Are You Arguing About the Right Things? A Biblical Guide to Church Unity

[00:09:59] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
Good morning church.
[00:10:02] I am not Reverend Seth Denny, as it says in your programs.
[00:10:06] I'm Chuck LaRusso.
[00:10:07] I'm one of the youth leaders here.
[00:10:09] It's my privilege to be able to welcome you to First Baptist Church today.
[00:10:14] We're a church that faithfully serves, builds community, and cultivates disciples, and we're glad that you're a part of that today.
[00:10:22] We'd like to welcome our guests today.
[00:10:26] If you are a guest or any church member who has something you want to connect with, where's the connect card that is in your pew?
[00:10:34] You can fill that out for more information to let us know who you are.
[00:10:39] And we want to ask you to come back, if you're a first-time guest, to the Welcome Center back in the back.
[00:10:46] We've got a gift for you.
[00:10:47] We'd love to put a name with a face and say hello.
[00:10:51] Again, we welcome you to First Baptist.
[00:10:53] We're really glad you're here.
[00:10:55] And let's turn our mind and our hearts to worship.

[00:11:05] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Good morning, everybody.
[00:11:06] It is nice to see you here this morning.
[00:11:11] This is a tough world we live in these days.
[00:11:13] Every day you read about, you hear about a world infused with darkness.
[00:11:20] Folks stumbling.
[00:11:22] You and I are called to be the light.
[00:11:26] Be the light of the world.
[00:11:29] And so when people see us, when they see First Baptist, what do they see?
[00:11:34] They need to see a joy that only Jesus can provide.
[00:11:38] Not the joy that this world may or may provide and then take away.
[00:11:43] So this morning as we prepare to worship, we prepare to sing, I ask you this question.
[00:11:49] Are you letting your light shine?
[00:11:51] Are you singing?
[00:11:53] Are your words and actions, is it in your life for the glory of the risen King?
[00:12:00] So this morning, if you're able, I invite you to stand because we're going to let our light shine in song this morning.
[00:12:07] That's our mission.
[00:12:08] That's our privilege.
[00:12:10] Mighty to save.

[00:12:37] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Everyone needs compassion, love that's never failing.

[00:12:45] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Let mercy fall on me.

[00:12:49] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Everyone needs forgiveness, kindness of the Savior.
[00:13:04] Savior, He can move the mountains My God is mighty to save He is mighty to save Forever author of salvation He rose and conquered the grave Jesus conquered the grave
[00:13:40] Take me as you find me All my fears and failures Fill my life again I give my life to follow Everything I believe in Now I surrender
[00:14:09] He can move the mountains My God is mighty to save He is mighty to save Forever author of salvation
[00:14:24] He rose and conquered the grave Jesus conquered the grave Savior, He can move the mountains My God is mighty to save He is mighty to save Forever author of salvation He rose and conquered the grave Jesus conquered the grave
[00:14:54] Thank you for watching!
[00:15:08] Jesus, shine your light and let the whole world see We're singing for the glory of the risen King Jesus, shine your light and let the whole world see We're singing for the glory of the risen King

[00:15:32] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_07]:
He can move the mountains My God is mighty to save He is mighty to save Forever author of salvation

[00:15:49] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
He rose and conquered the grave Jesus conquered the grave Savior, He can move the mountains My God is mighty to save He is mighty to save Forever, Author of salvation
[00:16:13] He rose and conquered the grave Jesus conquered the grave
[00:16:21] We're singing for the glory of the risen King Jesus, shine your light and let the whole world see We're singing for the glory of the risen King Jesus, shine your light and let the whole world see
[00:16:50] We're singing for the glory of the risen King.

[00:17:02] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
Amen.
[00:17:02] Let's pray together.
[00:17:04] Heavenly Father, we come before you today just as we are, not as we wish to be, but as you already know.
[00:17:14] You see every fear that grips our hearts, every failure that weighs upon our conscience.
[00:17:20] And yet, Lord, you call us still.
[00:17:23] Lord, we confess that we try to live by our own strength.
[00:17:26] We try to hide our weaknesses to present ourselves as worthy.
[00:17:31] But today, may we cease striving.
[00:17:34] May we lay it all down at the foot of the cross.
[00:17:37] Father, with all our brokenness, with all our doubts,
[00:17:40] We are Yours.
[00:17:41] We surrender our plans, our pride, our will.
[00:17:48] Lord, help us turn and surrender our lives to You, not a polished version, but the honest and humble truth of who we are.
[00:17:56] From this moment forward, we choose to follow Christ, not in our own power, but in His, not in our own wisdom,
[00:18:05] Lord, we thank you for receiving us just as we are.
[00:18:09] We thank you for your promises that you will never leave or forsake us.
[00:18:14] These things we pray in the precious name of Jesus Christ and all who agree say, Amen.

[00:19:17] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Let the fiery, downy pillar Lead me all my journey through Strong deliverer, strong deliverer Be Thou still my strength and shield Be Thou still my strength and shield
[00:19:46] When I tread the verge of Jordan, In my anxious fears subside, Bear me through the swelling current, And be safe on Canaan's side.
[00:20:08] Songs of praises, songs of praises,
[00:20:13] I will ever give to Thee I will ever give to Thee Please be seated

[00:21:07] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

[00:21:37] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Amen.
[00:22:00] Let us pray.
[00:22:30] Thank you for watching!

[00:23:23] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
Good morning.
[00:23:23] My name is Lisa LaRusso.
[00:23:26] My husband and I are honored to be the youth leaders here at First Baptist Church.
[00:23:32] This week we have a wonderful lineup of opportunities to worship and serve and grow in faith together here at First Baptist Church.
[00:23:44] Tonight our youth will be gathering at 5 30 for dinner and we are so happy that the Pathfinders Sunday School class has agreed to provide our dinner and I just want to take this moment to just say thank you to our church family.
[00:24:02] You guys have been so supportive of our youth program and
[00:24:06] And with your giving and with your providing of meals and helping to serve and support us.
[00:24:11] So we're thankful for that.
[00:24:13] Tonight we'll gather for worship and games and continue our study of the book of Daniel.
[00:24:19] Also next week our youth are going to be having a Friendsgiving celebration.
[00:24:23] That's where you get to celebrate Thanksgiving with your friends, and so we are looking forward to that as well.
[00:24:29] Also this week, our Joy, which is our just older youth group, will be having a delicious lunch on Tuesday, November 18th at 1130 in the Fellowship Hall.
[00:24:42] They're going to be enjoying a wonderful meal provided by Chef Shane.
[00:24:46] and they will be entertained by the talented percussion group.
[00:24:50] Please call the church office at 704-664-2324 to make your reservation.
[00:24:56] We look forward to seeing you there.
[00:24:59] Also this week, we will have our Wednesday night live.
[00:25:02] We will have dinner at five o'clock.
[00:25:04] We'll be serving chicken pot pie, salad and dessert.
[00:25:08] Afterward, we'll have opportunities for everyone, adults, youth, children, choir, music.
[00:25:16] This week we will be having lots of Bible studies starting at 6 o'clock.
[00:25:23] The book of Luke will be led by Mike Ryan in Building C. We also have another Bible study led by Ms. Donna Basinger, The Simple Life, focusing on time, relationships, money, and God.
[00:25:37] We also have the Antioch Blueprint, which is led by Pastor Seth, also over in the C building, focusing on building a church that moves the world through the word, worship, and witness.
[00:25:51] No matter where you plug in this week, there's something powerful waiting for you on Wednesday nights.
[00:25:57] Also, we are happy that our Kentucky Mission Team has returned back from Kentucky.
[00:26:03] We had 10 people from First Baptist on mission to Harlan, Kentucky.
[00:26:07] Our team had the privilege of serving James A. Kaywood School, where we handed out 302 book bags.
[00:26:15] Before receiving their book bags, coats, and hats, the children heard the message of Jesus.
[00:26:21] We also used the salvation bracelets that were made by our First Baptist kids on a mission to share the hope of Christ.
[00:26:29] Such a powerful moment.
[00:26:31] Across three schools, the South Yadkin Baptist Association distributed 1,179 book bags.
[00:26:40] And most importantly, they shared Jesus with every single child that they met.
[00:26:45] A huge thank you to everyone who prayed,
[00:26:47] Give and supported this mission effort.
[00:26:50] Your generosity helped us reach the hearts and hands in the mountains of Appalachia.
[00:26:56] Now as we prepare for our time of offering, let us remember that giving is an act of worship.
[00:27:02] It's not a simple contribution to the church, but it is a response to God's abundant provision and faithfulness.
[00:27:09] Let us pray.
[00:27:12] Heavenly Father, we come before you with grateful hearts, acknowledging that every good and perfect gift comes from you.
[00:27:19] Thank you for the blessings you've poured into our lives, seen and unseen.
[00:27:25] As we give back a portion of what you've entrusted to us, we pray that these offerings would be used to further your kingdom, both here in Mooresville and beyond.
[00:27:36] Bless each gift and each giver.
[00:27:39] Help us to live generously, joyfully, and with hearts that reflect your love.
[00:27:45] In Jesus' name we pray.
[00:27:46] Amen.

[00:29:20] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
When I must to remember A heartache here Is but a stepping stone Along a trail
[00:31:15] Yeah.

[00:32:01] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_08]:
Until then...
[00:33:47] God calls me home God calls me home

[00:34:19] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
And they're off.
[00:34:26] So we're leaving for Children's Church.
[00:34:28] If you're visiting with us today, and even though they're going out the left side, my right side of the sanctuary, if you need to retrieve a child at the end of the service, fastest way is behind the piano.
[00:34:42] Through that door, turn right, down the steps, turn right, and you will find them downstairs with Rita Marie and her team for Children's Church.
[00:34:58] I'm going to go into a time of prayer.
[00:35:00] There are many situations going on in the life of this church right now that we want to lift up to the Lord in prayer.
[00:35:09] And if at any time you are aware of something that we should be aware of, please let one of us or call the church office know.
[00:35:17] Let's go to the Lord in prayer.
[00:35:22] Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, we come before you today with humble hearts.
[00:35:27] Knowing that each one of us, every person in this place, stands in need of your compassion, Lord, we ask that you would let your mercy fall on us like rain on a dry ground.
[00:35:39] For we need you.
[00:35:41] We cannot make it on our own.
[00:35:44] Lord, there are broken people here today.
[00:35:46] There are hearts that have been shattered by loss, by disappointment, by sin.
[00:35:51] There are bodies wracked with pain and illness.
[00:35:56] There are minds tormented by fear and doubt, but we know, Lord, that you are the Great Physician.
[00:36:03] You are the one who binds up wounds and sets the captives free.
[00:36:07] We pray for healing today, not just physical healing, though we do desperately need that, but healing of the whole person, healing of broken marriages, healing of fractured families,
[00:36:24] Healing of wounded spirits.
[00:36:27] Lord, make us whole again by your mighty power.
[00:36:34] Lord, we lift up those on our prayer list that are going through struggles.
[00:36:37] We specifically think of Carol Mitchum in the passing of her husband, Ron, this past week.
[00:36:42] Be with her and her daughters as they cope with loss turned to you in a time of struggle.
[00:36:50] We lift up those that are going through surgeries, through recoveries.
[00:36:54] For Marissa Snyder who continues to recover at home, dealing with tremendous pain, Lord be with her.
[00:37:04] For those that are anticipating surgeries, we think of Rick Hardesty who will have total knee replacement coming this week.
[00:37:16] Lord, there are many other
[00:37:19] Prayer requests, too personal, too tender to mention out loud.
[00:37:28] We ask your blessing upon all that hear this word.
[00:37:34] And Lord, even in our brokenness, we cannot help but praise you.
[00:37:37] We stand in awe of your wondrous works, the miracle of creation, the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ your Son.
[00:37:46] the daily mercies that greet us greet us each morning for Lord you part the seas you move the mountains you speak and worlds come into being how great you are Lord we ask that you pour out your spirit upon us now let every person here feel your loving presence where there is despair bring hope where there is sickness bring healing where there is sin bring forgiveness
[00:38:14] We pray these things in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ and all who agree say, Amen.

[00:39:20] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Thank you.
[00:41:35] Let us pray.
[00:42:32] Let us pray.

[00:43:15] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
Thank you guys so much.
[00:43:16] I so enjoy hearing that.
[00:43:17] Thank you all for being here.
[00:43:18] For all of you that's in the fellowship hall, who was over there before our service started, good crowd over there, thank you so much for being so selfless and just giving up your seat and making room for all the wonderful people that's in here.
[00:43:34] If you will, kindly turn in your Bibles to Acts chapter 15.
[00:43:39] As you do that, just want to tell you,
[00:43:43] How thankful I am for our team that just returned from Kentucky.
[00:43:48] and some of the people on that team you know they took off work to be there we're praying for Dewey Bryant he lost his dad this week and as we're praying for him just even in the midst of that still going and serving children in Kentucky so thank you for that team we so appreciate you guys and thank you for representing not just First Baptist well but the kingdom of God well
[00:44:16] Acts chapter 15 that's where we're going to be at today for those of you who've been here for a while you know that we've been in a series in the book of Acts well since the beginning of 2025 and we took a little bit of a break during the summer came back to it what we're going to do today is try to finish out Acts 15 and I don't know if you really care about this but let me tell you next Sunday we're going to go to Acts 16 and
[00:44:41] This is the one I'm the most excited about.
[00:44:43] I don't want to amp it up too much, but I've been more excited about preaching Acts 16 than anything else.
[00:44:49] And then, after that, we're going to close it out for 2025, and we're going to start the next Sunday.
[00:44:56] on a Christmas series.
[00:44:58] We're calling this Visitations.
[00:44:59] What we're going to do this year, we're going to look at every story where God sent an angel to come and visit someone, the message they had, what was that message, how does that affect our lives today.
[00:45:10] So you don't want to miss this Advent series.
[00:45:12] And then we'll pick Acts back up in 2026.
[00:45:15] Does that sound like a game plan for everybody?
[00:45:18] Okay.
[00:45:19] I mean, it doesn't really matter.
[00:45:20] I'm the one who gets to do it.
[00:45:23] I wanted to try to make you feel like you were a part of it.
[00:45:25] Anyways, Acts chapter 15.
[00:45:26] I hope you're there.
[00:45:28] If you're there, say amen.
[00:45:30] If you're not, say oh no.
[00:45:31] Okay, Acts 15.
[00:45:32] We're going to start there.
[00:45:33] Acts 15, starting in verse 1.
[00:45:36] I know you've already read this, but let me just remind you of what's happening here.
[00:45:40] In Acts 15, verse 1, there's some people...
[00:45:43] Church in Antioch.
[00:45:45] Remember, this is the first Gentile church and all of a sudden some men come to Antioch.
[00:45:50] Look at this.
[00:45:51] But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.
[00:45:59] Remember, this is the first Gentile church in Antioch.
[00:46:02] Gentile literally means anyone who's, well, not Jewish.
[00:46:06] but now all of a sudden some Jewish men come and they tell these Gentiles well you're not really saved until you're circumcised following the custom of Moses which essentially means you have to be Jewish first and for two weeks I've told you just how terrible the message that is essentially it's what we call legalism right legalism is anything you you do to try to earn God's approval
[00:46:29] and that's what they're preaching it was a devastating message and it's such a big deal that this message was out there that the church as a whole had to have this massive council meeting in Jerusalem and so we're going to send Paul and Barnabas from Antioch to Jerusalem for this massive council meeting to address this issue now there's two things that's going to happen in this meeting okay two things that's going to come out of it the first one is that they are going to guard
[00:47:00] The gospel in matters of salvation.
[00:47:04] They're going to guard the gospel in matters of salvation.
[00:47:08] On the count of three, everyone say guard.
[00:47:10] One, two, three.
[00:47:11] Guard.
[00:47:11] So that's what they're going to do.
[00:47:12] That's what we've been talking about.
[00:47:14] So look at this.
[00:47:14] They get to Jerusalem and then all of a sudden everyone's around and the apostles and the leaders and the elders say, oh, we're going to clear this up.
[00:47:22] And the first guy to talk is the apostle Peter.
[00:47:24] Jump down to verse seven.
[00:47:25] And after...
[00:47:27] There had been much debate.
[00:47:28] Peter stood up.
[00:47:29] And I told you this last time we're going to hear from Peter in the book of Acts.
[00:47:32] Peter stood up and he said to them, Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel.
[00:47:43] Look at this.
[00:47:44] and Belief.
[00:47:45] You see, see immediately once they hear they're going to believe because that's all they have to do is trust in the Lord to be saved.
[00:47:50] Look at this, jump down to verse 10.
[00:47:51] Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?
[00:48:00] See, none of us can earn God's approval, so why are you asking them to do that?
[00:48:03] That's just silly.
[00:48:05] Verse 11, but we believe
[00:48:07] That we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus just as they will.
[00:48:13] That's all it takes, trusting in Jesus and by His grace we can be saved.
[00:48:19] Look at this, verse 12.
[00:48:20] And then the assembly fell silent and they listened to Barnabas and Paul.
[00:48:25] So these are the next speakers.
[00:48:26] As they related,
[00:48:28] The signs and the wonders God had done through them among the gentiles essentially all of Acts chapter 14 this missionary trip they had been on and they begin to testify hey we've seen this we've seen people who weren't pagan people who are worshiping false gods come to a loving relationship with Jesus now look at this verse 13 after they had finished speaking James replied brothers listen to me now this is important because when James said listen
[00:48:57] It means everybody's going to listen.
[00:49:00] James, technically, is the leader of the church in Jerusalem.
[00:49:05] So this isn't just anyone getting up.
[00:49:08] This is like their pastor getting up, okay?
[00:49:11] So everybody's listening.
[00:49:11] Everybody really respected James.
[00:49:14] You know, James had a nickname in the Old Testament.
[00:49:17] You know, this little Bible history quiz here for you.
[00:49:19] James' nickname in the early church was Camel Knees.
[00:49:24] Oh, Camel Knees.
[00:49:26] Yeah, because apparently this guy prayed so long and so hard that his knees were calloused and distorted for the amount of time he was in prayer.
[00:49:36] Isn't that amazing?
[00:49:37] They love James.
[00:49:38] So they're going to listen to James.
[00:49:39] So James said, hey, y'all listen to me.
[00:49:41] Verse 14.
[00:49:42] So Simeon has related, by the way, that's Peter's name.
[00:49:45] Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles to take from them a people called
[00:49:51] for his name verse 15 and with this the words of the prophets agree did you notice he says okay you've heard all these testimonies but look at this the words of the prophets agree in other words james isn't just going to say well because the apostles think this no james is opening up the bible here because the early church was the
[00:50:16] Their foundation was the Word of God and they didn't steer away from that.
[00:50:20] So James actually begins to quote Amos chapter 9.
[00:50:23] Look at this, verse 16.
[00:50:25] After this, I will return and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen.
[00:50:29] I will rebuild its ruins and I will restore it.
[00:50:32] that the remnant of mankind may seek the lord and all the there it is gentiles who are called by my name says the lord who makes these things known from old verse 19 therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the gentiles to turn to god right there it is verse 19 that's it you see it's settled
[00:50:53] Because God has spoken.
[00:50:55] God said there's nothing else required.
[00:50:56] Let's not trouble them.
[00:50:58] Let's not make them be circumcised.
[00:51:00] Let's not make them become Jewish.
[00:51:01] All they have to do is believe in the Lord and they can be Christians.
[00:51:05] They can be saved.
[00:51:06] And what did these church leaders do?
[00:51:08] They guarded the gospel in matters of salvation.
[00:51:14] They guarded the gospel matters of salvation.
[00:51:16] So here's a question if you want to take out your sermon notes.
[00:51:19] Here's a question.
[00:51:20] What's the requirement for salvation?
[00:51:23] You know what that is?
[00:51:24] Well, it's Jesus alone.
[00:51:25] That's it.
[00:51:26] Nothing else.
[00:51:27] And that's what they're clearing up here in verse 19.
[00:51:29] Jesus alone and nothing else.
[00:51:31] That's what we've been saying.
[00:51:32] The salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ.
[00:51:36] Christ alone.
[00:51:37] You don't need anything else.
[00:51:39] And whenever you try to add something onto Jesus, I'm telling you, you're going to mess everything up.
[00:51:43] Maybe you could put it like this.
[00:51:44] Write this down.
[00:51:45] Jesus plus anything ruins everything.
[00:51:47] Amen?
[00:51:49] Him alone.
[00:51:50] That's all we need.
[00:51:51] That's the only requirements for salvation.
[00:51:53] So what do they do?
[00:51:54] Two things happen in this council meeting.
[00:51:56] The first one is they guarded the gospel in matters of salvation.
[00:52:02] And they bring clarity to this.
[00:52:04] But that's not the only thing that's going to happen.
[00:52:06] Now, real quick, by the way, you just pray for me.
[00:52:09] I'm really struggling on figuring out how to communicate this today, so won't you just say a quick prayer for me?
[00:52:13] It's not the only thing they're going to do.
[00:52:15] They're also going to talk about something else.
[00:52:17] Jump back to verse 19.
[00:52:18] Look at this.
[00:52:19] Here's how James ends it.
[00:52:21] Therefore, my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God.
[00:52:25] Verse 20, but.
[00:52:28] Okay?
[00:52:30] I should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from what has been strangled, and from blood.
[00:52:41] What?
[00:52:43] You just said that there's nothing we got to do to be saved, but now all of a sudden you're telling these Gentiles that there are a few things that they should be doing.
[00:52:55] What is going on here?
[00:52:58] So let me see if this makes sense.
[00:53:00] Verse 19, verse 19, they're guarding the gospel in matters of salvation.
[00:53:07] But that's not what's happening in verse 20.
[00:53:10] You know what they're doing in verse 20?
[00:53:11] In verse 20, now these leaders are guiding the church in matters of fellowship.
[00:53:20] On the count of three, everyone say guide.
[00:53:22] One, two, three.
[00:53:24] So they guarded the church.
[00:53:25] That's the first thing.
[00:53:26] But now they're going to guide the church.
[00:53:27] The Holy Spirit's going to guide them as now they guide the church in what it means to be a part of a fellowship.
[00:53:34] So write this down.
[00:53:35] What was the requirements for salvation?
[00:53:37] Jesus alone.
[00:53:38] Nothing else.
[00:53:40] What about the requirements of membership in the early church?
[00:53:44] Well, a few things.
[00:53:46] Now for salvation?
[00:53:48] Nothing.
[00:53:49] Nothing.
[00:53:50] You just believe.
[00:53:50] But to be a member, there is going to be a few things.
[00:53:54] And you say, no, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, wait a second.
[00:53:57] Wait a second, you're telling me to be in a relationship with God, nothing's required of me, but to be in a relationship with people, there is going to be some things required?
[00:54:04] Well, what sense does that make?
[00:54:05] Well, that's not exactly what they're saying here.
[00:54:08] You see, this was practical instructions to help the people live together as one church.
[00:54:16] So, look at this.
[00:54:17] Let's go back to verse 20.
[00:54:19] but you should write to them this is to the gentiles and should tell them four things there's four things here here's the first one look at this abstain from things polluted by idols that's number one okay let me see if i can color coordinate this so it makes sense number two look at this sexual immorality number three from strangled animals animals that's been strangled and then the last one here is from blood
[00:54:48] So these four things, these are the four requirements.
[00:54:51] And you say, well, why?
[00:54:54] Why do they have these four requirements?
[00:54:56] So let me explain it real quick, okay?
[00:54:57] These four requirements each fit into three different categories, okay?
[00:55:02] So the first one, first category is sin.
[00:55:07] is sin.
[00:55:08] And the one that fits into sin is sexual immorality.
[00:55:13] Sexual immorality is anything outside the bounds of marriage between one man and one woman.
[00:55:19] Amen?
[00:55:20] That's how the Bible defines sexual immorality.
[00:55:23] So if that's adultery, pornography, shacking up with someone, premarital sex, whatever it may be.
[00:55:29] None of that is holy in God's eyes.
[00:55:31] That is a sin.
[00:55:33] That is a sin.
[00:55:34] And so what they're saying is, look, look, look.
[00:55:37] If you're going to have unconfessed, undoubt with sin in your life and think that that's okay, well, we know you're not going to be a member of the church because, well, we know you're not really even a Christian to begin with because you're not really trusting in Jesus.
[00:55:50] Y'all with me so far?
[00:55:54] I'll just start all over.
[00:55:54] If you'll turn your Bibles to Acts 15.
[00:55:58] You guys with me so far?
[00:55:59] Yeah.
[00:56:00] Can I get an amen in the fellowship, Paul?
[00:56:02] Okay.
[00:56:04] So, clearly sin is something you need to give up, right?
[00:56:08] Trust Jesus.
[00:56:09] Confess your sins to Jesus.
[00:56:11] Don't say that it's okay.
[00:56:12] Confess it to Jesus so you can be not just a member of the church, obviously a Christian, a follower of Him.
[00:56:18] The second category, listen to this, is reverence and health.
[00:56:22] now i put the word reverence there because these next two things are actually going to come out of leviticus chapter 17 and 18 which is chapters about giving god reverence but it's also very much about health and the two things that fit in this one was avoiding blood and strangled animals so here's the deal for these
[00:56:41] Gentiles, these pagans who had now been converted as Christians, well, see, Antioch, listen, it was like the Las Vegas of the Roman world.
[00:56:49] It was wild.
[00:56:51] And so some of these Gentiles was a part of, they was doing things that we would consider to be part of like the occult.
[00:56:56] They would make sacrifice to their pagan gods, but then they would take the blood of that sacrifice and they would drink it to show their false deity how much they loved them.
[00:57:08] That's disgusting.
[00:57:09] Right?
[00:57:10] And clearly that's not healthy.
[00:57:12] So listen to what the early church is saying.
[00:57:14] Hey, hey listen, you're a Christian, that's not how we worship anymore.
[00:57:18] You don't do that anymore, okay?
[00:57:19] And it's really important, you don't need to be drinking blood.
[00:57:21] And especially because we're going to have some services every once in a while.
[00:57:24] We call it the Lord's Supper or Communion.
[00:57:27] We're not actually using real blood, okay?
[00:57:29] So don't bring that in here.
[00:57:31] Same thing when it comes to strangled animals.
[00:57:33] Animals that's been strangled and not drained, well, there can be blood in the organs and the meat, and if not properly cooked, it can make you very sick.
[00:57:41] So this is both out of reverence and health.
[00:57:43] And the church actually cared enough about the people to list this as a requirement.
[00:57:48] But listen, y'all, there's no difference in this church saying,
[00:57:51] Avoid blood and strangle animals then us at First Baptist if someone comes and gets saved and say yeah trust in Jesus that's all that matters but what if afterwards they say well I want to work in the in the kids group that's great you're a Christian no requirements for that right but if you're going to work in the kids group you got to do a background check
[00:58:12] Does that make sense?
[00:58:13] Or what about this one, which is more closely related?
[00:58:16] Someone says, okay, I'm a Christian and I don't have to earn my way, you know, earn salvation and just trust in Jesus.
[00:58:22] Yes, amen.
[00:58:23] But now you want to volunteer in the kitchen.
[00:58:25] Well, you need to wash your hands and wear gloves.
[00:58:28] And it's not because we're trying to make it hard on people.
[00:58:30] It's just because, you know, we don't want to spread germs.
[00:58:34] And that's the same thing they're doing here.
[00:58:35] Don't drink blood.
[00:58:37] That's really disgusting.
[00:58:38] And don't eat animals that's been strangled because you could be sick if they're not properly cooked.
[00:58:43] Amen?
[00:58:44] You guys with me so far?
[00:58:45] The next category, though, is really contentious.
[00:58:50] This is probably the most hot-button issue in the early church.
[00:58:54] The next category is unity.
[00:58:57] and here's the one that the church lists for unity and that is avoid food sacrifice to idols now you look at it so how's that a big deal well here's what was happening especially in antioch okay uh you you go to the marketplace and there would be some people there who pagans and they're selling meat but they got their little idols everywhere
[00:59:24] and they have taken some meat and they've laid it at the feet of these idols but obviously idols don't eat meat right so after a couple hours what they would do is they put it back out so you could buy it and because it's been out for a couple hours now it's like half off
[00:59:39] but even pagans want to give their best to their fake deities so not only was it half off but it was the best cut of meat well the gentiles were going and buying that meat but those those jewish believers were really upset about it said you can't do that i've been trying to think of a way to explain this so i want to do it this way okay tim if this makes sense burns whitaker he's our chairperson now
[01:00:05] Now, let's say Burns Whitaker represents all the Jewish believers, okay?
[01:00:11] The ethnically Jewish Messianic believers, okay?
[01:00:14] Which Burns is not, but he's representing them.
[01:00:17] And he's in the same small group as Carl Thompson, who's our chair of deacons.
[01:00:23] And let's say Carl represents all the Gentile Christians.
[01:00:28] because Carl Thompson is about as Gentile as you can get, right?
[01:00:31] And so he's a Gentile Christian.
[01:00:33] He's representing all them.
[01:00:34] Okay, Burns Whitaker goes to Carl's house for a small group meeting.
[01:00:39] He says, man, that smells good.
[01:00:40] What are you cooking?
[01:00:42] To which Carl Thompson says, well, you ain't gonna believe this.
[01:00:46] I got such a deal on meat.
[01:00:49] Really?
[01:00:51] Did you get it from Aldi's?
[01:00:52] Is that Harris Teeter meat?
[01:00:53] Did you get it from Publix?
[01:00:55] Carl says, no.
[01:00:56] You see, the other day in downtown Morrisville, the cult was there, right?
[01:01:01] A bunch of pagans.
[01:01:02] And they were worshiping their fake god.
[01:01:05] And they had these steaks put out at the feet of that fake god.
[01:01:08] And I walked up and I was like, hey, is that prime rib?
[01:01:12] Well, listen, since your god's not eating those, I'd like to buy that for half off.
[01:01:16] And Burns, they gave it to me for half off.
[01:01:19] And that's when Burns says, we're out of here.
[01:01:22] I'm not going to eat that.
[01:01:23] I'm not going to stick with you.
[01:01:25] I'm not going to be in fellowship with you.
[01:01:26] Now, here's their arguments, okay?
[01:01:28] Here's the argument.
[01:01:30] Carl's going to say...
[01:01:32] Burns quit being so uptight man he's going to say listen there's nothing wrong with this meat after all that you know that's just a statue it really had no power at all secondly the fact that i bought it from them meant that i saved some money because i got it for half off and as a christian i'm supposed to be a good steward not only that the fact that i'm buying this from pagans well means that eventually i'm going to have an opportunity to share with them the good news about jesus
[01:01:58] Now, here's Burns' argument.
[01:02:00] Burns says, no, no, no, no, you're misunderstood.
[01:02:04] You see, the Bible says that we shouldn't have any hint of wickedness or deceit within us.
[01:02:10] And clearly, clearly, you shouldn't even have been around those pagans in the first place.
[01:02:15] You say that you're trying to be a good steward, but honestly, you're just so stinking greedy that you're willing to save a couple of dollars to pollute your soul.
[01:02:23] And as far as an opportunity to bring people closer to Jesus, no way.
[01:02:27] The fact that you bought this meat actually validates their idol and you're driving people farther away from Jesus.
[01:02:33] Now, quick question.
[01:02:35] Don't raise your hands, but what side do you think you would be on?
[01:02:40] You think you'd agree with the Gentiles or you agree with the Jewish believers?
[01:02:46] Now, I know what you're thinking.
[01:02:47] Well, clearly the Jewish believers because they're right.
[01:02:52] I mean, didn't James say, look, avoid food sacrifice to idols?
[01:02:58] But here's the kicker.
[01:03:01] James is not telling the Gentiles to avoid this food because it's wrong.
[01:03:08] He's telling them to avoid this food so it doesn't create division in the church.
[01:03:17] Now, Carl's right.
[01:03:19] There is nothing wrong with eating meat from an idol.
[01:03:21] Here's how Paul's going to explain this.
[01:03:23] Look at this.
[01:03:24] Paul says, 1 Corinthians, verse 1.
[01:03:27] Now, concerning food offered to idol, well, we know that all possess knowledge.
[01:03:32] This knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.
[01:03:35] That's an important verse.
[01:03:36] We're going to come back to it.
[01:03:37] Let's just jump down to verse 4.
[01:03:38] Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idol, we know that an idol has no real existence and that there is no God but one.
[01:03:47] Amen?
[01:03:49] Verse 5, For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth, and indeed there are many gods and many lords, yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom
[01:04:09] are through whom are all things and through whom we exist.
[01:04:15] Jump down to verse 7.
[01:04:17] Although not all possess this knowledge, but some, through form and association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience is weak and is defiled.
[01:04:27] Food.
[01:04:29] Carl's right.
[01:04:29] Food will not condemn us to God.
[01:04:33] If we eat, we're no worse off, and if we do not eat, then we're no better off.
[01:04:38] Who does verse 9?
[01:04:39] But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.
[01:04:50] So why did the early church have this requirement?
[01:04:54] Here's the question.
[01:04:56] Why did they ask for these things?
[01:04:57] Because it takes nothing to be saved, amen?
[01:04:59] But just trust in Jesus.
[01:05:01] So why did they have these requirements?
[01:05:03] Here's the answer.
[01:05:05] So they would not be a stumbling block.
[01:05:08] Are you tracking with me so far this morning?
[01:05:11] There's nothing wrong with it, but don't you do it because your brother thinks it's wrong?
[01:05:17] And y'all, unity is more important than anything else.
[01:05:22] Look, Paul addresses this later on.
[01:05:24] Oh, sorry, Acts 15, verse 28.
[01:05:27] they write a letter to the gentiles for it seemed good to the what's that holy spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements and then they list the four requirements that we just talked about verse 30. so when they sent so when they sent this letter off they went down to antioch and having gathered the congregation together they delivered the letter look at this and when the people read it verse 31
[01:05:52] They rejoiced because of its encouragement.
[01:05:55] These Gentiles actually rejoiced over that.
[01:05:57] Why?
[01:05:58] Because this was going to bring unity.
[01:06:00] Paul's going to talk more about this in Romans chapter 14.
[01:06:03] Would you turn there just for a second?
[01:06:05] Romans 14 verse 1.
[01:06:06] Look what Paul says.
[01:06:07] As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but do not quarrel over what?
[01:06:13] Opinions.
[01:06:14] That's what Paul says.
[01:06:15] Don't quarrel over opinions.
[01:06:17] One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person, listen to this, eats only vegetables.
[01:06:24] For some of you, that's going to be your new life verse, right?
[01:06:26] The faithful person eats anything, but the weak person only eats vegetables.
[01:06:30] Verse 3.
[01:06:31] Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him.
[01:06:40] Who are you to pass judgment on a servant of another?
[01:06:43] It is before his own master that he stands or falls, and he will be upheld for the Lord is able to make him stand.
[01:06:50] Again, in the context of meat offered to idols.
[01:06:53] Look what he says here in verse 13.
[01:06:55] Therefore, let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.
[01:07:07] There's nothing wrong in eating meat.
[01:07:11] But if your Jewish brother thinks there is, don't do it.
[01:07:17] Don't be a stumbling block.
[01:07:19] By the way, what did Paul call this?
[01:07:21] Go back to verse 1.
[01:07:24] Coral over what?
[01:07:26] Opinions.
[01:07:27] So let me just quickly give you a grid that's kind of helped me over the years when it comes to fellowship in the church, okay?
[01:07:34] This is the way I try to think about this.
[01:07:37] There is some things that we need to put more weight on.
[01:07:42] We need to put the most weight on it.
[01:07:43] This is just what I call matters of eternity.
[01:07:46] Matters of eternity.
[01:07:48] What are matters of eternity?
[01:07:50] Well, these are non-negotiables.
[01:07:52] Salvation comes by Jesus and Jesus alone, amen?
[01:07:57] The deity of Christ.
[01:07:58] Scripture's authority.
[01:08:00] Was Jesus really perfect?
[01:08:02] Yeah.
[01:08:03] Did he really die on a cross for your sins?
[01:08:06] Yeah.
[01:08:07] Did he really resurrect from the grave?
[01:08:09] Absolutely.
[01:08:11] Y'all, and these are non-negotiables.
[01:08:13] You know what Paul says?
[01:08:15] Paul says that if someone disagrees with you on these things, cut them off.
[01:08:20] If you have people in the church that don't believe sin is sin, that God did not really want to send people to hell, that there really isn't a heaven, that he didn't really die, Paul says, wipe the dust off your feet and get them out of there.
[01:08:31] He says, whether it's an angel or a preacher or anyone, if someone goes against this gospel, they're an anathema.
[01:08:39] That means a curse.
[01:08:40] That just means damned to hell, and they have no contact with him at all.
[01:08:44] Okay?
[01:08:46] We don't move on these things.
[01:08:48] We don't say, okay, well, we're going to give a little bit here and there.
[01:08:51] No.
[01:08:52] When it comes to life and death, heaven and hell, matters of eternity, we're like an iron rod.
[01:08:57] We never move.
[01:08:58] Instead, we stand firm because these define Christianity itself.
[01:09:03] Amen?
[01:09:05] However, not everything is a matter of eternity.
[01:09:10] There are some things that are matters of importance.
[01:09:13] That's right under this.
[01:09:15] That means that there may be a Bible verse, just like there is for matters of eternity, there may be different interpretations of that Bible verse.
[01:09:23] So matters of importance are things like this.
[01:09:26] Secondary issues where sincere believers may disagree.
[01:09:32] Can I just give you a quick example of this?
[01:09:35] Okay, I have a dear friend who's Pentecostal,
[01:09:38] And on Sunday mornings, their church speaks in tongues.
[01:09:43] And the way they view the gift of tongues is much different than the way this Southern Baptist preacher views the gift of tongues.
[01:09:50] Okay?
[01:09:51] So here's what I believe.
[01:09:52] I believe the gift of tongues is still very active, but I believe that when you speak in tongues, it's a known language.
[01:09:57] It's not a made-up language or anything like that.
[01:10:00] That's what it says in Acts 2.
[01:10:02] that maybe they don't speak the same language as you, but you just start speaking in your natural language and they hear it in their natural language.
[01:10:09] Paul even says later on in 1 Corinthians that you often need an interpreter during this, okay?
[01:10:14] So that's what I believe.
[01:10:15] I don't believe it's a made-up thing.
[01:10:17] But this friend of mine, well, it's not a known language that they speak in.
[01:10:21] Y'all have seen this like on TV, like when preachers say banana five times backwards as fast as they can?
[01:10:26] That's what it sounds like.
[01:10:27] And so we highly disagree.
[01:10:30] And I'll tell them, you're wrong, man.
[01:10:32] I believe you're wrong.
[01:10:33] I believe you have to have an interpreter.
[01:10:35] You know what he does?
[01:10:36] He says, yeah, it's the Holy Spirit.
[01:10:38] And then he points to Romans 8, where the Spirit intercedes on our bones and our groans.
[01:10:43] I say, yeah, but this is supposed to be something that builds a church up and not cause confusion.
[01:10:47] He says it does build our congregation up.
[01:10:50] Y'all listen, I think my friend is wrong.
[01:10:53] But do I cut him out of my life?
[01:10:56] Do I not talk to him?
[01:10:57] Do I not do ministry with him?
[01:11:00] Not at all.
[01:11:01] Listen, I think he's legitimately wrong in this area, but he is right in 99% of all the other areas.
[01:11:12] So guess who's gonna be in heaven one day?
[01:11:15] My friend.
[01:11:16] Am I gonna see him?
[01:11:17] Maybe not, because he's gonna be so close to Jesus, I'll barely get a glimpse.
[01:11:21] His mansion's gonna be so big, I may barely get a glimpse of him, even though I think he's wrong in this area.
[01:11:28] Is it possible to be wrong in one doctrine?
[01:11:31] and still make it to heaven?
[01:11:33] Yeah.
[01:11:34] It's a secondary issue.
[01:11:36] And for secondary issues, listen, we discuss them with humility, but we never divide in hostility.
[01:11:43] Amen?
[01:11:45] Very important.
[01:11:46] We need to talk about these things, but we don't divide over them.
[01:11:49] So you got matters of eternity, matters of importance.
[01:11:53] Here's the third one.
[01:11:54] This is what Paul says, matters of opinion.
[01:11:58] Matters of opinion, there's no Bible verse.
[01:12:01] There's no Bible verse.
[01:12:03] These are things like preferences, worship style, music, schooling choices, and politics.
[01:12:13] No Bible verses.
[01:12:15] J.B. Martin says you want to watch a good show you get a homeschool mama and a public school mama together and ask them what's the best form of education then you just sit back and watch and watch them go at it you show me the Bible verse by the way we've done all three homeschool public school private school they all three stink and they're all three great
[01:12:33] There's pros and cons for all of them, right?
[01:12:36] There's no Bible verse there.
[01:12:38] And on these issues, listen, these should never, ever divide the body of Christ.
[01:12:45] Never divide the body of Christ.
[01:12:47] So here's how it goes.
[01:12:48] The first one, the most weighty, is matters of eternity.
[01:12:51] The second one is matters of importance.
[01:12:54] And the third one is matters of opinion.
[01:12:56] You know what eating meat was?
[01:12:59] Matters of opinion.
[01:13:01] which is why the early church said what?
[01:13:03] Don't do it.
[01:13:05] It has nothing to do with heaven or hell.
[01:13:07] But the problem is these people were putting these matters of opinion up here above matters of eternity and the church was dividing.
[01:13:17] And you say, well, we would never do that.
[01:13:22] We would never make a matter of opinion greater than a matter of eternity to which my question is this, really?
[01:13:33] Can I ask you a sincere question as Bethany begins to wrap us up?
[01:13:37] If I don't know you and I get on your Instagram, if I get on your social media, let me ask you, what's the first thing I'm gonna learn about you?
[01:13:48] Your gospel stance or your political stance?
[01:13:55] What are you telling the world?
[01:13:58] If I get on your Facebook,
[01:14:00] Am I going to learn more about where your favorite vacation spot is and what you had for breakfast?
[01:14:07] Or the fact that there's been a Savior who has died for your sins and then defeated death, and that you've decided to trust Him with your entire life?
[01:14:19] Listen, there are some of you in here, maybe there are some people either in this church or even outside this church, you've broke relationship with, not because of matters of eternity,
[01:14:31] Because matters of opinion.
[01:14:34] Church, we can't do that.
[01:14:37] We can't do that.
[01:14:39] Listen, there's plenty of opinions that I have.
[01:14:44] There's opinions I have, certain political opinions I have that I feel very strong about.
[01:14:49] There's certain opinions I have about
[01:14:54] What the NIL is doing in NCAA basketball, right?
[01:14:57] I have a pretty strong opinion about that.
[01:15:00] Y'all, but I'm not going to get up here and share some of those.
[01:15:03] You know why?
[01:15:04] You know why?
[01:15:05] Well, one, because I think a lot of you would probably say amen.
[01:15:09] Some of you might say, oh no.
[01:15:11] Listen, I get that these opinions, by the way, I think I'm very right in all these opinions.
[01:15:17] I don't think I'm wrong at all.
[01:15:19] But they just have nothing to do with eternity.
[01:15:24] So I don't want to divide anyone by giving an opinion.
[01:15:26] Plus, my allegiance, if I can be real honest with you, isn't to a donkey and it's not to an elephant.
[01:15:32] My allegiance is to the Lamb of God.
[01:15:34] Amen?
[01:15:35] And only to the Lamb of God.
[01:15:37] So listen, when it comes to matters of opinion, I'm going to be like a reed in the wind.
[01:15:42] When it comes to matters of eternity, I'm not going to be like a reed.
[01:15:46] I'm going to be like an iron rod sealed in concrete.
[01:15:49] Y'all, sin is sin, and I'm never going to stop preaching about that.
[01:15:53] Y'all, heaven is real and hell is real.
[01:15:55] There is no other way to God but through His Son, Jesus Christ.
[01:16:01] He really did die for you on a cross, and one day, one day, He's coming back.
[01:16:07] to gather those that trust in him and if you don't trust in him if you want to live for yourself listen listen then that means that one day you will spend eternity in hell you see every single person every single person is going to stand before God and you're going to say one or two things you're going to say God thy will be done in my life or he's going to look at you and he's going to say your will be done
[01:16:29] and that's what eternity in hell is you living for yourself y'all if that offends someone in the words of paul i don't care because i'm an iron rod in that i'd much rather you be offended any day than the holy spirit be offended but if it's not matters of eternity y'all i don't want to make something that's going to be a matter of opinion divide instead here's what i believe the early church did they wanted unity not uniformity
[01:16:57] Let me just go through these real quick, okay?
[01:16:59] I know we're running out of time, but real quick.
[01:17:02] How do you do that?
[01:17:03] How do you make sure that you're keeping the main thing the main thing?
[01:17:07] Here's how you do it.
[01:17:08] One, you make the gospel the centerpiece of every conversation.
[01:17:13] Is that true in your life?
[01:17:17] Number two, you pray for unity, but you also practice unity.
[01:17:22] You know, there's one thing to pray for, but to actually practice it.
[01:17:26] Maybe for you that means this, that you have to call someone today, you have to call someone that you've brought, maybe it's someone you work with, maybe it's someone, maybe it's a neighbor, but you've got to call someone up and say, hey, listen, you know, we stopped talking over that issue, but that's not really a matter of eternity.
[01:17:45] And we made that into a bigger deal than what it should have been.
[01:17:49] And we need to reconcile because there is more important things out there.
[01:17:54] You've got to practice this.
[01:17:56] Can I just tell you what Jesus prayed for right before he went to the cross?
[01:18:00] This is before Jesus went to the cross.
[01:18:02] John 17 verse 20, I do not ask only for these, meaning the twelve disciples, but also for those who will believe.
[01:18:10] You know what that means?
[01:18:11] First Baptist Morrisville.
[01:18:13] That's you.
[01:18:14] That's you.
[01:18:17] Verse 21, that they may be one.
[01:18:22] Just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you sent me.
[01:18:32] That there is such a unity that we love each other.
[01:18:34] Do we agree?
[01:18:34] No, not at all.
[01:18:37] Not in opinions, but because we agree in things of eternity.
[01:18:41] People see that unity and they see that love.
[01:18:43] We got to practice that.
[01:18:44] Listen, not only do we pray for unity and practice unity, write this down, number three, we be firm in our theology but gentle with our neighbor.
[01:18:54] Well, I want to be a rod, an iron rod when it comes to gospel matters, but I want to be gentle in the areas that's not gospel matters.
[01:19:05] My son, I told him the other day, this would probably embarrass him if he heard it, but he's not in here, so I'll tell it.
[01:19:11] My son, Graham, man, he's a big guy for his age.
[01:19:14] He's strong.
[01:19:14] He really is strong, incredible athlete.
[01:19:18] He did something the other night.
[01:19:22] He was just incredibly nice.
[01:19:23] His mom was sitting there.
[01:19:24] He just kind of went up and began to kind of pat on Wendy.
[01:19:26] And I told him afterwards, I was like, man, you know what you're like?
[01:19:30] You're like steel wrapped in velvet.
[01:19:34] You're like steel wrapped in velvet.
[01:19:37] No, that's the way I want my heart to be.
[01:19:39] I want to be firm, but I want to be gentle.
[01:19:42] Number four, this sounds kind of weird, but obey your conscience.
[01:19:46] Obey your conscience.
[01:19:47] Look what Paul says in Romans 14.
[01:19:49] I know and I'm persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself.
[01:19:54] Talk about this meat being offered to idols.
[01:19:56] But if it is unclean for anyone who thinks it's unclean, for if your brother is greed by what you eat,
[01:20:04] you are no longer walking in love by what you eat so do not destroy the one whom christ died so do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil the faith that you have keep between yourself and god blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself or what he approves but whoever has doubts
[01:20:28] Whoever has doubts about this is condemned if he eats because the eating is not from faith.
[01:20:33] Did you see that?
[01:20:35] In other words, maybe there's something you think wrong and technically maybe it's not a sin, but if you think it's a sin and you do it, then that technically means you've sinned because you think that you're transgressing against God.
[01:20:49] So listen, you keep your conscience, that's the Holy Spirit that's stirring inside of you, but at the same time as you obey your conscience, listen, don't make your brother's conscience weak.
[01:21:03] Don't be a stumbling block to them.
[01:21:06] Listen, number five, write this down.
[01:21:07] Put people before preference.
[01:21:10] You do that, you put others before preference.
[01:21:14] And here's the last one.
[01:21:18] Be hard to offend.
[01:21:22] Paul says in Romans 12, be at peace with everyone as far as it depends on you.
[01:21:25] Just be hard to offend.
[01:21:27] I've just been really torn up.
[01:21:28] This is going to sound kind of cheesy.
[01:21:30] There's a story I have for you.
[01:21:31] I just kind of felt like maybe I should not share this because it's about to make me look really, really bad.
[01:21:38] But sometimes I think you learn more from a man's weakness than you do his strength.
[01:21:42] Amen?
[01:21:43] Okay.
[01:21:47] I really enjoy apple pies.
[01:21:50] and um particularly McDonald's apple pie I know for you this is not a shock by the way I preach and look um but yeah this guy likes McDonald's so I'm not going to tell you what McDonald's this is at but there's a bunch of McDonald's in Morrisville right so you don't know which one this is but there's a McDonald's a certain location where I would go really early in the morning and I enjoy for breakfast
[01:22:19] One McDonald's apple pie and one small coffee.
[01:22:22] That's what I like for breakfast.
[01:22:24] And so I would go and I would order that.
[01:22:25] I would pay, but then I'd go to the next window only to find out they didn't have any apple pies.
[01:22:34] And I'm like, I just paid for this.
[01:22:36] And they was like, don't worry, we'll give you a pumpkin pie.
[01:22:40] And I'm like, first of all, I'm not a 15 year old girl who wants a seasonal pumpkin pie.
[01:22:44] I want an apple pie.
[01:22:48] Well, hold on, you know, we got to cook them.
[01:22:50] It's going to take like 20 minutes, whatever.
[01:22:53] Okay, so here's what I started doing.
[01:22:54] This is like the most old man thing you could do.
[01:22:58] Before I order, when I go up to the little intercom, I'll say, hey, you got any apple pies up and ready?
[01:23:07] And they say, yes, we do.
[01:23:08] And then I even take it a step farther.
[01:23:10] I say, how many?
[01:23:11] Because I want to make sure.
[01:23:13] And so they'll tell me, they'll say, okay, give me one and a small coffee.
[01:23:18] I go to pay, but then when I get up to the next window, you know what they told me?
[01:23:23] We don't have any apple pies.
[01:23:25] I'm like, I just ask.
[01:23:28] Like before I order, I ask, y'all listen, you laugh about this, but this happened six times.
[01:23:36] And all the six times, I am so frustrated.
[01:23:39] I mean, this is such a first-world problem, right?
[01:23:42] Like, I mean, this is not a big deal.
[01:23:43] But they want me to wait.
[01:23:44] I don't want to wait.
[01:23:45] And I'm just like, in my opinion, this is no way to run a business.
[01:23:50] And so on the sixth time, I was like, hey, can I just talk to the manager?
[01:23:55] And it's like, I was like, yeah, man, I don't want to wait for this apple pie.
[01:23:59] I want to tell the manager what's going on.
[01:24:00] The manager comes over, and I was like, hey, and by the way, I wasn't rude.
[01:24:04] I want to clarify.
[01:24:05] I was not rude.
[01:24:07] I wasn't mean.
[01:24:09] But I necessarily wasn't nice either.
[01:24:11] Does that make sense?
[01:24:13] And I was like, you know, I think this is kind of ridiculous.
[01:24:17] Like, come here to get a coffee and an apple pie.
[01:24:19] This is the sixth time.
[01:24:21] Y'all tell me to wait.
[01:24:22] You want me to wait for like 20 minutes?
[01:24:23] But like, I'm a pretty busy guy.
[01:24:26] And it just, it takes a lot for me to go and wait for this apple pie.
[01:24:29] And I don't know who's checking to say that they're ready, but they're clearly not.
[01:24:33] Which, you know, is technically a lie.
[01:24:36] And I just think you need to run a tighter ship around here.
[01:24:39] and I left.
[01:24:41] I go home that evening and Wendy reminds me that tomorrow morning is FCA at one of the schools and that she had signed us up to provide breakfast and that she had ordered breakfast but I needed to pick it up tomorrow morning.
[01:24:59] Anybody want to guess what she ordered?
[01:25:04] She ordered a bunch of breakfast sandwiches
[01:25:08] from McDonald's.
[01:25:11] Anybody want to guess which McDonald's?
[01:25:16] To which Wendy says, you know, I told them who we are.
[01:25:21] I told them that this is for ministry.
[01:25:24] You know, it's for FCA.
[01:25:26] So I need you tomorrow morning to go and talk to the manager to pick up these sandwiches.
[01:25:35] I don't know why I'm crying about this I guess because I'm just so stinking ashamed I've never been more humiliated walking back in to McDonald's to talk to this manager who literally less than 24 hours I was complaining I was complaining because I was going to have to wait on a stinking apple pie I'm telling you it's like it's just like the Lord dropped the people's elbow on me from the top rope you know I mean
[01:26:06] God reminded me like you're so impatient I was reminded in first Peter chapter three the Lord patiently waits for us and that no one perish listen I can tell I knew in that moment I mean I'm glad God used that to embarrass me but I know in that moment when I'm offended when all of a sudden I get this urge when I start feeling like man I just gotta tell people the way it is
[01:26:31] I just need to start correcting people and telling them what's right.
[01:26:37] Or when I hear other people say things and I'm just so taken back by it and so offended, now I know.
[01:26:43] It's kind of like my fuel tank.
[01:26:45] I know that my spiritual fuel is low right now.
[01:26:50] If you're easily offended, you're low.
[01:26:55] and you need to get filled back up.
[01:26:57] Let that be a gauge for you.
[01:26:58] For me, that's a gauge.
[01:27:00] If you're easily offended, you're an immature Christian.
[01:27:04] If you're easily offended, it just means you care more about yourself than you do the mission of God.
[01:27:09] Y'all listen, every one of us struggle with that.
[01:27:13] That was me.
[01:27:14] That was me.
[01:27:16] Y'all, it's gonna continue to be me unless I'm in this Word reminding myself of what the main thing is.
[01:27:22] Can I ask you a question in your life right now?
[01:27:25] In your life right now, are you keeping the main thing the main thing?
[01:27:29] Or have you been offended?
[01:27:31] Have you broke ties?
[01:27:34] Have you had separation?
[01:27:36] Have you had distance?
[01:27:38] Not because people disagree with you about eternity, but because you quarreled over opinions.
[01:27:45] Today, let today be a day of healing.
[01:27:48] I want to ask you to stand right where you're at.
[01:27:49] I've preached longer today than I normally do.
[01:27:53] I've kept you longer.
[01:27:55] Maybe for some of you, this is so far out of the realm of possibility and you're not really worried about being reconciled with a neighbor because really, you're not even reconciled with Jesus.
[01:28:10] Let me just be as clear as I can about this.
[01:28:12] If you have not trusted Jesus as your Savior and you die, you will go to hell.
[01:28:18] It's not because God is punishing you.
[01:28:20] It's not because God is a mean God.
[01:28:23] You made that decision.
[01:28:25] You said, my will be done.
[01:28:26] You're living your life without Him.
[01:28:29] He's going to say, I want to give you exactly what you want, eternity without me.
[01:28:34] But today, that can change.
[01:28:36] So for those of you in here who have, first of all, not been reconciled to the Father, I want to ask you to come today and say, Lord, here I am.
[01:28:44] Lord, I give you my heart.
[01:28:44] I trust you as my Savior.
[01:28:46] You and you alone, Jesus.
[01:28:48] That's all it takes for salvation.
[01:28:51] Maybe you're in here and you're saved, but you're reconciled to Father, but you've been offended.
[01:28:58] You have quarreled more over opinions, and you care more about your preferences than you do the people around you.
[01:29:06] And if that's the case, I want to ask you to, number one, come and repent, and then decide to leave, to live a life.
[01:29:12] Man, I want to keep the gospel the centerpiece of the conversation.
[01:29:16] You can do that with the help of the Holy Spirit.
[01:29:18] Let's pray.
[01:29:19] Father, we thank you for who you are.
[01:29:21] We thank you for your mercy and for your grace.
[01:29:24] Father, I just pray that today be a day of healing.
[01:29:27] I pray that today be a day of healing, that lives will be turned upside down.
[01:29:32] That there is someone in here, Father, who does not know you.
[01:29:37] They've never trusted in you.
[01:29:39] They've never really committed their lives to you.
[01:29:44] Father, that today they would do that.
[01:29:47] They just come to this altar.
[01:29:48] You are just and faithful to forgive.
[01:29:51] Father, they don't have to earn it.
[01:29:53] They don't have to work to get this.
[01:29:56] They just trust in you.
[01:29:57] It's not what they do.
[01:29:58] It's what you've already done 2,000 years ago.
[01:30:02] But Father, maybe there's people in here today
[01:30:04] Just like me, Lord, just like me, I know you and I trust you, but Lord, there is times when I forget to keep the main thing, the main thing.
[01:30:13] And Father, for that, I pray.
[01:30:14] I pray that you would help me and that you would help my brothers and my sisters focus on the gospel so that people will see unity, that they will see love, and that they will come to know your sweet, precious name.
[01:30:28] Lord, we pray these things in your holy and most exalted name, in the name of Jesus.
[01:30:35] Amen.

[01:31:27] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_08]:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
[01:31:44] Amen.
[01:32:09] The most great of all our lives
[01:32:38] The Holy Spirit of the Lord is with us today.
[01:33:18] All the way, my Savior is near, I have heart to rest beside, And I doubt this new mercy, Who divine has been my God.

[01:34:17] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
Well, brothers and sisters, before we leave, I want to share something.
[01:34:21] I want to ask if Miss Regina will come.
[01:34:25] This is Miss Regina.
[01:34:26] Many of you know her.
[01:34:27] And I want to ask if Alex will come.
[01:34:28] You saw Alex just a few weeks ago as he walked into the waters of baptism.
[01:34:33] Today, they stand before you to become members of First Baptist Church.
[01:34:39] Amen?
[01:34:40] We're so excited.
[01:34:42] God we are so grateful you know we pray we pray all the time Lord just build an army here send people send people the the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few and and so these people stand before you today these are answered to prayer I want to ask you ask you if you will affirm their membership will you just throw your hand up in the air thank you so much for doing that thank you in the fellowship hall for doing that let's pray together Father we thank you for who you are
[01:35:06] We thank you, Father, I thank you for Regina.
[01:35:08] I thank you for the way you're using her.
[01:35:11] Father, I thank you for the ministry that you've given her.
[01:35:13] Father, I thank you for putting her here as our sister and we can walk together.
[01:35:18] Father, I thank you for Alex.
[01:35:20] I thank you, Father, for just a few weeks ago watching Alex as he walked into the waters of baptism.
[01:35:25] Father, I thank you for the things you're doing in his life.
[01:35:27] He has such an incredible testimony.
[01:35:30] And Father, I know that you're going to use that to draw other people into the kingdom.
[01:35:35] And so, Father, thank you, thank you for what you're doing.
[01:35:38] Father, I pray that as we leave here, Lord, would you let us leave here this morning being an iron rod, where we don't shift, we don't compromise on things that matter?
[01:35:51] But Lord, would you also help us just be a reed in the wind when it comes to opinions?
[01:35:56] Father, would you help us keep the main thing the main thing?
[01:35:59] Would you help us make the gospel the centerpiece of every conversation?
[01:36:04] Lord we pray that as we leave here people would see that they'd see our joy they'd see our peace in you father and that that they would want what we have they would want our heavenly father be their heavenly father father we just pray this would you help us be so on fire for you that if nothing else others will come to watch us burn father as we leave here bless us keep us make your face shine upon us and give us traveling mercies until we meet again and all those who agreed said amen you are dismissed