WEBVTT 00:01:14.879 --> 00:01:16.879 I am very thankful to be here this evening. 00:01:17.039 --> 00:01:23.120 Thankful for this opportunity to uh come to a new place and feel just right at home. 00:01:24.079 --> 00:01:31.519 Um you know, you really can't find that every place, but amongst the Lord's people, it just it it's it's natural. 00:01:32.000 --> 00:01:33.920 Um never been here before. 00:01:34.159 --> 00:01:38.079 I think at one point in time I knew there was a church in Houston, but I wasn't even sure. 00:01:38.319 --> 00:01:42.959 Uh but I'm glad you guys are here, and I'm glad I'm able to be here with you guys this evening. 00:01:45.359 --> 00:01:48.239 Brother Mike, I don't think I would have forgiven you. 00:01:48.639 --> 00:01:55.680 It I might would have forgiven you, but it would take a long time if you would have if you would have called me by my dad's name. 00:01:56.959 --> 00:02:05.840 You know, it's just we're a lot and we're alike in a lot of ways, but then we're just so vastly different. 00:02:08.240 --> 00:02:15.120 Just for a little while this morning, or this evening, rather, I would like to uh look at a particular phrase. 00:02:18.479 --> 00:02:29.840 It's just just a very simple particular phrase that the apostle Paul uh uses when he's giving a uh personal testimony to uh the young minister Timothy. 00:02:30.639 --> 00:02:57.920 Uh in 1 Timothy chapter 1, in verse 12, the apostle Paul uh starts and says, And I thank Christ Jesus, our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, who was before a blasphemer and a persecutor and injurious, but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 00:02:59.199 --> 00:03:06.479 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 00:03:06.800 --> 00:03:16.079 This is the faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 00:03:16.959 --> 00:03:31.039 How be it for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all long suffering for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 00:03:32.799 --> 00:03:49.439 Paul, in this personal testimony to the young minister Timothy, if you allow me to put it in my own words, Paul is saying, Timothy, before got a hold before God got a hold of me, I was the worst of worst of people that you could imagine. 00:03:50.639 --> 00:03:57.439 There was no redeeming quality that I could offer at all to anyone in any situation. 00:03:57.680 --> 00:04:02.079 I was a blasphemer, a persecutor, and injurious. 00:04:02.240 --> 00:04:07.680 Now I'm not as smart as as Brother Mike over here, so I have to look up words. 00:04:08.319 --> 00:04:15.919 I had to look up what the word injurious meant, and it means it means overbearing an extremely violent person. 00:04:21.279 --> 00:04:27.039 Paul is very plainly saying, I was no good at all. 00:04:29.360 --> 00:04:45.519 But in verse 16, however, there is something very unique to me and very profound that Paul calls himself, that I really want to look at, and it really ought to open all of our eyes to a very, very important truth. 00:04:46.639 --> 00:04:59.759 Paul says in verse 16, howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all long suffering for a what? 00:05:00.240 --> 00:05:07.199 For a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 00:05:07.439 --> 00:05:09.519 Paul calls himself a pattern. 00:05:11.360 --> 00:05:13.680 That's not a pretty pattern to follow. 00:05:13.840 --> 00:05:21.439 If Paul says I was the worst person imaginable, that's you and I. 00:05:23.279 --> 00:05:36.879 But I want us to, if Paul is calling himself a pattern, I really want to dive a little deeper into how we fit this particular pattern that Paul says we fit, that we follow, that we are a part of. 00:05:38.240 --> 00:05:46.080 First time we read about the Apostle Paul is in Acts chapter 7. 00:05:49.279 --> 00:06:07.439 In Acts chapter 7, uh Stephen preaches just a beautiful sermon on Jesus Christ and the beauties of Jesus Christ and making sure the people there are aware that it was by their hands, by their deeds, that did all these terrible things to Jesus, and uh they didn't like that one bit. 00:06:08.639 --> 00:06:19.919 In verse 54 of Acts chapter 7, this is after Stephen has gone through and ended his sermon. 00:06:20.000 --> 00:06:27.840 He's it says uh in verse 54, when they heard these things, and they were cut to the heart. 00:06:28.159 --> 00:06:35.200 Now, I don't I don't think I have that much time to go into the difference between being cut to the heart and being pricked in the heart. 00:06:35.360 --> 00:06:38.320 Uh you can cut a stone, you can't really prick a stone. 00:06:38.399 --> 00:06:44.159 Uh that's uh and they gnashed on him with their teeth. 00:06:44.399 --> 00:06:46.799 They hated what he said so much. 00:06:47.600 --> 00:06:56.720 They were so offended by what they heard that they were literally gnawing on him with their teeth. 00:06:58.159 --> 00:07:14.080 But he, being Stephen, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, and said, Behold, I see I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God. 00:07:14.799 --> 00:07:38.879 Then they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and ran upon him with one accord, and cast him out of the city and stoned him, and the witness, and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. 00:07:40.720 --> 00:07:44.000 This is the same apostle Paul. 00:07:45.600 --> 00:07:55.120 This is him, and they stoned Stephen, calling upon God and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 00:07:56.879 --> 00:08:06.960 The very first time that we read this man Saul in the whole entire Bible, it's an awful, terrible scene. 00:08:07.519 --> 00:08:09.600 It's one that breaks my heart. 00:08:12.000 --> 00:08:20.960 The older I get, the more I cry, and it's just I read something like this, and I just can't help but just tear up and get super emotional. 00:08:21.360 --> 00:08:25.439 Just knowing what just knowing what they did to Stephen. 00:08:26.000 --> 00:08:29.679 But here's Saul standing there holding their coats. 00:08:33.200 --> 00:08:36.799 You may not have persecuted the church. 00:08:37.039 --> 00:08:42.000 I don't know, you some of you may have exactly I I don't I don't know your stories. 00:08:42.960 --> 00:08:52.320 Regardless of whether you did or not, if you think that you weren't that bad, that you didn't do, you weren't that bad. 00:08:53.360 --> 00:08:58.639 You you never held the coats of someone as as you were watching them being stoned. 00:08:58.960 --> 00:09:10.320 Sure, you weren't like that, but I I I just need to tell you that this same nature that is in Saul is in you and I. 00:09:11.279 --> 00:09:15.120 That's who we are by nature, without God in our lives. 00:09:16.399 --> 00:09:43.120 This same Saul, after God got a hold of him, writes in Romans chapter 3, uh the Holy Spirit, of course, inspired these words, and it's a very, very accurate depiction of what you and I are without God, by ourselves. 00:09:43.839 --> 00:09:48.799 I'm just gonna jump right in the middle in Romans chapter 3 and verse 10. 00:09:50.639 --> 00:10:01.039 As I go through and read these, read out all of these items that characterize what you and I are by nature. 00:10:01.679 --> 00:10:05.919 This is also Saul, and we're following after his pattern, mind you. 00:10:06.959 --> 00:10:10.079 As it is written, there is none righteous, no not one. 00:10:10.639 --> 00:10:14.719 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 00:10:14.879 --> 00:10:19.199 They are all gone out of the way, they are altogether become unprofitable. 00:10:19.360 --> 00:10:22.719 There is none that doeth good, no not one. 00:10:23.279 --> 00:10:45.199 Their throat is an open sepulchre, with with their tongues they have used deceit, the poison of asps is under their lips, whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness, their feet are swift to shed blood, destruction and misery are in their ways, and the way of peace they have not known. 00:10:45.360 --> 00:10:49.039 There is no fear of God before their eyes. 00:10:49.839 --> 00:11:01.519 You can go through that that little section right there, and thinking about thinking about Saul of Tarsus, and he just checks off every single one of those. 00:11:03.439 --> 00:11:05.360 But you and I do too. 00:11:06.799 --> 00:11:08.399 You and I do too. 00:11:14.000 --> 00:11:29.279 This same Paul, Saul, also writes in Ephesians chapter 1, or Ephesians chapter 2 rather, he says, and you hath he quickened who were dead in trespasses and in sins. 00:11:32.079 --> 00:11:39.679 Being a father has taught me an awful lot about what it what it what the relationship between God and his children are. 00:11:41.360 --> 00:11:45.759 It is the most beautiful blessing I can live out. 00:11:47.360 --> 00:11:50.159 Being a husband does that same thing. 00:11:50.480 --> 00:11:53.919 Working at a funeral home does an awful lot. 00:11:54.000 --> 00:11:56.319 It teaches me so many things. 00:11:58.879 --> 00:12:00.879 Brother Mike, did you know? 00:12:02.319 --> 00:12:09.199 When they're on my table, I can do whatever I want to them, and they can't do a single thing. 00:12:09.439 --> 00:12:10.159 Nothing. 00:12:10.799 --> 00:12:12.559 They just lay there. 00:12:14.480 --> 00:12:25.199 Sometimes, sometimes when I'm upstairs and I'm trying to dress them to make them look presentable, I'm trying to get the shirt over their head. 00:12:25.439 --> 00:12:34.240 All I want, all I need them to do is lift their head up just so I can get it over their head. 00:12:34.639 --> 00:12:40.399 I will ask, I will plead, it will make my life so much easier. 00:12:41.759 --> 00:12:43.600 But I don't have that kind of power. 00:12:46.319 --> 00:12:49.519 I speak and they just lay there. 00:12:50.000 --> 00:12:51.439 Can't do anything about it. 00:12:51.600 --> 00:12:52.799 Wish I could. 00:12:58.559 --> 00:12:59.839 It really would. 00:13:09.519 --> 00:13:11.279 In Acts chapter 8. 00:13:12.559 --> 00:13:13.919 Acts chapter 8. 00:13:15.759 --> 00:13:23.919 And Saul, this same Saul, was consenting unto his death. 00:13:24.559 --> 00:13:45.839 This isn't this scene right here in Acts 7 and Acts 8, this isn't just this isn't just Saul being a bystander and just happened to just walk by and see it happening and stand and just be curious. 00:13:46.240 --> 00:13:52.799 This word consenting, it literally gives the word picture of standing there and applauding. 00:13:53.199 --> 00:13:55.919 He was happy that this was going on. 00:13:56.159 --> 00:14:01.120 He was excited and joyful that this was happening. 00:14:03.600 --> 00:14:04.959 This is our nature. 00:14:05.839 --> 00:14:09.360 This is our nature being dead in trespasses and in sins. 00:14:10.719 --> 00:14:37.439 Acts chapter 9 starts, and Saul, this very same Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest and desired of him letters to Damascus, to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. 00:14:37.919 --> 00:14:55.519 This same Saul who we found holding the coats of the men who stoned Stephen, the same Saul that was standing there literally applauding the stoning of Stephen, is still going around, wreaking havoc, breathing out threatenings and slaughters. 00:15:00.559 --> 00:15:03.679 I'm so thankful I don't have to think about breathing. 00:15:03.919 --> 00:15:06.159 I would have been dead a long time ago, okay? 00:15:08.000 --> 00:15:09.919 I would not have made it very long. 00:15:11.439 --> 00:15:27.600 This idea right here in verse 1 is that this particular thing that is going on that Paul, that Saul is threatening, is breathing out, threatenings and slaughters, that's just second nature to him. 00:15:28.079 --> 00:15:30.719 It is as natural as breathing. 00:15:33.360 --> 00:15:35.039 He doesn't have to think about it. 00:15:35.199 --> 00:15:36.319 It's just what he does. 00:15:36.399 --> 00:15:37.519 It's just who he is. 00:15:38.959 --> 00:15:42.959 That is you and I by nature. 00:15:44.000 --> 00:15:45.679 Exactly who we are. 00:15:50.319 --> 00:15:52.159 What changes? 00:15:52.399 --> 00:15:57.600 I already said that I don't have I don't have power in my voice to do anything about it. 00:15:57.839 --> 00:16:02.240 I don't have power in my voice to raise the dead, to even move the head of a dead. 00:16:02.399 --> 00:16:02.719 Okay? 00:16:03.519 --> 00:16:04.799 I can't do it. 00:16:10.000 --> 00:16:16.079 We read a little on in this chapter that Saul met God. 00:16:17.519 --> 00:16:21.679 Saul had an encounter that changed his life. 00:16:22.480 --> 00:16:24.159 And there was no going back. 00:16:27.600 --> 00:16:36.879 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus, and suddenly there shined around him a light from heaven. 00:16:37.519 --> 00:16:45.439 And he fell to the earth and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 00:16:51.519 --> 00:16:54.079 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? 00:16:54.559 --> 00:16:58.079 And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. 00:16:58.319 --> 00:17:01.120 It is hard for thee to kick against pricks. 00:17:06.240 --> 00:17:15.200 As he was going out, breathing out threatenings and slaughters like nothing changed in his life, just waking up, and it's a normal Tuesday for him. 00:17:16.720 --> 00:17:18.000 He met God. 00:17:18.559 --> 00:17:20.319 He met God on the way. 00:17:21.120 --> 00:17:22.559 And he changed. 00:17:23.519 --> 00:17:25.680 He did a whole 180. 00:17:27.120 --> 00:17:28.559 Never looked back. 00:17:31.200 --> 00:17:42.480 There's something really interesting about this particular conversation that it never never really dawned on me till way too late. 00:17:46.559 --> 00:17:55.759 When Saul is bent down low to the ground and he's asking who's speaking to him, and he says, This is Jesus. 00:17:56.000 --> 00:17:57.360 I'm Jesus. 00:17:58.400 --> 00:18:02.160 Jesus is already, he's already ascended up into heaven. 00:18:04.960 --> 00:18:07.600 He's not persecuting Jesus physically. 00:18:08.400 --> 00:18:10.319 Jesus isn't isn't there. 00:18:11.600 --> 00:18:15.120 He's going around persecuting the church and the Lord's people. 00:18:15.360 --> 00:18:16.320 His broad. 00:18:20.560 --> 00:18:24.640 I don't know what troubles or trials you may be facing this life. 00:18:25.360 --> 00:18:26.560 I don't know. 00:18:27.440 --> 00:18:33.840 I don't know what persecutions from the world that you may be going through at this very moment that are weighing you down. 00:18:35.360 --> 00:18:40.000 But I I just I need you to know that the Lord takes it serious. 00:18:40.720 --> 00:18:45.279 When someone messes with his bride, it it hurts him. 00:18:46.160 --> 00:18:47.440 It hurts him. 00:18:58.000 --> 00:19:04.800 Jesus says in John chapter 6 that no man can come to the Father at all. 00:19:06.560 --> 00:19:11.680 There is nothing man can do, period, in and of himself, to come to the Father. 00:19:13.120 --> 00:19:14.080 Except. 00:19:16.480 --> 00:19:22.000 Except Jesus draws him to his Father. 00:19:25.360 --> 00:19:33.600 If Paul is a pattern here, I don't read a minister on the road preaching him a gospel sermon. 00:19:34.000 --> 00:19:36.480 I don't read a Bible being open. 00:19:36.640 --> 00:19:37.600 I don't read. 00:19:37.920 --> 00:19:42.320 I don't read a body of water for him to be baptized. 00:19:42.640 --> 00:19:43.840 I don't read. 00:19:44.080 --> 00:19:51.040 I don't read anywhere where Saul of Tars is saying, Lord, I accept. 00:19:54.480 --> 00:19:56.080 I don't read any of that. 00:19:56.480 --> 00:20:10.320 What I do read though, however, is Saul going out, breathing out threatenings and slaughters, going about his day, meeting the Lord, and the Lord doing a work. 00:20:12.960 --> 00:20:15.279 I don't read anything else. 00:20:16.160 --> 00:20:24.400 I've already quoted Ephesians 2, where it says, And you hath ye quickened, who were dead in trespasses and in sins? 00:20:25.840 --> 00:20:57.200 Wherein in times past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience, among whom also we all, let's slow down, among whom also we all had our conversation in times past, in the lust of the flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 00:20:58.320 --> 00:21:00.720 Just a very quick side note. 00:21:00.880 --> 00:21:05.840 It doesn't say that we were children of wrath, but we just had the same nature, the children of wrath. 00:21:07.840 --> 00:21:19.440 How do we get from that state of being dead in trespasses and in sins to being able to get up and move and live a life that is that is God-honoring? 00:21:19.759 --> 00:21:25.360 How are we able to get up and say, Lord, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do like Saul did? 00:21:25.840 --> 00:21:26.480 How? 00:21:27.759 --> 00:21:28.640 But God. 00:21:30.320 --> 00:21:38.720 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love, wherewith he loved us. 00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:48.480 He's motivated by love to draw his children out of that darkness into his marvelous light. 00:21:55.519 --> 00:22:00.080 Paul says that he's a pattern to the young minister, Timothy. 00:22:05.200 --> 00:22:10.320 Again, he's saying he was saying he was the absolute worst person. 00:22:14.000 --> 00:22:21.680 But notice notice what Paul says in verse 15 of 1 Timothy chapter 1 again. 00:22:22.320 --> 00:22:28.320 He says, this is the faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation. 00:22:29.519 --> 00:22:34.880 This is faithful and true and good, and everyone should accept this truth. 00:22:36.480 --> 00:22:45.920 That Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 00:22:48.480 --> 00:22:54.240 Now, I don't hear this as much anymore, but I used to hear some some older ministers. 00:22:54.400 --> 00:23:15.360 I'm not calling anyone here old, I'm just saying, in general, I've heard some older ministers sometimes, sometimes I know they mean well, but they'll say something along the lines of The Holy Spirit inspired Paul to say that he was the chief of sinners. 00:23:16.320 --> 00:23:19.040 Therefore, you and I are just fighting for second place. 00:23:19.920 --> 00:23:21.360 I understand the sentiment. 00:23:22.640 --> 00:23:23.519 I really get it. 00:23:23.840 --> 00:23:24.720 I get it. 00:23:27.360 --> 00:23:29.360 But I I do know some of you. 00:23:30.320 --> 00:23:33.840 And I do know that some of you have felt that same feeling. 00:23:46.560 --> 00:23:47.920 He didn't know I was coming. 00:23:48.880 --> 00:24:02.240 So he would he would he wo he would have said that he is saying the gospel message is very simple. 00:24:02.640 --> 00:24:24.960 Jesus Christ in the world Do you feel that Jesus died for you? 00:24:34.240 --> 00:24:36.160 There was no hope for me. 00:24:42.880 --> 00:24:56.320 Timothy, if there's ever anyone that you are ministering unto, if there's anyone that you come across that feels the way to their sins, you tell them that Jesus Christ came for them. 00:24:56.800 --> 00:24:58.960 Because Jesus Christ came for me. 00:24:59.600 --> 00:25:04.560 And Paul is a pattern for you and I to follow in this life while we're here. 00:25:04.720 --> 00:25:06.960 I pray that you guys could get something out of this this evening. 00:25:07.279 --> 00:25:08.480 Come ahead, Brother James. 00:25:46.880 --> 00:25:54.800 I've certainly enjoyed this time, and we appreciate the efforts of this church to host this meeting this weekend. 00:25:54.880 --> 00:25:59.600 I know a lot of labors of love have gone into it, and we appreciate that very much. 00:25:59.759 --> 00:26:04.480 And uh we're thankful for this opportunity we have had uh to be with you. 00:26:05.120 --> 00:26:10.960 Um it's been encouraging to see these young ministers that have preached today. 00:26:12.000 --> 00:26:21.360 I know when I was uh starting out trying to preach, I had a lot of questions and a lot of uh things I was wrestling with and trying to figure out. 00:26:21.519 --> 00:26:25.600 And so I would like to offer to the young ministers here. 00:26:25.840 --> 00:26:32.560 Um if you are and you're in need of guidance and help, I will give you Brother David Crawford's phone number. 00:26:32.800 --> 00:26:35.440 I would give you mine, but his would be better. 00:26:35.600 --> 00:26:44.480 Um so uh but we are encouraged by uh the not only that we have young ministers, but how well they're doing. 00:26:44.720 --> 00:26:51.600 And what a blessing that is from the Lord for sending us these gifts our way for the edification of the church. 00:26:51.840 --> 00:26:59.279 Um Bibles like the turn with me tonight, I certainly ask for your prayers, but turn with me to 1 Corinthians chapter 1. 00:27:07.040 --> 00:27:19.920 Mike mentioned I'm the pastor at Union Primitive Baptist Church in Ruth, Mississippi, and uh the text that's on my mind tonight is the first text I ever preached at Union, and I haven't preached on it since. 00:27:20.160 --> 00:27:24.400 Uh so you're very special people to hear that. 00:27:24.560 --> 00:27:42.880 I guess, I don't know, but uh we certainly uh beg the Lord's help um in this, although I have glanced at it a time or two in the last 15 years, but I uh certainly am in need of the Lord's help tonight, and I ask that you please pray all the time uh we look into the Lord's word with you tonight. 00:27:43.200 --> 00:28:10.000 In 1 Corinthians chapter 1, verse 30, it says, But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, that according as it is written, he that gloryeth, let him glory in the Lord. 00:28:10.320 --> 00:28:15.440 That's my desire for us tonight is that we would glory in the Lord. 00:28:16.000 --> 00:28:18.080 Not in our circumstances. 00:28:18.240 --> 00:28:27.920 You know, I remember Jesus had some disciples come back to him in Luke chapter 10 and said, Lord, even the devils are subject to us through thy name, and they were rejoicing in that. 00:28:28.080 --> 00:28:33.360 And what a blessing a minister of the gospel feels when the Lord blesses him to preach. 00:28:33.759 --> 00:28:36.640 But that should not be the source of our joy. 00:28:36.880 --> 00:28:39.600 That should not be the source of what we glory in. 00:28:39.840 --> 00:28:44.640 Jesus told his disciples, I beheld Satan as lightning cast to the earth. 00:28:44.720 --> 00:28:49.360 Uh nevertheless in this, rejoice not, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. 00:28:49.600 --> 00:28:53.600 Our glory and our joy should be in something that does not change. 00:28:53.759 --> 00:28:54.800 It's always there. 00:28:54.960 --> 00:29:01.279 And if we glory in the Lord, he's the same yesterday, he's the same today, he's the same forever. 00:29:01.440 --> 00:29:05.840 That glory and that joy will always be there if we glory in the Lord. 00:29:06.000 --> 00:29:10.960 And we have a reason to, as was mentioned here in verse 30. 00:29:11.279 --> 00:29:12.800 He says, it's but of him. 00:29:12.960 --> 00:29:13.840 This is God. 00:29:14.080 --> 00:29:15.440 The Him is God. 00:29:15.759 --> 00:29:21.600 But of Him, of God are ye in Christ Jesus. 00:29:21.920 --> 00:29:26.320 Now that's been mentioned here a few times this weekend about being in Christ. 00:29:26.800 --> 00:29:30.720 That statement of being in Christ describes your position. 00:29:30.960 --> 00:29:33.759 Your position is in Christ. 00:29:33.920 --> 00:29:37.279 This is where you are legally and positionally. 00:29:37.440 --> 00:29:43.600 And I want to say, you didn't get in Christ by something that you did. 00:29:43.920 --> 00:29:47.120 We're like that person at the funeral home. 00:29:47.440 --> 00:29:48.320 We wouldn't do anything. 00:29:48.480 --> 00:29:49.279 We can't do anything. 00:29:49.360 --> 00:29:50.160 We're dead. 00:29:50.560 --> 00:29:53.920 Dead in trespasses and in sins. 00:29:54.000 --> 00:29:55.840 Now that's where we are in Adam. 00:29:56.000 --> 00:30:00.400 We are dead in trespasses and sins. 00:30:00.560 --> 00:30:06.560 And so for that to change for a dead person, that's the power beyond us that makes that happen. 00:30:06.800 --> 00:30:07.600 It's of him. 00:30:07.920 --> 00:30:08.960 It's of God. 00:30:09.279 --> 00:30:12.320 It's of God that we are in Christ Jesus. 00:30:12.480 --> 00:30:17.440 In fact, I believe that position of being in Christ Jesus is spelled out in Ephesians chapter 1. 00:30:17.600 --> 00:30:23.759 I'd encourage you to go count the number of times the word in, I in, is in Ephesians chapter 1. 00:30:23.920 --> 00:30:33.279 Blessed be the Father who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places, in Christ Jesus, according. 00:30:33.440 --> 00:30:40.160 These blessings come according as he, God, hath chosen us in him, in Christ. 00:30:40.400 --> 00:30:42.480 That's the position that you are in. 00:30:42.560 --> 00:30:46.000 And we were placed there, and that happened before the world began. 00:30:46.160 --> 00:30:51.120 When he chose us and placed us in Christ, we are already his. 00:30:51.680 --> 00:30:57.040 Before we ever come into this world, before even Jesus came in this world, we were already in him. 00:30:57.519 --> 00:30:59.360 Already belonging to him. 00:30:59.840 --> 00:31:02.800 He's graven us on the palms of his hands. 00:31:02.960 --> 00:31:04.640 We are in his hand. 00:31:04.800 --> 00:31:08.720 We are in this position that can never be plucked out. 00:31:09.279 --> 00:31:14.560 I came in contact with a man one time who uh he was of another order. 00:31:14.720 --> 00:31:23.200 And uh he said in conversation, because he brought up some things about the Lord and Bible, and uh we were actually supposed to be doing some work in the Little League field. 00:31:23.279 --> 00:31:24.160 I don't know how we got into that. 00:31:24.320 --> 00:31:30.160 He's like, I'm picking up on the fact that I think you're one of those once saved, always saved people. 00:31:30.400 --> 00:31:33.519 I said, Well, I think I'm guilty as charged. 00:31:33.600 --> 00:31:36.640 Well, I'd like to go to my car and get my Bible and show you some things. 00:31:36.720 --> 00:31:38.160 I said, Please do. 00:31:38.960 --> 00:31:40.480 Please show me. 00:31:40.880 --> 00:31:50.720 And he left and he came back, he didn't bring his Bible, uh, but he said, I bet you're gonna say that no man can pluck you out of God's hands. 00:31:50.880 --> 00:31:57.360 I said, Well, no, I was gonna say, nothing shall separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus, but that one will work. 00:31:58.160 --> 00:32:04.480 He said, Will um no man can pluck you out of his hand, but you can jump out. 00:32:04.800 --> 00:32:05.440 I said. 00:32:06.720 --> 00:32:09.519 I said, I guess that no man doesn't apply to me. 00:32:09.680 --> 00:32:11.279 It doesn't apply to the one jumping. 00:32:11.360 --> 00:32:12.000 I I don't know. 00:32:12.240 --> 00:32:15.759 I think that's still a part of no man can pluck you out. 00:32:15.920 --> 00:32:22.640 If you're graven on the palms of his hands, you are permanently etched there and you cannot be removed. 00:32:22.720 --> 00:32:26.640 If they could somehow pry the Lord's fingers back, they still can't get you out. 00:32:26.720 --> 00:32:28.000 You're graving in there. 00:32:28.480 --> 00:32:32.480 You are in God, and you are eternally secure in him. 00:32:32.960 --> 00:32:36.320 I'll tell you that happened because we are in Christ Jesus. 00:32:36.400 --> 00:32:39.120 But I'll tell you there's some benefits of being in Christ Jesus. 00:32:39.279 --> 00:32:48.320 Romans chapter 8, verse 1 says, There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus. 00:32:48.480 --> 00:32:52.720 Those who are in the position of being in Christ Jesus, I can tell you something right now. 00:32:52.960 --> 00:32:55.279 Right now, there is no condemnation for you. 00:32:55.920 --> 00:32:57.519 Not the first condemnation. 00:32:58.080 --> 00:33:04.800 In 2 Corinthians chapter 5, verse 17, he says, Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. 00:33:04.960 --> 00:33:06.320 Old things are passed away. 00:33:06.480 --> 00:33:08.160 Behold, all things become new. 00:33:08.320 --> 00:33:19.360 Now I'll tell you, that's a great description of what happens to a child of God who follows the pattern of solitars and goes from being dead in trespassing and sins to being alive in Jesus Christ. 00:33:19.519 --> 00:33:20.960 Old things have passed away. 00:33:22.320 --> 00:33:24.480 The old man's become crucified. 00:33:24.800 --> 00:33:26.160 Dying that slow death. 00:33:26.320 --> 00:33:29.360 You know, that's what a crucifixion is: a slow death. 00:33:30.240 --> 00:33:31.600 A slowly dying. 00:33:31.840 --> 00:33:42.160 Galatians 6.14, God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified to me, and I unto the world. 00:33:42.320 --> 00:33:44.560 You know, the world's on a cross to us. 00:33:44.800 --> 00:33:47.600 It's dying a slow death, it's losing its luster. 00:33:47.680 --> 00:33:49.920 I remember when I was younger, I had so many. 00:33:50.160 --> 00:33:54.320 I was going to be this Major League Baseball player, I was going to be this pilot in the Air Force. 00:33:54.400 --> 00:33:59.680 I had all these aspirations, I had all these goals and visions, all this is going to be. 00:33:59.840 --> 00:34:02.880 I tell you, I'm not really interested in all that anymore. 00:34:03.200 --> 00:34:04.960 All that's kind of lost its luster. 00:34:05.120 --> 00:34:07.759 It's been dying a slow death since my youth. 00:34:07.920 --> 00:34:11.119 But you know, I've also been dying a slow death to this world. 00:34:11.440 --> 00:34:16.159 It's slowly and slowly uh I'm losing my usefulness to the world. 00:34:16.320 --> 00:34:18.000 I'm on a cross to the world. 00:34:18.239 --> 00:34:20.400 This old man is crucified. 00:34:20.559 --> 00:34:22.719 Old things have passed away. 00:34:22.880 --> 00:34:24.880 Behold, all things have become new. 00:34:25.039 --> 00:34:30.719 You know, we've been talking about how we've been chosen in Christ Jesus, but we've also been born again. 00:34:30.960 --> 00:34:36.079 You know, we talk about, Brother Philip was mentioned, God's words don't return to him void. 00:34:36.239 --> 00:34:37.920 You know, that's true in creation. 00:34:38.159 --> 00:34:41.519 He said, God said, let there be light, and there was light. 00:34:41.759 --> 00:34:42.320 That's true. 00:34:42.480 --> 00:34:44.639 His words did not return to him void. 00:34:44.800 --> 00:34:50.239 You know, when the Lord comes back again, he's going to call all that in our grace to come forth, and they're going to come forth. 00:34:50.400 --> 00:34:52.400 His words won't return to him void. 00:34:52.639 --> 00:34:57.599 So if that's the pattern, then why would it be different when we're born again? 00:34:57.840 --> 00:34:59.599 Why would God have a new pattern? 00:34:59.920 --> 00:35:03.360 It somehow involved our activity or something for us to do. 00:35:03.519 --> 00:35:05.360 Why would the pattern not be the same? 00:35:05.519 --> 00:35:07.440 I'll tell you, God is a God of pattern. 00:35:07.519 --> 00:35:10.400 When you do it perfectly, there's no need to improve upon it. 00:35:10.639 --> 00:35:13.039 There's no need to add anything or take anything away. 00:35:13.199 --> 00:35:15.759 When you do it perfectly, why change it? 00:35:16.000 --> 00:35:17.199 That's the pattern. 00:35:17.440 --> 00:35:27.279 We are in Christ, we are a new creature because God's powerful voice called us from being dead in trespassing sins to being alive in Jesus Christ. 00:35:27.359 --> 00:35:28.319 It's of God. 00:35:28.559 --> 00:35:39.359 That we are in Christ Jesus, who this is Christ Jesus, of God, is made unto us. 00:35:40.159 --> 00:35:42.480 Now notice this is also of God. 00:35:43.039 --> 00:35:44.799 This is something God did. 00:35:45.599 --> 00:35:49.359 Christ is made unto us some things. 00:35:49.679 --> 00:35:57.039 Now Jesus said in John 8 24 or 42, I'm getting dyslexic as I get older. 00:35:57.119 --> 00:35:59.440 I can't get my numbers straight. 00:35:59.599 --> 00:36:03.039 But he says, I proceeded forth and came forth from God. 00:36:03.359 --> 00:36:04.159 He came. 00:36:04.399 --> 00:36:05.759 Because God sent him. 00:36:06.319 --> 00:36:12.000 He came from God, and God made him some things to us. 00:36:12.159 --> 00:36:22.319 And 2 Corinthians 5, verse 21, it says, well, also I can't remember how to quote things when I get got some years left. 00:36:22.480 --> 00:36:26.399 2 Corinthians 5, 21 says, I ought to know this. 00:36:27.599 --> 00:36:34.399 He says, For he, God, hath made him, Jesus, to be sin for us who knew no sin. 00:36:34.879 --> 00:36:40.079 God made Jesus, his son, to be sin for us who knew no sin. 00:36:40.879 --> 00:36:46.399 That we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 00:36:46.879 --> 00:36:48.239 You know, some people take offense. 00:36:48.559 --> 00:36:51.440 I don't like the thought of God making me do something. 00:36:52.079 --> 00:36:54.719 Well, I tell you, I like this thought. 00:36:55.279 --> 00:37:00.239 I like the thought that he's made us the righteousness of God in him. 00:37:00.719 --> 00:37:04.239 But in doing so, there's a divine exchange that took place. 00:37:04.399 --> 00:37:08.719 You know, some people say, Oh, the old Baptist doctrine, it's just not fair. 00:37:09.039 --> 00:37:14.239 May I say, I'm going to go on the record tonight, and this might surprise you tonight, but I'm going to say, Amen. 00:37:14.480 --> 00:37:15.359 It's not fair. 00:37:16.319 --> 00:37:21.920 It's not fair of the Son of God to take my sins and in exchange I get his righteousness. 00:37:22.399 --> 00:37:24.000 And what was fair about that? 00:37:24.239 --> 00:37:26.319 Who got the better end of that deal? 00:37:26.480 --> 00:37:27.759 And who got the worst end? 00:37:27.839 --> 00:37:30.559 But you know, love will do that to people. 00:37:30.879 --> 00:37:34.799 They will do things that, from a business sense, don't stand, don't seem right. 00:37:35.119 --> 00:37:38.559 Love will make you do things that you wouldn't otherwise do. 00:37:38.719 --> 00:37:50.000 And I'm thankful to tell you tonight about a Savior's love that loved you so much he is willing to take your sins to suffer, bleed, and die so that you can live in all eternity with him. 00:37:51.119 --> 00:37:52.480 Why would he love us so? 00:37:52.639 --> 00:37:53.199 Why? 00:37:53.440 --> 00:37:54.559 I can't answer that. 00:37:54.639 --> 00:37:55.599 I don't know why. 00:37:55.839 --> 00:37:58.239 Why would he love me so? 00:37:58.559 --> 00:37:59.440 It's of God. 00:37:59.599 --> 00:38:02.960 We're in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us. 00:38:03.039 --> 00:38:04.879 And now he's going to list four things. 00:38:04.960 --> 00:38:11.759 And these four things are all a sermon to themselves, so pray that we say what we need to say tonight, but not too much. 00:38:11.920 --> 00:38:17.599 But he says, Christ is made unto us first wisdom. 00:38:18.239 --> 00:38:23.920 I want you to consider tonight, and I want to mention this in James chapter 3. 00:38:24.159 --> 00:38:29.679 If Jesus had not come, what would this world be like? 00:38:29.839 --> 00:38:30.960 What kind of wisdom would we have? 00:38:31.119 --> 00:38:32.319 We'll say, what is wisdom? 00:38:32.480 --> 00:38:33.039 Well. 00:38:33.759 --> 00:38:37.279 You know, wisdom is the proper application of knowledge. 00:38:37.440 --> 00:38:47.920 Wisdom is to be able to, you know, you could study books and you could learn all kinds of knowledge, but uh if you can't properly apply that, then that's just knowledge. 00:38:48.000 --> 00:38:49.359 That's not wisdom. 00:38:49.679 --> 00:38:52.639 And the world by wisdom knows not God. 00:38:53.119 --> 00:38:56.960 Notice what he says here in James 3, in verse 15. 00:38:57.279 --> 00:39:07.279 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish, for where envying and strife is, there's confusion in every evil word. 00:39:07.519 --> 00:39:08.719 This is the earthly wisdom. 00:39:08.879 --> 00:39:14.319 There is an earthly wisdom, and this would be all we had if Christ had not come. 00:39:14.559 --> 00:39:21.119 You know, Colossians 2 verse 3 says, In Christ are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 00:39:21.359 --> 00:39:24.879 You know, uh it's hard to be around people who have all the answers. 00:39:24.960 --> 00:39:31.119 Uh, you know, I uh oh man, I probably should not really be delving into this uh here tonight. 00:39:31.199 --> 00:39:39.119 I don't know where everybody stands on everything, but if you get around people who are involved in these conspiracy theories, you know what's interesting about them? 00:39:39.359 --> 00:39:41.199 They have all the answers. 00:39:41.440 --> 00:39:43.359 There's no uncertainty, no doubt. 00:39:43.440 --> 00:39:45.279 Oh, well, this happened because of this and this and this. 00:39:45.599 --> 00:39:46.960 They have it all figured out. 00:39:47.119 --> 00:39:50.239 I'm gonna tell you, there's a lot of uncertainties in life. 00:39:50.399 --> 00:39:53.440 In the Air Force, they taught us about the fog of war. 00:39:53.599 --> 00:39:58.480 There's just things that you don't know and you don't realize, and it's uncertainty there. 00:39:58.719 --> 00:40:07.599 You know, if we just had earthly wisdom and we didn't have the heavenly wisdom, I want you to see how much better the heavenly wisdom is. 00:40:07.759 --> 00:40:08.639 Verse 17. 00:40:08.879 --> 00:40:27.279 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, without hypocrisy, and the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. 00:40:27.440 --> 00:40:33.599 This is the wisdom we get as a result of Christ being made unto us wisdom. 00:40:33.759 --> 00:40:36.799 We would have this if it were not for Christ. 00:40:37.039 --> 00:40:45.920 Back here in 1 Corinthians chapter 1, I want you to notice earlier in this chapter, he says this in 1 Corinthians 1 verse 21, very quickly. 00:40:46.079 --> 00:40:52.000 He says, For after that in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom knew not God. 00:40:52.159 --> 00:40:56.799 It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 00:40:56.960 --> 00:41:07.920 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified unto the Jews assembling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness, but unto them which are called. 00:41:08.079 --> 00:41:13.599 These are the ones who have been called out of being dead in trespassing since of being alive in Jesus Christ. 00:41:13.759 --> 00:41:22.960 These are the ones that the gospel has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ, the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 00:41:23.519 --> 00:41:30.559 I'll tell you what we have here in the church, what we have in the preaching of Jesus Christ and Him crucified is the wisdom of God. 00:41:30.799 --> 00:41:45.199 You know, I can't think of how it would be for God to save sinners such as we are, but I'm gonna tell you, God in all his wisdom devise means that his banish be not expelled from him. 00:41:45.359 --> 00:41:49.279 Only the Lord could have, in all his wisdom, done such a thing. 00:41:49.359 --> 00:41:50.399 How did he figure it out? 00:41:50.480 --> 00:41:51.039 I'll tell you. 00:41:51.199 --> 00:41:54.159 That tells you how great the wisdom of God is. 00:41:54.399 --> 00:42:01.279 His wisdom in sending his son, who in him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 00:42:01.519 --> 00:42:03.199 That is the wisdom of God. 00:42:03.279 --> 00:42:04.960 And that's what we find here in the church. 00:42:05.119 --> 00:42:14.000 That's what's such a blessing to us here in the Lord's house is that we, our faith doesn't stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. 00:42:14.239 --> 00:42:20.159 In the preaching of the cross, we see the preaching come to us, not just in word only. 00:42:20.559 --> 00:42:26.399 The preaching comes to us in power and in demonstration of the Spirit and much assurance. 00:42:26.639 --> 00:42:33.039