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 --> 00:00:21.280 Thank you for listening. 00:00:22.079 --> 00:00:25.120 But church, I gotta say just thank you. 00:00:25.920 --> 00:00:31.839 It has been a blessing to be here in Fort Smith and in the River Valley doing student ministry. 00:00:32.159 --> 00:00:39.200 Just over two years ago, y'all took a chance on a 21-year-old kid fresh out of college, and uh now here I am. 00:00:39.280 --> 00:00:42.640 I'm a husband, I'm an expectant father, I'm a homeowner. 00:00:43.119 --> 00:00:44.159 Life is good. 00:00:44.479 --> 00:00:45.439 God is good. 00:00:46.320 --> 00:00:47.520 God is good. 00:00:51.679 --> 00:00:57.759 And so I just have to say thank you for investing not just in our student ministry, but in me as a student minister. 00:00:57.920 --> 00:01:00.479 I I can't say thank you enough for that. 00:01:01.600 --> 00:01:08.719 Well, this morning I want to look at uh at Psalm 34. 00:01:08.799 --> 00:01:09.760 So if you want to turn there. 00:01:09.920 --> 00:01:14.480 See, as Abigail talked about, we've had a great summer in student ministry. 00:01:15.120 --> 00:01:20.640 And some of you might remember from VBS that the theme verse was Psalm 34.3. 00:01:21.120 --> 00:01:23.439 And our students are really living that out. 00:01:23.680 --> 00:01:32.560 It seems like now more than ever they are choosing to draw closer to the Lord, to live lives that magnify him, and to invite others into that. 00:01:32.959 --> 00:01:41.280 And we see that in Psalm 34.3, that it's kind of become our theme verse for the whole summer in our student ministry. 00:01:41.519 --> 00:01:50.560 I'm not gonna ask anybody to do any dance moves like Eli did, but I do want to look at Psalm 34, the first three verses. 00:01:51.519 --> 00:01:54.879 But see, I've invited the students this summer. 00:01:55.120 --> 00:01:56.959 Magnify the Lord with me. 00:01:57.760 --> 00:02:01.280 Psalm 34, 3, it says, proclaim the Lord's greatness with me. 00:02:01.439 --> 00:02:03.599 Let us exalt his name together. 00:02:03.840 --> 00:02:10.319 So while I've been trying to encourage them to do that, I've had to make sure that like David, they were doing that with me. 00:02:10.719 --> 00:02:17.120 So I've had a personal, I've had to make my personal decision to live a life that is glorifying to God. 00:02:17.280 --> 00:02:20.719 For them to do just that, to do that with me. 00:02:22.240 --> 00:02:27.280 So there's a lot that you can unpack from Psalm 34, but I do want to look at the first three verses. 00:02:27.680 --> 00:02:31.360 So you read that with me, it says, I will bless the Lord at all times. 00:02:31.599 --> 00:02:34.240 His praise will always be on my lips. 00:02:34.639 --> 00:02:38.960 I will boast in the Lord, the humble will hear and be glad. 00:02:39.199 --> 00:02:41.199 Proclaim the Lord's greatness with me. 00:02:41.360 --> 00:02:44.000 Let us exalt his name together. 00:02:44.400 --> 00:02:53.360 So our first takeaway that we're gonna take out here, straight from verse one, is that we must make a personal decision to magnify the Lord with our lives. 00:02:53.919 --> 00:03:01.439 David made it clear from the very beginning, right here, verse one, he made the choice that he was going to bless the Lord at all times. 00:03:01.759 --> 00:03:05.199 He was going to always be praising the Lord. 00:03:06.000 --> 00:03:17.039 If you look at the top, the subtitle for Psalm 34, it says, Concerning David, when he pretended to be insane in the presence of Abimelech, who drove him out, and he departed. 00:03:17.759 --> 00:03:27.039 We get some context for that psalm in 1 Samuel chapter 21, verses really the whole chapter, chapter 21. 00:03:27.919 --> 00:03:32.479 David had already been appointed as the next king of Israel. 00:03:32.639 --> 00:03:37.840 He was working for King Saul, and Saul found that out and wanted to kill him. 00:03:38.800 --> 00:03:45.039 So David, out of fear, he flees from the king. 00:03:45.520 --> 00:03:48.879 He goes to the temple and he takes consecrated bread for himself. 00:03:49.120 --> 00:03:53.680 Goliath's sword is there in the temple, so he takes that too, and he flees to Gath. 00:03:53.919 --> 00:03:55.759 He's got to get out of town. 00:03:56.639 --> 00:04:07.919 I'm a little confused why David, the one who killed Goliath from Gath, decided to take the sword of Goliath from Gath and go to Gath trying to stay under the radar. 00:04:08.080 --> 00:04:14.960 I don't quite know exactly why he chose that, but I do know that he was recognized. 00:04:15.280 --> 00:04:19.680 And because he was recognized out of fear of being captured, he had to act insane. 00:04:19.839 --> 00:04:21.439 He had to act like he was crazy. 00:04:21.600 --> 00:04:25.120 So we'll have it on the screen in 1 Samuel chapter 21. 00:04:25.600 --> 00:04:35.759 Starting after he's recognized, verse 12 says, David took this to heart and became very afraid of the king of Gath, so he pretended to be insane in their presence. 00:04:36.079 --> 00:04:43.360 He acted like a madman around them, scribbling on the doors of the city gate and letting saliva run down his beard. 00:04:44.160 --> 00:04:50.079 It's at this moment, if on a Wednesday night in the student ministry, I would tell the students that David was down bad. 00:04:51.439 --> 00:04:52.879 He was cooked. 00:04:54.319 --> 00:05:00.160 He literally had no other option but to act as if he was crazy, insane. 00:05:00.399 --> 00:05:02.000 He'd lost his mind. 00:05:02.399 --> 00:05:08.160 But when we look at Psalm 34, there is no reference of that. 00:05:08.800 --> 00:05:16.000 Nowhere in Psalm 34 does David say, Thank God I use my quick wit to get myself out of a jam. 00:05:16.319 --> 00:05:21.600 Never does he say, Thank God I'm so smart and quick on my feet. 00:05:22.639 --> 00:05:27.680 I'm sure a lot of you have heard of a pastor and a theologian from the latter half of the 1800s. 00:05:27.759 --> 00:05:29.360 His name is Charles Spurgeon. 00:05:29.519 --> 00:05:39.199 And Spurgeon, in his commentary on the Psalms, he says that David dwells only on the grand fact of his being heard in the hour of peril. 00:05:39.600 --> 00:05:44.240 We may learn from his example not to parade our sins before others. 00:05:44.560 --> 00:05:53.040 David played the fool with singular dexterity, but he was not so real a fool as to sing of his own exploits of folly. 00:05:53.519 --> 00:05:56.560 See, God saved David, and he knew that. 00:05:56.879 --> 00:06:03.839 David didn't have to relive his failure, his sin, to remember God's grace in that moment. 00:06:04.160 --> 00:06:07.920 But he did have to offer God full praise for that grace. 00:06:09.279 --> 00:06:15.439 He was personally determined to bless the Lord, and that his praise would always be on his lips. 00:06:16.639 --> 00:06:22.480 So I've been trying to help our students to understand what it means to truly live a life that magnifies God. 00:06:23.279 --> 00:06:29.199 Because we have conversations, they're awesome conversations, where these students, it clicks for them. 00:06:29.759 --> 00:06:30.720 God is real. 00:06:31.439 --> 00:06:35.439 And Jesus, the Son of God, he stepped out of heaven and he lived a perfect life. 00:06:35.519 --> 00:06:38.240 And he died on the cross to pay for our sins. 00:06:39.199 --> 00:06:49.360 And then three days later, he rose from the grave to conquer sin and death and be the personal savior and Lord of everyone who calls on him, who puts their faith and trust in him. 00:06:49.839 --> 00:06:51.920 They have these conversations and it's incredible. 00:06:52.000 --> 00:06:53.439 And I love those moments. 00:06:53.759 --> 00:07:00.879 But oftentimes I feel like even for a lot of us, we don't know what's next. 00:07:01.279 --> 00:07:04.160 We make this decision, we put our faith and our trust in him. 00:07:04.639 --> 00:07:06.879 We have this moment that's incredible. 00:07:07.279 --> 00:07:15.920 But then as the days go on and the spiritual high maybe starts to fade a little bit, we kind of lose track. 00:07:16.879 --> 00:07:21.920 We get confused, or it's difficult to continue to stay that way. 00:07:22.639 --> 00:07:28.879 They ask the question, how do I live a life, live my life for Christ? 00:07:30.079 --> 00:07:33.839 And I wouldn't be surprised if some of you here also were asking that question. 00:07:34.000 --> 00:07:39.439 How do I actually live a life that glorifies the Lord? 00:07:40.240 --> 00:07:48.480 But I'll tell you, we have a beautiful example of how the Old Testament and the New Testament work together to point us towards the author of it all. 00:07:48.639 --> 00:07:52.000 So I want to invite you to turn with me to Philippians chapter 1. 00:07:53.519 --> 00:07:59.120 The Apostle Paul he wrote the letter to the Philippians from prison. 00:07:59.360 --> 00:08:01.439 He was in prison for preaching the gospel. 00:08:04.160 --> 00:08:09.519 So as he's in prison for preaching the gospel, he's still doing his ministry. 00:08:10.480 --> 00:08:19.360 We see Paul as an incredible example of repentance, conversion, of sanctification, and then going and living that faith out. 00:08:19.680 --> 00:08:22.639 He truly was a servant of Christ Jesus. 00:08:23.519 --> 00:08:26.959 So even today we can learn from his writings. 00:08:27.120 --> 00:08:44.159 If you'll read verse 20 with me of Philippians 1, he says, 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. 00:08:46.480 --> 00:08:53.120 So if you'll allow me to speculate just a little bit, I can't help but think that Paul was remembering Psalm 34. 00:08:53.600 --> 00:08:56.320 I mean, he was a Pharisee, right? 00:08:56.799 --> 00:09:00.799 Paul was an expert in the Old Testament back when it was just the testament. 00:09:01.360 --> 00:09:02.879 It was his Bible. 00:09:03.360 --> 00:09:04.240 Paul knew it. 00:09:04.639 --> 00:09:07.039 He calls himself Hebrew of Hebrews. 00:09:07.279 --> 00:09:10.320 He knew the Old Testament. 00:09:11.279 --> 00:09:13.519 So he would know Psalm 34. 00:09:13.600 --> 00:09:18.480 So I can't help but think that he's remembering David's call to magnify the Lord. 00:09:20.240 --> 00:09:24.720 He's saying yes to living a life that magnifies God. 00:09:24.879 --> 00:09:34.559 And not only is he saying yes himself, not only is he accepting that invitation, but he's then extending it to the Philippians and to us today. 00:09:36.159 --> 00:09:46.799 I say that Paul might be remembering Psalm 34 because the word here in verse 20, highly honored, is also translated as magnified. 00:09:47.039 --> 00:09:51.200 And that literally means to make someone or something large. 00:09:52.639 --> 00:09:54.240 To make someone or something large. 00:09:54.399 --> 00:10:02.480 This is in the same way as a magnifying glass, or maybe your readers make something large. 00:10:03.840 --> 00:10:12.559 Paul, the prisoner, awaiting trial, in a position that he should have been filled with shame, embarrassment for being in jail. 00:10:12.799 --> 00:10:15.440 This day and age, there was nothing to brag about. 00:10:15.679 --> 00:10:20.240 But instead, he says that he is not ashamed about anything. 00:10:21.200 --> 00:10:24.960 He had nothing to be ashamed of because he knew that he was magnifying the Lord. 00:10:25.039 --> 00:10:28.399 He knew he was glorifying God with every bit of his life. 00:10:28.559 --> 00:10:31.279 And he was committed to doing that even up to his death. 00:10:33.279 --> 00:10:40.480 In 1 Corinthians 11, verse 1, Paul says to imitate me as I also imitate Christ. 00:10:40.799 --> 00:10:49.600 So not only did he know that he was living the life, but he was understanding of the fact that he was setting the example for us. 00:10:49.759 --> 00:10:51.759 He said, Imitate me. 00:10:52.399 --> 00:10:58.000 Do what I'm doing, because all I'm trying to do is glorify God with every bit of my life. 00:10:58.799 --> 00:11:00.720 So let me ask you something. 00:11:01.600 --> 00:11:06.080 Believer, Christian, have you accepted that invitation? 00:11:07.840 --> 00:11:11.679 Have you joined in the chorus alongside David and Paul? 00:11:12.080 --> 00:11:16.320 Are you magnifying the Lord with your life and every bit of it? 00:11:17.759 --> 00:11:18.879 Do people look at you? 00:11:18.960 --> 00:11:22.080 Do your friends look at you and think of Jesus? 00:11:23.440 --> 00:11:24.639 Do your kids? 00:11:27.360 --> 00:11:32.399 See, because salvation is only the first step. 00:11:32.960 --> 00:11:39.279 You need to be able to imitate or to echo Paul and say, imitate me because you are imitating Christ. 00:11:42.000 --> 00:11:45.759 When you give your life to Jesus, it isn't just about fire insurance. 00:11:47.840 --> 00:11:51.679 It's about giving everything to him. 00:11:52.639 --> 00:11:56.720 Signing up to be a beacon of hope in the darkness that is this world. 00:11:58.000 --> 00:12:01.200 Signing up to be an ambassador for the kingdom of God. 00:12:02.799 --> 00:12:07.919 Where you walk like and talk like and act like, and you are a picture of heaven. 00:12:12.639 --> 00:12:16.960 You're dying to your old self and you are going all in for him because that's what he did for you. 00:12:18.159 --> 00:12:30.399 See, when we make the personal decision to magnify God with our life, even to our death, then are we rewarded in heaven. 00:12:31.440 --> 00:12:34.799 And what a day of rejoicing that will be, amen. 00:12:35.679 --> 00:12:40.799 When we stand face to face with Jesus, there is nothing better. 00:12:42.000 --> 00:12:45.679 Absolutely nothing on this earth is as good as heaven. 00:12:47.600 --> 00:12:52.720 There is nothing like standing face to face with Christ. 00:12:53.279 --> 00:12:54.720 Nothing on this earth. 00:12:54.960 --> 00:12:58.399 So I gotta tell you, knowing that makes earth a lot less fun. 00:13:00.879 --> 00:13:02.960 Makes sin a lot less fun. 00:13:03.440 --> 00:13:07.519 Why would I want to be here if I have perfection waiting for me? 00:13:09.360 --> 00:13:11.120 Paul felt that way. 00:13:12.320 --> 00:13:14.159 We'll get to that in just a second. 00:13:14.399 --> 00:13:15.759 He explains that. 00:13:16.639 --> 00:13:23.679 But it takes us to our second takeaway this morning is that when we live out our faith, there is a kingdom impact. 00:13:25.039 --> 00:13:29.039 Verse 2 of Psalm 34, David says, I will make my boast in the Lord. 00:13:29.279 --> 00:13:32.559 The humble will hear and be glad. 00:13:34.080 --> 00:13:45.039 See, boasting in oneself, being proud and bragging about oneself is something that the humble, the meek, the lowly would usually turn away from. 00:13:45.679 --> 00:13:50.879 They don't want to hear about all this good stuff that's happening for somebody else when they're struggling. 00:13:53.200 --> 00:13:54.480 Spurgeon says it this way. 00:13:54.559 --> 00:13:58.960 He says, usually, he says, the humble are usually grieved to hear boastings. 00:13:59.279 --> 00:14:02.240 But boasting in the Lord is quite another matter. 00:14:02.480 --> 00:14:06.480 The most lowly are consoled and encouraged. 00:14:07.200 --> 00:14:14.080 See, by boasting in the Lord, the trust of the humble and a faithful God is confirmed. 00:14:15.759 --> 00:14:26.080 Paul says in verses 21 through 23, he says, For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 00:14:26.879 --> 00:14:30.960 Now, if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me. 00:14:31.200 --> 00:14:33.600 And I don't know which one I should choose. 00:14:33.840 --> 00:14:36.159 I am torn between the two. 00:14:36.399 --> 00:14:40.799 I long to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 00:14:42.399 --> 00:14:46.559 It is truly far better to depart and be with Christ. 00:14:48.960 --> 00:14:54.879 But he knows that there is still fruitful work, there is still gospel ministry for him to do on earth. 00:14:55.200 --> 00:14:58.480 Until that day, there is gospel work to do. 00:14:59.759 --> 00:15:04.480 So Paul doesn't say, I long to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 00:15:05.120 --> 00:15:10.559 And I've already had such a great ministry, I'll just sit here and wait until I die. 00:15:11.919 --> 00:15:13.440 That's not even close. 00:15:14.000 --> 00:15:18.240 It's not even close to what he says, because we can read on in verses 24 through 26. 00:15:18.399 --> 00:15:22.720 He says, But to remain in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. 00:15:24.000 --> 00:15:33.440 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. 00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:40.000 So that because of my coming to you again, your boasting in Christ Jesus may abound. 00:15:40.639 --> 00:15:46.240 See, for us to sit and wait to die just because to be with Christ is far better. 00:15:46.559 --> 00:15:51.840 It's for us to fail to complete the task that is placed before us by the Lord. 00:15:53.360 --> 00:16:00.399 It's for us to fail to follow the example of the Apostle Paul, who up until his dying breath was magnifying the Lord. 00:16:02.559 --> 00:16:06.480 See, we have a job to do. 00:16:06.799 --> 00:16:11.679 Christians, we have a part to play in the expansion of the kingdom of God. 00:16:12.320 --> 00:16:13.840 We have to do our part. 00:16:14.080 --> 00:16:18.559 We are here on this earth for those who aren't here in this church building this morning. 00:16:18.720 --> 00:16:24.240 We are here on this earth for those who are out there dying and going to hell without a clue. 00:16:25.840 --> 00:16:30.320 We have to live out our faith because there is a kingdom impact. 00:16:32.879 --> 00:16:38.399 Our time on earth is only a blip compared to eternity in heaven. 00:16:38.879 --> 00:16:44.720 All of this is only a blip compared to glory. 00:16:46.320 --> 00:16:56.720 See, no matter the pain, no matter the suffering or persecution that you might face, nothing comes close to heaven. 00:16:57.679 --> 00:16:59.519 Paul says that in Romans 8.18. 00:16:59.600 --> 00:17:07.759 He says, For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed in us. 00:17:08.720 --> 00:17:10.559 Can I tell you what that means? 00:17:11.519 --> 00:17:14.400 It means there is truly nothing to lose. 00:17:15.759 --> 00:17:17.839 You have nothing to lose. 00:17:18.319 --> 00:17:23.200 If you are living a life that glorifies God, there is nothing worth sitting on your hands for. 00:17:23.359 --> 00:17:26.799 There is nothing worth living for more than the gospel. 00:17:27.279 --> 00:17:38.480 No matter what you face, no matter how uncomfortable it is, no matter how much pain is involved in that, all of it is just a blip compared to eternity at the feet of Jesus. 00:17:41.599 --> 00:17:46.880 There's nothing worth treasuring more than the gospel, nothing worth living for more than the gospel. 00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:50.000 But I have to say, it's not easy. 00:17:50.240 --> 00:17:55.119 This world hates the gospel, sin hates the gospel, Satan hates the gospel. 00:17:56.720 --> 00:18:05.839 So for us to choose to be set apart is for us to choose discomfort. 00:18:06.799 --> 00:18:08.160 It's hard. 00:18:09.200 --> 00:18:18.400 So maybe it's a little embarrassing to be the one person in the office or in the room that is living for Christ when everyone else is living for the world. 00:18:19.039 --> 00:18:21.599 That may be a little uncomfortable. 00:18:22.960 --> 00:18:24.880 Let me tell you a story right here. 00:18:25.519 --> 00:18:32.880 Moving to Fort Smith a little over two years ago, I had a U-Haul truck, had a tow dolly behind it. 00:18:34.480 --> 00:18:42.960 See, but my pickup truck wouldn't fit on the tow dolly, which meant I was going to drive the U-Haul towing Emma's car, and she was gonna have to drive my truck up here. 00:18:43.200 --> 00:18:45.599 She'd never driven it before all interstate. 00:18:45.759 --> 00:18:50.079 So she told me, I'm just not comfortable with driving your truck. 00:18:51.359 --> 00:18:57.039 So a wise man in that moment would have said something along the lines of, that's okay, darling, we'll figure something else out. 00:19:02.000 --> 00:19:03.920 I was not a wise man. 00:19:06.640 --> 00:19:15.119 I told my fiance, not even my wife yet, I said, You're gonna have to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. 00:19:19.359 --> 00:19:25.440 I thank God every day that she didn't tell me to just drive that U-Haul down the plano to her mom and daddy's house and drop her off. 00:19:26.880 --> 00:19:28.000 She did it too. 00:19:28.079 --> 00:19:29.119 She drove my truck up here. 00:19:29.200 --> 00:19:30.640 I gotta give credit where credit is due. 00:19:30.799 --> 00:19:31.519 She did it. 00:19:32.559 --> 00:19:34.880 That was not my most gracious moment. 00:19:38.319 --> 00:19:43.599 I should have thought of literally anything better to say in that moment. 00:19:44.799 --> 00:19:47.039 Get comfortable being uncomfortable. 00:19:49.920 --> 00:19:54.160 I should not have said that then, but I am saying it now. 00:19:55.920 --> 00:19:57.279 I'm saying it to you today. 00:19:57.359 --> 00:20:01.920 To live a life that is magnifying the Lord, you're gonna have to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. 00:20:03.359 --> 00:20:05.039 It is not easy. 00:20:08.079 --> 00:20:10.160 But I can tell you something else. 00:20:11.200 --> 00:20:16.240 I know that Jesus was uncomfortable on that cross when he bled and died to pay the price for our sins. 00:20:17.599 --> 00:20:27.440 I think we can stand to be a little uncomfortable here on earth since he made the ultimate sacrifice for us to give us a chance at being with him. 00:20:28.720 --> 00:20:31.119 That takes us to our final takeaway this morning. 00:20:31.359 --> 00:20:35.920 Our lives should be an invitation for others to worship with us. 00:20:37.440 --> 00:20:42.079 See, Psalm 34, verse 3, David says, Proclaim the Lord's greatness with me. 00:20:42.720 --> 00:20:45.680 Let us exalt his name together. 00:20:47.359 --> 00:20:50.960 I'm gonna reference Spurgeon one last time here because he states it beautifully. 00:20:51.119 --> 00:20:57.200 He says, Jehovah is infinite and therefore cannot really be made greater. 00:20:57.759 --> 00:21:03.599 But his name grows in manifested glory as he is made known to his creatures. 00:21:03.839 --> 00:21:07.279 And thus he is said to be magnified. 00:21:07.839 --> 00:21:18.799 Christians, we are to magnify the Lord with our lives, out of worship to him for what he's done for us, and as an example for others of what he wants to do for them. 00:21:20.880 --> 00:21:27.119 Just like a magnifying glass or your readers, they don't actually increase the size of what you're looking at. 00:21:28.240 --> 00:21:32.000 We cannot make God bigger than he is, he's infinite. 00:21:33.359 --> 00:21:49.519 However, when we act as the magnifying glass on the glory of God, greater attention and focus can be brought to his glory, which further increases that glory. 00:21:49.680 --> 00:21:56.000 It is worship of him for us to live a life that magnifies him. 00:21:57.440 --> 00:21:59.759 When we were at church camp, the speaker asked. 00:22:00.319 --> 00:22:02.480 A question that really stuck with me. 00:22:03.440 --> 00:22:11.599 He said, if everyone on earth lived their life exactly like you, would the Great Commission be fulfilled? 00:22:13.039 --> 00:22:18.240 If everyone on earth lived exactly like you, would the Great Commission be fulfilled? 00:22:20.799 --> 00:22:24.640 That struck deep for me, and I work in full-time ministry. 00:22:26.799 --> 00:22:33.039 I do my best to faithfully preach the gospel, to faithfully disciple and encourage discipleship. 00:22:34.559 --> 00:22:38.799 To invite students to come to church, to come and hear the good news. 00:22:39.680 --> 00:22:43.920 I do my best to live a life that magnifies God, but I still sin. 00:22:45.359 --> 00:22:47.279 I am still a sinner. 00:22:47.599 --> 00:22:50.480 So don't hear me as somebody that's got it all figured out. 00:22:51.359 --> 00:22:54.720 Hear me as a sinner saved by grace. 00:22:55.839 --> 00:23:03.759 Hear me as a brother in Christ who is, despite my sin, pleading with you to join me in doing the work. 00:23:06.480 --> 00:23:07.920 Magnify God. 00:23:08.720 --> 00:23:11.119 Proclaim his greatness with me. 00:23:11.680 --> 00:23:14.240 Let us exalt his name together. 00:23:17.359 --> 00:23:19.920 There is still work to do. 00:23:22.880 --> 00:23:31.440 There is still gospel work to do, work for the truth that Jesus Christ, as the Son of God, He stepped out of heaven. 00:23:31.839 --> 00:23:34.559 He left perfection, this perfection that we're longing for. 00:23:34.799 --> 00:23:40.160 He left it to live a perfect life, to die our death. 00:23:41.440 --> 00:23:44.079 To pay the price for our sin with his blood. 00:23:44.240 --> 00:23:46.319 And three days later, he rose from the grave. 00:23:46.400 --> 00:23:47.200 He conquered sin. 00:23:47.359 --> 00:23:48.319 He conquered death. 00:23:48.480 --> 00:23:49.200 He beat it. 00:23:49.279 --> 00:23:50.640 He left it all in the grave. 00:23:50.799 --> 00:23:53.680 And said, Call on my name and you will be saved. 00:23:55.680 --> 00:23:57.599 That is the gospel truth. 00:23:59.279 --> 00:24:08.640 In Romans chapter 10, it says, if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, and you believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 00:24:10.559 --> 00:24:18.400 One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. 00:24:18.640 --> 00:24:21.839 For anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. 00:24:22.319 --> 00:24:23.200 Anyone. 00:24:24.319 --> 00:24:33.440 So if you're here this morning and you haven't done that, the invitation of David and Paul and me now is open to you. 00:24:33.839 --> 00:24:37.039 Come experience the hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:24:37.440 --> 00:24:41.440 Come experience the freedom that is found only in Him. 00:24:42.319 --> 00:24:45.119 Because He paid for all of our sins on the cross. 00:24:46.000 --> 00:24:47.200 He paid for your sin. 00:24:47.359 --> 00:24:48.880 Just call on Him. 00:24:50.480 --> 00:24:53.119 That invitation is open to you. 00:24:55.039 --> 00:25:04.880 If you have done that, if you have professed your faith in Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, then let us exalt His name together. 00:25:05.839 --> 00:25:12.880 Let our boasting in Christ Jesus abound so that the humble will hear and be glad. 00:25:14.160 --> 00:25:22.640 Join me in seeking to imitate Christ so that others will see him through our lives and turn to him. 00:25:24.880 --> 00:25:29.039 In just a moment, I'm going to pray. 00:25:29.359 --> 00:25:31.759 God's people are going to stand and sing. 00:25:34.400 --> 00:25:41.440 And if you have never put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, then I invite you to come. 00:25:42.240 --> 00:25:44.319 There'll be ministers at the aisles. 00:25:45.119 --> 00:25:46.640 Don't wait. 00:25:48.319 --> 00:25:49.759 Turn to Him today. 00:25:50.000 --> 00:25:52.960 Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord. 00:25:54.240 --> 00:25:57.759 And believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead and you'll be saved. 00:25:58.720 --> 00:26:05.039 And then join me in the gospel work until that day when we get to see him face to face. 00:26:06.480 --> 00:26:08.640 What a perfect day that would be. 00:26:13.920 --> 00:26:15.279 God, we love you. 00:26:16.400 --> 00:26:18.880 Thank you for who you are and for what you've done for us. 00:26:19.039 --> 00:26:20.799 Thank you for the gospel truth. 00:26:23.599 --> 00:26:25.839 Thank you for paying the price for our sin. 00:26:27.359 --> 00:26:37.039 God, I ask that anyone here who does not know you, would you just reach out and touch them this morning? 00:26:37.920 --> 00:26:42.720 Would you give them the courage to come down and talk to someone? 00:26:43.119 --> 00:26:44.880 To ask those questions. 00:26:45.519 --> 00:26:47.839 Give them the courage to reach out to you. 00:26:49.680 --> 00:27:01.839 God, I ask that you would give my fellow believers here the boldness to go to make their boasts in you, so that the humble will hear and be glad. 00:27:02.079 --> 00:27:08.160 Give them the courage to live as a beacon of hope in the darkness. 00:27:09.759 --> 00:27:14.480 Help them to live as an ambassador for your kingdom. 00:27:17.359 --> 00:27:24.160 Help them to magnify you with their life every day, every bit of it, even to their death, God. 00:27:25.519 --> 00:27:28.000 And remind them that perfection is waiting. 00:27:28.240 --> 00:27:29.839 You are waiting for them on the other side. 00:27:30.000 --> 00:27:34.400 Not only are you with them here, but we will stand face to face with you one day. 00:27:38.799 --> 00:27:39.680 God, we love you. 00:27:40.000 --> 00:27:41.440 To your name we pray. 00:27:41.759 --> 00:27:42.400 Amen. 00:27:43.680 --> 00:27:48.400 We pray this message has been a blessing to you and helped to strengthen your walk with Jesus. 00:27:48.559 --> 00:27:51.359 Please know we want to minister to you and pray for you. 00:27:51.519 --> 00:27:58.960 Send an email to contactus at fsfbc.org and let us pray for you and help you in any way we can. 00:27:59.200 --> 00:28:05.920 Thank you for listening to Chapter and First, the Bible Teaching Ministry of Fort Smith's First Baptist Church.