Participants: Scott Moore
Series Code: OTR
Program Code: OTR000767
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01:02 The title of our message
01:03 is "The Magnificence of Their Ministry." 01:07 What is it that made the ministry of the early church 01:11 so powerful, so far reaching? 01:15 "The Magnificence of Their Ministry." 01:20 The two Christians huddled together in the dungeon 01:24 that had become their home. 01:26 They knew that soon 01:28 they would be called to either deny Christ and live, 01:34 or to retain their belief in Christ and die. 01:39 These two Christian friends made 01:42 a covenant with each other. 01:46 They said that when our names are called, 01:50 when they call us to burn, 01:53 if the pain is bearable, 01:56 if Jesus helps you through it 02:00 then the one of us that is there 02:02 on the stake first, if it's bearable, 02:05 we will throw up our hands not one hand 02:08 but both hands, to signal to the other, 02:14 that Jesus was able to sustain us. 02:22 The morning came when their names were called. 02:26 They looked at each other 02:27 and reminded each other of the sign, 02:31 the sign that they would make if the pain was bearable, 02:34 if Christ was able to see them through this ordeal. 02:38 Neither one of those young men denied 02:40 their faith in the Lord Jesus. 02:46 And just when it seemed that the flames, the smoke, 02:51 and the heat had completely taken its toll, 02:56 when all seem to be finished, 02:59 a chart believer in Christ not only raised 03:03 his hands but lifted his hand, 03:06 signaling that Christ was able to sustain them. 03:15 What is it that made the ministry 03:18 of the early church so powerful? 03:27 And why don't we see it today? Let's pray. 03:36 Father in Heaven, we ask you today 03:38 that you will pour out 03:41 your spirit beyond measure. 03:45 That we can understand from your word. 03:50 How we too can have a ministry 03:53 that is magnificent for your glory. 03:59 Lord, we ask that your spirit will convict 04:01 our hearts that you will teach us, 04:06 and that we will follow you and Your word. 04:11 In Jesus name we pray, amen. 04:17 Friends we are going to look at four things 04:21 that made the ministry of the early church magnificent. 04:27 Four things that made the early church 04:30 and its work magnificent. 04:34 And then we are going to find out 04:35 that because of those four things, 04:38 that their names will be written 04:40 in the foundations of New Jerusalem. 04:44 The first point we are going to talk about 04:47 is that the disciples were effective. 04:50 Their ministry was magnificent 04:52 because their ministry was more important 04:56 to them than their physical life. 05:02 The ministry of the early church, 05:05 the success of the early church was due important 05:09 to the fact that their ministry 05:11 was more important to them 05:13 than their own physical life. 05:18 Let's open our Bibles to the New Testament, 05:21 Book of Acts. 05:23 Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, 05:25 Acts, Chapter 20 and verse 24. 05:30 Acts Chapter 20 and verse 24. 05:37 The Bible says here 05:39 in Acts Chapter 20 and verse 24, Paul is talking. 05:42 Paul says, "None of these things move me. 05:47 Neither count I my life dear unto myself, 05:51 so that I might finish my course with joy 05:54 and the ministry, which I have received 05:56 of the Lord Jesus 05:58 to testify the gospel of the grace of God." 06:04 Paul said, "I do not count my life dear unto me." 06:12 Paul said that when it comes to making sure 06:14 that people hear the gospel of Jesus Christ 06:20 that is more important to me 06:22 than my own physical life. 06:27 Friends we know this 06:29 because Paul gave his life for the gospel. 06:36 It is Paul that said that, 06:38 I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. 06:44 It is Paul that first took the message to the Gentiles. 06:50 Paul lived his life in a way that glorified God 06:55 because in Paul's ministry, 06:58 sharing the gospel of Jesus with others 07:00 was more important to him 07:02 than his own physical well being. 07:08 There were two men that were chosen 07:10 at the council in Jerusalem, to represent the council 07:15 to the gentile nations. Two men were chosen. 07:18 Let's look at these two men and why they were chosen. 07:21 Let's go to Acts, the 15th Chapter. 07:25 Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, 07:28 we're still in Acts. 07:29 Let's go to Chapter 15 verse 22. 07:33 Acts Chapter 15 verse 22. 07:36 The Bible says, "The pleased it the apostles and elders, 07:41 with the whole church, 07:42 to send chosen men of their own company 07:45 to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas namely, 07:49 Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, 07:52 chief men among the brethren." 07:56 They choose this two men Judas and Silas 07:59 to go along with Paul and Barnabas to the Gentiles. 08:05 Now these two men are chosen, 08:08 because they are chief men among the brethren. 08:12 What is it that made these two men standout 08:16 above the rest of the other followers 08:19 of these new Christian religion? 08:25 What is it that made these men so different? 08:28 Look at verse 25. "It seemed good unto us, 08:34 being assembled with one accord, 08:36 to send chosen men unto you 08:39 with our beloved Barnabas and Paul." 08:43 We are sending chosen men, 08:44 these men weren't just selected randomly, 08:47 they were chosen. 08:48 They were handpicked individuals 08:51 to go with Paul and Barnabas. 08:55 Verse 26, "Men that have hazarded their lives 08:59 for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." 09:02 The reason that these two men were chosen 09:05 was because they were chief men. 09:07 What made them chief men among the brethren? 09:09 The fact that they were willing to risk their lives 09:12 to share the gospel of Jesus with other people. 09:16 Verse 26 and the New International Version 09:19 reads, "Men who have risked their lives 09:22 for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." 09:28 The ministry of the early church, 09:31 the ministry of the apostles 09:33 was significant and magnificent 09:37 because when it came to their own life 09:39 or to sharing the gospel with someone else, 09:41 the gospel came first. 09:44 How is it in your life my friend? 09:47 Is the gospel always first in your life? 09:54 Or does the gospel take second, third, fourth 09:58 and even fifth place. 10:03 Turn with me to Galatians, Galatians Chapter 2. 10:09 You've turn to the right from where we were, 10:11 you gonna go through Corinthians 10:13 then you gonna come to Galatians. 10:16 Galatians Chapter 2 and verse 20. 10:19 This must be the Magna Carta of our lives. 10:23 If we want our ministry 10:25 for Jesus Christ to be magnificent. 10:30 Paul writes here in his letter to the Galatians. 10:33 Chapter 2 verse 20, "I am crucified with Christ. 10:38 Nevertheless I live. 10:40 Yet not I, but Christ liveth in me 10:44 and the life which I now live in the flesh 10:47 I live by the faith of the Son of God, 10:50 who loved me, and gave himself for me." 10:59 Friends, is it possible 11:02 that if we put the ministry of the gospel 11:05 before our very own wants and desires, 11:11 that we will see our churches grow at the rate 11:15 that the early church grew? 11:23 The early churches ministry was magnificent 11:27 because their ministry was more important 11:29 to them than their physical life. 11:36 When a crucified man is behind a crucified message, 11:42 there are always fresh victories 11:44 for the crucified risen and glorified Lord. 11:50 Let me read this again. 11:53 When a crucified man is behind a crucified message, 11:57 there are always fresh victories 12:01 for a crucified risen and glorified Lord. 12:07 Fresh victories. 12:11 Have you been crucified with Christ? 12:17 The life that you now live in the flesh, 12:18 you live by th faith of the son of God 12:20 that gave His life for you. 12:30 The disciples were effective, 12:32 their ministry was magnificent, 12:33 because it was more important 12:34 to them than their physical life. 12:40 I can't go and outreach you at the church this week. 12:44 I can't do it, I got to go home and take a nap. 12:48 You know that fellowship meals 12:50 weighing heavy on my belly. 12:54 I'm way too busy to do that Jesus. 13:00 I'm way too busy, you know, 13:01 I got to make a living. 13:02 You can't expect me to make a living 13:05 and to be that for you. 13:10 Look at the Apostle Paul, he made tents. 13:15 He made his living and he did that for Jesus, 13:18 and his ministry was magnificent. 13:22 Point number two, the disciples were effective 13:27 in their ministry and their ministry 13:29 was magnificent, because it was based 13:32 on divine good news. 13:38 They didn't have a hordy tordy message. 13:41 They didn't have a message 13:42 that was full of clowns and craziness. 13:48 They had a message 13:49 that was based on divine good news. 13:54 The leading truths that they preached with the life, 13:56 the death and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 14:02 The Spirit's power my friend is never 14:04 manifested unless the word He inspired is preached. 14:08 The Spirit's power is never manifested 14:10 unless the word that spirit inspired is preached. 14:17 The Disciples Ministry was magnificent, 14:18 because it was based on divine good news. 14:21 People who believe their doubts 14:22 and doubt their beliefs 14:24 cannot turn the world upside down. 14:29 People who believe their doubts 14:30 and doubt their beliefs 14:31 cannot be the generation that turns the world upside down 14:35 and seize Jesus return. 14:42 Acts Chapter 3 and verse 15. 14:45 To the left from where we're in Galatians. 14:47 Let's turn back to the Book of Acts, 14:50 Chapter 3 and verse 15. 14:57 The Bible says here, let's start in verse 12. 14:59 "And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, 15:01 you men of Israel, why marvel you at this? 15:04 Or why look you so earnestly on us, 15:06 as though by our own power or holiness 15:08 we had made this man to walk? 15:12 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, 15:14 the God of our fathers, has glorified his Son Jesus, 15:17 whom you delivered up, 15:19 and denied him in the presence of Pilate, 15:22 when he was determined to let him go. 15:23 But you denied the Holy One and the Just, 15:27 and desired a murderer to be granted unto you. 15:30 And killed the Prince of life, 15:32 whom God has raised from the dead, 15:34 where of we are witnesses." 15:40 Peter is saying right here, 15:41 we saw it with our own eyes. 15:45 We know that this is true that Jesus was alive, 15:51 He was crucified, He was buried. 15:53 He is alive today. 15:55 We saw it with our eyes, 15:57 we are and I witness of this account. 16:04 Because these as apostles, 16:06 because the disciples had been there and seen it, 16:08 they could preach it with conviction, 16:11 because they knew it was true, 16:14 because they saw it with their very own eyes. 16:16 You know they say seeing is believing. 16:21 But we weren't there, how do we know it's true, 16:23 how do we know? 16:25 We went there, we didn't see it. 16:31 Let's look at Acts Chapter 4 verse 20. 16:33 This will not answer the question 16:35 we just asked but we will answer that. 16:38 Acts Chapter 4 verse 20, the Bible says, 16:40 "For we cannot but speak the things 16:42 which we have seen and heard." 16:48 Their ministry was based on the divine good news 16:51 that those men experienced by being with Jesus, 16:54 they saw it and they heard. Verse 21, 17:01 "So when they had further threatened them, 17:02 they let them go, finding nothing 17:08 how they might punish them, because of the people 17:11 for all men glorified God for that which was done. 17:16 For the man was above forty years old, 17:17 on whom the miracle of healing was showed." 17:22 These people in the early church could 17:25 preach with conviction and power 17:27 because they saw it, they heard it 17:29 and friends they experienced it. 17:31 But where does that leave us, 17:33 we've not answered that question. 17:35 Let's go to the New Testament Book of 2 Peter. 17:39 Remember we're talking about eye witnesses here. 17:41 People who have seen it, people who have heard it, 17:44 people who felt it, people that lived through it. 17:46 We're in 2 Peter Chapter 1. 17:49 Second Peter Chapter 1 verse 16 through verse 19. 17:55 The Bible says here in 2 Peter Chapter 1 verse 16, 17:59 "For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, 18:04 when we made known unto you the power 18:06 and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, 18:10 but were eyewitnesses of his majesty." 18:15 We didn't follow some fairy tale, 18:17 we didn't make this up, 18:19 it's not something that we all can cock it, 18:22 so that people could be deceived. 18:24 This is something that we experienced it. 18:28 "We were eye witnesses of his majesty." 18:30 Verse 17, "For he received from God 18:35 the Father honour and glory, when there came such 18:39 a voice to him from the excellent glory, 18:42 This is my beloved Son, 18:45 in whom I am well pleased." 18:51 "And this voice," verse 18, 18:53 "which came from heaven we heard, 18:55 when we were with him in the holy mount." 18:59 They were eye witnesses, they saw Jesus 19:03 transfigured on the mount of transfiguration. 19:06 They saw Jesus hanging on a cross. 19:08 They were the ones that help get Jesus off the cross. 19:12 They watched Joseph of Arimathea 19:14 laid Jesus in a tomb. 19:18 They went to the tomb on the third day 19:21 to see if Jesus was there 19:22 and he was gone, hallelujah! 19:28 They were eye witnesses. This is where we come in. 19:34 Verse 19, the Bibles says here 19:37 in 2 Peter Chapter 1 verse 19, 19:39 "We have also a more sure word of prophecy, 19:46 we have also a more sure word of prophecy." 19:49 More sure than what my dear friend? 19:51 More sure than an eyewitness account. 19:57 The word of prophecy that the Bible gives us 20:00 is more sure than if we had experienced 20:02 what the apostles experienced. 20:05 They can preach with conviction, 20:07 because they knew the message was true, 20:10 because they lived through it. 20:11 But Peter says right here to you dear friend, 20:14 to you dear friend, to those of you at home, 20:16 Peter says to you, 20:19 "We have a more sure word of prophecy." 20:24 More sure than even an eyewitness account. 20:28 "Whereunto," verse 19 still, 20:31 "ye do well that you take heed, 20:34 as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, 20:37 until the day dawn, 20:39 and the day star arise in your hearts. 20:42 Knowing this first, 20:44 that no prophecy of the scripture 20:46 is of any private interpretation. 20:52 For the prophecy came not in old time 20:53 by the will of man, but holy men of God spake 20:56 as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 21:00 Friends the Disciples Ministry 21:02 was magnificent, because their ministry 21:04 was more important to them 21:06 than their own physical well being. 21:14 The Disciples and the Apostles Ministry 21:16 was magnificent, because it was based 21:18 on divine good news. 21:20 It was based on something they had experienced 21:24 something they had gone through. 21:35 I remember when I met the Lord Jesus Christ. 21:40 I was in the living room of my home. 21:43 I was sitting on the armchair of my couch. 21:46 Now you have to understand 21:47 that's very significant for me, 21:48 because probably like you, 21:50 I was raised with my mother telling me, 21:52 you can sit on the cushions of the couch 21:54 but not the arm of the couch. 21:55 This day I was so distort, 21:57 I was sitting on the arm of the couch. 21:59 My children's mother had told me 22:01 that she was moving that she was going to Tennessee. 22:08 And I left that mediation session 22:10 where we had talked with this mediator, 22:12 and I go home and I sat down on the edge 22:13 of my couch and I looked up at the ceiling 22:15 and I yelled at God. 22:19 And when I got finished yelling to God, 22:21 God said listen 22:22 what's keeping you from your children. 22:27 And I knew exactly what it was my friends. 22:30 I knew exactly the things that I was doing. 22:33 And so I made a deal with God. 22:34 Have you ever made a deal with God? 22:35 Come on you can admit that, 22:37 even if you are at home, you can admit that, 22:38 maybe there is nobody around, 22:39 you just admit it its true. 22:42 I made a deal with God. I said God, 22:45 this is what I will do for you. 22:47 You keep my children here, 22:49 and I'll serve you for the rest of my life. 22:54 God said deal, I said we'll see. 22:58 The first mediation session we went to was on a Tuesday. 23:01 The next mediation session we went to was that Friday. 23:05 The first words out of my children's mother's 23:07 mouth were this, we are not moving. 23:13 Now just two, three days before that they were going, 23:15 no ifs, no ands, no buts, 23:17 and then she says we are not moving, four words. 23:25 And I knew that God was real, I experienced, 23:31 I experienced the relationship with Jesus 23:34 that I had not had prior to that. 23:40 I said right, God, now what do I do. 23:42 I've made a mess of this whole life of mine, 23:45 what do I do? He worked it all along. 23:50 Then here I am preaching the gospel to you my friend. 23:57 Don't think that you cannot have a ministry 23:59 that is magnificent for the Lord Jesus Christ, 24:01 because of your past. 24:02 God knows where you've been, 24:04 but God my friend cares where you're going. 24:07 He knows where you've been, 24:09 but He cares where you're going 24:10 and that decision is up to you. 24:15 We can't make that decision for you. 24:16 Your mom can't make that decision for you, 24:18 your dad can't do it, your brothers, 24:20 your sisters, your aunts, your uncles, 24:21 you have to make that decision. 24:26 Six months later I told my good friend 24:29 Mark Howard, I said Mark 24:30 I can't do this religion thing anymore. 24:33 It's driving me crazy. He said good. 24:37 I said what do you mean good. 24:39 He said the honeymoon is over, 24:41 now make your real decision. 24:46 Praise God, we made it. 24:50 Friends, your ministry can be magnificent, 24:52 if you put your physical life 24:55 behind sharing the gospel. 25:00 Your ministry can be magnificent 25:02 because it is based on the divine good news that Jesus 25:06 Christ was dead and is alive. 25:14 And we have a more sure word of prophecy 25:16 than even an eyewitness. 25:20 The third reason that the Disciples Ministry 25:24 was magnificent was because the Disciples Ministry 25:28 was based on prayer. 25:32 The Disciple Ministry my friend was based on prayer. 25:35 Now many times people struggle 25:37 with their prayer life. What do you say to God? 25:41 Prayer is open in your heart to God just as your friend. 25:46 Often times when I'm driving in my car, 25:48 I'll just pretend that Jesus is sitting next to me 25:51 and I will talk to Him. 25:56 There was an elderly gentleman 25:57 that I was in a hospital 25:59 and his daughter called the pastor and said, 26:03 please can you come visit my dad. 26:07 And so the pastor went over to visit this man 26:09 that was in the hospital and he goes in 26:11 and he sees if there is a chair on one side of the bed, 26:14 there is a chair on the other side of the bed 26:15 and he goes to sit down in the chair that's closest. 26:18 And the elderly gentleman 26:20 that's in the bed there he says, 26:21 please don't sit in that chair. 26:26 And the pastor not wanting to upset 26:28 this elderly gentleman because he knew 26:30 that he didn't have much longer to live says, 26:31 that's okay I'll sit on the other side 26:33 and they begin to talk to each other. 26:36 Then the pastor gets up the nerve 26:37 and he asks the question. 26:39 Tell me why I couldn't I sit on the chair next to the bed? 26:43 He said because that's the chair that Jesus sits here. 26:49 I spend a lot of time in this room by myself 26:54 and I like talking to Jesus, and that's his chair. 27:00 They had an incredible visit, 27:01 the pastor went home and two days later, 27:04 he received the phone call from the friend, 27:06 took young lady, please come to the hospital, 27:09 dad is, didn't make it, he just wanted to get help, 27:12 he was just trying to get help. 27:13 Please come down and he was just trying to get help. 27:20 The pastor goes down to the hospital. 27:24 This young lady that is so distort says, 27:27 dad was just trying to get help. 27:29 He got up out of the bed 27:30 and he tried to get to the door, 27:32 but he fell down here 27:33 and his head was on this chair. 27:38 And the pastor had the opportunity to share 27:40 with this daughter that was so distort. 27:44 Who it was that sat in that chair? 27:47 And in whose lap her father had rested his head. 27:53 The ministry of the disciples 27:55 of the early church was magnificent, 27:57 because it was a ministry based on prayer, 28:02 based on conservations with God. 28:06 We have plenty of preachers, we need more pleaders. 28:11 We have plenty of preachers my friends, 28:13 we need more pleaders. 28:17 Turn with me in your Bibles to Luke 24 and verse 53. 28:22 Matthew, Mark, Luke 24 and verse 53. 28:30 Luke is before John, here we are, 28:34 Luke 24 and verse 53. 28:37 "After Jesus has ascended up into the clouds." 28:41 verse 53, well let's stop, 28:43 let's read in verse 51, "And it came to pass, 28:46 while He blessed them, He was parted from them, 28:49 and carried up into heaven. 28:52 And they worshipped him, 28:53 and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 28:57 And were continually in the temple, 28:59 praising and blessing God." Amen. 29:05 They didn't go back home and mope around. 29:09 They were in the temple continually 29:10 praising and blessing God. 29:14 They weren't always end up in a room hiding. 29:18 They were sharing their faith through prayer, 29:20 through blessing and praising God. 29:22 Listen prayer isn't always just asking 29:24 God to give you what you want. 29:27 It's praising God for giving you 29:28 what He has given you. 29:34 Acts Chapter 1 and verse 14 to the right from 29:36 where we are, Acts Chapter 1 verse 14. 29:43 The Bible says, "These all continued with one 29:46 accord in prayer and supplication, 29:50 with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, 29:52 and with his brethren." 29:54 Friends the ministry of the early church was magnificent, 29:59 because the early churches ministry 30:01 was based on prayer. 30:07 There are many of our saints in our churches. 30:10 They can't go out and actively witness 30:13 because their knees are too old, 30:16 because their hips don't work right. 30:18 There are people that are confined to wheelchairs 30:21 and they think what can I do 30:22 for the gospel of Jesus Christ, 30:24 and the answer is to pray, to pray and to pray. 30:33 Three points so far the disciples 30:35 were effective in their ministry. 30:37 Their ministry was magnificent, 30:39 because it was more important to them 30:40 than their physical life. 30:42 Is it more important to you than your physical life? 30:52 And if it is not, what would keep you 30:56 from making that decision right now. 31:03 The decision to say, sharing the gospel 31:07 is more important to me than 31:08 being embarrassed in a restaurant. 31:12 Sharing the gospel 31:13 is more important to me than anything else. 31:20 Friend, what is it that would keep you 31:23 from having a magnificent ministry. 31:27 The second point, the disciples, the apostles, 31:30 the early churches ministry was magnificent, 31:33 because it was based on divine good news. 31:42 Friends, do you believe that Jesus died for you. 31:49 Those of you at home in your living room, 31:51 do you believe that Jesus gave His life for you. 32:02 The early church believed it. 32:04 Their ministry was magnificent because of it. 32:10 Point number three, the disciples, the apostles, 32:12 the early churches ministry was magnificent, 32:14 because it was a ministry that was based on prayer. 32:19 Look with me to Acts Chapter 6 verse 3. 32:25 Acts Chapter 6 and verse 3. 32:27 The Bibles says, "Wherefore, brethren, 32:30 look ye out among yourself seven men of honest report, 32:34 full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, 32:36 whom we may appoint over this business. 32:40 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, 32:43 and to the ministry of the word." 32:48 Remember friends, remember that people 32:52 who doubt their beliefs and believe their doubts 32:54 will not turn the world upside down. 32:58 Remember that the Spirit's power is never 33:00 manifested unless the word he inspired is preached. 33:07 "Prayer is the breath of the soul, 33:09 the secret of spiritual power. 33:12 Neglect the exercise of prayer, 33:14 and you lose your hold on God." 33:16 What blessings have we missed my friend. 33:20 What blessings have we missed because we do not 33:22 stop to listen to God speak to us in prayer. 33:30 Many people tell me, you know, 33:32 a prayer with God is just a one sided conversation. 33:36 And I tell them that's because you won't be quite 33:38 long enough to listen. 33:43 Friends God wants to speak to us. 33:46 But many times we don't give Him the opportunity too. 33:51 The early church had a magnificent ministry, 33:54 because it was based on prayer. 34:01 The disciples, the apostles, 34:03 the early churches ministry, 34:04 this is point four was magnificent. 34:08 Because they expected 34:09 Jesus to fulfill His promise to return. 34:12 They expected Jesus 34:14 to fulfill His promise to return. 34:18 They expected Jesus to fulfill 34:22 His promise to return, 34:23 and because of that expectation, 34:27 they allowed it to affect the way 34:29 that they live their lives. 34:34 Turn with me to John Chapter 14, 34:37 to the left from where we are, 34:40 John, the 14th Chapter verse 1. 34:45 Jesus said in John Chapter 14 and verse 1, 34:48 we know its Jesus speaking here. 34:51 Jesus says, "Let not your heart be troubled, 34:54 you believe in God, believe also in me. 34:59 In my Father's house are many mansions, 35:02 if they were not so," Jesus says, 35:04 "I would have told you." 35:06 Don't you think I would have told you that? 35:09 "I go to prepare a place for you. 35:12 And if I go and prepare a place for you, 35:16 I will come again, and receive you unto myself, 35:19 that where I am, there you may be also." 35:26 Jesus gives this promise to His disciples. 35:30 John records this in John Chapter 14, 35:33 so that we can hear the promise given to us. 35:37 Jesus said hey look, I'm gonna go away 35:40 and I'm gonna come back 35:41 and then I'm gonna take you to be where I am, 35:44 because I want you to be with me. 35:46 My life was lived, so that you could live with me. 35:51 The disciples believe Jesus' promise, do you? 35:55 Do you believe that Jesus is going to come back 35:57 and to take you home? 36:00 Do you believe that Jesus has a mansion 36:02 reserved for you and it says, go and right there. 36:12 The disciples believed it. 36:15 When they allowed it to affect the way 36:18 they lived their lives. 36:26 The promise is repeated in 1 Thessalonians Chapter 1. 36:29 Turn to the right in your Bibles 36:31 to the T-Section of the New Testament. 36:34 If you have an English Bible, 36:35 your T-Section is in alphabetical order. 36:38 And we are going 36:39 to 1 Thessalonians Chapter 1 verse 9, 36:44 1 Thessalonians Chapter 1 verse 9. 36:48 The Bible says, 36:49 1 Thessalonians Chapter 1 verse 9. 36:52 "For they themselves show us 36:54 of what manner of entering in we had unto you, 36:58 and how you turned to God from idols 37:00 to serve the living and true God. 37:03 And to wait for his Son from heaven, 37:06 whom he raised from the dead." 37:07 What are they waiting for? 37:08 They're waiting for the son 37:10 that was risen from the dead to come back. 37:14 "Even Jesus, which was delivered 37:16 from the wrath to come." 37:17 These people believed that Jesus was going to return 37:20 and they allowed that fact 37:22 my friend to affect the way that they lived their lives. 37:25 It wasn't just take life as it comes for the disciples 37:29 in the early church of Jesus. No, no, no, my friends. 37:33 Every thought they had was wrapped in the God 37:37 of Jesus is coming back. 37:43 And because of that their ministry was magnificent. 37:45 How is it with your ministry? 37:52 How is it? 37:56 Do you allow the fact that Jesus 37:58 is going to return to affect the way 38:00 that you live your life? 38:01 You know often on some surveys 38:03 when you go to the door the question is asked. 38:05 If Jesus were to come back tomorrow, 38:07 would you live your life any different today 38:09 and always the answer is yes, yes, yes. 38:12 Why don't we live that way now? 38:17 Why don't we? 38:19 Not one person in here, not one of us said, 38:22 home or promised or guaranteed life tomorrow. 38:31 If we would live our life differently, 38:33 differently if we knew that it was our last day, 38:35 why not start now? 38:38 Why not make sure that our ministry is magnificent. 38:45 Why not make sure that our ministry is magnificent 38:47 because it is more important to us than our physical life. 38:51 Why not do it, we can to make sure 38:53 that our ministry is effective and magnificent, 38:55 because it is based on divine good news. 39:01 Why can't we spend more time in prayer, 39:04 less time in front of the TV? 39:19 And why don't we allow the fact 39:21 that Jesus is going to return 39:24 to affect the way that we live. 39:28 Turn with me to the New Testament Book of 1 John. 39:31 You probably gonna hit the Book of Revelation 39:33 and have to back up a little bit, 39:34 but that's okay. 39:36 Just go straight to the Book of Revelation 39:37 and back up to the left. 39:40 We're going to 1 John, 39:47 1 John Chapter 3 39:52 verses 1, 2, and 3. 39:56 The Bible says in 1 John Chapter 3 verse 1. 39:59 "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath 40:01 bestowed upon us, that we should be called 40:05 the sons of God, therefore the world 40:08 knoweth us not, because it knew Him not. 40:12 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, 40:17 and it doth not yet appear what we shall be, 40:19 but we know that, when He shall appear, 40:21 we shall be like Him, 40:23 for we shall see Him as He is. 40:26 And every man that has this hope in himself 40:32 or every man that has this hope in Him 40:34 purifieth himself, even as He is pure." 40:36 What hope is that my friend? 40:38 The hope with Jesus Christ is going to return. 40:41 We must allow that fact to infiltrate everything 40:45 we do in our lives. 40:46 It will affect what we watch on TV. 40:49 It will affect when we listen to on the radio. 40:50 It will affect the links we click on 40:52 when we're on the internet in a room alone. 40:58 Now you said I'm going to meddling 41:00 rather than preaching, that's okay. 41:04 Sometimes it'd be good if people would meddle. 41:10 The hope of the second coming of Jesus Christ 41:12 purifies of us, because it gives us 41:14 the motivation to live our lives according to His will. 41:23 Four reasons, 41:25 the Disciples Ministry was magnificent. 41:28 Can you remember them? 41:30 Number one, the reason they had a magnificent ministry 41:34 was because their ministry was more important to them 41:36 than their own physical well being. 41:42 Many of us will say it's too cold, 41:44 it's too rainy, it's too hot, 41:47 I want to take a nap, 41:51 not the early church, no, no, no. 41:56 The disciples were effective, the apostles were effective, 42:00 the early church was effective 42:01 and their ministry was magnificent, 42:02 because their ministry was based on divine good news. 42:07 The Lamb of God that takes away the sin 42:09 of the world was here. 42:11 He went back to heaven and He gave us all power. 42:15 We were there, we saw it, 42:17 we experienced it, we felt it. 42:24 The Disciples Ministry was effective, 42:26 the Apostles Ministry was effective. 42:28 The early churches ministry 42:29 was magnificent and effective, 42:30 because that was the ministry that was based on prayer. 42:40 And the Disciples Ministry was magnificent, 42:43 the Apostles Ministry was magnificent, 42:47 the early churches ministry was magnificent, 42:54 because they expected Jesus 42:55 to fulfill His promise to return. Do you? 43:03 A good friend of mine, his name is Rod. 43:08 Rod and I worked for the same trucking company. 43:10 I used to drive an eighteen-wheeler, 43:11 one of those big rigs that nobody likes 43:13 to pass when it's raining, because all the spray 43:15 is coming out, you know, what I'm talking about. 43:19 I remember when the Lord Jesus got a hold 43:21 of my heart, when the Lord Jesus 43:23 convicted me that my life that I was living was not 43:26 what I needed to be doing. 43:30 My life changed. 43:32 Rodney and I worked at the same place. 43:37 Before my conversion, before Jesus 43:40 became the most magnificent part of my life, 43:45 Rodney and I could be in the warehouse 43:47 just goofing off and talk and telling the jokes 43:49 the people of the world tell. 43:52 But after conversion, I didn't want to have 43:53 anything to do with that. 43:56 Rodney didn't even want to be near me, 43:58 didn't want to talk to me. 44:02 And I remember one day, my boss, 44:03 his name was Mark, Mark said, Scott, 44:06 I need you and Rodney to go get another tractor, 44:10 that's the truck that pulls the trailer, you understand. 44:12 I need you guys to go get another 44:14 one from the company that we released them from. 44:18 And I said, now who is going? 44:19 He said you're going and Rod's going. 44:20 I said give me the keys 44:24 and I don't like driving too slow, 44:27 but that day instead of, 44:29 it taken us twenty minutes to getup there, 44:31 it took forty. 44:34 Rodney was a captive audience in the truck 44:37 and I was begging this brother 44:39 to give his life to Jesus. 44:43 Now we were in a cab-over, 44:45 I don't know if you know what a cab-over is? 44:46 But it's a truck that has a flat face on it, 44:49 you know, a just flat faced truck, woo, 44:52 you know, what I am talking about. 44:54 And you have to climb up into those trucks, 44:56 you can't just step up into them, 44:57 you climb up into those trucks. 44:59 When we pulled into that service bay 45:01 I was going to fuel the rig up that I was in then. 45:04 Rodney opens the door and half way out the door, 45:06 I said Rodney stop. 45:12 What happens if Jesus comes back tomorrow? 45:17 And he just broke down and wept my friends. 45:25 Half way out of that truck he pushes himself 45:28 back into it, 45:31 crying and he gave his heart to Jesus. 45:45 My friends, we need to allow the fact 45:47 that Jesus is coming back to change us. 46:01 Just like the faithful martyrs of old, 46:05 their names were forever 46:06 been written in the Heavenly Kingdom. 46:11 Turn with me to Revelation Chapter 21. 46:14 Revelation, the 21st Chapter. 46:20 Revelation 21 and verse 13, 46:25 Revelation 21:13. 46:29 Talking about the walls of New Jerusalem. 46:32 Revelation 21 verse 13 says, 46:34 "On the east three gates, on the north three gates, 46:39 on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. 46:45 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, 46:49 and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb." 46:58 The ministry of the apostles 46:59 was so significant and so magnificent 47:02 that their names were forever be edged in the foundation 47:06 stones of New Jerusalem. 47:10 Friends, where will your name be written 47:13 when Jesus Christ comes back? 47:17 Will your ministry be a ministry of such 47:20 a nature that Jesus will say to you, 47:22 "Well done, thou goodand faithful servant." 47:28 There will be two groups of people praying 47:30 when Jesus returns. 47:32 One group will be crying for the rocks to fall on them 47:35 and the other group will be saying Lo, 47:37 this is our God, we have waited for Him. 47:48 Where will your names be written? 47:52 Will the stones fall on you my friend? 47:55 Or will your name be written in the stones? 48:02 Turn with me to 1 Peter Chapter 2 and verse 5, 48:05 that's just a little to the left from where we are. 48:11 First Peter Chapter 2, 48:13 let's begin reading in verse 2, 1 rather. 48:17 First Peter Chapter 2 verse 1, 48:18 "Wherefore laying aside all malice, 48:20 and all guile, and hypocrisies, 48:21 and envies, all evil speakings. 48:24 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk 48:26 of the word, that you may grow thereby. 48:29 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 48:33 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, 48:37 disallowed indeed of men, 48:39 but chosen of God, and precious. 48:43 Ye also, as lively stones, 48:48 are built up a spiritual house, 48:53 an holy priesthood, to offer up 48:55 spiritual sacrifices, 48:57 acceptable to God by Christ Jesus." 49:02 My friends will you be one of those stones 49:05 that are used to build the spiritual house of God? 49:16 Where will you be, when Jesus returns? 49:21 Will your ministry, 49:23 is your ministry magnificent? 49:28 And if not what would keep you 49:32 from making it magnificent? 49:37 It's a simple choice. 49:41 Either you choose to follow Jesus 49:44 and have the most magnificent ministry 49:46 or you choose to follow the world 49:50 and pretend to have a magnificent ministry. 49:54 You can fool your friends, 49:55 you can fool your mom, you can fool your dad, 49:57 but you can't fool God. 50:03 How is it with you my friend? 50:10 Do you believe Jesus is coming soon? 50:17 How is it with you? 50:21 Do you spend time in prayer? 50:29 How is it with you? 50:36 Do you believe in the divine good news? 50:43 And how is it with you, and you? 50:53 Is the gospel more important to you than your life? 51:04 Those two Christians 51:08 that threw up their arms 51:12 had a ministry that was magnificent. 51:18 How about you? 51:26 He's a London businessman, named Lindsay Clegg. 51:33 Lindsay Clegg was a salesman, he sold property. 51:38 There was a particular warehouse 51:41 that he needed to sell. 51:43 And it had been on the market for quite sometime 51:45 and as buildings who aren't, that aren't occupied normally 51:49 go through this type of disaster. 51:51 People began to break the windows, 51:53 they began to try open the doors, 51:56 to allow trash and leaves to go inside. 52:03 Yet this property would not sell, 52:06 no matter how low the price went, 52:08 the property would not sell. 52:11 One day Lindsay Clegg got a call from the man 52:17 that said I would like to see this warehouse. 52:25 So Lindsey, Lindsey 52:26 took this man to the warehouse. 52:32 He showed him the warehouse. 52:35 He assured him, 52:36 I'll replace the doors, that's no problem. 52:39 The trash that's on the inside 52:40 we can sweep it out, that's no problem. 52:44 The windows that are broken, we will make sure 52:45 that we get those windows replaced, 52:48 so that you don't have to worry about that expand, 52:50 expense that's no problem. 52:55 Detail after detail Lindsay Clegg, 52:58 reassured this buyer of all the things that he would fix. 53:06 The buyer said, forget about the repairs, 53:09 forget about the repairs. 53:10 I don't care about the doors. 53:12 I don't care about the windows. 53:13 I don't care about the trash inside. 53:16 I don't care about the cracks in the foundation. 53:19 I don't care about the rust on the beams. 53:23 I don't care about the peeling paint on the outside. 53:26 I don't care about the leak in the roof. 53:32 When I buy this place Mr. Clegg, 53:36 I'm going to build something completely different. 53:41 It's not the building that I want, 53:46 it's the site. 53:48 It's not the building that I want, 53:50 he said it's the site. 53:52 I want to build something completely new. 53:59 Compared with the renovation that God has in mind, 54:02 our efforts to improve our own lives 54:05 are as trivial as sweeping an old warehouse. 54:13 When we become God's, the old life is over. 54:17 He makes all things new. 54:19 Second Corinthians Chapter 5 verse 17. 54:25 "If any man be in Christ, 54:26 he is a new creature, 54:27 old things are passed away behold, all has become new." 54:31 My friends I've said it once, I'll say it again. 54:33 Jesus knows where you've been, 54:36 but Jesus cares where you're going. 54:44 Friend what would keep you today 54:50 from giving King Jesus 54:55 permission to build in you? 55:04 What would keep you today from allowing King Jesus 55:07 to make you what He created you to be? 55:22 Friend what would keep you 55:28 from allowing Jesus to have your site. 55:33 Not the building, 55:35 He wants to build something new. 55:41 He wants to make you a new creature in Christ Jesus. 55:47 The four points, my friend, the disciples, 55:51 the early churches ministry was magnificent 55:53 because they were willing to die for it. 55:57 The early churches ministry was magnificent 55:59 because it was based on the divine good news 56:02 that Jesus Christ had come, that He had died, 56:05 that He had been resurrected to third day 56:07 and He would promise to come back. 56:11 The disciples, the early churches ministry 56:12 was magnificent because it was a ministry 56:14 that was based on prayer. 56:21 The Disciples Ministry was magnificent, 56:23 the early churches ministry was magnificent 56:25 because they expected Jesus to fulfill 56:27 His promise to return. Do you? 56:33 Their names will forever be written in New Jerusalem. 56:36 Jesus says, that you can be one of those lively stones 56:40 that build up His spiritual house. 56:47 Is it your desire to give Jesus, 56:53 the site to build on? 56:58 If that is your desire, won't you raise your hand 57:01 where you sit or even if you were at home? 57:04 And let King Jesus know that you want 57:06 your ministry to be magnificent. 57:12 Jesus sees those hands. 57:15 Praise God, my friends. |
Revised 2014-12-17