WEBVTT 00:00:03.040 --> 00:00:13.919 Ministering to the heart of Western Arkansas's River Valley for over 165 years, welcome to Chapter and First, the Bible Teaching Ministry of Fort Smith's First Baptist Church. 00:00:14.160 --> 00:00:19.359 You'll find sermons and teachings from Pastor Greg, our ministry staff, and guest speakers. 00:00:19.600 --> 00:00:21.199 Thank you for listening. 00:00:21.519 --> 00:00:25.199 I am a little bit outside of my comfort zone this morning. 00:00:26.000 --> 00:00:36.159 Usually I I usually play a game before I preach, and so there's no uh nobody's taking their shoes off or playing rock, paper, scissors this morning. 00:00:36.399 --> 00:00:40.799 So, anyways, uh I'm a little out of my comfort zone, but that's a good thing. 00:00:40.960 --> 00:00:43.600 And the students can tell you that that's a good thing. 00:00:43.840 --> 00:00:49.439 At least they should be able to tell you that's a good thing after how many times I said it this past week. 00:00:49.759 --> 00:00:55.200 Um so now here I am, I get to practice, literally practice what I preach. 00:00:55.439 --> 00:00:57.679 So uh so it's good. 00:00:57.840 --> 00:01:06.799 Um, I lost count of how many times I said, if it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you at camp. 00:01:06.959 --> 00:01:12.319 They were every day, at least once a day I said, if it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you. 00:01:12.560 --> 00:01:18.400 I don't like I said, I don't remember how many times I said it, but I know that by the end of the week they were finishing my sentence. 00:01:18.640 --> 00:01:22.079 Um so we we made some good progress. 00:01:22.560 --> 00:01:24.959 So I just want to start by saying again thank you. 00:01:25.120 --> 00:01:29.200 Thank you for praying for us as we went and as we were there at camp. 00:01:29.359 --> 00:01:31.760 Um, it was an awesome experience. 00:01:32.000 --> 00:01:45.599 There were uh decisions made every single night for Christ, and uh I'll tell you, we took 25 students to camp with us, and 18 of them made a decision for Christ in one way or the other. 00:01:45.840 --> 00:01:48.319 And uh yeah, praise God. 00:01:48.719 --> 00:01:49.760 Praise God. 00:01:50.959 --> 00:02:03.200 So whether it was accepting him for the first time as their personal Lord and Savior or choosing to repent and and turn and to truly commit to walking with him, it was awesome. 00:02:03.599 --> 00:02:25.680 Um if you remember last week we handed out prayer cards with students' names on them, and uh so I thought it would be neat if when I said the name of of each of the students who who made a decision for Christ, if you had their prayer card, if you wouldn't mind standing up so they can see who is lifting them up by name this past week. 00:02:25.919 --> 00:02:33.120 And I'm gonna look down at my notes the whole time because I would definitely cry uh if I if I look around while that's happening. 00:02:34.400 --> 00:02:44.000 Um Laura, Patrick, and Megan all gave their lives to Christ last week. 00:02:44.159 --> 00:02:49.360 If you could stand if you had their if you had their prayer card, thank you. 00:02:49.599 --> 00:02:52.479 Thank you, thank you so much. 00:02:54.319 --> 00:03:12.000 Chris, Ahmad, Ryan, Will, Aiden, Chloe, Addy, Anna, Arya, Leah, Peyton, Allie, Seth, and Riley all decided. 00:03:12.080 --> 00:03:15.599 I have that they decided that they have not been walking with Christ the way they should. 00:03:15.680 --> 00:03:19.759 So they've made a commitment to turn from their sin, to repent, and to walk with him. 00:03:19.919 --> 00:03:23.759 So if you had their prayer cards, wow. 00:03:24.000 --> 00:03:24.879 Thank you so much. 00:03:25.039 --> 00:03:26.560 Truly, thank you. 00:03:31.039 --> 00:03:33.520 And then the last one is uh is Foster. 00:03:33.680 --> 00:03:36.479 If you had Foster's prayer card, will you stand up, please? 00:03:36.800 --> 00:03:39.520 Foster, you got you had two people praying for you, pal. 00:03:39.759 --> 00:03:43.439 There was the uh Foster told me. 00:03:44.639 --> 00:03:45.919 Yeah, absolutely. 00:03:46.240 --> 00:03:57.680 Foster told me, he said Thursday night, he said, Brad, I I I gave my life to Christ seven years ago, but I never got baptized, and I want to get baptized. 00:03:57.840 --> 00:03:59.280 I said, Well, that's awesome. 00:03:59.520 --> 00:04:00.960 You still believe it, right? 00:04:01.199 --> 00:04:09.120 And he said, Well, yeah, I still believe it, and I I know that by being here at camp, and uh I know that I need to get baptized. 00:04:09.280 --> 00:04:12.000 I said, Well, amen to that, pal, we'll get you baptized. 00:04:12.240 --> 00:04:20.480 So we'll do that next week with uh with Peyton and Laura and Megan and uh CJ, and it'll be awesome. 00:04:20.639 --> 00:04:23.920 Um but man, can we just praise God for that? 00:04:24.000 --> 00:04:26.480 For the 18 decisions, it was incredible. 00:04:26.800 --> 00:04:27.920 Incredible. 00:04:34.000 --> 00:04:41.439 Thank you, Church, for praying so faithfully for all of our students while we were there, for travels and and safety. 00:04:41.839 --> 00:04:49.360 It it really was just so evident that there would that the spirit of prayer was just covering us while we were there. 00:04:49.519 --> 00:04:51.600 It was it was truly awesome. 00:04:52.879 --> 00:04:59.920 This this past week was a blessing to me in more ways than I could even imagine. 00:05:00.079 --> 00:05:05.759 And I'll tell you honestly, I was not super excited about going to camp last week. 00:05:06.720 --> 00:05:08.399 I'm gonna just be real with you. 00:05:08.959 --> 00:05:14.319 I'm sorry, I'm sorry, just hear me out, hear me out, hear me out. 00:05:15.120 --> 00:05:20.000 So last week it was the 4th of July, you know, and I was like, okay, cool, yeah. 00:05:20.079 --> 00:05:22.720 I mean, camp does fireworks either way, I've got to be awesome. 00:05:22.959 --> 00:05:24.639 Well, the fireworks got rained out. 00:05:24.720 --> 00:05:39.360 I didn't know that at uh at the time, but you know, I was fine with being there on the 4th of July, but the part that I struggled with was being there on the 2nd of July because that's my birthday, and I thank you, David. 00:05:39.680 --> 00:05:50.959 I was I was definitely thinking, oh man, that is I would rather not smell teenage boys on my birthday. 00:05:51.279 --> 00:06:00.639 But I will tell you that ten of the 18 decisions that were made for Christ happened on July 2nd. 00:06:04.800 --> 00:06:12.959 And if that wasn't the if that wasn't the wake-up call to get out of the way, then I don't know what would have been. 00:06:13.279 --> 00:06:24.399 God made it so clear that it was 100% not about me and having to having to sleep next to to all those smelly kids. 00:06:24.639 --> 00:06:29.600 Okay, it was 100%, 100% about God changing lives. 00:06:29.759 --> 00:06:31.680 And he did just that. 00:06:32.720 --> 00:06:36.720 So we are we're thankful for you, church. 00:06:36.879 --> 00:06:41.920 Um students, I'm thankful for you for standing up and saying it's time for me to get right with God. 00:06:42.399 --> 00:06:47.759 And uh, I'm just thankful to God for salvation, that free gift that He's offered us. 00:06:48.319 --> 00:06:53.199 If you have your Bible with you this morning, I'm gonna ask you to hold it up just like this. 00:06:56.639 --> 00:06:57.279 Alright. 00:06:57.920 --> 00:06:59.439 Now repeat after me. 00:06:59.759 --> 00:07:02.720 Word God's word. 00:07:04.160 --> 00:07:06.000 God's word is powerful. 00:07:08.319 --> 00:07:14.879 We did that at camp, and uh there's a song that continues into it, but I'm gonna I'll spare you guys that. 00:07:15.040 --> 00:07:20.959 But if you believe God's word is powerful, then let's turn to Philippians chapter 1. 00:07:23.040 --> 00:07:40.879 Our camp speaker, he he used this passage uh Monday night, and as I went through the week, just thinking about how I was gonna have to to well have to, I had the privilege, let me say it that way, to stand up here this morning and uh and stand in front of you. 00:07:41.040 --> 00:07:55.600 I couldn't shake the feeling that he wanted me, that the Lord wanted me to use this passage, not just so you know what our students were hearing all week, just strong biblical truth, but also so that you might be able to get something out of it uh just like I did. 00:07:56.639 --> 00:08:01.199 So I've got three points, and I'm gonna start reading in verse 18. 00:08:01.680 --> 00:08:05.360 And as I read, I want you to think about our purpose as Christians. 00:08:05.519 --> 00:08:09.199 That is to know God and to make him known, just like Peyton said. 00:08:09.439 --> 00:08:11.360 To know God and to make him known. 00:08:11.519 --> 00:08:15.600 So starting in verse 18, it says, What does it matter? 00:08:16.000 --> 00:08:24.560 Only that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. 00:08:25.120 --> 00:08:34.000 Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, because I know this will lead to my salvation through your prayers and help from the Spirit of Jesus Christ. 00:08:34.320 --> 00:08:48.000 My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all courage, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 00:08:49.279 --> 00:08:51.679 So what is Paul saying here? 00:08:52.159 --> 00:09:00.799 Is he saying, is he saying, uh, man, I am miserable, and I need you guys to get me out of here. 00:09:00.960 --> 00:09:03.600 Like this is just this is the worst thing ever. 00:09:04.399 --> 00:09:04.720 No. 00:09:05.440 --> 00:09:21.440 No, Paul is saying that no matter what, no matter what if he's in jail or if he's in Caesarea Philippi with them, no matter where he's at, he knows that Christ is being proclaimed and that glory is coming to the kingdom of God. 00:09:22.559 --> 00:09:25.600 And this is where our first point comes from. 00:09:26.080 --> 00:09:32.399 So, in order for us as Christians to know God and make him known, we have to be confident in Christ. 00:09:33.600 --> 00:09:37.200 We as believers have to be ready to go all out for God. 00:09:38.320 --> 00:09:42.799 Our salvation, it's a gift from Him, given freely. 00:09:44.480 --> 00:09:49.679 And so we should be ready and willing to do with it what Jesus commanded us to do. 00:09:49.919 --> 00:09:52.559 So, as believers, that's getting baptized. 00:09:52.799 --> 00:09:58.320 Okay, if you're a Christian in the room, you've either you've either been baptized or you're going to be next week, right? 00:09:58.639 --> 00:10:04.080 Or or it's partaking in the Lord's Supper, which we do regularly as a church. 00:10:04.399 --> 00:10:16.960 That third thing, we often it it seems to slip through the crap because we we go, but the making disciples part, that's where we that's where we need to continue to work and grow. 00:10:17.279 --> 00:10:18.960 Am I making that sound? 00:10:23.200 --> 00:10:44.480 Anyways, we we in the student ministry we're we're working as hard as we can to figure out the best way to to make discipleship happen effectively so that we're not just baptizing students, but that we're we're sending out the next generation whenever they go to school or whenever they go uh off after graduation, whatever it is. 00:10:44.639 --> 00:10:46.559 We want to make disciples. 00:10:46.960 --> 00:10:49.200 We have to make disciples. 00:10:51.679 --> 00:11:00.080 As a church, it is time that we, or just as believers in general, it's time we stop spectating the gospel and start participating in the gospel. 00:11:00.960 --> 00:11:12.720 We have to be willing to give everything that we have to the glory of God's kingdom, to the point where we are separated from everything that this world is and has to offer. 00:11:14.240 --> 00:11:16.080 And that's uncomfortable. 00:11:16.879 --> 00:11:31.600 I mean, that I don't know if maybe you don't agree, but I would say that it is absolutely uncomfortable to be contrary to everything the world says, to walk against the grain of society. 00:11:33.759 --> 00:11:47.440 But it's time that we get uncomfortable with the ways of the world, because I know that nails through hands and feet and a crown of thorns and hanging on a cross for all of humanity's sins was uncomfortable. 00:11:48.799 --> 00:11:53.440 Yet Jesus took all of that, he bore all of that for all of us. 00:11:53.759 --> 00:11:57.360 And even as he hung on the cross, he said, Father, forgive them. 00:11:59.279 --> 00:12:02.399 You are a part of that them he was talking about. 00:12:02.559 --> 00:12:05.759 I'm a part of that them he was talking about. 00:12:06.000 --> 00:12:08.480 Our sins put him on that cross. 00:12:09.600 --> 00:12:19.039 And that forgiveness that he was, but even before he died, he was asking for for us is something that we absolutely cannot take for granted. 00:12:19.279 --> 00:12:22.240 That is something that we have to do something with. 00:12:23.279 --> 00:12:25.600 And that takes us to the next point. 00:12:25.840 --> 00:12:30.080 In order for us to know God and make him known, we have to be confident in Christ. 00:12:30.399 --> 00:12:35.120 But we have to be, number two, defined by diligence. 00:12:36.159 --> 00:12:38.879 Let's read verses 21 through 26. 00:12:40.480 --> 00:12:45.120 For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 00:12:45.759 --> 00:12:52.399 Now, if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me, and I don't know which one I should choose. 00:12:52.639 --> 00:12:54.799 I'm torn between the two. 00:12:55.519 --> 00:13:00.559 I long to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 00:13:00.960 --> 00:13:04.799 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. 00:13:05.759 --> 00:13:20.240 Since I am persuaded of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that because of my coming to you again, your boasting in Christ Jesus may abound. 00:13:21.200 --> 00:13:24.159 Paul knew exactly what it was that he wanted. 00:13:24.399 --> 00:13:26.799 He wanted to be walking with Jesus. 00:13:27.360 --> 00:13:29.279 He didn't want to be in jail. 00:13:29.919 --> 00:13:32.799 He didn't want to even be walking on earth anymore. 00:13:32.879 --> 00:13:36.240 He knew that he wanted to be with Jesus because it is way better. 00:13:37.039 --> 00:13:42.399 And even we know today that it is way better to be walking with Jesus than to be walking here. 00:13:43.200 --> 00:13:55.600 But he knew that the work of the gospel required him to still be present on earth, required him to still be present and doing the work that was necessary for others to hear the good news. 00:13:55.919 --> 00:14:08.480 And because he knew that he was required to stay on earth and continue the good news, to continue to share the gospel, he didn't just say, all right, well, I'll fake it till I make it then. 00:14:08.639 --> 00:14:13.759 He didn't say that he was just gonna coast and wait it out until he finally kicked the bucket. 00:14:13.919 --> 00:14:21.440 No, he said, you know what, I'm gonna keep writing and preaching and ministering to the people that I've been working on. 00:14:23.200 --> 00:14:29.600 Paul didn't say, Oh, yep, I'm done, and put his put his pen down. 00:14:29.679 --> 00:14:32.399 No, he wrote Philippians 2 through 4. 00:14:32.799 --> 00:14:34.559 Worse than one, and he keeps going. 00:14:34.639 --> 00:14:35.840 And then he writes more and more. 00:14:35.919 --> 00:14:38.320 He continued to do the work faithfully. 00:14:38.559 --> 00:14:43.759 He let diligence be his defining attribute. 00:14:45.120 --> 00:14:53.360 He let his diligence for the glory of the kingdom of God be what sent him forward every single day. 00:14:54.000 --> 00:14:56.399 And we need to be able to do the same. 00:14:57.120 --> 00:15:06.879 Every situation, everywhere that we go, and our diligence for the gospel, others need to know that we are citizens of heaven. 00:15:07.360 --> 00:15:19.600 And if it if it isn't immediately recognizable, then it needs to come from the way that we walk, and the way that we talk, and the way that we act, the way that we live every single day. 00:15:19.759 --> 00:15:23.120 We need to make it known that we are citizens of heaven. 00:15:24.879 --> 00:15:29.759 That's what takes me to my third and final point this morning. 00:15:30.480 --> 00:15:36.080 So knowing God and making him known, we have to be confident in Christ. 00:15:36.960 --> 00:15:39.440 We have to be defined by our diligence. 00:15:39.759 --> 00:15:46.080 And third, to know God and make him known, we must be reminiscent of redemption. 00:15:47.039 --> 00:15:49.759 Let's read verses 27 through 30. 00:15:51.279 --> 00:15:52.480 Just one thing. 00:15:52.799 --> 00:15:57.519 As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ. 00:15:57.759 --> 00:16:13.600 Then whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, in one accord, contending together for the faith of the gospel, not being frightened in any way by your opponents. 00:16:14.080 --> 00:16:19.679 This is a sign of destruction for them, but of your salvation, and this is from God. 00:16:20.320 --> 00:16:33.519 For it has been granted to you on Christ's behalf not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him, since you are engaged in the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I have. 00:16:50.399 --> 00:16:53.679 We shouldn't have this free gift. 00:16:54.399 --> 00:16:56.559 But we do, and that's the beauty of it. 00:16:57.200 --> 00:17:03.759 Is that knowing that we would never be able to pay it back, Christ still died for us. 00:17:04.559 --> 00:17:09.920 Not only did he die for us, he rose again so that we can know him and make him known. 00:17:10.400 --> 00:17:18.319 We can walk with him and eventually stand before him, kneel at his feet, and praise him as the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. 00:17:21.359 --> 00:17:27.359 Let me tell you, you know when you got a nice gift and you're like, wow, this is this is more than I ever could have imagined. 00:17:27.440 --> 00:17:28.480 Thank you so much, right? 00:17:28.640 --> 00:17:32.240 Like my friend Rance today for my birthday, he gave me an onion. 00:17:32.480 --> 00:17:35.759 I was like, thanks. 00:17:38.960 --> 00:17:49.839 But for my for my birthday, my my incredible wife and my mom and my grandma, they went together, went in together and they got me a blackstone griddle. 00:17:50.079 --> 00:17:54.480 And man, I I feel like a real man now. 00:17:55.839 --> 00:17:59.680 Let me tell you, that thing is nice. 00:18:02.720 --> 00:18:08.640 So because it's so nice, and because I like this is I wasn't gonna buy it myself. 00:18:09.359 --> 00:18:13.039 Like I wanted it, but I just I wasn't gonna buy it, but they got it for me. 00:18:13.119 --> 00:18:16.079 They gave it to me, so I take care of it. 00:18:16.400 --> 00:18:19.519 I've I've already got a nice season on it, you know. 00:18:19.599 --> 00:18:20.640 I've cooked on it. 00:18:20.799 --> 00:18:24.880 I see I was gone all week last week, but I got home. 00:18:25.839 --> 00:18:27.920 Well, I cooked on it yesterday. 00:18:28.079 --> 00:18:33.599 Um I cooked on it four times the week that I got it just because I was so excited to have it. 00:18:34.000 --> 00:18:35.440 It was awesome. 00:18:37.200 --> 00:18:43.279 So, even more than that, the the nicest gift that we could ever receive, ever, is salvation. 00:18:44.079 --> 00:18:51.200 The nicest gift that any person could ever receive is the free gift of God in eternal life. 00:18:52.880 --> 00:18:57.440 It's ours for free for no other reason than that God loves us so much. 00:18:57.680 --> 00:19:04.640 That He sent His one and only Son, that whosoever believe in Him will not perish but will have eternal life. 00:19:06.880 --> 00:19:12.079 So, because this is the best gift anybody could receive, we have to treat it as such. 00:19:13.200 --> 00:19:17.599 Treating it that way means letting the light shine for others to see. 00:19:18.319 --> 00:19:25.119 We all know the song, this little light of mine, and hide it under a bush, oh no. 00:19:26.240 --> 00:19:27.519 I'm gonna let it shine. 00:19:27.599 --> 00:19:30.799 We're so quick to say, oh no, as little kids. 00:19:30.960 --> 00:19:34.480 We know the words for the song, we know the emotions about our little light. 00:19:35.839 --> 00:19:40.720 But we have to be, as adults, we have to still be letting that light shine. 00:19:41.839 --> 00:19:47.920 If we are a city on the hill like that Jesus said we are, we have to shine bright. 00:19:48.960 --> 00:19:52.559 Who lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket? 00:19:52.720 --> 00:19:55.680 Jesus asked that question, and we should still be asking it. 00:19:56.640 --> 00:19:59.279 You have to let your light shine for all to see. 00:20:02.880 --> 00:20:06.880 That's the message that Paul was communicating to the Philippians. 00:20:07.599 --> 00:20:09.440 It's that same message for us today. 00:20:09.599 --> 00:20:12.640 We have to be reminiscent of our redemption. 00:20:12.880 --> 00:20:15.920 We have to live worthy of the gospel. 00:20:16.640 --> 00:20:21.599 Because when Christians live worthy of the gospel, then the gospel will get shared. 00:20:22.559 --> 00:20:24.720 More and more it spreads. 00:20:25.279 --> 00:20:29.039 When Christians live worthy of the gospel, then churches grow. 00:20:30.000 --> 00:20:34.079 When Christians live worthy of the gospel, then lives are changed. 00:20:35.440 --> 00:20:40.240 When Christians live worthy of the gospel, they speak with the accent of heaven. 00:20:40.480 --> 00:20:43.119 It is clearer than anything. 00:20:44.799 --> 00:20:51.839 And in college I kind of got made fun of a little bit for sounding like I grew up in the middle of a rice farm. 00:20:52.079 --> 00:20:56.720 And uh that's because I pretty much grew up in the middle of a rice farm. 00:20:58.160 --> 00:21:09.759 Okay, I uh I had a little twang or whatever you want to call it, but but the the accent that I'm the proudest of is the accent of heaven. 00:21:10.400 --> 00:21:25.359 Because as a citizen of heaven, it is my sole goal, my sole purpose to glorify God and to and to spread his word, to share his love with every single person that I have a chance to. 00:21:27.440 --> 00:21:55.200 So just as Christ suffered on the cross, as uh as we know, and just as Paul suffered in jail to write the letter to the Philippians, and and then just through his life as he faced persecution as a missionary and pastor, so that we could have his letter here today and and draw the wisdom from it, we also must be willing to to suffer for him. 00:21:59.119 --> 00:22:02.880 But the The great part of it. 00:22:03.039 --> 00:22:11.440 Not only is it a free gift that we can have the joy to suffer for and that we will be blessed for on the other side of eternity. 00:22:13.519 --> 00:22:16.880 But we also get to do it with our brothers and sisters in Christ. 00:22:17.119 --> 00:22:20.000 We suffer together for the work of the gospel. 00:22:21.519 --> 00:22:27.519 When Christians live worthy for the gospel, they join together in worship. 00:22:28.960 --> 00:22:33.519 A worship that is the true harmony of revelation and response. 00:22:33.920 --> 00:22:36.799 When God reveals, we respond. 00:22:37.039 --> 00:22:38.559 That's worship. 00:22:40.240 --> 00:22:42.559 So are you going to respond today? 00:22:42.799 --> 00:22:44.799 Are you going to worship today? 00:22:45.440 --> 00:22:49.519 Or maybe you just, oh, who let that kid get up there? 00:22:54.160 --> 00:22:58.720 We have to choose to pick up our cross daily and follow him. 00:22:59.200 --> 00:23:01.839 And that cross was not easy to carry. 00:23:02.400 --> 00:23:03.759 Yet he did it. 00:23:04.960 --> 00:23:13.680 You know, Abraham, when he took, as they were, as they were traveling, he was told by God to sacrifice Isaac. 00:23:13.920 --> 00:23:17.440 So he took some some of his servants with him and they met. 00:23:18.640 --> 00:23:21.359 They were there at the bottom of the mountain. 00:23:21.680 --> 00:23:24.799 And Abraham didn't say, I'm going to go kill Isaac now. 00:23:24.880 --> 00:23:26.400 I'll be back later. 00:23:26.880 --> 00:23:32.160 No, Abraham said, We're going away, we're going away to worship. 00:23:34.319 --> 00:23:37.519 Those guys that were with them didn't know what was happening. 00:23:37.680 --> 00:23:41.440 They didn't know what they were going to do on top of the mountain. 00:23:42.240 --> 00:23:54.400 But Abraham took Isaac and then went away because that true worship was the willingness and the obedience to lay every single thing down at the feet of God. 00:23:55.680 --> 00:23:58.000 So Abraham went to worship. 00:23:58.559 --> 00:24:04.240 The son that he had prayed for, the son that he was promised by God. 00:24:05.519 --> 00:24:14.079 After years of watching him grow up, love his boy, God said, I need you to sacrifice him. 00:24:16.400 --> 00:24:28.960 And Abraham, knowing God's perfect will, his perfect plan, knowing that he would never be able to accomplish anything of that measure on his own, said, Okay. 00:24:31.359 --> 00:24:38.960 True worship is the obedience, the willingness to lay absolutely everything down at the feet of Jesus. 00:24:39.920 --> 00:24:45.359 So maybe if you were to place yourself in Abraham's shoes, what is that son? 00:24:46.480 --> 00:24:51.680 Is it a job or a car or a house or whatever, a blackstone? 00:24:53.759 --> 00:24:58.640 Are you willing to lay that down at the feet of the Heavenly Father? 00:25:00.319 --> 00:25:03.599 I'm not saying that you should, just because I say so. 00:25:05.039 --> 00:25:09.279 I'm just saying that you should because He was willing to do that for you. 00:25:10.400 --> 00:25:26.079 Because just like God provided the ram for Abraham just before sacrificing Isaac, God provided the perfect lamb for us in Jesus Christ to pay the price for our sins. 00:25:28.400 --> 00:25:32.160 If he was willing to do that for you, what are you willing to do for him? 00:25:34.000 --> 00:25:37.759 Because if it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you. 00:25:38.880 --> 00:25:41.839 And the Lord wants to change you for the glory of his kingdom. 00:25:42.079 --> 00:25:44.160 He wants to do a mighty work in you. 00:25:46.160 --> 00:25:50.960 So I think it's about time we all get comfortable with being uncomfortable. 00:25:52.799 --> 00:25:55.200 I told Emma that when we moved up here last year. 00:25:55.359 --> 00:25:57.839 I said, you got to get comfortable being uncomfortable. 00:25:58.160 --> 00:26:04.400 Because, well, she had to drive my truck on the interstate as I drove the U-Haul. 00:26:04.559 --> 00:26:13.599 And uh, you know, she she wasn't very happy that I said that, but then we got up here and it's like, oh, made it. 00:26:14.400 --> 00:26:14.799 Made it. 00:26:14.960 --> 00:26:17.200 She got comfortable being uncomfortable. 00:26:18.400 --> 00:26:23.680 She might have needed a booster seat, but she got comfortable being uncomfortable. 00:26:26.160 --> 00:26:30.960 It's time that we truly commit to worshiping Him. 00:26:31.200 --> 00:26:36.799 Not just singing along to the songs that we hear, not just reading the words on the screen. 00:26:37.440 --> 00:26:45.200 But it's time that we truly worship the willingness to lay it all at the feet of our Heavenly Father. 00:26:47.119 --> 00:27:04.240 If you have never trusted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, if you've never decided that it is time for you to lay it all down at His feet and walk with Him, why not now? 00:27:05.759 --> 00:27:06.960 Why not now? 00:27:09.359 --> 00:27:20.720 If you have questions about what it means to walk with Him, to talk like Him, and to live for Him, the door is open. 00:27:21.519 --> 00:27:26.799 There's going to be pastors at the heads of the aisle, someone in the balcony. 00:27:28.079 --> 00:27:34.880 And these are people who are ready and willing to live or to answer those questions for you. 00:27:35.119 --> 00:27:43.200 People who are ready to take the time to get you where you need to be so that you can hear what it is that the Lord is trying to tell you. 00:27:45.119 --> 00:27:50.559 Please do not leave today without asking those questions that are on your heart and mind. 00:27:51.759 --> 00:27:58.079 Because the Lord is ready to change you through these challenges that you're walking through. 00:27:58.640 --> 00:27:59.920 Let's pray. 00:28:03.680 --> 00:28:05.519 Father God, we love you. 00:28:06.000 --> 00:28:16.400 And we praise you and we thank you for the free gift of salvation through the death, burial, and resurrection of your Son Jesus. 00:28:17.119 --> 00:28:20.720 God, thank you that we have the freedom to know Him. 00:28:22.960 --> 00:28:36.960 God, for those who are Christians, I ask that you give them the courage to remember that their purpose is to know you and make you known everywhere they go. 00:28:38.240 --> 00:28:46.960 Lord, I ask that for those who aren't believers in the room, that you would just stir in their heart and in their mind. 00:28:47.279 --> 00:28:49.519 Because God, I know that you can do it. 00:28:49.839 --> 00:28:51.440 I've watched you do it all last week. 00:28:51.519 --> 00:28:52.960 I've watched you do it my entire life. 00:28:53.039 --> 00:28:58.960 I've watched you move and change people's lives to bring further glory to your kingdom. 00:28:59.279 --> 00:29:01.279 We praise you for that, Lord. 00:29:01.599 --> 00:29:03.039 So I ask that you do that today. 00:29:03.200 --> 00:29:04.480 Change lives. 00:29:05.119 --> 00:29:14.880 Move in hearts and minds and show them that these challenges are not just challenges, but that you are ready to change people through them. 00:29:16.160 --> 00:29:17.680 We love you, Lord. 00:29:17.920 --> 00:29:20.559 It is in the saving name of Jesus that we pray. 00:29:20.880 --> 00:29:21.519 Amen. 00:29:22.559 --> 00:29:27.200 We pray this message has been a blessing to you and helped to strengthen your walk with Jesus. 00:29:27.359 --> 00:29:30.160 Please know we want to minister to you and pray for you. 00:29:30.319 --> 00:29:37.759 Send an email to contact us at fsfbc.org and let us pray for you and help you in any way we can. 00:29:38.079 --> 00:29:44.319 Thank you for listening to Chapter and First, the Bible Teaching Ministry of Fort Smith First Baptist Church.