WEBVTT 00:49.900 --> 00:55.900 And turn to our first hymn, number 138, the Haven of Rest. 00:55.900 --> 01:03.540 In your hymnals, number 138, 138, the Haven of Rest. 01:14.400 --> 01:16.400 138 let's sing it out together 05:08.300 --> 05:12.460 the opportunity to gather together to sing praises in your name and to hear preaching 05:12.460 --> 05:17.840 from your word. Lord I pray that you would be with us for the service this evening that 05:17.840 --> 05:21.740 everything would be done decently and in order that you would open our ears to the message 05:21.740 --> 05:25.980 and fill pasture with your spirit. Also pray for those that are on the Barbados missions 05:25.980 --> 05:30.760 trip both from our church from Steadfast and from all the other churches that are participating 05:30.760 --> 05:34.260 that you would give them great success and your blessing and that you would keep them 05:34.260 --> 05:36.260 all safe while they're there and while they make their 05:36.300 --> 05:38.580 travels back in the coming weeks. 05:38.580 --> 05:42.140 These things we pray in Jesus name, Amen. 05:42.140 --> 05:48.300 For our next hymn number 37, there'll be no dark valley. 05:48.300 --> 05:54.380 Hymn number 37, three, seven, there'll be no dark valley. 05:54.380 --> 05:55.000 you 06:03.100 --> 06:05.100 37 let's sing it out together 15:38.400 --> 15:44.400 for our third song this evening will be in your white handouts or in your bibles. 15:44.400 --> 15:54.400 Psalm 15 in the white handouts. Psalm 15. 1 5. Psalm 15. 16:07.500 --> 16:09.500 Psalm 15, let's sing it out. 19:21.900 --> 19:23.900 Chapter number 9. 19:23.900 --> 19:26.900 Mark Chapter number 9. 20:07.800 --> 20:10.800 Mark 9, and he said unto them, 20:10.800 --> 20:12.800 Verily I say unto you, 20:12.800 --> 20:15.800 That there be some of them that stand here 20:15.800 --> 20:17.800 Which shall not taste of death, 20:17.800 --> 20:19.800 Till they have seen the kingdom of God 20:19.800 --> 20:21.800 Where it come with power. 20:21.800 --> 20:25.800 And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter and James and John, 20:25.800 --> 20:28.800 And leadeth them up into a high mountain, 20:28.800 --> 20:30.800 Apart by themselves. 20:30.800 --> 20:32.800 And he was transfigured before them, 20:32.800 --> 20:35.500 And his raiment becomes shining. 20:36.300 --> 20:41.300 16 Exceeding wide as snow, so as no fooler on earth can white them. 20:41.300 --> 20:47.300 17 And there appeared unto them Elias and Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 20:47.300 --> 20:54.300 18 And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here, and let us make three tabernacles, 20:54.300 --> 21:01.300 19 one for thee and one for Moses, and one for Elias. For he was not what to say, for they were sore afraid. 21:02.600 --> 21:07.600 And there was a cloud that overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, 21:07.600 --> 21:10.600 This is my beloved son. Hear him. 21:10.600 --> 21:18.600 And suddenly, when they had looked around about, they saw no men anymore, save Jesus only with themselves. 21:18.600 --> 21:25.600 And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no men what things they had seen. 21:26.900 --> 21:29.900 till the sons of men were risen from the dead. 21:29.900 --> 21:35.560 And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising 21:35.560 --> 21:37.640 from the dead should mean. 21:37.640 --> 21:44.800 And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come? 21:44.800 --> 21:50.480 And he answered and told them, Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things. 21:50.480 --> 21:51.320 how it is. 21:51.700 --> 21:57.300 written of the Son of Man, that he must suffer many things, and be said at naught. 21:57.300 --> 22:02.500 But I say unto you, that Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, 22:03.060 --> 22:08.660 as it is written of him. And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, 22:09.220 --> 22:10.900 and the scribes questioning with them. 22:13.060 --> 22:16.180 And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, 22:16.180 --> 22:19.380 were greatly amazed, and running to him, saluted him. 22:19.900 --> 22:23.740 And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them? 22:23.740 --> 22:28.060 And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, 22:28.060 --> 22:35.180 which hath a dumb spirit. And wheresoever he taketh him, he tareth him, and he fometh, 22:35.180 --> 22:42.300 and gnasheth with his teeth, and pinneth away. And I spake to thy disciples, 22:42.300 --> 22:47.500 that they should cast him out, and they could not. He answered him, and saith, 22:47.900 --> 22:51.900 O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? 22:51.900 --> 22:53.780 How long shall I suffer you? 22:53.780 --> 22:55.340 Bring him unto me." 22:55.340 --> 23:00.380 And they brought him unto him, and when he saw him, straightway the Spirit teared him, 23:00.380 --> 23:03.780 and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming. 23:03.780 --> 23:09.280 And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? 23:09.280 --> 23:10.280 he said of a child. 23:11.300 --> 23:17.860 and oft times it had cast them all into the fire and into the waters to destroy him. 23:17.860 --> 23:23.540 But if thou canst do anything, have compassion on us and help us. Jesus said unto him, 23:23.540 --> 23:26.660 If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. 23:27.380 --> 23:32.100 And straightway the father of the child cried out and said with tears, 23:32.100 --> 23:35.300 Lord, I believe. Help down my non-belief. 23:36.500 --> 23:42.200 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, 23:42.200 --> 23:48.200 Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. 23:48.200 --> 23:54.200 And the spirit cried and rent him sore, and came out of him, and he was as one dead. 23:54.200 --> 23:57.200 In so much that many said, he is dead. 23:57.900 --> 24:01.740 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. 24:01.740 --> 24:06.140 And when he was coming to the house, his disciples asked him privately, 24:06.140 --> 24:08.900 Why could not we cast him out? 24:08.900 --> 24:15.420 And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing but by prayer and fasting. 24:15.420 --> 24:19.260 And they departed thence, and passed through Galilee. 24:19.260 --> 24:22.940 And he would not that any man should know it. 24:23.200 --> 24:27.360 But he taught his disciples, and said unto them, 24:27.360 --> 24:30.720 The Son of Man is delivered into the hands of men, 24:30.720 --> 24:32.080 and they shall kill him. 24:32.080 --> 24:37.980 And after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day. 24:37.980 --> 24:40.040 But they understood not that saying, 24:40.040 --> 24:42.440 and were afraid to ask him. 24:42.440 --> 24:45.000 And he came to Capernaum, and being in the house, 24:45.000 --> 24:48.520 he asked them, what was it that you disputed among yourselves, 24:48.520 --> 24:49.020 by the way? 24:49.900 --> 24:56.900 But they held their peace, for by the way they had disputed among themselves who should be the greatest. 24:57.900 --> 25:00.900 And he sat down and called the twelve and saith unto them, 25:01.900 --> 25:08.900 If any man man desired to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. 25:09.900 --> 25:12.900 And he took a child and set him in the midst of them. 25:13.900 --> 25:16.900 And when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, 25:17.800 --> 25:23.640 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in My name, receiveth Me. 25:23.640 --> 25:29.160 And whosoever receiveth Me, receiveth not Me, but him that sent Me." 25:29.160 --> 25:30.600 And John answered him, saying, 25:30.600 --> 25:37.480 Master, we saw one casting out devils in Thy name, and he followed not us. 25:37.480 --> 25:42.040 And we forbade him, because he followeth not us. 25:42.040 --> 25:43.800 But Jesus said, forbid him not. 25:43.900 --> 25:49.900 For there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name that can lightly speak evil of me. 25:49.900 --> 25:53.900 For he that is not against us is on our part. 25:53.900 --> 25:58.900 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, 25:58.900 --> 26:02.900 verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward. 26:02.900 --> 26:07.900 And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, 26:08.400 --> 26:15.200 It is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck and he were cast into the sea. 26:16.640 --> 26:21.760 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off. It is better for thee to enter into life maimed 26:21.760 --> 26:26.960 than having two hands to go into hell. Into the fire that never shall be quenched, 26:27.600 --> 26:35.200 where there warm dieth not and the fire is not quenched. And if thy foot offend thee, 26:35.800 --> 26:42.120 cut it off, it is better for thee to enter halt into life than having two feet to be cast into hell, 26:44.040 --> 26:50.120 into the fire that shall never be quenched, where the warm dieth not and the fire is not quenched. 26:50.680 --> 26:56.440 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God 26:56.440 --> 27:00.280 with one eye than having two eyes to be cast into hellfire. 27:01.800 --> 27:05.640 where there warm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 27:05.640 --> 27:10.000 For every one shall be salted with fire, 27:10.000 --> 27:15.200 and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt. 27:15.200 --> 27:19.820 Salt is good, but if the salt have lost its saltness, 27:19.820 --> 27:23.080 wherewith will ye season it? 27:23.080 --> 27:27.000 Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another. 27:32.100 --> 27:37.240 Alright, let's go ahead and open up in a word of prayer Lord. Thank you so much for the opportunity again to be in your house 27:37.240 --> 27:38.700 This evening Lord 27:38.700 --> 27:43.920 I pray now that you would just open up your word to our hearts that you would fill me with the Holy Ghost that you 27:43.920 --> 27:49.320 Would help us to make application in our lives where we need to and may you get all the honor and glory this evening 27:49.320 --> 27:51.320 In Jesus name we pray amen 27:51.900 --> 27:58.140 Mark chapter number nine, a very famous passage starting with the Mount of Transfiguration. 27:58.140 --> 28:02.620 The Bible says in verse number one, and he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, 28:02.620 --> 28:07.420 that there be some of them that stand here which shall not taste of death. 28:07.700 --> 28:11.700 till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power. 28:11.700 --> 28:15.380 Now some foolish atheists have looked at this verse and said, 28:15.380 --> 28:20.900 see here's a failed prophecy of Jesus because these men ended up dying before the second coming of 28:20.900 --> 28:26.260 Christ. But really what this is referring to is the fact that Jesus was about to show himself 28:26.260 --> 28:31.940 in his glorified state to these apostles in front of their eyes, basically showing what he's going 28:31.940 --> 28:35.700 to look like at his second coming someday and what he looks like right now. 28:35.700 --> 28:38.600 now in heaven. It says there in verse number two. 28:38.900 --> 28:45.520 And after six days, Jesus taketh with him Peter and James and John, and leadeth them 28:45.520 --> 28:49.400 up into a high mountain apart by themselves. 28:49.400 --> 28:51.960 And he was transfigured before them. 28:51.960 --> 28:57.180 So this is a very intimate story here where Jesus is only inviting two of his closest 28:57.180 --> 29:02.720 disciples and he's transformed or transfigured before their eyes. 29:02.720 --> 29:04.700 Notice what happens to him in verse three. 29:04.700 --> 29:06.900 Ms. Raymond became shiny. 29:06.900 --> 29:13.300 exceeding white as snow so as no fuller on earth can white them. 29:13.300 --> 29:17.740 What is a fuller? A fuller is an ancient trade that would 29:17.740 --> 29:20.700 basically clean and make white cloth. 29:20.800 --> 29:26.640 because you know clothing especially in this time is way more expensive and it's one of those things you don't want to get rid of 29:26.760 --> 29:33.540 They don't have a washing machine to throw it in they have a fuller and Jesus is transfigured before them and he's shining 29:33.680 --> 29:35.920 He's glowing his raiment is white 29:36.120 --> 29:42.420 Whiter than any fuller on earth could ever make a garment now if you would keep your place there go to Revelation chapter 1 29:43.840 --> 29:46.120 Revelation chapter number 1 we're gonna see here 29:46.800 --> 29:51.200 how Jesus is looking in heaven and how he'll look when he returns someday. 29:53.500 --> 30:00.240 Revelation chapter 1 notice verse 13 it says and in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man 30:00.640 --> 30:05.720 Clothed with a garment down to the foot and girt about the paps with a golden girdle 30:05.860 --> 30:12.160 His head and his hairs were white like wool as white as snow in his eyes 30:12.160 --> 30:19.460 Were as a flame of fire in his feet like unto fine brass as if they burn in a furnace 30:19.460 --> 30:21.460 and his voice as the 30:21.500 --> 30:24.100 sound of many waters. 30:24.100 --> 30:28.860 So the appearance that the Lord Jesus Christ took when he came in this earth was that of 30:28.860 --> 30:29.940 a normal man. 30:30.300 --> 30:33.500 Jesus Christ was born as a human being. 30:33.500 --> 30:36.500 Jesus is 100% man, 100% God. 30:36.500 --> 30:40.600 And His first appearing, He's lowly, He's humble, He's humble. 30:40.600 --> 30:42.800 There's no beauty that we should desire Him. 30:42.800 --> 30:44.200 The book of Isaiah talks about. 30:44.200 --> 30:47.600 But you better believe that right now in heaven, Jesus is glorious. 30:47.600 --> 30:53.000 He's shining, He's magnificent, He's awesome, He's wonderful, He's powerful. 30:53.000 --> 30:58.300 And when Jesus Christ returns someday, He's going to be shining as if He is... 30:58.300 --> 31:00.860 is here at the Mount of Transfiguration. 31:00.860 --> 31:04.500 So this is a glorious, wonderful sight to see. 31:04.500 --> 31:07.220 Go back, if you would, to Mark chapter number nine. 31:07.220 --> 31:09.460 And so this is what's being fulfilled when he says, 31:09.460 --> 31:13.020 hey, you guys will not pass away until the kingdom of God 31:13.020 --> 31:13.940 has come. 31:13.940 --> 31:15.600 This is what it's referring to here. 31:16.200 --> 31:19.880 Now it gets more interesting in verse 4 it says, And there appeared unto them Elias, 31:19.880 --> 31:25.680 it's Elijah, with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 31:25.680 --> 31:33.200 So there's two other really great characters that show up in this story, Moses and Elijah. 31:33.200 --> 31:35.380 Now why would this be happening? 31:35.380 --> 31:37.480 Why would these two characters show up at this point? 31:37.480 --> 31:41.660 Well remember Jesus is talking about the kingdom of God, right? 31:41.660 --> 31:43.780 The Kingdom of God coming with power. 31:44.200 --> 31:48.800 Jesus is showing himself how he's going to appear at his second coming. 31:48.800 --> 31:52.220 This is like a preview of the end times events, right? 31:52.220 --> 31:55.600 So this is kind of a picture of end times events. 31:55.600 --> 31:59.840 And I believe what's being pictured here is the two witnesses of the book of Revelation. 31:59.840 --> 32:01.320 Go to Revelation chapter number 11. 32:01.320 --> 32:02.840 We're doing a Bible study this evening. 32:02.840 --> 32:05.040 It's looking at lots of scripture. 32:05.040 --> 32:09.000 I don't think it's a coincidence that just randomly we're going to see Elijah and Moses 32:09.000 --> 32:11.000 here at the Mount of Transfiguration. 32:11.700 --> 32:17.780 what the Bible says in Revelation chapter number 11, in verse 3, the Bible says, 32:17.780 --> 32:24.500 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy, that means preach, 32:25.140 --> 32:31.220 a thousand two hundred and three score days clothed in sackcloth. If you study the book 32:31.220 --> 32:37.620 of Revelation, the two witnesses are preaching or prophesying during the time that we refer to as 32:37.620 --> 32:39.460 the wrath of God. 32:39.800 --> 32:45.240 Right? So the whole purpose that these two witnesses serve is, you know, the Christians, 32:45.240 --> 32:49.480 the church, as people call it, is already in heaven, already gone, the rapture already happened. 32:49.480 --> 32:55.160 So preachers of the gospel are no longer in great supply like they are now. And so the two 32:55.160 --> 33:00.280 witnesses are preaching the gospel. This is also how we know that there will be people getting 33:00.280 --> 33:01.400 saved during this time. 33:01.900 --> 33:05.780 Okay, I've heard some really bad preaching saying, hey, you know, if you you miss the 33:05.780 --> 33:08.940 rapture, the best thing you could do is just take the mark of the beast as soon as you 33:08.940 --> 33:12.760 can because you know that these three and a half years are the only time of peace you're 33:12.760 --> 33:13.760 going to get. 33:13.760 --> 33:14.760 No, no, no. 33:14.760 --> 33:18.340 The best thing you could do is listen to the two witnesses, listen to their prophecy, obey 33:18.340 --> 33:23.660 the gospel that they are preaching, which of course is believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. 33:23.660 --> 33:24.540 Force as this. 33:25.100 --> 33:30.700 These are the two olive trees and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth 33:30.700 --> 33:34.380 And if any man will hurt them notice this fire 33:35.220 --> 33:39.980 Proceedeth out of their mouth and devoureth their enemies 33:40.600 --> 33:45.600 And if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. 33:45.600 --> 33:51.200 So as long as God has ordained for these men to preach, they're gonna preach. 33:51.200 --> 33:55.720 And no one's gonna be able to hurt them, no one is going to be able to destroy them during 33:55.720 --> 33:57.400 the time that God has ordained. 33:57.400 --> 34:01.900 Now eventually the wicked are going to kill these two witnesses, their bodies are gonna 34:01.900 --> 34:07.120 lie in the streets that's spiritually called Sodom and Gomorrah, Sodom and Egypt, excuse 34:07.120 --> 34:08.600 me and all the world 34:08.600 --> 34:12.920 is going to be rejoicing at the fact that these men have been killed. But notice one 34:12.920 --> 34:17.000 of the aspects of these two witnesses is that fire comes out of their mouth. Of course that 34:17.000 --> 34:18.880 makes me think of Elijah right away. 34:19.400 --> 34:24.400 because Elijah had the standoff with the worshipers of Baal 34:24.400 --> 34:27.400 where he's like, hey, why don't you call down fire from heaven? 34:27.400 --> 34:30.400 Where's Baal? Is he sleeping? Is he on a journey? 34:30.400 --> 34:34.400 What's he doing? And then Elijah calls down fire from heaven. 34:34.400 --> 34:37.400 And of course he did this on two separate occasions as well 34:37.400 --> 34:40.400 when the captain of 50 with his 50 came 34:40.400 --> 34:43.400 and Elijah called down fire from heaven and destroyed them all. 34:43.400 --> 34:45.400 And then they were stupid, they didn't get the message. 34:45.400 --> 34:47.400 They sent another group of 50 34:47.400 --> 34:50.400 and he called fire down from heaven and destroyed them all. 34:50.400 --> 34:52.000 Finally, the third group was just like, 34:52.000 --> 34:53.900 don't torch us, please. 34:53.900 --> 34:55.100 But you know, these two witnesses, 34:55.100 --> 34:57.100 they're gonna be able to speak fire out of their mouth 34:57.100 --> 34:59.900 and destroy those that would try to hurt them. 34:59.900 --> 35:02.100 Not only that, look at verse six, it says, 35:02.100 --> 35:05.900 these have power to shut heaven 35:05.900 --> 35:09.100 that it reign not in the days of their prophecy. 35:09.100 --> 35:12.700 I mean, that right there is really pointing to Elijah. 35:13.200 --> 35:15.600 And here's what's really interesting about this. 35:15.600 --> 35:20.600 Does anyone know how long Elijah caused it to not rain? 35:20.920 --> 35:22.840 Can any man shout it out, Bible trivia? 35:22.840 --> 35:24.480 All right, you're learning something tonight. 35:24.480 --> 35:27.480 Three and a half years, three and a half years. 35:27.480 --> 35:29.140 You know that's exactly the length of time 35:29.140 --> 35:30.760 that God's wrath is gonna be poured out, 35:30.760 --> 35:32.360 three and a half years. 35:32.360 --> 35:33.600 That's pretty amazing, right? 35:33.600 --> 35:36.100 So Elijah, he causes it not to rain for three and a half 35:36.100 --> 35:39.480 years, a picture of the fact of him being one of the two 35:39.480 --> 35:40.540 witnesses, I believe. 35:40.600 --> 35:48.080 Then it says this, and have power over waters to turn them to blood and to smite the earth 35:48.080 --> 35:51.240 with all plagues as often as they will. 35:51.240 --> 35:53.840 That of course makes us think of Moses. 35:53.840 --> 35:58.400 Moses and Aaron having all of their plagues upon the land of Egypt. 35:58.400 --> 36:00.240 That is definitely pointing to that there. 36:00.240 --> 36:03.720 Go back to Mark chapter number eight if you would. 36:03.720 --> 36:05.040 Mark chapter number nine, excuse me. 36:06.200 --> 36:09.600 So that's why I believe Moses and Elijah is there, 36:09.600 --> 36:13.200 because I believe these two will be the two witnesses. 36:13.200 --> 36:14.200 Then in verse five it says, 36:14.200 --> 36:16.100 and Peter answered and said to Jesus, 36:16.100 --> 36:18.800 Master, it is good for us to be here. 36:18.800 --> 36:20.800 And let us make three tabernacles, 36:20.800 --> 36:23.200 one for thee and one for Moses, 36:23.200 --> 36:25.100 and one for Elias. 36:25.100 --> 36:26.300 Now, why did he say that? 36:26.300 --> 36:27.300 Verse six tells us, 36:27.300 --> 36:30.200 for he whisked not what to say. 36:30.700 --> 36:36.700 for they were sore afraid. Now I think we all can empathize with Peter here because sometimes we all 36:36.700 --> 36:40.220 just say dumb things sometimes we just don't know what to say and you know when you don't know what 36:40.220 --> 36:44.940 to say sometimes the best thing is to say nothing right because you end up saying just silly things 36:44.940 --> 36:50.540 you got the lord Jesus Christ here and Peter's like it's good for us to be here it's like yeah 36:51.100 --> 36:52.600 yeah Peter sure is. 36:52.600 --> 36:58.680 hey, I'll make three tabernacles, one for you, one for Elijah, one for Moses, and he's doing this not 36:58.680 --> 37:02.360 knowing what to say, and the Bible says that they're afraid, they're scared, because this is just a 37:02.360 --> 37:08.520 crazy magnificent event here, but notice God, the Father steps in, verse seven, and there was a cloud 37:08.520 --> 37:16.120 that overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud saying, this is my beloved Son, hear Him. 37:16.120 --> 37:20.520 Right, don't try to equalize Moses and Elijah and the Lord Jesus. 37:20.600 --> 37:25.360 Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the main one we should be giving our worship and 37:25.360 --> 37:30.400 adoration. You know it's to him that all the prophets gave witness. That's the 37:30.400 --> 37:35.080 Lord Jesus Christ. So Elijah and Moses they were just preaching about Jesus and 37:35.080 --> 37:39.020 so you know what we don't want to equate any man of God even great men of God in 37:39.020 --> 37:43.360 the Bible on the same level as the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible says that in all 37:43.360 --> 37:47.600 things he may have the preeminence. That's of course Jesus. 37:47.900 --> 37:54.500 Verse 8, and suddenly when they had looked around about, they saw no man anymore save 37:54.500 --> 37:56.820 Jesus only with themselves. 37:56.820 --> 38:01.980 So again, showing that hey, he's the centerpiece, he's the focus, not Moses, not Elijah. 38:02.600 --> 38:08.480 verse 9, And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man 38:08.480 --> 38:14.080 what things they had seen till the Son of Man were risen from the dead. 38:14.080 --> 38:18.480 So they're just talking, they're walking down from the mountain after this crazy event. 38:18.480 --> 38:22.600 These two disciples are scared out of their mind, they're saying silly things, and Jesus 38:22.600 --> 38:25.440 is talking about how he's going to rise from the dead. 38:25.440 --> 38:30.520 Then it says in verse 10, And they kept that sayings with themselves, questioning one another 38:30.520 --> 38:30.600 but that's not it. 38:30.600 --> 38:33.840 what the rising from the dead should mean. 38:33.840 --> 38:35.520 And this is just funny to read, 38:35.520 --> 38:38.080 because you remember what we just read about last chapter? 38:38.080 --> 38:39.680 You shouldn't even have to turn the page. 38:39.680 --> 38:41.500 Look at verse number 31 of Mark 8. 38:41.700 --> 38:47.060 And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected 38:47.060 --> 38:52.500 of the elders and of the chief priests and scribes and be killed and after three days 38:52.500 --> 38:53.500 rise again." 38:53.500 --> 38:55.540 You know, they've got a short memory here. 38:55.540 --> 38:57.160 Jesus just taught them. 38:57.160 --> 38:59.660 Then He's walking down from the Mount of Transfiguration. 38:59.660 --> 39:01.420 They're like, what does this mean? 39:01.420 --> 39:03.100 The Son of Man has to rise again. 39:03.100 --> 39:04.900 It's like, man, pay attention to the preaching. 39:05.400 --> 39:10.840 Pay attention to the Bible. Pay attention to Jesus when you just got taught something. Pay attention. 39:12.040 --> 39:15.560 Then they're going to ask another question related to this. It says in verse number 11, 39:15.560 --> 39:24.760 and they asked him saying, why say the scribes that Elias must first come? They just saw Elijah. 39:25.200 --> 39:35.200 And they're kind of racking their brains and they're thinking about the scriptures and the prophecies that talk about how before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes, you know, God's going to send Elijah. 39:35.200 --> 39:49.200 And they're like, wait a second. We just saw Elijah. What's going on? Go, if you would, to Malachi chapter four. Let's see where this is quoted. This promise in the Old Testament, Old Testament, Malachi chapter number four. 39:50.800 --> 39:54.960 I believe this is what they're thinking about on the way down from the mount. 39:54.960 --> 40:02.140 It says in verse number five, behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming 40:02.140 --> 40:05.040 of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. 40:05.400 --> 40:10.280 and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children and the heart of the children 40:10.280 --> 40:16.520 to their fathers lest I come and smite the earth with a curse." Now this is a very 40:16.520 --> 40:20.600 significant passage of scripture because it's the very end of the Old Testament. 40:20.800 --> 40:25.840 So it's probably something that everyone who had any part of scripture would know that, 40:25.840 --> 40:28.760 hey, we're looking for this promise to come. 40:28.760 --> 40:33.320 Because you know, from the time of the end of Malachi to John the Baptist coming on the 40:33.320 --> 40:39.240 scene, people will debate about the numbers, but some people say between like 425 and 450 40:39.240 --> 40:39.760 years. 40:40.200 --> 40:46.040 It's called the years of silence or the intertestamental years of silence. 40:46.040 --> 40:51.280 Just saying like the last time that God spake by holy men of God was with Malachi and there 40:51.280 --> 40:55.180 was a period of time for Malachi to John the Baptist where there was no more scripture 40:55.180 --> 40:55.960 being given. 40:56.300 --> 41:00.160 Of course, God is still moving, God is still working, people are serving God with their 41:00.160 --> 41:04.200 lives, but God is not actively giving scripture at that time. 41:04.200 --> 41:07.880 The last thing he said to look for is, hey, Elijah is going to come. 41:07.880 --> 41:09.380 Elias is going to come. 41:09.380 --> 41:12.360 He's going to turn the hearts of the children to their fathers. 41:12.360 --> 41:15.180 He's going to be this messenger. 41:15.180 --> 41:16.520 Go back to Mark chapter number nine. 41:17.200 --> 41:21.000 Mark chapter number 9 and so this is what the disciples are thinking about in their mind 41:21.000 --> 41:24.400 They're saying why do the scribes say this why is this in scripture? 41:24.840 --> 41:31.600 Verse 12 and he answered and told them Elias verily cometh first and he restoreth all things and 41:31.760 --> 41:38.060 How it is written of the Son of Man that he must suffer many things and be said at not 41:38.600 --> 41:46.440 Notice verse 13, but I say unto you that Elias is indeed come and they have done unto him 41:46.440 --> 41:52.200 whatsoever they listed as it is written of him. They're asking this question, hey, why does the 41:52.200 --> 41:56.680 Bible say that Elijah is going to come before the day of the Lord? And he's saying, hey, Elijah has 41:56.680 --> 41:57.900 already come. 41:58.000 --> 42:04.960 Elijah is already come and they did they did whatever they wanted to do to him. 42:04.960 --> 42:08.960 So we have to make this fit with reality and with scripture. Go to Luke chapter number one. 42:09.680 --> 42:16.480 Luke chapter number one. We're going to get some more details on this. Luke one. Let's read in 42:16.480 --> 42:18.100 verse number 13. 42:19.100 --> 42:25.340 The Bible says, But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias, for thy prayer is heard, 42:25.340 --> 42:29.660 and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name 42:29.660 --> 42:34.860 John. So we're talking about John the Baptist. Verse 14, And thou shalt have joy and gladness, 42:34.860 --> 42:39.180 and many shall rejoice at his birth, for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, 42:39.180 --> 42:44.380 and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink, and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, 42:44.380 --> 42:47.100 even from his mother's womb and many of the children. 42:47.100 --> 42:51.300 children of Israel, shall he turn to the Lord their God." 42:51.300 --> 42:56.200 Notice verse 17, and he shall go before him in the spirit and 42:56.200 --> 43:01.740 power of Elias to turn the hearts of the fathers to the 43:01.740 --> 43:02.740 children. 43:02.740 --> 43:05.440 Isn't that exactly the language that Malachi used? 43:05.440 --> 43:08.920 And the disobedient to the wisdom of the just to make ready 43:08.920 --> 43:12.360 a people prepared for the Lord. 43:12.360 --> 43:13.600 Go to Matthew chapter number 11. 43:13.800 --> 43:21.840 Matthew chapter number 11. So it's not that Elijah himself is going to be reincarnated 43:21.840 --> 43:27.600 before the day of the Lord. It's that John the Baptist is coming in the spirit and power 43:27.600 --> 43:33.180 of Elijah. Now this makes sense because when Jesus asked his disciples, whom do men say 43:33.180 --> 43:35.900 that I am, some said what? Elijah. 43:36.200 --> 43:42.720 Others said John the Baptist others said one of the other prophets and so John the Baptist and Elijah are very similar 43:43.160 --> 43:44.720 Matthew 11 43:44.720 --> 43:50.240 Verse number 10 it says this for this is he of whom it is written behold 43:50.240 --> 43:55.680 I send my messenger before thy face which shall prepare thy way before thee 43:56.000 --> 43:59.340 Verily I say unto you among them that are born of women there 44:00.000 --> 44:02.840 there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist, 44:02.840 --> 44:05.340 notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven 44:05.340 --> 44:06.740 is greater than he. 44:06.740 --> 44:09.740 And from the days of John the Baptist until now, 44:09.740 --> 44:12.340 the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, 44:12.340 --> 44:14.640 and the violent take it by force, 44:14.640 --> 44:19.980 for all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 44:19.980 --> 44:22.160 And if you will receive it, notice this, 44:22.160 --> 44:26.660 this is Elias, which was for to come. 44:26.660 --> 44:27.500 So. 44:27.600 --> 44:33.760 Malachi's promise in the Old Testament was not a promise of a reincarnation of Elijah, 44:33.760 --> 44:39.520 ascending back from heaven to earth of Elijah. It was a promise of a forerunner that's doing the 44:39.520 --> 44:46.560 work of Elijah, that's preaching in the spirit and power of Elijah, that is doing the great works 44:46.560 --> 44:51.680 that Elijah did spiritually speaking. And of course, that's fulfilled by John the Baptist. 44:51.680 --> 44:55.520 Jesus said, hey, if you will receive it, this is Elias. Go back to 44:55.600 --> 45:00.560 Mark chapter number nine. So I think this is a fair question the disciples are asking, 45:00.560 --> 45:05.280 like how does this fit in? We just saw Elijah and Jesus is saying, hey Elijah already came. 45:05.280 --> 45:12.960 It is John the Baptist. Verse 14. When he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them 45:12.960 --> 45:17.920 and the scribes questioning with them. In straight way all the people when they beheld him were 45:17.920 --> 45:21.120 greatly amazed and running to him, saluted him. 45:21.600 --> 45:25.440 And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them? 45:25.440 --> 45:30.960 And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which 45:30.960 --> 45:32.440 hath a dumb spirit. 45:32.440 --> 45:36.560 And of course dumb in the Bible is talking about not being able to speak. 45:37.700 --> 45:43.780 And wheresoever he taketh him, he tarreth him, and he fometh, and gnasheth with his teeth, 45:43.780 --> 45:45.180 and pineth away. 45:45.180 --> 45:48.460 And I spake to thy disciples, that they should cast them out." 45:48.460 --> 45:53.300 This is an interesting phrase, and they could not. 45:53.300 --> 46:00.380 Verse 19, he answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? 46:00.380 --> 46:02.660 How long shall I suffer you? 46:02.660 --> 46:03.460 Bring him unto me. 46:04.100 --> 46:09.540 and they brought him unto him. And when he saw him, when the devils saw Jesus, 46:09.540 --> 46:16.580 straightway the Spirit tear him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed foaming. And he asked his 46:16.580 --> 46:23.620 father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. That's a sad statement 46:23.620 --> 46:24.400 right there. 46:24.700 --> 46:31.180 to think about how this person is so grievously vexed with the devil. He has a dumb spirit. 46:31.180 --> 46:37.100 He can't speak. He's foaming at the mouth. He's wallowing around. He's gnashing with his teeth. 46:37.100 --> 46:42.460 I mean, this guy is just having a horrible experience, horrible existence in life. 46:42.460 --> 46:46.220 And the question is like, how long has he been like this? And the father says, 46:46.220 --> 46:51.900 of a child. You know what that tells us? Even children can be demon possessed. 46:52.500 --> 46:56.660 And you know what we need to do is we need to preach the gospel to children 46:56.660 --> 46:59.660 before they get to the place where they can be demon possessed 46:59.660 --> 47:03.180 because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world. 47:03.180 --> 47:06.460 Once someone is saved they cannot be possessed by a devil. 47:06.460 --> 47:09.980 And so we don't want to overlook children in our soul winning. 47:09.980 --> 47:14.580 And let me say this, those of you that are children in here that are of soul winning age, 47:14.580 --> 47:18.940 you guys are going to be the biggest asset and help in this area. 47:19.200 --> 47:24.800 Because it's so much more natural especially in the perilous times that we are living in it's so much more 47:25.200 --> 47:31.200 Natural and it's less awkward and weird for a little child to approach another child and preach them the gospel 47:31.760 --> 47:38.480 Rather than an adult rather than a hair-legged man and of course, you know, we are not gonna do anything 47:38.480 --> 47:42.080 We're there to save those kids. We're there to preach them the gospel, but other people don't know that 47:42.440 --> 47:47.200 But you know, it's nice to see a little kid walking up to a kid preaching them the gospel. You ought to take it 47:47.200 --> 47:52.340 advantage of this stage of life you're in to try to get as many kids possible saved 47:52.340 --> 47:56.540 that you can. Because man, I would hate to see children even going through something 47:56.540 --> 48:01.920 like this. And look how bad it was, verse 22, and oft times it hath cast him into the 48:01.920 --> 48:08.620 fire. Right? So oftentimes when you see people performing self-destructive acts, that could 48:08.620 --> 48:12.060 be a sign that that person is demon possessed. 48:12.400 --> 48:17.900 Now, I'm not going to say every single person who attempts suicide or wants to harm themselves 48:17.900 --> 48:23.380 or has tried to harm themselves is demon possessed, but it certainly is a possibility and I believe 48:23.380 --> 48:25.620 it is happening to this very day. 48:25.620 --> 48:30.360 You know, you see people, you know, they speak all weird, they're speaking gibberish, they're 48:30.360 --> 48:34.580 speaking with a different voice, they've got superhuman strength and they're harming themselves. 48:34.580 --> 48:36.940 I believe that is a person who's likely demon possessed. 48:37.600 --> 48:39.400 I think I've told this story before. 48:39.400 --> 48:44.280 I used to be a paver in Portland, Oregon, building roads. 48:44.280 --> 48:46.680 And when you're laying that asphalt down, it's really hot. 48:46.680 --> 48:50.600 It's like 450 degrees, super hot asphalt. 48:50.600 --> 48:53.320 It's kind of nice when you're working in the winter because you've got like a sauna with 48:53.320 --> 48:54.680 you at all times. 48:54.680 --> 48:58.940 But it's definitely not something that you would want to walk on without special boots. 48:58.940 --> 49:00.480 Even regular boots, don't cut it. 49:00.480 --> 49:04.540 You have to buy paving boots that have an extra thick sole. 49:04.540 --> 49:05.540 if you wear normal boots. 49:05.600 --> 49:09.480 while you're paving your feet are gonna burn they're gonna be super hot well one 49:09.480 --> 49:14.640 time I was working in downtown Portland and here comes this woman who it looks 49:14.640 --> 49:18.740 completely disheveled looks like she hasn't showered in like a year she's 49:18.740 --> 49:24.100 wearing absolutely no clothes above the waist whatsoever she has no shoes on no 49:24.100 --> 49:28.520 socks on she's like growling and muttering to herself and she just walks 49:28.520 --> 49:33.600 across the freshly laid 450 degree asphalt and 49:33.600 --> 49:36.040 She acts like nothing is happening to her. 49:36.040 --> 49:38.900 Like no reaction at all to the pain whatsoever. 49:38.900 --> 49:40.980 And I'm just like, I just witnessed someone 49:40.980 --> 49:42.420 who's demon possessed. 49:42.420 --> 49:44.260 Like I believe with all of my heart 49:44.260 --> 49:46.640 that that is a person who is demon possessed 49:46.640 --> 49:49.120 because this person is demon possessed 49:49.120 --> 49:50.720 and what is this devil trying to do? 49:50.720 --> 49:52.900 Trying to have him be cast into the fire 49:53.800 --> 49:55.660 and into the waters, trying to burn him, 49:55.660 --> 49:58.520 trying to drown him to destroy him. 49:58.800 --> 50:00.200 But notice how desperate this father is. 50:00.200 --> 50:04.920 But if thou canst do anything, have compassion on us and help us. 50:05.520 --> 50:09.560 So notice this man, he has a level of faith in Jesus. 50:10.120 --> 50:12.360 He has enough faith. Faith to what? Ask. 50:13.000 --> 50:17.720 Right. So he's got some faith, but he also is expressing some doubt, isn't he? 50:18.080 --> 50:23.480 He's saying, well, if you can't, if you can do something, Jesus, please help us. 50:23.900 --> 50:27.100 And notice it says in verse 23, Jesus said unto him, 50:27.100 --> 50:31.900 if thou canst believe, all things are possible 50:31.900 --> 50:34.940 to him that believeth. So I think Jesus is picking up 50:34.940 --> 50:38.060 on his doubt, on his lack of faith, and he's saying, hey, 50:38.060 --> 50:41.660 it's possible if you believe. It's possible if you have faith. 50:41.660 --> 50:46.220 Notice verse 24, in straightway the father of the child cried out 50:46.220 --> 50:49.000 and said with tears, notice this is sincere. 50:49.200 --> 50:53.600 Lord, I believe help thou mine unbelief. 50:53.600 --> 50:54.440 And you know what? 50:54.440 --> 50:57.640 There are people in this world that don't necessarily have 50:57.640 --> 51:00.840 mountain top faith, the greatest faith in the world, 51:00.840 --> 51:03.240 but they've got some faith and they're willing to put 51:03.240 --> 51:06.020 what little bit of faith they have in Jesus Christ. 51:06.020 --> 51:06.860 You know what? 51:06.860 --> 51:07.960 That's all it takes to be saved. 51:07.960 --> 51:08.500 Right. 51:08.500 --> 51:11.800 It does not take some great amount of faith to be saved. 51:11.800 --> 51:15.400 All it takes is the little bit of faith that you have. 51:15.400 --> 51:19.900 You know, I've had people out soul winning express this exact sentiment to me before. 51:19.900 --> 51:22.900 Where they're like, man, I want to believe this. 51:22.900 --> 51:25.900 I do believe this, but I just have some doubts. 51:25.900 --> 51:27.400 I've got some doubts in my mind. 51:27.400 --> 51:29.100 And I just tell that person, hey, you know what? 51:29.100 --> 51:31.200 You don't have to have the greatest faith in the world. 51:31.200 --> 51:35.100 All you have to have is enough faith for you to put all that faith in Jesus Christ. 51:35.100 --> 51:36.400 And if you put that true... 51:36.500 --> 51:40.940 in sincere faith in Jesus Christ, you will be saved. 51:40.940 --> 51:44.540 Now people who attack salvation by faith 51:44.540 --> 51:47.300 will constantly straw man us and be like, 51:47.300 --> 51:50.460 oh, you're just saying that if someone says the name Jesus 51:50.460 --> 51:52.980 that they're saved, or if someone just says 51:52.980 --> 51:54.180 that they're saved, that they're saved, 51:54.180 --> 51:57.800 or they say that they believe that they're saved. 51:57.800 --> 52:00.420 No, no, what I'm saying is that if they actually believe, 52:00.420 --> 52:01.400 they're saved. 52:01.600 --> 52:04.960 whether that's a great huge faith, a great huge belief, 52:04.960 --> 52:09.360 or it's a small faith, as long as all of their faith is in Jesus Christ. 52:09.360 --> 52:12.080 See, if you have a small faith, but it's all in Jesus, you're saved. 52:12.080 --> 52:16.160 If you have a small faith and it's partly in Buddha, partly in Muhammad, 52:16.160 --> 52:20.400 and partly in Jesus, you're not saved. Go if you would to Romans 10. We'll keep our place there. 52:21.200 --> 52:24.960 Romans chapter number 10. And notice how this person's faith is expressed. 52:25.700 --> 52:27.700 It's by calling upon the name of the Lord. 52:27.700 --> 52:29.700 It's by asking Jesus. 52:29.700 --> 52:33.400 You know, if you believe that Jesus can save your child, 52:33.400 --> 52:34.400 you know what you're going to do? 52:34.400 --> 52:36.400 Jesus saved my child! 52:36.800 --> 52:43.480 There is no such thing as a person who believes in Jesus and does not call upon the name of the Lord. 52:43.480 --> 52:45.380 It does not exist. 52:45.380 --> 52:52.180 And people who attack calling upon the name of the Lord are usually just unsaved devils or people who don't go soul winning. 52:52.180 --> 52:59.020 Because look what the Bible says in Romans 10 and let me remind you the context of Romans 10 spiritual salvation. 52:59.020 --> 53:00.060 Look at verse 1. 53:00.060 --> 53:00.900 Brethren. 53:01.000 --> 53:06.840 My heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved. 53:06.840 --> 53:09.960 That is a spiritual salvation that we're talking about. 53:09.960 --> 53:10.960 Look at verse 9. 53:10.960 --> 53:14.360 that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and 53:15.320 --> 53:17.320 shalt believe 53:17.500 --> 53:18.500 Thou shalt be saved. 53:18.500 --> 53:21.500 See, it's not just, oh, you say you believe. 53:21.500 --> 53:23.500 It's not, oh, I had mere words. 53:23.500 --> 53:25.500 No, it's you actually believe in your heart. 53:25.500 --> 53:27.500 You actually believe in your heart. 53:27.500 --> 53:30.500 Then it says there in verse 13, for whosoever, 53:30.500 --> 53:32.500 that's the dad of this devil-possessed child, 53:32.500 --> 53:34.500 that's you, that's me, that's everyone, 53:34.500 --> 53:37.500 for whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord 53:37.500 --> 53:39.500 shall be saved. 53:43.000 --> 53:46.600 This is how you put your faith in Jesus by calling upon the name of the Lord. 53:47.720 --> 53:51.800 How is it that this man put what little faith of Jesus that he had? 53:51.800 --> 53:53.160 He said, Jesus, can you help me? 53:53.600 --> 53:55.600 That's how he put his faith in Jesus Christ. 53:55.600 --> 53:58.060 This is how we put our faith in Jesus Christ, 53:58.060 --> 53:59.680 is by calling upon his name. 53:59.680 --> 54:03.100 It doesn't have to be a certain combination of words. 54:03.100 --> 54:05.900 It doesn't have to be the exact sinner's prayer 54:05.900 --> 54:07.200 that I pray with people. 54:07.200 --> 54:09.060 It could be like a thief on the cross, 54:09.060 --> 54:11.700 Lord remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 54:11.700 --> 54:14.120 It could be the shortest thought in your heart 54:14.120 --> 54:15.160 of God save me. 54:15.600 --> 54:19.300 God, I believe you. I believe this message, God. God, please give me eternal life. 54:19.300 --> 54:22.600 That's calling upon the name of the Lord, and anyone that does that is saved. 54:22.600 --> 54:25.300 Go back to Mark chapter number 9. I love that statement. 54:25.300 --> 54:28.800 Lord, I believe. Help thou my unbelief. 54:28.800 --> 54:33.200 Verse 25, when Jesus saw that the people came running together, 54:33.200 --> 54:38.400 He rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, 54:38.400 --> 54:42.400 I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. 54:42.500 --> 54:48.900 and the Spirit cried and rent him sore and came out of him, and he was as one dead in so much that many said, 54:48.900 --> 54:50.420 He is dead. 54:50.700 --> 54:54.780 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. 54:54.780 --> 54:59.660 And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, 54:59.660 --> 55:04.620 notice this, why could not we cast him out? Remember, I pointed out that phrase earlier 55:04.620 --> 55:10.460 where the dad's like, I took my child here to your disciples, but they couldn't cast him out. 55:10.460 --> 55:15.420 Then the disciples see Jesus perform this miracle, cast out the devil, and they're asking, 55:15.420 --> 55:18.460 hey, why couldn't we do that? Why didn't we have this power? 55:18.700 --> 55:22.200 Verse number 29 is a very, very important verse. 55:22.200 --> 55:23.700 And he said unto them, 55:23.700 --> 55:30.700 This kind can come forth by nothing but by prayer and fasting. 55:31.100 --> 55:37.620 Now, here's the thing, Jesus did not say, hey guys, you can't do this because I'm God 55:37.620 --> 55:42.020 in the flesh and you know this is only something that I could do as God. 55:42.020 --> 55:45.840 He said, hey, this kind cometh not forth but by prayer and fasting. 55:45.840 --> 55:49.220 I believe, I fully believe that we could pray to God. 55:49.600 --> 55:54.240 we could fast to show God our seriousness and that God can move on the other side 55:54.240 --> 55:58.320 and cast out devils today. I believe that. And of course if you preach the gospel to someone and 55:58.320 --> 56:02.640 they get saved for sure the Holy Spirit is going to come in and that devil is going to be cast out. 56:02.640 --> 56:07.840 But why do I point out this verse? Because of the fact that modern versions of the Bible 56:07.840 --> 56:09.800 destroy this great truth. 56:10.100 --> 56:16.660 Okay, now there's two major documents that underlie the modern versions of the Bible. 56:16.660 --> 56:21.500 Codex Sinaiticus, which is known as Codex Aleph, and Codex Vaticanus, which is known 56:21.500 --> 56:23.420 as Codex B. 56:23.420 --> 56:31.100 In these two documents, it says this, this kind can come forth by nothing but by prayer. 56:31.700 --> 56:34.200 So in Codex B, it ends it at prayer. 56:34.200 --> 56:37.240 In Codex Aleph, it also ends it in prayer. 56:37.240 --> 56:38.800 But you could see in the manuscript 56:38.800 --> 56:41.800 where someone squeezed in and fasting. 56:41.800 --> 56:43.280 And the person who squeezed that in, 56:43.280 --> 56:46.040 they even used like an abbreviated form of the word 56:46.040 --> 56:49.920 and, where it's very obvious that it was added later in time. 56:49.920 --> 56:51.720 And modern scholars today will say, 56:51.720 --> 56:54.020 yes, Sinaiticus and Vaticanus, 56:54.020 --> 56:56.460 they are the older and better manuscripts, 56:56.460 --> 56:59.420 and they don't have this last word, and fasting. 56:59.700 --> 57:04.980 Now, what's funny is you read a modern version of the Bible like the NIV or the ESV and you'll 57:04.980 --> 57:09.180 see in the English it just says, this kind cometh not out but by prayer and it ends at 57:09.180 --> 57:10.180 prayer. 57:10.180 --> 57:15.540 But then it has a little footnote and it says, some manuscripts have and fasting. 57:15.900 --> 57:18.500 And I want to explain to you how dishonest that is, 57:18.500 --> 57:24.840 because if by some they mean 99% of existing manuscripts 57:24.840 --> 57:27.180 in Greek, then yeah, that's some all right. 57:27.180 --> 57:30.100 There's two in existence that don't have that word, 57:30.100 --> 57:32.340 Codex B and Codex Aleph. 57:32.340 --> 57:35.620 I mean, there is an agenda today to attack the word of God. 57:35.620 --> 57:37.820 And look, this is a very, very important truth. 57:37.820 --> 57:40.620 Also in Matthew chapter 17, verse 21, 57:40.620 --> 57:42.380 the entire verse is missing. 57:43.100 --> 57:46.780 where it's just like this kind cometh not forth but by prayer and fasting. 57:46.780 --> 57:52.380 That whole thing is gone in Matthew. In Mark it takes out the fasting. But here's the thing, 57:52.380 --> 57:57.660 this lesson is very important. You will be able to do greater works for God. 57:57.660 --> 58:02.560 you will be able to accomplish more for God when you have this thing called 58:02.560 --> 58:04.900 spiritual power. 58:05.000 --> 58:11.000 spiritual power. You know how Jesus Christ did this? Through the power of the Spirit. 58:11.000 --> 58:18.360 Now here's the thing, yes, Jesus is 100% God, but Jesus is also 100% man. And Jesus Christ, 58:18.360 --> 58:25.560 when he was on this earth, did not have Superman powers. He was not living life on easy mode. 58:25.560 --> 58:28.760 Jesus Christ was living fully as a man. 58:29.000 --> 58:31.440 And so he didn't say, hey, I could do this because I'm God. 58:31.440 --> 58:35.320 He says, no, this kind cometh not out, but by prayer and fasting. 58:35.320 --> 58:36.680 Here's the key. 58:36.680 --> 58:38.600 Here's the key that we need to apply to our lives. 58:38.600 --> 58:41.680 How is it that we get spiritual power in our life? 58:41.680 --> 58:43.600 It's through prayer and fasting. 58:44.200 --> 58:49.760 And let me tell you something, if you want to be a very effective soul winner, if you 58:49.760 --> 58:54.880 want to get just buku people saved, if you want to have power when you knock on a door 58:54.880 --> 58:59.040 in your gospel presentation, it's not being done in the spirit, it's just dripping with 58:59.040 --> 59:00.460 the power of God. 59:00.460 --> 59:04.120 If you want to preach with power, if you want to be a powerful Christian, it comes through 59:04.120 --> 59:06.200 prayer and fasting. 59:06.200 --> 59:07.920 Now with that truth removed... 59:08.300 --> 59:11.500 You know, it's like how do I get spiritual power to do great things of God? 59:11.500 --> 59:16.900 Well, I don't really know if I'm reading Matthew or if I'm reading Mark, I get one half of 59:16.900 --> 59:17.900 the equation. 59:17.900 --> 59:19.540 But let me tell you something. 59:19.540 --> 59:21.500 Let's say you really need something from God. 59:21.500 --> 59:23.780 You need God to come through in a great way. 59:23.780 --> 59:25.660 Someone has a great need in their life. 59:25.660 --> 59:28.340 You know what would bring the power of God in that situation? 59:28.340 --> 59:30.140 Prayer and fasting. 59:30.900 --> 59:40.900 This is something we don't really focus a lot on, but I'm telling you, this is a great key to being a powerful Christian in life, is prayer and fasting. 59:40.900 --> 59:45.900 And you know why the disciples couldn't cast them out? Because they didn't have the same power. 59:45.900 --> 59:53.900 You know what's funny? Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, he tried to heal the child that was dead and he couldn't do it. 59:53.900 --> 59:58.400 Then Elisha, the real man of God shows up and he has what? Power. 59:58.500 --> 01:00:03.960 Right, so look, we don't want to just allow the Pentecostals to destroy, you know, the 01:00:03.960 --> 01:00:07.960 doctrine of the Holy Spirit of God and the power of God, because look, the Pentecostals 01:00:07.960 --> 01:00:12.480 will abuse the Spirit of God and abuse the power of God, and they'll act like running 01:00:12.480 --> 01:00:17.460 around the aisles, barking like a dog, you know, speaking in a gibberish language. 01:00:17.460 --> 01:00:19.000 They'll call that the power of God. 01:00:19.000 --> 01:00:20.240 That is not the power of God. 01:00:20.240 --> 01:00:21.240 That's a fraud. 01:00:21.240 --> 01:00:22.240 And you know what? 01:00:22.240 --> 01:00:24.560 Pentecostals believe in a false gospel. 01:00:24.560 --> 01:00:26.500 They believe in repenting of your sins to be saved. 01:00:26.500 --> 01:00:30.160 Whereas the Bible says believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved. 01:00:30.160 --> 01:00:32.600 But let me tell you just because the Pentecostals 01:00:33.160 --> 01:00:36.820 bastardized the Spirit of God, it's not gonna make me stop loving the Spirit of God. 01:00:36.820 --> 01:00:42.600 And it's not gonna make me stop begging for the for God's power and for the power of the Holy Spirit. 01:00:42.600 --> 01:00:48.880 And what we need is a church that is filled with power. You get that through prayer and fasting. It's a great verse. 01:00:49.400 --> 01:00:50.600 Verse 30. 01:00:51.400 --> 01:00:56.520 and they departed thence and passed through Galilee, and he would not that any man should know it." 01:00:56.800 --> 01:01:02.800 For he taught his disciples and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, 01:01:02.800 --> 01:01:07.840 and they shall kill him. And after that he is killed. He shall rise the third day." 01:01:07.840 --> 01:01:12.000 This is the third time the gospel of Mark records Jesus teaching his disciples that. 01:01:12.000 --> 01:01:17.920 But verse 32, but they understood not that saying. It's like, what is going on? Third time, 01:01:17.920 --> 01:01:22.320 but they understood not that saying. And we're afraid to ask him. Let me say this. Don't be 01:01:22.320 --> 01:01:24.800 afraid to ask questions if you don't know. 01:01:24.800 --> 01:01:28.560 you don't know. Right? You're with the Lord Jesus Christ. He seems like a pretty good 01:01:28.560 --> 01:01:33.440 person to ask. Hey, if you don't know, the best thing to do is to ask. You don't understand 01:01:33.440 --> 01:01:38.320 something in the Bible. The best thing you could do is ask God to teach it to you because 01:01:38.320 --> 01:01:44.120 we have the comforter. We have the great teacher that is the Holy Spirit. We can ask God to 01:01:44.120 --> 01:01:47.680 teach us the word of God and we can learn. There's no excuse. I mean, you hear it three 01:01:47.680 --> 01:01:49.840 times. Come on, guys. You still don't get it. 01:01:51.400 --> 01:01:53.840 And then here's what they're focused on, verse 33, 01:01:53.840 --> 01:01:56.080 and he came to Capernaum, and being in the house, 01:01:56.080 --> 01:01:59.760 he asked them, what was it that you disputed among yourselves, 01:01:59.760 --> 01:02:00.800 by the way? 01:02:00.800 --> 01:02:02.240 But they held their peace. 01:02:02.240 --> 01:02:03.000 They keep doing that. 01:02:03.000 --> 01:02:03.720 It's pretty funny. 01:02:03.720 --> 01:02:06.880 For by the way, they had disputed among themselves 01:02:06.880 --> 01:02:09.200 who should be the greatest. 01:02:09.200 --> 01:02:12.240 So apparently, they didn't have time to carefully listen. 01:02:12.600 --> 01:02:15.640 to Jesus three times teaching them, 01:02:15.640 --> 01:02:18.900 hey, I'm gonna die, I'm gonna be delivered up, 01:02:18.900 --> 01:02:22.140 I'm gonna be crucified and I'm gonna raise again. 01:02:22.140 --> 01:02:23.780 That's in one ear out the other. 01:02:23.780 --> 01:02:25.040 But you know what they have time to talk about? 01:02:25.040 --> 01:02:26.820 Who's gonna be the best? 01:02:26.820 --> 01:02:28.040 Who's gonna be the greatest? 01:02:28.040 --> 01:02:28.980 And you know what? 01:02:28.980 --> 01:02:31.160 I'm just glad that Christ uses sinful men 01:02:31.160 --> 01:02:32.580 because these apostles, 01:02:32.580 --> 01:02:34.480 they're not some sort of superhuman, 01:02:34.480 --> 01:02:35.980 crazy different than us. 01:02:35.980 --> 01:02:37.660 They're just sinners is what they are saved. 01:02:37.660 --> 01:02:38.960 They're just saved sinners. 01:02:38.960 --> 01:02:39.800 And you know what? 01:02:39.800 --> 01:02:40.600 They have the flesh and you know what they're f... 01:02:40.600 --> 01:02:44.600 about pride. They're thinking about which one of them are going to be the greatest. 01:02:44.600 --> 01:02:49.160 And of course this is a bad attitude obviously. And you know I kind of laugh just because we as 01:02:49.160 --> 01:02:53.160 sinful people can relate with the disciples but that doesn't take away from the fact that of 01:02:53.160 --> 01:02:58.120 course this is the wrong attitude to have. We should not be prideful. We should not be seeking 01:02:58.120 --> 01:03:02.440 glory for ourselves. We shouldn't be trying to say oh who's going to be the greatest you know or 01:03:02.440 --> 01:03:03.480 anything like that. 01:03:03.900 --> 01:03:09.740 I'll just read for you Luke 14 11 says for whosoever exalted himself shall be abased 01:03:10.300 --> 01:03:17.900 And he that humble with himself shall be exalted. So really the way up in the christian life is actually down 01:03:18.440 --> 01:03:25.340 Humbling yourself, you know not trying to seek out glory for yourself not promoting yourself not praising yourself 01:03:25.340 --> 01:03:28.060 Let another man praise thee and not your own mouth 01:03:28.540 --> 01:03:29.900 The bible teaches 01:03:30.000 --> 01:03:35.600 And notice he responds similarly here in verse 35, and he sat down and called the twelve and 01:03:35.600 --> 01:03:41.760 saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all and servant of all. 01:03:42.300 --> 01:03:45.340 And he took a child and set him in the midst of them. 01:03:45.340 --> 01:03:50.260 And when he had taken him in his arm, he said unto them, Whosoever shall receive one of 01:03:50.260 --> 01:03:53.260 such children in my name receiveth me. 01:03:53.260 --> 01:03:58.140 And whosoever shall receive me receiveth not me, but him that sent me." 01:03:58.140 --> 01:04:03.180 If we read parallel accounts of this, Jesus explains the fact that who's really going 01:04:03.180 --> 01:04:05.860 to be great are those that become as children. 01:04:06.700 --> 01:04:11.500 right? Those who are needy for the Lord Jesus Christ, those who are dependent on the Lord 01:04:11.500 --> 01:04:15.660 Jesus Christ, those who do not think they've arrived, children are depending on everything 01:04:15.660 --> 01:04:20.100 in their life from other people. And you know, we as Christians should be depending everything 01:04:20.100 --> 01:04:26.060 from the Lord Jesus Christ. Also, he says that when we receive a child, we receive Jesus 01:04:26.060 --> 01:04:31.860 Christ. And you know, this is one of the reasons why our church is a family integrated church. 01:04:32.200 --> 01:04:35.240 you'll notice we don't have a daycare for the kids. 01:04:35.240 --> 01:04:38.680 We don't have a kids church or anything like that because we believe in 01:04:38.680 --> 01:04:39.520 receiving 01:04:39.520 --> 01:04:43.160 the little children. We believe in suffering as Jesus says 01:04:43.160 --> 01:04:47.160 the little children and here's the great thing when we suffer the children 01:04:47.160 --> 01:04:51.200 when we receive the little children it's like we're receiving Jesus Christ. 01:04:51.200 --> 01:04:54.800 You know that Jesus Christ has a special place in his heart 01:04:54.800 --> 01:04:55.800 for children. 01:04:56.400 --> 01:04:59.800 It is true. Jesus loves the little children. 01:04:59.800 --> 01:05:02.300 That is a Bible fact right there. 01:05:02.300 --> 01:05:05.400 Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in a sight. 01:05:05.400 --> 01:05:09.300 I believe that God sends angels to protect children. 01:05:09.300 --> 01:05:10.700 Jesus loves the children. 01:05:10.700 --> 01:05:12.000 We ought to receive the children. 01:05:12.000 --> 01:05:13.800 It's like receiving Jesus himself. 01:05:14.600 --> 01:05:18.480 And it's funny how preachers read this in their Bible, but yet they don't want ever 01:05:18.480 --> 01:05:20.520 a baby to make a noise in service. 01:05:20.520 --> 01:05:22.880 A baby makes a little noise, they'll send him out of the service. 01:05:22.880 --> 01:05:26.000 You've got to give your kids to a nursery worker where they're not going to be hearing 01:05:26.000 --> 01:05:28.640 the sermon, not going to be hearing the Word of God. 01:05:28.640 --> 01:05:31.400 You know, the babies just went right up to Jesus. 01:05:31.400 --> 01:05:32.680 The kids went right up to Jesus. 01:05:32.680 --> 01:05:35.640 The Bible talks about how He touched them, how He spent time with them, how He prayed 01:05:35.640 --> 01:05:36.720 with them. 01:05:36.720 --> 01:05:39.400 You know, that's what our attitude should be. 01:05:39.400 --> 01:05:40.400 And it says in verse number... 01:05:41.100 --> 01:05:49.020 38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, 01:05:49.020 --> 01:05:54.140 and he followeth not us, and we forbade him, because he followeth not us. 01:05:54.140 --> 01:05:58.940 But Jesus said, Forbid him not, for there is no man which can do a miracle in my name 01:05:58.940 --> 01:06:01.200 that can lightly speak evil of me. 01:06:01.200 --> 01:06:05.280 You know what I was thinking about when I was reading this, is that this debunks the 01:06:05.280 --> 01:06:08.120 The Catholic claim of apostolic succession. 01:06:09.000 --> 01:06:14.200 Think about this, today Catholics and Orthodox, they'll say the only legit Christians, the 01:06:14.200 --> 01:06:20.120 only legit churches are the ones who descended from someone, who descended from someone, 01:06:20.120 --> 01:06:23.720 who descended from someone, who descended from the Apostles. 01:06:23.720 --> 01:06:26.720 Well here's a guy who's not related to the 12 disciples. 01:06:26.720 --> 01:06:28.600 Think about it, you have Jesus on this earth. 01:06:29.000 --> 01:06:32.200 I mean, if I was alive at that time, I'd want to be following Jesus. 01:06:32.200 --> 01:06:35.560 I'd want to be with him. I'd want to be with his disciples doing what they're doing. 01:06:35.560 --> 01:06:40.520 But apparently, there's another group that's not following Jesus physically. 01:06:40.520 --> 01:06:42.840 Obviously, I believe these people are saved. They're following him spiritually, 01:06:42.840 --> 01:06:47.480 but they're not physically following Jesus Christ. But Jesus looks at them as legit. 01:06:47.900 --> 01:06:50.660 Right? So this idea of like, oh, apostolic succession. 01:06:50.660 --> 01:06:53.500 That wasn't even true while Jesus was still alive. 01:06:53.500 --> 01:06:55.580 While Jesus was still walking this earth. 01:06:55.580 --> 01:06:57.340 He says, hey, forbid him not. 01:06:57.340 --> 01:07:00.380 For there can no man which shall do a miracle in my name 01:07:00.380 --> 01:07:02.340 that can lightly speak evil of me. 01:07:02.340 --> 01:07:07.340 Notice verse 40, for he that is not against us is on our part. 01:07:08.000 --> 01:07:13.440 Now this is to be understood with the context of other statements that Jesus made where 01:07:13.440 --> 01:07:18.520 He talks about, He that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. 01:07:18.520 --> 01:07:20.360 So how do we make both of these statements make sense? 01:07:20.360 --> 01:07:23.320 He says, He that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. 01:07:23.320 --> 01:07:26.160 If you're not soul winning, you're hurting the kingdom of God. 01:07:26.160 --> 01:07:28.800 If you're not gathering, you're hurting the cause of Christ. 01:07:28.800 --> 01:07:32.560 But He says this, for He that is not against us is on our part. 01:07:32.800 --> 01:07:37.360 What does that tell me? These people are soul winners. These people are doing the work of God. 01:07:37.360 --> 01:07:42.480 These people are saved. These people believe in Jesus Christ and they're not being lazy, 01:07:42.480 --> 01:07:46.480 scattering. And so you know what that means? They're following Christ even if they're not 01:07:46.480 --> 01:07:48.900 with the disciples. They're on His team. 01:07:49.000 --> 01:07:50.000 They're on his side. 01:07:50.000 --> 01:07:51.000 So guess what? 01:07:51.000 --> 01:07:53.800 You know, your apostolic succession doesn't matter. 01:07:53.800 --> 01:07:56.600 It didn't even matter when Christ was walking this earth. 01:07:56.600 --> 01:08:00.620 All that matters is if you believe in Jesus Christ and you preach the gospel of Jesus 01:08:00.620 --> 01:08:01.620 Christ. 01:08:01.620 --> 01:08:02.620 So I don't care. 01:08:02.620 --> 01:08:03.640 This is why I don't care about church history. 01:08:04.400 --> 01:08:08.860 I don't need to know what the Catholic Church taught in the first, second, third, fourth, 01:08:08.860 --> 01:08:10.520 sixth, whatever century. 01:08:10.520 --> 01:08:15.440 All I need to know right now in 2026 is show me the group of people that's teaching salvation 01:08:15.440 --> 01:08:20.040 by faith alone in Jesus Christ, once saved, always saved, sticking to the doctrines of 01:08:20.040 --> 01:08:21.040 the Bible. 01:08:21.040 --> 01:08:22.040 You know who it is in America? 01:08:22.040 --> 01:08:23.040 Baptists. 01:08:23.040 --> 01:08:25.160 That's who it is. 01:08:25.160 --> 01:08:26.880 You know who it is in Oklahoma City? 01:08:26.880 --> 01:08:29.240 Anchor Baptist Church. 01:08:29.240 --> 01:08:31.640 Maranatha Baptist Church. 01:08:31.640 --> 01:08:32.400 Isn't it funny? 01:08:32.400 --> 01:08:37.400 Catholics today in 2026 are not preaching the gospel of the Bible and so 01:08:37.400 --> 01:08:41.720 you know what your apostolic succession doesn't matter and it's like even if you 01:08:41.720 --> 01:08:45.320 could trace back your history all the way to the first century AD explain to 01:08:45.320 --> 01:08:48.300 me why that matters if you're wrong about everything now 01:08:48.700 --> 01:08:53.420 What good did that history do you? It didn't even matter then. What mattered is if you're on the 01:08:53.420 --> 01:08:57.740 Lord's side. That's all that mattered, that you're preaching the gospel. For he that is not against 01:08:57.740 --> 01:09:04.780 us is on our part. Also, you know, we should not be against ministries, people, pastors, 01:09:04.780 --> 01:09:08.780 churches that are preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Because, hey, if someone... Now, here's 01:09:08.780 --> 01:09:12.380 Here's the thing. Let me tell you this. If someone's not gathering, they're scattering. 01:09:13.000 --> 01:09:17.320 And churches that don't have soul winning, they are harming the cause of Christ. 01:09:17.320 --> 01:09:21.340 They are backslidden and Christ is going to take away their candlestick if they don't 01:09:21.340 --> 01:09:23.160 repent the Bible teaches. 01:09:23.160 --> 01:09:28.680 But look, any church in this world that is preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, I am 01:09:28.680 --> 01:09:31.040 for them to a large extent. 01:09:31.040 --> 01:09:32.840 I could be against certain doctrines. 01:09:33.200 --> 01:09:38.400 Right? We could disagree on things like the preacher of rapture or Zionism or stuff like that. 01:09:38.400 --> 01:09:41.360 But let me tell you what, I'm never going to get in the way of someone who's preaching the gospel 01:09:41.360 --> 01:09:45.360 of Jesus Christ. I'm not going to go out of my way to attack someone that is saved. And you know 01:09:45.360 --> 01:09:49.200 what? You should view any person who attacks soul winners as a wicked individual. 01:09:49.800 --> 01:09:52.760 you should not attack soul winners. Verse 41 says, For 01:09:52.760 --> 01:09:56.440 whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, 01:09:56.680 --> 01:10:01.120 because he belonged to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall 01:10:01.120 --> 01:10:04.760 not lose his reward. He said, Hey, don't go rebuke these 01:10:04.760 --> 01:10:07.280 people. Don't stop these people. If you were to just give 01:10:07.280 --> 01:10:10.720 these guys a glass of water, you'd get rewarded of my father 01:10:10.720 --> 01:10:14.240 in heaven. And notice, you're not going to lose your reward. 01:10:14.240 --> 01:10:16.720 By the way, I don't believe you could lose a reward that you 01:10:16.720 --> 01:10:17.680 have already earned. 01:10:17.800 --> 01:10:18.800 Amen. 01:10:18.800 --> 01:10:23.600 Every soul you've ever won to Christ, everything you ever did for Jesus Christ, even if God 01:10:23.600 --> 01:10:27.920 forbid you blow up your life in the future, that reward that you have earned is earned 01:10:27.920 --> 01:10:31.040 and you will in no wise lose your reward. 01:10:31.040 --> 01:10:35.120 Now could we lose the opportunity to earn more rewards? 01:10:35.120 --> 01:10:35.680 Absolutely. 01:10:36.100 --> 01:10:41.460 Could we lose out on a full reward by being like Demes, forsaking the work of God, loving 01:10:41.460 --> 01:10:45.780 this present world? Absolutely. But any reward you've already earned, that's going to be yours 01:10:45.780 --> 01:10:51.940 in heaven forever. Verse 42, getting back to how much Jesus loves the children, says in verse 42, 01:10:51.940 --> 01:10:58.180 and whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him 01:10:58.180 --> 01:11:02.580 that a millstone were hanged about his neck and he were cast into the sea. 01:11:03.400 --> 01:11:09.960 Some people would criticize our church for engaging in hard preaching or preaching about 01:11:09.960 --> 01:11:14.260 some of the more gnarly topics that are in the Bible in the audience of children. 01:11:14.260 --> 01:11:18.820 But keep in mind, Jesus has a crowd of children with him and he's talking about how, hey, 01:11:18.820 --> 01:11:22.520 if anyone would hurt one of these little kids right here, it were better for him that a 01:11:22.520 --> 01:11:26.600 millstone were tied about his neck and he were drowned in the depths of the sea. 01:11:26.900 --> 01:11:33.420 I mean Jesus is getting kind of graphic here. He's like say hey be better for these child molesters for these child offenders 01:11:33.420 --> 01:11:35.620 To die a painful death in the ocean 01:11:35.980 --> 01:11:41.800 That's what Jesus preached in front of kids and people want to get mad that I preach a sermon saying that I'm praying for 01:11:41.800 --> 01:11:47.320 The death of Lindsey Clancy who is a child offender who killed three of her children 01:11:47.500 --> 01:11:50.740 It's like I don't have to wonder what Jesus would think about Lindsey Clancy 01:11:50.740 --> 01:11:54.900 He says it's better for her that a millstone were hanged about her neck and she were drowned in the death 01:11:54.900 --> 01:12:01.700 of the sea. Woe unto America for not executing the death penalty on a wicked child murderer. 01:12:02.260 --> 01:12:08.100 It is not Christ-like to allow these people to go unpunished. It is not Christ-like. People act like, 01:12:08.100 --> 01:12:13.220 oh, just automatically forgive everything Jesus would forgive. No, Jesus actually is not going 01:12:13.220 --> 01:12:18.420 to forgive people that forgive, that offend children. Jesus is not going to forgive the child 01:12:18.420 --> 01:12:21.940 molesters because they're all reprobates on their way to a burning fiery hell. 01:12:22.600 --> 01:12:25.160 And you know what, that's my only solace. 01:12:25.160 --> 01:12:27.200 I've been thinking about this a lot this week, 01:12:27.200 --> 01:12:30.520 is honestly, I have been thanking God for hell. 01:12:31.100 --> 01:12:35.500 I am not kidding. I have been thanking and praising God for hell because you know what? 01:12:35.500 --> 01:12:40.940 It's crazy that in this world we could have a woman murder her three kids and not face the 01:12:40.940 --> 01:12:45.660 justice that she deserves, but I take solace in the fact that someday when Lindsay Clancy 01:12:45.660 --> 01:12:50.620 breathes her last she will be in a fiery eternal torment for all of eternity. And you know what? 01:12:50.620 --> 01:12:56.140 God is just forgiving that punishment and all these wicked feminists that love and support this, 01:12:56.140 --> 01:12:58.700 you know, they're going to get theirs in a fiery hell as well. 01:12:59.100 --> 01:13:04.020 And you know what's funny, you read Revelation, once we're in heaven and we have no more sin, 01:13:04.020 --> 01:13:07.300 we have a totally righteous mind, we have the right view on everything. 01:13:07.300 --> 01:13:10.440 You know that people in heaven are cheering on the wrath of God. 01:13:10.440 --> 01:13:14.600 They're cheering them on, they're excited for it, they're asking God to pour out his 01:13:14.600 --> 01:13:15.600 wrath. 01:13:15.600 --> 01:13:16.600 You know what? 01:13:18.300 --> 01:13:22.300 Speaking of hell, that's what he's going to talk about right here in verse 43. 01:13:22.300 --> 01:13:24.940 It says, And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off. 01:13:24.940 --> 01:13:29.900 It is better for thee to enter into life maimed than having two hands to go into hell, 01:13:30.540 --> 01:13:36.220 into the fire that never shall be quenched. What is he saying? Anything is better than going to hell. 01:13:37.100 --> 01:13:38.600 You cannot think. 01:13:38.900 --> 01:13:41.340 of a torture situation. 01:13:41.340 --> 01:13:43.540 You cannot think of a worse punishment. 01:13:43.540 --> 01:13:46.680 You could think of no worse physical evil on this earth 01:13:46.680 --> 01:13:48.540 than going to hell. 01:13:48.540 --> 01:13:52.580 Why? Because it's the fire that shall not be quenched. 01:13:52.580 --> 01:13:54.020 It says there in verse 44, 01:13:54.020 --> 01:13:55.760 notice, where there worm, 01:13:55.760 --> 01:13:57.480 dieth not, 01:13:57.480 --> 01:13:59.620 and the fire is not quenched. 01:13:59.620 --> 01:14:01.460 I'll go with you with Isaiah 66. 01:14:02.600 --> 01:14:04.800 It mentions here that their worm dies not. 01:14:04.800 --> 01:14:12.120 What is a worm or a maggot obviously is one that eats dead flesh, feeds on decomposing, 01:14:12.120 --> 01:14:13.120 rotting flesh. 01:14:13.120 --> 01:14:17.920 Now, this word is commonly used when talking about those in hell. 01:14:17.920 --> 01:14:21.080 Isaiah 66, look at verse 24. 01:14:21.080 --> 01:14:22.560 It says, and they shall go forth. 01:14:22.900 --> 01:14:25.340 and look upon the carcasses of the men 01:14:25.340 --> 01:14:27.460 that have transgressed against me. 01:14:27.460 --> 01:14:31.260 Notice this, for their worm shall not die, 01:14:31.260 --> 01:14:34.140 neither shall their fire be quenched, 01:14:34.140 --> 01:14:37.180 and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh. 01:14:37.600 --> 01:14:41.720 So two things are mentioned there in Isaiah 66, go back to Mark 9, and those two things 01:14:41.720 --> 01:14:44.540 are also mentioned in Mark chapter 9. 01:14:44.540 --> 01:14:47.520 The worm that dies not, the fire that is not quenched. 01:14:47.520 --> 01:14:51.780 How is it in this world that a worm would die? 01:14:51.780 --> 01:14:55.720 A worm would die when it has no more organic matter to feed on. 01:14:56.100 --> 01:15:01.060 Right, if a worm runs out of food, runs out of fuel, that's what's going to cause a worm 01:15:01.060 --> 01:15:02.260 to die. 01:15:02.260 --> 01:15:03.420 What is this teaching? 01:15:03.420 --> 01:15:08.420 This is teaching that you are not going to consume away, you are not going to cease to 01:15:08.420 --> 01:15:13.980 exist, you are not going to be burned up, you are going to be conscious eternally in 01:15:13.980 --> 01:15:15.060 hell. 01:15:15.060 --> 01:15:16.060 That's what this is teaching. 01:15:16.060 --> 01:15:18.940 Where the worm dith not in the fire is not quenched. 01:15:18.940 --> 01:15:22.140 Go to Revelation chapter number 14 verse 10. 01:15:22.140 --> 01:15:23.640 Revelation chapter 14. 01:15:25.400 --> 01:15:28.600 And you know people say, oh you shouldn't talk about hell, you shouldn't preach about 01:15:28.600 --> 01:15:33.400 hell. Well you know what? Jesus Christ preached about hell. And Jesus Christ preached about hell 01:15:33.400 --> 01:15:37.400 a lot more than he did about heaven because you know what? People should be scared of hell. 01:15:38.040 --> 01:15:43.320 People should be terrified of the Lord and want to get saved based off the fear of hell. That's fine. 01:15:44.200 --> 01:15:46.200 Look at Revelation 14 verse 10. 01:15:46.600 --> 01:15:51.320 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the 01:15:51.320 --> 01:15:58.520 cup of his indignation. And he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the 01:15:58.520 --> 01:16:06.280 holy angels and in the presence of the lamp. This fire is not a metaphor. This fire is not an allegory. 01:16:06.280 --> 01:16:10.040 It's literal fire. How do we know that? It says he'll be tormented in it. 01:16:10.900 --> 01:16:12.900 burns are tormenting. 01:16:13.380 --> 01:16:19.460 Burns hurt a lot. Well this fire you're gonna be tormented in it in the presence of the Holy Angels and in the presence of 01:16:19.460 --> 01:16:25.100 the Lamb, verse 11, and the smoke of their torment, notice this, ascendeth up forever and 01:16:25.740 --> 01:16:31.920 ever and they have no rest day nor night. What is that saying? The worm dieeth not. 01:16:32.400 --> 01:16:39.120 the fire is not quenched. It's not annihilation, it's not soul sleep, it's once you're in hell, 01:16:39.120 --> 01:16:41.500 you're going to be in hell for all of eternity. 01:16:41.600 --> 01:16:45.160 You're going to be there for the next billion years, and the next billion years, and the 01:16:45.160 --> 01:16:48.080 next billion years, and you're going to have no rest. 01:16:48.080 --> 01:16:49.560 There's no reprieve. 01:16:49.560 --> 01:16:51.240 There's no soothing balm. 01:16:51.240 --> 01:16:53.040 There's no drop of water. 01:16:53.040 --> 01:16:54.760 There's no comfort of friends. 01:16:54.760 --> 01:16:56.240 There's no love of God. 01:16:56.240 --> 01:17:02.040 There's nothing but torture and wrath and pain and fire and brimstone for eternity. 01:17:02.040 --> 01:17:07.120 And people have the gall today to mock God, mock the gospel, scoff at the gospel. 01:17:07.120 --> 01:17:08.120 What utter fools today. 01:17:09.900 --> 01:17:13.740 people will be in hell for all of eternity. He says in verse number 45, 01:17:13.740 --> 01:17:18.540 and if thy foot offend thee, cut it off. It is better for thee to enter halt into life 01:17:18.540 --> 01:17:23.700 than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched. 01:17:24.000 --> 01:17:26.960 where there worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched. 01:17:26.960 --> 01:17:29.040 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out. 01:17:29.040 --> 01:17:31.440 It is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God 01:17:31.440 --> 01:17:36.160 with one eye than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire." 01:17:36.160 --> 01:17:39.680 Again, pretty gruesome message Jesus is preaching here in front of the children. 01:17:40.480 --> 01:17:42.240 I mean, think about actually doing this. 01:17:42.240 --> 01:17:47.600 What would it take you to actually perform these acts to yourself, cutting off your hand? 01:17:48.200 --> 01:17:51.000 cutting off your foot, plucking out your own eye. 01:17:51.000 --> 01:17:53.460 That's probably the hardest one I can imagine. 01:17:53.460 --> 01:17:54.920 Just imagine doing something like that. 01:17:54.920 --> 01:17:57.700 He's like, it's so much better to do all of those things 01:17:57.700 --> 01:17:59.600 than to be cast into hell. 01:17:59.600 --> 01:17:59.940 Why? 01:17:59.940 --> 01:18:02.280 Were there worm diet not and the fires not quenched? 01:18:02.280 --> 01:18:04.240 That's why, because it lasts for forever. 01:18:04.240 --> 01:18:07.360 Because even if you experience the worst possible death 01:18:07.360 --> 01:18:09.900 on this earth, or if you went through the worst torture 01:18:09.900 --> 01:18:12.440 anyone could go through, at least physically speaking, 01:18:12.440 --> 01:18:14.200 in our bodies, it has an end someday. 01:18:14.400 --> 01:18:16.400 But hell never has an end. 01:18:16.400 --> 01:18:22.140 By the way, this is why it's so sad and tragic and foolish for unsaved people, of course anyone, 01:18:22.140 --> 01:18:24.400 but especially unsaved people, to commit suicide. 01:18:24.400 --> 01:18:28.640 I mean, people will say, oh my life is so hard. 01:18:28.640 --> 01:18:31.640 I have so much heartbreak, I have so much pain in my body. 01:18:31.640 --> 01:18:32.900 I've just got to end it all. 01:18:32.900 --> 01:18:37.400 And someone who's unsaved, they commit suicide, they end it all, and they wake up in a fiery hell. 01:18:37.400 --> 01:18:39.400 What a tragic, terrible thing. 01:18:40.000 --> 01:18:42.000 No one should ever commit suicide. 01:18:42.000 --> 01:18:45.800 Don't ever commit suicide if you've ever thought about that or are thinking about that. 01:18:45.800 --> 01:18:48.500 You know what? There's hope in Jesus Christ. 01:18:48.500 --> 01:18:50.000 He careth for us. 01:18:50.000 --> 01:18:52.700 You could bring your problems and your infirmities to Christ. 01:18:52.700 --> 01:18:55.000 Hey, He cares for us, the Bible teaches. 01:18:55.000 --> 01:18:56.600 Other people care for you. 01:18:56.600 --> 01:18:57.800 Do not commit suicide. 01:18:57.800 --> 01:19:00.800 And especially if you're not 100% sure that you're going to heaven, 01:19:00.800 --> 01:19:04.900 never commit suicide because you might just wake up in hell. 01:19:04.900 --> 01:19:06.700 Then it says in verse number 49, 01:19:06.900 --> 01:19:12.100 This is very interesting. It says, for everyone, this is connected to the thoughts we've already had. 01:19:12.100 --> 01:19:15.700 It says, for everyone shall be salted with fire. 01:19:16.100 --> 01:19:19.300 and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt. 01:19:19.300 --> 01:19:23.300 If you read Leviticus, the Bible talks about with all your sacrifices 01:19:23.300 --> 01:19:27.400 you will offer salt. It's a command of God. You're supposed to offer salt 01:19:27.400 --> 01:19:30.500 with all of those sacrifices. Here it's saying 01:19:30.500 --> 01:19:33.800 that everyone, and I believe that's speaking everyone who goes to hell, 01:19:33.800 --> 01:19:37.380 everyone who's burning in hell, for everyone shall be salted 01:19:37.380 --> 01:19:40.900 with fire. What does salt do? Salt preserves. 01:19:41.500 --> 01:19:46.620 Right? So before we had refrigeration, you got to dry out the meat, you got to smoke the meat, 01:19:46.620 --> 01:19:52.460 and then you got to salt that meat to preserve it. Well guess what? This fire is a preserving fire. 01:19:53.420 --> 01:19:56.780 You don't burn up. You don't cease to exist. You don't cease to exist. You know, 01:19:56.780 --> 01:19:59.900 if you put a steak directly on a fire, it will eventually burn up. 01:20:00.200 --> 01:20:03.400 It'll eventually leave, it'll eventually disintegrate. 01:20:03.400 --> 01:20:06.500 But the fire of hell, man, that salting fire 01:20:06.500 --> 01:20:08.800 is gonna preserve the people who are in hell 01:20:08.800 --> 01:20:09.900 for all of eternity. 01:20:09.900 --> 01:20:11.840 That's not a preservation you want. 01:20:11.840 --> 01:20:14.040 We want that preservation in heaven with God. 01:20:14.040 --> 01:20:15.700 We like the preservation of God's word. 01:20:15.700 --> 01:20:17.440 This is a different type of preservation, 01:20:17.440 --> 01:20:18.920 but you know what, it's true 01:20:18.920 --> 01:20:20.440 that those will be salted with fire. 01:20:20.440 --> 01:20:25.080 Now, it says there in verse 50, salt is good. 01:20:25.080 --> 01:20:25.300 you 01:20:25.400 --> 01:20:30.300 But if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye 01:20:30.300 --> 01:20:31.300 season it? 01:20:31.300 --> 01:20:32.300 Right? 01:20:32.300 --> 01:20:37.100 So once the salt loses its preserving nature, its preserving power, you can't restore it. 01:20:37.100 --> 01:20:38.460 You can't do anything with it. 01:20:38.460 --> 01:20:39.460 It's not profitable. 01:20:39.460 --> 01:20:44.860 And it says have salt in yourselves and have peace one with another. 01:20:44.860 --> 01:20:47.380 Last place we'll turn to go to Matthew chapter five. 01:20:47.380 --> 01:20:48.300 Matthew chapter five. 01:20:48.900 --> 01:20:53.220 I don't think it's a coincidence that he ends it on this note. He's talking about eternal fire, 01:20:53.220 --> 01:20:58.260 eternal hell, their worm dieth not, the fire is not quenched. All of these people that go to hell, 01:20:58.260 --> 01:21:03.940 they will be salted with fire. And he says, hey, salt's good. If the salt loses its saltness, 01:21:03.940 --> 01:21:08.820 wherewith will it be salted again? Hey, have salt in yourselves. What is this talking about? Verse 01:21:08.820 --> 01:21:14.660 13 of Matthew 5, ye are the salt, notice of the earth. 01:21:15.600 --> 01:21:20.240 but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? 01:21:20.240 --> 01:21:25.440 It is thenceforth good for nothing but to be cast out and to be trod in foot of men." 01:21:25.440 --> 01:21:33.040 What is that preserving agent in hell? It's the fire of God. It's that salty fire that preserves 01:21:33.040 --> 01:21:38.720 people in hell to where they can't burn up. Okay, but what is the preserving agent of this world? 01:21:38.720 --> 01:21:40.960 Is it Jesus? It's us. 01:21:42.100 --> 01:21:45.780 The Bible says, ye are the salt of the earth. 01:21:45.780 --> 01:21:46.580 Guess what? 01:21:46.580 --> 01:21:48.340 We get people saved. 01:21:48.340 --> 01:21:51.060 This idea of, oh, we don't get anyone saved. 01:21:51.060 --> 01:21:52.620 We're not doing anything. 01:21:52.620 --> 01:21:54.180 It's only Jesus that saves. 01:21:54.180 --> 01:21:56.220 Obviously, Jesus is the Savior. 01:21:56.220 --> 01:21:58.060 Obviously, without the shedding of blood, 01:21:58.060 --> 01:21:59.500 there's no remission of sins. 01:21:59.500 --> 01:22:03.140 But also, without the salt, there's nothing to preserve. 01:22:03.140 --> 01:22:05.980 He says, you are the salt of the earth. 01:22:05.980 --> 01:22:09.180 He says, hey, have salt in yourselves. 01:22:09.800 --> 01:22:14.920 And guess what? If you don't have salt, how are you going to preserve meat? You're not. 01:22:15.640 --> 01:22:21.320 Well guess what? If we don't have the salt of soul-winning Christians, if you don't have the salt 01:22:21.320 --> 01:22:26.280 of people preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, how are people going to get saved? They're not. 01:22:27.400 --> 01:22:32.280 If our gospel be hid, it is hid to those that are lost. You know how people are getting preserved 01:22:32.280 --> 01:22:37.400 in this world? Through the gospel of Jesus Christ, preached by a spirit-filled preacher. 01:22:38.200 --> 01:22:43.320 preached by a man, woman, boy or girl who is saved with the Spirit of God. 01:22:43.320 --> 01:22:46.280 Hey, faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. 01:22:46.280 --> 01:22:49.160 But you better, you better beware to have salt in yourself. 01:22:49.960 --> 01:22:55.000 He says, hey, you better have salt in yourself. Why? He says, because if the salt have lost 01:22:55.000 --> 01:22:59.720 his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? Hey, if you're not doing the job, who's going to do it? 01:22:59.720 --> 01:23:03.560 Then it says it is thenceforth good for nothing. 01:23:04.700 --> 01:23:07.300 but to be cast out and to be trodden underfoot of men. 01:23:07.300 --> 01:23:11.220 You know, I believe that Jesus Christ loves all of His children. 01:23:11.220 --> 01:23:15.020 I believe that nothing shall ever separate us from the love of God. 01:23:15.020 --> 01:23:19.700 But let me tell you this, when it comes to our value in this world, 01:23:19.700 --> 01:23:25.540 how we are profitable to this world, it is measured by one thing. 01:23:25.540 --> 01:23:27.700 Are you a sole winner of Jesus Christ? 01:23:28.100 --> 01:23:33.860 because if you are not salty if you are not preserving through preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ as 01:23:34.060 --> 01:23:38.620 Far as your existence in this world is concerned you are good for nothing 01:23:39.660 --> 01:23:45.500 That's what Jesus says he says hey you better have salt in yourselves because if you don't notice what you do with salt 01:23:45.500 --> 01:23:52.060 That's lost its savor. It's thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and to be trodden underfoot of men 01:23:52.580 --> 01:23:54.100 Don't don't hear me wrong 01:23:54.200 --> 01:23:59.960 Jesus loves us as his children. We have intrinsic value to God as human beings 01:23:59.960 --> 01:24:05.600 But I'm talking about why we exist in this world why we still live on this earth after salvation 01:24:05.600 --> 01:24:08.280 It's just for one thing. It's just to be salt. That's it 01:24:08.600 --> 01:24:11.960 It's just to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and just let me tell you something right now 01:24:11.960 --> 01:24:16.840 If you are not a soul winner, you are not fulfilling the one reason that God has you on this earth 01:24:17.600 --> 01:24:21.840 If you're not preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, you're not fulfilling the great purpose 01:24:21.840 --> 01:24:23.980 that Jesus Christ has given you. 01:24:23.980 --> 01:24:28.460 And it's not a coincidence that here Jesus is preaching about hell, talking about how 01:24:28.460 --> 01:24:32.760 it's eternal, the worm dith not, the fire's not quenched, but He doesn't just end with 01:24:32.760 --> 01:24:33.760 that truth. 01:24:33.760 --> 01:24:36.120 How do we apply the truth of hell being real? 01:24:36.120 --> 01:24:38.320 We preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. 01:24:38.800 --> 01:24:40.880 You need to be a soul winner. 01:24:40.880 --> 01:24:44.200 And I'm talking to man, woman, boy, and girl. 01:24:44.200 --> 01:24:47.580 Soul winning is not for, you know, the spiritual Navy SEALs 01:24:47.580 --> 01:24:49.240 who have been saved 20 years, 01:24:49.240 --> 01:24:50.620 that have the Bible memorized. 01:24:50.620 --> 01:24:52.480 No, no, no, salvation, preaching the gospel 01:24:52.480 --> 01:24:54.320 is for anyone who's saved. 01:24:54.320 --> 01:24:56.560 I don't care if you got saved six months ago. 01:24:56.560 --> 01:24:57.820 I don't care, you know, what? 01:24:57.820 --> 01:24:59.860 Just come out with us soul winning. 01:24:59.860 --> 01:25:02.260 And look, just please come out with us soul winning. 01:25:02.260 --> 01:25:03.760 If you're not comfortable preaching the gospel, 01:25:03.760 --> 01:25:05.160 hey, be a silent partner. 01:25:05.700 --> 01:25:08.420 You can learn. You can be with people who have done it for a long time. 01:25:08.420 --> 01:25:12.580 But look, I would just hate to, as a pastor, stand before Jesus Christ someday 01:25:12.580 --> 01:25:15.700 and then tell Jesus, like, sorry, I just, I didn't really warn people to do 01:25:15.700 --> 01:25:17.700 the one thing you left us on this earth to do. 01:25:18.420 --> 01:25:20.740 You say, Pastor, I get tired of you preaching against, 01:25:20.740 --> 01:25:23.460 preaching about soul winning. Well, you'll have to go to another church 01:25:23.460 --> 01:25:26.340 because I'm never going to stop preaching about soul winning. 01:25:26.340 --> 01:25:29.140 I'm never going to stop exhorting. You say, when are you going to stop 01:25:29.140 --> 01:25:31.940 exhorting me to go soul winning? When I'm dead. That's when. 01:25:32.500 --> 01:25:37.700 because that's the reason I'm here. That's the reason you're here. Let us be a soul-winning 01:25:37.700 --> 01:25:40.980 church. Let us have salt in ourselves. Let's pray, Lord. Thank you for this great chapter. 01:25:41.700 --> 01:25:47.620 Thank you for our church. Thank you for the great ministry of reconciliation that you've given to us. 01:25:47.900 --> 01:25:52.140 Lord, hell is definitely not a pleasant thing to think about, but I pray that we would think 01:25:52.140 --> 01:25:56.940 about it from time to time and allow it to motivate us to open our mouth boldly to make 01:25:56.940 --> 01:26:01.340 known the mystery of the gospel. We love you. We pray for safety as we travel home. Please 01:26:01.340 --> 01:26:05.180 bless the fellowship this evening. And in Jesus Christ's name, we pray. Amen. 01:26:13.800 --> 01:26:18.900 evening turn in your hymnals to number 229. 01:26:22.500 --> 01:26:27.860 Hymn number 229 in your hymnals since I have been redeemed. 01:26:32.700 --> 01:26:38.700 229,229 since I have been redeemed. 01:26:42.600 --> 01:26:45.100 We'll sing it out together on the first. 01:26:45.100 --> 01:26:54.860 I have a song I love to sing since I have been redeemed 01:26:54.860 --> 01:27:04.240 of my Redeemer, Savior King, since I have been redeemed. 01:27:04.240 --> 01:27:06.200 Since I have been redeemed.