Thank you.
All right, good morning everyone go ahead and take your song books
449 stent if you can song number 449 dwelling in Beulah land song number
449
Thank you for being here this morning welcome to first works Baptist Church 449 lift it up together on that first verse far
away the noise of strife upon
Upon my ear is falling
Then I know the sins of earth be said on every
Doubt and fear and things of birth in vain to me are calling
None of these shall move me from Beulah land
I'm living on the mountain
Praise God, I'm drinking
Oh
Praise God, I'm drinking
On
Let the stormy breezes blow
I am safely sheltered
By God's hand
Here the Sun is always shining
There's not
Me
Praise God
On the man from a mountain
Together
Oh
I'm drinking
Great singing this morning. Thank you so much for being here
Welcome to first works Baptist Church our first Sunday in our new building. Amen
Great great things that God has prepared for us and we're looking forward to a great service
Let's go ahead and start a service with the Word of Prayer father. We thank you so much for your word Lord
We're thankful for salvation. We're thankful for the hymns and thank you again for providing for us
Something better than what we had before and I pray God that you'd be with us throughout the service be with the singing and the
Preaching of your word Lord
I pray father God that you'd give us spear-filled ears to hear what you would have for us this morning
We love you so much Lord, and we thank you pray these things in Jesus name. Amen. You may be seated song number
296
Song number 296 right there in your hymnals. Whoops
Song song number 296 follow on singing on that first
Down in the valley with my Savior I would go
Where the flowers are blooming and the sweet waters flow?
Everywhere he leads me I would follow
Anywhere everywhere I would follow on
follow follow
I would follow Jesus everywhere. He leads me I would follow
Down in the valley with my Savior I would go
Where the storms are sweeping and the dark waters flow with his hand to lead me
I would never never fear
Danger cannot frighten me if my lord is near
follow follow
I would follow Jesus anywhere everywhere. I would follow on
follow follow
I would follow Jesus everywhere. He leads me I would follow
Down in the valley or upon the mountains deep
So ever keep
Safely in the path that he has trod up to where they gather on the hills of God
follow follow I would follow Jesus
Anywhere everywhere I would follow on
follow follow
follow Jesus
Anywhere he leads me I would follow on
All right, great singing thank you for being here this morning just a few announcements before we sing our next song which will be
116 he leadeth me if you want to get that ready in your song books song number
116
Just a few announcements here. Of course today. We have our regular services scheduled as usual
Our service at 1030 and then we have soul winning at 1230
We have Sunday night service at 5 p.m
And so just keep that in mind there and we're gonna have bulletins on Thursday
But we're still working out the kinks as far as the printer here is concerned
So just bear with us, but we do have a prayer meeting at brother hikes house on Tuesday, and that's at 630
We typically have a meal for all the men that show up and then we pray together fellowship
And so men encourage you to be there
As we continue to pray for our church and the needs of our church and just different ministries that we have
And then also on February 27th
Not this Saturday, but the following we have an ushers training and that'll be at 11 o'clock
We have lunch for all the ushers at 11 o'clock
And if you're an usher in our church, if you serve at that capacity, it's mandatory that you're there
So you can receive some training there, but you also receive some food
Amen, and so trying to motivate you a little bit to come to the meeting
But that'll be on February 27th
and then on the 28th we have a miss Janelle who's gonna have a baby shower and so
See my wife or actually seeing miss Angela for more details about that. So keep that in mind
That'll be after the service after the sunny morning service on February 28th
And I just want to remind you that quiet time is still in place
Okay, and so we still have quiet time on Thursdays or excuse me on Sundays and what is quiet time?
It's it's a time for you to take a nap during the afternoon here
And I know many travel from far and wide and so if you stay here throughout the day, of course
You're welcome to stay here throughout the day
If you're gonna stay here for a Sunday night service and just know this is there from 3 to 4 15 is quiet time
So the lights will be turned off here as well as in the main out
I'm sorry. I'm like backwards here here and the mother baby room and so
Parents if you have children need to take a nap
They can take a nap in here or over there
The lights will be turned off make sure there's no fellowshipping in here or in that room. No music playing here
We want people to rest and get ready for Sunday night service
But here's the thing we have a building so big
The now you have a fellowship hall to go fellowship in okay
Or a kitchen. Okay or a backyard. All right
Here's the funny thing on Thursday
You guys see how big this building is. This building is massive people get lost in this building. Okay?
We had this massive building Thursday after church. I make my way to the Fellowship Hall where people fellowship
It's supposed to hang out and the doors open and a group of men are outside
Huddled together outside of the building. I'm like guys we got a new building
There's everywhere you can fellowship in this building you choose to go outside
Next to all the gardening tools and everything. It's like what in the world if you want to do that. That's fine. But um,
I mean just don't you know, don't waste this place though
Okay, so but just keep in mind from 3 to 4 15. It will be quiet time
so the lights will be turned off here as well as in the mother-baby room and
So the children caress or adults can rest in here as well
But just make sure you don't leave your children unsupervised make sure you're with them at all times
And so just keep that in mind and then no food or drink in the main auditorium except water or coffee. Okay?
If you want to eat or drink and be married you can do that in the kitchen or in the fellowship hall
So just keep that in mind and that's pretty much it for all of our announcements. Let's go ahead and sing our next song
116 116 he leadeth me song number 116
116 he leadeth me song number 116 see it on that first he
116 he leadeth me song number 116
116 still tis his hand that leadeth me
116 he leadeth me he leadeth me
116 by his own and he leadeth me
116 his faithful follower I would be
116 bored by his hand he leadeth me
116 Lord I would clasp thy hand in mine
116 nor ever murder nor repine
116 content whatever love I see
116 since tis my God that leadeth me
116 he leadeth me he leadeth me
116 by his own hand he leadeth me
116 his faithful follower I would be
116 bored by his hand he leadeth me
116 and when my task on earth is done
116 when by thy grace the victories won
116 in death's cold way I will not flee
116 since God through Jordan leadeth me
116 he leadeth me he leadeth me
116 by his own hand he leadeth me
116 his faithful follower I would be
116 bored by his hand he leadeth me
Amen, wonderful singing at this moment our ushers will be receiving the offering and turn your Bibles to 1 Samuel chapter 23
Amen.
We read the book of 2 Samuel this morning chapter number 23.
2 Samuel chapter number 23.
2 Samuel chapter 23. Now these be the last words of David.
David son of Jesse said the man who was raised up on high the anointed of the God of Jacob and the sweet psalmist of Israel said
the spirit of the Lord spake by me and his word was in my tongue the God of Israel said the rock of Israel spake to me
he that ruleth over men must be just ruling in the fear of God and he shall be as the light of the morning when the sun riseth
even a morning without clouds as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain
although my house be not so with God yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant
ordered in all things and sure for this is all my salvation and all my desire although he make it not to grow
but the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away because they cannot be taken with hands
but the man that shall touch them must be fenced with iron and the staff of a spear and they shall be utterly burned with fire in the same place
these be the names of the mighty men whom David had the Tachmanite that sat in the sea chief among the captains
the same was Adonai the Esnite he lift up his spear against 800 whom he slew at one time
and after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahoy one of the three mighty men with David when they defied the Philistines
that were there gathered together to battle and the men of Israel were gone away
he rose and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary and his hand claved to the sore
the Lord wrought a great victory that day and the people were termed after him only to spoil
after him was Shammah the son of Adji the Hararite and the Philistines were gathered together into a troop
where was a piece of ground full of lentils and the people fled from the Philistines
but he stood in the midst of the ground and defended it and slew the Philistines and the Lord wrought a great victory
and three of the thirty chief went down and came to David in harvest time unto the cave of Adullam
and the troop of the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim
and David was then in a hold and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem
David longed and said oh the one would give me to drink the water of the well of Bethlehem which is by the gate
and the three mighty men break through the host of the Philistines and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem
that was by the gate and took it and brought it to David
nevertheless he would not drink thereof but poured it out unto the Lord
and he said be it far from me O Lord that I should do this
is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives
therefore he would not drink it
these things did these three mighty men
and Abishai the brother of Joab the son of Zeruiah was chief among three
and he lifted up his spear against three hundred and slew them and had the name among three
was he not most honorable of three therefore he was their captain
albeit he attained none unto the first three
and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada the son of a valiant man of Cabsio who had done many acts
he slew two lion-like men of Moab
he went on also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow
and he slew an Egyptian a goodly man
and the Egyptian had a spear in his hand but he went down to him with a staff
and plucked the spear out of the Egyptians hand and slew him with his own spear
these things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada and had the name among three mighty men
he was more honorable than the thirty but he attained none to the first three
and David set him over his guard
Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty
Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem
Shammah the Herodite, Eliakah the Herodite, Heles the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkash the Tekoi
Ebiezer the Anathothite, Mebunai the Hushathite, Zaman the Eohite, Meherai the Netophothite
Helib the son of Beanna an Netophothite, Etai the son of Rebeai out of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin
Benaiah the Porathenite, Hidayai of the brooks of Gaiash, Abi-Alban the Arbethite, Asmaveth the Barhimite
Eliabah the Shai-Albanite of the sons of Jashen Jonathan
Shammah the Hararei, Ahaim the son of Sherar the Hararei, Eliphileth the son of Ahazbi the son of the Meakathite
Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilethite, Hezerai the Carmelite, Peyarai the Arbite
Eigol the son of Nathan of Zobah, Benaiah the Gaidite, Zelach the Ammonite, Naharai the Beyarathite
Amorbera to Joab the son of Zeruiah, Ira and Ithrai, Gerab and Ithrai, Uriah the Hittite, thirty and seven in all
Let's pray to God, just thank you for your word, just ask that you would be with our pastor now as he preaches it
please just fill him with your spirit and just ask that you would give us a readiness of mind to receive it
and please just help us to grow in the knowledge of your son Jesus Christ and help us to be just equipped for the works you've ordained for us
and in Jesus' name we pray, Amen
Alright we're in 2 Samuel chapter 23 there, 2 Samuel chapter 23
and the title of the sermon this morning is for the love of their king, for the love of their king
and we'll get back to 2 Samuel 23 in just a bit, if you can turn with me to 1 Samuel chapter 22
1 Samuel chapter 22, hold your place there in 2 Samuel and go to 1 Samuel chapter 22
In 2 Samuel 23 we have basically the last words of King David and that's what he states in verse number 1
It says, Now these be the last words of David, David the son of Jesse said and the man whom he was raised up on high
the anointed of the God of Jacob and the sweet psalmist of Israel
and this might be referring to the fact that these are the last words that he penned down
and within these last writings he begins to honor what is known as David's mighty men
that's what he's talking about for the vast majority of the chapter
and this is a famous list of warriors that basically followed David and assisted him in his various battles and wars
now this is a great honor if you think about it, when your king, your leader is honoring you
and kind of basically bragging about your exploits and your abilities and all the acts and the things that you've done
this is a great honor, but aside from the fact that King David is honoring him
think about it, God is honoring these men by allowing them to basically be penned down in the scriptures for all of eternity
and so it's not only that David esteem these men as being great men, great warriors
but God also esteem them as being great men and great warriors
now when you read the Old Testament, you know obviously there's many pictures of Jesus Christ, right?
there's a lot of people who represent the Lord Jesus Christ, but the one that sticks out the most is King David
obviously when you read about King David and a lot of the prophecies that are found in the Psalms
and different stories that he's involved in, you can draw a lot of parallels between him and our Savior
and we see that a lot and so when you read about his stories and his exploits and the statements that he makes
you can draw a lot of things that would run parallel to the New Testament Christians and to Jesus Christ himself
now the goal of every Christian should be that we would be like these mighty men
because if David is like Jesus, that means his mighty men could be basically like Christians, right?
those who follow the Lord, those who serve God, those who are fighting his battles, you know?
and we want to be recognized in the eyes of God as being honorable men, men who are valiant in battle and in war
not a physical battle, but the spiritual one, you know we don't wrestle against flesh and blood
but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world
but we can pull the stories from the Old Testament and draw spiritual parallels to them, okay?
you know we're not going to go out there and you know spear people and cut them down and blow churches up
or you know stuff like that, you know we're not going to do those things because that's not the way we operate, amen?
the way we operate is on a spiritual level by prayer, by preaching God's word, by taking a stand
these are the battles that we fight, we wrestle not against flesh and blood and the weapons of our warfare are not carnal
but mighty through God through the pulling down of strongholds
and so I want to draw some parallels between David, his mighty men and of course Jesus Christ and Christians in general
now you're in 1 Samuel chapter 22, the first thing that I want you to notice is that David's mighty men
I mean we read through the list and these guys did some pretty great things
you read this and you're like what? this guy slew 800 men with one spear in one day in one setting?
this guy's crazy but here's the thing, David's mighty men were not always mighty
they didn't start off being mighty is what I'm saying, okay?
look at 1 Samuel chapter 22 verse number 1, it says in verse number 1
David therefore departed thence and escaped to the cave of Adullam and when his brethren and all his father's house heard it
they went down thither to him and everyone that was in distress
and everyone that was in debt and everyone that was discontented gathered themselves unto him, unto David
and he became a captain over them and there were there with him about 400 men
so this is actually the beginning of David's mighty men but it's prior to them becoming mighty
what were they before? well it says that they were in distress, they were in debt and they were discontent
so what does this tell us? this tells us that God always works with people who are in these situations
you know he's not necessarily looking for the mighty, he's not necessarily looking for the most wisest individual
he's not looking for those who are the strongest, you know he's looking for those who are just humble
those who are in distress, those who are in debt, those who are discontent, those who basically just need someone to lead them
and you know what? these men were looking for a man to lead them and in like manner, you know when we came to Jesus
distressed, in debt and discontent, why were we distressed?
well because you know maybe you're going through a deflection, some sort of sorrow in your life
you had a loss of family, a loss of job, something was taking place in your life and it caused you to be open to the gospel
or it caused you to be open to coming back to the ways of the Lord, is my mic not working?
you're messing up my sermon man, I'm just going to leave this right here
you know it caused you to seek out the Lord, the Bible says in Matthew 11 verse 28
coming to me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest, take my yoke upon you and learn of me
for I am meek and lowly in heart and ye shall find rest unto your souls
so not only were they in distress but they were also in debt
now what does it tell you about David's mighty men prior to them being mighty? it tells you they had nothing else to lose
so they're like you know what let's follow David, we got nothing else, you know I'm out of money, I'm out of possessions
might as well just give my life for a righteous cause
I don't know what's going on back there, you guys are fired, I'm just kidding
is it working now or what? so I should turn this off, we're having a meeting here sorry
alright I'm going to turn this off, so it's good, alright, don't interrupt me again
Romans 1 14 says I am a debtor both to the Greeks and to the barbarians, both to the wise and to the unwise
Romans 13 verse 8 says oh no man anything but to love one another
for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law
so you know what we could say that when we came to Christ, when we got saved, we were in debt as well
we had nothing, we recognized that we had nothing
we recognized that we had nothing and we came to the Lord
and by the way sometimes this is not part of the sermon, sometimes that's what's needed in order to get people to the point where they recognize they need God
they need to lose everything, they need to lose all their money, all their possessions
maybe even their health to get them to a point where they recognize you know what I need God
because you know when you have money, you have riches, you have possessions
many of those people who have those things don't know how to handle them
and they think well why do I need God, I'm rich
why do I need God, I got a big house
why do I need God, I have a car, I have all these possessions, I'm comfortable
but when those things are taken away from you
a lot of the times people begin to seek after the Lord
so we see that they were in debt, we see that they were distressed and they were discontent, the Bible says
now what does that mean, well I think that they're basically dissatisfied with the current leadership
which is Saul, they're discontented like Saul is going the way of like evil here
he's making bad decisions, he's not serving God, he's being disobedient
I'm discontent with this type of leadership
and you know what, a lot of times people who are already saved, they come to a church like ours
because of the fact that they're sick and tired of weak leadership
right, they're just like man my pastor preaches all kinds of heresy
when I confront him about it he's just kind of like it is repenting your sins but it's not really
and he just kind of plays both sides there and he's not willing to stand up for what he believes
he doesn't even preach hard and if he does he just says sin is bad or something
he's not specific, he's afraid of his own shadow, discontent
Saul was afraid of his own shadow, paranoid, David was valiant
so similar to how people can become dissatisfied with preaching today right
they're like I want to go to a place where there's hard preaching, biblical preaching
where there's a lot of content found in the sermon where I can learn something and become a valiant person
so you know we can draw those parallels and say you know we fall into one of these categories
when we came to this church or when we came to Christ
when we got saved we fell into one of these categories
now think about this, you know it says that David had about 400 people that came to him
and obviously his army grew thereafter but even amongst those 400 there was 37 mighty men
and out of those 37 mighty men you had chief captains and all that
and amongst them there's like three of the mightiest
now what does that remind you of? Jesus
because Jesus had at least 70 apostles to begin with
and out of those 70 he had the what? the 12
and out of the 12 who was he really close to? the three? Peter, James and John
and these were like the most notable among the apostles right
and in fact Paul even said that they seem to be pillars in the church
in other words these were mighty individuals
these are men of reputation, these are men who were famous in the camp so to speak
and so I want to talk about that
now as we look at these men obviously we can draw parallels and strive to be this individual
but when I look at these three men that we're going to look at this morning
I see them as in the New Testament as churches
so we want to take on not only these characteristics as an individual
we want to take these characteristics as a church
now go back to 2 Samuel 23 if you would
2 Samuel chapter 23
before we get into the best ones which are the first three
we're going to get into some honorable mentions first
because you know he lists 37 of them
some of them he just says their name
which hey even if I was amongst that I'd be like that's cool
hey I got my name in 2 Samuel 23
but even before the naming of those
the remainder of them he talks about Abishai and Benaiah
which are some pretty awesome guys
look at verse 18 of 2 Samuel 23
and Abishai the brother of Joab the son of Zeruiah
was chief among three
now it's not saying that he was chief among the three
just chief among a specific other three
and he lifted up a spear against 300 and slew them
and had the name among three
was he not most honorable of three
therefore he was their captain
howbeit he attained not unto the first three
like what so this guy goes out
he slays 300 men with the spear
he does a great work and what does David say
he's honorable but man he cannot attain unto the first three though
that's pretty big right there
verse 20 and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada
the son of a valiant man of Cabsio
who had done many acts
he slew two lion-like men of Moab
and he went down also
and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in the time of snow
so what do we see with him
well first and foremost we see that he's not afraid of anybody
why because he slays two lion-like men
now this doesn't mean that they were like
you know half man half animal or something
he's not slaying like a seraphim here
this anthropomorphic just being
what it's saying when it says lion-like men
it means these guys were scary looking
very scary looking
they're probably bold and courageous themselves
these men were probably men of war
but he slew them
he slew two lion-like men of Moab
and if that wasn't enough
he went down also and slew a lion
an actual lion
in the midst of a pit in the time of snow
now we're in California
we don't know anything about snow
and I'll be honest with you
I don't want to know anything about snow
but if I had to put up with snow
I definitely don't want to put up with it
while I'm fighting a lion in a pit
it's like put a lion on the other side of a cage
let me observe him
and enjoy God's creation
I don't want to fight a lion
first of all in a pit
which means there's no way out
like someone's leaving dead basically
when you go into a pit it's just like
coming out
and then aside from that it's snowing
which means it's cold
so it shows that this man is valiant
he's courageous
he's bold
I mean he's taking risks
he's not afraid
this is someone who we would want to strive to be like
spiritually speaking
well we would be like
I don't have fear
I'll take on two lion-like men
I'll take on the difficult tasks of this world
I'll take on the difficult spiritual tasks
of a lion which is the devil
in a pit right
and basically in hell
here in California
in a time of snow
in the most uncomfortable conditions
verse 21
and he slew an Egyptian
a goodly man
and the Egyptian had a spear in his hand
and he went down to him with a staff
so the Egyptian has a spear
long weapon
Benaiah has a staff
it's like a stick
no problem
oh you got a spear I got a staff
problem solved
plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand
and slew him with his own spear
he's like oh you got a spear
I got a staff problem solved
I'll just take your own spear
and slay you with it
what do we see with Benaiah
he's a problem solver
right
he's not like well this isn't fair
it's not a fair battle
it's not a fair fight
you got a spear I got a staff
you're Egyptian you're goodly
you're bigger than me
he's like no problem
I'll just slay you with your own spear
no excuses
now what is this
what's something that we can learn from Benaiah
in this regard well
don't be a Christian who makes excuses
right
just figure it out
but what if it's far then it's far
then we drive longer
then you check your gas tank before you go
that's right
you leave a little earlier
yeah but he's got a spear
well we'll just take their spear
and slay them with their own spear
what's the next problem
be a problem solver amen
don't be the kind of Christian that just because you run into a wall
is just like well that's impossible we can't do it
oh he's goodly he's an Egyptian he has a spear
can't do it can't be done
just go around the wall
just figure it out
be a problem solver
okay
don't see it as impossible
see it as a way for you to be creative
see it as a way for you to pray
for witty inventions and for prudence
and for wisdom
and to do a great work
verse 22
these things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada
and had the name among three mighty men
yeah he should
this guy's amazing
he was more honorable than the 30
but he attained not to the first three
and David set him over his guard
and look let me just say this is the Benaiah
obviously did more exploits than this
because even after David dies
Solomon takes over
you know Benaiah basically operates
as a hitman for Solomon
he basically goes and says
all right I need you to take out Shimei
I need you to take out my brother
I need you to take out Joab
and he's out there just slaying these guys
at the commandment of the king
till the very end he was fighting till the very end
he was still serving the king till the very end
which by the way is another another honorable thing of his
is that even when there is a transition of power
to another king
he still served that king
as unto the Lord I'm sure
these are the best of the best
so those are the honorable mentions here
but let's go back to go to verse number eight
let's talk about those first three
okay
what made them great
what made them mighty
what made them more honorable
than all four hundred or thirty seven or thirty
what made Adino the Esnite so great
well look at verse eight
by the way this is the only verse that talks about him
in the entire bible
it says these be the names of the mighty men
whom David had the Tachmanite
that sat in the sea chief among the captains
the same was Adino the Esnite
he lift up his spear
against eight hundred
whom he slew at one time
so we're a church of about a little over a hundred people
this is eight hundred
he basically took out a mega church
in one setting
with one spear
don't just breeze over that
whenever I was like eight hundred
that's a lot
and it's not like eight hundred of guys
that weigh a hundred pounds each or something
I'm sure there's some that are two hundred, two fifty, three hundred, three fifty
various forms
and by himself
he slew eight hundred people
not over a span of like weeks or you know months
no in one setting at one time
so you know David's like
yeah you're mighty
yeah you you're mighty
you know when you can just go to war
how long he was going to war for how many hours
and just slay eight hundred men and not die
not die
and I'm sure he's not just slaying just like regular people
these are warriors that he's fighting
so what is what are some things that we can take from this spiritually speaking
well first and foremost I want you to notice that God cares for numbers
right
he cares about numbers
it didn't say well he slew like a bunch of people
he says no he slew eight hundred men
and the reason that's important
is because today you have this attitude of
oh why do you guys count your soul in
why do you guys count you know how many people you got saved
oh because God cares for numbers and so should we
I mean isn't there a book in the Bible called the book of numbers
go to Acts chapter two if you would
Acts chapter two
hold your place there
Acts chapter number two
we see that Adino was productive
right
he's a productive guy
it's no wonder he became a chief captain
if you can't slay eight hundred men in one setting
I'm just gonna make you a ruler over these guys then
you've earned your badge
I know I see your reputation
God cares for numbers
now this is not encouraging you to go slay eight hundred of God's enemies
okay
you know because people literally take this sermon
and literally say the exact opposite of what I just said
right
oh he's saying that he wants people to go slay eight hundred sodomites or something you know
people say that
like I preached a sermon called you know preparations for warfare
where I literally said we're not physically gonna fight
it's not a physical fight it's a spiritual battle
and they literally said oh he says he wants to physically harm people
like that's actually the exact opposite of what I said
but that's how wicked people operate today
they don't even check the facts
okay
chapter two two thirty eight
then Peter said unto them repent and be baptized every one of you
in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins
and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost
for the promises unto you and to your children
and to all that are far off
even as many as the Lord our God shall call
and with many other words did he referring to Peter
testify and exhort saying save yourselves from this untoward generation
then they that gladly received his word were baptized
and the same day they were added unto them
ah just a bunch of souls
ah just a group of people
we don't want to count you know just a lot of people
no three thousand about three thousand souls
God chose to put down and later on we see that he preaches to five thousand
or more than a five thousand because five thousand end up getting saved
you know what that tells me is that God is concerned with salvations
how many?
he said well how do you know that the people you're counting actually got saved
we don't
we just base it off of their profession of faith
we base it off of their testimony
we base it off of the soul winner
that went to that individual whom we've trained
and sent out and ordained to go out and preach the gospel
to be honest and say I got this person saved
and we count them and we say alright great
well as far as we know this is how much we're getting saved
you know when brother Will goes out to the Philippines
he comes back with a good amount of numbers
a dino right here
spiritually slaying and going out there and rescuing souls
we're concerned about the amount of people that get saved
when everyone asks oh but that's so prideful
but I guarantee you these same people who say that we're prideful for counting
don't go soul winning
these are the same individuals that don't preach the gospel
you ask them when's the last time you went out soul winning
well I believe in lifestyle evangelism
so how many people have you seen saved through your lifestyle evangelism
zero
because the bible says that we need to open our mouths
boldly to make known the mysteries of the gospel
the bible says we need to go out and preach the gospel
into the highways and hedges
that's what the bible says
the bible says we need to open up the word of God
and show someone how to be saved
preach the gospel unto them
and persuade them right
to trust Christ as their savior
to believe on Jesus
you know knowing therefore the terror of the Lord
we persuade men
now obviously there's churches out there
I'm sure that will inflate the numbers
you know what I mean
they'll lie about it
I knew a church one time where literally they were just like
well you don't have to believe all that
just repeat after me
this one two three pray after me
that's what they would call it
and that's definitely a model that we don't want to imitate
you know
we're not here just for the numbers
but we understand that the numbers are important
we want quality as well as
quantity
we want quality in our gospel presentation
to be thorough
to preach the word of God
and you know to show them the right way
but at the same time we also want quantity
why because we know that every single soul
is a soul that can potentially go to hell
the bible says in Matthew 13 verse 7
and some fell among thorns
and the thorns sprung up and choked them
but other fell into good ground
and brought forth fruit
some in hundred fold
some sixty fold
some thirty fold
so this is referring to the individual who gets saved
they get plugged in, they get rooted
and what do they do?
they begin to produce fruit
some of them produce thirty souls
throughout their lifetime or in a year
some of them produce sixty in a year
but some produce a hundred fold
wouldn't you say the one who produces a hundred fold
attains to those three
it's the greatest among three
it's not because they're talented
it's not because they're gifted
what is it? it's because they are productive
it is because they are willing to go out there
and invest their time to see as many people saved as possible
he lift up a spear against eight hundred
whom he slew at one time
why is David honoring this guy for doing that?
I'll tell you why because that's eight hundred less people
he has to worry about
right?
he's like well at least I know there's eight hundred enemies
just take care of that
go to second timothy chapter four
second timothy chapter number four
well what else do we learn from the fact
that he lift up his spear against eight hundred
well you know he didn't just slay his ten
and just kind of call it quits
he fought a good fight
until the end
he did his job until the job was done
right?
he did his job until the job was done
right?
he did his job until the job was done
right?
he didn't call it quits
he didn't throw in the towel
he didn't kowtow
he just fought to the very end
until there's no more enemies left to fight
and you know what?
spiritually speaking that's how we need to be
that we fight
I want to say to the bitter end
but the end is never bitter for us
fight until the sweet end
right?
we need to fight to the sweet end of things
look at second timothy chapter four verse six
Paul speaking here says
for I am now ready to be offered
and the time of my departure is at hand
he's not talking about LAX or
you know
what he's talking about is like
he's about to die
I have fought a good fight
I have finished my course
I have kept the faith
he's like I fought the spiritual battles
I got people saved
I you know defended the faith
I exposed false doctrine
I exposed false prophets
at the end of his life
and he's still fighting
now what does he get
because he fought a good fight
look at verse eight
henceforth there is laid up for me
a crown of righteousness
which the Lord the righteous judge
shall give me at that day
and not to me only but unto all them
that also love his appearing
so what's awaiting the apostle Paul
when he dies?
honor
you know what awaited him
recognizing him for his
for being valiant and courageous
and bold and in like manner
when we fight a good fight
to the very end to our departure
is at hand
God will honor us
I don't understand people who just
well I fought the good fight
in my younger years
when I was a little reckless
you know when I had a little more energy
but now that I'm getting older
I just you know just kind of put it on cruise control
what in the world
we need to fight to the very end
and look yeah obviously
the older you get
the slower things may become
maybe you can't do as much
but it doesn't mean you just throw in the towel
it doesn't mean you just start compromising
it doesn't mean you just stop fighting
it doesn't mean you just start making up excuses
why people are the way they are
oh this is just the world we live in
and false doctrine and all these wicked things
you're just gonna sit back and watch it all burn
we need to do our part
yeah you know I might not be able to slay 10,000
but I can do 800
right
you may not be able to win 20,000 people to the Lord
but maybe you can win 800
you can still make a dent in this world
and be honored by God
go to Revelation chapter 2 if you would
Revelation chapter 2
there is great honor in sticking it out
until the very end
and look if you've backslid in
if you've gotten away from church
you've gotten away from God
you've gotten away from your Bible reading or prayer
you know you can still come back
and regain that honor
you can still come back and serve God
and still do great exploits
think about Peter denied the Lord
but what happened when he came back
the 3,000
what happened when he came back
the 5,000
he still did great works thereafter
look at Revelation 2 10
fear none of those things which thou shall suffer
that ye may pass some of you into prison
that ye may be tried
and ye shall have tribulation ten days
be thou faithful unto death
that will give thee a crown of life
what is God saying
hang on until the very end
and I'll honor you
preach until the very end
win souls to the very end
believe righteously to the very end
be holy to the very end
serve Christ to the very end
faithful unto death
and I don't believe he's necessarily referring to
like you're about to die right now
he's just saying be faithful until you die
look at verse 25
but that which ye have already hold fast till I come
and he that overcometh
and keepeth my works until the end
to him will I give power over the nations
and he shall rule them with a rod of iron
as the vessels of potter shall they be broken into shivers
even as I received of my father
pastor you ever thought about going into politics
maybe you know trying to overthrow Mayor Acona
and you know just kind of you know turn the tide
and that no
because it will eventually happen in the millennium range
if I just keep serving God
and keep his words until the end
you know what's going to happen
is that I'm going to have power over the nations
but I have to stick it out
until the very end
go back to 2 Samuel 23
so this guy's awesome
I'm going to go back to 2 Samuel 23
so this guy's awesome
he has a weird name but he's still awesome
Adino
you know
Adino the Esnite
was the greatest among three
because he was productive
he was tenacious
he accomplished a great thing
he had the tenacity
to finish all the way to the very end
okay
look at verse number 9
and after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Eoite
one of the three mighty men with David
when they defied the Philistines
that were there gathered together to battle
look what it says
and the men of Israel were gone away
he arose
and smote the Philistines
until his hand was weary
and his hand clave unto the sword
and the Lord wrought a great victory that day
and the people returned after him
only to spoil
so Eleazar
is one of the three mighty men
why was he mighty?
well number one he fought
and number two
it says when they defied the Philistines
they were gathered together to battle
and the men of Israel were gone away
what does that mean
the Philistines came and were like
I don't want to fight these guys
they're too scary
we might lose we might die
and what happened when they fled away
he arose
he's like I'll fight them
I'll stand up to them
when all of Israel were too afraid
they're too scared
to stand up to the truth
they're too afraid to stand up
to the enemies of God
Eleazar said I'm not afraid
I'll stand up to them
I'll do it
if it's just me I'll still do it
he arose
Ezekiel 22 verse 30 says
and I sought for a man among them
that should make up the hedge
and stand in the gap before me for the land
that I should not destroy it
but I found none
here's the problem with these Israelites
who are running away
they think that the battle is up to them
they think that the victory is up to them
folks when it comes to God's people
the battles of the Lord
God expects us to fight
He expects us to fight
to stand up
to arise when no one else wants to
and what is that
that's an act of faith that in turn results
in a great victory brought on by the Lord
not by us
you see the only way we can win victories
is by just doing what God tells us to do
no matter how great the opposition is
do right
even though there's many who are against you
do right
even though it seems impossible to win the war
you still do right
because at the end of the day
the victory relies on God
He's the one who's going to win the battle for us
all He requires of you and me
is to arise
when everyone's cow-tied
they're running with their tails between their legs
and they're scared
and I don't want to say anything
this is getting kind of crazy out here
they just need a church to just say
we'll do it
yeah but who are you guys?
you guys are meeting at a strip mall
who are you guys?
I mean who's this new IV?
you guys aren't even that big?
you guys have buses?
just stand up
he sought for a man among them
that should make up the hedge
and stand in the gap
that he should not destroy
but he found none
you know what is something that we can learn from Eliezer
we can learn that you know
we need to be courageous as a church
and just stand
arise when no one else wants to
I was talking to someone yesterday
and they
I've known them from times past
and they pointed at me
they're like I saw you on the news
he's like I saw you on Telemundo
I saw you on Fox
I saw you on everything
I'm like cool
and he's just like
he's like I saw you
on the news
and I went home and my wife's like
you know brother Bruce is on the news
he's like I just saw that
like on whatever news outlet
and then he says
I couldn't help but just keep rewinding
the video that I kept seeing
it's just like
I can't believe this is actually happening
and he was
you know he was like excited for us
he was excited for me
but then you know he's like
but you got to be careful though
you got to be
he's like you got to be careful though
and I'm like why
he's like because you know
what if something happens to you
I'm like then I
what do you mean like I die
he's like yeah what if they do
something crazy like that
I'm like well then I go to heaven
next question
he's like yeah I get that
but you know I was just like
you know and I'm like hey
don't be afraid
because here's the thing
I know that he agrees with me
but here's the problem though
fear
afraid to stand up
he's like yeah but you got to think about your kids
you got to think about your wife
I say I do
what about them?
well you know
then they will have a privilege of having a martyr for a father and a husband if that happens
but I said it's not going to happen
but even if it does
at least then they'll know
hey my husband and my father
was an Eliezer
first works Baptist church is an Eliezer
that when all of Israel
flees and runs from the enemy
and is too scared to do anything
they arise
I mean folks
there's independent fundamental Baptist churches all over California
over a thousand in attendance
two thousand, three thousand, four thousand, five thousand in attendance
every single one of them flee
they flee
do you know what God does?
he looks towards the smaller group
because it's often the smaller group that says
we'll stand
we'll do it
we'll arise
but not only that
he fought until his hands were weary
and his hand claved
unto the sword
this is nuts
so he's fighting so much
I mean he has a sword in his hand
he's swinging that thing and slaying
he's doing it for so long
his fist basically clamps onto that sword
it just clamps on
when it's time to stop fighting
he's like I can't let go of the sword
it's stuck
I can't let go of the sword
I'm tired
I'm weary
but I can't let go of the sword
and let me say this
when you fight the Lord's battles
you're reading the Bible right?
you're reading the scriptures
you're listening to preaching
and you know what?
even though you're tired
you won't be able to let go of that sword
even though you're weary
you're tired
you might be discouraged
no matter what happens
I'm going to continue to hold onto the sword
and look
the same guy he said this
he said yeah but you got to be careful
what if you say something
and something just slips out
I'm not going to do any interview
or to answer what I believe
because I read the Bible
and all that's going to come out
is the Bible
I'm not some like evil individual
that's just harboring some violence in my heart
I'm just going to say what the Bible says
but that's why it's important you have God's word in your heart
but this guy fought until he was weary
this reminds me of Judges chapter 8 verse 4
where it says in Gideon came to Jordan and passed over
he and the 300 men that were with him
faint yet pursuing
and that's exactly how we need to lead
live our Christian lives
and it's not always that we're going to be faint
but you know there's going to be times
when we're tired
but we need to continue to pursue
we need to continue to love the Lord
we need to continue to read the Bible
to win souls
to fellowship
to congregate no matter what happens
faint yet pursuing
and sometimes you're just faint of the thought
of the things of this world
bills, sicknesses
losing a job
health conditions
whatever it may be
you're just tired, you're weary
but here's the thing
be not weary in well doing
for in due season ye shall reap
if ye faint not
let us not be weary in well doing
you say what do I do when I get tired though
well go to Isaiah chapter 40
Isaiah chapter 40 if you would
we got to turn that on
you got it?
I can't, I don't know how to do this
what?
yeah come on up
everyone look at you Lisa
everyone look at you
let's just wait until he does it
you got this?
the pressure's on
don't mess up man
don't turn on the heater
you got it?
all right
Isaiah chapter 40 verse 29
look what it says
what do you do when you're tired?
he give his power to the faint
and to them that have no might
he increase its strength
yeah but I'm young
I got power
I deadlift
even the youth shall faint and be weary though
even the youth shall faint and be weary
and the young men shall utterly fall
God's like oh yeah even you young guys will fall
even you young guys have a limit
verse 31 but
they that wait upon the Lord
shall renew their strength
they shall mount up with wings as eagles
they shall run and not be weary
and they shall walk and not faint
so how do we tap into this
strength that is above
beyond our strength
by waiting upon the Lord
I mean this strength is so great
that you can mount up with wings as eagles
you can run and not be weary
what does that mean?
well have you ever had a time in your life
when you're going through a difficult trial
you're praying and it's just like you're without strength
but somehow you just keep on going
you're just like I don't even know
how I'm holding it together
well that's what it is
it's when he gives you that strength
that is beyond yourself
go back to second Samuel if you would
second Samuel
Eliezer is awesome
this guy has slain people
I mean his hand is cleaving unto the sword
he can't let go of it
he's just like hey why don't you put your sword back in your sheath
and he's like I can't
my hand is the sheath
it's just stuck
but not only that look
he also was willing to share the spoil
look what it says in verse 10
he arose and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary
and his hand cleaving to the sword
and the Lord wrought a great victory that day
and the people returned after him
only to spoil
so everyone else that ran
they came back and were like
oh man look at all this free stuff
that we didn't work for right
but you know what
Eliezer didn't rebuke them for that
he's like have at it
take it
why? because at the end of the day
he wasn't really the one who really won the victory
it was God
and you know what
if you can win battles for the brethren's sake
and they benefit from that
all the better
sacrifices sometimes need to be made
you know if what happened to our church
could just embolden someone out there
to just take at least take a stand
that's a spoil
if that could embolden someone to get back into church
that's a spoil
if that could embolden someone to preach the gospel
at least win their first soul
that's a spoil
if that could embolden someone
to just love the Lord a little more
to love God's word a little more
that is the spoil
and look folks
when we start getting new people in our church
oh yeah well you weren't here when we were in the
where were you during the protest
how come you weren't there on that first Sunday
how come you weren't fighting with us
we don't say those things
let them enjoy the spoils
I mean this building is like the spoils
right the spoils of war
don't have this attitude
yeah but where were you
you're all scared and stuff
how come you show up afterwards
folks
that's a wrong attitude to have
the right attitude should be
God used this and it was God who gave us this by the way
not us
it was God who won the victory not us
share the spoils to whoever wants them
and rejoice
he shared the spoils with those who didn't fight
but here's the thing
I'm sure those who didn't fight who came and got the spoils
started fighting afterwards
people who got on board afterwards
amen
look at verse 11
here's the third guy
Shammah the son of Agi the Harari
it says after him was Shammah the son of Agi the Harari
and the Philistines were gathered together into a troop
where was a piece of ground full of lentils
and the people fled from the Philistines
again
just always running
people always scared
but he stood in the midst of the ground
and defended it
and slew the Philistines
and the Lord wrought a great victory
he said what's so big about that
when he ran he literally was in the midst of the battle
he put himself right in the middle
of the entire thing
I mean you know
he slew some but you know what it says here
is that he just defended it
and you know why he was great
because of his defense
and look folks
sometimes we're on the offensive
but sometimes we need also to be on the defensive
defending our doctrine
defending what we believe
defending the Lord
he was in the midst of the battle
go back to Revelation chapter 2 if you would
Revelation chapter 2
I'm going to read to you from Proverbs 28 verse 4
it says they that forsake the law praise the wicked
but such as keep the law
contend with them
Jude verse 3 says this
Beloved when I gave all diligence
to write unto you of the common salvation
it was needful for me to write unto you
and exhort you
that you should earnestly contend for the faith
which was once delivered unto the saints
folks aside from the fact that we have
wars on the outside
wars with these reprobates
you know we still have to defend doctrine
we still have to expose the false heresies
all these doctrines
that are out there
and earnestly contend for the faith
look at Revelation 2 verse 12
and to the angel of the church of Pergamos write
these things saith he which hath a sharp sword with two edges
I know thy works
and where thou dwellest
even where Satan's seat is
and thou holdest fast my name
and has not denied my faith
even in those days wherein Antipas
was my faithful martyr
who was slain among you where Satan dwelleth
so I personally believe that this is actually referring to a synagogue
that these believers were like right there
smack dab in the middle
where a synagogue was located
and this is why they're receiving all this persecution
but it says there I know thy works
and where thou dwellest even where Satan's seat is
what's the state that people just like
despise like Christians are just like
I would never move there
that's just a horrible aside from New York
you know what's the conservative they're like
California
that's like where Satan's seat is
like you're in the midst of the battle there
you're like right there dead smacking
Hollywood's right there
it's a Democrat state
Newsom is there
just the worst kind of people are there
but here God is honoring Pergamos
and saying I know your works
because you're right in the middle of it
you're dead smack in the middle
of all of the craziness and nonsense that's going on out there
people have messaged me like how are you still staying in California
I'm like because I'm a California native
aren't you traumatized
I'm like yeah but my whole life has been traumatized
and I'm like I'm not traumatized
I'm like yeah but my whole life has been traumatized
this is where I live
I've lived with trauma my entire life
this is just the way life is
you know it's just like
it's not so bad if you were already born here
to those who move here they're just like
the world is crazy
for us it's like just another day in the office
so this is kind of like where Satan's seat is
but you know what even in the midst of where Satan's seat is
God can still do a great work
God can still protect his people
I mean think of
think of Egypt right
you know God's people
were in Egypt
they were in Goshen
while the rest of Egypt was falling apart
yet there was this one portion of Egypt called Goshen
where everything was a-ok
and where's Goshen for us our church
where's Goshen for us
well wherever we're serving the Lord that's where Goshen is
even where Satan's seat is
so we're defending the faith here
we're like on the front lines
in California
hey it's easy to be a fundamental Baptist
in some conservative state amen
kind of hard to do that in California
but it's possible anywhere though
it's possible in New York
it's possible here
and you know what
if we become an Antipas then so be it
we get honored
now go back to 2 Samuel
I'm going to be finished right here
2 Samuel chapter 23
so we see all these parallels between these three mighty men
and what we want to be as individuals or even as a church
but what's one of the things that really stood out regarding these men
because these men are mighty in and of themselves
like individually they're mighty
but you know what really made them mighty
was the fact that they were able to work together
look what it says in verse 13
and three of the thirty chiefs went down
and came to David in the harvest time into the cave of Dulum
and the troop of the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim
and David was then in a hold
and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem
and David longed and said
oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem
which is by the gate
and the three mighty men
break through the host of the Philistines
there's three guys, there's three
they're going through the host of the Philistines
and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem
that was by the gate, took it, brought it to David
nevertheless he would not drink thereof
but poured it out unto the Lord and said
be it far from me O Lord that I should do this
is not this the blood of the men
that went in jeopardy of their lives
therefore he would not drink it
these things did these three mighty men
so what do we see in regard to these three men
aside from the fact that just individually they're great
they were actually even greater when working together
we want to be a great church
we want to be like an Eliezer, an Edeno
we want to be like Shammah
but you know what, we want to work with those who are like Shammah as well
we want to work with those churches that are like Eliezer
and you know what, let me just say this
I know some Eliezer Baptist churches out there
I know some Edeno Baptist churches out there
I know some Shammah Baptist churches out there
and what we want to do as First Works Baptist Church
is collectively work well with them to please the king
so when the king says oh that one would go into this city
and win a bunch of souls to Christ
to just break through the garrison of the Philistines
we would say let's do it
all we need is three churches
spoiler alert
oh that someone would just go into Amonti and do a soul winning mega marathon there
do a soul winning marathon and just preach the gospel there
and get the remainder of the normal people saved out there
hey I know a church up north
an Edeno Baptist church up north in Sacramento
I know an Eliezer Baptist church in Arizona
I think we could all just get together and just break through those gates
you know because the gates of hell should not prevail against it
and go in there and preach the gospel and get as many people saved there as possible
you would go back, don't you know they're seeking your life
don't you know that you know you might be bound if you go
don't you know the mayor is trying to vote you out of there
don't you know you got people out there that hate you
are you willing to jeopardize your life
well it says here verse 17
be it far from you Lord that I should do this
it's not just the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives
you know the Bible says of the New Testament apostles
these men who have what?
hazard their lives
they put their life on the line
to do a work
why?
well do you remember the title of the sermon?
for the love of their king
it's Valentine's Day isn't it?
gotcha
it's the love of Christ that constrains us
what would cause these men to go into a garrison and pull out just a cup of water
that eventually he would even pour out
I'll tell you what
for the love of their king
they love David so much
that they said I'm willing to just risk it all
I'm willing to die
I'm willing to just put everything on the line
to just get him a cup of water
for the love of their king
what would cause the apostle Paul to do everything that he did
to be beaten with stones and with rods
to be betrayed by his countrymen
to be out in the deep
to go through all those trials
I'll tell you what the love of Christ that constrained them to do that
for the love of his king
why are you doing all this?
why are you willing to go through all this turmoil
and all this transition and preach these sermons
and be threatened and go through the church bombing
I'll tell you what
it's not for fame
it's not for popularity
it's for Jesus
for the love of our king
go to Acts chapter 15
Acts chapter 15
it's no wonder why David said
these three
these guys are mighty
these three churches
these four churches
these five churches
these are mighty
because even for a cup of water
even for one soul
and look
I think it was last year
our church along with
Verity Baptist Church
and Faithful Word Baptist Church
we went into the area of the Philistines
to go get a drink of water for our king
it was called the San Francisco Soul Winning Marathon
you guys remember that?
we literally went
I remember Pastor Anderson told me
I was like San Francisco?
you want to go to San Francisco?
oh you want to go to San Francisco North
San Francisco
he's like yeah
I'm like alright let's do it
let's go get a cup of water for the king
it was great
I mean they broke through
they broke in our van
and shat and stole luggage
I think they stole Ira's luggage and stuff and everything
but you know at the end of the day
it was for the love of the king
so look if we can do San Francisco
we can do El Monte
I quoted this but let's read it
Acts 15 verse 25 says
it seemed good unto us being assembled with one accord
to send chosen men unto you
with our beloved Barnabas and Paul
men that have hazarded their lives
for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ
think of what Paul said
when he's defending the resurrection
he says why stand we in jeopardy
if there is no resurrection
he said why would I hazard my life
why would I put my life on the line
if this stuff wasn't real
he said why are you doing all this
because it's real
the resurrection is real
God is real the Bible is real
what's the lesson today?
well we should take on these attributes
of these mighty men as a church
but also recognize that everything that we do
should be for the love of the king
I know Valentine's Day is not
you know it's a hallmark whatever
you know people have their different opinions
like oh this is just to make money
but you know it's just a good thought
to think of why we do the things that we do
is because we love the Lord
and we want to make sure that we do it
for the love of the king
Amen
Spire our heads and have a word of prayer
Father we thank you so much for your word
and Lord we love you only because
you would continue to protect our church
use our church
may your hand be upon us Lord
and help us to continue to see many people saved
and souls come to Christ Lord
I pray that you'd show yourself strong
on our behalf Lord
and I pray that you help us Lord
as these three mighty men
to be faithful unto death
faithful unto the end
and we know that you will honor us Lord
you've said within your word that you will honor us
and I pray that you'd help us press through
the things of this world
that cup of water
and from that well of Bethlehem
we love you so much Lord and we thank you
pray these things in Jesus name Amen
Song number 106
Song number 106 there in your hymnals
Abide With Me
as our last song
Song number 106
Sing it on that first
Abide With Me
fast
falls even
tight
the darkness
deepens
Lord with me
Abide
when
other
helpers
fail
and
the
Lord
will
in comforts
flee
help
of the
helpless
Abide
with
me
swim
to the
close
ebbs
out life's
little
did
its
glories
pass away
change
and decay
if
all around
I see
oh
thou who
changes
not
Abide
with me
I
need
thy
presence
every
passing hour
what
but
thy grace
can
boil the
tempters
power
who
might
and stay
can be
through
cloud and
sunshine
will
abide
with me
hold
thou
thy cross
before
my closing
eyes
and through
the
gloom
and
point me
to the
skies
heaven
morning
breaks
and
earth's
faint
shadows
flee
with
me
you