WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.999 [ MUSIC ] 00:00:03.999 --> 00:00:05.417 REBECCA: YOU KNOW, GROWING UP IN CHURCH 00:00:05.417 --> 00:00:06.999 THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFERENT WORDS 00:00:06.999 --> 00:00:08.876 AND PHRASES YOU HEAR COMMONLY. 00:00:08.876 --> 00:00:10.792 ONE OF THOSE PHRASES I HEARD OFTEN IS, 00:00:10.792 --> 00:00:12.999 JESUS WAS A FRIEND TO SINNERS. 00:00:12.999 --> 00:00:15.083 I'VE SEEN CHRISTIANS USE IT IN VARIOUS WAYS, 00:00:15.083 --> 00:00:17.083 INCLUDING EXPLAINING THEIR BEHAVIOR. 00:00:17.083 --> 00:00:20.125 HEARING IT USED SO MANY TIMES IN DIFFERENT WAYS, 00:00:20.125 --> 00:00:21.167 IT HAD ME THINKING, 00:00:21.167 --> 00:00:23.501 WHAT KIND OF FRIEND WAS JESUS TO SINNERS, 00:00:23.501 --> 00:00:26.584 AND HOW DO I LIVE THAT OUT IN TODAY'S WORLD? 00:00:26.584 --> 00:00:29.501 WELL, I'M GOING TO BE TEACHING ON THIS AND MORE. 00:00:29.501 --> 00:00:33.584 SO FIRST OFF, JESUS WAS A FRIEND TO SINNERS. 00:00:33.584 --> 00:00:34.999 NO ONE CAN TAKE THAT AWAY. 00:00:34.999 --> 00:00:37.999 GOD HAD SUCH A GREAT LOVE FOR THE LOST. 00:00:37.999 --> 00:00:41.792 SO MUCH, THAT JESUS, THE VERY WORD OF GOD, 00:00:41.792 --> 00:00:43.999 BECAME FLESH AND DWELT AMONG US. 00:00:43.999 --> 00:00:45.999 AND HE LIVED A SINLESS LIFE 00:00:45.999 --> 00:00:49.292 ONLY TO SACRIFICE IT FOR OUR REDEMPTION 00:00:49.292 --> 00:00:51.334 AND RECONCILIATION WITH GOD. 00:00:51.334 --> 00:00:54.125 JOHN 1 SAYS, SO THE WORD BECAME FLESH 00:00:54.125 --> 00:00:55.209 AND MADE HIS HOME AMONG US. 00:00:55.209 --> 00:00:59.125 HE WAS FULL OF UNFAILING LOVE AND FAITHFULNESS. 00:00:59.125 --> 00:01:00.834 JESUS MINISTERED TO THE PEOPLE 00:01:00.834 --> 00:01:03.083 THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS DEEMED UNCLEANED, 00:01:03.083 --> 00:01:04.999 AND THE OUTCASTS OF SOCIETY, 00:01:04.999 --> 00:01:07.459 LIKE THE LEPERS, THE WOMAN AT THE WELL 00:01:07.459 --> 00:01:08.792 WHO HAD BEEN MARRIED FIVE TIMES 00:01:08.792 --> 00:01:11.167 ONLY TO END UP LIVING WITH THE SIXTH MAN. 00:01:11.167 --> 00:01:12.626 THE WOMAN WHO WAS CAUGHT IN ADULTERY, 00:01:12.626 --> 00:01:15.751 AND TAX COLLECTORS, JUST TO NAME A FEW. 00:01:15.751 --> 00:01:16.999 JESUS IS WILLING TO MINISTER 00:01:16.999 --> 00:01:17.999 TO ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE, 00:01:17.999 --> 00:01:21.334 AND THIS IS BECAUSE HE DEMONSTRATED THE HEART 00:01:21.334 --> 00:01:22.000 OF GOD THE FATHER, 00:01:22.000 --> 00:01:25.167 BY LOVING ALL KINDS AND MINISTERING TO 00:01:25.167 --> 00:01:25.999 ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE. 00:01:25.999 --> 00:01:28.834 THE BIBLE IN COLOSSIANS DESCRIBES JESUS 00:01:28.834 --> 00:01:31.292 AS THE VISIBLE IMAGE OF THE INVISIBLE GOD. 00:01:31.292 --> 00:01:34.000 SO IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT GOD THE FATHER IS LIKE, 00:01:34.000 --> 00:01:37.125 JUST LOOK AT THE LIFE AND MINISTRY OF JESUS. 00:01:37.125 --> 00:01:38.751 JESUS ALSO SHOWED GOD'S DESIRE 00:01:38.751 --> 00:01:42.999 TO RECONCILE THE WORLD BACK TO HIMSELF THROUGH CHRIST. 00:01:42.999 --> 00:01:44.042 2 CORINTHIANS 5 SAYS, 00:01:44.042 --> 00:01:45.999 AND ALL OF THIS IS A GIFT FROM GOD, 00:01:45.999 --> 00:01:48.542 WHO BROUGHT US BACK TO HIMSELF THROUGH CHRIST. 00:01:48.542 --> 00:01:49.999 AND GOD HAS GIVEN US THIS TASK 00:01:49.999 --> 00:01:52.667 OF RECONCILING PEOPLE TO HIM. 00:01:52.667 --> 00:01:54.209 FOR GOD WAS IN CHRIST, 00:01:54.209 --> 00:01:55.999 RECONCILING THE WORLD TO HIMSELF, 00:01:55.999 --> 00:01:58.751 NO LONGER COUNTING PEOPLE'S SINS AGAINST THEM. 00:01:58.751 --> 00:02:00.999 AND HE GAVE US THIS WONDERFUL MESSAGE 00:02:00.999 --> 00:02:01.999 OF RECONCILIATION. 00:02:01.999 --> 00:02:03.834 SO WE ARE CHRIST'S AMBASSADORS. 00:02:03.834 --> 00:02:05.709 GOD IS MAKING HIS APPEAL THROUGH US. 00:02:05.709 --> 00:02:08.709 WE SPEAK FOR CHRIST WHEN WE PLEAD, 00:02:08.709 --> 00:02:10.083 COME BACK TO GOD. 00:02:10.083 --> 00:02:11.792 FOR GOD MADE CHRIST 00:02:11.792 --> 00:02:12.709 WHO NEVER SINNED, 00:02:12.709 --> 00:02:14.751 TO BE THE OFFERING FOR OUR SIN, 00:02:14.751 --> 00:02:17.125 SO THAT WE COULD BE MADE RIGHT WITH GOD 00:02:17.125 --> 00:02:18.417 THROUGH CHRIST. 00:02:18.417 --> 00:02:21.999 GOD WAS DRAWING THE WORLD TO HIMSELF THROUGH JESUS. 00:02:21.999 --> 00:02:24.918 THAT WAS HIS HEART FOR THE LOST. 00:02:24.918 --> 00:02:27.709 LASTLY, THE SINNERS WERE DRAWN TO JESUS. 00:02:27.709 --> 00:02:29.459 THESE PEOPLE WERE DRAWN TO JESUS 00:02:29.459 --> 00:02:31.375 BECAUSE HE CARRIED THE LIGHT, 00:02:31.375 --> 00:02:34.000 THE LIFE AND THE LOVE OF GOD IN HIM. 00:02:34.000 --> 00:02:35.501 AND THEY WERE HUNGRY FOR THAT. 00:02:35.501 --> 00:02:37.876 AND JESUS DIDN'T SHAME ANYONE WHO WANTED 00:02:37.876 --> 00:02:39.999 TO COME TO HIM BECAUSE OF THIS. 00:02:39.999 --> 00:02:42.751 BUT BECAUSE THE SINNERS CAME TO JESUS 00:02:42.751 --> 00:02:44.667 HE WAS CRITICIZED BY RELIGIOUS LEADERS. 00:02:44.667 --> 00:02:47.792 LUKE 15:1 SAYS, TAX COLLECTORS 00:02:47.792 --> 00:02:49.167 AND OTHER NOTORIOUS SINNERS 00:02:49.167 --> 00:02:51.876 OFTEN CAME TO LISTEN TO JESUS TEACH. 00:02:51.876 --> 00:02:53.751 THIS MADE THE PHARISEES AND TEACHERS 00:02:53.751 --> 00:02:54.584 OF RELIGIOUS LAW COMPLAIN 00:02:54.584 --> 00:02:58.125 THAT HE WAS ASSOCIATING WITH SUCH SINFUL PEOPLE, 00:02:58.125 --> 00:02:59.999 EVEN EATING WITH THEM. 00:02:59.999 --> 00:03:01.334 THE PHARISEES HATED THAT. 00:03:01.334 --> 00:03:03.459 THE SPIRIT OF RELIGION HATES WHEN WE 00:03:03.459 --> 00:03:04.209 DRAW CLOSE TO GOD. 00:03:04.209 --> 00:03:06.125 BUT THAT'S GOD'S HEART FOR US, 00:03:06.125 --> 00:03:08.083 THAT WE MAY HAVE RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM. 00:03:08.083 --> 00:03:11.083 AND GOD WILL MEET US EXACTLY WHERE WE'RE AT 00:03:11.083 --> 00:03:11.999 AND DRAW HIM TO HIMSELF. 00:03:11.999 --> 00:03:14.834 AND THIS IS WHY I LOVE THE TEACHING 00:03:14.834 --> 00:03:15.999 OF JESUS BEING A FRIEND OF SINNERS. 00:03:15.999 --> 00:03:18.918 BECAUSE IT SHOWS GOD'S GREAT LOVE FOR US, 00:03:18.918 --> 00:03:21.125 AND THE LENGTHS GOD IS WILLING TO GO TO REACH US. 00:03:21.125 --> 00:03:23.999 IT SHOWS US HOW GOD'S HEART BREAKS 00:03:23.999 --> 00:03:25.209 FOR THE HURTING AND THE LOST. 00:03:25.209 --> 00:03:27.501 AND HOW HE DESIRES TO RESTORE US BACK 00:03:27.501 --> 00:03:30.083 TO WHAT HE ORIGINALLY DESIGNED US FOR, 00:03:30.083 --> 00:03:31.375 A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM. 00:03:31.375 --> 00:03:35.167 AND TOTAL WHOLENESS IN BODY, SOUL AND SPIRIT. 00:03:35.167 --> 00:03:38.000 BUT THIS MESSAGE HAS ALSO BEEN DISTORTED 00:03:38.000 --> 00:03:39.292 BY PEOPLE IN THE CHURCH 00:03:39.292 --> 00:03:40.667 AND USED FOR THE WRONG PURPOSES. 00:03:40.667 --> 00:03:43.250 AND WHEN WE DISTORT GOD'S WORD, 00:03:43.250 --> 00:03:45.000 WE DISTORT GOD'S VERY IMAGE 00:03:45.000 --> 00:03:46.751 AND THUS, GIVE OUT A MESSAGE 00:03:46.751 --> 00:03:47.999 THAT CAN DISTORT US 00:03:47.999 --> 00:03:50.999 AND OUR UNDERSTANDING OF OUR CALLING AND PURPOSE. 00:03:50.999 --> 00:03:53.417 SO I'M GONNA SHOW YOU WHAT KIND OF FRIEND 00:03:53.417 --> 00:03:54.501 JESUS WAS TO SINNERS 00:03:54.501 --> 00:03:55.999 AND ALSO WHAT HE WASN'T. 00:03:55.999 --> 00:03:59.167 JESUS NEVER CONFORMED TO THOSE AROUND HIM. 00:03:59.167 --> 00:04:00.501 JESUS WAS A FRIEND TO SINNERS, 00:04:00.501 --> 00:04:03.000 BUT HE NEVER COMPROMISED WHO HE WAS 00:04:03.000 --> 00:04:04.751 WHILE MINISTERING TO THE LOST. 00:04:04.751 --> 00:04:08.292 THE BIBLE SAYS HE NEVER EVEN SINNED ONCE. 00:04:08.292 --> 00:04:10.042 SO WHILE JESUS WOULD EAT WITH SINNERS, 00:04:10.042 --> 00:04:11.918 HE WASN'T GETTING DRUNK WITH THEM. 00:04:11.918 --> 00:04:13.999 HE NEVER CONFORMED TO THE WORLD. 00:04:13.999 --> 00:04:15.083 HE ONLY MINISTERED TO IT. 00:04:15.083 --> 00:04:19.250 JESUS WAS IN THE WORLD, BUT HE WAS NOT OF THE WORLD. 00:04:19.250 --> 00:04:21.000 AND WE ARE CALLED TO DO THE SAME. 00:04:21.000 --> 00:04:24.125 WE NEED TO REMEMBER, THIS WORLD IS NOT OUR HOME, 00:04:24.125 --> 00:04:26.999 SO WE'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO CONFORM TO IT. 00:04:26.999 --> 00:04:29.709 JESUS WAS ALSO NOT A PEOPLE-PLEASER 00:04:29.709 --> 00:04:32.292 AND HE WAS NOT INFLUENCED BY PEOPLE. 00:04:32.292 --> 00:04:33.876 EVEN THOUGH HE LOVED PEOPLE GREATLY, 00:04:33.876 --> 00:04:36.999 JESUS WAS NEVER MOTIVATED BY PEOPLE'S APPROVAL, 00:04:36.999 --> 00:04:38.417 OR BY WHAT PEOPLE WANTED. 00:04:38.417 --> 00:04:39.542 IF THIS HAD BEEN THE CASE, 00:04:39.542 --> 00:04:40.999 JESUS WOULD HAVE FELT DEFEATED 00:04:40.999 --> 00:04:42.999 WHEN THE PEOPLE TURNED ON HIM AND HATED HIM. 00:04:42.999 --> 00:04:46.167 JESUS WAS NOT MOTIVATED BY PEOPLE, 00:04:46.167 --> 00:04:50.334 RATHER, EVERYTHING HE DID WAS FOR AND BECAUSE 00:04:50.334 --> 00:04:50.959 OF HIS FATHER. 00:04:50.959 --> 00:04:53.417 JESUS SAID ONLY WHAT THE FATHER SAID. 00:04:53.417 --> 00:04:54.918 IN JOHN 12 JESUS SAYS, 00:04:54.918 --> 00:04:56.334 I DON'T SPEAK ON MY OWN AUTHORITY. 00:04:56.334 --> 00:04:58.667 THE FATHER WHO SENT ME HAS COMMANDED ME 00:04:58.667 --> 00:04:59.626 WHAT TO SAY AND HOW TO SAY IT. 00:04:59.626 --> 00:05:02.083 AND I KNOW HIS COMMANDS LEAD TO ETERNAL LIFE, 00:05:02.083 --> 00:05:05.999 SO I SAY WHATEVER THE FATHER TELLS ME TO SAY. 00:05:05.999 --> 00:05:08.709 JESUS ONLY DID WHAT HE SAW HIS FATHER DOING. 00:05:08.709 --> 00:05:11.042 JOHN 5 SAYS, SO JESUS EXPLAINED, 00:05:11.042 --> 00:05:11.959 I TELL YOU THE TRUTH, 00:05:11.959 --> 00:05:13.375 THE SON CAN DO NOTHING BY HIMSELF. 00:05:13.375 --> 00:05:16.626 HE DOES ONLY WHAT HE SEES THE FATHER DOING. 00:05:16.626 --> 00:05:18.000 WHATEVER THE FATHER DOES, 00:05:18.000 --> 00:05:18.876 THE SON ALSO DOES. 00:05:18.876 --> 00:05:20.250 FOR THE FATHER LOVES THE SON 00:05:20.250 --> 00:05:22.918 AND SHOWS HIM EVERYTHING HE IS DOING. 00:05:22.918 --> 00:05:25.417 EVERYTHING JESUS DID IN HIS MINISTRY 00:05:25.417 --> 00:05:26.167 WAS FOR HIS FATHER. 00:05:26.167 --> 00:05:30.042 AND HE ONLY SAID AND DID WHAT THE FATHER TOLD HIM TO. 00:05:30.042 --> 00:05:31.626 AND THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY 00:05:31.626 --> 00:05:33.999 JESUS PRIORITIZED GETTING AWAY FROM THE CROWD 00:05:33.999 --> 00:05:37.042 AND SPENDING ALONE TIME WITH JUST HIS FATHER. 00:05:37.042 --> 00:05:39.918 EVEN IN THE BUSIEST AND MOST POPULAR TIMES 00:05:39.918 --> 00:05:40.292 IN HIS MINISTRY, 00:05:40.292 --> 00:05:42.999 IT WAS CRUCIAL FOR JESUS TO STAY CONNECTED 00:05:42.999 --> 00:05:43.667 TO HIS FATHER, 00:05:43.667 --> 00:05:46.792 HEAR HIS VOICE, AND SEEK OUT HIS WILL. 00:05:46.792 --> 00:05:49.083 NOW, WHILE JESUS WAS A FRIEND TO SINNERS, 00:05:49.083 --> 00:05:50.626 THE WORLD HATED JESUS, 00:05:50.626 --> 00:05:52.334 AND HIS OWN PEOPLE REJECTED HIM. 00:05:52.334 --> 00:05:55.918 JOHN 1 SAYS HE CAME INTO THE VERY WORLD HE CREATED, 00:05:55.918 --> 00:05:57.999 BUT THE WORLD DIDN'T RECOGNIZE HIM. 00:05:57.999 --> 00:05:59.250 HE CAME TO HIS OWN PEOPLE 00:05:59.250 --> 00:06:00.167 AND EVEN THEY REJECTED HIM. 00:06:00.167 --> 00:06:03.417 BUT TO ALL WHO BELIEVED HIM AND ACCEPTED HIM, 00:06:03.417 --> 00:06:06.918 HE GAVE THE RIGHT TO BECOME CHILDREN OF GOD. 00:06:06.918 --> 00:06:08.334 JESUS KNEW THE WORLD HATED HIM. 00:06:08.334 --> 00:06:10.999 HE EVEN SAID TO HIS DISCIPLES IN JOHN 15, 00:06:10.999 --> 00:06:11.999 IF THE WORLD HATES YOU, 00:06:11.999 --> 00:06:13.959 REMEMBER THAT IT HATED ME FIRST. 00:06:13.959 --> 00:06:16.167 THE WORLD WOULD LOVE YOU AS ONE OF ITS OWN 00:06:16.167 --> 00:06:16.918 IF YOU BELONGED TO IT, 00:06:16.918 --> 00:06:18.751 BUT YOU ARE NO LONGER PART OF THE WORLD. 00:06:18.751 --> 00:06:21.209 I CHOSE YOU TO COME OUT OF THE WORLD 00:06:21.209 --> 00:06:21.999 SO IT HATES YOU. 00:06:21.999 --> 00:06:23.542 DO YOU REMEMBER WHAT I TOLD YOU? 00:06:23.542 --> 00:06:26.375 A SLAVE IS NO GREATER THAN ITS MASTER. 00:06:26.375 --> 00:06:27.626 SO THEY PERSECUTED ME, 00:06:27.626 --> 00:06:29.751 NATURALLY THEY WILL PERSECUTE YOU. 00:06:29.751 --> 00:06:31.584 WHEN YOU FOLLOW JESUS, 00:06:31.584 --> 00:06:32.999 THE WORLD WILL HATE YOU. 00:06:32.999 --> 00:06:35.501 OUR GOAL IS NOT TO BE ACCEPTED BY THE WORLD 00:06:35.501 --> 00:06:36.876 OR BE THE MOST POPULAR. 00:06:36.876 --> 00:06:39.125 OUR GOAL IS TO PLEASE THE HEART OF GOD 00:06:39.125 --> 00:06:41.999 AND BE OBEDIENT SONS AND DAUGHTERS. 00:06:41.999 --> 00:06:43.999 NOW, EVEN THOUGH JESUS WAS A FRIEND, 00:06:43.999 --> 00:06:47.125 HE STILL SPOKE THE HARD TRUTHS. 00:06:47.125 --> 00:06:49.042 JESUS ALWAYS SPOKE THE TRUTH IN LOVE, 00:06:49.042 --> 00:06:52.250 BUT HE DID SPEAK THE HARD TRUTHS TO PEOPLE 00:06:52.250 --> 00:06:54.999 EVEN IF IT WOULD BE CONSIDERED OFFENSIVE. 00:06:54.999 --> 00:06:56.167 JESUS TALKED ABOUT HELL. 00:06:56.167 --> 00:06:58.501 JESUS TALKED ABOUT SIN. 00:06:58.501 --> 00:07:00.999 MATTHEW 13:41 THROUGH 42 SAYS, 00:07:00.999 --> 00:07:02.626 THE SON OF MAN WILL SEND HIS ANGELS 00:07:02.626 --> 00:07:04.959 AND THEY WILL REMOVE FROM HIS KINGDOM 00:07:04.959 --> 00:07:06.918 EVERYTHING THAT CAUSES SIN 00:07:06.918 --> 00:07:07.999 AND ALL WHO DO EVIL. 00:07:07.999 --> 00:07:09.667 AND THE ANGELS WILL THROW THEM INTO 00:07:09.667 --> 00:07:10.125 THE FIERY FURNACE, 00:07:10.125 --> 00:07:13.501 WHERE THERE WILL BE WEEPING AND GNASHING OF TEETH. 00:07:13.501 --> 00:07:14.999 JESUS TALKED ABOUT SUFFERING. 00:07:14.999 --> 00:07:16.417 SO, AS YOU CAN SEE, 00:07:16.417 --> 00:07:18.250 HE TALKED ABOUT THE HARD STUFF 00:07:18.250 --> 00:07:19.999 AND HE WASN'T AFRAID TO SHARE THE TRUTH. 00:07:19.999 --> 00:07:23.334 AND AS BELIEVERS, WE NEED TO DO THE SAME. 00:07:23.334 --> 00:07:26.792 BEING A FRIEND DOESN'T MEAN NOT TELLING THE TRUTH 00:07:26.792 --> 00:07:27.459 BECAUSE IT'S OFFENSIVE. 00:07:27.459 --> 00:07:29.834 AND CHRISTIANS WILL USE THE EXCUSE OF 00:07:29.834 --> 00:07:30.542 NOT TELLING THE TRUTH 00:07:30.542 --> 00:07:32.167 BECAUSE THEY'RE BEING LOVING, 00:07:32.167 --> 00:07:34.417 OR THEY'RE NOT WANTING TO OFFEND OTHERS. 00:07:34.417 --> 00:07:36.334 BUT JESUS DID JUST THAT. 00:07:36.334 --> 00:07:37.626 AND HE IS OUR EXAMPLE. 00:07:37.626 --> 00:07:39.417 HE NEVER WITHHELD THE TRUTH. 00:07:39.417 --> 00:07:40.751 THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 00:07:40.751 --> 00:07:43.751 BEING LOVING AND MERCIFUL AND GRACIOUS 00:07:43.751 --> 00:07:46.209 AND BEING SIMPLY AFRAID OF WHAT PEOPLE THINK, 00:07:46.209 --> 00:07:48.834 AND BACKLASH SO YOU DON'T SAY ANYTHING. 00:07:48.834 --> 00:07:51.125 REMEMBER, YOU DON'T NEED TO PROTECT PEOPLE 00:07:51.125 --> 00:07:52.042 FROM GOD'S TRUTH. 00:07:52.042 --> 00:07:54.834 GOD'S TRUTH PROTECTS PEOPLE FROM EVIL. 00:07:54.834 --> 00:07:56.626 YOU SIMPLY NEED TO BE MATURE 00:07:56.626 --> 00:07:58.250 IN HOW YOU ADDRESS PEOPLE 00:07:58.250 --> 00:07:59.709 AND DO IT IN A LOVING WAY 00:07:59.709 --> 00:08:00.999 AND MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY'RE AT. 00:08:00.999 --> 00:08:04.167 FINALLY, WHILE JESUS WAS A FRIEND TO SINNERS, 00:08:04.167 --> 00:08:06.792 HE WAS CLEAR THERE WAS A HIGH COST 00:08:06.792 --> 00:08:07.459 IN FOLLOWING HIM. 00:08:07.459 --> 00:08:11.000 IN LUKE 14 JESUS SAYS, IF YOU WANT TO BE MY DISCIPLE, 00:08:11.000 --> 00:08:13.667 YOU MUST, BY COMPARISON, HATE EVERYONE ELSE, 00:08:13.667 --> 00:08:16.667 YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER, WIFE AND CHILDREN, 00:08:16.667 --> 00:08:19.876 BROTHERS AND SISTERS, YES, EVEN YOUR OWN LIFE. 00:08:19.876 --> 00:08:21.417 OTHERWISE, YOU CANNOT BE MY DISCIPLE. 00:08:21.417 --> 00:08:24.792 AND IF YOU DO NOT CARRY YOUR OWN CROSS AND FOLLOW ME, 00:08:24.792 --> 00:08:26.375 YOU CANNOT BE MY DISCIPLE. 00:08:26.375 --> 00:08:29.584 BUT DON'T BEGIN UNTIL YOU COUNT THE COST. 00:08:29.584 --> 00:08:31.667 FOR WHO WOULD BEGIN CONSTRUCTION OF A BUILDING 00:08:31.667 --> 00:08:33.709 WITHOUT FIRST CALCULATING THE COST TO SEE 00:08:33.709 --> 00:08:35.459 IF THERE IS ENOUGH MONEY TO FINISH IT? 00:08:35.459 --> 00:08:38.167 OTHERWISE, YOU MIGHT COMPLETE ONLY THE FOUNDATION 00:08:38.167 --> 00:08:39.501 BEFORE RUNNING OUT OF MONEY, 00:08:39.501 --> 00:08:41.250 AND THEN EVERYONE WOULD LAUGH AT YOU. 00:08:41.250 --> 00:08:43.125 THEY WOULD SAY THERE'S THE PERSON WHO STARTED 00:08:43.125 --> 00:08:45.292 THAT BUILDING AND COULDN'T AFFORD TO FINISH IT. 00:08:45.292 --> 00:08:49.709 SO YOU CANNOT BECOME MY DISCIPLE WITHOUT GIVING UP 00:08:49.709 --> 00:08:50.876 EVERYTHING YOU OWN. 00:08:50.876 --> 00:08:53.667 SO LET'S JUST PROCESS THIS FOR A SECOND. 00:08:53.667 --> 00:08:54.876 JESUS MAKES IT VERY CLEAR, 00:08:54.876 --> 00:08:57.250 WE HAVE TO COUNT THE COSTS BEFORE FOLLOWING. 00:08:57.250 --> 00:09:00.918 AND SO I'M JUST GONNA ASK YOU RIGHT NOW TO DO THE SAME. 00:09:00.918 --> 00:09:03.375 THINK ABOUT IT, AM I WILLING TO SACRIFICE 00:09:03.375 --> 00:09:04.999 EVERYTHING TO FOLLOW CHRIST? 00:09:04.999 --> 00:09:06.999 WE NEED TO CONSIDER THESE THINGS 00:09:06.999 --> 00:09:07.999 BEFORE DETERMINING TO FOLLOW HIM. 00:09:07.999 --> 00:09:11.000 BECAUSE WE MIGHT HAVE TO GIVE UP EVERYTHING. 00:09:11.000 --> 00:09:13.417 BUT I KNOW THAT HE'S WORTH IT. 00:09:13.417 --> 00:09:16.334 ALSO, THE SINNERS WHO CHOSE TO FOLLOW JESUS 00:09:16.334 --> 00:09:17.125 WERE FOREVER CHANGED. 00:09:17.125 --> 00:09:20.459 THEY TURNED FROM THEIR EVIL WAYS AND FOLLOWED HIM. 00:09:20.459 --> 00:09:21.999 THEY DIDN'T STAY THE SAME. 00:09:21.999 --> 00:09:23.999 SO WHILE JESUS WAS A FRIEND OF SINNERS, 00:09:23.999 --> 00:09:26.542 THOSE SINNERS NEVER STAYED THE SAME. 00:09:26.542 --> 00:09:27.999 IF THEY CHOSE TO FOLLOW HIM, 00:09:27.999 --> 00:09:28.792 THEY WERE FOREVER CHANGED. 00:09:28.792 --> 00:09:31.999 BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT GOD'S GRACE AND LOVE DOES TO US. 00:09:31.999 --> 00:09:33.667 I WANTED TO SHARE A STORY 00:09:33.667 --> 00:09:34.584 THAT GREATLY IMPACTED ME 00:09:34.584 --> 00:09:36.834 FROM ONE OF MY FAVORITE AUTOBIOGRAPHIES, 00:09:36.834 --> 00:09:39.501 LIVING A LIFE OF FIRE BY REINHARD BONNKE. 00:09:39.501 --> 00:09:41.375 HE'S A FAMOUS EVANGELIST 00:09:41.375 --> 00:09:43.918 WHO'S GONE ON RECENTLY TO BE WITH THE LORD, 00:09:43.918 --> 00:09:46.876 AND THIS BOOK HIGHLIGHTS HIS LIFE AND MINISTRY. 00:09:46.876 --> 00:09:48.626 AND WHEN I WAS PREPARING THIS TEACHING, 00:09:48.626 --> 00:09:51.459 THERE WAS A SPECIFIC STORY THAT I REMEMBERED 00:09:51.459 --> 00:09:52.959 FROM THIS BOOK THAT I WANTED TO SHARE. 00:09:52.959 --> 00:09:54.959 BECAUSE I BELIEVE IT HIGHLIGHTS EXACTLY 00:09:54.959 --> 00:09:57.000 WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A FRIEND OF SINNERS 00:09:57.000 --> 00:09:58.083 THE WAY JESUS WAS. 00:09:58.083 --> 00:10:02.751 [ MUSIC ] 00:10:02.751 --> 00:10:08.999 REBECCA: SO THIS IS IN CHAPTER 18, PAGE 223. 00:10:08.999 --> 00:10:11.250 THIS IS REINHARD SPEAKING. 00:10:11.250 --> 00:10:12.375 MY PHONE RANG. 00:10:12.375 --> 00:10:12.999 BROTHER HAROLD HORN, 00:10:12.999 --> 00:10:15.751 SOMEONE I HAD KNOWN SINCE MY ARRIVAL IN LESOTHO, SAID, 00:10:15.751 --> 00:10:17.999 REINHARD, COME TO KIMBERLY AND PREACH TO US. 00:10:17.999 --> 00:10:20.501 I SAID, I WILL COME. 00:10:20.501 --> 00:10:22.417 FRIDAY NIGHT AS I SAT ON THE PLATFORM, 00:10:22.417 --> 00:10:24.751 I LOOKED ACROSS THE GATHERING OF 200 PEOPLE. 00:10:24.751 --> 00:10:27.918 NOT ONE YOUNG PERSON DID I SEE IN THE ROOM. 00:10:27.918 --> 00:10:30.999 NOT ONE. I LEANED OVER TO HAROLD, WHO WAS NEAR ME AND SAID, 00:10:30.999 --> 00:10:32.501 WHERE ARE THE YOUNG PEOPLE? 00:10:32.501 --> 00:10:34.667 HE NODDED SADLY, ACKNOWLEDGING THAT I HAD 00:10:34.667 --> 00:10:35.999 CORRECTLY SEEN THE PROBLEM. 00:10:35.999 --> 00:10:37.876 EVERY HEAD IN THE ROOM WAS GRAY. 00:10:37.876 --> 00:10:38.999 I PREACHED. 00:10:38.999 --> 00:10:39.584 THE SERVICE WAS CLOSED 00:10:39.584 --> 00:10:42.375 AND THE PEOPLE FILTERED OUT TO THEIR CARS TO GO HOME. 00:10:42.375 --> 00:10:44.792 WHEN THEY HAD GONE, HAROLD CAME TO ME. 00:10:44.792 --> 00:10:46.999 REINHARD, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THE ANSWER 00:10:46.999 --> 00:10:47.501 TO YOUR QUESTION? 00:10:47.501 --> 00:10:49.876 WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW WHERE ALL THE YOUNG PEOPLE 00:10:49.876 --> 00:10:50.999 IN KIMBERLY ARE? 00:10:50.999 --> 00:10:52.834 YES, I WOULD, I REPLIED. 00:10:52.834 --> 00:10:53.209 I WILL SHOW YOU. 00:10:53.209 --> 00:10:55.876 GET INTO MY CAR AND I WILL TAKE YOU THERE. 00:10:55.876 --> 00:10:57.167 HE DROVE THROUGH THE STREETS, 00:10:57.167 --> 00:10:58.999 TURNING THIS WAY AND THAT, 00:10:58.999 --> 00:11:00.459 UNTIL HE CAME TO A LARGE BUILDING 00:11:00.459 --> 00:11:02.375 AT THE EDGE OF A WAREHOUSE DISTRICT. 00:11:02.375 --> 00:11:05.125 THE BUILDING WAS ABLAZE WITH GAUDY NEON SIGNS. 00:11:05.125 --> 00:11:07.417 ONE LARGE SIGN BLINKED OUT THE WORD, 00:11:07.417 --> 00:11:08.792 DISCO, DISCO, DISCO. 00:11:08.792 --> 00:11:11.584 THE PARKING LOT WAS JAM-PACKED TO OVERFLOWING 00:11:11.584 --> 00:11:11.999 WITH VEHICLES. 00:11:11.999 --> 00:11:13.250 AS HE TURNED OFF THE KEY, 00:11:13.250 --> 00:11:15.375 I COULD HEAR THE BOOM, BOOM, BOOM 00:11:15.375 --> 00:11:15.999 OF THE HEAVY BASS BEAT 00:11:15.999 --> 00:11:17.918 COMING THROUGH THE WALLS OF THE BUILDING. 00:11:17.918 --> 00:11:18.999 THE SO-CALLED MUSIC 00:11:18.999 --> 00:11:21.417 SEEMED TO SHAKE THE VERY GROUND BENEATH US 00:11:21.417 --> 00:11:22.334 WITH AN UNGODLY SPIRIT. 00:11:22.334 --> 00:11:25.999 THIS IS A DEN OF INIQUITY, I SAID SADLY. 00:11:25.999 --> 00:11:26.375 HE NODDED. 00:11:26.375 --> 00:11:27.542 THIS IS THE LATEST THING, REINHARD. 00:11:27.542 --> 00:11:29.876 IT IS CALLED A DISCOTHEQUE, A DANCE CLUB. 00:11:29.876 --> 00:11:32.209 IT IS A CRAZE THAT IS SWEEPING THE WHOLE WORLD 00:11:32.209 --> 00:11:32.751 RIGHT NOW, 00:11:32.751 --> 00:11:34.125 AND YOUNG PEOPLE EVERYWHERE ARE VERY 00:11:34.125 --> 00:11:34.959 ATTRACTED TO IT. 00:11:34.959 --> 00:11:36.792 LET'S GO INSIDE. 00:11:36.792 --> 00:11:37.626 OH, NO, I SAID. 00:11:37.626 --> 00:11:39.375 LET'S GO HOME. I HAVE NEVER GONE TO SUCH A PLACE. 00:11:39.375 --> 00:11:40.999 IT WOULD BE AN ABOMINATION TO ME. 00:11:40.999 --> 00:11:43.375 BUT AS I TURNED TO GET INTO THE CAR, 00:11:43.375 --> 00:11:44.209 I FELT BAD INSIDE. 00:11:44.209 --> 00:11:45.918 I STOPPED IN MY TRACKS. 00:11:45.918 --> 00:11:48.876 THIS IS WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT BEGAN TO SPEAK TO ME. 00:11:48.876 --> 00:11:49.834 SINCE I HAD COME THIS FAR, 00:11:49.834 --> 00:11:52.083 SOMETHING SEEMED WRONG IF I NOW TURNED AWAY. 00:11:52.083 --> 00:11:55.959 BUT I HAD NO IDEA WHAT THE SPIRIT WANTED ME TO DO. 00:11:55.959 --> 00:11:57.000 I JUST COULDN'T LEAVE. 00:11:57.000 --> 00:12:00.209 LET'S TAKE A LOOK INSIDE, HAROLD SUGGESTED. 00:12:00.209 --> 00:12:02.999 SUDDENLY, THIS SEEMED EXACTLY RIGHT. 00:12:02.999 --> 00:12:05.209 EVERYTHING IN MY SPIRIT SAID YES. 00:12:05.209 --> 00:12:05.751 I NODDED. 00:12:05.751 --> 00:12:09.000 OKAY, HAROLD. LET'S JUST TAKE A LOOK AT THIS DISCO. 00:12:09.000 --> 00:12:10.250 WE CAME TO THE DOOR AND STOOD THERE. 00:12:10.250 --> 00:12:14.918 I FELT THE SPIRIT SAY TO ME VERY CLEARLY, 00:12:14.918 --> 00:12:16.999 LOOK INSIDE. I WILL SHOW YOU SOMETHING YOU DO NOT KNOW. 00:12:16.999 --> 00:12:20.292 I TOOK A DEEP BREATH AND OPENED THE DOOR. 00:12:20.292 --> 00:12:21.083 THE BLAST OF THE MUSIC 00:12:21.083 --> 00:12:23.959 MUST HAVE KNOCKED THE HAIR BACK FROM MY FOREHEAD. 00:12:23.959 --> 00:12:26.834 I HAVE NEVER HEARD SUCH VOLUME IN MY LIFE. 00:12:26.834 --> 00:12:27.876 IT WAS DEAFENING. 00:12:27.876 --> 00:12:28.999 BUT IT WAS IN THAT INSTANT 00:12:28.999 --> 00:12:30.959 THAT I RECEIVED A SPIRITUAL VISION 00:12:30.959 --> 00:12:32.834 OF THE REALITY OF THE DISCO. 00:12:32.834 --> 00:12:34.501 IN THE FLASH OF THE STROBE LIGHTS, 00:12:34.501 --> 00:12:36.751 I DID NOT SEE YOUNG PEOPLE DANCING WITH JOY. 00:12:36.751 --> 00:12:39.417 I SAW FROZEN IMAGES OF BOREDOM, 00:12:39.417 --> 00:12:42.876 FEAR, LONELINESS AND INSECURITY, 00:12:42.876 --> 00:12:43.626 ONE AFTER THE OTHER, 00:12:43.626 --> 00:12:46.209 CAPTURED ON THE FACES OF THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE. 00:12:46.209 --> 00:12:48.042 THE SPLIT-SECOND FLASHES OF LIFE 00:12:48.042 --> 00:12:51.918 REVEALED THESE IMAGES OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN 00:12:51.918 --> 00:12:52.751 LIKE STOP-ACTION. 00:12:52.751 --> 00:12:56.334 EACH OF THOSE HAUNTED FACES SPOKE TO ME OF EMPTINESS. 00:12:56.334 --> 00:12:56.918 PURE EMPTINESS. 00:12:56.918 --> 00:12:59.751 SUDDENLY, I COULD NOT CARE LESS 00:12:59.751 --> 00:13:00.792 WHAT ANYONE THOUGHT OF ME. 00:13:00.792 --> 00:13:02.999 I KNEW THAT I WOULD PREACH IN THIS DISCO. 00:13:02.999 --> 00:13:05.709 NOTHING COULD DENY THE LOVE OF JESUS THAT I FELT. 00:13:05.709 --> 00:13:07.459 I SHUT THE DOOR AND LOOKED AT HAROLD. 00:13:07.459 --> 00:13:09.459 I HEARD THE HOLY SPIRIT SAY IN MY HEART, 00:13:09.459 --> 00:13:10.999 FIND THE OWNER OF THIS PLACE. 00:13:10.999 --> 00:13:11.959 SO I SAID TO HAROLD, 00:13:11.959 --> 00:13:14.209 HELP ME FIND THE OWNER OF THE DISCO. 00:13:14.209 --> 00:13:15.999 WHAT GOOD WILL THAT DO? 00:13:15.999 --> 00:13:16.999 I MUST TALK TO HIM. 00:13:16.999 --> 00:13:18.375 LET'S FIND HIM NOW. 00:13:18.375 --> 00:13:20.083 BUT WHAT WILL YOU SAY TO HIM? 00:13:20.083 --> 00:13:23.250 I WILL ASK HIM TO LET ME PREACH IN HIS DISCO. 00:13:23.250 --> 00:13:24.000 HAROLD LAUGHED. 00:13:24.000 --> 00:13:25.792 YOU WON'T DO THAT, REINHARD. 00:13:25.792 --> 00:13:28.083 I WILL, I ABSOLUTELY WILL. 00:13:28.083 --> 00:13:28.999 HAROLD FOLLOWED ME NOW. 00:13:28.999 --> 00:13:30.417 I INQUIRED INSIDE THE DISCO 00:13:30.417 --> 00:13:32.709 AND WE WERE LED TO AN OFFICE AT THE REAR 00:13:32.709 --> 00:13:33.250 OF THE BUILDING. 00:13:33.250 --> 00:13:35.209 THE OWNER WAS A MIDDLE-AGED BUSINESSMAN 00:13:35.209 --> 00:13:36.250 WHO LOOKED TO BE VERY MUCH 00:13:36.250 --> 00:13:37.709 A PART OF THE ROCK-AND-ROLL CULTURE. 00:13:37.709 --> 00:13:40.667 HE HAD LONG HAIR, GOLD CHAINS AROUND HIS NECK, 00:13:40.667 --> 00:13:41.999 AN OPEN-COLLARED SHIRT, 00:13:41.999 --> 00:13:42.584 AND BLUE JEANS. 00:13:42.584 --> 00:13:45.000 I SAID TO HIM, SIR, I'VE COME ALL THE WAY FROM GERMANY. 00:13:45.000 --> 00:13:47.584 I'M ASKING YOUR PERMISSION TO ALLOW ME 00:13:47.584 --> 00:13:50.042 TO ADDRESS THE YOUNG PEOPLE IN YOUR DISCO FOR 00:13:50.042 --> 00:13:51.250 JUST FIVE MINUTES. 00:13:51.250 --> 00:13:52.792 HE LOOKED AT ME FROM TOP TO TOE. 00:13:52.792 --> 00:13:54.083 YOU'RE A PREACHER, HE SAID. 00:13:54.083 --> 00:13:57.792 I WAS STILL DRESSED IN MY SUIT AND TIE. 00:13:57.792 --> 00:13:58.167 I NODDED. 00:13:58.167 --> 00:13:59.709 HE SAID, IF YOU WANT TO PREACH, 00:13:59.709 --> 00:14:01.542 YOU SHOULD PREACH IN A CHURCH. 00:14:01.542 --> 00:14:04.083 THERE ARE NO YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE CHURCH, I SAID. 00:14:04.083 --> 00:14:04.999 THEY DON'T COME TO THE CHURCH, 00:14:04.999 --> 00:14:07.626 SO THE PREACHER MUST COME TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE. 00:14:07.626 --> 00:14:08.792 NOW GIVE ME FIVE MINUTES, 00:14:08.792 --> 00:14:10.834 ONLY FIVE MINUTES, I ASK OF YOU. 00:14:10.834 --> 00:14:12.083 YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING. 00:14:12.083 --> 00:14:13.999 HE SHOOK HIS HEAD IN DISBELIEF, 00:14:13.999 --> 00:14:16.209 THEN TURNED AROUND AND WALKED AWAY. 00:14:16.209 --> 00:14:17.792 THERE IS NO WAY, MAN. 00:14:17.792 --> 00:14:20.999 HE HAD NO SYMPATHY FOR MY PLEA AT ALL. 00:14:20.999 --> 00:14:23.626 AS HE WAS WALKING, SUDDENLY THE HOLY SPIRIT 00:14:23.626 --> 00:14:24.000 TOUCHED ME. 00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:25.999 HE SAID TO ME, TELL HIM WHAT YOU SAW 00:14:25.999 --> 00:14:27.918 WHEN YOU LOOKED INTO HIS DANCE HALL. 00:14:27.918 --> 00:14:29.918 I WENT AFTER THE MAN AND TOOK HIM BY THE ARM. 00:14:29.918 --> 00:14:30.999 HE TURNED TO FACE ME AGAIN. 00:14:30.999 --> 00:14:34.584 ONE QUESTION, SIR, I SAID, LOOKING DEEP INTO HIS EYES. 00:14:34.584 --> 00:14:36.042 DO YOU THINK THE YOUNG PEOPLE FIND 00:14:36.042 --> 00:14:38.334 WHAT THEY NEED FOR LIFE IN YOUR DISCO? 00:14:38.334 --> 00:14:40.375 SLOWLY THE FACE OF THAT MAN CHANGED. 00:14:40.375 --> 00:14:41.876 HE LOOKED DOWN THOUGHTFULLY. 00:14:41.876 --> 00:14:42.999 WHEN HE LOOKED UP AGAIN HE SAID, 00:14:42.999 --> 00:14:45.918 IT IS VERY STRANGE THAT YOU WOULD SAY THAT. 00:14:45.918 --> 00:14:46.501 I HAVE CHILDREN OF MY OWN. 00:14:46.501 --> 00:14:48.501 I'VE THOUGHT MANY TIMES THAT THE DISCO 00:14:48.501 --> 00:14:51.334 WILL NOT GIVE YOUNG PEOPLE WHAT THEY NEED FOR LIFE. 00:14:51.334 --> 00:14:52.709 I BEG YOU, SIR, 00:14:52.709 --> 00:14:53.999 GIVE ME FIVE MINUTES WITH THEM. 00:14:53.999 --> 00:14:56.999 HE WAS THOUGHTFUL FOR A MOMENT. 00:14:56.999 --> 00:14:58.709 OKAY, BUT NOT TONIGHT. 00:14:58.709 --> 00:14:59.209 SATURDAY NIGHT. 00:14:59.209 --> 00:14:59.999 TOMORROW NIGHT AT MIDNIGHT, 00:14:59.999 --> 00:15:02.501 I WILL GIVE YOU THE MICROPHONE FOR FIVE MINUTES. 00:15:02.501 --> 00:15:04.792 I GRABBED HIS HAND AND SHOOK IT. 00:15:04.792 --> 00:15:05.667 IT'S A DEAL. 00:15:05.667 --> 00:15:06.709 THANK YOU, SIR. 00:15:06.709 --> 00:15:07.834 I WILL BE HERE. 00:15:07.834 --> 00:15:09.999 THE NEXT NIGHT I DRESSED IN CASUAL CLOTHES. 00:15:09.999 --> 00:15:11.709 I DID N0T WANT TO LOOK LIKE A PREACHER 00:15:11.709 --> 00:15:12.918 JUST COMING FROM CHURCH. 00:15:12.918 --> 00:15:14.999 I NEEDED DISCO CAMOUFLAGE. 00:15:14.999 --> 00:15:17.542 WHEN AT LAST THE CLOCK STRUCK TWELVE, 00:15:17.542 --> 00:15:18.000 THE MUSIC STOPPED. 00:15:18.000 --> 00:15:20.000 I JUMPED UP AND ON ONTO THE STAGE 00:15:20.000 --> 00:15:21.375 WHERE THE RECORDS WERE BEING SPUN. 00:15:21.375 --> 00:15:23.417 I TOOK THE MICROPHONE FROM THE DISK JOCKEY 00:15:23.417 --> 00:15:26.000 AND SHOUTED, SIT DOWN, SIT DOWN, SIT DOWN. 00:15:26.000 --> 00:15:27.999 I'VE COME ALL THE WAY FROM GERMANY, 00:15:27.999 --> 00:15:30.999 AND I'VE GOT SOMETHING VERY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOU. 00:15:30.999 --> 00:15:32.459 SUDDENLY THE YOUNG PEOPLE BEGAN 00:15:32.459 --> 00:15:33.000 SITTING DOWN EVERYWHERE. 00:15:33.000 --> 00:15:36.834 IT WAS THEN I REALIZED I WAS NOT IN CHURCH, 00:15:36.834 --> 00:15:37.417 BUT IN A DANCE HALL. 00:15:37.417 --> 00:15:39.999 MOST OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE PLOPPED RIGHT DOWN 00:15:39.999 --> 00:15:40.542 ON THE FLOOR. 00:15:40.542 --> 00:15:43.209 THERE THEY SAT, SMOKING CIGARETTES AND CHEWING GUM, 00:15:43.209 --> 00:15:44.542 WAITING FOR ME TO TELL THEM SOMETHING 00:15:44.542 --> 00:15:46.667 VERY IMPORTANT THAT I HAD BROUGHT WITH ME 00:15:46.667 --> 00:15:47.334 ALL THE WAY FROM GERMANY. 00:15:47.334 --> 00:15:50.999 I STARTED TO PREACH ONE MINUTE, TWO MINUTES, 00:15:50.999 --> 00:15:52.918 SUDDENLY THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS THERE. 00:15:52.918 --> 00:15:55.751 I MEAN, THE WIND OF GOD BLEW INTO THAT DISCO. 00:15:55.751 --> 00:15:57.000 SUDDENLY I HEARD SOBBING. 00:15:57.000 --> 00:15:59.501 I SAW YOUNG PEOPLE GETTING OUT THEIR HANDKERCHIEFS 00:15:59.501 --> 00:16:01.292 AND STARTING TO WIPE THEIR EYES, 00:16:01.292 --> 00:16:01.999 CRYING EVERYWHERE. 00:16:01.999 --> 00:16:03.667 I HAD PREACHED ENOUGH TO KNOW 00:16:03.667 --> 00:16:05.709 THAT WHEN PEOPLE START SHEDDING TEARS, 00:16:05.709 --> 00:16:06.999 IT'S TIME FOR AN ALTAR CALL. 00:16:06.999 --> 00:16:09.417 I SAID, HOW MANY OF YOU WANT TO RECEIVE 00:16:09.417 --> 00:16:10.751 JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR? 00:16:10.751 --> 00:16:12.918 HOW MANY WANT TO FIND FORGIVENESS FOR YOUR SINS 00:16:12.918 --> 00:16:14.667 AND ENTER GOD'S PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE 00:16:14.667 --> 00:16:15.417 AS OF TONIGHT? 00:16:15.417 --> 00:16:17.751 EVERY HAND THAT I COULD SEE IN THAT PLACE 00:16:17.751 --> 00:16:18.167 WENT STRAIGHT UP. 00:16:18.167 --> 00:16:20.459 I SAID, ALL RIGHT, REPEAT AFTER ME. 00:16:20.459 --> 00:16:22.584 WE PRAYED THE PRAYER OF SALVATION TOGETHER. 00:16:22.584 --> 00:16:23.250 MY FIVE MINUTES WERE UP. 00:16:23.250 --> 00:16:23.959 MY WORK WAS DONE. 00:16:23.959 --> 00:16:26.042 I LEFT WALKING ON CLOUD NUMBER NINE, 00:16:26.042 --> 00:16:29.375 REJOICING, ABSOLUTELY REJOICING. 00:16:29.375 --> 00:16:31.626 A YEAR LATER I RETURNED TO KIMBERLY. 00:16:31.626 --> 00:16:33.042 HAROLD MET ME AT THE AIRPORT. 00:16:33.042 --> 00:16:34.417 HE SAID, GET IN MY CAR. 00:16:34.417 --> 00:16:37.209 I HAVE A SURPRISE FOR YOU. 00:16:37.209 --> 00:16:37.959 I GOT IN HIS CAR. 00:16:37.959 --> 00:16:39.125 HE DID NOT SAY ANYTHING ABOUT IT, 00:16:39.125 --> 00:16:41.042 HE JUST DROVE THROUGH THE WINDING STREETS 00:16:41.042 --> 00:16:43.584 UNTIL HE CAME TO THE WAREHOUSE DISTRICT. 00:16:43.584 --> 00:16:44.999 THE CAR STOPPED. 00:16:44.999 --> 00:16:46.209 I LOOKED OUT OF THE WINDOW. 00:16:46.209 --> 00:16:47.999 I COULD NOT BELIEVE MY EYES. 00:16:47.999 --> 00:16:49.501 I WIPED THEM AND LOOKED AGAIN. 00:16:49.501 --> 00:16:51.999 INSTEAD OF SEEING THE BIG DISCO SIGN, 00:16:51.999 --> 00:16:53.542 THERE WAS A HUGE WHITE CROSS 00:16:53.542 --> 00:16:55.083 ON THE FRONT OF THE BUILDING. 00:16:55.083 --> 00:16:58.667 THIS IS NOT THE SURPRISE, HAROLD SAID, COME INSIDE. 00:16:58.667 --> 00:16:59.542 WE WALKED UP TO THAT DOOR 00:16:59.542 --> 00:17:01.250 WHERE HE HAD STOOD ONE YEAR AGO. 00:17:01.250 --> 00:17:02.999 ARE YOU READY FOR THIS, REINHARD? 00:17:02.999 --> 00:17:04.334 HAROLD SWUNG THE DOOR OPEN 00:17:04.334 --> 00:17:06.125 AND I LOOKED INTO THE PACKED HOUSE 00:17:06.125 --> 00:17:07.167 FULL OF YOUNG PEOPLE. 00:17:07.167 --> 00:17:10.918 THEY WERE CHANTING, BONNKE, BONNKE, BONNKE. 00:17:10.918 --> 00:17:11.584 I CRIED OUT WITH JOY. 00:17:11.584 --> 00:17:15.375 THEY RUSHED TO ME, HUGGING ME AND SHAKING MY HANDS, 00:17:15.375 --> 00:17:16.667 BRINGING ME INSIDE. 00:17:16.667 --> 00:17:17.999 ONE YOUNG MAN SAID, 00:17:17.999 --> 00:17:18.459 REMEMBER ME? 00:17:18.459 --> 00:17:20.918 I WAS THE DISK JOCKEY THAT NIGHT. 00:17:20.918 --> 00:17:21.709 ANOTHER GRABBED MY HAND. 00:17:21.709 --> 00:17:22.999 I WAS OPERATING THE LIGHT SHOW. 00:17:22.999 --> 00:17:25.834 ANOTHER SAID, WE WERE DANCING THE NIGHT AWAY, 00:17:25.834 --> 00:17:27.709 NOW WE ARE SERVING JESUS. 00:17:27.709 --> 00:17:30.876 AFTER YOU LEFT TOWN, THE DISCO WENT BANKRUPT, 00:17:30.876 --> 00:17:31.709 HAROLD SHOUTED TO ME. 00:17:31.709 --> 00:17:33.167 THIS DISCO IS A CHURCH! 00:17:33.167 --> 00:17:34.667 HE WAS BEAMING FROM EAR TO EAR. 00:17:34.667 --> 00:17:36.667 A FINE-LOOKING GENTLEMAN CAME UP TO ME. 00:17:36.667 --> 00:17:38.999 WE HEARD ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TO THE YOUNG 00:17:38.999 --> 00:17:39.417 PEOPLE HERE. 00:17:39.417 --> 00:17:40.667 MY CHURCH HAS SPONSORED ME 00:17:40.667 --> 00:17:42.626 TO BE A PASTOR TO THESE KIDS. 00:17:42.626 --> 00:17:44.876 I STOOD AGAIN ON THAT DISCO STAGE 00:17:44.876 --> 00:17:45.876 LOOKING AT THOSE FACES, 00:17:45.876 --> 00:17:47.417 SO DIFFERENT FROM THE ONES I HAD SEEN 00:17:47.417 --> 00:17:49.083 IN THE STROBE LIGHTS A YEAR AGO. 00:17:49.083 --> 00:17:50.459 THE LIGHTS WERE UP FULL NOW. 00:17:50.459 --> 00:17:53.417 EVEN MORE, THE LIGHT OF THE LORD'S FAVOR WAS 00:17:53.417 --> 00:17:54.751 SHINING ON EVERY FACE. 00:17:54.751 --> 00:17:57.584 I POINTED MY FINGER TO THE HEAVENS AND SHOUTED, 00:17:57.584 --> 00:17:58.626 JESUS, JESUS. 00:17:58.626 --> 00:18:01.000 AND THEY SHOUTED BACK TO ME AS ONE, 00:18:01.000 --> 00:18:03.417 MAKING THE WALLS TREMBLE. 00:18:03.417 --> 00:18:04.375 PRAISE JESUS. 00:18:04.375 --> 00:18:05.375 PRAISE JESUS. 00:18:05.375 --> 00:18:06.209 HE IS LORD. 00:18:06.209 --> 00:18:07.167 HE IS LORD. 00:18:07.167 --> 00:18:07.999 HALLELUJAH. 00:18:07.999 --> 00:18:08.959 HALLELUJAH. 00:18:08.959 --> 00:18:11.626 NOW THAT DISCO WAS ROCKING THE RIGHT WAY. 00:18:11.626 --> 00:18:13.999 KIMBERLY'S TRUE DIAMONDS WERE SHINING 00:18:13.999 --> 00:18:15.000 IN THEIR FATHER'S EYES. 00:18:15.000 --> 00:18:16.999 I LOVE THIS STORY SO MUCH. 00:18:16.999 --> 00:18:19.292 THIS IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF WHAT IT MEANS 00:18:19.292 --> 00:18:20.459 TO BE A FRIEND OF SINNERS. 00:18:20.459 --> 00:18:22.792 REINHARD DID NOT LIKE THE SIN GOING ON 00:18:22.792 --> 00:18:23.250 IN THE DISCO CLUB, 00:18:23.250 --> 00:18:25.584 BUT THE HOLY SPIRIT BURDENED HIS HEART 00:18:25.584 --> 00:18:26.334 FOR THE LOST INSIDE 00:18:26.334 --> 00:18:27.999 AND GAVE HIM A VISION THAT SHOWED 00:18:27.999 --> 00:18:30.918 HOW BROKEN AND EMPTY THE PEOPLE WERE. 00:18:30.918 --> 00:18:32.918 GOD GAVE HIM A BURDEN AND COMPASSION 00:18:32.918 --> 00:18:34.792 FOR THOSE YOUNG LOST CLUB-GOERS. 00:18:34.792 --> 00:18:37.709 AND IT MOTIVATED REINHARD TO MINISTER TO THEM. 00:18:37.709 --> 00:18:39.501 AND LOOK AT THE TRANSFORMATION 00:18:39.501 --> 00:18:40.292 THAT HAPPENED. 00:18:40.292 --> 00:18:40.999 ONLY GOD. 00:18:40.999 --> 00:18:43.999 WE HAVE TO ALLOW GOD TO GIVE US A HEART FOR THE LOST. 00:18:43.999 --> 00:18:46.918 IT'S NOT ABOUT US LOVING THE WORLD 00:18:46.918 --> 00:18:47.709 AND WHAT'S IN IT. 00:18:47.709 --> 00:18:49.584 IT'S ABOUT SHARING GOD'S BURDEN 00:18:49.584 --> 00:18:50.292 AND HEART FOR THE LOST, 00:18:50.292 --> 00:18:53.334 BECAUSE GOD DESIRES ALL TO COME TO HIM. 00:18:53.334 --> 00:18:55.250 WHEN WE SEE IN SCRIPTURE WHERE IT SAYS 00:18:55.250 --> 00:18:58.292 JESUS HAD GREAT COMPASSION ON THE PEOPLE, 00:18:58.292 --> 00:19:00.167 THIS WORD FOR COMPASSION, 00:19:00.167 --> 00:19:01.459 OR SOMETIMES EVEN SYMPATHY, 00:19:01.459 --> 00:19:04.250 IS ACTUALLY THE GREEK WORD, SPLAGCHNIZOMAI. 00:19:04.250 --> 00:19:08.000 IT MEANS A DEEP FEELING FROM WITHIN YOUR STOMACH, 00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:11.417 A DEEP PAIN, A TWISTING OF THE INTESTINES. 00:19:11.417 --> 00:19:14.209 EVEN WHEN JESUS WAS EXHAUSTED MINISTERING, 00:19:14.209 --> 00:19:17.584 WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT WOULD GIVE HIM THAT FEELING 00:19:17.584 --> 00:19:17.999 DEEP WITHIN HIM 00:19:17.999 --> 00:19:20.250 OF THAT PAIN, THAT BURDEN FOR THE PEOPLE 00:19:20.250 --> 00:19:21.209 HE NEEDED MINISTERING TO, 00:19:21.209 --> 00:19:23.999 JESUS WOULD KEEP GOING IN MINISTERING TO THEM 00:19:23.999 --> 00:19:26.000 BECAUSE HE WOULD FEEL GOD'S PAIN 00:19:26.000 --> 00:19:29.709 FROM THE VERY DEEPEST PART OF HIMSELF FOR THE LOST. 00:19:29.709 --> 00:19:32.000 AND HE COULDN'T STAND BY AND DO NOTHING. 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:35.751 THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE TO HAVE FOR THIS WORLD. 00:19:35.751 --> 00:19:37.000 WHEN WE GO TO MINISTER TO SINNERS, 00:19:37.000 --> 00:19:39.709 WE DON'T GO TO PARTICIPATE IN WHAT THEY'RE DOING, 00:19:39.709 --> 00:19:40.459 TO JOIN IN THE REVELRY. 00:19:40.459 --> 00:19:43.501 WE GO WITH THE HEART OF GOD TO REACH THE LOST. 00:19:43.501 --> 00:19:46.334 WE GO WITH AN INTENTION AND A PURPOSE, 00:19:46.334 --> 00:19:47.584 NOT TO JOIN IN, 00:19:47.584 --> 00:19:50.542 BUT TO MINISTER AND TO TRANSFORM THROUGH 00:19:50.542 --> 00:19:53.584 THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL AND JESUS CHRIST. 00:19:53.584 --> 00:19:56.459 NOW, I'VE TALKED ABOUT JESUS BEING A FRIEND TO SINNERS. 00:19:56.459 --> 00:19:57.584 AND WE KNOW THAT HE IS ONE. 00:19:57.584 --> 00:20:00.042 BUT NOW I HAVE AN IMPORTANT QUESTION FOR YOU 00:20:00.042 --> 00:20:01.584 WHO ARE WATCHING. 00:20:01.584 --> 00:20:03.709 ARE YOU A FRIEND TO JESUS? 00:20:03.709 --> 00:20:05.083 IN JOHN 15 JESUS SAYS, 00:20:05.083 --> 00:20:06.125 THERE IS NO GREATER LOVE 00:20:06.125 --> 00:20:08.999 THAN TO LAY DOWN ONE'S LIFE FOR ONE FRIEND. 00:20:08.999 --> 00:20:11.626 YOU ARE MY FRIENDS IF YOU DO WHAT I COMMAND. 00:20:11.626 --> 00:20:12.999 I NO LONGER CALL YOU SLAVES 00:20:12.999 --> 00:20:15.999 BECAUSE A MASTER DOESN'T CONFIDE IN HIS SLAVES. 00:20:15.999 --> 00:20:16.999 NOW YOU ARE MY FRIENDS. 00:20:16.999 --> 00:20:20.626 SINCE I HAVE TOLD YOU EVERYTHING THE FATHER TOLD ME. 00:20:20.626 --> 00:20:22.999 WE HAVE THE HONOR OF KNOWING GOD 00:20:22.999 --> 00:20:24.999 AND CALLING JESUS OUR FRIEND. 00:20:24.999 --> 00:20:27.876 BUT ARE WE A TRUE FRIEND TO HIM? 00:20:27.876 --> 00:20:29.459 THE BIBLE SAYS IF WE LOVE HIM, 00:20:29.459 --> 00:20:31.292 WE WILL OBEY HIS COMMANDMENTS 00:20:31.292 --> 00:20:33.959 AND IF WE LAY DOWN OUR LIFE FOR HIM. 00:20:33.959 --> 00:20:35.709 BUT THE QUESTION IS, 00:20:35.709 --> 00:20:36.709 HAVE YOU DONE THAT? 00:20:36.709 --> 00:20:38.542 ARE YOU WILLING TO DO THAT? 00:20:38.542 --> 00:20:39.792 MY NEXT QUESTION TO YOU IS 00:20:39.792 --> 00:20:41.209 WHERE DOES YOUR HEART LIE? 00:20:41.209 --> 00:20:42.918 IS THERE ANY IDOLATRY THERE? 00:20:42.918 --> 00:20:45.125 YOU SEE, THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 00:20:45.125 --> 00:20:46.709 BEING A FRIEND TO SINNERS, 00:20:46.709 --> 00:20:47.501 AND LOVING THE WORLD. 00:20:47.501 --> 00:20:50.250 1 JOHN 2 SAYS, DO NOT LOVE THE WORLD 00:20:50.250 --> 00:20:51.834 OR THE THINGS IN THE WORLD. 00:20:51.834 --> 00:20:52.999 IF ANYONE LOVES THE WORLD, 00:20:52.999 --> 00:20:54.834 THE LOVE OF THE FATHER IS NOT HIM. 00:20:54.834 --> 00:20:56.918 FOR THE WORLD OFFERS ONLY A CRAVING 00:20:56.918 --> 00:20:57.999 FOR PHYSICAL PLEASURE, 00:20:57.999 --> 00:20:59.626 A CRAVING FOR EVERYTHING WE SEE 00:20:59.626 --> 00:21:01.751 AND A PRIDE IN OUR ACHIEVEMENTS 00:21:01.751 --> 00:21:02.626 AND POSSESSIONS. 00:21:02.626 --> 00:21:04.042 THESE ARE NOT FROM THE FATHER, 00:21:04.042 --> 00:21:05.417 BUT ARE FROM THIS WORLD. 00:21:05.417 --> 00:21:06.999 AND THIS WORLD IS FADING AWAY, 00:21:06.999 --> 00:21:08.999 ALONG WITH EVERYTHING THAT PEOPLE CRAVE. 00:21:08.999 --> 00:21:11.292 BUT ANYONE WHO DOES WHAT PLEASES GOD 00:21:11.292 --> 00:21:12.459 WILL LIVE FOREVER. 00:21:12.459 --> 00:21:13.751 JAMES 4:4 IS VERY CLEAR. 00:21:13.751 --> 00:21:16.626 IT SAYS, YOU ADULTERERS, DON'T YOU REALIZE THE 00:21:16.626 --> 00:21:17.375 FRIENDSHIP OF THE WORLD 00:21:17.375 --> 00:21:19.083 MAKES YOU AN ENEMY OF GOD? 00:21:19.083 --> 00:21:19.709 I SAY IT AGAIN. 00:21:19.709 --> 00:21:21.375 IF YOU WANT TO BE A FRIEND OF THE WORLD 00:21:21.375 --> 00:21:23.626 YOU MAKE YOURSELF AN ENEMY OF GOD. 00:21:23.626 --> 00:21:25.999 AND SO MY QUESTION FOR YOU TODAY IS THIS. 00:21:25.999 --> 00:21:28.209 ARE YOU A FRIEND OF GOD OR ARE YOU AN ENEMY? 00:21:28.209 --> 00:21:29.999 IF WE ARE FRIENDS OF GOD 00:21:29.999 --> 00:21:32.542 WE DO NOT LOVE THE WORLD OR THE THINGS IN IT, 00:21:32.542 --> 00:21:35.459 BUT WE SHARE GOD'S HEART AND BURDEN FOR THE LOST. 00:21:35.459 --> 00:21:37.000 THAT'S THE DIFFERENCE. 00:21:37.000 --> 00:21:39.209 FINALLY, I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU WITH THIS 00:21:39.209 --> 00:21:40.292 IMPORTANT TRUTH, 00:21:40.292 --> 00:21:42.751 THAT WE WOULD LOVE GOD FOR HIS SAKE, 00:21:42.751 --> 00:21:43.834 NOT JUST OURS. 00:21:43.834 --> 00:21:46.125 I HEARD THIS FROM A LIFE-CHANGING SERMON 00:21:46.125 --> 00:21:46.999 I HEARD A FEW YEARS AGO. 00:21:46.999 --> 00:21:49.000 AND IT CHANGED MY PERSPECTIVE FOREVER. 00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:51.959 THE PASTOR SAID, WE START OFF AS BELIEVERS 00:21:51.959 --> 00:21:53.584 LOVING GOD FOR OUR OWN SAKE. 00:21:53.584 --> 00:21:56.918 WE ARE LOST AND NEED HIS HELP AND HE SAVES US. 00:21:56.918 --> 00:21:58.584 WE ASK GOD FOR WHAT WE NEED 00:21:58.584 --> 00:21:59.209 AND HE GIVES IT TO US. 00:21:59.209 --> 00:22:01.250 BUT THERE HAS TO COME A POINT 00:22:01.250 --> 00:22:02.417 IN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD 00:22:02.417 --> 00:22:05.209 THAT WE DON'T JUST LOVE GOD FOR OUR OWN SAKE, 00:22:05.209 --> 00:22:07.459 BUT THAT WE LOVE GOD FOR HIS SAKE. 00:22:07.459 --> 00:22:09.125 WE DO WHAT HE WANTS 00:22:09.125 --> 00:22:10.999 BECAUSE WE LOVE HIM. 00:22:10.999 --> 00:22:13.000 THIS IS SPIRITUAL MATURITY. 00:22:13.000 --> 00:22:14.918 I REMEMBER BEING LOST, 00:22:14.918 --> 00:22:17.000 AND IN MY DESPERATION TURNING TO GOD. 00:22:17.000 --> 00:22:18.876 I WAS MUCH LIKE THE LOST SINNERS 00:22:18.876 --> 00:22:21.209 JESUS MINISTERED TO IN HIS LIFE ON EARTH. 00:22:21.209 --> 00:22:23.999 I WAS AT ROCK BOTTOM AND DESPERATE FOR HELP. 00:22:23.999 --> 00:22:25.999 AND I KNEW AFTER TRYING EVERYTHING ELSE 00:22:25.999 --> 00:22:27.999 THAT HE WAS TRULY THE ONLY SOLUTION. 00:22:27.999 --> 00:22:30.083 I SURRENDERED MY LIFE TO HIM, 00:22:30.083 --> 00:22:31.999 KNOWING THAT HE COULD CHANGE IT. 00:22:31.999 --> 00:22:34.292 KNOWING ONLY HE COULD FULFILL ME. 00:22:34.292 --> 00:22:36.542 SHORTLY AFTER I HEARD THIS SERMON, THOUGH, 00:22:36.542 --> 00:22:38.834 I HAD A TOTAL SHIFT. 00:22:38.834 --> 00:22:39.999 I KNEW JESUS IS THE WAY 00:22:39.999 --> 00:22:43.709 BUT I CAN'T JUST SERVE HIM FOR MY OWN WELL-BEING. 00:22:43.709 --> 00:22:46.834 I HAVE TO SERVE HIM FOR HIS SAKE. 00:22:46.834 --> 00:22:47.501 EVEN IF IT COST ME. 00:22:47.501 --> 00:22:50.042 AND SO MY QUESTION THAT I WANT TO 00:22:50.042 --> 00:22:51.459 LEAVE YOU WITH TODAY IS, 00:22:51.459 --> 00:22:53.834 DO YOU LOVE GOD FOR HIS SAKE 00:22:53.834 --> 00:22:55.792 OR FOR YOUR OWN? 00:22:55.792 --> 00:22:57.292 JESUS WAS A FRIEND TO SINNERS, 00:22:57.292 --> 00:22:59.709 BUT THE WORLD WAS NOT A FRIEND TO HIM. 00:22:59.709 --> 00:23:01.042 THOSE WHO HEARD HIS TEACHINGS, 00:23:01.042 --> 00:23:02.709 KNEW THE COST OF FOLLOWING HIM, 00:23:02.709 --> 00:23:05.584 BUT THOSE WHO CHOSE TO FOLLOW JESUS, 00:23:05.584 --> 00:23:06.999 WILLINGLY PAID THE PRICE 00:23:06.999 --> 00:23:08.792 AND WERE HONORED TO FOLLOW HIM. 00:23:08.792 --> 00:23:09.959 EVEN IF IT MEANT PERSECUTION 00:23:09.959 --> 00:23:11.501 AND THE WORLD HATING THEM. 00:23:11.501 --> 00:23:14.167 WE HAVE THE SAME PRIVILEGE TO FOLLOW CHRIST TODAY. 00:23:14.167 --> 00:23:16.584 WE CAN SHARE GOD'S HEART FOR THE LOST 00:23:16.584 --> 00:23:18.542 AND REACH OUT TO THE HURTING AND OUTCAST 00:23:18.542 --> 00:23:20.667 IN SOCIETY WITH THE LOVE OF CHRIST 00:23:20.667 --> 00:23:24.876 AND SEE THE WORLD CHANGE AS THE KINGDOM OF GOD SPREADS. 00:23:24.876 --> 00:23:27.042 WE HAVE THE PRIVILEGE TO CALL OURSELVES 00:23:27.042 --> 00:23:27.999 FRIENDS OF GOD. 00:23:27.999 --> 00:23:29.999 SO MY QUESTION TO YOU IS THIS. 00:23:29.999 --> 00:23:31.999 CAN GOD CALL YOU HIS FRIEND? 00:23:31.999 --> 00:23:34.042 HEY, GUYS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING. 00:23:34.042 --> 00:23:36.959 BE SURE TO LIKE, COMMENT AND SUBSCRIBE, 00:23:36.959 --> 00:23:38.792 AND YOU CAN FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM, 00:23:38.792 --> 00:23:40.834 AT REBECCA LAMB WEISS. 00:23:40.834 --> 00:23:47.501 [ MUSIC ]