No Greater Cause - Unsettling Times | Unshakable Faith

So the story goes that there was a terrible accident. You should call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. And the be at a few that we talked about this morning are people who say, I understand that I am to be. There's a lot of you know harbor towns there that have lighthouses, but this one's not on the ocean. I just say that's second coming clouds, man. So we store up for ourselves treasures in heaven where moths and vermin do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, healing every disease and sickness You call in extra help. You guys are aware that I have solved the rapture controversy of pre-trib, mid-trib, and post-trib because I think people are going to be raptured when they thought they were Well they would be included, but he says all ethnoi. This is about taking people by the hand and walking them up Golgotha on Skull Hill to the foot of the cross and in essence saying, my friend, this was for you and me And I mean it was like they would come home walking like Frankenstein, you know, and hurting in places they didn't even have places. Well fire to get fired up. And not the weatherman didn't have to get on again. We were, it was just soaked. Do you know what was missing in Jesus' day when he said this? It wasn't a whole actual lighthouse, but there was this very bright revolving light over there, and I thought, this is weird. He said, oh Dad, he said, I just I just decided it's best if you spend on something that lasts. They saw the child with his mother Mary and they bowed down and worshipped him. Of course, why? You see what Jesus sees. These 12 Jesus sent out with the following instructions. Boy did he lose lose interest in the uh kitchen pretty fast. Jesus went from there, saw a man named Matthew, sitting at the tax collector's booth. with the sordid reputation of a tax collector. afraid to filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. He goes to a poor country, third world country, and uh donates his surgical services. And they're gone in a moment. It's a good thing my first aid training kicked in at just the right time because I remembered to put my head between my legs so I didn't pass out. Where he says, go and make disciples of all nations. the saving of any soul anywhere in the world. The one who is all authority in heaven and in earth. We talked this morning about the second passion, which was to have a life that is a light. And we saw how the Beatitude spelled that out. Then everything we do and our choices and our lives are against the backdrop of eternity. Let's look at these three priorities. They said, tell us when this will happen. Taking some down with them. and many will turn away, which shrinks the number of people who will carry out the king's final orders. To go and make disciples of all nations, just as the game is heating up. I certainly didn't know they rotted, but I did now. There's some town towns in this country that have a paper mill. So I put it this way, it's a time of accelerated availability of sin in all of its forms. to sit on the ball. I'm like, excuse me, there's no water here. In um verses 29 to 31. I don't know, but I mean the yo-hos and the dodles and the hoodles and the d whatever the all the things are. I'd love this story. She has done, look at what he calls it. Who's 80 years old, dear Elizabeth? Most of the time I get the same answer. The harvest, they're ready. And she's given her whole story a couple times before, but she came to me, she said, Ron, I'm really scared tonight. Going up and down and when they're going and what's happening and who, you know, it's very elaborate prophecy chart. When you're sent, you ready for some fast stuff here? He'd be happy. Look, I might be maybe seeing something that nobody else would see, but when he gets to Matthew, when he puts his name in the list, he says, Matthew, the tax collector. Don't come and see just so you came and saw. Post-resurrection hope story in the Bible. And I've said, listen, what I do when I'm facing something like that is I go to the most powerful person there is. I am the way. I've seen it all over the country and all over the world. Fortunately, another lady happened to pull up right at that time. When somebody's in a dangerous situation, there's a life at stake, you don't think about you, you think about them. In a world where a lot of people, a lot of Christians are getting immersed in all kinds of causes, we'll talk about the greatest one on earth with the mission of Jesus. Our reason for confidence in a world like this is all authority resides in him in heaven and earth All the, remember, right to decide, ability to accomplish, and power to prevail. and define the lives of the first believers who changed their world. The living embodiment of what a life looks like when Jesus is totally the king, totally in charge. Because that's what Jesus gave his life for. I'm not one of the people who names a date for the second coming of Jesus because he said not to. But as it moves toward its climax, both sides, the armies of light and the armies of darkness, step it up. But it's like he's got all his cards on the table. It says, woe to you, O earth, for the devil has gone down to you. And here in one of the, I think it's five discourses in the book of Matthew, Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives. Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death and you'll be hated by all nations because of me. They mean multiplied lawlessness. And everybody else went, what's think? But there will be some who choose to say, I know what time it is, and I'm going to be all about getting the good news to as many people as I can help it get to. and probably sounded like a tourist. So we have this light here on all night so they can find their way to safety, find their way home, and find their way back to life. The Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Then, do I hear trumpets? He's coming. And uh we uh uh and when uh and I hear him jiggling his change in his pocket. So I got my groceries. We think probably this is her savings account. No, no. Saying, what'd you do with what I gave you? What'd you do with it? Matthew 25, 21 says, his master replied, the one who was trusted with five and gained five more, well done, good and faithful servant. He says, you're gonna you make a few sacrifices. Other people saw the crowds. Like sheep without a shepherd. You may see their political affiliation. We harvested cockroaches in our apartment. You drop everything. And one of our young ladies who had come to Christ through the team three years prior at one of our events was ready to give her a hope story that night and I've never seen her so bold. Uh and uh she kind of wandered in while he was working on it, didn't say anything. And she can't contain herself. He said, honey, what can't I see what? Right after all of that takes place, we'll go to chapter 10, which follows chapter 9 appropriately That it's like first grade. We're going to go to their meeting. Yeah, it seems you're already in motion. Did you know that? Not just our little bubble where we are. Today there are 8 billion. Do you know what the very first thing Matthew did was? Just like you're the best one to reach people in your tribe. So think tribe. Matthew reaches publicans and sinners. In Matthew 10, Matthew gives the list of the 12 disciples. He is not here. He says, by the way, just a funny account, when Matthew says that when Jesus finally, Jesus ends up encountering the women, you know what he says to him? Where have you seen him in your life? I know we're living in a time when there's more hostility. Listen, what they can't object to is when you present Jesus in a first person way. But I'm talking about me. I have so often said to somebody, when we're private, not when there's a lot of people around and say, they've just told me a burden of their life, a crisis, something, a child, a marriage, or medical, and Could I start right now? Do this in a very first person way. But everywhere I've ever been, the cross crosses every culture. One little detail from the book of Revelation. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations who have assembled from all over the world, saying we will defy his return. On his robe and on his thigh, he has this name written. But when he comes as the all-conquering king, and every human knows now that he was and always is, will be the king. That was slain, because the people who are around him all day, every day, can never get over the cross. At the time they're needed most. In the history of the planet. of what Jesus gives in exchange for our relatively small gifts. Well that was the yard out there. And let's just review. I remember Brad's football team that ended up uh going to uh the states and winning state championship. So let's talk about what Jesus said, recorded by Matthew, about the last quarter. Because he knows his time is short. And he had just said, this temple you see here, which was the glory of the Jewish leaders, he said, well, it it there's going to come a time there won't be one stone left on the other. So don't sweat that. And many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Sounds like the evening news. No, no, no, no, they go to sleep. Please. And so normal that they are dulled to it. as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Jesus will win. It's the second priority. Which is the second priority? When they have fourth quarter priorities, are sold out for his final orders to go and tell everybody about him. I will put you in charge of many things. Which begins when you see what Jesus sees, when he looks at people. Very moved. and moved beyond words in the deepest parts of his soul. You know what the harassed word really means? And her eyes narrowed, and in typical native fashion, she gave a very short but revealing answer. Ready to be torn apart and thrown away. When he sees Louise, when he sees Susan, and he sees Bill, when he sees Bob She would really pray for me, and of course I did. And when she came back out, I said, what in the world happened? Well, he's doing the same with you. Am I moving too fast for somebody here? And I describe him, the teacher goes, Ron, you can't just tell about it. Over and over in the book of Matthew, the word go, go, go. There's no room for any of us to be on the sidelines. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, why does your teacher eat with tax collectors? For being the face and voice of Jesus to your tribe. No one comes to the Father. And all of a sudden the boy in the surgery developed a desperate need for blood. His life's dependent on it. It divided communist East Germany from Free West Germany. stands an old rugged cross, the emblem of suffering and shame. And his name is the Word of God. As you start chapter one of volume two, after the great interruption of the past year or so. So if you look at your notes, we're gonna really we're gonna plow fast tonight. Now, this is gonna be exciting, I think. that our lives revolve around, exist for, this greatest cause in the world, they are lived missionally. What you do with your resources is governed. But I do know this. And it usually was. Well, now why would that be? Nation will rise against nation. Lawlessness, in other words, there are no boundaries. He will unleash a tsunami on the planet. As I've ever been in my lifetime, I'm stepping it up. You can focus on the exploding wickedness and coldness and complacency, or you can focus on the opportunities we have. And he said, it goes for miles and miles and miles. And I thought, what a picture of what Jesus said we are. Notice these things have there's something in common between these two incidents. And presented him with gifts. There are proportionate rewards, and then there's wildly disproportionate rewards. And when he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them. It basically means way down deep in his guts. It could not be more heart-rending. So think going, not them coming. And he says, I want them to meet Jesus. The hated tax collector is in this list. Greetings. They'll be interested in what does Jesus do when you've gotten bad news from the doctor? Not like a sales pitch to them, but you talk about how what happened on that cross and that empty tomb changed your story. of the difference Jesus can make in real stuff. Minutes later he came back with his blood. This is how much he loves you. And in it in circles just chanted, the wall is gone, the wall is gone, the wall is gone, the wall is gone. What I'm doing, what I'm fighting for, what I'm investing in, what my days are all about. Tonight, we talk about no greater cause. Now, uh let's just review. Pursue six passions that once changed the world. And that sense of authority took a ragtag bunch of Christians and blew their message across the world Priorities. I just said this to somebody the other day, and I don't know if you get this feeling, but it seems like, at least in my lifetime, Claiming I am the Messiah and will deceive many. More and more young men and women identifying themselves as what they call exangelicals. And you would expect, well, this is gonna, Christians are gonna wake up and they're gonna go, well, we we we've got we've got to be as strong as the other side. is now cold. When you have this group over here who are the cold and a group over here who are the bold. All you have to do is go with the flow. And to say, listen, I am going to be aggressive, active, intentional about representing my Jesus. will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. He'll have the same reaction when you do. What she has done will also be told in memory of her. So let's talk about a focus on lasting investment. where moths and vermin destroy and where thieves break in and steal. You subtract from your treasure here to have it there What has the king entrusted to me? Do you know what I could have done with it? I said, Elizabeth, can I ask you a question? Matthew 9. I just need somebody to go in for the harvest. And there was a wonderful coming to Christ of people there that night. So out of his compassion, he sends and he says, who do it go to? You're in school, you're on the job, you have a flat tire, you need somebody to come and fix the air conditioning? And glorify your Father in heaven, tell. You have no secrets. Don't just think, you know, the goldfish bowl. On hearing this, Jesus said, it's not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. Isn't that awesome? That's right. Oh, did you notice the invitation followed by the command? As when one of his kingdom kids prayed for them by name. Do it now. Because you can't pay a death penalty any other way than somebody dies. Matthew includes details. And a hundred thousand Germans surrounded in Berlin Square. And ever since we could say the wall is gone. And the question should be the one that I think helps us set our priorities and choose our causes. And yet they work another job. He's he's sending he's putting you in a situation because your situation is your assignment. She's like, Ron, you cannot just show it. Somebody who has probably never heard their name in a prayer. Because all that you've learned in Christ is not just so you can survive, not just so you can do well, because you got life to be a life giver. And will, by the way, I think the word there is scandalo in the Greek, which is the word we get scandal from. Here is how the enemy is going to step up his evil efforts here. There are uh when I get to Belvedere, Illinois after living in Chicago, we moved there when I was in sixth grade. Who are saying, well, wait a minute, this is not a time to go to sleep. to get the good news of Jesus to more people than ever before. Because there's a lot of people lost in the deep woods. And sacrifice it here. Like being skinned alive. We need to put names in this verse. Many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples The curtain in the temple was split from top to bottom. I remember hearing a song that goes, I will cling to the old rugged cross on a hill far away. And what will matter most to you, Jesus, I think, is who's there that you died for. He's a prophetic guy, but his sixth Antichrist just died on him. Um you can um anchor your heart to the mess or to the mission Um we were in um I told you a little bit about this uh same reservation when I told about Weston this morning. But after it got dark right across from the parking lot where the team was presenting Christ, there was like a lighthouse light went on You are for them the face of hope. Talent-wise, influence. I've thought even more recently since studying this again, when I get to the finish line It was pretty heavy. Lord, let my heart be broken for what breaks yours. 2819. Your story is just the difference Jesus makes. They'll be interested in how someone who was trapped in an addictive behavior is trapped no more. Believe me, if there was anything else that we could do to get to heaven, God would not have had his son on a cross. Still comes in a robe stained with blood And what will they sing in heaven and what are they singing today? He said he came to seek and save the lost. We're gonna come and uh look at the other part of that, but I'm gonna save it because it's really good news. But you can also have gospel anytime, anywhere in the world. And the gospel explosion will come from those who are not most of God's people. So it forces the people of the kingdom of heaven to choose sides. You'll just drift into the cold. You can think about all the ground that's being taken or all the ground we can gain. Those are the two choices we're presented with. Or you subtract from your treasure there to have it here These are all eternal issues, a lasting investment, fourth quarter, offense, and then a focus on lost souls. The school. Because I can't get anybody to go get them. Their eternal destination would not be heaven, as far as you know. They don't have a shepherd. And my heart broke and I didn't care what they thought of me. And he said in that moment, coming from his six-year-old girl, he said to himself, I hadn't seen him for a long time. And then think tribe. Do you know what I hear him saying there? This is crazy, man. The place I turned was Jesus. how his story changed your story and could change their story forever. Nearly one-third of the book of Matthew is devoted to the last week of Jesus and the march to the cross. Listen to this. 70% of our gang. And uh while he was there in a kind of a makeshift little tent hospital in uh Outback, basically, he was operating on a little boy. There can't be any other way. Will it matter in heaven? May we be all in at a level we've never been all in before. You know, if you have an opportunity to pray with them, not just for them, you'll be amazed at the reaction Because he has my sin. That this is the first time I have seen the enemy playing all his cards. I was like, this is so stupid. But simultaneously with this explosion of garbage will be the greatest explosion of gospel You know what would be wouldn't it be cool if you could put your name in this verse? See, we make our decisions because it's the kingdom of heaven. You grieve what Jesus grieves and feeling what Jesus feels. Lost to become a theological concept to me. Sometimes when I open my eyes, there's tears in theirs. How being at that cemetery or that casket was different for you with Jesus Do you know that um they say that that curtain was sixty feet long thirty feet wide And it is only that man's blood that can save any life. And some of the most prominent Christian leaders are gone. I wonder if that's part of how they grow cold. And I'm still carrying a lot of my stuff. Look at the people at your club you hunt with, golf with, fish with, whatever you do. Wherever you are, you are Jesus' embedded reporter. We gotta get there we gotta get the cover off our cage and not just be looking at the little space that we know and think world. It was a while before I really realized I always was keeping the backside of the cage covered. That is the overwhelming love. This is not a time to go get a hot dog. Will it really matter in heaven? Here's the last one of the priorities. Coyotes. Jesus sees doomed sheep because they are shepherdless. He sees sheep without a shepherd torn apart and thrown away People there are fiercely committed to the traditional religion of that tribe and even other reservations that are of the same tribe. They never did realize that included them. No extra charge for that. This one time, it's my God, my God. Four inches thick. But in a moment, the curtain had been the wall between God and man that only one man could enter once a year after total cleansing? Let me just leave you with the startling sight, the day the whole world knows that Jesus is King You lived every minute here missionally. Whoever's got the endurance in the fourth quarter wins. I've read this passage. A focus on lasting investment. Because he was a thief. Well, they'll be interested in that Jesus. Never got distracted by lesser causes. And the responsibility of helping him know how to get there, you've left in our trembling hands He has risen, the angel said, just as he said, come and see the place where he lay They're not particularly interested in your beliefs. No worse feeling than being at the funeral of somebody you should have told. I am the truth. To seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. But you say, hey, what is that smell? 37, he said, the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Make sure you never lose sight of them. And I did, and I would always, we had him in the kitchen. Is that I mean would that be okay? It was only the blood of one man that could save this boy's life But to this day I love that cross more than ever. Lord, would you help us to refocus ourselves on what will matter in heaven? You grieve when he grieves, but you feel what Jesus feels. The return of Jesus has never been closer than it is now. Many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other. So the spiritually doomed in many cases are ready, but they'll die ready. Was gone. Think cross. May we be more all in fourth quarter priorities. With eternity investments, and with a deep part for lost souls I was driving home from the office, I passed an insurance company, I saw the weirdest thing. saturated because they're not giving any of it away. So that is the ultimate outcome from him who has all authority in heaven and earth. It's all hands on deck. When Jesus gave the Great Commission, there were an estimated 300 million I saw on the news about a surgeon in New York City who donates his time once a month, once a year. We're going to talk about those. It's time to be thinking eternity, making the kingdom of Haves and investment, so we have it there, even if we don't have it here for a little while. Would you think of somebody you know who you think if this was their last day Let's not us ever get over it. I'm checking out. You work as long as there's light and and now with tractors with lights and all kinds of everything, you work past that point. How self-centered person became somebody who was all about other people. This just came out from Varna. And so our job is to not get into religious controversies What will be the sign of your coming in the end of the age? A woman came to him with an alabaster jar, a very expensive perfume. Well harassed and helpless. First thing I say is, ready. They don't know they're ready, but when they hear what Jesus really liked, they'll say, that's what I'm ready for. Which means everybody can be right. Every day it was rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain. He will rule them with an iron scepter. He said, when she opened her greatest treasure to me, it's a beautiful thing He'll ask you that. Mike is a bivocational pastor or was at the time. Proclaim this message. You know, in uh Matthew 28, we see some of the first hope storytelling It was only the blood of one man that could save that life, that boy's life The first passion was the authority that determines outcomes. Garbage all over the planet, gospel all over the planet. And I said, what's with the light? I've spoken on it. So he knows he's the best one. Come and see. Anyway, I just see these little things and you know my mind goes other places. What's different? Because it starts with that conversation right after the genealogy, the conversation of the angel with Joseph, where he says you shall call his name Jesus, which means the Lord rescues. Oh, and here's a very important question. Let me share it with you. So you see what Jesus sees and you that's where you start to care about lost souls. Like Brad said. Her face looked like leather. He gets his tribe together, who is an unlikely bunch for Jesus to hang out with, we would think. So the life of Jesus is book-ended, as Matthew tells it, by mission at the beginning, mission at the end. Immediately after the distress of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, the stars will fall from the sky, it looks like everything is falling apart, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken. That's second coming clouds. Not a sign of the of the nervousness. Show and what? But we had a parrot named Pierre. Let me tell you what he's not a religion to me, by the way. I am the life. That's good news for you who watch the news, which I do. I'm waiting for him to check out. It's like this is time to go for it. To spend what you've got on something that lasts. Didn't do that to them. So I said I'm gonna take a I'm he should be able to see everything. And the armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. And they are in essence neutralized as a force for Christ. Doug was eight years old, I think, and we went shopping at the grocery store. He was the treasurer. It's Matthew who records the parable of of the talents and the master coming back and You may see their gender. This actually, here we go again. First of all is what I call a focus on last quarter choices You know what's been missing for 2,000 years? Because it ends with the resurrection of the uh resurrection to life and to death. If it was the Great Commission then, it's the humongous commission now. Secondly, think world. I've never heard anybody say no. Matthew goes on to report that when Jesus died, the veil Kingdom will rise against kingdom. So he will release this this tsunami, this tsunami on the planet. So he really is cramming on Saturday for his sermon. Except through me. What does he do? You have to tell it. No, then go quickly and tell his disciples. There is no greater cause. Because it is his authority that decides outcomes. You'll be ruler over many things. Show and tell. I'm gonna talk about Native Americans now. Very first thing he did after he got up and followed Jesus. That's publicans, not republicans. I mean, no big deal. We're talking about the fact that the kind of um absolutely uh unsinkable faith that these times require For all authority in heaven and earth belongs to him. I don't have any gold, frankincense, or myrrh, but I get gifts. That's what he sees. You have to go to them as Jesus left heaven to go to us. This is think world. That's ethnic groups. And it's only five words. Tonight we move into a third passion, knowing that we have behind us all authority. This is not a time to leave the stadium. His job is he's already sent you by your positioning. Now they'll go cold. They're AWOL. Any farmer knows that when it's harvest time, there's nothing else that matters Matthew 10, 7, as you go, go. It's the rescuing of the lost. We had had one of those weeks where they could put the weather forecast on tape And you know what helpless means? Nothing matters. The kingdom of heaven has come near. Well, there's a green giant plant there. They'll listen to you because you're like them. Because Jesus is there. So you share. He is dressed in a robe, dipped in blood. It's a beautiful thing. She was up a few minutes later and I didn't see her in between. So just had to put it in there. And then last of all, think cross. I mean, you couldn't saturate the saturated anymore I said, what'd you get, Doug? That's sad. Here's what it means. For no one else paid for my sin. What is Mike Karen singing today? In Jesus' name, King of all kings, Lord of all Lords. The funny thing is it was a horrible smell. Which you choose your focus. Do I subtract from there, take keep it here, or do I put it there? I still can't believe it. People, a lot of Christians are even saying, I don't even know if we should tell people about Jesus. Some of us are old enough to remember when there was a wall in Berlin. What smell? You'll know the passage. Could he see this big whole big world out there? Like the five- the time Jesus cries out, my God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Remember because it's the kingdom of heaven and heaven is forever That light goes 50 miles. And then they opened their treasures You know what I love about this? Our sin was that bad. That is your good news to tell. Because, here's the heart and soul of what he had to say, because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most, that's us, it's believers. See if any of this sounds familiar. All boundaries are gone. If you just keep going to church and occupying your pew and giving your offering and believing what you believe, if you are passive, You have to choose bold. Heaven is eternity. He'll ask me that. But when I looked at it in the Greek this time and saw what Jesus really was saying Harvest is ready. But I'm I'm getting them ready for me. Things we take for granted, they've never heard their name in a prayer. Jesus sends us to live our life for what he gave his life for. So that's the fourth quarter. Who do you have influence on? She's been out there since she was a little girl tending sheep Not now. But who will tax collectors listen to? When you hear John's account of the resurrection, um No one. That's the equation. His first action, after saying, pray the Lord of the harvest, that he'll send out labors, he sends It looked pretty bad. The wall is gone. I leave you with a bottom line kingdom question She got out and later testified. He has now accomplished what would make possible. That's what God's people should be saying. Skined alive. You may see their race. So it has to be, this is assuming that they've had a chance to see a credible representation of Jesus in your life now. Come and share your master's happiness. And they are torn apart, skinned alive, and thrown away. Doomed sheep. These verses. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty on his robe. What you do, what that means is this. Hasn't there always been evil? This is apparently hugely, hugely valuable. But I know a lot of farmers now, and I've got a little word association with them. But he said, I've got a lot of them ready for me Come and see. And they were and they did. I do not see any ships. Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. On coming to the house, these are the magi, the wise men, whatever you call them. He wondered why he didn't get some deal out of this deal. Let my heart be broken, Lord, for what breaks yours. And um, so, you know, and he'd be he would look around the kitchen all day and You know you have those. There's, there's, no, no, do you have a reason for what? Nothing matters because it's not ready for long. Let's move on to the next one because it kind of goes with it, and that is think story. Passion number three in this kingdom is living missionally This is not a time to get complacent. Is what I'm doing with what I've been trusted with going to matter in heaven? What did he say in Matthew 28, 19? That's all that's not national boundaries. You can't argue with yours you being a first person and saying, all I can tell you is in a time like that in my life. Tell it and get started. Nearly 70% of born-again Christians say other religions can lead to heaven. It begins with his mission. Those words increase of wickedness in the Greek. You ever been out of a paper mill? Well anyway, you can see here that the fourth quarter, the enemy is trying to take out the influence of God's people He said, nothing. What are you doing with all that at the finish line I think she was a big part of it because her hope story was right before the gospel wrap-up. Can't you see all those people going to hell, Daddy But some might wish they had a different view. Therefore go and make disciples. We had a parrot. It's the center of everything One of these days, I'm going to be seeing more than clouds. She said, Ron, I remembered a prayer you taught us. The lost sheep of Israel. You make your decisions based on three eternity-focused There'll be famines. I said, where are you going? Matthew 6, verse 19. Now Matthew may seem like an unlikely representative of Jesus as just having decided to follow him And they said that if you put horses on each side, they could not pull it apart Because here's what he saw. What happens to sheep without a shepherd or when they get away from the shepherd? I have seen the Lord. Saturated with God's teaching, saturated with Christian everything. Technology. Folks, I was really. Matthew 9, 35 and 36. First of all, if you look that one up, that's a hard time, hard even translating that compassion word. You are to be the source of the good news of the kingdom of heaven to them. There's a lot of stuff when you go other places you sort out in your messages like that ain't gonna fly. Lady was thrown from the car. It may well be that the world has never looked more like the world he said to come back to than it looks now. Secondly, he will unleash, it's not a word, a tsunami We make it against the backdrop of eternity. Think going, not them coming That would be terribly different if he wasn't there. I want to do that for you. You just get so used to the stink. Just make sure your light's always on. A focus on lost souls And she said, when I went out there, I saw their eyes What did Jesus say in Matthew 24, 14? And he lists Simon Peter and he may mention who the father was, you know, James and John, sons of Zebedee, and things like that. I don't think he ever got over that Jesus had called him And then you weave his story, the gospel. Aware of this, Jesus said to them, Why are you bothering the woman? It's a pretty intimidating place. No one. Exocia. This is a time to get in the game. Later in the chapter, he describes that end You have to show it. That's right. In that case, yeah, it's coming near through you Think tribe. You did that. And it had been just like heavy rain every day. Look at your next-door neighbor. Pray that prayer. Yeah, yeah. That's right. It took that to pay for it. I'm not like the guy in California who just, he's extremely frustrated. And for them, hope looks like the person you look at in the mirror every day. And in fact, he says, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, But what they will care about is how an angry man was changed. And their love for Jesus drifts into a cold heart. Also think personal. You went in for a routine appointment and you came out with almost feels like a death sentence to you You are the light of the world as it is at the end of the great of the that part of the Beatitudes So looking at what Jesus said about the fourth quarter, let's go to Matthew 24. Jesus answered, Well, watch out that no one deceives you, for many will come in my name. Annomi in the Greek, no law. I love the disproportionate nature. I just don't want to hear Jesus say, Ron, what are you doing with all that? Until you find out what the Greek words are. Go and learn what this means. You thought about that? I see skinned alive and thrown away. She just went over and you know, ever see these big prophecy charts that have everything figured out who's Somebody needs to see Jesus what somebody with Jesus in them looks like and sounds like. And um since I was the first one up in the morning, I was supposed to lift the little thing off its cage. And I have to just sneak this in somewhere because I love it. He has risen from the dead, is going ahead of you into Galilee. I just resurrected. And we remember the amazing scene of people tearing that wall apart. That is the greatest cause on the planet. So he's already had six figured out, and so he's frustrated You will hear of wars, you'll hear rumors of wars. First, taking Christ's kingdom warriors out of the battle I used to be. There's always been plenty of sin in the world. He said, people all the time are going out in the woods and getting lost. Thrown away. So we're talking about being driven by the passion that defined his life. Look at the verse I didn't get to. It's one or the other. Look at 14. Extravagant sacrifice, because she knew where the ROI was. It's the ultimate ROI is well done, I think. He said, but from that day on I've been seeing them again They don't care about the religious meetings you go to The doctor said, excuse me. For he too was in that 2%. There'll be earthquakes in various places. Follow me, he told him. Don't call Peter. Jesus sent a Samaritan woman to reach Samaritans. You will find them acted out and lived out in the book of Acts, which we're not studying while we're here. Because the question he will ask is, what did you do with what I entrusted to you? You got anybody you know like that? It was so, and you could have heard a pin drop there. And the lostness that breaks the heart of your Savior. Now what did you have to do to uh to succeed at that? I never took it all the way off. That's great. Matthew begins his gospel. I'll tell you, when I see some of those billowing clouds in the eastern sky some days And I believe God holds you responsible. So he would never have to turn his back on me. It is the love that melts and captures the heart. I didn't know much about Jesus. King of Kings and Lord of Lords Like never before. It was all over town. You can focus on one of two things When Jesus said, they will see your good deeds show. You are his, you may say there got to be somebody better. You don't wait for, we're not going to have a meeting and ask them to come. While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house. He's a relationship. And when you take a moment to have your relationship with God in front of them Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Moslem, Hindu, Buddhist, New Age. Your early followers This isn't all there is. But the end is still to come. And the chill wind that blows will turn their hearts cold. You don't have to choose cold. Why do we have a lighthouse? He said down this aisle. He's trusted you with influence. I trusted this to you. You know what I love about this? What? So if I come in and say I have a gerbil at home named Rodney And then when the fourth quarter began, they'd stand up and they'd just yell at each other, the fourth quarter is ours! Do you realize what this means? Most of them grow cold. I mean, I can't believe it. Jesus was stirred. Jesus is saying this. But anyway, so anyway, she she's looking at this big prophecy chart Boy, did Pierre lose Think world But so it but what what what it says is that Mary Magdalene went and said, I have seen the Lord. Sadly, his blood type is something only 2% of the human race has. Because that's we said And he tells his little six-year-old daughter, honey, don't bother daddy. Matthew's first instinct was to reach his tribe. And so I'm going to be praying for you. How a control freak isn't doing that anymore John 14, 6, Jesus makes the most audacious claim any human being ever made. As Charles Spurgeon said, the cross is God's magnificent magnet. What you do with the rest of your life, what you do with your days I am, in a sense, his walking kingdom of heaven on display. But um I call it Ron opened his treasures Oh, what do I know about harvest? I admitted I admire those people because they're supposedly part-time pastors. So the next day I come in with Rodney. So think personal Are you telling it? It ends with his commission, his great commission. Look at these beautiful pictures from Matthew. When he saw the crowds, why They were harassed and helpless. And my sin unpaid for means I cannot enter heaven I mean God did the splitting But the one who stands firm to the end will be saved This is not a time. Um Go and make disciples of your neighbors. I find this fascinating. They said, oh, you must be smelling the rotting pea vines. Secondly, you grieve what Jesus grieves And she went out there and I was praying up a storm The heat? He's been holding some aces And he is full of fury Many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other. All the sprinklers were on. That's a dangerous pet to have. Take them to the cross. They lived missionally She said, man, she said. Skined alive. He'd far rather look out the whole yard out there than just the little world that he had a view of. Another In this list, Matthew. Go and tell. And uh this year he went to Costa Rica. So the basis of Um you know they they uh the man the coach just killed them in the in practice in the summer. It's a time of accelerated availability of sin. That's what he sees. Don't call somebody else. Because they've never felt God so close Do it. No greater cause. God's people are going to get so used to the stink because sin is going to seem so pervasive. Nothing? But Your situation, whether you're in the hospital, the nursing home, a neighborhood, your home In the Greek, that is having gone. I desire mercy, not sacrifice. This is called the Olivet Discourse. I didn't see ocean We do what's good for eternity. So here's some good questions to ask That's all people groups. She was in really bad shape. The fourth quarter is ours. Let me just say, if you've been keeping up on the Christian headlines, it's happening. They didn't smell it anymore. The battle is on. And looking at that casket and going, it's too late. For in that moment, the Father is turning his back on his son. Of course, Revelation 12 tells us this about him. Um I as soon as we got there, I said, what is that stink here? So afterwards I asked a local He said, you bet we do. And this gospel of the kingdom. For where your treasure is, where your heart is. And I'll tell you how real he is. Worthy is the Lamb. He had just gotten his allowance. Now let's go ahead to the other incident. Think personal Not no more Now you can have any sin, anytime, anywhere in the world I have good news for you. You get wildly disproportionate rewards for a little sacrifice here. Oh, you have the shepherd. It will die ready if you don't get to it in time. I just did the lazy thing and threw it up like this. It's still there. He said he will take out warriors from Christ's kingdom Skinned alive and thrown. Um, whatever This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world. And Matthew got up and followed him. You choose. Oh sure you do. I could be friends with God. With that in mind, Because this has been a centuries-old clash of kingdoms. Savannah, Georgia, Pine Bluff, Arkansas There are commensurate rewards We were on a reservation in Minnesota that they call a closed reservation. Greetings. We know that. And it says, and this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world. And Doug's headed that way. At that time, many will turn away from the faith. . That's your hope story. I'm going to go to God with it. And his love is that big that he did it. It was the is there any place other than America in the world where you have entire aisles of junk food? And she says, Daddy, I'm sorry, but can't you see them? Those doomed sheep before the coyotes get them Because you are his embedded reporter. It's time. But the coach said, we're going to be the fourth quarter team. By the way, you don't have to choose being the cold. Yeah. And when he sees Brian Nike, Nike. My family didn't talk about him. That is the kingdom of heaven question. Lord, um All these are the beginning of birth pains. Really? . Everything What this is saying is it's going to rapidly multiply. So have you. It's intolerant and it's not right to judge other people and so on. Sound familiar? He said, this is the deep woods. My problem isn't with the lost people, it's with my people. Um we were in Maine with the on Eagles Rings team um and it was strange because Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth There you'll see him. It's like, yo, what's up? Make sure it's bright You heard about this tonight And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see They are like sheep without a shepherd. Here's what he did for me. And the wages of sin is death Financially What does he see in the people at the gym? You know the shepherd. Go and make disciples of all people groups. Matthew 9. And left. I just gotten mine. So the loyal soldiers of the rightful king Look at your coworkers. I grew up on the south side of Chicago. Yes, I see lost sheep. They'll be interested in in um I underestimated them. I just stand there and go. He's the best one to reach tax collectors I'm like, he ain't gonna leave here with any money. She said I've said, when I see the word harvest, what do you think of? The religious people thought that They were so used to the stink There can't be any other way How can we sit on this when it cost him that much? Got a name Second person, I'm talking you. And that day Don't get bogged down in other things. Sin will advance, but sin will not win. That's what I see. Two things. I'm not come to call the righteous. Think cross The disciples came to him privately And sinus He has just conquered death. Matthew chapter 2, verse 11. Judah started a revolt. He said, I see them It could not be more vivid It was powerful And I just prayed it. You are his chosen ambassador to your tribe. Ma'am, please. Now I have told you. By the way, would you mind if I So, Jesus next move Every other time Jesus talks to God, he says, Father, not then. Are we in the fourth quarter? Now this is an interesting thing. It assumes you're going. While Jesus was in Bethany, in the home of Simon the leper, They're not gonna get that. By your grace we will. Said, I'll be right back. Karen was very generous You had to what? As a little boy. You have been faithful with a few things. I'm working on my sermon. Starts with his mission, ends with his co-mission. He said, people die there because they can't find their way back. Trusted you with relationships. And you're going to read the bold with me. How are you doing on that? You are living proof Very next thing. I said, why didn't you buy something? That did happen That's what he sees. Just do it. I could be a son or daughter of God. I don't think I even knew there were pea vines. That's great. We still got the sprinklers on. I talked to a Navajo Shepherdess. We have in John's, yeah, so the women hurried away from the tomb. No. He has just walked out of his grave. That's too American. I don't know. He says, but see to it that you're not alarmed. A heart that once was warm. That's an oxymoron. Will it matter? So let me give you the equation. They don't even know there is a shepherd. That's not what the training is for. That is their spiritual center. Eight billion people on this planet. Great. I'm here for sinners. I didn't leave. Dinner at Matt's house. It's not new. You. Now you remember from this morning I think that's the first It's a tough place. What's a part-time pastor? But there's a He goes