1 00:00:00,410 --> 00:00:08,669 [Music] 2 00:00:10,160 --> 00:00:13,039 good morning this is pastor david packer 3 00:00:12,160 --> 00:00:15,519 from international 4 00:00:13,039 --> 00:00:17,278 baptist church in stuttgart germany you 5 00:00:15,519 --> 00:00:18,719 can see behind me the seas are empty of 6 00:00:17,278 --> 00:00:19,759 course this is a saturday while i'm 7 00:00:18,719 --> 00:00:21,118 recording this 8 00:00:19,760 --> 00:00:22,880 but tomorrow we are going to have some 9 00:00:21,118 --> 00:00:25,839 people join us we're able to meet 10 00:00:22,879 --> 00:00:27,599 uh in a controlled situation and many 11 00:00:25,839 --> 00:00:30,640 will also be joining us by 12 00:00:27,599 --> 00:00:31,679 a zoo meeting and this video is prepared 13 00:00:30,640 --> 00:00:33,759 for those that 14 00:00:31,678 --> 00:00:36,159 have enjoyed the videos and you can 15 00:00:33,759 --> 00:00:38,079 listen to this in your living room and 16 00:00:36,159 --> 00:00:39,439 either way i pray that god would use 17 00:00:38,079 --> 00:00:42,239 this message to bless 18 00:00:39,439 --> 00:00:43,519 your life what we're looking at today is 19 00:00:42,238 --> 00:00:45,359 how to endure 20 00:00:43,520 --> 00:00:46,879 trouble for the last several months 21 00:00:45,359 --> 00:00:48,558 we've been going through the book of 22 00:00:46,878 --> 00:00:49,280 acts and we've learned a lot in our 23 00:00:48,558 --> 00:00:50,558 journey 24 00:00:49,280 --> 00:00:52,079 over the last several months we've 25 00:00:50,558 --> 00:00:53,839 learned the history of the church we've 26 00:00:52,079 --> 00:00:55,920 traced the beginnings of the church the 27 00:00:53,840 --> 00:00:57,840 persecution of the church 28 00:00:55,920 --> 00:00:59,600 we've seen the expansion of the church 29 00:00:57,840 --> 00:01:00,719 we've seen these key moments when the 30 00:00:59,600 --> 00:01:03,039 gospel was 31 00:01:00,719 --> 00:01:05,198 was brought to the jewish nation in 32 00:01:03,039 --> 00:01:06,239 jerusalem and then to the samaritans and 33 00:01:05,198 --> 00:01:09,679 then to the 34 00:01:06,239 --> 00:01:11,039 gentiles we've met some key individuals 35 00:01:09,680 --> 00:01:12,960 we've learned more about 36 00:01:11,040 --> 00:01:14,080 peter than they would have otherwise 37 00:01:12,959 --> 00:01:16,719 also 38 00:01:14,079 --> 00:01:18,400 saul the apo saul the pharisee became 39 00:01:16,719 --> 00:01:21,039 paul the apostle 40 00:01:18,400 --> 00:01:23,520 and many others as well we have learned 41 00:01:21,040 --> 00:01:25,280 a lot about the methods of the apostles 42 00:01:23,519 --> 00:01:28,158 to expand the church 43 00:01:25,280 --> 00:01:28,640 but today we're taking a deeper look at 44 00:01:28,159 --> 00:01:31,200 a 45 00:01:28,640 --> 00:01:31,759 certain theme in the bible that is the 46 00:01:31,200 --> 00:01:34,799 theme 47 00:01:31,759 --> 00:01:35,680 of suffering or the same theme of of 48 00:01:34,799 --> 00:01:38,840 problems 49 00:01:35,680 --> 00:01:41,360 or afflictions or difficulty or even 50 00:01:38,840 --> 00:01:44,719 persecution and how can a christian 51 00:01:41,359 --> 00:01:47,280 endure these things well our text is the 52 00:01:44,719 --> 00:01:49,519 14th chapter of acts and this is one of 53 00:01:47,280 --> 00:01:52,079 the deeper truths of acts 54 00:01:49,519 --> 00:01:53,200 it describes a reality to the christian 55 00:01:52,078 --> 00:01:56,319 life that is the 56 00:01:53,200 --> 00:01:59,040 the reality of hardship and suffering 57 00:01:56,319 --> 00:02:01,519 and it comes our text comes at the end 58 00:01:59,040 --> 00:02:02,560 of paul and barnabas first missionary 59 00:02:01,519 --> 00:02:04,798 journey 60 00:02:02,560 --> 00:02:06,719 they are in the city of derby and that's 61 00:02:04,799 --> 00:02:08,640 as far as they go then they turn back 62 00:02:06,718 --> 00:02:10,799 around and they visit 63 00:02:08,639 --> 00:02:12,159 the cities they had been to before to 64 00:02:10,800 --> 00:02:14,319 start churches to visit 65 00:02:12,159 --> 00:02:15,439 the disciples the followers of christ 66 00:02:14,318 --> 00:02:18,079 they had made 67 00:02:15,439 --> 00:02:20,120 in those cities here's what we read this 68 00:02:18,080 --> 00:02:23,280 is acts 14 69 00:02:20,120 --> 00:02:25,920 21-23 they paul and barnabas 70 00:02:23,280 --> 00:02:26,959 preached the good news in that city 71 00:02:25,919 --> 00:02:29,519 derby 72 00:02:26,959 --> 00:02:31,120 and won a large number of disciples then 73 00:02:29,520 --> 00:02:33,920 they returned to lystra 74 00:02:31,120 --> 00:02:36,159 iconium and antioch strengthening of the 75 00:02:33,919 --> 00:02:37,439 disciples and encouraging them to remain 76 00:02:36,159 --> 00:02:39,439 true to the faith 77 00:02:37,439 --> 00:02:41,519 we must we must go through many 78 00:02:39,439 --> 00:02:42,560 hardships to enter the kingdom of god 79 00:02:41,519 --> 00:02:44,480 they said 80 00:02:42,560 --> 00:02:46,400 paul and barnabas appointed elders for 81 00:02:44,479 --> 00:02:47,840 them in each church and with prayer and 82 00:02:46,400 --> 00:02:50,560 fasting committing 83 00:02:47,840 --> 00:02:52,400 them committed them to the lord in whom 84 00:02:50,560 --> 00:02:54,479 they had put their trust 85 00:02:52,400 --> 00:02:55,599 now it's interesting that they said we 86 00:02:54,479 --> 00:02:58,560 must go through 87 00:02:55,598 --> 00:02:59,439 many hardships to enter the kingdom of 88 00:02:58,560 --> 00:03:02,158 god 89 00:02:59,439 --> 00:03:02,719 suffering and hardship is a consistent 90 00:03:02,158 --> 00:03:05,679 theme 91 00:03:02,719 --> 00:03:07,680 in the new testament we see for example 92 00:03:05,680 --> 00:03:08,560 john the apostle writing from the isle 93 00:03:07,680 --> 00:03:11,920 of patmos 94 00:03:08,560 --> 00:03:13,519 in revelation in the first chapter verse 95 00:03:11,919 --> 00:03:16,958 9 he says this 96 00:03:13,519 --> 00:03:20,080 i john your brother and companion 97 00:03:16,959 --> 00:03:23,840 in the suffering and kingdom and patient 98 00:03:20,080 --> 00:03:26,400 endurance that are ours in jesus if 99 00:03:23,840 --> 00:03:27,759 sufferings are entrusted to us so as the 100 00:03:26,400 --> 00:03:30,480 strength of god 101 00:03:27,759 --> 00:03:32,318 entrusted us to face them but we see the 102 00:03:30,479 --> 00:03:33,759 same thing in peter's writings and in 103 00:03:32,318 --> 00:03:35,679 paul's writings and 104 00:03:33,759 --> 00:03:37,679 and throughout the new testament 105 00:03:35,680 --> 00:03:40,719 suffering is a reality 106 00:03:37,680 --> 00:03:43,599 of a christ follower jesus said that 107 00:03:40,719 --> 00:03:45,120 no servant is above his master if i your 108 00:03:43,598 --> 00:03:48,079 lord and your master 109 00:03:45,120 --> 00:03:49,840 experience rejection if i suffered you 110 00:03:48,080 --> 00:03:53,200 also as my followers 111 00:03:49,840 --> 00:03:54,719 will suffer so we should expect it now 112 00:03:53,199 --> 00:03:56,238 in the history of the church there have 113 00:03:54,719 --> 00:03:56,878 been different ways people have 114 00:03:56,239 --> 00:03:59,360 understood 115 00:03:56,878 --> 00:04:00,158 suffering and some have even invited it 116 00:03:59,360 --> 00:04:03,120 and even 117 00:04:00,158 --> 00:04:04,479 embraced it as a spiritual discipline 118 00:04:03,120 --> 00:04:06,319 now there's some suffering 119 00:04:04,479 --> 00:04:08,399 that is not necessary some people 120 00:04:06,318 --> 00:04:10,639 believe that in order to be an 121 00:04:08,400 --> 00:04:11,120 evangelist you have to be rude to people 122 00:04:10,639 --> 00:04:13,199 and 123 00:04:11,120 --> 00:04:14,480 insult them of course if you're rude 124 00:04:13,199 --> 00:04:16,079 people will not 125 00:04:14,479 --> 00:04:18,319 act kindly towards you and they'll 126 00:04:16,079 --> 00:04:20,560 reject you but that's nonsense 127 00:04:18,319 --> 00:04:21,839 there's nothing that says an evangelist 128 00:04:20,560 --> 00:04:24,720 must be rude 129 00:04:21,839 --> 00:04:26,399 evangelists should be gracious and and 130 00:04:24,720 --> 00:04:28,400 loving and kind 131 00:04:26,399 --> 00:04:30,159 but also we see some people throughout 132 00:04:28,399 --> 00:04:33,599 the history of the church have 133 00:04:30,160 --> 00:04:34,080 embraced uh a discipline of suffering or 134 00:04:33,600 --> 00:04:37,280 of 135 00:04:34,079 --> 00:04:39,039 of self-subjection and and even a morbid 136 00:04:37,279 --> 00:04:40,879 type of devotional life where they 137 00:04:39,040 --> 00:04:42,000 punish themselves thinking that this 138 00:04:40,879 --> 00:04:44,399 will bring them 139 00:04:42,000 --> 00:04:45,279 closer to christ either physical 140 00:04:44,399 --> 00:04:48,719 punishment 141 00:04:45,279 --> 00:04:52,239 or emotional and spiritual punishment 142 00:04:48,720 --> 00:04:55,280 or some type of devotional concentration 143 00:04:52,240 --> 00:04:57,439 that just focuses on negative and 144 00:04:55,279 --> 00:04:59,839 painful and hurtful things 145 00:04:57,439 --> 00:05:01,439 now it is true the bible says that we 146 00:04:59,839 --> 00:05:04,879 are to reckon ourselves 147 00:05:01,439 --> 00:05:05,918 dead to sin that we are crucified with 148 00:05:04,879 --> 00:05:07,759 christ but 149 00:05:05,918 --> 00:05:09,439 we're not dead just to be dead we're 150 00:05:07,759 --> 00:05:11,280 dead in order to live 151 00:05:09,439 --> 00:05:13,038 we're dead in order to be raised with 152 00:05:11,279 --> 00:05:15,599 christ and enjoy the new life the 153 00:05:13,038 --> 00:05:16,719 apostle paul in galatians 2 20 said i am 154 00:05:15,600 --> 00:05:19,039 crucified 155 00:05:16,720 --> 00:05:21,120 with christ nevertheless i live he 156 00:05:19,038 --> 00:05:22,560 didn't say i'm crucified with christ and 157 00:05:21,120 --> 00:05:25,120 end it there 158 00:05:22,560 --> 00:05:25,600 but he is getting himself uh out of the 159 00:05:25,120 --> 00:05:27,280 way 160 00:05:25,600 --> 00:05:29,360 so that god may fill him with his 161 00:05:27,279 --> 00:05:31,119 presence and with his love 162 00:05:29,360 --> 00:05:32,720 now there's been another extreme 163 00:05:31,120 --> 00:05:34,879 reaction to this in the other direction 164 00:05:32,720 --> 00:05:36,479 that is the health and wealth theology 165 00:05:34,879 --> 00:05:38,000 that says that there's a christian 166 00:05:36,478 --> 00:05:39,439 should not suffer at all 167 00:05:38,000 --> 00:05:42,160 a christian should be healthy and 168 00:05:39,439 --> 00:05:45,759 wealthy and successful in every 169 00:05:42,160 --> 00:05:48,639 worldly estimation now lately 170 00:05:45,759 --> 00:05:51,038 the church has rejected that as a whole 171 00:05:48,639 --> 00:05:54,000 and understood that's a false teaching 172 00:05:51,038 --> 00:05:55,680 but it is true that if god fills you 173 00:05:54,000 --> 00:05:58,079 with his spirit 174 00:05:55,680 --> 00:05:58,800 if he who made you fills you with his 175 00:05:58,079 --> 00:06:01,599 spirit 176 00:05:58,800 --> 00:06:03,120 everything about you will work better 177 00:06:01,600 --> 00:06:05,360 than it would without god 178 00:06:03,120 --> 00:06:07,360 that's just common sense or maybe say 179 00:06:05,360 --> 00:06:09,759 sanctified common sense 180 00:06:07,360 --> 00:06:11,360 so if if god fills you with his spirit 181 00:06:09,759 --> 00:06:13,840 he will teach you discipline 182 00:06:11,360 --> 00:06:14,960 and every skill you need for success in 183 00:06:13,839 --> 00:06:17,839 this world 184 00:06:14,959 --> 00:06:18,719 but for our christian our goal should 185 00:06:17,839 --> 00:06:22,239 never be 186 00:06:18,720 --> 00:06:22,720 worldly success or even our physical 187 00:06:22,240 --> 00:06:24,879 health 188 00:06:22,720 --> 00:06:26,960 our goal is much greater than that that 189 00:06:24,879 --> 00:06:27,839 is to honor god with our hearts and our 190 00:06:26,959 --> 00:06:31,120 lives 191 00:06:27,839 --> 00:06:33,439 holiness righteousness in tune 192 00:06:31,120 --> 00:06:34,399 with god following him being filled with 193 00:06:33,439 --> 00:06:36,399 his spirit 194 00:06:34,399 --> 00:06:37,918 living for his glory and putting our 195 00:06:36,399 --> 00:06:40,879 lives in his hands 196 00:06:37,918 --> 00:06:41,359 no matter what that is the goal for a 197 00:06:40,879 --> 00:06:43,680 christian 198 00:06:41,360 --> 00:06:45,600 to honor him to seek first his kingdom 199 00:06:43,680 --> 00:06:48,400 his righteousness 200 00:06:45,600 --> 00:06:49,120 but the bible does speak about suffering 201 00:06:48,399 --> 00:06:52,719 in many 202 00:06:49,120 --> 00:06:55,840 different places now in this passage 203 00:06:52,720 --> 00:06:58,479 where we read these words we must go 204 00:06:55,839 --> 00:07:00,959 through many hardships to enter 205 00:06:58,478 --> 00:07:02,639 the kingdom of god it's very interesting 206 00:07:00,959 --> 00:07:05,758 the way it says that 207 00:07:02,639 --> 00:07:08,960 and we may misunderstand that in fact 208 00:07:05,759 --> 00:07:12,319 it uses this little greek word deo 209 00:07:08,959 --> 00:07:14,159 is the way that word sounds but the way 210 00:07:12,319 --> 00:07:14,879 it's used especially with the accusative 211 00:07:14,160 --> 00:07:18,400 voice 212 00:07:14,879 --> 00:07:19,680 it has a certain context to it now this 213 00:07:18,399 --> 00:07:23,359 these words by the way 214 00:07:19,680 --> 00:07:24,639 are similar to what uh the the lord said 215 00:07:23,360 --> 00:07:27,680 to ananias 216 00:07:24,639 --> 00:07:29,759 remember the story of paul's conversion 217 00:07:27,680 --> 00:07:32,959 ananias was a believer 218 00:07:29,759 --> 00:07:35,439 in damascus where paul was going and and 219 00:07:32,959 --> 00:07:36,638 god called to ananias in a vision and 220 00:07:35,439 --> 00:07:38,478 said to him to go 221 00:07:36,639 --> 00:07:41,038 to paul he had become a believer he said 222 00:07:38,478 --> 00:07:43,199 go this man is my chosen instrument 223 00:07:41,038 --> 00:07:45,839 to carry my name before the gentiles and 224 00:07:43,199 --> 00:07:48,720 their kings before the people of israel 225 00:07:45,839 --> 00:07:49,519 and then he says this i will show him 226 00:07:48,720 --> 00:07:52,960 how much 227 00:07:49,519 --> 00:07:56,159 he must suffer for my name 228 00:07:52,959 --> 00:07:56,878 again that word must is deo in the 229 00:07:56,160 --> 00:08:00,400 original 230 00:07:56,879 --> 00:08:00,720 language now dale is an interesting word 231 00:08:00,399 --> 00:08:03,198 and 232 00:08:00,720 --> 00:08:05,360 when it's used with the accused it it 233 00:08:03,199 --> 00:08:07,280 means something other than we may think 234 00:08:05,360 --> 00:08:08,879 before he's not saying for example that 235 00:08:07,279 --> 00:08:11,839 we must suffer these things 236 00:08:08,879 --> 00:08:13,919 in order to enter the kingdom that is 237 00:08:11,839 --> 00:08:15,598 that our sufferings earn our salvation 238 00:08:13,918 --> 00:08:18,799 he's not saying that 239 00:08:15,598 --> 00:08:21,759 and he's not really even saying that our 240 00:08:18,800 --> 00:08:23,280 we must enter the kingdom of god and as 241 00:08:21,759 --> 00:08:25,840 our part of our journey 242 00:08:23,279 --> 00:08:26,719 sufferings are part of it he's not 243 00:08:25,839 --> 00:08:29,598 really even 244 00:08:26,720 --> 00:08:32,158 saying that rather this word carries a 245 00:08:29,598 --> 00:08:35,200 certain meaning and it describes it 246 00:08:32,158 --> 00:08:36,559 in what is describing there that it is a 247 00:08:35,200 --> 00:08:39,200 necessity 248 00:08:36,559 --> 00:08:40,000 lying in the nature of the situation or 249 00:08:39,200 --> 00:08:43,839 the nature 250 00:08:40,000 --> 00:08:46,958 of the case and it that little word 251 00:08:43,839 --> 00:08:47,519 means that suffering and following 252 00:08:46,958 --> 00:08:50,399 christ 253 00:08:47,519 --> 00:08:52,320 are inseparable realities that the 254 00:08:50,399 --> 00:08:55,120 nature of following christ 255 00:08:52,320 --> 00:08:57,040 will bring suffering it's unavoidable 256 00:08:55,120 --> 00:08:59,200 now for another example in john 257 00:08:57,039 --> 00:09:00,799 3 30 that word is used for another 258 00:08:59,200 --> 00:09:02,720 situation is when 259 00:09:00,799 --> 00:09:04,958 john the baptist speaks of the christ 260 00:09:02,720 --> 00:09:08,000 and he says he must increase 261 00:09:04,958 --> 00:09:08,319 and i must decrease again that word dale 262 00:09:08,000 --> 00:09:11,600 or 263 00:09:08,320 --> 00:09:12,560 translated must and he's describing the 264 00:09:11,600 --> 00:09:15,440 reality 265 00:09:12,559 --> 00:09:16,159 of the christ coming into the world and 266 00:09:15,440 --> 00:09:18,560 that paul 267 00:09:16,159 --> 00:09:19,439 excuse me john the baptist was the 268 00:09:18,559 --> 00:09:22,399 forerunner 269 00:09:19,440 --> 00:09:23,920 of the messiah and he's saying that the 270 00:09:22,399 --> 00:09:26,559 situation as it is 271 00:09:23,919 --> 00:09:27,679 it's it's no question but that this must 272 00:09:26,559 --> 00:09:30,879 be the case 273 00:09:27,679 --> 00:09:33,838 uh that the christ coming into the world 274 00:09:30,879 --> 00:09:34,559 means the christ's ascendancy and his 275 00:09:33,839 --> 00:09:38,000 increasing 276 00:09:34,559 --> 00:09:41,838 and and john as the as the forerunner 277 00:09:38,000 --> 00:09:43,919 he must decrease must become less 278 00:09:41,839 --> 00:09:45,760 so it's something similar to what we say 279 00:09:43,919 --> 00:09:47,120 in in english if someone would say 280 00:09:45,759 --> 00:09:49,439 of course we can say this in many other 281 00:09:47,120 --> 00:09:51,278 languages as well or something like it 282 00:09:49,440 --> 00:09:53,360 we could say you know you must get your 283 00:09:51,278 --> 00:09:55,838 hands dirty to do gardening 284 00:09:53,360 --> 00:09:57,600 now when we say that we do not mean that 285 00:09:55,839 --> 00:09:59,279 it's a moral obligation to get yourself 286 00:09:57,600 --> 00:10:01,600 dirty as you do gardening 287 00:09:59,278 --> 00:10:03,200 what we mean is the two are inseparable 288 00:10:01,600 --> 00:10:04,079 to do gardening means you're going to 289 00:10:03,200 --> 00:10:06,560 get dirty 290 00:10:04,078 --> 00:10:07,759 so the same way means to be a christ 291 00:10:06,559 --> 00:10:10,078 follower 292 00:10:07,759 --> 00:10:11,200 brings us into suffering brings us in 293 00:10:10,078 --> 00:10:13,519 difficulty 294 00:10:11,200 --> 00:10:14,320 why should that be the case well we have 295 00:10:13,519 --> 00:10:16,560 three enemies 296 00:10:14,320 --> 00:10:18,399 we have the world the world system 297 00:10:16,559 --> 00:10:20,639 that's a fallen world system 298 00:10:18,399 --> 00:10:22,958 we have the flesh within us that is the 299 00:10:20,639 --> 00:10:25,360 old sinful nature that we each carry 300 00:10:22,958 --> 00:10:27,359 at salvation we receive a new nature but 301 00:10:25,360 --> 00:10:28,879 we have the old nature still in us until 302 00:10:27,360 --> 00:10:31,039 we go to be with god 303 00:10:28,879 --> 00:10:33,600 then the third is the devil the world 304 00:10:31,039 --> 00:10:35,919 the flesh within us our sinful nature 305 00:10:33,600 --> 00:10:38,079 and the devil the devil is a very 306 00:10:35,919 --> 00:10:40,879 powerful spiritual intimate 307 00:10:38,078 --> 00:10:42,319 entity a very powerful spiritual being 308 00:10:40,879 --> 00:10:44,320 created by god but 309 00:10:42,320 --> 00:10:45,440 he has created to be a lovely beautiful 310 00:10:44,320 --> 00:10:47,920 angel but 311 00:10:45,440 --> 00:10:49,279 rebelled against god and was cast out of 312 00:10:47,919 --> 00:10:53,679 heaven and now 313 00:10:49,278 --> 00:10:56,320 he leads a worldwide evil empire 314 00:10:53,679 --> 00:10:56,719 to oppose the work of god and god limits 315 00:10:56,320 --> 00:10:58,399 him 316 00:10:56,720 --> 00:11:00,000 because he is not equal to god and 317 00:10:58,399 --> 00:11:02,399 strength god limits 318 00:11:00,000 --> 00:11:03,278 him in the right time god will destroy 319 00:11:02,399 --> 00:11:06,879 him 320 00:11:03,278 --> 00:11:09,679 and his and his angels but 321 00:11:06,879 --> 00:11:10,559 the devil is a reality satan and the 322 00:11:09,679 --> 00:11:12,319 deceiver 323 00:11:10,559 --> 00:11:14,159 whatever how you want to understand him 324 00:11:12,320 --> 00:11:16,879 he is also reality 325 00:11:14,159 --> 00:11:19,120 in all three of these realities the 326 00:11:16,879 --> 00:11:22,320 world the flesh and the devil 327 00:11:19,120 --> 00:11:23,679 brings suffering into our life now this 328 00:11:22,320 --> 00:11:25,600 morning we're going to look at these 329 00:11:23,679 --> 00:11:27,120 three things that paul and barnabas said 330 00:11:25,600 --> 00:11:29,759 they're going to do 331 00:11:27,120 --> 00:11:31,440 to the church and we see in this passage 332 00:11:29,759 --> 00:11:33,679 again in acts 14 333 00:11:31,440 --> 00:11:35,760 when they go back to the disciples they 334 00:11:33,679 --> 00:11:38,639 say two things they will do 335 00:11:35,759 --> 00:11:39,439 and a third thing and they did do that 336 00:11:38,639 --> 00:11:41,278 it said they coming 337 00:11:39,440 --> 00:11:43,680 they went back strengthening the 338 00:11:41,278 --> 00:11:44,799 disciples and encouraging them to remain 339 00:11:43,679 --> 00:11:46,879 true to the faith 340 00:11:44,799 --> 00:11:49,199 and the final thing is they committed 341 00:11:46,879 --> 00:11:50,000 them to the lord through prayer and 342 00:11:49,200 --> 00:11:53,040 fasting 343 00:11:50,000 --> 00:11:54,159 and these three things to teach the 344 00:11:53,039 --> 00:11:57,360 truth 345 00:11:54,159 --> 00:11:59,679 and to encourage one another and to pray 346 00:11:57,360 --> 00:12:01,839 those three things are how we get 347 00:11:59,679 --> 00:12:02,078 through difficulty how god strengthens 348 00:12:01,839 --> 00:12:04,320 us 349 00:12:02,078 --> 00:12:06,638 in the midst of difficulty now by the 350 00:12:04,320 --> 00:12:07,200 way dietrich bonhoeffer has a great 351 00:12:06,639 --> 00:12:09,839 quote 352 00:12:07,200 --> 00:12:11,920 about this whole issue of suffering 353 00:12:09,839 --> 00:12:13,440 bonhoeffer in his in his writing in 354 00:12:11,919 --> 00:12:16,319 english it's called the 355 00:12:13,440 --> 00:12:18,480 uh the cost of discipleship but in 356 00:12:16,320 --> 00:12:21,278 german it's simply the the name of it is 357 00:12:18,480 --> 00:12:22,839 discipleship itself or la folge uh and 358 00:12:21,278 --> 00:12:24,078 here's what he says the english 359 00:12:22,839 --> 00:12:26,880 translation 360 00:12:24,078 --> 00:12:28,078 suffering then is the badge of true 361 00:12:26,879 --> 00:12:31,278 discipleship 362 00:12:28,078 --> 00:12:34,638 the disciple is not above his master 363 00:12:31,278 --> 00:12:35,759 following christ means passion passive 364 00:12:34,639 --> 00:12:38,399 that is passive 365 00:12:35,759 --> 00:12:40,799 suffering suffering because we have to 366 00:12:38,399 --> 00:12:43,440 suffer suffering because it's the nature 367 00:12:40,799 --> 00:12:43,838 of the case so look at these three 368 00:12:43,440 --> 00:12:45,839 things 369 00:12:43,839 --> 00:12:47,519 first of all we see they strengthened 370 00:12:45,839 --> 00:12:48,959 the disciples they strengthened the 371 00:12:47,519 --> 00:12:51,039 disciples when they 372 00:12:48,958 --> 00:12:52,239 came back through now when paul uses 373 00:12:51,039 --> 00:12:53,838 that word strengthening 374 00:12:52,240 --> 00:12:55,600 it means they strengthen them through 375 00:12:53,839 --> 00:12:58,240 teaching them the word of god 376 00:12:55,600 --> 00:12:59,680 teaching them the gospel that's how we 377 00:12:58,240 --> 00:13:02,480 are strong in the lord 378 00:12:59,679 --> 00:13:04,078 by hearing the teaching of god's word 379 00:13:02,480 --> 00:13:06,000 and by not just hearing it 380 00:13:04,078 --> 00:13:07,359 not just being in the same room but 381 00:13:06,000 --> 00:13:09,679 paying attention 382 00:13:07,360 --> 00:13:10,399 listening to it and applying it to our 383 00:13:09,679 --> 00:13:13,439 life 384 00:13:10,399 --> 00:13:14,320 the truth of christ's victory the truth 385 00:13:13,440 --> 00:13:17,760 of the 386 00:13:14,320 --> 00:13:21,120 end times the truth that god shall win 387 00:13:17,759 --> 00:13:23,120 and overpower all of his enemies those 388 00:13:21,120 --> 00:13:24,799 truths the truth of our forgiveness in 389 00:13:23,120 --> 00:13:26,000 christ and our redemption in christ 390 00:13:24,799 --> 00:13:29,838 those truths 391 00:13:26,000 --> 00:13:32,559 are to be in our hearts and to ground us 392 00:13:29,839 --> 00:13:33,600 in the faith in the christian faith now 393 00:13:32,559 --> 00:13:36,399 the world has 394 00:13:33,600 --> 00:13:38,480 many lies it has deception right and 395 00:13:36,399 --> 00:13:39,440 left one person says this another person 396 00:13:38,480 --> 00:13:41,360 says that 397 00:13:39,440 --> 00:13:43,040 and deceptions are endless they're 398 00:13:41,360 --> 00:13:45,039 everywhere and they go on 399 00:13:43,039 --> 00:13:46,480 all the time the world is a very 400 00:13:45,039 --> 00:13:49,519 confusing place 401 00:13:46,480 --> 00:13:51,440 even a chaotic place in terms of ideas 402 00:13:49,519 --> 00:13:53,360 and the christian in this world needs to 403 00:13:51,440 --> 00:13:56,480 be grounded in the truth 404 00:13:53,360 --> 00:13:58,159 of god in romans 15 4 here's what the 405 00:13:56,480 --> 00:14:00,560 apostle paul said 406 00:13:58,159 --> 00:14:02,879 so that through the endurance and the 407 00:14:00,559 --> 00:14:06,000 encouragement of the scriptures 408 00:14:02,879 --> 00:14:08,159 we might have hope through the 409 00:14:06,000 --> 00:14:09,198 endurance and the encouragement of 410 00:14:08,159 --> 00:14:11,838 scriptures 411 00:14:09,198 --> 00:14:12,719 we are grounded to face trouble and we 412 00:14:11,839 --> 00:14:14,079 can have hope 413 00:14:12,720 --> 00:14:17,040 even in the midst of difficult 414 00:14:14,078 --> 00:14:17,519 situations to the christians at colossae 415 00:14:17,039 --> 00:14:20,399 in 416 00:14:17,519 --> 00:14:20,879 colossians chapter 1 23 he's speaking to 417 00:14:20,399 --> 00:14:23,440 them 418 00:14:20,879 --> 00:14:24,639 about the priorities they should accept 419 00:14:23,440 --> 00:14:27,440 and he says this 420 00:14:24,639 --> 00:14:28,480 if you continue in your faith 421 00:14:27,440 --> 00:14:32,320 established 422 00:14:28,480 --> 00:14:35,199 and firm not moved from the hope 423 00:14:32,320 --> 00:14:36,959 held out in the gospel that means that 424 00:14:35,198 --> 00:14:39,919 we are to grasp the truth 425 00:14:36,958 --> 00:14:42,319 understand the truth and hold on to it 426 00:14:39,919 --> 00:14:43,120 when trouble comes upon a christian with 427 00:14:42,320 --> 00:14:46,160 difficulty 428 00:14:43,120 --> 00:14:48,078 persecution rejection whatever it is 429 00:14:46,159 --> 00:14:49,198 whenever trouble comes upon a christian 430 00:14:48,078 --> 00:14:51,838 we should be 431 00:14:49,198 --> 00:14:53,919 aware that we are facing a fallen world 432 00:14:51,839 --> 00:14:56,000 we are followers of christ in the world 433 00:14:53,919 --> 00:14:58,479 that had him crucified 434 00:14:56,000 --> 00:14:59,278 and the world is not a friendly place to 435 00:14:58,480 --> 00:15:02,399 anyone 436 00:14:59,278 --> 00:15:04,720 let alone a christian and 437 00:15:02,399 --> 00:15:06,559 this is what cro what paul came to do 438 00:15:04,720 --> 00:15:10,000 this is why he came that's why god 439 00:15:06,559 --> 00:15:12,239 sent him uh to into the world to teach 440 00:15:10,000 --> 00:15:14,240 and to teach the truth and this is why 441 00:15:12,240 --> 00:15:14,799 we read what the holy spirit inspired 442 00:15:14,240 --> 00:15:16,720 him and 443 00:15:14,799 --> 00:15:17,919 others in the bible to write because it 444 00:15:16,720 --> 00:15:21,120 builds us up 445 00:15:17,919 --> 00:15:23,278 in colossians 1 24-25 he wrote these 446 00:15:21,120 --> 00:15:25,839 words the very next section of 447 00:15:23,278 --> 00:15:27,039 scripture what we read before now i 448 00:15:25,839 --> 00:15:29,920 rejoice in my 449 00:15:27,039 --> 00:15:30,480 sufferings for your sake and in my flesh 450 00:15:29,919 --> 00:15:33,599 i'm 451 00:15:30,480 --> 00:15:36,320 filling up what is lacking in christ's 452 00:15:33,600 --> 00:15:38,159 affliction for the sake of his body that 453 00:15:36,320 --> 00:15:40,240 is the church of which i became a 454 00:15:38,159 --> 00:15:41,278 minister according to the stewardship 455 00:15:40,240 --> 00:15:43,680 from god 456 00:15:41,278 --> 00:15:44,879 that was given to me for you to make the 457 00:15:43,679 --> 00:15:47,919 word of god 458 00:15:44,879 --> 00:15:50,958 fully known now he spoke about 459 00:15:47,919 --> 00:15:53,599 the the what is lacking in christ's 460 00:15:50,958 --> 00:15:54,159 afflictions he doesn't mean that there's 461 00:15:53,600 --> 00:15:56,480 anything 462 00:15:54,159 --> 00:15:57,198 lacking in christ's suffering for our 463 00:15:56,480 --> 00:15:59,600 sin 464 00:15:57,198 --> 00:16:00,319 when christ died on the cross he cried 465 00:15:59,600 --> 00:16:02,639 from the cross 466 00:16:00,320 --> 00:16:03,680 it is finished meaning he paid the price 467 00:16:02,639 --> 00:16:06,079 in full 468 00:16:03,679 --> 00:16:07,758 and all of the sins of the whole world 469 00:16:06,078 --> 00:16:09,198 who will turn and put their faith and 470 00:16:07,759 --> 00:16:11,839 trust in christ 471 00:16:09,198 --> 00:16:13,039 they are paid for by the cross of christ 472 00:16:11,839 --> 00:16:15,920 so we don't help 473 00:16:13,039 --> 00:16:16,799 christ earn our salvation by our own 474 00:16:15,919 --> 00:16:19,039 suffering 475 00:16:16,799 --> 00:16:21,039 what is he speaking about what he's 476 00:16:19,039 --> 00:16:23,679 speaking about the fact that christ did 477 00:16:21,039 --> 00:16:26,240 not go to the believers and or to the 478 00:16:23,679 --> 00:16:29,120 lost people in colossae and preach 479 00:16:26,240 --> 00:16:29,519 paul went in his stead and in that sense 480 00:16:29,120 --> 00:16:33,278 paul 481 00:16:29,519 --> 00:16:34,000 was suffering in for the name of christ 482 00:16:33,278 --> 00:16:37,198 or he was 483 00:16:34,000 --> 00:16:39,679 filling up what was lacking because 484 00:16:37,198 --> 00:16:41,519 christ couldn't go to colossae and all 485 00:16:39,679 --> 00:16:43,758 of us do that when we serve christ 486 00:16:41,519 --> 00:16:46,159 we teach the truth we are and we're 487 00:16:43,759 --> 00:16:48,320 facing rejection by the world 488 00:16:46,159 --> 00:16:50,000 we are filling up what is lacking in 489 00:16:48,320 --> 00:16:52,879 christ's affliction for the world we are 490 00:16:50,000 --> 00:16:53,839 there in his stead sent by him empowered 491 00:16:52,879 --> 00:16:57,519 by him 492 00:16:53,839 --> 00:16:59,519 teaching his truth that is what we do 493 00:16:57,519 --> 00:17:01,039 and it strengthens believers it 494 00:16:59,519 --> 00:17:03,759 strengthens believers 495 00:17:01,039 --> 00:17:04,639 makes them strong enables them to face 496 00:17:03,759 --> 00:17:07,838 rejection 497 00:17:04,640 --> 00:17:11,439 and difficulty now the world itself 498 00:17:07,838 --> 00:17:15,038 is a fallen system in first john 499 00:17:11,439 --> 00:17:17,919 2 verses 15 through 17 it says this 500 00:17:15,038 --> 00:17:18,558 do not love the world or the things in 501 00:17:17,919 --> 00:17:20,880 the world 502 00:17:18,558 --> 00:17:21,838 if anyone loves the world the love of 503 00:17:20,880 --> 00:17:24,480 the father 504 00:17:21,838 --> 00:17:24,958 is not in him for all that is in the 505 00:17:24,480 --> 00:17:27,759 world 506 00:17:24,959 --> 00:17:30,160 the desires of the flesh and the desires 507 00:17:27,759 --> 00:17:32,160 of the eyes and pride of life 508 00:17:30,160 --> 00:17:35,200 is not from the father but it's from the 509 00:17:32,160 --> 00:17:38,080 world and the world is passing away 510 00:17:35,200 --> 00:17:39,120 along with his desires but whoever does 511 00:17:38,079 --> 00:17:41,759 the will of god 512 00:17:39,119 --> 00:17:44,319 abides forever see the world is all 513 00:17:41,759 --> 00:17:46,960 around us its values are everywhere 514 00:17:44,319 --> 00:17:47,839 we hear the world we see the world 515 00:17:46,960 --> 00:17:50,558 wherever we go 516 00:17:47,839 --> 00:17:51,359 whatever we do we run into the world uh 517 00:17:50,558 --> 00:17:54,079 when we 518 00:17:51,359 --> 00:17:56,639 listen to a song on the radio we will 519 00:17:54,079 --> 00:17:59,119 pick up on worldly values when we 520 00:17:56,640 --> 00:18:00,000 engage a friend or a neighbor in a 521 00:17:59,119 --> 00:18:01,839 conversation 522 00:18:00,000 --> 00:18:03,119 the world can seep into that 523 00:18:01,839 --> 00:18:06,000 conversation 524 00:18:03,119 --> 00:18:08,000 and even even when we're ministering in 525 00:18:06,000 --> 00:18:09,119 the church we find the world is in the 526 00:18:08,000 --> 00:18:11,279 church we bring it in 527 00:18:09,119 --> 00:18:13,599 by our own sinful nature and the 528 00:18:11,279 --> 00:18:16,000 confusion of the world and the 529 00:18:13,599 --> 00:18:17,839 deception of the world is everywhere the 530 00:18:16,000 --> 00:18:20,640 world chases after its lust 531 00:18:17,839 --> 00:18:22,720 lust of the flesh lust to feel something 532 00:18:20,640 --> 00:18:23,919 lust of the eyes lust to have something 533 00:18:22,720 --> 00:18:25,600 we can see 534 00:18:23,919 --> 00:18:27,520 and the pride of life thinking we're 535 00:18:25,599 --> 00:18:28,000 better than other people all this is in 536 00:18:27,519 --> 00:18:31,200 the world 537 00:18:28,000 --> 00:18:34,798 and all of this is passing away 538 00:18:31,200 --> 00:18:37,279 and we need to be be aware of the 539 00:18:34,798 --> 00:18:39,200 evil in the world of the values the 540 00:18:37,279 --> 00:18:41,200 fallen values of the world 541 00:18:39,200 --> 00:18:43,360 and make sure our hearts are committed 542 00:18:41,200 --> 00:18:43,679 to christ confessing our sins turning to 543 00:18:43,359 --> 00:18:46,558 him 544 00:18:43,679 --> 00:18:48,640 constantly and letting him cleanse us 545 00:18:46,558 --> 00:18:51,200 this is a christian's great need 546 00:18:48,640 --> 00:18:52,000 we can expect the world to reject us not 547 00:18:51,200 --> 00:18:54,798 to be 548 00:18:52,000 --> 00:18:55,759 not to be sympathetic to our cause even 549 00:18:54,798 --> 00:18:59,119 understand 550 00:18:55,759 --> 00:18:59,440 why we do what we do but god will give 551 00:18:59,119 --> 00:19:01,439 us 552 00:18:59,440 --> 00:19:04,558 the grace and that's why we need to be 553 00:19:01,440 --> 00:19:08,080 grounded in god will give us the grace 554 00:19:04,558 --> 00:19:10,079 to endure when i was a child in my 555 00:19:08,079 --> 00:19:12,159 in my home we went to church regularly 556 00:19:10,079 --> 00:19:14,558 and my mother and father they'd make 557 00:19:12,160 --> 00:19:16,480 sure that we got baths on saturday night 558 00:19:14,558 --> 00:19:18,319 me and my brothers 559 00:19:16,480 --> 00:19:19,839 saturday night that was the cleanest we 560 00:19:18,319 --> 00:19:22,960 were all week 561 00:19:19,839 --> 00:19:26,798 and we go to bed new sheets 562 00:19:22,960 --> 00:19:28,720 clean bodies and the next morning 563 00:19:26,798 --> 00:19:30,720 when we got it for breakfast sunday 564 00:19:28,720 --> 00:19:32,079 breakfast in our house we were usually a 565 00:19:30,720 --> 00:19:33,038 little special we had something we 566 00:19:32,079 --> 00:19:34,720 didn't have 567 00:19:33,038 --> 00:19:36,480 uh every breakfast that is something 568 00:19:34,720 --> 00:19:38,240 like cinnamon rolls or something and as 569 00:19:36,480 --> 00:19:39,120 a child always look forward to sunday 570 00:19:38,240 --> 00:19:40,880 breakfast 571 00:19:39,119 --> 00:19:42,879 and i can remember jumping out of bed 572 00:19:40,880 --> 00:19:43,760 smelling something delicious coming from 573 00:19:42,880 --> 00:19:45,919 the kitchen 574 00:19:43,759 --> 00:19:47,279 running into the kitchen ready to eat 575 00:19:45,919 --> 00:19:50,000 and my mother saying 576 00:19:47,279 --> 00:19:51,918 go wash your hands say wait a minute mom 577 00:19:50,000 --> 00:19:54,000 i just took a bath last night that was 578 00:19:51,919 --> 00:19:55,600 the cleanest i'd been all week why do i 579 00:19:54,000 --> 00:19:57,919 need to wash my hands 580 00:19:55,599 --> 00:20:00,639 she said you got dirty overnight your 581 00:19:57,919 --> 00:20:02,720 hands got dirty overnight 582 00:20:00,640 --> 00:20:04,480 and that's the way it is in the world we 583 00:20:02,720 --> 00:20:06,720 just walk down the street 584 00:20:04,480 --> 00:20:08,079 we just listen to a television show or a 585 00:20:06,720 --> 00:20:11,200 newscast 586 00:20:08,079 --> 00:20:12,960 and we get dirty overnight we get dirty 587 00:20:11,200 --> 00:20:14,319 without even thinking about it because 588 00:20:12,960 --> 00:20:16,480 the world is there 589 00:20:14,319 --> 00:20:17,439 and the world is always sending its 590 00:20:16,480 --> 00:20:19,360 messages 591 00:20:17,440 --> 00:20:21,360 and that's why we need to be grounded 592 00:20:19,359 --> 00:20:24,079 regularly in the truth of god 593 00:20:21,359 --> 00:20:25,119 a grounded christian is a strong 594 00:20:24,079 --> 00:20:27,678 christian a 595 00:20:25,119 --> 00:20:28,479 taught christian is a strong christian 596 00:20:27,679 --> 00:20:31,200 able 597 00:20:28,480 --> 00:20:31,599 to endure difficult situations secondly 598 00:20:31,200 --> 00:20:33,759 though 599 00:20:31,599 --> 00:20:35,199 we also see them encouraging them to 600 00:20:33,759 --> 00:20:37,599 remain true to the faith 601 00:20:35,200 --> 00:20:38,480 the second thing they did is they after 602 00:20:37,599 --> 00:20:41,599 they taught them 603 00:20:38,480 --> 00:20:41,919 they lifted them up and encouraged them 604 00:20:41,599 --> 00:20:44,000 now 605 00:20:41,919 --> 00:20:45,759 barnabas was a great encourager in fact 606 00:20:44,000 --> 00:20:48,240 his name means son 607 00:20:45,759 --> 00:20:49,119 of encouragement and that was his nature 608 00:20:48,240 --> 00:20:51,359 to encourage 609 00:20:49,119 --> 00:20:52,558 people to lift them up to encourage 610 00:20:51,359 --> 00:20:54,399 people always and 611 00:20:52,558 --> 00:20:56,000 always strengthens them and lifts them 612 00:20:54,400 --> 00:20:57,120 up and lets them know how special they 613 00:20:56,000 --> 00:20:59,599 are to god 614 00:20:57,119 --> 00:21:00,879 it's not encouraging to tell someone uh 615 00:20:59,599 --> 00:21:03,839 condemn them and say 616 00:21:00,880 --> 00:21:05,919 you need to be better encouragement when 617 00:21:03,839 --> 00:21:08,000 comes alongside someone and says you can 618 00:21:05,919 --> 00:21:09,520 be better by the power of christ 619 00:21:08,000 --> 00:21:11,919 and that was what they were doing they 620 00:21:09,519 --> 00:21:13,918 wanted them to know that god had saved 621 00:21:11,919 --> 00:21:15,440 them for a good reason and god was going 622 00:21:13,919 --> 00:21:18,000 to empower them 623 00:21:15,440 --> 00:21:20,240 and encourage them and be with them in 624 00:21:18,000 --> 00:21:22,000 fact the body of christ is to encourage 625 00:21:20,240 --> 00:21:24,960 one another 626 00:21:22,000 --> 00:21:26,558 the disciples stress that faith comes by 627 00:21:24,960 --> 00:21:28,720 hearing the word of christ 628 00:21:26,558 --> 00:21:30,960 no one becomes a christian just by 629 00:21:28,720 --> 00:21:33,038 hearing someone else encourage him 630 00:21:30,960 --> 00:21:34,240 we need to hear the truth of god's word 631 00:21:33,038 --> 00:21:36,400 and we need to believe 632 00:21:34,240 --> 00:21:37,679 in god's word and we need to be grounded 633 00:21:36,400 --> 00:21:40,000 in god's word first 634 00:21:37,679 --> 00:21:41,440 but we also need to be encouraged by the 635 00:21:40,000 --> 00:21:43,038 body of believers 636 00:21:41,440 --> 00:21:45,038 every time you see a listing of 637 00:21:43,038 --> 00:21:48,079 spiritual gifts you notice that 638 00:21:45,038 --> 00:21:50,798 preaching or evangelism or 639 00:21:48,079 --> 00:21:52,480 teaching or pastoring always is one of 640 00:21:50,798 --> 00:21:54,558 the more important gifts 641 00:21:52,480 --> 00:21:56,640 but then following those gifts are these 642 00:21:54,558 --> 00:21:59,038 other gifts that can be 643 00:21:56,640 --> 00:22:00,159 great tools of god that is the gifts of 644 00:21:59,038 --> 00:22:03,200 encouragement 645 00:22:00,159 --> 00:22:05,039 and and uh mercy and helps and 646 00:22:03,200 --> 00:22:07,279 all these gifts the gifts of healings 647 00:22:05,038 --> 00:22:10,319 and all of these things that god gives 648 00:22:07,279 --> 00:22:12,079 liberally to the church now this is how 649 00:22:10,319 --> 00:22:14,558 we are strengthened also 650 00:22:12,079 --> 00:22:16,240 is by being in the presence of people 651 00:22:14,558 --> 00:22:18,960 that encourage us 652 00:22:16,240 --> 00:22:20,880 our enemy is the world but also the 653 00:22:18,960 --> 00:22:21,679 flesh and the flesh is in each of our 654 00:22:20,880 --> 00:22:24,559 hearts 655 00:22:21,679 --> 00:22:26,400 it's a reality to ministry that when you 656 00:22:24,558 --> 00:22:28,798 try to help someone who 657 00:22:26,400 --> 00:22:30,480 is who has been hurt who has been 658 00:22:28,798 --> 00:22:34,158 wounded by the world 659 00:22:30,480 --> 00:22:35,919 that person can turn on you and hurt you 660 00:22:34,159 --> 00:22:38,480 there's an expression that counselors 661 00:22:35,919 --> 00:22:41,679 use and people to ministry use also 662 00:22:38,480 --> 00:22:43,679 that hurt people hurt 663 00:22:41,679 --> 00:22:44,798 people that is the people that are 664 00:22:43,679 --> 00:22:48,000 wounded 665 00:22:44,798 --> 00:22:50,798 by the sin of others also tend to wound 666 00:22:48,000 --> 00:22:52,319 others even those that help them so 667 00:22:50,798 --> 00:22:54,480 while we're reaching out to one another 668 00:22:52,319 --> 00:22:57,678 with compassion and grace and trying to 669 00:22:54,480 --> 00:23:00,400 help one another we realize that sin 670 00:22:57,679 --> 00:23:02,240 permeates all of us if only we could 671 00:23:00,400 --> 00:23:02,798 shut the door of the church and just 672 00:23:02,240 --> 00:23:06,319 come in 673 00:23:02,798 --> 00:23:09,119 all together and be safe and secure but 674 00:23:06,319 --> 00:23:10,879 we can't because when we do that we've 675 00:23:09,119 --> 00:23:12,719 also brought the world in with us and 676 00:23:10,880 --> 00:23:15,600 it's right here in our hearts 677 00:23:12,720 --> 00:23:17,679 that we'll be tempted uh to do the wrong 678 00:23:15,599 --> 00:23:19,918 thing or react the wrong way 679 00:23:17,679 --> 00:23:22,159 and when we try to help someone it's 680 00:23:19,919 --> 00:23:24,720 like trying to help a wounded wild 681 00:23:22,159 --> 00:23:28,000 animal sometimes they can turn on us 682 00:23:24,720 --> 00:23:30,159 and hurt us but this is part and parcel 683 00:23:28,000 --> 00:23:33,599 of being a christian this is part 684 00:23:30,159 --> 00:23:36,000 and parcel of being a servant of christ 685 00:23:33,599 --> 00:23:38,719 that we can expect to have problems and 686 00:23:36,000 --> 00:23:41,119 sufferings and difficulties because 687 00:23:38,720 --> 00:23:43,519 it lies in the nature of the case it 688 00:23:41,119 --> 00:23:44,000 lies in the nature of the christian life 689 00:23:43,519 --> 00:23:46,558 this is 690 00:23:44,000 --> 00:23:47,839 the reality of being a follower of 691 00:23:46,558 --> 00:23:50,960 christ that we deal 692 00:23:47,839 --> 00:23:53,038 with a community and a body that has 693 00:23:50,960 --> 00:23:54,880 also fallen 694 00:23:53,038 --> 00:23:56,480 if you've ever played sports you know 695 00:23:54,880 --> 00:23:59,200 the temptation 696 00:23:56,480 --> 00:24:01,038 to forget who the opponent really is the 697 00:23:59,200 --> 00:24:02,640 way sports are you all have 698 00:24:01,038 --> 00:24:04,720 one team has one uniform you're all 699 00:24:02,640 --> 00:24:06,480 wearing the same uniform the same colors 700 00:24:04,720 --> 00:24:07,440 and the other team has the other uniform 701 00:24:06,480 --> 00:24:09,360 the scoreboard 702 00:24:07,440 --> 00:24:11,278 will only say what the team does and 703 00:24:09,359 --> 00:24:12,000 what their team does we know the goal of 704 00:24:11,278 --> 00:24:15,278 the game 705 00:24:12,000 --> 00:24:16,640 is to win the game our team should win 706 00:24:15,278 --> 00:24:19,359 against their team 707 00:24:16,640 --> 00:24:20,480 but still sometimes we forget who the 708 00:24:19,359 --> 00:24:23,119 real enemy is 709 00:24:20,480 --> 00:24:23,839 and you see that within a team there is 710 00:24:23,119 --> 00:24:26,959 jealousy 711 00:24:23,839 --> 00:24:28,480 and anger and pettiness and competition 712 00:24:26,960 --> 00:24:30,480 sometimes there's more intense 713 00:24:28,480 --> 00:24:32,798 competition between the members of the 714 00:24:30,480 --> 00:24:34,880 same team than there is against 715 00:24:32,798 --> 00:24:36,558 the opponents and unfortunately that's 716 00:24:34,880 --> 00:24:38,240 the way it is sometimes in the church we 717 00:24:36,558 --> 00:24:39,038 forget what we're doing and we get 718 00:24:38,240 --> 00:24:41,200 caught 719 00:24:39,038 --> 00:24:42,400 arguing among ourselves disagreeing 720 00:24:41,200 --> 00:24:45,519 sometimes heart 721 00:24:42,400 --> 00:24:46,640 hurtful harmful words are said to one 722 00:24:45,519 --> 00:24:49,759 another 723 00:24:46,640 --> 00:24:52,799 well no matter how far 724 00:24:49,759 --> 00:24:56,158 we go in terms of knowledge in terms of 725 00:24:52,798 --> 00:24:59,599 even wanting to do the right thing we 726 00:24:56,159 --> 00:25:02,400 see that we as believers in christ need 727 00:24:59,599 --> 00:25:03,839 encouragement we need one another even 728 00:25:02,400 --> 00:25:06,640 though the body of christ 729 00:25:03,839 --> 00:25:07,439 may wound us we need the body of christ 730 00:25:06,640 --> 00:25:10,159 we all 731 00:25:07,440 --> 00:25:11,919 need a spiritual friend you need a 732 00:25:10,159 --> 00:25:14,320 church you need a group you need a 733 00:25:11,919 --> 00:25:16,400 friend who can encourage you 734 00:25:14,319 --> 00:25:18,158 and no matter who the friends were in 735 00:25:16,400 --> 00:25:21,278 your past 736 00:25:18,159 --> 00:25:23,600 it's best to have someone close at hand 737 00:25:21,278 --> 00:25:24,400 proverbs says better a neighbor nearby 738 00:25:23,599 --> 00:25:26,399 than a brother 739 00:25:24,400 --> 00:25:28,880 far away it's better to have a christian 740 00:25:26,400 --> 00:25:31,200 brother here than have one 741 00:25:28,880 --> 00:25:32,240 that you remember fondly from so many 742 00:25:31,200 --> 00:25:34,640 years ago 743 00:25:32,240 --> 00:25:35,759 so we need to share life together we 744 00:25:34,640 --> 00:25:38,000 really do 745 00:25:35,759 --> 00:25:38,798 uh the apostles in teaching the truth 746 00:25:38,000 --> 00:25:41,278 they were so 747 00:25:38,798 --> 00:25:43,038 patient and paul barnabas in that 748 00:25:41,278 --> 00:25:44,640 situation after they taught the truth 749 00:25:43,038 --> 00:25:46,319 after they grounded them they didn't say 750 00:25:44,640 --> 00:25:48,080 well good luck boys we're going to catch 751 00:25:46,319 --> 00:25:51,519 the next boat out of here 752 00:25:48,079 --> 00:25:53,839 no they stayed to encourage to lift them 753 00:25:51,519 --> 00:25:56,079 up to use proper pastoral means and 754 00:25:53,839 --> 00:25:58,798 methods and therapeutic methods and 755 00:25:56,079 --> 00:26:00,960 and encourage them to be strong in the 756 00:25:58,798 --> 00:26:03,440 lord they were so gracious 757 00:26:00,960 --> 00:26:05,278 and compassionate for example in romans 758 00:26:03,440 --> 00:26:07,519 paul's great treatise on 759 00:26:05,278 --> 00:26:09,919 on his understanding of the teachings of 760 00:26:07,519 --> 00:26:11,200 jesus christ and the gospel of jesus 761 00:26:09,919 --> 00:26:13,200 christ 762 00:26:11,200 --> 00:26:15,278 no place else in all of his writings 763 00:26:13,200 --> 00:26:17,278 does he speak so clearly 764 00:26:15,278 --> 00:26:18,319 of what the gospel is in the as in the 765 00:26:17,278 --> 00:26:20,798 book of romans 766 00:26:18,319 --> 00:26:22,319 but when he comes to the end of it he 767 00:26:20,798 --> 00:26:25,278 has this pastoral 768 00:26:22,319 --> 00:26:25,918 encouraging tone he says this in romans 769 00:26:25,278 --> 00:26:29,038 15 770 00:26:25,919 --> 00:26:32,000 1-2 we who are strong 771 00:26:29,038 --> 00:26:32,720 ought to bear with the failings of the 772 00:26:32,000 --> 00:26:35,278 weak 773 00:26:32,720 --> 00:26:36,159 and not to please ourselves each of us 774 00:26:35,278 --> 00:26:39,519 should please his 775 00:26:36,159 --> 00:26:40,960 neighbor for his good to build him up 776 00:26:39,519 --> 00:26:42,879 and that's the christian faith that's 777 00:26:40,960 --> 00:26:44,960 what we're to do you and i 778 00:26:42,880 --> 00:26:46,880 we all need a christian friend we all 779 00:26:44,960 --> 00:26:49,919 need a community of believers 780 00:26:46,880 --> 00:26:51,520 who will encourage us and strengthen us 781 00:26:49,919 --> 00:26:53,520 now the third thing that he mentions 782 00:26:51,519 --> 00:26:55,359 though is prayer 783 00:26:53,519 --> 00:26:57,359 he speaks about these leaders and the 784 00:26:55,359 --> 00:26:59,678 final thing they say is they 785 00:26:57,359 --> 00:27:02,240 went back and appointed uh elders in the 786 00:26:59,679 --> 00:27:04,400 church elder was the common word for 787 00:27:02,240 --> 00:27:06,159 uh church leadership in the book of acts 788 00:27:04,400 --> 00:27:09,038 they appointed elders in the 789 00:27:06,159 --> 00:27:09,919 in all the churches and then they fasted 790 00:27:09,038 --> 00:27:12,480 and prayed 791 00:27:09,919 --> 00:27:13,120 for them they brought them before the 792 00:27:12,480 --> 00:27:16,000 lord and they 793 00:27:13,119 --> 00:27:16,399 committed them to the grace of god this 794 00:27:16,000 --> 00:27:18,480 is 795 00:27:16,400 --> 00:27:20,880 about our third enemy that is the devil 796 00:27:18,480 --> 00:27:21,440 himself you and i cannot defeat the 797 00:27:20,880 --> 00:27:24,399 devil 798 00:27:21,440 --> 00:27:25,919 by our own strength we absolutely need 799 00:27:24,398 --> 00:27:28,959 the strength of god 800 00:27:25,919 --> 00:27:31,278 and we need to pray we need to lift 801 00:27:28,960 --> 00:27:32,558 up our hands and lift up our hearts to 802 00:27:31,278 --> 00:27:34,558 the lord and 803 00:27:32,558 --> 00:27:36,398 and pray for leaders in the church pray 804 00:27:34,558 --> 00:27:38,398 for people in the church pray for 805 00:27:36,398 --> 00:27:40,000 everyone we know pray for the lost that 806 00:27:38,398 --> 00:27:43,439 we may reach them 807 00:27:40,000 --> 00:27:45,519 but we need to depend to call on and 808 00:27:43,440 --> 00:27:49,038 depend upon the power 809 00:27:45,519 --> 00:27:51,200 of god well it's true in a general way i 810 00:27:49,038 --> 00:27:51,440 believe it always has been that none of 811 00:27:51,200 --> 00:27:54,798 us 812 00:27:51,440 --> 00:27:56,720 praise as much or as well as we ought to 813 00:27:54,798 --> 00:27:58,798 this is a common weakness in the 814 00:27:56,720 --> 00:28:01,200 christian life and in church life 815 00:27:58,798 --> 00:28:02,158 so let me encourage you right now to 816 00:28:01,200 --> 00:28:04,640 commit yourself 817 00:28:02,159 --> 00:28:06,640 to pray regularly for me but also pray 818 00:28:04,640 --> 00:28:07,200 for the needs around you to pray for 819 00:28:06,640 --> 00:28:09,120 your 820 00:28:07,200 --> 00:28:11,038 children for your spouse for your 821 00:28:09,119 --> 00:28:14,639 friends for needs that you have 822 00:28:11,038 --> 00:28:16,000 pray for yourself ian bounds is a great 823 00:28:14,640 --> 00:28:17,919 writer on prayer if you've ever 824 00:28:16,000 --> 00:28:20,398 read any of his books you know how great 825 00:28:17,919 --> 00:28:21,360 he is but here's what he said in one of 826 00:28:20,398 --> 00:28:24,479 his books 827 00:28:21,359 --> 00:28:25,678 he said talking to men for god is a 828 00:28:24,480 --> 00:28:29,360 great thing 829 00:28:25,679 --> 00:28:30,399 but talking to god for men is greater 830 00:28:29,359 --> 00:28:33,119 still 831 00:28:30,398 --> 00:28:34,398 he will never talk well and with real 832 00:28:33,119 --> 00:28:37,278 success to men 833 00:28:34,398 --> 00:28:38,719 for god who has not learned well how to 834 00:28:37,278 --> 00:28:42,079 talk to god 835 00:28:38,720 --> 00:28:45,038 for men evangelism is not merely talking 836 00:28:42,079 --> 00:28:48,879 to men about god is also talking to god 837 00:28:45,038 --> 00:28:52,720 about men jesus said this in john 15 838 00:28:48,880 --> 00:28:54,720 5 he said without me you can do nothing 839 00:28:52,720 --> 00:28:56,720 and we need to regularly depend upon 840 00:28:54,720 --> 00:28:58,798 christ so when we're dealing 841 00:28:56,720 --> 00:29:00,399 with suffering we're dealing with 842 00:28:58,798 --> 00:29:03,440 difficulty we're dealing with 843 00:29:00,398 --> 00:29:05,519 problems we're dealing with afflictions 844 00:29:03,440 --> 00:29:06,480 and all the challenges of life we have 845 00:29:05,519 --> 00:29:09,038 to understand 846 00:29:06,480 --> 00:29:11,839 that this is part and parcel of being a 847 00:29:09,038 --> 00:29:12,240 human being for one but it especially 848 00:29:11,839 --> 00:29:15,119 part 849 00:29:12,240 --> 00:29:16,000 and parcel of being a christian how do 850 00:29:15,119 --> 00:29:18,398 we face them 851 00:29:16,000 --> 00:29:20,640 these three things first of all get 852 00:29:18,398 --> 00:29:23,599 grounded in the truth of god 853 00:29:20,640 --> 00:29:24,720 secondly find a christian community or a 854 00:29:23,599 --> 00:29:27,038 christian friend 855 00:29:24,720 --> 00:29:28,240 that can encourage you and also 856 00:29:27,038 --> 00:29:31,440 encourage others 857 00:29:28,240 --> 00:29:33,759 and thirdly pray pray regularly for 858 00:29:31,440 --> 00:29:34,960 god's strength for god's wisdom for 859 00:29:33,759 --> 00:29:37,759 god's mercy 860 00:29:34,960 --> 00:29:38,480 and grace that he may uphold you and 861 00:29:37,759 --> 00:29:40,720 strengthen you 862 00:29:38,480 --> 00:29:42,880 pray for wisdom for other leaders right 863 00:29:40,720 --> 00:29:46,240 now in the world we're facing a 864 00:29:42,880 --> 00:29:48,399 tremendous social upheaval because 865 00:29:46,240 --> 00:29:49,679 of what happened in the city of 866 00:29:48,398 --> 00:29:53,038 minneapolis 867 00:29:49,679 --> 00:29:54,640 in in america the death of george floyd 868 00:29:53,038 --> 00:29:58,558 has brought 869 00:29:54,640 --> 00:30:00,559 a an issue of social injustice 870 00:29:58,558 --> 00:30:01,918 to people of color it's brought this 871 00:30:00,558 --> 00:30:05,519 issue out it has 872 00:30:01,919 --> 00:30:08,799 impacted many people many places 873 00:30:05,519 --> 00:30:11,839 in many societies even here in europe 874 00:30:08,798 --> 00:30:14,000 people of color asking will i ever be 875 00:30:11,839 --> 00:30:15,918 treated with the same respect 876 00:30:14,000 --> 00:30:17,038 as someone who is of traditional 877 00:30:15,919 --> 00:30:20,080 european 878 00:30:17,038 --> 00:30:22,398 ancestry well if we as christians 879 00:30:20,079 --> 00:30:23,839 need to minister the grace of god in 880 00:30:22,398 --> 00:30:25,759 those situations 881 00:30:23,839 --> 00:30:27,199 we need to endure the suffering of 882 00:30:25,759 --> 00:30:29,119 facing a world 883 00:30:27,200 --> 00:30:31,519 that doesn't believe our world that 884 00:30:29,119 --> 00:30:34,319 takes the wrong approach to a problem 885 00:30:31,519 --> 00:30:35,519 we also need to encourage people and 886 00:30:34,319 --> 00:30:38,960 lift them up 887 00:30:35,519 --> 00:30:40,798 and love them and we also need to pray 888 00:30:38,960 --> 00:30:43,519 pray for god's strength because this 889 00:30:40,798 --> 00:30:46,798 problem as every spiritual problem is 890 00:30:43,519 --> 00:30:49,599 is far beyond us but i do believe 891 00:30:46,798 --> 00:30:51,679 that god can lead us to victory god can 892 00:30:49,599 --> 00:30:55,038 lead us to peace and joy 893 00:30:51,679 --> 00:30:55,759 and he can use you and use me and use us 894 00:30:55,038 --> 00:30:58,240 together 895 00:30:55,759 --> 00:30:59,759 to make an eternal difference in the 896 00:30:58,240 --> 00:31:01,120 name of christ 897 00:30:59,759 --> 00:31:03,278 well if you're here today and you've 898 00:31:01,119 --> 00:31:04,079 never trusted christ as your savior let 899 00:31:03,278 --> 00:31:06,720 me invite you 900 00:31:04,079 --> 00:31:07,439 to trust in him to turn from yourself 901 00:31:06,720 --> 00:31:09,360 and your sin 902 00:31:07,440 --> 00:31:11,679 and turn to put your faith and trust in 903 00:31:09,359 --> 00:31:12,000 him if you'd like someone to pray with 904 00:31:11,679 --> 00:31:13,759 you 905 00:31:12,000 --> 00:31:16,319 or talk to you about what it means to 906 00:31:13,759 --> 00:31:17,200 follow christ you can contact me at 907 00:31:16,319 --> 00:31:20,398 pastor 908 00:31:17,200 --> 00:31:21,919 ibc stuttgart.e let me encourage you 909 00:31:20,398 --> 00:31:24,239 that if you're a christian 910 00:31:21,919 --> 00:31:26,480 that you get grounded in the word that 911 00:31:24,240 --> 00:31:28,798 you get connected to a church 912 00:31:26,480 --> 00:31:30,399 and that you pray regularly for god's 913 00:31:28,798 --> 00:31:30,960 strength just talk to him in your own 914 00:31:30,398 --> 00:31:32,719 heart 915 00:31:30,960 --> 00:31:34,240 let him talk back to you through his 916 00:31:32,720 --> 00:31:37,038 word and by his spirit 917 00:31:34,240 --> 00:31:37,440 and he'll strengthen you let me pray for 918 00:31:37,038 --> 00:31:39,839 us 919 00:31:37,440 --> 00:31:42,000 god we thank you for your grace jesus 920 00:31:39,839 --> 00:31:42,319 christ we thank you for your mercy and 921 00:31:42,000 --> 00:31:45,200 for 922 00:31:42,319 --> 00:31:46,798 your salvation holy spirit we thank you 923 00:31:45,200 --> 00:31:48,880 for your companionship 924 00:31:46,798 --> 00:31:51,119 and for your you're strengthening our 925 00:31:48,880 --> 00:31:53,360 lives for you filling us with your 926 00:31:51,119 --> 00:31:55,439 joy and your love and your grace lord we 927 00:31:53,359 --> 00:31:56,240 lift up this broken world and pray for 928 00:31:55,440 --> 00:31:58,720 peace 929 00:31:56,240 --> 00:32:00,000 we pray lord that you may use us to be 930 00:31:58,720 --> 00:32:03,038 your voice in the midst 931 00:32:00,000 --> 00:32:05,038 of confusion you may use us to encourage 932 00:32:03,038 --> 00:32:06,480 the downtrodden the ones who are 933 00:32:05,038 --> 00:32:09,519 discouraged the ones who need 934 00:32:06,480 --> 00:32:13,038 encouragement and lord that we also 935 00:32:09,519 --> 00:32:15,759 may be warriors that pray for you 936 00:32:13,038 --> 00:32:17,759 that we expect that you will answer our 937 00:32:15,759 --> 00:32:20,398 prayers as we call on you 938 00:32:17,759 --> 00:32:21,679 without you you we can do nothing so 939 00:32:20,398 --> 00:32:24,479 lord we lift up this 940 00:32:21,679 --> 00:32:26,559 this world we lift up the the unrest the 941 00:32:24,480 --> 00:32:29,759 problems the confusion the pain 942 00:32:26,558 --> 00:32:31,678 the the injustice lord we lift up world 943 00:32:29,759 --> 00:32:32,480 leaders and we bring this whole world to 944 00:32:31,679 --> 00:32:34,559 you 945 00:32:32,480 --> 00:32:36,720 and lord we pray that you bless us this 946 00:32:34,558 --> 00:32:41,839 lord's day in your name we pray 947 00:32:36,720 --> 00:32:41,839 amen thank you may god bless you