Can you believe it?
00:00:02.35\00:00:03.72
Can you build your faith on it?
00:00:05.29\00:00:07.08
The promises of
God's Word are sure.
00:00:08.78\00:00:12.26
They do not fail.
00:00:12.56\00:00:15.17
This Book has
stood the test of time.
00:00:17.45\00:00:20.81
Gracious Father,
00:00:30.23\00:00:31.60
we come to You today
00:00:33.04\00:00:34.93
to express our thanks
00:00:36.36\00:00:38.86
for the presence of Your Spirit.
00:00:39.16\00:00:41.77
Also, Lord, to
open our hearts to You.
00:00:43.34\00:00:45.99
Lord, we ask
that each of us here
00:00:48.09\00:00:51.98
may make sure
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that we're right
with Jesus Christ.
00:00:57.63\00:01:00.71
Lord, may I know
00:01:02.09\00:01:04.91
that if my heart was
to stop beating right now
00:01:05.31\00:01:08.73
that everything
would be right with Jesus.
00:01:10.08\00:01:12.60
As we study Your Word,
00:01:13.00\00:01:15.56
we ask that You
will give us insight,
00:01:15.96\00:01:19.08
You'll give us understanding.
00:01:19.48\00:01:21.90
Pray that we might see all
that Jesus wants to do for us.
00:01:23.77\00:01:27.60
We ask that Your blessing
might rest with each individual
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here today. For this
we ask in Your name, Amen.
00:01:33.44\00:01:38.88
In the Christian life
00:01:46.93\00:01:49.00
it is absolutely necessary
00:01:49.30\00:01:52.34
that you grow.
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There is no such thing
in the walk with the Lord
00:01:54.60\00:01:59.95
as standing still.
00:02:00.25\00:02:02.55
That doesn't exist.
00:02:02.95\00:02:04.75
If your Christian
experience is not moving ahead,
00:02:05.15\00:02:09.38
then it's going backwards.
00:02:09.68\00:02:11.75
So it is necessary
that you and I continue
00:02:12.99\00:02:17.70
day by day to grow.
00:02:17.90\00:02:20.62
The scripture tells us
in Ephesians 4 verse 15:
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So the Bible just simply says
that you and I need to grow up.
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Growth is not
something that is instantaneous.
00:02:38.99\00:02:42.48
Growth is something that takes
place over a period of time.
00:02:43.79\00:02:47.52
There is no such thing
00:02:47.82\00:02:50.42
as instantaneous sanctification.
00:02:50.62\00:02:55.09
Justification... yes.
00:02:56.14\00:02:58.51
When you give your
heart to the Lord Jesus Christ
00:02:58.81\00:03:02.17
then at that moment
your sins are forgiven.
00:03:02.47\00:03:06.55
You are justified, you are
made right with Jesus Christ.
00:03:06.58\00:03:11.44
But from that moment on
it is a walk with Jesus.
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It is a growth day by day.
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That is necessary
in the Christian life.
00:03:22.11\00:03:25.02
So you and I are
to grow in grace.
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You are to realize that as
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one who has accepted Christ
00:03:41.91\00:03:44.31
that that is the most
important thing in your life
00:03:44.51\00:03:47.60
is your
relationship with Jesus Christ.
00:03:48.82\00:03:51.24
That is the most
important thing that you have
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and therefore it is necessary
that you do those things
00:03:55.48\00:04:00.79
that will cause
growth to take place.
00:04:00.99\00:04:04.30
Those are important.
00:04:04.60\00:04:06.45
There are two men in the Bible,
00:04:06.76\00:04:09.62
two men other than Jesus Christ,
00:04:09.92\00:04:12.45
that you never read anything
that they ever did wrong.
00:04:12.76\00:04:17.49
Now the Bible is unique
in the fact that it tells
00:04:18.76\00:04:23.56
the good and bad of people.
00:04:23.76\00:04:25.89
I mean it doesn't just tell the
good; it tells the bad as well.
00:04:26.19\00:04:29.76
But there's two men that you
can't read where they ever did
00:04:29.86\00:04:32.56
anything wrong. One
of those was Joseph.
00:04:32.66\00:04:35.65
You read the life of
Joseph... it doesn't ever
00:04:35.95\00:04:39.17
tell about anything
that Joseph did wrong.
00:04:39.38\00:04:41.81
Now true enough,
he was a human being
00:04:42.02\00:04:44.48
and as a human
being we are all sinners.
00:04:44.69\00:04:48.39
We all come short of the
glory of God, so there's no
00:04:48.59\00:04:51.45
question he did things wrong...
00:04:51.55\00:04:53.09
but the scripture
doesn't record it.
00:04:53.29\00:04:55.42
OK? So you've got an
example in the life of two men
00:04:55.72\00:05:00.65
that will help you and
I in our Christian life.
00:05:00.75\00:05:03.51
And it says this about Joseph:
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Well now that may sound
like a very simple statement.
00:05:13.30\00:05:16.73
There are great,
great truths in that.
00:05:16.94\00:05:21.23
When it says that
he is "a fruitful bough
00:05:21.47\00:05:24.91
by a... " What? "by a well. "
00:05:25.11\00:05:30.77
We'll come back
and talk to that.
00:05:30.97\00:05:32.34
Because of being a
fruitful bough by a well
00:05:32.42\00:05:36.30
his branches ran over the wall.
00:05:36.50\00:05:40.02
Great, great truth in that.
00:05:40.32\00:05:43.30
Grew. His experience grew.
00:05:43.51\00:05:46.95
He stayed close to the Lord
00:05:47.25\00:05:48.91
and as a result of that
his branches ran over the wall.
00:05:49.21\00:05:54.10
The other person that
the scripture mentions
00:05:54.41\00:05:57.41
that you can't read anything
where he ever did anything wrong
00:05:57.61\00:06:01.30
was Daniel.
00:06:01.50\00:06:02.87
And it says
this... Daniel 6 verse 10:
00:06:03.15\00:06:05.53
The decree had
gone forth from the king
00:06:28.28\00:06:30.56
that nobody was to pray to
any other god but the king.
00:06:30.86\00:06:36.26
That was it.
00:06:36.67\00:06:38.89
But Daniel's custom
was to pray every day.
00:06:39.19\00:06:42.30
It didn't stop him,
didn't deter him one bit, folks.
00:06:42.70\00:06:46.65
He went up with
his windows open.
00:06:46.95\00:06:49.15
He didn't even close them.
00:06:49.26\00:06:50.63
Left the windows
open and prayed to his God
00:06:50.82\00:06:53.99
as his custom was. OK?
00:06:54.09\00:06:57.14
There are some very important
things about what Daniel did
00:06:57.38\00:07:01.11
that is necessary for you
and I in our Christian growth.
00:07:01.31\00:07:05.67
OK... what is necessary?
00:07:06.07\00:07:08.41
What do I have to do
for my spiritual experience
00:07:12.35\00:07:17.24
to grow? What is necessary?
00:07:17.44\00:07:19.45
Well, to begin with, it says:
00:07:19.66\00:07:21.58
So it makes it
very clear that as babes
00:07:29.83\00:07:33.04
you and I need
the milk of the Word.
00:07:33.24\00:07:36.29
This is it! That's what I need.
00:07:37.35\00:07:40.31
You can't really grow
spiritually without it.
00:07:40.51\00:07:43.91
So you've got to
take the milk of the Word
00:07:44.85\00:07:48.74
and drink of it if
you're going to grow.
00:07:49.04\00:07:52.50
And dear friend, if that Bible's
laying there on the coffee table
00:07:53.00\00:07:58.49
or if it's in the closet
00:07:59.96\00:08:01.54
if it's gathering dust,
dust it off and get in it.
00:08:02.34\00:08:08.00
You know, spend
time in the Word of God.
00:08:08.49\00:08:12.57
There's some very simple
things about the Word of God.
00:08:12.87\00:08:16.54
The Bible is necessary.
00:08:16.74\00:08:20.33
It does a lot of things
for us, the scripture does.
00:08:20.53\00:08:23.47
And so you need to get a Bible.
00:08:23.78\00:08:26.34
Get one, folks,
that you can understand.
00:08:26.54\00:08:28.72
OK? What I've been preaching
to you here five weeks out of
00:08:28.82\00:08:33.18
is what's called the
New King James version.
00:08:33.48\00:08:36.07
Why do I use the
New King James version?
00:08:36.27\00:08:38.52
I use the New King James
version because I grew up
00:08:38.72\00:08:42.92
on the old King James.
00:08:43.12\00:08:45.07
That's how I grew up.
In fact, when I was a boy
00:08:45.37\00:08:48.63
I had a difficult time with this
00:08:48.73\00:08:50.78
because my mother...
00:08:50.98\00:08:52.73
You know, I didn't
appreciate it and didn't like it
00:08:54.09\00:08:56.53
but now as I got older
00:08:56.73\00:08:58.80
I realized what
invaluable help it was.
00:08:59.00\00:09:01.93
But she would make me...
She would make me sit down
00:09:02.14\00:09:05.79
and read to her the scripture.
00:09:05.99\00:09:07.62
I mean, she would make
me read several chapters
00:09:08.02\00:09:10.70
to her out loud.
00:09:11.00\00:09:12.42
You know, and I
detested that as a young person.
00:09:12.72\00:09:16.87
I didn't want to do
that at all, but she insisted
00:09:17.01\00:09:20.06
that I read to her.
And I can still remember
00:09:20.26\00:09:21.98
I'd read it just as
fast as I could read it.
00:09:22.18\00:09:24.36
You know? But boy, those texts
00:09:24.66\00:09:27.87
that I read to her over and over
00:09:28.07\00:09:30.46
they stuck. You
know, they stayed there.
00:09:30.76\00:09:33.73
And now great, great
help because those texts come
00:09:34.03\00:09:37.14
flooding back. So spend
time in the Word of God.
00:09:37.24\00:09:42.11
It has tremendous
effect upon your life.
00:09:42.41\00:09:45.32
Speaking of those in Berea
00:09:46.58\00:09:50.76
it says they were faithful
because they did something.
00:09:51.06\00:09:55.93
It says here in Acts 17:11:
00:09:56.13\00:09:58.25
They heard Paul;
they heard Silas speak.
00:10:14.54\00:10:17.30
But they got the scriptures
and they checked it out
00:10:17.50\00:10:20.68
and they studied the scripture
to see if what was being
00:10:20.88\00:10:23.38
preached to them was so.
00:10:23.49\00:10:25.29
That's what you need to do.
00:10:25.59\00:10:27.36
I've stood up here
and preached to you,
00:10:27.66\00:10:29.87
but you need to open
the Word of God and see
00:10:29.97\00:10:32.11
what I told you
if it's true or not.
00:10:32.21\00:10:34.16
You do not build
your belief on a preacher.
00:10:34.46\00:10:38.87
You build your
belief on the Word of God.
00:10:40.20\00:10:42.99
What... what in this
text that I just read you
00:10:43.39\00:10:47.28
other than the fact that they've
spent time in the Word of God
00:10:47.58\00:10:50.96
is important? There's one
word there you ought to pay
00:10:51.16\00:10:54.63
special attention to.
Yeah... that word "daily. "
00:10:54.74\00:10:59.36
They did it daily.
00:10:59.76\00:11:01.78
It wasn't something
that was spasmodic with them.
00:11:02.08\00:11:05.64
Wasn't something
they did once in a while
00:11:05.84\00:11:07.61
but they did it daily.
00:11:07.81\00:11:09.93
And you and I need to spend
time in the Word of God daily.
00:11:10.13\00:11:15.59
So important that you do.
00:11:15.82\00:11:17.26
I learned a long time ago
00:11:17.56\00:11:22.88
that you've got to
give it special priority.
00:11:23.18\00:11:25.51
Why do you have to
give it special priority?
00:11:25.81\00:11:27.95
You know why?
00:11:29.70\00:11:31.07
You have to give it special
priority because the devil
00:11:31.36\00:11:33.88
will do everything he can to
keep you from doing it daily.
00:11:34.08\00:11:36.68
I can assure you: he'll
bring up everything he can -
00:11:37.87\00:11:41.59
every way - to try to
keep you from doing that.
00:11:41.89\00:11:45.79
But I decided that if
I could eat physically -
00:11:47.02\00:11:51.32
I seem to find time
to do that every day -
00:11:51.62\00:11:54.98
if I could do that, I could
spend time eating spiritually
00:11:55.18\00:11:59.29
every day. And so
I made a decision.
00:11:59.39\00:12:01.95
I said: "OK, if I do not
spend time eating spiritually
00:12:02.15\00:12:07.51
I don't eat physically. "
00:12:07.71\00:12:09.90
And since that day
I've found time to do both.
00:12:10.30\00:12:13.16
So, you know, open
up the Word of God.
00:12:13.56\00:12:16.85
Spend time in it daily.
00:12:17.05\00:12:20.18
Make all the difference
in the world in your life.
00:12:20.58\00:12:23.90
You see, the scripture
is your defense against sin.
00:12:24.10\00:12:28.58
Did you know that?
00:12:29.82\00:12:31.19
The scripture is
your defense against sin.
00:12:31.49\00:12:34.77
If you're having a hard
time - struggling - over some
00:12:35.07\00:12:39.26
particular sin
that plagues your life,
00:12:39.36\00:12:42.33
spend time in the Word of God.
00:12:42.53\00:12:45.13
This is what the scripture says:
00:12:45.33\00:12:46.86
"Your Word have I hidden
in my heart that I might not
00:12:47.16\00:12:51.23
sin against You. "
00:12:51.53\00:12:53.54
"Your Word have I hid in
my heart that I might not
00:12:53.74\00:12:56.56
sin against You. "
00:12:56.76\00:12:58.13
That is simply
what the Word does.
00:12:58.40\00:13:00.69
I take it into my life
and it builds, it helps.
00:13:00.99\00:13:03.69
I grow spiritually,
00:13:04.69\00:13:07.03
and as I grow it's
a defense against sin.
00:13:07.33\00:13:10.13
That's the way
you meet temptation.
00:13:10.43\00:13:12.52
Did you know that?
00:13:14.08\00:13:15.83
I run onto people who seem
to think you meet temptation
00:13:16.85\00:13:21.68
by will power.
00:13:21.88\00:13:23.25
No... you don't.
00:13:23.30\00:13:25.78
You meet
temptation by the Word of God.
00:13:26.08\00:13:28.45
That's how you meet it.
00:13:28.65\00:13:30.02
In fact, that's
the way Jesus met it.
00:13:30.05\00:13:32.42
If you don't think that
He didn't meet it that way,
00:13:33.56\00:13:35.89
listen to the temptation
where the devil has come to Him.
00:13:36.20\00:13:40.76
Said, you know: "If
You're the Son of God,
00:13:41.06\00:13:44.60
turn these stones into bread.
00:13:45.78\00:13:49.00
Haven't had anything
to eat for 40 days. "
00:13:49.30\00:13:51.75
"It is written. " Are
you getting the point?
00:14:02.64\00:14:06.50
I mean, when the
temptation was there
00:14:06.60\00:14:09.16
He went to the Word of
God, said "It is written,
00:14:09.36\00:14:11.57
man shall not
live by bread alone. "
00:14:11.87\00:14:15.07
You know? I mean
that's where He went.
00:14:15.37\00:14:17.44
The devil wasn't
satisfied with that.
00:14:17.64\00:14:19.39
"but by every word that proceeds
out of the mouth of God. "
00:14:19.69\00:14:22.68
And then it says that
the devil took Him where?
00:14:22.98\00:14:28.43
OK. It says:
00:14:29.73\00:14:32.18
To the Lord he said...
you know, took Him to the
00:14:32.38\00:14:36.41
pinnacle of the temple...
said: "Cast yourself off. "
00:14:36.51\00:14:38.65
In fact He quoted...
Jesus is quoting the scripture,
00:14:38.95\00:14:43.22
quoted the devil
scripture. Said: "It is written,
00:14:43.42\00:14:45.77
man shall not live by bread
alone. " So the devil said:
00:14:45.87\00:14:48.33
"OK, You want to quote
scripture. Why over here in
00:14:48.43\00:14:51.71
Psalms it says He'll give
His angels charge over you
00:14:51.81\00:14:55.51
lest you dash your
foot against a stone.
00:14:55.72\00:14:57.63
Jump off! See if He will. "
00:14:57.93\00:15:00.11
And Jesus
responded... Jesus said to him:
00:15:00.41\00:15:03.40
"It is... " OK, see,
coming back with scripture.
00:15:03.50\00:15:07.90
Said: "That's it. "
Then the devil said: "Well,
00:15:11.95\00:15:15.56
if I can't get Him that way. "
00:15:15.66\00:15:17.09
Took Him to an
exceeding high mountain.
00:15:17.29\00:15:19.81
Showed Him all the
kingdoms of this world.
00:15:20.02\00:15:23.46
Said: "I'll give it all to you
00:15:23.86\00:15:26.86
if You'll just fall
down and worship me. "
00:15:27.06\00:15:30.51
Every time... EVERY TIME...
Jesus went to the Word of God.
00:15:47.45\00:15:51.37
So dear friends, that's
where you and I have to stand.
00:15:51.77\00:15:54.88
When the temptation
comes, we've got to go to the
00:15:55.08\00:15:57.47
Word of God. That's
where you've got to go.
00:15:57.57\00:15:59.63
This is what the Word of God
says... this is where I stand.
00:15:59.83\00:16:03.75
This is where my faith
is is in the Word of God.
00:16:03.95\00:16:07.92
If I do that, then
it's a defense against sin.
00:16:08.42\00:16:13.44
Then it helps me begin to grow.
00:16:13.78\00:16:16.33
How can you get acquainted
with Him if you never spend
00:16:24.99\00:16:28.97
any time with Him?
00:16:29.07\00:16:30.64
I've never understood that.
00:16:30.94\00:16:32.31
You know? How can you
get acquainted with Jesus
00:16:33.52\00:16:36.26
if you don't
spend time with Him?
00:16:36.66\00:16:39.21
In fact, Jesus said that's the
way you got acquainted with Him.
00:16:39.51\00:16:42.45
Said: "These are the
ones that testify of Me. "
00:16:57.79\00:17:01.67
So if you want to
come to know Jesus Christ,
00:17:01.87\00:17:04.00
then you've got to
spend time in the Word of God.
00:17:04.21\00:17:06.87
That makes all the
difference in the world.
00:17:07.27\00:17:09.89
I can tell you
right now, dear friends,
00:17:10.19\00:17:12.57
it's Jesus Christ that makes
the scripture come to life.
00:17:12.87\00:17:18.69
It's Jesus
Christ that puts meaning
00:17:19.86\00:17:23.69
into the Christian life.
00:17:23.89\00:17:25.59
It's Jesus Christ that
brings peace to your heart.
00:17:25.90\00:17:30.58
It's Jesus Christ
that puts joy in your soul.
00:17:30.88\00:17:35.44
And if you have
religion without Jesus Christ,
00:17:35.74\00:17:40.05
I'm sorry... I'm sorry but
you don't have those things
00:17:40.25\00:17:44.92
because religion without
Jesus doesn't bring peace.
00:17:46.11\00:17:51.65
It brings fear.
00:17:52.05\00:17:54.03
You see, religion
without Jesus doesn't bring joy.
00:17:55.23\00:18:00.49
It does away with those things.
00:18:00.79\00:18:03.06
It's Jesus that
makes it real in every way.
00:18:03.26\00:18:06.83
So dear friends, I'm going to
tell you if you're going to grow
00:18:16.20\00:18:19.04
in Jesus Christ, you're
going to have to spend some time
00:18:19.14\00:18:22.26
in the Word of God
daily... on a regular basis.
00:18:22.36\00:18:27.02
I've had many of you
come up to me and say:
00:18:27.26\00:18:28.96
"Oh Brother Cox, I've
enjoyed the meetings so much.
00:18:29.06\00:18:31.10
My Christian
experience has been enriched.
00:18:31.41\00:18:34.28
Helped me so much. "
00:18:34.58\00:18:36.39
Folks, let's be real
honest with one another.
00:18:36.69\00:18:40.84
That has nothing to
do with the preacher.
00:18:41.04\00:18:43.71
Has nothing to do
with the preacher at all.
00:18:44.11\00:18:47.19
It only has to do with
the fact that you're spending
00:18:48.35\00:18:50.81
more time in the Word of God.
00:18:51.01\00:18:53.08
That's what it has to do with.
00:18:53.38\00:18:54.93
You see, your interest
is not in the preacher.
00:18:55.23\00:18:57.79
If a Western Union
boy comes to your door
00:18:58.19\00:19:00.74
knocking on the door, what
are you interested in most?
00:19:00.94\00:19:02.81
The Western Union
boy or the message?
00:19:03.01\00:19:04.87
OK, that's all I am
is a Western Union boy...
00:19:06.01\00:19:08.63
nothing more. OK?
00:19:08.83\00:19:10.71
That's it. So spend
time in the Word of God.
00:19:11.01\00:19:15.07
Learn what it has to
say because it's in it
00:19:15.37\00:19:18.94
that you become
acquainted with Jesus Christ.
00:19:19.14\00:19:21.83
You must not...
You MUST NOT, folks...
00:19:22.13\00:19:24.95
And those of you that are
being baptized, those of you
00:19:25.05\00:19:27.38
have come here and some 275
of you or so that have accepted
00:19:27.58\00:19:33.17
Jesus Christ as
your personal Savior
00:19:33.27\00:19:35.31
and you're born
into the kingdom of God,
00:19:35.51\00:19:37.23
you're born into the
kingdom of God as babes.
00:19:37.33\00:19:39.98
OK? But please:
don't stay a baby.
00:19:40.28\00:19:44.78
You know? We all love babies.
00:19:45.79\00:19:49.06
We pick them up, love
them. They're wonderful.
00:19:49.46\00:19:51.94
But if it stays a baby, there's
something seriously wrong.
00:19:52.14\00:19:56.11
OK? We want it to grow.
00:19:56.41\00:19:59.31
And you must grow in
your Christian experience.
00:19:59.61\00:20:01.76
If you don't,
then it's not right.
00:20:02.06\00:20:04.86
So don't stay a baby... grow!
00:20:05.16\00:20:07.94
How do you do that?
00:20:08.24\00:20:09.66
I've given you a mixture here.
00:20:19.80\00:20:21.62
I've given you some milk
00:20:21.82\00:20:23.70
and I've given some of you
00:20:23.80\00:20:25.17
some solid food. OK?
00:20:25.20\00:20:27.44
But nevertheless, you
don't need to just stay on milk.
00:20:27.67\00:20:31.50
You need to get on solid food.
00:20:31.80\00:20:33.40
So it's saying: If
all you get is milk,
00:20:54.79\00:20:58.17
well then you're just a babe.
00:20:58.47\00:21:01.90
You need to get
into some solid food.
00:21:02.21\00:21:05.75
That means you need to spend
time studying the Word of God.
00:21:06.05\00:21:09.72
"But solid food belongs to
those who are of full age. "
00:21:09.92\00:21:15.44
So dear friend, get
into the Word of God.
00:21:15.74\00:21:18.40
Begin to study it.
00:21:18.60\00:21:19.97
All right. What does it do?
00:21:29.73\00:21:33.45
You take a tree when
it sprouts... comes up.
00:21:36.65\00:21:41.27
Just a very, very
small twig... a tree.
00:21:41.57\00:21:45.49
A child can go and pull it up.
00:21:46.57\00:21:49.96
Not difficult. I
mean, when it comes up
00:21:51.39\00:21:53.35
and it's just a little twig
a child can reach and get hold
00:21:53.55\00:21:56.21
of that tree and
pull it out of the ground.
00:21:56.31\00:21:58.05
But you let that tree grow
00:21:59.30\00:22:02.56
and you let it
become a mighty oak
00:22:02.86\00:22:07.51
and ten men can't move it.
00:22:07.71\00:22:10.36
That's the same thing in
the Christian experience.
00:22:10.76\00:22:13.78
That's what
Jesus was talking about
00:22:14.74\00:22:16.81
when He talked about
the sower that sowed seed.
00:22:17.21\00:22:19.85
And He said that it
sprung up, remember? Sprung up.
00:22:20.15\00:22:23.98
But He said: "It
didn't have much root. "
00:22:24.18\00:22:27.84
And it says
when the sun came out
00:22:28.14\00:22:30.39
and persecution came
it withered up and died.
00:22:30.59\00:22:33.71
You see, you've come here.
You've read the Word of God.
00:22:34.01\00:22:37.76
You've seen it on the
screen; you've studied it.
00:22:37.96\00:22:40.01
And you have reached out in
faith and given your heart to
00:22:40.21\00:22:42.68
Jesus Christ. It's as
a twig that's come up.
00:22:42.78\00:22:47.26
But you mustn't stay there;
you've got to put down roots.
00:22:47.56\00:22:51.57
When you put down roots, then
the tree begins to get solid
00:22:51.97\00:22:56.59
and fast and no one
can shake it or move it.
00:22:56.79\00:22:59.89
That's what you and I are to be.
00:23:00.19\00:23:02.05
My faith must be based on the
Word of God. I must stand there.
00:23:02.15\00:23:06.68
That's what I must believe.
00:23:06.88\00:23:08.79
And if I do that,
then it becomes solid.
00:23:09.09\00:23:12.75
I grew up... When we left
Chicago we moved to Oklahoma.
00:23:13.88\00:23:18.29
I grew up in the
southeast part of the state.
00:23:19.62\00:23:23.43
In the southeast part of the
state they have what's called
00:23:24.32\00:23:26.95
strip mines. I don't
know if you've ever heard
00:23:27.16\00:23:29.93
of what is called a
strip mine or strip pit.
00:23:30.03\00:23:33.36
But fields like
this. And what they do
00:23:33.66\00:23:37.57
is they find that
just under the soil -
00:23:37.77\00:23:40.62
two or three feet
under the soil - is coal.
00:23:40.82\00:23:43.61
And so they go in
and they take bulldozers
00:23:43.91\00:23:47.39
and they push away the
soil and they begin to strip out
00:23:47.49\00:23:51.06
the coal... dig
it up, strip it out.
00:23:51.26\00:23:54.68
But let me tell you
something: in strip mines
00:23:54.98\00:23:58.64
like this type, they
dig up the ore and all,
00:23:59.75\00:24:02.86
you don't find diamonds.
00:24:03.06\00:24:06.63
You understand me?
00:24:08.17\00:24:09.84
In strip mines, you
do not find diamonds.
00:24:10.15\00:24:14.80
You know where
diamonds are found?
00:24:15.10\00:24:17.35
Way down in the
mine shafts. Way back...
00:24:18.26\00:24:22.78
deep is where the
diamonds are found.
00:24:23.08\00:24:26.38
What I'm trying to tell you:
00:24:26.78\00:24:28.27
that same thing is
true in the Word of God.
00:24:28.47\00:24:30.69
That's where you find it.
00:24:31.09\00:24:32.46
If you're just going to
peruse it and if you're just
00:24:32.49\00:24:34.66
going to go over it shallow,
00:24:34.76\00:24:36.13
you're never going
to find the diamonds.
00:24:36.16\00:24:38.28
It's when you get into
it and you dig and you study
00:24:38.58\00:24:42.90
then all of a sudden
you run across diamonds.
00:24:43.14\00:24:45.86
And when you
find them you know it!
00:24:46.16\00:24:48.31
No question. It
speaks to your heart.
00:24:48.62\00:24:50.74
There's the diamond of
God's Word and you see things.
00:24:50.94\00:24:54.23
All of a sudden the inspiration
of the scripture stands out
00:24:54.43\00:24:57.61
in vivid form and
you understand what God
00:24:57.81\00:25:00.92
is trying to tell you.
00:25:01.12\00:25:02.64
That takes place,
folks, by solid food...
00:25:02.94\00:25:07.33
digging in the Word of God.
00:25:07.53\00:25:09.61
So spend time
in the Word of God.
00:25:09.71\00:25:12.41
Dig in it. How
to study the Bible.
00:25:12.71\00:25:16.40
I want to share with
you just some principles
00:25:16.80\00:25:19.70
because I think a lot of people
don't know how to study it.
00:25:19.80\00:25:23.87
Let me tell you something:
00:25:31.67\00:25:33.58
human mind of
itself won't comprehend it.
00:25:33.88\00:25:38.41
So you need to pray
and you need to ask God
00:25:38.81\00:25:43.57
to give you understanding.
00:25:43.77\00:25:46.18
You see, you have to
have the Spirit of God
00:25:56.27\00:26:00.80
lead you. And I know
people who read the Word of God
00:26:00.90\00:26:03.51
that they never
get anything out of it.
00:26:03.71\00:26:05.62
They never seem
to understand it.
00:26:06.02\00:26:08.90
As it says in
scripture: "They wrestle it
00:26:09.20\00:26:11.21
to their own
destruction. " Do you know why?
00:26:11.31\00:26:14.24
Because they're
lacking the Spirit of God.
00:26:16.01\00:26:18.56
What do I mean they're
lacking the Spirit of God?
00:26:20.12\00:26:22.49
I mean that if you
won't open your heart,
00:26:22.79\00:26:26.58
if you won't
keep your heart soft,
00:26:26.78\00:26:29.39
if you won't give
the Holy Spirit the right
00:26:29.59\00:26:31.75
to work in your life and to mold
and to impress and to guide you,
00:26:31.95\00:26:35.43
then you're not going to
understand the Word of God.
00:26:35.63\00:26:38.46
That's why it talks about
reading the scripture with
00:26:40.06\00:26:42.95
a veil over your face.
00:26:43.05\00:26:44.71
Can't do that...
so you've got to pray
00:26:45.87\00:26:48.54
and you've got to
open up your heart
00:26:48.74\00:26:50.25
and invite the Holy
Spirit to come into your life
00:26:50.45\00:26:53.32
and to fill your life
so that you can understand
00:26:53.52\00:26:56.84
the Word of God. That
is necessary, friends.
00:26:56.94\00:26:59.95
So first: pray.
00:27:01.26\00:27:04.28
Don't start out
studying the Word of God
00:27:08.87\00:27:13.21
by taking on
some major question.
00:27:13.41\00:27:16.88
I find people that are babes
00:27:17.18\00:27:19.77
trying to run out and
understand the nature of God.
00:27:19.97\00:27:23.28
What are you talking about
friend? You're a human being!
00:27:24.70\00:27:27.67
You're not going to
understand divinity.
00:27:27.97\00:27:30.28
Never in 10,000 years
will you understand totally
00:27:30.59\00:27:34.30
the question of divinity.
00:27:34.50\00:27:36.07
Don't take
something on like that!
00:27:36.38\00:27:39.03
Oh, you may... As years go by
00:27:39.43\00:27:42.56
you may begin to get a
glimpse and you may understand.
00:27:42.76\00:27:46.71
But start out with
some simple things.
00:27:46.91\00:27:49.84
Learn some...
just the basic truths.
00:27:50.04\00:27:53.73
Look for those simple things.
00:27:54.03\00:27:55.95
What a difference
it'll make in your life
00:27:56.26\00:27:58.34
when you see those. And then
when you run across the diamond
00:27:58.64\00:28:02.32
well praise God. Something
wonderful has happened, see?
00:28:02.52\00:28:06.99
But that's what you need to do.
00:28:07.22\00:28:08.59
Spend time with Him,
00:28:08.62\00:28:09.99
but just learn
simple things to start with.
00:28:10.02\00:28:13.28
I run onto people who read it
00:28:19.55\00:28:22.51
always trying to
read it for somebody else.
00:28:22.71\00:28:25.69
You know, read it
for your own soul.
00:28:26.09\00:28:29.02
Let it speak to your own heart.
00:28:29.32\00:28:32.19
See what God has to say to you.
00:28:32.69\00:28:35.90
That's not easy.
00:28:36.20\00:28:38.23
That's not easy
00:28:38.53\00:28:40.36
because you get
into the Word of God
00:28:40.47\00:28:44.43
and sometimes it
speaks so direct to you
00:28:44.53\00:28:47.42
that you don't want to hear it!
00:28:47.62\00:28:49.08
You know? Just says...
God just very clear says
00:28:49.38\00:28:53.04
this and you say: "My!
Wish I hadn't read that. "
00:28:53.24\00:28:57.35
But you've got to let
it speak to your soul.
00:28:58.82\00:29:02.45
If you'll let it
speak to your soul,
00:29:02.75\00:29:04.86
then you begin to grow.
00:29:05.06\00:29:06.79
Things begin to
happen in your life.
00:29:07.09\00:29:09.18
But if you're
always going to read it
00:29:09.48\00:29:10.92
and read it for somebody else...
00:29:11.42\00:29:13.46
'Cause I run onto people that
read it strictly for argument's
00:29:13.76\00:29:17.34
sake. No... no!
00:29:17.44\00:29:20.79
That's not the way
you study the Word of God.
00:29:21.09\00:29:23.21
It's His letter to you.
00:29:24.48\00:29:26.48
That's what He's
talking... He's talking to you.
00:29:26.78\00:29:29.17
Read it; understand
it as He speaks to you.
00:29:29.48\00:29:34.04
Like I told you, man,
I read it to my mother
00:29:39.57\00:29:42.77
just as fast as I could read it.
00:29:42.87\00:29:44.45
But that didn't help.
I mean, sure it implanted
00:29:44.75\00:29:48.44
a lot of scripture in my mind.
00:29:48.54\00:29:50.20
But that isn't the way
you really understand it.
00:29:50.40\00:29:53.14
You need to read it slow.
00:29:53.44\00:29:55.92
You're not trying
to win some contest.
00:29:56.22\00:29:58.94
Just read it, and as you read it
00:29:59.44\00:30:03.17
try to understand what
each verse is talking about.
00:30:03.37\00:30:06.59
So don't try to read it fast.
00:30:06.89\00:30:10.09
Just read it. As I
told you I... I cannot
00:30:10.39\00:30:16.13
haphazardly do it.
It's not my nature.
00:30:16.33\00:30:18.95
So I know before a year starts
I know what I'm going to read
00:30:19.25\00:30:22.91
that whole year.
00:30:23.11\00:30:24.48
I read my Bible
through every year
00:30:24.99\00:30:27.32
completely from cover to cover.
00:30:27.62\00:30:29.10
And I probably will
read five, six, seven books
00:30:29.96\00:30:35.02
related to the
Bible at that time.
00:30:35.22\00:30:37.99
I'll read that
and I'll study those.
00:30:38.29\00:30:41.15
That's what I
do... that's my devotion.
00:30:41.46\00:30:43.72
That's the time I
spend with Jesus Christ...
00:30:43.82\00:30:46.33
a very wonderful
time. But read it slowly.
00:30:47.50\00:30:51.21
It'll help you if you do.
00:30:51.51\00:30:52.88
If you don't
understand what it's saying
00:30:57.83\00:31:00.56
on one particular verse,
00:31:00.76\00:31:02.38
stay with that verse
until you understand what God's
00:31:02.58\00:31:05.28
saying. Don't go away from it.
00:31:05.38\00:31:07.49
Just stay there until... Read
it or read something about it
00:31:07.69\00:31:11.15
until you understand what
that verse is saying to you.
00:31:11.35\00:31:14.23
Have you? A simple illustration:
00:31:16.29\00:31:19.89
Do you remember when
David went to fight Goliath?
00:31:20.19\00:31:22.63
Huh?
00:31:23.03\00:31:24.40
Do you know how big Goliath was?
00:31:25.30\00:31:27.05
Huh?
00:31:28.30\00:31:29.74
Yeah, almost 10
foot... almost 10 foot.
00:31:30.04\00:31:33.15
The head of the
spear weighed 70 pounds.
00:31:35.05\00:31:39.06
And you remember, David
went out to fight him with
00:31:40.02\00:31:42.95
a slingshot.
00:31:43.15\00:31:45.96
That's all.
00:31:46.94\00:31:48.31
And it says that
David got to the brook there
00:31:48.84\00:31:53.14
and it says that he picked up
00:31:53.44\00:31:56.96
five smooth stones is
what the scripture says.
00:31:57.26\00:32:01.45
Now folks, surely David
had enough sense to know
00:32:01.75\00:32:05.24
that all he was going to
be able to throw was one.
00:32:05.54\00:32:08.79
That was it.
00:32:09.62\00:32:10.99
And by the way,
don't think for a moment
00:32:11.09\00:32:14.15
that David didn't
know how to throw it.
00:32:14.35\00:32:16.10
'Cause I can read
to you in the scripture
00:32:16.41\00:32:19.46
where it says that he
was able to throw that stone
00:32:19.66\00:32:22.66
so it hit within a
hair's breadth every time.
00:32:22.86\00:32:25.97
So I can guarantee you, when
Goliath pulled back that helmet
00:32:26.37\00:32:29.99
David knew where
the rock was going.
00:32:30.19\00:32:32.50
No question about that. OK?
00:32:32.80\00:32:35.82
So he pulled back his
helmet and David hit him
00:32:36.06\00:32:38.84
right between
the eyes with a rock.
00:32:38.94\00:32:40.57
But why did he pick
up five smooth stones?
00:32:41.07\00:32:44.24
'Cause the scripture says
that Goliath had four brothers
00:32:47.43\00:32:51.15
and David picked
up one for each one.
00:32:51.25\00:32:53.82
Amen! You see, I'm talking
about spend a little time
00:32:56.76\00:33:00.96
in the Word of God.
00:33:01.26\00:33:02.78
Learn what it's talking
about. It'll enrich your soul!
00:33:03.09\00:33:06.49
You'll find things there that
God will speak to your heart.
00:33:06.79\00:33:09.74
I have preached to
you night after night
00:33:13.74\00:33:15.91
and I've tried to get
across to you that the scripture
00:33:16.11\00:33:18.87
will be consistent.
00:33:19.07\00:33:21.20
Don't buy that folks.
That's so prevalent in the world
00:33:21.50\00:33:25.21
today that seem to think
that Moses is going to disagree
00:33:25.31\00:33:29.24
with Paul and Paul's
going to disagree with Jeremiah
00:33:29.45\00:33:32.52
and Jeremiah's going
to disagree with Matthew.
00:33:32.72\00:33:35.05
No! They will not!
00:33:35.35\00:33:37.80
It will be
consistent all the way through.
00:33:38.83\00:33:42.63
If you run across a text that
doesn't seem to be consistent
00:33:42.93\00:33:46.92
with other scripture, then
you need to spend more time
00:33:47.02\00:33:50.24
with that text.
00:33:50.34\00:33:51.92
And as you do, it'll
clear up and you'll see
00:33:52.68\00:33:55.23
that it'll be consistent
with all the scripture.
00:33:55.33\00:33:58.33
So take the
scripture for what it says.
00:33:58.63\00:34:02.18
It'll make a
great great difference.
00:34:02.58\00:34:04.73
Don't try to spiritualize it.
00:34:05.38\00:34:07.76
Just read it, try to understand
it for what it's telling you.
00:34:07.96\00:34:11.70
Go through it:
take it verse by verse.
00:34:16.42\00:34:18.76
Read it; study it.
00:34:19.06\00:34:20.61
It'll make
great, great improvement
00:34:20.71\00:34:24.80
in your Christian life.
00:34:25.10\00:34:26.47
Secondly is prayer.
00:34:27.63\00:34:30.97
I'm talking about ways to grow.
00:34:31.37\00:34:34.22
You've got to spend
time in the Word of God
00:34:34.52\00:34:37.50
and you've got to
spend time in prayer.
00:34:37.71\00:34:40.02
Prayer is the
breath of the soul.
00:34:41.18\00:34:45.52
So you've got to
believe - you've got to!
00:34:46.57\00:34:50.09
You've got to take time to pray.
00:34:50.29\00:34:52.59
Absolutely necessary.
00:34:52.89\00:34:54.57
Prayer is simply
talking to a friend.
00:34:54.87\00:34:58.43
OK? That's all it is.
00:34:58.83\00:35:00.94
Simply talking to a friend.
00:35:01.24\00:35:04.01
There is no prescribed way.
00:35:04.51\00:35:08.06
Oh, I believe that when
you come before the Lord
00:35:08.26\00:35:11.63
it's nice to kneel.
00:35:11.84\00:35:14.37
That's the
reason I do each night:
00:35:14.67\00:35:17.12
because I'm coming before
the Lord. I want His presence.
00:35:17.43\00:35:20.86
I think that's nice.
00:35:21.06\00:35:22.62
I think that's what I as
a servant of Jesus Christ
00:35:22.82\00:35:26.35
that I should do... so I kneel.
00:35:26.65\00:35:29.40
But you don't always
have to kneel to pray, folks.
00:35:29.54\00:35:31.75
You can pray anywhere
you're at - any time -
00:35:32.25\00:35:36.53
and just open up your heart
and have a talk with Jesus.
00:35:36.67\00:35:40.65
The song says A Little Talk
With Jesus Makes Things Right.
00:35:41.92\00:35:47.62
See? A little talk with Jesus.
00:35:47.92\00:35:50.05
So just talk to Him as a friend
00:35:50.45\00:35:52.50
and you'll find it will
make a great, great difference.
00:35:52.80\00:35:55.29
Let me try to illustrate
what I'm trying to tell you.
00:35:55.69\00:36:00.01
If... Let's say
you came to me and said
00:36:02.08\00:36:06.11
"I'm interested
in getting married
00:36:07.54\00:36:09.56
but I can't find anybody. "
00:36:12.01\00:36:13.94
And I say: "Well
who you looking for? "
00:36:15.20\00:36:17.80
You say: "Well, I'm
looking for somebody that's kind
00:36:18.11\00:36:21.57
and that's gentle
00:36:21.97\00:36:23.71
and that is helpful
00:36:24.01\00:36:26.99
and is loving
00:36:27.29\00:36:30.90
and never sees
anything bad in me
00:36:31.20\00:36:35.30
and will be a very,
very close friend. "
00:36:35.60\00:36:39.66
And you go on,
enumerate all these things.
00:36:39.87\00:36:41.65
And I'm going to say
to you: "Good luck! "
00:36:41.95\00:36:43.99
That's what I'm going to
say to you: "Good luck! "
00:36:45.71\00:36:47.21
If you could find somebody
that was kind and gentle
00:36:47.61\00:36:51.31
and loving and
always saw good in you
00:36:51.51\00:36:53.73
and did all those things,
00:36:53.93\00:36:55.30
would you be interested in them?
00:36:55.35\00:36:56.72
Huh?
00:36:56.99\00:36:58.89
Would you?
00:36:59.19\00:37:00.56
Oh, absolutely!
00:37:00.60\00:37:02.19
That'd be wonderful!
00:37:02.49\00:37:03.90
Well what I'm trying to
tell you is Jesus is like that.
00:37:04.01\00:37:06.49
That's the way Jesus is.
00:37:07.49\00:37:09.27
See? He's kind; He's gentle;
00:37:09.67\00:37:12.74
He's loving; He's merciful.
00:37:12.94\00:37:15.22
He only wants that
which is good for you.
00:37:15.52\00:37:18.13
So why don't you talk to Him?
00:37:19.37\00:37:21.87
See? He's your friend.
00:37:23.31\00:37:25.23
That's what it says.
00:37:25.53\00:37:26.90
Said: "Just come to
Me. I'll give you rest. "
00:37:35.79\00:37:38.92
He loves you, cares for you.
00:37:39.26\00:37:41.81
So take the time
to spend with Jesus.
00:37:55.23\00:37:58.25
Marvelous things
that He promises!
00:38:03.04\00:38:05.07
Jesus is that friend.
00:38:05.27\00:38:08.76
See? That's what He is.
00:38:09.06\00:38:10.43
And so prayer is just a
matter of talking to a friend.
00:38:10.62\00:38:13.78
That's what it is. So don't...
00:38:14.08\00:38:15.80
don't get all caught up
and think that you have to say
00:38:16.01\00:38:18.46
special words, you know?
00:38:18.56\00:38:20.87
Just... just talk
to Him as your friend
00:38:21.07\00:38:25.27
and it'll make a
great, great difference.
00:38:25.57\00:38:28.12
Jesus is that friend.
00:38:40.34\00:38:42.32
And so I'd like to
encourage you to spend time
00:38:42.62\00:38:44.91
talking with Him.
I think you will find
00:38:45.11\00:38:47.15
it will help your
Christian experience grow.
00:38:47.25\00:38:49.35
There's many
ways to pray, folks.
00:38:49.45\00:38:51.18
Many ways to pray.
00:38:51.38\00:38:52.75
There are prayers of confession.
00:38:53.07\00:38:56.11
That's when I'm
coming to Him and saying
00:38:57.83\00:38:59.87
"I messed up. "
00:39:01.10\00:39:03.51
"I did something I shouldn't. "
00:39:03.81\00:39:08.10
"I'm sorry for what I did. "
00:39:09.47\00:39:13.12
"Forgive me. "
00:39:14.19\00:39:15.56
Prayers of confession.
00:39:15.75\00:39:17.83
There's prayers of intercession
00:39:18.23\00:39:20.61
when your heart is
burdened for somebody.
00:39:20.91\00:39:24.36
When you want to talk
to Him about that person.
00:39:25.48\00:39:27.76
And then there's
prayers of thanksgiving
00:39:28.06\00:39:33.47
where you're thanking the Lord,
praising Him for what He's done.
00:39:33.77\00:39:36.87
Those are all
different types of prayer.
00:39:37.07\00:39:38.68
And I have read
lots of books on prayer.
00:39:38.98\00:39:41.39
It's always kind
of... you know...
00:39:41.59\00:39:45.45
amused me 'cause they
act like that you take
00:39:45.65\00:39:49.45
these different kinds of
prayer and you come to the Lord
00:39:49.55\00:39:52.13
and you say: "Well Lord, today
I've got to confess my sins. "
00:39:52.23\00:39:55.82
Or: "Today I need to spend
some time in thanksgiving. "
00:39:56.12\00:40:01.47
No... no. That's
not the way it is.
00:40:01.78\00:40:04.75
Prayer is the
result of a relationship.
00:40:04.95\00:40:08.17
I'm going to come to the
Lord and say: "Lord, listen...
00:40:13.14\00:40:16.01
I'm so sorry I let You down.
00:40:16.31\00:40:19.17
You've had so
much confidence in me
00:40:20.40\00:40:24.14
and I just blew it. I'm sorry. "
00:40:24.54\00:40:28.02
That's a relationship, folks.
00:40:28.06\00:40:31.51
I'm going to come
to Him and say: "Lord,
00:40:32.15\00:40:34.52
my heart's burdened today...
00:40:34.72\00:40:37.19
burdened because
of that child of mine.
00:40:38.38\00:40:41.31
Doesn't serve You, Lord.
00:40:42.57\00:40:44.94
Child's not listening.
00:40:45.34\00:40:49.07
Doesn't know You as his Savior.
00:40:50.25\00:40:52.57
My heart's burdened for him. "
00:40:52.87\00:40:54.96
Prayer is an intercession.
00:40:56.73\00:40:59.02
Or I'm going to say: "Lord,
You've been so good to me.
00:40:59.32\00:41:03.56
Have done so much for me.
00:41:03.96\00:41:05.97
I thank you for
what You did today. "
00:41:06.47\00:41:09.75
Prayers of thanksgiving.
00:41:10.05\00:41:12.10
All those are the
result of a relationship. See?
00:41:12.30\00:41:17.02
And that's simply what
the Lord wants you to do.
00:41:17.22\00:41:19.68
He just wants you to come and
talk to Him and visit with Him.
00:41:19.88\00:41:23.57
Spend time with
Him. And as you do that
00:41:23.97\00:41:27.05
that's what changes your life.
00:41:27.36\00:41:30.22
What makes it different is you
spend time in prayer with Him.
00:41:30.52\00:41:34.66
But you've got
to balance it out.
00:41:35.92\00:41:38.17
You can't spend
time in the Word of God
00:41:39.52\00:41:44.54
and spend time in
prayer and let it stop there.
00:41:44.94\00:41:49.13
You see, you've got to grow.
00:41:50.45\00:41:55.74
Body has to grow.
00:41:56.24\00:41:58.06
You can't be hydrocephalic.
You understand what I mean?
00:41:59.22\00:42:04.77
Can't have a great big
head and a little body.
00:42:04.97\00:42:07.69
That isn't the way it works.
00:42:08.93\00:42:10.91
You've got to exercise.
00:42:11.21\00:42:12.58
And we're going to do a
little exercise right now.
00:42:12.77\00:42:15.28
We're going to have all the
folks that are being baptized
00:42:15.58\00:42:20.02
right now have an exercise
and go right out that door
00:42:20.32\00:42:24.81
right over there and go
get ready for the baptism.
00:42:25.01\00:42:27.90
All the folks that
are being baptized.
00:42:28.30\00:42:30.59
We're going to let
them go do that right now.
00:42:30.99\00:42:33.22
OK. So we'll let them do that.
00:42:35.09\00:42:37.79
But we aren't
through with this sermon.
00:42:37.99\00:42:39.66
OK. But when we finish
the sermon we want to be ready
00:42:39.96\00:42:42.97
to go right into the baptism.
00:42:43.07\00:42:44.44
So that's what
they're going to do.
00:42:44.50\00:42:46.05
But you... If your Christian
experience is going to grow,
00:42:46.55\00:42:49.47
you've got to exercise.
00:42:49.58\00:42:50.98
That is absolutely necessary
in the Christian experience
00:42:52.05\00:42:55.18
is to exercise.
00:42:55.38\00:42:56.93
So what does that mean?
00:42:57.43\00:42:59.25
Well, it says Joseph is a what?
00:42:59.55\00:43:03.86
"Fruitful bough. " OK.
00:43:04.16\00:43:07.04
Great lesson here, folks.
00:43:11.97\00:43:13.71
Joseph spent time with the Lord.
00:43:14.01\00:43:17.19
That's the well.
00:43:17.59\00:43:19.61
See, he drank of the well.
And because he drank of the well
00:43:19.91\00:43:24.08
what happened? The vine grew!
00:43:24.29\00:43:27.28
The vine grew and it bore fruit.
00:43:27.58\00:43:31.00
And it even ran over the wall.
00:43:31.30\00:43:33.43
OK? If you spend
time in the Word of God,
00:43:34.54\00:43:38.86
you spend time in prayer,
00:43:39.06\00:43:40.88
you're going to grow.
00:43:41.08\00:43:42.54
OK? You're going to grow!
00:43:42.84\00:43:45.19
And as you grow,
it will be necessary
00:43:45.49\00:43:48.90
for you to
witness 'cause it says:
00:43:49.10\00:43:53.04
That person that
spends time in the Word of God
00:44:01.73\00:44:04.46
is going to be like a tree.
00:44:06.11\00:44:07.89
Going to grow and it's
going to produce fruit.
00:44:08.19\00:44:13.02
Now what I'm trying
to tell you this morning
00:44:13.32\00:44:17.09
is if you don't have
any fruit what's wrong?
00:44:19.19\00:44:23.83
If you don't have
any fruit, what's wrong?
00:44:27.31\00:44:30.14
Well yeah... you're not spending
time in the Word of God.
00:44:31.99\00:44:36.36
You're not
spending time in prayer.
00:44:36.76\00:44:39.21
See?
00:44:40.78\00:44:42.26
'Cause you can't drink of
the water and not produce fruit.
00:44:42.56\00:44:46.16
Impossible.
00:44:46.77\00:44:48.14
Now let's watch what's
going to happen to him.
00:44:59.69\00:45:01.57
If I drink of the water of life,
I spend time in the Word of God,
00:45:01.67\00:45:05.70
I spend time in prayer,
00:45:05.80\00:45:07.25
I've given my heart to
the Lord Jesus Christ...
00:45:07.55\00:45:09.48
You become a stream of water.
00:45:20.04\00:45:23.62
OK? That's what you become.
00:45:23.92\00:45:26.36
And when that
happens, then, dear friend,
00:45:26.56\00:45:31.22
you can't help it.
00:45:31.32\00:45:32.70
Jeremiah... Jeremiah said:
"I've talked to these people
00:45:33.71\00:45:38.75
until I'm tired
of talking to them. "
00:45:38.95\00:45:40.60
He said: "I've preached
to them early in the morning.
00:45:41.00\00:45:44.27
Late at night I've talked
to them. They won't listen.
00:45:44.47\00:45:47.68
I'm tired of
talking to these people. "
00:45:47.98\00:45:50.08
Then watch what happened here:
00:45:50.18\00:45:51.60
Jeremiah said: "I'm not
going to talk about the Lord
00:45:57.01\00:45:59.26
to them anymore... not
going to mention His name.
00:45:59.46\00:46:01.62
I'm not going to say
anything about Him! "
00:46:01.82\00:46:04.09
That's what you and I are to do:
00:46:23.24\00:46:26.00
spend time in the Word of
God until it so floods my soul
00:46:27.08\00:46:31.01
until I say: "I can't... I can't
keep from talking about it! "
00:46:31.31\00:46:36.55
Preachers... preachers:
00:46:36.95\00:46:40.01
if you're going to preach,
preach out of the overflow.
00:46:40.71\00:46:46.65
You understand what I'm saying?
00:46:46.95\00:46:49.22
Preach out of the overflow.
00:46:49.52\00:46:51.52
Spend time in this
Book until it flows over.
00:46:51.82\00:46:55.77
And when it starts running
over, people will know it!
00:46:55.97\00:46:58.94
Preach out of the overflow.
00:46:59.24\00:47:01.61
Spend time with the Lord.
00:47:02.11\00:47:05.03
Then you can't help it, friends.
00:47:05.33\00:47:07.11
Can't help it. Makes a
great, great difference.
00:47:07.21\00:47:10.46
That's witnessing. That's
what you were called to do
00:47:21.83\00:47:25.39
is to witness,
see? Every one of you.
00:47:25.69\00:47:29.64
Called to
witness. But dear friends,
00:47:30.80\00:47:34.63
you've got to spend time
here so you see and so you hear
00:47:34.86\00:47:39.54
and so you experience. See?
00:47:39.74\00:47:43.09
That's what it's about.
00:47:43.32\00:47:44.69
If you haven't seen anything
or you haven't heard anything,
00:47:44.72\00:47:47.77
or you haven't
experienced anything,
00:47:47.97\00:47:49.34
then you aren't
going to have much to say.
00:47:49.37\00:47:51.37
But a witness is one
who tells what he's seen,
00:47:52.65\00:47:55.51
heard or experienced.
00:47:55.71\00:47:57.38
Now let me tell you
something about witnessing:
00:47:57.48\00:47:59.49
when you're witnessing to people
00:48:02.41\00:48:04.67
who do not know
the Lord Jesus Christ -
00:48:05.07\00:48:08.71
OK? You're talking to someone
who does not know the Lord
00:48:09.31\00:48:13.29
Jesus Christ - then you must
witness to them subjectively.
00:48:13.39\00:48:18.75
Do you understand
what I mean by that?
00:48:19.51\00:48:20.99
In other words, you must
talk to them about what Jesus
00:48:21.99\00:48:26.46
means to you.
00:48:26.66\00:48:28.22
What Jesus has done for you.
00:48:29.44\00:48:31.69
The experience that
you've had with Jesus.
00:48:31.99\00:48:34.69
They can't argue with that.
00:48:35.00\00:48:36.75
Do you understand me?
00:48:37.80\00:48:39.17
That's my experience...
00:48:39.25\00:48:41.45
my experience and nobody else's.
00:48:41.75\00:48:43.31
So you can't argue with that.
00:48:43.41\00:48:44.78
So your witness
must be subjective.
00:48:45.02\00:48:49.28
You only witness
to people objectively
00:48:49.59\00:48:54.40
after they've given
their heart to Jesus.
00:48:54.70\00:48:57.29
You see, if you go out here
00:48:58.55\00:49:00.44
and you start taking
one of the Bible doctrines
00:49:00.64\00:49:03.54
and you're trying to explain
a Bible doctrine to someone who
00:49:03.84\00:49:07.06
has never given their
heart to the Lord Jesus Christ
00:49:07.27\00:49:09.40
I'm sorry...
you're wasting your time.
00:49:09.80\00:49:12.59
You're not helping that person.
00:49:13.43\00:49:15.16
You need to talk to
that person about Jesus!
00:49:15.56\00:49:18.66
After they have given
their heart to Jesus Christ
00:49:19.86\00:49:22.95
then as a follower of Jesus
Christ you can talk to them
00:49:23.15\00:49:26.39
about what Jesus taught.
00:49:26.59\00:49:28.17
See? But you don't until then.
00:49:29.48\00:49:32.01
So make sure when
you're talking to people about
00:49:32.21\00:49:35.64
Jesus that you keep it
subjective if they don't know
00:49:37.34\00:49:40.52
Jesus Christ as their Savior.
00:49:40.72\00:49:42.24
Don't argue with them.
00:49:43.01\00:49:44.44
They said: "We found this Man
that all the Bible talked about:
00:50:03.13\00:50:07.35
Jesus of Nazareth. "
00:50:07.55\00:50:08.94
Watch Nathanael:
00:50:09.34\00:50:11.57
Said: "You found this Man in
Nazareth? Is this possible? "
00:50:17.03\00:50:20.99
Now folks,
Philip argued with him.
00:50:21.29\00:50:23.65
Huh?
00:50:23.95\00:50:25.77
Philip argued with him.
00:50:26.07\00:50:27.46
No he didn't argue
with him. What did he do?
00:50:27.76\00:50:29.43
Philip said to
him: "Come and see. "
00:50:29.83\00:50:33.25
"Come and see. "
00:50:34.02\00:50:35.39
That's all. Didn't argue with
him. Didn't say: "Now listen,
00:50:35.49\00:50:38.14
everybody in
Nazareth's not bad. "
00:50:38.34\00:50:40.26
He didn't argue about that.
00:50:40.66\00:50:42.29
He just said: "Come and see. "
00:50:42.59\00:50:44.18
He came and he saw.
00:50:45.46\00:50:47.62
And what he saw convinced him
00:50:47.92\00:50:50.76
that He was all
that He claimed to be.
00:50:50.86\00:50:53.59
That's witnessing, folks.
00:50:53.80\00:50:55.35
That's witnessing.
That brings about a balance.
00:50:56.59\00:50:59.36
Your witness is an indication of
your relationship with Christ.
00:50:59.56\00:51:05.53
That's what your witness is.
00:51:05.84\00:51:07.38
Because if you're full of Christ
00:51:11.90\00:51:13.81
I'll guarantee you:
you'll talk about Him.
00:51:14.01\00:51:16.51
You are a living epistle.
00:51:24.92\00:51:27.36
You're a witness, and
people look at you and they read
00:51:27.56\00:51:31.66
Jesus Christ.
00:51:32.06\00:51:34.30
They read what Jesus Christ did.
00:51:34.71\00:51:37.44
See folks, as a witness to Jesus
00:51:54.82\00:51:56.94
sure I must live it.
00:51:57.14\00:52:00.35
I must live it day by day.
00:52:00.85\00:52:04.32
Living it
includes a lot of things.
00:52:04.72\00:52:07.06
But I must not just live
it, I must talk about it.
00:52:08.12\00:52:12.42
I must talk about it.
00:52:12.83\00:52:14.57
I must witness with my mouth.
00:52:14.67\00:52:16.89
That's what it says.
00:52:27.99\00:52:29.98
So dear friend, if you're
going to have a Christian life,
00:52:42.34\00:52:46.28
if you're going to grow,
00:52:46.58\00:52:48.30
you've got to spend
time in the Word of God.
00:52:48.60\00:52:51.03
OK?
00:52:52.29\00:52:53.66
Secondly, you need to learn
to talk to Jesus as a friend.
00:52:53.81\00:52:58.97
Visit with Him. And then
if He is very real to you,
00:52:59.27\00:53:03.80
you'll witness
to those about you
00:53:04.10\00:53:07.55
of the marvelous
wonderful love of Jesus Christ.
00:53:07.85\00:53:11.77
This is what He will do for you.
00:53:12.07\00:53:14.79
So He just simply
invites you and I.
00:53:16.10\00:53:18.44
Invite Him into our hearts.
To accept Him as our Savior.
00:53:19.57\00:53:24.89
To give our life to Him.
00:53:25.19\00:53:27.18
That He will pour out
His Holy Spirit upon us.
00:53:28.39\00:53:31.83
And I must turn
everything over to Him.
00:53:32.23\00:53:35.10
I must surrender all.
00:53:35.60\00:53:39.05
All to Jesus
00:53:43.71\00:53:48.70
I surrender,
00:53:49.01\00:53:54.41
all to Him
00:53:54.82\00:53:58.74
I freely
00:53:59.04\00:54:03.24
give.
00:54:03.44\00:54:06.29
I will ever
00:54:07.01\00:54:12.40
love and trust Him,
00:54:12.60\00:54:17.82
in His presence
00:54:18.22\00:54:23.73
daily live.
00:54:24.03\00:54:29.98
I surrender
00:54:30.75\00:54:36.71
all.
00:54:37.46\00:54:42.28
I
00:54:42.78\00:54:45.45
surrender
00:54:45.75\00:54:49.61
all.
00:54:49.81\00:54:55.21
All to Thee,
00:54:56.00\00:55:00.52
my
00:55:00.72\00:55:02.52
blessed
00:55:02.73\00:55:05.66
Savior,
00:55:05.96\00:55:11.32
I
00:55:12.05\00:55:14.83
surrender
00:55:15.03\00:55:20.55
all.
00:55:20.75\00:55:26.74
This morning as we come
down to the end of this service
00:55:28.02\00:55:31.22
I would like to
give an invitation.
00:55:32.66\00:55:34.76
There may be a man,
woman, young person here
00:55:36.09\00:55:39.71
in this congregation
that has not given their heart
00:55:39.81\00:55:43.14
to Jesus Christ. I want to
give you that opportunity today.
00:55:43.24\00:55:47.38
If you would like to
accept Christ as your Savior,
00:55:47.78\00:55:50.56
I'm going to invite you
to step out and make your way
00:55:50.76\00:55:53.21
to the front.
00:55:53.31\00:55:54.68
There may be some of you
that have been in the valley
00:55:54.99\00:55:57.09
of decision concerning baptism.
00:55:57.19\00:55:59.03
If you would like to
follow your Lord in baptism,
00:56:00.22\00:56:02.33
I'm going to invite you to come.
00:56:02.53\00:56:03.90
Or there may be some of
you that need to take the step.
00:56:04.20\00:56:07.34
You've learned the
truths of God's Word.
00:56:07.74\00:56:10.66
You'd like to
become part of the church.
00:56:10.86\00:56:12.52
Like to become a
member of the church.
00:56:12.72\00:56:14.63
I'd like to invite you also too.
00:56:14.93\00:56:17.13
As we pray, won't you
just step out and make your way
00:56:17.43\00:56:20.63
at this time? Heavenly Father,
00:56:20.83\00:56:23.35
as these give
their hearts to You,
00:56:23.55\00:56:26.68
follow You in baptism,
00:56:26.88\00:56:28.25
we pray, Lord, that You
will draw very near to them.
00:56:28.36\00:56:32.17
May they realize
that all their sins
00:56:32.57\00:56:36.50
are being washed away.
00:56:36.90\00:56:38.76
They stand
clean in Christ Jesus.
00:56:39.16\00:56:41.56
We're thankful for each one.
00:56:41.96\00:56:43.87
May this day be a
very special day to them.
00:56:44.37\00:56:47.59
We pray in Christ's name, Amen.
00:56:47.90\00:56:50.41
OK.
00:56:51.66\00:56:53.26
Because you have accepted
Jesus Christ into your heart
00:56:53.49\00:56:58.49
as your personal Savior,
00:56:58.69\00:57:00.25
you desire to
follow Him in baptism,
00:57:00.36\00:57:03.25
it is our privilege to baptize
you in the name of the Father,
00:57:03.55\00:57:08.09
the name of Jesus Christ,
00:57:08.39\00:57:10.65
and in the name of
the Holy Spirit. Amen.
00:57:10.85\00:57:14.00