Pastor Dudley Rutherford seeks to "lift up the name of Jesus across the country and the world through uncompromising biblical teaching."
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| Dudley Rutherford - Skyrocketing Growth (Part 2) | March 11, 2026
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- Male announcer: from the beginning of creation
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- To the fall of man,
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- Through it all, the hope of a savior.
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- This fall, experience the bible like never before.
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- Join dudley rutherford on "a journey of a lifetime."
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- If you've ever wanted to understand the bible
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- From beginning to end, this is your chance.
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- Don't just read the story; live it.
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- Coming up next on "lift up jesus,"
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- "a journey of a lifetime."
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- Pastor dudley rutherford: so here's what god did.
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- It's supernatural. he brought them all together.
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- He gave a bunch of ignorant fishermen
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- The ability to speak their language.
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- They preached this sermon. three thousand people get saved.
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- When the day of pentecost is over,
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- They all go back to where they live.
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- So god used that day to kickstart--
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- Not only to start the church,
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- But then to have the church grow and spread
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- Throughout the entire world.
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- [congregation applauding]
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- ♪♪♪
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- Cc by aberdeen captioning 1-800-688-6621 www.aberdeen.io
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- Kayla francis: hello, and welcome to "lift up jesus."
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- My name is kayla francis,
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- And in 2 timothy chapter 3, verses 16 and 17,
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- We read that all scripture is god-breathed
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- And useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting,
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- And training in righteousness
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- So that the servant of god may be thoroughly equipped
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- For every good work.
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- Would you like to be trained in righteousness?
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- Would you like to be thoroughly equipped for every good work?
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- Thankfully, god's word is available to us,
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- And it builds us up for the wonderful purpose
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- That god has for our lives.
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- That's why here at lift up jesus
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- We are so passionate about the transformational power
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- That is available to us in scripture.
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- Week in and week out, we hear a message
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- Straight from god's word
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- And are strengthened and encouraged,
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- And that's exactly what we're going to experience
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- In just a few moments.
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- Go ahead and grab your bibles
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- And perhaps something to take notes with.
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- Let's begin.
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- ♪♪♪
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- Pastor dudley: i want you to write this down.
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- Their desire was not to make a dent;
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- Their desire was to make a difference.
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- And some of you are gonna disagree
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- With this too and that's okay,
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- But i pray that shepherd gets a reputation that says,
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- "those people are a bunch of troublemakers.
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- They really truly believe that out of everything
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- In this world that there's a king named jesus
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- And that we all ought to be living for him."
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- I hope we get that reputation.
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- [congregation applauding]
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- May our love-- listen to this carefully.
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- May our love disturb hate,
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- May our holiness disrupt sin,
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- May our hope defy despair,
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- May our unity defeat division,
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- May our gratitude silence entitlement,
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- May our generosity dismantle selfishness,
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- May our humility overthrow pride,
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- May our courage confront fear,
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- May our faith erase doubt,
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- May our compassion stand against apathy,
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- May our forgiveness shatter revenge,
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- May our light chase away the darkness,
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- May our empathy interrupt isolation,
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- May our integrity expose hypocrisy,
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- May our grace outshine judgment,
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- And may our truth expose deception.
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- Male: hallelujah!
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- [congregation applauding]
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- Pastor dudley: i pray that our church will go into a world
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- That is already upside down
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- And help it turn it right side up.
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- That's my prayer for us.
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- And number four-- write this down--
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- The church grew supernaturally, supernaturally.
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- This is the key point. say, "key point."
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- All that other stuff, i can talk about all day.
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- This is the key point.
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- It goes back to something that jesus said to peter
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- In matthew 16, verse 18.
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- It's a short sentence, but jesus said these words to peter.
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- He said, "peter, i will build my church."
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- This is his church.
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- Everything we do here is by his plan.
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- This is his design.
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- Jesus is the cornerstone of this church.
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- He's the architect of the church.
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- He's the engineer of the church.
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- He's the chief recruiter of the church.
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- He--jesus brought every one of you in here.
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- I didn't bring you in here,
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- And you're not here by luck or accident.
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- You didn't just wander in here
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- And you happen to be sitting here.
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- I believe that in god's design as a chief recruiter
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- That jesus brought you to church.
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- He's the hr director.
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- He brought all the staff that's here at this church.
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- He's the chief builder of the church.
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- Every one of you that he brought in here,
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- He put inside of each of you different gifts,
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- Different talents, and different abilities,
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- And his plan was that he would bring you here
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- With your gifts and your talents
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- And your abilities and that you would use those gifts, talents,
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- And abilities to build up the body of christ.
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- That was his design. he's the chief dreamer.
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- He's the motivator. he's the sustainer.
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- He's the provider of the church.
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- This is not my church, not your church.
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- It's his church.
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- He said, "i will build my church,"
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- And he started it 2,000 years ago.
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- Now, i wanna--i have a board that's gonna come out here.
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- I want you to give these guys a hand,
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- Bringing this thing out here.
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- [congregation applauding]
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- So last week-- everybody say "last week"--
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- We talked about the day the church began.
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- Today, we're looking at how the church grew.
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- It all--i wanna go back to last week.
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- It was the day of pentecost, okay?
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- Day of pentecost. what does "pentecost" mean?
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- Fifty. who said that?
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- Give her a hand.
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- [congregation applauding]
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- Exactly 50 days after the resurrection,
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- On the day of pentecost,
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- There were three feasts every year
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- That every jewish person had to go to jerusalem.
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- The first was the passover to remember the day
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- That god raised up a man named moses
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- To deliver them out of egypt after 450 years of slavery.
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- Second feast was the feast of the tabernacle.
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- That was the feast of-- they remembered the 40 years
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- When they were in the wilderness.
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- But there was a third feast that they had to go--
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- They had to be there,
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- And that was the day where they celebrated
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- Where moses--god used moses to deliver the law
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- Because that's how they live: according to the law.
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- And also to remember the harvest,
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- To thank god for his provision.
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- We thank god for his physical food
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- And his spiritual food, amen?
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- All right, it was on that day--
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- Now, don't forget i have a bible verse
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- Written down here on the very bottom of this.
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- This comes from acts chapter 2, verse 5.
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- You have to understand this verse right here.
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- It was the day of pentecost.
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- Every jew in the world had to go to jerusalem.
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- And it says, "there were staying in jerusalem god-fearing jews
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- From every nation under heaven."
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- So there were jewish people there
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- Who had come all the way from rome.
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- There were jewish people from asia
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- That had walked in there--
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- From phrygia, pamphylia, from the island of crete,
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- From cyrene, from libya, from egypt.
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- They came from judea. they came from arabia.
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- They came from elam, mesopotamia, parthia.
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- They came from mede, cappadocia, and pontius.
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- The jews all over the world were in jerusalem.
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- It was the day of pentecost,
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- And god had told the 12 disciples,
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- "go to jerusalem and wait
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- 'cause i'm gonna give you a gift."
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- And on the 50th day after the resurrection,
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- The bible says the fire of the holy spirit
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- Fell from heaven, and it came down in a form--
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- If you've ever been in a fireplace
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- And you see the little--
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- What's called the tongues of fire,
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- A little flickering, the little fire flames?
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- Those little fire flames came from heaven--
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- It was the holy spirit--
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- And landed on top of each of their heads.
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- Now, these guys
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- Are a bunch
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- Of ignorant fishermen.
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- They're, like, from oklahoma or something.
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- [congregation laughing]
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- Now, don't be mad, 'cause i'm from oklahoma.
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- [congregation laughing]
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- Pastor dudley: and they beat alabama yesterday.
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- Yeah! the sooners.
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- These guys are ignorant fishermen.
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- They were there waiting for the gift,
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- And the holy spirit comes down...
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- And each of them are filled with the spirit,
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- And they begin to speak in languages,
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- And three times it that chapter it says,
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- "we are amazed how can these galileans,"
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- These oklahomans, "speak our native tongue?"
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- And they preached.
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- And we looked last week at that sermon where peter--
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- We'll put him in the middle,
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- And we'll put eyeballs on him just so we know who peter is.
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- And there's his mouth right there.
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- He's smiling.
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- We'll give him some ears, too. we'll give him some ears.
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- Peter stands up, and he preaches the very first sermon.
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- Jews from every nation under the sun had gathered.
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- He stands up and he preaches all--
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- This is all last week, starting with verse 14,
- 00:11:09.999 --> 00:11:12.501
- Acts 2:14-- preaches an incredible sermon.
- 00:11:12.501 --> 00:11:15.337
- At the end of the sermon, he says,
- 00:11:15.337 --> 00:11:16.906
- "therefore, let all of israel be assured of this:
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- That this man whom you crucified is the lord of all lords
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- And he is the christ, the messiah."
- 00:11:23.679 --> 00:11:26.949
- And the people all said, "what shall we do?"
- 00:11:26.949 --> 00:11:30.119
- And he said, "you've got to repent,
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- And you have to be baptized in the name of jesus christ
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- For the washing of your sins,
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- That you would receive the gift of the holy spirit."
- 00:11:37.093 --> 00:11:40.963
- And the bible says those who received his message
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- Were baptized, and on that day, it says that 3,000 people,
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- 3,000 people were baptized, had their sins washed,
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- And received the gift of the holy spirit.
- 00:11:59.181 --> 00:12:01.650
- Now, i wanna ask you a question. you gotta get this.
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- What happened when the day of pentecost was over?
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- What happened next?
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- Everybody went home!
- 00:12:14.730 --> 00:12:16.265
- After they got saved and got filled
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- With the holy spirit, they went back to rome.
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- The people from asia went back to asia.
- 00:12:20.536 --> 00:12:23.439
- The people from pamphylia went back to pamphylia.
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- The people from the island of crete
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- Went back to the island of crete.
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- They went back to cyrene. they went back to libya.
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- They went back to egypt. they went back to judea.
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- They went back to ara--arabia.
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- They went back to mesopotamia and elam and to parthia,
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- To mede, to cappadocia, and to pontius.
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- They went back. so here's what god did.
- 00:12:42.992 --> 00:12:44.727
- It's supernatural. he brought them all together.
- 00:12:44.727 --> 00:12:47.429
- He gave a bunch of ignorant fishermen
- 00:12:47.429 --> 00:12:49.064
- The ability to speak their language.
- 00:12:49.064 --> 00:12:50.466
- They preached this sermon. three thousand people get saved.
- 00:12:50.466 --> 00:12:53.269
- When the day of pentecost is over,
- 00:12:53.269 --> 00:12:54.937
- They all go back to where they live.
- 00:12:54.937 --> 00:12:56.272
- So god used that day to kickstart--
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- Not only to start the church,
- 00:12:58.874 --> 00:13:00.943
- But then to have the church grow and spread
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- Throughout the entire world.
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- [congregation applauding]
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- It's the genius, it's the genius of god
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- To do that, supernaturally.
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- It was birthed in power. it grew in power.
- 00:13:17.092 --> 00:13:21.163
- It's such a contrast to rome.
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- Rome conquered the world by force,
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- But the early church turned that world upside down
- 00:13:29.605 --> 00:13:32.241
- By faith.
- 00:13:32.241 --> 00:13:33.576
- I want you to write this down.
- 00:13:33.576 --> 00:13:34.910
- The empire built roads, but the church built lives.
- 00:13:34.910 --> 00:13:41.984
- Here's how we see god working.
- 00:13:41.984 --> 00:13:44.186
- It was a praying church, a powerful church.
- 00:13:44.186 --> 00:13:50.726
- It was a preaching church.
- 00:13:50.726 --> 00:13:54.230
- I don't know if you know about prayer,
- 00:13:54.230 --> 00:13:55.731
- But prayer, if you think about it,
- 00:13:55.731 --> 00:13:57.466
- Is a spiritual phenomenon that you as a human being
- 00:13:57.466 --> 00:14:02.872
- Can be on this earth held down by gravity
- 00:14:02.872 --> 00:14:05.474
- And yet pray and speak to an omnipotent god, super--
- 00:14:05.474 --> 00:14:08.978
- That is supernatural.
- 00:14:08.978 --> 00:14:10.312
- [congregation applauding]
- 00:14:10.312 --> 00:14:12.748
- The word of god never returns void.
- 00:14:12.748 --> 00:14:16.085
- It doesn't matter if you're reading a verse,
- 00:14:16.085 --> 00:14:18.721
- Quoting a verse, somebody speaks the word.
- 00:14:18.721 --> 00:14:21.824
- It never returns void.
- 00:14:21.824 --> 00:14:23.259
- That's a supernatural phenomenon.
- 00:14:23.259 --> 00:14:26.328
- The 1st century church didn't start with politics.
- 00:14:26.328 --> 00:14:29.932
- It didn't start with buildings. it didn't start with a bishop.
- 00:14:29.932 --> 00:14:33.602
- It started with prayer and preaching
- 00:14:33.602 --> 00:14:35.971
- And pentecost power is how it got started.
- 00:14:35.971 --> 00:14:39.375
- Rome marched with all of its armies,
- 00:14:39.375 --> 00:14:41.277
- But christians marched with an anointing from heaven.
- 00:14:41.277 --> 00:14:45.180
- Number four, it was a persecuted church.
- 00:14:45.180 --> 00:14:49.351
- I don't have time to explain all that to you.
- 00:14:49.351 --> 00:14:52.221
- I wish i did.
- 00:14:52.221 --> 00:14:54.790
- There came a point of persecution,
- 00:14:54.790 --> 00:14:58.460
- And the bible says that everybody scattered.
- 00:14:58.460 --> 00:15:00.195
- It was the same process you just saw on that board.
- 00:15:00.195 --> 00:15:03.899
- They scattered... fled for the hills,
- 00:15:03.899 --> 00:15:07.903
- But the bible says that those who were scattered
- 00:15:07.903 --> 00:15:11.173
- Preached the word wherever they went.
- 00:15:11.173 --> 00:15:14.276
- So even in the midst of persecution, the church grew,
- 00:15:14.276 --> 00:15:17.947
- The church spread.
- 00:15:17.947 --> 00:15:19.949
- And i want you to write down the word "endurance"
- 00:15:19.949 --> 00:15:21.684
- Because that's the key word.
- 00:15:21.684 --> 00:15:24.653
- I have never--not one time ever walked in this room
- 00:15:24.653 --> 00:15:30.759
- And didn't feel the presence of god in here.
- 00:15:30.759 --> 00:15:34.563
- Now, you might not have felt it because--i don't know--
- 00:15:34.563 --> 00:15:36.732
- Maybe your heart is hardened
- 00:15:36.732 --> 00:15:38.534
- Or you don't have a spiritual antenna,
- 00:15:38.534 --> 00:15:42.805
- You're not sensitive.
- 00:15:42.805 --> 00:15:44.139
- But i have never not one time ever walked in this room
- 00:15:44.139 --> 00:15:47.977
- And didn't feel god's presence in here, why?
- 00:15:47.977 --> 00:15:50.579
- Because the bible says where two or three or more
- 00:15:50.579 --> 00:15:52.314
- Are gathered, that he's there.
- 00:15:52.314 --> 00:15:55.651
- And so he's inside of you. he's inside of me.
- 00:15:55.651 --> 00:15:58.887
- That's all supernatural stuff.
- 00:15:58.887 --> 00:16:02.524
- So i've never not felt his presence.
- 00:16:02.524 --> 00:16:04.093
- But you know what i also feel sometimes?
- 00:16:04.093 --> 00:16:05.961
- I feel like the church in america today
- 00:16:05.961 --> 00:16:08.998
- Is a "consumer-based" church--
- 00:16:08.998 --> 00:16:13.335
- That many people come in here just to see
- 00:16:13.335 --> 00:16:16.739
- If they like it or not.
- 00:16:16.739 --> 00:16:18.841
- "oh, i like that song. oh, i don't like that song.
- 00:16:18.841 --> 00:16:22.611
- Oh, i like it when they preach.
- 00:16:22.611 --> 00:16:24.546
- Oh, i don't like it when they preach.
- 00:16:24.546 --> 00:16:26.348
- Oh, i didn't-- i don't agree with that.
- 00:16:26.348 --> 00:16:28.417
- I'm never coming back."
- 00:16:28.417 --> 00:16:31.453
- I just went on a tour earlier in the year
- 00:16:31.453 --> 00:16:33.689
- On the footsteps of paul
- 00:16:33.689 --> 00:16:35.024
- Where paul went through many of these cities
- 00:16:35.024 --> 00:16:36.492
- And started churches,
- 00:16:36.492 --> 00:16:37.893
- Which we're gonna talk about in the next few weeks,
- 00:16:37.893 --> 00:16:42.564
- And our guide as we were going to a lot of these places,
- 00:16:42.564 --> 00:16:45.300
- He said something that i've never thought of.
- 00:16:45.300 --> 00:16:49.371
- The entire time--he was guiding us for about 10 days--
- 00:16:49.371 --> 00:16:54.510
- He said there's a common theme in all these places,
- 00:16:54.510 --> 00:16:59.281
- And the theme is that every one of them
- 00:16:59.281 --> 00:17:01.116
- Went through a hard time, a difficult time,
- 00:17:01.116 --> 00:17:04.219
- But the church continued to grow and to thrive
- 00:17:04.219 --> 00:17:06.655
- Even though they were experiencing difficult times,
- 00:17:06.655 --> 00:17:10.793
- And it was a warning to me to encourage all of us.
- 00:17:10.793 --> 00:17:17.933
- We've got to learn how to endure
- 00:17:17.933 --> 00:17:21.370
- Even when things are going against us.
- 00:17:21.370 --> 00:17:25.140
- You come in here and you hear something you don't like,
- 00:17:25.140 --> 00:17:27.142
- Don't quit over that.
- 00:17:27.142 --> 00:17:29.812
- Think about the 999 things that are good about this place.
- 00:17:29.812 --> 00:17:35.184
- And the one thing that is-- you don't like,
- 00:17:35.184 --> 00:17:37.753
- Why don't you stick around and help us change it
- 00:17:37.753 --> 00:17:41.090
- Instead of just take your ball and go home,
- 00:17:41.090 --> 00:17:44.860
- Go try to find another place
- 00:17:44.860 --> 00:17:46.261
- That will meet all of your needs?
- 00:17:46.261 --> 00:17:48.964
- We are called, number five-- write this down--
- 00:17:48.964 --> 00:17:51.100
- To be a participatory church.
- 00:17:51.100 --> 00:17:54.503
- The church back in those days, everybody was involved,
- 00:17:54.503 --> 00:17:59.775
- Everybody served,
- 00:17:59.775 --> 00:18:02.811
- And i think it's what we need to talk more about.
- 00:18:02.811 --> 00:18:08.117
- I will tell you that the book of acts
- 00:18:08.117 --> 00:18:13.422
- Only has 28 chapters, and at the end of that book,
- 00:18:13.422 --> 00:18:19.228
- Luke did not put this at the end.
- 00:18:19.228 --> 00:18:21.363
- He didn't say this: the end. oh, the ink--write this down.
- 00:18:21.363 --> 00:18:28.303
- The ink stopped, but the mission continues.
- 00:18:28.303 --> 00:18:32.641
- And we're here today. we're acts 29.
- 00:18:32.641 --> 00:18:35.010
- We could change the name of this church to acts 29.
- 00:18:35.010 --> 00:18:37.446
- [one person clapping]
- 00:18:37.446 --> 00:18:39.581
- Now, i wanna show you something.
- 00:18:39.581 --> 00:18:47.456
- Instead of jerusalem right here...
- 00:18:47.456 --> 00:18:49.424
- I want you to think you are here today in shepherd church.
- 00:18:49.424 --> 00:18:56.064
- You're right here...
- 00:18:56.064 --> 00:18:58.066
- We have people here today that came all the way down
- 00:18:58.066 --> 00:19:00.636
- From santa clarita.
- 00:19:00.636 --> 00:19:04.973
- They came.
- 00:19:04.973 --> 00:19:07.576
- We got people out there from simi valley.
- 00:19:07.576 --> 00:19:10.546
- Somehow they got up, they got over the hill,
- 00:19:10.546 --> 00:19:13.649
- And they got here.
- 00:19:13.649 --> 00:19:15.217
- We got people here today, they came from "hollyweird,"
- 00:19:15.217 --> 00:19:21.190
- Came all the way from hollywood, came to church.
- 00:19:21.190 --> 00:19:24.626
- We got people here from san fernando valley
- 00:19:24.626 --> 00:19:29.998
- And got all the way here.
- 00:19:29.998 --> 00:19:32.568
- We got people from granada hills.
- 00:19:32.568 --> 00:19:34.369
- They came on their skateboard.
- 00:19:34.369 --> 00:19:36.104
- [congregation laughing]
- 00:19:36.104 --> 00:19:38.540
- We got--where else we got people co--oh, we--
- 00:19:38.540 --> 00:19:41.176
- There's a family here.
- 00:19:41.176 --> 00:19:42.511
- They come from the airport, where all the runways are.
- 00:19:42.511 --> 00:19:45.080
- They come from the airport. they're here every week.
- 00:19:45.080 --> 00:19:47.683
- Where'd you--where? san diego.
- 00:19:47.683 --> 00:19:50.319
- Whoa, that's way down there. people coming from pasadena.
- 00:19:50.319 --> 00:19:54.556
- Now, here's what happens. you all came here together.
- 00:19:54.556 --> 00:19:58.327
- God's spirit is here, moving supernaturally.
- 00:19:58.327 --> 00:20:01.697
- If you're not saved today, you can come--
- 00:20:01.697 --> 00:20:03.565
- Right when i pray, go through these doors over here...
- 00:20:03.565 --> 00:20:05.767
- We have people waiting on you.
- 00:20:05.767 --> 00:20:07.269
- And after you're baptized into his name,
- 00:20:07.269 --> 00:20:09.871
- Your sins are washed,
- 00:20:09.871 --> 00:20:11.206
- God will put that spirit inside of you.
- 00:20:11.206 --> 00:20:12.941
- In just a few minutes, when church is over,
- 00:20:12.941 --> 00:20:14.776
- All those people from santa clarita
- 00:20:14.776 --> 00:20:16.745
- Are going to go back to santa clarita.
- 00:20:16.745 --> 00:20:18.146
- They're gonna go back to simi valley,
- 00:20:18.146 --> 00:20:19.681
- Back to pasadena, back to the airport,
- 00:20:19.681 --> 00:20:22.451
- Back to san diego, back to hollywood,
- 00:20:22.451 --> 00:20:25.287
- Back to san fernando valley, back to granada hills,
- 00:20:25.287 --> 00:20:27.923
- Back to sherman oaks.
- 00:20:27.923 --> 00:20:31.093
- And the same thing that happened on the day of pentecost
- 00:20:31.093 --> 00:20:33.462
- Happens right here in church every week.
- 00:20:33.462 --> 00:20:35.030
- We come together, god's spirit moves,
- 00:20:35.030 --> 00:20:36.598
- And then you get out of here
- 00:20:36.598 --> 00:20:38.900
- And go make a difference for jesus christ in this world.
- 00:20:38.900 --> 00:20:41.670
- [applauding]
- 00:20:41.670 --> 00:20:45.107
- You always want--
- 00:20:45.107 --> 00:20:46.441
- "what's the last line in the outline?"
- 00:20:46.441 --> 00:20:51.813
- I'll tell you what it is. are you ready?
- 00:20:51.813 --> 00:20:56.218
- The cross of jesus wasn't the conclusion;
- 00:20:56.218 --> 00:21:01.556
- It was a catapult.
- 00:21:01.556 --> 00:21:03.859
- [congregation applauding]
- 00:21:03.859 --> 00:21:06.662
- Kayla: what a blessing to be trained and equipped
- 00:21:08.864 --> 00:21:11.266
- In god's word.
- 00:21:11.266 --> 00:21:12.934
- Was this program an encouragement to you?
- 00:21:12.934 --> 00:21:15.704
- I ask because we'd love to hear from you.
- 00:21:15.704 --> 00:21:18.807
- Just dial the number on the screen
- 00:21:18.807 --> 00:21:20.275
- Or visit www.liftupjesus.com
- 00:21:20.275 --> 00:21:25.047
- And let us know how you were touched
- 00:21:25.047 --> 00:21:27.015
- By today's message.
- 00:21:27.015 --> 00:21:28.750
- If you believe in the power of scripture
- 00:21:28.750 --> 00:21:31.486
- At work in our lives,
- 00:21:31.486 --> 00:21:33.221
- Would you consider coming alongside "lift up jesus"
- 00:21:33.221 --> 00:21:35.590
- By making a donation
- 00:21:35.590 --> 00:21:36.958
- Or, better yet, committing to a recurring gift?
- 00:21:36.958 --> 00:21:40.796
- Our program allows us to reach people around the globe
- 00:21:40.796 --> 00:21:44.766
- With the word of god, and it is made possible
- 00:21:44.766 --> 00:21:47.336
- Through the generosity of viewers like you.
- 00:21:47.336 --> 00:21:50.539
- Giving is easy.
- 00:21:50.539 --> 00:21:51.873
- Just visit the website displayed on the screen
- 00:21:51.873 --> 00:21:53.742
- And click the "give" button.
- 00:21:53.742 --> 00:21:55.344
- Thank you. your support goes a long way.
- 00:21:55.344 --> 00:21:58.413
- We look forward to seeing you again
- 00:21:58.413 --> 00:21:59.815
- At the same time next week.
- 00:21:59.815 --> 00:22:02.050
- Until then, whatever you're doing
- 00:22:02.050 --> 00:22:03.719
- And wherever you're going,
- 00:22:03.719 --> 00:22:05.320
- Don't forget to always lift up jesus.
- 00:22:05.320 --> 00:22:08.690
- Pastor dudley: hi, my name is dudley rutherford,
- 00:22:10.525 --> 00:22:12.461
- And i'm the senior pastor of shepherd church.
- 00:22:12.461 --> 00:22:15.497
- I wanted to let you know a little bit about our ministry
- 00:22:15.497 --> 00:22:18.266
- Called lift up jesus.
- 00:22:18.266 --> 00:22:20.635
- There are a lot of television ministry,
- 00:22:20.635 --> 00:22:22.738
- Radio ministries.
- 00:22:22.738 --> 00:22:24.506
- I know i'm a little prejudiced,
- 00:22:24.506 --> 00:22:25.841
- But i believe we have the best name going
- 00:22:25.841 --> 00:22:28.343
- Because we exist for the purpose of simply lifting up jesus,
- 00:22:28.343 --> 00:22:32.614
- Knowing that he will draw all people unto himself.
- 00:22:32.614 --> 00:22:36.752
- Years ago we were on one little television channel
- 00:22:36.752 --> 00:22:40.255
- Here in southern california.
- 00:22:40.255 --> 00:22:42.357
- I always felt like i wanted someone who watch the program
- 00:22:42.357 --> 00:22:46.061
- To be able to get in their car and just drive to the church,
- 00:22:46.061 --> 00:22:49.264
- Never really had a dream for it to be nationwide
- 00:22:49.264 --> 00:22:52.300
- Or anything like that
- 00:22:52.300 --> 00:22:53.635
- Until one day i was in a restaurant.
- 00:22:53.635 --> 00:22:56.972
- I went way back in the very far back booth.
- 00:22:56.972 --> 00:22:59.541
- I had a hat on.
- 00:22:59.541 --> 00:23:00.876
- I was trying to eat breakfast incognito,
- 00:23:00.876 --> 00:23:03.812
- And in the middle of my meal, a guy tapped me on the shoulder.
- 00:23:03.812 --> 00:23:06.648
- I turned around, and there was this guy covered in tattoos,
- 00:23:06.648 --> 00:23:11.853
- Kind of looked like a gangbanger guy,
- 00:23:11.853 --> 00:23:14.456
- And he said, "pastor, i'm sorry to bother you in your breakfast,
- 00:23:14.456 --> 00:23:17.292
- But i want to tell you my story."
- 00:23:17.292 --> 00:23:19.127
- And he begins to explain how he was a professional bank robber.
- 00:23:19.127 --> 00:23:22.964
- He robbed banks. he robbed grocery stores.
- 00:23:22.964 --> 00:23:25.534
- He robbed gas stations.
- 00:23:25.534 --> 00:23:27.436
- And one day in one of those robberies,
- 00:23:27.436 --> 00:23:29.204
- The robbery went south, and his partner in crime
- 00:23:29.204 --> 00:23:32.874
- Was shot and killed,
- 00:23:32.874 --> 00:23:35.410
- And it so bothered him that he decided
- 00:23:35.410 --> 00:23:38.313
- That he was gonna take his own life himself.
- 00:23:38.313 --> 00:23:41.650
- And before he took his life, he went back to his house
- 00:23:41.650 --> 00:23:45.554
- To say goodbye to his mother, who was a godly woman.
- 00:23:45.554 --> 00:23:49.357
- And when he walked into that house,
- 00:23:49.357 --> 00:23:51.426
- He tells the story that she looked into his eyes and said,
- 00:23:51.426 --> 00:23:54.996
- "what's wrong?
- 00:23:54.996 --> 00:23:56.331
- Why are you here?" and he said, "nothing, mom.
- 00:23:56.331 --> 00:23:58.467
- I just wanna tell you 'hello,' see how you're doing,"
- 00:23:58.467 --> 00:24:01.603
- Where, in reality, he was gonna say goodbye
- 00:24:01.603 --> 00:24:04.272
- And go take his own life.
- 00:24:04.272 --> 00:24:06.174
- She's--he said that she looked right through his eyes and said,
- 00:24:06.174 --> 00:24:09.845
- "you need the lord and you need to start watching
- 00:24:09.845 --> 00:24:13.148
- Pastor dudley on 'lift up jesus.'"
- 00:24:13.148 --> 00:24:16.384
- And he said he started to do that,
- 00:24:16.384 --> 00:24:18.086
- And he said many times over the last several years--
- 00:24:18.086 --> 00:24:21.323
- He said, "pastor, your ministry has saved my life
- 00:24:21.323 --> 00:24:24.459
- Because i've been so discouraged by my past
- 00:24:24.459 --> 00:24:27.229
- And so discouraged by the sin in my life
- 00:24:27.229 --> 00:24:30.265
- That i just wanted to end it all."
- 00:24:30.265 --> 00:24:31.600
- But today, praise god, he now is a solid believer in jesus christ
- 00:24:31.600 --> 00:24:38.373
- And ministers to people all over los angeles with his testimony.
- 00:24:38.373 --> 00:24:43.044
- And from that story, god impressed upon my heart,
- 00:24:43.044 --> 00:24:47.582
- "dudley, if your television ministry
- 00:24:47.582 --> 00:24:49.684
- Will reach someone like that,
- 00:24:49.684 --> 00:24:52.487
- You need to get your program in as many homes
- 00:24:52.487 --> 00:24:55.056
- As you possibly can."
- 00:24:55.056 --> 00:24:56.625
- We're on sirius xm radio nationwide.
- 00:24:56.625 --> 00:24:59.261
- We're on directv nationwide.
- 00:24:59.261 --> 00:25:02.364
- We're on a radio station over in the philippines.
- 00:25:02.364 --> 00:25:05.000
- Of course, we're here locally in los angeles.
- 00:25:05.000 --> 00:25:07.602
- If you'd like to learn or have more information
- 00:25:07.602 --> 00:25:10.005
- About our ministry or me personally,
- 00:25:10.005 --> 00:25:12.674
- Just get a hold of us, contact us.
- 00:25:12.674 --> 00:25:14.910
- Number on the screen. we'd love to hear from you.
- 00:25:14.910 --> 00:25:17.445
- And don't forget: as i always tell my listeners
- 00:25:17.445 --> 00:25:19.681
- At the end of every program,
- 00:25:19.681 --> 00:25:21.349
- Whatever you're doing and wherever you're going
- 00:25:21.349 --> 00:25:23.552
- Don't forget to always lift up jesus.
- 00:25:23.552 --> 00:25:26.555
- Kayla francis: hi, i'm kayla francis,
- 00:25:30.392 --> 00:25:31.726
- Founder and executive director of influenceher group.
- 00:25:31.726 --> 00:25:35.897
- Influenceher group exists to help you discover
- 00:25:35.897 --> 00:25:38.833
- And grow your god-given influence.
- 00:25:38.833 --> 00:25:41.236
- We want to help you to see the truth of ephesians 2:10
- 00:25:41.236 --> 00:25:45.040
- Realized in your life.
- 00:25:45.040 --> 00:25:48.209
- You're the precious work of god's hands.
- 00:25:48.209 --> 00:25:50.211
- You were made to do and accomplish good,
- 00:25:50.211 --> 00:25:52.814
- And all of that was prepared for you in advance.
- 00:25:52.814 --> 00:25:56.718
- I'd like to invite you to visit our website,
- 00:25:56.718 --> 00:25:59.054
- Influencehergroup.com.
- 00:25:59.054 --> 00:26:01.823
- Leave us your email address and check out
- 00:26:01.823 --> 00:26:03.792
- Some of the resources that we have made available.
- 00:26:03.792 --> 00:26:06.661
- We offer events both online and in person
- 00:26:06.661 --> 00:26:09.264
- That will help you develop yourself
- 00:26:09.264 --> 00:26:11.366
- Within a community of like-minded women.
- 00:26:11.366 --> 00:26:13.835
- We'll see you there.
- 00:26:13.835 --> 00:26:18.440
- Michael north: you know, pastor dudley enjoys hearing
- 00:26:22.544 --> 00:26:24.779
- From everyone watching him through this ministry.
- 00:26:24.779 --> 00:26:27.549
- Your emails, phone calls, and social media contacts
- 00:26:27.549 --> 00:26:31.052
- Are very important to him.
- 00:26:31.052 --> 00:26:32.954
- We want you to know you can also write to pastor dudley
- 00:26:32.954 --> 00:26:35.357
- At our mailing address: lift up jesus ministry
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- 19700 rinaldi street, porter ranch, california 91326.
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- Your financial support, large or small,
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- Is greatly appreciated.
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- You can be assured your gifts to this ministry
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- Go directly to help touch and change the lives
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- Of many who are hearing the gospel of jesus christ
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- For the very first time.
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- Someone just like you helped us to be here
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- On this station you're watching right now.
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- Your partnership gift
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- Can help us reach into more cities,
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- Into new viewers across america
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- In the very same way.
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- So if "lift up jesus" has been a blessing to you,
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- Please take just a moment to write, call, or visit
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- Our website and click the "give" button today.
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- ...
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