Speaker 1: 0:00

Good morning folks. We're glad you're here this morning. Folks, let's continue with our worship. Thank you so much for being here.

Speaker 2: 0:07

How deep the Father's love for us, how vast beyond all measure that he should give his only son To make a wretch his treasure. How great the pain of searing loss the.

Speaker 2: 0:44

Father turns his face away as wounds which mar the Chosen One. Bring many sons to glory. Many sons to glory. Behold the man upon the cross, my sin upon his shoulders. Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice call out among the scoffers it was my sin that held him there Until it was accomplished. His dying breath has brought me life. I know that it is finished. I will not boast in anything, no gifts, no power, no wisdom, but I will boast in Jesus Christ, his death and resurrection. Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer. Answer, but this I know with all my heart His wounds have paid my ransom. Abide with me. Fast falls eventide, the darkness deepens. Lord with me, abide. Abide when other helpers fail and comforts flee, help of the helpless. So abide with me. Helpless soul, abide with me. I need thy presence every passing hour. What but thy grace can foil the tempter's power who, like thyself, my guide and stay can be God and Satan. Be Through cloud and sunshine, o abide with me.

Speaker 2: 5:22

O Thou Thy cross be. Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies, hems, morning breaks and earth's rain shadows flee In life and death. O Lord, abide with me. Let the King of my heart be the mountain where I run the fountain I drink from. O, he is my song. I drink from. Oh, he is my song. Let the king of my heart be the shadow where I hide the ransom for my life. Oh, he is my song.

Speaker 2: 6:40

Good Lord, you are good, good Lord, you are good, good Lord, you are good, good Lord, lord, let the king of my heart Be the wind inside my sails, the anchor in the waves. Oh, he is my song. Let the king of my heart Be the fire inside my veins, the echo of my days. Oh, he is my song. You are good, good Lord, you are good, good Lord, you are good, good Lord, you are good, good Lord. You're never gonna let, never gonna let me down. You're never gonna let, never gonna let me down. You're never gonna let, never gonna let me down. You're never gonna let, never gonna let me down. You are good, good Lord. You are good, good Lord. You are good, good Lord, the night is holding on to me. You are good, good Lord. You are good, good Lord, you are good.

Speaker 3: 9:00

Good Lord, this scripture reading is from Matthew 28. Jesus came and told his disciples I've been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I've given you and, be sure of this, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

Speaker 1: 9:30

Good morning. Let's go ahead and get started with the word of prayer. Father, god, we thank you so much for this day. God, we thank you for this time together as a church family and as a community. Father, we thank you for just allowing us to be here this morning. We're thankful for the sunshine and we're thankful for our brothers and sisters in Christ. Allow us to open up our hearts and our eyes and our ears to the things that you want us to hear this morning, and it's in Jesus' name. We pray. Amen, alright, good morning.

Speaker 1: 9:59

I didn't bring it with me, I forgot it, but we are doing the bracket challenge. Hopefully you saw those as you came in. Hopefully you already have one of those. You are more than welcome to turn that in today. I believe Jeff has a box in the back, and so if you want to just toss that into the box as you leave those of you that don't have a clue what I'm talking about each and every March oh, we started last year. So each and every March going forward, we do March Madness with some of the songs that we've been singing here at church, and so we have a bracket with 32 songs that we have sang this year and last year, and so we want to just see what your favorite is and yes, there's hard decisions along the way, but hopefully you'll fill that out, have some fun with that. And then in two weeks we'll have a worship Sunday where we'll focus on worshiping the Father and singing some of those songs. And so if you fill that out or if you want to grab one, they're out there on the foyer on the welcome desk Throw it in the box as you leave. So we need those next week. Next week's the deadline. We already have the running tally board in the office.

Speaker 1: 11:13

I won't tell you who's in the lead yet. We'll leave that up. But, all right, we're going to get started. We're talking about uncomfortable love. We're talking about the idea of conflict. We're going to look at another story today where there's a conflict involving two people. And I've said this every week when you have people, there's going to be conflict, and so my goal this morning is to start a conflict in here, in this very room, and so we're going to do a little activity today to get you moving a little bit, because, if you're like me, you're very tired this morning, and so we're going to do just a little challenge here and get some opinions and hopefully make people mad.

Speaker 1: 11:48

So here we go. I want you to stand up if you prefer coffee over tea. Stand up if you prefer coffee over tea. Bryce, if I grab this mic, am I going to get electrocuted? I can use both. Okay sweet, all right, I'm looking for a. Oh yeah, this is where I wanted a husband and a wife that had a different opinion. What if you like both? You just do like a squat, all right, chuck, tell me why Linda's wrong.

Speaker 2: 12:31

Linda is never wrong.

Speaker 1: 12:38

All right, you can have a seat.

Speaker 1: 12:39

You can have a seat. All right, here we go. You're standing up. If you'd prefer fall over spring, if you prefer fall over spring, all right. So you are standing if you prefer fall. So tell me why Rhonda is wrong. I can't use Chuck's answer. Nope, it's already been used. It's too muddy in the spring. It's too muddy in the spring. That's a good answer. That's a good answer. All right, you can have a seat.

Speaker 1: 13:23

Mcdonald's fries or Chick-fil-A fries, you're standing up. If you prefer Chick-fil-A fries, you're standing up. If you prefer Chick-fil-A, just the fries. We're not talking chicken here, just the fries. Looking for some opinions here. Looking for some opinions here. Looking for some opinions here. Parker tell me why T's wrong. She loves her McDonald's fries. I like the waffle fry because it's a little more fry. All right, parker said he liked the waffle fry. It's a little more fry. I'll give you a tip. Say you want your fries. Well done at Chick-fil-A, they're better. All right, here we go. Next one you can have a seat. You're standing. If you prefer Chips Ahoy, you're standing. If you prefer Chips Ahoy, all right, I already locked in on my target over here. Now your whole family, your whole family is voting Oreo and you have Chips Ahoy. Can you tell the people why Chips Ahoy is better? They'll just leave you speechless.

Speaker 2: 14:40

They're the best cookie ever.

Speaker 1: 14:43

They're going to be calling you to be a sales rep.

Speaker 1: 14:47

I'll tell you what. All right, here we go. This one's I know we don't have neither one here. Hopefully one day I've been praying, hopefully one day You're standing.

Speaker 1: 14:57

If you prefer Jimmy John's over Jersey Mike's, and if you are standing, you are wrong this morning. Jersey Mike's yeah, mike's way is the way. All right, very good, you can have a seat. All right, I think we've got a couple more this morning.

Speaker 1: 15:22

Now let's get this straight. We're talking about the whole line of drinks. So if you're choosing Pepsi, that's how you get your Mountain Dew. If you're a Mountain Dew person, okay, so we're talking about the whole line of drinks. Okay, so you're standing. If you prefer Pepsi over Coke, that's the only thing you agree on. That's awesome. That is awesome. All right, coke is better. Just my opinion. Coke's better. Pepsi's too sweet. You choose Pepsi. You don't even drink pop. We'll take a soda water with lime and we pay $3 for that at the restaurants. Nasty soda water. I'm on the couch. Here we go. Next one All right, before we even get into it. Both of these are not good, but we're just going to have this debate Because I know my college kids. They're mad right now. Alright, stand up if you like Cracker Barrel, if you just like bland food, stand up. Cracker Barrel standing. Bob Evans of City. Who am I going to have fight? Oh, here we go. You're standing for Cracker Barrel. Tell me what's so great about Cracker Barrel? I love their chicken strips. The chicken strip.

Speaker 1: 17:01

I did have the chicken strips this past week. It was pretty good. The Nashville hot dipping sauce is where it's at. Alright, I think. Oh, yeah, one more. Aldi's and Walmart. We're going to stand up, if you prefer Aldi's, oh, oh, just groceries, just groceries. Okay, standing up for Aldi's. I'm taking taking all these because they don't have a big semi. Walking through the aisles getting the go orders, all right. All right, all right, you can have a seat. All right, here we go.

Speaker 1: 17:35

We're going to dive into our lesson this morning. I just thought we would try to get a fight going. Hopefully you have something to talk about in the car this morning when you leave here. We're going to be in Acts, chapter 15, this morning. If you want to follow along, we're going to start there in verse 36. But it is funny when you get people together, you can have a difference of opinions, and some people are passionate about their difference of opinion, and so hopefully you'll have a fun car ride along the way. But sometimes we get in conflicts about things that are a little bit more serious. Maybe it involves a relationship or a ministry or something somebody is going through, and sometimes that's where conflict leads us. Disagreements are uncomfortable. We're going to read about one this morning. In Acts 15, verse 36, it says After some time, paul said to Barnabas let's go back to visit each city where we had previously preached the Word of the Lord to see how the new believers are doing.

Speaker 1: 18:42

See, paul and Barnabas had been working together. They were a team, they were Batman and Robin, they were spreading the Gospel all throughout the world. And Paul has this idea that we've been going to so many different places and preaching the Gospel. Now let's go back and see how everybody's doing. Let's check in on them and check on our brothers and sisters in Christ and make sure they're doing okay. And so it's a great idea. You would have never guessed that it's going to lead to a huge conflict, but this is where it starts.

Speaker 1: 19:15

But the early church, from the very beginning, decided that two things were important, and that was mentorship and that was community. And that was exactly what Paul and Barnabas was trying to build. Paul knew it was important, or Barnabas knew it was important to have somebody under him, to be teaching somebody, to be leading, somebody, to take charge. And so Barnabas we're going to talk about this in just a few minutes Barnabas has taken Paul under his wing and kind of helped guide him a little bit. But they're also pushing the idea of community. They're going back to check on the churches and make sure they're doing okay, because community is important. The world has taught us that mentorship is important. Let's see if you know these two guys. That is Mark Zuckerberg and that is Steve Jobs. Steve Jobs created Apple. Mark Zuckerberg created Facebook. Steve Jobs was Mark Zuckerberg's mentor, so now he teaches Steve Jobs how to use Facebook on the iPhone.

Speaker 1: 20:17

Yeah, some of you got that. I said it in 830. Nobody was. They were all still sleeping. They just held on to that. I thought that was a good one. All right, here we go. Here's another one.

Speaker 1: 20:26

Hollywood knows that mentoring is important because they give us. That's Harry Potter and Dumbledore. If you watch those movies, you kind of see Dumbledore kind of takes Harry Potter and tries to help him a little bit. We got a few more as we go through there. Who's that? That's Warren Buffett and Bill Gates. Mentorship, right there, they taught each other how to be loaded. All right, here we go. There we go. Yeah, this is yeah, this is where the 830 service woke up. They're like yeah, mr Miyagi, thanks a lot thanks off Daniel son right. Pretty good example of a mentor, right, he's teaching Danielson as his mentor. And then I grew up in the 90s, so this was one of my favorite movies.

Speaker 1: 21:20

And sometimes mentoring is forced. Sometimes you don't want to have to do the mentoring but you're forced into it and that's where we get Mighty Ducks, right Coach, I think Gordon Bombay yeah, I lost it for a second James has got it Big fan Now. I think he gets a speeding ticket, right, dui. Yeah, it's worse than a speeding ticket. That's right, dui. And he gets forced into doing a mentoring role and so he's coaching this bunch of misfits on the hockey team. But mentoring has been something that has been important and that's why Hollywood even uses it as an example. And we know that community is important and we spent a lot of time over the last fall talking about community and the idea of being around each other. Jesus found it important to be with one another. That's why he had his disciples and wanted to be in community. God knew it was important to be in community. That's why he has the Father, son and Holy Spirit. He knew it was important to be together in community, and so Paul has a mentor in Barnabas.

Speaker 1: 22:24

If you remember, in Acts, chapter 9, when Paul had his come-to Jesus moment on the road of Damascus, paul becomes a Christian and decides he's going to start preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and, if you remember, he goes to meet the disciples who are in Jerusalem and when he gets to the disciples, the disciples want nothing to do with him Because they're fearful of him, they're scared of him, they're not sure he's really changed. And so when he goes to meet with the disciples, they say thanks but no thanks. And there's a guy in the story that kind of stops Paul and says hold on a minute. Remember who that is? It's when we're first introduced to Barnabas. Barnabas grabs Paul and says hold on a minute, come here. And he takes Paul back into the group of the disciples and he says wait a minute. I know what you think of this man, I know what you've heard and I know what's past, but he's a changed man. Jesus has flipped his life upside down. And so he builds this connection with the disciples. And so you see in this moment, right off the bat, that Barnabas saw potential and so he reached out and helped Paul.

Speaker 1: 23:30

We keep reading through the book of Acts, in Acts 11, barnabas specifically calls out for Paul to go with him to Antioch. Barnabas was already going to go to Antioch, but he saw this as an opportunity to take somebody with him. And it might have gotten a little more complicated taking somebody with him, but he knew that was important to build that relationship. So he takes Paul with him to Antioch. And then in Acts, chapter 13, we find out that these two become missionaries and they're traveling all over the world at this point sharing the gospel. So I want you to understand this Paul and Barnabas know each other. They know what makes each other mad. They know what makes each other mad. They know what makes each other laugh. They spent time together. But when you spend time together with people, when you spend too much time with people, they can get annoying, right, when you spend too much time with somebody.

Speaker 1: 24:24

We took a trip Phew, it's been like 10 years ago. We took a bunch of high school graduates on a trip to visit a bunch of Christian universities, and so we started this trip and we went to Nashville and went to Lipscomb and then we went to Freed Hardman, Then we went clear over to Harding. It was like a 14-day trip and on the way home from Arkansas the green bean the green van the church used to have, that's what the youth group called from Arkansas, the green bean the green van the church used to have that's what the youth group called it the green bean the air conditioner quit working and so we're in the mean streets of Arkansas in that summer heat with no air conditioning, with a bunch of smelly 16, 17 year old kids. So we're driving for hours with no air. And I remember Caleb Graham had this bright idea that he was going to buy this adapter in one of the gas stations. So we bought this little cigarette adapter and we plugged it into the van and we plugged in a box fan and he tied it up by the cable to one of the handles in the van just to blow some air. So it just blowed the stench around. Really, this is all it was doing Now.

Speaker 1: 25:35

I remember we got to the hotel in Kentucky. We were on our way home. We were four hours away from home and for some reason we decided to spend the night. I don't know why. We should have just kept driving. The kids didn't say a word to one another, they were done. We had a full-on fight about one kid's smelly feet. It split the whole group. We had a youth group divide over whose feet was smelling and they still argue about it today.

Speaker 1: 26:01

When I see them there's a whole thing. You spend a lot of time together. You start to get in arguments. Well, this morning we're going to look at one of the arguments. But this is a serious one. It wasn't a silly one about stinky feet, this is a serious one. Barnabas agreed. This is right after Paul says hey, let's go visit these other churches, let's go see our people, let's go see our brothers and sisters. Barnabas agreed and he wanted to disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work. So they have an argument Barnabas wants to take along John Mark. Paul says no way, we're not taking him, because they'd been on a trip together, they'd traveled together and when things got hard, john Mark decided to take his ball and go home. When they ran into some trouble, john Mark said I'm just going to go home. That kind of rubbed Paul the wrong way and Paul's an outspoken gentleman, so it just shouldn't surprise you that he's like no, he's not coming with us.

Speaker 1: 27:04

But we learn a little bit about conflict as we read through this story dealing with conflict. The first one is this we have to understand that conflict is going to exist. It's going to exist. There is people in this world, so therefore there is conflict there. On your outline, this one should be easy for you to guess. You should have had that one filled in already. People are people. People are annoying, people are loud, people say things. People disagree. You are annoying, I am annoying. Conflict's just going to happen. But since it's going to happen, we need to understand that how we handle conflict determines whether it's going to build up a relationship or it's going to break a relationship.

Speaker 1: 27:57

How many of you I won't make you stand this time. How many of you, if you get into a conflict with somebody or if you know there's a conflict with somebody in your life, you just avoid it or ignore it? How many avoiders do we have? Okay, let's have honest hour today. Okay, do we think avoiding conflict is going to help build relationships or eventually help break relationships? It's eventually going to break the relationship because eventually there's going to be grudges, there's going to be bitterness. There's going to break the relationship because eventually there's going to be grudges, there's going to be bitterness, there's going to be all these things, but I can say that as somebody that also does that. I don't want there to be conflict, but sometimes we avoid it, and that's not necessarily the healthy thing to do.

Speaker 1: 28:41

How many of you, when you get into a conflict now this is where you really have to be honest with yourself are the dominant person it's my way, or the highway? Raise your hands, come on, yeah, and if you truly are this person, you shot that hand up like, yes, I am. There's no doubt in your mind that that's who you are. Okay, Now let's be honest. If we always dominate the conversation and it's my way, or the highway, is that always going to be the most healthy thing for the relationship or the conflict? No, it's not, but it can be healthy. It can be healthy. And then there's another way that we can handle conflict. Is compromise, right? Well, you've got two different sides and you try to meet in the middle. The issue that happens with that sometimes is sometimes one person compromises more than the other, and it's pretty consistent, so that holds up to it too, and then, ultimately, we can separate as well, and that's what we're going to get to in a minute Number two in conflict, we have to seek to find the source of the conflict, of the conflict.

Speaker 1: 29:55

Some conflict is not all about the right and the wrong, but rather just two different perspectives on the situation. I'll say that again Not every conflict is about the right and the wrong, but instead the difference in perspectives. That's another thing there on your outline. It's not always about not every conflict has to be about someone's right and someone's wrong. In some conflicts both people can be right. They're just looking at it differently.

Speaker 1: 30:14

And that's where we're at in this story with Paul and Barnabas this morning. I don't think either one of them is wrong. I don't necessarily think either one of them is right, but they both have two different perspectives on what they want to accomplish. You see, paul is prioritizing mission. Paul views John Mark as an unreliable source because he had once abandoned them. And so Paul's mindset as a high S personality, if you know what that is. He has a job and he has a task and he wants to get it done, and he wants to get it done the most effective way. And the most effective way of doing that is not inviting more people along for the trip, but just let Susco take care of it. Okay, and maybe that's how some of you operate, but that's Paul's perspective. I just want to do this effectively. Bringing John Mark is going to jeopardize the work that we're going to try to do. I don't want to bring him, so that's his perspective, and Barnabas's perspective is more on restoration. He wants to rebuild the relationship between Paul and John Mark.

Speaker 1: 31:22

Barnabas is known as the son of encouragement. That's his nickname. That'd be a pretty good thing to be known by. Son of encouragement that's his nickname. That'd be a pretty good thing to be known by. I'm a guy that likes to encourage people and it's evident. We see it. And what's so funny about this story is Barnabas was an encouragement to Paul when Paul needed it. When nobody else wanted Paul around, guess who put his arm around him? It was Barnabas. Now, when nobody wants John Mark around, guess who's putting his arm around him? It's Barnabas, because Barnabas is prioritizing mentorship and restoration.

Speaker 1: 32:00

Barnabas has this belief that people can grow and people can change that just because they were one way for a moment doesn't mean that's how they're always going to be, and so that's where Barnabas is at. He sees potential in John Mark. So I don't think neither one of them are wrong. They just have different priorities and different perspectives. Paul wasn't wrong for wanting a committed, reliable team. Barnabas isn't wrong for wanting to help somebody grow in their faith journey. They just have a different perspective and we have to try to understand someone else's perspective. That's hard for us to do. We like to see the things the way we see it, but sometimes people see it differently.

Speaker 1: 32:41

Paul and Barnabas didn't agree on what should happen next, but they both wanted to please God. They both wanted the Gospel to expand, and so here's what we find out, because they have this agreement I want you to notice. It says this disagreement was so sharp that they separated. This wasn't just a casual conversation, but they kind of had it out for a minute about what they should do and eventually they decide. The best thing for us to do is just to separate, for you to go one way, paul, and for Barnabas to go another way. Well, barnabas takes with him John Mark. Anybody know who Paul takes? It's Silas. Yeah, right, I think I'm questioning that. I think it's Silas. Yeah, he takes Silas with him. I think I'm questioning that. I think it's Silas. Yeah, he takes Silas with him. So they both take off and go their separate ways, and they can do that because they both were seeking guidance and grace in the conflict.

Speaker 1: 33:38

Both men loved God and wanted to serve Him. They just wanted to do it in different ways. Paul and Barnabas both had the same goal, and it was to spread the gospel. They kept that in mind the whole time. Both men loved God and wanted to serve. They just wanted to do it in different ways. How we handle conflict can tell us a lot about our spiritual maturity. Think about that. How we handle conflict can tell us a lot about how the Spirit is maturing and working in our lives. Handling conflict with a godly perspective is handling it with wisdom, with humility, with patience and with love. Paul and Barnabas aren't attacking each other's character. They're not fighting about who's better and who's right and who's wrong. They just have a difference, and so they see this as an opportunity of, instead of just sitting here fighting it out, let's just go our separate ways.

Speaker 1: 34:47

I'm sure there was a lot knowing these two men and their faithfulness. I'm sure there was some prayer in this decision. I'm sure there was a moment where they paused and thought what's the best thing for us to do for God? There was some prayer. I'm sure there was probably even some counsel. They sought out some other people. What should we do? We're having this disagreement, what should we do? But most importantly, I think they prioritized the relationship more than the argument. We're going to find out in a few minutes that they still have a relationship. So it leads us to number four. Remember God can work all things for his good. It's in romans, chapter 8, verse 28, that we get um this verse and it says and we know that all things god works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. You know who wrote that. That was paul. Paul wrote that we know in all things that god's going to work things out for His good.

Speaker 1: 35:51

At first glance, this sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas in Acts 15 seems like a failure. But it's two close friends, two ministry partners, who separate over their different perspectives. But God was in control of all of it. God used their separation to multiply the ministry. I want you to notice what happens. Barnabas goes his direction with John Mark and starts spreading the gospel to a whole other part of the world. Paul takes Silas and goes to another part of the world and starts spreading the gospel. John Mark got a second chance. John Mark got another second chance. John Mark got another opportunity to do ministry because they chose to separate. And later on we read in 2 Timothy. This is written by Paul. Paul says hey, bring Mark with you when you come, for he will be helpful to me in my ministry. Pretty neat moment there, paul's writing and he says hey, bring that John Mark guy along. He said you know what? He's a pretty good dude after all, and he will be helpful in my ministry.

Speaker 1: 37:07

We learned this Conflict does not have to be the end of a relationship. Paul and Barnabas both remained faithful to their calling, showing that conflict doesn't have to derail us from doing God's work. And as I was reading through this this week and trying to understand, how did Paul and Barnabas get through this? How did they manage to keep such a great mindset about what they were doing? Well, I think they remembered this verse, matthew 28. Cruz read that for us this morning and it says Jesus came and told His disciples I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teach these new disciples to obey the commands I have given you and be sure of this, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. How did Paul and Barnabas get through that conflict? They remembered Matthew 28. They remembered what the purpose was in their life. They remembered what their ministry was, and it was to share the gospel. It wasn't about their conflict, it wasn't about their personal opinions. It wasn't about their you know personal, you know opinions and what they thought would be best. But it was about how can we spread the gospel.

Speaker 1: 38:18

I read a book this week for the first time in like five years. I actually listened to it. I don't even know if I can claim I read it. I'm not a reader. I'm not a reader, but I was reading to it. I don't even know if I can claim I read it. I'm not a reader. I'm not a reader, but I was reading this book. It's called the House that Jesus Built and I recommend it if you want a book to read. It's the House that Jesus Built and it just talks about how we as churches should function and operate. And the author said this that we need to remember that you, the church.

Speaker 1: 38:52

Minister to people, monday through Friday, who are suspicious of Sunday. That kind of hit me like a ton of bricks when I read it, or when I heard it, I didn't read it. You minister to people Monday through Friday who are suspicious of Sunday. Now, you've heard me say that before that you're the Gospel and you can be the light. But every day, how you function and how you operate, is an example for those who are questioning what in the world goes on in here on Sunday mornings, people are watching and thinking why do they have joy? How can they be respectful to somebody that treats them so poorly? Well, we have to remember the Great Commission and that we've been called to go into all of the world and share the good news of Jesus Christ. That's what Paul and Barnabas did Throughout that conflict. They remembered what the mission was, and I hope this encourages you this week that as you work and if you work on Saturdays, you can add Saturday too or if you work on Sundays, you can add Sunday too you work, and if you work on Saturdays, you can add Saturday too, or if you work on Sundays, you can add Sunday too. But you are the gospel, you are a light to the world each and every day, to the world that is questioning it.

Speaker 1: 39:58

Let's pray, father. We thank you so much for reminding us that, even in our conflict, that your purpose prevails. God, we're mindful and we know that disagreements and challenges are going to come, but we pray this morning that they won't distract us from your mission. Lord, we're thankful for the wisdom and the grace and the love that you teach us and show us. Lord, be with us as we walk into different situations this week, maybe with people that don't agree with us, maybe with people that we've into different situations this week, maybe with people that don't agree with us, maybe with people that we've had conflict with in the past. Father, I pray that we can keep our eyes focused on you and your kingdom work. Thank you for Jesus and his example of how to love and interact with people. It's in his name we pray, amen.

Speaker 2: 40:48

Nearer, still nearer, close to Thy heart. Draw me, my Savior, so precious Thou art, precious thou art. Fold me, oh, fold me close to thy breast, shelter me safe in that haven of rest. Shelter me safe in that haven of rest, nearer, still nearer, while life shall last till safe in glory. My anger is cast Through endless ages Ever to be. Be nearer my Savior, still nearer to thee. Nearer my Savior, still nearer to Thee. The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord lift His countenance upon you and give you peace. And give you peace.

Speaker 2: 43:20

The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and be gracious the Lord. Be gracious, gracious unto you, amen, son to you, amen, amen, amen, amen, amen, amen, amen, amen, amen, amen, amen. Amen.