WEBVTT 00:00:02.160 --> 00:00:05.200 Welcome to this week's message from the Church at Chelsea Westover. 00:00:05.360 --> 00:00:11.279 Our core values are vibrant worship, intimate fellowship, fulfilling service, and clear biblical truth. 00:00:11.519 --> 00:00:13.759 We pray that this message changes your life. 00:00:14.000 --> 00:00:18.000 Let's tune in to today's message and see what God has in store for you. 00:00:20.559 --> 00:00:34.159 Well, next week's Friend Day, and so God laid on my heart for me to bring this message because it how important it is for you to bring your friends to Jesus. 00:00:34.479 --> 00:00:35.119 Amen. 00:00:35.840 --> 00:00:55.679 Do you realize a lot of our friends, our family, the people that we work with, the people that we go to school with, if we don't do our part in helping bring them to Jesus, they may not come to Jesus. 00:00:56.159 --> 00:00:58.079 They may not come to Jesus. 00:00:58.320 --> 00:01:02.079 You say, now wait a minute, preacher, that puts a lot of responsibility on me. 00:01:02.320 --> 00:01:03.679 Absolutely. 00:01:04.000 --> 00:01:05.359 Because we are what? 00:01:05.760 --> 00:01:08.319 Ambassadors of Christ. 00:01:08.959 --> 00:01:17.439 We are instruments of Christ to be used to share the gospel everywhere we go. 00:01:17.599 --> 00:01:20.640 That's why we wear the Jesus' awesome bracelets. 00:01:20.799 --> 00:01:26.159 That's why we're not, Romans 1.16, ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:01:26.319 --> 00:01:27.439 Now listen, why? 00:01:27.680 --> 00:01:36.159 Because it's the power unto God, unto salvation, to everyone that believeth, to the Jew first, and then to the Gentile. 00:01:36.400 --> 00:01:38.480 Romans 1.16. 00:01:38.959 --> 00:01:59.200 So, in this passage, it's one of my favorites because it's a passage where four men decide it's time we bring our friend or our family member or our father or our uncle or whoever, maybe just the neighbor, to Jesus. 00:01:59.680 --> 00:02:06.400 And they are determined nothing's gonna keep them from bringing their friend to Jesus. 00:02:07.040 --> 00:02:08.639 So let's look at the story. 00:02:08.960 --> 00:02:15.360 Luke chapter 5, picking up at verse 17. 00:02:18.000 --> 00:02:41.439 Now it happened on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem, and the power of the Lord was present to heal them. 00:02:41.759 --> 00:02:45.439 Then, behold, men brought, now here's where it gets good. 00:02:46.000 --> 00:02:46.960 Verse 18. 00:02:47.120 --> 00:02:55.919 Then behold, the men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Jesus. 00:02:56.080 --> 00:02:59.759 They had one goal, and that was to get their friend to Jesus. 00:03:00.000 --> 00:03:02.159 Again, that's why we do friend day. 00:03:02.319 --> 00:03:04.800 That's why we do everything we do around here. 00:03:04.960 --> 00:03:08.479 It's one purpose, and that is to bring people to Jesus. 00:03:08.639 --> 00:03:10.000 Loving God and loving people. 00:03:10.080 --> 00:03:11.120 Can I get an amen? 00:03:11.360 --> 00:03:12.400 That's what we do. 00:03:12.639 --> 00:03:19.120 Every business meeting or every council meeting we have here, I open it up with this statement. 00:03:19.360 --> 00:03:30.159 Gentlemen, we are met here tonight to make decisions in this church, and the decisions we make in this church will either hinder or help us bring people in our community to Jesus. 00:03:31.439 --> 00:03:34.240 And that's who we are, that's what we're all about. 00:03:34.400 --> 00:03:37.439 And for you that are listening in Overflow, welcome. 00:03:37.759 --> 00:03:39.439 So here's what we see. 00:03:39.680 --> 00:03:43.199 He said they were going to bring him in, laying at Jesus' feet. 00:03:43.360 --> 00:03:54.960 Verse 19, and when they could not find how they might bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and led him down with his bed through the tiling into the mist before Jesus. 00:03:55.199 --> 00:03:57.120 Now watch what Jesus said. 00:03:57.439 --> 00:04:04.080 When he saw their faith, he said to him, Man, your sins are forgiven you. 00:04:04.240 --> 00:04:11.360 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this who speaks who speaks blasphemies? 00:04:11.599 --> 00:04:15.039 In other words, who is this man claiming that he's God? 00:04:15.280 --> 00:04:19.279 Only God can forgive men of their sins. 00:04:19.519 --> 00:04:20.480 He was right. 00:04:21.519 --> 00:04:23.600 The scribes and Pharisees were right. 00:04:23.839 --> 00:04:27.920 The problem they had was that Jesus was claiming to be God. 00:04:28.879 --> 00:04:30.480 And we'll see that in a minute. 00:04:30.639 --> 00:04:32.560 Who can forgive sins but God alone? 00:04:32.720 --> 00:04:33.519 Verse 21. 00:04:33.600 --> 00:04:41.040 And then verse 22, but when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered and said to them, Why are you reasoning in your hearts? 00:04:41.199 --> 00:04:57.120 Which is easier to say your sins are forgiven you, or to say, rise up and walk, but that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins, he said to the man who was paralyzed, I say to you, arise, take up your bed and go to your house. 00:04:57.360 --> 00:05:04.639 Immediately he rose and before them took up what he had been lying on and departed to his own house, glorifying God. 00:05:04.959 --> 00:05:13.600 And they were all amazed, and they glorified God and were filled with the fear, saying, We have seen strange things today. 00:05:13.759 --> 00:05:19.920 In Mark chapter 2, the same episode, it says, We've never seen it done this way before. 00:05:20.399 --> 00:05:21.040 Wow. 00:05:22.240 --> 00:05:25.360 Now let's look at several things this morning. 00:05:25.600 --> 00:05:27.680 I hope everyone has an outline. 00:05:27.759 --> 00:05:28.800 If you don't, raise your hand. 00:05:28.959 --> 00:05:30.720 I'll make sure we got anybody that doesn't. 00:05:30.959 --> 00:05:32.480 Man, I want you to stay with me. 00:05:32.639 --> 00:05:33.600 All right, here we go. 00:05:33.759 --> 00:05:35.759 Number one, let's look at the background. 00:05:35.920 --> 00:05:54.879 I want you to see, and by the way, uh in Mark chapter 2, when we get this group of people, they're in probably Peter's house, or really his mother-in-law's house, and it's packed, it's running over there in the house, and Jesus is preaching. 00:05:54.959 --> 00:05:56.399 So you got to get the city. 00:05:56.879 --> 00:05:59.040 Jesus is preaching in this house. 00:05:59.120 --> 00:06:04.480 And there's so many people there that, hey, people are standing outside the house, okay? 00:06:04.800 --> 00:06:06.879 Outside on the porch. 00:06:07.120 --> 00:06:09.920 There's not enough room for everybody to be in the house. 00:06:10.000 --> 00:06:12.160 And Jesus is preaching the word. 00:06:12.639 --> 00:06:22.160 And so, in fact, in Mark chapter 2, they say there's a rumor that Jesus has returned, that Jesus is back in Capernaum. 00:06:22.319 --> 00:06:22.879 He's there. 00:06:23.040 --> 00:06:23.839 There's a rumor. 00:06:24.000 --> 00:06:26.160 And so people are coming from everywhere. 00:06:26.399 --> 00:06:29.600 And so let's look at the background of all these people. 00:06:29.839 --> 00:06:33.279 Number one, there are the crowd of people. 00:06:33.360 --> 00:06:34.399 Look at verse 19. 00:06:34.480 --> 00:06:36.560 He says, and the multitudes were there. 00:06:36.800 --> 00:06:38.399 There's a crowd of people. 00:06:38.639 --> 00:06:40.879 When Jesus shows up, there'll be a crowd. 00:06:41.040 --> 00:06:42.079 Can I get an amen? 00:06:42.959 --> 00:06:52.800 That's why we are so thankful that the Lord has blessed our church in a little over two years because we have one purpose in this church, and it's John chapter 12, verse 32. 00:06:52.959 --> 00:06:56.800 Jesus said, If I be exalted, I'll draw all men into myself. 00:06:57.040 --> 00:06:59.519 We have one purpose, and that's to exalt Jesus. 00:06:59.680 --> 00:07:00.720 Can I get an amen? 00:07:01.040 --> 00:07:04.000 It's not about me, it's not about you, it's about him. 00:07:04.480 --> 00:07:05.519 All about him. 00:07:05.920 --> 00:07:08.720 It's all, hey, we do at this church what God wants. 00:07:08.800 --> 00:07:09.920 Can I get an amen? 00:07:10.160 --> 00:07:15.920 We don't have anything to prove because he proved it 2,000 years ago on Calvary. 00:07:16.879 --> 00:07:18.480 So, there's a crowd. 00:07:18.560 --> 00:07:20.879 There'll be a crowd when Jesus shows up. 00:07:21.199 --> 00:07:21.680 Amen? 00:07:21.839 --> 00:07:22.959 There'll be a crowd. 00:07:23.120 --> 00:07:24.240 When something's happening. 00:07:24.319 --> 00:07:27.360 And by the way, when Jesus shows up, he shows out. 00:07:28.000 --> 00:07:28.639 Amen. 00:07:29.040 --> 00:07:30.639 There'll be things happening. 00:07:30.800 --> 00:07:31.920 There'll be things happening. 00:07:32.079 --> 00:07:34.000 Miracles will be taking place. 00:07:34.240 --> 00:07:36.000 People will be being saved. 00:07:36.160 --> 00:07:36.879 That's the key. 00:07:37.040 --> 00:07:37.759 Let me just say this. 00:07:37.920 --> 00:07:39.680 So a lot of you visitors are here today. 00:07:39.920 --> 00:07:44.399 Almost every Sunday from the conception of this church, we've had somebody saved. 00:07:44.560 --> 00:07:47.199 Can we just give Jesus a clap offering for that? 00:07:47.439 --> 00:07:48.879 Almost every service. 00:07:50.560 --> 00:07:57.759 Because that's what happens when you bring people that are lost to Jesus, they get saved. 00:07:58.959 --> 00:07:59.600 Amen? 00:07:59.759 --> 00:08:00.879 They get saved. 00:08:01.040 --> 00:08:01.920 So we have a crowd. 00:08:02.079 --> 00:08:03.839 Notice the second thing we've got in this background. 00:08:04.000 --> 00:08:06.160 We got those that are curious. 00:08:06.560 --> 00:08:17.040 Anytime Jesus shows up and there's something going on, especially at a church or a religious meeting, you're going to have people that are curious in that multitude. 00:08:17.199 --> 00:08:19.920 In other words, they're coming to see what's going on. 00:08:20.160 --> 00:08:25.040 In fact, in John chapter 6, verse 2, we see in a great multitude followed him. 00:08:25.279 --> 00:08:30.000 This is another passage, not the same situation here, but I wanted you to see the principle. 00:08:30.240 --> 00:08:33.759 Because they saw his miracles, which he did on them that were diseased. 00:08:34.000 --> 00:08:39.919 Hey, when Jesus is showing out and Jesus is healing people, Jesus is saving people, guess what? 00:08:40.159 --> 00:08:42.159 The curious are gonna come. 00:08:42.399 --> 00:08:45.840 There's always gonna be the ones that come in and they're curious. 00:08:46.000 --> 00:08:46.799 What's going on? 00:08:46.960 --> 00:08:51.600 I like that because a lot of time the curious come in and next thing you know, they get saved. 00:08:52.320 --> 00:08:52.799 Amen. 00:08:52.960 --> 00:08:57.759 Or maybe the curious come in and, you know, they they hadn't been really faithful to God. 00:08:57.840 --> 00:09:01.919 They haven't been uh, should I say, faithful to church in a long time. 00:09:02.159 --> 00:09:03.840 Our church consists of a lot of that. 00:09:04.000 --> 00:09:06.000 Men and women have been out of church for years. 00:09:06.080 --> 00:09:08.879 And they come back and they're curious and they just show up. 00:09:09.039 --> 00:09:11.360 They say, we got a new church over there, CCW. 00:09:11.919 --> 00:09:14.799 Somebody says it's a surpro church. 00:09:17.200 --> 00:09:20.720 No, we just happen to be meeting in the surpro building. 00:09:20.960 --> 00:09:22.399 It's a Jesus church. 00:09:22.480 --> 00:09:23.519 Can I get an amen? 00:09:24.240 --> 00:09:24.559 Okay? 00:09:25.200 --> 00:09:28.639 So they they walk in to see, and next thing they know, they say, you know what? 00:09:28.799 --> 00:09:30.159 We've never been loved like that. 00:09:30.240 --> 00:09:32.639 We've never, hey, this is what it's all about. 00:09:32.799 --> 00:09:34.960 This is the way the New Testament did it. 00:09:35.039 --> 00:09:36.000 They love people. 00:09:36.159 --> 00:09:38.720 They were committed to a clear biblical truth. 00:09:38.879 --> 00:09:42.159 They were, hey, committed to fulfilling service at home and abroad. 00:09:42.320 --> 00:09:44.559 They were, hey, committed to vibrant worship. 00:09:44.720 --> 00:09:47.679 They were committed to intimate fellowship. 00:09:47.919 --> 00:09:52.080 That's what the Acts chapter 2, the birth of the church, that's what they did, folks. 00:09:52.639 --> 00:09:53.759 That's what they did. 00:09:54.559 --> 00:09:56.399 So the curates show up. 00:09:57.360 --> 00:09:58.639 They want to check us out. 00:09:58.799 --> 00:09:59.519 I love it. 00:09:59.679 --> 00:10:01.360 But there's another group. 00:10:01.840 --> 00:10:03.200 There's the critics. 00:10:03.440 --> 00:10:04.000 Uh-oh. 00:10:04.639 --> 00:10:06.240 Always got critics. 00:10:06.559 --> 00:10:07.360 Trust me. 00:10:07.679 --> 00:10:10.399 We always have critics. 00:10:10.559 --> 00:10:11.919 Look at verse 21. 00:10:12.080 --> 00:10:14.399 They were the scribes and the Pharisees. 00:10:14.559 --> 00:10:17.279 Actually, they were not just the scribes and Pharisees. 00:10:17.360 --> 00:10:18.240 They were the doctors. 00:10:18.320 --> 00:10:19.679 They were the well-educated. 00:10:19.840 --> 00:10:21.279 They were the theologians. 00:10:21.519 --> 00:10:27.360 They had come from all the regions to hear and see this Jesus. 00:10:28.159 --> 00:10:32.080 They were putting themselves as judge and jury. 00:10:32.480 --> 00:10:36.159 In other words, we'll decide if this is legit or not. 00:10:36.399 --> 00:10:41.120 You always have people that show up that think they know best. 00:10:42.320 --> 00:10:45.840 Now, this is where tradition in the modern day comes. 00:10:46.080 --> 00:10:51.519 Tradition in a lot of churches is more valuable to people than God's word. 00:10:52.240 --> 00:10:52.720 Hello. 00:10:52.879 --> 00:10:54.159 Now we don't have that problem. 00:10:54.399 --> 00:10:55.279 Praise God. 00:10:55.679 --> 00:10:56.960 We don't have that problem. 00:10:57.120 --> 00:10:58.399 We started from scratch. 00:10:58.559 --> 00:11:00.799 We just take the book, and what the book says, we try to do it. 00:11:00.879 --> 00:11:01.840 Can I get an amen? 00:11:02.320 --> 00:11:15.039 But sometimes Sister Fluffy Head and Deacon Perdata Head are sitting there, and if it's not being done the way they used to do it, or as in verse 12 in Mark 2 says, we didn't, we've never done it this way before. 00:11:15.120 --> 00:11:17.600 They'll say, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, wait, wait, wait, wait. 00:11:17.759 --> 00:11:18.799 You can't do that. 00:11:24.159 --> 00:11:24.960 The critics. 00:11:25.120 --> 00:11:26.720 I want you to see Matthew chapter 5. 00:11:26.879 --> 00:11:29.039 Look at what Jesus said about your critics. 00:11:30.879 --> 00:11:32.639 Matthew chapter 5. 00:11:33.679 --> 00:11:35.600 Verses 11. 00:11:36.240 --> 00:11:37.200 I love this. 00:11:37.440 --> 00:11:38.720 And verse 12. 00:11:39.600 --> 00:11:41.440 And this that's not 11. 00:11:42.159 --> 00:11:42.799 You got it? 00:11:43.360 --> 00:11:44.080 Don't have it? 00:11:44.399 --> 00:11:44.720 Alright. 00:11:44.879 --> 00:11:48.080 Well, let me turn right there quick and read it to you because you got to hear this one. 00:11:48.320 --> 00:11:50.000 Matthew chapter 5. 00:11:50.399 --> 00:11:51.120 Look at it. 00:11:51.279 --> 00:11:52.080 This is awesome. 00:11:52.240 --> 00:11:55.759 Jesus said, hey, verse 11. 00:11:56.240 --> 00:11:57.279 And here's what he said. 00:11:57.519 --> 00:11:58.879 Blessed are you. 00:11:59.519 --> 00:12:03.759 Now, blessed, that means, hey, you ought to get kind of be happy about it. 00:12:04.159 --> 00:12:05.759 Oh, now this is pretty tough. 00:12:06.000 --> 00:12:08.480 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you. 00:12:08.639 --> 00:12:10.720 Whoa, I'm supposed to be happy about that. 00:12:12.000 --> 00:12:12.320 Okay. 00:12:12.720 --> 00:12:16.480 And hey, and then they say all kind of evil against you. 00:12:16.639 --> 00:12:18.399 Now here's the key word, falsely. 00:12:18.960 --> 00:12:20.799 It needs to be false, amen. 00:12:21.440 --> 00:12:23.360 It doesn't need to be the truth. 00:12:23.600 --> 00:12:23.919 Okay. 00:12:24.480 --> 00:12:34.639 But they say all manner of things evil against you, falsely against you, for my sake, because you are taking a major stand for God. 00:12:35.039 --> 00:12:35.360 Okay? 00:12:35.840 --> 00:12:37.759 Then look at what he says in verse 12. 00:12:37.919 --> 00:12:38.480 Rejoice. 00:12:38.559 --> 00:12:40.320 Woo! First of all, I'm going to be happy. 00:12:40.399 --> 00:12:44.960 Now I'm supposed to have a spell because somebody's letting me have it. 00:12:45.600 --> 00:12:47.279 Brother Danny's a cult leader. 00:12:47.440 --> 00:12:48.320 Brother Danny's this. 00:12:48.399 --> 00:12:50.799 Brother Danny, Brother Danny, Brother Danny. 00:12:52.799 --> 00:12:55.120 I was called a cult leader at open door. 00:12:55.840 --> 00:12:57.759 In fact, you know what they used to say about me? 00:12:57.919 --> 00:13:07.200 They used to say, because we were growing so fast, people being saved, old gym being filled up, they say, Oh, by the way, have you heard what Brother Danny does at Open Door Baptist Church? 00:13:07.360 --> 00:13:08.320 No, what does he do? 00:13:08.480 --> 00:13:14.639 Oh, he gets you in the building and he locks the doors until you give him money before you can get out. 00:13:15.200 --> 00:13:18.080 I thought for a minute, I said, that's not a bad idea. 00:13:24.080 --> 00:13:28.240 I mean, it was amazing at all the things they said about me. 00:13:28.399 --> 00:13:29.440 Uh, it really was. 00:13:29.519 --> 00:13:33.919 And in fact, that a lot of times they'd be telling me that because they didn't know it was me. 00:13:34.080 --> 00:13:35.519 And I say, really? 00:13:36.480 --> 00:13:40.720 Man, he sounds like he's he's kind of a weird dude. 00:13:41.840 --> 00:13:43.279 But notice what it says. 00:13:43.440 --> 00:13:44.799 Now notice what it says. 00:13:44.960 --> 00:13:47.440 Now, be happy, now rejoice. 00:13:48.000 --> 00:13:48.960 Rejoice. 00:13:49.279 --> 00:13:49.919 Why? 00:13:50.399 --> 00:13:54.240 And become exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. 00:13:54.320 --> 00:13:57.279 For so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 00:13:57.600 --> 00:13:58.159 Wow. 00:13:58.480 --> 00:13:59.440 You with me? 00:13:59.759 --> 00:14:07.279 Luke chapter 6, in the next chapter of where we are, verse 26, Jesus said, Woe unto you if all men speak well of you. 00:14:07.519 --> 00:14:16.559 If you are living a sold-out, dynamic, radical Christian life, doing a corvée, loving God and loving people, reaching out, helping people. 00:14:16.799 --> 00:14:17.919 People are being saved. 00:14:18.080 --> 00:14:21.279 Satan will not sit by silently. 00:14:22.080 --> 00:14:22.720 Amen. 00:14:23.039 --> 00:14:25.440 He will not sit by silently. 00:14:25.679 --> 00:14:27.840 You say, well, you've been doing this 32 years. 00:14:27.919 --> 00:14:28.159 Yeah. 00:14:28.320 --> 00:14:29.120 You say, why? 00:14:29.279 --> 00:14:33.279 Well, I've developed an alligator skin. 00:14:34.799 --> 00:14:35.759 You have to. 00:14:36.159 --> 00:14:44.639 I was telling uh one of our councilmen this weekend, I said, used to, when I was young, younger, and we'd open doors, somebody'd come and they'd get upset and leave. 00:14:44.799 --> 00:14:47.919 It used to, I I wouldn't, I couldn't sleep. 00:14:48.159 --> 00:14:50.399 It just bothered me because I love people. 00:14:50.480 --> 00:14:50.879 I love. 00:14:50.960 --> 00:14:52.320 Well, I meant, man, we're preaching the word. 00:14:52.480 --> 00:14:53.759 We're trying to love people to Jesus. 00:14:53.919 --> 00:14:55.600 Why don't I get it? 00:14:55.840 --> 00:14:59.039 And it would, Susan tell you, it bothered me and bothered me. 00:14:59.120 --> 00:15:01.519 And she used to say, I don't know what bothered you. 00:15:01.600 --> 00:15:02.639 All you can do is preach the word. 00:15:02.799 --> 00:15:04.159 It's not your job to save the people. 00:15:04.240 --> 00:15:06.000 It's not your job, it's his job. 00:15:06.080 --> 00:15:07.840 You just do what you're supposed to do. 00:15:08.159 --> 00:15:09.120 Thank you. 00:15:11.039 --> 00:15:12.480 That's easier said than done. 00:15:12.559 --> 00:15:13.840 Can I get an amen? 00:15:14.399 --> 00:15:18.480 But now the older I've gotten, the easier it has become. 00:15:18.720 --> 00:15:23.200 So what I do, I just go home, take a little baby aspirin, and go to sleep. 00:15:24.799 --> 00:15:28.240 Because I realize it's not me that builds the church, it's him. 00:15:28.559 --> 00:15:34.399 Matthew 16, 18, upon this rock, I'll build the church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. 00:15:34.559 --> 00:15:35.440 Can I get an amen? 00:15:35.679 --> 00:15:44.320 And I know there's enough people that want to, hey, when the curious walk in, or we're going to look at when the committed walk in and they see what God's doing, they want to be a part of that. 00:15:45.360 --> 00:15:46.799 They want to be a part of that. 00:15:47.039 --> 00:15:47.600 Amen? 00:15:47.759 --> 00:15:49.440 Which brings me to the next group. 00:15:49.600 --> 00:15:52.320 After your critics, you got those that are committed. 00:15:52.639 --> 00:15:53.679 Verse 18. 00:15:53.919 --> 00:15:56.159 And these that are committed are those that are in. 00:15:56.240 --> 00:15:58.320 By the way, notice the critics were the ones. 00:15:58.399 --> 00:15:59.519 Whoa, I about miss that. 00:15:59.759 --> 00:16:02.480 Notice the critics were the ones that were doing the sitting. 00:16:03.759 --> 00:16:05.279 They weren't doing anything. 00:16:06.000 --> 00:16:07.840 They weren't trying to bring anybody to Jesus. 00:16:08.799 --> 00:16:15.039 Hey, they're just sitting there waiting to, you know, see what's going on so they can criticize it. 00:16:15.360 --> 00:16:20.320 They weren't bringing people to the feet of Jesus so they could be learning and growing. 00:16:21.360 --> 00:16:23.120 They were just criticizing. 00:16:23.360 --> 00:16:24.720 But now you have the committed. 00:16:24.799 --> 00:16:36.080 And the committed, they're going to find out how they can get involved, jump in, because they got one purpose, and that purpose is they want to get their friends, their family, their loved ones, whoever they have influence on, to Jesus. 00:16:37.039 --> 00:16:38.720 They want to get them to Jesus. 00:16:39.279 --> 00:16:39.919 Amen. 00:16:40.879 --> 00:16:45.120 And then you have the other person that was involved. 00:16:45.279 --> 00:16:46.720 His name was Christ. 00:16:47.360 --> 00:16:50.320 And we see that in verse 17, 18, and 19. 00:16:50.480 --> 00:16:52.480 Jesus Christ the Lord. 00:16:52.960 --> 00:17:00.639 And Jesus very clearly says, if I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me. 00:17:00.879 --> 00:17:03.600 Now, I want you to notice three critical points here. 00:17:03.840 --> 00:17:10.640 Number one, there are always those who just sit by and who are curious spectators. 00:17:10.799 --> 00:17:11.839 They're going to be here. 00:17:12.000 --> 00:17:13.359 You can't help it. 00:17:13.839 --> 00:17:16.400 And these curious folks will come and go. 00:17:16.640 --> 00:17:17.839 They'll come and go. 00:17:18.880 --> 00:17:21.200 They'll come and go for several reasons. 00:17:21.519 --> 00:17:22.079 They will. 00:17:22.240 --> 00:17:24.480 They'll come because one, hey, okay. 00:17:24.720 --> 00:17:25.519 But I'm not. 00:17:25.680 --> 00:17:26.960 Let me tell you what I've learned. 00:17:27.119 --> 00:17:31.440 Usually, most curious folks, they come for two reasons. 00:17:31.599 --> 00:17:32.720 One, see what's going on. 00:17:32.960 --> 00:17:37.839 Two, to see what might, hey, what they might can get out of it. 00:17:38.799 --> 00:17:43.200 See, it's not about him, it's about them. 00:17:44.160 --> 00:17:45.519 So it's all about them. 00:17:45.680 --> 00:17:47.920 Can I be the star on the platform? 00:17:48.079 --> 00:17:53.519 Can I be the, can I be, can I be, can I be this, or could I do this, or can I get this? 00:17:54.160 --> 00:17:58.160 So those are the ones, the curious part, that's one side. 00:17:58.240 --> 00:18:01.359 And then the other is just to criticize. 00:18:01.519 --> 00:18:02.799 But let me say this. 00:18:03.440 --> 00:18:07.920 The curious never really get committed. 00:18:08.640 --> 00:18:10.480 In and out, in and out, in and out. 00:18:10.559 --> 00:18:13.119 And by the way, they'll leave here, go to another church, in and out. 00:18:13.279 --> 00:18:14.319 Go to another church. 00:18:15.839 --> 00:18:18.400 So that's the curious. 00:18:18.559 --> 00:18:19.599 They just sit. 00:18:19.839 --> 00:18:21.279 They don't do anything. 00:18:21.759 --> 00:18:27.519 They're curious spectators, never really learning or listening or becoming involved. 00:18:27.680 --> 00:18:29.920 Notice the second critical point. 00:18:30.799 --> 00:18:37.039 There are always those who are critical who set themselves up as knowing what's best. 00:18:37.359 --> 00:18:38.160 Always. 00:18:38.400 --> 00:18:38.960 Always. 00:18:39.200 --> 00:18:40.640 They know what's best. 00:18:41.839 --> 00:18:43.359 They know what's best. 00:18:48.960 --> 00:18:50.720 I was one of those. 00:18:51.680 --> 00:18:57.200 Early when I got graduated from seminary, I thought I knew everything. 00:18:57.599 --> 00:18:58.400 I really did. 00:18:58.559 --> 00:19:00.480 I mean, I got a seminary degree. 00:19:00.640 --> 00:19:06.319 I got I've got seven years of education and theological training. 00:19:06.640 --> 00:19:08.240 I know it all. 00:19:09.599 --> 00:19:13.759 That lasted about six months at open door. 00:19:14.559 --> 00:19:19.440 And no one told me how to deal with these types of critics. 00:19:21.119 --> 00:19:24.559 I thought everybody loves God and is gonna love me. 00:19:26.160 --> 00:19:28.079 I started preaching against abortion. 00:19:28.160 --> 00:19:30.319 I started preaching against homosexuality. 00:19:30.559 --> 00:19:38.400 I hey on Easter Sunday, I was on the front page of the news, Pastor, bans booked from university. 00:19:39.039 --> 00:19:40.559 Remember that, Christy? 00:19:41.119 --> 00:19:44.000 Because I took a stand against mice and man. 00:19:44.240 --> 00:19:53.839 My son was gonna have to do a report, and they used the non-edited version that used GD 95 times in 50 pages. 00:19:54.400 --> 00:19:56.640 And I said, that's not gonna be. 00:19:56.880 --> 00:19:58.880 They said, in other words, what you gonna do about it? 00:19:59.039 --> 00:20:02.319 I got a television camera, and I said, here's what I'm gonna do about it. 00:20:02.480 --> 00:20:04.319 I'm going on and tell everybody. 00:20:04.640 --> 00:20:12.480 So instead of, you know, the way they presented it was that I said that we are gonna ban all the books from the library. 00:20:12.640 --> 00:20:23.279 No, what I said was my son and every other child in that school ought to have a choice to read the, hey, the edited version that leaves out profanity. 00:20:23.440 --> 00:20:24.799 That's what I said. 00:20:26.720 --> 00:20:28.319 Can I get an amen? 00:20:30.079 --> 00:20:33.279 So there I was that widow weirdo again. 00:20:34.480 --> 00:20:35.920 But that's okay. 00:20:36.319 --> 00:20:37.680 You know, it really bothered me. 00:20:37.759 --> 00:20:39.759 I went home, took a baby aspirin, went to bed. 00:20:40.000 --> 00:20:42.079 All right, but now, but now here it is. 00:20:42.240 --> 00:20:43.440 Look, listen to me. 00:20:43.680 --> 00:20:46.559 That's that's just the that's we see it right here. 00:20:46.720 --> 00:20:47.519 We see it. 00:20:47.759 --> 00:20:49.839 Now, there's a third thing. 00:20:50.799 --> 00:21:01.039 The preacher and the teacher and the leaders and the faithful must continue on in their call and ministry. 00:21:01.440 --> 00:21:05.039 Listen to what he says in Romans 14, 4. 00:21:05.279 --> 00:21:09.200 To his own master, he standeth or falleth. 00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:12.880 To his own master, he standeth or falleth. 00:21:13.039 --> 00:21:14.160 Romans 14, 4. 00:21:14.319 --> 00:21:16.079 And you know this one, Romans 8.31. 00:21:16.160 --> 00:21:16.880 It's on your outline. 00:21:17.039 --> 00:21:18.319 If God be for you, what? 00:21:19.279 --> 00:21:20.559 Who can be against you? 00:21:20.799 --> 00:21:21.440 Amen? 00:21:22.000 --> 00:21:26.960 You've got to stand on those principles and on those promises. 00:21:27.279 --> 00:21:32.720 Paul says, we can do all things through Christ, which strengthens us. 00:21:32.960 --> 00:21:36.319 It's not about us, it's about Him. 00:21:36.640 --> 00:21:40.640 So, with that said, look at the second thing. 00:21:40.960 --> 00:21:43.359 How they brought their friend to Jesus. 00:21:43.519 --> 00:21:45.839 Now we've seen the people that's involved. 00:21:46.160 --> 00:21:48.720 We see the people that are present. 00:21:48.960 --> 00:21:51.519 Now let's look at, I call them the committed. 00:21:51.759 --> 00:21:56.160 How the committed brought their friend to Jesus. 00:21:56.480 --> 00:21:57.839 They did four things. 00:21:58.079 --> 00:21:58.400 Okay? 00:21:58.880 --> 00:21:59.759 And that's exactly. 00:22:00.319 --> 00:22:06.160 The same four things that you and I must do to bring our friends and family to Jesus. 00:22:06.319 --> 00:22:06.799 Four things. 00:22:06.960 --> 00:22:08.799 Number one, look at what they did. 00:22:09.519 --> 00:22:14.000 Four steps in seeking forgiveness and healing from Jesus. 00:22:14.240 --> 00:22:15.839 Four steps are necessary. 00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:18.640 Number one, they sought help. 00:22:19.359 --> 00:22:20.720 They sought help. 00:22:20.960 --> 00:22:24.640 The man who was paralyzed sought help from his friends. 00:22:25.359 --> 00:22:32.480 His friends knew that in order for him, hey, they knew they couldn't save him far as pardon his sins. 00:22:32.640 --> 00:22:35.200 They knew that they couldn't heal him. 00:22:35.680 --> 00:22:38.000 They didn't have healing power. 00:22:38.240 --> 00:22:42.160 So they knew they needed help from Jesus. 00:22:46.079 --> 00:22:48.880 And his friends sought help from Jesus. 00:22:49.119 --> 00:22:54.480 They knew they must bring their friends to Jesus. 00:22:54.720 --> 00:22:56.799 In fact, listen to what Jesus says. 00:22:56.960 --> 00:22:57.839 I love this. 00:22:58.000 --> 00:23:01.599 In Matthew chapter 11, verse 28 through 30. 00:23:01.839 --> 00:23:07.200 Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 00:23:07.359 --> 00:23:07.759 Amen. 00:23:08.000 --> 00:23:09.680 Can I get an amen right there, church? 00:23:10.559 --> 00:23:11.599