9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 The Call of Jesus 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Welcome to this third video in the series[br]called "The Call of Jesus". 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 In this series I talk about my new book[br]and want to give you a taste of it, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 give you some teaching and so on. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I have the new book here. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It's first I myself got a copy. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Now we start to see response. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 We start to get response from people[br]who have read the book 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and how it changed their lives. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 One of the responses I want to read here.[br]One person wrote: 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 This is for every Christian. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 One person wrote this on Amazon: 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "Have you ever read your Bible [br]and longed for more? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Longed to walk as Jesus did [br]and see what Jesus saw? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 What Torben writes in this book[br]is the answer to what is missing 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 in what has become the "normal"[br]Christian life. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I have ached in my soul for more,[br]for as long as I can remember. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I will never be the same after[br]reading this book! 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 This is the very simple gospel written [br]in a way that everyone can understand. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 This is a MUST read for EVERY Christian!" 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 These are beautiful words one person [br]wrote on Amazon, and I want to say: 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Have you longed for more? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Have you longed to live the life[br]we read about in the Book of Acts? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Then I really believe that this book and this [br]video series could be something for you. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I really encourage you to see [br]the whole series 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that will come out every second or third day[br]and get the book if you can do that. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Until now we have looked at 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 how important it is to don't build[br]on our church culture. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 We need to build on Christ[br]and His word. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It's Christ first, and then mission,[br]according to Him, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and then we end up with church. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Not church first, and then we put[br]mission inside that church box, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 so we forget Christ. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 These are some of the things [br]I talked about until now. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 We also looked a little that the Bible says[br]that we should obey Jesus, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 as the first disciples did. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Truth is that our focus has changed. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Our way of doing church has changed. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But Jesus is forever the same. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It's really time that you and me take the time [br]to stop doing what we are doing, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and then look at Jesus and [br]what He has called to do. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Today we are going to look the chapter[br]called "Being The Good Ground". 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I want to start with reading something[br]from my book. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 "Jesus' call to follow Him is for everyone, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but the sad truth is, not many are willing[br]to take up the cross 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and pray the price to follow Him. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 To follow Jesus is a calling where you need[br]to be willing to pay a high price. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 This is something we do not often like[br]to even talk about, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 let alone do, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but those who are willing to pay the price..." 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Yes, this is so true. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 We don't like to talk about it. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 We don't like to think about it,[br]we don't like to talk about it. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 We don't like to talk about that we need to[br]pay a price to follow Jesus. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It costs everything to follow Jesus. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And it's something we need to talk about. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 You need to be aware of it[br]and be willing to pay the price. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Otherwise you will not be able[br]to do what Jesus has called you to do. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 When we talk about Jesus' call,[br]I want to say, again, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that this is for everyone. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 His call is for all of us. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 If you are old, if you are young,[br]if you are a man, if you are a woman. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Jesus has called you. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But, as we looked at before,[br]the truth is, everyone is called, but... 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It's only a few who are, actually,[br]willing to take up the cross 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and pay the price to follow Him. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 If we take and look at the Bible,[br]there are two men in the Bible, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 you can see very clear,[br]that Jesus called. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 There were many people, but there[br]were two men I want to talk about. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 One person Jesus called was Matthew. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 He was a tax collector.[br]You can read about that in Matthew 9. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Jesus walked and He saw him and[br]He called him, and right away Matthew 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 left everything behind[br]and followed Jesus. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And Jesus used him mighty. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Jesus really used Matthew[br]in an amazing way. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 He was even the one who wrote[br]one of the gospels. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Matthew was used by God. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Why? Jesus called him and he was willing [br]and he said "yes" to Jesus' call. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But, in Matthew 19 you read about[br]another man, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the rich young ruler. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Jesus also called him 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 with the same call[br]as He called Matthew. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Come and follow me. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But the rich young ruler [br]was not willing to pay the price 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and he ended up going away[br]very sad. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And we don't hear more about him. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So, here we have two people in the Bible, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 we have Matthew [br]and we have the rich young ruler. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Both of them were called. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But only one of them was willing to leave[br]everything behind and follow Jesus. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And that person experienced an amazing[br]life with Jesus. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 That person experienced so many things.[br]God used him mighty... 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and the other person left sad. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And we don't hear more about him. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Who of those two are you? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Who are you? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Because the call Jesus has given[br]was the same, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but the response was different. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 This is what you have to understand,[br]if we look at the call of Jesus, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I'm going to go through this video series[br]and in my book, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that that call to follow Jesus[br]is the same for all of us. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But the response people give[br]is different from person to person. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And you need to choose[br]before we move on 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and look at what Jesus is saying. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 You need to choose who you are. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 If you are like Matthew[br]or if you are like rich, young ruler. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Another place where it also becomes[br]clear is in Mark 4. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 In Mark 4 we read the parable[br]about the sower. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And in this parable we see that there was[br]a farmer who went out to sow his seed. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 The seed is the Word of God. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Or, let's say like this, [br]the seed is the call of Jesus, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the call Jesus has given. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But the call falls if four different grounds 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and gives four different results. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 The first ground we read about is the ground [br]where the seed fell on the side of the road. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And birds came right away and devoured it. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 They are those people who hear the word,[br]but it does not go down in their hearts, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 so Satan comes right away and steals[br]what was sowed in the heart. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I don't know if this is you. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Maybe you will read my book,[br]maybe you'll see this video series, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and maybe you will look at[br]what Jesus is saying to you, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but it will just goes in one ear[br]and out the other. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 One day you will stand in front of Him[br]and you have not been faithful. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 You have not received Him. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 That is the truth. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 The second ground we read about[br]in Mark 4 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 is when seed fell on the stony ground 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and there is not a lot of moist earth,[br]so it comes up quickly, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but then the sun comes and scorch it,[br]so it veins and dies. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 There Jesus said that these are those[br]people who hear the word and receive it, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but then when persecution comes in,[br]they fall away. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 They fall away because the word[br]did not go deep enough in their hearts. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So, when persecution comes[br]they fall away, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 because they are not truly willing[br]to pay the price to follow Jesus. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I don't know if that is you. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Many people will listen to the call[br]of Jesus and His words, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and they say: Jesus, I want to follow You. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I want to obey You, Jesus.[br]Jesus, I want to obey You. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But you know, as soon as you start[br]to obey Christ, His words, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 you will experience persecution. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 You know, you can be in church[br]your whole life 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 without experiencing persecution. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But I promise you, in that moment[br]you start to heal the sick, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 cast out demons, and especially [br]lead people to Christ... 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Satan hates it, you will have an enemy, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and you will experience[br]great, great persecution. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And what happens? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Many people fall away[br]when that happens. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So, before you look at the call[br]Jesus has given you 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and before you really move on,[br]you need to stop up and say to yourself: 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 What ground am I? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Am I ground number two? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Will I just fall away and give up [br]as soon as it becomes hard? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Or, will I keep going no matter what? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It's your choice. [br]It's your decision. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 The third Jesus is talking about[br]in Mark 4:7, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 where He says that seed fell[br]among thorns 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and thorns grew up together[br]with the seed and quenched the fruit, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 so it did not bear the fruit. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 The third Jesus is talking about here[br]is the thing that is growing up around us, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and that is the worries of this world,[br]the deceitfulness of riches 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and the longing for other things. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Many people hear the Word of God,[br]hear the call Jesus has given, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but are like the rich young ruler. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 They hear the word and say:[br]Jesus, I want to follow you. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But what happens? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 There are so many things around them,[br]like the deceitfulness of riches, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the worries and longing for other things, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and all of those things come and end up[br]stealing that call. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 They are like the rich young ruler[br]who said: Jesus, I want to follow You. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Or say: Jesus, what can I do to inherit[br]the eternal life? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And then He left sad. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But thankfully, there are also those people[br]who are the forth ground, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the good ground, who bear a lot of fruit. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And those do not only bear a little fruit,[br]but a lot of fruit. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 We are talking about 30, 60 or 100 fold. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I will ask you: Who are you? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Are you Matthew [br]or are you the rich, young ruler? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Who are you of those two? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 What ground are you, of those four? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Are you ground number one,[br]who just hears the call of Jesus, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but never response to it? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Are you ground number two[br]who said: Jesus, I want to follow You? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But then persecution sets in[br]and you fall away right away 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 because you are not willing [br]to pay the price? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Or, are you like ground number three:[br]Jesus, I want to follow You. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I want to follow You.[br]I want to be good ground, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but you also wants so many other things[br]in your life? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And you are deceived by the deceitfulness[br]of riches and all other things around you? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And therefore you don't bear fruit[br]or worries? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Or are you the good ground[br]who bears a lot of fruit? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 What we need to understand, it's not something [br]we talk a lot about in the church, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but we need to really understand[br]that it's your choice. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It's not my choice, my life, my choice. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Your life - your choice. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 You need to choose what ground[br]you want to be. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 And right now we are living in a time [br]where the world is getting crazy. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Everything is shaking. [br]The virus, economy, our freedom. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But that is, actually, not bad[br]for the church. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 That is, actually, good.[br]Why? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Because the time like this reveals [br]what ground we are. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 A time like this reveals[br]what is inside of a person. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 If we look at the church today,[br]and just be honest, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 most people in the church today[br]are ground two and three, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 but they don't see they are two and three [br]before... 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 persecution really sets in,[br]and before the economy being shaken, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and fears and worries come, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and then it reveals what ground they are. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 It reveals that many of those people[br]have not really be willing to suffer 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and pay the price it costs to follow Jesus. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So, as soon as persecution comes,[br]they start to compromise, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and for the sake of peace, [br]or, as soon as persecution comes, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 they start to deny Christ.[br]It ends up, actually, denying Christ. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 No, no, no. [br]We don't need to obey Him like that. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Or, as soon as the economy being shaken,[br]like they are ground number three, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 they say: Yes, Jesus, I want to follow You.[br]But then it costs everything to follow Him, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and worries and longing for other things,[br]and it reveals who they are. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 That they are not that good ground. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Where are you?[br]Who are you? 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I really believe and hope that... 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 the book "The Call of Jesus"[br]and this video series can help you. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I really believe, when we look at Luke 10, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 that it will give you revelation[br]what it is Jesus has called you to. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 But, it's only those who take His words,[br]and are willing, and obey it, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 who will bear a lot of fruit. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So, some of you, sad to say,[br]some of you will hear this teaching, 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 some of you will hear what Jesus[br]has said 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 and it will go in one ear and out the other. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 Some of you will fall away.[br]So of you do other things. 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 So please stop and decide, [br]check yourself and decide - 9:59:59.000,9:59:59.000 I want to obey Jesus no matter what.