1 00:00:00,410 --> 00:00:08,669 [Music] 2 00:00:09,390 --> 00:00:13,480 good morning this is Pastor David again 3 00:00:11,890 --> 00:00:15,550 International Baptist Church in 4 00:00:13,480 --> 00:00:17,500 Stuttgart Germany pray the gods blessing 5 00:00:15,550 --> 00:00:19,630 you we're going to go back to this 6 00:00:17,500 --> 00:00:21,219 series we started before the coronavirus 7 00:00:19,629 --> 00:00:23,109 crisis happened we're back in the book 8 00:00:21,219 --> 00:00:24,939 of Acts this morning if you have a Bible 9 00:00:23,109 --> 00:00:26,859 maybe you want to open it to acts 20 10 00:00:24,939 --> 00:00:28,780 we're going to look at the change in 11 00:00:26,859 --> 00:00:31,600 Paul's life I'm speaking about character 12 00:00:28,780 --> 00:00:33,429 today and how character changes her 13 00:00:31,600 --> 00:00:36,850 character comes from God it changes what 14 00:00:33,429 --> 00:00:39,460 we do now let me ask you are you someone 15 00:00:36,850 --> 00:00:43,390 who's more about what you can have or 16 00:00:39,460 --> 00:00:47,679 more about who you can be that's a very 17 00:00:43,390 --> 00:00:49,780 important question the great theologian 18 00:00:47,679 --> 00:00:52,509 Augustine of Hippo or Augustine the 19 00:00:49,780 --> 00:00:55,570 great he wrote these words he said two 20 00:00:52,509 --> 00:00:58,838 verbs have built two empires the verb to 21 00:00:55,570 --> 00:01:00,850 have and the verb to be the first is an 22 00:00:58,838 --> 00:01:03,698 empire of things material possessions 23 00:01:00,850 --> 00:01:06,909 and power the second is an empire of the 24 00:01:03,698 --> 00:01:09,399 spirit things that last well during 25 00:01:06,909 --> 00:01:12,909 these days of coronavirus crisis were 26 00:01:09,400 --> 00:01:15,160 shut in we're locked in lockdown and a 27 00:01:12,909 --> 00:01:17,320 lot of things we can have but a lot of 28 00:01:15,159 --> 00:01:19,569 things we cannot have but this is a 29 00:01:17,319 --> 00:01:22,419 great time to focus on who we are not 30 00:01:19,569 --> 00:01:24,729 just what we have in fact all year round 31 00:01:22,420 --> 00:01:27,640 and in every circumstance this should be 32 00:01:24,730 --> 00:01:30,070 our greater concern not what we have but 33 00:01:27,640 --> 00:01:32,799 who we are in our character and God as 34 00:01:30,069 --> 00:01:34,959 they work changing us now we're going to 35 00:01:32,799 --> 00:01:37,209 look at Paul's farewell address to the 36 00:01:34,959 --> 00:01:39,309 Ephesian elders but he also wrote a 37 00:01:37,209 --> 00:01:41,949 letter to the church at Ephesus and we 38 00:01:39,310 --> 00:01:44,620 see in that letter he hit on some of the 39 00:01:41,950 --> 00:01:47,500 themes that he is probably referring to 40 00:01:44,620 --> 00:01:50,620 in the speech that it talks about what 41 00:01:47,500 --> 00:01:53,230 God is doing in us and how he's changing 42 00:01:50,620 --> 00:01:55,270 us on the inside out in chapter 2 of 43 00:01:53,230 --> 00:01:59,290 Ephesians verse 10 we read this words 44 00:01:55,269 --> 00:02:02,319 for we are God's workmanship that means 45 00:01:59,290 --> 00:02:04,510 who you are not what you have but who 46 00:02:02,319 --> 00:02:08,109 you are as important to God and he is 47 00:02:04,510 --> 00:02:10,319 now taking responsibility of you as 48 00:02:08,110 --> 00:02:13,360 you're his pet project and you're his 49 00:02:10,318 --> 00:02:16,179 workmanship and then it uses this this 50 00:02:13,360 --> 00:02:18,999 word created it says for we are God's 51 00:02:16,180 --> 00:02:21,189 workmanship created in Christ Jesus to 52 00:02:18,998 --> 00:02:24,609 do good works which God prepared 53 00:02:21,189 --> 00:02:27,069 in advance for us to do now that word 54 00:02:24,610 --> 00:02:29,620 create means to make something that was 55 00:02:27,069 --> 00:02:31,689 not there before sometimes people say 56 00:02:29,620 --> 00:02:34,060 well I'm this way because my mother 57 00:02:31,689 --> 00:02:36,340 taught me or my father taught me or I 58 00:02:34,060 --> 00:02:38,680 came from this experience or maybe I had 59 00:02:36,340 --> 00:02:40,870 a good church or a pastor well all those 60 00:02:38,680 --> 00:02:43,719 things are good things to have 61 00:02:40,870 --> 00:02:46,000 but the reason a Christian is different 62 00:02:43,719 --> 00:02:48,520 is not because of any those things but 63 00:02:46,000 --> 00:02:51,099 because God is creating something in our 64 00:02:48,520 --> 00:02:53,110 hearts that were not there before so we 65 00:02:51,099 --> 00:02:55,120 cannot take credit for it it's something 66 00:02:53,110 --> 00:02:57,220 that comes from God the best we can do 67 00:02:55,120 --> 00:03:00,310 is simply work with God to see changes 68 00:02:57,219 --> 00:03:03,250 hearts in our lives and another passage 69 00:03:00,310 --> 00:03:05,289 in the book of Ephesians chapter 3 also 70 00:03:03,250 --> 00:03:08,469 speaks about the same matter of God at 71 00:03:05,289 --> 00:03:10,989 work in us in chapter 3 verse 20 says 72 00:03:08,469 --> 00:03:14,710 this this is part of a praise he makes 73 00:03:10,990 --> 00:03:17,560 but he says now to him who is able to do 74 00:03:14,710 --> 00:03:20,740 immeasurably more than all we ask or 75 00:03:17,560 --> 00:03:23,050 imagine according to his power that is 76 00:03:20,740 --> 00:03:25,570 at work within us and that describes the 77 00:03:23,050 --> 00:03:27,730 power of God at work in our hearts in 78 00:03:25,569 --> 00:03:30,310 our lives and that word immeasurably 79 00:03:27,729 --> 00:03:32,340 more in the NIV it's in the original 80 00:03:30,310 --> 00:03:35,229 King James it says exceedingly 81 00:03:32,340 --> 00:03:37,390 abundantly and it's trying to pick up 82 00:03:35,229 --> 00:03:39,399 the idea of the original text it really 83 00:03:37,389 --> 00:03:42,219 has the idea of extravagant the 84 00:03:39,400 --> 00:03:44,379 extravagant grace of God that he gives 85 00:03:42,219 --> 00:03:46,780 us more than what we would think more 86 00:03:44,379 --> 00:03:49,180 than we could imagine now there's only 87 00:03:46,780 --> 00:03:51,459 so many things we can have if you sent 88 00:03:49,180 --> 00:03:54,129 it your life's goal to possess the whole 89 00:03:51,459 --> 00:03:56,349 world you will not achieve it even to 90 00:03:54,129 --> 00:03:58,509 possess a part of it well that's good 91 00:03:56,349 --> 00:04:01,930 but however much you have it's going to 92 00:03:58,509 --> 00:04:05,019 be limited is how much that can be but 93 00:04:01,930 --> 00:04:07,300 we talk about being that is God changing 94 00:04:05,020 --> 00:04:09,700 us on the inside out it is unlimited 95 00:04:07,300 --> 00:04:12,250 because now we have holy God the 96 00:04:09,699 --> 00:04:15,369 omnipotent God by his power and His 97 00:04:12,250 --> 00:04:17,560 grace reaching out to us and reaching in 98 00:04:15,370 --> 00:04:19,930 us to change our hearts and our lives he 99 00:04:17,560 --> 00:04:22,089 draws us to himself and then he also 100 00:04:19,930 --> 00:04:24,879 changes our priorities changes our 101 00:04:22,089 --> 00:04:28,029 perspective changing the the projectory 102 00:04:24,879 --> 00:04:30,819 of our life and changes the way that he 103 00:04:28,029 --> 00:04:32,288 is going to use us in our life now we're 104 00:04:30,819 --> 00:04:34,550 going to look at three loves that Paul 105 00:04:32,288 --> 00:04:37,219 had and one of those is a love for 106 00:04:34,550 --> 00:04:39,949 and secondly because he loved God he 107 00:04:37,220 --> 00:04:42,770 also loved people and the third is the 108 00:04:39,949 --> 00:04:45,649 love for God's Word these three loves 109 00:04:42,769 --> 00:04:47,779 are to be deep and profound in us and is 110 00:04:45,649 --> 00:04:49,579 something we all should aspire to to 111 00:04:47,779 --> 00:04:52,759 make sure that God is changing a heart 112 00:04:49,579 --> 00:04:55,430 so where we love him we love others 113 00:04:52,759 --> 00:04:58,879 because of him and we really do love 114 00:04:55,430 --> 00:05:01,370 they want to follow and obey His Word so 115 00:04:58,879 --> 00:05:03,439 it's been looking this passage going to 116 00:05:01,370 --> 00:05:05,540 see that God is at work in our life not 117 00:05:03,439 --> 00:05:08,300 just the Apostle Paul's life because he 118 00:05:05,540 --> 00:05:10,069 was an apostle but also in our life this 119 00:05:08,300 --> 00:05:12,379 is a relevant passage for every 120 00:05:10,069 --> 00:05:15,259 Christian you see God does not merely 121 00:05:12,379 --> 00:05:18,889 teach us principles in his word he also 122 00:05:15,259 --> 00:05:19,909 gives us examples here's an example of a 123 00:05:18,889 --> 00:05:22,370 man 124 00:05:19,910 --> 00:05:24,980 the Apostle Paul used to be saw the 125 00:05:22,370 --> 00:05:27,079 Pharisee who was a persecutor of the 126 00:05:24,980 --> 00:05:30,200 church he described himself as a violent 127 00:05:27,079 --> 00:05:32,449 man but God took him and saved him and 128 00:05:30,199 --> 00:05:35,509 changed him so we're picking up on in 129 00:05:32,449 --> 00:05:39,918 acts 20 we're going to look at verse 17 130 00:05:35,509 --> 00:05:41,810 and says this from mellitus Paul sent to 131 00:05:39,918 --> 00:05:44,569 Ephesus for the elders of the church 132 00:05:41,810 --> 00:05:46,579 when they arrived he said to them you 133 00:05:44,569 --> 00:05:49,250 know how I live the whole time I was 134 00:05:46,579 --> 00:05:51,529 with you from the first day I came into 135 00:05:49,250 --> 00:05:53,509 the province of Asia I served the Lord 136 00:05:51,529 --> 00:05:55,729 with great humility and with tears 137 00:05:53,509 --> 00:05:58,069 although I was severely tested by the 138 00:05:55,730 --> 00:06:00,800 plots of the Jews you know that I have 139 00:05:58,069 --> 00:06:03,349 not hesitated to preach anything that 140 00:06:00,800 --> 00:06:06,740 would be helpful to you but have taught 141 00:06:03,350 --> 00:06:09,110 you publicly from house to house well 142 00:06:06,740 --> 00:06:12,650 here's a it's just a snippet a smaller 143 00:06:09,110 --> 00:06:15,560 picture of the compassion that God God 144 00:06:12,649 --> 00:06:17,539 had put into the heart of Paul Paul 145 00:06:15,560 --> 00:06:19,370 loved these people he loved them even 146 00:06:17,540 --> 00:06:22,879 before he saw them because God had 147 00:06:19,370 --> 00:06:25,459 changed his view about all humanity and 148 00:06:22,879 --> 00:06:27,319 we see this compassion pouring out he 149 00:06:25,459 --> 00:06:30,199 describes how he went to them and how he 150 00:06:27,319 --> 00:06:32,689 he went house to house four years later 151 00:06:30,199 --> 00:06:35,418 on this section we see it was there for 152 00:06:32,689 --> 00:06:37,969 three years but he cared for them he was 153 00:06:35,418 --> 00:06:40,430 compassionate towards them and he loved 154 00:06:37,970 --> 00:06:42,500 them because of God's love in him now 155 00:06:40,430 --> 00:06:44,269 God's love it should change our 156 00:06:42,500 --> 00:06:46,060 perspective of people and one of the 157 00:06:44,269 --> 00:06:48,549 first thing God does with our care 158 00:06:46,060 --> 00:06:50,410 is to put his love in us remember the 159 00:06:48,550 --> 00:06:52,900 fruit of the Spirit the first of those 160 00:06:50,410 --> 00:06:56,530 nine aspects of the fruit the first 161 00:06:52,899 --> 00:06:59,168 those aspects is love and he changes us 162 00:06:56,529 --> 00:07:03,219 and our love to him in our love also to 163 00:06:59,168 --> 00:07:06,668 others but we see also that that God 164 00:07:03,220 --> 00:07:09,370 changed not just Paul's idea about 165 00:07:06,668 --> 00:07:11,799 people in general he also gave him a 166 00:07:09,370 --> 00:07:14,980 deeper love than you ever imagined for 167 00:07:11,800 --> 00:07:17,020 his own people he came out of a very 168 00:07:14,980 --> 00:07:19,660 strict Pharisee ISM and we could imagine 169 00:07:17,019 --> 00:07:22,659 he could have come out of that and hated 170 00:07:19,660 --> 00:07:25,210 all the things that that his nation that 171 00:07:22,660 --> 00:07:26,950 stood for but instead we see God also 172 00:07:25,209 --> 00:07:30,489 changed his heart toward his own nation 173 00:07:26,949 --> 00:07:32,918 we go to the ninth chapter of Romans a 174 00:07:30,490 --> 00:07:35,470 Mesilla the Apostle Paul is also against 175 00:07:32,918 --> 00:07:37,449 love for his own people says this I 176 00:07:35,470 --> 00:07:40,030 speak the truth in Christ 177 00:07:37,449 --> 00:07:42,639 I'm not lying my conscience confirms it 178 00:07:40,029 --> 00:07:45,489 in the Holy Spirit I have great sorrow 179 00:07:42,639 --> 00:07:47,710 and unceasing anguish in my heart for I 180 00:07:45,490 --> 00:07:49,360 could wish that I myself were cursed and 181 00:07:47,709 --> 00:07:52,239 cut off from Christ for the sake of my 182 00:07:49,360 --> 00:07:55,419 brothers those of my own race the people 183 00:07:52,240 --> 00:07:57,550 of Israel so God had renewed his love 184 00:07:55,418 --> 00:08:00,189 for his own people and not only for them 185 00:07:57,550 --> 00:08:02,650 also for the whole world because we go 186 00:08:00,189 --> 00:08:04,569 back to that same book of Romans and go 187 00:08:02,649 --> 00:08:08,589 to the first chapter and we see also you 188 00:08:04,569 --> 00:08:10,930 describing that he was in debt obligated 189 00:08:08,589 --> 00:08:14,679 to the whole world he says this chapter 190 00:08:10,930 --> 00:08:17,319 1 verse 14 I am obligated both to Greeks 191 00:08:14,680 --> 00:08:20,199 and to non-greeks both to the wise and 192 00:08:17,319 --> 00:08:22,750 the foolish that God had changed his 193 00:08:20,199 --> 00:08:24,879 perspective and he loved them now some 194 00:08:22,750 --> 00:08:28,538 people talk about love as only any 195 00:08:24,879 --> 00:08:30,668 emotion Paul doesn't say I love them but 196 00:08:28,538 --> 00:08:33,788 we see by his actions he clearly showed 197 00:08:30,668 --> 00:08:35,259 it hid for him love was acted out and 198 00:08:33,788 --> 00:08:37,360 that's really the most important thing 199 00:08:35,259 --> 00:08:40,809 it's not to merely say it not merely to 200 00:08:37,360 --> 00:08:42,370 feel it but to act on it well today 201 00:08:40,809 --> 00:08:45,039 we're more likely to talk about our own 202 00:08:42,370 --> 00:08:46,509 passions than God's compassion but we 203 00:08:45,039 --> 00:08:48,219 need to make sure we're not focused 204 00:08:46,509 --> 00:08:50,379 merely on ourselves just thinking about 205 00:08:48,220 --> 00:08:52,570 ourselves we need to also let God touch 206 00:08:50,379 --> 00:08:55,269 us as I've mentioned for the last 207 00:08:52,570 --> 00:08:57,160 several weeks perhaps the most important 208 00:08:55,269 --> 00:08:58,879 question we could ever ask ourselves is 209 00:08:57,159 --> 00:09:01,549 are we loving God 210 00:08:58,879 --> 00:09:03,620 right now we're loving him if we are 211 00:09:01,549 --> 00:09:06,258 loving him it's because we realize he 212 00:09:03,620 --> 00:09:08,419 loves us that his love is changing us so 213 00:09:06,259 --> 00:09:10,970 do you love God and if you do my god 214 00:09:08,419 --> 00:09:14,419 you're going to also love what God loves 215 00:09:10,970 --> 00:09:17,389 and love who god loves will be less 216 00:09:14,419 --> 00:09:19,789 selfish will be more loving this is not 217 00:09:17,389 --> 00:09:22,759 the last letter to the church in Ephesus 218 00:09:19,789 --> 00:09:25,278 but we read earlier about Paul Paul's 219 00:09:22,759 --> 00:09:27,350 letter there's another letter it is 220 00:09:25,278 --> 00:09:30,620 Christ delivered and that is in the 221 00:09:27,350 --> 00:09:33,290 second chapter of Revelation there he 222 00:09:30,620 --> 00:09:36,769 spoke to that church and he said that 223 00:09:33,289 --> 00:09:38,929 you have this against you you have left 224 00:09:36,769 --> 00:09:41,899 your first love 225 00:09:38,929 --> 00:09:44,120 that they had had their doctrine was 226 00:09:41,899 --> 00:09:48,198 correct many good things they were doing 227 00:09:44,120 --> 00:09:50,299 but they simply ceased to love God like 228 00:09:48,198 --> 00:09:52,669 they should have and that's so easy for 229 00:09:50,299 --> 00:09:56,568 us to do to get so caught up and so many 230 00:09:52,669 --> 00:09:59,539 things good things but we lose love for 231 00:09:56,568 --> 00:10:02,659 God well if we want to really become the 232 00:09:59,539 --> 00:10:05,269 person God wants us to we need to renew 233 00:10:02,659 --> 00:10:07,818 that love and let God by a spirit by his 234 00:10:05,269 --> 00:10:10,339 word renew it in us let me encourage you 235 00:10:07,818 --> 00:10:13,188 to do that let God speak to you so you 236 00:10:10,339 --> 00:10:15,529 say truly I do love God and the second 237 00:10:13,188 --> 00:10:18,889 thing we see in this passage is Paul's 238 00:10:15,528 --> 00:10:21,649 fearless biblical teaching in fact we 239 00:10:18,889 --> 00:10:25,039 read in verse 21 he says this I have 240 00:10:21,649 --> 00:10:27,948 declared to both Jews and Greeks that 241 00:10:25,039 --> 00:10:31,129 they must turn to God in repentance and 242 00:10:27,948 --> 00:10:34,008 a faith in our Lord Jesus Christ 243 00:10:31,129 --> 00:10:37,068 he was bold in his declaration of the 244 00:10:34,009 --> 00:10:40,068 truth of God and we read on in verse 22 245 00:10:37,068 --> 00:10:42,649 is this now compelled by the spirit I'm 246 00:10:40,068 --> 00:10:44,870 going to Jerusalem not knowing what will 247 00:10:42,649 --> 00:10:47,000 happen to me there I only know that in 248 00:10:44,870 --> 00:10:49,310 every city the Holy Spirit Ward's me 249 00:10:47,000 --> 00:10:52,429 that prison and hardships are facing me 250 00:10:49,309 --> 00:10:53,659 however I consider my life worth nothing 251 00:10:52,429 --> 00:10:55,729 to me 252 00:10:53,659 --> 00:10:58,669 if only I may finish the race and 253 00:10:55,730 --> 00:11:01,610 complete the task the Lord Jesus has 254 00:10:58,669 --> 00:11:05,328 given me the task of testifying to the 255 00:11:01,610 --> 00:11:07,278 gospel of God's grace now we go on down 256 00:11:05,328 --> 00:11:09,828 to verse 27 of that twentieth chapter 257 00:11:07,278 --> 00:11:12,439 and he says this before I have not 258 00:11:09,828 --> 00:11:16,219 hesitated to proclaim to you 259 00:11:12,440 --> 00:11:18,740 whole will of God some translations call 260 00:11:16,220 --> 00:11:20,720 that the whole Council of God but the 261 00:11:18,740 --> 00:11:23,090 idea is that he proclaimed the whole 262 00:11:20,720 --> 00:11:25,399 plan of God he preached a balanced 263 00:11:23,090 --> 00:11:27,769 theology he preached about the wrath of 264 00:11:25,399 --> 00:11:30,199 God the sinfulness of man he preached 265 00:11:27,769 --> 00:11:31,909 but our accountability to God our need 266 00:11:30,200 --> 00:11:34,009 of repentance he's preached about the 267 00:11:31,909 --> 00:11:36,709 grace of God in Christ that saves us 268 00:11:34,009 --> 00:11:38,779 from our sin the new life in Christ the 269 00:11:36,710 --> 00:11:41,030 second coming of Christ he preached 270 00:11:38,779 --> 00:11:43,279 about the work of the Holy Spirit the 271 00:11:41,029 --> 00:11:44,899 truth of God's Word he preached all 272 00:11:43,279 --> 00:11:47,149 these things he preached about Christian 273 00:11:44,899 --> 00:11:49,549 obligation to do the right thing and be 274 00:11:47,149 --> 00:11:52,039 the right kind of people he talked about 275 00:11:49,549 --> 00:11:54,649 marriage about family about children and 276 00:11:52,039 --> 00:11:56,360 he preached the whole Council of God he 277 00:11:54,649 --> 00:11:58,159 preached about subjects that were easy 278 00:11:56,360 --> 00:11:59,990 to preach about and he preached about 279 00:11:58,159 --> 00:12:02,959 subjects that were difficult to preach 280 00:11:59,990 --> 00:12:05,180 about but he was faithful to God and 281 00:12:02,960 --> 00:12:07,960 that gives us a wonderful picture of 282 00:12:05,179 --> 00:12:10,429 what every pastor should do what every 283 00:12:07,960 --> 00:12:13,100 evangelist and preacher should do but 284 00:12:10,429 --> 00:12:14,959 also what every Christian should do we 285 00:12:13,100 --> 00:12:17,540 should believe the whole Council of God 286 00:12:14,960 --> 00:12:20,960 not just choose those things that we 287 00:12:17,539 --> 00:12:23,629 think sound better to eye ears but to 288 00:12:20,960 --> 00:12:26,810 choose the study and to know the 289 00:12:23,629 --> 00:12:28,610 difficult parts as well we're commanded 290 00:12:26,809 --> 00:12:31,250 to study and show ourselves approved 291 00:12:28,610 --> 00:12:34,100 unto God workman that do not need to be 292 00:12:31,250 --> 00:12:36,620 ashamed that rightly divide the word of 293 00:12:34,100 --> 00:12:39,529 truth and Paul gave us a great example 294 00:12:36,620 --> 00:12:41,570 of doing that now it's easy for us to 295 00:12:39,529 --> 00:12:43,610 get caught up and and preaching and 296 00:12:41,570 --> 00:12:45,770 thinking that we should do it in a mean 297 00:12:43,610 --> 00:12:47,389 spirit I've known some people that have 298 00:12:45,769 --> 00:12:50,799 done that and I talked to a pastor 299 00:12:47,389 --> 00:12:53,000 several years ago we were doing a 300 00:12:50,799 --> 00:12:54,769 outreach in the Philippines we were 301 00:12:53,000 --> 00:12:58,339 missionaries there he came as one of our 302 00:12:54,769 --> 00:13:00,529 guests to preach and he was proud he 303 00:12:58,339 --> 00:13:03,290 came from the US but he was proud of how 304 00:13:00,529 --> 00:13:05,779 many times he had been attacked in the 305 00:13:03,289 --> 00:13:09,049 pulpit people got up and went and 306 00:13:05,779 --> 00:13:12,620 attacked him physically after being with 307 00:13:09,049 --> 00:13:14,569 him for a while I felt felt I thought I 308 00:13:12,620 --> 00:13:16,429 thought I felt more about what his 309 00:13:14,570 --> 00:13:19,339 character where he was that he was just 310 00:13:16,429 --> 00:13:21,079 a little bit rude to people it wasn't 311 00:13:19,339 --> 00:13:22,310 good that he had been attacked because 312 00:13:21,080 --> 00:13:24,020 they weren't attacking him for any 313 00:13:22,309 --> 00:13:26,529 reason other than he simply was 314 00:13:24,019 --> 00:13:29,389 offensive and how I presented the truth 315 00:13:26,529 --> 00:13:33,199 now the Bible tells us that were to 316 00:13:29,389 --> 00:13:35,269 teach with meekness gently letting God 317 00:13:33,200 --> 00:13:37,370 give repentance unto the truth that's 318 00:13:35,269 --> 00:13:39,350 what we're to do us how were to do it 319 00:13:37,370 --> 00:13:41,179 several years ago to our ministry 320 00:13:39,350 --> 00:13:42,740 there's a family my wife and I were 321 00:13:41,179 --> 00:13:45,289 close to they were in our church we 322 00:13:42,740 --> 00:13:47,269 sought to minister to them and the 323 00:13:45,289 --> 00:13:49,519 mother was having a frustrating time 324 00:13:47,269 --> 00:13:51,759 dealing with her teenagers well we 325 00:13:49,519 --> 00:13:54,169 raised three teenagers we know that 326 00:13:51,759 --> 00:13:56,000 there could be a wonderful blessing most 327 00:13:54,169 --> 00:13:58,069 of our to their teen years four great 328 00:13:56,000 --> 00:14:00,860 years in our family but it can also be 329 00:13:58,070 --> 00:14:04,760 challenging but she did not really have 330 00:14:00,860 --> 00:14:07,339 any idea how to handle her teenagers and 331 00:14:04,759 --> 00:14:09,230 so she went back to what her mother had 332 00:14:07,339 --> 00:14:11,330 done when she was young and that is just 333 00:14:09,230 --> 00:14:13,399 screaming at them and yelling at them 334 00:14:11,330 --> 00:14:15,170 and it didn't work they were just 335 00:14:13,399 --> 00:14:17,659 getting harder in their hearts and 336 00:14:15,169 --> 00:14:19,399 running further away from God so one 337 00:14:17,659 --> 00:14:21,079 time I was visiting with her and I gave 338 00:14:19,399 --> 00:14:24,049 her this scripture to read I asked her 339 00:14:21,080 --> 00:14:26,150 to just to look it over and see what God 340 00:14:24,049 --> 00:14:28,399 would say to her and here's what it is 341 00:14:26,149 --> 00:14:32,299 it comes from second Timothy chapter 2 342 00:14:28,399 --> 00:14:35,120 verse 23 to the verse 26 it says this 343 00:14:32,299 --> 00:14:38,329 don't have anything to do with foolish 344 00:14:35,120 --> 00:14:41,389 and stupid arguments because you know 345 00:14:38,330 --> 00:14:43,190 they produce quarrels and the Lord's 346 00:14:41,389 --> 00:14:46,129 servant must not quarrel 347 00:14:43,190 --> 00:14:49,820 instead he must be kind to everyone able 348 00:14:46,129 --> 00:14:52,250 to teach not resentful those who oppose 349 00:14:49,820 --> 00:14:53,930 they must gently instruct in the hope 350 00:14:52,250 --> 00:14:56,360 that God will grant them repentance 351 00:14:53,929 --> 00:14:58,099 leading them to a knowledge of the truth 352 00:14:56,360 --> 00:15:00,459 and that they will come to their senses 353 00:14:58,100 --> 00:15:03,200 and escape from the trap of the devil 354 00:15:00,458 --> 00:15:05,929 was taking them captive to do his will 355 00:15:03,200 --> 00:15:07,730 and God really used that Scripture at 356 00:15:05,929 --> 00:15:09,409 her life she broke down I remember and 357 00:15:07,730 --> 00:15:11,089 wept she realized that what's she been 358 00:15:09,409 --> 00:15:12,949 doing to her children that she was 359 00:15:11,089 --> 00:15:15,050 really pushing them away from God 360 00:15:12,950 --> 00:15:17,870 because of her attitude and her actions 361 00:15:15,049 --> 00:15:20,088 so she tried another approach he began 362 00:15:17,870 --> 00:15:22,279 to love them be gracious to them and 363 00:15:20,089 --> 00:15:24,140 still teach the truth still proclaim 364 00:15:22,279 --> 00:15:25,669 what God said and tell them they were 365 00:15:24,139 --> 00:15:28,429 doing the wrong things and many of their 366 00:15:25,669 --> 00:15:30,169 choices and God used that mother in 367 00:15:28,429 --> 00:15:31,969 those children's lives and I'm happy to 368 00:15:30,169 --> 00:15:34,159 say today they're all following Christ 369 00:15:31,970 --> 00:15:36,500 they're all came back to him and are 370 00:15:34,159 --> 00:15:37,679 following Christ if I really want to be 371 00:15:36,500 --> 00:15:40,379 effective at people 372 00:15:37,679 --> 00:15:43,259 lives we have to realize that the best 373 00:15:40,379 --> 00:15:45,809 we can do is say the words that God can 374 00:15:43,259 --> 00:15:48,480 use and say them in the way that God can 375 00:15:45,809 --> 00:15:50,639 use them to convict them of their sin so 376 00:15:48,480 --> 00:15:53,550 that they would willingly repent of sin 377 00:15:50,639 --> 00:15:54,689 under the conviction of the Spirit and 378 00:15:53,549 --> 00:15:56,549 they would come back to God and 379 00:15:54,690 --> 00:15:58,620 surrendered their lives to him and 380 00:15:56,549 --> 00:16:00,419 that's what that's what Paul taught 381 00:15:58,620 --> 00:16:02,789 Timothy that's what the Spirit is saying 382 00:16:00,419 --> 00:16:05,389 us today teach the truth 383 00:16:02,789 --> 00:16:08,610 teach it unapologetically teach it 384 00:16:05,389 --> 00:16:11,429 fearlessly but teach it graciously teach 385 00:16:08,610 --> 00:16:13,680 it kindly don't put yourself in the way 386 00:16:11,429 --> 00:16:16,409 that someone rejects the truth of God 387 00:16:13,679 --> 00:16:19,739 simply because you have delivered it in 388 00:16:16,409 --> 00:16:21,719 an uncaring and rude manner well there's 389 00:16:19,740 --> 00:16:24,600 the Apostle Paul's word to us to be 390 00:16:21,720 --> 00:16:29,550 careful with what we say and how we say 391 00:16:24,600 --> 00:16:31,379 it but to say the truth of God and then 392 00:16:29,549 --> 00:16:33,870 he does something else in this we see 393 00:16:31,379 --> 00:16:37,620 the third thing is he really knew how to 394 00:16:33,870 --> 00:16:40,980 empower leaders also there are some 395 00:16:37,620 --> 00:16:43,649 people that when they get a leadership 396 00:16:40,980 --> 00:16:46,950 they that they think their purpose is to 397 00:16:43,649 --> 00:16:49,169 make people dependent on them so they 398 00:16:46,950 --> 00:16:51,420 gather people around them and they tell 399 00:16:49,169 --> 00:16:54,208 them you need me to teach you and 400 00:16:51,419 --> 00:16:56,610 control you and help you and those 401 00:16:54,208 --> 00:16:59,729 people become dependent on that human 402 00:16:56,610 --> 00:17:02,459 personality here the Apostle Paul was 403 00:16:59,730 --> 00:17:05,130 moving on and what he was telling to 404 00:17:02,458 --> 00:17:07,859 these Ephesian elders is deep and 405 00:17:05,130 --> 00:17:10,679 profound something we need to grasp also 406 00:17:07,859 --> 00:17:13,678 he's telling them that God is with them 407 00:17:10,679 --> 00:17:16,530 and God will enable them to do what God 408 00:17:13,679 --> 00:17:20,100 calls them to do and verse 28 he says 409 00:17:16,529 --> 00:17:22,170 this keep watch over yourselves and all 410 00:17:20,099 --> 00:17:24,958 the flock of which the Holy Spirit has 411 00:17:22,170 --> 00:17:27,360 made you overseers be shepherds of the 412 00:17:24,959 --> 00:17:29,660 Church of God which he bought with his 413 00:17:27,359 --> 00:17:32,308 own blood now that's a great 414 00:17:29,660 --> 00:17:34,290 theologically correct statement they 415 00:17:32,308 --> 00:17:36,569 uses three words in there there were the 416 00:17:34,289 --> 00:17:40,440 elders that were present already that he 417 00:17:36,569 --> 00:17:42,869 also spoke about the the overseers that 418 00:17:40,440 --> 00:17:45,570 the word already means that it's Epis 419 00:17:42,869 --> 00:17:46,799 COPO and in the original language and 420 00:17:45,569 --> 00:17:48,450 the Greek of the New Testament 421 00:17:46,799 --> 00:17:50,059 it means learn a someone who is 422 00:17:48,450 --> 00:17:53,059 responsible for the whole 423 00:17:50,059 --> 00:17:56,329 a whole thing and then he also uses this 424 00:17:53,059 --> 00:17:59,149 word pastor pastor as part of simple to 425 00:17:56,329 --> 00:18:02,569 use as an action but it scribes them as 426 00:17:59,150 --> 00:18:04,490 caring for the people of God the word 427 00:18:02,569 --> 00:18:06,740 elder describes the spiritual 428 00:18:04,490 --> 00:18:10,120 qualifications of the leadership the 429 00:18:06,740 --> 00:18:13,279 word overseer describes the scope of 430 00:18:10,119 --> 00:18:15,439 responsibilities and the word oversee 431 00:18:13,279 --> 00:18:17,930 are the word of pastor rather describes 432 00:18:15,440 --> 00:18:20,630 or Shepherd describes the nature of 433 00:18:17,930 --> 00:18:23,029 spiritual care it means it's like a 434 00:18:20,630 --> 00:18:25,880 shepherd cares for sheep to tenderly and 435 00:18:23,029 --> 00:18:29,119 compassionately deal and teach with the 436 00:18:25,880 --> 00:18:31,820 people of God in fact the teaching part 437 00:18:29,119 --> 00:18:35,359 is so important because teachers can 438 00:18:31,819 --> 00:18:36,829 merely communicate truth and that's what 439 00:18:35,359 --> 00:18:38,750 teachers are to do they're communicate 440 00:18:36,829 --> 00:18:41,119 truth that's what a pastor is to do to 441 00:18:38,750 --> 00:18:43,789 communicate truth then the people must 442 00:18:41,119 --> 00:18:45,739 choose to grasp it and to follow Christ 443 00:18:43,789 --> 00:18:47,299 that's the most powerful position in the 444 00:18:45,740 --> 00:18:50,210 church so that's our lives are truly 445 00:18:47,299 --> 00:18:53,329 changed by the truth of God but it's not 446 00:18:50,210 --> 00:18:57,200 one that controls people and tries to 447 00:18:53,329 --> 00:19:00,019 manipulate them know it says this though 448 00:18:57,200 --> 00:19:02,480 he says in verse 29 he says I know that 449 00:19:00,019 --> 00:19:04,869 after I leave savage wolves will come in 450 00:19:02,480 --> 00:19:07,910 among you it will not spare the flock 451 00:19:04,869 --> 00:19:10,309 even from your own number men will arise 452 00:19:07,910 --> 00:19:14,000 that distort the truth in order to draw 453 00:19:10,309 --> 00:19:16,759 away disciples after them he's saying 454 00:19:14,000 --> 00:19:19,700 they're going to draw people to them not 455 00:19:16,759 --> 00:19:21,650 to God not to Christ but to them to 456 00:19:19,700 --> 00:19:23,809 control them so be on your guard 457 00:19:21,650 --> 00:19:25,970 remember that for three years I never 458 00:19:23,809 --> 00:19:28,579 stopped warning each of you night and 459 00:19:25,970 --> 00:19:31,789 day with tears and then in verse 32 he 460 00:19:28,579 --> 00:19:34,460 says now I commit you to God and to the 461 00:19:31,789 --> 00:19:37,309 word of His grace which can build you up 462 00:19:34,460 --> 00:19:40,610 and give you an inheritance among those 463 00:19:37,309 --> 00:19:43,039 who are sanctified he says that God 464 00:19:40,609 --> 00:19:45,500 would be with you his word will be with 465 00:19:43,039 --> 00:19:49,309 you you have my example what I've done 466 00:19:45,500 --> 00:19:52,309 I'll be praying for you but God and his 467 00:19:49,309 --> 00:19:54,529 word will be enough God will lead you 468 00:19:52,309 --> 00:19:56,299 and guide you and that's a wonderful 469 00:19:54,529 --> 00:19:59,149 encouraging thing we ought to be 470 00:19:56,299 --> 00:20:01,669 liberating people encouraging them and 471 00:19:59,150 --> 00:20:02,990 telling them that God in them with his 472 00:20:01,670 --> 00:20:06,289 word to guide them 473 00:20:02,990 --> 00:20:08,480 that those two realities will get them 474 00:20:06,289 --> 00:20:10,990 through a life and God will lead them 475 00:20:08,480 --> 00:20:13,970 it's very freeing to tell someone that 476 00:20:10,990 --> 00:20:16,490 not to make them dependent on you to 477 00:20:13,970 --> 00:20:21,019 lead them to Christ to be dependent on 478 00:20:16,490 --> 00:20:24,109 him in our cars there are there are 479 00:20:21,019 --> 00:20:25,700 several mirrors we have we have the 480 00:20:24,109 --> 00:20:28,039 rearview mirror that helps us see what's 481 00:20:25,700 --> 00:20:30,920 behind us we have the sideview mirrors 482 00:20:28,039 --> 00:20:33,799 up to see what's going on around us but 483 00:20:30,920 --> 00:20:36,890 all those are really small the biggest 484 00:20:33,799 --> 00:20:38,928 space for us to see is the is the 485 00:20:36,890 --> 00:20:41,090 windshield where we look through and see 486 00:20:38,929 --> 00:20:43,130 where we're going we need to focus on 487 00:20:41,089 --> 00:20:44,959 where we're going we do need to know 488 00:20:43,130 --> 00:20:46,250 something about what's behind us we do 489 00:20:44,960 --> 00:20:48,920 need to know something about what's 490 00:20:46,250 --> 00:20:51,558 beside us but we mostly need to see 491 00:20:48,920 --> 00:20:53,269 where we are going well the same thing 492 00:20:51,558 --> 00:20:56,210 and following Christ we need to keep our 493 00:20:53,269 --> 00:20:59,179 eyes on him and focus on him it's good 494 00:20:56,210 --> 00:21:00,679 to know what has come in the past to see 495 00:20:59,179 --> 00:21:03,140 his grace that covers it 496 00:21:00,679 --> 00:21:05,000 both the grace over our sins and the 497 00:21:03,140 --> 00:21:07,460 grace to help us to forgive those who 498 00:21:05,000 --> 00:21:08,869 have hurt us also look at the side it's 499 00:21:07,460 --> 00:21:12,410 good to know what God is doing with 500 00:21:08,869 --> 00:21:14,178 other people but if those ratios are 501 00:21:12,410 --> 00:21:17,600 reversed in other words if the 502 00:21:14,179 --> 00:21:22,160 windshield was as small as a rear view 503 00:21:17,599 --> 00:21:24,079 mirror and the side mirrors and the and 504 00:21:22,160 --> 00:21:26,120 the rearview mirror was as big as the 505 00:21:24,079 --> 00:21:27,678 windshield that would be disastrous 506 00:21:26,119 --> 00:21:30,739 you couldn't possibly drive a car 507 00:21:27,679 --> 00:21:33,410 unfortunately sometimes in our lives we 508 00:21:30,740 --> 00:21:35,509 live that way we focus on the past all 509 00:21:33,410 --> 00:21:36,920 the hurts and our failures rather than 510 00:21:35,509 --> 00:21:38,869 putting them all into the grace of God 511 00:21:36,920 --> 00:21:40,640 we focus on what this person is doing or 512 00:21:38,869 --> 00:21:42,859 that person is doing we've become 513 00:21:40,640 --> 00:21:46,160 envious we've become jealous of them 514 00:21:42,859 --> 00:21:49,339 wanting to have those things or we can 515 00:21:46,160 --> 00:21:52,429 choose to let our focus be upon Christ 516 00:21:49,339 --> 00:21:55,009 if we focus on Christ we can go forward 517 00:21:52,429 --> 00:21:59,390 and not have to worry about things we 518 00:21:55,009 --> 00:22:00,650 can just trust him focus on him and let 519 00:21:59,390 --> 00:22:02,540 him lead us and guide us 520 00:22:00,650 --> 00:22:04,730 well I pray that God would use this 521 00:22:02,539 --> 00:22:07,069 message in your life encourage you to 522 00:22:04,730 --> 00:22:09,890 develop these three lives a love for God 523 00:22:07,069 --> 00:22:11,769 a love for the people of God or love for 524 00:22:09,890 --> 00:22:15,759 the people God loves 525 00:22:11,769 --> 00:22:17,769 and also a love for his word and as you 526 00:22:15,759 --> 00:22:19,359 love God as you love his word as you 527 00:22:17,769 --> 00:22:21,970 love others you'll find that God will 528 00:22:19,359 --> 00:22:24,339 use you to do something great in this 529 00:22:21,970 --> 00:22:25,960 world that's play well we thank you for 530 00:22:24,339 --> 00:22:27,909 your grace and your love we pray that 531 00:22:25,960 --> 00:22:30,880 you'd free us from worrying about the 532 00:22:27,910 --> 00:22:34,029 past let us realize your Grace has 533 00:22:30,880 --> 00:22:35,830 covered it let us forgive and let us 534 00:22:34,029 --> 00:22:38,470 embrace the forgiveness you have given 535 00:22:35,829 --> 00:22:41,649 us in Christ Jesus let us not worry 536 00:22:38,470 --> 00:22:43,569 about what goes on around us let us be 537 00:22:41,650 --> 00:22:46,000 aware of how we can support one another 538 00:22:43,569 --> 00:22:49,419 encourage one another but let us keep 539 00:22:46,000 --> 00:22:51,519 our eyes on you as you lead us and as 540 00:22:49,420 --> 00:22:54,759 you guide us you praise you bless us now 541 00:22:51,519 --> 00:22:56,289 the name of Christ we pray amen if 542 00:22:54,759 --> 00:22:58,059 you've never trusted Christ as your 543 00:22:56,289 --> 00:23:00,279 Savior let me encourage you to do that 544 00:22:58,059 --> 00:23:02,619 simply open up your heart and say lord I 545 00:23:00,279 --> 00:23:05,259 realize I'm a sinner I need your grace 546 00:23:02,619 --> 00:23:07,689 and your forgiveness I repent from my 547 00:23:05,259 --> 00:23:10,180 sins that as I turn away from them and I 548 00:23:07,690 --> 00:23:11,860 turn to you and I put my faith in my 549 00:23:10,180 --> 00:23:13,840 trust in you I believe that you died on 550 00:23:11,859 --> 00:23:16,059 the cross that you rose from the grave 551 00:23:13,839 --> 00:23:18,039 if you pray that prayer and you hold 552 00:23:16,059 --> 00:23:20,349 that faith in your heart God will save 553 00:23:18,039 --> 00:23:22,950 you and he'll bless you thank you may 554 00:23:20,349 --> 00:23:22,949 God bless you