Dr. Jack Graham's mission is to glorify God by introducing Jesus Christ as Lord to all people.
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Power Point with Jack Graham | Jack Graham - Last Days Living | February 1, 2026
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- There is no person that god cannot save!
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- There is no promise that god will not keep!
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- There is nothing that our god cannot do!
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- And now we take god's word and turn to 1 peter, chapter 4... 1
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- Peter, chapter 4, and the title of this message is "living in
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- The last days ... living in the last days". we're speaking on
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- Living hope in a hostile world and our hope is in christ and
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- Christ alone. in fact, the first chapter of 1 peter tells
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- Us that we are born again unto a living hope. our hope is in
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- The lord. so let's read the scripture,
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- Beginning at verse 1 of chapter 4:
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- 1) since therefore christ suffered in the flesh, arm
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- Yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has
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- Suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2) so as to
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- Live for the rest of the time (key phrase) for the rest of
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- The time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the
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- Will of god. 3) for the time that is past suffices for doing
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- What the gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions,
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- Drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.
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- 4) with respect to this they are surprised when you do not
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- Join them (or participate with them) in the same flood of
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- Debauchery, and they malign you (they mock you); 5) but they
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- Will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and
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- The dead.
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- The bible says, “it is appointed unto man once to die,
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- And then the judgment.”
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- 6) for this is why the gospel was preached even to those who
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- Are dead (that is, those who are now dead; who have died and
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- Gone to heaven) ...the gospel was preached..., that though
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- Judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in
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- The spirit the way god does.
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- Now verse 7. mark these words:
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- 7) the end of all things is at hand; therefore, be
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- Self-controlled and soberminded for the sake of your prayers.
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- 8) above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love
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- Covers a multitude of sins. 9) show hospitality to one another
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- Without grumbling. 10) as each has received a gift, use it to
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- Serve one another, as good stewards of god's varied grace:
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- 11) whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of god; whoever
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- Serves, as one who serves by the strength that god
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- Supplies—in order that in everything (and here it is) ...
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- That in everything god may be glorified through jesus christ.
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- To him belong glory... (let's say it out loud together) to
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- Him belong and dominion forever and ever. amen.
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- Living in the last days. what does that mean? peter says the
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- End of all things is near... is at hand. was peter wrong? i
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- Mean, after all, it's been 2000 years plus since this promise
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- Was made and given. and that christ would come, and come
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- Soon. so how could the end be in mind at this point?
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- Well, we are living in the last days, and here's how: from the
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- Days of jesus forward, we are living in the final epoch,
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- Epoch, era... of human history. in fact, when peter stood on
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- The day of pentecost and preached the gospel, he said in
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- Acts chapter 2 that we are now living in these last days. john
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- Said it also in john's gospel. he says: "now little children,
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- These are the last days."
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- So in these days, though it be epochs later, eons later in
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- Some sense, we are living in the times of the end. i don't
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- Know if we are living at the end of the world, but we are
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- Now living at the world at end. these are the end times. and
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- The thrust and the theme of the new testament, and really all
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- Of the bible, is that we should live in view of the return of
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- Jesus christ!
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- So then, how do we live? and this is when peter becomes
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- Practical in showing us how we are to live as last days
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- Believers. living in the times in which we live. and, oh, let
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- Me just say that while i believe it is the last days
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- Prophetically, it could be for any of us the last days
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- Personally. we... none of us know how much time we have left
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- On this earth. this could be the last sermon i every preach.
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- This could be the last sermon you ever hear. and so we all
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- Are to live knowing that the time is now. as i paused even
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- Earlier and said we are to make every day count. make your days
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- Count; make your life count, because we all are living in
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- View of eternity. as one motivational business speaker
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- Said, "begin with the end in mind."
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- And so we live with the end in mind. we live with eternity at
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- Heart. heaven and hope becomes the habits of our heart. so
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- Then, how should we live? and peter gives us... i believe
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- There are about six of them... practical ways in which we are
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- To live in these last days. i love that about peter. he's up
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- Here one moment in the heavenlies, and then he's right
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- Here with us on earth as to how we are to live. so how are we
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- To live?
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- Well, number one, we're to live as i've been saying
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- Expectantly... live expectantly. i could have said
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- Live purposefully, because he said, "we no longer live in the
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- Human passions... (verse 2) that we no longer live with
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- Human passions or desires, but now we live for the will of
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- God." so in living expectantly, we are to be prepared. i like
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- Verse one; it says: "since therefore christ suffered in
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- The flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking..."
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- Arm yourself. it's a very strong word, of course. that
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- Just as christ armed himself to go to the cross and to suffer,
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- We also are to arm ourselves in view of the challenges that we
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- Face in life. we are to have in this world a militant mindset.
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- Arm yourself with this way of thinking. be prepared. this is
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- Always in our hearts; it is always in the hopes of a
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- Christian that today... today could be the day.
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- But not only to be prepared, but to be pure. so in verses 2
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- And following, you see the sinful behaviors of those
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- Outside of christ. he calls them gentiles, but these are
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- Unbelievers. these are the secularists; these are those
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- Who do not know god, and they're living in human
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- Passions and they're doing sinful things because that's
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- What sinners do. "... living in sensuality and passions and
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- Drunkenness and orgies. (this is all in verse 3) drinking
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- Parties, and lawless idolatry...and debauchery." we
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- No longer live for the flesh, he says in verse 2 "so as to
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- Live for the rest of our time in flesh no longer for the
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- Human passions, but now for the will of god."
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- Verse one, let me back it up; it says: "we... whoever has
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- Suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin." it does not
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- Mean that we live sinless lives this side of eternity, but it
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- Does mean we seek to avoid sin. why? because christ has changed
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- And is changing our lives! we no longer live the way we used
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- To live. jesus died for us and he lives in us, and he's coming
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- For us, and now our desires have changed from the world to
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- The will of god. and this is how we win over temptation and
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- Win over sin. because the will of god is doing what god has
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- Called us to do is so much better than the bondage of this
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- World. we have been set free from all this stuff.
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- And you may not be guilty of some of the gross sins that are
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- Described here in this passage of scripture, but we're all
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- Guilty of sin; we're all in bondage, and that bondage is
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- Now broken by the power of christ. and we're becoming more
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- And more like jesus instead of more and more like the world,
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- And therefore, we don't participate in these things.
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- ♪♪♪
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- In a time of rage, anxiety, uncertainty, chaos. it is
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- Absolutely essential that we go to the source of all truth and
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- That is god's word. the bible. during intense persecution in
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- The early days of the church, the apostle peter wrote a
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- Letter all about hope and encouragement, encouraging
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- Believers and giving hope to christians who were navigating
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- A world that was dead set against them. this is a message
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- That speaks directly to christians in every generation,
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- Including our own.
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- [announcer] drawing from peter's letter, doctor jack
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- Graham's latest book speaks to the challenges every believer
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- Faces. how do we live faithfully for christ in a
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- Hostile world? today, we want to equip you with jack graham's
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- New book, “living hope in a hostile world” as our thank you
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- For your continued support of powerpoint ministries. simply
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- Text feb that's f-e-b to 59789. use the qr code on the screen,
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- Or visit jack.graham.org.
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- [jack graham] this is not a book about hype. it's a book
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- About hope. it's not positive thinking. it is biblical truth.
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- It's the living hope, the kind of hope that anchors your soul
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- When storms rage and that holds you when you can barely hold
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- On. this is the hope that never fades because it's a living
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- Hope. this book is for every believer in the midst of life's
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- Greatest challenges, and it will encourage you that there
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- Is real, lasting living hope that is found in christ and
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- Christ alone.
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- ♪♪♪
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- But there's something else and that is, we are to pray
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- Seriously. are you taking notes? write that down. number
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- One, live expectantly, number two, pray seriously. look again
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- At verse 7. “the end of all things is at hand, therefore,
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- Be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of
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- Your prayer.” the word sober means clear-minded, thoughtful,
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- Sane, level-headed. it is in contrast to the mania and the
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- Craziness that we see in earlier verses and that we see
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- In the world. we now, according to verse one, and the
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- Scriptures as well, we have the mind of christ.
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- So how are we to keep a clear head in a mad, mad, mad world?
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- How are we to keep our sense of balance and self-control in
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- Times like these? the way to stay balanced is in prayer.
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- Prayer keeps us centered in christ. prayer enables us to
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- Face the challenges and crises of life, to maintain our
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- Sensibility when everything around us is coming apart. you
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- Could translate this verse 7: be alert in the practice of
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- Prayer.
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- What he's saying to us and what i'm calling us to do: it is
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- Time to get serious about prayer!
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- During the times in which we live that is described in the
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- Bible as perilous times, prayer is the pathway to peace. again,
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- Emotional stability, spiritual strength, physical ability.
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- Prayer is the path to peace! and so when you face problems
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- In your life and perplexities then don't push the panic
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- Button, push the prayer button! this is what keeps us sane and
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- Strong.
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- So first of all, we're to live expectantly. christ is coming.
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- Be prepared, be pure as christ is changing your life. don't
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- Live in the past of your old life, but live in the new life
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- That we have in christ. and then pray seriously. and then
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- Thirdly, love fervently... love fervently. look again at our
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- Text. down in verse 8. "above all (or first), keep loving one
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- Another earnestly (or fervently), since love covers a
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- Multitude of sins." love earnestly, love fervently.
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- Now i like this word fervently, earnestly because it's an
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- Athletic term. it means to strain, to stretch like an
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- Athlete... like a runner would strain with every sinew, every
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- Nerve, every fiber, reaching for the finish line.
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- He says “first of all, this is of supreme importance; above
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- All. what does the scripture say in 1 corinthians 13? “the
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- Greatest of these of the virtues of life is love.” real
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- Love is stretched out; it is first, it is fervent, it is
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- Maximum effort. the kind of love that he's describing here
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- Is a love without limits. love that is costly; love will cost
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- You! when you love someone, no sacrifice is too great. it
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- Means taking risks. it means being vulnerable. it means
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- Being willing to have your heart broken. if you want the
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- Perfect picture of this stretched out love, just go to
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- The cross and see the hands of god, jesus stretching out his
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- Hands on that cross and saying “i love you this much.” this is
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- The agape love, the familiar word agape for christians which
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- Means sacrificial love.
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- And he says something very interesting about this kind of
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- Love. he says, "for love covers a multitude of sins." so if i
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- Was just outlining this verse as i'm doing, i would say love
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- Is first; he says first and foremost. love is to be
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- Fervent, but love is to be forgiving. and that's what this
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- Little phrase here... he's quoting the proverbs. this
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- Phrase "love covers a multitude of sin."
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- Now hear... hear this well: love never condones sin. that's
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- Not what he's saying. but love does cover sin in the sense
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- That if you love someone, you're protective of them. if
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- You care about someone, you don't want their dirty laundry
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- Hung out for all the world to see. if you love someone, you
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- Will do everything possible to cover their sin which means...
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- Bottom line... is to forgive. we cover sin as god does... how
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- Does god cover sin? he covers it with his blood; he covers it
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- With forgiveness. and so love finds a way to forgive. love
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- Covers a multitude of sins.
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- And then he says give joyfully, for the next verse says: “show
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- Hospitality (this is verse 9) show hospitality to one another
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- Without grumbling”, without complaining. we are to give
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- Hospitality. now love one another. that's clearly an
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- Inside job.
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- Well, it's also about reaching people outside the church
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- Because how will people know that we love jesus? how will
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- People know that we are christians? not by the badges
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- We wear or the songs that we sing, or even the sermons that
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- We preach, but that the love that we share on behalf of one
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- Another. people look at our love and they say that's the
- 00:19:22.818 --> 00:19:30.292
- Love of god.
- 00:19:30.292 --> 00:19:32.894
- But hospitality, on the other hand, is about the outside. if
- 00:19:32.894 --> 00:19:39.167
- Loving one another is about in here... it's inside the church,
- 00:19:39.167 --> 00:19:42.070
- Then hospitality is about loving the outsider. it is a
- 00:19:42.070 --> 00:19:49.878
- Virtue that is often spoken of in the scripture. it even began
- 00:19:49.878 --> 00:19:55.717
- Way back in the old testament when abraham received those two
- 00:19:55.717 --> 00:20:01.023
- Strangers who were angelic beings. and the writer of the
- 00:20:01.023 --> 00:20:05.994
- New testament book of hebrews went on to say that when you
- 00:20:05.994 --> 00:20:10.132
- Entertain strangers who knows but that you are entertaining
- 00:20:10.132 --> 00:20:15.037
- Angels when you are hospitable to strangers, who knows but
- 00:20:15.037 --> 00:20:19.908
- That you are entertaining angels unaware.
- 00:20:19.908 --> 00:20:24.046
- So hospitality... what does it mean? it means opening your
- 00:20:24.046 --> 00:20:30.752
- Heart, opening your hands, even opening your homes to
- 00:20:30.752 --> 00:20:40.762
- Outsiders, including our church home. rather than being
- 00:20:40.762 --> 00:20:49.171
- Inclusive and selective, we are welcoming to all.
- 00:20:49.171 --> 00:20:58.580
- You know, there's two kinds of evangelism... witnessing,
- 00:20:58.580 --> 00:21:02.184
- Sharing christ. there's the go and tell kind... jesus said "go
- 00:21:02.184 --> 00:21:08.023
- Into all the world and preach the gospel", so go and tell.
- 00:21:08.023 --> 00:21:11.059
- We're to take the gospel outside of the walls of the
- 00:21:11.059 --> 00:21:13.395
- Church and go where people are; go and tell! that's key. but
- 00:21:13.395 --> 00:21:19.134
- There's also a come and see kind of evangelism. it's the
- 00:21:19.134 --> 00:21:25.507
- Evangelism that took place at the empty tomb... come and see.
- 00:21:25.507 --> 00:21:33.181
- And it's what nathanial did... the first disciple. he said,
- 00:21:33.181 --> 00:21:36.551
- "come and see. meet a man that knew who i was, that changed my
- 00:21:36.551 --> 00:21:40.722
- Life!" it's come and see.
- 00:21:40.722 --> 00:21:43.925
- So even if you think, “well i'm really not good at the go and
- 00:21:43.925 --> 00:21:47.629
- Tell part. i don't know how i would do that.” everybody who's
- 00:21:47.629 --> 00:21:51.867
- A christian can be a part of the come and see brigade.
- 00:21:51.867 --> 00:21:56.138
- Everyone of us can say, “come and meet the one who has
- 00:21:56.138 --> 00:22:00.242
- Changed my life!”
- 00:22:00.242 --> 00:22:02.611
- Jesus told a story about this when he said there was a man.
- 00:22:02.611 --> 00:22:07.416
- He had a banquet and he had it all ready. he sent out the
- 00:22:07.416 --> 00:22:12.421
- Invitations and no one responded, nobody came. so he
- 00:22:12.421 --> 00:22:15.690
- Said to his servants... he said, "go out into the highways
- 00:22:15.690 --> 00:22:18.860
- And the hedges, go out into the streets and the lanes, go our
- 00:22:18.860 --> 00:22:22.297
- Where people are and find the poor and the begging and the
- 00:22:22.297 --> 00:22:26.001
- Hurting and the lame and the blind. go out there where
- 00:22:26.001 --> 00:22:29.638
- People are and bring them in so that my house would be full."
- 00:22:29.638 --> 00:22:33.975
- And he wasn't talking necessarily about the church
- 00:22:33.975 --> 00:22:36.311
- House; he was talking about god's house... so that heaven
- 00:22:36.311 --> 00:22:39.481
- Could be enlarged by the work. he said, "bring them in...
- 00:22:39.481 --> 00:22:44.453
- Bring them in."
- 00:22:44.453 --> 00:22:47.155
- One final thing and i'll close. and that is, if we could kind
- 00:22:47.155 --> 00:22:50.292
- Of wrap this up... if we're going to be living in the last
- 00:22:50.292 --> 00:22:52.727
- Days, we live expectantly, we pray seriously, we love
- 00:22:52.727 --> 00:22:57.966
- Fervently, we give joyfully! we don't complain about this
- 00:22:57.966 --> 00:23:02.637
- Hospitality. we don't complain because it costs money to
- 00:23:02.637 --> 00:23:05.540
- Invest in these missions. we don't complain because somebody
- 00:23:05.540 --> 00:23:08.844
- May get our seat at church. we don't complain about anything.
- 00:23:08.844 --> 00:23:11.980
- We do this joyfully! (i don't even have time to hit that, but
- 00:23:11.980 --> 00:23:15.150
- I hit it really quick.) [laughter]
- 00:23:15.150 --> 00:23:16.485
- Alright, and then... and then, finally, he said serve
- 00:23:16.485 --> 00:23:20.655
- Faithfully. look again, down in verse 10. "as each has received
- 00:23:20.655 --> 00:23:25.560
- A gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of
- 00:23:25.560 --> 00:23:29.197
- The grace of god." god's very grace... it's a word that means
- 00:23:29.197 --> 00:23:32.634
- Like a rainbow of grace, the multi-colored grace of god. so
- 00:23:32.634 --> 00:23:36.805
- What are these gifts? he said we're to serve faithful
- 00:23:36.805 --> 00:23:40.208
- Utilizing our spiritual gifts.
- 00:23:40.208 --> 00:23:43.311
- These are spiritual or even supernatural abilities given by
- 00:23:43.311 --> 00:23:47.582
- The holy spirit for mission and for ministry. and it is our
- 00:23:47.582 --> 00:23:52.754
- Responsibility... each on of us to discover our spiritual
- 00:23:52.754 --> 00:23:56.625
- Gifts... what god made us to do, what god has gifted us to
- 00:23:56.625 --> 00:23:59.794
- Do: to discover those gifts, to develop those gifts, and then
- 00:23:59.794 --> 00:24:05.066
- To deploy those gifts in ministry. jesus said, "work...
- 00:24:05.066 --> 00:24:11.439
- Work, for the night is coming when no one will be able to
- 00:24:11.439 --> 00:24:15.544
- Work." jesus said, "occupy till i come." you know what that
- 00:24:15.544 --> 00:24:20.048
- Means? take care of business. tcb- take care of my business
- 00:24:20.048 --> 00:24:25.654
- Until i come again.
- 00:24:25.654 --> 00:24:28.123
- There are two kinds of gifts mentioned here: there are
- 00:24:28.123 --> 00:24:30.892
- Speaking gifts and there are serving gifts. you can see it
- 00:24:30.892 --> 00:24:34.963
- In the passage yourself. those who speak as the oracles of
- 00:24:34.963 --> 00:24:38.166
- God; and what we need in the church of the lord jesus christ
- 00:24:38.166 --> 00:24:41.603
- Today are god called, anointed preachers of the gospel of
- 00:24:41.603 --> 00:24:46.508
- Jesus christ who bring the word of god and not the word of men.
- 00:24:46.508 --> 00:24:53.648
- And there are speaking gifts beyond preaching. there is
- 00:24:53.648 --> 00:24:56.885
- Teaching and there is writing and there is witnessing and
- 00:24:56.885 --> 00:25:01.389
- There is praying and there is singing. all of these are
- 00:25:01.389 --> 00:25:05.694
- Gifts, if you will, that are up front so that all can see.
- 00:25:05.694 --> 00:25:09.130
- These are the speaking gifts.
- 00:25:09.130 --> 00:25:11.232
- But then he said there are serving gifts. because many
- 00:25:11.232 --> 00:25:14.102
- People are not on platforms, speaking, but out serving the
- 00:25:14.102 --> 00:25:18.707
- Lord; leading and administrating and helping and
- 00:25:18.707 --> 00:25:22.877
- Giving and working hard. and how are we to do this? the
- 00:25:22.877 --> 00:25:27.015
- Scripture says here we all the strength and ability that the
- 00:25:27.015 --> 00:25:31.052
- Holy spirit gives you. so if you're parking cars and your
- 00:25:31.052 --> 00:25:36.658
- Spiritual gift is helps, for example, don't just do it; do
- 00:25:36.658 --> 00:25:40.195
- It in the power of the holy spirit. if you're ushering...
- 00:25:40.195 --> 00:25:44.899
- If you're working in children's ministry... if you're working
- 00:25:44.899 --> 00:25:49.137
- In special needs ministry, human effort will fail but god
- 00:25:49.137 --> 00:25:53.875
- Will enable you to do it. do it as the holy spirit enables you
- 00:25:53.875 --> 00:26:00.548
- To do it.
- 00:26:00.548 --> 00:26:02.050
- And to what end? what's this all about? that in these last
- 00:26:02.050 --> 00:26:09.324
- Days, the end of all things is near. were to live in light of
- 00:26:09.324 --> 00:26:13.728
- The return of christ, so we are to live expectantly; we are to
- 00:26:13.728 --> 00:26:18.933
- Pray seriously; we are to love fervently; we are to give
- 00:26:18.933 --> 00:26:27.776
- Generously and joyfully, without complaint; and we are
- 00:26:27.776 --> 00:26:33.181
- To serve faithfully. why? “that in everything (say everything)
- 00:26:33.181 --> 00:26:43.491
- God may be glorified through jesus christ. to him belong the
- 00:26:43.491 --> 00:26:47.295
- Glory and the dominion forever and ever.”
- 00:26:47.295 --> 00:26:50.598
- Lord, it's all for you. this is all for you. this... what we
- 00:26:50.598 --> 00:26:57.572
- Saw today, lord, is all for you. it's all for your glory.
- 00:26:57.572 --> 00:27:02.777
- Every baby saved, every soul won, every work accomplished,
- 00:27:02.777 --> 00:27:12.821
- Lord, is for you... is for you.
- 00:27:12.821 --> 00:27:17.692
- ♪♪♪
- 00:27:17.692 --> 00:27:17.692