Tony Evans - Unleashing Kingdom Representatives

January 25, 2026 | 27:29

Dr. Tony Evans is known as a relevant expositor and is a pastor of pastors and a father in the faith.

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Dr. Tony Evans | Tony Evans - Unleashing Kingdom Representatives | January 25, 2026
  • Tony evans: you should be a visible, verbal follower
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  • Of jesus christ.
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  • It should be absolutely clear
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  • That we're not ashamed of the god who saved us,
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  • Took us out of darkness, placed in the light,
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  • Gave us eternal life so that, no matter where you go,
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  • Everybody knows that you are a visible, verbal follower
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  • Of jesus christ
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  • And you are a representative of the kingdom of god.
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Tony: the problem is, many of god's representatives
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  • Have been bought by the culture,
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  • Owned by the culture,
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  • And have adapted themselves to the culture
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  • So that they're no longer representatives
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  • Of the kingdom of god.
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  • They are now reps for the kingdom of man
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  • While carrying a kingdom of god designation.
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  • When peter writes these christians--
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  • He calls them "beloved," that is, fellow saints--
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  • He wants to talk to them about their responsibility
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  • And their role as kingdom representatives.
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  • Jesus said in luke chapter 22, verse 29,
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  • He said, "my father has given me the kingdom,
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  • And i give it to you."
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  • So kingdom responsibility was handed to jesus,
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  • Which is why, when he was on earth,
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  • He said, "the kingdom of god is at hand."
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  • Then he took his disciples, and he prepped them
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  • To become kingdom representatives,
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  • And so they set the stage for the building of the church
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  • Of god's people so that there would be this legacy,
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  • This transfer of kingdom representatives
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  • In the culture.
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  • And so he, first of all, wants you to know who you are.
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  • I mean, notice the language he uses in verse 9.
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  • He says, "you are a chosen race."
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  • In other words, you have been especially selected
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  • For this duty.
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  • God didn't just save you for heaven,
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  • He saved you for a duty on earth,
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  • And you have been chosen, selected, elected,
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  • As kingdom disciples to function as kingdom servants.
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  • He says not only that, but you are a royal priesthood.
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  • He brings together two concepts.
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  • Royalty has to do with kingship.
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  • Just in case you didn't know it,
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  • Once you came to christ, royal blood is now flowing
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  • Through your veins 'cause you're a child of the king.
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  • But he says you're also a priest.
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  • That's an intermediary between god and man.
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  • He says you've been duly selected,
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  • You are a royal priesthood, and you are owned by god.
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  • You are a people of god's possession.
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  • You are owned by god.
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  • He has said in verse 7 that the stone
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  • That the builders rejected has become the very cornerstone.
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  • Palm sunday, jesus was applauded.
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  • One week later, jesus is crucified.
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  • He was the stone that the builders rejected.
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  • But he says that stone, resurrection sunday,
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  • Became the chief cornerstone.
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  • Now, a chief cornerstone was an alignment stone
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  • And a stability stone for the building of a house
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  • Or a building.
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  • You've seen perhaps houses on stilts
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  • Where they're on the four corners
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  • Of the house.
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  • The cornerstone was that concept.
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  • It held the building up, stabilized the building,
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  • And aligned the building so that it could function
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  • As it was crafted to function.
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  • So when the bible says jesus is the chief cornerstone,
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  • He is the stability for the building of your life
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  • And the building of this ministry.
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  • In other words, if you veer from him,
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  • You're on shaky ground.
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  • If you veer from him, things are gonna become destabilized
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  • Because he is the stable rock.
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  • He is the alignment.
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  • When i--when we're out of alignment with him,
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  • Everything else is going to get out of alignment
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  • Because he is the stone that the builders rejected.
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  • He has become the chief cornerstone.
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  • In other words, all of history is tied up
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  • To how things are related to jesus christ.
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  • And he says you have been chosen,
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  • Selected, elected to be royal people,
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  • God's own possession, and intermediaries
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  • Between god and man.
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  • In other words, you are somebody.
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  • When you don't know who you are,
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  • You're gonna be confused.
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  • And that's exactly what has happened today.
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  • As the cornerstone is being abandoned,
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  • Confusion has set in.
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  • And folk just don't know who they are.
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  • So jesus is that stable place. he's that point of reference.
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  • When peter got confused about the race issue,
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  • He became too jewish.
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  • He became a racist jew.
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  • Paul showed up and said-- in galatians 2, verse 11-19,
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  • He says, "peter, you have embarrassed the gospel
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  • Because you forgot who you are."
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  • And then he quotes, to peter,
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  • Galatians 2:20: "i'm crucified with christ.
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  • Nevertheless, i live.
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  • Yet not i, it's christ who lives in me.
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  • The life which i now live,
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  • I live by faith in the son of god,
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  • Who loved me and gave himself for me."
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  • In other words, "peter, you have to understand,
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  • You supposed to be a christian first."
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  • Everything else has to be subjected to that.
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  • And the moment something else trumps that--
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  • Your background, your history, your mama, your daddy,
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  • Your race, your color, your politics--
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  • Whatever it is that gets in the way
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  • Of jesus christ being first means you're on shaky ground
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  • Because you're out of alignment,
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  • And stability will not be-- and so what you're having today
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  • Is not only a culture out of alignment
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  • But a lot of christians out of alignment
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  • 'cause they don't know who they are.
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  • And so we start with the references
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  • Of the culture
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  • Rather than the references of christ
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  • And adopt that to the culture.
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  • He says your identity must become clear
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  • Because if you don't know who you are,
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  • The enemy will tell you who you are
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  • And you'll become confused.
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  • So he wants us to know that we have an identity.
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  • It makes me remember philippians chapter 3, verse 20.
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  • He says, "for our citizenship is in heaven,
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  • From which we also eagerly wait for a savior,
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  • The lord jesus christ."
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  • Did you know you a citizen of heaven?
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  • He says your citizenship, your homeland, is not earth.
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  • You are visiting here.
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  • He calls it, in peter, "you are an alien
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  • And a stranger.
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  • You passing through this neighborhood."
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  • He says your homeland is heaven.
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  • But if you forget your homeland is heaven,
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  • You will become too attached to earth.
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  • And once you become too attached to earth,
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  • Earth now owns you.
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  • Yes, from the human standpoint,
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  • I know we're citizens of this country.
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  • But your ultimate allegiance is as a citizen of heaven--
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  • That you belong to another order.
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  • He writes the philippians-- philippi was almost
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  • A thousand miles from rome, but it was a roman colony.
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  • So even though it was a thousand miles from rome,
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  • They operated by roman laws.
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  • They operated by roman ordinances.
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  • They operated by roman governance.
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  • In other words, rome influenced how they operate
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  • Because even though they were a long way away,
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  • They were a colony of rome.
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  • You and i are supposed to be a colony of heaven
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  • So that the values of heaven influence us, guide us,
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  • Govern us, not the guidelines of the culture
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  • When they disagree with heaven.
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  • Whenever this world disagrees with god,
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  • This world is wrong.
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  • No matter how much you like it, love it,
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  • Live in it, want it, once it disagrees with god,
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  • It becomes an illegitimate foreign territory.
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  • He says you are citizens of heaven,
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  • And that's why he says, in the previous verse,
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  • Of philippians 3, verse 19, he says that these folk
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  • Who don't understand that
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  • Set their minds on earthly things.
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  • Now, make no mistake about it:
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  • Your feet are to be firmly planted on the ground,
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  • But your mind is to get its information from heaven.
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  • So you are to draw down information from heaven
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  • And execute it in the location of earth.
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  • But if all you're drawing is the information of earth
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  • And executing that on earth,
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  • You gonna miss the stability of heaven
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  • When you need it.
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  • When you need victory,
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  • When you need governance, guidance, deliverance,
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  • When you need the stability of christ,
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  • He says you need to know who you are.
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  • You are under new management now.
  • 00:09:56.612 --> 00:09:58.814
  • Once you came to christ
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  • And left the kingdom of darkness
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  • And entered into the kingdom of light,
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  • The kingdom of darkness does not dictate to you anymore.
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  • It does not have legitimate authority
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  • Over you anymore.
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  • Now, i must admit, satan is a good identity thief.
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  • He knows how to steal folks' identity.
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  • He can make you think thoughts that are not your thoughts.
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  • He can make you go ways that are not your ways
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  • 'cause he is slick in his ability
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  • To trip you up.
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  • That's why peter wants them to know
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  • Their true kingdom identity
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  • So that they're thinking heavenly
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  • While living on earth.
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  • So you and i are not to be so heavenly-minded
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  • That we're no earthly good,
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  • But we're not supposed to be so earthly-minded
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  • That we're not heavenly good.
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  • The idea is to take heaven's information
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  • And execute it in earth's environment.
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  • He says that you are a special people,
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  • You are an elected people, you are a royal people,
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  • You are a priestly people.
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  • You're under new management now.
  • 00:11:05.948 --> 00:11:09.185
  • Now, what the culture wants to do
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  • Is keep you in church
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  • As long as you don't promote it out there.
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  • And so he says you need to know who you are.
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  • You're not just somebody on their way to heaven
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  • If you've accepted christ.
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  • You're somebody god wants to use on earth.
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  • You're supposed to be a kingdom disciple
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  • Who is a kingdom servant
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  • Who is gonna make a kingdom impact.
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  • So how do you do that?
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  • He says, "i tell you, first of all,
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  • Your job is to proclaim the excellencies
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  • Of him who called you out of darkness," verse 9 says,
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  • "into his marvelous light."
  • 00:11:50.760 --> 00:11:53.195
  • Luke 16:16 says
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  • That the gospel of the kingdom is to be preached,
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  • Not merely the gospel of conversion,
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  • That is, to accept christ for the forgiveness of sins
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  • And the gift of eternal life, the good news of conversion.
  • 00:12:04.306 --> 00:12:07.943
  • He says, "i want you to preach the gospel of the kingdom,
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  • And i want it to go everywhere.
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  • The gospel of god's rule.
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  • I want the good news of the rule of god
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  • To go everywhere."
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  • It's not just for the sunday morning service.
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  • You are to be a proclaimer, a declarer.
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  • Let's use the more contemporary term:
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  • An influencer.
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  • You are to be an influencer to serve notice on the culture
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  • That jesus christ is here,
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  • That his kingdom is alive and well,
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  • And "i am his official rep.
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  • I have been duly authorized to represent the king
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  • In the culture, for the gospel of the kingdom
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  • Is to be declared everywhere."
  • 00:12:54.757 --> 00:12:57.760
  • In fact, you have a specific title.
  • 00:12:57.760 --> 00:13:01.597
  • Let me tell you your title from 2 corinthians chapter 5.
  • 00:13:01.597 --> 00:13:07.203
  • 2 corinthians chapter 5, paul writing to this church
  • 00:13:07.203 --> 00:13:13.275
  • That was in this secular, idolatrous culture--
  • 00:13:13.275 --> 00:13:18.447
  • He says to them in verse 16,
  • 00:13:18.447 --> 00:13:24.119
  • "therefore we now do not recognize anyone
  • 00:13:24.119 --> 00:13:28.023
  • According to the flesh."
  • 00:13:28.023 --> 00:13:29.358
  • Let me say that again: "we don't start with
  • 00:13:29.358 --> 00:13:31.994
  • How folk look.
  • 00:13:31.994 --> 00:13:34.730
  • We don't start with how folk--their backgrounds.
  • 00:13:34.730 --> 00:13:39.068
  • We don't start with their culture.
  • 00:13:39.068 --> 00:13:40.870
  • We don't start with the physical," he says.
  • 00:13:40.870 --> 00:13:45.174
  • "even though we've known christ according to the flesh"--
  • 00:13:45.174 --> 00:13:47.743
  • We knew him physically when he was on earth--
  • 00:13:47.743 --> 00:13:50.546
  • "yet now we know him in this way no longer,
  • 00:13:50.546 --> 00:13:53.115
  • 'cause he's gone to heaven.
  • 00:13:53.115 --> 00:13:54.984
  • Now, all these things are from god.
  • 00:13:54.984 --> 00:13:57.853
  • Therefore if any man is in christ,
  • 00:13:57.853 --> 00:13:59.555
  • He's a new creature."
  • 00:13:59.555 --> 00:14:00.956
  • 2 corinthians 5:17 says, "old things passed away.
  • 00:14:00.956 --> 00:14:03.759
  • Behold, all things have come new.
  • 00:14:03.759 --> 00:14:05.895
  • Now, all these things are from god,
  • 00:14:05.895 --> 00:14:07.730
  • Who's reconciled us to himself through christ
  • 00:14:07.730 --> 00:14:10.566
  • And gave us the ministry of reconciliation--
  • 00:14:10.566 --> 00:14:13.335
  • Namely, that god was in christ,
  • 00:14:13.335 --> 00:14:15.404
  • Reconciling the world to himself,
  • 00:14:15.404 --> 00:14:17.506
  • Not counting their trespasses against him,
  • 00:14:17.506 --> 00:14:19.975
  • And he has committed to us the word of reconciliation."
  • 00:14:19.975 --> 00:14:24.513
  • So we're supposed to be talking.
  • 00:14:24.513 --> 00:14:26.482
  • Verse 20, "therefore, we are ambassadors for christ,
  • 00:14:26.482 --> 00:14:31.921
  • As though god was making an appeal through us.
  • 00:14:31.921 --> 00:14:35.457
  • We beg you on behalf of christ: be reconciled to god."
  • 00:14:35.457 --> 00:14:41.664
  • Did you know you an ambassador?
  • 00:14:41.664 --> 00:14:44.733
  • Look at your neighbor and say, "you're an ambassador,"
  • 00:14:44.733 --> 00:14:47.736
  • All right?
  • 00:14:47.736 --> 00:14:49.104
  • So let's talk about what an ambassador is.
  • 00:14:49.104 --> 00:14:53.342
  • An american ambassador
  • 00:14:53.342 --> 00:14:56.345
  • Is a citizen of the united states
  • 00:14:56.345 --> 00:14:59.381
  • That's been duly deputized to go to another country
  • 00:14:59.381 --> 00:15:04.186
  • And represent the united states in the foreign land.
  • 00:15:04.186 --> 00:15:08.657
  • They have an official title and an official responsibility
  • 00:15:08.657 --> 00:15:13.395
  • To not represent the nation they've been sent to
  • 00:15:13.395 --> 00:15:16.966
  • But to represent the nation they've been sent from.
  • 00:15:16.966 --> 00:15:20.102
  • So an american ambassador sent from america
  • 00:15:20.102 --> 00:15:24.006
  • Is not promoting the culture of the foreign land;
  • 00:15:24.006 --> 00:15:28.344
  • They're promoting the values of the united states of america.
  • 00:15:28.344 --> 00:15:32.648
  • He just called you an ambassador,
  • 00:15:32.648 --> 00:15:35.050
  • And you are a somebody 'cause your job is to take
  • 00:15:35.050 --> 00:15:39.221
  • The values of the kingdom of heaven
  • 00:15:39.221 --> 00:15:41.690
  • And promote them in the culture
  • 00:15:41.690 --> 00:15:43.792
  • That you live in, on the job you work in,
  • 00:15:43.792 --> 00:15:47.296
  • In the neighborhood where you reside,
  • 00:15:47.296 --> 00:15:49.898
  • To your family members who to whom you are connected.
  • 00:15:49.898 --> 00:15:53.836
  • You are an ambassador of the kingdom of god.
  • 00:15:53.836 --> 00:15:57.806
  • You're not an ambassador of the culture,
  • 00:15:57.806 --> 00:16:01.710
  • Unless it agrees with god.
  • 00:16:01.710 --> 00:16:03.612
  • The moment the culture disagrees with god,
  • 00:16:03.612 --> 00:16:07.750
  • You must disagree with the culture.
  • 00:16:07.750 --> 00:16:10.652
  • You didn't hear that.
  • 00:16:10.652 --> 00:16:11.987
  • The moment the culture disagrees with god,
  • 00:16:11.987 --> 00:16:15.858
  • You must disagree with the culture,
  • 00:16:15.858 --> 00:16:19.395
  • 'cause you're not an ambassador of the land you're in;
  • 00:16:19.395 --> 00:16:22.464
  • You're an ambassador of the place you're from,
  • 00:16:22.464 --> 00:16:25.200
  • And you are a citizen of heaven.
  • 00:16:25.200 --> 00:16:28.404
  • So heaven's values is to inform your words.
  • 00:16:28.404 --> 00:16:33.575
  • It's to inform your politics.
  • 00:16:33.575 --> 00:16:35.944
  • It is to inform your view of race.
  • 00:16:35.944 --> 00:16:38.180
  • It is to inform your view of sexuality.
  • 00:16:38.180 --> 00:16:40.716
  • It is to inform your view of marriage.
  • 00:16:40.716 --> 00:16:42.785
  • It is to inform your view of right.
  • 00:16:42.785 --> 00:16:44.853
  • It is to inform your view of wrong.
  • 00:16:44.853 --> 00:16:46.855
  • It is to inform every aspect of life
  • 00:16:46.855 --> 00:16:50.759
  • Because you are a citizen from up there.
  • 00:16:50.759 --> 00:16:53.328
  • You're not a citizen from down here.
  • 00:16:53.328 --> 00:16:57.599
  • And we've got churches and pastors and people
  • 00:16:57.599 --> 00:17:01.270
  • Acquiescing to the culture.
  • 00:17:01.270 --> 00:17:03.338
  • Do you know what they do with an ambassador
  • 00:17:03.338 --> 00:17:06.175
  • Who no longer is representing them,
  • 00:17:06.175 --> 00:17:08.677
  • The land they're from,
  • 00:17:08.677 --> 00:17:10.446
  • But starts getting too friendly with the land they're in?
  • 00:17:10.446 --> 00:17:13.415
  • They recall them.
  • 00:17:13.415 --> 00:17:15.784
  • They recall them because they are useless,
  • 00:17:15.784 --> 00:17:18.720
  • Because they're not doing the job
  • 00:17:18.720 --> 00:17:21.123
  • That they were sent to do.
  • 00:17:21.123 --> 00:17:23.926
  • God has got a lot of folk keeping the title
  • 00:17:23.926 --> 00:17:27.129
  • Who he wants to recall 'cause they're useless
  • 00:17:27.129 --> 00:17:30.332
  • For the job.
  • 00:17:30.332 --> 00:17:31.667
  • They're not representing the kingdom of god
  • 00:17:31.667 --> 00:17:34.770
  • In the culture of men.
  • 00:17:34.770 --> 00:17:36.672
  • Their values have acquiesced to the culture,
  • 00:17:36.672 --> 00:17:39.541
  • Their worldview has acquiesced to the culture,
  • 00:17:39.541 --> 00:17:42.277
  • And rather than repenting and returning,
  • 00:17:42.277 --> 00:17:44.480
  • They have gotten comfortable in the culture
  • 00:17:44.480 --> 00:17:47.116
  • Rather than representing the kingdom
  • 00:17:47.116 --> 00:17:49.618
  • And being an influencer for the kingdom of god.
  • 00:17:49.618 --> 00:17:52.788
  • You are an ambassador.
  • 00:17:52.788 --> 00:17:54.923
  • So the question is, are you a good one
  • 00:17:54.923 --> 00:17:57.226
  • Or are you a bad one?
  • 00:17:57.226 --> 00:17:58.560
  • 'cause you are one.
  • 00:17:58.560 --> 00:17:59.962
  • He says, "i've saved you not just to go to heaven
  • 00:17:59.962 --> 00:18:03.132
  • When you die but to represent me while you live.
  • 00:18:03.132 --> 00:18:06.668
  • You are an ambassador of christ."
  • 00:18:06.668 --> 00:18:09.972
  • And he says, "not only should this be in word,
  • 00:18:09.972 --> 00:18:14.143
  • But he says that it should also,"
  • 00:18:14.143 --> 00:18:16.078
  • 1 peter says, "be in deed," because he goes on to say
  • 00:18:16.078 --> 00:18:22.251
  • That they should see your good works.
  • 00:18:22.251 --> 00:18:27.523
  • And when they see your good works,
  • 00:18:27.523 --> 00:18:28.857
  • Glorify god in the day of visitation.
  • 00:18:28.857 --> 00:18:33.695
  • They should see your good works.
  • 00:18:33.695 --> 00:18:37.399
  • In other words, there's verbalization
  • 00:18:37.399 --> 00:18:40.969
  • And then there's demonstration.
  • 00:18:40.969 --> 00:18:43.772
  • Good works are biblically authorized activity
  • 00:18:43.772 --> 00:18:48.210
  • That brings the benefit to others
  • 00:18:48.210 --> 00:18:50.245
  • In the name of the lord.
  • 00:18:50.245 --> 00:18:52.481
  • So they're beneficial acts that you use
  • 00:18:52.481 --> 00:18:55.984
  • To help other people, but you do it in god's name.
  • 00:18:55.984 --> 00:19:01.056
  • Now, sinners can do good things.
  • 00:19:01.056 --> 00:19:04.193
  • People who are atheists can be nice people,
  • 00:19:04.193 --> 00:19:06.228
  • Nice neighbors, good people.
  • 00:19:06.228 --> 00:19:08.030
  • That's a good thing; that's not a good work.
  • 00:19:08.030 --> 00:19:11.600
  • Because a good work in the bible always has the lord's name
  • 00:19:11.600 --> 00:19:14.937
  • Attached to it.
  • 00:19:14.937 --> 00:19:16.838
  • It's never just done because you're a nice person,
  • 00:19:16.838 --> 00:19:19.174
  • Although that's a good reason.
  • 00:19:19.174 --> 00:19:20.842
  • It's done-- "i'm a nice person,
  • 00:19:20.842 --> 00:19:22.477
  • But i'm doing this in the name of the lord."
  • 00:19:22.477 --> 00:19:26.949
  • I think you know our culture is in trouble.
  • 00:19:26.949 --> 00:19:30.953
  • Every day, every week, every year,
  • 00:19:30.953 --> 00:19:33.155
  • As things become more secular,
  • 00:19:33.155 --> 00:19:36.758
  • Things are getting more out of control.
  • 00:19:36.758 --> 00:19:39.795
  • Now with artificial intelligence becoming the new thing,
  • 00:19:39.795 --> 00:19:45.367
  • You know?
  • 00:19:45.367 --> 00:19:46.702
  • That--this is a whole 'nother ball game of operating.
  • 00:19:46.702 --> 00:19:51.206
  • So you and i are looking at something
  • 00:19:51.206 --> 00:19:52.641
  • That's gonna change the very trajectory of life.
  • 00:19:52.641 --> 00:19:59.748
  • This is a time when christians can't be silent.
  • 00:19:59.748 --> 00:20:02.918
  • You're either gonna be a representative of god
  • 00:20:02.918 --> 00:20:05.187
  • Or the representative of a culture
  • 00:20:05.187 --> 00:20:08.557
  • That is in desperate need of god.
  • 00:20:08.557 --> 00:20:11.260
  • You know, sodom and gomorrah were two cities
  • 00:20:11.260 --> 00:20:15.397
  • Pretty close to each other-- dallas and fort worth, okay?
  • 00:20:15.397 --> 00:20:18.734
  • And so god said, "i'mma destroy those two cities."
  • 00:20:18.734 --> 00:20:24.339
  • Now, he destroyed 'em for three reasons, not one.
  • 00:20:24.339 --> 00:20:26.808
  • We know, one, the moral decay; two, the violence;
  • 00:20:26.808 --> 00:20:33.181
  • Three, according to ezekiel,
  • 00:20:33.181 --> 00:20:35.651
  • The oppression of the poor, injustice.
  • 00:20:35.651 --> 00:20:38.553
  • So there were three reasons sodom and gomorrah
  • 00:20:38.553 --> 00:20:40.222
  • Was destroyed, not one--
  • 00:20:40.222 --> 00:20:41.556
  • Moral decay, violence and oppression, injustice, okay?
  • 00:20:41.556 --> 00:20:45.527
  • So god says, "i'mma destroy them."
  • 00:20:45.527 --> 00:20:49.498
  • Abraham said, "if i can find 50 righteous,
  • 00:20:49.498 --> 00:20:53.402
  • Will you save the two cities for the sake of the 50?"
  • 00:20:53.402 --> 00:20:57.172
  • In other words, "will you accept the 50
  • 00:20:57.172 --> 00:20:58.674
  • As a down payment on saving the 500,000?"
  • 00:20:58.674 --> 00:21:02.544
  • Or however many lived in sodom and gomorrah.
  • 00:21:02.544 --> 00:21:05.047
  • God said, "if you find me 50, i'll spare the city."
  • 00:21:05.047 --> 00:21:09.451
  • Abraham came back and said, "what about 40?"
  • 00:21:09.451 --> 00:21:11.553
  • [congregation laughing]
  • 00:21:11.553 --> 00:21:13.588
  • He couldn't find 50.
  • 00:21:13.588 --> 00:21:15.824
  • He came back and said, "what about 30?"
  • 00:21:15.824 --> 00:21:17.793
  • 'cause he couldn't find 40.
  • 00:21:17.793 --> 00:21:19.194
  • He came back and said, "what about 20?"
  • 00:21:19.194 --> 00:21:20.696
  • 'cause he couldn't find 30.
  • 00:21:20.696 --> 00:21:22.297
  • He came back said, "what about ten?"
  • 00:21:22.297 --> 00:21:23.932
  • 'cause we couldn't find 20.
  • 00:21:23.932 --> 00:21:26.468
  • So let me tell you why sodom and gomorrah was destroyed.
  • 00:21:26.468 --> 00:21:29.738
  • It was destroyed because of the decay,
  • 00:21:29.738 --> 00:21:31.740
  • It was destroyed because of the violence,
  • 00:21:31.740 --> 00:21:33.408
  • It was destroyed because of the oppression,
  • 00:21:33.408 --> 00:21:35.477
  • But it was also destroyed because the righteous
  • 00:21:35.477 --> 00:21:37.546
  • Couldn't be located.
  • 00:21:37.546 --> 00:21:40.549
  • God's people were nowhere to be found.
  • 00:21:40.549 --> 00:21:42.351
  • Maybe they were in church. maybe they were worshiping.
  • 00:21:42.351 --> 00:21:47.956
  • Maybe they were saying amen.
  • 00:21:47.956 --> 00:21:50.225
  • Maybe they were waving their hands in the air
  • 00:21:50.225 --> 00:21:52.160
  • Like they just don't care.
  • 00:21:52.160 --> 00:21:53.962
  • Maybe they were just having a great time
  • 00:21:53.962 --> 00:21:56.131
  • Listening to the sermon or listening to the choir,
  • 00:21:56.131 --> 00:21:58.767
  • But they were nowhere to be found in the culture.
  • 00:21:58.767 --> 00:22:02.604
  • Sunday morning is only designed to get you ready
  • 00:22:02.604 --> 00:22:06.007
  • For a week of ambassadorship on monday, tuesday, wednesday,
  • 00:22:06.007 --> 00:22:09.678
  • Thursday, friday, saturday so that all week long
  • 00:22:09.678 --> 00:22:14.649
  • God has representatives in the culture
  • 00:22:14.649 --> 00:22:17.953
  • With good words and good works.
  • 00:22:17.953 --> 00:22:20.789
  • The cowboys have different kind of fans.
  • 00:22:20.789 --> 00:22:26.928
  • They have casual fans.
  • 00:22:26.928 --> 00:22:29.030
  • That means they can take it or leave it.
  • 00:22:29.030 --> 00:22:31.333
  • They can watch the game or not watch the game, okay?
  • 00:22:31.333 --> 00:22:34.269
  • So they're casual.
  • 00:22:34.269 --> 00:22:37.005
  • Then they have committed fans.
  • 00:22:37.005 --> 00:22:40.142
  • These are people who gonna-- they're gonna--
  • 00:22:40.142 --> 00:22:42.477
  • They're not gonna miss the game.
  • 00:22:42.477 --> 00:22:44.279
  • They gonna come to 8 o'clock service
  • 00:22:44.279 --> 00:22:47.482
  • If it's a 12 o'clock game 'cause they not gonna miss
  • 00:22:47.482 --> 00:22:51.620
  • The game, okay?
  • 00:22:51.620 --> 00:22:53.855
  • They're gonna be there 'cause they're committed
  • 00:22:53.855 --> 00:22:56.057
  • On sunday to be in front of the game.
  • 00:22:56.057 --> 00:23:00.896
  • Then they are fanatical fans.
  • 00:23:00.896 --> 00:23:05.300
  • These are people-- they want season tickets
  • 00:23:05.300 --> 00:23:08.370
  • They wanna be at the game, and they will pay the price
  • 00:23:08.370 --> 00:23:12.674
  • To be at the game.
  • 00:23:12.674 --> 00:23:14.009
  • They will trade in their tithe for their ticket.
  • 00:23:14.009 --> 00:23:16.878
  • They don't want to miss the game,
  • 00:23:16.878 --> 00:23:19.915
  • And they will tell you the stats of which player did this
  • 00:23:19.915 --> 00:23:24.986
  • And which player did that,
  • 00:23:24.986 --> 00:23:26.822
  • And they can tell you all the details
  • 00:23:26.822 --> 00:23:28.790
  • 'cause they are fanatical about their team.
  • 00:23:28.790 --> 00:23:33.528
  • The cowboys have different kind of fans.
  • 00:23:33.528 --> 00:23:37.265
  • The kingdom has different kind of fans.
  • 00:23:37.265 --> 00:23:40.936
  • God has got some casual christians.
  • 00:23:40.936 --> 00:23:44.439
  • They can make it or not make it.
  • 00:23:44.439 --> 00:23:47.409
  • They'll come on easter and christmas,
  • 00:23:47.409 --> 00:23:50.011
  • A few times in between.
  • 00:23:50.011 --> 00:23:53.482
  • They're casual about it.
  • 00:23:53.482 --> 00:23:56.351
  • They're not gonna make a big deal about it.
  • 00:23:56.351 --> 00:23:58.954
  • Then he has committed kingdom representatives.
  • 00:23:58.954 --> 00:24:02.624
  • They're gonna be there.
  • 00:24:02.624 --> 00:24:03.959
  • They're gonna be-- sunday morning,
  • 00:24:03.959 --> 00:24:05.293
  • They're gonna be at church.
  • 00:24:05.293 --> 00:24:06.628
  • You can count on them to be engaged
  • 00:24:06.628 --> 00:24:11.800
  • At the gathering.
  • 00:24:11.800 --> 00:24:15.537
  • But then there are those radical kingdom representatives,
  • 00:24:15.537 --> 00:24:21.476
  • 'cause they just getting started when the benediction is given.
  • 00:24:21.476 --> 00:24:26.214
  • When the benediction is given, they--
  • 00:24:26.214 --> 00:24:28.683
  • It's gonna be jesus in the morning,
  • 00:24:28.683 --> 00:24:30.185
  • Jesus at noontime, jesus when the sun go down.
  • 00:24:30.185 --> 00:24:33.922
  • Everybody at work gonna know they are follower
  • 00:24:33.922 --> 00:24:36.191
  • Of jesus christ.
  • 00:24:36.191 --> 00:24:37.659
  • Their family members are gonna know
  • 00:24:37.659 --> 00:24:39.361
  • That they love the lord and that they serve the lord.
  • 00:24:39.361 --> 00:24:43.265
  • The people in the neighborhood gonna know
  • 00:24:43.265 --> 00:24:45.267
  • "we operate differently in our crib
  • 00:24:45.267 --> 00:24:47.502
  • 'cause, as for me in my house,
  • 00:24:47.502 --> 00:24:49.204
  • We will serve the lord."
  • 00:24:49.204 --> 00:24:50.739
  • At the benediction, they just getting started
  • 00:24:50.739 --> 00:24:54.109
  • 'cause they're fanatical followers of jesus christ.
  • 00:24:54.109 --> 00:24:58.947
  • Look, in closing, look, if you have a--
  • 00:24:58.947 --> 00:25:03.151
  • If you travel anywhere, you have a passport.
  • 00:25:03.151 --> 00:25:06.655
  • You have a passport.
  • 00:25:06.655 --> 00:25:08.623
  • That passport, no matter where you go,
  • 00:25:08.623 --> 00:25:12.260
  • Says, "i'm an american citizen."
  • 00:25:12.260 --> 00:25:14.930
  • No matter what country you go in,
  • 00:25:14.930 --> 00:25:16.431
  • Once you show that passport, that tells 'em who you are.
  • 00:25:16.431 --> 00:25:20.502
  • "i'm a citizen of the united states of america.
  • 00:25:20.502 --> 00:25:23.538
  • Here are my credentials.
  • 00:25:23.538 --> 00:25:25.740
  • They are in my passport."
  • 00:25:25.740 --> 00:25:29.110
  • A passport clearly identifies you
  • 00:25:29.110 --> 00:25:32.380
  • And gives you the right to be in a foreign land
  • 00:25:32.380 --> 00:25:35.917
  • As a citizen of the united states.
  • 00:25:35.917 --> 00:25:40.589
  • When you get in trouble with the law,
  • 00:25:40.589 --> 00:25:44.192
  • They revoke your passport.
  • 00:25:44.192 --> 00:25:46.962
  • They take your passport.
  • 00:25:46.962 --> 00:25:49.598
  • They don't want you traveling outside,
  • 00:25:49.598 --> 00:25:52.801
  • Because you not operating as you should,
  • 00:25:52.801 --> 00:25:57.405
  • So they take your passport.
  • 00:25:57.405 --> 00:26:00.375
  • Do me a favor:
  • 00:26:00.375 --> 00:26:02.611
  • Don't let the devil take your passport.
  • 00:26:02.611 --> 00:26:05.880
  • Don't let satan carry your passport
  • 00:26:05.880 --> 00:26:09.084
  • And rob you of your identity so that when you leave
  • 00:26:09.084 --> 00:26:12.754
  • This building today and go home,
  • 00:26:12.754 --> 00:26:14.656
  • Carry your passport with you.
  • 00:26:14.656 --> 00:26:16.791
  • When you go to work tomorrow, carry your passport with you.
  • 00:26:16.791 --> 00:26:19.961
  • When you go to the gym, carry your passport with you.
  • 00:26:19.961 --> 00:26:23.231
  • When you go to the grocery store,
  • 00:26:23.231 --> 00:26:24.866
  • Carry your passport with you
  • 00:26:24.866 --> 00:26:26.768
  • So that, no matter where you go,
  • 00:26:26.768 --> 00:26:28.770
  • Everybody knows that you are a visible, verbal follower
  • 00:26:28.770 --> 00:26:33.208
  • Of jesus christ,
  • 00:26:33.208 --> 00:26:34.542
  • And you are a representative of the kingdom of god.
  • 00:26:34.542 --> 00:26:38.046
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:26:38.046 --> 00:26:38.046