0:00:14.853,0:00:21.885 I want us to experience Christ[br]more than anything. 0:00:21.885,0:00:24.292 I want us to know His presence. 0:00:24.292,0:00:26.205 I want us to know His power. 0:00:26.205,0:00:29.003 I want us to be familiar with[br]the workings of His Spirit. 0:00:29.003,0:00:30.820 I want us to fall more deeply in love. 0:00:30.820,0:00:32.546 I want us to know more of the cross. 0:00:32.546,0:00:36.750 I want to be able to enter in [br]more with His heart. 0:00:36.750,0:00:39.460 That's why I wanted to set Christ[br]before you yesterday. 0:00:39.460,0:00:40.459 That pattern. 0:00:40.459,0:00:41.676 I want you to see Him. 0:00:41.676,0:00:43.206 I want there to be something of 0:00:43.206,0:00:45.701 the Spirit of God working[br]through what we see, 0:00:45.701,0:00:49.144 burning in Him and have[br]that etched upon us. 0:00:49.144,0:00:50.390 I desire that. 0:00:50.390,0:00:52.269 And one of the texts [br]in the Scriptures 0:00:52.269,0:00:54.210 that I keep coming back to in my mind 0:00:54.210,0:00:55.549 over and over and over, 0:00:55.549,0:00:57.241 Lord, no matter what [br]You give us; 0:00:57.241,0:00:58.808 no matter if we see conversions; 0:00:58.808,0:01:00.372 no matter if we're [br]allowed to have 0:01:00.372,0:01:01.828 the privilege to be able[br]to plant churches 0:01:01.828,0:01:03.098 or go to the mission field 0:01:03.098,0:01:04.267 or send guys out. 0:01:04.267,0:01:06.833 If we see these young people,[br]and they're coming to us 0:01:06.833,0:01:07.814 and they're burning [br]with a passion; 0:01:07.814,0:01:09.196 I love those things! 0:01:09.196,0:01:11.222 I don't want those things to go away, 0:01:11.222,0:01:12.777 but I realize in the end of it, 0:01:12.777,0:01:15.295 Lord, if You don't give us more than that, 0:01:15.295,0:01:17.445 if You don't give us [br]a sense of Yourself... 0:01:17.445,0:01:20.444 and I come to the Scriptures and[br]over and over and over again 0:01:20.444,0:01:23.589 I find in John 14:21 0:01:23.589,0:01:24.944 I find this promise: 0:01:24.944,0:01:26.198 Christ saying, 0:01:26.198,0:01:30.055 "I will manifest Myself to you." 0:01:30.055,0:01:32.817 "I will manifest Myself." 0:01:32.817,0:01:34.629 What does that speak of? 0:01:34.629,0:01:40.928 It speaks of an experiential[br]interaction with Christ. 0:01:40.928,0:01:42.858 Manifestation. 0:01:42.858,0:01:44.769 There's an appeal to the senses. 0:01:44.769,0:01:46.955 Christ comes near in a way 0:01:46.955,0:01:49.022 that we feel, we sense, 0:01:49.022,0:01:51.679 there's something that we're [br]able to lay hold of. 0:01:51.679,0:01:53.002 And I guarantee you this, 0:01:53.002,0:01:55.312 when Christ comes near 0:01:55.312,0:01:59.684 in a manifest expression[br]of glory and presence, 0:01:59.684,0:02:03.173 it can't do anything but [br]cause us to burn. 0:02:03.173,0:02:06.397 It can't do anything but cause passion. 0:02:06.397,0:02:08.285 You cannot have Christ come near 0:02:08.285,0:02:10.898 except it does something in you. 0:02:10.898,0:02:12.163 It stirs you. 0:02:12.163,0:02:13.223 It creates heat. 0:02:13.223,0:02:15.399 It creates fire. 0:02:15.399,0:02:16.917 But I'll tell you this, 0:02:16.917,0:02:18.912 Christian, I'm speaking to you 0:02:18.912,0:02:22.744 that have a profession. 0:02:22.744,0:02:26.023 It's conditional. 0:02:26.023,0:02:28.540 He says if you have My commandments 0:02:28.540,0:02:31.659 and you keep them. 0:02:31.659,0:02:34.848 It's amazing how the church is today. 0:02:34.848,0:02:36.975 Oh, we can see this shift. 0:02:36.975,0:02:39.706 Are you guys going to be given up[br]to the providence we heard about? 0:02:39.706,0:02:41.619 Well, providentially, you know[br]what's happening today. 0:02:41.619,0:02:43.781 Everything's moving [br]away from the U.S. 0:02:43.781,0:02:45.921 It's going to China.[br]It's going to Korea. 0:02:45.921,0:02:49.360 Ok, are you just going to settle down 0:02:49.360,0:02:53.679 and settle for a nice, slow death? 0:02:53.679,0:02:57.685 And accept that providence? 0:02:57.685,0:03:00.413 Man, I can tell you, when we[br]were taking off on that work, 0:03:00.413,0:03:02.856 some brethren from the[br]Sovereign Grace circles 0:03:02.856,0:03:07.015 that I love, I love to[br]hear them preach; 0:03:07.015,0:03:09.558 they'd say things to me like, 0:03:09.558,0:03:11.289 "The Lord's done." 0:03:11.289,0:03:12.429 The Lord's done. 0:03:12.429,0:03:14.457 The second coming [br]has to be at hand. 0:03:14.457,0:03:15.823 There's no more. 0:03:15.823,0:03:18.574 We don't see anymore of the [br]workings of God. 0:03:18.574,0:03:21.286 We might as well throw in the towel. 0:03:21.286,0:03:23.303 I mean, there's providence folks. 0:03:23.303,0:03:26.647 They're all moving to Korea. 0:03:26.647,0:03:30.517 Underground church in China. 0:03:30.517,0:03:32.240 Ok, do that. 0:03:32.240,0:03:34.020 Just settle in. 0:03:34.020,0:03:35.030 Allow that. 0:03:35.030,0:03:37.448 Take that as providence. 0:03:37.448,0:03:39.456 Or you can rise up and say, 0:03:39.456,0:03:43.115 no, I'm going to bust [br]through that ceiling. 0:03:43.115,0:03:44.969 Because I'll tell you this, 0:03:44.969,0:03:46.477 you say you have any desire 0:03:46.477,0:03:47.635 for Christ to come near? 0:03:47.635,0:03:50.151 You say you have any desire[br]to experience more of Him 0:03:50.151,0:03:52.261 than you've ever [br]experienced in your life? 0:03:52.261,0:03:54.103 You say that? 0:03:54.103,0:03:56.070 Who was it? I think[br]it was Lloyd-Jones 0:03:56.070,0:03:57.442 that said, 0:03:57.442,0:04:00.814 Your desire for Christ;[br]your desire to know Him; 0:04:00.814,0:04:03.071 your desire for Him to draw near, 0:04:03.071,0:04:05.715 it's tested by your obedience. 0:04:05.715,0:04:08.304 Based on texts just like that. 0:04:08.304,0:04:11.945 In John 14:21 - just like that. 0:04:11.945,0:04:14.845 We say, oh, we want [br]Him to draw near. 0:04:14.845,0:04:17.045 We say we want revival. 0:04:17.045,0:04:20.753 We say we want these things. 0:04:20.753,0:04:26.257 We're like these pathetic[br]hyper-Calvinists. 0:04:26.257,0:04:29.576 Well, these were pretty[br]stirring meetings, 0:04:29.576,0:04:30.914 and what we're going to do, 0:04:30.914,0:04:32.114 we're going to sit back, 0:04:32.114,0:04:36.133 and we're going to[br]hope God does something. 0:04:36.133,0:04:41.073 You know what the basis[br]of hyper-Calvinism is? 0:04:41.073,0:04:43.968 It's basically saying this, 0:04:43.968,0:04:46.253 whether you're lost or [br]whether you're saved, 0:04:46.253,0:04:47.698 it's saying this, 0:04:47.698,0:04:50.381 I can't do something. 0:04:50.381,0:04:52.274 There's something that spiritually, 0:04:52.274,0:04:53.462 in and of myself, 0:04:53.462,0:04:55.269 I don't have the ability to carry out. 0:04:55.269,0:04:56.847 And so, I'm going to sit back 0:04:56.847,0:05:00.861 and I'm going to wait for God to do it. 0:05:00.861,0:05:04.380 And then I'm going to [br]jump on the bandwagon. 0:05:04.380,0:05:05.904 Those weren't hyper-Calvinists 0:05:05.904,0:05:11.203 that busted through that ceiling that day. 0:05:11.203,0:05:13.449 They said be done with that. 0:05:13.449,0:05:15.554 We want to get to Christ. 0:05:15.554,0:05:17.292 We want to be in His presence. 0:05:17.292,0:05:20.090 We're going to press[br]in to the inner place. 0:05:20.090,0:05:22.054 We don't care if we [br]knock some dirt 0:05:22.054,0:05:24.511 on the Pharisee's foreheads. 0:05:24.511,0:05:25.752 Let it fall on them. 0:05:25.752,0:05:30.342 We're getting in there. 0:05:30.342,0:05:33.089 Folks, I'm going to start and[br]I'm going to end this 0:05:33.089,0:05:36.113 by hitting on some men [br]that stayed at home 0:05:36.113,0:05:38.073 and they were faithful. 0:05:38.073,0:05:39.272 But I'll tell you what, 0:05:39.272,0:05:41.273 there was fire that burned there, 0:05:41.273,0:05:43.232 and they wanted this. 0:05:43.232,0:05:44.390 They wanted it. 0:05:44.390,0:05:46.987 I want the missionary endeavor[br]for a number of reasons. 0:05:46.987,0:05:50.273 But one of the things, folks,[br]that we have to come to grips with. 0:05:50.273,0:05:51.949 Matthew 28:18-20 0:05:51.949,0:05:55.816 We have a divine imperative. 0:05:55.816,0:05:58.802 And if we sit here in our nice[br]little safe comfortable places 0:05:58.802,0:06:02.505 and we wonder why; we sit [br]back, we don't do anything, 0:06:02.505,0:06:04.285 we wonder why? 0:06:04.285,0:06:06.898 Why are people going to sleep? 0:06:06.898,0:06:11.470 Why is this happening? 0:06:11.470,0:06:18.090 This is a point of obedience, folks. 0:06:18.090,0:06:20.270 We want to amass the resources. 0:06:20.270,0:06:22.121 We don't love to send people away. 0:06:22.121,0:06:24.022 We don't like to separate. 0:06:24.022,0:06:25.903 Folks, if we really have a good 0:06:25.903,0:06:30.265 estimation of the coming [br]eternality of things, 0:06:30.265,0:06:31.764 so be it. 0:06:31.764,0:06:33.175 So what? 0:06:33.175,0:06:34.856 Send them away. 0:06:34.856,0:06:36.340 You know what? 0:06:36.340,0:06:38.306 I don't expect that all these young guys 0:06:38.306,0:06:40.021 coming in to our church right now 0:06:40.021,0:06:41.495 are going to stay there. 0:06:41.495,0:06:42.962 And so be it. 0:06:42.962,0:06:44.441 You say you don't love them? 0:06:44.441,0:06:46.440 No, I do. 0:06:46.440,0:06:47.913 There are some of these guys 0:06:47.913,0:06:49.542 I would hate to see go away, 0:06:49.542,0:06:51.928 but you know what, if they[br]go off to the mission field; 0:06:51.928,0:06:53.360 if they go off somewhere 0:06:53.360,0:06:55.622 even if they ended [br]up like the Stam's. 0:06:55.622,0:06:58.281 Just in a few short months[br]after arriving out there, 0:06:58.281,0:07:00.329 they lost their heads. 0:07:00.329,0:07:01.882 Glory be to God. 0:07:01.882,0:07:06.414 You know what happened when[br]those two got their heads cut off? 0:07:06.414,0:07:09.447 It moved among the young[br]people in this country. 0:07:09.447,0:07:11.986 I think they had like [br]700 people after that 0:07:11.986,0:07:17.323 apply to the China Inland Mission. 0:07:17.323,0:07:19.388 I'll tell you what, 0:07:19.388,0:07:21.446 if Jonathan Diaz or one[br]of these other guys 0:07:21.446,0:07:22.779 put their head on the block 0:07:22.779,0:07:24.167 and it costs them their head 0:07:24.167,0:07:27.443 to have 700 more like him to[br]come along behind, 0:07:27.443,0:07:31.718 I'll take it. 0:07:31.718,0:07:36.235 Where is Jonathan? 0:07:36.235,0:07:42.938 That's not to say you're the[br]expendable one, brother. 0:07:42.938,0:07:44.801 Matthew 28:18 0:07:44.801,0:07:47.264 "Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, 0:07:47.264,0:07:50.338 'All power is given unto Me in heaven 0:07:50.338,0:07:53.454 and in earth. 0:07:53.454,0:07:56.697 Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, 0:07:56.697,0:07:58.705 baptizing them in the name of the Father, 0:07:58.705,0:08:01.784 and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost; 0:08:01.784,0:08:03.514 teaching them to observe all things 0:08:03.514,0:08:05.366 whatsoever I have commanded you, 0:08:05.366,0:08:09.224 and lo, I am with you alway.'" 0:08:09.224,0:08:11.475 Let that sink in. 0:08:11.475,0:08:15.537 Lo, I am with you alway,[br]even to the end of the world. 0:08:15.537,0:08:17.071 One of the greatest indications [br] 0:08:17.071,0:08:19.413 this is not for the first century[br]apostles only 0:08:19.413,0:08:21.068 is right there. 0:08:21.068,0:08:22.984 I am with you to the end of the world. 0:08:22.984,0:08:27.174 I am with you to the end of the ages. 0:08:27.174,0:08:29.869 Amen. 0:08:29.869,0:08:31.829 Now yesterday, I attempted to show you 0:08:31.829,0:08:33.902 and convince you that [br]the Lord Jesus Christ 0:08:33.902,0:08:37.804 was sent from heaven by the Father 0:08:37.804,0:08:38.867 to this earth. 0:08:38.867,0:08:41.519 Not as some disinterested stoic. 0:08:41.519,0:08:43.124 He is that great missionary. 0:08:43.124,0:08:45.991 The apostle. The sent one. 0:08:45.991,0:08:47.457 Sent of His Father. 0:08:47.457,0:08:48.669 Sent from heaven. 0:08:48.669,0:08:51.950 Sent here full of passion [br]for the Father's honor. 0:08:51.950,0:08:54.282 Full of passion for[br]the souls of men. 0:08:54.282,0:08:56.551 He came from heaven. 0:08:56.551,0:08:58.725 He didn't leave His passions there 0:08:58.725,0:08:59.650 when He came. 0:08:59.650,0:09:00.598 He came with them. 0:09:00.598,0:09:02.085 He came with His tears. 0:09:02.085,0:09:04.054 He came with His[br]bowels of compassion. 0:09:04.054,0:09:06.707 He came full of a zeal 0:09:06.707,0:09:10.144 for His Father's honor and glory. 0:09:10.144,0:09:12.032 He didn't leave those things behind. 0:09:12.032,0:09:13.710 He didn't walk around like some 0:09:13.710,0:09:15.764 monotone robot on this world. 0:09:15.764,0:09:18.288 He brought those tears.[br]He brought that zeal. 0:09:18.288,0:09:19.945 He brought those bowels of love. 0:09:19.945,0:09:22.624 And He went right to where sinners were. 0:09:22.624,0:09:24.129 And the case I'm trying to make 0:09:24.129,0:09:27.280 is that if we don't likewise [br]possess something of 0:09:27.280,0:09:31.620 the heart and the soul of Jesus Christ 0:09:31.620,0:09:33.662 burning in our own souls, 0:09:33.662,0:09:38.291 we can ever forget about missions. 0:09:38.291,0:09:39.946 It's not going to happen. 0:09:39.946,0:09:42.294 But the thing is [br]we can't forget about it. 0:09:42.294,0:09:43.918 Because we have what we have 0:09:43.918,0:09:48.391 right there in Matthew 28. 0:09:48.391,0:09:52.180 Folks, 0:09:52.180,0:09:54.038 He said this: 0:09:54.038,0:09:57.811 "As the Father hath sent Me, 0:09:57.811,0:10:02.238 even so I am sending you." 0:10:02.238,0:10:04.164 Here's the thing. 0:10:04.164,0:10:07.767 Lo, I am with you always. 0:10:07.767,0:10:09.863 And this is the thing I want you to see. 0:10:09.863,0:10:11.297 He's promised to be with us 0:10:11.297,0:10:12.854 even to the end of the world. 0:10:12.854,0:10:16.660 He walks at our side. 0:10:16.660,0:10:18.890 Though I can't see Him. 0:10:18.890,0:10:22.152 Though I can't physically lay [br]my fingers right now 0:10:22.152,0:10:25.790 where Thomas laid his. 0:10:25.790,0:10:28.171 He's promised. 0:10:28.171,0:10:29.084 Think about it. 0:10:29.084,0:10:30.698 He hasn't changed. 0:10:30.698,0:10:32.913 Does Christ change? 0:10:32.913,0:10:35.174 The very passions He came [br]to this earth with 0:10:35.174,0:10:37.976 burn in His heart now. 0:10:37.976,0:10:41.673 And He's promised,[br]"I'm with you." 0:10:41.673,0:10:44.789 He's promised to walk at our side 0:10:44.789,0:10:46.626 still with Him burning; 0:10:46.626,0:10:48.596 all this intensity, all this fervor, 0:10:48.596,0:10:51.113 bidding us onward in the[br]missionary endeavor. 0:10:51.113,0:10:53.373 Our Lord says go. 0:10:53.373,0:10:54.539 Go to the nations. 0:10:54.539,0:10:56.517 Go teach them.[br]Go disciple them. 0:10:56.517,0:10:57.858 Go baptize them. 0:10:57.858,0:11:01.964 Give the nations My commandments. 0:11:01.964,0:11:04.658 And I'm convinced, it's only those 0:11:04.658,0:11:07.312 gripped by this heart,[br] 0:11:07.312,0:11:10.852 by this heat of Christ, 0:11:10.852,0:11:16.443 who are going to pull this off. 0:11:16.443,0:11:18.901 Here's Spurgeon. 0:11:18.901,0:11:23.702 He stayed at home. 0:11:23.702,0:11:26.448 But listen to the heart of[br]this man that stayed at home. 0:11:26.448,0:11:28.081 I don't even know what number, 0:11:28.081,0:11:30.153 what percentage of men, 0:11:30.153,0:11:34.062 would have been sent out of [br]the Metropolitan Tabernacle. 0:11:34.062,0:11:36.721 I didn't look into that. 0:11:36.721,0:11:38.223 I'll tell you another man 0:11:38.223,0:11:40.025 who sits at home. 0:11:40.025,0:11:41.577 Not doing nothing sitting; 0:11:41.577,0:11:43.386 Maybe I should say [br]he stands at home. 0:11:43.386,0:11:44.462 He runs at home. 0:11:44.462,0:11:46.633 Look at a guy like John Piper. 0:11:46.633,0:11:50.315 I can remember sitting in a meeting 0:11:50.315,0:11:52.242 over in Owensboro, 0:11:52.242,0:11:55.577 and having a man bring up this fact. 0:11:55.577,0:11:59.082 That Bethlehem sent out 0:11:59.082,0:12:01.641 80 missionaries in one summer. 0:12:01.641,0:12:05.200 More than the collective group of churches 0:12:05.200,0:12:08.081 being represented in that place[br]at that time 0:12:08.081,0:12:11.767 in their 35 year history. 0:12:11.767,0:12:14.063 What is it that burns in [br]a man like Piper? 0:12:14.063,0:12:16.427 What is it that burns in a[br]man like Spurgeon? 0:12:16.427,0:12:17.878 I'm wondering that, because 0:12:17.878,0:12:20.241 I'm seeking to pastor a church 0:12:20.241,0:12:23.120 and keep that fire alive at home. 0:12:23.120,0:12:25.489 Here's what he says, 0:12:25.489,0:12:29.263 Spurgeon meditating on [br]Matthew 28:18, 19 0:12:29.263,0:12:32.682 He says, "While I [br]was meditating in private 0:12:32.682,0:12:35.959 upon this text, I felt myself 0:12:35.959,0:12:42.014 carried away by its power. 0:12:42.014,0:12:45.811 I was quite unable calmly to[br]consider its terms, 0:12:45.811,0:12:48.513 or to investigate its argument. 0:12:48.513,0:12:52.516 The command with which [br]the text concludes 0:12:52.516,0:12:55.657 repeated itself again[br]and again and again 0:12:55.657,0:12:58.630 in my ears, till I found it [br]impossible to study, 0:12:58.630,0:13:00.961 for my thoughts were running[br]hither and thither 0:13:00.961,0:13:02.464 asking a thousand questions, 0:13:02.464,0:13:04.030 all of them intended to help me 0:13:04.030,0:13:10.270 in answering for myself the [br]solemn inquiry. 0:13:10.270,0:13:12.931 How am I to go and teach[br]all nations, 0:13:12.931,0:13:16.888 baptizing them in the name of the[br]Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost? 0:13:16.888,0:13:19.429 My ears seemed to hear it as if 0:13:19.429,0:13:22.523 Christ were then speaking it to me. 0:13:22.523,0:13:27.129 I could realize His presence by my side. 0:13:27.129,0:13:30.086 I thought I could see Him[br]lifted His peirced hand, 0:13:30.086,0:13:32.799 and hear Him speak as [br]He was wont to speak 0:13:32.799,0:13:35.070 with authority blended with meekness. 0:13:35.070,0:13:36.612 Go ye, and teach all nations, 0:13:36.612,0:13:39.471 baptizing them in the name of [br]the all glorious God. 0:13:39.471,0:13:43.943 Oh, I would that the church [br]could hear the Savior 0:13:43.943,0:13:46.543 addressing these words to her now. 0:13:46.543,0:13:48.732 For the words of Christ[br]are living words. 0:13:48.732,0:13:51.035 Not having power in them[br]yesterday alone, 0:13:51.035,0:13:53.575 but today also. 0:13:53.575,0:13:54.997 The injunctions of the Savior 0:13:54.997,0:13:57.870 are perpetual in their obligation. 0:13:57.870,0:14:00.204 They were not binding [br]on apostles merely, 0:14:00.204,0:14:01.975 but upon us also. 0:14:01.975,0:14:04.673 And upon every Christian does[br]this yoke fall. 0:14:04.673,0:14:06.755 We're not exempt today from the 0:14:06.755,0:14:08.984 service of the first followers[br]of the Lamb. 0:14:08.984,0:14:12.100 Our marching orders are the[br]same as theirs. 0:14:12.100,0:14:14.945 And our Captain requires from[br]us obedience, 0:14:14.945,0:14:17.141 as prompt and perfect 0:14:17.141,0:14:18.964 as from them. 0:14:18.964,0:14:22.610 Oh, that His message may not[br]fall upon..." 0:14:22.610,0:14:23.892 now listen to this! 0:14:23.892,0:14:26.705 "Oh, that His message 0:14:26.705,0:14:30.102 may not fall upon deaf ears, 0:14:30.102,0:14:35.686 or be heard by stolid souls." 0:14:35.686,0:14:37.294 Do you know what that word is? 0:14:37.294,0:14:41.451 Indifferent, stupid, dense,[br]dry, dull. 0:14:41.451,0:14:43.253 Spurgeon continuing, 0:14:43.253,0:14:45.164 "Brethren, the heathen are perishing. 0:14:45.164,0:14:47.485 Shall we let them perish? 0:14:47.485,0:14:48.916 His name is blasphemed. 0:14:48.916,0:14:50.593 Shall we be quiet and still? 0:14:50.593,0:14:52.694 The honor of Christ is cast into the dust. 0:14:52.694,0:14:56.513 His foes revile His person[br]and resist His throne. 0:14:56.513,0:14:59.016 Shall we, His soldiers, suffer this 0:14:59.016,0:15:02.070 and not find our hands feeling[br]for the hilt of our sword? 0:15:02.070,0:15:03.840 The Sword of the Spirit, 0:15:03.840,0:15:06.512 which is the Word of God. 0:15:06.512,0:15:08.227 Our Lord delayeth His coming. 0:15:08.227,0:15:10.363 Shall we begin to sleep? 0:15:10.363,0:15:11.532 To eat? 0:15:11.532,0:15:12.977 To be drunken? 0:15:12.977,0:15:15.289 Shall we not rather gird up[br]the loins of our mind 0:15:15.289,0:15:16.567 and cry unto Him, 0:15:16.567,0:15:19.053 'Come, Lord Jesus, [br]come quickly!' 0:15:19.053,0:15:23.178 The scoffing skeptics of these last days 0:15:23.178,0:15:25.617 have said that the anticipated conquest 0:15:25.617,0:15:29.100 of the world for Christ is but a dream. 0:15:29.100,0:15:30.625 It is asserted by some 0:15:30.625,0:15:32.841 that the superstitions of the heathens 0:15:32.841,0:15:35.445 are too strong to be battered down 0:15:35.445,0:15:36.780 by our teachings. 0:15:36.780,0:15:38.568 And that the strongholds of Satan 0:15:38.568,0:15:43.944 are utterly impregnable [br]against our attacks. 0:15:43.944,0:15:46.640 Shall it be so? 0:15:46.640,0:15:51.827 Shall we be content [br]foolishly to sit still?" 0:15:51.827,0:15:53.360 And he continues, 0:15:53.360,0:15:56.646 "Oh, that there were might 0:15:56.646,0:15:59.360 in some human lip 0:15:59.360,0:16:02.041 to move the thousands of our Isreal 0:16:02.041,0:16:04.170 to advance at once, 0:16:04.170,0:16:06.941 unanimously and irresistably 0:16:06.941,0:16:09.146 to the world's conquest. 0:16:09.146,0:16:11.626 Like one tremendous tide rising 0:16:11.626,0:16:13.325 from the depths of the ocean 0:16:13.325,0:16:16.340 to sweep over the sands,[br]the barren sands, 0:16:16.340,0:16:19.553 which are now given up to[br]desolation and death. 0:16:19.553,0:16:24.291 Oh that once again the voice[br]of thunder could be heard." 0:16:24.291,0:16:27.376 And right here - this is[br]the point I'm driving at. 0:16:27.376,0:16:33.645 "And that the lightning spirit [br]could penetrate each heart. 0:16:33.645,0:16:35.415 And as one man the entire church 0:16:35.415,0:16:37.085 might take the marching orders 0:16:37.085,0:16:39.438 of her Lord and go teach all nations, 0:16:39.438,0:16:42.823 baptizing them in the [br]name of Israel's God. 0:16:42.823,0:16:46.095 Oh, Lord, if we fail to speak, 0:16:46.095,0:16:48.581 fail not Thou to speak. 0:16:48.581,0:16:50.644 And if we know not how to [br]bear Thy burden, 0:16:50.644,0:16:53.348 or express Thine awful thoughts, 0:16:53.348,0:16:57.574 yet speak that with Thou[br]all-constraining silent voice 0:16:57.574,0:16:59.811 which well trained ears can hear. 0:16:59.811,0:17:02.899 And make Thy servants obedient 0:17:02.899,0:17:06.551 to Thee now for Christ's sake. 0:17:06.551,0:17:09.682 Folks, that's it. 0:17:09.682,0:17:14.640 It's the lightning spirit[br]penetrating each heart. 0:17:14.640,0:17:15.991 And my point is this, 0:17:15.991,0:17:19.441 you can try to evade this if you want. 0:17:19.441,0:17:21.040 But you show me an individual, 0:17:21.040,0:17:23.591 you show me a church,[br]a collective group of churches 0:17:23.591,0:17:26.597 that is raising up men and women 0:17:26.597,0:17:27.878 for far away places, 0:17:27.878,0:17:30.321 sending them forth, planting churches, 0:17:30.321,0:17:32.388 experiencing the saving power of God, 0:17:32.388,0:17:33.506 and I'll tell you what, 0:17:33.506,0:17:36.547 somebody there has lightning spirit. 0:17:36.547,0:17:39.376 Someone's excited.[br]Someone's impassioned. 0:17:39.376,0:17:43.185 You show me your great resources. 0:17:43.185,0:17:45.114 Show me all your money. 0:17:45.114,0:17:47.955 Show me your brilliant scholars[br]with their high IQ's. 0:17:47.955,0:17:49.937 And you know what? 0:17:49.937,0:17:51.552 I'll in turn show you the guy 0:17:51.552,0:17:55.816 who has the gut level,[br]unstoppable lightning and desire. 0:17:55.816,0:17:57.933 I remember some years ago, 0:17:57.933,0:18:00.168 I think it was right after I[br]was first saved. 0:18:00.168,0:18:03.056 I listened to a lot of John [br]MacArthur in those days. 0:18:03.056,0:18:06.050 I can remember a message that [br]he did in 2 Thessalonians. 0:18:06.050,0:18:07.423 And I looked that up because 0:18:07.423,0:18:09.514 I thought it had something particularly 0:18:09.514,0:18:13.396 applicable to what I wanted to say today. 0:18:13.396,0:18:15.965 Here's MacArthur speaking,[br]and I quote to you, 0:18:15.965,0:18:20.201 "I remember standing with Russ Hodge 0:18:20.201,0:18:22.761 on the infield at the[br]University of Oregon 0:18:22.761,0:18:25.072 watching the triangular decathlon meet 0:18:25.072,0:18:28.739 between the USSR, Poland, and[br]The United States. 0:18:28.739,0:18:31.244 Russ was the coach of the[br]American team. 0:18:31.244,0:18:33.167 He was the former world record holder 0:18:33.167,0:18:34.164 in the decathlon. 0:18:34.164,0:18:35.745 And I was standing [br]there with him 0:18:35.745,0:18:38.036 watching the greatest [br]athletes in the world 0:18:38.036,0:18:39.962 preparing to begin the meet." 0:18:39.962,0:18:43.008 MacArthur says, "there were[br]some great Russian athletes. 0:18:43.008,0:18:45.601 There was one who was [br]a massive giant of a man. 0:18:45.601,0:18:47.846 Just an awesome human specimen. 0:18:47.846,0:18:50.057 There was a great Polish athlete. 0:18:50.057,0:18:52.016 There were some tremendous Americans. 0:18:52.016,0:18:55.631 I said to Russ, 0:18:55.631,0:19:00.322 'Who is the greatest athlete here?' 0:19:00.322,0:19:04.582 He pointed to a rather [br]slender live young man. 0:19:04.582,0:19:07.062 He said, 'he's the greatest athlete here.' 0:19:07.062,0:19:09.214 He, by the way, is an [br]outstanding Christian. 0:19:09.214,0:19:12.727 I said, 'that's wonderful [br]to know. Will he win?' 0:19:12.727,0:19:15.097 He said, 'No, he won't win.' 0:19:15.097,0:19:16.930 I said, 'What do you mean[br]he won't win? 0:19:16.930,0:19:18.563 If he's the greatest athlete here, 0:19:18.563,0:19:19.854 who will win?' 0:19:19.854,0:19:22.344 He said, 'See that guy running [br]around the track? 0:19:22.344,0:19:25.244 That rather short guy over there[br]with the blonde wife? 0:19:25.244,0:19:27.056 You've never heard of him. 0:19:27.056,0:19:29.119 His name is Bruce Jenner. 0:19:29.119,0:19:30.955 He'll win.' 0:19:30.955,0:19:34.151 I said, 'Well, why will he win it[br]if he's not the greatest athlete?' 0:19:34.151,0:19:39.140 He says, 'Because though he doesn't[br]have the greatest sheer talent, 0:19:39.140,0:19:41.355 he's the most mentally tough competitor 0:19:41.355,0:19:43.034 I've ever seen in my life.' 0:19:43.034,0:19:45.057 Sure enough, the second day[br]in the twilight 0:19:45.057,0:19:46.841 as he finished the distance event, 0:19:46.841,0:19:48.492 number 10 event in the decathlon, 0:19:48.492,0:19:49.986 he came through the winner. 0:19:49.986,0:19:52.211 And two years later, the whole world 0:19:52.211,0:19:55.727 knew who he was as he [br]circled the track in Montreal 0:19:55.727,0:19:57.265 with a flag in his hand. 0:19:57.265,0:20:00.097 He had won the gold [br]medal in the Olympics. 0:20:00.097,0:20:02.541 He was named the greatest [br]athlete in the world." 0:20:02.541,0:20:04.520 I'll tell you what - here's the thing. 0:20:04.520,0:20:09.519 It wasn't the greatest sheer talent[br]that took the day. 0:20:09.519,0:20:13.160 It was the greatest passion. 0:20:13.160,0:20:17.412 The greatest gut-level intensity. 0:20:17.412,0:20:20.939 That's where the drive;[br]that's where the determination; 0:20:20.939,0:20:24.349 that's where the obsession[br]grabs hold of a man. 0:20:24.349,0:20:26.301 That's what takes the day. 0:20:26.301,0:20:28.875 That's how it is in the[br]Christian missionary endeavor. 0:20:28.875,0:20:36.723 It's the raw passion that tends[br]to take the day. 0:20:36.723,0:20:39.701 It's not always the greatest gifts,[br]the greatest talents, 0:20:39.701,0:20:41.827 the greatest wealth,[br]the greatest intellect 0:20:41.827,0:20:44.563 that comes through in the end. 0:20:44.563,0:20:46.499 You know what? 0:20:46.499,0:20:50.495 I thought as I was preparing this 0:20:50.495,0:20:52.877 about Peter. 0:20:52.877,0:20:54.206 I can imagine this. 0:20:54.206,0:20:55.861 The Lord sends away the disciples. 0:20:55.861,0:20:56.959 They jump in the boat. 0:20:56.959,0:21:00.154 You know, we find them on[br]various occasions in the Gospels. 0:21:00.154,0:21:02.255 They're out there on the waters; 0:21:02.255,0:21:04.825 Sea of Galilee. 0:21:04.825,0:21:06.907 And was wont to happen, 0:21:06.907,0:21:11.040 the wind whips up,[br]the waves get big. 0:21:11.040,0:21:12.690 They get out there in the middle. 0:21:12.690,0:21:14.554 Sometimes they had [br]the Lord with them; 0:21:14.554,0:21:15.724 sometimes they didn't. 0:21:15.724,0:21:18.279 On this one occasion, they're out there. 0:21:18.279,0:21:20.520 The Lord had stayed behind. 0:21:20.520,0:21:25.450 And you know they're out[br]there on the water. 0:21:25.450,0:21:30.325 And they saw something you[br]typically don't see. 0:21:30.325,0:21:33.162 There's a guy walking [br]across the water. 0:21:33.162,0:21:35.796 And they were terrified. 0:21:35.796,0:21:41.981 They thought they saw a ghost. 0:21:41.981,0:21:43.972 But here's the thing. 0:21:43.972,0:21:47.577 Think with me about Peter. 0:21:47.577,0:21:49.749 Because I think what happened right there, 0:21:49.749,0:21:52.264 it's the perfect picture 0:21:52.264,0:21:54.344 of the missionary endeavor. 0:21:54.344,0:21:57.629 It's the perfect picture [br]of what I want to see 0:21:57.629,0:21:59.865 in our church. 0:21:59.865,0:22:02.096 And I think would probably want to be seen 0:22:02.096,0:22:03.269 here as well. 0:22:03.269,0:22:06.658 And in the other churches. 0:22:06.658,0:22:09.600 You know, the thing about [br]people with passion, 0:22:09.600,0:22:13.347 all you've got to do is give it[br]an opportunity to run loose, 0:22:13.347,0:22:15.887 and it goes. 0:22:15.887,0:22:17.997 And the one thing you [br]can't say about Peter 0:22:17.997,0:22:20.501 is that he lacked passion. 0:22:20.501,0:22:24.618 He's in the boat. 0:22:24.618,0:22:27.704 They're out there,[br]terrified at first. 0:22:27.704,0:22:32.445 The Lord identifies Himself. 0:22:32.445,0:22:36.798 The King James says it was a ship. 0:22:36.798,0:22:40.040 It was probably not so much[br]what we think of as a ship. 0:22:40.040,0:22:42.056 You've probably seen [br]some of the pictures 0:22:42.056,0:22:47.027 of some of the fishing crafts 0:22:47.027,0:22:49.241 that they had over there[br]in the Sea of Galilee. 0:22:49.241,0:22:50.936 I don't know what it would take 0:22:50.936,0:22:52.263 to have gotten out of that. 0:22:52.263,0:22:53.921 I don't know if a [br]hand on the side 0:22:53.921,0:22:55.307 and a jump over the side? 0:22:55.307,0:22:58.928 But here's the Lord. 0:22:58.928,0:23:00.870 "Come." 0:23:00.870,0:23:04.481 I'll tell you what, [br]Peter's out of there! 0:23:04.481,0:23:06.446 That's what passion does. 0:23:06.446,0:23:08.466 It's looking for opportunity. 0:23:08.466,0:23:10.525 And somebody's going [br]to come along and say, 0:23:10.525,0:23:11.808 yeah, but Peter sunk. 0:23:11.808,0:23:14.498 Hey, Peter also walked [br]on the water. 0:23:14.498,0:23:16.471 The people who jump out of the boat, 0:23:16.471,0:23:18.429 typically do sink at times. 0:23:18.429,0:23:21.061 But they're the ones that jump[br]out of the boat. 0:23:21.061,0:23:22.882 And that's what passion does. 0:23:22.882,0:23:24.135 His affection. 0:23:24.135,0:23:26.067 Why do you think he [br]was out of the boat? 0:23:26.067,0:23:28.260 Not because it was such a [br]neat thing to walk on the water. 0:23:28.260,0:23:30.180 He had his eyes [br]set on Christ - at first. 0:23:30.180,0:23:32.225 Yeah, he got sidetracked a[br]little bit there, 0:23:32.225,0:23:33.587 but there's passion. 0:23:33.587,0:23:35.003 There's passion for Christ. 0:23:35.003,0:23:36.083 "Come!" 0:23:36.083,0:23:38.279 He's out of there! 0:23:38.279,0:23:41.992 Isn't that "come" a [br]whole lot like "go?" 0:23:41.992,0:23:42.883 He's out of there! 0:23:42.883,0:23:44.912 Give him a chance - he's out of there. 0:23:44.912,0:23:46.723 What've you got the other[br]guys doing? 0:23:46.723,0:23:49.179 They're sitting tight where it's safe. 0:23:49.179,0:23:51.800 You know, we've got to [br]analyze this thing. 0:23:51.800,0:23:53.289 We might step out of that boat, 0:23:53.289,0:23:54.947 and we may not [br]have the resources. 0:23:54.947,0:23:57.363 We may go to the bottom. 0:23:57.363,0:23:59.372 That's what the overanalyzers are doing. 0:23:59.372,0:24:00.422 They're over there. 0:24:00.422,0:24:02.047 They're trying to [br]figure this out. 0:24:02.047,0:24:04.857 Hm... we're not really certain[br]if this is going to work out. 0:24:04.857,0:24:09.832 People with passion,[br]they're out there. 0:24:09.832,0:24:14.689 They at times will definitely sink. 0:24:14.689,0:24:17.746 But it's people with the passion, 0:24:17.746,0:24:19.291 it's people with the daring, 0:24:19.291,0:24:21.488 it's people with the believing. 0:24:21.488,0:24:24.039 Yes, they do tend to fail at times. 0:24:24.039,0:24:28.732 But they're the ones doing something. 0:24:28.732,0:24:30.549 We need that. 0:24:30.549,0:24:34.213 The ones with passion;[br]the ones that run; 0:24:34.213,0:24:36.646 The ones that step out on faith; 0:24:36.646,0:24:41.179 they're the ones typically[br]that see the miracles. 0:24:41.179,0:24:43.560 We have come to the point in this country 0:24:43.560,0:24:47.576 especially among the Calvinistic brethren, 0:24:47.576,0:24:50.450 where even the sound of miracles 0:24:50.450,0:24:53.820 just grates in the ears of people. 0:24:53.820,0:24:55.463 But I guarantee you people like 0:24:55.463,0:24:56.921 Lloyd-Jones saw them; 0:24:56.921,0:24:58.466 people like Tozer saw them; 0:24:58.466,0:25:01.864 people like Duncan Campbell saw them. 0:25:01.864,0:25:03.199 Why? 0:25:03.199,0:25:05.669 It may have a lot more to do with faith 0:25:05.669,0:25:09.502 than the fact that they were wild-eyed[br]charismatics who didn't know their Bibles. 0:25:09.502,0:25:10.633 And I'll tell you what, 0:25:10.633,0:25:12.555 it's typically the people with passion; 0:25:12.555,0:25:14.727 it's people that are willing[br]to jump out of the boat; 0:25:14.727,0:25:16.596 it's people willing to trust the Lord; 0:25:16.596,0:25:20.422 it's people that are willing to [br]go when they're beckoned. 0:25:20.422,0:25:21.616 You know what? 0:25:21.616,0:25:23.328 Every one of them could have jumped 0:25:23.328,0:25:24.578 out of that boat in faith, 0:25:24.578,0:25:27.567 and they would have walked on that water. 0:25:27.567,0:25:29.302 It takes just a little faith. 0:25:29.302,0:25:32.414 Folks, you can cast a whole [br]mountain into the ocean. 0:25:32.414,0:25:39.249 That goes for everybody. 0:25:39.249,0:25:41.823 We have this problem today. 0:25:41.823,0:25:44.800 Everybody's so worried about[br]being presumptuous. 0:25:44.800,0:25:47.746 Everybody wants to be cautious. 0:25:47.746,0:25:49.618 Overanalyzing. 0:25:49.618,0:25:50.765 But I'll tell you what, 0:25:50.765,0:25:54.813 the overly cautious,[br]the overly analyzing; 0:25:54.813,0:25:57.697 they're back in the boat. 0:25:57.697,0:25:59.466 In fact, a whole lot of those folks 0:25:59.466,0:26:01.285 are back on the shore. 0:26:01.285,0:26:02.893 They're not even in the boat. 0:26:02.893,0:26:05.581 They didn't even come that far. 0:26:05.581,0:26:06.848 There's old William Carey. 0:26:06.848,0:26:08.726 We've heard about him;[br]talked about him. 0:26:08.726,0:26:11.367 Some of his contemporaries [br]told him, sit down! 0:26:11.367,0:26:14.342 They told him he was an enthusiast. 0:26:14.342,0:26:16.025 Those nice high Calvinists; 0:26:16.025,0:26:17.945 they told him he was certain to fail. 0:26:17.945,0:26:21.234 Those are the guys [br]sitting back in the boat. 0:26:21.234,0:26:23.973 And you don't even know [br]most of their names. 0:26:23.973,0:26:25.644 And you won't find them unless you 0:26:25.644,0:26:27.064 go read about Carey 0:26:27.064,0:26:29.753 and find about the guys who resisted him. 0:26:29.753,0:26:31.170 They're forgotten. 0:26:31.170,0:26:33.984 The boat sitters are forgotten. 0:26:33.984,0:26:37.645 I'm not saying this to make [br]yourself popular. 0:26:37.645,0:26:39.573 I'm saying it because it's reality. 0:26:39.573,0:26:41.072 History forgets those guys. 0:26:41.072,0:26:43.198 They don't have anything to offer us. 0:26:43.198,0:26:44.179 Carey does. 0:26:44.179,0:26:45.477 There was some faith there. 0:26:45.477,0:26:46.760 There was some fire there. 0:26:46.760,0:26:48.132 There's something to learn. 0:26:48.132,0:26:50.114 Carey jumped out of that boat. 0:26:50.114,0:26:51.710 Or rather, down into the well, 0:26:51.710,0:26:53.201 as we would say. 0:26:53.201,0:26:54.552 Did he make mistakes? 0:26:54.552,0:26:56.614 Certainly he did. 0:26:56.614,0:26:58.818 Did he receive criticism from others? 0:26:58.818,0:27:00.225 You better believe it. 0:27:00.225,0:27:02.602 Even Calvinistic Baptists, absolutely. 0:27:02.602,0:27:06.300 But who is it that turned the[br]world upside down? 0:27:06.300,0:27:07.891 It was the enthusiast! 0:27:07.891,0:27:10.510 That's exactly who it was. 0:27:10.510,0:27:14.791 And his enthusiastic [br]friends who stayed at home. 0:27:14.791,0:27:18.727 The critics are forgotten. 0:27:18.727,0:27:21.013 Peter's such an excellent [br]example of all this. 0:27:21.013,0:27:23.192 It's passion, brethren. 0:27:23.192,0:27:24.983 It really is that. 0:27:24.983,0:27:29.397 It's just that raw power of God 0:27:29.397,0:27:33.232 let loose in people's lives. 0:27:33.232,0:27:36.391 And you can read about it. 0:27:36.391,0:27:38.440 It burned in the men like 0:27:38.440,0:27:40.650 the Hudson Taylors and the[br]Adoniram Judson's, 0:27:40.650,0:27:42.426 the William Carey's. 0:27:42.426,0:27:45.903 We need that, brethren, [br]we need that. 0:27:45.903,0:27:47.844 As I thought about this, 0:27:47.844,0:27:50.131 I thought about, ok,[br]let's come around at this 0:27:50.131,0:27:53.390 from the other end. 0:27:53.390,0:27:55.271 Let's supposed you're out there, 0:27:55.271,0:28:00.109 and you don't like passion. 0:28:00.109,0:28:03.195 In fact, my message has just[br]been grating on you. 0:28:03.195,0:28:06.947 Ok, what I'm going to do[br]is I'm going to help you now. 0:28:06.947,0:28:08.364 I'd like to show you how to 0:28:08.364,0:28:10.661 kill passion in your people,[br]in your churches, 0:28:10.661,0:28:13.158 and in yourself. 0:28:13.158,0:28:14.363 If you don't like it; 0:28:14.363,0:28:15.822 if you see it to be dangerous, 0:28:15.822,0:28:17.417 upsetting, unhealthy. 0:28:17.417,0:28:20.248 I'm going to give you a [br]four-step remedy 0:28:20.248,0:28:21.976 to the infectious disease of 0:28:21.976,0:28:24.842 passionate radicals in your church. 0:28:24.842,0:28:28.276 And this will take care of[br]all the enthusiasts. 0:28:28.276,0:28:29.662 Here it is. 0:28:29.662,0:28:31.653 First, 0:28:31.653,0:28:36.029 just hate passion. 0:28:36.029,0:28:37.057 In other words, 0:28:37.057,0:28:40.654 whenever anybody in [br]the church gets excited; 0:28:40.654,0:28:43.813 any unusual fervor,[br]any extraordinary weeping, 0:28:43.813,0:28:48.063 and indication of some[br]Spirit-blown, God-endued intensity, 0:28:48.063,0:28:51.090 make certain that you always[br] 0:28:51.090,0:28:53.750 and forever question the sincerity of it. 0:28:53.750,0:28:54.869 Always. 0:28:54.869,0:28:57.214 I mean they've got [br]to be hypocrites, right? 0:28:57.214,0:29:02.443 Nobody can be like that. 0:29:02.443,0:29:04.130 If somebody raises a hand,[br] 0:29:04.130,0:29:06.140 somebody shouts a hallelujah, 0:29:06.140,0:29:08.361 be sure to stare at them 0:29:08.361,0:29:13.680 with that dooming [br]glare of disapproval. 0:29:13.680,0:29:15.688 A pastor friend of mine, 0:29:15.688,0:29:17.414 Bob Jennings. 0:29:17.414,0:29:20.545 The guy gets worked up. 0:29:20.545,0:29:25.486 He was at a Banner of Truth conference. 0:29:25.486,0:29:29.285 Halfway through it, he shouted[br]out a hallelujah. 0:29:29.285,0:29:31.943 They called him down on that! 0:29:31.943,0:29:33.764 They told him, enough. 0:29:33.764,0:29:34.996 You close your mouth. 0:29:34.996,0:29:37.419 You're going to be here,[br]we don't want any of that. 0:29:37.419,0:29:39.403 Yeah, make sure you do that. 0:29:39.403,0:29:43.097 Anytime that kind of thing breaks out,[br]you better shut it down. 0:29:43.097,0:29:45.383 Anytime some uncontrolled weeping[br]breaks out, 0:29:45.383,0:29:48.375 you better have somebody stand up[br]in the church and say enough! 0:29:48.375,0:29:50.525 We don't want anymore of that. 0:29:50.525,0:29:52.787 We need to shut this thing down. 0:29:52.787,0:29:53.859 Second, 0:29:53.859,0:29:55.602 you want to get the passion out? 0:29:55.602,0:29:59.711 Just regulate the worship so tightly, 0:29:59.711,0:30:01.985 be so ordered, so mechanical 0:30:01.985,0:30:04.705 in the church that any spontaneous 0:30:04.705,0:30:06.805 outworking of the Spirit of God 0:30:06.805,0:30:08.806 can never be entertained. 0:30:08.806,0:30:10.708 Avoid at all costs any opportunity 0:30:10.708,0:30:13.085 for something supernatural or unusual. 0:30:13.085,0:30:16.545 Try every imaginable way to[br]quench the Spirit. 0:30:16.545,0:30:19.075 You certainly don't want the living, 0:30:19.075,0:30:22.226 fiery influences of the Spirit of God[br]blowing through the place. 0:30:22.226,0:30:25.917 He and passion live together. 0:30:25.917,0:30:27.978 If you want the zealots [br]and fanatics gone, 0:30:27.978,0:30:29.818 you better really grieve the Spirit. 0:30:29.818,0:30:32.250 Third, 0:30:32.250,0:30:36.066 overanalyze everything. 0:30:36.066,0:30:38.003 Make certain that whenever some 0:30:38.003,0:30:39.949 opportunity for outreach or missions 0:30:39.949,0:30:42.584 or radical, sacrificial [br]giving comes along. 0:30:42.584,0:30:44.725 Make certain you examine it, 0:30:44.725,0:30:46.076 re-examine it, 0:30:46.076,0:30:47.176 and when you've done, 0:30:47.176,0:30:49.160 you've got to start [br]that all over again. 0:30:49.160,0:30:51.319 Make certain to delay, draw out, 0:30:51.319,0:30:53.907 pray for things indefinitely. 0:30:53.907,0:30:57.894 Just disregard the command[br]that says, "Go." 0:30:57.894,0:30:59.381 That's not enough. 0:30:59.381,0:31:00.927 You've got to look for at least 0:31:00.927,0:31:02.816 30 or 40 other reasons first. 0:31:02.816,0:31:04.840 Make sure you do that. 0:31:04.840,0:31:07.747 That's where the guys are left[br]back in the boat. 0:31:07.747,0:31:10.162 Where Peter walked on the water. 0:31:10.162,0:31:11.349 Christ said, "Come!" 0:31:11.349,0:31:12.333 He was out of there. 0:31:12.333,0:31:13.714 But you've got to do that. 0:31:13.714,0:31:14.954 You've got to [br]overanalyze everything. 0:31:14.954,0:31:17.506 You've got to look at it;[br]you've got to question it. 0:31:17.506,0:31:19.363 Till everybody in the church 0:31:19.363,0:31:23.520 that had any passion are asleep. 0:31:23.520,0:31:26.645 See, if we do that, we're[br]likely to make some mistakes. 0:31:26.645,0:31:28.415 Some bad mistakes. 0:31:28.415,0:31:29.962 You know what?[br]You're going to. 0:31:29.962,0:31:30.932 Get over that. 0:31:30.932,0:31:32.799 People with passion do[br]make mistakes. 0:31:32.799,0:31:33.612 So what? 0:31:33.612,0:31:36.309 They also walk on water. 0:31:36.309,0:31:37.878 Fourth, 0:31:37.878,0:31:39.664 You want to kill it? 0:31:39.664,0:31:44.605 Just keep on laying a good soil 0:31:44.605,0:31:46.497 for hyper-Calvinism. 0:31:46.497,0:31:48.802 Oh, we would never admit to it. 0:31:48.802,0:31:50.489 But, I'll tell you what, 0:31:50.489,0:31:52.643 all you've got to do [br]is look at Matthew 25. 0:31:52.643,0:31:53.498 What is it? 0:31:53.498,0:31:55.062 Faith working through love. 0:31:55.062,0:31:58.167 I expressed to you out of Galatians 5. 0:31:58.167,0:32:01.669 And you see it worked out in [br]Matthew 25. 0:32:01.669,0:32:02.630 You know what? 0:32:02.630,0:32:04.143 There you have people who are 0:32:04.143,0:32:07.267 giving themselves to the needs of others. 0:32:07.267,0:32:09.497 Just be content in your church 0:32:09.497,0:32:11.564 to have people be on time on Sundays, 0:32:11.564,0:32:13.060 be on time on Wednesdays; 0:32:13.060,0:32:14.674 get to where the prayer meetings 0:32:14.674,0:32:16.080 are about Aunt Tilda's toe, 0:32:16.080,0:32:20.757 and everything is about all of our 0:32:20.757,0:32:24.787 physical needs and breakdowns[br]and sicknesses and illness. 0:32:24.787,0:32:26.704 Nobody ever prays for souls anymore. 0:32:26.704,0:32:27.932 Just be content. 0:32:27.932,0:32:29.937 Yeah, they're at church twice a week. 0:32:29.937,0:32:31.328 They're faithful to do that. 0:32:31.328,0:32:32.203 They're on time. 0:32:32.203,0:32:34.367 They have their little [br]daily devotional deal. 0:32:34.367,0:32:35.641 Just be content with that. 0:32:35.641,0:32:36.706 They never reach out. 0:32:36.706,0:32:38.275 They never really touch sinners. 0:32:38.275,0:32:39.586 They never do any of that. 0:32:39.586,0:32:41.905 Be content with that. 0:32:41.905,0:32:43.434 You may call it what you want. 0:32:43.434,0:32:45.917 But there's practical[br]hyper-Calvinism there. 0:32:45.917,0:32:48.331 Just let that breed;[br]let that live; 0:32:48.331,0:32:49.596 be content with that. 0:32:49.596,0:32:51.658 Never get in somebody's face and [br] 0:32:51.658,0:32:54.438 really expect them, encourage them, 0:32:54.438,0:32:57.334 stir them up to faith, to good works, 0:32:57.334,0:32:58.954 to zeal, to love. 0:32:58.954,0:33:00.438 Just leave them alone. 0:33:00.438,0:33:01.886 Tell them it's ok. 0:33:01.886,0:33:03.354 I'm happy you're on time. 0:33:03.354,0:33:04.260 That's good. 0:33:04.260,0:33:06.245 I'm happy your life is all [br]well-ordered, 0:33:06.245,0:33:08.780 and you don't run around in[br]the brothels anymore. 0:33:08.780,0:33:10.103 Just be content with that. 0:33:10.103,0:33:11.540 You've missed the heart. 0:33:11.540,0:33:12.367 Get out there. 0:33:12.367,0:33:13.992 Visit the widow.[br]Visit the orphan. 0:33:13.992,0:33:15.167 Do some things. 0:33:15.167,0:33:16.234 Radically give. 0:33:16.234,0:33:17.518 What is this? 0:33:17.518,0:33:19.515 We've got too many [br]today in the churches 0:33:19.515,0:33:22.598 that are all about this[br]legalistic tithing. 0:33:22.598,0:33:25.285 You guys, we're one of the richest nations 0:33:25.285,0:33:27.750 ever lived in the history of mankind. 0:33:27.750,0:33:30.790 And you know what makes me sick? 0:33:30.790,0:33:33.173 And I don't know if [br]I've ever even seen this, 0:33:33.173,0:33:36.699 but the thought of it is sick to me. 0:33:36.699,0:33:38.344 That someone would even write out 0:33:38.344,0:33:40.517 a check in an off dollar amount 0:33:40.517,0:33:42.739 just to get the percentage right. 0:33:42.739,0:33:44.221 What are you doing? 0:33:44.221,0:33:45.819 Is your heart really for people? 0:33:45.819,0:33:47.653 It is for zeal for God? 0:33:47.653,0:33:49.321 What are you living your life for? 0:33:49.321,0:33:50.942 To give the minimal amount? 0:33:50.942,0:33:53.216 You guys have more than you[br]know what to do with. 0:33:53.216,0:33:55.037 You say, well, it's an[br]economic hard time. 0:33:55.037,0:33:56.151 Oh yeah, how many [br]cars do you have? 0:33:56.151,0:33:57.177 Look at your house. 0:33:57.177,0:33:58.428 Look at what you're doing[br]with your money. 0:33:58.428,0:33:59.929 Look at your savings accounts. 0:33:59.929,0:34:01.850 Look at the things[br]you're saving up for. 0:34:01.850,0:34:03.487 When Christ said not to lay up 0:34:03.487,0:34:05.248 treasure on this earth. 0:34:05.248,0:34:07.724 Just plant that good seed for [br]hyper-Calvinism. 0:34:07.724,0:34:09.473 Be content with it. 0:34:09.473,0:34:11.168 We need to get in people's faces 0:34:11.168,0:34:12.540 and say live the real thing! 0:34:12.540,0:34:13.967 Live the heart of the matter. 0:34:13.967,0:34:15.406 Go out and visit the widow. 0:34:15.406,0:34:16.918 Live your life this way. 0:34:16.918,0:34:18.199 Visit the stranger. 0:34:18.199,0:34:19.839 Give yourself radically. 0:34:19.839,0:34:21.712 If it's to stay [br]here in this country, 0:34:21.712,0:34:22.956 then work your life away, 0:34:22.956,0:34:24.992 to give the most that you possibly can. 0:34:24.992,0:34:27.477 Live not equal with your means, 0:34:27.477,0:34:28.896 above your means, 0:34:28.896,0:34:31.306 if you've got neck-deep[br]in credit card debt, 0:34:31.306,0:34:32.944 what are you doing? 0:34:32.944,0:34:34.250 What are you living for? 0:34:34.250,0:34:38.734 You're living for this world. 0:34:38.734,0:34:42.397 Just allow that to go on [br]unstopped, unchecked in the church. 0:34:42.397,0:34:47.820 We'll all be dead. 0:34:47.820,0:34:50.036 Hyper-Calvinism 0:34:50.036,0:34:58.328 Let me tell you this. 0:34:58.328,0:35:01.554 I'm aware, 0:35:01.554,0:35:04.789 most of us are going to be at home. 0:35:04.789,0:35:07.595 I think, ok, what is it to really 0:35:07.595,0:35:11.080 pull through at home? 0:35:11.080,0:35:15.181 Keep that missionary cause [br]before our churches. 0:35:15.181,0:35:20.639 Not just our own [br]church, but others. 0:35:20.639,0:35:24.298 Keep our people with[br]some intensity. 0:35:24.298,0:35:26.879 We want our people[br]praying for the right things. 0:35:26.879,0:35:30.255 Broken over souls. 0:35:30.255,0:35:32.843 You know how it is. 0:35:32.843,0:35:35.278 Brother Joe's got the sniffles. 0:35:35.278,0:35:36.872 Wasn't able to be here tonight. 0:35:36.872,0:35:41.415 Got to pray for him. 0:35:41.415,0:35:43.221 I'm not out there in left field. 0:35:43.221,0:35:47.462 Aunt Tilda's sore toe folks. 0:35:47.462,0:35:49.801 Are we praying for the things[br]that really matter? 0:35:49.801,0:35:51.381 And praying with some intensity 0:35:51.381,0:35:59.883 like they really matter to us? 0:35:59.883,0:36:03.131 If we had any aliveness to us, 0:36:03.131,0:36:13.477 it would just make us shout and scream. 0:36:13.477,0:36:15.424 Are we fasting? 0:36:15.424,0:36:20.107 You guys find it even [br]within your lifestyle, 0:36:20.107,0:36:23.724 even within your willingness 0:36:23.724,0:36:27.466 to set aside times to fast? 0:36:27.466,0:36:30.246 And give yourself to particular prayer 0:36:30.246,0:36:34.760 towards the needs of [br]those in other places? 0:36:34.760,0:36:36.509 What is it that's going to fuel 0:36:36.509,0:36:42.599 an atmosphere like this at home? 0:36:42.599,0:36:45.455 I ask myself that. 0:36:45.455,0:36:48.150 I look at who has sent missionaries forth 0:36:48.150,0:36:49.740 and done it well. 0:36:49.740,0:36:51.749 Who's been faithful on the home front 0:36:51.749,0:36:53.594 all the way to the end? 0:36:53.594,0:36:55.763 What men, what churches,[br]stand out as having 0:36:55.763,0:36:57.372 that sort of reputation? 0:36:57.372,0:36:59.584 Because whoever they are,[br]wherever they are, 0:36:59.584,0:37:04.566 I want to see what it is that makes[br]people like that tick. 0:37:04.566,0:37:06.460 As I thought about this, 0:37:06.460,0:37:08.100 it occurred to me that 0:37:08.100,0:37:10.158 I don't know that there [br]are any more famous - 0:37:10.158,0:37:12.968 there may have been some [br]that have done it better, 0:37:12.968,0:37:14.546 but I don't know that there are 0:37:14.546,0:37:16.733 any more famous rope holders. 0:37:16.733,0:37:18.040 Men who stayed at home, 0:37:18.040,0:37:19.632 serving the missionary cause, 0:37:19.632,0:37:25.511 than those men who did support Carey. 0:37:25.511,0:37:28.078 Now, let me tell you about these guys. 0:37:28.078,0:37:30.552 You may know the names of some of these. 0:37:30.552,0:37:33.023 Andrew Fuller. 0:37:33.023,0:37:36.201 John Sutcliffe. 0:37:36.201,0:37:38.660 Samuel Pierce. 0:37:38.660,0:37:41.407 John Ryland, Jr. 0:37:41.407,0:37:43.388 These are some of the guys. 0:37:43.388,0:37:45.618 Let me tell you about these guys. 0:37:45.618,0:37:49.271 They were a whole lot like us. 0:37:49.271,0:37:54.081 They pastored little Baptist churches. 0:37:54.081,0:37:56.927 It doesn't take a big [br]church to be faithful. 0:37:56.927,0:38:02.885 It doesn't take enormous[br]resources to be faithful. 0:38:02.885,0:38:06.348 I started thinking about these guys. 0:38:06.348,0:38:08.108 They were faithful. 0:38:08.108,0:38:10.441 Listen to Fuller's quote, 0:38:10.441,0:38:16.678 "Our undertaking to India 0:38:16.678,0:38:20.226 really appeared to me on its commencement, 0:38:20.226,0:38:23.133 to be somewhat like a few men 0:38:23.133,0:38:25.292 who were deliberating about the importance 0:38:25.292,0:38:28.552 of penetrating into a deep mine, 0:38:28.552,0:38:31.816 which had never before been explored. 0:38:31.816,0:38:33.875 We had no one to guide us, 0:38:33.875,0:38:36.284 and while we were thus deliberating, 0:38:36.284,0:38:39.028 Carey, as it were, said, 0:38:39.028,0:38:45.352 'Well, I will go down, [br]if you will hold the rope.' 0:38:45.352,0:38:46.704 But before we went down, 0:38:46.704,0:38:48.014 continued Fuller, 0:38:48.014,0:38:50.274 he as it seemed to me 0:38:50.274,0:38:53.156 took an oath from each of us 0:38:53.156,0:38:56.708 at the mouth of the pit to this effect, 0:38:56.708,0:38:58.453 that we, while we lived, 0:38:58.453,0:39:01.173 should never let go of the rope. 0:39:01.173,0:39:02.590 You understand me? 0:39:02.590,0:39:04.831 There was great responsibility 0:39:04.831,0:39:09.655 attached to us who began the business." 0:39:09.655,0:39:11.584 And as one has said, 0:39:11.584,0:39:13.726 whether we stay at home or [br]whether we go, 0:39:13.726,0:39:15.461 we should all have our hands burned 0:39:15.461,0:39:16.301 by that rope. 0:39:16.301,0:39:18.970 And folks, these men had the burn marks 0:39:18.970,0:39:19.835 and the scars. 0:39:19.835,0:39:21.511 I'm talking the guys [br]that stayed at home. 0:39:21.511,0:39:23.739 Not the Marshman's, not [br]the Carey's, not the Ward's. 0:39:23.739,0:39:26.148 I'm talking these guys: the Pierce, 0:39:26.148,0:39:28.197 the Ryland, the Sutcliffe, the Fuller; 0:39:28.197,0:39:29.919 the men that stayed at home. 0:39:29.919,0:39:33.886 They had the burn marks on their hand. 0:39:33.886,0:39:36.953 And I'm thinking, ok, [br]what is it about these guys? 0:39:36.953,0:39:38.486 I began to dig. 0:39:38.486,0:39:40.525 I began to look through [br]some of my books, 0:39:40.525,0:39:42.218 and look on the [br]Internet for some things. 0:39:42.218,0:39:44.272 I discovered something very interesting. 0:39:44.272,0:39:46.492 Before Carey went to India, 0:39:46.492,0:39:47.445 listen to this, 0:39:47.445,0:39:50.997 on Wednesday, April 27, 1791 0:39:50.997,0:39:52.285 a special meeting was held 0:39:52.285,0:39:56.305 by the ministers of the [br]Northamptonshire Baptist Association. 0:39:56.305,0:39:57.446 Hear this, 0:39:57.446,0:40:00.646 in which both Sutcliffe and Fuller 0:40:00.646,0:40:03.577 preached back-to-back. 0:40:03.577,0:40:04.838 Now listen. 0:40:04.838,0:40:09.700 25 years later, the pastor of the church, 0:40:09.700,0:40:12.903 there in Clipston, where [br]the special meeting was held, 0:40:12.903,0:40:17.058 he recalled the deep [br]solemnity that covered the place 0:40:17.058,0:40:19.433 and how the entire [br]congregation was overwhelmed 0:40:19.433,0:40:21.153 by what it had heard. 0:40:21.153,0:40:22.311 Now listen to this. 0:40:22.311,0:40:24.775 John Ryland - he wasn't one of the[br]guys that preached, 0:40:24.775,0:40:27.822 but he was one of the [br]rope holders as well. 0:40:27.822,0:40:30.821 Being there that day 0:40:30.821,0:40:34.706 having listened to these [br]two moving sermons, 0:40:34.706,0:40:39.624 said that he and all with [br]whom he talked afterwards 0:40:39.624,0:40:50.125 felt a profound conviction [br]of their great need for zeal. 0:40:50.125,0:40:52.327 That's what they were impacted by. 0:40:52.327,0:40:56.379 They realized that's what they needed. 0:40:56.379,0:40:58.297 Zeal. 0:40:58.297,0:40:59.971 And they were persuaded of the evil 0:40:59.971,0:41:02.710 of negligence and procrastination. 0:41:02.710,0:41:04.850 I read that. I began thinking to myself, 0:41:04.850,0:41:07.018 ok, wait, I've got to [br]find these two sermons. 0:41:07.018,0:41:08.815 They met together [br]back-to-back that day. 0:41:08.815,0:41:10.446 I began to look. [br]Is it even possible 0:41:10.446,0:41:12.948 to find that message by Sutcliffe;[br]that message by Fuller? 0:41:12.948,0:41:16.249 I found out that that indeed is the only 0:41:16.249,0:41:21.476 full surviving sermon [br]of Sutcliffe available. 0:41:21.476,0:41:24.101 I had it in the appendix [br]of one of my books. 0:41:24.101,0:41:27.901 I was able to find Fuller's sermon online. 0:41:27.901,0:41:29.886 Let me tell you a little bit about these. 0:41:29.886,0:41:31.544 Fuller's sermon is called, 0:41:31.544,0:41:36.879 "The Pernicious Influence of Delay[br]in Religious Concerns." 0:41:36.879,0:41:40.381 Fuller took his text that day from [br]Haggai 1:2. 0:41:40.381,0:41:42.219 The Jews, you remember this, 0:41:42.219,0:41:45.007 had returned from Babylonian exile 0:41:45.007,0:41:47.524 and they refused to get to work 0:41:47.524,0:41:49.683 on the rebuilding of the temple. 0:41:49.683,0:41:53.462 The Lord accused His people of saying 0:41:53.462,0:41:55.377 the time is not come. 0:41:55.377,0:41:59.227 The time that the Lord's [br]house should be built. 0:41:59.227,0:42:00.595 And here's the thing. 0:42:00.595,0:42:04.646 Fuller, seeing the [br]procrastination of the Jews 0:42:04.646,0:42:07.007 in delaying to rebuild the temple, 0:42:07.007,0:42:08.781 thinking the time has not come, 0:42:08.781,0:42:10.413 makes this point. 0:42:10.413,0:42:13.224 Now hear this well. 0:42:13.224,0:42:17.166 "To put off things to another time, 0:42:17.166,0:42:19.736 like the task of missions, 0:42:19.736,0:42:27.480 implies a lurking dislike [br]to the things themselves. 0:42:27.480,0:42:30.600 We do not ordinarily do so, 0:42:30.600,0:42:35.554 except in things wherein [br]we have no delight. 0:42:35.554,0:42:39.203 Whatever our hearts are set upon, 0:42:39.203,0:42:43.130 we're for losing no time [br]till it is accomplished." 0:42:43.130,0:42:45.335 Do you guys hear what he's saying? 0:42:45.335,0:42:48.623 You don't procrastinate [br]about what you love. 0:42:48.623,0:42:51.000 You only put off and [br]are slow to accomplish 0:42:51.000,0:42:56.127 the things you have no passion for. 0:42:56.127,0:42:58.229 You know why the guys didn't put off 0:42:58.229,0:42:59.415 getting to Christ? 0:42:59.415,0:43:00.901 When they had the palsied man? 0:43:00.901,0:43:02.722 Because there was a passion there. 0:43:02.722,0:43:09.070 We've got to get to Christ! 0:43:09.070,0:43:11.139 Then, there's Sutcliffe's sermon. 0:43:11.139,0:43:12.591 His was actually first. 0:43:12.591,0:43:13.872 I hold it to last here 0:43:13.872,0:43:18.767 because boy, he hit this thing [br]on the mark. 0:43:18.767,0:43:20.287 Now remember, folks, 0:43:20.287,0:43:24.461 these are the guys who stayed faithful. 0:43:24.461,0:43:27.189 And they're aware of their need of zeal. 0:43:27.189,0:43:29.806 And they're aware that you don't 0:43:29.806,0:43:31.892 procrastinate about what you 0:43:31.892,0:43:35.621 have a zeal for. 0:43:35.621,0:43:44.410 Sutcliffe 0:43:44.410,0:43:48.066 His message was called, 0:43:48.066,0:43:53.419 "Jealousy for the Lord of Hosts." 0:43:53.419,0:43:57.369 As Sutcliffe closed out his sermon, 0:43:57.369,0:44:02.344 he sees each Christian as a light 0:44:02.344,0:44:05.121 in this world. 0:44:05.121,0:44:08.322 He sees each of these [br]individual lights, 0:44:08.322,0:44:10.578 though somewhat small in themselves, 0:44:10.578,0:44:13.686 all put together collectively 0:44:13.686,0:44:16.850 and scattered in the missionary cause 0:44:16.850,0:44:18.145 around the world 0:44:18.145,0:44:20.815 so that like the sun, 0:44:20.815,0:44:22.555 they might endeavor to enlighten 0:44:22.555,0:44:24.259 the whole earth. 0:44:24.259,0:44:25.533 Let them be disbursed 0:44:25.533,0:44:29.784 so that the whole globe [br]might be illuminated. 0:44:29.784,0:44:32.089 And then he says this 0:44:32.089,0:44:39.123 "Nothing. Nothing will prompt you 0:44:39.123,0:44:43.457 on in this way, so to act, 0:44:43.457,0:44:47.494 like the divine passion;[br]the celestial fire 0:44:47.494,0:44:51.815 that burned in the bosom and[br]blazed in the life of Elijah. 0:44:51.815,0:44:54.641 What love! What zeal! 0:44:54.641,0:44:57.240 What activity become you when 0:44:57.240,0:44:58.919 thus employed. 0:44:58.919,0:45:01.875 Animated with jealousy for the [br]Lord God of Hosts, 0:45:01.875,0:45:05.245 you will be like the Son when[br]He goeth forth in His strength, 0:45:05.245,0:45:08.009 or like an army terrible with banners. 0:45:08.009,0:45:10.555 Under the divine smile, [br]Satan will fall before you 0:45:10.555,0:45:12.071 like lightning from heaven. 0:45:12.071,0:45:13.349 His power be broken. 0:45:13.349,0:45:14.949 His policy confounded. 0:45:14.949,0:45:17.208 While the empire of [br]Jesus shall advance. 0:45:17.208,0:45:20.863 His Kingdom arise and[br]the crown flourish upon His head." 0:45:20.863,0:45:23.016 Brethren, I'm telling you, 0:45:23.016,0:45:25.174 these men rose up out of the 0:45:25.174,0:45:27.950 dead hyper-Calvinism of their day 0:45:27.950,0:45:30.446 They sent men into the mine. 0:45:30.446,0:45:32.471 They held the rope[br]and they knew, 0:45:32.471,0:45:35.618 nothing short of God-given desire, 0:45:35.618,0:45:38.525 heart, divine passion, celestial fire, 0:45:38.525,0:45:41.413 love, zeal, jealousy for[br]the Lord God of Hosts. 0:45:41.413,0:45:43.512 That's it, brethren. 0:45:43.512,0:45:46.230 That's what I've been trying [br]to say, to prove, to show. 0:45:46.230,0:45:47.977 May God help us. 0:45:47.977,0:45:49.872 Our time is short. 0:45:49.872,0:45:52.030 As I wanted to stress. 0:45:52.030,0:45:54.052 Look, where do you get this? 0:45:54.052,0:45:57.045 You've got to go up on the holy mountain. 0:45:57.045,0:45:59.007 That's where the fire comes from. 0:45:59.007,0:46:01.273 You've got to go there. 0:46:01.273,0:46:04.245 If you're going to be content[br]to spend the rest of your life 0:46:04.245,0:46:06.469 in front of the television,[br]and waste it away, 0:46:06.469,0:46:07.678 and chasing money, 0:46:07.678,0:46:09.874 it's not happening. 0:46:09.874,0:46:12.299 Look. 0:46:12.299,0:46:14.479 You want to get away from[br]the hyper-Calvinism? 0:46:14.479,0:46:16.574 You don't say, well, what we[br]really need here 0:46:16.574,0:46:18.248 is for God to move. 0:46:18.248,0:46:20.406 You know what we find [br]through the Scriptures? 0:46:20.406,0:46:22.338 Through history? 0:46:22.338,0:46:24.421 It's like Tozer said. 0:46:24.421,0:46:27.455 God moved when and where[br]His people moved. 0:46:27.455,0:46:29.848 Move! 0:46:29.848,0:46:31.846 That's what faith does. 0:46:31.846,0:46:33.462 Faith moves. 0:46:33.462,0:46:35.056 And it trusts, as I move, 0:46:35.056,0:46:37.459 the resources are coming. 0:46:37.459,0:46:38.794 I'm going to step out. 0:46:38.794,0:46:41.161 Brethren, I can tell you [br]in these seven years, 0:46:41.161,0:46:43.157 the folks in our church can tell you, 0:46:43.157,0:46:45.530 how many times we [br]haven't been able to see. 0:46:45.530,0:46:47.277 It's been black out there. 0:46:47.277,0:46:48.716 And we've felt like certainly 0:46:48.716,0:46:51.004 this is in line with the Great Commission. 0:46:51.004,0:46:52.485 Let's step. 0:46:52.485,0:46:54.178 We don't see where we're stepping. 0:46:54.178,0:46:56.625 We can't see anything. 0:46:56.625,0:46:58.572 And sometimes I've wondered. 0:46:58.572,0:46:59.766 And I've always thought, 0:46:59.766,0:47:01.564 Lord, if You let us fall on our face, 0:47:01.564,0:47:03.494 it's going to come back to You. 0:47:03.494,0:47:05.686 But every time, you know what? 0:47:05.686,0:47:08.718 Not once.[br]Not once! 0:47:08.718,0:47:12.060 We have stepped out there. 0:47:12.060,0:47:16.115 He's held us up. 0:47:16.115,0:47:18.209 We've got to have these [br]passions of Christ 0:47:18.209,0:47:19.478 etched upon us. 0:47:19.478,0:47:21.972 We've got to have faith. 0:47:21.972,0:47:24.365 We've got to take this step. 0:47:24.365,0:47:26.913 Don't wait. 0:47:26.913,0:47:30.331 If you folks here at Community realized, 0:47:30.331,0:47:32.826 yes, it's true. 0:47:32.826,0:47:35.440 There's been a slide off in a direction 0:47:35.440,0:47:37.668 we don't like. 0:47:37.668,0:47:39.980 We want to see something. 0:47:39.980,0:47:42.654 You can not live on the past. 0:47:42.654,0:47:44.917 You've got to live today. 0:47:44.917,0:47:47.565 You've got a responsibility today. 0:47:47.565,0:47:48.988 What are you going to do? 0:47:48.988,0:47:52.166 I'm going to sit here an wait[br]until God does something. 0:47:52.166,0:47:54.363 Then you're going to wait a long time. 0:47:54.363,0:47:55.916 No, what you've got to do is 0:47:55.916,0:47:57.113 you've got to step out. 0:47:57.113,0:47:59.026 You say, ok, if you [br]come to the place, 0:47:59.026,0:48:00.657 you say something's wrong. 0:48:00.657,0:48:02.299 Something's wrong in my own life. 0:48:02.299,0:48:04.175 Yes, there's a coldness. 0:48:04.175,0:48:06.488 Then go get on the holy mount. 0:48:06.488,0:48:08.173 And go there and keep going there. 0:48:08.173,0:48:09.490 And stay there. 0:48:09.490,0:48:15.636 And give yourself some time. 0:48:15.636,0:48:17.605 I heard Paul Washer say before 0:48:17.605,0:48:19.318 that you know he has churches 0:48:19.318,0:48:21.385 that come to him and they've got problems 0:48:21.385,0:48:23.808 or there's weaknesses or [br]something's lacking, 0:48:23.808,0:48:25.265 and he tells them, 0:48:25.265,0:48:26.827 what you need to [br]do is you need to 0:48:26.827,0:48:28.491 gather the whole [br]church together 0:48:28.491,0:48:29.912 and you guys need [br]to go to fasting 0:48:29.912,0:48:31.371 until God breaks through. 0:48:31.371,0:48:33.331 And he says they [br]don't listen to him. 0:48:33.331,0:48:37.227 And then they wonder [br]why it doesn't work out. 0:48:37.227,0:48:40.509 What's our lives taken up with? 0:48:40.509,0:48:42.491 We have a battle to fight here. 0:48:42.491,0:48:44.816 And the power we need. 0:48:44.816,0:48:47.614 This passion isn't something [br]derived in ourselves. 0:48:47.614,0:48:50.219 It comes from the Spirit of God. 0:48:50.219,0:48:51.651 Till you have that image 0:48:51.651,0:48:55.324 etched upon us, we need that fire[br]from the altar. 0:48:55.324,0:48:57.122 We need this coming together. 0:48:57.122,0:48:58.513 We've got a mission. 0:48:58.513,0:49:00.063 But we've got to have passion 0:49:00.063,0:49:01.711 to bring together with this thing. 0:49:01.711,0:49:03.013 They knew it. 0:49:03.013,0:49:05.042 25 years later, they knew it. 0:49:05.042,0:49:06.537 After they heard these sermons. 0:49:06.537,0:49:07.936 We've got to have zeal. 0:49:07.936,0:49:08.901 And I'll tell you what, 0:49:08.901,0:49:09.961 they were faithful. 0:49:09.961,0:49:11.736 Sutcliffe was faithful to the end. 0:49:11.736,0:49:13.947 Fuller. He was faithful to the end. 0:49:13.947,0:49:16.833 These guys went the whole distance. 0:49:16.833,0:49:18.171 What are we doing? 0:49:18.171,0:49:23.229 Are we falling out of the ranks? 0:49:23.229,0:49:26.479 It's not time to fall out yet. 0:49:26.479,0:49:29.675 Our journey's not done. 0:49:29.675,0:49:32.464 For some of us, we're just[br]at the beginning. 0:49:32.464,0:49:36.525 We don't know how much time we've left. 0:49:36.525,0:49:41.803 Eternity hastens. 0:49:41.803,0:49:47.237 Look, it's not how I say this. 0:49:47.237,0:49:51.380 It's not how our [br]brother earlier says this. 0:49:51.380,0:49:53.049 You've got to have something 0:49:53.049,0:49:55.278 that only comes from God. 0:49:55.278,0:49:57.294 And unless you're [br]determined to have it 0:49:57.294,0:49:58.592 at all costs, 0:49:58.592,0:50:02.190 or die trying to get it, 0:50:02.190,0:50:03.204 I'll tell you what, 0:50:03.204,0:50:04.534 there's got to be a resignation. 0:50:04.534,0:50:07.287 If you want to experience the[br]manifest presence of Christ, 0:50:07.287,0:50:09.180 you want to experience that power, 0:50:09.180,0:50:11.098 you want to ungrieve [br]the Spirit of God, 0:50:11.098,0:50:12.677 if that's what's happened; 0:50:12.677,0:50:14.133 there's got to be obedience, 0:50:14.133,0:50:15.611 there's got to be [br]resignation in your life. 0:50:15.611,0:50:17.065 You've got to lay it all down. 0:50:17.065,0:50:19.784 You've got to lay it out [br]there on the altar. 0:50:19.784,0:50:21.959 We heard Matt say last week, 0:50:21.959,0:50:23.677 what things did you give up early on 0:50:23.677,0:50:25.184 in your Christian life that now 0:50:25.184,0:50:26.829 you're kind of drifting back to. 0:50:26.829,0:50:28.365 What idols did you put away, 0:50:28.365,0:50:30.028 that now, you're just [br]kind of comfortably 0:50:30.028,0:50:32.034 crawling in there with? 0:50:32.034,0:50:35.040 What are the things in your life[br]that are eating up your time? 0:50:35.040,0:50:37.042 What are your excuses for not 0:50:37.042,0:50:40.345 spending the time that you [br]ought to be spending? 0:50:40.345,0:50:42.768 You cannot just pray these little, 0:50:42.768,0:50:44.990 flippant prayers and read Psalm 117 0:50:44.990,0:50:46.757 and think, yeah, we're going to find 0:50:46.757,0:50:47.968 the fire that way. 0:50:47.968,0:50:49.335 We're going to do our little thing. 0:50:49.335,0:50:50.921 And then we're just going to [br]get on with our life. 0:50:50.921,0:50:52.081 We're going to tag it on there. 0:50:52.081,0:50:53.747 It's going to be this nice little thing. 0:50:53.747,0:50:56.036 Somehow, it's all going [br]to work out in the end. 0:50:56.036,0:50:57.529 Look. 0:50:57.529,0:50:59.045 I'm not satisfied with that. 0:50:59.045,0:51:01.690 I don't want to be in a [br]church that's dead like that. 0:51:01.690,0:51:04.365 If our church dies, [br]if that happens sometime, 0:51:04.365,0:51:05.421 I want to go. 0:51:05.421,0:51:06.574 Or have God kill me. 0:51:06.574,0:51:08.356 I don't want to be there. 0:51:08.356,0:51:10.205 I don't want to walk through this life 0:51:10.205,0:51:12.264 useless and burned out. 0:51:12.264,0:51:14.166 We want to be the bright and shining 0:51:14.166,0:51:17.280 and burning lights like John the Baptist. 0:51:17.280,0:51:20.141 I realize problems come. 0:51:20.141,0:51:22.062 Some of you may have [br]fallen out of ranks 0:51:22.062,0:51:24.268 because life got too hard. 0:51:24.268,0:51:26.456 Let me tell you about Fuller. 0:51:26.456,0:51:28.327 He lost 8 of his 11 children, 0:51:28.327,0:51:30.705 and then his wife. 0:51:30.705,0:51:35.926 You think that's harder than[br]what you've gone through? 0:51:35.926,0:51:38.644 And he stayed true to the end. 0:51:38.644,0:51:41.314 In fact, maybe that's what we need. 0:51:41.314,0:51:43.428 I don't want to call down suffering on us, 0:51:43.428,0:51:45.882 but maybe that is what we need. 0:51:45.882,0:51:48.025 Our lives have just been too soft, 0:51:48.025,0:51:50.221 too cushy. 0:51:50.221,0:51:52.318 We've had too much. 0:51:52.318,0:51:54.140 May God bring us whatever we need, 0:51:54.140,0:51:56.541 whether it's poverty, [br]whether it's persecution. 0:51:56.541,0:51:59.817 Just to light us on fire. 0:51:59.817,0:52:03.956 Don't. Don't be content 0:52:03.956,0:52:07.210 to let the missionary fires move away. 0:52:07.210,0:52:09.810 Yes, let them go to China. 0:52:09.810,0:52:11.768 But don't let them depart here. 0:52:11.768,0:52:13.283 And even if good [br]brethren come along 0:52:13.283,0:52:15.306 and say to you, I think it's all over. 0:52:15.306,0:52:17.032 I think we're done in this country. 0:52:17.032,0:52:18.217 Don't buy it. 0:52:18.217,0:52:19.645 Don't accept it. 0:52:19.645,0:52:21.186 If you're ok with that, 0:52:21.186,0:52:22.704 well then go into your monastery, 0:52:22.704,0:52:24.363 lay down in your nice, sterile 0:52:24.363,0:52:25.728 reformed environment, 0:52:25.728,0:52:27.891 and just let the world [br]go on its way to hell. 0:52:27.891,0:52:29.406 But you're not going to be the 0:52:29.406,0:52:31.597 people that will be used. 0:52:31.597,0:52:34.245 It's going to be the ones that burn 0:52:34.245,0:52:36.465 with Christlikeness; 0:52:36.465,0:52:38.442 that take it off the altar of God 0:52:38.442,0:52:40.713 and go forth in obedience 0:52:40.713,0:52:43.246 to what we've been told to do. 0:52:43.246,0:52:44.612 We've got a responsibility. 0:52:44.612,0:52:46.396 If you're not going in the mine, 0:52:46.396,0:52:48.506 you've got a responsibility to hold it. 0:52:48.506,0:52:50.467 That commission is to the church. 0:52:50.467,0:52:52.460 It's to us. 0:52:52.460,0:52:56.298 And it's to the end of this age. 0:52:56.298,0:52:58.388 We cannot go to sleep. 0:52:58.388,0:53:02.463 We cannot slumber. 0:53:02.463,0:53:06.527 Brethren, God forbid 0:53:06.527,0:53:10.217 that we drop the baton. 0:53:10.217,0:53:12.500 Spurgeon's dead. 0:53:12.500,0:53:14.234 Carey's dead. 0:53:14.234,0:53:19.116 Sutcliffe, Fuller, Pierce, Ryland. 0:53:19.116,0:53:21.172 Folks, they're gone. 0:53:21.172,0:53:22.980 This is our day. 0:53:22.980,0:53:27.706 This is our generation. 0:53:27.706,0:53:29.715 May God help us to be faithful. 0:53:29.715,0:53:30.462 Amen.