Be Ready ၏ စာသားမှတ်တမ်းအပြည့်အစုံ

them, 00:04:36.340 --> 00:04:37.199 pray for them, 00:04:37.199 --> 00:04:39.319 and when they need some support, 00:04:39.420 --> 00:04:40.600 they know they can call me 00:04:40.600 --> 00:04:42.160 and I can be their friend. 00:04:42.160 --> 00:04:45.400 And so that's the part of the job that I like the most. 00:04:45.600 --> 00:04:47.960 And I've got to be that with Sam 00:04:47.960 --> 00:04:50.560 and I appreciate Sam, you know, 00:04:50.600 --> 00:04:53.120 not only turning to me occasionally 00:04:53.120 --> 00:04:54.080 and calling me 00:04:54.080 --> 00:04:57.020 and being that kind of, 00:04:57.180 --> 00:04:59.640 being able to minister to him in that way, 00:04:59.960 --> 00:05:01.780 but he's also ministered to me 00:05:01.780 --> 00:05:04.220 in my times of difficulty. 00:05:04.440 --> 00:05:06.980 And so it is a mutual thing. 00:05:07.100 --> 00:05:09.160 And so it's great to be here 00:05:09.160 --> 00:05:11.540 and it's great to be a part of Texas Baptist. 00:05:11.540 --> 00:05:14.780 And we're very thankful for your gifts 00:05:14.780 --> 00:05:16.620 as to Texas Baptist. 00:05:17.680 --> 00:05:19.439 And so enough about Texas Baptist. 00:05:19.540 --> 00:05:21.100 Y'all didn't come here today 00:05:21.100 --> 00:05:23.560 on this last Sunday of the year 00:05:23.560 --> 00:05:25.280 to hear just about Texas Baptist. 00:05:25.820 --> 00:05:29.500 I have hopefully a word from God for you today. 00:05:29.500 --> 00:05:32.579 And so I hope that you will turn with me 00:05:32.579 --> 00:05:34.040 in your Bible 00:05:34.040 --> 00:05:37.240 or look it up on your device 00:05:37.240 --> 00:05:39.319 or today 00:05:39.319 --> 00:05:42.160 in Romans chapter 1. 00:05:42.360 --> 00:05:45.600 We're going to be looking at a passage of Scripture there today. 00:05:46.319 --> 00:05:47.680 Romans chapter 1. 00:05:48.120 --> 00:05:50.480 And we're going to begin in just a moment 00:05:50.480 --> 00:05:51.839 in verse 13. 00:05:53.079 --> 00:05:55.860 Romans chapter 1, beginning in verse 13. 00:05:55.860 --> 00:06:00.400 The text today, 00:06:00.920 --> 00:06:03.060 talking about being ready, 00:06:04.240 --> 00:06:07.060 is sort of one of my favorite texts. 00:06:08.100 --> 00:06:10.319 But it has a little history. 00:06:11.560 --> 00:06:13.780 I felt called to preach 00:06:13.780 --> 00:06:17.600 when I was in junior high. 00:06:17.600 --> 00:06:19.860 But when I turned about 15, 00:06:20.439 --> 00:06:21.300 my dad, 00:06:21.900 --> 00:06:23.760 who was a pastor of a church 00:06:23.760 --> 00:06:24.660 out in West Texas, 00:06:25.320 --> 00:06:26.020 at that time, 00:06:26.160 --> 00:06:27.500 he was pastor at 00:06:27.500 --> 00:06:28.600 First Baptist Church, 00:06:28.720 --> 00:06:29.240 Ropesville, 00:06:29.320 --> 00:06:30.700 which is just outside of Lubbock. 00:06:31.520 --> 00:06:33.020 And dad came to me 00:06:33.020 --> 00:06:33.520 and he says, 00:06:33.580 --> 00:06:33.800 son,

00:06:34.140 --> 00:06:35.660 do you think you're ready to preach? 00:06:36.340 --> 00:06:36.760 I go, 00:06:37.220 --> 00:06:37.879 whoa, 00:06:38.260 --> 00:06:38.560 you know, 00:06:38.660 --> 00:06:40.020 I just lost words. 00:06:40.660 --> 00:06:41.920 I don't know that I am. 00:06:41.960 --> 00:06:42.240 He says, 00:06:42.300 --> 00:06:43.879 I think you ought to preach 00:06:43.879 --> 00:06:44.800 this next Sunday 00:06:44.800 --> 00:06:45.660 on Sunday night. 00:06:45.660 --> 00:06:48.280 And he says, 00:06:48.460 --> 00:06:50.540 so think about that for a day. 00:06:50.680 --> 00:06:51.280 And I did. 00:06:51.439 --> 00:06:52.280 And he says, 00:06:52.340 --> 00:06:52.920 are you ready? 00:06:53.020 --> 00:06:53.380 And I go, 00:06:53.460 --> 00:06:53.680 well, 00:06:53.920 --> 00:06:54.780 I don't know. 00:06:55.260 --> 00:06:55.939 He says, 00:06:55.980 --> 00:06:57.280 do you know what you want to preach on? 00:06:57.320 --> 00:06:57.620 I go, 00:06:58.160 --> 00:06:58.920 no, 00:06:59.020 --> 00:06:59.620 I don't. 00:06:59.660 --> 00:07:00.060 He says, 00:07:00.100 --> 00:07:00.300 well, 00:07:00.360 --> 00:07:01.879 let me give you an idea. 00:07:02.340 --> 00:07:02.700 All right. 00:07:03.740 --> 00:07:07.220 And so he chose this text for me. 00:07:07.580 --> 00:07:08.620 I read the text. 00:07:08.680 --> 00:07:09.720 He read the text to me 00:07:09.720 --> 00:07:10.520 and I looked at it. 00:07:10.760 --> 00:07:11.600 I read the text. 00:07:11.700 --> 00:07:13.060 I started going over the text. 00:07:13.060 --> 00:07:14.360 My dad had, 00:07:14.699 --> 00:07:14.939 you know, 00:07:15.000 --> 00:07:15.980 a library of books. 00:07:16.480 --> 00:07:18.220 I started looking at all those things, 00:07:18.459 --> 00:07:18.759 you know, 00:07:18.819 --> 00:07:19.420 resources. 00:07:20.220 --> 00:07:21.959 And because my dad said, 00:07:22.500 --> 00:07:22.740 son, 00:07:22.839 --> 00:07:25.280 this is a really rich for, 00:07:25.540 --> 00:07:26.600 these are rich verses. 00:07:27.420 --> 00:07:29.879 This is really good stuff. 00:07:30.480 --> 00:07:33.540 There is lots of great stuff here. 00:07:34.480 --> 00:07:37.100 And so I began to look for all that great stuff, 00:07:37.959 --> 00:07:38.259 you know. 00:07:38.680 --> 00:07:40.500 And so I studied all week long, 00:07:41.480 --> 00:07:42.000 prepared, 00:07:42.279 --> 00:07:43.360 had an outline, 00:07:43.680 --> 00:07:46.500 had everything ready for Sunday night. 00:07:46.899 --> 00:07:49.839 I had this passage of scripture and he says, 00:07:50.300 --> 00:07:50.480 you know, 00:07:50.519 --> 00:07:51.759 I was thinking of what my dad said. 00:07:51.819 --> 00:07:52.699 This is really rich. 00:07:52.800 --> 00:07:53.240 It's a lot, 00:07:53.319 --> 00:07:54.279 got a lot of rich, 00:07:54.439 --> 00:07:55.599 good stuff in it. 00:07:56.019 --> 00:07:57.959 And I got up and I, 00:07:58.019 --> 00:07:59.199 and I preached. 00:08:00.259 --> 00:08:04.719 And it was the best seven minute sermon. 00:08:04.720 --> 00:08:07.300 Anyone could ever have. 00:08:10.240 --> 00:08:10.680 Well, 00:08:11.700 --> 00:08:12.980 my dad was correct. 00:08:13.080 --> 00:08:15.360 There's a lot of things in this passage of scripture. 00:08:15.920 --> 00:08:17.240 And I hate to tell you this morning, 00:08:17.300 --> 00:08:19.580 my sermon is going to last longer than seven minutes. 00:08:20.340 --> 00:08:23.120 And we're not even going to get to it all today. 00:08:23.400 --> 00:08:26.700 We're not going to get to everything in this text, 00:08:26.699 --> 00:08:29.920 but it is really rich. 00:08:30.240 --> 00:08:31.300 It is really good. 00:08:31.479 --> 00:08:37.759 And it is a good way to start out a new year with thinking about being ready. 00:08:38.080 --> 00:08:40.399 And so let's look at the text today. 00:08:41.399 --> 00:08:45.340 Paul writes to the church at Rome and he says, 00:08:45.340 --> 00:08:53.600 I do not want you to be unaware brothers that I have often intended to come to you, 00:08:53.600 --> 00:09:02.440 but thus far have been prevented in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the Gentiles. 00:09:03.220 --> 00:09:08.160 I am under obligation both to the Greeks and to the barbarians, 00:09:08.420 --> 00:09:10.519 both to the wise and to the foolish. 00:09:10.519 --> 00:09:16.279 So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. 00:09:17.419 --> 00:09:19.419 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, 00:09:19.939 --> 00:09:24.159 for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, 00:09:24.500 --> 00:09:26.879 to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 00:09:27.500 --> 00:09:28.199 For in it, 00:09:28.279 --> 00:09:31.740 the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith. 00:09:32.100 --> 00:09:33.059 As it is written, 00:09:33.600 --> 00:09:38.120 the just shall live by faith. 00:09:38.120 --> 00:09:41.299 There is a lot to meet here. 00:09:42.299 --> 00:09:44.220 A lot for us to chew on today. 00:09:45.620 --> 00:09:49.980 And before we really get into all of what is in this text, 00:09:50.399 --> 00:09:53.980 let's think about for a moment who wrote this text. 00:09:54.659 --> 00:09:56.039 Who shares this with us? 00:09:56.659 --> 00:09:57.940 Who is he sharing it to? 00:09:58.700 --> 00:09:59.539 It is Paul, 00:09:59.659 --> 00:10:00.700 the Apostle Paul. 00:10:01.080 --> 00:10:02.039 If we remember, 00:10:02.560 --> 00:10:05.100 the Apostle Paul was not always the Apostle Paul. 00:10:05.100 --> 00:10:08.460 He was also known as Saul. 00:10:08.980 --> 00:10:09.480 Remember? 00:10:10.379 --> 00:10:11.100 Saul, 00:10:11.340 --> 00:10:13.180 who was the Pharisee. 00:10:13.740 --> 00:10:14.220 Saul, 00:10:14.379 --> 00:10:17.659 who was the persecutor of those early Christians. 00:10:18.480 --> 00:10:19.560 He was Saul, 00:10:19.700 --> 00:10:22.060 who was there

when Stephen was stoned, 00:10:22.240 --> 00:10:26.879 and Saul kept all the garments while he egged those on 00:10:26.879 --> 00:10:30.000 to throw those stones at Stephen and kill him. 00:10:30.000 --> 00:10:36.019 It is this Saul who was assigned to go to Damascus 00:10:36.019 --> 00:10:40.779 to destroy those who were a part of the movement called The Way. 00:10:41.220 --> 00:10:44.320 Those who were followers of Jesus Christ. 00:10:44.559 --> 00:10:46.120 That was his responsibility. 00:10:46.759 --> 00:10:51.340 He was on his way to Damascus in Syria to do just that. 00:10:51.779 --> 00:10:53.940 And on that road to Damascus, 00:10:54.120 --> 00:10:58.360 he encountered the Lord in a large, bright light. 00:10:58.360 --> 00:11:02.220 And his life was transformed. 00:11:02.980 --> 00:11:05.019 He immediately recognized 00:11:05.019 --> 00:11:08.659 that he needed Jesus Christ in his life. 00:11:09.919 --> 00:11:12.860 And when he finally got to Damascus, 00:11:13.320 --> 00:11:16.419 God sent someone to share with him 00:11:16.419 --> 00:11:18.539 how he could have Jesus in his life. 00:11:19.680 --> 00:11:22.980 And Jesus comes into Saul's life. 00:11:23.539 --> 00:11:26.899 And we know some of the rest of the story. 00:11:26.899 --> 00:11:29.299 He becomes the Apostle Paul. 00:11:29.439 --> 00:11:31.659 He becomes the greatest missionary of the Gospel. 00:11:32.500 --> 00:11:34.860 He, we look at our New Testament 00:11:34.860 --> 00:11:36.539 and realize, you know, 00:11:36.759 --> 00:11:38.759 as Paul writes to the churches 00:11:38.759 --> 00:11:41.379 where he helped start and helped influence, 00:11:41.899 --> 00:11:44.000 we find over half the New Testament 00:11:44.000 --> 00:11:47.559 is accredited to the Apostle Paul writing to us. 00:11:47.860 --> 00:11:50.960 So we find here, this is who writes this. 00:11:51.220 --> 00:11:54.360 This is the person who is sharing with us today 00:11:54.360 --> 00:11:56.300 this thing, if he says, 00:11:56.800 --> 00:12:00.659 I was obligated to share the Gospel. 00:12:01.200 --> 00:12:02.919 I had this obligation. 00:12:03.460 --> 00:12:05.460 He had an obligation, I think, 00:12:05.759 --> 00:12:08.440 partly because he looked back on his life 00:12:08.440 --> 00:12:09.399 and he realized, 00:12:09.620 --> 00:12:11.340 I tried to destroy the church. 00:12:11.700 --> 00:12:13.899 Now I have this obligation 00:12:13.899 --> 00:12:17.060 to make sure that Jesus Christ is known. 00:12:17.059 --> 00:12:19.939 I have a debt to pay. 00:12:20.739 --> 00:12:21.679 A debt to pay. 00:12:22.439 --> 00:12:23.759 I want to tell you today, 00:12:23.919 --> 00:12:26.659 if you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, 00:12:27.019 --> 00:12:28.459 somewhere in your life, 00:12:28.739 --> 00:12:31.799 someone shared with you how to come to know Jesus 00:12:31.799 --> 00:12:36.500 and you have experienced that today in your life. 00:12:36.659 --> 00:12:38.399 You have experienced his forgiveness. 00:12:39.159 --> 00:12:40.899 You've experienced the freedom 00:12:40.899 --> 00:12:42.619 that Jesus Christ has given. 00:12:42.620 --> 00:12:44.840 you've experienced the full life 00:12:44.840 --> 00:12:47.820 that Jesus Christ wants you to have in your life today. 00:12:48.360 --> 00:12:51.379 Then you have also an obligation, 00:12:52.220 --> 00:12:54.620 a debt to pay. 00:12:55.620 --> 00:12:57.299 The question is, 00:12:57.779 --> 00:12:59.019 are you ready? 00:12:59.019 --> 00:13:06.740 I grew up in a time when, 00:13:07.340 --> 00:13:08.199 as a kid, 00:13:08.379 --> 00:13:10.399 that it was very important. 00:13:10.980 --> 00:13:11.319 Anyway, 00:13:11.620 --> 00:13:14.840 I joined Boy Scouts when I was 11 years old 00:13:14.840 --> 00:13:16.840 and I've been a Boy Scout ever since. 00:13:17.340 --> 00:13:19.579 I'm still a Scout at heart, okay? 00:13:20.879 --> 00:13:22.500 I love the organization. 00:13:22.819 --> 00:13:23.720 I'm not, you know, 00:13:23.840 --> 00:13:25.919 I'm very supportive of the organization. 00:13:26.319 --> 00:13:28.399 I know that they've made some weird decisions lately 00:13:28.399 --> 00:13:29.539 and all those kind of things, 00:13:29.879 --> 00:13:31.779 but the Boy Scout organization, 00:13:31.939 --> 00:13:33.980 the Boy Scout things they taught 00:13:33.980 --> 00:13:36.939 have really made an impact in my life. 00:13:37.360 --> 00:13:39.059 And if you're a Scout 00:13:39.059 --> 00:13:40.480 or know anything about Scouting, 00:13:41.480 --> 00:13:43.240 you know that there's a motto 00:13:43.240 --> 00:13:44.519 that goes with Scouting, 00:13:45.079 --> 00:13:46.220 and it is, 00:13:47.220 --> 00:13:47.779 be prepared. 00:13:48.860 --> 00:13:50.179 Not a long motto, 00:13:50.179 --> 00:13:51.480 just be prepared. 00:13:51.480 --> 00:13:52.019 Be prepared. 00:13:52.019 --> 00:13:53.300 And it is, 00:13:53.500 --> 00:13:55.139 be prepared for everything 00:13:55.139 --> 00:13:57.259 that might come your way. 00:13:57.820 --> 00:13:58.800 Be prepared. 00:14:00.100 --> 00:14:01.259 The question is, 00:14:01.360 --> 00:14:02.180 are we prepared 00:14:02.180 --> 00:14:05.340 when it comes to sharing the gospel, 00:14:05.539 --> 00:14:06.139 this debt, 00:14:06.240 --> 00:14:06.980 this obligation 00:14:06.980 --> 00:14:08.860 we have as believers, 00:14:09.360 --> 00:14:10.680 are we prepared 00:14:10.680 --> 00:14:12.519 to do 00:14:12.519 --> 00:14:15.120 what God wants us to do? 00:14:15.120 --> 00:14:17.320 Well, 00:14:17.840 --> 00:14:19.940 Paul, I think, 00:14:20.019 --> 00:14:21.240 shares with us here 00:14:21.240 --> 00:14:22.639 some hints 00:14:22.639 --> 00:14:24.919 in how to be prepared, 00:14:25.399 --> 00:14:25.759 okay? 00:14:26.799 --> 00:14:27.779 The first 00:14:27.779 --> 00:14:30.980 way that we can be prepared 00:14:30.980 --> 00:14:31.720 is this. 00:14:32.580 --> 00:14:34.039 We need 00:14:34.039

--> 00:14:35.000 to be 00:14:35.000 --> 00:14:36.320 proud 00:14:36.320 --> 00:14:37.759 of the gospel 00:14:37.759 --> 00:14:39.779 of Jesus Christ. 00:14:41.259 --> 00:14:41.820 Now, 00:14:42.120 --> 00:14:42.460 you know, 00:14:42.500 --> 00:14:43.600 I use that term, 00:14:43.600 --> 00:14:44.300 you know, 00:14:44.659 --> 00:14:45.420 we are proud 00:14:45.420 --> 00:14:46.759 of the gospel message. 00:14:46.960 --> 00:14:47.340 But let's, 00:14:47.820 --> 00:14:48.659 what is, 00:14:50.040 --> 00:14:51.860 those are real 00:14:51.860 --> 00:14:53.060 biblical terms, 00:14:53.320 --> 00:14:54.240 churchy terms, 00:14:55.080 --> 00:14:55.399 you know, 00:14:55.680 --> 00:14:56.259 gospel. 00:14:59.740 --> 00:15:01.259 We use it all the time. 00:15:01.320 --> 00:15:01.639 Do you know 00:15:01.639 --> 00:15:02.440 what it means? 00:15:03.040 --> 00:15:04.139 What is the gospel? 00:15:05.259 --> 00:15:06.100 The term, 00:15:06.240 --> 00:15:07.220 gospel itself, 00:15:07.320 --> 00:15:08.600 means good news. 00:15:09.480 --> 00:15:09.779 Well, 00:15:09.960 --> 00:15:10.259 okay, 00:15:10.920 --> 00:15:12.060 so we're proud 00:15:12.060 --> 00:15:13.100 of the good news. 00:15:13.100 --> 00:15:13.800 Good news 00:15:13.800 --> 00:15:14.759 implies that 00:15:14.759 --> 00:15:15.720 there's bad news. 00:15:17.159 --> 00:15:17.639 Okay? 00:15:18.200 --> 00:15:18.940 Let's look at 00:15:18.940 --> 00:15:19.860 the bad news first. 00:15:20.000 --> 00:15:20.580 The bad news 00:15:20.580 --> 00:15:21.300 is this. 00:15:22.000 --> 00:15:22.879 The bad news 00:15:22.879 --> 00:15:23.720 is this. 00:15:23.840 --> 00:15:24.820 Found in Paul 00:15:24.820 --> 00:15:25.600 writing here, 00:15:26.120 --> 00:15:26.779 Paul's writing 00:15:26.779 --> 00:15:27.279 in Romans, 00:15:27.399 --> 00:15:28.000 he tells us 00:15:28.000 --> 00:15:28.740 what the bad news 00:15:28.740 --> 00:15:28.980 is. 00:15:29.259 --> 00:15:29.920 The bad news 00:15:29.920 --> 00:15:30.540 is that we're 00:15:30.540 --> 00:15:31.100 all sinners. 00:15:32.259 --> 00:15:32.860 Romans 3, 00:15:32.940 --> 00:15:33.360 23, 00:15:34.040 --> 00:15:34.820 for all have 00:15:34.820 --> 00:15:35.560 sinned and fallen 00:15:35.560 --> 00:15:36.460 short of the glory 00:15:36.460 --> 00:15:36.980 of God. 00:15:37.160 --> 00:15:38.399 That's bad news. 00:15:38.899 --> 00:15:39.879 We're all sinners. 00:15:39.879 --> 00:15:41.659 We all fall short 00:15:41.659 --> 00:15:42.600 of what God 00:15:42.600 --> 00:15:43.299 wants us to do 00:15:43.299 --> 00:15:43.899 in our life. 00:15:44.059 --> 00:15:45.340 All of us do that. 00:15:45.879 --> 00:15:46.820 We fit that mold. 00:15:47.620 --> 00:15:48.159 Let's don't get 00:15:48.159 --> 00:15:48.759 high and mighty 00:15:48.759 --> 00:15:49.500 because we go to 00:15:49.500 --> 00:15:50.259 church every week. 00:15:50.419 --> 00:15:51.279 We just really 00:15:51.279 --> 00:15:51.960 need to realize 00:15:51.960 --> 00:15:52.820 that we're all 00:15:52.820 --> 00:15:53.279 sinners, 00:15:53.919 --> 00:15:54.299 you know, 00:15:54.419 --> 00:15:54.820 okay? 00:15:55.639 --> 00:15:55.980 Now, 00:15:56.179 --> 00:15:57.860 that's bad news 00:15:57.860 --> 00:15:58.860 to some degree, 00:15:58.980 --> 00:15:59.500 but we can look 00:15:59.500 --> 00:15:59.939 around and go, 00:16:00.019 --> 00:16:00.159 well, 00:16:00.200 --> 00:16:00.799 everybody else 00:16:00.799 --> 00:16:01.259 is a sinner. 00:16:01.259 --> 00:16:01.980 Well, 00:16:03.259 --> 00:16:03.960 Paul goes on 00:16:03.960 --> 00:16:04.439 and he says 00:16:04.439 --> 00:16:05.439 the wages of sin 00:16:05.439 --> 00:16:06.240 is death. 00:16:07.080 --> 00:16:07.379 Whoa. 00:16:09.460 --> 00:16:10.019 Wages. 00:16:10.700 --> 00:16:11.860 What we deserve, 00:16:12.120 --> 00:16:13.259 what we should get 00:16:13.259 --> 00:16:14.659 for our sin 00:16:14.659 --> 00:16:15.419 is death. 00:16:16.500 --> 00:16:16.980 Wow. 00:16:17.419 --> 00:16:17.679 Well, 00:16:17.740 --> 00:16:18.559 that verse goes on 00:16:18.559 --> 00:16:18.899 and he says, 00:16:19.000 --> 00:16:20.419 but the gift of God 00:16:20.419 --> 00:16:21.379 is eternal life 00:16:21.379 --> 00:16:22.519 through Jesus Christ. 00:16:23.299 --> 00:16:24.559 There is bad news 00:16:24.559 --> 00:16:25.700 there in that 00:16:25.700 --> 00:16:27.080 because we're all 00:16:27.080 --> 00:16:27.340 sinners, 00:16:27.480 --> 00:16:28.240 we deserve death, 00:16:28.419 --> 00:16:30.220 but he also tells us 00:16:30.220 --> 00:16:30.899 there is, 00:16:30.899 --> 00:16:32.179 there is some 00:16:32.179 --> 00:16:33.000 relief here. 00:16:33.699 --> 00:16:34.139 He says, 00:16:34.459 --> 00:16:35.379 the gift of God 00:16:35.379 --> 00:16:36.379 is eternal life 00:16:36.379 --> 00:16:37.699 through Jesus Christ. 00:16:37.939 --> 00:16:39.639 We don't have to die, 00:16:40.319 --> 00:16:41.519 but it's through 00:16:41.519 --> 00:16:42.360 Jesus Christ. 00:16:43.600 --> 00:16:43.779 Now, 00:16:43.819 --> 00:16:44.600 how is that possible? 00:16:44.759 --> 00:16:44.980 Well, 00:16:45.319 --> 00:16:46.220 Paul doesn't leave us 00:16:46.220 --> 00:16:46.860 in the hole there. 00:16:46.919 --> 00:16:48.019 He tells us in Romans 5, 00:16:48.059 --> 00:16:48.220 8, 00:16:48.240 --> 00:16:50.000 he says that Christ 00:16:50.000 --> 00:16:51.419 died for us. 00:16:51.779 --> 00:16:53.059 While we were yet 00:16:53.059 --> 00:16:53.620 sinners, 00:16:54.039 --> 00:16:56.460 Christ died for us. 00:16:56.819 --> 00:16:57.759 While we were 00:16:57.759 --> 00:16:58.539 undeserving, 00:16:59.379 --> 00:17:00.620 he died 00:17:00.620 --> 00:17:01.580 for us. 00:17:02.399 --> 00:17:03.139 And then, 00:17:03.279 --> 00:17:04.099 in Romans 9, 00:17:04.220 --> 00:17:04.559 and 10, 00:17:04.619 --> 00:17:05.079 and 11, 00:17:05.460 --> 00:17:06.259 he tells us

00:17:06.259 --> 00:17:07.599 the way that we can 00:17:07.599 --> 00:17:10.059 receive this gift 00:17:10.059 --> 00:17:11.440 of God, 00:17:11.680 --> 00:17:12.819 of eternal life, 00:17:12.920 --> 00:17:13.779 the way we can be 00:17:13.779 --> 00:17:14.420 found, 00:17:14.819 --> 00:17:15.279 forgiven, 00:17:15.500 --> 00:17:17.019 and free in our life, 00:17:17.180 --> 00:17:18.000 the way we can 00:17:18.000 --> 00:17:19.160 experience full life 00:17:19.160 --> 00:17:20.500 is to make a commitment 00:17:20.500 --> 00:17:21.200 to Christ, 00:17:21.299 --> 00:17:22.119 to follow Him. 00:17:22.900 --> 00:17:23.200 Okay, 00:17:23.619 --> 00:17:23.900 folks, 00:17:24.119 --> 00:17:25.119 that's the gospel. 00:17:25.119 --> 00:17:28.059 That's the gospel. 00:17:28.779 --> 00:17:30.439 It is good news. 00:17:30.939 --> 00:17:31.799 The good news is, 00:17:32.000 --> 00:17:33.319 even though I'm a sinner, 00:17:33.879 --> 00:17:35.399 Christ died for me. 00:17:35.719 --> 00:17:37.179 I don't have to live 00:17:37.179 --> 00:17:38.679 in that any longer. 00:17:38.939 --> 00:17:39.979 I don't have to live 00:17:39.979 --> 00:17:40.879 there any longer. 00:17:41.219 --> 00:17:43.299 I can be forgiven. 00:17:44.439 --> 00:17:46.599 I can have a full life, 00:17:47.099 --> 00:17:49.239 an abundant life, 00:17:49.240 --> 00:17:50.620 in Christ. 00:17:51.620 --> 00:17:53.000 We need to be proud 00:17:53.000 --> 00:17:53.740 of the gospel. 00:17:55.319 --> 00:17:57.200 Are we proud 00:17:57.200 --> 00:17:57.740 of the gospel? 00:17:58.140 --> 00:17:59.099 We excited 00:17:59.099 --> 00:17:59.920 about the gospel? 00:18:00.420 --> 00:18:01.359 We excited 00:18:01.359 --> 00:18:02.299 about the fact 00:18:02.299 --> 00:18:03.240 that Jesus Christ 00:18:03.240 --> 00:18:04.059 died on the cross 00:18:04.059 --> 00:18:04.519 for us? 00:18:04.700 --> 00:18:05.660 We excited 00:18:05.660 --> 00:18:06.259 that He shed 00:18:06.259 --> 00:18:07.140 His blood for us 00:18:07.140 --> 00:18:08.180 on the cross? 00:18:08.279 --> 00:18:09.019 Are we excited 00:18:09.019 --> 00:18:09.759 about the fact 00:18:09.759 --> 00:18:10.740 that we don't have 00:18:10.740 --> 00:18:11.220 to die? 00:18:11.519 --> 00:18:12.319 Are we excited 00:18:12.319 --> 00:18:13.099 that He can give us 00:18:13.099 --> 00:18:13.579 full life? 00:18:13.579 --> 00:18:15.599 We need to be proud 00:18:15.599 --> 00:18:16.500 of the gospel. 00:18:17.259 --> 00:18:19.319 That's the first place 00:18:19.319 --> 00:18:20.179 to be ready 00:18:20.179 --> 00:18:21.779 in this new year. 00:18:22.159 --> 00:18:23.579 Let's get excited 00:18:23.579 --> 00:18:24.639 about the gospel. 00:18:25.639 --> 00:18:26.859 But Paul doesn't 00:18:26.859 --> 00:18:27.439 stop there. 00:18:28.779 --> 00:18:29.879 He goes on 00:18:29.879 --> 00:18:30.599 and he says 00:18:30.599 --> 00:18:31.939 that we should also 00:18:31.939 --> 00:18:34.139 understand

the power 00:18:34.139 --> 00:18:35.279 of the gospel. 00:18:36.139 --> 00:18:36.980 For he says, 00:18:37.139 --> 00:18:38.139 it, the gospel, 00:18:38.839 --> 00:18:40.019 is the power 00:18:40.019 --> 00:18:40.919 of God 00:18:40.919 --> 00:18:42.899 for salvation. 00:18:43.579 --> 00:18:45.399 It is the power 00:18:45.399 --> 00:18:46.439 of God 00:18:46.439 --> 00:18:48.500 for salvation 00:18:48.500 --> 00:18:50.099 to everyone 00:18:50.099 --> 00:18:51.220 who believes, 00:18:51.259 --> 00:18:52.359 to the Jew first 00:18:52.359 --> 00:18:53.480 and also to the Greek. 00:18:54.379 --> 00:18:55.679 It is the power. 00:18:57.299 --> 00:18:58.419 The Greek word 00:18:58.419 --> 00:18:59.299 power there 00:18:59.299 --> 00:19:00.699 is the word 00:19:00.699 --> 00:19:01.819 dynamo, 00:19:02.019 --> 00:19:02.899 dynamite, 00:19:03.559 --> 00:19:04.119 dynamic. 00:19:04.839 --> 00:19:05.659 You get the idea? 00:19:06.240 --> 00:19:07.099 All those are 00:19:07.099 --> 00:19:07.819 English words 00:19:07.819 --> 00:19:08.460 that we've taken 00:19:08.460 --> 00:19:09.539 from that Greek word 00:19:09.539 --> 00:19:10.259 dynamo 00:19:10.259 --> 00:19:12.399 and used, 00:19:12.399 --> 00:19:13.519 but it is the ideal 00:19:13.519 --> 00:19:14.460 of great power. 00:19:15.940 --> 00:19:16.859 Exciting power. 00:19:17.339 --> 00:19:18.240 Explosive power. 00:19:18.240 --> 00:19:19.920 There is power 00:19:19.920 --> 00:19:20.759 in the gospel. 00:19:21.539 --> 00:19:22.059 Power. 00:19:23.059 --> 00:19:23.799 Here's the, 00:19:24.039 --> 00:19:25.220 the power comes 00:19:25.220 --> 00:19:25.700 in the fact 00:19:25.700 --> 00:19:27.339 that I can't change. 00:19:28.539 --> 00:19:29.599 But you know what? 00:19:30.059 --> 00:19:31.759 God can change me. 00:19:32.799 --> 00:19:34.420 He can change me. 00:19:35.299 --> 00:19:36.160 We enter, 00:19:36.519 --> 00:19:37.379 we come to the end 00:19:37.379 --> 00:19:37.859 of the year, 00:19:37.960 --> 00:19:38.900 we begin a new year, 00:19:39.139 --> 00:19:39.980 we begin to think 00:19:39.980 --> 00:19:40.920 about resolutions 00:19:40.920 --> 00:19:42.579 we make every year. 00:19:43.120 --> 00:19:43.660 I, you know, 00:19:43.720 --> 00:19:44.059 I don't know 00:19:44.059 --> 00:19:44.660 where you are 00:19:44.660 --> 00:19:45.500 in your resolutions 00:19:45.500 --> 00:19:46.440 from last year. 00:19:46.860 --> 00:19:47.480 Last year, 00:19:47.599 --> 00:19:49.319 I, I began the year 00:19:49.319 --> 00:19:49.940 and I had just 00:19:49.940 --> 00:19:50.960 one resolution, 00:19:51.140 --> 00:19:51.440 okay? 00:19:52.160 --> 00:19:53.440 Uh, and that was, 00:19:53.559 --> 00:19:55.160 I, I was resolved 00:19:55.160 --> 00:19:57.759 to lose 20 pounds 00:19:57.759 --> 00:19:59.900 during the year. 00:19:59.960 --> 00:20:01.620 I resolved to do that. 00:20:02.079 --> 00:20:03.079 Well, I, I'm just 00:20:03.079 --> 00:20:03.620 going to tell you, 00:20:03.640 --> 00:20:04.799 I'm just not very good 00:20:04.799 --> 00:20:05.620 at that, okay? 00:20:06.259 --> 00:20:07.579 I'm just not very good 00:20:07.579 --> 00:20:08.919 at that, you know? 00:20:09.079 --> 00:20:10.379 I, I am doing better 00:20:10.379 --> 00:20:11.179 this year because, 00:20:11.419 --> 00:20:12.979 you know, but, uh, 00:20:12.979 --> 00:20:13.739 I will tell you, 00:20:14.179 --> 00:20:15.159 I've had the same 00:20:15.159 --> 00:20:17.439 resolution for about 00:20:17.439 --> 00:20:18.099 10 years. 00:20:19.719 --> 00:20:20.779 And I haven't got 00:20:20.779 --> 00:20:21.479 there yet. 00:20:21.479 --> 00:20:23.659 And the reason is, 00:20:24.139 --> 00:20:25.539 not that it's impossible 00:20:25.539 --> 00:20:27.079 to lose 20 pounds, 00:20:27.699 --> 00:20:30.759 but me doing it 00:20:30.759 --> 00:20:31.759 on my own, 00:20:32.579 --> 00:20:34.359 eh, not real good 00:20:34.359 --> 00:20:34.779 at that. 00:20:35.619 --> 00:20:36.619 You know? 00:20:37.639 --> 00:20:39.000 In fact, you know, 00:20:39.219 --> 00:20:40.039 there was a couple 00:20:40.039 --> 00:20:41.000 of years I got 00:20:41.000 --> 00:20:42.159 to December the 1st 00:20:42.159 --> 00:20:42.639 and I was going, 00:20:42.959 --> 00:20:43.879 okay, how am I doing 00:20:43.879 --> 00:20:44.539 with my goal 00:20:44.539 --> 00:20:45.539 to lose 20 pounds? 00:20:45.619 --> 00:20:46.139 And I would go, 00:20:46.679 --> 00:20:47.879 whew, I only have 00:20:47.879 --> 00:20:49.079 25 more to go. 00:20:50.379 --> 00:20:51.039 You know? 00:20:54.879 --> 00:20:55.779 You, you see, 00:20:55.899 --> 00:20:57.619 we, we think 00:20:57.619 --> 00:20:59.059 we can change our life. 00:21:00.579 --> 00:21:02.679 And most of the time 00:21:02.679 --> 00:21:03.619 we don't have the power 00:21:03.619 --> 00:21:06.119 to even figure out 00:21:06.119 --> 00:21:07.619 how to lose 20 pounds. 00:21:09.000 --> 00:21:11.159 Much less get rid 00:21:11.159 --> 00:21:11.799 of the sin, 00:21:12.539 --> 00:21:13.459 the guilt 00:21:13.459 --> 00:21:15.659 in our life. 00:21:16.659 --> 00:21:18.359 Or to get rid of 00:21:18.359 --> 00:21:21.019 all the temptations 00:21:21.019 --> 00:21:22.759 that Satan throws our way, 00:21:23.000 --> 00:21:23.419 pulls. 00:21:24.159 --> 00:21:24.919 He knows our, 00:21:25.159 --> 00:21:26.259 he knows every button 00:21:26.259 --> 00:21:26.899 we have. 00:21:26.900 --> 00:21:29.940 And he pushes those buttons. 00:21:31.519 --> 00:21:32.560 We, we think 00:21:32.560 --> 00:21:33.460 we can just 00:21:33.460 --> 00:21:35.420 handle that on our own. 00:21:35.820 --> 00:21:36.840 We can't. 00:21:37.420 --> 00:21:39.000 We need the power 00:21:39.000 --> 00:21:40.460 of the gospel. 00:21:42.280 --> 00:21:43.740 We can look at just the, 00:21:43.860 --> 00:21:45.920 the life of the apostle Paul 00:21:45.920 --> 00:21:47.220 and see the power 00:21:47.220 --> 00:21:47.960 of

the gospel. 00:21:48.480 --> 00:21:48.800 Paul, 00:21:49.200 --> 00:21:50.200 the persecutor 00:21:50.200 --> 00:21:50.620 of the, 00:21:50.660 --> 00:21:51.640 of the early church. 00:21:51.640 --> 00:21:52.320 Paul, 00:21:52.500 --> 00:21:52.780 who was, 00:21:52.860 --> 00:21:53.740 he was at that time 00:21:53.740 --> 00:21:54.460 named Saul, 00:21:54.920 --> 00:21:56.060 he was the persecutor 00:21:56.060 --> 00:21:56.960 of that early church. 00:21:57.200 --> 00:21:58.720 He was destroying 00:21:58.720 --> 00:21:59.380 the church 00:21:59.380 --> 00:22:00.120 and God, 00:22:00.220 --> 00:22:00.380 what, 00:22:00.600 --> 00:22:01.380 changed him. 00:22:01.460 --> 00:22:02.620 He becomes the greatest 00:22:02.620 --> 00:22:03.940 missionary of all times 00:22:03.940 --> 00:22:06.580 and the writer 00:22:06.580 --> 00:22:07.600 of over half 00:22:07.600 --> 00:22:08.380 the New Testament. 00:22:09.960 --> 00:22:11.000 How'd that happen? 00:22:11.880 --> 00:22:12.820 It happened 00:22:12.820 --> 00:22:13.780 by the power 00:22:13.780 --> 00:22:14.420 of God. 00:22:15.320 --> 00:22:16.160 When I moved 00:22:16.160 --> 00:22:17.020 to Arlington 00:22:17.020 --> 00:22:18.740 back in 1992, 00:22:18.740 --> 00:22:19.240 my, 00:22:19.359 --> 00:22:19.920 my daughter 00:22:19.920 --> 00:22:20.740 who is very, 00:22:21.380 --> 00:22:23.059 she's extrovert 00:22:23.059 --> 00:22:24.099 to some degree. 00:22:24.299 --> 00:22:25.420 She began to meet 00:22:25.420 --> 00:22:26.099 all the girls 00:22:26.099 --> 00:22:26.779 in the neighborhood 00:22:26.779 --> 00:22:27.960 that were her age. 00:22:28.359 --> 00:22:28.720 I mean, 00:22:28.759 --> 00:22:29.519 every one of them. 00:22:29.759 --> 00:22:30.660 Within about a week 00:22:30.660 --> 00:22:31.039 or two, 00:22:31.480 --> 00:22:31.839 you know, 00:22:31.880 --> 00:22:33.079 we had three or four girls 00:22:33.079 --> 00:22:33.940 coming to our house 00:22:33.940 --> 00:22:34.519 all the time 00:22:34.519 --> 00:22:35.539 from the neighborhood. 00:22:36.200 --> 00:22:37.059 One of those girls, 00:22:37.160 --> 00:22:38.120 the name was Rebecca 00:22:38.120 --> 00:22:40.319 and Crystal found out, 00:22:40.400 --> 00:22:41.339 figured out really quick 00:22:41.339 --> 00:22:41.839 that Rebecca 00:22:41.839 --> 00:22:42.660 didn't go to church 00:22:42.660 --> 00:22:43.140 very often 00:22:43.140 --> 00:22:45.019 and so she invited 00:22:45.019 --> 00:22:45.539 Rebecca 00:22:45.539 --> 00:22:46.220 to go to church 00:22:46.220 --> 00:22:46.700 with us. 00:22:46.700 --> 00:22:48.880 And so Rebecca 00:22:48.880 --> 00:22:49.460 started going 00:22:49.460 --> 00:22:50.220 to church with us 00:22:50.220 --> 00:22:51.799 and on the way 00:22:51.799 --> 00:22:52.180 to church, 00:22:52.279 --> 00:22:52.920 occasionally I would 00:22:52.920 --> 00:22:53.319 have to go, 00:22:53.400 --> 00:22:53.660 Rebecca, 00:22:53.759 --> 00:22:54.620 we don't

say that 00:22:54.620 --> 00:22:55.519 at church. 00:22:55.660 --> 00:22:56.160 We don't say, 00:22:56.240 --> 00:22:57.500 we don't use that word 00:22:57.500 --> 00:22:59.580 and because Rebecca's 00:22:59.580 --> 00:23:00.500 language was not 00:23:00.500 --> 00:23:01.539 necessarily the greatest. 00:23:02.559 --> 00:23:04.059 She had incorporated 00:23:04.059 --> 00:23:04.920 some terms 00:23:04.920 --> 00:23:05.420 that she had 00:23:05.420 --> 00:23:06.580 probably heard 00:23:06.580 --> 00:23:07.200 from her dad. 00:23:07.559 --> 00:23:07.880 Okay? 00:23:08.799 --> 00:23:09.240 Well, 00:23:09.779 --> 00:23:10.039 you know, 00:23:10.080 --> 00:23:11.039 I wanted to get to know 00:23:11.039 --> 00:23:12.440 the parents of these girls 00:23:12.440 --> 00:23:14.000 that Crystal 00:23:14.000 --> 00:23:14.960 was bringing around 00:23:14.960 --> 00:23:16.100 and so one day 00:23:16.099 --> 00:23:16.599 I went over 00:23:16.599 --> 00:23:18.379 and met Rebecca's dad. 00:23:18.559 --> 00:23:19.819 He was out in the garage, 00:23:19.899 --> 00:23:20.519 his garage. 00:23:21.059 --> 00:23:23.099 He had a really nice garage. 00:23:23.779 --> 00:23:24.240 I mean, 00:23:24.819 --> 00:23:25.339 he had a really, 00:23:25.480 --> 00:23:26.480 now he didn't park 00:23:26.480 --> 00:23:27.799 his car in his garage 00:23:27.799 --> 00:23:30.039 or his truck 00:23:30.039 --> 00:23:31.659 but he parked 00:23:31.659 --> 00:23:32.219 his Harley 00:23:32.219 --> 00:23:33.379 in his garage. 00:23:33.919 --> 00:23:34.659 He had a place 00:23:34.659 --> 00:23:35.219 for his Harley. 00:23:35.779 --> 00:23:37.799 He had this nice floor, 00:23:38.240 --> 00:23:39.119 it had been painted, 00:23:39.599 --> 00:23:41.179 he had a nice love seat 00:23:41.179 --> 00:23:42.899 there in his garage, 00:23:42.900 --> 00:23:44.600 he had a big screen TV, 00:23:45.140 --> 00:23:46.540 he had a little wet bar 00:23:46.540 --> 00:23:47.820 over here on the other side 00:23:47.820 --> 00:23:48.720 and his Harley. 00:23:49.860 --> 00:23:50.180 Okay? 00:23:51.040 --> 00:23:52.120 And when I went over 00:23:52.120 --> 00:23:52.580 to see him, 00:23:52.640 --> 00:23:53.840 he was messing 00:23:53.840 --> 00:23:54.500 with his Harley. 00:23:55.120 --> 00:23:55.660 He had, 00:23:55.740 --> 00:23:56.860 you know, 00:23:57.000 --> 00:23:58.140 sort of a, 00:23:58.360 --> 00:23:59.540 well it was a 00:23:59.540 --> 00:24:00.680 t-shirt with the sleeves 00:24:00.680 --> 00:24:01.700 cut off on it. 00:24:02.000 --> 00:24:02.300 Alright? 00:24:02.300 --> 00:24:04.200 And his shorts 00:24:04.200 --> 00:24:05.380 and his sandals on 00:24:05.380 --> 00:24:07.440 and he had tattoos 00:24:07.440 --> 00:24:08.360 all over his arm, 00:24:08.800 --> 00:24:09.680 on his legs, 00:24:10.180 --> 00:24:10.540 everywhere. 00:24:11.100 --> 00:24:11.300 Going, 00:24:11.560 --> 00:24:12.260 oh wow. 00:24:13.000 --> 00:24:13.920 So I met Bob. 00:24:17.040 --> 00:24:17.900 You know, 00:24:18.020 --> 00:24:18.960 I told him who it was. 00:24:19.580 --> 00:24:20.680 It was kind of cold. 00:24:21.160 --> 00:24:21.400 Like, 00:24:22.160 --> 00:24:22.980 meeting ice. 00:24:24.100 --> 00:24:24.420 Okay? 00:24:25.080 --> 00:24:26.520 Just cold. 00:24:26.860 --> 00:24:27.700 Everything just, 00:24:28.240 --> 00:24:29.580 immediately after I told him 00:24:29.580 --> 00:24:30.120 what I did, 00:24:30.420 --> 00:24:31.640 there was just this block 00:24:31.640 --> 00:24:33.640 just between me and him 00:24:33.640 --> 00:24:34.580 and, you know, 00:24:34.660 --> 00:24:37.540 and he just didn't say much. 00:24:39.220 --> 00:24:39.759 You know, 00:24:39.840 --> 00:24:40.759 on my walk back 00:24:40.759 --> 00:24:42.040 from his house 00:24:42.040 --> 00:24:42.560 to my house, 00:24:42.600 --> 00:24:43.080 I was going, 00:24:43.900 --> 00:24:45.060 you know, 00:24:45.500 --> 00:24:46.080 okay, 00:24:46.860 --> 00:24:48.060 I just don't even know 00:24:48.060 --> 00:24:49.180 if God can fix this. 00:24:49.240 --> 00:24:49.980 I don't know if God 00:24:49.980 --> 00:24:51.220 can ever change Bob. 00:24:52.040 --> 00:24:52.740 Just don't know. 00:24:55.640 --> 00:24:56.900 Me of little faith. 00:25:00.420 --> 00:25:00.820 Because, 00:25:01.100 --> 00:25:02.880 within a month or two, 00:25:02.880 --> 00:25:04.200 Rebecca got saved 00:25:04.200 --> 00:25:05.620 at church camp. 00:25:07.540 --> 00:25:08.100 And, 00:25:08.100 --> 00:25:09.380 Rebecca 00:25:09.380 --> 00:25:11.680 had to be baptized. 00:25:12.300 --> 00:25:13.240 Wanted to be baptized. 00:25:13.800 --> 00:25:14.060 So, 00:25:14.800 --> 00:25:15.600 Bob came 00:25:15.600 --> 00:25:16.880 to her baptism. 00:25:18.100 --> 00:25:18.820 He came 00:25:18.820 --> 00:25:19.980 to see her baptized. 00:25:20.980 --> 00:25:22.300 That was the first time 00:25:22.300 --> 00:25:23.080 he had been in church 00:25:23.080 --> 00:25:25.180 in who knows how long. 00:25:26.860 --> 00:25:27.400 And, 00:25:28.000 --> 00:25:28.540 then, 00:25:28.760 --> 00:25:30.720 every time the youth 00:25:30.720 --> 00:25:31.380 did something, 00:25:31.960 --> 00:25:32.279 you know, 00:25:32.519 --> 00:25:33.380 Rebecca would give 00:25:33.380 --> 00:25:34.519 a testimony or something. 00:25:34.960 --> 00:25:35.980 He was there 00:25:35.980 --> 00:25:37.000 on Sunday night. 00:25:37.140 --> 00:25:37.700 He'd come. 00:25:38.100 --> 00:25:38.319 And, 00:25:38.380 --> 00:25:38.920 then he realized 00:25:38.920 --> 00:25:39.680 on Sunday night 00:25:39.680 --> 00:25:41.579 we were kind of casual 00:25:41.579 --> 00:25:42.799 at the church. 00:25:43.000 --> 00:25:43.180 Not, 00:25:43.539 --> 00:25:43.759 well, 00:25:43.819 --> 00:25:44.700 just not on Sunday night. 00:25:44.759 --> 00:25:45.539 He just didn't know. 00:25:45.960 --> 00:25:46.200 But, 00:25:46.200 --> 00:25:46.920 on Sunday night 00:25:46.920 -->

00:25:48.279 we were especially casual. 00:25:48.660 --> 00:25:49.200 We were meeting 00:25:49.200 --> 00:25:50.279 in a sanctuasium. 00:25:50.759 --> 00:25:52.000 You know what a sanctuasium is? 00:25:52.640 --> 00:25:53.440 A gematorium. 00:25:54.400 --> 00:25:54.799 And, 00:25:54.799 --> 00:25:55.940 and every Sunday night 00:25:55.940 --> 00:25:57.200 we had to pick up 00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:57.720 the chairs 00:25:57.720 --> 00:25:59.720 and stack them 00:25:59.720 --> 00:26:00.680 and all those kind of things. 00:26:01.019 --> 00:26:01.279 And, 00:26:01.360 --> 00:26:02.400 we had this saying, 00:26:02.860 --> 00:26:03.100 you know, 00:26:03.180 --> 00:26:03.440 at, 00:26:03.500 --> 00:26:04.539 at South Oaks 00:26:04.539 --> 00:26:05.299 we stack them 00:26:05.299 --> 00:26:05.960 seven high. 00:26:06.320 --> 00:26:06.720 All right? 00:26:07.259 --> 00:26:07.660 And, 00:26:07.720 --> 00:26:08.059 so, 00:26:08.220 --> 00:26:09.500 we even had t-shirts made. 00:26:10.039 --> 00:26:10.460 You know? 00:26:11.120 --> 00:26:12.200 Said South Oaks 00:26:12.200 --> 00:26:12.940 and on the back of them 00:26:12.940 --> 00:26:13.860 it says we stack them 00:26:13.860 --> 00:26:14.580 seven high. 00:26:14.799 --> 00:26:14.900 And, 00:26:14.900 --> 00:26:15.640 it was talking about 00:26:15.640 --> 00:26:16.140 the chairs. 00:26:16.799 --> 00:26:16.980 And, 00:26:17.059 --> 00:26:17.440 and so, 00:26:17.779 --> 00:26:18.640 Bob loved to come 00:26:18.640 --> 00:26:20.059 because after church 00:26:20.059 --> 00:26:21.320 nobody paid much attention 00:26:21.320 --> 00:26:21.539 to him. 00:26:21.539 --> 00:26:22.500 He'd be stacking chairs. 00:26:22.500 --> 00:26:22.819 And, 00:26:22.819 --> 00:26:23.799 then he'd sneak out. 00:26:24.400 --> 00:26:24.640 Okay? 00:26:25.519 --> 00:26:25.920 Well, 00:26:27.599 --> 00:26:28.319 one 00:26:28.319 --> 00:26:30.900 night 00:26:30.900 --> 00:26:32.940 on Sunday night 00:26:32.940 --> 00:26:34.220 I had noticed 00:26:34.220 --> 00:26:35.279 there was a difference 00:26:35.279 --> 00:26:36.180 in Bob. 00:26:36.980 --> 00:26:37.400 And, 00:26:37.460 --> 00:26:38.119 so he was coming 00:26:38.119 --> 00:26:38.680 out the door 00:26:38.680 --> 00:26:39.519 and I grabbed him. 00:26:39.640 --> 00:26:39.920 I said, 00:26:40.000 --> 00:26:40.339 Bob. 00:26:42.119 --> 00:26:43.039 I just looked at him 00:26:43.039 --> 00:26:43.200 and go, 00:26:43.500 --> 00:26:44.980 when did you get saved? 00:26:46.660 --> 00:26:47.059 And, 00:26:47.140 --> 00:26:47.700 he looked at me 00:26:47.700 --> 00:26:48.039 and he says, 00:26:48.119 --> 00:26:48.420 preacher, 00:26:49.000 --> 00:26:50.480 about three weeks ago 00:26:50.480 --> 00:26:53.380 what you were preaching, 00:26:53.620 --> 00:26:53.839 you know, 00:26:53.900 --> 00:26:54.700 I was preaching 00:26:54.700 --> 00:26:55.360 through Romans 00:26:55.360 --> 00:26:55.940 and he's going, 00:26:56.740 --> 00:26:57.099 he said, 00:26:57.160 --> 00:26:57.960 I got to looking 00:26:57.960 --> 00:26:58.799 at what you were preaching 00:26:58.799 --> 00:26:59.599 and I went home 00:26:59.599 --> 00:27:00.680 and I studied it some more 00:27:00.680 --> 00:27:00.920 and I, 00:27:00.920 --> 00:27:02.400 I just asked the Lord 00:27:02.400 --> 00:27:03.360 to come into my life. 00:27:03.519 --> 00:27:03.980 And I go, 00:27:04.339 --> 00:27:04.740 well Bob, 00:27:04.759 --> 00:27:05.819 I can see the difference 00:27:05.819 --> 00:27:07.660 in your life. 00:27:08.799 --> 00:27:09.500 And he goes, 00:27:09.579 --> 00:27:09.819 well, 00:27:09.920 --> 00:27:12.240 there's a true difference 00:27:12.240 --> 00:27:13.059 in my life. 00:27:13.059 --> 00:27:15.359 well, 00:27:16.259 --> 00:27:19.440 I said, 00:27:19.500 --> 00:27:19.679 Bob, 00:27:19.700 --> 00:27:20.460 you need to be baptized. 00:27:20.740 --> 00:27:21.019 Ah, 00:27:21.099 --> 00:27:21.299 yeah, 00:27:21.339 --> 00:27:21.720 I know. 00:27:22.299 --> 00:27:23.599 But I'm an old man. 00:27:23.960 --> 00:27:24.899 I wasn't that old. 00:27:25.000 --> 00:27:25.419 But anyway, 00:27:25.519 --> 00:27:26.200 he felt like, 00:27:26.299 --> 00:27:27.059 I'm old. 00:27:27.220 --> 00:27:27.700 I can't be, 00:27:28.019 --> 00:27:28.399 I said, 00:27:28.440 --> 00:27:28.679 Bob, 00:27:28.819 --> 00:27:29.819 you need to be baptized. 00:27:30.099 --> 00:27:31.059 You need to be able 00:27:31.059 --> 00:27:32.019 to share with the world 00:27:32.019 --> 00:27:32.700 that you've been, 00:27:32.819 --> 00:27:33.659 been saved 00:27:33.659 --> 00:27:34.319 and you do that 00:27:34.319 --> 00:27:34.960 through baptism. 00:27:34.960 --> 00:27:35.359 And so, 00:27:36.419 --> 00:27:37.559 I baptized Bob 00:27:37.559 --> 00:27:37.779 and, 00:27:38.139 --> 00:27:38.879 and man, 00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:39.899 you talk about somebody 00:27:39.899 --> 00:27:40.579 who was excited 00:27:40.579 --> 00:27:41.339 about being baptized. 00:27:41.480 --> 00:27:41.980 He was excited. 00:27:41.980 --> 00:27:42.460 Well, 00:27:42.700 --> 00:27:44.039 long story short, 00:27:44.980 --> 00:27:45.759 that's been about 00:27:45.759 --> 00:27:46.839 25 years ago. 00:27:47.960 --> 00:27:49.519 Bob is still very active 00:27:49.519 --> 00:27:50.900 in South Oaks Baptist Church 00:27:50.900 --> 00:27:51.180 in, 00:27:51.240 --> 00:27:52.039 in Arlington. 00:27:52.759 --> 00:27:54.620 He has been on the finance team 00:27:54.620 --> 00:27:54.960 many, 00:27:55.140 --> 00:27:55.759 many times 00:27:55.759 --> 00:27:57.259 because he is just really good 00:27:57.259 --> 00:27:58.319 at those kind of things. 00:27:59.220 --> 00:28:00.539 He serves now 00:28:00.539 --> 00:28:02.339 as the topper Sunday school teacher 00:28:02.339 --> 00:28:04.279 and has been teaching 00:28:04.279 --> 00:28:05.779 for about 15 years. 00:28:06.519 --> 00:28:07.460 He is 00:28:07.460 --> 00:28:09.599 a

great man. 00:28:10.539 --> 00:28:11.039 In fact, 00:28:11.099 --> 00:28:11.519 this week, 00:28:11.519 --> 00:28:12.680 he contacted me, 00:28:12.940 --> 00:28:13.599 talked to me, 00:28:14.779 --> 00:28:15.119 you know. 00:28:15.819 --> 00:28:16.079 Now, 00:28:16.119 --> 00:28:16.740 looking at him, 00:28:16.799 --> 00:28:17.059 you go, 00:28:17.859 --> 00:28:19.359 he's had another life. 00:28:22.839 --> 00:28:23.319 See, 00:28:23.379 --> 00:28:24.000 I gave up. 00:28:25.779 --> 00:28:26.740 But you know what? 00:28:27.359 --> 00:28:28.759 There is power 00:28:28.759 --> 00:28:31.319 in the gospel. 00:28:32.279 --> 00:28:32.980 There's people 00:28:32.980 --> 00:28:33.619 in your life 00:28:33.619 --> 00:28:34.119 right now. 00:28:35.180 --> 00:28:35.859 There's people 00:28:35.859 --> 00:28:36.839 here in this community 00:28:36.839 --> 00:28:38.459 you've given up on. 00:28:39.619 --> 00:28:40.419 But you know what? 00:28:40.500 --> 00:28:42.079 God has not given up on them. 00:28:42.899 --> 00:28:44.000 There is power 00:28:44.000 --> 00:28:44.839 in the gospel. 00:28:47.000 --> 00:28:48.159 Paul says 00:28:48.159 --> 00:28:49.659 that power 00:28:49.659 --> 00:28:50.879 of God, 00:28:50.959 --> 00:28:51.980 it is the power 00:28:51.980 --> 00:28:52.459 of God 00:28:52.459 --> 00:28:53.679 for salvation. 00:28:55.139 --> 00:28:55.619 Salvation 00:28:55.619 --> 00:28:57.299 from sin. 00:28:58.119 --> 00:28:58.559 Salvation 00:28:58.559 --> 00:29:00.339 for eternal life. 00:29:01.059 --> 00:29:01.500 Salvation. 00:29:01.500 --> 00:29:01.619 salvation. 00:29:02.880 --> 00:29:04.339 Then there's a third thing 00:29:04.339 --> 00:29:05.460 that we also need to, 00:29:05.799 --> 00:29:06.799 if we're going to be ready, 00:29:07.559 --> 00:29:08.960 we need to be proud 00:29:08.960 --> 00:29:09.480 of the gospel. 00:29:09.940 --> 00:29:10.839 We need to understand 00:29:10.839 --> 00:29:11.940 there is the power 00:29:11.940 --> 00:29:12.619 of the gospel. 00:29:13.279 --> 00:29:14.519 But there's a third thing. 00:29:14.839 --> 00:29:16.259 We also need to understand 00:29:16.259 --> 00:29:18.259 we need to live out 00:29:18.259 --> 00:29:19.480 the gospel 00:29:19.480 --> 00:29:20.519 in our life. 00:29:21.039 --> 00:29:22.279 We need to live it out. 00:29:23.079 --> 00:29:24.519 Paul writes it this way. 00:29:24.579 --> 00:29:24.940 He says, 00:29:24.940 --> 00:29:26.480 for it is the gospel 00:29:26.480 --> 00:29:28.039 or the righteousness 00:29:28.039 --> 00:29:28.660 of God 00:29:28.660 --> 00:29:29.279 is revealed 00:29:29.279 --> 00:29:30.120 from faith 00:29:30.120 --> 00:29:30.799 for faith 00:29:30.799 --> 00:29:32.160 as it is written. 00:29:32.620 --> 00:29:33.220 The righteous 00:29:33.220 --> 00:29:34.640 shall live 00:29:34.640 --> 00:29:35.840 by faith. 00:29:37.220 --> 00:29:37.539 See, 00:29:37.740 --> 00:29:39.500 I grew up 00:29:39.500 --> 00:29:40.200 in a Baptist church. 00:29:40.279 --> 00:29:40.500 I know 00:29:40.500 --> 00:29:42.000 about Baptists. 00:29:43.340 --> 00:29:43.620 Okay? 00:29:44.059 --> 00:29:44.880 We often, 00:29:45.380 --> 00:29:46.100 not always, 00:29:46.220 --> 00:29:46.880 not everyone, 00:29:46.880 --> 00:29:48.539 but we often 00:29:48.539 --> 00:29:49.680 have this tendency 00:29:49.680 --> 00:29:51.980 as Baptists 00:29:51.980 --> 00:29:53.100 and as believers 00:29:53.100 --> 00:29:54.000 and all those 00:29:54.000 --> 00:29:54.460 kind of things. 00:29:54.460 --> 00:29:56.700 we think, 00:29:56.940 --> 00:29:57.160 okay, 00:29:57.279 --> 00:29:58.579 now that I'm saved, 00:29:58.779 --> 00:29:59.579 I've got to live 00:29:59.579 --> 00:30:00.480 by these rules. 00:30:02.019 --> 00:30:03.180 All these rules. 00:30:05.460 --> 00:30:06.019 Really? 00:30:06.480 --> 00:30:07.519 Where do you find that? 00:30:09.559 --> 00:30:10.579 It says here 00:30:10.579 --> 00:30:11.840 we shall live by faith. 00:30:13.319 --> 00:30:13.880 Faith? 00:30:15.519 --> 00:30:17.220 We all have a list. 00:30:18.559 --> 00:30:19.400 I'd say it. 00:30:19.460 --> 00:30:20.259 Baptists are bad 00:30:20.259 --> 00:30:21.000 about our list. 00:30:21.000 --> 00:30:21.900 You know, 00:30:21.960 --> 00:30:22.519 you can't drink, 00:30:22.620 --> 00:30:23.279 you can't dance, 00:30:23.559 --> 00:30:23.779 you know, 00:30:23.779 --> 00:30:24.420 all the cants, 00:30:24.460 --> 00:30:25.220 you can't do this, 00:30:25.279 --> 00:30:25.960 you can't do that, 00:30:26.160 --> 00:30:27.019 can't do all those 00:30:27.019 --> 00:30:27.539 kind of things 00:30:27.539 --> 00:30:28.399 because you do 00:30:28.399 --> 00:30:29.220 all those kind of things 00:30:29.220 --> 00:30:30.119 then you ain't a believer. 00:30:31.039 --> 00:30:31.740 You can't do 00:30:31.740 --> 00:30:32.599 all those kind of things. 00:30:33.059 --> 00:30:33.759 We have lists. 00:30:33.879 --> 00:30:34.519 We have all this 00:30:34.519 --> 00:30:35.160 kind of stuff. 00:30:35.680 --> 00:30:35.920 You know? 00:30:36.480 --> 00:30:36.839 And, 00:30:36.839 --> 00:30:37.839 we have to live by faith. 00:30:37.839 --> 00:30:39.859 And what we've done is 00:30:39.859 --> 00:30:42.240 we've traded away 00:30:42.240 --> 00:30:43.000 the freedom 00:30:43.000 --> 00:30:44.480 that we have in Christ 00:30:44.480 --> 00:30:46.119 and we just put chains 00:30:46.119 --> 00:30:46.819 on ourself. 00:30:48.139 --> 00:30:49.220 We need to understand 00:30:49.220 --> 00:30:50.480 that we need to live 00:30:50.480 --> 00:30:50.779 by faith. 00:30:50.839 --> 00:30:51.799 How did we get saved? 00:30:52.079 --> 00:30:53.419 We get saved by our works? 00:30:53.639 --> 00:30:53.899 No. 00:30:54.119 --> 00:30:55.099 We did not get saved 00:30:55.099 --> 00:30:55.519 by our works. 00:30:55.699 --> 00:30:56.819 We didn't deserve anything. 00:30:57.079 --> 00:30:57.799 We were sinners. 00:30:57.959 -->

00:30:58.419 There's no way 00:30:58.419 --> 00:30:59.299 we could save ourself. 00:30:59.619 --> 00:31:00.679 But we think now 00:31:00.679 --> 00:31:02.199 we have to live that way. 00:31:02.480 --> 00:31:02.639 No, 00:31:02.699 --> 00:31:03.159 you don't. 00:31:03.160 --> 00:31:04.640 You live 00:31:04.640 --> 00:31:06.120 in this freedom 00:31:06.120 --> 00:31:08.160 that God has given to you. 00:31:08.860 --> 00:31:10.019 Because here's the thing. 00:31:10.860 --> 00:31:11.940 Here's what happens. 00:31:12.960 --> 00:31:14.440 A person gets saved 00:31:14.440 --> 00:31:15.620 and they think, 00:31:15.720 --> 00:31:17.040 oh, now I've got Christ 00:31:17.040 --> 00:31:17.640 in my life. 00:31:17.700 --> 00:31:18.800 I've got God in my life. 00:31:19.000 --> 00:31:19.900 And God begins 00:31:19.900 --> 00:31:21.000 to transform that life. 00:31:21.080 --> 00:31:22.519 He begins to change that life. 00:31:22.840 --> 00:31:23.460 He does. 00:31:24.300 --> 00:31:25.519 And then Satan comes along. 00:31:25.600 --> 00:31:26.580 He tempts and he moves. 00:31:26.580 --> 00:31:28.080 And the first thing you know, 00:31:28.279 --> 00:31:30.440 a person has made a mistake. 00:31:31.380 --> 00:31:32.400 They've sinned. 00:31:33.160 --> 00:31:33.980 In their life. 00:31:34.600 --> 00:31:35.320 And they're going, 00:31:36.080 --> 00:31:37.400 okay, I'm not sure this works. 00:31:39.720 --> 00:31:40.660 They've given up. 00:31:41.600 --> 00:31:42.960 And now they feel guilty 00:31:42.960 --> 00:31:43.620 because they've got 00:31:43.620 --> 00:31:44.800 their sin in their life. 00:31:45.380 --> 00:31:46.200 And they're going, 00:31:46.740 --> 00:31:47.800 and what do I do about that? 00:31:48.040 --> 00:31:48.360 I'm going, 00:31:48.540 --> 00:31:48.960 they're going, 00:31:49.660 --> 00:31:51.300 and Satan loves to use that. 00:31:51.779 --> 00:31:52.200 They're going, 00:31:52.560 --> 00:31:54.259 you can't talk about your faith. 00:31:54.320 --> 00:31:55.640 You can't talk about the gospel. 00:31:55.640 --> 00:31:57.000 You can't talk about that 00:31:57.000 --> 00:31:58.480 because look at that sin 00:31:58.480 --> 00:31:59.259 in your life. 00:32:03.160 --> 00:32:05.740 because you feel guilty. 00:32:08.800 --> 00:32:10.180 I don't know if you've ever noticed 00:32:10.180 --> 00:32:11.160 small children, 00:32:11.759 --> 00:32:13.400 when they do something wrong 00:32:13.400 --> 00:32:15.180 and you get on to them, 00:32:15.680 --> 00:32:17.840 they immediately stop looking at you. 00:32:20.680 --> 00:32:21.400 Immediately they, 00:32:21.640 --> 00:32:21.860 you know, 00:32:21.940 --> 00:32:23.140 you get on to a two-year-old, 00:32:23.240 --> 00:32:23.720 three-year-old, 00:32:23.980 --> 00:32:24.880 you get on to them and say, 00:32:25.019 --> 00:32:25.380 son, 00:32:25.500 --> 00:32:26.620 you shouldn't be doing that. 00:32:26.619 --> 00:32:29.859 They're not looking at you. 00:32:31.959 --> 00:32:32.359 Why? 00:32:32.859 --> 00:32:34.379 Because the relationship is broken 00:32:34.379 --> 00:32:35.659 because they have sinned. 00:32:35.719 --> 00:32:36.819 They have broken something. 00:32:37.159 --> 00:32:38.399 They've broken the relationship. 00:32:38.819 --> 00:32:39.579 And when we sin, 00:32:39.639 --> 00:32:41.399 we break that relationship with God. 00:32:41.739 --> 00:32:41.919 Now, 00:32:42.299 --> 00:32:43.579 it doesn't mean we're not saved, 00:32:43.859 --> 00:32:45.339 but that relationship is hindered. 00:32:46.039 --> 00:32:47.019 Just like a child. 00:32:47.259 --> 00:32:48.879 A child that disobeys their dad 00:32:48.879 --> 00:32:49.979 is still a child. 00:32:52.539 --> 00:32:53.299 Disobedient child. 00:32:53.899 --> 00:32:54.919 How do they come back? 00:32:54.920 --> 00:32:57.700 They come back the same way 00:32:57.700 --> 00:32:59.140 through faith. 00:33:02.539 --> 00:33:04.279 And when they have faith, 00:33:04.400 --> 00:33:05.080 in what? 00:33:05.360 --> 00:33:06.660 They have to have faith 00:33:06.660 --> 00:33:07.840 that they are going to be saved, 00:33:07.940 --> 00:33:08.940 that they're going to be forgiven. 00:33:09.320 --> 00:33:10.539 And they come back and go, 00:33:11.420 --> 00:33:11.720 hey, 00:33:12.640 --> 00:33:12.940 yeah, 00:33:13.000 --> 00:33:13.560 I blew it. 00:33:14.400 --> 00:33:15.460 I messed up. 00:33:16.019 --> 00:33:16.840 I messed up, 00:33:16.900 --> 00:33:17.160 God. 00:33:17.960 --> 00:33:19.000 Can you forgive me? 00:33:19.519 --> 00:33:19.660 Well, 00:33:19.680 --> 00:33:20.100 yes, 00:33:20.380 --> 00:33:22.080 because when God died on the cross, 00:33:22.259 --> 00:33:24.240 He not only forgave our sins in the past, 00:33:24.240 --> 00:33:25.220 but in the present, 00:33:25.460 --> 00:33:26.640 but all those in the future. 00:33:28.099 --> 00:33:30.559 We're saved by faith, 00:33:30.680 --> 00:33:31.000 friends. 00:33:31.859 --> 00:33:33.500 And what Satan likes to do is going, 00:33:33.779 --> 00:33:35.000 now you can't share the gospel. 00:33:35.140 --> 00:33:35.920 You can't do that 00:33:35.920 --> 00:33:37.819 because you've got this sin in your life. 00:33:38.240 --> 00:33:38.620 No, 00:33:38.720 --> 00:33:39.620 get rid of the sin. 00:33:41.680 --> 00:33:42.039 See, 00:33:42.120 --> 00:33:43.200 Satan wants to use it going, 00:33:43.460 --> 00:33:44.279 don't share the faith. 00:33:44.460 --> 00:33:45.240 Don't share the gospel. 00:33:45.620 --> 00:33:46.299 Don't do that. 00:33:46.740 --> 00:33:47.480 Don't do it 00:33:47.480 --> 00:33:51.279 because you've got this sin in your life. 00:33:53.259 --> 00:33:55.019 And really what God wants you to do is 00:33:55.019 --> 00:33:56.500 get rid of the sin. 00:33:57.660 --> 00:33:58.860 And how do you do that? 00:33:59.180 --> 00:33:59.779 You just say, 00:33:59.819 --> 00:34:00.039 God, 00:34:00.079 --> 00:34:01.160 I've got this sin in my life.

00:34:01.200 --> 00:34:01.860 Can you forgive me? 00:34:02.759 --> 00:34:04.000 And what happens is, 00:34:04.380 --> 00:34:05.339 even a child, 00:34:06.220 --> 00:34:06.880 when they go, 00:34:07.420 --> 00:34:07.720 Dad, 00:34:07.759 --> 00:34:08.300 I'm sorry. 00:34:08.960 --> 00:34:10.019 And the dad goes, 00:34:10.260 --> 00:34:10.699 all of a sudden, 00:34:10.760 --> 00:34:11.240 that's fine. 00:34:11.699 --> 00:34:12.699 I'm going to forgive you. 00:34:12.699 --> 00:34:13.280 I forgive you. 00:34:13.280 --> 00:34:14.820 All of a sudden, 00:34:14.940 --> 00:34:17.120 that child will stop looking down 00:34:17.120 --> 00:34:20.019 and make eye contact with their father 00:34:20.019 --> 00:34:23.740 because now that relationship is mended. 00:34:25.140 --> 00:34:28.019 That's what it means to live by faith. 00:34:29.640 --> 00:34:31.660 So my challenge for you today 00:34:31.660 --> 00:34:34.640 is if we're going to be ready here 00:34:34.640 --> 00:34:37.460 in this last challenge is this. 00:34:38.320 --> 00:34:41.040 We need to get rid of the sins in our life, 00:34:41.039 --> 00:34:44.059 lift up our eyes to Jesus Christ, 00:34:44.880 --> 00:34:48.340 renew that relationship with God 00:34:48.340 --> 00:34:54.920 so that we can complete the obligation, 00:34:55.420 --> 00:34:58.619 the debt we have to share the gospel. 00:34:59.619 --> 00:35:00.719 Are you ready? 00:35:02.000 --> 00:35:05.159 I have a good pastor friend, 00:35:06.059 --> 00:35:08.340 Sam Cliff, 00:35:08.340 --> 00:35:13.579 and Cliff is a pastor 00:35:13.579 --> 00:35:15.800 of the First Baptist Church in Cleburne. 00:35:16.820 --> 00:35:19.000 And he's a pretty neat guy. 00:35:19.079 --> 00:35:20.079 He's got a lot of energy. 00:35:20.600 --> 00:35:23.000 He was a high school coach 00:35:23.000 --> 00:35:27.660 and God called him to ministry. 00:35:28.200 --> 00:35:30.300 Now he's a pastor of First Baptist Church in Cleburne. 00:35:30.600 --> 00:35:31.900 But he's still got the energy 00:35:31.900 --> 00:35:33.300 of a high school football coach 00:35:33.300 --> 00:35:35.320 just buzzing around. 00:35:35.720 --> 00:35:36.940 I just love to call him. 00:35:37.079 --> 00:35:37.300 I go, 00:35:37.300 --> 00:35:37.980 Hey Cliff, 00:35:38.660 --> 00:35:39.039 you know, 00:35:39.180 --> 00:35:39.460 I go, 00:35:39.560 --> 00:35:40.180 How are you doing? 00:35:40.440 --> 00:35:40.960 He goes, 00:35:41.600 --> 00:35:42.140 I'm ready. 00:35:43.539 --> 00:35:44.060 I mean, 00:35:44.080 --> 00:35:44.860 he always says that. 00:35:45.220 --> 00:35:45.539 I go, 00:35:45.900 --> 00:35:46.160 Cliff, 00:35:46.200 --> 00:35:46.580 how are you doing? 00:35:46.620 --> 00:35:47.140 I'm ready. 00:35:47.680 --> 00:35:48.220 I said, 00:35:48.260 --> 00:35:48.780 Ready for what? 00:35:49.160 --> 00:35:51.080 Ready for whatever God wants me to do. 00:35:51.200 --> 00:35:51.820 I'm ready. 00:35:52.940 --> 00:35:53.340 Wow, 00:35:53.460 -->

00:35:54.019 I like that. 00:35:54.080 --> 00:35:55.080 I like that kind of spirit. 00:35:56.660 --> 00:35:57.960 That's the spirit we need. 00:35:58.580 --> 00:35:59.400 That's the spirit 00:35:59.400 --> 00:36:01.240 First Baptist Church Henrietta needs. 00:36:01.480 --> 00:36:02.200 That's the spirit 00:36:02.200 --> 00:36:04.080 the believers in this church need 00:36:04.079 --> 00:36:05.739 to spread the gospel 00:36:05.739 --> 00:36:07.059 in this community 00:36:07.059 --> 00:36:08.259 in 2025. 00:36:08.819 --> 00:36:10.480 We need to have that kind of spirit 00:36:10.480 --> 00:36:10.920 that says, 00:36:11.360 --> 00:36:11.779 You know, 00:36:11.920 --> 00:36:12.679 I'm ready. 00:36:13.219 --> 00:36:13.779 I'm ready. 00:36:13.860 --> 00:36:14.980 I'm proud of the gospel. 00:36:15.299 --> 00:36:16.599 The gospel has power 00:36:16.599 --> 00:36:18.319 to change people's lives. 00:36:18.659 --> 00:36:19.679 It has the power 00:36:19.679 --> 00:36:21.519 to mend their lives. 00:36:21.659 --> 00:36:22.639 It has the power 00:36:22.639 --> 00:36:24.340 to give people full lives. 00:36:24.500 --> 00:36:25.460 It has that power 00:36:25.460 --> 00:36:26.199 to do that. 00:36:26.199 --> 00:36:28.099 And Satan is not going 00:36:28.099 --> 00:36:29.279 to keep me from doing it 00:36:29.279 --> 00:36:31.079 because I am going 00:36:31.079 --> 00:36:33.179 to continually live by faith 00:36:33.179 --> 00:36:35.639 by trusting him. 00:36:37.819 --> 00:36:38.980 Can you do that? 00:36:40.099 --> 00:36:41.559 Let's be ready. 00:36:43.319 --> 00:36:44.659 Some of you have been in church 00:36:44.659 --> 00:36:45.500 as long as I have. 00:36:45.579 --> 00:36:47.139 Maybe not as long as I have, 00:36:47.199 --> 00:36:48.619 but 50 something years, 00:36:48.719 --> 00:36:49.319 60 years, 00:36:49.419 --> 00:36:50.000 70 years, 00:36:50.079 --> 00:36:51.059 nearly 70 years, 00:36:51.139 --> 00:36:51.359 Sam. 00:36:51.819 --> 00:36:52.819 I've been in church. 00:36:53.039 --> 00:36:54.139 There is this old song. 00:36:54.419 --> 00:36:55.359 It's in the hymn book. 00:36:56.199 --> 00:36:56.759 Ready. 00:36:58.839 --> 00:36:59.819 Ready to go. 00:37:00.119 --> 00:37:00.899 Ready to stay. 00:37:01.119 --> 00:37:02.379 Ready my place to fill. 00:37:03.179 --> 00:37:04.319 Ready for service, 00:37:04.460 --> 00:37:05.439 lowly or great. 00:37:05.779 --> 00:37:07.379 Ready to do his will. 00:37:08.179 --> 00:37:10.179 Ready to suffer grief or pain. 00:37:10.339 --> 00:37:11.579 Ready to stand the test. 00:37:12.179 --> 00:37:13.319 Ready to stay at home 00:37:13.319 --> 00:37:14.059 and send others 00:37:14.059 --> 00:37:15.000 if he sees best. 00:37:15.460 --> 00:37:16.299 Ready to speak. 00:37:16.500 --> 00:37:17.159 Ready to think. 00:37:17.379 --> 00:37:18.599 Ready with heart and mind. 00:37:19.460 --> 00:37:20.259 Ready to stand 00:37:20.259 --> 00:37:21.259 where he sees fit. 00:37:22.199 --> 00:37:23.879 Ready his will to find. 00:37:24.879 --> 00:37:26.119 Can you say, 00:37:26.199 --> 00:37:26.799 today, 00:37:27.039 --> 00:37:27.059 today, 00:37:27.059 --> 00:37:27.779 today, 00:37:27.779 --> 00:37:29.059 I'm ready. 00:37:31.379 --> 00:37:32.179 Would that be, 00:37:32.299 --> 00:37:33.299 could that be your motto 00:37:33.299 --> 00:37:34.019 for this year? 00:37:34.939 --> 00:37:36.139 In 2025, 00:37:37.339 --> 00:37:38.059 could you say, 00:37:38.399 --> 00:37:38.679 I mean, 00:37:38.759 --> 00:37:39.319 the Boy Scouts, 00:37:39.480 --> 00:37:39.599 it's, 00:37:39.719 --> 00:37:39.839 I, 00:37:40.119 --> 00:37:40.759 be prepared. 00:37:41.439 --> 00:37:42.939 In this church, 00:37:43.159 --> 00:37:43.839 in this time, 00:37:44.099 --> 00:37:44.899 could you just say, 00:37:45.539 --> 00:37:46.679 my motto is, 00:37:47.739 --> 00:37:49.619 be ready. 00:37:51.199 --> 00:37:52.019 Be ready. 00:37:52.019 --> 00:37:55.280 And I'm going to be ready. 00:37:55.940 --> 00:37:57.079 Let's stand with heads bowed, 00:37:57.139 --> 00:37:57.380 all right? 00:37:59.019 --> 00:38:00.059 Our Heavenly Father, 00:38:00.579 --> 00:38:00.840 Lord, 00:38:00.900 --> 00:38:01.579 you know the hearts 00:38:01.579 --> 00:38:02.619 of those that are here. 00:38:03.119 --> 00:38:03.679 And Lord, 00:38:03.739 --> 00:38:04.880 those who need to respond 00:38:04.880 --> 00:38:06.059 to your will today. 00:38:06.900 --> 00:38:07.460 And Lord, 00:38:07.519 --> 00:38:08.739 we give you this invitation. 00:38:08.900 --> 00:38:09.960 We give you this time. 00:38:10.699 --> 00:38:11.860 And give this, 00:38:11.940 --> 00:38:12.800 this opportunity 00:38:12.800 --> 00:38:14.159 for these to make a, 00:38:14.159 --> 00:38:15.059 a decision 00:38:15.059 --> 00:38:15.960 and to respond 00:38:15.960 --> 00:38:16.719 to the gospel 00:38:16.719 --> 00:38:17.639 and to respond 00:38:17.639 --> 00:38:18.820 to the challenge 00:38:18.820 --> 00:38:19.920 that they have been given. 00:38:20.920 --> 00:38:21.519 And so, 00:38:21.619 --> 00:38:21.799 Lord, 00:38:21.880 --> 00:38:22.699 we ask that 00:38:22.699 --> 00:38:23.719 as we give you 00:38:23.719 --> 00:38:24.519 this invitation, 00:38:25.420 --> 00:38:27.400 that your people 00:38:27.400 --> 00:38:28.219 would respond 00:38:28.219 --> 00:38:29.920 in obedience 00:38:29.920 --> 00:38:31.360 to you. 00:38:32.019 --> 00:38:33.279 In Jesus' name, 00:38:34.019 --> 00:38:34.340 amen. 00:38:35.519 --> 00:38:36.539 Sam is going to be 00:38:36.539 --> 00:38:37.519 right here at the front 00:38:37.519 --> 00:38:38.960 as we sing this time 00:38:38.960 --> 00:38:39.960 and sing this song. 00:38:40.579 --> 00:38:41.779 And this is the time 00:38:41.779 --> 00:38:42.480 to respond. 00:38:43.279 --> 00:38:44.980 I am a thorough believer, 00:38:45.059 --> 00:38:45.559 in this, 00:38:45.860 --> 00:38:46.739 that every time 00:38:46.739 --> 00:38:47.719 that we hear 00:38:47.719 --> 00:38:48.779 God's word, 00:38:49.900 --> 00:38:51.500 he demands a response. 00:38:52.400 --> 00:38:52.599 Now, 00:38:52.639 --> 00:38:53.019 it doesn't mean 00:38:53.019 --> 00:38:53.920 that you need to come down 00:38:53.920 --> 00:38:54.440 every Sunday 00:38:54.440 --> 00:38:56.119 and grab Sam's hand, 00:38:56.199 --> 00:38:57.579 but maybe sometimes you do. 00:38:58.880 --> 00:39:00.460 But you shouldn't leave 00:39:00.460 --> 00:39:01.199 here today 00:39:01.199 --> 00:39:03.440 without saying, 00:39:04.199 --> 00:39:04.440 God, 00:39:04.519 --> 00:39:05.239 this is how I'm going 00:39:05.239 --> 00:39:05.820 to respond 00:39:05.820 --> 00:39:06.920 to your word today. 00:39:08.019 --> 00:39:08.539 So, 00:39:08.679 --> 00:39:09.500 during this time, 00:39:09.599 --> 00:39:10.699 as we sing together, 00:39:11.440 --> 00:39:12.159 you think about 00:39:12.159 --> 00:39:13.440 how you need to respond 00:39:13.440 --> 00:39:14.779 to the challenge 00:39:14.780 --> 00:39:15.620 of God's word 00:39:15.620 --> 00:39:16.480 today. 00:39:16.700 --> 00:39:17.120 All right, Sam. 00:39:17.119 --> 00:39:47.099 Thank you.