Right, in the sermon is reasons to keep serving God, reasons to keep serving God.
Psalm 73 is a song that's given to us to kind of give you the picture of somebody who's
basically really tired and exhausted serving God and they get to the point where they
feel like giving up.
And this chapter is meant to be something that when you're feeling down and depressed
that you can read and you can get revived.
You can see why this person gets depressed and what actually fixes that.
So starting here in verse number one, Psalm 73 verse one, truly God is good to Israel
even as such as thereof a clean heart.
So in verse one he's just speaking God is good to Israel such as thereof a clean heart.
God is good to his people in saying that.
But then starting in verse two, he's going to go back in time to what he was thinking.
Okay, because notice verse two, but as for me, my feet were almost gone, were is past
tense.
Okay, my steps had, well, nice slip, so he's going past tense.
So in verse one, he's giving you the present tense, kind of the end of the matter, then
he's going to kind of go back in time about how he felt before he got revived.
Okay.
So verse three, for I was past tense, envious at the foolish when I saw the prosperity
of the wicked.
So what the psalmist is saying is I envy people that were wicked people.
I saw that they were prosperous.
I saw that they were successful.
I mean, isn't it true in today's world, a lot of really successful people are bad
people.
A lot of really successful people are wicked people and sometimes you can see their success
and it can make you feel like what's the point of serving God because these wicked
people are prospering.
That is how ASAP feels.
Verse number four, there are no bands in their deck, but their strength is firm.
They are not in a trouble as other men are, neither are they played like other men.
Therefore, pride encompasses them about as a chain, violence covers them as a garment.
He's saying in verse six, they're very prideful because they're very successful and
nothing seems to bring them down.
Okay.
Really?
We're reading here in these verses, this is him in his mind, in his thoughts when he's
kind of backslid and not right with God.
And he envies wicked people.
Verse seven, their eyes stand out with fatness, they have more than a heart could wish.
They're corrupt and speak wickedly concerning oppression.
They speak lawfully.
Verse nine, they set their mouth against the heavens, stating that they basically speak
against things of God.
They speak against God.
They speak against the Lord.
And isn't it true that wicked people mock the things of the Bible?
They criticize the laws of the Bible, they speak against the heavens and their tongue
walks through the earth.
What does that mean by their tongue walks through the earth?
Well, what it means is the message they're producing actually spreads through the entire
earth.
I mean, isn't it true that famous musicians, everybody knows their songs?
I mean, everybody knows who Katy Perry is, everyone knows who Justin Bieber is.
Their messages are just walking through the earth.
Famous politicians that are bad people, their message walks through the earth.
Everybody knows what they say.
Everybody knows what they believe.
Now for us, we literally have to walk through the earth, right, to preach the gospel to
people.
But their message just goes everywhere.
Everybody knows what these wicked people think.
Verse number 10, therefore his people return hither and waters of a full cup are rung
out to them.
And they say, how doth God know and is there knowledge in the most high?
And so these wicked people have this attitude, God doesn't really know what we're doing,
God doesn't really care about what we're doing.
Now look, obviously to us that's foolish because God sees everything.
God is on my presence.
But you know, wicked people, they believe they can get away with anything.
They can do whatever, they can steal money, they can kill people to make money, they
can do whatever, and nothing bad is going to happen to them.
That's the way they feel.
Verse 12, behold, these are the ungodly who prosper the world.
And so the psalmist is saying here in verses 12 and 13, he's saying, there's no purpose
for me to serve God because wicked people get exalted and I'm not getting anything out
of serving God.
And look, if we're honest here today, all of us feel like this from time to time.
Why am I spending so much time going to church and reading the Bible and going souling?
I mean, other people are living for themselves and they've got a brand new car, they've got
a brand new house, they've got all the money, all their heart could wish, it says
in Psalm 73, and I'm serving God, I feel like I'm getting nothing out of it, okay?
Verse 14, for all the day long have I been plagued and chastened every morning.
And this is true for us as believers.
We live a sinful life and God will discipline.
Verse 15, if I say I will speak thus, behold, I should offend against a generation of
thy children.
When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me.
And he's basically telling you what was inside of his heart, he felt like giving
up.
Verse 17, until I went into the sanctuary of God.
Now notice when he goes into the house of God, it immediately, that is what switches
him, right?
This is why church is important.
You come to the house of God, it kind of resets you for the week.
Amen.
Because we get brainwashed and beaten down by the sinful world, right?
They mock what we believe, they criticize what we believe, we get beaten down by the
sinful world.
When you come to church, it reminds you.
It reminds you of what's true.
It reminds you of what's right.
Church is the pillar and ground and the truth.
That's what the Bible says.
He says, until I went into the sanctuary of God, then it says, then understood I therein.
Okay?
The name of the sermon is Reasons to Keep Sermon God.
Now look, this 2020 has been a very difficult year for pretty much everybody.
And not just in this country, but around the world.
I'll tell you what, this past week, I've literally talked to Christians in the U.S.
that are just talking about how depressed they are and how bad life is, and they
feel like giving up.
I mean, around the world, there's a lot of Christians that feel like it's just too
hard to serve God.
What's the purpose?
Life is difficult.
These wicked people are being exalted, and they feel like quitting.
I'm going to give you four reasons here today why you should keep serving God.
Okay?
And I get it.
There's many reasons why you might want to quit.
I'm going to give you four solid reasons why you should never quit serving God.
Okay?
Now in verse 17, notice what it said.
Until I went into the sanctuary of God, then understood I therein.
He's saying, when I went into the house of God, I understood what was the end
of vice-pony.
Amen.
I understood what was the end of these wicked pedophiles and these wicked people
and wicked false problems.
When he went into the house of God, he understood what was the end of these people.
Now let me ask you a question.
What kind of preaching do you think ASAP heard?
God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.
Just positive, positive, positive.
Well, that wouldn't have revived ASAP.
You actually need to hear preaching about how these wicked people will be judged for
what they do.
Okay?
The first point, the first reason you should never quit serving God is because
of the burning below us.
The burning below us.
And what I mean by that is in the center of the earth, there's a burning hell
which is never going to get cold.
It's never going to cool off.
There is a burning below us in the center of the earth.
And whenever you feel like quitting on God, remember what hell is like.
And you should never quit serving God for that purpose.
Notice what it says in verse 18.
Referring to the wicked people.
Surely thou didst set them in slippery places.
Thou casteth them down into destruction.
Now destruction is a term that is often given in relation to people going to hell.
They will be destroyed.
They are made into destruction.
How are they brought into desolation as in the moment?
They are utterly consumed with terror.
Look at verse number 27.
For lo, they that are far from me shall perish.
Thou has destroyed all them that go affording from me.
If you remember John 3 16, for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish.
Right?
He sang in Psalm 73, these people are going to perish.
They're going to burn in hell.
These wicked people.
Go to Philippians chapter 3.
Philippians 3.
So look, when you get envious of these wicked people,
realize they're going to burn forever in the heart of the earth.
There's no reason to be envious of them.
I mean, would you rather have 60 years of prosperity here on earth,
lots of money, lots of vacations, and spend forever in hell,
and pay for each and every one of your sins,
or would you rather serve God in his life,
and go to heaven and get rewarded for the work you do?
Right?
Hell is a burning place that is never going to get cold,
and it's going to last forever.
Okay?
Philippians 3 verse 18,
in reference to Paul's prophets, in reference to bad people.
For many walk, of whom I have told you often,
and now tell you even we think,
that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ.
The Bible says there are enemies of Jesus Christ.
Okay?
Now look, it's not just the wicked, pedophiles, and people like that.
No, the enemies of the cross of Christ are all these false churches.
In fact, they're our biggest enemy.
There's no comparison.
And I'll tell you what, any church that is somewhat close to the truth,
but is still preaching the wrong gospel, is the worst.
They're worse than the cults,
because they deceive people that are good people.
I mean, many of you went to churches before that you're like,
yeah, you try to give them a pass,
because they say some things that are right,
and you hope your pastor is saved,
but in reality, deep down he died, now he's saved.
Right.
I remember my friend used to go to church in the U.S.
He had been at the church for a while, so he didn't want to leave.
And he told me that his pastor had an altar call,
and someone came down to the altar and said they wanted to get saved,
and it turned out that guy was living with his girlfriend,
and he said you can't get saved unless you quit living with your girlfriend first.
Calvin's pastor. What a shock.
What a shock to me.
I'm shocked when I hear Calvin's had these hardcore works of salvation.
I mean, a church like that, though, that was an independent,
fundamental Baptist church, is the worst,
because they can sound someone to the truth,
and they can deceive people that are actually saved.
They're the enemies of the cross of Christ,
and when we see these wicked people being exalted,
we realize they're going to burn in hell for heaven.
Amen.
Who's in his destruction, according to verse 19,
whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame,
who mind earthly things.
Go to 2 Peter chapter 2.
2 Peter 2.
Now look, obviously we don't want to see people go to hell,
but I'll tell you what, when someone is already twice dead,
a reprobate, a wicked person,
we've got to rejoice when wicked people that are deceiving people,
that are causing harm to children,
we ought to rejoice when those people die and go to hell.
God not just shed a tear and say,
oh man, I'm so sad that this happened.
When we're talking about wicked, evil, disgusting people,
not just an unsaved person,
but a person that's a pedophile,
a Catholic priest that's molesting children,
why would you be sad when they die and go to hell?
Why would you be sad when they die and give what's coming to them?
2 Peter chapter 2 verse 1.
But there are false prophets also among the people,
even as there shall be false teachers among you,
who credibly shall bring in damnable heresies,
even denying the Lord that bought them,
and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
And see, what Peter's saying here is this,
there are going to be false prophets that rise up,
even within a church, preaching damnable heresies.
I'll tell you what, it's impossible to predict
what the damnable heresy is going to be.
I mean, good night.
In the last couple weeks, I said,
man, I wonder if you've thought about heresy.
All kinds of heresies pop up,
which means you need to read the Bible for yourself
and know what you believe,
so you don't get deceived by these people.
There will be false prophets from the outside
but also from within the Bible says.
Verse 2.
And many shall follow their pernicious ways,
by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of,
and through covetousness shall they with vain words make merchandise of you.
What's going to be the end of these people,
whose judgment now will long time lingereth not,
and their damnation slumbereth not?
Verse 4.
For God spared not the angels that sinned,
but cast them down to hell,
and delivered them into chains of darkness
to be reserved unto judgment,
and spared not the old world,
but saved Noah the eighth person,
a preacher of righteousness,
bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly.
Verse 6.
And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah
into ashes, condemned them with an overflow,
making them an example unto those that after should live ungodly.
So he gives many examples of bad people
that are going to spend forever in hell.
Now verse 6 with Sodom and Gomorrah,
that's clearly a reference to the LGBT.
He completely destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah due to their sin.
And God was saying they have their straight ticket to hell.
There's no question about that.
And he's mentioned various false prophets.
Look, instead of getting envious at these wicked people
that are very prosperous in this life,
they become high-level politicians,
they become very dangerous people,
realize they're going to split hell wide open.
Go to Matthew 7.
Matthew 7.
Go to chapter 7.
And look, these people, they're a lot more powerful than us.
I mean, you can't even preach against some of these people here in the Philippines.
I mean, you're going to get arrested if you do that.
You're going to get killed if you do that.
But it doesn't matter how much they hate me.
It doesn't change the fact they're going to spend forever in hell.
And they can hate us and they can hate our church.
It doesn't change their destination.
You can have all the money in the world.
You can be so rich because of all your offerings.
You get all this money, you're still going to split hell wide open.
It doesn't matter how powerful you are in this life.
One reason we should not quit on God is because of the burning below us.
But I want you to realize something, okay?
It's not just these wicked people that are going to spend forever in hell.
It's nice people that did not believe on Jesus Christ.
There are plenty of them.
I mean, most people out there are just nice, ordinary people,
but they're on their way to hell.
Notice what it says in Matthew 7, verse 13.
Enter ye in at the straight gate.
When it says straight there, you notice it's spelled S-T-R-A-I-T.
Kind of like the bearing straight, which gets its name from being narrow.
It's not saying you got to, it's straight.
That's not what it's saying.
It's saying it's straight, it's narrow.
Enter ye in at the straight gate.
For wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leads to destruction,
and many there be which go in their act.
Because straight is the gate, and narrow is the way,
which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Now, in the modern versions, I don't have them in front of me,
but they change it from few there be that find it to,
they change it to difficult is the way.
Right?
They say, well, salvation's difficult.
That's why most people go to hell.
No, no, no.
It's not difficult.
Most people go to hell because they're trusting the wrong thing.
I mean, salvation's the easiest thing you can think of.
You don't have to do anything.
All you got to do is believe on Jesus Christ.
Right?
The way is not difficult, but people are choosing the wrong path.
They're choosing to trust in their works.
Okay?
But the Bible says you ought to few there be that find it.
Most people are on their way to hell.
Now, in this world, one out of every three people
throughout the entire world claims to be a Christian.
So one out of three people claims to be a Christian.
That includes the Catholics, the cults, the Orthodox, the Protestants,
all of these religions, all the Baptists and everything.
One out of three people in this world claim to be a Christian.
But look, what percentage of that one out of three are actually saved?
I mean, if you go soul winning,
isn't it true that most times you go off soul winning,
you don't run into a single safe person?
Right.
I mean, yes, we all know narrow is the way,
but the shocking thing when you start going soul winning is,
oh wow, I thought it was like this.
No, no, no, it's like this.
Right.
Very few people, few there be that find it,
very few people actually are saved.
Right.
I mean, it's scary.
Most Baptists here in the Philippines are not saved.
Right.
Most Baptists tell you it's by the works.
I mean, that's scary.
That's sad.
Right?
Most people in this world are not saved.
It's a very, very small percentage.
I don't know the exact percentage, but there's no question.
It's way below 5% of people are saved.
Right.
Way below 5%.
Very few people in this world are actually saved.
You know what?
That's a scary thing.
But you know, that should motivate you to keep serving
God until the day you die.
Go to Jude chapter 1, Jude 1.
Jude 1.
Now, how are these unsaved people going to get saved?
Is God going to come down from heaven
and just preach the gospel to them?
I mean, are they just predestined to be saved
or just automatically somehow happens
even though nobody gives them the gospel?
How do these unsaved people get saved?
They get saved when we go and bring the gospel to them.
That is how they get saved.
See, the Bible likens sowing to fishing.
Okay?
Now, ask yourself this question.
Who here likes to fish?
Anybody?
How often have you been fishing
and then the fish jumped in the boat
and the fish cleaned itself
and the fish cooked itself?
It's like, hey, and the fish took the picture.
Hey, look at this picture of this fish.
It did all the work for you.
How often does that happen?
It never happens.
You know what ends up happening?
You go and get that fish.
And he says you're going to be a fish or a man,
and the indication is this.
We've got to get those fish.
How often do you ever, I mean,
do we ever have people just run in here,
just bow down before us?
Oh, it's already got to search.
Oh, man, what must I do to be saved?
It doesn't happen.
We knock on their door
and we plead with them to listen to us, right?
And the burning below us,
the literal hell in the heart of the earth
should motivate us to keep going to so many
until the day we die
and to never quit serving God
because hell is not getting cold.
Jude 1, verse 22.
And of some have compassion making a difference.
And what he's saying is, you know,
we ought to have compassion
to try to reach the lost,
try to make a difference.
But what if you don't have any compassion in your heart?
Others saved with fear,
pulling them out of the fire,
hating even the garments spotted by the flesh.
Look, if you don't have any compassion in your heart
and you're not going to go slowly
because you actually love people,
then save people with fear.
Now, there's a dual meaning here.
One is the fact that people have to hear about hell
to get saved and they're saved from fear.
But the other application is this,
that you are afraid of the hell
where they're going to go to.
Right.
And save them with fear.
And that's what I would say to you, soldiers.
Hey, save with fear if you don't have compassion.
If you don't have the compassion to make a difference,
save with fear.
The burning below you ought to motivate you to go slowly
and to serve God until the day you die.
Turn your Bible to Psalm 73.
Psalm 73.
Say, Brother Stuckey,
you spent a tough year for me.
You spent a difficult year.
I've grown tired.
I've grown weary.
You know, I don't feel like serving God anymore.
Well, who cares what you want?
I mean, is your life about you?
Show me in the Bible where God says,
you know what, just do whatever you want.
If you want to go reach the lost, go for it.
If not, no big deal.
I'll pass you on the back.
It's okay.
You know, I'm happy with whatever you do.
Is that what the Bible says?
Look, who cares if you want to quit on God?
Because there are people that are dying and going to hell
and they are counting on us.
And look, people get offended by what I'm about to say,
people that are unsaved or people that don't go soul winning,
but this is the truth.
We will not get anybody saved without God.
God will not get anybody saved without us.
Why?
Because God saves people going soul winning.
God is not going to come down from heaven
and preach the gospel.
God cannot get anybody saved unless soul winners do the work.
If every soul winner retired today,
the whole world would end up being going to hell again.
That's the reality.
That is how people get saved.
God cannot get anybody saved.
I mean, how dare you say that?
Alright, Mr. Calvinist.
Show me in the Bible where God gets people saved
without a soul winner doing the work.
Show me in the Bible where you get thrown out
of a moving car at 60 miles an hour
like John MacArthur said, boom, I got saved.
Show me that in the Bible.
What I see in the Bible is
soul winners actually going and reaching the lost.
And I'll tell you what,
one reason you should keep serving God
is because of the burning below you in the heart of the earth.
You know, another reason why you should keep serving God
is not only the burning below you,
but also the brethren behind you.
See, there are brethren saved people that care about you,
that love you, that are praying for you,
that are on your side.
You have brethren behind you encouraging you in the work
right here at Verity Baptist Church.
Psalm 73 verse 16.
When I got to know this, it was too painful for me
until I went into the sanctuary of God.
There are many people at our church, including myself,
and sometimes you show up to church
and you just don't feel like serving God anymore.
You're exhausted, you're tired,
you just come out of obligation.
But you know what ends up changing you
is when you see your fellow brethren behind you
that are encouraging you.
I mean, I remember this old person at my church in West Virginia,
you know, Brother Dave.
Everybody loved this guy, Brother Dave,
because he was always in a good mood.
You show up to church and you're feeling kind of down,
and he's like, hey, how you doing this morning?
I say, I'm feeling pretty good now.
Right?
Because he was always encouraging.
And the reality is, when you go to church,
you find out there are brethren behind you
that are supporting you, supporting you,
that are praying for you.
And even if you are going through trials,
you've got people that actually care about you.
They're praying for you.
They love you.
Okay?
There are brethren behind you encouraging you in the work.
Turn to Ecclesiastes chapter 4.
Ecclesiastes 4.
Ecclesiastes chapter 4.
You know, unfortunately, people feel like quitting.
They start to quit the things of God
and forsake church.
And it's really sad, because you know what?
The people at church are actually going to encourage you
to keep going.
Right?
I mean, I promise you, every single Sunday
when we have soul winning,
what, 30 people go out soul winning on a Sunday?
And the reality is, every single Sunday
there are people that do not feel like going soul winning.
And they go for one reason.
Why?
There are brethren behind them encouraging them.
They've got their fellow friends
that are preaching the gospel with them.
And you know what?
They encourage them to keep going
week after week after week.
Right?
Here's the reality.
Nobody will be successful in the Christian life
on their own.
Right?
First off, nobody gets saved
unless somebody preaches the gospel to them.
Nobody learns how to be a soul winner
unless you learn from other people.
Nobody learns the things in the Bible completely on their own.
Now, you're capable of learning anything
by reading God's Word.
But the reality is,
you're going to accelerate that process 20 times
if you actually come to church,
hear the preaching, fellowship with people.
And you know what?
You're going to learn very quickly.
Okay?
You're not meant to do this thing on your own.
You're not just a lone ranger after.
And here's the thing.
Sometimes we read the Bible
and we kind of have this feeling
that these great men of God are by themselves.
But if you read carefully, that's not true.
Elijah had a servant with him.
Right.
Who I promised you was a godly servant.
Right.
Guess what?
John the Baptist had disciples with him.
Yeah, he wasn't the person who was preaching the sermons,
but he wasn't just out there in the wilderness by himself.
No, he had an army of people with him.
Right.
Now, he's the main person they mention.
That doesn't mean that he's just a random guy
just street preaching.
No, that's not what's going on.
Okay?
He's preaching real sermons
and he had a group of people
that were disciples of him
that were sowing in with him.
He wasn't doing it on his own.
And look, nobody can do it on their own.
Right.
They're not going to be successful on their own.
You need people around you to help you.
Okay?
Ecclesiastes chapter 4, verse 9.
Two are better than one
because they have a good reward for their labor.
For if they fall, the one will lift up his kettle.
But woe to him that is alone when he calleth,
for he hath not another to help him out.
Look, in this world,
there are countless people
that love God and want to serve God.
But they're not successful
because they don't have fellow brethren with them.
Now look, that's true in certain countries
and certain locations,
but here's the thing,
you don't have that excuse in this room.
I mean, if you live in this area,
you can't say,
I'm the only one
in all of veteran Manila who loves God.
That's not true.
There's plenty of people right here that love God.
You have other people that are right here,
so don't say you're the only one.
No, there's plenty of people right here.
Right?
If you were doing it on your own,
that would be pretty tough
because when you fall,
who's going to help you out?
But look, when you fall at this church,
you got a lot of people to help you out.
You got a lot of people to help encourage.
Verse number 11.
Again, if two lie together,
then they have heat.
But how can one be born alone?
And if one prevail against them,
two shall withstand them.
And a threefold cord is not going to be broken.
Go to Hebrews chapter 12.
Hebrews chapter 12.
Hebrews 12.
Have you ever heard the expression,
the whole is greater than the sum of its parts?
The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
What that means is this,
that instead of just adding up everybody individually,
when you take it as a group,
it's far more than just the sum of those parts, okay?
And the reality is that you as an individual,
what you could accomplish by yourself
without a church, without anybody else to help you,
if we added up everybody, what they could do,
we have five salvation per week, right?
You know, we get 60 salvation every week,
70 salvation.
Why?
Because when you're in church together,
you motivate one another.
It's not that two people do twice or one.
It's like 20 times as much.
But when you have a church of people
that are serving God.
Just think about how many people you got saved
a couple years ago.
I mean, how many people did you get saved every week?
You go soul-winding every once in a while,
you talk to a friend every once in a while,
but now you go soul-winding every single week.
Why?
Because you've got a church family here.
You've got people that actually care about you.
You've got people that love you.
Hebrews 12.
Hebrews 12, verse one.
And it says, Hebrews 12, verse one,
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about
what is so great a power of witnesses.
See, the Bible actually says
that what we actually do on Earth,
we're actually compassed about
with a cloud of vases.
I believe that there are people
looking down from heaven
at the work we're doing
and they are cheering us on.
Okay?
I mean, you see in the book of Revelation
in the fifth seal,
there's an indication they know what's going on.
How long, oh Lord,
will we intrude ourselves on a judge
and a vendor of blood
on them that dwell on the earth?
And the angels, they look into things.
I mean, they're actually seeing what's going on.
And the angels don't understand everything,
but they're cheering us on.
Well, you are basically,
think of a sporting event.
Think of a basketball game
and a big crowd of people,
you know, pre-COVID days, right,
when they're allowed to go to the games
and there's tens of thousands of people
in the audience
and there's a great cloud of witnesses
to what is taking place.
Right?
Look, the Bible says that us as believers,
there's a great cloud of witnesses for us.
They're looking down in heaven
and you want to turn you on.
You've got people that are supporting you.
And it says,
He also comes about with some great cloud of witnesses.
Let us lay aside every weight
and the sin was stopped so easily he set us
and let us run with patience
the grace that is set before us.
The Bible says this should motivate us
to serve God,
knowing there are brethren
that are supporting you.
Go to John 21.
John 21.
But see, not only are there brethren behind you
that are supporting you,
there are brethren behind you
that are counting on you.
It's not just that they're cheering you on,
but there are people
that are counting on you spiritually.
And when you quit on God,
other people are also going to quit.
If you quit coming to church,
other people are going to quit with you.
If you quit serving God,
other people are going to quit serving God.
You say, brother, second,
I don't think anybody's counting on me.
Well, what does it say in John 21?
Notice what it says.
John 21, verse 1.
After these things,
Jesus showed himself again
in the disciples of the Sea of Tiberius.
And on this way, he showed himself.
There were together Simon Peter,
and Thomas Cauldronus,
and Nathaniel Cana,
and Galilee,
and the sons of Zebedee,
and two other disciples.
Simon Peter said,
I thought of them.
I go fishing.
Now, he doesn't say,
we're going to go fishing.
He says, I'm going to go fishing.
I am retired from serving God.
I was called to the ministry.
I was meant to be his preacher
and accomplish these things,
but you know what?
I'm done.
I'm going back to my second good job.
I go fishing.
They say on to him,
we also go with him.
Right?
Once he says,
I go fishing,
and the others are like,
hey, we're going to join you.
Okay?
And so look,
Simon Peter quitting,
he's got people counting on him,
and they're quitting also because of him.
That's what you see.
He says,
I go fishing,
and they go with him.
And the reality is that
if you were to quit on God,
and quit serving God,
quit soul winning,
quit coming to church,
guess what?
Others would say,
I'll go with you.
And they might not do that out loud,
but they would end up quitting soul winning also.
People are counting on you.
That's right.
Turn to your Bible,
Psalm 73.
Look,
I don't care who you are in this room.
I don't care if you just started coming,
or whoever.
If you quit coming to church,
people,
it's going to affect them.
Man,
so and so used to coming to church.
Why do they come anymore?
And it is going to affect them in a negative way.
That's reality.
And look,
you matter not just for yourself,
but there are other people
now that are actually counting on you.
So here's the thing,
when you feel like quitting on God,
ask yourself,
what about the people behind you?
Say,
Brother,
I'm exhausted.
I've got plenty of people saved in my life.
So I don't care about the burning below us.
Well,
what about the brother behind you?
Are you okay with causing other people
to stop serving God?
Maybe you're lazy.
Maybe you don't feel like serving God anymore,
but what about
the people behind that are counting on?
Not only is there burning below us,
but there's rather behind us.
Point number three,
there's also a battle
beside us.
There is a battle
beside us.
Notice what it says
in Psalm 73,
verse eight.
They are corrupt
and speak wickedly
concerning oppression.
They speak lawfully.
They set their mouth
against the heavens
and their tongue
walking through the earth.
What is said in verses eight and nine,
is there are wicked people
that are speaking
Speaking against the things of God
Now is that true in today's world that there are wicked people that mock God and criticize the things of God
They mock the commandments of God they criticize everything the Bible stands for is that not true in today's world
I mean they jam abortion down our throats and the LGBT is that not happening in today's world
But there are bad people that are speaking against the things of God. There's no question. It's happening right
It's happening in today's world verse 10 therefore his people are turned hither and waters of a full cup are rung out to them
And they say how doth God know and is there knowledge in the most time behold these are the ungodly who prosper in the world
They increase in riches there was a battle beside ASAP in that day now. We have this idea
This is God's side
This is the devil's side, and you know like if I'm not on God's side
Just kind of hanging out in the middle right no if you're not on God's side
You're actually helping out that side if you're not with God then you're against God. That is reality turning around with James 4
As you turn to James 4 let me read you an Exodus 32 where Moses said who is on the Lord's side
Sometimes there's a line in the ground
And you gotta you gotta figure out which side you want
Are you on this side, or are you on this side some questions in life? It's a yes-no question. There's only two answers
There's no in between the ocean and look if you're not on God's side
You're on the devil's side and realize this that you quit serving God you are helping out the devil
You're helping him out in the battle against the things of God James 4 verse 4
He indulges and adulteresses know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God
Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God
See the Bible says if you become a friend of the world you are the enemy of God
Say brother second. I'm not siding against God. I'm just trying to hang out in the middle
No, no you're siding against God for a pilot you become the enemy of God according to the Bible
And look there is a battle beside us, and if you don't get involved in the battle you are helping the other side win
Turn to second Kings 20 second Kings 20
second Kings 20
Hello, I don't think everybody has to be a preacher
I mean certainly I don't think ladies have to be a preacher, but I don't think every guy has to be a preacher
But what about just finding the church in your area that loves God and say you know what?
I'm behind that church
Right I'm going to support that church
I'm in a war with that church right find the air in your area
What's the church support the things of God say you know what I'm going to line up on their side
Because look I don't think there's a lot of people that are fighting against the things of the devil
I'm pretty sure pretty much everyone is on that side all these other churches. They preach to help me
I mean it's laughable
I listen to sermons from time to time for various religions here in the Philippines
Just to educate myself what they're teaching they don't teach anything
They don't say anything. I mean I try to learn their arguments for certain topics. They don't use these hours
They just tell stories and just you know
It's like I surrender all
It's like they don't even have any verses for everything. It's like what in the world
Look there's not really many people that are fighting against the things of the devil
So why don't you find the church in your area that's actually on the right side and get on board. Praise God
Second Kings 20 verse 16 and Isaiah said on the Hezekiah
Second Kings 20 verse 16 and Isaiah said on the Hezekiah hear the word of the Lord
behold the days come
That all that is in thine house and that which thy fathers have laid up in store to this day
Shall be carried into Babylon. Nothing shall be left to say of the Lord now
This is interesting because if you read this story Hezekiah actually is sort of ragged about everything he has to Babylon
He's like hey look at what I have and then God basically sends a messenger says, you know what actually I'll just give everything to Babylon
And so basically that's the reason why Babylon gets empowered because Hezekiah is like bragging to the leaders of Babylon
Look at what I got
Right and remember the story Hezekiah was a good man of God
He did a lot of good things and he prayed to God for a longer life and things like that
But then after that he becomes very callous. He only cares about himself
Notice what it says in verse 18
Verse 17 behold the days come that all that is in thine house and that which thy fathers have laid up in store to this day
Shall be carried into Babylon
Nothing shall be left to say of the Lord
This is the judgment being pronounced verse 18 and of thy sons that shall issue from thee
Which thou shalt beget shall they take away and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon
Right here is judgment upon Hezekiah and not just on him not just on this empire but on his children
On the offspring now when you read this you would think Hezekiah's first reaction when you get down on his knees and
Thank God for mercy, but notice what he says here in verse number 19
Then said Hezekiah on the Isaiah
Good is the word of the Lord which thou hast spoken and he said is it not good if peace and truth be in
my days
I mean that verse is shocking. You just heard about the judgment that's gonna be pronounced. He's like, well, that's good
Because it doesn't affect me
Right as long as I'm okay. I mean I got a good job. I make good money. You know, everything's good in my life
You know, I've got a good church. I don't care about the next generation. That's the attitude Hezekiah has
And I'll tell you what if you don't get involved in the battle that's beside you the next generation will be lost
Unfortunately, there's too many people that care only about themselves. Hey, I've got a nice job
I've got you know, I've got a nice church or whatever, but you don't care about the next generation
That's why us as parents. We need to raise our kids at a young age to love God and serve God
Because we're gonna age and get old and we're not gonna have the energy to do it anymore
For the next generations in this room right now and 10 years from now 20 years from now 30 years from now
They're gonna be the soul owners the preachers the one serving God we need to teach the next generation
But Hezekiah says hey as long as it's good my day. I'm okay. And see there's some people that have this attitude
See Brother Succy
You know, I've done so many enough
You know, I know I'm supposed to go soloing and everything. I don't care about the word below me and whatever the brethren behind me
You know, I'm gonna stop serving God. It's up to them if they quit serving God
But you know, are you okay with helping the vice colleagues and the LGBT people in this world?
Because that is what you're doing, right?
Let me just be very clear with you if you quit serving God, you are helping them fight against us
There's not a whole lot of churches that have the guts to say what I actually say
They don't get up here and preach against this time
You wonder why they rule the world because nobody's getting up here and preaching against them
And look you might think brother Succy, I think you're a little bit too extreme
Well, praise the Lord for someone to lose a little bit too extreme that someone doesn't preach against them at all
And once you grab someone gets up and says how wicked they are just tells the truth
And you know, what makes me sick is these people that act like they're conservatives
Especially the ones that are famous and they're on the news and stuff like that and they act like they're really standing against us
They pretend like they're really standing against them. They want to make it look like they're actually conservative
They want to make it look like they're preaching about what they're not
Right cuz I can stand up here and just preach a generic song I can stand up here and scream sin is bad
Is anybody gonna disagree with that hey sin is bad. No, you have to actually tell them what that sin is
It's like a man brother section sin is bad increased a hard song
Even if I yell soon is bad
I mean I didn't say
Right, but if you actually stand up here and make it very clear. That's what I should
Because you're making it clear what the Bible actually says
Anyway, there are a lot of preachers here in the Philippines and they preach very unclear messages. They sound
Like the preaching heart and they get very talented at they get very talented at just yelling about something. They didn't say
And it's just like why still believe that the LGBT is bad that's that's very generic because good night
I mean Bob was is a lot more extreme than that
And most people say hey, man, he's really standing up against the bad people. Yeah, really standing up really making it clear, right?
Well, if you don't get involved on the right side, you are helping out
You should get involved in the battle. That's the side during Bible Psalm 73
Psalm 73
Oh
This is not meant to be your sermon today was meant to be some deep theological sermon where I'm explaining some of the truth
I'm just trying to motivate you
And look I did it's been a tough year in 2020. I
Would say that probably everybody in this room would say yeah, you know what? It's not it's worse than I expected
Okay, this year has not been great and and and nothing great either that bear of bad news
Okay, in my honest opinion, I don't think the next 12 months are gonna be any easier
They might disagree with me. That's right. Well, let me just explain something. They're gonna eventually be repercussions of nobody in the world works
By the answer repercussions end up happening to everybody
Okay, and as our country's actually loosening up restrictions every other country's getting more strict right now
I don't get that because I kind of took a break from the whole coronavirus thing for several months
And I kind of think it was just gonna die out everything that I look at like, oh wow
I guess it's becoming more strict all over the world right now. It's becoming more and more strict now for us
It never gets cold. So that's gonna help us
I would say but in some of these countries during the winter time is picking up but all the countries around the world
They're becoming more straight. I mean, they're shocked as a man. They're requirements to wear face masks now
It's like alright, welcome to the party
Eight months for us or whatever, right?
So I'm saying three number one one reason you should never quit serving God is just the burning below there is a literal
And there are plenty of just nice
Not make it people not people
They just don't know what it takes to get to heaven
And I would say most of us were probably like that before we got saved before I got saved
I didn't drink I didn't party my parents were very very strict
But you know what? I didn't know what it took to get to heaven
And I would have died and gone to hell and you know what there are plenty of people out there right now with nice people
You just don't know any better
Right plenty of Catholics out there and look here's the secret in the Philippines every single Catholic knows the religion is wrong
Pretty much every single one knows this is not right, but they just don't know what is right
That's why Catholics are very openly gospel because they already know the religion is wrong
They just don't know where else to go
And there are plenty of people that are willing to listen to us
There is a burning below us. It is never going to get cold
Okay, in fact boxes they'll have enlarged yourself. There's a burning below us. There's also brethren behind you that are supporting you
But you know what they're also telling on you as well, and there's also a battle besides you as well
And you don't get involved in that battle. You're on the wrong side. You say brother stop, I still don't care
I care about myself. It's all about me. I've served God enough. I'm at the end
Okay, let me give you a selfish reason to keep serving
Because you know what? There's also a blessing beyond you and when you serve God
You're laying up on the words in heaven that are eternal wars that you never lose. Psalm 73 verse 22
Asaph says so foolish was I in ignorance. I was as a beast before I was like a big dumb animal
That's what Asaph is saying verse 23
Nevertheless I am continually with thee thou is only by my right hand thou shalt guide me with thy counsel and afterward receive me to glory
Look as say be bold
We will go to heaven one day
But when we go to heaven the amount of awards you get is going to be a turn on
Go to Galatians 6. Go to Galatians chapter 6. Galatians 6
So look if you're so busy laying up treasures here on earth, just everything your heart would desire right now, well you're throwing away treasures up in heaven
Right? I mean if you care so much about this world that's going to pass away one day
Then you know what? You're basically throwing away the blessing that's beyond you. All the rewards that you could get for the service you do. Galatians chapter 6 verse 9
Galatians 6 verse 9
And let us not be weary in well doing for in due season we shall reap if we faint not
God promises that if you work for him, you serve him, you are going to reap. Okay?
Now that might come here in this lifetime that God could bless you but it's not going to come now that you got rewards coming in heaven
Go to 1st Corinthians chapter 3. 1st Corinthians 3. 1st Corinthians chapter 3
Look the reality is that every single one of us, we will have times in our life where we feel like we don't want to serve time
And look if you're someone who gets guided by your emotions, if you let your emotions make your decision for your life
You're never going to serve God. You're always going to be miserable. You're always going to be complaining
I mean there are plenty of reasons in 2020 that would give you to not serve God
It's like man it's so difficult in today's world and look if you focus on the negative then prepare for a pretty miserable life
You can either just run by your emotions and focus on the negative or you can actually look at the positives
And say you know what there are still many reasons to serve God
And I'll tell you what in our country, I don't know if you realize this but we can get a lot of people saved
A lot quicker than they can in other countries
It is so receptive in this country compared to the United States. It's not even close
It's not even in the same ballpark, right?
You know in the U.S. I remember one time in Sacramento, California over the course of two weeks
I was sowing for 15 straight hours with zero salvation
Zero. 15 hours. Would you ever go 15 hours in this country without a salvation?
I mean maybe if you were just in the richest area that there was or whatever
But I mean 15 hours and look it gets pretty frustrating knocking door after door
And here's the thing, I didn't really have conversations, I had like two conversations
So look two hours of soul winning, you know by the time you get done with your math
You're like you know one mile down the road, it's like man I knocked like 200 doors
It's like knock the door, no, knock the door, no, knock the door, no
Especially if your church is in the dunes
It's like you knock the door off, there you go back to church
You get doors slammed in your face and everything like that
Look I mean it gets pretty frustrating after a while
Does that really happen here very much?
I mean very rarely do you run into people that are very rude to you
Even if they don't listen, they either are nice and polite or at least they pretend to be nice
I mean sometimes they act nice if you can tell they hate your guts
But they at least pretend to be nice usually, right? I mean usually
Look in this country you get a lot of people saying that
You get tons of people saying that by serving God
1 Corinthians 3 verse 5
According to the grace of God which is given unto me as a wise master builder
I have laid the foundation and another buildeth thereon
Will let every man take heed how he buildeth thereon
For other foundation can no man lay, and that is lay which is Jesus Christ
Now if any man build upon this foundation
Gold, silver, precious stones, wood, and hay stubble
Now he's gonna mention six things in verse number 12
He mentions gold, silver, and precious stones which are linked together
And wood, hay, stubble, which are linked together
Now there's nothing inherently sinful about wood
Nothing inherently sinful about hay
What the Bible's stating here is that us as believers
We do a lot of work in this life and some things have eternal rewards and some don't
I mean you have to go to your job and work and make money
But that doesn't mean you're gonna get an eternal reward for it
But there are certain things that when you're serving God you get an eternal reward that's there forever
It says in verse number 13
So the Bible states this, that if you're serving God
You can actually lay up eternal treasures that are never gonna get old
They're not gonna burn up and you have them forever
So even if you don't care about the people that are gonna die and go to hell
Even if you don't care about the people that are counting on you
Even if you don't care about the forces of evil that are ruining this world
You know if you've got rewards you're thrown away and you quit serving God
And I'll tell you what, every single one of you in the next 12 months
I guarantee you, you will have time where you just don't really feel like it
You're gonna have Sundays where you're like man I'm just tired, I'm exhausted
I don't feel like going to church, I don't feel like going to so many
But you know you've got people counting on you
And you have rewards that you are thrown away every single time you do that
Let's go to the word of prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing us to be here today
And I ask you to help us to apply this to our lives
God help us to remember, you know there's many reasons we keep serving you
And I understand there's been a very difficult year for all of us God
I ask you to help all the people in this church, help us to grow as a church, help us to love you
God help everyone out of church, God grow strong, in Jesus' name, Amen