.89\00:28:06.21
We have plenty of preachers,
we need more pleaders.
00:28:06.22\00:28:11.00
We have plenty of
preachers my friends,
00:28:11.01\00:28:12.98
we need more pleaders.
00:28:12.99\00:28:17.22
Turn with me in your
Bibles to Luke 24 and verse 53.
00:28:17.23\00:28:21.24
Matthew, Mark,
Luke 24 and verse 53.
00:28:22.55\00:28:27.39
Luke is before
John, here we are,
00:28:30.00\00:28:34.64
Luke 24 and verse 53.
00:28:34.65\00:28:37.70
"After Jesus has
ascended up into the clouds."
00:28:37.71\00:28:41.18
verse 53, well let's stop,
00:28:41.19\00:28:43.08
let's read in verse
51, "And it came to pass,
00:28:43.09\00:28:46.62
while He blessed them,
He was parted from them,
00:28:46.63\00:28:49.13
and carried up into heaven.
00:28:49.14\00:28:52.07
And they worshipped him,
00:28:52.08\00:28:53.14
and returned to
Jerusalem with great joy.
00:28:53.15\00:28:57.48
And were
continually in the temple,
00:28:57.49\00:28:59.38
praising and
blessing God." Amen.
00:28:59.39\00:29:05.63
They didn't go back
home and mope around.
00:29:05.64\00:29:09.27
They were in the
temple continually
00:29:09.28\00:29:10.88
praising and blessing God.
00:29:10.89\00:29:14.40
They weren't always
end up in a room hiding.
00:29:14.41\00:29:18.04
They were sharing
their faith through prayer,
00:29:18.05\00:29:20.61
through blessing
and praising God.
00:29:20.62\00:29:22.36
Listen prayer
isn't always just asking
00:29:22.37\00:29:24.50
God to give you what you want.
00:29:24.51\00:29:27.34
It's praising God for giving you
00:29:27.35\00:29:28.72
what He has given you.
00:29:28.73\00:29:30.00
Acts Chapter 1 and
verse 14 to the right from
00:29:34.12\00:29:36.95
where we are, Acts
Chapter 1 verse 14.
00:29:36.96\00:29:43.73
The Bible says,
"These all continued with one
00:29:43.74\00:29:46.51
accord in prayer
and supplication,
00:29:46.52\00:29:50.31
with the women, and
Mary the mother of Jesus,
00:29:50.32\00:29:52.62
and with his brethren."
00:29:52.63\00:29:54.44
Friends the ministry of the
early church was magnificent,
00:29:54.45\00:29:59.18
because the
early churches ministry
00:29:59.19\00:30:01.54
was based on prayer.
00:30:01.55\00:30:03.10
There are many of our
saints in our churches.
00:30:07.57\00:30:10.90
They can't go out
and actively witness
00:30:10.91\00:30:13.22
because their knees are too old,
00:30:13.23\00:30:16.05
because their
hips don't work right.
00:30:16.06\00:30:18.90
There are people that
are confined to wheelchairs
00:30:18.91\00:30:21.20
and they think what can I do
00:30:21.21\00:30:22.79
for the gospel of Jesus Christ,
00:30:22.80\00:30:24.96
and the answer is to
pray, to pray and to pray.
00:30:24.97\00:30:28.43
Three points so
far the disciples
00:30:33.53\00:30:35.30
were effective
in their ministry.
00:30:35.31\00:30:37.34
Their ministry was magnificent,
00:30:37.35\00:30:39.08
because it was
more important to them
00:30:39.09\00:30:40.91
than their physical life.
00:30:40.92\00:30:42.72
Is it more important to
you than your physical life?
00:30:42.73\00:30:48.35
And if it is not,
what would keep you
00:30:52.53\00:30:56.85
from making that
decision right now.
00:30:56.86\00:30:59.98
The decision to
say, sharing the gospel
00:31:03.49\00:31:07.48
is more important to me than
00:31:07.49\00:31:08.65
being
embarrassed in a restaurant.
00:31:08.66\00:31:12.21
Sharing the gospel
00:31:12.22\00:31:13.23
is more important to
me than anything else.
00:31:13.24\00:31:17.74
Friend, what is it
that would keep you
00:31:20.04\00:31:23.37
from having a
magnificent ministry.
00:31:23.38\00:31:27.14
The second point, the
disciples, the apostles,
00:31:27.15\00:31:30.88
the early churches
ministry was magnificent,
00:31:30.89\00:31:32.98
because it was
based on divine good news.
00:31:32.99\00:31:37.15
Friends, do you believe
that Jesus died for you.
00:31:42.28\00:31:44.61
Those of you at
home in your living room,
00:31:49.92\00:31:51.46
do you believe that
Jesus gave His life for you.
00:31:51.47\00:31:56.00
The early church believed it.
00:32:02.83\00:32:04.56
Their ministry was
magnificent because of it.
00:32:04.57\00:32:07.43
Point number three, the
disciples, the apostles,
00:32:10.18\00:32:12.82
the early churches
ministry was magnificent,
00:32:12.83\00:32:14.94
because it was a ministry
that was based on prayer.
00:32:14.95\00:32:19.94
Look with me to
Acts Chapter 6 verse 3.
00:32:19.95\00:32:25.08
Acts Chapter 6 and verse 3.
00:32:25.09\00:32:27.93
The Bibles says,
"Wherefore, brethren,
00:32:27.94\00:32:30.33
look ye out among yourself
seven men of honest report,
00:32:30.34\00:32:34.74
full of the Holy
Ghost and wisdom,
00:32:34.75\00:32:36.33
whom we may
appoint over this business.
00:32:36.34\00:32:40.41
But we will give
ourselves continually to prayer,
00:32:40.42\00:32:43.92
and to the
ministry of the word."
00:32:43.93\00:32:48.82
Remember friends,
remember that people
00:32:48.83\00:32:52.10
who doubt their beliefs
and believe their doubts
00:32:52.11\00:32:54.13
will not turn the
world upside down.
00:32:54.14\00:32:58.52
Remember that the
Spirit's power is never
00:32:58.53\00:33:00.56
manifested unless the
word he inspired is preached.
00:33:00.57\00:33:03.62
"Prayer is the
breath of the soul,
00:33:07.62\00:33:09.91
the secret of spiritual power.
00:33:09.92\00:33:12.17
Neglect the exercise of prayer,
00:33:12.18\00:33:14.04
and you lose your hold on God."
00:33:14.05\00:33:16.23
What blessings have
we missed my friend.
00:33:16.24\00:33:20.24
What blessings have we
missed because we do not
00:33:20.25\00:33:22.91
stop to listen to God
speak to us in prayer.
00:33:22.92\00:33:27.77
Many people tell me, you know,
00:33:30.79\00:33:32.24
a prayer with God is
just a one sided conversation.
00:33:32.25\00:33:36.27
And I tell them that's
because you won't be quite
00:33:36.28\00:33:38.62
long enough to listen.
00:33:38.63\00:33:39.60
Friends God
wants to speak to us.
00:33:43.06\00:33:46.71
But many times we don't
give Him the opportunity too.
00:33:46.72\00:33:51.66
The early church had
a magnificent ministry,
00:33:51.67\00:33:54.31
because it was based on prayer.
00:33:54.32\00:33:56.60
The disciples, the apostles,
00:34:01.73\00:34:03.16
the early churches ministry,
00:34:03.17\00:34:04.73
this is point
four was magnificent.
00:34:04.74\00:34:08.19
Because they expected
00:34:08.20\00:34:09.31
Jesus to fulfill
His promise to return.
00:34:09.32\00:34:12.91
They expected Jesus
00:34:12.92\00:34:14.96
to fulfill His
promise to return.
00:34:14.97\00:34:18.94
They expected Jesus to fulfill
00:34:18.95\00:34:22.19
His promise to return,
00:34:22.20\00:34:23.74
and because of that expectation,
00:34:23.75\00:34:27.27
they allowed it
to affect the way
00:34:27.28\00:34:29.23
that they live their lives.
00:34:29.24\00:34:34.25
Turn with me to John Chapter 14,
00:34:34.26\00:34:37.14
to the left from where we are,
00:34:37.15\00:34:40.49
John, the 14th Chapter verse 1.
00:34:40.50\00:34:45.79
Jesus said in John
Chapter 14 and verse 1,
00:34:45.80\00:34:48.08
we know its Jesus speaking here.
00:34:48.09\00:34:51.15
Jesus says, "Let not
your heart be troubled,
00:34:51.16\00:34:54.63
you believe in
God, believe also in me.
00:34:54.64\00:34:58.98
In my Father's
house are many mansions,
00:34:58.99\00:35:02.37
if they were
not so," Jesus says,
00:35:02.38\00:35:04.14
"I would have told you."
00:35:04.15\00:35:06.25
Don't you think I
would have told you that?
00:35:06.26\00:35:09.30
"I go to
prepare a place for you.
00:35:09.31\00:35:12.51
And if I go and
prepare a place for you,
00:35:12.52\00:35:16.02
I will come again, and
receive you unto myself,
00:35:16.03\00:35:19.15
that where I am,
there you may be also."
00:35:19.16\00:35:22.05
Jesus gives this
promise to His disciples.
00:35:26.15\00:35:30.58
John records this
in John Chapter 14,
00:35:30.59\00:35:33.04
so that we can hear
the promise given to us.
00:35:33.05\00:35:37.67
Jesus said hey
look, I'm gonna go away
00:35:37.68\00:35:40.39
and I'm gonna come back
00:35:40.40\00:35:41.41
and then I'm gonna
take you to be where I am,
00:35:41.42\00:35:44.39
because I want
you to be with me.
00:35:44.40\00:35:46.84
My life was lived, so
that you could live with me.
00:35:46.85\00:35:51.68
The disciples believe
Jesus' promise, do you?
00:35:51.69\00:35:55.46
Do you believe that
Jesus is going to come back
00:35:55.47\00:35:57.76
and to take you home?
00:35:57.77\00:36:00.56
Do you believe
that Jesus has a mansion
00:36:00.57\00:36:02.75
reserved for you and it
says, go and right there.
00:36:02.76\00:36:05.79
The disciples believed it.
00:36:12.10\00:36:15.96
When they allowed
it to affect the way
00:36:15.97\00:36:18.59
they lived their lives.
00:36:18.60\00:36:20.75
The promise is repeated
in 1 Thessalonians Chapter 1.
00:36:26.40\00:36:29.78
Turn to the right in your Bibles
00:36:29.79\00:36:31.30
to the T-Section
of the New Testament.
00:36:31.31\00:36:34.13
If you have an English Bible,
00:36:34.14\00:36:35.64
your T-Section is
in alphabetical order.
00:36:35.65\00:36:38.68
And we are going
00:36:38.69\00:36:39.66
to 1
Thessalonians Chapter 1 verse 9,
00:36:39.67\00:36:44.13
1 Thessalonians
Chapter 1 verse 9.
00:36:44.14\00:36:48.40
The Bible says,
00:36:48.41\00:36:49.52
1 Thessalonians
Chapter 1 verse 9.
00:36:49.53\00:36:52.48
"For they themselves show us
00:36:52.49\00:36:54.61
of what manner of
entering in we had unto you,
00:36:54.62\00:36:58.02
and how you
turned to God from idols
00:36:58.03\00:37:00.50
to serve the
living and true God.
00:37:00.51\00:37:03.93
And to wait for
his Son from heaven,
00:37:03.94\00:37:06.04
whom he raised from the dead."
00:37:06.05\00:37:07.60
What are they waiting for?
00:37:07.61\00:37:08.76
They're waiting for the son
00:37:08.77\00:37:10.20
that was risen from
the dead to come back.
00:37:10.21\00:37:14.25
"Even Jesus, which was delivered
00:37:14.26\00:37:16.11
from the wrath to come."
00:37:16.12\00:37:17.47
These people believed
that Jesus was going to return
00:37:17.48\00:37:20.50
and they allowed that fact
00:37:20.51\00:37:22.25
my friend to affect the way
that they lived their lives.
00:37:22.26\00:37:25.94
It wasn't just take life
as it comes for the disciples
00:37:25.95\00:37:29.45
in the early church of
Jesus. No, no, no, my friends.
00:37:29.46\00:37:33.51
Every thought they
had was wrapped in the God
00:37:33.52\00:37:37.68
of Jesus is coming back.
00:37:37.69\00:37:43.25
And because of that
their ministry was magnificent.
00:37:43.26\00:37:45.58
How is it with your ministry?
00:37:45.59\00:37:52.52
How is it?
00:37:52.53\00:37:56.77
Do you allow the fact that Jesus
00:37:56.78\00:37:58.39
is going to
return to affect the way
00:37:58.40\00:38:00.23
that you live your life?
00:38:00.24\00:38:01.32
You know often on some surveys
00:38:01.33\00:38:03.04
when you go to the
door the question is asked.
00:38:03.05\00:38:04.97
If Jesus were to
come back tomorrow,
00:38:04.98\00:38:07.40
would you live your
life any different today
00:38:07.41\00:38:09.65
and always the
answer is yes, yes, yes.
00:38:09.66\00:38:12.52
Why don't we live that way now?
00:38:12.53\00:38:13.80
Why don't we?
00:38:17.11\00:38:19.80
Not one person in
here, not one of us said,
00:38:19.81\00:38:22.85
home or promised or
guaranteed life tomorrow.
00:38:22.86\00:38:27.42
If we would live
our life differently,
00:38:31.47\00:38:33.21
differently if we knew
that it was our last day,
00:38:33.22\00:38:35.12
why not start now?
00:38:35.13\00:38:38.33
Why not make sure that
our ministry is magnificent.
00:38:38.34\00:38:41.12
Why not make sure that
our ministry is magnificent
00:38:45.05\00:38:47.14
because it is more important
to us than our physical life.
00:38:47.15\00:38:51.71
Why not do it,
we can to make sure
00:38:51.72\00:38:53.60
that our ministry is
effective and magnificent,
00:38:53.61\00:38:55.94
because it is based
on divine good news.
00:38:55.95\00:39:01.94
Why can't we spend
more time in prayer,
00:39:01.95\00:39:04.07
less time in front of the TV?
00:39:04.08\00:39:05.95
And why don't we allow the fact
00:39:19.21\00:39:21.37
that Jesus is going to return
00:39:21.38\00:39:24.46
to affect the way that we live.
00:39:24.47\00:39:28.60
Turn with me to the New
Testament Book of 1 John.
00:39:28.61\00:39:31.75
You probably gonna
hit the Book of Revelation
00:39:31.76\00:39:33.50
and have to
back up a little bit,
00:39:33.51\00:39:34.90
but that's okay.
00:39:34.91\00:39:36.30
Just go straight to
the Book of Revelation
00:39:36.31\00:39:37.87
and back up to the left.
00:39:37.88\00:39:40.45
We're going to 1 John,
00:39:40.46\00:39:41.80
1 John Chapter 3
00:39:47.88\00:39:52.06
verses 1, 2, and 3.
00:39:52.07\00:39:56.14
The Bible says in 1
John Chapter 3 verse 1.
00:39:56.15\00:39:59.26
"Behold, what manner
of love the Father hath
00:39:59.27\00:40:01.73
bestowed upon us,
that we should be called
00:40:01.74\00:40:05.26
the sons of God,
therefore the world
00:40:05.27\00:40:07.97
knoweth us not,
because it knew Him not.
00:40:07.98\00:40:12.63
Beloved, now are
we the sons of God,
00:40:12.64\00:40:17.39
and it doth not yet
appear what we shall be,
00:40:17.40\00:40:19.53
but we know that,
when He shall appear,
00:40:19.54\00:40:21.93
we shall be like Him,
00:40:21.94\00:40:22.99
for we shall see Him as He is.
00:40:23.00\00:40:26.49
And every man that
has this hope in himself
00:40:26.50\00:40:32.18
or every man that
has this hope in Him
00:40:32.19\00:40:34.11
purifieth himself,
even as He is pure."
00:40:34.12\00:40:36.83
What hope is that my friend?
00:40:36.84\00:40:38.55
The hope with Jesus
Christ is going to return.
00:40:38.56\00:40:41.46
We must allow that fact
to infiltrate everything
00:40:41.47\00:40:45.27
we do in our lives.
00:40:45.28\00:40:46.88
It will affect
what we watch on TV.
00:40:46.89\00:40:49.08
It will affect when we
listen to on the radio.
00:40:49.09\00:40:50.79
It will affect
the links we click on
00:40:50.80\00:40:52.86
when we're on the
internet in a room alone.
00:40:52.87\00:40:55.60
Now you said I'm
going to meddling
00:40:58.79\00:41:00.40
rather than
preaching, that's okay.
00:41:00.41\00:41:01.79
Sometimes it'd be good
if people would meddle.
00:41:04.65\00:41:06.52
The hope of the
second coming of Jesus Christ
00:41:10.01\00:41:12.21
purifies of us,
because it gives us
00:41:12.22\00:41:14.47
the motivation to live our
lives according to His will.
00:41:14.48\00:41:18.09
Four reasons,
00:41:23.61\00:41:25.53
the Disciples
Ministry was magnificent.
00:41:25.54\00:41:28.58
Can you remember them?
00:41:28.59\00:41:30.24
Number one, the reason
they had a magnificent ministry
00:41:30.25\00:41:34.43
was because their ministry
was more important to them
00:41:34.44\00:41:36.89
than their own
physical well being.
00:41:36.90\00:41:39.93
Many of us will
say it's too cold,
00:41:42.87\00:41:44.66
it's too rainy, it's too hot,
00:41:44.67\00:41:47.68
I want to take a nap,
00:41:47.69\00:41:48.76
not the early
church, no, no, no.
00:41:51.51\00:41:56.82
The disciples were effective,
the apostles were effective,
00:41:56.83\00:42:00.02
the early church was effective
00:42:00.03\00:42:01.43
and their
ministry was magnificent,
00:42:01.44\00:42:02.70
because their ministry
was based on divine good news.
00:42:02.71\00:42:07.75
The Lamb of God
that takes away the sin
00:42:07.76\00:42:09.30
of the world was here.
00:42:09.31\00:42:11.66
He went back to heaven
and He gave us all power.
00:42:11.67\00:42:15.35
We were there, we saw it,
00:42:15.36\00:42:17.45
we experienced it, we felt it.
00:42:17.46\00:42:19.17
The Disciples
Ministry was effective,
00:42:24.43\00:42:26.58
the Apostles
Ministry was effective.
00:42:26.59\00:42:28.38
The early churches ministry
00:42:28.39\00:42:29.47
was magnificent and effective,
00:42:29.48\00:42:30.92
because that was the ministry
that was based on prayer.
00:42:30.93\00:42:33.96
And the Disciples
Ministry was magnificent,
00:42:40.17\00:42:43.50
the Apostles
Ministry was magnificent,
00:42:43.51\00:42:47.14
the early churches
ministry was magnificent,
00:42:47.15\00:42:49.42
because they expected Jesus
00:42:54.40\00:42:55.74
to fulfill His
promise to return. Do you?
00:42:55.75\00:42:59.79
A good friend of
mine, his name is Rod.
00:43:03.86\00:43:05.50
Rod and I worked for
the same trucking company.
00:43:08.25\00:43:10.72
I used to drive
an eighteen-wheeler,
00:43:10.73\00:43:11.82
one of those big
rigs that nobody likes
00:43:11.83\00:43:13.42
to pass when it's
raining, because all the spray
00:43:13.43\00:43:15.45
is coming out, you
know, what I'm talking about.
00:43:15.46\00:43:19.35
I remember when the
Lord Jesus got a hold
00:43:19.36\00:43:21.32
of my heart, when the Lord Jesus
00:43:21.33\00:43:23.66
convicted me that my
life that I was living was not
00:43:23.67\00:43:26.19
what I needed to be doing.
00:43:26.20\00:43:30.00
My life changed.
00:43:30.01\00:43:32.90
Rodney and I
worked at the same place.
00:43:32.91\00:43:37.23
Before my
conversion, before Jesus
00:43:37.24\00:43:40.26
became the most
magnificent part of my life,
00:43:40.27\00:43:45.06
Rodney and I could
be in the warehouse
00:43:45.07\00:43:47.02
just goofing off and
talk and telling the jokes
00:43:47.03\00:43:49.16
the people of the world tell.
00:43:49.17\00:43:52.19
But after conversion,
I didn't want to have
00:43:52.20\00:43:53.82
anything to do with that.
00:43:53.83\00:43:56.78
Rodney didn't even
want to be near me,
00:43:56.79\00:43:58.57
didn't want to talk to me.
00:43:58.58\00:44:02.05
And I remember one day, my boss,
00:44:02.06\00:44:03.90
his name was
Mark, Mark said, Scott,
00:44:03.91\00:44:06.22
I need you and Rodney
to go get another tractor,
00:44:06.23\00:44:10.01
that's the truck that pulls
the trailer, you understand.
00:44:10.02\00:44:12.66
I need you guys
to go get another
00:44:12.67\00:44:14.24
one from the company
that we released them from.
00:44:14.25\00:44:18.16
And I said, now who is going?
00:44:18.17\00:44:19.37
He said you're
going and Rod's going.
00:44:19.38\00:44:20.80
I said give me the keys
00:44:20.81\00:44:24.06
and I don't like
driving too slow,
00:44:24.07\00:44:27.46
but that day instead of,
00:44:27.47\00:44:29.41
it taken us twenty
minutes to getup there,
00:44:29.42\00:44:31.59
it took forty.
00:44:31.60\00:44:34.56
Rodney was a captive
audience in the truck
00:44:34.57\00:44:37.80
and I was begging this brother
00:44:37.81\00:44:39.67
to give his life to Jesus.
00:44:39.68\00:44:43.73
Now we were in a cab-over,
00:44:43.74\00:44:45.11
I don't know if you
know what a cab-over is?
00:44:45.12\00:44:46.33
But it's a truck that
has a flat face on it,
00:44:46.34\00:44:49.04
you know, a just
flat faced truck, woo,
00:44:49.05\00:44:51.97
you know, what I
am talking about.
00:44:51.98\00:44:54.55
And you have to
climb up into those trucks,
00:44:54.56\00:44:56.37
you can't just
step up into them,
00:44:56.38\00:44:57.86
you climb up into those trucks.
00:44:57.87\00:44:59.66
When we pulled
into that service bay
00:44:59.67\00:45:01.12
I was going to fuel the
rig up that I was in then.
00:45:01.13\00:45:04.12
Rodney opens the door
and half way out the door,
00:45:04.13\00:45:06.94
I said Rodney stop.
00:45:06.95\00:45:08.42
What happens if
Jesus comes back tomorrow?
00:45:12.35\00:45:17.64
And he just broke
down and wept my friends.
00:45:17.65\00:45:20.74
Half way out of that
truck he pushes himself
00:45:25.60\00:45:28.66
back into it,
00:45:28.67\00:45:31.96
crying and he gave
his heart to Jesus.
00:45:31.97\00:45:36.84
My friends, we
need to allow the fact
00:45:45.48\00:45:47.91
that Jesus is
coming back to change us.
00:45:47.92\00:45:51.54
Just like the
faithful martyrs of old,
00:46:01.33\00:46:05.85
their names were forever
00:46:05.86\00:46:06.94
been written in
the Heavenly Kingdom.
00:46:06.95\00:46:11.51
Turn with me to
Revelation Chapter 21.
00:46:11.52\00:46:14.91
Revelation, the 21st Chapter.
00:46:14.92\00:46:20.02
Revelation 21 and verse 13,
00:46:20.03\00:46:25.50
Revelation 21:13.
00:46:25.51\00:46:29.09
Talking about the
walls of New Jerusalem.
00:46:29.10\00:46:32.75
Revelation 21 verse 13 says,
00:46:32.76\00:46:34.76
"On the east three
gates, on the north three gates,
00:46:34.77\00:46:39.51
on the south three gates,
and on the west three gates.
00:46:39.52\00:46:45.28
And the wall of the
city had twelve foundations,
00:46:45.29\00:46:49.42
and in them the names of the
twelve apostles of the Lamb."
00:46:49.43\00:46:54.20
The ministry of the apostles
00:46:58.26\00:46:59.80
was so
significant and so magnificent
00:46:59.81\00:47:02.57
that their names were forever
be edged in the foundation
00:47:02.58\00:47:06.36
stones of New Jerusalem.
00:47:06.37\00:47:10.16
Friends, where will
your name be written
00:47:10.17\00:47:13.33
when Jesus Christ comes back?
00:47:13.34\00:47:17.74
Will your ministry
be a ministry of such
00:47:17.75\00:47:20.13
a nature that
Jesus will say to you,
00:47:20.14\00:47:22.62
"Well done, thou
goodand faithful servant."
00:47:22.63\00:47:28.16
There will be two
groups of people praying
00:47:28.17\00:47:30.27
when Jesus returns.
00:47:30.28\00:47:32.17
One group will be crying
for the rocks to fall on them
00:47:32.18\00:47:35.40
and the other
group will be saying Lo,
00:47:35.41\00:47:37.33
this is our God, we
have waited for Him.
00:47:37.34\00:47:40.05
Where will your
names be written?
00:47:48.19\00:47:52.70
Will the stones
fall on you my friend?
00:47:52.71\00:47:55.06
Or will your name be
written in the stones?
00:47:55.07\00:47:59.23
Turn with me to 1
Peter Chapter 2 and verse 5,
00:48:02.51\00:48:05.73
that's just a little to
the left from where we are.
00:48:05.74\00:48:08.04
First Peter Chapter 2,
00:48:11.86\00:48:13.91
let's begin reading
in verse 2, 1 rather.
00:48:13.92\00:48:17.31
First Peter Chapter 2 verse 1,
00:48:17.32\00:48:18.77
"Wherefore
laying aside all malice,
00:48:18.78\00:48:20.62
and all guile, and hypocrisies,
00:48:20.63\00:48:21.75
and envies, all evil speakings.
00:48:21.76\00:48:24.24
As newborn babes,
desire the sincere milk
00:48:24.25\00:48:26.80
of the word, that
you may grow thereby.
00:48:26.81\00:48:29.13
If so be ye have tasted
that the Lord is gracious.
00:48:29.14\00:48:33.70
To whom coming, as
unto a living stone,
00:48:33.71\00:48:37.01
disallowed indeed of men,
00:48:37.02\00:48:39.83
but chosen of God, and precious.
00:48:39.84\00:48:43.13
Ye also, as lively stones,
00:48:43.14\00:48:48.12
are built up a spiritual house,
00:48:48.13\00:48:53.35
an holy priesthood, to offer up
00:48:53.36\00:48:55.16
spiritual sacrifices,
00:48:55.17\00:48:57.03
acceptable to
God by Christ Jesus."
00:48:57.04\00:49:02.48
My friends will you
be one of those stones
00:49:02.49\00:49:05.42
that are used to build
the spiritual house of God?
00:49:05.43\00:49:09.14
Where will you be,
when Jesus returns?
00:49:16.56\00:49:21.76
Will your ministry,
00:49:21.77\00:49:23.82
is your ministry magnificent?
00:49:23.83\00:49:28.49
And if not what would keep you
00:49:28.50\00:49:32.37
from making it magnificent?
00:49:32.38\00:49:37.84
It's a simple choice.
00:49:37.85\00:49:41.27
Either you
choose to follow Jesus
00:49:41.28\00:49:44.29
and have the most
magnificent ministry
00:49:44.30\00:49:46.77
or you choose
to follow the world
00:49:46.78\00:49:50.30
and pretend to have
a magnificent ministry.
00:49:50.31\00:49:54.20
You can fool your friends,
00:49:54.21\00:49:55.44
you can fool your
mom, you can fool your dad,
00:49:55.45\00:49:57.24
but you can't fool God.
00:49:57.25\00:49:58.58
How is it with you my friend?
00:50:03.18\00:50:04.47
Do you believe
Jesus is coming soon?
00:50:10.48\00:50:12.21
How is it with you?
00:50:17.44\00:50:21.46
Do you spend time in prayer?
00:50:21.47\00:50:23.01
How is it with you?
00:50:29.45\00:50:30.50
Do you believe in
the divine good news?
00:50:36.36\00:50:39.36
And how is it with you, and you?
00:50:43.18\00:50:47.44
Is the gospel more
important to you than your life?
00:50:53.73\00:50:56.13
Those two Christians
00:51:04.52\00:51:08.57
that threw up their arms
00:51:08.58\00:51:12.24
had a ministry
that was magnificent.
00:51:12.25\00:51:14.61
How about you?
00:51:18.89\00:51:19.92
He's a London businessman,
named Lindsay Clegg.
00:51:26.32\00:51:33.09
Lindsay Clegg was a
salesman, he sold property.
00:51:33.10\00:51:38.41
There was a particular warehouse
00:51:38.42\00:51:41.12
that he needed to sell.
00:51:41.13\00:51:43.83
And it had been on the
market for quite sometime
00:51:43.84\00:51:45.95
and as buildings who aren't,
that aren't occupied normally
00:51:45.96\00:51:49.68
go through this
type of disaster.
00:51:49.69\00:51:51.24
People began to
break the windows,
00:51:51.25\00:51:53.63
they began to
try open the doors,
00:51:53.64\00:51:56.17
to allow trash and
leaves to go inside.
00:51:56.18\00:51:59.56
Yet this
property would not sell,
00:52:03.83\00:52:06.10
no matter how
low the price went,
00:52:06.11\00:52:08.62
the property would not sell.
00:52:08.63\00:52:11.62
One day Lindsay Clegg
got a call from the man
00:52:11.63\00:52:17.66
that said I would
like to see this warehouse.
00:52:17.67\00:52:21.30
So Lindsey, Lindsey
00:52:25.02\00:52:26.38
took this man to the warehouse.
00:52:26.39\00:52:32.35
He showed him the warehouse.
00:52:32.36\00:52:35.24
He assured him,
00:52:35.25\00:52:36.26
I'll replace the
doors, that's no problem.
00:52:36.27\00:52:39.38
The trash that's on the inside
00:52:39.39\00:52:40.84
we can sweep it
out, that's no problem.
00:52:40.85\00:52:44.28
The windows that are
broken, we will make sure
00:52:44.29\00:52:45.87
that we get
those windows replaced,
00:52:45.88\00:52:48.30
so that you don't have
to worry about that expand,
00:52:48.31\00:52:50.50
expense that's no problem.
00:52:50.51\00:52:51.84
Detail after
detail Lindsay Clegg,
00:52:55.49\00:52:58.88
reassured this buyer of all
the things that he would fix.
00:52:58.89\00:53:02.71
The buyer said,
forget about the repairs,
00:53:06.30\00:53:09.72
forget about the repairs.
00:53:09.73\00:53:10.89
I don't care about the doors.
00:53:10.90\00:53:12.71
I don't care about the windows.
00:53:12.72\00:53:13.79
I don't care
about the trash inside.
00:53:13.80\00:53:16.16
I don't care about the
cracks in the foundation.
00:53:16.17\00:53:19.54
I don't care about
the rust on the beams.
00:53:19.55\00:53:23.51
I don't care about the
peeling paint on the outside.
00:53:23.52\00:53:26.67
I don't care about
the leak in the roof.
00:53:26.68\00:53:28.66
When I buy this place Mr. Clegg,
00:53:32.56\00:53:36.79
I'm going to build
something completely different.
00:53:36.80\00:53:40.97
It's not the
building that I want,
00:53:40.98\00:53:46.58
it's the site.
00:53:46.59\00:53:48.93
It's not the
building that I want,
00:53:48.94\00:53:50.73
he said it's the site.
00:53:50.74\00:53:52.60
I want to build
something completely new.
00:53:52.61\00:53:55.03
Compared with the
renovation that God has in mind,
00:53:59.76\00:54:02.71
our efforts to
improve our own lives
00:54:02.72\00:54:05.34
are as trivial as
sweeping an old warehouse.
00:54:05.35\00:54:09.40
When we become God's,
the old life is over.
00:54:13.45\00:54:17.35
He makes all things new.
00:54:17.36\00:54:19.88
Second Corinthians
Chapter 5 verse 17.
00:54:19.89\00:54:25.21
"If any man be in Christ,
00:54:25.22\00:54:26.65
he is a new creature,
00:54:26.66\00:54:27.78
old things are passed away
behold, all has become new."
00:54:27.79\00:54:31.13
My friends I've said it
once, I'll say it again.
00:54:31.14\00:54:33.41
Jesus knows where you've been,
00:54:33.42\00:54:36.08
but Jesus cares
where you're going.
00:54:36.09\00:54:37.96
Friend what would keep you today
00:54:44.44\00:54:46.03
from giving King Jesus
00:54:50.08\00:54:55.25
permission to build in you?
00:54:55.26\00:54:58.76
What would keep you
today from allowing King Jesus
00:55:04.04\00:55:07.91
to make you what
He created you to be?
00:55:07.92\00:55:10.36
Friend what would keep you
00:55:22.33\00:55:23.48
from allowing
Jesus to have your site.
00:55:28.89\00:55:33.91
Not the building,
00:55:33.92\00:55:35.72
He wants to build something new.
00:55:35.73\00:55:37.29
He wants to make you a
new creature in Christ Jesus.
00:55:41.19\00:55:47.55
The four points, my
friend, the disciples,
00:55:47.56\00:55:51.08
the early churches
ministry was magnificent
00:55:51.09\00:55:53.03
because they were
willing to die for it.
00:55:53.04\00:55:57.91
The early churches
ministry was magnificent
00:55:57.92\00:55:59.86
because it was based
on the divine good news
00:55:59.87\00:56:02.24
that Jesus Christ had
come, that He had died,
00:56:02.25\00:56:05.58
that He had been
resurrected to third day
00:56:05.59\00:56:07.12
and He would
promise to come back.
00:56:07.13\00:56:11.15
The disciples, the
early churches ministry
00:56:11.16\00:56:12.90
was magnificent
because it was a ministry
00:56:12.91\00:56:14.58
that was based on prayer.
00:56:14.59\00:56:16.94
The Disciples
Ministry was magnificent,
00:56:21.02\00:56:23.45
the early churches
ministry was magnificent
00:56:23.46\00:56:25.48
because they
expected Jesus to fulfill
00:56:25.49\00:56:27.56
His promise to return. Do you?
00:56:27.57\00:56:33.43
Their names will forever
be written in New Jerusalem.
00:56:33.44\00:56:36.82
Jesus says, that you can
be one of those lively stones
00:56:36.83\00:56:40.22
that build up
His spiritual house.
00:56:40.23\00:56:42.05
Is it your desire to give Jesus,
00:56:47.28\00:56:53.67
the site to build on?
00:56:53.68\00:56:58.81
If that is your desire,
won't you raise your hand
00:56:58.82\00:57:01.80
where you sit or
even if you were at home?
00:57:01.81\00:57:04.60
And let King
Jesus know that you want
00:57:04.61\00:57:06.43
your ministry to be magnificent.
00:57:06.44\00:57:12.53
Jesus sees those hands.
00:57:12.54\00:57:15.34
Praise God, my friends.
00:57:15.35\00:57:17.13