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<v Speaker 1>Let's pray over the word Father God. I thank you,

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<v Speaker 1>Holy Spirit. Come, Holy Spirit. I yield all of this

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<v Speaker 1>time to you. Change what you need to change, move

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<v Speaker 1>how you need to move. I pray that you would

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<v Speaker 1>prepare these minds and these hearts in this room and

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<v Speaker 1>every voice that hears me today, whether it's on air

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<v Speaker 1>or in person. Lord Holy Spirit, have your way and

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<v Speaker 1>do your work. Thank you, God be our teacher today.

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<v Speaker 1>Let good seed fall into good soil in Jesus' name. Amen. Amen,

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<v Speaker 1>I want to ask you a question. I want to

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<v Speaker 1>start it with this because I think that it is

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<v Speaker 1>an appropriate time. I think far too often the church

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<v Speaker 1>has grown accustomed to a set of prayers or an

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<v Speaker 1>alter call to come and tell you, to ask you

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<v Speaker 1>if you want to give your life to the Lord Jesus.

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<v Speaker 1>I think in times past, we've seen moments in time

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<v Speaker 1>where we feel vulnerable to the call of God, or

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<v Speaker 1>we think we heard from him the moment that he

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<v Speaker 1>called us out of darkness. And I just want to

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<v Speaker 1>ask you and prompt you with this question as we

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<v Speaker 1>go forward, because we're going somewhere together. Did Jesus's words

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<v Speaker 1>to you when you decided to give your life to him.

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<v Speaker 1>Did his response to you was was it this follow me?

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<v Speaker 1>Did he tell you follow me when you believed? Follow

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<v Speaker 1>me looks very different for an apostles life. Follow me

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<v Speaker 1>looks very different for a Disciples life. He only expects

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<v Speaker 1>one thing, and that means changing everything. I know. I'm

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<v Speaker 1>intense because these are intense moments. These are intense moments

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<v Speaker 1>in light of what's happened to our brother Charlie this week.

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<v Speaker 1>I'm just going to get the difficult things out of

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<v Speaker 1>the way. So let's go to Revelation two, verse eight

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<v Speaker 1>through eleven, and to the Angel of the Church of Smyrna.

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<v Speaker 1>Write these things, says the First and the Last who

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<v Speaker 1>was dead and came to life. I know your works,

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<v Speaker 1>tribulations and poverty, but you are rich. Say I am rich,

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<v Speaker 1>and I know the blasphemy of those who say they

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<v Speaker 1>are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

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<v Speaker 1>Do not fear any of those things which you are

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<v Speaker 1>about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw

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<v Speaker 1>some of you into prison that you may be tested,

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<v Speaker 1>and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death,

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<v Speaker 1>and I will give you the crown of life. In

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<v Speaker 1>the Bible. The number ten is representative of many things,

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<v Speaker 1>including the ten Commandments. It is a number of completeness,

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<v Speaker 1>divine order, authority, and responsibility. It symbolizes the full extent

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<v Speaker 1>of God's authority and the completion of his plan, and

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<v Speaker 1>the entirety of the human duty. This is why He

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<v Speaker 1>gave us ten commandments. It is for us right, it

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<v Speaker 1>is for his people. It is an institution of His

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<v Speaker 1>bylaws and laws by which a nation is supposed to

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<v Speaker 1>live by. Israel never became a nation until they had

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<v Speaker 1>a constitution, a constitution that was given to them by Moses.

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<v Speaker 1>Through that command. We're talking about fanning the flame of

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<v Speaker 1>reformation today. Verse eleven says, he who has an ear,

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<v Speaker 1>let him hear what the spirit says to the churches.

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<v Speaker 1>He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.

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<v Speaker 1>Say I'm overcoming. Persecution often leads us to revivals. Believe

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<v Speaker 1>it or not, persecution always leads us into revivals. However,

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<v Speaker 1>I've noticed in history that revivals don't always lead to reformation.

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<v Speaker 1>God desires to change something in our generation. I said,

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<v Speaker 1>He desires to change something in our generation. It begins

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<v Speaker 1>here at the church level. I'll tell you a story.

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<v Speaker 1>The day after I became the Connect Group director, I

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<v Speaker 1>was already going to attend a conference, and the conference

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<v Speaker 1>had nothing to do with what I'm going to tell

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<v Speaker 1>you about, because it was more about Holy Spirit, and

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<v Speaker 1>of course everything has to do with Holy Spirit when

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<v Speaker 1>it comes to church matters. Okay, I'll say that now. However,

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<v Speaker 1>it was interesting that the speaker was up to speak,

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<v Speaker 1>and then he started to speak about this thing called

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<v Speaker 1>the Velvet Revolution. Have you heard of it? The Velvet

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<v Speaker 1>Revolution happened in nineteen eighty nine, but before that, prior

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<v Speaker 1>to that revolution, there was there was a ceasing of

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<v Speaker 1>power in Czechoslovakia that happened in nineteen forty eight. The

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<v Speaker 1>result of this ceasing of power was that there was

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<v Speaker 1>heavy persecution against churches. Was false accusation against pastors of

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<v Speaker 1>the flock there was. They were made to confess false

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<v Speaker 1>accusations under duress of harm to their bodies or to

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<v Speaker 1>their families. They were beaten to death for not cooperating

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<v Speaker 1>with government officials. They even implanted their own pastoral heads.

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<v Speaker 1>The government did this, implanted their own pastoral heads in

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<v Speaker 1>churches in Czechoslovakia at that time. This led, however, to

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<v Speaker 1>a underground revival that was led and spearheaded by connect

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<v Speaker 1>groups and small groups. Do you think it was a

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<v Speaker 1>coincidence that after I said yes to the Lord and

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<v Speaker 1>to Pastor Douayne, of course, thank you for the opportunity

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<v Speaker 1>Pastor Doaine to direct connect groups, that this man of

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<v Speaker 1>God comes and speaks on connect groups and small groups

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<v Speaker 1>for about twenty four minutes out of his whole sermon.

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<v Speaker 1>You think that's a coincidence. It's divine order. This is

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<v Speaker 1>the Lord, And so I was reminded of that during

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<v Speaker 1>this time, and then this tragedy happened. Was that coincidence?

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<v Speaker 1>Talk about small groups were needed to continue in pure

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<v Speaker 1>faith at that time because they were teaching the wrong

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<v Speaker 1>things according to what the government wanted the churches to teach.

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<v Speaker 1>In order to build social capital, they needed to ordain

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<v Speaker 1>in the underground new pastors. There was a study that

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<v Speaker 1>came later on after the Velvet Revolution took place, and

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<v Speaker 1>they came to find out that wherever there was a

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<v Speaker 1>centralized pastor or a connect group leader, right wherever there

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<v Speaker 1>was a centralized underground pastor that was ordained, there was

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<v Speaker 1>the strongest protest and resistance against communism because those people

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<v Speaker 1>were able to connect the community together. We're talking about

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<v Speaker 1>connecting connecting us, connecting us to the community around us,

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<v Speaker 1>and connecting us to one another to be strengthened and encouraged,

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<v Speaker 1>lifted up right and taught the right things. Historically, persecutions

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<v Speaker 1>of the faith create perfect environments for the sharing of

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<v Speaker 1>the gospel. This is the truth. The advancement of the

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<v Speaker 1>Gospel often comes from persecution, and that's not always talked about.

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<v Speaker 1>Let's look at the explosion in China that is being suppressed.

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<v Speaker 1>In Chris Ris Janity, heavenly persecuted, a lot of miracles,

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<v Speaker 1>a lot of signs, a lot of wonders of people

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<v Speaker 1>who are being revived in the underground by millions, and

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<v Speaker 1>it's suppressed by the media. Iran heavenly persecuted Church of

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<v Speaker 1>Jesus Christ. Men are coming and knocking on pastors' doors

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<v Speaker 1>who are also underground, saying a man named Jesus spoke

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<v Speaker 1>to me in a dream. He told me to knock

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<v Speaker 1>on your door, and he said, do you know who

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<v Speaker 1>I'm talking about? He says, I do, and you're about

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<v Speaker 1>the two hundred person that's done this in the last year.

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<v Speaker 1>It's being suppressed in the media. When this tragedy struck,

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<v Speaker 1>they started to twist the narrative. They wanted to control

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<v Speaker 1>the narrative of what actually was happening to him. There

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<v Speaker 1>was deception. See, this is what the enemy wants to do.

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<v Speaker 1>He wants to silence the voice of the martyr. He

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<v Speaker 1>wants to silence the move of the spirit. He wants

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<v Speaker 1>to keep you in the shadows, so that way you

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<v Speaker 1>can't know. If it wasn't for our very own centralized

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<v Speaker 1>pastors and evangelists and people who are daring to put

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<v Speaker 1>their lives on the line to communicate with the rest

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<v Speaker 1>of the world what is happening across the globe, you

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<v Speaker 1>would have no idea, And I'd have no idea what

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<v Speaker 1>is happening in China and Iran and all the other

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<v Speaker 1>countries that are being persecuted for his name's sake and

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<v Speaker 1>to his glory. They can't stop it, that's right. Historically,

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<v Speaker 1>revivals led to a lull. Seldom did they actually lead

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<v Speaker 1>to reformation. Some of the greatest reformations were spearheaded by

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<v Speaker 1>the Apostles much after they died. The blood of the

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<v Speaker 1>Apostles martyrdom led to the Reformation of Rome. See there's

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<v Speaker 1>something God wants to do in our generation. There is

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<v Speaker 1>something about this moment that God wants to do in

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<v Speaker 1>this Generationiah. Unlike most revivals. In nineteen eighty nine, that

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<v Speaker 1>Velvet Revolution transformed that nation, and it was led by

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<v Speaker 1>peaceful people, peaceful protests, by a body of Jesus who

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<v Speaker 1>led the way, and it overturned an entire communist nation

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<v Speaker 1>fifty years about. They ruled transformed like that because the

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<v Speaker 1>people of God were growing in boldness and strength. The

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<v Speaker 1>people of God were doing something that God designed for

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<v Speaker 1>us to be connected. He designed it this way for

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<v Speaker 1>us to have fellowship. It's his design. It's not our idea.

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<v Speaker 1>We weren't the ones to create it. I'm not the

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<v Speaker 1>one who started directing it all of the sudden. This

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<v Speaker 1>is his plan that the invisible Rabbi Holy Spirit will

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<v Speaker 1>come into each one of these leaders that are in

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<v Speaker 1>the room, and that he would be in you for

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<v Speaker 1>you to confirm that you're listening to the truth. That's

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<v Speaker 1>why he says you need no man teach you, but

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<v Speaker 1>the Holy Spirit will lead you into all truth. What

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<v Speaker 1>He gave his life for all truth. Even though demons

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<v Speaker 1>and Satan tried to silence the voice of the martyrs.

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<v Speaker 1>The gospel was preached. Even the ones who hated him,

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<v Speaker 1>the gospel they heard. All it takes is courageous men

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<v Speaker 1>and women of God to share that. They'll think to themselves, someday,

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<v Speaker 1>why did he do that? Could it be that it

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<v Speaker 1>was actually true? I really love this story that my

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<v Speaker 1>wife shared with me. A social media personality who was

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<v Speaker 1>an influencer. He's dressed like a woman with colorful hair,

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<v Speaker 1>long nails, and he's talking and he says, I don't

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<v Speaker 1>understand why you guys are all cheering about his death.

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<v Speaker 1>He's talking to people who follow him. Now listen, He's

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<v Speaker 1>got millions of followers. He says, I don't know why

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<v Speaker 1>you're rejoiced. I respect that man because even though I

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<v Speaker 1>didn't agree with all of his viewpoints, he was never

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<v Speaker 1>he was never attacking personally, and what he spoke about

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<v Speaker 1>was true. You are living in a delusion, literally, he says,

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<v Speaker 1>you are delusional in your thinking. This man spoke the truth.

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<v Speaker 1>The gospel was preached. Don't ever back down from the truth.

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<v Speaker 1>I believe that what we are witnessing is is this

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<v Speaker 1>man's ultimate devotion to God. Well, we got to read

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<v Speaker 1>from was his devotion time to the Lord. He understood

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<v Speaker 1>that this god man from Nazareth came to a world

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<v Speaker 1>who hated him, and yet says, and yet he died

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<v Speaker 1>while for me, while I was yet a sinner, although

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<v Speaker 1>the world hated him, he yet died for it, while

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<v Speaker 1>they are all yet sinners. I think he understood this

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<v Speaker 1>kind of love, and I think God wants us to

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<v Speaker 1>grab a hold of this devotion time. I believe we

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<v Speaker 1>can accomplish this through small groups. This is how it

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<v Speaker 1>applies to us. What can you do? She'll be focused

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<v Speaker 1>on what the media is doing. She'll be focused on

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<v Speaker 1>what people are saying, whether it's good or bad. I

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<v Speaker 1>believe that small groups can lead you into a personal

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<v Speaker 1>time of revival, which can spur you forward into an

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<v Speaker 1>outward expression of reformation. I think that's what God is

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<v Speaker 1>telling us. He can help to you to reform every

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<v Speaker 1>area of influence and your life. Let's go to this,

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<v Speaker 1>Let's go to Luke ten, verse thirty eight. Actually, sorry, hey,

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<v Speaker 1>let's go back. Let's go to Philippians. I need to

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<v Speaker 1>talk about this. Here's what I think, and I believe

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<v Speaker 1>that our friend Charlie would tell us if he can

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<v Speaker 1>still communicate to us. I believe, much like the Word

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<v Speaker 1>says that the blood still speaks. They defeated the enemy

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<v Speaker 1>by the blood of the Lamb and the word of

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<v Speaker 1>their testimony. Right, So let's talk about this, because here's

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<v Speaker 1>what I believe. This is what came to my mind

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<v Speaker 1>as I was thinking about him Philippians one, twelve three eighteen.

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<v Speaker 1>But I want you to know, brethren, that the things

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<v Speaker 1>which happen to me have actually turned out for the

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<v Speaker 1>furtherance of the Gospel. This is what is happening presently

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<v Speaker 1>right now next verse, so that it has become evident

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<v Speaker 1>to the whole palace guard and to all the rest,

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<v Speaker 1>that my chains are in Christ martyred for faith, and

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<v Speaker 1>the most of the brethren in the Lord, having become

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<v Speaker 1>confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak

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<v Speaker 1>the Word without fear. The Lord is giving us strength

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<v Speaker 1>and boldness at this time. Some indeed preach Christ even

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<v Speaker 1>for envy and strife, and some also from goodwill. The

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<v Speaker 1>former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely supposing to

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<v Speaker 1>add affliction to my change those that are still coming

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<v Speaker 1>against even His name or his memory right next verse.

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<v Speaker 1>But the latter out of love, knowing that I'm appointed

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<v Speaker 1>to the defense of the Gospel. Even right now, there

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<v Speaker 1>are going to be people who hear what he has

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<v Speaker 1>spoken in the past. Why do people hate him so much?

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<v Speaker 1>I need to go hear what this man was talking about.

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<v Speaker 1>When the truth pierces their hearts, there will be a change.

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<v Speaker 1>What then, only that in every way, whether in pretense

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<v Speaker 1>or in truth, Christ is preached this and in this

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<v Speaker 1>I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.

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<v Speaker 2>Hallelujah, hallelujah.

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<v Speaker 1>Come on, come on. That story I told you about

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<v Speaker 1>Christ is being preached without him, even without that man,

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<v Speaker 1>even using the name of Jesus. He was pointing at

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<v Speaker 1>the faith of the man. Now it happened in Luke ten.

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<v Speaker 1>Let's go to the most popular This is what I

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<v Speaker 1>call it, the most popular connect group you've ever been

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<v Speaker 1>to that you read about. Okay, Now, it happened as

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<v Speaker 1>they went that he entered a certain village, and a

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<v Speaker 1>certain woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And

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<v Speaker 1>she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at

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<v Speaker 1>the feet uh at Jesus's feet and heard his words.

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<v Speaker 1>But Martha was distracted with much serving, say distracted, and

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<v Speaker 1>she approached him and said, Lord, do you not care

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<v Speaker 1>that my sister has left me to serve alone. Tell

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<v Speaker 1>her then to help me. But the Lord answered her, Martha, Martha,

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<v Speaker 1>you are I'm going to read it in my version

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<v Speaker 1>because you guys have a different one up there, and

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<v Speaker 1>that's good version. Keep it there, Martha, Martha, you are

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<v Speaker 1>worried and troubled about many things. Let's read that verse

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<v Speaker 1>again in forty one. But the Lord answered Martha, Martha,

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<v Speaker 1>you are anxious and troubled about many things verse forty two.

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<v Speaker 1>But one thing is needed in my version, and Mary

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<v Speaker 1>has chosen that good part which will not be taken

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<v Speaker 1>away from her. Observe Jesus' compassion. A lot of teachers

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<v Speaker 1>teach this like it was a rebuke. No, this is

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<v Speaker 1>the teacher who's sitting down, the Messiah who is sitting

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<v Speaker 1>down right here. I'll take one of your pages. Roman,

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<v Speaker 1>I'm gonna get a prop too. He's sitting down, and

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<v Speaker 1>she approaches him and he just sets her down. And

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<v Speaker 1>notice how he doesn't attack what she's doing on the outward.

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<v Speaker 1>Notice how he doesn't rebuke for what she's asking for.

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<v Speaker 1>What he is pointing out is something that is happening inwardly.

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<v Speaker 1>Jesus grabs hold of her and sets her down, and

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<v Speaker 1>he teaches. Because when the teacher is sitting, the students

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<v Speaker 1>and the disciples are listening. So this is the posture

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<v Speaker 1>of a rabbi's teaching, is to sit. When the god

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<v Speaker 1>Man shows up in your small group, suddenly there's peace.

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<v Speaker 1>When Jesus is teaching and he's in the room, suddenly

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<v Speaker 1>anxieties begin to melt away. His turning towards Martha was

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<v Speaker 1>much like his turning towards the church at this time.

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<v Speaker 1>Don't be anxious about the persecutions. I'm turning my I

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<v Speaker 1>gaze on you, the Church of Smyrna. He didn't even

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<v Speaker 1>address the persecutions. He didn't even tell them I'm going

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<v Speaker 1>to take them away. He said, if you endure, If

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<v Speaker 1>you endure, I will give you the crown of life.

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<v Speaker 1>Jesus said it perfectly already. If they hate you, they

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<v Speaker 1>hated me first. Rather, the rabbi turns to Martha and

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<v Speaker 1>he tells her what things she should be focused on.

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<v Speaker 1>He tells her, I want you to do like your

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<v Speaker 1>sister and contend for that good part. Yeah, contend for

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<v Speaker 1>things which are eternal. Yeah, stop contending for the many

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<v Speaker 1>things which cause you anxiety. I think our friend Charlie

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<v Speaker 1>understood this, and this is where he got his infeeling

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<v Speaker 1>at by sitting at the feet of the rabbi. That's

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<v Speaker 1>where his boldness came from. That's where his confidence came

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<v Speaker 1>from his devotion. In small group gatherings, we obtained more

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<v Speaker 1>than a good time. We obtained that good part which

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<v Speaker 1>lasts into eternity. We obtain knowledge and wisdom about the

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<v Speaker 1>one who we will live with forever. In small groups

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<v Speaker 1>we go to connect with God while connecting with others.

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<v Speaker 1>This is where we get equipped. It reminds us that

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<v Speaker 1>there are more people who believe like us than just me.

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<v Speaker 1>Small groups are a place sometimes where it is difficult

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<v Speaker 1>to hide. It is a place of vulnerability. It is

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<v Speaker 1>a place of fellowship, accountability, healing, restoration, prayer and trust.

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<v Speaker 1>It is a place where you can sit at the

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<v Speaker 1>feet of Jesus and be refreshed for the journey ahead.

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<v Speaker 1>I believe that in this season God is doing something

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<v Speaker 1>amazing with his people, with his children, and he's taking

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<v Speaker 1>the position of rabbi. What is your response to him

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<v Speaker 1>taking a seat? He said to Jesus. This is God

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<v Speaker 1>saying to Jesus, Come sit at my right hand while

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<v Speaker 1>I make all your enemies your footstool says in the

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<v Speaker 1>Word that we are seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

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<v Speaker 1>God will not waste an opportunity for the spread of

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<v Speaker 1>the gospel. God will not waste the precious blood of

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<v Speaker 1>his martyrs or his children. God will hear the outcry

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<v Speaker 1>of his people and the outcry of the blood that

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<v Speaker 1>was spilt. God will respond to the persecution. But what

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<v Speaker 1>is his church's response to the persecution? Will you begin

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<v Speaker 1>this season with being equipped in order to become a

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<v Speaker 1>revived person who can reform from a people, a city,

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<v Speaker 1>a nation, a world. What did you hear him say

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<v Speaker 1>when you got saved? Was it follow me? Maybe you

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<v Speaker 1>didn't hear anything at all. Maybe you just decided you

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<v Speaker 1>wanted to do whatever you wanted to do and that

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<v Speaker 1>God was just gonna have to settle for Sunday. I

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<v Speaker 1>know what Charlie heard. I know he heard follow me.

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<v Speaker 1>This is what leads a man to speak courageously and

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<v Speaker 1>boldly in the name of Jesus, the truth in the

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<v Speaker 1>face of adversity, in the face of a people who

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<v Speaker 1>gnash their teeth like they did to Jesus, and he

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<v Speaker 1>tells them God loves you and he has better for you.

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<v Speaker 1>And we're afraid to tell our friends about Jesus, and

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<v Speaker 1>we're afraid to mention the name of Jesus in our

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<v Speaker 1>family gatherings. Did he say follow me when you believed?

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<v Speaker 1>I want us to obtain the good part that leads

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<v Speaker 1>in to eternity. That's what these groups are about. That's

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<v Speaker 1>what this whole walk has been about. This is how

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<v Speaker 1>people can come together and transformation. It's not to be

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<v Speaker 1>taken lightly. I know I'm intense. These are intense times.

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<v Speaker 1>We've been in the warfare and it's hit home. I

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<v Speaker 1>think it's time for us to become a revived people

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<v Speaker 1>and fan the flames of reformation. And it starts with

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<v Speaker 1>sitting at the feet of the rabbi. But you can't

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<v Speaker 1>do that if you didn't hear him say follow me good.

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<v Speaker 1>How can you know your marching detail orders without sitting

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<v Speaker 1>there and listening to the general give them? How can

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<v Speaker 1>you even walk your purpose out if you've not even

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<v Speaker 1>heard the call at lease? Bow your heads, everybody across

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<v Speaker 1>the room, just bow your head. Let's close our eyes.

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<v Speaker 1>I want us to talk to the Lord. I know

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<v Speaker 1>I'm going longer, but I think this is really important

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<v Speaker 1>for this time. We need to be real with the Lord.

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<v Speaker 1>Anyone if you who don't know what I'm talking about,

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<v Speaker 1>who've never accepted the Lord Jesus into your life, and

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<v Speaker 1>this has moved you, this tragedy has moved you. Now

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<v Speaker 1>to make sure that you know, like you need a

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<v Speaker 1>surety of salvation, like I need to know that God

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<v Speaker 1>called me. I need to know that he said follow me.

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<v Speaker 1>I need to know. I have to know. I want

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<v Speaker 1>you to be desperate for it because guess what. The

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<v Speaker 1>magnitude at which you respond right now is how you'll

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<v Speaker 1>always live your life as a Christian. I'm not going

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<v Speaker 1>to rush this. This has to be from you. I'm

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<v Speaker 1>not going to compel you to do anything. So just

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<v Speaker 1>where you're at, as everybody's head is bowed, just raise

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<v Speaker 1>your hand if that's you. If you're tired of living

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<v Speaker 1>a double life where you're just a Christian on a Sunday,

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<v Speaker 1>but every other day you live it however you want to,

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<v Speaker 1>I'm telling you right now in these moments, moments like this,

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<v Speaker 1>you're confronted with a decision whether you're going to continue

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<v Speaker 1>to be lukewarm and take a chance at eternity, or

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<v Speaker 1>you're going to know for sure that you'll be standing

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<v Speaker 1>like our friend Charlie, and the Lord will tell you

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<v Speaker 1>well done, good and faithful servant. So if that's you

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<v Speaker 1>right there where you're at, just raise your hand a

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<v Speaker 1>little bit. You're tired of the sin that you continue

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<v Speaker 1>to do. You're fed up with it living a double life.

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<v Speaker 1>You're fed up with being a sham. You're fed up

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<v Speaker 1>with feeling like a hypocrite. You're fed up with the pornography.

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<v Speaker 1>You're fed up with the drugs. You're fed up with

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<v Speaker 1>the addiction. You're fed up with it. You're done. God's

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<v Speaker 1>not here to condemn you. God's not here to tell

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<v Speaker 1>you that you're not going to make it. God is

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<v Speaker 1>here to invite you in. Do you want to sit

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<v Speaker 1>at the feet of the Rabbi. You are welcome to

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<v Speaker 1>become a disciple. He's telling you follow me, but you

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<v Speaker 1>get a response. Just speak to him. Lord. I'm here, Lord,

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<v Speaker 1>I'm here. I will follow you. Lord, I'm here. I'm

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<v Speaker 1>tired of living how I want to. I see your hand.

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<v Speaker 1>That's good. Just talk to the Lord in your own words. Lord,

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<v Speaker 1>I'm here. I'm here, Lord. I will follow you wherever

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<v Speaker 1>you go. I will follow you for the rest of

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<v Speaker 1>my life. I will do what you have called me

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<v Speaker 1>to do. I will speak to those who you've called

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<v Speaker 1>me to speak to. I will influence them for the kingdom.

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<v Speaker 1>Oh Lord, everyone else in the room too, Let's do

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<v Speaker 1>this together. Lord. I'm here, Rabbi, I'm here. I'm here

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<v Speaker 1>to follow you. Restore to me the joy of my salvation.

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<v Speaker 1>Thank you for authority. Thank you for the keys to

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<v Speaker 1>the Kingdom of Heaven. I thank you that what we

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<v Speaker 1>bind on earth is bound in heaven. I thank you

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<v Speaker 1>that what we lose on earth is loose in heaven too.

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<v Speaker 1>Thank you for the responsibility of being your child, and

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<v Speaker 1>I will follow you all my days in Jesus name. Amen. Amen,

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<v Speaker 1>w
