Beyond ‘Try Harder’: Rediscovering the Gospel’s Power for Evangelism

[00:00:06] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight Angels descending

[00:00:24] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
This is my story, this is my song

[00:04:32] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
Thank you so much for being here.
[00:04:38] And I want to tell you, if you're watching online, we so appreciate you tuning in right now.
[00:04:43] You know, we have brothers and sisters right now who are in the fellowship hall and are overflowed.
[00:04:50] They do that every single week, and I'm so grateful for them.
[00:04:54] They are so selfless.
[00:04:56] I know many of you sitting here, you take turns going over there.
[00:04:59] I just really appreciate men and women, even boys and girls who are willing to give their seat.
[00:05:04] So we have plenty of room in here.
[00:05:06] So hey, for this room in here, would you just give them a hand clap and tell them how great you are?
[00:05:16] If you are here for the first time, or for the first time in a long time, we actually have a gift for you.
[00:05:21] What you're going to find right there in your pews, there's a connect card.
[00:05:25] We'd love for you to fill that out.
[00:05:27] And after the service, there's a table back here in the foyer.
[00:05:31] If you will go to it and turn that in, we have a really nice gift for you.
[00:05:36] There's a coffee mug, a notebook, a really nice coffee mug, notebook, and also just tons of information about the church.
[00:05:42] So we would love for you to get that and we would love to be able to get your contact just to pray for you and tell you how grateful we are that you are here.
[00:05:51] One last thing I want to tell you this morning before we start is we have a busy Sunday today, a really busy Sunday.
[00:05:57] We have an awesome worship service planned for you.
[00:06:00] I think you're going to love the music.
[00:06:01] We have baptisms today, which we're so grateful for.
[00:06:05] And then Pastor BJ is going to deliver the sermon here in a little bit.
[00:06:08] So we're very grateful to hear BJ preach.
[00:06:10] You know, usually he only preaches when I'm gone.
[00:06:12] And so I'm excited to be in person and get to hear him this morning.
[00:06:16] I know God's given him a powerful word.
[00:06:18] And then right after the service today, we have a luncheon over in the Fellowship Hall.
[00:06:25] and so this is part of Pastor Appreciation Month I would love for you to come and be part of this even if you wasn't prepared and you're like wait a second I didn't bring anything that's okay we got enough food back there to feed an army right now so you come you be our guest it would mean a lot to us for us to be able to break bread together and we're just going to have a great time so right after the service we're going to go meet our brothers and sisters in the overflow of the fellowship hall and we're going to sit down and we're going to break bread together does that sound good to you guys?
[00:06:55] Well, let's pray and let's go ahead and start our worship.
[00:06:58] Father, we do thank you for who you are and for your mercy and for your grace.
[00:07:04] And Father, we just ask this morning that you would open up our hearts, that you would draw us closer to you.
[00:07:10] Father, that you would fill us with your spirit.
[00:07:12] We don't believe that there's a single person in this room right now or a single person in the overflow right now or even watching live right now
[00:07:22] God bless you.
[00:07:41] More than anything, we have something for you, and that's our worship.
[00:07:46] You deserve all the honor and all the glory.
[00:07:49] So, Father, help us do that.
[00:07:51] Help us worship you in spirit and in truth.
[00:07:54] We pray all of this in your holy name.
[00:07:57] And all those who agree say...

[00:08:02] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Good morning everybody.
[00:08:05] Good morning.
[00:08:06] For we do live in a fast-paced lifestyle.
[00:08:11] But this morning we have the opportunity to come in the house of the Lord to quiet our hearts.
[00:08:16] As our scripture says, be still and know that I am God.
[00:08:19] I will be exalted among the nations.
[00:08:22] I will be exalted in the earth.
[00:08:26] So this morning,
[00:08:28] I invite you to stand if you're able, because as Pastor Seth said, we're going to open in song, we're going to worship in spirit and truth the God reminding us that we're held, that we're loved, and we're not alone.
[00:08:43] So let's worship together, and let's sing together.

[00:09:18] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
God be now under your wings God be within you

[00:09:48] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
I will rise and come to joy I will soar with you upon the storm Father, You are King, O Word of God I will reach to You, O You are God

[00:10:22] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
In Christ alone, in Christ alone, Lord is I, in Christ alone.
[00:10:54] I will soar with you above the stars and cover you our feet over the clouds I will be still though you are God when the oceans
[00:11:34] The Word of God I will receive though you are not I just find
[00:12:12] John is our God.

[00:12:41] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
You are me!

[00:13:15] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
I will be still, know you are God Let us pray together
[00:13:45] Heavenly Father, in a world that constantly demands our attention, where notifications ping, where schedules overflow and noise surround us, we gather to hear your invitation.
[00:13:58] Be still and know that I am God.
[00:14:01] This morning, Lord, help us to set aside our worries, our to-do lists, our distractions.
[00:14:08] Help us to simply be still in the presence of you, the one who is greater than any chaos we face, greater who reigns over nations and dwells among them.
[00:14:19] In this moment of quiet, we release our striving and open ourselves to presence.
[00:14:26] May we find peace in stillness, strength in surrender, and clarity in the sacred silence where wisdom speaks.
[00:14:35] This we pray in Jesus' name, and may all God's people say, Amen.
[00:14:40] You may be seated.
[00:14:47] Our scripture reading this morning from the book of Romans, the sixth chapter,
[00:14:53] Beginning in verse 3 we read, Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
[00:15:05] We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
[00:15:19] For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
[00:15:29] We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.
[00:15:40] For one who has died has been set free from sin.
[00:15:46] Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him.
[00:15:51] We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again.
[00:15:56] Death no longer has dominion over Him.
[00:16:00] For the death He died, He died to sin once for all, but the life He lives, He lives to God.
[00:16:08] So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
[00:16:18] Thanks be to God for his holy word.

[00:16:31] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
The death he died, he died in sin.
[00:16:35] Life that he lives, he lives to God.
[00:16:37] So you also consider yourself dead to sin and alive in Jesus Christ.
[00:16:42] Amen.
[00:16:43] Well, today we have two brothers who are going to be baptized.
[00:16:46] And you know, I explain this almost every time we have a baptism.
[00:16:50] Baptism does not save you.
[00:16:53] Only the blood of Jesus does that.
[00:16:55] But after you're saved, God commanded us to be baptized because it shows everyone that we are saved.
[00:17:02] And so we're so grateful for these brothers who are walking through the waters of baptism today.
[00:17:07] Let me invite down Mythos Corbin.
[00:17:20] Memphis is six years old.
[00:17:31] Now let me tell you something about Memphis Corbin.
[00:17:34] Memphis got back early this morning because he's been at a rodeo all night.
[00:17:39] And he wasn't watching it.
[00:17:40] What was he doing?
[00:17:42] He was riding.
[00:17:44] Memphis rides, not just sheep.
[00:17:46] What else do you ride?
[00:17:47] I've never met a little boy that has more grit and more courage than Memphis does.
[00:17:56] And that's the gift that God's given Memphis because one day, God's going to use that grit and that courage.
[00:18:02] When everyone else is refusing to stand up and they're all sitting back, God's going to use Memphis to stand up and proclaim His glory.
[00:18:09] Amen?
[00:18:11] Memphis has been here at First Baptist for a while.
[00:18:14] And he's been here on Sundays and Wednesday nights.
[00:18:16] Memphis gave his heart to Jesus Christ and today he stands before his family and his friends to show the whole world that his heart belongs to Jesus and Jesus alone.
[00:18:27] Memphis, let me ask you, as you stand here in front of your family and friends, do you trust Jesus Christ with your whole heart and promise to live for him forever?

[00:18:37] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
It is my honor and privilege to baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son,
[00:19:05] I wanted to invite another brother to come down this time, and this is Alex Garcia.

[00:19:16] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
I don't have to hold Alex.
[00:19:22] Let me tell you something about Alex.
[00:19:24] Alex has some deep roots here at First Baptist.
[00:19:28] And Alex, I hope you get a chance to hear Alex's testimony.
[00:19:34] Alex has had anything but a smooth journey.
[00:19:39] And Alex knows what it's like to hit rock bottom.
[00:19:42] And he knows what it's like to see the grace and the mercy of Jesus Christ.
[00:19:45] Amen.
[00:19:46] And a few months ago, Alex came to the altar.
[00:19:49] Alex started giving his heart to Jesus Christ.
[00:19:52] And the Lord is doing a good work in Alex Garcia.
[00:19:57] Today he stands before his family, his friends, his church family, to tell the whole world that his heart belongs to Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ alone.
[00:20:05] So Alex, let me ask you to stand in front of everyone.
[00:20:08] Trust Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and promise to live for him for the rest of your life.
[00:20:14] Amen.
[00:20:14] Alex, it is my honor and privilege to baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

[00:20:37] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
The Lord is doing the good work.

[00:20:39] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
Amen.
[00:20:41] Let's pray.
[00:20:42] Father, we thank you for who you are.
[00:20:44] Father, we thank you, Lord, for the way you're changing lives from six-year-olds to nearly 30-year-olds.
[00:20:53] Father, we thank you for the way you're changing lives of men and women, boys and girls.
[00:20:58] And Father, I thank you for Alex and Memphis and for the courage they had to stand before a crowd like this.
[00:21:06] Let the whole world know they belong to you and you alone.
[00:21:09] Father, I pray if there's someone in here who has not trusted you as Savior, that today would be the day.
[00:21:16] They would learn from the example of Memphis Announcement.
[00:21:19] Today would be the day they surrender everything they have to you.
[00:21:23] Father, maybe there's someone in here, they've trusted you, they know you, they love you, but they've never made this public declaration of faith.
[00:21:31] Lord, would you stir and build?
[00:21:33] Would you stir in them that courage to walk through the waters of baptism?
[00:21:37] Father, help us as a church right now to surrender everything we have to worship you in spirit and truth.
[00:21:44] For we have died to sin.
[00:21:46] We've been raised alive through, to, and in you.
[00:21:50] And for that, we give you all the glory.
[00:21:52] In Christ's holy name we pray.

[00:22:02] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Amen.

[00:22:03] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
O Lord, my God, in a thousand wonders consider all
[00:22:32] of the Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit of the Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit of the Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit of the Holy Spirit,
[00:23:02] In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and of the Holy Spirit.

[00:23:26] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Amen.

[00:23:27] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
of the Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit of the Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit of the Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit of the Holy Spirit,
[00:23:58] In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

[00:24:18] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Amen.

[00:24:22] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
The Son of Mary sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in That on the cross my burden gladly bearing He bled and died to take away my sin
[00:24:48] Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee How great Thou art!

[00:25:12] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
How great Thou art!
[00:25:13] Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee How great Thou art!
[00:25:15] In Christ shall come, with shout of admiration, And take me home, but joy shall be mine.
[00:25:35] Then I shall bow in humble adoration, And there proclaim, My God, how great Thou art!
[00:26:00] Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee, How great Thou art!

[00:26:08] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
Amen.

[00:26:24] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Please be seated.

[00:26:38] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
Good morning church.
[00:26:42] We've come to the time in our service where we'll continue worshiping through our act of giving.
[00:26:48] But before we do, I'd like to share a few announcements about what's happening in the life of our church.
[00:26:53] And you know you are in a vibrant, growing, and loving church when you have three pages of announcements.
[00:27:00] So bear with me.
[00:27:02] First, let me start off by saying thank you, bragging on what the Lord has done in our fifth quarter ministry.
[00:27:09] On Friday night, despite the cold, a Mooresville wind, we had over nearly 100 students that came out after the football game and hung out.
[00:27:19] This was our fourth event, and it was amazing.
[00:27:22] Thank you for those who volunteered, who served, who stayed up late with us.
[00:27:27] Thank you for those who donated to make this ministry possible.
[00:27:32] Today, following our services, Pastor Seth said, everyone's invited to a church-wide covered dish luncheon.
[00:27:38] It's a great opportunity for us to fellowship with each other, but also to recognize the amazing work of our pastors, show them our appreciation.
[00:27:48] Tonight at the Student Youth event, we'll be gathering at 5.30 until 7.30.
[00:27:57] We're going to have a chili cook-off.
[00:27:58] If you're worried about what else we're going to have, we're going to have grilled cheese and popcorn chicken too.
[00:28:03] But we'll have a great time of fellowship together.
[00:28:05] Then we'll be decorating for Treat Street.
[00:28:09] Speaking of Treat Street, Wednesday is going to be an exciting night in our church community.
[00:28:14] We'll be hosting Treat Street.
[00:28:16] Here at First Baptist from 5 o'clock until 7 o'clock.
[00:28:20] The night will start with a hot dog dinner and then it will finish with dessert as our guests go through Treat Street.
[00:28:27] So come with a costume and bring a friend.
[00:28:31] The Youth Halloween Party will be next Saturday at the Denny's November 1st at 6 o'clock.
[00:28:38] There will be food, games, fun, dress up, try to keep up with the Denny's costumes.
[00:28:46] Next Wednesday will be a special day as well.
[00:28:49] November 5th will be recognizing our veterans and our first responders service.
[00:28:56] So mark your calendars.
[00:28:57] It's a very special evening.
[00:28:58] We will honor both veterans and first responders with a meal and then a service at 5 p.m.
[00:29:06] So join us as we say thank you to those who served our country and served our community so faithfully.
[00:29:13] And finally, we continue to fill shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child.
[00:29:17] This is a great opportunity for us to provide for children in need in over 120 countries all over the world.
[00:29:25] But most importantly, a chance for us to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with children and their families through this civil act of kindness.
[00:29:34] This December our students will also have an opportunity to volunteer at the Operation Christmas Child's Processing Center.
[00:29:41] We'll get to see these boxes one step closer to those in need.
[00:29:46] You can tell God is doing incredible things here at First Baptist.
[00:29:50] From our children, to our youth, to our community, and all over the world.
[00:29:55] We truly believe that God is doing powerful things in this church.
[00:30:00] Now let's go to the Lord in prayer.
[00:30:03] Dear Heavenly Father, we come to you today with thankful hearts.
[00:30:08] You have been faithful in every season, providing for us in ways seen and unseen.
[00:30:14] As we give our offerings, we do so with joy, knowing that everything we have belongs to you.
[00:30:20] As we give back a portion of what you've entrusted to us, we pray that you would bless these tithes and offerings, use them to strengthen your church, to meet the needs of others, and to spread the good news of Jesus Christ both near and far.
[00:30:36] In Jesus' name we pray.

[00:31:14] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
Read more, more of who you are, and what is love.
[00:31:39] Shape these walls with Christ unto your name.

[00:31:43] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Let my peace open you, Lord.
[00:32:11] Let my hands be open to you.
[00:32:11] Let me lose what you lost for me.
[00:32:12] Let me be as you have been to me.
[00:32:15] Let me be as you have been to me.

[00:32:30] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
You came down, came to heal the world.
[00:32:44] In your name Now your love is born inside of me To do the same as my feet on where you would go
[00:33:11] Let my hands be mercy overcome.

[00:33:38] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Let me lose what you've lost for me.
[00:33:39] Let me be as you have been to me.
[00:33:42] In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
[00:34:04] Amen.

[00:34:24] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
Let me be as you have been to me.
[00:34:45] Let me be as you have been.
[00:34:49] To Thee

[00:35:23] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
Well at this time we're going to dismiss Children's Church.
[00:35:28] If you are visiting new with us today and you have a youngster, first know that Children's Church is not babysitting.
[00:35:35] It is a program geared for them.
[00:35:38] They're leaving to my right, but when you pick them up, it'll be easier if you'll go up the ramp to my left behind the piano.
[00:35:45] Turn right down the steps and turn right again, and you will find them there.
[00:35:50] A big thank you to our guest musician, cellist Jen Bassett this morning for joining us and helping to lead the service.
[00:35:58] Thank you, Jen.
[00:36:03] Also a quick reminder of our Sunday School Brunch, which is on November 9th.
[00:36:09] You may have seen the slides.
[00:36:11] 8.45 to 9.45 in two weeks on November 9th.
[00:36:17] Cover dish, bring your favorite breakfast item.
[00:36:19] We'll meet together in there.
[00:36:21] Let's continue to worship.

[00:36:28] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
Thank you musicians, thank you choir, you guys did such an amazing job.
[00:36:31] And speaking of that brunch, we're not going to have Sunday school that day, so typically when you go to your Sunday school classes, you won't that day on the 9th, so they come right to the fellowship hall so we can eat together, eat with our classes.
[00:36:43] Maybe you've not been a part of Sunday school, this is a great time for you to come.
[00:36:46] And we're going to hear that day.
[00:36:48] We're actually going to have a speaker that day.
[00:36:49] We're going to be talking about how First Baptist, the role that God's using First Baptist to play in international missions.
[00:36:57] So it's going to be fantastic.
[00:36:58] So make sure you come to there.
[00:36:59] Let me give you one more announcement.
[00:37:01] We've been studying through the book of Acts.
[00:37:04] We're going to continue to do that today in chapter 14.
[00:37:08] But we've been talking about the church of Antioch and starting...
[00:37:12] On November 5th, that night at 6 o'clock, we're starting a new Bible study that's going to be over in Building C, and it's literally called the Blueprint of Antioch, or the Antioch Blueprint.
[00:37:25] And so we're going to be talking about this church kind of more in-depth, a lot about what does it mean, Baptist theology, polity, things like that.
[00:37:32] So I just encourage you to come.
[00:37:34] The workbook is pretty extensive, and so we have a sign-up sheet out there on the Connect table.
[00:37:41] If you don't mind, would you kindly just sign your name, email, things like that, phone number, because we want to make sure we have enough copies for everyone who's going to come.
[00:37:51] That'll start November 5th.
[00:37:53] Before we get into the Word, let's pray together.
[00:37:58] Father, we just come before you this morning
[00:38:06] We humble ourselves in your presence and Lord, we thank you for the grace that you've given us.
[00:38:13] Lord Jesus, you are good and your mercy endures forever.
[00:38:18] When life feels heavy, when our hearts ache for those we love that are sick or struggling, we know you're near.
[00:38:26] For you have promised to never leave us nor forsake us.
[00:38:30] The most numerous promise you give us throughout your word is that we're never alone.
[00:38:34] You are closer than our skin.
[00:38:37] And God, today we lift up our brothers and our sisters who are walking through the valleys of sickness.
[00:38:44] Some who are walking through the valleys of the shadow of death.
[00:38:48] We have brothers and sisters right now who are sitting in hospital rooms.
[00:38:52] Others who are home, fighting through pain, some who are getting ready right now to step into the doors of eternity and to see you face to face.
[00:39:04] And Father, we just ask for your healing to be over them, for your will to be done, and for peace to be granted to bodies that are tired.
[00:39:13] We ask that you wrap your loving arms around them and remind them that they are not alone, and that you are the great physician, you're the great comforter, and you're the one who holds every heartbeat.
[00:39:24] Lord Jesus, today we particularly lift up Marissa Snyder, who has had a very intense surgery, who's tore her Achilles, who is home right now watching but is in immense amount of pain.
[00:39:39] Father, we lift up Mike Priven,
[00:39:43] We thank you for bringing Mike through this surgery, but he has a long way to go and he needs to feel your healing touch.
[00:39:55] Lord, we lift up Harriet Smith, who right now is going through chemo.
[00:40:01] We lift up Connie Parnell, Lord.
[00:40:04] We ask that your mercy be poured out upon her.
[00:40:10] Father, cancer is a terrible disease, but we serve the one who is greater than cancer, who is bigger than cancer.
[00:40:16] You have all authority.
[00:40:18] Father, we lift up particularly today David Lynch, who is home, who is not doing well, who is only able to watch us from home right now, and we just pray that this brother feels loved.
[00:40:29] Not just from his church family, Lord, but he feels your presence and your mercy.
[00:40:33] And Lord, we lift up today.
[00:40:35] And we lift up today Jim and Judy Lotz.
[00:40:39] Jim and Judith Lotz.
[00:40:40] Father, Jim is in hospice right now.
[00:40:44] And Jim is in immense amount of pain.
[00:40:46] But you are there in that hospice room with him.
[00:40:50] The God who has fire bursting out of his eyes, whose feet is played metal.
[00:40:54] You're the one standing beside Jim.
[00:40:56] Remind Jim of that.
[00:40:57] Remind Judith of that.
[00:40:59] Father, we pray for these families.
[00:41:03] And Lord, we pray that you'd give them strength for the moments that feel too hard when words don't come.
[00:41:08] Let your spirit intercede with groanings too deep for words.
[00:41:12] Let them sense your presence and know that you are here.
[00:41:17] Father, we also give you thanks.
[00:41:20] We give you thanks for the way you're moving.
[00:41:23] We give you thanks, Lord, for the praise reports that we've had, as Chuck talked about what you're doing in our youth and our student ministries.
[00:41:31] Father, we give you praise for new life.
[00:41:33] Thank you, Father, for Noah Rose Huffman, 7 pounds and 19 inches.
[00:41:38] Father, we pray for her.
[00:41:39] We pray for her sweet mama, Megan, for her grandmother, Lauren, for her great-grandparents, Charlie and Selena.
[00:41:46] We ask that you continue to mold and shape her and bring your peace right now upon this family.
[00:41:51] Father, we also pray for those who are sitting in here.
[00:41:53] They have prayer requests that are too intimate, too personal, say out loud, who are carrying unseen burdens, private struggles, worries that no one else knows about.
[00:42:02] Maybe that's fear or doubt or financial strain or maybe a broken relationship.
[00:42:06] God, you know what it is, so we ask that you comfort.
[00:42:09] You see every tear.
[00:42:10] You know every thought.
[00:42:11] Father, help us trust you and trust you more.
[00:42:15] Father, remind us that you're still writing our stories, that you're still working miracles,
[00:42:21] Father, we pray that healing happen this morning, that it would take place.
[00:42:27] Father, we thank you for the baptisms we've already seen.
[00:42:31] Would I give you praise for putting Memphis and his family here, for putting Alex here?
[00:42:38] Lord, thank you for these precious lives and what joy it is to see people publicly declare their faith in you.
[00:42:44] Thank you, Lord, for new life.
[00:42:46] Thank you for new beginnings and new stories.
[00:42:48] Thank you, Father, for using this church to speak grace.
[00:42:52] Father, we pray that you continuously mold and shape Memphis and Alex, their families, that they continue to grow in you and be bold about their faith.
[00:43:01] Lord, we're excited today because Pastor BJ is bringing your word.
[00:43:06] Father, we pray that you just anoint him with your spirit, that you fill him with boldness and clarity, with compassion.
[00:43:12] And Father, when he opens up his mouth, he just lets the line of Judah speak.
[00:43:18] Help us have open hearts and listening ears and let us not just be hearers of the word but doers of the word.
[00:43:25] Use him as your vessel and speak truth and encouragement that your word may not return void.
[00:43:32] So today Lord we surrender every name, every need, every situation to your capable hands and we trust you that you are Lord who never fails us.
[00:43:41] Thank you, Jesus, the hope beyond the grave for peace in the middle of the storm, for a promise that one day there will be no more sickness, no more sorrows, no more death, and there will be life in you forever and ever.
[00:43:53] In Christ's holy name, amen.

[00:44:05] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
Well, good morning.
[00:44:08] If you will,
[00:44:10] Indulge me for just one moment.
[00:44:11] I don't usually get an open mic so today I do
[00:44:15] And I'm going to take advantage of that.
[00:44:18] But I do want to say just what a joy and a privilege it is to serve here.
[00:44:23] If you are new here, maybe you don't know this, but I have been here at Morrisville for almost 20 years.
[00:44:30] So I have seen the ups and the downs and I have experienced a lot of what God is doing in this church.
[00:44:38] And today what is happening is just absolutely beyond amazing.
[00:44:42] But...
[00:44:43] I do want to say, because this is the first time that I have preached in this new role that I now serve in as a Connections Pastor, and I could not come up here without taking the opportunity just to simply say thank you to Lisa and to Chuck for all that they are doing.
[00:44:59] Would you please just give them a round of applause?
[00:45:07] I am just so grateful for their hearts for these students more importantly their hearts for God and I'm just so grateful for their friendship and I could probably sit up here for 20 minutes and just talk about all the amazing things that they are doing but
[00:45:23] They would want us to point the glory back to God.
[00:45:25] But to Chuck and Lisa, thank you so much for all that you're doing.
[00:45:28] And thank you as a church for all of your encouragement, your prayers, your support.
[00:45:33] God is doing amazing things.
[00:45:35] And let's just keep following what God is doing here in this church.
[00:45:41] I also just want to say thank you for the opportunity just to be able to come up here and to share the Word of God.
[00:45:47] I have to be honest with you that a couple of weeks ago when Pastor Seth asked me if I would be willing to preach and he said we would be on Acts 14, my first thought was, oh great, he's found a chapter there's not much in, so he's just going to hand that one off to me.
[00:46:03] Well, as I read through Acts 14 over and over and over, I actually found, well, you could actually come up with a good sermon series just on this chapter.
[00:46:12] So that's not the case.
[00:46:14] But then I thought, oh, I got it.
[00:46:15] I know exactly what he's doing.
[00:46:17] He wanted somebody to come up and offer a master class on how to preach.
[00:46:24] But then this week, somebody gave him a sweatshirt that calls him the sermonator.
[00:46:30] So it's not that, but no, in all seriousness, really, we are a team.
[00:46:37] We are a team, and each one of us are willing to step up and to serve whatever role needs to be done.
[00:46:43] And so I'm honored to be able to come and to preach, just to even give Seth some time off, but thank you so much for your encouragement and all that you do here at First Baptist.
[00:46:54] And as Seth did mention, we are in this series entitled CORE.
[00:47:01] And the book of Acts is the perfect book to think about when we think about what it means that Jesus Christ is the core of our faith.
[00:47:14] Now when we think about core, we think about something that is the foundation, the center of something.
[00:47:23] The core of an apple, right?
[00:47:24] It's where the seeds are.
[00:47:27] But when we talk about putting our faith in Christ,
[00:47:30] The core of our faith is Jesus.
[00:47:34] The core truth is salvation by His grace.
[00:47:41] In the core of our life, if you choose to follow Jesus, if you choose to put your life in Him, put your faith in Him, then the core of your life should be a heart that is transformed by Jesus.
[00:47:57] Just like we witnessed through baptism, you are a new person.
[00:48:05] Our focal verse this morning is found in Acts 13 verse 2.
[00:48:10] I want to back up into Acts chapter 13.
[00:48:13] I know we looked at that last week, but the reason why this is our focal verse, because really Acts 13 and 14 are two chapters that could really be mashed together.
[00:48:26] And in Acts 13, verse 2, we're reminded that while they were worshiping, the believers at the church in Antioch, while they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.
[00:48:49] First Baptist, if you choose...
[00:48:53] To follow Jesus.
[00:48:54] If today as you sit here and you call Jesus the Lord of your life, you are called.
[00:49:06] God has something very specific that he needs you to do.
[00:49:12] I do not want you to hear this sermon and only think that this is for Paul and Barnabas.
[00:49:20] Because this is for every believer who calls Jesus the Lord of their life.
[00:49:25] You have a calling and you have a mission field that God is calling you to.
[00:49:36] Now Acts 13 is important.
[00:49:39] It's an important part of the book of Acts because this is the turning point.
[00:49:44] It's the arc of the story, if you will.
[00:49:48] Because in the first 12 chapters of Acts, the church is forming.
[00:49:53] It's beginning to understand who it is, what it means to be a follower of Jesus.
[00:49:59] But then when we get to Acts 13, it's now the, what are we going to do with this now?
[00:50:07] Are we going to keep it for ourselves or are we going to proclaim this good news beyond where we are, beyond this church?
[00:50:18] And they decided, yes, we cannot keep this good news for ourselves.
[00:50:23] We must go out.
[00:50:27] And so as we get into Acts 13, let us be reminded that we too are called to go out.
[00:50:36] Because in Acts 13, we find that the church responds to God's call.
[00:50:41] That the message will be proclaimed to the nations.
[00:50:47] But we also find that the gospel divides.
[00:50:54] That as good of a message as it is, not everyone is ready to receive it.
[00:51:02] But everyone needs to hear it.
[00:51:06] Which is why I entitled today's message, Essentials for Sharing the Gospel.
[00:51:15] Because as you go out,
[00:51:17] To share the message of Jesus.
[00:51:21] There are three things that you will need.
[00:51:24] Three important, essential things that you must be willing to do in your life and to carry with you.
[00:51:36] You see in Acts 14, we find what happens when God's people actually live out that call.
[00:51:45] In Acts 14, beginning in verse 1, it says, At Iconium, Paul and Barnabas went, as usual, into the Jewish synagogue.
[00:51:57] There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed.
[00:52:03] Now let me pause right there for just a moment.
[00:52:05] I don't want you to overlook what has just happened.
[00:52:10] Notice that it's Paul and Barnabas who are sent out.
[00:52:15] It's not Paul by himself.
[00:52:16] It's not Barnabas by himself.
[00:52:19] It's a team.
[00:52:21] You see, God is not going to send you out alone.
[00:52:26] Now, when we think about Paul and Barnabas, here's the way I kind of see this.
[00:52:31] You see, I think of Paul as more of the extrovert, if you will.
[00:52:36] He's the guy that when they get ready to go out on this mission journey, he's the one that just kind of packs all of his things in a book bag, and he'll just kind of figure it out when he gets there.
[00:52:50] Now, Paul is a man who is of deep faith.
[00:52:56] He is full in.
[00:52:59] He doesn't care what's going to happen.
[00:53:02] He has relentless courage and he has completely surrendered his life to Jesus.
[00:53:09] But even with all those things, Paul needs a Barnabas.
[00:53:13] Now I think of Barnabas as the introvert.
[00:53:18] I think of Barnabas as the one who kind of has everything mapped out.
[00:53:22] Do you know this person?
[00:53:24] They know which day we're going to do this and at what time we're going to go and do that.
[00:53:29] Barnabas is the one that comes along and says, Hey Paul, I'm all in on this.
[00:53:33] I love Jesus as much as anyone.
[00:53:36] And I want to share his message.
[00:53:39] However, I'm going to need my own room.
[00:53:43] He's the one that is kind of behind the scenes.
[00:53:47] He may seem like he is a little overshadowed by Paul.
[00:53:52] But Barnabas is just as important.
[00:53:55] You see, Barnabas is the encourager of the group.
[00:54:01] Barnabas is known as the peacemaker.
[00:54:05] Barnabas is known as the trusted leader.
[00:54:09] We need these people in our lives.
[00:54:11] But here's the thing.
[00:54:12] We're all Pauls.
[00:54:14] We're all called to go and to proclaim this message, but at the same time, we're all Barnabas as well.
[00:54:22] Because just as the people around you are going to follow their callings, they need you to be encouraging them, to be praying for them.
[00:54:31] At the same time, you need people encouraging you and praying for you.
[00:54:39] But notice where they go.
[00:54:41] You see, it's not just God sending out Paul and Barnabas anywhere, but notice they went as usual into the Jewish synagogue.
[00:54:52] You see, they knew exactly where they needed to go.
[00:54:57] They knew exactly where God was calling them.
[00:55:00] They didn't just go anywhere that they wanted.
[00:55:02] They didn't just go where it might be comfortable.
[00:55:06] They went to where they knew the gospel was needed.
[00:55:11] You know, each summer my family and I, we go on vacation and I'm down at the beach on a Sunday and I look over and I got the ocean over here and there is a church service that is taking place.
[00:55:25] You know, and I have to be honest, there's a part of me that goes, God, why couldn't you get me to do that?
[00:55:29] Wouldn't it be nice just to be comfortable on the beach on Sunday mornings preaching and worshiping and all those great things?
[00:55:36] But God doesn't always send us where it's comfortable.
[00:55:40] The Gospel needs to go to all places and God needs to challenge us to go even into some of the most difficult of places.
[00:55:50] And so we're going to find that Paul and Barnabas, as they go into this Jewish synagogue, at first the Gospel is not well received.
[00:55:59] Which sets up exactly what you are going to need as you go out to share the Gospel.
[00:56:05] The first essential that you will need is perseverance.
[00:56:11] You see, sharing the gospel is hard.
[00:56:16] It is not easy.
[00:56:19] It does not happen overnight.
[00:56:22] Notice in verse 3 that Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there speaking boldly for the Lord who confirmed the message of His grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders.
[00:56:37] Notice it says that they spent considerable time there.
[00:56:41] This means that most likely they spent months there sharing the gospel.
[00:56:48] Most likely taking time to get to know folks.
[00:56:53] Spending one-on-one time.
[00:56:55] Having dinner with them.
[00:56:57] Small group Bible studies.
[00:56:59] We don't know exactly, but we know that they continually worked there to share the gospel.
[00:57:09] And at times,
[00:57:11] They often faced opposition.
[00:57:14] Now it often says throughout the scriptures here that some of these people who opposed their message were evil.
[00:57:22] Now what this means is not that they just opposed the message.
[00:57:26] They even wanted to go as far as killing them.
[00:57:31] Whatever it took to drive them out.
[00:57:33] But Paul and Barnabas, what did they do?
[00:57:36] They stayed.
[00:57:38] So who is it that you are trying to share the gospel with?
[00:57:42] Who is it that you are trying to share the good news of Jesus with?
[00:57:47] And what will it take for you to do so?
[00:57:51] Now, I know that I bring this up a lot, so forgive me for doing this again.
[00:57:54] But many of you know that I love to run.
[00:57:58] And imagine if you came to me and you said, Pastor BJ, I know that you're a runner, so I have decided that I would like to run a marathon.
[00:58:09] What do I need to do in order to do this successfully?
[00:58:14] And here's exactly what I would tell you.
[00:58:16] Do not skimp on your long run.
[00:58:20] Do not miss it.
[00:58:22] Because your long run in marathon training is the time on your feet.
[00:58:27] It's essentially the practice part of the marathon.
[00:58:31] And if you skimp on that long run, at some point when you're doing this marathon, you are going to hit what's called the wall.
[00:58:38] It happens to every marathoner.
[00:58:41] But your goal is to delay that as much as possible.
[00:58:44] So your long run helps you.
[00:58:47] It gives you that feeling of what it means when you're ready to give up.
[00:58:50] When you're ready to quit.
[00:58:53] But what does that mean spiritually speaking?
[00:58:56] You see, to share the gospel, you're going to have to put in the time.
[00:59:00] You cannot do it without spending your time in studying your scriptures.
[00:59:06] You cannot do it without spending your time praying.
[00:59:12] Perhaps the person that you're trying to share the gospel with, you spend months and months and months with them before you even begin to share what it is that you're ultimately wanting to talk to them about.
[00:59:24] You spend hours having lunch, long conversations just simply listening to them.
[00:59:31] And then one day, God's going to open that door.
[00:59:36] But because you've done those long runs, if you will, you're ready.
[00:59:41] You're prepared.
[00:59:43] But here's what I want to challenge you with.
[00:59:46] Whatever it is that God is calling you to do, don't give up.
[00:59:51] Keep moving forward.
[00:59:53] No matter how tired you get, no matter how much you want to give up, no matter how much opposition you may face, keep going.
[01:00:04] Now the second essential that you will need in sharing the gospel is humility.
[01:00:12] You see, here's the thing.
[01:00:16] We all face this challenge in our lives of pride and ego.
[01:00:21] It's easy at times
[01:00:24] To think within our own lives that, you know, this is about me.
[01:00:30] We need humility in our lives.
[01:00:32] And so as we move into Acts chapter 14 verse 8, Paul and Barnabas have now moved on to the towns of Lystra and Derbe.
[01:00:42] And here's what they face.
[01:00:43] Actually, folks who are accepting what they are doing.
[01:00:47] Paul and Barnabas go and they actually heal someone who had been crippled from birth.
[01:00:54] And when we talk about healing him, we're talking about physically and spiritually healing him.
[01:01:01] But what happens when they do this?
[01:01:05] They actually look at Paul and Barnabas and think of them as gods.
[01:01:11] Now this is the time where Paul and Barnabas face a challenge.
[01:01:15] Well, maybe we are that good.
[01:01:16] Maybe it is about us.
[01:01:19] But what do they do?
[01:01:21] They turned the glory back to God.
[01:01:25] You know, I faced something similar to this a few weeks ago.
[01:01:29] Many of you know me as the tech guy around here at church.
[01:01:34] And that doesn't mean I can fix viruses or things on your computer.
[01:01:38] But what that means is that these slides, and I didn't do that.
[01:01:44] But these slides and all of these things, I make sure that they are turned on, all of those, right?
[01:01:54] Well, one of the challenges that has been eluding me for months and months and months, especially as we started the overflow service, was how do I get the slides from that computer onto that computer?
[01:02:08] So if you're worshiping at home or worshiping in the overflow, the slides that you see here will show up on your screen.
[01:02:16] So a couple of weeks ago, I decided I'm going to figure this out.
[01:02:20] And so I cleared my calendar on a Monday and I went into that balcony and I was serious.
[01:02:24] I was going to solve this problem.
[01:02:26] I didn't care if the rapture happened.
[01:02:28] I wasn't going until I figured this out.
[01:02:32] Would you know that within two hours I had it solved.
[01:02:35] Now in that moment there was a part of me that was like, look at what I've done.
[01:02:43] And I decided I wasn't going to say anything.
[01:02:45] I wasn't going to make a big announcement that I had figured this out.
[01:02:49] I was just going to let the worship services take place as normal the next week and let it just show up on folks' computer.
[01:02:55] And I would just be interested as to what they say.
[01:02:59] And the most amazing thing happened.
[01:03:03] It took three weeks for one person to say thank you.
[01:03:08] And I say that's amazing because when that one person came and said thank you, you know why they thanked me?
[01:03:15] It wasn't because the slides were there.
[01:03:17] It's because they shared the service out with their friends and it makes it easier for that person to worship.
[01:03:24] I am so grateful that no one said thank you.
[01:03:29] Because it taught me a lesson in humility.
[01:03:32] It reminded that all that we do, all the gifts that we have, all the talents that we have, yes, everyone likes to be thanked, everyone likes to be recognized.
[01:03:41] I don't have anything against that.
[01:03:44] But when we do things, is it pointing others to God first?
[01:03:50] That's what's most important.
[01:03:53] And so Paul and Barnabas, as they go into Lystra and the Derbe, they have an opportunity for it to be about them, but what do they do?
[01:04:01] They choose the path of humility, and they return it back to God.
[01:04:09] I'm reminded of 2 Corinthians 4-5, For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ is Lord, and ourselves as your servant, for Jesus' sake.
[01:04:20] You see, Paul and Barnabas asked,
[01:04:23] Friends, why are you doing this?
[01:04:25] We too are only human.
[01:04:28] We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them.
[01:04:39] So when you have those successful moments in sharing the gospel, let us remember it's about God first.
[01:04:48] The final essential that you will need as you go to share the gospel
[01:04:53] Folks, you will need faith.
[01:04:57] There are going to be times in your life where you don't understand what God is doing.
[01:05:03] There are going to be times in your life where you wonder, is this really the direction that God is leading me in?
[01:05:10] But what we notice in Acts 14 beginning in verse 21, Paul and Barnabas have gone to Iconium and they faced opposition, almost even death.
[01:05:23] They went into Lystra and the Derbe and they faced this opposition of self-indulgence, their own pride, their own ego.
[01:05:36] But as they come into Acts 14 verse 21, they return back to Antioch and they're reminded, oh, God did have a plan.
[01:05:48] So as they preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples, and then they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith.
[01:06:01] And they remind us we must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.
[01:06:09] Notice that they return.
[01:06:11] It shows deep faith, trusting God rather than giving in to fear.
[01:06:18] As you go to share the gospel, what are the things that may be holding you back?
[01:06:25] What are the fears in your life?
[01:06:29] Are you struggling to trust God?
[01:06:35] You see, true faith will celebrate God's work, not our own.
[01:06:39] It will rejoice in His partnership, His power, and His purposes fulfilled.
[01:06:47] See, to share the gospel, it takes perseverance.
[01:06:52] You will need humility in your life, but it takes faith.
[01:06:58] So here's how I want to challenge you.
[01:07:03] In your handout, you've got an opportunity to really be praying about and thinking about where God is leading you to share the gospel.
[01:07:14] You see, throughout Acts 14, Paul and Barnabas lived with this bold faith.
[01:07:20] They persevered through hardship.
[01:07:23] They walked humbly with God and they trusted His Spirit to guide every step.
[01:07:30] But before they began on this journey, there was a moment of surrender in their lives.
[01:07:38] Again, while they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.
[01:07:50] And that same Holy Spirit is speaking to you today.
[01:07:56] So as we close out, I want you to take a moment to really listen to the Spirit's voice in your life.
[01:08:05] And I want you to ask, God, where are you
[01:08:08] I want you to write your name in that first blank.
[01:08:17] And I want it to be a reminder that God is calling you.
[01:08:22] I don't care what sin you may have in your life, how weak you may feel, God can handle that sin.
[01:08:27] And God will give you the strength that you need.
[01:08:33] You are called.
[01:08:37] And in that second blank, I want you to write the name of your encourager.
[01:08:41] If you don't know who that is right now, let me challenge you to find a small group, to find a Bible study, to maybe even step out of your comfort zone and go meet somebody new here in this church and say, I need you to be praying for me.
[01:09:00] I need you to support me.
[01:09:03] Who is your encourager?
[01:09:06] And lastly, I want you to be thinking about and praying about where God is leading you.
[01:09:13] Now it's easy for us to step back and look at all that Paul and Barnabas accomplished and to think, I can never do that.
[01:09:22] But maybe that's not what God is calling you to do.
[01:09:25] It might be your co-worker or it might be your neighbor that God is leading you to go share the gospel with.
[01:09:33] And don't forget,
[01:09:35] That that accomplishment is just as great.
[01:09:40] You follow God's call in your life.
[01:09:48] So where is God leading you?
[01:09:54] Where is it that God wants you to share the gospel?
[01:09:58] As you leave here today, be reminded that God has called you.
[01:10:06] And God needs you to be an encourager in someone else's life.
[01:10:12] Let's pray together.
[01:10:22] Lord, we pray in this moment that you would give us the courage.
[01:10:32] The courage to persevere when ministry is hard.
[01:10:36] The humility to point every heart toward you.
[01:10:41] And God, the faith to trust in your grace in every step.
[01:10:47] God, would you set us apart for your work, just as you did Barnabas and Paul, so that we might hear the gospel wherever it is that you send us.
[01:11:00] In Jesus' name we do pray.
[01:11:01] Amen.
[01:11:03] I'm going to invite Bethany to play.
[01:11:07] Perhaps today is the day that you need to give your heart to God.
[01:11:13] Folks, if you're going to bear the gospel, you cannot do it unless you've accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
[01:11:23] And after you've chosen to follow Jesus, you need to find a church that you can become a part of so that you can grow your faith, so that you can better understand how God is at work in your life.
[01:11:38] So is today the day for you?
[01:11:41] Is today the day that you come and you give your heart to Christ and let it be known to the world that you follow Jesus first?
[01:11:52] Or perhaps today is the day that you want to come and you want to join this church family so that you can grow that faith and God can nourish you and begin preparing you to be sent out.
[01:12:07] Whatever decision you need to make today, I invite you to stand as we sing our hymn of invitation, I surrender all.

[01:12:36] [SPEAKER UNKNOWN]:
Every year
[01:12:56] All to Thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all.

[01:13:17] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
Today is a great day in the life of First Baptist Church.
[01:13:20] I have the privilege to be able to introduce to you the Corbin family.
[01:13:23] This is Jan and Matthew Corbin.
[01:13:25] And their kids are on the way.
[01:13:26] We were looking for them.
[01:13:27] So we've got Cashin and Walker and Memphis coming down.
[01:13:35] And we are so excited to have them come and to be a part.
[01:13:42] Yes.
[01:13:43] We are so excited to have them to come and be a part of this church family.
[01:13:47] If you welcome them into the family of faith here at First Baptist Church, would you let it be known by saying, Amen.
[01:13:54] Amen.
[01:13:55] Fantastic.
[01:13:56] And it's also my privilege to introduce you to Ken and Rachel Crowder.
[01:14:01] And they have a son, Pax, who is probably still down in the nursery.
[01:14:05] And it was just such a joy a couple of weeks ago to be able to talk with them about what it means to be a member here at First Baptist Church.
[01:14:11] and to pray with them and let me tell you they are going to bring some great things to the life of our church and so we are so excited to have y'all as a part of our church family and again if you accept the Crowder family as a part of the family of faith here at First Baptist Church would you let it be known by saying amen
[01:14:28] So we'll have them down front if y'all want to come down and meet them and just encourage them at the conclusion of our service.
[01:14:35] And just a quick reminder that we do have a luncheon that will take place after this service.
[01:14:41] If you are a guest with us, you are welcome to come and be a part of this.
[01:14:45] What we are asked to do is as you go into the fellowship hall, if you would just go have a seat at a table, they will call you up.
[01:14:52] Thank you for being here.
[01:15:02] Thank you for all that you do.
[01:15:06] Let us go now from these walls and to share the gospel message with the world around us.
[01:15:11] Let's pray together.
[01:15:13] Gracious and Heavenly Father we thank you so much for all that you do.
[01:15:16] We thank you for this opportunity to gather and to worship.
[01:15:19] We thank you God that you send us out to be a part of your great work just as you did Paul and Barnabas.
[01:15:27] God as we now gather as a church family
[01:15:29] We pray all these things through Christ our Lord.
[01:15:45] Amen