Cornerstone or Stumbling Block — Alan Martin

The Living Stone and the Cornerstone

If you'll turn to 1st Peter chapter 2, 1st Peter chapter 2, I'll start right at the 1st of the chapter, so we can read into our context. 1st Peter chapter 2 verse 1,. Therefore, laying aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up in respect to salvation, if you've tasted the kindness of the Lord.

And coming to him as a living stone, which has been rejected by men, but his choice and precious in the sight of God, you also like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

For this is contained in scripture. And this is what's contained in scripture is right before something that we know in common. This is the day the Lord has made and I will be I will rejoice and be glad in it.

But right before that, it says this. Behold, I lay in Zion. A choice stone, a precious cornerstone. And he who believes will not be put to shame. This stone is precious to them that believe. But for those who disbelieve the stone, which the builders rejected, this became the very cornerstone.

And a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense. And they stumble because they are disobedient to the word. Now, what is a cornerstone? To understand the scripture, you'd have to be a Mason to fully get it.

The cornerstone is the very first stone that you set in building a building that's going to be made of stone. It sets the entire direction. It orients the direction of the building, which way it faces.

And it must be perfectly square. Because if it's off, every other stone that's laid next to it is going to be off to the same way the cornerstone is. So God has chosen the way life will be. A stone precious to him, his very own son, Jesus Christ, made in the image of God.

And he sent him to his people to heal them and restore them and bless them. And the expert builders, the priests of his day, looked at Jesus Christ, God's perfect cornerstone. And they said, no. They rejected it.

They took their own carnal measurements of him and didn't think he fit their program. But the very stone they rejected, God made the absolute cornerstone of the church and of life. And that's us. Now, if you believe, to those who believe, Jesus Christ is precious.

There's nothing sweeter. There's nothing more valuable. But if you don't believe, you've got problems. Because if you don't believe that he is who God says he is. If you don't believe that he is the cornerstone of life, that everything must relate to him, be in line with him, be in direction with him.

You're going to have issues. Because you're not moving the stone. And if you don't move the stone and you don't like the way it's set, what's it going to cause you to do? To stumble. To those who believe the stone is precious.

But to those who are not believing, the stone is a stone of stumbling. And it's a rock of offense. And then he says this, they stumble being disobedient. I don't like to care for the translation disobedient.

The actual Greek word is they stumble refusing to have been persuaded. I've studied this word in the original language in scholars. And it means it's an intentional rejection of the evidence that has been presented.

They stumble at the word because they refuse to be persuaded by it. And that's the way it is. When you're not persuaded that God has said something is good for you to do, and you don't want to do it, it's just going to make you stumble.

And if God has said this is harmful for you, this is not good for you, but you enjoy it, you're going to stumble at that. Only those who are persuaded by what God said find it life and peace and joy and counsel to go in that direction.

Refusing to Be Persuaded by the Truth

This word, this refusing to be persuaded was used in John chapter 3. Now we know the most famous verse in John chapter 3, don't we? John 3, 16. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.

You could all finish quoting that. We know that. But at the end of this same chapter, John chapter 3, verse 36. I'm going to start with verse 33 and we're going to get down to verse 36. Follow me. John 3, 33 to 36.

He who has received His witness, in other words the witness of the Father, has set His seal to this that God is true. For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for He gives the Spirit without measure.

The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has eternal life. There's eternal life for everyone who believes in the Son. But look what it says then. But he who does not obey the Son, there's the word obey again, they choose obey.

It's the same Greek word, but those who refuse to be persuaded. Those who reject the evidence that God gave. Those who refuse to be persuaded will never see life. The wrath of God abides on them presently.

Have you ever wondered why Jesus seemed to have such a conflict with the Jewish rulers? Have you ever wondered why? He never seemed to treat them the same way He treated the poor people who were responding and coming to Him.

When He spoke to them, it seemed to be pretty direct. It didn't seem to be full of hope. It didn't seem to cut them any slack. He called them proud. He called them envious. He said many strong things about them.

But remember what the passage of Scripture said here. That the Father loves the Son. And the Son was the perfect representation of the Father. Because Jesus said of Himself, I only say what the Father tells me to say.

I only do what the Father shows me to do. And you know what Jesus knew? Jesus knew that before Him there was another witness named John the Baptist. And John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother's womb.

And John the Baptist was sent to the people of Israel to proclaim a message. It's time to repent. It's time to change your mind and follow the way of the Lord. Get ready for the Lord. Change your mind and get ready for the day of the Lord.

And remember this was John the Baptist filled with the Holy Spirit speaking. And how did the Jewish leaders react to that message? They rejected it. And Jesus knew that the message of John the Baptist was exactly the words of His Father.

And if the Jewish leaders would not accept the word of the Father through John the Baptist. Are they going to accept the word of the Father through Him? No. He's not going to change the word of the Father.

So He never had a relationship with them. They were the experts and they rejected the person that God sent. And Jesus said for every person who refuses to be persuaded. They're not going to see life. The wrath of God abides upon them presently.

Perishing Through Rejection of the Truth

And I want us to see this. If you will go with me to 2 Thessalonians. If you're turning with me and following me. I'll show you this. That this idea of following the Lord Jesus and Him being precious to you.

Is based upon your believing. If you don't believe. If you refuse to be persuaded. God cannot have the relationship with you He longs for. 2 Thessalonians chapter 2. I'm going to start in verse 10. And I'm going to start with the description of those who are perishing.

And listen carefully to the reason they are perishing. Remember what Jesus had said? Jesus said that those who are not persuaded. They will not see life. The wrath of God abides upon them presently. See how that agrees with what Paul said here.

In 2 Thessalonians chapter 2. Those who perish because they did not receive the love of the truth. And the word for receive here. It's root is in to think. To think about something and agree with it. There's two words for receive in the original language.

There's lambano which means to take in the hand. And there's decamite which means to think about it. Agree with it and embrace it. And this is the word here decamite. It says they perish because having thought about the truth.

They did not welcome it. They did not agree with it. And it goes on to say. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion. Now let me ask you. What else is God going to do? You don't want to believe what God says?

What's he going to do? Cram it down your throat? Come sit on you? Beat you on the head until you just give in and cry uncle? No. What's very fair for him to do is. Okay. You don't want to think about and agree with what I say?

Have your own thoughts. Have it your way. Have it your Burger King. Hold the pickle. Hold the lettuce. Special orders don't upset us. All we care is that you let have it your way. That that's what God does.

And what we don't realize is how how judgment that is. When God wants to judge someone. He stops correcting them. He stops dealing with them. He stops spanking them. And he says, okay. You don't agree with me.

You're not persuaded. But what I say. Do what you want. Say what you want to say. Do what you want to do. And they don't realize that's judgment. Because the Lord whom the Lord loves. He disciplines them.

He corrects them. That's mercy and grace. But when he wants to judge someone. He just gives them over to their own mind. And lets their own choices. Bring about the consequences for their actions. So that's what's happening here.

These people are perishing. Because they thought about the truth. Did not agree with it. So as to be saved. And what God did. Alright. I'll just let you have. Think what you want. And it says so that all will be condemned.

Who did not believe the truth. But they took pleasure in unrighteousness. Took pleasure comes from the Greek word. Well and to think. They thought well of unrighteousness. You know God is righteous. And God can only say something is good.

If it's good for you. God cannot say something is good. If it has a bad effect on you. Alcohol kills people. If it's consumed too much. Drunkenness destroys people's lives. God cannot call drunkenness good.

Drug addiction. God cannot call drug addiction good. No matter how high it makes a person. No matter how much pleasure or interest they feel. God cannot call something good. That is not good. He's righteous.

But these people. They thought well of what God saw was harmful. They thought well of what God thought is harmful. Pornography. Do men enjoy pornography? Yeah they do. God says it's harmful. It's polluting.

It's corrupt. It'll destroy you. If you think well of what God says is not right. That's the condition of perishing. And it's because you thought about it. And you disagreed with it. And you refused to accept it.

Receiving or Rejecting the Message of Christ

And let's see if Jesus used that same word as a reason that men are going to find trouble. If you're following me I'm going to turn to Matthew now. Matthew chapter 10. When Jesus sends out his disciples.

When he sends them out and he's giving them instructions. So follow me in Matthew chapter 10. And let's start in verse 11. Matthew 10 verse 11. And whatever city or village you enter. Inquire who is worthy in it.

And stay there until you leave. And now as you enter. Give the house your greeting. And if this house is worthy of your greeting. Let your peace come upon it. But if it's not worthy. Let your peace return to you.

That's interesting isn't it? You know it's like I come visit you. I need to check out. Am I really welcome here? Peace to you. At the common Jewish greeting. Peace to you. Now if you welcome me. And you welcome what I'm about.

And you welcome my purpose. My peace can be here. But if you say I'm not interested in what you're peddling. Okay my peace is going to return to me. That's what Jesus is saying. Okay I'm not going to let my peace rest upon it.

I'll look for another place. That's what Jesus is saying. And then verse 14. And whoever does not receive you. There's the word. Whoever thinks about you. And what your purpose is. And what you're saying.

If they think about you. And what you're saying. And they do not agree with you. They do not embrace it. Or listen to your words. Leave that house. Or city. If it's the whole city. Just leave the city.

And then shake the dust off your feet. You're done. You're done there. And he goes on to say this. Truly I say to you. It will be more tolerable. For the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment.

Than for that city. You mean in the day of judgment. Because Sodom and Gomorrah was already condemned. Burnt to ashes. By God. For the things that were going on in it. But it's going to be worse. For the house.

Or the city that says. I don't want to listen to you. I don't agree with you. And I don't want to hear it. For that. For that it will be worse. On the day of judgment than what happened to Sodom and Gomorrah.

And he says this again. In verse 40. If you're still there. In chapter 10. Matthew 10 40. He who receives you. Receives me. So if I'm coming to you. If the Lord Jesus has been with me. And if I'm faithfully sharing with you.

What he has shared with me. You know if you don't listen to me. You're really telling Jesus bug off. I don't want to hear it. And if you're saying that to Jesus. Then you're really saying that to the Father.

You're saying I don't want to hear what you have to say. The God who created the universe. Light and air. All the things that make life possible. And you're saying to the God of the universe. You don't want to listen to what he has to say.

If you don't listen to Jesus. You don't listen to the Father. And if you don't listen to Jesus. And you don't listen to the Father. It's going to be worse for you. Than it was for Sodom and Gomorrah. What happened to them.

That's what he's saying. I don't think we understand this very much. We don't focus on this. You know what this is called. When you talk about this subject. It's kind of been vilified by this thing. Hell fire and damnation preaching.

Bible thumping fundamentalists. Who love to yell and spit from the pulpit. You better sit back the first couple of rows. Because you might get a drop or two. When they really get worked up. Well you can characterize it in that way.

But that does not nullify. What Jesus said. If men have misappropriately. Represented these facts and judgment. About God's judgment. The facts about God's judgment are still there. And I want to take you to a place.

The Returning King and Final Judgment

Where the Lord Jesus himself. Gives a picture. Of the day when he returns. And what's going to happen. So if you have your Bible. You're still following me. Now let's turn to Luke. Chapter 19. Luke chapter 19.

And this is a parable. About the talents. You know there's a parable about the talent in Matthew. And there's also a parable about the talent in Luke. They're a little bit different. Because Luke remember.

Luke was not one of the twelve disciples. Luke met the apostle Paul. On the apostle Paul's second missionary journey. And so Luke became a follower. And traveled with Paul. And Luke gets most of the information in his gospel.

By personally interviewing the disciples. He wasn't there when it happened. So Luke talked to Matthew. Luke talked to Mark. Luke talked to John. Luke talked with Mary. That's how come Luke has details about the birth of Jesus.

That no one else had. He interviewed Mary. He found out things that only Mary could have known. And that's why he put that little phrase in there. She pondered these things in her heart. She remembered them.

She was telling them to Luke. So Luke. Luke's version is a little bit different. From Matthew. But someone he interviewed. Remembered this part. Of the parable of the talents. That Matthew didn't include.

So let's look at it together. Luke chapter 19. Verse 12. And remember. Jesus is using a parable. Parabolo. Para is alongside. And bolo is to throw. So you know what Jesus is doing. And what he's about to do.

He's throwing him a curve ball. Can you keep your eye on the ball? Here's a curve. Get ready. Hope you're alert. That's what he's doing. He's throwing him a curve ball. But you can hit a curve ball. You just have to pay attention.

You have to be awake. So here it comes. So he said. A noble one. Went to a distant country. To receive a kingdom for himself. And then return. And he called 10 of his slaves. And he gave them 10 minus.

And said to them. Engage in business. Until I come back. And then Luke inserts this next statement. That you don't find in Matthew. But his citizens hated him. Evidently. It was like a landlord estate.

He owned an estate. And the people that lived on his estate. Were considered his citizens. But he didn't yet. He wasn't actually made a king. He had a large estate. And the people that lived on his estate.

Were considered his citizens. But they hated him. And they sent a delegation after him. Saying. We are not willing. For this man to be over us. Wherever he was going. To be made a king. They followed.

To make sure. Their group protested him. We are not willing. For this man to be our king. And then the rest of the parable. Is very similar to what Matthew has. When he returns. The first thing. The nobleman does.

He does eventually return. And he was made a king. And when he returns. The first thing he does. Is he settles the account with his servants. What did you do with my money? And the ones that did well.

Heard well done thou good and faithful servant. And remember the one who didn't do well. Who took it. And hid. Hit it in the ground. You remember it didn't go well for that servant. He was a wicked and lazy servant.

But after. The nobleman. The king. Who is now king. After he deals with the servants. In verse 27. He says. But those enemies of mine. Now that's not how they were introduced in the story. The pitch started right here.

And now it's over here. What happened? How did those. Citizens. Become enemies. When they. Decided to oppose him. They're the ones. Who sent the delegation. And said. We are not willing. For this man.

To be made. Lord over us. That. Decision. Made them. His enemies. And then what did he do? Look at what he says. This is the Lord Jesus. This is his parable. About his own second coming. But those enemies of mine.

Who did not want me to reign over them. Bring them here. And do what? Force them to change their mind. No. Too late for that. They had the opportunity. To change their mind. Now. Now they are not going to live.

Now why would he do that? Because is he suddenly. An ugly. And overbearing. And mean king. Is that what he is suddenly? Or is he wise? And knows this. How could there ever be peace? And harmony. And unity.

In my kingdom. While there are those there who hate me. And do not want me to be in charge. Because the Bible says that a wise king. When he sits upon his throne. Drives the wicked. Out of his kingdom.

Not because. They are wicked. For opposing his authority. And a wise king. Does not allow. Active rebellion. To exist. In his kingdom. The Lord is allowing. Active rebellion. In the earth right now. Men can rebel.

Men can give the finger to God. Men can say. Ugly. Blasphemous things about God. Men can curse the church. Men can deride preachers. Men can talk about the Bible. Men can say. Ah. All that bunch of religious junk and garbage.

The earth has been here. It's billions and billions and billions and billions of years old. And all of this came from nothing. Nothing came. Something came from nothing. And it turned into something by nothing.

It's all that. They can say that. And say we're the ones that are dumb. For believing that in the beginning. God created the heavens and the earth. It's much smarter. In their minds to believe. That all of this came from nothing.

Something made nothing happen. And turned into something. That's literally what they're saying. And they're still trying to figure out. How it happened without. Any direction at all. That's refusing evidence.

Because the Bible says that the heavens declare. The glory of God. And the skies proclaim. The work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech. Night after night they display knowledge. There's not a speech.

Nor language. Where that kind of voice is not heard. Those kind of words. The evidence of his power. And his divine wisdom. And his ability are seen. Being clearly understood. In the things that are made.

That's what Paul says. So that. So that. Paul says. All men who refuse to believe it. Are without excuse. God has given enough evidence. And those who refuse to be persuaded. By the evidence. Those who make themselves.

An enemy of the Lord Jesus. Because they refuse to be persuaded. By what he says. They will experience. What Jesus said. They will experience. The judgment of God. Not because God did not send his son to save them.

Because God is good enough. That he does not force himself. Upon anyone. He gives you the ability. To think about his word. To think about his word. And to then on your own. Believe it. Be persuaded. Embrace it.

And follow it. Or. Make yourself his enemy. By thinking about it. And say no I don't like it. Because I like this more. This turns me on. And God says that's wrong. No. I'm going to do this because I like it.

You know what you're saying in doing that? My pleasure. Is more important. Than his word. What's he going to do? Now you know what I'll tell you what he is doing right now. At first he's going to be patient.

His first response is not to say I'll take your breath away. I'll put you in your place. I will appear and terrorize you. God could. God could suddenly manifest himself. And every single one of us here would be trembling for our lives.

And he chooses not to do that. You know what he chooses to do? He chooses to give you time. Okay. I'll wait. And he holds back. But remember. God is good and perfect and wise. He cannot allow rebellion to exist forever.

Can he? Or else heaven will be as corrupt as this. You know it's interesting. What I have rarely ever heard spoken at a funeral. Is the main reason everyone should rejoice about heaven being a better place.

Because if sin and corruption and rebellion. And people doing their own thing is allowed in heaven. There's going to be the same sorrow and pain and misery and crime. That there is now. But the reason that heaven is a place.

Where there's no more sorrow. And there's no more pain. And there's no more corruption. And there's no suffering. Is because on that day. The Lord Jesus Christ. The son of righteousness will take his throne.

And begin to reign. And he will not allow any rebellion. He won't even allow anyone who did not follow him to enter heaven. You should see how quiet it gets in the funeral homes. When I say the only people who will be in heaven.

Are the followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a family reunion. And no one else is there. And you should see the looks I get. Because they know whether they're following the Lord Jesus or not. And that's not.

You know what that word becomes to them in that moment? A rock of offense. And a stone of stumbling. But it's precious to me. Because I have seen the results of suffering and misery and pain and death.

What sin has done in this world. And I am glad that God in His goodness. Has chosen to give the world time to come to know Him. He's long suffering. He does not desire men to destroy. He does not act in His anger.

He's able to hold His anger back. And store it up. But you know what's happening in His heart right now? Towards all the world. Remember. Those who refuse to be persuaded. What Jesus said. He who has the son has life.

But he who does not receive the son. Has not life. On him the wrath of God. Abides now. What does it mean that the wrath of God abides now? God's anger. And hatred of rebellion. Boils in His heart. He simply chooses to hold it back.

To give the world time. To change their mind. And He is willing to forgive. To those who humble themselves. And receive the word that He sent. And allow themselves to be persuaded. By the word He sent.

He'll show mercy. And all they've done. All the rebellion. He forgave it. And He won't hold them to account. And He'll allow us to become His sons and daughters. And enter into a beautiful and wonderful relationship with Him.

And that's His heart's desire. But He will come. The day will come. When the Lord has said, okay. For the good of all. I must act now. Then Jesus will return. And on that day. It's judgment. We sing that song to battle Him of the Republic.

Do you remember the first line? We sang it not too long ago. My eyes have seen the glory. Really? Of the coming of the Lord. What's the next phrase? He's trampling out the grapes of wrath. Where the judgment's stored.

That's what. And that song is taken. Straight from the book of Revelation. Because there is one day. The pent up anger. And the righteous hatred of evil. That is boiling in God's heart. Is going to be released.

And woe to those. Who have made themselves the enemy. Of the Lord. By refusing to be persuaded. Because if you reject His mercy. Don't be pointing the finger at Him. When all that's left is wrath. And if you've spurned.

His every single attempt. To get you to change your mind. And His willingness to forgive you. And make you a brand new person. And what will happen will happen. And then this terrible place. We don't even hear it much.

Hell as Separation From the Goodness of God

How many of you have even heard the word hell? In a while? You know why? It's kind of the. It's kind of like. You don't say that. We don't talk about that. That's not popular. That's not the way to win people.

It's not. It's not a popular message. But it's wise for us to consider what hell is. Here's what the Bible says it is. And remember. If you've listened this morning. If you've heard this morning. God desires everyone to be saved.

So He sends His Son. The very image of man. To show the world. What He's like. And He's given the word. His word and spirit through the Son. So that all men might believe and be saved. But for those who refuse to believe the message.

What else can He give? They don't want the Son to be their Lord. And so they don't want the Father. They don't agree with the Father's choice of the Son. So what's He to do? They don't want God like He is.

Is He supposed to welcome into heaven anyway? What is He going to do? Come on. You tell me. It doesn't matter. You lived your whole life rejecting the Son. And rejecting the word. And then God is just supposed to take you to heaven.

And you're going to be the same as all the saints who served Him. It doesn't make sense. It's illogical. But you know what does make sense? That God would create a place where there's a vacuum of everything He is.

A God vacuum. And God is good. So hell is a place where there's no goodness. None. Nothing good. Not a single good feeling. God is light. But in hell there's a void of God so there's no light. So there's no light in hell.

There's total darkness. And it takes light to be able to see. So you can't see in hell. Nothing to see. There's no light. There's no goodness. And God loves to give rest. Jesus said, take my yoke upon you, learn of me.

And what do you find? Rest for yourself. But there's no rest in hell because rest is something that God gives. And the person that doesn't want God is not going to get God's rest. So you can't see. There's no goodness.

And you can never rest. But the one thing that you are is you're present. You exist. Now tell me, how many of you would want to exist in a place where there's absolutely no goodness? You can't see. You cannot rest.

And you cannot die. You exist forever without God because that's what you asked for. That's what you chose. You said you didn't want God. You didn't want Him to rule over you. And He gave you what you asked for.

Would that be torment? You see how tormenting that would be? Especially when you do get a chance to glimpse it at the judgment. You see the glory of God. You see the glory of heaven. Suddenly you're aware it was all real.

It's all there. All of it magnificently displayed before me. And then you hear, Depart from me, you workers of iniquity. And you're cast into the outer darkness. Where what did Jesus say will be? You're cast into the outer darkness where there will be weeping and what?

Gnashing of teeth. What is that all about? It's not talking about their being tormented by literal fire necessarily. It may be. I don't think it's necessary. You know what they're tormented by? They're tormented by the fact that they now realize how stupid and rebellious and wicked they were.

To reject such a good and perfect and powerful God. And now they have missed out on what He wanted for them. And He's given them what they chose. A place where there's a vacuum. There's no fellowship in hell.

You won't have. Friendship is a good thing. There won't be friendship in hell. There won't be consciousness of other people. You will be. It's isolated. Isolation. No rest. No goodness. Nothing but eternal torment.

Torment because you've seen what you rejected. And you can never get back there again. And you can never die. Pretty tormenting, isn't it? So let me tell you something. Today, if you hear His voice, don't harden your heart.

You don't know how much danger you're in to harden your heart against the voice of God. It's mercy for God to speak to us. It's mercy for God to attempt to correct us. It's mercy for God to discipline us.

And we would be wise to fear Him. Trust Him. Agree with Him. So that when He returns, what's He going to find us? Waiting for Him? Looking for Him? You remember the other parable that Jesus gave? And I'll finish with this.

Faithful Servants Awaiting the Master's Return

Jesus gave another parable. And I think this applies more to us than to people out there in the world. Because Jesus used in this parable a wise servant. A faithful servant. It says that a man had to go away on a long journey.

A rich man had to go away on a long journey. But before he left, he put a faithful and a wise servant in charge. To run things while he was away. And so the servant had the responsibility to make everything in the estate work well while the master was away.

But the trip was a long trip. And the master stayed away a long time. And so for a while, the faithful servant did his job. But the master kept not coming back. And it's like, maybe he's not coming back.

I'm kind of the next one. I think he kind of moved into the house. Man, the master lives in a pretty nice room. It's a pretty nice bed. Let's see what he has in the fridge. Whoa, look at that. Man, the cabinets are full.

And he began to help himself. And to indulge a little bit. And of course, maybe you can do it in secret at first. But if there's other people around, other servants around, they're going to start noticing.

Hey man, I don't know if I'd be doing that. I mean, you're in the master's house. I mean, you're sleeping in his bed. Dude, that's not... And of course, you know, they get concerned. And of course, he don't want to hear it, does he?

Once he started enjoying these things, they come to him. And what does he do? What do you think he does? Shut up. Leave me alone. I don't want to hear it. But they don't stop. And so he eventually... Here's what Jesus says.

He begins to beat his fellow servants. And I know why he begins to beat them. Because he didn't want to hear what they had to say. And then suddenly, what Jesus says, you know what happens? The master returns.

And he finds the guy living in his house, using his things, sleeping in his bed, beating his other servants. And you know what Jesus said the master did? He called the other servants, said, take him, cut him in two.

And so, you know what Jesus... Jesus turns to his own disciples, his 12. And he says, it'll be good for you if you... When the master comes, he finds you dressed and ready for service. So let me tell you all, University Park Baptist Church.

It'll be good when Jesus returns to find you serving him. Not out there in the world. Living it up. Because I'll tell you, if he finds you out there in the world, living it up with the rest of the wicked, it is not going to go well with you.