Good morning, and welcome to Scher Foundation Baptist Church. Please grab a hymnal and turn to number 310, "Footprints of Jesus," number 310.
Sweetly, Lord, we have heard Thee calling, "Come, follow me, see where Thy footprints falling." Lead us to Thee, Prince of Jesus, that make the pathway glow. We will follow the steps of Jesus, where they go.
O'er the cold, dark mountains, seeking his she, along by Siloam's fountains, helping the we, Prince of Jesus, that make the pathway glow.
We'll follow the steps of Jesus, where they go, if they temple the poor, sir. Steps us when at last, when on high, he sees us. Our journey's where the steps of Jesus says, "Throw steps of Jesus where-"
Man, let's sing number 143, Blessed Assurance. Number 143. Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine. Oh, what a full taste of glory divine. Heir of salvation, purchase of God.
Born of his spirit, rushed in his blood. This is my story. This is my song. Praising my Savior all the day long.
This is my story. This is my song. This is my song. Praising my Savior all the day long.
If a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual restore such, and one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
There's a great verse about humility in our Christian life that if we see a brother or sister that may be sinning, that may be, you know, doing something wrong, we should restore such, and one, we should be forgiving that person, and make sure we are approaching it with a humble attitude.
Look at the inside page. Please follow us on YouTube, Facebook, Rumble, and X. I've been posting some Chinese ones. They've always clicked.
George, so if you know some people who speak Chinese, feel free to forward that playlist, and so that's the little project I've been doing.
So, and then we have service time Sunday morning at 11, Sunday afternoon service at 4, and Wednesday night Bible study at 7 p.m.
This coming Wednesday we'll be starting a new book, so please come here. I mean it's always exciting to join us to start a new book in the Bible study series.
We'll be in a historical book, so that's all the hang that I'll give it to you.
So we just finished the book of Ecclesiastes, and it's a very practical book, but then we'll be jumping into a new book this coming Wednesday.
So, "Sowning Time" this afternoon at 1.30 p.m. and Saturday morning at 10.30 a.m.
And then the "Salvations" and last week's attendance is for you to see.
Upcoming events, pie and pray service, will take place during the Sunday afternoon service on November 23rd.
Please bring a pie to share. It will be a different service.
We'll have a song request, maybe a shorter sermon, a sermon there, and then we'll partake pies and raw milk and something like that.
And then our Christmas service will take place on December 21st.
There will be a potluck right after the morning service, and then we'll have a regular afternoon service that day.
Please invite friends and families. It will be a great time to invite visitors, people who only come twice a year.
By the way, invite people to any service. Don't just invite them to the Christmas service.
But that will be a special service, bribing them with free food and things like that.
The Christmas Eve service will be December 24th during the Wednesday night service.
And then please scan the QR code for the baby, register for the Zhong family.
There's a baby shower on the 26th after the PM service.
So, yeah, please join us for that. I think that's my family.
So, So Winning Marathon next Saturday will have a last Notre Dame tailgate So Winning Marathon.
Please check out the video on the social media for more detail about the meetup location.
And then the following week, October 25th, we'll have a Gary So Winning Marathon.
We'll meet at the address below.
So Gary, we meet at a later time just due to the time difference with the central time zone.
So we'll have a late lunch, dinner, and then we'll have a shorter So Winning session after that meal.
So let me know if you have any questions on that.
We'll still have our local So Winning time if you don't, you know, drive to Gary.
And then we'll finish the year off with the Winter Wonderland So Winning Marathon.
So let's flip on the back side.
We'll sing Happy Birthday to your brother, Landon, during the afternoon service.
And then we'll have a place for you to take sermon notes.
And I would encourage you to take notes so you can take back.
You can have some good applications as a review.
So let's sing one more song, and then we'll take out the offering.
Alright, let's sing number 144, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God."
And the ushers could come forward for the offering.
We'll be in Acts chapter 15 this morning.
If you need a Bible, raise your hand and an usher will provide one for you.
Acts chapter 15, while you're turning there, I'll begin reading the chapter.
Acts chapter 15, the Bible reads, "And certain men which came down with Judea taught the
brethren and said, 'Except he be circumcised after the manner of Moses, he cannot be saved.'
When, therefore, Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them,
they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain other of them should go up to Jerusalem
unto the apostles and elders about this question.
And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenis and Samaria,
declaring the conversion of the Gentiles, and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.
And when they came to Jerusalem, they were received of the church and of the apostles and elders,
and they declared all things that God had done with them.
But there arose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees, which believed, saying,
that it was needful to circumcise them and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.
And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up and said unto them,
Men and brethren, ye know not that a good while ago God made choice among us,
that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel and believe.
And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost even as he did unto us.
It put no difference between us and them purifying their hearts by faith.
Now therefore, why tempt ye God to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples,
which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as day.
Then all the multitude kept silence and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul,
declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.
And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying,
"Men and brethren, hearken unto me. Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles,
to take out them a people for his name, and to disagree the words of the prophets as it is written.
After this I will return and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down,
and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up,
that the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles upon whom my name is called saith the Lord.
Who doeth all these things? Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.
Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them which from among the Gentiles are turned to God,
but that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication,
and from things strangled, and from blood.
For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath day.
Then pleased it the apostles and elders with the whole church,
to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas,
namely Judas, Cernan, Barsebus, and Silas chief men among the brethren.
And they wrote letters by them after this manner,
"The apostles and elders and brethren send greetings unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia.
For as much as we have heard that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words,
subverting your souls, saying ye must be circumcised and keep the law, to whom we give not no such commandment.
It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul.
Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same thing by mouth.
For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things,
that ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication,
from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well, fare ye well.
So, when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch, and when they had gathered the multitude together,
they delivered the epistle. And when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.
And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.
And after that they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.
Notwithstanding, it pleased Silas to abide there still.
Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord with many others also.
And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, "Let us go again, and visit a brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do."
And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.
But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia and went not with them to the work.
And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed, asunder once from the other.
And so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus.
And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.
And he went through Syria and Silicea, confirming the churches. Brother, Jared, could you pray for the message?
Amen. You are in Acts chapter 15. Let's look at verse 39. Acts 15 verse 39.
The Bible says, "And the contention was so sharp between them," talking about Paul versus Barnabas,
"that they departed, asunder once from the other. And so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus.
And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God."
And the title of the sermon this morning is called "Paul and Barnabas."
Paul and Barnabas. Now just the inspiration of this sermon is due to the recent controversies surrounding two pastors.
So if you know about this situation, I hope this sermon will be a help to you.
If you don't know about this situation, you can learn some life skills about how to deal with conflicts
and how to respond when Christians, you know, when Christians fight.
By the way, Patrick Thompson preached a sermon last week called "Our Response When Christians Fight."
So if you haven't listened to that, that's a sermon recommendation to you.
Now, I will make some applications throughout the sermon, but I don't want you to equate pastors so-and-so with Paul
and pastors so-and-so with Barnabas, okay, because some principles are pretty generous.
So do not equate the pastors, because no pictures are perfect, right?
But the main point of the sermon is to take this story and make applications on how we should view conflicts.
I also want to say that if you know me, I tend to be objective and let go of my emotions when dealing with conflicts,
when viewing those controversies.
Now, I will try my best to give you a balanced perspective on this, but the main point is sometimes even the best of men disagree, right?
And Paul and Barnabas, they are both spirit-filled, they are both missionaries, apostles, they are both faithful,
they were both sent out from the church in Antioch.
You know, they were pretty close, but they had a sharp contention in this passage.
And this story reminds us that conflict among God's people is not new.
And the danger today is not that leaders, pastors, you know, back in the days that the apostles disagree,
it's that the laymen, they meddle, they mock, and they magnify the disagreements that are not theirs to fix.
So keep your place in Acts 15, we will leave it and come back to you.
Going forward to 1 Corinthians chapter 1, 1 Corinthians chapter number 1,
the same God who used Paul and Barnabas separately can still use men who defer today.
But like I said, contentions are not uncommon.
And don't get the idea that, you know, it's weird to have fights, it's weird to have contentions.
1 Corinthians chapter 1, look at verse number 10.
1 Corinthians chapter 1, verse 10, the Bible says,
"Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that ye all speak the same thing, that there be no divisions among you,"
talking about the church in Corinth,
"but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren,
by them which are of the house of Chloé, that there are contentions among you.
Not as I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul,
and I am of Apollos, and I am of Cephas, and I am of Christ."
So here we have contentions.
Paul was warning them about the contentions that are happening in the church in Corinth,
that people, you know, have their favorite apostles, right?
They are siding with their favorite apostles,
and Paul admonished them that they should be perfectly joined together,
because Paul wants unity in the local body of the believers, okay?
So go to Galatians chapter 2, Galatians chapter number 2.
So divisions and contentions, they are not uncommon.
They are not a new thing.
And not to justify that, but you know, it is a common thing in Christianity.
Galatians chapter 2, look at verse number 11, Galatians chapter 2, verse 11.
The Bible says, "But when Peter was come to Antioch, I," talking about apostle Paul,
"I withstood him to the face."
So Paul withstood Peter to the face, because he was to be blamed,
for before that certain king from James, he did eat with the Gentiles.
But when they were come, he was Jew and separated himself,
fearing them which were of the circumcision.
Basically Peter was afraid that the Jews will think of him differently,
because he was eating with the Gentiles.
So he basically withdrew himself from eating with the Gentiles,
just because he's afraid of the perception from the Jews,
from those who are of the circumcision.
Look at verse 13, "And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him, with Peter,
insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
But when I saw that they worked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel,
I said unto Peter before them all, If thou being a Jew livest after the manner of Gentiles,
and not as do the Jews, why compelest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?"
So Paul was rebuking Peter for being a Judaizer, right?
Why are you still following their custom? Why are you so pleasing to them,
knowing that there's neither Jew, nor Greek, nor Gentiles under Christ?
We don't have to observe those traditions. We don't have to be conformed like that.
And notice, Apostle Paul rebuked Peter in public, right?
Apostle Paul rebuked Apostle Peter, who was supposed to be the first Pope,
and never do anything wrong. He was rebuking him, proving that Peter was just a man, right?
Even the best of men, they sin and they do something wrong, right?
So go to Philippians chapter four. Philippians chapter number four.
So contentions are not uncommon, and I believe Paul was justified for rebuking Peter in public,
because many people who just emulate Peter and disembowled likewise, right?
Because Peter was having a bad influence. That's why Paul, I believe he was justified for rebuking Peter publicly.
Philippians chapter four, look at verse number two. Philippians four, verse two.
The Bible says, "I beseech Eurydice and beseech Syntyche that they be of the same mind in the Lord."
Now the assumption is that there's a conflict between Eurydice and as well as Syntyche, you know.
So I believe Paul was telling them to be reconciled, telling them to have unity and telling them to be of the same mind in the Lord.
Again, the Bible does not say there was a conflict, but I kind of believe the reason that, you know,
Paul was saying that is there were some conflicts between those two people
and Paul was asking them to be of the same mind, to be unified, to be reconciled to each other.
Go to 3rd John chapter 1, 3rd John chapter number 1, look at verse number 9, 3rd John chapter 1,
verse number 9, towards the end of the New Testament, 3rd John chapter 1, verse 9,
the Bible says, "I," apostle John, "wrote unto the church, but diatrophies,
who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds, which he doeth,
against us with malicious words, and not contend therewith,
neither did he himself receive the brethren, and forbideth them
that would, and casteth them out of the church."
So here John named diatrophies by name.
And don't get this attitude that it's never justified to blast
someone, because John blasted diatrophies in the
eternal word of God. So, you know, John named the names.
Again, I'm not saying every time people name names, it's justified.
But, you know, in this case, diatrophies was clearly causing divisions.
He was not receiving godly men. You know, he was causing
problems. So that's why John blasted diatrophies
in the eternal word of God for everyone to see. So now,
turn back to Acts chapter 15. Acts chapter 15.
So the point is, contentions were not uncommon. Named the names
as its own place. So, you know, this morning, I want to
take the story of Paul and Barnabas and, you know, just give you some applications.
So point number one, I want you to take a look at
this contention. So in this passage, Paul and Barnabas, they were about to
start their second missionary journey. Look at verse number 36. Acts 15,
verse 36. The Bible says, "And some days after Paul
said unto Barnabas, 'Let us go again and visit our
brethren in every city, where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see
how they do.'" So Paul wants to have follow-ups.
Paul got those people saved in different cities, and Paul wants
to confirm them and see how they do. Verse 37,
"And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname
was Mark." So Barnabas wanted to take John Mark with
them in this journey. Verse 38, "But Paul thought not
good to take him with them, who departed from them from
Penphilia and went not with them to the work."
So here Paul and Barnabas, they had a legitimate conflict.
Barnabas was set in his mind to take John Mark with him
on this mission trip, but Paul did not want to take John Mark.
And here's the reason. Mark has departed from them from
Penphilia. Basically, you know, John Mark left them.
John Mark was a quitter during their previous journey,
turning the Bible to Acts 12. Acts chapter 12.
Let's look at verse 25. Acts 12, verse 25.
The Bible says in Acts 12, verse 35,
"And Barnabas and Saul, whose later name Paul,
returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their
ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark."
So they did take Mark during their previous missionary journey.
But look at Acts 13, verse 13. Acts 13, verse number 13.
The Bible says, "Now, when Paul and his company lose from
Paphos, they came to Perga in Panfilia, and John," talking
about John Mark, "departing from them returned to Jerusalem."
So John Mark did not stay with them to finish their journey,
so he left. He, you know, he quitted on Paul and Barnabas,
okay? With that in mind, go back to Acts 15. Acts 15.
So they had a legitimate conflict. Barnabas wanted to take
Mark and Paul did not want to take Mark because, you know,
in his mind Mark was a quitter, right? So Acts 15, look at
verse 39. And then the Bible says, "And the contention,
the strife, was so sharp between them that they departed
one from, that it departed asunder one from the other. And
so Barnabas took Mark and sailed on to Cyprus, and Paul
chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the
brethren unto the grace of God." So as a result of this
conflict, as a result of this contention, they split up,
you know, they departed, you know, they kind of, you know,
break up, and Barnabas took Mark on their own journey,
and Paul chose Silas on their own journey. So here we
have a story that the two apostles and two evangelists,
they split up, they were no longer serving God together.
Okay, so when things like this happen, the natural
question is, who is right? You know, everyone wants to
decide in their own mind who is right. I think Paul had
legitimate reasons not to take Mark because Paul was
on a mission and Paul did not want another quitter, right?
Because Mark quit on them before. But I think Barnabas
had his reasonings as well because maybe Barnabas wanted
to give Mark another chance. So Paul, in his mind,
he was saying that we cannot risk another quitter.
Okay? But Barnabas may have said in his mind,
everyone deserves another chance. So I think they can
both be right. And both had legitimate reasons because, you know,
in Paul's mind, hey, no man having put his hand to the plow
and looking back is fit for the kingdom, is fit for the kingdom of God.
I mean, I get that. But, you know, Barnabas may be like, you know, brethren, if a
man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such and one in the
spirit of meekness, right? So Barnabas was, you know, perhaps giving Mark another
chance. Go to 2 Timothy chapter 4. Keep your place in Acts 15. Go to 2 Timothy
chapter 4. Now let me give you some reasons that Paul may be in the right.
Reason number one being the rest of the book of Acts mainly focuses on Paul and
his missions, okay? But that does not mean Barnabas was not being used by God
because maybe God primarily focused on Paul and penned down his trips in the
Bible. But this can be a circumstantial reason, right? The rest of the book of
Acts mainly focused on the Apostle Paul and Paul wrote most of the New Testament
and Mark did quit on them and Paul did not want quitters, okay? So Paul had
reasons and there are circumstantial evidence that may point to the fact that
Paul may be in the right. But let me give you some reasons that Barnabas may
be in the right as well because Apostle Paul later acknowledged Mark's value.
2nd Timothy chapter 4, look at verse number 10. This is towards the end of
Paul's, you know, Paul's life. 2nd Timothy chapter 4, verse 10, the Bible says,
"For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed
unto Thessalonica. Presence to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia." Notice verse
number 11. "Only Luke is with me. Take Mark and bring him with thee, for he is
profitable to me for the ministry." So at the end of his life, Apostle Paul
acknowledged Mark's value, okay? Apostle Paul acknowledged that Mark was
profitable to him for the ministry. So maybe perhaps that Paul realized that he
was wrong on his opinion on Mark, or maybe that's because Mark got right out
of the fact, okay? We don't really know. All we know is Paul later realized
that Mark was profitable for the ministry, and Mark wrote the gospel of
Mark. So obviously God used him, right? You know, and God used him to paint
down the eternal Word of God. So here's the lesson. Not every disagreement is
right versus wrong. Sometimes it's right versus right, but with slightly
different perspectives, okay? Maybe they are both in the wrong in some
areas. Maybe they are both right in other areas. Maybe the way they broke off
is wrong. Maybe they shouldn't allow the contention to happen. Maybe they should
allow it to happen. Perhaps they both said things in their flesh to each
other. We don't really know. All we know is God did use both people, Paul and
Barnabas, for his mission. So go to Acts 13, Acts chapter 13. So point number one,
I talk about the contention. Point number two, I want to talk about the contrast.
And Paul and Barnabas, they have two different personalities. Paul was firm,
but Barnabas, he may be forgiving. Paul can be abrupt and straight to the point
sometimes, right? Acts 13, look at verse number eight. Acts 13, verse number eight.
The Bible says in Acts 13, verse eight, "But Elimus the sorcerer, for so is his
name by interpretation, withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the
faith." So here we have Elimus, he was literally preventing the deputy from
getting saved. Look at verse number nine. "Then Saul, who also is called Paul,
filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, and said, O full of all subtlety
and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness,
would thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind,
now seeing the sun full of season, and immediately there fell on him a mist
and a darkness, and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand."
So Paul was being straight to the point, and Paul was even cursing him to be blind
because he's turning away the deputy from getting saved.
He's calling out him to be the child of the devil and the enemy of all unrighteousness.
So is that wrong?
No, because the Bible says that Paul was filled with the Holy Ghost.
And I think it's funny that when I say things like this, what do people call me?
A hate preacher, right?
But here, Apostle Paul was clearly in the right for calling that person a child of the devil
for cursing him to be blind because he was preventing people to be saved.
And look at what happened because of Paul's directness.
Look at verse number 12.
Then the deputy, when he saw what was down, believed.
He got saved being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.
So sometimes we need to be bold, we need to be straight to the point, right?
So Apostle Paul was clearly in the right for calling him out for cursing him to be blind.
Go to Acts 23.
Acts 23.
Acts 23, look at verse number 1.
The Bible says, "And Paul earnestly beholding the counsel said, 'Men and brethren, I have
lived in all good conscience before God until this day.
And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.
Then said Paul unto him, 'God shall smite thee, thou widest wall, for sittest thou
to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law.'"
So here Paul was mouthing off to the high priest Ananias.
Now people can debate whether that's right or wrong, but Paul was being direct, right?
"God will smite thee, God will strike you, you widest wall."
So Paul was calling him by name, he was being erupt, he was being straight to the point,
and go to 1 Corinthians chapter 4.
1 Corinthians chapter 4.
1 Corinthians chapter 4, look at verse number 18.
And like I said before, that Paul withstood Peter to the face in front of the public, right?
So Paul was being blunt, and 1 Corinthians chapter 4, look at verse number 18.
The Bible says, "Now some are puffed up as though I will not come to you,
but I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know.
And now the speech of them which are puffed up by the power,
for the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power, what will ye?
Shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?"
So here Paul was being very direct, he was being very straight to the point,
that Paul was saying that if you don't humble yourself, if you don't get right,
I may come to you with a rod, I will beat you into submission.
Obviously I believe he's saying it symbolically, he's using hyperboles, right?
I will beat you into submission, I will come with, you know,
do you want me to come to you with a rod, or with love, or with meekness?
So the point is, get right, otherwise I might smite you with the word of God.
Okay, I think that's his point, go to 2 Corinthians 13, 2 Corinthians chapter number 13,
2 Corinthians chapter 13, look at verse number 5, 2 Corinthians 13 verse 5, the Bible says,
"Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith, prove your own selves, knowing not your own selves,
how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be rapture-based."
So here Paul was being, you know, very very direct, and Paul was kind of saying that,
you've heard the right gospel, you've heard the right preaching, if you are still confused,
if you're still not saved, you might be rapture-based, right?
Examine yourself, you know, you've been in a gospel preaching church for so many times,
I've come to you and preached to you the truth, and you still mix those carnal ordinances,
you are still doing all these terrible things, just examine yourself, okay?
Maybe you are a rapture-based. So Paul was being direct, Paul was being pretty blunt here.
Go to Galatians chapter 3, Galatians chapter 3. Look at verse number 1, Galatians chapter 3, verse number 1.
The Bible says, "O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, who hath cast a spell to you,
that ye should not obey the truth before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?"
Now if you have read the context, he's talking about, you know, there are people who are mixing faith with works, okay?
So Paul was saying that what kind of false prophet has spread those damnable heresy to you?
Why are you so foolish to be deceived by it?
Why are you mixing faith and works?
Or at least pretend to mix them, even if you are saved, why are you going back to the things that kept you in bondage?
So Paul used harsh languages.
Paul called them foolish.
Paul called them being bewitched.
So Paul was being blunt.
Paul was sharp.
He was direct.
He can be abrupt.
He can be confrontational.
Is there anything wrong with that in and of itself?
No.
There's nothing wrong with it because Paul had this personality.
Now turn the Bible back to Acts chapter 4.
Acts chapter 4.
So Paul can be direct.
Paul can be straight to the point.
And Paul can be confrontational.
But Barnabas, based on the scripture, he kind of had a different personality that Barnabas, he was patient.
Barnabas was also encouraging.
Acts chapter 4.
Look at verse 36.
Acts chapter 4, verse 36.
The Bible says, "And Joseph, who by the apostles was surname Barnabas, which is being interpreted, the son of consolation."
So by that name, we can probably know that Barnabas, he was patient, he is an encouraging person.
"A Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet."
So Barnabas was kind, he was charitable, he was loving.
Go to Acts chapter 9.
Acts chapter 9.
Look at verse 26.
Acts chapter 9, verse 26.
Again, I'm not saying Paul was not loving.
Paul was not charitable.
I'm just focusing on, you know, the specific attributes.
Acts chapter 9, verse 26.
The Bible says, "And when Saul," talking about Paul,
"was come to Jerusalem, he assayed."
He tried to join himself to the disciples,
but they were all afraid of him
and believed not that he was a disciple.
So at the beginning of Paul's Christian life,
he wanted to join himself with the rest of the apostles,
with the rest of the Christian groups.
But people were afraid of him
because Paul used to persecute the Church of God, right?
Paul used to be a pretty bad person.
He literally consented to the blood of killing Christians, okay?
So people have a real reason of not receiving the apostle Paul.
But look at verse 27.
The Bible says, "But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles,
and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way,
and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus."
So Barnabas forgave Paul's past as a persecutor,
and Barnabas gave Paul another chance when others would not.
So I would even say that without Barnabas, there would not be the apostle Paul, right?
Because Barnabas defended Paul. Barnabas forgave Paul's past, okay?
So we need someone in the ministry who is gracious and forgiving and patient,
but sometimes people can be too gracious or like too kind,
but just acknowledge that people have different personalities, okay?
And sometimes in a sharp contention, in this case between Paul and Barnabas,
maybe Paul should consider the fact that he would not even be there without Barnabas,
and maybe Barnabas should realize that Paul, maybe Barnabas should realize where Paul was coming from, right?
Because Paul was on a mission, but maybe Paul need to consider the fact that he wouldn't be there beside Barnabas.
So sometimes in a conflict, we need to acknowledge that people have different personalities,
and we may have different perspectives.
We need to realize that, you know, we need to seek to understand where the other side is coming from
without breaking a long-lasting friendship in a moment, okay?
And some people grow under a paw, straightforward, confrontational.
Others grow under a Barnabas, patient, encouraging.
Obviously, we need the balance of all these attributes, okay?
That's why I don't think it's really wrong to choose a church based upon the personalities of the preacher
if you have the options.
Obviously, they should believe the main things, the same gospel, the same Bible.
Obviously, you can attach all the secondary doctrines like the rapture, the Israel.
But if you have all these common ground, if you have the option,
I think there's nothing wrong to pick a church based on the personality of the preacher.
Just make sure that you are not following a man to the bitter end.
There's nothing wrong with loving a certain personality, but don't be part of a personality cult.
That is different from loving a certain style of preaching.
Make sense?
Don't be part of a personality cult, but there's also nothing wrong with loving a certain personality.
Go to 1 Corinthians chapter 3.
1 Corinthians chapter 3.
So I said point number one, the contention. Point number two, the contrast.
Point number three, the choice.
What should we do when there is a conflict?
And to be more specific, what should we do when pastors fight?
Now the first question is, is he your pastor?
If the answer is yes, then pray for him, encourage him, and see where he's coming from.
Pastor Jack Hiles had a famous quote from one of his sermons.
Now I say to those of you who are lay people tonight,
if I say something that is in disagreement with your pastor, he is right and I am wrong.
And if you cause him trouble over what I say tonight,
I will pay my expenses and fly to your town and stand beside your pastor in opposition to you.
So he is for pastoral authority, right?
So if your pastors, if your leaders, if I'm being attacked,
hey, you should stand with me as long as I'm not saying some heresies, right?
Make sense?
There's nothing wrong with being loyal to your pastor, but don't follow him to the bitter end, okay?
So, but if he is not your pastor, if he is not your leader, then you are not really his defender directly.
You don't have to say things like, "I stand firm with pastors so and so."
Nothing wrong with that, but you don't have to do that.
What if both pastors have legitimate reasons that you don't even know about?
What if they are partly wrong and partly right?
What if one is right but wrong on attitude?
What if one is wrong rightly and one is right wrongly?
What if both pastors are taking things out of context and just exaggerating things?
I don't mind people picking a side, but don't force others to pick a side.
Don't say things like, "If you don't stand with pastors so and so, you are a coward."
"If you don't stand with pastors so and so, you are a bozo."
That's a wrong attitude.
Because the carnal believers will say things like, "I'm of Paul." "I'm of Barnabas." "I'm of the ex-New Ivy."
That's the carnal Christians.
First, Corinthians chapter 3, look at verse number 1.
The Bible says, "And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal,"
means fleshly, "even as unto babes in Christ."
"I fed you with milk and not with meat; for hither, too, ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able."
"For ye are yet carnal; for whereas there is among you,"
don't miss this, "envy, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?"
"For while one sayeth, I am of Paul, and another, I am of Apollos, are ye not carnal?"
So Paul was rebuking them for being fleshly, for being like babes in Christ.
Here we see people having strife because they all have their favorite apostles, okay?
And there's nothing new under the sun.
Now I have people having strife because they have their favorite pastors, okay?
There's nothing wrong with having your favorite pastors,
but there is something wrong when you are causing envy, strife, and divisions.
The Bible says that you are carnal, you are like a baby Christian,
even if you are safe for a long time, okay?
And before Pastor Thompson started this church,
he told me that he would never run this church as a Pastor Anderson fan club.
Not that we can't love different pastors and be influenced by them,
but because variety is a spice of life, okay?
But his intention was to start a foundation Baptist church
as an independent, fundamental Baptist church.
We do love the beliefs of the new IFB, and we are not changing, we never will.
And no, we have not added wife beating to our list of doctrines.
So don't listen to the haters for that.
But go to Proverbs 26. Proverbs 26.
"So you should not force people to pick a side, nor should you feel obligated to pick a side."
In fact, the Bible seems to indicate that you should not even meddle
with a stripe that does not even belong to you. Proverbs 26, look at verse 17.
Proverbs 26, verse 17, the Bible says, "He that passes by and meddles with stripes
belonging not to him is like one that taketh a dog by the ears."
If you don't want to get bit, then don't meddle with stripes that doesn't belong to you.
Verse 18 says, "As a madman who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
so is the man that deceiveth his neighbor, and sayeth, 'Am not I in sport?'
Where no wood is, there the fire goes out, and so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth."
So if you are spreading this conflict to someone else who is not even involved in this,
you are a talebearer and you are adding fuels to the fire, right?
And, you know, some people stay off the social media for that exact reason.
Some people come to churches like ours because they believe in the autonomy of the local church.
Some people come here because they acknowledge that their pastor is Pastor Thompson,
and myself as their evangelist.
I think it fascinates me that sometimes people will ask me for counsel,
people will ask me for, you know, advices, opinions,
and their default response is, "Pastor so-and-so taught this."
"Pastor so-and-so taught that."
Well, if every time I talk to you and give you counsel and just advice,
and you respond by, "Pastor so-and-so, believe this,"
why don't you move to his church then?
Who is your leader? Right?
Who is your pastor? Who is your leader?
Look at verse 21. Proverbs 26, verse 21.
The Bible says, "As coals are to burning coals and wood to fire,
so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
The words of a tale-bearer are as wounds,
and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly."
Listen to me. You can agree to disagree. I don't really care.
If you are commenting, sharing, making memes, making posts
to attack other Christians and to attack other pastors,
you are fanning the flame, right? You are not a peacemaker.
You may be a pyromaniac.
So go to Colossians chapter 4. Colossians chapter 4.
So I said point number 1, the contention, point number 2,
the contrast, point number 3, the choice, point number 4.
I want you to realize the connection.
I believe there's another reason that Bonobos picked Mark
because their connection ran pretty deep.
Colossians chapter 4, look at verse number 10.
Colossians chapter 4, verse 10, the Bible says,
"Aristarchus, my fellow prisoners salute at you.
And Marcus," don't miss this, "sisters saw unto Bonobos,
touching whom he received commandments.
If he come unto you, receive him."
So if this is talking about the same John Mark,
then Mark was Bonobos' nephew.
So maybe Bonobos was wrong for taking Mark
because he favorited Mark because of their relationships,
maybe because of nepotism, maybe.
Maybe Bonobos was right for taking Mark
because maybe he knew Mark better than Paul,
and maybe Bonobos knew that Mark has got right
because of their relationships.
Like I said, Mark later wrote the Gospel of Mark.
So Bonobos' gentleness bore fruit.
Also, keep in mind, without Bonobos, there would be no Paul.
So before you take sides,
remember how deeply connected these men were.
I don't think you should be destroying relationships
that took years to build, just because you saw a clip on YouTube.
The Shue Foundation Baptist Church as a whole is deeply influenced by both pastors and their ministries.
In case you don't know, Pastor Jimenez ordained Pastor Thompson.
So without Pastor Jimenez and the Verity Baptist Church, we won't be here.
You won't be here.
So before you post things and comment things online, think about all that.
In case you don't know, Pastor Thompson and Pastor Jimenez are still personal friends.
And Pastor Thompson does not want us to start an internet battle over this.
So before you post things and comment things against Pastor Thompson's mentor,
why don't you think about all that?
Why don't you think about the connection between the two men of God?
In case you don't know, Pastor Jimenez has heavily influenced how Pastor Thompson
and how myself run our churches, how we pick our music, how we run our ushers team.
They are directly patterned from Verity.
In case you don't know, both Pastor Thompson and I use Verity's follow-up course template.
In case you don't know, we both recommended Pastor Jimenez's soul winning seminar,
and we still recommend that to all of you.
So before you post things and comment things online against a good mentor of both of your leaders,
why don't you think about that?
In case you don't know, there are many people at this church who are heavily benefited
from Pastor Jimenez's preaching and his sermons, who changed their lives.
So before you post things and comment things online, think about all that.
Now, you know, I'm not saying I agree with everything that Pastor Jimenez has done or said.
I don't think he should cut us all off, you know.
I don't think he should compare a wife with a volunteer.
But you know what? I still respect him. I still love him.
I still like his sermons and I still listen to his sermons.
The Bible says in Proverbs chapter 10 verse 12, "Hatred stirred up strife, but love covered all sins."
Now in case you are, you know, accusing me for siding with Pastor Jimenez,
let me also say this, that you should not speak things against Pastor Anderson either.
Because Pastor Anderson has got me into a Baptist church and into so many.
He is a good mentor of Pastor Thompson.
Pastor Anderson has sent Brother Daniel Ryder to help us during the protest, right?
Pastor Anderson has preached for us and I personally had one of the best fellowships ever seen karaoke.
Pastor Anderson has encouraged me to be more zealous and stand for the truth.
So before you take a stand before Pastor Anderson, why don't you think about all that?
So go to 1 Timothy chapter 5, 1 Timothy chapter 5.
Now you don't have to like them, but at least realize how influential that both men of God are.
So I said point number one, the contention. Point number two, the contrast.
Point number three, the choice. Point number four, the connection. Point number five,
I want to talk about the conduct. What should our conduct be?
I think you should just let the pastors duke it out and you stay out of it.
Now different churches may have different standards concerning this,
but I should foundation Baptist Church and Patrick Thompson would agree with me
that rebuking a saved, ordained pastor is forbidden, no question asked.
First, in chapter 5, look at verse number 1, the Bible says,
"Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father and a younger man as brethren."
The word "rebuke" means to criticize sharply.
In the Bible you see leaders rebuking other leaders.
Paul rebuked Peter, not a layman.
Nathan rebuked David, not a soldier, right?
So everyone has their own place.
Turn forward to Numbers chapter 12, Numbers chapter 12.
Now you can obviously express your disagreement without rebuking.
You can simply approach your leaders respectfully, you know,
telling them your side without criticizing them sharply.
You can bring up your disagreements respectfully,
but you must not rebuke any elder.
Numbers chapter 12, look at Numbers 12 verse 8.
Here we have Aaron and Miriam.
They spake against Moses for marrying an Ethiopian woman.
Numbers 12 verse 8.
The Bible says, "With him will I speak mouth to mouth,
even apparently and not in dark speeches,
and the similitude of the Lord shall he behold.
Wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?"
I think Christians should just get back at the idea that
God's people and God ordained pastors and preachers
have real authorities and there are consequences
for speaking against ordained men of God.
Even though Moses was not perfect, Moses sinned greatly
and he was not able to enter into a promised land,
but people should be afraid to speak against the Lord's anointed,
the real God's anointed people.
Go to 2 Kings 2.
"We should respect the office of a bishop.
You may disagree with certain pastors sharply,
but you need to respect the office.
It's like wives may disagree with their husbands sharply,
but you need to respect their positions."
This also means that we should not be mocking
a saved pastor and making memes to make fun of him.
2 Kings 2, look at verse 23.
2 Kings 2, verse 23.
The Bible says, "And he," talking about the prophet Elisha,
"and he went up from Vance unto Bethel,
and as he was going up by the way,
came forth little children out of the city,
and mocked him, and said unto him,
'Go up, thou baldhead, go up, thou baldhead.'"
So here we have little children.
I don't know how young they are,
but they are little children,
probably under the age of 13, maybe 12,
or like under, right?
And they were calling Elisha prophet baldhead, right?
"And he turned back, and looked on them,
and cursed them in the name of the Lord.
And there came forth two she-bears out of the wood,
and tear forty and two children of them."
So forty-two children got ripped apart by, you know,
she-bears because they mocked a man of God.
And people need to have a healthy fear
in front of the man of God.
Think about King Saul versus David.
Saul tried to kill him with a javelin.
Saul tried to trap him in battle.
Saul plotted with his servants to kill David.
Saul sent messengers to kill him at his home.
Saul hunted him in the wilderness,
despite of all that, David consistently refused to take vengeance
because Saul was God's chosen King.
Saul was God's anointed man.
So, you know, King Saul was probably,
you know, nobody has caused us physical harm yet.
So if David did not, you know, acknowledge the fact
that he is able to take vengeance upon the Lord's anointed,
why should you?
Go to Mark chapter 9.
Now I also want to make this clear that if I find out anyone at this church
rebuking, mocking, and seeking to destroy the ministry of a saved pastor,
I will take personal offense and I will start the Matthew 18 process.
Don't be a world-pleased Christian.
Don't be like the American government.
Don't be the world-pleased Christian, okay?
Let the Holy Spirit be the Holy Spirit,
because last time I checked, the Bible says blessed are the peacemakers.
Mark chapter 9, look at verse number 38.
Mark 9, verse 38, the Bible says this,
and John answered him, saying,
"Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name,
and he followed not us; he is not part of our group.
And we forbade him, because he followed not us.
But Jesus said, "Forbid him not, for there is no man
which shall do a miracle in my name that can lightly speak evil of me;
for he that is not against us is on our part."
Last time I checked, Pastor Jimenez has not attacked me or this church.
So as far as I am concerned, we are still on the same team.
Verity is still right on the gospel, and it's still a soul-winning powerhouse.
Just in case you accuse me for being biased, I defended Dr. Stringer earlier this year.
I preached a whole sermon about the IFB mafia, even though we disagree on things like Israel and the end time.
But people, not like you, as far as I know, people have attacked Dr. Stringer viciously for preaching for us.
But I decided to keep the main thing the main thing.
And Dr. Stringer, if you don't know, Dr. Stringer also defended us in front of his peers.
His peers accused him for preaching for a cult.
Dr. Stringer cried very hard and defended and just explained to others, to his peers, how that we are not a cult and how we have great zeal for the Lord.
But what have I seen in return?
Again, not you guys, but the people from the new IFB mocking Dr. Stringer, attacking him, calling him names on social media because he is wrong on Israel.
Because he is wrong on, you know, because he's wrong on the end time.
Hey, shame on them, because grace and mercy go both ways.
In fact, let me just make it public.
The reason Dr. Stringer canceled the preaching engagement in our church in November is people from the new IFB attacking him, calling him names, using sharp languages.
You know what? That is wicked. Grace and mercy go both ways, folks.
Don't you wish that more Baptist churches would let go of our differences and back us up during the protest?
So why are you so quick to cut off fellowships?
Pastor Jack Kyle said this in his sermon, "When preachers disagree, if you have not watched the sermon, I will highly recommend it."
So he brought up six points. Point number one being, "I do not judge a man by what he thinks of me."
Point number two, "I do not judge a man by what he preaches against me."
Point number three, "I do not require other preachers to abide by my ethics."
Point number four, "I do not judge a preacher by his last sermon."
Point number five, "I may have preachers in the same order, but I don't draw the line after the top line."
Point number six, "I do not decide for other men where they should preach."
So what should your conduct be?
It's my recommendation that you stay out of it completely, because I don't want both pastors to be consumed in their beef against each other,
because I want them to get over this and just continue focusing on the work of the Lord.
That's why you guys, people, are not helping by adding more fuels to the fire by commenting, posting memes, sharing, and just inserting your unsolicited opinions.
Telling people who don't even know about this situation and just getting them all worked up. Just let it go.
And if you don't like certain preachers, then don't listen to them and just let them go.
I think it's extremely hypocritical
that we say that the ex nuiv should just leave us alone,
while we listen to every one of their sermons
and making sermon clips and just gossip just like them.
Pretty hypocritical, including Proverbs chapter 18.
So I say point number one, the contention.
Point number two, the contrast.
Point number three, the choice.
Point number four, the connection.
Point number five, the conduct.
Point number six, the carnality.
Proverbs 18, look at verse 17.
Proverbs 18, verse 17.
The Bible says, "He that is first in his own cause
seemeth just, but his neighbor cometh and searcheth him."
And this verse proves our human nature,
because our human nature always wants to prove our side
to be the right side.
And we tend to read everything through our bias.
We find faults that strengthen our arguments
instead of seeking truth.
That is human nature, right?
That's our carnal nature.
We call it Proverbs 16.
Proverbs 16.
Look at verse number two.
Proverbs 16, verse number two.
The Bible says, "All the ways of a man
are clean in his own eyes, but the Lord weigheth the spirit."
That's called the self-serving bias.
We tend to only find fault in other people's arguments
to help with our own argument.
We will take a rebuttal or whatever discussion we have.
We will nitpick everything, right?
Just to help strengthen our point.
But, you know, wise Christians step back
and see that usually both parties share some blame, right?
But wise Christians will see everything in its own context.
Go to Ecclesiastes, chapter number seven.
Maybe both Paul and Barnabas shared some faults.
Maybe they were both in their flesh.
Maybe they, you know, pulled things out of context
because they lost their long-lasting friends.
And usually in a conflict, not always,
both parties are wrong, whether it's in marriage, friendship,
or conflict within the ministry.
And the best way to resolve a conflict
is to let go of your flesh and simply attempt
to see the other side and try finding some common grounds.
Ecclesiastes, chapter seven, Mocha, verse number 20.
The Bible says, "For there is not a just man upon earth
that doeth good and sinneth not.
Also, take no heed unto all words that are spoken.
Lest thou hear thy servant curse thee."
So verse 21 is pretty interesting.
The Bible says, don't pay attention to everyone
that speaks against you unless you realize someone
is speaking against you.
Here's the reason.
Verse 22 says, "For oftentimes also thine own heart
knoweth that thou thyself likewise has cursed others."
So what's the point?
Give people some grace.
Don't go out and force yourself to find
some faults within others, because you
have done the same thing to others before.
Give people some grace.
Realize that sometimes in a conflict, in marriage,
friendship, usually both parties are wrong.
Let go of your flesh and just see the other side.
Find common ground.
And the best way to win your spouse over,
the best way to win your friends over,
is not to seek loopholes in their arguments,
but you see their side and find common ground.
Because if you want to, you can choose any of my sermon
and pick it apart.
Out of context, right?
Go to Philippians chapter two, Philippians chapter two.
In marriage, often both husband and wife contribute to tension,
but humility and grace rebuild trust
more than winning a debate.
In friendship, you know, I think friends
should overlook small offenses and focus
on the relationship and not scoring points.
Proverbs 19, verse 11 says, "The discretion of a man
defereth his anger, and it is his glory
to pass over a transgression."
Philippians chapter 2, look at verse number 1.
Philippians chapter 2, verse 1, the Bible says,
"If there be therefore any consolation in Christ,
if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the spirit,
if any bowels and mercies fulfill in my joy
that ye be like-minded, having the same love being
of one accord, of one mind, let nothing
be down through strife or vainglory,
but in lowliness of mind, let each esteem other better
than ourselves.
Humility goes a long way in your Christian life.
And this is important for a local body of believers.
Whenever there's a conflict, let nothing
down through strife or vainglory,
preferring other people.
That's why the Bible says we should submit to each other.
Obviously, we have an authority structure.
But we should be preferring each other,
esteem others better than ourselves.
Go to Galatians chapter 5.
Galatians chapter 5, look at verse number 13.
Galatians chapter 5, verse 13.
Galatians 5.13, the Bible says, "For brethren,
ye have been caught unto liberty.
Only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh.
Don't be carnal, but by love serve one another.
For all the law is fulfilled in one word.
Even in this thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
But if ye bite and devour one another,
take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
Many people online are filled with their carnality.
They are biting and devouring their own brothers
and sisters in Christ.
Be careful, because you might be consumed with bitterness
and strife and just envy, and you
will have no true friends left to help you in time of need.
Lastly, go to 2 Timothy chapter 4.
2 Timothy chapter 4.
So I say point number one, the contention.
Number two, the contrast.
Number three, the choice.
Number four, the connection.
Number five, the conduct.
Number six, the carnality.
Lastly, point number seven, the completion.
Because Paul and Barnabas, they separated.
They split up.
But God multiplied the ministry because Paul took Silas.
Barnabas took Mark.
Two teams, two regions doubled the work.
And go to 2 Timothy chapter 4, look at verse number 11.
I know we looked at it before, but let's look at it again.
2 Timothy chapter 4, verse number 11, the Bible says,
"At the end of Paul's journey, only Luke is with me,
take Mark and bring him with thee,
for he is profitable to me for the ministry."
So I have a suspicion, obviously not proven by scripture,
but I have a suspicion that Paul and Barnabas
recovered their friendship.
Even if they did not, I believe that they realized
that God was still working through them
to accomplish God's work.
Because Paul later realized that Mark was profitable.
So personally, I would fellowship with any saved,
slow-warning pastor and church
if they would fellowship with me.
Make sense?
If they don't attack me personally or publicly,
if they slander my name publicly,
I may have to defend myself.
But I will fellowship with any saved,
slow-warning pastor and church
because we need as much help as we need
to reach the world with the gospel.
This is not a time to be quick to cut ties
with fellow Christians unless they openly attack us.
Make sense?
We need as much help as we need.
Let's just focus on the gospel outside of the church.
Now, you know, within the church,
we preach hard doctrine, right?
But outside of the church,
considering the gospel only,
we should not be quick to cut ties.
So what's the point of the sermon?
Good men can disagree,
but God's work is still going forward.
And don't idolize personalities or imitate divisions.
Nothing wrong with loving a certain personality,
but don't be part of a personality cult.
Stay humble, stay helpful,
and stay out of the fights that don't concern you.
And let's not destroy what God may later reconcile.
Don't be a fire starter, but be a peacemaker.
That's closing it with a prayer.
Thank you, Will, for your work.
Well, I pray that we will be peacemakers at this church.
Well, I pray that we will focus on the Great Commission
and the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ
while holding on to the truth
and help us be more mature and not be carnal.
And I pray this in Jesus' name, amen.
Man, thank you, Vangus Justin John.
Let's sing number 448.
Brethren, we have met to worship, number 448.
♪ Brethren have met to worship ♪
♪ And adore the Lord our God ♪
♪ Will you pray with all your power ♪
♪ While we try to preach the word ♪
♪ All is vain as the spirit ♪
♪ Of the one comes down ♪
♪ Brethren pray and hold now ♪
♪ We showered on sea ♪
♪ Poor sinners round you ♪
♪ Slumbering on the brink of woe ♪
♪ Death is coming, hell is moving ♪
♪ Can you bear to let them go ♪
♪ See others, children sing down ♪
♪ Sisters will join and help us ♪
♪ My sister hated the tremblings ♪
♪ Who are struggling with sin ♪
♪ Sisters, pray and shout ♪
♪ God so free us, love each other ♪
♪ And praise to God ♪
♪ Make songs for us with sweet menna ♪
And Brother Wayne, can you close the word of prayer?