WEBVTT 02:04.000 --> 02:04.600 you 10:08.000 --> 10:11.240 Alright welcome to Sure Foundation Baptist Church everybody please find your seats and 10:11.240 --> 10:12.240 grab a hymn book. 10:12.240 --> 10:16.640 The first song we're going to sing is song 296. 10:16.640 --> 10:21.160 Follow on, song 296 in your hymn books. 10:21.160 --> 10:24.080 Follow on, 296 on the first. 10:24.700 --> 10:29.500 Down in the valley with my savior I would go 10:29.500 --> 10:34.780 Where the flowers are blooming and the sweet waters flow 10:34.780 --> 10:39.580 Everywhere he leads me I would follow, follow on 10:40.000 --> 10:45.120 Walking in His footsteps till the crown be won. 10:45.120 --> 10:50.320 Follow, follow, I would follow Jesus. 10:50.320 --> 10:55.440 Anywhere, everywhere, I would follow on. 10:55.440 --> 11:00.640 Follow, follow, I would follow Jesus. 11:00.640 --> 11:05.440 Everywhere He leads me, I would follow on. 11:05.700 --> 11:10.700 Down in the valley with my Savior I would go. 11:10.700 --> 11:15.700 Where the storms are sweeping and the dark waters flow. 11:15.700 --> 11:20.700 With His hands to lead me I will never, never fear. 11:20.700 --> 11:25.700 Danger cannot fright me if my Lord is near. 11:25.700 --> 11:33.700 Follow, follow, I would follow Jesus anywhere, everywhere. 11:33.700 --> 11:36.340 Where I would follow on 11:36.700 --> 11:41.780 Follow, follow, I would follow Jesus. 11:41.780 --> 11:46.880 Everywhere he leads me I would follow on. 11:46.880 --> 11:52.040 Down in the valley or upon the mountain steep. 11:52.040 --> 11:57.180 Close beside my Savior would my soul ever keep. 11:57.180 --> 12:02.220 He will lead me safely in the path that he hath trod. 12:02.220 --> 12:04.700 Up to where they gather on the... 12:04.700 --> 12:15.780 the hills of God. Follow, follow, I would follow Jesus. Anywhere, everywhere I would 12:15.780 --> 12:26.020 follow on. Follow, follow, I would follow Jesus. Everywhere He leads me I would follow 12:26.020 --> 12:27.020 on. 12:27.020 --> 12:30.940 Alright, good singing, Brother Stephen. Can you please open us up with a word of prayer? 12:39.000 --> 12:43.000 Amen. All right, next song is going to be song number 315. 12:43.000 --> 12:46.000 Song number 315 of your hymn books. 12:46.000 --> 12:50.000 Take My Life and Let It Be, song number 315. 12:50.000 --> 12:52.000 On the first. 12:52.000 --> 12:58.000 Take my life and let it be 12:58.000 --> 13:04.000 Consecrated, Lord, to Thee 13:04.900 --> 13:11.300 Take my hands and let them move 13:11.300 --> 13:17.620 At the impulse of thy love 13:17.620 --> 13:18.140 At the impulse of thy love 13:25.100 --> 13:36.860 my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for thee. 13:36.860 --> 13:49.820 Take my voice and let me sing always, only for my king. 13:49.820 --> 13:50.320 Always. 13:54.500 --> 14:04.820 King. Take my silver and my gold, not of my 14:09.900 --> 14:14.700 My moments and my day 14:16.800 --> 14:33.120 flow in ceaseless praise. Let them flow with ceaseless praise. Take my will and make it 14:33.120 --> 14:44.240 thine it shall be no longer mine take my heart it is 14:45.000 --> 14:51.200 Thine own, it shall be thy Roy. 14:54.400 --> 14:59.400 It shall be thy royal throne. 14:59.400 --> 15:01.400 Alright, good singing now for some announcements. 15:03.900 --> 15:07.900 Welcome to Shul Foundation Baptist Church Sunday morning service. 15:07.900 --> 15:10.900 If you need a bulletin, please raise your hand and Elshar will bring one to you. 15:10.900 --> 15:15.900 This is the first Sunday service in the month of September and the AC is fixed. 15:15.900 --> 15:17.900 Okay, so praise God for it. 15:17.900 --> 15:20.900 And let's look at the verse of the week, 2 Timothy chapter 2 verse 25. 15:20.900 --> 15:21.900 The Bible says, 15:21.900 --> 15:25.900 A meekness instructing those that oppose themselves, 15:25.900 --> 15:30.900 if God perventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth. 15:30.900 --> 15:31.900 with, of course, I've. 15:31.900 --> 15:37.780 you can apply this verse to getting someone saved or just turning you know Christians from following worldliness 15:38.220 --> 15:43.360 Wickedness and the key point is in meekness instructing those people 15:43.360 --> 15:50.140 You know even though when we are you know correcting people that we should approach it in the spirit of meekness and not trying to lift 15:50.140 --> 15:54.620 Ourselves up so that's a really practical verse here. Let's look at the inside page 15:55.380 --> 15:59.860 we are on YouTube Facebook rumble and X and we 15:59.900 --> 16:02.140 have service time Sunday morning at 11, 16:02.140 --> 16:03.940 Sunday afternoon service at four, 16:03.940 --> 16:06.860 and Wednesday night Bible study at 7 p.m. 16:06.860 --> 16:10.220 And this Wednesday we'll finish up Acts chapter 15 16:10.220 --> 16:12.060 talking about Paul and Barnabas, 16:12.060 --> 16:13.620 about their separation, 16:13.620 --> 16:18.180 and just the stories surrounding that. 16:18.180 --> 16:20.580 We have soul winning this afternoon at 1.30 p.m. 16:20.580 --> 16:23.540 and Saturday morning soul winning at 10.30. 16:23.700 --> 16:26.540 AM and your today's salvation is 16:27.500 --> 16:30.980 1023 praise God for it, and that's definitely a great number 16:31.740 --> 16:33.000 to see 16:33.200 --> 16:38.200 upcoming events. You know, of course, we also had a Detroit soul winning marathon yesterday. 16:38.200 --> 16:44.200 We had a total of 18 soul winners and 33 salvations. So it's a wonderful time. 16:44.200 --> 16:51.200 It's a perfect weather. It's 70 degrees out there. And then the Detroit deep dish pizza was delicious. 16:51.200 --> 16:54.200 So that's good. So... 16:54.600 --> 16:58.560 The fall fellowship will take place on October 3rd, 16:58.560 --> 17:02.040 so please save the date with more details to come. 17:02.040 --> 17:04.160 Also, the Notre Dame Tailgates on winning 17:04.160 --> 17:07.320 is coming up September 19th and 26th. 17:07.320 --> 17:09.760 I will post the details probably sometime this week 17:09.760 --> 17:11.800 to godresource.com. 17:11.800 --> 17:14.960 So we'll probably meet at Brother Jared's house, 17:14.960 --> 17:18.280 then we're gonna arrive at the parking lot 17:18.280 --> 17:20.560 and they will shuttle you to the school, 17:20.560 --> 17:22.280 so that's the plan. 17:22.600 --> 17:25.560 So it will be a similar schedule as last year. 17:25.560 --> 17:29.840 And the meal will be on your own because it's not practical 17:29.840 --> 17:34.000 to just get lunch and shuttle back to the place. 17:34.000 --> 17:37.960 But there will be some booth for you to buy hot dogs 17:37.960 --> 17:39.520 or something like that. 17:39.520 --> 17:42.720 Or you can pack your own lunch just to make things easier. 17:43.100 --> 17:48.880 Also Pittsburgh is on October 10th, so it's a six hour drive from here 17:48.880 --> 17:56.180 So please please RSVP and the details is on God resource comm as well for the for the for the Pittsburgh event 17:56.820 --> 18:04.100 Of course Evansville and winter wonderland are coming up and I'm pretty sure they might be are we doing Gary in November? 18:05.800 --> 18:07.800 Let's do it. Gary at the end of November. 18:07.800 --> 18:12.800 Yeah, there's nothing in November, so that makes me like unsettled, right? 18:12.800 --> 18:16.800 So anyway, yeah, Gary November, okay? Anyway. 18:18.500 --> 18:20.500 And then, let's see, 18:20.500 --> 18:22.500 Tithing Offerings for UTC. 18:22.500 --> 18:24.500 Please stay faithful so we can keep doing 18:24.500 --> 18:26.500 song winning events and keep the 18:26.500 --> 18:28.500 lights on. And then on the back 18:28.500 --> 18:30.500 we have the birthdays and the 18:30.500 --> 18:32.500 anniversary for the month of September. And if 18:32.500 --> 18:34.500 your dates are not on there, please let me know 18:34.500 --> 18:36.500 so I can, you know, 18:36.500 --> 18:38.500 keep the information up to date. 18:38.500 --> 18:40.500 So with that being said, let's sing one more 18:40.500 --> 18:42.100 song before we take up the offering. 18:45.500 --> 18:52.220 Alright, next song is going to be song 329, Take Time to Be Holy, song 329 in your hymn books. 18:53.100 --> 18:58.300 329. 329 on the first. 19:00.460 --> 19:08.300 Take time to be holy, speak off with thy lord. 19:09.200 --> 19:17.700 Abide in Him, all way, and feed on His word. 19:17.700 --> 19:26.700 Make friends of God's children, help those who are weak, 19:26.700 --> 19:35.100 forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek. 19:35.400 --> 19:43.900 Take time to be holy, the world rushes on. 19:44.100 --> 19:53.100 Spend much time in secret with Jesus alone. 19:53.100 --> 20:02.100 By looking to Jesus like Him thou shalt be. 20:02.100 --> 20:10.100 Thy friends in thy conduct, His likeness shall see. 20:10.500 --> 20:27.860 Take time to be holy, let Him be thy guide, And run not before Him, whatever be tide. 20:27.860 --> 20:36.100 In joy or in sorrow, still follow thy Lord. 20:36.400 --> 20:44.800 And looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word. 20:44.800 --> 20:53.100 Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul. 20:53.400 --> 21:01.840 Each thought and each motive beneath His control. 21:01.840 --> 21:10.400 Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love, 21:10.400 --> 21:18.600 Thou soon shall be fitted for service above. 21:18.800 --> 21:21.960 Alright great singing now we're gonna have the offering 21:24.600 --> 21:27.400 Brother Matthew, will you please pray for the offering? 21:34.600 --> 21:35.600 Amen. 22:20.900 --> 22:24.140 Please turn in your Bibles to Numbers Chapter 13. 22:24.140 --> 22:25.900 Numbers Chapter 13. 22:25.900 --> 22:27.320 If you need a Bible, please raise your hand. 22:27.320 --> 22:29.780 I'm not sure we'll get you one. 22:29.780 --> 22:31.100 Numbers Chapter 13. 22:37.900 --> 22:43.980 Bible reads and the Lord speaking to Moses saying send thou men that they may search the land of Canaan 22:44.000 --> 22:48.860 Which I give unto the children of Israel of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man 22:49.020 --> 22:53.420 Everyone a ruler among them and Moses by the commandment of the Lord 22:53.980 --> 23:00.300 Sent them from the wilderness of Peran all those men were heads of the children of Israel 23:00.940 --> 23:03.940 And these were their names of the tribe of rumored 23:04.400 --> 23:13.200 Shamua, the son of Zikr, of the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat, the son of Horai, the tribe of Judah, 23:13.200 --> 23:21.680 Caleb, the son of Jephuna, of the tribe of Ishkar, Ilgal, the son of Joseph, of the tribe of Ephraim, 23:22.240 --> 23:30.480 Oshia, the son of Nun, of the tribe of Benjamin, Palti, the son of Raffua, of the tribe of Zebulun. 23:31.300 --> 23:37.060 Gidele, the son of Sodai, the tribe of Joseph, namely of the tribe of Manasseh, 23:38.420 --> 23:47.860 Gadai, the son of Susi, of the tribe of Dan, Amile, the son of Gimile, of the tribe of Asher, 23:48.740 --> 23:57.140 Sethur, the son of Michael, of the tribe of Natali, Nabai, the son of Vosai. 23:57.700 --> 24:06.020 of the tribe of Gad, Gul, the son of Machai. These are the names of the men which Moses 24:06.020 --> 24:11.940 sent to spy out the land and Moses called Oshia the son of Nun, Jeshua. 24:12.300 --> 24:28.300 And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them, Get you up this way southward, and go up into the mountain, and see the land, what it is, and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong or weak, few or many. 24:28.300 --> 24:39.300 And what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good or bad, and what cities they be that they dwell in, whether in tents or in strongholds. 24:40.100 --> 24:45.220 what the land is whether it be fat or lean whether there be wood therein or 24:45.220 --> 24:50.620 not and be of good and be of good courage and bring of the fruit of the 24:50.620 --> 24:56.900 land now the time was the time of the first first ripe group grapes so they 24:56.900 --> 25:03.940 went up and searched the land from the wilderness of the Zin to Rabeau as men 25:03.940 --> 25:06.500 as men of Hamath 25:06.600 --> 25:15.560 and they ascended by the south and came unto Hebron where Ahimein, Shishai, and Talmai, 25:15.560 --> 25:22.040 and the children of Anak were. Now Hebron was built seven years before Zohan in Egypt, 25:22.040 --> 25:29.560 and they came unto the brook of Eshkol and cut down from thence a branch with a cluster of grapes, 25:29.560 --> 25:31.880 and they bear it between two upon a staff. 25:32.100 --> 25:38.500 and they brought of the pomegranates and of the figs. The place was called the brook of Eshkol 25:39.060 --> 25:43.940 because of the clusters of grapes which the children of Eshkol cut down from this. 25:44.500 --> 25:49.620 and they returned from the search and they returned from searching of the land after 40 days 25:49.620 --> 25:54.900 and they went and came unto Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation of the children of Israel 25:54.900 --> 26:00.260 under the wilderness of Panran to Kadesh and brought backward unto them and said on 26:00.260 --> 26:05.940 unto all the congregation and showed them the fruit of the land and they told him and said we 26:05.940 --> 26:07.780 came unto the land whither thou sent us 26:08.300 --> 26:13.900 and surely it flows with milk and honey and this is the fruit of it. 26:14.600 --> 26:18.980 Nevertheless, the people be strong and dwell on the land, and the cities are walled and 26:18.980 --> 26:19.980 very great. 26:19.980 --> 26:22.700 And moreover, we saw the children of Anak there. 26:22.700 --> 26:28.580 The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south, and the Hittites and the Jebusites and the 26:28.580 --> 26:34.300 Amorites dwell on the mountains, and the Canaanites dwell by the sea and by the coast of Jordan. 26:34.300 --> 26:39.620 And Caleb stilled the people before Moses and said, Let us go up at once and possess 26:39.620 --> 26:42.140 it, for we are well able to overcome it. 26:42.600 --> 26:45.320 But the men that went with him said, 26:45.320 --> 26:48.560 we be not able to go up against the people, 26:48.560 --> 26:50.440 for they are stronger than we. 26:50.440 --> 26:52.280 And they brought up an evil report 26:52.280 --> 26:53.880 of the land which they had searched 26:53.880 --> 26:56.440 unto the children of Israel, saying the land. 26:57.000 --> 27:02.160 Though which we through which we have gone to search it is a land that eateth up the 27:02.160 --> 27:08.000 inhabitants thereof and all the people that we saw in it are men of great stature. 27:08.000 --> 27:14.320 And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come, which come of the giants and we 27:14.320 --> 27:18.680 were in our own sites as grasshoppers and so we were in their site. 27:18.680 --> 27:20.600 Brother Matt, will you pray for your service? 27:32.500 --> 27:39.940 Amen. You are in Numbers chapter 13. Let's look at verse number 16. Numbers 13 verse 16. The Bible says this, 27:40.260 --> 27:49.260 These are the names of the men which Moses sent to spy out the land and Moses called Ocea the son of non-Jahushua. 27:49.260 --> 27:53.460 And the title of the sermon this morning is, The Making of a Spy. 27:54.500 --> 27:56.500 The making of a spy. 27:56.500 --> 28:01.500 Okay, I want to address the question because people accuse me for being a Chinese spy. 28:01.500 --> 28:02.500 No, I'm just kidding. 28:02.500 --> 28:07.500 Keep your place in Numbers 13, go over to Joshua Chapter 14. 28:07.500 --> 28:10.500 Keep your place in Numbers 13, go to Joshua Chapter 14. 28:10.500 --> 28:12.500 Now the making of a spy. 28:12.500 --> 28:15.500 The word spy is mentioned 12 times in the Bible, 28:15.500 --> 28:19.500 and the past tense spied is mentioned 6 times in the Bible. 28:19.500 --> 28:22.500 And the word espy, E-S-P-Y. 28:22.500 --> 28:25.140 is mentioned twice in the Bible. 28:25.140 --> 28:29.580 But the word spy and espy, they are closely related, 28:29.580 --> 28:31.660 but not exactly the same. 28:31.660 --> 28:35.300 Because the word espy basically means to see, observe, 28:35.300 --> 28:36.540 discover, right? 28:36.540 --> 28:40.180 But spy can carry the same meaning, 28:40.180 --> 28:45.180 but it's more associated with when someone is deliberately 28:45.180 --> 28:47.780 trying to observe something, OK? 28:48.100 --> 28:55.120 So the words are not always identical based on the context, but spy out or the phrase is spy out 28:55.460 --> 29:02.160 They can be used interchangeably just based on the context. Joshua 14, look at verse number 6. Joshua 14 verse number 6 29:03.100 --> 29:08.940 The Bible says this, then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal and Caleb the son of 29:09.500 --> 29:15.580 Jephunneh and the Cainazites said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the Lord said unto Moses, 29:15.580 --> 29:22.300 the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadeshbarnea. Forty years old was I when Moses, 29:22.300 --> 29:29.420 the servant of the Lord, sent me from Kadeshbarnea to spy out the land and I brought him word again 29:29.420 --> 29:31.020 as it was in my heart. 29:31.100 --> 29:33.300 So here the Bible clearly used the word spy 29:33.300 --> 29:35.460 and the word espy interchangeably, 29:35.460 --> 29:38.180 although the word espy does just basically means to see 29:38.180 --> 29:40.940 or to observe, the word spy carried the meaning 29:40.940 --> 29:44.900 of someone trying to seek out some information on purpose. 29:44.900 --> 29:47.740 Okay, so let's go back to Numbers 13. 29:47.740 --> 29:48.700 Numbers 13. 29:50.220 --> 29:53.620 But the point I want to emphasize is that neither word, 29:53.620 --> 29:58.060 you know, spy, espy, is inherently negative. 29:58.200 --> 30:03.920 Whether it's good or bad depends on the purpose of spying, right? 30:03.920 --> 30:08.800 Although nowadays the word spy does have a negative connotation to it, 30:08.800 --> 30:11.120 but it is a neutral word, okay? 30:11.120 --> 30:15.040 So I want to give you three points this morning. 30:15.040 --> 30:18.880 Point number one, spy out the opportunities. 30:18.880 --> 30:21.360 Spy out the opportunities. 30:21.360 --> 30:26.120 And in Numbers 13, Moses sent the twelve men, one from each tribe, 30:26.200 --> 30:29.820 to spy out the land of Canaan, but the order 30:29.820 --> 30:33.440 to spy out the land was actually given by the Lord. 30:33.440 --> 30:37.280 So spying cannot be inherently evil. 30:37.280 --> 30:39.700 Look at verse number one, number 13, verse one says this. 30:40.000 --> 30:45.840 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Send thou men that they may search the land of Canaan. 30:45.840 --> 30:50.640 Again, defining the word spy is to search, you know later, you know, we use the word spy, 30:50.640 --> 30:54.000 to search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel. 30:54.000 --> 30:59.200 Of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, everyone a ruler among them. 30:59.200 --> 31:03.360 And Moses, don't miss this, by the commandment of the Lord, 31:03.360 --> 31:08.000 send them from the wilderness of Peran. All those men were heads of the children of Israel. 31:08.000 --> 31:13.300 and these were their names of the tribe of Reuben, Shemua the son of Zekir and 31:13.300 --> 31:20.780 from verse 4 through verse 14 verse 4 through 15 the Bible lists the names of 31:20.780 --> 31:25.180 the men that were going to spy out the Canaan land. Jump down to verse number 31:25.180 --> 31:30.900 16. Numbers 13 verse 16 these are the names of the men which Moses sent to 31:30.900 --> 31:36.000 spy out the land and Moses called Oshia the son of Num Jehoshaphat 31:36.000 --> 31:42.700 and that's you know the same as Joshua and Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan and said unto them 31:42.780 --> 31:47.120 Get you up this way southward and go up into the mountain 31:47.280 --> 31:52.940 So God gave him the commandment to spy out the Canaan land now the question is what are they spying? 31:53.180 --> 31:57.000 What's the purpose of this quest? Look at verse 18 31:57.600 --> 32:01.880 Then verse 13 verse 18, and see the land, what it is, 32:01.880 --> 32:03.640 and the people that dwelleth therein, 32:03.640 --> 32:06.440 whether they be strong or weak, few or many, 32:06.440 --> 32:08.540 and what the land is that they dwell in, 32:08.540 --> 32:12.100 whether it be good or bad, and what cities they be 32:12.100 --> 32:15.740 that they dwell in, whether in tents or in strongholds, 32:15.740 --> 32:18.660 and what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, 32:18.660 --> 32:21.120 whether there be wood therein or not, 32:21.120 --> 32:24.960 and be of good courage, and bring of the fruit of the land, 32:24.960 --> 32:25.600 not a time when... 32:25.600 --> 32:29.020 was the time of the first ripe grapes. 32:29.020 --> 32:32.700 So what are they spying exactly in the Canaan land? 32:32.800 --> 32:36.480 The Bible is clear that they are supposed to spy out, 32:36.480 --> 32:38.440 what is the land like? 32:38.440 --> 32:40.020 What are the people like? 32:40.020 --> 32:42.760 And what kind of living condition is it? 32:42.760 --> 32:45.160 Do they dwell in tents, or do they dwell in strongholds? 32:45.160 --> 32:46.600 How is the security? 32:46.600 --> 32:47.800 And things like that. 32:47.800 --> 32:50.320 And also, is the land fruitful? 32:50.320 --> 32:52.600 Whether it be fat or lean, and they 32:52.600 --> 32:55.320 were told to bring the fruit of the land. 32:55.900 --> 33:00.260 To me, they're obviously doing this on a physical sense. 33:00.260 --> 33:04.300 But this is exactly what we do when we go 33:04.300 --> 33:07.220 sowing in at different places. 33:07.220 --> 33:09.620 When we do sowing events in different cities, 33:09.620 --> 33:11.900 different states, and different schools, 33:11.900 --> 33:15.220 you can say that we are not just visiting those places, 33:15.220 --> 33:17.100 but we are also spying out the land. 33:17.900 --> 33:24.900 Because you go someone in and we learn things that we cannot learn from the map. 33:24.900 --> 33:30.900 Right? Where exactly are the neighborhoods? Where are the apartment complexes? 33:31.700 --> 33:34.200 and what languages are spoken, right? 33:34.200 --> 33:37.160 Are they speaking French, Spanish? 33:37.160 --> 33:42.200 Yesterday, there were some people who spoke Turkish. 33:42.200 --> 33:46.260 We also spy out, hey, are the people receptive? 33:46.260 --> 33:48.720 Are there believers looking for a church? 33:48.720 --> 33:52.520 How many churches there are actually preaching the gospel? 33:52.520 --> 33:54.480 When we go out, we can, when we go somewhere, 33:54.480 --> 33:57.400 and people will tell us, hey, they go to such and such church. 33:57.400 --> 33:59.600 And we can pretty much figure out, hey, what church? 33:59.700 --> 34:02.100 is teaching the right gospel. 34:02.100 --> 34:08.260 Also, we are trying to find out, hey, could this place be a, 34:08.260 --> 34:11.100 can we go back again for a future mission trip 34:11.100 --> 34:13.500 or maybe a future church plan? 34:13.500 --> 34:16.460 Or we can try to find out, hey, is this place 34:16.460 --> 34:18.740 fruitful spiritually, whether it be fat. 34:18.740 --> 34:19.200 that. 34:19.400 --> 34:23.880 lean. That's why sometimes, you know, I do make the comment that we are spying out 34:23.880 --> 34:27.400 the land when we go to different places, okay, because I want to see the 34:27.400 --> 34:32.200 demographics, right? I want to see the spiritual condition of the land, you know, 34:32.200 --> 34:37.160 I want to see if there's a need for future zoning trips, you know, I want to 34:37.160 --> 34:42.600 see whether the land is fat or lean. And in a way big... 34:42.900 --> 34:48.340 We've been to Detroit and we spy out the land that it was a good land, so we are going 34:48.340 --> 34:51.020 someone in there every single year. 34:51.020 --> 34:55.540 And we've been to Purdue, and that's a fat land. 34:55.540 --> 35:00.540 That's why we are going to do it every Saturday before school starts every year. 35:01.300 --> 35:06.620 And if you have spied out an area or heard a place that's a good land, 35:06.620 --> 35:07.620 hey, let me know. 35:07.620 --> 35:10.300 Maybe I will plan a soul-winding marathon there. 35:10.300 --> 35:16.940 And Brother Jared pitched to me the idea of going to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 35:16.940 --> 35:18.780 He told me there was a group there. 35:18.780 --> 35:22.180 It's within driving distance, six hours or so. 35:22.180 --> 35:25.820 So we are going to spy out the land on October 10, OK? 35:25.820 --> 35:29.260 Just to see whether the land is fruitful, whether it's fast. 35:29.300 --> 35:31.300 or lean and how the people are. 35:31.300 --> 35:32.300 Okay? 35:32.300 --> 35:33.940 So let's be spies, right? 35:33.940 --> 35:36.500 Let's spy out the opportunities. 35:36.500 --> 35:38.300 Amen? 35:38.300 --> 35:42.020 But there's also another lesson from Number 13. 35:42.020 --> 35:46.940 And that is, don't confuse difficulty with the lack of opportunity. 35:47.500 --> 35:50.760 Don't confuse difficulty with the lack of opportunity 35:51.200 --> 35:56.260 They were not just spying out the land to see whether or not they should 35:56.780 --> 36:03.660 Conquer or to possess the land because God has already given them the land. Okay verse number one again numbers 13 verse 1 36:04.480 --> 36:11.380 Numbers 13 once is this and the Lord spake unto Moses saying send down men that they may search the land of Canaan 36:11.660 --> 36:15.060 Which I give unto the children of Israel 36:15.400 --> 36:20.020 God has already promised them the land God has already given them the land 36:20.120 --> 36:25.520 So they were not spying out the land to see whether or not they should possess it 36:25.840 --> 36:30.180 Okay, and God didn't say go see whether the land is good 36:30.960 --> 36:34.600 Enough and then decide whether to take it or not, right? 36:35.100 --> 36:38.020 And God said essentially that this is the land I'm 36:38.020 --> 36:39.220 going to give it to you. 36:39.220 --> 36:42.660 Hey, go figure it out what you will be dealing with. 36:42.660 --> 36:44.220 OK? 36:44.220 --> 36:48.460 Because good spying is scouting out the territory 36:48.460 --> 36:51.420 so you know what you are dealing with. 36:51.420 --> 36:54.660 And to apply that to zoning and the mission trips, 36:54.660 --> 36:57.180 that we are not scouting out a city 36:57.180 --> 37:00.420 to decide if great commission applies there. 37:00.800 --> 37:02.480 It already does. 37:02.480 --> 37:03.840 Amen? 37:03.840 --> 37:08.720 You are scouting it out to see what the area is like, right? 37:08.720 --> 37:12.800 Where the people are and how receptive it is 37:12.800 --> 37:17.200 and what opportunities exist for future work. 37:17.200 --> 37:20.000 And if the place is not that receptive, 37:20.000 --> 37:22.160 that doesn't mean we don't go sewing there. 37:22.160 --> 37:22.400 Right. 37:23.000 --> 37:27.720 We may not do big, soul-wanting events and just focus all our resource there, 37:27.720 --> 37:30.280 but the difficult places still need the gospel. 37:31.640 --> 37:37.080 Scouting out the area can help us determine where to focus the majority of our resources. 37:38.680 --> 37:41.960 Of course, we should be focusing on where the fish are biting, 37:41.960 --> 37:45.560 but does that mean that rich people should just all go to hell? 37:46.300 --> 37:48.380 That's not what the Bible says. 37:48.380 --> 37:51.740 The Great Commission never says, go only 37:51.740 --> 37:54.260 where people are receptive. 37:54.260 --> 37:57.860 Jesus Christ said, preach the gospel to every creature. 37:57.860 --> 38:00.620 We want to fish where the fish are biting, 38:00.620 --> 38:03.180 but we still cast the net everywhere. 38:03.180 --> 38:05.700 So spying on the land help us determine 38:05.700 --> 38:09.060 where to concentrate our labor, but it does not 38:09.060 --> 38:11.580 determine who deserves to hear the gospel. 38:12.000 --> 38:17.000 You know, strategic emphasis is not the same as excluding people. 38:17.000 --> 38:18.000 OK? 38:18.400 --> 38:22.360 By the way, if you whine and complain about the hard areas, 38:22.360 --> 38:23.920 you need to get right with God. 38:23.920 --> 38:27.400 In fact, that's what 10 out of the 12 spies did. 38:27.400 --> 38:30.360 Look at verse 25, Numbers 13, verse 25. 38:30.360 --> 38:32.560 The Bible says, and they returned from searching 38:32.560 --> 38:34.240 the land after 40 days. 38:34.240 --> 38:36.520 And they went and came to Moses and to Aaron 38:36.520 --> 38:40.220 and to all the congregation of the children of Israel 38:40.220 --> 38:43.000 and unto the wilderness of Peran to Kadesh 38:43.000 --> 38:46.400 and brought back war onto them and onto all the congregation. 38:46.400 --> 38:48.640 and showed them the fruit of the land, 38:48.640 --> 38:50.200 and they told him and said, 38:50.200 --> 38:53.000 we came unto the land where thou sentest us, 38:53.000 --> 38:55.760 and surely it floweth with milk and honey, 38:55.760 --> 38:57.320 and this is the fruit of it. 38:57.320 --> 38:59.920 So they brought back a good report, 38:59.920 --> 39:03.360 hey, the land is fat and the land is fruitful, 39:03.360 --> 39:05.520 but verse 28, the Bible says, 39:05.520 --> 39:09.760 nevertheless, the people be strong that dwell in the land, 39:09.760 --> 39:12.560 and the cities are walled and very great, 39:12.560 --> 39:14.400 and moreover, we saw the 39:14.400 --> 39:21.160 children of Annacthar and the Amalekites dwell in the land of the south, and the Hittites 39:21.160 --> 39:26.320 and the Jebusites and the Amorites dwell in the mountains, and the Canaanites dwell by 39:26.320 --> 39:28.320 the sea and by the coast of Jordan." 39:28.320 --> 39:30.560 Look at verse number 30. 39:30.560 --> 39:36.120 And Caleb stilled the people before Moses and said, Let us go up at once and possess 39:36.120 --> 39:40.080 it for we are well able to overcome it. 39:40.080 --> 39:41.000 Notice the contrast. 39:41.100 --> 39:43.660 10 spies saw giants, right? 39:43.660 --> 39:46.900 10 spies focused on the difficulties, 39:46.900 --> 39:50.700 but Joshua and Caleb, they saw opportunities, right? 39:50.700 --> 39:53.380 They said, we are well able to overcome it. 39:53.380 --> 39:56.060 So the same land, right, it's the same area, 39:56.060 --> 39:58.760 it's the same cities, but different report. 39:59.980 --> 40:04.000 Because my point is, a hard area does not, 40:04.000 --> 40:08.300 does not necessarily mean it's a bad area. 40:08.800 --> 40:10.560 There are fruits in the land. 40:10.560 --> 40:12.400 The Bible is very clear about that. 40:12.400 --> 40:14.700 But there are also giants, right? 40:14.700 --> 40:16.460 It might be a little bit challenging 40:16.460 --> 40:18.600 to conquer certain areas. 40:18.600 --> 40:22.560 But don't confuse difficulty with a lack of opportunity. 40:22.560 --> 40:27.800 In fact, I can make a point is the more difficult the place is, 40:27.800 --> 40:31.160 shows that there is more need because of parcel pause. 40:31.160 --> 40:34.940 Therefore, a great door and effectual is open onto me. 40:34.940 --> 40:36.480 And there are many adversaries. 40:36.800 --> 40:40.840 Maybe a place is difficult because the devil knows 40:40.840 --> 40:44.840 there are fruitful, you know, maybe because the devil knows 40:44.840 --> 40:48.560 that the land is fruitful, that's why he sent many adversaries, right? 40:48.560 --> 40:53.560 You know, with great opportunities, there's also more adversaries. 40:54.300 --> 40:56.340 So if you apply that to, you know, 40:56.340 --> 40:59.380 sun-winning and missions and sun-winning marathons, 40:59.380 --> 41:02.540 hey, maybe it's a very receptive neighborhood, 41:02.540 --> 41:06.100 but there are a lot of dogs. 41:06.100 --> 41:07.380 Physically, right? 41:07.380 --> 41:10.600 You know, maybe it's a very fruitful apartment complex, 41:10.600 --> 41:12.140 but there are a lot of stairs. 41:13.000 --> 41:13.500 Right? 41:13.500 --> 41:15.320 Similar concept, right? 41:15.320 --> 41:18.560 Maybe it's a very receptive neighborhood, 41:18.560 --> 41:21.400 but the smell is really bad, like weed everywhere, right? 41:21.400 --> 41:25.880 And they have the carpet that's all corroded. 41:25.880 --> 41:28.480 Maybe it's a very receptive neighborhood, 41:28.480 --> 41:31.000 but the houses are very far apart. 41:31.600 --> 41:34.720 Just like in some Indian reservation in Yakima, 41:34.720 --> 41:37.320 all the houses are really far apart. 41:37.320 --> 41:39.600 Maybe it's a very receptive place, 41:39.600 --> 41:40.800 but there's nowhere to park. 41:40.800 --> 41:42.640 Maybe you have to walk a while. 41:42.640 --> 41:44.720 Maybe you have to take a shuttle. 41:44.720 --> 41:46.920 Maybe it's a very receptive neighborhood, 41:46.920 --> 41:49.840 but everyone has a long driveway. 41:49.840 --> 41:52.400 Or like there are bees trying to sting you, 41:52.400 --> 41:54.760 just like yesterday at the McDonald's. 41:54.760 --> 41:55.260 Anyway. 41:56.000 --> 41:58.200 Maybe it's a very receptive area, 41:58.200 --> 42:01.800 but it's 90 degrees outside, or it's freezing cold, right? 42:01.800 --> 42:04.400 So just because there are many adversaries 42:04.400 --> 42:08.280 doesn't mean there isn't a great door there. 42:08.280 --> 42:10.440 So when you spy out the land, hey, 42:10.440 --> 42:12.520 don't just look for obstacles. 42:12.520 --> 42:14.840 Look for the opportunities, right? 42:14.840 --> 42:17.360 Because we are well able to overcome them 42:17.360 --> 42:20.360 by the power of the Lord. 42:20.360 --> 42:21.600 But then you have the complainers. 42:21.600 --> 42:22.400 Look at verse 31. 42:22.900 --> 42:25.140 Numbers 13 verse 21 says this, 42:25.140 --> 42:26.900 But the man that went up with him said, 42:26.900 --> 42:29.180 We be not able to go up against the people, 42:29.180 --> 42:30.780 for they are stronger than we. 42:30.780 --> 42:33.860 And they brought up an evil report of the land 42:33.860 --> 42:36.260 which they had searched on the territory of Israel, 42:36.260 --> 42:39.660 saying the land though which we have gone to search it 42:39.660 --> 42:42.300 is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof, 42:42.300 --> 42:44.460 and all the people that we saw in it 42:44.460 --> 42:46.340 are men of a great stature. 42:46.340 --> 42:49.540 And there we saw the giants, the son of Anak, 42:49.540 --> 42:50.900 which come of the giants. 42:50.900 --> 42:54.460 and we were in our own site as grasshoppers, 42:54.460 --> 42:56.340 and so we were in their site. 42:56.340 --> 42:57.780 Notice they saw the giants. 42:57.780 --> 42:59.980 Yeah, I mean, the giants were really there, 42:59.980 --> 43:02.900 but they were in their own site as grasshoppers. 43:02.900 --> 43:04.780 OK, so obviously those people, they 43:04.780 --> 43:10.180 didn't have as much faith as Caleb and Joshua. 43:10.180 --> 43:13.260 And to me, this group of people, 43:13.600 --> 43:17.280 Reminds me of the people who are complaining about the soul winning locations 43:17.440 --> 43:22.920 Okay, don't you know those are the same people who think that we should just let the rich people go to hell 43:23.600 --> 43:25.060 You know, those are the same people 43:25.060 --> 43:26.460 who don't like the challenges. 43:26.460 --> 43:27.300 OK? 43:27.300 --> 43:29.620 Again, I believe we should be focusing 43:29.620 --> 43:33.660 on the majority of our resources on the receptive area, 43:33.660 --> 43:37.300 but God still wants us to preach the gospel everywhere. 43:37.300 --> 43:38.300 Amen? 43:38.300 --> 43:40.940 And notice the results of those complainers. 43:40.940 --> 43:42.780 Numbers 14, look at verse number 1. 43:42.780 --> 43:45.620 Numbers 14, verse 1 says this. 43:45.620 --> 43:48.900 And all the congregation lift up their voice and cried, 43:48.900 --> 43:51.060 and the people wept that night. 43:51.400 --> 43:57.000 So your sins affect other people, right? Your complaints affect other people. Verse number two, 43:57.000 --> 44:03.160 and all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron and the whole congregation 44:03.160 --> 44:09.880 said unto them, would God that we had died in the land of Egypt or would God we had died in this 44:09.880 --> 44:10.900 wilderness? 44:11.200 --> 44:16.460 So your sin and your complaint affect other people, 44:16.460 --> 44:20.860 and you are making their mind discouraged. 44:20.860 --> 44:24.700 And sometimes when people go swimming for maybe two hours, 44:24.700 --> 44:28.380 and they got door slam in their face, and they conclude, hey, 44:28.380 --> 44:30.200 nobody here wants the gospel. 44:30.800 --> 44:34.560 But be careful about bringing back an evil report of the land, 44:34.560 --> 44:40.400 because maybe the other groups get 10 people saved in the exact same neighborhood. 44:40.400 --> 44:45.600 Maybe you are just getting the bad doors, so the other soul winners can get people saved. 44:45.900 --> 44:46.740 So be careful. 44:46.740 --> 44:49.860 Don't bring an evil report, OK? 44:49.860 --> 44:51.260 Because that happened to me. 44:51.260 --> 44:53.260 And sometimes I will get one or two people saved, 44:53.260 --> 44:55.260 but some other group will get 10 people saved. 44:55.260 --> 44:56.380 To me, that's great, right? 44:56.380 --> 44:58.620 It's the same neighborhood, right? 44:58.620 --> 45:03.060 Maybe God is using you to distract the bad people 45:03.060 --> 45:05.500 so the other soul winners can get more people saved. 45:05.500 --> 45:08.420 So be careful about bringing back an evil report. 45:09.600 --> 45:15.600 So we don't spy out a city to determine whether or not we should preach the gospel there. 45:15.600 --> 45:17.600 We already know we should, right? 45:17.600 --> 45:19.600 You know, that's the commandment from God. 45:19.600 --> 45:26.600 We spy it out just to determine how we can be most effectively, you know, do the work there. 45:26.600 --> 45:28.600 So the point is, let's be good spies, right? 45:28.600 --> 45:35.600 Spy out the land for opportunity and don't whine and complain and discourage other people. 45:36.000 --> 45:39.680 Go to 2 Kings, Chapter 9, 2 Kings, Chapter 9. 45:43.400 --> 45:46.480 After the sermon, I will turn all of you into good spies. 45:46.480 --> 45:47.520 The making of a spy. 45:47.520 --> 45:50.760 So point number one, I said spy out the opportunities. 45:50.760 --> 45:54.680 Point number two, spy out the enemy. 45:54.680 --> 45:56.080 Spy out the enemy. 45:56.080 --> 45:58.880 2 Kings chapter 9, look at verse 16. 45:58.880 --> 46:01.800 2 Kings chapter 9, verse 16. 46:01.800 --> 46:02.720 The Bible says this. 46:03.800 --> 46:09.000 So Jehu rode in a chariot and went to Jezreel for Joram. 46:09.000 --> 46:12.760 Now Joram is the son of King Ahab. 46:12.760 --> 46:15.760 For Joram lay there, and at Hizaya, 46:15.760 --> 46:18.560 king of Judah, was come down to see Joram. 46:18.560 --> 46:21.920 And there stood a watchman on the tile of Jezreel. 46:21.920 --> 46:26.320 And he spied the company of Jehu as he came and said, 46:26.320 --> 46:27.720 I see a company. 46:27.720 --> 46:31.760 And Joram said, take an horseman and send to meet them. 46:31.800 --> 46:34.640 and let him say, is it peace. 46:34.640 --> 46:39.720 So the story is that Jehu was going to Jezreel 46:39.720 --> 46:41.280 to see Joram. 46:41.280 --> 46:43.100 Joram was the son of Ahab. 46:43.200 --> 46:46.880 And since God has specifically commissioned Jihoo 46:46.880 --> 46:50.440 to execute judgment upon the house of Ahab, 46:50.440 --> 46:55.880 that's why Jihoo went to see Ahab's household. 46:55.880 --> 46:59.720 And Joram's watchman, he spied out, 46:59.720 --> 47:03.000 and he spotted Jihoo and his company coming. 47:03.500 --> 47:07.220 So Joram sent a horseman to meet them just 47:07.220 --> 47:09.060 to know their intentions. 47:09.060 --> 47:11.620 So that's the context of the story. 47:11.620 --> 47:15.020 Now in this story, Jihoo was the good guy, 47:15.020 --> 47:17.260 and then Joram was the bad guy. 47:17.260 --> 47:19.380 But we can still learn the principle 47:19.380 --> 47:23.640 that we can spy out the enemies before they got to us. 47:23.640 --> 47:28.140 Because here we see a watchman spy the company of Jihoo 47:28.140 --> 47:31.460 as he came, and they sent out a horseman just to 47:31.500 --> 47:34.740 we inquire the matter before they enter into the gate. 47:34.740 --> 47:38.140 So the principle is spying out the enemies. 47:38.140 --> 47:43.900 Turn to Proverbs 22, Proverbs chapter 22. 47:43.900 --> 47:48.400 And the lesson is we should identify who is approaching, 47:48.400 --> 47:51.420 and we should determine their intentions 47:51.420 --> 47:52.260 before they reach you. 47:52.800 --> 47:55.600 Because the Bible says in 1 Peter chapter 5, verse 8, 47:55.600 --> 48:00.000 be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary, the devil, 48:00.000 --> 48:03.600 as a rolling line walketh about seeking whom he may devour. 48:03.600 --> 48:06.280 So when I say spying out the enemy, 48:06.280 --> 48:08.640 so simply referring to the devil, right? 48:08.640 --> 48:10.920 He is the enemy. 48:10.920 --> 48:14.640 And there's nothing wrong with spying out a potential enemy 48:14.640 --> 48:16.000 before he gets to you. 48:16.000 --> 48:18.280 That's called being vigilant, right? 48:18.280 --> 48:20.760 You know, because you don't want to wait. 48:20.800 --> 48:24.480 until the enemy is already inside the gates 48:24.480 --> 48:28.600 before you start trying to figure out what he's doing. 48:28.600 --> 48:32.280 And we can apply this personally to temptations and sins. 48:32.280 --> 48:35.640 Joram's watchmen spied Jehu's company 48:35.640 --> 48:37.480 while they were still coming. 48:37.480 --> 48:39.760 They were not inside the city yet. 48:39.760 --> 48:42.600 He saw them afar off and he gave the warning. 48:42.800 --> 48:48.040 Likewise, we should also identify the very possibility 48:48.040 --> 48:51.280 of sin before it enters into our lives. 48:51.280 --> 48:55.000 Don't wait until you've already done the sin 48:55.000 --> 48:57.640 and then start to fight it. 48:57.640 --> 49:00.400 Recognize where the temptation is coming from. 49:00.800 --> 49:05.540 recognize what circumstances are leading you toward sin, 49:05.540 --> 49:10.060 and stop it before it gets through the gate of your heart. 49:10.060 --> 49:12.940 Stop it before it gets through the gate of your life. 49:12.940 --> 49:16.980 So spy it out while it's still coming and deal with it. 49:16.980 --> 49:19.620 Proverbs 22, look at verse number 3. 49:19.620 --> 49:23.020 Proverbs 22, verse 3 says this. 49:23.020 --> 49:24.140 They proved it, man! 49:24.600 --> 49:26.120 Spy out the evil, right? 49:26.120 --> 49:28.800 Forsee the evil and hide it himself, 49:28.800 --> 49:30.960 meaning removing the opportunity, right? 49:30.960 --> 49:35.260 Hide it himself, but the sinful pass on and are punished. 49:35.260 --> 49:37.160 So here the Bible gives a comparison 49:37.160 --> 49:41.240 between a prudent man versus a simple or stupid man, right? 49:41.240 --> 49:46.140 Because a stupid man doesn't take heed of the warning 49:46.140 --> 49:48.120 and will suffer the consequence of sin, 49:48.120 --> 49:51.920 because they just pass on and are punished, right? 49:51.920 --> 49:52.600 But it but 49:52.600 --> 49:55.520 But if you're smart about it, you will spy out the evil, 49:55.520 --> 49:58.360 and you will remove the opportunity to sin. 49:58.360 --> 50:02.120 You will hide yourself from all these temptations. 50:02.120 --> 50:05.200 Go to 2 Corinthians chapter 2, 2 Corinthians chapter number 50:05.200 --> 50:05.800 2. 50:08.400 --> 50:10.400 So if you spy out the enemy... 50:12.900 --> 50:19.500 And we should also spy out or watch for Satan's devices. 50:19.500 --> 50:20.860 Because Satan is the enemy. 50:20.860 --> 50:23.540 2 Corinthians chapter 2, look at verse number 10. 50:23.540 --> 50:26.140 2 Corinthians chapter 2, verse number 10. 50:26.140 --> 50:28.380 The Bible says this. 50:28.380 --> 50:29.620 2 Corinthians 2, 10. 50:29.620 --> 50:29.900 Thanks for watching! 50:31.000 --> 50:36.920 to whom ye forgive anything, I forgive also, for I forgave anything to whom I forgave it. 50:36.920 --> 50:44.280 For your sake, forgave I it in the person of Christ, lest Satan should get an advantage of us, 50:44.280 --> 50:51.400 for we are not ignorant of his devices." So in the immediate context, Paul is referring to 50:52.440 --> 50:55.080 forgiveness as well as resurrection. 50:55.800 --> 50:59.600 because the fornicator in 1st Corinthians chapter 5 repented. 50:59.600 --> 51:02.400 That's why Paul asked the Corinthians to forgive him 51:02.400 --> 51:04.300 so that Satan 51:04.400 --> 51:07.160 would not take advantage of them. 51:07.160 --> 51:10.200 So this tells me that an unforgiving heart 51:10.200 --> 51:13.920 is one of Satan's devices, because that's 51:13.920 --> 51:15.320 the immediate context. 51:15.320 --> 51:19.080 However, notice the word devices is plural. 51:19.080 --> 51:21.720 There are many Satan's devices. 51:21.720 --> 51:26.600 I believe deception can be one of Satan's devices 51:26.600 --> 51:30.120 that he used, doubting the word of God. 51:30.120 --> 51:32.400 Pride, false accusations, because of that. 51:32.400 --> 51:34.020 The devil is the accuser, right? 51:34.020 --> 51:36.960 Lies, and so on and so forth. 51:36.960 --> 51:40.080 So we need to be aware of them. 51:40.080 --> 51:45.220 Hey, spy out the tactic of the enemy, the devil himself, 51:45.220 --> 51:46.720 so we can learn to avoid them. 51:46.720 --> 51:47.520 OK? 51:47.520 --> 51:49.720 Don't be trapped into those things. 51:49.720 --> 51:51.720 Go to Romans 16. 51:51.720 --> 51:54.280 Romans chapter 16. 51:57.100 --> 51:59.920 Now, I do want to say this, that it 51:59.920 --> 52:03.040 is good to be aware of the enemy. 52:03.040 --> 52:05.320 It's certainly good to foresee the evil, 52:05.320 --> 52:08.520 but let's not be consumed with wickedness. 52:08.520 --> 52:12.200 There is a difference between being aware of the evil 52:12.200 --> 52:15.040 versus being consumed with the evil. 52:15.040 --> 52:16.440 Romans 16, look at verse 19. 52:16.440 --> 52:17.880 Romans 16, 19 says this. 52:19.600 --> 52:25.760 for your obedience is come abroad unto all men. 52:25.760 --> 52:28.040 I'm glad therefore on your behalf, 52:28.040 --> 52:32.880 but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good 52:32.880 --> 52:36.540 and simple concerning evil." 52:36.540 --> 52:39.000 So essentially, the Bible is teaching us a principle that, 52:39.000 --> 52:40.840 hey, spy out the enemy, right? 52:40.840 --> 52:43.400 But don't become obsessed with the enemy. 52:44.100 --> 52:48.220 You don't need a first-hand experience with wickedness 52:48.220 --> 52:51.960 in order to recognize and avoid it. 52:51.960 --> 52:56.280 For example, pornography is wrong and wicked, right? 52:56.280 --> 52:57.900 So avoid it, right? 52:57.900 --> 53:00.420 But don't go watch pornography so you 53:00.420 --> 53:03.060 can learn how wicked it is. 53:03.060 --> 53:05.060 Just take wise counsels. 53:05.060 --> 53:07.580 Avoid it, OK? 53:07.580 --> 53:10.340 Be simple concerning evil. 53:11.000 --> 53:16.320 You don't study poison by drinking it. 53:16.320 --> 53:20.440 You don't study a mousetrap by putting your hand into it. 53:20.440 --> 53:23.320 So just avoid it. 53:23.320 --> 53:25.800 You don't learn how to resist sin 53:25.800 --> 53:27.760 by filling your mind with sin. 53:27.760 --> 53:29.560 Just avoid it. 53:29.560 --> 53:32.240 There's a group of the Amish. 53:32.600 --> 53:36.640 there's a group of the Amish community 53:36.640 --> 53:39.340 that actually encourages their young people 53:39.340 --> 53:41.960 to go to the world and to experience 53:41.960 --> 53:44.640 all kinds of wickedness so that they can decide 53:44.640 --> 53:46.080 to stay away from them. 53:46.080 --> 53:47.080 But that's stupid, right? 53:47.080 --> 53:48.080 And that's nonsense. 53:49.300 --> 53:55.220 Psalm 101, verse 3 says, I will set no wicked thing 53:55.220 --> 53:56.340 before my eyes. 53:56.340 --> 53:59.340 I hate the work of them that turn aside. 53:59.340 --> 54:01.060 It shall not cleave unto me. 54:01.060 --> 54:06.180 Don't even position yourself in front of wickedness on purpose. 54:06.180 --> 54:08.420 Go to Ephesians chapter 5. 54:08.420 --> 54:11.020 Ephesians chapter number 5. 54:13.100 --> 54:16.580 See, it's OK to find out, hey, if so and so is an infiltrator. 54:16.580 --> 54:18.620 There's nothing wrong with finding out, hey, 54:18.620 --> 54:20.460 if so and so is a sodomy. 54:20.460 --> 54:25.700 But don't look up the wicked things they do in its detail. 54:25.700 --> 54:27.860 Don't share and post stuff online 54:27.860 --> 54:31.660 that contains obvious, explicit, graphic details. 54:32.400 --> 54:36.320 Don't share and post photos online that contain lewdness. 54:36.320 --> 54:37.720 Stop doing that, OK? 54:37.720 --> 54:40.680 Otherwise, I will start just unfriending and blocking people 54:40.680 --> 54:42.520 because I don't want to see them. 54:42.520 --> 54:44.320 So if I unfriended you or block you, 54:44.320 --> 54:46.060 but that doesn't mean I hate you because I just 54:46.060 --> 54:47.720 don't want to see the things you've been posting, OK? 54:47.720 --> 54:49.200 Just make a disclaimer. 54:49.200 --> 54:51.680 Because just be careful about sharing things online 54:51.680 --> 54:53.920 that contain obvious, explicit details. 54:53.920 --> 54:55.800 Nobody want to see them, OK? 54:55.800 --> 54:58.280 If you read chapter 5, look at verse 11. 54:58.280 --> 55:00.040 If you read chapter 5, 11 says this. 55:01.400 --> 55:05.720 and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, 55:05.720 --> 55:07.240 but rather reprove them. 55:07.240 --> 55:09.080 There's nothing wrong with calling out evil, 55:09.080 --> 55:13.160 but verse 12 gives the balance for it is a shame even 55:13.160 --> 55:17.520 to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 55:17.520 --> 55:20.800 Notice, hey, watch out for evil, calling out evil, 55:20.800 --> 55:24.880 but don't be consumed with the darkness and the weakness 55:24.880 --> 55:26.320 of the world, right? 55:26.320 --> 55:27.500 So in other words, 55:27.700 --> 55:30.200 You know, reproving wickedness does not 55:30.200 --> 55:35.860 mean that we need to broadcast every single wicked detail. 55:35.860 --> 55:40.500 There are some things that are a shame even to speak of, right? 55:40.500 --> 55:43.180 And we are supposed to expose the darkness 55:43.180 --> 55:46.400 and not expose ourselves to darkness. 55:47.100 --> 55:49.420 And you know, and we also need to be careful 55:49.420 --> 55:52.100 about the things we say at church, right? 55:52.100 --> 55:53.660 Because we have women and children here, 55:53.660 --> 55:55.980 so just be careful on the things we say 55:55.980 --> 55:58.140 with church fellowship because, you know, 55:58.140 --> 56:00.500 again, it's a shame to even speak of those things 56:00.500 --> 56:03.520 which are done of them in secret. 56:04.700 --> 56:07.700 Now my wife trying to tell me about the Lindsay Cleansy case. 56:08.200 --> 56:13.280 But I told her, all I know was that she killed three children 56:13.280 --> 56:15.240 and she deserves a death penalty. 56:15.240 --> 56:17.920 But don't tell me about all the details, right? 56:17.920 --> 56:22.440 But obviously, this can be somewhat subjective 56:22.440 --> 56:25.360 when it comes to how many details that you 56:25.360 --> 56:27.280 allow yourself to hear or see. 56:27.280 --> 56:30.320 And sometimes, certain details are necessary. 56:31.800 --> 56:35.600 to make a judgment call or to understand what has happened, 56:35.600 --> 56:38.640 just to protect somebody or to properly deal 56:38.640 --> 56:40.440 with a situation. 56:40.440 --> 56:45.120 But in general, if I don't need to know the details, 56:45.120 --> 56:47.160 I would rather not to know them. 56:47.160 --> 56:50.080 Know what you need to know, but don't go digging 56:50.080 --> 56:52.200 for what you don't need to know. 56:52.200 --> 56:53.960 Learn to guard your hearts. 56:53.960 --> 56:55.800 Learn to be simple concerning evil. 56:56.500 --> 57:00.000 Go to Galatians chapter 2, Galatians chapter number 2. 57:03.900 --> 57:07.140 So I said point number one, spy out the opportunities. 57:07.140 --> 57:10.200 Point number two, spy out the enemy. 57:10.200 --> 57:13.500 Point number three, spy out the liberty. 57:13.800 --> 57:15.340 Spy out of liberty. 57:15.340 --> 57:17.660 Now, this is the bad type of spying, OK? 57:17.660 --> 57:19.100 Don't do that. 57:19.100 --> 57:20.460 Spy out of liberty. 57:20.460 --> 57:23.940 Now, the previous two points are the good spies, right? 57:23.940 --> 57:27.360 Spy out the opportunities and spy out the enemy. 57:27.360 --> 57:31.820 But the third point, spy out the liberty, is the bad spies. 57:31.820 --> 57:33.900 Galatians chapter 2, verse number 3. 57:33.900 --> 57:35.180 Galatians 2 and 3 says this. 57:36.200 --> 57:43.980 But Neanderthal, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised, and that because of false brethren, 57:43.980 --> 57:51.620 those people were not saved, false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privately to spy out our liberty, 57:51.820 --> 57:56.620 which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage. 57:57.200 --> 58:04.800 Now we talk about on Wednesday night in my X15 sermon about this, but those are false 58:04.800 --> 58:09.620 brethren meaning that they are not saved and they're pretending to be saved and they came 58:09.620 --> 58:11.460 in unawares, right? 58:11.460 --> 58:20.600 They came in privately and they got themselves among the believers without initially being 58:20.600 --> 58:23.640 like recognized for what they truly were. 58:24.700 --> 58:29.140 And they came to the church privately or privately. 58:29.140 --> 58:31.180 And their action was covert. 58:31.180 --> 58:33.700 And they were not openly announcing 58:33.700 --> 58:35.780 that we are the enemies of the gospel, 58:35.780 --> 58:38.140 and we are here to undermine you. 58:38.140 --> 58:40.260 So they came in unawares. 58:40.260 --> 58:42.960 They came in privately. 58:42.960 --> 58:48.140 And their purpose was to bring Christians into bondage. 58:48.700 --> 58:54.020 Now, in its context, it's talking about that it 58:54.020 --> 58:59.980 tried to teach that you have to be circumcised to be saved. 58:59.980 --> 59:02.700 Now, obviously, a saved Christian 59:02.700 --> 59:05.580 is not going to stop being saved. 59:05.580 --> 59:07.900 These false brethren cannot take away 59:07.900 --> 59:12.220 the liberty which we already possess in Christ Jesus 59:12.220 --> 59:13.140 because of salvation. 59:14.600 --> 59:19.720 And a false Christian will never believe in workspace salvation. 59:19.720 --> 59:23.540 But those false brethren can still corrupt Christians. 59:23.540 --> 59:26.280 They can confuse people. 59:26.280 --> 59:27.980 They can pressure people. 59:27.980 --> 59:32.020 And they can introduce false doctrines to the church. 59:32.020 --> 59:34.000 And they can try to bring Christians 59:34.000 --> 59:38.800 into bondage in their thinking and practice. 59:38.800 --> 59:39.660 For example. 59:40.900 --> 59:43.240 A saved Christian will never believe 59:43.240 --> 59:46.980 that circumcision is a requirement for salvation. 59:46.980 --> 59:49.300 But they may be deceived into thinking 59:49.300 --> 59:52.260 that in order to be right with God, 59:52.260 --> 59:55.780 they need to be circumcised, which is absolutely false. 59:55.780 --> 59:59.020 So in a sense, a false brethren can still 59:59.020 --> 01:00:01.540 bring bondage upon Christians. 01:00:01.540 --> 01:00:03.580 Obviously, they will never believe 01:00:03.580 --> 01:00:04.820 in workspace salvation. 01:00:04.820 --> 01:00:07.140 But they might be warped into thinking 01:00:07.140 --> 01:00:08.860 that to be right with God. 01:00:08.900 --> 01:00:10.600 to have right standing with God, that we 01:00:10.600 --> 01:00:14.600 have to do those things that we're down the way with. 01:00:14.600 --> 01:00:16.960 And here's how the apostles dealt with this. 01:00:16.960 --> 01:00:20.200 Look at verse number five, in relation to five. 01:00:20.200 --> 01:00:22.840 To whom we get placed by subjection, 01:00:22.840 --> 01:00:25.760 no, not for an hour, that the truth of the gospel 01:00:25.760 --> 01:00:27.800 might continue with you. 01:00:27.800 --> 01:00:31.080 So they didn't even stand with them for one hour. 01:00:31.080 --> 01:00:34.040 So again, they dealt with this swiftly. 01:00:35.000 --> 01:00:38.400 Go to Acts 20. 01:00:38.400 --> 01:00:43.280 Obviously, I believe some people in the Galatian church 01:00:43.280 --> 01:00:46.400 they were not saved because Paul was rebuking them for, 01:00:46.400 --> 01:00:48.120 believe me, in another gospel. 01:00:48.120 --> 01:00:51.360 But there are still saved people there, 01:00:51.360 --> 01:00:54.280 and people were trying to judaeize people. 01:00:54.280 --> 01:00:56.120 So again, there are both groups there. 01:00:58.100 --> 01:01:03.140 So we should be aware of those people that spy out 01:01:03.140 --> 01:01:06.020 the liberty that we have in Christ Jesus. 01:01:06.020 --> 01:01:08.140 And that's one of the jobs of the pastor, right? 01:01:08.140 --> 01:01:10.740 You're in Acts chapter 20, look at verse 28. 01:01:10.740 --> 01:01:13.260 Acts 20, verse 28. 01:01:13.260 --> 01:01:14.600 The Bible says, 01:01:15.500 --> 01:01:18.100 Take heed therefore unto yourselves and to all the flock 01:01:18.100 --> 01:01:20.820 over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, 01:01:20.820 --> 01:01:22.820 to feed the church of God which he had 01:01:22.820 --> 01:01:25.060 purchased with his own blood." 01:01:25.060 --> 01:01:28.020 So the job of the overseer, the pastor, or the bishop 01:01:28.020 --> 01:01:31.220 is to feed the church of God, is to feed God's people 01:01:31.220 --> 01:01:32.820 with the doctrines, right? 01:01:32.820 --> 01:01:35.260 Not just the first principles of the oracles of God. 01:01:35.260 --> 01:01:37.420 Let's move on to perfection, right? 01:01:37.420 --> 01:01:38.900 Teach about the deeper things. 01:01:38.900 --> 01:01:39.620 Here's the reason. 01:01:39.620 --> 01:01:40.740 Look at verse 29. 01:01:40.740 --> 01:01:41.500 Four. 01:01:41.800 --> 01:01:44.360 Why should pastors feed the church of God? 01:01:44.360 --> 01:01:47.400 Because, for I know this, that after my departing 01:01:47.400 --> 01:01:51.120 shall grievous wolves entering among you, 01:01:51.120 --> 01:01:53.200 now sparing the flock. 01:01:53.200 --> 01:01:58.760 Also of your own self shall men arise speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 01:01:58.760 --> 01:02:05.260 Therefore watch, and remember that by the space of three years I cease not to warn everyone night and day with tears." 01:02:05.260 --> 01:02:11.960 Why should pastors teach the entire, the whole concept of God is that there will be false brethren, 01:02:11.960 --> 01:02:16.760 there will be wolves in sheep's clothing trying to corrupt the flock, even corrupt Christians. 01:02:18.000 --> 01:02:19.920 Because a safe Christian will not 01:02:19.920 --> 01:02:23.800 believe in damnable heresies, but they may be confused. 01:02:23.800 --> 01:02:25.840 They may be stuck into Zionism. 01:02:25.840 --> 01:02:29.320 They may be stuck into dispensationalism, feminism, 01:02:29.320 --> 01:02:30.600 and they may be worldly. 01:02:30.600 --> 01:02:32.440 And they may be corrupted by false teachers 01:02:32.440 --> 01:02:36.600 into believing all kinds of other heresies. 01:02:36.600 --> 01:02:39.160 They may be corrupted into thinking 01:02:39.160 --> 01:02:42.920 that fornication is OK, idolatry is OK. 01:02:42.920 --> 01:02:44.680 So we need to watch out for those people who 01:02:44.680 --> 01:02:45.960 despite our liberty. 01:02:46.000 --> 01:02:47.960 that we have in Christ Jesus. 01:02:47.960 --> 01:02:53.080 And part of the liberty is the liberty to not sin. 01:02:53.080 --> 01:02:55.640 The Bible says in Romans 6, 14, for sin 01:02:55.640 --> 01:02:57.600 shall not have dominion over you, 01:02:57.600 --> 01:03:00.360 for ye are not under the law, but under grace. 01:03:00.360 --> 01:03:04.320 Being under the grace means we have the liberty to not sin, 01:03:04.320 --> 01:03:05.720 not the other way around. 01:03:06.100 --> 01:03:12.600 So people who teach that we are all in the grace that we can sin, that's just nonsense, okay? 01:03:12.600 --> 01:03:17.100 Those people are actually taking away our liberty to not sin. 01:03:17.100 --> 01:03:20.100 Go to Acts 14. Acts 14. 01:03:22.500 --> 01:03:25.760 Sometimes people are not watching you because they want to learn from you. 01:03:25.980 --> 01:03:31.480 They are watching you because they are looking for something they can corrupt or use it against you, right? 01:03:31.500 --> 01:03:36.540 Just like those false brethren that they try to corrupt both the unsaved and the safe people, right? 01:03:36.660 --> 01:03:44.020 You know, they are looking for opportunities to attack, trying to corrupt you, trying to, you know, confuse you, trying to accuse you, trying to control you, 01:03:44.020 --> 01:03:47.660 or bring people into, into bondage. 01:03:48.700 --> 01:03:52.940 They are not there because they love the brethren. 01:03:52.940 --> 01:03:54.820 They are constantly observing. 01:03:54.820 --> 01:03:58.060 They are doing the bad type of spying. 01:03:58.060 --> 01:04:00.700 They are gathering information. 01:04:00.700 --> 01:04:03.940 They are looking for something they can use against you 01:04:03.940 --> 01:04:08.420 just to bring you into bondage. 01:04:08.420 --> 01:04:12.380 And just think about the spying story that we saw. 01:04:12.380 --> 01:04:13.340 Joshua spies. 01:04:13.900 --> 01:04:18.980 went into the land to see what can be conquered. 01:04:18.980 --> 01:04:22.580 But false brethren come into the church 01:04:22.580 --> 01:04:25.300 to see what can be corrupted. 01:04:25.300 --> 01:04:28.540 So you see a bad spying versus a good spying. 01:04:28.540 --> 01:04:31.220 And if I've been to our Wednesday night service, 01:04:31.220 --> 01:04:33.980 this is actually a Jewish trick. 01:04:33.980 --> 01:04:35.520 So let's go through those verses. 01:04:35.520 --> 01:04:37.180 Acts 14, we'll go to verse number 2. 01:04:37.180 --> 01:04:38.620 Acts 14, verse 2 says this. 01:04:39.900 --> 01:04:43.340 But the unbelieving Jews, those are unsaved Jews, 01:04:43.340 --> 01:04:47.640 stirred up the Gentiles and made their minds evil-affected 01:04:47.640 --> 01:04:49.420 against the brethren. 01:04:49.420 --> 01:04:51.820 So here we see those unsaved Jews, 01:04:51.820 --> 01:04:55.580 they didn't just oppose Christians themselves. 01:04:55.580 --> 01:04:58.860 They stirred up the Gentiles and turned the Gentiles 01:04:58.860 --> 01:05:00.100 against Christians. 01:05:00.200 --> 01:05:03.280 They are subverting other people, right? 01:05:03.280 --> 01:05:06.440 They were not content with simply 01:05:06.440 --> 01:05:08.600 to reject the preaching themselves, 01:05:08.600 --> 01:05:11.440 but they actively want to get other people 01:05:11.440 --> 01:05:13.560 to turn against Christians. 01:05:13.560 --> 01:05:14.320 Look at verse 19. 01:05:14.320 --> 01:05:17.680 Acts 14, verse 19 says this. 01:05:17.680 --> 01:05:22.120 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium 01:05:22.120 --> 01:05:24.080 who persuaded the people. 01:05:25.000 --> 01:05:26.380 Same pattern, right? 01:05:26.380 --> 01:05:30.220 They made other people's mind evil, 01:05:30.220 --> 01:05:32.560 affected against the true brethren. 01:05:32.560 --> 01:05:34.360 Go to Acts 13. 01:05:34.360 --> 01:05:35.300 Acts 13. 01:05:37.500 --> 01:05:38.500 Look at verse 50. 01:05:38.500 --> 01:05:41.460 Acts 13, verse 50 says this. 01:05:41.460 --> 01:05:45.380 But the Jews stir up the devout and honorable women. 01:05:45.380 --> 01:05:48.820 Those are the feminists and the chief men of the city. 01:05:48.820 --> 01:05:51.980 Those are the rulers of the city and raise persecution 01:05:51.980 --> 01:05:55.700 against Paul and Barnabas and expel them out of their coast. 01:05:55.700 --> 01:05:56.460 Same pattern. 01:05:56.460 --> 01:05:58.340 They stir up other men, right? 01:05:58.340 --> 01:06:02.660 They stir up those respected women and the rulers of the city 01:06:02.660 --> 01:06:04.180 just to persecute Christians. 01:06:04.180 --> 01:06:05.100 Go to Acts 17. 01:06:05.800 --> 01:06:08.920 Acts 17, look at verse 5. 01:06:08.920 --> 01:06:11.000 Acts 17, verse number 5 says this. 01:06:13.700 --> 01:06:15.700 But the Jews which believed not, 01:06:15.700 --> 01:06:17.060 sounds like a pattern here, 01:06:17.060 --> 01:06:19.220 but the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, 01:06:19.220 --> 01:06:23.140 took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sword. 01:06:23.140 --> 01:06:25.380 Those are the scum of the society, 01:06:25.380 --> 01:06:27.020 and gathered a company, 01:06:27.020 --> 01:06:30.180 and set all the city on an uproar, 01:06:30.180 --> 01:06:32.580 and assaulted the house of Jason, 01:06:32.580 --> 01:06:35.060 and sought to bring them out to the people. 01:06:35.060 --> 01:06:35.900 Same pattern. 01:06:35.900 --> 01:06:37.620 Look at verse 13. 01:06:37.620 --> 01:06:39.000 But when the Jews of... 01:06:39.100 --> 01:06:41.900 that's Loneika had knowledge that the word of God 01:06:41.900 --> 01:06:43.740 was preached of Paul and Berea. 01:06:43.740 --> 01:06:46.060 They came to there also and stirred up the people. 01:06:46.060 --> 01:06:48.020 So this is a Jewish trick, trying 01:06:48.020 --> 01:06:50.980 to spy out the liberty that we have in Christ Jesus, 01:06:50.980 --> 01:06:54.260 that those people, they were not content with just rejecting 01:06:54.260 --> 01:06:55.620 the truth themselves. 01:06:55.620 --> 01:06:58.900 They are actively turning people against the true brethren, 01:06:58.900 --> 01:07:01.540 the true Christians. 01:07:01.540 --> 01:07:04.300 Unfortunately, saved Christians can 01:07:04.300 --> 01:07:06.300 be like those evil spies as well. 01:07:06.700 --> 01:07:07.700 Right? 01:07:07.700 --> 01:07:09.160 You know, they have nothing to do all day 01:07:09.160 --> 01:07:11.720 but just listening to other people's sermons 01:07:11.720 --> 01:07:14.360 and picking up some non-insectal doctrines 01:07:14.360 --> 01:07:16.840 and pit pastors against each other. 01:07:16.840 --> 01:07:18.120 No, that's the same attitude. 01:07:18.120 --> 01:07:19.600 You know, that's the same spirit. 01:07:19.600 --> 01:07:22.120 They have nothing to do all day, but they purposefully 01:07:22.120 --> 01:07:24.400 twist in what you said out of context 01:07:24.400 --> 01:07:26.880 just to attack another preacher. 01:07:26.880 --> 01:07:29.400 They go through years of somebody's preaching, 01:07:29.400 --> 01:07:32.240 looking for one statement they can use against them. 01:07:32.240 --> 01:07:33.680 Those are the evil spies, right? 01:07:34.200 --> 01:07:37.980 They constantly monitor what other pastors are preaching, 01:07:37.980 --> 01:07:42.540 just so they can report back every single disagreement. 01:07:42.540 --> 01:07:45.380 They ask questions not because they sincerely 01:07:45.380 --> 01:07:48.620 want an answer, but because they are trying to catch somebody 01:07:48.620 --> 01:07:50.860 in their words. 01:07:50.860 --> 01:07:53.860 They take one preacher's statement to another preacher 01:07:53.860 --> 01:07:56.060 and say, did you hear what he said? 01:07:56.060 --> 01:07:59.380 Just to create unwanted strides. 01:07:59.380 --> 01:07:59.600 Thanks for watching! 01:08:00.300 --> 01:08:07.300 They take a minor doctrinal disagreement and turn it into a test of friendship, loyalty, or fellowship. 01:08:08.300 --> 01:08:17.300 They take something that could have been settled with one simple private conversation and simply broadcast it publicly online. 01:08:18.300 --> 01:08:26.300 They hear a rumor and rather than verifying whether it's true, immediately they spread it to everybody else. 01:08:27.600 --> 01:08:32.160 They don't listen to the sermon asking, what can I learn? 01:08:32.160 --> 01:08:36.440 They listen asking, what can I find wrong? 01:08:36.440 --> 01:08:39.480 By the way, people do that when we go to other churches, 01:08:39.480 --> 01:08:40.920 trying to pick things apart. 01:08:40.920 --> 01:08:44.360 But just have a right heart trying to learn something 01:08:44.360 --> 01:08:45.640 from the pastor. 01:08:45.640 --> 01:08:48.520 I don't care if he's a pre-trip Zionist. 01:08:48.520 --> 01:08:51.840 Just try to learn something from the pastor. 01:08:51.840 --> 01:08:53.400 They're not searching the scriptures. 01:08:53.600 --> 01:08:56.520 to see whether something is true. 01:08:56.520 --> 01:08:58.520 They are searching somebody's words 01:08:58.520 --> 01:09:01.160 to find something they can use against him. 01:09:01.160 --> 01:09:03.760 Those are the evil spies. 01:09:03.760 --> 01:09:06.480 Now, I posted this on Facebook back in July. 01:09:06.480 --> 01:09:07.640 I said this. 01:09:07.640 --> 01:09:12.280 People ought to have a healthy fear of the preacher. 01:09:12.280 --> 01:09:17.040 When Samuel came to Bethlehem, the elders trembled and asked, 01:09:17.040 --> 01:09:18.920 cometh thou peaceably? 01:09:19.300 --> 01:09:24.400 Preachers are commanded to show my people their transgression and their sins. 01:09:25.020 --> 01:09:30.240 Many of my sermon topics come from conversations I hear before and after church. 01:09:30.240 --> 01:09:35.320 Things people post online and things I observe. 01:09:35.320 --> 01:09:40.740 I've literally told our people that I may turn anything you do into a sermon topic 01:09:40.740 --> 01:09:43.020 because my goal is to edify the flock. 01:09:43.800 --> 01:09:49.680 I even told people beforehand that I'm going to preach against your sin in this sermon. 01:09:49.680 --> 01:09:54.480 And if you attend another church and hear my preaching online, 01:09:54.480 --> 01:09:57.220 don't try to pit preachers against each other. 01:09:57.220 --> 01:09:59.720 If the shoe fits, wear it. 01:09:59.720 --> 01:10:04.480 The preacher may not know you or be thinking about you, but the Holy Ghost does. 01:10:04.480 --> 01:10:05.120 Amen? 01:10:05.120 --> 01:10:06.820 Go to 1 Samuel 18. 01:10:06.820 --> 01:10:08.400 1 Samuel chapter 18. 01:10:10.100 --> 01:10:16.220 By the way, we should also not be going out of our way 01:10:16.220 --> 01:10:20.940 to attack somebody just because he is not a pastor. 01:10:20.940 --> 01:10:25.060 By the way, I'm an ordained man of God. 01:10:25.060 --> 01:10:26.760 By the way, Brother Remy Thompson 01:10:26.760 --> 01:10:29.820 is an appointed church leader, even though he may not 01:10:29.820 --> 01:10:31.460 have the title. 01:10:31.460 --> 01:10:34.300 People should tread lightly. 01:10:34.300 --> 01:10:35.860 First Samuel 18, verse number 6. 01:10:36.700 --> 01:10:40.820 1 Samuel 18, verse 6 says this. 01:10:40.820 --> 01:10:43.740 And it came to pass as they came when 01:10:43.740 --> 01:10:48.180 David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, 01:10:48.180 --> 01:10:48.980 that the women. 01:10:49.400 --> 01:10:52.400 that the women came out of all cities of Israel, 01:10:52.400 --> 01:10:55.960 seeing and dancing, to meet King Saul with tabernacles, 01:10:55.960 --> 01:10:58.640 with joy, and with instruments of music. 01:10:58.640 --> 01:11:02.000 And the women answered one another as they played, 01:11:02.000 --> 01:11:05.240 and said, Saul has slain his thousands, 01:11:05.240 --> 01:11:07.960 and David his ten thousands. 01:11:07.960 --> 01:11:11.440 Now that's a pretty interesting story. 01:11:11.440 --> 01:11:13.340 I do think that the women here could 01:11:13.340 --> 01:11:14.720 be wiser in what they say. 01:11:15.200 --> 01:11:19.900 Okay, right because you know Saul was the leader so I don't think they could you know they could be wiser 01:11:20.240 --> 01:11:24.560 but it still doesn't justify Saul's reactions look at verse number eight and 01:11:25.280 --> 01:11:31.720 Saul was very rough and the saying displeased him and he said they have ascribed unto David 01:11:32.240 --> 01:11:38.980 10,000s and to me they have ascribed but but but thousands and what can he have more by the kingdom 01:11:39.500 --> 01:11:44.500 So Saul was envious of David because David accomplished more than him. 01:11:44.500 --> 01:11:49.340 So instead of cheering him on, he was wrought and he was envious. 01:11:49.340 --> 01:11:50.340 So Saul did this. 01:11:50.340 --> 01:11:52.300 Look at verse number 9. 01:11:52.300 --> 01:11:56.540 And Saul eyed David from that day and forward. 01:11:56.540 --> 01:12:01.020 Translate, Saul spied on David from that day forward. 01:12:01.020 --> 01:12:06.860 And if you know the story, Saul attempted to kill David multiple times. 01:12:07.300 --> 01:12:08.440 OK? 01:12:08.440 --> 01:12:17.160 So that's basically the mentality of the malicious spy. 01:12:17.160 --> 01:12:18.800 David hasn't done anything wrong. 01:12:22.200 --> 01:12:24.320 David hasn't done anything to Saul. 01:12:24.320 --> 01:12:26.480 David has been a blessing to Saul. 01:12:26.480 --> 01:12:29.840 But once envy enters Saul's heart, 01:12:29.840 --> 01:12:32.160 everything David does becomes suspicious. 01:12:32.160 --> 01:12:32.660 Right? 01:12:33.500 --> 01:12:37.500 And later, Saul actually was trying to turn people against David. 01:12:37.500 --> 01:12:39.500 That's the same playbook, right? 01:12:39.500 --> 01:12:42.500 You know, just like someone preach a good sermon, 01:12:42.500 --> 01:12:45.500 and you think he's just trying to show off. 01:12:45.500 --> 01:12:48.500 Or, you know, someone's church is growing, 01:12:48.500 --> 01:12:51.500 and you think he must be doing something wrong. 01:12:51.500 --> 01:12:55.500 Or people compliment a person, 01:12:55.500 --> 01:12:59.500 and you get angry, rather than rejoicing with him, right? 01:12:59.900 --> 01:13:02.780 or somebody else says something innocent, 01:13:02.780 --> 01:13:05.540 but you start looking for some hidden meaning behind it. 01:13:05.540 --> 01:13:07.060 Right? 01:13:07.060 --> 01:13:09.260 You know, like if my wife tells me, hey, can I, 01:13:09.260 --> 01:13:10.900 you know, can you take out the trash? 01:13:10.900 --> 01:13:14.820 You know, like I'm not going to assume hidden meaning. 01:13:14.820 --> 01:13:17.340 Hey, maybe there's some trash in our life. 01:13:17.340 --> 01:13:20.860 You know, I'm telling you literally, take out the trash. 01:13:20.860 --> 01:13:21.360 Right? 01:13:21.360 --> 01:13:21.400 you 01:13:21.700 --> 01:13:23.620 Or can we go to Mexico? 01:13:23.620 --> 01:13:27.140 Can we eat some Mexican food? 01:13:27.140 --> 01:13:28.860 I won't look for some hidden meaning. 01:13:28.860 --> 01:13:31.340 Hey, maybe she's hinting we should go on a vacation 01:13:31.340 --> 01:13:33.220 in, like, Mexico. 01:13:33.220 --> 01:13:34.740 That would be stupid, right? 01:13:34.740 --> 01:13:38.940 Just don't assume hidden meanings, OK? 01:13:38.940 --> 01:13:43.220 Don't become a soul who spends his time eyeing David, 01:13:43.220 --> 01:13:46.700 spying on David, when you ought to be thanking God 01:13:46.700 --> 01:13:49.260 that David is fighting on the same side. 01:13:50.700 --> 01:13:52.460 Go to Psalm 55. 01:13:52.460 --> 01:13:53.500 Psalm 55. 01:13:57.600 --> 01:14:04.400 Because an evil eye is something that comes from the heart of men, right? 01:14:06.800 --> 01:14:10.200 All these evil things come from within and defile the man. 01:14:10.200 --> 01:14:13.680 And evil eye is one of those things. 01:14:13.680 --> 01:14:16.860 And let me tell you something I've been thinking about. 01:14:16.860 --> 01:14:22.560 Because the sodomites have long lost their battles against us. 01:14:22.560 --> 01:14:25.640 They will never win. 01:14:25.640 --> 01:14:30.520 But what can hurt us the most is not the attack from without, 01:14:30.520 --> 01:14:31.360 but from within. 01:14:32.100 --> 01:14:35.540 Because we expect the world to oppose us. 01:14:35.540 --> 01:14:37.100 To me, that's natural, right? 01:14:37.100 --> 01:14:39.620 The world will attack us. 01:14:39.620 --> 01:14:43.540 And we expect unbelievers to hate what we preach. 01:14:43.540 --> 01:14:44.580 That's normal, right? 01:14:44.580 --> 01:14:46.860 And that should be expected. 01:14:46.860 --> 01:14:49.540 But what can really do us damage is when 01:14:49.540 --> 01:14:51.300 the attack comes from within. 01:14:51.300 --> 01:14:51.500 Thanks for watching! 01:14:52.200 --> 01:14:55.120 when the attack comes from a Judas, maybe, right? 01:14:55.120 --> 01:14:57.360 You know, somebody who has been around you, 01:14:57.360 --> 01:14:59.040 somebody who knows you, and someone 01:14:59.040 --> 01:15:01.200 who has gained your trust. 01:15:01.200 --> 01:15:04.280 And sometimes, the most damaging attacks 01:15:04.280 --> 01:15:08.320 can come from like-minded churches and brethren. 01:15:08.320 --> 01:15:08.820 Why? 01:15:08.820 --> 01:15:10.480 Because they know you. 01:15:10.480 --> 01:15:12.800 They know the people around you, and they 01:15:12.800 --> 01:15:14.960 understand what you believe. 01:15:14.960 --> 01:15:17.040 They know your terminologies, right? 01:15:17.040 --> 01:15:19.480 They know your weaknesses. 01:15:20.200 --> 01:15:23.720 And people are more likely to listen to an accusation when 01:15:23.720 --> 01:15:28.600 it comes to somebody that they consider to be like-minded. 01:15:28.600 --> 01:15:30.760 You're in Psalm 55. 01:15:30.760 --> 01:15:32.080 Look at verse number 12. 01:15:32.080 --> 01:15:35.320 Psalm 55 verse 12 says this. 01:15:35.320 --> 01:15:40.000 For it was not an enemy that reproached me. 01:15:40.000 --> 01:15:42.000 Then I could have mourned it. 01:15:42.500 --> 01:15:49.360 Neither was it he that hated me that magnified himself against me. Then I would have hid myself from him 01:15:49.700 --> 01:15:51.820 So so David was being 01:15:52.420 --> 01:15:57.460 Pretty clear that you know if it's an enemy or if it's someone that hates me attack me 01:15:57.460 --> 01:16:02.020 Then I could have handled that right but then verse number 13 David said this 01:16:02.600 --> 01:16:08.500 But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide and my acquaintance, 01:16:08.500 --> 01:16:10.320 which took sweet counsel together, 01:16:10.320 --> 01:16:14.780 and walked unto the house of God in company." 01:16:14.780 --> 01:16:16.740 Notice the dichotomy here. 01:16:16.740 --> 01:16:20.220 David was basically saying that, hey, the world can attack me. 01:16:20.220 --> 01:16:21.460 I can handle that. 01:16:21.460 --> 01:16:24.180 But what hurts the most is a friend. 01:16:24.700 --> 01:16:27.460 or a person I think was my friend. 01:16:27.460 --> 01:16:29.960 Obviously, this is the prophecy of Judas, 01:16:29.960 --> 01:16:32.580 but I do believe that in its immediate context, 01:16:32.580 --> 01:16:36.380 David was referring to someone that he knew. 01:16:36.380 --> 01:16:38.100 It was not an enemy that attacked him, 01:16:38.100 --> 01:16:42.660 but there's a close friend that attacked him. 01:16:42.660 --> 01:16:44.700 Go to Proverbs chapter 6. 01:16:44.700 --> 01:16:46.580 Proverbs chapter number 6. 01:16:48.400 --> 01:16:54.960 So let's learn to identify those bad spies and not take the bait. 01:16:54.960 --> 01:16:56.920 Because being a Bible-believing Christian 01:16:56.920 --> 01:16:59.440 is already hard enough. 01:16:59.440 --> 01:17:03.520 Let's not be in our flesh and start unnecessary strides 01:17:03.520 --> 01:17:05.740 with the brethren. 01:17:05.740 --> 01:17:08.400 Because not every fight is a good fight. 01:17:08.400 --> 01:17:11.760 The Bible says fight the good fight of faith. 01:17:11.760 --> 01:17:13.480 Proverbs chapter 6, look at verse 16. 01:17:14.300 --> 01:17:19.420 Proverbs 16 says this, these six things that the Lord hate 01:17:19.900 --> 01:17:27.420 a seven or an abomination unto him, a proud look, a lie in tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 01:17:27.420 --> 01:17:32.700 and heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 01:17:32.700 --> 01:17:40.220 a false witness that speaketh lies, and lastly, don't miss this, and he that soweth discord among brethren." 01:17:40.220 --> 01:17:44.700 The Bible says God hates the people that sow discord among the brethren. 01:17:45.200 --> 01:17:47.080 OK, so let's just believe what the Bible says. 01:17:47.080 --> 01:17:49.280 Don't be someone that God hates. 01:17:49.280 --> 01:17:52.960 OK, I believe a safe person can be like that as well. 01:17:52.960 --> 01:17:55.200 OK, the Bible is very clear. 01:17:55.200 --> 01:17:59.200 So discord, if you try to divide the brethren, God hates you. 01:17:59.200 --> 01:17:59.700 OK? 01:18:00.100 --> 01:18:07.600 So we should learn to spot those bad spies and not take the bait and choose to fight a good fight of faith. 01:18:07.600 --> 01:18:13.100 So I said point number one, spy out the opportunities. Point number two, spy out the enemy. 01:18:13.100 --> 01:18:17.600 And point number three, that's the bad type of spy, spy out the liberty. 01:18:17.600 --> 01:18:23.100 So in conclusion, you know, spying is not inherently the problem. 01:18:23.500 --> 01:18:26.660 The question is, why are you looking? 01:18:26.660 --> 01:18:28.180 What are you looking for? 01:18:28.180 --> 01:18:31.300 And what are you going to do with what you find? 01:18:31.300 --> 01:18:32.000 Amen. 01:18:32.000 --> 01:18:37.000 So I hope you guys all become better spies from the sermon. 01:18:37.000 --> 01:18:40.000 So let's pray. Thank you all for your words. 01:18:40.000 --> 01:18:43.000 I pray that we'll be good spies to spy out the opportunities 01:18:43.000 --> 01:18:46.000 and to avoid evil before they come to us. 01:18:46.000 --> 01:18:50.000 I pray that we will not take the bait of trying to sow discord among the brethren. 01:18:50.000 --> 01:18:54.000 Just help us realize that we are all on the same team, trying to win people to Christ. 01:18:54.000 --> 01:18:55.800 I pray this in Jesus' name, Amen. 01:18:59.300 --> 01:19:01.300 Alright, amen. 01:19:01.300 --> 01:19:05.100 My song's gonna be song number 328. 01:19:05.100 --> 01:19:07.100 I want that mountain song. 01:19:07.100 --> 01:19:09.100 328. 01:19:09.100 --> 01:19:11.100 328. 01:19:16.300 --> 01:19:17.300 on the first. 01:19:18.600 --> 01:19:24.600 I saw the giant praylessness upon the mountain high 01:19:24.600 --> 01:19:29.600 He laughed so hard at my unbended knee 01:19:29.600 --> 01:19:35.600 No longer in the wilderness I'll stay and so I cry 01:19:35.600 --> 01:19:40.600 I want that mountain it belongs to me 01:19:40.600 --> 01:19:45.600 I want that mountain I want that mountain 01:19:46.600 --> 01:19:54.360 Where the milk and honey flow, where the grapes of Esko grow, I want that mountain. 01:19:54.360 --> 01:19:57.600 I want that mountain. 01:19:57.600 --> 01:20:02.440 The mountain that my lord has given me. 01:20:02.800 --> 01:20:12.200 There was a giant of laziness who said I wouldn't go and witness for the one who set me free 01:20:13.640 --> 01:20:16.320 I'll come from out the wilderness 01:20:16.840 --> 01:20:23.240 I'll witness now I know I want that mountain it belongs to me 01:20:24.080 --> 01:20:29.560 I want that mountain. I want that mountain 01:20:30.800 --> 01:20:36.120 Where the milk and honey flow, Where the grapes of escrow grow, 01:20:36.120 --> 01:20:42.040 I want that mountain, I want that mountain, 01:20:42.040 --> 01:20:47.280 The mountain that my Lord has given me. 01:20:47.280 --> 01:20:53.440 One faithless giant upon the crests of Hebron's lofty height 01:20:53.440 --> 01:20:58.720 Has vowed that He's the one to make me flee. 01:20:58.800 --> 01:21:04.680 I'll climb from out the wilderness and trust Jehovah's might. 01:21:04.680 --> 01:21:09.560 I want that mountain, it belongs to me. 01:21:09.560 --> 01:21:15.240 I want that mountain, I want that mountain. 01:21:15.240 --> 01:21:20.760 Where the milk and honey flow, where the grapes of escrow grow. 01:21:20.760 --> 01:21:26.000 I want that mountain, I want that mountain. 01:21:26.400 --> 01:21:31.600 The mountain that my lord has given me 01:21:31.600 --> 01:21:37.600 Let every giant of distress and unbelief and sin 01:21:37.600 --> 01:21:42.600 Get ready now to vacate for you see 01:21:42.600 --> 01:21:48.600 I've come from out the wilderness I know I'm going to win 01:21:48.600 --> 01:21:53.600 I want that mountain it belongs to me 01:21:53.600 --> 01:21:54.400 I want 01:21:54.400 --> 01:22:03.460 that mountain I want that mountain where the milk and honey flow where the grapes 01:22:03.460 --> 01:22:12.780 of escrow grow I want that mountain I want that mountain the mountain that my 01:22:12.780 --> 01:22:18.820 Lord has given me all right great singing brother Angie please close 01:22:18.820 --> 01:22:20.000 out and wear the prayer 01:22:31.500 --> 01:22:33.500 Amen, you are dismissed.