Striving Together

All right, would you take the Word of God with me and turn to the book of Philippians?

Philippians chapter 1.

Philippians 1 · chapter mention

I am preaching an entire series of sermons in one day today.

I don't know why y'all laughing.

We will get out of here before 6 o'clock tonight, okay?

What time is the Super Bowl? 5? 5.30?

We'll get out of here before then, okay?

I'm kidding. We should be out around the normal time today.

And actually, we have a lunch for Discovering First Baptist.

Some of you received an invitation to that, so make sure you don't run out of here without coming to our lunch.

That is for, specifically, some of the guests we've been having with us recently,

some newer members to learn about our church, meet the staff, etc.

So if you received an invitation to that, I want to remind you about our Discovering First Baptist lunch right after the service.

That's at the Fellowship Hall toward the back of the building there.

Philippians chapter 1.

Philippians 1 · chapter mention

We're going to be looking specifically toward the end of the chapter.

But before we get into that,

I want to...

This really kind of is a series of sermons wrapped up in one sermon here.

So we're going to just touch on it lightly,

but I think it really ties in with the series we just concluded

from Matthew's Gospel about salt and light.

Talking, drawing from the Sermon on the Mount that Jesus preached.

Probably the most famous sermon ever preached on this earth.

And we took one of the core truths from it,

that God called us to be salt and light.

And that's who we are as a church.

We are the salt of the earth.

We are the light of the world.

And we covered that the last four Sundays.

That's available on the First Baptist Henrietta YouTube channel

if you'd like to get caught up on that.

But before we get into it,

let's look down at Philippians chapter 1.

Philippians 1 · chapter mention

The subject we're talking about today...

I don't know if I can get this to work.

How many of y'all were here on Wednesday night?

You remember my clicker wouldn't work?

It's still not working.

There we go.

It worked.

It worked.

There we go.

All right.

The subject...

I think I had slid the...

It's usually user error.

It's not usually the guys up there.

Matt's laughing.

He's like, yeah, he's right.

It is user error.

The subject we're talking about today

draws straight from Philippians 1 and verse 27.

That's these two words,

striving together.

Striving together.

So,

I want to

focus primarily on that verse,

verse 27.

But for the context of it,

let's read the whole chapter together.

And so,

out of respect for God's word,

if you're able to join me in standing,

would you do so now?

I know we've been up and down a little bit

during the service,

but let's stand one more time together,

if you can,

and let's read Philippians chapter 1,

Philippians 1 · chapter mention

verse...

Beginning in verse 1,

together.

I'm reading this time from the English Standard Version.

Actually, I believe I'm reading from the NIV on this one,

so I apologize for that.

There are many...

Tell you what.

How many of you,

if you happen to know what translation of the Bible

you're looking at right now,

would you shout it out?

Ready?

One, two, three.

Yeah, you hear all those different kinds?

That's all right.

There's nothing wrong with that at all.

God has preserved His word

in the English language

for generation after generation after generation

through different Bibles,

the Geneva Bible,

the King James Bible,

the Wycliffe Bible.

There's all kinds of Bibles

that have come up

since God's word was translated

into the English language,

and we're thankful for all of them.

Many...

Some of them may be a little far afield

from the original manuscripts that were found,

but normally the ones you'll find at Mardell's

or at a Christian bookstore

are just fine,

and we'll say more or less the same thing,

maybe just slightly different language.

So let's read it together.

I'm reading out of the NIV.

Paul and Timothy,

servants of Jesus Christ,

to all God's holy people

in Christ Jesus at Philippi,

together with the overseers and deacons,

grace and peace to you

from God,

our Father,

and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Verse 3.

I thank my God

every time I remember you.

Anybody say that's me?

People thank their God

every time they think of me.

Anybody?

No, nobody's bold enough

to raise their hand.

That was apparently

the testimony of this church,

and how special is that?

It's actually one of the early sermons

I preached at this church

in my tenure here

was about this church

and their unique reputation.

In the mind of Paul,

he was able to thank God

every time he remembered them.

Verse 4.

In all my prayers for all of you,

I always pray with joy

because of your partnership

in the gospel

from the first day until now.

You see why he was so pleased

to think of them?

Why he had so much joy

filling his heart

when he prayed for this church?

It was because they partnered

with him in the gospel.

What is the gospel?

It's a word that simply means

good news.

Back in the old days,

you would say

there's a Roman general

coming back to Rome

from a far land,

and he's bringing the gospel

of victories

in his battles

with the Roman armies.

So he would bring back

the good news

back to his home country.

That is exactly

what Jesus did for us.

He went to a far country,

and he fought a battle

on our behalf,

and he brings back

good news of victory over sin.

That's why we call it

the good news.

That's why we call it

the gospel.

It's the story

that you and I were sinners,

we were prisoners of sin,

we were brought up in sin,

born in sin,

had no way to escape it,

but Jesus came

and brought us victory.

He laid down his life,

he fought the battle,

he willingly sacrificed himself

on a cross

to pay that penalty of sin,

and because he did that,

you and I now

have an opportunity

to be saved,

to find freedom,

to find victory

because of this gospel.

So that's why we have churches.

That's why we sing

songs of praise.

That's why we go out

and tell this good news

to other people,

and when we partner together

in that,

it brings great joy

to all of us.

So that's what Paul was saying.

It brings great joy to me

because of your partnership

in getting this gospel out

from the first day

until now.

Being confident in this,

verse 6,

that he who began

a good work in you

will carry it on

to completion

until the day

of Christ Jesus.

Y'all, there's a lot

we could stop along

through this passage

and spend the rest

of our time together

talking about,

but I'm trying to give you

the context

as we get down

to the end of the chapter.

So he said,

God began a good work

in all of us.

He's going to carry it on

to its finish.

We can thank God

for that.

He's not done with us.

He's still working on us.

Verse 7,

And it's right for me

to feel this way

about all of you.

Since I have you

in my heart,

and whether I'm in chains,

sometimes he was arrested

for preaching the gospel,

or defending

and confirming the gospel,

all of you share

in God's grace with me.

God can testify

how I long

for all of you

with the affection

of Christ Jesus.

Sometimes he was arrested,

he was thrown in prison.

Sometimes his journeys

would take him elsewhere,

and he would miss

those Christians

he would leave behind

in Philippi

and Ephesus

and Corinth

and all these cities

that he would go to

and visit these churches.

Verse 9,

This is my prayer,

that your love

may abound,

grow,

more and more

in knowledge

and in depth

of insight

so that you

may be able

to discern

what is best

and may be pure

and blameless

for the day of Christ

when Jesus

comes back.

This is probably

a good stopping

point right here.

So why don't we pray

and ask God's blessings

on our service

and then we'll continue

on reading

the rest

of Philippians 1.

Lord, I thank you

for your blessing

on our church.

I thank you

for giving us

these holy scriptures.

I thank you

for your sacrifice

for us

on our behalf.

May everything

we do

in this service

and through

the work

of this church

be to glorify you,

to grow your kingdom,

to partner together

with this gospel.

And it's in Jesus' name

we ask it.

Amen.

You may be seated.

Thanks for standing

so long.

Let's pick it up here

when he said,

my goal for you

is that your love grows,

your knowledge

and insight grows

into God

so that you can discern

what is best,

you can be pure

when Jesus comes back.

Verse 11,

you can be filled

with the fruit

of righteousness

that comes through

Jesus Christ

to the glory

and praise of God.

Now let's look

at verse 12.

Ready?

I want you to know,

brothers and sisters,

that what has happened

to me

has actually served

to advance

the gospel.

You know what that means?

Get it out more.

Spread this good news

everywhere.

Go tell it on the mountains,

over the hills

and everywhere.

So he said

all the bad things

that have happened

to me

when the religious leaders

didn't like

what I was saying,

when the government

didn't like

what I was saying,

when the soldiers

didn't like

what I was saying,

when I got shipwrecked,

when I got snakebitten,

when I got diseases,

all these things

that have happened

to me

have actually served

to advance

the gospel

and as a result

in verse 13,

it's become clear

throughout the whole

palace guard,

the guys that were

guarding him

and to everyone else

around him

that I am in chains

for Christ.

His reputation

was intact.

His reputation

was strong.

He was not suffering

because he was

a terrible man,

had committed

terrible crimes.

It was clear

to the prison guards

and to everybody else

that this man

was suffering

because of his faith

in Jesus.

So,

verse 14,

because of these chains,

most of the brothers

and sisters

have become confident

in the Lord

and dare all the more

to proclaim the gospel

without fear.

Y'all,

this church

existed in a day

when you could not

freely go

and share your faith

like we can here

in America.

And because Paul

was arrested

and locked in prison,

he was so confident

and refused to give up,

refused to have his spirit

broken

or his will

to accomplish

God's will

deterred,

this man

was like a dog

with a bone.

He just wouldn't stop.

Couldn't take it

away from him.

And so,

the church

latched onto that.

They said,

we need that kind

of confidence.

We need that kind

of spirit

like Paul has.

So,

Paul's imprisonment

was actually

driving them

all the more

to proclaim

the gospel

without fear.

Verse 15.

He addresses

some problems

that have come up.

He said,

it's true

that some people

that you will hear,

some preach Christ

out of envy

and rivalry,

but others

preach it

out of good will.

The ones

preaching out

of good will,

these latter ones,

they do so

out of love.

They know

that I am put here

for the defense

of the gospel.

The other ones

that preach

the gospel,

preach Christ

out of poor motives,

out of envy

and rivalry.

He said,

the former

preached Christ

out of selfish

ambition,

not sincerely,

supposing they can

stir up trouble

for me

while I'm in chains.

He said,

some people

will preach

the Bible,

they'll preach

Jesus,

they'll preach

the gospel

out of bad motives,

serving themselves,

they have their

own agenda.

Verse 18,

this was Paul's

perspective on that.

We recognize that

sometimes in churches

you go

or you turn on

the TV

and you hear people

supposedly preaching

Jesus and you just

feel like they don't

have the right motives.

It may not always

be saying

the exact truth.

Verse 18,

Paul says,

what does it matter?

The important thing

is that in every way,

whether from false

motives or true,

Christ is preached.

And because of this,

I rejoice.

Isn't that interesting?

Paul would not let

himself get drawn

into any controversies.

While Paul was locked

up in prison,

there'd be others

out there trying to

make him look bad,

trying to take his

place,

trying to get his

fame and influence

throughout these

churches

and this world.

Sometimes it was

for financial gain.

They'd think that

Paul's got to be

making all kinds

of money going

around traveling

to all these churches

and preaching.

Let me see if I can

get some of that money

while he's in prison.

Some of it was

influence.

There was all kinds

of reasons

why people

would be

preaching

Christ

out of wrong

motivations.

Paul said,

you're not going

to draw me

into

tearing those

people down.

You're not going

to start a war

between me and them.

You're not going

to distract me

from my focus,

my calling,

my purpose.

He said,

whatever their

motivations are,

I'm glad they're

telling people

about Jesus.

I'm glad that

God is using

them regardless

of what's in it

for them.

I'm glad that

God's name

is getting out.

It's an interesting

perspective that I

think we could do

well to learn from.

And he said,

because of this,

I rejoice.

And I will continue

to rejoice.

Verse 19,

because I know

that through your

prayers and God's

provision of the

spirit of Jesus

Christ, what has

happened to me

will turn out

for my deliverance.

God will use it

for good.

God will get me

out of here

when the time's

right.

God's not going

to let all my

work go to vain,

go in vain.

God is going

to come through

and he believed

it.

So verse 20,

I eagerly expect

and hope that I

will in no way

be ashamed,

but now I will

have sufficient

courage.

So now as always,

Christ will be

exalted in my

body, whether by

life or by death.

For to me,

to live is Christ.

It's what it's

about.

To die,

it's just gain.

It's more.

It's more of Christ.

I get to go home

and be in heaven

with Jesus forever.

How great is that

going to be?

You see how Paul

was single-minded?

He had such a

laser focus on God's

purpose for his life.

Verse 22,

if I am to go on

living in this body,

that will mean

fruitful labor for me.

But what should I

choose?

I don't know.

I'm torn between

these two options.

I desire to depart

and to be with

Christ,

and that's better

by far.

Verse 24,

but it's more

necessary for you

that I remain here

in this body

with you.

convinced of this.

I know that I

will remain.

He's not going to

end his life

before it's time.

He said,

I will remain

and I will

continue

with all of you

for your progress

and joy

in the faith

so that through

my being with you,

again,

your boasting

in Christ Jesus

will abound

on account

of me.

What's he saying?

If I stay with you

and pour myself

into God's work

for me,

God's purpose

for me,

and become so close

with Jesus

through walking

with him,

working with him

for your behalf,

then your faith

will grow

so much more.

And you're boasting

and everything

that you live

your life for

will not be

about yourself.

It will grow

and cause you

to be closer

to Jesus Christ

because of the work

that God does

through me.

That's what Paul's

telling us.

So now we get

to our key verse.

It's been a little

while getting there,

but thanks for

hanging with me

through that.

Verse 27.

Whatever happens,

here is his message

to them.

Whatever happens,

conduct yourselves

in a manner

worthy

of the gospel

of Christ.

Then,

whether I come

and see you

or only hear

about you

in my absence,

I will know

that you

stand firm

in one spirit,

striving

together

as one

for the faith

of the gospel.

Some of the greatest

words that Paul

ever wrote.

They clarify,

they crystallize,

they make very

understandable

and plain

our purpose

as followers

of Jesus

gathered together

in a church.

He makes it

so clear

what we are

to be about.

and not

being frightened

in any way

by those

who oppose you

because this

is a sign

to them

that they

will be

destroyed

but that

you will

be saved

by God.

So folks,

what it comes

down to

is the end

of verse 27

right there.

Standing firm

in one spirit,

God's spirit,

striving

together

as one

for the faith

of the gospel.

That's what

we are going

to talk about

today.

And in the

few minutes

we have left,

I hope that

you leave here

today with

an understanding

of what it

means to

strive together

for the faith

of the gospel.

Let's think

about that

word strive.

When I look

at it,

and I looked

at it in all

these different

translations,

and even went

back to the

root word that

was written

down originally

in Greek,

and looking

at this,

what does it

mean when it

says this

word strive?

Maybe your

Bible says

contend.

Maybe it

says struggle.

And what it

seems to be

is that

struggle.

Because Paul

understands that

it's a struggle.

We're fighting

something.

We're fighting

an enemy.

Something is

resisting us,

so we have

to strive,

we have to

fight, we have

to contend,

we have to

struggle.

struggle.

So, you

know where

my mind

went?

My mind

went to

Philippians

127.

That's where

it came from

because that

was the text

we just read.

But you

know where

it went

after I

realized that

this is

talking about

a struggle?

It went

here.

The struggle

is real.

Paul knew

that, didn't

he?

He knew

that this

struggle that

we're in

is very

real.

Now, if you

spend time on

social media at

all, and I

can't say I

recommend it,

but you're

probably going to

do it whether I

recommend it or

not.

I find myself on

there sometimes,

not as much as I

used to be because

I just don't have

the time for it.

But you will see

sometimes memes or

people using this

phrase, the

struggle is real.

I don't know if

that came from the

millennial generation

or what it was.

That feels like

something that came

from the

millennials.

I is one, so

I get it.

The struggle is

real.

Now, normally,

that's kind of

said tongue-in-cheek

about something that

isn't really that

much of a hardship,

but it's kind of an

annoyance, you know?

Man, I ran out of

coffee this morning,

and I didn't know it,

and so I got up,

and I had to start my

morning without coffee.

Hashtag, the

struggle is real.

It's like, yeah,

first world problems,

man.

Your life is really

rough out there.

Normally, that's how

we use that.

However, this life

is a struggle,

genuinely.

There is real

struggle that you

and I have to face

all the time,

and it's not often

the things that make

us post on social

media, but there is

real struggle going

on in our hearts.

Anybody know what's

happening at 530

today?

Y'all look quiet

bunch, man.

What's happening at

530 today?

Super Bowl, there we

go, there we go,

there we go.

We've got to cut the

air down and wake

everybody up.

I don't know.

Patrick Mahomes

recently reopened up

about the Chiefs'

journey to Super Bowl

58.

Now, this year is

Super Bowl 59.

Last year, it was

Super Bowl 58, and

you know who won?

Chiefs, yes.

So glad for you,

man.

You did not watch

the whole entire game.

You were running in

and out some, man.

Listen, the Chiefs

won it.

They're trying to win

three in a row this

year.

If you don't care

about football at all,

that's okay.

Just listen to this

part of the story here.

Patrick Mahomes

opened up recently

about his team's

journey to Super Bowl

58 last year.

revealing why this

championship holds a

special place in his

heart.

In a candid interview

with NBC Sports,

Mahomes painted a

picture of a season

filled with unexpected

challenges and hard

fought victories.

They didn't just coast

to a Super Bowl last

year.

If they can pull it

off and beat a very

powerful Chiefs team

and win this third in

a row, you can

definitely look at

their season and see

that they didn't coast

to a Super Bowl this

year either.

But he's talking

about last season

and he says, this

interview says, he

didn't shy away from

accepting the team's

struggles, particularly

on offense.

Well, he's the

quarterback, so that's

his part of the team,

right?

He spoke of the

constant effort to

improve week after

week, adding, this

year it was the

defense that kind of

led the team.

And the offense, we

dealt with our

struggles.

We had to continue

to just work to get

better every single

week.

He even remembered a

moment that came after

the final regular season

game against the

Chargers.

Mahomes had a

conversation with

Travis Kelsey, the

tight end for the

team, surefire Hall of

Fame player, dating

Taylor Swift.

For those of you that

don't follow football,

put it in context.

Where he said, if we

win this one, it's

going to hurt those

guys, man, because

this isn't the one

we're supposed to

win.

See, the Chiefs have

established themselves

as a dynasty in

football, kind of the

team to beat.

Used to be the

Patriots under Tom

Brady.

There was a day when

it was the Cowboys.

Feels so long ago.

So long ago.

But the Chiefs have

kind of become that

team, you know, they're

the one to beat, and

that's why everybody

loves to hate the

Chiefs, because once

you reach the top of

the mountaintop,

everybody's gunning

for you.

But last year, they

showed struggle.

They looked beatable.

Many times during the

regular season, it was,

man, I don't think it's

going to be the Chiefs

this year.

So he said, I know it's

going to hurt that team

that lost to us, because

this wasn't supposed to

be our year.

This underdog mentality,

which would be unusual

for the Chiefs, seemed to

fuel their playoff run.

As the postseason

unfolded, the Chiefs

found their rhythm.

Each game presented a

new challenge from the

Dolphins in the wild

card, to the Bills in

the divisional round, the

Ravens in the AFC

championship, and finally,

the 49ers in the Super

Bowl.

Yet with each victory,

their confidence soared.

Mahomes finished his

interview by saying, the

struggle was extremely

real.

That struggle, from a

football perspective, was

real for them.

That wasn't said tongue

in cheek, wasn't a joke,

their struggle was very

real.

But it ended with that

scene.

It ended with that

picture.

I don't know what's

going to happen tonight

with this team.

I don't know what's

going to happen with

Mahomes, if he's going

to hold up another

trophy or not.

But that last year's

Super Bowl itself was a

dramatic overtime affair,

capped off by what is

considered one of the

greatest winning throws

of Mahomes' career.

The struggle from

beginning to end was

very real.

This word striving that

we see back in Philippians

1 and verse 27, let's

look at it together here.

Whatever happens, conduct

yourselves in a manner

worthy of the gospel of

Christ.

Whether I come and see you

or only hear about you in

my absence, I will know

that you stood firm in the

spirit.

Can we say these two

highlighted words together?

Striving together as one

for the faith of the gospel.

What does it mean?

It means fighting or

contending together.

It means fighting shoulder

to shoulder, or the

contemporary English

version says struggling

side by side.

This is what Paul was

hoping he would hear about

the churches he had

visited, specifically this

one here in Philippi.

This is what you and I

are supposed to be doing

in this life.

Struggling side by side.

Is that how we would

describe what we do as a

church?

This word,

synathleo, means to

struggle along with.

That's the word that we

get this word striving or

contending from.

To struggle along with.

Y'all, what I want to do

is struggle along with you

in our partnership in the

gospel.

What I hope you do with

each other is struggle along

together in our partnership

in the gospel.

That is what we're

supposed to be doing as a

church.

The struggle is real.

And we have an opportunity

to struggle together.

You're not alone.

You're not on an island.

Oftentimes it feels that way.

I've visited churches in

rural areas of this country

that felt like they were

alone, man.

They're the only ones that

really care and they're the

only ones trying to do

God's work.

And it's so refreshing to

be able to go and tell

those churches, y'all,

there's churches all across

your state, all across this

country, and all around the

world struggling together

with you.

Fighting the same fight.

And what we read in

Philippians here, striving

together.

So we are the church.

And we are together for

the gospel.

That's what we're here for.

We exist to propagate or

advance God's kingdom.

To get this message out.

That's what we're here for.

If not, if we have no purpose

left here on this earth, then

what's going to happen?

God's going to bring us on

home.

We're all going to get

together in heaven and have a

beautiful forever more.

But until that day comes, we do

have a purpose.

And it's to be together for the

gospel.

So how do we do this?

How do we strive or struggle

together?

Very quickly, there's some very

clear and obvious points I want

to share with you today before

we leave.

Number one, we gather together.

We gather together.

Well, hey, y'all got that part

down because you're here.

All right?

You're gathered.

That's what the word church

means.

The word we get that from in the

scripture is ecclesia.

It means a called out assembly.

People would use it in the local

governments back then.

They'd say it's time for a city

hall meeting or a town hall

meeting.

So let's get together into this

ecclesia and let's conduct our

business.

Let's gather and get this done.

That is what God established for

the church.

It's what he envisioned that the

church would be.

This called out assembly.

This gathering together of

believers.

It's not about this building.

We could do this in the park.

We could do this in somebody's

house.

But this place serves our needs

and purposes well and we thank God

for it.

But what it is is the gathering of

people.

So that is what we're called to do

and that's the first thing the very

basic foundation for our struggling

together is we've got to get

together.

We've got to gather.

So how do we do that?

Well, we have Sunday school classes at

930.

We have worship service at 1045.

Family worship on worship Wednesdays

at 6 p.m.

We have activities for all ages

following that.

Sunday, Monday, Tuesday we have

evening d groups that happen.

So we have all kinds of opportunities

for you to gather together because

the struggle is real and we've got

to struggle along side by side.

So we gather together.

The Chiefs were together for their

Super Bowl.

They gathered every Sunday and they

gave it their all and sometimes they

would mess up.

Sometimes they would lose.

But in the end they won.

Now listen, you might hate the Chiefs

and you might not care a lick about

football and that's okay.

You kind of wish I'd quit talking

about them and move on to the rest

of the sermon.

That's all right.

Listen, we're going to do that.

But today's Super Bowl Sunday so you

got to just kind of put up with a

little bit.

Listen, we may not always win every

victory.

We might lose some battles along the

way but we know that ultimately we

will hoist the trophy.

You know why?

Because Jesus paid the cost for us.

Jesus already won the victory for us.

So if we keep struggling along

together, we are assured of certain

victory.

So, how do we struggle together and win

the fights that we have to fight

every day?

We gather together.

Secondly, we grow together.

We grow together.

It's not just about gathering.

If you stop gathering, it's very

unlikely you'll get to the growing

stage.

Maybe at some point you were growing.

Maybe that growing has slowed down.

We have so many opportunities to

gather but not just gather but grow

together in those gatherings.

Sunday school.

We go deeper together in these

classes.

You get to know one another a little

bit better.

There's structured environment of

teaching.

Sunday school at 930.

We have classes for all ages from

the littles all the way up to those

who are not so little or little in

age anymore.

Sunday school is a wonderful

opportunity.

It's been around a long time and I

encourage you all to look at a

finding a class if you don't have one

at 930 to go deeper together.

That is a wonderful way to grow.

So starting point is an outstanding

option to lay a firm foundation in

this Christian faith.

What does the Bible teach us?

What do we know about God?

And how can we get to know him

better?

What purpose does he have for my

life?

And these are some basic foundations

of the Christian faith that we're

going to be starting next Sunday.

So that's why I encourage you look

into that.

See if you'd like to come join us

upstairs room 201 for starting

point Sunday sermon proclaiming and

applying the gospel.

God called certain of his shepherds to

stand before his people and proclaim

the good news of Jesus and apply it

not just read the scriptures but give

the understanding of them.

That has to come from the Holy Spirit.

So you have to look and listen and judge

everything that I say by the words of

scripture and then learn from it and

allow God to grow you from what is

preached what is taught in Sunday

school what is taught in starting point

what is preached on Sundays Wednesday

workshops these are specialized Bible

teaching.

We have it for the RAs and the GAs we

have it for the teens we have it for the

even younger ones who aren't quite old

enough for RAs and GAs with their

their what is that called worship

friends and what's that mission for I

think it used to be called mission

friends and now Nala's calling a

worship friends or something.

I don't know I can't keep it all

straight.

That's all right.

It's a wonderful class for a little

extra little kids but there is all

kinds of opportunities for specialized

Bible teaching on Wednesday nights.

So if you're not here on Wednesday

nights and you don't have a valid

reason not to be pray about and talk

about coming and joining us on Wednesday

nights God is working here in our

church all throughout this campus on

Wednesday nights and that's a great

opportunity to grow together as a whole

family.

It's not just a class for adults or a

class for kids or teens it's all of us

together worshiping together in here

and then we split off and we can all

grow together from our Wednesday night

time and then discipleship groups.

It's a wonderful opportunity to grow

together.

It's slightly a different vibe from

Sunday school.

Both are necessary and both are

important but discipleship groups are

we call them d groups are more about

community and sharpening each other and

we will maybe study through a book of

the Bible or study through a book about

the Bible or whatever the curriculum

might be for that that group each one

decides their own right now.

But these are wonderful opportunities to

get to know each other to let the the

walls drop to let trust start to build and

we'll talk about that more in just a

moment.

But growing together say man I can I can

read the Bible.

I've got everything I need right here.

Why do I need to go do it with other

people around?

Because if you've read the Bible then you

know a verse that says iron sharpens what?

Iron.

We sharpen one another.

God determined because he knew us because

he created us.

He set this whole thing up.

He knew that we would need each other in

order to grow well.

You can grow a little bit by yourself.

You can grow a whole lot more together

because that's how God designed it.

So if you want to take what he designed

and do it your own way you're never

going to see the results that he planned

to give you.

You've got to follow his recipe.

So we gather together for the purpose of

growing together.

Go to these dGroups.

We went to one on Wednesday night this

last semester at the Clark's house.

And I can tell you I know everyone in

that group so much better now than I did

when we started.

We've shared things that I would never

have known had we not been in that dGroup

together.

We prayed for things.

Talked about things.

We exposed vulnerability struggles in our

own lives.

Talking about faith over fear in our group.

This is an opportunity for growth that

does not happen outside of Christian

community.

So pray and seek God's face.

How can I grow together?

How can I see the opportunities that are

right in front of me that I could grow

together?

Take that next step.

One to gather together.

Two to grow together.

And then third we give together.

We give together.

Ephesians chapter 5 and verse 15 and 16.

Ephesians 5 · chapter mention

Look carefully then how you walk.

Not as unwise but as wise.

Making the best use of the what?

Time.

So that's one thing we give.

We give our time.

We give our time to the Lord.

Say God I have a lot going on.

Especially if you've got kids.

How many of your kids are not involved in

anything that ever takes you away or ties you

up for anything.

I don't think there's a soul in here that

could raise their hand.

Kids are always involved in stuff.

And that's a good thing.

Keeps them out of trouble.

Right?

But it also can tie up your time.

So you've got to be very intentional in

giving your time to the Lord.

Because everybody's going to be coming for

your time.

Your family.

Your family.

The school.

Your work.

Your friends.

Your neighbors.

The government sometimes.

Yourself.

Your own desires.

Passions.

Weaknesses.

It will all be coming for your time.

And usually who loses out on your time

is the Lord.

That should be the first fruits.

We've got to look wisely at our schedule

and how we walk every day

and make the best use of our time.

Say number one, I've got to make sure

my family's taken care of.

I've got to make sure they're safe,

healthy, provided for.

But I've got to also give my time to the Lord.

What does he want from me today?

Maybe there's a conversation he wants me to have.

Maybe there's a group he wants me to attend.

Maybe there's a gathering of the church

I need to make sure we're at.

Because I understand we've got to gather together.

We've got to grow together.

And we give together.

We give our time together.

If it was only a very few who gave their time,

this church would not be able to be

the church that it is today.

And if there are not more

who are willing to give their time,

then this church will never be the church

that God wants it to be tomorrow.

So we've got to together

make the best use of our time.

1 Peter chapter 4 and verse 10.

1 Peter 4 · chapter mention

Each of you should use

whatever gift you have received.

To do what?

To serve others.

As faithful stewards of God's grace.

So we have talents.

We have time to give,

but we also have talents to give.

How many of y'all think

you are just super talented?

You're all too scared to raise your hand.

Thank you, Harlan.

We all know you're talented, man.

Listen, I appreciate somebody.

Yes, Tripp.

Yes, Bo.

Love you guys.

You're awesome.

Tripp's talented.

I'm not sure about Bo.

He takes after me.

I'm kidding, dude.

You're super talented too.

Look, truth is,

every one of you should be raising your hand.

You know why?

You may not be talented

at the things you wish you were talented at,

but the truth is,

God has given you talents,

and he's given you all you need

to use that talent for his glory.

That talent might be listening to somebody talk.

The talent might be praying for somebody.

The talent might be thinking kind thoughts

about somebody else

that then turn into actions of kindness.

There could be all kinds of talents

that you haven't necessarily been giving

or using to serve others

as faithful stewards of God's grace.

God has shown enough grace to us

to give us what we need

to make a powerful impact for his kingdom.

Why isn't a powerful impact being made?

Because so often,

we don't use the gifts and the talents we have

to serve him,

much less others.

So we give our talent together,

we give our time together,

and then finally,

we give our treasure together.

Matthew 6, 21,

where your treasure is,

there will your what?

Heart be also.

So.

What do you treasure?

Well, normally we treasure money.

Why do we treasure money?

Because of what money can do for us.

We think money is going to buy us happiness.

We think money is going to give us

that retirement that we need.

We think money is going to allow us

to go on that trip

or buy that toy

or whatever it is.

Kids are saying,

buy toys.

Adults buy toys too?

Just go look at the amount of big trucks

or ATVs or whatever.

You'll see the toys that adults buy, okay?

Boat, whatever.

There's nothing necessarily wrong

with those things

unless they become God to you,

unless they become more important

than giving that treasure to the Lord.

So we have to look,

take a hard look at ourselves

and say, where is our heart?

Where does our heart lie?

Where does the bulk of our treasure lie?

That's where our heart is.

So if you're not choosing to willingly,

from a willing, happy heart,

contribute some of your treasure

back to God's work,

then you're not investing

in what will bring you God's blessings.

If you invest in God's kingdom,

the return on that is so much greater

than any other investment you can make

because it's an eternal return.

Something that will never tarnish.

Something that will never fade away.

Something that will never break.

So God's kingdom is a place

for your treasure.

It's a safe place for your treasure.

Say, I don't always like everything

the church does

or I don't always like everything

that Christian organization does.

Say, that's true

because it's run by humans.

But God takes our investment

into his work,

however flawed it might be,

and blesses us accordingly.

That principle is all throughout the Bible.

If you give according to what God,

that thing just came undone

and I apologize.

Don't laugh at me, Nancy.

There we go.

All right.

That little clip came off.

That's what we give together.

We give our treasure.

Willingly.

Not because we're thinking,

not because we're guilt tripped

into doing it

and not thinking,

man, somebody's gonna be mad

if I don't give my tithe this month.

That's not what it's about.

That's not even what

will get God's blessings in return.

He blesses those who give

from a willing spirit.

So we give our time,

we give our talent,

and we give our treasure.

We gather together,

we grow together,

we give together,

and then here's the last thing.

We go together.

The Bible says,

you will be my witnesses,

Acts chapter one and verse eight,

in Jerusalem,

in Judea and Samaria,

and to the ends of the earth.

This is where we are supposed to go.

So what does that mean?

Do we all have to pack up

and go to Jerusalem,

Judea, Samaria,

and the ends of the earth?

No.

We can apply that.

Remember how we take scripture

and we read it

and then we apply it to ourselves?

What does it mean?

Jerusalem would mean our family,

our town,

our immediate area,

where we live.

That's where we go.

What do we go to do?

We go to share the gospel.

We go to share the good news.

We go to be salt and light.

So we go to our family,

our town,

our area,

then we move on to Judea and Samaria.

What would that be?

Our state,

our nation,

America,

the people that we understand sometimes,

the people that theoretically think

and look like us as Americans,

as Texans.

That's our Judea and Samaria.

And then the ends of the earth.

We can't forget about those

who have never heard the gospel,

those who don't have the same amount

of churches and opportunities

to grow together,

to gather together.

So we go there as well.

And that's through this idea

called foreign missions.

And we support it

through the International Mission Board.

We support what's being done

across our nation

through the North American Mission Board.

We support what's being done

across our state in missions

through Texas Baptists.

And we have a chance

to fulfill the command

that God gave us

all throughout.

Mark 16,

Matthew 28,

Acts 1,

to go together

to Jerusalem,

Judea,

Samaria,

and the ends

of the earth.

Now,

practically,

how do you do that?

Because I'm pretty sure

y'all have heard before

from a preacher

or a teacher

to go out

and share the gospel.

But practically,

how do you do that?

We've got invite cards.

See the top picture there?

We've got little square

invite cards,

have our logo on it,

have our service times

on the back.

Very,

very simple thing

to hand to somebody.

You can go to the office

and pick them up.

If we run out,

we'll order more.

They're not that expensive,

pretty easy to keep on top of.

We've got a budget line

item for it.

And we can equip you

with as many invite cards

as you need.

Men,

stick a couple of them

in your wallet.

Or if your wallet's

not the right size,

stick them in your pocket.

Ladies,

stick them in your purse.

Have those invite cards,

keep them in your car.

You never know

when God's gonna give you

an opportunity

to invite someone to church.

Why do we care about

them coming to church?

Talk back to me.

Why do we care about

people coming to our church?

Exposure to the gospel.

They'll hear the gospel here.

We know that.

We don't know

if they go to

just any church

around the whole area

if they're gonna hear

a clear presentation

of the gospel.

Some of them,

they will.

And we thank God for that.

But we know

they will hear

the gospel here.

They'll have a chance

to find Christian community here.

They'll have a chance

to grow together,

to gather together,

to give together,

and then in turn

to go back out together.

We know the opportunity

is here for them

to become disciples,

followers of Jesus.

So that's why

we invite them to come.

Now that doesn't always mean

that they're gonna come

right away.

Sometimes it takes

a long established

relationship and friendship

before someone opens up

to you enough

to trust you

to go try your church.

You know?

And that's alright.

Maybe that's how

it should be sometimes.

But we have opportunities,

utilities,

tools for you to take

and go invite somebody

to church.

And then that can start

a conversation

that could maybe allow you

to share the gospel.

How do you do that?

Man, your testimony,

your personal testimony

is a wonderful way

to share the gospel

with somebody else.

You know why?

Because they can't disagree

with you.

They can't argue

with your testimony.

Your story of how

you became a follower

of Jesus,

that's individual

and unique to you.

They can argue with you

about something in the Bible.

They can argue with you

about something you believe.

But they cannot dispute

your personal experience

with Jesus.

And if you share that

and use scripture

in doing it,

even if it's just

John 3, 16,

that is something

that God could use

to touch that person's heart

and over time

change their way of thinking

where they respond

to God calling them

into a relationship

with Him.

So your personal testimonies

are powerful.

I would have three

testimonies ready.

I would have the

30-second version.

You know,

I used to be a mess

and over time