Music
You
Everybody welcome to sure foundation Baptist Church if you could find your seats and grab your blue song books turn to page number 270
We're gonna be seeing joy to the world
Welcome to sure foundation Baptist Church. You could find your seats and grab your blue song books to the page number
270 we're gonna be seeing joy to the world
You
Song number
270 joy to the world. Let's see it out on the first joy to the world
the Lord is
come
let earth
receive
her King
Let every
heart
Prepare him room
and heaven and nature sing and heaven and nature sing and
And
Nature sing song 270 joy of the world. Let's see it out a little bit faster on this second verse
I think it's my fault. I started it slow. Okay a little bit faster on the second verse
Song 270 door to the world joy to the earth
The Savior reigns let men their songs
employ
While fields and floods
rocks hills and plains
repeat the sounding joy
repeat repeat
the
founding joy on the third no more let sins
and sorrows
grow
nor thorns infest
the ground
He comes to make his blessings
flow
far as the curse is found
far as the curse is found far as
far as
the
curses found
He rules the world
with truth and grace and makes the
nation's proof
The glories of his righteousness
And
Wonders of his love and wonders of his love and wonders
Wonders of his love and I get to see brother Jew cuz you up us up with a word of prayer
You
Song 264 Oh come Oh come Emmanuel
Song number 264 Oh come Oh come Emmanuel
Song 264 Oh come Oh come Emmanuel, let's sing it together on the first Oh
Come Oh come
Emmanuel and ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely
exile here
Until the Son of God
Appear
Rejoice rejoice
Emmanuel shall come to the
Israel Oh come
Jesse free line own from Satan's tyranny
From depths of hell by people
Say and give them victory or the grave
Rejoice rejoice
Emmanuel shall come to the
Oh
Israel Oh come now key of David
Come and open wide our
Heavenly home
Make safe the way that leads on
And show the path that breaks
us not
Rejoice rejoice
Emmanuel shall come to the
Israel right good thing with that. We'll have our announcements
Good
Morning everybody welcome to sure foundation Baptist Church
Let's take our bulletins and go through the announcements real quick
If you need a bulletin just lift up your hand with the ushers will hand you one
On the front cover we have our verse of the week says and he gave some apostles
and some prophets and some evangelists and some pastors and teachers for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the ministry for the
edifying of
The body of Christ Ephesians 4 11 and 12 on our inside page there. We have our service time Sunday morning 10 30 a.m. And
Sunday evening service 3 30 p.m. Thursday Bible study 6 30 p.m. We will be back in first Chronicles chapter 15 this week and
so many times are listed below so we might be a little shortened today because of
All the events we have going on
But we're having roundtable pizza after the service
So
We also have a conflict with the picture. So we have three families taking pictures afterwards
So if we could please not have the children in there
During the picture time and then right after that we need to roll those tables in there and then we can begin to eat
So it might just be a little bit later the pizza supposed to be here at 12
So I'll try not to Pete preach past the pizza time, but they're always late
So so I'll just I'll just say this I'll only preach as long as the pizzas
You know or whatever, I don't know
We'll see. I'll try to preach this till 12. I'm gonna try. All right, but
Anyway, I don't want to make you suffer longer than you need to suffer you suffer enough for Jesus
So I don't want you to have to suffer. It's not to smell that pizza. So yeah, we don't have any chairs set up
There's also like a little project on the table back there. I just don't want anybody getting into that. So and then we got the
Pictures right after service. So do you are you doing that right after service brother Jeremy? Okay
So if you're one of those families just yeah, just make sure you're ready to go
so we do have so winning today though and
Brother Sean put the map in the whatsapp group. Is that the last time you're doing that?
Okay, so and then brother Alex is taking over right? Okay, so brother Alex is preaching in Seattle today, but
Let's see the praise report you can see the salvation's baptisms we we did have a baptism and
Yakima last week and
Kind of want to explain that because people have asked me about it, but I allowed brother Robert Larson to baptize
last week as a special
Circumstance
He's you know, normally it would only be ordained people that I allowed to baptize but
And brother Rick used to be a pastor but he had open-heart surgery and so I was going to allow him to do it
But he can only lift 15 pounds. So
But this lady who's wanting to get baptized for months now, and I just you know, the timing just has not worked out. So
but the Bible doesn't specifically say
only these people can baptize or whatever so
So
The the example that you see in Scripture is men
Baptizing is ordained people baptizing and you know, you could look at Ananias and say well
It doesn't say he was ordained, but I mean God spoke to him audibly. So
You know, maybe he was a prophet or he could have been an apostle, but the Bible doesn't say that
So I'm just saying that to say this like that was like a temporary
Power that I let him do and it's not something that I'll permanently do
We're not gonna have people's kids baptizing their parents and stuff like that. So
It's okay. I haven't gone liberal. All right, so
With that, let's look at the events. We got the children's choir practice after the second service tonight
We have brother Sean Collins ordination this morning as evangelist to our church plant in Seattle
so he'll be taking over up there and
Running the day-to-day
Stuff up there. So him and his family have bought a house and they're moving next Saturday. So I
Don't know if this you're gonna be here Thursday, though, right? You better be or you're fired. No, I'm just kidding
So he'll be his last service here will be Thursday, but we're all kind of gonna kind of
Wish him well today and celebrate with him today and his family
So and I think there was some kind of a food train or something like that
So if you haven't signed up for that or if you don't know about it you want to help out it's in the whatsapp group
Also, like I said today is roundtable pizza is supposed to be here at 12
So but they always say they're gonna be here and they're usually not on time. So last time I think they were but
Brother Sean is gonna be preaching for us tonight as a newly ordained
Evangelist so we'll be judging his preaching very harshly tonight. No, it is. We'll see if the spirit has come on this joke
I'm kidding. I'm sure it'll be good as always. So December 12th. We have our
Christmas children's Christmas party at the church at 10 a.m. To 1 30 p.m. And my wife has walking pneumonia
so she she got antibiotics yesterday for that and
So she's hopefully gonna start feeling better. She's saying I'm gonna be there. So
But if there is some
You know hiccup where she isn't able to do it
Well, you know canceling is gonna be the last thing that we want to do
But we might end up having to just switch it to another day or something, but I'm pretty sure we're doing it
So I'm not a hundred percent sure. Okay, I'm a hundred percent sure I'm saved
I'm not a hundred percent sure about the children's Christmas party
All right, so but from what I know from what miss Sherry said she says I'll be feeling better by Monday
That's what she said. So but antibiotics, you know, they actually do work. They're not like some wizardry or something. So
When you have a bacterial infection, they actually do work and you should probably take them unless you want to die. So anyway
December 15th those
Free medical advice by me. I'm not a doctor
December 15th, we have dr. Stringer coming. That's this next Sunday and he'll be preaching both services for us
He'll be giving us a report of his trip to Egypt. So I'm looking forward to hearing that and then December 21st, we have
Super so winning Saturday from 12 to 3 that would be in Gresham brother. Sean is gonna be leading that
He's gonna be putting all the maps in on Friday night. So are you still planning on doing so in Friday?
okay, so he's gonna so Sony on next Friday is canceled and
He'll be leading that time and then we're gonna go he'll put all the addresses and stuff in for bussers barbecue
Don't just show up to the barbecue come up come out and get some people say first
But it's Gresham its ghetto its apartments. So there should be good some good soul wanting so
And let's see
So yeah, all the details will be in the what's that group for that December 20 seconds our Christmas service
So we're gonna have the children's choir singing in the morning
Christmas dinner and a potluck between the services meet will be provided by the church
Summer 29th is a men's preaching night for the evening service
Normally, I would do that on the 31st and let the guys get up and preach and stuff
But since it's not gonna be on the weekend, I just you know where there's two services
I'm just gonna do it on the 29th instead. So you guys can preach about whatever you want
As long as it's not heresy as long as you're using a King James Bible as long as you're wearing a tie
Then you're good to preach, right?
And if you have some kind of a weird doctor that you want to preach and only you know it
Then just come talk to me first before you preach it
You don't want to embarrass yourself and I don't want to have to embarrass you in front of everybody. So
Anyway, let's see last thing is yes, so December 31st that New Year's Eve service
It replaces the Thursday service and we'll pray in the new year. We'll have some games and stuff
But there will be a preaching service. I'll be preaching
The the regular time so we'll be the preaching time will start at 630, but we can come in
Early if anybody that wants to come in earlier start playing games
You're fine
So December 30, so that's December 31st, we're family integrated, of course, that means the children infants are welcome during the church services
Please use some other baby rooms and dad babe rooms for your convenience. All the other rules are listed below
ties and offerings bottom of the page then we have
CJ
Woods birthday is how are you gonna be old man?
Spill the beans, huh? How are they gonna how are they gonna be on the ninth? Yeah, he's already hard-of-hearing
35 half-life. What is it gonna be?
Whoa, I
Didn't expect that answer. I thought you were still like in your young 30s
I always age people like when we first started the church. I never get past that
So Wow 41
Yeah, you're getting up there, sorry
Yeah
Starting to feel old now. You're not old though. 41 is a young buck. All right
Happy birthday, CJ, and then we have Elias
Conlon and how old Elias gonna be?
He's not answering
It's gonna be four Wow awesome
Elias are you shy?
Does he want to look at me? All right
Well, let's go ahead and sing. Happy birthday to the birthday guys both more on the night
Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday
All right, that's all I have for announcements. Go ahead and sing another song and we'll receive the offering
The next song is song number 291, what child is this?
Song 291, what child is this?
Mm-hmm
Song 291, what child is this?
Let's sing it together on the first what child
Is this?
Who laid to rest on?
Mary's lap is sleeping
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
while
shepherds watch our
Keeping this
This is Christ the King whom?
shepherds guard and
angels sing
Hey
to bring
him love the babe the son of
Mary
Why lies he
In such meanest state where ox and ass are feeding
Good Christian fear for sinners
here the
Silent Word is pleading
This
This is Christ the King whom?
shepherds guard and
angels sing
Hey
Hey to bring him love the babe the son
of Mary
So bring
Him in since gold and myrrh
Come pet send King to own
him the King of King
Salvation brings let loving hearts and thrown
him
This is Christ the King
whom
shepherds guard and
angels sing
Hey
Hey to bring him love the babe the son
of Mary
Amen good scene
Brother Jesse, would you bless the offering for us?
You
I
Go ahead and open your Bibles to Ephesians chapter 4
Ephesians chapter number 4 if you don't have a Bible there should be a Bible under the seat in front of you
Ephesians 4
Ephesians for the Bible reads and therefore the prisoner of the Lord beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation
Wherewith you are called with all only lowliness and meekness with longsuffering forbearing one another in love
Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one spirit
Even as you are called and one hope of your calling one Lord one faith one baptism
One God and Father of all who is above all and through all and in you all
But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ
Wherefore he saith when he ascended up on high he led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men
Now that he ascended what is it, but that he also descended first
Into the lower parts of the earth
He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens that he might fill all things
And he gave some apostles and some
Prophets and some evangelists and some pastors and teachers for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the ministry
For the edifying of the body of Christ till we all come in the unity of the faith
And of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ
That we henceforth be no more children
Tossed to and fro and carried
From about with every wind of doctrine by the slight of men and cunning craftiness whereby they lie and wait to deceive
But speaking the truth and love may grow up into him in all things, which is the head even Christ
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supply
According to the effectual working in the measure of every part maketh increase of the body under the edifying of itself in love
This I say therefore and testifying the Lord that he henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk in the vanity of their mind
having the understanding darkened being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them because of the blindness of
their heart who being past
Feeling have given themselves over to lasciviousness to work all unclean uncleanness with greediness
But ye have not so learned Christ if so be that you have heard him
And have been taught by him as the truth is in Jesus
They put off concerning the former conversation the old man
Which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts and be renewed in the spirit of your mind
And that you put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness
Wherefore putting away lying speak every man truth with his neighbor for we are members one of another
Be angry and sin not let not the Sun go down upon your raft neither give place to the devil
Let him that stole steal no more
But rather let him labor working with his hands the thing which is good that he may have to give to him that needeth
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth
But that which is good to the use of edifying
That it may minister grace into the hearers and grieve not the Holy Spirit of God whereby ye are sealed into the day of redemption
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor
And evil speaking be put away from you with all malice and be ye kind one to another
Tender-hearted forgiving one another even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you brother drew we pray for us
Amen
You hear that he blessed the food already so
Good to go
All right. Well the title of the sermon this morning is the gift of an evangelist
So we do we are having a special service this morning and it's going to be an ordination
Service and so I'm gearing a lot of this towards brother Sean
But this also can teach a lot of us, you know
There's a lot of misconceptions about what an evangelist is an evangelist is simply somebody who evangelizes
I mean, that's really what the word means
But of course there are a lot more than that and in the Bible
You have only really one example of someone being called an evangelist and that is Philip the evangelist who was once a
deacon one of the first deacons
but in Baptist circles
Especially in the old life be the preachers that are called evangelists are usually guys that are maybe former pastors or
For whatever reason they just go around they travel around and they preach
Revivals at people's churches or they'll preach a camp or they'll preach at a youth conference or something
But they're generally not what you see
Happening in the Bible, you know in the Bible you see what I would think I personally believe that Paul
You know, obviously he was an apostle but he was also sent out by the church at Antioch after he already was an apostle
So what was he sent out as he wasn't a bishop because he was not married. He didn't have children
So what was he what was he ordained as I mean the Bible doesn't say but the Bible doesn't even call the seven
Which Philip was one of in the chapter that teaches about how the first deacons came to pass
It doesn't even use the word deacon in that whole passage
So he and then in Acts chapter 21
It just says he's he was one of the seven and it doesn't say seven deacons
but then you have the qualifications for a deacon in
the book of Timothy there so
Yeah, and so like just when you're reading through the Bible and you just see what Philip did Philip was, you know
We see him going into Samaria
We see him
Preaching the gospel where Jesus had already kind of laid the groundwork and then a lot of people get saved
A lot of people get baptized Simon the sorcerer gets saved and then he moves on to the Ethiopian eunuch in that same chapter
He gets the Ethiopian eunuch saved and then he goes off to a different place
And so that's kind of what Paul did too, but then you see Philip who was a deacon
He was one of the seven
Then he goes to Caesarea and then he doesn't go anyplace else after that as far as like he kind of makes
Caesarea his home base his home camp where he stays and then you don't see him again
For 20 years later until the Apostle Paul comes and visits him and stays at his house for the night
And then it explains to us, you know that he you know
He said at the home of Philip the evangelist who was one of the seven
So that's you know, that's the guy who he turns Samaria upside down
He goes and preaches in all these places. He gets the eunuch saved. He baptizes the eunuch
so obviously he had authority to do those things and
Then moves on to Caesarea and then he kind of just plants roots there, but he's called
He's he's called an evangelist who was one of the seven and I don't think he was necessarily a deacon still at that point
Because deacon serves in their local church more or less
And I just don't think that you know
Obviously, it's calling them an evangelist for a reason and at this church we believe at least I believe I hope you believe it, too
You know, most churches will say there's only two offices pastor and deacon, but I believe that there's three offices
So the T one of the T's and Baptist I believe you know, the evangelist is an office that is an ordained office
so
And the pastor is told to do the work of an evangelist when someone is ordained as a pastor
Paul tells them do the work of an evangelist and so he's basically saying hey
You got to go still got to go out go soul wanting get people saved and baptized and so on and so forth
so
now
When you see let's look let's look at
Philip's beginnings before we get into the sermon
I just want to lay a little bit of that groundwork kind of explained it
But let's look at the some of the verses in Acts chapter 8 and verse number 3
And I'll just lay some of this groundwork so you can just kind of see it for yourself. How great of a man
Philip is and again, I can't think of any other example where you see someone being called evangelist now if you're like
thinking Matthew Mark Luke and John are called, you know, the got the Gospels and
You know, sometimes they'll say the the book of Matthew the evangelist
Have you ever seen that and like that, you know, your headings in your Bible aren't necessarily inspired
But they did call them the evangelist because they went out evangelizing for Jesus, right?
but
Let's look at Acts 8 3 it says as for Saul's talking about Paul the Apostle before he became
Saved it says as for Saul
He made havoc of the church entering to every house and hailing men and women committed them to prison
Interesting how he went to every house, you know before he got saved
So he was already used to going door-to-door
so
But then you know then he was doing bad with that. So it says therefore they were scattered abroad
That they were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and
Preached Christ unto them and the people with one accord
Gave heed unto the things which Philip spake hearing and seeing the miracles that he did
For unclean spirits crying with a loud voice came out of many that were possessed
With them and many taken with palsies and that were lame were healed. So Philip also had the ability he had special
Gifts of the Holy Spirit where he was able to heal and cast out devils and it says that there was great joy in that
City, but there was a certain man named are called Simon
Which before time in the same city used sorcery and bewitched the people of Samaria?
Giving out that himself was some great one
to whom
They all gave heed from the least to the greatest saying this man is the great power of God and to him they all regard
Because that of a long time he had bewitched them with sorceries
But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ
they were both they were baptized both men and
Women so what's he doing? He's getting people saved. He's baptizing them. He's doing
Great works among that city and if you think about Samaria
All those kings that ruled in Samaria and they had great prophets like Elijah and Elisha
But you don't really see the great revivals of salvation and the turning around they end up getting so bad where God just removed them
Completely out of the land and now Samaria is kind of like this hybrid
Religious area where they do believe in God, but they just don't follow him in the right way
They don't really know they're not saved obviously so they kind of follow some quasi
Christian religion, but it's not
The right way so verse 13 then Simon himself believed also and when he was baptized
He continued with Philip and wondered the only the miracles and signs which were done a lot of people say Simon wasn't really saved
But what does it say he believed also?
So it's like okay, well I
you know and it's usually will life be pastors or
Baptists that will say oh, he wasn't saved because you know he was in great sin afterwards
Well, it's like what people can't fall into sin people can't can't get envious people can't you know get covetous and things like that
It's like that's ridiculous, but anyway
Verse 26 it says and the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip saying arise and go toward the south unto the way that goeth
From Jerusalem unto Gaza
Which is desert and he arose and went and behold a man of Ethiopian eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians
Whom had charge of all her treasure and had come to Jerusalem for to worship was returning and sitting in his chariot
Read is is the prophet
Then the spirit said unto Philip go near and join thyself to his chariot to this chariot and Philip ran thither to him and
Heard him read the prophet Esaias and said understandest thou what thou readest and he said how can I accept some man should guide me
And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him
So one of the other great things is that you know when the Spirit of God told him to go he ran
To where he was supposed to go and then you know as he sees him struggling to read the Bible
He explains to him how to be saved and this is another great
Quality of an evangelist is that you know again?
This is what they do they go out hit people saved, and I would also say that they plant churches in some cases and
Let's keep going though in the place of the scripture which he read was this
He was led as a sheep to the slaughter and like a lamb dumb before his shearer so opened
He not his mouth in his humiliation
His judgment was taken away and who shall declare his generation for his life is taken from the earth and the eunuch answered Philip
And said I pray thee of whom speaketh the prophet this of himself or of some other man
Then Philip opened his mouth and began at the same scripture and preached unto him Jesus and as they went on their way
they came into a certain water and unit and the eunuch said see here is water what doth hinder me to be baptized and
Philip said if thou believeth with all thine heart thou mayest
And he answered and said I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God
And he commanded the chariot to stand still and they went down both into the water both Philip and the eunuch and he baptized him
So he also made sure that the guy was actually saved
He's like hey
Do you believe you have to believe in Jesus with all your heart and then he confesses that he does believe that and so that he?
Stops the stops the progress of everything and they go down to the water
And then he baptizes them the right way by the way in the water
He didn't throw a spoonful of water on his head or shoot him with a super soaker or something
He did it the way it was supposed to be done
And it says and when they were come up out of the water the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip and the eunuch saw
Him no more and he went on his way rejoicing
But Philip was found at Azotus and
Passing through he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea so he was going around
He was going around traveling and preaching at different places, but he's preaching the gospel. I'm sure he's also preaching other stuff, too
He's probably just not only preaching the gospel, but he is an event you know at this time
He's the deacon, but you know the deacon is almost exactly what a pastor is with all
They have to pretty much meet almost all the same
qualifications as a pastor
So in order for that to be the case you know but at this point
He's not an evangelist, but I think that probably after all this stuff happens. You know he wants to do something that
Carries him away from Jerusalem permanently because he was a deacon in Jerusalem
But in case you didn't realize this Caesarea is not the same place as Jerusalem
So and then so now we fast forward 20 years look at Acts chapter 21 verse 8 Acts chapter 21 verse 8
So this same Philip he came to Caesarea
When you fast forward about 20 years it says in the next day
We were of Paul's company departed verse 8 and came to Caesarea
And we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, it's not calling him Philip the deacon is it
It's not calling him Philip the bishop is it
It's calling Philip the evangelist which was one of the seven and abode with him
So when it refers to one of the seven you can get there on your own
But it's Acts chapter 6 it explains the process of why deacons were brought about in the first place, but I mean even
Stephen who was a deacon for a while
He was killed for what he was preaching and he was preaching to
You know he's preaching about the kind of the history of Israel, and then he just like really started ripping into him about
Resisting the Holy Spirit, and then they gnash on with their teeth they stoned him with stones
Until he died and Paul the Apostle Paul was one of the guys standing by holding their coats in their company
So I do believe that Paul the Apostle Paul was was an evangelist also
but
He also had that higher authority of being an apostle so that's why you see all these these books written to
Different churches, and I think that he's writing these different to these different churches because these are churches
He started that may or may not have a pastor or someone to lead them and like when you look at first and second Corinthians
This is a church that had many problems
I mean most people realize that when you read first Corinthians is like he's addressing problems in like every chapter
He's trying to encourage them to be better and to do better
But when you don't have leadership when you don't have strong leadership in a place doesn't mean that you don't have a church you
Obviously the church at Corinth was a church that he met and those are just two
epistles that were written
But he there it's alluded to in first and second Corinthians that he read he wrote other epistles to them, too
I'm sure he wrote multiple letters to these churches, but only some of them got into the scriptures, so
now
So when he when it says in the same man had four daughters verse 9
Virgins which did prophesy so now don't get all confused and think that there's some mystical prophesying or something
Prophesying just means to preach so his daughters
He had trained to preach the gospel also obviously the Bible teaches that women are not supposed to get behind the pulpit and preach and
So I'm not saying that that's what they were doing they weren't
but it doesn't mention his wife and
I just I simply believe this so if he started that you know if he he's still in Caesarea
He's obviously just planted roots there
He's decided to stay there so can someone be an evangelist for 20 years
Yeah, and there's nothing wrong with that like we've had we've had brother witness an evangelist up
but our church in Canada for what six years or so so yeah over six years now and
You know he's not qualified to be a pastor because he only has one one child
But he's still qualified many other areas, but just you know that's just a title
That's just but he's still doing the work that a pastor would do you know him and his wife and?
Have done a great job, but they're leading the people and they're doing you know until someone can be a pastor there
Then he's gonna be the guy you know so
And there's nothing wrong with that
There's nothing in the world wrong with that. It's still an ordained position
It's still something that should be respected and sometimes
I think that in our circles that we kind of look down as at evangelists as maybe being lower than pastors or something but
Pastors aren't aren't higher than the church members in reality
We just have a position of authority within the church to lead the church
But we're still held to the same standards as far as like you know we get punished for sin
Just like you get punished for sin. We're not like some special
Elevated people that have special privileges above you or something as a matter of fact
I think we probably get judged more harshly in a lot of cases
Because of our leadership because God depends on us to lead correctly so when we're not doing that
Then he's gonna. You know we're gonna be accountable for the things that we do so some of the things that we do as pastors
God might judge us more harshly
But no you know there's that list in Ephesians, which we'll get to in a minute
You know there's multiple different
You know positions that are talked about that are given to the church and
Evangelist is one of those things so and there's no more apostles because Paul was the last one so in that list you have the
You know a posse gave some apostles now. There was the there was the twelve Judas was a traitor
He hanged himself he went bad right and so is it Jesus's fault that Judas never got saved
No
So I mean we've had a cut we've had a few evangelists that haven't really panned out
That I've ordained and people act like that's some badge of shame that I have to wear
For the rest of my ministry or something
but it's like it's kind of like have you who's gotten someone a job someplace they worked and
Then you got someone a job at the place you worked and that person ended up sucking at their job
And they weren't what they made themself out to be they were horrible, and you're like
I'm never gonna have one of my friends
Apply at my work because it made me look bad
It does make you look bad a little bit, but in reality isn't it that person's responsibility to do the job
It's like I could get 20 people a job at the place that I used to work for and
If ten of them are good
And they are hard workers and do what they are supposed to do and I thought that they were good
But then people can just fool you
People can say that they're gonna be great people can say that they're not gonna quit
People can say that they're gonna show up on time and be faithful and do all these things
But you know apply that to the ministry some people are gonna be duds
And you don't really know because you know the the other apostles didn't know that Judas was a dud, but he was
He was the worst dud you could ever find but Jesus knew that didn't he so Jesus actually knew that and still put him
In the ministry so then people are gonna be like oh, well your your evangelist
Haven't really worked out that great have they well some of them have though and two of them are pastors right now
So and I think those pastors are doing a good job
Brother Jim weeb pastor Jim weeb and pastor Ian Tavener are doing fantastic
You know ones in Canada and ones in England some of the darkest places that you could probably try to find a church. You know
but
I'm just saying this so just like you're not responsible for the person you got hired on at your company forever
I mean, I know it's different
But do you understand what I'm saying do you think that you're responsible for that person for the rest of your career because you?
You know said hey this guy is probably you know gonna be a good candidate or hey my friend really needs a job
Can you you know help him get in or whatever and then that person sucks is that your fault for the rest of their career?
But people will act like it at work won't they oh, I can't believe you had that guy that one guy come here
It's just like hey, man. You give you give a dog a bone
You don't want to know what it tastes like you know you give somebody you give somebody something, and I don't want to hear you know
Oh, well, they were so terrible well
You know I didn't think they were terrible at the time and nobody else really did either
Maybe some of you had some questions about some one one particular person, but we're not gonna bring that person up
But you should have said something
You know if you see something say something all right. That's that's the TSA rule
But I mean I would say that if there's somebody that's you know you think is really bad that I'm about to ordain
You can come talk to me and let me know
but I
Just wanted to bring that up because
You know look there's gonna be duds. There's gonna be people that don't turn out right there's gonna be people that quit
And is it is it my responsibility to make sure that a pastor that I ordained?
You know is still doing the things that they're supposed to do or are they independent at that point
Are they responsible for themselves at that point because I think that they are
So it's just even like children that leave your home. Are you responsible for their homes after they leave the house?
You're not I mean they run their own house. They you know they're married, and they have their own children
It'd be weird if I was just being like coming over to their house making sure they get up on time
You know calling hey, did you get up on time Brandon for work? You know like that'd be weird, right?
They're responsible for their own selves once once a guy's ordained
There is that they still have the responsibility to do things
I can't do the work for you brother Shawn when you're up in Seattle
And I don't I don't think you expect me to do that. You know if you need me call me
I've also had this accusation
He never gave me any guidance well
That wasn't actually true. There was there's a lot of guidance given at first
But you know once everything starts rolling, and you know what you're doing like I would expect those calls to be fewer and far
in-between and
Then if you have an issue give me a call right it's not that difficult
But like I shouldn't have to hold someone by the hand
Every step of the way for years and years and years
I mean at that point like who's really leading the church then is it you or is it the evangelist?
Because you know I can give guidance and everything, but if you can't do the job, then you just can't do the job
so
Look at let's get to
Let's see Ephesians chapter 4
So I just personally believe when it comes to Philip himself
You know that he was obviously no longer a deacon at this time. He was what he was one of the seven and
Why wouldn't he be a pastor by now if he has four daughters isn't he qualified well?
You know Paul the Apostle wasn't qualified to be a pastor because he didn't have children, and he didn't have a spouse
Because that's what the Bible says
So I would just say that he probably
Either his wife. This is what I'm guessing and this is my opinion, okay?
So let me just make that abundantly clear. This is my opinion, and this is just me
Guessing what might be the problem or what that's not a problem, but why he's not a pastor
Probably because his wife died and he didn't want to get remarried
That's what I'm thinking that's my opinion because it doesn't mention his wife. It just mentions his daughters
He's an evangelist an evangelist is not
Does not have to have why a wife and children to there's no
Qualifications that say that as an evangelist that person has to have a wife and children
Now if that evangelist wants to continue on and be a pastor someday
Then I would say that you need to start working on that yeah, but the Apostle Paul didn't have a wife and children
But yet he's going off. He's ordained. He's preaching the gospel. He went out with you know Barnabas in the first
Missionary trips, and then he you know him and them split and then he took Silas with him for the rest of the time
so
but
Anyway, that's just my personal opinion. I don't think he ever got remarried or you know and and so
The other times an evangelist is mentioned in the scriptures in 2nd Timothy
I won't have you turn there, but 2nd Timothy 4 5 says
But watch thou in all things endure afflictions do the work of an evangelist make full proof of thy ministry
So I would say if you're an evangelist and your goal is to be a pastor
then
evangelist makes sense to ordain because
You know you're on your way to meeting the qualifications, but you're not quite there yet
Maybe your children aren't old enough to be considered to be in subjection or
You know there's other things that are missing
maybe you know you haven't read the Bible or you're not you haven't you don't know the Bible well enough to be a
pastor yet that type of thing so
There might be just some things that need to be worked on before that qualification can be met
So let's get to our Ephesians chapter 4 look at verse 7 it says but unto every one of us is given grace
According to the measure of the gift of Christ
So of course salvation is the gift of God not of works lest any man should boast
We were given salvation for free
but also we are given gifts by the Holy Spirit that each believer has and
The gifts of the Spirit are given according to the measure of the gift of Christ
So we don't get to necessarily choose what gifts God gives us they're given to us
And we kind of got to figure out what they are and then use those gifts for his kingdom
Use those talents for what God gave them to us for
Verse 8 wherewith he saith when he ascended up on high he led captivity captive and gave gifts
unto men
What is the other gift that he gave when he ascended up on high well?
He gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit
He said if I don't leave then this then I can't send the comforter comforter unto you
so he gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit the gifts of the ministry and
When the Apostles were on the earth
He gave them special
Signs and wonders gifts that we do not have today and so of course you have whole religions
called Pentecostals and you know these snake handlers and these people that roll around on the floor and
They chirp and mutter and peep in the services, and they're all doing it at the same time, and they're acting all crazy
Look first of all the Bible is very clear that you can't you do it one by one and that by course
But it's you know it's talking about speaking in other languages in church. I think but
You know and women aren't supposed to do it either, but what do you see in every Pentecostal service?
You know women are the ones that are usually the ones that are getting up and saying stuff
And are they really saying anything no
They're just like you know shaking their head like they're at a Pantera concert or something and just saying things that don't make sense
You know just like what in the world are you possessed probably?
But anyway, I'm not preaching about that tonight or today
so
but it is weird, but
Anyway, so now it says verse 9 says now that he ascended
What is it, but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth
He that descended is the same also that ascended up above all heavens that he might fill all things
So he descended in the lower parts of the earth. Why did he do that well?
He spent three days and three nights in hell for us, and then he just said he ascended up into heaven
afterward and it says and
In verse 11 it says and he gave some
He gave some so it says apostles and some prophets and some
evangelists and some pastors and teachers so he gives some but
He doesn't give all
right so there's not pastors and apostles and
Prophets and teachers, thank you
There's not all these things for every single place on the planet because there's not enough honestly. There's just not enough
Men that are willing to step up and do these things
That's really the problem. I'm sure God would love to give more of these things more pop or not apostles the apostles are done
but
you know and you know prophets is subjective, but
Evangelist is still something that was continuing in the New Testament we saw Philip
Obviously doing that we see the Apostle Paul instructing Timothy to do the work of an evangelist
and then it says in some pastors and teachers so
pastors are
Bishops or elders in the Bible those terms are used synonymously
but the Bible is saying here that
That
You know to have a leader and specifically what I'm focusing on as an evangelist is a gift
it's something that you should appreciate because
God gave that person to you to lead you as a
Gift and he gave is a past tense gave is a past tense for get forgive, right?
Give is to freely transfer the possession of something to someone to hand over to
So in this case, it's freely transferring someone to some place where some Christians need some leadership
And so when God gives an evangelist to some area
then he's giving a gift to that area because people need leadership to really thrive and like I mean
Obviously in the Corinthian Church, they had a lack of leadership and that was part of the problem
That's why Paul kept having to write them letters and admonishing them and rebuking them for things
But you know when a place gets a leader, that's what they should consider it a gift because not all places have
These things that got that is talking about here. Not all places have pastors not all have play
I mean we could start a church in Detroit right now if we had someone that could lead right now
If we had someone that could lead
But we have to have someone that can lead
We have to some have someone that we can count on to preach
Week in week out and that is really the hard part. It's like, you know, I I'll give
some responsibilities to people and they you know, some people just can't do that and
You know, I'm not mad that people can't do that
But sometimes I get my hopes up thinking that people can do something and they just can't and I just realized
What a gift it is to have someone that they can do it that will do it, you know
And sometimes I don't feel like doing it
Sometimes I don't feel like getting out of bed and come to church
But you know what if I'm the leader don't you think I should be here? I mean if it's like Oh pastor Thompson's out fishing
So someone else needs to come and preach
Pastor Thompson's out golfing and a lot of people think that like pastors they just get up and do a 15-minute TED talk
Every week and then go golfing for the rest of the week
but they probably think that because there are pastors that do that and
These non-denominational churches that have one service or two services a week
They're preaching the same the same sermon twice in a day and it's 15 minutes of something
They probably ripped off the internet anyway, and didn't even take time to write the sermon, you know
We don't have those advantages when I go and preach somewhere else. I
Have my sermons are all online pretty much so if I go to some other place and preach the same sermon
I preach somewhere else then people are like I've heard this sermon before
you know, so it's like being a
You know a pastor of a church like ours is is more difficult in some ways because we're preaching three times a week
We're writing sermons and writing sermons who thinks writing sermons is easy
Yeah, nobody better raise their hand because this is not easy. It's work
but
And like that deadline comes every week. Oh, I got to get this done
I got to get this done I get this done and then like so I'm preaching in Seattle for the next three weeks in a
row
Every Wednesday, but then I I go up there I drive up there preach a sermon
Then I drive home the next day and preach a sermon here. So that that's four sermons in a week
It's not easy
You know four sermons a week if you keep doing that for a long time, it'll really burn you out very quickly
But
But you know, that's it's called work that's not called fun, you know, but the ministry is fun
It can be fun, but it is also work, but I'm getting ahead of myself here. So but
So, what is the purpose
what is the purpose of
Giving to or giving an evangelist. Well, it's for the perfecting of the Saints look at verse 12
for the perfecting of the Saints
for the work of the ministry
For the edifying of the body of Christ
So it's mentioning three things there right for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the ministry
For the edifying of the body of Christ and of course, those aren't the only things but it's kind of just he
Just laying out
three very important things
So verse 13 says till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God
Unto a perfect man
unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ that we henceforth be no more children tossed to and fro and
Carried about with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness whereby they lie and wait to deceive
But speaking the truth and love
May grow up
Into him all things which is the head even Christ
for whom the whole body fitly joined together and
compacted by that which every joint supply is according to the effectual working of the measure of
Every part maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love
so what is the purpose of giving the gift of leadership so that
We can be perfected so that we can get the work done and so people can be edified and
We can all grow together and be build it up onto this spiritual
Temple, you know, obviously these lively stones placed upon the foundations of the apostles and the prophets
Building up this spiritual house and then we're all gonna die and go to heaven, you know
But while we're on this earth
It's important to continue to grow and look leadership is put in place for us so that we can grow
That's why it's important for you to be here so that you can be built up. That's what edifying is is to be built up
But I'm gonna give you three reasons why God gives us evangelists and the first one is the perfecting of the Saints
Look at verse 13
It says till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man
Onto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ
so till we all come in the unity of the faith, that's what he wants and
That we come on to end of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man
You're like you want me to become perfect pastor, you know, have you seen my life? Well, look
Perfect isn't talking about that. You're walking on water. You're doing miracles, you know that you don't sin at all
Obviously you want to strive toward being
The least sinful that you possibly can be you want to be doing the most work you can
to
You know further the kingdom of God and you want to be built up and strengthen and rooted in your faith
So that you can be effective for other people and so that our church can get better
These are the things that we want to accomplish
Now let's look at some verses let's look at the first time this word is used in the Bible
Let's look at Genesis chapter 6
I'm definitely not gonna have time to go through all my notes, but
Dog on it. I'm gonna give it a try here. All right, Genesis 6 8
Genesis 6 8 but Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. Why did Noah find grace because he was a sinner
Because look someone if someone needs grace
Then they're a sinner like people, you know, we'll act like people who Noah didn't sin. Yes
He did, but Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. These are the generations of Noah
Noah was a just man. That means he was saved and
Perfect in his generations and Noah walked with God. So what what is this saying? Well, what does perfect actually mean?
When you're talking about the Bible, it just means that you're complete
it means that you have you know, you don't have any super glaring inconsistencies in your
Spiritual life in your life in general you have your life your spiritual life pretty much
Together it's not saying you're sinless
It's not saying you're perfect in that you don't sin or that you never make mistakes or something
It's talking about you know, he walked with God. Are you walking with God this morning?
Is that something that you strive to do is to wake up and walk with God?
Because that's what made Noah what he was
He was you know, he was already saved but he was perfect in his generations because he was the complete package
He was well-rounded in his spiritual life and Noah walked with God
So when the King James uses the term perfect, it's not saying that that's without blemish without fault all the time
It's not always meaning that
But it is saying that you have a complete
Christian life, I mean David was a man after God's own heart, but he committed many sins. He committed some horrible sins
So, how could he say he was perfect?
well
I mean he asked God to forgive him of those sins and he repented of the things that he did and
Didn't do those again, you know, so he was perfect in that way. So
Another definition is having all the required or desirable elements qualities and characteristics as good as it is possible to be
Let me read that again
having all the required or desirable elements
Qualities or characteristics as good as it is possible to be that's a good definition to to be perfect
That you're as good as you possibly can be and that's what all Christians should be
Striving for but what is an evangelist given to us for for the perfecting of the Saints and how is that accomplished?
Well, I mean it is accomplished
Mainly through Bible preaching and obviously for people being able to look at that man's life and say hey, you know
That's that's an example or an example for us to follow
I want to follow him as he follows Christ Paul said follow me as I follow Christ
I'm not gonna have you turn there, but all of you turn to Deuteronomy 18
I'm gonna read for you Genesis 17. It says when Abram was 90 years old and 9
So he's 99 years old the Lord appeared to Abram
So apparently it took him a while and he said unto him. I am the Almighty God walk before me and be thou
perfect
He tells him this when he's 99
Obviously Abraham hadn't arrived yet
But God loved him. He was called his friend
Obviously, he was a great man, but he's just saying hey walk before me and be perfect
Deuteronomy 18 13 says thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God for these nations
Which thou shalt possess hearken unto observers of times and unto diviners
But as for thee the Lord thy God hath not suffered thee so to do God does is not just okay with us
Living our life. However, we want he wants us to be perfect before him and
Job one go and turn to Romans 12
I'm gonna read Job 1 1 it says there was a man in the land of us whose name was Job and that man was
Perfect and upright and one that feared God and eschewed evil
So he was you know, and he was also like the greatest man basically on the face of the earth at that time
Perfect and upright it says one that feared God and eschewed evil. He hated evil
He feared God. He was perfect Romans 12 2 you're like
Well, how can we be like these great patriarchs like Noah and like Abraham and like Job?
Well, I'm not saying you can be as good as they are, but you can sure try can't you?
It says in Romans 12 to look we have advantages that these guys didn't have we actually have the written Word of God
Complete before us we can read it whenever we want pretty much, you know, whenever you have free time
you can read it, you know if you're not working or whatever, but
You know, we have something that they did not have we have advantages
Look at Romans 12 2 it says and be not conformed to this world
But be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove. What is that good and acceptable and perfect?
Will of God, you know that you can know the perfect will of God
How how well by the renewing of your mind being transformed and that's by the Word of God
Is that how that's going to be accomplished?
So what is the evangelist main tool to help perfect the Saints? Well, it's gonna be the Bible, of course
the written Word of God
thundered forth from the pulpit and
He's gonna show he's supposed to show you how to be a perfect Christian as far as being complete
look at
Colossians 1 27 Colossians 1 27
The
Bible says in Colossians 1 27
To whom God would make known
What is the riches of the glory of them this minute this mystery among the Gentiles which is Christ in you?
the hope of glory whom we preach
Warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom that we may present every man. What to say they're
Perfect in Christ Jesus, so
This is Paul's goal. He wanted this mystery to be made
You know, obviously the mystery of the Gentiles which is Christ in you the hope of glory. He preaches warning every man. See the
Evangelist needs to get up and warn men and to teach men in all wisdom and that we may present
Every man perfect in Christ. So, you know the scriptures and Bible preaching is how this is gonna get done
Look at 2nd Timothy chapter 3 verse 16 2nd Timothy chapter 3 verse 16 very famous set of verses here
2nd Timothy 3 16 the Bible says
All scripture is given by inspiration of God and it's profitable for doctrine for reproof
for correction for instruction in righteousness
That the man of God may be perfect
Throughly furnished unto all
good works and
So, you know this this book is is good for making the man of God perfect
But then the man of God is supposed to bring forth those things and teach them to the people so that he can perfect
the Saints
Let's look at
Let's see 1st Peter turn to 1st Peter 5 10. I'm gonna read James 1 25 James 1 25 says
But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty and
continuous therein he being not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work this man shall be blessed in his deeds
so looking into the Bible is the perfect law of liberty and
when we're not a forgetful here, but we're doing the work and
Listening to what God says then we're gonna be blessed
But if we're just hearing it and not applying it and not doing it out there
Then we're not gonna be perfected 1st Peter 5 10 says
But the God of all grace who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus after that you have suffered a while
make you
perfect
establish
strengthen
Settle you
See, these are things that we should desire and the man of God is supposed to be doing this
The evangelist is put in this category as one of those people that is to perfect the Saints
Now number two is the work of the ministry and what most people don't realize in the ministry that it is work
It's not fun. It's not play. That's why it's called work and
Again, you can have fun at work
I'm not saying you can't and people should do jobs that they like I get that but not everybody does a job that they like
You might have said well, I'm gonna do this when I get older
It's like you kind of got caught up and now that's just what you are and you're like, man
I kind of wish I was a sports broadcaster or you know something more fun that you like, you know, I
You know, obviously you have to have the good voice to do that and you know
But there's a lot of things that I could think of that, you know before I started being a pastor
Full-time that I would rather be doing with my life than swinging hammers and stuff
But that stuff teaches you a work ethic
because if you don't have a work ethic and you're around a bunch of
Hair-legged men and you can't swing a hammer and you can't drill and you can't follow instructions
then you're gonna have a hard time when a construction crew because they're gonna just pick at you and pick at you and
And mock you and they might just do that even if you are good at your job
So that's just the way men are you know, especially if you're really good at something then you make a mistake and then you're like
Oh, yeah, you did that. Remember that one time that you did that. That's how men are and so we we
Perfect each other in different ways we burn on each other until we get better. That's kind of how we do it, right?
But let's look at one. Um
actually, I'm gonna have you turn back to Ephesians 4 but
you know
Like I said people just think that being in the ministry is is not work. It's it's playing golf
It's holding old ladies hands going over to their house
You know a 15 sermon 15-minute sermon Ted talk one story one poem a couple
Cute ancidotes or whatever and that's all you do
That's what most of the world thinks but I would just I would like to play that
You know, what's that? They have like a television show where you do job swaps or something. Is that true? Like maybe they don't
Maybe it's wife swap. I don't know though. It's just weird but
you know some guys about
Well, I like to have somebody not nagging on them for a week or whatever it might be nice but
But if you could do job swap it'd be interesting to see I mean obviously if they weren't saved
They're not going to do the job anyway
But like let's see you come in and do the job of a pastor for a couple weeks and just see how well
You do they'd probably be going to counseling afterwards
So they're like, this is what you put up with
Like
I'm not talking about with you guys. You guys are great, but I'm talking about other other things
You guys are great. I don't put up with much from you guys. You guys are awesome, but
But you know, even the fun parts of ministry or work so winning is fun, isn't it?
You're like, well, yeah when people are getting saved
When you're not walking like five miles, you know, and nobody wants to talk to you
Yeah, but so winning is fun
and especially if you're with someone and you can talk about the things of God it passes the time when you're when people aren't
getting saved but
You know the there's other parts of the ministry that are that are pretty hard work
counseling people in your churches marriages are falling apart performing funerals for people for for members of your church or
you know performing marriages is work and
Planning events is work and
Running multiple churches at the same time is work
but you know, there's also the aspect of building and battling and
There's always going to be that aspect of the ministry and sometimes people get queasy over that sometimes people get tired of it
Sometimes people get tired of the drama and look I totally understand that because I get tired of it, too
But it just seems like it always pops itself up no matter how low-key you try to stay
No matter how hard you try to stay out of it
It just kind of seems to pop up no matter what and that's just because when you're trying to do something for God
Then the enemy is going to attack now. They're not constantly attacking
You know God gives us a break and lets us kind of have some relief for a while
But then the attacks come and it might be from a different enemy or different new and new enemies pop up, you know
But if you're trying to be in the ministry and the sight of blood makes you queasy this job is not for you
Big and what I mean is spiritual blood. Okay. I'm not talking about like we're not fighting a real bloody war
But it is a bloody war when you think of it on a spiritual level because we're fighting against
these principalities and powers and the spiritual wickedness in high places and
People that are false brethren people that are false prophets
And it's not always fun having enemies come at you and lying about you and so on and so forth it can be
disheartening, you know
It can really be disheartening and over the years
What I've learned is that you know
Sometimes it's important to shield your church
from some of the things that go on just because
if they know everything that's going on it might start to dishearten them too and and
So some of this stuff we have to take on it's just like only you know about it or only your family knows about it
And you know if it's not public then
it's just these attacks that happen and you kind of just have to take the brunt of those attacks as a leader and
But we're always going to be battling with people and you know, look the devil knows that we get this
Disheartened sometimes and that we feel like quitting sometimes and that's why he throws these freaks at us
That's why he throws these trolls at us that pretend, you know that have fake names so they can just attack you
without having any accountability and
You know just all this weird stuff that happens all these principalities the powers that come at you
It's just they come out of the woodworks. You're like, hey seems like I have peace on every side, you know
And it's just like then all sudden some new weirdo shows their head, but if you're not able to
You know because that is part of the work part of the work is battling at the same time as you're working
Let's look at
You're already in Ephesians 4 for 14 says that we henceforth
Be no more children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men and the cunning craftiness
Whereby they lie and wait to deceive. Why is this verse in here? We're talking about
Edification brother like where did this all come from? It's because God knows that
There's gonna be people they're gonna try to toss you to and fro
They're gonna try to carry you about with these strange doctrines
They use the sleight of men like, you know how magicians use sleight of hand to trick people into and do illusions
Well, these freaks try to do sleight of hand by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness
They're doing there. They plan these things
And
They're and cunning is like, you know, they're doing it with
Intelligence like the devil was cunning and he was the you know
He was the smartest of all the beasts of the field or whatever
Whereby they lie and wait to deceive, you know
The Bible talks about lying and wait to kill people but they lie and wait to deceive
They're waiting and there's all these people and so that's why it's important to have somebody
That is actually going to preach the Word of God and
when you're fighting
Or when you're building and working know that the fights are gonna come that's why we get into confrontations
sometimes we're out sowing because
Latter-day Satan's will come up or Jehovah's false witnesses and a lot of churches would be like, oh, hey, brother
How's it going or whatever and we're just like get out of here. This is our territory
But
We we contend with them we tell them to go to hell we tell them to get out of here and you're like
That's not right. You should pray for them that they get saved. Oh, you mean a false witness a false
Prophet we're supposed to pray for them
Show me chapter and verse on that
Because I don't I don't think that's true. I think we're supposed to pray for them in a different way
But anyway, I want to keep this pg-13 tier norms can but let's turn to Nehemiah chapter 4
We're supposed to pray for their destruction
You know, we're not supposed to pray for false prophets to get saved if they're savable maybe but you know if they're
Accidentally a false for you know, there are false prophets doing it in ignorance
That's one thing but what I found is when I try to give any Mormon and I mean any Mormon whether it's a child
Or
Whether it's some 19 year old punk that says elder on his has a little badge that says elder
They never get saved
ever
if they're preaching a false gospel then the Bible says to even allow them to come in your house is
Sinful, you know don't bid them Godspeed. Don't say God bless you to them because you're partaker of their evil deeds
But
Then you're like just pray for them. Yeah, I'll pray for him to go to hell
But Nehemiah chapter 4 verse 6 says so built me the wall and all the wall was joined together
unto the half thereof for the people had a mind to work now Nehemiah was trying to build the wall around Jerusalem so that they
could protect themselves from all the enemies that were constantly trying to attack them and
So he had this really hard job and he had people and all these different gates and all these different positions
Around the city and they were responsible to build those certain parts of the wall
now
the people had the mind to work, you know, and it's great to have a church that has a mind to work and get out and
Get the work done and to build with the leader
Nehemiah was a great leader
Look at verse 14
It says and I looked and rose up and said unto the nobles and to the rulers and to the rest of the people
Be not yet afraid of them
Remember the Lord which is
Great and terrible and fight for your brethren your sons and your daughters or your wives and your houses
And it came to pass when our enemies heard it
Heard that it was known unto us and God had brought their counsel to naught that we returned all of us to the wall
everyone unto his work
So when the enemies are coming, you know, what's the leader do he pipes up and
Encourages the people to continue to fight for your families
Because look the devil wants to take us out
He wants to knock us out of the fight and stop us from working for God
That's the goal. That's what the enemies come for. It's not like the devil came himself
To knock the walls down. He sends his people. He sends his false wit his he sends his false
Children of Belial to try to stop the work
it says and it came for
verse 16 and it came to pass from that time forth that the half of my servants wrought in the work and the other half
of them held both spear the Spears and shields and bows and the heart and the haber haber John's and the
Rulers were behind all the house of Judah
They which build it on the wall and they which bear burdens with those that laid it
Every one with one of his hands wrought in the work and with the other
Handheld a weapon. I mean imagine you're trying to build a wall
You're trying to you know trowel these stones with you know, do this masonry work and then you got a weapon in one hand
Trying to you know, just in case someone comes up to try to fight you
This is what they're dealing with
This is for the builders
Everyone had his sword girded by his side and so builded and this is what it's important for us to realize as as people in
This church is that we're building
yeah, but we also need to be willing to fight when the fight comes to us and he that sounded the trumpet was by me and
I said unto the nobles and to the rulers and to the rest of the people
The work is great and large and we are separated upon the wall one far from another in what place?
Therefore you hear the sound of the trumpet resort you thither unto us our God shall fight for us and always remember
That yeah
I mean
God is the one that's ultimately fighting for us when things look bleak when things look rough
One thing when the church is going through a hard time and some kind of a battle
It might look like we're losing but we never lose
We always win
always
So we labored in the work and half of them held spears from the rising of the morning
Till the stars appeared and look it's not always like that
It was a certain time period where it was like that church life isn't always like that, but it can get like that
Sometimes there's you know a bunch of queer surrounding our church with ar-15s
When we walk into the church, I mean hey it's happened
We'll have antifa show up and do queer weddings in the parking lot
And it's like well. We still got to show up for church. We got it, and we're not gonna fear
You know and we did we held our own and they never came back
Because our God fought for us. He gave us a lease three weeks later. We're good
You know these freaks they think that they're gonna win, but they never do
It might seem like they are but they're not look at verse
Chapter 6 verse 2 it says that Sambalat and Gisham's these are the enemies
Sent unto me saying come let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono
But they thought to do me mischief
So they're trying to get they're trying to lure the leader away to get into some fight out
In in some other place besides getting the work done
And this is what you got to be careful of brother Sean is to not get into the garbage pen with these people
That are attacking and lose focus on what the work that we should be doing is
And I sent message to them to them saying I am doing a great work so that I cannot come down
Why should the work cease whilst I leave and come down to you?
You know these people want to drag you into the trash heap that they're into
That that come against our church, and they want to battle against us and accuse us of all kinds of stuff
But the work must go on you know we can't just stop this and cease and cease the work from going on
To fight with people that just want to waste our time
Yet they sent unto me four times after this sort and I answered them after the same manner
Then sent sample at his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand
wherein was written is reported among the heathen and
Gash moves sayeth it that thou and the Jews think to rebel for which cause thou buildest the wall
That thou mayest be their king according to these words
And thou has also appointed prophets to preach of the Jerusalem saying there is a king in Judah
And now shall be reported of the king according to these words come now therefore and let us take counsel together
So he's trying to trick him and is coming again what they want to do is they want to kill him
they want to get him outside of his protection and kill him, but they're lying and
It says then I sent unto him saying there are no such things done as thou sayest
But thou faintest them out of thine own heart for they all made us afraid saying their hands shall be weakened from the work
That it be not done now therefore Oh God
Strengthen my hands and sometimes rather Sean when you're out there, and you're you're you're doing the work
And and you know you're being attacked by enemies
You know sometimes you just need to pray to God to strengthen your hands because sometimes we get weak
you know we are men and
The flesh fails, but you know God can strengthen us and help us in our time of need turn to Acts 13 to
Acts 13 to
says as they ministered to the Lord and fasted the Holy Ghost said separate me Barnabas and Saul for the
Work whereunto I have called them he didn't say for the play where I told him to go play
He said for the work
That we're into I've called them and just know this now that it's a lot of work being in the ministry
It never ends, and if you don't like hard work then being in the ministry is not for you
Final thing is the edifying the body of Christ this will be a quick one
We'll be done here just a minute a few minutes here the edifying of the body of Christ
What's the other reason why we need an evangelist?
Well, we would need them for the edifying of the body of Christ look at 1st Corinthians chapter 14 verse number 3
1st Corinthians 14 verse number 3 and
It says in 1st Corinthians 14 3 it says, but he that prophesies speaketh unto men to edification and
exhortation and
comfort yes, there's
perfecting and sometimes that requires to get heavy on your preaching and
hard preaching which works
You know two-thirds negative one one part positive and the positive part is the edifying of the body of Christ
now edification
Is something that God calls us to do also it can't just always be negative
They can't always be but just ripping on people and their sins we have to encourage people you know
Encouragement is important because you know if everything's just negative all the time
there's never any encouragement, then people are gonna get discouraged over that too, so
Edification to the body of Christ is an important thing look at verse 5
It says I would that you all spake with tongues
But rather that you prophesied or preached for greater is he that prophesyeth then he that speaketh with tongues
Except he interpret that the church may receive what does it say there?
Edifying what is that? What does it mean to edify it means to instruct or improve?
morally or
Intellectually and and really what it really means is to build up or strengthen someone morally
So you want to build people up?
You know you have you heard that you know I tear people down so I can build them back up again
And that's kind of what negative preaching does is that you know you you preach a negative sermon to help people get sin out of
Their lives, but then you also want to give them a solution you want to build that person back up
I think that they use that in the military a lot, too
Like you know they they break you down, and then they build you up and give you the skills that you need so
But it's like that in church too, and if we're only being negative not being positive
We got to still have that positive element to our preaching and encourage people
Even because there's times that are gonna be rough
It's not just enemies that are attacking us
But the just the hardness of life comes up the hardness of child rearing the hardness of marriage
The hardness of being single the hardness of you know just the world we live in is tough enough
To always just have it be negative when we come to church is not
Good for the people they need to have positive
Reinforcement to a certain extent you know and I'm not saying we build safe spaces in our church or something like that
This is the safe space. This is the safe space from the world all right
This is where we have the Saints come in to get the preaching of God's Word to worship the Lord and to
Pray and also to be built up in Christ
So my conclusion is this is that
Seattle is not getting the second-class preacher
they're getting a man that his duty is to perfect the Saints by preaching teaching and
training and
leading by example
Like I said pastors not better than evangelists. It's just a different position
Brother Shawn has some specific strengths
That I that I listed here. He has a great work ethic
and
he's
from scratch
Been very successful in the business world already and at his job. He's reliable
He's faithful
He's loyal
He's a fearless preacher when it comes, and he knows when to preach things and when not to preach things
but he's also fearless and
We need that he's organized
He's a proven leader and so wanting having led our Sunday so winning time for years now and
That's the hardest time slot we have because it's when we have the most people here
So we're definitely gonna miss you in that area
You know, but he's trained other people to
to lead in that area
He loves Seattle in the area
He has a vision to reach that whole area his wife and his children are willing to follow him
They are in subjection and and he has read the Bible many times he read the Bible
What was it? How many hours did it take you to read the Bible that one time?
Yeah
Eleven he read the whole New Testament in 11 hours. So that was just one time though. Oh
You did it twice. Okay, well
Shut my mind. I was good
That's really good. I mean that's hard to do so but
You know, he's read the Bible plenty of times he knows the Bible and
I'm gonna have brother Shawn come on up here and I'm gonna ordain him to lead in the church in Seattle here
All right, let's go ahead I'm gonna pray for you
Dear Lord, we commend brother Shawn to the ministry as an evangelist to our church in Seattle
I pray that Lord that you'd bless his life. You'd give him a special
Anointing of the Holy Spirit that you would empower him to lead to preach to teach and to
edify
The body of Christ up there Lord, but also to preach the whole counsel of God
I pray you'd help him to train people to to reach the people up there in Seattle Lord. It's such a
Huge area such a huge task
I pray you'd help him encourage him and that you'd encourage his wife and his children and Lord
I pray that you'd help the people in Seattle to get around him rally around him and that you would rally
Good men and good families around him and help him to do the work
of an evangelist and help him as he
Continues to do the ministry up there
Pray Lord that you'd bless them in a very special way and Jesus name we pray. Amen
All right, you're evangelist to Seattle brother Shawn Collin
With that we'll close with a word of prayer, I don't think the pizza has gotten here yet, so we'll just
mingle while we wait and then
The other Jeremy can get those pictures going and such
But let's pray order. Thank you so much for
Brother Shawn Conlon and the fact that he would
Be willing to go up to Seattle in such a hard place that nobody really wants to be sent up to and I just thank you
Lord for
answering my prayers about that that I've wanted someone to
want to be there and
Lead up there for a long time. I pray that you bless them in all
The ways that you can Lord and help them encourage him keep him and
pray that you just bless the rest of our day together the food the the soul wanting if we can get out there and
The service to follow in Jesus name we pray. Amen
Oh
I don't know if you want the notes, but you can have them if you want
Whoa, you got it done nice
Let's uh
Huh
Do you need a dolly
Let's put it
We can put it
Let's put it let's put it back there. Yeah, is it heavy?
No
Let's put that in the back room
No, just in the storage area
Hello
I
You
And brace there's holy tide of Christmas all others doth he face Oh
Tidings of comfort and joy comfort and joy Oh
Tidings of comfort and joy. Amen. Good to see you brother bill. You want to close your prayer?
You